July 19th, 2018 Edition

From club to streets to ballot

Wiley ‘Chip’ Price IV runs for state rep

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

Michael Brown was killed by a Ferguson Police officer in August 2014, and Price spent more than a month solid in the streets. Ferguson woke up Price, 34, from the life of a young millennial clubber, rapper and promoter. “That felt like a revolution,” he said.

But it was the next wave of protests, following former

Wiley “Chip” Price IV campaigned for state representative in the 84th District last month. The Democratic primary is Tuesday, August 7.

WUSTL faculty demand Clayton address race in wrongful detention of students

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10 incoming students of Washington University were stopped and falsely accused of not paying their bill at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) by the Clayton Police Department on Saturday, July 7, even after many of them produced their receipts. After Clayton Police asked students to walk back to IHOP with several police cars called to the scene, the manager confirmed that the students had paid for their meals. The only thing that aligned with the description of alleged non-payers was race; all 10 of the students were black.

Washington University administrators contacted and met with Clayton Police and city officials to communicate their concern. However, only after the press gave visibility to this egregious action a week later did the City of Clayton issue a statement. This statement, which does not address race specif-

‘The most dangerous form of racial profiling’

Wash. U. students await apology after police falsely accused them

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Black Washington University students, concerned faculty and community members have demanded changes to Clayton Police Department’s practices and procedures – along with an apology from the City of Clayton – after 10 incoming black freshmen were falsely accused of “dining and dashing” and were forced to return to the restaurant while trailed by a caravan of police cars, even though some of the students produced receipts. “The officers involved in this incident, a false accusation against 10 black Washington University students claiming that they left a restaurant without paying, engaged in the most dangerous form of racial profiling by relying solely on the

Latasha Johnson – seen here with Lee Camp, of ArchCity Defenders – was represented by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in a dispute with her landlord, Kohner Properties, that was adjudicated in her favor by the Missouri Supreme Court.

By Jessica Karins

Photo by Wiley Price

By concerned Washington University faculty

For The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Mildred McLeod Hylton played “’Tis So Sweet to Trust Jesus” to honor her late husband, Rev. Samuel Hylton Jr., during his homegoing service on Saturday, July 14 at Centennial Christian Church, which he led for more than three decades. Rev. Hylton, the first president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, passed on July 4 at age 91.

Michelle Williams opens up about mental health challenges

Michelle Williams used her Instagram account to update fans on her mental health a day after TMZ.com reported that singer, actress and Destiny’s Child alum checked herself into a mental health facility because of a bout with depression.

“For years I have dedicated myself to increasing awareness of mental health and empowering people to recognize when it’s time to seek help, support and guidance from those that love and care for your wellbeing,” Williams said in a post.

“I recently listened to the same advice I have given to thousands around the world and sought help from a great team of healthcare professionals.

Today I proudly, happily and healthily stand here as someone who will continue to always lead by example as I

tirelessly advocate for betterment of those in need.”

Singer Solange Knowles used social media to voice her support for Williams – saying that she is “really proud” of Williams, following her admission she is “seeking help” for depression.

El DeBarge arrested for felony vandalism

was said to have called police. DeBarge was arrested for felony vandalism and reportedly spent a night in jail before posting $20K bail.

Did Cissy Houston disown son over accusations against Dee Dee Warwick?

According to TMZ.com, R&B was arrested after an argument allegedly escalated to the point where he destroyed an RV windshield with a wrench.

Law enforcement officials told the celebrity news and gossip site that DeBarge engaged in an argument Friday night in San Fernando Valley and proceeded to chase the man out of a house.

The man reportedly fled to an RV for safety.

DeBarge reportedly followed after the man with a wrench, which he allegedly smashed into the RV’s windshield. The man in the RV

Whitney Houston fans were stunned when the documentary “Whitney” revealed bombshell allegations that Whitney and her brother, Gary Houston, had been sexually abused by adult cousin, Dee Dee Warwick, when the siblings were children.

Whitney and Gary’s mother, Cissy Houston, did not learn that the accusations would be a part of the film until days before its release and voiced her outrage in an official statement about the film.

Tyrese admits rants against The Rock were in poor taste

Last year, singer/actor Tyrese Gibson went on an extended messy tirade against his “Fast and Furious” co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson because The Rock accepted a deal to film a Fast and Furious spin-off before filming the ninth installment of the franchise.

In an interview with Van Lathan on Lathan’s Red Pill Podcast, Gibson admits he took things too far – but claims the feelings he expressed about Johnson’s decision to move forward with the spinoff were shared by others associated with the franchise.

Tyrese

“Cissy called Gary and told him, ‘I’m cutting you out of my will,’ and hung up the phone,” a source close to the Houston family reportedly told Radar Online.

“Gary never brought up these accusations before and the family doesn’t believe him. They think it was used to just drum up publicity for the film.”

“I found myself being the messenger on behalf of various people associated to the franchise, but stupid me was the only one that went public about those feelings, which is my own fault,” Gibson told Lathan. “It’s not professional. It’s not cool....I don’t recall anything that he either said directly or subliminally that was ever as big of a deal as the way I was going at him, which is not cool.”

Sources: The Sun, TMZ.com, RadarOnline.com, Instagram, Twitter

El DeBarge

Cissy Houston

Coffee Wright is the ‘sponge for the underdog’

Juneteenth organizer challenges Claire McCaskill in crowded Senate primary

By Ashley Jones

For The St. Louis American

Carla “Coffee” Wright is running in the August 7 Democratic primary against U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who did not have a primary challenger in her most recent reelection campaign in 2012 but has six this year.

“The value to challenge an incumbent in a primary is to let them know not to take us for granted,” Wright said. “Don’t take the people that you say you represent for granted. You need to stay on your toes, and we are watching. When a certain class or the masses of the people feel like they’re being ignored, their issues are being ignored, we don’t see you unless its election time and then you want to kiss the babies and shake hands, then you have to know that you will be challenged.”

Wright – who has never run for office before – actually canvassed for McCaskill during her campaigns in 2006 and 2012, but thinks the incumbent needs a challenge in 2018 and no more experienced black politician stepped up to file.

“She has been in that seat for 12 years, so she has had a lot of time to do something. If she gets it again, that will be 18 years. So when is she going to step up? If she can’t step up, then move on and pass the torch,” Wright said. “We need more people stepping to grab these positions because we cannot continue to be left behind because we want to appease another party.”

Wright has never even stepped foot inside the U.S. Senate before, though she did stop outside the building while protesting Ferguson to say, “Hands up, don’t shoot!”

A St. Louis native, Wright has campaigned all over the state, visiting the Ozarks, Branson, Kansas City, Phillipsburg, and Boonsville. When

she visited Boonsville, she and her videographer were the only blacks in the room out of 300 to 400 white people, she said.

“I walked up in there as though I was at home because, first of all, there’s one race and it’s called ‘human,’” Wright said. “We are all more alike than we are different, and we are all supposed to be fighting for justice and democracy. I’m just a sponge for the underdog. I do not like seeing people being walked over or mistreated or left out. I don’t care who they are.”

Out of 21 candidates in both primaries for U.S. senator, Wright is the only black candidate, though her own extended family is multiracial. Her campaign is inclusive of everyone and reflects mainly on the working class and the poor.

“The poor and the working-class are the majority,” Wright said. “If you don’t look at race, and you just look at the poor and the working-class, we are the majority.”

On her platform, her number one core value is to impeach President Donald Trump.

“I am for impeaching Donald Trump 200 percent, and I wish Claire would speak up and make a national

statement that she’s for impeaching Donald Trump and I would have more respect for her as our senator,” Wright said. “When we keep dealing with all these injustices and nobody is speaking up for it, nobody’s doing anything about it, that’s what fuels me to say, ‘I got to keep going’ because I’d be turning around in my grave.”

She also is campaigning to increase the minimum wage, end homelessness,

n “The poor and the working-class are the majority. If you don’t look at race, and you just look at the poor and the working-class, we are the majority.”

– Carla “Coffee” Wright

build affordable housing, rebuild cities, pass universal healthcare, establish community control of police, legalize marijuana, abolish the electoral college, and enact proportional political representation by race.

Carla (Coffee) Wright campaigned for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill at the Quick Trip at Vandeventer and Chouteau on Thursday, July 12.

Photo by Wiley Price

“We are not getting proportionate political representation,” she said. “It’s 100 Senate seats, and if African Americans are 13 percent of the population of the United States, then I think we should be holding 13 percent of the elected positions. I don’t think it’s asking for too much.”

Currently, there are three black U.S. senators: Tim Scott (R-SC), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA).

Veteran human rights activist Zaki Baruti, leader of the Universal African Peoples Organization and longtime campaigner for proportional political representation, helped to encourage Wright to run for the U.S. Senate, and at first she was against the idea.

“I know how politics can be nasty, and I didn’t want to play dirty so I had to think about it,” Wright said. Wright also campaigns for a policy change dear to her heart: establishing Juneteenth – commemorating the end of chattel slavery in the U.S. – as a national holiday. She is perhaps most widely known locally as a Juneteenth organizer. She held her first St. Louis Juneteenth Parade in 2016, with Dick Gregory as the king and Frankie Muse Freeman as the queen. What possessed her to make it public was “ignorance.”

“Probably seven out of 10 people never heard of Juneteenth, and I can tell by the way they pronounce it,” she said. “They’ll say ‘June 10th?’ That’s the first thing that comes out of their mouths.”

Juneteenth has been an official holiday in the state of Missouri since 2003. The local parade did not become official until Wright paid for an annual official parade celebration in 2016.

“I decided I’m going to make it official. It’s going to go on record that St. Louis will have an official Juneteenth parade,” Wright said. “I participated in other states, and I wrote the Juneteenth National Anthem. Here I am saying it all over in California, Chicago, and New York.” Wright grew up on the North Side of St. Louis and went to high school at Beaumont, Northwest, and St. Stephens. She tested out a year early and graduated in 1982, then went to St. Louis Community College to study early childhood education and earned her associate’s degree.

She has worked as a real estate investor, a recruiter for pharmaceutical companies testing medications, a substitute teacher, as an advocate for abused and neglected children for the Salvation Army and Marygrove, and as a community networker who assists in the search for missing people. She has two children and one grandchild.

“I don’t require much as far as finances,” she said.

That personal philosophy also is true of her campaign for one of the nation’s highest offices.

“All I need is votes,” she said.

“Money is great; if I can get more donations that would help me to be able to spread the word. But once everyone knows that I’m in the race, then it’s their choice. In the spirit of David and Goliath, I’m running on morals versus millions.”

The Democratic primary will be held Tuesday, August 7. Wright is listed first on the ballot; McCaskill is last. The other Democratic candidates are Angelica Earl, Leonard Joseph Steinman II, John Hogan, Travis Gonzalez and David Faust.

For more information on Wright and her campaign, visit www. coffeewrightussenate.com or call 314201-7711.

Editorial /CommEntary

The American endorses Wiley Price iV for state representative

Full disclosure: Wiley “Chip” Price IV is part of The St. Louis American family, as a son of Wiley Price, our colleague and beloved photojournalist who has been with the newspaper longer than anyone on staff, and that includes our publisher and president of this editorial board. After he filed for state representative in the 84th District, we met with his opponent in the August 7 Democratic primary, attorney Brad Bakker, and were impressed with his progressive platform, which starts with cash bail reform, a core concerns of ours. Only later did we meet with Price, and at that time our endorsement was something he was going to have to earn. He is well-known to us as a personable young man, but an unknown politically, and we take elected office too seriously to endorse merely on personal affection or family loyalty. He earned our endorsement, in part, by speaking as a clear voice for young African Americans in our community who are beginning to wake up and commit to social change after the Ferguson unrest, Stockley verdict protests, and resulting conclusion that protest alone will not bring meaningful change. Price, who was active in the Ferguson protests, told us that, as Stockley verdict protests dragged on, achieving little but to bring pain and arrests to protestors, he began to ask, “What are we really out here for?” Then, he said, “I began to look for another change agency. I began to look into legislation.” We believe that is a critical pivot, from protest to politics, and we would endorse this intelligent, committed young man if only to encourage him and others in his generation to engage with politics directly from the inside, not just from the outside – which is not to abandon protest and civil disobedience as needed tactics. We were further convinced of his candidacy

Wiley “Chip” Price IV

after discussing it with the district’s current representative, state Rep. Karla May (D-St. Louis), who is termlimited as state rep and has endorsed Price. We told her how impressed we were with Bakker’s savvy, knowledge of the law and progressive platform. May assured us that she had seen Price operate in the state House when he visited her and was certain he has the political skills needed to succeed there. As for knowledge of the law, she reminded us, he will have legislative research assistants who know the law cold at his disposal. What Price, as a son of the district, will bring are things that Bakker, a white man who grew up in Kansas, cannot provide. “A representative needs to be someone within the community who is part of the community,” May said. “You have to be real clear and understand how a law will impact the community. You have to know it because you lived it. Wiley knows it because he lived it.” We believe these attributes are truly important and we would have endorsed this candidate had we seen him for the first time for his editorial board interview. We strongly endorse Wiley Price iV for state rePresentatiVe in the 84th District.

WUstl response is weak

We are upset with Washington University leadership’s mostly perfunctory response to an outrageous racial profiling incident that saw Clayton Police force 10 incoming black freshmen to march back to a restaurant – followed by a caravan of police cars – and submit to a de facto line-up to see whether or not they had left the restaurant without paying. Some of the students had produced receipts for their meal, yet all were submitted to a public perpetrator walk, and in fact none of them had committed a crime. We believe this was a clear case of racial profiling, arguably a case of illegal detention, and certainly a violation of police protocol, given that forcing suspects to return to the scene of an alleged crime is not the way investigations are conducted. Clayton’s official response, to date, has been pathetic. Its reference to these black young adults – called “kids” by the police chief – characterized them as the university’s animal

mascot, “Bears.” To add further tone-deafness to its response to these unjustly traumatized young people, Clayton said the students’ wrongful detention was “collateral damage” from the prevalence of dining-anddashing incidents reported by this restaurant. Police detention of innocent young black people – in an age when we see black people killed by the police on a weekly, if not daily, basis – as “collateral damage!” Washington University recently added several senior positions and programs dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and its newly announced successor to Chancellor Mark Wrighton –Andrew Martin, a white man, like every previous WUSTL chancellor – is being rolled out to the public as bullish on issues of diversity and inclusion. Yet the university’s weak response to Clayton’s entirely unacceptable handling of this incident – in the same news cycle – utterly lacks the urgency of a university that has lagged in diversity and

inclusion for a century and a half and still has a long, long way to go in making its elite campuses places where all people feel welcome, nurtured and empowered. Some inept, racially biased Clayton cops just made 10 incoming black WUSTL freshmen – who had committed no crime – do a public perp walk followed by a multi-car police escort in the dark of the night. “Welcome to St. Louis,” Clayton cops told these young people, who have not yet started their freshman fall semester, making them feel like endangered criminal suspects – and Washington University, with its enormous influence and importance to the city of Clayton and the entire St. Louis region, is not doing nearly enough, with anywhere near the appropriate degree of outrage. They need to hold Clayton and its police department accountable and put them on notice that this behavior was unacceptable and changes must be made immediately to see that nothing like this ever happens again.

Democrats can’t afford to defeat themselves

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post

Republicans are afraid they cannot stop Democrats from making big gains in November, so they’re trying to convince Democrats to stop themselves. For the sake of the nation, don’t fall for it this time.

The GOP’s propaganda arm, Fox News, has become obsessed with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old newcomer who defeated veteran U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., in a primary last month. What fascinates Fox and the rest of the right-wing media is not Ocasio-Cortez’s sharp intellect or her telegenic presence but the fact that she describes herself as a democratic socialist.

Cue the horror-movie music and throw in a piercing scream. What does “democratic socialist” mean, in real life? That she takes positions which are perfectly appropriate for a candidate seeking to represent her district, which encompasses parts of the Bronx and Queens. It’s a solid Democratic bastion, roughly half Hispanic and loaded with immigrants, including many from places President Trump has described as “shithole countries.”

The policies Ocasio-Cortez advocates make perfect sense for her district – and obviously connect with voters, since she blew Crowley away by a whopping margin. She favors universal health care, free college tuition and a reorganization that would abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency as it now exists – positions that put her to the left of the aging Democratic Party leadership.

All the yelling and screaming by Sean Hannity and oth-

ers on the right is not aimed at damaging Ocasio-Cortez’s prospects of winning; if anything, it probably enhances them. Nor can the disproportionate focus on one House contest out of 435 be intended to influence President Trump’s loyal supporters – very few of whom, after all, live in the Bronx.

The impact, rather, is on Democrats, who seem congenitally inclined to fret, who overthink every situation and who have been creative in finding new ways to squander political advantage.

Predictably, some Democratic hand-wringers are warning darkly that the very existence of left-ofcenter candidates such as OcasioCortez, in the bluest districts in the land, will limit the party’s potential gains in the House and imperil some Democrats in the Senate. The thing to do, these worrywarts counsel, is have all candidates stick to bland centrist nostrums, saying nothing that anyone might disagree with.

Which is exactly what the GOP wants.

By Brian Williams For The St.

American

Louis

I grew up in Ferguson with very humble beginnings. I learned firsthand that the pathway to success was filled with undue obstacles for many people. Staggering socio-economic disparities – ranging from the achievement gap, wage gap, and recidivism and the Delmar and Olive divides – are all symptoms of a larger regional problem. Too often, minorities in our community are overlooked and feel they do not have a voice in Jefferson City that represents their interests. It’s time for that to change. North County needs a leader who is not content with only having a position or title. Greater St. Louis needs a civil servant with a fresh perspective and who understands the issues both on the street and in the boardroom.

I have fought for lowerincome families and the working class since I started my academic and professional careers.

I have worked to connect thousands of under- and unemployed residents with regional employers. I helped bring

resources to the community by advocating for physical and mental health facilities geared toward underserved populations and children. I also served as the Affordable Care Act coordinator under the Obama administration.

My dedication to the community deeply stems from my mother and grandparents. I come from a proud union family. My grandfather served his country and taught me that to be a man I must lead. I must uplift the women in our community and leave this world better than the way I inherited it. My grandmother, the first African-American woman to gain an international post in UAW Local 136, taught me accountability. My mother taught me resilience and faith.

I am the proud product of the Hazelwood School District. I am ready to fight to ensure all provisionally accredited

public schools provide better K-12 education and resources for STEAM programs and to encourage major regional employers to invest in our school systems to create pipelines from the classroom to a career field.

I will continue to work toward better access to quality health care for all Missouri residents. I will continue to serve as a board director for People’s Health Centers and make sure we’re providing affordable care for mothers and their children. I will serve as a coalition-builder, working with businesses to promote job creation and job training. It’s time to retool workers and make our communities thrive again. We cannot settle for the status quo. We cannot sleep on the job. It’s time to wake up, get up, get energized and make our voices heard in Jefferson City on August 7. Brian Williams, a congressional staffer U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, is running for Missouri State Senate in the 14th District in the August 7 Democratic primary.

correction

Is last week’s editorial, we said Michael Butler left his state representative seat open to run for license collector. In fact, he is running for recorder of deeds in the August 7 primary. We regret the error. take action throughout the year

While I agree with Mike Jones that voting is important, I strongly disagree that, unless it’s election day, citizens are powerless.

I wonder if Jones is aware of the impact kids and teens can have on lawmakers, even though they can’t vote. In the St. Louis chapter of RESULTS— a nonpartisan, anti-poverty advocacy organization— our underage advocates are some of our most effective speakers and writers. The young leaders of March for Our Lives are also prime examples. If voting were the only possible action, these young people would be powerless. Obviously, that’s not the case.

I encourage readers of The St. Louis American to vote in upcoming elections, but not abandon our captains at the front of the ship. As these young advocates have shown us, there’s more we can do outside the voting booth. Continue to take action throughout the year by calling and writing letters to your elected officials and help them set the course.

Yara Levin, Town and Country

aca protects people with pre-existing conditions

As a registered nurse in St. Louis, I treat many patients with pre-existing conditions

One thing all politicians should have learned from the rise of Trump is that voters are in no mood for timidity. He may defy the laws of politics, but the laws of economics are less forgiving; his love of tariffs as an end rather than a means will soon begin hurting exporters and consumers. His failure to either kill or improve the Affordable Care Act puts truly universal care back on the table. His cruel hostility toward Latino immigrants sickens many voters outside of his base. His authoritarianism and egomania threaten our institutions.

Democrats need to win this election, not just for the good of the party but for the good of the country. This time, they can’t afford to defeat themselves.

What Trump-era Republicans stand for is appalling, but it’s something – and you can’t beat something with nothing. At a time of loudmouth politics, the one thing Democrats cannot afford to do is muffle their voices. Please keep in mind, everyone, that this is a midterm election. In presidential years, it is more important for a party to speak with one voice – generally, that of its standard-bearer. In a midterm, there is no one at the top of the ticket. What’s important is for candidates to connect with the voters they seek to represent. And voters in Missouri or West Virginia are not the same as voters in Queens. So no, U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill and Joe Manchin do not have to support the abolition of ICE or call themselves socialists. If they have policy disagreements with Ocasio-Cortez, that’s fine. If Democrats concentrate on winning and manage to take control of both chambers – which is what really ought to happen, based on the Republicans’ disgraceful performance – they will have difficulty reconciling the views of progressives and centrists. That’s the kind of problem the party should want to have, rather than its current problem of utter powerlessness.

