May 5th, 2011 edition

Nixon vetoes discrimination bill

Black

By Rebecca S.Rivas

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Photo by Wiley Price See BIN LADEN, A6

Charlie Wilson to headline 2nd Super Music Festival on Friday with En Vogue, Eric Benet and Fantasia. Page C1

Riverview Gardens ROTC student Cadet Lt.Sharaz Harrison,reflecting on the killing of Osama bin Laden in class on Monday,wondered,“Who’s next to come?”

Riverview Gardens ROTC student Craig Brown,cadet petty officer 3rd class,applauded President Obama for his leadership of the operation against bin Laden:“He did the right thing.”

Photo by Wiley Price

Achiever

A.Murray,PhD,RN

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Tranny tell-all alleges ‘outings’ with black Hollywood

According to Hollywood Street King, Transgender author Toni Newman is naming names in her newly released memoir, ‘I Rise –The Transformation of Toni Newman’. Newman writes:

“LL Cool J was a one-time encounter and very enjoyable.”

“Mister Cee picked me up and many others.He very verbal and very generous if you performed up to his expectations.” Newman also uses the memoir to add fuel to rumors surrounding another star who has been plagued with speculation concerning his sexual orientation.

Nick and Mariah’s double bundle of joy

Mariah Carey’s representative Cindi Berger confirmed the singing superstar and her husband Nick Cannon gave birth Saturday at 12:07 p.m. EDT at an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles. Berger says the baby girl was born first, weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces, and was 18 inches long; her brother was next, at 5 pounds 6 ounces, and was 19 inches.

“I never had an encounter with Eddie Murphy, but he was visiting 14th street late at night. I know at least five transgenders who did have sex with Eddie Murphy.” Newman also alleges in the book that the transvestite commercial sex workers associated with Murphy claim he was interested in the “girls” with the most endowed man parts.

Berger said the 41-year-old Carey, who had gone through false labor, was calm, thinking that it was another false alarm.

She said 30-year-old Cannon was so nervous he went to the wrong department at the hospital, and was guided to the maternity ward by a nurse.

“It was like right out of an ‘I Love Lucy’ skit,” said Berger. Berger says they were listening to Carey’s “We Belong Together” after the children were born.

Songwriter seeks big bucks from Bone Thugs and Harmony

Roland Brown filed a $27 million breach of contract suit against Bone Thug claiming he was never paid royalties for a song released in

1996. Roland wrote two songs for the multiplatinum selling ‘Mo Thugs Family Scriptures’ album: “Take Your Time” and “Here With Me.”

Mr. Brown named Sony, Ruthless Records, Relativity, Loud Records, WMG, Mo Thugs Inc. and each member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in his lawsuit.

Is LeBron to big time for family?

According to Terez Owens’ sports gossip blog, LeBron James has turned his back on his family in the years since becoming one of the biggest names in professional basketball. In a book titled: In Kin to the King: A LeBron James Family History details James’ great-uncle, Steven J. Nelson Sr., says many of James’ ”castaway relatives” have felt overlooked for a long time. Nelson spoke of James’ reluctance to sign family member’s birthday cards because he found his signature too valuable to tarnish on a card.

Trump whines after Obama’s White House last laugh

yesterday morning and admitted that he felt the sting of President Obama’s jabs — which compared Birther movementarians to moon landing skeptics and portrayed the Trump White House as a neon-lit pool party.

“I understood what I was getting into,” said the rumored candidate for president, but he noted that he “didn’t realize I would be the sole focus.”

Wacka Flocka in the clear

Wacka Flocka

Donald Trump was the target of several jokes at this weekend’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He called in to Fox News

Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka was cleared of serious gang and drug charges yesterday (May 3rd).

A Henry County, Georgia grand jury cleared Waka Flocka of drug charges, after finding there was not enough evidence to convict him. According to TMZ, Flocka had already been cleared of three charges before the case went in front of a grand jury.

Police raided Flocka’s Georgia home last December in search of evidence of gangs, drugs. The grand jury ultimately tossed out the remaining charges: possession of a controlled substance and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

Sources: TMZ.com, Hollywood Street Kings, Terez Owens, Allhiphop.com

Absentee trickery?

On Tuesday, April 5, the 9 p.m. KTVI Fox 2 news broadcast lead off with the news that, with all 25 precincts reporting, Carl E. Oficer had defeated Alvin Parks Jr. by a margin of 2,218 votes to 2,047, to become the new mayor of East St. Louis.

Then, around 9:30 p.m. a sudden surge of about 3,000 absentee ballots were suddenly discovered and counted, swinging the election to Parks’ favor by a total of 796 votes. That’s either the biggest come-from-behind victory or the greatest case of vote fraud in ESL history.

My own father, James H. Ingram, was a victim of absentee trickery, having received an absentee ballot which he never requested. Wisely, when he received the unsolicited ballot in the mail, I asked him to bring it with him to the polls on election day. When he arrived to cast his vote, he was informed that he had already voted.

Fortunately, I happened to be at the polls and witnessed the entire exchange. I informed the poll workers that he had not voted and had the unsolicited absentee ballot in his possession. The poll workers called the board of elections, who informed the workers to allow my father to vote after coniscating his absentee ballot and having him to sign an afidavit verifying that he had, indeed, not cast a previous ballot. That solved my father’s problem, but what about the approximately 3,700 absent ballots which were reportedly “requested” in advance of this election, versus only 577 absentee ballots requested in the last mayoral election?

Of the 22,459 registered voters in ESL, only 7,649 (34 percent) even bothered to vote. Then approximately 3,700 absentee ballots were requested (nearly half the total number of voters who went to the polls), as opposed to only 577 absentee ballots requested only four years ago. Doesn’t that smell a little rotten?

Why were the absentee ballots counted after the results from the 25 precincts were revealed? Sounds like the kind of funny math one engages in when one doesn’t like the true results.

I’m not the only one who thinks that some questionable dealings may have transpired in this election. Reporter Betsy Bruce, of KTVI Fox 2, spoke to my father, as well as to ESL voter James White, who wasn’t allowed to vote after being told that he had already voted via absentee ballot.

When Bruce checked the signatures on the absentee ballot application forms, they had been signed. The signature shown for my father during Bruce’s report was a forged signature, indicating that at least one instance of vote fraud occurred.

How many other senior, deceased and others citizens were robbed of their vote by virtue of forgery or by those who voted illegally in their behalf?

Then there are the 14,810 voters who (out of frustration, apathy or laziness) simply sat on their butts and allowed a handful of voters – and, possibly, vote thieves – to hijack and rob them of democracy and justice in ESL.

Carl Oficer has threatened to take this matter to the U.S. Attorney as a possible civil rights violation.

However, on a local level, James Lewis, head of ESL Board of Elections, and those within St. Clair County politics must exercise due diligence in regularly purging the voter rolls of deceased voters and being more proactive, particularly when there are unusually high requests for absentee ballots. Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com.

Court rules for embryonic stem cell research

Special to The American

A U.S. appeals court in Washington, D.C., ruled Friday that federal funding may continue for embryonic stem cell research.

The decision is the latest positive turn in a dangerous

lawsuit that seeks to stop federal funding for one of our most promising avenues of medical research. In the past year, embryonic stem cell research has yielded important advances aimed at helping people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, vision loss,

spinal cord injury and other aflictions.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for Missouri patients – present and future – as well as for our families and friends across the country,” said Dena Ladd, executive director of Missouri Cures.

“It makes absolutely no sense to stop funding medical research that has the potential to save so many families from the pain and economic stress of injury and disease.”

For a list of important embryonic stem cell breakthroughs, visit www.missouricures.com/

advances. A panel of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., issued Friday’s ruling. The plaintiffs could appeal the decision to the full appellate court.

James Ingram

EDITORIAL /COMMENTARY

Obama in full command

“This is a good day for America,” President Barack Obama said on Monday morning. It was also a good day for those of us who generally support this president and his administration. He was speaking to a nation still stunned by the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan by U.S. forces on Sunday. In close consultation with senior military oficials, Obama had acted on intelligence and directed a lightning strike against this country’s No. 1 military target, the international igurehead of al-Qaeda and one of the terrorist movement’s crucial strategists and inanciers. Obama had succeeded where the two previous presidents, who also had bin Laden in their sights, had failed.

No one can doubt that national security is the irst responsibility of a president, who is commander in chief of the armed forces. And no one can fairly deny that Obama has just led a startling and historic victory for the vital interests of our national security. The mood and circumstances were wildly different from Election Night 2008, but there was an equivalent national amazement and euphoria. The message then was hope and change, and the message now was justice and closure. But once again we experienced a moment of national cohesion with Obama at its center. As he said, “Today we are reminded as a nation there is nothing we can not do.” It has been a long, long time since this beleaguered leader has been able to say “we” about the nation he was elected to lead and sound convincing.

Obama’s daring and brilliant success as commander in chief immediately revealed by contrast the appalling triviality of his implacable opponents, those ankle-biters who pander to the sentiments of the white, right-wing fringe – like Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump

and even presumptive Missouri Republican gubernatorial candidate Peter Kinder. Trump had been preening about managing to force Obama to release his long-form birth certiicate, ratifying what most of us have long known, that the president was born a U.S. citizen. The unbridled lack of restraint and reality of the bewigged billionaire was left looking preposterous as Obama magisterially oversaw the elimination of our nation’s most feared enemy. While Trump’s forcing this powerful black man to (in effect) show his papers evoked in many of us the memory of paterollers and fugitive slaves, Obama’s transcendence as commander in chief left this episode in the realm of irrelevant racist fantasy.

As for Peter Kinder, who mouths noxious, fear-mongering tea bagger slogans out-state then cozies up to black folks in St. Louis, he was made looking like a more overt heel than Trump. Last Monday, Kinder spoke without restraint at a naturalization ceremony in his hometown of Cape Girardeau. While welcoming a group of new Americans as a state oficial, Kinder in essence questioned the president’s patriotism. “I don’t necessarily judge the current president as not a believer in American exceptionalism,” the Southeast Missourian reported Kinder saying, “except to note the fact that his own statements have cast some doubt on the matter.” Such wannabe intellectual grandstanding at the expense of a sitting president – again – was reduced to nonsense by Obama’s leadership on the world stage. This president showed himself an exemplary standard-bearer for “American exceptionalism,” an exemplary American – and an exceptional American president by any standard.

The Way I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Cracking Missouri’s injustice

Missouri’s iscal problems have forced lawmakers to make dificult funding choices as they map out the state’s budget plan for 2012. The House budget bill cut funding to colleges and universities by 7 percent and provides no increases for elementary and secondary education. These decisions will hurt our schools and force children to take a back seat because of spending priorities elsewhere in the budget, most notably our prison system. As Missouri’s prison system grows so does the expense of incarceration. We spend about $16,000 per prisoner per year, and our prison population is expected to increase. There is room to cut. In Missouri, low-level and nonviolent crack cocaine offenses receive uniquely harsh sentences that are costly and ineffective in curbing drug abuse. Reducing those unfair sentences to a level proportionate to the crime would free up resources that could be better used educating our youth without impacting public safety. Missouri is among 13 states with a sentencing disparity between powder cocaine and crack cocaine. Missouri maintains a 75-to-1 quantity disparity between the two drugs that are pharmacologically the

same. While an offense involving powder cocaine only qualiies for a mandatory minimum sentence of ive years when selling 150 grams of the drug, for crack cocaine a irst-time offense involving as little as two grams of the drug subjects a defendant to the same mandatory ive-year penalty. The law results in an ineffective use of scarce public resources – law enforcement, courts, and prisons – that would be better deployed to handle cases involving genuinely highlevel offenders. Many times individuals caught possessing small quantities of drugs are drug users or street sellers supporting a habit. Missouri requires judges to sentence these types of offenders, who may possess a quantity of crack cocaine weighing as little as a sugar packet, to an excessive mandatory sentence, even for a irst-time offense. Moreover, we know from data analysis conducted in other states and at the federal level that cocaine sentencing disparities produce unfair racial disparities in prison admissions. For example, The Sentencing Project found that in Iowa and Ohio African Americans comprised 75 percent or more of the people incarcerated for crack cocaine offenses. While blacks report using crack cocaine at higher rates than whites, it is far lower than the 75 percent igure for prison admissions of crack offenders found in other states. We have introduced legisla-

tion to address this problem and make sentences for low-level crack cocaine offenses fairer.

House Bill 913 would reduce the current 75 to 1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine to 4 to 1 by raising quantity amounts that trigger mandatory minimum sentences for low-level crack cocaine offenses.

HB 913 has garnered bipartisan support at a time when the call for smarter sentencing has brought together conservatives and liberals across the country. Conservatives like former U.S. Attorney and head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Asa Hutchinson and Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform supported reducing crack cocaine sentencing disparities at the federal level. At the state-level, in recent years Connecticut, Iowa and South Carolina have adopted reforms to address their crack cocaine sentencing laws. There is an urgent need to address the prison population, with its huge costs in dollars and lost human potential. We can no longer afford business as usual with prisons. The criminal justice system is broken, and addressing disparate sentencing practices is one way to ix it. We can free up funds for our schools by adopting iscally responsible and bipartisan approaches to incarceration that includes reducing sentences for non-violent drug offenses.

COMMENTARY

Freed from bin Laden

The lag-waving, horn-honking crowd that converged at the White House Sunday night was brimming with unrestrained joy, unmitigated patriotism and a sense of unlimited possibility –which meant Osama bin Laden had suffered not only death but defeat as well.

Thousands had come to witness and celebrate history. Many, perhaps most, were college students who had been in elementary school when deluded fanatics, indoctrinated and dispatched by bin Laden, crashed airliners into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a ield near Shanksville, Pa. But there were also older men and women who had lived through that unforgettable day as adults.

Ram Rodriguez, 41, and a group of co-workers at Southwest Airlines happened to be in the Baltimore area on business. They had just inished dining at a restaurant in Annapolis, on the Chesapeake Bay, when they heard the irst radio reports that President Obama was about to speak to the nation and that bin Laden had been killed. So instead of going back to their hotel, they piled into their rental car and sped to the White House “to be a part of history,” Rodriguez said. “This is the beginning of peace – that’s what I’m hoping for,” he said. “The last 10 years were one chapter, and now that’s over. I’m here to celebrate the beginning of a new era.”

John Greenield rode his bike to the White House; he said he lives just 10 blocks away. He grew up in Minnesota and was in the seventh grade when 9/11 happened. Now he works as a consultant here, and he said he came to join the crowd because Sunday night felt like “a turning point for the country.”

I kept hearing that theme of turning a page. In a sense, we had been prisoners of bin Laden. Now we’re free.

n Osama bin Laden was more than a piece of uninished business.

For me, news of bin Laden’s death brought back visceral memories of the Tuesday morning that changed the world –and changed all our lives. Once again, I could feel the shock, the pain, the anger. I could feel the emptiness.

I was then an editor at The Washington Post, so of course I had work to do. In the newsroom, we watched in stunned disbelief as the towers came down. There was relief at hearing that my wife and two sons had made it home from work and school safely; shock at the unimaginable loss of innocent life; adrenaline-fueled exhilaration at the challenge of marshaling resources to cover a story of incomprehensible size and scope.

That Saturday, my irst son was to begin his freshman year at the University of Chicago. Commercial air trafic was grounded, so we had to go

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let’s talk local control

The Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression applauds the agreement between St. Louis oficials and police rank-and-ile that takes us one step closer to local control of the St. Louis police department. After 150 years of the undemocratic imposition of state control, we can now envision an era where the people of St. Louis have a greater say in how the police operate. CAPCR has worked tirelessly to ensure that the community’s demand for local control become a reality. We have long advocated for an agreement on local control that allows for collective bargaining rights for police oficers. Like other workers, they deserve that right. Collective bargaining will give police enough power to advocate effectively for themselves on pensions, beneits, wages and other issues of vital concern. And it is appropriate that the city, which must pay the bills, rather than the state, sit on the other side of the negotiating table.

As we enter this new era of local control, it is crucial that the whole community engage in a vigorous discussion to explore how best to implement the new system. This is an historic opportunity for the city to rethink the proper relationship of the police, city government and the citizenry. CAPCR will be advocating for important checks and balances to make sure that all stakeholders have a voice. In the coming weeks we will roll out a plan based on best practices from around the country – one structured not on personalities or power-grabbing, but on principles of governance that will hold St. Louis in good stead for decades to come. We expect and will encourage in-depth debate on these issues. That is the democratic opportunity we in St. Louis have created for ourselves. We therefore fully expect that all members of our community have an equal chance to be heard so that a fair and functional St. Louis solution will emerge.

Jamala Rogers and

by car. I’ll never forget the helplessness I felt as I left him in a new and unfamiliar place, halfway across the country, and then made the long, lonely drive home.

There was nothing on the radio but continuing coverage of the terrorist attacks. Then, inally, a piece of music: conductor Leonard Slatkin was leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a commemorative performance of Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” one of the saddest and most elegiac pieces of music I’ve ever heard. I had to take the next exit and pull over. I couldn’t see through my tears. That was how it began. On Sunday night, in the emotional sense, it ended. There will be more terrorism. Al-Qaeda is not dead, and in fact may redouble its efforts at mayhem. But there has been a deinitive change. Osama bin Laden was more than a piece of uninished business. He was a constant, if rarely acknowledged, presence in our lives. He was there when we took off our shoes at the airport, there when we drove past the Pentagon, there when we saw a picture of the New York skyline. As long as bin Laden remained at large and unaccountable, he retained the power he had so cruelly usurped on 9/11. On Sunday, those who gathered at the White House were celebrating our psychological liberation.

The changes in our lives will endure, but the man responsible for those changes is gone at last.

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

Zaki Baruti, co-chairs Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression

My night with Alvin Ailey

The long line of people waiting to enter the Fox Theatre were anxiously waiting and talking. I had never attended a ballet, especially with black performers who were renowned for their gifts of imagination. I had been to the Fox Theatre last in the 1970s. The expectation was more of the poor interior and inferior quality I remembered as I sought safety from the cold weather outside and a place to eat my warm peanuts and jelly beans I had taken from the old Woolworths. As I entered the theatre, it was like a transformation of my being. The old man had died, and a new man had taken its place. The sheer beauty of the large colonnades with their austere colors, the igurines standing as sentries over the patrons who entered, ushered me into a feeling of warmth and safety, without my salty little companions.

Our seats were on the front row. We were close to the large curtain with the dual dragons on them. The lights went out, darkness engulfed us. When our senses returned, a black man stood on stage, naked but for his midsection covered in black cloth. This young black man leaped and fell easily to the loor, undulating with a look of pain on his face. His mouth was opened wide and you could feel his scream bellowing out for help. He was alone on the stage, it was his world and we were witnessing what being black meant when left to its own ability to feel and be without deinition. I had long maintained that men who danced in tight clothes and stood on their toes were less that formidable. That thought is past. As I left the theatre, I heard music being played by a man with a saxophone and for a minute I looked around and wondered who would care if I ... danced.

Edward Blair St. Louis

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Guest Columnist

State Rep. Chris Carter

President Obama in the Situation Room at the White House on Sunday discussing the special forces raid on Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Oficial White House photo by Pete Souza

Downtown Bicycle Station opens

The City of St. Louis, Partnership for Downtown St. Louis, Trailnet, Great Rivers Greenway and founding sponsors joined Mayor Francis G. Slay last Thursday at the Grand Opening & Dedication of the new Downtown Bicycle Station.

The Downtown Bicycle Station, located at 1011 Locust Street in the 411 Building at 10th and Locust streets is 1,450 square feet, offers secure access and features more than 100 bike racks, showers and locker rooms for cyclists commuting to work. It is also located next to Urban Shark, a fullservice bike shop.

