July 7th, 2011 edition

your Top 25?

Bailing out North City

whether a storm was coming in.

“And I’m not lying, that water was all the way up to the top of my porch,” she said. “The police lights were everywhere. They were saying, ‘Hold tight, hold tight.’”

The flooding terrified her grandson, she said.

By Rebecca S.Rivas

Of The St.Louis American

Helen Ivy, a North City resident, was reading Bible stories to her four-year-old grandson on the evening of June 25. Just when he was getting sleepy, she heard a funny noise, as if something was bumping against the house, she said.

“I thought it was my dog on the back

Ealgie Edwards, Gabby Edwards and Shaniya Holloway enjoyed a big greeting from The King in the “Wizard of Id” during last weekend’s Fair St.Louis parade.

“He said, ‘Grandma, we need Noah’s Ark,’” she said, chuckling.

In Ivy’s neighborhood near Interstate 70 and West Florissant Avenue, the sewer back-ups flooded the basements of several dozen homes, including Ivy’s, and rendered about 13 homes unlivable in Dryden Court

Farming in Ferguson

750 women from Midwest chapters meet to network, service

By Lydia McGhee

For The St.Louis American

More than 750 African-American women, from the age of 25 to octogenarians, converged upon downtown St. Louis last week to connect as members of The Links, Incorporated. The Archway, Gateway and St. Louis Chapters of the national civic and service organization hosted the 2011 Central Area Conference with the mission “Powering the Promise” from June 29 to July 2 at the St. Louis Hyatt at the Arch. The Links, Incorporated was found-

See LINKS, A6

School district partners with nonprofit to teach kids organic farming

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

Ronnell Wright, an eighth grader at Ferguson Middle School, is a KIND Club member. He’s a Kid In Nature’s Defense.

As part of the afterschool club, he handles the school’s recycling and learns how to care for the environment. This summer, he took his role a step further and studied organic farming at the nonprofit EarthDance’s summer camp.

The problem, for Wright, was it only lasted a week.

“Not to be greedy or anything, but I wish it could have been longer,” Wright said.

The camp, which hosted 10 teens, took place at the

See FARMING, A6

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.Louis American

“The cycle was broken with Precious,” Sapphire said about the character who made her a household name. Fifteen years ago, Sapphire introduced Precious Jones and her son Abdul in her debut novel Push, creating a sensation on the urban literature scene. Gritty and graphic, Push tackled the topics of incest, abuse, a failed education system, teen pregnancy and AIDS.

“When you dehumanize people, they will act less than human –they will act accordingly.” – Sapphire

Precious is a living statistic, but fights her way through for the sake of her son. As Sapphire returns to the story in her new novel The Kid (to be released on Tuesday), she knows that Precious must ultimately lose her battle.

“The reality is that – even with the strong will African Americans have – if the structure for society is oppressive, your will is not enough,” Sapphire told The American

Sapphire will return to St. Louis next week to discuss the follow-up to her wildly successful book that received a second wind in 2009 when director Lee Daniels turned the novel into the Academy Award-winning film Precious

“It was something about the movie and reconnecting with the audience and the people who had loved Precious and loved Push,” Sapphire said.

“I heard people talk about the progress that they made as far as combating violence against women and children, and I thought, ‘It had made a difference.’I thought, ‘It’s time.’”

The new book picks up several years from where she left off in Push

“It shows the generational effects of AIDS and poverty and the interfamilial cycle of abuse and Abdul’s generational connection to the past,” Sapphire said.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Photo by Wiley Price

See MSD, A7

Margret White,a North City resident whose home was damaged in recent flooding,talks with Alderman Antonio D.French at a meeting between residents and MSD officials that he organized on Friday.

Ronnell Wright,an eighth grader at Ferguson Middle School and a member of its Kids In Nature’s Defense Club, spent a week learning organic farming at the nonprofit EarthDance’s summer camp.

Photo by Corey Woodruff

Katt Williams’ dog day afternoon

Comedian Katt Williams’ recent tour bus stop set off a bizarre string of events – starting with his bodyguard shooting a family’s dog to death, then replacing it with a new puppy ... all in a matter of hours.

According to police, Williams’ tour bus pulled into a Jack-in-the-Box in Arizona and one of Williams’ bodyguards was bitten by a Ger man shepherd. The bodyguard opened fire twice, killing the dog instantly.

The German shepherd was said to be a retired police dog that had gotten loose during a walk with its owners. The family told TMZ they were in shock when, “Katt Williams came outside and told us that he [the bodyguard] will be fired immediately.”

The family says Katt then went inside his tour

bus and walked off with an 8 week old Mastiff ... and offered it to them to replace the dead dog. They accepted and then – shockingly –posed for a picture with Katt ... and everyone was all smiles!

Wayans brothers headed to court for joke jacking

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Keenan, Shawn and Marlon Wayans are due in court July 11th to answer charges of plagiarism brought against them by Jared Edwards who says the brothers stole his gold-digger jokes. Jared, who worked for the Wayans brothers for ten years, claims he pitched a series of ‘You Know You’re a Golddigger When’ jokes to the Wayans brothers, who turned down his idea then turned around and published a book called ‘You Know You’re a Golddigger When...” with St. Martin’s Press. Because the book didn’t do well, the judge has put a cap on the amount of damages that can be awarded.

Does Jay-Z have a French pastry on the side?

All year long the entertainment lawyer who runs the Crazy Days and Nights blog posts juicy blind

items and reveals the answers twice a year.

This year he put Jay Z on blast. On the blog he says “This married A list singer/rapper extraordinaire may want to be very careful right now. There is a French model he has been with for the past ten years and as they approach that first decade mark, she wants much more out of their partnership. If he says no, the fireworks will be loud and spectacular.”

Kobe’s alleged ‘Pretty Woman’ cries foul

An Ohio prostitute is suing Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, accusing him of reneging on his promise to marry her. Selina Miller filed the suit last week in Orange County Superior Court, claiming that the married star gave her a “completed and signed agreement” to provide her with a ring. Miller claims her and Kobe engaged in sexual activity during the course of their relationship. “He likes playing games with women more than people know,” she said.

just silence this girl and ring her too.”

Self proclaimed Biggie murder accessory steps forward

A former member of the Nation of Islam, named Clayton Hill claims to be an accessory to the murder of Notorious B.I.G. – explaining he was handed the gun that was used to kill the rapper back in 1997. “[Dawoud Muhammad] stated to me that he was on the run for the murder [of The Notorious B.I.G.],” Hill told HipHopDx. “He disclosed that he was the shooter of The Notorious B.I.G. because he [Dawoud] was a former Blood gang member and was paid to do so.”

Clayton Hill

“I’m upset because he promised me a ring [during one visit], and then some other people influenced him, and I didn’t get it. He thinks he can stop by my house any time he wants to. There are other women, too. One of them got a ring.” Kobe’s infidelities have already cost him a multi-million dollar ring…Maybe he should

As it states in his soon-to-be released e-book, “Diary of an Ex-Terrorist,” Dawoud handed Hill a wrapped up semi-automatic of which the caliber was unknown. The book also reveals that Dawoud bragged about the murder and getting paid $25,000 for the assassination. Hill is currently serving time in prison in downtown Chicago for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and identity theft.

Sources: TMZ.com, Terez Owens.com, Eurweb.com, The Hollywood Reporter.

We should be outraged!

Statistics reveal that victimizations of African Americans from violent crime such as murder, rape, sexual assault, burglary and robbery are committed by African Americans. We live with these facts and to a certain extent accept them. But what if these crimes were committed by whites on our community? What would be our response? Would it be outrage, anger, rage, and the call for justice and retaliation? If so, then why is it not the same reaction from our community against our own?

We are tolerating these atrocities. We allow the mayhem and the carnage to run rampant in our neighborhoods. It is nobody’s fault but ours. We are to blame.

The National Crime Victimization Survey and the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program declare an ordinary crime becomes a hate crime when offenders choose a victim because of some characteristic (race, religion, ethnicity, religion or association) and provide evidence that hate prompted them to commit the crime.

So when a black person kills another black person, is that a hate crime? About 56 percent of hate crimes were motivated, at least in part, by racial hatred, according to the study, and most were accompanied by violence. So the question is: Do we hate ourselves?

It appears some of our young people are consumed

with self-hatred. Self-hatred is very sad because it is an erosion of the soul. If someone becomes an expert in self-hatred, they will become very creative at finding ways to torture themselves to such a degree that the punishment becomes an avenue of comfort, and as a result they will find relief by torturing others. The youth are our liberators, but some, a pitiful small percentage, are killing us off. They are killing our future leaders. Nationally, homicide is the leading cause of death for black young men ages 10-24, and the second leading cause of death for black women ages 15-24. We must stop the racial hatred of ourselves. Black

n So when a black person kills another black person, is that a hate crime?

people sell drugs to other black people, and steal from other blacks, and hurt other black people. We make babies out of wedlock and we do not listen to or respect our elders. We kill other black people. It’s time to stop the madness. Should we blame gangs to take the focus from our own failure? To stop gang violence, citizens need information, support and community activism. These tools remain viable options in combating the problem locally. Some local organizations have taken on the task, such as Better

Family Life, The Organization of Black Struggle, United African People’s Organization, The Nation of Islam and other Islamic communities, as well as Christian churches and Jewish synagogues. They need our support

Would education improve our self esteem? All Americans need to know about Ida B. Wells, a community organizer, grassroots leader and journalist who was a precursor of the modern Civil Rights Movement; Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, whose achievements as a cardiac surgeon helped to revolutionize the field of medicine and humanize its practices; Fannie Lou Hamer, a voting rights activist who used her powerful voice to raise the cause of equality and freedom; Charles Drew, the first black surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery; Mary Mcleod Bethune, an educator and activist who founded what is now Bethune-Cookman University; and Paul Robeson, a celebrated actor, athlete, singer, writer and civil rights activist.

The accomplishments of these black heroes can help us all realize how scores of black Americans overcame obstacles in order to reach their goals. Perhaps with this knowledge, self-hatred would fade away and the violence would halt.

Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on WGNU-920 AM or live at www.wgnu920am.com. And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10 p.m. and Friday Morning at 9 a.m. on KNLCTV Ch. 24. I can be reached by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.

Zontas sponsor UMSL girls’ camp

The Zonta Club of St. Louis recently announced a generous donation to the Second Annual UMSL Girls’ Leadership Camp. This day camp, scheduled for June 26-29, is an innovative opportunity for high school students to explore college, career and leadership readiness. Last year, 88 high school young women from across the region participated, coming from public and private schools. The 2011 registration date has been extended to June 15; enrollment is $195 prior to June 15 and $245 after, and scholarships are available. Contact Malaika Horne at 314-516-4749 or hornem@ umsl.edu

Pictured: Professor Malaika Horne of UMSL;

Reproductive rights in the black community

Shanti Parikh delivers free lunch lecture July 14

American staff

The National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section will host Shanti Parikh, professor of anthropology at Washington University, for a free lunch lecture 11:45 a.m. Thursday, July 14 at Crown Center, 8350 Delcrest in the

Weinberg Lounge. Parikh will speak about reproductive rights in the AfricanAmerican community, with “particular attention to the articulations of historic inequalities such as sex, age and class in cultural perception,” according to organizers.

She holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and has done

extensive research focusing on the ways in which state, family, health, and local agents attempt to regulate meanings of sexuality.

The National Council of Jewish Women strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. The event is free, but reservations are appreciated. Guests are invited to bring their own lunch. To register, call 314993-5181 or email jthomas@ ncjwstl.org.

Bernie Hayes

Barbara Meyer, president of Zonta Club of St. Louis; Bernadette and Janna White;

Dean Tom Walter; Molly and Chrissy Paterson.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Shanti Parikh

EDITORIAL /COMMENTARY

Nixon should accomplish dual goals

It’s an old saying in politics: Never let a good crisis go to waste. We urge Gov. Jay Nixon to keep this old saying in mind and take advantage of the series of unfortunate natural disasters that have battered Missouri. Speciically, Nixon should call a special session of the Legislature to work out paying for unexpected disaster relief in Missouri, and under cover of this consensus issue work with the divided Missouri Republican Party to pass badly needed economic development legislation.

We say this mindful of the political liabilities to Nixon in calling a special session, given the need to state an agenda that could then be defeated. Republicans dominate both houses of the Legislature, and their internal bickering was responsible for the economic development bill dying at the end of session. To call a special session speciically to complete the economic development bill would give tax credit activists in the GOP another forum to spout their theories and kill the bill, in which case Nixon would now share in the Republicans’ failure. These same Republican tax hawks – state Senators Jason Crowell, Will Krauss, Jim Lembke, Chuck Purgason and Rob Schaaf – also inhabit the activist right wing of their party that relishes causing Nixon political embarrassment.

But last month the governor held back $57.1 million in spending from the state’s general revenue fund and $115.1 million from other revenue sources so the state would be in a position to fund disaster relief efforts. Predictably, Republicans

criticized this move, which provides an opening for Nixon to call them back to session to discuss how to fund needed disaster relief efforts. While everyone gets some kudos for doing something all Missourians would agree is important, the inal haggling over disputed tax credits – which killed the economic development bill – could be conducted quietly without political loss to anyone.

Kansas City received its needed attention from this governor in 2010, when he called a special session to work out tax incentives for Ford to keep its assembly plant in the Kansas City area. In 2011, Nixon should answer the needs of the state’s more productive economic hub of St. Louis and call a special session in which the Aerotropolis tax incentives – that would stimulate new business at and around the St. Louis airport – get completed. If maintaining manufacturing jobs in Kansas City warranted a special session in 2010, then providing economic incentives to create new assemblage and cargo-transport jobs in St. Louis warrants a special session in 2011.

Jay Nixon’s handling of unprecedented natural disasters in his state has been impressive. No one would fault him for convening the Legislature to iron out how the state will pay for disaster relief efforts. At the same time, the governor can provide Republicans with a forum to resolve their remaining differences and pass an economic development bill that could radically transform this city and state.

COMMENTARY

Obama calls GOP bluff on debt

Here’s how to negotiate, GOP-style. Begin by making outrageous demands. Bully your opponents into giving you almost all of what you want. Rather than accept the deal, add a host of radical new demands. Observe casually that you wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to the hostage you’ve taken – the nation’s well-being. To the extent possible, look and sound like Jack Nicholson in The Shining This strategy has worked so well for Republicans that it’s no surprise they’re using it again, this time in the unnecessary ight over what should be a routine increase in the debt ceiling. This time, however, something different is happening: President Obama seems to be channeling Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver. At a news conference last Wednesday, Obama’s response to the GOP was, essentially, “You talkin’ to me?”

Obama’s in-your-face attitude seems to have thrown Republicans off their stride. They thought all they had to do was convince everyone they were crazy enough to force an unthinkable default on the nation’s inancial obligations. Now they have to wonder if Obama is crazy enough to let them. He probably isn’t. But the White House has kept up the pressure, asserting that the real deadline for action by Congress

to avoid a default isn’t Aug. 2, as the Treasury Department said, but July 22; it takes time to write the needed legislation, oficials explained. Tick, tick, tick ...

“Malia and Sasha generally inish their homework a day ahead of time,” Obama said, comparing his daughters’ industry to congressional sloth. “They don’t wait until the night before. They’re not pulling all-nighters. They’re 13 and 10. Congress can do the same thing.”

Obama’s pushing and poking are aimed at Republicans who control the House, and what he wants them to do is abandon the uncompromising position that any debt-ceiling deal has to include big, painful budget cuts but not a single cent of new tax revenue.

The president demands that Congress also eliminate “tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires ... oil companies and hedge fund managers and corporate jet owners.” Without these modest increases in revenue, he says, the government will have to cut funding for medical research, food inspection and the National Weather Service.

In truth, some non-millionaires who never ly on corporate jets would also lose tax breaks under the president’s proposal. And it’s hard to believe that the irst thing the government would do, if Congress provides no new revenue, is stop testing ground beef for bacteria. But Obama is right that the cuts would be Draconian – and he’s right to insist that House Republicans face reality. Now is the wrong time for

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Smearing Obama with black joblessness

Earl Ofari Hutchinson New America Media

GOP presidential contenders Michelle Bachman and Newt Gingrich igured out yet another ploy to knock President Obama. Blame him for joblessness among blacks now at nearly Great Depression levels, especially for young black males.

Both candidates made the claim in recent speeches at the Republican Leadership Conference. Gingrich got so carried away with this absurd notion that he went off the deep end by claiming that Obama’s supposed culpability virtually insures that blacks will turned off by the president in his reelection bid.

The Congressional Black Caucus, National Urban League, and NAACP have sounded warning bells for months about the ticking time bomb of high black unemployment. Their grave concern over the problem came to a head the irst year of Obama’s White House tenure, when an impatient CBC and other community organizations pressed Obama to say and do more about the jobless crisis among blacks.

The president refused to push any special initiatives or earmark funding for unemployed blacks. He contended then, as he does now, that growing the economy and the billions pumped in stimulus dollars in

jobs projects was the best way to dent black joblessness. This caused a momentary lap with the CBC last December. The friction quickly disappeared from the news, but the issue didn’t, and the GOP took note of the discord.

Chronic black unemployment has been a ixture for a long while. During the Clinton-era economic boom of the 1990s, the unemployment rate for young black males was double that of white males – and triple in some parts of the U.S. The reasons are not hard to ind.

First were the massive state and federal cutbacks in job training and skills programs, which have only been made worse by the slash-and-burn budget and deicit-reduction proposals of the GOP free marketers – people like Bachman and Gingrich. Second has been the brutal competition with immigrants for low- and partlyskilled service and retail jobs.

Add to that the refusal of many employers to hire those with criminal records. In the late 1990s, long before the big run-up in black unemployment, the California Assembly Commission on the Status of the African-American Males reported that four out of 10 felons entering California prisons are young black males.

