February 2nd, 2012 edition

Soul Train icon Don Cornelius dies

Shafaye Hooks,with her daughters Desani Hooks,11,and Delaia Hooks,7,waved andtook pictures of veterans as they paraded down Market Street on Saturday.People lined a parade route in downtown St.Louis for the nation’s first parade to honor those who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Forum tackles accreditation crisis

vs. Clayton ruling could roil SLPS

By Rebecca S.Rivas

O. Jones at Washington University’s Jan. 26 forum on the issue.

On the other hand, no one wants to damn students to a subpar education, said state Rep. Scott Dieckhaus, who also chairs the house

Simmons takes skills to law firm

Gov. Nixon’s Commissioner of Administration moves to SNR Denton

By Chris King Of The St.Louis American

As Commissioner of Administration for Gov. Jay Nixon, Kelvin Simmons was the highest-ranking African American in Missouri government. Working at the senior level for a conserva-

tive Democrat who had few meaningful ties to black people, Simmons loomed large to the African-American political and business communities.

Though his departure from the Nixon administration is perceived as a great loss of opportunity for African Americans in the state, Simmons has seized a significant personal opportunity. He has moved from an administrative post in a mid-sized state’s government in the middle of the country to being a principal at one of the top 25 law firms in the world, SNR Denton.

“The firm comes from the recent merger of an international firm based in London (Denton Wilde Sapte LLP) with a

See SIMMONS, A6

Rogers

Public intellectual is celebrity host for Feb. 23 Salute event

By Kenya Vaughn Of

By Jamala Rogers

Photo by Wiley Price

Kelvin Simmons

Jamala

Don Cornelius commits suicide

Don Cornelius, the man who created and hosted the legendary “Soul Train” program, is dead at 75.

He was found dead in his Sherman Oaks, CA home this morning. Law enforcement sources reportedly told TMZ that his death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Law enforcement sources also told the celebrity news and gossip site that one of Cornelius’ two sons made the call around 4 a.m. – and paramedics were immediately dispatched to Cornelius’ Sherman Oaks home in an effort to save his life.

He was transported to a nearby hospital -- where he was later pronounced dead.

The music television “Soul Train” changed the landscape of television - and created a new level of exposure for urban music - when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006.

Vanessa Bryant bypasses ‘Basketball Wives’

Kobe’s ex Vanessa Bryant, has once again turned down a huge sum of money to appear on the VH1 hit reality TV show “Basketball Wives.” A source told The Insider that taking part in reality shows “just isn’t Vanessa’s style”, but said that no disrespect was meant to those that do appear. The makers of “Basketball Wives” –including executive producer Shaunie O’Neal – had reportedly offered Vanessa Bryant a spot on the show previously, but she declined. The producers are said to be still holding out hope that their latest, lucrative offer will be enough to sway her and tempt her into joining the other basketball wives on screen.

Bow Wow dusted ‘Red Tails’

this year and that his next film, “Recalled,” is coming out in spring.

A.I. account jacked to pay back jewelry bill

According to court papers obtained by TMZ.com, former basketball star Allen Iverson was sued back in 2010 for allegedly stiffing Aydin & Company Jewelers on a $375,000 bill. The records show he never responded to the lawsuit, so a default judgment was issued in favor of the jewelry store – which allowed A&C to collect $859,896.46 for the bling, court costs, interest and attorneys fees.

But according to the site, A.I. still didn’t pay.

So earlier this month, the judge signed off on an order which allows the store to recoup their loss directly from Iverson’s Wells Fargo bank account.

of course, and likes them both very much. She’s working on sending them a baby gift. She hasn’t even had time to send a baby gift because she’s been away. Let me just say, if (that report is) true, it is news to her. It is news to her. You know, she was heading to South Africa when the baby was born.”

British GQ says Chris Brown’s fashion sense is all bad

British GQ crowned singer Chris Brown as their “World’s Worst-Dressed Man 2012” and had some scathing things to say about the singing and dancing sensation.

In a recent radio interview rapper/actor Bow Wow talked about his upcoming projects and why he passed on George Lucas’ highly buzzed historical drama “Red Tails.”

“I got the script for ‘Red Tails’ and I was actually busy... I was busy,” Bow Wow told Mina SayWhat. “...You got to understand anytime you see any roles in Hollywood for young black men they ALL come to me. They ALL come to me.”

He also tells Mina he plans to tour most of

Oprah is NOT the Godmother

Oprah Winfrey’s BFF and “CBS

This Morning” co-host Gayle King, denied internet buzz that Winfrey is the godmother of Beyonce and Jay-Z’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter

“It’s absolutely not true that she’s the godmother,” King said. “She’s friends with them,

“Inside this year GQ’s 50 BestDressed Men 2012 in association with Mercedes-Benz, we reveal that the worst-dressed man on the planet is none other than the thuggish rapperslash-singer,” GQ Britain writes. “ For someone who seems to have so much disposable income - he boasts on one track about spending “15 grand on a phone” and charged over $500 for meet-and-greets on his last tour - Brown seems utterly adverse to investing in tailoring, combining the worst excesses of XXL sizing with a penchant for deeply unflattering costumes.”

Sources; Contactmusic.com, TMZ.com, Latimes.com, CBS.com, GQUK.com

Clay salutes Welcome Home Heroes Parade

St. Louis hosts nation’s irst celebration that honors Iraq veterans

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

For The St. Louis American

It is my great honor to welcome home our brave sons and daughters who served so brilliantly in Iraq. I am proud of the grass-roots effort that grew this Welcome Home Heroes Parade from a handful

of patriotic St. Louisans to the thousands who are assembled today in downtown St. Louis to honor these brave veterans. Our Iraq veterans come home with their heads held high for a job well done. Almost nine years ago, their mission to Iraq began. We could not have known then that the road would be this long and so dificult. But through it all, their love of country, their devotion to duty and their dedication to each other allowed them to achieve all their objectives and much more. More than 1.5 million Americans have served in Iraq. Over 32,000 have been wounded. Nearly 4,500 Americans made the ultimate sacriice – and they are joined

in eternal honor by more than 1800 fallen heroes in Afghanistan. We grieve for them all, and we pray that God will grant their families strength, comfort and courage as they bear this terrible burden.

We also salute the steadfast devotion of all military families, because we know it is not only the soldier who serves. We will never forget their strength.

Our nation’s commitment to veterans does not end when you take off the uniform. The new G.I Bill, which I was proud to support can help you get the education that will allow you to live out your dreams. And along with President Obama, I am supporting a national effort to put our

Parade goers hold signs to show their appreciation for veterans during a parade in St. Louis on January 28, 2012. People lined a parade route in downtown St. Louis for the nation闇s irst parade to honor those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Photo by UPI/ Bill Greenblatt

veterans to work.

But even after you come home, your service is not over. Our communities, here in St. Louis and across the nation, need your talent, your energy, your skills and your discipline to rebuilt, restore and reinvigorate our nation. Even though the war in Iraq is over, your mission continues.

So to all our Iraq veterans, and to all those who still serve in Afghanistan, we are proud of you.

We have ended one war, and we will be winding down another conlict in a way that will make America stronger and the entire world more secure.

Thank you for your brave service in the defense of freedom.

Crooked hook-ups in ESL

“We are a society that understands that when a person has paid his debt to society, that person is eligible to be employed. We are a society of second chances,” says East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. That is, obviously, the philosophy of Parks and a few other so-called leaders in East Boogie, because it seems that felons are welcomed back to city government, education and positions of political authority irrespective of their crimes. Some felons get multiple opportunities to burn the good citizens of ESL, while Mayor Parks and others hide behind ridiculous rhetorical excuses which enable those, guilty of abusing the public’s trust, to reoffend.

Take, for instance, ESL city employee Sheila Thomas. Remember her? She along with Jesse Lewis were convicted of vote fraud back in 2004. Upon their release they were rewarded with positions in ESL city government.

And then there’s our old buddy and former political “big-wig” Charlie Powell. He served 21 months for being the ringleader in a vote-buying scheme.

Jesse Lewis repaid them by being ired for stealing gasoline for his personal use.

Now Sheila (along with her supervisor Marcus Johnson) have been placed on unpaid administrative leave, resulting from an audit which found irregularities in the city’s demolition program.

This is not the irst time such errors in judgment have backired. Remember Kelvin Ellis?

He served a federal sentence for extortion, only to re-emerge, from his prison stint, as ESL’s regulatory affairs director.

How did Ellis repay those who gave him a “second chance”? He ran prostitutes out of ESL City Hall, engaged in election fraud, attempted to have a federal witness murdered and engaged in tax evasion; a REAL model citizen, huh?

Charlie bounced right of prison into an assistant principal position in ESL, while many young college graduates (without a criminal record) couldn’t even get a courtesy interview in ESL public schools. That’s precisely why young, educated college graduates (from ESL) seldom return. It is because of the convoluted logic and practices of Mayor Parks and others, which has created a “brain drain” and an erosion of hope among those who should be ESL’s greatest resource. I agree that exoffenders are eligible for re-employment, but within reason. If one is convicted of embezzlement, then it is reasonable to expect a bank not to hire them as a teller. A convicted child molester shouldn’t emerge from prison and be allowed to open a daycare facility for children. Using the same logic, it is reasonable to expect that if a person has used a political position to commit vote fraud that they should not be rehired in a political or public capacity. There are other (non-political) lines of work for them to pursue. The revolving door for hiring ESL’s ex-felons (at City Hall and in ESL schools) must end; and that begins with her so-called leadership thinking about the citizens, instead of the politics, for once.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com

If you like my column, then you will love my radio show on WGNU-920 AM every Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

James Ingram

EDITORIAL /COMMENTARY

MSD poised to make inclusion history

As we enter Black History Month, we might consider that much of history is accidental. It was not written in the stars that public bus service would be the vehicle to catalyze the Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery. A committed activist happened to get tired of routine discrimination in public transit, and a boycott of public transit turned out to be something activists could leverage for their objectives.

Many in St. Louis have wrestled with the entrenched problems of African Americans being under-represented in workforce and contracting, particularly on projects with public subsidy, where fair distribution should be considered a civic duty that strengthens the region’s overall well being. Of the many who have fought for minority inclusion – activists like Percy Green II, politicians like Virvus Jones, minority contractor groups, minority inclusion committees formed at agencies and companies, large corporate employers like BJC and Ameren – it’s safe to say that no one expected that their efforts would culminate in a new standard-setting program at the Metropolitan Sewer District.

But history, the accidental actor that it is, has put MSD in a position where it can design and implement a comprehensive program for minority inclusion in workforce as well as contracting that would warrant the term “historic.”

The opportunity begins with a consent decree that resolved a civil action against MSD iled by the U.S. government and the State of Missouri for violations to the Clean Water Act. MSD agreed to make $4.7 billion in sewer system improvements over the next 20 years. When $4.7 billion in work is at stake, relatively small increments of greater inclusion will make a large difference in the net values of wages and contracts earned by African Americans.

Advocates for inclusion on the MSD board,

spurred by activists and advocates in the community, brought signiicantly higher numbers for inclusion in workforce and contracting at MSD to a board vote. When this effort stalled with a deadlocked board, it was met with angry resistance by activists, led by the NAACP, who threatened to announce a boycott of tax-generating regional industries in St. Louis city and county, and the gaming and hospitality sectors in particular.

At this point, MSD Executive Director Jeff Theerman seems to have blinked. He said at the next board meeting, “As we begin an unparalleled construction program, we should strive to have an unparalleled program of inclusion for minorities, women and disadvantaged businesses. Not just in terms of contracts alone, but in terms of workforce diversity as well.” Theerman expressed this verbal commitment, acknowledging that some would reject it as mere talk, while other entrenched interests would take these to be ighting words. We urge Theerman and inclusion advocates at MSD to steel themselves for an inevitable ight. If a public agency that has agreed to do $4.7 billion in public works is not the agency to make the pivot for historical change, then what is? And since this work is beginning now, then if not now, when?

We are told MSD is conferring with “stakeholders” preparatory to considering interim improvements to the agency’s inclusion program as it speeds up the timetable for conducting a disparity study. We think Theerman and the MSD board should broaden their sense of who the agency’s stakeholders are as they gather information and seek advice. We think union leaders like Jeff Aboussie need to look at their apprentice programs and commit to bringing in enough African Americans to meet the historic level of minority workforce participation that the situation calls for. The time to start making history is now.

An argument Obama can win

If you heard a loud “gulp” after President Obama’s State of the Union address, it probably came from Republican political strategists as they realized their party’s odds of capturing the White House this fall are getting longer. Obama may be no Ronald Reagan, but he’s no Jimmy Carter, either. The obligatory list of accomplishments and initiatives was embellished with bits and pieces of what will likely be Obama’s standard campaign speech. At the heart of his argument for a second term is his assertion that the American dream of upward mobility has been hijacked – that the rich and the powerful have rigged our economic and political systems to favor their interests over those of the average citizen.

Obama sounded this theme several times, perhaps most effectively when he decried policies that allow billionaire Warren Buffett to pay a lower income-tax rate than does his longtime secretary, Debbie Bosanek, who sat with First Lady Michelle Obama in her box Tuesday night:

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Islam, prisons and Latinos

Jose Pimentel’s recent arrest by New York City police for plotting a bomb attack has kindled debate about Latinos and terrorism. In the polemic, some see the relationship between Latinos and extremism as tenuous at best, serving only to foment fear and new layers of anti-Latino sentiment amidst increasingly ierce beliefs about immigration. From this view, being branded “Muslim” is yet another way of marginalizing Latinos.

Other critics, however, take a different position and see the string of post-9/11 terrorist acts as disproportionately involving Latino Muslims. From Jose Padilla to Daniel Maldonado, Antonio Martinez, Carlos Almonte and Bryant Neal Vinas, Pimentel’s activities represent a trend that is taking shape despite the small percentage of Latino Muslims in the United States.

A more nuanced look at Latino conversion offers insight into the debate by positing Latino converts as radical by nature. Here, use of the term “radical,” which means “root” or “origins,” is not a hyped-up

rhetorical lourish, but rather, a description of how some Latinos embrace Islam as a way of connecting with their Hispanic heritage. Hence the nature of conversion is “radical” due to the reclaiming of Islamic Spanish roots. In other words, something more profound occurs: when Latinos convert to Islam, they are not simply turning to a new faith, they are reconnecting with an uprooted past.

The face of radicalism appears more extreme when converts also harbor feelings of oppression. For some converts, social discrimination and police proiling may be sources for these feelings, while others look at Christianity as the fountain of their woes. In such instances, Islam can become a strategy to distance oneself from the Church’s sordid past and sex-scandalous present. Yet arguably more so than any of these factors, the prison experience deines Latino oppression. In fact, the traumas experienced by inmates may be a direct cause of conversion, and the logic is simple: dangers and deprivations force inmates to turn to God for help.

Historical and present oppression, and most prominently, unfairness in criminal justice give prison converts plenty of fuel for resentment. NPR reports that oficials have been tracking an increasing number

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Unconscionable cowards

Last week, public safety breeches at the Capitol affected half a dozen lawmakers, their staff and the General Assembly as a whole, including my ofice and my staff. In the strongest voice possible, I condemn these tactics and the person or persons responsible. I ind it appalling that anyone would ind the image of gun target crosshairs as funny or appropriate to leave on the nameplates of legislative ofices.

to meet the needs of contemporary law enforcement.

Once out of the academy, cops are exposed to the many unwritten nuances that they must learn and adhere to in order to “get along” and get ahead in the department. Oficers quickly learn that transfers, job opportunities and promotions are contingent upon “who you know,” not competence. Such an environment is toxic to professionalism.

of prison converts who “redirect their criminal energies and engage in terrorism.” Moreover, the spread of “Prislam” groups, which are guided by religious elements and gang values, offer a model of organization that may resonate with Latinos, who run the largest prison gangs in the country. Thus, despite that some political pundits point to foreign jihadists as the source of resentment and anger among American Muslims, the more likely source of oppression is homegrown, much of which is sown in the American criminal justice system.

This analysis posits Latino conversion as more than the adoption of a new worldview – it involves the bonus of rediscovering one’s roots, making the conversion “radical” in the truest sense of the term. The combination of radicalism and feelings of oppression makes for a volatile mix that can produce extreme results. As Islam continues to make inroads in Latino communities, it will become clearer if this proposition proves an insight to Latino involvement in post-9/11 terror, and rather than historical blips, Padilla, Pimentel, and others are prologue to a new chapter in American jihad.

SpearIt is assistant professor of law at SLU Law.

elected oficials and candidates for ofice to make sure they know that when they try to take away health care services and rights from American women there will be consequences.

“That’s not right. Americans know that’s not right. They know that this generation’s success is only possible because past generations felt a responsibility to each other, and to the future of their country, and they know our way of life will only endure if we feel that same sense of shared responsibility.”

