November 20th, 2014 Edition

Abe and Nicole Adewale, principals of ABNA Engineering, were recognized as 2014 Entrepreneurs of

n “We’re trying to increase both the number and the strength of local minority businesses.” – Lee Fetter, BJC HealthCare

Dying-in for Michael Brown Jr. Preparing

Tribe X organizes direct action on 100-day anniversary of death

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

About 150 participants in a Tribe X direct action shut down Delmar and Skinker boulevards and Forest Park Parkway on Sunday, November 16 in remembrance of the 100 days that had passed since unarmed teen Michael Brown Jr. was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer.

n Ferguson protestors chanted to “indict, convict” Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in Brown’s shooting death.

Two separate groups of protestors gathered at the Delmar and Skinker Metrolink stops at 11:15 a.m. and then marched down the sidewalks on Delmar and Skinker boulevards. At the intersection of Delmar and Skinker, the groups converged and continued to march down Delmar westbound, while chanting to “indict, convict” Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in Brown’s shooting death.

“If we don’t get it, shut it down! If Mike don’t get it, shut it down!” they chanted, just as they stopped right outside of the Tivoli Theater and shut down Delmar. Some protestors – including Lisa Fithian, a nationally renowned direct action organizer and consultant – pretended to be police officers, yelling at other participants in the action

On Sunday, November 16, Tribe X led a direct action in the University City Loop that shut down Delmar Boulevard as protestors portrayed police officers who pretended to shoot and kill other protestors. Sunday marked 100 days since Michael Brown Jr. was fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer.

Unified Command will lead response to protests as Nixon declares State of Emergency

By Chris King

Rev. Starsky Wilson, Richard McClure co-chair citizen advisory group

Bridjes O’Neil

to serve on the Ferguson Commission, which is charged with studying the socio-economic problems that led to the unrest following Michael Brown Jr.’s death.

Rev. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation, and Richard McClure, former president and COO of Unigroup, will co-chair the independent, citizen-led commission.

“It is my hope and expectation that this diverse group of commissioners is going to help dig

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

the Year.

Photo by Wiley Price

Taskforce could make it harder to incarcerate children

‘Extra Help’ with Medicare

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The

an adult.” Quinn said the transfer hearings are essentially the “death penalty of juvenile court.” They should be treated with more caution. Quinn made five recommendations and changes for the taskforce to consider:

1) The juvenile officer, or prosecutor, must demonstrate probable cause before the youth is transferred to an adult court.

2) The burden should be on the juvenile officer or prosecution to demonstrate the need for transfer in each case.

3) Missouri should abolish mandatory transfer hearings under our current law.

4) The age for those youth who are subject to transfer should be raised – it’s currently 12 years of age

Program helps people with limited income pay for medications

are tried in court as adults and put into adult prisons. But Missouri’s transfer process has several flaws that allow for children to get stuck in adult jails unnecessarily, sometimes for several months, said Mae Quinn Washington University law professor and director of the Juvenile Law and Justice Clinic.

A 2009 study of juvenile cases in St. Louis city showed that half of the cases that were “certified” as adult cases ended up having issues related to weight of the evidence –and didn’t proceed as adult

cases. Quinn said some could look positively at that statistic and see that the courts caught the mistake, “problem solved.”

“But think of the months

Mae Quinn

from their families. Quinn said a big problem is that the courts are not allowed to hear probable cause at the front end of the cases.

“What you have then is the

n “You can have cases that shouldn’t have been in the adult system stuck there because once

an adult, always an adult.”

– Mae Quinn Washington University law professor and director of

the Juvenile Law and Justice Clinic

that may have gone into those cases, where a youth is incarcerated and dealt with as someone facing that possibility of prison time,” Quinn said. In those months, children miss school and are kept away

possibility of cases that have not been screened on the front end and being dumped into the adult system,” she said. “Then you can have cases that shouldn’t have been in the adult system stuck there because once an adult, always

5) The state should introduce “reverse waivers,” where a juvenile who is being prosecuted as an adult in criminal court may petition to have the case transferred to juvenile court.

Quinn gave an example of how the law has affected her clients. A young man who was an ROTC member and good student with no prior record was charged with having a few bags of marijuana at school. For this charge, the law calls for “mandatory certification,” requiring the consideration of his place in adult court and possible prison time. She was able to resolve the case, and he was charged with a juvenile misdemeanor.

“But the trauma and the impact that it had on that child and family is really hard to describe,” she said. That kind of looming threat is “inappropriate,” she said.

Making ends meet should not mean going without your medications. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help to pay for some health care and prescription drug costs. Drug costs in 2015 for most people who qualify for Extra Help will be no more than $2.65 for each generic drug and $6.60 for each brand-name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra Help, but aren’t currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings.

A recent law changed how your income and assets are counted:

• Life insurance policies don’t count as resources

• Any help you get from relatives, friends, and others to pay for household expenses—like food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes—doesn’t count as income

n Even if you were previously turned down for Extra Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply.

Many people qualify and don’t know it. Even if you were previously turned down for Extra Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you’ll get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments, and deductibles.

To qualify, you must make less than $17,505 a year (or

$23,595 for married couples). Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some extra help. Your resources must also be limited to $13,440 (or $26,860 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but not your house or car. There’s no cost or obligation to apply. It’s easy and free to apply for “Extra Help.” You or a family member, trusted counselor, or caregiver can apply online at socialsecurity.gov/ i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. All the information you give is conidential. You can also get help in your community from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), and many tribal organizations. For information about how to contact these organizations, visit Eldercare. gov. To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Missouri’s transfer process has several flaws that allow for children to get stuck in adult jails unnecessarily, sometimes for several months.

Editorial /CommEntary

Two states of emergency, zero leadership

Gov. Jay Nixon has now declared two States of Emergency in Ferguson – once too late and once too soon. Nixon first declared a State of Emergency in Ferguson on August 16. This was several days too late after unrest first broke out following the candlelight vigil for Michael Brown Jr. on August 10. It was several days after the rest of the world had already realized that the militarized SWAT-team tactics being employed to police the protests were outrageously heavyhanded, not to mention often unconstitutional.

Nearly three months to the day after declaring the first State of Emergency in Ferguson, Nixon declared the second on Monday, November 17. Nixon’s executive order –which enabled him to call up National Guardsmen – created a sense of emergency, rather than describing any existing state of emergency. Ferguson protestors and their allies accused Nixon of preemptively declaring war on a protest movement at peace, and that’s certainly how it looked on the peaceful streets of Ferguson and St. Louis.

Other public officials –even his enemy Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and his frequent adversary St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay – supported Nixon, saying it was only prudent to prepare for the worst in a region where national media have begun to encamp again, expecting dramatic, violent visuals following the announcement of the grand jury decision. The problem is, Nixon announced a State of Emergency before one existed and in a situation that may in fact never qualify as an emergency. Nixon badly needed to explain to the public that the State of Emergency is a procedural matter enabling activation of National Guardsmen, whom he previously said would be called up for the grand jury decision. He failed to provide this explanation and ended up looking like a clumsy aggressor – to protestors who already

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Dems lost with star player on bench

Imagine if you will, that you’re the owner of a struggling NBA franchise. As background, let’s add that the team has been the laughing stock of the league for the past two seasons.

have had assault rifles pointed at them while their hands were in the air.

In fact, National Guardsmen are not soldiers in a standing army but more of a bureaucratically organized “militia,” which is the term actually used in the executive order. The Guardsmen who will be reporting to St. Louis will form neither an invading army nor a wild-eyed militia. They will mostly work security details, including at federal facilities, supervised by the Unified Command and serving under the Missouri State Highway Patrol, led by Captain Ron Johnson. In policing the coming protests, it should be noted, Johnson has a reduced command role. Nixon famously announced the first State of Emergency in August strategically to remove St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar from protest command, placing Johnson in command to introduce a more communityminded policing model (that, at times, fell apart). In the new Unified Command, in State of Emergency II, Belmar will once again lead police command in St. Louis County, including Ferguson, and St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson will lead command in the City of St. Louis. Johnson will command the state troopers – and the Guardsmen, whose announced

deployment has alarmed so many – in a swing role, supporting Belmar and Dotson.

The Kumbaya of the original ascension of Captain Ron Johnson is long forgotten, but what is left in its place is a diverse police think tank in Belmar, Dotson and Johnson that now has just as much experience in policing peaceful protests as the peaceful protestors have in organizing them. We are confident that both the peaceful protestors and the police have learned their roles by now. It’s those who want something other than peace and justice that remain a mutual concern – if not, at this point, regardless of executive orders to that effect, an actual emergency.

What is most troubling about Nixon’s preemptive overreaction to a non-existent emergency was his response when asked at a press conference who ultimately is in charge. A Governor who declares a State of Emergency for a region at peace had better be prepared to unequivocally take command of the situation, but Nixon’s stuttering failure to provide an answer (which became national news, in media starved of some actual news out of Ferguson) shows that he still – amazingly – is not prepared to take responsibility and show the leadership we so desperately need.

on Drugs is war on blacks

In 2013, police in Missouri made 19,506 arrests for possession of marijuana.

Blacks accounted for 5,766 of those arrests – nearly 30 percent – despite the fact that African Americans constitute 11.7 percent of the state’s population and use cannabis at a similar rate as whites.

The racial bias in marijuana arrests is even greater in the city of St. Louis. According to the 2013 ACLU report “The War on Marijuana in Black and White,” blacks are arrested 18.4 times more often than whites in St. Louis. The precise magnitude of the disparity varies, but it can be found across the country and without regard to income. Moreover, once arrested, African Americans are more likely than whites to be convicted and face imprisonment.

This is no accident. Cannabis was originally criminalized for the express purpose of targeting minorities. In the 1920s and ‘30s, cannabis use was associated with Mexican immigrants and black jazz musicians, two groups that were disliked by the white majority. In fact, cannabis is now more commonly known as “marijuana” because those who wanted to outlaw it used its Spanish name to make it sound foreign and menacing. At the time, the prohibitionists were not shy

about their racist intentions.

For instance, Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, played a major role in convincing Congress to outlaw cannabis in 1937. He argued, in part, that “reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”

Anslinger also played on fears of miscegenation by claiming that “there are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.”

The propaganda produced by Anslinger and others convinced most Americans that cannabis was an extremely dangerous drug on par with cocaine and heroin. Sadly, many Americans still accept those lies as facts, unaware of their racist origins. That is not to say that cannabis use is harmless. It certainly carries some risks, but, when compared to other drugs, it is far less dangerous than the “Reefer Madness” mythology leads people to believe. A person cannot fatally overdose on cannabis, and it is far less habit-forming than cocaine and heroin or even tobacco and alcohol. The greatest danger associated with cannabis use in Missouri currently is the risk of arrest, conviction, and a lifetime criminal record that for too many (disproportionately black) people is their first

In a bold stroke of genius, let’s pretend that you went out and recruited a talented playmaker who had the skills to shut down any opposing team. Let’s further imagine that night after night, this athletic superhero racked up unprecedented totals that were unparalleled in basketball history. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, your team catapulted from last to irst, demolishing every team in their sights.

But alas, let’s also imagine that this basketball phenom possessed a serious law in that he had horrible people skills, and literally enjoyed taunting opposing crowds. If you didn’t know better, you could swear that he was deliberately encouraging their disdain with inappropriate gestures and obvious ridicule. However, to their chagrin, let’s continue to imagine that this round-ball juggernaut remained unstoppable, as he led you to back-to-back national championships.

Then, to no one’s surprise, let’s imagine that other team owners grew concerned and came to you and said, “Look, we know that this guy is a scoring machine, and we know that he’s led you to back-to-

back championships, but the opposing crowds hate him, and so do we. So, for the good of the league, and those of us who keep losing to your team, we would like to suggest that you not play this guy in any more games.”

Now stop imagining, and think about how ridiculous that would sound if you were the owner of the winning team. The very thought of a team not playing the star player who had led them to back-to-back championships would be laughable, until you realize that’s exactly what the Democrats just did in the 2014 midterm elections.

Despite the propensity of the pundits to proclaim otherwise, the star of the Democratic party since the 2008 Presidential elections has not been Bill Clinton, but Barack Obama.

You remember Obama – the irst Democratic President in more than a generation to win Southern states such as Virginia and North Carolina?

Yes, the same Obama who won 53 percent of the popular vote and subsequently secured an unprecedented 365 Electoral College votes, then created a political tidal wave that swamped the Republican opposition throughout America.

To think that Democrats who had been swept into ofice by the Obama landslide of 2008 thought for even a moment that they could win without utilizing the inspiration of the President was nothing less than political suicide.

In an unprecedented march into history, Obama put together back-to-back election victories that will forever confound

Letters to the editor

Missed interventions

brush with the criminal justice system. And once an individual is caught up in the system, they will find it increasingly difficult to escape.

Author and attorney Michelle Alexander has labeled the War on Drugs as “The New Jim Crow.” It has created and perpetuated a system of mass incarceration, and because of it, the United States – the supposed “land of the free” –incarcerates a higher percentage of black men than South Africa did at the height of apartheid.

The problem is too vast to be solved by a single change in policy, but legalizing, taxing and regulating cannabis would be a good place to start. Earlier this month, Show-Me Cannabis Regulation, a political action committee where I serve as executive director, filed an initiative petition to do precisely that. The states of Washington, Alaska, Colorado and Oregon, as well as the District of Columbia, have all endorsed similar measures.

However, our proposal goes a step further by allowing those who have been convicted of a non-violent, cannabis-only offense to be released from jail or prison and to expunge their records. That will allow tens of thousands of black Missourians to wipe their records clean and prevent the arrest of nearly 6,000 African Americans for cannabis offenses every year. If we want to create a more equitable law enforcement system, we must legalize cannabis.

John Payne is Executive Director of Show-Me Cannabis.

Ever since Bob McCulloch was allowed to stay as prosecutor on the Michael Brown case I have been saying that the fix is in. Days after the incident when the Governor declared a state of emergency he had in his power to appoint a special prosecutor who would oversee a grand jury investigation of this incident. Mr. McCulloch even stated on a few occasions that the Governor had the authority to remove him which as we know he did not do. I have heard only crickets from elected officials like Rep. Clay who has been absent much of the time since the incident occurred. His voice plus that of the current county executive Dooley and city Mayor Slay could have helped. The appointment of a special prosecutor would have at least showed the community that they were going all out to seek justice, thus probably minimizing the protests. So, because of these missed interventions, we stand at the brink of mass chaos in our streets.

Lee A. Evans, St. Louis

Leadership that reflects diversity

Rather than make the selection process of the new Commissioner of Education a closed-door process, I ask for serious consideration of an open and transparent approach that includes other stakeholders in the education community.

A recent audit of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that found “conflicts of interest” and “favorable treatment” in the awarding of contracts demonstrates a need for strong oversight of how DESE awards contracts. I am hopeful that the next Commissioner will not be a person who was involved in the bidding process of the tainted contract.

I hope the State Board

political prognosticators. Oh yeah, one other thing: opposing fans hate him!

While his initial victory gave his rival Senator John McCain a shellacking for the ages, his re-election win over millionaire Mitt Romney proved to be a textbook example in winning in the face of extraordinary odds. Indeed, it was the Obama wave that inspired a new generation, including setting all-time records for irst-time voters. It was also the Obama coalition that successfully captivated a minority base that had longed for hope and inspiration.

Ironically, despite this political reality, Democrats in the 2014 midterm elections felt that the smart move was to disavow any connection to this President. The Democratic senatorial candidate in Kentucky even refused to admit that she had voted for Obama! When pressed, others were quick to elaborate, “I don’t agree with the President” as though doing so would somehow lure voters that had no intentions of voting for them in the irst place. At their own peril, Democrats led from the President’s policies, politics and even his presence – and in so doing lost the liberal base that had swept them into ofice in the irst place. In essence, they metaphorically chose to bench their star player and lose the election in the process.

George R. Cotton Sr. is Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is a past President of the University City Board of Education.

are edited for length and style.

of Education will work to appoint leadership that reflects the diversity of the districts with which DESE is most engaged. This approach could open pathways to shared understanding for the communities involved, shed some new light on a complicated situation and perhaps change the conversation with students, families and educators in the struggling districts.

Charles E. Smith, president Missouri NEA

Elections without Voting Rights Act

This election was not about who won but rather the citizens who lost the

right to participate. This first election after the Shelby vs. Holder decision resulted in problems in every single state previously protected by the Voting Rights Act. For 49 years, these states were singled out because they had a history of discriminating against American voters. The Election Protection Hotline we manned with other concerned organizations fielded over 18,000 calls, many in those same states previously protected by the VRA. As we move forward, it is imperative that our newly elected Congress work with the NAACP and our partners to pass Voting Rights Act Amendment legislation that assures that all Americans have the franchise.

Cornell William Brooks president, NAACP

Gov. Jay Nixon announcing that National Guardsmen would be called up to St. Louis – but not preparing the public that he would need to declare a State of Emergency first. Photo by Wiley Price

Guest Columnist

George R. Cotton Sr.

Ebola and us

By Mama Lisa Gage

For The St. Louis American

Ebola is killing us. It is not just Africa’s problem; we are all affected.

President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf of Liberia is being faced with an epic crisis that will force international leaders to reroute business-as-usual practices to immediately assist with humanitarian efforts converging on West Africa. Ebola is rapidly spreading, not only across space but across time. It interrupts the destinies of families, villages, towns and nations. It guts economic, social, spiritual, and political traditions that were being healed from another recent history-changing event: civil wars in Liberia (1989 and 1999). As in the cases of its bordering neighbors of Sierra

Leone and Guinea, Liberian wealth, wisdom, labor and rich oral history die with its people, again. From its roots as an American colony in the early 1820s, the people of the region had been forced to evolve to accept modern ideals and practices. Local ethnic groups sparred with officials to gain respect and alliances for future advancement. Liberia is home to the Kpelle, Gio, Grebo, Bassa, Kru, Kissi, Vai, Krahn, Mano, Bella, Gbani, Mandingo and Gola peoples. Liberia’s strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean and untapped natural resources made it an important American asset during WWI and WWII. Modern airports, roads and a shipping port were built to accommodate troop movement, including many AfricanAmerican units. So when

independence was declared in 1847, all groups attempted to gain political favor with the AmericoLiberian leadership, who were resettled black American freedmen and ex-slaves.

However, a greedy and corrupt leadership over the years began to disenfranchise the citizens. Economic protests and mass demonstrations resulted in mass killings, ethnic targeting, migrations and war. Conflict diamonds were mined to fund weaponry. By the end of the 1970s, citizens were under siege, and a change was needed.

of the civil war, which paved the way for the 2005 election of the first female president in Africa, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Sirleaf has worked relentlessly to welcome positive change and community partnering in business.

Stay woke

In 2003, the courageous Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace helped broker the end

East St. Louis native Reverend Maryalice Omokeye Brown Moses has traveled annually since 2010 to provide services to Liberia, first by working with the Honorary Consul General to Liberia Cynthia Blandford. Now, Reverend Moses is the global missions director for ICF Mission of Hope-Bong County, Liberia. With its 500-acre dominion

in Paynesville, the mission houses a guest house, ministry and a school servicing over 400 students. The mission also serves as a resource for six villages and two communities in the central region of Liberia, approximately 150 miles from Monrovia.

She reports that with the Ebola outbreak, efforts must be made to keep the surviving population healthy and hopeful. Government restrictions on travel have shut down schools and businesses. The people are hungry. Reverend Moses coordinates weekly donations and transports of food and supplies to the area. Current prices hold at $45 for a 50 lb. bag of rice, $35 for a case of sardines and $5 for a phone card. Educational literature and training on proper hygiene and Ebola virus prevention spearhead every conversation.

