January 10th, 2013 edition

New Treasurer making change

By Chris King Of The St.Louis American

“People have been calling and calling this office and not getting called back.”

– Treasurer Tishaura O.Jones

Fontella Bass celebrated

David Steward mans up forBoy Scouts

As regional director, WWTfounder will outreach to black youth

By Rebecca S.Rivas

“With the distraction of girls and playing basketball, I was just short of becoming an Eagle Scout.”

– David Steward

the community joined together to start a new troop that was inclusive of black and white children in the community.

“I so enjoyed the experience,” Steward said. “I went all way up to

Shalom hosts farewell to musical legend in song and oratory

“Mount Beulah Church was where Fontella came for refuge and to be rescued.”

– Rev.E.G.Shields Sr.

across a stage, but across the vast sanctuary at Shalom Church (City of Peace). The cue was for drums. Once the cue was worked out, Fontella Bass’fabulous extended family was led into the sanctuary by the Normandy High School Marching Band, playing rolls on the rims of

By Bridjes O’Neil

City Treasurer Tishaura O.Jones celebrated her swearing in at City Hall on January 1 with her father,former Comptroller Virvus Jones,and stepmother,Sable Jones.

Photo by Wiley Price

By Chris King Of The St.Louis

Of The St.Louis American

David Steward

Photo by Wiley Price

Dello Thedford directed the Shalom Church (City of Peace) Choir through some stirring gospel selections at the opening of the musical tribute to the late Fontella Bass held Friday at Shalom in North County.

MiMi calls Stevie J out for false custody claims

A few days ago “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” star Stevie J tweeted about being awarded custody of his daughter with MiMi Faust. Faust used her own twitter account to call Stevie J a bald face lie.

She denied the claims both on Twitter and on the radio and challenges anyone to produce court documents showing she lost custody.

Faust tweeted directly to Stevie J, saying, “If you or anyone else can produce the legal court documents of this custody I’ve got $5000.”

Mariah misses big at Australian concert

pop superstar. An excerpt from the review reads as follows:

“The diva has turned into a downer... But Mariah has become a caricature of herself - and not in a lovable Dolly Parton kind of way... Mariah seemed too absorbed to give us much at all. She hobbled around the stage in heels, escorted by mystery males, touched her hair incessantly and disappeared backstage three times while back-up dancers and singers entertained a yawning crowd... “She flailed amid poorly refined production with awkward silences, unrehearsed lighting, uneven levels and a backdrop of graphics more suited to a 1998 Windows screensaver than a multi-million-dollar worldwide tour... And, to top it off, she didn’t even play the hits.”

In related news, Carey is during her part to keep the beef brewing between herself and fellow “American Idol” judge Minaj.

During her interview with Mariah Carey, Barbara Walters brought up the lyrics to Nicki Minaj’s single “Hell Yeah.”

According to a review in The Brisbane Times, Mariah Carey’s sold out Australian performance left much to be desired from the

Barbara read the line where Nicki says, “I’m quick to check a [b-word expletive] if she’s out of line” and asked Mariah, “Are you

the [b-word expletive] Nicki is singing about?”

Carey replied, “I didn’t know she sang, I thought she rapped, or whatever.”

Are Cee Lo and Christina getting chopped from ‘The Voice’?

Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green

could soon be fighting to get their judging jobs back on “The Voice.” The singers’ giant red chairs are being filled for the upcoming fourth season by Colombian sensation Shakira and R&B star Usher — a move at first believed to be just temporary. But now NBC says it hasn’t decided who will be invited back for future seasons. “Once you are a coach, you are a coach,” Paul Telegdy, the network’s head of alternative programming, told The New York Post

“That has been our philosophy with these guys. Do we envision [Usher and Shakira] serving on multiple seasons?

Deion divorce lawyers jump ship

The divorce drama of Deion Pilar Sanders is full speed ahead with Deion’s lawyers reportedly removing themselves from the case.

According to reports Deion Sanders’ attorneys have filed

paper work to withdraw from his divorce case because Deion has been unwilling to pay them and they have been unable to get in touch with him.

Deion needs to find new counsel fast because he and Pilar have a child custody hearing on January 9, a pre-nup hearing January 22 and a jury trial regarding the children scheduled for March 4.

The Game stepdad blasts him for stripper past

In the newly-released documentary short “Hood Life: A Hip-Hop Guided Tour of Compton” The Game’s stepfather, Hodari Sababu, owner of Hood Life Tours spills a dirty little secret about the rapper. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sababu leads viewers and a car full of Australian tourists through history lessons about N.W.A., Tupac Shakur, the late Rodney King and OJ Simpson. And he also makes note of the exotic male

Councilwoman gone wild

Request to show receipt at Best Buy

James Ingram

Editorial /CommEntary

Standing up for ourselves

African Americans know –or should know – that African Americans excel in every area of human endeavor where we are allowed to compete. The St. Louis American recognizes this, among other ways, in our foundation’s Salute to Excellence series, where we annually recognize black people in St. Louis who excel in education, health care and business (with a newer catchall generational category for Young Leaders recently added). Outside of our community, as we know, our achievements are much more celebrated in some areas than others, with the vast majority of attention going to African-American superiority in athletics and the performing arts. For this reason, people all over the world knew our great singer and musician Fontella Bass, and people all over the world mourned with us when we lost our beautiful and beautifully talented sister.

Our friend Pastor Freddie J. Clark hosted a celebration of Fontella Bass’ life at his sanctuary at Shalom Church (City of Peace) on Friday evening, with help from the pastor at Fontella’s home church, Mount Beulah MB Church, the Rev. E.G. Shields Sr. In praising Fontella to her family and friends, Pastor Clark marveled at the list of African Americans from St. Louis who made an international name for themselves in the field of music: Miles Davis, Chuck Berry, the Fifth Dimension, Clark Terry, Henry Townsend, Ike and Tina Turner, Oliver Sain. (The list could be extended for many pages, but we must immediately include Scott Joplin, Julius Hemphill, Donny Hathaway and Fontella’s former husband Lester Bowie.) While we want the world to know so much more about so many more of our accomplishments and our high achievers, we join Pastor Clark in taking fierce pride in these great musicians, like Fontella Bass, whom our community gave to the world.

Lester Bowie once remarked that the Rolling Stones should be compelled to build a cultural center on the South Side of

Chicago, where they borrowed the blues they used to forge their best-selling version of rock & roll. Chuck Berry’s Black St. Louis would be next in line deserving dividends from the Stones’ vast profits. And now we have addressed the painful fact that our people made the whole world dance and sing but did not enjoy anything like a fair share of the profits from providing that inspiration and entertainment.

Pastor Clark spoke to this truth as well in remembering Fontella’s fierce, tireless battle for royalties as her signature song “Rescue Me” continued to be re-recorded and incorporated into corporate advertisements. Pastor Clark drew a simple but strong message from this aspect of Fontella Bass’ legacy that bears restating. “She stood up for herself,” Pastor Clark said. “It’s amazing how when you stand up for yourself, they put you in a certain category. I

Commentary

know where Fontella grew up, everybody learned how to stand up for themselves. And I can tell you today, if you haven’t learned how to stand up for yourself, people will run over you. Maybe they threatened her, told her that she wouldn’t get the same exposure if she stood up for herself. But she stood up.”

We agree with Pastor Clark. It still takes courage for African Americans – especially in a region like St. Louis, which has been slow to recognize the value of all its people – to stand up for themselves. We still are threatened, in many cases, when we do stand up. But in the name of Fontella Bass and so many strong, determined women and men who came before us, in St. Louis and elsewhere, and all they stood and fought for, we must be strong and stand up for ourselves.

An urgent resolution for 2013

Guns do kill people. Our national New Year’s resolution must be to stop the madness. It is shameful that gun control only becomes worthy of public debate following an unspeakable massacre such as Newtown –and even more shameful that these mass killings occur so often. What usually happens is that we spend a few weeks pretending to have a “conversation” about guns, then the horror begins to fade and everything goes back to normal.

“Normal,” however, is tragically unacceptable. In 2010, guns took the lives of 31,076 Americans. Most of the deaths were suicides; a few were accidental. About a third of them – 11,078 – were homicides. That’s almost twice the number of Americans who have been killed in a decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Britain, by comparison, the number of gun homicides in 2010 was 58.

What explains the difference? Well, I spent a few years as The Washington Post’s London bureau chief, and I can attest that Britain has the same social ills that we have – crime, unemployment, alienation, racial strife, mental illness. Britain also has a powerful, rural-based constituency determined to protect the right of hunters to spend weekends blasting away at shadows in the woods.

But Britain recognizes the obvious distinction between guns legitimately used for sport

– shotguns, hunting rifles, some target pistols – and those meant only to kill human beings. Most handguns are banned. All automatic and semi-automatic firearms, including the kind of assault weapons used at Newtown, Aurora, Tucson, Virginia Tech and the other mass shootings in this country, are banned.

In Britain, individuals must have a “good reason” to obtain a license to own a firearm. Self-defense is generally not considered an adequate reason – nor should it be, since research suggests that guns actually make the owner more vulnerable.

In an often-cited paper published in 1993 by the New England Journal of Medicine, a research group headed by Arthur Kellermann examined homicide records in the Memphis, Seattle and Cleveland metropolitan areas and concluded that guns “actually pose a substantial threat to members of the household.”

“People who keep guns in their homes appear to be at greater risk of homicide in the home than people who do not,” Kellermann’s paper said. “Most of this risk is due to a substantially greater risk of homicide at the hands of a family member or intimate acquaintance. We did not find evidence of a protective effect of keeping a gun in the home, even in the small subgroup of cases that involved forced entry.”

The National Rifle Association has been trying to discredit Kellermann’s findings for 20 years. The NRA’s appeal to public opinion is based on cultivating a state of paranoia: You need a gun because bad

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Chilled by Bill McClellan

While reading Bill McClellan’s recent article “Time for a crime czar?” in the Post-Dispatch, I drifted off into one of my most painful childhood memories of waking up suddenly at night in a dark room with flashlights shining in my face, police officers standing over my bed, and hearing my weary and humiliated parents’ soothing voices: “Don’t be scared, honey they’re just checking.” Yes, just checking to see if my teenage brothers were home in bed and not out about the neighborhood and “up to no good.” It really happened to me and my sister. More than once. Police officers in two little black girls’ bedroom, racially profiling young black men. Under Bill’s clarion call, if my brothers hadn’t been in bed, my mother might have been dragged off to jail.

Also while reading the article, I went back and forth, first thinking, “this is just Bill McClellan’s legendary tongue-in-cheek humor” and then wondering, “did he really compare young black men and their mothers to smog and soot, call for mandated racial profiling, and suggest suspending the Constitution?”

Either way, his article should send chills down our collective spines as a civilized society.

I sincerely hope Bill’s article is a tongue-in-cheek attempt to get us to check ourselves when we give in to discrimination that demeans both us and the intended targets. However, if he is serious, I would like to respond to his call for “brutal honesty.”

is consistent with those heard across all centuries since slavery, urging decent folk to hunt down and cage black people.

In doing so, I am responding as the outgoing Executive Director of the ACLU and as the mother of a young black man. My board of trustees will forgive me for bringing both identities to this response because both are consistent with protecting the hard won rights enshrined in the Constitution and recognizing the humanity and human rights of young black sons and their mothers.

First, Bill’s rant is consistent with those heard across all centuries since slavery, urging decent folk to hunt down and cage black people and others for crimes they are uniquely

Letters to the editor

No executions in 2012

2012 was a big year for Reggie Clemons, his family and his legion of supporters. His evidentiary hearing was in September and now we await Judge Manners’ recommendation on the case.

George Allen was exonerated after serving almost 30 years for a murder he did not commit. The St. Louis man was freed last month despite the efforts of Attorney General Chris Koster to challenge an appellate judge’s order. We wish George and his family nothing but the best in his new life ahead.

people have guns and they’re coming to get you.

Hence the unbelievable response by NRA chief Wayne LaPierre to the Newtown killings. The solution isn’t to take assault weapons out of the hands of madmen, LaPierre argued, it’s to put armed guards in the schools so there can be a great big gunfight when the homicidal madmen show up. Never mind that armed officers at Columbine tried, and failed, to stop that massacre.

This must be the year when America says: No more.

The solution certainly is to take assault weapons out of the hands of madmen. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., pledges to introduce legislation banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines as soon as the new Congress convenes. This should be just the beginning.

President Obama gave a moving tribute to the Newtown victims – who included 20 children, seven adults and the troubled assassin – then followed up by assigning Vice President Biden to come up with concrete proposals. But we’ve had our fill of elegies and blue-ribbon task forces and reports destined to gather dust. We don’t need talk, we need action.

Politicians, beginning with the president, must show the courage to stand up to the gun lobby. They must do it for the children of Newtown. They must do it for all the 11,000 men, women and children who otherwise will not live to see New Year’s Day of 2014. Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.

Missouri had no executions this year. The executions of 19 men on death row are still on hold pending a ruling on the state’s change in lethal injections to use propofol.

Jamala Rogers, coordinator JUSTICE for Reggie Campaign

Educating foster care kids

The Uninterrupted Scholars Act, which gives child welfare workers in Missouri and across America the tools they need to make school transitions smoother for children in foster care, is an important step to help improve educational opportunities for children who are in foster care by streamlining access to their school records.

Children and youth in foster care are among the most educationally at risk nationwide. By making changes to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), this legislation, which I cosponsored, improves educational opportunities by allowing child welfare agencies access to the education records of children within their care, while also preserving the educational privacy rights granted to students under current federal law.

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt Washington, D.C.

Erby’s vote blocked MBEs

I read Adolphus Pruitt’s article about St Louis County union bill. He should have

most likely to commit because of who and what they are. The most recent victims of that perspective are the thousands and thousands of black men put into a new caste system created by the so-called war on drugs that criminalizes their behavior while overlooking the same offenses by whites. (Read The New Jim Crow, by Michele Alexander for more on this.)

Second, I and others in the “black community” share Bill’s outrage over violent, black-on-black crime and are determined to apprehend the culprits. We are also heartbroken and fearful. However, our fear is not an excuse for allowing the government to declare open season on all of our male children. We’d like to keep them moving forward and thriving, with healthy self-esteem, secure in their constitutional rights as citizens and in their inalienable worth and rights as human beings. I know it feels good sometimes to just let go and let off some steam. But Bill might feel better if he sat down to talk it through with some of us—police and citizens—who are on the front lines dealing with the problem. The culprits can be dealt with within the existing legal boundaries of the law, without draconian responses that ultimately curb everyone’s freedom. Brenda L. Jones is the outgoing Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties of Eastern Missouri.

pointed out that all of the Democrats on the council voted for the bill, including Hazel Erby who is an AfricanAmerican. Ms. Erby could have voted with the Republicans and the bill still would have passed the council on a vote 4-3. We need to make the AfricanAmerican community aware of Ms. Erby’s vote on the bill that will keep MBE from receiving contracts from St. Louis County over $25,000.

Patrice Davis Via email

Wish list for education

I recognize that K-12 education is the third rail, but it would have been nice to have at least some mention about education issues in the Political EYE’s new year’s wish list. There must be some education issues where there is common ground among the folks that want to privatize public education and those that would like to improve, not obliterate public education.

Carol Prombo, St. Louis

Where is it online?

We saw the photo of our Student Board in The American, thanks for running it. I was just wondering if those items run online. I wasn’t able to find it on your website. Just let me know if there is a link so I can share it with those that didn’t see the paper copy.

Laura Girresch Public Affairs Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Editor’s note: All newspaper copy and photos are routinely uploaded to www.stlamerican. com. If you can’t find a story online that that ran in the newspaper, please contact IT manager Ishmael Sistrunk at isistrunk@stlamerican.com.

Cronyism abounds

There seems to be a hellof-a-lot of back scratching going on at City Hall these days! It also seems that the stars have aligned with regard to the selection of a new chief of police for St. Louis, Sam Dotson, as well as a rumored

choice (Richard Gray) for a new public safety director (thank you, Jerry Berger). And let’s slide Eddie Roth, the mayor’s current public safety director, into the mix. Ah, as much as thing change in St. Louis, they always seem to stay the same. Cronyism still abounds!

Michael K. Broughton Green Park

Guest Columnist Brenda L. Jones

n Bill’s rant

Columnist

Eugene Robinson

The family used this St. Louis American file photo of Fontella Bass as the lead illustration in her memorial program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters makes New Year’s Resolution

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri leapt into the New Year, resolving to match 800 children with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in 2013. Becky James-Hatter, President/CEO of the nonprofit agency, said the agency is counting on the community’s support in order to meet this goal.

“As you think about what you’d like to accomplish in 2013, we hope you’ll consider becoming involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters by offering a child the invaluable gift of friendship or making a donation,” JamesHatter stated, adding,

In the Eastern Missouri region alone, there are an estimated 100,000 children who are in serious need of a Big Brother or Big Sister. These are children who face multiple challenges. Many live in poverty, come from single parent households or have a parent behind bars.

To volunteer or donate contact the agency at (314) 361-5900 or visit www.bbbsemo.org.

January 11 deadline forart show

MySLART.org is looking for 33 artists to exhibit their work at its “33January” art exhibit at the Old Orchard Gallery in Webster Groves. This exhibit runs from Friday January 18 through Monday February 4 and includes an opening reception Friday January 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Artists are invited to submit up to three works each in any medium or mixed media. Submissions will be accepted or rejected based on available space and the needs of MySLART.org. They are looking for one of the artists to paint, sculpt, pot, or whatever, live from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the opening reception. Aperformance artist would also be welcome to apply.

MySLART.org charges no gallery commissions on any sales of your work, but there is a $30 entry fee per accepted artist (not per work). There is no fee for submitting. Deadline for received submissions is January 11. To submit your work for review, send an email to jenchurchill78@hotmail.com with photos of your works (in the JPG file format) as attachments. In your submission please include your phone number and the title and size of each work to be exhibited.

Baby New Year

Mercy Hospital St.Louis celebrated the first baby of the New Year in St.Louis. Mikah Andrew Palmer was born to parents,Jesse and Brittany Palmer of Florissant.He arrived at 12:13 a.m.,weighing 8 pounds,7 ounces. Grandparents are Paul and Stella Ramsaroop of St.Louis;Robert and Barb Osborn of Troy,Ill.;and Peter Palmer of St.Peters.

Play will benefit homeless service provider

The North County Community Development Corporation in collaboration with T.L.T. Productions will present Beyond the River: Moving Forward on Saturday, January 12 at 8 p.m. at Jennings Senior High School, 8850 Cozens Ave.

The play is an original production that was written by Tre’von Griffith and Lauron Thompson. Both are graduates of Central Visual Arts and Performing High School. Griffith is currently a junior at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. and Thompson is a recent graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.

The play follows the past and present dreams of a young girl to see how social and civil rights issues have impacted her path.

Prior to the play, several North County community members will be honored during a VIPnetworking reception that will be held at 7 p.m. The honorees are Missouri State Rep. Sharon Pace; Minister Felix Gibson, Sr., Hope Outreach; Bridgett Elliott, Branch Manager, Neighbors Credit Union and Capt. Troy Doyle, St. Louis County Police Department. Proceeds from the play will benefit the NCCD whose mission is end homelessness and provide supportive services that help at-risk individuals and families become selfsufficient and independent.

VIPtickets are $20, general admission tickets are $15 and elementary, middle school and high school students with a valid ID may purchase tickets for $10. For more information about the play, call 314-780-0721, 314-882-0667 or visit www.northcountycdc.org.

