Hope Solo eats her insult of Briana Scurry.
Rebuilding
North City
Crystal Johnson,Wanda Hopkins and Michael Johnson spoke with 21st Ward Alderman Antonio D. French on Saturday during Rebuilding Together’s “Block by Block”project. French and Rebuilding Together coordinated the efforts of some 400 volunteers from Boeing who are helping residents to rehab 12 houses in the 440 and 4500 blocks of Red Bud.
By Chris King Of The St.Louis American
Students at the Saint Louis University School of Law this fall will have the opportunity to take personal injury law from a new professor, Justin Hansford. But this 29-year-old scholar will hit his stride next spring, when he first teaches legal ethics at SLU.
“I plan to specialize in ethics,” Hansford told The American. “I am interested in teaching students how to be lawyers who fight for the little guy.”
Athird-generation legacy graduate of Howard
Justin Hansford
University, Hansford advocates in particular for
“the little guy” of African descent. So much so that when his law school, Georgetown Law, did not publish a law review with the proper focus to accept the article he had written on the Marcus Garvey case, he forced the university to start one.
“Up until then, no journal at Georgetown focused on racial injustice,” Hansford said.
“They had journals on poverty, international law – everything except racial inequality. We had protests and submitted proposals, and the admin-
“Their feuding did more to harm the movement than to help it, and I would hope history doesn’t repeat itself.”
“It’s helpful to tell people not all lawyers fit the derogatory stereotypes.”
– Justin Hansford
Science Center introduces its YES students to area professionals
By Rebecca S.Rivas
Of The St.Louis American
“We are exposing young children to science.”
– Aliyah Wilson,of the Science Center’s YES program
Richard Shoyoola, age 13, spent the morning on July 15 talking with doctors, college students and professionals at the St. Louis Science Center’s networking event for students in the Youth Exploring Science program. Time ran out and he didn’t get to talk to everyone, so he stayed for the next three-hour session to make sure he did.
“In my opinion, I think it’s a great way to get myself out
See YES, A7
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.Louis American
As she introduces The Best of ‘The Way I
See It’and Other Political Writings (19892010), Jamala Rogers speaks of the beginning.
She challenged her friend Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American, to incorporate a woman’s perspective – not necessarily hers. This resulted in a platform for publicly sharing her opinions on politics, policy, social justice, injustice, racism, equal rights and activism that has spanned the better part of 20 years.
“It doesn’t always mean you have to be on the picket line.It doesn’t mean you have to run for office. But you’ve got to be doing something.”
– Jamala Rogers
As she stood in front of guests recently at the Rowan Community Center, Rogers proved once again her power to get people engaged in the fight to make the world – St. Louis, in particular – a better place.
“I want to do a reality check to see if we have those critical struggles over the past 20 years,” Rogers said to the crowd. “So if you can think of a struggle that you think was important to the St. Louis region – or even to the country – say it and I’ll let you know if it was in there.”
Hands flew up and mouths opened wide, eager to challenge her. Gang violence, the death penalty, arts and culture were called out. She had them covered via Reginald Clemons, the reggae band Infrared Rockers and a chapter on youth that chronicled the impact of gang violence on St. Louis. Everything the community thought she
See JAMALA, A6
Jamala Rogers
President Obama recently announced the unthinkable: As part of the negotiations with the GOP on the issue of raising the federal debt ceiling, the president would put Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare on the chopping block. The three programs affect a huge swath of the American population. Of the millions of people who rely on Medicaid for access to basic health care services, two-thirds are women, adding another dimension to who will suffer from the “painful” decisions to be made by the Congress. Although the announcement caused shivers across the nation, it is not a new stance. Obama has repeatedly said that he was willing to use the three sacred cows as bargaining chips. It seems that the president is willing to give up a whole lot for a little bit. Cuts will be made on the so-called entitlement programs for minor changes in closing the loopholes benefiting private jet owners. Are you kidding me?
I have reported before in previous columns about the numbers of U.S. corporations who pay NO taxes. These include Bank of America and, closer to home, Boeing (which also receives tax subsidies). According to the government’s own records, corporate taxes amount to only about 9 percent of federal revenues. That leaves people like me and you sacrificing to make up the whopping difference. When it comes to the financial pain that working families and the middle class
have endured and can expect to endure in the future, African Americans’ level of pain has escalated.
The Economic Policy Institute has been analyzing the dismal data. The everwidening wealth gap between blacks and white remains stark. In 2004, the median net worth of white households was $134, 280 compared with that of $13,450 for blacks. In 2009 for every dollar of wealth the average white household had, black households only had two cents. It doesn’t take a math genius to figure out whose future is at stake here.
Unemployment and housing foreclosures have disproportionately affected black folks. The unemployment rate for young, black males is astro-
n Obama’s programs and policies have to reflect the reality that the boats of black folks are sinking.
nomical but even educated blacks are taking a hit with the downsizing of corporations and governments; their unemployment rate is almost twice that of their educated white counterpart. That same ratio exists for the foreclosure rate. The black middle class expanded during the last couple of decades but those gains are vanishing. It means super bad news for black people already in poverty. Some feel that it is somewhat of an irony that the
quality of life for African Americans has been decimated under the first black president. Cornel West has even called out the president for being the “black mascot of Wall Street.”
Of course, this economic scene had been in the making long before Obama got to the White House. I do agree with critics that Obama is going too far out of his way to prove that he is not giving preferential treatment to black folks.
If President Obama truly believes, as he often articulates, that a rising tide lifts all boats, his programs and policies have to reflect the reality that the boats of black folks are sinking. Education, social services and jobs for working people should be his priority. This will mean taking a sobering look at the tax rates for corporations (the lowest in the world!) and the defense budget. I think President Obama and the Congress would get real close to a balanced budget if they did so.
If they don’t get serious about easing the pain for the majority of Americans and not the elite minority, I don’t see the political pain the president says both parties, will feel. I only see more suffering and more hopelessness if we sit around expecting these people will look out for the best interests of working people.
The protest at Senator Roy Blunt’s office protesting cuts in Medicaid last week was a good sign that some of us are not sitting this important battle out. I urge you to call your reps in Congress to let them know what you want them to do. The corporate lobbyists are already sitting next to them whispering in their ears. It is now the People’s responsibility to save the programs that the People put in place. Take social security, Medicaid and Medicare off the table!
Kwame were partners in community college project
American staff
St. Louis Community College’s William J. Harrison Education Center recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The LEED green building rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The gold rating is the second highest ranking obtainable under the LEED system.
The rating is based on incorporation of design and construction features that address site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere considerations, materials and resources usage, and indoor environmental quality. To achieve gold certification, a building must earn a minimum total of 39 points in those five areas.
The Harrison Center, located at 3140 Cass Ave., applied for 46 points and received 45.
Design partners in the Harrison Center are KAI Design & Build, architect and engineer; William Tao and Associates, LEED and technology consultant; J.R. Grimes, civil engineer; Shannon & Wilson, environmental consultant; Kwame Building Group, construction manager; and C. Rallo Contracting Co. Inc., Wachter Inc., Simms Building Group and Birkel Electric, contractors.
KAI Design & Build, Kwame Building Group and Simms Building Group are St. Louis-based minority business enterprises.
“We are thrilled and very proud that the Harrison Center has achieved ‘gold’ status,” said Cindy Hess, STLCCForest Park campus president. “Our students and this historic neighborhood and community deserve a state-of-the-art facility in which they can prosper and grow as they achieve their educational goals.”
The Harrison Center, which opened for classes in August 2010, is the first LEED goldcertified education facility in
St. Louis city. It joins STLCC’s Wildwood campus as one of only two LEED gold-certified community college facilities in Missouri.
“Green” elements incorporated into the Harrison Center include: lighting controllability, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, indoor chemical and pollutant source control, and use of recycled materials in the building’s construction.
The 31,000 square-foot facility features an art studio, science and computer labs, five classrooms, multi-purpose community room, bookstore, commons area, outreach center and administrative offices. The center offers credit and noncredit courses in environmental sciences, allied health, computers/technology, and workforce training and development.
The primary entrance includes a transparent elevator tower as a focal point, and features a large, light-filled central atrium and open seating areas on the second floor overlooking the atrium. The building contains high-tech audio-visual equipment and provides wireless connectivity throughout.
A month ago, we wrote Gov. Jay Nixon that if he “calls the Legislature back to session, he will have an economic development bill to sign by the end of the special session – and he will have played a crucial leadership role in completing legislation that has potential to shape the destiny of this region and state.” As of yesterday, we have been proven correct. House and Senate Republicans announced that they have reached what state Sen. Eric Schmitt describes as “a delicate balance” to agree on an economic development bill that includes the crucial Aerotropolis incentives. The governor quickly followed by saying he would call a special session. For more than a month now, we have neither changed our stance nor changed the subject. That is because we knew the critical consensus was there to pass this economic development bill, and we believe everything else under discussion this summer pales in importance to getting this deal done expeditiously for the future of this region and state. Many have addressed the Aerotropolis bill and some have abandoned it, but we have not wavered from our position that we must do a better job in leveraging our competitive assets in St. Louis. There is so much potential for growth here – growth that could greatly benefit the ailing African-American community – if we seize this moment to capitalize better on our competitive advantages.
We were impressed with the leadership shown this week by Dick Fleming at the RCGA, who took to task the naysayers – so many of them local – who doubt the “Big Idea” represented by the Aerotropolis incentives and Midwest-China Hub effort. Fleming writes, “The critique of the St. Louis Big Idea ignores St. Louis’ ideal location, airfield and air space capacity and thousands of acres of developable airside land – not to mention a game-changing customer, the fastest growing economy in the world [China], which previously announced that it would increase the percentage of cargo being shipped on Chinese airlines to 50 percent from the present 15 to 20 percent in the next five years.”
This argument is compelling, based on St. Louis’ existing logistical assets that can enable our region to grow as a global cargo hub. The region already is a leader in rail, barge and overthe-road transport, making it attractive to ship air freight to this centrally located city because there are so many options for moving freight around the country from here. When companies take advantage of the Aerotropolis incentives and begin to invest in St. Louis, they will find a region
with major workforce advantages, starting with our 37 colleges and universities – some of them absolutely top-of-the-line – and their 150,000 students.
Gov. Nixon is a Democrat seeking reelection in 2012 who has tended to take the urban Democratic stronghold of St. Louis for granted. For Nixon to show ambivalence toward this promising initiative, which did originate in the Republican business community, is disturbing but not entirely surprising. What is much more disturbing and surprising is that he finds naysayers in St. Louis who actually tried to discourage Nixon from putting his political capital behind Aerotropolis. In addition to the inevitable selfserving motives, we find this attitude typical of how St. Louis so often looks at itself. Not only must we complete this deal, but we must also overcome this defeatist mindset. We must develop and encourage a mindset that says we must compete. We must compete in the new global economy, because to continue in our current course is to be left behind.
We know all too well the arguments against us: regional fragmentation, segregation, racism, the urban/rural split, the recent loss of corporate headquarters and steady decline of the airport, which has made it more and more difficult to attract and retain businesses and to live here. But focusing on our disadvantages and failures is no way to approach the need to move forward and compete. We simply must address our current disadvantages and past failures, and compete. We are not unique. Other regions have done it, some with fewer competitive advantages to draw upon. Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Charlotte and even Atlanta were once behind St. Louis, yet all have drawn upon their strengths to reposition themselves for a better future.
We see Aerotropolis as St. Louis’ most viable proposal to incentivize major investment in this region based upon our existing competitive advantages. And if we win this one, that victory will open the door to greater opportunities. A lot of change starts in people’s heads. St. Louis has a great botanical garden today largely because of one man’s vision and his ability to build consensus around that vision; we have a truly great university because of a collective effort to turn a regional institution into a world-class center of learning and research. This is not just a naive pipe dream or wishful-thinking boosterism. It is confidence based on the reality of our underutilized assets that we can – that we must – leverage and build upon.
By Martin Cooper Guest Columnist
I just read Bernie Hayes’ column in the July 7 edition of The St. Louis American about self-hatred and crime in the black community. I thought it was outstanding in its honesty and candor, and it has motivated me to write a few comments you may find pertinent.
I am a (white) former State of Missouri corrections officer. I was interested to observe that, in the prison environment, young AfricanAmerican offenders spend a lot of their leisure time listening to hip-hop and gangsta rap music filled with lyrics that glorify drugs, guns and violence and demean women, and the race itself. They also spend time writing new lyrics of their own creation along similar lines.
In reading their outgoing mail (which is of course censored), I notice the young offenders writing to multiple
females, some their wives and/ or mothers of their children, and some just girls they know, using the same offensive and demeaning terminology, and of course not revealing to each of their correspondents that they are but one among many. Among the probationers and parolees in a minimum-
Curiously, to me at least, I never once heard mention in prison of President Barack Obama as an African-American leader or role model.
security work-release facility where I served, from whence the young offenders can leave during the day, I noted a propensity to spend more money than one might assume they had honestly acquired on very expensive baseball caps (labels still attached to prove them “genuine”) and pricey jeans (fit to allow the inevitable sagging), genuine leather jackets, etc.
What to make of this? I expressed these comments to a very respectable African-American lady of my acquaintance and she replied, with some bitterness, that these young men do not know the history of their people, of its heroes, of its struggles for civil rights. The only heroes they know, she said, are of the likes of L’il Wayne, and that is whom they emulate.
Curiously, to me at least, I never once heard mention in prison of President Barack Obama as an African-American leader or role model.
I understand that the young African Americans in prison are not wholly representative of the entire demographic. Still, it seems to me that the responsible adult leadership of the African-American community needs to wage a campaign both to de-legitimize the aura cast by the L’il Waynes – their lyrics, fashions and lifestyle – and, as you yourself pointed out in your column, make sure the youth understand that it wasn’t the L’il Waynes who marched in Selma and Birmingham and Montgomery and Memphis.
“Eric, don’t call my bluff.” Those words suggest President Obama has had it up to here with the preening and posturing of Republican “negotiators” who won’t negotiate. Who could blame him?
Obama’s warning to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor came at the abrupt conclusion of last Wednesday’s talks about the debt-ceiling crisis. The unamused president asked whether Ronald Reagan would have put up with such time-wasting nonsense, then uttered another memorable line: “I’ve reached my limit. This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this.”
By “this” Obama meant Cantor’s insistent demand that the president accept a short-term hike in the debt ceiling, which would mean Congress would have to vote on yet another increase before next year’s election. Republicans know that Obama has ruled out this option. When Cantor raised it again Wednesday, and again, and again, the president lost his patience and went all commander in chief.
Obama’s frustration came as House Republicans refused to make a simple choice: Either they could give up their patently unfair and unreasonable demand that a deficit-reduction deal include absolutely no new revenue; or they could give up their equally absurd demand
that any increase in the debt ceiling be accompanied, dollar for dollar, by budget cuts. That second option would necessarily mean only a modest hike in the ceiling.
Hence Obama’s display of presidential pique.
Let’s review why the little game Republicans are playing is so dangerous. If the debt ceiling is not raised by Aug. 2, the United States government faces default. Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke, a man not given to hyperbole, said that the result would be a “huge financial calamity” – and the wound, he noted, would be entirely self-inflicted.
“Fairly soon after that date,” Bernanke said, “there would have to be significant cuts in Social Security, Medicare, military pay or some combination of those in order to avoid borrowing more money.”
Contrary to popular impression, going into default would not be just a matter of stiffing the autocrats in Beijing. Less than a third of the $14.3 trillion national debt is owed to foreigners – roughly 10 percent of the total to China. The biggest chunk, about 40 percent, is owed to U.S. individuals and institutions. Another 25 percent or so is owed to the Social Security trust fund, the U.S. Civil Service Retirement Fund and the U.S. Military Retirement Fund. In a sense we would primarily be stiffing American retirees, including veterans.
In a larger sense, though, it doesn’t matter whom we owe.
Choking off the government’s ability to borrow would cause an unimaginable cash-flow cri-
As the people of the world
celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday on July 18, Madiba continues to be a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation. On behalf of the people of the United States, we congratulate Nelson Mandela, and honor his vision for a better world.
Nelson Mandela said, ‘There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.’ A man who devoted 67 years of his life to public service, Madiba sets the standard for service worldwide, whether we are students, shopkeepers or farmers, cabinet ministers or presidents. He calls on us to serve our fellow human beings, and better our communities.
Michelle, and my daughters, Sasha and Malia, recently met Madiba during an official visit to South Africa that focused on service, youth leadership, education and healthy living. Their time with Madiba was the most moving part of their trip. Mandela’s legacy exemplifies wisdom, strength and grace, and on the anniversary of his birth we salute the example of his life.
In 2009, the United States was honored to join 192 other United Nations member states in the creation of Nelson Mandela International Day. As the global community honors Madiba on July 18 through individual and collective acts of service, we honor the man who showed his own people, and the world, the path to justice, reconciliation and democracy.