As the rainy season ends, more people will try to move out of confined regions, and the risks will escalate. Donations are urgently needed to help the citizens survive beyond the crisis. As we rise to the occasion to show that we are a compassionate people locally, let us show prayerful compassion abroad for those without first world amenities who need our help. Pray for Godspeed to the divine wisdoms which guide and protect the hands and hearts of the scientists, health care professionals and concerned personnel providing care to those whom need it most Contact ICF Mission of Hope-Bong County, Liberia at http://missionofhopeliberia. org/?page_id=9.

A young protestor expresses himself forcefully in front of the Ferguson Police Department during a peaceful protest last month.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Mama Lisa Gage

Continued from A1

deeper into some of those longer-term issues that have shown themselves in the last 100 days,” Nixon said at the Missouri History Museum.

Nixon announced his intent to establish the commission two months after the death of Brown, an unarmed teen shot and killed by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9. Nixon’s office received more than 300 applicants to serve on the commission, he said.

The group will complete a report with policy recommendations on community policing, municipal court system reforms and race-based disparities, such as education and economic opportunity. Its initial operating fund is $100,000. The report will be issued no later than September 15, 2015. Wilson, who is also pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ in St. Louis, said there’s “heavy lifting” to do as a region.

“We commit to listening more than we talk,” Wilson said. “Pray for the work of the commissioners. Pray for our

SALUTE

Continued from A1

asked people from a host of community organizations with which they work and worship – including the National Society of Black Engineers, the University City School District, and Community Church of God in Black Jack – to stand.

“You have invested in us,” Abe Adewale said.

The 2014 Non-Profit Executive of the Year – Gene Dobbs Bradford, Executive Director of Jazz St. Louis –gave most of his praise to the largest investors in the recent $8 million renovation and

community.” Here is the list of commissioners, in addition to the co-chairs:

• Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor of Christ the King United Church of Christ

• Dan Isom II, director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety

• Scott Negwer, president of Negwer Materials in Ferguson

• Bethany Johnson-Javois, CEO of the St. Louis Integrated Health Network

• Gabriel E. Gore, attorney and partner at the law firm of Dowd Bennett LLC

• Brittany Packnett, executive director of Teach for America

• Rose Windmiller, assistant vice chancellor for government and community relations at Washington University

•Rasheen Aldridge, Jr., community organizer and director of Young Activists United

• Grayling Tobias, superintendent of the Hazelwood School District

• Becky James-Hatter, president and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri

• Felicia Pulliam, director of development for FOCUS St. Louis and Ferguson resident

• Kevin Ahlbrand, detective sergeant with the St.

expansion of Jazz St. Louis’ facilities, Thelma and David Steward. Thanks to them, Bradford said, St. Louis now has “one of the top five jazz rooms in the world.”

“The Stewards are a blessing,” he said. In an event dedicated to excellence, Bradford offered refreshing insights into the value of improvisation, which befits a jazz executive. “The minute you feel like you know what you’re doing,” Bradford said, “you’re on your way down.”

Vince Bennett, the 2014 Corporate Executive of the Year, struck the more serious key notes typical of a business event. As Chief Operating

Louis Metropolitan Police Department and president of the Missouri State Fraternal Order of Police

• Patrick Sly, executive vice president, Emerson • T.R. Carr, Jr., professor of public administration at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and former mayor of Hazelwood.

Rev. David Gerth, with the Metropolitan Congregations United, said many of the commission members have been on the Ferguson frontlines in the last 100 days.

During a press conference following the swearing-in ceremony, Nixon was asked why it takes a commission to address concerns protestors have already brought to his attention – and why he himself couldn’t issue the policy recommendations.

“I haven’t lived all the experiences that a commission like this has,” said Nixon, adding that he’s from a small town in Jefferson County where railroad tracks divided the town. “On one side you had folks of color and on the other side whites.”

Frontline protestors grilled the governor about his decision to declare a State of Emergency and re-activate the National Guard. Nixon issued the

Officer of McCormack Baron Salazar, he sees his company able to lead progress in other cities, such as New Orleans, whereas St. Louis has been more resistant to change.

“What we have seen across the country,” Bennett said, “we can do here.” Specifically, he challenged the community to work toward the construction of a north-south Metrolink extension, securing Promise Zone federal status for north St. Louis city and county, and greater investment in early childhood education.

“Children are our most valuable treasures, and we can invest in their future as well as football,” Bennett said – a dig at Gov. Jay Nixon, who

executive order on Monday, November 17, anticipating unrest that might follow the grand jury’s decision of whether or not to indict Wilson in Brown’s death. A decision is expected any day, according to St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch.

Nixon said he has a responsibility to maintain public safety and protect property.

Sharon Golliday, with the Don’t Shoot Coalition, inquired about Nixon’s response to the KKK and the hate group’s violent threats against protestors.

“While they have First Amendment rights,” Nixon said, “we will be prepared if they move beyond normal speech activities.”

Follow this reporter on Twitter @BridesONeil.

DYING-IN

Continued from A1

to “Freeze!”

The mock police then started shooting the protestors dead and yelling, “Get a job!” The protestors fell to the ground and played dead, while others

recently made news in an attempt to keep the Rams NFL franchise in St. Louis.

The importance of minority inclusion in St. Louis business development – always a key note of a Business Salute – was sounded by executives for BJC HealthCare, which received the 2014 Corporate Diversity Award. BJC’s ongoing $1 billion campus renewal project, as The St. Louis American reported in its July 2014 Diversity special edition, employs various strategies designed to grow local minority businesses, rather than merely hit minority inclusion goals via a mix of local and out-of-town contractors.

“We’re trying to increase

came around and outlined them their bodies in chalk.

“On Aug. 9 at 12:01, an officer by the name of Darren Wilson brutally murdered our brother Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri,” Dhoruba Shakur of Tribe X said over the bullhorn.

“Police brutality is happening all over the nation right in front of our faces, and some of us have the privilege of continuing on everyday life as if this isn’t our reality. This action is a demonstration. This is our way of showing this is something we can’t avoid.”

Called the “bishop of defense” for the activist group Tribe X, Shakur said this struggle will be on the forefront of their minds for a long time. “It should be for you as well,” he said to those watching on the sidewalks.

Joining in like a battle cry, the protestors – who were still lying, as if dead, on the street – started chanting, “No justice, no peace!”

University City police officers blocked traffic for the protest and did not intervene or make arrests. The protestors rose and walked down the middle of Delmar to Skinker and then turned to march towards Forest Park Parkway, shutting down the southbound

both the number and the strength of local minority businesses,” said Lee Fetter, Group President of BJC HealthCare.

BJC’s Communications Manager Diedra J. Yates also was honored as a 2014 Excellence in Business Performance awardee, along with Shirley A. Stennis, Director of Customer Service for Ameren Illinois, and Juanita Logan, Senior Business Development Manager for World Wide Technology and Advisor to the Chairman.

World Wide Technology was the presenting sponsor of the event, which was co-hosted by St. Louis Regional Chamber and the Urban League of

side of Skinker. At the Skinker and Forest Park intersection, they formed a barricade of people on the crosswalks and demanded four and a half minutes of silence – representing the four and a half hours that police allowed Michael Brown Jr.’s body to lay in the middle of Canfield Drive. Brown was on his way to his grandmother’s house when he was stopped by Wilson for walking with a friend in the middle of the small local road. After the moment of silence, the protestors left the street and moved to the sidewalk. St. Louis City police also allowed the protest to proceed and did not intervene or make arrests.

“We are here disrupting the natural flow of business,” said Derek Laney, organizer with the Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment. “We want people to understand that, as long as we have a climbing pile of dead bodies in our community at the hands of cops, then no one’s going to be comfortable. If we can’t be comfortable in our communities with the knowledge that we’ll be able to come home safe, then other communities don’t get to be comfortable.”

Metropolitan St. Louis. The PrivateBank presented a scholarship to Raina Brooks, a freshman at the University of Missouri.

Donald M. Suggs, President of the St. Louis American Foundation and Publisher of The St. Louis American reminded the audience why the event was created.

“We want to raise greater awareness of individual African Americans who are excelling in business,” Suggs told the sold-out house of 480, “and provide a platform to advocate for effective diversity and inclusion. It’s both good for business, with our changing demographics, and also good for society.”

COMMAND

Continued from A1

promised to notify him the moment the grand jury reaches a decision. McCulloch’s office told The American he expects a decision in mid- to lateNovember.

McCulloch reportedly has been pressured by some school districts and businesses to make the announcement on a weekend, due to expected unrest. Police sources in St. Louis city and county tell The American an announcement on Sunday, November 23 is possible, despite the fact that Thanksgiving is the following Thursday.

Belmar spoke to the news staff of The American along with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson and Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson. They form the leadership of the Unified Command that will police the protests being planned in response to the grand jury announcement.

Given Missouri laws pertaining to police shooters

and the racial demographics of the grand jury – nine white and three black jurors, as empaneled by a district judge before the August 9 killing of Brown – most protestors do not expect for Wilson to be indicted. Nine jurors must agree on an indictment for it to be handed down.

Gov. Jay Nixon has announced that a statewide police response is being organized in expectation of the decision, which suggests Nixon – formerly the Missouri Attorney General and a longtime ally of law enforcement – does not expect an indictment. On Monday, November 17 he issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency and activating the Missouri National Guard, serving under the Missouri Highway Patrol. Nixon previously announced that police were coming to St. Louis “from all over the state” once a decision is announced, but Belmar told The American Nixon only referred to state troopers under Johnson’s command. Belmar said that no police officers from other departments in the state will be

mobilized.

Belmar also said selfdeployment by area police officers would not be tolerated, as it was during the unrest in August, which he said led to some of the worst embarrassments, such as the St. Ann police officer who lost his job after being caught on camera threatening to kill protestors.

“When people self-deploy, they don’t check in, they don’t understand the rules of engagement,” Belmar said.

“People will have to check in.”

Belmar, who has had recent command of the Ferguson protest zone, will command police response to protests in St. Louis County, and Dotson will command police response to protests in the city. South St. Louis has become a protest zone since the fatal shooting of VonDerrit Myers Jr. by an off-duty St. Louis cop working private security in the city’s Shaw neighborhood on October 8. There also have been a few protests in North St. Louis in response to the fatal police shooting of Kajieme Powell on August 19.

This arrangement removes

Johnson from any specific command responsibility. His leadership in the Ferguson protest zone, directed by Gov. Jay Nixon after declaring a State of Emergency, had a calming effect in August. Johnson at first replaced the militarized SWAT team tactics introduced by Belmar with a community policing model. However, police under Johnson’s command also at times resorted to riot gear and crowd dispersants, such as tear gas, and most protestors have ceased to see him as a clear alternative to Belmar.

Johnson is a black man from Ferguson. He speaks movingly of being a black man who gets racially profiled when he’s in civilian clothes and of being the father of a black son he has to warn about the police. But his very presence in the Unified Command renders him suspect to many protestors. On November 12, Tef Poe – the St. Louis writer/rapper who emerged as a Ferguson protest leader – released a single, “War Cry,” that dismisses Johnson as a “house (slave),” couched in expletives and using an offensive racial epithet.

Johnson said the three police commanders have “lived this” and lived it “together –physically and emotionally.” He insisted – despite the police build-up of a new arsenal of crowd dispersants and Nixon’s tough talk – that the Unified Command has learned some lessons.

“You’re going to see we’ve been listening to peaceful protestors and we’ve learned some things,” Johnson told The American. “But I don’t think what we are bracing for will be as bad as we expect it to be –or as bad as some people want it to be.”

Belmar insisted that his heavy-handed militarized approach to the August protests – which were presented to the United Nations as acts of torture by protestors’ legal supporters last week – saved lives. “Think of the problems we didn’t have,” Belmar said.

But he will go so far as to admit “there were inappropriate actions on both sides.” He also said the next wave of police response to protests “will not have the same optics, necessarily,” as seen in August. When Belmar speaks

of “optics,” he is referencing the world-notorious images of police officers under his command pointing highpowered rifles at peaceful protestors with their hands in the air.

“People say we’re preparing for war – we’re not,” Dotson told The American. “We’re preparing for peace. We just have to not infringe on the rights of other people. We have to keep everybody safe and arrest the people responsible for violence. We’ve talked to peaceful protest groups and asked them to work with us to help make things safer.” They all agreed the KKK should not concern the public or protestors, despite violent threats from someone purporting to represent the Klan.

“Let me handle this one,” Belmar said, when asked about those threats. “The only problem we’ll have if the KKK comes in is the hotels changing the bed sheets. They’re the biggest bunch of bed-wetters. Those guys are a bunch of punks.”

SceneS from the 15th

Salute to excellence in BuSineSS awardS & networking luncheon

Nearly 500 attended the sold out 15th annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon last Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. World Wide Technology served as the lead sponsor for the event which was presented by the St. Louis American Foundation, St. Louis Regional Chamber and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Abe and Nicole Adewale, principals of ABNA Engineering, were honored as the 2014 Entrepreneurs of the Year. Vince Bennett, Chief Operating Officer of McCormack Baron Salazar, received the 2014 Corporate Executive of the Year award and Gene Dobbs Bradford, President and CEO of Jazz St. Louis received the 2014 Non-Profit Executive of the Year award. Three individuals received Excellence in Business Performance awards: Juanita Logan of World Wide Technology, Shirley A. Stennis of Ameren Illinois, and Dierdra Yates of BJC HealthCare. This year’s recipient of the Corporate Diversity Award was BJC HealthCare. Also at the luncheon, Raina Brooks, a business major at the University of Missouri-Columbia, received a special scholarship from The PrivateBank.

Along with World Wide Technology, other sponsors of the event were The PrivateBank, Wells Fargo Advisors, Edward

Enterprise Bank & Trust, Enterprise Holdings, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Ameren Missouri, Centene Corporation,

and St. Louis Development Corporation. KMOX’s Carol Daniel emceed the 15th annual luncheon. Photos by Wiley Price and Maurice Meredith

Jones, McCormack Baron Salazar,

Midwest BankCentre,

Top 25 awardee Nate Johnson Patricia Smith-Thurman and Solomon Thurman

Kelvin Westbrook and Ramona Tumblin-Rucker

Non-Profit Executive of the Year Gene Dobbs Bradford and World Wide Technology’s Ann Marr

City Treasurer Tishaura Jones

Above: Top 25 awardee Darlene Davis

Left: Platinum Sponsor Wells Fargo’s many representatives who attended the luncheon

St. Louis County’s Mike Jones Centene’s Keith Williamson and awardee Shirley Stennis

Entrepreneurs of the Year Nicole and Abe Adewale of ABNA Chester Deans and Lee Haynes

Kevin Wilson

Longtime Salute volunteer Linda Robinson won tickets to see Motown the Musical at the Fox and an overnight stay at the Four Seasons.

Rhonda Brandon and Lee Fetter accepted the 2014 Corporate Diversity Award on behalf of BJC HealthCare.

awardees: Juanita Logan of World Wide

Shirley Stennis of Ameren Illinois and Dierdra Yates of BJC HealthCare.

Mizzou student Raina Brooks received a special scholarship check from Andrew Dawson, Market President of The PrivateBank. KMOX’s Carol Daniel served as emcee for the 15th annual business Salute. Awardee Juanita Logan and her mother Ida Cothrine

St. Louis American Foundation President Donald M. Suggs with Lincoln University

President Dr. Kevin D. Rome, Sr., BJC Board Chairman Kelvin Westbrook, and BJC Group President Lee Fetter

Virvus Jones and License Collector Mavis Thompson

Sara Goellner won an iPad at the luncheon.

Urban League President & CEO Michael McMillan and Corporate Executive of the Year Vince Bennett

Top 25 awardee Gus Stuart and Dana Scott of Centrex

Top 25 awardee Laurna Godwin

Christina Bennett

Brittany DixonTop 25 awardee Michael Kennedy, Jr.

Michael Whitley and Top 25 awardee Sharilyn Franklin

Steven Player, Sandra Moore and Jamal L. Seward

Regional Chamber’s Valerie Patton

Chris Motley

Wanda Gant with Micah Stone Members and guests from Platinum Sponsor The PrivateBank Enterprise’s Alonzo Byrd

John Wesley Heyward, III

John Wesley Heyward, III passed away at home on Sunday, October 26, 2014.

“Jay”, as he was called, was born August 28, 1972 in Washington, D.C., the only son of Rev. Dr. John Wesley Heyward, Jr. and Dorothy T. Heyward, and husband of Tasha R. Bostic of Columbia, South Carolina.

“Jay” was educated in the public schools of St. Louis, graduating from Soldan High School, Class of 1990, and Claflin University, Class of 1995, Orangeburg, South Carolina, with a degree in Sociology. While in high school, he was an active player on the football and track teams. He enjoyed watching sports on television with his father. His favorite football team was the Dallas Cowboys. His mother was his friend and confidant. He was a handy man. He loved to paint rooms, create and make things and decorate.

“Jay” grew up understanding the importance of Christianity and Church, beginning as an Acolyte and singing in the children’s choir at Union Memorial. He also participated in Church at several churches as he moved from place to place where his father served. Among them was First Methodist Church, Mexico, MO, Saint John United Methodist Church, St. Louis, MO, University UMC, University City, MO and Unity UMC, Webster Groves, MO.

He is survived by: his wife, Tasha Bostic Heyward; his son, Jayvion Ontonio Heyward; two daughters, Sa’Taya Ja’Neh Heyward (her mother, Samantha Parker) and Jayda Tashay Heyward; his parents, Rev. Dr. John W. Heyward, Jr. and Mrs. Dorothy T. Heyward; one sister, Joy-Lynn P. Heyward, and nephew, Jordan Mikell Owens; one uncle, Dr. Joseph E. (Evelyn) Heyward, Florence, SC, six aunts, Evelyn T. Workman, Charleston, SC, Amelia T. (John) Barr, Bronx, NY, Lorraine T. (Walter)

Obituaries

Burke, Charleston, SC, Dr. Grace H. Salters, Orangeburg, SC, Peggy H. Farmer, Florence SC, and Patricia H. (Ervin) Pearson, Dacula, Georgia, and his father and mother-in-law, Rev. Clinton and Mrs. Angela Bostic, Columbia, SC, and his god-mother, Saxon Graham, Washington, D.C. Also surviving are a host of cousins and friends.

Rosie L. Weathersby

Rosie L. Weathersby was born to Jeannie Lucille Hooker and Dan Weathersby on July 28, 1923 in Silver Creek, MS. She is the fourth child of ten siblings. Rosie grew up on the family farm on which they grew most of their food products for the family.

she was the life of the party. In 1997, Rosie worked for Rims Home Healthcare as a Home Care Attendant. In 2000, she joined Friendly Temple and re-confessed her hope in Christ. She retired a second time for health reasons in 2001.

Sunday school teacher and the church secretary.

Rosie was baptized at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Silver Creek, MS at the early age of 14. She graduated from Alexandria High School in Brookhaven, MS in 1946. Rosie joined True Vine Spiritual Church in her early twenties and worked at Jackson State College as a homemaker. After the birth of her 1st child she decided to leave Mississippi and moved to St. Louis with her daughter. She worked several years at Special Furniture Store as an Office Assistant. In 1947 she met Robert Jackson and to this union five children were born. In 1962 she started at the Holiday Inn as a Hotel Room Inspector for ten years. In 1972 she landed a job Chase Park Plaza. She retired in 1984 at the age of 62 after 21 years of service in the hotel and hospitality Industry. Rosie provided private nanny and homemaker services for multiple families throughout St. Louis city and counties. She also traveled with these families providing excellent nanny service. They all treated her as part of their family. She loved her family and enjoyed traveling with them to all the family reunions where

She cherished spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her love, Robert Jackson and her lovely daughter Atronmonia (Weathersby) Newsome. Rosie Lean Weathersby leaves to cherish her everlasting memories five children; Jacqueline Jackson (Phillip), Brenda Galmore, Robert Weathersby (Francene), Gaynell Weathersby, and Cornize Weathersby; three siblings; Walter, Frankie, Ida; fourteen grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, and nephews.

