March 7th, 2019 Edition

‘The status quo won again’

Incumbent Lewis Reed narrowly beats two progressive candidates for aldermanic president

By Rebecca Rivas and Chris King

“The status quo won again,” St. Louis Treasurer

n “They are going to have to deal with us.”

– Jamilah Nasheed

Tishaura O. Jones said about incumbent Lewis Reed’s narrow victory over Jamilah Nasheed and Megan Ellyia Green in the Democratic primary for St. Louis aldermanic president on March 5. The percentile vote split was Reed 36, Nasheed 32 and Green 31, according to unofficial election results. Nasheed trailed Reed by about 1,400 votes, and Green was only 144 votes behind Nasheed. Voter turnout on a bitingly cold Tuesday with a peak temperature of 26 degrees was under 18 percent. Reed, who has served as board president for 12 years, ran as a moderate against two more progressive candidates. He was endorsed by Mayor Lyda Krewson – who became the target of a recall effort by two aldermen who endorsed Reed just a week before the election.

“We should have a leader that cares about everyone, no matter their zip code,” Nasheed told her election watch crowd after conceding defeat. “Unfortunately, we didn’t make it. However, at the end of the day, they are still going to have to deal with Jamilah Nasheed.”

Mary Attyberry Polk passes at 91

leader, social scene columnist

By Sandra Jordan Of

Federal court orders Missouri to reform parole policies

State conceded failure to provide minimal due process safeguards

By Dan Margolies Of KCUR

Missouri will have to reform its parole policies after a federal judge ruled in favor of thousands of current and former parolees who sued the state, claiming those policies are unconstitutional. Many parolees have been sent back to prison for technical violations of their parole such as crossing a state line, missing a parole appointment or losing a job because their employer found out about their criminal record.

The state has “created a procedural vortex from which people on parole cannot escape and are at continual risk of being rearrested and reentered into the prison system,” the lawsuit stated.

Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Incumbent Lewis Reed beat Jamilah Nasheed and Megan Ellyia Green in the Democratic primary for St. Louis aldermanic president on Tuesday, March 5 with 36 percent of the vote.

In conceding defeat to incumbent Lewis Reed in the March 5 Democratic primary for St. Louis aldermanic president, Jamilah Nasheed noted that a majority of voters rejected Reed. “They are going to have to deal with us,” she said.

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

Mary Attyberry Polk

R. Kelly sits down with Gayle King for emotional interview

In his first interview since he was slapped with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse by the Cook County’s State Attorney in his home state of Illinois, R. Kelly sat down with Gayle King of “CBS This Morning.”

Kelly said he was “tired of all the lies.” Kelly admitted to King that he’s guilty of a lot of wrongdoing in his relationships, but nothing illegal. He told King that all of the participants in the six-part documentary “Surviving R. Kelly” are lying on him.

completely innocent based on what so many people have had to say about him. “I have been assassinated. I have been buried alive,” Kelly said before saying he’s “fighting for his [expletive] life because of the allegations.”

He said he would be “stupid” to commit the crimes he is accused of based “on his past.”

Last month, Kelly, 52, pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The alleged crimes took place between 1998 and 2010 and involved four victims, three of whom were under 17, according to charging documents.

“So, they are lying on you – that’s your explanation,” King said, after telling him that she finds it hard to believe that he is

In 2008, Kelly was tried on several counts of child pornography, stemming from a tape that prosecutors said showed Kelly having sex with a minor. More than a dozen witnesses at the trial identified the person in the video as an underage girl — but the alleged victim and her parents did not testify. Kelly was acquitted on all 14 counts.

“That’s stupid! Use your common sense, forget the blogs, forget how you feel about me. Hate me if you want to, love me if you want to, but just use your common sense,” Kelly said. “How stupid would it be for me, with my crazy past and what I’ve been through, [to think] ‘Oh I think I need to be a monster and hold girls against their will.’”

Kelly also pointed to the fact that he “beat his case” as evidence of his innocence in the interview so emotionally charged that Kelly broke down crying and leapt from his seat.

He told king that the parents of his former girlfriends Joycelyn Savage and Azriel

Clary’s handed their daughters them over to him – and only got upset after they were no longer getting paid.

“What kind of love is it that keeps these young women away from their families?” asked King.

“What kind of father, what kind of mother would sell their daughter to a man?” he countered.

“So, you’re saying the parents handed their daughters, Azriel and Jocelyn, to you?” King asked. “Is that what you’re saying?”

“Absolutely,” Kelly replied.

Mystikal rejects plea for rape charge

In December 2018, rapper pleaded not guilty to rape and kidnapping charges in Shreveport. According to TMZ.com his attorney met with prosecutors and offered the New Orleans rapper a “sweet deal” that Mystikal refused.

“They offered to reduce the aggravated rape charge, which carries a life sentence, to a simple third-degree rapewhich carries a 25-year maximum sentence,” TMZ. com said. “They would also agree to drop the seconddegree kidnapping charge.

In exchange, Mystikal would have to plead

guilty to felony simple rape-which his attorney says he’s unwilling to do.

Mystikal and his defense team contend that the alleged victim in the case is lying and has major credibility issues, so they’re willing to take their chances and let the case play out in court.

The trial is scheduled to start in May.

Fabolous takes deal regarding domestic spat

Last year, rapper Fabolous was arrested in New Jersey for knocking out the tooth of his longtime partner Emily B. He was reportedly offered a plea deal – which he promptly accepted.

“According to the Bergen County, NJ Court, the rapper will enter a pretrial intervention program. This is generally offered to firsttime offenders,” Fabolous’ attorney Brian Neary, reportedly told TMZ. “The charges will be dismissed as long as he completes the program and keeps his nose clean for a year.”

Neary says Fab must give the court a status update once a month.

Sources: TMZ.com, ET.com, CBS.com,

Fabolous

R. Kelly

Mystikal

Parents work to rename St. Louis School named for Confederate

Samuel

M. Kennard School helped found the Veiled Prophet Organization

By Ryan Delaney Of St. Louis Public Radio

A multi-year effort to shed a Confederate name from one of St. Louis’ top public elementary schools, Kennard Classical Junior Academy, is gaining momentum.

Both parents of Kennard students and alumni of St. Louis Public Schools’ gifted program are lobbying district administrators to pick a new namesake because the current one belongs to a former Confederate States Army soldier.

In 2014, a parent discovered Kennard school is named for Samuel M. Kennard, a secessionist supporter and later a member of St. Louis’ wealthy elite who helped found the Veiled Prophet Organization. The school was built in the North Hampton neighborhood in 1928. Since then, parents of the majority-white school for gifted and talented children have been reckoning with the city’s past and trying to make it a teachable moment for their kids. They formed an equity task force that has worked to come up with a new name for the school and foster a more inclusive gifted program in SLPS.

“It’s a good entry point to involve the entire community, and it’s something that’s hard

to keep ignoring,” said Jennifer Boudreau, a member of Kennard’s Equity and Inclusion Committee. “And even though it’s something that takes up a lot of our time, we feel it’s urgent.”

St. Louis removed the Confederate Memorial from Forest Park in 2017, joining several communities that have debated the role of monuments and symbols of the secessionist movement.

Kennard’s Parent-Teacher Organization collected nominations for a new name from parents and students last fall. After a preliminary vote, finalists were narrowed to three people: Clyde Kennard, Mary Meachum and Betty Wheeler.

Clyde Kennard was a civil rights activist and veteran who pushed for admission to the University of Southern Mississippi. He shares a last name but no relation to Samuel Kennard. He also has no direct ties to St. Louis.

Mary Meachum was an abolitionist who helped lead slaves along the Underground Railroad from St. Louis to Illinois. She also started a school for black children on a Mississippi riverboat when Missouri outlawed the education of blacks in 1847.

Betty Wheeler founded what was then called Metro High School in 1972 and served as principal until

her retirement in 1997. She graduated from SLPS’s first high school for black students, Sumner High School in The Ville neighborhood, and is the

rename Kennard after Wheeler has nearly 1,400 signatures.

“It would be an honor and privilege to see my mama’s name on the school,”

n “It would be an honor and privilege to see my mama’s name on the school.”

– Gayle Wheeler-Williams

daughter of Missouri’s first black state senator. Wheeler died in 2011.

Several alumni of Metro Academic and Classical High School say the obvious choice for Kennard’s new name is Wheeler. An online petition to

Wheeler’s daughter, Gayle Wheeler-Williams, told St. Louis’ elected school board in December.

Metro alumni who spoke before SLPS’ governing board at its January meeting spoke highly of Wheeler.

“Betty was unafraid to challenge her students, unafraid to demand that we push ourselves beyond what we were capable of,” said Joe Bartzel, a Metro alumnus, during the public comment period. “She taught us not to shy away from difficult conversations about politics, about race, about ethics, or whatever the hotbutton social issue of the day might have been.”

They appeared to win over one member on the spot.

“If I’d known that, I would have started on that 10 years ago,” said Richard Gaines, who sits on the three-member Special Administrative Board, following the public comments about Kennard’s history.

“I don’t know how these other two folks are going to vote,” Gaines continued, “but

Samuel M. Kennard School was built in St. Louis’ North Hampton neighborhood in 1928 and named for a former Confederate soldier and later a member of St. Louis’ wealthy elite who helped found the Veiled Prophet Organization. Parents of the school now located in the building want the school’s name changed.

you’ve got one vote to start, and I think you’ll be happy with the results.” Selection of a new school name is pending. The Kennard PTO plans to hold a second vote in the spring within the school community to select its final choice for a new namesake.

No formal resolution to rename the school after Wheeler or anyone else has been brought to the Special Administrative Board.

“I think we’re all working toward the same thing,” Boudreau, a Kennard parent, said, “which is to change the name of the school.”

Follow Ryan on Twitter: @ rpatrickdelaney.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

In 2017, Blacks using opioids were 7 times more likely to die from opioid use disorder than Whites.

In 2016 the opioid death rate among Blacks was twice that of Whites.

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Opioid users can successfully treat themselves

Treatment is unavailable if opioid user is not insured Treatment is only available to opioid users with the ability to pay.

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In 2017 50% of people in St. Louis that died as a result of opioid use disorder, were African American. http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/visual-content-marketing-strategy

Kanika Turner, MD, MPH

Photo by Ryan Delaney / St. Louis Public Radio

Progressive

The vote count is in, and the results are clear: if St. Louis is ever going to see change by way of its elected officials, those in the city who want change will have to coalesce behind one change candidate before the next election — if the City of St. Louis survives to hold another primary election. Though a large majority of voters – 64 percent –voted against the incumbent, Lewis Reed still won the Democratic primary for St. Louis aldermanic president on March 5 because the change vote was divided almost evenly between Jamilah Nasheed and Megan Ellyia Green. Aside from the fact that Reed was an incumbent, it was a replay of the 2017 Democratic primary for mayor. Lyda Krewson won that primary with less than one-third of the vote, beating Tishaura O. Jones by only 888 votes. But there were no less than four African-American men, including Reed, also on the ballot. “The status quo won again,” Jones said of Reed’s victory on Tuesday. It goes to show what a “status quo” candidate Reed has become that Krewson endorsed his reelection – soon before she became the target of a recall effort by two aldermen who also endorsed Reed.

The recall of Krewson was prompted by her strong support for the Better Together proposal to merge St. Louis city and county. If the statewide ballot initiative to force this change succeeds, citywide elections for positions such as St. Louis mayor and aldermanic president will be a thing of the past after 2020. Krewson, who won her seat as mayor by less than one-third of the vote, would hand over regional governance to St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, who won his position against a first-time candidate by only 1,100 votes (0.6 percent out of nearly 192,000 Democratic votes cast). Stenger, who has never run

Editorial /CommEntary

Decisions

for election in the city, would replace the city’s mayor as its chief elected official – and get to skip one election cycle to consolidate power, according to the terms of the ballot initiative. Until the next election cycle – whenever that is, and whatever the political boundaries may be – there is another path to change. Those who want change can learn how to leverage the power of their clear majority in the city to force the status quo candidates that narrowly beat their fragmented field of change candidates to enact more progressive policies. As Kayla Reed, community organizer with Action STL, told us, “Both Green and Jamilah did exceptionally well against a resourced incumbent. This proves St. Louis is more progressive that the status quo wants to acknowledge and that voters are eager for change.” Reed and Krewson must be made to recognize that progressive voters in the city have a huge voting majority and begin to govern accordingly. We need to find

Letters to the editor

Justifiably indignant or just inexperienced?

Adolphus Pruitt’s saga of Ms. Funderburk’s difficulty in casting her first vote ever is missing one important piece of information: was she registered to vote in the City of St. Louis? To vote in Missouri you must be a Missouri resident. According to the column, Ms. Funderburk grew up in Detroit but was attending HarrisStowe State University at the time of the mid-term elections last November. If she was a Missouri resident registered in St. Louis, then the indignation was justified. If not, then all we have is an inexperienced voter who didn’t know what being a registered voter really means and, truth be told, not much of a story. Any chance The St. Louis American could clarify that situation?

Robert Dowgwillo St. Louis

Pruitt responds: The NAACP presented these matters to the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, who took the matter very seriously.

The executive director of the election board met with the dean of Students at HarrisStowe and conducted a voter register drive to ensure that Ms. Funderburk’s and other students’ voter registrations were properly received and processed in time for the March 5 primary. At no point has the board nor its executive director indicated that Ms. Funderburk’s ability to vote in St. Louis was improper nor invalid. Because the voter registration conducted at HSSU prior to the November 2018 general election was conducted by a third party, there is an assumption that Ms. Funderburk’s registration was either not received by the election authority or lost in processing.

U.S. must fund the Global Fund

Willie Dickerson’s letter

“Thanks to Tishaura” notes that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria has saved 27 million lives since its creation in 2002. The Global Fund is a multilateral body which invests

ways to show them our power and force them to make the changes the majority clearly desires.

First, however, we must decide whether we want a City of St. Louis or a municipal corporation in a proposed merged Metro City run by Steve Stenger in Clayton. Unfortunately, it will not be St. Louis city and county voters who will decide, but rather voters all over Missouri who will get to decide for us. At the same time, there is no escaping the facts that the St. Louis region has lagged economically and the City of St. Louis is burdened with debt. Enlightened self-interest of the city’s business class should compel addressing more intentionally the problems of the vulnerable and marginalized that are exacerbated by neglect and indifference. Aside from greater equity and true justice, there is a need for collaborative, strategic initiatives to make this region more competitive for attracting more human and financial capital.

By Mayor Thomas P. Schneider For The

St. Louis American

Florissant is the oldest and largest city in St. Louis County, and only Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis and St. Charles are older in the entire Louisiana Purchase Territory. Founded by the Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory in 1786, Florissant is older than St. Louis County, older than the State of Missouri and even a few years older than the Constitution of the United States. We have been a sovereign community under three countries – Spain, France or the United States – for 233 years. We appreciate our long history as a sovereign city and wish it to continue for another 233 years.

We would like to continue to be protected by police whom we know and trust. The award-winning Florissant Police Department is one of the best law enforcement agencies anywhere and was one of the first to receive the gold standard in public safety, the CALEA certification from The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Other agencies including the St. Louis County and St. Louis City Police Departments, have always had the highest respect and have tried to emulate our department. The Florissant Police department is our most valuable asset and is highly appreciated by our residents

and is also one of the reasons why many investors continue to locate and develop their businesses in Florissant.

We would prefer to maintain our streets, bridges, sidewalks and other infrastructure rather than surrender it to the Better Together Mega Metro. Florissant has a very pro-active Public Works Department which has been validated by our voters with additional revenue to continue proven programs to maintain and systematically rebuild our streets and sidewalks. We are way ahead of the curve compared to the rest of the nation in that we have been systematically replacing our bridges and culverts for more than 40 years, ever since I served under long-time Mayor James J. Eagan as City Engineer from 1976 to 1978.

We want to participate in a conversation on how to be a part of a more competitive metropolitan area, but neither I as mayor nor our City Council members were asked by Better Together for our opinions. Nor were we consulted by the St. Louis County executive or the St. Louis mayor despite the fact that we are acquainted and have been in the same room at

the same time many times. We find it contradictory and puzzling that one day the editorial page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch laments the dysfunction of St. Louis city or county or their chief executives or their law enforcement agencies and the next day’s editorial page proclaims that everyone should happily embrace the idea of a statewide vote to create a one-size-fits-all mega-government controlled by the remotest of leaders. We think any regional decisions on governance change should be made by the citizens who would be affected. We would be reluctant to entertain the idea of voting to compromise the sovereignty or the method of governing of Rolla, Poplar Bluff, Independence, Springfield, Hannibal et al.

We support and will participate in the initiative of the Municipal League of Metro St. Louis to collect the necessary signatures to enable a Board of Freeholders (also called Board of Electors) to be formed, who will be mandated to hold open public meetings and hearings so that the will of the citizens can be heard in open dialogue and testimony. Public discussions have been a bedrock tradition in our republic called the United States of America for about as long as Florissant has been a sovereign city. Thomas P. Schneider is mayor of Florissant.

Finding the king within

By Kaylan D. Holloway

For The St. Louis American

I remember cracking open my first history textbook at Hickey Elementary School and seeing the first image of someone who looked like me. It was an image of a black man, silenced by a muzzle, blinded by a black eye, and scarred by a whip during the Atlantic slave trade.

nearly $4 billion a year in supporting programs to combat these three deadly diseases. These programs, 65 percent of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa, are run by local experts, including representatives of those whose lives are impacted by these illnesses.

The results have been dramatic. Since its peak in 2005, the number of AIDSrelated deaths has been cut in half, from 1.8 million to under 1 million in 2017, and 17.5 million people are now on antiretroviral therapy for HIV. TB deaths have dropped 37 percent since 2006, and 5 million TB patients were in treatment in 2017. Global malaria rates have been reduced by 60 percent since 2000, and 197,000 million mosquito nets were distributed in 2017.

The Global Fund receives 95 percent of its funding from donor nations. It is critical that we tell our congressional leaders to continue the U.S. government’s financial support for the life-saving work of the Global Fund.

Greg Campbell Creve Coeur

A few years later, I witnessed my first drive-by shooting walking home from Yeatman Middle School. In broad daylight, as students were being dismissed, two black men fired off rounds at another group of young black men.

During my years at Soldan High School, I had great teachers; however, I often thought about how much more empowering my experience would be if I had a black male teacher. Back home on Penrose, I was blessed to be raised by a praying grandmother and a hardworking single mother and, although they did a spectacular job, I was longing for a king.

Before I went off to undergrad at Mizzou in 2009, my grandmother read to me 1 Peter 2:9 and reminded me that I was a “chosen” someone from a “royal priesthood” with the blood of a king running in and through me. But within my first year, I encountered several racial incidents that made me second-guess my belonging.

One morning, I woke up to “go home ni**er” written on the bathroom mirror. The next morning someone spread cotton balls across the lawn and entrance of the Gaines/Oldham

Black Culture Center. Later that day, a professor asked students what city and high school we came from. When I said I had graduated from Saint Louis Public Schools, he paused and said, “Wow, we should all give you a round of applause – you must be the best of the worst.”

These incidents motivated me to start iGUIDE, an organization dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rate of firstgeneration college students from inner cities. I was always passionate about education, so I applied for and was accepted by Teach for America-St. Louis. I started my career as a teacher just days after the police killing of Michael Brown. I could see myself in my students. At the time, I did not know that many of them were seeing themselves in me. They were longing for a king. Many of the young black males began to view me as a role model, mentor, and father figure.

Those relationships ultimately inspired me to create Kings of Distinction (KOD).

KOD is a male mentoring program at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School that focuses on building and sustaining academic excellence, leadership development, and community service.

We discussed what it meant to be a king and how one can

become a king. We talked about the importance of being a king and being surrounded by other kings. James Baldwin reminded us that our crown has already been bought and paid for and all we have to do is wear it. Our longing for a king came to a revelatory end. We realized that we were the kings we were longing for. Here is how you can help us reveal the king within every young black male in St. Louis. Stop teaching us grit and applauding our resilience without fighting against the issues that require us to have these characteristics. Advocate for schools to adopt a culturally responsive culture and curriculum that advocates for social justice. If you are a black male, consider education as a profession. Support established and data-proven programs that are genuinely doing this work. Stop telling us to become successful just so that we can neglect the ‘hood. Love and nurture all black males by realizing the king within each of them.

Kaylan D. Holloway teaches at Saint Louis Public Schools and is an adjunct professor at Harris-Stowe State University and doctoral candidate at Maryville University.

“Homegrown Black Males” is a partnership between HomeGrown STL at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and The St. Louis American, edited by Sean Joe, Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor and associate dean at the Brown School, and Chris King, managing editor of The American, in memory of Michael Brown.

Guest Columnist Thomas P. Schneider

HomEgrown BlaCk malEs

Guest Columnist Kaylan D. Holloway

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Lewis Reed, Megan Ellyia Green and Jamilah Nasheed at the St. Louis Press Club’s forum for St. Louis Board of Alderman president on February 22.

Deltas donate books to Normandy students

Jo Lena Johnson, member of the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., reads a book to a class at Lucas Crossing Elementary Complex in the Normandy Schools Collaborative. During the visit, Johnson and other members of the sorority’s chapter spent time reading to students in addition to donating books to the school. The visit and donation are part of the sorority’s Dive into Books with Delta childhood literacy program. Delta Sigma Theta has also partnered with the Hazelwood, University City, and Ferguson-Florissant school districts. So far this year, the St. Louis Alumnae chapter has donated almost 1,000 books to students.

St. Louis County Library seeks local music

St. Louis County Library is seeking submissions from local musicians for the Listen Up STL project in March. The project invites local musicians to upload their work to the library website, where it will be available for streaming to library patrons. Musicians who participate in Listen Up STL make their music available electronically to the library’s approximately 355,000 active cardholders. Any St. Louis-area musician with original music of any genre is encouraged to participate. Submissions will be accepted March 1-31. Details about how to participate in the project are available at www.slcl.org/listen-up-stl.

ArchCity Defenders seeks Young Friends

ArchCity Defenders seeks applicants for its new group, the Young Friends of ArchCity Defenders (ACD). The firm provides holistic legal services to individuals in order to remove barriers to housing and social services, and advocates in state and federal court through impact litigation, to bring about systemic criminal justice reform

The Young Friends of ACD seeks to energize and mobilize new and existing supporters and allies of the ACD mission by forming a social community and professional network to benefit the firm and the thousands of individuals on whose behalf ACD advocates. Derick D. Dailey of the law firm Dowd Bennett LLP is the group’s inaugural chair.

