November 7th, 2013 edition

‘We

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St.Louis American

Fairview Primary Elementary students have been celebrating ever since they received their state standardized test scores in August.

“We really knocked it out of the park,” said Chanua Ross, principal of Fairview, a Jennings school that served pre-K through third grade last year and this year now goes up to sixth grade.

Feeling the Spirit

The Right Reverend Lawrence M. Wooten, senior prelate for COGIC (right), responds to a woman dancing in the Holy Ghost during Tuesday’s evening service at the America’s Center as St.Louis Alderman and COGIC minister Sam Moore and Maurice Bell from the office of the President of the Board of Aldermen share the moment.

Fairview Primary Elementary Teacher of the Year Jaclyn Overbey works with third graders Allen Willis,9,and Chloe Lovely,8.

Honoring a ‘NOBLE’man

Probation

By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St.Louis American

Family, colleagues and close friends honored the humanitarian efforts and life of the late Major Ernest E. Green III with an unveiling ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse. Green was a 20-plus-year veteran of the University City Police Department and served in several high-ranking leadership roles within NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives). Ernest died in December 2010 at age 46 from a

Ernest E.Green IV and his brother, Ellis Green,show their mother,Alicia F.Green,the memorial to their father,the late Major Ernest E.Green III, prepared by the U.S. Probation Office –Eastern District of Missouri.

United Way beats campaign goal

Charmaine Chapman Society raises more than $2M of $72.25M

By Chris King Of The St.Louis American

In a time of great need for social services, the United Way of Greater St. Louis exceeded its $72.25 million fundraising goal by raising $72,254,028 for its member agencies.

“For the third year in a row, the Charmaine Chapman Society has exceeded the $2 million and 800member marks.”

– Maurice Newberry

“It takes an outpouring of generosity from all corners of our community to generate this kind of support,” said United Way 2013 Campaign Co-Chair Cheri Fromm. One critical source of support was the Charmaine Chapman Society, comprised of African Americans who donate $1,000 or more annually to the United Way. “For the third year in a row, the Charmaine Chapman Society has exceeded the $2 million and 800-member marks and continues to be the No. 1 philanthropic program for African Americans in the St. Louis region and throughout the country,” said Maurice Newberry, co-chair of the 2013 Charmaine Chapman Society.

As stimulus funds run out, food stamp allotments go down

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St.Louis American

On Nov. 1, more than 230,000 residents in St. Louis city and county saw a decrease in their foodstamp allotment – among 47 million people nationwide. The cuts came after the federal stimulus money used in 2009 to increase funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, expired in November.

For a family of four, the average cut in food stamps will be $36 a month – from $668 to $632.

“That may sound insignificant, until you start thinking that these are families that had difficulty feeding themselves in the first place,” said Sandra M. Moore, president of Urban Strategies, a St.

See SNAP, A6

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Ashley Reid still seething about Pebbles portrayal in TLC movie

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas took the high road when Pebbles Reid’s daughter Ashley offered a thinly veiled threat on Twitter in response to her mother’s depiction on VH1’s Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story

Chilli said that Ashley’s “I can’t wait to see you honey,” was just a child being protective of her mother.

But Ashley decided that isn’t done coming for Chilli and used her radio show Reid All About it to let loose.

“I just want to clear up what I meant when I said on Twitter, ‘Chilli I can’t wait to see you honey,’ what I meant by that was I can’t wait to see you to beat your [expletive] face into the concrete.”

90’s,” Ashley reportedly said. “I won’t talk about that – that has nothing to do with the fact that she is a lying person.”

Will NeNe press charges for Kenya’s latest stunt?

On the season premiere of Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kenya Moore accosted NeNe Leakes at Cynthia Bailey’s event and NeNe is thinking about pressing charges.

Ashley also threw in a side jab about Chilli being promiscuous throughout the industry – even with her father L.A. Reid when he and Pebbles were still married.

“I’m not gonna talk about Chilli [expletive] my father or most of the [expletive] s in the

During the broadcast Leakes tweeted about the double standard had she been the aggressor and threatens to file charges against Kenya.

“It was assault,” Leakes said on her Twitter account. “If I had done the same thing I would have been called aggressive, abuser, violent, etc. I think I might sue.”

MLB not pleased with Jigga’s generosity

New sports agent Jay-Z is currently in hot water with Major League Baseball’s Players Association over a $34,000 watch he gave to New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano Baseball’s union is investigating whether the

gift, a Shawn Carter Classic Fusion watch by Hublot, violated the rules. MLBPA regulations forbid agents from offering “any money, or any other thing of value” to players in order to persuade them to continue using their services. Agents can give gifts to players who are already their clients but the union must be notified in writing of any gift exceeding $500.

Cano, who left agent Scott Boras in April to join Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports, received the watch during an Oct. 22 party in Belgium celebrating his 31st birthday, according to media reports and postings on Cano’s Instagram account. Jay-Z, who reportedly helped design the timepiece, had performed in Antwerp the previous night.

The National Basketball Players Association and the MLBPA certified Jay-Z as an agent in June.

Several sports stars – including Kevin Durant of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder and Jets quarterback Geno Smith signed on with his agency since then.

Meanwhile, Hov has a history of showering clients with lavish gifts. He surprised the WNBA’s No. 3 pick, Skylar Diggins, with a $100,000 Mercedes

Benz when she graduated from Notre Dame in May.

Kanye going ‘ Groomzilla’ for wedding?

According to Showbiz Spy, Kanye West is being his usual over the top self during the planning of his wedding with Kim Kardashian

The pair recently got engaged after Kanye went down on one knee, and a source says the rapper plans on overseeing all details of the extravagant event.

“Kanye has a very specific vision of what the ceremony should look like and this won’t be an understated or intimate event,” the source told Showbiz Spy. “Kim is just letting Kanye take charge, as she has done with all other parts of her life. She is being consulted on everything, but it’s very different from how Kim handled her wedding to Kris. That was Kim’s wedding. This is going to be Kanye’s wedding. Kanye considers himself to be an expert at fashion and wants a dress that will show off her figure, including her infamous rear end!”

of

National Council honors women

Honorees

‘motivate, educate, dedicate their lives to service’

By Bridjes O’Neil Of The

American

St. Louis

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) Gateway Metropolitan Section recently celebrated its 8th anniversary with a special recognition awards luncheon held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. Twenty prestigious women were honored for “stepping up and stepping out” – this year’s theme – to make a difference in their communities.

“Our honoree’s contributions symbolize the highest level of professional and humanitarian achievement,” said Kelley Hoskins, NCNW Gateway Metropolitan Section president and Fox 2 news reporter.

Honorees included the NAACP St. Louis County President Esther Haywood, St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby, former 6th Ward Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett, state Rep. Rochelle WaltonGray and nonprofit volunteer Linda Robinson. Hoskins also awarded the section’s first-ever President’s Award to NCNW member Jacqueline WayneMoten, stating that she never misses a meeting and is always smiling.

Young men with the Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage step team escorted the women into the Grand Ballroom to the tune of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” Gentlemen of Vision is a Riverview Gardens High School mentoring program founded in 2009 by Marlon Wharton.

The honorees made their way to the head tables, passing behind an easel displaying a poster-sized postage stamp of NCNW founder Mary McLeod Bethune. Splashes of

purple, the organization’s signature color, were everywhere, from the overhead lighting to the runners and decorative center pieces.

County Executive Charlie A. Dooley gave opening remarks apologizing for his casual appearance, having rushed from a neighborhood clean-up in Spanish Lake. He told the crowd that this was “too important” of an event to miss.

“You’re the people that they don’t see on T.V.,” Dooley said of the honorees. “You’re the people they don’t read about in the newspapers. You’re the people that they don’t hear about on the radio. But, you’re making a difference every single day.”

Fox 2 News anchor and reporter Shirley Washington served as mistress of ceremonies. Before the awards presentation, Washington asked the honorees to oblige her by standing so that the audience could take a good look at them.

“Know their faces,” Washington said. “Know their stories. Know what they’re doing in the community, because what they’re doing is

important.”

She said despite sometimes being tired and discouraged, these women never give up. Instead, she said, these women choose to “motivate, educate, and dedicate their lives to service.”

Her remarks resonated with one honoree.

“Shirley Washington got it right in describing the contributions and sacrifices of women who have to balance their personal lives while trying to make a difference,” Erby said.

Erby became the first AfricanAmerican woman to serve on the St. Louis County Council when she was elected in 2004. She is currently serving her third consecutive term.

“It is indeed an honor to have received this prestigious award along with these magnificent women,” Erby said.

Before her acceptance speech on behalf of all the honorees, evangelist Gail Evans recited Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise.” The poem, Evans said, is representative of the AfricanAmerican woman’s sacrifice, a common denominator shared by each

honoree.

“We’ve made it our business to be obligated to sacrifice to make someone else’s life a little bit better,” Evans said.

Founded in 1935, NCNW is a council of national AfricanAmerican women’s organizations and community-based sections. NCNW is a nonprofit organization with an outreach to nearly four million women with 39 national affiliates and more than 240 sections. The Gateway Metropolitan Section was organized by Kelley Hoskin’s mother, Lee Etta Hoskins.

Its mission is to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. NCNW fulfills this purpose through research, advocacy, and national and community-based services and programs on issues of health, education, and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa.

Follow this reporter on Twitter: @ BridjesONeil.

By Flint Fowler For The St. Louis American The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis’ annual auction and gala, All That Jazz, will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, November 9 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. All That Jazz is our signature event and features a tremendous silent auction, cocktails, live auction, dinner and dancing. Co-chairs for the event are Walter and Sharon Lamkin and Ron and Judi Wickline. This year’s All That Jazz theme is “Be a Hero to a Kid!” and guests are encouraged to dress in theme as their favorite superhero, or cocktail attire with superhero flair. Every day our staff serves as heroes to the 3,400 members at the clubs – acting as mentors, role models,

life skills. Specifically, these educational and cultural programs involve homework assistance, tutoring, computer classes, art and music. You too can be a hero to our kids by purchasing a table or tickets to the celebration. And, if you miss the celebration, we invite you to volunteer, donate or register your kids for membership. For more information, visit www. bgcstl.org.

Flint Fowler is executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

The National Council of Negro Women Gateway Metropolitan Section recently celebrated its 8th anniversary with a special recognition awards luncheon held at the St. Louis Airport Marriott.

Photo by Grace du Maine

Editorial /CommEntary

Nixon, Nicastro must lead

We are not sure why Missouri Education

Commissioner Chris Nicastro has been speaking to the Kansas City Star through surrogates (a spokesman and a deputy commissioner) on the critical subject of the state’s contentious school transfer law for students in unaccredited school districts. But at least Ron Lankford, Missouri’s deputy education commissioner for financial and administrative services, is talking some sense on her behalf.

“The question is, ‘How do we assure each student’s right to a quality education?’” Lankford told the Star. “If choice continues to be a part of the solution, how do we make it possible without forcing a district into bankruptcy?”

Bankruptcy is an immediate, looming issue for an unaccredited St. Louis County school district hit hard by the new state law requiring unaccredited districts to pay tuition (and, in some cases, transportation) costs for their students who choose to attend school in an accredited district.

As

Crisis for black colleges

“HBCUs have always been in a situation where a lot of them have had to struggle. A lot of that has to do with inequitable funding.” –Marybeth Gasman, University of Pennsylvania

part. It is better to start over than try to patch up this destructive law.

A group of superintendents from the western side of the state, who have been watching the situation in Normandy unfold with dread while they wait for a lawsuit concerning their districts to play out, has come up with a different answer. Naturally, school superintendents are going to be inclined toward preserving the integrity of school districts (and, therefore, the jobs of superintendents), but their suggestion that the state try to improve failing schools within troubled districts, rather than destroy failing districts, has merit.

n A law that drives school districts into bankruptcy is not the answer, unless the gradual destruction of public education is your goal.

Normandy is paying tuition rates to more than a dozen school districts ranging from $9,500 to $20,000. This will cost the district between $13 million and $15 million, or 30 percent of its budget, this school year. Nicastro tells the Missouri Legislature that the Normandy district needs $6.8 million in emergency funding to remain solvent. Clearly, a law that drives school districts into bankruptcy is not the answer, unless the gradual destruction of public education is your goal. While transfer students have their own critical challenges, the plight of students in schools and districts that disappear out from under them is even more disorienting and disturbing. There has to be a better answer. Nicastro has not recommended eliminating the transfer law, and we believe that is a failure of leadership on her

“The transfer law may be good for some students, but it would leave the majority of the students in a low-performing district,” Center Superintendent Bob Bartman told the Star. “Our approach would be to do more interventions early on … and focus on schools that are not performing well.”

We believe Nicastro – and not a surrogate – needs to be heard about this matter, firmly and consistently. But Nicastro is not the only state official who is lurking in the shadows on this crucial issue. Jay Nixon is term-limited as Missouri governor, but he is not likely to walk away from public life when he leaves office. If Nixon aspires to elected national leadership, as we believe he does, then he needs to take leadership on the issue of public education in this state the way he took up the fight to stop Rex Sinquefield’s destructive tax policies (yet another dire threat to public education funding in Missouri). If Nixon leaves behind him in Missouri a tumbling domino trail of failing and disappearing school districts without fighting for their lives before he leaves office, then Missouri governor will be as high as Jay Nixon’s political star ever rises.

Commentary

Plenty of time to fix Obamacare

It takes chutzpah, or perhaps just an extraordinary lack of self-awareness, to argue vehemently that a program should never be implemented –and then complain it isn’t being implemented well enough. But that seems to be the new Republican position: We want the Affordable Care Act, and we want it now.

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Given that House Republicans have voted dozens of times to repeal Obamacare, you’d think more of them would be cheering the “debacle” of a barely functioning website that keeps people from signing up. Instead, they demand to know who is responsible and insist that heads should roll.

The sense of urgency surrounding the program is palpable – and largely artificial. The Obama administration royally screwed up the launch, no question about it. But there’s time to get it right. Plenty of time.

The real deadline for creating a sleek, seamless, customer-friendly website allowing people to buy insurance through the federal exchanges isn’t three weeks or even three months. It’s three years and change – the time President Obama has left in office. The Affordable Care Act will remain the law unless its opponents win veto-proof majorities in both houses of Congress. With the GOP’s approval numbers essentially down to friends and family,

a landslide victory in next year’s midterm election seems unlikely. This means that as long as Obama is around, his eponymous health care reforms will be around, too. So everyone can take a deep breath and calm down. The state exchanges are working fine. The first task with the federal website is to make sure the flow of information to and from insurance companies is reliable and accurate. This whole scheme doesn’t work unless insurers know whom they are insuring. The goal right now should be to make it easier for people to do comparison shopping before the system insists on trying to verify their life stories. By the time applicants have made their decisions and are ready to buy, the website will probably still be clumsy and aggravating. But engineers should have applied enough duct tape and baling wire to make it at least functional.

Meanwhile, there ought to be a separate team working on a whole new website with different architecture. I say this as a non-techie who has only a vague notion of what “architecture” means regarding computer systems, but who knows a total lemon when he sees one.

“Hold me accountable for the debacle. I’m responsible,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as she faced House inquisitors last Wednesday. \Indeed, Sebelius must shoulder most of the responsibility for the late-night punch line that is HealthCare. gov. It’s shocking that the website was made operational –or, in this case, non-operational – with so little testing. It’s even

more shocking that the little testing that was done indicated there would be problems, yet the whole administration seemed unprepared when the predicted problems appeared. But there is plenty of blame to go around. Some of it must fall to Obama, who hurt his own cause by making categorical statements about the program that were not categorically true.

He said many times that Americans who are happy with their current health insurance can keep it. This is true for almost all the insured – almost, but not quite. Of the 19 million people in the individualinsurance marketplace, estimates are that at least half will not be able to keep their policies because they do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s standards.

There are good reasons why. Many of these policies offer little coverage and impose substantial out-of-pocket costs that discourage regular doctor visits. The Affordable Care Act exchanges and subsidies will offer many people better insurance at a lower cost. Still, it was careless, at best, for Obama to make that unqualified keep-yourinsurance promise – and make it so many times – without explaining the fine print. So now, he must counter his opponents’ allegations that he was less than honest about the true impact of his signature domestic accomplishment.

The policy itself is sound, and eventually all the noise will fade. The first weeks of Obamacare will be forgotten. The first months will become a footnote. The first years are what will matter.

Current financial problems facing the storied Grambling State University football program are a sign of funding inequities that are shortchanging students and threatening the very existence of a growing number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

On October 19, in protest of severe budget cuts that have decimated the football facilities and led to the firing of Coach Doug Williams, the Grambling State Tigers players refused to take the 160-mile trip to Jackson, Mississippi for their scheduled matchup with Jackson State. The Grambling players’ boycott of the Jackson State homecoming game sent shockwaves through the Southwestern Athletic Conference and highlighted the dire financial status of many of our nation’s 105 HBCUs.

Draconian higher education budget cuts in Louisiana being pushed by Governor Bobby Jindal are a big part of the Grambling problem. According to the New York Times, state funding for Grambling is “down 56 percent since 2008. In response, the university has laid off more

than 120 staff members and reduced the number of degree programs to 47 from 67.” This has left the football program in shambles, with players forced to practice and play in unsafe and unsanitary facilities while sometimes enduring thousandmile bus trips for away games. The Grambling football experience is unique, but it is also symptomatic of a larger problem that extends beyond the football field to the financial offices and classrooms of the institutions that have traditionally produced the lion’s share of African American

n A board member at Howard University recently wrote, “Howard will not be here in three years if we don’t make some crucial decisions now.”

professionals. With lower endowments, cut-rate tuition fees, fundraising challenge and a disproportionate number of first-generation, low-income students, HBCUs have been hit especially hard by the economic downturn. Recent cuts in government aid and other funding streams have been the last straw for several of them. St. Paul’s College in southern Virginia closed its doors in June. Atlanta’s Morris Brown College recently declared bankruptcy. And

Letters to the editor

What Congress really values

We are writing to voice our concerns on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. We live in U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay’s district in North City. We want him to continue his commitment to fight against cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Many of us depend on Social Security checks to pay for bills, food, insurance and health care. The money is barely keeping us afloat with bills rising. To cut it now is to take away quality of life by cheating us out of what we worked hard for. We feel that if more people, especially senior citizens, knew what’s going on with our Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, they would be fighting harder. Clay can be a strong voice to raise awareness and move people to act.

Many of us also receive Medicaid. Our lives would be greatly affected if Medicaid was cut. Cutting these investments in people will make us question what Congress really values. Our government should be for the people.

Angel Williams and Emma Gene Day, St. Louis

Such critical information

I would like to thank your newspaper for printing two articles concerning a very critical problem in both our African-American community and the United States. These articles, by guest columnist Darrell Hudson and Brittaney Jewel Bethea of Washington University, bring clarity to the picture we see before us every day and give validity to the need to address the primary cause aggressively.

Poor mental health often leads to poor physical health. Poor mental health often leads to crime. Poor mental health leads to the avoidable death of people who could, with proper treatment, begin to cope better.

a board member at Howard University, considered by many to be the nation’s premier HBCU, recently wrote, “Howard will not be here in three years if we don’t make some crucial decisions now.” In addition to the financial strains on HBCUs, prospective students are finding it harder to scrape up the money to enroll. A recent change in credit history criteria in the federal Parent PLUS Loan Program has resulted in the denial of loans to 28,000 HBCU students and a loss of $154 million in revenue to HBCUs. Congressional Black Caucus Chair Marcia L. Fudge has responded to this crisis by demanding a return to the previous credit policy. She says, “The issue must be addressed, and the policy must be fixed now.”

The contributions of HBCUs cannot be overstated. While the 105 HBCU institutions represent just three percent of the nation’s highereducation establishment, they graduate nearly 20 percent of African Americans who earn undergraduate degrees. They also graduate more than 50 percent of African-American professionals, half of black public school teachers and most of the African-American students who earn bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields. For decades HBCUs have been the backbone of a growing black middle class and a stronger America. We must do everything we can to prevent their decline and keep them alive.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the

And mental health significantly affects our economy. It is critical to see the link between this problem and the president’s health initiative. When millions of people begin to see doctors regularly, they will become more healthconscious. They will learn more about preventive medicine. They will learn more about developing better mental health. Thanks again for providing such critical information.

Please, keep it coming!

Allif Dove, Via email

Supposed to be representative

Our state legislators are supposed to be our representative in overseeing state agencies and departments, including the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and holding them accountable. Perhaps it would be a good idea to include in the duty of state legislators that they take a grade-level battery of MAP test every year.

As our representative, they could blow the whistle if they found bias in the test. One hopes there wouldn’t be any.

At the least, legislators would have a better idea of what they would be talking about when they discussed test scores, especially when they tried to relate them to student, teacher, principal, school or district performance.

Peter Downs, St. Louis

Making a donation

I am interested in making a donation to Sylvester Brown Jr.’s Sweet Potato Project. I don’t have a computer, but if you will let me know where I should send the check and to whom, I will be grateful.

Bobbie Waller, St. Louis

Editor’s note: Please send checks payable to “North Area Community Development

Corporation” (NACDC) to: NACDC, 4843 Hammett Place, St. Louis MO, 63113.