Yearof constant challenges

By Darlene Green For The St.Louis American

As we prepare to enter a new year, let us reflect on what we are thankful for, how we got through the past year, and some inspirational moments we had.

For me, the past year has been insightful, with constant challenges. Since May 2010, I have traveled to Chicago, where my father lived, every month to look after him. During the last two years he faced a few challenges that I was able to help him get through. I’m thankful that I was able to be there for my father. I’m thankful for the time we spent together, getting to know him better, and caring for him as he came to the end of his life.

We celebrated his homegoing on July 7, 2012; he was 84. I’m thankful for the people along the way who helped me to help him. It was by the grace of God that I was able to get through the year after losing my dad.

As Comptroller, I’ve exercised prudent stewardship over City funds. Therefore, I’m able to report the City of St. Louis’finances are stable, with a positive outlook. My conservative fiscal policies have produced a solid financial foundation for the City of St. Louis. This year, the City has maintained its A+ credit rating, ended the fiscal year with a surplus of $4.3 million dollars, and increased its reserve funds.

Nevertheless, these are tough economic times and the City has its share of budget challenges, especially when it comes to growing pension costs, high unemployment, and slow revenue growth.

My office is also busy working on the beginning stages of implementing a new payroll and accounting system. This year I was fortunate to be invited to speak at several conferences including the National Association of Securities Professionals, in Baltimore and also at the Institutional Investors in San Francisco. However, the highlight of my travels this year took me clear across the globe to Taiwan in my role as Vice-Chair of the State Democratic Party.

The State Democratic Party experienced victorious election results this past November, re-electing our U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and U.S. Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay, as well as the statewide incumbent offices. Even though Missouri ended up a red state in November, we Democrats celebrated a clear victory re-electing President Barack Obama to a second term.

I was moved, along with my fellow Democrats, to witness how the whole country was inspired while at the Democratic National Convention. Most recently, I drew inspiration from these words: “Choose to be full of joy, now!”

These words have been an inspiration and a comfort to me as I end the year in good spirits realizing that “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” With my divorce behind me, I begin the New Year with my focus on the March elections. If it’s all right with you, I’d like to ask you to “Keep St. Louis in the Green in 2013.” May God bless you.

Darlene Green is Comptroller of the City of St. Louis.

Darlene Green

BASS

Continued from A1 friends and bandmates.

The Twins, however, were built out into a brass quartet. These consummate showman were reaching down for their hardest blues and deepest soul. People were still being led to their seats, and already the music was intense and piercing. Before any of the oratory and eulogies were offered from the pulpit, a saint sitting out in the sanctuary cried out all that really needed to be said about Fontella’s soul: “Safely in your arms. Thank you, Lord.”

The intense musical genius and warm spiritual conviction hit their peak at the start and never let up. In a video tribute produced by a son, Fontella said she loved her children because they didn’t try to change her. This ceremony was just like her, then – neverchanging. All love and soul. All the time.

As host Pastor Freddie J.

Clark said, we were not in church, but we were in a church. There was a strong spiritual contribution, provided by Pastor Clark and Rev. E.G. Shields Sr., pastor of Fontella’s home church, Mount Beulah MB Church.

“She held on until her Creator came back into the room and rescued her.”

– Pastor Freddie J.Cark

In his opening remarks, Pastor Clark set up the inevitable finale, “Rescue Me,” with a funny, moving story about needing to be rescued. An elementary school bully got his hooks into the young Freddie one day while the teacher was out of the classroom. Freddie knew the bully could lick him, so his strategy was to clench up and hold on. “It seemed like that teacher was taking forever, but finally

she came in and rescued me,”

Pastor Clark said, and the sanctuary celebrated at his punch-line.

He brought the parable home to the family. He told them illness was a bully to their mother, and all she could do was clench up and hold on. He said, “She held on until her Creator came back into the room and rescued her.”

Later in the ceremony, Fontella’s pastor also connected faith to her signature song. “Mount Beulah Church was where Fontella came for refuge and to be rescued,” Rev. Shields said.

He also used humor to lighten the mood for the family. Rev. Shields remembered a revival where his own spirit was low, but Fontella revived him. She had R&B musicians with her, and they delivered a “jazzed up” version of “Precious Lord.” “I could hardly contain myself,” Rev. Shields said. “I wanted to grab a dance partner, too.”

He said Fontella walked up to him at the end of the service and said, “Reverend, you were in Hog Heaven.” Then he made the connection: “Perhaps tonight is Hog Heaven.”

Evangelist Ruth Latchison Nichols delivered a more prophetic flavor. She started testifying before she reached the pulpit microphone and continued with her testimony as she returned to the sanctuary. She reminded the family of the mother they have lost, and also of their uncle, the great gospel singer David Peaston (who passed last February), and their grandmother, the even greater gospel singer Martha Bass. “Your mother was somebody, your uncle was somebody and your grandmother was somebody,” Sister Nichols said.

She then sang Martha Bass’ signature song, “I Am So Grateful” with deep reverberations of the old sanctified style.

Fontella was remembered with other forms of oratory as well. The program was shrouded in poetry, from scripture delivered in the profound voice

STEWARD

Continued from A1

have helped him become successful, he said. And to give back to his community, Steward recently became the regional director of the Central Region of the Boy Scouts of America. He is responsible for overseeing the programs and activities that serve 700,000 Boy Scouts in 13 states.

“I am still using the Boy Scout’s core values in everyday life,” said Steward. “To be able to share that and to love that and to be able to lead and provide a foundation for young people in 13 states is an opportunity to give back in a unique way.”

For the past 13 years, Steward has served in various Boy Scout leadership roles, including board member, staff executive and council president. Most recently he was president of the Greater St. Louis Area Council for the Boys Scouts of America. He focused his council leadership on making the organization more inclusive.

“As council president, Dave started a strategic plan targeted

of Pastor Clark’s son, Terrence G. Clark, to original poems written about Fontella over the years. Her son Larry Stevenson recited a poem he directed to his mother. “You were there for us when we cried to the world,” he recited. “You were there, Mama.” She was there enough so they would know what to do when she needed them. “We were there for you, Mama,” he recited. “You showed us how to be there for you.”

Fontella’s close friend Shirley LeFlore recited perhaps her greatest poem, “My Song For You,” which the family also reprinted in the program. “Tomorrow hang your tears out to dry, for all is well with my soul,” Shirley recited. She also expressed a common feeling, that Fontella will always be with us: “Know like the grace as amazing as God’s eye on the sparrow, I will always be watching you …” Marsha Cann, a younger close friend of Fontella, recited

at reaching minority youth in the City of St. Louis,” said Ron Green, scout executive and CEO of the Greater St. Louis Area Council.

Steward gathered the mayor, superintendent of schools, police chief and other local leaders to recruit over 60 African-American adult volunteers. Now local membership is up 45 percent, Green said. A majority of those new members are African-American children.

After the experience Steward had in his youth, he vowed that no person of color would be turned away from the organization again, he said.

“I wanted to give all young people as much opportunity and access to this valuable program,” Steward said. “The only way I was going to be able to do that was to take a leadership role.”

Even beyond his childhood, the Boy Scouts helped foster Steward’s early business career. When Steward graduated college, the country was in the middle of a recession. He approached a local banker, who lent him $300. With this in hand, he hitchhiked to St. Louis, moved in with his sister and worked part-time as a sub-

a poem with a scat style. The poem is a deep portrait of “a little St. Louis girl with wit, style and smile” that includes Fontella’s response to an early version of the poem. “She’d say, ‘Live on, baby,’” Marsha recited. “‘Remember what you want to keep.’” Marsha, like everyone who spoke or sang, also addressed the legacy. She recited, “You raised your sons and daughters loving, fearless, focused and for real.”

The family legacy was everywhere, in the band and on the vocals. Pastor Clark wondered aloud who is the next family star. “We know you’re in here,” he said, and he meant that literally – a future star of gospel or soul descended from Fontella Bass was in his church at that moment.

“May God bless you, may God keep you, is my prayer,” Pastor Clark said to that future star and to all of Fontella’s family. Amen.

stitute teacher until he landed a stable position as an executive with the Boy Scouts of America.

In 1976, he became Missouri Pacific Railroad Company’s first person of color to sell rail services. Four years later, he joined Federal Express and served as senior account executive. There, he earned recognition as a top salesman and was inducted into the company’s sales hall of fame in 1981.

After starting his first business called Transportation Business Specialists, Steward then co-founded World Wide Technology in 1990. In 2011, the company’s annual revenue reached $4.1 billion. It is the country’s largest African American-owned business.

Steward said he strongly believes the Boy Scouts can change the lives of children in this region and build a stronger local community, especially in the African-American community.

“I will do everything possible to get broad access to this next generation,” he said, “because I believe it will make a significant difference in how we lead this community into the future.”

The Bosman Twins,built out into a brass quartet,led the Normandy High School Marching Band into the sanctuary at Shalom Church (City of Peace) on Friday to open the musical tribute to the late Fontella Bass.

Fontella Bass’grandchildren Jhaere Mitchell,Mekhi Mitchell and Niaja Henry performed together at the musical tribute to the late R&B and gospel singer held Friday at Shalom Church (City of Peace) in North County.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

JONES

Continued from A1

“This happened right around Thanksgiving, the highest season for shoppers. I am happy to report this morning the sign was changed back to two hours for parking.”

Without referring to her predecessor by name – longtime Treasurer Larry Williams, who also is a longtime family friend – Jones learned fast a lot of damage had done that she must now undo.

“People have been calling and calling this office and not getting called back,” she said. Jones and her staff are now returning those calls and soliciting complaints from the public.

“I plan to hold listening sessions around the city to let people vent their frustrations and to let them know what our plans are,” she said. “What happened in the past was people come out of their homes or businesses to see something had changed without any prior notice.”

SLPS

Continued from A1 Child Development Center, American Federation of Teachers Local 420 and committed community members. Through community support, the initiative’s goal is to ensure that pre-K parents, educators and students have the fundamentals they need to make smooth transitions into kindergarten. In December, local partnership leaders held a public transition training session at New Northside Child Development Center attended by about 20 educators, school volunteers and community members. Everyone who attended received two helpful tools: a SLPS Kindergarten Transition Plan booklet and a research and development guide tailored for transition-to-

Jones also will change how widely job and contract opportunities and requests for proposals (RFPs) are announced by the office.

“I am just taking a look at all the contracts,” she said. “Just about everything will be contracted out anew. I want to make sure as many people are aware of the bidding process, as well RFPs. I want to develop a dynamic website that shares all the information available from the office.”

She wants to broaden access to information, in part, to diversify the office’s contracting, though she knows providing more information is also inviting more scrutiny.

“Transparency is a doubleedged sword,” she said. “The more you reveal, the more questions are asked.”

She said that federal authorities – embroiled in an investigation of the office that has yielded two convictions with prison time and rampant speculation of more to come – have had no questions for her.

“They have not reached out to me,” she said of the feds. “The only legal matters I am

school teams. At the training session, Sheryl Davenport, executive director of Early Childhood Education for SLPS, expressed concern that the social and emotional needs of pre-K students are overlooked during the transition process from home to school settings. She hopes that the new initiative addresses this issue.

“If children aren’t emotionally ready to glean what goes on in kindergarten, then we’ve wasted our time.”

– Sheryl Davenport,SLPS

“Children come into this world with the ability to learn, adapt and excel or fail, based on how well they have adapted.”

– Walle Amusa.NAACP

“Because if children aren’t emotionally ready to glean what goes on in kindergarten, then we’ve wasted our time,” Davenport said.

Paula Knight, associate superintendent for SLPS, said Davenport understands literacy development, family partnerships and the need for highquality teachers in the classrooms and is a key player in the new initiative.

Min. Evans Moore Jr., manager of the National NAACP Education Department, is also working locally with Walle

aware of currently are some open case files for employees who were laid off after outsourcing.”

Speaking of employees, has she discovered any “ghost employees” – individuals paid a salary who never report to work – lurking about the office?

“I will say that Fred Robinson received his termination letter today,” she said. “His position was eliminated.”

Amusa, chairman of the Missouri NAACPEducation Committee, and Adolphus Pruitt, president of the NAACPSt. Louis chapter.

Pruitt said it was auspicious for St. Louis to be chosen as a pilot city for the initiative because last year the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the expansion of early childhood education throughout the state’s public schools.

Amusa – an experienced organizer and longtime advo-

Fred W. Robinson is an alleged “ghost employee” of the office who also has been accused of embezzling money from a local charter school. Robinson has been the subject of many news reports in the Post-Dispatch

“I expect a high degree of scrutiny from investigators and the Post,” she said. “I am ready for all prying eyes.”

Jones expects to be scrutinized for her working relation-

cate for improved educational outcomes for AfricanAmerican youth – wrote a proposal for a $5,000 grant through the TIDES Foundation to help financially support the initiative. TIDES, he said, is a nonprofit organization that the NAACPuses to generate private-sector funds to support its initiatives.

“Children come into this world with the ability to learn, adapt and excel or fail, based on how well they have adapted,” Amusa said.

ship with her father, former Comptroller Virvus Jones. Virvus Jones was an activist who helped establish the region’s first benchmarks for minority inclusion in government contracting and was one of the first citywide AfricanAmerican elected officials to play hardball in city politics to bring about substantial change in the status quo. He resigned in 1995 and served prison time for tax fraud, convicted of a charge unrelated to any conduct in his office.

Her father managed her uphill but successful campaign for Treasurer but, she said, will not work for the office in any capacity.

“He will not have a role in the office. His responsibility is primarily related to my campaign going forward,” Tishaura O. Jones said.

“However, he is my dad and and he knows a little bit about St. Louis politics and how City Hall runs. I will be asking him as need be how to approach certain situations. If we have questions he will be called, but in an advisory capacity only.”

Research shows that when children lack basic fundamentals by the time they have reached third or fourth grades, their chances of academic success in higher grade levels dramatically decreases. This snowball effect leads to increased drop-out and incarceration rates. Because the initiative is a community effort, its success greatly depends on what and how children are learning at home, Min. Moore said. He advises that parents “read to

Does she intend to employ her father on staff or as a consultant to the office? She said, “No.”

Continuing with family matters, she confirms she remains a single woman with no current boyfriend. There is, however, an important young man in her life, her son Aden Jones, age 5. His priority in her life does much to explain why Jones is serving a citywide office in her hometown rather than moving up in the Democratic leadership in the Missouri House of Representatives, where she was assistant minority floor leader last session.

“He is really excited that I am home more now, but that makes it more difficult to leave even on short trips,” she said of her son. “He used to be more used to me being gone. Now that I’m home more it’s a big production whenever I go anywhere.”

Did she make a New Year’s resolution?

“I made two,” she said: “to be a good mom and to do a good job in this office.”

your child every day.”

“We need to level the playing field,” Min. Moore said. “We need to be able to demand a little bit more for our children who are being left out in the cold when it comes to being literate when they come into the classroom.”

For more information about the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative or to attend the next public meeting in January, contact Walle Amusa at wa2005@att.net.

City Treasurer Tishaura O.Jones celebrated her swearing in at City Hall on January 1 with a casually clad Attorney General Chris Koster and state Rep.Karla May.

Photo by Wiley Price

“St. Louis is moving forward, with more job opportunities for women and minorities.”

—

State Senator Jamilah Nasheed

With the stroke of a pen, Mayor Francis Slay signed Executive Order #46, a historic order giving more construction job opportunities to women and our minority community. Mayor Slay's order extends St. Louis workforce goals to every public works project in excess of $1 million – requiring private construction companies to partner with the City to reach our job creation goals for women, city residents and minorities.

Trumpet Awards founder to keynote MLK Kick-off

Xernona Clayton to speak January 12 at Harris-Stowe

American staff

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri will host its 27th annual kick-off program 6:30 p.m. Saturday, January 12 in Harris-Stowe State University’s Main Auditorium. Xernona Clayton – founder, president, CEO and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards Foundation – will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which is themed, “Women Who Dare to Dream.”

Established in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting, The Trumpet Awards is a prestigious event highlighting AfricanAmerican accomplishments and contributions. It has been televised annually and distributed internationally to more than 185 countries around the world.

Xernona Clayton was employed at Turner Broadcasting for nearly 30 years where she served as a corporate executive and was one of the highest-ranking female employees at the company. In 1988, Clayton was appointed corporate vice president for urban affairs with Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a capacity in which she directed internal and external projects for the corporation and served as liaison between Turner Broadcasting and civic groups in Atlanta and throughout the country.

She moved to Atlanta in 1965 where she accepted a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Clayton also traveled extensively with Mrs. Coretta Scott King on her nationwide concert tours. In 1966, she coordinated the activities of Atlanta’s black doctors in a project called Doctors’ Committee for Implementation, which resulted in the desegregation of all hospital facilities in Atlanta. Clayton began her television career in 1967 and became the South’s first black person to have her own television show. The Xernona Clayton Show was a regular feature on WAGA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Atlanta.

The Peaceful Warrior, a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. authored by her late husband Ed Clayton and co-authored by Xernona in the revised editions, has been published in several languages. Xernona Clayton’s autobiography, I’ve Been Marching All the Time, was published in 1991.

SLPS connects with Sandy Hook

The teachers at Oak Hill Elementary in the St. Louis Public School District have been helping students express their emotions regarding the incident at Sandy Hook Elementary. Students created cards, letters and poems in class that will be sent in a “Helping Hands for Sandy Hook” care package. They also practiced safety drills and talked about

the importance of safety in school and outside in the community. The school will be hosting a “Pennies for Popcorn” Drive where all proceeds will be donated to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Scholarship care of the Newtown Scholarship Association, PO Box 302, Newtown CT 06470. Pictured: Ms. Morris’ 4th grade class.

- Dr. martin luther king, jr.

macy’s is proud to salute the legacy of dr. martin luther king, jr.

we honor the man who taught the world that faith in each other is our greatest strength.

Xernona Clayton

40 Corners Present “Hope In The ‘Hood”

Sunrise Freedom Celebration

Saint Louis Art Museum Gallery 236 Saturday, January 19, 2013 8:30 am -10:00 am Door Open at 7:30 am. Join us for free coffee and danish before the program.

Keynote: John A Wright, PhD, “We Got What We Wanted, but Lost What We Had”

Performances:

The Young Artists for Justice and Peace Inspirational Choir of Saint Peters A.M. E. Church Free, no tickets required. Space is limited. First come, first served.

The Saint Louis Art Museum invites you to join us for our annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Freedom Celebration on Saturday, January 19at 8:30 am in Grigg Gallery 236. This year’s Sunrise program will commemorate Dr. King’s dream for educational, economic, and social equality while remembering his vision for beloved communities filled with peace and harmony. Peace in communities across the metro area is the message of The Young Artists for Justice and Peace who will present an excerpt from “Hope In the ‘Hood” – a 40 Corners production.

40 Corners is the brainchild of Artistic Director, Marsha Cann, who was inspired

by the life and work of Jim McGinnis (who passed away in 2009) and his organization, The Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ). Like, Dr. King, Jim worked tirelessly for peace, justice and the rights of all. It was his desire that young people would really understand and embrace the words and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, thus the Young Artists for Justice & and Peace was born. As a part of the 40 year celebration of IPJ and in honor of Jim’s life, Marsha was inspired to create “40 Corners: Claiming Corners for Peace,” a study and performance workshop for teens, designed to help them develop their own perspective on the civil rights of the sixties and understand their role in changing the world.