There are some Republicans who can’t wait to take the issue of Buffett’s tax rate vs. Bosanek’s head-on. They are eager to argue that one of the world’s richest men deserves to pay a lower rate because his income derives from job-creating investments. These Republicans presumably consider his secretary a mere salaried employee who spends her money on such fripperies as, you know, food, shelter, clothing and transportation.

“The issue I think that’s going to play out this election is that question of Warren Buffett’s secretary,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Wednesday on CNN. “We want her to make more money, we want her to have more hope for the future. ... (But) this notion that somehow the income that Warren Buffett makes is the same as a wage income for his secretary, we know that’s not the same.”

In other words, it’s not just that the rich are better than the rest of us, but also that their money is better than our money. Is this really an argument the Republican presidential nominee is going to make? Not in so many words, surely. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum seem to understand that taking Cantor’s line would constitute political malpractice.

“We don’t begrudge inancial success in this country. We admire it. When Americans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich. It’s because they understand that when I get a tax break I don’t need and the country can’t afford, it either adds to the deicit or somebody else has to make up the difference – like a senior on a ixed income, or a student trying to get through school, or a family trying to make ends meet.

Mitt Romney may get it, too, but he has little room to maneuver. Romney’s wealth must be very special, indeed, to deserve vacations in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands, where he likes to park his money. But I digress.

Perhaps more of a political problem, from the GOP’s point of view, is Obama’s riff on shared responsibility. Republicans seem eager to double down on a “greed is good” ethos that has more resonance when the economy is booming, real estate values are soaring and everybody feels rich. Obama, by contrast, envisions a return to an America where the successful and fortunate lend a helping hand to those down on their luck, rather than coldly leave them behind. This seems much more in tune with the times.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, delivering the Republican response, offered an alternative that many voters might ind cogent and unthreatening. He didn’t provide a lot of new ideas – basically, Daniels supports the same laissez-faire policies that got us into this crisis – but at least he didn’t sound like some kind of Ayn Rand acolyte who believes that economic Darwinism must always be allowed to run its course.

Daniels isn’t running for president, though, and the pragmatic conservatism he described – one that imagines a role for government – is out of touch with the radicalism that dominates his party. The Republicans who are running the party laugh at the concepts of fairness and collective responsibility. Soon they may ind the joke’s on them.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.

There is no place for this type of behavior in Missouri politics. Indeed, these actions are wrong, unconscionable and do not relect the citizenry of Missouri. Furthermore, these actions will not deter me and the members of the Missouri State Legislature from doing our jobs to the best of our ability, with honor and dignity.

This is not the time to be distracted from the serious work that must be done on behalf of Missourians. I will not back down from working as hard as possible on behalf of my constituents and the people of Missouri. To that end, I will continue to focus on my work in the Senate Chamber and have every conidence that the Capitol Police and Missouri State Highway Patrol will ind the responsible parties and hold them accountable for their actions.

State Sen. Maria ChappelleNadal University City

Nepotism, cronyism and STLPD

The battle for control of the St. Louis Police Department rages unabated, fueled currently by Rex Sinqueield’s Missouri ballot initiative and a call from the ACLU for civilian review of police shootings and other alleged police abuses.

The many problems attributed to policing in St. Louis begin with the police department employment ofice. Rather than seeking to build a diverse staff of competent, well-educated oficers, the department’s hiring practices perpetuate the nepotism and cronyism inherent in city and state politics. The police academy contributes to a façade of competence as recruits are ushered through training that is woefully inadequate

A police department devoid of the nepotism and cronyism that currently plagues the STLPD is achievable. But it will be up to the citizenry to demand it.

Michael

K. Broughton Green Park

Legislative activism and abortion

Sunday, January 22, marked the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. This landmark ruling guaranteed that the right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution protects the right of a woman to choose whether to continue a pregnancy or have a safe and legal abortion. As we commemorate this anniversary, lawmakers in Missouri and in Congress are lining up to attack a woman’s right to access basic reproductive health care including abortion and contraception. And our Republican presidential candidates are pledging to outlaw them both.

Polling consistently shows that a majority of Americans support Roe. Yet, in 2011, according to the Guttmacher Institute, 24 states enacted 92 new abortion restrictions to abortion, shattering the previous record of 34 adopted in 2005.

Here in Missouri, anti-women’s health legislators are pursuing bills that would make medication abortion a non-option, and bills that would expand medical refusal language to allow “medical professionals” to refuse to prescribe and dispense birth control and deny survivors of sexual assault access to emergency contraception in the Emergency Room. And every Republican presidential candidate has vowed to overturn Roe. We challenge those who are opposed to abortion to commit to expanding women’s access to preventive services and to reducing health disparities. And, we will continue watching our

Paula Gianino President, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region

Robinson

Guest Columnist SpearIt

Gov. Jay Nixon encourages interested Missourians to submit applications to be considered for the next two-year term as poet laureate of Missouri. Webster University Professor of English David Clewell, of St. Louis, was selected by the Governor in 2010 for the current term as poet laureate.

The deadline to submit an application for poet laureate is Feb. 24, 2012. An application form that can be filled in online and then printed to mail in can be found at http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/pdf/2012/2012_Poet_Application.pdf.

An advisory committee, including three representatives of the Missouri Center for the Book and two members appointed by the Governor, is charged with reviewing and evaluating applications, and recommending appropriate candidates for appointment to the Governor. Members of the advisory committee must have expertise in contemporary American poetry and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The members of the advisory committee are:

•Dr. James Baumlin, a Professor of English at Missouri State University, who has published numerous books, essays and reviews;

•Dr. Adam Davis, a professor in the Classical and Modern Languages Department at Truman State University;

•Gabriel Fried, the author of two poetry collections and the poetry editor at Persea Books. He teaches in the graduate creative writing program at the University of Missouri;

•Kris Kleindienst, a published author and columnist, and the owner of Left Bank Books, an independent bookstore with two locations in St. Louis; and

•Nola Ruth, the chair of the Missouri Arts Council, who served for 17 years as the director of the Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies.

The individual selected as poet laureate will serve a two-year term and be expected to present and lecture on poetry to school, community and civic groups throughout the state.

Community physical therapy forthe elderly

Northside Community Center has opened its community-based physical therapy program for the elderly. Northside has teamed up with Effectus Physical Therapy and Missouri Home Therapy to provide care at its home office in the Ville neighborhood of St. Louis City.

The program provides older adults with care from a physical therapist at no cost to the client. Seniors without transportation may call the Center for door to door transportation. According to Jerri Kibby Williams, Northside Senior Center Director, “This program supports our goal of promoting the independence and healthy aging of older adults by preventing and intervening in the progression of debilitating conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and gait problems.

“Injuries due to falls are one of the biggest risks faced by older adults and often results in serious injury and loss of independence,” according to Dionne Forland, CEO, Missouri Home Therapy (MHT).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of three older adults (age 65 or older) fall each year making falls the leading cause of trauma admissions and injury deaths.

According to Arik Poremba, owner of Effectus Physical Therapy, “Physical therapy is an effective cost saving approach to fall prevention, strengthening and pain management for older adults.”

To schedule an appointment for physical therapy at Northside, call MHTat (314) 524-3958. For more information about the project or transportation, call Northside at (314) 531-4161 or visit www.northsidecommunitycenter.net.

Low rider

Breast cancer treatment forthose who can’t afford treatment

By Robin Smith KMOV-TV – Channel 4

October has been recognized as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” It’s the month when everything from shopping bags to the fountain in Kiener Plaza turn pink. For that one month, the entire nation focuses on the lives lost to breast cancer and honors those who have survived this devastating disease.

But for 12 months a year, breast cancer continues to be the second-leading cause of cancer death in African-American women, second to only lung cancer. So, it is important that we start to discuss this deadly disease every month of the year. Beyond discussing it, we need to do something about it.

Current studies show that while the incidence of breast cancer is actually lower in African-American women,the mortality rate is much higher than it is in any other racial/ethnic group. Why does breast cancer continue to take the lives of so many African-American women?

The mortality rate of African-American women may be connected to lack of access to detection and treatment services.Combine that with economic, social constraints, such as inadequate or little health insurance, or no insurance at all, and the diagnosis and death rate start to climb.

There is one organizationhere in St. Louis leading the way to hopefully reverse these grave statistics. It is called Gateway to Hope. Founded by two doctors in our area in 2005, the mission of the not-for- profit organization is to save the lives of individuals who have or are at risk of having breast cancer. They help the uninsured or underinsured by proving treatment and services at no cost to the patient. The organization maintains a network of professional partners such as doctors, hospitals and pharmacies who donate all of their services. KMOV-TV– Channel 4 is a proud sponsor.

To date its caring network of volunteers claim they have saved the lives of more than 250 women – 250 daughters, sisters, aunts, wives, mothers, family members and friends. I encourage women in the African-American community to schedule their mammograms, and also contact Gateway to Hope if you find yourself or a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer but unable to afford medical treatment.

In order to decrease the mortality rate from breast cancer in our community, we have to start increasing the awareness yearround. We must spread the word, about the resources in our area like Gateway to Hope, where doctors, hospital staff and pharmacistswork each and every day to save the lives of those with – or at risk – of having breast cancer, but can who cannot afford treatment.

Please tell the women you know, about the life saving mission of Gateway to Hope. Remember, together we can save lives.

Gateway to Hope: 314-569-1113; info@gthstl.org; www.gthstl.org.

Robin Smith is a news anchor for KMOV-TVChannel 4.

Robin Smith

Rwoeshan Taylor escorted his son Amore Taylor, 2,as he sped down the sidewalk in the 1200 block of Leonard Avenue in his Space Ranger Corvette recently.

Photo by Wiley Price

to say, ‘The truth shall set you free and a liar is a thief.’”

Powell will serve as master of ceremonies for the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2nd Annual Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception, presented by Emerson 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23 in the Starlight Room of Chase Park Plaza.

Powell’s toughtruth love will give the young leaders and their supporters something to talk about.

“Alot of our folks don’t know what to do or where to turn to because we have leadership who really wants us to stay in a state of misery so they can keep a job,” Powell said. “I call it a ghetto monarchy. Our people have been lied to for decades.” He has made a name for himself telling such tough truths in 10 published books and through a prolific career as a social critic, activist and public intellectual.

countless television appearances, including on The Oprah Winfrey Show

With a new project, BK (Building Knowledge) Nation, he hopes to create a paradigm for black leadership and community activism.

“When you really look at the Civil Rights Movement, it was the people whose names we will never know that made that movement happen,” he said. The four areas of focus for its initial year are jobs and small business development, education, civic engagement, and health and wellness.

“St.Louis is one of the communities that can take us forward and be an example of what is possible for the rest of the nation.”

– Kevin Powell

“I don’t consider myself a celebrity,” Powell said. “I care about things like poverty, gender bias, voting rights and violence against women.”

He credits his single mother for teaching him the importance of hard work and education. Through her guidance, the Jersey City, NJ native broke the chains of poverty and miseducation to become a sought-after author and speaker. His work has been featured in Esquire Newsweek The Washington Post, Essence, and Rolling Stone and he has made

FORUM

Powell thinks St. Louis is a good place to plant his new meesage.

“I’ve traveled all over this country, and St. Louis is truly one of my favorite cities,” Powell said. “I love St. Louis. It is one of the communities that can take us forward and be an example of what is possible for the rest of the nation.”

Tickets for the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception, presented by Emerson, are $25 each and can be ordered though stlamerican.com, by calling 314533-8000 or emailing kdaniel@stlamerican.com. The recognition event will be held from 5:30-7:30, Thursday, February 23 and will include complimentary beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar for premium drinks.

Partner sponsors for the Salute to Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception are Ameren Missouri, Edward Jones, PNC Bank, RBC and St. Louis Community College.

Annual Tuition Costs to be paid by SLPS

Continued from A1 Estimated students transferring to accredited schools from:

committee on Elementary & Secondary Education.

At the forum, legislators and education administrators spoke on the issue’s complicated facets before a packed house of 300. Adding to the complexity is a new lawsuit from St. Louis City firefighters, who are required by law to live in the city, but say they should not be required to send their children to unaccredited schools.

As it stands now, the Turner vs. Clayton ruling was sent back to the St. Louis County Circuit Court, and beginning March 5, the circuit court will rule on how to implement that decision.

“We are unsure of what the judges are going to say,” said state Sen. Maria ChappelleNadal, who also sat on the panel. “This is very contentious. I know the people who support Turner are doing everything possible to challenge the system.”

Accreditation and privatization

Panelist and state Sen. Jane Cunningham said that the solution is right under their noses. The parochial schools have offered 8,000 seats in their schools for students from unaccredited school districts. Cunningham is a strong supporter of school vouchers but has continually lost that fight in the Legislature. In December, billionaire voucher supporter Rex Sinquefield contributed $50,000 to Cunningham, according to her January quarterly report with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Cunningham has been criticized for using the accreditation crisis to advance her own agenda of privatizing public education through a voucher system. When the St. Louis Public Schools lost accreditation five years ago, legislators and state administrators did not step in then, said Don Senti, executive director or the Cooperating School Districts, who was also a panelist.

“Until this year, this was seen by many legislators and the state as a St. Louis problem,” Senti told The St. Louis American. “And as long as

In a phone call from the U.S.

immediately after the

• St. Louis Public Schools 8,318 students = $96.6 million • Charter schools 1,746 students = $20.3 million • Private/parochial schools 2,757 students = $32 million

Total 15,069 students = $175 million

Source: Cooperating School Districts, research data provided by UMSLProfessor Terry Jones.

they don’t send any more money to St. Louis than they have been, it doesn’t matter what we do. But then when Kansas City went unaccredited, all of the sudden, they said, ‘Oh my gosh.’”

SLPS could go bankrupt

One study estimates that SLPS would lose 64 percent of its $275 million operating budget if the law were implemented as it reads now, according to a research data by Terry Jones, a professor and researcher at University of Missouri – St. Louis. Transportation costs would also be significant.

SLPS Superintendent Kevin Adams and Senti agree that charter schools in the city run collaboratively by the county is a great compromise, Senti told The American Cooperating School Districts also has a direct distance learning program that city students can participate in from their own schools, he said. Until recently, Senti said Cunningham was not willing to listen to these options.

However, Cunningham’s most recent bill, SB706, would allow for these options – along with an extensive voucher program called the “passport scholarship program.”

Her bill states that taxpayers or companies could make contributions up to $40 million to an “approved or qualified educational assistance organization” and get a 60 percent

Capitol

State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama informed John Buchanan that his daughter Jessica was rescued by U.S. Special Operations Forces in Somalia on January 24. First Lady Michelle Obama stood behind the President.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Poll shows ‘stark racial divide’

Black and whites disagree sharply on issues of equality, race

American staff

Claims that the United States entered a post-racial era with the election of President Barack Obama are premature, according to research from the University of Arkansas. Research shows that stereotypes stigmatizing African Americans and Latinos remain strong.

“According to the BlairRockefeller Poll, the presence of the irst African-American family in the White House has done little to alleviate these

attitudes,” political scientist Pearl Ford Dowe wrote in a recently released report of poll indings titled “Racial Attitudes in America: Post-Racial in the Age of Obama Fails to Exist.” Dowe’s analysis of data collected in the poll reveals “a relevant and stark racial divide” in both perceptions of American society and in support for public policies. The data show whites “seem to remain less supportive of policies designed to improve equality, particularly in comparison to African Americans and Latinos,” a reality relected in the day-to-day experiences reported by African Americans across the country. Of the national sample, 81 percent of African Americans in the South and 80.3 percent of African Americans from elsewhere in the country reported

experiencing discrimination in their day to day life.

One aspect of the racial divide is relected in the widely divergent views of the amount of attention being paid to racial issues in this country. Nationally, 47.2 percent of African Americans and 40.7 percent of Latinos believe that too little attention is being paid to race. In contrast, 56 percent of whites, both Southern and non-Southern, felt too much attention was being paid to race.

The poll asked respondents about the responsibility of the federal government to “make sure that minorities have equality to whites” in several areas, such as jobs, housing and health care. Typically, whites were less supportive than blacks and Latinos of federal intervention.

For example, when it comes to ensuring job equality, 73.3 percent of African Americans and 66.2 percent of Latinos felt that it was a responsibility of the federal government, while 68.6 percent of whites felt the federal government should have no such responsibility.

“Will America eventually move to a post-racial society? That is dificult to tell, but what is clear is that different racial perspectives have yet to converge,” Dowe concluded.

