October 24th, 2013 edition

Last week

Michael V.Drake, M.D.,the chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, distinguished ophthalmologist and leader in workforce diversity, delivered the 2013 Homer G. Phillips Lecture at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Training servants of the underserved

Dr. Michael V. Drake delivers

WUSM Homer G. Phillips Lecture

By Sandra Jordan Of The St.Louis American

Training

Song for Mother Gentry

The life and legacy of gospel legend Mother Geneva Gentry were celebrated at a musical service

Southern Missionary Baptist Church,5630 Page.The National Convention of Gospel

service.She passed recently at the age of 101.

COGIC returns to STL

106th Holy Convocation to be held here Nov. 4-12

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St.Louis American

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. said he is overjoyed to return to St. Louis once again for the Church of God in Christ’s 106th Holy Convocation, to be held November 4-12 at the America’s Center.

Water fight

Aldermen oppose mayor’s view that Veolia contract was approved

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St.Louis American

Mayor Francis G. Slay’s administration has caused an uproar among city aldermen and environmental activists, by claiming that the board approved a $250,000 consulting contract for controversial Veolia Water North America when it passed the city budget in May.

Several aldermen on the Ways and Means committee called this claim of Slay’s “insane” and “sneaky” at a public hearing on Tuesday. The contract has been criticized by aldermanic President Lewis Reed and the St. Louis Dump

Documents sought on radioactive landfill fire

“St.Louis has been so hospitable.”

– Presiding Bishop Charles E.Blake Sr.

“They come together for biblical instruction, for inspiration, for worship, to share with one another and to support the Church of God in Christ itself,” Blake said.

“St. Louis has been so hospitable,” Blake said. “The people have been so kind. The leaders of the city have been so accommodating and receptive to us.” He described Convocation – held in St. Louis since 2010 – as an “in-gathering of the saints.” More than 40,000 faithful are expected to attend this year.

Fire at Superfund site in Bridgeton is not the first, researcher discovers

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St.Louis American

The Missouri Coalition for the Environment held a community meeting last Thursday alerting residents to what organizers described as a “shocking discovery” at the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site in Bridgeton.

Researching documents on the landfill, independent researcher Debi Disser discovered that the current fire smoldering underground near the landfill, which contains radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project, is not the first fire there. A

See LANDFILL, A6

Presiding Bishop Charles E.Blake Sr.

in her honor held Friday at

Choirs honored her in song during the

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Kimye engaged

Monday night Kanye West rented out San Francisco’s AT&T Park and proposed to Kim Kardashian on her 33rd birthday with a flawless 15-carat diamond ring and a message on the JumboTron while a 50-piece orchestra played Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful,” followed by Keri Hilson Ne-Yo and West’s “Knock You Down.”

Sources say that multiple cameras from her E! reality TV series captured the proposal

and scenes may appear on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” pending West’s approval. This will be Kardashian’s third marriage and West’s first.

Did Oprah and Obamas fall out over broken presidency promises?

Everyone remembers that Oprah Winfrey went all out for Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election. According to the New York Post, what was not reported was that, in return, Winfrey was promised unique access to the White House if Obama won. She’d get regular briefings on initiatives and a heads-up on programs to give her material for her fledgling cable network, OWN

“Oprah intended to make her unique White House access a part of her new network,” a source close to Winfrey said. “There were big plans, and a team was put together to come up with proposals that would have been mutually beneficial. “But none of that ever happened.

Winfrey sent notes and a rep to talk to Valerie Jarrett, but nothing came of it.

It slowly dawned on Winfrey that the Obamas had absolutely no intention of keeping their word and bringing her into their confidence.”

Winfrey did not campaign

for Obama in the 2012 race, and she has been absent from his battles on gun control, immigration reform and the environment. She claims she is too busy to get involved in politics, even though she hosted a fund-raiser for Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who won a US Senate seat last week.

“She’s hurt and angry, and I seriously doubt that Oprah will ever make up with the Obamas,” a source said. “She knows how to hold a grudge.”

Chris Brown gifts to Rihanna go up in smoke

Rihanna, 25, is said to have taken drastic action to cut her ex out of her life – she burned every remnant from her relationship with Chris Brown.

The decision reportedly follows an explosive interview where Brown speaks on being forced to take anger management classes after assaulting her.

him and held a ‘ritual burning ceremony’ last week of his letters and gifts.”

Deitrick Haddon caught sending pics with his pants down “Preachers of Los Angeles” star, Deitrick Haddon is in hot water after nude pictures said to be him were leaked online this week. According to Bossip, one media outlet says the pictures were released by Haddon’s former mistress Simone. She is said to be the woman he cheated on his first wife with.

Deitrick Haddon

“I think the class I went to was a little bit sexist,” Brown reportedly said. “It only tells you you’re wrong, you’re wrong, you’re wrong.”

“Ri-Ri is disgusted,” a source told Look Magazine. “He’s taken zero responsibility for what he did and is still painting himself as a victim. She told friends she’s totally done with

Before marrying his current wife, Haddon was married to that ‘first wife’ for almost 15 years. Their relationship reportedly came to an end when Haddon announced that he and his now ex-wife were parting ways and that he was planning on marrying the mother of his infant daughter. The pictures feature a completely nude “selfie” pic of Haddon along with pictures of male genitalia. Haddon’s camp have yet to comment on the pictures, or deny (or confirm) their authenticity.

Sources: Bossip.com, New York Post, E! News, Look Magazine

Rams, United Way call Hometown Huddle

About 100 children from 10 United Way of Greater St. Louis supported organizations serving youth attended the 14th annual Hometown Huddle with the St. Louis Rams on October 15, held at the Rams training facility in Earth City.

The NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle is a leaguewide day of service designed to bring awareness and impact to the issue of youth health and fitness. During Hometown Huddle, United Way volunteers and St. Louis Rams players, coaches and leadership participate in fitness and fun experiences to teach youth the importance of eating healthy, being active and generating healthy habits.

“We know that participating in school sports and supervised afterschool activities offers many benefits to children and teens – higher school achievement, lower dropout rates, improved health, reduced obesity and the development of skills like teamwork and problem-solving,” said Orvin Kimbrough, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis.

The agencies involved were Kingdom House, Great Circle, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois,

Boy Scout-Lewis and Clark Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center, Grace Hill Settlement

House, Boy Scouts of Greater St. Louis and Sherwood Forest Camp.

Participating Rams players were Shelley Smith, Gerald Rivers, Mason Brodine and Sean Hooey.

The United Way’s 2013 fundraising campaign runs through November 6. To give, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www.stl.unitedway.org.

Prominent East St. Louisans address students

Prominent American Workshop Series (PAWS) will present a workshop featuring successful people from East St. Louis in a free public event at the newly renovated East St. Louis Senior High School, 4901 State St., at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 30.

Guests include: Abraham Bolden, the first black White House Secret Service agent; Gloria Bozeman Herndon, president & CEO, GB Group Global; Larry D. Gladney, astrophysicist and professor of physics at the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Wesley G. McNeese, executive assistant dean for diversity at SIU School of Medicine; M. Bernadette Officer, CEO and president, Officer Funeral Home; Milton Wharton, retired circuit judge, St. Clair County; and Brent W. Reeves, director of multicultural affairs and international student services at McKendree University. PAWS will work collaboratively to raise funds to be matched by a consortium of identified universities to create scholarships specifically for qualified students residing in East St. Louis. PAWS has pledged to raise $350,000 to $500,000 as seed money for scholarships. For more information about the workshop or to contribute to the scholarship fund, contact Roosevelt Wilson at 334-328-6003 or Reginald Petty at 618-274-1878.

Disgraced former cop hired as park policeman

If I’ve learned one thing, over the years, in covering East St. Louis “poli-tricks” it’s that no matter how bad you screw up, how criminal you are, how much time you’ve served or how inept you may be, you can always land another job in good old “East Boogie” if the right politicians like you. That seems to be what happened for former ESL policeman Ricky Perry. You remember Perry. He’s the ex-cop who was discovered passed out behind the wheel of his squad car by Belleville police back in 2007.

He’s the same guy whose questionable reputation caused a judge to dismiss murder charges against a defendant back in 2009.

right?

According to Golliday, Perry will spend the next six months volunteering before becoming a paid officer at $10 an hour. What about any lingering questions regarding Perry’s credibility? Golliday dismisses those concerns, stating that “he had some personal issues that needed to be addressed, and has done that.”

Most recently, Perry resigned from the ESLPD back in April, amid an investigation into allegations that Perry showed up drunk to take a burglary report.

Now, a mere six months later, Perry has been rehired by … wait for it … the East St. Louis Park District.

The five-member park district board, led by park district director Irma Golliday, voted to swear him in based upon recommendations received by the chief of park district police, Marion Hubbard.

His duties will include patrolling ESL parks, a known haven for flagrant blunt- smoking and public intoxication. Piece of cake,

I remember similar things being said about former ESL city official Kelvin Ellis, an extortionist who was rehired by the city of ESL.

Where’s Ellis now?

Right back in federal prison for obstruction of justice, tax evasion, pimping women from ESL City Hall and attempting to have a federal witness murdered. So much for reform. Of course, Ricky Perry is no murderer, but the principle is the same. East St. Louis remains a revolving door of infinite opportunity for political miscreants.

So, no worries. Hopefully, Ricky Perry finally has gotten his act together. But if he hasn’t, so what? There’s always the ESL school board or the ESL Township or the ESL Board of Elections or ESL City Hall. Remember, East Boogie always takes care of those who least deserve a second, third or fourth chance. Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

James Ingram

Editorial /CommEntary

Nixon wrong to suggest SNAP cuts

The public program known popularly as food stamps is rare in that its official name is actually more descriptive and to the point than its nickname. Officially, it’s the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also shortened to SNAP. The literal title serves as a reminder that there are people who need financial assistance to supplement the nutrition they are able to provide for themselves. To have any chance to be a healthy and productive member of society, everyone needs adequate nutrition. If we truly intend to better our society and nation as a whole, we should commit to providing supplemental nutrition to those who need it. According to the Missouri Association for Social Welfare – which, under the leadership of Jeanette Mott Oxford, has emerged as a reasoned voice of conscience on issues affecting lowincome residents of our state – SNAP provided nutrition assistance to nearly 287,000 people from the six Missouri counties in the St. Louis metropolitan area this August. Changes in the state program recommended by Gov. Jay Nixon would deprive 25,000 of these St. Louis-area residents of their supplemental nutrition. “These changes would overload local food pantries and create additional suffering among the poorest of the poor,” Mott Oxford says.

Nixon claims that Missouri needs to remove unemployed adults from SNAP now due to possible future cuts proposed by Republicans in Congress. “Rather than be in reactive mode, we thought the best thing to do was to prepare for the future and move forward accordingly,” Nixon told reporters on October 11. The Nixon administration estimates that just over six percent of current food stamp recipients would lose benefits, but the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities projects more substantial change, with more than nine percent of current recipients affected. A nine percent reduction would deprive 25,818 area residents of supplemental nutrition. There are 118,800 SNAP recipients in St. Louis County, of whom 10,692 are at-risk of losing assistance. In the city of St. Louis, nearly 10,000 people (the estimate is 9,644) of the 107,159 people currently receiving SNAP stand to lose the benefit under Nixon’s proposed cuts. “If you kick people off of food stamps, they don’t stop needing food,” Mott Oxford says. “Most every person denied food stamps will be at local pantries as a survival mechanism.” Most area pantries provide a three-day supply of food, while a few share up to a week’s worth of food, according to MASW hunger Task Force Chair Glenn Koenen. To replace food stamps, Koenen says, a pantry would need to provide from four to 10 times more food to each person than it does now. “Our pantries are already critically short of food,” Koenen says. “In many places, hungry people are being turned away. We can’t offset the pain of these food stamp cuts.”

Last week, State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed

reminded Nixon of this same reality in a stinging open letter. “Cutting food stamps at this time is nothing less than callous,” Nasheed wrote, “and I will use every and all means to organize and mobilize opposition to this uncommonly cruel action by our governor.”

True, this program has been targeted for federal cuts. Some Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have called for $40 billion in cuts to food stamps over the next decade. One proposal is to make unemployed adults ineligible for food stamps. To receive assistance, an adult without dependent children would need to work 20 hours every week. However, requiring employment for someone to be eligible for supplemental nutrition does not make sense in an economy with chronically high levels of unemployment. “This economy just is not producing enough jobs for everyone,” Mott Oxford says rightly.

Nixon makes a mistake if he pushes for cuts at the state level before major federal cuts are enacted. Missouri already had been granted a waiver that lasts until October 2014, protecting this population for almost another full year. A year is a lifetime in politics, and much could change – particularly in the makeup of a new Congress in the wake of the federal government shutdown and resulting threat to allow a default on the federal debt. We join MASW and Nasheed in urging Nixon to rescind his proposed rule changes to SNAP – ASAP.

Raise awareness, reduce stigma

Mental health is a major issue that is often overlooked or avoided within the AfricanAmerican community. However, two stories involving mental health have recently grabbed frontpage attention. A month ago, there was the D.C. Navy Yard shooting, in which an AfricanAmerican man killed 12 and injured eight people. Shortly after that, an AfricanAmerican mother of a one-year-old child was killed when she attempted to ram her car through a White House barrier. These are shocking and disturbing stories. Perhaps what may be more striking about these cases was that it involved two young African Americans. Both Aaron Alexis and Miriam Carey were 34 years old. Both suffered from mental health problems, and one has to wonder if lives could have been saved if they were receiving the most appropriate mental health care. While these stories have grabbed the nation’s attention, it is likely that many African Americans are dealing with mental health conditions. Due to stigma, underreporting and under-diagnosis of mental health conditions among African Americans, it is possible that even more African Americans who have mental health conditions are not receiving the treatment they need.

Mental health problems

don’t just affect a person’s mood. These problems can also affect people’s ability to earn a living. Mental health conditions don’t just affect a person’s mood. These conditions can also affect people’s ability to earn a living and their physical health.

Mental health conditions can negatively affect an individual’s social and economic success. For example, people dealing with mental health challenges are less likely to complete school. And low educational achievement is strongly associated with lower earnings.

In St. Louis City, adults spend an average of 4.5 days a month in poor mental health. And in St. Louis County, the figure is 3 days a month.

Exposures to traumatic events resonate over individuals’ entire lives, and it is likely that long-term effects of exposure to poverty, violence and other stresses affect the mental health of African Americans. Mental disorders, particularly those that are untreated, are associated with behavioral problems and adult incarceration. There is a cycle between incarceration, economic hardship and mental health. African Americans are overrepresented in prison but are far less likely to receive mental health treatment. This has obvious implications for employment opportunities. Children of people who are incarcerated are more likely to experience economic hardship. People who experience economic hardship have greater likelihood of mental disorders.

Mental disorders that emerge early in life are associated with incarceration and it is estimated that as many of 64 percent of

incarcerated individuals have mental disorders.

Increased effort is needed to uncover and treat mental health conditions outside of the emergency room and jail cell. Individuals may not know where to find mental health services, and opportunities to screen for mental health conditions in health care settings are often missed. There must be community-wide efforts to improve awareness of mental health problems and to tackle stigma and misinformation around mental health.

Although it is likely that many African Americans with mental health problems are not receiving the treatment they need, in-patient hospital charges for mental health conditions in St. Louis city alone are estimated to be $95,844,477 for African Americans. But the costs –financially, emotionally and otherwise – are staggering for families that have dealt with a family member who has been incarcerated or a victim of violence.

There have been large cuts to mental health services. This means that African Americans with mental health needs, particularly those without private insurance, are waiting long periods of time to receive treatment or heading to the emergency room to seek treatment. St. Louis needs more community mental health centers located in areas where there is the most mental health need.

Darrell Hudson, PhD, MPH, is an assistant professor at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.

Not a good fight

President Obama’s victory last week was as complete and devastating as Sherman’s march through the South. But there is no early sign that the zealots of the anti-government far right have learned the lessons of their defeat.

House Speaker John Boehner was not being honest when he explained the GOP surrender by saying, “We fought the good fight; we just didn’t win.” This was not a good fight. Republicans picked an objective that was never realistic – forcing Obama to nullify the Affordable Care Act, his biggest achievement – and tactics that amounted to self-immolation.

Boehner knew from the start that the GOP would be blamed for shuttering the government and that he could never really allow the Treasury to default. So what was the point?

Apologists say that Boehner had to go through with the shutdown and go down to the wire on the debt ceiling to show the hard-core tea-party members of his caucus that “we control one-half of one-third of the government,” as the speaker has said.

But come on, really? Can these people not count? Or do they have such blind faith in their own wisdom that they think they are divinely ordained to prevail, whatever the odds? That is the mindset of crusaders, not legislators.

By standing with his troops in a lost cause, Boehner won respect and admiration from the most conservative House Republicans. But I doubt this enhanced authority goes very far or means all that much.

Boehner’s headstrong charges have shown that they will follow him obediently – as long as he charts whatever nonsensical and counterproductive course of action the radical right demands. They’ll follow him into a box canyon of their choosing. But will they follow him into any sort of meaningful compromise with Obama, whom they so ardently demonize? I doubt it.

More likely, they’ll listen to the likes of Sen. Ted Cruz. He is some piece of work.

Having convinced House Republicans to jump off a cliff, the Canadian-born Texan and apparent presidential hopeful now blames the inevitable result – splat! – on the fact that Senate Republicans didn’t come along for the plunge.

GOP senators were like an “air force bombing our own troops,” Cruz said. This alleged bombardment came in the form of sensible warnings that Obama was never going to kill Obamacare and that the party was jeopardizing its chances of capturing the Senate and keeping its majority in the House.

“The fact is, if you come up with a strategy that’s going to shut down the government of the United States, and you have no way of winning, you’re either a fraud or you’re totally incompetent,” Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told CNN.

Letters to the editor

How business is done has to change

Because Democrats and responsible Republicans came together, the first government shutdown in 17 years is now over. The first default in more than 200 years will not happen. These twin threats to our economy have now been lifted. But let’s be clear: There are no winners here. These last few weeks have inflicted completely unnecessary damage on our economy.

We know that families have gone without paychecks or services they depend on. We know that potential homebuyers have gotten fewer mortgages, and small business loans have been put on hold. We know that consumers have cut back on spending, and that half of all CEOs say that the shutdown and the threat of shutdown set back their plans to hire over the next six months. We know that just the threat of default increased our borrowing costs, which adds to our deficit.

To all my friends in Congress, understand that how business is done in this town has to change. Because we’ve all got a lot of work to do on behalf of the American people – and that includes the hard work of regaining their trust.

President Barack Obama Washington, D.C.

Common sense policies

The Tax Foundation’s 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index found that Missouri has the 7th most favorable corporate tax structure in the nation. The Tax Foundation ranked Missouri’s overall business tax climate as 16th in the nation, better than all but one of Missouri’s eight neighboring states.