40 Corners: Claiming Corners for Peace tells the story of neighborhoods through poetry, improvisation, song, and dance. Student participants and the audience are encouraged to acknowledge the challenges of neighborhoods, draw on the wisdom of elders, embrace the hope that exists within neighborhoods and themselves.

Dr. John Wright will provide the keynote address, “We Got What We Wanted, but Lost What” and the program will conclude with gospel song and music by the Inspirational Choir of Saint Peters A.M. E. Church. Please join the Art Museum for our Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Freedom Celebration on Saturday, January 19 at 8:30 am in Gallery 236. Doors will open at 7:30 am and we invite you to enjoy free coffee and danish. Space is limited for this free program – first come, first served.

For more information and a complete listing of programs at the Saint Louis Art Museum, please visit www.slam.org.

‘Festive holiday chic’

St. Louis CARATS celebrate 2012 Holiday Brunch

By Patricia Sanders For The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Chapter of CARATS, Incorporated and their guests took a break for fun and frivolity at a holiday brunch on Sunday, December 9 at the posh West County Meadowbrook Country Club.

Adorned in festive holiday chic, everyone mingled during the reception, sipping Mimosas and Bloody Marys, until chimes rang, and they were ushered into the dining room aglow with Yuletide décor.

After a heartfelt welcome from Chapter President, Carat Audrey Jackson, and a soulstirring invocation offered by Chapter Chaplain, Carat Bonnie Gipson, everyone partook of the delicious fare.

After the repast, President Carat Audrey presented a brief history and overview of the CARATS followed by an

introduction of the chapter members and their Carateers.

They include Joyce Balls (James), Cynthia Beard (Otis), Fannie Bohlen (Ronald), Gwendolyn Beckwith, Nell Cheatham (Randy Bennett), Marjorie Ford, Bonnie Gipson (George), Josephine GoodeEvans (Clayton Evans), Patricia Hernandez (Larry Deskins), Joyce Humphries (Horace), Audrey Jackson (Chester), Rosalee Johnson (Jesse), Lora Jones (James), Patricia Jones (Donald Nabors), Roberzene Price (Acme), Patricia ReedBoswell (Dwayne Bosman) Patricia Sanders (Melvin), Carolyn Thomas, Judy WoodsWilliams, and Lillie Young (Ira).

President Jackson acknowledged the Carateers for their ongoing support as well as the hard-working committee who made the event possible: Carats Fannie Bohlen, Patricia Reed-Boswell, and Josephine Goode-Evans.

She then expressed her gratitude for Carat Rosalee Johnson, a past National President, for her support and undying devotion to the chapter

and presented her with a gift. Last, everyone gave a standing ovation to Carat Josephine and her Carateer Clayton for graciously hosting the event at their country club.

DJ extraordinaire Robert Snipes provided one dancing number after another. The music was so enticing that one guest, who arrived with a cane to support an ailing knee, jumped up to dance the Wobble, cane and all. While many kept the dance floor hot, others enjoyed their conversations and flowing holiday spirits.

CARATS, Incorporated is a national organization of accomplished women in 15 chapters who are active in many civic and social organizations. The purpose of CARATS, Incorporated is to promote social, educational, and civic involvement among members and the community. Each year the organization contributes to a local charity in the city of one of its 15 chapters. To date the organization has contributed more than $70,000 to charitable causes.

Choosing the right physician

By Kenneth G. Poole Jr., MD

For The St. Louis American I am often asked “Where and how can I find the right physician for me?” Let me first say that this is a great question and the first step in the right direction for taking ownership of your health. Let’s go through the following steps.

Kenneth G. Poole Jr.

Step 1: With respect to selecting a primary care physician, ask for recommendations from family, friends, acquaintances and others who have similar personalities and preferences to your own. Contacting those who are middle-aged and experienced in selecting a primary care physician is a good place to start.

Step 2: Identify the top

healthcare network(s) in your area. Currently, there is a trend for internists and other primary care physicians, including obstetricians and gynecologists, to affiliate with a healthcare system. Finding a strong, reputable medical home is essential for obtaining high quality care. Your primary care physician will be your guide in navigating medical healthcare systems, specialists, labs, testing facilities, hospitals, urgent-care clinics, and achieving an integrated electronic medical record.

Step 3: Most healthcare systems have user-friendly websites. Visit those websites and research the doctors they employ. Your research should answer some basic questions. How convenient is the physician’s office to home, work or school? What is the physician’s age and sex? Does the physician have a doctor’s profile online? These profiles will usually provide the doctor’s picture, medical

training, specialties and in some instances, their office hours.

Step 4: Do not rely on consumer websites that rate physicians. In too many instances, people use these sites to maliciously impugn physicians by giving them uninvestigated and damaging ratings. However, you may find helpful interviews and profiles online that give you more insight into your potential new physician.

Step 5: Make an appointment and keep it! Make sure the physician accepts your insurance provider. I would not worry about having old records from any previous doctors sent over until your potential new physician requests them. Nevertheless, I would go into the initial appointment with an organized medical/surgical history, medication list, selected pharmacy, and knowledge of any medication allergies. Dr. Poole practices at Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine Clayton- Brentwood.

40 Corners

The St. Louis Chapter of CARATS, Incorporated and their guests shared a holiday brunch on December 9 at West County Meadowbrook Country Club.

Photo by Otis Beard

Obituaries

The Beginning of a New Life

Monoka Lynn Collins

Sunrise January 12, 1958

Sunset May 9, 2010

Little did we know that morning God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories; your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. We Love and Miss You Lady, Momma and Family

In memory of Margaret H. Teeters

Happy Birthday in Heaven to you dear Mom!

Margaret H. Teeters, widow of Clarence E. Teeters, quickly and quietly departed this life on November 14, 2012. Margaret was the fourth of five children born to the union of John Quincy Harris and Georgia Ann Harris who preceded her in death. Her son, Clarence Jr, also preceded her in death. Ms. Margaret retired after teaching for 38 years in the St. Louis Public School System. Though Alzheimer’s became of part of her life, it never changed her heart. Up to the last hour of her life, she never forgot her name and always said please and thank you. Services were held at Antioch Baptist Church on Wednesday November 21, 2012. Ms. Margaret leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter Karla, a loving grand-daughter Andrea, two sisters Sara Tutt and Julie Ann Harris, nieces Florence, Karen, Lisa, Tracy, Angela and Avis. Thanks to all for your love and support during our time of loss.

Terry Glover, Ebony Magazine’s Managing Editor, Dies At 57

From The Huffington Post Terry Glover, the managing editor of Ebony Magazine, died at age 57 on Dec. 24. “Terry was the heart and soul of the EBONY team,” said editor-inchief, Amy DuBois Barnett,

in a statement. “She was one of the best editors I’ve ever worked with, and had a lovely kind demeanor and a fabulous sense of humor. The EBONY team will feel her absence every single day.”

“Terry is completely irreplaceable,” DuBois Barnett told the Chicago Tribune. “We will find someone to fill in her editorial functions, but in terms of the glue she was for our team, that’s not replaceable. We really feel her absence every single day. All of us at Ebony loved her.”

The Chicago resident died in her home of colon cancer. Her husband, Kendall Glover, told the Chicago Tribune how the two met and how difficult it was losing his wife during the holiday.

“We had the same level of understanding not only locally but on a world level,” he said. “She was bubbly and fresh. We united and built a family.”

Glover was formerly the managing editor at Savoy magazine, and the Chicago editor at Uptown magazine, she joined Ebony as senior editor for the website in 2006 and was named managing editor in 2009.

Linda Johnson Rice, chairman and CEO of Johnson Publishing, added that Glover will be surely missed from the company as a whole.

“Terry touched many with her warm spirit and glowing smile during her six years with Johnson Publishing,” Johnson said in a statement. “Her contributions to EBONY were innumerable and her passion shone through in everything she did. Terry will be greatly missed.”

Robert Stanley (Bob) Beeks Sr.

Robert Stanley (Bob) Beeks Sr. was one of five children born to the union of Virgie Lee and Lewis Beeks. Bob was a strong and active child who attended Divoll and Banneker Elementry Schools. His life blossomed when he began Vashon High School.

Bob was a standout athlete in several sports and revered throughout the City of St. Louis. In 1945 he earned a scholarship to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. While at Lincoln, Bob became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and continued his excellence in sports, playing football and basketball, alongside his big brother Earl.

During his collegiate career, he met the love of his life, Gladys Simmons of Chicago,

IL. Bob and Gladys had five loving children, Joshua, Stanley, Robert Jr., Mark and Irene.

Bob left Lincoln University to take care of his family. He began playing professional basketball for the Harlem Broadway Clowns, based in Chicago, setting the stage for the Harlem Globetrotters. Bob and Gladys relocated to St. Louis to raise their family. He worked for both Scullin Steel Co. and the St. Louis Recreation Division, and eventually began working for the St. Louis Police Department where he rose to the rank of Sargent. When Bob worked in the recreation department, he also was a referee for high school football and basketball. He perfected those skills and moved up to referee on the collegiate level. Bob was recruited by the National Football League in 1968 while officating in the Mid- Atlantic Conference. He joyfully accepted and made history. Bob was the second black referee in professional football and the first in the National Football League. As a sharp no-nonsense line judge, his reputation grew. During his NFL career, Bob officated five (5) Super Bowls. In the free time he could find between raising a family and working, Bob acquired a passion for golf. Weather permitting, you could always find him on the golf greens, again with his brother Earl. Bob enjoyed his retirement with a mixture of family, golf, swimming and socializing with long time friends. Bob’s wife Gladys, his sister Helen and his brother Virgil preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed by all.

B. Catherine Reed Wells

Mrs. B. Catherine Reed Wells transitioned at the age of 103 Christmas evening 8:21pm. She was the widow of Reverend Dr. Victor Hugo Wells who was licensed and ordained at the Central Baptist Church by the late Dr. George E. Stevens, the pastor. He was called to pastor the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in St. Charles, Missouri, Antioch Baptist Church in Lovejoy, Illinois, West Side Baptist Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, and he organized and pastored the Totally Committed Baptist Church. He was a member of the board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. as well as First Vice President of Missouri Baptist Convention.

Mrs B. Catherine Reed Wells was a member of Central Baptist Church for many years and served as a Sunday School Teacher and a pianist for early morning prayer. Please send expressions of love to Mrs. Rayna Nettlesbey, Post Office Box 93, Beverly Hills, California, 90213.

Shriners brighten holidays

YWCA sees trends in sexual assault

Drugs, alcohol, social media are dangerous mix

American staff

Recent cases of sexual assault that have received national and international attention highlight disturbing trends seen here in St. Louis by the counselors and advocates at the YWCA St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Center.

The most recent case gaining notoriety is the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville, Ohio, allegedly by members of the local high

school football team at a party. The victim was unable to recall the attack due to alcohol consumption until she saw evidence on social media.

One particularly disturbing cell phone video from the case is of an alleged bystander who describes the attack on the comatose girl in graphic and demeaning detail. There also is a photograph of the limp victim being carried by her ankles and wrists.

YWCA St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Center staff say they are seeing cases here in St. Louis of drugs and alcohol being used as a “weapon” in sexual assault, of social media adding a disturbing layer to the victimization, and of bystanders not intervening to

the assault. In addition, there is concerning research on societal attitudes about women who are sexually assaulted under the influence of alcohol.

St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Center has a 24-hour crisis hotline, 24/7 in-person crisis intervention to sexual assault victims at all adult hospitals in the St. Louis area as well as to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The Center provides victims with individual and group counseling, and conducts violence prevention outreach and education. Call the center 314-531RAPE (7273)

As

Monoka Collins

Margaret Teeters

Terry Glover

Robert Beeks Sr.

B. Catherine Reed Wells

Political beat

hot in 2013

The EYE has seen all the bad numbers. Public confidence in the President and Congress is scraping the bottom of the barrel. Private-sector jobs are up but unemployment is undented and continues to be epidemic in the black community. Everybody’s taxes are about to shoot up while almost nobody’s salary is moving in the right direction. But despite everything, the EYE sees a little hop in people’s step moving into 2013. Coming out of the fog of the holidays into the new year, members of the media always have a good vantage point on businesses, institutions and individuals reporting back to action. Some years, it starts with a crawl. Other years there is instantly a lot of stuff going on.

This year, the EYE sees people back at the grind and already starting to make something happen. That means, on this beat, lots of political news.

April in

the tank for Slay

Remember that April

her and her image in the black community to Charles Bryson and you can see what an upgrade she was for Slay. But April went a little over the top this week in a minority inclusion op-ed sent to this paper. It’s in the pipeline for publication on the Business page, though the EYE doubts it will have the intended effect. It comes on far too strong to persuade the many people who are still not buying Slay as a minority inclusion advocate despite his Executive Order on TIF projects. If Richard Callow wrote this piece for April, as the style suggests, he should let a little air out of the rhetoric.

Nasheed on Rex payroll

as a new year’s gift. State Senator Eric Schmitt got his own $25K from Rex and, perhaps as a wink to show who this was a favor to, Slay himself cashed $50K from the same source.

Ford Griffin has joined Mayor Francis G. Slay’s administration as director of the city’s Civil Rights Enforcement Agency. For those scoring the politics on Paul McKee Jr.’s Northside project, this seemed to be a promotion for her carrying the water on negotiating that redevelopment agreement (which remains stalled in the courts). Ford Griffin was alderwoman of the 5th Ward, and she and 19th Ward Alderwoman Marlene Davis were McKee’s point people at the board. Looking back, hiring April (back in September 2011) was Slay’s first clever chess move on race, working his way toward the March 2013 mayoral primary. April is popular and reasonably principled. Compare

Slay’s next shrewd play on race, after hiring April, was his endorsements of Jamilah Nasheed and Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay in their respective August 2012 primaries. Both had credible non-black opponents (well, Russ Carnahan came into his campaign credible, though he soon was to lose what credibility he had). Both Nasheed and Clay won, cementing for Slay a couple of key political alliances in his own March 2013 primary. Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, Slay’s most credible black challenger in his primary, sat out Nasheed and Clay’s primaries so he has nothing coming to him.

Nasheed also has been going over the top in support of Slay. Now we can see what’s in it for her (in addition to Slay’s campaign contribution to Nasheed back when she was momentarily thrown off the primary ballot). Slay’s bagman billionaire libertarian Rex Sinquefield kicked Nasheed a $25,000 campaign contribution

Reed campaign flap

Operatives from the Lewis Reed for Mayor campaign have been whispering to the EYE that they have numbers that show a path to victory for Reed over Slay. “Don’t believe the hype that Lewis can’t win this one,” we’re told.

The EYE agrees that Reed certainly could win the March primary against Slay – it is certainly possible – though one wonders when Reed is going to start doing things that would make that possibility a reality. Any calculations for a Reed victory must include strong AfricanAmerican voter turnout and support. Yet Slay boxed Reed out in the August 2012 primary by backing Nasheed and Slay, and then he stole minority inclusion away from Reed as an issue with his TIF executive order.

Now Reed has incurred the political embarrassment of losing a campaign manager in mid-campaign when he parted ways with Matthew Teter

former executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party.

“I never meant for Matt to be my permanent campaign manager,” Reed sought to explain to the media. Reed said his plan for Teter had always been “to transition him out’’ in early January.

That is either a really unconvincing lie or one of the most absurd campaign strategies the EYE has ever heard of. Why in the world would anyone plan in advance to “transition out” a campaign manager two months before the election?

Callow in saddle

The kerfuffle over Teter made the EYE want to know who would be holding the reins for the Slay campaign. Richard Callow has been in command up until now, but four years ago Slay’s chief of staff Jeff Rainford left the staff saddle for the final drive and took over the campaign. The EYE asked Callow. Callow said, “Rainford remains at City Hall. I have been running the Slay campaign operation for the past three and a half years – and will keep doing so.”

The Bob Archibald whack

Speaking of Rainford, the EYE is convinced the Rain Man was in on the whack of Bob Archibald, who just stepped down as president of the Missouri History Museum

after several months under attack from the Post and Slay’s two new appointees to the ZooMuseum District.

The EYE remembers the Fire Chief Sherman George whack, which Rainford led with key inside help at the Post from editorial writer Kevin Horrigan. Horrigan admitted to the EYE that he wrote the ridiculous editorial about Chief George’s eventual replacement, Slay crony Grinning Dennis Jenkerson. Horrigan wrote that Jenkerson did more in his first 100 days as fire chief than all of the other previous fire chiefs combined.

Rainford and Horrigan had help taking down Chief George – Firefighters Local 73 led that brigade – and they had help taking out Archibald, with Gloria Wessels the lead Stepford Wife with knife.

The EYE only wonders if this deal somehow dates back to Fred Wessels’ rumored visit to Mayor Slay at home on the eve of the August 2012 primary, when Wessels was in the hot four-way race for Treasurer. The EYE was told Wessels made Francis – who had not yet endorsed anyone for Treasurer – an offer he didn’t refuse. Slay could endorse Wessels, the EYE was told Wessels threatened the mayor, or Slay could expect a challenge from Wessels for mayor in March if Wessels were to lose his Treasurer race without Francis’ support.

If this threat and deal did go down, then local political conspiracy nuts theorize that

the knife and spotlight handed to Wessel’s wife was some complex part of the payback. Happy wife, they say, happy life, and Mrs. Wessels seems to have really enjoyed stabbing Bob Archibald to death (metaphorically speaking) while Rainford and Horrigan held him down.

The EYE also wonders if that knife came out of a velvet glove with Richard Callow’s shadowy fingerprints on it. After all, the Post ridiculed Archibald savagely for hiring a PR firm (not Callow’s firm) when they started their relentless, almost daily attacks on him. And when was the last time the Post attacked someone for hiring Callow to do their PR?

Schweich audits turncoat

State Auditor Tom Schweich announced last week that his office has started an audit of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Attorney General Chris Koster has generated loads of positive statewide press for this unit. Republicans hate Koster (a former Republican state senator) as one only hates a turncoat, so we expect Schweich to drive his auditors to do their very best to sully the reputation of this unit.

Ed ready to fail again

Ed Martin, who was crushed by Koster in the November general election, has been named chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. Since being run out of the Governor’s Mansion by his then boss Matt Blunt, old Ed has been on a steady slide through a series of failures. His Swift Boat-esque campaign against presidential candidate Barack Obama failed. Then he started and stopped a couple of campaigns for himself before settling on the AG race, where Koster beat Martin by more than 400,000 votes (55.8 percent to 40.7 percent). That’s at least 400,000 reasons to expect Ed will fail in his new position, and the EYE certainly wishes this far-right blowhard continuing ill political fortune. Not that Missouri Democrats have been that much to cheer for. Neither the current leadership of the Missouri Democratic Party (whose vice chairman is Comptroller Darlene Green) nor its statewide candidates offered any substantial support to the candidacy of President Barack Obama last year.

April Ford Griffin

Jamilah Nasheed

Lewis Reed

The St. Louis American is proud to partner with Normandy School District, the St. Louis Public School District and the Saint Louis Science Center to provide this classroom tool for STEM education for students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, with content based on Missouri Learning Standards.

;flp

SCIENCE CORNER

Who Wants To Be A Cell Biologist?

INVENTORS & INVENTIONS

FirST rECiPiENT oF NAACP’S SPiNgArN MEDAL AND CELL bioLogiST

Ernest Everett Just

on Aug. 14, 1883, Ernest Everett Just was born in South Carolina. When Just was only 4 years old, he lost his father and grandfather. He was raised by his mother, a school teacher, and spent many summers in the phosphate mines. it was during this time that Just developed a passion for science.