Letters to the editor

– from asthma and arthritis to diabetes and M.S. Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance companies were allowed to discriminate against these patients, charging them exorbitant premiums or denying them coverage altogether.

That’s why I’m alarmed that leaders in Washington, D.C. and here in Missouri are pursuing policies that would eliminate the ACA’s protections for people with preexisting conditions and go back to letting insurance companies discriminate. Instead of coming together to fix what’s broken about the ACA, they are trying to scrap it altogether.

The ACA has benefited millions of Americans with

pre-existing conditions –including many of my patients – who now have access to affordable health insurance. That means they can afford to see a doctor when they get sick, and access the preventive care and treatment to help them live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Without question, the ACA has flaws. But why don’t our representatives come together to fix what’s broken and keep what’s working? I took an oath to do no harm. If only our elected representatives were held to the same standard.

Louis

Emma Spencer, St.

Columnist

Eugene Robinson

By Kalila J. Jackson For The St. Louis American

What would you do if you had to choose between calling 911 in an emergency and being kicked out of your home?

The question almost sounds absurd. Yet everyday vulnerable people in our communities are forcibly removed from their homes – in many cases, completely without judicial process – because someone called 911. Crime-free nuisance ordinances use low-level criminal offenses, municipal violations, or even legitimate calls to the police for help to push people out of their homes.

On August 28, 2017, the Post-Dispatch reported that an 18-year-old gunshot victim died after surviving a prior shooting a week earlier. In the harrowing minutes after the first shooting, James Clark, vice president of Community Outreach for Better Family Life, transported the young man to the hospital in his

Crime-free nuisance ordinances are a public menace

personal vehicle, rather than by ambulance.

Lost in what otherwise was another tragic story about senseless gun violence was this: The victim refused to call 911 because he feared his grandmother, who had already received one “nuisance property” letter from the City of St. Louis, would be fined or evicted if he called emergency services for help. Instead of calling 911, with its lifesaving interventions, he called James Clark for help.

No one should ever have to decide between calling 911 or losing their home.

This is not an isolated incident. Across the country, studies show that crimefree nuisance ordinances disproportionately target minority communities for over-enforcement. They also disproportionately impact victims of domestic and sexual violence and people with mental health disabilities. These people may have to contact emergency services

more frequently. A recent study conducted by the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council (EHOC) found 69 municipalities in the St. Louis region have some form of so-called “crimefree housing” or “nuisance property” ordinance in effect. These ordinances are adopted under the guise of promoting community safety. Entire households or buildings may be designated “nuisance properties” even when there is just an allegation of an array of violations at a property (or within city limits in some instances) and/or when there are “too many” calls for police or other municipal services.

The broad list of offenses sufficient to trigger a violation covers everything from homicide to high grass. Typically, an arrest or call to

UniverSoul Circus in color

Tori Sewell, 8 (right), and Nariya Kennard, 12 (left), won The St. Louis American’s coloring contest for the UniverSoul Circus. Each won tickets to the circus for the family of four. The American thanks all of the contestants for entering and congratulates the winners.

the police is enough to create a violation, regardless of whether charges are filed or if the charge is eventually resolved in favor of the tenant. The nature of the system encourages false complaints from anonymous sources and complaints about minor offenses from unhappy neighbors – which is serious, because a run in or two with a #BBQBecky or #PermitPatty could result in an eviction or worse. Once a person or a property is designated a nuisance, the local municipality either revokes the occupancy permit or threatens to fine the landlord unless the tenant is removed. Typically, this happens at the direction of the local municipal staff, without the involvement of a judge or anyone with a formal legal education.

Some jurisdictions, like

the City of Florissant, specifically target renters by expressly excluding owner-occupied homes from these ordinances. This is of particular concern given that nearly 60 percent of all black households in St. Louis city and county rent their homes, compared to only 27 percent of white households. With the well-documented racial disparities in the criminal justice system, crime-free nuisance ordinances turn police departments into statesanctioned instruments of racial segregation. Crime-free nuisance ordinances have the cumulative effect of promoting segregation, creating housing instability for vulnerable populations, and undermining public safety by making it unsafe for people to call 911 in emergencies. The stakes are too high to continue to allow local officials to make uninformed policy decisions unfettered from consequences and realities of those decisions. Activists like EHOC and the ACLU are fighting back. Eliminating crime-free and nuisance ordinances is one of the recommendations in the “Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide” report released by Health Equity Works (formerly For the Sake of All), EHOC, and other community partners. You can help. Demand accountability from your officials at every level – from city hall to the state house. Start by insisting that no one be put out of their home for calling 911 ever again. Contact EHOC if you are being or were forced out of your home because of a nuisance ordinance. Kalila Jackson is the senior staff attorney at the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council (EHOC). Contact EHOC at http://ehocstl.org or 1-800-965-3462.

ACLU educates public on county prosecutor primary

The ACLU of Missouri has launched its first-of-its-kind effort to educate voters about the candidates in the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney primary election on August 7.

While the ACLU of Missouri does not support, oppose or endorse candidates, the organization has started this push because the race is key in protecting civil liberties in the state. A community’s prosecuting attorney holds immense power at each stage of criminal proceedings — from charging decisions to the sentences they seek — and can wield that influence to transform the criminal justice system.

The ACLU of Missouri has also launched a new website to help this voter education effort. At www.pickyourpa.org, you can read the questionnaires answered by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Democratic candidates Bob McCulloch and Wesley Bell.

Kalila J. Jackson

St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley being exonerated in September 2017 of first-degree murder for the killing of a black motorist, that got Price off the streets and onto the ballot.

“The Stockley verdict protests did not seem like revolution,” Price said. “It did not feel like activism.”

The demands of protest organizers, he judged, were either unattainable or unenforceable. Then he saw voters approve measures that imposed tax increases to boost the pay of police officers (and firefighters), and he began to reconsider the value of protest as a means to bring change on the issues that matter to him.

“I began to ask, ‘What are we really out here for?’” Price said. “I began to look for another change agency. I began to look into legislation.”

He signed up for a workshop led by Jeff Smith, former state senator, on the logistics of running for office. Smith, who knew Price’s father, St. Louis American photojournalist Wiley Price, saw potential and encouraged him to run.

Price learned that his representative in the Missouri House of Representatives, state Rep. Karla May (D-St. Louis), was term-limited in District 84, which covers Kingshighway Boulevard to the St. Louis County line. When he visited her at work in Jefferson City, May was impressed and offered her endorsement of his candidacy. “He looked good,” May said. “I introduced him to a lot of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, and all of the lobbyists. It was a good day, with a lot going on. He did fabulous. He is an intelligent, articulate young man. A lot of

COURT

Continued from A1

Missouri (LSEM), which represents clients who cannot afford lawyers in a variety of civil cases.

people came back to me, later, and said, ‘I like him. Who is he?’” Price decided to run for the seat as a son of the local streets.

“I have worked, lived and played in every corner of the 84th District,” he said.

Three years later, the highest court in Missouri handed down a verdict in Kohner Properties v. Latasha Johnson in favor of the appellant on July 3. Although the Circuit Court of St. Louis ruled in favor of Kohner Properties, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that Kohner was the first to violate its lease with Johnson when her apartment became uninhabitable.

The court established a new precedent that tenants have the right to refuse to pay rent if the living conditions in their property become unreasonable. It also ruled it should not be universally required that tenants pay their rent to the court to hold in custody until their case is decided.

“I am from the West Side of St. Louis. I have learned to maneuver in very nuanced situations.”

When filing for the August 7 primary closed, Price found himself with only one opponent, a white attorney who grew up in Kansas named Brad

Susan Alverson, co-manager of the Housing Law Project for LSEM, said the decision could be an important step towards changing the status quo for tenants’ rights in Missouri.

“Kohner Properties did not uphold its end of the bargain by maintaining a safe, decent home for Ms. Johnson and her daughter,” Alverson said. “Landlords who do not keep dwellings habitable expect tenants to just give up because they cannot afford a lawyer. This means landlords continue to provide sub-standard housing to the next tenant.”

Dan Glazier, executive director and general counsel of LSEM, said it was a victory for tenants that the court ruled Johnson was justified in refusing to pay rent because of her apartments’ conditions.

“There is no longer an absolute denial of tenants’

Bakker. (“He left out one ‘k’ in his last name,” Price joked, but it was only a joke; Bakker has a progressive platform that starts with cash bail reform, a signature demand of Ferguson protestors.)

Bakker is far outraising Price and, as an attorney,

rights to withhold rent for substandard housing,” Glazier said. “While we prefer that our clients who are renters would never have to provide money to the court before they can legally challenge their landlord, this ruling is a step forward for renters’ rights to decent housing. Tenants can now fight back against deplorable conditions.”

The ruling comes in the midst of a housing situation in Missouri that LSEM refers to as a “crisis” for low-income renters.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 33 percent of the population of Missouri rents property. But there is a shortage of housing that is available to families with very low income – only 42 units available for every 100 households that need one. The cost of renting is also going

knows the law in far-greater detail than this rapper turnedprotestor, turned-candidate, but Price knows many things – and people – far beyond his opponent’s grasp. May, whose seat they are competing for, thinks that gives Price the edge.

“You don’t have to be a lawyer to do this job,” May said. “Lawyers like to argue both sides. We try to do things in a compromising way. And we have legislative researchers who know the law; you just tell them what it is you want to change, and they formulate the bill based on the existing law.” Price, if elected, will have at his disposal the resources that Bakker would bring to the table. And he also has experiences that money won’t buy and law school can’t teach.

“A representative needs to be someone within the community who is part of the community,” May said. “You have to be real clear and understand how a law will impact the community. You have to know it because you lived it. Wiley knows it because he lived it.” The comparison to another rapper turned-protestor, turnedlegislator occurred to her: state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis) of District 78.

“Another person like Wiley is Bruce Franks,” May said. “He will listen to a lot of legislative jargon and then say, ‘Wait a minute. This is not right. This will not work for my community.’ Wiley also will bring that to the table. He will bring a common sense part of government that we need.”

up. Between 2014 and 2016, the cost of rent increased by 4.5 percent, according to America’s Community Survey. When low-income renters come into conflict with their landlords, the odds are not in the renters’ favor. Since these cases are heard in civil court, tenants who cannot afford a lawyer are not provided with one by the courts, as criminal defendants are guaranteed. According to a Washington University School of Law report, only 2.7 percent of tenants who appeared in court between 2012 and 2016 had a lawyer. Glazier said that without legal aid organizations like LSEM, Johnson would not have been able to take the case to the Supreme Court. “Protecting people like Ms. Johnson protects all of us from injustice,” Glazier said.

Photo by Wiley Price

Wiley ‘Chip’ Price, seen here campaigning in Midtown last month, decided to run for state representative in the 84th District after getting radicalized in the Ferguson movement but then deciding that legislation is a more impactful way to force change.

FACULTY

Continued from A1

ically, originally read, in part, “The additional cost of this kind of criminal activity is that it leaves the community open to collateral damage such as this incident.”

Referring to our students’ experiences as “collateral damage” is not only unsatisfactory. It also normalizes the idea that black citizens are to be subjected to police harassment and the trauma it produces, in order to secure the comforts of middle-class white communities.

The City of Clayton’s official statement acknowledges and condones racial profiling. Its statement posits that contemporary suspicions of criminal behavior can be reasonably based on the occurrence or appearance of those suspected of perpetrating crimes in the past. Such racial logics result in black and brown people being treated as symbolic perpetrators and violence against them as “collateral damage.”

To retreat behind the justification that police actions were

PROFILING

Continued from A1 race of the incoming students when stopping them,” the Washington University Association of Black Students said in a statement on July 16. “Such stops are illegal under the Fourth Amendment, which requires officers to have a reasonable, articulable suspicion that prompts them to engage and stop everyday citizens in a free society.”

The incident occurred after a late-night visit to the International House of Pancakes in Clayton on July 7.

After the students were forced to walk three blocks back to the restaurant with a number of police cars trailing them, the restaurant manager immediately said they were not the perpetrators.

Kimberly Norwood, a law professor at Washington University, said she was “infuriated, outraged, and pained, all in an instant.” And she seconded the black student association’s assertion that these incidents are dangerous and can be deadly.

“We been through this over and over again and, no matter how many times we have this discussion or go through these experiences, we keep finding ourselves in the same place,” Norwood said. “I cannot imagine what those students were going through, knowing that a whole lot of people in their shoes do not survive these encounters.”

She was incensed that police forced them to walk back to IHOP to participate in a police “line-up,” for all intents and purposes, despite some of the students producing receipts.

Norwood was among more than 115 faculty members who signed an open letter on July 18 that demanded the police department make changes and put a stop to racial profiling.

(See the full open letter on 1A). The letter denounced the police’s “racially-based

“without any apparent policy or legal violations” instead of acknowledging, as regional data shows, that race played a large, if not determining, factor is insulting and suggests an unwillingness to recognize the trauma and injustice of racial profiling on the community and the individual. This is unacceptable and clearly an indication that governance ethics must be revisited. When the City of Clayton statement describes race-based police action as “collateral damage” and retreats to a defense of “no policy violated,” racial violence and explicit bias toward an entire group are framed as rational responses to individual criminal activity. The idea that “collateral damage” is permitted by law and inevitable suggests that black people should be expected to endure more unjust treatment in an effort to reduce criminal behavior in the Clayton community. This is not only problematic, but a logic predicated on an idea that for some to have safety, others must endure suffering. This is an age-old methodology in the American system of surveillance and

action,” and called out the City of Clayton as “acknowledging and condoning racial profiling” in the city’s July 16 statement.

The City of Clayton offered a weak apology in a statement on July 16 that referred to the black students by the university’s animal mascot: “We are so sorry this was the start for these newest Washington University in St. Louis Bears.”

Clayton’s statement described the students as “collateral damage,” which angered university administrators and students.

“This particular restaurant, IHOP, has had 45 ‘dine and dash’ calls since January,” Clayton stated. “It is sad and unfortunate that so many people treat this business this way. The additional cost of this kind of criminal activity is that it leaves the community open to collateral damage such as this incident.”

Clayton Police Chief Kevin R. Murphy told The St. Louis American that the department will conduct an internal review of the incident, and they have scheduled meetings with students and some family members over the next few days. Clayton officers currently receive three hours of training in implicit bias and one hour in racial profiling each year, he said.

“We plan to continue the training and discussions we do on engagement and disengagement strategies and de-escalation,” Murphy told The American However, Murphy has stated publicly that no policies were violated on July 7.

“If no policy was violated, as the chief states, then the policies need to be reviewed,” Norwood said. “If a proof of payment is not proof of innocence, what is?”

On July 18, several black WUSTL faculty members met with some elected officials to talk about calls to action in the wake of the incident. The group will be calling on the City of Clayton to adopt policies

policing. While the Clayton Police Department claims that its officers violated no codes of conduct or laws, countless studies suggest that officers can exercise poor judgment and implicit/explicit biases that, while not provoking a grand jury indictment, are nonetheless examples of poor professionalism and the need for additional skill development. Students and citizens should not be subjected to this type of harassment rooted in racial bias, a privileging of institutions over individuals, and doing the job over doing justice.

n Students and citizens should not be subjected to this type of harassment rooted in racial bias.

• Submit a public apology that includes a recognition of the ways race informed this incident and identifies next steps toward specific improvements. Also, to offer each individual student a personal apology that assures them that rather than be harassed, the students can anticipate the creation of a supportive and safe environment, which sees them as community members rather than outsiders and threats.

hold Clayton Police officers accountable for all pedestrian stops, and to log the situational and individual characteristics of their engagement in those interactions. Policies and procedures should specify and institutionalize and make transparent how officers are rewarded and/or sanctioned for the quality of officer engagement with the public.

As members of Washington University faculty, as parents in the Clayton School District, as citizens of Clayton and St. Louis metropolitan area, we denounce the racially-biased action of the Clayton Police Department. As a faculty body and community citizens, we call the Clayton Police Department to:

• Make a commitment to undoing a police culture that places finding fault before acknowledging the freedom and dignity of all citizens, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. This can only be accomplished through professional development opportunities that focus on the causes, manifestations, and ways to manage implicit biases.

• Create policies and procedures that document and

n “I cannot imagine what those students were going through, knowing that a whole lot of people in their shoes do not survive these encounters.”

– Kimberly Norwood, law professor

such as civilian oversight of police work and tracking racial profiling for pedestrian stops – not just vehicular stops, as required by state law.

“Clayton has the power at their local level to become a model community,” said state Rep. Stacey Newman, who represents Clayton and the Danforth campus, and was at the meeting. “Clayton police department is as much a part of this problem, and the mayor and city council are also responsible.”

Jill Friedman, vice chancellor of public affairs for WUSTL, said the forced march back to the restaurant violated protocol and was unnecessarily humiliating.

“At a minimum, if their identity had to be confirmed, there is a police protocol that should have been followed that would have kept our students in place,” Friedman said.

The group of students, which included both men and women, were participating in the WUSTL Arts & Sciences First-Year Summer Academic Program. The program helps incoming students who are often first-generation college students to acclimate to college life.

Friedman said that Clayton has yet to offer the “clear and direct apology and explanation to our students” that the university and students expect.

St. Louis Police Sgt. Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police, called for accountability for what was a clear case of racial profiling.

“Some of these students had

• Commit to a policing practice that attempts to remedy the well-documented mistreatment of black and brown citizens in St. Louis County. This includes officers being trained to de-escalate encounters with individuals and groups; officers becoming more aware of their potential use of racial bias through professional workshops; a departmental recognition of the type of rational fear black people experience in police encounters because of constant harassment and police shootings across the nation; and commitment to treating black citizens with the courtesy and good will that every other citizen receives.

We, as members of the

Chancellor Mark Wrighton said in a statement on Monday night.

“Incidents like this cause damage to the reputation of the entire St. Louis region. As residents and as a significant contributor to moving the region forward, we understand that – in response – we have to redouble our efforts to build a community where all feel welcome.”

receipts, but we’re still forced to walk back with cop cars following them. How awful,” Taylor said. “At some point our community leaders and legislators have to get serious about accountability for police departments with our racial profiling laws.”

“Our expectation is that our students will hear directly from the City of Clayton for both an explanation and an apology,”

Washington University recently made a big push to increase diversity and inclusion by adding several senior positions and programs dedicated to this effort, both on the Danforth campus and at the medical school. Its newly announced chancellor, Andrew Martin, is stressing the importance of diversity and inclusion in his first interviews since his appointment.

Clayton community, are aware of the systemic issues that lie at the core of these moments: an unaddressed pattern of racist thought and behavior, historic anti-blackness, and segregationist legacies that inform not only how we do policing, but actions of everyday citizens. Unfortunately, the incident involving these 10 students is consistent with a broader national trend where race is the determining factor for the suspicion, pursuit, punishment, and even killing of American citizens.

We know there are other, better ways to address these matters; they do not have to include trauma for students, suspicion and consequent surveillance of black and brown citizens, and the firm conviction that all are included in the “community” to which the City of Clayton refers. It is our hope that this is the beginning of a new era of policing in Clayton and within the region.

As of 3 p.m. on July 18, more than 115 Washington University faculty members had signed this open letter.

“How does it impact Wash. U’s diversity efforts? A lot,” Norwood said. “It puts a serious dent in our efforts.”

Friedman said the university will continue to work directly with the City of Clayton “toward an acceptable resolution for our students, including a direct and clear apology.”

Friedman said that the university is concerned about the way this incident affected the students personally, before they have even started their first fall semester in St. Louis.

“They were embarrassed,” she said. “They were scared. And they were humiliated because they were wrongly accused of committing a crime, detained, and made to feel powerless.”

However, Norwood said this incident is a blow to that work.

mishandling of the Darren Wilson grand jury, McCulloch once said he would not seek an eighth term, but he has since changed his mind. Though a Democrat, the passage of time and Donald Trump’s pro-prison agenda have likely influenced his decision.

Despite McCulloch’s seven terms in office, in St. Louis County crime is still rampant. Despite McCulloch’s aggressive prosecution tactics, particularly in the AfricanAmerican community, residents are far less safe in 2018 than when he was first elected in 1991.

While in the minds of many McCulloch has spent his entire prosecutorial career vindicating the murder of his father, a police officer murdered by an African-American man in Pruitt-Igoe, he has yet to learn that it is impossible to incarcerate our way to safety. Continued crime is proof positive.

But for McCulloch, it is not about safety, nor is it about justice. It is about jails, prisons, and targeting poor and black communities, those who can ill afford to defend themselves and those who will feed a prison system that creates millions in profits. It is about influencing the courts and those entrusted to hold office who fail to reign in this method of racial warfare. For the community, it is about the legions of traumatized human beings labeled criminals and tens of thousands of residents and visitors who have become victims of crime and prisoners of fear.

McCulloch violated multiple codes of professional ethics in the Darren Wilson case. As part of an oligarchy that runs our criminal justice system, he was protected by the chief disciplinary counsel of Missouri who refused to investigate allegations of McCulloch’s alleged ethical violations. As yet another prosecutor in this country unwilling to hold police accountable for the most obvious cases of racially motivated murders, the AfricanAmerican community continues to be over-policed, overprosecuted, over-convicted and over-sentenced.