This independent report reaffirms Missouri’s status as a low-tax state with a stable and competitive climate for businesses to grow and invest. As governor, I have worked to enhance our nationallyrecognized business climate by cutting taxes in targeted, fiscally responsible ways and by making strategic

Many House Republicans – perhaps a majority – would agree. But few will utter such sentiments out loud, what with powerful right-wing pressure groups such as Heritage Action still sounding the battle cry. I doubt the GOP will be eager to threaten default or another shutdown anytime soon. But the agreement reached between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calls for wideranging budget talks aimed at the kind of “grand bargain” that Boehner and Obama tried to achieve two years ago. I remain skeptical that the party is ready to budge from its basic demands – to focus on deficit reduction, not economic growth, through tax and entitlement cuts, with no new revenue. Unless Republicans are willing to compromise and accept Obama’s “balanced approach” of both cuts and revenue, there will be no grand bargain. Instead, we may get a series of small, discrete fiscal deals that do little good but no real harm. That’s actually progress. We may also see the sensible, non-suicidal wing of the Republican Party take Obama up on his offer to tackle immigration reform. To put it mildly, the GOP needs a popularity boost. What we won’t see is the old pattern of the GOP smashing the crockery and getting its way. Obama has shown that even the most irrational of tantrums can be stilled by the power of no.

investments in education and workforce training. I look forward to continuing to work with legislators on common sense policies that will keep Missouri’s economy moving forward.

Gov. Jay Nixon, Jefferson City

What our pastors should be doing

Bernie Hayes’ recent article gave information about what he felt our pastors should be doing. Clearly his assertions are not supported by the Bible.

A Christian pastor is first a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ. This leader has a heart after God and is ordained to feed the flock of God. This leader’s primary purpose is to exposit the gospel of Jesus Christ. A Christian pastor’s effort should provide an atmosphere for the growth and development of their congregation by assisting them in attaining, sustaining and maintaining a Godly lifestyle.

While public advocacy is not out of the question for the Christian pastor, it is by no means a primary concern. If pastors follow God, teach and preach the word, and pray for their flock, then they will support the growth of welltrained Christians who will be dispatched into society for public service in areas such as business, education, social work, politics and government.

Minister Allif H. Dove Via email

Renounce the wrong

The bizarre practice of wearing trousers below the waist by so-called black men; so-called black gangs; corrupt, weak and/or indoctrinated policemen and women; and “black on black” crime are a disgrace before the whole human race. Therefore, every so-called black person is hereby advised not to be against each other and, should not act stupid or be an exhibitionist. Every difficulty can be overcome, and every problem can be solved if so-called black people will

renounce the wrong and do good. The righteous so-called black people have not asserted themselves.

Vernon Smith, St. Louis

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Guest Columnist Darrell Hudson

Gov. Jay Nixon

Salvation Army seeks donated Xmas trees

The Salvation Army needs donated pine or blue spruce trees to place throughout the St. Louis region during the 2013 Tree of Lights Campaign. Ideal trees will be 30-40 feet tall and easily accessible in a person’s yard with no electrical lines overhead. The Army will remove the trees free-of-charge in November. Donors will receive a letter recognizing their donation to use for tax purposes.

The trees are a focal point of the annual Tree of Lights fundraising campaign. All donations stay local, with 86 cents of each donated dollar used directly for programming. For more information or to offer a tree, call Angie Merseal at 314-646-3193. Photos of the tree should be emailed to Angie_Merseal@usc.salvationarmy.org.

New playground forObama Elementary

Hundreds of volunteers recently built a new multi-generational playground for children and adults at Barack Obama Elementary School in Pine Lawn.

The 2,500 square foot fitness center has senior-focused and adult elements, such as fitness stations and walking paths, as well as kid-friendly equipment, plus an area for family picnics.

The project, funded primarily by Humana Inc., was conceptualized from personal drawings and input from children to seniors from the community and facilitated by KaBOOM!, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization.

Volunteers to cure diabetes

Retail Warriors from St.Louis Mills Mall make high-spirited JDRF Volunteers at the St.Charles Oktoberfest/Walk to Cure Diabetes.For more information,visit stl.jdrf.org.

New International SeniorCenter

Bi-Lingual International Assistant Services (BIAS) has opened the Macklind International Senior Center, 1329 Macklind Ave., offering social services, mental health services, naturalization/citizenship services, and a variety of tools to enable senior immigrants and refugees to become independent and lead self-sufficient lives. Its commercial kitchen serves culturally specific cuisine. With funding by the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, BIAS now has a 15-person bus to provide transportation.

“We have the ability to pair culturally specific senior groups with same-culture, same-language, U.S.-trained professionals to help seniors adjust to American culture and maintain their independence while doing so,” says BIAS Co-Founder and President Julia Ostropolsky. For more information on BIAS, visit http://www.bilingualstl.org or call 314- 645-7800.

Take care of yourself

By Carmen Hense For The St.Louis American

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for me, this is a month for reflection on my life.

I am the fourth daughter of five girls to my parents, Alonzo and Karen Hense. We have always been a very close-knit family. In 2005, my oldest sister Kimberly was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was unexpected, since breast cancer does not run in our family.

After her diagnosis, Kim followed the instructions given to her by her team of doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. She did not drink or smoke. They instructed her on her diet and lifestyle. Along with chemotherapy and radiation, she changed her diet and became more physically active.

Studies have shown that black women with breast cancer have a higher mortality rate compared to women of other races. However, an active lifestyle, healthy diet, and annual screenings and mammograms can greatly improve a person’s chance of survival. Annual woman wellness checkups, screenings and mammograms are preventative measures that benefit our health.

Studies have also shown that a change in our diet, such as including flax seed and omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, along with drinking more water for hydration, will improve our health. You may read this and think it’s simple, but yes, hydration is a factor.

Also, you should exercise, whether you are someone with a gym membership or just taking a walk around the neighborhood or park. Getting out of a sedentary lifestyle could add years to your life.

Last but not least, cherish rest and relaxation. Are you the type of person who rarely has any time for yourself after a long day of working and tending to your family and others? R&R is the prescription for you. Take some time out for yourself and rest. Clear your mind of the next chore or task, and relax.

You have to make time for you. After you have done all you can by the end of the day, then get some rest. If you begin an exercise regimen, you will discover, as I did, that exercise will make you want to rest.

My sister battled with Stage 4 breast cancer until three years ago.It was Kim’s second and final battle with the awful disease that spread from her breast into her lymph nodes until it aggressively took over.

For those who are fighting cancer, keep a good attitude. This will be needed on those days of receiving treatments. For those who, like me, had a loved one succumb to cancer, your health, like mine, will greatly benefit by taking steps toward a lifestyle of wellness that includes healthy eating, exercise, regular check-ups, annual screenings and mammograms. Please, take care. Kim would want you to.

Carmen Hense

Photo by Dave Myers

COGIC

Continued from A1

The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the United States with nearly 6.5 million members in 60 nations on five continents.

This year’s Convocation theme – “Experiencing the Power of Jesus Christ, Pursuing His Mission and His Righteousness” – was taken from the book of Philippians.

The convention will include COGIC Cares, an outreach program for the St. Louis community. One such COGIC Cares event will be a job fair featuring more than 30 employers to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, November 8 in the America’s Center atrium.

According to the CVC, COGIC’s annual meeting generates an estimated $35 to 40 million for the regional economy.

“Recruiters will be hiring qualified applicants that day,” Blake said.

COGIC also will host a three-day Health and Wellness Fair, November 7-9. Dolores J. Gunn, M.D., director of the St. Louis County Department of Health and a COGIG member, will oversee the event.

Health screenings will be conducted, in addition to health and nutrition seminars.

Information will be available on the Affordable Care Act, and American Red Cross representatives will be on hand accepting blood donations. You don’t have to be a member of a COGIC church to attend the public fairs. “All you have to do is show up,” Blake said.

Other events include a community clean-up day on the 47-4800 blocks of Leduc and Hammett in North St. Louis’ 4th Ward, COGIC’s Christmas in November and a visit to a local jail.

“The jail visitation, of course, is just a ministry to individuals who are incarcerated, to show them our love, our concern and to express to them the love of God,” Blake said.

Blake will deliver the Convocation’s official message 10 a.m. Sunday, November 10 before what is expected to be the convention’s largest crowd.

COGIC has hosted its Convocation in St. Louis since 2010. Previously, it was held every year in Memphis, Tenn., where COGIC is headquartered.

“It came to the point where Memphis could no longer accommodate us,” Blake said.

According to the St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Commission, COGIC’s annual meeting generates an estimated $35 to 40 million for the regional economy.

St. Louis is currently contracted to host the convention through 2016, though Blake expects for the city to compete to renew the contract. “Of course,” Blake said, “we feel, and would hope, that St. Louis will continue to make wonderful proposals to us.”

In addition to the hospitality experienced at recent Convocations, he spoke of the denomination’s extensive local history in St. Louis. He said, “Many great churches and some of our great bishops are there.”

For more information, visit www.cogic.org/holyconvocation/. Follow this reporter on Twitter @BridjesONeil.

DRAKE

Continued from A1 mier training ground for black physicians and nurses for many years until its closure in 1979.

Aformer colleague of

Drake’s, Larry Shapiro, M.D., executive vice chancellor and dean for Medical Affairs at WUSM, said Drake has led the development of programs that improved the presence of the UC Health system in communities that most need the attention.

“Mike’s focus was particu-

by

LANDFILL

Continued from A1

previous fire at the site 1993-4 was smothered using what Ed Smith, safe energy director at the coalition, described as “a concrete slurry cap.”

“It was shocking to us, to be perfectly honest,” Smith said at a public meeting held at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513.

The coalition and Dawn Chapman, a local environmentalist, have submitted Sunshine Law requests to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources seeking a report compiled on the previous incident. Because it has jurisdiction over the Superfund site, Smith said, the report was later submitted to Region 7 of the federal Environmental

larly in trying to meet the health care needs of California’s underserved populations and to ensure that the workforce that was being produced had the skill and the orientation to meet that important need,” Shapiro said.

The World Health Organization describes the social determinants of health as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels.”

Working around barriers caused by the social determinants affecting health – such as poverty, transportation issues or lack of access to care – is a challenge health providers and patients face daily. Under Drake’s leadership, UC Irvine prepares physicians to address those issues via its Program in Medical Education, or PRIME, which now serves as a model for other medical schools in the UC system.

“People who take care of poor people in primary care get paid the least, and the medical schools aren’t nearly as focused in producing more of

Protection Agency (EPA).

According to Smith, the coalition wants to know the location of the previous fire, whether the EPAknew about it, and whether the agency believed the fire posed a threat when it disclosed its plan to cap the radioactive waste.

“We’re trying to gather as much information as we possibly can so we know what to expect moving forward.”

– Ed Smith,Missouri Coalition for the Environment

“We’re trying to gather as much information as we possibly can,” Smith said, “so we know what to expect moving forward.” By moving forward, he means dealing with the existing fire, or “sub-surface smoldering event,” currently burning deep within the Bridgeton

those,” Drake said. Physicians in the PRIME program serve vulnerable, marginalized patients, including racial and ethnic minorities, poor people, immigrants and rural Californians, who have less access to care.

(formerly Sanitary) Landfill only 1,000 feet away from radioactive waste. That problem is being dealt with by Republic Services, owner of the Bridgeton Landfill, which has committed to constructing an “isolation barrier” to separate the radioactive waste at the West Lake Landfill from the fire at its own site, according to the EPA.

State Rep. Rory Ellinger recently hosted a panel discussion on the landfill fire at the Heman Park Community Center. Chapman was on the panel that also included Matt Lavanchy, assistant fire chief of Pattonville

Fire Protection District, and Kay Drey, co-founder of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

Drey, who has been advocating about radioactive waste for 40 years, said there is only one way to deal with the landfill fire: complete removal of the radioactive waste by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Smith said removal of the radioactive waste “is the only guaranteed plan to ensure the current, or future, subsurface landfill fire will not hit the concentrated volumes of the originally deposited radioactive material at the Bridgeton/West Lake Landfill.”

“The wind blows all that stuff,” said Abbie Carter, a University City resident. “It’s in our water. So, what can we do? We can’t get away from it, and nobody’s doing anything about it.”

“By the time one of the doctors finishes, he or she will be able to practice bilingually and bi-culturally with people who have Spanish as a first language,” Drake said.

PRIME was initially designed to leave the students debt-free upon graduation; however, medical school costs have made that prohibitive.

“People who take care of poor people in primary care get paid the least, and the medical schools aren’t nearly as focused in producing more of those.”

– Michael V.Drake,MD

“The students in the program go to school for an extra one to two years, so they get their degree after five or six years,” Drake said. “They focus on whatever aspect of the broad curriculum that’s available in the university they think will help them most in being able to elevate the condition of people who are underserved.”

In the PRIME-LC program at UC-Irvine, students also start medical school six weeks early in an immersion program working with people in Mexico.

Students get scholarships between $50,000 and $100,000 as a minimum. Drake said, “We have to raise those funds.”

Drake is a Stanford University (A.B.) and UC San Francisco (M.D.) alumnus, who previously directed special research programs in tobacco, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS and spent more than two decades on the faculty of the UC San Francisco School of Medicine, becoming

the Steven P. Shearing Professor of Ophthalmology and senior associate dean. Drake has conducted clinical research on glaucoma, maintained an active referral practice, and has written scholarly articles, chapters and five textbooks. He was a member of the Institute of Medicine committee that produced the landmark 2004 report “In the Nation’s Compelling Interest: Ensuring Diversity in the Health Care Workforce.” Drake has served as trustee and first African-American president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and as chair of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Academic Health Centers. He is a fellow of the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Following Drake’s lecture, two local leaders in public health received plaques in recognition of their ongoing commitment to improving community health: Delores Gunn, M.D., director of the St. Louis County Department of Health, and Pamela Rice Walker, interim director of health for the City of St. Louis Health Department.

Citizens listened to updates on the fire smoldering underground near the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site in Bridgeton at a public meeting hosted by the Missouri Coalition for the Environment last Thursday at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513.

Photo

John Montre

Rasheen Aldridge, a young St.Louis activist, protested the low minimum wage and the mayor’s aggressive push for a water division consultant on Tuesday at an aldermanic committee hearing.

VEOLIA

Continued from A1

Veolia Coalition, among others.

Opponents say Veolia Water, a French firm and the largest private water services provider in the world, operates under questionable environmental standards.

“In certain cities, they have been called out for pumping raw sewage back into the water system,” Reed said. “They have been thrown out of cities all across the United States. With other competent, qualified vendors readily available, why not choose someone else?”

Alderman Terry Kennedy, chair of the committee, said he decided to hold public hearings to investigate a legal opinion that the Slay administration recently sent to Comptroller Darlene Green.

In an Oct. 4 letter to Green, City Counselor Patricia Hageman, who is appointed by the mayor, said Green must sign the contract out of “ministerial duty.” Green has not signed the contract. Kennedy has asked Green to wait until after the aldermanic committee has held its investigative hearings.

members are approving a specific contract, as Hageman stated in the letter.

“That’s ridiculous,” Kennedy said. “And that’s what they are trying to hang their hats on – that by appropriating this general fund, we were also agreeing to this contract. That’s why we had this hearing. We had no intentions of that.”

Kennedy said all the committee members were surprised to hear Slay’s argument, as delivered by Hageman.

Alderman Craig Schmidt said he didn’t know whether to call it a “comedy or a tragedy.”

Alderwoman Dionne Flowers said, “We were told that the Board of Aldermen had nothing to do with the contracts. Contracts such as this are made and decided upon by the Board of E&A.”

“The typical process is for these things to go back before E&A.”

– Alderman Terry Kennedy

Several times earlier this year, Slay encouraged members of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment – the city’s chief fiscal body that includes Slay, Green and Reed – to approve the contract, but failed to gain their support.

However, Hageman said the Board of Aldermen approved the Veolia contract when it approved the city budget. She said the Board of E&Agave its recommended 2014 fiscal budget to the Board of Aldermen, which “contained, among other things, appropriations for the water department.” The board approved those recommendations, and that was enough to move forward with the contract, Hageman argued.

At the hearing on Tuesday, aldermen said that’s not how things work.

“The typical process is for these things to go back before E&A,” Kennedy said. When the board approves a “general category of expenditures,” Kennedy said, that doesn’t mean the board

Several aldermen said that if Slay pushes forward with this argument and tries to legally force the comptroller to sign the contract, then he will have broken both the aldermen’s and the public’s trust.

Alderman Scott Ogilvie said if the alderman start acting under the city counselor’s legal assumptions, then it will have “unintentional consequences” in how they review next year’s budget. They could potentially cut departments’professional services out of fear that they would be passing a contract unintentionally, he said.

Kennedy agreed.

“If that is the case, then we would have to require every department to line item each and every budget item, which means there’s no way a budget could get passed within the time period that’s set out in the charter,” Kennedy said. “It would halt city government a great deal. I disagree with the city counselor’s interpretation.” Kennedy said the aldermen may introduce a board bill next week that would take away the funds appropriated for the Veolia contract. City Counselor Michael Garvin testified that such a board bill would halt the contract because there would be no funds appropriated for it.

In an interview, Kennedy said he wanted the public to know, “It’s not over.”

For analysis, see Political EYE.

Photo by Wiley Price

Aldermen shred Team Slay

In a public hearing on Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen’s Ways and Means Committee picked apart all the reasons why City Counselor Patricia Hageman, an appointee of Mayor Francis G. Slay, believes the board has approved the Veolia Water contract to consult on the city’s water division.

First, she claimed, a fivemember selection committee chose Veolia as their top choice for the consulting contract.

Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed disputed this as a concrete reason because the committee’s choice was just a recommendation. The Board of Estimate & Apportionment is the final decider, Reed said. However, Hageman said that each member of the Board of E&A (that is, Slay, Reed and Comptroller Darlene Green) knew that Veolia was selected before they approved their recommendations for the water division’s appropriations. Therefore, she said, they didn’t need to vote on the contract.

Second, as part of the budget process, she said, departments can submit “BD8” forms to support their budget requests. Hageman argued that the water division submitted this form, requesting “a $250,000 appropriation for an outside contractor for operations assistance.”

This would have been the only “written” notice about a $250,000 appropriation given to the Board of Alderman before they cast their votes on the city budget. However, that form was never actually submitted to Budget Director Paul Payne

(more on this in a minute).

Third, Hageman said Public Utilities Director Curt Skouby “expressly testified” before the Ways and Means Committee that the water division’s request for funds included the Veolia contract.

On Tuesday, the committee publicly reviewed the tapes from his May 29 testimony. In fact, Skouby never spoke about the Veolia contract on his own accord. A few times, when pressured by aldermen, he said the contract could go to a vendor “like Veolia.”

Dierker on Dierker

Hageman chose an interesting court case to support her legal opinion – City of St. Louis vs. Virvus Jones (1990). First of all, Virvus Jones, then comptroller, lost the case. It was, in fact, this case that made all professional service contracts go before the Board of E&A, based on the ruling by Judge Robert H. Dierker Jr. City Counselor Michael Garvin testified at the hearing on Tuesday, saying that the comptroller could be forced by a judge to sign the contract, if the judge agreed with Hageman’s legal opinion. However, he said, Slay didn’t want that to happen. The EYE can see why. Judge Dierker, who ruled in the 1990 Jones case, would likely be the same judge to decide this case. However hard Hageman might bluff in her slightly bullying letter to Green, if Dierker rules based on the case law he himself adjudicated, as surely

His voice was shaking – with either passion for his boss’ pet company or fear from the amount of opposition he faced in the room. Perhaps the trembling sound reflected a man trying desperately to right his own blunder.