At age 16, Just enrolled in Kimball Academy, a college prep high school in New Hampshire. Although he finished the four year program in only three years, he had to face more loss. His mother died during his second year at Kimball.

Ernest Everett Just published many papers on cell cytoplasm. but what iS cytoplasm?

Cytoplasm is the fluid that fills a cell. it holds the vitamins, proteins, amino acids, sugars, fatty acids, and other ingredients needed to maintain the life of the cell. Cytoplasm is often compared to sea water because it consists mainly of water and salt. Cytoplasm is important because it helps the cell maintain its balance. in the human body, our cells need the perfect balance of water and salt, as well. We drink water to stay hydrated and

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

in this classic biology experiment, you will learn the valuable effects of milk. Milk provides the necessary calcium to build strong bones. Did you know that when you are growing, the skeletal system (bones) replace bone mass every two years? it’s important to drink your milk to keep your bones strong and healthy. (if you are not a fan of milk, you can get calcium in other foods, such as yogurt and cheese.)

monitor salt intake to help with absorption of minerals. The organ responsible for maintaining the balance of the water we drink and lose is the kidneys. if you are feeling tired or losing focus, it is usually a sign that you are dehydrated and need to drink more water. The next time you are enjoying a glass of water, think of the process taking place in your cells

Check Out the Following Website to Learn More: http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_cytoplasm.html

Learning Standards: i can read nonfiction text to learn main idea and supporting details.

Materials Needed: Drumstick Bone (cleaned) • White Vinegar Container with a Lid

MATH CONNECTION

Questions:

The FDA estimates that only 30% of young boys and 12% of young girls receive enough calcium. if these numbers applied to your classroom, how many boys and how many girls receive enough calcium? ______________ boys and _______________ girls.

Using this ratio, how many students did NoT meet the recommended daily calcium intake?

A single cow yields 90 glasses of milk per day. if a student drank three glasses of milk per day, this cow would provide three servings of milk to ______________ students.

DID YOU KNOW?

Process: Place the bone in the bottom of the container, cover with vinegar, and close the lid tightly. Let the bone sit for three days. observe the changes in the bone.

Reflect: You will see that the bone now has a rubber-like consistency. That is because the acidity of the vinegar absorbed the calcium from the bones. Milk contains calcium to keep your bones strong. Did you know the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends three servings of dairy each day for children aged 9-18?

Learning Standards: i can follow directions to complete a science experiment. i can make deductions and inferences based on the results.

Learning Standards: i can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve problems. Calcium is all about the numbers

Survey your class. How many students get their three servings of calcium per day? ___________ Turn that number into a percentage. _________________% of my class meets their daily calcium requirements.

To Learn More About Calcium and Serving Sizes, Visit: http://www. nationaldairycouncil.org/FAQ/Pages/CalciumFS. aspx

In 1996, the United States Post Office issued a

From Kimball, Just studied biography at Dartmouth and graduated Magna Cum Laude (with high honors). Students with Magna Cum Laude honors usually receive a grade point average of 3.75-3.99. Despite his hard work and honors earned, Just struggled to find a job after graduation because of his race.

Just received a job at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1910, he was nominated for the head of the biology department. in 1912, he was nominated for head of the zoology department. in 1911, Just was a founding member of omega Psi Phi, the first international fraternity on the campus of a historically black college. During summers, Just worked with his research assistant, Frank r. Lillie at the Marine biological Laboratory in Massachusetts. There, he met his wife, Ethel Highwarden. in 1915, Just enrolled in the University of Chicago and received his doctorate degree in Philosophy. in 1916, he was the first recipient of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Spingarn Medal. The Spingarn Medal is awarded each year to an African American with outstanding achievement.

Just completed research in italy, France, and germany, and wrote two books: basic Methods for Experiments on Eggs of Marine Mammals,” and “The biology of the Cell Surface.” He published several papers and research articles, most notably on cell cytoplasm and the dangerous effects of ultraviolet radiation on cells. Although Just died in 1941, his legacy continues to live on through his research. Want to Know More? read “black Apollo of Science: The Life of Ernest Everett Just,” by Kenneth r. Manning. Learning Standards: i can read a nonfiction biography to gain background information.

MAP CORNER

Letter to the Editor: Now that you know the benefits of consuming enough calcium, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper persuading families to add more milk to their daily routines. remember to include facts and statistics to be convincing.

Recipes: What is your favorite way to get calcium? remember cheese, yogurt, pudding, and ice cream can provide calcium, too. Write a recipe for your favorite calciumrich snack. remember to include detailed step-by-step instructions.

Learning Standards: i can write for a specific purpose and audience.

commemorative stamp honoring Ernest Everett Just.

Walbridge Elementary School students Donald Jones, Damuri Harris, Precious Dotson and Randall Young work on reading skills with the help of principal Dr. H. Harrison Lewis and Anita White. Photo by Wiley Price

Walbridge Elementary, SLPS

A reason this season to stay in school and do well

Empowerment Foundation gives children a day to remember

The last of day of school of the first semester is a day that over 265 children at Dunbar Elementary do not want to miss. Not just because of the holidays, but for the rewards they receive from the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation (STLCEF). Students are rewarded for good grades, good attendance and good behavior and recognized in front of their peers as Academic Achievers. Not only is it the intent of this event to make coming to school even more rewarding, it gives disadvantaged children a holiday that many of them would never have. According to Michael McMillan, Board Chairman of STLCEF, “We want to give the students a day to remember to make education a priority and to balance off temptations that may come their

way.” Each year children leave with non-perishable items and enough to share. The Academic Achievers receive official certificates from Cong. Lacy Clay and Michael McMillan, License Collector-City of St. Louis. Each is presented gift certificates, an honor medallion and a host of other items. The Holiday Program was held this year at the historic Dunbar Elementary School. Engaging decorations, toys and educational incentive items are given to each child. Parents, volunteers, teachers and the principal are also rewarded to reinforce their positive role in supporting the students’ education. To be eligible for gifts a family member had to attend at least two ParentTeacher Organization meetings. Supporters bring characters to entertain the students such as the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission with the costumed Snowflake, and Ameren Missouri with Louie. Papa Johns Pizza, on Olive and Tucker, sent the achievers complimentary pizza. The results are commendable according to the Principal Carla Cunigan, who says, “For each

life that you touch, you give them a sense of hope that there is someone out there that cares not only about their well being, but their lifelong goals. The students comment that they want to be the next academic achiever.”

According to McMillan, “Education can not occur in isolation; it is important to surround our children, youth and young adults with positive support and resources by literally keeping their eyes on the rewards that consistent academic achievement can obtain.”

Academic Achievers were recognized during the Holiday Program. Also pictured are George Robnett, STLCEF Executive Director; Principal Carla Cunigan; Dawn Fuller, Director-Business and Community Relations for Cong. Lacy Clay’s Office; and Michael McMillan, STLCEF Chairman of the Board.

Michael McMillan talking to young children about the prizes that were waiting for them.

Ald. Marlene Davis with a young prize winner of a toy convertible car along with Frosty the Snowman, donated by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission and Ameren’s Louie the Lightning Bug.

Bags of non-perishable food and bread were donated by Companions Bakery for those parents in attendance.

Prizes and gifts galore were given to Dunbar students for good attendance, good grades and good behavior.

BUSINESS

JANUARY10 – 16, 2013

Anchor in the community

Sharon Reed of KMOV comes to STLfrom Cleveland

By Rebecca S.Rivas

Of The St.Louis American

KMOV’s new anchor Sharon Reed hit the ground running when she got to town two months ago.

Basically, her first assignment was the Nov. 4 election night. Her producer sent Reed to U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s headquarters to get live shots as the incumbent watched election returns.

“It was exciting because I love politics,” said Reed, who came to St. Louis after working at Channel 19 in Cleveland for 10 years. “It was kind of crazy, but the kind of crazy you love if you love this job.”

Reed is an anchor on the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. news shows.

“It’s rare that you find someone who is so attractive, so talented, so intelligent, who is also a journalist and pleasant,” Tracie McKinney, executive news producer at KMOV, said of Reed.

“I want to make a difference.In this role, you are able to do that.”

– KMOV news anchor Sharon Reed

“Wow, we struck gold.”

McKinney said it is crucial what Reed provides to the station’s on-air diversity.

“As an AfricanAmerican woman, it’s refreshing to see someone who looks like you, who brings so much to the table who is not only qualified but is passionate about the community she lives in,” McKinney said of Reed.

“She had no desire to live anywhere but in the city. She is committed to this city. Because she is not afraid to give her input, she is going to bring that unique perspective of how we cover stories.”

What Reed loves about Channel 4 is the team’s emphasis on investigation.

“I like getting off the desk and going out in the community,” she said. “People have questions, we have questions and we want answers. We don’t sit back and wait. We ask tough questions and get answers for people.”

‘I do what I love’

Reed grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in English and government. After earning a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she landed her first job in New York as an on-air correspondent for the syndicated program American Journal From there, she made stops in Baltimore,

Why the HUD voucherprogram fails

By Stefanie DeLuca America’s Wire Writers Group

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic justice to administer an oath of office on January 21 when she swears in Vice President Joseph Biden. Biden, who personally chose her for the ceremony, said, “It was one of the greatest pleasures of my career to be involved in her selection to the Court.” President Obama nominated her to the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2009 and she joined the Court August 2009. She is the Court’s first Hispanic justice.

Nathan Stephens, senior coordinator of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center at the University of MissouriColumbia, has been named assistant to the president for equity and diversity issues at Southeast Missouri State University. He will provide “pro-active, strategic, campus-wide leadership, direction and coordination in the areas of equity and diversity issues. He will supervise and develop approaches to enhance the university appreciation for cultural diversity.

Steven Jackson has been selected as the St. Louis Rams’2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient. He will compete against representatives from the 31 other teams in the league for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. He established the Steven Jackson Foundation during his rookie season as a way to promote strong educational values and healthy living among today’s youth by engaging students and parents to be actively involved in their education.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Employee Stock Ownership Plan acquires Casino Queen

Shareholders of Casino Queen, Inc., who own and operate the Casino Hotel & Casino, recently announced its agreement to sell their interest in the company to a newly formed Employee Stock Ownership Plan for approximately $170 million. This acquisition includes the assumption and refinancing of approximately $31 million in existing indebtedness. The company stock will be held in a trust. All participating employees are beneficiaries. The trust and the company will be led by the Casino Queen’s General Manager Jeff Watson, who will also serve as the company’s president. This will not change the Casino Queen’s current management, guest services, operations or business strategy.

Private-sectorbusinesses added 168K jobs in December

Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that private-sector businesses added 168,000 jobs in December. Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 155,000 jobs last month.The economy has now added privatesector jobs for 34 straight months, and a total of 5.8 million jobs have been added over that period.In 2012, private businesses added 2.0 million payroll jobs, taking account of the preliminary benchmark revision. The household survey showed that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent in December.The labor force participation rate was also unchanged at 63.6 percent. Over the last 12 months, the unemployment rate has decreased by 0.7 percentage point.

U.S. Bank partners in Banking on Youth competition

Last week U.S. Bank announced today that it has partnered with Consumer Bankers Association Foundation and Ashoka’s Youth Venture to be a major sponsor of the 2013 Banking on Youth competition. The competition gives youth ages 13-22 an opportunity to share their idea for an entrepreneurial venture that could have an impact in the community. Participants in all 50 states can apply online at www.bankingonyouth.org, until March 15. Thirty semi-finalists across 6 regions will be awarded a $1,000 prize.

Nathan Stephens

Sonia Sotomayor

Steven Jackson

Photo by Wiley Price

Helping the unbanked get affordable financial services

By Jason Alderman

According to a recent sur-

vey by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the U.S. Census Bureau, 17 million American adults now live in “unbanked” households, while another 51 million are considered “underbanked.” In other words, over 28 percent of households either have no traditional checking or savings accounts (unbanked); or their basic financial needs aren’t being met by their bank or credit union so they also rely on alternative lenders like check-cashing services or payday loans (underbanked). There have always been millions of Americans who are either unable to – or choose not to – conduct their financial transactions through a bank. Common reasons cited

include:

ï Don’t have enough money to need an account.

ï Don’t write enough checks to justify monthly fees and minimum balance requirements – just buy money orders when needed.

ï Lack of proper identification.

ï Denied accounts due to bad banking track record.

ï Language barriers.

ï Bad previous banking experience or lack of trust in banking institutions.

Big retailers and other alternative financial services providers have rushed to fill the void for customers who can’t – or won’t – use banks or credit card issuers. For example, Bankrate.com lists dozens of prepaid cards that offer many of the same functionalities as regular credit or debit

License Collector’s Office funds

Sandy relief

The Office of the License Collector and the American Red Cross organized a team of volunteers that raised $5,000 for Hurricane Sandy relief. Staff and volunteers who contributed include Hazel Prete,Campaign Coordinator;Dawn Gann-Cruz;Monica Patton;Jerline Collins;Arnisa Samuel; Yvonne Crosby;Conswayla Bosley;Mead Ruesing;Natasha Leonard;Richard Davis; the Marshall’s Department;Marsha Veal representing the Comptroller’s Office; Barbara Crump representing SLATE;Pam of Marco’s in City Hall;and Alice of McMurphy’s Grill at 1520 Market. The team hosted a successful bake sale and raffle in the Rotunda of City Hall. Community contributors included The St. Louis American;St.Alphonsus “Rock” Church;Sams-Maplewood Store; Companion Bakery;Vitaile’s Bakery; John’s Donuts;NAACP ESTL Branch;St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department;City Hall-assigned Marshalls;and Charles Merritts.

PERSONAL FINANCE

cards, including direct deposit, online purchases and bill pay, ATM access, etc. Other businesses provide such varied services as check-cashing, money orders, wire transfers, and payday, pawn shop or cartitle loans.

However, charges for these services can quickly add up. After you’ve paid a fee to cash your paycheck and bought money orders to pay your monthly bills, you probably will have spent far more than the $5 to $15 a month a regular checking account typically costs.

Although monthly checking and savings account fees at large banks have risen, you still may be able to find free or

low-cost accounts at banks and credit unions. To find competitive bank account rates, visit www.bankrate.com/checking.a spx. To find a credit union for which you might be eligible, use the Credit Union Locator at www.ncua.gov. High fees aside, there’s also a safety risk factor to being unbanked. Carrying or storing cash at home tempts robbers; also, money can easily be destroyed in a fire or other natural disaster. Plus, money deposited in FDIC-insured banks is insured up to $250,000 per account (similar insurance is available to credit union accounts through NCUA). It’s also more difficult for unbanked consumers to

improve their credit scores due to lack of access to creditbuilding products like credit cards and loans.

To help bring unbanked and underbanked people into the system, an increasing number of public/private programs like Bank On (www.joinbankon.org) are being formed. These voluntary partnerships between local or state governments, financial institutions and communitybased organizations provide low-income un- and underbanked people with free or low-cost starter or “second chance” bank accounts and access to financial education.

In addition, many financial education resources are available, including: ï MyMoney.gov. the government’s website dedicated to teaching Americans the basics

about financial education (www.mymoney.gov).

ï FDIC’s MoneySmart program of financial education workshops (www.fdic.gov/moneysmart).

ï Practical Money Skills for Life (www.practicalmoneyskills.com), a free personal financial management program run by Visa Inc. There’s no law that says everyone must have a traditional banking relationship. But if you choose to go unbanked, carefully investigate the financial consequences –you may not be saving money after all.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Practical Money.

Financing helps area non-profits to grow

IFF has loaned $66M to Missouri non-profits in 108 loans

America staff

St. Louis nonprofits serving some of the city’s most needy communities are realizing significant benefits from affordable financing from nonprofit community development financial institution IFF.

Assistance League St. Louis is expanding programs, serving more low-income students and battered women; and Project, Inc. has been able to protect the employment of disabled adults, who might otherwise be unemployed, while saving taxpayers money. These loans are part of $66 million IFF has invested directly in Missouri nonprofits through over 108 loans.

IFF began its St. Louis operations in 2007 and was certified by the U.S. Treasury as a community development financial institution (CDFI) in 1996. It uses government grants and tax credits to leverage substantially greater private resources to provide facilities loans and related services at below-market rates to organizations serving low-income communities.

Assistance League St. Louis is celebrating its 25th anniversary supporting low-income families through innovative programs.An IFF loan of $750,000 allowed Assistance League St. Louis to purchase their own expanded facility and attract new volunteers. The loan also helped increase

by 30 percent the number of low-income students it serves through Operation School Bell, which provides uniforms and other clothes.

Additionally, lower debt payments freed precious resources to reach more people in the community through Project ROSE (Raise Our Self Esteem), which provides abused women with essentials upon their arrival at a shelter, and Steps to Success which equips needy children with

“We now have more money to spend on programs and not on rent.”

– Sandra Johnson, president of Assistance League St.Louis

athletic shoes.

“We now have more money to spend on programs and not on rent,” said Sandra Johnson, president of Assistance League St. Louis.“That has allowed us to serve more children, add 57 new volunteers and for the first time, we are forming a program expansion committee to address new needs in the community.”

Project, Inc.’s idea to employ disabled adults for secure document destruction through its DeCycleIt! Program is recognized by IFF

for its enterprising business model and commitment to a vulnerable population.

DeCyleIt!, a member of the National Secure Document Alliance, is the only nonprofit secure document destruction company in the St. Louis area among 38 competitors. Its mission to employ developmentally disabled adults increases the self-respect and quality of life of the individuals involved while reducing the strain on the city and state’s social services.For every 10 employees Project Inc. hires, it saves Missouri taxpayers $225,000 a year. An IFF low-interest rate loan of $200,000 to Project Inc. allowed it to expand its business operations to include secure document destruction through the DeCycleIt! Program and protect the employment of eight disabled individuals.

“Other commercial banks didn’t see it as attractive because other banks don’t understand nonprofits,” said Matt Burridge. “IFF understood and had a great eye for this stuff.”

Founded in 1988, IFF has total assets of more than $235 million and serves nonprofits working with low-income communities and special needs populations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. To learn more about IFF, visit www.iff.org.

“There was no way I was coming out of that game.”

– Robert Griffin III,after playing injured in the Washington Redskins’loss to Seattle in the NFC Wildcard game

No pain, no game

Why Shanahan let Griffin play hurt

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

WASHINGTON — The question consuming Washington right now has nothing to do with the debt ceiling, immigration reform or the composition of President Obama’s second-term Cabinet. It’s whether Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan should have pulled his limping superstar, Robert Griffin III, from Sunday’s game before the young quarterback further injured his tender knee.

In retrospect, the obvious answer is yes. At the time, though, it was a much closer call than armchair, um, quarterbacks now pretend. People should cut Shanahan, and Griffin, some slack.

If you are a football fan and are appalled by what happened Sunday and want to find someone to blame, look in the mirror.