In memory of our dear loved one

Steven L. Hunt, Sr.

March 4, 1966November 16, 2010

Gone but not forgotten. Love and precious memories still remain in and on our hearts.

Love Mama, Family and Friends

Magnolia Smith

June 5, 1926 –November 11, 2014

Magnolia Smith was born one of ten children on June 5, 1926 to Tutwiler, Mississippi patriarch and matriarch, Welcome and Carrie Smith.

Magnolia attended Tutwiler High School and when the White School Board was preventing the black students from receiving a 12th grade education, Magnolia simply attended the 11th grade twice. While in Tutwiler, her faith was developed, and she served as a

In 1948, she left the south during the “great migration” and settled in St. Louis. She joined Westside Missionary Baptist Church, which was the family church at the time.

Being of a time when skills were paramount, she was a self-taught seamstress and tailored clothes for her large family but also for relatives and various neighbors.

She had a total of seven children, and though she did not have the opportunity to obtain a college education, though her vision and commitment, six of her seven children attended college with a total of 10 undergraduate and graduate degrees produced among them. Being a close-knit family, they did many things together, including travel. She traveled nationally with her children.

Magnolia’s health began to fail in her later years, but she still she enjoyed visits from her children and grandchildren, including impromptu gospel concerts with her son, granddaughters and grandson. Magnolia’s health took a turn and after a brief hospitalization at DePaul Hospital, she went peacefully to her eternal rest on Tuesday, November 11, 2014.

Preceded in death by her beloved parents, four sisters, and four brothers, leaving to cherish her memory are her surviving sister, Clea Ester Smith, sons, Cornel Smith (Elaine),Bruno Smith, Dr. Dwyane Smith (Antona), Quinton Smith, Tyrus Smith and daughter Antoinette Smith. One daughter, Attorney Yvonne Smith, predeceased her in death. Living also to cherish her memory are several grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Magnolia smith Services will take place at Randle & Sons Funeral Home 4600 Natural Bridge Ave on Friday, November 21, 2014. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. and the funeral

will take place at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Lauren Hill Cemetery. Repast immediately following at FaithWorks Fellowship Ministries 3116 Locust.

Joan Elizabeth Hollingsworth

Joan Elizabeth Hollingsworth, daughter of the late Adelene and Ishamel Thames, made her transition on November 8, 2014 after a lengthy illness. She was a lifelong resident of St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Hollingsworth committed her life to Christ at an early age and was a life long member of All Saints Episcopal Church (St. Louis, Mo.). At All Saint’s she was very active as a Sunday school teacher as well as being a member of the Saint Margaret’s Guild and the Couple’s Club. Her early education was in St. Louis at Simmons Grade School and Sumner High School. She later studied at Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee) and Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri), University of Omaha and Iowa University.

In 1952, Joan married James Jefferson Hollingsworth and through that union they had one daughter, Lisa Hollingsworth. They remained friends after an amicable divorce. James preceded her in death.

Mrs. Hollingsworth’s career with the St. Louis Urban League spanned twenty five years (1970-1995). Within the department of Economic Development and Employment she served as the Assistant Director/Instructor of the Clerical Training School where she taught Typing, Shorthand, Office Machines, English and Math. Her last couple of years before retirement she learned and was teaching basic and intermediate computer science. Additional highlights in Joan Hollingsworth’s professional career included serving as a substitute teacher with the St. Louis Public School System, a top sales associate with Sears Roebuck and Company and a part-time keypunch operator with Maritz Corporation.

Upon retirement she was able to foster her passion for computer technology where

she designed a home operated business specializing in special projects for clubs and other small businesses, resumes, business plans and graphics. At the same time she discovered her love for gardening and landscaping, which gave her great pleasure. When not busy with her passions, she traveled extensively.

She leaves, not to mourn but to celebrate her life and legacy, a devoted daughter, Lisa Diane Hollingsworth, as well as a host of relatives and friends. The cremation will be entrusted to The William C. Harris Funeral Home, on Halls Ferry Road. A Memorial Service will be held on November 22, 2014 at 10 am at All Saint’s Episcopal Church, 5010 Terry Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.

Roy V. Middleton Sr.

Funeral services for Roy V. Middleton Sr. of St. Louis will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Phillip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2424 Anne Malone Drive. He was 91. Mr. Middleton, a World War II veteran, was born on May 22, 1923 in Bradenton, Fl. He died Nov.12, 2014 at Bethesda Dilworth nursing home. He was one of 14 children born to Edward and Carrie Middleton. His parents, wife Eileen, and all of his siblings preceded him in death.

Mr. Middleton attended elementary and high school in Bradenton. Upon graduation, he was awarded a football scholarship to Central State College in Ohio. He enlisted in the Army during World War II and earned the rank of First Lieutenant. After the war, he attended Wilberforce University in Ohio where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics. He met and later married Eileen Jarrett of St. Louis. The family moved to St. Louis where Mr. Middleton began a 30-year teaching career in the St. Louis Public School System. Meanwhile, he had earned a master’s degree in education. He was a member of St. Phillip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church until his health began to fail. He was also a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Mr. Middleton leaves to cherish his memory, two sons, Roy V. Middleton Jr. (Karen), Douglas Middleton; a granddaughter Rachel Middleton and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

John Heyward III

Rosie Weathersby

Magnolia Smith

Joan Hollingsworth

Steven L. Hunt, Sr.

Covering the spread in the County Executive race

When fans watch a game, they are rooting for one of the two teams and they really don’t care what the score is as long as their team wins. However, that’s not how professional gamblers watch a basketball or football game. For them, who wins is irrelevant; it’s the score that counts.

In basketball and football, the teams are never equal. The clearly superior team is supposed to win. So how can you establish a betting pool? Las Vegas and other places do it by focusing on the score. It’s not who wins, but how much they win by. That’s the basis of all the bets. The only question is the point spread. Now politics in some ways is very similar to sports. Politics has fans rooting for one candidate over the other. It also has professional gamblers, other politicians, who are placing their own bets on the outcome of the election. The public cares about their candidate winning, yet they have no real interest in the score. The professional politician is also working for a specific candidate to win, but like the professional gambler, they have a vested interest in the score as well.

That’s because inside the election there is a much more important unseen contest going on, the contest for power and influence. The winners of this contest are determined exclusively by the score and how they contributed to the score. You see the public votes and goes home and like the fan, the game is over for them. For the professionals the real game starts election night. The currency you use to play that game is power and influence. And the amount of power and influence you have in your political bank account is based upon how you performed during the election, particularly Election Day. So just like sports betting in Vegas,

on election night the obvious winners can lose and the folks that look like they lost are at the pay window collecting power and influence. You just have to know how the game is scored.

Like in basketball and football game, we were all watching the election, so we know who won. However, professionals have to review the game tape in detail to know what happened and why. While it will be some time before the election board produces final official numbers, we do have enough information to draw some preliminary conclusions for a post-game analysis.

The Steve Stenger campaign and the white political pundit class ridiculed the assumption that dissident black Democrats could change the political calculus in St. Louis County, saying basically that St. Louis County is a Democratic county and African-American voters and AfricanAmerican political leaders didn’t matter to the outcome.

The Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition (FLHDC) was formed six weeks before the November 4 general election on September 17. They endorsed Rick Stream four weeks before the election on October 8. So what happened on Election Day, November 4? Let’s look at some relevant scores from that night:

- Jake Zimmerman, Democratic candidate for Assessor – 169,000 votes

- Steve Stenger, Democratic candidate for County Executive – 139,000 votes

- Rick Stream, Republican candidate for County Executive – 137,000 votes

- Andrew Ostrawski, Republican candidate for

Assessor – 116,000 votes

- Other candidates for County Executive – 15,000 votes.

Now these election returns will help us understand who the real winners and losers were on election night.

Let’s start with the contested races for County Executive and County Assessor. Steve Stenger received 139,000 votes for County Executive, but that was 30,000 votes less than Assessor Jake Zimmerman’s 169,000 votes, the Democratic benchmark for the night.

One need look no further than the six townships that were the focus of FLHDC effort to understand why. Normandy, Norwood, Ferguson, Spanish Lake, St. Ferdinand and University City produced 54,000 votes for Jake Zimmerman (32 percent of his total) but only 31,000 for Steve Stenger (22 percent of his total). That’s 23,000 of the 30,000 difference between Zimmerman and Stenger. These townships were the major reason Steve Stenger trailed Democratic front runner Jake Zimmerman by 18 percent countywide.

This is also approximately the difference between the two Republicans. Stream received 137,000 votes for County Executive, while Ostrowski received 116,000 votes for County Assessor, a 21,000 vote difference.Put in historical perspective,

didn’t cover the spread?

White political pundits: There is a cottage industry of white political consultants and experts that the media interviews on the outcome of elections. They are most authoritative when discussing African-American voting behavior. They have this unique talent of predicting what African Americans will do without ever talking to anybody black involved in politics. Tuesday, November 4 they got their head handed to them.

Steve Stenger: Now it’s impossible to call the winner of the election a loser, but he is very much a problematic winner. He is the first County Executive to win the office with less than 50 percent of the vote. The majority of voters (152,000 to be exact) on November 4 DID NOT want Stenger.

Republican Bill Corrigan received 13 percent of the vote in those townships in 2010 while Rick Stream received 26 percent of the vote in 2014. FLHDC improved Republican performance by 50 percent in six predominantly African-American townships. What the highest-performing Republican in 2014 has in common with the highest-performing Democrat in 2014 is they were both endorsed by FLHDC. If you want to speculate what the FLHDC effort was worth, it was worth at least 22,000 votes.

In only four weeks and with next to no resources, the FLHDC and its leader, First District Councilwoman Hazel Erby, changed the political calculus of St. Louis County. They fought the white Democratic establishment to within less than 2,000 votes of deciding the County Executive’s race. They did it even though the Democratic establishment had an 18-month head start and a bankroll of a couple million dollars.

In addition, they took a plug out of the political hide of Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay, who brought the full weight of his office to the Stenger campaign. Clearly a case of laboring like an elephant to give birth to a mouse.

Politics is a zero sum game, for every winner there must be a loser. So who are the November 4 losers? Or, as the professionals would say, who

He suffered the most serious erosion of African-American political support by a white Democrat in eastern Missouri since Mayor Jim Conway closed Homer G. Phillips Hospital. This happened at a time when the next County Executive must have standing in the African-American community to have any chance at repairing the damage done by the tone-deaf, incompetent management of local and state political leaders in the aftermath of Ferguson.

Wm. Lacy Clay: Congressman Clay threw the weight and prestige of the highest-ranking black elected official behind the candidacy of Stenger. Stenger did win, and you can argue without Clay he would have loss. The question is what did Stenger’s victory cost Clay? First his African-American voting base disappeared by 20 percent three weeks after he endorsed Steve Stenger. In the First Congressional District not one African-American elected official appeared in an ad or a commercial with Clay on behalf of Stenger. He is now faced with an emerging organized AfricanAmerican political counter weight to his influence. My advice to the Congressman is if 2016 were a street, he should definitely look both ways before he steps off the curb. What lessons can we learn?

African-American politicians matter and African-American voters matter more. YOU came within less than 1 percent of permanently changing the political face of St. Louis County. So the next time you hear a political pundit say you don’t matter, you will know in no uncertain terms they’re a fool, a liar or both.

Councilwoman Hazel Erby, founder of the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition, and County Executive Charlie Dooley listened at a St. Louis County Council meeting in September when activist Anthony Shahid harangued Steve Stenger, who is now County Executive elect. Photo by Wiley Price

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

Healthcare Careers

Sensible Thanksgiving Eating

Nutrition Challenge:

Thanksgiving is a day that we take a moment and remember the things/people that we are thankful to have in our lives. But let’s be honest, many Thanksgiving celebrations also include food – and a lot of it! But if you remember just a few simple tips, you can enjoy the day without the extra calories (and uncomfortably full stomach).

Follow the Meal With a Walk!

Being Thankful WALK!

Why not start a new tradition this year? After your Thanksgiving dinner, have your family take a walk around the neighborhood. This is a great way to spend time with your relatives, see who’s in town for the holiday, and can help prevent the all-too-common post meal stomachache. Walking aids digestion, keeps you away

Thanksgiving is a great time to remember all of the people/things that have had a positive impact on your life. Why not have each person around the table say one (or two or three!) thing(s) that they are

> Remembering week six’s divided-plate lesson; try to fill at least half of your plate with healthy vegetables/fruits.

> Eat slowly. That way you’ll know when you’re full before you’ve overdone it.

> Limit desserts; choose just one. Or if you want to try a few different kinds, ask for a small “sample” of each.

> Can you think of any other tips?

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

from the dessert table and even helps with that after-dinner slump that affects many people after a big meal. In addition, getting up and moving will get your body back into calorie-burning mode.

What are some other ways to be “active” after your Thanksgiving dinner?

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

thankful for, before you begin eating? You could even make a game out of it: each person writes down what they’re thankful for on a small card. Someone then reads each card as the group guesses who wrote it.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 4

Apples and Dip

Ingredients: 4-6 apples (sliced and cored), and softened, low-fat cream cheese, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp brown sugar, sugar-free lemon-lime soda

Directions: Dip the apple slices in the soda to prevent them from turning brown. Mix all of the other ingredients in a bowl for dipping.

Stanley Bray, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing, Child Health Advocacy & Outreach

Where do you work? I work at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Where did you go to school?

I graduated from Metro High School in St. Louis. I then received my BA in Communication from Saint Louis University and MBA with project management specialization from Ashford University, Clinton, IA.

What does a communications and marketing coordinator do? I design and create brochures and flyers for publication, talk to parents and grandparents about car seat safety and gun safety, perform car seat installations and check for proper use of car seats. I also work with the administration to contribute to the well-being of children.

Why did you choose this career? I’ve always wanted to serve people by helping them to understand. The health care industry allows me to use my skills in a compassionate and considerate manner. In helping people learn and understand, I grow as a professional and impact my community. What is your favorite part of the job you have?

“Doing What’s Right For Kids.” Everything I do is for the well-being of our children. It’s my motivation.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Healthy Snacks

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Hodgen College Bound Academy

5th grade teacher

Vikki DeClue uses the STEM page in the newspaper to teach Saniyah Dinkins and Anthony Thurston the purpose of perspiration.

Louis American

please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

SCIENCE CORNER

Pros& Cons of Computer Use With Kids

There is a wealth of knowledge literally at your fingertips. Today, even toddlers are familiar with technology and have apps created for their age group. All of this progress is beneficial for kids, right? True, but there are some downsides, as well.

The obvious benefits are academic preparedness and fine motor skills. Students entering kindergarten who have used computers have improved math and language arts skills, as well as problem solving and critical thinking skills. Students who have had to share a computer also learn cooperation skills.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Background Information:

There are many different search engines available. How do you know which one to choose? Is there even a difference between them? In this experiment, you will investigate these questions.

Materials Needed:

• Computers

• Paper

• Pencil

MATH CONNECTION

However, the American Optometric Association cites more and more cases of young children experiencing computer vision syndrome—characterized by burning eyes, blurred or double vision. Staring at a computer screen causes eye strain. Some doctors have blamed computer usage for poor posture and exercise habits in children. How can these be avoided? Take frequent breaks. Limit screen time and look for ways to add activity into your daily routine.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to see the pros and cons of an issue.

Design an Effective search Engine!

Procedure:

q Make a list of 10 search terms that you will use for each search engine.

“Compute” these math problems which involve a variety of questions. Read each question carefully!

z Roger’s aunt bought lunch for his family. Each person picked either a salad or a burger. The salads cost $2 each and the burgers cost $3 each. If his aunt spent $12 and bought lunch for 5 people, how many of each item did she buy? _________ burgers,_________ salads x Cassandra put a frozen pizza in the oven at 5:20 p.m. Twenty five minutes later, she removed the pizza. What time was it when she removed the pizza? _________

c Shawn’s teacher is arranging the chairs in rows for the class to watch a movie. She has 28 chairs and

Consider these technology facts:

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN MATHEMATICIAN & EDUCATOR: Marjorie Lee Browne

Marjorie Lee Browne was born on September 9, 1914, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mom died when she was two and her dad, a transportation postal clerk remarried a teacher. They noticed Browne was a gifted young girl and encouraged her in her studies. Browne’s father was interested in numbers and patterns and shared his love of math.

Browne attended LeMoyne High School, which was a private high school just for African American students. From there, she attended college at Howard University in Washington, D. C., where she graduated cum laude in 1935. Next, she taught at Gilbert Academy in New Orleans before earning her master’s and doctorate from the University of Michigan. In 1949, she became the third woman to earn a doctorate degree in mathematics.

Browne then went to North Carolina College where she was named chair of the mathematics department. Her teaching style was very popular with the students and other teachers. In fact, she published sets of lecture notes for other teachers to follow. She received a Ford Foundation grant that allowed her to attend Cambridge University to study topology, a modern version of geometry.

Many awards were given to Browne, such as the W.W. Rankin Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education. She was also a part of many organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the Women’s Research Society, the American Mathematical Society, and the Mathematical Association of America.

w Visit the different search engines and record the results you got for the search terms.

e Evaluate—which search engine had the highest percentage of accuracy?

Learning Standards: I can follow directions to complete an experiment. I can analyze results.

wants to create 4 rows. How many chairs will she place in each row?

v There are 4,126 mystery books in the fiction section of the library. If each shelf can hold 36 books, how many shelves are needed? _________

b Tanya goes shopping and buys a pair of sunglasses for $5.00, two sodas for $1.68 each, a candy bar for $1.29, and a pack of gum for $.75. Tax was $.92. How much change should she get back from a $20 bill? _________

Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a problem.

In March of 1985, Symbolics.com became the first registered domain name. Now, there are over 1 million domain names registered each month.

Doug Engelbart invented the first

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions to the fields of science, technology, and math.

Use the newspaper to complete these activities to sharpen your critical thinking skills.

Activity One

Parts of Speech:

Writers need a strong vocabulary to keep their writing lively for the readers. Use the newspaper to find 5 adjectives and 5 adverbs. Next, write three sentences of your own that incorporate some of these words.

Activity Two — Fractions: Count the number of articles on the front page of the newspaper. Count the number of pictures. Write a fraction that shows the amount of stories on the front page. For example: 6 news stories and 5 pictures = 6/11. Repeat this activity with a different section of the paper and compare results.

Learning Standards:

I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify adjectives and adverbs and use them in my writing.

I can create a fraction to represent information.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight,

Photo by Wiley Price/St.

United Way of Greater St. Louis president and CEO Orvin Kimbrough thanked more than 600 campaign volunteers and contributors who attended the campaign victory celebration at Ballpark Village on November 11.

United Way raises

million and

dollars

Edward Jones becomes first

company to contribute $5M

By Chris King Of The St.

to campaign

n “We witnessed an outpouring of generosity from labor unions, from companies big and small, and households in 16 counties.”

– Scott Schnuck

Neidorff welcomed as National Urban League chair

Centene CEO will ‘usher in a new era of leadership,’ says Morial

American staff

National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial welcomed the new chairman of the National Urban League’s Board of Directors, Michael F. Neidorff, at the National Urban League’s 58th Annual Equal Opportunity Dinner on November 12 in New York City.

Neidorff is chairman, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Centene Corporation.

“Michael Neidorff has been a committed, passionate and valuable member of the board over the past four years, and we could not be more excited for him to now take

n “We must be diligent and we must be resourceful in tackling the issues that confront our communities and our nation.”