Here’s how Roth messed up. The only written piece of evidence that Hageman points to in her legal opinion is a budget form that the water division submitted to Roth, but not to Payne, the budget director. Roth said he told all departments to submit the form to Payne directly, but Skouby did not follow that instruction. Apparently, neither Hageman nor Roth knew this when she wrote her legal opinion, so it looked like someone was lying. For someone who was trying to make good and win over opponents, Roth’s presentation was less than graceful. He started off by insulting the 100 or so people behind him in the audience, saying the “small group of dissenters” were “fearmongering” and “destructive.”

he would, it’s not likely he would side with Slay.

In City of St. Louis v. Jones Hageman argued, “the court indicated that approval of an appropriation is sufficient to constitute approval of a particular contract,” if there is a “recorded recognition” stating that the public funds would go towards a specific contract. Hageman said she has such a recording from when Skouby testified before the Ways and Means committee (which, as the replay of Skouby’s testimony proved, is itself doubtful).

However, Reed said that within that same case law, there is a paragraph that points to exactly why the Veolia contract would have to go through E&A – and that’s because it was not written into the budget.

“What the city counselor would like us to believe is that it’s okay for things not to go before the Board of E&A, if there is a line item in there that says ‘professional services,’” Reed said “If that were true,

there are tons of contracts from the airport commission and everything else that we would never have to issue an RFP for.

The other problem with that is we have an open documents law we have to abide by. How would the public really understand what their money has been spent on?”

Rex factor

Controversy over Veolia Water is not new to St. Louis.

In September 2010, Veolia toured the city’s water division facilities – only three months after Rex Sinquefield’s ShowMe Institute released a May 2010 report urging the city to privatize its water utility.

Sinquefield is the single largest contributor to Slay’s massive mayoral campaign warchest. However, at the time the mayor said it was nothing more than a visit. Slay has said he has no plans to push for selling the city’s water services to a private company.

Then in November 2012, a committee selected Veolia out of several proposals for the $250,000 contract. Though the contract is just to consult for the city, opponents – including the Missouri Coalition for the Environment – said this contract is just a step towards an end goal of selling the city’s water services to Veolia.

“On its face, it’s not a good deal for the city,” Reed said. “Do we need to make upgrades? Absolutely. But we have to be careful at the same time we are not getting ourselves in a situation where we are upcharging the residents for the services the system can pay for within itself.”

Roth-mongering

Eddie Roth, Slay’s new director of operations (and former Post-Dispatch editorial writer), gave an adamantly proVeolia presentation when he testified before the Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

Then he tried his own hand at fear-mongering by saying that without the Veolia contract, water bills would go up and “people are going to be hurt.”

Most of his comments evoked moans and grunts throughout the room, not just from the audience. But his show-stopping performance came after Alderman Antonio French’s comment to Roth. French said, “It seems, for a practical matter, if you are going to start playing these games, where we have to get clear on the record of every dollar being spent, that’s a slippery slope to go down. We operate best if there is some degree of trust. I think this is sneaky.”

The audience broke out in applause.

Roth replied, “I can’t recall a time when people have said there is an element of sneakiness or distrust, and that is not Mayor Slay’s way at all.” Roth’s declaration that Slay is a trustworthy straight-shooter was met by laughter and snickers.

Aldermen Jennifer Florida (left) and Frank Williamson (right) follow the Board of Aldermen’s Ways and Means Committee public hearing led on Tuesday by committee chair Alderman Terry Kennedy. Photo by Wiley Price

William Laverne Fitzpatrick

William Laverne Fitzpatrick entered into this world on October 2, 1942, the only child born to the union of William A. Fitzpatrick and Emma (Jamison) Fitzpatrick. October 1, 2013, Bishop William L. Fitzpatrick transitioned from life to life more abundantly. He fought the good fight, he finished his course and kept the faith. And now sitting in the clouds of glory with his mother Emma Fitzpatrick and former wife, Judy Ann Fitzpatrick. William was educated in the Indiana School District. After graduating from Crispus Attucks High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served for eight years as a communication specialist and received numerous accolades, awards and a plethora of certificates attesting to honors bearing witness to the fact that he served the Marine Corps with a record of proficient and industrious performance.

After eight years of service, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years of service. In 1972, William L. Fitzpatrick was ordained and pastored Christlike Unity Mission for two years while his mother was ill. After Mother Emma’s passing, he received his own vision of Faith United Church of the Living God. During this time, he obtained his Associates, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate in Theological Studies and in Counseling and Religious Education.

In 1962, Bishop Fitzpatrick was united in holy matrimony to Judy Ann (McRoy) and from this union were born seven children. After 37 years of marriage, Lady Judith Ann Fitzpatrick preceded him in death. In the year 2000, he was united in holy matrimony to

Ellen D. Shaw. Bishop Fitzpatrick leaves to mourn: his most golden treasure, his wife Lady Ellen D. Fitzpatrick; his father, William A. Fitzpatrick; his aunt, Emma Lou Fitzpatrick; four sons, Bishop Hilliard L. Fitzpatrick, Gregory L. Fitzpatrick, Daniel L. Fitzpatrick (Harriet) and Antonio D. Mills; four daughters, Laura L. Johnson (Kevin), Patricia A. Carter (Tommy), Judith A. Fowler (Sean) and Emma J. Fitzpatrick; and a host of grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, church family and close friends.

Dianna Beene (McLemore) was a mother to many On June 3, 1944, a beautiful spirit entered this earth by way of Lavonne and James D. McLemore. That beautiful spirit was Dianna Lavonne McLemore. This union later blessed Dianna with a beloved brother James D. “Peck” McLemore, Jr. Dianna’s brother, father and mother, respectively, preceded her in passing. She attended the former St. Mark Catholic School and later St. Louis Public Schools Marshall and Riddick in North St. Louis. Dianna then attended Soldan High School, culminating her secondary studies at Sumner High School in the esteemed Ville neighborhood.

Like the radiant and beautiful God-given spirit that she embodied, Dianna became an architect of inner and outer beauty. While attending Sumner High School, she earned “Best Dressed” awards. She later landed a model role in a Burger Chef commercial along with her husband Leamon “Billy” Beene. Diane or “Lady Di,” as she was affectionately and respectfully known, then took her knack for beautifying to the prestigious

Flori Roberts at Famous and Barr Downtown where she became the leading make-up artist and and saleswoman.

She so beautified her home that it became an eyecatching spectacle, drawing on-lookers like a museum. She later begain designing and decorating others’ homes.

Her cooking paralleled her other artistic talents as she was a soul food culinary artist whose savory offerings drew many to her table. And all were welcome.

As exquisite as a home was, Dianna’s abode was always the neighborhood gathering place. She mothered neighboring children and her children’s friends, and they all treated her like their own mother.

She was a very caring and giving mother and blessed her children with a remarkable childhood, doing the same for her subsequent grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In memory of H. Donald Gage

December 2, 1943— October 18, 2013

Survived by his loving wife Charlotte, son Donald L. Gage, daughter Mama Lisa Gage, daugherin-law Kay Gage, and grandchildren Donald Ray, JaLisa Ray, and Imani Ray as well as a host of family and friends.

Memorial fellowship 4-6 p.m. on Thursday October 24, 2013 at William C. Harris Funeral Directors; Service at 6 p.m. More information: wcharrisfd.com or 314-8689500.

Mental health impacts economic opportunity

Study of AfricanAmerican health in STL releases third policy brief

By Brittaney Jewel Bethea Washington University

A recent study revealed that adults in the City of St. Louis spend an average of 4.5 days a month in poor mental health, with St. Louis County not lagging far behind, at an average of three days a month. It’s an issue tackled head-on in the latest policy brief of a landmark study. The brief, “How Can We Improve Mental Health in St. Louis? Invest in Our Community and Raise Awareness,” finds that mental health limits people’s social and economic opportunities and that there are stark racial differences in mental health outcomes and treatment in the St. Louis region.

The brief, written by Darrell L. Hudson, PhD, assistant professor in the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, is the third of five from a multidisciplinary study called “For the Sake of All: A Report on the Health and Well-Being of African Americans in St. Louis.”

“Mental health affects people’s social and economic opportunities, and in turn, social and economic opportunity affects mental health,” Hudson said.

“For example, people

dealing with mental health challenges are less likely to complete school, and low educational achievement is strongly associated with lower earnings. Low earnings and unemployment affect people’s ability to seek and to afford treatment for mental health.”

The brief recommends several areas where mental health in St. Louis can be improved:

• Improve awareness efforts to tackle stigma and misinformation around mental health.

• Improve screening by encouraging medical providers to identify patients earlier and coordinate these services at homeless shelters and food pantries.

• Invest in community mental health centers in areas where there is the most mental health need.

• Establish a system for tracking patient mental health treatment and rates of new mental health conditions.

• Improve the accessibility of publicly available mental health data.

• Develop a public reporting system with standard definitions of mental health conditions. Hudson said that a combined effort between the government and the private sector is necessary to invest

in community mental health centers.

“There are many mental health foundations that are working to raise awareness of mental health conditions and reduce stigma,” Hudson said, “so building collaborations with those types of organizations would be helpful as well.”

He also encourages the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), modeled after integrated systems such as Kaiser Permanente and the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, to help improve the tracking and reporting of mental health conditions in St. Louis.

Nationwide, there is an annual cost of $193.2 billion in lost earnings due to mental health conditions, not including the many hidden and indirect costs associated with poor mental health.

“Preventing acute mental health conditions in St. Louis could save hundreds of millions of dollars a year in hospital charges alone,” Hudson said. “Improving the mental health of African Americans in St. Louis city and county is one important way to improve the health, safety and economy of the entire region.”

“For the Sake of All” is funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health and includes faculty from both Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University. WUSTL’s Institute for Public Health, the Brown School’s Policy Forum, The St. Louis American newspaper and the online news site St. Louis Beacon are partners as well.

To read the full brief, as well as to learn more about “For the Sake of All,” visit forthesakeofall.org.

William L. Fitzpatrick

Dianna Beene

H. Donald Gage

Exercise

Nutrition Challenge:

Halloween is almost here and anytime you have an event that focuses on food (especially sweets) it’s always better to plan ahead. Be sure to eat a filling, healthy dinner before you go out trick-or-treating; you’ll be less likely to eat candy along the way.

Exercise Challenge:

Now that the weather isn’t so hot, and before it gets really cold outside, take a nature walk around your neighborhood. See how many different kinds of trees you see, and how many different color leaves.

Healthy Kids Kids

Here are a couple of tips that might help prevent a big bowl full of leftover treats at your house after all of the kids are done knocking on your door.

Why not hand out little “gifts” instead of candy? Many stores offer bags of pencils, spider rings, tattoos, etc. that you could buy — and are often actually cheaper than candy!

Consider purchasing candy that really isn’t your favorite. This makes those extras much less tempting to you.

Learning Standards:

HPE 2, HPE 3, HPE 5, NH 1, NH 5

Walk briskly enough to get your heart rate up, but bring a notebook to document your findings. Why is it important to increase your heart rate?

Try walking this same route every few days to observe the change in the leaves. How many different colors do you see?

Did you find

Now is the time to talk about staying safe during your trick-or-treating. Here are a few very important things to remember.

Walk with a parent or older sibling.

Wear reflective clothing or something light/bright to be more visible to cars.

Carry a flashlight, if possible, to watch for obstacles while walking such as holes, fences, flower-pots, etc.

any trees whose leaves weren’t turning?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 6, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Where do you work? I work for Mercy Health.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, Mississippi. I received a BBA of Accounting from the University of Memphis. My position requires a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance and a Certified Public Accountant license.

What does a V.P. of Business Risk Services and Financial Compliance do? I review statistics to see how many patients have been treated in our hospitals and the revenue/expenses associated with those patients. I also help to make sure that Mercy follows all of the applicable tax laws.

Why did you choose this career? In helping to ensure that Mercy uses its financial resources properly, I know that I am indirectly improving the health of our community by providing healthcare access to a larger number of people. What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy being part of a team that works to figure out how Mercy can effectively respond to the complex healthcare industry, while maintaining our commitment to our patients.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

Do not eat any candy until your parent(s) have had a chance to “inspect” it. Never go inside someone’s home.

Watch for cars! They might not see you in the dark.

Do you know other ways to help you stay safe?

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 5

Go to http://www.stlamerican.com/newspaper_in_ education/ and download our Weekly Fitness Challenge Journal page. Keep track of your positive daily health choices and earn rewards!

CLASSOOM SPOTLIGHT

Cold Water Elementary School 5th Grade, Ms. Lisa McPherson, teacher, shows Katie Friend and Ife Adekunle how

SCIENCE CORNER

An environmental scientist uses their knowledge of science to protect nature. They work to find a balance between human needs and the needs of organisms in their environment. Their goal is to preserve nature for future generations.

Some environmental scientists conduct research. They may study how processes or chemicals affect the environment, or they may study endangered animals. Environmental scientists develop and enforce policies (rules) to protect the environment, and are often employed by

What Does An Environmental Scientist Do?

government agencies. Also, environmental scientists work as consultants and give advice to companies. For example, they can tell architects how their buildings will affect the environment.

If you are interested in becoming an environmental scientist, read and learn all you can about plants, animals, and protecting the environment.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/students/.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to learn about careers in science.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

When many large thunderstorms come together over ocean water, they begin to swirl. This swirling motion is called a vortex. When this vortex becomes powerful enough, it is called a hurricane. You can use plastic soda bottles to create your own replica of a hurricane.

Materials Needed:

Water • Clock or Timer • Empty 2 Liter

Soda Bottle • Pitcher • Food Coloring Procedure:

q Fill the soda bottle to the top with water.

w Without squeezing the sides of the bottle, time how long it takes to empty all of the water. You might want to repeat this several times to validate your time.

MATH CONNECTION

Solve these word problems about hurricanes.

q The diameter of a hurricane is 275 miles. The eye of the hurricane has a diameter of 32 miles. Find the area of the hurricane around the eye of the hurricane.

w The diameter of a hurricane is 300 miles. What is the circumference? What is the area?

Hurricane in a Bottle!

e Fill the bottle to the top with water just as you did before. This time swirl the water by moving the bottle in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion while the water is pouring out to create a vortex.

r Now add food coloring to the water and swirl/pour again. The food coloring will create a colored vortex.

Analyze: Were your predictions correct? What created the vortex in the soda bottle? How is this similar to the creation of a hurricane?

Learning Standards: I can make predictions and analyze my answer. I can follow directions to complete an experiment.

e There are 2,157 homes in a town preparing

The townspeople were told to

water in preparation for a

If each home had to store 15 gallons of water, how many total gallons of water would the town have to store?

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

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN SOCIOLOGIST, EDUCATOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST:

Robert Doyle Bullard

Robert Doyle Bullard was born on December 21, 1946, in Elba, Alabama. He grew up in a segregated community with his four siblings. After high school, Bullard went to the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and graduated in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in history and government and a minor in sociology. In 1972, he earned his master’s degree in sociology from Clark Atlanta University. Bullard completed his doctorate degree in sociology at Iowa State University, and earned a degree in 1976.

Bullard married an attorney and they moved to Houston, Texas, where he taught at Texas Southern University. Bullard helped his wife collect data for the trial Bean v. Southwestern Waste Corporation, which was a federal court case involving the placement of garbage facilities in Houston neighborhoods that had mostly black citizens. This was the first federal lawsuit that charged environmental discrimination. This case gave Bullard a passion for environmental science.

After leaving Texas, Bullard taught at universities in Tennessee and California before returning to Clark Atlanta University. It was here that Bullard was able to conduct research, teach, and serve in community outreach programs that combined his love of sociology and environmental science.

Bullard has been called the “Father of Environmental Justice.” In 1994, he encouraged President Clinton to sign Executive Order 12898, which called for environmental justice in the United States. Bullard has written over fifteen books and has delivered many presentations. In 2007, he received the William Foote Whyte Distinguished Career Award. The following year, he was named one of Newsweek’s thirteen “Environmental Leaders of the Century.”

Questions:

q Dr. Bullard became interested in environmental justice after his wife introduced him to the topic. Why do you think he took a strong interest in this topic?

w What do you think an environmental scientist does?

e Would you like to be an environmental scientist? Why or why not?

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction biographies to gain information about a person who has made contributions in the field of science.

Use the newspaper to complete these activities:

Activity One: Can I quote you on that?

When quoting their interviewees, reporters must think of interesting ways of saying, “said.” Use quotes in your newspaper to see how reporters quote their subjects. Make a list of at least 10 different ways that were used. Share your results with your classmates.

Activity Two: Students will choose a person featured in a news story to evaluate for character traits. Students will describe the featured person in a character chart. They will draw an outline of the person, write the person’s name in the head, write an inference about the personality in the body, and details that support the inference in the arms and legs.

Learning Standards: I can use a newspaper to locate information. I can make inferences and support them with specific details.

Problems with Hurricanes!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Photo by Howard Sochurek/LIFE

Government shutdown blues

For those of us who could pay attention, there was a sigh of relief when Congress cut a deal to end the government shutdown and agree to increase the debt ceiling. For many others, the 16-day shutdown represented another attack on their miserable lives, suffering caused primarily by the corporate elite and their operatives in Congress.

Let’s take a look at concepts

like “debt ceiling” and a “clean CR” to determine what our roles are as citizens in this democracy “of the people, by the people, for the people.”

The debt ceiling is a cap on the total amount the U.S. government can borrow and is set by the Congress. It has been raised 77 times since 1982 as a routine part of the legislative branch’s duties –that is, until Obama became

president. President Obama has frequently reminded us of two things: the president cannot raise the debt ceiling, and the debt is for spending that Congress, not the president, has already approved.

The current debt limit of $16.699 trillion was reached in May. Since then the U.S. Treasury has been using extraordinary measures to keep paying the bills. Kind of like us when the money coming in is less than our spending and so we engage in the exercise of “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

government is a part of our everyday lives. This is what our taxes are for: to provide us with infrastructure and security as well as goods and services.

Jamala Rogers

One student told me of her surprise when she sought out stats for a college paper but the Department of Justice website was shut down. More serious impacts of the government shutdown were being heaped on top of the sequestration cuts imposed by a dysfunctional Congress in March 2013.

The government refers to it as prioritization. Republicans were quite willing to play chicken with our futures and the global economy.

Citizens saw, and hopefully appreciated, how much

The financial ratings agency Standard & Poor’s estimated the 16-day shutdown cost taxpayers $24 billion and “shaved at least 0.6 percent” off the country’s GDP growth. All government offices were shut down, meaning none

of the people’s business was happening, from Head Start programs being closed to veterans’ claims left unprocessed. Congress was working to agree on a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) that contained no hidden amendments or earmarks. It’s now come to light that some goodies were given to a few people. I won’t dally on the $174,000 widow’s payment that went to the wife of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, one of the richest senators to serve in the Senate. Let’s put the spotlight on the $2.9 billion add-on that benefited U.S. Sen. Mitch McDonnell, who is up for a tough reelection in 2014. Conservations have dubbed it the “Kentucky Kickback” and rightfully accused McConnell of being hypocritical in the GOP’s alleged efforts to curtail spending.

It’s time for the majority to put a stop to financial and political sabotage inflicted by the super-rich minority that drives us deeper in the abyss of despair. We have to become better educated and more engaged.

GOP House members from Missouri who voted nay to open up the government need to hear from their constituents and be targeted for replacement during their next election. That would be Ann Wagner and Blaine Luetkemeyer. U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt had the political sophistication to vote yea.