It is the fans – in the stands and in front of their television sets – who have made football our national sport. Risk and injury are not just a part of the game, they are at its heart. No one likes to see players get hurt. But if you took away that possibility, I wonder how many people would still watch. Griffin, nicknamed RGIII, is a prodigy – a rookie who

See ROBINSON, B5

Anthony’s antics give the Knicks a fighting chance

But bringing it back to basketball, despite the immaturity of his actions, Melo’s Monday night antics makes me believe he could give the Knicks a fighting chance at coming out of

The old Melo was content to get buckets and be famous.The new Melo wants to win – badly.

after Monday night’s Knicks-Celtics game. Now I’ve never met Anthony but he seems about as gangster as my six-year-old nephew in Cars pajamas. Garnett, on the other hand, has the type of grit and demeanor to make you think he’d be nice with the hands, ‘bows and ‘butts to be the odds on favorite in a Vegas if the two met in an actual ring. fielded plenty of talented teams, the recent incarnations have seemed to lack the intestinal fortitude to be taken seriously. Even I’ve been critical of them due to doubts that Anthony and Amare Stoudamire’s inner divas can co-exist peacefully with only one basketball to go around in Madison Square Garden.

No reward forheroes

Griffin pays for his guts with his knee

By Mike Claiborne

real reward for being a hero in the NFL. Ask Jay Cutler. The Chicago Bear quarterback removed himself from a

After being on the receiving end of rough play like this,Carmelo Anthony tried to incite a postgame scrap with Kevin Garnett after Monday night’s Knicks-Celtics game.

Robert Griffin III’s knee finally gave out on him during the Washington Redskins’loss to Seattle on Sunday.

See CLAIBORNE, B5

Eugene Robinson

Mike Claiborne

Robert Griffin III rests on the bench Sunday after leaving the Redskins’game with Seattle with a knee injury.

Agroup of talented teams from the area will convene at Maryville University of Saturday, Feb. 2 for the Private-Public American Heart Association Showcase. The four-game event will match private schools against public schools. The featured game of the event will be matchup between CBC and Hazelwood Central in a rematch of the Meramec Holiday Tournament finals, which was won by Hazelwood Central. Here is the schedule for the Private-Public Showcase: Whitfield vs. Ladue, noon Maplewood vs. Duchesne, 1:30 p.m.

SLUH vs. Webster Groves, 3 p.m. CBC vs. Hazelwood Central, 4:30 p.m.

Top teams

As we head into the 2013 portion of the schedule, we now have a better idea of who are some of the top teams are in the area. Among the large schools, I am looking at CBC, DeSmet (with big man Nolan Berry back), Hazelwood Central, Edwardsville, Belleville East and emerging East St. Louis. Also watch out for Ladue, Belleville West and McCluer North. Chaminade and Webster Groves are quite young, but could be interesting to watch down the stretch. As far as small schools, Madison Prep, Duchesne and John Burroughs are still undefeated after impressive holiday tournaments championships.

With Earl Austin Jr.

Private vs. Public

CBC meets Hazelwood Central, and more

Cahokia has the most talent while Maplewood and Alton Marquette are also very good. Stay tuned. The next month and a half should prove to be every exciting.

National matchup at MoBap

One of the most talented teams in the area is the crew from St. Louis Christian

Among the large schools, I am looking at CBC, DeSmet, Hazelwood Central, Edwardsville, Belleville East and emerging East St.Louis.

Academy. Coach Casey Autenrieth’s talented team travels around the country and plays a national schedule. A great opportunity to see St. Louis Christian in action will be on Saturday, Jan. 19 when it plays Prime Prep out of Texas at Missouri Baptist University. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. Prime Prep is a school founded by NFLHall of Famer Deion Sanders. If you want to see two absolutely loaded high school teams, get out to Missouri Baptist on the 19th

Current events

Crossroads Prep made history last season when it won its first ever district champi-

onship in boys basketball. The Current have followed up that historic season with an 91 start to the season, which includes two tournament championships. Crossroads has already won the Valley Park and Affton Tournament titles this season.

The Current is built around the dynamic backcourt of 5’9” senior Milton Spaulding and 6’1” junior Trevor Clay. Spaulding is averaging 16.4 points, five rebounds and three assists per game. Clay is averaging 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Clay has drawn the interest of several NCAADivision I schools.

Senior forward Sean Monroe checks in at 11.9 points a game.

Comeback kid

One of the area’s best comeback stories has been junior Brandon Hollins of Jennings. After some promising moments as a freshman, Hollins missed the entire 2012 season with a knee injury. Hollins is back and enjoying a big junior season, averaging 18.9 points and 11 rebounds a game. His biggest performance came on Dec. 18 when he had 33 points and 18 rebounds in a 71-69 victory over Lutheran North.

You can follow Earl Austin Jr. daily on his basketball website, www.earlaustinjr.com. You can also follow Earl at twitter.com/earlaustinjr.

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

Stoudamire’s lengthy injury may have been a blessing though. Now that he’s seen how effective and successful the team can be without him, Stoudamire seems content to embrace a role off the bench in a super sixth-man role a la Manu Ginobili or Jamal Crawford. If he’s truly content getting buckets off the bench, one of the Knicks’major problems is solved. The other issue is the lack of grittiness that we saw in NY when guys like Larry Johnson, Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley roamed the frontcourt. The front office attempted to address the issue by bringing in Tyson Chandler last season after his supreme defensive efforts helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to a title in 2011. Grizzled vets Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby were later added to toughen up the team, but it’s clear that Spike Lee’s favorite squad won’t get Mo Better until

Anthony buys in and shows the toughness needed to win in the Big Apple. This season it appears that may be starting to happen.

Even though it was woefully ill-guided, Melo’s promise and fulfillment of an on-court threat to Garnett that “you’ll see me after the game” shows that Anthony is determined to fight back this season. Garnett is a savvy vet with tons of semi-dirty tricks and trash talk designed to get opponents out of the game. The Denver version of Anthony would’ve been content to drop 30-plus win, lose or draw. He would not have banged down low in the post or traded elbows with a cagey rabble rouser such as KG. The old Melo was content to get buckets and be famous. The new Melo wants to win –badly.

What we’re seeing is similar to the light bulb moment when King James finally figured out that his team was nearly unstoppable if he played aggressively in the fourthquarter. The Knicks are a serious problem if and when Anthony channels his emotion

on Saturday, Feb.2 at Maryville Univerity. Hazelwood Central will face CBC in the final game of the event.

and aggression into winning at all costs; that means scoring, rebounding and defending at an elite level. He’ll never be a shutdown defender, but he’s giving more effort. The fact that he doesn’t have to try to be a celebrity in New York means the Knicks golden goose can concentrate all his efforts on leading his team to the promised land. Of course, regardless of his post-game antics, the Knicks fell short to the Celtics. Anthony showed that while his team lost the battle, he wasn’t willing to concede the war. That’s a good sign for Knicks fans. If he can continue to give that effort level and “never back down” attitude on the court, NYC fans will love him and opponents will hate going into The Garden.

Ever since 2003, Anthony has been fighting to get out of the James’giant shadow. It’s going to take a championship to do so, but it looks like the boy from Brooklyn is back home getting in his sparring now in hopes of taking his best shot come playoff time.

Hazelwood Central senior Jordan Martin (#32) will be one of the featured players at the upcoming PublicPrivate American Heart Association Showcase

By Earl Austin Jr.

Prep Yearin Review

Memorable moments and athletes from 2012

Of The St.Louis American

It was another exciting year of high school sports in the St. Louis metro area. As we move into the new year, here is a look back at some of the memorable moments and prep athletes from 2012.

The Wood: Kirkwood High won that elusive first state championship in football this season. After surviving many close calls along the way, the Pioneers defeated Fort Osage 31-7 to win the Class 5 state championship game. The talented Kirkwood squad was led on offense by stellar quarterback Jordan Bishop and on defense by his talented twin brother Jarrod Bishop.

Back to Back: The McCluer

North Stars won its second consecutive state championship in boys basketball. The Stars defeated Nixa 69-62 to claim the Class 5 state crown. Despite the graduation of AllAmerican B.J. Young, the Stars returned to the promised land with a group of determined seniors, led by guard Galen

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playoff game because of a similar injury and was nearly run out of town by fans, media and even some players in the league who questioned his toughness. Cutler’s relationship with all of the above has never been the same.

As for Griffin, for him to have that sort of say-so on whether he can play to the level of helping his team is

ROBINSON

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came into the National Football League with tremendous skills and a precocious, almost preternatural sense of how to establish himself as a leader among players who are older and more experienced. One element of his leadership style is displaying his willingness, even eagerness, to play through pain, even if doing so might entail further injury. Looking and sounding notably glum, Shanahan told reporters Monday that doctors examining the first MRI images of Griffin’s knee differed on whether they were seeing old ligament damage or new damage. Neither sounds terribly promising.

“Many may question, criticize & think they have all the right answers,” Griffin wrote Monday on Twitter. “But few have been in the line of fire in battle.” In the context of football –even in light of the way Griffin ended his season, writhing in pain and knowing he may have

Brown and forward Jordon Granger.

Emmonnie Henderson: It was a tremendous year for the twosport standout and the Edwardsville girls. The 6-2 Henderson led the Tigers to a second-place finish in the Illinois Class 4Astate tournament. She then led Edwardsville to its first state championship in girls track and field. Henderson set state records in the shot put and discus in leading the Tigers to the Class 3 state title. Henderson signed with the University of Louisville in November.

Hawks Three-Peat: Hazelwood Central won its third consecutive Class 4 state championship in boys track and field last May in Jefferson City. The Hawks utilized a great team effort to win the title. The state championship came down to the 4x400-meter relay, the last event of the meet, which the Hawks came through with a first-place finish to clinch the title.

Third Time’s a Charm: After finishing third in the Class 4

ludicrous. That is what a head coach is there for. If Griffin turns out to have a subpar career due to a balky knee, many will remember this game and who made what decisions. They will also be talking about another quarterback as Griffin will be just a fond memory.

Manhandled by Alabama

Now that Notre Dame fans know they have a lot of work

seriously damaged his knee –this attitude follows a certain logic.

Given the violence of the game, it would be hard to find a single player who enters a late-season contest completely pain-free. Getting blocked just once by a 320-pound offensive lineman, or tackled just once by a tank-like linebacker, would put most of us mere mortals in the hospital. Players who endure such collisions week after week end up with sore knees, aching backs — and continue to play. Sometimes they pay an appalling price. During Saturday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans, the camera panned up to the stands where Earl Campbell, one of the greatest running backs in history, was being honored by fans. I remember him as a human bulldozer, shedding would-be tacklers as if they were minor annoyances. I wasn’t prepared to see a bent old man, steadying himself with a walker. Alifetime of football left Campbell with severe arthritis in his knees and debilitating back pain that has required

state basketball tournament for two year, the Soldan boys got it right the third time as they came through to win the state championship. The veteran Tigers, with its nine seniors, dominated every opponent their path on the way to its first state title in 31 years. Seniors Paul McRoberts, Randy Holmes and Pete Sanders led the Tigers on their tremendous three-year run.

CJ: The individual star of the Missouri track and field championships last spring was middle-distance star Charles Jones of Cardinal Ritter. Jones won the 800-meter run at the Class 3 state meet with a new Class 3 record time of 1 minutes 49.96 seconds. Jones also anchored the Lions to statechampionships in the 4x400 and 4x800-meter relays.

Vikings: It was quite a year for Francis Howell High School. The Vikings won their first state title in girls track, led by standout sprinter Whitney Adams. The football team advanced to the Class 6 ShowMe Bowl for the first time in school history. Jarrett Franklin

to do to back up all that big talk before the championship game with Alabama, the real question is how many more times will we see Alabama in the winner’s circle for the foreseeable future? The answer is simple: As long as they get the great linemen. While we were all wowed by the statistical blowout of the Irish, one needs to take a longer look at how the Alabama linemen simply manhandled Notre Dame. There is no question

several surgeries. He sometimes uses a wheelchair and has described his life as a daily struggle. He is all of 57 years old.

Far too many players also suffer the serious long-term effects of multiple concussions. Football leagues at every level should intensify efforts to alter the game’s rules and redesign players’helmets so the risk of brain-rattling collisions is reduced. But exposed joints – knees, elbows, wrists, ankles – are likely to remain vulnerable.

Today’s players are bigger, faster, stronger than ever. The game has evolved from the leather-helmet days; perhaps it will evolve further to the point where injury is not the norm. But as long as football involves tackling, it is safe to assume that knee ligaments will be stretched and twisted in ways the Almighty never intended.

And as long as players are expected to ignore their own pain for the good of the team, coaches will confront decisions like the one Shanahan faced Sunday.

You’re in a playoff game.

won the 171-pound state championship in wrestling last winter, then came back to have a dominant year on the football field with 22 sacks at defensive end.

U-Time: After watching their boys win the Class 3 state championship in boys track in 2011, the University City girls followed up by winning the state title in 2012. The Lions scored 66 points, won two relays and had an overall team effort to dominate the field.

ROTC wins first: Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC brought home its first state championship when its boys won the Class 2 state title in track and field. The Commanders rode the talents of hurdler Dominic Ball, sprinter Michael Wells and a talented group of sprinters.

Comanches Rule: It was another great season for the boys track team at Cahokia High, which brought home another IHSAstate championship. It was the second consecutive Class 2 state championship for Cahokia and fifth overall.

that the Alabama receivers and backs were superior to Notre Dame and nearly everyone else, but when you look at it one begets the other. Very good linemen make great football teams. Nick Saban and his coaching staff have it figured out. They are light years ahead of most and will continue to be that way as long as they can assure those high school seniors they will be playing in the last game of the college football season.

Your team is ahead by two touchdowns. Your quarterback – a special player, without whom you never would have come this far – is obviously hobbled and in pain, but refuses to come off the field. He says he’s hurt but not injured. Is this macho bluster, or is it the kind of sound judgment he has displayed all year? In the context of the football ethos, has he earned the right to perhaps be wrong?

It’s an easy call in retrospect. But given the situation at the time, I understand why Shanahan left him in.

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

DeShawn Munson

Alesia Sutton

Congress clowns around with disastereconomics

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

To say that Congress looked like a clown show last week is an insult to self-respecting clowns.

Our august legislators –aided and abetted by President Obama – manufactured a fake crisis. They then proceeded to handle it so incompetently that they turned it into a real one. The bogus “fiscal cliff” –and please, let’s never, ever use those words again –was designed as a doomsday mechanism to force Congress and the president to make tough decisions. But resistance to the very concept of decision-making was so fierce that our leaders could only manage to avoid hurtling to their doom, and ours, by deciding not to decide much of anything.

Obama “won” this bloody and unnecessary battle, but what did he really gain, aside from bragging rights for the next few weeks? More important, what, if anything, did the nation gain? Practically zilch, except a reprieve from hardships that its elected leaders were bizarrely threatening to impose on the citizens who elected them.

The federal government faces two huge tasks. First, encourage the sluggish economic recovery to gather steam, on the proven theory that solid growth makes our other problems much easier to solve. Second, take prudent steps to begin addressing our long-term debt problem and

put entitlement programs on a sustainable course.

Some people would reverse those priorities and put debt reduction first. I think that would be a mistake. Let’s have that argument. But we should all be able to agree that “none of the above” is not the right answer.

It’s the answer our leaders gave us, though. The bill that Congress passed and the president signed contains no significant new stimulus to boost the recovery. And while it raises some new revenue by increasing tax rates for households earning more than $450,000 a year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill actually adds $4 trillion to the debt over the next decade, mostly by keeping the George W. Bush middle-class tax cuts in place.

ing House Republicans to abandon their insistence that income-tax rates must never be raised, even for the wealthiest taxpayers, Obama has made a breakthrough. One can hope the method employed this week – have Vice President Biden work out a deal with his old colleagues in the Senate, then challenge the House to take it or leave it – will prove useful in future negotiations that might actually accomplish something.

But the first big task for the new Congress will be to avert yet another trumped-up disaster.

The slash-and-burn budget cuts that would have taken effect Jan.1 were delayed by only two months.

Adding injury to insult, the pathetically unproductive 112th Congress slunk out of existence without even holding a House vote on $60 billion in emergency relief funds for communities ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. If our government cannot even provide aid and comfort to citizens whose lives have been devastated by natural disaster, what can it do?

We are a nation of optimists, so our reflexive tendency is to believe that the 113th Congress, which convened last Thursday, must be better. I suppose it might. I fear it might not. One can hope that by forc-

The slash-and-burn budget cuts that would have taken effect Jan. 1 were delayed by only two months. This means we will soon be going back into sky-is-falling crisis mode – at the same time we’re bumping up against the federal debt ceiling, which must be raised in order to avoid default.

Almost everyone, liberal and conservative, agrees that some spending cuts are needed but that they should never be imposed in such a ham-fisted, indiscriminate way; doing so would unnecessarily curtail needed programs, cause great hardship and gratuitously harm the economy. Almost everyone, liberal and conservative, agrees that failing to raise the debt ceiling – which would mean refusing to pay for spending that Congress has already approved – is unthinkable; such a move would throw the world’s financial system into chaos and potentially cause a global recession.

Everyone knows these things. Everyone knows it’s time to stop the foolishness and get serious. Would somebody please tell the clowns?

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

REED

curious person by nature and she likes to help people.

“I like getting off the desk and going out in the community,” says

Miami, Philadelphia and then Cleveland as an anchor and reporter. Along the way, she’s been an NBAand NFLsideline reporter and a talk radio host.

Out of her blended family of four brothers and two sisters, she is the only one who chose a career in journalism, which confused her family a bit – especially her mother.

“When I said, ‘This is what I wanted to do,’they didn’t know anything about this business,” Reed said. “My mom said, ‘Get a job at a bank and use that degree.’ But of course, I decided to do what I love.”

Being a journalist suits her, she said, because she is a

HUD

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Continued from B1 of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. HCV(formerly Section 8) is the largest housing program in the country, subsidizing over 2.2 million households. The program provides tenants with a rent subsidy which they can use to lease any private-market unit renting at or lower than 40-50 percent of the metropolitan area median rent.

Voucher holders are no more likely to relocate to lowpoverty communities than poor renters who do not receive federal housing assistance. There are also significant racial differences in the program.

Minority voucher users are even less likely than whites to move to better communities, and the proportion of voucher recipients in such neighborhoods shrinks when recipients are mostly black and unassisted households are mostly white.

Amulti-year study of family dynamics and housing mobility that Johns Hopkins University conducted in Mobile, Alabama helps explain why the program doesn’t work as designed.

Almost a quarter of the HCVhouseholds in the Mobile area live in the highest poverty neighborhoods. Between 2009 and 2012, we talked with more than 100 low-income AfricanAmerican families across Mobile about the places they had lived in the past and their reasons for moving.

Because the supply of vouchers lags far behind the

“I want to make a difference,” Reed said. “In this role, you are able to do that. This is a visible way to get it done and sometimes quicker, and I like that. I’m an immediacytype person.”

Reed has some family in St. Louis. Her first impression of the town is “good people.”

“Good, honest people – a Midwest tradition which I’m used to,” she said. “And accomplished people too. I didn’t realize how many impactful people came from right here and what type of industries are here. It’s fun to discover that.”

She hopes people will get to know her when she attends community events.

“I like to be out and about,” she said. “I don’t want people to feel like they can’t

demand, housing authorities often maintain waitlists that are thousands of names long. In many cities, the names on the waitlists are so stale that administrators have abandoned a “first come, first served” policy and instead select families randomly when turnover vouchers become available.

Once families do receive their voucher, they are limited in the amount of time they have to search for a unit. With such a high demand, housing authorities are under pressure to rescind the voucher if a family can’t find a unit in the allotted time.

Mothers responded to this time crunch in a number of ways that reduced their chances of moving into higheropportunity areas. Some relied on their social networks to refer them to a landlord, which often meant that families took a housing unit in a poor or segregated neighborhood.