President Barack Obama Washington, D.C.
Bernie must be heard I recently read Bernie Hayes’ great article in The St. Louis American about self-hatred and crime. Every day I am concerned about the crime in our community. This article is my son’s reading assignment for today. I ask questions as to when will the mayor, governor and president address this homicidal genocide? What happened to
sis – at least $306 billion in bills for August against just $172 billion in revenue. The most hopeful sign is that some Republicans, at least, understand that their refusal to give an inch, even as Democrats show a willingness to compromise, means the GOP will be blamed if Social Security checks don’t go out on time. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned that the party’s “brand” could be destroyed. Indeed, a Quinnipiac University poll released last Thursday bears McConnell out. The survey found that 48 percent of voters would blame the GOP in the event of default while 34 percent would hold the Obama administration responsible. Even 20 percent of Republicans would point the finger at their own party. The business community is increasingly nervous. What’s needed at this point is a way for House Republicans to climb down from the ledge on which they’ve marooned themselves. Obama has offered them a ladder – about $1.7 trillion in budget cuts with no offsetting revenue. All they have to do is approve a big enough increase in the debt ceiling to avoid having this same fight every few months. Obama will continue to offer Republicans sensible ways to refrain from committing a shockingly unpatriotic act of economic vandalism. The unfortunate fact is that if they blow themselves up, they take the rest of us with them. Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.
the bus load of our people rallying for our life, like they did for equal rights? Why don’t radio stations like 101.4 and R&B stations take a few seconds to read articles such as this one? Where are our television public service announcements, like he “Pastor Jeff” (Trust Jesus) commercials? You or Pastor Somebody, or Better Family Life, 100 Black Men, Congressman Clay, Nation of Islam, Greek organizations, aldermen, businesses we patronize, YMCA can raise an awareness of this devastating crime epidemic that affects our community and country.
I hear you and understand, but how can your message or messages like yours be heard by those who need to hear it?
Mrs. Avery St. Louis
Front page tea
After the Tea Party disrupted a public town hall for constituents of the 3rd Congressional District that was hosted by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, an altercation occurred between Elston McCowan, Perry Molens and an individual named Gladney. Gladney, an AfricanAmerican, was selling political buttons that were offensive to McCowan and Molens. A dispute turned physical when Gladney slapped McCowan’s hand. McCowan and Molens, members of the SEIU, were arrested and charged. Last week, a two-day trial resulted in a not-guilty verdict for both McCowan and Molens. Gladney had changed his testimony several times and even explained that, at a protest the Tea Party staged in front of the SEIU building, Gladney was seated in a wheelchair, not because of his injuries, but because he wanted to be “comfortable.”
The “news” that “union thugs” had beat Gladney made front page news in the PostDispatch as did the protest rally staged by the Tea Party. News of the not-guilty verdict was buried on page A3 of the Post-Dispatch. FOX news reported the not-guilty verdict and referred to Gladney as “the victim”. The logic therein escapes me. A not-guilty verdict implies that there the plantiff is not a
victim. Seems to be there is an even bigger news story that is not being accurately reported: the manipulation of the media in glossing over the misdeeds and deceptive practices of the Tea Party. And that is a story that should be front page news.
Teresa Powers St. Louis
Last week,camp kids ages 5-8 from the West County Day School helped adult volunteers form a “Coat Chain”to move over a thousand coats in preparation for the upcoming 2011 Back-To-School! Store community service project of the National Council of Jewish Women - St.Louis Section.The group continues to seek individual donations in any amount. A contribution of $150 completely outfits one child at the store.For more information,contact Nancy Weigley at 314-993-5181 or nweigley@ncjwstl.org or visit http://ncjwbtss.org/.
Students, parents and community members in University City will gather on Saturday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to noon for the fifth annual Back-to-School Rally. The rally is free and open to all families in University City and will be held on the McNair campus, located at 8136 Groby Road in University City. Activities include hands-on educational and wellness activities, free haircuts, free backpacks with school supplies, health screenings, sports physicals* and information from various community organizations, public services and local education providers.
Please call 314-290-4007 to pre-register for the health screenings or sports physicals. Sports physicals are available for $15. The Missouri Child Identification Program (MOCHIP) will be provided free of charge. It consist of digital photographs, digital fingerprints, child information and emergency contacts, dental impressions and two laminated identification cards. The photographs, fingerprints and emergency contact information are provided to the parent or guardian on a mini-CD in the format required for the Amber Alert program. For more information or to volunteer or sponsor the event, contact Linda Russell Wesley at 314-290-4016 or lwesley@ucityschools.org.
KIPP: Inspire Academy is recruiting for one additional staff member for the 20112012 school year. The school seeks an experienced special education teacher to provide support services to its students. An ideal candidate for this position would have the appropriate teacher certification, a passion for working with students in St. Louis city and a demonstrated track record of inspiring all students to develop the academic and character skills necessary to success in high school and college.
KIPP: Inspire Academy is the first Knowledge is Power Program school in St. Louis. KIPPschools use a simple formula of high expectations, parental involvement, and an extended day to inspire dramatic student achievement. If you are interested in learning more about our team and family, visit www.kipp.org. Interested applicants can send their resume and a cover letter indicating why they would like to work at KIPPto kippstlouisjobs@gmail.com.
The Arts and Education Council has received a $30,000 donation from the PNC Foundation to help underwrite the Council’s PNC Project Grant program in 2012 for arts and arts education organizations in the Council’s 16-county bi-state area.
Grants will range from $500 to $5,000. PNC Project Grants will help to fund specific projects in classrooms, community centers, and neighborhoods throughout the St. Louis region and provide outreach into the community including at-risk youth and underserved populations.
2012 PNC Project Grant applications will be open July 15 through September 2, 2011. To be eligible an organization, or the entity for which it is a part, must be an IRS Section 501(c)(3) corporation in the state of Missouri or Illinois for one year or more and must remain a 501(c)(3) for the duration of the grant period or the grant will be forfeited. Grants will be determined by a volunteer committee of the Arts and Education Council. For additional grant criteria and frequently asked questions about PNC Project Grants, visit www.KeepArtHappening.org, call 314-289-4004 or email susanr@KeepArtHappening.org.
By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
China has more than $3 trillion in currency reserves, more than any other country in the world.They’ve decided to use some of their reserves to invest in the euro, the currency of the European Union.In the words of Premier Wen Jiabo, China has “confidence in the economies of Europe and the euro-zone.”
This isn’t the first time that China has played rescuer in Europe.In April, it bought bonds and some debt in Spain. We should be clear that China bought more than bonds and debt, though.China is in the process of purchasing goodwill in Europe.They are also diversifying their holdings, and tilting away from the dollar and toward the euro, which many see as the alternative global currency. Is the dollar too big to fail or to undermine?Not with a stable euro!
We have already seen the oil-producing nations tilt toward the euro, partly in response to their perception that the United States has been biased against Arab nations.We have seen the dollar weakened, and we have seen our nation’s mounting debt.
While the United States struggles to raise our debt ceiling, China has money to burn, and they are burning it by bailing out the euro and displaying their confidence in the ways Europe will help build the world economy.
While China is supporting the euro, the United States has been critical of the European Union.With votes on several international finance positions coming up, could China’s support of Europe buy them a bigger role in the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund, or could it open up the possibility that some in Europe might be more open to having leadership from countries other than the United States and Europe in those roles?
While China is investing in higher education, the United States is divesting in education.While the number of engineering graduates in the United States is stabilizing or dropping, the number in China is rising.This does not bode well for the United States.
While other countries are shoring up education, we have a growing achievement gap.Some of the gap has to do with public policy, but some has to do with personal habits.While only 40 percent of African-American households have at least 100 books in the home, about 80 percent of white households have at least 100 books.White parents are more likely to read to their children than African-American parents are.And the average AfricanAmerican youngster watches about eight hours of television a day.There is a policy gap, but also a personal gap, that contributes to the waning of U.S. influence in the world.
Julianne Malveaux is president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Continued from A1
could have covered, she had covered.
“What about politics in a post-racial society?” a guest yelled out.
“You mean politics in a post-Obama society,” Rogers responded.
She had that covered, too.
“Black people have a schizophrenic relationship with our president. We were all excited that he made it, and then we get really mad when we feel like he doesn’t take on issues that will impact us,” Rogers said.
“Because to me, there ought to be a national campaign against the unemployment rate of black people – particularly for black males ages 18-24, which is in some cities as high as 5060 percent.”
Dispatch, along with column post-scripts, photographs and responses via letters to the editor.
“I think when young people look at our community, they don’t see everybody engaged in making this a better place,” Rogers said.
“So then they don’t see the value of it, and that’s the part we really have to work on. It doesn’t always mean you have to be on the picket line. It doesn’t mean you have to run for office. But you’ve got to be doing something.”
She had guests in the palm of her hands. In true Jamala fashion, she didn’t hold back or bite her tongue, even when it came to herself.
“Women don’t get a pass because I’m a woman;black people don’t get a pass because I’m black.”
– Jamala Rogers
“Creating the book was a painstaking approach to make sure that those struggles get that kind of preservation in history as I see it,” Rogers said. “It doesn’t mean it’s the right way, but as I see it.”
The way she sees it, President Obama is fair game.
“When he does well, I say that he does well, but when he doesn’t, I’m equally as critical. Just because he’s black doesn’t mean that black people can’t criticize him,” she said.
“That’s what I try to do with my columns. Women don’t get a pass because I’m a woman; black people don’t get a pass because I’m black.”
The American’s publisher, Suggs, calls Rogers’perspective a “mainstay and essential component of The American and its mission.” He said she is “a tireless and unwavering champion of social justice.”
Although the majority of the book is reprinted columns from The American, Rogers also features pieces from Black Commentator (an online publication) and the St. Louis Post-
‘This capacity to attack things’
As she candidly carried on about countless topics, venturing into controversial and provocative territory, Rogers spoke out against wrongdoings and wrongdoers – including blacks.
She made a play on the spelling of Ward Connerly’s name (“CONnerly,” as she sees it) for his anti-affirmative action efforts.
She called out John Ashcroft for what she believes was a passive approach to the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church.
She criticized then-Mayor Vince Schoemehl’s underwhelming response to the
omission of black aviators on the St. Louis airport mural.
She raged at the inaction by the Bush administration in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
As she remembered these essays reprinted in the book, she showcased the same candor, especially when referencing a recent Political EYE item that featured Charles Bryson and Chief Sherman George.
“It’s kind of what happened on the plantation; when you are used and are no longer of value, you kind of get kicked to the curb,” Rogers said of the item, which reported specula-
tively on rumors that Bryson will be demoted from director of Public Safety.
“I think people like Bryson aught to be ostracized – isolated politically and socially, so they can understand what they have done is not going to be accepted.”
The conversation was underway.
Based on audience response and feedback from columns featured in the book, her voice has not fallen upon deaf ears.
“I have known Jamala for many years in many different ways, and I guess I had known her about six months before I
realized this is what I want to be like when I grow up,” said Brenda Jones, the first AfricanAmerican female to lead the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri.
Jones stepped to the microphone to offer an impromptu personal testimony.
“As you go through life, you meet lots of people who feel passionate about something and they learn how to do one thing really well, and that’s all great,” Jones said.
“But then you run into people every once in awhile who have shown this capacity to attack things across a whole
spectrum. They don’t just concentrate on one thing that makes them angry – they have the capacity to really get down in there and show that type of care for issues across the board. And I really think that is represented in Jamala, and it is the difference between just compassion and a leader.”
Left Bank Books will host a discussion and book signing for “The Best of ‘The Way I See It’and Other Political Writings (1989-2010)” on Wednesday, August 3 at 7 pm. The bookstore is located at 399 N. Euclid in the Central West End.
Ada N. Woodson
Ada N. Woodson, a longtime resident of East St. Louis, Illinois, slipped from mortality to immortality Tuesday, June 28, 2011. She was the widow of the late Dr. Edgar F. Woodson. Mrs. Woodson retired in 2003 as the accounts manager at Sunset Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Millstadt, Illinois and was a devoted parishioner of the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (now St. Augustine of Hippo). She leaves to cherish her precious memory: two daughters, Jocelyn Woodson Reed of Florissant, MO and Natalie O. Woodson of Clifton, NJ; one grandson, Brandon Woodson Reed of Nashville, TN; great-granddaughter, Amyah J. Chandler of Franklin, KY, one sister, Alma Gore of Supply, NC; one nephew, Duane Gore of Columbus, OH; and the Adams Family of Tupelo, MS. Send condolences on-line at www.oficerfh.com.
Delois Williams
Delois Williams was born June 17, 1933 to the union of John B. Miller and Susie Emma Miller of Cotton Plant,
Arkansas. Her parents and eight siblings preceded her in death. Delois began and completed her education in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. She graduated from Cotton Plant Vocational High School. She attended cosmetology school to get her certiication in hair styling. Although Delois was talented in hair styling, her greatest skill was that of a seamstress. Her best was African attire. If Delois wasn’t designing clothes, styling hair, making drapes for her living room or curtains for the kitchen, she was preparing a delicious meal in her kitchen. She was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.
Delois met and later married Oscar Williams, Jr. on December 26, 1954. To this union ive children were born, Carolyn, Zackary, Yolanda, Alexander and Simeon.
Delois pursued and completed an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. In 1986, she was irst employed by GSL Developmental Center and later became the private childcare provider for James and Ellen Scott. Adored by the Scott family, Delois remained their childcare provider until retirement in 1995.
Delois accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Taylor Chapel A.M.E. Church, Cotton Plant Arkansas. Delois became an active Member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for over 45 years. The last church of which she was a member is St. Louis Christian Center. Always listening to Gospel Music or teachings, she
constantly witnessed about the goodness of God to others even unto death.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011, Delois departed this life and exchanged her earthly garments for heavenly garments. She was loved by all who met and knew her.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of 58 years, Oscar Williams, Jr.; ive children, Carolyn Patterson (Harlyn), Zackary Williams, Sr., Yolanda Carrington, Alexander Williams, and Simeon Williams I (LaJuan); nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by ive sisters: Eddie B. Colton, Rosalie Ivy, Kathryn Jones, and one brother-in-law, Henry Jesse Henderson, all of Tulsa Oklahoma; Maxine Harris of Kansas City, Missouri; and Barbara McGee of Chicago, Illinois, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and special friends.
Annie Mae Phillips was born September 9, 1926 in Lexington, Mississippi to Horris and Maggie Mae Phillips. She was the third of four children, who all preceded her in death.
Annie Mae married Abner Jack Meeks in 1945, and together they had six children. Husband and son James (Red) preceded her in death.
Annie Mae gave her life to Christ at an early age at Sweetwater church in Lexington, MS. In spring of 1953, Jack
and Annie Mae relocated their family to St. Louis, MO. November 15, 1953, Annie joined Scruggs Memorial C.M.E. church under the pastoralship of D.S. Cunningham, where she attended for over 55 years. At Scruggs, Annie was a faithful and dedicated member of Sunday school, choir, Mother’s Board, Missionary Society and served as a stewardess.
Annie Mae retired from the Methodist Children’s Home in Webster Groves, MO., where she was employed for 35 years.
Annie Mae was an active member of the Neighborhood Watch and served on the neighborhood council. She served as a mentor to many young women and men in her community. Everyone in the neighborhood knew her, loved her and respected her as a God-fearing woman. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved to garden, crotchet, sew, exercise, and cook those wonderful Sunday meals that fed the soul. Her love extended beyond her immediate family as she adopted others into her family as her own. No one was a stranger; she opened her heart and table to all.
Annie Mae was called home on June 9, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO. From her birth on September 09, 1926 to her death she nourished people around her with faith, love and wisdom. Annie leaves to cherish her memory her daughters Dorothy Meeks-Cox of Los Angeles, California, Carolyn Smith of Corona, California, Oneita (Denver) Murphy of St. Louis, Missouri, and Janice Clay of St. Louis, Missouri and her son Samuel Meeks of St. Louis, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grand children and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
John C. Rush
C.
John C. Rush, retired teacher, principal and Superintendent of Schools in Venice, Illinois, slipped from mortality to immortality Sunday, July 10, 2011. Mr. Rush is survived by his devoted wife, Lena McGlone Rush; sons John Erik Rush (Elizabeth), Mark Rush (Tiwi) and Jeffrey Rush (Stephanie); six grandchildren; siblings, Katherine Greer, Mamie (Moses) Townsend, Raymond (Jackie) Rush and Ernest (Regina) Rush; other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10 a.m., Venice Recreation Center, 305 Broadway, Venice, Illinois. Send condolences and view this memorial at www.oficerfh. com.