The Tea Party definitely has the GOP responding to its threats. We need to get serious about a radical caucus within the Democratic Party that successfully runs candidates who stay true to a true democracy that is of, for and by the people.

This struggle over who runs the country (or runs it into the ground) is by no means over. Tea Party members are vowing for another fight when the debt ceiling issue comes up again in four months. They are blinded by the presence of a black person in the White House, but our goals have to be more longterm and inclusive to ensure the longevity of our democracy and our rights to live in peace and fairness.

New report on LGBT African Americans

American staff

An estimated 1,018,700 (3.7 percent) of African-American adults consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) and 34 percent of African-American same-sex couples are raising children, according to a new report released by the UCLA Williams Institute.

The study, “LGBT AfricanAmerican Individuals and African-American Same-Sex Couples,” was conducted by Angeliki Kastanis, public policy research fellow, and Gary J. Gates, distinguished scholar.

Currently, the estimated 84,000 African-American individuals in same-sex couples tend to live in areas where there are higher proportions of African Americans. For example, a quarter of AfricanAmerican same-sex couples live in Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Maryland. The report finds overall higher unemployment rates (15 percent v. 12 percent) and lower proportions with a college degree (23 percent v. 26 percent) among LGBT African Americans, when compared to their non-LGBT counterparts. However, these disadvantages are not present among African Americans in same-sex couples. Twenty-five percent of African Americans in same-sex couples have completed a college degree, compared to 22 percent of African Americans in differentsex couples. In addition, 71 percent of African Americans in same-sex couples are employed compared to 68 percent of their counterparts in different-sex couples.

LGBT African Americans are also less likely than their non-LGBT counterparts to have health insurance. Study co-author Gates notes, “Given their lower levels of health insurance coverage and the evidence of broader economic disadvantage, the opportunity for less expensive health care resulting from the Affordable Care Act may be particularly attractive for LGBT AfricanAmericans.”

The full report is available at http://williamsinstitute.law. ucla.edu.

BUSINESS

‘We need everyone at the table’

Rodney

Gee of Edward Jones is 2013 Corporate Executive of the Year

By Rebecca S.Rivas

Of The St.Louis American

For new financial advisors, it sometimes takes a few years of struggling to really launch their careers.

At Edward Jones, Rodney Gee’s job is to make sure these new advisors, especially those who are minorities and women, get the resources they need to succeed.

“We really work with our diverse financial advisors, so they can make a difference in their clients’lives,” said Gee, a principal forfinancial advisor diversity performance for Edward Jones.

“We really work with our diverse financial advisors, so they can make a difference in their clients’ lives.”

“My responsibility is to help guide the firm to provide that additional support that they need, whether it’s coaching and mentoring or building different skills. And that’s fun work.”

Gee leads 240 teams nationwide who support 13,000 financial advisors in this effort. Gee will receive the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2013 Corporate Executive of the Year Award at the Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon, to be held Thursday, November 14 at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. The networking reception begins at 11 a.m. and the luncheon program starts at noon.

At Edwards Jones, Gee is helping to grow the firm’s diverse and women finan-

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Shaughnessy Daniels

Shaughnessy Daniels has been promoted to vice president at Urban Strategies, Inc. She joined Urban Strategies in 2006 as an associate project manager. She has supported site implementation and project development in communities nationwide and has been instrumental in establishing new satellite offices. Urban Strategies is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in human services development, planning, and strategy implementation as a part of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization.

Laurna C. Godwin has joined the board ofArch Grants,the global St. Louis startup competition that provides $50,000 non-dilutive grants to early stage ventures. She is founder and partner of Vector Communications Corporation, a public engagement and communications consulting firm. Also joining the board are Clifford Holekamp director of the Entrepreneurship Platform at Washington University’s Olin Business School, and Jay Steinbeck, CEO of Rothman Furniture.

TrevorA. Dawes recently was installed as president of the Association of College and Research Libraries(ACRL), an international organization serving academic libraries and information professionals. Dawes is an associate university librarian at Washington University. He oversees subject librarians, library outreach, collections and many of the school and departmental libraries. Composed of roughly 12,000 members, ACRLis the largest division of the American Library Association.

Dimitri Heaggans was recently recognized as a Hospitality Super Hero for exceptional service provided by hospitality industry employees by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. He works front desk/guest service at Hotel Ignacio. This recognition program honors front-line workers who best exemplify the region’s ongoing commitment to great service. Nominations were solicited from management of hospitality industry companies and judged by customer service experts.

BUSINESS

BRIEFS

RBC MentorNetwork program places emphasis on foreign-born

The St. Louis Regional Business Council (RBC) has selected its participants for its Mentor Network program. For the first time, the RBC has included 11 international students of the 136 students participating, as part of the St. Louis Mosaic Project’s goal of retaining international talent.

‘Share yourgifts with others’

Circuit Clerk Kahalah Clay gives back through legal advocacy and United Way

By Dená Brummer For The St.Louis American

Kahalah A. Clay is a busy woman. During the day, she is the St. Clair County (Illinois) circuit clerk, responsible for maintaining the record of all civil and criminal cases in the eighth largest county in the state of Illinois. In the evenings and on weekends, she is wife, mother to a five-year-old, public speaker, an active volunteer with United Way and active member of the Power Change Christian Church in Cahokia, IL.

Yet she has made community service an important part of her life. For Clay, an East St. Louis native, volunteering is more than a hobby. It’s a lifelong commitment.

“We are not blessed to just be blessed. We are blessed to be a blessing to others,” said Clay. “It is our responsibility to use our gifts, resources and talents to help those in need. It makes for a better community and a better world overall.” For Clay, the two parts of her life –professional and personal – are reflections of a single commitment to the ideal of servant-leadership.

Aservant-leader is one who is a servant first – a person who wants to serve others and whose decision to subsequently lead is a conscious outgrowth of the desire to do more for the community.

“I work hard to make East St. Louis proud because that is

where I was raised,”

said Clay, who is also a United Way of Greater St. Louis Charmaine Chapman Society member. “And I strive to be a shining example of the wonderful people who have come from East St. Louis and the wonderful people who still live there.” Where else does motivation for servant-leadership come from? In Clay’s case, a big part radiates from her faith and upbringing. “As the daughter of a fireman and fire chief, service to the community is in my blood,” she said. “My father absolutely loved what he did and he always gave

See GEE, B2

“We are not blessed to just be blessed.We are blessed to be a blessing to others.”

– Kahalah A.Clay

it his all and his best. He taught me to serve, to do so bravely, and that sometimes in doing so you have to make the tough decisions. I mean just think about it, he ran into the burning building while everyone else was running out!” Clay has been acting on her passion for community service since law school. While attending law school at Indiana University, she worked with

– Rodney Gee,Edward Jones See CLAY, B3

The RBC Higher Education Collaboration is a business partnership with the schools of business and engineering from 14 of the leading colleges and universities in the St. Louis region. The program matches diverse university students with regional business leaders.

Sponsored by Boeing, Centric Group, Olin, Paric and Enterprise Holdings, the initiative will kick off 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 at Enterprise’s Corporate Office, 600 Corporate Park Drive, Clayton. For more information about the Regional Business Council’s Mentor Network Program contact Katie Kaufmann at the RBC at 314-225-2105.

SLATE granted $358K forSecond Chance Act Reentry Project

The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has granted $358,478 to the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) as part of the Second Chance Act Reentry Project. The Reentry Project was established to help ensure that youth successfully transition from secure confinement facilities to the community while promoting public safety.

SLATE will use the grant funds for the You Only Live Once (YOLO) STLReentry Program, which will serve 32 juveniles through a comprehensive evidence-based program design and partnerships with public and private agencies and major universities. Each participant will complete a minimum of 100 hours of service learning, 40 hours of job readiness, 125 hours of work experience, 125 hours of summer work experience and 80 hours of mentoring.

These steps should increase the number of youth that receive jobs; who graduate from high school or obtain a GED; and who enter a post-secondary education or apprenticeship program. For more information, visit SLATE online at www.stlworks.com.

Kahalah A.Clay

Rodney Gee,a principal for financial advisor diversity performance for Edward Jones,will receive the St.Louis American Foundation’s 2013 Corporate Executive of the Year Award.

Photo by Wiley Price

Laurna C. Godwin

Trevor A. Dawes

Dimitri Heaggans

By Jason Alderman

If someone told you

there’s a way for you to potentially save hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars on your income taxes by simply spending a few minutes reviewing your benefits and tax paperwork, would you think it sounds like a latenight TVmarketing scam?

It’s not.

You’ve still got a couple of months to tweak your employer-provided benefits and line up a few tax deductions that’ll have you smiling next April 15. Here are a few strategies to consider:

401(k) plan. If you haven’t already maxed out on contributions for 2013, ask your employer if you can increase contributions to your

GEE

Continued from B1

cial advisors. When asked why diversity and inclusion is important to Edward Jones, Gee gets right to the point.

“Alot of folks will give you a passé answer or an en vogue response,” he said. “I’m not going to give you that. The real opportunity is: We want to serve more clients.”

Gee cites a recent survey, where people were asked if they understood how bonds or stocks work. Only about 30 percent said they did, he said.

“We think there are an unlimited amount of potential customers out there who don’t understand finances and who are not prepared for the future,” he said.

“We need everyone at the table. That’s why diversity is important. It ultimately means we take care of more clients,

Don’t leave tax breaks on the table

401(k) plan for the remainder of the year. Most people can contribute up to $17,500 in 2013, plus an additional $5,500 if they’re over 50. If you contribute on a pretax basis, your taxable income is reduced, which in turn lowers your taxes. If you contribute using after-tax dollars, you’ll pay tax on the amount now, but the entire account value, including interest earned over the years, will be non-taxable when you retire. Either way, if your employer offers matching contributions (essentially, free money), you should contribute at least enough to take full advantage of the match.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs). If you participate in employer-spon-

and we make a difference in their lives.”

Currently, six percent of Edward Jones’advisors are people of color, compared to four percent last year and two percent industry-wide, he said. About 18 percent are women, compared to 16 percent industry-wide.

“The opportunity is to continue growing,” he said. “Is it hard? You bet. If it were easy, everyone would have great numbers and be telling you great stories. But it’s hard to start in the financial advisor industry.”

Most importantly, the advisors have to genuinely want to make a difference in people’s lives, he said.

Throughout his upbringing, Gee’s parents and community instilled a desire in him to help others, he said. He grew up in the Penrose neighborhood of North St. Louis, and his family eventually moved to North St. Louis County, where he

PERSONAL FINANCE

sored health care or dependent care FSAs, which let you use pretax dollars to pay for eligible expenses, be sure to spend the full balance before the plan-year deadline (sometimes up to 75 days into the following year); otherwise, you’ll forfeit the remaining balance. If it looks like you’ll have a surplus, consider which 2014 expenses you could pay before December 31, 2013.

You can use your health care FSAfor copayments, deductibles and medical devices (e.g., glasses, contact lenses and braces). Note: Except for insulin, over-thecounter medicines are only

eligible with a doctor’s prescription.

Charitable contributions. If you plan to itemize deductions this year, charitable contributions made to IRSapproved organizations by December 31, 2013, are generally tax-deductible. If you’ve got extra cash now and want to lower your 2013 taxes even further, consider moving up donations you would have made in 2014.

Gifts. Most people probably will never reach the $5.25 million lifetime gift tax exemption limit – beyond which you would have to pay the 40 per-

attended McCluer North High School.

“I think what’s unique about my childhood is that it was shaped by two loving parents, who both were working folks with a strong work ethic,” he said. “I remember my dad making contributions by being involved at the

cent gift tax. But, if you’re feeling generous, remember that if you give someone gifts worth more than $14,000 this year, you’ll need to file a Gift Tax Return along with your federal tax return, even though you won’t necessarily owe any taxes on the amount.

(Married couples filing jointly can give $28,000 per recipient.)

Roth IRAconversion.

People at any income level can convert part or all of their existing traditional IRAs or 401(k) plans from previous employers into a Roth IRA. With a Roth, you pay taxes now, but future earnings will accumulate tax-free. If your retirement is a long way off or you believe your income tax rate at retirement will be higher than it is today, such a

As principal for financial advisor diversity performance for Edward Jones, Rodney Gee leads 240 teams nationwide who support 13,000 financial advisors. Currently,six percent of Edward Jones’ advisors are people of color,compared to four percent last year and two percent industry-wide,he said.

church and with the Boy Scouts.”

When Gee graduated from Central Missouri University in 1981, he said, he stepped into an economy that “was truly a recession” versus what the nation experienced most recently.

Despite the difficult market, he was able to land a job in sales at Southwestern Bell. He transitioned to Motorola as an account executive and continued to move up the ladder –with promotions taking him to offices in Chicago and Austin, Texas.

After working with Motorola for 15 years, he was recruited to Monsanto, where he served as director of

staffing and a director of human resources. After two and a half years there, he was tapped by Edward Jones. In 2002 he was named partner, and he’s now been with the firm for 13 years.

“If anyone wants to reach their goals and dreams, this is a great place to do that,” he said of Edward Jones.

“I love giving back and mentoring others. I’m hoping that through my actions, others will pick up the mantle and run with it and make a difference in the community. You have to make a difference, no matter how small.”

Gee serves as the president of theSt. Louis Community College Foundation, which

conversion might make sense. Remember, however, that converted balances (for pretax savings and their earnings) get added to your taxable income, thereby increasing your taxes – and possibly boosting you into a higher tax bracket for the year. Just make sure you don’t need to borrow money – especially from a retirement account –to pay for the additional tax burden today; otherwise you could undo the potential longterm tax advantage of converting to a Roth IRA.

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

raises funds to help students with scholarships and other resources.

“Those funds go directly toward student achievement,” he said. “It could be helping a single mom who doesn’t have a car to buy a bus pass so she can get to class.”

Gee also serves on the boards of Employment Connection, which helps veterans get back to work, and Rx Outreach, which helps people obtain prescription medications if they don’t have the means.

“If we don’t all grow, we will end up with the haves and the have-nots,” he said. “And that’s not good for anyone.”

CLAY

Continued from B1

The 14th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Thursday, November 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. the Indianapolis Urban League as an education coordinator and clerked for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. These experiences guided her to become a public defender for the Marion County Public Defender’s Agency.

“As a public defender, I was able to use my knowledge and experience to reach back and help people navigate their unfortunate circumstances,” she said.

“More than anything, I enjoyed the opportunity to change someone’s view of indigent legal services and also the direction of their lives.”

Today as a circuit court clerk, she carries on this dedication by offering free Justice 101 classes to the community and co-hosting “Clean Slate Day,” which is aimed at connecting people who have outstanding traffic and misdemeanor warrants with the proper judicial officials in an effort to address their warrants without arrest.

“I developed both of these programs during my time as an assistant state’s attorney. My desire was to bridge the gap between the community and the key parties in the criminal justice system,” Clay said.

“I wanted the people to trust the system and the people in the system. What better way than to provide information, education and a helping hand during a tough situation.”

And despite her crowded schedule, she claims that balancing her career, family and service is not as difficult as it may seem.

“I think everyone has natural strengths,” Clay said, “so if you capitalize on those and find ways to share your gifts with others, that is what you are meant to be doing.” Charmaine Chapman Society members annually contribute $1,000 or more to United Way of Greater St. Louis. For information about membership, please contact Jeri Sinskey at 314-539-4125.

Photo by Wiley Price

“And if I see him on the street, I’m going to bust him in the (bleeping) mouth.”

– Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith,referring to Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins during a post-game tirade last Sunday.

McCluer's Kevin Spraggins (27) gets his hands on a possible interception as McCluer North Star's Harry Ballard is stopped from catching it. Also in on the play was McCluer's Chris Murray (26) during the Stars 14-6 win over the Comets.

PREP FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

With Earl Austin Jr.

Playing for seeding

Last weekend of the regular season

The regular season will come to a close this weekend on both sides of the river. On the Missouri side, teams are still playing for seeding as district playoff competition begins next week. Every team is guaranteed one district playoff game in Week 10, but it is a single elimination format. On the Illinois side, teams will learn their postseason fate on Saturday evening when the IHSAreveals its playoff pairings.

After a 1-3 start, the East St.Louis Flyers have been on a rampage with four consecutive victories.

Kirkwood:not unbeaten

Parkway Central knocked Kirkwood from the ranks of the unbeaten last Friday night with an impressive 24-7 victory at The Wood. The

IN THE CLUTCH

With Ishmael H.Sistrunk

Undefeated Tigers earn respect

This week: third consecutive ranked SEC opponent

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Several weeks ago, I predicted Mizzou’s football team would have a rebound year during its second SEC season. Of course, my idea of a rebound year was watching the SEC sophomores go from a terrible season to an OK one. I even went as far to say, “While the Tigers have virtually no chance of competing for a conference championship in the uber-stacked SEC, a rebound year of seven or eight wins is

Mauk did what Missouri has done all season and silenced all doubters by throwing for 295 yards and a TD in his debut.He also rushed for a TD.

not out of the question.” After the disastrous, injury-plagued 5-7 season just a year ago, most Tigers fans would have been satisfied with those results. Not anymore. In what can only be described as an epic turnaround, Gary Pinkel’s Tigers

have served me with a hearty helping of charbroiled crow. Even after my portion, there’s still plenty to go around. Conference media selected the Tigers to finish sixth out of seven teams in the SEC East. Fans of rival teams claimed the Tigers would never win the East, much less the entire conference. Yet with a blistering 7-0 start, including two straight victories over ranked teams, the Tigers sit firmly in the driver’s seat to reach Atlanta for a shot at the SEC title. Just think about it. Two weeks ago, the Tigers snuck

See CLUTCH, B4

Colts improved their record to 7-1 by doing it the old-fashioned way; with a strong running game and stingy defense. Parkway Central rushed for 254 yards on 54 running plays. The Colts threw the ball only four times the entire game. Senior Augie Brooks did most of the damage with 157 yards and one touchdown. The Colts defense held Kirkwood’s potent offense without a touchdown. They also forced four turnovers in the second half. The Pioneers’ only points came on a 99-yard kickoff return by

See PREP, B5

How did these Cardinals get here?

~ See ‘Claib’s Call’ page B4 ~

RAMS ROUNDUP

Bad and ugly

Sam Bradford lost for season in blowout loss at Carolina

The referees didn’t do enough to calm this thing down the moment things started to get a little funky.

The St. Louis Rams’30-15 loss to the Carolina Panthers could be classically categorized as the good, the bad and the ugly. In this case let’s just stick with bad and ugly. Sam Bradford’s first throwing attempt was tipped, intercepted and then returned for a touchdown. On his last play of the game (and the season), he was hit as he was going out of bounds by Carolina Panthers safety Mike Mitchell and left writhing in pain. As Bradford continued to lie on the sidelines, visibly in pain, Mitchell decided to celebrateonly to be quickly confronted by Rams offensive lineman Harvey Dahl. Dahl was so enraged he charged Mitchell again after seeing the pain his quarterback was in. Dahl wasn’t the only Rams player enraged. Chris Long lost his cool and got ejected for throwing a punch after a scuffle on the field. Then you have another onfield battle between second-year Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Steve Smith of the Panthers. Jenkins didn’t come out on the good end of this battle. Not only did Smith take him to school, but he caught his 800th career catch against Jenkins. Smith was still so riled up after the game he told the Charlotte Observer that Jenkins was a notch on the bedpost. What really had him incensed was that Jenkins went over the line with personal comments about his wife. Smith said if he sees Jenkins on the streets he will punch him in the (expletive) mouth. No surprise here. He’s fought three teammates, and in two of those fights he broke someone’s nose. This game was poorly officiated. The referees didn’t do enough to calm this thing down the moment things started to get a little funky out on the field. At the same time, the Rams have got to do a better job playing smart and keeping their composure. Brian Quick got hit with a penalty as the Panthers knew to mess with him and get his mind off the game. I hated seeing the ball hit his hands perfectly in the end zone, only to be dropped.