The Downtown CID will manage the Downtown Bicycle Station under contract with the City, as well as contract with Trailnet for marketing and membership services and Big Shark to provide facility operations. This summer, Trailnet will relocate its 20 employees to the 411 Building as well. This project is funded in part by the City of St. Louis with funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For information on the Downtown Bicycle Station or membership, www.downtownbicyclestation.org.

Ferguson Restaurants fund tornado relief

Severe storms and a tornado left the Ferguson area damaged and distressed. Enjoyalocal.com and the “Dine Ferg” restaurants want to help. On Friday, May 6, participating restaurants will be donating 20 percent of all sales to the recovery and repair efforts in Ferguson.

Patrons dining at Ferguson Brewing Co., Marley’s Bar & Grill, Cork Wine Bar, Corner Coffee House, or Vincenzo’s will be assisting in the repair of Ferguson. Donations to the fund will graciously be accepted at any of the participating restaurants.

The “Dine Ferg” restaurants will also be hosting a free concert featuring the band Solar Eclipse in the Plaza across from Ferguson Brewing and Marley’s, in Downtown Ferguson, from 7-10 p.m. For more information, contact Paul Witwer at (314) 560-2418.

Jennings School Board elects officers

The Jennings Board of Education re-elected Rosemary Johnson as president and Harold Austin as vice president at its April 18 board meeting.Johnson has been a board member since 1994 and will serve her second term as president.Miranda Jones,John Schlereth and the board’s newest member Terry Wilson were elected for a three-year term in the April 5 election and were also sworn in at the April 18 meeting.The board recognized and thanked outgoing member Joseph Turner for his years of service as a board director.Yolonda Fountain-Henderson and David Green also serve on the board.

Attorney General warns about storm scams

Attorney General Chris Koster cautioned Missourians to be on the alert for “storm chasers” – companies that follow severe weather and try to contract with homeowners who have suffered storm or tornado damage to provide roofing and other repair services. Company representatives will typically go door to door in storm-damaged areas posing as recovery experts or contractors specializing in home repairs.

Koster warned consumers that the storm chasers will ask them to sign a contract allowing their company to negotiate with the homeowner’s insurance company. He said they generally use high-pressure sales tactics; ask for cash up front; may have out-of-state drivers licenses or plates; be unable to produce local references; and have no proof of workers’compensation insurance. Often, they perform shoddy work, then leave the area, leaving the homeowner with little or no recourse.

Koster offered the following tips:

Never enter into a contract quickly – review the contract and check with the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau for complaints

Ask for insurance and licensing information, and make sure the company has the proper work permits before work begins

Never pay cash up front before the job is completed

Always get a phone number and address for the company represented, and then check it out

Ask for local references and check with them about the work provided

If you notice out-of-state plates, logos on vehicles, etc., make note of the information

To report storm chasers to the Attorney General’s Office, submit a complaint form online or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.

Blended families: a new normal

By Robin Moore-Chambers and Jan Moore-Osler For The St.Louis American

Let it be known that all families can benefit from learning effective communication skills: the ability to transmit and receive information that is accurately interpreted. In layman’s terms, Real Talk: saying what you mean (truth), mean what you say and try your best to hear and understand what was said. While basic communication skills are needed in all relationships between parents and children, the uniqueness of blended family functioning calls for intentional methods in everything, including communication.

Research defines blended families as “incomplete institutions” because they do not share norms and traditions that biological families may share. We agree that biological families have the privilege of relational ties that blended families have to create, but we reject the term “incomplete institution.”

We replace it with “blended institution,” normalizing the new family form as completein its own way. It is what it is and cannot be compared with biological/nuclear families. Therefore, communication efforts have to be purposeful and positive in constructing the new normal; it does not happen automatically.

Consider the following example.

Eddie told his mother that he does not want to have his weekend visit at his father’s home that includes his stepmother, her daughter and their child together.

Eddie’s mother responds: “I knew they were treating you funny over there. His little boy may be named after him, but he was your daddy first and don’t you ever forget it!”

Facts: Eddie does not live with his father; his father is married and has a stepchild and a child with his wife in a separate household.

His mother, however, did not respond to Eddie’s apprehension (which can be normal in such situations). She did not explore why he did not want to visit, assumed he would be treated unfairly and implanted negative thoughts in him.

This type of communication does two unfair things to stepchildren: makes them defenseless and defensive.

Suggestions for effective communication:

All adults: Be intentional about keeping lines of communication open among yourselves: remain civil and show respect for each other. Do not slander your child’s other parent and stepparent, but help to ease the transition to their biological parents’new family form. Encourage and support the children.

Biological parents: Prepare your children for the new blended family. Ask questions about their feelings and provide an open atmosphere for them to share. Have an ear to hear what they say and (do not say); validate their reality about their new family form.

Stepparents: Be aware that you are developing a new relationship with your stepchild that takes time to grow, and everyone needs time to feel comfortable and get to know each other. Initiate small conversations with them for starters.

There are no ready-made families; this is not an instant pancake recipe. When blended families learn the formula for effective communication, they begin to foster healthy relationships as they navigate through their journey.

Robin Moore-Chambers and Jan Moore-Osler

Continued from A1

to recognize and praise the contributions of 2011

Lifetime Achiever Jonathan R. Reed, MD; 2011 Stellar Performer Teri A. Murray, PhD, RN: 2011 Excellence in Public Health Awardee Vetta Sanders Thompson, PhD; and 2011 Health Care Advocacy Organization of the Year the BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute.

Acknowledging the performance of Anisha MorrellCharles, a last-minute replacement for scheduled emcee Carol Daniel, and the overall importance of younger professionals, Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation, said, “We must recognize and encourage our young talent.”

“We lift up the caregivers in our community,” the Rev. Antonio Settles (Reed’s pastor) said in his invocation. Reed himself – a retired Ob/Gy specialist who practiced for 42 years – was greeted with a standing ovation.

“I’ve had a very challenging and rewarding career, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Reed said, then joked, “but I’m so glad to finally turn in that beeper.”

In a video produced and edited by Rebecca S. Rivas of The St. Louis American Reed fondly recalled his early days at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in North St. Louis. “I still cherish those

BIN LADEN

Continued from A1

the U.S. since the Clinton administration for his role in financing and helping to organize many attacks on the U.S., including the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

years,” he said in the video. Murray – dean and associate professor of the Saint Louis University School of Nursing –sounded a key note for the event when she said, “We must recognize that diversity is critical for health care.”

In Rivas’video, Murray described her efforts to diversify the student body at SLU School of Nursing, which had dropped to a low of 2 percent African-American enrollment in 2006 and now is at 16-18

“We must encourage our health care professionals who want to work with our community to better our health.”

– Consuelo Wilkins,MD,St.Louis American medical accuracy editor

percent. “We need to be able to have a workforce that is representative of our community,” Murray said in the video.

“How many people know about bin Laden’s death?” asked ROTC instructor Aaron Gibson. About half the class raised their hands. For the others, it was their first time hearing about a historic event they most likely will remember for the rest of their lives. All of the students except one were African-American.

Gibson said a lot of military families are relieved that bin Laden was eliminated, particularly those who have lost loved ones in terrorist attacks or in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“What do you think, Stiles?” Gibson asked, gesturing to a student about five-feet

Vetta Sanders Thompson,PhD, associate professor at the Brown School of Social Work and Institute for Public Health at Washington University,received the 2011 Excellence in Public Health Award on Friday at the 11th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care awards luncheon.

University – said her honor “represents the hard work we’ve done with so, so many colleagues.”

Thompson – associate professor at the Brown School of Social Work and Institute for Public Health at Washington

tall, who was clutching a light gray sweater against the unusually cold day in May.

“I am very happy,” said Kiara Stiles, 17, cadet seaman recruit.

“This is a wonderful time for the United States. With this hard time with people being killed and the chaos that bin Laden has caused, I am going to celebrate his ending moment – because of what he did, not because of the person he was. He could have been a wonderful person, but did evil, wrong things.”

In December, Stiles decided to join the Air Force with the hope of becoming an airplane engineer. The deaths of thousands of military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan have not deterred her from pursuing a military career, she said.

“If I were to go into Pakistan for war, I would be scared,” Stiles said. “It comes with being in the military. It’s scary, but it’s your job.”

The fact that bin Laden had been harbored in a safe house in Pakistan attracted some suspicion from the Obama administration, but there has been no discussion of war against Pakistan, which has been officially a well-funded ally of the U.S. in its war against terrorists.

In Rivas’video, Thompson recalled getting her initial education in Birmingham, Ala. when it was first tentatively integrating its public schools. As she awakened to “socioeconomic disparities,” she said on the video, “you just wanted to see that change” – and that remains her driving force as a health care professional.

‘Who’s next to come?’

Several students said they watched President Obama’s speech the night before. In his speech, Obama said, “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader

“If you are in the military, you don’t have to worry about bin Laden. But who’s next to come?”

– Sharaz Harrison

of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

Military officials said in September 2010, the Central Intelligence Agency began working with Obama on assessments that led agents to believe bin Laden was living in the compound in Pakistan.

By mid-February, through a series of intensive meetings at the White House and with the president, CIAagents determined there was a sound intel-

Steven Player, PharmD, MBA,pharmacymanager at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, accepted theaward on behalf of theBESt program, which is a collaboration between BJH, Express Scripts and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Player said it is unprecedented to bring “three top players in the health care field together” on such an initiative. “It’s unduplicated anywhere else,” he said.

Rivas’BESt video is framed around an AfricanAmerican freshman at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Rebakkah Johnson, who was recruited to the school after twice attending the BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute. “I was ready for a challenge after two summers of strenuous work,” Johnson said on the video.

All of the summer program’s graduates have gone onto college, and like Johnson 90 percent of them have pursued a health care profession, according to Isaac Butler, PharmD, MBA, clinical program manager at Express Scripts.

The 2011 Salute also recognized eight Excellence in Health Care honorees: Christal L. Adams, RN, BSN; Portialyn Y. Peterson, MSW, LCSW; Clara Scott, MSW; Darlene Smith; Katina McLeodStewart, MHA; Mary J. Trice, RN, BSN, MHS; Debbie Wade-Wilson, RN, BSN; and Deidre “Dee” Washington, RN. As the Rev. Settles said in his invocation, “Their hands help the weak and generate love for the hurt.”

ligence basis for pursuing this in an aggressive way, officials said.

President Obama gave the final order to pursue the operation on the morning of Friday, April 29. He and a team of senior advisors monitored the situation over the weekend and viewed the operation live on video from the White House Situation Room.

Several of the students said President Obama’s role in the operation was heroic.

“I think people are thankful,” said Jevonte Washington, cadet petty officer 3rd class. “He made the call.”

“I feel like he did the right thing because this man [bin Laden] terrorized for years,” said Craig Brown, cadet petty officer 3rd class. “We lost hundreds of thousands of lives in the war.”

Brown will enter the military soon. He said he is scared to die and was relieved that bin Laden was caught before he joined the armed forces. Still, he said, when they join the military they must be prepared for retaliation.

“It’s a sign of relief,” said Sharaz Harrison, cadet lieutenant and administration officer. “If you are in the military, you don’t have to worry about bin Laden. But who’s next to come?”

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Not a time forcelebration

AMuslim response to the killing of bin Laden

By Eric E.Vickers For The St.Louis American

Through a surgical military strike led by the nation’s first African-American commander in chief, justice has been served with the death of Osama bin Laden.Upon hearing the code word “Geronimo” – the Native American who fought against invaders to his land – President Obama learned that the man who had chosen the wrong means to fight invaders to his land had been put to death. There is a relieving sense of closure with bin Laden’s demise, but I sense that in what he would call his “martyrdom” he feels the same for accomplishing his mission of bringing an empire close to collapse.In the blink of an eye, he made a proud democracy turn on its seven million Muslims citizens, branding and stereotyping them all as “suspects,” and made the nation turn away from its founding principle

of religious freedom, with movements to ban mosques proliferating under the guise of patriotism. He lured our nation into attacking his enemy, Saddam Hussein, costing us lives, worldwide respect, moral standing and a wrecked economy. He caused politicians, in order to stir up fear and votes, to propagandize that his war against us was because Muslims hated American values, rather than because of our having military bases in Muslim countries and supporting Israel over the Palestinians. He caused this nation to project him as the face of Islam, revealing the ignorance and prejudice and bigotry that we thought this nation had put behind with the Civil Rights Movement. Osama bin Laden’s death is not a time for celebration.It’s a time for the nation to repair the damage he has done in causing our country’s mistreatment of Muslim citizens, a religious faith and the Constitution.

NIXON

Continued from A1

passed SB 188, which modified certain provisions of the Missouri Human Rights Act regarding employment. Under the bill, employees suing for workplace discrimination would have to prove that discrimination was a “motivating factor” for getting fired, rather than a “contributingfactor.”

The bill also weakened protection for whistleblowers and capped the amount in lawsuit damages on a sliding scale from $50,000 to $300,000, depending on the size of the business.

Nixon had 14 days to decide whether or not to veto the bill. Acoalition of women’s organizations, NAACPchapters, trial attorneys, advocacy groups for the disabled, and labor unions joined together to urge Nixon to veto the bill.

“We got with our friends in labor, collected a good 20,000 signatures and made sure the governor knew that we are with the governor when the powers are right and we won’t be with him when they’re wrong,” said Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis NAACPchapter. “Not vetoing this bill would have been wrong.”

Alisa Warren, executive director of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, said after months of

emailing and calling various groups it was exciting to see all the organization leaders united on the courthouse steps.

“It’s a proud day, one that we can celebrate protecting Missouri’s workers,” Warren said. “And to know that the governor is firmly behind human rights is powerful. It’s not the time to set back from our beliefs and protecting human rights, and this is huge

“To know that the governor is firmly behind human rights is powerful.”

– Alisa Warren,Missouri Commission on Human Rights

step in ensuring that.”

Nixon began his speech by recognizing that the courthouse was the place where Dred Scott began an unsuccessful pursuit of freedom from slavery in 1846.

“Eleven long years later, after many trips to the courthouse, the decision of the highest court in the land, denying him his freedom, became a clarion call to end slavery,” Nixon said. “As history teaches us, the path of justice is a rough and winding road.”

Missouri will continue to move forward, said Commissioner of Administration Kelvin

by

R.I.P., Officer Hall

Simmons, but it won’t be without hurdles.

“As the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass once said, ‘Without struggle, there is no progress,’” said Simmons, the most senior African American in Nixon’s administration.

The bill would have undermined the Missouri Human Rights Act, rolling back decades of progress in protecting civil rights, Nixon said.

“That is unacceptable,” he said. “It is not who we are. And it stops here.”

Fight is not over

However, Nixon and Democratic legislators understand that the fight is not over.

AHouse companion bill (HB 205) to SB 188 is still on the table. State Rep. Steve Webb, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, said, “We are going to do what we have to do over the next couple weeks to sustain the veto and make sure this doesn’t have become law.”

Until the House companion bill is dead, this issue is not dead, Pruitt said. “We are going to continue to circulate petitions and put pressure on everyone and anyone,” he said. “I hope people don’t get relaxed.”

The workplace discrimination bill was a major part of the “Fix the Six” agenda, which was handed to legislators by a consortium of business groups headed by the

Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The chamber said they want to: address “the erosion of discrimination law” that puts businesses at a disadvantage, change court interpretations of Missouri’s workers’compensation laws to protect businesses, limit corporate franchise tax and phase out the tax over time, eliminate the automatic escalator of Missouri’s minimum wage, reform the tort system, and lengthen the term of bonding to help the state

pay back its federal loans for unemployment insurance costs.

Nixon shot down the agenda’s first pillar on discrimination law, but he signed SB 19 on April 26 to phase out the corporate franchise tax over the next five years. The state Senate passed the chamberbacked SB 8, which would make changes to worker’s compensation law and potentially decrease awarded damages to employees. Nixon has not yet signed SB 8, but on April 13 he signed the agen-

da’s HB 163, decreasing unemployment benefits from the current 26-week maximum to 20 weeks.

The legislative session ends May 13, and Nixon told the audience to “lock arms” so his veto of SB 188 will not be overturned. Regarding the chamber’s agenda, he said, “I’m not trying to move backwards. And we are not going to build the economy by moving backwards on civil rights.”

Photo

Wiley Price

St.Louis police officers carried slain police officer Daryl Hall from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church following Officer Hall’s funeral on Friday morning.For the family obituary of Officer Hall,who was killed April 24 at the age of 34,see Page A10.

Eric E. Vickers

2011 Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon

More than 400 attended the St. Louis American Foundation’s 11th annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon last Friday at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Dr. Jonathan R. Reed was bestowed with the 2011 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care award. Saint Louis University’s Teri Murray, PhD, RN, received the 2011 Stellar Performer in Health Care award and Washington University’s Vetta Sanders Thompson, PhD, received the 2011 Excellence in Public Health Care award. The 2011 recipient of the Health Care Advocacy Organization of the Year was BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute (a collaboration of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts, and St. Louis College of Pharmacy). The Foundation also presented eight Excellence in Health Care awards. Photos by Maurice Meredith

stlamerican.com

– View more photos at

Angela Hayes, Nancy Atwater, Mildred Trotter, Wilma Adams, Aaron Lee, awardee Christal Adams and Deborah Carter

2011 Stellar Performer in Health Care, Teri Murray, PhD, RN (center), with Cornielia Stephens and Norma Metheny, PhD, RN of Saint Louis University

Dr. Jerome Wiliams, Sr. introduced 2011 Lifetime Achiever Dr. Jonathan R. Reed.

Awardee Portialyn Peterson with Dan Body, Network Vice President, SSM

2011LifetimeAchieverinHealth Care Dr. Jonathan R. Reed

Dr. Jonathan R. Reed is surrounded by his family: daughters Stacy and Michelle, wife Bettye, daughter Dana, and grandchildren Dylan, Christopher, Davis and Jonathan.

The 2011 Excellence in Health Care awardees: (seated) Katina McLeod-Stewart, Darlene Smith, Portialyn Peterson and Christal Adams, (standing) Mary Trice, Deirdre “Dee” Washington, Debbie Wade-Wilson and Clara Scott

St. Louis Community College’s Anisha Morrell-Charles graciously served as the Health Salute emcee.

Awardee Mary Trice with Mikki Brewster

2009 Lifetime Achiever Dr. Homer Nash, 2011 Lifetime Achiever Dr. Jonathan R. Reed and 2007 Lifetime Achiever Dr. Leslie Bond, Sr.

Awardee Deirdre “Dee” Washington

St. Louis College of Pharmacy’s Freddie Wills, Express Scripts’ Dr. Isaac Butler and Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s Dr. Steven Player receive the 2011 Health Advocacy Organization of the Year Award on behalf of the BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute.

2011 Excellence in Public Health Awardee Vetta Sanders Thompson

Rosetta Keaton, Robert Fox, Mary Ann Cook and Washington University’s Dr. Will Ross (2010 Stellar Performer in Health Care)

Public input sought on SLPS budget

Forum May 9 at Vashon, online comments through May 16

By Dale Singer Of The Beacon

Now that St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams has presented his budget proposal to the Special Administrative Board that runs the district, it’s the public’s turn to voice its opinion. Through May 16, people may post comments on the district’s website, www.slps.org, about the proposed budget plan, which includes closing three schools, transforming others and, for the following school year, possibly turning Sumner High School into a charter school sponsored by the district. Comments will also be heard at a public forum on at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 9 at Vashon High School. The SAB is expected to vote on the budget –and according to Rick Sullivan, head of the board, pass the budget – at its meeting May 26. Highlights from the plan, which Adams titled “Creating Great Options,” include:

* A reduction in 171 positions, including 10 in central office, 20 safety officers, 108 teachers, 20 librarians and 13 others. The reductions do not necessarily mean layoffs because Adams said at this point, 262 people are expected to leave, including 112 continuing substitute teachers, 107 whose contracts will not be renewed and 43 retirements Depending on how the de-

partures match up with the positions to be eliminated, Adams said, there may or may not have to be involuntary layoffs. Of the 107 people whose contracts will not be renewed, 14 are teachers, most of whom had not completed their probationary period and did not have tenure.