Dowe is assistant professor of political science in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

The Blair-Rockefeller Poll had over 3,400 respondent nationwide, as well as ample sampling of such traditionally under-polled groups as African

Slay’s boy Boyd wants to count the money

Most black voters in the city of St. Louis – and many white voters with some qualms about Mayor Francis G. Slay’s often divisive leadership – need to know only one thing about Jeffrey Boyd

It was February 2009, and Jo Mannies of The Beacon was putting together a glowing piece about Slay’s bid for a third term as mayor. The EYE suspects she was casting about for a black person to go on record in support of Slay – not an easy task, without some form of payment – and that someone had pointed her toward Jeffrey. He came through:

But Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, D-22nd Ward, says that Slay has done more for AfricanAmerican residents and neighborhoods than he often gets credit for. “He has done nothing to make me not support him,” Boyd said.

Did you all hear that? This is Jeffrey Boyd speaking about Francis Slay in February 2009: “He has done nothing to make me not support him.” This is a bit of a tongue-twister – in grammatical terms, it’s a double negative. The two negatives have the effect of canceling each other out, so in effect Boyd said (leading up to Slay’s 2009 primary contest against Irene J. Smith and the other Ms. Coleman) that he supports everything Slay has done.

This super-Slay supporter, by his own public admission, now wants to join the big leagues of

citywide elected officials. Last week, he filed for City Treasurer, joining two other Slay allies (Alderman Fred Wessels and operative Brian Wahby, who is married to Slay’s deputy chief of staff Robbyn Wahby), and state Rep. Tishaura O. Jones, daughter of former Comptroller (and longtime contributor to the EYE) Virvus Jones. For anyone scoring this by race, as one must in St. Louis elections, Wessels and Wahby are white, while Boyd and Jones are black. It’s not clear what support, if any, Boyd can expect from Slay, competing against an alderman and operative who have been more effective in their support of Slay’s divisive leadership. Worth noting that Boyd’s announcement did not roll out any endorsements, and Slay did not greet it with any public support.

Boyd’s ward shuns Slay

Slay would be justified in concluding that Boyd is too weak to be owed anything for his total, subservient, but electorally worthless support of the mayor. In the March 2009 primary, when Slay had Boyd’s unqualified support in the 22nd Ward, Irene J. Smith got more than twice as many votes (402) as Slay (200), with the other Ms. Coleman bringing up the rear with 59.

In the April 2009 general election, with poodle Jeffrey still panting in support of the mayor, Maida Coleman won by an even more decisive

Driving While Boyd

What else has Jeffrey been up to for the South Siders? Again, nothing that requires serious skill or effectiveness. But they have had their uses for him.

Let’s go back to July 2008. This is what the EYE had to say back then:

margin in the 22nd Ward, winning 529 votes in the ward as an Independent to Slay’s 235 (Elston McCowan got 70 votes as the Green candidate, and Robb Cunningham got 15 as Libertarian).

Tell-tale signs

Slay’s recognition of Boyd’s weakness can be seen in the extremely low-wattage issues where Boyd’s public support has been enlisted.

In April 2011, Alderman Sam Moore attempted to get the city to fund street signs to rename 10 separate streets in his North City ward with honorary designations. This is the sort of thing that makes Slay and his chief of staff Jeff Rainford give one another high-fives. It’s a very easy job to get the PostDispatch to do a story that reads like “look at what those stupid, greedy North City aldermen are up to now.” The Post did just that story.

The Post has done countless of quick hatchet pieces like this where Slay’s handlers

Pl Ay I t S A fe I n t H e C A r

By Abbey Iffrig St. Louis Children’s Hospital Safety Stop

Did you know that it’s safer for all children 13 and younger to ride in the back seat of a car? And did you know African American and Hispanic teens are least likely to wear seat belts? It’s true!

Safety and medical experts know more than ever about keeping kids safe in automobiles.

Here are some quick tips:

newborn to Age 2 – Use a rear-facing car safety seat until 2 or until your child reaches the highest weight or height limit allowed by the child safety seat. Some rearfacing child safety seats can accommodate children up to 35 pounds or more.

toDDler & PreSCHool - Children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear-facing child safety seat, should use a forwardfacing child safety seat with a harness for as long as possible.

SCHool-Age - Any child whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for the child safety seat should use a beltpositioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly. Standard vehicle seat belts typically fit after a child reaches 4 feet, 9 inches in height, and is between 8 and 12 years of age.

When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for optimal protection. Call 314.454.KIDS (5437) to schedule a car seat safety check or purchase an approved child safety seat at Safety Stop at St. louis Children’s Hospital. Visit StlouisChildrens.org for more information.

Safety Stop is made possible by generous donations to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation.

SLC11395_1.12

have lined up only South Side aldermen to pop up with snide quotes at the expense of North City colleagues. Indeed, Fred Wessels has been on permanent standby for such quotes as long as he has been on the Board of Aldermen. But it looks better to the white reader when you can get a black politician to pop up and say what the white guys are saying. That’s what Jeffrey is there for.

Cut to the Post report:

“This is absolutely excessive,” said Ward 22 Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, in the February [2011] committee hearing. “Period. Dot. I don’t think this was the intent of honorary streets designations. If you want to do 10, 15, 20 – pay for it!”

(Jeffrey seems to have a pattern of doubling things when he speaks – from the double negative of his total support for Slay to the double punctuation here, with a “period” and a “dot.”)

The EYE wants to make sure everyone understands the racially divisive undertone to this bit, which is so characteristic

of Slay, Rainford and the Post’s beat reporting on city politics. You can write the subtitles for what the deep South Side reader is supposed to be thinking:

“Look at those colored people, I guess they just think they can name a street after every one of their cousins and expect us to pay for it. Well, look. At least there’s one here with some sense.”

It all comes together when you know that, in the same news cycle, Alderman Joe Vaccaro was sponsoring a bill to rename a South Side street for the mayor’s late father, Francis R. Slay. Of course, we are told in the same news blip that the Slay sign would be paid for privately.

To tie this up in a neat little bow around the poodle’s neck, Jeffrey has precisely one donation to his campaign fund from a fellow alderman in his latest finance report: Joe Vaccaro. Vacarro is the guy who washes cars for the city coppers and was Slay’s pick to handle his home 23rd Ward on the Board of Aldermen.

[Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr.] has greased the wheels for an awful bill (Board Bill 95) originally crafted by a group of South Side aldermen, but sponsored by Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, another of Slay’s black accomplices on the board. Alderman Terry Kennedy has improved a truly offensive version of a bill to criminalize so-called Cruising – “defined as the repetitive driving of any motor vehicle past the same location within a two-hour period” – but it is still a bad bill. Without question, the rampant gun violence that is terrorizing many city neighborhoods on the North Side and near South Side must be addressed. But it is unwise to give City police the statutory authority to judge someone guilty of something as vague as“repetitive driving,” and to enable police to ticket passengers for someone else’s alleged moving violation. The abuses of this ordinance – again, in the context of a cash-starved City –are easy to imagine. “Cruising” will become another name for Driving While Black, while an entirely new and absurd crime will come into being: being a passenger of someone Driving While Black

Jeffrey’s press release announcing his new citywide campaign touts his “history of exceeding expectations and his progressive style of leadership.” That truly is a laugher. Jeffrey Boyd is a follower, not a leader, and he follows the regressive, racially divisive leadership that typifies the Slay administration. His South Side handlers have very low expectations for Jeffrey, and he has failed to meet even those.

During his time as a security guard at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, JOSEPH ROBINSON watched people go into the hospital with concerning symptoms and come out with a life-changing diagnosis. Seeing this over and over was heartbreaking, but Joseph never considered that he might be on the receiving end of such news one day. However, he soon found himself brushing off abnormal bleeding. This led to a hospitalization and the diagnosis of stage three colon cancer at the age of 56.

After processing the initial shock, Joseph got through treatment for his cancer with loving help from his sisters. He’s found peace with the diagnosis through his faith, reading, spending time with his grandkids and attending classes on transitioning back to everyday life after cancer. Even before cancer, Joseph made time for exercise, from sports to his favorite fun activity – roller skating. Now Joseph really sees the importance of keeping his body as healthy as possible, which inspired him to learn how to cook and eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.

When he thinks back to how easy it was to ignore his symptoms, Joseph is inspired to offer this advice to other men: “There’s no macho image when it comes to your health. It may be nothing, but who knows? Get checked out.”

Colon cancer is treatable if caught early. Don’t ignore symptoms or your physician’s recommendation for a colonoscopy

JOSEPH ROBINSON’S COLON CANCER JOUR NEy

Jeffrey Boyd hanging with some of his boys – Mayor Francis G. Slay, one of Slay’s longtime consultants Lou Hamilton, and South Side Alderman Ken Ortmann – at the 28th Ward’s 2010 holiday party.

Obituaries

Loretta Mathis

Sunset January 22, 2012

Momma: My heart, my guide, my strength, the person I looked to be strong. You made me into the man that I am.

Thank you, Your loving son

Timothy

Loretta: We will miss your smile, your laughter, your beautiful spirit, your dedication to every group you sang with and everything you put your heart into.

The children you taught will miss you so. They will write your name in colors like a beautiful rainbow.

So sing on Loretta, sing to our Savior face to face. For you sang here on earth, filled with God’s grace!

From, all who love you

Irene L. Burton

Mrs. Irene L. Burton was born to the late Eddie Ellis and Helen V. Hodges on May 5, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio.

Irene confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. She attended the Catholic school and later on attended a St. Nicholas Boarding School, which was located near the Mississippi River. Later, she was educated in the St. Louis Public School System and graduated from Sumner High School.

Irene was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Walter

Burton Jr. To that union, four children were born.

Irene was a welder by trade and retired from National Vendors in 1993. After retirement, she worked for Hawthorne Children’s Facility and Cardinal Ritenour Institute as a Grandmother Helper, assisting wherever she was needed.

Irene was a person that liked to keep things tidy and neat. She lost both legs and that slowed her down a lot. But she kept the faith and fought a good fight. God saw she was getting tired, so on His birthday, December 25, 2011, He dispatched his angels so Mrs. Irene could join His celebration in heaven. She will be sadly missed. She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Judy (Larry) Howard, Jannette Burton and Gloria Reed of Venice, IL; two sons, Walter (Dorothy) Burton and Arnold Burton; one brother, Tyrus (Barbara) Dwellingham; one sister, Helen Gerdine; sister-in-law, LaVada Davis; one uncle, Lawrence (Billy) Hodges of Toledo, OH; two aunts, Betty Glaspie and Thelma Daugherty, both of Toledo, OH; 27 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 9 greatgreat-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and a special daughter-to-be, Marie Sampson Hooks.

Mairam “Mimi” Sams

Mairam “Mimi” Sams, age 39, was granted her angel wings on December 16, 2011. Mimi’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understand that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.

Born September 4, 1972 to George R. Sams and Clara E. Hayes in St. Louis, MO, Mimi was raised in San Francisco and Oakland, CA, until her return to St. Louis at the start of her sophomore year at Charles Sumner High School, where she graduated in 1990. She attended college at Talladega College, Alabama’s oldest (private) historically black college. On August 19, 1991, she gave birth to her one and only child, the single true love of her life, Kevin “Nubi” Williams. It was that moment, Mimi dedicated the next 20 years of her life to her son, family and living a healthconscious lifestyle.

At the tender age of 9, by the hand of her grandmother (Ada A. Sams-Whitt), Mimi gave her life to the Lord and was baptized at Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, where she always felt at home! A selfproclaimed photographer, Mimi

documented every life experience she and anyone around her had because she loved looking back and cherishing the great times. Mimi’s bright white teeth, gentle smile and listening ear brought so much joy to everyone she came in contact with. She gave us all such courage, hope and the constant reminder of the preciousness of life. She enjoyed hanging out with friends and her sister, Indigo, listening to music, watching football, HGTV and spoiling her nephew, Sayid. Mimi is survived by her loving son; father and stepmother (Marcia Sams); sisters, Indigo K. Sams, Marniece McDaniel; brothers, Darian and Adrian McDaniel; nephews, Sayid Simpson, Shannon Seals and a host of uncles, aunts and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother and all her grandparents. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends she touched throughout her short, yet very memorable life.

Johnny Otis

The “godfather of rhythm and blues” who wrote and recorded the R&B classic “Willie and the Hand Jive” and for decades evangelized black music to white audiences as a bandleader and radio host, has died. He was 90. Otis, who had been in poor health for several years, died at his home in the Los Angeles foothill suburb of Altadena on Tuesday, said his manager, Terry Gould. Otis, who was white, was born John Veliotes to Greek immigrants and grew up in a black section of Berkeley, where he said he identified far more with black culture than his own. As a teenager, he changed his name because he thought Johnny Otis sounded more black.

“As a kid, I decided that if our society dictated that one had to be black or white, I would be black,” he once explained.

His musical tastes clearly reflected that adopted culture and even after he became famous, his dark skin and hair often led audiences and club promoters to assume he was black like his band mates.

Otis was leading his own band in 1945 when he scored his first big hit, “Harlem Nocturne.” In 1950, 10 of his songs made Billboard Magazine’s R&B chart.

He later wrote “Every Beat of My Heart,” which was a hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips. But the influence of Otis was felt most through his ability to recognize and promote talent. He wove into his bands such diverse and legendary R&B vocalists as Etta James, Hank Ballard, Big Mama Thornton and The Robins, the latter a group that would evolve into the Coasters.

While he always returned to playing music, in later years touring with his sons Shuggie and Nicky, Otis’ eclectic interests also included politics, art and organic food.

He worked for years as deputy chief of staff to state Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally when Dymally served in the Assembly, state Senate, as lieutenant governor and as a congressman. In later years, Otis spent much of his time painting and sculpting. He also opened an organic grocery store in Sebastopol in the early 1990s to sell his son Nicky’s vegetables, decorating the store with his own colorful murals.

Although he had little success selling groceries, he did draw large crowds to the market every Friday and Saturday night when he performed there with his band.

“It was a smashing success,” Gould said. “You had to make reservations three weeks ahead. It was amazing.”

Otis also had a regular show playing recor ds on the nonprofit Pacifica Radio Network’s stations until failing health prompted him to retire in 2005. In addition to his sons, Otis is survived by his wife, Phyllis, daughters Janet and Laura; and several grandchildren.

Mairam “Mimi” Sams

Irene L. Burton

Johnny Otis

BUSINESS

FEBRUARY2 – 8, 2012

Mixing business with champagne

COMTO recruits in STL

Minority Transportation Officials group touts Missouri diversity model

By Rebecca S.Rivas

community members feared that minorities and women would be kept out of the $535 million deal. The Missouri Department of Transportation called a mediator to facilitate these heated discussions.

New program lures startups to St. Louis

Competitive no-strings

$50K Arch Grants available for entrepreneurs

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

As of Jan. 24, entrepreneurs can apply for $50,000 grants to start and grow businesses in St. Louis.

The inaugural business plan competition, Arch Grants, expects to support the launch of at least 10 potentially high-growth startups every year.

The winners will have access to business networking and mentoring, free legal and accounting services, collaboration with local universities, discounts on housing and affordable office space. Agroup of St. Louisans started the grant pro-

See PROGRAM, A12

They called Julie Cunningham, the president and CEO of the Conference on Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Cunningham leads the nation’s only multimodal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry.

“Negotiations were complex and sometimes contentious, but they ended in an unqualified

success – the largest community partnering agreement in U.S. history,” said Cunningham, who leads 39 nationwide chapters for the 40year-old nonprofit based in Washington D.C. On Jan. 26, Cunningham stood in front of a room of city leaders at Harris-Stowe State University to ask them to join COMTO and

See COMTO, A12

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Arnold W. Donald has been reelected to a three-year term on the Board of Directorsof The Laclede Group, Inc. Donald ispresident and CEO of the Executive Leadership Council. Also reappointed to the board were Anthony V. Leness

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Kwame Building Group named Top 50

Kwame Building Group has received the prestigious “2011 Greater St. Louis Top 50 Businesses Shaping our Future Award” from the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA).

Selection is based on such factors as job growth, community enhancement, revenue growth, acquisitions and facility expansion or development.

KWAME supports numerous charitable organizations in St. Louis and across the country, with a special focus on diversity development and education. KWAME has been named one of 48 companies nationwide that are most supportive of Historically Black College and University engineering schools. The KWAME Foundation funds scholarships to provide young people with opportunities to become professionals in their chosen careers.

American, Regions Bank partner on Small Business Seminar

In Celebration of Black History Month, the St. Louis American and Regions Bank are presenting “Ride To Success,” a Small Business Seminar for the St. Louis community on Thursday, February 16 from 8 a.m. – noon at Four Seas Banquet Center. This complimentary morning seminar will include a breakfast. Topics include “Improving Financial Accounting,” featuring a tutorial on QuickBooks; “Learning How to Write a Business Plan” and “Making Your Business Credit-Worthy.”