Bradford was in crutches after the game.

See RAMS, B5

Palmer L. Alexander

Photo by Wiley Price

With Palmer Alexander

Earl Austin Jr.

Henry Josey and the Missouri Tigers are running away from the competition in the SEC East.

CLAIB’S CALL

With Mike Claiborne

How did these Cardinals get here?

BOSTON, MA – If you recall, the Cardinals ended last season on a real downer by losing Game 7 of the National League Championship Series to the Giants in the rain, 9-0. This post-season the Cardinals found themselves playing in the rain again and, yes, the score in this game was also 90. This time the Cardinals beat the Dodgers to punch their ticket to the 2013 World Series.

How did they get there?

This was a team that had 20 players making their Major League debut this season. This was a team that lost its closer, its number two starter and its shortstop before the season started. Once underway they lost another starter in Jamie Garcia, and yet they found a way to win. So much winning that the Cardinals had the best record in the National League.

Now they are facing a team in the Boston Red Sox that has the same record and also took a tough road to get here. This could be a must-watch series as these two teams have so much in common. Do you really care what the rest of the country is thinking when your team is playing? Play ball!

Mizzou in top five

This was the make-or-break year for Mizzou and Gary Pinkel. An injury-riddled season last year saw seven offensive linemen miss playing time. Aconfusing offensive mindset and off-field issues nearly did the current Tiger regime in. As 2013 rolled around, the sharks were in the water waiting for the first drop of blood.

Not so fast, my friends. The Tigers now find themselves with a 7-0 record with November just around the corner. Throw out the blood donor wins and Missouri has beaten some good teams so far, at home and on the road.

Losing quarterback James Franklin was a blow, but many wanted him out as the anointed savior Matty Mauk was ready to take over. Mauk had a god game against a good Florida team last week. So did the Mizzou defense, as well as

its offensive line. Yes, folks, football is a team sport, despite what the talk show hosts tell you. Yet they are not out of the woods, as there are some dangerous teams still on the schedule. Remember, this is the SEC, where the middling to lesser teams can still create an upset. In the meantime, 8-0 would sound nice this weekend after South Carolina.

Rams in trouble

Now that Sam Bradford is done for the season with a knee injury, just what are the Rams going to do? There is no real quarterback answer on the current roster, despite what they tell you, and there is no Kurt Warner in town. How is a Jeff Fisher team this unprepared, undisciplined and physi-

cally overwhelmed? The offense has been a headscratcher, with a feeble running attack and a conservative passing game that has been further hamstrung by penalties and dropped passes. The Rams organization is challenged with trying to remedy a pattern that has become chronic, no matter who the coach is.

Name change game,again

Here we go. The annual movement to have the Washington Redskins change their name. The usual result: not going to happen. I am no longer amused by the TV media rushing out to the local bar to ask the white Redskin fans, “Should the team change its name?” and they

all say no.

The Redskins organization is just following the tradition established by original owner George Preston Marshall who defied the NFLin refusing to have a black player on the roster. Marshall was considered one of the greatest bigots in sports – and, by the way, that’s a long list. But when it comes to enforcing racial sensitivity, it appears that Native Americans do not have a loud enough voice. One has to wonder: If Native Americans had a major financial impact on the team and the league, would the outcome be different?

Current owner Daniel Snyder says he believes in tradition –a tradition that includes a demeaning mascot name that Native Americans rightly resent. Still, he has been steadfast on the notion that there

play for the national championship, have the Tigers ranked No. 4.

into the Top 25 as the 25thranked team after a 5-0 start. Many were skeptical, because there were no ranked teams on the Mizzou hit list. After comfortable wins against the No. 7 and No. 22 teams in the past two weeks, Pinkel’s team has vaulted up to a No. 5 ranking in the APand coaches’polls and is finally getting the national respect it deserves. The BCS poll, the one that actually selects the teams who

Many thought the success of the Tigers would depend on the health of senior starting quarterback James Franklin. After bouncing in and out of the lineup last season with a laundry list of injuries, Franklin looked like a completely different player this season. In just six games, he passed his yardage and touchdown totals from a year ago. He looked like the accurate, poised and tough leader everyone expected him to be after a solid sophomore season.

The Cardinals ended last season on a real downer by losing Game 7 of the National League Championship Series to the Giants in the rain,9-0.This post-season the Cardinals found themselves playing in the rain again and,yes,the score in this game was also 9-0.This time the Cardinals beat the Dodgers to punch their ticket to the 2013 World Series.

will be no name change. This name change thing will continue until the league becomes aggressive with Snyder. Don’t hold your breath - this is the NFL.

Grambling walkout

Grambling football made ESPN this week. It was not one of the plays of the week, nor were they on the losing end of a lopsided defeat. The players were trying to right a wrong. The players were playing under substandard conditions, the team was 0-7 and legendary coach and former NFLplayer Doug Williams was fired earlier this year. The players had had enough, so someone stood up and said, “Enough.”

In the “me” society of sports today, seldom will you

Then, in the midst of the upset at Georgia, Franklin separated his shoulder and it was apparent he’d miss significant time. Heads hung low across Tiger Nation. Sure, redshirt freshman Marty Mauk was a highly touted recruit and was being groomed as next year’s starter, but many wondered if he can play now, as the leader of a ranked team, against another ranked team, in the big, bad SEC. Mauk did what Missouri has done all season and silenced all doubters by throwing for 295 yards and a TD in his debut. He also rushed for a TD and helped his team rack up 500 yards against a stout Florida defense.

Why has Missouri been so good?

For starters, the defense has played lights out, particularly late in the games. The only time Mizzou has given up more than seven points in the fourth quarter this season was when Indiana put up 14 in garbage time during a 45-28 blowout.

Offensively, the team boasts a dynamic three-headed monster at running back with Henry Josey, Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy. Each back is averaging more than 6 yards per carry. The amazing depth in the backfield allows the Tigers to always have a well-rested runner in the game.

On the outsides, another talented trio helps stretch the field. The wide receiving corps looks more like a college

see people band together to fix something. These players did not walk out and forfeit a game because it was going to turn their season around, but they did it to save black college football – there are no lavish scholarship programs, no multi-million-dollar TV deals, no posh facilities – as we know it.

The Grambling administration was about to miss the boat until these young men said they had had enough. The school had no choice but to listen if they want to continue to field a football team. These young men, who are not destined to play pro ball on Sundays but will have a chance to become contributors to their society and community, should be commended. Their losing season will still be a long one, but in the end they may have won a bigger battle.

frontcourt with L’Damian Washington measuring in at 6’4”, Marcus Murphy at 6’5” and Dorial Green-Beckham at 6’6”. Each receiver has tremendous athleticism, making it almost unfair for the QBs to just toss a jumpball to whichever receiver is matched up against the 5’9” guy on defense.

Now, before we get ahead of ourselves and start preparing a display case for the Coaches’Trophy in downtown Columbia, let’s remember that we’ve seen this before. In 2007, the Tigers ascended all the way to the top spot in the rankings after an 11-1 start. Then a 38-17 drubbing at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners, the same team that delivered the first loss, sent the team spiraling downward from a spot in the national title game to the Cotton Bowl, a non-BCS game.

This week, the Tigers will host the No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks. The visitors should be revved up after a disappointing loss last week to Tennessee. This will be another test for Mauk, the defense and Missouri’s previously mediocre football karma. A third consecutive win against a ranked SEC opponent would propel the Tigers to a level even its brief 2007 top ranking couldn’t reach – legitimacy. Anything else is gravy.

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

Mike Claiborne

RAMS

Continued from B3

PREP

Continued from B3

Coach Jeff Fisher tried to sound optimistic, but he had to know what he was facing – the rest of the season without Bradford. Now he turns to Kellen Clemens, who is just not very good but all the Rams have left at quarterback. Just when things started to turn around, starting with the commitment to run the ball more in order to set up the pass. It had worked and was very encouraging to witness. How quickly things can change. Eric Phillips.

Racking up yardage

Vianney’s standout tailback Markel Smith continues to rack up the yardage and touchdowns for the Golden Griffins during his remarkable senior campaign. Smith rushed for 186 yards on 15 carries and scored five touchdowns in Vianney’s 48-0 victory over Farmington last Friday night. Smith scored on runs of 15, 80, 16, 3 and 3 yards. For the season, Smith has rushed for 1,934 yards on 255 carries and has scored 30 touchdowns.

Dual threat

Dual-threat quarterback Devin Alexander of Ritenour has been putting up some monster numbers in recent games for the Huskies. Last Friday, Alexander put up 439 yards of total offense in the Huskies’ 36-33 loss to Hazelwood East. Alexander rushed for 171 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also passed for 268 yards and one touchdown. Alexander also had 462 yards of total offense in Ritenour’s 41-38 victory over Pattonville the previous week. He rushed for 283 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 179 yards and one score. For the season, Alexander has passed for 1,517 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 1,175 yards and 17 touchdowns.

My Bad

Last week, when I listed the remaining unbeaten teams in the St. Louis area, I forgot to mention Miller Career Academy. The Phoenix improved their record to 8-0 with a 78-0 victory over Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC last Saturday. If the Phoenix can get by Northwest Academy (53) on Saturday, they will complete their second consecutive undefeated regular season. Miller Career Academy is also a heavy favorite in the upcoming Class 4, District 2 playoffs.

Most entertaining

Perhaps the most entertain-

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

ing game of the season came last Friday night in North County when Lutheran North defeated Trinity 55-52. The Crusaders built a 42-15 lead at halftime before having to withstand a furious secondhalf rally from Trinity. The two teams combined for 107 points and 1,142 yards of total offense. Trinity’s Demontez Clark had a huge game in the losing cause with 334 yards rushing on 21 carries. He scored four touchdowns on runs of 68, 75, 18 and 22 yards. Senior Isaiah Holman led Lutheran North with 229 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The Crusaders have now won four consecutive games. ESL on rampage

After a 1-3 start, the East St. Louis Flyers have been on a rampage with four consecutive victories. The Flyers clobbered Belleville West 62-17 on Saturday in a big Southwestern Conference game. East Side rolled up 632 yards of total offense in running its record to 5-3. Gregory Taylor rushed for 260 yards and scored four touchdowns. Dominic Nelson passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns while freshman Jeff Thomas had five receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown. The Flyers have scored 200 points in their last four games.

Prep Athletes of the Week

Aaron Medina

Belleville Althoff – Football

The junior linebacker enjoyed a strong defensive performance in the Crusaders’25-6 victory over Cahokia in a South Seven Conference game.

The 5’9” 185-pound Medina recorded 12 solo tackles, two assists with one sack and one fumble recovery as Althoff shut down one of the area’s hottest offensive units in recent weeks.

For the season, Medina has a total of 109 tackles with 90 solos with one sack and three fumble recoveries. As a sophomore, Medina had 63 tackles as a starting linebacker for the Crusaders’IHSAClass

2Astate runner-up team.

Althoff (4-4) will visit Triad on Friday night in the regular-season finale at 7 p.m.

Gregory Taylor

East St.Louis – Football

The senior running back rushed for 260 yards and scored touchdowns in the Flyers’62-17 victory over visiting Belleville West last Saturday in a Southwestern Conference game. Taylor scored on runs of 10, 1, 8 and 72 yards. He also added seven tackles and one sack on defense. Since being moved from receiver to running back on offense, the Flyers have won their last four games in convincing fashion.

In those four games, Taylor has rushed for 832 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. In his first start, he rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-7 victory over Belleville East. Taylor has already committed to the University of Missouri.

East St. Louis (5-3) will host Collinsville on Friday night to close the regular season.

First time in Final Four

The Parkway North girls' softball team made history last week by advancing to the Final Four of the Missouri state tournament for the first time ever.The Vikings (20-6) will take on Lee's Summit on Friday afternoon in the state semifinals at 1 p.m.in Springfield.Leading the Vikings on their historic run through the postseason has been the dynamic duo of junior pitcher/infielder Anna Chisolm and sophomore catcher Ria Smith.

The Parkway North Viking softball team.Front row:Travia Harris,Courtney Norris,Rhion McCormick,Anna Chisolm,Emily Evans,Kailyn Graham.Second row:Asst.Coach Brett Katz,Marissa Voelker,Ria Smith,Madison Eacret,Sara Stevens,Cassidy Taggart,Head Coach Amy Doyle.Back row: Manager Xavier Phillips.

Shutdown declared waron the poor

By Michael P.McMillan

For The St.Louis American

As we look upon our nation’s first government shutdown in protest of a bill that was signed into law and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the question comes to mind: Where do we go from here? How could a government that was created of the people, by the people and for the people sink into the depths of the lowest pit of disagreement over a law that was constitutionally passed?

Town Hall on parking rescheduled

Such was the fate of the 109th Congress of the United States of America which, on October 1, voted to shut down the federal government in protest of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. ACA, or Obamacare, mandates that all Americans obtain health insurance and provides access to subsidized insurance for those who cannot afford health care. Because ACAwas neither championed nor supported by conservatives, the government shutdown was used as a bargaining chip in an attempt

Due to a conflict with Game 1 of the World Series, the St. Louis treasurer’s Town Hall meeting on parking previously scheduled for Wednesday, October 23 has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, November 7 at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd.

The town halls will provide more information on the selection process for the city’s parking systems and opportunities for citizens to provide feedback.

The town halls will take place at the following locations: Central Library, 1301 Olive St., 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, October 29

Carondelet Park Recreation Complex, 930 Holly Hills Ave., 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 6

O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 WFlorissant Ave., 6-7 p.m.

Tuesday, November 12.

Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Blvd. 6-7 p.m. Thursday, November 7

O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex, 4343 WFlorissant Ave.

6-7 p.m.Tuesday, November 12. Call the St. Louis Treasurer’s Office at 314-622-4700.

to change the law. Rather than launch a partisan attack on the tactics of Republicans, I feel that it is more important to focus on those who were impacted by the shutdown. In what seemed to be a War on the Poor, this shutdown hurt our most vulnerable citizens: babies receiving formula from the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children program and preschool-aged children

enrolled in Head Start.

While the mainstream media focused on national parks and landmarks, programs serving working poor families went unnoticed. Another group that was marginalized in this legislative warfare is the more than 800,000 furloughed government workers who went without pay while congressmen squabbled.

Those who supported the shutdown claim that ACAis an

COMMUNITY BRIEF

Faith Sandler, College Bound of St. Louis recognized nationally

National College Access Network (NCAN) recently honored four nonprofits with awards, and two of them were from St. Louis.

Faith Sandler, executive director of The Scholarship Foundation, was honored nationally with the 2013 Executive Leadership Award of Excellence. The award recognizes an individual serving as a college access program’s executive director, president or as a member of its board of directors.

While the mainstream media focused on national parks and landmarks, programs serving working poor families went unnoticed.

unfair and unnecessary law that will not be followed by the American people. This argument doesn’t add up when you consider that 13 million people accessed the government healthcare website within its first week of operation. Those who were affected by the shutdown and those who support the Affordable Care Act should organize so that the people’s choice can be accepted. It is up to each and every one of us to hold our governmental representatives accountable so that the influence of the few will not overrule the support of the many.

COMMUNITY BRIEF

SLPS Foundation selects new president

Sandler has been the foundation’s executive director for almost 25 years. Under her leadership, the foundation has tripled the funding for the interest-free loan and grant program to $4 million per year; begun a Student Advocate and Advising Program that assists over 2,500 students and families annually with financial aid literacy and college affordability; and developed a Community Internship Program to provide students with paid internships in community organizations.

College Bound of St. Louis received the award for 2013 College Access Organization Award of Excellence, which recognizes the work of a college access/success program that is committed to college access and success for all students, especially those underrepresented in postsecondary education.

During the 2012-13 school year, 254 collegians and 282 10th through 12th grade students participated in College Bound’s comprehensive program. In 2013-14, the program will increase by 15 percent to serve 615 10th through 12th graders. An additional 900-plus students will participate in an early awareness program for ninth graders called “Get Your Prep On” that is in a full-scale implementation in four partner schools. College Bound students attend 39 area high schools and more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide.

The St. Louis Public Schools Foundation has selected Jane Donahue, vice president of the Deaconess Foundation, as its new president. Donahue will be tasked “to articulate to funders and other potential partners the district’s vision and educational priorities,” according to Valerie Bell, chair of the foundation board.

Bell said it was clear to the board’s search committee that Donahue has “the strategic vision, commitment, passion and outstanding capabilities of a top-notch, dynamic leader” who can lead the foundation.

“She is known for her tremendous impact on programs and initiatives aimed at fostering educational opportunity, particularly for youth affected by poverty,” the board said of Donahue in a statement.

“One example is College Summit, which she helped to found and later served as a board member.She is widely recognized for her strengths in facilitating collaborative efforts involving businesses, funders, not-for-profits and government leaders.”

Michael P. McMillan

Jane Donahue

Faith Sandler, executive director of The Scholarship Foundation

POTPOURRI

DANA G. RANDOLPH

Holiday with the Fiddmonts

St. Louis’ native and songbird Lynne Fiddmont returns to the Sheldon Concert Hall for a special holiday concert on December 4. This popular jazz vocalist

Dana G. Randolph

Metro East friends and out-of-town guests gathered at The Heights to celebrate Geri’s wonderful life. Entertainment was provided by

Royal Flame

STL gospel rapper debuts at #3 on iTunes with seventh record

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“In hip-hop, the typical success story means that you put out three albums,” said Marcus Gray, known in the industry as Flame. “So for me to put out seven albums with a core fan base that still wants to hear from me, that’s an honor and I don’t take it lightly.”

The St. Louis-born-and-bred gospel rapper is moving beyond his faithful circle. When his latest album Royal Flush hit the iTunes charts at the beginning of this month, it debuted at number three – behind Drake and fellow St. Louisan Nelly.

“I want people to be like, ‘Why are people still checking for him after seven albums?’” Flame said. “So I can use that to continue to speak into people’s lives.”

His love for hip-hop didn’t subside when he gave his life to Christ at 16. And when he decided he wanted pursue a career in music, the last thing he wanted to do was compromise who he had become in God.

“The climate was so different

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

past insurmountable odds and a system designed to defeat them. Airmen are forced to combat rage, confusion and obstacles from every angle. And it is the humanity within the heroism that resonates most. The only thing that characters in Fly have in common is their desire to fly airplanes – out of a love of aeronautics, to woo women, to please a parent and because the white man said they couldn’t. Fly transports the audience 80 years back to a time when it was believed that African Americans didn’t have the

fly an aircraft – let alone serve in this nation’s highest office. The play provides a compelling

William Parker’s In Order To Survive plays Mad Art on Friday

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American

“Our music comes from a lot of different places,” jazz bassist, bandleader and composer William Parker told The St. Louis American “A lot of things get thrown into the pot, then the pot melts, and that way you come up with an original statement, a flavor of our own.” It’s worth noting, in Parker’s version of the melting pot metaphor, that it’s the pot itself that melts, not just the ingredients. Indeed, with Parker and his ensembles, the music can get that hot. Parker will lead the band In Order To Survive 7:30 p.m. Friday October 25 at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St, as part of the New Music Circle series. In Order To Survive is his usual quartet – where he is joined by percussionist Hamid Drake, alto saxophonist Rob Brown and trumpet player Lewis Barnes — augmented by Cooper-Moore on piano.