Marc H. Morial

Governor Jay Nixon

Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro

ESL Community Appreciation Dinner

East St. Louis School

District 189 and Chartwells invite the East St. Louis community to a free Community Appreciation Dinner 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 at Mason/Clark Middle School, 5510 State St. in East St. Louis, IL. They expect to serve the first 1,500 guests. Parents and the community will receive a traditional turkey dinner provided by Chartwells, along with a giveaway of hats, scarves and gloves. The East St. Louis High School Jazz Ensemble will provide entertainment.

Free African wildlife lecture

Fans of African wildlife can see a free public lecture at the Saint Louis Zoo 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 in The Living World/North Entrance. John Newby, CEO of Sahara Conservation Fund, will speak on “Ghosts in the Sand: Can an Extinct Species Help Save SaheloSaharan Wildlife?” He will share his insights on the root causes of the scimitarhorned oryx’s extinction and address the question of whether the resurrection of an extinct species using captive-bred animals can lead to a brighter future for other imperiled wildlife. Admission is free. No reservations needed. More information: www.stlzoo.org/education or (314) 646-4544.

Glowing pumpkin carvers

Historic preservation deadline Nov. 15

The deadline is approaching for the Missouri Preservation Honor Awards, which recognize individuals, groups and organizations that have contributed to the preservation of Missouri’s historic resources. To receive the nomination form, call 660-882-5946, email preservemo10@yahoo.com or visit www.preservemo.org. Nominations must be postmarked by November 15.

New play competition

The submission deadline is nearing for HotCity Theatre’s 8th Annual Greenhouse New Play Festival. Three plays will be selected to receive a week-long workshop with director, dramaturg and professional actors. The workshop will culminate in a public reading followed by audience response sessions. HotCity artistic staff will then select one script for a fully produced world premiere as part of the company’s 2015 mainstage season. For more information, visit hotcitytheatre.submittable.com/submit. The submission deadline is November 15.

Volunteers needed for health project

University of Illinois Extension is partnering with the Madison and St. Clair County health departments to teach children the importance of washing their hands and is seeking volunteers to assist. Once trained, volunteers present a 25-30 minute presentation in 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. Volunteers may designate where they would like to teach. Atraining session will be held for new volunteers that will last approximately two hours, and volunteer-screening paperwork is required. Volunteers should contact Patty at the U of I Extension Branch office at 618-344-4230.

Priority on the people

By Ciera Simril For The St.Louis American

I have met with a few elected officials who don’t return calls, even though they portray themselves as available to the public. We have some self-centered elected officials who want the glory without doing the work. One specific elected official has not held office long, but insists on being constantly rude when in the presence of others.

From the moment I met him, I knew he would be a pain. He wants to be the center of attention when it comes to getting a pat on the back, but hasn’t shown the community anything yet. He arrives at meetings late, then sits in the front while ignoring everyone behind him out of fear that someone knows the truth about his efforts.

Ciera Simril

No neighborhood in St. Louis should feel they are being left behind because of favoritism. Yet, this happens because people don’t speak up. You can’t sit back and not do anything while expecting an elected official to do everything for you, or fail to do anything.

Here’s some advice, for this person and those like him.

Being an elected official isn’t just an opportunity to make friends. This is a job to serve the greater good of the ward, district, city, state, country.

Secondly, when disrespect shows itself, it’s your job as a public official to remain in control of your personal emotions. It’s only human to have emotions for what you believe in, but don’t forget the people that you serve are affected by what you say and do.

Now, if this elected official knew more about what the people in his district want and need, then maybe he wouldn’t have this attitude. It’s a bad look when officials arrive at a public meeting with the intention of being disrespectful of those citizens holding the meeting.

It’s not about always seeing eye to eye, but there has to be mutual respect and a common ground that sets a priority on the people.

It seems more difficult these days for the community to work together because the leaders aren’t establishing an appropriate tone. I think of past officials who agreed to disagree and then moved forward with what they needed to do for the constituents they served. Why can’t we get this same cooperation from officials now? Because nobody is making them take ownership of our shared problems. Passing the buck gets people nowhere and doesn’t accomplish anything. There comes a time when you must turn around and acknowledge the people who helped you get where you are. Remember, just as easily as you were voted into your position, you can be voted out.

Samorea Johnson,7,and her cousin Tyrus Williams,8,carved pumpkins at the Moonrise Hotel recently during the annual Pumpkin Carve & Glow in the University City Loop.

Photo by Wiley Price

Continued from A1

Louis-based nonprofit that provides resources to distressed urban neighborhoods.

For months, Moore and her team at Urban Strategies have been working with the 4,000 families they serve in North City to help make the transition easier. For some families, Moore said they will be able to tighten their budgets with some tips on how to shop wisely.

to be hit hard this winter, said Jo Britt-Rankin, an associate dean at the University of Missouri Extension and director of the extension’s SNAP education program.

“These are fragile families, and their resources are already stretched.”

– Jo Britt-Rankin, University of Missouri Extension

However, others will need support from local food pantries.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the food pantries,” she said. “They are closing the gap, and they need the donations.”

Because of the cuts, many food banks and pantries expect

SCHOOL

Continued from A1

Last year, Fairview Primary scored 80 percent proficient or advanced in math and 67 percent in English. Their scores soared above the state’s average of 56 percent.

Now they have more to cheer. Recently, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recognized Fairview as a “highest performing” and “high progress” Title I reward school. Fairview was the only Title I school, or disadvantaged school, in the St. Louis region to receive the recognition.

The school’s high achievement is an inspiration to the Jennings School District as well as other schools in lowincome neighborhoods, said

“We haven’t seen the economy recover as we’ve hoped to,” she said. “Now families are going into the winter. Their utility bills go up, food costs go up. These are fragile families, and their resources are already stretched. Food banks are very concerned that they aren’t going to have enough to provide the resources these families need.”

In Missouri, one in 6 people, or 900,000 residents, benefit from food stamps, Britt-Rankin said. Many of these families may already receive other food assistance, such as free school meals.

“Really, there’s not another safety net that I can think of,

Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Jennings Schools.

“It signifies that a school that is struggling with the challenges of a high free/reduced lunch student population and underserved communities can meet the high mark,” she said.

“It shows that it’s possible. If you have high expectations, they can do it.”

Anderson feels Fairview’s secret lies in the school’s strong parent involvement, long tutoring hours, curriculum and wrap-around services.

One thing Ross and Anderson have learned is that they have to be just as creative with parents’engagement as with their students’. At every PTO meeting, parents receive a free 20-pound grocery bag from the schools’food pantry. For many parents, this is a big help and makes the meetings a higher priority for them, Anderson said. Fairview was

other than the pantries, to provide the support,” Britt-Rankin said.

The MU Extension works with local organizations such as the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to teach people how to buy healthy food and stretch their food dollars.

“We know that when families go through education, they are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, are better able to budget and don’t run out of food at the end of the month,” she said.

Urban Strategies provides

also the only school to install a washer and dryer on campus last year. Parents can exchange laundry loads for school volunteer hours.

“Parents are an important piece,” Ross said. “We need that piece. Our parents see that this is a school of high expectations.”

Last year, the district started “Saturday School,” where students who are struggling can come in for tutoring on Saturdays.

such education to the neighborhoods it serves, including Murphy Park, North Sarah and Arlington Grove. Shaughnessy Daniels, vice president of Urban Strategies, said their case management team has been working with families for months to prepare them for the impact.

“We are working with them to develop shopping lists and help them plan their meals ahead of time,” she said.

Prepared meals are often less healthy and more costly, she said. She advises families to instead buy staple items,

aim the curriculum to meet the students where they are. The state recognition validates her belief that students will meet high expectations, she said.

“If you have high expectations, they can do it.”

In Jennings, teachers have been teaching at one grade level above, so third graders are learning fourthgrade curriculum. And even though second graders don’t take the state tests, they prepare for them.

– Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Jennings Schools

Tutoring is also available every day until 6 p.m., and the school serves dinner for students who decide to stay.

Anderson said many schools in underserved communities find that students are far behind academically and

such as rice and pasta. In the North Sarah HUD Hope VI development, 77 percent of the residents will be affected by the SNAPcuts.

“We are anticipating that there will be a lot of hardship within our communities,”

Daniels said. “It’s not just lowincome families. Our communities are mixed-income. There are middle-class and workingpoor families who are having to reach out and take advantage of the government assistance as well.”

Across the state, many of the people who are signing up

Ross became the principal of both schools. In total, there are now about 450 students. Now as a joined campus, Ross said, teachers will be able to collaborate and share best practices.

“We’ve become one great big family,” Ross said. “We have the feel of one campus. The biggest thing is collaborating and working together.”

“That means teachers have to be skillful at making sure students stay engaged consistently and instruction is moving forward at a fast pace,” Anderson said.

This year, the Fairview Intermediate students, grades four to six, moved into the Fairview Primary building, and

This year, Fairview also started a pilot program called the Gentlemen of Distinction class. This is a multi-age classroom for young men and led by a male teacher. Though only started this year, Ross said she has already seen an improvement in behavior and performance of the 11 students in the class.

“We are about changing lives and preparing students to be good citizens,” Ross said. “I definitely see an impact on their lives.”

The district also offers sev-

for SNAPbenefits are firsttime applicants, Britt-Rankin said. These are people who have never received food stamps before.

“I think we have a lot of fragile families, and more and more are becoming food-insecure,” she said. That trend is true throughout the country. As a result, the program has more than doubled in cost since 2008, now costing almost $80 billion a year nationally. That large increase in spending has turned the SNAPprogram into a target for U.S. House Republicans looking to reduce spending. More cuts are expected in the future.

Daniels said she encourages those who are struggling with the food-stamp cuts to reach out to their local food banks and churches. “There will be folks who don’t say anything, and they won’t eat,” she said. “Don’t be afraid, and call the food bank and ask for help.” For a list of area food pantries, visit www.foodpantries.org/ci/mo-st._louis.

eral family-support services, including mental-health counseling and a homeless center for parents. About 150 families in the district are homeless, Anderson said. It’s important to keep retooling and reworking how to address the needs of these families, she said.

“The biggest message to the community is that our students are just as smart as any other student in Missouri, and we can achieve at the highest levels,” Ross said. For the students, the recognition validates this message, which teachers try to instill every day, Ross said.

“We always tell them that we believe in them,” Ross said. “Now the message is black and white with the scores. I don’t think it would have taken this for them to get the message, because this is the message they receive every day in the classroom.”

NOBLE

Continued from A1

brain tumor. He was described by those closest to him as a compassionate “public servant” who believed in giving “second chances” with a goal to reduce recidivism among ex-offenders.

“Ernest was about helping to make things better in any way he could,” said Alicia F. Green, Ernest’s widow.

The ceremony was held in a conference room at the U.S. Probation Office – Eastern District of Missouri within the courthouse.

Alicia sat next to her two young sons, Ernest E. Green IVand Ellis Green, a few feet away from an easel shrouded in black cloth. They were joined by Chief U.S. Probation Officer Douglas Burris and U.S. Probation Officer Demetrius Hatley, among other guests. Ernest and Hatley had worked to improve transportation resources for ex-offenders just released from prison and still under federal supervision. Hatley said ex-offenders were having a difficult time getting to and from job interviews and places where other services were being rendered. In 2007 through NOBLE St. Louis, Ernest began donating bus passes to the U.S. Probation

GOAL

Continued from A1

Cheri Fromm was joined by her husband and 2013 United Way campaign co-chair Ron Fromm, chairman of the board of Brown Shoe Company, in thanking more than 300 campaign volunteers and contributors who attended the campaign victory celebration at The Sheldon Concert Hall on Wednesday evening.

Maurice Newberry was joined by his wife and 2013

Office. The “Ernest E. Green III Reentry Initiative,” as it’s now known, has become one of NOBLE St. Louis’benchmark community efforts toward reducing recidivism. The bus pass donation is now an annual event. To date, NOBLE St. Louis has donated approximately $10,000 in bus passes to the U.S. Probation OfficeEastern District of Missouri. Burris feels confident that the bus pass donation helped to

Charmaine Chapman Society campaign co-chair Brenda Newberry.

“As we move into the 20th anniversary of the society that began in 1994 with less than 100 members giving $148,000, we celebrate the growth of the Charmaine Chapman Society and its wonderful accomplishments,” said Brenda Newberry. The Charmaine Chapman Society has raised more than $26 million to help people through United Way since its inception.

Thousands of volunteers worked on the 2013 United

reduce crime in the area “because it got people help and employed.”

“Since they started that, the unemployment rate of our caseload has been under 10 percent,” Burris said of the bus pass donation.

Burris, Hatley and Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer

Scott Anders said it was time to recognize their “good friend.” Burris said the idea developed during a time when the department was feeling the

Way campaign, including employee groups, labor unions, businesses, corporations and government employees. More than 2,500 companies ran campaigns and more than 200,000 individuals contributed to the United Way campaign’s success in the 16-county region of Missouri and Illinois.

“We received support from the corporate community, from individuals from all walks of life, from families, foundations, non-profit organizations,” Ron Fromm said.

The St. Louis Regional Business Council, which repre-

Colleagues and family of the late Major Ernest E. Green III honored his memory Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse:Jiles H. Ship,34th national president of NOBLE;University City Police Chief Charles E.Adams; Ernest's sons, Ernest E.Green IV and Ellis Green; Doug Burris,chief U.S probation officer;Ernest's widow,Alicia F. Green;U.S. Probation Officer Demetrius L.Hatley; and Chief Judge Catherine D.Perry.

strain of federal budget cuts.

“The budget cuts just made us realize how important it was that we received the donation from NOBLE,” Burris said. “It makes you reflect more about people that reach out to help because it’s the right thing to do.”

Jiles Ship, 34th national president of NOBLE, traveled from New Jersey for the occasion. Ship said Ernest was a leader in helping ex-offenders re-enter their communities.

sents more than 100 area firms, raised more than $10.4 million this year. Fifteen 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 $4 million or more level in team gifts were employees of Edward Jones and Monsanto Company.

At the $3 million or more in team gifts were employees of

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for us to give those individuals the tools they need to better their life and society overall?” Ship asked.

Ernest’s two sons stood on each side of the wooden easel grabbing a piece of the cloth before unveiling a framed photo of their father, a mock donation check for $1,500, and a summary of Ernest’s background. His sons were next presented with shadow boxes contain-

Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Enterprise Holdings, and Wells Fargo Advisors. The Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. gift also includes pledges from its labor unions and Anheuser-Busch Foundation.

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

At the $1 million or more in team gifts were employees of BJC HealthCare, The Boeing Company, Brown Shoe Company, MasterCard Worldwide, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Peabody Energy, Schnuck Markets and

ing some of Ernest’s NOBLE memorabilia, badges and other items surrounding a photo of their father. And at that point, Alicia couldn’t hold back her tears.

NOBLE St. Louis Chapter President Lieutenant Colonel Ken Gregory said he regretted that he couldn’t attend the ceremony due to mandatory business travel. In a telephone interview, he spoke of how NOBLE has done everything in its power to continue Ernest’s initiatives. The chapter donates car seats to needy mothers and accepts clothing donations for ex-offenders to ensure they are properly dressed for job interviews. NOBLE also annually collects old cell phones distributing them to domestic violence victims as a means to call the police. The framed photo and mock check will be permanently displayed in the lobby of U.S. Probation Office – Eastern District Missouri as positive reinforcement for ex-offenders.

“We want them to read Ernest’s story and understand that the police are not always there to arrest you and put you in jail, that they really do care about you,” Burris said, “They want you to succeed.”

Visit NOBLE at noblenational.org. Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil.

U.S. Bank.

United Way of Greater St. Louis supports more than 170 agencies in the counties of: St. Charles, Warren, Lincoln, St. Louis, St. Louis City, and Jefferson counties in Missouri and Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, and Madison in Illinois.

“Together, we are supporting one million family and friends,” Cheri Fromm said. To give to United Way of Greater St. Louis, call 314539-4101 or go online to www.stl.unitedway.org.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Michaelis appointed STLCC interim chancellor

American staff

The Board of Trustees at St. Louis Community College recently appointed Dennis F. Michaelis, Ph.D., to serve as the interim chancellor. Michaelis began work Oct. 28. Michaelis retired in August 2009 after a 21-year career as president of McLennan Community College. During his tenure at MCC, the college expanded its instructional programs and invested in technology, staffing and infrastructure improvements. These initiatives resulted in the greatest enrollment growth seen in the history of the college – an increase from 5,000 in 1988 to 10,000-plus by fall 2009. Michaelis also was instrumental in developing MCC’s University Center, which provides access to affordable bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs on the MCC campus through partnerships with Tarleton State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

McLennan County, and several local municipalities to serve central Texas with a regional emergency services training center. The Dennis F. Michaelis Academic Center, the Science building, and the Emergency Services Education Center were completed just prior to his retirement.

Dennis F. Michaelis

Michaelis earned his doctorate in higher education administration from Kansas State University. He holds a master’s degree in English from Fort Hays State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas.

Obituaries

In Loving Memory

Robert Curtis Hudson & Opal G. Hudson Simms

In Loving Memory of Robert Curtis Hudson (November 8, 1934—January 19, 1981) and Opal G. Hudson Simms (July 13, 1936—November 2, 2010)

Though your smiles are gone forever, and your hands we cannot touch, we still have many memories of the ones we loved so much. Your memories are our keepsakes with which we’ll never part. God has all of you in His keeping, and we have you in our hearts. Your

memories are the tie that binds our hearts. In everlasting love, Hudson family members and descendents

Willie Melvin “Pepper” Moore

Willie Melvin “Pepper” Moore passed away on October 20, 2013. Beloved husband of Irene M. Moore; loving father of Gwendolyn M. Bynum

Willie Moore

(Reuben); grandfather of Joi M. Silver and Joel H. Silver III; greatgrandfather of Jalen, Jayla, Joelle and Raegan Silver; Goddaughter Judy WilsonGriffin and Godsons Dwain Little and Brian Warner. Survived by other family members and friends.

In 2007, Michaelis helped initiate a partnership between MCC, the city of Waco,

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

St. Louis Regional Chamber

Make Magical Memories In St. Louis This Holiday Season

Holidays are for making happy memories, and few places rival St. Louis for holiday memorymaking material.

Shimmering light displays, a rousing holiday parade, heart-warming theatrical performances and stirring musical concerts multiple the magic of the holidays in St. Louis with lots of memories-in-the-making.

Here is a sampling of the magical holiday moments waiting for you in St. Louis. To see more, visit www.explorestlouis.com.

Macy’s Festival of Lights oficially kicks off St. Louis’ holiday season on Nov. 22 when, with the lick of a switch, Kiener Plaza is drenched in colorful holiday lights. The festivities begin at 4 p.m., and are capped off with an exciting ireworks display. Entertainment on the Main Stage and in the Christmas Village will include Moscow Ballet Nutcracker St. Louis Dancers, Salvation Army Brass Ensemble, Grand Center Arts Academy Show Choir, the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association, Muny Kids, Show-Me Sound and Rivertown Sound Quartet.

The Midwest’s best holiday parade--the 29th Annual Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade--hits the streets of downtown St. Louis at 8:45 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 28. Think colorful loats, marching bands, familiar storybook characters and high-stepping equestrian units with an appearance by Santa himself.

Get a jump on your holiday shopping and spend an entire fun-illed day at the familyfriendly Holiday Magic show Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at America’s Center where the activities include full-scale carnival rides, entertainment and handson arts and crafts projects for the kids. Visitors to the Missouri Botanical Garden will delight in the Gardenland Express Nov. 23-Jan. 5, 2014 (closed Dec. 25). G-scale model trains zoom through a miniature landscape of living plants in a display surrounded by more than 500 poinsettias and other lowers. Stick around for an evening stroll through the magical Garden Glow when thousands of lights illuminate the Garden’s iconic buildings, walkways become sensory light tunnels and traditional candlelight village displays radiate light. (closed Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 5)

Does your child want to spend some quality time with Santa? Sign him or her up for Breakfast With Santa the world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo weekly on Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22 or Dinner With Santa, Dec. 20-23. Kids who attend get a photo with Santa, a gift and a visit from costumed characters.

Lights, lights and more lights

Colorful light displays permeate the holidays with a festive feel, and they abound in St. Louis. Here are some ways you can experience them:

• Kick back and relax on Nov. 16 when Taubman Prestige Outlets, one of St. Louis’s two new outlet malls, holds its irst annual tree-lighting ceremony. The Muny Kids, TeamSTAGES and Ashleyliane Dance Company will entertain, and a special visitor from the North Pole will drop by.

• Take a leisurely drive through the 28th Annual Winter Wonderland in Tilles County Park Nov. 27-Jan. 1, 2014 (closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) and be enchanted by the milelong display of colorful lights, festive holiday scenes and favorite characters. Or clip-clop through the park in a carriage ride on a Saturday night when Winter Wonderland is closed to vehicular trafic and reserved for carriage rides only.

• Meander through U. S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo, a holiday wonderland of spectacular light. Wild Lights is open Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-23, & 26-30.

• Get in a holiday mood early at Santa’s Magical Kingdom at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park where millions of sparkling lights, animated scenes and dazzling special effects are bound to get you in a holiday mood. The display kicks off Nov. 15 and runs nightly through Jan. 5, 2014.