This event will also cover how businesses can leave a legacy and how to protect your assets. Living trusts, annuities, savings, 401ks and other affordable asset protection and investment options that can create multi generational wealth will be discussed. RSVPat 314-289-5419 for this free seminar.

Patricia

McKissack

Jerry Schlichter and Joe Schlafly,co-founders of Arch Grants

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

The National Black MBA Association – St.Louis Chapter held a champagne breakfast with the theme “mixing business with pleas-

ure”Saturday at the Charles F.Knight Conference Center on the campus of Washington University.

support its initiatives.

Some in the room were from agencies that are current members, including Metro St. Louis transit agency president John Nathan and several MoDOTrepresentatives.

Missouri’s I-64 community partnering agreement became a model for transportation departments nationwide.

“It was outside the box when we sat down,” said Kevin Triggs, community engagement planner at EastWest Gateway Council of Governments, who sat on the advisory board for the I-64

PROGRAM

Continued from A11

gram to create a more robust startup culture and infrastructure in the region.

“We intend for Arch Grants to be a game-changing program for St. Louis,” said Jerry Schlichter, co-founder and

What is term life insurance?

By Charles Ross

Charles Ross

project’s diversity council. “It was tough getting people to leave their personal agendas outside. But that is how we were able to get the diversity program established.”

“Negotiations were complex and sometimes contentious, but they ended in the largest community partnering agreement in U.S. history.”

The St. Louis-Lambert International Airport and EastWest Gateway are not members of COMTO, but representatives from each were in the room.

– Julie Cunningham, COMTO

In 1971, the group was founded to provide a networking forum for senior-level minority professionals in the

President of Arch Grants. “The city was built on risk-taking and became a center of innovation and industry. We’re inviting a new generation – those already here and those who want to come – to help define the city’s future.”

transportation industry. It addresses the inequalities of a rapidly expanding industry, where more often its minority leaders and workers do not have equal access to promotion or contract opportunities, Cunningham said.

“We have a track record of working with federal government to help create opportunities for small business,” she said.

The three core components of the Missouri model consist of devoting up to 30 percent of

goes up. Unfortunately, term insurance can become too expensive right when you need it most — in your later years. Several variations of term insurance do allow for level premiums throughout the duration of the contract. You may be able to obtain 5-, 10-, 20-,

workforce hours to minorities and women; devoting .5 to 1 percent of the total project budget to job training; and maximizing DBE participation.

“The number of people who ended up in construction careers – that is without a doubt a significant achievement,” she said of the I-64 project’s community partnering agreement.

Life insurance can be used to achieve a variety of objectives. The cost and availability of the type of life insurance that is appropriate for you depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance you need. Before implementing a strategy involving life insurance, it would be prudent to make sure that you are insurable. As with most financial

“It was tough getting people to leave their personal agendas outside.But that is how we were able to get the diversity program established.”

– Kevin Triggs

In 2010, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendoza asked Cunningham to develop a series of workshops showcasing the Missouri model in

five U.S. cities planning major transportation projects (Denver, Louisville, KY, Hartford, CT, Phoenix, and Brooklyn).

Cunningham said the organization seeks to continue advancing the Missouri model nationally and locally. COMTO is pushing U.S. Congress to include the model in the next long-term Transportation Authorization Act. COMTO has begun discussions with the Obama Administration on how to use the Missouri model in its job

decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance.Policies commonly have contract limitations, fees, and charges, which can include mortality and expense charges.

Charles Ross is host of the syndicated radio program “Your Personal Finance.” Contact him at P.O. Box 870928; Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087; or email to charles@ charlesross.com.

creation tools.

Cunningham said state departments of transportation should adopt the Missouri model as standard practice in its administration of all major transportation contracts.

“I think it means that multi-modal transportation in the St. Louis region are now developing a collaboration across all modes of transportation,” said Shirlyn Myles, St. Louis COMTO chapter president and community liaison at MoDOT. “COMTO is going to be a trailblazer as a clearing house to moderate opportunity for communities and transportation agencies to work together so they can go full-force on projects.”

neurs.

Arch Grants provides nondilutive capital and will take no equity.

“This is a city where $50,000 in capital can go a long way, and we’ve created partnerships to help it go even

Typically, venture capital forces aspiring entrepreneurs to sacrifice a significant stake in their company in exchange for funds, Schlichter said. And it’s often limited to those with access to the startup hotbeds like Silicon Valley, New York and Boston.

farther, as virtually everyone we have approached is very excited about this initiative,” said Joe Schlafly, co-founder of Arch Grants.

Current partners include Innovation Venture Mentoring Service, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, Regional Business Council, Washington University, St. Louis

University, University of Missouri at St. Louis, Webster University and Harris-Stowe State University.

After moving businesses to St. Louis, winners will have the opportunity to secure a second round of up to $100,000 in funding along with direct access to St. Louis-based angel investors.

And diversity among candidates is a priority, organizers said.

“There are a large percentage of white males who are doing startups in the Silicon Valley,” Schlichter said. “We are going to make a special outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and women entrepreneurial organizations as well.”

He said they are partnering with Harris-Stowe’s business school for a grant that aims for African-American entrepre-

“One of the things that excites me is that there will be many who don’t win,” Schlafly said. “We look forward to working with those who don’t quite make it. The ongoing mentoring could lead into a broad and diverse group of winners, ultimately.”

Many times, access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles for startup companies that have viable business plans, said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

“St. Louis offers a great launching pad for emerging entrepreneurs to have their ideas take flight,” Nixon said. “It’s exciting for Missouri’s economy to see initiatives like this that bring together a public/private partnership in support of the next generation of entrepreneurs.” For more information, visit www.archgrants.org.

Financial Focus

By Roger Macon, AAMS, financial advisor

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MACY’S CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

This February, we honor the beauty, the inspiration and the legacy.

In honor of Black History Month, Macy’s and The Romare Bearden Foundation celebrate the 100th birthday of the African-American artist, innovator, scholar and visionary Romare Bearden. Join us at select Macy’s locations for exciting and inspiring events as we showcase Romare’s artwork and celebrate his legacy with children’s arts activities, storybook readings, live music and cooking demonstrations featuring Romare’s favorite recipes.

Visit macys.com/celebrate for details.

RIDE TO SUCCESS

A Complimentary Seminar to Bring Your Business More Financial Control

To help business owners gain more control and balance over their companies’ finances, Regions Bank and The St. Louis American are presenting Ride to Success. This complimentary seminar will provide information on a variety of topics to help you achieve more financial control than ever before, including:

Developing a Business Plan

Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 8 a.m.

Four Seas Banquet Center

1910 Serbian Dr. St. Louis, MO 63104

Black & Single

The lonely monster

Out of traditional romance options already?

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“I hate to say it, but at this point in your life it’s not about inding the man of your dreams anymore.”

Couldn’t that be the most unromantic love advice that anyone has ever given? And so close to Valentine’s Day.

I was in the midst of one of those funks. You know, the point when – despite usually being a good sport while the folks are boo’d up all around you – you get caught in a moment where the frustration of “the lonely monster” supersedes patient and purposeful waiting.

Most of the time people offer stock good weather report catchphrases (pun intended) to sooth the single black females’ soul – and we’ve heard them all. “When the time is right, he’ll show up,” or “wait on God,” and let’s not forget the most confusing of the bunch, “you just have to put yourself out there.” I’ve been hearing that last one for the better part of 20 years and whenever I do, I’m hoping for subtitles to appear across the “wise” person’s forehead.

n Can someone break down the appropriate protocol for dating a man who was involved with a friend?

But a male friend’s advice was unlike anything I’ve ever heard before and I didn’t quite know how to take it.

Be honest, ladies (and the two gentlemen who aren’t black and single by design). Even though those encouraging nuggets folks “impress upon our heart” have about as much value to us as a Chuck E. Cheese token, we still let them marinate in our hearts and mind with the resolve that if enough people say it, it must be true.

So then, how am I supposed to feel when someone essentially says, “Girl, get someone you can hold a conversation with – and enjoy each other’s company – and be done with it?”

Me being me, instead of me taking stock in his advice I started agonizingly analyzing what led him to his conclusion.

“Is it because I’m too old?” I thought to myself. “I mean, my late thirties are looking me dead in the face and I don’t even have anyone to play Xbox Kinect with besides my nine-year-old nephew?”

I just couldn’t imagine that he would whip those words of wisdom

Judge as painter

Work by American co-founder Judge Nathan B. Young at SLU Art

American staff

Paintings by St. Louis American co-founder Judge Nathan B. Young are featured in Spirit and History at The Saint Louis University Museum of Art, 3663 Lindell Blvd., through March 4.

After graduating from Yale University law school, Judge Young practiced for nearly 40 years in St. Louis, co-founded the St. Louis American newspaper and became

the irst African-American municipal judge in the city.

A proliic painter, Young’s body of work stands as a visual and written documentation of political events in the United States and the history of African-American experience in this country.

A number of his images were taken from the pages of Time Magazine and reformulated into painted collages. He created paintings that chronicled the changes

and development of the American experience for African Americans, while conveying the need for change and development.

The show also features paintings by Father James Hasse of the Society of Jesus, a priest who served in many black parishes.

For more information, please visit http://sluma.slu.edu or call 314.977.2666.

Jenifer Lewis will performs with The Saint Louis Symphony and its IN UNISON Chorus on Friday, Feb. 10 at Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand.

By Dana Grace Of The St.

Jenifer Lewis headlines with St. Louis Symphony and her sister in the choir

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Girl, I’m so excited,” Jenifer Lewis exclaimed with her renowned sass and a smile you could feel through the phone. She’s always in rare form, but there was a different energy as she eagerly anticipated the next professional engagement on her calendar.

She has a headlining role in the 2012 Lift Every Voice concert, the annual Black History Month performance of The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and its IN UNISON Choir.

The superstar from Kinloch who honed her performance skills at Webster University recently sang at Carnegie Hall and performed the national anthem in her adopted town of Los Angeles when her hometown Cardinals beat the Dodgers.

But next Saturday at Powell Hall will be special –extra special – because she will be sharing the stage with her sister Wilatriel Wright, who is a member of the IN UNISON Choir.

“She’s been singing all of her life also, and she’s kind of responsible for bringing me home,” Lewis said. “I love my sisters and brothers, so to go home and sing sharing the stage with my sister – and that she is a part of something that is so special to the community – is very special.”

It’s her family that leaves this celebrity star-struck.

“They are proud of me, but I am equally proud of

See UNISON, C4

Dana G.

Judge Nathan B. Young, American Gosherie, 1974, oil on artist board, 1974, 17 x 21”

How to place a calendar listing

1.Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican.com

OR 2.Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts

Feb. 3-4, The St. Louis Symphony presents Schubert “Great.” Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.stlsymphony.org or call (314) 5341700.

Fri., Feb. 10, The St. Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice: AConcert in Celebration of Black History Month feat. JenniferLewis. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.stlsymphony.org or call (314) 534-1700.

Sat., Feb. 11, 7 p.m., The Lumiere presents Eric Benet, Lumiere Theatre. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Feb., 25, 7 p.m., St. Louis-native Shirley Brown headlines the 7th Annual St. Louis Blues Festival, Mel Waiters, Sir Charles Jones, Millie Jackson, Bobby Rush and Theodis Ealey are also scheduled to perform. Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Sat., Mar. 3, 2012, 6:30 p.m., Granite City Illinois and Surrounding Area Business Owners prsents AWorld Famous Concert Starring the World Famous Platters Granite City Township Hall, 2060 Delmar Ave., Granite City, IL., 2040. For more information, call 618-6100935.

local gigs

Grown Folks 2 for1 Happy Hourwith Ms. Silky Sol, Saturdays from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Avenue, 1901 St. Louis Ave.

Sundays, 7 p.m., StarCity recording artist FRED WALKER performs his

SAXYJAZZ music show every Sunday at: “JAZZ ON BROADWAY” 554 East Broadway, Alton, Il. 62002. Call 618-465-5299 for more information and directions.

special events

Thur., Feb. 2, 1 p.m., Free Electronic Tax Filing. Bring your necessary tax papers and have your taxes filed electronically - FREE! Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, 11642 W. Florissant Ave., 63033.

Fri., Feb 3., 6 p.m. Saint Louis Science Center presents StarTrek: The Exhibition with special appearance by Robert Picardo (The Doctor). 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.boldlygoexplore.com.

Sat., Feb. 4, 10 a.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Chapters present Founders’ Day Celebration: Standing Firmly on the Foundation of Service. Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 South Lindbergh Blvd., 63131.

Sat., Feb. 4, 11 a.m., St. Louis Go Red ForWomen Casting Call & Connect Event. Women who share their stories have the chance to become a spokesperson for the cause – representing Go Red For Women in marketing materials, at events, and on its web site. Macy’s West County, 80 West County Center, 63131. For more information, visit http://www.heart.org/stlouis.

Sun., Feb. 5, 4 p.m., East St. Louis Sr. High Class of ’81 SuperBowl Party. Club Illusion, 526 E. Broadway, East St. Louis, IL. 62201. For more information, call 314575-0957.

Wed., Feb. 8, 1 p.m., Free

CALENDAR

Electronic Tax Filing. Bring your necessary tax papers and have your taxes filed electronically - FREE! Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, 11642 W. Florissant Ave., 63033. Wed., Feb. 8, 4 p.m., INSPIRE STL invites you to The INSPIRE AffairHappy Hour. Bar Napoli, 7754 Forsyth, 63105.

Feb. 8 – Feb. 12, 58th Annual Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat & Sports show, America’s Center. For more information, visit http://www.stlouisboatshow.co m/

Fri., Feb. 10, 6 p.m., Cardinal RitterCollege Prep Annual Gala: Celebration Success in Urban Education. Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, call (314) 792-7732 or email him at AaronEmig@archstl.org.

Sat., Feb. 11, 7 p.m., The Zipetts present ‘AValentine Dance’. Machinist Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, call 314-993-1385 or 314-6234475.

Sat., Feb. 11, 7 p.m., The McGee Gents Social Club presents Love Land, Saint Stanislaus Polish Heritage Center, 1413 N 20th Street. For more information, call (314) 495-0088.

Sat., Feb. 11, Saint Louis City Open Studio and Gallery presents Wall Ball 2012. Engaging an eclectic mix of artists, patrons, collectors and admirers, Wall Ball comes but once a year. Don’t miss this chance to purchase amazing art work from St. Louis’most admired artists at unreal prices.Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.scosag.org or call (314) 865-0060.

Tues., Feb. 14, 6 p.m., Auxiliary to the Mound City presents Kisses & Hugs For Valentine’s Day—Nursing School Scholarship Fund Raising Dinnerand Dance. Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 265-8556.

Through Feb. 15, St. Louis County Library’s fourth yearof participation in

The Lumiere presents Eric Benet. See CONCERTS for more information.

Center presents This is War: Alexandervs. Maidana. 1401 Clark Avenue, 63103.

Sun., Feb. 26, 1 p.m., SumnerAlumni Association presents its 9th Annual Round-Up. For more information, call (314) 556-3944 or (314) 454-0029.

Wed., Feb. 29, 8:30 a.m., Conservation Lobby Day. Join us on Leap Day to help make environmental protection a priority for Missouri’s legislature in 2012! Missouri State Capitol Building, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, MO. 65101. For more information, visit www.movotesconservation.org/our-legislativework/conservation-lobby-day/ or call (314) 725-9494

Sat., Mar. 10, 10 a.m., St. Louis Craft Mafia presents Third Annual Green With Indie Craft Show. Grant Gym, Webster University, 175 Edgar Rd., 63119. For more information, visit www.greenwithindiecraftshow.com.

Mon., Mar. 12, 7 p.m., Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis presents Ninety-Fourth Annual DinnerMeeting. Millennium Hotel St. Louis, 200 S. 4th St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 615-3688 or email specialevents@urbanleaguestl.org.

Warm Up America, The afghans are donated to local charity organizations such as Lydia’s House, CASAof St. Louis, Peter & Paul Community Services and Pathways Community Hospice, which distributes them to their clients in need.Those wishing to participate are asked to knit or crochet a 7x9” block using worsted weight acrylic yarn. The blocks can be dropped off at any St. Louis County Library branch. The library will work with craft groups to join the blocks together to make full size afghans. The library will also accept gloves, hats and socks. (More information about what gauge needles are preferred is available by calling 314-994-3300.)

Representatives of the recipient agencies will come together to receive the items on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Thur., Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m., Hazelwood Kindergarten Information Night. Jamestown Elementary School, 13750 Old Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more indormation, call 314-953-4300.

Sat., Feb. 18, 8 p.m., 13 Black Katz Presents Mardi Gras Mask Madness ll, $1000.00 cash prizes forBest male & female mask, Ginger Bistro 6665 Delmar n the Loop. For more information, visit www.13blackkatz.com or text 477-4249.