Gwendolyn Ann Morgan (Shug)
Born on December 4, 1947 to the union of the late Johnnie and Ida Mae (Sharp) Aikens in St. Louis, MO, the youngest and the only girl of ive children. She transitioned to a higher plane on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at her home in Horn Lake, MS. Gwen confessed Christ at an early age at the Westside Baptist Church.
Gwen joined into Holy Matrimony in 1964 with Lonnie Morgan, to this union two sons were born, Antonio and Lonnie. They later divorced. Antonio preceded her in death and also her parents, Johnnie and Ida Mae, two brothers, John Allen and Charles. She leaves to mourn her passing her youngest son Lonnie; four granddaughters, Lasha, Danielle, Erica and Ashley; two brothers Clarence (Betty) and James (Christine) Aikens; she had very special bond with her sisters-in-law; the love of her life and iance Ronald Smith; nephews and nieces, one daughter-in-law, Vonda Morgan; and a host of cousins and friends.
Gov. Jay Nixon was scheduled to speak in the St. Louis area today “to deliver a major policy address relating to business development strategies and initiatives to help create jobs, promote growth in the high-tech sector, and leverage Missouri’s competitive advantages in a global economy.”
That’s what his message man said. The message man declined to provide a sneak peek at this “major policy,” and other Democratic sources were having a hard time getting a reliable hint.
Nixon planned to speak at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. While this classy facility is a stone’s throw from the St. Louis airport, well within the radius for Aerotropolis incentives, its research specialties are a far cry from the bulk air freight that Aerotropolis incentivizes. At any rate, Nixon almost certainly would pick the airport itself as the launch pad for a press conference where he called the special session needed for the Legislature to reconsider and inally pass the economic development bill that includes Aerotropolis.
While Nixon – apparently – tries to change the subject, the St. Louis region continues to percolate around the Aerotropolis issue. And for good reason. On Sunday China Daily, China’s largest Englishlanguage daily paper (circulation 200,000), ran with a story about St. Louis that sounds as if the Midwest-China Hub deal were all but done.
“The irst China-St. Louis cargo air route poised to be a key trade hub in the U.S.’ Midwest will take light in September, sources involved in the project have recently told China Daily,” the story leads. These “sources” given play in a major Chinese daily are familiar to St. Louis: Midwest-China Hub Commission Chairman Mike Jones and Mayor Francis G. Slay Naysayers suggested there was little credibility in two people working to do the deal on the same side saying there was a deal. They missed the obvious point that a major Chinese daily paper – which often speaks for the Chinese government, or at least with its permission – was providing the forum for them to say these things.
The spectre of the phantom special session of the Legislature was raised in the piece, when Jones is quoted as saying he is hopeful that the “inal piece of legislation” will be passed by the Missouri Legislature in September. Of course, the Legislature is not scheduled to be in session at that time. Either Nixon or the Legislature needs to call a special session. House Speaker Steve Tilley reportedly had his friend and Democratic ally state Rep. Jamilah Nasheed working legislators in her caucus, to support the Republicans if they call a special session (and to stand with them, if and when they try to override some of Nixon’s vetoes).
Aereotropolis head
Meanwhile, one of the authors of the phrase and concept “Aerotropolis” was fueling our local naysayers. Dick Fleming of the RCGA usefully described this pundit, Greg Lindsay, as “a sometime consultant to other competing cargo hubs” in his Monday Memo this week. Lindsay says, “Aerotropolis won’t work in St. Louis.” Fleming then demolished him: “But Lindsay admitted to KMOX’s Mark Reardon that he’d never been to St. Louis, and he showed no signs that he had read or understood the proposed Missouri legislation. Nor did he take into account that Lambert has a ‘mega customer’ – China – for their cargo hub.”
Fleming – who impressed hardened China Hub dealmakers on a trip to Shanghai with his ability to grasp and communicate the potential of this inititiave – deserves to be quoted at length.
“Lindsay appeared not to understand that the core incentive does not even get triggered until AFTER the facilities are built, the cargo lows and the jobs are here. That also means that as the incentives produce results, the State would be able to add to them and produce even more beneit,” Fleming writes.
“In its economic impact analysis, Institute St. Onge projects that $360 million of State incentives over 15 years will generate 20 million square feet of new Aerotropolis facilities, over $17 billion in new eco-
nomic activity in the region, added lights and thousands of well-paying jobs. To the extent that these results take place, the State can clearly add on even further to the project’s critical mass.”
The same hardened dealmakers who were impressed with Fleming’s luency on the issue have been appalled by how little Nixon and his economic advisors have understood the legislation – or appeared interested in understanding the legislation.
Fleming goes on to widen the picture, with a victorious tone.
“The St. Louis Cargo Hub will succeed because the Lambert piece is but a part of a larger strategy – the so-called Big Idea. The transportation piece of the Big Idea is only the leading edge of a larger economic development strategy involving Missouri and China – a broader commercial relationship – that will sustain and grow the air hub piece,” Fleming writes.
“The Missouri legislation’s incentives are designed to stimulate and build a broader commercial partnership with China and other international players in global air commerce.”
Therein, of course, lies some of the local resistance to the Big Idea. St. Louis is at present something of a small pond, with some middling-sized frogs that think they look pretty big here. And there are not many big frogs in a small pond that feel good when they see the pond suddenly expanding.
Post whacks Elgin (again)
Christmas came early to the Post-Dispatch, which claimed a political coup last year on Northeast Fire Chief Angelia Elgin and is expecting to do the same on state Senator Robin Wright Jones this year.
Jones played Santa Claus to the Post’s Jake Wagman by tabbing Elgin to handle the senator’s disastrous campaign inances.
For Jones, many fear, there is a long investigative road ahead. As for Elgin, the Post went right back to trying to beat her brains out. Different reporter, but same sinister hints based upon a mangled conlation of facts.
“Elgin resigned late last year from the north St. Louis County ire district, whose books were placed under court supervision after a string of questionable inancial decisions,” Wagman writes.
This suggests Elgin made the “questionable inancial decisions” that resulted in the court supervision, followed by her resignation; but those “questionable inancial decisions” were made by a board majority that came before her tenure in the district. Then-state Auditor Susan Montee explicitly excluded Elgin from responsibility.
Wagman or his editor furthers the ill-willed confusion by citing (but not sourcing) allegations made about Elgin that had nothing to do with the district’s previous inancial troubles, which in turn had nothing to do with Elgin. These allegations were made by board member Bridget Quinlisk Dailey, the Post’s prized (white) source in the district.
Dailey accused Elgin of signing checks and contracts for operational services without the approval of the board. The payments were largely for a technology upgrade to the district’s computer system, which was on the brink of complete meltdown and losing all patient records. Dailey, though well informed of the risk to the district, dragged her feet for months on approving the upgrades, only to later act like the request came out of nowhere.
Many now question Dailey’s legitimacy in approving more recent checks, along with her buddy Robert Lee, now board chair. Lee and Dailey approved $16,300 for Lee’s attorney fees for his personal lawsuit against the district for “removing” him from the board unlawfully in 2009. Board member Derek Mays was not in favor.
Mays questioned whether Lee could vote on whether to approve his personal law fees. However, according to district
attorney Anthony Gray, the counter-argument was that the payment was in “the good of the district, as a person who is in charge of the protecting the district.” So paying Lee’s $16,300 lawyer bill is classiied as protecting the district, but protecting the districts’ residents medical records with a $10,000 system upgrade is not? You won’t ind the answer to that conundrum in the pages of the Post
JULY21 – 27, 2011
Bonita Jamison is the new principal of Fairview Intermediate School in the Jennings School District. Jamison previously worked in the University City School District as principal of Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School and most recently as an assistant principal at Brittany Woods Middle School. She has also worked as a teacher in St. Louis Public Schools and the Riverview Gardens School District.
Reginald Loveless, an East St. Louis native, was one of three students in the Central Midwest Region who received a student entrepreneur award and a $1,000 scholarship to support his continued interest in business at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. He was was a member of Junior Achievement all four years at East St. Louis High School and served as a VPof Marketing and the Assistant of VPof Finance. He will attend Indiana State in the fall.
By Sandra Jordan
American
Of The St.Louis
As a child living on the south side of Chicago, Kourtney Teat knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up. Most 12year-old boys back in the 1980s were into sports, video games and probably just about any other typical thing you can imagine –except checking out dead bodies inside the old church at the corner of their street. That’s right. Picture this: Teat and his sister, hightail-
to award Givens, Bennett, Lovell
Minority contractor advocates host awards dinner July 29
By Chris King Of The St.Louis American
“They understand we need to include the people living in these communities in work opportunities to stabilize the community.”
– Yaphett El-Amin, MOKAN
The minority contractor advocacy association MOKAN will honor Dr. Henry Givens Jr., Vince Bennett, Cheryl Lovell, E.M. Harris and two contractors to be named later at its 36th Anniversary Awards Dinner on Friday, July 29 at the Hilton St. Louis Airport. Givens, the retiring president of HarrisStowe State University, will receive MOKAN’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Our Board of Directors knows Dr. Givens is retiring, but he has committed over 32 years to Harris-Stowe, helping to ensure African Americans are educated,” said Yaphett El-Amin, executive director of
See MOKAN, B2
“This is a ministry for us.We help people.We’ve never turned anybody away.”
– David McClendon
ing it down the street, sneaking a view of the newly-departed – before the funeral – before they got caught by an adult. Somehow during the course of his exciting
new pastime, the sneak preview turned into an assessment of the undertakers’professional workmanship.
“And all of the sudden, we did it so often, I started looking at the bodies and –‘Man, I could do better than that,’and run out,” Teat recalled, grinning from ear-to-ear. “We had to run out of there before the deacons caught us.”
That’s when he decided to be a mortician.
See MORTUARY, B6
Scripture has lessons for dealing with the problems that come with success
By Joy Blair For The St.Louis American
His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
(Genesis 37:11)
One night I had a dream that I was in the process of taking a test for a promotion. I had all the written material I needed to pass the test. The test consisted of an oral interview with questions from the written material.
Joy Blair
When it was time for me to interview, I was escorted to a long stairwell that led up to a door. As I was on my way up for the interview, I asked the person that was escorting me, “What does ascension mean?” He said to me, “It means jealousy and strife.”
So many people do not understand why others are not happy for them when they
are promoted. If we are not careful, we can find ourselves fighting in our flesh to get a position that we already have. In James 3:14-16 it says, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual and devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” We want to be on another level, but most of us can’t pass the test of being offended because of jealousy and strife. If you allow your heart to become bitter because of other’s negative behavior, then you will not be able to enjoy that level of success nor go to the next level. There’s a story in the book of Genesis starting in chapter 37. There’s a guy by the
Tiffany Fane, a local teacher from Hazelwood East Middle School, has been selected as a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar from a national applicant pool to attend one of 20 summer study opportunities. She will participate in a workshop entitled “Sailing to Freedom – The Underground Railroad” in New Bedford, Massachusetts, directed by University of MassachusettsDartmouth faculty.
Dana Townsend was named 2011 Honorary Alumnus by City Academy. Townsend is the Support Services Manager of the Executive Travel Team at the Enterprise Contact Center, where she serves as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Board. In addition to her work with City Academy, she is active with the Food Pantry at Kingdom House and the American Diabetes Tour de Cure. She is cofounder of Ladies of Virtue and Excellence, a community service organization.
STLyouth pitch business at National Urban League Conference
St. Louis natives Rasheed Sulaiman, age 21, Antione Brown, age 21, and Jackson White, age 19, will travel to the National Urban League Conference in Boston on July 30 to present in the Small Business Matters 60 Second Pitch
The three young entrepreneurs will travel for one day to compete for the chance to win $10,000 and eight weeks of mentoring. The founders will be pitching their business venture Go Parti. Sulaiman is a graduate of McCluer High School and currently attends Southeast Missouri State University. Brown is a graduate of Riverview High School and currently attends Lincoln University. White is a graduate of Cardinal Ritter High School and student at Southeast Missouri State University.
Justine Peterson is nation’s No. 3 micro-lender
St. Louis-based Justine Petersen Housing was recognized as the nation’s number three micro-lender by CNN Money, based on number of loans issued. It was ranked third behind ACCION USAand ACCION Texas.
Last year, Justine Petersen originated $2.26 million in loans to 335 small businesses, and helped 179 people with poor credit raise their scores.
Justine Petersen Housing helps entrepreneurs build better credit by lending small amounts to them. The steady and timely repayment helps business owners improve their profile with traditional lenders.
Conference forAfrican American Financial Professionals
The American College will host the sixth annual Conference for African American Financial Professionals August 16-17 in Atlanta. More than 250 African-American financial professionals, representing financial companies from across the United States, will be in attendance. Cory A. Booker, mayor of Newark, N.J. will present this year’s keynote address. For more information, contact Francine Kaar at Francine.Kaar@TheAmericanCollege.edu or 610526-1489 or visit http://www.theamericancollege. edu/caafp6-2011/agenda.
Married couples have several ways to potentially avoid any estate tax liability when they leave assets to each other. Because of the unlimited marital deduction, no estate taxes are due when one spouse diesand leaves his or her assets to the survivor (as long as the surviving spouse is a U.S. citizen). However, this may merely postpone taxes that would be dueuntil the death of the second spouse. Federal estatetaxes would be owed on the portion of the estate that exceeds the applicable estate tax exemption (whichwas $3.5 million in 2009 but increased to $5 million through 2012).
One basic method to maximize the exemption for both spouses has been an A-B trust (also known as a bypass trust), which preserves the estate exemption of the first spouse to die and also enables the lastsurviving spouse to utilize the
Continued from B1
MOKAN.
“As we work to ensure our businesses have the strongest level of business development and acumen, we find much of that coming from higher learning. So we wanted to recognize Dr. Givens for the more than three decades of work he put in.” Bennett, chief operating officer of McCormack Baron Salazar, will be recognized
Continued from B1
name of Joseph who had to deal with this very issue. His brothers were so jealous of
exemption—essentially doublingthe amount exempted from the estate tax.
However, with enactment of the 2010 Tax Relief Act, some couples may no longer need an A-B trust to maximize the estate tax exemption for both spouses. But before you make a decision about the use of a bypass trust, there are a number of issues to consider.
First, a little background on the changes inthe estate tax as a result of the2010 Tax Relief Act. The law increased the applicable exemption amount to $5 million retroactively to January 1, 2010,with a 35 percent tax rate.* The increased threshold alone eliminates many people from being subject to the federal estate tax.An interesting new provision is "portability" of the exemption to the surviving spouse, which allowssurviving spouses to use their spouse's unused exemption
with the MOKAN Private Sector of the Year Award.
“McCormack Baron Salazar has led two particular projects in the St. Louis area where they stepped up and far surpassed the city’s goals for minority and female participation,”
El-Amin said.
“The Mayor’s Executive Order 28 calls for 25 percent minority participation and 5 percent female participation. On the Arlington Groves and North Sarah projects, they set 50 percent combined goals for minority and female participation, plus paid aggressive
him that they couldn’t say anything nice to him. Joseph had a dream that he would one day rule over his brothers, and he shared the dream with them and they plotted to kill Joseph, but God had a plan. The plan included
By Charles Ross PERSONAL FINANCE
plus their own, enablinga couple to exempt up to $10 million from federal estate taxes.
However, provisions of the 2010 Tax Relief Act are in effect only through December 31, 2012, unless Congress amends or extends the law. So, in 2013, not only does the portability provision expire but the estate tax exemption is scheduled to fall from $5 million to $1 million, which would subject many more households to the federal estate tax.
Charles Ross
Furthermore, many states have theirown estate or inheritance taxes, or both, and none currently has any portability
attention to federal Section 3 hiring goals for low-income area residents.”
El-Amin said MOKAN considers these project exemplary for other local developers.
“To see a private entity step up and commit to inclusion in such a way as McCormack Baron has done under Vince’s leadership, we wanted to highlight this exemplary action,” she said. “We’d like to see other private-sector projects model themselves after what they have done.”
Lovell, executive director of
getting Joseph away from his negative brothers and taking him to a place that was out of his comfort zone.
Eventually God raised Joseph to a very prominent position which included taking care of his brothers, the very
provisions. This means that when married couples leave all their assets to their spouses, the surviving spouse will be able to use onlyhis or her state exemption.
How an A-B Trust works
Using a living trust with an A-B provision (aka AB trust), you ensure that both you and your spouse can take advantage of the exemption — onceupon the death of the first spouse to dieand then again upon the death of the second spouse. When the first spouse dies, two separate trusts are created.
the St. Louis Housing Authority, will receive the MOKAN Public Sector of the Year Award.
El-Amin also credited the the St. Louis Housing Authority under Lovell’s leadership with pushing for compliance with federal Section 3 hiring goals. The authority receives federal funds from HUD.