The high number of innercity public schools that are failing miserably also fuels the unemployment crisis. They have turned thousands of blacks into educational cripples. These students are desperately ill equipped to handle the rapidly evolving and demanding technical and professional skills

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Demote Jenkerson

spending cuts or tax increases – it’s ridiculous to do anything that might slow the lumbering economic recovery, even marginally. But if there have to be cuts, then Republicans must be forced to move off the no-newrevenue line they have drawn in the sand.

Every independent, bipartisan, blue-ribbon panel that has looked at the deicit problem has reached the same conclusion: The gap between spending and revenue is much too big to be closed by budget cuts alone. With fervent conviction but zero evidence, tea party Republicans believe otherwise – and Establishment Republicans, who know better, are afraid to contradict them.

“I’ve met with the leaders multiple times,” Obama said, referring to House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “At a certain point, they need to do their job.” The job he means is welcoming fantasy-loving Republicans to the real world, and it has to be done.

The stakes are perilously high, but Obama does have a doomsday option: If all else fails, he can assert that a section of the 14th Amendment – “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law ... shall not be questioned” – makes the debt limit unconstitutional and instructs him to take any measures necessary to avoid default.

Maybe that’s why, in this stare down, the president doesn’t seem inclined to blink.

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

I read The St. Louis American the last two weeks about Chief Charles Coyle. The city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars because they discriminated against him. The discrimination was proven in court. When chief George was being ousted, they demoted him. Now that the court has proved that Chief Coyle should have been promoted to the chief of the ire department, Jenkerson should be demoted back to his former position. This would save the city money because they would not have to pay two chief salaries with only one Fire Chief. Give Chief Coyle what the court says is rightfully his.

Mattie Pruitt, St. Louis

In agreement with Ingram

I just want to let you know that I agree with James Ingram 100 percent of the time. Keep up the excellent work, and I hope that these people do read his columns. I am impressed about his articles and I also applaud him because he seems to be a fearless person. The truth will always set you free. These people remind me of Africans, as I am originally from Nigeria. Thanks again for the stimulating articles.

Adeyemo Sodipo, Via email

Marines vs. punks

It is a sorry state of affairs when three U.S. Marines, even high, can’t beat three punks from St. Louis.

Craig Johnson, St. Louis

Stomp out hunger

What would you say if you saw a group of a 120 people throwing around and smashing watermelons on a college campus? Brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha would say it must be a Watermelon Bash.

On May 3, the St. Louis College of Pharmacy was home to such a sight. The event is series of games involving watermelons such as the watermelon

needed to succeed in the public sector and business world of the 21st century. By far, the biggest single reason for the persistent black joblessness is discrimination. Researchers have consistently found that black men without a criminal record are less likely to ind a job than white men with criminal records.

The mountain of federal and state anti-discrimination laws, afirmative action programs and successful employment discrimination lawsuits give the public the impression that job discrimination is a relic of a shameful racist past. But countless studies and the discrimination complaints reviewed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reveal that employers have devised endless dodges to evade anti-discrimination laws. That includes rejecting applicants by their names or areas of a city in which they live.

Gingrich, Bachman and almost certainly other GOP candidates before the campaign dust clears will use the crisis issue of black unemployment to take a sucker punch at Obama. They, of course, offer no new initiatives to hack away at the high numbers of black jobless. Meanwhile, there is no evidence that the GOP contenders have done what the president has done in stumping with industry groups and leaders to prod corporations to jumpstart hiring. Republicans have only one sticking point for their ludicrous inger pointing at Obama for allegedly failing blacks

toss, watermelon carry, and tug of war over a pit of watermelons. These games are played by teams comprised of student body and faculty members from the college.

While the event, hosted by the Brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, is very fun and entertaining, the main focus is to raise money to help end hunger in the St. Louis area. The entry fee for the event and money raised from T-shirt sales is donated to Arnold Food Pantry to help the cause. This year, Culpeppers in the Central West End was kind enough to help out and donate 10 percent of designated bills as well.

This year Lambda Chi Alpha raised over 9,000 pounds of food to donate. A great success thanks to everyone who participated and Culpeppers! As an annual event, keep your eyes open next spring and maybe you can see some watermelons be smashed and help to stomp out hunger.

Carey Unthank, St. Louis

Positive, factual coverage

On behalf of the entire Brown-Kortkamp family, family of companies and myself, I want to thank you for the article “A creative, persistent and prayerful realtor” in The St. Louis American. Our industry needs positive, factual coverage by the media, and I am grateful to The St. Louis American for providing that today. Please let me know if and if so how I can help you continue in this direction.

Myrtle Bailey, realtor Brown-Kortkamp Realty Co. St. Louis

No copies of the paper

There were no copies of the paper at Shop-n-Save on Manchester in Maplewood or Schnucks on corner of Brentwood and Manchester.

Dr. Janis Wiley, Campus College Chair University of Phoenix St. Louis

Editor’s note: Thanks for writing us at circulation@ stlamerican.com to report an

interruption in service. We have contracted with a circulation service following the death of longtime circulation manager Paul Reiter. Please report any other circulation problems to us at circulation@stlamerican. com and put “Circulation” in the subject line.

Columnist Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon makes remarks during the Public Policy Speaker Series at the Regional Chamber and Growth Association in St. Louis on June 23, 2011. (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

Photos ‘North of Delmar’

Twenty children enrolled in a photography class in the Urban Expressions summer program in the Hyde Park neighborhood are now able to view their photographs on the website of Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice.

The Urban Expressions program is part of an effort by the Rebuild Foundation, which works to build vibrant neighborhoods in a variety of ways, including hands-on education and artistic programs.

“Everyone needs to see what these children see,” said Women’s Voices President Mary Clemons. “Some of their photos are heart-breaking, and many of them are heartwarming.”

To view some of their work, go to www.womensvoicesraised.org and click on the “North of Delmar” photo gallery in the right-hand column.

St. Louis Arts Awards nominations

The Arts and Education Council seeks nominations from the public for the 2012 St. Louis Arts Awards.

Nominations are open June 27 through July 24 and can be made online by visiting www.KeepArtHappening.org.

The St. Louis Arts Awards honor individuals who achieve a legacy of artistic excellence, and organizations and businesses that enrich St. Louis’ arts and cultural community.

Past award categories include Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, Corporate Support of the Arts, Excellence in Philanthropy, Excellence in the Arts, Arts Innovator, Arts Champion, Arts Collaboration and Art Educator of the Year.

Nominators are welcome to suggest new categories for their nominations.

Nominations will be reviewed by community arts leaders and advocates, past Arts Awards honorees, representatives of the Council’s grantees, and members of the Council’s board of directors. The 2012 roster of honorees will be announced in August and the Art Educator of the Year will be announced in September.

For more information, visit www.KeepArtHappening.org or call 314-289-4016.

Each one read to one

Darrius Harrison,an incoming senior at Hazelwood Central High School,read his story “The Mighty Phil”to second-grade students in Tyra Hall’s summer school class at Brown Elementary School.Phil is an African lion who never gave up or let others tell him he could not achieve his goals.Harrison is part of a high school creative writing class that visited summer school students at Brown Elementary and read original children’s stories to them.

Ethical Humanist of the Yearnominations

The Ethical Society of St. Louis is seeking nominations from the community at large for the 2011 J.F. Hornback Ethical Humanist of the Year Award.

The award is given in recognition of individuals or organizations who have exemplified ethical humanism through courage, innovation or dedication in serving humanity.One nominee from the extended St. Louis community is selected each year to receive the award, which carries an honorarium of $1,000.

This award was established in 1975 by the late James S. McDonnell in honor of James F. Hornback, Leader of the Ethical Society at that time.Hornback was the first recipient in 1976, but since then, most other recipients have not been involved with the Ethical Society.

Past recipients include Leon “Bud” Deraps, Kingdom House; Judge Richard Teitelman; Joan Lipkin; Dr. Fred Rottnek; Dr. Suzsanne Singer; the Reverend Ted and Linda Schroeder; Kris Krehmeyer; Eddie Mae Binion; Ann Carter Stith; William Ramsey; Jeanette Mott Oxford; Arthur and Marian Wirth; Richard and Kay Parvis; Blanche M. Touhill; Janet Becker; B.J. Iassacson-Jones; ACLU/Eastern Division; Hedy Epstein; Bertha Gilkey; Thomas Engelhardt; Marion Jenkins Brooks; Kay and Leo Drey; Paul Dewald, M.D.; Eldora Spiegelberg; Deverne and Ernest Calloway; Harriett Woods; Frank E. Nutt and Frank Susman. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, July 15. For more information, call the Ethical Society at 314-991-0955 or visit www.ethicalstl.org.

Debilitating diversions

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist

What do congressional representatives Nancy Pelosi (DCA), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (D-FL), and Steny Hoyer (DMD) have in common?Each has taken time to comment on the predicament of New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, but none has mentioned the fact that the average unemployed person (as of May) had been out of work for a whopping 40 weeks.

Our Democratic leaders have allowed themselves to get caught up in the minutiae of the misadventures of their clearly disturbed colleague, without referencing the economic disturbances that too many Americans are living through.

As Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) mentioned, Weiner’s actions, however reprehensible, are not law-breaking.But there ought to be a law against fiddling while Rome burns.

President Obama is being blamed for this economy, yet he is in the position of fighting a war without any weapons.With stimulus, he could do more job creation, but with a debt ceiling looming there is no money for job creation.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke has little to offer – the federal funds rate is so low that he can’t dare lower it again, and the Quantitative Easing (QE2) program designed to pump $600 billion in the economy is coming to a close with $50 billion of Treasury Bills being purchased this month.

All President Obama and Chairman Bernanke are left with are the bully pulpit.There are no more policy tools to stimulate job creation, yet this is our nation’s most pressing problem.

If Democrats don’t watch out, the whole lot of them will be turned out from Congress a year or so from now.Yet leaders have been caught up in debilitating distractions instead of essential urgencies.

It is tempting to blame the debilitating distractions on the media, but the media is as capitalistically driven as every other institution in our nation.If we didn’t watch garbage, they would not broadcast garbage.If we collectively said that we are not interested in those members of Congress who behave badly personally, focusing more importantly on those who behave badly professionally, the media would let it go. I am far more disturbed about the state of our economy than I am about these men behaving badly.After all, don’t we get at least one every season?And don’t we spend millions of dollars (see John Edwards) attempting to indict those with poor judgment, instead of using those millions, perhaps, to generate some jobs?

What if we put all of the debilitating distractions on “never mind”?What if we failed to be titillated by grown folks acting like adolescents, and instead got agitated by the economic challenges so many of our fellow Americans face?

Julianne Malveaux is president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Julianne Malveaux

LINKS

Continued from A1

ed to “promote a social connection with likeminded women with likeminded experiences,” said national President Margot James Copeland.

Copeland said the organization evolved from the Historically Black College movement of the 1940s and a yearning by college-trained women to create viable professional networks and to provide community service at a higher level.

At the conference, they celebrated the completion of the Central Area’s HBCU Heart of Linkdom Campaign, raising $200,000 to create endowed scholarships at the 16 HBCUs located in their area.

Copeland traveled from Cleveland, Oh. to join HBCU presidents at the reception on Thursday evening.

“Many of our students depend on financial assistance to help with their college expenses, and are, therefore, truly grateful to organizations, such as The Links, Incorporated, that focus on giving so much back to our community and to our youth,” said Dr. Henry Givens Jr., president of Harris-Stowe State University.

The conference consisted of multiple group meetings, clusters and breakout sessions designed to enrich individual member and chapter productivity. Copeland said the organization has many platforms, mostly focused on addressing education issues such as alarming rates of drop-outs and academic failure among black youth.

Sandra McClung, a member

FARMING

Continued from A1

century-old Mueller Organic Farm in Ferguson. It’s less than one mile from Wright’s school, but he had never been there before.

Last year, the KIND Club leader, Nancy Schnell, spent nine months in EarthDance’s apprentice program.

“I had never grown food before,” said Schnell, a retired

The Archway,Gateway and St.Louis Chapters of The Links,Incorporated presented checks for scholarships to representatives

in their region during the 2011 Central Area Conference held last week at the St.Louis

of the Archway Chapter, said the conference was “an absolutely incredible experience.”

The Civic Luncheon on Thursday honored four St. Louis civic leaders: Ruth Smith, longtime president and CEO of the Human Development Corporation; License Collector Michael P. McMillan; Ron Himes, founder and director of the Black Rep; and David L. Steward, founder and chairman

science teacher of 37 years from the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

“I was totally amazed by what I experienced,” she said. “The one thought that came to me was we have to connect our youth in Ferguson to the farm.”

After getting approval from EarthDance founding director, Molly Rockamann, Schnell set off to gain support for a summer farming camp from the City of Ferguson and the school district.

of Worldwide Technology Corporation . Founded in Philadelphia in 1946, The Links, Incorporated now has 12,000-plus AfricanAmerican women in 274 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Bahamas.

“Friendship and service are truly at our core.”

– Teree L.CaldwellJohnson,Central Area director of The Links,Incorporated

Members dedicate more than 500,000 service hours annually. In fact, the culminating event of the conference was a community service project held at the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation. In Operation Recovery: Giving From the Heart of Linkdom, each partic-

ipating Link assembled multiple recovery kits for disaster victims in Joplin. The green and white bags were filled with items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deodorant. Sarah Brown, national president of The National Dental Association, helped to coordinate the Colgate van along with thousands of dollars worth of donations for disaster relief packets. Local members recognized

The support from both was overwhelming, she said.

Wright and many other students who participated said they now have a new interest in farming.

“I

thought, ‘We

have to connect our youth in Ferguson to the farm.’”

– Nancy Schnell

“I liked being out here farming, being able to pick plants and learning how to cook new foods with fresh veggies,” said Torrian Collins,

age 14 and a McCluer High School student.

“I thought I wasn’t going to have any fun. I thought maybe because I was going to be all sweaty and dirty. But when I got out here and started sweating and having fun, I really enjoyed it.”

Since 2009, EarthDance has operated a season-long educational apprenticeship program. Founded in Ferguson, EarthDance is a non-profit with a mission to “grow and inspire local FARMS – Food, Art, Relationships & Music, Sustainably.”

And educating the youth about where food comes from is an important part of sustainability, Rockamann said.

“For the kids, it teaches them the importance of farming because it’s healthier, and it’s just a good environment,” said camp counselor Bryan Scott, age 16 and a McCluerSouth Berkeley High School student.

It was the first time that almost all of the teens had been on a farm, he said.

One activity that really brought the students together was cooking and eating their lunches together, Schnell said.

In the home-economics room at Ferguson Middle School, they cooked stir-fry, pizzas and pasta using vegetables they

during Operation Recovery for their special commitment of service and time were Ivie Clay, Edith Granberry, Ida Goodwin

“Friendship and service are truly at our core,” said Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson, Central Area director from Des Moines, Ia.

picked from the farm.

“We would all sit at one table in family-style, and we would bless all the hands that brought food to table,” she said. “In one week’s time, everybody bonded and enjoyed being together.”

City leaders and particularly the district’s new superintendent, Art J. McCoy II, did everything they could to support her efforts, Schnell said. Next year, she aims to extend the program.

“I think Dr. McCoy has the ability to see a really great opportunity for our kids,” she said. “We could not have had a camp if Dr. McCoy hadn’t supported this idea. It takes courage to open the door to a new idea.”

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

from the 16 HBCUs

Hyatt at the Arch.

Woolfolk, Cheryl Polk, Cheryl Young, Benita Cornute, Kay Roster, Ruby Hairman-Christian and Thelma Steward.

MSD

Continued from A1

across the street from her.

Ivy’s house is one of the estimated 80 homes that will receive Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District reimbursements for flood damage.

At neighborhood meetings on June 29 and June 30, the district told these residents that a power outage at their water pump station caused the sewer backups that flooded the homes on Dryden Avenue and Dryden Court.

MSD estimates spending about $1.5 to $2 million to rebuild 13 homes in the Dryden Court area and to compensate other homeowners in the immediate area that had basement backups and other damage due to the power failure at the pump station, said Lance LeComb, spokesman for MSD. This was much different than what residents heard from MSD days after storm, Ivy said.

The district’s initial position was that the flooding at Dryden Court had nothing to do with their system, said Ward 21 Alderman Antonio D. French.

After conversations with local leaders and an internal investigation into their system, the district found that four gates at the Harlem water pump station did not open as designed after the power went out.

“About 48 hours later, they changed their position and accepted responsibility, and they are going to take care of all the costs associated with those folks getting back on track,” French said.

LeComb said so far, MSD data do not show that the power outage had anything to do with the sewer backups at Essex Place.

Not dry on Essex

“For residents in Essex Place, this is the third time in four years that they have been flooded out,” French said. “So we are working with MSD to come up with a long-term per-

SAPPHIRE

Continued from A1

“We get a really good look at what happens to disenfranchised African-American youth. When Precious fell, Abdul’s whole world fell.”

The story begins with Precious’final fight and Abdul’s tumultuous experience as a ward of the state in a flawed foster care system.

“He goes through an

manent solution.” Essex place is an extreme case, LeComb said. “There are parts of our system that don’t have enough capacity,” to handle heavy storms, he said. “You are going to have storms that overwhelm the system.”

Over the next couple decades, MSD will be building deep underground tunnels, rain gardens, retention ponds and other “green” features to keep rain water off of the sewage system, as per an agreement with the federal government and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, LeComb said.

odyssey that is familiar to most African-American children –they have a hard time in the foster care system,” Sapphire said. “And an AfricanAmerican boy has less of a chance of being adopted than any other group of children.” Through Abdul, Sapphire takes her nearly unbearable insight into unspeakable abuse a step further. In stark contrast to his mother, Abdul becomes one of the victimizers who continue the cycle of abuse. As he imposes the terror he has

In June 2007, the U.S. government and the State of Missouri filed a civil action against MSD, which alleged that the district had been in violation of the Clean Water Act by discharging untreated sewage from its collection system through combined sewer overflows and constructed sanitary sewer overflows. Soon after, the coalition intervened to help mediate, LeComb said.