– Michael F. Neidorff

the helm and usher in a new era of leadership for the National Urban League,” said Morial.

“We appreciate and applaud our outgoing chair, John Hofmeister, for his tireless efforts to ensure that

the Urban League reached new heights during his tenure – and I am ever confident that Michael’s dedication to the community and to the people we serve will build upon these accomplishments to continue making an extraordinary impact on the lives of millions of Americans.”

Neidorff, who will immediately begin his term as the 21st National Urban League chairman, has served as chairman, president and CEO of Centene Corporation since 1996. Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that provides programs

See NEIDORFF, B2

we witnessed an outpouring of generosity from everyone in our region – on both sides of the river, from our labor unions, from companies big and small, and households in 16 counties – to make this campaign successful. I thank everyone for their

See CAMPAIGN, B2

Dwaun J. Warmack has been selected as a member of the Delta State University (DSU) Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2014. He is President of Harris-Stowe State University.

Receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from DSU, Warmack has more than 16 years of experience in higher education. The Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and friends who have achieved professional distinction and made significant community service contributions.

Rebecca Rivas will receive the Susan Flader Award for Education and Advocacy from The Missouri Coalition for the Environment for her coverage of environmental issues from Doe Run’s lead smelters to Weldon Spring to West Lake Landfill.

Rivas is staff reporter and video editor for The St. Louis American. She’ll be recognized at a gala Friday, November 21 at Alberici, 8800 Page Ave. See www.moenviron.org.

Tyrone Christian was recognized as an alumni honoree at the Mizzou Alumni Association’s (MAA) 46th annual awards ceremony. He was inducted into the Christian Brothers College High School of Fame in St. Louis in 2012. The MAA considers alumni for their accomplishments in professional life and service to their communities. He launched the TRC Consulting Group and is chief marketing strategist for the Martin Luther King Memorial Foundation Project.

Charlotte Hammond was named President of Challenge Unlimited, Inc. She began her employment with Challenge Unlimited in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer. In 2012, Hammond was promoted to Executive Officer of Business and Finance. She has nearly 25 years of experience in senior leadership and nonprofit management. Challenge Unlimited offers community rehabilitation services, training, educational opportunities, housing and employment to individuals with disabilities.

Charles Sifford was named one of 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. It’s the nation’s highest civilian honor. Sifford was a professional golfer who helped to desegregate the Professional Golfers’ Association, despite harassment and death threats. He won six National Negro Opens before he won his challenge over the PGA’s “Caucasian only” membership policy in 1960. He went on to win official PGA events and the PGA Seniors’ Championship.

On the move? Congratulations! Send

Rebecca Rivas

Tyrone Christian

Charlotte Hammond

Charles Sifford

Dwaun J. Warmack

Photo by provided by United Way

Michael F. Neidorff, the new chairman of the National Urban League’s Board of Directors (center), with National Urban League President & CEO Marc H. Morial and John Hofmeister, immediate past board chair.

6 must-know facts abouts Obamacare Open Enrollment

By Jason Alderman

If you buy your own health insurance, add this important date to your yearend to-do list: November 15.

That’s the date open enrollment is available for individual healthcare plans offered through the Healthcare. gov site, your respective health insurance marketplace (https://www.healthcare.gov/ medicaid-chip/eligibility/) or independent agents in your community.

If you’re working for a company that provides your health insurance, chances are your open enrollment period has already begun. The SHOP insurance marketplace, open to small businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer full-time employees, also begins taking online applications November 15.

If you buy your own personal or family coverage, don’t wait until November 15 to start planning your 2015 coverage decisions – do it now. Here are six things you should know to get started:

1. Timing is tight. Last year’s health insurance enrollment process lasted six months. This year, it’s only three – November 15 to February 15. You may be able to enroll outside of those dates if you’re facing a major life change like a divorce, birth of a child or marriage; otherwise, that’s your window.

2. Sticker shock is a possibility. Obamacare didn’t guarantee cheap healthcare coverage; it guaranteed available healthcare coverage. Keep in mind that if you bought health coverage last year, your insurer will

automatically re-enroll you on December 15 for new coverage effective January 1. However, that’s no guarantee that your monthly premium will stay the same. Some experts are predicting only modest increases (http://www. cnbc.com/id/102055144#.), but depending on where you live, your premiums might go up or down. And if your 2013 carrier grandfathered your 2014 coverage, those changes may go well beyond price.

3. Your doctors and hospitals might change. Hospitals and physician practices scrutinize the state of the health insurance market very closely. Their income depends on it. In 2013, some medical practices made news by dropping insurance plans altogether and accepting only cash or credit; others changed the insurance plans they

would honor. Something to keep in mind: the best way to confirm that you’ll still have access to your favorite doctor and hospital choice is to pick up the phone. Your doctor’s website may list the particular insurance plans his or her practice may accept, but don’t expect the list to be current. Call your practitioner or their business office to confirm they’re sticking with your plan or any you’ve chosen to use instead. You don’t want to be surprised with enormous outof-network costs later.

4. Planning future health needs is important. If in the next year you’re planning to expand your family, undergo elective surgery or other factors that could affect how you’ll use the healthcare system, query the plans about specialists, prescriptions and other specific services before

you sign up. It could save you thousands in potential out-ofpocket costs.

5. Coverage isn’t immediate. Depending on when you enroll during the open enrollment period, your actual coverage may not start until two to six weeks later. Check effective dates of coverage for every plan you’re evaluating to make sure the timing addresses your particular needs.

6. You can get help. Personal referrals from friends and fellow professionals to particular plans and agents are always a good way to start your enrollment search. There may also be nonprofit assistance within your community or state to help you evaluate individual plans. On the national level, nonprofit Enroll America runs a nationwide site (http://www. enrollamerica.org/resources/ in-person-assistance/) with specific tools and resources for help in your search.

Start now to build a good toolbox full of online and personal resources to help you with your 2015 health insurance search.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

CAMPAIGN

Continued from B1 contributions, large and small, to help local families live better.”

Money raised in this year’s campaign will help one out of every three people in this region, Schnuck said. United Way supports more than 170 local nonprofit agencies that assist with basic needs, financial stability, education, health.

The St. Louis Regional Business Council, which represents more than 100 area firms, raised more than $11.1 million this year.

Fourteen companies, their employees and participating labor unions were recognized for combined team gifts of more than $1 million each this year. Team gifts combine the gifts and pledges of employees with the company’s corporate contribution.

At the $5 million or more level in team gifts were the employees of Edward Jones. Edward Jones became the first company to invest $5 million to United Way’s annual campaign.

NEIDORFF

Continued from B1

and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals.

In Centene’s 2013 annual report, the most recent available on the company’s website, Neidorff reported that Centene grew premium and service revenues from continuing operations by 37 percent from 2012 to $10.5 billion. He reported that earnings from continuing operations increased to $277.4 million, or 157 percent, over 2012. At that time, he reported, the company coordinated care for more than 2.7 million at-risk managed care members in 20 states.

“We must be diligent and we must be resourceful in tackling the issues that confront our communities and our nation,” Neidorff said of his new responsibilities for the Urban League. “If we are successful – and we will succeed – our communities and our families benefit,

State helps STL county and city seek ‘Promise Zone’ status

Last week Gov. Jay Nixon said the state Office of Community Engagement would work with St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis to seek federal Promise Zone designation, which provides high-poverty urban, rural and tribal communities preferential access for certain competitive federal programs and technical assistance to accelerate revitalization efforts.

In 2014, the Obama Administration has designated the first five Promise Zones in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The administration intends to designate six additional Urban Promise Zones in 2015. November 21 is the deadline for submission. For more information, visit www. hud.gov under “Economic Development Programs.”

Congresswoman Waters applauds proposed financial protections

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), ranking member of the Financial Services Committee, applauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for its newly proposed federal consumer protections for prepaid cards.

“Although many lower-income consumers are increasingly turning to prepaid cards to avoid high or unpredictable bank fees, consumer protections have not kept pace,” Water said. The CFPB protections would “ensure that Americans using prepaid cards are treated equally, and afforded the same consumer protections, as credit and debit card holders.”

Missouri Budget Project warns of nearly $2B budget shortfall

If the State of Missouri were to simply maintain funding for services included in last year’s budget, and fully fund the K-12 school funding formula, it would face a $1 billion revenue shortfall in fiscal year 2015, according to an analysis by the Missouri Budget Project. But once tax cuts are fully implemented, to maintain these same services, Missouri will face a nearly $2 billion shortfall.

“Missouri needs to have a real conversation about what it takes to provide the kind of education, infrastructure, and safety net that Missourians need to provide for their families and our communities need to promote their economies,” said Amy Blouin, Executive Director of the Missouri Budget Project. “We can’t cut our way to prosperity.”

The full analysis, Tax Cuts Fling Missouri Toward Massive Budget Cliff, can be found at: http://www.mobudget. org/tax-cuts-fling-missouri-toward-massive-budget-cliff/

At the $4 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Monsanto Company.

At the $3 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Enterprise Holdings, Inc., and AnheuserBusch Companies, Inc.

At the $2 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Ameren, Emerson, and Wells Fargo.

At the $1 million or more level in team gifts were employees of BJC Healthcare, The Boeing Company, Centene Corporation, MasterCard Technologies and Operations, MasterCard Worldwide, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Schnuck Markets, Inc., and World Wide Technology, Inc.

In addition to Schnuck, Mike DeCola, CEO of HBM Holding, served as co-chair of this year’s fundraising campaign.

“One of the greatest parts of United Way’s campaign is that our community rallies to help their neighbors in every zip code we serve,” DeCola said.

“It’s the concept of people helping people that makes this campaign so special, and without the generous contributions of time, moral

support and donations, we wouldn’t be able to continue to assist one in three people in our region. Schnuck and DeCola joined United Way board chair, Steve Maritz, and president and CEO Orvin Kimbrough to thank more 600 campaign volunteers and contributors who attended the campaign victory celebration at Ballpark Village. This year, thousands of volunteers worked on United Way’s campaign, including employee groups, labor unions, businesses, corporations and government employees. More than 2,500 companies ran campaigns and more than 150,000 individuals contributed to United Way’s campaign success in the 16-county region of Missouri and Illinois.

DeCola said, “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to the St. Louis region for your commitment to helping people live their best possible lives.”

To give to United Way of Greater St. Louis, call 314-421-0700 or visit www. HelpingPeople.org/give.

Neidorff, president and CEO of St. Louis-based Centene Corporation, is the

of the

n “It takes 11 men. It doesn’t take one guy and that’s proven.”

– Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III

Ladue, Burroughs try to get to Bowl

The road to the Edward Jones Dome has one more step for three area teams who will compete in the state semifinals this weekend. Ladue, St. Charles West and John Burroughs will all try to join CBC at the Dome for ShowMe Bowl Weekend on Nov. 28-29. CBC clinched its spot in the Class 6 state championship game with a convincing 55-10 victory over Kirkwood in the semifinals last Friday night. The Cadets (13-0) will face Kansas City Rockhurst for the state championship on Saturday, Nov. 29. Here is a preview of the three state semifinal games involving St. Louis teams this weekend.

Class 5 Ladue (12-1) at Battle (9-4), Friday, 7 p.m. – The Rams continued their impressive run through the state playoffs with a 31-21 victory over Jackson last Saturday. Ladue trailed 21-14 after three quarters, but outscored Jackson 17-0 in the fourth quarter. Running back Daylen Edwards rushed for 197 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead Ladue. Edwards has rushed for 1,245 yards and 18

touchdowns this season. Quarterback Jack Fox has passed for 1,852 yards and 18 TDs. He is also a top field-goal kicker. a Battle is in the state semifinals in the school’s second year of existence. Battle defeated Fort Zumwalt North 20-13 in the quarterfinals last Friday

The St. Louis Rams defense has slowly started to warm up over the last couple of games. Remember the eight sacks against Colin Kaepernick? Or knocking Carson Palmer out of the game the week prior? And just recently the Rams beat up on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, beating them 22-7.

It was definitely a coming out party for the Rams defense that’s been showing some teeth as of late. The Rams defense hit the Broncos hard and often. Wide out Emmanuel Sanders was knocked out of the game because of a hit from Rams free safety Rodney McCleod Jr. McCleod was flagged 15 yards for hitting a defenseless player, but that hit made the Broncos receivers not heading towards the locker room tread carefully as they traced a Peyton Manning toss in the flats.

n With a current record of 4-6, what will the final record be?

Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was in the zone calling plays. He called the stunt where defensive end Robert Quinn looped around from his spot and ran past the center, then Manning got tracked down for a sack by rookie Aaron Donald and veteran defensive end Eugene Simms. The young secondary made one mistake, and that’s the only reason there was a score on the board.

What a nice acrobatic interception by cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who was just in his second game back coming off an injury. Linebacker Alec Ogletree is one of the Rams’ most exciting players. He plays football like he wears camouflage paint while flying down a zip line and snatching the football from his opponent. He intercepted one of Peyton Manning’s passes, making it the second week in a row Ogletree had an interception.

The offense was steady. Running back Tre Mason had his first career 100-yard game, and it’s safe to say he’s the Rams starting

Manny Pacquiao must have simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief and made a vow of vengeance when Chris Algieri pulled off an upset victory over Ruslan Provodnikov in June. With the loss, Provodnikov fell out of the forefront as a possible opponent for the Filipino superstar fighter. Considering they are good friends and share Freddie Roach as a trainer, averting a head-to-head matchup is a good thing. While Algieri’s surprise victory will earn him a nice payday versus boxing’s No. 2 PPV attraction, he may very well pay for it in the ring on Saturday night. Provodnikov served as Pac-Man’s chief sparring partner leading up to his first

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

bout with Timothy Bradley in 2012. Their hellacious sparring sessions led to a close friendship. However, with the (now defunct) Golden Boy – Top Rank cold war still going strong and no real interest from you know who, finding an opponent for Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KO) notnamed Juan Manuel Marquez was proving to be a challenge for Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum. According to Roach, Arum offered Provodnikov $10 million to face his BFF if he first got past Algieri. It would’ve surely been a fan friendly fight, considering the blood and guts, offensive-friendly styles of both fighters. However, it would’ve likely been one of those awkward bouts with lots

Manny Pacquiao avenged his loss to Timothy Bradley in April. Now he seeks revenge against Chris Algieri for beating his BFF Ruslan Provodnikov.

Pacquiao’s hit list is like a Who’s Who in boxing. It’s also widely known that the stalking, plodding Provodnikov struggles against pure boxers. Even still, Algieri was almost a

During Saturday’s quarterfinal, Ladue’s Daylen Edwards (11) is tackled after a long run. Ladue went on to defeat the Jackson Indians 31-21, earning a trip to the Missouri Class 5 state semifinals.

Photo by Wiley Price

With Mike Claiborne

Cardinals go all in

This was supposed to be a quiet off-season for the Cardinals. A tweak here and there, and here comes the 2015 Cardinals. Then the Oscar Tavares accident. Unfortunately, the Cardinals had to re evaluate the roster as a whole and realized they were going to be short. One thing can be said about the Cardinals as they do not wait for the market to take shape and watch others decide their fate. Once again the Cardinals raise the stakes to the point where there was no need to watch. They stepped to the plate and took a big swing. Monday the Redbirds traded for Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward and pitcher Jordan Walden. St. Louis gave up former first round pick and fifth starter in the rotation last year Shelby Miller and former first round prospect Tyrell Jenkins.

The key in this deal was certainly Heyward. The 6’5, 240 lbs. outfielder came into the majors at 20 highly touted as he tore it up at every level he ever played in. In making his debut at the age of 20, super stardom was associated with Heyward everywhere he went with All Star appearances and Gold Gloves to follow. At 25 now the questions were what kind of hitter was he going to be and could the Braves resign one of the prize processions. As for the hitting, Heyward is hard to figure.

A great line drive swing that does not produce home runs for a player his size and power

potential is the description you get from some. His average had slipped as he hit in the leadoff spot most of last season. With that said, Heyward was considered a threat at the plate.

His defense is stellar to say the least as he has played all

three outfield positions and is the owner of two Gold Gloves so that was never a worry. The question for the Braves became what direction were they going to go with respect to their future. The Braves are building for the immediate

in a solid outfielder who can produce at the plate in a variety of ways. The risk here is that Heyward will have the ability to test the free agent market at season’s end unless the Cardinals think he is worth the investment.

While the Cardinals are going all in, let me remind you that they are obviously banking on Heyward having the good season most players have when playing for a contract.

I am not sure that this applies in Heyward’s case as he has proven to be a tireless worker and holds nothing back. He will bring his best game to the park no matter what the calendar says and that is a good thing. If it does not work out, and the Cardinals cannot sign him, then the worst case scenario would be they would get a draft pick should they offer tender him a contract and he turns it down.

n For years the battle cry was “the Cardinals do not have any black players.”

future and they are pitching short. They appear to be trying to load up on pitching like they did in the 1990s when they dominated their division and the National League with the like of Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. They also threw in some other good arms along the way to make them hard to beat.

Enter 2015 and the Braves would like to light that fire again. When dealing for pitching, you have to have assets and Jason Heyward became one as the Braves feared they would not be able to sign him to a long-term contract after this season as he is going to be an unrestricted free agent.

The fact that the Heyward could walk after this season did not make the Cardinals flinch in pursuing this deal. They have elected to go all in on Heyward in the hopes that he gives them what they need

PREP

Continued from B3

Charles West (11-2), Friday, 7 p.m. – This is a rematch of a game played on Aug. 29, which was won by Cape Central 41-21 in Cape Girardeau. St. Charles West has reeled off 11 consecutive victories since that defeat. The Warriors defeated Westminster Christian 49-28 to advance to the state semifinals for the first time in the school’s history. Senior Drew Lauer rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns while Dre Kelly rushed for 88 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead

One thing to take in account here and that is the Cardinals have gone down this path before with acquiring players that were going into their final year of their contract. Mark McGwire and Matt Holiday would be the first two to come to mind where the Cardinals got them to stay. In their most recent history, only one player walked on the Cardinals in their free agency year and he had 250 million reasons to go see if the grass was greener elsewhere. If Heyward performs, the Cardinals will keep him.

So what was the real price for Heyward? Two former first round draft choices who are pitchers. Shelby Miller was highly touted out of high school that was brought along slowly to ensure maximum value. Miller cracked the rotation last year with mixed reviews. He was better this season but inconsistency and the inability not to able to go deep into ball games was a concern. Make no mistake, Miller has the talent to be a legitimate big league pitcher, but change scenery may have been needed to enhance his career at this stage of it.

As for Tyrell Jenkins, he too was a high school star who had mad football skills as well. He was headed to Baylor until the Cardinals paid him over a million dollars to commit to baseball. Shoulder injuries

West. Senior linebacker Blake Rugraff added another TD on an interception return.

Cape Central is in the state semifinals for the second consecutive year. The Tigers defeated Affton 34-14 in the quarterfinals last Friday night. Running back Briaon Owens rushed for 199 yards and scored three touchdowns while junior Al Young hauled in two touchdown receptions.

Class 3 John Burroughs (12-1) at Monett (11-2), Saturday, 1 p.m. – John Burroughs is making its sixth consecutive appearance in the state semifinals. The Bombers

had beset Jenkins during part of his minor league career but this season he really showed significant improvement where he once again became a legitimate prospect. Jenkins had all the tools to be a big time Major League pitcher. He may be less than a year away of all goes well. As for Jason Heyward the first thing that will stand out is his physical presence. A chiseled 25-year-old athlete who is impressive in every aspect you could imagine on and off the field. A full grown man at the age of 25 who comes from a solid family environment as well as a good organization in the Atlanta Braves as they have pro mentors who have shaped him into a professional person would be a good description of Jason Heyward. It has been a while since the Cardinals have had an AfricanAmerican player with the potential to play a prominent role on the ball club. You have to go back at least 10 years to Reggie Sanders to find an everyday player who was as important on the field as in the clubhouse.