Statistics that measure stops, searches, arrests, prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration prove there is no denying the racial specificity. McCulloch’s policies and Ferguson-related actions have created a higher level of distrust for the criminal justice system. Studies have shown that such distrust of the very system designed to protect citizens has the adverse effect of increasing crime. He has become complicit in a quagmire of injustice that has been evident in communities of color for generations.

McCulloch’s decision to once again run for county prosecuting attorney is grounded in part by the notion that we have forgotten his egregious decisions during the Ferguson protests, the grand jury debacle, and the announcement of an outcome that never should have been. It is our responsibility, no matter where we live, to assure that no voter is allowed to forget. Christi Griffin, is the founder of The Ethics Project, a nonprofit organization addressing the impact of crime, injustice and incarcerations. She is the author of “Incarcerations in Black and White: The Subjugation of Black America.”

Columnist

Christi Griffin

Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation youth receive free Metro passes

Enterprise Center in Wellston expanded

By Wayne Pratt Of St. Louis Public Radio

The expansion of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership business center in Wellston is aimed at sparking an economic rebound in a North St. Louis County community.

The $2.5 million space essentially doubles the size of the center, which originally opened in 2005 at an old Wagner Electric Co. site. The company used it for carpentry work and a storage lot. Wagner shut down in the early 1980s, and the property was vacant until the partnership started work on what is also known as the St. Louis Enterprise CenterWellston.

The expansion could be vital for job creation in a community that has fallen on tough times.

“The Wellston community had an incredible, thriving business district really at the intersection of Martin Luther King and Kienlen,” said St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Vice President Ginger Imster, adding it’s among the communities to have experienced a historic level of disinvestment.

“There hasn’t been that commercial development in the area of the scale that the neighborhood really needs and the leaders and residents want.” Imster hopes the expansion changes that mindset and attracts private investors to develop more business and commercial property in the area. The center’s growth is a response to increased demand. Entrepreneurs in the area needed more space so they

could remain in Wellston.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has pumped $2 million into the expansion and the other $500,000 is from the St. Louis County Port Authority.

A public-private partnership helped get the center open in 2005 in an effort to spur investment. Edward Jones combined with several government programs, including Housing and Urban Development funding, Greater St. Louis Empowerment Zones financing, brownfield cleanup programs and Community Development Block Grants.

An education component is becoming even more important as the center moves forward with the new space. Along with providing more flexibility for early-stage companies, the expansion could help present

more career options for area youth.

The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership said 50 percent of the expanded space is already leased. “Home health, construction trades, professional services – it’s an interesting mix,” Imster described the companies involved with the center.

“And there are entrepreneurs who absolutely embrace the notion that they can be partners in demonstrating to local youth that there is professional opportunity for them right there in their backyard.”

For more information, visit stlpartnership.com.

Follow Wayne Pratt and Twitter: @WayneRadio. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation partnered with Metro Transit to distribute 50 Gateway Go Cards to young people who participate in the afterschool programs, summer camps, athletic programs and other activities at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis on July 2. The cards were preloaded with July and August monthly passes at half their normal price, allowing the young transit riders to enjoy unlimited rides on MetroLink and MetroBus this summer. The donation was made possible through the generosity of Regency Enterprise Services. The Gateway Go Card is a new summer fare program that allowed area youth between 13 and 25 years old to purchase fares at a 50 percent discount to ride MetroLink and MetroBus. For more information, visit metrostlouis.org/gatewaygo or call 314-982-1500.

Six students receive Deaconess Nursing Scholarships

Rev. Starsky Wilson: ‘Nurses control health care in America’

By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American

The annual ceremony awarding Deaconess Nursing Scholarships was reformatted this year, with great relevance. You could say it allowed new nursing students to stay woke to what lies ahead during their studies.

The message, in short, was: Nursing studies not easy, regardless of where you attend school; peers may downplay your knowledge and abilities or act as though you do not exist; the support you need from some teachers may not manifest; and yet you must stay focused, stay encouraged, and stay in St. Louis.

The scholars receiving this tough love

n “It’s really a tribute to the legacy of nurses, nursing and healing in the St. Louis region.”

– Karissa Anderson, Advocacy manager at Deaconess Foundation

were Diamond Russell (Southeast Missouri State University), Mariah Rodgers (Missouri Southern State University), Eve Robinson (Western Illinois University), Kayla Bishop (Cuyahoga Community College) and Lavonda Henderson (Harris-Stowe State

University). Abbigail Franken also received a scholarship. They, along with existing Deaconess nursing scholars, will benefit from distribution of $125,000 annually in scholarship funds this school year, through a partnership that began in 2012 between the Deaconess Foundation, the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, and The St. Louis American Foundation. Deaconess funds the scholarships, the Scholarship Foundation administers the application process. and the St. Louis American Foundation distributes the scholarships and publicizes the program.

During the welcome ceremony, Karissa

See STUDENTS, A11

Students share healthy cooking habits in afterschool program

By Bridjes O’Neil Of Normandy Schools Collaborative

The roles have reversed for a few Normandy High School students who twice a week, spent their afternoons leading culinary arts classes with their younger counterparts. The culinary lessons are an extension of Beyond Housing’s Healthy Internship Program (HIP), benefitting children who live in the Normandy footprint as well as surrounding municipalities. Through HIP, youth learn the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles through gardening, physical activity, and making healthier choices in the kitchen. The high school students are paid a stipend

Normandy elementary and middle school students learned how to measure during a culinary arts class at the Beyond Housing Pagedale Family Support Center.

Left to right: Brenda Stevens, Jefferson Elementary; Howard Tucker, Normandy 7th-8th Grade Center; Danaya Jordan, Normandy 7th-8th Grade Center; De’zyre Dodson, Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex; and Jazmin Stevens, Jefferson Elementary.

By Alison Dreith For The St. Louis American

Every single day, women with unintended pregnancies walk into a building, thinking it’s a reproductive health clinic. There’s a normal waiting room, people in lab coats, and magazines scattered on tables. It’s almost hard to believe, but they’re not in a reproductive health clinic like a Planned Parenthood.

Instead, they walked into a fake women’s health center, otherwise known as a “crisis pregnancy center,” that was built, funded, and promoted by extreme, anti-choice national groups who work day and night to impose their ideology on the rest of us. In fact, there are 2,700 of these centers nationwide and 97 in Missouri alone.

Every woman, like NARAL’s statewide organizer Jessica Estes, deserves the right to access true and accurate medical information, especially when considering something as important and timely as pregnancy. Without it, a woman’s life, economic security, and future could all be at stake.

n Five justices –including Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s appointee who was hand-picked by his antichoice allies – still refused to end the lies about fake pregnancy centers.

Yet on June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in NIFLA v. Becerra that these fake centers have a free pass to continue deceiving pregnant women, even though they often give women false and dangerously inaccurate medical information. While the lies and deception used against women at these fake clinics are very real, five justices – including Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s appointee who was hand-picked by his anti-choice allies – still refused to end the lies. There’s evidence everywhere that these groups, with their budgets in the millions, will stop at nothing and use every branch of government to force Americans to live under the restrictions of their extreme and unpopular ideology. In the judicial branch, at the insistence of the anti-choice movement, Trump and his allies in the U.S. Senate are pulling out all of the stops to pack courts with anti-choice judges – and they’re doing so at a record pace.

The Trump administration itself has welcomed many of the leaders of this antichoice movement into the highest levels of the executive branch, including the White House and cabinet agencies, where they have orchestrated attacks on choice, like the rollback of President Obama’s mandate to include contraception in insurance coverage.

Fake women’s health centers, the rest of the anti-choice movement, and their political allies have been working together for decades with one goal in mind: to ban abortion in America. In state after state, antichoice politicians are passing radical and unconstitutional abortion bans because they are counting on Trump’s judges to overturn Roe v. Wade. And they don’t hide their intentions, bragging that they hope a lawsuit over their legislation will be used by the U.S. Supreme Court to do the job.

Now that Justice Kennedy has retired and Trump has nominated ultra-conservative Brett Kavanaugh to take his place, it’s almost

Kayla Bishop, Eve Robinson, Lavonda Henderson Mariah Rodgers and Diamond Russell received New Deaconess Nursing Scholarships to support their education during a ceremony held Monday, July 9 at the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being in North St. Louis. Not pictured: Abbigail Franken.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Alison Dreith

Photo from Normandy Schools Collaborative

STUDENTS

Continued from A10

Anderson, Advocacy manager at Deaconess, gave the students a brief overview of the history of the three entities in the partnership, starting with the Deaconess sisters’ nursing work in St. Louis that began in the 1800s, to address disparities in who received care. That work led to the forming of Deaconess Hospital and then, after it closed, the Deaconess Foundation. The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis was founded in 1920 to address the disparity in access to higher education. The St. Louis American was first published in 1928 to give a voice to blacks in the St. Louis area and has been continuously published ever since. The St. Louis American Foundation was founded in 1994 to enable the African-American community to increase its access to careers in business, science and the humanities.

free loans. Additionally, a five-year commitment by the Deaconess Foundation will also allow The Scholarship Foundation to offer paid advocacy internships for Deaconess nursing scholars.

n “The hardest thing was not having anyone that looked like me –other than my husband.”

– Shelby Marshall

The new student nurses found out what nursing school was really like from two previous scholars and one graduating scholar: Sharniqua Holland, Shelby Marshall and Brittany Ferrell. Ferrell works as a highrisk obstetrics nurse at an SSM hospital. She graduated a few years ago from the College of Nursing at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She said her biggest challenge was being a nontraditional student.

“When I started nursing school, I had a 2-year-old at the time and the program is just not built for nontraditional students,” Ferrell said. “I was a single mother, and I worked two or three part-time jobs, and it made it quite challenging because the program is hard, and their grading scale is not like the grading scale for the rest of the university.”

continue to maintain the kind of commitment, the kind of dedication, and the kind of empathy that I sense coming from you today. I just want you to know how much I respect what you are doing, and just keep up the good work.”

Despite the rigors of nursing school, there is fulfillment after graduation. Ferrell and Holland both love their jobs – and what they are able to do to help others heal.

“I think the most rewarding thing for me is just hearing how much our care means to my patients,” Holland said.

“There is importance in active listening to your patients and just communicating with them and understanding what is going on with them,” Marshall said. “You talk about holistic care and individualized patient-centered care, and you can’t give individualized patient-centered care if you’re not getting to know your patients.”

That’s particularly important for minority health professionals.

Of the partnership, Anderson said, “It’s really a tribute to the legacy of nurses, nursing and healing in the St. Louis region, because, as we know, health and healing is important to thriving communities.”

The partnership also promotes the nursing field as a pathway to economic mobility and advances racial equity, comprehensive health care, and family economic mobility. Since the start of this educational opportunity, 45 nursing scholars have received just over $1 million in scholarship grants and interest-

COOKING

Continued from A10

to share their knowledge with elementary and middle school students in Beyond Housing’s Freedom School Program, which is held in the summer. One of the first student-teachers to volunteer for the program was Latasha Cain.

“It’s teaching me how to explain the process,” said the recent Normandy graduate. She plans to own her own restaurant one day. With HIP receiving rave reviews from students — and extra grant funds — Ted Simpson broached the idea of extending the summer program. Simpson is the community health manager at Beyond Housing. He approached Chef Andrea O’Bannon, culinary arts instructor at Normandy High, with the idea to incorporate the cooking classes into the Beyond Afterschool program. This opportunity would give Normandy high schoolers a chance to share what they learn in the culinary arts class with younger students and hopefully spark an interest in culinary arts at a younger age. The Culinary Arts students worked under the guidance of Chef Bannon, who is a credentialed ProStart instructor, at the Pagedale Family Support Center. Classes wrapped up in May.

“What you’re seeing at the Pagedale Family Support Center is an extension of a program that we’ve done with students in the Normandy community for a couple of years now,” Simpson said. He added that the impact of

DREITH

Continued from A10

Marshall graduates next month and already has a job lined up as a cardiac stepdown nurse at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. She said being the first in her family to attend college presented its own unique challenges – like trying to make friends, getting involved and developing a support system.

“I didn’t have older siblings, parents or anyone to guide me through the college experience,” Marshall said.

“I had a period of time when I did not pass a class, and I thought it would be

the end of the world and honestly you just have to be able to reach out and ask for help when you need it. That was something I struggled with, because I would do assignments and any and everything by myself growing up. But there is tutoring, mentors, all kinds of people in the school of nursing wherever you go.”

Holland graduated from Goldfarb School of Nursing and works at Mercy Hospital in the cardiovascular ICU. She talked about isolation, lack of support from teachers, and dismissive attitudes and behaviors from white nursing students at the school

she attended. Fortunately, her husband, who was also a nursing student, provided support, along with friends, family and the Scholarship Foundation.

“The hardest thing was not having anyone that looked like me – other than my husband,” Holland said. “I don’t think a lot of people realize or acknowledge that struggle – but it is one. As an African American and, then, as a female, I kind of felt like a minority of minorities. In a lot of ways, I felt like the only one of ‘me.’”

Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation and a retired

oral surgeon, understood the sentiment. Suggs told the scholars he was one of two black students in his dental school in Indiana, when educational opportunities were limited for black students.

“My own experience is very much like what you describe,” Suggs said. He encouraged the students to stick with nursing and to stay in St. Louis.

“We are honored and humbled to be a part of this effort to assist people who are interested in embarking on what is one of the really noble professions,” Suggs said. “It comes out of a tradition of service to the community. I hope you will

“Whether it’s me using my best nursing judgement or whether this needs to be a culturally safe connection to be able to speak to some of the experiences that might exist outside of them being in the hospital,” Ferrell said. “I’m in this space, I’m in these spaces for a reason, and I am committed to being in these spaces because there is just not enough of us there.”

Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, president and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation, told the students, “You are going into nursing at a context and time in American life, where the whole culture of the hospital is determined by the nurses. The nurses keep the culture. And because the nurses keep the culture, the nurses control health care in America.”

peer-to-peer mentorship can leave a lasting impression on students.

“They get to see people who look like them, cooking healthier meals and teaching them how to make healthier decisions,” he said.

Funding for this program was provided by the Missouri Foundation for Health’s Healthy Schools Healthy Communities grant. The Foundation is a resource for the region, working with communi-

n “They get to see people who look like them, cooking healthier meals and teaching them how to make healthier decisions.”

– Ted Simpson, Beyond Housing

ties and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health.

Simpson said the 24:1 area at one point had been tapped

take

choices for ourselves and our families. We can’t let them win. It’s up to us to fight back – against Brett Kavanaugh, against the lawless, cruel

as a food desert. HIP is one of several initiatives at Beyond Housing that is a direct result of a rallying cry from families in Normandy footprint to have

actions of the Trump administration, and against the slew of anti-woman, anti-choice bills in our legislatures and Congress. The anti-choice movement is not going to give up – and

access to healthier foods.

Beyond Housing has also partnered with Operation Food Search to launch Cooking Matters, a seven-week culinary arts class for Normandy students and their families held two to three times a year.

Cooking Matters at the Store is an event held at Save A Lot to teach families how to find and prepare healthier foods within their budget at their local market.

“We usually gain a lot of

neither are we. Too much is at stake both here in Missouri and in Washington. Together, our power can defeat the lies and protect our rights and, together, we will win.

interest because at the end of each class, they always get to take home a bag of groceries of the things they learn how to cook,” Simpson said.

Plans to continue the culinary arts classes during the school year depends on acquiring additional funding, he said.

“We would like it to continue,” he continued.

Funding for the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities grant will end September 2018.

Alison Dreith is executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Rev. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation joined Mariah Rodgers, Deaconess Nursing Scholarship recipient, and Donald M. Suggs, president of St. Louis American Foundation, during the July 9 scholarship presentation.

Chef Andrea O’Bannon observed as Normandy High School students Micheal Flemon, Latasha Cain and Joshua Jones lead culinary arts classes at the Beyond Housing Pagedale Family Support Center.

Photo from Normandy Schools Collaborative

Why the county executive matters

In the aftermath of Ferguson, when police violence against black bodies was finally noticed in the region’s white community, the relative silence of thenCounty Executive Charlie Dooley and the indifference (if not outright disdain) for the protest community shown by then-County Executive-elect Steve Stenger contributed greatly to the utter chaos in local politics. Ferguson would become the seminal issue in each man’s tenure as county executive – Exhibit A in why the county executive matters.

St. Louis County voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, August 7 to decide who should lead St. Louis County for the next four years. The position of county executive - the “mayor of the county” - is one that does not get a lot of attention, it seems, other than when the incumbent’s scandals make headlines. And it’s easy to see why: As with so many things in our region’s government, what the county executive does, what his responsibilities are, and what should be expected of him are often elusive, mysterious, and confusing. Despite that confusion, there should be no doubt that who the county executive is matters.

The county executive’s most important function – the most important function of any executive branch leader – is the bully pulpit, the symbolic function served by the leader of a government. Stenger defeated the first black county executive just days before Michael Brown was shot, affording him the opportunity to lead the region out of the abyss. He could have taken a leadership role in the reform movement (by adopting, for example, a Civilian Oversight Board or backing a countywide minimum wage increase), but his continued indifference to racial disparities contributed to the overall sense that our local government just doesn’t care about black lives. Top on the next county executive’s agenda will have to be implementation of the new laws passed by a County Council that leans more progressive than the current county executive. In recent months, for example,

the County Council passed a minority inclusion bill that will, if implemented faithfully, ensure that more minorities are hired on future public projects. Although Stenger’s administration originally tried to delay the bill behind the scenes, he ultimately signed it and, just last week, he appointed the county’s first chief diversity officer. As with many laws, passing and signing the minority inclusion bill was a mere promise, and it is up to the executive branch to fulfill that promise. We will be watching.

With his appointment of a chief diversity officer, Stenger has shown encouraging signs that he is starting to address issues of race and inclusion more thoughtfully – or, more likely, that he is pandering to the black constituents he routinely neglects because they are about to return to the polls. In a recent ad, in a patent effort to energize these same black voters, Stenger sounds more like Al Sharpton than the conservative Democrat lawyer and accountant from Affton that he actually is. Politics makes for strange bedfellows – and amusing acts of obfuscation and imposture.

In the next four years, the county executive will be responsible for restoring the public’s faith in local government. Whether true or not, the appearance that Stenger has awarded his campaign donors with millions in taxpayer money has fractured even further the public’s confidence that the county is run for the best interests of its residents. By one count, Stenger’s campaign donors have received nearly $400 million in public funds after giving his campaign almost $4 million. The perception, whether or not it’s the reality, that county government is run by insiders, for insiders, is something the next county executive will be faced with dispelling through meaningful new reforms like the campaign donation limitations proposed by the County Council. The man who will serve as county executive for the next four years – and, no, there is no woman on the ballot for county executive – will be

called upon to lead on much more than racial issues. He will face attempts by the region’s power-brokers to merge the city and the county, restructure the airport’s management (the airport sits in St. Louis County and is subject to many county laws), and pick up the pieces from the ongoing battle between Stenger and the County Council. That battle, which now pits six of the seven council members against Stenger, cannot go on for much longer before county government grinds to a halt, and it will take real leadership from the county executive to resolve the alienation Stenger has caused.

Apart from the city and county cooperating, sharing services and (hard as it may be to imagine) merging, there is the question of internal county consolidation, as the pathetic fragmentation of the county into an archipelago of municipalities was clearly an essential ingredient to the Ferguson unrest. Too many of these municipalities lack the tax base to provide necessary services, which results in many of them using their police departments to raise revenues through predatory policing for profit. Though it’s difficult to

find much good to say about Stenger, he did try to strongarm county municipalities into better police practices by setting new county-wide police standards, citing his office’s powers to regulate public health. (Interpreting predatory policing as a public health crisis is easily the shrewdest, most progressive move that Stenger has made.) This was seen by the municipalities as a power grab, which of course it also was, since the St. Louis County Police Department would have absorbed the police services from municipalities that could not get their own police departments up to code. The municipalities prevailed in their court battle against Stenger and the new code for police departments. This makes Stenger’s Democratic primary challenger, Mark Mantovani, their natural ally in the primary, and indeed Mantovani has been endorsed by the leaders of many of the county’s municipalities with the worst record of predatory policing. The very bad news is that a vote against Stenger –which clearly appeals to many black elected officials and voters – could also be a vote for an enabler of the predatory municipal policing that makes

Steve Stenger employed his infant as a prop – and, perhaps, a shield against protestors –when he was sworn in as St. Louis County executive during the height of the Ferguson unrest.

black people suffer the most and helped to spawn the closest we have come to a revolution on the streets of the county. The EYE will have more to say next week about the stakes in the county prosecutor race, but the same evil irony pertains to that race. Incumbent County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch has as close to no black allies as a candidate can get, and he earned this righteous opposition, but he actually has a better track record on predatory municipal policing than his challenger, Wesley Bell, a black man being hailed by progressives as a voice for reform – with no actual evidence of his having reformed anything as a municipal judge in Velda City or councilman in Ferguson. Velda City was sued by ArchCity Defenders over its predatory court when Bell was on the bench and prevailed. Discussing this matter on the record with The American’s editorial board, Bell’s explanation was that the mayor was making the calls. That was hardly the voice of a progressive reformer. On the other hand, McCulloch, who appears to have never met a black man he didn’t want to incarcerate, has actually been a

progressive voice on reforming predatory municipal police departments and courts. Back to the county executive. Although the mayor of the City of St. Louis is often seen as the region’s leader, Mayor Lyda Krewson’s fecklessness and lack of vision have created a leadership vacuum. It will likely be the county executive – who leads a county that is several times larger than the city – who will set the tone for what the next four years will look like in St. Louis. It is the county executive who will help to determine whether the region moves toward a more equitable, inclusive, and fair place or whether it instead simply repeats “more of the same.” It is the county executive who will likely determine who is at the table when significant changes like a city-county merger arise. It is ultimately the county executive who will set the course for our region, and which direction the county takes will be decided by county voters in just a couple of weeks. Expect The American’s endorsement in this race before August 7 – and be prepared to vote on that day like the region and your future depend upon it.