“Our community’s unemployment rate is off the charts,” El-Amin. “The St. Louis Housing Authority understands it’s really important for us to see local resi-
ones that tried to kill him. Instead of Joseph being offended, he replied, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis
The assets of the surviving spouse are transferred to the A trust, and an amount up to the exemption amount of the deceased spouse’s assets is transferred to the B trust. This then creates two taxable trusts, each of which is entitled to use the exemption. The B trust is subject to estate taxes. However, because of theapplicable exemption, no taxes will be owed. The surviving spouse maintains control over the assets of the A trust and receives income from the B trust. Then, at the death of the second spouse, only the Atrust is subject to estate taxes because the B trust was taxed at the first death. After the death of the surviving spouse, the B trust can continue for the benefit of the grantors’family, often the children. The trust assets can be divided into separate equal trusts for the benefit of the grantors’children who will
dents at work.”
E.M. Harris will be recognized as General Contractor of the Year, though awardees for MBE Contractor of the Year and WBE Contractor of the Year will be announced the night of the event.
El-Amin said the issues of inclusion at stake in this awards event are crucial to the embattled African-American community in St. Louis.
MOKAN’s awardees, she said, “get it.”
“They understand we need to include the people living in these communities in work
50:20). Promotion is coming. You must prepare yourself to be able to handle the jealousy and strife that comes along with it by reading the written material which is the Word of God. So that when the test comes to fall
receive net income, and then at some specified age they will receive the principal. There are many considerations involved with A-B trusts, and you’ll need the help of competent legal counsel. However, the A-B trust can be an effective way to reduce estate taxes and preserve family assets.
*Executors for estates of decedents who died in 2010 have the option of electing to use the 35 percent rate, $5 million exemption, and "stepped up" basisof inherited assets for income tax purposes, or zero estate tax liability with "carry over" basis of inherited assets for income tax purposes. Charles Ross is host of the syndicated radio program “Your Personal Finance.” Contact him at P.O. Box 870928; Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087; or email to charles@ charlesross.com.
opportunities to stabilize the community. To rid the community of crime, the best way is to employ the community,” she said.
“We want to hold them high, so other construction stakeholders can buy in and look at what they are doing and follow their example. It’s the best step in the right direction for this city and region.
For more information, call MOKAN at 314-454-9675
into the temptation of anger or bitterness with your family, friends or coworkers because of their reaction to your promotion, you will pass the test and go higher.
“We’re prepared for July 23rd.We’re definitely going to take him to school.”
— Zab Judah,on his upcoming super lightweight unification bout with Amir Khan on Saturday in Las Vegas
By Mike Claiborne
If you are like me, the few times you actually pay attention to soccer is when there is World Cup action. As we are all fair-weather fans when it comes to this sport, the World Cup for Women will have to do for this year. As usual, the United States team figured to be in the running, as they were the ones who pushed for the concept of having a World Cup for Women because they thought they were better than most of the world at the time. Kind of like when we thought it was a good idea to bring baseball and basketball to the Olympics, only to see over time that some of the other countries, thanks to our generosity, have started to kick our butts.
This time around, when the U.S. reached the finals everyone stopped what they were doing to see if the good old U.S.A. could win the whole thing. The TVrating would be more than strong, and it would be a time for us to wave the flag and all that good stuff. Enter the Japanese. Ateam that was a heavy underdog. A team that had not beaten the U.S. with any regularity in competition. Ateam that gave the U.S. all they could handle, even though they were badly outplayed most of the game.
Four years ago when the
New documentary on troubled Cardinals star moves Earl
I am a huge fan of all of the sports documenaties that are being shown, from the HBO, to the ESPN 30-for-30 and ESPN Sports Century biographies. I cannot get enough of them.
I thought I knew a lot about Curt Flood’s story, but after watching this documentary, I realized I was clueless about a lot of things.
Of all of these special programs that I’ve watched and admired over the years, I do not think I’ve watched one as compelling as The Curious Case of Curt Flood, produced by Ezra Edelman, which made its premiere on HBO last week. This was by far the best one I have watched. This one will stay with me for quite awhile on so many levels. The documentary centers around Flood, the former great centerfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals who staged his historically famous battle with Major League Baseball for the right to free agency and how that battle affected his career and life. It was the story of a man who was extremely talented, flawed, courageous, tragic and in the end, iconic.
This was an amazing production. If you have not watched the Curt Flood story, you need to. You will not be disappointed. The Curt Flood story had so many twists and turns, highs and lows,
Classic set for this weekend
~ See page B4 ~
Jordann Plummer plays guard Saturday at semifinals
By Earl Austin Jr.
Of The St.Louis American
The St. Louis Surge will have a little local flavor leading the way when they take the court on Saturday in the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League regional tournament.
Former Cardinal Ritter College Prep standout Jordann Plummer will be one of the players to watch when the Surge faces the Minnesota Jaguars in the regional semifinals at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. The winner will take on winner of the 1:30 p.m. game between Rock City and Kansas City for the championship later that evening at 6:30 p.m.
A four-year starter at Cardinal Ritter, Plummer was arguably the best girls’ player in the school’s history.
“It feels good to be playing back home again,” Plummer said. “I’m very excited about this weekend.”
The 5’6” Plummer was a former star player at Drake University, where she was one of the top guards in the Missouri Valley Conference throughout her career. At the conclusion of her college career, Plummer was slated to play professionally overseas, but things fell through at the last minute.
Plummer has spent the past year coaching basketball at Normandy High and playing in a local rec league to stay in shape. While preparing to run in a marathon during the spring, she ran into Khalia Collier, the new owner of the Surge. They made contact during Memorial Day weekend and the Surge had a new point guard.
Afour-year starter at Cardinal Ritter, Plummer was arguably the best girls’player in the school’s history. She finished her career with more than 2,000 points en route to earning Class 3 All-State honors.
Plummer was one of the top all-around players in the Missouri Valley Conference during her career at Drake. In her last two years, she led the Bulldogs in scoring, assists, steals and free throw percentage.
With the success she is enjoying with the Surge, Plummer is still hoping to get overseas and play some professional basketball.
“I would still love to play overseas if we can make it happen,” Plummer said. “I might as well keep going as long as my body doesn’t give out.” Admission to Saturday’s event is $5 per game; $10 for a day pass and $3 for children who are 12 years old and younger.
By Earl Austin Jr.
Of The St.Louis American
The Saint Louis Summer Classic will bring together many of the nation’s top select basketball teams to the area from July this weekend. It one is looking for a good basketball fix in the middle of the summer, this tournament is sure to satisfied the hoop junkie’s appetite.
The tournament will be held at various locations around the area. It is a NCAA-certified event, which means college coaches will be on hard from around the country.
Nearly 300 teams will be competing in the tournament, which ranges from 3rd grade to high school (boys) and 3rd to 8th grade (girls). There are
68 teams in the 17U division, 54 teams in the 16U division and 44 teams in the 15U division.
Nearly 300 teams will be competing in the tournament, which ranges from 3rd grade to high school (boys) and 3rd to 8th grade (girls).
The local high school programs scheduled to participate this weekend are the St. Louis Eagles, Gateway Basketball Club, Southwest Illinois Jets, Team Swish, Missouri Impact, St. Louis Majestics and St. Louis Raptors.
Some of the top programs coming in from out of town include Mo-Kan Elite, Illinois Wolves, Mean Streets
(Chicago), Spiece Indy Heat, The Family (Detroit), Wisconsin Playground Elite, Kingdom Hoops (Iowa) and Howard Pulley (Minnesota). Some of the top local players scheduled to play this weekend will be Cameron Biedscheid (St. Louis Eagles 17U), McCluer North’s Jordon Granger (St. Louis Eagles 17U) and Marquette’s Ryan Rosburg (Gateway 17U). The high school division (Grades 8-11) will be played
at the St. Louis Sports Center (6727 Langley Ave), MICDS (101 N. Warson Rd.), Hazelwood Central (15955 New Halls Ferry Rd.), University of Missouri-St. Louis (1 University Blvd.) and Cahokia High (800 Range Lane, Cahokia, Ill.). The grade school division for boys and girls will be played at the Belleville Family Sportsplex (2346 Mascoutah Ave.). The schedule and pools for the tournament will be posted on Monday (July 18) at 8 p.m. on the tournament website, www.saintlouissummerclassic.com.
You can follow daily reports on the Saint Louis Sports Classic on earlaustinjr.com throughout the tournament.
Continued from B3
But wait, the Japanese scored late to tie and went on to win on penalty kicks. An upset of great proportion. I was happy.
I was happy because four years ago the current U.S. goalie Hope Solo came out and said after the U.S. lost to Brazil in the World Cup, “If I were playing in goal today, I would have made those saves and we would have won the game.” Strong words for a person who was nowhere near the status of then-U.S. goalie Brianna Scurry, a World Cup and Olympic champion.
So here we are four years later, and Hope Solo is the goalie in the biggest game of her life. And what does she do? Allow the game-tying goal and then give up three penalty kicks.
I found it disingenuous that so many media pundits would give Solo a pass on her play and sweep her comments under the carpet as if the shoe were never on her foot. I
wonder if Scurry had made those comments about Solo, would the media have turned on her?
As for the team, they accepted Solo for what she was and now they can live with it. She became a selfish diva, and poetic justice was served.
HBO Boxing down for count
In case you didn’t hear, Executive Producer for HBO Sports Ross Greenberg stepped down this week. Or should we say was forced out. Greenberg oversaw the booking of fights for the network for the last 20-plus and had made it the voice and face of boxing. Word around the camp fire is that Greenberg and boxing promoter Bob Arum had a falling out over champion Manny Pacquiao not fighting on HBO. Arum took his fight to Showtime, as Greenberg was not interested in airing a payper-view event that would have the Pac Man fight unless it was against Floyd
Cardinal
Cameron Biedscheid will be one of the top local players to watch at this weekend’s Saint Louis Summer Classic. Biedscheid plays for the St.Louis Eagles 17U team.
Mayweather Jr. Afight that has yet to be agreed to.
Arum and Greenberg had been at odds for a while over this issue, as Greenberg had been accused of climbing in bed with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Productions and the stable of fighters they have, which meant that Arum and Don King would have been on the outside looking in.
The last straw ironically came a few weeks ago when Greenberg in spite took a Don King fighter in Devon Alexander and invested somewhere in the vicinity of $5 million. The fight and the event were disappointing at best, as the decision-makers at HBO now feel that Alexander is no longer the shinning future star of the weight class. Greenberg paid in part for the misjudgment, as Arum had the ear of the higher-ups who thought maybe it was time for a change.
Fighters who are not in the right stable now will have a tough time finding their way to HBO – unless they have a premium cable subscription.
Former University of Missouri Football teammates and current National Football League standouts Jeremy Maclin (Kirkwood High/Philadelphia Eagles) and Danario Alexander (St.Louis Rams) were on hand to donate items and their time at Big Marc's Basketball Classic at the St.Louis Sports Center.Pictured from left to right are Isaiah Mares (Mares Management),Alexander,John Bommarito (Bommarito Automotive Group,tournament sponsor),Maclin and Big Marc Mares,tournament director.
Continued from B3 peaks and valleys, that you thought you were watching an actual movie instead of the story of a man’s life.
I thought I knew a lot about Curt Flood’s story, but after watching this documentary, I realized I was clueless about a lot of things. Many people who I talked to were in the same boat. There were so many layers to this story and that’s what made it so dramatic. There was so much depth to this man and his story. At the end of the program, I had tears running down my face. I could not help it. The range of emotions that I felt throughout this 90-minute program was incredible.
If you have not watched it yet, you must see it. It you did watch it, you must see it again.
The color of baseball
The decreasing number of African Americans in Major League Baseball is a topic that will be tackled by my friend Maurice Drummond and his colleagues at KTVI-Fox 2. On Tuesday, July 26, KTVI will be airing a 30-minute special entitled, “The Color of Baseball” which delves into this topic. It will be shown at 9:30 p.m. During the course of the program, Drummond interviews the likes of Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Ozzie Smith, current and former managers Dusty Baker and Don Baylor, current player Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks as well as Martin Mathews of the Mathews-Dickey Boys Club. All will share their candid thoughts as to why the number of African-Americans playing baseball continues to dwindle. KTVI sports director Martin Kilcoyne will host a round-
table in studio with St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell and St. Louis Cardinals Vice President Jeff Luhnow.
Shimmy on film
If you are a fan of sports documentaries, you might want to check out an upcoming film which follows Coach Shimmy Gray-Miller and her Saint Louis University women’s basketball program. Local filmmaker Robert Herrera had access to the SLU women’s program for four seasons under the Production Co. of Richard Weil. The finished product, The Gray Seasons will have its premiere screening at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase on August 18 at the Tivoli. It takes you inside the women’s program at SLU, on and off the court. If you know Shimmy, she is a very passionate young lady when it comes
to the game and life, which should make for a very interesting production. For more information on the screening or to see trailers of the film, you can also visit the website www.thegrayseasons.com. I am looking forward to seeing it, myself.
Continued from A9
“When I told the teacher at school, she had to tell the students what it was,” Teat said. “I’ve always said when I get out of high school, I’m going to college, I’m going to be a mortician.”
And that’s what he did.
Teat is one of three seasoned partners at McClendon/Teat Mortuary and Cremation Service, located in a newly-constructed property at 12140 New Halls Ferry Rd. in North St. Louis County. It opened for business a few weeks ago.
He and partners David McClendon and son, David McClendon II, built a 7,400 sq. ft. facility on property they purchased in 2006 next to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. The mortuary has two chapels that can be subdivided for four services at a time and plenty of parking in the rear.
The elder David McClendon is also a longtime successful businessman in Springfield, Illinois as owner of James D. Memorial Chapel, which he also built from the ground up in the late 1980s.
McClendon said their motto “dignity – beauty - affordability” has served well over the years.
“This is a ministry for us. We help people. We’ve never turned anybody down – we’ve never turned anybody away,” says McClendon. “We come together as family, so we can do it all and we are licensed in both Illinois and Missouri –and we have contacts to run funerals wherever we need to and whatever we need to do.”
McClendon said final arrangements are “the best way feasible for both parties,” with services for the spectrum of races, faiths and cultures.
“We wanted somewhere where people could bring their families and coworkers and everything – and they could be proud of it,” McClendon said.
McClendon is an Alton, Illinois native and a former North St. Louis County resident. His wife, Jean McClendon, is a retired school administrator who creates floral arrangements for the business.
Son and partner David McClendon II said he was flying home five years ago when he started working on the business plan for this business.
“I went to the man who actually knew it the best, and what a father,” McClendon II
said: “‘Hey, I have this dream and what can we do about this?’”
The son already knew the trade from the father.
“Alot of kids grew up watching Michael Jordan –watching Michael Jackson – I grew up watching him,” said McClendon II. “Because there was no TVtime.” In addition to their resemblance, both McClendons bring medical equipment sales and business experience to their mortuary acumen. Teat built expertise in large-volume funeral operations in Chicago, East St. Louis and at James D. in Springfield, Illinois, where he met who would become his partners. The men are incorporating new ideas and innovation to meet needs and demands of today’s clientele. For a nominal fee, McClendon/Teat will offer video feeds of final services to loved ones who are sick, live too far away or otherwise cannot attend.
“The beauty of the building – don’t mistake that and say, ‘I can’t afford it,’” McClendon II said. “We’re going to help you out – we are family owned and operated and these are the only owners, and we have the ability to make our price adjustments as need be.”
McClendon/Teat is inviting the public to its open house on Saturday, August 6 from 3–6 p.m. For more information, call 314-921-8400 or visit www.mcclendonteatmortuary.c om.
By Monique Gilliam Integrated Health Network
Many St. Louisans do not have a medical home, or a doctor’s office where they go for regular care. This means many people turn to hospital emergency departments for all of their health care needs. While emergency departments provide excellent care when someone is critically ill, they are not designed to help people stay healthy throughout their lives.
Members of the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN) are working with area hospitals to give patients options for non-emergency medical care, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.
Community Referral Coordinators, working for the IHN, are stationed in area emergency departments, helping patients find medical homes at the region’s community health centers.
“Having a medical home means you have a place to go where the doctors and nurses know your history, your family and your community. You are a part of a team who works to make sure you’re healthy long-term,” says Bethany Johnson-Javois, chief executive officer of the IHN.
Ingrid Manning, the lead referral coordinator for the IHN, is stationed in the emergency department at Christian Hospital Northeast. As a referral coordinator, Manning is one of eight masterslevel referral coordinators assigned to area hospitals to help patients who do not have a medical home or a primary care provider.
“Alot of people have been told to go to the emergency room in order to receive quality health care. They’ve been taught that the ER will provide all the health care that they need, including any tests or checkups, and that is just not true,” says Manning.
The IHN is a collaborative, non-profit organization that is leading the nation in health care coordination right here in St. Louis. The IHN is comprised of nine organizations with a total of 19 health
center locations and two medical schools, including Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, Crider Health Center, Family Care Health Centers, Grace Hill Health Centers, Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers, Saint Louis County Department of Health, Saint Louis ConnectCare, Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine.