“For residents in Essex Place, this is the third time in four years that they have been flooded out.”

– Alderman Antonio D.French

The agreement, which has yet to be finalized, would give the district 23 years to make about $4.7 billion worth of changes, according to the June 29, 2011 Board of Trustees agenda on the MSD website. LeComb said the investigation is ongoing into whether MSD is to blame for damages done in Essex Place and other neighborhoods. They will also be looking at what steps they can take

experienced on others, the book becomes nearly too graphic to bear.

“This whole system is dehumanizing ,” Sapphire said. “When you dehumanize people, they will act less than human – they will act accordingly. There are consequences for treating children this way.”

The story is heartbreaking, but Sapphire believes it to be necessary as an effort to combat the atrocities that young people quietly suffer at the hands of a system that sets

them up to become failures and future predators.

“If he had gone to a loving mom straight into a stable family with loving parents, I wouldn’t have had a book to write,” Sapphire said. “This is what is happening domestically with displaced children.”

to design a better system in those areas in the short and long term, he said. As of Tuesday, LeComb said a majority of the affected homes on Dryden Court and surrounding streets have fans and dehumidifiers to get the moisture out of homes.

Depending how quickly the drying out process takes, refurbishment of home interiors could begin late this week or early next week. Concurrently, heating and cooling, electrical, and other needed work will proceed at the 13 homes that were evacuated by the city, he said.

Ivy said she tried to get res-

But she also wants to illustrate that Abdul has the capacity to deal with his demons –like so many have done before.

“He is as strong a character as Precious – maybe even stronger,” Sapphire said. “You will be horrified by what he does, but have a hard time not

idents in her neighborhood to attend two informational meetings on June 29 and 30. Her neighbor Susie Strayhorn, who attended, said her home insurance doesn’t cover floods. If MSD were not reimbursing the damages on her home, Strayhorn said she and her husband would be in trouble.

“We would have just been existing any way we could,” she said. “We’re old and don’t have a lot of money. We have a lot of bills.” Ivy said, “Still, we haven’t gotten out of this. We can’t do it ourselves. We’re happy they are going to help us.”

embracing this character. You will meet somebody you know – another human.” Sapphire will sign and discuss her latest novel “The Kid” 7 p.m., Wed., July 13 at Christ Church Cathedral (1210 Locust). For information, visit www.left-bank.com.

On Saturday,a group of volunteers organized by 21st Ward Alderman Antonio D.French helped to clean up houses in North City hit hard by recent flooding.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Rumor: another Slay ally to leave BoA

The EYE has far less taste for rumors than its detractors will tell you, but this week we will entertain a current rumor because it its into other storylines in city government that have been sketched here.

The rumor: that Charles Bryson is on his way out as director of Public Safety, and Stephen Conway is on his way in. Bryson, according to this rumor, would be parked at the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency, a shocking demotion. This rumor is now two weeks old, which either means it is taking some time to get the deal done cleanly, or it is merely a rumor and won’t come to pass. It would be an interesting move for Conway, from his venerable position on the Board of Aldermen to head of the city’s largest department. This its the storyline of aldermanic allies of Mayor Francis G. Slay and chief of staff Jeff Rainford being moved off the board and into the mayor’s administration.

Longtime Slay tool on the board Steve Gregali already has made that leap. Why the gradual defection of Slay allies away from the Board of Aldermen, if Conway is in fact following in Gregali’s footsteps?

The EYE has been arguing that Slay’s message machine is pushing stories to the media that seek to undermine or embarrass the Board of Aldermen, for two plausible reasons. Aldermanic president Lewis Reed is (arguably) a potential mayoral threat, and the way needs to be paved for a renewed charter reform effort at the expense of the BoA.

One of the most pivotal pieces of charter reform designed to empower the Mayor’s Ofice would be to reduce the number of aldermen and weaken the power of the board. But this effort is fraught with problems. Voters have shown they prefer a large number of aldermen, because with fewer constituents each alderman is more acces-

sible. Also, 28 aldermen with 28 ward committees is a lot of local political muscle for a sitting mayor to oppose. Witness the fact that in the most recent charter reform effort, Slay did not publicly endorse the charter amendment that would cut into the board.

It seems clear that this time around, the Board of Aldermen will be targeted publicly by the mayor, and in advance of that effort we are seeing early smudges from a smear cam-

paign.

Conway valiantly is doing his bit. Reed presided over a remarkably smooth and successful aldermanic redistricting process, with Conway alone raising a fuss and publicly deriding the process. If the rumor about his promotion (in effect) at the expense of Bryson is true, then Conway will leave the board and help to set it on ire from a safer distance, leaving the likes of Fred Wessels to continue with demolition efforts

from the inside.

Comeuppance for Bryson?

As for Bryson, if this rumor turns out to be true, it would be almost laughable. He was promoted so Slay and Rainford would have a black face for their demotion of Fire Chief Sherman George. If the rumor is true, Bryson would then have

to accept his own humiliating demotion after a dismal tenure marked by deaths in the city jails and overspending at the ire department. Extra painful irony could be found in the hatchet used against the city’s irst black ire chief ending up leading an agency that ostensibly enforces civil rights protections. That is so St. Louis.

Devilish details

Talking about petty plays at the Board of Aldermen might appear to some as dwelling on

wounds. And that is why it is so foolish to have white aldermen blocking a bill iled by a black alderman (Antonio D. French) to put speed bumps in a ward park, or Conway railing against the ward redistricting effort just because a black politician handled it smoothly. Black people getting credit for good governance, and black and white politicians getting along smoothly in the low of government? That simply does not it into the hoary South Side political playbook followed by Slay and Rainford.

Voter ID vs. early voting

The Evening Whirl torched state Sen. Joe Keaveny for voting yes on the voter photo ID bill that passed in the most recent legislative session and was then vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon.

Keaveny was not alone. His Democratic colleagues Victor Callahan, Tim Green and Ryan McKenna also voted in support of the bill, which is loated annually by Republicans. They key to this Democratic support for a bill that would disenfranchise many Democratic voters (minorities, students, the disabled, elders) is a compromise version of the bill that included provisions for early voting. Some Democrats want early voting as much as Republicans want voter photo ID and so they accepted the compromise.

State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who voted against the legislation, predicted that her Democratic colleagues would line up with the governor in any Republican attempt to override his veto. Keaveny himself told the EYE he would stand with the governor but doesn’t think Republicans will try to oveeride the veto.

“Republicans were bitterly divided over the early voting provision,” Keaveny told the EYE. “I think they will let it die and try to get it passed next session without early voting.”

Dissecting Monarch

If you listened to Northeast Fire District oficials called out in last year’s state audit, “all the other kids were doing it.” They claimed to have been busted for practices widely observed in area ire districts. The public may get to ind out if there is any truth to this claim, as state Auditor Tom Schweich has now embarked on an audit of the Monarch Fire Protection District in West County. The recent ire board race in the district included a magniicent negative mailing on an incumbent which should provide auditors with a road map.

Ald. Stephen Conway led a group of aldermen, union leaders and activists last year in opposition to a ballot initiative to eliminate the city earnings tax in St. Louis and Kansas City. Photo by Wiley Price

BUSINESS

13,

New black mayors attack unemployment

Meet Mayors Michael Hancock of Denver and Alvin Brown of Jacksonville

Marc H.Morial National Urban League

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The recent elections of Alvin Brown as Jacksonville, Florida’s first African-American mayor and Michael Hancock as Denver’s second black mayor provide much needed new hope and leadership in the war on unemployment.

Both Brown and Hancock have strong Urban League roots and both have made job creation in their cities job number one.

Alvin

On May 19, Alvin Brown, a former president of the Greater Washington Urban League Guild, shook up the political

establishment of Florida’s largest city when he won election as Jacksonville’s first African-American mayor.Mayor-elect Brown’s long arc to City Hall began in the working class neighborhoods of Jacksonville, where he was raised by a devoted mother and grandmother who worked two jobs to raise him and his siblings.

He worked as a meat cutter at the local Winn Dixie while attending Jacksonville State University.Hard times almost derailed his college aspirations until a Jacksonville pastor co-signed for a loan to keep him in school.

Brown earned his B.S. and M.B.A. from Jacksonville State and completed post-graduate study at Harvard’s Kennedy School of

See MAYORS, A11

Richard Mark (seen at right with Gary Dollar,president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St.Louis) announced the campaign goals of the United Way's African American Leadership Society at a campaign kickoff event held June 29 at Vin de Set.Mark,senior vice president of customer operations at Ameren Missouri,is 2011 chair of the group,formerly known as the Charmaine Chapman Society.

Set goals of 1,000 members and $2 million in donations to United Way

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

Nearly $300,000 was pledged at the African American Leadership Society’s campaign kickoff event on June 29.

More than 400 people attended the gathering at Vin de Set, and 30 new people pledged and became members at the $1,000 level or above.

“Of the $20 million that the United Way will receive through contributions, 30 percent goes to our community.”

In 2010, the group (formerly known as the Charmaine Chapman Society) had more than 800 members and raised more than $1.8 million for the United Way of Greater St. Louis campaign. The society recognizes African Americans who donate $1,000 or more to United Way annually.

– Gwendolyn DeLoach-Packnett

St. Louis remains first in African-American giving among United Ways across the U.S. Gwendolyn DeLoach-Packnett, assistant vice chancellor at University of Missouri St. Louis and a cabinet member of the society, said she is thrilled to be a member.

“I know without a doubt that my money is put to good use in this community in an organized fashion,” she said in the evening’s opening speech. “Of the $20 million that the entire United Way will receive through contributions, 30 percent of that goes to our community. That in itself is a great reason for giving.”

DeLoach-Packnett said the society’s strong leadership is another good reason for joining.

“We have the kind of leadership that we don’t mind following,” she said. “That all began with the concept and the vision and leadership of Dr. Donald M. Suggs, publisher of The St. Louis American. We’ve been blessed with great leadership through the years in the likes of Deborah Patterson and Larry Thomas, David and Thelma Steward, and we have strong leadership in Richard Mark.” Mark, senior vice president of customer operations at Ameren Missouri, is 2011 chair of the African American Leadership Society for United Way of Greater St. Louis. That evening, Mark announced

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Jamison

Kenneth Jamison graduated from Yale Law School with a Juris Doctorate.Previously he graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Princeton University with a master’s degree in sociology.He also spent two and a half years teaching English and studying Chinese and Japanese in Taiwan. Kenneth is a graduate of Hazelwood Central Senior High School.

Cheryl Bonner has joined the Missouri Gaming Commission as the MBE/WBE Compliance Manager.She will monitor the casino’s workforce diversity and their annual spend with MBE and WBE firms.Prior to joining the MGC, Bonner worked at the Missouri Department of Transportation for 10 years.Her last three at MoDOTwere spent as a Senior Procurement Agent, in which Bonner conducted MBE/WBE vendor outreach.

Vivian Gibson has been promoted to Senior Director of Volunteer Recruitment for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2004, serving as a School Based Project Manager, Manager of Volunteer Recruitment and most recently as Senior Manager of Volunteer Recruitment and Community Engagement. She led the region in volunteer Big Brother and Big Sister applications in 2010.

Howard Richards is the new color analyst for University of Missouri Football radio broadcasts. Anative of St. Louis, he is a former Tiger and NFLstandout who was 1st round NFLDraft pick in 1981 by the Dallas Cowboys. Following his retirement from professional football, Richards served for 13 years at the Central Intelligence Agency in several assignments, among which, he served on the security protective staffs of four CIAdirectors.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Chevrolet sponsors tour to dedicate MLK monument

Chevrolet is sponsoring the “Table of Brotherhood Project,” a four-city tour honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. that culminates with the Aug. 28 dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The dedication will mark the 48th anniversary of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech following tour stops in Atlanta, Memphis, Chicago and Washington.

The project is highlighted in a TVad – created for Chevrolet by SpikeDDB, its African-American advertising agency of record.

To date, General Motors and the General Motors Foundation are among the largest sponsors of the King memorial, having donated more than $10 million to the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc.

“We are deeply grateful to General Motors and the General Motors Foundation for their consistent and steadfast support, which has helped build the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in our nation’s capital,” said Harry E. Johnson Sr., president and CEO of the foundation and a St. Louis native.

See Chevrolet.com/MLK for information on the Table of Brotherhood Project.

Retaliation surpasses race as most frequent EEOC charge

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported recently that private sector workplace discrimination charge filings with the federal agency nationwide hit an unprecedented level of 99,922 during Fiscal Year 2010.

Last year, for the first time ever, retaliation (36,258) surpassed race (35,890) as the most frequently filed charge.

All major categories of charge filings in the private sector (which include charges filed against state and local governments) increased. These include charges alleging discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Equal Pay Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. The FY2010 data show that the EEOC secured more than $404 million in monetary benefits from employers – the highest level of monetary relief ever obtained by the commission through the administrative process.

Kenneth

Cheryl Bonner

Howard Richards

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Mayor Michael Hancock of Denver

Mayor

Brown of Jacksonville

Vivian Gibson

Long ago, people realized that there is strength in numbers. For hundreds of years, we have been joining forces against all kinds of calamities — including financial troubles.

The concept of insurance is simply that if enough of us can pool our money to form a large enough fund, then together we can handle practically any financial disaster. Our motivation for contributing to this fund is our own eligibility to draw from it in the event of a disaster. One for all and all for one, so to speak.

An early example of the concept comes from the Code of Hammurabi,Babylonian laws dating back to 1700 B.C., which contain a credit insur-

UNITED WAY

Continued from A9 the society’s goals of 1,000 members and $2 million raised in 2011. Mark said that there are 260,000 blacks over the age of 25 in the St. Louis area, according to the Census. Currently with 840 members, Mark said they believe it’s possible to have 1,000 people who are willing to give back to their community.

“$1,000 a year is equivalent to $2.75 a day,” Mark said. “That’s less than a gallon of gas. If you cut down on driving, you can give that to the United Way.”

He recognized all the cabinet members and his Ameren colleagues in the audience. “If we don’t support each other, none of us will succeed,” he said.

Preston Davis, a communications consultant at Wells Fargo Advisors, received an invitation through his company for the kickoff event. He became a member that night largely because his mother,

How can you insure yourfuture?

ance provision. For a little higher interest, the ancients could exempt themselves from repayment of loans in the event of personal misfortune.

Acitizen of the Roman Empire could buy life insurance through the Collegia Tenuiorum for slaves and wage earners, or the Collegia for members of the military. The funds provided old-age pensions, disability insurance, and burial costs. In spite of some complications and occasional bureaucratic snarls, the system has worked remarkably well through the ages. Today, virtually all heads of families should carry life insurance. Most financial advisors also recommend automo-

Sharon Harvey-Davis, has been a member for nine years and conveyed its importance.

“For a city like St. Louis to give this kind of support is impressive,” he said. “I’m grateful to be here.”

Harvey-Davis, director of diversity for Ameren, lives in Ferguson. Though she was not affected by the Good Friday tornado, many of her neighbors were.

“I felt good that the United Way was there to step in and take care of people,” she said.

“And I’m glad to know I can be part of it.”

“It’s a positive way for people to give back to the community, especially busy people who don’t have time to research all the causes,” said Darcella Craven, executive director of the Veterans Business Resource Center.

“You know if you give to them you are giving to causes that have been vetted.”

To learn more or become a member of the 2011 African American Leadership Society, contact Orvin Kimbrough, senior vice president, United Way of Greater St. Louis, at 314539-4249.

By Charles Ross PERSONAL FINANCE

bile, health, homeowners, personal liability, professional liability and/or malpractice, disability, and long-term-care insurance.

Purchasing individual or family insurance coverage is probably one of the most important financial decisions you will make. Agreat deal of study and advice is needed to choose wisely. A few basic guidelines can safely

Charles Ross

Cabinet of leaders

The 2011 African American Leadership Society cabinet members are:

• Richard Mark, Ameren Missouri

• Carlton Adams, Peabody

Energy

• Judith Arnold, Catholic Charities of St. Louis

• LaShanda Barnes, Citi

• Maxine Birdsong, Ladue

School District

• Barbara Bowman, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

• Carlos Brown, BJC

HealthCare

• Edward Bryant, St. Louis

County Economic Council

• Zundra Bryant, MasterCard Worldwide

• Lawson Calhoun, Missouri

Baptist Children’s Home

• Johnetta Carver, Edward Jones

• Darnetta Clinkscale, BJC

HealthCare

• Robyn Coan, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company

• Ruby Curry, St. Louis Community College

• Ida Early, Washington University in St. Louis

be applied to most consumers. Beyond these, each individual’s needs are unique and should be carefully assessed by an expert.

1. How much insurance do you need?

Agood rule of thumb is: Don’t insure yourself against misfortunes you can pay for yourself. Insurance is there to protect

youin case ofan event with overwhelming expenses. If anything short of a calamity does occur, it will usually cost you less in actual costs than the insurance premiums you would have paid.

2. What kind of policy is best?

Broader is better. Purchase insurance that will cover as many misfortunes as possible with a single policy; for example, homeowners insurance that covers not only damage to the house itself but also to its contents. Carefully examine policies that exclude coverage in certain areas, the “policy exclusions.”

• Ken Fobbs, AT&TMissouri

• Johnny Furr

• Phillice Gregory, Cassidy Turley

• Stephanie Grise, Armstrong Teasdale LLP

• Steven Harris, RubinBrown LLP

• Gail Holmes-Taylor, Energizer Holdings Inc.