• Partake in the 44th Annual Way of

Lights at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in nearby Belleville, IL Nov. 22-Jan. 3, 2014 where more than a million twinkling lights and electro-art displays portray the true Christmas story along a mile-and-a-half route. Other activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, tree and wreath displays, camel rides, indoor laser show and interactive children’s village.

Musical mood-setters

Looking for a musical mood-setter? Check out these upcoming performances:

• Ninth Annual Christmas at the Cathedral, Dec. 7-8 in the timeless splendor of Cathedral Basilica Saint Louis. The concert includes performances by the Archdiocesan Adult Choir, Children’s Choir, Handbell Choir and Orchestra.

• A Christmas Carol at the Fox Theatre in Grand Center, Dec. 5-8. What would the holidays be without a visit with Scrooge, Tiny Tim and his family?

• 2013 Pandora Jewelry Presents Martina McBride: “The Joy of Christmas” Tour, at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 13. The country music star goes holiday in a concert that includes holiday classics and hymns, a 12-piece band with a string section and a video screen depicting scenes of the season.

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Dec. 14-15 at Powell Hall in Grand Center. In a irst, the St. Louis Symphony performs the sounds of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas with Chip Davis’ modern symphonic arrangements of holiday songs.

• Christmas Candlelight Concert by the Bach Society of St. Louis at Powell Hall, Dec. 17. The Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra will perform and then will be joined by the University of Missouri St. Louis University Singers for John Rutter’s energetic Gloria.

• ELF The Musical at the Fox Theatre in Grand Center, Dec. 17-29 (no performances Dec. 24-25). This tale of a misit Elf is sure to brighten your day.

• Donny & Marie Christmas at the Scottrade Center, Dec. 18. Shades of the 1970s! Donnie and Marie are back with a show that blends holiday songs with a nostalgic look back on their careers.

• Holiday Celebration, a St. Louis Symphony holiday concert at Powell Hall featuring the Symphony and the Holiday Festival Chorus, Dec. 20-22. The show includes carols and other holiday music, and Santa will pay a visit.

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Scottrade Center, Dec. 23. What’s been described as an “American progressive rock band” brings you the inal performance of “The Lost Christmas Eve.” See we were not kidding. St. Louis is the place to kick back and enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Let us be the irst to say, “Happy Holidays!”

My Experience in YES

By Stuart Aldrich Junior

Hello, my name is Stuart Aldrich. I am fifteen years old and I am a teen at YES (Youth Exploring Science).YES is a program at the Saint Louis Science Center for at-risk and underprivileged teens to learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), through hands on activities in agriculture, astronomy, chemistry, engineering and neuroscience.

In late 2010, my mother was looking for an FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team for me to join. She found out that YES was starting one for the 2011 season. I joined the team (3858 “Metalstorm”) as programmer. After six weeks starting January 2011, the team had been interviewed by a TV station, and learned how to create a robot from scratch. Then in the St. Louis regional after recreating the bumpers for rule complacency, our alliance (a team of teams composed of 931, 1706 and us) won 2nd place, an achievement for a rookie team.

After all that, I joined YES as a volunteer teen in Spring 2011 in the robotics compo-

nent, in which I worked with Mindstorms NXT. Then in summer we worked with Arduinos and taught Boy Scouts an introduction to electronics. With help and kits from AT&T, in fall we started an FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) team (5456 “Metalstorm”). This time we built a smaller robot with less people, unfortunately we did not place in the regional.

In winter 2011, as team 3858, we decided to join the FRC 2012 season. Once more we were interviewed and built a robot, however this time we built it bigger, stronger and better. In the regional we also had to rebuild our bumpers for similar reasons. Unfortunately we were not chosen for an alliance.

In spring 2012 I became a full teen, still in the robotics component. In the component we worked more with Mindstorms. For summer we went to schools and taught Mindstorms to students at them, and went to a theater with other FRC and FTC teams to demonstrate our robots. Participation in these robotics competitions has given many YES teens a great introduction to not only robotics, but to teamwork and persistence as well.

Diversity and excellence in teaching

American staff

A new Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) study focuses on the racial diversity and academic composition of Illinois’ teachers and the factors that influence the makeup of the state’s teacher corps.

Bradford R. White and Eric J. Lichtenberger, both from the IERC, and Karen J. DeAngelis from the University of Rochester, collaborated on the study and found that several factors contribute to the composition of the state’s teacher corps.

“Research has found that academically skilled teachers have positive impacts on student achievement and racial/ethnic minority teachers have a positive impact on minority student outcomes,” White said. “As a result, there are currently numerous efforts underway to improve the selectivity and the diversity of the teaching force, both nationally and in Illinois.”

The study cites the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which calls for recruiting candidates that reflect the diversity of the nation’s students. CAEP proposes admission standards for teacher preparation programs to require entering candidates have an average achievement in the top one-third of a national assessment.

“Some evidence suggests that efforts to improve the academic skills of the overall teaching force can have a negative impact on teacher diversity, without a parallel commitment to maintaining such diversity,”

White said. “Therefore, our goal in this study is to inform the design of policies and practices to improve the supply of academically skilled, diverse individuals into teaching.”

Researchers conducting the study used a longitudinal state database to track two Illinois high school cohorts from the classes of 2002 and 2003 through college and into the workforce. These students were tracked through five stages in the new teacher supply pipeline: college entry, enrollment in a fouryear college, completion of a bachelor’s degree, achievement of teacher certification and employment as Illinois public school teachers.

The study found that only 3.2 percent of the Illinois public high school students studied became public school teachers by roughly a decade after completing high school. Teachers from these cohorts were stronger academically, but less racially/ethnically diverse than their high school classmates who did not become teachers.

The study concluded that the transition from certification to employment was one of the most critical stages in the new teacher pipeline. The researchers were surprised to learn that although one in five bachelor’s degree recipients across all disciplines became certified to teach, less than half of all certified teachers gained employment as a classroom teacher.

For more information about the IERC, visit www.siue.edu/ierc.

Stuart Aldrich

Photos by Henry Gray & Patrick Gaydon

Exercise

Nutrition Challenge:

One way to make sure you’re getting the nutrition your body needs is to have a goal of (at least) 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables — every single day! Each serving is only about ½ cup, so it’s easier than you think! Here are a few tips.

Exercise Challenge:

Too busy to exercise? Then schedule it! Just like you would put anything important on your calendar (sports practice, school events, doctor appointments) so that you don’t forget — do the same for exercise. Try to schedule at least thirty minutes (but

A BMI (Body Mass Index) is a generic way to calculate where your weight falls into categories (thin, average, overweight, obese). However, it’s a good idea to remember that a BMI may not take in to consideration many things such

Take advantage of the many teacher programs we offer at the Zoo to supplement your students’ classroom experience. The Zoo Outreach Program offers instructors who can bring live animals to YOUR classroom. We offer a variety of teacher kits you can check out, and we offer other resources (videos, books, etc.) FREE for you from our library. We even designed a cool poster you can hang in the classroom!

We’re here to help you succeed, and there are even scholarships available. Just visit stlzoo.org/teachers or call us at (314) 646-4544 to learn more.

Healthy Kids Kids

> Start off your day with a piece of fruit!

> Try new fruits and vegetables each week.

> Why not add fruits or vegetables to your fall baking? You can boil and puree many different kinds to add to cakes, breads, etc.

> What are some other ways to add fruits/ vegetables to your diet?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 3, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

aim for sixty!) at least four days a week. What are some creative ways to mark your calendar?

Try putting “Me Time!” or “Explore the

Neighborhood” on your calendar. Regular exercise is good for your heart and lungs. But don’t forget the bonus benefits. Exercise burns calories, increases your metabolism and even improves your mood. So, put it on your calendar!

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

Discuss your BMI with your doctor if you have any questions. The formula to calculate your BMI is 703 X weight (lbs) ÷ height (in inches/squared) or search “BMI Calculator” to find an easy fill-in chart online. If your number is high, what are some ways to lower your BMI?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, NH 5

Where do you work? I work for Mercy Hospital.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from McCluer Senior High School and the University of Phoenix (Communications). Many people attend a vocational school that prepares an individual to work in this field within three to six months. Others who are interested in career advancements in the medical field start off with an associate’s degree in applied science.

What does a lab assistant do? I draw blood from patients ranging in age from newborns all the way to the elderly. After drawing blood, we process and prepare blood for testing on machines in the laboratory.

Why did you choose this career? It was very interesting to me. I loved learning the science of how the body works. I also loved learning how the lab works. There are many departments in the lab which perform tests on the blood. What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy meeting new people while providing a service that will improve or save their lives. Laboratory professionals are the first in line to help doctors understand what’s wrong with their patients. The blood we draw and process for testing helps many people.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Challenge: Go to http://www.stlamerican.com/newspaper_in_ education/ and download our Weekly Fitness Challenge Journal page. Keep track of your

Yulonda Brown, Lab Assistant II

CLASSOOM SPOTLIGHT

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis

SCIENCE CORNER

Floyd Malveaux studied asthma and how it affects the lungs.

The lungs take oxygen from the air you breathe and transport it throughout the bloodstream, while removing the carbon dioxide, releasing it in the air you breathe out.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. When airways become irritated and narrow, it triggers an asthma attack. The narrow passages make it hard to breathe air. Asthma makes everyday activities uncomfortable and difficult, due to a lack of oxygen. Symptoms of asthma

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Materials Needed:

Clean Plastic Tubing • Large Plastic Bottle

• Water • Sink or Bucket • Ruler

Procedure:

q Put 10cm of water into the water basin.

w Fill the plastic bottle with water.

e Put your hand over the top of the bottle to prevent water from escaping when you turn it upside down.

include coughing, wheezing (especially at night), difficulty breathing, and chest pain. Asthma is treated with medicines to control the swelling and open airways. Sometimes medicine is taken orally, in a daily pill. Sometimes an inhaler is used to deliver the medicine when someone is having an asthma attack. Scientists, such as Malveaux, study asthma and how it affects the body, and create treatments.

Learning Standards:

I can read a nonfiction passage for main idea and supporting details.

What Is your lung volume?

y Take a deep breath.

u Breathe out as much air as you can through the tube.

i As you breathe out through the tube, the air from your lungs takes the place of the water in the bottle. Measure the volume of air your lungs had in them.

o You will need to sanitize the tube in between each person using it, or provide a separate tube for each student.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN MICROBIOLOGIST: Floyd Malveaux

Floyd Malveaux was born on January 11, 1940, in Opelousas, Louisiana. With the guidance of his mother, a math and science teacher, Malveaux excelled in school and placed first in a statewide math competition for minority high school students.

In 1961, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biological science from Creighton University. Three years later, he earned his master’s degree in biological science from Loyola University in Chicago. From there, he earned his doctorate degree in microbiology and public health from Michigan State University, then went to Howard University to attend medical school. Malveaux also completed studies at Washington Hospital Center and Johns Hopkins University. While at Howard University, Malveaux studied allergies and asthma, training in internal medicine and allergy/clinical immunology. In 1978, he became an associate professor of medicine at Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM), and created a training program for allergists. In 1986, he joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins University and created the Urban Asthma and Allergy Center in Baltimore, Maryland. His work led to the Community Outreach for Asthma Care, which was a treatment program at HUCM. In 2005, Malveaux retired and joined the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. Malveaux has won many awards, including the National Institute of Health’s National Research Service Award, and Jewel Plummer Cobb Distinguished Lecture Award. He continues to increase public awareness of asthma and leading healthy lifestyles.

Questions:

q Why do you think Malveaux attended medical school?

w How did that change his career path?

e What parts of the body does asthma affect?

r Are you allergic to anything?

t What are some of the side effects of allergies?

Learning Standards: I can read a biography about a person who has made contributions in math, science, or technology.

MAP CORNER

Use the newspaper to complete these activities:

r Turn the bottle upside down, placing the top of the bottle under the water in the basin before removing your hand.

t Push one end of the plastic tube into the bottle.

MATH CONNECTION

In this week’s science experiment, you measured volume in your lungs. For this activity, you will practice calculating area. The volume of a rectangular prism is length x width x height. Use the formula for area to answer the following problems:

q What is the volume of a rectangular prism with a length of 5 meters, width of 6 meters, and a height of 12 meters? ________

Reflection: Did you know that if you have a big air capacity in your lungs you can distribute oxygen around your body at a faster rate? You can increase the air capacity in your lungs with regular exercise.

Learning Standards: I can follow a procedure and analyze results.

w What is the height of a rectangular prism with a length of 10 inches, width of 3 inches, and a volume of 210 inches cubed? ___________

e If a cube has a length, width, and height of 6 inches, what is the volume? __________

r If a cube has a volume of 27 feet cubed, what is the length of each side? ___________

Learning Standards: I can multiply and divide to calculate volume.

Activity One — Technology in Our Community: New technology is always changing the way we do things. Use the newspaper to locate a picture of an invention that has affected or changed your life in some way. Write about how the invention has changed your life.

Activity Two —

Inverted Pyramid: News stories are often written in a style of writing called the inverted pyramid. The most important information in the story is contained in the lead, or first paragraph(s), and the details are added in descending order of importance. This allows readers to browse through the newspaper at a quicker pace. Find an example of a story in the newspaper that is written in inverted pyramid style.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can write with a key idea and supporting details to support my answer.

Photo courtesy malveauxmission.org

Photo courtesy Brooke Martin

North City humbles

Paul McKee Jr.

It was deja vu all over again when the EYE laid eyes on Sunday’s Post-Dispatch P-D business reporter Tim Logan was reporting, as he often does, on Paul McKee Jr.’s NorthSide redevelopment project.

The news nugget, here, is that McKee has started talking with McCormack Baron Salazar about partnering on his 1,500-acre redevelopment project in North St. Louis. Logan notes, in his own voice, that the partnership would be beneficial to McKee because McKee “has little experience with the nitty-gritty of urban community development.”

Deja vu.

The EYE was present for a confidential, private meeting with McKee held in a small room in Clayton six and a half years ago when McKee was told something very similar about his absence of urban experience, albeit in more blunt terms. This was back before McKee’s $390 million tax increment financing package from the city, before his $45 million in land assemblage tax credits from the state. It was before many people – other than then-blogger Michael R. Allen and his “Ecology of Absence” readers – knew who Paul McKee Jr. was.

McKee felt stung by the Post’s report, which he felt was presented to titillate and enflame readers, rather than explain and inform. So he turned, as many do in this town when they feel bitten by the Post, to The St. Louis American. The EYE was present in a St. Louis Club meeting room when McKee made an extensive private presentation of his development plans, revealing far more than was known, at that time, to anyone outside of his inner circle.

McKee made his presentation – and waited for a response.

A civic leader who understands North St. Louis tartly reminded McKee that he didn’t know anything about urban redevelopment. “You need to get together with Richard Baron” (of McCormack Baron Salazar), McKee was told. At the time, McKee had a laundry list of reasons why he did not need to get together with Richard Baron, or anyone else outside of his own tightknit team, which was best known for transforming a St. Charles County cornfield into MasterCard and a planned community called WingHaven. My, times have changed.

It was back when the Post first assigned two reporters to repackage and rewrite Allen’s diligent expose of McKee’s land assemblage practices. McKee bought his land one small parcel at a time, anonymously and through shell companies – a common practice to keep down prices. The Post played its reheat of Allen’s reporting on the front page very dramatically – and disingenuously, as if McKee were not doing what anyone does when buying up city blocks (or, for that matter, corn fields) one small parcel at a time.

“I don’t know how to win that kind of money,” McKee said to Logan about McCormack Baron having secured three Choice Neighborhood Grants issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for roughly $30

million each. “Those guys are masters at it.”

“I don’t know how”: Clearly, time and North St. Louis have humbled Paul McKee Jr.

On my knees

The EYE recalls going to visit Larry Crawford, then director of the Department of Corrections for then Gov. Matt Blunt. Blunt was on his way out, Jay Nixon was on his way into the Governor’s Mansion, and the EYE was rooting for Crawford to keep his job. Crawford had a sincerity about this department’s mission to reform offenders that seemed more important than his Republican Party affiliation.

The EYE asked Crawford what he planned to do if Nixon cashiered him and appointed his own party faithful in his place.

“I don’t know,” Crawford said. “Maybe the good Lord will bring me down to my knees.”

At some point, the good Lord – and/or North City –belatedly brought Paul McKee Jr. down to his knees.

At the table

Now, the suburban master planner is finally asking for some help from an experienced urban developer. That’s a good thing.

McKee, no dummy, is in it for the Choice Grant application. Logan notes that

McCormack Baron (which does more business and has a higher profile outside of its home base of St. Louis than it does here) has secured three of the nine Choice Grants issued nationally since 2010. Three out of nine – if the heart of the St. Louis Cardinals’ batting order had hit that well in the World Series, Michael Wacha would have some glittering new jewelry on his ring finger by now.

“We’re there at the table with him,” Vince Bennett McCormack Baron chief operating officer, told Logan of McKee.

“We’re there at the table with him”: if only McKee had asked McCormack Baron to join him at the table earlier in his struggle, he would have had less of a struggle. But more of the right people are at the table now, and that’s a good thing.

“It’s about leverage,” Bennett told Logan. “It’s about having a partnership and coming together to improve the community.”

The EYE likes, very much, the idea of a proven urban operator like Vince Bennett gaining some leverage over McKee the suburban master planner. Together, they just might improve a community that needs and deserves it badly.

Jobs and houses, houses and jobs

The EYE has only one correction for reporter Logan. He quotes Sandra Moore,

president of Urban Strategies, a nonprofit community outreach arm of McCormack Baron, saying, “You start with housing, and then layer everything else on top.” Logan then notes, by way of segue, that “McKee talks a similar talk.”

Not so.

In fact, it is McCormack Baron’s residential focus that kept McKee at arm’s length before the good Lord and/or North City brought him to his knees. For McKee, you start – not with housing – but with jobs, jobs, jobs.

Taxman

The EYE does credit Logan (or his editor) with a good zinger.

McKee told Logan his goal is to be selling houses without any property tax abatement within five years. McKee, clearly, is looking forward to the city where he is doing business to be raking in some revenues to assist with his infrastructure needs.

“We need to wean our city off all the tax breaks we give people to come here,” McKee told Logan. “We need to get people to think this is a different marketplace.”

Here comes the zinger from Logan or his editor: “To date, NorthSide Regeneration has received a $390 million TIF from the city and more than $45 million in state tax credits.”

Ba-boom! Try the veal; we’re here all week.

Bullets and trees

The EYE got a document dump this week relating to the Vacca and Stritzel caper. If “the Vacca and Stritzel caper” doesn’t mean anything to you, then you should know that two senior officials in the administration of Mayor Francis G. Slay Joseph Vacca, deputy commissioner of the St. Louis Parks Division, and Thomas Stritzel, chief of the St. Louis Park Rangers – have pled guilty to bilking taxpayers for nearly a half-million dollars between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012. Those were all Mayor Slay years they were robbing the city till.

The EYE is not sure, at this point, if these documents point to any crimes to which Slay’s boys have not already pled guilty. The vendor named in these documents, which was duped by Slay’s boys, is still doing business with the city. It’s also not yet clear, looking at these documents, whether this vendor should still be doing business with the city. The EYE will share the documents with the Board of Aldermen, whose parks committee plans to hold hearings about the Vacca and Stritzel caper. For now, one question. Why would the city’s Parks Division be buying bullets? And if the tree huggers did buy bullets, then why buy bullets from a horticulture supply company?

Paul McKee Jr. has been meeting for years with community partners like these workforce development professionals. More recently, urban developer McCormack Baron Salazar has joined McKee at the table.

BUSINESS

Williamson,senior vice president and general counsel

Corporation,Steve

Buford honored for Lifetime Achievement

Retired Urban League exec lauded at Salute on Nov. 14

to the board meeting,” Buford said.

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Shuntae Shields Ryan

Shuntae Shields Ryan has been hired as vice president, marketing & communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. She will oversee communications, branding and marketing duties for the organization. Her most recent role was as senior director of marketing, communications & public relations for the Downtown Partnership, where sheplayed an intricate role in the revitalization of Downtown St. Louis for nearly 17 years.

Will Daniel has joined McGrath & Associates as project engineer, working on construction projects for Dyno Nobel and Ameren. He has six years of experience in the construction industry, including work on the Southern Illinois UniversityEdwardsville Art & Design Building Expansion. He earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and construction management from SIU-E and has Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Certification.

Sherry Sissac has joined the Regional Arts Commission as director of marketing. She will be responsible for promoting RAC and its programs and activities, as well as St. Louis’cultural organizations. She has worked for Chicago-based Leo Burnett USAand Weber Shandwick, a global public relations and communications firm. Her communications experience includes serving as news anchor and public affairs director for KDNLTV30

Donta Wade was recently recognized as a Hospitality Super Hero for exceptional service provided by hospitality industry employees by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. He is supervisor of the UMB Champion Club at Busch Stadium. This recognition program honors front-line workers who best exemplify great service. Nominations were solicited from management of hospitality industry companies and judged by customer service experts.

By Chris King

Of The St.Louis American

Jim Buford will need to return home to St. Louis next Thursday, November 14 to accept a Lifetime Achiever in Community Service Award from the St. Louis American Foundation at its 2014 Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The ostensibly retired Urban League executive – for 28 years he ran its flagship affiliate in St. Louis – will be returning from New York, where he has been invited to attend the National Urban League’s Board of

“He committed himself to growing the programs and scope of service to our region.”