Those interested in joining the group may contact Derick Dailey or Nathaniel Carroll at 314-332-4664 and/or email Dailey at ddailey@dowdbennett.com.

Dear white people,

it’s me again

By Jama;a Rogers For The St. Louis American

Dear white people,

It’s me again. You haven’t heard from me since the Ferguson street actions ended. A lot has happened since 2014 but not a lot has happened to actualize your commitment to racial justice. We still need to create the regional transformational change called for by the Ferguson Commission report.

A major political and cultural shift to the right came with the election of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. president. We’re coming up on the fifth anniversary of the Ferguson Uprising. This year will mark the 400th anniversary of my people’s kidnapping to these shores. How are we assessing our past and applying the hard-learned lessons to our future?

In my Dear White People letter to you in 2014, you got a compressed history primer on how racism infects all of us. I encouraged you to challenge the racist status quo particularly as it is manifested in police and court practices. I reminded you that the social justice movement is as much about changing hearts and minds as it is about changing laws and policies.

America white again. You know these people. You are related to these people. Your mission is to courageously engage family, friends, co-workers, church members and your other associations in civil discourse and education around the difficult issue of racism and white privilege. Don’t underestimate the importance of this mission.

There are more comparisons of our current president and circumstances to Hitler and Nazism than with any other president in my lifetime. This country is at the precipice of a slippery slope towards fascism. The racist fear-mongering and scapegoating by Trump – along with putting people and policies in place to carry out his ideological, demonic wishes – are not new. Repressing free speech and controlling a national narrative is not new. These are actions of dictators who fear democracy. This should be scary.

The incidents of white supremacy have reared their ugly heads too many times in the last few years. And there’s been a bit of backsliding by white folks who said they wanted to confront the systemic evils – until it meant confronting their own implicit biases and white privilege. All this compels me to revisit the part about “changing hearts and minds” in my first letter.

The day after the so-called election of Trump, hate crimes made a jump and are now up 17 percent. They’ve been increasing since every year since, but these are only the reported incidents. The general public sees the few that receive national attention like the neo-Nazi deadly attack on non-violent protestors in Charlottesville.

The president has encouraged hate and violence from the White House bully pulpit (emphasis on bully). Anyone who is not a white, straight Christian has a bull’s eye on their backs. People of color, Muslims, LGBTQ community members, activists face serious, life-threatening risks on the streets and on campuses, and at their workplaces and places of worship.

White supremacy and hate of “the other” is being normalized by Trump, emboldening white folks who already shared his views on making

The mantra of white people waving the anti-racist banner is to work towards a re-alignment of political power that’s fair and inclusive. This means a rejection of policies and practices that harm black lives.

In my first Dear White People letter, I assured you that what black folks want for their families is no different from what you want for your loved ones. That’s still true.

Black Lives Matter can’t just be trendy or rhetorical. It’s easy to post a yard sign or wear a button. We’re talking transformation here, from the micro (personal) to the macro (societal). It means challenging the criminalization of black bodies and black communities. It means divesting in the over-policing and megaincarceration of Black people and investing in black communities and black futures.

There’s a movement underfoot led by Rex Sinquefield, Republican billionaire, to create a regional apartheid structure. The city-county merger will be up for a statewide vote. Missouri voters are mainly white, and they need to be fully informed of the measure’s consequences for black and poor people.

To date, the progress of white folks towards building an equitable society could use a boost. Racial disparities abound in every quality of life facet. It’s time for some meaningful breakthroughs.

This a time for white allies to be bold and unflinching. Black folks got your back.

Jamala Rogers

happenings.

Continued from A1

Randolph. “That continued after retirement. She continued to volunteer in the community and serve as a mentor to students.”

Her participatory interests, leadership and community involvement was wide-ranging, including service as past president or officer of several organizations.

“She was one of those efficient ladies and very good at organizing all kinds of programs,” her friend Sandra Murdock said.

Attyberry Polk held mayoral appointments to the St. Louis Board of Equalization and the Board of Forest Park Forever. She was a beloved and enthusiastic member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League, St. Louis Moles, Carousels of St. Louis, St. Louis Chapter of Smart Set, The Paupers Club, Top Ladies of Distinction, Gateway Chapter of The Links Inc., NAACP, Harris-Stowe Alumni Association, Arts & Education Council, St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, Smart Investors Club, United Way Leadership Giving Society, WUSTL Alzheimer’s Disease Research Committee and the YWCA.

n She was one of the earliest AfricanAmerican graduate students at Washington University and earned an M.A. in Elementary Education in 1952.

“For more than 40 years, she wrote a social column that made the black community and the white community aware that black people have distinctions that they’re earning and they have social functions and philanthropic and community organizations that are important, and they do good work and they deserve to be recognized,” said Attyberry Polk’s sonin-law Luther Rollins Jr.

“Her column was very, very popular, and she knew everything about everybody in St. Louis and also in many other cities,” Randolph said. “She loved people and she loved history and liked to know the background of people.”

Rollins also described her as being among true trailblazers who broke through many barriers. “By educating themselves and carrying themselves with distinction,” he said, “they cleared the path for lots of other African Americans who are enjoying success and fullness of American society today.”

From Sumner to Stowe to WUSTL

n “She knew everything about everybody in St. Louis and also in many other cities.”

Attyberry Polk is also remembered for her long-running social column “St. Louis Social Scene,” published in the St. Louis Metro Sentinel newspaper, which provided information about cultural, artistic, civic, and positive African-American

– Dana Randolph

Mary Attyberry was born July 13, 1927, to Robert Fernandez and Leola (Wicks) Attyberry. She was one of six children born of this union, and each was encouraged, loved and nurtured to attain education and success by her parents. She was baptized and remained throughout her life a member of Central Baptist Church in St. Louis. She attended Marshall

Elementary School and Sumner High School in St. Louis. After high school graduation, she matriculated to Stowe Teacher’s College and graduated with a B.A. in 1948. She was one of the earliest

African-American graduate students at Washington University and earned an M.A. in Elementary Education in 1952.

In 1950, Mary Attyberry married George Douglas Polk,

a WWII U.S. Navy veteran and graduate of Lincoln University and Saint Louis University. He preceded her in death on October 15, 1985. Mary and George had one child, Mary Olivia.

Attyberry Polk also was preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara and brothers Vincent, Wicks, Harold.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Olivia (Luther Rollins Jr.) Polk M.D. of Hickory, North Carolina; sister, Linnie Sims of Chicago; grandchildren, Jordan Mann of Providence, Rhode Island and Madison Mann of New York City; niece, Barbara Chandler of St. Louis; nephew, Delbert Sims (Regina) of Chicago; great-nephew, Kingston Sims of Chicago; special nephew, Vincent (Kim) of Flint, Michigan; and numerous cherished relatives and friends. Viewing and visitation will be held 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington Ave. in St. Louis with the funeral following at 5 p.m. Burial will take place the following day at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Mary Attyberry Polk be sent to Harris-Stowe State University, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, or the Alzheimer’s Association of St. Louis.

Mary Attyberry Polk with her daughter, Mary Olivia Polk, M.D.

Nasheed said that the city is facing many important issues, including possibly privatizing airport operations, a statewide ballot initiative to merge St. Louis city and county, and a planned reduction of the number of city wards and seats at the Board of Aldermen. “They are going to have to deal with us,” she said as the crowd of about 50 people cheered wildly.

Nasheed and Reed went head to head during debates leading up to the election.

Nasheed said Reed uses his role as board president as “an aldermanic seat on steroids” and to serve his own interests. Reed fired back that Nasheed has voted with Republicans in the state Legislature “more often than not.”

A large majority of voters –64 percent – voted against the incumbent, but he still won because the change vote was divided almost evenly between Nasheed and Green. Nasheed called out white progressives for supporting Green – and presumably Green for running against her and Reed.

“The progressives, everything that they hate about St. Louis, they perpetuated in this race,” Nasheed said. “You can’t say you are for Black

PAROLE

Continued from A1

In an uncommonly succinct seven-sentence order on February 28, U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough in Kansas City sided with the plaintiffs and granted them summary judgment.

Bough’s order came after he certified the case as a class action in January. Missouri will now have to reform its parole policies to meet established constitutional norms. The order is “extremely significant,” said Megan G. Crane, an attorney with the MacArthur Justice Center in St. Louis, which filed the lawsuit in August 2017. “It is a recognition by the federal court that the Missouri Department of Corrections and Board of Parole is in clear violation of the Constitution for the procedures and policies they use for the parole revocation process.”

The suit alleges that the Missouri Department of Corrections and its Division of Probation and Parole have blatantly disregarded U.S.

Lives Matter and you want to reduce black representation.”

Green responded, “I’m not looking to tear another woman down on the 5th day of Women’s History Month.”

Green agreed with Nasheed that “the status quo in this city is not working” and expressed pride in “the issues-oriented, positive campaign that we ran on a shoestring budget that spoke directly to the needs of residents of our city.”

n “We got to do a better job as commonthinking folks to come together and find a candidate and agree to disagree, but push forward on the overall consensus that we got to change.”

– state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr.

Progressives were left looking for signs of hope in the large majority vote against the incumbent.

“If you take the combined votes against Lewis versus what he won, it’s 60-plus percent,” said state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. “We got to do a better job as commonthinking folks to come together and find a candidate

Supreme Court decisions establishing procedures to protect parolees’ due process rights. The corrections department did not return a call seeking comment. The Missouri Attorney General’s office, which defended the suit, did not offer a response to Bough’s ruling.

Missouri pressures inmates to waive hearings, often doesn’t provide them with lawyers they’re entitled to, and presents them with a blizzard of paperwork so confusing they sometimes don’t know what violations they’re accused of committing, according to The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization that focuses on criminal justice issues. In court filings, Missouri conceded that it has failed to provide parolees with minimal due process safeguards. Crane said that because the state conceded liability, “the court wasn’t required to say much more, given that the violations were so blatant and so pervasive.”

She said Missouri acknowledged that even when parolees are deemed to be mentally ill or incompetent,

and agree to disagree, but push forward on the overall consensus that we got to change.”

Community organizer Kayla Reed also found a call for change in the narrowness of Reed’s victory.

“Both Green and Jamilah did exceptionally well against a resourced incumbent. This proves St. Louis is more progressive than the status quo wants to acknowledge and that voters are eager for change,” said Reed, who leads Action STL. “I hope Lewis sees the truth in those numbers and works to usher in real change for St. Louis.”

Given the overwhelming Democratic majority in the city, Reed’s victory in the Democratic primary all but guarantees his reelection in the April municipal election.

Incumbents win aldermanic races

It was a good night for the status quo in the form of incumbents in the evennumbered wards that also had elections. All 11 incumbents running for reelection won their primaries, two of them unchallenged.

In races The American has followed, 4th Ward Alderman Samuel L. Moore, 6th Ward Alderman Christine Ingrassia, 8th Ward Alderman Annie Rice, 20th Ward Alderman

the state does not provide them with legal counsel.

The practical effect of Bough’s ruling will be to require Missouri to fashion a remedy to cure its constitutional violations. What precisely that will be remains undetermined.

“That is a question that’s yet to be answered,” Crane said. “It is on the state to fully remedy their many constitutional violations. We look forward to a remedial plan from the state that provides counsel and due process protections to which parolees are indisputably entitled very soon.”

Amy Breihan, another attorney with the MacArthur Justice Center, said in an email that Missouri has been operating “an unconstitutional parole revocation system for some time now, resulting in the unjust reincarceration of thousands of people.”

“Now that we have a judgment in hand we hope to promptly move forward with implementing changes to ensure not another parolee is returned to a Missouri prison without being guaranteed their rights to due process,” she said.

Boys & Girls Clubs opens Best Buy Teen Tech Center

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis opened a Best Buy Teen Tech Center at the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club in St. Louis on Thursday, February 28. The center, which offers teens free, year-round, hands-on technology access and education in an after-school setting, is the first in St. Louis and the 25th that Best Buy has opening nationwide. Premium Retail Services, Gateway PGA REACH and Bellerive Country Club partnered with Best Buy and the club in the effort. “It’s a place where kids who aspire to become coders, graphic designers, music producers or directors, 3D animators or game developers can thrive,” said club President Flint Fowler.

Cara Spencer and 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd all survived primary challenges. However, not all of these incumbents represent the status quo in the same sense as Reed, who was endorsed by Mayor Krewson and drew challenges from the left. Ingrassia, Rice and Spencer have been consistently progressive voices on the board, with some exceptions.

Jesse Todd won the 18th Ward seat left open by Terry Kennedy’s retirement; Todd is the Ward’s longtime Democratic committeeman.

Shameem Clark Hubbard won the 26th Ward seat that incumbent Frank Williamson did not defend. Bret Narayan won a crowded five-way race with a majority of votes in the 24th Ward, where incumbent Scott Ogilvie did not seek reelection. The number and zest of the primary challenges and open seats earned the 2019 municipal primary the nickname “aldergeddon.”

Breihan told KCUR in January that about 6,600 Missouri parolees went through the revocation process in 2017. At least 90 percent had their parole revoked and were sent back to prison.

“A lot of these individuals who are being sent back to prison without due process have mental health issues. They have addiction issues and those are not being addressed,” Breihan said.

“They’re just being re-incarcerated, and their lives and their communities are continually disrupted. It’s not a central focus of the case, but

I think it’s important to think about why these folks are being sent back to prison and how it is impacting their lives and their ability get back on steady ground.”

Missouri has the 10th highest incarceration rate in the country, with 859 people locked up per 100,000 population. Parole revocations are handled by the state parole board. Missouri is one of 14 states in which meetings and records are closed to the public, according to The Marshall Project The Marshall Project said

that in 2016, the Missouri corrections department’s inspector general reported that a member of the parole board and a staffer had made a game of parole board hearings. They would choose a “word of the day” like “hootenanny” or “armadillo” and earn points by making unsuspecting inmates repeat it. Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor at KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

‘Panorama of Destruction’ explores disasters and perseverance

Plus, ‘#MeToo: Her Voice Must Be Heard’

By Erika Roberts For The St. Louis American

As the recently hired theatre programs coordinator for the Missouri Historical Society, I have the great privilege of working with the Teens Make History Players. This dedicated group of teenage Missouri Historical Society employees researches, writes, and performs plays that connect St. Louis’ history to current audiences. Our most recent play, Panorama of Destruction, accomplishes just that.

Panorama of Destruction accompanies Panoramas of the City, an exhibition that showcases huge panoramic photographs taken in the early 20th century that captured both grand community events and everyday life. The Teens Make History Players were particularly drawn to the photograph of Page Street after the 1927 tornado that tore from Forest Park to East St. Louis.

Although not as deadly as the tornado of 1896, the 1927 tornado caused a great deal of damage. More than 75 people were reported dead, and over 1,000 homes were lost. Despite the severity of the disaster, the St. Louis community rallied to help one another. The Boy Scouts, the Red Cross, and a special citizen police force worked tirelessly to build shelters, clear streets, and find missing loved ones.

Although the tornado brought the community together, it also attracted sightseers who came from neighboring areas and states to view the wreckage. Sightseers flooded streets by foot and by car, but they did little to help with relief efforts. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted, “If everyone who came to look had left a dollar for relief, the $500,000 fund would have been oversubscribed by nightfall.”

The Players started their research on the 1927 tornado by viewing Panoramas of the City. Then they spent time working with St. Louis PostDispatch articles from the days following the event, paying close attention to the stories of the residents who experienced the tornado. During their research the Players drew parallels between the sightseers back then to people’s tendency today to record and post disasters online without lending a hand.

By performing this play, they hope to inspire conversations about how people are affected by traumatic events and why it’s important to take

A scene from “Panorama of Destruction” by the Teens Make History Players, which they will perform on Saturdays from March 23 through April 27 (excluding April 13) at 11:30 a.m. in the Seeking St. Louis: Reflections gallery on the Missouri History Museum’s second floor.

action to help those around us during difficult times.

The Teens Make History Players and I would love for you to join us for Panorama of Destruction. It takes place on Saturdays through March 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the Panoramas of the City gallery on the Museum’s main floor. Panorama of Destruction will continue on Saturdays from March 30 through April 27 (excluding April 13) at 11:30 a.m. in the Seeking St. Louis: Reflections gallery on the Museum’s second floor.

The 20-minute performance is free and open to the public. I could not be more proud of the work the Teens Make History Players have done in the midst of many challenges this season. We hope to see you in the audience soon.

#MeToo: Her Voice Must Be Heard

In the wake of recent sexual harassment and assault allegations that have come to light in nearly every industry, the Missouri Historical Society felt an urgent need to give a platform to women in our community who might not otherwise have one. These women may be your neighbors, sisters, friends, or co-workers— and their voices all deserve to be heard.

Until You’ve Walked in Her Shoes, a nonprofit organization that honors and celebrates local women who serve the community in extraordinary ways, presents #MeToo: Her Voice Must Be Heard at the Missouri History Museum on Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m.

Until You’ve Walked in Her Shoes keeps the conversation about sexual assault and abuse going by helping women convey their stories through music, monologues, poetry, and dance. The group positively impacts women’s lives through education, empowerment, fundraising efforts, and productions such as #MeToo: Her Voice Must Be Heard

“I am excited to have this program here as it helps support our mission to serve as the confluence of historical perspectives and contemporary issues,” said Elizabeth Pickard, the Missouri Historical Society’s director of education and interpretation. “It is wonderful to support a program speaking to a topic that remains urgently current.”

March is Women’s History Month, so there is perhaps no better time of year to do just that. Both performances of #MeToo: Her Voice Must Be Heard are free and open to the public.

Erika Roberts is the theatre programs coordinator for the Missouri Historical Society.

Art Museum Celebrates Women’s History Month

By Alexis Assam, 2018-2019 Romare Bearden Graduate

If It Wasn’t for the Women: Reimagining Portraiture and Power

Saint Louis Art Museum

The Farell Auditorium Saturday, March 23, 2019, 11am-12:30pm Free ticket is Required

In celebration of the achievements of women in the arts, the Saint Louis Art Museum will present If It Wasn’t for the Women, a program dedicated to honoring women of color making significant impacts in the arts. Please join us Saturday, March 23 at 11 am for this free annual presentation in The Farrell Auditorium. This year’s theme focuses on how three artists reframe portraiture and depict the agency of the female subject within their artistic practice. This year’s artists—Elizabeth De La Piedra, Lola Ayisha Ogbara and Shevaré Perry—will discuss the theme in relation to their work in photography, ceramics and mixed media. De La Piedra is a photographer based in Chi-

cago. Both intimate and directive, her photography speaks to the modern woman as she authentically celebrates form and personal narratives. Ogbara is an interdisciplinary artist. Her artistic practice explores the multifaceted implications and ramifications of sexuality in relation to the human form. Perry explores creative expression through the intersections of visual and theatrical art, fashion and beauty using mixed media accompanied by poetry.

During the panel discussion each artist will relate their artistic practice to a work in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s permanent collection. This link ties their work to art historical sources and to the community of St. Louis. Not only do all three of these women create amazing works of art, but they also empower the female subject through their artistic practice.

The Saint Louis Art Museum hopes that you will join us for If It Wasn’t for the Women: Reimagining Portraiture and Power on Saturday, March 23 at 11 am in The Farrell Auditorium. The program is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be reserved in person at the Museum’s Information Centers or through MetroTix at metrotix.com or 314.534.1111. All tickets reserved through MetroTix incur a service charge; the service charge is waived for tickets picked up at the Museum. Same-day tickets can be obtained on-site.

Library of Congress launches documentary film prize

Documentary filmmakers with films about American history have until June 1 to apply for the inaugural Library of Congress Lavine/ Ken Burns Prize for Film, a new annual award to recognize exemplary accomplishment in historical documentaries. The winner will receive a $200,000 finishing grant to help with the final production of the film.

To be eligible, the project must be a late stage documentary film about American history with a running time of 60 minutes or more. The applicant must have previously produced or directed at least one long-form documentary for broadcast or online distribution. The applicant must submit 20 minutes of a rough or fine cut and a script of a full-length rough or fine cut at time of submission. Upon request, the applicant will need to be able to provide a fulllength rough or fine cut for review. Industrial, promotional, branded content or instructional

films are not eligible.

Carla Hayden, librarian of Congress, said that “piecing together historic photographs, manuscripts, music, oral histories and other primary source materials into a narrative moving image can capture our hearts and minds like nothing else. The library is a treasure trove of these materials, and I hope this new prize elevates awareness of the library as an inspirational national resource among documentary filmmakers of the present and the future.”

The award, which will be presented each fall at a gala at the Library of Congress, is sponsored by the Better Angels Society, the Library of Congress, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation. More information about the award and requirements for submission can be found at: www.thebetterangelssociety.org.

Museum Fellow

Elizabeth De La Piedra

Lola Ayisha Ogbara Shevaré Perry

Circuit attorney fights special prosecutor’s search warrant

“I will not allow shameful overreach to jeopardize the public’s interest and safety’

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner says a search warrant demanding thousands of records from her office is the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s latest attack against her – and one that puts countless people’s privacy at risk.

“The warrant is a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent the law and the people of St. Louis in retribution for my efforts to hold the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department accountable and reform our criminal justice system,” Gardner said in a statement on March 4, after filing a motion to quash the search warrant.

This is the second warrant that Special Prosecutor Gerard Carmody has issued in the grand jury case reviewing whether Gardner’s investigator lied under oath during her work investigating whether thenMissouri Gov. Eric Greitens committed felonious invasion of privacy.

Gardner’s office complied with the first search warrant in January. But the second search warrant, issued on February 21, is so broad that it would require the circuit attorney to hand over “every file in the office,” attorneys representing Gardner and the Circuit Attorney’s Office told a judge at a hearing on Tuesday, March 5. The warrants asks for all files stored on the office’s server that contain 31 common terms, including “notes,” “tape,” and “recording.”

“The warrant places the safety, security, and privacy of certain St. Louis people at risk,” the March 4 motion to halt the search warrant states.

If the information is compromised, the victims’ personal residence, health and financial information is put at risk and suspects of violent crime and corruption may learn of investigations, it further states.