As for the “things that get thrown into the pot” before the band melts the pot down, Parker leads a project based on the music of Curtis Mayfield, is steeped in Duke Ellington and folk music from all over the world, and his longtime musical partner Hamid Drake “made a living for a long time playing reggae.” Between the band members, they have played with nearly everyone on the musical map. To name two greats: Don Cherry and Cecil Taylor.

“All of these influences come into the music, and hopefully we create something different, adding R&B elements, elements of the blues, creating a universal music,” Parker said.

Having Cooper-Moore (a leader in his own right) join the band on piano opens up new universes of music.

“With the piano, we move more into the realm of church music, maybe, what one would call ‘cosmic music,’” Parker said. “It’s energy music, powerful music, but always

Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon play the title characters in George Tilman Jr.’s film “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete.”

back story, as recruits aim to leave their mark on World War II. Khan and Ellis eloquently

There was a renewed sense of shock regarding Judith Hill’s elimination from NBC’s “The Voice” last season as she blew fans away with her first headlining show in St. Louis at the Lumiere Theatre last Thursday night.

FLAME, C4

Photo by Alverne Hood

the Jazz Edge Band Combo. More than 150 guests attended the festive party. Geri’s nephew, Illinois state Sen. James Clayborne Jr. brought

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

CALENDAR

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis. The Nu Art Series and The Scott Joplin House present Dream Carriers starring K. Curtis Lyle. See LITERARY for details.

concerts

Oct. 26, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., Jazz St. Louis presents A Night in Treme feat. The Donald Harrison Quintet Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Sun., Oct. 27, 3 p.m., St. Louis Symphony presents The Barry White Experience. Known for his distinct bass that is the voice of romance, Barry White is a legend. The STLSymphony performs White’s popular hits including “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” and “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe.” Eric Conley will perform vocals. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700 or visit www.stlsymphony.org.

Wed., Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m., Childcare Worldwide presents The Ugandan Orphans Choir. Come experience the music and dance of Africa! First Baptist Church of Chesterfield, 17103 Wild Horse Creek Rd., 63005. For more information, visit www.firstbcc.org.s

Wed., Oct. 30th, 8 p.m., SHEMEKIACOPELAND:

Part of The Listening Room Series. Old Rock House, 200 S 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1111.

Sun., Nov. 3, 4:30 p.m., Sheldon Concert Hall 25th Anniversary Celebration feat. Oleta Adams. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.sheldonconcerthall.org or call (314) 533-9900.

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.

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.

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.

local gigs

Fridays through December, 8 p.m., The Precinct presents R&B Saxophonist Tim Cunningham. 1900 Locust Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 588-8899 or visit www.timcunningham.com.

Saturdays, 3 p.m., The Kendrick Smith Quartet, Premier Lounge, 5969 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. For more information, call (314)385-5281 or e-mail crusadersforjazz@hotmail.com.

Sundays, 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. doors) Jazz @ Eventide, featuring Black and White Trio

Sip N Savor, 286 DeBaliviere, 1/2 block north of the Forest park Metro link. For more information, call (314) 3612116.

special events

Fri., Oct. 25, 8 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents The Price is right- Live Stage Show. The show has a lot in common with the popular television hit, with a few notable exceptions. It is not televised, contestants are chosen randomly rather than going through a screening process and audience members can sip on cocktails throughout the game show. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information call (314) 499-7600 or visit www.zevents.com.

Fri., Oct. 25, 8 p.m., The Sheldon Concert Hall presents ArtSounds: Divas and Designers. Featuring vocal divas Erin Bode and Coco Soul and a high-end fashion show by Neiman Marcus and Distinctions. The evening benefits the exhibitions and education programs of the Sheldon Art Galleries. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-9900.

Oct. 26 – 27, WOWNational OutdoorRecreation & Conversation School presents Exploring, Discovering, Learning. Discover how much fun the great outdoors can be

at an overnight camping experiencing. Activities include fishing, archery, rocking climbing, and more. Also, experience the outdoors during an overnight campout. Registration is required and the deadline is October 11. Forest Park. For more information, call 1-800-334-6946.

Oct. 25 – 27, 4:30 p.m., The Butterfly House presents BOOterflies. Put on a costume and step into the world of butterflies, insects, spiders, and other many-legged creatures. Treats, games, crafts, and dinner await you and your little goblins. 15193 Olive Blvd., 63017. For more information, call (636) 530-0076 or visit www.butterflyhouse.org.

Oct. 26, 11 a.m., Natural HairExpo, 4227 Race Course Ave, St. Louis, MO. 63110. Light refreshments, prizes, raffles, products, facials, jewelry. For tickets call 314-566-9401

Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum presents Halloween Family Day. Free event open to all ages. Costumes encouraged. Enjoy face painting, storytelling, music, dance, and art. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 535-4660 or visit www.camstl.org

Sat., Oct. 26, 6 p.m., Chaifetz Arena host Warriors for Heroes. Don’t miss out on one of the largest charity MMA fight nights right here in our own back yard. Watch professional and amateur MMAwar-

riors fight to help raise funds and awareness for veterans with PTSD. All proceeds go to established Non-Profit organizations that provide treatment programs for veterans suffering from PTSD. 1 S Compton Ave. 63103. For more information and to make donations visit www.ammo-usa.org or call (314) 409-9991.

Sat., Oct. 26, 6 p.m., 100

Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis presents Annual Gala 30 Years and Still in the Spirit with Carol Daniel as Mistress of Ceremonies. The Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, 315 Chestnut St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 367-7778 or visit www.100blackmenstl.com.

Sat., Oct. 26, 8 p.m., 13

Black Katz presents Sin Masquerade City. Costume contest with $1,000 prize for best male and female. Ritz Carlton St. Louis, 100 Carondelet Plaza, 63105. For more information, call (314) 477-4249 or visit www.13blackkatz.com.

Mon., Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m., First Congregational Church presents their annual Halloween Spooktacular Children and adults of all ages are invited. Come in your favorite Halloween costume! Bring your own pumpkin for the Pumpkin Carving. Pasta & tomato sauce, grape salad and hot dog “mummies” will be served at the Halloween supper. Halloween favorites will be performed in the Organ Concert in the Sanctuary. Admission for the concert is two canned goods for our food pantry. Areception will follow. 6501 Wydown Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. For more information visit www.firstcongregational.org.

Tue., Oct. 29, 7 p.m., An Evening with STAX SongwriterDavid Porter

The program will feature an onstage interview with one of the most successful songwriters of the 1960s. Central Library Auditorium, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, visit http://www.nationalbluesmuseum.org/programs.

Through Oct. 31, The Butterfly House presents Owls and Orchids. Our collection of owl butterflies expands to more than 1,000 during October, so come in and watch them up close during the day, or catch them in flight during special Tuesday

evening hours. Meet other nocturnal creatures from the St. Louis Zoo and the World Bird Sanctuary when they join the fun on Tuesdays. 15193 Olive Blvd., 63017. For more information, call (636) 530-0076 or visit www.butterflyhouse.org.

Sun., Nov. 3, 5 p.m., The Polish Heritage Center hosts Project COPE’S 28th Anniversary Gala. ‘Celebrating Second Chances.” Project COPE provides community re-entry support for selected ex-offenders through faith-based volunteer team partnerships and transitional housing. 1413 N. 20th St.63106. For more information call (314) 389-4804 or visit www.projcope.org.

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.

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.

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.

Fri., Oct. 25, 9 p.m., The Inspot Dessert Barand Lounge presents Costumes and Comedy Halloween Party. Halloween Costume Party featuring comedy sets by some of the hottest comedians in St. Louis. Hosted By Comedian Will C. 5458 Delmar Blvd. 63112. For more information call (314) 5938660.

Sat., Oct. 26, 3 p.m., Dick Gregory “Live In Living

Color” October 26, 2013, 3pmatBeaumont High School,3836 Natural Bridge Ave. For tickets, call 314.361.7793,314.385.9843 or info:sumneralumniassn @yahoo.com

Nov. 2, 8 p.m., The Peabody Opera House welcomes Sinbad. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market. For more information, visit www.peabodyoperahouse.com or call (314) 499-7600.

literary

Sat., Oct. 26, 3 p.m., The Nu Art Series and The Scott Joplin House present Dream Carriers starring K. Curtis Lyle, Scott Joplin House historic site, 2658 Delmar. For More information, call (314) 340-5790 or visit http://www.thenu-artseries.org/

Wed., Oct. 30, 7 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Bennett Sims, author of AQuestionable Shape. Central’s Carnegie Room, 1301 Olive St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 206-6779 or visit www.slpl.org.

Sat., Nov. 2, 3 p.m.,Nu Art Series and The Scott Joplin House present Dream Carriers starring Shirley Bradley LeFlore, Scott Joplin House historic site, 2658 Delmar. For More information, call (314) 340-5790 or visit http://www.thenu-artseries.org/

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/

theatre

Oct. 25 – 26, 7 & 9 p.m., COCA presents The Turn of the Screw. Recommended for teens and adults. 524 Trinity Avenue, 63130. For more information, call (314) 7256555 or visit www.cocastl.org

Fri., Oct. 25, 7 p.m. (6 p.m. doors), FTMBC Performing Arts Teampresents “Tell Them Today,” free admission, Friendly Temple M.B. Church, 5515 Dr. MLK Drive. For more information, call314352-4857.

Oct. 31- Nov. 3, Touhill Performing Arts Center presents ForColored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, performed by UMSL’s Theatre, Dance and Media Arts Departments. One University Blvd. 63121. For ticket information log on to www.touhill.org or call (314) 516-4949 One University Blvd. 63121

Nov. 1- 3, The Fox Theater

presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to St. Louis! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com or call (314) 534-1678.

Through Nov. 2, New Line Theatre presents Night of the Living Dead. Washington University South Campus Theater,6501 Clayton Rd., 63105. For more information visit www.metrotix.com.

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.

arts

Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Free Family Day: Halloween Families are invited to celebrate Halloween and explore the world of contemporary art together. Tour the current exhibitions and spend the afternoon enjoying a wide range of exciting artist-led workshops, face painting, storytelling, music and dance performances, and more. Visitors who come in costume will be entered in a drawing to win a special prize. Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 535-4660.

Tue., Oct. 29, 6 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis presents From the Collection of… An art auction to benefit the Museum’s exhibitions and programs. This festive gathering will feature a silent auction of artwork donated by CAM’s Board of Directors from their own private collections, encompassing a range of price points, artists, and media.3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 535-4660 or visit http://camstl.org/calendar.

Through November1, “Curious Industry,” a new installation by poly-media artist Eto Otitigbe that combines sculpture, performance and moving image, will be on display Oct. 7-Nov. 1 at the Gallery of Contemporary Art at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave. The opening

reception will be 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, with a performance at 7:30 p.m. The gallery is located in the Library building. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or by appointment.

Through Nov. 4, 10th Street Gallery’s presentation of East St. Louis native Abraham Lincoln Walker (1921-1993). This unforgettable exhibition was curated by Dr. Jacquelyn Lewis Harris, Associate Professor of Education andDirector of the Connecting Human Origin & Cultural Diversity program at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. 419 N. 10th Street. For more information, call 314436-1806 or visit www.10thstreetgallery.com.

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.

Through Jan. 6, Rashid Johnson: Message to Our Folks. Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University, One Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, call (314) 935-4523.

lectures

Thur., Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m., Fontbonne University presents Graduate Studies Preview Night. Learn about financial aid, admissions, and career services. 6800 Wydown Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu/stla.

Sat., October26th, 8 a.m., Healing & Mending Ministry hosts 1st Annual Building Bridges & Making ConnectionsConference Domestic violence affects not only the victim, but the family as well. The effect of domestic violence on children is a widespread problem. It is estimated that between 2.3 and 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year. Come enjoy workshop, food, resources, raffle and music. Comfort-Inn at Westport Plaza, 12031 Lackland Rd., 63146. Wed., Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m., The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis presents Financial Aid Basics Workshop. Students and parents are introduced to the basics of paying for higher education and learn to identify people, organizations, and sources of information that can help them as they prepare to address the financial aid challenges associated with attending college. 8215 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, call (314) 7257990 or visit www.sfstl.org.

health

Sat., Oct. 26, 8 a.m., FREE public flu clinics offered by SSM Health Care - St. Louis, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical CenterAmbulatory Care Clinics, 1465 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104.

Sat., Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.,

SSM Health CareSt. Louis is offering FREE Seasonal Flu Vaccinations.Walk-ins are welcome, but vaccine availability is not guaranteed without reserving a time. Since the vaccines are injection only (no Flu Mist), attendees are asked to wear appropriate clothing for easy access to their upper arms. There is a limited supply of preservative-free vaccines for pregnant women only. For people who can’t make one of the free clinics, SSM Urgent Care is offering vaccinations for anyone ages nine and older and are available without an appointment between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Attendees are asked to call 1-866-SSMDOCS (776-3627) or register online at www.ssmhealth.com/fluto schedule an appointment during the clinic times.

Saturday, Oct. 26. 8 a.m., SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center –Ambulatory Care Clinics 1465 South Grand Blvd. 63104. Ages three and above only.

Sat., Nov. 2, 8 a.m. , FREE public flu clinics offered by SSM Health Care - St. Louis, SSM DePaul Health CenterMay Center, 12303 DePaul Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Sat., Nov. 2, 8 a.m., The Black Women Breast Cancer SurvivorProject presents Black Women & Breast Cancer: The Knowledge is PowerConference. This conference is free.Breakfast and lunch provided. The Mammogram Van from Siteman Cancer Center will be offering screening by appointment. Please bring your insurance card with you. Please bring non-perishable canned food to support Food Outreach. Space is limited to the first 300 registrants. Millennium Student Center, UMSL, North Campus. For more information and to register, visit pcs.umsl.edu/bwbc or call (314) 516-5994.

Sun., Nov. 3rd, 2 p.m., Understanding the Health Insurance Marketplace in Missouri. Jen Bersdale will explain what the new Marketplace is, who can shop in it, what’s for sale, and how to get help. Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. Located 3/4 mile So. of Interstate 70 at the Lake St. Louis exit. www.transfigurationchurch.org

Fri., Oct. 25, 7 p.m., The Saint Louis Gospel Choral Union, Inc. will celebrate 80 Years of Music Ministry, the West Side Missionary Baptist Church, 4675 Page Boulevard. For more information, call (314)306-5187.

Nov. 4 – 12, 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

Nov. 4 – 12, 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.

St.Louis Symphony presentsThe Barry White Experience featuring Eric Conley.See CONCERTS for more information.

Continued from C1

with a blues- and gospeltinged flavor.”

A melted pot of universal, gospel-tinged jazz music led by the bassist invites an inevitable comparison to Charles Mingus. Parker hears that a lot, and sees the point, but draws distinctions.

“A lot of people say that, because Mingus was one of the few bass players who were able actually to lead a group consistently throughout his whole life,” Parker said. “A lot of bassists have tried to do that, but bassists always get called to do sideman gigs. Mingus, after a point, didn’t have to do that. I, because of economics, still sometimes do sideman gigs.”

when I get to come down there” from his home base in New York, because St. Louis is one of the great American cities where a musician – or a baseball fan – needs to get his ticket punched.

“If you live in America, you want to visit and play certain historic spots, like St. Louis,” Parker said. “I grew up watching the Cardinals – Stan the Man, Curt Flood.”

FLAME

Continued from C1

seven albums ago, but I counted the cost and I knew what I was getting myself into,” Flame said. “It’s just like signing up for war. I was like ‘I’m passionate about this cause, so let’s go.’”

Quick timeline: he debuted in 2004, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album for Our World: Redeemed in 2009 and started a record label, with his wife, Clear Sight Music, in 2010.

Parker still gets stuck doing sideman jobs, but he has done something Mingus only started to do at the end of his life and career, which is break out of the forms of traditional jazz composition and performance.

POTPOURRI

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greetings along with others.

She was roasted by educators Shirley Davis and Glenda Adams and the Rev. Adrian Hendricks

Also spotted were newlyweds Dr. Dannie Williams and husband Kenneth Hopson. Dr. Williams and her hubby are new to St. Louis. She is Dr. Scott’s new partner. The couple’s New Orleans-style wedding was in Dallas and featured in the March 2013 issue of Ebony magazine.

Family members in attendance included a host of cousins: James and Eddie Clayborne Nancy Townsand, Pamela Bolden and Sylvia Clayborne, Rev. Annie Pearl Richie and Barbara Thomas. Also

“Mingus always used preset chord changes a lot with his music,” Parker said. “It wasn’t until his last period – when he was playing with Don Pullen, George Adams and Hamiet Bluiett – that he

attending were son in law Wale Ogunrindé and son Mose Ogunrinde, daughter Robin Scott Stevenson, grandson Lloyd Scott, niece Cheri Smith and Marcellus Green. Adrian Bracy – CEO of YWCA of Metro St. Louis – is The St. Louis American Foundation’s 2013 Non-Profit Executive of the Year. Adrian will be honored at the 14th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon on Thursday, November 14 at noon. The networking reception and luncheon program will be held in the grand ballroom of the RitzCarlton Hotel in Clayton from noon to 1:30 p.m. Call Robin Britt to reserve your corporate table now 314-533-8000.

The fun-loving ladies of the St. Louis Chapter of CARATS, Inc. ushered in the fall season with their BlackOut Bash 3 Saturday, September 21 at

did free excursions, taking the music out.” Parker and his bands are prone to free excursions, to taking the music out. “So, musically, Mingus is not so much of an influence,” Parker said.

St. Louis is not on Parker’s regular touring circuit, but he said he “always looks forward

The Heights in Richmond Heights. Black and Silver was the theme of the evening for ballroom décor with black and silver balloons and black chic attire for the guests. Over 200 attended this Blacked Out affair hosted by St. Louis Carats and Carateers.

Co-chairs were Nell

Cheatham Patricia ReedBoswell, and National 2nd Vice President Judy WoodsWilliams. The committee members were Joyce Humphries Lora Jones

Patricia Jones, past national President Rosalee Johnson and Bonnie Gipson

Nineteen strong, the St. Louis Carats and their Carateers are Joyce and James Balls, Cynthia and Otis Beard Gwendolyn Beckwith Fannie and Ronald Bohlen, Nell

Cheatham Randy Bennett

Marjorie Ford, Bonnie and George Gipson, Josephine and Clayton Evans Patricia

Fortunately for Parker, his St. Louis gig comes in the middle of yet another Cardinals World Series appearance, but he doesn’t have to compete against them. Friday is a travel day, when the team is coming home from Boston after playing two games on the road. In Order To Survive performs 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th St, as part of the New Music Circle series. Visit http:// newmusiccircle.org/.