– Deborah Denham,on Jim Buford

Trustees meeting. Buford tried to get out – but the Urban League keeps pulling him back in.

“I expect I’ll work with the National Urban League in some consulting capacity, moving forward, and that’s why they’re bringing me

This allegedly retired nonprofit executive recognizes there is work to be done – as much as ever. “Nonprofits are going to have a hard time moving forward,” Buford said, “with the tone of the country and what Congress is doing with funding and entitlements.”

Buford left the St. Louis affiliate of the Urban League in the capable hands of Michael McMillan when he retired in May after leading the agency for 28 years. In that time Buford grew the local affiliate from a

Obama honors STLyouth as ‘Champion of Change’

Emmanuel Haynes recognized for youth employment efforts

By Comptroller

Darlene Green

For The St.Louis American

STLYouth Jobs was successfully launched this summer, providing 185 St. Louis youth with summer employment. This pilot program included a variety of Occupations, including retail, child care, dance instructor and funeral director.

One of the youth employed this summer was 17-year-old Emmanuel Haynes, a 12th grader at Carnahan High School of the Future. Recently, he traveled to Washington, D.C., where he was honored as one of the “Champions of Change” for youth jobs.

This summer, Haynes worked at the Ronald L. Jones mortuary on Fair Avenue. Haynes spent eight weeks learning the ins and the outs of the funeral business in his role as funeral director. He admits he was really nervous the first week, but quickly made the transition. The customer service aspect – being

there for the clients in their time of need – is what he enjoyed the most.

The White House honored nine individuals and organizations as Youth Jobs

“Champions of Change” for answering President Obama’s call to action in helping develop the discipline and skills associated with employment for our youth. As part of the ceremony, Department of Education Under Secretary Martha Kanter moderated a panel of student honorees in which they discussed their experiences in the workplace.

“Nearly everyone let out a gasp when President Barack

Obama took the podium,” Haynes said. “We didn’t know he would attend the ceremony until the very last minute.”

Following graduation, Haynes will return to work at the Ronald L. Jones mortuary on a full-time basis. Next fall, he will begin his studies in mortuary science at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.

STLYouth Jobs is a program led by the Incarnate Word Foundation and administered by Mers-Goodwill, based on an idea from the Regional Task Force on Youth Violence Prevention. The goal is to provide summer employment to youth ages 16-23 from high-

“Nearly everyone let out a gasp when President Barack Obama took the podium.”

– Emmanuel Haynes

risk neighborhoods in the city of St. Louis. Those high risk neighborhoods include Dutchtown, Gravois Park and Tower Grove East in south city. In North St. Louis, the targeted areas include Baden, Mark Twain, Penrose and O’Fallon.

Nationwide, nearly 16 percent of 18-to-29 year-olds were out of work in September, according to Generation Opportunity, a nonpartisan youth advocacy group. For African Americans, the numbers are higher with

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Top 25 African-American Businesses of 2013

The St. Louis American Foundation’s Top 25 African-American Businesses of 2013 are: Ability Building & Restoration, ABNAEngineering, AFRAM Corporation, Afro World International, Andy’s Seasoning, BAM Contracting, BRK Electrical Contractors, Brown Kortkamp, Capital International Communications, Centrex Electrical Supply, Davis Associates, CPAs, FUSE, HicksCarter-Hicks, Interface Construction, KAI Design & Build, Kwame Building Group, Mind Safety Management, LLC, Missouri Home Therapy, Power Up Electrical Contractors, Quest Management Consultants, Real Estate Solutions, Simms Building Group, Vector Communications, William C. Harris Funeral Directors and World Wide Technology.

Eagle Bank launches ‘Mobile Mone’

In partnership with eMone Co, Eagle Bank is launching Mobile Mone, which combines the functionality of an FDIC-insured pre-paid debit account (accessible by the internet, smart phones or SMS text) with services such as direct deposit, online bill pay, and personal-to-person account transfers. Mobile Mone users also can link multiple accounts from multiple financial institutions into one application that can be accessed through the website or by mobile phone. For more information, call 314647-9991.

Kanderreminds businesses about statutory changes

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander is reminding businesses about changes in the law regarding LLC filings, as well as secured transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code, put into effect by HB 510 and HB 212. Under HB 510, LLC owners can now file series LLCs with the secretary of state’s office. Also, because of changes in HB 212, there are new forms for Uniform Commercial Code transactions available through Kander’s office. For more information or for new forms, call 866-223-6535.

Keith

of Centene

Sullivan,president of Ameren Energy Services,and Jim Buford,longtime president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St.Louis,unveiled signage at the Urban League’s newly christened James H.Buford Outreach Center back in June 2012.

Photo by Wiley Price

Will Daniel

Sherry Sissac

Donta Wade

Emmanuel Haynes

GI Bill eases college costs formilitary families

By Jason Alderman

As Veteran’s Day approach-

es, this is a good time to remind our active duty service members and veterans about the many education assistance benefits available to them through the G.I. Bill and other government programs. Here’s a rundown of a few of the more commonly used programs:

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is more flexible and generally offers more generous benefits than earlier GI Bills. It provides up to 36 months of support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of active duty after September 11, 2001, or those with a service-connected disability after 30 days. An honorable discharge is required.

BUFORD

Continued from B1

$2.5 million annual budget to an agency with an annual budget of more than $20 million that annually serves 40,000 people with a variety of social services and programs.

“He committed himself to growing the programs and scope of service to our region,” Deborah Denham, board chair of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said of Buford.

Approved training includes undergraduate and graduate degrees, and vocational/technical/on-the-job training, among others. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. This program covers 100 percent of tuition and fees for in-state students at public institutions, paid directly to the school. For those attending private or foreign schools, it will pay up to $19,198.31 per academic year (sometimes more in certain states). If you attend a costlier private school – or a public school as a non-resident – you also may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, where schools voluntarily fund tuition expenses exceeding the highest public in-state under-

The St. Louis American Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement honor recognizes this accomplishment, among many other achievements. In fact, Buford is a co-founder of the Salute to Excellence in Business event where he will be honored, which is co-produced by the St. Louis American Foundation, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

“The St. Louis American Foundation is appreciative of Jim Buford and Dick Fleming for being good partners in copresenting this event for the past 14 years,” said Donald M. Suggs, president of the foundation. “We are proud to continue the partnership working with Michael McMillan and Joe Regan.”

Buford’s lifetime of achievement also includes past service on more nonprofit (and corporate) boards than probably even he can remember at this point. But his community service is hardly a thing of the past.

“I’m still busy – much more busy than I thought I would be,” Buford said, with a sigh. He still chairs the Board of Trustees at the Metropolitan Sewer District, though that term expires in March. He still serves on the St. Louis ConnectCares board, though

PERSONAL FINANCE

graduate rate. The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and the Veteran’s Administration will match the amount.

The 9/11 GI Bill also will pay a books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year, and a monthly housing allowance generally comparable to the military Basic Allowance for Housing for a military pay grade E-5 with dependents, based on the ZIP code for your school.

Another advantage of this newer GI Bill: Armed Forces members with at least six years’service can transfer some or all of their benefits to their spouse and/or children.

that organization will be phased out with the changing landscape of health care.

But he also has new commitments, having recently joined the Casa de Salud board and the search committee for the new director of the Missouri History Museum. And he has trimmed down to a mere dozen or so other nonprofit board commitments.

Why can’t he, actually, retire?

Here are the basic rules:

ï You must agree to four additional years of service. (Special rules apply if standard policy precludes you from serving four more years or you’re eligible for retirement).

ï Because the clock starts ticking from the date you elect to participate – and you can’t enroll additional beneficiaries after leaving the military – it’s best to sign up all family members right away. You can always go back and change allocation percentages or remove beneficiaries at any time until the benefits are used.

“I am tired of the day-to-day grind, but I am not tired of contributing.”

– Jim Buford

“It’s just my makeup, my composition,” Buford said. “I’ve been involved for over 45 years of my life in community activities. I don’t want to run anything anywhere anymore. That’s why I stepped down. I wanted to decrease the tension and pressure. But I want to contribute. I am tired of the day-to-day grind, but I

ï Spouses may begin using transferred benefits right away; however children must wait until you’ve served the full 10 years.

ï You and your spouse must use the benefits within 15 years of your leaving the military; children must use them by age 26.

Montgomery GI Bill. This older version of the GI Bill may still be available if you didn’t already opt for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. You’re eligible if you started active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, served continuously for three years, are honorably discharged and had your pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months. (There’s a separate plan for reservists.)

For most people, this program is less generous than the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Benefits typically expire 10 years after military separation and are not transferrable to family members; plus, you pay tuition and fees upfront and are later reimbursed. The VAwebsite has a tool to compare benefits under the two GI Bills. To learn more about the GI Bill, visit www.gibill.va.gov. Other VA-sponsored educational financial aid programs can be found at www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/oth er_programs/index.html. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney

am not tired of contributing.” He did take one break, recently, spending 10 days in Mexico with his wife, Susan Buford, who is recently retired from AT&T. In Cabo San Lucas, he did something very unusual for Jim Buford. “I laid around and did nothing,” he said. He did partake of one leisure activity that promises to loom large in his retirement. “The golf in Cabo is fabulous but difficult,” Buford said. “They have obstructions and hazards that don’t exist here. I won’t tell you how well I played.”

Buford enjoyed Cabo, looks forward to future European travels and expects to be kept busy in New York at the National Urban League meeting. But he’ll be looking forward to getting back to the

Salute to Excellence in Business in St. Louis and seeing some friendly faces from home.

“Of course, I have been overwhelmed by the accolades and honors, but it means even more to me that so many people are staying in touch and asking me to do things,” Buford said. “Just staying in touch – that makes me feel good.”

The man they are keeping in touch with is the same man they have been knowing all these years. Buford said, “I’m still up most mornings, putting on a bow tie and going out there and getting things done.”

Buford said his friends and the community are welcome to stay in touch via his personal email address, jameshbuford@yahoo.com.

The 14th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Thursday, November

HAYES

Continued from B1

14, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, networking reception at 11 am, luncheon program at noon. Tickets are $100 for VIP/Preferred seating, $75 for general admission. Call 314533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com for more information or to purchase tickets. nearly 21 percent of young people unemployed.

Emmanuel Haynes, along with several of the 2013 STL Youth Jobs participants will be featured on the upcoming episode of “It’s Your Money with Comptroller Darlene Green,” which airs on STL Television.

“This guy needs to be out of the league.He needs to be gone.”

– Former NFL linebacker Bart Scott,referring to the bullying behavior of Miami Dolphins lineman Richie Incognito towards teammate Jonathan Martin

PREP FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

With Earl Austin Jr.

In the first round of the Missouri Class 6 football sectionals Francis Howell North's Donnell Hawkins (7) is too late to stop Hazelwood Central running back D.J.Curtis (21) from scoring during the Hawks 41-7 victory over the Knights of Frances Howell North Saturday.

Playoffs continue

Big Missouri matchups this weekend

The Missouri state playoffs continue this weekend with Class 6 action taking place on Friday night. One of the big matchups this weekend will be when DeSmet visits Hazelwood Central in the District 2 playoffs on Saturday at 1 p.m. It will be a rematch of what was one of the most entertaining games of the season. Hazelwood Central edged DeSmet 42-38 in a wild, high-scoring affair on

September 6 on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Mike Glass to Xavier Sneed with 15 seconds left. Hazelwood Central is currently 10-0 while DeSmet is 6-4, but very dangerous with its big-play people such as Marcus Jester and Dedrick Cromartie. The Hawks continue to have one of the area’s most explosive offenses with Glass and tailback Kevin Batt. Friday night’s Class 6 District semifinals will bring about three more rematches. Metro Catholic Conference rivals CBC and SLUH will meet again. CBC won the first meeting 316 on September 13. Eureka will host

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Therefore my only connection to the Hawks is that Dominique Wilkins just happens to be my favorite player of all-time. Otherwise, the only pro hoops I’ve witnessed have been of the pre-season variety or have

I can admit, when it comes to professional basketball, my team allegiance is flimsy and fleeting.

taken place while visiting other cities. Therefore, I can admit, when it comes to professional basketball, my team allegiance is flimsy and fleeting. When you don’t have a home team, allegiance is often tied to players. Over the years, I’ve rooted for the Atlanta Hawks (Wilkins), Detroit

Pistons (Isaiah Thomas), Chicago Bulls (Michael Jordan), Utah Jazz (Karl Malone), Orlando Magic (Shaquille O’Neal) and most recently the Dallas Mavericks (Dirk Nowitzki). With Nowitzki getting long in the tooth and Mavs owner Mark Cuban making more headscratching moves by the minute, I have a feeling my days as an all-out Mavericks fan are numbered. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not demanding a trade or refusing to complete my fan obligations in 2013-14. At season’s end however, I’m

Lindbergh in a District 1 game. Eureka won the first meeting 38-0 on October 1. Francis Howell will host Fort Zumwalt West in District 3 action. Howell took the first meeting 45-20 on September 27. Area schools from Classes 2-5 played their district semifinal games on Wednesday night. The winners of those games will play for the district championship on Monday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.

House of Pain awaits

Normal Community in for a hurting

Football fans in Central Illinois got a glimpse of the state’s No. 6-ranked East St. Louis Flyers in Normal last Saturday when

off Norman West 33-6 in

round of the IHSAClass 6A playoffs. This Saturday, those same fans will have to make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the brandnew high school campus at East St. Louis Senior High School and Clyde C. Jordan Stadium. This time, it will be Normal Community High taking on the Flyers at the House of Pain. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

The champions of the Big 12 Conference, Normal Community (9-1) beat conference rival Bloomington High 30-0 in their opening round game.

The champions of the Big 12 Conference, Normal Community (9-1) beat conference rival Bloomington High 30-0 in their opening round game. The Ironmen’s only loss came in Week 3 to Niles Notre Dame, 21-7. In their nine victories, the Ironmen have scored at least 30 points. Meanwhile, everything is still rolling and on schedule for coach Darren Sunkett’s Flyers. Sunkett has taken the “one game at a time approach” after the Flyers’Week 4 loss to O’Fallon dropped them to 1-3. Since then, the Flyers have been riding a six-game game winning streak heading into Saturday’s game.

University of Missouri recruit Gregory Taylor put on a show last Saturday in Normal. Saturday. Taylor rushed for 327 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.

Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel hasto be tickled as well. His future defensive end also has recorded 76 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions this year. Taylor’s play is reminding me of former Flyers’great Terry “Black Kat” Hawthorne during the 2008

Maurice Scott

See EAST SIDE, B4

Photo by Wiley Price

Earl Austin Jr.

Paul George and LeBron James battled for Eastern Conference supremacy last season and now battle for a free-agent fan’s allegiance.

CLAIB’S CALL

With Mike Claiborne

Boys will be extortionists in the NFL

The National Football League is a billion dollar empire that we pay homage to every Sunday from sunrise to sunset with an additional helping on Thursday and Monday night. While the product on the field has become substandard compared to a short time ago, the off-field antics have escalated and are more than just concerning.

You may remember Richie Incognito. His stay in St.Louis was an insult and embarrassment.

The league has already fleeced several thousand players who were involved in a class-action suit that evolved around postconcussion issues. While the players asked for $2.1 billion in damages, the league gave them a “take it or leave it” offer of $756 million to cover over 4,500 players. In their agreement, the league would not admit guilt nor would they be required to testify in court as to what they knew and when they knew it. How about the preseason stupidity of the Philadelphia Eagles receiver who was caught on YouTube dropping the “N” word when he did not get his way and wanted to fight any and all people of color on a particular night? A week of suspension and then back to work for him. Yep, that’s the NFL. The league is having problems with players and fines for illegal hits that have infuriated many players. So upset was one player that he has now vowed to go after players’knees. Washington Redskin defensive back Brandon Meriweather has since been spoken to and has softened his tone. Then there is that mascot name “Redskins,” which has long been offensive to many Native Americans. The Redskins’owner insists the name stays. Commissioner RogerGoodell was nowhere to be found in settling this dispute. I guess there are not enough Native American NFL season ticket holders or advertisers. The Miami Dolphins’second year player Jonathan Martin has been the subject of

Jonathan Martin,right,of the Miami Dolphins is at the center of a bizarre controversy initiated by teammate Richie Incognito,left,that reportedly escalated from public ridicule to choice language about Martin’s biracial parents to extorting money from Martin to threats on Martin’s life.

the most deplorable disgusting, bigoted and racist act we have seen in some time. Martin was a classics major at Stanford and an All American offensive lineman who provided protection for Andrew Luck, now a star quarterback for the Colts.

Teammate Richie Incognito has been accused of being the ringleader of a bullying and hazing campaign that has escalated to the point where extortion and hate crimes have been mentioned. Incognito allegedly has harassed, threatened and intimidated Martin via phone

text, Twitter and face-to-face confrontations. These allegations have ranged from public ridicule to racially charged texts and emails about Martin’s biracial parents to extorting money from Martin to threats on Martin’s life.

You may remember Incognito. His stay in St. Louis was an insult and embarrassment. He was released after costing his team a loss with some of the dumbest penalties ever taken in a game. Now he has resurfaced in Miami, and the entire organization looks

culpable. For this to go on for over 10 months with not one word spoken by one player, coach or front office member is immoral and criminal.

It came to a head last week when Martin sat down at a lunch table with people who wore the same uniform, and all the players, including Incognito, got up and left. Martin, having had enough, left the facility and has yet to return. The Dolphins tried to play down the incident as just hazing; boys will be boys. They tried to get Martin’s parents to issue a joint statement about Jonathan to say he was experiencing some personal problems. Martin’s parents, who are both Harvard gradu-

ates and successful lawyers, declined the invitation.

The Dolphins have since suspended Incognito indefinitely. The league is involved now, as is the players’association. I would suspect the legal department will be heavily involved in this one.

Mizzou for real

The Mizzou Tigers are for real. They are playing big-time in a big-time conference called the SEC. The atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever witnessed. I have seen great teams that featured the likes of Joe Moore, Kellen Winslow, Howard Richards,

Natereance Strong continues to be sidelined,nursinga leg injury he received against Lombard Montini.

Demetrious Johnson, Wendell Ray and Phil Bradley, but folks this is as good as it gets. They are playing like a team that belongs. You now have people talking about a possible MizzouAlabama match up in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide is a whole other conversation, but if you have not taken in a game at Mizzou, it may be time – if you can get a ticket. The job athletic director Mike Alden and his staff have done over the years is awe-inspiring.

Cardinal closure

It was some sort of season for the St. Louis Cardinals. With injuries that saw the Redbirds lose two starters in Chris Carpenter and Jamie Garcia, shortstop Rafael Furcal and closer Jason Motte – along with the debut of 10 rookie pitchers – St. Louis found a way to win more games than anyone in the National League. They went on to beat the new darling Pittsburgh Pirates in five and the well-financed Los Angeles Dodgers in six before losing in six to a very deserving Boston team.

Some questions that the Red Birds take into the off season. What to do about shortstop?

The Cardinals got very little from that spot from the All Star break through the World Series. There is not much on the free-agent market that would create a buzz with the exception of perhaps Johnny Peralta, formerly of Detroit, who also served a 50-game suspension for testing positive earlier this season. Atrade could be the route here, as the Cardinals have that wealth of pitching to use in a deal. What about center field? Jon Jay’s bat cooled off and his defense was not as good as we have seen in the past. Could be an off season, but he needs a challenge for the position in 2014. What about Carlos Beltran? The Cardinals have offered him a contract. He is the classiest Cardinal we have had in some time. If he does not sign with the Cardinals, the team will get a first-round draft choice for him from the team that does. The last time that worked well for the Red Birds – when the former first baseman went to Anaheim, the Cardinals drafted Michael Wacha. Beltran wants to play and swing the bat. He can do that in the American League as a potential DH. He will be missed should he move on.

state championship run. Also on Saturday,Marvin Young shined at tailback. The junior rushed for 124 yards behind the Flyers’offensive line. Young is spelling Taylor as former starting tailback

The defense is led by Terry Beckner Jr. (No. 2-rated DE on rivals.com), who had nine tackles and six assists against Normal West. Kyron Watson (Kansas) had 11 tackles and six assists, Kevion Gilmore had nine tackles, while Taylor had nine tackles. All were stellar last week and will have to duplicate that effort against the no-huddle attack of the No. 2 seed Normal Community. Kenny Knight and Leon Hyde also have been great on defense for East St. Louis. The kicking game also has been great during the winning streak. Freshman kicker Julio Chavez kicked eight extra points against Belleville West, with 3 PATon Saturday. Who says Darren Sunkett can’t coach kickers?

Those of you who jumped off the team’s bandwagon a couple of months ago, you can come get your seat back and support the team this Saturday at the House Of Pain.

Mike Claiborne

RAMS ROUNDUP

With Palmer Alexander

Consistently inconsistent Rams lose

another game they could have won

The St. Louis Rams teased many with their inspired defensive effort against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, only to allow Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans to have a big day with 150 rushing yards on just 23 carries. His counterpart Zac Stacy showed up again for the St. Louis Rams and put in another solid effort with 178 total yards from the line of scrimmage. But, it still wasn’t enough, as the Rams lost 2821. How does a team look so dominant and then, in just a matter of six days, appear like they’re lost? Where is the consistency? The only thing that’s been consistent is inconsistency. In four of the Rams six losses the games were close and the largest margin of defeat was fifteen points when the Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers. It’s remarkably similar to last season where you

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

entering fan free-agency.