In his presentation, Adams noted that several local school districts have had a similar reduction in the number of positions, from East St. Louis to Ladue and Francis Howell.

* The proposed budget would be $272.8 million, including a $3 million surplus. That is down from $278.7 million in the current year. A chart comparing the sources of funding for the school system from the 2006-07 school year to the projected budget for next year showed sharp reductions in money from the state while federal dollars rose slightly and local money dropped.

Adams noted that over the past two years, the district has cut spending by $60 million, as revenue and enrollment declined.

“In recent years,” he said in a statement that accompanied the budget submission, “we have focused on stabilizing academics, stabilizing finances and stabilizing governance. SLPS will end FY 2011 with a balanced budget, consistent leadership and improving academic achievement.

* Changes in school structure include the closing of Stevens Middle School, Bunche Middle School and Big Picture High School. Bunche eighth-graders will move to Compton Drew, while Stevens students will go to Cole, L’Ouverture or Yeatman. Big Picture students will be reassigned to magnet,

choice, neighborhood and comprehensive schools.

In addition, single-sex classrooms will be introduced at Woerner elementary and Yeatman middle schools; an African-centered curriculum will be introduced at Cole school, which will go from K-6 to K-8; and Des Peres, Madison, Stevens and Meda P. Washington schools will re-open with a multiple pathways curriculum. Beaumont will become a technical high school.

One feature of the budget that prompted the most discussion is a move by the district from a system where individual school budgets are based on staff to one based on the allocation of money. Principals will be given a certain amount of money to run their schools and will be given autonomy to decide staffing and other priorities.

Sullivan, head of the SAB, expressed a concern about whether principals are going to have enough training to handle such a role; Adams said the principals would attend several sessions to make sure they knew how to move into the new system.

Even with school closings and the departure of some teachers, the district said it would maintain student-teacher ratios that fall below the minimum standards set by the state of Missouri. SAB member Richard Gaines said class size is an area where the board has made a strong commitment.

“We are not moving on that, even if we have to go into deficit,” Gaines said. “That is sacrosanct.”

Reprinted with permission and edited from a story that first appeared on www.stlbeacon.

Dellwood’s first black mayor

History has been made in Dellwood. On April 25, the first African-American mayor was sworn in for the city of Dellwood, Ms. Loretta Johnson. A three-term alderwoman who works as a social work liaison for BJC Healthcare, Johnson won nearly 60 percent of the vote, replacing longtime mayor Jack Agnew, who retired. Also, the first African-American male collector of revenue was sworn in as well, Reggie Jones. The

two were sworn in by Judge Gloria Reno, the first AfricanAmerican woman to serve as a Circuit Court judge in St. Louis County.

OBITUARIES

Bobby Coleman

Bobby Coleman, age 73, a resident of St. Louis, MO, departed this life on March 18, 2011. Mr. Coleman leaves to cherish his memory six children: Gregory Coleman, Sandra Coleman, and Barbara Ann Coleman all of Nashville, TN, Shawn D. Lever, Sheila D. Lever, and Tangia M. Lever, all of St. Louis, MO; three siblings: Sarah Coleman of Little Rock, AK, Bill Coleman of Benton Harbor, MI, Charles Coleman of Little Rock, AK, and Ralph Coleman of East St. Louis, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Oficer Daryl Anthony Hall

Daryl Anthony Hall was born to Vernell Hall-Peeples and Doc Hall on March 3, 1977 in Detroit, Michigan. He accepted Christ at an early age under the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Ward, Palestine Baptist

Church. Daryl graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1995 and moved to Jefferson City, Missouri to attend Lincoln University. He graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology then served as a dedicated social worker in Chicago, Illinois. In 2005, he moved to Saint Louis, Missouri and joined the Saint Louis Police Academy.

Oficer Hall entered the Saint Louis Police Academy as a Civilian Recruit in Training on November 28, 2005. On July 13, 2006, he graduated from the Saint Louis Police Academy and was commissioned a Saint Louis Police Oficer. He served in the Sixth District from July 2006 until January 2010. On January 13, 2010, he was transferred to the Housing Authority Unit where he was currently assigned. Oficer Hall also served as a coach for the Saint Louis Nites Basketball League. Saint Louis Nites Basketball is produced in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department, City of Saint Louis and ARCHS. The teams consists of adult males 18 years of age and older. This highly competitive

league is coached entirely by Saint Louis City Police Oficers.

Oficer Hall was a hard worker and often conducted self-initiated activities while at work. He enjoyed time with family and friends, playing video games, cooking, and playing basketball recreationally and in tournaments. He was a proud “Lincolnite” and police oficer who served his community diligently. Oficer Hall had an immense concern and care for children. His passion for life, love, his witty sense of humor and head turning swag will truly be missed.

Oficer Hall is survived by his mother, Vernell Peeples (stepfather JC) of Detroit, Michigan; brother, Jarees Peeples, of Alexandria, Virginia, his biological father, Doc Hall of Alabama; two stepsisters, Cynthia Wallace, and Ruby Peeples; three stepbrothers, J.C. Jr., Benjamin, and Lorenzo; aunts, Mary Love, Jacqueline Perry, of Saint Louis, Missouri, Kaotha Tate, Christine (Henry) Rucker of Greenville, Mississippi; and Ada (Jimmie) Allen of Jackson, Mississippi; uncles, Joe Love of Saint Louis, Missouri and William (Terresa) Love, Jr., of Greenville, Mississippi, cousins, Sharron Anderson and Jamar Love, of Saint Louis, Missouri, Wanda Gills of Texas, Kenneth Harris and Tiffany Bonner of Jackson, Mis-

sissippi; Darwin Tate of Ohio; and a host of other relatives.

Oficer Hall’s girlfriend, Tracey Arnold and close friends, Eddie Wilson, Larry Henry, Sgt. Jason Love, Robert Jordan, Chris Dawson, Christ Suttion, Felicia Curtis, Renarde Smith and Lakita Jackson will cherish the many loving and lasting memories they shared.

Gilbert Hess Page

Gilbert Hess Page was born on May 21, 1919 in Shannon, Mississippi. He lived a long, full and productive life. He was 91 years old when he passed away at St. Louis University Hospital. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Ophelia Page; his daughters, Jannell Page, Doris Townsend and Marilyn Stone.

Sister Harriet Miller, SSND (Formerly Marie Stephen)

Born September 19, 1933, the only daughter to Dr. S.D. and Creola Miller in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the ifth of seven children. She attended Rosati-Kain High School and became acquainted with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, eventually entering the candi-

Miller

dature at Ripa on August 28, 1952. She completed her inal vows on August 2, 1960. She was a teaching Sister throughout much of her years of service, retiring in 2001 to Veronica House. She died peacefully at Anna House on April 25. Following a memorial service on April 29, at the Mother House, Sister Harriet was buried at the cemetery on the grounds of the Mother House of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Her brothers, Robert Guy Miller, Winston James Miller and Joseph A. Miller survive her, as well as many relatives, friends and Sisters of her congregation.

As a service to the

we list obituaries in the St. Louis American Newspaper, on a space-available basis and online at www.stlamerican.com AT NO CHARGE. Please send all obituary notices to kdaniel@ stlamerican.com.

Obama, Trump and Kunta Kinte

Donald Trump has pandered to the most racist, backward sector of this country for the last few weeks. His eagerness to question the legitimacy of President Obama’s birth certiicate underscored that being a birther transcends class and education; some believe that birthers are just white and uneducated. The Donald was relentless in his challenge of the birth certiicate, and last week, President Obama requested that the State of Hawaii Department release the document. For the White House, it was putting an end to a distraction. For many fairminded whites, it would serve as a muzzle for the embarrassment, outrage or disgust that Trump fanned up in their faces. But for most people of African descent, it was quite a different experience. It was watching Trump trying to turn President Obama into a Toby. Anyone who ever watched Roots remembers the scene where a proud and stubborn Kunta Kinte was beaten into the obedient slave named Toby. The public beating was not just for Kunta, it was as much for the other blacks who had similar notions of being free. It was easier for non-blacks to view Trump’s antics and shrug them off as attentionseeking silliness. But for black folks, it was a vicarious experience that raised the kind of anger that resides in the deepest recesses of our ancient African souls.

The Kunta Kinte Syndrome is now sewn into the fabric of most modern societies’ racial relationships. Black people periodically must be made to realize that they are second-class citizens and have no rights that white people will accept. For those whites who believe black people are innately inferior, white skin will always “Trump” the achievements of a black person. Once a black person internalizes this racial oppression, they are doomed to a treadmill of subhumanity and will never be equal to a white person, no matter how fast they run on that treadmill.

Goldie Taylor, contributing editor for TheGrio.com, shared her personal connection to the racist history of identiication papers for blacks in this country. She told a story close to home – in the city of St. Louis. In 1899, her great-grandfather Major Blackard was accosted by a St. Louis cop who demanded that Blackard show him his identiication papers. Blackard had forgotten them that day and was beaten to a bloody pulp, arrested and thrown in jail. Twenty-one days later, Blackard’s white employer had to come to the jail to prove his identity and to bond him out.

Racism is this country is no laughing matter. It should not be trivialized or ignored. Those people who were happily rubbing elbows with him at the White House Correspondents Dinner should have left him sitting there all alone. He has to be taught a hard lesson.

Of course this is not just about President Obama; neither is it just about the birthers. It’s about all who are not white and male; it’s about racist legislation and policies that strip us of our full citizenship rights. In this next period, we will have to ight like hell to just retain the gains made over the last century.

Fair-minded white people cannot sit on the sidelines while racist ideologues denigrate and de-legitimize the country’s irst president of color. Criticize President Obama when he doesn’t live up to his promises or ideals, but not because he is the son of an African. History will judge his presidency. It will also judge us for accommodating the kind of society that says racial (or gender) equality will never be a reality in this country.

Daryl Hall

Bobby Coleman

Gilbert Page

Harriet

Jamala Rogers

Democrats vs. Nasheed, Nasheed vs. EYE

State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed wrote a lengthy letter to The American responding to last week’s Political EYE column, which she said accused her of “misrepresenting my constituents and the African-American community by working across the aisle.” We will let Nasheed have her say here and make some further responses to her response (for her complete letter, see www.stlamerican.com).

But irst, let’s set straight what the column actually said last week.

Nasheed is reacting to an inside item in the EYE with the sub-headline “Democrats vs. Nasheed.” This does not raise new accusations against Nasheed, but rather reports on something that is a matter of fact – namely, that Nasheed’s fellow Democrats have been considering throwing her out of the Democratic Caucus because of some of her recent votes and what her colleagues perceive as her excessive chumminess with Republicans.

This is a fact, and Nasheed knows it. Nasheed herself has been coniding her concerns about this development to a regular contributor to the EYE.

The feelings Missouri Democrats harbor about Nasheed and state Rep. Penny Hubbard (who was mentioned in the same item last week) were made clear in the remapping of state legislative districts proposed by a committee largely appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon In this redistricting plan, Nasheed and Hubbard would run in the same district. Missouri

Democrats seem prepared to let Nasheed and Hubbard ight it out at the polls to the political death of one or the other.

“Your paper also took issue with my vote in favor of the congressional redistricting map,” Nasheed writes. That is not true. We reported on the fact that her fellow Democrats have taken issue with her vote.

“What you forget to mention,” Nasheed continues, “is how this map safeguards the voice of African-American voters living in St. Louis city.” In fact, the April 7 edition of the EYE had the big, bold headline “State House map protects Clay’s district.”

This April 7 column – which was criticized by the same progressive Democrats who would later oppose Nasheed for her vote in favor of the map –gives Nasheed direct credit for protecting the integrity of U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay’s district.

To quote: “Nasheed was on the record with this paper as being dedicated to preserve the integrity of the 1st Congressional District.”

The problem with this map, as the April 7 EYE noted, is that a “Missouri congressional delegation that has been splitting 6 Republicans to 3 Democrats will now split 6 Republicans to 2 Democrats.” Most Missouri Democrats do not regard preserving (or even strengthening) Clay’s district as an acceptable trade-off for losing a likely Democratic seat, let alone the one currently held by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan and by Dick Gephardt before him.

The EYE was criticized for

not savagely blasting this map, and then Nasheed was criticized for voting in support of it. We have not, as a matter of fact, “took issue” with Nasheed over her vote on redistricting.

Payday loans and puppy mills

Nasheed writes, “The article stated that I voted with Republicans on the payday loan legislation. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I voted against the Republican payday loan proposal because I felt it didn’t go far enough.” That is true. Nasheed did vote with the Democratic minority against the payday loan bill when it came to a vote on the loor of the House. However, her action on the bill still drew criticism from Democratic colleagues, because she voted the payday loan bill – which was seen by Democrats as a weak and feckless bill – out of committee. When she could have stopped it, many Democratic colleagues concluded, she didn’t; her later vote against it – given the Republican supermajority – was irrelevant.

Nasheed notes, “The St. Louis American has criticized

my vote to modify Proposition B.” Again, that is not true – her vote on the puppy mill bill was included in a list of things that ticked off her fellow Democrats. She continues, “My district voted 80 percent in favor of Prop B in the last election. My vote in the House relected that of my district. The mandate passed by voters was unfunded – I sought to enforce the puppy mill laws by securing state money to pay for it. I also voted for the ‘Missouri compromise,’ which the Humane Society of Missouri and Missouri dog breeders both support. I am conident the people of my district voted in favor of Proposition B because they want to protect dogs from being treated inhumanely. The bills we passed this year to ix Proposition B stay true to the intent of the voters without running reputable dog breeders out of business. The inal compromise has been agreed to by everyone from both sides of the issue.”

The fact remains that (as stated) Nasheed voted WITH Republicans on both pieces of legislation dealing with Proposition B. The irst bill, SB 113 totally overturned Proposition B and the compromise second bill, SB161, reinstated some

Former Sec. of State Colin Powell gave students a lesson in Chinese History during a visit to the Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis on April 27.

Photo by UPI/Bill Greenblatt

provisions to ensure some humane treatment of animals.

‘Across party lines’

Nasheed’s letter goes on to list at length her legislative accomplishments in Jefferson City, which she credits to her ability “to work across party lines.” She mentions her work to pass the local control bill, which of course this paper has covered (giving Nasheed explicit credit for her work) too many times to count. She notes, “This session I also passed a bill that requires school districts to have students adopt personalized plans of study with the hope of preparing them for their goals after graduating high school.”

Even in making her own case, Nasheed shows how she has irked many Missouri Democrats, including Gov. Jay Nixon. She writes, “By working across the aisle, I was able to strip dollars that were irresponsibly used by our governor from his travel budget. I then moved the funding to an area where it can do some good – to fund dropout prevention efforts in our city. I also placed three hundred thousand dollars in the budget for a new math and science tutoring

center in North St. Louis City.” Nasheed notes, “All of these actions were possible because of the productive relationships I have built with colleagues from each party.” No doubt. At issue here, however, are how her Democratic colleagues feel about “the productive relationships” she has made with members of the other party and what votes she may have traded to build those relationships. As the EYE noted, “It is no secret that Nasheed and Hubbard ... have been making deals with the Republicans. If they manage to deal themselves out of the Democratic Caucus, they also may have dealt themselves out of a political career unless they plan to relocate to a neighborhood where a lot more Republicans vote.”

This was a warning, based on fact, not a baseless attack. Given the state legislative redistricting map proposed since this column appeared, it seems to have been a timely – indeed, prescient – warning. The warning is still timely. And so is a reminder. The political value for Missouri Republicans of Nasheed and Hubbard is their critical importance in veto-prooing against a Democratic governor. It’s nothing personal.

Earnings tax payday

Over the weekend, Dave Drebes posted the following note on his Arch City Chronicle site: “Rep. Jamilah Nasheed pulled in $5,000 from the Citizens for a Stronger St. Louis campaign according to their April iling. The committee was the vehicle to keep the city’s earning tax. According to the report, Nasheed was paid for ‘strategic campaign oversight.’” This, no doubt, will open a new chapter for Nasheed’s detractors, since many St. Louis Democrats helped on this campaign without collecting on a fee. Her getting paid for her efforts puts her next to the likes of Richard Callow. More company one keeps at one’s own peril.

Gen. Lee inally loses Civil War

By Richard Cohen Washington Post

It has taken a while, but it’s about time Robert E. Lee lost the Civil War.

The South of course was defeated on the battleield in 1865, yet the Lee legend –swaddled in myth, kitsch and racism – has endured even past the civil rights era when it became both urgent and right to inally tell the “Lost Cause” to get lost. Now it should be Lee’s turn. He was loyal to slavery and disloyal to his country –not worthy, even he might now admit, of the honors accorded him.

I confess to always being puzzled by the cult of Lee. Whatever his personal or military virtues, he offered himself and his sword to the cause of slavery. He owned slaves himself and fought tenaciously in the courts to keep them. He commanded a vast army that, had it won, would have secured the independence of a nation dedicated to the proposition that white people could own black people and sell them off, husband from wife, child from parent, as the owner saw it. Such a man cannot be admired. But he is. All over the South, particularly in his native Virginia, the cult of Lee is manifested in streets, highways and schools named for him. When I irst moved to the Washington area, I used to marvel at these homages to the man. What was being honored? Slavery? Treason? Or maybe, for this is how I perceive him, no sense of humor? (Often, that is mistaken for wisdom.) I also wondered what a black person was supposed to think or, maybe more to the point, feel. Chagrin or rage would be perfectly appropriate.

Still, even I was not immune to the cult of Lee. I kept thinking I must be missing something. I imagined all sorts of virtues in his face. He is always digniied in all those photos of him, dour, a perfect pill of a man yet somehow adored by his men. They cheered him when he left Appomattox Court House, having just surrendered to the far more admirable U.S. Grant. They shouted, Hooray for Lee! Hooray for what?

Now comes Elizabeth Brown Pryor, author of Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters who in an essay for The New York Times gives us a Lee who is at odds with the one of gauzy myth. He was not, as I once thought, the creature of crushing social and political pressure who had little choice but to pick his state over his country. In fact, various members of his own family stuck with the Union.

“When Lee consulted his brothers, sister and local clergymen, he found that most leaned toward the Union,” Pryor wrote. “At a grim dinner with two close cousins, Lee was told that they also intended to uphold their military oaths. ... Sister Anne Lee Marshall unhesitatingly chose the Northern side, and her son outitted himself in blue uniform.” Pryor says that about 40 percent of Virginia oficers “would remain with the Union forces.”

After the war, the South embraced a mythology of victimhood. An important feature was the assertion that the war had been not about slavery at all but about state’s rights. The secessionists themselves were not so shy. In their various declarations, they announced they were leaving the Union to preserve slavery. Lee not only

accepted the Lost Cause myth, he propagated it and came to embody it. Lee was a brilliant ield marshal whose genius was widely acknowledged – Lincoln wanted him to command the Union forces. In a way, that’s a pity. A commander of more modest talents might have been beaten sooner, might not have taken the war to the North (Gettysburg) and expended so many lives. Lee, in this regard, is an American Rommel, the German general who fought brilliantly, but for Hitler. Almost until Hitler compelled his suicide, Rommel, too, did his duty.

L. P. Hartley’s observation that

“the past is a foreign country” cautions us all against facile judgments. But in that exotic place called the antebellum South, there were plenty of people who recognized the evil of slavery or, if nothing else, the folly of secession. Lee was not one of them. He deserves no honor – no college, no highway, no high school. In the awful war (620,000 dead) that began 150 years ago this month, he fought on the wrong side for the wrong cause. It’s time for Virginia and the South to honor the ones who were right. Richard Cohen’s email address is cohenr@washpost.com.