Thurs., Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m.,, The St. Louis American Foundation and Emerson present The 2nd Annual Salute to Young Leaders, Networking Awards Reception. Starlight Room, Chase Park Plaza, 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, call 314-533-8000 or email kdaniels@stlamerican.com.

Sat., Feb. 25, Scottrade

Sat., Mar. 24, Centerfor Survivors of Torture and WarTrauma – an organization dedicated to facilitating the healing and self-empowerment of torture and war trauma will be hosting their 10th Anniversary Gala and Auction with special guest acclaimed author Alice Walker, the Saint Frances Xavier Grand Ballroom, located on the campus of Saint Louis University. To reserve tickets for the 10th Anniversary Gala or for more information about the Center for Survivors of Torture and War Trauma, please contact 314-541-4610 or visit the organization’s website at www.stlcenterforsurvivors.org.

Wed., Mar. 28 6:30 p.m., Hazelwood Kindergarten Information Night. McCurdy Elementary School, 975 Lindsey Ln., 63031. For more information, call 314-9534650.

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is inviting businesses, families, individuals and community organizations to be “Holiday Angels” by sponsoring a family through theirannual Holiday Hearts program. To become a Holiday Angel and adopt a family, contact Katie@crisisnurserykids.org or call (314) 292-5770.

Niecy’s Network Showcase, The showcase provides a spot for talent to shine! Fridays 8 p.m., Klimaxx Room inside the Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Road call (314) 3378087.

Wed., Apr. 21, 6 p.m., 2nd Annual Trivia Night for Neighborhood Houses! St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, 63106 For more information, visit http://www.neighborhoodhouses.org.

Wed., Apr. 21, 7 p.m., MHT Election 2012: Third Annual

Trivia Night. Most Holy Trinity Catholic School, 3519 N. 14th St., 63107. For more information, call (314) 2419165.

Through May 28 Saint Louis Science Center presents StarTrek: The Exhibition 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www.boldlygoexplore.com.

comedy

Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Love and LaughterTour featuring Kem, Babyface and Rickey Smiley, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit MetroTix.com, call (314)5341111 or stop by the Chaifetz Arena Box Office.

Sat., Mar. 10, 8 p.m., I’m Still Standing Tour starring Mike Epps, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com.

theatre

Feb. 3—Feb. 5, Washington University presents Black Anthology. Black Anthology is a student-written and produced play on issues affecting the African American community.This year’s show, “Lest we Forget” pays homage to Black students who marched on the university’s administration building demanding more Black students and faculty, while celebrating the present positive, diverse university climate. Edison Theatre, Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63130.

Feb. 3 – Feb. 5, Fox Theatre presents ROCK OFAGES The Fox Theatre, Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre box office, online at metrotix.com or by phone at 314-534-1111. For additional information, visit www.rockofagesontour.com.

Through Feb. 5, The Black Rep presents ON GOLDEN POND as the opening produc-

tion of The 35th Anniversary Season, Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, call (314) 5343807.

literary

Sat., Feb. 4, 3 p.m., Schafly Public Library will host author Jamala Rogers, author of The Best of “The Way I See It” and Other Political Writings (1989-2010). 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Tues., Feb. 7, 3 p.m., CarpenterPublic Library will host author Jamala Rogers, author of The Best of “The Way I See It” and Other Political Writings (1989-2010). 3309 S. Grand Blvd. 63118.

Sat., Feb. 18, 2 p.m., Julia Davis Public Library will host authorLinda PorterHarrison, author of Think Like a Man…And Here’s a Thought…Start Acting Like a Man. 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 63115.

Feb. 25, 11 a.m., Lydia M. Douglas and Candy Pettiford will join together for a book signing, Brinell’s Christian Headquarters, 226 Jamestown Mall Florissant, MO 63034.

Sat., Feb. 25, 5 p.m., Sues News will host St. Louis author Daunte Henderson author of Things I Learned While Walking. St. Louis Galleria, 1117 St. Louis Galleria, 63117.

Sun., Feb. 26, 2 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral will host author Angela Davis, author of Are Prisons Obsolete and Abolition Democracy. 1210 Locust St., 63101. For more informatino, call (314) 5390346.

arts

Sat., Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Closing Reception of Dazzling Art Show. Drew Henry Salon and Gallery has been hosting a solo show by University City artist

Naomi Susan Schwartz Jacobs. The Closing Night will include live music, drinks, and tasty edibles.2309 Cherokee St., 63118.

Through March 4, Saint Louis University Museum of Art will allow individuals to experience the AfricanAmerican journey through the brush strokes of two noted painters: FatherJames Hasse of the Society of Jesus and Judge Nathan B. Young with its exhibit Spirit and History For more information, please visit http://sluma.slu.edu or call 314.977.2666.

lectures

Tues., Feb. 14, 7 p.m., Free Seed Starting Workshop/Seed Swap. Early Childhood Center, 2801 Oakland Ave., 63143. For more information, visit www.richmondheightsgardenclub.org.

Thurs., Feb. 16, 8 a.m., Regions Bank presents Ride To Success Business Seminar, Four Seas Banquet Center. For more information, or to RSVP,

The St.Louis Symphony presents Lift Every Voice:A Concert in Celebration of Black History Month feat. Jennifer Lewis. For additional details,see CONCERTS.

call (314) 289-5419.

Wed., Feb. 22, Wells Fargo Advisors present “Take the Stairs” Live Seminar with Rory Vaden. Rory has partnered with The Crown Council and their charity, “Smiles for Life”, to put on live events for the community to help raise money for St. Louis Public School Foundation. Learning Center Auditorium, 2801 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.southwesternconsulting.com/takethe stairsbook/events.

health

Sat., Feb. 4, 10 a.m., Winter Health Wonderland. We are excited to offer health information, resources and FREE health screenings. Jamaa Learning Center, 2900 N. Prairie Ave., 63107. For more information, call us at (314) 324-0461.

Thur., Feb. 9, 10 a.m., Free Healthy Vision Screening. Afton Senior Center, 9801 MacKenzie Rd., 63123. For more information, visit http://www.mlerf.org.

Feb. 10-11, 8:30 a.m., Give Kids ASmile Free Dental Clinic. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education, 3320 Rutger St., 63104.

Sat., Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m., Christian Hospital Heart Fair. Detrick Building Atrium, 11133 Dunn Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 747-9355.

Wed., Feb. 15, Free mammograms at SSM Breast Care at St. Mary’s Health Center. 1031 Bellevue Ave., 63117. For more information, call (314) 768-8697 or visit www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys.

Sat., Mar. 3, 10:30 a.m., Girls Holla Back! Spring Session Free Registration & Health Fair. In an effort to reduce new cases of HIV/AIDS and drug use among African American females in St. Louis, an 8-week FREE prevention program complemented with fun-filled communications and bonding activities will be hosted for girls ages 12—17 and one of their adult female family members. 5400 Arsenal St., 63139. For more information, call (314) 877-6487,

Wed., Mar. 21, Free mammograms at SSM Breast Care at St. Mary’s Health Center. 1031 Bellevue Ave., 63117. For more information, call (314) 768-8697 or visit www.ssmhealth.com/stmarys.

Sat., May 5, 9 a.m., 8th

Annual Walk Run ‘n Roll. Tremayne Shelter, Creve Coeur Park, 11400 Olde Cabin Rd., 63141. For more information, visit www.WalkRunNRoll.org.

First Thursdays, 10 a.m.Family Support Group by NAMI St. Louis, The Alliance on Mental Illness at the Grace Hill MurphyO’Fallon Health Center, 1717 Biddle St. No registration needed; no cost. For more information, contact Sharon Lyons, 314-962-4670.Meetings are for individuals who have

someone in their family with mental illness including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia..

Sat., Feb. 11, 12 p.m., The Royal Vagabonds Foundation, Inc. & The Royal Vagabonds, Inc. invite you to attend ACelebration of Religious Leadership. St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel, 1 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, call (314) 367-8739.

Sun., Feb. 19, 3 p.m., Joys of Glory Gospel Singers Salute African-American History Month. Solomon Temple M. B. Church, 4859 St. Louis Ave., 63115.

Sat., Feb. 25, 1 p.m., Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church Black Hat/Black Tie Bling Fling, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, 4700 Washington Blvd. For Tickets contact: Lorna Graham Ruffin at (314) 830-3475 or 941-6909 or Margaret Franklin (314)361-2852 or 954-0792

Thur., Feb. 2, 5 p.m., St. Louis Black Film Festival presents a Classic Black Film Festival. Each Thursday in February films from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s will be shown. Tivoli Theater, 6350 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 995-6270.

Fri., Feb. 3, 7 p.m., The Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church will host a community viewing of “The Pruitt-Igoe Myth: An Urban History.” 3200 Washington Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 533-8763.

Feb. 3, Big Miracle starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski opens in theatres nationwide.

Smoke-permitted bars cluster in North County

Exemptions to County smoking ban follow pattern of race-based disparity

By Robert Joiner Of The Beacon

Many establishments that are exempted from St. Louis County’s public-smoking ban are in areas with the highest incidences of smoking-related illnesses, according to an analysis by Tobacco-Free St. Louis. It also argues that the exemptions could undo the health beneits of the Clean Air Act and that they are unfair to the majority of county establishments that have banned smoking.

According to the group, 56 of the exempted establishments are in North County. Another 41 are in South County, 29 are in West County and the remaining 20 are in the mid-county region, including the smoke-free communities of Clayton, Brentwood and Kirkwood.

Dr. Stuart Slavin, a member of Tobacco-Free St. Louis, stressed that the group isn’t arguing that illnesses related to smoking would vanish without the exemptions.

“But what’s striking to me is that if you look at illnesses that may be smoking-related, whether it is heart attacks or hospitalization for chronic lung diseases, you will ind signiicantly greater risks and rates in North County,” Slavin said.

He also said that many residents of North County may lack adequate access to health care and “can least afford to suffer from these problems.”

He added, “We aren’t saying this is the cause of health disparity. But it certainly is one that’s contributing, and it’s easy to ix. It simply requires an act of the County Council, and these exemptions would disappear.”

No council members were available to comment on the analysis, which shows that the 56 exemptions are in districts represented by Democrats

Hazel Erby of University City, Kathleen Kelly of Overland, and Council Chair Michael O’Mara of Florissant. Kelly and O’Mara have raised questions over the years about the ban.

In any case, Slavin says ending the exemptions would level the playing ield by “making all the casinos, bars and restaurants smoke-free so that everybody is playing by the same rules.”

In addition, he says, the Clean Air Act would do much to protect residents in St. Louis and St. Louis County while the exemptions undermine the beneits.

“These exemptions allow people who work in these bars and casinos to continue to be exposed to what we know is a dangerous substance: secondhand smoke. We feel that that should not be allowed to continue,” Slavin says.

Appearing with Slavin at a press conference to discuss the group’s analysis were Rance Thomas, president of North County Churches United for Racial Harmony and Justice; Buffy McKinney of the American Heart Association; and Derek Deaver, owner of Three Kings Public House, the site of the press conference.

Those who support a right to smoke continue to say that bans ignore individual freedom and should be modiied to account for iltration and other systems they say can address health issues.

State’s low cigarette tax

The group’s opposition follows the American Lung Association’s criticism of Missouri’s smoking-related policies. The group gave the state grades of F for its low cigarette taxes, weak smoke-free laws, and relatively low local spending on tobacco cessation and tobacco prevention.

POTPOURRI

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topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh blackberry Sauce Hot Apple Cider Sparkling Cranberry Juice

This is just a sampling of the scrumptious menus Barbara has to offer. She caters small parties and events for holidays, birthdays and any

The Lung Association criticized Missouri’s cigarette tax of 17 cents a pack, the nation’s lowest. Another critic of that tax is Linda Lair, director of clinical education at the University of Missouri-Columbia’s school of health professions.

“If we could increase the tax rates (for tobacco), we could generate money for education and prevention as well as smoking cessation programs,” Lair says. The Lung Association’s report says the state spends less than $60,000 a year on tobacco cessation and prevention in spite of the $4.7 billion in economic costs due to smoking every year.

State spending is low, but others are funding anti-smoking campaigns. The Missouri Foundation for Health funds projects across the state, and some regions are receiving federal dollars. An example is the roughly $6 million going to the Communities Putting Prevention to Work in St. Louis County, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Patricia Washington, media coordinator of the county’s program, noted that some of the smoking cessation projects are in the three districts mentioned by Tobacco Free St. Louis “because of the higher smoking rates.”

She says Communities Putting Prevention to Work’s projects included:

* Policy changes to discourage tobacco use in schools, countywide, and particularly among students, faculty and others in Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood, Riverview Gardens, Jennings and Pattonville school districts.

* Free smoking cessation programs, which might normally cost $300 a person, in companies in north county and south county.

* Working with local retailers in high risk school districts and neighborhoods to focus more attention on tobacco use among the young. The campaign is being taken to retailers situated within 1,000 feet of schools in high-risk districts in North County and South County.

Edited slightly and reprinted with permission from a longer story that ran on stlbeacon.org.

SINGLE

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on a spry 22-year-old if they reached out to him for the same reason – yes, that’s right, we are thinking about settling down at 22! Am I out of traditional romance options already? That sucks. I thought I at least had until the big 4-0 to bide some time.

Then I thought, “Maybe he’s telling me this because he thinks I should settle” quickly followed by a “why should I be the one to have to settle?

I hear all of these beautiful, poetic courtship stories and by patiently waiting, I’ve earned the right to AT LEAST one of those.”

I pictured myself surrender-

UNISON

Continued from C1

them,” she said. “They are very prominent citizens who work within the community, and four have master’s degrees. My brothers and sisters are proud of me. My mama is proud of me, and they are all going to be there.”

With her family, friends, fans and symphony regulars in the prestigious Powell Hall, Lewis is going to add her special flavor. Much as she did in films like The Preacher’s Wife, Disney’s The Princess and the Frog and Broadway’s Hairspray.

“Formal … I don’t think so,” Lewis said. “I’m going to lift them up and make them laugh –I don’t leave a room unless I make somebody laugh.”

She has written some new material – including a comedy number that she will perform

in Missouri. When you are ready to schedule your signature private party or plan an event as a gift! In Good Taste - 314.533.6524.

ing to the idea of just snatching myself up someone that doesn’t irritate me after a few hours of hang time and being done with it. Something about even the mere simulation of such left me wanting more. Would I always secretly search for an upgrade with my “compatible match” or play the “weigh your options game” when a newer model enters the picture?

By the time I was done allowing my imagination to have its way with the play-by-play that I assumed would come by way of his unorthodox matchmaking suggestion (well, at least for the ladies, anyway), I was all but appalled. I was so worked up – keeping it all inside of course – I almost missed his “that’s what I did,” post-script. At that moment, I thought

with the choir – just for the event.

“Mostly, I want to have fun and bring the humor to the journey of the AfricanAmerican race,” Lewis said. “Yes, we have struggled, but you have to keep a sense of humor. I assure you laughter is the greatest healer –absolutely.”

For her, Lift Every Voice will be a love exchange.

“St. Louis – the entire city – was so generous and supportive to me as I was coming up and coming into my own as a performer,” Lewis said. “St. Louis is my home. Kinloch is my home. And I’m proud of the city where I come from. The city has grown immensely, and I’ve come a long way from when I started in St. Louis.”

After they see her on stage at home, fans can look forward to Lewis being back on the big screen later this spring in Think Like a Man the feature film adaptation of

about how utterly “ride or die” he is for his girlfriend – actually, it’s his iancée – and it all grew out of a simple decision to pursue somebody who he just felt comfortable with. I’m assuming there were no sparks or lightning bolt of love at irst sight that kicked off with her giving him those sexy kitty cat paws and come-hither hand motions after their eyes met from across the room. But, based on the conversation that immediately preceded his advice, there doesn’t seem to be a “grass is always greener effect” I assumed would linger in this type of relationship foundation either. We had just inished talking about a “dime” who’s been dropping polite, but overt, displays of her interest in him. “Man, too bad I’m not single,” he said, “but, oh well.”

Steve Harvey’s best-selling book. She co-stars with the likes of Michael Ealy, Chris Brown, Megan Good, Taraji P. Henson and Kevin Hart. But right now, the pending blockbuster is in the back of her mind as she preps to return to the spotlight at home in a special way.

“I’m going to come home and show out now. Yes, honey, I am going to show out, because that’s what I know how to do – and people are expecting me to be myself.”

“This experience will be so special. I’m just so excited –excited, yes, that’s the word – excited. Did I tell you how excited I am?” Lift Every Voice: Jenifer Lewis and The Saint Louis Symphony with the IN UNISON Chorus will take place on Friday, Feb. 10 at Powell Hall (718 N. Grand) at 7 p.m. For tickets and/or more information, visit www. stlsymphony.org.