The case is residual baggage from the contentious legal battle to prosecute Greitens, now the former governor, for allegedly taking a semi-nude photo of a woman with whom he had an affair in 2015 and then allegedly transmitting it so it could be viewed on a computer. Greitens’ felony charge was ultimately dropped.

There are still a lot of “personal feelings” and “water under the bridge” left over from that case, according to comments made at the March 5 hearing addressing the Gardner’s motion between Gardner’s attorneys and Carmody’s team. Gardner hired former FBI agent William Tisaby in January 2018 to investigate Greitens because she claimed the police department refused her requests to investigate the governor. The department denied that they were asked. In April, attorneys accused Tisaby of lying about whether he had taken notes during an interview with the woman at the center of the case. The police department decided to investigate this claim, which spurred the grand jury proceedings. In June, Circuit Judge Michael Mullen appointed Gerard Carmody, of Carmody MacDonald law firm, to oversee the grand jury

“There is no guarantee that the special prosecutor – a private citizen – has the security protocols in place to protect the highly sensitive information the warrant seeks.”

investigation into Tisaby’s perjury charge.

However, Gardner alleges in her motion that there is more to this investigation than this perjury charge.

Gardner, the first AfricanAmerican woman to be elected to her position in St. Louis, ran on a promise to “reform a broken system,” the motion states. Since she began her term on January 1, 2017, she claims she has been under “a near-constant barrage of criticism” from the police department for her decisions, including to seek first-degree murder charges against former police officer Jason Stockley for the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith. In August 2018, her office angered the police department when she placed 28 city officers on an “exclusion list,” based on the officers’

“veracity,” it states. Such lists, known as a “Brady list,” are commonly kept by prosecutors to protect the credibility of their witnesses.

Recently, the circuit attorney accused the police of obstruction when her investigators attempted to obtain a drug test from an officer who fatally shot and killed a colleague on January 24. Police Chief John Hayden angrily responded at a press conference saying that Gardner’s accusation was “insulting.”

“The department’s animosity toward the circuit attorney’s efforts resulted in the unprecedented appointment of this special prosecutor,” the motion states. “Now, the unelected special prosecutor is using the warrant to usurp the power of the St. Louis-elected circuit attorney.”

A police spokesperson said the department could not comment on Gardner’s

statement because of the ongoing investigation.

‘Ruin her’

Last spring, Gardner attempted to file a police report alleging that Greitens’ attorneys threatened to “ruin” her.

Gardner told the Associated Press that on March 16, 2018, three weeks after Greitens’ indictment, several of the governor’s lawyers came to her office to try to persuade her to drop the case. “Basically they told me I would be ruined personally, professionally, and it’s only going to get worse,” she told the AP.

She alleged a similar threat was made in April shortly before she filed a second felony charge alleging that Greitens illegally used a donor list from a veterans charity he founded to raise money for his gubernatorial campaign, the AP reported.

Greitens’ attorneys called her claims “completely false.”

Police Sgt. Keith Barrett said the matter is under investigation.

In her motion, Gardner states the search warrant will yield information far outside the scope of whether or not Tisaby lied about his notes on the Greitens case. She believes it is a “clear fishing expedition,” Gardner said in a statement on March 4. “I will not allow shameful overreach to jeopardize the public’s interest and safety.”

She also said, “It is difficult to understand how the notes of Mr. Tisaby remain relevant when everything was disclosed and turned over to the defense in the spring of 2018.” Mullen approved the search warrant. In court on March 5, Mullen said he couldn’t believe Gardner was fighting the search.

“This is a grand jury investigation,” Mullen said. “Time is of the essence, and I think your office is playing games with us.”

Mullen also appointed Carmody, who has worked on cases with Greitens’ attorney Ed Dowd. The American asked the circuit court if any hearings were held regarding Carmody’s potential conflicts of interest as special prosecutor, and Mullen responded that there was at least one hearing on the appointment but no transcript exists. There are no letters or reports explaining Mullen’s decision, and Carmody was not required to fill out any forms regarding potential conflicts of interest, a court spokesman said.

Mullen ordered that Carmody’s team respond to the motion by March 7. The lawyers representing Gardner and the Circuit Attorney’s Office would have until March 11 to offer a response. Mullen said he will make his decision by March 12. Surprised by media attention at the March 5 hearing, Mullen also placed both parties under a gag order.

Photo by Wiley Price

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner

Tools to fight sedentary strain

Even if your work keeps you at a desk, there are options to keep moving

Prolonged sitting has been linked to raising the risk of death and more than a

up from

seat at least every 30 minutes and moving about will help counter the risk from too much sitting.

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Prolonged sitting has been linked to raising the risk of death and more than a dozen diseases, including cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders that cause chronic pain. It is easy to spend hours seated at the desk at work, while driving, while gaming or using other technology devices, watching TV or reading. A Mayo Clinic analysis of 13 studies involving more than a million people found that “sitting for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking.” The analysis also found that

n “Individuals should take any opportunity to take breaks in sitting time and cut down sitting time to whatever degree they can.”

– Alpa Patel, American Cancer Society

60-75 minutes of moderately intense daily physical activity countered the risk from too much sitting. What to do about it? The simple thing to do is to get up from

your seat at least every 30 minutes. Build in some breaks to move about. Stand when you can while talking, reading or performing other tasks.

Alpa Patel, a senior scientific director of Epidemiology Research at the American Cancer Society who was lead author on a study about the health effects of sitting, stated, “While we still have yet to understand how to quantify what a safe amount of sitting time may be, what is clear is that individuals should take any opportunity to take breaks in sitting time and cut down sitting time to whatever degree they can.”

Vaping, an epidemic that needs attention

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League

“We must take aggressive steps to protect our children from these highly potent products that risk exposing a new generation of young people to nicotine. The bad news is that e-cigarette use has become an epidemic among our nation’s young people. However, the good news is that we know what works to effectively protect our kids from all forms of tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes,” said U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams.

“We must now apply these strategies to e-cigarettes, including USB flash driveshaped products such as JUUL. To achieve success, we must work together, aligning and coordinating efforts across both old and new partners at the national, state, and local levels. Everyone can play an important role in protecting our nation’s young people from the risks of e-cigarettes.”

A decade after the introduction of vaping – the inhalation of nicotine vapor rather than smoke produced by a cigarette – a growing body of evidence shows the practice is far more dangerous than assumed and is a major gateway for teens to become addicted to nicotine.

n Black smokers were more likely than whites to turn to vaping as a means of quitting smoking, according to a study by Monica Webb Hooper and Stephanie K. Kolar.

The U.S. surgeon general calls vaping among teens an epidemic. A recent study suggested that teens who vape are more likely to smoke cigarettes and more likely to start smoking at a younger age. Furthermore, the new generation of devices are capable of delivering higher doses of nicotine, leading to greater incidence of addiction, as well as nicotine toxicity and psychiatric symptoms among teenagers that haven’t been observed in adult smokers.

“We let this Frankenstein loose without knowing what was going to happen,” Dr. Sharon Levy, director of the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, ominously observed in a report by CNN. Research has also shown another possible danger in vaping among African Americans. Black smokers were more likely than whites to turn to vaping as a means of quitting smoking, according to a study by Monica Webb Hooper of Case Western Reserve

To get in more activity, Patel suggests standing and folding laundry, or doing See MORIAL, A11

Christian Hospital Auxiliary installs new Board of Directors

200 members – raises funds for hospital equipment, expansion projects and special services to enhance patient care. The group also supports community programs that serve youth and those in need. It also operates the hospital Gift Shop.

The Christian Hospital Auxiliary was named best in the state by the Missouri Hospital Association for 2018 in the large-hospital category for its outstanding contributions to the hospital and community.

Membership is $10 a year and includes invitations to special events. For more information, call 314-6535634.

See SEDENTARY, A11

A10 ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Denise HooksAnderson, MD

The Christian Hospital Auxiliary & Volunteer Services Board of Directors installed new officers for 2019.

Seated: Sheryl McClary, Auxiliary director; Millie Hancock, vice chair; Mary Trice, chair; and Sylvia Selvey, secretary. Auxiliary board members standing: Linda Fritchey, Phyllis Selke, Johnnie Greenlaw, Lee Shields, Linda Rieves, Janet Rector, Sue Pilson, Valerie White and Necole Powell. Not pictured: Martie Buck, treasurer.

The Christian Hospital Auxiliary & Volunteer Services – one of the largest service organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan area, with more than

Moms at risk for postpartum diabetes often aren’t tested

WUSTL researcher says we must ‘close the gap in diabetes screening and prevention’

By Shahla Farzan Of St. Louis Public Radio

Pregnancy triggers a cascade of changes in a woman’s body, including, in some cases, a special form of diabetes. Gestational diabetes — which causes high blood sugar during pregnancy — can lead to health problems for mom and baby. But even after giving birth, the risk persists. More than half of women with gestational diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes, usually within 10 years of giving birth. But a new study from Washington University reports only a fraction of lowincome women in Missouri who develop diabetes during pregnancy are retested after

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simple stretches or exercises while watching TV; getting up and doing something instead of fast-forwarding through commercial breaks; taking short breaks at work to walk around the office building; walking the escalator or stairs instead of taking the elevator; and using the farthest bathroom from your desk. Moreover, there is equipment in the marketplace tailored to offset prolonged sitting while you work.

Executive assistant Kate Daniel found her neck pain and posture problems were made worse by sitting so much.

“We tend to hunch forward and round our back when we sit,” she said. In addition to physical therapy and stretching

having a baby.

Cynthia Herrick, M.D., one of the study co-authors, says gestational diabetes tends to be more common among racial and ethnic minorities — and, if left untreated, can cause serious complications during pregnancy.

“It can lead to babies that are large for gestational age, babies that are born early, and low blood sugar for babies at delivery,” said Herrick, an assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.

n In a study of 1,078 low-income women in Missouri who had gestational diabetes, just under 10 percent had a diabetes test within 12 weeks of delivery, while nearly 20 percent were screened within one year.

Women receiving regular prenatal care are typically screened at 24 to 28 weeks, and in most cases the condition can be managed with exercise and a healthy diet. But issues can arise years after the baby is born, said Herrick. Having gestational diabetes greatly increases your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes — and the risk is considered lifelong.

exercises at home, since 2017 she uses an adjustable standing desk at work and added Titan Fitness, an under-the-desk treadmill, last year.

“By virtue of moving forward and standing, it brings your spine into better alignment and opens your chest and retracts your shoulders and just brings you in a better posture,” Daniel said, “in addition to all the benefits of walking and increased movement.”

The DeskCycle Ellipse also can be used to keep your legs moving at your desk to reduce stiffness and back pain during lengthy sitting sessions at work. It is a miniature elliptical bike that fits under the desk. This cycle is designed to be used while sitting (not standing) for long periods of time at low to medium resistance. There is tension adjustment to make the cycle more challenging, and the progress made on the cycle can be counted as exercise.

Women who developed diabetes while pregnant should be retested four to 12 weeks postpartum and then again every one to three years,

Calories burned, distance and activity time can be inputted into a Fitbit or by using its online site.

This device is quiet, not too big or heavy and portable. I have been using it for several weeks, in addition to getting out of my seat as much as possible. Stiffness is mostly eliminated when I leave my chair, and my legs feel as energized at the end of a day as they do at the beginning. And though I always have cold legs during the winter, I have not needed to use a portable heater under my desk.

“The DeskCycle can help you burn more calories, lose weight, and increase blood circulation,” said Trevin Colburn from 3D Innovations, developer of the Ellipse and other exercise products, “which is great for your heart and keeps you more attentive throughout the day.”

State encourages people to stay caught up on vaccinations

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is reminding people to stay caught up on vaccinations according to schedules recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with several vaccine-preventable diseases, such as mumps and measles, currently circulating across the nation. Health care providers can check a patient’s shot records to see if any doses have been missed and, if so, get the patient fully vaccinated.

Measles has been circulating in several states recently, mostly due to travelers returning with the illness from areas of the world where measles is common and then spreading it, mostly among unvaccinated individuals. It is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, as 90 percent of individuals without immunity that are exposed will become

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Continued from A10

according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

Few studies, however, have examined how many women are actually retested for diabetes after delivery.

Herrick and her colleagues reviewed electronic health records and insuranceclaims data for 1,078 lowincome women in Missouri

who had gestational diabetes between 2010 and 2015. Just under 10 percent of the women had a diabetes test within 12 weeks of delivery, while nearly 20 percent were screened within one year.

Though postpartum-diabetes screening rates in Missouri are low, they’re about two to three times higher than those of similar populations in South Carolina and Maryland.

When it comes to increasing screening rates, Herrick points out it’s important to consider the “numerous challenges women have” after giving birth.

In Missouri, women who become eligible for Medicaid during pregnancy also often lose comprehensive coverage two months after giving birth.

“Because of these myriad challenges, women aren’t able to come back [for testing], and they get lost,” said Herrick. “Having programs that support women from pregnancy to postpartum is really important to close the gap in diabetes screening and prevention.”

Follow Shahla on Twitter: @shahlafarzan.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

Postpartum screening for diabetes usually involves a two-hour fasting blood test at the doctor’s office, which means moms need to coordinate transportation and childcare.

n Several vaccinepreventable diseases, such as mumps and measles, currently are circulating across the nation.

ill with measles. One in four cases need to be hospitalized, one out of every 1,000 cases develops brain swelling, and one or two of 1,000 cases die. The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine. Getting one dose makes 95 percent of people who receive it immune and a second dose produces immunity in 99 percent.

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus and is one of the most commonly reported illnesses in Missouri each year. Serious complications, such as

pneumonia and inflammation of the heart, brain or muscles, can occur in certain high-risk groups of people. Most people recover without medical care, but these complications can require hospitalization or lead to death. The best defense against influenza is the flu vaccine.

DHSS has been responding to a hepatitis A outbreak since September 2017. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A infection can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Although rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people. The vaccine is the best way to protect one’s self against hepatitis A; 95 percent of people who receive it become immune after one dose and 99 percent become immune after two doses.

Delivering ‘Assistance’ to Gateway Michael school

Assistance League of St. Louis brought new school and personal care items to 45 Gateway Michael Elementary School kindergarten through 8th grade students on January 29. This Saint Louis Public School serves students with serious health problems and multiple disabilities. Here Instructional Care Assistant Rosalind Farrell and Assistance League volunteer Bette Goette check out sizing of a pair of uniform pants, part of the package of 22 clothing, books and personal items the children took home. This visit marked a first for the all-volunteer organization that annually serves more than 30 schools across St. Louis. Typically, the 7,800 students who get new uniforms, clothing and other items annually come to Assistance League headquarters for uniform fittings. Assistance League of St. Louis also maintains closets in 19 of public schools in St. Louis so that students may receive necessary clothes and other items on a year-round basis.

University School of Medicine and Stephanie K. Kolar of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Former smokers who began using e-cigarettes were more than 16 times as likely to resume tobacco smoking, according to research by Dr. Russell Bowler, a professor of medicine at National Jewish Health. Webb Hooper and Kolar, who studied racial differences in e-cigarette use, concluded: “If e-cigarette use truly lowers the chances of cessation, this could have a negative impact on the health of AfricanAmerican/black smokers and widen disparities in quitting.”

As a catalyst for change, the Foundation

For these reasons, we were glad to see recent efforts at the state and federal level to curb the use of e-cigarettes and battle nicotine addiction.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it will limit sales of many flavored e-cigarettes to bricks-andmortar outlets that require proof of age for purchase or do not admit people under 19. Stricter verification will be required for online sales And the agency held a hearing last month to consider the potential role of drug therapies in helping teens quit e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, on the state level, legislators in Maine are considering a bill that would ban the use of e-cigarettes or vaping on school grounds. In

Florida, a House committee has just approved a measure that would ban electronic smoking devices in workplaces.

As the surgeon general noted in his advisory, parents, teachers, health professionals, elected officials and community leaders must work together to address the vaping epidemic. Talk to the young people in your life about the risks of vaping. Support community efforts to restrict the use of e-cigarettes, and tell your representatives to enact tough laws aimed at restricting access to nicotine. Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Healthy Kids Kids

calcium include:

Calcium!

Daylight Savings Time

Nutrition Challenge:

Your body uses calcium to build strong bones. By the time you hit the age of 20, your bones have usually completed their growing. So it is during your school years that you need to give your body the most calcium. Drinking soda not only reduces the amount of calcium you consume, it also affects how your body absorbs the calcium you do get.

Daylight Savings starts 3/10/19

This weekend we’ll all turn our clocks forward an hour, resulting in more daylight in the evenings. Use that extra hour to increase your outdoor playtime. As it stays lighter later and later, you can take advantage of this extra time to get plenty of exercise.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that kids between the ages of 9 and 18 years should eat and drink at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day. Some great sources of

Here’s a fun way to do just that.

Pay attention to what time the street lights come on tonight. Now each night after that see how much later they come on. Make it a goal to add that much time to your outdoor active play.

With the warmer weather and increased daylight, there’s no excuse to not

Diversity

What is diversity? As a class, discuss what you think it means. Is it the differences in how we look or act? Is it the differences in where we live, work or go to school?

Break into small groups and create two lists: what everyone in the group has in common and what are the differences.

Is it bad to be different? What are some advantages to being around people that are different than you?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 2, NH 4

> Milk – 8 oz. (300 mg)

> American Cheese – 2 oz. (300 mg)

> Cottage Cheese – 4 oz. (70 mg)

Look for “calcium-fortified” foods and beverages to boost your calcium intake.

FYI— If you choose lowerfat skim milk, it has the same calcium as whole milk!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

get in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Why not try for a goal of 60 minutes at least 4 days per week? You’ll look and feel better!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

of St. Louis County. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Lutheran High School of St. Charles County. I earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and a master of social work from the University of Kansas. I am currently working towards a

What

workers in my building. I regularly work with

10-15 students. I help kids manage their emotions so that they can do well in school. I teach these

thin “sticks” and cut ham in half. Wrap ham around jicama sticks and dip in mustard.

What

accomplishing our goals of developing the skills needed to be successful in life. This has ultimately led to me opening a private practice called Hearts at Play Counseling, LLC (www.heartsatplaycounseling.com).

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Cottage Che e

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Academy

Owens and Chase Jones (standing) how to use the newspaper’s NIE page to find relevant STEM lessons.

Louis American.

nie@stlamerican.com.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN STATISTICIAN AND EDUCATOR: Nancy Glenn

Scientific Method!

Have you heard of the scientific method? It starts with a question. For example, maybe you are curious about how fluorescent light affects plant growth. Next, is background research. You’ll look up facts using books and the internet. You can also talk to people who have knowledge about your topic. After research, you’ll form a hypothesis. This is where you state what you believe will happen, (ex: Fluorescent lights will negatively impact plant growth).

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Background Information:

In this activity, you will experiment with “mean” and “median,” which are two important math concepts.

Materials Needed: • Deck of Cards with Face Cards Removed (jacks, queens and kings)

• Paper • Marker • Partner Process:

q Divide the sheet of white paper into three sections using the marker. Write the word “mean” at the top of the far left column, “median” on top of the center column, and “Which is greater?” on the far right column..

Then, you’ll experiment to test your hypothesis—gathering data and making observations. When it is completed, you will draw conclusions on the results and share what you’ve learned.

View the Scientific Method Rap Here: https://www. youtube.com/ watch?v=wlb7tLJy5AI.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

RIght in the Middle?

e Calculate the mean of the cards by adding all five cards together and dividing by five. (Aces=1). Write the answer in the “mean” column.

r Find the median of the four cards. Arrange them from smallest to largest and find the number in the middle of the sequence. Write the number in the “median” column.

t Finally, determine which number is greater—the mean or the median—and write that answer in the final column.

y Continue steps 2-5 until the deck is depleted.

Analyze: What did you learn about mean and median?

w Shuffle the deck of cards. Hand the cards to your partner and ask them to deal you five cards.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete a task. I can analyze results.

MATH CONNECTION

Probability is the likelihood that an event will occur. For example, there may be a 60% probability for rain storms. For these questions, you will need a deck of cards to determine probability.

Directions: Determine the probability of each question.

z What is the probability of drawing a red card from a deck of cards?

DID YOU KNOW?

x What is the probability of drawing a club from a deck of cards?

c What is the probability of drawing a 3 from a deck of cards?

v What is the probability of drawing a joker from a deck of cards?

b What is the probability of drawing a king from a deck of cards? _______________

Learning Standards: I can determine probability.

Nancy Glenn was born in Charleston, North Carolina. In 1987, she earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of South Carolina. Eight years later, she earned her statistics degree there. In 2002, Glenn became the first African American to

earn a PhD in Statistics at Rice University in Houston, Texas. She completed her postdoctoral research with the National Security Agency.

Glenn returned to the University of South Carolina as an assistant professor in the Department of Statistics while she completed research about cancer cells and DNA, publishing her findings in research journals. Her research in Nonparametric Statistics and Bioinformatics was funded by such organizations as the National Institute of Health and NASA. Glenn also was a reviewer for several statistical research journals. In 2007, she became an assistant professor at Texas Southern University, teaching for the Department of Mathematical Sciences. There, she developed a course for STEM students that prepared them for graduate school, to earn more advanced degrees. Glenn is also a representative for the American Statistical Association. Learning Standards: I can read about a person who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics.

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One

Theme: Choose one story from each section of the newspaper. Identify the theme of each story. As a class, compare the various themes found in each section of the paper, as well as specific details that develop the theme.

Activity Two — Sports Statistics: Locate sports statistics in the newspaper. How are they reported? Calculate statistics for your school’s sports teams. How do the numbers compare?

Learning Standards: I can identify theme, calculate statistics, and compare numbers.

Lyon

at Blow 8th grade teacher Amy Welch, shows students Abdi Abdi, Curtis Gray, T’Darrian

Photo by Wiley Price/ St.

Links donates materials, reads aloud to ESL Head Start kids

By Patricia Merritt Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

In celebration of the nationwide Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Friday, March 1, SIUE Head Start and the Gateway Chapter of the Links, Incorporated promoted literacy with the reading of Dr. Seuss’ One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish at Head Start’s Discovery Center for Little Scholars at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. The Links also donated more than $1,000 in merchandise to various SIUE Head Start centers throughout St. Clair County. The women’s organization gave away tables, soil for gardening, a microwave, a Keurig, a white board and four cozy corner canopies.