BUSINESS

Does KC have something STLlacks?

Why can’t a Green Impact Zone happen here?

By Sylvester Brown Jr.

For The St.Louis American

Recently, The St. Louis American published a commentary by Marc Morial, president of the national Urban League, where he praised the “pro-active” plan aimed at defeating unemployment and revitalizing a distressed urban area in Kansas City. Last year, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D–MO) announced that funding had been targeted for a collaborative effort athome rehabilitation, green job creation and training, and energy conservation in an area designated the “Green Impact Zone.” According to Morial, the zone is located in a portion of the city where the unem-

ployment rate hovers between 20-50 percent.

Initially established with stimulus seed money, the effort has been embraced by influential entities in the region, including the Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City Power & Light, University of Missouri Kansas City Center for Economic Information, the Urban League and various neighborhood associations within the Zone.

Reminiscent of the infamous Frank Capra film, Kansas City players are exhibiting Oz-like characteristics – brains, heart and courage to – to

If just a fraction of the resources dedicated to downtown development were re-routed to small neighborhood endeavors, St.Louis could be the recipient of national praise.

Keeping Annie Malone in business

Angela Starks takes helm of family center at critical time

By Rebecca S.Rivas

Of The St.Louis American

In 1888, Sara Newton Cohron rallied together a group of women to care for needy black children in the community. They opened the St. Louis Colored Orphan’s Home – known today as the Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center.

“My goal is to let people know that we are not just a parade.” – Angela Starks

Now 123 years later, Angela L. Starks, a center employee for 31 years, will become part of a legacy of dedicated leaders. Center representatives announced April 19 that Starks will officially become chief executive offi-

By Bob Law For The St.Louis American

5th Ward Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin has been named chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The committee addresses the city’s budget, finance, assessments, public debt and appropriations. She was first elected to the office of 5th Ward Alderman in 1997 and been been reelected to the position three times.

PR Consultant Cillah Hall’s business Xanadu public Relations,has been selected as the official PR firm for

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Ameren ranked nationally fordiversity council

St. Louis-based Ameren was recognized along the top 25 U.S. diversity councils at the Association of Diversity Councils’recent 2011 Diversity Council Honors Awards. The Ameren Corporate Diversity Council was ranked 13th for “outstanding contributions and achievements that lead organizational diversity processes and demonstrate results.” by rank):

The top five by rank were U.S. Navy Strategic Diversity Working Group, Wipro Technologies, American Airlines, FedEx Freight Diversity Council and Boehringer Ingelheim Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council.

The Association of Diversity Councils is a practice group of PRISM International, Inc.; visit www.DiversityCouncil.com.

BetterFamily Life partners with credit union on $1M grant

St. Louis Community Credit Union and Better Family Life, Inc. received two grants totaling $1 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines’ Affordable Housing Program. Of that amount, $500,000 is earmarked to provide first-time home buyers with down payment and closing cost assistance, in addition to home ownership education for St. Louis city and county residents. Qualified buyers (as determined by HUD income guidelines) may receive up to $3,330.

cer, after serving as interim CEO for the past five months, following the retirement of Richard L. King.

Much has changed for Annie Malone over the past century. The center has preserved its home base at 2612 Annie Malone Dr. in the Historic Ville Neighborhood since 1922. When other ethnic orphanages closed in the 1950s, Annie Malone continued to provide

The budget gap con game

of public policies and tax schemes that have concentrated financial gain exclusively among the wealthy. Interestingly enough, while the nation’s economy appears to be coming apart at the

This is not just ignorance or meanspirited, racist politics.It is a sinister strategy to enrich corporations.

seems, the wealthiestAmericans, among them the very captains of industry that presided over the nation’s financial meltdown, got a lot richer. The share of total income going to the top one percent has jumped from 8 percent in the 1960s

See MALONE, B6

pave a way (as Morial put it) “for the rebirth of a neglected neighborhood.” Does Kansas City have something we lack Bob Law to visit St. Louis May 14

to more than 20 percent today. Forbes magazine recently reported that 214 new billionaires have been added to the list of the world’s richest people, bringing the total number of billionaires to a record high of 1,210. New York state is home to 67 of the billionaires, with the richest of all being David Koch, who, with his brother Charles, provides the primary funding for the tea party and its anti-Obama crusade.

These men are not rich and getting richer because they work harder, or because they are the smartest people on the planet. Their wealth is the result of four decades ofdeliberate political policy choices that were made

See LAW, B2

The remaining $500,000 will be used to perform necessary home repair services on qualifying homes in the 26th Ward. Up to $10,000 is available for each home repair project.

Both programs are forgivable in five years. Rental property is not eligible for the grant program.

For more information on funding and applications, contact Better Family Life, Inc. at 314-367-1843 or visit www.betterfamilylife.org/programs_housing.htm.

U.S. Homeland Security secretary tours Lambert tornado damage

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano toured Lambert-St. Louis International Airport last Thursday following a devastating tornado that hit the Airport on April 22. Her visit coincided with the first on-site survey of damage from federal and state emergency management teams that are gathering facts on the overall impact of the storm in the St. Louis area. Concourse C, which served four airlines, remains closed.

The tornado blew out a majority of windows and caused extensive roof damage on that concourse in addition to causing damage to other areas. Terminal 1 also suffered extensive damage after windows were blown out of the three-story high domes that frame the ticketing level.

“It really is very impressive that this airport got up and running so soon after the tornado hit,” said Napolitano.

Cillah Hall

Angela L.Starks – an employee of Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center for 31 years – is its new CEO.

Sylvester Brown Jr.

Bob Law

Photo by Wiley Price

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

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

An early example of the

How can you insure yourfuture?

concept comes from the Code of Hammurabi,Babylonian laws dating back to 1700 B.C., which contain a credit insurance provision. For a little higher interest, the ancients could exempt themselves from repayment of loans in the event of personal misfortune. Acitizen of the Roman Empire could buy life insurance through the Collegia Tenuiorum for slaves and wage earners, or the Collegia for members of the military. The funds provided old-age pensions, disability insurance, and burial costs. In spite of some

F

By Charles Ross PERSONAL

INANCE

complications and occasional bureaucratic snarls, the system has worked remarkably well through the ages. Today, virtually all heads of families should carry life insurance. Most financial advisors also recommend automobile, health, homeowners, personal liability, professional liability and/or malpractice, disability, and long-term-care insurance. Purchasing individual or

Charles Ross

LAW

Continued from B1

long before Barak Obama arrived in the White House. Congress and state legislatures have repeatedly cut tax rates on high incomes, while at the same time relaxing the tax treatment of capital gains and other investment income, creating windfall profits for the very wealthy. There were the Ronald Regan and George W. Bush tax cuts. The deregulation of financial markets expose homeowners, pensioners and the working class in general to bankruptcy, while corporations lavish extravagant pay and bonuses on executives at the top, regardless of their companies’dismal performance.

ZONE

Continued from B1

in the St. Louis region? The answers are “no” and “yes.” First, let’s look at the commonalities.

family insurance coverage is probably one of the most important financial decisions you will make. A great deal of study and advice is needed to choose wisely. A few basic guidelines can safely be applied to most consumers. Beyond these, each individual’s needs are unique and should be carefully assessed by an expert.

1. How much insurance do

In the 1990s, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which regulates accounting practices, warned of the damage these tactics would do to the nation’s economy, and stepped in to correct and curtail them. However, Congress stopped the FASB cold.

Once you put the role of deliberate political choices in context, it helps us to understand the real motives of the right-wing politics of the tea party, as well as the Republican commitment to block and obstruct any and all things this president attempts to get done. This is not just ignorance or mean-spirited, racist politics. It is a sinister strategy to enrich corporations and their executive fat cats while gutting necessary protections and provisions for the poor and working class, and

Cleaver, state and local politicians, and Kansas City’s influential players stepped up to the plate. The Department of Energy and Missouri Department of Natural Resources allocated $4.5 million in federal stimulus money toward weatherizing homes in

you need? Agood rule of thumb is: Don’t insure yourself against misfortunes you can pay for yourself. Insurance is there to protect youin case ofan event with overwhelming expenses. If anything short of a calamity does occur, it will usually cost you less in actual costs than the insurance premiums you would have paid.

2. What kind of policy is best?

3. From whom should I buy?

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

telling the middle class that their economic condition is the result of extending those protections to the poor for far too long and at too great a price to taxpayers.

These rather dishonest politicians say they are just being astute managers making tough choices to rein in reckless government spending, as well as blocking the unreasonable demands of labor unions who are trying to protect their members.

We need to replace the political puppets of the elite with those who are truly committed to serve thevery people who need them the most. We must not stop at protesting unjust policy. We must be able to make policy. The grass-roots masses will have to be organized into what Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson, (authors of

the Green Impact Zone and surrounding areas. City council members in the city directed $500,000 of its $1.8 million Neighborhood Stabilization funds to the endeavor. Wells Fargo Bank agreed to transfer ownership of 23 foreclosed homes to the Ivanhoe

Always buy from a financially strong company. Take the time to shop around for the best prices with the most coverage for your specific situa-

Winner Take All Politics) call the politics of organized combat – for instance, organizing a mass voting bloc or consumers using economic sanctions against corporations that refuse to reinvest in a meaningful way in the community. Politics must be the acquisition and use of political and economic power. Symbolism and political spectacle do not serve or empower the black community.

Bob Law will be in St. Louis 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14 to show his movie “Say

call 314-600-7089.

Neighborhood Council. In addition, it contributed a cash donation of $7,500 per home — a total of $172,500 — to help rehab and remodel homes. Reportedly, Kansas City Power and Light has expressed a willingness to invest and deploy an efficient Smart energy grid within the Zone.

Let’s see, St. Louis has congressmen – Wm. Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan come to mind – Democrats with close ties with the Obama Administration. They have influence with state, regional and local legislators and civic leaders. Wells Fargo has a headquarters here, and we’re surrounded by other influential lending institutions. We have Ameren Missouri, a powerful energy company. And, most important, we have distressed areas with the same dire crime, unemployment, housing, transportation and energy needs as Kansas City’s Green Impact Zone. We are not in want of influential players or resources. Unfortunately, our region is still haunted by its segregated past. While crime and unemployment rates soar in distressed areas and our population dwindles in the city, regional leaders cling to the outdated notion that we can rebound with yet another multi-billion dollar “big idea.” They hang on to this fantasy while stubbornly ignoring urban opportunities and refusing to collectively invest in small but promising neighborhood endeavors.

What’s so utterly unforgivable is the fact that there are committed residents, individuals and agencies already working to stem the violence, reclaim lives and revitalize troubled neighborhoods. These efforts should be the next “big idea.” If just a fraction of the passion and resources dedicated to downtown development, the one massive Northside development project or the notion of revamping the Arch grounds were re-routed to small neighborhood endeavors, the St. Louis region could, like Kansas City, be the recipient of positive headlines and national praise.

If we exhibit the courage and the necessary collective brainpower, St. Louis could reverse the negatives that define our region and be far traveled on the brick road to our very own urban OZ.

Sylvester Brown Jr. is a freelance writer and founder of When We Dream Together, a local nonprofit dedicated to urban revitalization.

“Emotion is high, not just for the Memphis Grizzlies, but for the whole city of Memphis and the fans.” – Zach Randolph, on the playoff run of the Grizzlies

Webster Groves star Adrian Clayborn was selected in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No.20 pick.Clayborn was one of the nation’s top defensive ends during his collegiate career at Iowa.

STL stars drafted by NFL

Gabbert, Clayborn and Williams get picked

The St. Louis area was wellrepresented at last week’s National Football League Draft.

Former Parkway West and University of Missouri standout quarterback Blaine Gabbert was taken with the No. 10 pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Webster Groves star Adrian Clayborn was selected in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 20 pick. Clayborn was one of the nation’s top defensive ends during his collegiate career at Iowa.

Former McCluer North standout Keith Williams was selected in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams was a college standout at Nebraska. (Always

Tough hurdle to climb

During Saturday's Marion Freeman Invitational,John Burroughs’Ezekiel Elliott won the boys 110-meter

INSIDE SPORTS

good to see a fellow North Star get the call). It is also always great to see our athletes from The STLreceive their due on the national stage such as the NFLDraft. It is my hope that this lockout will end soon so some other area athletes who were drafted can get that phone call from NFLteams. Athletes such as Quentin Davie (Cardinal Ritter/Northwestern), Niles Brinkley

and Raymond Webber (Miller

Pine-Bluff)

Former Webster Groves star Adrian Clayborn was selected in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No.20 pick.

Gnatt to NC State Cahokia High wrestling standout Thomas Gnatt has signed a national letter of intent to attend North Carolina State. Gnatt was one of the top grapplers in the state of Illinois. As a senior, Gnatt finished with a 37-2 record while finishing second at 135pounds at the IHSAClass 3A state championships. As a junior,

Rams draft picks leave fans scratching heads

Another NFLdraft has come and gone, and as usual there are a lot of unhappy fans.

One fan was so upset at the St. Louis Rams he bid them a goodbye that could only make the nut next to him cry. Look, people. Regardless of how much we do not care for certain draft selections, the Rams can’t take it back.

I’m not the only one wishing Rams GM Billy DeVaney would have selected DeShean Jackson a couple of drafts ago. Nevertheless, the Rams must have a plan in mind with this draft. So I have to give them a little benefit of doubt about the draft.

Last year, a lot of Rams fans were up in arms because of the second-round selection of Roger Saffold, who has turned into a gem for the Rams offensive line. Saffold performed well above expectations as a rookie protecting the blindside of fellow rookie and overall No. 1 pick Sam Bradford. Before we start foaming at the mouth, let’s see what these picks can do.

There are a lot of fans upset about the Rams third-round pick of Austin Pettis.

I’ll admit I was lukewarm about their first pick of Robert Quinn. That was only because I was under the impression the Rams wanted a youth movement on the defensive line. I love that idea, but wouldn’t that pick look even better with the selection of defensive tackle such Marvin Austin or even Da’Quan Bowers? I think if it’s about youth on the defensive line, then go for it all.

Now there are a lot of fans upset about the Rams third-round pick of Austin Pettis. His numbers in college are not necessarily eye-popping. He had only one game over 100 yards his senior season. He was clocked at the NFLcombine at a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash. However, those were similar numbers to Anquan Boldin. You can also name Jerry Rice. So, that makes two that we know of over the last 26 years who has beaten those odds. To be honest, the only pick that got a reaction was in the fifth round. The Rams trade down 13 spots to select safety Jeremale Hines. There was nothing wrong with that pick. It’s just that the Atlanta Falcons took the last player on the entire draft board with some sizzle. And the sizzle came from a position of need for the Rams. Jacquiz Rogers was selected by the Falcons, who now possess a scary offense when and if we ever see football. The Rams’last four picks were for defense. I used to do draft grades. But, I don’t think you can really grade draft until we see these

Robert Quinn,the St.Louis Rams first round draft pick,displays a jersey as he is introduced to the media at the team’s practice facility in Earth City.Quinn,the 14th pick overall,played his college football as a defensive end,at North Carolina.

With Earl Austin Jr.

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Former

By Mike Claiborne

Red flags for2011 Redbirds

As the Cardinals get closer to my opening day of June 14, you have to wonder how will they hold on as the injury bug has bitten again. Without pitcher Adam Wainwright, Matt Holliday out for a week and second baseman Skip Schumaker on the disabled list, you have to wonder. Did I mention that the ace of the staff in Chris Carpenter has yet to gain a win? Or that the bullpen has seen its closer Ryan Franklin lose his job, as the ninth inning was not good to him? Let’s throw in for good measure that Albert Pujols has not gotten off to a Pujols-type of start. With all that said, the Redbirds found themselves in first place on the first day of May. Not bad for a team that struggled in the first week of the season, where near panic had taken hold in downtown St. Louis. Before we start handing out gold stars, let’s look at a few things that could be ahead. There is no question that this Cardinals edition can hit. They lead the majors in hitting as a team by a wide margin, as there have been few easy outs in the order, no matter who Tony La Russa puts in the lineup. The Cardinals also lead in runs scored so far, as the offense is all good. Now for the hard part. The Cardinals defensively are a head scratcher. As a team they have committed the second most errors so far, and many of them have been game-changers. Giving teams an extra out a night could be hazardous to say the least; while the Cardinals continue to out-hit

their opponents, it is not a habit they can continue if they expect to compete when the season really gets underway. While they have dealt with injury before, the loss of third baseman David Freese is the most costly. Freese is a run producer. He has also been injury-prone, as he has suffered major injuries over the last three years.

Mike Claiborne

The subs who were brought up from the minors and the ones who were signed in the off-season are now on the main stage. When a utility player becomes a regular, they can be exposed. It also creates a void when it comes to players who would be needed to come off the bench late in the game or spell regular starters from time to time. The Cardinals were going to be thin at depth anyway. Now that issue has come to light sooner than anyone had thought.

As a team they have committed the second most errors so far, and many of them have been gamechangers.Giving teams an extra out a night could be hazardous to say the least.

The other issue has been the bullpen. While closer Ryan Franklin has struggled early, the others in the pen have stepped up to prevent further damage. Only lack of experience is the drawback at this point. So what do you do now? Patience is the key here, as the Cardinals could ill afford to push the panic button. They cannot give away prospects this early in the game. That would be costly for the future; besides, they are not that deep from an organizational standpoint, as their best players are already here. It will be about six weeks from now before we really know if we have a team. Did I mention the real opening day for the Cardinals is Flag Day?

St.Louis Cardinals shortstop Ryan Theriot is charged with an error after mishandling a ground ball off the bat of Florida Marlins’Omar Infante during first-inning action Monday night at Busch Stadium.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Victory for McCluer South Berkeley

During Saturday's Marion Freeman Invitational McCluer South Berkeley won the boys 4X100 meter relay with a time of 42.22.

Continued from B3

Earl live

I will be appearing at the St. Louis Public Library Walnut Park Branch (5760 West

Florissant) this Saturday (May 7) to make a presentation about my books, “The PHLin the STL” and both “You Might Need a Jacket: Hilarious Stories of Wacky Sports Parents” books. My presentation will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. My books and PHLDVD will also be available for purchase at the event. Hope to see you all there.

More

signings

Clayton High basketball standout Christian Thomas signed with Loyola of Chicago University of the Horizon League. The 6’5” Thomas

averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Greyhounds to a Class 4 district championship.

Former Hazelwood Central standout Connell Crossland signed with TCU last week. The 6’7” Crossland was a junior college standout at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill.

Congrats to Coach Mo

Congratulations to my friend and media colleague Maurice Scott, who was recently named the Coach of the Year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association for the seventh grade level. Maurice is the head seventh grade coach and assistant eighth-grade coach at Wyvetter Younge Middle. The eighth graders won the IESA state championship in Class 4A. Also receiving Coach of the Year recognition from the

IBCAwas James Harris (8th grade, Mason-Clark Middle). Congratulations to

these

coaches for their great work with the young kids on the East Side.

Photo by Wiley Price

residential care and emergency shelter.

However, the center now faces a new era of privatized foster care management in Missouri, and Starks’task is to find a way to keep Annie Malone in business.

When the state’s department of social services decided to award its foster care management to the best-bidding consortiums of private agencies in 1997, Annie Malone formed the Northside Consortium with two other agencies and received a contract. But in 2005, they lost their contract to other consortiums.

“We used to be at the table, and we are not at the table now. We have to figure out what we could offer to the people with the contracts that’s different than what they do,” she said.

“So that has been my task. What do we do differently than all the other consortiums that have the contracts? What do I do different, and what do I do best? And what can I best offer them to continue to stay in business?”