For years the battle cry was “the Cardinals do not have any black players.” I am not sure if that was the first thing Cardinal General Manager John Mozeliak considered when he made the deal but I’ll take it any way he got there at this point.

If Heyward can get it going for Cardinal Nation, then he could find himself with an offer he can’t refuse. Let’s hope he sees the good side of St. Louis early as he is a player that could be here for a long time. So the Cardinals have gone all in on the investment of Jason Heyward. It’s a good bet, as he has the talent that should make the Redbirds a better team.

There is always a risk in making deals like this but that is what good teams do. This deal has major pluses for the Cardinals that are worth taking. This is just the start of what could be an interesting offseason for the Cardinals as we are at a point in which baseball news is usually quiet. That has already proved not to be the case and there is plenty of offseason left.

defeated Park Hills Central 46-0 in the quarterfinals. Senior John Moten rushed for 254 yards and scored three touchdowns while quarterback Tre Moore passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns for JBS. Moten has rushed for 2,145 yards and 34 TDs while Moore has passed for 2,262 yards and 36 TDs. The Bombers figure to be tested by a Monett defense that has recorded five shutouts this season. Monett also features a punishing ground game, which amassed 332 yards in its 42-21 victory over Monett in the quarterfinals last Friday night.

Mike Claiborne

The Cardinals traded for Atlanta Braves outielder Jason Heyward (above) and pitcher Jordan Walden.

inSide SportS

With Earl Austin Jr.

Soldan soccer finishes second in state

First school from Public High League to win district title in sport

One of the best stories of the fall sports season was the emergence of the boys’ soccer team from Soldan International Studies High School. On October 29, the Tigers made history when they defeated Trinity 3-2 in the Class 2, District 5 championship game. Soldan became the first school from the Public High League to win a district championship in soccer.

The district title was a tremendous accomplishment for a group of youngsters who came from all over the world. Little did anyone know at the time, Soldan was just getting started in its crusade to make history for the school and the PHL. Next, there was a victory over perennial small-school power Duchesne in penalty kicks in the sectionals. Then, there was the thrilling 4-2 victory over Moberly in the state quarterfinals two weeks ago at Gateway STEM that put the Tigers in the Final Four of the state tournament.

Yes, a team from the Public High League was headed to the Final Four of the state Final Four in boys’ soccer. For many decades, we’ve seen some great PHL teams either win state championships or go to the Final Four in football, boys and girls’ basketball and boys and girls track and field.

Kicker Greg Zuerlein carried the offensive load, being responsible for 15 of the Rams’ 22 points, going a ridiculous five for five on field goal attempts – including two from 50-plus yards.

On October 29, the Tigers made history when they defeated Trinity 3-2 in the Class 2, District 5 championship game. Soldan became the first school from the Public High League to win a district championship in soccer.

Until the events of last weekend, we have never seen a PHL soccer team advance this far in the state tournament. Not satisfied with just making a Final Four appearance, the Tigers ventured to Kansas City and knocked off Springfield Catholic 2-1 in the state semifinals. Catholic was making its eighth consecutive appearance in the Final Four. Soldan’s dreams of a state championship came to an end on Saturday as they fell to a 29-1 team from Perryville 7-0. However, that final result should not dampen the

n The Tigers were talented, creative and played with a lot of flair and excitement.

tremendous job that coach Jeremy Resmann did in bringing this talented group of players along over the past three years and making them the biggest story in statewide soccer.

The Tigers truly represented the school’s international and multi-cultural flavor. The team

had players from four different continents, 14 different countries and they spoke eight different languages. There were players from Kenya, Burundi, Eritrea, Somalia, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Congo, Senegal, Rwanda, Burma, Nepal, Mexico, Honduras and the United States. The Tigers were talented, creative and played with a lot of flair and excitement.

Soldan’s nucleus has been together for three and four years, so Resmann has been building the program to the point where it could compete

RAMS

Continued from B3 running back. He gives the offense another weapon with speed, and he’s getting close to breaking a big run. Tre Mason is that home run threat in the backfield. I’ve noticed the Rams run outside more when he’s in the game, especially near left tackle Greg Robinson, who has filled in well since Jake Long went down with an injury. The offensive line did its job, giving quarterback Shaun Hill time to make throws and

CLUTCH

Continued from B3 distinct height advantage over the 5’6” Pacquiao and showed plenty of heart in his last bout. With only eight knockouts on his resume, Algieri doesn’t seem to possess fight-ending power but does seem to have enough pop in his gloves to garner respect.

The 36-year-old Pacquiao is entering the twilight of his storied career. After backto-back losses to Timothy Bradley (robbery) and Juan Manuel Marquez (devastating KO), Pac-Man bounced back with impressive victories over Brandon Rios and Bradley. While he won both bouts comfortably, he did not look quite as sharp as he did in the past. His speed seems down just a smidge and the explosive, concussive knockout power

he had himself a good football game, going 20 for 29 for 220 yards passing. His best throw of the contest came when he hit Kenny Britt for a 63-yard bomb that got a rise out of the home crowd, putting the Rams up top for good as they never relinquished the lead. On special teams, kicker Greg Zuerlein carried the offensive load, being responsible for 15 of the Rams’ 22 points, going a ridiculous five for five on field goal attempts – including two from 50-plus yards.

The Rams’ win wasn’t a surprise to me. Since Jeff Fisher has been head coach, the

appears to be diminished. After all, Pacquiao’s last KO came all the way back in 2009 versus Miguel Cotto. Still, Saturday might be the night for Pacquiao’s power outage to end.

Pacquiao’s key to victory in this bout will be his speed. Algieri has decent speed, but Pacquiao’s is still elite. In his bout with Provodnikov, Algieri was hit flush a number of times by a much slower and more predictable fighter. If Provodnikov was able to drop Algieri twice with wide, looping punches, Pacquiao should destroy him with straight and explosive ones. I’m not saying it will be an easy fight or that Pacquiao will walk through his opponent in one round as Roach has suggested. Algieri’s range may bother the champion for a while, but eventually the speed and combination punching will catch up to him. Pacquiao’s kryptonite is

Rams have won games like this or went on streaks where you think they could have a shot at playing .500 football or even making the playoffs. In 2012 his team went 4-1-1 against the division and finished 7-8-1. In 2013 the Rams had signature wins against the Texans, Colts and Bears and finished 7-9. In 2014 they have had signature wins against the Seahawks, 49ers and now Broncos. With a current record of 4-6, what will the final record be?

This week the Rams go back on the road to face the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers offense has been struggling as of late, averaging 13 points a

superior counter punching. Against Provodnikov, Algieri usually punched first then retreated out of range. Even though Pacquiao is the smaller fighter, his style will mitigate his disadvantage. He often uses head movement to get inside, unloads three or four punch combinations then gets back to the outside where his opponent cannot reach him. Though it’s going back several years, Pacquiao ran through taller fighters Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito. Whenever they missed with long, rangy shots, Pacquiao took advantage and played Patty Cake with their faces. Chris Algieri is in for the same fate. While I don’t necessarily agree that this is a PPV worthy fight, I believe Pac-Man will put on his game face and give people their money’s worth like the Manny of old. My pick: Manny Pacquiao wins via 8th Round TKO

game, and quarterback Phillip Rivers has bruised ribs. Here is a chance for the Rams to show some growth and see if they can win back-to-back games for the first time this season.

For more Rams Roundup, please subscribe to youtube. com/stlamericanvideo.

for a state title. Those signs were clearly evident during the

regular season when the Tigers played competitive games against local powerhouse private school programs CBC and DeSmet. Soldan lost to CBC 3-2 and played DeSmet to a 1-1 tie. The top player was senior forward Hassan Abdallah, who is from Kenya. The talented forward had 21 points and eight assists, including seven goals in the postseason. Striker Eric Habonimana, who is from Tanzania, had 12 goals and 12 assists, including the gamewinner in the state semifinals against Springfield Catholic. Forward Fabian Yabwana scored 10 goals, including the first goal of the game against Springfield Catholic. Midfielder Moussa Ndiaye scored seven goals and had four assists.

Hassan Abdallah

Financial Focus

By Veronica Coleman, financial advisor

‘Carnival of Injustice’ in Clayton

Protestors

parody prosecution of killing as ‘freak show’

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

For the second freezing, snowy day in a row, protestors took to the streets to demand justice for Michael Brown Jr. on Monday, November 17. After disrupting traffic in the Delmar Loop in University City on Sunday,

Capturing blackness

‘Through A Lens Darkly’

sheds light on authentic image of African Americans

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“It’s amazing how our folk have images that date back to the 1800s,” said filmmaker, photographer and artist Thomas Allen Harris. “The irony is we have these images in our homes, but we don’t have them in the history books.”

Stereotypical, marginalizing images of African Americans have been a constant almost since the inception of photography. And yet there has been a simultaneous and relentless pursuit of creating a photographic counter-narrative – one that is yet to coincide with the mainstream nearly 175 years after blacks were first captured on still images.

“We were branded as always having our hands out and never contributing, but when you look at these pictures you see another history – you see another power,” Harris said. “So for me it was really important to figure out a way to show this story and imbed it into our psyche so we can come from that place.”

With his critically acclaimed film, “Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and The Emergence of a People,” Harris hopes to be that bridge. The film, which was funded in part by the Steward Family Foundation

they marched through the streets of Clayton on Monday at noon in what they called the “Carnival of Injustice.”

“We have (Governor) Jay Nixon, the contortionist,” said activist Elizabeth Vega, pointing to an 8-foot banner with a painted caricature of Nixon with his head poking through his legs and behind.

She pointed to another banner with a painting of “Darren Wilson, the amazing disappearing man.” Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson disappeared from view immediately after he killed Brown on August 9. His home in Crestwood was found abandoned when his name was disclosed on

By Fred Sweets For The St. Louis

works from modern and contemporary masters alongside pieces by emerging artists. But limiting the conversation to the halfmillion square feet of exhibition space within the Convention Center would be an injustice to the Art Basel Miami experience. Last year, 75,000 visitors from around the world flocked to Miami Beach to see

‘Teens Make History’ earns nation’s highest honor

History Museum wins 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award

American staff

Last Monday, representatives from the Missouri History Museum shared the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama today as they accepted the 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award on behalf of the Museum’s Teens Make History program.

“You teach kids more than just skills in the arts and the humanities, but you light a fire in them,” Obama said during her remarks. “You help them grow emotionally and socially.”

Elizabeth Pickard, director of interpretive programs for the Missouri History Museum, and Amesha Payne, a current Teens Make History student and senior at Carnahan High School, represented the program at the White House ceremony on Monday, November 10.

Teens Make History was one of 12 after-school programs chosen from across the country for this prestigious honor.

“You give kids a spring in their step when they get out of bed each morning,” Obama said. “You give them something to look forward to after school each day.”

The award recognizes the country’s best creative youth development programs for using engagement in the arts and the humanities to increase academic achievement, graduation rates,

See TRAVEL, C4

Artist Yashua Klos, Kimberly Charles, Reuben Charles, Donald M. Suggs, Fred Sweets at Exhibition Hall Art Basel Miami.

Teens Make History representatives Amesha Payne (center) and Elizabeth Pickard (right) accept the 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from First Lady Michelle Obama on Monday, Nov. 10.

Photo by Steven E. Percell

In the “Carnival of Injustice,” Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson was portrayed as “the amazing disappearing man.” Photo by Lawrence Bryant

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

holiday haps

Fri., Nov. 21, 1 p.m., St. Louis Union Station presents Holiday Magic. Union Station will host a variety of family activities such as live musical entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa Clause, Holiday Express Train Show & Ride and much more. The Grand Hall will be the home of a 100foot bar and a spectacular and one-of-a-kind Holiday holographic light/music show created by Technomedia, the same company that recently completed Michael Jackson’s Cirque du Soleil. 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 421-6655 or email info@ stlouisunionstation.com.

Thur., Nov. 27, 8:45 a.m., 30th Annual Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Midwest’s best holiday parade features colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus to kick off the holiday season. We expect over 130 parade units, such as musical floats and displays, giant helium balloon figures, animal units and marching bands from around the St. Louis region. As always, Santa Claus will be present to wish everyone a Merry Christmas at the end of the parade. The parade begins at Market and 7th Street and heads west on Market concluding at St. Louis Union Station. For more information, visit www.christmasinstlouis. org/parade.

Tues., Dec. 2, 7 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. The largest and longest continually running Russian ballet tour in North America. With hundreds of hand-sewn costumes, life-sized puppets designed in the Russian tradition, and 9 hand-painted backdrops with 3-D effects, the Great Russian Nutcracker is

an acclaimed and spectacular holiday celebration. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Thur., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Sterling Bank presents Brian Owens: A Motown Christmas. Brian rings in the holiday season with his soulful interpretations of holiday favorites. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Bratton Center Inc., presents “Snow Days, Christmas Concert.” Featuring the Town & Country Symphony Orchestra with special guest, Broadway singer John Leggette. A community event to beneit low-income housing building efforts. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plz., 63101. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www. brownpapertickets.com.

Fri., Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m., The Kranzberg Arts Center presents Javier Mendoza’s Christmas Concert. 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. javiermendoza.com.

Sat., Dec. 13, 7 p.m., The Platinum Group presents Networking Christmas Party. Polish Heritage Center, 1413 N. 20th St., 63106. For more information, call (314) 660-9610 or email platinumgroup02@gmail.com.

concerts

Nov. 28 – 29, Broadway Oyster Bar presents Javier Mendoza. 736 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.javiermendoza.com.

Fri., Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Roscoe Mitchell and Craig Taborn at The Stage at KDHX, 3524 Washington Ave. 63103. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT:

NEWMUSICCIRCLE.ORG.

Roscoe Mitchell will partake in an artist talk and Q+A on Thursday, December 4th at Tavern Of Fine Arts (313 Belt Ave). This interview will be moderated by radio announcer Dennis Owsley (KWMU -/ Jazz Unlimited/) and musician, writer, and Washington University music professor Paul Steinbeck.

local gigs

Sun., Nov. 23, 5 p.m., Norman K. Probstein Golf Course presents The Music of Phyllis Hyman performed by Courtney Loveless. Special guest performance by Robert Steward with music by Last Call. Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Nov. 28, 8 p.m., The Sheldon presents Marquise Knox. The St. Louis native has made a name for himself as one of today’s great young blues performers and has performed with some of America’s most notable blues performers, including B.B. King. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-9900 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 8 & Dec. 13, 9 p.m., Troy’s Jazz Gallery presents Ladies Sing the Blu’zz Masterpieces. Come experience the smooth and sultry vocal styles of Mary Dyson & Diane Vaughn. 4519 Olive St., 63108. For more information, call (314) 9231120.

Nov. 18 – 19, Sheldon Concert Hall presents Brian Owens: A Tribute to Nat King Cole. 3648 Washington

Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. sheldonconcerthall.org.

special events

Fri., Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition hosts A Sizzling Celebration. Help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary and the 2,500 children and teens who have found forever families thanks to you and the hundreds of foster and adoptive families who have given them A Place to Call Home. Moulin, 2017 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. foster-adopt.org.

Fri., Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Kingdom House presents Toast & Taste: The 1920s Fundraiser feat. Miss Jubilee. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, as well as live music by St. Louis favorite Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers. As they play their blend of authentic hot jazz, swing, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll, swing dancers from Lindy Hop St. Louis will perform. An auction will round out the evening. 2017 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. kingdomhouse.org.

Sat., Nov. 22, 11 a.m., National Society for Black Engineers presents A Walk for Education. 4th to 12th graders and their parents welcome to come and learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education and Careers. There will be demonstrations on DNA Extraction, chemistry, computer gaming, and more. There will also be workshops

on ACT preparation, inancial aid preparation, college selection, and more. Emerson Center for Engineering and Manufacturing, St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 5134408 or email pci@nsbe-stl. org.

Sat., Nov. 22, 7 p.m., Better Family Life presents The 28th Annual Unity Gala An evening of dinner, awards and live entertainment by Cheryl Brown, Rhoda G, and Denise Thimes. Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 3673440 ext. 9602.

Fri., Nov. 28, 5:30 p.m., Nickelodeon presents The Fresh Beat Band Greatest Hits Live. Come see Kiki, Shout, Marina, and Twist perform in this brand new production featuring new hit songs such as “Walk Like an Egyptian” along with fan favorites from their live-action TV show and recent albums. The band will perform all of their biggest hits that teach preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song and instrumental music. Fresh Beat Band Party packages, which include a meet and greet with The Fresh Beat Band will be available. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sun., Nov. 23, 6 p.m., The Metro Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi present The All Black Affair. Live performances by Coco Soul and Will Robinson & Company. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, call (314) 276-2585 or (314) 266-1000.

Thur., Dec. 4, 7 p.m., The River Front Times Holiday Spirits Party. The night will feature an array of 15+ distilleries from St. Louis and beyond. Guests will also receive a commemorative tasting glass, spirit samplings, plus complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 7545921 or email sarah.cochran@ riverfronttimes.com.

Fri., Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Hope for the Holidays Gala beneitting Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Come join us for an unforgettable evening of delectable food, drink and entertainment to beneit Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Celebrity guests include cast members from the ABC hit series “Castle.” Also in attendance is St. Louis Blues great Brett Hull and other favorite alumni players. The exclusive celebration includes gourmet food, open bar, live music as well as silent and live auctions. Chase Park Plaza, 232 N. Kingshighway, 63108. For more information, call (314) 771-6121 or email jenn@ strayrescue.org.

Fri., Dec. 12, 7:45 p.m., The Pageant hosts Kurt Warner’s Night with Champions. Kurt and Brenda Warner host this event, along with special guests from the 1999 Super Bowl winning Rams: Head Coach Dick Vermeil, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and Orlando Pace. This will be an evening of entertainment as Kurt Warner and the panel of guests relive the excitement of that fairytale season. All proceeds beneit the St. Louis outreach of the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Thursdays, 7 p.m. (6 p.m. practice), The Cultural Bop Society Of St. Louis Continuing the Bop with Style (CBS) (BOP the official Dance of St. Louis, Free Bop Lessons and Bop Set Every Thursday Night, 7555 Olive Blvd. in U-City, St. Louis, MO 63130.

comedy

Through Dec. 13, Satori presents STL Up Late. This is an interactive late night talk show featuring the most talented & engaging guests that St. Louis has to offer. STL Up Late takes all of the best elements of your favorite televised late night talk shows, like live music & famous personalities, and adds interactive audience games, sketch comedy, and a spontaneity that you can’t ind on FCC regulated TV shows. 3003 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stluplate.com.

theatre

Through Nov. 23, Boo Cat Club presents Stairs to the Roof. A rarely produced gem by Tennessee Wiliams that is at once a comedy and a love story with a touch of early science iction. 812 N. Union Blvd., 63108. For ticket information, visit http:// www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/760846.

Through Nov. 30, The Fox Theatre presents MOTOWN the Musical. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, The Black Rep presents A Raisin in the Sun. Emerson Performance Center, Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.org.

Tues., Dec. 2, 7 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. The largest and longest continually running Russian ballet tour in North America. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Dec. 5, 6 p.m., The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presents Kids Night at the Fox. For this special day the Fox will offer

Roscoe Mitchell and Craig Taborn at The Stage at KDHX. For more information, see CONCERTS.

adults the opportunity to purchase a ticket and receive a kid’s ticket free to attend a fun-filled performance of ANNIE. Area restaurants will offer a free or discounted kid’s entreé with the purchase of an adult entreé. Prior to the show, the Fox Theatre lobby will be filled with lots of kid-friendly, interactive activities. Each kid will also receive a free souvenir to remember this special day. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. foxpacf.org.