“We are a service organization that believes in the importance of literacy and education,” said Judith Griffin, chair of the Links’ Services to Youth Facet. “We have long contributed to not for profit organizations in Illinois and Missouri. This is not the first time that we’ve given to SIUE Head Start.”

Link member Patricia Wharton, who helped coordinate the donation and literacy event, recommended SIUE Head Start to be a donor recipient. Reading for the day was Link member Bonnie Gipson.

“We were more than happy to coordinate this important event with the Gateway Chapter of the Links,” said Heidi Eichenseer, Discovery Center coordinator. “We have coordinators from seven of our Head Start centers today, and each center will receive one of the gifts donated by the Links.”

The Links, Incorporated, one of the country’s oldest and largest service organizations, is an international, not-forprofit corporation established in 1946. Membership consists of more than 15,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters in 42 states. The key programming initiatives are organized into five facets: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The Gateway Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, was chartered in 1986.

Enterprise awards $600,000 matching gift for groundbreaking business initiative

At a reception recently in St. Louis, Enterprise Holdings Foundation awarded $600,000 to The HistoryMakers to help raise the profile and public understanding of African-American achievement in business. The grant will help develop the most comprehensive video recording of the lives, careers, and accomplishments of African-American business leaders.

“We are thrilled that the Enterprise Holdings Foundation has chosen to support our work in this way,” said Julieanna Richardson, founder and president of The HistoryMakers. “Because of this generous gift, The HistoryMakers will be able to begin the process of creating the definitive recording of African-American business leaders.” Richardson added that the contribution was in response to a 9 to 1 challenge grant from Dorothy Terrell, former president of Sun Microsystems.

The HistoryMakers had set a $1 million goal to establish the “BusinessMakers” segment on its online portal.

The HistoryMakers BusinessMakers category currently includes the interviews of over 300 business leaders in 81 cit-

ies and towns. Some of those already featured in the category include recently retired American Express CEO Ken Chenault; Merck & Co., Inc.

CEO Ken Frazier; Johnson

Publishing founder John H. Johnson; former Xerox

CEO Ursula Burns; Motown

founder Berry Gordy; RadioOne founder Cathy Hughes; among others.

“The Enterprise Holdings Foundation is proud to help The HistoryMakers tell the untold

stories of both well-known and unsung African Americans in business,” said Carolyn Kindle Betz, senior vice president and executive director of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

“This initiative is a terrific way to recognize African-American business leaders of the past, while encouraging future leaders of tomorrow.”

Over the next two to three years, according to Richardson, The HistoryMakers will focus on adding 150 additional

interviews of noted African American business leaders to its collection – increasing its BusinessMakers category to 500. Currently, the history of African Americans in business make up less than one percent of Harvard Business School case studies, and there are no dedicated exhibits or collection of African American business leaders in any of the nation’s repositories.

Top: Steven Roberts, Sr., The Honorable Anne-Marie Clarke, Barrietta Killiebrew, Jamala Rogers, Lois Conley, Alice Windom, Jack Arnett Kirkland, Priscilla Hill-Ardoin (Reception Chair) and Keith H. Williamson.

Left: Alonzo Byrd (Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.), Barbara Taylor, Andrew C. Taylor ( Executive Chairman, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.), Priscilla Hill-Ardoin (Board Member, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.) & Julieanna Richardson (Founder & President, The HistoryMakers)

Business

‘Reading with the Stars’ in Jennings

Salute connection leads to mentoring opportunity for broadcast journalism professional

By Pat Matreci

For The St. Louis American

While reading to youngsters at Fairview Elementary School last fall, Brittney Verner could look into their eyes and see herself. Verner, who was then a reporter for KSDKTV, made weekly visits to the school for a special program, “Reading with the Stars,” a 10-week literacy program during which Verner read books focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) to the children to promote literacy and expose them to those fields of study.

Verner could relate to the youngsters because she was once just like them.

“I, too, was a young child living in Detroit, Michigan, in an underprivileged and underserved

n “The administrative team believes the love of reading would serve as a gateway for students to realize their dreams beyond school in various career pathways.”

– Mark Davis, assistant principal

community,” she said. “Therefore, I understand the challenges that kids often face, and I understand how important it is to have mentors and successful people around you cheering you on.”

She also understands the importance of

reading.

“When I was younger I loved to read. It was a way for me to expand my imagination and learn about a different world that existed other than my own,” Verner said.

As an adult, Verner has made a personal commitment to volunteer in underprivileged areas and try to mentor kids to help them achieve professional and educational success.

The relationship with Fairview Elementary was formed after Verner met Mark Davis, the school’s assistant principal, at the St. Louis American’s 2018 Salute to Excellence in Education gala. She also was impressed with Jennings School District Superintendent Art

See READING, B2

Denise McField was inducted into the 2019 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for Track and Field. As head coach at Berkeley High School from 1986 to 1993, McField led girls track and field teams to win state championships in 1990, 1991, and 1993. Originally from Jamaica, she also represented her home country as an alternate in the 4x100 meter relay in the 1976 Summer Olympics. She is now a physical education teacher at Jefferson Elementary School.

Derick D. Dailey was appointed inaugural chair of the Young Friends of ArchCity Defenders, a nonprofit civil rights law firm, and a member of its board. The new group seeks to energize and mobilize new and existing supporters and allies of the ArchCity Defenders’ mission. Dailey is an associate at the law firm Dowd Bennett LLP. Visit www.archcitydefenders.org for more information.

Shirley Washington is featured in HCI’s latest book, “Success Stories From The Heart: Passionate and Caring Stories to Open the Heart and Energize the Spirit to Succeed in Life and Love.” She penned a story about life lessons she learned from her mother. Washington is a Fox 2 News anchor and host of “The Pulse of St. Louis.” HCI is the original publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Marquise S. Mcdowell graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland, San Antonio, Texas as an U.S. Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class. He completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is a 2013 graduate of Hazelwood Central High School.

(Shan) Lewis

American staff

LaKenya Roberson, Richard von Glahn, Sonja Gholston-Byrd, Keith Robinson are awarded

n “We can best express our love for Dr. King and the things he so courageously stood for by rededicating ourselves to the struggle for jobs and better working conditions.”

– Jay Ozier

The St. Louis Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Chapter held its 41st Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Awards Banquet on January 21 at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 Union Hall. Four hundred and fifty guests braved the cold winter night to attend the gala honoring Dr. King’s birthday and to pay tribute to the 2019 awardees. Speakers included state Senators Jamilah Nasheed and Karla May; St. Louis Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler; Reverend Tommie Pierson Sr., pastor of Greater St. Mark Family Church; and Mike Louis, president of the

See CBTU, B2

LaShana (Shän) Lewis was placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster, making her eligible to be matched with projects designed by host institutions in over 150 countries globally. She is CEO of L. M. Lewis Consulting, which helps make companies more diverse through assistance with recruitment, hiring, and retention best practices, and serves as the chief technology officer of MultiPass, which seeks to network coworking spaces.

Myron W. Jones received the Faculty Humanitarian Award from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He is an assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry. He also serves as project director for the SIUE Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program. A National Science Foundation-funded activity through Chicago State University, this program provides tutoring support and research stipends to minority students in STEM research.

On the move? Congratulations! Send your professional news and a

headshot to cking@stlamerican.com

LaShana

Derick D. Dailey

Myron W. Jones

Marquise S. Mcdowell

Denise McField

Shirley Washington

Brittney Verner (standing to the right) with Mrs. Harrell’s 2nd grade class at Fairview Elementary in the Jennings School District.

“I understand how important it is to have mentors and successful people around you cheering you on, Verner said.

Richard Womack Jr., Jay Ozier, Keith Robinson, LaKenya Roberson, Richard von Glahn and Sonja Gholston-Byrd at the St. Louis Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Chapter’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Awards Banquet on January 21 at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 Union Hall.

READING

continued from page B1

McCoy Jr., whom she met upon first arriving in St. Louis in 2018.

“He was very passionate about his students, and I admired his forward thinking and his ability to create unique ways to make sure his students were successful,” Verner said of McCoy. “That’s why I wanted to be a part of the excellent work they were already doing in their district to make sure kids were exposed to the best.” Jennings School District leadership and Fairview Elementary School administrators frequently review school achievement data. Last summer, Davis and Melisha Carson, the school’s principal, determined that literacy should be the No. 1 focus. A daily, common reading intervention time was implemented for all students in grades 1 through 6 to emphasize the need for intensive support with struggling learners, including guided reading, phonemic awareness, and other literacy strategies.

After some brainstorming, Davis came up with the name “Reading with the Stars.” The program was promoted by the involvement of Verner as a community leader and local celebrity and the teaching and administrative staff at Fairview. The program’s aims were to increase the love of reading, promote STEAM awareness and interest among young children, and provide new books for students to enjoy at no cost.

“We determined that emphasizing the love of reading to young children was equally important as literacy intervention,” Davis said. “The administrative team believes the love of reading would serve as a gateway for students to realize their dreams beyond school in various career pathways.”

Verner concurred, citing statistics that show that one

in six children who are not reading proficiently in the third grade do not graduate from high school on time.

“In my opinion, it is extremely important for youngsters to be exposed to STEM and STEAM as early as possible to get ahead of the curve,” Verner said. “Our world is constantly changing, especially in the STEM fields. I think it’s important that we begin to expose children to these subjects to help pique their curiosity.”

Davis noted that students and staff were very receptive to the program.

“As a celebrity/community leader, Brittney maintained

n The relationship with Fairview Elementary was formed after Verner met the school’s assistant principal at the St. Louis American’s 2018 Salute to Excellence in Education.

an electrifying personality, which garnered the attention and excitement of all students,” Davis said. Verner said the students would light up each week when she passed their classrooms.

“Some asked if I was coming back to read and do activities with them again; others asked if I was coming to visit their classrooms at all,”

she said. “I would read to them and then, after story time, we would have a quiz about the book to see if they remembered the information. The teachers were extremely supportive in the readings and critical thinking activities we conducted during our time.”

At the end of the program, each student received an autographed copy of a book called “Mikey Learns about Business,” which was written by a local student in the Jennings School District who talks about his journey toward entrepreneurship. Stifel Bank & Trust teamed with KMPG Accounting and the St. Louis NAACP chapter to provide the funds to purchase each of the students in kindergarten through second grade a copy of the Mikey book. They also contributed a copy of “Budget Bunny and the Lemonade

CBTU

continued from page B1

Missouri AFL-CIO. Richard Womack Jr., assistant to AFLCIO International President Richard Womack, served as the keynote speaker.

Chapter President Jay Ozier, presented awards to LaKenya Roberson, Richard von Glahn, Sonja Gholston-Byrd and Keith Robinson.

LaKenya Roberson is staff organizer for the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 655. Roberson served as the St. Louis city field director for the We Are Missouri Campaign to defeat Prop A Right to Work (RTW). Her stellar dedication and hard work led to 88 percent African

Stand,” a coloring book developed by the United Way and Stifel Bank to introduce students to financial education topics.

Suzanne Algin, community development officer at Stifel Bank & Trust, noted that the bank likes to get into the classrooms and connect with students about age-appropriate financial literacy and business curriculum. It was a perfect match.

“Our Budget Bunny program is a great engine for connecting with kids, and ‘Reading with the Stars’ seemed perfectly aligned with our goals,” she said.

“We were happy to provide copies of the ‘Mikey Learns about Business’ book, with its focus on entrepreneurialism, because that is a theme so close to our business model. We were grateful to support this opportunity as well as provide copies of ‘Budget Bunny and the Lemonade Stand,’ an activity book we created in conjunction with United Way of Greater St. Louis and Lion Forge Labs, which teaches financial capabilities of spend, save, and share in an

Americans voting NO against RTW (for less) in St. Louis city.

Richard von Glahn, Policy director for Jobs with Justice, was recognized for spearheading the ballot initiatives to Raise Missouri Minimum Wage (Prop B) and CLEAN – Amendment 1 to clean up Missouri politics.

Sonja Gholston-Byrd, director of Labor Engagement for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, was recognized for her tireless dedication to support the St. Louis Building Trades, Building Union Diversity (BUD) Program to increase minorities and women into the Building Trades through a mentoring program that connects BUD graduates with experienced minorities and women Tradespersons.

Brittney Verner (in the center in the black hat) with Ms. Pleshe’s Kindergarten class at Fairview Elementary in the Jennings School District. “I want them to know that success is attainable no matter where you come from or how bad your situation may seem,” Verner said.

entrepreneurial story geared toward grade school students.” Verner, who has since moved on to WJAX-TV in Jacksonville, Florida, said she hopes this literacy program can be a model for something that will live on for many years. She leaves a message not only to the youngsters at Fairview Elementary, but to others throughout the St. Louis area.

“I want them to know that success is attainable no matter where you come from or how bad your situation may seem,” Verner said.

“I’ve gone through a public school system that didn’t have the finances to equip its students with the latest technology or even books, for that matter. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, which means I’ve witnessed the ups and downs of the economy. I’ve gone through good and bad times just like everyone else. I want kids to know that no matter the challenges, persevere, remain resilient, and stay optimistic. And I want them to do it with an enlightening book in their hands.”

Keith Robinson, president of the St. Louis A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI) Chapter, was honored for his staunch efforts to increase voter participation in the St. Louis metro area with strong emphases on high school and college students, in addition to a stellar program to provide rides to the polls for those without transportation.

“We can best express our love for Dr. King and the things he so courageously stood for by rededicating ourselves to the struggle for jobs and better working conditions,” Ozier said, “to the struggle for peace, to the struggle for social, economic and racial justice and to the struggle to free all political prisoners.”

n “I didn’t really come into this game to have cameras in my face.”

— Kyrie Irving

Sports

~ See ‘Sports Eye’ page B4 ~

Top teams heading to semis

Vashon

The Vashon Wolverines will be spending the weekend in a familiar place, which would be the Final Four of the state tournament.

The Wolverines are headed to Springfield to participate in the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 state tournament, which will be held at the JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University. Vashon will be making its 21st appearance in the state tournament.

Vashon (24-5) will take on Charleston (2010) in the first semifinal game, which will tip off this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The next semifinal game will pit Springfield Catholic (28-3) vs. St. Paul Lutheran (27-10). The winners will play for the state championship on Friday at 2:40 p.m. The losing teams will play for third place on Friday at 11 a.m. It will be the third Final Four appearance for the Wolverines in the past four years. Vashon won back-to-back Class 4 state championships in 2016 and 2017. Their bid for a three-peat was stopped in the sectional playoffs by St. Mary’s last season. Vashon dropped down to Class 3 this season and has been impressive in the postseason against some formidable competition.

The Wolverines defeated a strong Cardinal Ritter team 85-62 in the District 7 championship game. After defeating Hancock in the state sectionals, Vashon took apart Trinity 70-53 in last weekend’s state quarterfinals at Normandy High. Vashon entered the game as the No. 1 team in the state while Trinity was ranked No. 3. The Wolverines scored the game’s first nine points and were never threatened.

Vashon has one of the state’s most talented teams, regardless of class, and it played a national schedule against some of the top programs in the country. They are led by 6’2” senior guard Mario McKinney, who is headed to the University of Missouri next season. McKinney is a dynamic athlete who can excite the crowd at

James’ recent body language, defensive effort and somber post-game interviews suggest that after eight consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, the “King” has resigned to the fact that he will get an early vacation for the first time since 2005. That season, he was just 20-years-old. Over the past week, social media feeds have been filled with articles, memes, gifs, talking screaming heads, video clips and jokes at the Lakers’ expense.

“What’s wrong with LeBron?”

“Let’s stop the Jordan comparisons now, LeBron is finished!”

“Is this your KING?!?!?!”

Let’s not kid ourselves though. From a personal standpoint, James is having a remarkable season. Check the

In an era of discontent and deeply partisan politics, it’s not often that Americans are able to experience moments when the nation comes together with a common interest. That’s why it has been such a sight to see people from all walks of life on one common accord. Men and women, blacks and whites, liberals and conservatives have all joined together to tap dance on the grave of the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff aspirations. Through 64 games, the Lakers record sits at a ho-hum 30-34. That places the Lakers at 10th (tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves) in the Western Conference. With only 18 games remaining in the regular season, LeBron James and Co. find themselves fiveand-a-half games out of the eighth and final playoff spot. While the team is not technically eliminated from playoff contention, it would take a spectacular late-season run to turn around the team’s fortunes. That seems implausible considering that over the last 10 games, the Lakers record is 3-7.

Blues coach Craig Berube once called a black player a monkey, ‘with no racist intent.’

Earl Austin Jr.

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Blues coach Craig

Berube once called a black player a monkey, ‘with no racist intent.’

You ever hear a name and think, “I’ve heard of that person before, but I can’t remember from where?”

After tossing it around in your mind a few dozen times, you either remember, or give up and store it in the massive file which is our brain.

When the St. Louis Blues dismissed Mike Yeo and named Craig Berube interim head coach on November 19, I got that “where do I know this name Berube from? I knew he once played for the Washington Capitals because I had just moved back to St. Louis from Northern Virginia in 1995 and had seen the Caps play several games. This was months ago, and I hadn’t given it anymore thought –and then, last week, someone reminded me.

believed Berube.

“Craig in his mind and in his heart of hearts believes it wasn’t intended as a racist remark. He says it wasn’t motivated in that way and I believe him. I’m not defending what he said, but he grew up in a different culture, and in his mind, there was no racist intent,” McPhee said.

I have never met a Native American person that believed it was acceptable to insult black people with slurs like “monkey.” I’m not sure where that was coming from, but Berube’s explanation must have seemed plausible at the time.

In November 1997, Berube and Florida Panthers rookie Peter Worrell, who is black, had an on-ice skirmish. It led to Berube calling Worrell a monkey.

Berube, who is of Native American descent, apologized and said he “meant nothing racist by his remark.”

Reportedly, this was not the first time Berube called a player a monkey – all of them had not been black. He maintained it was a cultural thing, not a racist attack.

George McPhee, who was Capitals vice president and general manager when the ugly incident occurred, said he

I doubt it would fly now, and he would face harsh punishment. By the way, Berube still carries the nickname, “Chief,” which he was tagged with as a player.

The National

Hockey League suspended Berube for a grand total of one game and he forfeited about $7,500 in salary.

“It obviously hurt the other player and when things like that are said action needs to be taken,” McPhee said.

Earlier that month, Capitals forward Chris Simon, who also has a Native American heritage, laid a racial slur on Edmonton’s Mike Grier and received a three-game suspension.

McPhee said his players would go through “some type of sensitivity training.”

Berube reportedly apologized to Worrell in a 15-minute

phone call and Worrell accepted the apology.

“He apologized and said the way it was said was not in the context that it was meant,” Worrell said following the incident.

“He sounded very sincere

doesn’t put up with nonsense. He’s demanding, though not demeaning. Honesty isn’t the best policy; it’s the policy.”

I’ll be honest. I think Berube’s explanation for the racial slur in 1997 was nonsense. I think he was trying to demean Worrell.

But it was a long time ago. He could be a better man now.

I certainly hope so.

Worrell unplugged

We heard from the young Worrell in 1997, but he remains vocal about the racism he and other players of color heard from fans and opposing players and still hear today.

Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, a 24-year old black player, left a minor league game in Canada after racist fan taunts and threats toward him and his family got out of hand. Instead of protecting his family, security officials suggested they move to other seats. In hockey-crazy Canada, it was a lead sports story in several publications and on television

“I was conflicted. I just wanted to fling my stick in the guy’s face, he told the BBC after the game.

and I take him for his word and respect him for that. For me, it’s a dead issue.”

It was Worrell’s second game in the NHL and, it’s my guess, he didn’t want to make any waves in a league that had few black players at that time.

“I have bigger things to worry about,” Worrell said.

“I’m trying to stick with this team. I have too many things to worry about and too many goals to achieve.”

That’s what is called the high road.

The Blues were a mess when Berube took over. They would qualify for the playoffs if the postseason started today. The players believe in him and have responded with a turnaround unmatched by any NHL team.

Benjamin Hochman, PostDispatch sports columnist, recently wrote, “Craig Berube

“But then I was thinking of doing what I did, which was to leave the game peacefully and make a change after.”

The guy he is referring to was yelling racial insults and showing Diaby photos of baboons on his phone. It was captured on video.

Last April, Detroit Red Wings prospect Givani Smith needed a police escort to junior league playoff games after receiving racially motivated hate messages and death threats on social media.

Certainly reminded of the Berube incident, Worrell told the BBC after Diaby’s racist attack, “It’s the same crap that people do all the time. It always goes back to the monkey, it always goes back to the bananas, it always goes back to ‘go back to Africa.’”

“Basketball isn’t made for black people. Hockey isn’t made for whites,” Worrell said.

He also called out the black community for also

stereotyping its own athletes.

“It’s not just white people who have that thought process. Quite frankly there’s a lot of people in the African-American community who feel the same way, which has always mindboggled me, as to why you would limit your possibilities,” he said.

Last year, the NHL launched its “hockey is for everyone” campaign to promote its commitment to diversity. It also appointed Kim Davies to the position vice-president in charge of social equity. While it won’t solve the problems, it’s a commendable move.

About 7 percent of NHL hockey players identify as non-white. Sixty-six percent of NFL football players, 75 percent of NBA basketball players and about 60 percent of MLB baseball players fit that description. My guess is less than 7 percent of NFL fans are people of color.

Willie O’Ree became the NHL’s first black player in 1958. His skin color limited his opportunity, but he continues to support the game and attract minority players to the ice. It took 60 years for O’Ree to finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“Is it hockey that has the race problem or is it society that has the race problem?” David Singh of SportsNet asked in a recent article.

“The simplest answer is that hockey has predominantly been a white sport and it’s been viewed as a white sport since forever.”

The Reid Roundup Through Monday’s games at Spring Training, Dexter Fowler was 2-for-13 (.154) and Tyler O’Neill was 3-for17 (.176)…Marcel Ozuna was 0-for-10…Since Jayson Tatum declared during the All-Star break the Boston Celtics would reach the NBA Finals, his team went 1-5… Tatum is ranked eighth on ESPN’s Top 25 under age 25 rankings…Bradley Beal is being called “The second Ray Allen…Beal is averaging Beal is averaging 25.7 points, 5.4 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Allen never registered a 25-5-5 season... Is anyone else tiring of Kyrie Irving’s brooding? I am… The L.A. Lakers couldn’t acquire Anthony Davis so Magic Johnson and LeBron James entertained signing Carmelo Anthony. Insert laughter here…Free-agent outfielder Adam Jones, one of MLB’s top black stars, remains unsigned.