Another factor that limits the geographic scope of the housing search is “the list,” a sheet of available properties given to families by the housing authority. Some believed (incorrectly) that they were not allowed to use their vouchers at places which weren’t on the list. There were nearly 200 properties on this list, but only nine were in non-segregated neighborhoods and only seven were in non-poor neighborhoods.

Landlord referrals, the housing authority’s limited property list, and a general unfamiliarity with better off neighborhoods helped channel families into other poor, segregated neighborhoods.

These barriers are reinforced by some aspects of the HCVprogram’s administra-

say ‘Hi’and chat and tell me what you like, tell me what you don’t like. Come say ‘Hi’and tell me what’s up and what I need to know.”

Her proudest achievement is becoming a mother; she has a one-year-old daughter. As far as her career highlight, she can’t pick one story.

“There have been big stories, but there’ve been smaller ones that touch your heart too. That’s the difference between a job and a career,” Reed said.

“Acareer really is an extension of yourself, and this is who I am. I am nosy, I like to talk, I like to find out things. I’m interested genuinely in people and stories.”

tion. For example, the way that HUD has traditionally chosen to set maximum “Fair Market Rents” (FMRs), at the 40th (or 50th) percentile of overall metropolitan rents, tends to place rental units in many higheropportunity communities out of reach. While the constraints are daunting, there are policy changes that can directly impact them, some of which are currently under consideration at HUD: Give more weight to the poverty deconcentration factor in the tool HUD uses to evaluate the administration of HCV. Streamline the portability process.

Experiment with smaller area FMR limits, which would set voucher rents by zip code rather than metropolitan area. Extend the voucher search time.

Expand “mobility programs” that provide counseling to low-income, minority families to help them find housing in low-poverty or non-segregated neighborhoods. While the nation’s public housing policy is touted as allowing poor families the freedom and “choice” to move to better neighborhoods, our research shows that is frequently not the case. The reality is that many low-income families are stuck living in high poverty, racially segregated areas.

Stefanie DeLuca is Assoc. Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University.America’s Wire is an independent, nonprofit news service run by the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education.

Eugene Robinson

KMOV's new anchor Sharon Reed.

Photo by Wiley Price

Being Jackie Robinson

Reginald Pierre

fills giant cleats in ‘Jackie and Me’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives.”

Jackie Robinson would have been thrilled to know when he uttered those words that he would still be a source of inspiration nearly 70 years after he suited up in the Brooklyn Dodgers uniform as the first African American to play Major League Baseball. Before the Civil Rights Movement began, he risked his life each time he stepped up to the plate. He changed the game – and it was much bigger than baseball.

Thanks to a collaboration between Metro Theater Company and Edison Theatre, Robinson’s story will come to the stage in St. Louis starting this week by way of Jackie and Me, based upon Dan Gutman’s book of the same title.

The play by Steven Dietz focuses on Jackie Robinson’s courage, dignity and perseverance in the face of cruel racial prejudice.

“Obviously he believed that you had to take advantage of opportunities to make other people’s lives better and make the world better,” said Reginald Pierre, who portrays the legend. “I was just trying to find the man underneath all of that.”

Pierre knows what an honor it is to try to fill Robinson’s cleats

“It’s definitely humbling, it’s an honor – and a challenge too,” Pierre said. “You want to get every role right, but there’s a little bit of added pressure.

Nelly’s 7th annual Black and White Ball was a big hit this holiday season. A change of venue brought guests including the artist’s local family members to the St. Louis Science Center for an evening of dash and glam presented by Amit Dhawan’s Synergy Productions St. Louis and sponsored by Plaza Motors A charity event, Nelly awards scholarships to deserving Lindenwood College students each year.

Nelly’s special guests for the evening were St. Louis Rams star running back Steven Jackson (#39) and his family visiting from Las Vegas. The evening offered non-

stop fun and frolic with performances by Las Vegas’ popular and racy Skating Aratas and Taylor Dayne A few familiar faces in the crowd included all of the St. Lunatics, Ivie Clay (St. Louis Development Corp.), Alicia Smith (American Red Cross), Rodney and Cynthia Crim (Commerce Bank) John Shivers (Board Chair St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation), Jan Forrest Banks, Gwendolyn Belle (Wells Fargo), Blu Bolden Topher Jones, Cedell Small, Kenya Vaughn (St. Louis American), Barbara Meyers Shaki Meyers, Camron Joy, Titus Davis, Randi Cahill, Farin Swan, Prof.

Former interns and alumni come home to stage August Wilson classic

By Kristen Hare For The Beacon

Twenty years ago, a play marked the first performance by a St. Louis theater company in its new home. It was about a black family’s struggle to honor the past while still looking ahead to the future. This month, the same play will be performed on the same stage, with many

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“The single biggest impediment to living better lives is that we don’t focus on it,” Life coach and InPower Institute Founder Rebeccah Bennett said. “We want a better life, but we give no attention to it – so we can’t have it … literally.”

Preach, Rebeccah!

In the midst of making resolutions to get fit, get your finances together, get more spiritually connected, get your garage cleaned out … and so on and so on ... Bennett is hoping to help folks get healed with her first seminar of the new year that kicks off next Wednesday.

As always, she is right on time –and the perfect person to encourage and uplift as we embark on making our official declaration of a better 2013 stretch beyond Valentine’s Day.

“We have to get clear about what is it we want to achieve or manifest in our life,” Bennett said.

“Okay, so you want to get healthy,

of the same people who’ve stood on that stage in the years since. And as with the family in the play, Ron Himes, founder and producing director, is looking back at what The Black Rep has achieved – and he’s looking ahead, too.

The Piano Lesson, a 1990 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama by August Wilson, tells the story of a black family struggling between cherishing the past and moving into the future. A treasured family piano holds the family’s history, but could have monetary value, too: Money made from its sale could buy land where the family’s ancestors once worked as slaves.

See REP, C4

but plenty of us aren’t clear about what being healthy really looks like. We have to ask, ‘What do we want to achieve what do we want to manifest?’”

In her two-part series “Creating the Healed Future,” Bennett will also help participants peel back the layers and get to the core of creating a better life.

The series began with an idea planted in her spirit by an Incan shaman when she visited Peru in 2009. This man told her that in order to be effective, spiritual leaders have to “stalk the healing.”

“Now you can look at me and tell that I’m not an Incan,” Bennett said. “But wherever I find the truth I hold onto it.”

And what she held onto is that in order for anyone to hold to their annual resolve of renewal, the distraction of circumstances and past hurts must give way to actively envisioning and pursuing renewed existence.

Alicia Smith, Nelly, Ivie Clay, Cynthia Crim at Nelly’s 7th annual

and White Ball

Photo by Rodney Crim

Mike Roberts Jr., Gbenga Lawal and Virvus and Sable Jones. The Nash Sisters annual Ladies

POTPOURRI, C4

Bob Mitchell, Ethan Jones, Ron Conner and Chauncy Thomas rehearse a scene from The Black Rep’s new production of “The Piano Lesson” by August Wilson, directed by Lorna Littleway.

Reginald Pierre

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.

mlk day activities

Sat., Jan.12, 6:30 p.m., The Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri will host its 27th annual kick-off program, Founder, president, CEO and executive producer of the Trumpet Awards Foundation Xernona Clayton will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which is themed, “Women Who Dare to Dream.”Harris-Stowe State University’s Main Auditorium.

Thur., Jan. 17, 7 p.m., Commemorating Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr.: Continuing the Search forCivil Rights & Social Justice. Featuring Rabbi Ben Kamin, author of Room 306 and Nothing Like Sunshine in discussion with Ron Himes, Founding & Producing Director of the Saint Louis Black Repertory Company. Featuring a Special Presentation recognizing the accomplishments and forthcoming retirement of James Buford, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, for his role in the building and promoting of African-American/Jewish relations. Staenberg Family Complex Gymnasium, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., 63146. For more information, call (314) 442-3299.

Sun., Jan. 20, 1:30 p.m. Beloved Community Church presents AMoment with Martin, 3115 Park, St. Louis, MO 63104. For more information, call (314) 771-7703.

Mon., Jan. 21, 10 a.m., Fifty Years of Fulfilling the Dream. Guest speaker Dr. Julianne Malveaux, and MC Rev. Martin Rafanan. Video will highlight UMSL's historical civil rights events and figures over the past 50 years. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For

more information, call (314) 516-5695.

Mon., Jan. 21, 4 p.m., Washington University School of Medicine Annual MLK Lecture featuring Dr. David Williams, Professor of African American Studies, Sociology, and Public Health at Harvard University, Washington University School of Medicine, Eric P. Newman Education Center, 320 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. To RSVPplease call (314)362-6854 or email mpatterson@wustl.ed

concerts

Fri., Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents JavierMendoza’s Latin Jazz Experiment. For the first and last time in 2013. 3536 Washington Blvd., 63101. For more information, call (314) 531-1012 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Wed. Feb. 13, 2013. Jokes and Jazz Productions Presents a Pre-Valenties Special Evening with national recording artist Chrisette Michele, Comedian Special K of the Rickey Smiley Show and other special guests. 2 shows - 6:30pm & 9:15pm. Lumiere Hotel, 999 N. 2nd Street. Tickets $35 and available at all Ticketmaster locations. For more info: 314-2898180.

Fri., Feb. 15, 8 p.m., New Jack Swing Valentine Jam featuring Dru Hill, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Guy, SWV, and Al B Sure, Chaifetz Arena. Tickets available at MetroTix.com, by phone at 314-534-1111 and at the Chaifetz Arena Box Office.

Tues., Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents The Joe Mancuso Quartet. Vocal and Instrumental Jazz Standards featuring Joe Mancuso, vocals; Willie Akins, tenor saxophone; Randy Holmes, trumpet; Tim

CALENDAR

Garcia, piano; Willem von Hombracht, bass and Kevin Gianino, drums. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-9900.

Sat., Jan. 19, 8 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Omicron Eta Omega presents a 105th Birthday Party, Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow.

Sat., Jan. 19, 8 p.m., MAJIC 100.3’s inauguration celebration starring Charlie Wilson with special guest Mint Condition, The Fox Theatre. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Sun., Jan. 20, 3:30 p.m., St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock” Church presents US Naval Academy Gospel Choir. 1118 N. Grand Blvd., 63106. For more information, call (314) 533-0304.

local gigs

Tues., Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis Central Library hosts Not So Quiet Concert Series: Electro Funk Assembly. A variety of genres of music from jazz, funk, RnB, pop, to the electronica genres known as house, jungle, electro and ambient. 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, call 9314) 241-2288.

Wed., Jan. 16, 9 p.m., Blueberry Hill presents Chuck Berry with special guest Wild Bill Young. 6504

Delmar Blvd., 63101. For more information, call (314) 727-4444.

special events

Fri., Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m., Composer’s Poetry-Inspired Score Debut. Amusical score composed by Barbara Harbach and based on works by Greek surrealist poet Andrea Embirikos. Harbach is a professor of music at UMSLand a composer, publisher and concert performer. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, 8001 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 5164949.

Jan. 18 – 20, St. Charles Convention Center hosts Fourth AnnualSt. Louis Golf Expo. One Convention Center Plaza, 63303. For more information, call (636) 669-3000 or (425) 412-7070.

Sat., Jan. 19, 10:30 a.m., Missouri Botanical Garden presents Great Green Adventures: WinterColor Walk. There may not be many plants blooming, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find color around us. Join us as we search for common, and some not so common colors in the Garden. For children ages 6 to 12 with an adult. 4344 Shaw Ave., 63110. For more information, call 9314) 577-5100.

to have an unbelievable time? Laugh, participate and experience an altered state of reality at this comedy hypnosis show. Metro East Lutheran High School, 6305 Center Grove Rd., Edwardsville, IL. 62025. For more information, call (618) 656-4405.

Sat., Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Humor forHire presents The Clean Comedy Series. DeAndre Whitner will be hosting his very own clean comedy show with national comedians Matt Collins and Princeton Dew performing, as well as special guest Donna Murray and JayMo.Plush, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 699-0228 or visit www.plushstl.com/shows.

Jan. 24 – 26, 7 p.m., No Name Comix presents Tyrone Robinson. Robinson was voted best new Comedy Forums Pro/ Amateur Comic of the year in 2006 and has been killing crowds with laughter ever since. 2637 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, call (314) 6994662.

Sat., Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Maryland Heights Community Center hosts Discovering Options 8th Annual Trivia Night. To benefit the centers after school program for children in poverty. 2344 McKelvey Rd., 63045. For more information, call (314) 721-8116.

Sat., Jan. 19, 8 p.m., The 2013 Slumfest Hip Hop Awards. This award show recognize the many hip hop artists in the Metro St. Louis/Metro East area who excelled in the respective art throughout this past year. Artists nominated this year represents the four elements of hip hop: Emceeing, DJing, B-boy (Breakdancing) and graffiti arts. Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, email slufestinfo@gmail.com.

Jan. 19 – 20 and 26 – 27, Circus Harmony presents Capriccio: ALively Vaudevilliam Performance. Catch the flying children! This vaudeville based show features thirty fantastic flying children accompanied by the sensational Circus Harmony Band in a lively show with all new acts that will amaze and amuse the entire family. City Museum, 701 N. 15th St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 436-7676.

comedy

Jan. 11 – 12. Hypnosis Fundraising Show forMetro East Humane Society. Want

Mon., Jan. 14, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books CWE presents author Lori Rotskoff, author of When We Were Free to Be “Free to Be… You and Me” captured the spirit of the growing women’s movement and inspired girls and boys to challenge stereotypes, value cooperation, and respect diversity. 399 Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call 9314) 367-6731.

Wed., Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m., Chris Crowley & Jen Sacheck discuss Thinner This Year. Chris Crowley shares his inspiring, no-holds-barred and hilarious account of his journey through diet and fitness. This time around, he has a new partner, Jen Sacheck, Ph.D. Book signing and purchase after lecture, courtesy of Left Bank Books. St. Luke’s Hospital Emerson Auditorium, 224 S. Woods Mill Rd., 63017. For more information, call (314) 542-4848 or visit www.stlukes-stl.com

Wed., Jan. 16, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books CWE hosts discussion and book signing with author Leah Stewart, author of The History of Us. Three grown siblings return to their childhood home in Cincinnati and face a family secret that forces them to reexamine their relationships to each other and to the aunt who took them in as children. 399 Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-6731.

Thur., Jan. 17, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books CWE hosts discussion and book signing with author JenniferChiaverini author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker. 399 Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-6731.

arts

Thur., Jan. 10, 6 p.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents Symposium-Federico Barocci: Renaissance Master. This symposium brings together leading international experts to explore Barocci’s life, work, and influence. It complements the ground-breaking exhibition and will present significant new scholarship. One Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 7210072.

Sat., Jan. 12, 1 p.m., Learn to Paint with Gateway Decorative Artists. Let us show you how to unleash your creative side. You do not need to know how to draw to learn to paint. Mediums to be taught will include: acrylics, watercolor, fabric painting, glass painting & colored pencil. Preregistration is required. Holiday Inn Express St. Louis Airport-Riverport, 13735 Riverport Dr., 63043. For more information, call (636) 5610612 or email arttouch@aol.com.

Sun., Jan. 13, 2 p.m., 27th Annual Art Exhibition & Artists’Reception. Hosted by Ann Croghan and her students. Exhibition runs from through Feb. 2nd. James J. Eagan Center, One James J. Eagan Dr., 63033.

Wed., Jan. 16, 1:30 p.m., The PulitzerFoundation forthe Arts presents Frame of Reference. Members of the St. Louis community will discuss the works featured in The Progress of Love based on their personal and professional perspective. Speakers include Dominic Molon, Chief Curator at CAM St. Louis, Niyi Coker Jr., Professor at UMSL, Serra Bording –Jones, Docent at The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, MK Stallings, Founder of Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development, and Jade Harrell, Radio Host and Producer at 100.3 KMJM. 3716 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 754-1589

theatre

Through Jan. 13, Peabody Opera House presents Flashdance The Musical 1400 market St., 63103. For

more information, call (314) 499-7600.

Through Feb. 3, The Black Repertory Theatre presents The Piano Lesson. In Depression-era Pittsburgh a family strives to hold on to its history. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 63108. For more information, call (314) 534-1834 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Jan. 11 – 13, The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents STOMP. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – filling the stage with magnificent rhythms. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Jan. 11 – 20, Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents The Last Romance. Robert G. Reim Theater, 111 S. Geyer Rd., 63122. For more information, call (314) 821-9956.

Sat., Jan. 12, 8 p.m., NCCD Corporation & T.L.T. Productions presents Beyond the River: Movin’Forward. Understanding where we have come from to understand where we are going. Are we moving forward? VIPNetwork Reception at 7 p.m. with recognition to Min. Felix Gibson Sr.-Hope Outreach, Capt. Troy Doyle-1st Precinct North St. Louis County Police, Sharon Pace MO State Representative Dist. 74th, Bridgett Elliott-Neighbors Jennings Bank Manager. Jennings High School, 8850 Cozens Ave., 63136. For more information, call (314) 7800721.

Jan. 12 – 27, Metro Theater Company presents Jackie and Me. An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson’s courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 935-6543.

Jan. 11 – 13, The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents STOMP. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – filling the stage with magnificent rhythms. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Jan. 11 – 20, Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents The Last Romance. Robert G. Reim Theater, 111 S. Geyer

Rd., 63122. For more information, call (314) 821-9956.

Jan. 11 – 27, Metro Theater Company presents Jackie and Me. An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson’s courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, call (314) 935-6543.

Jan. 18 – 19, COCATheatre Company presents James and the Giant Peach. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org

lectures

Thur., Jan. 10, 7 p.m., Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice presents Human Trafficking: Real and Right Here. January is “Human Trafficking Awareness Month.” Laura Gardner, life skills director of the Covering House, will describe the problem as it exists both nationwide and locally. Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117.

Sat., Jan. 12, 8:30 a.m., College Nannies & Tutors presents Free Practice ACT Test. College Tutors will proctor this simulated examination for students to learn what they can expect on the college admission tests. Bring two #2 sharpened pencils and a calculator. Students must pre-regis-

Fifty Years of Fulfilling the Dream with guest speaker Dr.Julianne Malveaux,and MC Rev. Martin Rafanan.See MLK DAY ACTIVITIES for more information.

ter, reservations are limited. 5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr., 63304. For more information, call (636) 926-2681.

Sat., Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m., Community Music School hosts Free Early Childhood Music Class Sample. Children ages 3-6 years old and their parents are invited to sing, dance, play instruments, and have fun at the Young Years Demo Days. Meet the teachers, sample early childhood music classes, and register for the spring session. 535 Garden Ave., 63119. For more information, call (314) 968-5939.

Sat., Jan. 12, 10 a.m., Left Banks Books Downtown presents Writing Workshop with Wade Rouse: Facing YourFearFinding Your Voice. Wade will lead participants through an in-depth discussion on fear, how it is intertwined with writing, and how it nearly stopped him. 321 N.

Tenth St., 63101. For more information, call (314) 4363049.

health

Thur., Jan. 10, 5:30 p.m., St. Anthony’s CancerCare Center sponsors Pink Hope Support Group forWomen with Breast Cancer. Charli Prather will speak about Mindful Eating as an approach to weight management after cancer treatment. 10010 Kennerly Rd., 63128. For more information, call (314) 268-4669.