Dec. 10 – 14, The Peabody Opera House presents Pippin. Come experience one young man’s journey to be extraordinary in this high-flying, death-defying hit musical. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Through Nov. 22, Philip Slein Gallery presents Other Ways, Other Times: Inluence of African-American Tradition from St. Louis Collections. An exhibition highlighting the inluences of African-American tradition culled from numerous private collections. The exhibition features works by Radcliffe Bailey, Jean Michel Basquiat, Dawoud Bey, Ellen Gallagher, Glenn Ligon, Kara Walker, Kehinde Wiley, and others. 4735 McPherson Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 361-2617.

Fridays & Saturdays

Through Dec. 20, 10:30 a.m., The Alliance of Black Art Galleries presents Hands Up, Don’t Shoot: Artists Respond Exhibiting artists include: Lenard Hinds, Bill Murphy, Lola Ogbara, Eva Sutton, Jacquelyn Williams, (St. Louis), Edna PattersonPetty (East St. Louis), Sean Starowitz & Lauren Tweedie (Kansas City), Teamworks Unlimited (New York). The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information,

call (314) 241-7057.

Through Jan. 4, St. Louis Art Museum presents Atua: Sacred Gods from Polynesia Explore, in unprecedented depth, the relationship between art objects and Polynesian concepts of atua—gods, ancestors, and spirit beings that are fundamental to the Polynesian cosmos. Organized geographically, Atua leads visitors across the vast span of Polynesian islands. With the arrival of missionaries, artworks associated with atua often were destroyed or exported to the West as souvenirs of conversion and colonialism. Among those sculptures that did survive this period, the most powerful and celebrated objects are presented in this exhibit. One Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 7210072 or visit www.slam.org/ atua.

lectures

Sat., Nov. 22, 10 a.m., Circle of inluence presents African American Women’s Empowerment Network: The Enrichment. Learn business strategies, network, get motivated, empowered, get started and take your business and yourself to the next level

of success. Bring your business cards, the willingness to learn, a motivating spirit, samples of your products/services and be empowered. 6250 Steve Marre Ave., 63121. For more information, visit www. circleoinluence.us.

Dec. 5 – 6, The St. Louis Science Center presents Brain Works: Your Mind on Life. In a unique convergence of science and theater, Brain Works takes you inside the minds of two individuals as they experience the moments that shape all of our lives. Join leading neurosurgeonscientists Albert Kim and Eric Leuthardt as they reveal the secrets behind life’s milestone moments and the fear of a lifethreatening medical diagnosis. With a professional ensemble and gripping visuals, Brain Works is a compelling and emotional story of the mind, and what makes us human.

3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Dec. 13, 11 a.m., Circle of Inluence hosts Mock Interview Workshop. This workshop will provide an interactive experience with participants by helping them to practice their interviewing skills. Participants will gain an understanding of what is expected of them as well as

In Unison presents: A Gospel Christmas with Oleta Adams. See HOLIDAY HAPS for details.

the kinds of questions that they should expect from an interviewer. Participants will also receive tips on business etiquette and resume writing. Please dress professionally and bring your resume.

Mid-County Branch, St. Louis County Library, 7821 Maryland Ave., 63105. For more information, visit www. circleoinluence.us.

Sat., Dec. 13, 10:00 a.m., St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Economic Development Committee presents An Innovative Entrepreneurship Workshop. Panelists of minority business owners will speak on how they started their own business. Participating business areas include: daycares, catering, construction, real estate, healthcare, and education. There will also be refreshments, prizes, giveaways, and more. RSVPs must be received no later than Nov. 22. O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 West Florissant Ave., 63115. For more information, call (314) 790-1243.

Through Jan. 4, 2015, The St. Louis Science Center presents The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes. Step in to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Victorian

London and work sideby-side with his legendary detective. You will become Holmes’ eyes and ears as he tackles a baffling new case in a world steeped in innovation and experimentation. Along the way you’ll see a dazzling array of original manuscripts, publications, period artifacts, film and television props and costumes. You’ll learn to use investigative tools and techniques from Holmes himself, and test yourself with exciting, interactive crimesolving opportunities. Come Solve the Mystery. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 289-4400 or visit www.slsc. org/watson.

health

Sat., Nov., 22, 9 a.m., Busch Stadium hosts St. Jude Give Thanks Walk. Join St. Jude supporters in the St. Louis community and in more than 65 cities nationwide in the St. Jude Give thanks walk, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Come together to help St. Jude change the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer. 700 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, visit fundraising. stjude.org.

Sat., Nov. 22, 7 p.m., St. Louis Union Station hosts Play Date. For one night, adults are invited to be kids again. See the world with wonder and amazement. From larger-than-life amusements to sounds and sights of the arcade, this event promises to be packed with interactive games and entertainment. Get ready for bold color, lots of laughter, and surprises around every corner at this totallynot-boring fundraising event. Proceeds from Play Date will support mission-critical programs and services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 1820 Market St., 63198. For more information, visit www. stlouischildrens.org.

Sat. Dec. 6, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.,

Free Mammograms at the Health Resource Center, Victor Roberts Building, 1408 Kingshighway in St. Louis; for female patients age 40 and older in conjunction with Mercy St. Louis Breast Center mobile mammogram van. Free flu shots, physical therapy evaluations, health screenings and info, family counseling and social work consultations are also available at this event. To schedule a mammogram or for more information, call 314-389-0008.

Sat., Dec. 13, 10 a.m., Omega Psi Phi Charles Drew Blood Drive. The Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow Blvd., 63120. For more information or to make an appointment, call (314) 385-4100.

Sat., Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., Health Protection and Education Services presents Free Health Screenings and Physician Referrals. Health Protection and Education Services, a health organization operating in University City offers free health screenings and referrals for people who are under-insured. They employ volunteer doctors and nurses to screen people for ailments. Translators available. Referrals are made to the People’s Health Center. University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 448-7373.

spiritual

Nov. 23 – Nov. 27, TEMPLE OF DELIVERANCE OUTREACH MINISTRIES 2014 Thanksgiving Revival 215 Shepley Drive, St. Louis, MO 63137. For more detials visit: todom.org.

Sun., Nov. 30, 10:30 a.m., The 116th Church Anniversary celebration for Galilee Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar, St. Louis. Sunday, Nov. 30th at 10:30 AM. Special Guest Speaker, Rev. Dr. Wallace Hartsfield, Pastor Emeritus, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo.

the many paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, films, and other works that are on display across the city and around the region, starting at the Miami Beach Convention Center and fanning out across seven show sectors to nearby beaches, Collins Park and Soundscape Park. Neighborhoods from Little Haiti to Wynwood in Miami will be transformed by the influx of art lovers as they gather in the greater Miami area.

A ripple effect of creative energy permeates the region that facilitates unyielding opportunities for both artists and patrons to celebrate the new, now, next and forever.

This premier international art show began 40 years ago, in 1970, in Basel, Switzerland, to provide a platform for artists and art galleries from around the world. Besides the Swiss city, Art Basel is also held annually in Hong Kong, the gateway to Asia, and since 2002 in Miami Beach, the nexus of North and Latin

and

through Kim Steward,

screens this Saturday as part of Cinema St. Louis’ 23nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival on the campus of Washington University.

“I was approached by Dr. Deborah Willis, who is the authority on African American photography and photographic history,” Harris said. “She produced a book that I was in that called, ‘Reflections in Black: Black photographers from 1840 through the present.’ She approached me about ten years ago to make a film interpretation of the book.” Somewhere along the way in his ten-year journey of creating “Through A Lens Darkly,” Harris was compelled to pursue something broader than the adaptation of a history lesson on the founding mothers and fathers of black photography into documentary form.

“I also realized that not only could the film be about black photographers, but we had to talk about how black people were represented in images from the very beginning,” Harris said. “I’m activist and an artist, so it was about making some that we can

will be at a premium for this

share as a community for our empowerment.”

Dozens of photographic artists and photojournalists –including Carrie Mae Weems, Gordon Parks, Robert A. Sengstacke, Willis and her son Hank Willis Thomas as well as himself and his brother Lyle Harris – are profiled in “Through A Lens Darkly.”

“These people have been taking pictures of black life and showing our humanity to ourselves – despite what the mainstream said,” Harris said.

“It was a passion project. I felt like I didn’t have a choice.”

But Harris goes a step beyond. He not only gives background on the other photographers, he turns the camera on himself and presents a personal narrative that emphasizes the relationship his own family had with photography.

“We don’t understand our own value so this for me is a labor of love to pass that to the next generation. We need to know who we are and our value,” Harris said. “That goes for the images in our homes, but also all of the amazing things that our ancestors did so

n “We don’t understand our own value so this for me is a labor of love to pass that to the next generation.

- Thomas Allen Harris, Filmmaker, Photographer and Artist

that we could be here today.”

Digital Diaspora Roadshow

“The youth have the technology, while the older people have the pictures and the history,” Harris said. “We want to somehow bridge those together with Digital Diaspora. It’s going to be the first time where it’s going to be held at a public TV station and hosted by public TV– so that’s really, really exciting.”

As a compliment to the

can be an equally enjoyable and transformative experience for those who make the presumption that they are not “into art.”

The truth is there are very few people that wouldn’t develop an appreciation for visual art if given the opportunity to find that artist, that particular work or the narrative tied to a piece can create allow one to relate or connect with the experience – and ultimately develop a personal palate.

Within the sheer vastness of pieces presented, Art Basel Miami creates the ideal atmosphere for one to hone their respective personal taste.

Several galleries within the Convention Center and the satellite sites also provide the rare opportunity for patrons to speak and converse with the artists whose work they are witnessing.

Art Basel Miami includes the mainstream modern and contemporary scene, but within it there is the opportunity for one to find the black visual arts experience as well– and not only the black experience in America, but globally. Black artists from the complete diaspora have work presented

presentation of “Through A Lens Darkly,” Harris presents “The Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Roadshow,” which will also take place in St. Louis on Sunday afternoon and will be co-presented and hosted by the Nine Network.

“The New York Times maybe a year ago talked about how people who have an awareness of their family mission or their family story are much better able to survive crisis than people who don’t,” Harris said. “If we know how triumphant our ancestors were, then it helps us today and put into perspective these smaller crises.”

He encouraged the entire community to come join the process of not only sharing their family photo albums, but digitizing them and the option of uploading to Instagram for the sake of preserving and sharing with future generations.

“I was thinking as I was making the film that in some ways our experience in this country has been almost kind of a science fiction,” Harris said. “So it has that aspect –you know, where we know who we are, but other people don’t. What I wanted to do was try to give a historical lineage, provide understanding and be of service in the hope that we changed the way we see ourselves, each other and

in some capacity over the course of the week. However, Art Basel Miami is more than just a concentrated collective of visual art presentations. To believe as much would marginalize the thrilling experience that speaks to all of the senses. A field of creative energy impacts the entire region – making all experiences that the host city has to offer that much richer. Art Basel Miami is something one has to witness to truly get a grasp for how magnificent it is. There are no shortage of things to do and see – including the eclectic and avante garde fashions worn by the attendees and participants as they walk through the galleries and surrounding area and unwittingly create a show within the show. The annual event is something everyone who has an affinity for art, culture, design and creativity in general should experience first-hand at least once in their lifetime.

Art Basel Miami will take place from December 4 – 7 in Miami Beach, Florida. For more information, visit https:// www.artbasel.com/miamibeach.

how other people see us –and that we see the power of representation.”

It’s a lesson that the formerly enslaved seemed to instinctively grasp as they sometimes spent their entire wages to capture themselves for history’s sake.

“Even though it was expensive – especially for a newly freed person – but as an enslaved person you couldn’t get your picture taken. You couldn’t own your picture because you couldn’t own yourself,” Harris said. “Taking one’s picture was the affirmation of one’s freedom and one’s sense of self authorship.

“It was an affirmation of their humanity. It said ‘I am here. I am alive. I have made it this far and this is a moment of celebration.’”

Through A Lens Darkly will screen as part of the 23nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at Washington University’s Brown Hall. The Digital Diaspora Family Reunion Roadshow will take place on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. at the Nine Network Studios, 3655 Olive Street. St. Louis, MO 63103 For more information, visit www.cinemastlouis.org.

“Homage to Homage” by Kenny Rivero in Galleries sector of Art Basel Miami Beach.

CARNIVAL

Continued from C1

August 15.

Vega, who is part of a group of activist artists fittingly called Artivists, was dressed as “Madam Pumpkin.” She previously was arrested in Clayton for attempting to throw a pumpkin, in a parody of the “Pumpkin riot” in Keene, New Hampshire.

She said she “senses – like the Clayton Police Department – that there isn’t going to be an indictment.”

“We are at the point that if we don’t laugh, we will cry because of the injustice that has occurred,” Vega said. “People think we’re going to go away just because it’s cold, and that’s not going to happen. We’ve had two actions in two days in the freezing cold.”

The action marked 101 days since unarmed Brown, 18, was shot and killed by Wilson. An announcement from the grand jury on whether or not Wilson will be indicted for Brown’s death could come any day; Sunday, November 23 is considered a likely date by police sources. Most protestors assume that the case will conclude with a non-indictment and Wilson will walk free.

Vega said she organized the Carnival of Injustice aspect, but many other groups – including the Don’t Shoot Coalition, Tribe X and Missourians for Reform and Empowerment –collaborated for the protest on Monday. Clayton police followed the protestors in their cars but did not intervene.

At a couple points in the march, protestors met resistance from other residents. Standing alone on a street corner, a middle-aged white woman wearing a full-length brown fur coat held up a handwritten poster that stated, “My friends and family support Officer Wilson and the police.” Members of the media and a few protestors immediately swarmed her.

As protestors chanted to her, “Black lives matter,” she yelled back, “All lives matter.”

Doruba Shakur, who is called the “Bishop of Defense” for the activist group Tribe X, asked the woman, “If all lives matter, why are you holding a Darren Wilson sign?”

“Because his life matters,” she said of Wilson.

“But his life isn’t the one that’s gone,” Shakur told her.

“Mike Brown’s life is gone.”

At another point, a large truck that was stopped at an intersection tried to drive through and push the protestors out of the way. The group in turn surrounded his car, put their hands up and chanted, “You can’t stop the revolution.”

Taylor Payne, an activist with the Don’t Shoot Coalition, handed out fliers to people stopped in their cars.

It read:

“First they came for black men and women. I did not speak up because I am not black. Then they came for brown men and women. I did not speak up because I am not brown. Then they came for poor men and women. I did not speak up because I am not poor. When they come for me, who will be left to speak?”

The “First they came…” poem is attributed to Protestant pastor and social activist Martin Niemöller, who spoke out against Nazi rule and criticized German intellectuals for remaining silent.

On the other side of Payne’s flier were instructions on how to make your own gas mask.

Shakur addressed the crowd the end of the march, which put them in front of the Buzz Westfall Justice Center, 100 S. Central Ave.

“Make sure you stay tuned into your social media, so we can all be on top of that when the information drops,” he said.

“Anyone want to end with a chant?”

Someone immediately piped up, “101 days and still no justice!”

Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.

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“Artivist” Elizabeth Vega said the investigation and prosecution of the killing of Michael Brown Jr. is an “injustice freak show.” Photo by Lawrence Bryant

and college enrollment. The awardees – chosen from a pool of more than 350 nominations and 50 finalists – are also recognized for improving literacy and language abilities, communication and performance skills, and cultural awareness.

First presented in 1998, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the Signature program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH).

The awards are presented annually in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“Receiving this honor from the First Lady means so much to all those who have worked so hard on the Teens Make History program across the institution,” said Pickard, who founded the Tee ns Make History program for the Missouri History Museum in 2007.

“We began this program with the desire to make a lasting impact in a kid’s life beyond the school hours and to ready them for work. We wanted to bring together young people from across the region and with diverse backgrounds, and challenge them to rise above their expectations for themselves.”

The Missouri History Museum’s Teens Make History (TMH) is a workbased learning program that encourages high school students in their sophomore, junior or senior year to

develop key professional skills, build self-confidence, and explore the complexities of history. Students first complete the TMH Academy, an eight-week introductory museum studies workshop, before they may apply for one of the paid, long-term apprenticeships in TMH.

Apprentices complete real work projects as a member of either the TMH Players—the group that researches, writes, and performs plays—or the TMH Exhibitors—a group that conducts exhibition projects, including oral history interviews.

“Teens Make History has become family to me,” said Payne. “Any path I go down, any trial I may face, I’ll be able to look back at all I learned through the Teens Make History program and working at the Missouri History Museum. I know I will carry what I have learned into any profession I choose in the future.”

“One of the unexpected effects of our Teens Make History program was the rise in the apprentices’ grades,” says Pickard. “We are not a tutoring or study program. However, the kids are learning how to relate to people of the past as human beings through vigorous research and writing and this has translated to elevated GPA’s for 60 percent of our students.”

This is not the first time that the Missouri History Museum has been recognized by the White House for its innovative community programs. The Missouri History Museum was the first recipient of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Award for Museum Services in 1994.

“You can’t help but be moved by these kids, who show us the transformative

power of the arts and humanities,” said Rachel Goslins, executive director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

“They are staying in school longer, getting better grades, graduating from high school and going on to college at significantly higher rates than their peers. And they’re building skills that will last them a lifetime.”

In addition to their recognition at the White House, each of the 12 community based programs will receive $10,000 and a year of communications and capacity-building support from the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

“The staff here at the Missouri History Museum has built a truly innovative and remarkable program for youth in this community.

Teens Make History offers an unmatched opportunity for students to develop job skills, gain a historical perspective on the region, and build self-esteem through the valued work they do for the Museum,” said Dr. Frances Levine, president of the Missouri History Museum. “We are honored to receive the esteemed National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, but even more honored that the Missouri History Museum could play such a pivotal role in the lives of so many young people.”

For more information about the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, visit www.pcah.gov.

The Missouri History Museum is currently accepting applications for the 2015 Teens Make History Academy. For information on how to apply, visit mohistory.org/ TMH/apply.

By Melanie Adams

Revisiting immigration

History Museum opens two new exhibits

The Missouri History Museum is proud to open two new exhibits focusing on immigration. Utopia: Revisiting a German State in America and Missouri Immigration Experience look at immigration through a historic and a modern lens. St. Louis would not be St. Louis with the influences of the different cultures that chosen to call the region home. These two exhibits and the accompanying programs explore the contributions of immigrants and their quest to find a home in their new country.

I had an opportunity to talk with Dorris Keeven-Franke, U.S. Liaison with Utopia: Revisiting a German State in America

Tell us a little about the exhibit.

Dorris Keeven-Franke: An international team of historians, photographers, filmmakers and writers has taken a nearly forgotten piece of American history, and given voices to the German emigrants who came to St. Louis and Missouri in the early 19th Century. While it shares the story of over five hundred people who came from all over Germany and all walks of life in 1834, it paints a broad picture of both Germany and Missouri. It shares both the cause and the effect. The Giessen Emigration Society originated with a goal of creating a German State in America, because they wanted American freedoms, without sacrificing their German customs. Thus, the ideals of Utopia are discussed throughout as well.

founding of the Western Academy of Science, patterned after the Philadelphia Academy of Science, and hoped to bring that same level of scientific research here to our city. The Western Academy of Science had a very difficult beginning, and eventually was reorganized into what we know today as the St. Louis Science Center. How has immigration, and specifically German immigration, shaped the St. Louis region?

The German Ministry of Culture and several other German and American partnerships supported the exhibit. It has traveled the same route as the original immigrants from the City of Giessen in Germany to St. Louis, Missouri. Created and designed in Germany, the entire exhibit is in both German and English, and was made to travel, which completes the international aspect of the whole exhibition.

Why is this exhibit important to the St. Louis region?