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

In November 1997, Craig Berube and Florida Panthers rookie Peter Worrell, who is black, had an on-ice skirmish. It led to Berube calling Worrell a monkey.

The Missouri Valley Conference for years has produced numerous players who have local ties to area schools. The list of names is quite impressive: Southern Illinois University Hall of Famer and former Jennings High school star Darren Brooks, S.I.U.Carbondale and Belleville East standout Stetson Hairston, former Alton Redbird star Kavon Lacey, East St. Louis Senior High School and Bradley University star Phillip Gilbert, along with his uncle Alexander Gilbert, who was a starter alongside the great Larry Bird for Indiana State’s 1979 NCAA national runner-up team. In addition, the list extends to local players who are currently playing in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Here is a list of this year’s Missouri Valley Conference local flavor:

Noah FrederkingEvansville Purple Aces Frederking played for Okawville High School and

CLUTCH

With Maurice Scott jr.

Local flavor in the Valley

averaged 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists as a senior. Frederking as a senior helped guide his team to the Illinois Class 1A State Championship game.

Jordan Barnes- Christian Brothers College (CBC) –Indiana State Sycamores Barnes has been a mainstay for Indiana State. The former St. Louis Eagles AAU player was teammates of Jayson Tatum, (Boston Celtics) Tyler Cook (Iowa) Jerimiah Tilmon (Mizzou) when they finished second in NIKE EYBL competition in the summer of 2016. The 5’11” guard is averaging 14.7 points, and 3.3 assists, while shooting 34 percent from 3-point range. Last season, Barnes was named to the All MVC Team and Captain of the MVC Most Improved Team.

Emondre RickmanCollinsville High School/ Indiana State Sycamores Rickman was teammates in middle school at East St. Louis

Continued from C7 deadline debacle, the Lakers organization can blame its futility on two gigantic problems and neither is James’ level of play. Injuries have taken a great toll on the team’s record. James has missed 18 games due to injury or rest. Other key players missing a significant amount time are Rajon Rondo (34 games), Brandon Ingram (12 games) and Lonzo Ball (17 games). Without a consistent lineup, it’s been difficult for the Lakers to gain any sort of consistency on the court. An even greater obstacle to the Lakers’ success has been the lack of shooters surrounding its centerpiece. Magic

PREP

Continued from C7

any time. The junior trio of 6’7” forward Cam’Ron Fletcher, 6’0” guard Phillip Russell and 6’6” guard Kobe Clark are all excellent players who are being recruited by NCAA Division I schools. The fifth starter is 6’2” senior guard Donyae McCaskill, who has already signed with Portland. The Wolverines also have plenty of quality depth, including 6’2” senior guard Chanze Carusoe, 5’8” sophomore Recko Bailey, 6’5” senior Cyrus Alexander and 6’5” sophomore Nicholas Kern.

Lutheran North girls are headed to Final Four

The Lutheran North girls will also be making the trip to the Final Four for the sec-

ond time in three years. The Crusaders punched their ticket to Springfield with a 51-41 victory over Whitfield in the state quarterfinals at Normandy. Lutheran North (25-6) will meet Licking (26-4) in the Class 3 state semifinals tonight at 6:50 p.m. Strafford (31-0) will take on Trenton (26-0) in the other semifinal game in a battle of unbeaten teams. The winners will meet for the state championship on Friday at 4:30 p.m. while the two losing teams will play for third place on Friday at 12:30 p.m.

The Crusaders feature an experienced group of players, led by 5’9” senior guard Madison Buford, who is averaging 15.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game. Senior forward Kaylynn Hayden is averaging 15.6 points and 5.5 rebounds while senior guard Jordyn White averages 6.8 points while playing shut-down defense against the opposing

Lincoln with future NFL players Terry Beckner Jr. (Mizzou) and Alabama offensive guard Lester Cotton.

Rickman played his high school basketball at Collinsville High School for coach Darren Lee.

The 6’9” senior has played in every game for the Sycamores, starting 24 of them. In addition, Rickman is averaging 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds along with 12 steals with an impressive 28 blocks this season. His highlights this season include 13 points against UNLV, and 12 points against Valparaiso University and Evansville respectively. Rickman is a communication major at Indiana State.

action in the Regional Final against eventual National Champion Villanova. Webster has played in all 31 games averaging 7.6 points per game, 5.2 assists, with 35 steals and 23 blocks. He was named to the MVC All-Newcomer Team.

Aaron CookWestminsterSouthern Illinois The 6’2” junior guard during the 201718 was named to the MVC All-Improved Team and the MVC All Academic Second Team. Cook had a 23-point outburst against Southeast Missouri State back in December. In addition, Cook has started 31 games for the Salukis this season.

Josh Webster- Christian Brothers College (CBC)Missouri State Webster played his junior season at Texas Tech for head coach Chris Beard and saw

Johnson and Rob Pelinka took a lot of flak during the offseason for its questionable offseason acquisitions. James thrived in Cleveland the past few seasons by being surrounded by shooters. However, the Lakers “other” big free agent signings were Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee. That’s not exactly the “Splash Brothers.” Though Rondo, Ingram and

team’s top player. This senior trio all surpassed the 1,000point plateau in their careers this season.

Senior forward Amaya Earls is a solid role player who shoots 38 percent from 3-point range while 5’10” sophomore Taleah Dilworth is a talented young guard who averages 6.5 points a game. Senior point guard Raevyn Ferguson and sophomore MaKayla Williams provide excellent minutes off the bench for Crusaders.

Class 4 and 5 Quarterfinals are this weekend

Final Four berths will be on the line for the large schools in Missouri as the winners from Wednesday night sectional games will compete in state quarterfinal games in the state. The Class 5 quarterfinals involving area teams will be held on Saturday at Lindenwood University with boys games at 1 p.m. and 6

The sT. Louis american PreP aThLeTe oF The Week A’Tavian Butler

McCluer North – Boys Basketball

The standout senior guard was dominant in leading the Stars to the Class 5, District 5 championship last week at Webster Groves.

The 6’2” Butler averaged 24 points and eight rebounds a game as the Stars defeated SLUH and Webster Groves to win the district championship. He had 21 points, six rebounds and three steals in a 64-38 victory over SLUH in the semifinals. In the championship game,

Butler scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 75-55 victory over Webster Groves. For the season, Butler is averaging 20.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 57 percent from the field in leading the Stars to a 25-3 record. McCluer North faced Hazelwood Central in the Class 5 sectionals on Wednesday night.

Je’Naiya Davis Parkway North – Girls Basketball

The standout senior guard led the Vikings to the championship of the Class 4, District 7 tournament at Ladue last week.

The 5’9” Davis averaged 18 points and nine rebounds in the Vikings two victories over John Burroughs and Westminster Christian in the district tournament. Davis had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 64-47 victory over John Burroughs in the semifinals. She followed up with 18 points

and 10 rebounds in a 56-52 victory over Westminster in the championship game. For the season, Davis is averaging 21 points a game, which is third in the St. Louis metro area. She is also averaging 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game in leading the Vikings to a 22-6 record. She also set the school’s single season scoring record during last Friday’s district championship game.

son best 34-pt outburst and 24 points in back-back games against Evansville and Illinois State University. In addition, Fletcher had a 34-point outing against Indiana State in January. Armon Fletcher will be a player to watch for the Salukis and Head Coach Barry Hinson. Fletcher was coached in high school by the legendary Mike Waldo.

Brendon Gooch –Belleville Althoff

The 6’5” sophomore has played in 16 games during the 2018-19 season for the Salukis. Season highs are 9 points against Howard University and 32 minutes against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

Scott’s Notes

Armon FletcherEdwardsville High School Last season Fletcher was an All-MVC Second Team member. Fletcher had a sea-

Kyle Kuzma are passable deep shooters, James has been the team’s only reliable three-point threat for most of the season. Reggie Bullock, a 38.5 percent three-point shooter this season, wasn’t acquired until the trade deadline.

James is the only player on the roster averaging at least two three-pointers made per game. For comparison’s sake, the Rockets currently have four

p.m. The girls’ quarterfinals games will be held at 2:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Class 4 boys state quarterfinal games will be held on

As the prep high school basketball season is coming to a close, look for these names to make a major impact next season at the guard position in the Southwestern Conference in 2019.

players knocking down least two treys per night, including Harden with 4.6. The Bucks have three players that fit the bill.

In a three-point shooting era, the current form of the Lakers just weren’t built for success this season. To quote Dennis Green, “They are who we thought they were.”

Unfortunately for the Lakers, the deep and talent-

Saturday at Jefferson College in Hillsboro and Francis Howell Central at 1 p.m. The girls’ games will be held at Jefferson College and Francis

Ray’Sean TaylorCollinsville

The smooth point guard for the Collinsville Kahoks will be one of the premier players returning in the metro-east next season. Look for MAJOR colleges recruiting this kid.

Andrew Jones- Alton Jones is a starter for the Alton Redbirds this season and can play both guard positions. A deadly 3-point shooter, Jones will garner plenty of interest next season at the next level.

LaShawn Johnson- East St. Louis The gifted athletic Johnson is a hidden gem in next season’s class. The 6’4” guard is athletic as any combo guard in the state. His 23-point, 10 rebound performance, along with seven dunks against Collinsville during a junior varsity game last month had the crowd of both teams on their feet.

ed Western Conference foes didn’t let them off the hook. To keep up with the latest deadline deals in the NBA, be sure to check In the Clutch online and also follow Ishmael on Twitter @ishcreates. Subscribe to The St. Louis American’s YouTube page to see weekly sports videos starring Ishmael and Melvin Moore at youtube.com/stlamericanvideo.

Howell Central at 2:45 p.m. The winners will advance to the Final Four in Springfield the weekend of March 15-16.

Maurice Scott Jr.

Metro replacing its app with Transit

Schnucks now delivers beer, wine and spirits

Financial Focus

By Ana Stringfellow

Women need to make extra financial moves

Rap as a blueprint for building communities

Hip Hop Architecture Camp returns to St. Louis County Library this summer

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“The Greeks and the Roman architects were inspired by their culture,” said Mike Ford, creator and facilitator of the Hip Hop Architecture Camp as it was underway last summer at St. Louis County Library’s Natural Bridge Branch. “I wanted to create based on something that inspired me.”

He was talking with St. Louis rap star Chingy about how he uses the vocal cadences, rhyme sequences and phrasing to create grids that can serve as blueprints for communities.

“Man, that’s dope,” Chingy said after Ford

Rest well, Rollo

Nathaniel Taylor

St. Louis’ Nathaniel Taylor, best known for ‘Sanford and Son’ role, passes at 80

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

It was his St. Louis connection that landed Nathaniel Taylor the career-defining role of Rollo Lawson on the classic 1970s sitcom “Sanford and Son.”

n With quick wit, effortless swagger and a love for his African roots, Taylor often stole the scenes he appeared in.

With appearances in 32 episodes over the course of the show’s six seasons, Taylor cemented his place in television history. The beloved actor passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 27 after suffering a heart attack. He was 80 years old. His death was announced on social media by his friend, music promoter Alonzo Williams. Williams said Taylor was hospitalized on Feb. 23 after suffering a heart attack. When he landed the role of Rollo, Taylor

See ROLLO, C4

revealed examples of grids built based on the rhymes of Lupe Fiasco and Tupac.

Chingy was the celebrity guest of the camp’s culminating activity. After being immersed in hip-hop and architecture for five days, students came together to create a rap song and video.

“Hip-hop has always been the voice of the voiceless,” Ford said during an interview for the Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Super Soul Sunday Super Soul Short” program. “In architecture, less than three percent of all the professionals are African-American. This put me in an environment where the voice of the voiceless became that much more important.”

After the enormous success of the program’s inaugural year – which included the development of design options for Metro’s North Hanley Transit Center by the middle-school participants – the program will return to St. Louis this summer. Parents have until April 15 to register aspiring hip-hop architects for a chance to be selected for the 2019 Summer session, which takes place from June 3-7. Forty students will

See HIP HOP, C4

Sammie’s comeback

R&B singer Sammie returned to the spotlight Sunday night at The Pageant to give St. Louis fans a taste of what he’s been cooking since he returned to music following a lengthy hiatus. Along with his greatest hits, the audience seemed genuinely delighted to see him perform selections from his brand new album Everlasting – which dropped last week. The show, presented by Rockhouse ENT, also featured local R&B artists Mookie Tolliver, G

and

A symphonic college connection

SLSO program fosters simultaneous interest in higher learning and classical music

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

James McKay and Robert McNichols made no attempt to hide the pure bliss from their faces as they prepared to talk about their associations with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s College Connections program being held at Harris-Stowe State University last Tuesday. It was the final College Connections stop of six this season. Hundreds of middle-school orchestra students from Normandy, Jennings and Saint Louis Public Schools students were given a tour and information session about the university before heading over to the auditorium to see a small ensemble of orchestra members perform.

McKay, who teaches orchestra at Jennings Junior High, and McNichols, an associate professor of music at Harris-Stowe who teaches voice and conducts the concert chorale, know first-hand how transformative the experience can be.

McNichols saw himself in the young black boy featured in the community engagement

promotional banner. He leans over the balcony, trying to get as close as he can to soak in the sound.

“That was me,” McNichols said. “I would take those school trips and sit there and marvel at the sound.” McKay and McNichols studied classical music together while students in the Normandy

See SLSO, C4

Photo by Eric Dundon

Middle-school orchestra students awaited the concert portion of the St. Louis Symphony College Connections program last Tuesday in the main auditorium at Harris-Stowe State University.

The Singer, Jones Boy

Josh Royal.

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Participants in last year’s Hip Hop Architecture Camp wrapped up the experience by filming a music video with St. Louis rap star Chingy.

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

Fri., Mar. 8, 7 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Anthony Lucius with DJ Nune. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108.

Thur., Mar. 14, 8 p.m., Rockhouse Entertainment, LLC presents 314 Day Celebration feat. Plies. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 6:30 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., East St. Louis Alumni Chapter presents Keith Washington & Tony Terry Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Mar. 22, 8 p.m., The 13th Annual Gateway Blues Festival. Feat. Sir Charles Jones, Shirley Brown, Pokey Bear, Calvin Richardson, TK Soul, Theodis Ealey and Terry Wright. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information,

visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 5:30 p.m. (doors), Breakaway Productions & Witherspoon Entertainment present Will Downing. Special guest Lamont Hadley. Givens Auditorium, Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, Legends of Hip Hop. Feat. Juvenile, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG, Too Short, DJ Quik, and Bun B. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 7:30 p.m., 2019 Sheldon Gala feat. Ahmad Jamal. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Mar. 30, 8 p.m., Rockhouse Entertainment, LLC presents Jacquees. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends

local gigs

Fri., Mar. 8, 7 p.m., National Blues Museum presents Howlin’ Friday with Red Afro Queen Silky Sol. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sun., Mar. 10, 4 p.m., National Blues Museum presents Soulful Sunday with Gene Dobbs Bradford Blues Experience. 615 Washington Ave., 63101.

Sat., Mar. 16, 7 p.m., Hail To The Queen: A Tribute To Aretha Franklin. Performance by Fran Taylor and Band. Voce, 212 South Tucker Blvd., 63102. For more information, visit www.purplepass.com.

Wed., Mar. 20, 7 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents Nat King Cole Tribute. Feat. Reggie Thomas, the Jazz St. Louis Big Band, Mardra Thomas, and more. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.tickets.jazzstl.org.

special events

Thur., Mar. 7, 6 p.m., Soar into STEM Launch Party. Keith O’Brien, author of Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History joins us to kickoff this regional initiative to motivate youth to pursue STEM and aviation. 18370 Wings of Hope Blvd., 63005. For more information, www. wingsofhope.ngo.

Fri., Mar. 8, 6 p.m., Marygrove invites you to the 2018 BLOOM Gala. Proceeds benefit children, youth and families impacted by abuse, neglect and other trauma. Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, 999 N 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www. marygrovechildren.org.

Sat., Mar. 9, 10 a.m., Ferguson-Florissant School District presents the 2019 Summer Camp Fair. Meet with over 60 camp representatives from some of the best programs in the region. McCluer North High

Sun., Mar. 10, 1 p.m., National College Fairs presents St. Louis STEM College and Career Fair. College and industry professionals will educate students and parents on STEMrelated career opportunities. SLU, 1 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.gotomystemfair.com.

Wed., Mar. 13, 11 a.m., 2019 Annual St. Louis Diversity Job Fair. Employers looking to fill positions in Office Administration, Education, Human Resources, and more. North County Recreation Complex, 2577 Redman Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., Mar. 14, 6 p.m., St. Louis’ Best Bridal hosts Boutique Wedding Show. Meet with DJs, photographers, gown shops, salons, and more. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plz., 63303. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Gymnasium, 705 Waterford Dr., 63033. For more information, visit Www. fergflor.org/campfair.

Sat., Mar. 9, 10 a.m., Fairy Glam Project Prom Dress Giveaway. Receive a free prom dress while enjoying motivational speakers, door prizes, and more. Registration required. All Nations Christian Church, 10047 Jefferey Dr., 63137. For more information, visit www.fairyglamproject. org.

Sat., Mar. 9, 7 p.m., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Phi Omega Chapter presents Mardi Gras: Zulu for Life. Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Blvd., 63120. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 9, 7:30 p.m., Ghanaian Association of St. Louis invites you to the 10th Anniversary Independence Gala. Cultural display, food, music, and more. Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., 63146. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 12 p.m., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter invites you to their Founders’ Day Luncheon: Social Justice and Advocacy – Tell the Story Open to the public. Guest speaker, Cori Busch. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thursday, March 14th from 4 – 8 p.m. Meet the #STLMade movement – people who are coming together to celebrate the people and ideas moving our region forward. We’ll discuss a new St. Louis narrative and engage in dialogue on the topics that challenge us and passions that unite us. Venture Café St. Louis in the Cortex Innovation Community, 4240 Duncan Ave, St. Louis. For more information https://vencafstl. org/event/nxt4240-withstlmade

Sun., Mar. 17, 3 p.m., Toni Stevenson Scholarship Foundation invites you to the 18th Dream Scholarship Award Ceremony. A scholarship will be awarded to a St. Louis City Public School student. 320 N. Vandeventer, 63108. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mon., Mar. 18, 11 a.m., St. Louis Job Fair. Live interviews with employers looking to fill over 400 positions. DoubleTree, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For

Legends of Hip Hop. Feat. Juvenile, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG, Too Short, DJ Quik, and Bun B. For more information, see CONCERTS.

more information, visit www. eventbrit4e.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 1 p.m., Ales for Tails Homebrew Festival Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery and Bierhall, 4465 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 2 p.m., Talk With Tam’s Townhall: Empowering North St. Louis by Empowering North St. Louisans. YMCA O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 W. Florissant, 63115. For more information visit www. topministriesstl.org

comedy

Mar. 8 – 10, The Laugh Lounge presents Hope Flood 111208 W Florissant Ave., 63033. For more information visit www.thelaughloungestl. com.

Sat., Mar. 16, 7 p.m., The Funny Woman. Feat. Precious J, featuring Molly Amburgey, Elle the Comedienne, Kate Barton, & Ellie Bonilla. Artist Art, 2643 Cherokee St., 63118. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mar. 21 – 23, Helium Comedy Club presents Adele Givens. 1151 Saint Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www. st-louis.heliumcomedy.com.

Fri., Apr. 5, 7 p.m., Cracking Up Comedy Tour feat. DeRay Davis, Michael Blackson, Red Grant, and Bruce Bruce. Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

literary

Kenya Vaughn recommends

Sat. Mar. 9, 5 p.m., Dani Skye and Friends Reading & Signing. An evening of poetry featuring a great selection of local writers. Dunaway Books, 3111 S. Grand Blvd., 63118. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Wed., Mar. 13, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents Read it Forward with Nic Stone. Teens can hear from the author of Dear Martin and get a free copy of the book. Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit www.slpl. org.

Fri., Mar. 15, 7 p.m., Not So Late Night: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Chaya Bhuvaneswar, Ron Austin, and Katarra. Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St., 63118. For more information, visit www.left-bank.com.

Thur., Mar. 21, 7 p.m., Left

Bank Books hosts author Myisha Cherry, author of UnMuted: Conversations on Prejudice, Oppression, and Social Justice. With St. Louis activist Tef Poe. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Thur., Mar. 21, 7 p.m., Subterranean Books hosts author Rafia Zafar, author of Recipes for Respect: African American Meals and Meaning 6275 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. store.subbooks.com.

Fri., Mar. 29, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Damon Young, author of What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker. A celebration of the idiosyncrasies and

The show takes a look at a diverse cross-section of race, religion, and gender within St Louis. Exhibit runs Mar. 15 – Apr. 20. Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Mar. 21, 6:30 p.m., Creative Reaction Lab invites you to Artwork for Equity: An Exhibit + Auction. Artists have been selected to produce original art promoting inclusion, equity, liberation, and justice. TechArtista, 4818 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. creativereationlab.com.

Mar. 29 – 31, The Greater St. Louis Art Association presents Spring Art Fair. 130 artists from over 20 states will display original works ranging from ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, and more. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www.artfairatqueenypark. com.

lectures and workshops

distinctions of Blackness and a critique of white supremacy and how we define masculinity. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Tues., Apr. 2, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Jennifer Eberhardt, author of Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do. St. Louis Public Radio Community Room, 3651 Olive St. For more information, www.left-bank.com.

art

Sun., Mar. 17, 12:30 p.m., Ain’t I American? A Pictoral Question Opening Reception.

Thur., Mar. 7, 12 p.m., Great Decisions Lecture Series - Refugees and Migrants Topics include determining refugee status, how countries have reacted to migration, international laws, and more. The Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, call (314) 727-4771.

Sat., Mar. 11, 6:30 p.m., St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts invites you to Ask an Entertainment Lawyer. Join a panel of experienced attorneys for a discussion of legal and business issues. KDHX, 3524 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. vlaa.org.

Thur., Mar. 14, 6 p.m., National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Metropolitan St. Louis

Chapter presents Know Your Worth: How to Negotiate the Salary You Deserve. Harris Stowe, 3026 Laclede Ave. For more information, visit www. knowyourworth2019.eventbrite. com.