Carrousels at the Silver Sensation 25th Anniversary Celebration - Bellerive Country Club. Photo by Gwen Key

Strategizing for black male success

American staff

For far too many school-age black males, under-achievement, delinquency and even prison is a foregone conclusion made, in many cases, by the school system, the public and even African-American boys themselves.

But Ivory Toldson, 38, a researcher and author, says that doesn’t have to be, especially when black and white data is considered.

Toldson will be the featured speaker at Educational Equity Consultants free symposium: “Breaking Barriers Part 2: Plotting the Path Away From Juvenile Detention and Towards Academic Success for School-age African American Males.”

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Saint Louis University in DuBourg Hall, Room 157 (Refectory Hall)

The deadline for reservations is Friday, Feb. 17.

The symposium will include a panel of community advocates: Niwar C. Davis, Superintendent of the Eleventh Circuit Family Court; Charles Adams, University City Police Chief; Redditt Hudson, Racial Justice Associate with

the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri; and Leon Henderson, President of Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory School.

Toldson is an associate professor at Howard University, senior research analyst for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and editor-inchief of The Journal of Negro Education, the country’s oldest black continuous publication.

Toldson is the author of the “Breaking Barriers” series, which analyzes academic success indicators from national surveys that looked at almost 10,000 black male pupils from schools across the country.

“Breaking Barriers 2,” released March 2011, offers solutions that will assist policymakers, educators, school advocates, families and others in enabling African-American males to have greater success in the classroom and afterward.

According to Toldson, research shows that black male success and achievement is at an all-time high.

“Few people know that the black male college population is also larger today than at any point in history,” Toldson said in a previous interview.

“In addition, the rate increase

in college enrollment has expanded for black males over the last 10 years, while the rate increase in incarceration for black males has decreased.”

Sylvester Brown, St. Louis-based writer, will be the moderator.

The symposium is free, but space is limited. Priority will be given to educators, community workers/advocates, parents and students who reply online at ivory-toldson-breaking-barriers-2-.eventbrite.com or by calling (314) 997-6500. The deadline for reservations is Friday, Feb. 17.

Free parking is available in the Laclede Street Garage, corner of Laclede and Grand, or street parking on Lindell Avenue. EEC is sponsoring the symposium in collaboration with Saint Louis University, Teach for America and St. Louis Leadership Cypher.

By Melanie Adams

Black history for your book club

History Museum is also a publisher of many books of interest

We have fought hard and long for integration, as I believe we should have, and I know that we will win. But I’ve come to believe we are integrating into a burning house….I’m afraid that America may be losing what moral vision she may have had...(Martin Luther King, Jr. 1968)

Spoken a few months before his death, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared his thoughts about America’s future with fellow activists at a strategy meeting at singer and fellow activist Harry Belafonte’s home. Dismayed by what he thought America was becoming, Dr. King seemed to be questioning the ight for integration into a country that was losing its morality. His followers were confused and upset by these remarks and asked what they should do. Without missing a beat, Dr. King replied, “We’re just going to have to become iremen.”

As the country gears up to celebrate Black History Month, it is a good time to relect on African Americans that took up Dr. King’s charge to “become iremen” and work to create a society that is worth integrating. While there are hundreds of great national examples, St. Louisians can proudly look locally for African Americans that fought for and won the rights that many of us enjoy today. The Missouri History Museum with its publication arm MHM Press recognizes these individuals by working with them to publish their memoirs so their stories can inspire the next generation.

The Missouri History Museum has a wonderful catalog of African-American biographies, autobiographies, and anthologies that tell the stories of struggle and success in the community.

From Malindy’s Freedom: The Story of a Slave Family about a slave family in Missouri in the 1800s to Miles Davis and American Culture and A Song of Faith and Hope, Frankie Muse Freeman’s story about her life’s work for equality, the stories are both fascinating and relevant. Many of today’s educators will lament how hard it is to get young people interested in reading. Books like these with stories about engaging people, recognizable settings, and real life situations can make a happy difference. Sometimes it is hard to remember they are non-iction.

As Black History month commences and people begin to ill their calendars with lectures, musical performances, and plays (see below for two special events at the History Museum), I encourage you to add a book to your Black History month schedule. It seems everyone is in a book club nowadays so consider making your February book (or any month—you can read African-American books in months besides February) one of the books listed below. There is a book that should suit every interest. Once you have read the book, share your thoughts with a friend and spread the stories of achievement of St. Louis African Americans. It is the least we can do on our way to becoming ireman.

Pick up these books from the History Museum’s gift shop Louisiana Purchase, from other local bookstores, or the public library in your neighborhood:

At the Elbows of My Elders: One Family’s Journey toward Civil Rights by Gail Milissa Grant

A Song of Faith and Hope: The Life of Frankie Muse Freeman by Frankie Muse Freeman, with Candace O’Connor Bill Clay: A Political Voice at the Grass Roots by Bill Clay

Discovering African American St. Louis: A Guide to Historic Sites - Second Edition by John A. Wright Malindy’s Freedom: The Story of a Slave Family By Mildred Johnson and Theresa Delsoin; edited by Stuart Symington, Jr., and Anne W. Symington Miles Davis and American Culture Edited by Gerald Early Nobody’s Boy by Jennifer Fleischner Point from which creation begins: The Black Artists’Group of St. Louis by Benjamin Looker Ain’t But a Place: An Anthology of African American Writings about St. Louis Edited and with an introduction by Gerald Early – This book is out of print, but the public libraries, city and county, have multiple copies.

More than A Month

Thursday, February 2, 2012, 7pm Lee Auditorium • FREE Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African American ilmmaker, is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. Through this tongue-in-cheek journey, More Than a Month investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America.

Raced: Racial Identity from the Civil War to Now Saturdays, February 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th $30 for all four classes ($25 for MHM members) In a four-part class, Dr. Teresa Guess, University of Missouri--St. Louis, applies a critical perspective on racial identity formation in the U.S. from the Civil War era to present day. This sociopolitical exploration of race allows participants to learn and engage in thoughtful discussion on how people have been “raced,” or labeled as members of a racial group for various purposes.

The Missouri History Museum has a wonderful catalog of African-American biographies, autobiographies, and anthologies, including At the Elbows of My Elders: One Family’s Journey toward Civil Rights by Gail Milissa Grant.

Ivory Toldson

~ CELEBRATIONS ~ Birthdays

February 1

Aniaya Renee McKinney celebrates her 7th birthday! She attends Twillman School and Way of Life Church, and she loves to talk. Happy, Happy Birthday, Nae Nae!

We love you, Your grandparents Columbus and Willa McKinney

January 30

Happy Birthday to Felicia

George! We love you so much!

From your uncles Rudy and Tom, aunts Gail and Ann, your sister Stephanie and your many cousins

Reunions

questions/info on these events our e-mail address is beaumontclassof67@sbcglobal.net

February 2 Martrez R. Henderson will celebrate his 5th birthday on February 2, 2012. Martrez attends Northview Elementary School and Children on the Move.He loves playing with other children. We love you! Mommy La La, Whitley, Granny Pat, Granny Lizand Uncle Marcus.

love you.

More birthdays:

Morris J. Carson — January 31

Lonia Kurdistani (1) — February 1

Do you have a

Beaumont of class of 1967 will host its 45th class reunion on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at The Sheraton Westport Hotel, 191 Westport Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146. Cost is $100 per person. On Friday, June 8, there will be a meet and greet and on Sunday, June 10 worship service and a brunch— locations to be determined. For

Berkeley Class of 1982 is celebrating its 30 year class reunion August 17-19, 2012 and is seeking classmates to attend the reunion and reunion planning meetings. For more information about the reunion please call Anthony Wilder 314-479-0110, Portland (Matthews) Whitlock 314-7669108, or Tammy Davis 314302-1339.

Hadley Tech Classes of 19621963 are preparing for our 50th reunion in October of 2012. If you are interested in participating, your contact information is needed as soon as possible. Please call Virdell Stennis at 314-773-8177,

Hellon Jefferson at 314-3073681 (jeffersonhellon@yahoo.com), or Wilhelmina Baker at 314588-0779/314-630-9647.

O’Fallon Technical High School Class of 1963 is planning its 50th reunion for the fall of 2013. If you are interested in participating, your contact information is needed as soon as possible.Please contactJustine Crow at (314) 838-2010 or jcrowsnest@aol.com

McCluerNorth Class of 1992 is looking to celebrate its 20year reunion. We are in the process of planning a dinner/dance. Your contact information is needed ASAP. Go to the web-site at mccluernorth1992.com

SumnerAlumni Association presents its 9th Annual RoundUp Sun., Feb. 26, 2012, 1-4 p.m. at Sumner High School. Reception will be held in the gymnasiumfrom 1-1:45 p.m. with displays, souvenir items, photographer, and more.New and renewal of alumnimemberships acceptedin the foyer. Program starts at2 p.m. in the auditorium.Round-Up focus is “Salute to the Military” (Sumner Alumni Active/Retired) and Entertainment.For more info, contactP. Mason at 314.556.3944, J. Vanderford at 314.454.0029 or email:sumnersince1875@yahoo.com. Vendors are welcome($50 in advance); contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843.

SumnerHigh School class of 1962 is planning its 50-year reunion for June 2012 and is looking for the January and June graduates to participate in the planning. Please call Eldridge”Bogie”Bryant, Sr. at 314-489-0532, email address eldridgbrya@sbcglobal.net and Lillian Foster Curlett at 314269-6450.

Vashon High School Class of 1965 will be celebrating “The Class of 65 at 65” at The Hilton St. Louis Airport on April 21, 2012 beginning at 7p.m.- Midnight. The cost is

$50.00 per person. For information contact Cleo at 3831934, Bernice at 534-8282, or Yvonne at 618-206-8101 or email

Vashon65Alumni@yahoo.com

Vashon High School Class of 1972: Plans are underway for our 40th class reunion. Please forward information on the names, addresses and phone numbers of classmates and info regarding classmates who are deceased. Meetings are being held every 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the new Vashon High School; located at 3035 Cass Ave. We look forward to hearing from you. Eufabya Edwards–McFadden, P.O. Box 454, Florissant, Missouri 63032-0454, email: vashonclassof72@yahoo.com

Vashon High School Class of 1977 is planning its 35th reunion for August 10-12, 2012 and looking for all classmates to participate with the planning.For more information email your contact information to Vashonclassof77@yahoo.com

Yeatman School alumni and former staff, as part of the school’s 45th anniversary observance, you are cordially invited to attend a ribbon-cutting and celebration for the

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 4242 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday.

If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Religion

Priest from black parishes exhibits paintings

Plus, energy assistance and tax preparation at area churches

American staff

Father James Hasse of the Society of Jesus spent over 40 years of his ministry in AfricanAmerican parishes throughout the Midwest. He was deeply influenced by the community he served, and his work reflects Biblical themes, as related to the strife of the African-American woman. In 2008, Father Hasse received the Martin Luther King “Keep the Dream Alive” award presented by St. Mark’s parish in Cincinnati, Ohio, recognizing his service in African American communities. His paintings (such as Be Still, My Soul, above) and those of Judge Nathan B. Young are on display in Spirit and History at The Saint Louis University Museum of Art, 3663 Lindell Blvd., through Mar. 4. Visit http://www.slu.edu/sluma.xml.

Mount Beulah Church Energy Assistance Program

Mount Beulah Church (7823

Racine Drive, Hanley Hills) in partnership with the Urban League’s Low-Income Housing and Energy Assistance Program will help connect some of our most vulnerable residents with energy assistance. The program is primarily designed to help link participants to programs that provide grant money to pay a household’s primary heating source bill –whether that is gas, electric, propane or fuel oil. This program is open to both homeowners and renters. By completing the application, eligible participants may receive assistance and/ or educational materials from Laclede Gas and many other social service agencies in our area as well. MBC’s program will provide personal assistance in completing the application. Interested residents can come to MBC to receive assistance in filing out the application. For faster service, please bring the following document with you: 1) A recent copy of your last energy bill for the Main fuel you use to heat your home; 2) If you have a disconnect notice, please bring it with you; 3) Verification of your social security number; and 4) Proof of last month’s income for the household.

Times of service are: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, February 1-2; February 8-9; and February 15-16 at Mount Beulah Church, 7823 Racine Dr.

Please continue to pay your energy bill as you normally would to avoid being shut off. If you have questions, please contact Evelyn Shields Benford at 314-727-1202 ext. 12

Free tax prep at area churches

Southern Mission Baptist Church, 8171 Wesley Ave. in Kinloch, offers income tax forms prepared for free by IRS employees and volunteers every 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 28-April 14. Call 314521-3951 for more details Free tax help and e-filing for lo- income and moderate income with special attention to those 60 and over is offered at AARP Tax-aide sites: St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 1260 Hamilton, and Natural Bridge Branch Library, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd. For more information, contact the Call Center at 314-918-7563.

Networking and praise event

When The Economy Slows Down God’s Kingdom Doesn’t is coming to the Demetrious Johnson Center, 724 N. Union Blvd., on Saturday, Feb. 11, featuring keynote speakers on leadership, networking and finance, praise dancing, spoken word, comedy, gospel hip-hop and theatre. Theer is a 2-5p.m. session then entertainment 7:30 -10 p.m. For more information visit www.godseconomyworks. com.

By Molly Yvonne Redding For The St. Louis American

There is a wonder about Christmas as well as a season associated with giving. There is a wonderful briskness in the air and a glow on the faces of many shoppers. There seems to be a purpose for those in the stores, though the planned shopping lists of “Thanksgiving Friday” shoppers disintegrate into a hurried frenzy by Dec.24. During the closing deadline of shopping hours, we’ll just grab at anything that Aunt Gail can smile at when she unwraps it, even if no one can think of anything she really wants or needs.

Message

However, the question is, can we give cheerfully this Christmas?

Only in giving this way can we emulate the great Gift of Christmas, described in John 3:16:”For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This season also finds many people feeling stressed. Instead of being able to give out of thoughtfulness and love, we often give because it is expected (whether real or self-inflicted).

I recently heard about one couple who had more than 90 people they felt obligated to remember with a gift ,but they are not in a position to give what they feel are noteworthy gifts, No wonder the joy of giving falls away to a sort of panicked despair.

I feel it is time to refresh our giving with a truth from Scripture:”Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Was our Father cheerful that night he sent his Son to lie in the manger-hay of Bethlehem’s’ rejection? He doubtless wept as he traced Jesus’ path to the cross’s torture and triumph. Like Jesus, Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross” (Hebrew 12:2), the Father tempered his pain with anticipation of the happiness and freedom that would be available to all of the recipients of his Gift. And so God gave, not reluctantly or because he was forced by popular opinion, but because he loved. No store-bought gift would do for those he held dear, it must be homemade. His choice of gift also was not an optional trinket for the man or woman who has everything. He gave the only possession that we don’t have and really need. He did not give a thing, an object. He gave himself-a costly Gift in the extreme, so expensive that many reject the Gift because of the obligation they know they incur upon acceptance. However, this is where

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community. Send your column (no more than 500 words) as a Word document and pasted text to cking@stlamerican.

Molly Yvonne Redding

Father James Hasse of the Society of Jesus, Be Still, My Soul

Don Cornelius dies at 75

Don Cornelius, creator of the long-running and pioneering TV dance show Soul Train, shot himself to death Wednesday morning at his home, police said. He was 75. Soul Train was one of the irst U.S. shows to showcase African-Americans, and it introduced television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White.

Oficer responding to a report of a shooting found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 a.m., police said. He was pronounced dead of a self-inlicted gunshot wound at 4:56 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,” said Quincy Jones. “Don was a visionary pioneer and a

giant in our business. Before MTV there was Soul Train, that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don’s family and loved ones.”

The show began in Chicago as a local program in 1970 and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006, bringing the best rhythm & blues, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV and having teenagers dance to them. Cornelius was the irst host and executive producer.

“There was not programming that targeted any particular ethnicity,” Cornelius said in 2006, then added: “I’m trying to use euphemisms here, trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them.”

Cornelius, who was inducted into the Broadcasting

and Cable Hall of Fame in 1995 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said in 2006 he remained grateful to the musicians who made Soul Train the destination for the best and latest in black music.

“I igured as long as the music stayed hot and important and good, that there would always be a reason for Soul Train,” Cornelius said.

He stepped down as Soul Train host in 1993.

The Soul Train Awards Cornelius founded will return to the air after a two-year hiatus to recognize those who helped shape R&B music. Record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid, singers Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson will be honored on the two-hour music special scheduled to air Nov. 29. Actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard will co-host the awards.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Free assistance with financial aid forms

Harris-Stowe State helps students and families complete the FAFSA

American staff

Harris-Stowe State University is hosting “FAFSA Frenzy” to assist students and their parents with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the first step in applying for federal financial aid and state programs. Financial aid professionals will be on hand at HarrisStowe’s FAFSAFrenzy, Sunday, February 12, 2-4 p.m., in the AT&TLibrary and Technology Center on the HSSU campus.