Where should I sign? The possibilities remain endless. From a geographical standpoint, my best three options are the Bulls, the Memphis Grizzlies or the Indiana Pacers. All three cities are within 300 miles of St. Louis, meaning a live, regular-season game is just a gas tank away. With the right playlist, the time goes by quicker than Derrick Rose’s pre-surgery first step. Speaking of Rose, the Bulls field a team centered around the former MVPbut not completely reliant upon him. Other young stars such as Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler have tons of upside and even 31-year-old Carlos Boozer, who currently leads the team in scoring, has plenty of tread left on the tires. If healthy, the Bulls should remain a viable championship contender for the next several years. Noah’s game is odd and quirky enough to always find

can count on your hands the winnable close games the Rams let get away. The Rams only chance of winning anymore games this season is to going to be up to this defense to assert itself and play smart and dominant. And you’ve got to have special teams do their part as well. Greg Zuerlein missed a 44

entertaining, as is Rose’s indefatigable will to get to the bucket.

Down in Memphis, the small-market Grizzlies have put together some surprisingly strong seasons the past few years on the backs of Zach Randolph Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Memphis has a similar feel as St. Louis, and it would be easy to root for a fellow underdog town. Of course, the Cardinals/Redbirds connection makes Memphis a natural fit, but we’re talking hoops here. The Grizzlies aren’t a flashy team, but they get it done. Randolph is a doubledouble monster and Conley gets better every season. In Indianapolis, the Pacers are another team who has surprised hoop heads everywhere by ascending into a legitimate title contender. Last year, Paul George and Co. pushed the eventual champion Miami Heat team to the brink of elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals. The-23 year-old George is a monster who reminds me of Tracy McGrady minus the back problems. The uber-talented

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

yard kick. It’s the second straight game that he has missed a field goal at home. I think it’s neat for Zuerlein to have all these nicknames like Greg “The Leg,” or GZ, as long as he doesn’t inherit the nickname of the last Rams placekicker Josh Brown, “The Inside Man.”

Tavon Austin is looking

athletic freak is surrounded by a nice mixture of young talent such as Roy Hibbert Lance Stephenson and George Hill and crafty, skilled veterans including David West and Luis Scola. If Danny Granger can ever get healthy, the Pacers will undoubtedly be the deepest team in the league, and an exciting bunch to watch.

Let’s not pretend that geography is the only factor in choosing a favorite team though. After all, Dallas isn’t exactly a hop, skip and a jump from the Gateway Arch. Ask any of the Lakers fans scattered around the city how often they head to Los Angeles for a game. Stars sell teams.

Should I decide to ship my allegiance out of the Midwest once again, the options are limitless. I’m a big fan of the dangerous and dynamic duo out in Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are almost polar opposites in demeanor and skillsets, but they complement each other very well. In Miami, LeBron James rules the roost as the best player in

Prep Athletes of the Week

Sydney Neal

O’Fallon – Girls Cross Country

The senior standout performer finished first at the Illinois Class 2A Sectional meet at Edwardsville last Saturday. Neal led the race from start to finish as she posted a winning time of 18 minutes and 43 seconds, which was 11 seconds faster than her nearest competitor. Her performance led the Panthers to a secondplace finish in the team standings.

Neal also finished in second place at the regionals at Quincy. A state qualifier as a junior, she finished in 32nd place at the IHSAState Championships in Peoria.

Neal will be one of the top Metro East runners to watch as she returns to the state meet this weekend at Detweiler Park in Peoria.

Raymond Wingo

SLUH – Football

The 6’1” 170-pound senior enjoyed a big performance in leading the Junior Billikens to an upset victory over Ritenour in the Class 6, District 2 playoffs. Wingo rushed for 176 yards, caught two passes for 60 yards and scored a total of six touchdowns to lead SLUH to a 42-28 victory. Wingo scored on runs of 8, 57, 47 and 12 yards. He also scored on a 59-yard pass reception and a 28-yard interception return.

One of the top prospects in the metro area, Wingo is being recruited by schools such as Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Tennessee and Nebraska. As a junior, Wingo also won the 100-meter dash at the Class 4 state track and field championships in Jefferson City. SLUH will visit Metro Catholic Conference rival CBC in the Class 6, District 2 semifinals on Friday night.

better on punt returns, and it’s good seeing him used on kickoffs because he needs to have the ball in his hands as often as possible.

To a degree we were already forewarned that this year is going to be different with a much younger team. As advertised, there have been some mistakes by a lot of these first- and second-year players. You have to at least be encouraged with Zac Stacy and Rodney McLeod making the most of starting at this level and pretty much never looking back. And maybe we’ll get to see some more of Stedman Bailey out there with the other wide outs as the season progresses.

Why not? At 3-6 and with the way the schedule shapes up, there has never been a better time to get more of these young draft picks ample playing time and see what might be in store for the Rams in the future.

As usual, Rams fans are looking towards the future, because for the past few years and in the present they have been and are consistently inconsistent.

basketball. I was a big fan of the King in training during his Cleveland days but couldn’t make the trip to South Beach. Though it’s well overdue to forgive and forget ‘”The Decision” debacle and enjoy his greatness while it lasts. Brooklyn has a dynamic squad and an outgoing, enthusiastic owner who’s hell-bent on winning at all costs.

Lastly, I never thought I’d

Top performances from last week

Senior Tevin Miller of McCluer North rushed for 302 yards on 29 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the Stars past Chaminade 38-28 in the first round of the Class 5, District 2 playoffs. Sophomore Keenan Young had six receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception 100 yards for another score in Althoff’s 35-14 victory over Columbia in the first round of the Illinois Class 4Aplayoffs.

Verbal commitment

O’Fallon High’s standout defensive lineman Dewayne Hendrix has given a verbal commitment to Tennessee. The 6’5” 255-pound Hendrix is a four-star recruit who is rated as one of the top 10 prospects in the state of Illinois. Hendrix chose Tennessee over a big list of suitors that included Florida, Ohio State, California, Nebraska, Missouri, Ole Miss and many others. As a senior, Hendrix registered 53 tackles and a team-high six quarterback sacks.

On schedule

Here is the schedule for this weekend’s Missouri Class 6

utter these words, but the Los Angeles Clippers might just have the most crowd-pleasing style of basketball with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the “Lob City” cast of characters. Even though I’d much rather have a home team to root for, that’s not happening anytime soon. Whoever said “home is where the heart is” must have lived in a city without a major sports team. The future of my basketball heart lies in the wings. It’s an amazing time to be a NBAfan. It’ll be even better once my rooting roots are re-planted in a city near you.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk and on Google+.

Palmer L. Alexander

The St.Louis Rams’Tavon Austin eludes a Tennessee defender for a gain Sunday againt the Titans.

Diverse entrepreneurs to present MasterClass

Carmen Jacob, Michael Kennedy speak at STLCC-Forest Park on Nov. 13

American staff

Two entrepreneurs known for championing diversity –Carmen Jacob, president of NextGen, and Michael Kennedy, president of KAI Design and Build – will share their success stories at the Master Class Series 11 a.m.12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park.

The session is scheduled for the Mildred E. Bastian Center for the Performing Arts on campus, 5600 Oakland

Ave. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. After their presentations, they will respond during a question-and-answer period.

Jacob’s professional life. Areturn to the United States brought the family to St. Louis. Recognizing that there was a need for ITstaffing for Fortune 500 companies, Jacob helped establish NextGen in 1997.

Jacob grew up in Guatemala and came to the United States in 1972 when her husband, Chris, completed his service in the U.S. Army. She obtained both business and nursing degrees from her native Guatemala. Her early business experience included healthcare and banking, sales and recruitment. She also was the executive assistant to the Guatemala Minister of Public Health.

Jacob worked as a collateral analyst with Continental Bank in Houston, learning the intricacies of banking and finance. From there, Emerson Electric sent the Jacobs to work in South America and Mexico as business managers to provide management and training.

Eight years in Latin America gave them the opportunity to manage operations and become involved in information technology, which proved to be a turning point in

As a woman pioneer in the industry that was dominated by men, Jacob was still inspired to start her own business. “It was a dream –only in America is this possible,” she said. Throughout the years, NextGen’s president has been completely dedicated to diversity. The firm is a certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise and a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise.

Financial Focus

years, has listened to clients and learned what would most benefit the company. As a result, services, technology, quality control procedures and management tools were added to deliver quality, value-driven results.

KAI provides single-source design and build services including program/project management, architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering, and construction management services.

Acommunity activist, Jacob is involved in numerous charitable organizations. When she is not networking, attending civic events or working, she can be found volunteering for her church.

Kennedy’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit has helped make KAI a technology front-runner through the early adoption of building information modeling. Asecond-generation leader, he works closely with his father, Michael Sr., KAI’s chairman and CEO.

Kennedy spends most of his time leading KAI’s strategic vision in expanding into new markets and developing new clients. He travels to major cities, transforming urban distressed markets.

KAI was established in 1980 in St. Louis, and over the

In June 2011, Kennedy started three new businesses: Power Up, Square Up and Keep Up. In this venture, he acquired Crown Electrical Contractors and did an asset purchase of Behlman Builders. This made Power Up and Square Up instant market players in the electrical and carpentry industry in St. Louis. For more information regarding the Master Class Series, contact Angelic Cole, associate professor of business administration, at 314-6449771 or acole56@stlcc.edu.

Established in 1962, St. Louis Community College is the largest community college district in Missouri and one of the largest in the United States.STLCC has four campuses – Florissant Valley, Forest Park, Meramec and Wildwood – that annually serve more than 80,000 students through credit courses, continuing education and workforce development programs.For more information about STLCC, visit www.stlcc.edu.

By Veronica Coleman

November is Long-term Care Awareness Month. And when it comes to long-term care — such as a stay in a nursing home or the services provided by a home health aide —course, you might think thatyou’ll always be able to live independently, without requiring any assistance — and perhaps you will. However, the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor: About 70% of Americans who reach the age of 65 will need some form of long-term care in their lives for an average of three years, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And every type of long-term care is expensive. Consider these numbers, taken from the 2013 Cost of Care Survey produced by Genworth, a financial security company: ï The national average rate for a private room in a nursing home is $83,950, a jump of 24% over the past five years. And it’s not much cheaper for a semiprivate room in a nursing home — the average cost is $75,405 per year, up

Michael Kennedy

Carmen Jacob

COGIC goes to jail

March to Justice Center featured in 106th Convocation

By Ciera Simril

It

•

• an Afrocentric organization’s war with the police in 1980s Philadelphia that resulted in an entire neighborhood being bombed to ruins

• the unfolding of what many believe to be the most embarrassing and blatant case of serial plagiarism in the history of print media.

And those were among the true-life documentaries.

Saying that SLIFF 2013 has something for everybody seems a bit cliché – but it doesn’t make the statement any less true thanks to the fact and fiction films that showcase black America through a host of life experiences.

Destination Planet Negro

SLIFF alum Kevin Willmott presents one of the most audacious and ambitious selections within SLIFF 2013 with his spoof of the ridiculously low-budget early 1950s sci-fi fantasies.

He wrote, directed and starred in the cutting-edge film set in the late 1930s. A group of black America’s greatest minds has come together to resolve the crises met by men and women of color. Their answer to Jim Crow and the other obstacles of the day was to take Marcus Garvey’s approach to a new galaxy – and

This grass-roots act of ministry is one of many public events COGIC is organizing while in St. Louis.

COGIC will once again partner with the St. Louis County Department of Health to provide health screenings, medical assistance an on-site medical professionals. For three days delegates and the general public can receive tests and screenings free of charge. Dr. Delores Gunn, director of the St. Louis County Department of Health, says, “We are excited to partner with the Church of God in Christ again. Our goal is to provide health assistance to as many people as possible.”

COGIC PR Director Robert Coleman said, “This year Dr. Gunn and her staff of physicians will see

send black people to Mars.

Though the script is not as cleverly written as one might hope, Willmott deserves credit for the satire on the strength of his courage to go against the grain of any formula or genre with respect to black filmmaking. Destination has the potential to create the framework for using cinema to express Avant garde interpretations and responses to the obstacles faced by African Americans.

Destination Planet Negro will screen 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Tivoli Theatre.

Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth

Through this documentary, Pratihba Parmer gives audiences a irst-person perspective of literary icon Alice Walker and a life that elicits the same wrenching connection that one experiences with the characters in her world-renowned literary contributions. As Parmer chronicled intimate aspects of Walker’s life beyond the pen or typewriter, the Pulitzer Prizewinning author shares her story with the same authenticity that made her a giant among writers.

The backlash against her interracial marriage during her days in the Civil Rights Movement, the brutal opposition to the black male characters in her books – The Color Purple, in particular – and her painful rift with her only child are shared with a graceful honesty that Walker couldn’t have written better herself. Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth screens 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at Webster U./ Moore Auditorium.

Trials of Muhammad Ali

Filmmaker Bill Siegel takes viewers

Rising circus star passes

By Nancy Fowler Of The Beacon

Eva Frazer Roberts, M.D., in the new home of the St. Louis University Health Resource Center in the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd.

The St. Louis University Health Resource Center has a new home in the Victor Roberts Building located at 1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd. The building, a landmark in our community, is more affectionately known as the Old Sears Building. For 20 years the HRC was run by St. Louis University medical students in the basement of St. Augustine’s Church. Supervised by SLU School of Medicine faculty, it is a free clinic for people who don’t have access to healthcare.

Through the generosity of Eva Frazer, M.D. and husband Steven Roberts the clinic is now housed at Roberts Companies headquarters. Housed within the clinic is a photo and bio tribute to several Homer G. Phillips graduates, including Eva’s inspiration – her dad, Dr. Charles R. Frazer Jr., and stepdad, Dr. Luther Forrest

Eva is a former member of the St. Louis University Board of Trustees. During her tenure there she was very supportive of the HRC program. She had a vision a couple of years ago

Reggie Moore, a North St. Louis youth who performed with Circus Harmony, was killed in a

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Dana G. Randolph

See POTPOURRI, C4

See SLIFF, C4

The Retrieval

Trials of Muhammad Ali

Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth

1.Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican.com

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

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

concerts

Thur., Nov. 7, 7 p.m., The Mildred Times Foundation forPancreatic Cancer presents 9th Annual Fall Benefit Concert feat. Denise Thimes. ATribute to the Late Great Songstress Phyllis Hyman. The Voices of Zambia Men’s Chours and Comedienne Monique Marvez will perform. The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 773-0337 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Sat., Nov. 9, 9 p.m., Chuck Buck Entertainment presents Lil Durk. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry, 63136. For more information, call (314) 869-9090.

Mon. Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m., The Scottrade Center presents P!NK: All about the truth Love Tour. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.scottradecenter.com or call (314) 622-5435.

Mon., Nov. 11, 8 p.m., The Old Rock House presents Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’Andrews has Godgiven talent, natural charisma and a relentless drive to bridge music’s past and future. In a very real sense, the torch is passed from one great New Orleans band to another on the new album. 200 South 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fri., Nov. 15, 5 p.m., The Sheldon presents Friends of the Sheldon, featuring Audra McDonald. Unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both singer and actress, with a record-tying five Tony Awards, most recently for Porgy and Bess, two Grammy Awards, and a long list of other accolades to her name. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Tues. Nov. 19, 8 p.m., The

Scottrade Center presents The 20/20 Experience World Tour: Justin Timberlake 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.scottradecenter.com or call (314) 622-5435.

Wed., Nov. 20 – Sat. Nov. 23, Jazz St. Louis welcomes The Regina CarterQuartet, Jazz at The Bistro, 3536 Washington Blvd. Formore information, visit www.metrotix.com orcall (314) 34-1111.

Nov. 30, 13 Black Katz welcome Kindred: The Family Soul, Grand Renaissance Hotel, 800 Washington. For more information, call (314) 288-9988 or visit http://13blackkatz.com/

Mon., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. The Yeezus Tourstarring Kanye West and featuring Kendrick Lamar, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com

Wed., Dec. 4, 7 p.m., The Sheldon presents Lynne Fiddmont feat. Jazz Saxophonist Keith Fiddmont Besides touring with Stevie Wonder, Lynne has explored many musical ventures with artists such as Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Babyface, Queen Latifah, B.B.King, Elton John, Nancy Wilson, Dave Brubeck, George Duke, Kenny Loggins, Eric Benet, and many more. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit ww.metrotix.com.

Wed., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., The Would You Like a TourTour starring Drake with special guest Miguel, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com

Wed., Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis Big Band presents ELLINGTON’S NUTCRACKER SUITE, Jazz at The Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

CALENDAR

Sat., Dec. 14, 8 p.m., The Mrs. CarterWorld Tour starring Beyoncé, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.livenation.com

Friday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m., Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly with Anthony Hamilton and Joe, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

local gigs

Fri., Nov. 8, 8 p.m., Wendy L Gordon, DeLeo’s Café & Deli 2782 N. Lindbergh, Florissant MO 63033.

Dec. 10 – 11, The Sheldon presents Charles Glenn Holiday Concert. Vocalist Charles Glenn is a fixture on the St. Louis music scene, from opening for national acts such as Smokey Robinson to performing the National Anthem at major sporting events. Glenn will perform a heartwarming blend of holiday favorites and jazz standards, perfect for the season. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries at before the concert. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Fridays through December, 8 p.m., The Precinct presents R&B Saxophonist Tim Cunningham. 1900 Locust Ave., 63103. For more infor-

mation, call (314) 588-8899 or visit www.timcunningham.com.

special events

Sat., Nov. 9, 9 a.m., Tower Grove Park hosts Race for Home 5K & 10K and 1 Mile Walk. The walk is benefitting Peter & Paul Community Services’work with those who are homeless. 4256 Magnolia Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 588-7111 ext. 203.

Sat., Nov. 9, 9 a.m., Cupcake 5K Run & Walk. Aclassic battle between those who eat and those who compete will pit speedy runners against speedy eaters in a battle between foot and mouth. Benefiting Lift For Life Academy- St. Louis’first charter school serving city children. 5300 Wells Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 862-1188.

Sat., Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Boys & Girls Clubs of GreaterSt. Louis presents All That Jazz Heroes! Silent auction, cocktails, live auction, dinner and dancing. Be a hero to a kid. Proceeds from the event are designated to Educational and Cultural Programs at the Club to help kids receive homework assistance, tutoring and com-

from this event will be used to provide free programming to the St. Louis community and scholarships for women who return to college to complete their education. One Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, call (314) 363-6835.

Sat., Nov. 16, 10a.m.-2p.m., Pleasant Grove Church host Homeless Toiletry Drive. Eta Mu Sigma and Zeta Sigma St. Louis Alumnae Chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. are requesting that you bring travel size toiletries to be donated to Homeless Ministries. 2411 Belle Glade Ave. 63113. For more information, visit www.sgrho-etamusigma.org.

Sat., Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., The Washington University Black Alumni Council cordially invites you to join them in celebrating 30 years Featuring the High Velocity Band! The kickoff event will take place at the 560 Music Center Ballroom, 560 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information call (314) 935-6543, or visit www.Edison.wustl.edu.

puter classes, learn how to paint, dance or even create their own opera. Hyatt Regency St. Louis a the Arch, 315 Chestnut St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 335-8014.

Thur., Nov. 14, 11 a.m., World Wide Technology, Inc. and the St. Louis American Newspaper present 14th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business. Awards & networking luncheon honoring Jimmie Williams, Adrian Bracy, and Rodney Gee. RitzCarlton, St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For tickets and more information, call (314) 533-8000.

Thurs., Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m., Busch Stadium hosts Annual Diversity Dinner, which will feature cultural entertainment by local performers and a silent auction. Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, President of Webster University, will present opening remarks and news anchor, Christine Buck will emcee the evening. 700 Clarks St., 63102. For more information, visit www.dapstl.org.

Fri., Nov. 15, 6 p.m., Norwood Hills Country Club hosts WINE Sip For Scholarship. The 5th Annual National Coalition of 100 Black Women – St. Louis Chapter (NCBW) wine tasting, recognizes phenomenal women in St. Louis. The proceeds

Sun., Nov. 17, 1 p.m., Santa’s Helpers, Inc.Warehouse hosts Santa’s Helpers annual silent auction. ASt. Louis non-profit organization that provides gifts during the holidays to under resourced and seriously ill children and their families since 1968, bid on a number of great items, including: Disney World one day park-hopper passes for family of four, Footballs signed by the St. Louis

Jazz St.Louis welcomes The Regina Carter Quartet.See CONCERTS for more information.

Enjoy the huge selection of home décor, holiday decorations, jewelry, clothing, toys, food, and much more. Fair trade means that artisans, farmers and producers earn a living wage for their work and much more. 129 Woods Mill Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www.manchesterumc.org/ftm.

Thurs., Nov. 28, 8:45 a.m. Downtown St. Louis presents Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Midwest’s best holiday parade features colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus as it winds through downtown St. Louis to kick off the holiday season. The parade begins at North 4th Street and Washington Avenue, proceeds South on North 4th Street to Market Street, continues West on Market Street and ends at 10th Street. For more information, visit www.christmasinstlouis.org.