Deconstructing Prop A

There are so many reasons why Missouri voters should say no to Prop A that I don’t know where to start.

It’s no accident that most of the Right to Work (RTW) states are in the South – the birthplace of chattel slavery, Black Codes and Jim Crow laws that guaranteed the free and almost-free labor that made the cotton industry profitable. Racial discrimination followed African Americans up North to industrialized jobs where they were often forced into the most menial, unsafe and grueling jobs. Black folks have been fighting for fairness and dignity in employment ever since.

Our fight should always be about the human right to work for fair wages in safe, clean conditions, not for this fake version of workers’ rights. Reactionary conservatives have hijacked the phrase in a deliberative attempt to confuse people: Who would oppose the right to work?

Missouri voters soundly defeated the referendum in 1978, yet RTW kept raising its ugly head throughout the last 40 years in the state House. Democratic forces in the General Assembly were able to beat back proposed bills with the promise of a veto by the Democratic governor should the legislation reach his desk.

In 2017 Missouri’s Republican-dominated Legislature and now dethroned Governor Eric Greitens were

finally able to pass and sign into law the referendum to make Missouri the 28th state to adopt laws that favor the greedy corporations and antiworker traps.

RTW has always been shrouded in deception –starting with the name – to further its opponent’s strategy to take the country back to a time when employers could work people to death (literally), including children.

Companies set the wages and hours and paid little attention to unsafe working conditions. Benefits like the 40-hour week, health care, medical leave and vacation days were non-existent. Those standards that we now take for granted were the results of struggles by workers organized by the labor movement.

The language of Prop A implies that it’s all about protecting workers from union

n Prop A is not about the right to work.

terrorists who want to extort union dues from workers. The real extortion is coming from these greedy corporate execs who don’t want to pay livable wages, yet bring in salaries 360 times the average worker.

Among a few other items, the referendum will prohibit unions to require dues from workers or to join the union as a “condition of employment.”

True, Prop A will make it difficult to collect union dues and undermine the bargaining strength of unions to fight for better wages, benefits and working conditions. But the consequences of Prop A

go far beyond the 10 percent of unionized workers in Missouri. It will ultimately affect non-union workers, and disproportionately affect women and black workers.

The Economic Policy Institute researched the impact of RTW across the nation and compared the quality of life in non-RTW states. The report highlights the differences in wages and quality of life based on race and gender. Black workers, already suffering in low-wage jobs, should expect no breaks. The only breaks will be those for the rich and greedy.

I cringe when I think about the money that’s being spent to economically oppress workers in the campaign to drive wages down. A New Missouri, an organization affiliated with Greitens, is the top donor to Prop A with a whopping $1.5 million. Then there’s Uline company co-founder Richard Uihlein, who dropped a cool $600k on the Prop A campaign. When vultures like these win, workers are sure to lose.

The next round in this fight will happen on Tuesday, August 7. Missouri voters must soundly defeat Prop A, which is dressed up as protection for defenseless workers against unions. This is not about the right to work. This is about maintaining the standards of decency and fairness in the workplace regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. This is about improving the quality of life for working families in Missouri that can lead to viable communities. Prop A will drag this state backward and progressiveminded people should not stand for that.

Guest Columnist Jamala Rogers

ESL library board travels despite financial crisis

If your roof was leaking and your air conditioner was broken, would your first priority be to take a trip to New Orleans? Probably not, especially not on your dime.

Too bad

three members of the East St. Louis Public Library Board of Trustees don’t seem to have similar priorities when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars.

First, the ESL library is physically in bad shape. Buckets are scattered throughout the library to catch rain water from a leaky roof whenever it rains. And, during this hot summer, the library has been randomly closed or operated with shortened hours due to a broken air conditioning unit.

Yet, in mid-June, board members Debra Tidwell, Bernice Vales and Toni Perrin ignored every responsible instinct and packed their bags for New Orleans to attend the American Library Association conference, at taxpayer’s expense.

Perhaps it was the popular hit movie “Girls Trip” that inspired them to get away from that hot and leaky library for a little R&R – I mean “professional development” (wink, wink). I wonder if they learned

anything about maintaining their local library or conscientious management of library resources during the conference – that is, if they even attended any sessions.

When local investigative TV reporter Elliot Davis of KTVI paid a visit to their board meeting, Debra Tidwell was evasive and had no explanation as to why she attended, as most of her colleagues scattered like roaches when the lights are suddenly turned on.

Board president Roslyn Cason explained that she did not attend because of the ongoing facility issues. She itemized those costs as being as much as $50,000 to repair the roof and another $150,000

n This predatory political culture of entitlement threatens to be ESL’s demise unless voters change the culture by reclaiming the process.

to permanently repair the air conditioning unit, which has since been temporarily patched. Cason is to be commended for displaying responsible judgment while her colleagues showed none. She is a rarity these days among bloodsuckers of the poor, who exploit

the meager resources of the destitute, especially when they think that no one is looking.

This is all startling considering that, back in April, the former director of the ESL library, Marlon Bush, was indicted by the Department of Justice for wire fraud and embezzlement, which included taking excessive salary and using the library’s credit card to purchase Dallas Mavericks and Bootsy Collins concert tickets, as well as apparel, jewelry, firearm accessories, personal travel expenses, throwing knives, a machete and an ax. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Meanwhile, former ESL Township Supervisor Oliver Hamilton currently sits in a federal prison cell for exploiting funds intended to benefit the poor. Now his sister Debra Tidwell and her colleague’s travel, guiltfree, on the public dime, on funds which could have been better used to benefit their constituents.

It is this predatory political culture of entitlement, irresponsibility and exploitation that has plagued ESL for years and threatens to be her demise unless voters change the culture by reclaiming the process through attending meetings, challenging officials and voting. The question is: When are the taxpayers going to say enough is enough?

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

Columnist

James Ingram

Business

Notes for Life

growing into global music-technology curriculum

By Ashley Jones For The St. Louis American

From impacting six students to 425,000 students, one city to 36 cities in 22 states, and an expectancy to reach over 33 countries by the end of this year, the St. Louis-based musictechnology curriculum Notes for Life has expanded on a global scale within the first four years.

“We fortunately/unfortunately had to learn as we went,” Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Notch said. “Anytime you go from 6 students to 80,000 in your first year, no one can prepare you for that. So we had a lot of different curricula, lessons, and learning guides that we wanted to go by. Since then, we’ve condensed it to three different areas.”

These three programs include My Blue

n “From a single idea that they had five years ago, the program has grown and reached so many different areas.”

– Trina Claggett, Microsoft, on Notes for Life

blendLAB, RUN THE WORLD, and Breach. Each program has allowed room for expansion not only in numbers, but in inclusion as well.

“What we learn with our students is providing opportunity in areas where there may not be as much in itself is an empowerment,” said Notch. “We had to figure out what works for

our family, and that is creating opportunities for empowerment for the next generation. That’s our way of being able to empower and build a sustainable community that’s inclusive for all.”

My Blue blendLAB works with the World Health Organization and Autism Speaks as a hands-on music creation experience to combat the lack of appealing music classes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“My favorite part as far as our curriculum and our journey is being able to continue our mission of being inclusive and really servicing every student everywhere,” Chief Operating Officer Tiffany Notch said.

RUN THE WORLD introduces girls to STEM-related experiences and innovation such as Augmented Reality, Architectural Design,

McCaskill calls for Trump to end ‘trade war’

International Trade Commission will consider paper tariffs later this month

American staff

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) accused President Donald Trump of escalating a “trade war” by imposing tariffs that are hurting American consumers and eliminating jobs in Missouri.

“This trade war is already costing Missourians jobs, and it needs to end,” McCaskill said in a statement after the Trump Administration announced a $200 billion escalation in tariffs on Chinese goods – which will likely lead to additional retaliatory tariffs on Missouri exports.

“This dramatic escalation will only hurt more Missourians and bring greater uncertainty to those who need it most – our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.” Fenton-based Laclede Chain Manufacturing has already laid off 25 workers as a result of the tariffs on steel and aluminum.

McCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri businesses and workers in the face of the ongoing trade war. Following China’s implementation of retaliatory tariffs that harm

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

suppliers of steel and aluminum imports received only temporary extensions, McCaskill advocated on behalf of Missouri small businesses facing large financial burdens from the tariffs by calling on the administration to help small businesses navigate the tariff exemption process to give them much-needed certainty and transparency.

McCaskill also is backing a bipartisan push led by U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to halt excessive taxes on paper imports that are critical to Missouri’s newspaper and printing industries.

The bipartisan legislation, which has been endorsed by printers and publishers representing more than 600,000 American jobs, would suspend the import taxes on uncoated groundwood paper while the Department of Commerce examines the health of—and the effects on—the printing and publishing industry.

“Local news, and newspapers that provide it, are critical pieces of a community and our democracy – they pay attention to what’s going on, hold those in authority accountable, and tell

David Steward II is the new chair of the Nine Network Board of Directors. He is founder of Lion Forge, LLC, a transmedia company that develops content across comic books, TV, film, and interactive. Steward has served as an officer of the board since 2014 and is a member of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Nicole Hudson was appointed assistant vice chancellor for the newly created Academy for Diversity and Inclusion at Washington University. She will leave her post as deputy mayor for racial equity and priority initiatives for the City of St. Louis. The academy will support faculty and staff with programming, training, events and other resources to improve the campus climate of diversity and inclusion.

Curtis Faulkner was appointed to the Special School District Board of Education. He is a longtime volunteer of the Hazelwood School District and has served on many different committees including, budgeting, redistricting, public relations, and strategic planning. He has been an active volunteer for 19 years. He is the founding executive director and CEO of the Juneteenth Heritage & Jazz Festival Inc.

Alexandria Montrece Taylor was named 2018 Family Leader of the Year by the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships. She is the parent of an active GEAR UP East St. Louis student and has volunteered in the East St. Louis School District for 16 years. She has held various positions including lead parent, PTA president, and Parent University graduate.

Terry Kennedy received the Rory Ellinger Legislative Award from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. He represents the 18th Ward on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, where he recently sponsored Board Bill #87, the Lock-Out Ordinance, which was passed as law. The ordinance mandates that landlords obtain court orders for an eviction order against a tenant and criminalizes evictions without a legal order.

Dee-Ann KentishRogers is the first black woman to hold the title of Miss Universe Great Britain. A native of Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory, she will represent Anguilla and the United Kingdom at Miss Universe 2018.

David Steward

Curtis Faulkner

Dee-Ann KentishRogers

Terry Kennedy

Nicole Hudson

Alexandria Montrece Taylor

The Notes for Life family: son Bryson Notch, Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Notch, Chief Operating Officer Tiffany Notch, baby Hendrix Notch, Ryan Wilson of Saint Louis University, Trina Claggett of Microsoft, and community organizer Jeffrey Lyes.

Photo by Wiley Price

Property Assessed Clean Energy financing will help black businesses

By JV Goodman For The St. Louis American

It’s no secret that St. Louis suffers from high poverty rates when compared to other parts of the country. Recent setbacks to the minimum wage don’t help. In the face of these challenges, city and county leaders have an opportunity to create quality local jobs by adopting more options for one powerful policy tool for residents: Property Assessed Clean Energy financing (PACE). This innovative financing model helps homeowners invest in energyefficiency improvements and renewable energy projects with no upfront costs. Payments are made over time through a line item on their property taxes. PACE empowers homeowners, creates jobs, and could be a gamechanger for minority-owned businesses like mine.

As a local contractor, I know that all my customers have one thing in common: They want to keep their homes safe and comfortable – and do so affordably. But many of my customers face major barriers in the form of upfront costs; the out-of-pocket costs to repair or replace one’s roof with energy-efficient shingles can be steep. The same is generally true of other energyrelated home improvements, from HVAC to windows and doors to solar panels. PACE financing removes this barrier by providing 100 percent of the upfront costs and allows homeowners to pay for the work over the useful life of the installed products, which translates to lower monthly payments.

Most housing in St. Louis was built more than 50 years ago. While it’s true that older homes retain many attractive features, these structures just don’t meet today’s standards for energy efficiency. However, there have been significant advances in energy

efficiency in recent years, and all homeowners, no matter their income bracket, deserve access to these cost-saving technologies.

Communities can gain access to PACE by joining the Missouri Clean Energy District (MCED), a governmental subdivision created to meet public policy objectives related to strengthening local economies, improving

homes, and reducing carbon emissions. By joining MCED, local leaders across Missouri enable residents to make muchneeded improvements to their homes and, in many cases, save money on their monthly energy bills. Investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy can also increase a home’s resale value. Studies have shown that homes with PACE-financed improvements recoup 100 percent or more of the project costs at the time of resale.

MCED’s PACE program, HERO, is offered through a partnership with a private company, Renovate America, and together they have built a strong record. Since HERO PACE financing first became available in Missouri in late 2016, over $20 million has been invested in communities across the state. These investments have improved the energy profile of over 1,400

McCASKILL

continued from page B1 the important stories of folks making a difference in the community,” McCaskill said.

“Newspapers are already struggling to stay in business with the changing economy— and the last thing they need are added costs that were imposed based on what appears to be the request of a single mill owned by a venture-capital firm that’s looking to increase their profits on the backs of

homes and helped create an estimated 225 jobs. These are good-paying jobs within small businesses, and the nature of the work makes it very hard to automate them or ship them offshore.

Currently, almost 50 percent of Missouri households have access to HERO PACE financing through MCED. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County have much to gain from joining MCED. If they do, projections show PACEfinanced home improvement activity will contribute to the creation of 700 regional jobs over the next five years and add $110 million in economic stimulus to the St. Louis metro area.

Minority-owned businesses make up about 40 percent of all firms in St. Louis (as of 2012 U.S. Census data). The city’s business community welcomes and supports businesses like mine, and we need the support:

n “This trade war is already costing Missourians jobs, and it needs to end.”

– U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill

newspaper companies across the country.”

According to CNN, the paper tariffs were pushed for by one small company in the state of Washington called Northern Pacific Paper. It

Minority-owned businesses face barriers in access to capital, be that in the form of bank loans, venture capital, or other sources. MCED and Renovate America recognize the value of partnering with local businesses that have a stake in their community. Homeownership is a primary source of economic security for many Americans. We need to empower the homeowners in our community to continue to invest in and improve their homes, especially when doing so helps create local jobs for our neighbors. One way to accomplish this is to join MCED and make HERO PACE available to St. Louis residents. JV Goodman is the owner of Chesterfield-based Tuscany Roofing LLC, a full service contracting firm committed to providing quality workmanship and efficiency to area homeowners and businesses.

employs about 300 workers and is owned by One Rock Capital, a private equity firm in New York. The tariffs aren’t yet permanent. The International Trade Commission has scheduled a hearing to review them later this month and is expected to make a final decision in September.

McCaskill faces Democratic primary challengers on August 7. In the general election on November 6, McCaskill is expected to face Josh Hawley (R-MO), currently the state’s attorney general.

Lutheran North High School football players Kennyatta Lockett and Traevon Wiiliams help unload two semi-trucks with 2,400 boxes of food and toiletry items for 800 families in need on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Community partners Edgewell Personal Care, Farmhaus, Operation Food Search and world anti-hunger organization Feed the Children provided the meals to help fight child hunger in the St. Louis community.

Photo by Wiley Price

Tackling child hunger

JV Goodman

“To all the moms out there, I was playing for you and I tried.”

— Serena Williams, after her runner up finish at Wimbledon

Sports

Hicks harassment was last straw for over-matched Matheny

~ See ‘Sports Eye’ page B4 ~

Yadier Molina surpises circus troupe with donation

By Sophie Hurwitz

For The St. Louis American

DORADO, PUERTO RICO – On

n “This initiative not only has a direct connection with the St. Louis Cardinals but it bridges two destinations that I consider my home: Puerto Rico and St. Louis.”

– Yadier Molina

Saturday July 14, the St. Louis Arches youth circus group and the National Circus School of Puerto Rico, who have been traveling together on tour in Puerto Rico for the past week, received a surprise donation from all-star Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina’s charitable foundation, Foundation 4. During their show in Dorado – the town where the National Circus School of Puerto Rico is based, and where Molina is from –a representative of Foundation 4 announced that they would be receiving $5,000 to help bring the Puerto Rican circus kids to St. Louis. This would return the favor of the visit to Puerto Rico of the St. Louis Arches facilitated by Circus Harmony, the social circus based in St. Louis and run by Jessica Hentoff.

The kids were thrilled. Fundraising is difficult in Puerto Rico now, as the whole island is still recovering from Hurricane Maria. Though $5,000 will not be nearly enough to bring all 10 Puerto Rican circus students to St. Louis, it gives them the chance to begin planning to come to their new friends’ hometown.

“They looked like they’d won Miss America!” Hentoff said.

Kawhi Leonard traded to Toronto

Spurs deal disgruntled star while Toronto creates another

n “Ain’t no loyalty in this game.”

– DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan is salty.

The Toronto Raptors dealt DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green

The move comes after the Raptors won a franchise-best 59 games during the 201718 regular season. The team outpaced the Boston Celtics (55 wins), Philadelphia 76ers (52 wins) and Cleveland Cavaliers (50 wins) to become the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for the Raptors, a guy by the name of LeBron James came to town during the second round of the playoffs and swept Toronto back across the northern border. For the past few seasons,

it seemed that the mere sight of James made Raptors players shake in their boots sneakers. Even though “King” James abdicated his throne in Cleveland to head West, Toronto’s front office still wasn’t convinced it could compete for an NBA championship. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to duel it out for Eastern Conference supremacy next season.

So despite winning the most games in franchise history, 2017-18 NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey was fired at the season’s end. Now the Raptors have traded DeRozan, a fourtime All-Star and the face of the franchise. The move represents a calculated risk for the Raptors. Yes, DeRozan is an All-Star, but Leonard is a superstar The six-foot-seven small forward may only have two All-Star appearances but he also has an NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP award

attached to his name. It’s no secret that Leonard was unhappy in San Antonio. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year played just nine games this past season due to a hamstring injury. According to ESPN, Leonard believed that the team misdiagnosed his injury, as well as a wrist injury

in 2014. The relationship soured after Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich and former player Tony Parker gave interviews insinuating that Leonard should have been healthy enough to return to

CIRCUS, B5

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Youth from the National Circus School of Puerto Rico and the St. Louis Arches reacted to news of a surprise donation from all-star Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina’s charitable foundation, Foundation 4, to seed the Puerto Rican troupe’s return visit to St. Louis. The St. Louis troupe has been touring Puerto Rico with the national circus under the leadership of St. Louis-based Circus

DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard

Photo by Sophie Hurwitz

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Hicks harassment was last straw for over-matched Matheny

Shortly after Memorial Day I mentioned during a radio broadcast that Mike Matheny “should start looking over his shoulder” if the St. Louis Cardinals fell back to a .500 record.

After last Saturday’s 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Cardinals found themselves at 42-41 and Matheny found out he was no longer the team’s manager.

I never was a Matheny fan and never changed my opinion that he was in way over his head.

His trip to the NLCS in 2012 and World Series appearance in 2013 were like Barry Switzer leading the Dallas Cowboys to the NFC Championship game after the 1994 season and then winning the Super Bowl the next year.

Matheny was guiding a Tony La Russa-crafted team that still had its core intact. Switzer oversaw the juggernaut that Jimmy Johnson created. Both men were along for the ride. As both teams succumbed to free agency, age and injury, the good times stopped rolling.

The Cardinals trail the Chicago Cubs by 7 ½ games heading into an unusual fivegame series this weekend at Wrigley Field. It’s put-up-orshut-up time.

But the Cardinals really aren’t in competition with the Cubs or the struggling Milwaukee Brewers. They aren’t in a chase for the second wild-card slot.

They are in a tussle with the .500 mark. They must go at least 15 games over that level between now and the season’s close or Cardinal Nation will go three years without a postseason appearance.

The last straw

This column was going to be devoted to the defense of rookie reliever Jordan Hicks before Matheny was fired. It turns out that the clubhouse harassment of Hicks by fellow reliever Bud Norris is what probably ended Matheny’s tenure as manager.

Last week, Mark Saxon wrote in The Athletic that Norris had taken it on himself to “badger” Hicks and that the frat boy antics included Norris treating Hicks “mercilessly.” Not only did Matheny acknowledge it, he supported it. He called it “old school,” and basically said Hicks needs to be tougher like in the old days. Gimmie a break.