Mon., Mar. 18, 7 p.m., Representation & Responsibility: Equity in the Music Industry. This event is part of a community tour with Terence Blanchard, composer of Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. opera-stl.org.

Tues., Mar. 19, 5 p.m., Grace Hill Women’s Business Center presents a Legal Clinic. Meet with an attorney from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to discuss business related questions. 2125 Bissell St., 63107. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., Mar. 23, 9 a.m., Not Easily Broken Women’s Empowerment Workshop Dr. Relda Owens-Mathews, Rev. Rhonda Aldridge, and Sinita Wells will encourage you, while comedienne Mama Dee entertains you. UMSL School of Social Work, 3036 Bellerive Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Wed., Mar. 27, 6:30 p.m., Decision-Making: Using Award Letters to Assess Affordability. Understand award letters, compare financial aid packages, and more. The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, 6825 Clayton Ave., 63139. For more information, visit www.sfstl.org.

Mar. 28 – 29, The Collaboration on Race, Inequality, and Social Mobility in America invites you to Race at the Forefront: Sharpening a Focus on Race in Applied Research. Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

2019 Sheldon Gala feat. Ahmad Jamal. See CONCERTS for details.

Continued from C1

School District. Alvin McCall, one of the principal cellists for the St. Louis Symphony, was also their classmate at Normandy.

McKay called College Connections a “a very important and viable piece” of the learning experience –and pointed out that the event fosters exposure, inspiration and passion.

“Having the young people exposed to classical music at such a high level as the Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony helps them develop an appetite for it,” McKay said. “Some of these students are going to see the high level of musicianship on stage and practice more –which becomes a pathway to a potential college scholarship and even opportunities beyond that.”

McNichols’ rich baritone voice served as a passport to performing on stages around

the world before he returned home to teach at the region’s only historically black university.

McKay is molding the potential classical music stars of tomorrow – like their teacher

Ken Williams did for them while they were at Normandy Middle School and Normandy High School, and Patrick Jackson, who gave McKay free lessons on Saturdays. McKay credits those lessons as critical to his acceptance into Eastman School of Music – which provided him with the acumen to train several of the students in the audience.

The program culminated with a teaching concert that featured members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra discussing and performing selections of nearly a dozen works that included several tangos.

“The Easy Winners” and “Solace” by Scott Joplin were inserted as a black history component with an overview of the pioneering composer with ties to St. Louis and his influence on modern music.

“This not only brings middle-school students to

university levels, but it’s a chance to expose them to the historically black university in the city,” McKay said. “I’m thankful to Maureen Byrne at The Symphony for creating these types of opportunities.”

Through Joplin, students also were reminded that African Americans have a place in the broad scope of orchestral and classical music.

As the ensemble played, some of the students tried to perform modern dances to the cadence of the music as they sat in their seats. When the performance was over, they encouraged the musicians with a round of applause so rousing that it gave the musicians pause.

“It was a good experience seeing the melodies that they played,” said Angelo Collier, a seventh grader who studies violin under McKay.

“Hearing the violin, the viola, the oboe and the French horn sounded so good together. It made me feel like I can learn more now, learn more when I get to college, and learn even more later in life.”

Collier talked about his beloved instrument – pointing

out that its E string sets it apart from the others with respect to tone. After taking violin for three years, Kailand Dennis, also a seventh grader at Jennings Middle School and a student of McKay’s, has moved on to cello. He was especially inspired by what he heard on Tuesday.

“It lets me know that there are greater and more complicated melodies than what we play now, and I can’t wait to learn them on cello,” Dennis said.

It was a sentiment shared by La’Skye King, a seventh grader who studies viola under McKay.

“I got to hear other types of instruments and the sound that happens when they combine,” King said.

The students from McKay’s orchestra and the other schools seemed genuinely engaged by and impressed with the program – which was the outcome he had hoped for.

“This isn’t a class you are taking for a grade,” McKay said. “This is something that can lead you to something phenomenal – so take it in.”

2018 Hip Hop Architecture Campers shooting a video.

HIP HOP

Continued from C1

be selected to participate in the camp, which is presented in partnership with the Urban Arts Collective, a non-profit focused on increasing the number of underrepresented groups in S.T.E.A.M. careers, and Autodesk, Inc. The camp is free, and lunch is provided. Applications will be accepted through April 15 at www. hiphoparchitecture.com.

encouraged students to keep things raw and real with their lyrics as they develop verses for the song that speaks to each city’s campers as a collective, he required them to look towards solutions as they expressed some of the trauma they had witnessed or experienced over the course of their young lives.

was living in Los Angeles and working on the production side as a jack-of-all-trades – from electrician to set-building – in theater. Taylor told the Hollywood Times that he lied his way into an audition for the role of Rollo. Taylor said that a producer thought he was the telephone repair man when he came to audition because he was still wearing his tool belt. Taylor said he actually fixed the phone line before telling the producer that he lied and said he was the repairman so he could get in the room quickly for the audition. It went so well that he was sent to meet with Redd Foxx. “He told me Redd was

on stage 13,” Taylor said, according to the interview. “He told me to go down to stage 13, tell Redd what happened, and see what he thinks about it.” The two eventually bonded over their shared St. Louis roots, and he was offered a role – along with another St. Louisan, LaWanda “Aunt Esther” Page. Already a legendary comedy star, Foxx used network television to put on for his city. Taylor returned the favor by sprinkling St. Louis all over his portrayal of Rollo. With quick wit, effortless swagger and a love for his African roots, Taylor often stole the scenes he appeared in as the best friend of Sanford’s son Lamont, played by Demond Wilson. Rollo is almost always remembered as a smooth operating, slick talker, always on the front end of a hustle, but he also just might

have been the first “woke” series regular on the small screen.

“It was a time and an era – just to be on TV as a black man, it was an honor,” his son Kaedi Taylor told The Associated Press. His character’s wardrobe evolved from leather coats, loud suits and his signature apple hats and shades to dashikis. He hipped Lamont to the importance of embracing black pride and their connection to the diaspora.

Although Taylor continued to get steady work though guest and recurring appearances on other shows following the end of “Sanford and Son,” the show was what earned him his considerable and lasting fan base.Taylor had guest appearances and recurring roles on several sitcoms and soap operas during the 1970s

– before and after his “Sanford and Son” run.

Taylor reprised the role of Rollo in “Grady and Sanford.”

In addition to “Sanford and Son,” Taylor also appeared in “What’s Happening,” “227,” “The Redd Foxx Show,” “Adam-12” and “Police Story.”

His film credits include 1972’s “Black Girl” and 1974’s “Willie Dynamite.”

Taylor said he ultimately stepped away from Hollywood so that he could commit more time to his family. He is survived by his wife Loretta and their seven children.

With the news of his passing came an outpouring of support and condolences and recognition for his creative contribution to “Sanford and Son.”

“It was an honor for people to remember him,” Kaedi Taylor said.

“We are thrilled to provide this unique opportunity again in 2019 for youth to expand their horizons and create a new vision for the St. Louis community and for themselves,” said Kristen Sorth, director of St. Louis County Library. “We heard so many good things from parents and kids at last year’s camp. We can’t wait to see what the kids come up with this year.

St. Louis County Library strives to open doors, remove barriers, and encourage people to explore endless possibilities. This program accomplishes these goals.”

Ford uses rap as a cultural bridge to get young people interested in architecture. He’s taken the camp across the country – including Chicago, Los Angeles, his native Detroit and St. Louis.

Plenty of the mainstream music tends to teeter towards the lowest common denominator of the black experience. And while Ford

“If we can get young kids to rap about architecture, then maybe we could get them to dream about changing some of the challenges we face on a daily basis in our neighborhoods,” Ford said. “What I see my legacy as is arming my community to dream and hopefully create an entire populous of hip-hop architects.”

As he talked with Chingy last year, he said that the students can look to their own lineage for inspiration.

“We hear all the time about the lack of black architects,” Ford said. “But we [as black people] built the pyramids and civilizations – and people are still trying to figure out how we did it, thousands of years later.”

Applications for the Hip Hop Architecture Camp will be accepted through April 15 at www.hiphoparchitecture.com.. Interested teens will be asked to submit a short essay as part of the application process. Forty students will be selected to participate in the camp. The camp will take place from June 3 – June 7 at St. Louis County Library’s Natural Bridge Branch, 7606 Natural Bridge Road in Normandy.

Hall of Famer

Congratulations to Denise McField, physical

education teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in the Normandy Schools Collaborative, a recent inductee into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for her contributions to the Berkeley and McCluer SouthBerkeley High School Track and Field programs. Denise is a former Olympian who was an alternate in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.

Reunions

reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont Class Of 1969 will celebrate it’s 50-year reunion Sept 20-22, 2019 at Embassy Suites St. Charles. Come join us as we celebrate these golden years, “Living Life Like It’s Golden.” For more information contact Dennis Hayden 314 276-6188 or beaumontclassof1969@yahoo.

com or send your questions to P.O. Box 155, Florissant, MO 63032.

Beaumont Class of 1979 is planning its 40-year reunion. All activities are scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29. The location is The Airport Marriot at 10700 Pear Tree Drive, St. Louis 63134. For more information, contact Milton Jackson at 314-2764392 or Yolanda Lockhart at lockhartyo08@gmail.com.

Kinloch Class of 1969 is planning its 50-year reunion on August 21, 22 and 23. Dinner dance at Orlandos, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza. For information call Ruben at 314239-5202 or Ophelia at 314-

Celebrations

Birthday

Happy 77th to our handsome dad, John Hall on March 7! To know him is to love him—a great husband, father, papa, and friend. He is still enjoying retirement and stays active by volunteering, with deacon responsibilities at church, the upkeep of his lawn, and supporting family and friends near and far. Love, Your Wife and Kids

280-6596. Classmates please respond by April 2019.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40-year reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Soldan Class of 1974 Alumni Association is planning its 45-year reunion. Please get your contact information to dhblackjack@charter.net or call 314-749-3803.

Soldan Class of 1979 is

Star Student

Donnell Smith, an eighth-grader at Southeast Middle School, was recently recognized by Do the Right Thing of Greater St. Louis, a non-profit that recognizes students throughout the area for showing positive behaviors and actions. Donnell was nominated by Officer James Peterson, Southeast Middle’s School Resource Officer with the St. Louis County Police Department, for his countless acts of service for students, staff, and family.

planning its 40-year reunion for the weekend of August 2-3, 2019. Yearlong reunion activities will begin with a kickoff at Soldan High School Homecoming on Saturday, October 13, 2018 prior to the game at 1 p.m. For more information or to assist with reunion activities, please email at: soldanclassof1979@gmail. com or call Barbara at 314 456-3391.

Sumner Class Of 1969 50th reunion “Living Life Like It’s Golden” June 28-30, 2019. Looking for classmates of 1969 to contact us with your updated information via address:sumnerclass1969@ gmail.com or our FB page: Sumner High.

Sumner Class of 1979 will hold its “Bulldogs Rock the Boat” BIG 4-0 Reunion Cruise, June 22-27, 2019. For further information, email your contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call 314-406-4309. Join our Facebook group at Sumner High Class of ‘79.

Vashon Class of 1974 is planning for its 45-year reunion. We are in the process of rounding up all classmates. To provide or update your contact information, please email ljbady@gmail.com or contact: Joe Verrie Johnson 314-640-5842, Jordan Perry 314-724-4563, or LaVerne James-Bady 314-382-0890.

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

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St.

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

Grace Chapel Ministries has a message for shooters

‘I’m Alive. Let Me Survive!’

By Rev. Larry Brown

For The St. Louis American

Our community is plagued with a rash of unnecessary murders which occur nearly every day. They happen with such frequency that many of us have become insensitive to these occurrences, and some even look forward to reading or hearing about the next incident. It seems to have become a part of the community’s culture and an expected occurrence.

Many of these innocent victims are young people who just happen to be in the path of an uncaring shooter. We believe that many of the shooters have no respect for the value of human life.

Many of our leaders of tomorrow are killed prematurely, some by accident and others intentionally because the shooter does not care whether or not the human life is preserved.

We believe that a constant reminder can become a subliminal decision of choice to allow one’s life to be preserved. This decision is one that cannot be imposed by more laws, more policemen, or more weapons of destruction, but rather has to be a conscious decision and a personal choice.

A solution, as Grace Chapel Ministries sees it, is to distribute a T-shirt with a slogan “I’m Alive. Let Me

Survive!” throughout the community. The shirt being worn by children, young adults, middle-aged residents, and senior citizens will carry this unified message that will be digested by all who view it and become a brand in one’s behavior.

Grace Chapel Ministries, a 501-c-3 tax exempt notfor-profit organization, is requesting donations so that thousands of these shirts may be given to residents of highcrime areas. Each $10 donated will produce a T-shirt that will be given away at no charge. These contributions are taxdeductible.

This project is one that allows businesses and individuals throughout the community an opportunity to help solve a serious problem that is affecting lives and the overall economic health of our community.

Donations may be mailed to Grace Chapel Ministries, P.O Box 952, St. Louis, MO 63032, or by visiting www. gracechapelministries.org. Grace Chapel Ministries may also be reached on facebook or by calling 314-995-5013.

Ambassadors of Harmony to sing with two local gospel choirs

Ambassadors of Harmony will sharing the stage with at

Rev. Larry Brown of Grace Chapel Ministries wants to distribute a T-shirt with a slogan “I’m Alive. Let Me Survive!” throughout the community.

Greater Grace Church (3690 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson) at 7 p.m. Friday, March 15 with two local gospel choirs, the Community Gospel Choir and the New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church Chancel Choir. The Community Choir has been promoting reconciliation and unity since 2007. The New Sunny Mount Missionary Baptist Church Chancel Choir was twice named Best Church Choir of the St. Louis/Kansas City region. The evening will close with a united set featuring over 200 singers on stage. Tickets are $20. Visit https://thensingsmysoulstl. com.

The Message Does this sound revolutionary to you?

I saw something that literally made me stop and think: “Jesus, revolutionary!” The reason for my pause had more to do with how we define revolutionary today and its application in terms of Christ.

My own faith walk demands an acknowledgement that He was all about substance.

One of the core truths and subsequent beliefs about the life and death and life of Christ is He could care less about style. For example, the outward act of prayer has little to do with the internal purpose of prayer. The literal and technical interpretation of God’s laws, i.e. Moses, had little value if not filtered through the intent of God’s will. See Jesus in the temple dealing with the money changers.

Jesus was executed because He challenged the rigid practice of the intellectual and literal enforcement of rules and regulations. He simply asked of those in charge, “Where is the love and compassion in what you do?”

To Christ, church hierarchy had little to do with church purpose, and He challenged the leadership to forego the rigidity of rules and focus on doing God’s will.

As a follower of Christ, then, is it not our duty to be just as vigilant against church law and order in today’s church?

Shouldn’t we become concerned and active in the purpose of the church Jesus left behind?

Duty rooted in faith and belief in the Almighty demands a certain kind of action. Following the literal interpretation of doctrine demands little more than an external demonstration of an understanding of the rules.

So are we revolutionary if we investigate the size of the choir’s budget as opposed to the effectiveness of the Outreach Ministry? Does Jesus’ message demand that we reorder our thinking to go beyond church walls and deal with those we might think we’re better than because we are in church every Sunday? A Sunday seat doesn’t guarantee a Monday heart. Does this sound revolutionary to you? When you break it down, the revolutionary part becomes apparent when you look at who Jesus helped. The miracles were more about the lame and the lost, the poor and the blind, even the wretched and the vile. Jesus himself didn’t fit the mold of whom the church wanted to call king. Christ actually hung out with the wrong crowd, practiced radical religion and preached threating sermons. When He talked about forgiveness, that meant being the forgiver rather than the forgiven. Paul spoke to power without fear. Christ’s revolutionary example gave Him the courage to do so. The love Jesus spoke about is the love you give, not the love you expect to receive. The same held true for mercy and charity. I guess this really was enough to get Him killed. The iconic part of my point is if you only preach these principles, nothing will happen to you. But if you actually practice these truths, you too might fall prey to gossip, jealousy, envy and maybe even death. I guess you know you’re a revolutionary when people see you challenging the status quo in order to do God’s will. Is anybody paying attention to you these days?

Columnist James Washington

PASTOR

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

FAMILY SELFSUFFICIENCY PROGRAM COORDINATOR

DEACONESS FOUNDATION SEEKS DIRECTOR, PARTNER SUPPORT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

The Director stewards a program of trust-based philanthropy to build the power to advance the foundation’s public policy agenda for child well-being. The primary responsibility of this full-time, professional position is leading grant making and funding efforts within the foundation’s program portfolio. The secondary responsibility is providing capacity building support and relationship management with funded and prospective Partners. S/he supports the CEO in development and oversight of multi-year grantmaking plans. For more information, visit https://www.deaconess.org/ directorpartnersupport

Responsible for coordinating the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and other component programs and performance of other administrative duties. Coordinates supportive services to facilitate increased economic self-sufficiency for public housing residents and/or Housing Choice Voucher holders. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services or Psychology and two (2) years working experience with low income families in a PHA or Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 Program or other related experience. Starting Salary $51,034 Annually. Apply or send resume to: St. Louis Housing Authority, HR Division, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106 by 5:00 p.m., March 15, 2019 via website www.slha.org or email athomas@slha.org.

A Drug Free Work Place/EOE.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES · Inspects building interiors, exteriors, fences, driveways, decks,

property for compliance with applicable

Issues ordinance violation warnings, citations and court

Patrols assigned sector neighborhoods for code violations. · Responds to complaints from residents regarding code violations; mediates disputes and resolves neighborhood problems regarding code violations.

· Answers phone and provides assistance and advice regarding codes; interprets codes and provides referrals to other personnel/agencies.

· Testifies in court as necessary.

· Prepares required reports, memos, notices and correspondence; completes weekly reports. Checks business licenses and occupancy permits and take appropriate action.

· Prepares court summons.

· On call at all times to evaluate and declare properties unfit due to fires and uninhabitable conditions.

· Performs related work as required and other duties assigned.

The City of Dellwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For more details visit our website at http://cityofdellwoodmo.com/

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION EDUCATION SPECIALIST

The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) is recruiting for a Defined Contribution Education Specialist. This position is responsible for marketing the MO Deferred Compensation Plan to State employees & providing ongoing education of participants. This position conducts in-person seminars & one-on-one meetings with members regarding their account balance, contributions, investment performance, & investment options. Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree preferably in business, finance, marketing, or similar. Previous financial planning experience, Certified Financial Planner or Chartered Financial Consultant designation is strongly preferred. Candidates should possess strong presentation and inter-personal skills; knowledge of investment concepts, retirement, and financial planning; competency in all MS Office products; & ability to quickly learn web-based applications. This position is based in Jefferson City but works mostly off-site in the southwest portion of the state, regular day-trips and occasional overnight travel are required. Must have a valid Missouri driver’s license & a reliable personal vehicle. Qualified travel expenses, including mileage, are reimbursed. Anticipated salary $52,000-$57,000, dependent on experience. Apply by Monday, March 11 at www.mosers. org , click “Careers”. Visit www.modeferredcomp.org to learn about the Plan. EOE:M/F/V/D.

EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri chapter is currently hiring an Education Program Manager. Located in St. Louis, the Education Program Manager is responsible for developing, managing and implementing an education and outreach strategy. The position goal is to significantly expand the reach of Alzheimer’s Association Community Programs through partnership building and volunteer resources. For more information please visit: https://jobs.alz.org.

INVITATION TO BID

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting bid proposals for Cleaning and Custodial Services for the following locations: Civil Courts Building, 10 N. Tucker, St. Louis, MO 63101; Carnahan Courthouse, 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101; and Family Court Juvenile Division, 920 N. Vandeventer, St. Louis, MO 63108, which includes the Family Court Annex, 3827 Enright Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108.

The request for proposal is available on the Court’s website www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com, click on General Information, then Request for Proposals.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on March 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., beginning in the Carnahan Courthouse, Room 306, located at 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Potential bidders must be in attendance for the duration of the meeting. Bids are due on April 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. In order to receive any addenda and necessary information on this project, proposers must submit their contact information to the Facility Coordinator at terri.bodi@courts.mo.gov. This should include company name, address, phone number and email. EOE

INVITATION TO BID

The Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit is currently soliciting proposals for the installation and setup of additional components for an existing closed circuit camera system in the Carnahan Courthouse (CCH) located at 1114 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63101.

The Request for Proposal is available on the Court’s website http://www.stlcitycircuitcourt.com, click on General Information, then Request for Proposals.

The Request for Proposal can also be obtained at the office of the Information Systems Manager:

Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit Carnahan Courthouse 1114 Market, Room 833 St. Louis, MO 63101 314-613-7190

Proposals must be received no later than 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019.

SEALED BIDS

for Replace Roofs & Fascia, Albany Regional Office / Main Building, Gentry County, Missouri,, Project No.M1806-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, March 28, 2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, goto: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Park Hills Residential Yard Cleanup Phase III, Park Hills, MO, Project No. X1906-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 3/28/2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for Katy Trail - MP227.1 to MP236.09, Colinear Trail, Boonville to Clinton, Sedalia, Missouri, Project No. X1814-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 4/11/2019 For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for High Voltage Electrical Services, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, Missouri, P r o j e c t N o . ZASIDIQ-9015, will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, Thursday, March 28, 2019. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http:// oa.mo. gov/facilities

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Liberty Ave. 10000 Block Storm Sewer under Letting No. 11306-015.1 at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Friday, April 05, 2019, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid.

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

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Seeking proposals from subs, suppliers, Sect. 3 businesses & qualified MBE & WBE firms for all constr. div. for The Residences at Jennings Place III, a new 54 unit 3-story apt. bldg. in Jennings, MO. This project has Section 3 Business opportunities under the HUD act of 1968 as well as minority participation goals. Interested firms should contact Fairway Constr. for a link to access plans and specifications.