Nov.29 – Dec. 1, The America’s Centerplaza presents Holiday Magic. Celebrate the holidays at this familyfriendly weekend show that offers a variety of entertainment and shopping options, including full-scale carnival rides, trackless train rides, and a vendor district full of exhibitors and gift ideas. Photos with Santa are also available. 701 Convention Plz., 63101. For more information, visit www.stlholidaymagic.com.

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

literary

Sat. Nov 9, 3 p.m., Nu Art Series and The Scott Joplin House present Dream Carriers starring Michael Castro, Scott Joplin House historic site, 2658 Delmar. For More information, call (314) 340-5790 or visit

http://www.thenu-artseries.org/

Sat., Nov. 16, 3 p.m., Nu Art Series and The Scott Joplin House present Dream Carriers starring Marsha Cann, Scott Joplin House historic site, 2658 Delmar. For More information, call (314) 340-5790 or visit

http://www.thenu-artseries.org/

Mon., Nov. 18, 7 p.m., The St. Louis County Library Foundation is pleased to present bestselling suspense author Martin Cruz Smith for a discussion and signing of his latest thriller “Tatiana,” Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Left Bank Books. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.

theatre

Fri., Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m., Guest Who’s Coming To Dinner, A woman’s Christian upbringing

is tested, Please come and see what she will do in this original Christian/Musical/Comedy.

St. James A.M.E. Church, 4301 St. Ferdinand. For more information, call (314) 3710687.

Through Nov. 10, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Fly. Based on the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen, this inspiring story follows four courageous young African-American pilots as they train to fly combat aircraft during World War II. 130 Edgar Rd., 63119. For more information, call (314) 968-4925 or visit www.repstl.org.

Nov. 19 – Dec. 1, The Fox Theater presents SisterAct. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1678.

Dec.4 – Dec. 22, The Black Rep presents Black Nativity –AHoliday Celebration, HarrisStowe State University Emerson Performance Center. For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.org.

Thurs., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., The Fox Theater presents A Christmas Carol. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Dec. 17 – 29, The Fox Theater presents ELFthe Musical. Ahilarious tale of Buddy a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

Jan 8 – Jan. 26, The Black Rep presents The Meeting, Harris-Stowe State University Emerson Performance Center. For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.org.

arts

Fri., Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m., St. Louis Art Museum presents African Art Tour. Tour St. Louis Art Museum’s African art collection with an art instructor and former Peace Corps volunteer who lived in Cameroon in West-Central Africa. Explore the museum’s sub-Saharan West African collection, including figurative works from Yoruba, Benin and Mende people. Masks, jewelry, textiles, furniture, figural sculpture and regalia highlight the diversity of artistic expression throughout the sub-continent. One Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information or to register, call (314) 8624859.

Sat., Nov. 16, 9 a.m., Bridgeton Machinist Hall

hosts Unique Treasures

VendorShow. Gobble up some great deals from local crafters, vendors and small business owners. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping list during this holiday arts and crafts show. 12365 St. Charles Rock Road 63044. For more information, visit www.uniquetreasures.ayg2.com.

Sat., Nov. 16, 7 p.m., St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum presents Choice Art 2013. This unique social affair and art auction will include a juried selection of local and national art, hors d’oeuvres, signature drinks, and a fantastic opportunity to meet new and like-minded people.It is an evening of cocktails and conversation, but most importantly, it’s an art show and auction that supports the crucial reproductive health care and education work Planned Parenthood does in our community. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 535-4660 or visit www.choiceart.org

lectures

Mon., Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Imani

Aisha Creations presents The Art of the Headwrap. Session covers styling techniques & demonstrations on head wrapping. We provide basic techniques of covering your hair with a scarf or fabric material. Scarves can be a great alternative way to cover your head for anytime of the year. Our workshops show people of all backgrounds and cultures that head wraps can be “a natural and beautiful alternative.” Pass by our cozy studio, bring your favorite scarf or purchase a fundraiser scarf while visiting. 8460 N. Lindbergh Blvd., 63031. For more information, call (314) 643-6067.

Dec. 6 – 7, The Sheldon Ballroom presents ACONVERSATION WITH EDITH HEAD. Susan Claassen stars as Edith Head in this behindthe-scenes feast of great movie lore and delicious stories. In her six decades as a costume designer, Edith Head worked on more than 500 films and dressed most of the great stars - including Mae West, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. Over her long career, Head received 35 Academy Award nominations and won an unprecedented eight Oscars! Join us for a

givers benefit from our programs annually. In the last 18 months, families in the lowincome bracket being seen by Memory Care Home Solutions increased to 85 percent; there has never been a greater time for your support. Starlight Room, Chase Park Plaza, 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 645-6247.

cabaret-style experience in The Sheldon Ballroom and hear “Miss Head” tell her own story, filled with humor, ambition and above all, glamour. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

health

Nov. 7 – 9, Church of God in Christ’s Health Fair. St. Louis County Health will be present. Free ask the doctor sessions. Screenings offered include total cholesterol, blood pressure, STD/HIVtesting, and more. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 342-5036 or visit www.cogic.org.

Thur., Nov. 7, 6 p.m., St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation at GreaterSt. Paul Missionary Baptist Church presents Children’s Asthma, “Building a Healthy Community Together.” 5503 Gilmore Ave., 63120. RSVP by Oct. 31 to (314) 545-5437.

Thur., Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m., Memory Care hostsannual event, Memories and Melodies Over 3,500 care-

Sat., Nov. 16, 9:30 p.m., Coventry Health Care presents HealthFest. Established in 2003, it is a one-day event featuring educational booths from a variety of area health professionals and health-related organizations. They offer free information, health screenings for all ages, giveaways, and more. HealthFest’s mission is to provide education to visitors/families about current issues and research, information about services available to the community, and introductions to careers in healthrelated fields. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 289-4400.

St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Ferguson is partnering with the Muslim Community of St. Louis physicians to provide free basic healthcare to adults. The clinic is offered at the St. Peter’s UCC at no charge each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a walk-in basis. Call 314-521-5694 for more information.

Monday – Thursday, 9 – 12 a.m. & 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Free Confidential HIVTesting. Results are available in 20 minutes. No appointments necessary. Anyone testing positive will be linked with quality HIVmedical care and there is assistance available for those who are uninsured. Washington University Infectious Disease Clinic, 4570 Childrens Place, 63110. For more information, call (314) 747-1237 or (314) 747-1237.

spiritual

Through November12, The

Church of God in Christ 106th Holy Convocation Event highlights include COGIC Health Fair, 4th Annual Job Fair, “Christmas in November,” and Annual Presiding Bishop’s Scholarship Banquet. The America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 342-5036 or visit www.cogic.org

Fri. Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m., Memorial Tabernacle Christian Life Center presents Wisdom OverHustle Music Label Launch/Youth Explosion. Acelebration of a new Christian Record Labelin St Louis. National Recording Christian Hip Hop Artist ‘Scooda’& wife Nisie have combined with the Memorial Tabernacle Christian Life Center Youth Ministries to bring a gospel explosion for youth of all ages. Scheduled Artists are: ChurchBoy, Mike Real, STLien, Wisdom Over Hustle Music Praise Team, and headlining for the first time in 10 years ‘Scooda’. 1350 South Lafayette Street Florissant, 63031. If you or your church would like to bring your youth please feel free to email: wisdomoverhustle@gmail.com.

Sun., Nov. 10, 8 a.m., Southern Mission Baptist Church Veteran’s Day Celebration with guest speakerMinisterBrian Weaver, Jr., 8171 Wesley Ave. Kinloch, MO 63140. For more information, call (314) 521-3951.

Sun. Nov. 10, 5 p.m., Dello Thedford and the Gospel Symphonic Choir present the 2013 Joe and Ethel Thedford Scholarship Concert, at Shalom Church (City of Peace), 5491 N. Hwy. 67, 63034.

Nov. 17, 4 p.m., 20th Anniversary Celebration for The W.J. Ellis Morning Gospel Choir, 8645 Goodfellow Blvd., St. Louis, MO63147. For more information, call (314) 381-5730.

The Nu Art Series and The Scott Joplin House present Dream Carriers starring Marsha Cann. See LITERARY for details.

POTPOURRI

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of

A few of the Homer G. graduates honored include Dr. Nathaniel Murdock, Dr. Homer E. Nash, Dr. Bernard C. Randolph Sr. Dr. Franks O. Richards Sr., St. Louis American Publisher and Executive Editor Donald M. Suggs, Dr. Mary Tillman and Dr. James M. Whittico In memoriam, the following Homer G. Phillips graduates were honored: Dr. Leslie F. Bond Sr., Dr. John H. Gladney, Dr. Helen Nash, Dr. William Smiley, Dr. Walter Washington and Dr. R. Jerome Williams Sr. Denise Johnson of St. Louis University School of Medicine administration coordinated the move and setup of the tribute photos and bios. Wiley Price Maurice Meredith and Andrea Haynes provided several of the photographs.

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of

MOORE

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audiences just loved him, and they were amazed to see what he could do.”

Running away with the circus has long been a romantic notion, but Moore’s story is one of falling into circus life by accident, according to Hentoff. As a high-school student, he heard two classmates talking about going to practice. Thinking they meant basketball, he tagged along. What he saw at the City Museum intrigued him, according to his mother, Nichelle Morris.

“He came home and he said, ‘Mama, I’m taking juggling class,’” Morris said. “And the first thing out of my mouth was, ‘How much does that cost?’”

With the help of an uncle and later a fundraiser, Morris was able to continue classes here and in Canada. After graduating high school, Moore worked as a student teacher and performer at Circus Harmony. Soon, he could juggle five objects, a feat that placed him in the professional realm.

“Seems like after he finished one class he’d just sign up for another. He was so determined,” said Morris.

When family members traveled from New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington and Indiana to see Moore perform, they would “go wild,” Morris said.

“Being six-foot-five, he was the biggest person in the circus,” Moore said. “And when he turned a flip through a hula-hoop or juggled knives, it was amazing.”

“There was never a dull moment with Reggie,” said one of his best friends, Iking Bateman. Besides circus work, the pair had sports in common. They played basketball against each other in high school and ribbed each other over Moore’s beloved

pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”

This quote by Khalil Gibran set the theme of the evening for Connie Gladney Agard’s milestone birthday dinner celebration October 24 at the Elephant Bar in West County. Connie’s lifelong friend and party coordinator Emily Jenkins passed out instructions for Connie’s Birthday Blessings Bag upon arrival. Friends were tasked with identifying and recording what they most appreciate about their friendship with Connie. We were also asked to include Best Wishes for this birthday and beyond. Sharing in the celebration were lifelong friends Emily Jenkins, Barry Smith, Janette Sams Dianne Williams Powell Joshua Beeks, Diane White Wilkerson Patricia D. Buie and Charles Bell. Happy birthday, Godsister! The Alonzo Mourning Foundation, The Miami Black Chamber of Commerce Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Richard Banks, Esq. and others hosted a grand Welcome to Miami Soiree for Arnold Donald in Miami last month. The event was held to honor Mr. Donald’s appointment as the new CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. The 23rd

floor of the Bilzin Law Firm in downtown Miami served as backdrop for this scenic party with many distinguished guests.

Rodney Gee, principal, Human Resources at Edward Jones, is the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2013 Corporate Executive of the Year. Mr. Gee’s honor will be presented at the Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon). This year’s annual business achievement recognition event will be sponsored by David Steward’s World Wide Technology, Inc. and held at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. Mark your calendars now for November 14 starting at 11 a.m. Call Robin Britt or Kate Daniel at 314-533-8000 to reserve your corporate table or individual seats now. The St. Louis American Foundation is a 501c3 Foundation, nationally recognized with 12 first place awards for community service. Wishing a happy birthday to my groovy niece and namesake Dana G. Randolph (November 1). Happy birthday to my wonderful Goddaughter Lauren C. Dawson (November 7). Dana Grace: dgrandolph@ live.com.

Miami Heat and Bateman’s favorite Los Angeles Lakers.

“He was more than a best friend, he was like a brother,” Bateman said.

This past summer, Moore traveled from New York to Colorado with the Zoppé family circus, including Nino the Clown. “He was just a kid from North St. Louis, living his dream,” Hentoff said. Moore had only recently begun learning the ropes as a trapeze artist. But it was his role as a base for launching others that cemented his bond with many performers.

“The circus is about trust and responsibility, and people felt safe standing on him,” Hentoff said.

As word spread about Moore’s death, condolences and memories began to dot the Circus Harmony Facebook page. “I will always remember Reggie’s beautiful spirit and

SLIFF

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to the dark side of the storied career of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. As the title suggests, footage of him being glorified for his feats as a heavyweight champion will play backseat to his spiritual conflicts as he embraces his new faith with the Nation of Islam. He goes from being a hero to public enemy No. 1 when he refuses to enter the draft for the Vietnam War on the grounds of religious beliefs – an experience that would take him all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and threaten not only his livelihood as an athlete, but his freedom. This film allows viewers to watch him grow as a Muslim and a

COGIC

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and help hundreds of people through the Ask the Doctor program. Anyone attending the Health Fair will be allowed to ask questions of physicians’ free of charge.” In addition to ministry and health, COGIC will try to bring jobs to the faithful. In an effort to combat the problems of economic blight and unemployment, COGIC’s

man as he sacrifices what he had worked his entire life to accomplish in the ring for the sake of his faith. The Trials of Muhammad Ali screens 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 at the Tivoli.

The Retrieval

Chris Eska joins the growing trend of cinematic slave narrative.

Set amid the backdrop of The Civil War, a man known only as Nate who was willed his freedom is abducted in an attempt to sell him back into slavery. But neither Nate nor his hatchet will allow anyone to come between him and his liberation until an enslaved teenage boy is forced to join the bounty team tasked with bringing Nate back to bondage. Nate and his hatchet offer a

Urban Initiatives is sponsoring a job fair to be held on Friday, November 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 2nd Floor Atrium of the America’s Center. Open to the public, the event sponsored by COGIC Urban Initiatives will be comprised of over 40 employers. The event is a hiring event, and many of the employers will be performing interviews on the spot.

Elder Edwin Bass, president of COGIC’S Urban Initiatives, says, “Communities of faith must partner with local communities to alleviate

stark contrast with the defeated fugitive slave who either withers in obscurity or relies on another soul to take pity on his plight and pardon him for rescue. The Retrieval screens 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Tivoli and will include a question and answer session with writer/director Eska. 22nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival will take place from November 14-

smile and be inspired by his life,” wrote Boston performer Marci Diamond.

Over the phone, Diamond told a story about her 17-yearold daughter who was with Moore this past summer at an American Youth Circus event in Seattle. When she climbed into a van to say goodbye to him, Moore started crying, which led Diamond’s daughter to break down.

“Pretty soon the whole van started crying,” Diamond said. “That was the kind of love and connection that he created.”

Watch Reggie Moore in a lively tumbling performance earlier this year: https://www. youtube.com/watch?list=PLR NBLIsRIFpPMaTfDWX7NDzk QydljMVri&v=nJQuS0_miFo. Edited for length and reprinted with permission from stlbeacon.org.

some of society’s most vexing problems, including discrimination, poverty and unemployment.”

The faithful are also sure to catch the main events. On Friday, Nov. 8, Men’s Day and Women’s Day, about 15,000 women will worship in Halls 4 and 5 and 10,000 men will worship in the Edward Jones Dome.

Saturday, Nov. 9 is World Youth Day, to be held in Halls 4 and 5 starting at noon. And Sunday, Nov. 10 is Official Day with Bishop Blake preaching to the Convocation.

Richard Banks, Esq., Carnival CEO Arnold Donald, Mourning Foundation Director Bill Diggs, and retired Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning celebrate in Miami.

Reggie Moore

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

The last of the Halloween candy. Didn’t Halloween feel like it lasted all month long, thanks to landing on a Thursday this year? Well, I made my way to the last taste of Halloween festivities last week and they were cute, I just had that same feeling as when I was a kid and insisted on eating my whole bag of trick or treat candy in one sitting…ENOUGH. My first stop was the Liquid Assets/Me So Social costume party that boasted a $3,000 grand prize. And the folks came out in droves for those three stacks! I was pleasantly surprised that the ladies didn’t get completely indecent in their quest to take home the prize and it wasn’t nearly as ratchet as I had braced myself for. I actually had a nice time peeping the costumes and enjoyed the idea of the Liquid Assets crew dressing up as NWA – with Phil obviously as DJ Yella. They must have had a buy one get three free sale on the burned face makeup because I saw so many folks with acid in the face effects that it was not even funny. I think my favorite among them was the burned up bride and her Lil Wayne impersonator burned face female groom. I didn’t stick around to see who won, but my favorite Halloween costumes from 2K13 had to be Dano as Trinidad James and Damion of Super Ego as Uncle Russ from “The Boondocks.” Dre’s wife Melanie was dressed up too, and deserves mention too. I don’t know what it was, but it was head to toe life. Since I’m talking about the Loft, I might as well say that I made my way to their annual Halloween party, too, and unfortunately the notion of winning three stacks had them almost tucking their whole party in. Don’t get me wrong, it was cute for any regular standards, but it was underwhelming considering that the Loft’s epic Halloween blowouts typically have folks lined up all the way to the steak house to get in.

Friday night snooze. IF Halloween was fright night, then Friday was “Night of the living empty boots,” as the weekend popped off. I mean Soho was pretty cute thanks to the DELUX Magazine/Mocha Latte merger that had the super cute and stylish Carri Griffin partying like it was her birthday – mainly because it was. Sadly that’s about all the good news I can muster as far as Friday night goes because as the Dixie Chicks put it (oh, so I’m the only one who catches life from that one country song a year that crosses over into popular music) there was nothing but wide open spaces in clubs all across the STL. And I became more convinced than ever that these rapper/baller side chicks vixens need to give up on the whole notion that they are so fine and the whole city will come out and bask in their thickness. The latest was poor little Sheneka Adams. She has all the curves in the world, but the majority of folks did not bother when she came to the Office. Oh well, maybe somebody can set up some kind of not-for-profit program/foundation that can train and transition these useless beauties in the direction of full-time and gainful employment, because club hosting doesn’t seem to be a sure thing for them and must have promoters losing money left and right.

Non-stop snickering with Sinbad. I must tell you that I was expecting the absolute worst when I made my way to the Peabody Opera House to check out Sinbad Saturday night. Nothing against him, but it’s just the last few comedy shows featuring established comedians were nothing more than folks recycling jokes like their lives depended on it. Couple that with the fact that folks haven’t truly been checking for Sinbad since “The Cosby Show” was still on the air – and it would be easy to assume that the show was going to be a back to the 1990s bust. I must say that I couldn’t have been more wrong in all of my life. Sinbad clocked every comedian that I’ve seen in the past five years – and did it with less a handful of PG-13 cuss words. He had me leaned over and weak with his clean self. And I know a good portion of the material was fresh, because he fielded the audience and interacted with them during the show. And when he started talking about East St. Louis, I got my life like I never expected. I didn’t know his dad was from there. Did y’all? Anyway…he talked about the Wiz, The Oz, some beautiful – but crazy – East side chick he had decided to date and how East St. Louis dogs can pump fear in your heart even when you’re behind the wheel of a car. When he talked about how you’ll honk at an East Boogie dog and they will chase you clean out the city limits I was looking to take a huff off of somebody’s oxygen mask! I know people don’t have him in the ranks of the great ones as far as standup comedians go, but I’ve really been thinking he hasn’t been given his props after the way he put it down Saturday. If you don’t believe me, ask baseball legend Ozzie Smith, because he had his whole row shaking the way he was cackling for dear life.

Late night with Jeezy. Even though he’s no longer known as Young Jeezy – the rapper kept his longstanding tradition of showing up at venues a whole day late when he played host with the most at the Avion Party Saturday night at The Coliseum. He says “12:45…about that time” in one of his raps, but dang! It was doggone near 1:45 when he made his grand entrance to the capacity crowd that had the walls sweating Saturday night. Wait, so they started playing his music at 1 a.m. as a stall tactic, but there were so many people crowded up in there that those of us who fell back to catch our breath thought that he had come straight in and kicked off the show. I thought to myself “that’s cute of him… I’m so glad that to make up for taking his time to come that he’s doing a little something for the crowd even though he wasn’t paid to perform.” Too bad at the time it wasn’t him. And music mixed with the hypest of crowds singing along went on for a good 30 minutes – I didn’t know I wasn’t in the middle of a Jeezy show until they announced he had arrived. Help. I proved myself to be psychic when he did a few little songs, but I quietly caught more life from the Memorex medley than his actual performance – mainly because by the time he took the stage I was so ready to roll out I didn’t know what to do with myself.