The Post-Dispatch pundits, and most other sports media

folks here in town – rushed to defend Matheny and the Cardinals – and trash Saxon.

Typical St. Louis reaction.

Yes, Hicks capitulated and said all the right things to beat writer Derrick Goold about Norris and the Cards’ clubhouse. But what was he supposed to do? Trash everything and everybody? He had no choice.

The online article had a headline that declared “no rift in Cardinals bullpen.” Totally editorial and totally written to defend the pious Matheny and the suddenly out-of-control Cardinals’ clubhouse.

The veteran sportswriters who took these obvious cover-your-tail comments and used them to defend Matheny and the Cardinals should be ashamed.

A tip of the cap to Bernie Miklasz of 101 ESPN and The Athletic for not buying this tainted bag of goods.

In a series of Twitter hits on Saturday, Miklasz said, “As I wrote for @TheAthleticSTL Friday, management uncomfortable with Matheny’s expressed zeal for old-school tough guy stuff and referring to today’s game as “soft” ... felt That whenever Matheny gets on the soapbox with old-school preaching that’s a huge turnoff to young players, it reinforced team’s rep as uptight, stressed, humorless and not a fun place to play.”

The biggest shortfall by most sports media members was failure to examine Saxon’s allegation that Norris was also Matheny’s team “snitch.” He was more than ready to rat out his teammates for behavior he thought was not up to the so-called “Cardinal Way.” Matheny did not disavow himself from this scandalous behavior, either.

Wrote Miklasz, “That’s why I was astonished by the

attacks on @markasaxon; without Matheny running his mouth and all but bragging over having Bud Norris being his enforcer/snitch, Saxon had much less to build his piece around. Today’s players are different. This manager never got that.”

A disturbing fact

Saxon is also the gentleman who reported that outfielder Dexter Fowler and Matheny aren’t on speaking terms and that the relationship was unsalvageable. Of course, that was refuted by most St. Louis writers.

Regardless of those turning a blind-eye to the obvious, it seems that ethnicity is playing a role.

Fowler and Matheny had no love lost between them. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak insulted Fowler by suggesting he wasn’t hustling and giving his all on the field. He tried to back track, but it was too late.

The season began with Tommy Pham blasting the Cardinals for throwing contract

extensions at unproven players who just happened to be white – and who are no longer with the team.

And now this hating-onHicks was going on with the manager’s OK.

As mentioned in previous columns, Fowler has certainly underperformed. His contract is an albatross for the team.

But why was he the only player attacked by Mozeliak and why was he the lone target of Matheny’s ire?

Pham, who is second in runs scored in the National League, felt compelled to tell the world he thought the Cardinals had their priorities mixed up.

No one came to Hicks’ defense, instead it was time to shield Norris and Matheny from scrutiny.

This column was going to carry this headline, “Why would a player-of-color come to St. Louis?”

I’ll leave you to ponder that.

All Stars discuss activism

Several MLB All-Stars were asked this week why baseball

players have been generally silent when it comes to sharing views on political and social issues.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain respects NFL players who peacefully protested during the national anthem, saying they were “standing up for themselves.”

“I agree with some of the stuff they were doing, [but] for me, [during] the national anthem, I think of our troops fighting overseas and that’s why I stand for it. But the other guys were kneeling for entirely different reasons – we all know why – and I definitely understand where they were coming from.”

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger said some fans should remember what America is supposedly about. I don’t really like how some fans don’t like guys [who] speak out about what they believe in,” he said.

“I think everyone comes from different places on Earth, different countries, and I think the way you grow is to learn from other people’s backgrounds and to see where they come from, [and] how and why they think about the things they believe in.”

The Reid Roundup

Dexter Fowler hit a home run in the first game without Matheny at the helm. Karma, baby … I thought the only thing that would stop me from watching Cardinals games is the NL adopting the designated hitter. Now there is a second; Mark McGwire being named manager … Of the possible Cardinals managerial candidates being mentioned, zero are black … Latino candidates include third-base coach Jose Oquendo, Houston bench coach Jose Espada, Cleveland coach Sandy Alomar Jr., and former MLB star and Cardinal Carlos Beltran … I think it’s Joe Girardi’s job if he wants it … The “base” of Cardinal Nation wants Stubby Clapp Triple A Memphis manager to get the job. I don’t … Speaking of Oquendo, why did the Cardinals select Mike Shildt as interim manager over him? ... Does anyone have Ozzie Guillen’s telephone number? The former White Sox skipper would light a fire in St. Louis … NFL players have filed a collective bargaining grievance challenging the policy that no peaceful demonstrations will be allowed during the national anthem … Lewis Hamilton could use a win at this week’s Formula 1 race in Germany. He trails Sebastian Vettel by eight points in the drivers’ standings ... Floyd “Money” Mayweather made $275 million last year – thanks in large part to his bout with Conor McGregor – making him the world’s highest paid athlete last year, according to FORBES … McGregor was fourth at $85 million; Lebron James sixth at $33.5 million; Steph Curry eighth at $34.9

Alvin A. Reid

The clubhouse harassment of Jordan Hicks by fellow reliever Bud Norris is what probably ended Mike Matheny’s tenure as manager.

InsIde sports

With Earl Austin Jr.

Robinson saves USA relay team, gains silver

Hazelwood West standout track and field sprinter Justin Robinson got his first taste of competition on the world stage last week and he made it memorable one.

The 16-year-old high school junior to be was in Tampere, Finland last week to compete with the United States at the IAAF World U20 championships. To be just 16 and to be able to qualify for a world championship meet against much older athletes should be a great accomplishment in itself.

However, Robinson did more than just show up and compete. He took home a silver medal as part of the USA’s 4x400-meter relay team. The USA was heavily favored to win the gold medal in the 4x400, but the disappointment of not getting the gold was tempered by Robinson’s heroic act in the race to get his team in position to win the silver medal.

A bad exchange between the first and second runners Elija Godwin and Nicholas Ramey caused the baton to fall to the ground, which put the USA in a big hole behind several

CLUTCH

Continued from C5

tending teams to deal away top, young assets for a guy who has made it clear that he wants to play in L.A.

So why did the Raptors decide to trade an All-Star in the prime of his career? Call it the Barack Obama strategy: hope and change.

Since the East is now ripe for the taking, the Raptors are hoping that Leonard can push them over the top. If

CIRCUS

Continued from C5

Evelyn Guadalupe, spokeswoman for Foundation 4, said that when they were approached by the St. Louis Cardinals Care charitable foundation, Foundation 4 saw this as the perfect chance to help out.

“We were approached by Cardinals Care from St. Louis,” Guadalupe said. “They had mentioned to us that Circus Harmony was coming to Puerto Rico to spread some cheer to low-income communities that were affected by Hurricane Maria. Foundation 4 has been very involved with recovery from Hurricane Maria efforts. We’ve been doing charity events to raise funds to help our island, and to rehabilitate after the hurricane.”

Guadalupe said that this cultural exchange will help the Puerto Rican circus students expand their worldview, just as

other countries. By the time Robinson got the baton for his third leg, the USA was back in seventh place with little hope for a medal.

What Robinson did next was almost unthinkable. He turned in a sizzling 44.7 second third leg to get the USA all the way back into second place. He flew by runners on the backstretch

healthy and engaged, Leonard is head and shoulders above DeRozan, especially on the defensive side. Theoretically, if the Raptors won 59 games with DeRozan, the team could turn into a 60-win team with Leonard, especially with James out of the way.

Though it’s evident that Leonard’s top preference is to play for the Lakers, the same was said about Paul George last summer. The Indiana Pacers traded George to the Oklahoma City Thunder after he made it clear that he would not re-sign in Indiana when

coming to Puerto Rico helped the St. Louis Arches. “It shows them the different cultures outside of Puerto Rico, and that there are also Puerto Ricans in St. Louis, and that Yadi has a big fan base over there in St. Louis,” Guadalupe said. “Unless you go over there you would not even know, unless you’re a baseball fan.”

Yadier Molina, in a press release about the donation, said that this effort connects his two different homes.

“This initiative not only has a direct connection with the St. Louis Cardinals but it bridges two destinations that I consider my home: Puerto Rico and St. Louis,” Molina said. The Revolution for Harmony Circus Tour has been traveling around Puerto Rico for the past week, bringing the joy and wonder of circus to communities still devastated by the hurricane. For the week before that, they trained together and bonded under the National Circus School’s big top in Dorado, so their Dorado

in a frenzied run to get his team back into medal contention.

In the moments after the race, Robinson expressed his gratitude about being able to compete on this world stage.

“I’m happy to be here and I’m happy for the team,” he said to the trackside correspondent. “I’m happy to get this far and get second at the U20

he became a free agent. The Thunder acquired “PG-13” knowing full well that the organization would have just one year to win him over and convince him to stay with OKC to play alongside Russell Westbrook

The Thunder’s gamble paid off. George surprised many by signing a four-year, $137 million extension to stay in Oklahoma City.

Toronto’s front office is hopeful for a similar scenario. Even if the idea of Leonard remaining a Raptor for more than a single-season is far-

show felt like a homecoming.

“For me, here in our tent is where we can do our best,” said Eduar Santiago, a performer with the National Circus School of Puerto Rico. “We’re the most comfortable, because this is where we met.”

“I’m actually excited, because since it’s my hometown, my cousins are trying to come, and my family members and stuff,” said Ilka Miranda, another Puerto Rican performer.

Though the St. Louis students only spent a week in Dorado, they also enjoyed performing for their new home crowd. “Even though this place isn’t, like, my home, it feels better to be here, because we trained here,” said Sabrina Skaggs of the St. Louis Arches.

For their Dorado show, which had a larger and more boisterous audience than they had seen yet – with a tent so packed that some audience members stood outside the big top and looked in – the Revolution for Harmony Circus

Hazelwood West junior Justin Robinson (far right) earned a silver medal in the 4x400-meter relay at the IAAF U20 World Championships in Finland. Robinson ran an incredible 44.7 second split on the third leg of the race.

all season. Justin handled himself like a pro athlete.” I got up bright and early on Sunday morning to watch this race live on my computer. My utter shock and horror at watching a USA team drop a baton in yet another big world competition was quickly replaced with sheer excitement and city pride as I watched this teenager literally fly around the track in what was the best relay leg that I’ve ever seen from a St. Louis high school track and field athlete. And I’ve seen some great ones over the years. Young Justin took the cake with this one.

44.7 seconds. At 16 years old. My goodness.

World Championships. I’m happy for everybody.”

Robinson’s coach, Sean Burris of the Gateway City United Athletics Club, called Robinson’s relay performance the “proudest moment of my entire coaching career.”

Said Burris, “After the baton fell, my heart sank to the ground. It’s very difficult to

fetched, it’s doubtful that the organization will shed too many tears if he walks. Remember, Raptors execs were convinced that the team had plateaued with DeRozan and Casey. Even if Leonard chucks deuces to Toronto next summer, his departure will free up a max contract slot for next season’s free agency class. That means the franchise could potentially chase Kyrie Irving Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Kemba Walker or DeAndre Jordan Forget the wins. Forget the accolades. Forget the memo-

was preceded by an opening act, Mago Barry Barry, a local professional magician and father of two of the members of the Puerto Rican circus troupe. They were also met in the tent by members of Los Guardianes de Dorado, Yadier Molina’s amateur baseball team. After Mago Barry Barry’s act, the circus kids danced around the tent with the mascot of Los Guardianes de Dorado.

A representative of the mayor of Dorado came to the

come back from a situation like that in international competition because everyone is more or less on the same level. But as soon as he took one step, I knew he was going for it. I heard people around me yelling out the split, but I wasn’t sure. I knew he had run a phenomenal leg. It just confirmed what we have been working towards

ries. Owners and general managers have short memories when it comes to the prospect of improving a franchise. It’s why Boston dealt Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland. It’s why Memphis allowed Zach Randolph to land in Sacramento. It’s why Casey and DeRozan are gone after such a successful season.

The Spurs did well by bringing DeRozan on board. Along with LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol and Dejounte Murray, the Spurs should field a playoff team, somewhere between a No. 4

show to recognize the efforts of the two circus groups and presented Circus Harmony with a declaration of appreciation.

“The mayor of the autonomous municipality of Dorado, Puerto Rico, receives as distinguished guests of this municipality the directors and members of the nonprofit organization Circus Harmony, and would like to congratulate them for their commitment to be present here, with their scenic and circus arts, in our international community;

Gerald Jones to Lutheran North Lutheran North has tabbed Gerald Jones as its new head boys’ basketball coach. Jones comes over to North after a very successful run at Northwest Academy. In the past two seasons, Jones guided the Hornets to two consecutive Final Four berths in the Class 3 state tournament. In 2017, Northwest Academy made history by defeating Whitfield to give the school its first state championship in boys’ basketball.

and No. 6 seed in the West. The team won’t contend for a title, but nobody will if the juggernaut Warriors stay healthy. Speaking of DeRozan, the full quote referenced earlier, came from an Instagram post (since deleted) he made upon learning of the trade.

“Be told one thing & the outcome another. Can’t trust em. Ain’t no loalty in this game. Sell you out quick for a little bit of nothing…[sic]” Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

and recognizes the talented directors and members of the National Circus School of Puerto Rico, who now work in brotherhood with their companions from Circus Harmony,” Carlos A. Lopez Rivera, mayor of Dorado, said in the statement. Circus Harmony can facilitate donations to help bring the National Circus School of Puerto Rico to St. Louis. For more information or to contact Circus Harmony, visit http://circusharmony.org.

Earl Austin Jr.

NOTES

continued from page B1 Smart Cities, and Creative Storytelling.

Breach is centered on video game development and e-sports due to the lack of video game developers and designers of color, especially women.

“Our mission has expanded to not only digital and traditional music education, but arts education as a whole,” Ronnie Notch said.

Microsoft opening its doors to Notes for Life, allowing the company to hold its program in Microsoft stores, is what opened the door to more inclusion. Now Notes for Life has a student mix that is 64 percent female and 52 percent nonblack.

“That was something that was a highlight for us, because when we first started they saw six black boys, and they figured it must be hip-hop so we had to fight that negative connotation,” Ronnie Notch said.

Microsoft has been with

Notes for Life from the beginning of its first year.

Trina Claggett is a community development specialist for Microsoft in St. Louis who has been the company’s partner throughout its expansion.

n “Our plan is to never alienate a group of students, never alienate a community.”

– Ronnie Notch, Notes for Life

“From a single idea that they had five years ago, the program has grown and reached so many different areas,” Claggett said. “It meets the needs in the community. It has the ability, flexibility, and they are very agile to be able to identify a need and to develop a part of their program to help address that need.”

Their newest program, Lift Off, will take place at Saint Louis University. From July 12-21, 24 high school students will stay on campus

in a resident hall for 10 days getting their hands on technology and using creative storytelling to figure out realworld solutions to issues that affect them.

“Next year Lift Off will be at Georgia State,” Ronnie Notch said. “The following year it will be at NYU, and then in 2021 we plan on bringing it back to St. Louis so that way we can monitor growth and track growth.”

They plan to reach 1 million students by 2020. They are at 430,000 right now and have faith they will accomplish their goal.

“We’re true in our missions, where it says ‘every student, everywhere,’” Ronnie Notch said. “That’s our plan. Our plan is to never alienate a group of students, never alienate a community. We work to make sure we create that bridge, and we create that level playing field where everybody can take part in everything that we offer.

For more information on Notes for Life, visit https:// www.notesforlifeat.com/ or email info@notesforlifeat.com.

August 2 deadline to apply for 2018 Metro East Start-Up Challenge

Southern Illinois University

Edwardsville has established an entry deadline of Thursday, August 2 to apply for the 2018 Metro East Start-Up Challenge which is organized by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE and facilitated with the help of the SIUE School of Business

The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph Counties.

The first-place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Second and

third place winners will be awarded $6,000 and $4,000, respectively. Prize winners will also receive an array of in-kind professional services including legal assistance from Curtis R. Bailey, Huffman Law Offices, P.C., accounting services from Scheffel Boyle, advertising from Advantage News, and a free financial review from Prudential. One of the semifinalists will also win a free 12-month lease at America’s Central Port. Entrepreneurs and startup businesses from the four target industries of information technology, manufacturing, healthcare and sustainable food are encouraged to apply. For a startup business enterprise to be eligible, it must have been established after April 30,

2015, and be headquartered in the SBDC’s nine-county service area. For pre-venture entrepreneurs, proposed new business operations will need to be located within the same nine counties. Semi-finalists will be announced Friday, August 10, with finalists notified on Thursday, October 11. Cash prizewinners on Friday, November 2, during the monthly Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois meeting. For more information or to initiate the application process, visit siue.edu/metroeaststartup. To learn how the SBDC can help your small business, call (618) 650-2929 or email sbdecw@gmail.com.

Financial Focus

By Roger M. Macon, AAMS

consult with your tax advisor.)

It’s also important to understand how your inherited IRA will fit in to your overall financial strategy. Consequently, you’ll need to address these questions: How much should I take out each year? As mentioned above, you must take a distribution of at least a minimum amount from your inherited IRA each year – if you don’t, you may be subject to a 50% penalty on the amount you should have taken. But you can take out more than the minimum.

What should you do with an inherited IRA? Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are quite popular. At the end of 2017, investors owned nearly $9 trillion in IRA assets, according to the Investment Company Institute, a trade association of U.S. investment companies. Given these numbers, it probably wouldn’t be surprising if you inherited an IRA someday. But what should you do with it? First of all, you’ll need to be aware of some basic rules. If your parent, or anyone other than your spouse, leaves you a traditional IRA – one in which contributions are typically tax-deductible and earnings can grow tax-deferred – you can transfer the money into an “inherited IRA,” from which you’ll need to take at least a minimum amount of money – technically called a “distribution” – each year, based on your life expectancy. These distributions are taxable at your regular income tax rate. If you’ve inherited a Roth IRA, you also must take these minimum payouts, but the amounts won’t count as taxable income, because your parents, or whoever left you the IRA, already paid taxes on the contributions that went into it. (To make sure you fully understand all the guidelines on distributions and taxation of inherited IRAs,

Electric lady

By Kenya Vaughn

Of The St. Louis American

As Janelle Monae’s “Dirty Computer” intro video played, the fans didn’t bother to contain their anticipation for her to hit the stage. She took her time to greet them – further building the excitement of what she would present. It’s corny and cliché to say for such a cutting-edge artist, but a postscript to the overly used “Forrest Gump” quote is the best way to describe Janelle Monae. Yes, she’s like a box of chocolates, in the sense that you don’t exactly know what you’re gonna get. But as with the chocolates, a delicious surprise is to be rightfully expected. And as usual, she delivered a show that left the palates of her fan base delighted with her 90-plus minute set Wednesday night at The Pageant during her sold-out St. Louis leg of the “Dirty Computer” tour. Monae echoes the legacy of her late mentor

Janelle Monae delivers masterful display of music and liberation

Prince. She is an androgynous, genre-bending musical wonder that is so captivating, both onstage and on records, that it doesn’t seem real or fair. She has not achieved the mainstream success as Prince in the decade since she burst onto the alternative soul scene. But flying under the radar has afforded her a level of creative freedom that is somewhat void of pressure and

UniverSoul Circus from a

By Ashley Jones

expectation.

Monae is unabashedly woke. She uses her art to decry political and societal institutions that perpetuate racism, discrimination, poverty and other dysfunctions that are symptoms of a broken establishment. But she’ll also twerk as she compels folks to “let your booty do that yoga” or croon a love ballad like “Primetime.” If there were any boxes still imposed upon her by the industry and society, her third studio album and accompanying narrative film for which the tour is named, shredded them to pieces.

St. Louis soaked in every minute of the live presentation that leaned heavily on her new material and the context it provided.

“Now that you’ve learned a little bit more about how I love, let me say this: ‘happy pride forever,” Monae shouted to the diverse crowd that responded with a roaring ovation. “No matter

See MONAE, C4

appeased upon first glance at the great amount of diversity,

in history

By Ashley Jones

n “It’s just a really neat way to get back together with relatives, because a whole lot of them may have grown up here and don’t know the history.”

– Beverly Hacker, Landmarks Association

said Landmarks tour coordinator Beverly Hacker. All of the tour guides are volunteers. Hacker has been a volunteer for four years and now only facilitates special tours such as family reunions.

“It’s just a really neat way to get back together with relatives, because a whole lot of them may have grown up here and don’t know the history,” Hacker said.

Her favorite building to show is the second floor of Mansion House, because nobody knows it is there.

“There’s a really beautiful plaza on the

See TOUR, C4

Janelle Monae mesmerized the crowd with her high-energy show during the sold-out St. Louis leg of her ‘Dirty Computer’ Tour, Wednesday night at The Pageant. The show also featured alternative soul duo St. Beauty.

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

How to place a calendar listing

1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR

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

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

concerts

Sat., July 21, 1 p.m., Gateway Jazz Festival. Featuring performances by Boney James, Will Downing, Tim Cunningham, Alex Bugnon, and more. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www. gatewayjazzfest.com.