What Annie does best

Over the past few years, the center has answered those questions and made tough decisions. Starks said the services they provide best are crisis intervention, special education, respite care for the juvenile court and transitional living for homeless teens or teens aging out of the foster care system.

However, its residential component – historically the nugget of the agency – has downsized considerably.

Annie Malone annually serves more than 130 children in residential care, 200 families in the crisis center, 400 day-care clients, and 1,000 teenagers through communitybased programs.

The center provides temporary care for children whose parents/guardians are experiencing an unexpected and

unstable condition that requires short-term care, usually three to five days. These are children who may be at risk for child abuse and neglect.

The center’s largest service is the Emerson Academy, an alternative educational setting for students with behavioral disorders and learning disabilities in grades K-12. When Starks arrived in the ‘80s, there was only one classroom. Now the academy has five classrooms and 30 students.

The center also provides long-term shelter for homeless teens, 16 to 21, or teens aging out of the foster care system.

The center’s 18-month program helps teens prepare for living on their own, which includes classes and structured living. They live in a group home or scattered apartments.

‘All or none’

Starks came to Annie Malone as a case worker – and a single mother raising a son –in 1980.

“It was a big challenge because I was fairly young at the time. It was fairly different from where I came from,” she said.

“I came from a health center. I quickly learned that it was not ‘turn off at 5:30.’You worked in someone’s living environment. It was a consuming job. It was all or none. Every time I thought about leaving, a new challenge arose.”

“We have to figure out what we could offer to the people with the contracts that’s different than what they do.”

– Angela L.Starks

“We are not the longterm residential facility like we used to be, but we are a short-term crisis intervention center.”

– Angela L.Starks

Every time she thought about moving on and finding something that was less complicating for her life, she was promoted, she said. First she became project director of the crisis center, which reached out to people in the community who were at risk of abusing their children. The center provides a babysitting service, along with parenting classes.

She held that position until 1990 and then was promoted to director of professional services, where she oversaw the implementation of all the center’s programs. In 2001, she became chief operation officer of the agency.

“Here I am in 2011 – CEO. I never thought that would happen, but I feel very blessed,” she said.

“My goal is to let people know that we are not just a parade. We provide services for families in the St. Louis community. People need to know there is someplace to go when they are in a crisis, especially when children are involved. We are not the longterm residential facility like we used to be, but we are a shortterm crisis intervention center.”

Delsie Boyd, board chairperson, said, “With 30 years experience at Annie Malone, her social service skills and knowledge in program development and management, counseling and fundraising adds a considerable amount of value to the agency.”

Financial Focus

By Roger Macon, AAMS, financial advisor

finances during your retirement years. You’ll be helping yourself, and, by becoming financially independent, you’ll also avoid the possibility of depending on your grown children for support. To help ensure a financially secure retirement, consider these ideas:

Fully fund your IRAeach year. As the numbers above show, women are way behind men when it comes to funding their IRAs. And IRAs, with their tax advantages, are great retirement-savings vehicles. Atraditional IRAhave

want to build financial resources of your own and be prepared to manage your

Check out this week’s

Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction hosts 102nd Convocation

American staff

The 102nd Annual Holy Convocation of the Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction of the Church Of God In Christ will be held May 14-21 at the Kennerly Temple Church Of God In Christ, 4307 Kennerly Ave. Bishop R. J. Ward is host pastor and Jurisdictional Bishop. The theme is “The Power of Unity: Psalm 133.” The speakers for 7 p.m. nightly services:

Monday, May 16 - Pastor Carl Terrell, Asst. Supt., M. H. Norman District– Pastor, Bostick Temple Church Of God In Christ.

Tuesday, May 17th - Dr. Elijah Hankerson III, 4th Admin. Asst. – Senior Pastor, Life Center International COGIC - Administrative Assistant’s Night.

Wednesday, May 18 – Presiding Bishop E. Blake, Chief Apostle Church of God in Christ – Senior Pastor West Angeles COGIC, Los Angeles, California

Thursday, May 19 – Women’s Day

– Supervisor Mary K. Sims, Kansas East Jurisdiction – First Lady, Mt. Carmel Church Of God In Christ, Kansas City, Kansas

Friday, May 20 - Dr. William L. Harper, Jr., 2nd Admin. Asst. – Pastor, Christ Community Temple Church Of God In Christ.

Grown & sexy R&B

Charlie Wilson to headline 2nd Super Music Festival on Friday

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Sometimes you go to Mama or Daddy for something, but your uncle is the one to get it done,” R&B singer Charlie Wilson said. “It’s because everybody likes the uncle – he knows how to reach people and get through to them.”

It was a classic, yet hilariously obvious autobiographical anecdote Wilson used to break down his comeback in the notorious “here today, gone TODAY” atmosphere of popular music.

“You have to do something that strikes a chord, and that’s what I do as ‘Uncle Charlie,’” Wilson said. “Chris Brown has the 6-18 year olds, but somebody has to represent for the grown and sexy.”

He’ll be in St. Louis tomorrow to headline the 2nd Annual St. Louis Super Music Festival. Wilson is the anchor for an extensive line-up coming to the Chaifetz arena on Friday, May 6 that also includes En Vogue, Eric Benet and Fantasia. Comedian and radio personality Rickey Smiley will host.

“Anytime we can bring African Americans together in a positive way, it’s a good thing,” Wilson said. “Sometimes for shows and events like this, not only do you have to go through hell and high water to get it off the ground, but you have a hard time getting people to believe in it.”

Presiding Bishop E. Blake, Chief Apostle Church of God in Christ –Senior Pastor West Angeles COGIC, Los Angeles, California, will be the speaker Wednesday, May 18.

Saturday, May 21 is Oficial Day

honoring Bishop R. J. Ward, with services promptly at 11 a.m. The speaker is Bishop Brandon B. Porter, Tennessee Central Jurisdiction, Senior Pastor, Greater Community Temple Church Of God In Christ, Memphis. From See COGIC, C4

Charlie Wilson will appear with En Vogue, Eric Benet and Fantasia on Friday, May 6 at the Chaifetz Area in the 2nd Annual St. Louis Super Music Festival.

By Kenya Vaughn Of

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

(New York) – Of the 93 feature ilms representing 40 countries at the 10th annual Tribeca Film Festival, 15 were speciic to black people – three of

so don’t be alarmed in the lag time between this message and when we connect.” She left the message around noon. It was well after midnight before I inally won the game of phone tag.

“Girl, you won’t believe what happened to me up in Whole Foods?” The joy was oozing through the phone.

“You met somebody?” I ask, pretending to sound surprised. It was the most pitiful blacting attempt since BET stopped airing those Arabesque love dramas.

“Not just somebody…girl…!” She was so caught up in her moment that she didn’t pick up on my urban stage play dramatic moment. She went on to tell me how that morning she stepped out of her comfort zone and approached this stunning (as in Shemar Moore circa 1995) brother. It started out as a simple business card handoff – but ended in an all day experience. They talked as he shopped. He invited her to go running. After their exercise they enjoyed a candlelight dinner and talked until the clock struck 12.

“Girl, I’m just now walking in the door,” she said. “It was the most perfect night of my life.” According to her, they talked and shared each other’s life stories in a way that seemed preordained. The way she ran it down I was almost ready to assume her car had turned into a pumpkin as she raced home. The line beeped mid-conversation and – of course – it was him. We hung up, and 30 minutes later I got a text from her. “He’s coming over.”

Those three words let me know that it wasn’t up for debate. The fact that she sent a text made me re-

Pablo Croce’s Like Water emerged as one of Tribeca’s ive top overall winners with honors in several categories. Most notably, Croce’s portrait of Brazilian “ultimate” mixed martial arts ighter Anderson Silva landed him “Best New Documentary Director.”

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., May 6, The 2nd Annual St. Louis SuperMusic Festival featuring Charlie Wilson, Eric Benet, Fantasia and En Vogue, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

Sun., May 8, 5:30 p.m., Ameren Missouri presents The 15th Annual Denise Thimes and Friends Mothers Day Concert, Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington. For more information, call (314) 773-0337. For tickets, call (314) 5341111.

Sun., May 8, 7 p.m., Mel Waiters with special guest Denise LaSalle, The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com

May 15, 8 p.m. Diddy Dirty Money with special guests Lloyd and Tyga, The Pageant. 6161 Delmar. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com or call (314) 7266161.

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

local gigs

Sat., May 7, 10 p.m. Tef Poe

and Rockwell Knuckles7 release party. The Gramophone. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/tefpoe314 or www.myspace.com/rockwellknuckles.

Sat., May 7, 7:30 p.m, N Collegium Vocale of Saint Louis presents Sacred Music of The German Baroque (1636-1753), Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St. May 7, 7:30 p.m., Northwinds Concert Band under the direction of Larry Marsh, will present “Saturday Night at the Pops,” Florissant Civic Center Theatre. For more information, call (314) 9215678 or visit www.northwindsband.org.

May 15, 6 p.m.,Sip n Savor Coffee Cafe will be presenting the dynamic singer, Courtney Loveless. 286 Debaliviere, 1/2 block north of Forest Park metro-link. For more information call (314) 361-2116 or 704-0289.

special events

Thurs., May 5, Come out and celebrate Cinco De Mayo with S&R Promotions, Elitism Magazine, and Bud Light Lime. NOCHES de CALIENTE @ The Over/Under Bar & Grill. For bottle service and table reser-

CALENDAR

vations, contact SandRpromo@gmail.com

Fri., May 6, 11:30 a.m., Mathews-Dickey Sky is the Limit Luncheon headlined by “Amen” TVstar and movie actress Anna Maria Horsford and keynoter Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO and co-founder of SBTV.com, Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, One S. Broadway. To register, please call (314) 382-5952, ext. 234.

Sat., May 7, 12 noon, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc., Iota Chapterpresents the 29th Annual Bessie M. Cross Scholarship and Charities Fashion Show Luncheon, Holiday Inn St.

Road, one mile north of Highway 44 in historic downtown Kirkwood. For more information, please call (314) 822-8900 or visit The Magic House online at www.magichouse.org

Through May 20, Grand Center Inc. is accepting applications for individual dancers, dance troupes and performance artists for the fifth annual Dancing in the Street Festival, held Sept. 24 on the streets of Grand Center. Applications, including a DVD must be submitted by May 20; participants will be notified of their acceptance by June 24. To submit a performance application, please contact Rachel Kell at 314-289-1517 or rachel@grandcenter.org Submission forms may also be obtained at www.grandcenter.org. All applications will be reviewed by a selection panel.

Sat., May 21, 11 a.m., Omicron Theta Omega Chapterof Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., presents Pink Pizzazz: An All White Affair featuring the Tim Cunningham Duet, Norwood Hills Country Club, One Norwood Hills Country Club Drive. For more information, call (314) 283-8213.

Louis Airport, 4505 Woodson Rd. For more information, call (314) 389-5229.

Sun., May 8, 3 p.m., the Alton Symphony Orchestra Mother’s Day Concert, Jacoby Arts Center. Call (618)463 -6933 or 618.462.2314 for information.

May 13, Model search contest by Candy Shop Custom Bikes, The Label.

May 14, Healing & Mending Ministry’s 1st Annual Heaven Sent” Mother’s Day Brunch/Fashion Show Westport Comfort Inn, 12031 Lackland Road, St Louis MO, 63146. For more information, call(314) 255-6181, visit www.healmending.org or email: healingm2@gmail.com

Sun., May 15, 1 p.m., Southwest Garden Neighborhood’s Home and Sustainable Lifestyles Tour On May 15th, pick-up the tour map at 4950 Southwest Avenue. For more information, please call 314-772-6082 or visit: www.southwestgarden.org.

Sun., May 15, 3 p.m., Jews United forJustice presents their7th Annual HeschelKing Celebration honoring Judge Ronnie White and Judge Rick Teitelman, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Thomas C. Hullverson and Richard B. Teitelmen Center For Justice Building, 4232 Forest Park Ave.

Through May 15, Bob the Builder– Project: Build It will be on site at The Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood

Sat., May 21, 8 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter3rd Annual Oldies But Goodies Dance, The Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow blvd., For more information, call (314) 973-9801.

May 24, 6:30 p.m., Boys Hope Girls Hope will hold theirannual Hope Couture “By Night” at the Contemporary Art Museum May. Proceeds from this evening of fashion and fun will go to support Boys Hope Girls Hope. BHGH helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, familylike homes, opportunities and education through college. For more information, call (314)692-7477 or visit www.boyshopegirlshopestl.org

May 27 – May 30, The Rib America Festival presented by U.S. Cellular, Soldier’s Memorial Plaza.

May 29, Kut-Nup Productions presents “Sync orSwim” An Ol’School Blast!!!, The Cotton Club, 8132 Scott Ave. For more information, call 314-3677877.

Sat., Jun. 4, London’s Legend Ball #5 “Solid Gold,” Blackmon’s Plaza. For more information, call (618) 7978752.

Sat., Jun. 25, 12 noon, Comedy, Wine, Beer& Blues Day Tour, Must be at least 25 or older to attend. Call 314-

219-4188 for info or register online at www.dayatthewinery.eventbrite.com.

comedy

Fri., May 6, 8 p.m., Martin Lawrence with special guest Melanie Camarcho, Scottrade Center Concert Club. For more information, visit www.livenation.com

Sat., May 7, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m., Laugh With Me Ma Comedy Weekend starring Jovan Bibbs, Marcus Combs, Matt Collins and more, Gateway Center, One Gateway Drive in Collinsville, IL. Call (618) 345-8998.

Sat., May 7, 2 p.m., St. Louis American Sports Editor Earl Austin Jr. will be appearing at the St. Louis Public Library Walnut Park Branch (5760 West Florissant) for a presentation and book signing. Earl will be giving presentations on his publications, which include The PHLin the STL: The Public High League, ASt. Louis Basketball Legacy and the DVD of the same name; You Might Need a Jacket: Hilarious Stories of Wacky Sports Parents and You Might Need a

Matthew Algeo will sign and discuss his new book, The President Is a Sick Man: Where the Supposedly Virtuous Grover Cleveland Survives a Secret Surgery at Sea and Vilifies the Courageous Newspaperman Who Dared Expose the Truth, Pudd’nHead Books, 37 South Old Orchard Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119. Tues., May 17, 6 p.m., “DADUM-DUN”: Homage to Miles Davis, Henry Dumas & Katherine Dunham, An annual multi-arts expo in honor of three world-class creative geniuses whose expressions impacted—-and were impacted by—-East St. Louis (Illinois), in the Multipurpose Room of Bldg. “D” on the SIUE-East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 J.R. Thompson Dr., East St. Louis. The Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club, which is celebrating its 25th birthday, and SIUE are sponsors of this free family event.

May 12 – May 22, The Lady With All the Answers, COCA’S Black Box Theater 524 Trinity Avenue, University City, MO, 63130. Go to www.cocastl.org or call 314-725-6555 ext 0 or

The Mathews-Dickey Sky is the Limit Leadership Luncheon will feature stage,film and television actress Anna Maria Horsford.See SPECIAL EVENTS for details

visit the COCAbox office.

May 13 – May 14, JMJ

Productions presents I Just Want to Be Loved, 5915 Minerva. For more information, call (314) 437-8937.

Through May 15, The Black Rep presents Black Pearl Sings, The Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, call (314) 534-3810 or visit www.theblackrep.org .

May 20 – June 5, Gitana

Productions presents The new original play Faultlines, written by Lee Patton Chiles, the play examines issues of domestic violence and abuse of women, particularly those in the South Asian immigrant community. Cardinal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop May Drive at Laclede Station Road. Tickets may be reserved at www.gitana-inc.org or by contacting Gitana at gitanaproductionsinc@gmail.com or 314721-6556.

arts

Through August 1, MFA

Thesis Exhibition featuring the candidates in Washington University’s Graduate School of Art, part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

May 6 – August 1, Cosima Von Bonin Character Appreciation, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

Through May 16, Husband and wife team Joseph D¡¯Uva and SummerZickefoose present Customized Vistas,¡±an exhibit, Gallery Visio, 170 Millennium Student Center at UMSL, 1 University Blvd., St. Louis. For more information, visit umsl.edu/~galvisio or call (314)-516-7922.

Fri., Jun. 3, opening reception for Roz Flax –Retrospective, Art Dimensions Gallery 2720 Cherokee.

lectures

TMAPYouth Empowerment

Sessions, Thursdays, 4:45 p.m., 5019 Alcott Walbridge

C.E.C. Riverview West Florissant -TMAPmeet for Youth Empowerment Sessions facilitated by Keith Minor Nuisance Coordinator in the 27th Ward and feature a variety of positive role models from the St. Louis Metropolitan area listen to and dialogue with youth in the Walnut Park neighborhood.

Topics vary and are youth driven. Call the RWF-TMAP office at (314) 381-6999.

Toastmasters International St. Louis presents Primary Conversations! Want to develop in Public Speaking? Visit Toastmasters Primary Conversations Club every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 6pm...Please call 314-2259098 for more information.

Matiff OPEN DANCE CLASSES,7 p.m. Monday and Friday, Male and Female dancers ages 14 and up specializing in modern, street, hiphop, and lyrical dance. Wohl Community Center, 1515 North Kingshighway. E-mail: matiffdance@gmail.com or call(314) 920-2499.

health

Sat., May 7, 2 p.m., YOUR MARKEThost “Healthy Reading” with local Authors Denise Williams, Rosalyn Madden and Pat Simmons. 8005 Broadway. Hours of operation are Monday –Thursday 7am-7pm, FridaySaturday 7am-8pm and Sunday 8am – 5p.m. For more information go to www.yoursmarket.org or call 314-553-9270.

Sat. May 7, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – “Behind the Mask” Lupus Educational Conference at Saint Louis University. Registration at 8 a.m., $10 attendance fee includes all sessions and lunch. Attendees must preregister by calling 800-9LUPUS6, email info@LFAheartland.org or go to http://tinyurl.com/lupusSTL.

May 7, 9 a.m., The Human Development Corporation of Metropolitan St. Louis (HDC), in partnership with Cardinal RitterCollege Prep High School and People’s Health Center, will be hosting a “Family Fun Wellness Fair” featuring fun, familyfriendly activities to present alternatives to their regular routines and promote healthy lifestyles. Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, 701 North Spring Ave. For more information, contact the Human Development Corporation at (314) 754-4511.

Sat., May 7th, 5 p.m., Mothers Day Wellness Event, if you want to move to the groove of Zumba or feel long, strong, centered and calm with yoga or tighten your tummy with belly blasting? Come be a part of this movement mania. You will be rejuvenated, refreshed and relax. This event is for all women. The Inpower Institute, 5400

Nottingham Ave. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (314) 332-8487.

Sat., May 7, 4 p.m., Therapeutic Horsemanship Derby Day Soiree Therapeutic Horsemanship, 322 Stable Lane, Wentzville, MO. For more information, visit www.thstl.org

Sat., May 14, 10 a.m., The St. Louis Metropolitan Church of Christ will be having their 2nd Annual Women’s Health Fair , 6079 West Florissant Avenue. There will be free lunch provided, health screenings, yoga, massage therapy and an info session about the new healthcare reform. Genetta Lane of the Healthy Start will also be providing a inspirational message. Call (314)580.3950.

Sat. May 14, 8 a.m. – NOON, St. Louis Start! Heart Walk by the American Heart Association, Busch Stadium downtown St. Louis. Walk begins at 9. Admission is free; activities include heart health screenings, healthy snacks, kid’s zone and survivor café. For more information, contact the American Heart Association at (314) 692-5661 or log on to www.metrostlouisheartwalk.org.

Sat., May 14, 2 p.m., YOURS MARKEThost “Healthy Juicing” with The Juice Box presented by Shawn McKie. McKie will discuss in this demonstration how to juice nutritional produce and how to blend your favorite fruit or vegetable into a tasty smoothie. The Juice Box will also have available supplemental for your juicing mix. 8005 Broadway. Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 7am7pm, Friday-Saturday 7am8pm and Sunday 8am – 5p.m. For more information go to www.yoursmarket.org or call 314-553-9270.