Hernandez and Larry Deskins, Joyce and Horace Humphries Audrey and Chester Jackson, Rosalee and Jesse Johnson Lora and James Jones Patricia Jones, Donald Neighbors, Roberzene and Acme Price

Patricia Reed-Boswell, Dwayne Bosman, Patricia and Melvin Sanders

Carolyn Thomas and Judy Woods-Williams

Don’t miss The 13 Black Katz “Sin Masquerade City” on Saturday, October 26. The sure to be Extraordinary Halloween Party will be held in the Ritz Carlton ballroom at 8PM. Battling DJ’s Marc Edwards and DJ JMO will be on deck. A prize of $1000 will be awarded for the Best Male and Female costumes. Call 314-732-9955 for ticket information.

Dana Grace: dgrandolph@ live.com.

Flame is now enjoying mainstream exposure like never before.

“So many people feel like they’ve been dealt a bad hand in life – and in the game of poker, the Royal Flush is the highest hand,” Flame said. “So I’m letting people know that you can be dealt the highest hand. Through God you can have a new hand.”

Even though the current hiphop climate stands at its most diverse with respect to content and subject matter, bling and bottle poppin’ still dominate. But that ain’t Flame.

“In hip-hop, the dudes that have the most longevity are the dudes that have been the most authentic,” Flame said. “That catapulted them to new heights and it allowed them to forge a connection with real people. I’m a Christian before I’m an artist. My relationship with Christ is my primary life experience, and my music comes out of that.”

The music is there to help hip-hops people feel the message.

“I wanted this album to really feel like a true hip-hop album,” Flame said. “That’s my roots – that’s my core. So I wanted to capture the heavy 808s. I wanted people to hear the snare drums snap and get that feeling that you can only get from hip-hop.”

He relied on St. Louis super-producer Steve T., who gave his life to Christ after a

successful early production career in secular hip-hop.

“When I found out some changes in his life, I was like, ‘Yo, I gotta connect with this dude,’” Flame said. “If you want that authentic Midwest hip-hop sound, you have to go to Steve T.”

So he did, and they made a record that inspires every time the beat drops.

“I want people to see that you don’t have to be that typical dude from the ‘hood and fall for the same traps,” Flame said. “Because you can see a dude from the Blumeyers who has a bachelor’s degree, who is certified in Christian counseling – and I love my wife.”

He’s willing to keep rising, as long as he can take his people and his God with him.

“It would be great to expand and reach different heights, but I have to be consistent with the message,” Flame said. “I don’t want my core fan base being like, ‘Oh he’s switching it up to get more fame or get richer.’ I don’t want to let my God down or my fan base down. I want them to see that there are Christians out here who love hip-hop and are committed to making an impact and speaking hope through their music.”

For more information on Flame, visit www. clearsightmusic.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @Flame314 and on Facebook at Flame314.

The William Parker Quartet

Photo by Nick Ruechel

Nothin’ but the Blues at Art Museum

Join the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 pm for a toe-tapping and hand-clapping performance featuring the blues trio Nothin’ but the Blues. This special family performance tells the story of the blues and its African roots, from its foundations in the Delta, to its spread to St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago.

Nothin’ but the Blues will be presented in the Museum’s newly renovated Farrell Auditorium. The performance begins promptly at 3:00 p.m. and auditorium doors will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the program. Nothin’ but the Blues is a free, non-ticketed event and seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Children and adults of all ages will enjoy this family-friendly performance featuring musicians Charlie Pfeffer, Coco Soul, and Matthew Von Doran. With a musical selection ranging from traditional African chants to chart-topping hits by rock and roll legend Chuck Berry and world-renowned entertainer Tina Turner, Nothing but the Blues tells the story of America through song. Offered in conjunction with the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, Nothin’ but the Blues introduces young people to the truly distinctive American genre of the blues and some of its most iconic figures.

Families are invited to arrive at 1:00 pm to participate in the Art Museum’s weekly

Sunday fun-filled free activities of art making and tours. Inspired by our impressive collection of American art, Family Sunday art projects in October are based on the work of artists Alexander Calder, Norman Lewis, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Louise Nevelson. Visitors eager to explore the Museum’s recently opened East Building and expanded permanent collection can take a guided tour through the galleries featuring some of the Museums most popular American artists. The family tour leaves from Sculpture Hall in the Museum’s Main Building at 2:30 p.m.

This Sunday’s program is a collaboration with the American Arts Experience-St. Louis, a festival celebrating the vibrant history of American cultural expression through music, theater, dance, and art. Productions fill museums, concert halls, and theaters across the city during the month of October.

Join us each Sunday for Family Sundays from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Main Building to create your own work of art inspired by the Museum’s collection. A family tour is offered each week at 2:30 p.m. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information about upcoming Family Programs, please visit our website at www.slam.org or contact us at (314) 721-0072. Family Sundays at the Saint Louis Art Museum are sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors.

REP

Continued from C1

slicker, a black nationalist and a raw teen from Harlem.

Most of the play is set in the Alabama city for which the Airmen were named. As they learn to fly, they must overcome morale sabotage from the white officers charged with teaching them. The Airmen hold each other up and shine in the face of adversity – for the greater good of men of color, leaving a lasting impression on America.

David Pegram as young Chet Simpkins and Eddie Brown III as W.W. stand out in a cast that also includes Terrell Donnell Sledge, Will Cobbs, Greg Brostrom, Gary Donaldson, Timothy Sekk and Omar Edwards as the Tap Griot. Movement was also an essential element of Fly, from the e-motionally charged solos by The Tap Griot to choreographer Hope Clark’s combinations that rely heavily on African-American fraternity steps. Both were well received by the audience. If there was any downsides to the performances in Fly, it would be the overstated body language of Eddie Brown III (who was otherwise masterful) and Sledge’s inauthentic West Indian accent. A couple of exchanges added for comedic relief seemed a bit overdone and silly when considering the subject matter and situation, but overall Fly was an effective drama and a fitting tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ presentation of FLY continues through November 10 at The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63119. For tickets, show times and additional information, visit www.repstl. org or call (314) 968-4925.

Nothin’ but the Blues Photo by Ray Marklin

Anniversaries

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

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

Beaumont Class of 1979 will be having a fundraising Fish Fry on Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Location: Coleman Wright CME Church, 9777 New Halls Ferry Rd., Jennings, MO 63136. For additional information, please contact Scarlett McWell at 314-458-7782 or send email to msscarletto@yahoo.com or Sandra Hooker at ayaina612@sbcglobal.net.

~ CELEBRATIONS ~ Birthdays

Beaumont High School Class of 1984 is holding meetings to plan its 30 year class reunion. For information contact Rochelle Williams 314 6808404 or leave a message in the class email at beaumont_1984@yahoo.com.

St. Louis Gospel Choral Union, Inc. celebrates its 80th Local Convention Musical and Consecration Services on Fri., Oct. 25 and Sun., Oct. 27, 7 p.m. and 4 p.m. (respectively) at West Side Baptist Church, 4675 Page Blvd., 63113. For more information, call 314535-9002, ext. 203.

Soldan Class of 1974 reunion kickoff, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 from 4-6 pm at St. Louis Enterprise Center, 6439 Plymouth Ave., St. Louis, MO 63133.

Louise Wilson celebrated her 90th birthday on October 18.Louise is the proud mother of three daughters, Yvonne Smith, Sharron Lowrey and Deborah Doss and one deceased son, Aaron B. Wilson.She has 16 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.The family hosted a special dinner party to celebrate this joyous occasion.

Shafeqah Charleese

Muhammad Petty is celebrating 73 years of Jehovah’s grace and peace! “I am a child of Jehovah’s because of been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. It gives me love and peace daily.”

Raven Shea Moore (10) — October 25

Kimora S. Williams — October 25

Vyron D. Brown II (6) — October 22

Thomas Jay Butler — October 18

Stephanie Huntley (39) — October 26

Soldan Homecoming is Saturday October 26, 2013 at 1 p.m.Come out and support the football tigers to a win as they play Sumner.

SumnerClass Of 1974 is sponsoring a Happy Hour on Oct. 25, 2013, 5-7 p.m.at Club DeJa Vu II Café, 2805 Halls Ferry Road St. Louis, MO 63136. Raffle tickets are for sale and purchase for a drawing that day. If you would like to sell or purchase tickets please contact Brenday Conway at 314-503-6945.

SumnerClass of 1979 is looking for classmates to partici-

pate in activities leading up to its 35th Class Reunion, June 20-22, 2014 in Lake of the 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 participate.

U-City High School Class of 1984 will host a Happy Hour Fundraiser & Raffle on Friday, Nov. 1 from 7-11pm at Level 2 located at 7555 Olive Blvd. The cover is $5. The event is leading up to the 30-year Class Reunion.

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

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

Romeo and Ciara Henry celebrated their first wedding anniversary on October 19. Romeo is a graphic designer, and Ciara is a registered nurse. The Henrys are also expecting their first baby. Congratulations and best wishes!

Charles and Tiffany Nelson celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary on October 23. Happy Anniversary and may you have many more!

Mt. Zion Church in ESL announces new pastor

Rev. Curtis Levingston will be installed Sunday, Nov. 3

By Pamela L. Bolden

For The St. Louis American

Mt. Zion Missionary

Baptist Church, in East St. Louis, Ill., has more than one reason to give thanks, offer praise and to celebrate within a month’s time.

In September, the church commemorated its 112th anniversary and accepted the call of a new minister to lead the congregation after the death of its longtime pastor, the Rev. Dr. John H. Rouse, more than two years ago. An installation service has been planned for the Rev. Curtis E. Levingston at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, November 3 at the church, located at 2235 Bond Ave. Levingston, 49, becomes only the 12th leader in the church’s century old legacy. He most recently was senior pastor of the New Beginnings Worship Center, in Graham, N.C., for two years. Prior to that, he was pastor of First Baptist Church-Graham for 10 years. The Midwest won’t be unfamiliar terrain for him. He grew up in Kansas City, Mo., and was ordained there at the Genesis Missionary Baptist Church where he served as associate minister from 1991 through 1999.

Mt. Zion, an East St. Louis institution, is a cornerstone

in the community. Its membership rolls reached as high as 2,000 during the height of the city’s population. The church continues to be a beacon of hope for its parishioners and the community despite a declining population base that is impacted by economic and social challenges.

“I’m humbled by the calling to become the spiritual leader of Mt. Zion,” said Levingston. “This church and community share a great legacy. Rather than challenges, I see hope. My desire is to create an environment that will help nurture a greater spiritual, mental and physical capacity to understand our purpose while here on Earth.” He said one of his main passions is Christian youth ministries. “Among other things, I want to bring in the youth from surrounding neighborhoods to help develop them in ways that are meaningful for their spiritual and educational development,” he said.

One parishioner, Augusta Hazzard, summed up the church’s excitement: “All praises to God,” she said. Hazzard, 80, has been a member of the church for 69 years. She was church secretary for 31 years and was the first fulltime secretary for a church in the East St. Louis

The Rev. Curtis E. Levingston is the new pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Ill.

area.

“I’m thrilled to have a pastor after two and a half years,” she said. “I’m rejoicing that he has accepted to be the leader of our church. I believe he’s going to take us to another level where God wants us to be.”

The Rev. Lesley J. Winfield Jr., pastor, Genesis Missionary Baptist Church and moderator of the Midwest District Association of Greater Kansas City, will bring the charge to the pastor. Dr. Jimmie Brown, pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis and second vice president, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., will bring the charge to the church.

Offering an installation prayer will be the Rev. William Sankey Jr., pastor, Reborn Ministries, of Huntsville, Ala. The installation sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Joe L. Stevenson, senior pastor, Macedonia New Life Church, of Raleigh, N.C. Levingston, a strong proponent of learning and education, visited the Holy

I am reminded of something I learned the hard way early in my walk. One of the biggest mistakes we make is to believe in all things holy and dismiss unholy things as accidents, bad luck, poor decision-making or even happenstance. The biggest single trick of the devil is to get you to think he doesn’t exist.

Land in 2011 to study the historical, political and social ramifications of the convergence of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in Jerusalem. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy, cum laude, and a master of divinity from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. He is a doctoral candidate through the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Levingston and his wife Michele are the parents of five adult children, Curtis, Lenora, Kelly, Elaina and Mickail.

“Man of Faith” is the theme of the installation and services that will include a praise dance, musical selections and the spoken word. The community is invited to witness the installation of Levingston as pastor of Mt. Zion church.

“As much as the church needed a pastor,” he said, “I believe that I needed Mt. Zion and that God has led me here.”

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church: 2235 Bond Ave., East St. Louis, Ill.; 618-274-8350.

Life is tough enough just trying to live as Christ would have you to live without the challenges of the temptations of sin. If you do so without an understanding of Satan, then you probably also think maybe you’ve done something that merits the hell going on in your life and, given time, you probably think you can figure it all out.

Eating is good, but gluttony is a sin. The Bible says nothing in excess, everything in moderation. Marital sex is blessed. All else is adultery. Gossip is a perversion of healthy conversation and will eventually destroy the gossiper as well as the gossiped.

One of the last things we factor into our decision-making is the hand Satan may have had in it. That fact only surfaces as you are forced to suffer the consequences of your actions. The consideration of God, however, usually gets sidestepped as one conveniently rationalizes knowing the right decision and consciously

“I tell you the truth. Whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me, has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” John 5:24-25. That’s pretty simple to understand, unless you think your addiction, your vulnerability, your misguided obsessions are just part of life you have no control over. Sometimes what the world offers you is an optical illusion. Satan is a pretty good trickster. But I’d rather see the Master at work. I

making the wrong one. God can and does often become an afterthought. The devil’s influence evaporates like a dream you can’t remember in the morning. Upon serious investigation into the raw word of God, confusion and mystery are clarified by truth. Much like learning how a magician cut a body in two, we learn about tricks and optical illusions that can have you believing the impossible just occurred right before your very eyes. There is no mystery regarding the word of God. It is what it is.

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

ChancellorGeorge, Barbara Harbach’s gifts top $2.5M

Plus, SIUE gets $1.2M grant from foundation to train teachers

American staff

The University of Missouri–St. Louis honored Chancellor Thomas George and his wife, Barbara Harbach, at its Founders Dinner in September for private gifts exceeding $2.5 million – placing them among the top donors to the university.

“Chancellor George and Dr. Harbach have been exceedingly generous in supporting the growth of this university,” said Vice Chancellor for Advancement Martin Leifeld.

“I’ve been associated with many people who have invested in their own institutions and programs, but Tom and Barbara have taken their support to a unique level.”

George and Harbach also are celebrating their 10th anniversary at UMSL– he as chancellor and she as professor of music. The primary benefactor of the couple’s gifts has been the College of Fine Arts and Communication and UMSL’s Women in the Arts initiative.

Women in the Arts sponsors a variety of programs designed to heighten the awareness and understanding of the artistic achievements of women throughout history. It includes many campus and community organizations in its activities.

UMSLis a public metropolitan research university with 2,700 faculty and staff, nearly 17,000 students and more than 86,000 alumni.

$1.2M grant to train science teachers

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

During the next five years, the Robert Noyce Scholarship

Program at SIUE will graduate and certify 36 secondary science teachers to serve in highneeds rural and urban communities in southwestern Illinois.

The program provides funding for scholarships, stipends and programming to recruit and prepare STEM majors to become middle school and high school science teachers. The program is a partnership of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), School of Education, SIUE STEM Center, master teachers, community-basedorganizations, local community colleges and the cooperating school districts.

“The need for teachers, who can not only educate but truly inspire our children to become the next generation of engineers and scientists, is absolutely paramount for keeping our economy strong and discovering innovations to solve the challenges of our growing population,” said Jerry Weinberg, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School.

Thismulti-disciplinary effort will be led by Jessica Krim, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education; Kelly Barry, associate professor of biological sciences in CAS; Sharon Locke, director of the Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach in the Graduate School; and Susan Wiediger, associate professor of chemistry in CAS.

Three novel elements of the programdesign are a self-efficacy framework, a focus on recruitment of pre-health professional students and regional capacity building. The objectives of the project are to:

Recruit highly qualified STEM students that demonstrate an aptitude for teaching

Provide these students with

an enhanced experience in STEM education and research

Supply high-needsmiddle and high schools with exemplary science educators

Increase outreach in the communitiesof southwestern Illinois

Disseminate project findings for use in other STEM educationsettings.

The program will implement strategies for recruiting and nurturing cohorts of STEMteacher candidates during their college years and into their early teaching careers in high-needsschools. Key components of the program are:

Aself-efficacy framework that imparts confidenceand skills to developing teachers

Atwo-phased recruitment strategy that exposes underclassmento the rewards and challenges of education and

offers scholarships and research opportunitiesto upperclassmen

The development and support of a STEM teacher network in southwesternIllinois high-needs schools.

Ten summer internships will be awarded annually to SIUE and local community college freshmen and sophomoreswith an intended or declared major in STEM disciplines who show promise to be strong teachers.Interns will teach in a variety of educational outreach programs at SIUE or with communitypartners for a total of 200 hours during the summer. They will receive training in sciencepedagogy for informal learning, meet regularly with project staff to reflect on their experiences and give a culminating presentation at the end of the sum-

UMSL Vice Chancellor for Advancement Martin Leifeld, Chancellor Thomas George and Barbara Harbach, professor of music

mer.

Competitive Noyce Scholarships valued at $11,500 per year will be awarded to juniorsand seniors with a STEM major who are committed to pursuing STEM education careers. NoyceScholars will conduct outreach with disadvantaged middle and high school students, observemaster teachers in high-needs schools and take on the challenges of formal research in theircontent area or STEM education. Scholars also will receive funding to attend the National Science Teachers Association annual conference.

Aftergraduation, new teacher support will include a summer face-to-face workshop, online mentoringand support, and professional development events to maintain a collaborative network of

peersand supportive master teachers in southwestern Illinois. The new teachers will have accessto and support from the SIUE STEM Center, which provides numerous services to educators, includinga lending library and professional development opportunities. Through outreach activities built into the program design, the Noyce interns and scholars will reach an additional 2,500 middle and high school students, providing “minds-on” STEM activitiesdesigned to generate interest and enthusiasm in STEM and STEM careers.

Benefit for Military Veterans Program at UMSL

Members of the St. Louis community are invited to honor the Hellenic Spirit – and to contribute to the University of Missouri–St. Louis military veterans scholarship program –at the seventh annual Athena Awards to Women of Achievement hosted by the Hellenic Spirit Foundation at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis. Since its inception, proceeds from its fundraising events have enabled the foundation to contribute nearly $1 million to programs that enhance various education, philanthropic and charitable causes in the United States and abroad.

“Our Hellenic heritage guides our relations with other people in our society,” said Nick Karakas, chairman of the Hellenic Spirit Foundation. “It is a distinct and unique value system which has endured and transcends time and boundaries of war, hatred and narrowmindedness.”

Honorees of this prestigious award for the 2013 Women of Achievement include: Joan Lee Berkman, Amelia A.J. Bond, Terri Griege, Mary Elizabeth Grimes, Linda Hall, Tishaura O. Jones, LaVerne Lorenzini, Virginia McDowell, Kathleen M. Ratcliffe, Donna Wilkinson, Sonia ZamanouErickson and Terri J. Odom, E6 Retired. The event will feature Stella Markou, associate professor of music and a noted soprano and members of the Gateway Battallion ROTC. It will be held 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at the Missouri Athletic Club, 405 Washington Ave. The luncheon is $75 per person, $750 table of 10. For more information, or to make reservations, please call 314447-0290 or emailhellenicspiritfoundation@yahoo.com. All proceeds from the event will fund Military Veterans Program at UMSL.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

NBC’s “The Voice” finalist Judith Hill and Coffee, Cupcakes and Curls founder River Fronczak were rocking fierce natural updos just before her headlining performance Thursday night at the Lumiere Theatre.