• Francella Jackson, City of East St. Louis

• Toi Jenkins, Nestle Purina PetCare Company

• Wendell Kimbrough, ARCHS

- Area Resources for Community and Human Services

• Brian Leonard, Ameren Missouri

• Cheryl Manley, Charter Communications

• Brandon McClain, UPS

• Rita McIntosh, Laclede Gas

• Cheryl Muniz, Cassidy Turley

• Gwendolyn Packnett, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Steven Player, BJC

HealthCare

• Marian Qualls-Nelson, Express Scripts, Inc.

• Harry Ratliff, Merrill Lynch

• Luther Reames, Wells Fargo Advisors

• Wendy Richardson, MasterCard Worldwide

• Kevin Ryland, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

• Otis Scott, Wal-Mart Store #1177

• Reuben Shelton, Monsanto Company

• Ron Sherod, Wells Fargo Advisors

• John Shivers, Midwest BankCentre

• Amber Simpson, U.S. Bank

• Tim Slater, New Horizons Computer Learning Center

• Kimberly Smith, IBM Corporation

• Patricia Smith-Thurman, Retired - MasterCard Worldwide

• Halbert Sullivan, Fathers’ Support Center, St. Louis

• Royce Sutton, Fifth Third Bank

• Tony Taylor, UPS • Lois Taylor, Townsend Elementary School

• Gloria Thirdkill, Laclede Gas

• Walter Thomas, SSM Health Care Central

• Stephanie Travis, Wells Fargo Advisors

• Michelle Tucker, Bank of America

• Pamela Urso, AT&T

• Maxine Valdez, Hazelwood School District R1

• Cheryl Walker, Bryan Cave LLP

• Dorris Walker-McGahee, St. Louis Public Schools

• Kel Ward, BJC HealthCare

• Frederick Webb, Express Scripts, Inc.

• Jim Webb, St. Louis Minority Business Council

• Rick White, SSM Health Care Central

• Eula Wiggins, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

• Nicole Williams, UCB Inc.

• Keith Williamson, Centene Corporation

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Herminia,Jasmine and Kimberly (who declined to give their last names) celebrated with more than 400 people at the African American Leadership Society’s campaign kickoff event on June 29 at Vin de Set.

Government.He

first priority is jobs.We must invest in the inner city and create publicprivate partnerships.” Denver Mayor-elect

Michael Hancock credits his background as the former president of the Denver Urban League and his two-terms as president of the Denver City Council with inspiring his run for City Hall.He won a runoff election on June 6 and becomes the second AfricanAmerican mayor in the history of the Mile High City.

Wellington Webb was the first,

serving from 1991-2003.

Hancock had a tough childhood.Growing up, he and his nine siblings experienced periods of homelessness.Abrother died of AIDS.Asister was killed by an estranged boyfriend.Through it all, Hancock has always been a

“Everything we do will be about the sustainability of jobs in this city.Nothing’s more important.”

– Denver Mayor-elect Michael Hancock

leader, both in his family and in the Denver community. He attended college in Nebraska, returning home every summer to work in Mayor Frederico Pena’s office. After graduation he earned his Master’s in public administration from The University of

Colorado-Denver.

Hancock started his career in the 1990s, holding down two jobs at the Denver Housing Authority and the National Civic League.He joined Metro Denver’s Urban League affiliate in 1995 and in 1999, at the age of 29, became the youngest Urban League president in America.

When asked about his priorities as mayor, Hancock answered, “Growing jobs, without question.Everything we do will be about the sustainability of jobs in this city. Nothing’s more important.”

Alvin Brown and Michael Hancock know what it means to beat the odds.They are also both committed to creating good jobs so that more Americans like them have the chance to realize their dreams. We congratulate them on their victories and wish them all the best.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Financial Focus

By James Parshay, financial advisor

Work toward your own financial Independence Day

benefit you’ll get by increasing your savings and investments. But whatever your age, you’ll find that it pays to save and invest more. During difficult economic times, of course, it’s not always easy to boost your savings and investments, but try to find ways

“If you’re not ready to go physically, that’s on you.Don’t blame the lockout.”

– ESPN football analyst Herm Edwards,at the NFL’s Rookie Symposium

INSIDE SPORTS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Dulick to coach Gateway Tech

Former SLUH and Illini star promoted to top job

star Jason Dulick, who was recently named the head football coach at Gateway Tech. He takes over for Charlie Coe, who is headed back to the collegiate ranks at Texas Southern University. Dulick, 37, was a former star wide receiver on SLUH’s Class 5 state-runner-up team in 1992 and a standout collegiate receiver at the University of Illinois. Jason is still among the Fighting Illini’s career leaders in receiving. After a brief stint in the National Football League, Dulick began his teaching and coaching career in the St. Louis Public Schools System. Dulick has on the staff at Gateway Tech for the past eight years in several capacities before being promoted to the top spot. Jason Dulick was a pleasure to watch as a football player during

his days at SLUH. In my first year as a radio broadcaster in 1991 for KGLD, we did high school football during that season and we followed SLUH’s dramatic run to the Show-Me Bowl. Jason was incredible during that season. At 6-feet-5 inches, he could go up and get the ball, plus he could run away from opposing defenders. His dramatic fourthdown and 24 touchdown reception against Mehlville in the 1991 state semifinals is still a memorable moment in my career of covering high school sports. It is great to see him get this opportunity to be a head coach and be a mentor to young men. He has paid his dues for the past decade and I think he will do a wonderful job at Gateway Tech.

Levin on TEAM USA

Former Ladue High track star Samantha Levin will be competing for Team USAat the upcoming IAAF Pan-Am Games next month in Mexico. Levin earned her spot on the USA team by virture of her third-place finish at the recent USATrack and Field Junior National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Tyus in Israel

Former Hazelwood Central basketball standout Alex Tyus has signed a contract to play professionally for Maccabi Ashdod in the Israeli Loto League. The 6’8” Tyus was a three-year starter at

the University of Florida. As a senior, he averaged 9.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in helping the Gators to the Elite Eight of the NCAATournament. Tyus was also one of the top players at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in April for NBA Draft hopefuls. Congratulations to Alex Tyus.

Sandford in Idaho City

Former Cardinal Ritter College Prep baseball standout Darian Sandford is off to a good start for the Idaho City Chukars of the Pioneer Rookie League. Sanford is hitting .319 with a team-high 10 runs batted in and seven stolen bases through 15 games. Sandford had three gamewinning RBI’s last week. The Chukars are a rookie league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, which drafted Sandford after a standout career at Park University.

Career Academy standout is off to the Sun Belt

Earl Austin Jr.

Shanity James

Jason Dulick as a wide receiver at Illinois

Photos by Wiley Price

Bradley Beal,Chaminade Class of 2011

Alishea Usery,Berkeley Class of

Groves

Mango,Whitfield Class of 2009

CLAIB’S CALL

By Mike Claiborne

More billionaires lock out more millionaires

As we are in the first week of July we have another lockout, only this one involves the NBA. Two of the three most popular team sports are in the midst of labor strife. The NFL has gone more than 100 days, and now the NBAwill follow suit.

Aside from the players being locked out from their training facilities and not receiving medical benefits for themselves and family, there is nothing much going on, unless you are a free agent in search of a team. As for the benefits, any player who cannot afford benefits should not be concerned about physical health but perhaps mental concerns. Between being warned two years ago that this may happen and the salaries they make (an average of $4.5 million between the two sports), there are no excuses nor pity. In case you are wondering what this is all about, let me give you a quick summary. The owners in both sports are reeling from bad deals their commissioners (Paul Tagliabue of the NFLand David Stern of the NBA) did in the previous contracts with the players. The revenue did not grow like they thought, yet the salaries did. The owners continued to spend despite all the warning signs, and the players kept cashing the checks.

It did not help when NBA owners were giving maximum deals to players who were not worthy of such a financial

INSIDE

Continued from A12

Junior College Showcase

National basketball evaluator Jerry Mullen will be hosting a big event this weekend at Lindenwood University in St. Charles. Mullen’s Junior College Showcase will be held on Friday. The showcase will feature 130 of the top junior college players from around the country. On Saturday, there will be 100 more elite junior college players in town to compete in the Top 100 Camp. As if that wasn’t enough, there will be a big high school AAU tournament which features many of the region’s top summer basketball club, including local teams such as the St. Louis Eagles, Gateway Basketball Club, STLTeam Swish and teams from Kansas City, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas. If you enjoy some good summertime basketball, this event may be one for you to check out.

Summer ball

The River City Pro-Am Summer Basketball League is back to begin its third decade of competition. The league games are being played at the Wohl Center this summer on

commitment, as many find themselves out of the league and still counting money.

Head Hunter

Now David Stern wants another crack at union head

Billy Hunter, one of the best executive directors in sports that you never hear about. Hunter’s diverse background includes a stint as a professional football player with the NFL’s Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, and as the former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California at San Francisco.

of members of Jim Jones’ People’s Temple, the Hell’s Angels and the Church of Hakeem. He was selected by the U.S. Attorney General to advise President Carter on the pardon of Patricia Hearst.

Hunter graduated from Syracuse University, where he was captain of the football team. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University Law School in 1969 and an LLM (Master of Law) from Boalt Hall Law School at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley in 1970. Hunter served several years as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, and as the chief assistant in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Hunter to the position of U.S. Attorney. During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, he supervised the investigation and prosecution

Saturdays and Sundays. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with many of the area’s former top high school and collegiate standouts. Many of them are playing professional basketball overseas.

ABA combine

The St. Louis Pioneers of the American Basketball Association will be hosting a summer professional combine

From 1984 until his appointment with the NBPA, he managed his own law firm specializing in municipal finance, entertainment law, white-collar criminal defense and other high-profile civil litigation. His clients included City of San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, MC Hammer, Deion Sanders, Ricky Henderson, Pebbles, Dick Griffey, Solar Records, De Passe Entertainment, The Luniz, RJ Reynolds-Nabisco and Phillip Morris.

So now you know why the NBAplayers get paid and why the lockout may take awhile.

Contraction action

Now we have the two combatants. On the owners’side, David Stern helped save the league from ruin in the eighties. The issue is one move, as Stern wants to reduce salaries by one-third across the board. That is a lot no matter what the numbers are. The owners are claiming they are losing millions and perhaps they are, but no one from the players’side

on Saturday, July 16 at the Robert L. Edison Gymnasium (2 Millstone Campus Drive). The camp will be facilitated by former Cardinal Ritter star and former National Basketball Association player Jahidi White, who is also the Pioneers new head coach. The Pioneers will tip off their second season in November. For more information or to register, visit the website www.stlpioneers.com. You must be 18 years old or older to register.

seems to believe the numbers as the NBAhas been accused of creative bookkeeping.

There is one other element that will raise an eyebrow: contraction. The NBAhas floated that balloon before, but with the way the salaries are growing for bad players, the reduction of two teams is real.

Fewer teams would mean that you can weed out the players who have been siphoning the salaries for so many years with little result. The games would be more competitive, and the season would be reduced where every game now counts. It would also make the European and other international markets more competitive. The down side would be the loss of jobs, from players on down to the beer vendor.

There will be some blood shed on this one, as the owners have not forgotten how this thing shook out the first time and they will want more than a pound of flesh. Each side has been talking for two years with no deal close to done, and a lockout may not budge them either. Though with so many smart people involved here compared the the NFLcircus, there could be hope.

At some point you have to wonder when will people stop caring how billionaires and millionaires work things out. I have started to lean in that direction, and a slight breeze may just carry me to the side of really not caring at all.

Earl live I will be making an appearance at the St. Louis Public Library- Walnut Park Branch (5760 West Florissant) on Saturday, July 16 to promote my three books from 2 p.m. to

The NBA owners are reeling from erstwhile poor deals their commissioner David Stern negotiated with the players.Now David Stern wants another crack at union head Billy Hunter (above),one of the best executive directors in sports that you never hear about.

3:30 p.m. I will be presenting my three books, The PHLIn the STL, You Might Need a Jacket and You Might Need a Jacket II on wacky sports parents. The books as well as my PHLin the STLDVD will also be available for purchase at

this book signing. Hope to see you all there. (You can follow Earl Austin Jr. daily on his basketball website, www.earlaustinjr.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and at twitter.com/earlaustinjr).

Mike Claiborne

Frazier-Bosley crowned Miss Fashionetta 2011

From Hall of Fame to Holy Land

Malachi Owens enjoyed the Old City of Jerusalem during a visit to Israel with his daughters Mia Owens and Chanita Owens.

Faulk bound for Canton, the Owens family back from Israel

Looking forward to Marshall Faulk’s Canton Countdown Celebration in St. Louis this weekend!

Dana Grace

Join Marshall Faulk and Alliance Sports Management for a fun-filled evening as friends and former St. Louis Rams teammates Roast and Toast the infamous running back and Superbowl champion, a 2011 Hall of Fame Class Member. The event will be held in the Lumiere Casino Theatre – Saturday, July 9, 2011- 7-10 p.m. Top STL event planner Dr. Amit Dhawan (Synergy St.

Foundation

More from the 50 yard line: Veteran St. Louis Ram and Superbowl Champion Roland Williams was in town June 24-26 hosting his

See POTPOURRI, C4

AKA Gamma Omega Chapter awards scholarships to area youth

Special to The American The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s Gamma Omega Chapter recently hosted its 27th annual Debutante Cotillion, otherwise known as “Fashionetta.”

This year’s theme was “An Enchanted Evening of Excellence and Elegance.”

The event occurred in the Millennium Hotel St. Louis. Over 1,000 people attended, and Evelyn William Nash and Keith Anton Willis served as commentators. The presiding Gamma Omega

See AKA, C4

Winnie the Pooh from the Lou

U. City alum supervises animation on remake of Disney classic

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Next Friday one of Disney’s most recognized and beloved characters will head back to the big screen and engage an entirely new genera tion of young people, as Winnie the Pooh has done for decades.

The film marks the first time a Winnie the Pooh film will hit theaters since the 2005 film Pooh’s Heffalump Movie.

And while all ages can once again expect to be inspired, encouraged and humored by directors Steven Anderson and Don Hall’s interpretation of Winnie and his lovable gang of animal misfits, the young people of St. Louis will have a unique reason to feel pride and admiration.

tem. He credits them for a successful career in film animation that has spanned more than 20 years.

“Everybody treated me like I was a filmmaker, and I convinced myself that I was,” West said. “And fortunately, no one suggested otherwise. My parents were supporters and believers. They never said, ‘You can do this for awhile and then get a real job.’

At U. City High School, a couple of supportive teachers even set him up in a corner behind the teachers’ lounge to do his film editing.

His dream was to create films featuring children from the neighborhood. But he quickly learned that directing his friends and getting them to comply with the rigorous demands of creating a feature film was much more difficult than he imagined. Animation didn’t work, because he couldn’t keep the paper steady to feature his drawings, so he used action figures and G.I. Joes. He began to develop as animator as a student at Columbia College in Chicago. Then, after a steady stream of freelance work in Chicago, he said goodbye for Hollywood.

“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing,” said St. Louis’ own Marlon West, who served as animation supervisor for the new Winnie the Pooh

“I used to staple the pages of my drawings together to create comic books, and in kindergarten I had my own comic book stand. But I couldn’t count, so when people paid me I wouldn’t give change.”

On his 12th birthday, Marlon West received a Super 8 camera from his parents, Charles and Pauline West. From that moment on, he explored his University City neighborhood from a filmmaker’s perspective.

The neighborhood, his family and later University City High School all became part of his support sys-

“I came out here with $1,200 and everything that I could fit into my car,” West said.

After working on Rover Dangerfield and the cult classic BeBe’s Kids, West knocked on Disney’s door. According to him, they didn’t like what they saw.

“They were unimpressed, but offered me a trainee position,” West said. “I had been working as an animator for years, but I swallowed my pride and accepted. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made professionally.”

West said he was only a trainee “for a few weeks” before solidifying his position as a professional animator at Disney with sequences he created for the blockbuster film The Lion King

“They gave me an opportunity, and I didn’t mess

See POOH, C4

Hazelwood heads east to Carnegie Hall

High school choirs will perform in NYC – if they raise $28K

American staff

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

If you are the choirs of Hazelwood East High School, you raise $28,000. The invitation is already on lock. Distinguished Concerts International New York has invited the choirs and director Robert Swingler to participate in a performance of The Music of Greg Gilpin as part of its concert series in New York City. The show is scheduled for February 20, 2012, at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium. The choir will join with others under the direction of

composer and conductor Greg Gilpin, a Missouri native – if they can pay their way.

The estimated cost of the trip is $28,000. Participating choirs will spend five days and four nights in New York City in preparation for the concert.

“I think we will need to rely on the generosity of our community members and businesses in the area,” Swingler said. “It is a very difficult economic time for everyone.” Jonathan Griffith, artistic director

The Hazelwood East High School Men’s Choir performing in February 2010 when author Wes Moore spoke to students at the school. The choir opened the presentation with a song to welcome Moore. Photo courtesy of Hazelwood School District

Whitney L. Butler, Christina Elizabeth Buck, LaKeySha Frazier-Bosley, Tiara Baker and Jenee Angele Rideaux at Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority’s 27th Fashionetta, where Frazier-Bosley was crowned Miss Fashionetta 2011. Photo b Maurice Meredith

Marlon West

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

concerts

Jul. 8 – Jul. 9, Legacy Jazz Quintet performing “The Music of Miles Davis: 19591968,” Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, call (314) 534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Sun., July 17, 7p.m. (doors open 6p.m.) THE BACK WITH AVENGENCE TOUR featuring George Clinton & Parliament/ Funkadelic, come out & help George Clinton celebrate his 70th birthday.The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd. Call The (314) 869-9090or Metrotix (314)534-1111 (metortix.com).

July 28, Sade with special guest John Legend, Scottrade Center. Tickets on sale April 16. For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com

Jul., 29, 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.

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.