May 21, 5 p.m., More than 1,500 teens and their families are expected to gather in St. Louis County to give a voice to all young teens who struggle with depression and to remember those who lost their life to suicide. Working to combat this destructive trend among adolescents, CHADS Coalition for Mental Health hosts its fifth annual “Kids Walking for Kids – ACelebration of Hope!” (KWK) from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 21 in Creve Coeur Park, Maryland Heights.

June 4-5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ASID DesignerHome Tour benefitting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Tickets

are $25 each and for groups of six or more, tickets are $20 each. Homes are located in easy to find areas of Kirkwood, West County and St. Charles. For tickets contact (314) 427-7933, visit the Concierge’s Desk at Plaza Frontenac or http://www.stldesignerhometour.info

Sat. June 18, 7 a.m. - 2nd Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis’Bike Ride in Forest Park. The event has five race options: To ride, volunteer or for more information, visit www.rmhcridestl.com, 314932-4146 or e-mail lfletcher@rmhcstl.com.

Sun. June 19, Katy Trail Father’s Day Family Bike Ride, to benefit prostate cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. Riders can start from a designated KATY Trailhead and ride to Defiance, Mo. Pre-registration is $10.00 ($15.00 day of ride). For more information, or to sign-up, go to www.fathersdaybikeride.com.

Sat., Jun. 25, 7:30 a.m., CHIPS Health and Wellness Center11th Annual 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Walk and Community Health Festival, CHIPS Health and Wellness Center, 2431 N. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63106. For more information, call (314) 652-9231 Ext.20.

spiritual

Through Fri., May 6, 7:30 p.m., GreaterLeonard M.B. Church Annual Spring Revival with Evangelist Rev. Dr. Haywood A. Robinson III - Pastor, People’s Community Baptist Church of Silver Spring, Maryland, Greater Leonard M.B. Church, 1130 Benton Street. For more information, call (314) 4215288.

Through Fri., May 6, 7 p.m.

nightly, Cephas Christian Church Annual Spring Prophetic Revival with Pastor/International

Evangelist Martin D. Johnson, Pastor of Life Givers Christian Center of Atlanta, Georgia. Cephas Christian Church, 1900 Newhouse, St. Louis, MO. 63107. Rev. C.V. Smith-Pastor. For more information, call (314)588-1500.

Friday Night Live! Christian fun for everyone! Come enjoy Instrumental Flute, Poetry, Holy Hip Hop, FREE Food, and Games. Featured Special Guest will be CES Magmatic (http://www.cmflows.com) and Point Five (http://www.point5 online.com).

COGIC

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10–11

a.m. saints will be in prayer. All clergy are asked to be in official attire on this day.

An Urban Initiatives Moment will be held nightly with Pastor Edwin C. Bass, President of COGIC Urban Initiatives, Inc., Presiding Bishop’s Liaison to the White House and Pastor of Empowered Church Of God In Christ.

Special Holy Convocation

features include:

Pre-Musical – 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14 - Elder Edgar

O. Madison Jr. Vice President, International Music Department. President, Music Department, Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction

Baptismal Service - Tuesday, May 17

Civic Night – Wednesday, May 18 – Sister Ida Goodwin Woolfolk

Holy Communion Service - Friday, May 20 – 3rd Administrative Assistant Robert D. Strong (in-charge) - Regional and Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent- Pastor, Kossuth Church Of God In Christ Ordination CeremonySaturday, Official Day, May 21 – Elder Edward Morgan,

Chairman Sunshine Band and Purity, 9–11 a.m. Saturday, May 21 in the annex, with Mother Bertha Jackson, President, Sunshine Band; Evangelist Missionary Beverly Fowler, President, Purity.

Annual Fellowship Dinner

– 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at Saint Louis Airport Marriott, 10700 Pear Tree Ln. Speaker: Pastor Edwin C. Bass, President COGIC Urban Initiatives. Coordinators: Elder Edgar O. Madison, Jr., Sister Ida Goodwin Woolfolk.

Pre-Convocation, Jurisdictional Prayer & Fasting will be held May 13. On at May 16, Kennerly Temple Church Of God In Christ, Mother Leverna O’Neal, Jurisdictional Prayer Leader will lead Women’s Day. Mother Theresa E. Bolden is Supervisor of Women’s Department. Day Service at 9 a.m. at Christ Community Temple Church Of God In Christ, 3500 Norwood where Dr. W. L. Harper Jr. is Pastor. Evening Service is 6 p.m. at Kennerly Temple Church Of God In Christ.

A One Day Men’s Mini Conference will be held Thursday May 19, 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Additional Inspirational Speakers speaking 10 minutes each:

Monday – Elder Marcus Thurman - Holy Trinity Church Of God In Christ

Tuesday - Pastor Marquaello A. Futrell Sr., Pastor, All Creation Northview Holiness Family Church Of God In Christ

Wednesday – Evangelist

Missionary Tuesday Beverly, New Life Church Of God In Christ

Friday - Elder Donald Buckner, Jurisdictional Youth President, Missouri Eastern First – Kennerly Temple Church Of God In Christ. For further information, call 314-452-6899.

TRIBECA

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Kivu Ruhorahoza’s posttraumatic Rwandan war tale Grey Matter secured a special jury mention and a “Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Film” award for Ramadhan “Shami” Bizimana.

And while the Heineken Audience Award would eventually be given to Michael Collins’ Give Up Tomorrow, it was a tooth-and-nail battle that changed by the minute as Like Water, ‘Beats, Rhymes & Life, Whitney Dow’s When the Drum is Beating and Nancy Buirski’s

MUSIC

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He knows all about the grind of getting people behind a brand. Wilson – who initially became a household name as the leader of the sibling group The Gap Band – managed to plummet from the top to the pits of addiction, then miraculously claw his way back to the top of the charts.

“In order to make it back, you have to work at least as hard as you did when you first came into the game. It’s been plenty of sleepless nights and countless early mornings,” Wilson said.

“You have to start with good music first. It doesn’t matter if you’re old, young, fat, skinny, pretty or ugly – if the music is good, the music is

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alize that there was no point in bothering to talk her out of it.

“Guard your heart … and protect your panties.” I replied. It was all that I could do or say at this point.

The next night she called to let me know that “the magic had happened … and it was still all good.”

They had Easter brunch and met up again for dinner that evening.

The next day I called to see how it was going on the third day with her new boo, but they were at dinner.

I decided from this point forward to let her call me with any relationship updates.

One day became three.

Three days became five. When

The Loving Story – all focused on blackness – gave the winner a run for its money.

Each of the black films screened had a common bond of dignity and a special black brand of peace found through locating stillness in the center of a storm – and a victory against the insurmountable.

Haiti’s heartbeat, ‘Mama’ Makeba and the Lovings

Mama Africa is director Mika Kaurismäki’s tribute to singer Miriam Makeba. She remains an icon in her native South Africa and her entire home continent three years after her death. Sadly, her outspo-

good. That’s what I love about St. Louis, y’all love good music.” Wilson promises to give fans what they’re looking for tomorrow night.

“I’m closing the thing out, and all I can say is bring some tennis shoes,” Wilson said.

“You can start out in your pumps, but change out of them when Uncle Charlie hits the stage, because we‘re going to have some sweaty fun.”

Honoring ‘Lady T’

He wasn’t the initial choice to close out the show, and it’s a position he assumes with a heavy heart. For the inaugural St. Louis Super Music Festival last summer, Teena Marie turned it out to the point where festival creator Daryel Oliver had her slated to close out the show for 2011.

a week crept up and tapped me on the shoulder, I became fearful that her beautiful beau was so perfect because he was the black Ted Bundy. The thought of my friend being the 18th victim found floating face down in a ravine – or cut up in a deep freezer – had me frazzled.

On Friday I called to make sure I didn’t need to hire a psychic investigator. She saw that I had been calling and left a message.

“Girl, call me…”

Same three words, yet the application of them were on the opposite end of the spectrum from just a week before.

It was over.

In less than 24 hours, they had learned everything about each other. By the first 48, they both decided that they were meant to be husband and wife.

ken views and battle against apartheid had to be fought from beyond the border because of her 30-year banishment.

Mama Africa displays Makeba’s loves, her life and her fight for the freedom of her people and a right to return home.

The film creates a colorful and insightful portrait of a woman brave enough to sacrifice popularity and personal safety for the sake of lending her voice to a political movement.

“I never sing politics,” Makeba said. “Only the truth.” Before Makeba became an anti-apartheid activist, Richard and Mildred Loving were fighting for the right to simply love each other. The Loving Story is a compilation of archival

Sadly, Teena Marie’s untimely December death left a void in the festival’s line up. It was a hole Wilson felt honored to fill.

“We’ve done a bunch of stuff together, and we talked about doing a duet together,” Wilson said.

“Two days before she passed, we were like, ‘Okay, let’s get it started,’ but it wasn’t meant to be. So I’m especially grateful for this opportunity. I’m not going to let her or the people of St. Louis down.”

The 2nd Annual St. Louis Super Music Festival will take place at 7:30 p.m., tomorrow night (Fri., May 6) at the Chaifetz Area (100 N. Compton). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. metrotix.com or call 314-5341111.

On day four, she found out about a “fresh baby’ – his fifth – and a personality that was the losing combination of compulsive flake.

Her big regret…? You guessed it. But some kind of way she managed to rationalize her stepping outside of her personal dating structure, ignoring the inner voice that whispered to her to slow down and step back, and disregarding my “girl, don’t let him do it to you” text.

“At least he got what he wanted and is outta my face instead keeping on that mask men wear when they are trying to convince you to trust them enough to let them into your bed,” she said. “Had it gone down the typical way, I wouldn’t have found out about his mess until I was already caught up.”

footage of the highly publicized Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court Case. The interracial couple married in 1958, but it would be 1967 before they could legally live as man and wife. Long before the U.S. Civil Rights Movements – 70 years before the U.S. Civil War – the people of Haiti revolted. When the Drum is Beating uses the music of Haiti’s most celebrated band, Septentrional, as the center of the country’s initial triumph, which turned into tragedy. But somehow the band –like the country – has managed to survive. Political turmoil, poverty and catastrophic earthquakes could not destroy the rhythm of their nation.

YES! What an experience

As a teen in the YES (Youth Exploring Science) program, I have gained many skills that have helped me advance socially and psychologically in society as a person, as well as a student. Working with people of different races, ethnicities, religious views, and social classes has been a skill that will be advantageous to me for life outside the YES program. Having independent supervisors that go out of their way to lend me a hand and the companionship that my peers provide has truly been an experience that I value. We are all somewhat reliant on each other for this operation to run smoothly; I feel like we are all one family. The YES program

is the type of program that everybody should be able to be apart of at least once in his or her life.

My favorite experience as a teen was my irst year in the program in the summer of 2008. I was in Frank Mack’s group and we worked on-site at the Taylor Building. One day, we walked across the street to the McCormack House and made kites with the residents. I really enjoyed that experience because they had so much fun with the activity. Before we went over to perform the activity, many of us were skeptical; we thought they wouldn’t have a good time with lying the kites. I was actually pretty content because we got everyone involved and out of the building. That was my favorite, as well as my most memorable, experience.

Being a YES teen has immensely changed the way I think about science. Prior to

joining the program, I absolutely hated science, math, and anything that had to do with the two. Now, in my junior year at Metro High School, I am currently taking two science classes: anatomy & physiology and AP environmental science. I have grown to love learning and with science, there is always something new to learn due to new discoveries in medicine, space, etc.

After being in the YES program for three years, I have seen myself mature as a person and as a student. Working with my peers and supervisor has helped me realize short-term as well as long-term goals, such as the importance of attending college and properly preparing for the ACT. I also believe that being in this program has been a bonus, as far as educational purposes go. Overall, I feel extremely privileged and blessed to have had this experience.

Gabrielle Gant

Photos by

Clergy Coalition leads ministers on Israel mission

Shields, Nance attending with 20 black pastors from Missouri

Special to The American

The Reverend E.G. Shields Sr., president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition along with the Rev. Earl E. Nance Jr., past president of the coalition will lead 20 AfricanAmerican pastors and ministers from the St. Louis and Kansas City areas on an educational mission trip to Israel.

The mission trip is sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, charitable organization afiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Other St. Louis ministers attending include Rev. Sammie Jones , Rev. Charles Brown, Rev. Carl Smith, Rev. Ernest G. Shields, Jr., Rev. Dinah Tatman, Rev. Franklin D. R. Benson, Rev. Elijah Hankerson III, Rev. Starsky Wilson Elder C. Jessel Strong, Rev. Douglas Petty, Rev. Harold Butler, Rev. Robert Shaw, Rev. Vickie Caldwell and Bishop Calvin Scott.

Kansas City Ministers include Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III, Rev. L. Henderson Bell, Rev. John Edwards and Rev. James A. Terrance Jr.

The purpose of this mission is to witness and better understand the life and culture of the Israelis people. All ministers will travel to the Gaza Strip. They also will visit the Knesset (tantamount to the U.S. Congress) to have dialogue with governmental oficials.

“As African-American ministers, we are familiar with the history of Civic Rights in this country and how members of

the Jewish community played a vital role,” Shields said in a release.

“History has recorded that many in the Jewish community supported the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, statistically Jews were one of the most actively involved non-black groups in the movement. Many Jewish students worked in concert with African Americans for CORE, SCLC, and SNCC as full-time organizers and summer volunteers during the Civil Rights era.”

The release continues: “Jewish leaders were arrested while heeding a call from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in St. Augustine, Florida in June 1964, where the largest mass arrest of rabbis in American history took place at the Monson Motor Lodge. Abraham Joshua Heschel – a writer, rabbi and professor of theology at the

Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York – was outspoken on the subject of civil rights. He marched arm-inarm with Dr. King in the 1965 March on Selma. In the Mississippi Burning murders of 1964, the two white activists killed Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwermer were both Jewish.”

The clergy left for Israel on April 30 and will return on May 8.

COGIC Eastern First Convocation

Get ready for the 102nd Annual Holy Convocation of the Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction of the Church Of God In Christ, May 14-21 at the Kennerly Temple Church Of God In Christ, 4307 Kennerly Ave. Missouri. Bishop R. J. Ward is

host pastor and Jurisdictional Bishop.

Healing & Mending Ministry beneit

On Saturday, May 14, Healing & Mending Ministry will host a fundraiser, Heaven Sent Mother’s Day Brunch/Fashion Show. The focus is to bring awareness to ending domestic violence.

The event will be held at Westport Comfort Inn, 12031 Lackland Rd. and feature live entertainment with Rod Tate, keynote speaker Charlene Walker, DJ Rome and door prizes.

The group’s programs include Women Ministry/ Outreach, Clothing for Success, Counseling Services for Women, Transitional Housing, Emergency Shelter, Crisis Intervention and Domestic Violence Seminars.

Visit www.healmending.org or email: healingm2@gmail. com.

GregAlan Williams as Deacon A.L. Wiley

The Josh Partnership and Harris-Stowe State University will present The Life and Times of Deacon A.L. Wiley, a one-man theatrical show starring GregAlan Williams (The Game, Remember the Titans with Denzel Washington, The Sopranos, Bay Watch, Meet the Browns, Blood Done Sign my Name, Preacher’s Kid), 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 13 and 14, at Harris-Stowe University’s Emerson Performing Arts Center. For tickets and more information, call 5341111.

Let your light shine

As a child, I grew to love birthday celebrations, which were often marked by birthday cakes adorned with candles. This tradition of intertwining cakes and birthday celebrations dates back to ancient Roman times. Through most of Western history, cakes with lit candles on top have become common to many birthday celebrations.

The cake in my view reminds us of the sweetness of life, while the candles remind us of the bright future that lies ahead. The candle light also relects the gifts that God has given us to share with others. The light from candles on a birthday cake often brightens the whole room and for some the whole house. It puts a smile on the faces of those who see it and those who are exposed to the celebration of life that the candles represent.

do the things that relect our good works.

This week I will remember the birthday of someone I loved dearly. One who loved the life that birthday cakes often represent. One who knew without a doubt that the word set forth in John 8:12 (King James) was absolutely true. “Then spoke Jesus again unto them saying “I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

As I relect on the many birthday cakes and candles that I have seen over the years, I am reminded of a word from God: Matthew 5: 15-16 (King James): “Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

When we move beyond our birthday celebrations, we must continue to let our light shine and avoid hiding our light (gifts) under a bushel basket. We must strive to be the best that we can possibly be. We must be of service to mankind, our communities and God. Too often we are afraid to let our light shine, afraid to step out on faith and

She never hid her light under a bushel basket. Instead she let it shine boldly, doing countless good works through teaching, preaching, writing, serving her community, honoring her parents and loving those with whom she came in contact. She believed in the magniicent power of God and the power of positive thinking, exhibiting great conidence as she faithfully followed Him. So this week, we celebrate the light that represented her gifts and the sweet cake that represented her life. Those who knew Shirley Deavens can still remember the sweet taste that she left behind after most interactions and the bright light that she exuded as she went about doing her Fathers business. May she rest in peace and may her spirit dwell eternally with the God whom she loved so dearly. As you celebrate your life and the lives of those you know and love, remember to let your light shine before man so that they may see your good works as you seek to glorify God.

Greg Deavens was the late Minister Shirley Deavens’ son.

Greg Deavens

Rev. Ernest G. Shields Sr. and Rev. Earl E. Nance Jr. in Jaffa, Israel.

Graduation

Normandy

High grad

Jasmine Pettigrew

Jasmine Pettigrew will graduate from Normandy Senior High School on May 19, 2011. She is the oldest of three daughters and loves to play basketball. Jasmine will attend college in the fall, where she plans to major in computer systems engineering.

Graduation Maryville U. grad

Cynthia Poindexter Kondro

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Cynthia Poindexter Kondro will receive her Ph.D in Educational Leadership from Maryville University on May 7, 2011. Cynthia is employed at Mark Twain Support School in Florissant, MO.

Birthdays Austin Rayford — May 7

Barb Murphy (31) — May 6

DeVierWashington — May 7

Reunions

Beaumont High School Class of 1965 is looking for all classmates interested in celebrating our 45-year reunion. We are in the process of planning a dinner/dance.Your contact information is needed ASAP. Pleaseemail LaLinda Newsom Diggs at lalindadiggs@sbcglobal.net.

Beaumont High Class of 1971 has scheduled its 40-year reunion for August 5-7, 2011. E-mail your contact information to beaumont71alumni@ yahoo.com for details.

Beaumont High School Class of 1976 will have its 35th year reunionAugust 19-21, 2011. Friday night,August 19: meet & greet hospitality suite St. Louis AirportRenaissance Hotel, Saturday August 20: a DinnerDanceSt. Louis Airport Renaissance Hotel

Kellen Mackey — May 8

Jackie Gates — May 9

Birthday Weekend of fun for Centenarian

Velma Turner turned 100 years old on May 3, 2011. Velma looks forward to celebrating with family and friends during a weekend of fun in her honor, May 27-28 at the Marriott Hotel—St. Louis Airport, including a Hawaiian Luau and Rainbow Gala.

Allen Neal — May 10

Danielle Harris — May 10

Preston Norris — May 11

Penthouse & Sunday August 21: worship & picnic.For more detailed information pleaseemail bhs1976@swbell.net or visit our website at http://desyco.tripod.com.

East St. Louis Lincoln Class of 1971, calling all classmates interested in their 40-year reunion, please send your contact info to: Lincoln Class of 1971, PO Box 1430, East St. Louis, IL62202. Email us at ESTLLincoln1971@hotmail.c om, on Facebook at ESLLinconPenn or call 618781-4888 or 314-249-7295.