Proposals Due: March 11, 2019 @ 4 PM CST Direct inquiries to: bschuppan@fairwayconstruction.net Fairway Constr., 206 Peach Way, Columbia, MO 65203, 573-3033765. Fairway Constr. reserves all rights to waive any bid informalities and is an AA/EOE employer.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 18 406U, BID RELEASE #3 - Center for Nursing and Health Science Building, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, until March 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. local time CDT, which includes the following packages: BP-09E Polished Concrete Flooring, Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 5464 Highland Park Drive. A Pre-bid meeting will be held on March 11, 2019 at 1:30pm at the Tarlton Trailer on site. Drawings, specifications and bid information may be obtained from Cross Rhodes’ Plan room at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or at Tarlton Corporation’s website at www.tarltoncorp.com. An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

MWBE Prebid Meeting Notice

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on St. Louis County’s Ashby Road Bridge No. 261 Project Project No. AR-1668

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor member: Gershenson Construction Co., Inc. 2 Truitt Drive, Eureka, MO 63025 636/938-9595

The meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m. March 14, 2019 St. Vincent Community Center 7335 St Charles Rock Road, St. Louis, MO 63133 Project plans are available from St Louis County. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, contact SITE Improvement Association at 314/966-2950.

INVITATION TO BID

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. requests bids for Doors/Frames/Hardware Supply and Partitions and Ceilings scopes from qualified and certified MBE/ DBE/WBE subcontractors for the following project: Saint Louis University SLUCare Administration Offices Imagine Building and Drummond Hall

Tentative Bid Date: March 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm CST

Contact: Mary Peterein at mpeterein@mccarthy.com or 314-919-2171 for documents and for more information

Prequalification is required and can be accessed at https://www.mccarthy.com/subcontractors

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2019 CRS Pavement Rehabilitation, Area B, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1788, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 11:00 a.m. on April 3, 2019.

Plans and specifications will be available on March 4, 2019 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www. stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

MSD RATE CHANGE NOTICE

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has referred to its Rate Commission a proposal for wastewater rates for fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024). The proposal addresses increases in wastewater rates. These proposed changes would apply to all MSDcustomers. RATE COMMISSION PROCESS: In 2000, changes to MSD’s Charter were approved by area voters that required the creation of an independent Rate Commission.Composedof15memberorganizationsrepresentingabroadcross-sectionofMSD’scustomersandthecommunityitserves,theRateCommission is designed to provide public input into how rates are set. The Rate Commission process includes multiple public hearings and can last up to 165 days. This process began when a rate proposal was formally presented to the Rate Commission by MSD staff on Monday, March 4, 2019. Over the next several months, the Rate Commission will review these rates and hold hearings to gather public input.

WASTEWATER RATES: Wastewater rates must be sufficient to continue MSD’s ongoing multi-billiondollar,multi-decadecapitalconstructionprogram.Fromfiscalyear2021through fiscalyear2024,MSDproposesspendingnearly$1.6billiononconstructionandrelatedwork. Largely driven by state and federal regulatory requirements, this work will reduce overflows into area waterways, alleviate basement backups, and help ensure water quality in the St. Louis area’s rivers and streams.

Effective July 1, 2019, the typical customer owning a single-family home willpay$55.57permonthforwastewaterservices.MSDisproposingfourrate increases between July 2020 and July 2024 to fund its operations and capital construction program. These increases will raise the typical single-family wastewater rate to $63.36 per month.

For more information on the rate proposal or the Rate Commission Process, please visit MSD’s website at www.stlmsd.com or contact Marion Gee, Director of Finance, at (314) 768-6299.

BID NOTICE

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking qualifications for digital audit services for the agency’s website and online presence. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by March 29, 2019.

COVENANT PLACE

1610 | dlee@covenantplacestl.org | www.covenantplacestl.org

Ladies night to the next level. If you had told me that turn of the millennium two-or-three-hit wonder Sammie would have a bigger crowd when he hit the Pageant Sunday night than Marsha Ambrosius and a show that featured three ‘90s favorites put together, I would have given you the side eye Gayle King was serving up to R. Kelly during that “CBS This Morning” train wreck. But trust me, he pulled a whole crowd – and it was 99.9 percent female. I’ve seen more men in an OBGYN waiting to get a well woman exam than at the Sammie show. The show was fantastic – and not just because of the headliner. The local talent got it in as the opening acts. It made me proud and eager to see an STL R&B Renaissance thanks to Mookie Toliver, G The Singer, Jones Boy and Josh Royal. And Jones Boy needs to change his name to Jones Body, honey. If I were Sammie, I never would’ve taken my shirt off after Mr. Jones graced the stage with that Bowflex max trainer shape. Sammie looked like he had been living in a cave or in the woods with all of that hair on his face and head. But I got over him looking like a black Tom Cruise from “Castaway” quickly, mainly because he sounded so good. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn’t not know that Sammie had it like that as far as folks knowing all of his songs and having diehard fans. Back to back Marsha Ambrosius. The soulful British yodels of Marsha Ambrosius made their way back to the Lou last weekend with her headlining performance at The Pageant. It seems like only yesterday she was warming the stage up for Maxwell at Stifel and scooting over to BB’s for a cute little impromptu set with Love Jones The Band. She pulled a cute-sized crowd considering she was just here. And did her best to present an entirely different vibe as far as her set. I appreciated it. My seat neighbors – who used their outside voices to complain about how much they liked her show at Stifel – not so much. Part of me felt like when she was cueing the sound man to give her some more volume in the monitors, it was because she could hear them all the way on stage. And we were sitting in the back. Internet sensation turned rising R&B star Kevin Ross deserves an opening act MVP for how he had the crowd’s attention with his adorable charm and amazing voice. Y’all know the audience of a certain age will be the most unbothered you’ve ever seen when they feel like the artist is too young. But he had their undivided attention – especially when he hopped down from the stage and sang while standing on top of the seats.

‘90s nostalgia at its finest. I still don’t know if there was an official title for the show that featured Adina Howard, Jon B and Ginuwine at The Ambassador Saturday night. Even if it was untitled, I was shocked by how well each of the acts did – and how much I enjoyed myself. I can’t say that I got my life from her purple people eater hair game, but Adina looked amazing. Actually, I don’t know what color that afro was, because it kept changing with the stage lights. Other than that, she looked phenomenal. She was one fondle away from catching a #MeeToo case when she called that man on stage to rub up against him. It was decent set for a show opener. She did her little trio of songs and kept it moving, honey. Jon B decided he was going to give the show of his life. And he did. I hate to throw shade considering that he put an incredible show, but has anybody else noticed that he has worn that striped shirt and those blue dockers at least three of his recent visits to STL? Okay, now I can move forward with nothing but good news … I hope. Jon B came through with that blue-eyed soul. He did all of his jams – and had the nerve to sprinkle in some Maxwell and Earth, Wind and Fire too. His performance was almost as good as watching how y’all’s aunties trying to be warm and sexy at the same time. Shout out to the woman in the yellow sequined freakum dress with the black turtleneck and long johns underneath. Okay, back to the show. Ginuwine has been hit or miss – okay, mostly miss – his last few visits to St. Louis, but Saturday night he came to slay. And he looks amazing as a member of the beard gang. I’ve made peace with the fact that he’s gonna have that baby hair until he’s perched in somebody’s casket. Besides his late start, I have no shade to give his show.

Mardi Gras at The Architect House. Because Ginuwine took his silky-headed time getting to the stage, I almost missed Anthony Robinson’s Mardi Gras extravaganza at The Architect House Saturday night. It was 1 a.m. when I pulled up, and I started to not even bother going in. I am so glad I trusted my instinct and scooted on up in there. I have never seen folks give a second-wind get-down like that in my whole life. I guess I should have expected it with Enoch is Real blazing the tables. Listen, there was a Soul Train Line, a Salsa break and a hip-hop getdown all in the span of 30 minutes. The folks were getting their whole life from it – as was I!

Jokin’ with Jay Pharoah. My Sunday night started off with a bit of comic relief from SNL alum Jay Pharoah, who had a weekend engagement at Helium. Shout out to Helium boss lady Sharonda for the hospitality. And even though I didn’t cackle nearly as much as I thought I would, I have to tip my stallion ponytail to Pharaoh for showing love to Michael Brown – even after the heavily general population made it clear that didn’t find his political humor about police violence against black people the least bit funny. They were so mad that when he asked one man to sing Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” later on in the act, he pretended not to know it. I was like, “Come on now, I know you know this song.” Before hiphop became mainstream, “End of the Road,” “Baby Got Back” and “This Is How We Do it” were the three go-to black-people songs that everybody used as proof they were hip. Oh, and Jay’s Mike Epps and Denzel Washington impressions were spot on!

CiCi and Fred were among the crowd of STL tastemakers who filled up the Architect House a few days ahead of Fat Tuesday in the name of Mardi Gras

April and Brandon made their way to check out soul singer Marsha Ambrosius Friday night @ The Pageant

Sisters Lindsey and Bridgette strolled down R&B memory lane thanks to Adina Howard, Jon B and Ginuwine Saturday night @ The Ambassador

Victoria and Marty were filled with the Mardi Gras spirit Friday night @ Blank Space

Orlando and Vanessa of Rockhouse Ent. had the full support of STL’s female population when they brought R&B heartthrob Sammie to The Pageant Sunday

Tawana and Steve stepped out to hear soul singer Marsha Ambrosius do her thing Friday night @ The Pageant

Octavia beautifully blended in with the floral arrangements and braved the snow to check out Art in Bloom Sunday afternoon @ Saint Louis Art Museum

DJ Kut and Sinita Wells of Radio One’s 95.5 FM were in the building for some good old 90s R&B Saturday night @ The Ambassador

Jenni, Kristin and Stacey kicked off their Mardi Gras weekend Friday night @ Blank Space

Anthony and Lisa had the Architect House lit for their Mardi Gras set Saturday night

Elaina and DeAnthony were just a couple of the fans that mingled with R&B veteran Jon B. after his amazing set Saturday night at The Ambassador. The show, headlined by Ginuwine, also featured Adina Howard.

Camp Fair and Free Website Bring Ease to Summer Planning

Spring hasn’t yet started, though summer planning is in full bloom.

Planning for summer can be stressful for parents. What camps are close to my home? What days are they offered? What ages are they for? These are all questions that can run through a parent’s mind.

Local partners are gathering next weekend for a unique summer camp fair to make the planning process easy and painless for families. A new Summer Camp Fair takes place Saturday, March 9. It is free to the public and is a collaborative effort, organized by the FergusonFlorissant School District and the free summer planning resource Blueprint4SummerSTL.

The camp fair will provide opportunities for parents to have one-on-one conversations with camp representatives from some of the best summer programs and activities in the St. Louis area. Summer learning organizations are offering camps related to art, sports, music, nature, STEM and more

for children of all ages.

Maxine Clark, founder of Blueprint4SummerSTL, said she’s excited to partner with the FergusonFlorissant School District for this summer camp fair in North County, which she hopes becomes an annual event for the community.

“Blueprint4Summer offers a free way to digitally search and find the perfect summer camp, but it doesn’t replace the value of speaking with a camp provider face to face to find out if the offering is a great fit,” said Clark. “Prior to this new partnership, there were only a few large camp fairs in the region, and none of them were close to the City of St. Louis and North County. Fifty-three percent of Blueprint4Summer users come from these areas, so we know that families are searching for summer programs close to home.”

Blueprint4Summer is a free website to help families in the St. Louis region

Hip Hop Architecture Camp returns to County Library

The St. Louis County Library will host a Hip Hop Architecture Camp this summer at its Natural Bridge Branch located at 7606 Natural Bridge Road in Normandy for youth ages 12-15. The camp will take place Monday, June 3–Friday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. During the camp, participants will be paired with architects, urban planners, designers and hip hop artists to design a unique vision for their communities. They will also participate in an architectural design competition and a rap battle for prizes. The camp is free and lunch is provided. Interested teens will be asked to submit a short essay as part of the application process. Forty students will be selected to participate in the camp. Applications will be accepted through April 15 at www.hiphoparchitecture.com.

Hip Hop Architecture Camp is a free one-week intensive experience, designed to introduce under-represented youth to architecture, urban planning, creative place making and economic development through the lens of hip hop culture.

This is the second year SLCL will host the camp. Thirty kids attended the camp in 2018, where they created ideas for developing the area around the North Hanley Transit Center. Campers identified issues in their community that urban planning could help address, including crime, gun violence and homelessness. St. Louis rapper and producer, Chingy visited the camp and helped the kids create a rap about their vision for St. Louis. On the final day of the camp, kids created a music video for the rap, featuring famous St. Louis landmarks like Busch Stadium and the Arch.

“We are thrilled to provide this unique opportunity again in 2019 for youth to expand their horizons and

planning,

create a new vision for the St. Louis community and for themselves,” said Kristen Sorth, director of the St. Louis County Library. “We heard so many

Registration underway for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis summer camps

staff who respect and listen to them; a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting, constructive activities that channel youth energy into challenging pursuits. Summer will truly be a fun and dynamic experience that will spark creativity, engagement, and explorations! Swimming, teen and STEM programs, college and career readiness programs, sports as well as field trips are just a few of the things campers can experience. Summer campers who are interested in writing, producing or singing will enjoy our Music Studio program led by Grammy Award-winning producer/ songwriter Alonzo ”Zo” Lee. Students will be fully engaged in the songwriting/ recording process and create a song from start to finish. While youth who aspire to become coders,

Hop Architecture Camp is

intensive experience, designed to introduce under-represented youth to architecture, urban

creative place making and economic development through the lens of hip hop culture.

Blueprint for summer

Where will your child spend the summer? So many options!

This listing was provided in partnership with Blueprint4SummerSTL. Blueprint4Summer is a FREE web app that helps parents find summer opportunities in the St. Louis area for children ages 3-18. You can search their extensive database of over 5,000 listings by price, age, location, category, etc. at http:// blueprint4summer.com. This is a small sample of camps offered in the area listed on Blueprint4Summer. All of the camps listed on Blueprint4Summer provide more information about multiple dates and expanded camp offerings not listed here. If you are interested in pre-college or college access programs on University campuses nationwide, check out their sister website Blueprint4Summer College Prep at http://blueprint4summer.com/ college. Search 4 Summer FUN Today with Blueprint4Summer!

Ace Stable

Website:

http://www.acestable.com/

Phone: 314-427-6995

Address: 9115 Natural Bridge

Rd St. Louis, MO 63134

Camp Description: Campers

ride for an hour or more each day and learn to brush, saddle, and care for their horses. Other camp activities are geared toward learning basic horsemanship such as learning how to give baths, feed, and ride English.

Age Range: 7-18

Cost Range: $200-$260

Aim High St. Louis

Website: https://www.aimhighstl.org

Phone: 314-432-9500

Address: 755 South Price Rd

St. Louis, MO 63124

Camp Description: Aim High

is a 4-year, tuition-free program for middle school students (rising 6th - 9th) who attend a 5-week summer program. Students apply to attend with preference given to St Louis City, Normandy and Ritenour.

Aim High empowers motivated middle school students to strengthen their character, self-

confidence, determination, and initiative through an academically challenging and personal enrichment program.

Age Range: 11-14

Cost Range: $0

Artscope Summer Camp 2018

Website: https://www.artscopestl.org/programs Phone: 314-865-0060

Address: 4255 Arsenal Street (inside Tower Grove Park) St. Louis, Missouri 63116-1901

Camp Description: Artscope’s Summer Camp Create features expert visual art instruction by Artscope’s experienced teaching artists, special guests artists, lots of screen-free outdoor play, and supervised exploration of magical Tower Grove Park. We emphasize reducing our footprint by using natural, recycled and upcycled materials for our art. We offer 10 total weeks of camp, each week with a different theme. Register for one, two or all! Artscope is your child’s creative retreat in the heart of south city. Age Range: 5-11

Cost Range: $140-175

Ballwin Parks and Recreation Summer Camps

Website: http://www.ballwin. mo.us/Departments/Parks-andRecreation/Summer-Camps/ Phone: 636-227-8950

Address: #1 Ballwin Commons

Circle Ballwin, MO 63021

Camp Description: Ballwin Parks and Recreation’s Summer Camps are safe, affordable and unforgettably fun! Throughout the course of the summer, campers will meet new friends, be physically active, pursue their interests and make lifelong memories. Most camps are held at The Pointe at Ballwin Commons.

Age Range: 2-15

Cost Range: $38-$290

Bobby McCormack’s Basketball Camp

Website: http://schoolyou.com/ index.html

Phone: 314-606-5370

Address: 1071 Purcell Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63130

Camp Description: The shooting camp gives campers the opportunity to focus on improving their shooting skills. Emphasis is placed on technique, footwork, shooting drills, shooting off the dribble, shooting off the pass, shooting games, free throw shooting, and post/perimeter shooting.

Age Range: 6-14

Cost Range: $100-$230

Boy Scouts of America

Website: http://stlbsa.org

Phone: 314-361-0600

Address: 4568 West Pine Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63108

Camp Description: Day Camp in 2019 promises a STEM filled experience for your Scout: with the Out of This Galaxy! theme, your Scout is sure to have a blast with their friends at camp, exploring and building in the world of science, while also having fun participating in traditional day camp activities, like archery, fishing, hiking, games, crafts, and much more! Day Camp is open to all Cub Scouts and non-Scouts, girls and boys, entering grades 1-5. These camps are held during the day or the evening, but do not offer overnight opportunities.

Age Range: 7-12

Cost Range: $30-$285

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

Website: http://www.bgcstl.org

Phone: 314-335-8000

Address: 2901 North Grand Blvd St. Louis, MO 63107

Camp Description: Imagine a place where your child can make life-long friends, visit some of St. Louis’ best attractions, enjoy sporting and cultural activities, take field trips and learn to swim—all in one summer! That place is the Boys & Girls Clubs which is offering day camp for all ages across seven locations this year. Our camp touches youth across the region and is one of the top camps searched for on BluePrint4SummerSTL. Don’t miss out on one of the most affordable, high quality summer day camp programs in the St. Louis area.

Age Range: 6-18

Cost Range: $250-275

THIS GUIDE WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND MANY MORE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT: WWW.BLUEPRINT4 SUMMER.COM

Camp Courage

Website: http://www.annieshope.org/programs

Phone: 314-965-5015

Address: 1333 W. Lockwood Ave St. Louis, MO 63122

Camp Description: Camp Courage is a 5-day, 4-night, overnight camp for children ages 6-11 who are grieving the death of someone significant.

Age Range: 6-18

Cost Range: $0

Camp Cultural Leadership

Website: http://culturalleadership.org/what-is-cultural-leadership-camp

Phone: 314-725-3222

Address: 225 S. Meramec Ave., Suite 107 St. Louis, MO 63105

Camp Description: Camp Cultural Leadership is a condensed, age appropriate version of our award-winning high school program. Our program increases cultural awareness through hands-on activities, develops leadership skills, and fosters a passion for social justice. During the camp session, students will take an overnight trip to either Memphis or Chicago designed to complement the camp curriculum. Age Range: 13-14

Cost Range: $950

Camp EarthWays: Young Green Builders

Website: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/learndiscover.aspx Phone: 314-577-0281

Address: 4651 Shaw St. Louis, MO 63110

Camp Description: Join the EarthWays Center, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, for a week-long camp exploring sustainability, green building techniques, and innovations around the St. Louis area as campers design their dream green home. Scholarships are available for those who qualify, as well as Garden Member pricing Age Range: 9-14 Cost Range: $180

Wedn day, April 24, 2019

April 1 - September 2, 2019

Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis

Camp Kennedy

Website: http://stlouisco. com/ParksandRecreation/ ChildrensFun/DayCamps

Phone: 314-615-5572

Address: 6050 Wells Road St. Louis, MO 63128

Camp Description: The campers will not only be engaged in sports and games, they will be doing many handson crafts and nature activities as well. Our shared goal is for every camper to enjoy their days at camp in a safe, caring, and fun environment.

Age Range: 5-12

Cost Range: $56-70

Camp Magic House

Website: http://www.magichouse.org/camp

Address: 516 S. Kirkwood Rd. St. Louis, MO 63122

Camp Description: Make your child’s summer magical with a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience. Campers participate in fun educational activities, explore The Magic House and more. Weeklong half-day camp is available for ages 4 –5 and 6-8, plus, a full-day program is offered for kids ages 9-11. From exploring embarking on artistic adventures to unleashing their inner inventor, Camp Magic House has something sure to spark your child’s imagination this summer.

Age Range: 4-11

Cost Range: $125-$225

Challenger Learning Center - St. Louis

Website: http://www.challengerstl.org/our-programs/summer/ Phone: 314-521-6205

Address: 205 Brotherton Lane Ferguson, MO 63135

Camp Description: The Challenger Learning Center-St. Louis offers several “out-ofthis-world” week-long astronaut training experiences for students ages 8 and up. In these camps, students complete a variety of activities including rocket launching, SCUBA diving, making their own spacesuits, constructing and living in a lunar colony, and much, much more! All Astronaut

Training Camps include simulated space missions in the Center’s award-winning facility. The Challenger Learning Center is located just north of I-70 in St. Louis County.

Age Range: 8-18

Cost Range: $225-375

Chess Summer Camp

Website: http://www.saintlouischessclub.org

Phone: 314-361-2437

Address: 4657 Maryland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108

Camp Description: Thanks to this unique partnership Students of Jennings, FergusonFlorissant, Ritenour, and other North City/County school districts can enjoy this affordable summer camp! Chess Summer Camps are the perfect way to introduce the game of chess to new students, deepen understanding of the game for established players, or offer intensive instruction for aspiring chess masters.

Age Range: 6-14

Cost Range: $45-75

Circus Harmony

Website: http://www.circusharmony.org

Phone: 314-436-7676

Address: 750 N. 16th St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Camp Description: Circus Harmony, home of the worldrenowned St. Louis Arches youth circus troupe, offers a unique camp experience where participants (ages 7 & up) learn actual circus arts like juggling, trapeze and wire walking.

Age Range: 7-18

Cost Range: $450

City of Hazelwood Parks and Recreation

Website: https://apm.activecommunities.com/hazelwoodmoparksandrec/home

Phone: 314-731-0980

Address: 1186 Teson Road Hazelwood, MO 63042

Camp Description: City of Hazelwood Parks and Recreation is offering Summer Fun with a Variety of Camps for kids, including an 8 week tradional Summer Camp!! Age Range: 5-18

Cost Range: $40-500

City of Maryland Heights - Maryland Heights Day Camps

Website: http://www.marylandheights.com

Phone: 314-738-2599

Address: 2300 McKelvey Rd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Camp Description: This is the perfect first camp for 6-13 year olds. Campers will swim every Tuesday at Aquaport. They will participate in many fun activities such as: Capture the Flag, GaGa Ball, Tree Ball and much more!