Through collaboration with local hospitals – Barnes-Jewish Hospital, SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, Christian Hospital, SSM DePaul Health Center, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, and Saint Louis University Hospital – the Community Referral Coordinator Program has emerged as one of the nation’s most innovative approaches to coordinate increased access to primary care for all residents.
“Once we explain to patients the services available at the community health centers throughout the region, patients are willing to explore primary care as an alternative to extended wait times and limited preventative and urgent care in the ER,” reports Manning.
In the last six months, more than 3,000 patients have accepted appointments at community health centers.
“There is no other program of this caliber in the country,” comments Dwayne Butler, IHN board member and chief executive officer of Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers.
The program has been recognized nationally for innovative model in which in the country where hospitals and health centers collaborate and use full-time professionals in the emergency department, helping patients make connections to primary care homes. In total, referral coordinators encounter more than 12,000 patients a year.
“The St. Louis community, along with the nation, is realizing the potential value of increased levels of coordination across service providers,” explains JohnsonJavois. “This coordination has the poten-
tial to increase the quality of health outcomes for individuals and to reduce the cost of our health care system. The health care providers in our region are testing these principles through the Community Referral Coordinator program and other initiatives. Continued collaboration is the key to a future of a better health care for all people.”
One of the objectives of the demonstration is to connect patients to primary
care homes, which will enhance coordination, quality, and efficiency of health care through patient and provider involvement.
For those individuals who need a medical home, they can call a community health center close to them for an appointment. To find a health center in the heart of your neighborhood, visit www.stlouisihn.org.
Fri. July 21, 2-7 p.m. – Open House at Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine, the office of Dr. Kenneth Poole; 7921 Clayton Road (located a few blocks east of the St. Louis Galleria). Parking lot and main entrance are behind the building. For more information and/or to RSVP please call 314-802-1417.
Wednesdays July 27, Aug 31, Sept 28, Oct. 26, 7 am – 9 am – TravelGreen in the Central West End -Breakfast for Bikers at Health Literacy Missouri, 325 N. Euclid in St. Louis. Event is free for bike commuters. For more information, visit trailnet.org/our-work/travelgreen.
Sat. Aug. 6, 10 a.m. – 4p.m. – Kingdom of Healthy Smiles Family Fun Day celebrating the grand re-opening of Delta Dental Health Theatre. Families are invited to check out the renovated theatre and go to the grassy lot at the corner of First and Lucas Streets for a special medieval-themed outdoor festival. Canned food donations will be accepted on this date for Operation Food Search.
Fore more information, call 314-2417391 or visit www.ddhtstl.org.
Tues. Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – St. Louis Regional Health Commission 10th Anniversary Summit, The Chase Park Plaza Hotel -Khorassan Room. 12 Noon key note address and lunch. Free registration at http://st-louis-regionalhealth-commi.ettend.com or call 314446-6454x1101.
Tues. Sept. 13, 2nd Annual Health Missouri Health Literacy Summit, “Health Literacy Tools forBuilding a Patient-Centered Health Home, Hilton Garden Inn, Columbia, Mo. Keynote speaker is Dr. Howard K. Koh, 14th assistant secretary for Health, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Registration $150 ($175 after August 15). For more information, go to http://www.healthliteracymissouri.org.
Sat. Oct. 1, 8:30 a.m. - Sista Strut 2nd Annual 3K Breast CancerWalk at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Individual pre-registration is $15.
For more information, go to www.kmjm.com.
Sat. Oct. 15, 8th Annual CCDC Health Fair by Calvary Community Development Corporation, 2822 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis. For more information, go to www.calvarycdc.org.
Sat. Oct. 29, 9 a.m. – Making Strides Against Breast CancerRun/Walk in Forest Park /Upper Muny Parking Lot–St. Louis. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at http://tinyurl.com/ACSmakingstrides.
Sundays, 10 a.m., Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.
Mondays, 7 p.m., “Tobacco Free for Life” support group – free weekly meetings at St. Peters Mo. City Hall.
Supported by SSM Cancer Care; RSVP initial participation to 636-947-5304.
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Help fora drug-free life - chemical dependency information meeting. Call 314-839-3171.
Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia. Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse. For more information, call 314-839-3171.
First Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Family Support Group by NAMI St. Louis, The Alliance on Mental Illness at the Grace Hill Murphy-O’Fallon Health Center, 1717 Biddle St. No registration needed; no cost. For more information, contact Allen Daniel, 314-814-8579.
Free psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations are confidential at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. Call 314-839-3171.
Arecently released national report indicates that 8.1 percent of America’s adolescents aged 12 to 17 (2 million youth) experienced at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year.The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also shows that only 34.7 percent of these adolescents suffering from major depressive episodes received treatment during this period.
An MDE is defined as a period of two weeks or longer during which there is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure and at least four other symptoms that reflect a change in functioning, including problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, and self-image.
“Depression among adolescents is a serious public health problem that is all too often overlooked and the consequences can be devastating,” said SAMHSAAdministrator, Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “If depression among young people is identified and treated early we can turn a life around and reduce the impact of mental illness and substance abuse on America’s communities.”
One of the study’s most notable findings was that adolescents who had suffered from an MDE in the past year were more than three times as likely as those without a past year MDE to have had a substance use disorder in the past year (18.9 percent versus 6 percent).
The study also found significant differences in the rates of past year MDE experiences among subgroups of adolescents.For example, adolescent females were twice as likely as their male counterparts to have experienced a past year MDE (11.7 percent versus 4.7 percent). Rates of past year MDE experience also increased as adolescents grew older – with rates increasing from 3.6 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 10.4 percent of adolescents aged 15.
Among the nearly 700,000 adolescents who suffered from MDE and received treatment, more than half (58.5 percent) saw or met with a medical doctor or other health professional only – without being prescribed medication. The next largest segment of adolescents receiving treatment — 34.7 percent — met with a medical doctor or other heath professional and were also prescribed medication.The remaining 6.7 percent receiving treatment used prescription medication only.
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment among Adolescents:2009 is drawn from SAMHSA’s 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which collected data from a representative sample of 22,626 adolescents throughout the United States.
Position/Where:
Director of Utilization Management at Saint Louis ConnectCare
CareerHighlights: Registered Nurse-Over 20 years nursing experience in hemodialysis; Intensive care-cardiac; medical and surgical units; performance improvement programs
Education: Tennessee State University-nursing degree
University of Missouri-St. Louisthree years-psychology major
Personal:
I am one of four siblings, being the youngest girl.I have two sisters and one brother.My mother, Gladys, was a single parent, who nurtured and loved us unconditionally.She always encouraged us to do our best and know that we could achieve whatever WE believed.
I am a soror of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.At present I do not have a home church, but I have a strong and deep love and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Louis Connection:
I am from St. Louis and attended SumnerHigh School-GO BULLDOGS!!I was only away from St. Louis while I was attending school in Tennessee.
Yourjourney to success:
I have always had a deep interest and fascination with science and medicine.I think it started during my childhood and the admiration I had for my pediatrician, Dr. Helen E. Nash.Having grown up in theinner city in a single parent household, I knew my mother wanted better for me than what we saw around us.It was not until I had decided to go to nursing school that I found out she had always wanted to be a nurse. The night of my nursing pinning ceremony, I could see the pride in her eyes.I always wanted to be the type of nurse that built a rapport with her patients and was able to impart the knowledge I had gained to them to better care for themselves.The greatest accomplishment I think I have achieved is when a patient told me, “you explain everything so clearly to me and you don’t talk down to me.” That is what has meant the most to me.It is important for young women today to realize that they can achieve anything, and our responsibility is to assist the next generation to aim higher.
Breast Cancer
Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113.
Behavioral
Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. The hospital has a geriatric psychiatric unit dedicated to serving the mental health needs of geriatric patients. For more information, call 314-839-3171.
Christian Hospital Key Program is for patients with chronic mental illness. The program offers support and education to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-839-3171 or 1-800-4474301.
Crime Victim Advocacy Center provides no cost support for persons who have been affected by criminal acts. Emil peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call
the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.
Diabetes
SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, open-to-the-public Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m., overseen by certified diabetes educators to address health management issues. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSM-DOCS (866-776-3627).
Free, diabetes education program held at various locations by the Diabetes Network of St. Louis. Participants will be offered testing and support for diabetes control. Six sessions will cover monitoring your blood sugar, controlling complications of diabetes, taking care of your feet, living a healthy life through diet and exercise, and personal goal setting. Call Coco Bopp 314-747-9533 for more information.
Dental
Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (like fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For an appointment, call 314-768-7899.
Fitness
Coed Jazzercise - $1 per session on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Tabernacle Christian Life Center, 1350 S. Lafayette in Florissant, Mo. (behind Yacovelli’s). For more information, call 314-921-6825.
Information
Missouri 2-1-1 offers referral and information on a wide range of social service and helpful resources. Call 2-11.
Medical
St. Louis ConnectCare offers walk-in services Monday through Friday, 8
a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most holidays. For more information, call 314-879-6300.
Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. –2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N. Newstead, St. Louis, Mo. for those who are uninsured. For more information, call 314-533-0534.
Nutrition
Food Outreach provides food, meals and nutritional education/ counseling to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS or cancer in St. Louis. For more information, call 314-652-3663 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.
Prostate Cancer
The Cancer Center of The Empowerment Network, located on the lower level at 6000 W. Florissant in St. Louis, provides information on prostate and other types of cancer, and services and support. Also available are free mammogram and PSA testing certificates, for use at any Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Center. For more information, call 314-385-0998.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System have uncovered a new link between genetic variations associated with alcoholism, impulsive behavior and a region of the brain involved in craving and anxiety.
The results, published online in Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that variations in the GABRA2 gene contribute to the risk of alcoholism by influencing impulsive behaviors, at least in part through a portion of the cerebral cortex known as the insula, says study senior author Margit Burmeister, Ph.D., research professor at U-M’s Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute.
“Scientists often find a statistical association between behaviors and various genes, but the mechanism that’s at work frequently remains unclear,” Burmeister says. “Here we took some steps toward explaining how specific genetic risk factors are influencing behavior and the brain.”
Individuals under distress who also have the risky genetic variant tend to act
impulsively, a behavior that may lead to the development of alcohol problems, says lead author Sandra Villafuerte, Ph.D., a research investigator at U-M’s Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute and Department of Psychiatry.
“Developing deeper understandings of the various genetic and environmental factors involved in risky behaviors may guide prevention and treatment efforts in the future,” Villafuerte says.
The study included 449 people, who came from 173 families – 129 of whom
had at least one member diagnosed with alcohol dependence or abuse. Those with certain variations in the GABRA2 gene were more likely to have alcohol dependence symptoms and higher measures of impulsiveness in response to distress, the study found. Stronger associations were found in women than in men.
Burmeister says men and women tend to have different pathways to alcoholism.
“Drinking to relieve anxiety and distress is seen more in women.,” Burmeister says.
They found that individuals with one form of the GABRA2 gene associated with alcoholism showed significantly higher activation in the insula when anticipating rewards and losses than those with other combinations. This higher activation was also related to a greater level of impulsiveness in response to distress.
The insula’s association with addictive behavior is well known: smokers who had insula damage due to stroke found it much easier to give up cigarettes, Science reported in 2007.
“We believe these results suggest GABRA2 exerts an influence on an underlying neural system that impacts early risk factors and, later, alcohol dependency,” says Burmeister, also a professor of psychiatry and human genetics at the U-M Medical School. The authors stress that genetic risk factors don’t act alone and simply having them does not mean that someone will become an alcoholic.
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
“Have you ever thought of discussing what happens when a man chooses the wrong person to marry?” a friend asked. “Not that there is anything wrong with her, but he learned down the road that he knew he would have been happier with someone else.”
My irst thought was, “Where do you ind him?”
I mean, let’s face it … the only person he would be willing to discuss how unhappy he is in his marriage would be his mistress. What? You know I’m right about it. But that’s not the angle my friend was coming from. He was referring to a nagging gut feeling that he had passed up a perfect soul mate for something that was just pretty good.
n “We as men deinitely have more choices,” my friend said. “But sometimes that can present more of a problem.”
“We as men deinitely have more choices,” my friend said. “But sometimes that can present more of a problem than having none at all.”
I know this from irsthand experience, as the guest of honor of my personal pity party aptly themed “a good man is hard to ind.” I consider the men to have all of the luck with respect to the inlux of single ladies. But the burden of choice has to be more than a notion. I mean, what if all things are equal and you pick, only to discover you made the wrong decision?
“I would argue to say all things weren’t equal,” my female friend
See SINGLE, C4
By Dana G. Randolph Of The St. Louis American
Michael and Gail Holmes Have been married for 30 years. On June 10, they celebrated their anniversary in grand style at the posh Norwood Hills Country Club in North St. Louis County. Friends and family enjoyed the bountiful buffet and open bar while dancing the night away to celebratory tunes provided by Mystic Voyage. A host of St. Louisans and several out-of-town guests attended the swank affair. We can’t name everyone but a few well-wishers included newlywed daughter Brooke Holmes Eggleston and hubby Barry Eggleston in from LA, Michael Holmes II, Crystal and Kevin Stevens Jr. (Houston), Yolanda and Cornelius Carroll (Houston), Marlyn Logan (Houston), Bert and Monica Allen (Chicago), Johnny and Minga Furr, Wayman and Susan Smith, Hazel Donald, Eric and Angela Rhone and Donald M. Suggs.
At the top of the guest list were Michael and Gail’s parents, John and Ann Holmes and Harold and Mary Carter. Apples not falling far from the tree; both couples have long since celebrated their 50th Anniversaries!
We asked Gail her secret to such a blessed marriage, and she had some sage old advice for young couples, any couple. Gail and Michael met when they were 15 and 16 respectively. Michael was a devout Christian at an early age and prayed that God would send him his wife, He did. Gail was understandably impressed by his commitment to God and his ability to show her exactly what he told her in his daily walk.
In addition, Gail credits both her parents and in-laws as exemplary role models as individuals and couples for the
By Dana Grace Of The St. Louis American
“Laissez les bon temps roulez” was the resounding theme for Marshall Faulk’s Canton Countdown celebration last weekend. A late Friday night party held at popular CWE hotspot Mandarin was well attended and guests danced for hours to eclectic tunes spun by DJ Big D To name a few of Marshall’s well-wishers: host Rocky Arceneaux and Meghan
Noone, Coach David Felix, Orlando Pace Keith Williams Sr., Virvus and Sable Jones Kyle Blackmon, Ebenezer Faulk, Neely Williams Jessica Banks, Dr. Pam Jackson, Melissa Wall, Dr. Lyndon Gross, Melissa Clancy Dr. Kaylea Boutwell, Dr. Frantz Pierre, Dr. Jama Mohmoud, Denise Sherod, Tina Troxel, Farrell McClure, Brandon Williams and Dr. Morin Hanson. Saturday night (July 9) the Canton Countdown continued
See POTPOURRI, C4
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Thurs., July 28, 7:30 p.m., Sade with special guest John Legend, Scottrade Center. For more information visit www.livenation.com
Thurs., Aug. 4, 7 p.m., BudweiserSuperfest presents Jill Scott’s SummerBlock Party hosted by Doug E. Fresh and featuring Anthony Hamilton, Mint Condition and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. For more information, visit www.livenation.com.
Fri., Aug. 5, 8 p.m., The Sheldon Notes from Home Concert Series presents the Grammy Nominated “Super Dynamic Duo” Don and Alicia Cunningham, Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. For more information, call (314) 533-9900.
Sat., Aug. 20, The Heart of a Champion, this live concert will raise money to benefit local students through the Vatterott College Scholarship Fund and will include performances from National Recording Artists Nelly and Monica. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd. To purchase individual tickets and/or to learn more about package opportunities please visit: www.vatterott.edu/nelly.asp
Sat., Sept. 17, (Tickets on sale Mon., Jun. 6 at 10 a.m.), Yo Gabba Gabba, The Fox Theatre. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com
Mon., Aug. 1, 10:30 p.m., HOT104.1’s STLHome Jamz will be celebrating five years of supporting independent music from Saint Louis and all surrounding areas! Confirmed artists to perform include: STLHottest Winner Jay Louiz, Trixie, Phat Pheezy,
Seviin Li, & More, The Gramophone, 4243 Manchester.
St. Louis’own StarCity recording artist Fred Walker performs his (one man)SAXY JAZZ music show at the all new SHRIMPSHACK GRILL , Every Friday (happy hour) 3pm – 7pm, and Saturday (brunch) 10am – 2pm. 8624 Natural Bridge Rd (at Hanley) 314-426-3333.
Thurs., Jul. 21, 6 p.m., National Sales Network-St. Louis presents NSN Connection Experience: Preconference Kick-off, Lola.