Hadley Technical High School class of 1961 is preparing for its 50-year reunion in 2011. We are seeking contact information to complete our directory. For more information contact Ralph Johnson 314-477-2042 or William Perry 314-531-3170.

Kinloch High School Class of 1970 will host their 41st Reunion Dinner Dance on June 10, 2011 at the Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center. Please contact Arlene Davis at 4800103, Lester Wilson at 8632180, or Mc McKinnies at 524-0126 for additional information.

Kinloch High Class of 1976 is planning its 35-year reunion for August 12-13, 2011. For more information please contact Janet Dalton Campbell at 314-490-5441, Rosie Moore Odom at 314-601-1331 or Sheila Hughes Bell at 314680-8878.

Riddick School/ Neighborhood Reunion will be held September2-3, 2011. Friday, 9/2/11: Meet and Greet, Saturday, 9/3/11: Picnic (Forest Park). Costs: $30/individual, $60/couple, $75/family. Make money orders or cashier checks payable to: Riddick School Reunion, P.O. Box 52003 St. Louis, 63136. Please do not send cash or personal checks. For additional information, please contact: Wanda Simmsat 314-3837046, Wanette Johnsonat 314-869-9692 or Catherine Kendricksat 314-741-4059.

Soldan Class of 1976 is celebrating its 35-year reunion during the weekend of June 1012.We're looking for all alumni to participate. Contact us via e-mail:soldanclass 76@yahoo.com

The SumnerAlumni Association Scholarship Luncheon Committee is making plans forits 4th

Birthday Mother Mason turns 70

Phyllis Mason, mother of six, granny of 16, and great-grand of seven, celebrated her 70th birthday on May 4, 2011. Dr. Marcellars, Carman, Hurtis, Priscilla, Brian, and Theresa all say Happy Earthday and we love you!

Annual Scholarship and Awards Luncheon. The Luncheon will be Saturday, June 4, 2011 from noon until 4 p.m. at Debonaire Banquet Center & Catering, 3515 N Lindbergh Blvd. Featuring Angelo “Sax” Shaw as we dine and DJ Phill B. for entertainment. For more information, please call B. Louis at 314385-9843.

SumnerClass of 1961 is preparing for its 50th year reunion, which will be held on June 3-5, 2011. If you have not received your info in the mail, please send your information to sledgesisternumber3@yahoo.com.

University City Class of 1981 will be celebrating their 30 year reunion August 5-7, 2011. If you have not received your

reunion package, please forward you email address to msdenise38@yahoo.com. We also have a fundraiser coming up in May.

Vashon Class of 1986,25th Reunion Celebration, Cruisin’ On The Mississippi,Friday July 15, 2011, 10pm.Contact Claudette 314-369-6548.

Vashon Class of 1971 is pleased to announce its 40year reunion on July 29-30, 2011 at the Renaissance Airport Hotel. For additional information and news about activities leading up to this event, please contact Maxine Lax at Maxine_Lax@yahoo.com or 314-640-0862. We are looking for all our classmates and friends to participate.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 4242 Lindell Ave St. Louis, MO 63108 FREE OF CHARGE

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent \by mail to: Kate Daniel, 4242 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Careerclubs forhealth professions ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Federal grant helps SLU’s School of Nursing Workforce Diversity Program

By Alfreda Brown For The St.Louis American

Thanks to a grant funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, under the Health Resources and Services Administration, students in five local schools will have an opportunity to participate in a career exploration program that will provide them and their teachers with a comprehensive introduction to career options in nursing and other healthcare careers.

Dr. Teri Murray, Dean of the School of Nursing at Saint Louis University, is the principal investigator for the Nursing Workforce Diversity program. The program is a collaborative effort that includes SLU’s School of Nursing, SLU’s Area Health Education Center Program Office, the Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Secondary Education and East Central Missouri

AHEC.

Dean Murray noted that in the landmark report, “Missing Persons: Minorities in the Health Professions” by the Sullivan Commission, it was determined that more minorities are needed in the health professions. According to

Dean Murray, the report stated that a culturally diverse healthcare workforce, including nursing, is essential in meeting health care needs and in reducing health disparities among minority populations.

“The Healthcare Career Clubs, established by East Central Missouri AHEC and supported by professional medical and nursing students through the SLU AHEC Program Offices, will encourage more students from diverse backgrounds to consider careers in nursing and other healthcare careers,” said Murray.

East Central Missouri Area Health Education Center is one of seven regional centers in Missouri with the goal to enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventive care, by cultivating and supporting Missouri’s health care workforce. This is done through youth programming and outreach presentations, clinical training and community partnerships.

Under the leadership of Shearon Holmes, director of training, and Iesha Clay, the Healthcare Career Clubs are helping students learn more

about nursing and other health careers. According to Holmes, “We support the clubs by bringing to the school a variety of speakers to explain their professions, medical students to

share their experiences in different medical programs, and providing hands-on activities such as taking vital signs.”

One of the favorite activities of the club is visiting SLU’s Adventures in Medicine

Instructor, Ms.Venus Spain-Walker with students from Cardinal Ritter’s SON Healthcare Career Club at Saint Louis University’s Adventures in Medicine and Science.

and Science laboratory. The AIMS program provides ageappropriate hands-on experiences in anatomy. Recently, students from two of the schools participating in the Healthcare Career Clubs took a

field trip to AIMS to dissect pig hearts. The experience helped the students to gain a better understanding of how the heart functions and what happens to the heart when it becomes diseased.

Erin Wiley, one of the students who participated in the field trip, said, “This was an amazing opportunity and I learned so much. The whole experience was very educational and I got to meet people from other schools with the same interests. Everyone was very open to learning and very respectful; especially because they chose to be there (it wasn’t a mandatory class). I also learned a lot about what an unhealthy lifestyle can do to a heart and how it affects your life!”

For additional information about establishing healthcare career clubs in schools and career development programs for youth, contact Alfreda Brown, executive director, East Central Missouri Area Health Education Center, at 314-772-9979 or abrown@ecmoahec.org. For additional information about ECMO AHEC, visit www.ecmoahec.org.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of

Cars, Bars, & Cigars. Cadillacs, cigar smoke, a retro Chevy on dubs, and mosquitoes were all perched for 104.1 & Foxy 95.5’s rescheduled Cars, Bars, & Cigars event last Thursday evening. On an almost picture perfect day at the foot of Art Hill, St. Louis showed up to canopies which featured Cadillac vehicles for viewin’ pleasure. I was a bit confused though because as I arrived, it seemed that an ‘oficial’ of the event was directin’ a tired line of hoopties on rims up onto the grass to be featured as well. Now what a baby blue 78’ Chevy Impala on the biggest and brightest rims with resident unspeakables in snow boots and leggings in tow have to do with the Cadillac sponsored event, I will never know. Few came to impress with freshly dry cleaned blazers, starched jeans and slippers while others decided for a more soulful look…i.e. Ronald McDonald inspired mohawk, the biggest church hat known to man, and suede peek toe pumps. As the ly swattin’ ensued, DJ Nappy Needles held it down on the 1s and 2s as Mickey J hosted. My girls Staci Static and Niecy were also on hand for the event. However, as an overcast came in lookin’ to punish, I decided to hit it.

A Delux Fashion Forward. Delux Magazine’s Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Gallery on Thursday evening was next on the list. Expecting a prompt start, audience members sat with constant reminders that the show will start “in just minutes.” Looking over the crowd, I could see how some tried to adapt to such a fashion event. Bright colored blouses, hairstyles that seemed to throw up gang signs, and noticeable grand marches to their respected seats that screamed “look at me!” were all evident. As they walked by, I said silently, “….Girl, you such a trendsetter…I see your ‘show inside the show’… now get somewhere and sit down!” However, I can appreciate such as others didn’t care to try to pull together an outit at all, choosin’ to adorn an “I-just-rolled-out-of-bed” attire. Thursday night featured pieces from N.V. Boutique, Taste of Luxurie, and Therapy Boutique. Now, before I begin to chop, I was not mad at all the pieces showcased. Some were quite fetchin’ and respectable. Others should have been left on the cuttin’ room loor. But I think the biggest mixed feeling I had was for the models. I began to question some to the point where I wondered who was coaching these girls. My conclusion: no one. Some girls really gave you model realness while showcasing the frock – dreaded or not. Others…not so much. Who was the alleged expert that told y’all slow motion catwalking – to the point of watching paint dry –was cute? More than a few felt like they were on the runway for hours, busy slanging a sex stroll and death stares into the audience. One even went on to mouth a thank you before she strutted her stuff Artie J provided hilarious commentary throughout while what seemed to be the Goodfellow Blvd. version of Lady Gaga and her mother punished the runway while another carried on as if she was aflicted with a case of walkin’ polio. Oh yeah, diversity was deinitely celebrated. Seviin Li provided impressive intermission entertainment offering original songs with backup dancers kickin’ up their heels as if their lives depended on it. She kind of gives you a Keri Hilson/Teairra Marie vibe as her mug stunned and her voice gave quiet pockets of life. Bradd Young and Mocha Latte were also out to show support. Overall, I think Delux did a good job in givin’ shine to local boutiques in the area. Unlike some “soulful” events, Delux maintained organization. For that, I have to commend.

Slim to None! So I was all set and ready to feature the mid-sized singer still calling himself Slim (of 112) at Exo Saturday. Unfortunately – for the irst time in AGES – I was served with the shade of life at the door. Now mind you, I didn’t show up expectin’to bogard my way in. I attempted to do my leg work in lettin’those select few that were connected to the event know that I planned to cover such. However, a cold slap in the face was waiting on me as I arrived. I showed up stating my credentials and received a ierce up and down followed by “denied entry.” The girls at the door made it clear that they did not care who I spoke to. Since my name was not scribbled down on their college ruled notebook, I was not getting’ in. Apparently, at Exo, you have to have a camera swinging from the nape of your neck to retain clearance as media and cover their events. I’ll be mindful next time. Maybe I’ll bring the biggest Polaroid camera I can ind while leavin’a trail of scattered pictures just to prove my credentials. (Insert side-eye) I’m hopin’ that the esteemed members of Exo will be able to reign in their buddin’reputation of the discouraging treatment of media.

All the way live at Afro Beat Down. On the heels of my dismay, I decided to punch it down to Urban Lounge where DJ Willpower was jammin’ the house down with the monthly Afro Beat Down. The pulsating beats of house, dance, afro beat, and reggae were all well present in this very intimate yet live event. It warmed my heart to see St. Louis’ staple soul soldiers in the building. CJ Conrod couldn’t keep his hips in control as they swiveled the night away. In the midst of the shimmy shakes and salsa steps, Vanita Applebum came out and showed her face. Simply put…Afro Beat Down stands as an event that should never be missed.

ADiddy Dirty Money dusting dismay.Was anyone else tempted to lip a table over like I was when it was announced that Diddy Dirty Money’s concert was cancelled? Scheduled for May 15th at the Pageant, I was very much lookin’ forward to this show. I was livid. I really hope it wasn’t because we didn’t buy any tickets, or didn’t get them early enough. This seems to be our problem way too much, which is a big contributing factor of why acts tend not to come to St. Louis (see Beyonce). Hopefully we can get Diddy & Co. to come through another time. It would have been a hot concert. Mother’s Day Madness. The big day of shows is quickly approaching as St. Louis will have a plethora of options to kick off their Mother’s Day weekend on Friday, May 6th. What will it be? Will it be Martin Lawrence’s return to the standup stage at Scottrade Center or does En Vogue/Eric Benet/Fantasia/Charlie Wilson at Chaifetz Arena whet your appetite. You decide. At any rate, I hope St. Louis comes out in full force to support both efforts. It’s not that often that we have such hot ticket choices all in one day to choose from. While bitin’ your nails over such an important decision or if you just don’t care about any of the aforementioned choices, don’t forget about Young Jeezy’s concert at Posh Nighclub. Whatever you decide

earlier in the day, you can still head over and see this one as doors don’t open until 11 pm.

Night Society’s Maurice and Michael celebrate two years Saturday @ Grand Renaissance

April, Kendra and Susan gear up for the Heart and Soul 5K Run Walk Sunday @ Creve Coeur Park

Mousie and Blu of Derrty Ent. With Hot 104.1 FM’s Mickey J. Thursday night @ Cars, Bars and Cigars at Forest Park

Rhonda,Michelle,Keri and Terra @ The All White Survivor Party Sunday @ Forest Park Golf House

Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins @ The Delux Fashion Week afterparty on Friday night

Majic 104.9 FM personalities Sylvester the Cat and BJ The DJ at the Wellness Jam Saturday

Nessia, Gabrielle with befree bracelets, Tara, Travia, Danielle and Shaki enjoy Slim Saturday night @ EXO

Radio One St. Louis’ Kenny Roberts stepping out of a sleek Caddy at cars bars and cigars Thursday @ Forest Park

Quinton and Rich of 100 Black Men St. Louis enjoy the vibe of Cars, Bars and Cigars Thursday night

Mia and Jasmine show love to Night Society’s 2 years strong Saturday @ The Grand Renaissance

Orlando “Prettyboy” Watson and his lovely wife Michelle celebrate @ his White Survivor Party Sunday night @ The Forest Park Golf House

Tameka, Camille, Keith, Teresa, Mandy and Hasina add style to the Delux Fashion Week afterparty Friday night

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

Primatene Mist being discontinued

Banned because of chlorofluorocarbons after Dec. 31

The only over-the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the U.S. will no longer be available next year as part of an international agreement to stop the use of substances that damage the environment.

Primatene Mist (epinephrine) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the temporary relief of occasional symptoms of mild asthma. FDAurges those who use Primatene Mist to see a health care professional soon to switch to another asthma medicine.

Primatene Mist inhalers are being discontinued because they use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as a propellant (spray) to move the medicine out of the inhaler so patients can breathe the medicine into their lungs.

CFCs harm the environment by decreasing the earth’s ozone layer. This layer of the atmosphere protects us from some of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancers and cataracts. The United States and most other countries have signed an international agreement to phase out CFCs and other ozonedepleting substances.

called hydrofluoroalkane (HFA). There is currently no HFAversion of the Primatene Mist inhaler.

Advice for Primatene Mist consumers

See a health care professional soon to get another medicine. Primatene Mist may be harder to find on store shelves even before Dec. 31, 2011.

Primatene Mist inhalers are being discontinued because they use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

“There are many other safe and effective medications to treat the symptoms of asthma,” says Badrul Chowdhury, M.D., Ph.D., director of FDA’s Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Rheumatology Products. But you need to find out if you really have asthma – not just pick another over-the-counter medicine, adds Chowdhury. “If you have breathing problems but have not been diagnosed by a health care professional, it’s important to see one. Not all breathing problems are asthma, so you need to get an accurate diagnosis and the proper medicine.”

Many manufacturers have changed their inhalers to replace CFCs with an environmentally-friendly propellant

Ask your health care professional to show you how to use your new inhaler or other medicine to make sure you are using it correctly and getting the right dose.

Follow the directions for using and cleaning your new inhaler or other medicine to make sure you get relief of your asthma symptoms. If you haven’t used up your Primatene Mist by Dec. 31, 2011, it’s safe to continue using it as long as it hasn’t expired. Check the expiration date, which can be found on the product and its packaging.

Help with buying medicine

Replacement medicines for Primatene Mist may cost more. If it is hard for you to pay for a new medicine: Talk to your health care professional about programs that help patients get medicines they need.

Contact the company that makes the drug that your health care professional prescribes. The company may have a patient-assistance program that makes medicines available to patients at low or no cost.

Contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by calling 1-888477-2669 or visiting www.pparx.org.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a lung condition that causes inflammation of the inner walls of the airways, causing them to become sore and swollen, very sensitive. The lungs of a person who has asthma may react strongly to seemingly ordinary things, such as weather changes; exercise; certain plants; mold, yeast, tobacco smoke and even cockroach residue. Allergens, irritants or asthma triggers may differ from one person to another, but when the airways react, they get narrower and the lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night.

During an asthma attack, symptoms become worse than usual, and the person feels like they cannot catch their breath. As the airways swell, mucous production increases, further constricting air flow. In severe cases, airways can close to the point that vital organs do not get enough oxygen.

People can die from severe asthma attacks so it’s important to see a health care provider routinely if you have asthma or suspect that you have asthma.

Two types of medicines are used to treat asthma – quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

STLis 6th among 2011 asthma capitals

In 2011, St. Louis is again on a top 10 list we would rather avoid.

St. Louis ranks No. 6 among the nation’s top Asthma Capitals, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Each year, AAFAranks the top100 U.S. metropolitan areas as an annualresearch project to bring attention to the asthma epidemic and to advocate for changes in each city to improve the quality of life for people with asthma. The rankings are based on analysis of 12 factors in three groups:

• Prevalence Factors – morbidity and mortality statistics (the number of people with asthma and the number who die from asthma)

• Risk Factors – air quality, pollen, “100% smoke-free” laws, povertyand more

• Medical Factors – asthma medication usage and access to specialists

Over 20 million children and adults live with asthma in the U.S., making it one of the most common and costly diseases.

You can’t move away from asthma since every city in America has a variety of risk factors and asthma triggers.Instead, the AAFA says people should work with an asthma specialist to improve their overall asthmamanagement planno matter where they live.

HEALTH BRIEFS

Diet may help allergy, asthma sufferers

Changing what you eat and adding certain vitamins may help asthma and allergy sufferers avoid the discomfort that comes during warmer weather, spring rains and planting season.

“If you or someone you love has had to deal with sneezing, itchy eyes, breathlessness, rashes, and other symptoms this time of year, unbalanced eating habits may be to blame,” says author and New York family practice doctor Fred Pescatore, M.D.

Pescatore says he has been able to rid or reduce many of his patients’use of multiple medications for asthma and allergy. “There’s no need for anyone to stay indoors or feel miserable for an entire season due to these conditions,” he says.

Whether you suffer from allergies or asthma, says Pescatore, the cure is the same: You must reduce inflammation in your body. For example, if you have yeast or mold allergies, consider a low-yeast diet. Avoid fermented foods, aged cheeses, and mushrooms. During grass season, limit consumption of milk products to avoid congestion, as well as all grains including corn, wheat, oats, rye and rice.

“Refined sugars, flours, and processed food all trigger inflammation, so steer clear of them,” Pescatore says. “Additionally, avoiding specific foods that crossreact with environmental allergens can reduce your overall ‘allergy burden,’which can allow your body to better handle your inhaled allergens.”

Tree allergy season, he notes, peaks in April and extends in June, so during this period it is best to avoid celery, carrots, apples, potatoes, peaches, nuts and spices belonging to the apiaceae family, i.e. anise, caraway, coriander, cumin, fennel, parsley and parsnip.

Pescatore has found that certain nutritional supplements can help allergy and asthma sufferers. Specifically, Vitamin D3 can decrease inflammation, Vitamin C helps combat the added stress to our bodies caused by allergies, and Vitamin Ahelps rid the body of mucus.

Additionally, he says Vitamin B12 stabilizes the imbalance of bacteria that occurs in the gut of most allergy sufferers, Pantethine works as a natural steroid that produces a helpful enzyme, quercetin is one of nature’s best antihistamines, and magnesium helps your body rid itself of toxins.

There are more allergy-preventive measures you can take. “Closing your windows at night prevents allergens from coming into your home, and having an air purifier can reduce airborne allergens, including mold,” says Pescatore.

Taking your shoes off before going inside will prevent some allergens from entering with you, and you should vacuum your car’s interior where pollen hide. Even rubbing olive oil on your hair at night is recommended, because it will keep pollen from getting on your bedding.