Dorris Keeven-Franke: Germans began arriving here almost as soon as Missouri became a state, overwhelming the earlier American settlers. With this arrival came many German customs and traditions that were adopted so long ago we don’t always realize their origin. By the mid-nineteenth century the foreign born outnumbered those that were native born. The Germans played an extremely important role in St. Louis during the Civil War, as they held the pro-slavery state for the Union.

Utopia gives us a much better understanding exactly why the Germans found our region so attractive, worked so hard to make it their own, and their contributions that made our city what it is today. It was an impossibility to create a German State, but they did create a state that is very German.

Is there anything you learned that you didn’t know about St Louis’s German Heritage while doing this exhibit?

Dorris Keeven-Franke: One of the members, Dr. Philip Albert Pulte was a wealthy physician from Bonn helped several of the members emigrate, settled in St. Louis. He opened a clinic on Market Street upon arrival. He was friends with mathematician David Goebel another member of the Giessen Emigration Society, and several other influential German intellectuals that settled in St. Louis. Pulte played a role in the

Dorris Keeven-Franke: Mainly in the values and traditions they brought and fought very hard to keep. As Germans arrived they encountered strong nativism by the earlier American settlers. Because of this, the Germans were more empathetic and tolerant, which is why the Bosnian, and other emigrant groups found St. Louis to be more welcoming. It also explains the reason why we have so many neighborhoods and distinctive communities even today. Germans have always tended to keep to their same regional and village backgrounds that they shared in Germany, here in America. Often entire villages in Germany were transplanted here, and they settled together here in the U.S. creating strong community values. A strong desire to pass down traditions, including language until World War I & II, made those communities even tighter knit. There were portions of south St. Louis in the 19th Century that were so German that you never heard English spoken at all.

Utopia: Revisiting a German State in America and Missouri Immigrant Experience Open on Saturday, November 22 at 10am FREE

A Most Imperfect Union: A Contrarian History of the United States Lecture by Ilan Stavans 1:30pm FREE • Lee Auditorium

What are the foundations of American exceptionalism? To what extent are immigrants crucial in the fabric of this nation? Join Ilan Stavans, Lewis-Sebring professor in Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College.

Portrait of Friedrich Muench, one of the leaders of the Giessen Emigration Society. Credit: Missouri History Museum.

Celebrations

Anniversary Engagement

Fredonia and Robert Coleman Sr. celebrate 70 years of marriage together on November 22, 2014. Robert Sr. is a retired autoworker for Daimler Chrysler. Fredonia has been blessed to stay at home, raising five beautiful children: Jesse, Peggy, Barbara, Shirley and Robert Jr. Robert Sr. and Fredonia Coleman also raised their nephew, Jerome West, as a son. The Coleman’s have nine grandkids and nine greatgrandkids. We thank the Lord for blessing us with His love and kindness to us through the both of you. We love you much!

Birthdays

Happy 3rd Birthday to Nadyah Darko on November 23. We thank God for the gift of life and celebrate with you on your special day. Love from your entire family.

Happy 6th Birthday to Ayanna Nunn on November 21! Daddy loves you, school girl!

Reunions

Attention Beaumont Class 1968, join the Beaumont Alumni Class 1968 meeting on Saturday, Nov. 22,2014, 2-5:00 p.m. at St Louis County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge, to organize and plan the 47th Class Reunion. For more information email bhsco1968@att. net or call (314) 869-8312.

Beaumont High School Class of 1970 is looking for team members to plan its’ 45th year reunion. Interested? Please email Beatrice Palmer (Vanzant-Smith) at bvanzantsmith@ yahoo.com or bsmithrealtor@ att.net.

Beaumont High Class of 1984 can stay updated via our Facebook page “Beaumont Class of 1984”. We meet the last Friday of every month. Contact Rochelle Williams at rochellewilliams001@yahoo. com.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri District 3 would like to invite you to an Alumni Event. We are looking for anyone who worked in or was a member of Girl Scouts in St. Louis City.

If you would like to participate, please contact Essie Harrison at essie.harrison@att.net or call (314) 400-4602 with your name, address, phone number, and email address.

Sumner High School Class of 1965 is planning a 50th year reunion for June 12-14. 2015. Please join us via Facebook: Class of ‘65 Sumner High School St. Louis, MO.

St. Louis Community College needs your help identifying the 1.5 million STLCC alumni. Alumni are encouraged to visit the website: www. stlcc.edu/foundation/, to become members or update information. For more information, contact Ashley Budde, coordinator of alumni

relations, at abudde6@stlcc. edu, or 314-539-5145.

Sumner High School Class of 1965 is planning its 50th Reunion on the second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Lower Level of Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapel. For updates and/or to leave your contact info--visit our Facebook group Sumner Class of ‘65.

Sumner High Class of 1975 has started planning its 40th reunion. Please provide contact information to sumnerclassof75@gmail.com or C. Jackson 314-477-6785 for more information.

Sumner Class of ‘76 Annual Christmas Party, Friday, December 19, 2014, 6 pm at Deja

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

II Cafe, 2805 Target Dr, St. Louis, MO 63136. Two for one drinks (5:30 - 8 p.m.), food available to buy from kitchen, free parking, no cover charge and limited reserved seating available until 10 p.m. Please RSVPASAP with B. Louis at 314-385-9843.

Upward Bound (Webster University ) Class of ‘66 thru ‘70 of Kinloch, Beaumont, Vashon, Summer, Central, Soldan, Northwest, McKinney and Laboure, we are the process of planning a reunion around June/ July 2015. Please respond by contacting via email or Facebook Lawrence (Larry) Lewis: lewis3936@gm.com or Kenneth W. McClendon irisingridarlene@aol.com.

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

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Kenneth and Sheri Whittaker are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sharhonda Brown, to William Hunter of Richmond, California. Sharhonda, a footwear designer at Brown Shoe Company, will marry William, a thirdyear law student at the University of Missouri, Columbia in St. Louis on May 15, 2015.

Nadyah Darko Ayanna Nunn

Pastor in ‘The Hole’

Volunteer prison chaplain visits inmates in isolation

By Patricia Rice Of St. Louis Public Radio

When volunteer prison chaplain Tom Cummins knocks on the door of a prison cell, the inmate’s voice is nearly always welcoming, sometimes delighted.

“I deal almost exclusively with those in isolation,” he said. “The guys know what society thinks of them. They are part of the throwaway society like papers tossed aside, abandoned, out-of-mind, in prisons that are hidden in the country, off a side road. When anyone treats them like a child of God, they flourish.”

Cummins serves at the 2,700 bed Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center at Bonne Terre and the 800-bed Missouri Department of Correction Center near Potosi.

About 1,574,000 men and women were in state and federal prisons at the end of 2013, according to federal statistics. The legal system has the detailed records of these men and women’s criminal wrong doings. Chaplains are among the few who have the time for in-depth conversations about what they think now.

clean but they worry about falling into old habits when surrounded by society’s negative ideas.

“The family is often part of their baggage,” said The Rev. Jeff Nehrt, pastor of the 85-member, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Greenville who has spent one day a week for the past 20 years volunteering as a chaplain for the men and women at the Greenville Federal Corrections Institution. The women’s portion is called a camp, which is prison without razor wire fence.

The Message

Thanks God

know from your heart to His that you really do believe in Him and therefore His word. That belief then sets the table for appreciation, honor and above all else, love. It sounds simple enough but only God knows if you truly mean what you say. He knows what’s in your heart.

Cummins listens and asks simple questions to encourage inmates to think through their current decisions. When inmates say they have stopped taking their medicine, stopped stress-relieving exercise in their cell, he simply asks why. If they say they have stopped writing their families because the families don’t write back, he suggests that they not let others limit their kindness.

He has witnessed many transformations, including men awaiting execution, after a prisoner begins to live a more structured life, away from addictions and peer pressure.

Inmates call the isolation sections that Cummins visits “The Hole.” Corrections officials call the units administrative segregation. In these halls inmates are not released for general outdoor exercise, classes, lectures, visiting theater troupes and chapel services.

One at a time, each may visit a concrete block walled “yard” about three times larger than a cell with overhead netting that allowed a view of the sky. They can yell conversations with other inmates but can’t see men they talk to, the chaplain said. These men may not have a radio, coffeepot, crockpot or watch. They may have about six paperbacks from the prison library, no hardbacks. He encourages them to find

something that interests them and read about it.

Most men he has worked with develop strict daily routines: setting aside the same time each day for exercise in their cells, reading, and writing letters. Some have as many as 100 pen pals, mostly strangers who participate in a friendship program.

“Letter writing is a rich part of their lives,” he said. Cummins is one of the few human faces that inmates see in the highly automated isolation sections at Potosi and Bonne Terre prisons. The retired engineer and Monsanto executive spent four postretirement years getting a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at Aquinas Institute of Theology before beginning his volunteer chaplaincy. The Catholic layman volunteers under the auspices of the Criminal Justice Ministry of the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Often the men and women talk to prison chaplains about their determination to go straight; find a job and stay

DECEMBER 18

Thursday aT 7:30pm

Kevin mcBeth, conductor Oleta adams, vocalist st. Louis symphony IN uNIsON® Chorus

Oleta adams joins the sTL symphony and IN uNIsON® Chorus led by director Kevin mcBeth for a night of soul-stirring Gospel music to celebrate the most joyous of seasons. suppOrTEd By

In addition to one-on-one conversations, he has 12 women in a Christian Biblestudy class and four men in a separate, similar class. While he focuses on Christians, he cooperates with two rabbis and an imam who also volunteer with people of their faiths at Greenville.

“The trust builds over the years,” Nehrt said. Many find solace and hope of forgiveness when he quotes Paul’s epistles proclaiming that Jesus died for their sins. Nehrt, who has a doctorate in ministry from Concordia Seminary in Clayton, said he never asks what a man or woman did to be incarcerated but many tell him. “Many are straightforward.”

Nehrt and Cummins are both volunteers. Chaplains who are salaried by the state often say they regret that they are swamped with administration duties and paperwork.

“We don’t need more who preach at them, but pastoral people who listen to them, talk to them. be a human face for them,” Reck said. “Everything is pretty automated in prison now;, they don’t see a lot of faces.”

Edited for length and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

I have recently been getting an education about prayer. Be it my Bible study class or Sunday sermon, or simply a saint trying to answer my questions about the power of prayer. I’m finding “thank you” is probably as powerful a verse as any. Blessings abound at birth. Life in its very essence is a gift from God to everyone, while everlasting life is also a reality given the blood contract signed by Christ. If this is true then most of us spend our time, yours truly included, praying for the wrong things. We wind up asking for help out of this situation or that one. We pray from crisis to crisis. Our prayer relationship with God then evolves into one where we use Him like a credit card or rather an ATM card. All that we desire and all that we need has been laid up for us by a God who loves us. Jesus died for us to insure our eternal inheritance, and then there’s the Holy Spirit through which we can access that which is already ours. Faith seems to be the barometer of success here. If you truly believe then you must recognize this is not the real world. It is that part of the journey that is measured in time based on how long the body lives. Prayer should let God

To someone who has given you life and promised it eternally, requiring, only that you believe, must be given all praise and honor and glory. That being the case, then this is a good day. I am blessed. Prayer then is an acknowledgement of my birthright. It is my acceptance of the agreement of the covenant established by Jehovah and signed by Jesus Christ.

“Thank you” does seem to be in order. Thank God for all I have and all that I am. Thank God for all that I will have and all that I am. Thank God for all that I will have and all that is awaiting me. More importantly thank God for the wisdom to handle my problems and deal with my pain. Thank God for my soul salvation and through grace for allowing me to get a glimpse of who I really am in His eyes. Once prayer corrects your attitude, life looks a little different and you can then become a cash and carry Christian.

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community. Send your column (no more than 400 words) as a Word document and pasted text to cking@stlamerican.com and attach a photo of yourself as a jpeg ile. Please be patient; we will run columns in the order received.

James A. Washington

In administrative segregation, aka “The Hole,” inmates are not released for general outdoor exercise, classes, lectures, visiting theater troupes and chapel services.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

master turned reality star Joe

the STL for a

Saturday night and

made a

to unwind at Envy afterwards – where he happily posed with Micheala, Raven, and Ambra.

The Queen of TV movie music biopic fails. Normally I don’t dish on TV shows, but I had to say something out loud about the hot horrible mess that was “Aaliyah: Princess of R&B.” While I got every bit of my life from Black Twitter mockery of Lifetime – suggested they will cast Marc Curry and Holly Robinson Peete as Bey Z as well as Backstreet Boys and NSync collectively as Wu Tang – the movie was the pits at its most touching moments. And when I laid my eyes on what was clearly an emergency stand in Missy Elliot and Timbaland, I was like “how is Lil Mama” gonna play Left Eye and Missy?” It looked like they draped a 3X Adidas suit on that 3T frame, plopped an unfortunate Tichina Arnold wig that had been hit by a hedge clipper and said “Voila. Missy.” Though I know she’s not, producer Wendy Williams should be ashamed. And now my soul is a nervous wreck because I know my beloved Nippy is up next. I just don’t see how Lifetime can do justice to the complexity that is “Whitney and ‘Bobbaayy’” if they couldn’t handle Aaliyah.

Doing justice to Jill. In my mind I was already prepared for my girl Tish Haynes Keys to huff, puff and holler the stage down as she paid homage to Jill Scott Saturday night at Plush. It’s no secret she’s a vocal powerhouse, but Tish proved she can easily scale it back to give the girls life with some sultry subtle nuances and melodies. I caught the second half because but actually preferred her set list to the original Jilly From Philly most recent visit during her NSFCFFSSMG (Not Safe For Cedric and Friends SSM Gala) performance. Tish’s band was absolutely sickening too – and the chorus of background singers offered life through seven-part harmony New Knockouts. I also made my way to North County for the soft opening of the all new Knockouts. It’s located where the Old Country Buffet on West Florissant was – across from what will soon be the old K-Mart. It’s a cute space. I actually prefer it to the old location. This space seems much more of an open concept. That dance floor is tough – and the two women on it just looked at themselves in the mirror the whole time. In all fairness it is a sports bar, so there is no real need to create a breeding ground for “Wobble”/ Fantasy Slide” central. I’m happy for Kevin Cunningham and his crew and can’t wait to see how the club’s look for the first big fight night. From the outside looking in. I was prepared to serve y’all two grand openings Saturday night after punching it straight to HG. Unfortunately, the door staff refused to be bothered with me as I was relegated me to the nearest OUTSIDE exit. I was met by bitter cold winds and the chill of unwelcoming security that said “Daryel isn’t here and Dave’s busy.” The owner truly owes Carl “Sevy Sev” Gray a solid for the way he tried to ease the tension. I know he already has more than one side hustle already, but he might want to consider moonlighting as a hostage negotiator. His attempt to diffuse the situation as the security guard was remarkable. And this dude was serving up a plus-sized Triple H thanks to his face and shape. And he kept trying to be menacing by turning away as many people as he possibly could. When the dude in the heather gray sweater got turned away, I was like “wait a minute, are we being racially profiled? …it’s a black club?” So the security guard tells him “no hoodies.” Dude was like, “This is a sweater. It doesn’t have a hood.” Quadruple H was like, “Well it looks like a hoodie to me.” In full disclosure, the trendy sweater had bunching around the neck area. So even though it wouldn’t come halfway up his head, I guess he could stretch it into a hoody if worn like Grace Jones or Miss Lawrence. After I finally got in the door another security guard told me as I shivered that I had to remove my coat to enter. I couldn’t get to that exit fast enough.

A kink in the curls and drinks. I was all geared up to hear the latest tips and tools from the Natural Hair gurus in a conversation facilitated by Coco Soul for DELUX Magazine’s Curls, Kinks and Drinks Thursday night at the Rustic Goat. But when I stepped in the spot, half of the folks looked like Naturalistas but the rest of them looked like they came to kick it with somebody’s aunt named Niecy – as in middle aged with snatched hair and no desire to let their relaxer go. Come to find out the club was double booked. Luckily for the Rustic Goat both Delux Magazine and whoever was holding the birthday party were extremely gracious. I had to hit it before I missed “Scandal” (don’t judge) but I hear that Justin Hoskin sang for half of the time and the hair tutorials were worked in over the course of the evening. Black Men Rock (with soul). Speaking of Justin Hoskin, he’ll hit the Rustic Goat stage again when Café Soul returns Saturday (Nov. 22) with a special edition that showcases the talented fellas. I know a few men in particular who should be pleased because they felt utterly dusted during the “Black Girls Rock” event overload from a few years back. Well, Angie and Nichol are going to serve us up some rock and soul (and a taste of gospel) thanks to performances by J.R., Nikko Smith, Brian Owens, Greg “Happy Guitar” Haynes and Justin Hoskin among others. Doors open at 8 p.m. Celebrating survivors at The Pageant. For 2014, Orlando “Pretty Boy” Watson is taking his annual “I’m A Survivor” Cancer Awareness and Benefit Show to the Pageant and is featuring a reunited (and it feels so good) 112 as the main attraction. It’s going down TONIGHT (Thursday, Nov. 20). Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m. I know I’m not giving you a lot of notice, but it will be so worth it to scoot on down there and listen to some throwback R&B and help raise money for a worthy cause.

It was a reality star trifecta as Tim from “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” partied with Morgan and Masika of Love and “Hip Hop Hollywood” Friday @ The Marquee

Briana and Monique hung out in VIP with “America’s Next Top Model” winner and recording artist Don Benjamin Friday @ Envy

Craig with the all new cast of Krazy Bone Presents Backstage which includes Rockwell Knuckles, Jibbs, Vega Sills and Peetey Weestro as they filmed the pilot Sunday night @ The Moonrise Hotel

Gwen, Shaunda, and Sheka @ Soho Saturday for BPLR’s The Warm-up party

T-Luv, Shaki, Sunni and Kevin Cunningham were eager to welcome guests to the new Knockouts for their soft opening Saturday night

Raphael of the Umbrella group and Sweat made sure all the Scorpios were settled in and setting it off Saturday @ the Rustic Goat

Dani and Cinnamon came out to help the Rams celebrate their win Sunday @ Envy

Mogutta, Kay, and Ned celebrated the end of Scorpio Season Saturday @ The Rustic Goat

Knock out girls Nik and Pam were ready to serve Satruday @ The new Knockouts, now located at 270 and West Florissant

BPLR’s Ro and made sure his guest video model Tatted up Holly was having a good time in VIP during their Warm-up party Saturday @ Soho

Rhyme

Budden

stop in

show

took some time

Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

If you have spent any time around first year medical students during the fall semester, you are familiar with the pungent odor residual from their gross anatomy course. For several weeks, medical students spend countless hours in the lab dissecting a human cadaver. They meticulously remove various tissues and organs within the body so that the didactic lectures regarding the human body come to life in a real and tangible way. Usually during this time it is painfully obvious which of the students is interested in a surgical specialty and those persons like me who possessed no passion for such a career.

To enthusiastic learners, manipulating hearts, lungs, and kidneys brings about such excitement. However, to the thousands of patients awaiting transplants, thoughts of those same organs elicit emotions ranging from joy, hope, and wondrous anticipation of a life not hindered by machines.

Currently there are over 100,000 people awaiting organ donation. Although there are approximately 100 million people registered as donors, 18 people die daily needing a transplant. At least 30 percent of the people needing a transplant are African American.

African Americans disproportionately represent persons receiving dialysis for

Gift of life

end-stage kidney disease. Uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes are the disease culprits that lead to such health disparities. Though blacks make up about a third of the kidney transplant needs, fewer blacks donate organs as compared to whites.

This time every year is dedicated to educating the public on organ donation and how important it is for each of us to consider becoming a registered donor. One donor can potentially save up to 50 lives. This past weekend was considered Donor Sabbath and is recognized yearly as a time when the faith community can learn more about the miraculous gift of life. On the other hand, I’m sure for many, you are reading this thinking “This lady is crazy!” She cannot seriously believe that I would allow someone to cut on me or my family member!