Sat., Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m., Health Fair, including blood pressure screenings, blood sugar screening, nutritional advice and health information, Shack’s Barber & Beauty Salon, 1724 Olive St. St. Louis, MO 63101. Sat., Jan. 12, 12 noon, Health

Fair, including blood pressure screenings, blood sugar screening, nutritional advice and health information, Taper’s Barber & Beauty Salon, 2904 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.

Sun., Jan. 13, 1 p.m., St. Anthony’s Medical Center hosts Sibling Class. Aspecial class for “big brothers & sisters” of newborns. In small groups, children practice the correct way to hold, feed & diaper a baby. They also visit the nursery. Participants should bring a doll or teddy bear for diapering practice & a picture of themselves. Parents are required to stay with their children. 10010 Kennerly Rd., 63128. For more information, call (314) 268-4669.

Wed., Jan. 16, 9 a.m., Free Breast Screening Event. For women ages 40-64 who are uninsured or underinsured and meet financial criteria. Each participant will receive a breast exam and mammogram. Mercy Breast Center Tesson Ferry, 12348 Old Tesson Rd., 63128. For more information, call (314) 251-6300.

Wed., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., St. Anthony’s Medical Center will host CPR forFamily and Friends. The class was developed by the American Heart Association to introduce expectant and new parents to the principles of basic life support for adults, infants and children. Hyland Education & Training Center, 10020 Kennerly Rd., 63128. For more information, call 9314) 268-4669.

spiritual

Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m., The Worship CenterChristian Church Bible Trivia, How well do you know your bible? Well put your knowledge to the test or come to sharpen your skills. Join us us for a relaxed evening of fellowship. 11339 St. Charles-Rock Rd. at the corner of Fee Fee (diagonal from Walgreen’s).

BENNETT

Continued from C1

Through her workshops,

the main lesson is for individuals to be clear on what they want to achieve, preserve, eliminate and attract.

“That provides a more substantive framework of what our healed future looks like than our resolutions,” Bennett said. “A healed future has some depth to it – it’s the reality that you want to experience. They help people understand their power. And the fundamental truth is that you are a creator – period.” The choice is ours as creators.

n “The fundamental truth is that you are a creator – period.”

Rebeccah’s rules

to experience discomfort. Discomfort is a sign that you are really growing or changing.

• Flexibility – Planning has value but you want to be in the flow. The nature of change is that it can’t be controlled.

• Gentility – Be gentle with ourselves in the process because harsh judgments short-circuit our efforts.

• Gratitude – Regardless of your present, it’s your life and your life is a gift to be grateful for.

POTPOURRI

Continued from C1

Only Holiday Happy Hour held on December 23 was an enjoyable evening. Alison Nash Dula MD. Sherry Nash Heard (Chicago), Tracey Nash Huntley (Dallas), Terrelle Nash Mann (Kansas City) and Lauren Nash Ming hosted the festive gathering in Lauren and Leo Ming’s lovely west county home. The Christmas flavored green Appletinis and red Cosmopolitans were a big hit with guests.

Smith Minga Furr and Patricia Sanders. Scott Rosenblum Joel Schwartz John Rogers and Jenna Glass of Rosenblum, Schwartz, Rogers and Glass, P.C. hosted a fantastic holiday party on December 21 at Lumen (the private event space) on Locust for colleagues, clients and friends. Guests enjoyed an abundance of yummy pasta, holiday drinks, and great conversation in between dancing to the tunes of the JFB Band

REP

Continued from C1

“We’re coming full circle,” says Himes, who founded the theater 36 years ago. The Piano Lesson was first performed by The Black Rep in 1992, the first performance in its then-new home, the Grandel Theatre.

Actor Ron Conner performs the role of Boy Willie. While he’s performed that role several times and won awards for that performance, Conner began his career at The Black Rep with its professional internship program. Other former interns, workshop and class members make up the rest of the cast, including Sharisa Whatley in

• Progress – Progress is what matters, and we attain progress through practice. Those little things add up. It doesn’t have to be grand to be significant.

• Discomfort – As you move forward, you are going

“You can create a better life, because you created the life you have,” Bennett said. “As we look at what has been the key to the quality of life we have, the number one determining factor is the quality of the choices you’ve made. Actively make a higher quality of choices and they lead to a higher quality of experiences. This ain’t rocket science.”

the role of Bernice, Robert Davis as Avery, Candice Jeanine as Grace, Chauncy Thomas as Lymon, Ethan Jones as Wining Boy, and Carli Officer as Marthea. In that first production 20 years ago, Bob Mitchell was assistant stage manager. This time around, he’s in the role of Doaker.

Lorna Littleway, another Black Rep veteran, is directing the new production.

“We continue to build undoubtedly the most diverse audiences in the St. Louis theater community,” Himes says. And those people are coming to Grand Center.

“I think it’s possibly one of the biggest accomplishments of the last 20 years,” he says. Looking forward, Himes would like to see more black organizations and institutions

“Don’t make perfection the enemy of progress on this life journey,” Bennett said. “We make realities through one little choice at a time. People are saying ‘This is my year.’ Every year is your year!”

InPower Institute’s “Creating the Healed Future” will take place at 6 p.m. on Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 at InPower Institute, 5400 Nottingham Ave, St. Louis MO, 63109. To register or for more information, call (314) 832-1669, e-mail info@ inpowerinstitute.com or visit www.inpowerinstitute.com.

in Grand Center. And he thinks some time in the next few years it may be time for The Black Rep to find a new facility. If support and funding were available, Himes would like to offer year-round training the way the company does with its intensive summer workshop. And he doesn’t have to look back 20 years to see The Black Rep’s impact on stage.

The youngest actor in The Piano Lesson, Carli Officer, is a product of their classes –at age 12.

“The Piano Lesson” directed by Lorna Littleway begins Jan. 9 and runs through Feb. 2 at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more infov, go to theblackrep.org. Reprinted with permission from stlbeacon.org.

Catching up was the theme of the evening and lots of locals and visiting natives stopped by including Janet Jackson Williams and daughter Casi Stewart (San Francisco), Judith Fagen Coleman (Chicago) and daughter Stevie Lynn Coleman (Minneapolis), Beverly Hadley (Chicago), Marsha Hairston (Chicago), Sister act Leslie Owens Harrington (Richmond) and Alisa Owens Moore DDS (Atlanta) along with daughter McKenzie Moore (Tampa), Nina Wilkins Carole Dula Candace Ming, Kathleen

JACKIE

Continued from C1

You will get overwhelmed if you try to look at the big picture.”

In Jackie and Me, directed by Tim Ocel, a 12-year-old white kid travels back in time to meet Jackie Robinson. The twist is that the boy discovers that he is now black and will experience life in 1947 as Jackie Robinson and the black community did.

“People want to forget the ugly things that happened in the past and move forward,” Pierre said. “It’s not like you have to dwell in the past – but the past has to be remembered because it is part of the story of this country. You can never

A few folks seen having a great time on the dance floor included Chuck Jackson (Fox Sports Midwest), Mike Claiborne (St. Louis Cardinals), Judges George and Judy Draper, Robert and Judge Paula Bryant, Laura Bryant (Kansas City), Celeste Keith Metcalf (Director EEO- for the State of Missouri), Judge Chris McGraugh, Travis Noble, Esq. Michael Noble, Esq. Justin Hansford, Esq. (SLU LAW), Honorable Michael McMillan, Dominique Beeks, Honorable Darlene Green and Andres Broussard.

Attorneys Jerryl Christmas Hope Whitehead, Inez Ross, Joan Miller and Shevon

progress in any area of life if you don’t understand what has happened.”

Through Jackie and Me, Pierre desires to give audiences a deeper connection with Robinson and the trials he faced while living through the growing pains of changing history.

“I hope that they come away from the production seeing him as a man as opposed to an icon,” Pierre said.

“I’ve been constantly challenged as an actor. I’ve really enjoyed that, and it has forced me to work harder,” Pierre said.

“I’ve learned more about

Jackie Robinson too. I’ve known him as this iconic figure, but through this production I’ve learned more about him as a human being

Harris hosted a holiday party on December 20 in their spacious office suite in Olivette. Housed in the same building with popular STL Radio One stations 104.1 and 95.5, it wasn’t hard for Jerryl to find DJ Phill Berry to spin for the evening. Sporting an old school mix, invitees enjoyed the music while sampling Joan’s artillery punch and homemade holiday cookies. Dinner was catered by Pappy’s Bar-be-que and Easton Roamer’s De Palm Tree in U. City. This party was truly a Do Drop Inn as people did all evening.

Partygoers enjoying the food, fun, holiday decor and great company included Angela Brown MD., Judge Don McCullin, Paul Randolph, Esq Azim Aziz (AAA Computer Solutions), Soda Lo, Richard Banks, Esq., Rufus Tate, Esq., Noted poet and author Ruth M. Garnett, Eric Banks, Esq. Jerry Hunter, Esq. Maylin Mahoney, Esq., Annette Slack, Esq., Rotimi Solanke, Esq., Mike and Stacey Hancock Cash, Esq., Judge Angela Quigless, Jenny Layton and Steve Chalmers. Happy New Year! Dana Grace dgrandolph@live.com

and I’ve enjoyed that. A lot of times when you’re studying history or in school you don’t go into specifics, you just learn the big picture.”

Pierre’s takeaway from immersing himself in the production falls directly in line with Robinson’s ultimate wish of impacting future generations.

“I hope people will walk away from it wanting to fight and do something. Part of the lesson of this story is learning not only to fight your battles, but to fight them in the right way.” Metro Theatre and Edison Theatre’s presentation of Jackie and Me will take place January 11–27 at Edison Theatre (6445 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO., 63105). For more information, call (314) 935-6543 or visit www.metroplays.org.

Photos by Palmer

Eagle Scout

David James Curtis Cross recently received the Boy Scouts Eagle Scout Patch at his Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony. David’s mother, Gina A. Givens, his uncle, Darryl W. Givens, and grandmother, Rose M. Givens, were present for the occasion. Only two percent of Boy Scouts nation wide have achieved this prestigious honor.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Jennings High School Class of 1973, Planning is in progress for the 40th reunion to be held next summer. For more information see the Facebook Group: Jennings

High School Class of 72 73 and 74, and the Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group /jenningsclassof73/. Email: jenningsclassof1973@yahoo.c om to update your contact information to ensure you will receive all reunion updates.

Jennings Class of 1983 alumni, we are in the process of planning our 30th class reunion. We are looking for the Warriors ‘83. Facebook: Jennings High School Class of 1983, 30th Reunion. For more information contact Yolonda FountainHenderson (La La) at 314-868-2761 or Carmen Ford Keaton at 314-363-5172.

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Graduate

M.B.A. achievement

Millicent Victorian recently received her M.B.A. and completed a goal (and bucket list item!) 10 years in the making. Millicent has been a Corporate Event Planner at Stereotaxis for the past six years. In January, Millicent begins the degree program to obtain a double major in Supply Chain Management and expects to graduate at the end of next year.

Congratulations to Brittany Jones for receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies on Dec. 15 from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Words cannot express your family’s joy!

SumnerHigh School Class of 1963 is seeking all classmates for its 50th Class Reunion June 14 - 16, 2013 at Sheraton Westport Chalet, 900 Westport Plaza. You may contact any of the following classmates: Jacqueline Vanderford @ 314.265.9541 email: jvanderford63@att.net, John Abram @ 314.276.0741 email: AbramJD50@aol.com, Camillia Banks email: camibanks@gmail.com, or Terri Cobb @ 314.868.0233.

Vashon High School, Class of 1978 will be celebrating its 35th year reunion July 19-21, 2013. Please contact Zaro

McPherson (314) 285-3350, or Vareda Madison at (314) 3815250 or geddyupgang@yahoo.com. Please leave name and number.

West Side M. B. Church youth during the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, a special reunion is being planned “just for you”. The reunion will be heldApril 26- April 28, 2013. We are currently in the process of updating our contact information. Please call Jacqueline (Perry) Williams at 314-368-3128: email jw611@sbcglobal.net or e-mail Barbara (Wiley) Spears at bjwspears@yahoo.comwith your current name, address,

Birthdays!

Happy 93rd Birthday Mother Clara Brewer on January 12! We love you and cherish every one of those 93 years. Your Family and Friends

Happy 5th Birthday to Darnell Peete, who will celebrate his 5th birthday on January 12! Granny loves her little angel!

Raegan Johnson (32) — Jan. 6

Patrick “PJ” McChristion (15) — Jan. 7

Tamara Gordon — Jan. 10

Charles F. Lovett — Jan. 11

Lionel Jones (49) — Jan. 11

Brandon Jones (16) — Jan. 11

phone contact, and e-mail address. Also indicate if you are interested in participating in this great event! If you have the contact information for others that may have moved away from West Side or out of the St. Louis area, please provide us with that as well.

Normandy High School Class of 1983 alumni, we would like to start planning our 30th class reunion. For more information, contact Normandy83vikings@ gmail.com or Facebook: Normandy Vikings Class of 1983.

FREE OF CHARGE

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth,graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website –AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned.

Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 4242 Lindell Ave St. Louis, MO 63108

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

Darnell Peete

Clara Brewer

North County Churches award MLK orators

Will present oratories at SLCC-Flo Valley on Jan. 20.

American staff

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU) named two Hazelwood School District students as winners of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest.

The winners were: grades one through five, Grace Bishop, Lawson Elementary School, and grades six through eight, Nadia Rankin, Hazelwood East Middle School. Each won in their respective categories.

The contest was held at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Florissant. There were 12 finalists in all, and five winners were chosen from among the group.

“Great event to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of non-violence,” tweeted Dr. Grayling Tobias, HSD superintendent, after attending the event. “I am proud of all contest participants for their efforts. This was truly a remarkable occasion.”

Students were asked to spend time thinking and writing about how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, leadership and service benefits them, us and the world around us.

“The judges had a difficult time picking just five winners,” said Barb Thompson, NCCU Vice President and contest coordinator. “All of the students did an admirable job. It was uplifting and reassuring to hear students speak about continuing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of healing divisions after the horrifying events in Newtown, Connecticut.”

Each of the winners will receive a $100 prize, and will present their oratories at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration

at 3:00 p.m. in the Terry M. Fischer Theatre at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley on Jan. 20. This event is free and open to the public.

“Thank you to all the teachers, instructional specialists, counselors, principals, other staff, and families for supporting the students as they wrote the oratories, for submitting them, and for working with the finalists to prepare for the oratory contest,” Thompson said. “We realize that it was hard work.”

Other finalists from HSD include: Olivia Perry, Lawson Elementary School; and Mada Sylla, Garrett Elementary School.

Christ Church hosts MLK reading

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Christ Church Cathedral is the hosting the fourth annual “Let Freedom Ring,” a daylong reading of his writings and speeches on Monday, January 21.

The Nave of the Cathedral (13th Street between Olive and Locust) will be open from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. for the reading, which will be accompanied by a visual display of pictures of the civil rights leader.

The public is invited both to come and listen and also to take part in the reading. There is no admission charge.

“Like scripture, Dr. King’s words don’t

just have meaning for the generation in which they were written, but new meaning for every generation,” says the Very Rev. Mike Kinman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral. “Whether people come for 10 minutes, an hour or all day we want to provide chance for everyone to hear these words, let them re-enter our consciousness and continue to form us today.”

This is the fourth year Christ Church Cathedral is offering this observance. This year, John Burroughs School is incorporating the event into its annual MLK Day of Service for its students. Address all questions to the Very Rev. Mike Kinman at mkinman@ christchurchcathedral.us or 314-348-6453.

Inspired by Book of Revelation

On Sunday, January 13 at 4 p.m. members of the St. Louis Symphony present Olivier Messiaen’s powerful Quartet for the End of Time based on portions of the Book of Revelation Clarinetist Diana Haskell, violinist Erin Schreiber, cellist Alvin McCall, and pianist Patti Wolf perform this challenging and awe-inspiring work at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Pl. Free and open to the public. Visit www.secondchurch.net or call 314-367-0367.

There is a gospel recording artist who composed a popular song titled “Stand” written to inspire and encourage while you are in the midst of your storm.

He asks a question, and yet gives an answer by saying, “Tell me, what do you do, when you’ve done all you can do and it seems like it’s never enough? Tell me what do you say when your friends turn away, and you’re all alone? Tell me, what do you give, when you’ve given your all, and it seems like you can’t make it through?

Well, you just stand; when there’s nothing left to do; you just stand, watch the Lord see you through. Yes, after you’ve done all you can … You just stand!”

Cynthia Bennett

The words to this song if we allow it, puts us in a receptive mode for God to be God in our lives and situations. His intentions for us are his good thoughts and expectations for his children. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” His thoughts are to give you a future! While watching (painfully, I might add), the Passion of the Christ depicts Jesus’ unfailing love whereby he did not give up on us. The passages in the gospels give an account of Jesus carrying

his cross on his way to Golgotha, the place where he was crucified. No matter what came his way; how much or how long he was beaten, spat on, and called names he took it by standing on the Word of Truth and his trust in God. Although, he could have called legions of angels to come to his aide, but instead he remained humble and showed the world how to “stand”!

Have you ever seen a child in “timeout” or when you grew up you had to stand in the coat room at school when you got into trouble? You would do anything to get your mind off of the fact you had to stand still in one place. By the time you had done all of those added extras, you really weren’t focused on the length of time you had been standing. It is the same way in this Christian walk, whatever trials or storms we’re facing right now we need to give it to God. We need to start praising him; stay in the Word to get our minds off of our situations. Before you know it, it will have passed. So whatever our issues are, when we have done all we can “just stand” and see the salvation of the Lord!

Cynthia R. Bennett is a licensed Evangelist and Founder of This Journey Ministries. You can reach her at info@thisjourney.org InspIratIonal Message

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community. Send your column (no more than 400 words) as a Word document and pasted text to cking@stlamerican.

Hazelwood School District Superintendent Grayling Tobias poses with NCCU’s 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest finalists Grace Bishop, Olivia Perry, Mada Sylla and Nadia Rankin; their families and HSD staff.

2012 SLPS Secondary Science Teacherof the YearAward

American staff

The St. Louis Public School District has awarded the 2012 Secondary Science Teacher of the Year Award to Mr. Jeremy Resmann, a Biology/ Biomedical Science teacher from Soldan International Studies High School.

“We have worked together for years on various projects such as writing A+ (plus) lesson plans and biology high school benchmarks, rearranging the biology scope and sequence (which included months of heated discussions among teachers), back to school professional development (PD), school based PD, after school PD, and any other PD you can think of in which you facilitated, co-facilitated or just out right supported me in facilitating,” wrote Gwendolyn Randolph, one of the district’s Science Curriculum Specialists, in a congratulatory note.

An educator with the district since 2007, Mr. Resmann has taught Physical Science, Biology, Honors Biology, and 9th and 10th grade Biomedical Sciences courses for Project

instruction, I am able to provide my students with a strong array of hands-on, investigative learning experiences that stimulate problem-solving and finding conclusions based on logic and careful observation,” said Resmann.

To become the 2012 Secondary Science Teacher of the Year, applicants were asked to explain their philosophy and approach to teaching; be recommended by a principal and a professional colleague; and complete an interview process with a panel of retired educators.

“Mr.

Kathleen Taggart, St.Louis Public School District Mathematics Curriculum Specialist;Jeremy Resmann,2012 Secondary Science Teacher of the Year Award recipient; and Susan Raney, District Science Curriculum Specialist.