St. Louis among ‘Most Polluted Cities’

In the American Lung Association’s (ALA) State of the Air rankings of the year 2010, the St. Louis area ranks 17th in year-round particle pollution, or soot. Soot is the black, carbonaceous byproduct left after burning fuels, such as coal, wood, and oil. Out of the 277 metropolitan areas examined by ALA, the St. Louis area ranks 55th for 24-hour particle pollution and 34th for the number of high ozone days.

The St. Louis metro area includes St. Charles and Farmington, Mo. and Illinois areas in the metro-east.

The ALAsays the latest report shows the Clean Air Act is working. All metro areas in the list of the 25 cities most polluted by ozone showed improvement over the previous report, and 15 of those cities experienced the best year yet. All but two of the 25 cities most polluted with year-round particle pollution improved over last year’s report. However, only 11 cities among those most polluted by short-term spikes in particle pollution experienced improvement.

The report, released last week, grades cities and counties based, in part, on the color-coded Air Quality Index developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help alert the public to daily unhealthy air conditions. It uses the most recent EPAdata collected from 2007 through 2009 from official monitors for ozone and particle pollution, the two most widespread types of air pollution.

Counties are graded for ozone, year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution levels. The report also uses EPA’s calculations for year-round particle levels.

Most kids with asthma need help using inhalers

Fewer than one in 10 children with asthma use traditional inhalers correctly, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

While children have more success with newer inhaler designs, at best only one child in four gets it completely right, according to the findings published online recently in the journal, Pediatrics

Asthma is the most common chronic condition among American children. Related health-care costs are estimated at more than $6 billion a year, and lost productivity costs associated with working parents caring for children who miss school are estimated at $1 billion a year.

Researchers led by Betsy Sleath, Ph.D., the George H. Cocolas Distinguished Professor and chair of the pharmaceutical outcomes and policy division at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy studied 296 North Carolina patients aged 8 to 16 years old who used four different devices to manage their asthma.

Only 8.1 percent of children in the study performed all of the metered-dose inhaler steps correctly. Older children were more likely than younger children to get more of the metered-dose inhaler steps correct. With a diskus, 21.9 percent of children performed all steps correctly, and 15.6 percent performed all of the turbuhaler steps correctly. Children using a peak-flow meter did so correctly 23.9 percent of the time.

The researchers also found that the majority of health-care providers who participated in the study (41 providers at five clinics) did not demonstrate or assess children’s use of the four devices during pediatric asthma visits.

“It is crucial that health-care providers not only show a child how to use an inhaler correctly but also have the child demonstrate the device in front of a physician or pharmacist,” Sleath said.

Improper use of inhalers and other asthma medication devices can lead to poor control of the condition, more hospitalizations and increased health-care costs, she said.

Know the risk before you take the test

By Consuelo H.Wilkins,MD

In today’s technologically advanced world where movies are downloaded in minutes and aerial views of your backyard are available online, many consumers want their health concerns diagnosed using the latest medical equipment. They also want the quickest treatment available and prefer to take one small pill, one time, and have everything cured.

One of the most common requests that patients make of their doctors is a request for an X-ray or some other imaging test such as a CTscan or MRI. Lately, patients are less likely to request an X-ray but instead request one of the more expensive tests. Perhaps a more expensive test is thought to be better. Although this may be the case for some computers, televisions, cars and furniture, the cost of a health care test or treatment doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with its usefulness. In some cases, the more expensive tests or treatments can be harmful.

During the past decade, health care providers and patients have become more cautious regarding the overuse of antibiotics. We have learned that using antibiotics for the common cold and other viral infections is not only ineffective but can lead to infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to the usual antibiotics.

With the availability of special imaging tests such as CTscans, some patients

think they should skip a plain X-ray and go for a CTscan. They are often unaware that just like unnecessary antibiotics, unnecessary CTscans can be harmful in the long run. In addition to the increase in patients requesting CTscans, physicians are more likely to order CTscans than previously. Even when a CTscan doesn’t seem necessary, doctors may order the test because they are worried about missing a diagnosis or getting sued by a patient.

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

Before you go running to your health care provider to request a CT scan the next time you have lower back pain, be sure you know the facts about this test.

What is an X-ray? An X-ray or radiograph uses electromagnetic radiation to make images of a part of the body. The electromagnetic radiation is absorbed differently by different body tissues for example bones appear white, fat appears gray, and the lungs appear black. The radiation goes through you on one side and a picture is generated on the other side. The amount of radiation exposure from a regular X-ray is small. What is a CTscan (also known as a CATscan)? ACTscan or computerized tomography combines a series of X-rays taken from many different angles to produce cross-sectional views of body parts.

YourHealth Matters

Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American May 5, 2011

YourHealth Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health.

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

Consuelo Wilkins, MD, Health Care Editor

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Sonia Dulaney, Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

During the CTscan, a table moves the patient through the scanner while electromagnetic X-ray sources and corresponding X-ray detectors rotate around the patient.

The resulting images are assembled by a computer program and the results are sometimes compared to a loaf of sliced bread. Each slice of the CTimage provides a detailed 3-D image with much more information than a plain x-ray. Aspecial dye (or contrast) can also be injected in the blood vessels to help see special body parts such as blood vessels and the brain. Why are more people getting CT scans? Each year, nearly 70 million CT scans are performed in the United States compared to 3 million CTscans in 1980. This is largely due to the availability of CTscanners and the short time required for a scan. Some of the newest models use multiple scanners than can scan the entire body in less than 30 seconds. What are the dangers of getting a CT scan? In general, there is no immediate

danger from getting a CTscan. The test is very quick and painless for most people. If your test involves dye or contrast, an IVmust be placed and there is a risk of having an allergic reaction to the dye. The potential long-term effects are more concerning, mostly due to the amount of radiation exposure. Compared to a traditional X-ray of the chest, a CT scan of the chest uses 150-200 times the radiation. Having a few CTscans during your lifetime will likely be harmless; however, repeated CTscans, especially in children, may be more harmful. The biggest risk from large doses of radiation exposure is cancer. Pregnant women who are exposed to radiation may also risk harm to their unborn child.

If your health care provider recommends a CTscan (or any other test), make sure you understand the risks.

Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D., is medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American and associate professor of medicine and psychiatry, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, at Washington University – St. Louis

School nurses partner with children and parents for asthma management at school. Khyreeck Briggs visits Nurse Debra Hagar at Duchesne Elementary School in Florissant as. his mother, Irene Hunter, observes.

Asthma attacks at school

School nurses still come to the rescue

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St.Louis American

When children with asthma get into respiratory trouble while at school, nurses are on site to assess their symptoms, to dispense medication if necessary and to help calm a child through distress.

Older students in middle and high school have always been able to keep emergency rescue inhalers with them in the classroom with doctor’s permission.

But asthma attacks can still occur.

Nurses say many children and adults with asthma may not use their inhalers in a manner to get the full dose of medication into the lungs to open their airways most effectively.

Officials with the St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium spoke to nurses on this topic at a recent nursing conference.

“Actually, you’re really supposed to have a spacer, and attach that spacer to your inhaler and use it that way,” said

Debbie Wade-Wilson, RN, the school nurse at Beaumont and Sumner high schools and the Fresh Start Alternative program in St. Louis.

“And a lot of people do the two-fingers and then they huff it in – and the doctor who was talking to us said that most of that medication gets stuck in the back of your throat. And you wonder why it’s ineffective.”

Alaw passed last year in Missouri allows students at school or at school-

related activities to self-administer prescribed medication for chronic conditions such as asthma or anaphylaxis (extreme, possible life-threatening allergic reactions) with a written treatment plan by the physician and the approval of the parent or guardian.

Debbie Hager, a nurse at Duchesne Elementary School in the FergusonFlorissant School District, said thus far,

See ASTHMA, page 9

Photo by Wiley Price

Your Health Questions Matter

Trying to cut the carbs

J.P. wants to know:

“I am a carb addict and can’t find it in myself to quit cold-turkey. What is the best way to wean myself off of sugarand sweets?”

The answer comes from Mary Ellen Beindorff, R.D., registered dietitian at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Try substituting healthy choices with natural sugar.Sweet fruits like bananas, grapes, cherries, mango or berries are great choices.Sweet, creamy yogurt is another great choice.Individual popsicles or an ice cream bar like aFudgsicle can help satisfy your sweet tooth while providing you a much healthier amount of calories and sugar.

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

Bingo is a game of chance –surviving breast cancerdoesn’t have to be

Do mammograms really help women survive breast cancer?

In keeping with the title of this article, let’s use a bingo analogy to answer this question. Whether you play U-Pick ‘Em bingo or Quick Shot bingo, bingo cards typically show the letters B-I-N-GO on top with five columns below marked with numbers. On many cards, the center space (free space) does not include a number. In the game, players match randomly announced numbers against the numbers that have been pre-printed on their bingo card. When someone only needs one more number to complete the Bingo pattern, he/she is considered to be Ready, Waiting, Cased, Set or ‘has a chance’. If someone gets the final number, he/she can call BINGO to win.

Like bingo, the chance an African-American woman has of getting breast cancer is random. However, women can take steps to improve their likelihood of survival. One step is to get regular mammograms. Mammograms can help find breast cancer early when it is most curable. Finding breast cancer early greatly improves survival. Women age 40 years or older should get a mammogram every year. In bingo, the term, Hard Way Bingo refers to

completing a bingo pattern in a straight line without using the free space in the center of the bingo card. Going through breast cancer is hard, but not getting mammograms to help find it early can make it even harder. So to answer the question, YES mammograms do really help women survive breast cancer.

Where can I find more information on breast cancer?

Visit www.siteman.wustl.edu. You might be eligible to receive FREE annual mammograms. To find out, MO residents can call 314-454-8466 or 1-800-600-3606. ILresidents can call 1-888522-1282.

Read about St. Louis resident and bingo player, Josephine Bond’s breast cancer journey in the newspaper during May.

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

Sat. May 7, 8 a.m., 7th Annual Community Women Against Hardship Walk-for-Life Walk-a-Thon at Tower Grove Park, (South Kingshighway Blvd. entrance from the Stone Shelter) 4256 Magnolia Ave. in St. Louis. Choose 1k, 3k or 5k non-competitive walk/run. Registration is $20 for adults, $10 for children age 12 and under. For more information, call 314-289-7523 or visit www.cwah.org.

Sat. May 7, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. –“Behind the Mask,” a Lupus educational conference at Saint Louis University. Registration at 8 a.m., $10 attendance fee includes all sessions and lunch. Attendees must preregister by calling 800-9LUPUS6, email info@LFAheartland.org or go to http://tinyurl.com/lupusSTL.

Sat. May 7, “Steppin’to Good Health” Community Health Fair, Riverview Gardens High School, 1218 Shepley Ave. For more information, call 314-869-2505 x. 2663.

CALENDAR

Mon. May 9, 11:30 a.m. Purple Links Golf Tournament, Peveley Farms Golf Club by the St. Louis Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with shotgun scramble at 1 p.m. Register at www.purplelinks.org.

Thurs. May 12, 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. –“Hats Off to Women – AJourney for YourHeart,” Christian Hospital Detrick Building Atrium. Free blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings. A light dinner will be served. Wear your favorite travel hat. Register by calling 314-747-WELL(9344).

Fri. May 13, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening, Saint Louis University Cancer Center SLUCare Doctor’s Office Bldg., 3660 Vista Ave. Suite 312. Patients can park for free in the Tenet Parking Garage attached to the Doctors Office Building. Reserve a spot by calling 314-977-4440 or 1-866-977-4440.

Sat. May 14, 8 a.m. Asthma and

Allergy Foundation St. Louis Chapter 5K Run/Walk, Castlewood State Park. $20 per runner. Race begins at 9. To register, call 314-645-2422, email jpasteris@aafastl.com or go to www.aafastl.org.

Sat. May 14, 9 a.m., Zumbathon to attempt to break the world record for the largest Zumba class – St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. For more information about the event visit www.estepco.org or contact Madeline Long-Gill at 314-644-9067 or 314-338-4955.

Thurs. May 19, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. –“Caring forthe One You Love,” Crowne Plaza St. Louis-Clayton Hotel, sponsored by Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Memory Care Home Solutions. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.

Sat. May 21, 7 a.m. -11 a.m. – Stride forSIDS 5K Run/Walk, Carondelet Park, St. Louis. To register, go to www.StridesForSIDS.com or call 800421-3511

Tues. June 7, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Free1Day Training forPotential Hospital Trustees by the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and the Center for Healthcare Governance of the American Hospital Association – Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Complimentary breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and a 5 p.m. reception. Submit registration online at www.americangovernance.com/tcregistration.

Sat. June 11, Susan G. Komen Race forthe Cure, downtown St. Louis. For more information, go to www.komenstlouis.org.

Thurs. June 16, 11:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., “Preparing OurFaith Communities forDisasters,” a faith based emergency preparedness conference at St. Louis University – DuBourg Hall – Refectory Room 157, 221 N. Grand in St. Louis. Space is limited to one person from the first 150 churches. Food and parking is provided. Registration begins May 1 –deadline is June 3. Churches can register by calling Cathy Harris at 314-977-8274 or email charri29@slu.edu.

Sat. June 18, 7 a.m. - 2nd Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis’Bike Ride in Forest Park. The event has five race options: To ride, volunteer or for more information, visit www.rmhcridestl.com, 314-9324146 or e-mail lfletcher@rmhcstl.com.

Sun. June 19, Katy Trail Father’s Day Family Bike Ride, to benefit prostate cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. Riders can start from a designated KATYTrailhead and ride to Defiance, Mo. Pre-registration is $10.00 ($15.00 day of ride). For more information, or to sign-up, go to www.fathersdaybikeride.com.

Sundays, 10 a.m., Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

Mondays, 7 p.m., “Tobacco Free for Life” support group – free weekly meetings at St. Peters Mo. City Hall. Supported by SSM Cancer Care; RSVP initial participation to 636-947-5304.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Help fora drug-free life - chemical dependency information meeting. Call 314-839-3171.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia. Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

First Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Family Support Group by NAMI St. Louis, The Alliance on Mental Illness at the Grace Hill Murphy-O’Fallon Health Center, 1717 Biddle St. No registration needed; no cost. For more information, contact Allen Daniel, 314-814-8579.

Free psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations are confidential at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. Call 314-839-3171.

School Nurse Debra Hagar listens to the sound of Khyreeck Briggs’ lungs during a visit at Duchesne Elementary School in Florissant .

ASTHMA

Continued from page 6

neither parents nor doctors are allowing it at her building – preferring to keep the school nurse as the point person for the child’s health.

“Most of the elementary schools are smaller, and access to us nurses is pretty quick,” Hager says, adding that parents and students are not requesting it either.

“I tell them about the new policy, and 100 percent of the parents say, ‘Oh, no – I want you to keep it and you take care of my children.’”

– Debbie Hager, school nurse

“Especially when they come in with a new inhaler and I tell them about the new policy, and 100 percent of the parents say, ‘Oh, no – I want you to keep it and you take care of my children.’”

Hager said she thinks it’s because of limited maturity levels in this age group, with children playing with the inhalers, losing them, or panicking and using the inhaler too much.

“When I worked at a different school, I did have one sixth-grader that carried his, but he had such bad, severe asthma that even coming downstairs to me made a difference,” Hager said.

“This was a very mature young man, and we had orders from the doctor for him and the doctor totally agreed.”

Third-grader Khyreeck Briggs said he sometimes runs into difficulty during physical education class.

“Sometimes when I am in P.E. my chest starts hurting and I have to come to the nurse and take my inhaler,” he said. “It feels like a squeeze, like when somebody is squeezing your hand real, real hard.”

Fortunately, such episodes don’t occur very often.

Hager has a process that allows her to observe the presentation of symptoms while Briggs gets to catch his breath.

“She gives me my inhaler and I wait for a couple of minutes and I sit down, and I’ll be quiet then when I get ready to go back to P.E.,” Briggs said.

At home, the regime is pretty similar.

“I usually give him his inhaler, make him lay down or be still for a little bit and monitor him and see how he’s doing,” said Irene Hunter, Khyreeck’s mother. “Probably like 30 minutes I make him be still; then he’s good to go.”

Photo by Wiley Price

PROFILING PEOPLE IN HEALTH

Christine E.Jones,M.D.

Position/Where: Chief Medical Officer, St. Louis ConnectCare

CareerHighlights:

For most of my career I maintained a private ear, nose and throat practice. I have worked as a temporary physician in Missouri and on both U.S. coasts. I have filled in as a physician in occupational, internal medicine, family medicine, correctional, ENT(ear, nose and throat) and have been an immigration examiner.

Christine E. Jones,M.D.

St. Louis Connection:

She was born in St. Louis to Gabriel Armstrong Jones, a teacher and a photographer; and Josephine Buck Jones, “a singer who taught.”

Journey to success:

When I was about 11 years old, I wanted to be a scientist. I used to read a lot and my parents were teachers. We would get these textbooks before they got published and I read them like storybooks. I just enjoyed the science of it.

So I went to college, and I found that the life of a scientist was research and I did not want to do research. I actually did do some research in the months between college and medical school and that confirmed that I did not want to do research. My sister was also a doctor.

And, I was going to New York University, which was very expensive at the time and probably still is – and I thought as a scientist I could not pay those loans back. What makes medicine the career for me is that it’s always something different every day. And even after you have experience, there is always somebody who walks in with something you never expected to see.

Education:

Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York

New York University, Washington Square College

Bronx High School of Science and Alma College in Alma, Michigan

Trained as an ear, nose and throat specialist at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

Broadcast journalism degree from Webster University (2003)

Studying photography and figure sculpture at St. Louis Community College

Personal:

Has a sister who has a medical degree. Member of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church in St. Louis

Breast

Cancer

Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113.

Behavorial

Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. The hospital has a geriatric psychiatric unit dedicated to serving the mental health needs of geriatric patients. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Diabetes

Free, diabetes education program held at various locations by the Diabetes Network of St. Louis. Participants will be offered testing and support for diabetes control. Six sessions will cover monitoring your blood sugar, controlling complications of diabetes, taking care of your feet, living a healthy life through diet and exercise, and personal goal setting. Call Coco Bopp 314-7479533 for more information.

Dental

HEALTH RESOURCES

Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (like fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For an appointment, call 314-768-7899.

Fitness

Jazzercise every Monday and Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – $1 per class at Ferguson Heights Church of Christ, 1239 N. Elizabeth Ave. Ferguson, Mo., 63135. For information, call 314-521-8005.

Information

Missouri 2-1-1 offers referral and information on a wide range of social service and helpful resources. Call 2-1-1.

Medical

Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N. Newstead. for those who are uninsured. For information, call 314-533-0534.

St. Louis ConnectCare offers urgent care services to City of St. Louis employees without an appointment, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most holidays. For more information, call 314-879-6300.

Nutrition

Food Outreachprovides food, meals and nutritional education/ counseling to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS or cancer in St. Louis. For more information, call 314-652-3663 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.

Angel Food Ministries operates in hundreds of churches nationwide and offers heat and serve meals, canned and fresh food boxes at a reduced cost. Find the nearest locations by zip code at www.angelfoodministries.com.

Prescription Cost Help

Schnucks Pharmacies – now offers certain prescription prenatal vitamins for free and offers no-cost generic prescription antibiotics at select locations.

Wal-Mart Pharmacies – offer select prescriptions for $4 or less for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. View the complete list at www.walmart.com/pharmacy.

Respiratory Health

Free lung function screening - Christian Hospital Breathing Center at Northwest HealthCare, 1225 Graham Rd. For more information, call 314-953-6040.

Sexual Health

St. Louis County Health Department offers free, confidential testing, counseling and treatment at the North Central Community Health Center, 4000 Jennings Station Road, St. Louis, MO 63121. For more information, call 314679-7800.

St. Louis Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Program offers confidential or anonymous testing for HIV/AIDS. The office is located within ConnectCare’s main building in Suite 203 at 5535 Delmar, St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, call (314) 879-6468.