LooseCannon SLIM is aiding Lil St. Louis make his way in the STL hip-hop scene and the two were on deck for his Young and Reckless Mixtape release Party Wednesday night @ The City

Christina, Ma’ri , Monikah and Breyanca made their way to EXO for the StoryTeez Party Friday night

Briana and Teresa were anxious to get their laugh on with Sinbad Saturday night @ The Peabody Opera House

Mocha Latte with Delux Magazine’s Carri and Keith Griffin as they teamed up to celebrate the mag’s latest edition with Mocha’s Simply Sexy crowd Friday night @ Soho

Mario, Melanie and Dre were on deck for the The Loft’s annual Eyes Wide Shut Halloween Party Thursday night

Tim and Benita were all smiles thinking of the funny that comedian Sinbad would bring to the stage Saturday night @ The Peabody Opera House

Phil of Liquid assets with the grand prize winners of the costume contest at his Halloween Party Thursday night @ Harry’s Photo by Christopher Hawkins Photography

Cee and Tricky of Close to Famous with Video Vixen Sheneka Adams as they kicked off First Class Friday @ The Office

Rhyme masters Rockwell Knuckles and Tef Poe were ready to wreck the stage Friday night @ The Gramophone

STL favorite Yo Gotti shut the city down with a free concert and fan Bernard Quinn was quick to pose for a pic Monday night @ The Loft Photo by Christopher Hawkins Photography

Jeezy wasn’t the only rap star in the building Saturday night at the Coliseum. King Yella and his brother Brian had a chance to chop it up with Dirty South rap legend Bushwick Bill (of the Geto Boys) came through to show Jeezy love as he hosted the Avion Tequila tour.

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

Birthdays Anniversary

PastorArlene B. and ElderKenneth W. McClendon will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on November 17. Apostle Pastor and Elder are the founders of Chronicles Christian Center Church, 1001 Dunn Road in Florissant, Mo. They have two loving daughters, Dr. Ingrid D. McClendon and Iris K. McClendon both are educators. Elder retired from the Navy after 20 years and was also employed by General Motors for 28 years. Pastor is a licensed barber and instructor for over 20 years.

Reunions

Natural Bridge to organize and plan the 46th Class Reunion Picnic. For more information email bhsco1968@att.net or call 869-8312.

Beaumont High School class of 1969 is preparing for its 45th reunion in 2014. Contact beaumontclassof1969@yahoo. com for more information.

Beaumont Class of 1968: Reunion planning meeting on December 7,2013 at 3 pm at St. Louis County Library, 7606

beaumont_1984@yahoo.com.

McKinley High School Class of 1984 will hold a reunion meeting on Friday November 15, 2013 at Chunky Boy’s Bar and Grill, 2917 S. Jefferson Ave. from the hours 4-8 pm.

Mother and daughter celebrate milestone birthdays in November! Tai’Isha Williams (right) celebrates her 30th birthday on November 4 and Angela Dear (left) turns 50 on November 22.

Jessie Lowe — November 7

Happy Birthday to two little diva cousins born eight days apart. Nana’s girl Arin “Dimples Doll” turns 5 on November 8 and her BFF/cousin Jordan “Pretty Eyes Doll” turns 5 on November 16. Joyful, adorable little ladies they are! Both are sure to have fun on their special day. Love, Phoebe aka “MzButterflie”

Jerry Lewis Jr. — November 7

Shelita Peppers — November 8

Shana Sharp — November 12

LaKiya Carter— November 13

Patrina Jones — November 13

classof1974@yahoo.com, 314367-3159 or Joyce BushCruesoe at cruesoe2195@att.net, 314-4841552.

FREE OF CHARGE

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

participate.

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

Beaumont High School Class of 1984 is looking for participants to begin planning its 30 year class reunion. Please provide your contact information to:

SumnerClass Of 1974 has started planning its 40th class reunion. Meetings are held each third Saturday of the month from 2-4 pm at New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church, 4055 Edmundson Rd. 63134. Please contact Marsha D. Roberts-Moore at sumner-

SumnerClass of 1979 is looking for classmates to participate in activities leading up to its 35th Class Reunion, June 20-22, 2014 in Lake Ozarks, MO. Please forward contact information to sumner1979@ymail.com or call Sara at 314-482-1558. Various activities are planned and we want as many classmates as possible to

University City Class of 1981 cordially invites you to its “Pre-Holiday Dinner Dance”, Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Airport Hilton Hotel. Tickets are $35 per person and this event is open to All U-City Alumni and Staff. For tickets and more info contact Denise Weatherford-Bell at 314-484-6318 or msdenise38@yahoo.com. Tickets will be sold from November 4-December 2.

Nahketah Demetrice Byrd and Kenneth Anthony Bills were married on September 14, 2013 at Shalom Church (City of Peace), followed by a reception with family and friends at Occassionally Yours. Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Nuptials

Harris-Stowe celebrates David Peaston

7th annual Distinguished Gents concert on Saturday, November 9

American staff

Harris-Stowe State University is going to be getting its David Peaston on for his legion of hometown fans.

The university’s Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute, in collaboration with Pea-Stain Productions, will present the 7th annual Distinguished Gents concert on Saturday, November 9 at the HSSU Emerson Performing Arts Center, at 2 pm.

The theme for this year’s event, which celebrates the late David Peaston (19572012) as an alumnus of Harris-Stowe, is “The Journey Home.”

The evening performance will feature jazz, blues, gospel, classical, R&B, dance and a student ensemble from the Harris-Stowe. To commemorate Peaston’s contribution to the music industry and for his years of community service, Pea-Stain productions will present the “David Peaston Scholarship for the Arts” to an HSSU student.

The performance will feature a collection of songs that highlight the vocals of four male artists: Jermaine

Smith, Leslie Johnson, Damon DaBarge and Austin Layne, with special guest Jan Strickland. These vocalists will focus on exploring the many facets within the world of men and how they manage to successfully cope with the complexities of life.

Peaston, a native of St. Louis, was an R&B and gospel singer who won a Soul Train Music Award in 1990. He was mostly known for the singles “Two Wrongs Don’t Make it Right” and “Can I?” Tickets for the event are $25 and are available at HarrisStowe, Transformation Christian Bookstore, 4071 Page, and the Pea-Stain Production website at www. peastainproduction.org.

Church hosts gun violence program

The League of Women Voters of St. Louis is sponsoring a Learn at Lunch Program on Gun Violence and Reform 11:30 a.m. Monday, November 11 at First Congregational Church Memorial Hall, Elm and Lockwood, Webster Groves. Speakers for the event are

from the advocacy group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Please bring a lunch and drink; dessert will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.

Praise and worship service

The Deacons and Trustees of Second Missionary Baptist Church, 5508 Rev. Dr. Earl Miller Dr. in Kinloch (Rev. Alfred L. Washington, pastor) will present a praise and worship service 3 p.m. Sunday, November 10. Organizers invite the public to “witness the men of Second Baptist exercise their gifts, talents and high-calling in the Lord.” For more information, contact Deacon Edward Robinson at 636-939-2749.

Faith-based addiction workshop

Jacob’s Ladder Ministries will presents “Flying High in the Friendly Sky: Is there an Addict Hiding in you?”

This year’s Distinguished Gents concert at Harris-Stowe State University on Saturday, November 9 celebrates the late David Peaston (19572012) as an alumnus of the university and son of St. Louis.

Photo by Wiley Price

– an interactive workshop discussing the problem of addictions in the church, the workplace and our schools – 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 16 and Saturday, December 21 at the St. Louis County Library Florissant Valley branch, 195 New Florissant Rd. in Florissant. The facilitator is Alfred T. Long Sr.

175th church anniversary

On Sunday, November 17 at 5 p.m. the Second Church Chorale and Orchestra with conductor Andrew Peters will present a program celebrating the 175th anniversary of Second Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End. The performance will feature Mozart’s “Solemn Vespers” for soloists, choir, and orchestra. The program also includes orchestral pieces by Elgar, Mendelssohn and others. For more information: 314-367-0367 or www. secondchurch.net. The event is free and open to the public.

One of the necessary requirements of being a Christian is the reality that in order to go forward, you have to take your past with you. I admit this is not an easy thing to do.

Along with this truth is another one. Your past is past.

Coming to Christ and joining a family of believers requires confession, admission, acceptance and recognition of the sinner in you. We have to acknowledge our sins to truly understand the “why” of Jesus’ cross thing, you know, and God’s love thing for us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. We’ve all heard it before.

I’m just saying it comes with understanding the “why,” and the “why” is we’re all sinners and will forever fall short.

Once the process of salvation takes root, one begins to understand that whatever you’ve done or had done to you, is an integral part of God’s plan to bring the most out of you. A real man or woman of faith has been through some stuff they ain’t particularly proud of. They will share their faith from the point of view of experience, wisdom, mistakes. They will offer testimony based on God’s tangible effect on their lives. Regardless of the

hell they raised or the heaven they ran from, God is indeed good. I had a First Class ticket to hell and the devil had a Welcoming Committee there waiting, band and all. The devil wasn’t worried about my eventual arrival because I wasn’t paying any attention to where I was headed. Then, as most of us who finally get it, I came to understand that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all righteousness.” At first I wouldn’t accept this. I couldn’t believe anybody, let alone God, would see my flaws and faults and still love me unconditionally anyway. Wrong on my part. It’s because of those same flaws and faults and my acceptance of them that I can ask God for forgiveness and categorically know He accepted before I asked. Now it’s my job not to try and bury my past, because if I do that then I have no testimony. And without it, I can’t help anybody who just might be going through the same hell I did. From one sinner to another, the truth is really simple: Trust God. Trust that He loves you and listen for His direction. It’s because of where God brought me from that I’m able to see just a little bit of where He’s taking me.

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

ST. LOUIS A

Hazelwood seniors accept college athletic scholarships

Plus, new standards for educator preparation and new animal welfare program

American staff

Seniors at Hazelwood

Central High School and Hazelwood West High School

recently agreed to their futures as college athletes and signed letters of intent to play college sports.

At Hazelwood Central High School, seven students signed letters of intent:

Darius Adams, football, Missouri Valley College

Kamron Crayton, football, Missouri Valley College

Kylie Malveaux, basketball, Lewis & Clark

Community College

Ramone Minner, football, Missouri Valley College

Melvin Morrow, football, Truman State University

TylerSchiller, football, Missouri Valley College

David Simmons, football, Lindenwood University.

At Hazelwood West High School, nine students signed letters of intent:

Will Donegan, basketball, Central Methodist University

Rachael Harris, soccer, St. Charles Community College

John Hoemeyer, soccer, Culver Stockton University

Jamie Lawrence, soccer, Webster University

Missy Long,, lacrosse, volleyball, Fontbonne University

Akaylah Mitchell, basketball, Lewis & Clark

Community College

Brittany Monroe, lacrosse, Missouri State University

Shane Olmsted, baseball, Greenville College

Kriss Ross, soccer, Webster University

New standards for educator preparation

As Missouri’s new standards for educator preparation take effect, several changes are

ahead for students working to obtain teacher certification.

The standards, approved by the State Board of Education in November 2012, include new assessments being phased in over the next two years for prospective teachers as well as guidance counselors, librarians and school administrators.

The assessments are part of the new Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) program, a comprehensive approach for assessing the preparation of educators in Missouri.

The MEGAprogram assessments include: Missouri General Education Assessment: This test for admission into undergraduate professional educa-

tion programs at Missouri colleges and universities includes sections on English language arts, writing, mathematics, science and social science. The assessment is set to begin September 2013 and will replace the current College BASE (CBASE) test.

Missouri Educator Profile (MEP): This new assessment is designed to measure a person’s aptitude for working in the field of education. The MEPwill begin in September 2013 and will assess the characteristics of individuals pursuing certification as a teacher, counselor, librarian, principal or superintendent.

Content Specialty and Pedagogy Assessments: These exit exams must be completed

by prospective educators, including teachers, counselors, librarians, principals and superintendents, for all areas of certification they are seeking. The assessments are aligned with state and national standards and will begin in September 2014. They will replace the current Praxis test.

Missouri Standards-Based Performance Assessments: These new assessments for prospective teachers, counselors, librarians, principals and superintendents will measure their performance in content, coursework and clinical experiences, including internships and student teaching. The assessments will begin in September 2014. Other new requirements for

educator certification in Missouri include: Grade point average: Higher grade point averages (GPA) will be required for educator certification, including a 2.75 cumulative GPAin college coursework, a 3.0 GPA in professional education classes, and a 3.0 GPAin content classes related to the certification a person is seeking. More information about educator preparation can found at <http://dese.mo.gov/eq/ep/>.

New animal welfare assistant certificate program

St. Louis Community College’s Continuing

Education office has teamed with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri, Humane Society of Missouri, and St. Louis County Animal Care & Control to develop a new animal welfare assistant certificate program beginning this fall. This program will prepare students for volunteer and paid employment as animal welfare assistants working with shelter and rescue organizations, veterinary offices, and other professionals involved in animal welfare, healthcare and management.

The program is open to students age 16 and older. It consists of six classes that introduce students to a variety of opportunities with animal welfare agencies and supporting organizations, as well as various considerations of care and handling of animals, including prevention measures and spay/neuter. Classes may be taken individually, as well as part of the certificate program. Those who successfully complete the coursework and earn a certificate may receive priority employment by the sponsoring agencies.

Hispanic Chamber Foundation awards scholarships

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce St. Louis Foundation in conjunction with Gonzalez Companies Charitable Foundation awarded two St. Louis students , Belkis Mata and Cristian Palomar, each with $3,000 scholarships for the 2013-2014 school year. Scholarships are allotted for Hispanic and non-Hispanic minority students pursuing an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, (STEM), within the St. Louis region.

“Our goal is to invest in the future of the community by assisting aspiring students pursue a degree in the STEM field,” said Karlos Ramirez, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Education is the cornerstone of success and we are very fortunate to have community partnerships like those with Gonzalez Companies Charitable Foundation that allow us to support the higher education goals of local students.” Scholarship recipient Belkis Mata will be continuing her degree in finance at St. Louis University. Cristian Palomar will be attending the University of Missouri St. Louis, pursuing a degree in Engineering. University of Missouri St Louis Chancellor, Thomas George, has agreed to match Palomar’s $3,000 scholarship.

Signing Day at Hazelwood Central High School included:(front) Melvin Morrow,Darius Adams,Tyler Schiller,Ramone Minner,David Simmons,Kamron Crayton;(back) John Pukala,activities director,Van Vavatta,football coach.

Try prevention: it works

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

During the months of October through March, physicians across the country are doing the back and forth immunization shuffle with their patients regarding the influenza vaccine. Even though thousands of people die every year from the flu, patients continue to be reluctant to receive the yearly CDC recommended vaccine.

You name it, I have heard it. “I heard the flu shot will make you sick. I have never gotten the flu. I don’t get sick so I don’t need the shot. My friend says that vaccines cause autism and I read about that on the internet. Those vaccines are just filling the body with poisons.”

Despite the public health campaigns, the available literature, and various organizations providing free influenza vaccinations, many patients are still hesitant about receiving this important immunization. In offices across the country, providers have written material, posters, and staff educating patients on the dangers of being unvaccinated against influenza and the resultant seque-

lae of a full blown respiratory infection. Yet, for many patients they continue to choose not to accept the recommendations.

The CDC estimates that from 1976 to 2006 approximately 3,000- 49,000 deaths were attributed to influenza and the numbers varied depending upon the severity of the season which was related to the number of individuals who were vaccinated.

Denise Hooks Anderson,M.D.

Approximately 200,000 hospitalizations occur each year due to influenza related illnesses. Many of the deaths were in the age extremes such as the very young, 04, and the elderly, ages 65 and older. In addition, people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, COPD, or weakened immune systems were also more likely to be affected.

The vaccine recommendations are simple: everyone six months or older should be vaccinated unless you have one of the few exclusions: allergy to eggs, past history of Guillain-Barre` Syndrome (a severe paralytic disease), or

allergic to components of the vaccine itself. However, there now exists an essentially egg-free version of the vaccine. The vaccine is covered by most insurances and in most medical offices it can be administered by the nurse without an official visit with the provider or patients can receive the vaccine from their local pharmacies.

Currently there are several different types of influenza vaccines available this year and they can be administered intramuscularly (in the muscle), intradermally (beneath the skin), or intranasally (in the nose). In addition to the three component, tri-valent vaccine, the FDArecently approved a four component (quadrivalent) vaccine. As far as efficacy is concerned, the CDC makes no specific recommendations.

If there remains lingering doubt regarding the importance of getting the influenza vaccine, a study recently appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing a reduction in cardiovascular events among high risk cardiac patients who had been vaccinated. Dr. Udell from the University of Toronto and his colleagues performed a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials and looked at high risk patients who received the vaccine or not. The influenza vaccinated group was associated with a statistically significant reduction in cardiovascular events.

In addition to receiving the vaccine, there are other safeguards you should incorporate to prevent influenza infection and recommendations to prevent the spread of flu-like diseases:

1. Wash hands frequently

2. Keep hand sanitizer handy - great to have at large gatherings like church

3. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing - use tissue or the crook of your arm

4. Stay home when ill

5. Wipe down your work-station with disinfectant wipes

For the next couple of months, it also important to recognize the signs and symptoms of “the flu.” High fevers and chills, muscle aches, fatigue, weakness, dry cough, and headache are common in an influenza infection. Patients infected with influenza look and feel horrible.

If you suspect that your illness is influenza, you should be seen right away. The antivirals work best if given within 48 hours of the onset of the infection. Many offices and urgent care facilities have rapid testing devices to determine if the infection is indeed influenza. Check your local listings for the nearest urgent care if your doctor’s office cannot accommodate you.

Final important point: flu vaccines are designed to be given every year. Each year the vaccine is formulated based on the predictions of the types of viruses that will be circulating through the country. Last season’s vaccine will not protect you for this year. And contrary to popular urban legend, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu! Be smart. Get your flu vaccine!

For more discussion about this topic, join me on Sunday, November 24 on The Empowerment Network show at 5pm on WGNU 920AM with Mellve Shahid. Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Assistant Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

YourHealth Matters

Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American November 7, 2013

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

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

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

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

By Sandra Jordan Of The St.Louis American

Taylor Hill ended her elementary years and began middle school this fall on a new note, with a recent diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

“I almost lost 20 pounds and it just kept dropping and dropping,” Taylor said.

Her mom, Pam Hill said Taylor also had frequent thirst and many trips to the bathroom, but they did not notice those symptoms until they were asked about it at Children’s Hospital.

“She was taking gymnastics and dance and so she been a lot more active,” Pam Hill said. “So we really didn’t make those connections until after we went to the hospital.”

Pam Hill said Taylor also had frequent thirst and many trips to the bathroom, but they did not notice those symptoms until they were asked about it at Children’s Hospital.

Blood tests confirmed the diagnosis.

“They took a ketone test and they took my blood sugar, they took my blood pressure and my blood sugar it was in the 500s and then they came back with the results.”

“And they were like, you’re going to have to go to the hospital and we were like, ‘pick a date’and it was, no, you’ve got to go now,’” Taylor said. “I was upset. I just didn’t know what was going on.”

Taylor had heard of Type 1 diabetes. One of her friend’s little brother at her elementary school has it as well.

Just a few weeks away from the end of last school year and summer camp, Taylor’s life was changing dramatically.

She stayed in the hospital to get her blood sugars down and to learn how to live with diabetes. Taylor described her hospital experience as “pretty fun.” She liked the hospital food and had access to a game room.

“I got to walk down there and they said the IVwas my best friend, and I just took it everywhere,” Taylor said.

She received insulin intravenously for two days.

“She had to stay on the IVuntil her ketones were negative in her urine,” her mother said.

Type 1 diabetes

Until there’s a cure, it’s always there

Ketones are chemicals that are present in the urine when the body burns fat and breaks down fatty acids to use as fuel instead of glucose. This happens when there is not enough insulin for the amount of glucose that is present in the body. Abnormal ketones can be caused by other issues, such as malnutrition, metabolism disorders, pregnancy or lactation.

The American Diabetes Association said ketones in the urine is common in Type 1 diabetes. However, it is important for persons with Type 1 diabetes to test for ketone levels, because it moderate or large amounts of ketones in the blood is

Pam Hill with her daughter, Taylor.Taylor Hill ended her elementary years and began middle school this fall on a new note, with a recent diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

a warning signal.

“They upset the chemical balance of your blood and can poison the body. Never exercise when your urine checks show moderate or large amounts of ketones and your blood glucose is high,” according to the ADA. “These are signs that your diabetes is out of control. Talk to your doctor at once if your urine results show moderate or large amounts of ketones.”

If ketones continue to rise, it could create a serious condition known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires immediate medical attention. DKAis the most common cause of hos-

pitalization and death among children and young adults with diabetes and persons using insulin pumps.

While her mother helps in counting carbs for Taylor, she has been giving herself insulin injections since her hospital stay.

“I have the insulin pen, so you just dial it how many units and then you just stick it – it goes into your body and just works until your next meal or before you go to sleep,” Taylor explained. “And I calculate my units.”

“It’s one unit for every 20 [grams of]

See DIABETES, page 6

Photo by Wiley Price

HEALTH BRIEFS

Biomaterial shows promise forType 1 diabetes treatment

Researchers have made a significant first step with newly engineered biomaterials for cell transplantation that could help lead to a possible cure for Type 1 diabetes, which affects about 3 million Americans.

Georgia Tech engineers and Emory University clinicians have successfully engrafted insulin-producing cells into a diabetic mouse model, reversing diabetic symptoms in the animal in as little as 10 days.

The research team engineered a biomaterial to protect the cluster of insulin-producing cells – donor pancreatic islets – during injection. The material also contains proteins to foster blood vessel formation that allow the cells to successfully graft, survive and function within the body.

“It’s very promising,” said Andrés Garcia, Georgia Tech professor of mechanical engineering. “There is a lot of excitement because not only can we get the islets to survive and function, but we can also cure diabetes with fewer islets than are normally needed.”