Families who bring their completed 2011 income tax returns to a FAFSAFrenzy event will be able to complete the 2012-2013 FAFSAon site. Families who have not yet completed their tax returns can fill out the FAFSAat home after attending the workshop.

FAFSAFrenzy events will be held throughout the state, and the participants of these events will be eligible to win one of four $1,000 scholar-

ships. Winners will receive their scholarships upon receipt of enrollment verification for the 2011 fall semester at a Missouri postsecondary institution. For more information about Harris-Stowe’s FAFSAFrenzy, call HSSU’s Office of Financial Assistance at (314) 340-3500 or visit www.hsssu.edu.

Scholarship opportunity

St. Louis Community Credit Union has announced the establishment of the Janice Mosby Scholarship fund through the St. Louis Community CU Foundation. The Foundation will award $2,500 scholarships to three eligible adult students in spring 2012.

To be considered for this scholarship opportunity, applicants must be first time or reentry students ages 23 or older with aspirations to attend college full or part-time and

Harris-Stowe State University is hosting “FAFSA Frenzy” on Sunday,February 12,2-4 p.m.,in the AT&T Library and Technology Center on the HSSU campus.

are trying to move forward with their lives. Proof of enrollment is required.

Applicants must be seeking an undergraduate degree and enrolled or planning to enroll

at an accredited school (two or four-year university or technical school) in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area.

The St. Louis Community CU Foundationcreated the scholarship fund in 2011 to honor the legacy of the late Janice Mosby. Ms. Mosby was a teacher and principal in the St. Louis Public Schools for more than 30 years. With a kind heart and gentle spirit, she dedicated her life to helping students in the community develop to their fullest potential. Ms. Mosby served on the St. Louis Community Credit Union’s Board of Directors for 40 years and as a Board member of the Credit Union’s Foundation.

The deadline for all applications is Friday, March 9. For additional eligibility information and to access the application, visit http://www.slccufoundation.org.

The Foundation awarded $2,500 to two deserving students in 2011.

Cardinal Ritter College Prep Annual Gala

Cardinal Ritter College Prep is hosting its Annual Gala, Celebrating Success in Urban Education, on February

10 at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis. Honorary chairmen David Farr (Emerson), David Kemper (Commerce Bank) and Andy Taylor (Enterprise Holdings) are inviting civic and business leaders to attend the gala dinner as the school honors Archbishop Robert J. Carlson for his commitment to urban education and his leadership for Cardinal Ritter Prep’s three-fold mission of faith development, academic excellence, and community leadership. The three CEOs also hope the Gala will help the school raise significant funds to help meet the needs of students and their families.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails in the Art Lounge followed by the invocation, dinner and program in the Missouri Room. All proceeds help provide the necessary financial resources needed for underserved students in the St. Louis area to receive a Cardinal Ritter Page 2 College Prep education. Individual tickets begin at $250 per person; tables of ten and numerous sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, email AaronEmig@archstl.org or call 314-792-7732.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

Kevin P owell is coming. I’ve been wantin’ to chop it up with him since his “Open Letter to Chris Brown,” so I cannot even begin to tell y’all how thrilled I am that author and personality Kevin Powell is comin’ to town to help us celebrate The St. Louis American Foundation’s 2nd Annual Salute To Young Leaders Networking Awards Reception on Feb. 23rd. Oh, so I’m the only one that caught life from it…what? I read all of his other open letters too – and a few of his books. He came to town a couple of years back to the Regional Arts Commission for a chat and I was hoping someone would bring him back soon. My wish has been granted! And the fact that he will be at one of the most uplifting events – and one that encourages young people to get involved with building a better St. Louis – makes it even better. If tickets sell out like they did last year, AND THEY WILL, what do y’all think they are going to do now that Mr. Powell is on the bill as special guest/master of ceremonies? Y’all better hope it isn’t sold out already. So get your power suit and your tickets (only $25) and get ready to kick it with vision and purpose at the Chase Park Plaza. Call (314) 533-8000 or e-mail kdaniel@stlamerican.com for details. A world of kinks and curls .I knew when word hit the street that Miss Jessie’s was a title sponsor for the 2nd Annual Coffee, Cupcakes and Curls natural hair care forum and they were offering that Miss Jessie’s swag bag that my girl River was going to have a crowd on her hands. But.I.HAD.NO.IDEA. of what was actually going to go down Sunday afternoon at Mathews-Dickey. The ladies started showin’ up at 11 a.m. (for a 2 p.m. start time) and they were expecting 800 or so but AT LEAST a thousand showed up. It looked like the Million Woman March processing center and all types of naturalistas were in the building to get even more knowledge on how to style and manage their hair in a healthy way. Miss Jessie’s founders Miko and Titi Branch had to be blown away with all of the beautiful sisters who came out to support the event. And I got all kinds of ideas for keepin’ it cute if I ever decide to let go of my no-lye relaxer (…who am I kidding?) even before the talk started, thanks to all of the ladies in the audience. I saw curls, locks, fros, twists, braids, blowouts and even afro bangs (which I don’t necessarily recommend) and I had a blast. I’ve decided that River might need to head to the America’s center to accommodate the crowd of attendants and vendors. I must tip my hat to River, all of the organizers, the Branch sisters and other panelists – especially my girl Beautiful Brown Baby Doll a.k.a. Dr. Nina Ellis Hervey. I can’t wait to see how Coffee, Cupcakes and Curls brings it for year three!

The Janky Jeezy show. So, the security worker at the door of The Ambassador said “The St. Louis American, I don’t care about The St. Louis American.” I’m taking that statement and him making me wait in the rain for about an hour before as a license to go hard in the paint about the shenanigans I endured during The Young Jeezy show. Shoot, had I not caught the attention of Jon Burns (thanks a bunch brotha), I would still be in the line right now. Up until this very show I was treated like a queen from the time I landed on the parking lot of the Ambassador, so needless to say I was bewildered when I was treated like I was in line for Jennings Traffic Court. So, I knew going in – or should I say waiting to get in – that things were going to run the opposite of smoothly. The ratchetness was OFF THE RADAR, but I must say that all the folks from the astute to the ashy were in the building. I even saw an associate pastor tearing the club up (relax minister, the secret of your identity is safe with me). I headed towards V.I.P. and my eyes were violated as I witnessed some chick making sweet love to the barricade keeping her amongst the ordinary people in a failed attempt to seduce security into allowing her to cross the threshold. I knew Jeezy wouldn’t be on at 11, but I had no idea it would be closer to 1 a.m. My apologizes to all the spots I missed while desperately attempting to catch a sip of that raspy golden throat of his – including Enoch’s Global Warmth. The never ending opening acts were in full swing and while my folks caught life from Nelly’s surprise snippet during Murphy Lee’s set, my unexpected delight feature came from the Block Boyz. Too bad they got “set out” off of the stage just as I got to vibing. Jeezy shows up the next morning and when he hit the stage, he had me nearly glad I was a soldier and stuck it out. No matter how refined I get, Jeezy has me ready to rep for him in the most ratchet of mannerisms. And wasn’t it just like Jeezy to give Kinloch a shoutout? I was ready to hit the road with him as his professional black t-shirt ironer after that. I couldn’t stay as long as I wanted to, but I got the bare minimum of my required Jeezy flow dose..and it was almost worth everything else – including this swine flu I acquired from standing out in the rain.

SpeakerBoxx. After I forced myself to scoot out mid-show for Jeezy, I was delighted the second I caught an earful of what DJ Spinderella was serving on the ones and twos. The crowd was a bit light for a SYGU set, but the energy had plenty of folks glad that they had enough dance floor space to really get down. Is it me, or has that heffa had the same face as back in 1988? Girl, what is your secret? You look fantastic Spin! And I know it’s natural. Too bad I can’t say the same for the newly refurbished faces of your former group mates Salt AND Pepa. I didn’t do so before, so I have to follow Spinderella’s lead and give a shout out to DJ Sinnamon. If Spinderella is vibin’ off of you, then you must have IT. Shout out to the SYGU Fellas, DJ Kut and the lovely DJ Jo Prima Saturday soul. I am so excited to kick off what will be a few weeks of great concerts in the Lou with the soulful, silky voice of N’Dambi and the lovely Julie Dexter at the all-new Plush ( 8 p.m., 3224 Locust) Saturday night. I know 80 percent of y’all don’t know either one of

Otis, Earl, Conrad, Jamel and Meghan, got it in for Young Jeezy during his show Friday night @ The Ambassador

Jocelyn and Nicole enjoyed an evening @ Twisted Olive Saturday night

It was a family affair as Greyling Wilkes, Gwen Wilkes, Vincent Wilkes came out to show their support to Jamila a.k.a.

Jo Prima @ Black Girls Rock Saturday night @ EXO

Camille of Creations by Camille offered congrats to Young Jeezy for a concert well done Friday night @ The Ambassador

Honoree Tobi Collis and Panache Art Lounge’s Cornell Boone @ Black Girls Rock @ EXO

Natural hair experts Miko and Titi Branch (of Miss Jessie’s fame) and Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey @ Coffee, Cupcakes and Curls Sunday @ Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club

Jamie,Tara and Heather “Just Heat” Shelton showed love for Panache’s Black Girls Rock Saturday night @ the EXO

Atima, Morgan, and Tobi came through to get live Saturday night @ The Loft

Sunday afternoon meant sweet success for Coffee, Cupcakes and Curls creator River Fronczak and Miss Jessie’s creators Miko and Titi Branch. More than one thousand showed up at Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club to learn natural hair tips and techniques. They also enjoyed shopping from vendors and the ultimate swag bag full of products by title sponsor Miss Jessie’s – which is among the most popular natural hair products in the nation. Photo by Halima Martin

Shanta and Frank came through for Young Jeezy Friday night @ The Ambassador

The lovely CeCe was among those who made Fred Finley’s birthday celebration extra special recently @ EXO

Sineta Roker, Louise Thomas, Mocha Latte, Socialite Sande were among the ladies celebrated for Panache Art Lounge’s Black Girls Rock Saturday night @ EXO

Legendary DJ Spinderella stopped through Hot 104.1 studios to spend some time with STL icon DJ Kut Friday evening

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Recovery from stroke

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St.Louis American

One of the most perplexing comments Christal Adams has heard over the last few months is, “But you don’t look like you’ve had a stroke.”

That’s a blessing and she is ever so grateful.

Although she’s made great progress, Adams knows her journey continues to feel totally normal on the inside.

At 40 years old, she didn’t have high

blood pressure.

She didn’t have diabetes.

To most folks, she seemed to be the picture of health.

Until she had that stroke.

In her sleep, just a month after graduating with her masters of science in nursing last summer.

It was knee pain that woke her up in the middle of the night. It was her body’s unencumbered thud to the floor when she attempted to get out of bed that sounded from the second floor to the basement of

the house.

“When I woke up, I fell to the floor and woke up the whole household,” Adams said, who hit her head on the edge of a table on the way down. Her boyfriend came to her aid.

“My mom was like, ‘What’s going on?’And I could not answer her,” she said.

Her mom, who was on another floor, called Christal’s cell number and her boyfriend gave her the phone.

“At that point I could see my arm had

Occupational therapy is helping nurse Christal Adams strengthen cognitive skills,such as multitasking, in order to get back to work helping patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

twisted up on my chest and besides, I was drooling and my speech was slurred,” Adams said.

Her mother immediately called 911.

“They were there in a matter of seconds because she told them I had a stroke,” Adams said.

She went to Christian Hospital for initial treatment.

Her stroke was an ischemic stroke (the most common type) and it occurred

See STROKE, page 5

Photo by Wiley Price

HEALTH BRIEFS

Keeping yourheart healthy during wintermonths

Frigid temperatures and the inevitable snow storms that arrive every winter can pose dangers to our hearts.

“When the temperature outside drops, our blood vessels narrow to prevent our bodies from losing heat. This is a natural response that can also put people with heart conditions and those involved in strenuous exercise at greater risk of having a heart attack,” says Dr. Holly Andersen, director of education and outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Shoveling snow is one of the most strenuous and dangerous winter exercise activities. It can raise blood pressure, and coupled with the effects of colder temperatures, shoveling can increase heart attack risk drastically.

Dr. Andersen offers the following tips for safe shoveling and maintaining a healthy heart this winter:

• Warm up. Warm up with stretching and light activity before shoveling, exercising, or beginning more strenuous physical activities.

• Bundle up. When going out to shovel, always wear a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm the air before you breathe in, and dress in layers. Layering clothes underneath a windproof and waterproof outer shell helps maintain body heat.

• Push the shovel. It is less strenuous to push the snow rather than lifting it, and this reduces the risk of overexerting yourself.

• Take breaks. You should take frequent breaks while shoveling to give your muscles, especially your heart muscle, a chance to relax. You may also consider sharing the work with a friend to make the workload lighter and ensure that you are not alone in the event of an emergency.

• Consult a doctor. If you are over 50, overweight, or have suffered a heart attack, you should consult a doctor before shoveling snow or starting an exercise routine.

Heart attack risk rises afterloss of loved one

Aperson’s risk of suffering a heart attack increases by approximately 21 times in the first 24 hours after losing a loved one, according to a study lead by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The study published Jan. 9 online in the journal Circulation found the risk of heart attack remained eight times above normal during the first week after the death of a loved one, slowly declining, but remaining elevated for at least a month.

Researchers interviewed approximately 2,000 patients who suffered myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks, over a five-year period. Patients were asked a series of questions about potentially triggering events, including losing someone close to them in the past year.

“Bereavement and grief are associated with increased feelings of depression, anxiety and anger, and those have been shown to be associated with increases in heart rate and blood pressure, and changes in the blood that make it more likely to clot, all of which can lead to a heart attack,” says lead author Elizabeth Mostofsky, MPH, ScD, a post-doctoral fellow in the cardiovascular epidemiological unit at BIDMC.

“Some people would say a ‘broken heart’related to the grief response is what leads to these physiologic changes,” says senior author Dr. Murray Mittleman of the Cardiovascular Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. “So that emotional sense of the broken heart may actually lead to damage leading to a heart attack and a physical broken heart of a sort.”

Providing appropriate psychological interventions for someone who is grieving is also important. Mostofsky says, “We do think it’s plausible that social support during that increased time of vulnerability would help mitigate [lessen] the risk of heart attack.”

Poorsleep linked to heart disease, obesity

People who suffer from sleep disturbances are at major risk for obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The new research also indicated that general sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or sleeping too much) may play a role in the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The study is published online ahead of print in the Journal of Sleep Research

“Previous studies have demonstrated that those who get less sleep are more likely to also be obese, have diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and are more likely to die sooner, but this new analysis has revealed that other sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or even too much sleep, are also associated with cardiovascular and metabolic health issues,” said Michael A. Grandner, PhD, research associate at the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at Penn and lead author of the study.

The researchers examined associations between sleep disturbances and other health conditions, focusing on perceived sleep quality, rather than just sleep duration. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and health risk factors, patients with sleep disturbances at least three nights per week on average were 35 percent more likely to be obese, 54 percent more likely to have diabetes, 98 percent more likely to have coronary artery disease, 80 percent more likely to have had a heart attack, and 102 percent more likely to have had a stroke.

Researchers analyzed data from the 2009 annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) of 138,201 people conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the world’s largest telephone survey, designed to monitor health-related behaviors in the general population.

“We all know what it feels like to not sleep well sometimes. And now we can clearly show that those who have chronic sleep problems are also much more likely to have chronic health problems as well,” said Philip R. Gehrman, PhD, CBSM, assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, clinical director of the Penn Medicine Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, and senior study author.

“As a society, we need to make healthy sleep a priority.”

Stroke’s Warning Signs

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg- especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Source:American Stroke Association

STROKE

Continued from page 3

in the basal ganglia, an area in the base of the brain that regulates body movement and coordination.

Because she is a nurse, Adams asked to be given a drug called tPA, is an acronym for tissue plasminogen activator – a clot-busting medication that must be given to patients within a few hours of a stroke to dissolve the clot, as long as there is no bleeding in the brain.

After an MRI, she received the medication and was quickly transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis where she wad admitted for a few days.

“By then the tPAhad pretty much started working, so within 12 hours I was able to move my leg,” Adams said. “[Before] I couldn’t move it at all – it was straight and stiff as a board.”

By the next day, she was able to move both her limbs on that side. Months of physical therapy allowed her to regain full use of her body – with occupational therapy they are working on her mind.

“I’m a little bit weaker, my endurance is shortened and cognitively, it’s taking me a little while to get back to work,” she explained.