An educator with the district since 2007, Mr. Resmann has taught Physical Science, Biology, Honors Biology, and 9th and 10th grade Biomedical Sciences courses for Project Lead the Way students.

writing literacy, scientific research skills, student motivation, and more,” said Alice Manus, Assistant Principal at Soldan I.S. High School, who recommended Rench for the award. As the 2012 Secondary Science Teacher of the Year, Jeremy Resmann was honored with an awards reception and presented with a $1,000 award from the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation.In addition, he was presented with a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for classroom supplies and/or professional development through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

1st Friday for grown folks. I must say that I caught some extreme life this weekend from a mix of nightlife that had me tipping my messy bun to the diverse blend of kicking it ops that we don’t often give St. Louis enough credit for. 1st Fridays kicked things off. And while the venue’s setup was quietly giving me a bingo lounge vibe, I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the ____________ (insert new slang for “grown and sexy”) crowd that came through. It seems like the late 80’s babies have dusted Fred and Harry for Forever Fly Fridays at The Loft and I can’t say that I’m mad about it. Because now the energy and swag of the folks that stopped through seems to have returned to their original intentions – a laid back vibe with good music and grown people making connections.

A blast from the past. I went from grown to grown as I skipped over to the Coliseum for Charlie Chan Soprano’s Back to The Future spin session. Am I the only one still hollering with delight from the invite that had Chan’s head photoshopped on Marty McFly’s body?...Of course not. Anyway, the Charlie McFly advertising could only dream of having me gagging with jaws of joy once it was all said and done with this merger of Chan and Stress Free Fridays. Anyone in the house only needs three words to fall dead from what they will be telling their grandchildren about like a UFO or ghostly encounter….White. bellbottom.catsuit! I don’t care how brief your visit, ANYBODY who was in the building got a sip of that half gallon of 2 percent milk – and she worked and twerked for dear life to make sure it didn’t go down any other way. Where do I begin? Did I mention she was barefoot while busting a move by the DJ booth? I couldn’t quite tell at first because the bell of her pants legs went well over the front of her feet, but her fancy footwork led to a leg lift that let me know she allowed her toes to go commando. Even though she gave me joy, I came through to show love to Chan, Stress Free Fridays and the Coliseum. Needless to say, none of the above disappointed me with their latest offering. Oh, and let me send a birthday shout out to Ana (a.k.a. the long lost, equally long haired granddaughter of the Asian lady on “Soul Train).

Method and the snowmen. My weekend of absolute life trickled into Saturday as I doubled back to the Coliseum to get my taste of “Tical” as the finest Wu Tang warrior a.k.a. Method Man skipped back to the Lou. Nobody believed me when I kept telling people he was coming to town. But when I stepped through the door I found out why…let’s just say that the show was presented and promoted by the ethnic majority. And even though the Coliseum looked like club Bucca, I still had a blast. Those general pop males were on the prowl for some brown sugar on Saturday night! This one gym rat told me he was looking for an insecure woman to spend the night with. Then he casually asked, “How’s your self-esteem? Can I buy you a drink?” Really sir? Help. And I thought Teri Little was going to need Flex and the security team to guard her curves from the frisky fellas. On the flipside, the only nonebony ladies I saw were the handful that a group of Kappas were trying to push up on. But then Blu Bolden, Shaki, DT and some of the baddest chicks on the scene showed up and those brothers were looking like “Becky who?”

The V.I.P. looked like “The Sons of Anarchy” on one side and The Insane Clown Posse on the other. I’m talking tatted up faces, scalps, knuckles, eyelids and foreheads. But the music and the energy was 100% hip-hop thanks to the sounds of DJ Who – who was giving me Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters tease. He was turned up! The thing that I loved the most about the night is that there was this freedom to be who and whatever. The scattered dime pieces and Nupes that came through were the only ones who seemed a nervous wreck about the young man bopping around with a “V for Vendetta” mask whose face looked exactly like the mask when he took it off I know y’all are anxious to hear about the show, but I’ve decided to stall and make y’all feel how I did in the moment – wondering if Meth would even show. If KiKi The 1st Lady hadn’t popped up out of nowhere in a glorious golden mustard Wu Tang commemorative leather bomber jacket I would have bounced at 11:30. He showed up soon after but decided to walk himself to the bathroom (who does that) and got hemmed up in there by some thirsty groupies having a hissy fit for about a half-hour. So needless to say midnight came and went before the show got started…but it was soooooooo worth it! Even though the sound system seems to have fallen off of the wagon, Method Man had everybody in the building on ten. I mean based on how the folks reacted to him and each other, President Obama should name him a minister of racial harmony. I got my hip-hop life, do you hear me! So much so, I was quietly chanting M-E-T-H-O-D MAN under my breath for the entire Sunday morning worship service!

Kappa town. Since y’all already knew the Nupes were in the building for some sort of Founder’s Day convention, you know they went hard pretty boy style in the STL. On Saturday night I stopped by the downtown Hyatt and they were representing! I was hoping to see an impromptu step show/stroll, but they were too busy trying to step to the pretty ladies who came through to get their party on… like Kira, Sarah Bryant, Andrea Hayes and Makeda. Even though it wasn’t an HBCU homecoming swag like I expected, I did get to see some of my favorite Nupes – Larry Blue, TQ (that burgundy suede blazer was life), Corey Clines, DeMarko Davis and plenty of others. If Saturday was any indicator, those Kappas are indeed the most self-confident of all the fraternities. I know this for a fact on the strength of the octogenarian Nupes that were shamelessly trying to push up on the twenty-somethings – and I loved every minute of it.

Ky’Arra, Tydrell and his wife Ky’Anna celebrating her birthday Saturday night @ The Coliseum

Brennan, Larry and Aaron representing at their founders day party Cuff Links and Stiletto’s at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Saturday night

Fred of 1st Friday celebrating his birthday with Nealya @ 1st Fridays @ Troy’s Jazz Lounge in the CWE

70 never looked so good as Delores McCain Haynes celebrated her b-day with family, friends and her “girls” (daughters Arlett and Staci Static and granddaughter Asha) Saturday night @ Monarch

Christina, Jess and Alyssa came out to celebrate the kick-off of 1st Fridays 2013 @ Troy’s in the CWE

Creola, Theresa and Kalimba out kicking it with the Kappas Saturday night @ The Hyatt

BET was indeed in the building with MPAC’s Eye Candy Party as 106 and Park co-host Paigion happily posed with fan Destiny Friday night @ The Loft

Caesar Supreme, Tracy, Mr Conflict, Oliva and Hustlemann waiting to check outMethod Man Saturday night @ The Coliseum

Sisters Ashley and Heather hit up the Hyatt to help the Kappas celebrate Founder’s Day @ Kufflinks & Stilettos

It was team Radio One St. Louis as Hot 104.1’s Janee and Christina came through to show DJ Charlie Chan Soprano love as he spun the classics Friday @ The Coliseum

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Zoo to host job fair

Jan.

19

The Saint Louis Zoo will host a job fair on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in The Living World at the North Entrance for those interested in part-time spring, summer and fall employment at the Zoo.

Energetic, responsible and service-oriented people are needed for seasonal positions including engineers and conductors for the Zooline Railroad, catering and food service personnel, groundskeepers, gardeners, gift shop attendants, parking lot attendants and more. Flexible weekday and weekend positions are available for students age 15 (work permit required at time of hire) and above, retirees, moms, dads and anyone seeking a seasonal job.

The job fair will include information on employment, plus an opportunity for a screening interview. The Zoo offers competitive hourly wages, free employee parking and an ideal working environment.

Background screenings and drug testing will be required for all new hires.

For more information, call (314) 781-0900, ext. 4816 or visit www.stlzoo.org/jobs.

MICDS offering merit scholarships

Deadline: January 18

American staff

Again this year MICDS will offer a limited number of merit scholarships to students entering grades 7 and 9 through the Eliot Scholars Program. The awards recognize outstanding academic performance and personal achievement and are available to both returning and new students enrolling in fall 2013.

The awards are named in honor of William Greenleaf Eliot, 19th century visionary and founder of Washington University in St. Louis, who founded Mary Institute in 1859, one of the predecessor schools that ultimately became MICDS.

Astudent named an Eliot Scholar at MICDS receives an annual award in the amount of $5,000 to be applied toward the cost of tuition at MICDS. The scholarship is renewable each year as long as the student remains at MICDS and maintains strong academic and honorable standing. The Eliot Scholarship recognizes academic achievements. It is not awarded for special artistic or athletic talents.

In addition to the financial award, Eliot Scholar students participate in special programs and are recognized for their achievements throughout the school year. Candidates will need to complete

CHOICES/CAREERS

Pathways to Success

Special supplement of the St. Louis American newspaper

January 10, 2013

CHOICES/CAREERS, published three times annually, (Spring, Winter and Fall), focuses on career opportunities, career training, career enhancement and financial aid programs for African Americans.

CHOICES/CAREERS includes varied profiles and features the experiences of successful post-high school African-American students, alumni and employees in the St. Louis area.

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, SeniorVice President, COO

Onye Ijei, Pam Simmons, Barb Sills, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, CoverDesign

Forinformation on Choices/Careers please call 314-533-8000, orfax 314-533-2332

all requirements for the award, including the completion of the Eliot Scholar test and a personal interview.

The deadline to submit a 2013 Eliot Scholar application is January 18, 2013. All applicants will be required to take the

Eliot Scholar test on Saturday, January 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at MICDS. For more information, contact the MICDS Admission Office at 314-9957367 or visit micds.org/eliotscholars.

Twenty MICDS students have been recognized as Eliot Scholars over the past three years and all currently are enrolled in the school.

Asking black girls to ‘Imagine Engineering’

Girl Scouts partners with Sigma Gamma Rho

American staff

Girl Scouts of the USA(GSUSA) has joined forces with Sigma Gamma Rho, one of the nation’s largest AfricanAmerican sororities, to help build awareness of career possibilities in science, technology, and engineering among girls and parents in the African American community.

Working with local Girl Scout councils around the country, Sigma Gamma Rho’s alumnae chapters have made

GSUSA’s Imagine Engineering initiative, funded by the National Science Foundation, a focus of the sorority’s annual National Youth Symposium.

“Girl Scouting and Sigma Gamma Rho have the same goal: to build the nation’s future leaders by helping girls dream big and accomplish much today,” said GSUSAChief Executive Officer Anna Maria Chávez.

“We are delighted to be part of this partnership to help girls do great things in critical fields such as science, technology, engineering and math.”

“Response to Imagine Engineering has been terrific,” said Sigma Gamma Rho National President Bonita Herring. “We surveyed 250 girls who took part in the program, and more than two thirds of them said they now understood how ‘someone like me’could become an engineer.”

“More than two thirds of the girls said they now understood how ‘someone like me’could become an engineer.”

– Sigma Gamma Rho

National President Bonita Herring

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USAis the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls’healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USAalso serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in more than 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA4 U or (212) 8528000, or visit www.girlscouts.org.

“We will not only expand our efforts with this program, but we willreach out to girls nationwide in our communities with a combination of our own healthy living program, Project Reassurance, and the Girl Scouts’program for middleschool girls on healthy relationships and bullying,” Herring said. “Through this continued partnership, we are going to do great things together for girls.”

Sigma Gamma Rho is a historically African American sorority, formed at Butler University in 1922. Its membership is 100,000, which includes 500 alumnae chapters in the United States, the Bahamas, Korea, Canada, Germany, and Africa.For more information go to the website at www.sgrho1922.org.

For more information on GSUSA’s Imagine Engineering initiative visit www.girlscouts.org/imagineengineering/.

Multicultural leaderfrom MSU

Scholarship helps Jennings High grad get education degree

Special to The American

In high school, Iyshia Smith didn’t think college was an option. As one of five kids, college didn’t seem to be financially feasible for her and her single mom.

Smith considered other options, including joining the U.S. Army, but her mom was adamant that she needed to go to college. Through the advisement of her guidance counselor, she was encouraged to start applying for schools and scholarships.

She graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and is currently a graduate student in Missouri State’s elementary education program.

“By December, I had about 16 acceptance letters, and I was hanging them all on the Christmas tree. I was so excited,” said Smith, who was salutatorian of her class at Jennings Senior High in St. Louis. She narrowed her options down to three schools, including Missouri State University. To help her choose, each family member submitted their ballot for their favorite option.

“Everybody voted for Missouri State,” she said with a laugh. “In June, I got the letter saying I got the Multicultural Leadership Scholarship. It was a done deal, then.”

Smith also received several other scholarships. She graduated with honors in May with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and is currently a graduate student in Missouri State’s elementary education program.

As an undergraduate student, Smith worked in the Multicultural Resource Center and often spoke at recruitment events about how scholarship opportunities can make college possible for students.

“Kids think that they can’t do it because they don’t have any money,” said Smith. “Look at me. I came from a family with nothing, and I was able to go to school. I have hardly had to pay for anything for school because I have so many people in my corner rooting me on, saying, ‘Okay. You need some help? We’re going to try and get you some help. These are the scholarships you can apply for.’”

Smith is currently teaching first grade

at Bowerman Elementary, a Title I school, in Springfield, Mo. She chose this placement because she attended a Title I school and wants to work with underrepresented populations and educate about diversity.

More than 16,000 Missouri State alumni live in the St. Louis area. There are currently more than 3,300 students from the St. Louis area attending Missouri State.

Commitment to diversity

Creating a more diverse student body

As part of its commitment to increasing diversity,each fall Missouri State University awards 50 new Multicultural Leadership Scholarships to students like Iyshia Smith.

and workforce is one of Missouri State University’s four major goals identified in its long-range plan.

As part of its commitment to increasing diversity, each fall the university awards 50 new Multicultural Leadership Scholarships to students like Smith. The university also offers Multicultural Leadership Recognition Awards and, beginning next fall, the university will also offer Diversity in Education Scholarships for students who plan to become teachers.

Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan system with

a statewide mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons. The university’s identity is distinguished by its public affairs mission, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster expertise and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.

Founded in 1905, Missouri State is the second largest university in the state (23,071) in the third-largest city (Springfield-MSA436,700).

UMSLoffers business options

Avariety of programs will suit a diverse range of students

Special to The American

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is the region’s largest public research university and the UMSLCollege of Business is the largest AACSB-accredited business school in the region. It offers three types of Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, a Master of Accounting, a Master of Science in Information Systems, aPh.D. in BusinessAdministration with a Logistics and Supply Chain Management concentration, and five graduate certificates.

The Evening MBA program at UMSL is designed to educate a well-rounded business professional.

The faculty consists of highly-qualified teachers and researchers who hold terminal degrees from some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. They are actively engaged in cutting-edge academic research and realworld consulting. UMSL, Washington University and St. Louis University are the only business schools in St. Louis that hold the prestigious accreditation of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The Evening MBAprogram at UMSL is designed to educate a well-rounded business professional. It is flexible enough to accommodate the person who seeks a general, broad-ranging knowledge of business, as well as one who seeks to obtain an emphasis area in a specific discipline. There are emphasis areas in accounting, finance, information systems,international business, logistics and supply chain management, management, marketing, and operations management.

The Professional MBAis a 23-month program that meets one weekend per month (Friday-Saturday). Approximately half of each course is in a lecture format, and the remainder of the course relies on the various communication methods available on the Internet. Each course is completed over a twelve-week period. Generally, two new courses are introduced every three months.

TheInternational MBAis atwo-year program in which students study abroad for one year at one of UMSL’s partner universities in Europe, Central America or Asia. The second year of the program is in residence at UMSL. Students gain practical experience through aninterna-

Students work in an information systems course in the College of Business Administration at the University of Missouri-St.Louis.

tional internship and can earn two graduate degrees.

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program is intended for students preparing to enter the accounting profession as well as for those seeking to further their existing accounting careers. The MAcc program is designed to accommodate undergraduate accounting majors as well as students with other

undergraduate backgrounds.

The Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program is designed to provide the technical and managerial knowledge and skills to operate successfully in careers associated with the design, development and management of computer-based information, telecommunications, and internet applications. The program accommodates students with

undergraduate degrees specializing in IS, business, and computer science, as well as students with undergraduate degrees outside business and IS.

For additional information about these master’s programs, the Ph.D. program or the 18-credit-hour graduate certificates, see mba.umsl.edu.

UMSL photo by August Jennewein

‘Pay As You Earn’on student loans

Feds cap payments at 10 percent of discretionary income

American staff

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that many borrowers are now able to take advantage of a new repayment plan that could lower their monthly federal student loan bills. The plan, known as Pay As You Earn, caps monthly payments for many recent graduates at an amount that is affordable based on their income. This new option follows through on President Obama’s promise to provide student borrowers with relief on their student loan payments and help them responsibly manage their debt.

“We know many recent graduates are worried about repaying their student loans as our economy continues to recover, and now it’s easier than ever for student borrowers to lower monthly payments and stay on track,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The Pay As You Earn plan, which President Obama first announced in October 2011, caps payments for Federal Direct Student Loans at 10 percent of discretionary income for eligible borrowers, and the Department estimates as

many as 1.6 million Direct Loan borrowers could reduce their monthly payments with this plan. This new option complements additional repayment plans the Department offers to help borrowers manage their debt, including Income-Based Repayment, which caps monthly loan payments at 15 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income.

Borrowers who are not eligible for Pay As You Earn may still qualify for Income-Based Repayment, which more than 1.3 million borrowers already use.

Most borrowers are able to repay their student loans, but for many who are struggling – including teachers, nurses, first-responders and others in lower-paying public service careers – these

income-driven plans could reduce monthly payments to help ensure that borrowers are able to manage their debt and avoid the negative consequences of defaulting on their student loans.

While borrowers may pay more in interest in the long run under an income-driven plan, those options can provide some relief on loan payments, especially in a borrower’s early years of repayment.

Given the many options that make paying back federal student loans more manageable, the Department has developed tools to help borrowers make responsible financing and repayment decisions. The Department recently launched an online application that allows borrowers to compare their estimated monthly pay-

ments under different income-driven repayment plans and make an informed choice in their repayment plan selection.

The electronic application is available to borrowers who have at least one Direct Loan, or a loan in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program that is eligible to be repaid under one of the income-driven plans. Borrowers can access the electronic application either through their loan servicer’s website or by logging on to StudentLoans.gov.

In addition, the Department has developed resources such as the Financial Awareness Counseling Tool, which helps borrowers better understand their loan obligations and manage their finances. The interactive tool provides students with basic financial information, helps borrowers establish a budget based on their individual circumstances, and offers repayment tips and strategies to avoid default.

To access the tool – and for more information about all federal student loan repayment plans, including eligibility criteria and repayment plan calculators –visit StudentAid.gov.

U.S.Secretary of Education Arne Duncan with President Barack Obama

Hazelwood hosts Middle School University

Hazelwood School District Middle School University is hosting its third workshop in a series of six sessions Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. at Hazelwood West Middle School, 12834 Missouri Bottom Rd.

Middle School University is an interactive program designed to teach parents and students about the importance of early preparation for college. MSU is specifically designed for students infifth through eighth grade and their parents/guardians, who are interested in early preparation for the future.

Workshop #3 is titled “Building a College Going Culture, Part I.”

Dinner and childcare will be provided. HSD students, parents, grandparents and community are invited. All students in the District are welcome to attend, including home-schooled students.

RSVPto Audrey Wittenauer at awitt@hazelwoodschools.org or call 314-953-5190.

Hazelwood East Middle School student poses with her mother during October 2012 Middle School University session.