The research article – a partnership with Emory’s Dr. Robert Taylor and Dr. Peter Thule that was funded in part by the JDRF, the leading global organization funding Type 1 diabetes research – will be published in the June issue of the journal Biomaterials.

Pancreatic islet transplantation re-emerged as a promising therapy in the late 1990s. Patients with diabetes typically find it difficult to comply with multiple daily insulin injections, which only partially improve longterm outcomes. Successful islet transplantation would remove the need for patients to administer insulin. While islet transplantation trials have had some success, and control of glucose levels is often improved, diabetic symptoms have returned in most patients and they have

had to revert to using some insulin.

Unsuccessful transplants can be attributed to several factors, researchers said. The current technique of injecting islets directly into the blood vessels in the liver causes approximately half of the cells to die due to exposure to blood clotting reactions. Also, the islets – metabolically active cells that require significant blood flow – have problems hooking up to blood vessels once in the body and die off over time.

“There is a lot of excitement because not only can we get the islets to survive and function, but we can also cure diabetes with fewer islets than are normally needed.”

– Andrés Garcia,Georgia Tech professor of mechanical engineering

Georgia Tech and Emory researchers engineered a hydrogel, a material compatible with biological tissues that is a promising therapeutic delivery vehicle. This water-swollen, cross-linked polymer surrounds the insulin-producing cells and protects them during injection. The hydrogel containing the islets was delivered to a new injection site on the outside of the small intestine, thus avoiding direct injection into the blood stream.

Once in the body, the hydrogel degrades in a controlled fashion to release a growth factor protein that

promotes blood vessel formation and connection of the transplanted islets to these new vessels. In the study, the blood vessels effectively grew into the biomaterial and successfully connected to the insulin-producing cells.

Four weeks after the transplantation, diabetic mice treated with the hydrogel had normal glucose levels, and the delivered islets were alive and vascularized to the same extent as islets in a healthy mouse pancreas. The technique also required fewer islets than previous transplantation attempts, which may allow doctors to treat more patients with limited donor samples.

While the new biomaterial and injection technique is promising, the study used genetically identical mice and therefore did not address immune rejection issues common to human applications. The research team has funding from JDRF to study whether an immune barrier they created will allow the cells to be accepted in genetically different mice models. If successful, the trials could move to larger animals.

“We broke up our strategy into two steps,” said Garcia, a member of Georgia Tech’s Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience. “We have shown that when delivered in the material we engineered, the islets will survive and graft. Now we must address immune acceptance issues.”

Most people with Type 1 diabetes currently manage their blood glucose levels with multiple daily insulin injections or by using an insulin pump. But insulin therapy has limitations. It requires careful measurement of blood glucose levels, accurate dosage calculations and regular compliance to be effective.

Urine biomarkers reveal dysfunction in diabetic kidney disease

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified 13 metabolites – small molecules produced by cellular metabolism – that are significantly different in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease compared to healthy controls.

Twelve of the 13 metabolites are linked to mitochondrial function, suggesting that suppression of mitochondria – the powerhouses of cells – is a fundamental characteristic of diabetic kidney disease. The findings are published in the November edition of the Journal of the American Society of Nephology.

“This work provides strong evidence that reduced mitochondrial function is a dominant feature of human diabetic kidney disease,” said first author Kumar Sharma, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Center for Renal Translational Medicine at UC San Diego. “We found that a specific cellular pathway, AMPK-PGC1a, likely plays a key role to reduce mitochondrial function and content, which means that new therapeutic approaches that restore and increase mitochondrial function and content could ameliorate or perhaps even arrest chronic kidney disease.”

Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of endstage kidney disease, which is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the nation’s leading killer. An

estimated 26 million American adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD), with millions more at increased risk. These patients often require dialysis or an organ transplant.

The primary causes of CKD are high blood pressure and diabetes. Rates of both CKD and diabetes have risen dramatically in the last decade, particularly among peo-

ple aged 65 and older. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the annual mortality rate for end-stage renal disease rose from 10,478 in 1980 to 90,118 in 2009, though it has declined somewhat in recent years.

After analyzing a total of 193 urine samples from patients with diabetes and CKD, diabetes but no CKD and healthy controls with neither condition, Sharma and colleagues quantified 94 metabolites in the samples. Thirteen metabolites were significantly different between patients with diabetes and CKD versus controls. Twelve remained significant when compared to patients with diabetes but not CKD. The twelve metabolites that play a role in mitochondrial metabolism and were present in lower levels in patients with diabetes and CKD, suggesting that this major diabetic complication is at least partly the consequence of suppressed mitochondrial activity.

Sharma said measuring urine metabolites to detect and assess diabetic kidney disease is a major diagnostic step forward. “The urine metabolites can indicate the underlying function of the kidney at a biochemical and intracellular level,” he said, “and are well-conserved compared to many cell-based and protein measurements. Urine metabolomics also offers an opportunity to gauge effects of new treatments which will be an advantage to guide precision medicine.”

SLU free medical clinic relocates to largerquarters

The Saint Louis University Jesuit Health Resource Center celebrated its 20th anniversary of free health service to the community with a move from the basement of a church to a newer, more spacious facility located in the second floor of the Victor Roberts Building. The new space was dedicated on Monday, October 14.

Eva Frazer, M.D., a former member of SLU’s Board of Trustees, and her husband Steven Roberts donated clinic space on the second floor of what had been the Sears building, located at 1408 N. Kingshighway between Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and Page Boulevard in St. Louis.

“I support the clinic’s mission, especially in taking care of medical problems before they become catastrophic, and I wanted to do anything I could to help,” Frazer said.

The SLU free clinic formerly operated in the basement of St. Augustine Church in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood, about a mile and a half from the Roberts building.

The modern, well-equipped new clinic space is twice the size of its previous location, offering students the potential to care for more patients and expand the services they offer. The clinic has six patient exam rooms, a social work room, large conference room, central heating and cooling, large multi-purpose rooms, expanded lab space, a large patient waiting room and a classroom. The facility offers patients, students and physicians more privacy to address delicate health matters. Lighting is much brighter throughout the clinic, providing a better experience for patients and health care providers. The new clinic has year-round heating and air conditioning, amenities that were not available in its previous location.

Students began seeing patients in their new space during their regular 9 a.m. to noon Saturday morning session late this summer.

Matthew DeCuffa, a second year medical school student who is on the clinic’s leadership team, said the new facility offers patients more privacy and gives students and faculty a dedicated space to confer about diagnoses and treatments.

“Going to the doctor can be an intimidating and vulnerable experience and the new clinic will help us better serve patients,” DeCuffa said. “Our new location will improve our ability to forge stronger relationships between patients and health care professionals, which are

vital to the success of health care today.”

While the HRC last year served patients who came from 60 different zip codes – some more than 30 miles away, the new facility is located in the hub where more than half of its patients live.

“We were absolutely committed to staying in north city,” said Lauren Page Pommert, M.D., who graduated from SLU School of Medicine in 2013 and was one of the medical students who chose the new location.

mercial area, a well-known building. It’s even on the same bus route and we could build out the clinic like we wanted it.”

“Going to the doctor can be an intimidating and vulnerable experience and the new clinic will help us better serve patients.”

– Matthew DeCuffa

“We had opportunities to consider other properties, but we made a commitment to north city 20 years ago and we had no intention of abandoning that commitment.

“We knew as soon as we walked into the Victor Roberts building that this was the place. It was in a high-traffic com-

With the additional space, SLU is exploring the possibility of adding other services.

St. Louis Alderman Terry Kennedy supported the clinic move into his ward.

“North St. Louis is a health care desert. Four or five years ago a study found that when it comes to accessing health care, living in north city is like living in a third world country. We have very few private doctor offices in our neighborhood and federally qualified programs can’t handle the needs of this community on their own. Keeping this clinic in north city was critical and I think SLU stu-

Will Ross,M.D.,MPH, associate dean for diversity and associate professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine;James M. Whittico,Jr.M.D., family practitioner; and Michael Railey M.D.,associate dean/associate professor

Multicultural Affairs Family and Community Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine attend the Monday,October 14 dedication of the Saint Louis University Jesuit Health Resource Center.The free clinic operated by SLU medical students moved to the Victor Roberts Building on Kingshighway in North St.Louis.

dents recognizing this fact speaks volumes about their integrity.”

The clinic currently is open only on Saturdays, offering primary, gynecology, cardiology and pediatric care.

“The pediatric clinic is a specialty clinic to address the needs of children who need physical exams or vaccinations for summer camp, organizations like Head Start, and going back to school, for example,” DeCuffa said. “For these reasons, it’s held during the summer months. We also specifically schedule a pediatrician for these clinics.”

The year-round Saturday morning clinic is available to anyone.

“Even though the pediatric clinic is now over, children are still welcome to be seen at regular clinic. The summer pediatric clinic just offers a way to better address needs of the pediatric population.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment for one of the specialty clinics may call 314-389-0008 or email sluhrc@gmail.com throughout the week.

DIABETES

Continued from page 3

carbs that you eat … and then she has to take a correction based on her blood sugar level,” her mother said.

They reduce the amount of insulin if she has been exercising and they have made dietary adjustments opting for healthier and fresh foods over processed foods.

The Hills operate smoothly in there adjustment to T1D, but there was one notable incident when Taylor took the wrong insulin.

“I’ll never do that again,” Taylor interjected.

“There is one during the day and she takes another one at night,” her mother described.

“She took her daytime at night and her daytime is a fast-acting and the nighttime is a slow acting.”

“I was like, ‘Mama!’I was in a panic,” Taylor said.

“And I was freaking out and I called, and they were like, ‘okay,’” her mother said. “And she was just so calm and collected and she was like, ‘Well, you know, she just has to eat over 200 grams of carbs.’”

It was 9:30 or 10:30 at night with no ice cream in sight.

“I was making smoothies and rice and we were just making due with what we had and we got her [blood sugar levels] back up,” Pam Hill said.

Now with puberty on the horizon, Taylor’s mother said body changes would affect the insulin dosage as well.

“We are hoping … things will kind of calm down and we will be ready for the holidays,” she said.

While Taylor said living with Type 1 diabetes has been no big deal, that is largely due to the support she and her family has received from the hospital, Forest Park Pediatrics, her schools in the Pattonville School District and JDRF, which they learned about during Taylor’s hospital stay. JDRF provided Taylor with a backpack filled with helpful information and support for those newly diagnosed with T1D.

“It’s actually a very nice backpack and she actually used it for summer camp,” Pam Hill said. “And it had a lot of samples and brochures and a lot of general information.”

Having her young daughter diagnosed with T1D right as she transitions to middle school ahead has been quite a process.

“It’s been a challenge in that it’s always there,” Pam Hill said. “With strep throat, you take your antibiotics – it goes away. Now until there’s a cure, it’s every single day.

“But she has been absolutely amazing. I have been truly impressed at how well she has taken on the responsibility.”

Debra Custer PROFILING PEOPLE IN HEALTH

Position/Where:

Treatment Patient Navigator at Touchette Regional Hospital, Centreville, Illinois

CareerHighlights:

The STARTNOWprogram is grant funded by Susan G. Komen, St. Louis. It has exceeded grant goals each year. The STARTNOWteam has been able to expand our program from one navigator to six navigators, two of which are bilingual. At the end of the day, I feel good about my day because I believe was able tomake a difference in a person’s life.

Awards:

2012 STARTNOWBreast Cancer Awareness Service award

2012 Community Partnership Award from Komen

Education:

Attending University of Phoenix

Seeking a Bachelor’sDegree in Human Services Management Expected graduation June 2014

Personal:

I have three sons who I am very proud of and six grandchildren, ranging from 19 to 16 months. There are two boys and four girls. I attend the Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois.

St. Louis Connection:

I am not originally from the St. Louis Area. I was born and raised in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, a small town not far from Pittsburgh. Later moved to Cleveland, Ohio,where I completed high school and after graduation, our family moved to East St. Louis.

YourJourney to success:

Being a single mother, trying to raise three sons was challenging to say the least. Trying to instill good family values, morals, and a faith upbringing was in an attempt to keep them from being another statistic. Like many single women, I worked two jobs to make sure we have what we needed and some of what they wanted. The jobs and position I held were just thatnot rewarding but I continued to perform my duties of those positions. My goal was to make sure they graduated from high school, and they all did.

I received a phone call from my mother asking me if I wanted to change jobs, and I asked what was the job, and she said a patient navigator. I had no idea what a patient navigator was or what they did, but I was interested. The manager called to set up the interview; I interviewed, and received a call offering me the position. About four month prior to stepping into my new career, I had to undergo a breast biopsy; thank God the biopsy was benign. I have firsthandexperience of what a woman actually goes through when the doctor tells her that her mammogram is abnormal and may be malignant. All the fears, emotions, and concernsand yes the first thing that came to my mind was I have breast cancer, what am I going to do? I believe GOD is instrumental in placing people or allowing a person to go through something so theywill be able to help some else.

Nov. 7 – 9, Church of God in Christ’s Health Fair. St. Louis County Health will be present. Free ask the doctor sessions. Screenings offered include total cholesterol, blood pressure, STD/HIVtesting, and more. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 342-5036 or visit www.cogic.org.

Thurs., Nov. 7, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Children’s Asthma, “Building a Healthy Community Together,” by the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation at GreaterSt. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 5503 Gilmore Ave., St. Louis, 63120. RSVP by Oct. 31 to 314-545-KIDS (5437) and press 3 to register.

Sat. Nov. 9, 6 p.m., Bridgeway Behavioral Health’s 35th Gala Celebration at Rick’s Roadside Market, 5382 Guttermuth Rd., Cottleville, Mo. 63304. For more information, call 636224-1011 or visit www.bridgewaybh.com

Tues., Nov. 12, 5 p.m.- 9 p.m., Betty Jean KerrPeople’s Health Center Health Insurance Marketplace Forum, 5701 Delmar Blvd. To enroll, bring contact information, household size; Social

CALENDAR

Security number for each one applying; household income; current health coverage information and employer Information, if employed. Questions will be answered by Certified Application Counselors.

For more information, call 314-367-7848 Ext. 1234 or Ext. 1116.

Thurs., Nov. 14, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Betty Jean KerrPeople’s Health Center Health Insurance Marketplace Forum, 11642 West Florissant Ave.. To enroll, bring contact information, household size; Social Security number for each one applying; household income; current health coverage information and employer Information, if employed. Questions will be answered by Certified Application Counselors.

For more information, call 314-367-7848 Ext. 1234 or Ext. 1116.

Thur., Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m., Memory Care’s annual Memories and Melodies, Starlight Room, Chase Park Plaza, 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 645-6247.

Sat., Nov. 16, 9:30 p.m., Coventry Health Care’s HealthFest, 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more informa-

tion, call (314) 289-4400.

Sun. Nov 17, 1 – 3 p.m., Free Health Fair, Central Baptist Church, 2842 Washington Ave, St. Louis, Mo., sponsored by the Gateway Chapter of The Links, Inc.

Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Free basic health care foradults provided at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Ferguson by physicians in the Muslim community. Walk-in basis. For more information, call 314-521-5694. Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

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

Monday – Thursday, 9 – 12 noon & 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Free Confidential HIV Testing. Washington University Infectious Disease Clinic, 4570 Children’s Place, 63110. Results are

available in 20 minutes. No appointments necessary. Anyone testing positive will be linked with quality HIVmedical care and there is assistance available for those who are uninsured. For more information, call (314) 747-1237 or (314) 747-1237.

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.

First Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Family Support Group by NAMI St. Louis, The Alliance on Mental Illness at Transfiguration Lutheran Church, 1807 Biddle Street. No registration needed; no cost. For information, call 314-962-4670.

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

Possible explanation fordelayed onset of heart disease in women

Abiological ability to compensate for the body’s reduced response to insulin may explain why women typically develop heart disease 10 years later than men, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Insulin is a hormone that takes glucose from the bloodstream and carries it into cells, where it is used for energy. When the body doesn’t use insulin properly, a condition known as insulin resistance, it raises the risk a person will develop diabetes and cardiovascular dis-

ease.

“Among men and women ages 50 or younger with comparable levels of insulin resistance, our study found women experienced fewer complications than men did,” said the study’s lead author, Sun H. Kim, MD, MS, of Stanford University School of Medicine.

“This ability to deal with the fallout from insulin resistance was no longer present when we examined women who were 51 and older. This gender difference may illuminate the ‘female advantage’– a phenomenon where the onset of cardiovascular disease tends to happen a

decade later in women than in men.”

The cross-sectional study examined insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk in 468 women and 354 men. Among participants ages 50 or younger, women had lower blood pressure and fasting blood sugar levels than their male counterparts. In addition, women had lower levels of triglycerides, fats in the blood that can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

“The findings suggest young women are uniquely equipped to offset the negative effects of insulin resistance,” Kim said. “Although there is no difference in

the level of insulin resistance between genders, young women are still able to avoid the worst complications from insulin resistance.”

Kim theorizes this may be a natural form of protection for women in their reproductive years, but additional research needs to be done in this area.

Other researchers working on the study include Gerald Reaven, MD, of Stanford University School of Medicine.

The article, “Sex Differences in Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease Risk,” appears the November 2013 issue of JCEM.

Don’t wait:

Dr. José M. Pacheco, hospitalist physician/instructor in medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and The John Cochran Veteran’s Medical Center, discusses this month’s cancer prevention topic in the 8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer series.

Mom always said, “Don’t let it get out of hand.” Let me share a story with you that illustrates this principle. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2011. She had a large tumor with advanced cancer. Her cancer had become so advanced because she delayed breast cancer

Cancerscreening

screening (mammogram) for over ten years due to discomfort. She responded well to surgery and chemotherapy, but in August 2012, her breast cancer spread to her brain. She died nine months later. Perhaps if she had a mammogram earlier, she would be here with us today. African-American women have higher breast cancer mortality rates than other ethnic and racial minority groups. Why? One reason is lower rates of screening/mammography, which is reflected by larger tumors and more advanced disease. Research suggests that when African-American women maintain the recommended screening practices and treatment, survival rates from breast cancer improve greatly.

saves lives

Cancer screening tests are important for everyone, not just women. Talk to your health care provider about what tests are right for you, like colon, prostate or skin cancer screenings. And remember my mom’s advice – don’t let things get out of hand. Get your cancer screening tests.

For more tips on how to prevent cancer by getting the recommended screening tests, visit:

Eight Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer: http://www.8ways.wustl.edu National Cancer Institute Cancer Screening Overview: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening

The Program forthe Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) at the Siteman CancerCenteris working to eliminate local and regional disparities in cancereducation, prevention and treatment through community outreach, research and training. To learn more about cancerorto get involved with PECaD, call 314747-4611, email PECaD@wudosis.wustl.edu orwrite to us at SCC-PECaD, Campus Box 8100, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110. Look forfuture articles in HealthMatters.

HEALTHY Q&A

Patient gets darkerskin as a result of dialysis

E.B. wants to know: “What can I do so my skin doesn’t get any darker orhow to get my normal skin color back I’m a dialysis patient and my skin has been turning darkerever since I started.”

Dr. Denise Hooks-Anderson, family physician and medical accuracy editor

for The American, said, “There are many possible reasons for the discoloration. Certain medications such as amlodipine can cause photosensitivity.

Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition where skin located in folds such as the neck, arms turn dark- this condition is common in persons with diabetes.

Lightening creams are best for face

only and not body.”

Dialysis is a process that removes waste and extra fluid from the body and it is used in people whose kidney function is inadequate.

In response to a similar question in Your Health Matters (March 2012), Nephrologist Dr. Theodore Otti said, “There are some chemicals that are not

able to be taken out by the dialysis process. There are a lot of chemicals and in the body – we call them middle molecules, and we don’t have any standard way to measure them. So, what we want to remove are small particles. Those middle molecules, some of them have hormonal effects, and that’s why they get darker and darker and darker.”

St. Charles Oktoberfest/Walk to Cure Diabetes

More than 2,500 walkers representing local businesses, families,schools and other organizations came together at Frontier Park in St.Charles to raise awareness and research funds for JDRF (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Greater Missouri and Southern Illinois Chapter. The event took place on Saturday,Sept.28.

“Every year the Oktoberfest/JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes gets bigger and better,”said Christina Shasserre,St.Charles Corporate Walk Team Chair, who is head of Discovery and Development Solutions at EMD Millipore.“I want to give a special ‘thank you’to the amazing volunteers who work so hard to make this event successful and to our walkers who were committed to our fundraising goal of $78,000.”

JDRF Walks are held in more than 200 cities worldwide.Nearly 900,000 people nationally walked last year and raised $1 billion for research to better treat,cure,and prevent T1D (type 1 diabetes).For more information,visit stl.jdrf.org.

Dave Myers photo

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

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.

HEALTH RESOURCES

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

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. 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 (866-7763627).

Health Partnerships

The CenterforCommunity 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.

Medical

St. Louis ConnectCare offers walk-in services Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most holidays. For more information, call 314-879-6300.

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

Nutrition

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

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

Prostate Cancer

The CancerCenterof 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

St. Louis ConnectCare Retail

Pharmacy – offers a $4 generic prescription program. Hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri., no weekends or holidays. Located at 5535 Delmar Blvd. in St. Louis, Call 314-879-6208.

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

Respiratory Health

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