Sat., July 28, 9 p.m., Rockhouse Ent. presents Rakim with Biz Markie. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sun., Aug. 5, 6 p.m., The Ambassador presents Joe 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Aug. 17, 8 p.m., Ideal Barbershop and Five Star Empire present R. Kelly: The Memory Lane Tour. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Pkwy., 63303. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m., The Alton Little Theatre Performers present A Magical Night of Disney –Concert Celebration. Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater, 1 Henry St., Alton, IL. 62002. For more information, visit www.metrtotix.com.

local gigs

Fri., July 27, 7 p.m., Ferguson Citywalk Concert Series feat. Powerplay Band. Plaza 501, 501 S. Florissant Rd., 63135. For more information, visit www. fergusoncitywalk.com/events.

July 27 – 28, 3rd Annual Louis Armstrong Festival with Randy Holmes’ All Star Ensemble. Ozark Theatre, 103 E. Lockwood Ave., 63119. For more information, visit www. ozarktheatre.com.

Fri., Aug. 3, 6 p.m., Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Blues Museum present Blues at the Arch Feat. Little Dylan. 100 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Thur., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m., Fairy Tales Can Come True Concert and Event. Proceeds benefit University City Children’s Center’s tuition assistance program. Bissingers Chocolate Factory, 1600 N. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.uccc. org.

Sat., Aug. 11, 7 p.m., Fermata Entertainment & TLT Productions presents Marvin F. Cockrell & Focus: 24K Gold. 3610 Grandel Sq., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

special events

Mon., July 16, 9 a.m., Queen of Peace Center’s 31st Annual Golf Tournament. Norwood Hills Country Club, 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www.e.givesmart.com/ events/4Nq.

Wed., July 18, 10 a.m., JobNewsUSA.com presents the St. Louis Job Fair. Meet one-on-one with recruiters & hiring managers who are now hiring for immediate openings. DoubleTree – Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www. jobnewsusa.com/events.

Thur., July 19, 8:30 a.m., Mentors 4 College Career Slam. Students have the opportunity to connect with and talk to multiple individuals in the career paths they want to pursue. Parkway Central High School, 369 N Woods Mill Rd., 63017. For more information, visit www.

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

mentors4college.com.

Through July 22, Universoul Circus. An unforgettable journey of electrifying, performances from Russia, South Africa, Cuba, Ethiopia, and more. 1111 N. Broadway, 63101. For more information, visit www.universoulcircus. com.

Sun., July 22, 2 p.m., Family Affair – Community Fest. Connecting church with communities by enjoying family fun through games, food, car show and giveaways. 9001 Lucas and Hunt Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., July 26, 9 a.m., Tommy Pham Baseball ProCamp. Belleville East HS, 2555 West Blvd., 62221. For more information, visit www. procamps.com/tommypham.

Thur., July 26, 6 p.m., Alive Magazine presents Smoke & Mirrors. Featuring the top BBQ spots in St. Louis, craft beer, a night market featuring local craftsman, live local music, and more. Encore, 5700 Highlands Plaza Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 446-4059.

Sat., July 28, 11 a.m., Back to

School Backpack Giveaway. Music, laser tag, giveaways, haircuts, and more. Christian Believers Worship Center, 1447 Burd Ave., 63112. For more information, visit www. christianbelievers.church.

Sat., July 28, 12 p.m., Hot Fun in The Summer Vendor Showcase. A variety of vendors showcasing art, crafts, jewelry, shoes, clothes, and more. Webster Groves Rec Center, 33 E. Glendale, 63119. For more information, call (314) 302-1055.

Sat., July 28, 1 p.m., FestAbility: A Celebration of Disabilities. A day of fully accessible family fun, food trucks, and entertainment. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. festability.org.

Sat., July 28, 7 p.m., 2D.E.F presents Doug E. Fresh All White Block Party and Fundraiser, Proceeds will benefit The 2DEF Domestic Violence Safe House & Projects. Old Rock House 1200 S. 7th Street 63104. For more information, call (314) 384-9544 or purchase tickets at www. metrotix.com

Sat., July 28, 8 p.m., Stifel Theatre presents Bring It! Live. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.stifeltheatre.com.

Sat., July 28, 10 p.m., Sauce: An Event for The Young Professional. The Marquee, 1911 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. SauceSTL.eventbrite.com.

Sun., July 29, 11 a.m., St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine presents a Wedding Show. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sun., July 29, 7 p.m., The Maximum Exposure Fashion Show 2018. A show featuring Chuck Pfoutz Presents and Walk This Way Magazine’s Version of the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s. 400 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Fri., Aug. 10, 6 p.m., All-N1 Entertainment presents a Shop-Paint & Party Event Mandarin Banquet Hall, 8008 Olive Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 6903660.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Nexcore hosts the Bring a Bag Concert. Featuring live music, food and drinks, a school supply drive, and a performance by C-Sharp. 2631 Gravois Ave., 63118. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Mathews-Dickey Awards & Benefit Concert. Cameo, Doug E. Fresh, and Love Jones in the Soul Funk Fest, hosted by Darius Bradford. Fabulous Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Through Aug. 10, Operation Food Search’s Summer Meals Program. The mobile meal vans will serve 33 locations via three routes. A daily dose of nutrition, along with a variety of games, arts, crafts, and STEM projects. For more information, visit www. operationfoodsearch.org.

comedy

Thurs., Aug. 2 – Sat., Aug. 4, The Laugh Lounge STL presents Kountry Wayne, 11208 West Florissant. For more information, visit www. laughloungestl.com.

Aug. 3 – 5, Helium Comedy Club presents D.L. Hughley 1151 St. Louis Galleria, 63117.

literary

Tues., July 24, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Virvus Jones, author of Stalking Horse. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www.leftbank.com.

The Ambassador presents Joe. See CONCERTS for details.

Thur., Aug. 2, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Alexis Clark, author of Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Sat., Aug. 11, 2 p.m., Kirkwood Public Library hosts author Jim Merkel, author of The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary. org.

Mon., Aug., 13, Ethical Society of St. Louis hosts author Jason Kander, author of Outside the Wire: Ten Lessons I’ve Learned in Everyday Courage. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Aug. 16, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Michael Kench, author of Between Hope and Fear: A History of Vaccines and Human Immunity. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

theatre

Sun., July 22, 3 p.m., Fundisha Family Folktale Performance. Bring the whole family to engage with a West African folktale about the importance of listening and following the rules. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

July 27 – 28, COCA presents West Side Story. Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www.cocastl.org.

Sat., July 28, 7:30 p.m., Beyond Measure Dance Theater presents The Art of Fusion. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Aug. 9 – 12, JPEK Creative Works Theatre presents Meeting at the Elder’s Circle. A satirical look on the issues reflecting religion and the church through drama, song and dance. Kranzberg Theatre, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63106. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

Fri., July 20, 5 p.m., Let’s Play Ball! Exhibit Opening. A presentation of over 40 baseball-themed games, meet members of the St. Louis Brown Stockings Vintage Base Ball Club, and more. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Fri., July 20, 6 p.m., Colorism by Work/Play Explores colorism in the African American dating back to the

18th century. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.kranzbergartscenter. org.

Through July 28, Maïmouna Guerresi’s Aisha in Wonderland. The exhibition is the representation of the spiritually strong woman leaving aside the stereotypes linked to Islam. projects+gallery, 4733 McPherson Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. projects-gallery.com.

Through August 19, Contemporary Art Museum 2018 Great Rivers Biennial Featuring artists Addoley Dzegede, Sarah Paulsen, and Jacob Stanley, Amy Sherald, and Claudia Comte. On view through August 19. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108.

lectures and workshops

Thur., July 19, 7 p.m., St. Charles History Talks: The US 56th Colored Infantry First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, 200 S. Main St., 63301. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., July 21, 1 p.m., Black Girls Are Magical Empowerment Conference. For girls ages 13-18. The theme will focus on: PurposePassion & Persistence. Launch Code, 4811 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., July 21, 2 p.m., Community Conversations: Electoral College. Dr. Joseph Cernik discusses the importance of the Electoral College followed by a Q & A. Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www. kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

Sat., July 21, 2 p.m., Community Conversations:

Kenya Vaughn recommends Helium Comedy Club presents D.L. Hughley. For more information, see COMEDY.

Electoral College. Dr. Joseph Cernik discusses the importance of the Electoral College followed by a Q & A. Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary. org.

Mon., July 23, 5:30 p.m., SCORE presents QuickBook Online – Basic Learn to select the correct QBO subscription and how to operate the software. Anheuser-Busch Hall, Fontbonne University, 6800 Wydown Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., July 24, 6 p.m., Women Trailblazers in Business and Nonprofits A free panel discussion featuring female trailblazers

who forged businesses and nonprofit organizations. Anheuser-Busch Hall, UMSL, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.csprc.org.

Thur., July 26, 6:30 p.m., Beyond the Sting; Unpacking Scott Joplin and the Man Behind the Music. Historian Bryan Cather shares the latest findings about Joplin. Maplewood Public Library, 7550 Lohmeyer Ave., 63143. For more information, visit www.maplewood.lib.mo.us.

Fri., July 27, 6 p.m., Better Family Life Membership Association presents Raising a Black Scholar – Why We Can’t Wait. 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

health

Thur., July 19, 7 p.m., Arthritis Foundation presents Living Your Yes with RA. Dr. Terry Moore will discuss setting health goals and other tips on living with rheumatoid arthritis. Grant’s View Branch, St. Louis County Library, 9700 Musick Rd., 63123. For more information, visit www.slcl. org.

Sat., July 21, 11 a.m., African Community Health Fair 2018. Progressive Emporium & Education Center, 1108 N. Sarah St., 63113. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., July 21, 11a.m. Health Fair 2018, Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, 9420 West Florissant.

Pre-register by calling (314) 747-9355. For more information, call (314) 4398306.

Sat., Aug. 4, 7 a.m., The Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter hosts the Lupus WolfRide Charity Cycling Event. Raise funds and enjoy the annual Route 66 BBQ Blast. Lions Park, 340 Bald Hill Rd., 63025. For more information, visit www.chapters.lupus.org/ wolfride2018.

Wed., Aug. 15, 11 a.m., The Office of St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green will host its semiannual American Red Cross Blood Drive. St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market St., 63103. For more information or to register, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

20, Higher Ground International Ministries, Inc. invites you to the 2018 HGIM International Conference. With Bishop William Murphy, Bishop John Francis, performance by Cece Winans, and more. Faith Miracle Temple, 870 Pershall Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www.hgim. us.

Sat., July 21, 5 p.m., St. Louis Reconciliation Network invites you to One City/Won City Evening of Prayer & Worship. Mahler Ballroom, 4915 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

July 22 – 27, Church of God in Christ, Inc., Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction presents the Third Annual Holy Convocation. Kennerly Temple, 4307 Kennerly Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 761-5148.

July 22 – 27, Church of God in Christ, Inc., Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction presents the Third Annual Holy Convocation. Kennerly Temple, 4307 Kennerly Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 761-5148.

Aug. 8 – 11, Black Jack Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School. 4906 Meuse Dr., 63033. For more information, call (314) 2104272.

Sat. July 20, 6 p.m., Art Hill Film Series: Hidden Figures. Before the show enjoy a performance by Kim Massie, shop local designers, visit food trucks, and more. St. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.slam. org.

MONAE

Continued from C1

who you love or how you love, you are welcome here tonight. Be who you are, regardless of if it makes someone else feel uncomfortable.” Even before she dove into “Q.U.E.E.N.,” Monae perched on an ornate throne and was surrounded by her group of backup dancers. By show’s end, she proved herself worthy of the symbolism. Her unique take on life, love and bucking the establishment through music proved as exhilarating in performance as it does on a playlist.

“Crazy, Classic, Life” “Take a Byte,” and “Screwed” and “Django Jane,” were among the albums cuts she dove right into to kickoff the high energy show. She rapped, she danced, she got political. She slowed it down. She sped it up. But most of all, she seemed to genuinely enjoy further expanding the already open minds who sang along to political statements of songs like, “Cold War” and praised the female anatomy through “PYNK” with equal fervor.

“We have loved together, we have marched together and we’ve celebrated together,” Monae told the crowd. “We continue to fight together. We continue to fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA community, for reproductive rights, for black people’s rights, for immigrant rights and against the abuse of power. This is what love looks like. This is a crowd that understands the importance of unity.”

Monae proved herself to be an alternative, punk, soul, funk, rock and rap goddess all rolled into one by the evening’s end. She reached back and gave fans some favorites from previous projects, including “Q.U.E.E.N.,” “Electric Lady,” “Tightrope,” and “Primetime,” her lone radio hit – which faded into Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Monae seems utterly

unbothered by being too much of an anomaly to classify for the sake of urban or mainstream music. Actually, she seems to bask in it. Before she left the stage, she charged the crowd to do the same.

“You don’t need to be clean,” Monae told the crowd as she prepared to leave the stage after a two-song encore.

“Your bugs, your viruses are all welcome. They make you who

you are, and we love who you are.”

Alternative soul duo St. Beauty opened the show and was extremely well-received by the crowd, thanks to selections that drew from traditional R&B, funk, reggae and hiphop. “Castles,” “Borders” and “Stone Mountain” were among the highlights of their finetuned set.

MONAE

Continued from C1

once, non-appropriated afros joined their brother to make a total of three African American clowns continuously cantering through each aisle. They did a remarkable job at ensuring the UniverSoul Circus was one of the most interactive performances out there.

Kicking off the show were clusters of tribal dancers and musicians cascading through explosions of color as over 10 foot-tall towering figures grooved and waved to the beat of African drums and melodies. It was so refreshing from the jump, to witness African culture being incorporated into mainstream family fun.

Other cultures highlighted involved South Africa, West Africa, Cuba, Colombia, India, East Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and China. Performers came together from all over the world working together as one family to celebrate the circus 25th anniversary. Their pride for

their country became clearly evident through each uniform, song choice, and dance number.

Other attributes to pop out under the big top was the great level of trust the circus members had in one another, especially in the family acts while displaying acrobatic stunts.

n This is truly a performance for everyone with a message of unity.

During those moments that made our hearts soft-pedal as the heights escalated, it is crazy to see how cautiously calm the performers faces appeared.

I had never witnessed acts with such rhythm and soul before, combined with tremendous amounts of team work.

My friend and I made an effort to point out performers contributing to multiple aspects of the overall circus. The female acrobat was in charge of face painting children before the show; one of the ticket masters per-

formed during the magic show; and many of the muscular men changed into all black uniforms to help move each set. The sense of community during the entire show stood out from any entertainment space I have ever experienced. It was beautiful to watch children’s eyes light up as they saw professionals who looked just like them dance to songs they could relate to as they flew across the air committing death-defying trick after trick. This is truly a performance for everyone with a message of unity. The ringmaster closed the show making the entire audience repeat after him, saying, “I am unique, and so are you. I will love those that are different than me. We are all a part of one race, the human race.”

The 25th anniversary tour of the UniverSoul Circus take place in St. Louis from July 12-22 at The Dome at America’s Center. Tickets are available at ticketmaster. com or by calling (314) 2314445. For

JUL 16

JUL 17

JUL 18

JUL 19

JUL 20

JUL 21

Monday, July 16, 2018 • 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

St. Louis County Public Health Campus 6121 N. Hanley Rd St. Louis, MO 63134

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 • 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Baden Branch - St. Louis Public Library 8448 Church Rd. St. Louis, MO 63147

Wednesday, July 18, 2018 • 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. North County Transit Center 3140 Pershall Rd. Ferguson, MO 63136

Thursday, July 19, 2018 • 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Old North Provisions (across from Crown Candy Kitchen)

2720 N. 14th Street • St. Louis, MO 63106

Friday, July 20, 2018 • 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

North Central Community Health Center 4000 Jennings Station Rd. Pine Lawn, MO 63121

Saturday, July 21, 2018 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mary Ann Lee Technology Center (on the corner of Page and Newstead) 1313 N. Newstead • St. Louis, MO 63113

*The Promise Zone encompasses St. Louis City wards: 1 - 5, 18 - 19, 21 -

Ferguson, Flordell Hills, Glen Echo Park, Greendale, Hazelwood, Hillsdale, Jennings, Kinloch, Moline Acres, Normandy, Northwoods, Pagedale, Pine Lawn, Riverview, University City, Uplands Park, Velda City, Velda Village Hills, and Wellston.

second floor,” Hacker said. “There’s a little chapel, fountains, beautiful patios, landscaping, and the coolest view of the Arch and riverfront, and nobody knows it’s there.

I don’t think I’ve ever taken a local up there that even knew that place existed.”

Landmarks Tours reveal hidden facts about more familiar St. Louis buildings such as The Old Post Office building.

“They don’t know that it was built by the federal government in large part, to convince the people of the country that the government was strong after the Civil War,” Hacker said.

“They picked five of the fastest-growing cities in the

country to build these really monumental federal buildings. It’s built on quicksand, and what everybody thinks is a moat is not a moat. It was to bring light into the basement and the sub-basement, because that’s where the workers were.”

In terms of historic landmarks concerning black history, many people are aware of the Old Courthouse famous for the Dred Scott case. What most people don’t know is that the building has housed much more black history than just that one case.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that because of Missouri’s odd situation as a border state, about 800 different freedom suits were filed in that courthouse, and in a lot of cases, they were won,” Hacker said.

Started in 1959, Landmarks Association is one of the oldest

architectural preservation organizations in the country that has been instrumental in saving many historic buildings.

“So much of what happens in the built environment is a direct reflection of who’s in power at the time, of what’s important to the people who live there at the time, of resources,” Hacker said.

“Buildings are so reflective of so much more than just the architect’s plans or the developer’s needs. It’s a reflection of the overall community.”

Landmarks Association offers levels of membership starting at $30 to $45 a year.

“People who live here, even if they’ve been here all your life, just don’t know the history,” Hacker said. “You don’t know what is right there.”

For more information, visit landmarkstours-stl.org.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Janelle Monae

Celebrations

Anniversary

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion, Aug. 10-12, 2018! To register contact: Dr. Liz Franklin at, mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also, check out the BHS Facebook page.

Beaumont Class of 1978

40th Reunion Extravaganza

Save the Date: October 5-7, 2018. Call or text Marietta

Shegog Shelby at 314-7995296 for further details.

East St. Louis Sr. High School Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50 year reunion on Friday, October 12, 2018 at the Main Street Brewing Center, 6435 West Main Street, Belleville, IL. 62223. For more information contact Linda Ward Spencer (618) 830-8221 or laws50@ aol.com.

Hadley Teach classes of 1962-1963 will host their Annual Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Marvin’s Park, 4003 Camellia. Hot dogs, soda and water provided. Bring your basket, chairs, family and friends! For more information, contact: Virdell Robinson Stennis 314-7738177, Ora Scott Roberts 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina Gibson Baker 314-630-9647

Church Centennial

Mercy Seat M.B. Church will celebrate its events of a year-long Centennial Church Anniversary. July 20: Reunion Choir Musical at 7 pm featuring current and past choir members and musicians.

July 22: Culmination of Church Anniversary Celebration during morning worship at 10 am featuring the Reunion Choir and quest speaker Rev. Kevin Cosby, Pastor of St. Stephen M.B. Church in Louisville, Kentucky. All events held at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, 4424 Washington Blvd. Sis. Ora M. Ray (100th Church Anniversary General Chairperson) and Rev. Robert Earl Houston (Pastor) invite all to come and join the celebration.

or Marvin Young 314-4225757.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40th class reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-6984261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

O’Fallon Tech will be celebrating its “50th” Class Reunion on Nov. 2-3, 2018 at Hollywood Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr. Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Class of 1969 and others are invited. To RSVP for the head count, so please contact: Joann Durham Harris 314-363-4260, Donnell Jackson 314-4944807, Gloria Houston King

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, 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 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

314-591-7306 or Kelvin Murphy 314-616-1007.

St. Rose of Lima (Goodfellow & Etzel, closed 1977) will host an all-class reunion on Saturday, Sept. 8, Jewel Center, 407 Dunn Rd. See www.strosereunion.com for details.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79. Vashon High School Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45th reunion on Saturday, August 11, 2018 in St. Louis. We’re still in the

process of rounding up all of our graduates and would love for you all to contact us. Please email us at tpjgramells@aol.com for additional information. You may also RSVP and pay by going to VashonHigh1973. myevent.com. For those not on the internet, please call Terri (Bell) Johnson 314-3132113.

McKinley High Class of 1978 40-year reunion will take place July 27-29, 2018 at the Embassy Suites-Airport Hotel in St. Louis. Classmates from all McKinley H.S. classes are invited. Registration is required. To register, contact Barbara Lindsey, Barbara_ Lindsey@icloud.com or Marvin Woods, mwoods@ projectcontrolsgroup.com or (314) 647-0707.

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, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

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

Sam and Shalonda Covington celebrated 20

The Message

Jehovah’s Witnesses to host two weekend annual conventions What’s your point?

Plus, Community Outreach

at Greater Progressive M.B.

American staff

Jehovah’s Witnesses will hold two weekend annual conventions at the St. Charles Family Arena this month. The first three-day event begins on Friday, July 20; the second three-day event begins on Friday, July 27. According to organizers, attendees of the 2018 convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses – entitled “Be Courageous!” – will “learn practical ways to face present and future challenges with courage.” Featured will be talks, interviews and multimedia so that all in attendance can observe what real people –and, according to organizers, “even animals” – can teach us about courage. A highlight of the program, the public Bible discourse on Sunday at 11:20 a.m., will feature the theme: “The Resurrection Hope Imparts Courage—How?” All sessions are free, and no collection plates are passed.