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

local gigs

Sun., Jul. 20, 2 p.m., Pand R Events presents Soulful Second Sunday featuring the R & B sounds of Grand Elite

Band, St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. For more information, call (314)262-2935 or e-mail: pandrevents@yahoo.com

Sun., Jul. 10, 5 p.m., Sultry Divas presentan Anita Bakertribute, The Bistro @ Grand Center home of Jazz at the Bistro, tickets on sale now call 314.496.7596 or 314.397.5014 or 314.800.3042.

special events

Jul. 9, 7 a.m., Neighborhood Yard Sale, This historically preserved neighborhood is saturated with fantastic treasures. Furniture,fashion items, tools, many housewares, toys, and electronics will be sold at “Get Rid of Pricing.” Newberry Terrace & Lewis Place (One block south of Page and Taylor). For more information, e-mail: lbs11@att.net.

Jul. 8 – Jul. 9, Atwo day celebration of the rich history of East St. Louis, East St. Louis Higher Education Center, 601 James R. Thompson Boulevard, East St. Louis, IL62201.Sponsored by the Institute for Urban Research at SIUE and The East St. Louis Action Research Project of UIUC. For more information, contact The SIUE Institute for Urban Research at (618)650-5262 or visit www.siue.edu/iur.

Sat., Jul., 9, 10 a.m., Carver Day 2011 Celebration, George Washington Carver National Monument near Diamond, Missouri, is pleased to announce the park’s annual Carver Day Celebration to be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is cordially invited to attend the 68th Carver Day anniversary to commemorate the life of George Washington Carver and the establishment of the national monument in

CALENDAR

his honor.Admission is FREE. Please call the park at 417-325-4151 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for further information.

Sat., Jul. 9, 10:45 a.m., The dance and music styles of eight different cultures will be on display at a multicultural review at the Daniel Boone Branch of St. Louis County Library. The Daniel Boone Branch, 300 Clarkson Rd., Ellisville, MO 63011. The event is free and open to the public.

Sat., Jul. 9, 2 p.m., Women of Evolution and Destiny/Women’s Empowerment Conference, the conference will address the needs and concerns of women dealing with domestic violence transcend all ages, ethnic groups, economic and religious backgrounds. Legacy Bookstore and Café, 5249 Delmar Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63108. For more information, visit www.stoptheabuseplease.org www.niagroupstl.com or call (314)456-6753.

Sat., Jul. 9, 6 p.m. Community Asset Management Co. 1st Annual Family Skating Event, St. Nick Skating Rink, 1805 Lucas Ave. For more information, call (314)534-5400.

Jul. 12, 7 p.m. Explore the history of St. Louis’first African American woman millionaire.Annie M. Turnbo Pope-Malone founded PORO HAIR & BEAUTYCULTURE in 1902. She was a rousing success and continues to inspire us because of her legacy in the Annie Malone Children and Family Services Center.During the course, you’ll examine her hair and beauty business, the Poro College complex, and learn more about her unique product distribution system. For more information, visit http://www.stlcc.edu/Continuin g_Education/View_Current_Cl ass_Offerings.html

Jul. 14, 6 p.m., P.O.W.(Professional Organization of Women) NetworkingOpportunity to mix and mingle with Who’s Who in Saint Louis.Lola located at 500 N. 14th Street St. Louis, MO 63103. Free Admission includes professionalnetworking, enjoying appetizers and drink specials, and Live entertainment. Networkingand cocktails begin at 6pm. Nu Element Jazz featuring Natasha Dallas takes the stage at 8:00pm.Please RSVPContact LaTrice Turner at 708.365.9864 or Michelle Ellis at 708.365.9861for more information.

Through July 14, 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.Singers can start uploading their acapella versions of “One Last Cry” by Brian McKnight or “Sweet Thing” by Chaka Khan,the 10 best videos will be selected to perform at an Opening Act showcase on 7/30 at The Loft with headlining act Dwele. A panel 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

Jul., 15, 1 p.m., Disaster Recovery Hearing, Maryland Heights Government Center located at 11911 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights. Atestimony may be submitted online at www.modisasterrecovery.com if members of the community cannot attend the hearing.

Thurs., Jul. 14, 11 a.m., AAUWBallwin-Chesterfield Branch Meeting and SummerPicnic, Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, Sailboat Cove, Tremayne Shelter,2348 Creve Coeur Mill Road. For more information, call (636)938-3958 or e-mail apatriciashores@att.net

Jul. 15 – Jul. 17, Vashon All Class Reunion Weekend, Vashon All Class Alumni Prom (Fri., Jul. 15) Olivette Community Center; All Class Reunion Picnic (Sat., Jul. 16, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.); Official After Party (Jul. 16 ) Masonic Hall, 3820 Olive. For more information, call (314)-3696548

Sat., Jul. 16, 6 p.m., St. Matthew’s 13th Annual DinnerAuction. Several items will be raffled and auctioned, including, baseballs autographed by current Cardinal favorites, an iPad, exciting trips and more.St. Matthew’s Auction supports the Church’s activities in the Ville neighborhood.For more information, visit http://stmatthewtheapostlecatholicchurch.org/

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, 7 p.m., 1st Annual Green Grass Carpet Honolulu Ball, Visitation Hall, 1421 N. Taylor. For more information, call (314)4800311.

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

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.

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)

literary

Wed., Jul. 13, 7 p.m., The St. Louis Publishers Meeting, Brentwood Community Center, 2505 Brentwood Boulevard. For more information, please visit www.stlouispublishers.org.

Wed., Jul. 13, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books presents bestselling authorSapphire discusses The Kid, the sequel to her book Push, Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

theatre

Jul. 12 –Jul. 15, The STLCCMeramec Theatre will present the Summer Children’s Production of Hyronomous A. Frog: The Frog Prince, The Meramec Theatre, 11333 Big Bend Road in Kirkwood. For Jazz St.Louis presents Legacy Jazz Quintet performing ‘The Music of Miles Davis:1959-1968.’ For more information,see CONCERTS.

more information, call (314)984-7562.

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 618-6502774. Tickets are on sale now!

The Fine Arts Box Office at SIUE is located in the Dunham Hall Building, room 1042B, just east 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.

arts

July 8 – 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

Sat., Jul. 9, 4 p.m., Artist Talk featuring David Langley The Grocery List Closing Reception, Aisle 1 Gallery, 2627 Cherokee Street, 63118. Email your questions to info@aisle1gallery.com for a

chance to win a limited edition signed tshirt.

Sat., Jul. 12:30 p.m., the Contemporary Art Museum presents Food forThought –CAM’s monthly program featuring creative, art-inspired tastings by a local chef. This month, Hollyberry Catering will present a Spanish-inspired tasting menu based on the background of exhibiting artist, Francisco Goya. the Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd. For more information, visit www.camstl.org

Jul. 12 – 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 July 24, The Gallery at The Regional Arts Commission presents Point o Departure featuring Cbabi, Jarvis and Lobdell. Gallery talk will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday Jun. 30, Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar.

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 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., St. LouisCounty, Mo. 63121; LOCATION 2: Through July 31 at Arts + Healthcare Gallery in the Shoenberg Pavilion at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 4921 Parkview Place, St. Louis, Mo. 63110; For more information, call (314) 516-5273 or visit www.pprc.umsl.edu.

lectures

Through Aug. 18, Along with

Sade

the National Black MBA Association-St. Louis Chapterand Marks & Associates, ITEnterprises at the University of MissouriSt. Louis will sponsorthe Entrepreneurial Boot Camp The boot camp is a comprehensive 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.

Jul. 16, 1 p.m., American Business Women’s Association Renaissance Chapterof St. Louis as we show our appreciation to business associates, present our 2011 scholarships and name 2011 Woman of the Year at the annual YACOVELLI’S RESTAURANT& BANQUETS, 407 Dunn Rd.

health

July 9, Sat., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – North County Community Health Fair2011, Greater St. Mark Family Church, 9950 Glen Owen Drive at Chambers Road (63136).High blood pressure and diabetes screenings; information on cancer

awareness,Medicaid, father/family relationships; ACCESS Achievers Youth Program; free job skills training and employmentassistance; highereducation assistance; free food for all attendees. For more information, contact 314388-1180.

Jul. 8, 9:30 a.m., the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation presents a free Children vision screening Saint Louis Science Center. For more information, visit www.mlerf.org.

July 12, 7 pm, Black & Green Tuesday Forum: “Medical School in Havana”How do educational needs of black students tie into the Latin American School of Medicine? This unique school offers full scholarships to students who pledge to practice medicine in distressed communities when they become doctors.Speakers include Angelia Elgin, chair of the NAACP’s Health and Public Safety Committee, and Rebecca Fitz, third year medical student in Havana.Sponsored by Gateway Green Alliance and Universal African Peoples Organization. Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar (near Union). For information call 314-727-8554.

Jul. 15, 9 a.m., The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation host a free Healthy Vision Screening, 10801 Pear Tree Lane, St. Ann. For more information, visit www.mlerf.org.

spiritual

Jul. 8, 8 p.m., C-Note Entertainment presents, “The Roll Show” Gospel Skate & Entertainment hosted by DJ Daryl Lester, the orginal host of Gospel 1600Friday Night Praise Party.SPECIAL GUESTPerformances by Rikdilulous Bolden aka Rik Rok and Phase 2!St. Nicholas Skating rink. For more information, visit www.c-noteentertainment.com.

Sat., July 9, 1 p.m., Kick-Off celebration forthe Laura Mae Davis Vacation Bible School, Leonard Missionary Baptist Church, 1100 North Compton Avenue @ Rev. Steven G. Thompson Drive. Classes: July 11-156:00-8:30pm nightly. For more information, call (314) 5341967.

Sun.,

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and principal conductor for Distinguished Concerts International New York, said Hazelwood East High School choirs received the invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and an “exceptional recommendation” by Gilpin. Swingler said he was shocked at receiving the invitation.

“Greg Gilpin is a very well-respected composer in

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3rd annual St. Louis Lifeskills Football Camp for kids. The camp held at Cardinal Ritter Preparatory High School was sponsored by Roland’s foundation Youth Lifeline America and McDonald’s. Not just your average camp, this camp focuses first on education, life skills and mentoring. A great opportunity for approximately 250 area youth; community service-oriented kingpins, including Plaza Motors Mercedes’ Ricky Whittington, to volunteer their time to ensure the campers have a terrific experience . Several native St. Louisans traveled to Charlotte, NC for a spectacular wedding held at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge on May 29, 2011. Morgan Gabrielle Brooks, a senior manager at Redbook magazine, and Ross Brandon Thompson, a financial advisor in the wealth management division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, live in New York City. The couple met several years ago when introduced by their Mother’s St. Louisan Linda LockmanBrooks of Charlotte and Janet W. Thompson of Chicago. Familiar faces on hand to toast the bride and groom included; Susan Richards

Windham Bannister PhD (President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center), Deborah Gibbs (Life Share Carolinas), Ethel Rose Lathan Rutledge Claire Lockman, Madeline Scales Taylor (Jacksonville), Sharon Davis and Ethelyn Shepard Bowers. Full coverage of this inspiring union can be found in the New York Times – June 3, 2011 edition. Congratulations and many blessings to Morgan and Ross! A summer visit to the Holy Land! Malachi Owens (retired from Emerson Electric) and daughters Mia Owens (Crossroads School 2012) and Chanita Owens (Ft. Lauderdale) spent their annual summer vacation in Israel. The adventurous threesome toured the city of Tel-Aviv at leisure then continued their guided tour to the Diapeara Museum, Caesarea and the the Druiz Villages. In Haifa, their tour began at the summit of Mt. Carmel then continued to the golden domed Bahai Shrine, where they viewed the infamous Persian Gardens. Additional stops included the Golan Heights, Kuneitra, Katzrin, The Sea of Galilee, Capernaum to see the ruins of the synagogue and octagonal Church of St. Peter, the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. They then journeyed to Beit Alpha to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue

depicting the zodiac and on to Old Jerusalem to view King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper at Mt. Zion.

Additional highlights included; the Mount of Olives, Bethlehem where they visited Rachel’s Tomb and the Church of the Nativity. In New Jerusalem their group continued to the Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem to see the Chagall stained glass windows, in Yad Vashem – the memorial to the Holocaust and the the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed. Final destinations included Eilat and Timna, where they visited the underwater observatory, a huge seaquariam constructed into a coral reef. Final stops included Timna where they toured the copper mines and King Solomon’s Pillars. What a memorable experience for this family trio.

Honorable Mentions

Happy 67th Anniversary – Dr. and Mrs. John H. Gladney (Clarice) June 18, 2011

Happy 57th Anniversary –Dr. and Mrs. Leslie F. Bond Sr. (Anita) – June 19, 2011

Have a great weekend!

Write to Dana Grace at dgrandolph@live.com.

President was Denise Bascom. Co-chairmen were V. Gale Hardeman, Ruby Grady and Michelle Sanders. During the occasion, exemplary AfricanAmerican graduates received varying scholarship amounts based on their academic performance.

LaKeySha Frazier-Bosley, daughter of Freeman Bosley Sr. and Lucinda Frazier Bosley, was crowned Miss Fashionetta 2011 and received a scholarship totaling $9,115. Bosley, a 2011 graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Prep, plans to attend Tennessee State University in the fall.

Whitney L. Butler, daughter of Michael K. and Cleola Butler, was the first runner-up to the award and received a $7,547 scholarship. Butler recently graduated from Hazelwood West High School and plans to attend the University of Kansas City.

The second runner-up, Christina Elizabeth Buck, received a scholarship of $7,277. Buck, the daughter of Dr. Stanley W. and Victoria Bohannan Buck, is a

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up,” West said. “It’s about seizing the opportunities and being able to deliver on them when

Missouri and throughout the United States,” Swingler said. “It would be one of the most memorable experiences in the students’ lives.”

Gilpin is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education, and is an award-winning choral composer. Swingler said the choir would include select members, with a balance of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses.

“I haven’t contacted any students yet because I do not want to raise hopes and then have them disappointed,” said Swingler.

Once they raise the money,

2011 honors graduate of Whitfield School. In the fall, she will enroll in Spelman College.

Third Runner Up was Paris Tiara Baker who received a $6,643 scholarship. Baker, the daughter of Tara Baker and Paris Saunders, is a 2011 honors graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Prep. She plans to enroll in the University of Central Florida, Orlando.

Jenee Angele Rideaux, the fourth runner up, received $5,533. Rideaux is the daughter of Drs. Angele Thibodeaux Burns and LaVias Martez and Christopher and Carla Rideaux. She also received the Hedgeman Lyle Academic Scholarship of $1,000, an honor given in the name of the St. Louisan founder of the A.K.As in addition to the Nathaniel Murdock, MD, Health/Science Award for $1,000. Rideaux graduated from John Burroughs School and plans to attend Vanderbilt University.

Another honor given, Miss Congeniality, was designed for young women whose peers view them as thoughtful and pleasant. This year, there was, a three-way tie. The three recipients chosen by their peers to receive $200 and the coveted title were Tyler Middlebrook, Taylor Osuji and Jalisa Shaw.

they come.” West has worked on Disney classics such as Pocahontas, Mulan, The Emperor’s New Groove and most recently as animation supervisor for the historic film The Princess and the Frog – which featured Disney’s first African-American princess.

West’s latest challenge was bringing Winnie to a new generation of young people.

“You know your film is going to stand with the others in history,” West said. “So you have to get it right, from getting the right backgrounds and layouts, and try to make it look modern too.”

their work is far from over. They will spend approximately 9-10 hours in rehearsals during the five-day program in New York. “If students and the community come together to make this a reality, it will take a lot of time both during and after school for months to prepare,” Swingler said. “Planning and traveling to New York City’s Carnegie Hall will be something totally new and challenging.”

Anyone interested in making a contribution can contact Robert Swingler by phone at 314-953-7371 or e-mail at rswinglr@hazelwoodschools. org.

In addition to the Miss Congeniality award, Shaw received the $200 Linda A. Cottrell Attendance Award in memory of the dedicated A.K.A. member, Linda A. Cottrell. Another award, The $200 David A. Perine Escort Award, was presented to Escort Jacques A. Hughes III to honor his high academics and personal standards.

Two other awards were given by Dr. Stanley W. Buck. Escort John M. Edwards received the $750 Stanley W. Buck, MD Science Scholarship Award. Nathaniel Shelton and Donovan Charleston were given the Bohannan-Buck liberal Arts Award in honor of Dr. Stanley and Victoria Buck’s parents, Morris and Ida Bohannan and Joseph and Bernestine Buck. Shelton received $500; Charleston received $200. Both individuals were honored because of their impressive high school G.P.A.s and intention to pursue liberal arts degrees.

Fashionetta is a trademark of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. It is a fundraising event that allows the sorority to exhibit philanthropy by using the funds for scholarships that will benefit graduates and give back to the black community.

West’s journey from child filmmaker to premiere animator falls directly in line with the underlying message of his latest film –follow your dream and do what you need to do to make your dreams come true.

“It’s nice to have things that go out over the world that people enjoy, and these films go on forever,” West said. “It’s really cool to be a part of that, but you have to put in work and do your research. When it’s when your turn to deliver, you have to deliver.”

Winnie the Pooh opens in theatres nationwide on July 15. The film is rated G with a running time of 69 minutes.

Deborah Gibbs, Ethel Rose Lathan Rutledge, Susan Richards Bannister, Claire Lockman, Madeline Scales Taylor, Sharon Davis and Ethelyn Shepherd Bowers celebrated recently at the wedding of Morgan Gabrielle Brooks and Ross Brandon Thompson in Charlotte, NC.

By Melanie Adams

‘Prouder than ever to be from St. Louis’

Teens Make History

Players bring local history to prideful

life

Everyone knows the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X. We have all heard of Rosa Parks and Brown vs. the Board of Education. We know about important triumphs in far away cities. But what about the stories closer to home?