Sat., Jul. 23, 9 a.m., Please join us in celebrating Katherine Dunham, a dance legend and a historical icon for St. Louis.The International Katherine Dunham Technique Seminar is 8 days of dance technique classes, world dance, lectures, films, discussions, museum tour, welcome reception, black tie gala, and more.
Sat., Jul. 23, 10 a.m., The Prince Hall Family Support Center is hosting a Community Health and Resource Fair, 4411 North Newstead. For more information, call 314-369-5582.
Sat., Jul. 23, 7 p.m., 1st Annual Green Grass Carpet Honolulu Ball, Visitation Hall, 1421 N. Taylor. For more information, call (314)4800311.
Mon., July 25, 6 p.m.
AddLife!’s Ultimate Rhythm & Movement Dancehall: A Global Dance & Music Workshop with international dancer Malena Amusa & AddLife! Studio. Malena taps the dance power of famous performers from Michael Jackson, Beyonce, to Shakira, diving to heart of dances from
West Africa, Brazil, Jamaica, and Asia. Legacy Books & Cafe, 5249 Delmar Blvd. $10/ ticket. For more info, visit www.addlifestudio.com or call (314)458- 4282.
Tues., Jul. 26, 7 p.m., World Percussion Theatre 2011 featuring the Katherine Dunham Youth, Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. Tickets available by calling Metrotix Charge Line at 314-534-1111 or 1800-293-5949. They may also be purchased at the Fox Theatre Box Office or online at www.thesheldon.org or www.metrotix.com
Fri., Jul. 29, 7 p.m., The St. Louis County Library Foundation Reading Garden Event Series and KETC Channel 9 are pleased to present a free family concert with PBS Kids’musical host Mr. Steve. Mr. Steve will share interactive, original songs and stories St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S.Lindbergh Blvd. For additional information, Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.
Jul. 30, 9 a.m., Hopewell MB Church Back to School Rally and Health Fair Mammogram van available, free mammograms for uninsured women 40yrs+. Must make appt for mammograms. Hopewell MB Church, 915 N. Taylor. For more information,
call 314-705-1190.
July 30, Budweiser, Myspace Music and Café Soul will be searching for an opening act for the Budweiser Superfest August 4 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater ft Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Mint Condition and DJ Jazzy Jeff Opening Act showcase will take place at The Loft with headlining act Dwele. Apanel of judges will pick the winner. Local winner will receive $5,000 and an opening act slot at the Budweiser Superfest August 4th at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and also entered to win the $25,000 grand prize! http://www.myspace.com/budweiseropeningact/OpeningActs
Sun., Jul. 31, 8 p.m. (7:30 p.m. doors) The Sunday FunniesComedy Show Lemmons, 5800 Gravois. Reservations & other information may be obtained by calling NonProphet Theater Company Managing Director Heather Tucker at: 1-636-2364831, or visiting www.nptco.org
Fri., Aug. 5, 8 p.m., Platinum Group, Inc., 13 Black Katz and Kappa Alpha Psi present “Ala White Penthouse,” with a live band and a DJ, Renaissance St. Louis Airport, 9801 Natural Bridge.
Aug. 5 – Aug. 7, 5 Star Events presents the 3rd Annual Rock Da Boat
Weekend in Lake Ozarks, MO. Pajama Party, BBQ, Yacht Party, Live performance by Pieces of a Family “featuring Marvin Hitman Rice”, Pool party. For more info contact Tiffany Anderson at 314322-5094 or go to www.rockdaboat.eventbrite.com.
Sat., Aug. 6, 12 noon, Hempstead Alumni’s 2nd annual picnic in Hempstead school yard located at Minerva and Hamilton. Let’s enjoy each other like before, please bring coolers, tents, and games. Also, please bring school supplies for donation (greatly appreciated). For information call Michael Butler 306-5722, or send email to Hempsteadalumni@sbcglobal.net
Through Aug. 12, Best Dance & Talent CenterDance & Activity Camp, (7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon.- Fri.) Best Dance and Talent Center, 105 Northwest Plaza. For more information, call (314) 739BEST(2378).
Sat., Aug. 13, 8 p.m., Immortal Passion: AFiery Night of African Dance, Music, & Legendary Tales of Women! Produced by Malena Amusa & AddLife! Studio, this enchanting concert of inspiring and striking dance drama is the climax of AddLife!’s “Awaken the Dance Force Bazaar” —a day of exciting dance workshops from India, Africa, & the Middle East, Legacy Books & Cafe, 5249 Delmar Blvd. For more info, visit www.addlifestudio.com or call (314) 458- 4282.
Sun., Aug. 14, 2 p.m., Craig Blac’s 10 Annual Community Cuts ForKids will be held at the following locations:Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, 2901 N Grand Blvd, St Louis; The Monsanto YMCA, 5555 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112;-The Mary Brown Center, 606 South 15th Street, East St Louis, Il 62207 (10a-6p at this Location). Barbers and stylists interested in volunteering can visit www.craigblac.com or e-mail craigblac@gmail.com.
Sun., Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. doors), J.R.L.W. presents ASpecial All-Star Explosion Body Blast 2011 Club Illusion, 526 E. Broadway, East St. Louis, IL. Call (314) 868-9564.
Sat., Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m., Urban Vibe Entertainment presents THE COMEDY EXPLOSION featuring Earthquake, Adele Givens, Nephew Tommy, J. Anthony Brown, Tony Rock. The Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.
Wednesdays through August, 5 p.m., The Downtown CID
is introducing a NEW Downtown-wide Happy Hour, Wednesday Night Out, The Happy Hour will be from 5-7 pm and over 20 participating Downtown bars and restaurants will offer $4 signature cocktails, $3 wines, $2 beers and half-priced appetizers. To see if your favorite restaurant/bar is participating, visitwww.downtownstl.org/we dnesdaynightout
Lexus Len’s Jazz Happy Hour Every Wed 6-10pm @ The Loft 3112 Olive, 2 for 1 Drink Specials 6-8pm, Jazz Band 7-9:30pm, Free Food while it last, No Cover Charge, Mature Atmosphere Only.
Aug. 4, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books presents a signing and discussion featuring Preston Lauterbach and his book The Chitlin’Circuit and the Road to Rock and Roll, Left Bank Books – CWE, 399 N. Euclid Ave. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.
Thurs., Aug. 11, 7 p.m., The St. Louis County Library Foundation and Subterranean Books are pleased to present award-winning St. Louis suspense writer Scott Phillips for a discussion and signing of “The Adjustment.” St. Louis County
tickets call 314-821-2407 or visit www.stagesstlouis.org
July 23, 3p.m.,Auditions for Gitana Productions’original play, Inalienable Rights: From Pearl Harbor to 911 Carpenter Branch Library at 3309 S. Grand. Show will run from Sept. 9-Sept. 25. Call 314-721-6556 or email info@gitana-inc.org
Fri., Aug. 26, 8 p.m., Spoonful of Honey Theatre Company presents Pearl Bailey…By Request starring Roz White – Vincent, Missouri History Museum, Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park. For more information, call 314-598-6075, e-mail lrharris@aspoonfulohoney.com or visit www.aspoonfulohoney.com.
SIUE’s SummerShowbiz 2011 season closer, Meredith Willson’s all-time American musical classic, The Music Man. The Fine Arts Box Office phone number is 618-650-
2774. Tickets are on sale now!
The Fine Arts Box Office at SIUE is located in the Dunham Hall Building, room 1042B, justeast of parking lot E. Check us out at www.siue.edu/summerarts.
Jul. 29 – Aug. 6, Hawthorne Players will present the musical “Annie,” The Florissant Civic Center Theatre, Parker Road and Waterford Drive. For more information, call (314) 9215678 or visit www.hawthorneplayers.com.
Aug. 6, 10 a.m., Families region-wide will get to check out the offerings of the newly reconstructed Delta Dental Health Theatre and gain access to a free, medieval-themed outdoor festival on the grassy lot just down from the theatre at the corner of First and Lucas streets. Delta Dental Health Theatre, 727 North First Street. For a complete list of planned activities for this rain or shine event, visit www.ddhtstl.org.
Through July 29, FRESH 2011, 2nd Annual Full-time Student photography Competition and Exhibition hosted by Studio Altius Photography, Opening Night
Reception: Friday July 8, 2011
6-10p.m.Studio Altius 2301 South Big Bend Boulevard Maplewood, MO 63143. For more information, call 314.769.9769 or visit www.studioaltius.com
Through July 24, The Gallery at The Regional Arts Commission presents Point o Departure featuring Cbabi, Jarvis and Lobdell. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar.
July 24 – July 31, This summer, CAM takes the St. Louis public into over 160 artists’ studios across St. Louis with our 6th Annual City-Wide Open Studios. CWOS offers a unique opportunity for St. Louisans to explore the creative and personal spaces of
local artists while providing the ability to enjoy one of the most exciting parts of contemporary art - the chance to talk with the artists themselves Several events will be taking place in celebration of the 6th Annual City-Wide Open Studios. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.camstl.org
Through August 1, MFA Thesis Exhibition featuring the candidates in Washington University’s Graduate School of Art, part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.
Through August 1, Cosima Von Bonin Character Appreciation, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. August 5 – September4, The Gallery at The Regional Arts Commission presents Critical Mass Creative Stimulus 2011 featuring the art of Emily Hemeyer, Sarah Paulsen, Alex Petrowsky & Lyndsey Scott Curated by Sarah Colby, Opening Reception: Friday,August 5: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Gallery Talk Thursday, August 186 p.m. (reception 5:30 p.m.) The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd.
Through August 14, Cryptic: The Use of Allegory inContemporary Art with a Master Class from Goya.This exhibition will feature the work of six contemporary artists – Folkert de Jong, Hiraki Sawa, Allison Schulnik, Dana Schutz, Javier Tellez, and Erika Wanenmacher –paired with works by Spanish master Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes. Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis,3750 Washington Boulevard. For more information, visit www.camstl.org.
Through Aug. 21, Jacoby Arts Center7th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, Opening Reception, Friday, July 15, 5 –8 pm, The Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway, Alton, Illinois. For more information, visit www.jacobyartscenter.org
Through August 28, PPRC
Photography Project: BarnesJewish Hospital Center for Diversity & Cultural Competence, an exhibit at two locations. LOCATION 1: Through Aug. 28 at PPRC
Photography Project Gallery, 427 Social Sciences and Business Building at UMSL, 1 University Blvd; LOCATION 2: Through July 31 at Arts + Healthcare Gallery in the Shoenberg Pavilion at BarnesJewish Hospital, 4921 Parkview Place, St. Louis, Mo. 63110; For more information, call (314) 516-5273 or visit www.pprc.umsl.edu.
Through Aug. 18, Along with the National Black MBA Association-St. Louis Chapterand Marks & Associates, ITEnterprises at the University of Missouri-
blocks east of the St. Louis Galleria). Parking lot and main entrance are behind the building. For more information and/or to RSVPplease call 314-802-1417.
Sat. Aug. 6, 10 a.m. - 4p.m.Kingdom of Healthy Smiles Family Fun Day celebrating the grand re-opening of Delta Dental Health Theatre. Families are invited to the grassy lot at the corner of First and Lucas Streets for a special medieval-themed outdoor festival. Canned food donations will be accepted for Operation Food Search. For more information, call 314241-7391 or visit www.ddhtstl.org.
Sat. Oct. 29, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Run/Walk in Forest ParkSt. Louis. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at http://tinyurl.com/A CSmakingstrides
St. Louis will sponsorthe Entrepreneurial Boot Camp
The boot camp is a three-part program designed to help participants understand the market for starting a business, determine the type of business that best suits them and how to navigate a path to ensure success. Industry experts will facilitate the workshops. Email stlblackmba@charter.net to RSVPor for more information.
July 21, Midwest Health Initiative presents Summer Health Summit, Il Monastero, 3050 Olive. For more information, visit www.midwesthealthinitiative.org or call (314) 7218715.
Fri. July 21, 2-7 p.m. - Open House at Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine, the office of Dr. Kenneth Poole; 7921 Clayton Road (located a few
Through Jul. 22, Hopewell MB Church Vacation Bilble School- “Jesus Truth Seekers,” 915 N. Taylor. Through Jul 22, Greater Leonard MB Church Spiritual Blessings beginning with a Summertime Spiritual Enrichment: Gospel Preaching that will encourage, energize and engage you by Rev. Dr. Jesse T. Williams of Convent Ave. Bapt. Church, Harlem. For more information, call (314)421-5288.
Fri., Jul. 22, 6:30 p.m., SIGMA(Sistas In God Mirroring Abba), presents One Night With The King “Waiting to EXHALE: Letting Go & Letting God!” Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3200 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. For More Information Contact: Sista Denita Robinson at (314) 452-2088 or dazzingdee64@sbcglobal.net
Saturday, July 23, 2011, 8:30 a.m. PrayerBreakfast with the Christian Women of the New Wave (East St.Louis, Illinois) at Four Points Sheraton, 319 Fountain Parkway, Fairview Heights, Illinois. Come early and be blessed with the WORD by Minister Alice Green. For more information,call Margaret Wren (1.618.332.8612) or Estelle Straw(1.314.398.6639).
Jul. 23, 3 p.m., The Women of St. Paul presents 100 Women in White, theme: Overcoming Obstacles, St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Ave. For more information, call (314) 385-8900.
Jul. 25 – Jul. 29, 6:30 p.m. nightly, Prospect Hill M.B. Church Vacation Bible School, not just for children, but forEVERYONE, Vacation Bible School is for everyone at Prospect Hill M.B. Church 4533 Arlington AveJuly 25- July 29, 2011 6:30-8:30 nightly. Theme is UNITYMon(Unity with God) Tues. (Unity with family) Wed (Unity with the church) Thurs( Unity in the community) Fri (Unity in the workplace) Call 381-6787 for registration. Prospect Hill M.B. Church, 4533 Arlington. For more information, call (314) 381-6787.
Jul., 29, C.R. Lee ministries present Tye Tribbett live in concert, Faith Church St. Louis, 3590 Rider Trial South Earth City, MO 63045. Tickets can be purchased at Transformation Christian Bookstore, WORD Christian Bookstore or by calling 314 322-9468 or 314 398-3405.
Jul. 30, 9 a.m., Union Baptist Church Youth Department presents Back to School Fun Conference “The Proverb Generation,” Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 1 East 6th Street. For more information, visit www.unionbaptist church.shutterfly.com.
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as friends, fans, family and former teammates Roasted and Toasted the well-respected retired Rams Star and 2011 NFL Hall of Fame enshrinee Marshall Faulk was entertained by Roasters and Toasters on the dais at Lumiere Theatre. Former Rams teammate Rev. Aeneas Williams, our favorite former Rams coach Dick Vermeil, St. Louis and East St. Louis’ own ever popular Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner Kersee, leading NFL and Rams running back Steven Jackson (Happy Birthday Stevie J – July 22), former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin, Tampa Bay cornerback Donald Penn, Marshall’s stellar agent Rocky Arceneaux (Happy Birthday Rocky-July 22), former Rams teammate Roland Williams, Legal Eagle Scott Rosenblum (Happy Birthday Scott –July 27) and St. Louis’ favorite sports pundit Mike Claiborne. Faulk Fans in the audience enjoying the Roast and Toast included St. Louis Rams owners Lupe and Lucia Rodriguez, Father Sal Pallizi, Dr. Rick Lehman, Atty. Paul Randolph (USDOJ), Renaud Lucas (Better Family Life), Trish Purham (SLHA) and Gbenga Lawal (Pepsi), Katie and Ricky Andrews, Damien and Ingrid Trasada, Fox Midwest’s Chuck Jackson, Super Publicist Jane Higgins, Les Bond Jr. (Happy Birthday Les – July 18) Les lew in from the 10th Anniversary celebration for his Chicago-based Attucks Asset Management, LLC in D.C. There the Attucks family enjoyed VIP tours of the East and West wings of the White House. Also in the lively crowd
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said. “Because if they are, then you would be happy regardless of who you choose.”
She speaks from experience. On two separate occasions she was passed over.
“I went from being an ego boost to a slap in the face to a ‘thank you, God,’” she said.
The irst man wanted a baby right away, and she had already planned to hold off on a family in order to build her business.
Her opponent, if you will, had a leg up because she had been hitting the snooze button on her biological clock for the past couple of years.
were Tracy (Mrs. Aeneas) Williams, ESPN’s Tony Soli, Nicole Bradley (8Nine Agency), Amanda Constantinesco (Synergy), Brandi Greenleaf (Faulk Foundation), Tony Davis Sr. and Ashaki Meyers. Shaki says she had a blast at the Essence Festival in New Orleans 4th of July weekend. Arielle Randolph was in attendance and enjoyed sharing highlights of her recent tour of London, Paris, Barcelona and Valencia, Spain. Arielle traveled with gal pal and fellow Villa Duchesne 2006 graduate Margaret “Maisie” Culver. As expected, Dr. Amit Dhawan’s Synergy Productions served up another great weekend of fun! Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. celebrated their 100th Anniversary and
“He felt like at the time of his life she was right for him,” my friend said. “She wanted a baby right away. She was a nice lady that didn’t give him too much trouble. They were both ready to get married and have a baby … and so they did.”