Jehovah’s Witnesses will hold two weekend annual conventions at the St. Charles Family Arena starting on Friday, July 20 and Friday, July 27.

The St. Charles Family Arena is located at 2002 Arena Pkwy, St Charles, MO 63303. For detailed information and a program, visit https://www. jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/ conventions.

One City|Won City

One City|Won City is hosting an evening of music, prayer and worship for healing and unity in the bi-state St. Louis area on Saturday July 21, from 5-8 p.m., in the Mahler Ballroom (4915 Washington Blvd, in the Central West End, one block south of Delmar on Euclid). One City|Won City is a group of diverse leaders in the Christian community who seek to build unity in our region in and through the Body of Christ. Attendance is free, but register so that organizers can plan for the food that will be

provided to end the optional 24-hour fast. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y87y77ba. Questions? E-mail onecitywoncity@gmail. com.

Community Outreach at Greater Progressive M.B.

Pastor Ervin L. Yarbough and the congregation of the Greater Progressive Missionary Baptist Church will host a day of Community Outreach festivities, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, August 4 at the church, located at 3917 N. Taylor Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115. Among other things, the church will issue backpacks

and school supplies. The church will collect supplies from the community until August 1.

Great Music of Many Faiths

Arts & Faith St. Louis will present a free concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall to build a harmonious St. Louis on Sunday, September 16. This year’s concert, “Great Music of Many Faiths,” will feature both adult and young singers and musicians from faith communities across the metropolitan area. Also performing will be celebrated soprano Christine Brewer and the 442s, an ensemble including members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. A specially-assembled interfaith youth chorus led by Maria Ellis will perform music written by Adam Maness and Paul Reuter. Short video interludes will transport the audience into local places of worship.

The welcome and opening remarks will be given by Mufti Asif Umar, imam of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis. Closing remarks will be made by Rev. Dr. Dieter Heinzl, associate pastor of Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. After the concert, the audience will be invited to mingle outside with the artists and faith ensembles and have opportunities to learn about other Arts & Faith St. Louis activities during the year.

For more information about the concert or other programs of Arts & Faith St. Louis, contact Barbara Murray at: bmurray@thesheldon.org or 314-553-9900.

Have you ever wondered how the lawyer feels, who knows his or her client is guilty? But that lawyer is able to get the person off based on a legal technicality. Legally, the person is innocent, but morally they are as guilty as sin.

This must have been one of the most important issues being debated by the traditional Jew of Christ’s times and the radicals who chose to follow Him. It seems to have been the focal point of what got Christ killed and indeed the focal point of many a debate today.

What Jesus was trying to get the Pharisees and the Sadducees to understand was that the will of God was more important than the play-it-by-the-book interpretation of the Law of Moses. They were apparently more interested in being right than being moral.

“Thus you nullify the Word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” Matthew 15:69.

Over and over again throughout the New Testament, Christ lets us know He is the fulfillment of the Law. He is the embodiment of God’s Word. He is the point, not the rule. The point of the law, any law, is to protect the innocent, punish the guilty and thereby preserve the social and political order of man. Technicality or not, the law was never intended to let a murderer go free. The point of God’s Word is that Jesus indeed is His Son, raised from the dead, who died for our original sin and through whom we obtain everlasting life. Out of love and compassion for our fellow man, out of service in His name, out of honoring Him, will we also fulfill our purpose here on earth? Law or no law, the Word of God was never intended to punish the pure of heart when acting on behalf of the Almighty.

So Jesus was constantly at odds with religious scholars of His day about the literal interpretation of scripture (the Law of Moses) versus daily activity in the service of the Lord. Hence, His parables were constantly illustrating to those who would listen that, yes, you might be right, but according to the Will of God, what’s your point?

Do you know people who just have to be right all the time? Regardless of the situation or the circumstances, their need to be right and have you acknowledge their rightness supersedes all logic, common sense and purpose.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is just like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-40. It sounds simple enough. But watch your back if you choose to live by this principle. Yes, play by the rules. But don’t ever forget the point.

Columnist James Washington

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE INITIATIVES

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) is seeking a results-oriented, Director, Workforce Initiatives. Duties will include the management, hands-on strategic support, and monitoring of workforce development related grants. This position requires a strong foundation in managing workforce programs for populations with significant barriers to employment into high-quality jobs/careers. Experience with job development and employer engagement is beneficial. Knowledge of contract compliance, documentation/results reporting, and assessment/evaluation is necessary, as are strong meeting facilitation, community relations, and project management skills. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s in Business, Education, Sociology, Social Work, or related fields (Masters a plus), excellent writing and presentation skills, and strong competence in database management and Microsoft® Office. Email letter of application, resume and salary history by August 15, 2018 to careers@stlarchs.org or Fax to HR, 314-289-5670. NO phone calls please.

FT CAREGIVER

FT CAREGIVER at L’Arche St. Louis. Salary + excellent benefits. Meaning, self-discovery, & professional development while providing valuable service with a committed team. You belong! Find out more & apply: larchestlouis.org/were-hiring

New Openings with Missouri Botanical Garden! 2nd Shift Part Time Facility Support Attendant How to Apply: Missouri Botanical Garden has a work environment that promotes diversity and is committed to

Early

EDUCATORS

work in HeadStart classrooms. Classes are team taught. Teachers interact intensively with the children in their care and their

Please visit http://flancecenter.org/hiring for full description or R.S.V.P for a Job Fair on Saturday, July 28, 2018 from 10 am-12pm by calling Kenisha Stallings at 314-881-0855

GREEN CITIES PROGRAM POSITIONS

St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) has two openings to assist its Green Cities Coalition initiatives.

• Program Manager. Directs the Urban Greening Program(UGP) demolitions and aligns the program efforts with other stabilization efforts. Leads the application of data-driven solutions to demolition, vacancy reuse, and stabilization activities as well as facilitates community engagement/ planning efforts in the UGP footprint. Manages the demolition specialist.

• Demolition Specialist: Manages the demolitions related to the UGP. Issues bid requests, oversees demo tion contracts, and coordinates with the City’s Building Division.

To apply online and see position details go to: http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc/ and click on “Careers at SLDC.”

SLDC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure national flood insurance through Selective Insurance Agents. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because this service is available through a single agent (Federal Government). Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure national flood insurance through Selective Insurance Agents. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service because this service is available through a single agent (Federal Government). Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Accela Civic Cloud Hosting. The District is proposing single source procurement to Accela for this service because the annual renewal of cloud hosting is due. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

COORDINATOR

The St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission seeks a full-time Coordinator to support a

Strong project management experience is a must. Apply by July 31, 2018. See www.stlmhb.com for more details.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SPECIALIST

The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking applications for the Transportation Planning Specialist position at its Central Office located in Jefferson City, Missouri. This position evaluates transportation alternatives for the ability to meet transportation goals and objectives and potential social, economic, and environmental impacts on communities; and informs, educates and advises customers about the transportation planning process.

Successful candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Planning, Civil Engineering, or related field, and six years of experience in transportation engineering or planning.

To view the entire job description, and apply on-line, please visit www. modot.org/jobs (Job ID #10757). The application deadline is July 30, 2018. Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/D/V

PASTOR

Small Missionary Baptist Church in the City is seeking a Pastor. Send Resume to: Seeking Pastors 11035 Huson Valley Dr. St. Louis, MO 63138

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 p.m. on August 23rd, 2018 to contract with a company for: Pest Control Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9480 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

CITY OF ST. LOUIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES

The City of St. Louis (City), by and through the Department of Personnel, is seeking proposals for the provision of temporary staffing services. The City plans to enter into a two-year contract for these services beginning approximately September 1, 2018, with a provision to extend the contract(s) for an additional two one year periods, upon written agreement of the parties. The contract(s) will be subject to termination by the City upon thirty (30) days written notice with or without cause and without penalty, damage or forfeiture. The temporary staffing services will be provided directly to the operating departments of the City.

Requests for proposals may be downloaded from the City of St. Louis website at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/personnel/documents/ temporary-staffing-services-rfp.cfm

The proposals must be delivered to the Department of Personnel on or before 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, July 27, 2018. Proposals may be hand delivered or mailed to: Department of Personnel, Recruitment and Examination Section, Attention: Bryan Boeckelmann, 1114 Market Street, Room 700, St. Louis, Missouri 63101-2043

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

St. Louis Development Corporation is accepting application proposals for The Neighborhood Commercial District Improvement (NCDI) Program for qualified business owners, commercial building owners, non-profits, and community groups to request CDBG funding to enhance the exterior appearance of commercial buildings and support the beautification of commercial districts. For a copy of the RFP visit ww.SLDCFacade.com, or contact: facade@stlouis-mo.gov

ST. LOUIS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

FAÇADE APPLICATION

1520 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2000 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63103 (314) 657-3774 (PHONE) (314) 603-7011 (FAX)

Application profiles are due no later than 5:00 P.M. CST Friday, August 17, 2018 – accepted via fax/email/hand-delivered or mailed (must be received by August 17th).

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: Aon - St. Louis

The project consists of a 20,000 sf office build-out in the Cortex Complex.

A pre-bid walk-through will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 8:00 AM. The meeting will be at 4220 Duncan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 on the 4th floor. Bids for this project are due on August 3, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. For any questions or would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Theresa Stout at 636-561-9849 or tmstout@ paric.com.

All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@paric.com) or fax (636-561-9501).

Plans and specifications will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146.

PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for North and South Road ARS Infrastructure, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1493, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 25, 2018

Plans and specifications will be available on July 2, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2017 North County ITS Segments, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1643, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 25, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on July 2, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Dammert and Broadway Sanitary Relief (SKME-551) Part 2 under Letting No. 11155-015.2, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEEP SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis City AND County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Diplomat Lane Outfall Stabilization under Letting No. 11447-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Thursday, August 16, 2018, at a place designated.

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Request for Qualifications

Energy Audit Services

St. Louis Development Corporation

The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) has joined a collaboration called the Small Business Energy Initiative to promote energy efficiency in buildings within the City of St. Louis by helping small businesses achieve energy-saving results in their buildings.

As part of this initiative, SLDC is seeking qualifications from firms to perform ASHRAE Level 1 and Level 2 audits (or equivalent) for an unidentified number of buildings within the City of St. Louis, Missouri. The number of buildings available will be restricted to funds available. Statements of Qualifications will be received until 3:00 PM on August 14th, 2018 at St. Louis Development Corporation. Attention Peter Phillips, 1520 Market Street Suite 2000, St. Louis, Missouri 63013.

The full invitation, relevant dates, and all other documents related to this opportunity may be downloaded at: https://www. stlouis-mo.gov/ /government/departments/ sldc/procurement/rfq-energy-auditserives.cfm

SLDC is an Equal opportunity Employer, and Respondents shall comply with the Mayor’s Executive Order #28, as amended.

Request for Proposals for Removal and Proper Disposal of Hazardous Electronic Material 623-49 East Holly Ave. St. Louis, Missouri, 63147

The Planned Industrial Expansion Authority (PIEA) of the City of St. Louis, Missouri is seeking proposals for the removal and proper disposal of electronic equipment from a previous electronics reuse and recycling facility. The majority of the material proposed for removal is cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and televisions.

PIEA is seeking proposals from firms registered at tier 3 or 4 on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Voluntary Tiered Registration Program for electronic recycling, though all proposals will be considered.

The site will be available for a walk through on July 30th, 2018 at 10:00 AM. Proposals will be received until 3:00 PM on August 14th, 2018 at St. Louis Development Corporation. Attention Peter Phillips, 1520 Market Street Suite 2000, St. Louis, Missouri 63013, at which time and location a public bid opening will take place.

The full invitation, relevant dates, and all other documents related to this opportunity may be downloaded at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/sldc/brownfields/649-hollycrt-rfp.cfm

PIEA is an Equal opportunity Employer, and Respondents shall comply with the Mayor’s Executive Order #28, as amended.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Coldwater Southwest Subwatershed I/I Reduction (St Charles Rock Rd and Ashby Rd) under Letting No. 12125-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BID PROPOSAL

KCI Construction requests subcontract proposals from MBE and WBE businesses for the Fiery Fork Conservation Area Bridge Improvements (Camden County), Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO. Project Job #81-03-03

Plans and specifications are available

• To view electronically at no charge from: http://mdc.adsmo.net

• To view at our Camdenton office: 5505 Old South 5, Camdenton, MO 65020

• By a Dropbox Link from jmorrow@kciconstruction.com

All potential bidders are asked to attend the pre-bid on June 5th at 1:00 PM

Subcontractor bids are due by 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2018. You may email bids to jmorrow@kciconstruction.com or send a fax to 573-346-9739. Please call if you have any questions: 314-200-6496.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The America’s Center is seeking proposals from qualified companies to provide an upgrade path for its Nortel Networks Meridian 1 telephone switch. Requests for Proposals are available between Monday, July 2 and Friday, July 13, 2018 by contacting Alan Van Bevern, 314.992.0672 or via email at avanbevern@explorestlouis.com. Mandatory proposal conference July 18, 2018 at 10:00 am CDT. Proposals are due by Friday, July 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm CDT. America’s Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE

INVITATION TO BID:

Lemay Child and Family Center, at 9828 South Broadway Saint Louis Missouri, is soliciting bids for a laundry room addition at our location at 9828 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63125. Interested parties to contact Denise Wiese at dwiese@lemaychildandfamily. org to request a bid information package that defines the scope of the project and bid requirements. The scope of work for this project will be the addition of laundry room that will include, general /carpenters work, plumbing and electrical work. There will be a site walkthrough on July 24, 2018 at 11:00 am to visit the site. Please note that no one should show up on site unannounced and expect to gain access to the facility.

All bids must be delivered to the Lemay Child and Family Center by no later than 5:00 pm on August 3, 2018. Sealed written bids can be dropped off at the facility or emailed to Denise Wiese at the above email address.

All bidders to be aware that this work will be awarded by August 6, 2018 and needs to be completed by September 14, 2018. All questions to submitted by email to Denise Wiese at least 3 days before the bid due date.

All received bids will be privately opened and reviewed by selected Lemay Child and Family Center board members. Project to be awarded to the best overall proposal/bid received. No bid bond or performance and payment bonds are required. All bidders to submit the other required info found in the bid information package.

By: Denise Wiese, Executive Director

NOTICE TO BIDDERS: PATIENT CARE TOWER 3RD & 4TH FLOOR FITOUT &

DeWitt & Associates, Inc. is requesting proposals for the Patient Care Tower

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Bissell Point WWTF Influent Pump Station Bar Screen Replacement (IR) under Letting No. 13152-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Mis-

bid deadline. A general description of the work to be done under these contract documents can be found in Section 01 01 00 of Part 5 – Specifications.

The work to be done under these contract documents consists of: • Removal and replacement of two stainless steel bar screens.

• Fabricate

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: Building Construction. Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A non-mandatory Pre-Bid conference will be held at 9:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 in the District office at 20 E. Grand, St. Louis Missouri 63147 in the DEC Conference Room. (Please refer to the attached Exhibit B in Part 3 – Conditions of Contract for location and directions to the designated conference room.) A site tour of the Bissell Point WWTF at 20 E. Grand, St. Louis, Missouri 63147 will be conducted following the pre-bid conference.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: University of Missouri - Patient Care Tower - 3rd & 4th floor fit out and AHU Modifications.

The project consists of construction of 6 new operating room suites into the existing shell space on the east end of the 3rd floor of the Patient Care Tower, 25 new pre and post-operative rooms into existing shell space on the east end of the 4th floor of the Patient Care Tower and a new freestanding auxiliary penthouse adjacent to the existing main penthouse for the Patient Care Tower.

Bids will be due by 12:30 PM on Thursday, August 2nd and should be submitted by e-mail to bids@paric.com or fax (636-561-9501).

A Diversity Participation goal of 10% MBE and 10% Combined WBE, DBE, Veteran Owned Business and 3% SDVE has been established for this contract.

For any questions or would like to find out more detailed information on this opportunity, please contact Evan Chiles at 636-561-9544 or emchiles@paric.com.

Plans and specifications will be available to view at Paric’s Main office at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146.

Invitation for Equipment Bids

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is seeking bids for NVG compatible radios & installation, digital gauges and overlays for moving maps & cockpit displays, & field operations guide printing. Bids are due 08/08/18. Funding provided by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. MBEs / WBEs are encouraged to submit bids. Find details at www.ewgateway.org or by calling 314-421-4220 ext. 208.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 1, 2018 to contract with a company for: HUNTER WHEEL BALANCER. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9453 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQUEST FOR BIDS

The America’s Center is soliciting bids for painting the public restrooms at the Dome. A prebid & walkthrough meeting is scheduled for July 24th, 2018 at 10:00am. Meeting Location: 901 N. Broadway Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Contact David Savage at 314-342-5357 with project inquiries. The America’s Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The City of St. Louis Port Authority (“the Authority”) requests proposals from those interested in leasing approximately 157,000 SF of warehouse space on a 6.45-acre lot at 2226 N. 1st St., aka #5 Clinton St. Additional vacant parcels close-by of 3.21 acres and 4.2 acres are also available for lease in conjunction with the warehouse lease.

For more information go to SLDC website: www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc/

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure Staffing Services for a Consultant with Oracle E-Business Suite Application experience. The District is proposing single source procurement for this service with Techwise Consulting because Techwise staffing is currently performing this support. Any inquiries should be sent to strenz@stlmsd.com. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Horizon Technology TurboVap and DryVap Systems. The District is proposing single source procurement to Horizon Technology for this equipment because Horizon is a match to the current equipment being utilized. Any inquiries should be sent to ltreat@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

Body Cameras – The City of Webster Groves Police Department is accepting sealed bids for body worn cameras at 4 South Elm Ave Webster Groves, MO 63119 until Friday July 27, 2018 at 5:00 P.M. For more information visit www.webstergroves.org/bids or by contacting Greg Perks at (314) 963-5417. All rights reserved.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 6th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Video Production Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9443 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice

of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Title Quote Support (Annual). The District is proposing single source procurement to Amitech Solutions for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference,limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Call Angelita at 314-289-5430 to place your rental/real estate ad today!

SEALED BIDS

for CRoof Replacement, Kirksville Regional Office, Kirksville, Missouri, Project N o . M 1 7 0 6 - 0 1 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 12, 2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

STL Critical Technologies Corporation JV I, LLC d/b/a Nvsted (“Nvsted”) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to aid in implementing an online, digital, and traditional marketing campaign to draw target users to the Nvsted website.

To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 5:00 PM CST on Thursday, August 9, 2018. Proposals should be sent by e-mail to hbean@stlpartnership.com, or to Nvsted, c/o St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, ATTN: Howl Bean II, 7733 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 2200, St. Louis, Missouri 63105. DBE, MBE, and WBE firms are encouraged to bid, and a proposal discount is available to certified MBE firms.

The Request for Proposals may be obtained from the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership’s web site at www.stlpartnership.com. Nvsted reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities therein. Any questions should be directed to Howl Bean II at (314) 615-7663 or hbean@stlpartnership.com. St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Equal Opportunity Employer

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FSMC Request for Proposal and Contract

St. Louis Catholic Academy is requesting bids to operate its food service program for the 2018-2019 school year. St. Louis Catholic Academy serves breakfast, lunch and snacks to approximately 140 students. Meals are served Monday thru Friday, and follows the USDA Federal School Lunch guidelines set by DESE. Interested companies may visit the school on July 19, 2018 at 12:00PM in order to view the cafeteria and ask any questions. Proposals will be due by July 20, 2018 at 12:00PM. The school’s address is 4720 Carter Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115. You may contact the principal, Sandra Morton at (314) 389-0401 or principal444@stlcatholicacademy.org

Pursuant to the award of a grant from the Department of Defense, Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (the Partnership), the Partnership is seeking a contractor which will engage with

must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLIC NOTICE – CRAN_

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Detailed Plan for Bevo Great Streets Project East-West Gateway is seeking submittals from consultants to develop a detailed plan for the Bevo Great Streets Project. A DBE goal will be set for this project. Submittals are

Pure joy from Janelle Monae. I already knew from catching her at ESSENCE Festival on more than one occasion that Janelle Monae is on another wavelength – but never fails to bring abundant life in the midst of her “girl, you so different” vibrations. She might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but her talent and ability to captivate is undeniable. St. Louis knew it to be true too, which is why they soldout the St. Louis leg of her “Dirty Computer” tour as soon as the doggone show was announced. By the time it finally arrived at The Pageant on Wednesday, it had already been sold-out for months. And I imagine every show she does from here on out will enjoy the same success after the way she slayed the stage. Soul duo St. Beauty got things poppin’ as the opening act. They looked like they were warped from the middle of a 1974 Soul Train line straight to the Pageant stage, thanks to their afros, halter tops and boogie-on-down choreography. I was so into it, I had to stop myself from doing “the bump” with my seat neighbor. They would have been a tough act to follow had the headliner been anybody other than Tessa Thompson’s not-so-secret, secret main squeeze Monae. Janelle was jukin,’ rappin,’ singin,’ twerkin,’ and living her best life on that stage. I know hardly none of y’all know her songs, because she hasn’t been on the radio since she was singing “Primetime” with my soulmate in the head Miguel. But even if you hadn’t heard of her and was able to luck up on a plus one, you would have left that show a fan for life. I see why the late, great, Prince rode so hard for her.