The thirteen teens of the Teens Make History Players have decided to not only look at these stories, but to bring them into a play called St. Louis I Am, now playing at the Missouri History Museum.

Teens Make History is a diverse group of teens from St. Louis who come together to educate the community about St. Louis history through the performing arts. These teens, ages sixteen through eighteen, research, write and perform historical plays at the museum. This tight knit group was described by one of the teens, Samantha Wellman, as “a family. We work hard together. We help each other and together we make a difference.”

The teens perform year round in the museum galleries, but in the summers they stage a more elaborate production in the museum’s E. Desmond Lee Auditorium. This summer they are showing St. Louis I Am as an accompaniment to the visit of the national touring exhibition, America I Am. The apprentice actor/interpret-

St. Louis I Am

By the Teens Make History Players at the Missouri History Museum

Featuring Douglas Bell, Merlin Bell, Hadiyah Edwards, Romiyus Gause, James Harrell, Elie Hudson, Will Moore, Lisa Parker, Antwonette Thurman, Samantha Wellman, Alaina York

Performances are Wednesday and Thursday through August 6 and every Saturday through September 24, with no show on September 10. All performances are at 11:30 a.m.

St. Louis I Am is free to the public, though groups larger than 10 are asked to make reservations in advance.

ers rigorously researched and wrote about St. Louis’s African-American pioneers to create a dynamic play that leaves our audience knowing more about St. Louis history.

The aim was to inspire an appreciation of our local history for museum audiences. It seems to be working; one opening day audience member said that the play made her feel “prouder than ever to be from St. Louis.”

St. Louis I Am focuses on both well-known and lesser known African-American St. Louisans. The characters come from varied backgrounds and different eras. There are slaves, abolitionists, activists, businesspeople and artists represented, and each character in some way broke social and racial barriers for African Americans and made major contributions to our city.

The teens were especially proud to be highlighting people that aren’t commonly known or who don’t get taught in their school history books. The teens also struggled with needing to leave out some famous stories or people from St. Louis’ past. In the end, they knew they only had 45 minutes and that they wanted to portray a broad spectrum of people from Dred Scott to Scott Joplin to Annie Malone.

Romiyus Gause, one of the teen actor/interpreters, says some of the stories were dificult to grapple with, but that he welcomes the chance to tell them. “I’m glad we got to talk about the tragic experiences of people like William Wells Brown or Dred Scott,” Gause said. “They have had a big inluence on how our group and the audience view slavery.”

The Journey to YES

By Nathan Bolden

The Youth Exploring Science Program (YES) has impacted my life immensely. I have grown academically, mentally as well as socially in my opinion because of the YES program. How so? Hmmm, let’s see… It all started when I was in the eighth grade. I attended Compton-Drew I.L.C. Middle School, and they made a number of announcements pertaining to a class you’d attend called Science Saturday. At irst I didn’t think anything of it, and didn’t plan on doing it until I was told all the details and perks of attending the class. It was kind of like a science workshop, and over the course of eight weeks you would attend this morning workshop, and at the end of the eight weeks you would receive a paying job. That was all I needed to hear, being a teenager in this day and age is not easy, and nowadays parents expect you to pay for all of your luxuries. I didn’t care what the salary was as long as I got a check. One thing I must do is to thank ComptonDrew, and Ms. Betsy King for coming to give us insight on how to be a YES Teen. Thank

You. Over the summer 2009, I had to attend a summer transition school from the eighth to the ninth grade so unfortunately I couldn’t work over the course of that summer, so I missed out on that, but at the beginning of fall semester I was in the Taylor Community Science Center bright and early every Saturday at nine o’ clock. The YES Program is divided into a variety of different segments called components. I was placed in a component called SciJourn. Basically SciJourn is a group of eight teens that join together as

science journalists to create a new way of learning science, and making it relatable not only to the adult crowd, but to persons our age as well. I honestly was not excited about being apart of SciJourn, however when I got used to the writing style and the people involved I was really happy where I was placed. Being apart of SciJourn has some perks of its own too. We’ve done everything from interviewing famous scientists, to visiting recording studios. It really makes me feel good to receive press passes to events, and being able to get the “behind the scenes“ scoop on what’s going on within the science community. SciJourn also helps you in the school environment as well. At the school I attended last year, Metro Academic and Classical High, we had to write what were called Article Summaries every week. By using the wirriting skills I learned from SciJourn, I scored perfectly on just about every one of them. In conclusion, I am really happy to be apart of the Youth Exploring Science Program. I would recommend this awesome program to any individual. It’s a great program to be involved in.

This Week in Black History...

July 9 - 1893 – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs the irst successful open heart surgery in American history. He repaired a knife wound to the heart of one James Cornish. Cornish would go on to live for another 20 years. Williams established himself as one of the foremost African American surgeons in the history of this nation. In addition to the surgery, his achievements were many.

2009 – Reports irst emerge suggesting that Haiti was beginning to conquer its HIV/ AIDS epidemic. According to UNAIDS, the oficial AIDS infection rate on the povertyridden Caribbean island for people 15-to-49 was 2.2 percent –down from a high of nearly 8 percent in the 1980s. The decline was attributed to the closing of blood banks where the poor sold their blood for money, the work of the Boston-based Partners in Health and Haiti’s own GHESKIO clinic.

July 10 - 1775 – Shortly after taking command of the troops ighting for American independence from Britain, General George Washington (the nation’s irst president) has his adjutant general issue an order barring any further Blacks from joining the Continental Army The decision would be conirmed by the Continental Congress in November of 1775. The fear was that Blacks who fought for America’s independence would be justiied in demanding an end to slavery. And slave owners, including Washington, did not want that.

1943 – Tennis sensation ArthurAshe was born on this day in Richmond, Virginia. He would become the irst Black male to win the Wimbledon men’s singles championship by defeating Jimmy Connors in 1975. Ashe would receive a contaminated blood transfusion and die of AIDS in February 1993.

July 11 - 1905 – The Niagara Movement (forerunner of the NAACP) is founded during a meeting near Niagara Falls, New York. Among the most prominent Blacks at the meeting were intellectual and activist W.E.B. DuBois and newspaper publishers William Monroe Trotter and Ida B. Wells Barnett.

2010 – Gospel legend Bishop Walter Hawkins dies. The Grammy award winning Hawkins died at his home in Ripon, California. Hawkins was part of the inluential Hawkins family. His brother was Edwin Hawkins and for a while he was married to gospel great Tramaine Hawkins.

July 12 1937 – Actor, comedian and political activist William “Bill” Cosby is born on this day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cosby would rise from nightclub comedian to actor in several of the so-called Black exploitation movies of the 1970s to star of the hit NBC television series The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992. Cosby has also been active in a widerange of civil rights and social causes.

1949 – Although he is seldom mentioned today, Frederick M. Jones was one of Black America’s most productive inventors. There are at least 60 patents to his credit. However, Jones is best known for the invention of an air conditioning unit. Speciically, he designed an

automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks and trains which he patented on this day in 1949. Jones was born in 1893 in Covington, Kentucky near Cincinnati. He died in 1961. June 13 - 1863 – One of the bloodiest race (or perhaps more appropriately “racist”) riots in America history begins. The event known historically as New York City Draft Riots was sparked by angry opposition to the congressionally passed Enrollment Act – a mandatory draft requiring white men to ight in the Civil War. Many whites went on a rampage out of opposition to the draft and fear of freed Blacks competing with them for jobs in. The rioting lasted from July 13th to July 16th before it was inally put down with the aid of Federal troops. But before it was over an estimated 100 people had been killed and 300 wounded –most of them Blacks. The mandatory draft also relected a fact commonly omitted from standard American history texts: the class nature of much legislation. In this instance, the draft only applied to poor and working class whites. Wealthy whites were oficially exempted from the draft by paying a fee.

1868 – Oscar J. Dunn, a former slave, is installed as Louisiana’s lieutenant governor. At the time, it was the highest elective state position ever achieved by any African American. Another Black, Antoine Dubuclet, was installed as state treasurer. However, virtually all the Black political gains after the Civil War would be wiped out by the Hayes-Tilden Compromise of 1872 and the subsequent anti-Black Jim Crow laws. It would take nearly 100 years (during the 1960s) before Blacks would once again begin to match the political gains they had made during the post-Civil War period.

July 14 - 1941 – The originator of the African American holiday period known as Kwanzaa, Maulana Ron Karenga, is born Ron Everett in Parsonsburg, Maryland. Karenga also has the distinction of emerging from a prison sentence in the 1970s and earning two PhDs. He founded Kwanzaa in 1967. He had been imprisoned for the alleged abuse of two women who had been members of his United Slaves (US) organization.

July 15 - 1779 – Noted Black spy Pompey Lamb supplies the American revolutionary forces with information which enables them to win the Battle of Stony Point – the last major battle of the Revolutionary War in New York State. Lamb had worked as a fruit and vegetable delivery man for the British Army. 1822 – Philadelphia becomes one of the irst major cities to open its public schools to Blacks. The irst school was a segregated one just for Black boys. One for girls was opened four years later in 1826. The city’s public schools would remain segregated until the 1930s.

Robert Taylor is editor of “This Week in Black History.” Receive a free copy of his bi-weekly “Black History Journal” by writing him at “Robert N.

Nathan Bolden

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

Maulana Ron Karenga

Golden anniversary for the Reids

Charlotte and Clyde Reid, Sr. will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 13, 2011. They are the proud parents of five children, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Clyde is a retired Chrysler worker, and Charlotte is a homemaker.

Reunions

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

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Engaged St. Louis officer betrothed

Tamika Williams of Florissant and Andre Washington of St. Louis have announced their engagement. Tamika is a Resource Analyst for Wells Fargo in St. Louis. Andre is a St. Louis City Police Office.

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 1976 will have its 35-year reunionAugust 19-21, 2011. Fri. night,Aug.19—meet & 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

Birthday Stellar SEMO student turns 21

Otis Holloway celebrated his 21st birthday on July 5, 2011. He will begin his senior year at Southeast Missouri State University this fall, where he maintains a 3.8 GPA. Otis is majoring in Management/Entrepreneurship and minoring in Economics. He plans on venturing into business shortly after graduation this winter.

Birthdays!

Dorothy Swift — July 5

Andrea Horton — July 5

Craig Burston — July 5

Monica Cherry — July 5

Charles Waters — July 8

Elaine Houston — July 10

Tyla M. Neil — July 11

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 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 informa-

Anniversary

37 years of love & Harley riding

Dr. Thomas and Terry Anderson will celebrate 37 years of marriage on July 8, 2011. They are the proud parents of Tiandra Anderson-Bland and Thomas Anderson III. Dr. Anderson is a pastor, and they are devoted to their church, children and grandchildren (Taylor and Thomas). They are known as “Harley riding Papa and MaMa.”

tion.You may also send an email to centralallclass2009 @yahoo.com

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.

SumnerHigh School Class of 1956 will celebrate its 55-year reunion at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel, July 1517,2011.Fri-meet and greet, Sat. -dinner dance and Sun.brunch. You may contact Dot at 314-821-5931 or email beangloria@sbcglobal.net for more information.

SumnerClass of 1976 is hosting their 35-year reunion August 19-21, 2011 with celebrity MC Bernie Hayes Saturday at the banquet. Registration is $85 through July 18 and $90 until August 10, 2011.All classmates are encouraged to participate. Next

class reunion meeting is Tues., July 19, 2011 at the St. Louis County Library, Natural Bridge Branch (small meeting room) 7606 Natural Bridge. 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 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.

Vashon High School Class of 1966 ispreparingfor its 45year reunion in October 2011. We are seeking all classmates. July 14-19-$599—Motor coach to New YorkCity “The Big Apple”Contact person: Charlotte First, Phone:314766-9344;E-mail: 1stclassvt@gmail.com.

September 30—Class Reunion Meet & Greet, Embassy

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

Suites/Airport, 11237 Lone Eagle Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044. October 1—45th Class Reunion, Embassy Suites/Airport, 11237 Lone Eagle Drive, Bridgeton , MO 63044. For more information contact:Marilyn at 314-4388338, Betty at 314-524-3324 or e-mail us at vashonclassof1966@yahoo.com.

RELIGION

Sisters of Loretto recognize Clarice Hall

Teacher, bishop, rabbi and feminist honored by nuns

American staff

The Loretto Community recently presented its annual Mary Rhodes Award to elementary school teacher Clarice Hall, United Methodist Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, Muslim feminist and author Asra Q. Nomani, and St. Louis Rabbi Susan Talve. The four women were honored for their work to promote the rights of women and children.

They were honored during the Loretto “Working with a Jubilee Heart” Conference, a three-day event that took place in Webster Groves on the campus of the Loretto Center and at Nerinx Hall, a Loretto-sponsored, private, all-girl, collegepreparatory high school.

The Mary Rhodes Award was established in 1981 by the Loretto Women’s Committee, now known as the Loretto Women’s Network, to recognize women outside the Loretto order who promote human rights, particularly the rights of women and children.

It is named after Loretto Sister Mary Rhodes, the women who cofounded the irst American women religious congregation 199 years ago.

Receiving the award was both an honor and an early birthday gift for 75-year-old Clarice Hall. Hall taught in the St. Louis Public Schools District for 51 years and educated thousands of students, mainly

irst-graders. She is dedicated to her job and to her students; in all her years of teaching, she has only missed school for jury duty.

Hall began her teaching career in 1957 at Waring Elementary. She then taught at Banneker Elementary (now Doctor Shepherd School), where she taught three generations of students, serving from 1960 to 2003. In 2008, she retired at Dunbar elementary after a full career.

Hall knew the students well because of the prominent role she played in the school. In the mornings, she greeted the children as they exited the bus and supervised their cafeteria breakfast. Hall also supervised two lunch periods before returning to her classroom in the evening. Then, at the end of the day, she would monitor the students and help them get on the right bus. Hall was well respected for her willingness to help anyone in need, be it a bus driver, teacher or student. If one of the

bus drivers was having trouble with the students, she rode the bus to help keep peace. She also found clothes and food for needy children. Some of her children lived in shelters and faced many problems, but she was willing to help them. Though she mainly taught irst grade, Hall knew the status of every child in the schools she served.

Because of her service to children, Hall has received proclamations from both President Bill Clinton and St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. She was also given the Salute to Excellence in Education Award from the St. Louis American Foundation in 2006 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Harris-Stowe State College (now University) in 1997.

The Loretto Community includes Sisters of Loretto who make public profession of vows as a religious congregation and co-members, who afiliate themselves with the spirit and mission of Loretto.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Philippians 3:13

‘Servants in Red’

The New Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church will host its “Servants in Red” service Sunday, July 10, at 3 p.m. at 1444 N. Union Blvd. in St. Louis. The Rev. Marcus Divine is pastor, and Min. Theophilus Murphy is associate minister. The theme of the service is “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). For more information, call 314-361-3390.

Vacation Bible School

Leonard Missionary Baptist Church will kick off its Laura Mae Davis Vacation Bible School 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 9 at the church, 1100 North Compton Ave., with a fun day of horseback riding, food, clowns, games, face painting and snow cones. Classes are 6-8:30 p.m. nightly July 1115. Call 314-534-1967.

There’s a story in the Bible in Genesis (19:12-29) that tells of how God sent His angels to destroy a certain city because of how wicked the people in the city were. Abraham’s nephew Lot and his family lived in the town as well. Before the city was to be destroyed, the angels were commanded to get Lot and his family out of the town safely. In the process of escape they were commanded to “leave the past behind” and not look back. As they were running for their lives, Lot’s wife turned around and looked back and turned into a pillar of salt as she was warned would happen if they looked back. Just like Lot’s wife, we tend to ind ourselves not wanting to let the things in our past go. When our past was our present, we were so unhappy and praying for God to change our situations and circumstances. We realized how bad our past was, but we made a bad decision to become comfortable in it. Whether it’s rejection, failure, an old ling, old habits and behaviors – it really doesn’t matter what’s back there, it’s destined to keep you from your future. God gives us so many

warning signs of the dangers of looking back. Though it’s so easy to get caught up in the temptations of the past, we must understand that as long as we continue to dwell there, we forfeit our future. God brought you out of bondage to bring you into a land that lows with milk and honey. But it is up to you to choose whether you want the dead things of the past, which can’t satisfy nor beneit you at all, or your future. Your future is waiting on you. You must determine that you will do whatever it takes to press into God like never before. You have to decide to renew your mind with His word so that it can lush out all the

Blair

Photo courtesy of the Loretto Community

Eight straight Astudents honored ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Hazelwood North Middle Schoolers recognized for academic achievement

Special to The American Eight Hazelwood North Middle School students received recognition for earning Aaverages in middle school.

Eighth-grade students

Sydnee Johnson, Ashley Cole, Samantha Creachbaum, Rachel Morgan, and Ericka Scott received trophies to honor them for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in sixth-, seventhand eighth-grades.

“It was so cool that it happened,” Obst said. “I feel like I accomplished something and to get something not a lot of kids get is great.”

“I’m proud of myself and thankful for my parents. They are the only reason I have this award.”

Seventh-grader Ian Sovar and eighth-graders Lexi Randman and Shelby Obst received medals for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in two of their three middle school years.

“I felt accomplished because I have this and I’m in seventh-grade,” said Sovar. “I have more room to push myself in eighth-grade.” Johnson mentioned the sacrifices keeping an Aaverage requires, such as less free time. “You end up canceling on friends because you have to study,” she said.

– Ericka Scott

The students credited their sixthgrade teachers with emphasizing good study habits and teaching them time management skills.

The students received the awards in front of their parents and classmates in May during the school’s honor nights.

“It feels great and wonderful,” Scott said. “I’m proud of myself and thankful for my parents. They are the only reason I have this award. It shows we can push ourselves.”