Once their immediate need of starting a family was met and they focused on getting to know their needs and expectations of each other as husband and wife, it was over. Two years later, they divorced.
“If he wanted to give us another try, I don’t know if would be able to move past it,” she said. “I would always feel like the sloppy seconds.”
Her next marital interception came at the hands of a woman who had a religious
Michael Roberts Sr. (Roberts Companies) received the fraternity’s prestigious Laurel Wreath Award on Saturday –July 9, 2011. Another family affair, proud Father Victor Roberts, Mike Roberts Jr. and brother Steve Roberts Sr. wouldn’t have missed this historical event and presentation. A few of our areas representatives included Cedric The Entertainer Judge Marvin Teer Sam Sealy Jonathon Hicks (former longtime Kappa Journal editor), national board member Cliff Franklin (FUSE), Jolease Marshall and Atty. Rueben Shelton who was elected to the national board of directors during the meeting.
80th Grand Chapter Meeting July 7 – 10, 2011 in Indianapolis. 30,000 members strong, St. Louis and East St. Louis Kappas represented! Hosting a weekend of festive activities and service focused workshops, the men of Kappa Alpha Psi illed most Indy hotels. They headquartered at the Westin, Marriot, Hilton and Hyatt hotels. A true Cahill Partnership, Atty. Randall Cahill (St. Louis Alumni Chapter) enjoyed spending the weekend with his brothers Atty. Clyde Cahill, Kevin Cahill and Myron Cahill (Atlanta). Randall says this was a memorable weekend for the brothers who haven’t spent as much quality time together since the Million Man March held in Washington, D.C. in 1995.
advantage.
The man my friend had been dating and developed a special bond with was a devout member of the Nation of Islam. She is equally committed to Christ.
“It never made a difference in our relationship, yet it made all the difference,” she said.
“We were equally yoked in all other aspects, but he was in this whole ‘you won’t understand my world’ place. The religious barrier was bigger than any others that come up in relationships.”
He married a good Muslim woman, but he admitted after the fact that he missed her spirit and the type of relationship he shared with my friend.
He has a caring, compliant and faithful wife who is reveling in the joy of her happily ever
The Motown Revue and local celebs the Bosman Twins provided top-notch entertainment during the Links Regional Conference held at the Hyatt Hotel July 4th weekend. Area members from the St. Louis, Archway and Gateway chapters said the Friday night party with the Motown Revue was outstanding. Saturday night’s White Rose Ball ended with smooth jazz from the Bosman twins. A few of the area members who helped to make this weekend successful for out of town guests were; Mary A. Polk – courtesy chair, Bettie Shanks,Verea Williams, Dr. Esther Beeks, Dr. Jackie Dilworth Garrett Adrienne Glore, Ivie Clay, Billie Jean Randolph, Gail Allmon Joyce Price Dianne Powell, Sandra Murdock, Ida Woolfolk Yvonne Chatwell and Dr. Linda Baker Roby
Happy Birthday to Ms.CelestiaWelch (Dankar Enterprises) (July 14)! I know it was grand. Enjoy your week! Write Dana Grace at dgrandolph@live.com .
after. But he shared with my friend that there was a lingering regret.
“Stop trying to make marriage a business transaction,” my friend said. “Despite what people say, it’s a union. You can’t have a good marriage without putting your heart into it irst.”
The advice mantra that she repeats to herself can be applied to her former lame as he attempts to make the most of his marital luck of the draw: “What I’ve learned is you can never reach your destination ahead if you keep driving backwards by focusing on what you’ve missed along your road.”
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success of their marriage. Gail believes you should “treat your spouse like you treat your friends,” “never go to sleep angry” and “always kiss each other good night”.
Michael and Gail’s motto is “A family that prays together, stays together.” Gail irmly believes when “people show you who they are, believe them.”
Gail and Michael share common goals and beliefs. As a couple they strive to be the best role models for their children,
nieces, nephews and any fellow human being that crosses their paths. The couple gives all “Glory to God” for their happiness and success. Community service is a given for this power couple. They lourish when helping others and as a result have sustained a balance so perfect they love to share their story. Michael and Gail are thankful for their blessings and strongly believe “to whom much is given, much is required”. Congratulations, Michael and Gail. We are looking forward to your next chapter. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, memories and favorite party pictures!
Engagement Couple to wed Aug. 4, 2012
Sacretta Nicholson of Florissant and Antonio Hopkins of Wellston would like to announce their engagement. Sacretta is an Intake Specialist for the Urban League. Antonio is a supervisor for Keystone. They plan to wed on August 4, 2012.
Beaumont High School Class of 1965 is looking for all classmates interested in celebrating our 45-year reunion. We are in the process of planning a dinner/dance.Your contact information is needed ASAP. Pleaseemail LaLinda Newsom Diggs at lalindadiggs@sbcglobal.net.
Beaumont High School Class
Kenya Walls and Eric Thomas would like to announce their engagement. Kenya is currently attending Fontbonne University in the Master in Taxation program. Eric is also attending Fontbonne University in the Business Administration program. They have three children—Trinity, Kayla and Makenzie. The wedding will be held in May of 2012.
of 1966 has sent out letters announcing their 45-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-16, 2011.Friday night - Meet & Greet; Saturday night - Dinner Dance and Sunday morningBrunch.All events will be held at TheSt. Louis Airport Renaissance Hotel.Please contact Josh Beeks 314-3030791 or Evelyn Wright- 314479-7674.
Beaumont High School Class of 1971’s 40-year reunion is scheduled for Aug. 5-7, 2011. $90 per person.E-mailyour contact information to beaumont71alumni@yahoo.com for details or contact Vernon Betts at (314) 226-3127.
Beaumont High School Class of 1976 will have its 35-year reunionAugust 19-21, 2011. Fri. night,Aug.19—meet &
Rev. Douglas and Agnes Parham recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Rev. Parham serves as pastor of Community Church of God in Black Jack.
Carl Campbell — July 20
Dwayne Chatman — July 21
Angela Jackson — July 21
James Booker — July 22
Joe Jackson, Sr. — July 23
Melvin Swift — July 23
Aunya McElroy — July 24
Janae Johnson – July 23
greet hospitality suite St. Louis AirportRenaissance Hotel, Sat., Aug. 20— DinnerDance St. Louis Airport Renaissance Hotel Penthouse & Sun., Aug. 21 worship & picnic.For more information email bhs1976@swbell.net or visit our website at http://desyco.tripod.com.
Beaumont High School Class of 1981 30-year reunion, Aug. 19-21, 2011. Fri., Aug. 19, Happy Hour at EXO Ultra Lounge, 3146 Locust St. 6-10 pm, Free H’ordeuvres, Live Band; Sat. Aug. 20, 30th Reunion Celebration at Alpha House, 3615 N. 19th St., 7 pm2 am, Semi-Formal Attire, $10 Admission at the door; Sun. Aug. 21 Family Day Worship Service, Church TBAat Reunion Celebration, Dinner will be at Dave & Busters after
ElderKenneth and Johnetta Williams will celebrate 19 years of marriage on July 25, 2011. They are the proud parents of Tanisha Wilson, John Williams and Shanice Petty. They are devoted to their children and eight grandchildren— Xzavier, Tanecia, Faith, Kenneth and Kevin, Kenya, Marnae and Marlo. They are known as “Papa and Geegee”.
Morning Worship Service.
Central High School AllClass reunion is looking for classmates to celebrate during the reunion weekend, August 12-14, 2011.All interested classmates should contact 601-4109 for more information.You may also send an email to centralallclass2009 @yahoo.com
East St. Louis Lincoln Class of 1971, calling all classmates interested in their 40-year reunion, please send your contact info to: Lincoln Class of 1971, PO Box 1430, East St. Louis, IL62202. Email us at ESTLLincoln1971@hotmail.c om, on Facebook at ESLLinconPenn or call 618781-4888 or 314-249-7295.
Hadley Technical High School class of 1961 is preparing for its 50-year reunion in 2011. We are seeking contact information to complete our directory. For more information contact Ralph Johnson 314-477-2042 or William Perry 314-531-3170.
Kinloch High Class of 1976 has scheduled its 35-year reunion for Aug. 12-13, 2011. For more information, please contact Janet (Dalton) Campbell at 314-409-5441,
Rosie (Moore) Odom at 314601-1331 or Sheila (Hughes) Bell at 314-680-8878.
Soldan Class of 1981 is looking for all classmates for the up coming Class Reunion Weekend September 2-4 2011. For details you can find info on Facebook or vontact Johnny Franklin at (314) 565-2056 or jfstar@sbcglobal.net, Valerie Greene at valgreene901@yahoo.com or Larry Hill, www.LarryHillForSheriff.com. This Reunion is open toall our classmates that went to other schools but were in our Junior class as well.
SumnerClass of 1976 is hosting their 35-year reunion August 19-21, 2011 with celebrity MC Bernie Hayes Saturday at the banquet. Registration is $90 until August 10, 2011.All classmates are encouraged to participate. For more info,contact Betty Louis at 314.385.9843 or Silvester Johnson at 314.807.3652oremail:sumnerclassof76@yahoo.com.
SumnerHigh School Class of 1991 is preparing for its 20year reunion August 13, 2011. We are looking for classmates of 1991 who graduated with our class as well as those who
Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 4242 Lindell Ave St. Louis, MO 63108 FREE OF CHARGE
Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent \by mail to: Kate Daniel, 4242 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com
started with us freshman year as a part of the class of 1991. The class of 1991 would also like to invite the Sumner class of 1992. Please email your information to: Sumnerhigh1991@yahoo.com or for further information contact Deanna Bonner 314-9208103 or Leslie Thompson 314495-1665.
American staff
COGIC Charities, the benevolent arm of the nearly 6.5 million member Church of God in Christ, will give funds to aid the relief efforts in Japan.
A COGIC delegation, led by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., will leave for Tokyo at the end of July and meet with Japanese and American officials to discuss the additional needs of the country.
Bishop Blake will lead a prayer for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami. He will also host a breakfast for American servicemen and women.
During the trip, the charity will present a check for $100,000 to help purchase rice cookers and any additional items that may be needed.
While this is the first time the leader of the fourth largest Protestant and the second largest Pentecostal denomination in the U.S. has traveled to Japan, this is by no means the first time COGIC Charities has aided countries during times of crisis.
Since its inception in 2003, the charity has given: $150,000 donation to tsunami victims in East Africa through the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization; $100,000 donation to Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization in Somalia; $1 million donation to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts; $50,000 donation for the
Uganda Women’s Health Initiative; and $1.1 million to Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort.
Bishop Blake explains, “We Care is not just a slogan for COGIC Charities, but we believe that it is our duty to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless.”
The COGIC jurisdictional bishop of Japan, Bishop Carl D. Hodges, echoed that sentiment. He also states that the COGIC churches in Japan are anxiously
awaiting the arrival of the Presiding Bishop and his delegation. They are looking forward to the opportunity to share with him the great cultural experience that is Japan.
C.R.LEE Ministries will host Tye Tribbett and Team Fresh at
their Fresh Experience Tour on Friday, July 29. The concert doors will be open at 6 p.m. with pre-show music beginning at 6:30 p.m. featuring Judah Band from Indianapolis. The featured artist for this concert is Mitchel Ford, The City Troops, D. McGhee and St. Louis New Generation.
The evening will culminate with praise and worship, prayer and a music ministry from Tye Tribbett and Team Fresh. His dynamic vocal skills and his ability to lead in both praise and worship has allowed him to be a highly sought-after speaker and artist throughout the United States, as well as abroad.
Elder Carlton Lee Jr. is founder of C.R.LEE Ministries. The Fresh Experience Tour concert will be held at Faith Church of St. Louis (3590 Rider Trial South in Earth City) where the pastors are David and Nicole Crank. Tickets can be purchased at Family Christian Bookstore locations Chesterfield, Ferguson, St. Peters, Transformation Christian Bookstore, and Word Christian Bookstore in East St. Louis. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $40 for VIP. Contact Carlton Lee at 314-322-9468.
Choir and Youth Revival
Solomon’s Temple Church will host a Choir and Youth Ministry Revival 7 p.m. nightly August 3-5 at the church, located at 5569 Page Blvd. The speaker will be Prophet Marcus McIntosh of Chicago. Solomon’s Temple is led by Bishop James E Holloway Sr., founder and pastor and First Lady Linda D. Holloway, co-pastor. Visit www.solomonstemplechurch. org or e-mail solomons@i1.net.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
I recently received the news that an old family friend, in fact the grandmother of my niece (on her mother’s side), had passed. Earlier that morning I had asked my own mother about this woman’s condition. She had been hospitalized and was in near critical condition due to complications of diabetes.
Miraculously she seemed to have started to recover. My niece said that she was her “old self” again. She was laughing and talking to family members and even was a little grumpy.
Excitedly my niece reported that she would be released from the hospital and admitted to a rehabilitation facility in order to regain her strength.
Of course, I was saddened to hear the news of her passing. My heart grieved for my niece, her mother and other members of her family. But then to my surprise, another thought came to mind.
I thought about the many times I heard about or even experienced when a seriously ill person seemed to make a recovery just before passing.
The person, as my niece’s grandmother, would be alert and talking to family members. Then a revelation hit me.
This is God. This is God not only giving the dying an op-
portunity to disquiet the emotions of fear and sadness their loved ones are having before they depart this Earth, but the Almighty God is also giving some people one more chance to live for eternity. How blessed these individuals are; God loves them so much that He will take them momentarily out of death’s grip and provide them with favor. Favor to be with their family members one more time. To give them peace amongst the storm and to lessen the fears they have been going through. How blessed these individuals are; for if they have not given their life to God, He has graced them with one more opportunity to do so. “The time is fulfilled and
The National Urban League has witnessed debilitating impact of the nation’s current employment crisis firsthand. Its 98 local affiliates, which serve 300 communities, are economic first-responders in the ongoing effort to help ease the burden of those most profoundly affected by this recession, serving some 2.1 million citizens in 2010 alone.
Record numbers of Americans were forced into foreclosure in 2010, and many urban families in communities already long beset by economic stagnation are enduring unemployment rates as high as 20 percent. Without a national effort to invest in economic opportunity for all, the Urban League argues, any statistical return to prosperity will continue to fall far short of real recovery for millions of Americans.
With this fact in mind, the National Urban League’s Jobs Rebuild America Plan offers a dozen dynamic and imaginative measures to both rescue those most profoundly affected by the ongoing economic emergency, while also remedying many of the underlying causes behind the recession’s
inordinate and seeminglyamplified impact on the communities it serves:
1. Restore the Summer Youth Jobs Program as a Stand-Alone Program Employing 5 million Teens in Summer 2011 through a new investment of $5-7 billion.
2. Create 100 Urban Jobs Academies to Implement an Expansion of the Urban Youth Empowerment Program to employ and train the critically unemployed.
3. Develop a Dynamic National Public Private Jobs Initiative to Create Jobs and Train Urban Residents and Stimulate Economic Growth in the following areas: Technology and Broadband Jobs, Health Care Jobs , Manufacturing Jobs, Urban Transportation/Water, and Community Facilities Infrastructure Jobs, Clean Energy Jobs.
4. Boost Minority Participation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industries. Triggering minority participation in ICTindustries is critical for a robust, long-term recovery. ICTindustries can greatly contribute to achieving the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2010 estimate of
extra 16.1 million jobs and $2.5 trillion in gross revenues from minority owned businesses.
5. Reform, Revise, and Reauthorize Workforce Investment Act to focus on preparing and retraining workers for 21st century jobs by targeting young adults with less than college, as well as high school dropouts and older workers whose jobs were eliminated by the recession.
6. Create Green Empowerment Zones in areas where at least 50 percent of the
population has an unemployment rate that is higher than the state average.
7. Expand Small Business Lending through a series of steps: reduce SBACommunity Express loaninterest rate to 1 percent targeted for business located in areas where local unemployment exceeds the state average; establish an additional New Markets Tax Credits Program, targeted to loan products for small businesses who wish to borrow less than $250,000 for start-up and expansion; establish a new
Bryan Scott, Boeing F-15 Quality Program Manager (center),takes a moment to pose with Riverview Gardens High School students during an Urban League Schoolto-Business program at Boeing.
mechanism to enforce MBE/WBE goals on federally funded projects
8. Initiate Tax Reform which reduces across the board rates while substantially eliminating all tax loopholes, deductions and credits. Any remaining deductions and credits must be simplified to make them better targeted and more effective at promoting important social and economic goals, particularly for lowincome taxpayers and families with children.