One last dance with ‘Darker Gods.’ Since I’m already out of the realm of your regular Partyline programming, I might as well keep it consistent and jump right into my experience at the closing reception for Damon Davis’ multimedia exhibition “Darker Gods” at The Luminary (an art gallery on Cherokee Street). It’s no coincidence that I saw several faces from the Janelle Monae show in the building to bid farewell to Davis show – which was great, by the way. A wave of sadness came over me when I was reminded that I would be telling y’all about something that had already come and gone. Hopefully, you were informed enough to know that it was there and had a chance to check it out yourselves. Montague Simmons, Helen Marie, Brittany Ferrell, Kayla Reed and singer/songwriter Bloom were all in the building. James Biko was on the tables and it was a good old alternative creative cool kids time! Fret not if you missed it. I’ll bet my lengthy new lace front that there are more big things in store for Damon, who is clearly a renaissance man. A nod for Headnotic. Okay, I have one more event that isn’t the run-of-the-mill for Partyline … but everyone who stepped through there knows that I am right to give it some attention. I stopped through the Ferring Jazz Bistro to see what Lamar Harris was talking about with his Headnotic weekend set – and I’m so glad I did. Listen, y’all can say whatever you want about this city, but if you even try to hint that we don’t have talent comparable with any place on earth, you will be proven wrong. Harris and his crew got it in like the Grammy Award winners and nominees that regularly grace the stage thanks to Jazz St. Louis. And I must also give a shout out to C.J. Conrod – who performed along with Harris and his ensemble of talented music makers. “It Won’t Be Like This Always” – both the song, and your performance – spoke to my spirit!

An excused tardy for Quik and Scarface. I know folks were talkin’ sideways about the folks who put on the Scarface/DJ Quik doubleheader at The Pageant because of the late start. But that surprise thunderstorm – the one that ruined my tradition of attending the 4th Annual Soulition Park Jam – meant that his flight came when it got here. Shout out to DJ Aye Eye for keeping the folks engaged while we all waited for Quik to touch down. And those wondering why Scarface couldn’t just go on first found out once the show got crackin’ that Quik was Face’s official DJ for the night. I know, it shocked me too! Word on the curb is that Face suddenly fired his DJ the night before and Quik stepped up to the plate. But I guess his name ain’t DJ Quik for nothing. I feel like Quik should have just done his set and let Scarface go last since he was working the tables, but it seemed like he decided to do the back-and-forth thing. I’m going to go ahead and give him the benefit of the doubt on that outfit and assume that he never changed out of his comfortable, but fashion disaster traveling clothes. I have never seen a gangsta in clashing prints in all of my days. And when he got to doing those little thug twosteps, I couldn’t help but cackle. He sounded well live – and with no vocal tracks. I was thrilled to see that he brought his homie Hi C as a hype man. I hadn’t seen him since he had a curl. I’ve seen Scarface twice this year already and he is consistent on the microphone. What could have been a logistical nightmare actually turned out to be a decent little show. Shout out to St. Louis’ own Chingy for lighting up the stage right quick and to Tef Poe for stopping through.

Two-for-two from Trap Soul Paint. I made it my business to see if the second installment of Café Soul’s Trap Soul Paint would live up to its triumphant debut. I know you already know from the headline that it did, just indulge me anyway. After having The Gallery by Troy look more like Gallery By Trap for its June debut, the monthly paint-pour-sip-n-twerk session settled into its permanent home at The House of Soul. The folks had a blast as DJ Climate and Dre-Co had the turnup level to the absolute max. I was thrilled to see a handful of gentlemen partake in Sunday’s session. The last one was almost exclusively all ladies. To the curvy woman with the flowered romper: how did you twerk for dear life and still not paint outside the lines? The folks were painting King T’Challa, but I will go ahead blame the one or two that looked like Isaac Hayes’ “Hot Buttered Soul”

cover on the alcohol.

album

R&B vets Howard Hewett and Lynne Fiddmont with guests @ 2nd Annual Summerset Jazz Festival Saturday @ Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion

Photo by Dr. Pamela Jackson

Jaime and his lovely wife Samantha caught some throwback hip-hop thanks to DJ Quik and Scarface Saturday night @ The Pageant

Jennifer and Destiny got a taste of old school hiphop Saturday night @ The Pageant

James and Helen Marie @ the closing reception for Damon Davis’ ‘Darker Gods’ Thursday night @ The Luminary

Adrienne, Lynne, Anita, Kathy and Dr. Pam Jackson Saturday evening @ the 2nd Annual Summerset Jazz Festival Saturday @ Forest Park’s World’s Fair Pavilion

Elizabeth Donielle and her handsome son R.J. showing support for Trap Soul Paint Sunday @ House of Soul

The Healthy Hair Solutions team was one of several vendors on deck for Café Soul’s Trap Soul Paint Sunday @ House of Soul

The beautiful Brittany Ferrell @ the closing reception for Damon Davis’ ‘Darker Gods’ Thursday night @ The Luminary

Orlando and Bloom were amongst the many creatives who helped Damon Davis bid farewell to ‘Darker Gods’ @ The Luminary Thursday evening

Amy and Helen explore their artistic side during Café Soul’s Trap Soul Paint Sunday afternoon @ House of Soul

Hip-hop veterans DJ Quik and Scarface fellowshipped with St. Louis’ own rap stars Chingy (who also graced the stage with Quik) and Tef Poe Saturday night following their co-headlining performance at The Pageant presented by Orlando Watson’s RockHouse Ent.

Department of Health 2018 • 2

Work Plan for Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program

Since its inception, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant (Title V of the Social Security Act) has provided a foundation for ensuring the health of our Nation’s mothers and children. Guided by available data the City of St. Louis Department of Health has selected the priority health issue (PHI) below to address.

Selected Priority Health Issue(s): Prevent and reduce unintentional injury related to exposure to violence in children/ adolescents ages 1 to 19 years of age. This should impact the National Outcome Measures of child and adolescents death rate per 100,000 children/adolescents age 1-19.

Statement of the Problem: Statement of the Problem: Homicide rates in St. Louis began increasing sharply in 2014, and from 2015 to 2017 there were a total of 587 homicides in St. Louis. According to 2014-2016 data from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS), St. Louis City’s homicide rate was 40.58/100,000 population, 4.5 times higher than the State’s rate of 8.98/100,000 population. From 2014-2016, homicides involving a firearm were the leading cause of death for age groups 10-14 (rate of 1.88/100,000), 15-17(rate of 65.78/100,000), and 18-19 (rate of 119.23/100,000), accounting for 90.9% of the total homicide rate. The state’s rate for these age groups is much lower at .68/100,000, 6.01/100,000, and 17.35/100,000, respectively. The homicide victims were primarily males (83%) of black race (90%), and the homicide suspects were primarily males (98%) of black race (96%). The zip codes with the highest homicide rates in the city for years 2014 through 2016 were 63113, 63115, and 63136. From 2015 to 2017, ten St. Louis neighborhoods accounted for 44% of the homicides in the city, with the highest numbers in Greater Ville, Wells Goodfellow, and Jeff Vander Lou neighborhoods. Violent crime is a complex problem that often stems from several factors such as education, income, age, social

environment, family interactions, parental monitoring, peers, regulations, and neighborhoods. Public health strategies which embrace the concepts of multi causality and complexity are necessary to understand and control violence, and to reduce health inequity among black male youth. Areas of the City with high homicide rates also have 30% or more of their population below poverty and more than 30% of their population with less than a high school education.

Studies show that children growing

up in circumstances such as exposure to family violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, poverty, discrimination, marginalization, and living in foster care are often challenged in their ability to stay on a positive trajectory into adulthood.

The MDHSS MICA database shows that injuries in youth ages 1-19 in St. Louis City for years 2013-2015 are high, with the rate of 171.8/100,000 for abuse/neglect/rape, 3.5 times higher than the state’s rate of 49.6/100,00. Youth faced with these kinds of adversities are at greater risk of poor outcomes such as engaging in violent acts themselves, conflicts with the law, low educational attainment, and self-harming behaviors (Fergus and Zimmerman 2005. Adolescent Resilience: A Framework for Understanding Healthy Development in the Face of Risk. Annual review of Public Health, 26, 399-419.).

It is vital for the St. Louis City Department of Health to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of children’s exposure to violence and trauma, and to

implement programs that will help reduce the homicide rates associate with firearms. Programs are needed that help to make homes, schools, and communities safer for children and youth. The St. Louis Department of Health proposes to increase its efforts to assure programs are available that engage teachers, coaches, counselors, nurses and other front-line educators and caregivers on proven ways to help children heal from trauma, and to motivate parents and adults to be more caring, concerned, and supportive figures to the children around them.

Goal(s):

All children who are exposed and identified to violence/trauma in the Wells Goodfellow, Jeff Vander Lou and Greater Ville area will receive a resiliency building intervention. The complete (3 yr.) work plan and more information can be obtained by contacting: Gwendolyn Thompson, RN Email tompsong@st.louis-mo.gov Office (314) 657-1458

Department of Health 2018 • 3

2018-2019 Missouri School Immunization Requirements

2018-2019 Missouri School Immunization Requirements

• All students must present documentation of up-to-date immunization status, including month, day, and year of each immunization before attending school.

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) allows a 4-day grace period.Students in all grade levels may receive immunizations up to four days before theduedate

• Required immunizations should be administered according to the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Schedule, including all spacing, (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html).

• To remain in school, students "in progress" must have an Immunization In Progress form (Imm.P.14) on file In progress means that a child has begun the vaccine series and has an appointment for the next dose. This appointment must be kept and an updated record provided to the school. If the appointment is not kept, the child is no longer in progress and is noncompliant. (i.e.,Hep B vaccine series was started but the child is not yet eligible to receive the next dose in the series.)

• Religious (Imm.P.11A) and Medical (Imm.P.12) exemptions are allowed. The appropriate exemption card must be on file. Unimmunized children are subject to exclusion from school when outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases occur.

1. Last dose on or after the fourth birthday and the last dose of pediatric pertussis before the seventh birthday. Maximum needed: six doses.

2. 8-12 Grades: Tdap, which contains pertussis vaccine, is required.

3. Grade 8-10: One dose of MCV is required Dose must be given after 10 years of age.

Grade 12: Two doses of MCV arerequired unless the first dose was administered to a student who was 16 years of age or older, in which case only one dose is required. At least one dose must be given after 16 years of age.

4.Kindergarten-8 Grade: Last dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday. The interval between the nextto-last and last dose should be at least six months.

9-12Grades: Last dose on or after the fourth birthday. Any combination of four doses of IPV and OPV constitutes a complete series. Maximum needed: four doses.

5. First dose must be given on or after twelve months of age.

6. There must be at least four weeks between dose one and two; at least 8 weeks between dose two and three; at least 16 weeks between doses one and three and final dose must be given no earlier than 24 weeks of age.

7. First dose must be given on or after twelve months of age.

Kindergarten-8 Grade: As satisfactory evidence of disease,a licensed health care providermay sign and place on file with the school a written statement documenting the month and year of previous varicella (chickenpox) disease.

9-12 Grades: As satisfactory evidence of disease,a parent/guardianor MD or DOmay sign and placeon file with the school a written statement documenting the month and year of previous varicella (chickenpox) disease.

Tobacco Smoke and Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy slows down your baby’s growth, keeping important organs like the lungs and brain from being as strong and healthy as they could be. Unborn babies whose mothers smoke are more likely to die before or after birth, to be born early, and to have low birth weight. Babies who are born early or at a low birth weight are weaker and may face serious health problems.

Quitting early in pregnancy is best, but no matter how far along you are, quitting now will benefit you and your baby. Here’s what you can expect to happen after you quit:

• Your baby will get more oxygen.

• Your baby will have a better chance of being born a healthy weight.

A word on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

• Your baby’s lungs will be more likely to work well.

• Your baby will be more likely to make it all the way to 39 weeks.

• An increased chance that your baby will come home from the hospital with you.

SIDS is the sudden, unexpected, and unexplained death of an infant before age 1. According to the Surgeon General, secondhand smoke is a known cause of SIDS. Babies whose mothers smoked while pregnant were also more likely to die from SIDS.

Planning to become pregnant?

Women who smoke have a harder time getting pregnant than nonsmokers. Now is the perfect time for both you and your partner to quit!

To learn more about tobacco smoke and pregnancy, visit women.smokefree.gov.

Free Resources to Help You Quit

We have assembled the following links to external resources designed to help you quit smoking. Contact Smoke Free St. Louis Kids today for more information about similar programs and why quitting smoking now is the best thing you can do for your children.

Missouri Tobacco Quitline

From their Web site: When you join

our FREE program we’ll help you create an easy-to-follow Quitting Plan that will show you how to get ready, take action and then live the rest of your life as a nonsmoker.

Missouri offers free help to smokers who want to quit using tobacco. The Missouri Tobacco Quitline provides counseling, information and referrals. Call toll-free: 800.QUIT.NOW (800.784.8669). The line is open daily 7 a.m.-2 a.m.

Freedom From Smoking

From their Web site: Freedom From Smoking® Online, or FFS Online, is a program specifically designed for adults, like you, who want to quit smoking. It’s an adaptation of the American Lung Association’s gold standard, group clinic that has helped thousands of smokers to quit for good.

SmokeFree.gov Quit Guide

From their Web site: We wrote this guide with the help of ex-smokers and

experts. It can help you prepare to quit and support you in the days and weeks after you quit. It also describes problems to expect when you quit. Being prepared can help you through the hard times.

SmokefreeTXT

SmokefreeTXT is a free mobile service designed for teens and young adults across the United States. SmokefreeTXT was created to provide 24/7 encouragement, advice, and tips to help smokers stop smoking for good.

Smoking and Missouri State Facts

The State of Tobacco Control 2012 report, developed by the American Lung Association, provides facts related to smoking for each of the 50 states and highlights the statistics related to economic costs, smoking rates, and deaths attributable to smoking. The following numbers highlight some facts related to smoking in Missouri. Economic Cost Due to Smoking: $4,755,871,000

Summer Safety for Pets

Remember to keep your pets safe and healthy during hot weather!

• In extreme heat, it is important that pets are in an air conditioned environment. If you must keep your pet outside, make sure to provide plenty of shade and fresh, cool water.

• Never leave pets alone in a vehicle or standing on asphalt surfaces.

• Watch for coolant leaking from your vehicle—a pet drinking just a small amount can cause death.

• Pets can get sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on the nose and ear tips.

Contact the City of St. Louis Department of Health for:

• Animal Care and Control matters at (314) 657-1500

• Food Services matters at (314) 612-5300

• All other public health matters at (314) 622-5100

Smoking Attributable Deaths: 9,584

Smoking Attributable Lung Cancer Deaths: 3,121

Smoking Attributable Respiratory Disease Deaths: 2,454

Missouri continues to spend billions of dollars in economic costs due to smoking. For more information about the economic costs please see the at the World Health Organizations’s Asssessment of the Economic Costs of Smoking.

These numbers and rates not only affect the smokers, but affect society as a whole, and we must continue to think about ourselves and our children to seek out a brighter and smoke free future.

• Limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Do not force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather.

If you require any reasonable modifications or auxiliary aids and services for effective communication because of a disability, call (314) 657-1480 or email health@stlouis-mo.gov 48 hours in advance.

Avoiding dog attacks

Most of the time, dogs can be fun to play with and pet, but sometimes they can be scary and unfriendly. They may not like being pet or are uncomfortable around unfamiliar poeple. To stay safe, here are a couple DOs and DON’Ts.

• DON’T approach a dog you don’t know

• DON’T scream

• DON’T run away

• DO remain motionless and avoid eye contact with the dog

• DO keep your hands at your sides

• DO slowly back away until the dog is out of sight

Remember: If you are ever bitten by a dog, immediately wash the wound with soap and warm water and report the bite to your local animal control agency.

Source: The Humane Society of the United States.

(http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/ dogs/tips/avoid_dog_bites.html)

Animal Care and Control Shelter Information

Adoptable Animals, Lost Pets, Surrendering an Animal, Fees, and Donations

Adoptions

Adoptable Animals Potential adopters are welcome to visit our shelter at 2801 Clark Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103 between the hours of 10am-5pm, seven days a week, to meet our adoptable animals. If possible, we ask that you call ahead so we can make sure staff are available to provide you the best customer service. Our shelter phone number is 314-612-5311. Our adoption process is facilitated through a partner organization, Stray Rescue. If you would like more information about the adoption process, including fees, your next step would be to contact Stray Rescue at 314-771-6121, or visit their website at http://strayrescue.org/ [strayrescue.org]. Photos For the latest photos and information on our adoptable animals check out: Petfinder.com [www. petfinder.com], Adopt-A-Pet [www.adoptapet.com], Pet Harbor [www.petharbor. com]

Surrendering an Animal

Animal Care and Control will accept animal surrenders at our shelter facility at 2801 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103, 10am to 5pm, seven days a week. A fee of $60.00 (paid by a cashier’s check or money order) and a state ID is required at the time of surrender. Fees may be waived if proof of low-income status or financial hardship is provided (Current award letters for TANF, SSI, pension, SNAP, welfare, Medicare, Disability, WIC, subsidized housing, and/or unemployment).

Lost Pet

If you have lost a pet, Animal Care and Control has the following suggestions:

1. Post fliers as soon as possible in the area where your pet may have been lost.

2. Utilize social media to help spread the word that your pet is lost. Below are several social media sites dedicated to lost and found pets: www.facebook.com/ACC.STL [www.facebook.com] www.facebook.com/STLLostPets [www.facebook.com] twitter. com/STLLostPets [twitter.com] www.facebook.com/missourilostfoundpaws [www. facebook.com]

3. Complete a lost pet report with STL Lost Pets [www.stllostpets.org]

4. Check Craigslist [stlouis.craigslist.org] frequently–under “community” there is a link for “pets”. You should post a photo of your lost pet there, as well as a description. Then, continue to check Craigslist daily to see if perhaps someone else located your pet and has posted it to Craigslist.

5. Continue to check with local shelters. You may need to visit each shelter individually (and perhaps more than once) to walk through to see if your pet has been picked up. Shelter Location, Phone, and Hours 2801 Clark Ave St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314) 612-5311 Hours: You can visit and look for your pet anytime between 10am-5pm Monday-Sunday.

Donations

Donations • Cat and dog beds • Blankets and towels • Cat toys • Dog toys, such as Kongs • Cat and dog treats • Plastic bags/poop bags • Newspaper Cardboard soda flats (for disposable litter boxes) • Durable rubber balls or tennis balls • Puzzle toys • Nylabones • Dog/cat bowls • Leashes and collars • Plastic litter boxes • Dog crates • Dog/cat carriers • Peanut butter • Garden hoses • Paper plates • Zip lock baggies (any size) • Ink pens • Accessories for exotic pets, such as aquariums or small mammal cages, water bottles, bowls, litter, small mammal food, etc.

Fees

Kennel permit application - $40.00

Vaccination registration - $50.00

Vaccination registration (for a spayed/neutered pet) - $4.00

Replacement vaccination registration tag - $1.00

Release fee for impounded animal - $20.00

Additional housing fee for impounded animal - $10.00/day

Rabies observation fee - $50.00

Microchip* - $10.00

Rabies vaccination* - $10.00

Owner surrender fee - $60.00

*Services for the release of impounded animals ONLY. We will accept a cashier’s check or money order. For more questions about the impound process, call (314) 657-1500.

Child Lead Testing Services

Child Lead Testing Services Information on how to request and obtain lead testing services for children six and under Overview Lead testing services are available for children under the age of six who reside in the City of St. Louis. Services are provided as walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call to schedule an appointment. Total testing procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

Preparation: Must be a City of St.

Louis resident with a child under six years of age.

Instructions: Schedule an appointment by calling 314 657-1487. Walk-ins are welcome. Come to the Health Department offices at 1520 Market, Suite 4051, St. Louis, MO 63103

Fees: Service is free.

What to Expect: Testing consists of a simple finger stick and can be completed in approximately 30 minutes.

Mosquitoes Protection Tips

DRAIN--Mosquitoes breed in water! Drain any standing water in your yard each week. Bird baths, clogged gutters and kiddie pools are common breeding sites.

DRESS--Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors. Spray clothing with insect repellent, since mosquitoes can bite through clothing.

DEET--All day, every day: Whenever you are outside, use insect repellent that

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it. Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.

West Nile

West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms. Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness. (CDC.gov)

Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy. They can make you really sick. Prevent Bites with the “4 D’s”

contains DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Use an approved repellent according to its label.

DAWN/DUSK--Limit time spent outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are most active and feeding.

The Department of Health wants you to Fight the Bite - The 4 D’s

The City of St. Louis does not test birds or mosquitoes for West Nile virus because it is considered to be endemic in the area. For more information about mosquitoes and West Nile virus, including ways to protect against West Nile virus, click here [www.cdc.gov].

Fogging Services

The Department of Health conducts precautionary mosquito fogging to help reduce the mosquito population. If you would like your block fogged please make a service request to the City of St. Louis Citizens’ Service Bureau (CSB) below. You can also contact the CSB if you do not want fogging conducted around your property.

Request a Service

1. Call 314.622.4800

2. https://twitter.com/stlcsb

3. https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/neighborhood-stabilization-office/citizensservice-bureau/csb-request-submit.cfm

Staying Safe During Hot Weather Resources