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D.

our own. Hopefully, continued education will resolve some of those inaccuracies and improve organ donation rates among people of color.

Fact or Fiction?

1. If I decide to donate my organs, my family cannot have an open casket funeral? Fiction! Following the procurement of your organs, your body is surgically repaired and released to the funeral home. The directors then prepare the body as they would any other service. And remember, the body is clothed during the ceremony. Therefore scars are not an issue. And in the case of a bone transplant, for example, metal rods can be placed to give the body form.

Fact or Fiction?

Well, you are not alone. I hear those exact sentiments often in my office. However, I am convinced that the misgivings individuals may have as it relates to organ donation are based on myths and not facts. Fear of the unknown hinders our ability to impact lives other than

care as a non-donor.

Fact or Fiction?

4. Organ donation is against my religion. Fiction! Most religious faiths including Protestants, Catholics and Buddhists generally accept that organ donation is a gift of compassion and is an individual decision. Organ donation for the most part is viewed as an act of love and is viewed favorably within various denominations.

Fact or Fiction?

5. I cannot afford to donate my organs. Fiction! There is no cost to you or your family to donate your organs at your death. All fees associated with the donation are paid for by the Organ Procurement Organization. In addition, there is no such thing as selling your organs on the Black Market! The National Organ Transplant Act (Public Law 98-507)strictly prohibits selling human organs.

2. I have too many health problems to be considered as a potential donor. Fiction! The transplant team will decide who needs to be excluded. If a certain organ cannot be used due to damage, tissue such as skin may very well be suitable for donation. Please allow the medical team to determine the feasibility of the transplant.

Fact or Fiction?

3. Medical care will be withheld from me just so that they can get my organs. Fiction! The team treating you is different than the transplant team and is ethically charged with providing whatever care is necessary for your recovery. You will be treated with the same standard of

On average, each day approximately 79 people receive an organ donation. In 2013, about 66 percent of the deceased donors were Caucasian, 17 percent were African American, and 13 percent were Hispanic. Minorities are less likely to experience organ rejection if the organ came from an ethnically similar background. Imagine how many people we would save if each of us became a registered donor.

Yours in Service, Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Assistant Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Your Health Matters

A bi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American November 20, 2014

Your Health 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

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Hollomon, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

the

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

Getting sexy through exercise and nutrition

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Beyond health and wellness, regaining or enhancing one’s own sex appeal is one pursuit of the right mixture of interesting exercise and mealtime intrigue to achieve desired results.

That’s where Ashley Simmons found herself – 20-something, weighing too much and feeling no energy. Ashley did not love the look.

“I gained a lot of weight; I switched birth controls and it was the most weight I’ve ever been,” she said. “Some people

n Herbalife is an all-natural dietary supplement system that offers shake mixes, teas and other supplements to increase nutrition and energy and to burn fat to eliminate excess pounds.

said I wasn’t that big, but for me, I was huge.”

On the internet, some male college friends were boasting about losing considerable weight using Herbalife products.

“I was nervous,” Simmons said. “I didn’t want to go to them.”

She found a different online source.

“I went on Amazon and I probably spent way too much money,” Simmons said. “Used it; loved it.”

Herbalife is an all-natural dietary supplement system that offers shake mixes, teas and other supplements to increase nutrition and energy and to burn fat to eliminate excess pounds.

A discussion with your primary care physician prior to adding supplements or over-the-counter medication is strongly advised, because your doctor knows your health and prescription history.

The Food and Drug Administration reminds us that dietary supplements may not be risk-free under certain circumstances. If you are pregnant, nursing a baby, or have a chronic medical condition, such as, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, the FDA says be sure to

See SEXY, page 5

Photo by Wiley Price

The “Get Sexy Movement Healthy Happy Hours” at Dollhouse Studios in St. Louis puts all ladies on center stage to encourage exercise and promotes Herbalife nutritional supplements to lose weight and gain energy.

HealtH Briefs

Tips to help older family members enjoy Thanksgiving

For many elderly adults, the holidays can be challenging if mental, physical and emotional needs are not taken into account. If a loved one is beginning to show signs of confusion or physical incapacities, the gathering can be tense for everyone - caregivers, loved ones and the individual.

If your loved one has underlying health issues, help them enjoy Thanksgiving with these tips from St. Louis-based MediNurse:

Plan ahead: If older family members tire easily or are vulnerable to over-stimulation, recommend time for a nap before the main event and have a designated “quiet room” where older adults can take a break from young children and all of the festivities.

Eliminate obstacles: Remove slippery throw rugs and other items that could present barriers to someone who has difficulty walking. If the gathering is in the home of a person with memory impairment, be sensitive to their environment and not rearrange the furniture or kitchen pantry.

Prepare special meals for seniors: Taste buds and the physical ability to chew can change over time. Consider preparing food choices that are easy to chew. Also, using less salt and spiced seasoning for these foods is easier on the older digestive system.

Ask and accept offers of help from other family members with various caregiving tasks. Your helpers may enjoy feeling useful and your loved ones will welcome their kindness.

Have patience: The person you once knew may be changing. With these changes may come slowed responses or unpredictable outbursts. Certainly, the best way to handle these situations is with patience and understanding. The older person may feel stressed and not know what to do.

Accept help: Ask and accept offers of help from other family members with various caregiving tasks. Your helpers may enjoy feeling useful and your loved ones will welcome their kindness.

Don’t forget about you: Make sure you’ve had an opportunity to rest and

SIHF Metro East locations to sign up for health coverage

Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF) ACA navigators offer free guidance to individuals new to the Marketplace, determining if they qualify for low-cost insurance through the ACA or for no-cost, state-sponsored healthcare coverage. If they do, navigators can walk them step-by-step through the enrollment process and verify if price breaks or tax credits are available to assist them with any costs. In addition, since current ACA and Medicaid enrollees are required to re-enroll for 2015, Navigators can help them determine if their current insurance fits their specific requirements.

Patrice Howard, vice president of administration for SIHF, “Having the right insurance in place is critical to not only Illinois residents’ physical health, but their financial health as well. Without

coverage, patients are likely to delay preventative visits and refuse emergency care that could affect their overall well-being. Our Navigators remove the biggest barrier to quality healthcare by helping people learn how they can cover their medical costs.”

Navigators are available at the following Metro East locations:

• Alton Health Center: 618-463-5905

• Belleville Family Health Center: 618-233-5480

• Bethalto Health Center: 618-2580485

• Bunker Hill Health Center: 618-5856290

• Central Collinsville Health Center: 618-343-6015

• Fairmont City Health Center: 618482-4015

• Good Samaritan Health Center, Alton: 618-462-4939

• Madison County One Stop: 618-2587171

• McKinley Health Center, Granite City: 618-452-3301

• State Street Center, East St. Louis: 618-271-9191

• Touchette Regional Hospital, Centreville: 618-332-5389

• West Belleville Health Center: 618398-8840

• Windsor Health Center, East St. Louis: 618-274-9105

If residents enroll by December 15, 2014, in most instances, their insurance will be in place by January 1, 2015. For more information, call SIHF at 618-3973303.

be sure to carve out some time to enjoy being with your loved ones and friends.

Keep a sense of humor: Things are going to happen that are out of your control. Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow that day!

Christian Hospital needs gift shop volunteers

Christian Hospital is looking for volunteers for evening and weekend duty in the hospital gift shop. Candidates must be dependable and retail experience is a plus. Discover the rewards of volunteering and meet a variety of interesting people while making a difference in our community. For more information, contact Lee Shields at 314-6535032.

SEXY

Continued from page 3

consult your doctor or pharmacist before purchasing or taking any supplement.

And of course, results may vary.

Additionally, buying nutritional supplements can be pricey ($50-$200 for a 30-day supply), but so is being out of shape and overweight.

“I’ve been doing Herbalife since January and in that timeframe, I lost 60 pounds,” Simmons said, “and then I gained 14 pounds in lean muscle.”

She was also energized into doing something that was new to her – going the gym to work out regularly.

Convinced by her own dramatic weight loss, Simmons started selling Herbalife products. She decided to make it interesting for herself and other women. A $10 entry fee gives ladies three hours with chair and pole dance instructors who show ladies the right moves to add playful seduction to their journey toward a better body. Her clients are women of all ages.

“I found that women are always last on their list, so I just came up with something fun for them to realize that health is important,” she said. “They come in, they do teaser classes (pole, yoga, chair, twerk), they have samples and we have products available they can purchase at that time.”

Simmons also has prizes participants can win.

Her creative approach to all that’s sexy, healthy and herbal began in May and the November 1 event marked the inal “Healthy Happy Hour” at Dollhouse Studios in downtown St. Louis until after the holiday season.

Now of course, exercising only once a month won’t get you anywhere your quest to get physically it. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, a report by the US Health and Human Services Ofice of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week and 75 minutes of muscle strengthening activities on two or more days a week that work all of the major muscle groups.

Simmons said the events are a fun entrée into another way of thinking about exercise.

“I wanted to be that woman who could say, you can lose 60 pounds and have curves,” said Simmons, president of Get Sexy Movement, Herbalife. “Women need to hear from me that maybe you don’t need to run around the track; you can swing down the pole and dance to lose weight or to exercise.”

Results are swirling around her Happy Hour crew.

“I have lost 21 pounds in three months,”Aunya McElroy said. “I went from a [size] 10 or 12 and now I’m at a 6 or an 8, and that’s where I wanted to be. I don’t want to get any smaller. I just want to get healthier... I just wanted to stay sexy.”

Patricia Green brought her sister and daughter to get in on in the action.

“I have such a great coach and she is really, really encouraging, and that makes a difference,” Green said. “So far, I have lost about seven pounds. It may have taken me about three weeks. And it’s healthy and it wasn’t any stress on me.”

“You can have somebody to be your cheerleader and coach to say, ‘You can do it. Don’t give up,’” Simmons added. “Fitness is fun. Fitness is sexy.”

Simmons is on social media and her website, https://www.goherbalife.com/getsexymovement. For tips about about taking supplements and OTC medication, visit the FDA website at http://1.usa. gov/1umyeN0.

Aunya McElroy gets a body fat analysis by Ashley Simmons, president of Get Sexy Movement, Herbalife.

Photo by Wiley Price

HealtHy Q & a

Questions about in vitro fertilization

Q: A St. Louis American reader asks, “What is the cost/cost range for in vitro fertilization (IVF) these days? Is this procedure covered by health insurance?”

Dr. Elan Simckes

A: The answer comes from St. Louis fertilization expert Dr. Elan Simckes of the Fertility Partnership.

The average cost for IVF in this country … it’s going to be between $12,000 and $13,000, but that does not include your medication. By the time you are done, they are at 14 or 15 (thousand dollars). It is in the range of about nine-and-a-half ($9,500) in my clinic; $9,000 to $10,000 plus your medication, which could be as little as $2,000 or as much as $5,000, and that’s where the age factor kicks in. The medications are there to make so that as many eggs as possible reach maturity.

To answer the second question regarding in vitro as a covered health service, according to the National Infertility Association, only eight states have laws with an insurance mandate to cover IVF treatments , Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

An enlarged view of the in vitro fertilization process.

Show Me Sign Up at area health centers

November 22

It’s a major push to get patients covered by health insurance during the federal marketplace open enrollment by the four Federally-Qualified Health Centers in the St. Louis area – Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, Myrtle Hilliard Davis Comprehensive Health Centers, Family Care Centers and Grace Hill Health Centers. From 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at each center location, staff will encourage community members to visit and to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

To apply for health insurance, enrollees will need the following information for every person who will get covered:

• Home and mailing addresses

• Social Security numbers

• Documentation for legal immigrants

• Employer and income information for every household member (such pay stubs or W-2 forms)

• Best estimate of income for 2015

• Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans

• Notices from the current plan that include the plan ID and if you had health insurance in 2014

• A completed Employer Coverage Tool for every job-based plan that you or a household member is eligible (visit HealthCare. gov/downloads/employer-coverage-tool.pdf to view or print)

Open enrollment began November 15 runs through February 15, 2015.

Calendar

Fri. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Blood Drive at Christian Hospital, Detrick Building Atrium. Register by emailing slm9123@bjc.org or using the sponsor code “christian hospital” at www.redcrossblood.org.

Fri., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., Brain Works: Your Mind on Life, The Sheldon Concert Hall by Barnes-Jewish Hospital/ Washington University in St. Louis; tickets $17.50. For more information, visit Metrotix.com.

Sat. Dec. 6, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Free Mammograms at the Health Resource Center, Victor Roberts Building, 1408 Kingshighway in St. Louis; for female patients age 40 and older in conjunction with Mercy St. Louis Breast Center mobile mammogram van. Free flu shots, physical therapy evaluations, health screenings and info, family counseling and social work consultations are also available at this event. To schedule a mammogram or for more information, call 314-389-0008.

Wed. Dec. 17, 12 Noon – 4 p.m., Northwest HealthCare Blood Drive, Entrance A, Community Room (lower level), 1225 Graham Rd. Register by

emailing mlm7458@bjc.org or using the sponsor code “northwesthealthcare” at www.redcrossblood.org.

Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I-270/ 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. – Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, 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.

Asthma

Free asthma and allergy clinic by Saint Louis University students at the HRC, every other Wednesday afternoon 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment with SLU physician Dr. Raymond Slavin. The clinic offers allergy skin tests, pulmonary function tests and asthma and allergy education. It is located in the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 N. Kingshighway, between Martin Luther King Drive and Page Blvd. For more information, call 314-720-1522.

Behavioral

Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Christian Hospital Key Program offers support and education to patients with chronic mental illness to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-8393171 or 1-800-447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center pro-

HealtH ResouRces

vides no cost support for persons affected by criminal acts. Email peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.

Bike helmet safety

The St. Louis County Health Department provides free bicycle helmets to St. Louis County residents between ages 1 and 17 by appointment only. Proof of residency is required. For the location nearest you, visit www. tinyurl.freebikehelmets.

Breast Cancer

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

Dental

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

Diabetes

CHIPS Diabetes Support Group is open to anyone and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, call 314-652-9231.

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. to address health management issues. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSM-DOCS (866-776-3627).

Fresh Food Coop

Community Helpings Coop sells fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods at wholesale prices in locations throughout the St. Louis area and Metro-East. For more information, visit www.communityhelpingscoop.com.

Health Partnerships

The Center for Community Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges for Healthy Communities works to develop and support beneficial community-academic partnerships to address the health needs of the St. Louis. For more information, email publichealth@wustl.edu; phone 314-747-9212 or visit publichealth. wustl.edu.

Information

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

Lupus

A Lupus Support Group in North St. Louis County meets the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Community Room #1 at Northwest Health Care, 1225 Graham Rd. in Hazelwood. RSVP to the Lupus Foundation of America at 314-644-2222 or email info@lfaheartland.org.

Medical

CHIPS Health & Wellness Center

offers no cost medical, dental, psychiatric, chiropractic health care for uninsured children and adults by appointment only. $25 annual fee requested. For more information, call 314-652-9231 or visit www. chipsstl.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs Dental & Vision Clinic at Herbert Hoover Club, 2901 N. Grand, St. Louis. Open year-round for members at no additional fee by appointment only. Teeth cleaning, braces, x-rays, root canals, some extractions; vision mobile unit, comprehensive exam and glasses, if required. Make an appointment by calling 314-355-8122.

Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. –2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at

Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N. Newstead, St. Louis, Mo. for those who are uninsured. For more information, call 314-533-0534.

Nutrition

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

St. Louis Milk Depot - SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is a breast milk depot for the Indiana Mother’s Milk Bank. Milk Depot staff will store and ship your milk to IMMB. For more information, call (314) 242-5912.

Prostate Cancer

The Cancer Center of The Empowerment Network at 6000 W. Florissant in St. Louis provides information on prostate and other types of cancer, and services and support. For more information, call 314-385-0998.

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 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. Free flu shots for patients being treated for an illness or injury at Downtown Urgent Care (314-436-9300), North City Urgent Care (314-932-1213), Creve Coeur Urgent Care (314-548-6550) and Eureka Urgent Care (636-549-2100).

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.

The SPOT offers private, reproductive, mental and behavioral health services at no charge to youth ages 13-24, Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at 4169 Laclede Ave. For more information, call 314-535-0413 or visit http://thespot. wustl.edu.

STI testing and treatment at North City Urgent Care and Downtown Urgent Care. For more information, call 314-436-9300.

HealtH Recipe

Spaghetti Squash with Asparagus

and Rosemary

4 servings

Ingredients:

5 cups Winter Spaghetti Squash

1 lb. Asparagus (steamed until tender)

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

Half-cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tsp. Fresh Rosemary, minced

1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Preparation:

• Halve spaghetti squash and microwave on high for 20 – 30 minutes until fork tender. (OR preheat oven to 375 degrees and place halves down and bake for 30 minutes until fork tender.)

• Once squash is cooked, discard seeds. Then use a fork to scrape out the squash from the outside shell (it will come out in strands that look like spaghetti noodles).

• Place squash in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.

• In a skillet, place 1 tbsp of olive oil and bring to medium heat. Slice asparagus in 1 inch pieces and place in skillet. Saute with garlic and fresh rosemary for 1-2 minutes.

• Stir in ricotta cheese and squash. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep sautéing until hot and creamy.

Nutrition Information: (per serving)

Calories: 170 (60 calories from fat)

Total Fats: 12g (Monounsaturated: 6.2g, Polyunsaturated: 1.2g; Saturated:3.8g; Trans Fat: 0)

Cholesterol: 16mg

Carbohydrates: 15g

Sugar: 2g

Dietary Fiber: 3g

Protein: 7g

Calcium: 126mg

Potassium: 413mg

Sodium: 50mg

pRofiling people in HealtH

Michael A. Outlaw

Position/Where: Director of Surgical Services at Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Louis

Career Highlights:

2014 - A member of the construction team with Shriners Hospital for Children leadership team for replacement hospital 2007- A member of the construction team with HKW architect at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis for new Pretesting Center

Awards:

1993 - President’s Scholarship award, Metropolitan Community College

Education:

MBA, health care focus, from University of Phoenix 2011 BSN Nursing, Goldfarb School of Nursing 2003

AAS Nursing, Forest Park Community College 1997

AAS Chemistry, Metropolitan Community College 1993 Airframes and power plants licensure USMC 1987-1991

Personal: Wife of 19 years Sabrina Outlaw

Three children, Keynan, Kewan and Mikayla Faith Family Church, Shiloh Illinois

Masonic Affiliations: Past Master P.G. Porter#142 SAFB, Illinois, member Tyree consistory #64, East. St. Louis, Illinois, Assistant Chief Rabaan Aahmes Temple #132(PHA Shriners), District Deputy Grand Master district 4 Illinois (PHA), Grand Inspectors General 33 degree( Algie S. Oldham class of 2011)

St. Louis Connection: I grew up in East. St. Louis; went to Assumption High School and found myself drawn to St. Louis through academics at Washington University and plentiful career opportunities in nursing.

Journey to success:

There were too many obstacles to count. Perseverance, prayer and a commitment to God, myself, country and family trumps any and all obstacles. My father passed in 1978; I was 12. Sister John LaLande at St. Joseph’s Elementary School (ESL) helped me through that tumultuous time and has since passed as well. She taught me to always look to Jesus for guidance. She was right. I couldn’t have made it this far without her, my loving family and some hard knocks along the way to keep me humble. I have a continued love for higher thoughts, continued education and selfless acts of charity and community service. It doesn’t cost anything to smile, say a kind word or sometimes just to listen. A lot of us are so consumed with our daily lives that we simply don’t take the time to be thankful and to help one another.