9. Establish and Promote
Multilateral International Trade Policies that will expand the market for American goods and services to growing and emerging economies around the world; thereby generating increased demand for American exports and creating an environment for increased domestic hiring and economic growth.
10. Enact the Urban Jobs Act (H.R. 5708) amending the Workforce Investment Act to address the problem of unemployed youth between the ages of 18 to 24 living in urban areas and not enrolled in secondary or post-secondary school.
11. Create an Urban Homesteading Program as a comprehensive, coordinated approach to create new homeowners by redirecting foreclosed bank owned properties into the hands of middle-class and working class families at low purchase prices and low interest rates.
12. Fund Direct Job Creation by offering financial support to cities, counties, states, universities and nonprofit community based organizations to hire the personnel necessary to provide critical services in communities throughout the nation.
The Groove Flows out The Gate. It was a slowed down version of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” belted out by featured singer Cheri Evans that whisked me into Lamar Harris’ irst installment of Groove Therapy at Lola last Thursday. The café-themed night, decked with clothed tables and candles, was a nice backdrop to the bluesy offerings of Harris on horns and his four-piece band. As my shape found a seat in the cut, I was served with “What You Won’t Do for Love,” and what seems to be a cover song favorite “Love No Limit” by Mary J. Bli-gshhhhh (in my Whitney Houston voice). Evans, who was outitted in a zebra print top, was deinitely in her element as she continued to rock with Deniece Williams “Free” and closin’ out with “At Last.” I have to say that Groove Therapy was just what a sista needed to help bring on the weekend as I was incited to a slow wind all the while lettin’ my featured chiffon tunic lutter to the music. During such, I was able to catch quick glimpses of local favorite singer CJ Conrod making a now rare appearance and Kevin Johnson sunken into a corner sofa (seemingly overcome by the relaxing vibe). For all my sexy grown folks, make sure you check out the next Groove Therapy at Lola.
A Kick and Shufle for the Good Ole Days. It was full-on calamity tryin’ to get into Soldier’s Memorial Friday for Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concert presentation of a surprisingly resurrected Bell Biv Devoe. Just when I thought the inal nail was hammered into the elongated cofin that housed the mile high box cut singers, I was gagged with the announcement that seem to come out of Headscratchville. I was unaware that the group still performed – let alone would be selected as one of the featured acts for this year’s festivities. Now don’t get me wrong, I shufled with the best of them to the one and a half hits spurned out from the trio. In fact I still have my well-preserved paint splattered denim overalls and backwards hat set to prove it. But even considerin’ their long hiatus, the boys still know how to put on a show. When I irst arrived, the DJ set was in full swing as Reggie acted as the resident hype man. He put his all-white linen pants suit to good use as he hopped and skipped on stage to get the crowd enthused. It was when the Casper and Cha Cha’s tired slide got underway that I noticed somethin’ most unusual. I never knew that one could partake in such with a baby on their hip. But clearly one homegirl didn’t mind as the poor thing was lailin’ around like a puppet. I was quietly waitin’ for the baby to suddenly skyrocket in the middle of a “turn it out…” Meanwhile, after steppin’ on several sets of feet and knockin’ over a couple of coolers, I inally plopped down in time to see them emerge with “Too Dope”. Fashioned in white vests and jeans, the guys looked relatively agile and refreshed for 40-somethings. Their staple choreography shined through “I Thought It Was Me” and “Hot 2nite.” It really turned into a true house party once the guys gave a few Kid N Play dance kicks all the while keepin’ the crowd on their feet and braless ladies coming out of their camis. The interpreter lady that was posted on lower stage right was kept busy as a New Edition medley followed with shortened versions of “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Cool It Now,” and “Candy Girl” with help from a lucky lady from the audience who seemed to prefer doing a 8-count versus actually singin’. Ricky Bell then took center stage to take on ballads “I Do Need You,” “Something in Your Eyes,” and “When Will I See You Smile Again?” and also managed to squeeze in his diminished part of New Editions “Can You Stand the Rain.” Their biggest hit, “Poison” came expectedly to close out their set which was decorated with handpicked audience members to see who could kick-ball chain the best. As several sets of ladies did their best footwork to BBD’s likin’, the boys will go down for putting a show that the old and new school could appreciate. Shout outs go to Nato Caliph who opened the show with help from Vandalyzm and Black Spade. Excitement at EXO. There was an unusual hyped energy when I walked into EXO last Saturday. As I made my way past a gaggle of ladies in full club motif getting it in on the dance loor, I thought that perhaps Too Short or a diminished rapper of that nature was making an appearance. Once I dispelled that notion, I surmised that there was a “irst-lady-with-feathered-earrings-on-gets-in-free” special goin’ on. What? If you would have seen the abundance of Big Bird ear lobe swag poppin’, I’m sure you would have drawn the same conclusion. But I was wrong again. It was just a regular summer night as I arrived to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend, David “Day-Day” Hemphill. Festivities hit their peak once loor squats ensued. In fear of my eyeball poppin’ out the socket, I booked it once “Hit Em Wit The Flex” hit the speakers. Make sure you all check out So Sexy Saturdays going down at EXO every week.
Laughs but really Chuckles at the Loft. The re-situated Loft was all ready for gut-bustin’ laughs for its comedy show Monday night. I arrived makin’ sure I wore a loose mesh tank just in case I felt the need to double over. Well let’s just say it was hard to get to an uproar of laughter out of me. The irst comedian looked like he just came from a church footwashin’ gala. Adorned in what looked like a ive piece suit, it seemed he was desperate after a couple of jokes fell short. Frantic, he resorted to more off-color comedy like a hard to swallow AIDS joke then moving on to featuring the skills of his tongue game and sexual maneuvers while the DJ spinned. After several uninteresting situational openers like “Me my boy and his Chihuahua walked into the post ofice, right…” I was a bit over it. Host McGriff got laughs back on track with his in-between commentary as the stage was set for Hot Sauce. He seemed to fare better discussin’ the broke pockets of a triling borrowin’ friend that everybody knows and can relate to. He went on to discussing ladies buying oversized prophylactics ultimately killing the conidence of “strong medium” sized men. But the STD jokes reared its ugly head again – and although his interpretation was somewhat funny – it was still a hard pill to swallow. Although my bun didn’t unravel from stiling giggles as hoped, I did manage to chuckle here and there. For a slow start to the work week, I think that’s nothin’ to
By Consuelo H.Wilkins,MD
At a recent dinner party, I was asked by a friend-of-a friend whether she could ask me a health question. I generally dislike being asked health questions in social settings because I often find that the person asking the question really needs to see a health provider. It is unrealistic to expect to get the answer to a personal health question if the health professional doesn’t have your health history and is unable to perform a physical examination.
I hesitated briefly but agreed to answer her question. She quickly asked “Why don’t we talk more about how awful fibroids are?” It was a great question, but before I answered, I wanted to know what she thought the answer was. Given her response, it was clearly something that she had thought about. The woman, who appeared to be in her late 40s, explained in detail that she believed no one cared about fibroids because it is much more common in African American women than in other groups. After a few minutes, I gave her two of the reasons that I believe that fibroids are not more commonly discussed. One is that although women may
suffer a significant amount of pain and other symptoms from fibroids, they usually do not lead to death. The second reason is that many women seem to be reluctant to discuss the symptoms of fibroids, even among other women.
As many as half of all women have uterine fibroids and African American women are three times more likely to develop them. Fibroids are growths that develop from the smooth muscle layer of the uterus. Fibroids are sometimes called tumors; which is technically correct because a tumor refers to an abnormal growth. However, fibroids are rarely cancerous.
Consuelo H. Wilkins,M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor
Fibroids are highly dependent on the hormone estrogen, so the size may increase during pregnancy when estrogen levels are higher and they tend to shrink after menopause when estrogen levels drop. The size of a fibroid can range from a small seed to larger than a grapefruit. There can be multiple fibroids or one
single growth and can be located on the surface of the uterus, in the wall of the uterus, or in the uterine cavity. Although some women have few symptoms, many women with fibroids experience heavy menstrual periods, frequent urination and pain in the lower back and/or pelvis. Bleeding from fibroids can cause anemia and sometimes fibroids can lead to infertility. Adoctor can sometimes detect fibroids during a pelvic exam but an ultrasound is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis.
Fortunately, there are more treatment options available today than 30 years ago when the only option for many women was a hysterectomy. Treatment options will vary based on symptoms, age, and desire to conceive. Some available treatment options for fibroids are:
• Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naprosyn may be prescribed for pain.
• Birth control pills help to regulate the menstrual cycle, control heavy bleeding, and alleviate some of the pain and pressure.
• Lupron, a type of hormone, may aid in shrinking the fibroids and stopping bleeding.
• Ablation, a surgical procedure in which the lining of the uterus is destroyed, may prevent further bleeding.
• Focused ultrasound surgery: Focused high-frequency, high-energy sound waves using MRI-guided ultrasound are used to target and destroy the fibroids.
• Uterine artery embolization, a procedure that destroys the blood supply to the fibroids, causes the fibroids to shrink (resulting in less bleeding).
• Myomectomy: a surgical procedure to remove the fibroids and to leave the uterus otherwise intact.
• Hysterectomy: a surgical procedure that removes the entire uterus (and the fibroids contained in it).
There are pros and cons for all of the treatments but the most important thing for a woman with fibroids to do is to understand ALLof her options. If you have fibroids with symptoms, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist to discuss your options. For more information on uterine fibroids, visit http://www.womenshealth.gov.
Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D., is medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American and associate professor of medicine and psychiatry, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, at Washington University – St. Louis
Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American July 21, 2011
YourHealth Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health.
Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher
Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO
Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President
Chris King, Editorial Director
Consuelo Wilkins, MD, Medical Accuracy Editor
Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter
Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach
Sonia Dulaney, Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Sales
Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager
Angelita Jackson, Cover Design
Wiley Price, Photojournalist
Serves 4
“Egg” Burrito
Ingredients:
• 4 Wheat Tortillas
• Raw Spinach Leaves (washed)
• 1 Pint (16 oz) egg substitute (e.g., Egg Beaters) (1 pint is equivalent to 8 eggs)
• 1 Green Pepper (small diced)
• 1/2 Onion (small diced)
• 1 Cup of Shredded Cheese (your choice)
• 1 tsp olive oil
Directions:
Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the green peppers and saute’for 4 minutes. Then add onions and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add pint of egg substitute (shake carton first) to the pan and cook to desired consistency. Stir in the cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove pan from heat. Roll the egg mixture and spinach leaves in each tortilla. Serve with Potatoes with Sweet Onions (pictured) or fruit of your choice.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories:285 calories
Total Fat:13 g
Saturated Fat:6.7g
Cholesterol:30 mg
Carbohydrates: 21g
Total Sugar: 2g
Protein: 21 g
Sodium: 544 mg
Potatoes with Sweet Onions: (optional)
Ingredients:
• 3 Russet Potatoes (medium dice)
• 1/2 Onion (small dice)
• 2 tsp dried Thyme
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Combine the diced potatoes and onions in a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle with oil and add thyme, sale, and pepper. Toss to coat. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast until crispy and browned (about 20 minutes).
Nutrition information: (per serving)
Calories:135
Total Fat:7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol:0
Carbohydrate:17g
Total Sugar:1 g
Protein:2 g
Sodium:5 mg
Food Outreach continues to be the only nonprofit organization in the greater St. Louis area that focuses on providing critical nutritional support to individuals with a life-threatening illness.Through a combination of prepared meals, groceries and nutrition counseling, the organization is able to enhance the quality of life of low income men, women and children living with cancer or HIV/AIDS.The on-staff chef and on-staff registered dietitian work together to develop menusthat are tailored to the specific nutrition needs of Food Outreach clients.Food Outreach is on pace to provide 410,000+ nutritious meals to 1,500 clients residing in 137 Missouri and Illinois zip codes in 2009. For more information, call 314-652-3663 or visit www.foodoutreach.org
Do social workers, police and others take domestic violence among older people less seriously than they do among younger couples? Arecent survey suggests that they might.
Asample of 242 college students in social work and criminal justice examined three similar scenarios for domestic abuse between couples. In one, the pair was 75 years old. In another they were 30. In the third, the students were asked to imagine themselves as the abused partner at age 75.
One of the findings was that only 26 percent of those who imagined themselves as the abused 75-yearold partner agreed that they would know when to terminate the relationship. By contrast, 44 percent said that the 30-year old person who was being abused should know when to leave.
They also said that 30-year-old couples were more likely to engage in conflict and violence than 75-year-old couples. More respondents believed that the 30-year-old person being abused was entitled to physical defense compared to the same scenario with the couples portrayed at 75-year olds.
“Overall the older characters in the first scenario were perceived either to possess fewer options or to be less entitled to a situation change,” says Dr. Robin Jacobs, a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
She and Dr. Michael Kane and Dr. Diane Green, of the School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University, published an article earlier this year in the Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect.
“Domestic violence and intimate partner abuse among older couples is frequently unrecognized,” observes Nova Southeastern’s Jacobs. “In cases where the suspected abuse of an older person is perpetrated by a spouse or intimate partner, it is rarely labeled as domestic violence.”
“It is an ageist myth for students and professionals to continue to believe that all
intimate relationships among older persons are harmonious, respective, loving and supportive,” she adds.
The study authors urge educators to be aware of perception myths about older people among those in training to become social workers and other human services professionals.
“Raising awareness may help students to identify the possibility of intimate partner abuse when the bruises on the 70-year-old face of Aunt Rose are not attributable to being clumsy but are attributable to 72-year-old Uncle Frank,” they write.
When elderly drivers get behind the wheel, they often confront the harrowing reality that they cannot easily see other cars, pedestrians, or cyclists moving around them. This frightening effect of aging, it turns out, is not necessarily a result of a reduced ability to perceive moving objects, as one might suspect, but a heightened awareness of the backdrop against which these objects move.
Ateam of scientists led by University of Rochester Professor Duje Tadin has isolated the cause of this phenomenon, and the surprising results could not only help train elderly people to be better drivers, but they could also help psychiatrists better understand abnormal brain processes in psychological conditions like depression and schizophrenia. Their research, conducted at the BerensonAllen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation at the Harvard Medical School, was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
In a healthy, young person, a brain region called the middle temporal visual area, or MT, actively suppresses often irrelevant background motion so that he or she can concentrate on the more important motions of smaller objects in the foreground. Previous studies have found that elderly people, as well as those with psychological conditions such as schizophrenia and depression, are better at perceiving motion in the background. But this above average motion perception is not something to look forward to as we age. Because the brain is spending its limited resources constantly paying attention to the unimportant motions of background objects, it has a harder time noticing the motions of smaller objects.
“The amount of visual information around us is huge, and we don’t have the brain power to process it all,” Tadin said. “Evolutionarily speaking, moving objects are the most important visual features to detect quickly, because they could be your lunch or they could want to eat you for lunch. It just makes sense that our vision prioritizes processing them.”
Tadin and his colleagues discovered that the MTwas responsible for this effect by using a technique called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). By precisely placing magnetic coils on the back of a subject’s head, the scientists stimulated the MT with electrical signals for 15 minutes to temporarily inhibit its functioning. Then, while the MTwas less active, they tested how well subjects identified motions of smaller and larger objects. They found that when the MTwas inhibited, subjects had an easier time identifying the motion of large, background-like objects. These results indicate that an improperly functioning MTmay be the cause behind better than normal perception of background motion in older adults.
This knowledge could be useful to psychiatrists trying to better diagnose schizophrenia and depression, Tadin says. Current diagnostic techniques for these conditions can involve subjective and qualitative information like a history of hallucinations or feelings of apathy. But if a person also exhibits better than normal detection of background motion, it could be a quantitative confirmation that he or she has one of these afflictions.
Susan G.Komen Race for the Cure Pink Tie Guy,St.Louis American photojournalist Wiley Price,poses with fellow Pink Tie guys back stage at the 2011 Race for the Cure in downtown St.Louis.With him are Randy Weller,vice president of community development for Citi;Tim Metz,co-owner of Pickles Deli;Todd George,Spinnaker Real Estate Partners in St.Louis;Kevin Demoff,executive vice president of football operations & COO for the Rams;and Doug Elgin,Commissioner for the Missouri Valley Conference.
Why are we told to avoid drinking caffeinated and drinks containing alcohol when the temperate is very hot outside?
The answer comes from “Heat Emergencies” by the American Red Cross.
“Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine because they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.”
Also, it says to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or starts to lose consciousness.
Do you have a health-related question? Let us hear from you. Email your question to yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com. Rather than an individual reply, a health professional will provide an answer that we will share with all readers in a future issue of Your Health Matters.