Although Christal did not have some of the obvious indicators that put people at increased risk for a cardiovascular event, there were a few issues that may have been busy working against this busy lady: not eating healthy, not exercising, not getting adequate rest. And although she is relatively tall, and it looked good on her – Christal concedes she weighed too much.

“I don’t look overweight, but even for my height, I am overweight – I am obese,” she said.

And now thinking back at the time a couple of days before her stroke, a vision disturbance at work may have been a clue to the serious problem to come.

“I remember running around like a chicken with my head cut off, and I was trying to read something and the words were so tiny on the paper that I couldn’t see it, and the words floated off the paper,” she described. “And I thought that was kind of – but I didn’t recognize it as being a sign of having a stroke, I just thought I was tired – and I put on my glasses and I was able to see.”

Following the stroke, Adams is foregoing processed food and watching her caloric intake as well as is beginning to exercise as much as her energy and strength allows.

She is also participating in research studies that monitor the recovery of this type of stroke.

She looks forward to going back to the career she loves.

“I’m preparing to take my boards so I can practice as a nurse practitioner and definitely a lifestyle change,” Adams said. “I want to make sure I stay as healthy as possible because the possibility I could have another stroke is there, and I want to do whatever I can to prevent that.”

For more information on stroke, visit www.strokeassociation.org.

Atrial arrhythmias detected by pacemakers increase risk of stroke

An irregular heartbeat that you don’t even feel but can be picked up by a pacemaker is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke, says a new McMaster University study.

The report, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine said that of nearly 2,600 patients without a history of atrial fibrillation but with a recently implanted pacemaker, more than one-third had episodes when the heartbeat would become rapid and irregular for more than six minutes.

In 85 per cent of these patients, the irregular heartbeat did not cause any symptoms and was only detected by the modern pacemakers. Those who had one of these asymptomatic atrial arrhythmias in the first three months had more than twice the risk of stroke or embolism compared to others.

“This study suggests that silent atrial fibrillation is very common and may be the cause of many strokes that previously could not be explained. In all, atrial fibrillation may be responsible for nearly 1 in 5 strokes,” said Dr. Jeff Healey, associate professor of medicine of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster. “This is an important observation as we have very effective and specific therapies to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, once this heart rhythm disturbance is identified.”

The study conducted in 23 countries with 136 centers to explore the relationship between device-detected atrial arrhythmias and stroke. The study participants were 65 years old or older, with a history of hypertension but no history of atrial fibrillation. They were followed for approximately 2.5 years.

St. Mary’s lobby dedication

St.Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley joins Kate Becker, president of SSM St.Mary’s Health Center at the Jan.19 dedication and blessing of the facility’s renovated lobby and redesigned main entrance.

Men, pay attention to yourhealth

My dad neverpays attention to his health. I know that there are tests that he should get regularly, but he doesn’t. I am worried that because he doesn’t pay attention to his health that he is missing out on the chance to find issues early before they get too serious. What should I do to get my dad to pay attention to his health?

Too often we hear a similar story from wives, sisters, daughters and other women about the men in their lives. Keep encouraging your dad to pay attention to his health. It is great that you care about him so much.

You are right on. There are things that your dad can do to find health issues early before they get too serious. He can even do things to prevent illnesses. One example is with colon cancer. The most effective way to reduce ones chance of getting colon cancer is by having regular colon cancer screening tests beginning at age 50. Screening tests can find colon cancer early, when treatments work best and the chance for a full recovery is very high. With some colon cancer screening tests, doctors can find abnormal growths and remove them before they even turn into cancer. If your dad is age 50 or older, encourage him to get regular colon cancer screening tests. This way your dad can reduce his chance of getting

colon cancer down the road.

Where can I find more information on colon cancer?

Nothing can take the place of a conversation with a health care provider. In addition to this, there are some good websites with information on colon cancer. Here are some great websites to help you find more information about colon cancer.

Your Disease Risk – www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov/cancer/col-

orectal

American Cancer Society –www.cancer.org

Need help finding a health provider – www.211.missouri.org or call 2-1-1 from most landlines (1-800-427-4626 from cell phones)

Send yourquestions about cancerto SCC-PECaD, Campus Box 8100, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, or PECaD@siteman.wustl.edu. Look forfuture articles in HealthMatters.

Side effects of blood pressure medicine

J.R. wants to know:

“I’ve been on high blood pressure medication for several years. When I get a headache, since that is a sign of high blood pressure, I take an extra pill. I also take an extra dose when I eat pork, because I’ve heard it increases blood pressure (BP). Since I’ve noticed some problems with sex from my medicine, if I expect to be having sex I skip the dose that day. I know that’s probably bad, but sex is important to me. My doctor recommended a home BPcuff, but my insurance doesn’t cover it so I haven’t gotten one. What do you advise?”

The response comes from Dr. Eva Hersh via Healthy Living News.

“DearJ.R.

I agree that sex is important! Have you discussed this problem with your health care provider? Youcould switch to a BPmed that doesn’t have sexual side effects. It’s important for you to be on one that you are able to take every day.

Taking extra doses of your medica-

tion is a bad idea, especially if you take them without checking your blood pressure first. Even if a person does check their BPat home and it is elevated (meaning over 140/90), it’s not smart to take extra doses before discussing with doctor. In most cases the answer will be that if BPis elevated it would make more sense to increase the daily dose of medication, or add another medication. Since most BPmedicines last all day, if you take an extra dose when your pressure is high, the extra dose may cause your blood pressure to be too low later in the day. Low blood pressure can cause lightheadedness and even fainting.

Although it’s a common belief that high blood pressure (which is also called hypertension) causes headaches, it’s not true. Hypertension is called the silent killer because there are no symptoms except for the complications that happen after years of uncontrolled high BPstroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Any kind of pain, including a severe headache, can raise a person’s BP, but it’s the pain that triggers the rise, not the rise in BPthat causes the pain.

You can find out for yourself whether your blood pressure goes up

with headaches, and take more control over it by checking it at home. Reporting your home blood pressures to your health care provider will lead to better management of high blood pressure. BPcuffs are an important investment to make in your health. Good cuffs are available at most large drugstores or online for $40-$60. The ones worn around the upper arm are usually more accurate than those worn on the wrist. Also bring your cuff to your health care provider’s office to check its accuracy before relying on the results.

Along-term study recently proved that people with well controlled hypertension live an average of five years longer than people with hypertension that is uncontrolled. And that does not take into account the lower quality of life of those living after strokes or heart attacks. Despite this, only about half of people with high BPhave it under good control. This is due to both patients and health care professionals not taking the problem seriously enough. It is hard for people to be consistent in taking medicine for a silent problem. But if you make the effort to keep your BPunder control every day, your life will be healthier and longer.”

Do you have a health-related question? Let us hear from you. Email your question to yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com. Rather than a personal reply, a health professional will provide an answer that we will share with all readers in a future issue of Your Health Matters.

What can worsen high blood pressure?

High intake of salt. Most fast foods and many snack foods contain unhealthy amounts of salt. Pork only increases BP if it is preserved or prepared with salt –ham, bacon and cold cuts should be avoided. Fresh pork, like pork chops, does not cause a rise in BPas long as no salt is added.

Smoking tobacco. Tobacco constricts blood vessels for 90 minutes after each cigarette. Narrowing of the blood vessels causes the blood pressure to rise.

Excess weight, especially recent weight gain. Every pound of fat includes many small blood vessels, and the heart must work harder to pump blood into them.

Lack of exercise. If your body is not used to being active, your blood pressure tends to be higher even at rest, and any exertion will raise your BPmore.

Alcohol use: having more than two drinks a day doubles a person’s risk for high blood pressure. The risk gets worse as the number of drinks per day gets higher.

Some medicines increase blood pressure, especially ibuprofen, naproxen, prescription arthritis medicines, and birth control pills.

Source: Healthy Living News, Dr. Eva Hersh

YourHealth Matters

Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American February 2, 2012

YourHealth Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health.

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

Consuelo Wilkins, MD, Medical Accuracy Editor

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

Breast Cancer

HEALTH RESOURCES

Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113.

Behavioral

Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. The hospital has a geriatric psychiatric unit dedicated to serving the mental health needs of geriatric patients. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Christian Hospital Key Program is for patients with chronic mental illness.The program offers support and education to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-839-3171 or 1-800-447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center provides no cost support for persons who have been affected by criminal acts. Emil peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.

Diabetes

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, open-to-the-public Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m., overseen by certified diabetes educators to address health management issues. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSM-DOCS (866-776-3627).

Dental

Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (like fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For an appointment, call 314-768-7899.

Eye Health

Free glaucoma screenings at Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Center located at 5471 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. St. Louis, 63112 (second floor - Health Education Dept.).Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:.30 p.m.Please call for availability of screening times. Results will be reviewed immediately following the screening. For more information, call (314) 367-5820 ext. 2259.

Fitness

Coed Jazzercise - $1 per session on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. –7:00 p.m. at Memorial Tabernacle Christian Life Center, 1350 S. Lafayette in Florissant, Mo. (behind Yacovelli’s). For more information, call 314-921-6825.

Health Partnerships:

The CenterforCommunity Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges forHealthy Communities – works to develop and support beneficial community-academic partnerships that effectively address the health needs of the St. Louis community. For more information, email publichealth@wustl.edu; phone 314-747-9212 or visit publichealth.wustl.edu.

Information

Missouri 2-1-1 offers referral and information on a wide range of social service and helpful resources. Call 2-1-1.

Medical

St. Louis ConnectCare offers walk-in services Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most holidays. For more information, call 314-879-6300.

Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N. Newstead, St. Louis, Mo. for those who are uninsured. For more information, call 314-533-0534.

Nutrition

Food Outreach provides food, meals and nutritional education/ counseling to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS or cancer in St. Louis. For more information, call 314652-3663 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.

Angel Food Ministries operates in hundreds of churches nationwide and offers heat and serve meals, canned and fresh food boxes at a reduced cost. Find the nearest locations by zip code at www.angelfoodministries.com.

Special to the American

The City of Saint Louis Department of Health is gearing up to host the ‘So You Got Moves’ expo to promote healthy and active lifestyles for St. Louisans.

Modeled after First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move national anti-obesity initiative, ‘So You Got Moves’will provide an exciting opportunity to involve everyone in the St. Louis community in the fight against diseases related to unhealthy diet and fitness habits.

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in

Let’s Move St. Louis!

African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40 percent of the children are overweight or obese. If we don’t solve this problem, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesityrelated health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.

To help prevent obesity and its related conditions, the City of Saint Louis has become a ‘Let’s Move’city and supports/endorses community actions that educate and encourage healthy lifestyles for all ages and ability levels. Let’s Move STLis a comprehensive initiative to combat and solve the challenge of obesi-

ty and diseases related to poor diet and fitness; by leveraging community resources; coordinating partnerships; and engaging the community towards the goal of zero obesity by 2020.

To join the efforts to become a healthier St. Louis, all are invited to attend the free ‘So You Got Moves’Expo on Saturday, February 11th from 10am-3pm at Forest Park Community College Gym Annex.

The event will highlight various health organizations and partners within the area that are striving to make a difference in the health of the St. Louis community. All ages can participate and get moving in various activities including: 3on-3 basketball games, hula-hoop, dou-

ble-dutch, dance showcase, stepping, and kid-centered aerobics just to name a few! This fun time will be paired with nutrition and cooking demonstrations with a sustainability focus and healthcare component.

What: So You Got Moves Expo

When: Saturday February 11th, 2012 Time: 10am-3pm

Location: Forest Park Community College Gym Annex

All are welcome to participate. Please wear sneakers or soft-soled shoes to event. For more information, visit www.healthinstitutestl.org

Middle-age blood pressure changes affect lifetime heart disease, stroke risk

An increase or decrease in your blood pressure during middle age can significantly impact your lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to research published recently in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association

Researchers found people who maintained or reduced their blood pressure to normal levels by age 55 had the lowest lifetime risk for CVD (between 22 percent to 41 percent risk). In contrast, those who had already developed high blood pressure by age 55 had a higher lifetime risk (between 42 percent to 69 percent risk).

Using data from 61,585 participants in the Cardiovascular Lifetime Risk Pooling Project, researchers examined how changes in blood pressure during middle age affected lifetime CVD risk. In this study, age 55 was considered a mid-point for middle age.

Starting with baseline blood pressure readings from an average of 14 years prior, researchers tracked blood pressure changes until age 55, then continued to follow the patients until the occurrence of a first cardiovascular event (including heart attack or stroke), death or age 95.

“Taking blood pressure changes into account can provide more accurate estimates for lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, and it can help us predict individualized risk, and thus, individualized prevention strategies,” said Norrina Allen, Ph.D., lead author of the study and assistant professor in the Department

of Preventive Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “Both avoiding hypertension during middle age or delaying the onset of the development of hypertension appear to have a significant impact on an individual’s remaining lifetime risk for CVD.”

Researchers also found:

• Almost 70 percent of all men who develop high blood pressure in middle age will experience a CVD event by 85.

• Women who develop high blood pressure by early middle-age (average age 41) have a higher lifetime risk for CVD (49.4 percent) than those who have maintained normal blood pressure up to age 55.

• The overall lifetime CVD risk for people 55 years or older was 52.5 percent for men and 39.9 percent for women, when factoring in all blood pressure levels.

• The lifetime risk for CVD was higher among Blacks compared with Whites of the same sex, and increased with rising blood pressure at middle age.

Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., co-author of the study and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine said, “Maintaining a healthy diet, combined with exercise and weight control, can help reduce blood pressure levels and, consequently, your risk for CVD later in life.”

Heart attack survivorat MoBap

Missouri Baptist Medical Center hosts Heart of the Family on Saturday

American staff

“I felt a fast, sudden pressure in my chest,” recalls 56-year-old Lola Hill. “I thought, ‘This must be gas from the peanuts.’”

Hill and her husband were visiting with family on a quiet Saturday night in early December. She was enjoying a few honey-roasted peanuts and drinking a soda. She convinced her husband that they needed to visit his mother’s where they’d see family and friends. After his accident on a job site, she was concerned that he was only getting out of the house for rehab sessions.

“After a while, the chest pain got a little worse,” she remembers. “As we began to watch a movie, my chest pain increased. It felt like somebody had their hand on my chest. But I was in denial. I remember thinking, ‘This cannot be a heart attack.’”

Then she remembered recently completing an on-line course on Missouri Baptist’s intranet about heart attack symptoms and what to do. Missouri Baptist provides on-line education for employees. Hill is an office coordinator

in its Cancer Center. Annually, employees are required to pass a series of short on-line tests to ensure that they are aware of the symptoms and/or appropriate responses for various health and safety-related issues.

Thanks to the heart attack module, Hill remembered that she needed to get to the ER at the onset of pain – that getting there quickly was important because time equals less damage to the heart muscle.

She insisted that her husband drive her to Missouri Baptist. The ER doctor soon confirmed that she was having a heart attack.

“Aheart attack is death to the heart muscle caused by an interruption in blood flow to the muscle,” said John Hess III, MD, interventional cardiologist, Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

“Those with attack symptoms should call 911 and not drive themselves, so they’re cared for by professionals in the field. Some people have warning signs that they dismiss from days to hours. It’s alarming to me that most people only

call 911 when they experience persistent, severe pain. Time is crucial. Long-term affects of severe heart muscle damage can lead to further complication. The sooner an artery is open, the chance of mortality and subsequent severe injury may be diminished by 50 percent.”

Hill says, “If I had to do it all over again, I would have called 911 for an ambulance. Had I coded in the car, my husband wouldn’t have known what to do. Instead, I should have stopped at the first hospital.”

Since her heart attack, Hill has lost more than 25 pounds, is exercising regularly, eating heart-healthy meals and discovering new ways to shop for groceries. She’s even created new recipes after seeing a dietitian who taught her how to control her diabetes and blood pressure. Hill now encourages everyone she knows to do the same. And it’s working. Her sister has lost 100 pounds, and some of her co-workers have lost significant amounts of weight.

“At 56, with 28 grandchildren, I have

a lot of lives to influence,” she said. Hill was recognized as a heart attack survivor in 2011 by the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” program. Dr. John Hess was keynote speaker and asked her to stand to be recognized. Guests applauded her courage and her dedication to survival and her new, heart-healthy successes.

‘Heart of the Family’

Hill and her family are attending Missouri Baptist Medical Center’s “Heart of the Family,” a free heart education event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 3015 N. Ballas Rd.

Advance registration is recommended. Enter at Main Entry or North Entry/Building D. Free garage parking. In its 19th year to honor American Heart Month, this event offers families free screenings, family entertainment including “Babaloo” and hand-on activities, tastings of heart-healthy products, two physician lectures and more. Call 314-996-LIFE or 1-800-3920936 or visit www.missouribaptist.org.

Lola Hill