Hazelwood North Middle School eighth-grade students Sydnee Johnson,Ashley Cole,Samantha Creachbaum, Rachel Morgan,and Ericka Scott received trophies to honor them for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in sixth, seventh- and eighth-grades.

“It’s the way you start – if you don’t study, then you will not succeed,” said Cole. Obst said the seventh-grade teachers added discipline to the mix and that the eighth-grade teachers did the most to help the students prepare for high school and beyond. These honors have also bolstered the students’attitude toward high school success.

“I don’t want to be that senior who does not graduate on time,” said Creachbaum.

Scott said her mother has a family education maxim“Our ancestors fought for us to be able to go to school, so why would you waste it by playing around?”

Info session on information careers St. Louis Community College will conduct an information session focusing on academic requirements and career options in information reporting technology 5:30-7

p.m. Tuesday, July 12. The program will begin in Room 201 in the Student Center at the Meramec campus, 11333 Big Bend Road. Current students will discuss their experiences in the program. Attendees also will have the opportunity to partici-

pate in interactive sessions and learn how to get started at STLCC. Registration is requested and can be made by calling 314-539-5002 or visiting www.stlcc.edu/CareerInfoSessi ons.

Friday night

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

It didn闇t include ireworks, but rising R&B star Miguel gave fans a special Independence Day show Monday night at the Imperial Palace. Hot 104.1’s Janee and Christina Bailey were a few of the STL VIP who came out to see what the singer was made of – and he didn’t disappoint.

AFree TimeAlternative. It was a ierce rip in my good pair of stockings that almost made me miss FreeTime LLC’s Friday Alternative at Lola last Friday. As I barely prevented my face to hit lat on the pavement due to a good ‘ol stumble, I could hear Coco Soul squall from outside as if her life depended on it. Then I knew all was well. As I wiped the sweat beads from my face, I was blasted with the soul funk that was being served by the BSide band featuring F.R.E.E. To say the least, they rocked the house down featuring staples like Al Green’s “Love and Happiness” which featured Justin Hoskins – our St. Louis’ answer to Luther Vandross. As featured duets, riffs, and runs ensued, the stage suddenly became eclipsed by a female attendant that thought Halloween came early, with the biggest and most loppy black hat known to man paired with a dark colored outit. I didn’t know whether she was goin’as Mrs. Minever or to a jazz funeral. In any case, I was stewin’ at havin’ to do side steps around her questionable motif just to see a piece of the stage. As she cleared the way, Coco gave me life more abundantly as she went into Erykah Badu’s “Back in the Day (Puff)” coupled with Grand Daddy I.U.’s “Sugar Free” which Badu herself is known for doin’. While DJ Nune spinned in the back “I’m Going Down,” Luther’s “Bad Boy (Having a Party),” were all offered as a precursor to Coco’s stab at “Rappers Delight,” and Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit”. With such a repertoire, it’s no wonder why Alternative Fridays is becoming the “it” place to start off the weekend.

The Power of Twitter presents: PJ Morton. It began as a disappointing Sunday as festivities for Fair St. Louis were cancelled due to inclement weather. Which I wouldn’t have minded much if I didn’t know that soul crooner P.J. Morton was set to open for Maroon 5. As soon as I heard he was coming, I couldn’t get to Dress Barn fast enough. So you can imagine my disappointment when the concert was cancelled (yet relieved that I didn’t get my hair wet, as I was without my emergency Schnucks bag). So as I wept over my Sweetie Pies chicken plate, I took to Twitter and saw that PJ was workin’ on tryin’ to secure an alternate venue to play. I never have seen such a collective effort from The Lou behind such a venture. It was so much back and forth… if, when, and where Morton would be playin’, I almost went into a conniption. Once it was said that he will be headin’ to Lola, I quickly threw on my Chaka-Khan-pantsuit-cape outit just to let the girls know that I’m nothin’ to be played with. With a few laps of my cape, I entered Lola only to ind it lookin’ a lot like Christmas (if you know what I mean). I silently smirked to myself as I awaited the masses to gag when they ind out they were not in store for an intimate night with Adam Levine. When the six piece band took their places, a collective uproar resulted. Decked in a simple denim jacket, white shirt, and black framed glasses that have become his signature, PJ Morton appeared ready to take us on a deliriously infectious groove. Goin’ through his signatures like “Don’t Ever Leave,” “Blah, Blah,Blah,” and “The One” while even hittin’some covers like Drake’s “Find Your Love,” The Chi-Lites “Have You Seen Her” and a few theme songs like Golden Girls “Thank You For Being A Friend” and Cheer’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” Morton thrilled. With a band that was seemingly in rare form with an impromptu duet from Tiffany Elle serving Ledisi tease, Morton was sure to give show that gave St. Louis a night hard to forget.

In search of an (opening) superstar for SuperFest. All of this talk of croonin’reminded me to let y’all know that Budweiser is giving the talented locals a platform to serve up the vocals as one of the opening acts for Budweiser Superfest i.e. Jill Scott’s Block Party and handing out ive stacks along with it! Y’all have until July 14 to upload acapella versions of Brian McKnight’s “One Last Cry” or Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing.” The inalists will be selected to perform at an Opening Act showcase on 7/30 at The Loft with a special performance by Dwele. The 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! Visit http:// www.myspace.com/budweiseropeningact/OpeningActs for details. I have a whole gang of folks that I want to recommend, but don’t feel like being bothered by the folks I rightfully leave off of my list.

A Show before the Show featuring Miguel. Clearly the every questionable club frock was sold out from your local MenAlive and Dot outlets in preparation for R&B’s resident mulatto Miguel’s set at the Imperial Palace Monday night. I must say that one could clearly get lost in what I affectionately call, “Funhouse of the Hood” as it seemed to be full of secret rooms and drop doors. Once I went through several hallways and passages, I arrived at the room designated for the high cheek boned crooner. If it wasn’t the speakers that nearly disintegrated my eardrums, it was the lashin’ lights that nearly sent me into grand mal seizure. As I looked around, it was obviously shirt and panty set night as many ladies traipsed in all their St. Louis Avenue glory. And I can’t forget the lovely “lets-wear-tired-matching-Aéropostale-shirts” couple. It’s kind of funny how the holiday tends to spew out the most dreadful of outit choices…especially the one broad that was doin’her best Pam Grier in ishnet panties. For some reason, she could keep her hips still as she threatened to topple over several times. Perhaps the mile high wedges she chose to adorn weren’t the best choice to catch life. While many decided to twerk their shapes in anticipation as the bubble-gum blowing thug guild cruised the room, my aggravation grew. Having arrived at eleven-thirty hopin’for it to start soon after, I was forced to sit for an excruciating hour. As select dust mites began to crip-walk to Kelly Rowland’s “Motivation,” I noticed a domestic dispute threatenin’ to erupt in a dark corner. Based on all the inger-pointin’, I feared a swift and hard slap would soon ensue. Once I realized the coast was clear, an Electric Slide spin-off formed. Two hours later, Miguel and his two piece band of guitar players emerged. His color-changing glow stick microphone stand shined brightly as he stood in skinny jeans that were duct taped around his kneecaps, a black tank over a black t-shirt, and a haircut that seemed to go deep in the MC Hammer archives for inspiration. As he danced in unison with a guitarist to such selections like “Pay Me,” “All I want is You,” and “Sure Thing,” it is was pretty close to two in the morning. After seeing him

and soft robot all over the stage all the while dishing up Slim of 112/

eyes became heavy. Needless to say, I booked

skip

Mario Winans vocals, my

it.

Cierra was serving up the Gentleman Jack Friday night @ Envy

Tiffany, Christina, and Lakisha sit in on Social Sundays @ Bar Italia

Jasmine, Carryn, Nikiya, birthday girl Tammy, Christine, Twanda and Alicia Saturday night @ Lola

Beam and DJ Sir Thurl Friday night @ Envy

Joe and Vanessa celebrate @ Twisted Olive Saturday Night

Brenne’, Katrina, Christy, Yolanda, and Denise got together for a special girls night Friday @ Lola

Tamika and Daniel @ Twisted Olive Saturday Night

Demetrius the Jeweler and Deon

@ Lola

Lola’s Owner Chris and soul singer P.J. Morton Sunday night @ LOLA

Leah and Danielle get an earful of Miguel Monday @ Imperial Palace

Singer P.J. Morton and his band performing Sunday night @ LOLA

Darryl and Cee-Cee stop by Social Sundays @ Bar Italia

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

The doctor’s self-examination

By Consuelo H.Wilkins,MD

It finally happened. I knew that it would and I couldn’t stop it. But I wasn’t ready. It had already happened to many of my closest friends, but that didn’t make me feel any better.

On the first of July this year, I turned 40 years old. Yes, the BIG 4-0. I started thinking about this birthday around Christmastime last year. I wasn’t dwelling on turning 40 but wrapping my mind around the fact seemed somewhat challenging.

When I shared this with some of my close friends and family, I usually got some variation of the same comment. Their responses were mostly encouraging and related to physical appearance and professional achievements relative to my age. But my mixed emotions about turning 40 were not due to concerns about my appearance or worry about my career. I wasn’t concerned about whether other people thought that I looked good for 40 or if they felt that I should have accomplished more by this age. For me, 40 is the time to perform my next big self-examination. Atime for me to take a step back, reflect on my life, create new goals, and update my plans for my walk

through life.

Having goals is important to me so reflection and selfexamination are key pieces in this process. I like to be organized and develop well-thought out plans for achieving my goals. Over time I have learned to be less rigid in my plans and to re-examine them often because life usually doesn’t conform to our plans.

So what’s the big deal about 40? Compared to age 30, today my cholesterol and BMI are lower, my salary is higher, I’ve paid off all my student loans from college and medical school, I spend more time with my family and friends, and my jump shot is better. Okay, it’s my perception that my jump shot is better but the other things are facts!

Consuelo H. Wilkins,M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor

importance of being a good role model; recognizing that ‘do as I say, not as I do’is usually ineffective.

Another difference at age 40 is the focus on being healthy. Some of the most common chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes are more prevalent after age 40. So the efforts to be physically active, maintain a healthy weight and avoid tobacco that worked prior to age 40 is not enough. Screening for the early detection of some conditions like breast cancer should begin at age 40.

According the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, ALLwomen age 40 should:

also:

• Discuss colon cancer screening with your doctor if someone in your family has had colorectal cancer.

• Get your cholesterol checked once every 5 years if you are at high risk for heart disease (if you smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, are overweight or have a family history of heart disease).

• Get screened for breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often you need them.

• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases including HIVif you have unprotected sex.

• Talk with your doctor if breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family. Some women may benefit from additional screening or medications to prevent cancer.

Although I feel great about my life, there are some very important things that will impact my life plans at age 40 compared to 30. By far, the biggest difference in my life today is that I’m a mother. My two children, Elise- 8 and Trey- 5, have significantly changed the way that I see life and my priorities. Because of them, I am also more aware of the

• Get a Pap test at least every 3 years to screen for cervical cancer.

• Have a blood pressure check at least once every 2 years if it was previously normal. If the blood pressure has ever been elevated, more frequent monitoring is needed.

• Get a flu shot every year to protect yourself and others from the flu.

• Get enough folic acid because women of child-bearing age require an additional 400mcg of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects. This supplement is recommended for sexually active women until age 50. Many pregnancies after age 40 are not planned.

Based on family history and other risk factors, SOME women age 40 should

To learn what prevention strategies you should be planning based on your age, visit http://healthfinder.gov/ Enter your age and gender in the myhealthfinder tool and you will receive specific information about what you can do stay healthy.

I hope you will join me in my celebration of life and make plans to stay as healthy as possible!

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

YourHealth Matters

Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American July 7, 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

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

HEALTHY RECIPE

Salmon with mango salsa and side of herbed rice with peas

Salmon

4, 5oz. fillets of salmon salt and pepper

Directions:

•Set oven to 350 degrees.

• Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste and then put on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Mango Salsa

• 1 fresh mango. Peel skin then cut the fruit into bite sized pieces.

• 1 tomato diced

• onion minced (use whatever kind of onion you prefer)

• fresh jalapeno seeded

• bunch of Cilantro

• 1 lime juiced

Directions:

Take all of the ingredients and put them into a bowl. Let ingredients sit for 20 minutes or so. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Herb rice with peas

• medium onion, roughly chopped

• rib celery, roughly chopped

• 6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, plus a few sprigs for garnish

• 6 sprigs fresh cilantro, plus a few sprigs for garnish.

• 2 fresh poblanos (mild tasting chilies) seeded and roughly chopped

• 1 large clove garlic, peeled and sliced

• 2/3 cup chicken stock (low sodium)

• 1 frozen peas

• 1 cup brown rice.

Place the onion, celery, fresh cilantro, parsley, chilies poblanos and garlic in a small saucepan, add 1-1/4 cups water, cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until the celery and onion are tender, about 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and let cool a few minutes until lukewarm, covered.

Puree the mixture including liquid in a blender or food processor, return to the pan and add the broth or water and the salt.

Cook the rice according to the directions on the box. Then add the puree to the rice. Add the frozen peas in to the rice and stir. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Nutrition Information: (per serving)

Salmon with mango salsa

• Calories: 324

• Calories from fat: 98

• Trans Fats 0

• Cholesterol: 101mg

• Carbohydrate 16g

• Sugars 12g

• Dietary Fiber 3g

• Protein 37g

• Vitamin A9%

• Vitamin C 52%

• Calcium 5%

• Folate 36%

• Niacin 78%

• Potassium 61%

Herbed rice with peas

• Calories: 172

• Calories from Fat: 18

• Trans Fats 0

• Cholesterol 0

• Carbohydrate 34g

• Sugars 3g

• Dietary Fiber 4g

• Vitamin A92%

• Folate 22%

• Vitamin C 200%

• Potassium 20%

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

HEALTH BRIEFS

Grandma, grandpa underthe influence?

Loneliness coupled with pre-existing alcohol and drug habits are among the reasons why older adults turn to controlled substances in their golden years. Since seniors often take prescription medication for chronic illnesses, it is important they disclose any drug or alcohol consumption to their physicians in order to avoid any interactions or complications in treatment.

“Substance abuse doesn’t know any boundary of age,” says psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Scheinthal says. “Typically, seniors do not drink to get drunk or take drugs to get high. More likely they are lonely or they partake in these substances out of habit.”

Undisclosed drug or alcohol use could result in complications, especially if patients experience withdrawal symptoms if they become hospitalized. “If a physician does not know his patient has a cocaine habit, he might prescribe medication to treat a patient for being restless or jittery because that is what the symptoms seem to indicate without realizing the patient actually is going through withdrawal symptoms,” Scheinthal explains.

He recommends family members watch for the following signs to see if an older relative might have a substance abuse problem:

• Changes in sleep patterns and/or appetite that cannot be attributed to other reasons.

• Increased falling.

• Frequently changing physicians or “doctor shopping” to get multiple prescriptions and having those prescriptions filled at multiple pharmacies.

• Suddenly becoming irritable or agitated.

• Periods of confusion.

• Empty liquor bottles in the garbage or recycling bucket, which can be an indicator of someone drinking.

Researchers identify DNAregion linked to depression

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and King’s College London have independently identified DNAon chromosome 3 that appears to be related to depression.

Major depression affects approximately 20 percent of people at some point during their lives, and family studies have long suggested that depression risk is influenced by genetics. The new studies identify a DNAregion containing up to 90 genes. Both were published recently in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

“We were working independently and not collaborating on any level, but as we looked for ways to replicate our findings, the group in London contacted us to say, ‘We have the same linkage peak, and it’s significant,’” says senior investigator Pamela A. F. Madden, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Washington University.

Madden and the other researchers believe it is likely that many genes are involved in depression. While the new findings won’t benefit patients immediately, the discovery is an important step toward understanding what may be happening at the genetic and molecular levels, she says.

The group at King’s College London followed more than 800 families in the United Kingdom affected by recurrent depression. The Washington University group gathered data from 91 families in Australia and another 25 families in Finland. At least two siblings in each family had a history of depression, but the Australian and Finnish participants were studied originally because they were heavy smokers.

“Major depression is more common in smokers, with lifetime reports as high as 60 percent in smokers seeking treatment,” says lead author Michele L. Pergadia, PhD, research assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University. “Smokers with depression tend to experience more nicotine withdrawal and may be more likely to relapse when trying to quit. Previous studies suggest that smoking and depression run together in families. In our study, we detected a region of the genome that travels with depression in families of smokers.”

Pergadia says. “I think we’re just beginning to make our way through the maze of influences on depression. The U.K. samples came from families known to be affected by depression. Our samples came from heavy smokers, so one thing we might do as we move forward is try to better characterize these families, to learn more about their smoking and depression histories, in addition to all of their genetic information in this area.”

Anxiety may be in yourgut, not in yourhead

Researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario say they have conclusive evidence that bacteria residing in the gut influence brain chemistry and behavior. They say findings are important because several common types of gastrointestinal disease, including irritable bowel syndrome, are frequently associated with anxiety or depression. In addition there has been speculation that some psychiatric disorders may be associated with an abnormal bacterial content in the gut.

“The exciting results provide stimulus for further investigating a microbial component to the causation of behavioral illnesses,” said Stephen Collins, professor of medicine and associate dean research, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Collins and Premysl Bercik, assistant professor of medicine, undertook the research in the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute.

Working with healthy adult mice, the researchers showed that disrupting the normal bacterial content of the gut with antibiotics produced changes in behavior; the mice became less cautious or anxious. This change was accompanied by an increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has been linked, to depression and anxiety.

When oral antibiotics were discontinued, bacteria in the gut returned to normal. “This was accompanied by restoration of normal behavior and brain chemistry,” Collins said.