Age Range: 6-13

Cost Range: $96-$150

City of Olivette Parks and Recreation Summer Camp

Website: http://www.olivetteparksandrec.com/camps.html

Phone: 314-991-1249

Address: 9743 Olive Boulevard Olivette, MO 63132

Camp Description: City of Olivette Parks and Recreation

offers summer camps for children ages 3.5-14 teaching a variety of recreational interests. Age Range: 3.5-14

Cost Range: $112-245

Clayton Parks and Recreation

Website: http://www.claytonmo.gov/camps

Phone: 314-290-8500

Address: 50 Gay Avenue Clayton, MO 63105

Camp Description: Clayton Parks and Recreation offers many different camps during spring break and throughout the summer. Camps cover a wide range of activities, interests, and ages.

Age Range: 5-15

Cost Range: $130-345

COCA - Summer Arts Camps

Website: http://www.cocastl.org/ Phone: 314-725-6222

Address: 524 Trinity Avenue St. Louis, MO 63130

Camp Description: COCA

Summer Arts Camps for ages 3 to 18 feature a multitude of options for exploring theatre, dance, music, visual arts, culinary arts and more. Campers are provided the opportunity to learn and experience new things, build their skills and have fun while doing so. Age Range: 3-18

Cost Range: $124-$895 THIS GUIDE WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND MANY MORE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT: WWW.BLUEPRINT 4SUMMER.COM

Consuming Kinetics Dance Company

Website: http://www.ckdc.org/ kidsdanceandartcamp

Phone: 314-564-1477

Address: 460 Whittier St. St. Louis, MO 63108

Camp Description: Bring your children to CKDC this summer for a fun, diverse, immersive

arts learning experience! Age Range: 6-13 Cost Range: $300

Contemporary Arts Museum

Website: http://camstl.org/programs/youth-teen-programs/ Phone: 314-535-4660

Address: 3750 Washington Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108

Camp Description: Art Camps for children 9-13 focus on comic book art, 3-D design, stop-motion animation, and book making; Teen Museum Studies offers an opportunity to curate an exhibition. Age Range: 9-18 Cost Range: $200

Cor Jesu Academy Enrichment and Sports Camps

Website: http://www.corjesu. org/camps

Phone: 314-842-1546

Address: 10230 Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63123

Camp Description: Enrichment and Sports Camps for girls in grades 3-8 offer a variety of interests and help girls develop and hone their sports skills. Age Range: 8-14 Cost Range: $100-$125

Craft Alliance Summer Art Camps

Website: http://www.craftalliance.org Phone: 314-725-1177 x325 Address: 6640 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO 63103

Camp Description: Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design offers the Staenberg Summer Camps for ages 4-18, May 29-August 10. Half-day camps meet at the Delmar Loop and Grand Center locations – choose a morning and afternoon camp and spend the whole day being creative! Explore hot glass, pottery wheel, jewelry making, digital darkroom, textiles, cartooning, 3D printing, tech lab, and more, with artist instructors and Teen Intern opportunities. Financial aid is available.

COCA Summer Arts Camp

Age Range: 4-18

Cost Range: $79-$159

DaySpring Arts & Education

Website: http://www.dayspringarts.org

Phone: 314-291-8878

Address: 2500 Metro Blvd. Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Camp Description: DaySpring offers many camps and workshops for children ages 3-18. This summer’s line up includes classes in drama, musical theatre, music, dance, art, and STEAM!

Age Range: 3-18

Cost Range: $95-$350

Dellwood DragonsDrill Team

Website: https://www.facebook.com/dragondrumcorps/ Phone: 573-301-0105

Address: 10266 W. Florissant Ave. St. Louis, MO 63136

Camp Description: 100% FREE Summer Youth Outreach presented by the Dellwood Recreation Center, located at 10266 W. Florissant Ave., in St. Louis, MO 63136. Drum Line, Dance Team and Color Guard are open to teens ages 13-18. Teens are also able to swim in the Dellwood Aquatic Center for FREE. To provide music and performing arts therapy to improve the emotional well-being of youth...a positive alternative activity that will provide life-skills and combat juvenile delinquency. The unit will perform in local parades, festivals and cultural events, and will serve as a positive example of how a community can function in musical harmony.

Age Range: 13-18

Cost Range: $0

Des Peres Parks and Recreation Summer Camps

Website: http://www. TheLodgeDesPeres.com

Phone: 314-835-6150

Address: 1050 Des Peres Road Des Peres, MO 63131

Camp Description: Des Peres Parks and Recreation offers 25 different types of camps to keep your kids active and engaged all summer long! We are centrally located at I-270 and Manchester Road for an easy commute to work!

Age Range: 5-16

Cost Range: $129-$297

Dream Big Career Camp

Website: https://starkloff.org/ for-candidates/#additional2

Phone: 314-588-7090

Address: 133 S. 11th Street, Suite 500 St. Louis, MO 63102

Camp Description: College and career exploration camp for high-school students with disabilities and IEPs.

Age Range: 14-19

Cost Range: $375

Endangered Wolf

Website: http://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/take-atour/summer-wolf-camp/#. Phone: 636-938-5900

Address: PO Box 760 Eureka, MO 63025

Camp Description: Adventures await your child at the Endangered Wolf Center this summer. Campers will explore the world of the wolf by visiting our amazing animals, playing fun games to learn about wolf behavior, and making crafts. Exciting hikes explore nature and some of the interesting places at the Tyson Research Center.

Age Range: 4-15

Cost Range: $60-$215

Fontbonne University campF.R.E.S.H.®

Website: http://www. fontbonne.edu/academics/ undergraduate/departments/ family-and-consumer-science/ camp-fresh/ Phone: 314-719-8083

Address: 6800 Wydown Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63105

Camp Description: Each week-long day camp features a different continent, from Antarctica to South America, with stops along the way to learn about the unique lifestyles

of kids around the globe.

Age Range: 8-12

Cost Range: $185

THIS GUIDE WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND MANY MORE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT: WWW. BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. COM

Gifted Resource Council

Summer Academies

Website: http://www.giftedresourcecouncil.org/sumacad.htm

Phone: 314-962-5920

Address: Wydown Middle School Clayton, MO 63105

Camp Description: Gifted

Resource Council’s Summer Academies offer 2-week academic day camps with exciting hand-on, minds-on activities exploring a variety of topics including math, ecology, economics, space science, ancient and American history.

Age Range: 6-14

exciting and innovative ways.

Age Range: 5-15

Cost Range: $550

GlobalHack

Summer Camp

Website: https://globalhack. org/youth/summer/

Phone: 314-803-0422

Address: 911 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63101

Camp Description: This summer, GlobalHack is teaming up with UMSL Business to offer a summer camp that introduces middle and high school students to coding, through specific courses on web development, coding, game design, and more!

Age Range: 10-18

Cost Range: $299

Humane Society of Missouri

Website: http://www.hsmo.org/ summer-camp

Phone: 314-951-1579

Cost Range: $500

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

Website: http://www.girlscoutsem.org

Phone: 314-592-2300

Address: 2300 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146

Camp Description: Girl Scout

Camp opportunities range from a day to a few weeks for girls ages Pre-K through 12th grade. Girls learn teamwork and selfdiscovery in an encouraging environment.

Age Range: 5-17

Cost Range: $50-$655

Girls Incorporated of St. Louis

Website: http://www.girlsincstl.org

Phone: 314-385-8088

Address: 3801 Nelson Drive St. Louis, MO 63121

Camp Description: The programs and services of Girls Inc. are designed to encourage girls to try new things, build their skills and knowledge and prepare them for the future in

Address: 1201 Macklind Ave. St.Louis, MO 63110

Camp Description: Cool off this summer at the Humane Society of Missouri’s camps! We’re making a splash with games, animal interactions and more! Dog training, cat enrichment, and countless pets to adore. Dive into service learning projects with other animal-loving kids who want to make a PAWsitive impact for animals, too! All camps include hands-on animal interactions and animal-related activities. Join us for a week-long Kids for Critters Camp, or enjoy our special one-day Farmyard Friends Animal Adventure! Age Range: 9-14

Cost Range: $300

J Day CampsMultiple Locations

Website: https://jccstl.com/ camps-afterschool/j-day-camps/ Camp Description: J Day Camps provide a summer camp experience at three separate locations, to children ages 3-15, with a camp theme for every child, and offer inclusion services!

Age Range: 3-15

Cost Range: $173-$295

Jamestown New Horizons

Website: http://www.jnh-goneriding.org

Phone: 314-741-5816

Address: 15350 Old Jamestown Road Florissant, MO 63034

Camp Description: The JNH riders are taught to work as partners with their mounts and are instructed in all aspects of horsemanship to help them understand the nature of the horse.

Age Range: 6-15

Cost Range: $250

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis, Inc.

Website: https://www.jastl.org

Address: 17339 N Outer 40 Rd Chesterfield, MO 63017

Camp Description: Entrepreneurship summer camp for children ages 8-13 focusing on creative ways to start and run your own business!

Age Range: 8-13

Cost Range: $250

Laumeier Sculpture Park Summer Art Camps

Website: http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/ Phone: 314-615-5268

Address: 12580 Rott Road St. Louis, MO 63127

Camp Description: Laumeier

Sculpture Park offers one-week Summer Art Camps in half-day morning sessions for ages 4 to 6 and full-day sessions for ages 6 to 15.

Age Range: 4-15

Cost Range: $120-$420

Little Medical School

Website: http://www.littlemedicalschool.com/stlouis

Phone: 314-279-1948

Address: 707 N New Ballas Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Camp Description: Little Medical School® brings medicine, science, and the impor-

Girls Incorporated of St. Louis

tance of health to children in an entertaining, exciting, and fun way.

Age Range: 4-12

Cost Range: $150-$250

Lolly’s Place

Website: https://lollysplace. org/summer-programs/

Phone: 314-800-4260

Address: 6800 Washington

Ave. St. Louis, MO 63130

Camp Description: Little Medical School® brings medicine, science, and the importance of health to children in an entertaining, exciting, and fun way.

Age Range: 5-14

Cost Range: $15-$225

Mad Science Summer Camps

Website: http://stlouis.madscience.org

Phone: 314-991-8000

Address: 8420-R Olive Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63132

Camp Description: Unique science summer programming that delivers hands-on science experiences for children that are as entertaining as they are educational.

Age Range: 5-12

Cost Range: $134-$305

Maryville Science and Robotics Program

Website: https://www. maryville.edu/robot/ Phone: 314-281-1120

Address: 650 Maryville University Drive St. Louis, MO 63141

Camp Description: The Maryville Science and Robotics Program is an engaging opportunity for students who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. We offer premier, cutting-edge courses for students ages 4-16 with highly qualified faculty, including professors, engineers, computer programmers, and gifted certified teachers

Age Range: 4-16

Cost Range: $195-$270

Mathews-Dickey

Boys & Girls Club

Website: http://www.mathewsdickey.com

Phone: 314-679-5242

Address: 4245 N. Kingshighway Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63115

Camp Description: Teen College & Career Leadership Camp, ages 13-18, learn professional development skills, go on college tours and enjoy recreation! Summer Day Camp for youth ages 6-12, enjoy academics, arts, sports, swimming and more!

Age Range: 6-18

Cost Range: $200 Metro Theater Company

Summer Camps

Website: http://metroplays.org

Phone: 314-932-7414 x106

Address: 3311 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63103

Camp Description: SUMMER AT SLU: Explore advanced acting and auditioning techniques, as well as stage combat, playwriting, and more! CREATIVE ARTS CAMP: Drama, Visual art, creative movement and music blend to nurture the imagination.

Age Range: 4-18

Cost Range: $255-$575

THIS GUIDE WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND MANY MORE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT: WWW. BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. COM

OneCity Stories

Website: http://www.onecitystories.org

Phone: 314-471-5546

Address: 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121

Camp Description: Writing program for ages 14-17 focusing on creative writing and on print, broadcasting, and film journalism at UMSL Grand Center.

Age Range: 14-17

Cost Range: $450

Pianos for People

Website: https://pianosforpeople.org/

Phone: 314-285-5852

Address: 3138 Cherokee Street

St. Louis, MO 63118

Camp Description: The summer program consists of two piano programs: a beginner group piano class for students new to the piano and a group piano enrichment class featuring ensemble and duet piano playing for those who have already taken lessons. In addition to that, we also offer a music appreciation class for children age 4-5 years old, a beginner music production camp where students learn to produce their own music using the Garageband app on an iPad, and a one-week performance camp called TURN UP YOUR TALENT-Passion to Performance. (for ages 8-18).

Age Range: 4-18

Cost Range: $0

Ranken Technical CollegeAdventure Academy

Website: http://ranken.edu

Address: 4431 Finney Avenue St. Louis, MO 63113

Camp Description: Summer Adventure Academies engage students in FUN, real world, hands-on activities that demonstrate the skills necessary in technical occupations

Age Range: 12-19

Cost Range: $0-$95

SAGE-Students as Garden Educators

Website: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ learn-discover/youth-families/ youth-teen-programs/sageservice-program.aspx

Phone: 314-577-0850

Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110

Camp Description: The Students as Garden Educators (SAGE) program provides students ages 14-18 with an opportunity to lead fun activities about plants and nature in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Children’s Garden. Age Range: 14-18

Cost Range: $0

Saint Louis Public Library Summer Reading Program –Multiple Branches

Website: http://www.slpl.org

Camp Description: Join St. Louis Public Library for exciting summer program offerings. Choose from a variety of activities that will fill-up your summer calendar. You could, also, sign up for Summer Reading Club anytime between May 4 and July 25. Children and teens read at their own pace and get prizes for every five (5) books read.

Age Range: 3-18

Cost Range: $0

Saint Louis Science Center- Summer Science Blast

Website: https://www.slsc. org/learn-kid-family-activities/ summer-science-blast/ Phone: 314-289-4439

Address: 5050 Oakland Ave

St. Louis, MO 63110

Camp Description: We offer the cure for the “common camp” with our Summer Science Blast program. Age Range: 4- 16

Cost Range: $150-$425

Saint Louis UniversitySummer At SLU

Website: https://www.slu.edu/ summer Phone: 314-977-2330

Address: 3840 Lindell Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108

Camp Description: Academic and athletic camps/academies for children ages 5-18. Age Range: 5-18

Cost Range: $0- $800

Saint Louis Zoo

Website: http://www.stlzoo. org/summerprograms Phone: 314-646-4544, option #6

Address: 1 Government Drive St. Louis, MO 63110

Camp Description: Check out Camp KangaZoo at the Saint Louis Zoo, where campers learn all about Zoo animals! Campers have the opportunity to see and touch live animals, attend a Sea Lion Show, hop aboard the Zooline Railroad, tiptoe around the Zoo at night and sleep overnight at the Zoo. Age Range: 4-14

Cost Range: $200- $290

THIS GUIDE WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND MANY MORE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT: WWW. BLUEPRINT4SUMMER. COM

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Summer Camps

Website: https://www.sfstl. com/in-the-schools/summercamps/ Phone: 314-531-9800

Address: 5715 Elizabeth Ave St. Louis, MO 63110

Camp Description: Theatre training and fun for ages 11-14 and 15-18. Age Range: 11-18

Cost Range: $550

Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville

Website: http://www.siue.edu/ summer/camps/index.shtml

Address: 1 Hairpin Drive Edwardsville, IL 62025

Camp Description: SIUE offers a variety of summer camps. Students of all ages can explore academics, arts or athletics this summer. Age Range: 2-21

Cost Range: $0-$450

St. Louis ArtWorks Summer Program

Website: http://www.stlartworks.org

Phone: 314-899-9734

Address: 5959 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO 63112

Camp Description: Work based training and arts education for teenagers in St.Louis! Age Range: 14-18

Cost Range: $0

St. Louis County Library

Website: https://www.slcl.org/ Phone: 314-994-3300 Address: 1640 S. Lindbergh

Metro Theater Company

Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63131

Camp Description: Join the St. Louis County Library for tons of free youth programming all summer long!

Age Range: 0-18

Cost Range: $0

Strength and Honor Mentoring and Tutoring

Website: https://www.mysah. org/

Phone: 314-723-7582

Address: 1050 Smith Ave. Ferguson, MO 63135

Camp Description: Our mission is to save our youth from thoughtless habits by providing them positive models, opportunities, experiences and exposure that will provide options in making rational decisions in life. Each of the eight weeks of summer camp will consist of field trips, enrichment, character education, STEM activities, and of course, swimming!

Age Range: 5-15

Cost Range: $85

TASK – Team Activities for Special Kids

Website: http://www.tasksports.org/

Phone: 636-343-8275

Address: 980 Horan Drive Fenton, MO 63026

Camp Description: Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) is a nonprofit 501(c)3, year-round instructional sports program that provides athletic and social opportunities to kids with special needs. The purpose of the program is to help build self-esteem and skills in children with special needs. Each athlete receives a team t-shirt and trophy upon completion of the sport.

Age Range: 5-99

Cost Range: $125-$150

The Green Center

Website: http://www.thegreencenter.org/camps.html

Phone: 314-725-8314 X 105

Address: 8025 Blackberry Avenue University City, MO 63130

Camp Description: Spend the summer at one of The Green

Center’s Nature Explorer Camps! Each camp will have students explore our prairie, forest, wetland, greenhouse and discovery garden outdoor classrooms.

Age Range: 5-13

Cost Range: $135

U-CREATE Summer Camp

Website: http://www.umsl. edu/campusrecreation/youthprograms/ucreatesummercamppage.html

Phone: 314-516-2344

Address: 1 University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121

Camp Description: U-CREATE is a Summer camp for kids ages 6-12 that is designed to be an active camp that both educates and stimulates, while having fun.

Age Range: 6-12

Cost Range: $150

Vetta Sports Summer Camp – Multiple Locations

Website: http://VettaSports.com/camp

Camp Description: Play Sports. Have Fun. Vetta Sports offers the perfect summer camp for children ages 5-12, looking to stay active while having fun. Age Range: 3-12

Cost Range: $97-$180 YFC Summer Daycamp

Website: http://www.theyfc.org

Phone: 314-231-1147

Address: 818 Cass Ave. St. Louis, MO 63106

Camp Description: The YFC Summer Day Camp is a 9 week program for campers ages 5-13 that focuses around fun learning.

Age Range: 5-13

Cost Range: $50

YMCA- Multiple Locations

Website: https://www.gwrymca.org/

Camp Description: Summer Unplugged! The YMCA invites your camper to an unforgettable summer experience-a large variety of day camp opportunities for ages 5-13 yrs.

Age Range: 5-13

Cost Range: $50- $379

They should look for a camp that provides activities that are of interest to their child and appropriate for the child’s age and skill level.

Parents need to take time to visit camps to inspect facilities, ask about the staff’s training and experience and find out how the camp handles medical emergencies. If the child is staying overnight, be sure to look at cabins, showers and other facilities that your child will be using.

Some camps, such as those organized around a particular sport, are highly structured and stress development of specific skills. Others are more flexible and give campers the opportunity to choose some of their activities. Your child’s interest and personality should be your guide in choosing an appropriate program. If the child is old enough, ask what activities he or she would enjoy at camp.

Parents should ask how long a camp has been in business and check with parents of past and returning students. Check BBB’s website, bbb.org, for the camp’s record on handling complaints.

The standards for day and overnight camps may be different, but each should put your child’s safety and well-being first. BBB offers the following tips for parents searching for the right camp for their child:

• Always visit the camp before submitting your deposit. Check its location and view the living, eating and recreational facilities. Ask about safety procedures (particularly for water activities, archery and out-of-camp trips) and assess the quality and commitment of the staff.

HIP HOP

Continued from D1

non-profit focused on increasing the number of underrepresented groups in S.T.E.A.M.

• Ask about fees and payment deadlines. Is your deposit refundable? Are there extra charges for any activities? Are meals and transportation offered?

• What is the camper return rate? The counselor return rate?

• What is the camp director’s background? How is the staff trained? Are criminal checks made for employees and volunteers? What is the ratio of campers to staff members?

• Are medical facilities adequate? Is a nurse or doctor on site? What are the procedures for transporting injured or sick children to medical facilities? Are those facilities nearby?

• What are the safety rules and

careers, and Autodesk, Inc. the software provider for people who make things. Program sites are accessible. Upon two weeks’ notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County

how are they enforced? Does the camp have appropriate insurance coverage?

• Are family visits or other communications with campers allowed? How is homesickness handled?

• Are references from parents of repeat campers available? Ask the parents about their child’s experience and why they recommend the camp. Finally, look for camps that are certified by the American Camp Association. ACAaccredited camps have met up to 300 nationally recognized standards.

For more information on an individual camp or to check a BBB Business Profile, go to bbb.org or call 888-996-3887.

Library by phone 314-9943300, or visit www.slcl.org.

Persons interested in attending the Hip Hop Architecture Camp can apply through April 15 at www.hiphoparchitecture.com.

BLUEPRINT

Continued from D1

search for best-fit summer programming. It was launched in 2015 to alleviate the stress and frustration families, especially in under-resourced areas, felt as they tried to piece together summer plans for their kids as well as to tackle the achievement gap that exists between low-income students and their middle- and upper-class peers following summer vacation. Research shows that summer learning loss during elementary school accounts for approximately two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading by ninth grade, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University. Blueprint4Summer’s goal is to reduce this disparity by providing lower-income students the same access to educational

“What happens during the summer directly affects outcomes here in our district,” said Dr. Joyce Pugh-Walker, the director of federal programs for the Ferguson-Florissant School District. “Our vision is to support all students flourishing and becoming lifelong contributors to the success of the societies in which they work and live, therefore encouraging them to participate in meaningful summer programs is part of that process. We are proud to partner with Blueprint4Summer and are excited to host families from any district across the region for this free event.”

Coordinators are planning to have 60 camps in attendance at the fair representing a wide range of activities, many of which have a focus on STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), such as the Challenger Learning Center, GlobalHack, and Maryville Science and

ing high schoolers,” said Zasmine Johnson, assistant programs manager for Blueprint4Summer. “Many local programs also offer scholarship opportunities, so it’s important to learn all of your options and register for camps early. The camps attending this Summer Camp Fair are also listed on Blueprint4Summer, so if you can’t attend the free event, parents should make sure to search for summer opportunities on our website.”

All families are welcome at the Summer Camp Fair this Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the McCluer North High School gymnasium. For more information about the camp fair, visit https://www. fergflor.org/campfair Parents and guardians looking for more information on summer programming in St. Louis can search for opportunities on Blueprint4Summer by visiting the website at http://