To confirm that bacteria can influence behavior, the researchers colonized germfree mice with bacteria taken from mice with a different behavioral pattern. They found that when germ-free mice with a genetic background associated with passive behavior were colonized with bacteria from mice with higher exploratory behavior, they became more active and daring.

Bercik said that these results lay the foundation for investigating the therapeutic potential of probiotic bacteria and their products in the treatment of behavioral disorders, particularly those associated with gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

The research appears in the online in the journal Gastroenterology and was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.

Normalizing grief Howeveryou choose to grieve is okay

By Sandra Jordan Of The St.Louis American

It is one of the most unhappy and painful of human conditions, but it is something everyone experiences in one form or another – grieving the loss of someone you know or love. It can be particularly difficult if the death is sudden or through an act of violence.

Grieving is a healthy response to major loss and should be allowed to take its course.

Grief and mourning are different.

Grief is the inward, general feeling or condition and mourning is the outward, active expression of that grief – such as crying; leaving flowers, stuffed animals or balloons at the scene of a crime or a gravesite; or wearing black to a funeral.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) says children who are frightened to go to a funeral should not be forced to attend. Children, like adults, need to express their grief in their own way - perhaps paying their respects and honoring the person’s memory by lighting a candle (depending on the age), saying a prayer, making a scrapbook, reviewing photographs, or talking about the person.

Once children accept the death, AACAPsays kids are likely to feel sadness on and off over a long period of time, and often at unexpected moments. The surviving relatives should spend as much time as possible with the child, making it clear that the child has permission to show his or her feelings openly or freely.

The point is – each person expresses his or her grief individually and the process should be respected and without judgment or comparison to someone else’s expressions, expectations or perceived duration.

How do you get through it?

Experts say one day at a time, with help and support of others.

“People feel helpless [around a person in grief]. They don’t know what to say, they don’t know how to fix things – we are a very ‘Fix It’society,” explains Peggy Tyson, director of clinical services for the Crime Victim Advocacy Center in St. Louis. “Grief is not a problem to be solved. It’s a normal event to be worked through and companioned through and that’s what I do for people – I companion them through their grief; and normalize and validate all of those feelings.”

The center offers no-cost counseling to clients who are working through a loss due to the commission of a crime. Formerly known as Aid for Victims of Crime, the organization has been in existence since 1972 and is funded through the United Way; Missouri Foundation for Health; private donations; and federal and state programs, including the Crime Victim Compensation Program, which is subsidized by criminal court fees.

See GRIEF, page 9

F.W.G. wants to know:

My new partner is into eco-travel. He’s planning a trip to Africa later this year and one to Peru next year. Aren’t third world countries basically cesspools of disease? Aren’t there all kinds of incurable diseases in those places that were eliminated in this country centuries ago? What about terrorists and violence?How can I make my sweetie happy without risking my health or my life?

The answercomes from Dr. Eva Hersh by Healthy Living News.

Dear F.W.G.,

Safersummertravel Your Health Questions Matter

The real risks of travel aren’t the dramatic ones you’re thinking of. The most common problems that ruin exotic vacations are 1) environmental illness (like altitude sickness or sunburn); 2) traveler’s gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea); and 3) accidents.

Exotic diseases and terrorism are almost as rare among U.S. travelers visiting less developed countries as they are here at home. Did you know that many people in Europe, Australia and Canada are afraid to travel to the US because there is so much more violent crime here than in their home countries?

The most important things you can do to keep yourself healthy while in other countries are surprisingly simple. In fact, they are the same habits that will keep you healthy here at home.

Environmental illness

Sunburn is the most frequent form of environmental illness. The most effective sun protection is to wear a hat with a brim and a neck covering, lightweight long-sleeved shirt and pants, plus sun block on your face and all exposed areas, including your feet and ankles if you wear sandals. If your travel plans allow it, try stay out of the sun between 11 AM and 3 PM.

Altitude sickness is caused by travel to high altitudes like Nepal, the Andes or the Rocky Mountains. The first signs are lightheadedness, nausea and headache. If the early signs are ignored, at very high altitudes altitude sickness can rapidly progress to death from fluid accumulation in the lungs and swelling of the brain. The treatment is to relocate down to a lower altitude at the first sign of illness. Altitude sickness can be avoided by spending a day or two resting at the new altitude before doing any climbing or other exercise, then gradually increasing exercise day by day.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

Travel-associated gastroenteritis is often referred to as “travelers’diarrhea” or “Montezuma’s Revenge.” It is sometimes caused by toxin-producing bacteria, but can also be caused just by sudden exposure to a new group of bacteria species that would not make you sick if you were exposed to them gradually over a period of time. Your best approach is to make a serious effort to limit your exposure to new bacteria.

• Avoid uncooked fruit and vegetables (avoid salads!) and unclean water.

• Clean your hands after shaking hands.

• Wash your hands after handling money

• Choose bottled or canned drinks, and make sure they are opened in front of you. Drink your beverage warm if you have to, but don’t pour drinks over ice made from tap water that could be contaminated

• Buy your own fruit in the market and wash it with soap before peeling it with your own clean knife. Produce that can’t be peeled, like berries, should be avoided.

• Even boiled food, like an ear of corn, can become dangerous in the short time it takes for the vendor’s unwashed hands to remove it from the pot and hand it to you.

Accidents

If you are not comfortable on a horse at home, do not get on a camel in Jordan or on an elephant in India. No matter how lovely the water looks, do not swim anywhere you do not see local people swimming - there may be dangerous currents or dangerous critters like piranhas, sharks, or jellyfish.

What about shots and medicine to prevent malaria? Definitely, go to a travel clinic and get whatever they recommend, as well. But understand that the yellow fever and typhoid vaccine are to protect you from rare diseases. You’ll need to stay alert and use common sense to prevent the vacation-spoilers that are most likely.

Go see the world, and have a good time!

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

Wed. July 20, 9-10 a.m. - Free Glucose Testing/diabetes screening, Jamestown Mall Food Court, N. Hwy 67/Jamestown Rd. in North St. Louis County.

Wednesdays July 27, Aug 31, Sept 28, Oct. 26, 7 am – 9 am –TravelGreen in the Central West End -Breakfast forBikers 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.

Aug. 6 – Lupus WolfRide GranFondo, charity bike ride for the Lupus Foundation of America- Heartland Chapter – iin Bolm-Schuhkraft Park, Columbia, Ill. The routes are equivalent to the half ironman (56 miles) and full ironman distances (112 miles), designed for non-competitive cyclists and racers alike, with

CALENDAR

a start/finish in Columbia, Illinois, traversing the fast-rolling hills of St. Clair County. Registration is $75. For more information, contact LFAat 314-6442222; info@lfaheartland.org or www.LFAHeartland.org.

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.

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, 10:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m.– Family Support Group at the Grace Hill MurphyO’Fallon Health Center, 1717 Biddle St. Meetings are led by an NAMI volunteer Charlene Burris, RN. No registration needed; no cost. For more information, contact Sharon Lyons, NAMI St. Louis, 314-962-4670.

Free psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations are confidential at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. Call 314839-3171.

Why should I stop smoking now?

Although tobacco smoke is the leading cause of lung cancer and other diseases, it is never too late to quit using tobacco. The sooner smokers quit, the more they can reduce their chance of disease. Within minutes of smoking the last cigarette, the body begins to restore itself.

20 minutes after quitting, heart rate and blood pressure drop.

12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal.

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, circulation improves and lung function increases.

1 to 9 months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. 1 year after quitting, excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continued smoker.

5 years after quitting, risk of mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder cancers are halved. Stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after 2-5 years. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker.

10 years after quitting, risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who still smokes. The risk of larynx and pancreas cancers decreases.

15 years after quitting, risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.

By quitting, you also protect your family and loved ones. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to have asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infec-

tions, coughing, wheezing and increased mucus production. Babies of parents who smoke have a greater chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Pregnant women exposed to smoke are at risk for having a low birth weight baby and for premature delivery and miscarriage.

How do people quit? Where can I go forhelp?

Smokers may need to make changes in their daily routine to help break smoking habits. Quitting smoking is not easy, and some people try many times before they are able to quit for good.

Help within MO & IL: 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669)

Connect to counseling and information about quitting smoking.

Call from anywhere: 1-877-44U-QUIT(1-877-448-7848)

Smoking cessation counselors from the National Cancer Institute are available to answer smoking-related questions in English or Spanish, MondayFriday, 8:00 am-8:00 pm.

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

GRIEF

Continued from page 6

“They pay a certain amount of medical bills if you’ve been assaulted or raped; they pay burial costs up to $5,000; they see if you qualify for lost wages; and they also offer psychological reimbursement for counseling – my counseling is free,” says Tyson, who says most of their clients come through word-of-mouth.

Cry when you need to cry – and don’t try to hide your sadness for fear of not being seen as the strong one, Tyson recommends.

And don’t get overwhelmed by family or cultural traditions that people will impose when someone dies.

“I get people in here all the time who said, ‘Well, I gave his things away. And everybody’s like, ‘How could you do that so quickly?’versus the next client, who says ‘I haven’t given his things away – I haven’t changed his room.’And they say I need to get in there and change that,’” she says. “Both situations are whatever works for you. If you are in that position and you don’t feel like you want to give away their things yet – don’t give away their things. It’s not healthy or unhealthy.”

However you grieve is okay, as long as it does not disrupt your ability to function. The National Institutes of Health says grief and loss can affect your overall health and could lead those who are prone, to depression, excessive alcohol or drug use. Grief interfering with your daily life may be a symptom of a more serious behavioral health condition, such as major depression, which needs treatment by a doctor or behavioral health professional.

“When we enter that kind of complicated, stuck place is when you have a shrine built up of pictures and mementos and you’re feeling stuck and guilty if you take down pictures, they’re not helping you to move through your grief and to mourn,” Tyson says.

What do you say to someone who has lost a special someone?

There are plenty of things that fall under the category of “What not to say.”

Believe it or not, people can say some amazingly insensitive things in their effort to cheer someone up when they are hurting – like, “You have two other children,” – “My mom can be your mom now,” or “You are young and you can get married again.”

Think before you speak.

Whatever you say, it should comfort the person with the loss – not you.

“What’s comforting to the person is to say, ‘I am really sorry’; bringing up the loved one; asking about them –regardless to whether it brings tears or anger or whatever it is; you allow that person to get out some of the things they need to get out,” Tyson recommends.

And have a supportive, listening ear when they want to talk.

Persons can also grieve from the loss of a significant relationship, a job; a theft; a chronic illness that affects their quality of life or an illness to which there is no cure. The grieving process takes as long as takes to accept and adjust to life without that person.

“Research shows that it’s three to five years before you get used to that hole in your life – you’ve kind of built around it – that hole in your heart that is very painful,” Tyson says.

“We talk a lot about managing your pain. Not getting rid of it, not forgetting —

forgiving and forgetting,” she says. “We talk a lot about managing that loss so you can figure out how to go on your life without that person.”

For more information, visit www.supportvictims.org; Parents of Murdered Children at pomc.org; Bereaved Parents of the USAat bereavedparentsusa.org and the Office for Victims of Crime at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc or crimevictims.gov.

PROFILING PEOPLE IN HEALTH

Following in the footsteps of his parents

Brian Ogweno

Position/Where:

Student at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy

CareerHighlights:

• In 2010, served as president of the Student Body Union overseeing and facilitating the merger of the Student Council and Campus Activities Board at STLCOP

• Global Service Corps volunteer in Tanzania with the organization’s HIV/AIDS prevention program

• Campus event organizer

Education:

• 5th year student at St. Louis College of Pharmacy

• Rock Bridge High School in Columbia

Personal:

Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity

Parents: Linus and the late Elizabeth Ogweno

Siblings: Brandon, Brianna, and Byron

St. Louis Connection:

His family moved from Nairobi, Kenya to the U.S., first to Blue Springs, Mo., and have since lived in Columbia and Sedalia.

Journey to success:

His journey on the right path can easily be traced to his parents: Linus, an occupational therapist, and Elizabeth, a nurse. As health care professionals, the pair influenced Ogweno’s decision to pursue a pharmacy degree. “Seeing how much fulfillment they got out of their careers really impacted me,” he says.

In terms of accomplishments for others, Ogweno says there is always more than one person involved.

I’ve had the good fortune of being around forward-thinking and creative people who have complemented my strengths. They have motivated and pushed me and we have been able to do good work. It takes a team effort. You almost feel guilty when you can’t share the spotlight with those around you because others have worked equally as hard and were as dedicated and sincere.”

Unlike most other 22 year olds, he has a full-page personal vision statement that provides daily guidance. In it, Ogweno reminds himself “to work hard and always give it his all; to be thankful to the Lord for all that he has; to respect the dignity and personhood of all the people he has the privilege of meeting and knowing; to live with honor; to work to serve others; and to love everyone and everything as the Lord loves him.”

His vision keeps him grounded. It defines him as a person and in how he contributes to lives of people and society. It also keeps him focused on his goals.

“At the end of each day, I pray and look back and analyze how it went. I look at my interactions, how I acted, and what I accomplished,” he says. “When I do the things that I’ve outlined for myself in my mission statement, those are the days I feel most accomplished. I feel like I’m on the right path.”

At home, Ogweno and his siblings were taught the merits of self confidence, leadership, respect, and hard work. And they were taught about their obligation to family and society and the value of education. Without a doubt, his most challenging life lesson occurred during his senior year at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia. He quickly learned how to overcome adversity after losing his mother to a blood clot unexpectedly when she was 42. Understandably, the loss changed Ogweno’s perspective on life.

“Alot of my motivation and drive in high school came from the dreams she had for me, the things she accomplished in life, and the joy she got from being a nurse and working with her patients. She was very happy and fulfilled,” Ogweno says “Once in awhile, when I have those days or weeks when I’m not very motivated, I think about the memories, talks, and experiences I had with my mom. I think: if nothing else, don’t do this for myself, just do it for mom and it will be worth it because it’s something she would have absolutely loved.”

He also pushes himself to be a role model for his siblings.

Although he was only 5, Ogweno remembers the poor living conditions that his family left behind in Kenya, where they shared a small house with five or six other family members. They didn’t own a car and he and his mother depended on a relative for rides. As distant as those memories seem, it’s a reality he still lives with today.

“All of my extended family is in Kenya. I have cousins who are struggling,” Ogweno says. “That could be me. I’m no different than anybody else. My background from Kenya allows me to appreciate the things around me, the opportunities I have. I live in the richest country in the world, and I attend a private institution. With such contrast from where I was to where I am now, it’s hard not to feel blessed. I’m very thankful. I feel an obligation to contribute as much as I can to people in poverty and people who don’t have very much.”

Brian Ogweno

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

HEALTH RESOURCES

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 CancerCenterof The Empowerment Network, located on the lower level at 6000 W. Florissant, provides information on prostate and other types of cancer, services and support. Also available are free mammogram and PSAtesting certificates, for use at any Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Center. For information, call 314-385-0998.

Fourtips forhealthy grilling

Hot weather sets picnic fever - and the nation’s barbeque grills - ablaze; in fact, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association, four out of five American households will fire up backyard grills this summer.

Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) offer advice for healthy grilling. This year, that advice is bolstered by new evidence in a just-published report on the prevention of colorectal cancer.

AICR and the World Cancer Research Fund released a report last month that added recent research findings to its growing database on the role of diet, physical activity and weight in colorectal cancer risk.

“Two aspects of the traditional American cookout, what you grill and how you grill it, can have a role in raising risk for cancer,” said AICR spokesperson Alice Bender, MS RD. “Big portions of red and processed meat are a well-known concern with respect to colorectal cancer. And although the evidence on the link between grilling itself

and cancer risk is less strong, it only makes sense to take some easy cancerprotective precautions.”

When any kind of meat, poultry or fish is cooked at high temperatures, especially when well-done or charred, cancercausing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form. Bender says these substances can theoretically damage DNAin ways that make cancer more likely.

“The good news is that there are four simple strategies you can use to make allowances, manage risks, and grill more safely,” said Bender.

1.Get the red meat out; add colorful vegetables and fruits

Focus on grilling colorful vegetables and fruits, and cut back on the amount of red and processed meat on your cookout menu. Plant foods contain a variety of naturally occurring compounds called phytochemicals, many of which provide their own anti-cancer protection.

Vegetables like asparagus, onions,

mushrooms, zucchini and corn on the cob are favorites, because grilling brings out flavors. Cut into chunks for kabobs, cook in a grill basket, or toss with a small amount of olive oil and grill whole. Cut fruit before putting it on the grill: apples, peaches and pears can be halved and bananas split lengthwise. Use fruit that is about a day or two away from being completely ripe so it retains its texture. If you brush fruit or the grill with a bit of oil, it won’t stick, and remember to watch closely so it doesn’t get overdone. Serve as is, with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of plain frozen yogurt.

2.Marinate the meat

If you choose to grill meat, mix it up: Try chicken or fish instead of sticking with burgers and hot dogs. Whatever meat you choose, start by mixing up a marinade with some of your favorite herbs along with vinegar or lemon juice. Keep the meat marinating in the fridge while you prepare the sides. Marinating meat has been shown to reduce the formation of HCAs. Precisely why mari-

nades are protective is still under investigation; some evidence points to the acids (vinegar and citrus) or the antioxidant content. Even just 30 minutes in the marinade can help.

3.Partially pre-cook

You can do this in the microwave, oven or stove to help reduce the amount of time the meat sits on the grill exposed to high heat. To ensure safe food handling, just be sure to put the partiallycooked meat on the preheated grill immediately to complete cooking.

4.Go slow and cook low

To reduce the amount of HCAs and PAHs that end up in, and on, the meat, slow down the cooking time with a low flame and keep burning and charring to a minimum. More tips: cut off any visible fat (to reduce flare-ups), cook food in the center of the grill and move coals to the side (to prevent fat and juices from dripping on them) and cut off any charred portions of the meat.

Source:ACIR