Totally 80s live at The Ambassador. Just when El DeBarge restored my faith in elderly R&B singers with substance abuse issues, here comes Alexander O’Neal jacking it up for everybody! But I might as well get to the good first. I made my way back to the Ambassador Saturday night for Cherelle and Alexander O’Neal live and stepped right into life thanks to The Coleman Hughes project featuring Adrienne Felton and their opening performance. Girl, when you did that Rose Royce…I’m just sayin’. Call it PTSD, but even though I was enjoying myself I felt a stall from the headliners in my spirit. Just as I was charging the stars of the show to the game, Cherelle popped on the stage looking like she had spent the last twenty years in fitness boot camps and a session or two with those doctors that sell bosom and curves. I mean, her 56-year-old shape in that red dress would put plenty of twenty-somethings to shame! Unfortunately she opened her mouth and that instantly snapped me out of my state of envy. She sounded a terrible mess. But her energy had me at hello. And I must tell y’all that when she called the women of a certain age up to twerk alongside her, I was beyond amused. I don’t know who told them about it, but y’all’s mamas clearly watched Miley Cyrus on the MTV VMAs and thought it was all the rage. Especially a woman I’ve come to affectionately call Black Velvet – because of the moonless midnight colored velvet two-piece shirt and skirt ensemble that she rocked with all the confidence in the universe. Where do you find a velvet outfit from anyway…besides 1987? Anyway Cherelle and her grown woman twerkers got it in so tough that her show was almost over before I said to myself “Wait a doggone minute, where is Alexander?”

Enter Alexander. Just as the thought entered my head I heard heavy breathing on the microphone and he had magically appeared on stage like a worn out, toothless genie. All that was missing was a puff of smoke… you know what, I’m gonna leave that alone. He came out singing “Saturday Love” and he jumped from Tuesday all the way to Saturday with every chorus. Now I will say that he sounded ten times better than Cherelle as they did their duo of duet hits. I don’t know what the circumstances were, but he said somebody told him that he couldn’t perform. But Alexander made the executive decision to give us a sip of hits and that was about all he had in him to do. He did manage to take the deepest of breaths when a lady threw her Trade Secret lace-like thong panties on stage. But they obviously didn’t pass the test because he flung those things right back in the crowd. Then –out of nowhere – he disappeared from the stage and I thought it was over. But he decided to work the crowd as he sang and forgot the words to “Fake.” He hunched and popped through the crowd. I know it sounds a mess, but I was entertained beyond measure.

The joy of Judith Hill. I watched her on “The Voice” last season, so I knew what she was capable of. But I must say that after catching Judith Hill live at The Lumiere Theatre last Thursday, I see her having a solid place in popular music. She sang her face off! And when she sang Nina Simone, she sounded so good that I had to restrain myself from yelling out “sing Judith” like we were in the COGIC midnight musical. Even though I thought she needed a little direction as far as her lyrical content, the music and melodies for her original compositions were flawless. I have a feeling we will be hearing more from her sooner than later.

Talking with Teresa Jenee. Saturday night was a soulful double header for me. Before I capped the night off with life courtesy of all the aforementioned parties involved at the Ambassador, I got a taste of the musical musings of soulstress Teresa Jenee unplugged as she performed songs from “Eclectic Yellow” along with originals and covers that blended together quite nicely. She relied on singer CJ Conrod and guitarist Michael (I think?) Franco to aid her in the process and it was a fun laid back time as I enjoyed musical selections in between advice, love stories and even a quiet Facebook tutorial (you had to be there). I get joy from Teresa Jenee nearly all of the time and Saturday night was no different.

A ‘Miracle’ in the Mangrove. In the latest trend of vixens sidelining as hosts to pay the bills, Miracle Watts and her buxom physique traipsed through Soho Saturday night. I must say that while the folks piled in to dance alongside Dolicia, they clearly could have cared less about bearing witness to a Miracle, because it wasn’t to the gills in the least. Oh well, the folks who were there had a great time and I had a chance to look my beloved Young Dip in the face, so it was worth it for me.

Who’s up for Halloween weekend? Is it me, or did it come in record time this year? Well, In the same way that accountants keeps their eye on April 16th (while he’s going through it as folks bombard him on the tax deadline) is how I’m going to have to be this weekend as the girls (and some of the guys) get nearly naked and live it up in the name of Halloween. I have at least ten spots on deck as I plan to make my rounds as either a mime ministry captain or Judge Judy. What I know for sure is that one of my first stops will be my girl Arika Parr’s costume party Saturday night at Lola. She’s doing bottomless cups from 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. so be sure to get there early. I have a whole gang of other festivities on deck that range from party bussing, to masquerading with The Black Katz. By now y’all know that the full details for everything can be found at stlamerican.com. I have a feeling that Halloween 2K13 is going to be EPIC…and I’m going to kick my November off EXHAUSTED.

Young Dip was in the building as Video Vixen Miracle Watts made a visit to St. Louis Saturday night @ Soho

Jarrad and Ashley Luckey shared some quality time while enjoying food, drinks and fun Saturday night @ Lola

Kisha and Pashaun kicked off their weekend Friday night @ Soho

Justin and longtime friend Ryan of ROC Fitness in Atlanta fellowshipped and played catch up Saturday night @ The Rustic Goat

DTLR’s Lindell and Amanda were proud sponsors of the 1 year anniversary of Certified Saturdays @ The City

Needles Rhashad and DJ Reminisce were on deck for some classic hip-hop thanks to Pete Rock and CL Smooth Sunday night @ 2720

Luster Product team Jory Luster, Theresa Luster, Tracey Bell and Kevin Pendleton stopped through STL to showcase their new You Be Natural line Tuesday night @ Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust

Sylvester The Cat and Tammie Holland were in the building for Majic 100.3 as they hosted Luster’s You Be Natural product showcase Tuesday night @ Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust

Kim and Rod couldn’t help but rep Cardinal Nation as they celebrated the team’s National League Championship Friday night @ EXO

J. Spain, Bell and JStar celebrating Certified Saturdays going one year strong @ The City

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

History repeating itself

Missouri choosing not to expand Medicaid was an ironic twist of events considering the state’s past history. Because in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson traveled to Independence, Missouri and signed Medicaid and Medicare into law at the Truman Presidential Library in honor of the legislative groundwork that President Truman had begun in the 1940’s. The state that witnessed that important historical milestone was the same state 50 years later who chose not to extend the freedoms of healthcare to its citizens. How swiftly times changed!

As politicians argue and debate today about the Affordable Care Act, their antics are no different than those held by their predecessors of the 1960’s. How quickly we forget how past legislators were also against enacting Medicare. There were multiple alternative recommendations to solve the crisis of elderly care and cost containment of hospital care. For example, one such program supported by labor groups was to build upon the existing Social Security programs and would focus on hospital care, post-

hospital nursing home care and home health services. However, due to the vehement opposition from the American Medical Association (AMA), outpatient care would be excluded from coverage. The AMA also supported allowing states to direct who would ultimately be covered and how doctors and hospitals would get paid. In contrast, however, was the position of the National Medical Association, the voice of the African American physicians. The NMA was a proud supporter of Medicare and believed it would make a positive impact on the lives of its constituents and the rest of the nation.

Anderson

Therefore, please allow me to make a very important connection for you regarding the alternative recommendation. During this segregated time of history, essentially under the AMA’s proposal Southern states could have continued to discriminate against its African American citizens and be justified in doing so. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 insured the equal distribution of services and would be crucial in the implementation of Medicare in future years. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

Your Health Matters

A bi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American

OCTOBER 17 - 23, 2013

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

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

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

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

stated that “no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.”

Implementing ACA is no different than implementing Medicare. During that time, there were many logistical hurdles to overcome: information had to be disseminated to the public, hospitals, and healthcare providers and similar to our present contentious debate people questioned if the program would even work. But no one today would argue the humane decision of not allowing our elderly to die unnecessarily from a lack of proper medical care. Many of the same people jumping on the bandwagon to complain about ObamaCare and screaming that the government should not be involved in their healthcare are also the same individuals who don’t want any cuts to their Medicare, a government managed insurance plan. In psychiatry, we define this type of spastic confabulation as schizophrenic!

With any new innovation, the process of producing the final product is initially quite painful. Our human nature does not adapt well to change. We naturally resist, convince ourselves and others of the catastrophic outcomes that could result, and we cease being constructive in our disagreements because by this point are arguments have become personal character attacks instead of respectful

dialogue amongst intelligent gamechangers. Doesn’t this sound like the current state of affairs in our nation’s capital?

If we were to abandon every plan that met opposition, where would our country be? The Ford brand of vehicles would not be on the road today if Henry Ford had allowed the naysayers to direct his future. He had been jobless before the infamous race against Alexander Winton and if he had not won, he would not have been able to attract investors to finance the Ford Motor Company. He persisted and Ford’s F150s were the top selling vehicles for years.

Even though this current process seems tedious and absent of a definitive decision, our country has to remain patient and stay the course. The ACA is far from perfect and will need many future iterations before it will function as well as we need it to be. Yes, the website to sign up for the exchanges was down for a while and yes we still have congressmen who are desperately trying not to fund it. But these minor setbacks should only fuel us to fight more intensely against the health inequalities of our fellow citizens.

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

Denise Hooks-

M.D.

Don’t hesitate, breast health STARTS NOW

In 2009, her husband was killed.

In 2010, she lost everything in a house fire.

In 2011, when Carla Drayton of Belleville, Illinois found a nickel-sized lump in her breast, a health provider at a Belleville facility reportedly told the uninsured woman to ignore it.

“They told me that it was ‘tissue’ and sent me home with 800mg of ibuprofen,” Drayton said. “I kept telling them, ‘No, this is not tissue; it’s something wrong. It’s something there.”

She looked for other places to have the lump assessed further.

“Doors kept getting shut in my face everywhere I went or they wanted me to fill out a pamphlet which was really thick and they said it wasn’t a guarantee that I would get approved for any type of insurance in order to see what this lump is,” Drayton said. “No one would go into depth on what is this lump. It was in Belleville, it was in East St. Louis. It was everywhere.”

The lump was becoming more painful and she was becoming more prayerful.

Drayton said she woke up in the middle of the night and saw an American Cancer Society television spot about where to call if you had a lump or thought you had cancer.

“I gave them a call and told them the situation and they connected me with the Illinois health district in East St. Louis, and I wasn’t old enough to have a mammogram so they had to do a breast exam on me,” Drayton said. “They said if they find the lump I am speaking of, then it would go from there, the mammogram would be free.”

Drayton said the examiner felt the lump instantly.

That overnight public service announcement was the lifeline she needed to get health services and put to her in contact with the START NOW program, funded for the past six years by the St. Louis Affiliate of Komen for the Cure.

“START NOW means we want the women to get up and be more proactive and take better care of their breast health needs,” said breast health navigator Debra Custer.

Before its inception in 2008, there were significant groups of women who were not receiving breast health services in southern Illinois, Custer said, either because they didn’t know services were available or they didn’t have the money.

“Our program is to empower, educate and also make sure they are getting the services they need in a timely manner,” Custer added.

START NOW offers screening and diagnostic mammograms, patient navigation, and breast health education for underserved/uninsured individuals in Metro East including Madison, St. Clair and Clinton counties in Illinois.

“From that day forward from when I met Deb, she was there day 1; any step I had to go through, she was right there,” Drayton said. “I didn’t have family members here and we are all spread out,

through it,” Drayton said.

And, at 35 years old, Drayton said she “didn’t want to walk around looking like a boy.” She eventually sought another opinion – this time in St. Louis.

n “Our program is to empower, educate and also make sure they (patients) are getting the services they need in a timely manner,”

Debra Custer, Breast Health Navigator

Carla Drayton of Belleville, Illinois speaks to residents of the Metro East about breast health awareness and the importance of self-breast exams and mammograms following her own breast cancer diagnosis, double mastectomy and reconstruction.

everyone in each state and it was really rough on me, so START NOW was just really awesome. They were more than an organization that just helps people with cancer, they are an organization to me that grew into a friendship.”

After a mammogram and biopsy, Drayton said one doctor told her she would need a mastectomy and in another six months, reconstructive surgery.

“I just didn’t want to go through it, I wanted to see if I could pray my way

As her boss recommended, she eventually contacted Dr. Lannis Hall at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Peters, Mo.

“They were just really awesome. I said, ‘Oh, that was a male’s point of view; let me get a woman’s point of view,’” Drayton said. “By the time I got through speaking with her she introduced me to [surgeon] Dr. Amy Syr.”

A diagnostic mammogram revealed cancer in both breasts. It was recommended she have a bilateral mastectomy.

Drayton said the male doctor who examined her in Illinois didn’t check the other side.

“It never dawned on him to check my other breast,” Drayton said.

“By the time anything happened, [the lump] was 95 percent of my breast, because it was very aggressive,” Drayton said, however, the cancer was still contained in the breasts with no spread to the lymph nodes.

She knew what had to be done, however, considering everything she had endured over the last couple of years, Drayton decided she would do nothing about the cancer at all and have no surgeries, letting nature take its course. Her breast health navigator didn’t try to talk her out of it. Custer just asked Drayton to sleep on it.

“I encouraged her to think about things, gave her more information about breast cancer, what stage that she had and that this was something that basically she could recover from,” Custer said. “I just let her talk to me. If I can’t fix it or if I don’t have the resources within my organization, we have other links to organizations and resources to make sure

HealtH Briefs

Pedal the Cause bikes in funds for local cancer research

More than 2,161 St. Louisans took to the streets of downtown over the weekend to “Pedal the Cause” for local cancer research. This year’s Pedal the Cause cycling challenge, founded in 2010 by Bill Koman, raised over $1.6 million, and the entire amount be used to fund research at the Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The presenting sponsor was Edward Jones; other major funding partners were ACW Alliance, Weber, Clayco and Michelob ULTRA.

Pedal participants were able to ride, spin, volunteer or donate to be part of the event. All courses started and ended at Soldiers’ Memorial, 1315 Chestnut St. in downtown St. Louis. Rides of 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles featured flat and rolling terrain. The 75-mile and 100-mile Savvis Century rides included a chip-timed competitive loop at Babler State Park in west St. Louis County.

Now in its fourth year, Pedal the Cause has donated $4.2 million to fund 33 cancer research projects at the Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Fundraising continues through Oct. 31. The check presentation, where the final amount will be announced, is November 21st. More details to come.

St. Louis region tackles obesity with Jump N2 Shape

October

29

Kickoff at SLU medical campus

Recording artist Nelly joins St. Louis St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and the City Health Department in its effort to reduce obesity in St. Louis by 5 percent with its fitness effort, Jump N2 Shape.

It encourages residents throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area to unite to improve health, motivate one another and to participate with activities associated with the Jump N2 Shape challenge.

“We have high hopes that we can

make a real impact in our regional health outcomes,” Slay said. “In order to have a prosperous city that is economically healthy, we need to make sure our citizens are healthy.”

Two-thirds of area residents are carrying around unhealthy weight. A Regional Health Commission 2011 report finding that 33 percent of St. Louis residents are overweight and 31 percent are obese. In St. Louis County, 32 percent of adults are overweight and 29 percent of adults are considered obese.

“Through Jump N2 Shape, we are not only drawing attention to health issues such as poor nutrition

FDA approves Perjeta for breast cancer treatment

First drug approved for use in preoperative breast cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted accelerated approval to Perjeta (pertuzumab) as part of a complete treatment regimen for patients with early stage breast cancer before surgery (neoadjuvant setting). Perjeta is the first FDA-approved drug for the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

Perjeta was approved in 2012 for the treatment of patients with advanced or late-stage (metastatic) HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancers have increased amounts of the HER2 protein that contributes to cancer cell growth and survival.

Perjeta’s new use is intended for patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory or early stage breast cancer (tumor greater than 2 cm in diameter or with positive lymph nodes) who are at high risk of having their cancer return or spread (metastasize) or of dying from the disease. It is to be used in combination with trastuzumab and other chemotherapy prior to surgery and, depending upon the treatment regimen used, may be followed by chemotherapy after surgery. Following surgery, patients should continue to receive trastuzumab to complete one year of treatment.

and obesity, but we are equipping citizens to make small lifestyle changes that will lead to overall better health,” said Health Director Pamela Walker.

The Jump N2 Shape kickoff event takes place from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 at Saint Louis University’s medical campus stadium, located at 1200 Compton Ave., St. Louis, 63104. It will include a health fair, exercise opportunities, a performance by Team Trickset and giveaways.

To participate in Jump N2 Shape, call 314-657-1480 or visit www. JumpN@Shape.com.

“We are seeing a significant shift in the treatment paradigm for early stage breast cancer,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “By making effective therapies available to high-risk patients in the earliest disease setting, we may delay or prevent cancer recurrences.’’

In May 2012, the FDA issued a draft guidance about the use of pathologic complete response (pCR), defined as the absence of invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes, as an endpoint to support accelerated approval of a drug for neoadjuvant treatment of high-risk, early stage breast cancer. Under the FDA’s accelerated approval program, patients are provided access to promising drugs to treat serious or life-threatening conditions while confirmatory clinical trials are conducted.

Perjeta is marketed by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, based in South San Francisco, Calif.

St. Anthony’s Breast Center in St. Louis donates mammography unit to help save women in Nigeria

Park Lane Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria, The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA) and St. Anthony’s Medical Center in south St. Louis County are allies in the ight against breast cancer.

Next month, the government hospital in Nigeria will donate space to establish a breast cancer center, in partnership with the AWCAA and the Enugu State Women & Children Committee. St. Anthony’s Medical Center will donate a mammography unit to the center.

“Our organization (AWCAA) in partnership with Enugu State Association in the USA, will be leaving for a medical mission to Enugu State on Saturday, December 14, 2013 where the mammogram machine will be formally donated to the State and the Hospital,” Ify Anne Nwabukwu, RN, BSN, executive director of the African American Women’s Cancer Awareness Association, said. “It is a one week medical mission and we will return to the USA on Monday, December 23, 2013.”

This is not the irst time Nwabukwu helped arrange a mammography unit donation from St. Anthony’s. In 2008, the Medical Center donated a mammography

unit to the Yardua Teaching Hospital in Katsina State in Nigeria. It was the irst time the teaching hospital had such a unit.

“This is just awesome,” said Nwabukwu, a native of Nigeria, and a Maryland resident whose own mother died of breast cancer. “Since the first mammography unit, the hospital has screened more than 300 women. The mammogram machine has been a blessing, because women in the northern part of Nigeria most times, due to cultural and religious beliefs, do not readily avail themselves for early screening. With this second unit, we can now establish a breast cancer center at another hospital. Putting the unit in the teaching hospital allows us to make sure the unit is operational and the center is staffed.”

St. Anthony’s Medical Center and the AWCAA came together through National Consortium of Breast Centers, where Nwabukwu sent an e-mail asking for help.

“I immediately responded, saying, ‘I just happen to have the piece of mammography equipment you need,’” said Judi Elston, manager of the Breast Center at St. Anthony’s. “We converted to digital mammography and don’t use the

traditional unit anymore – it is obsolete in our stage of advanced technology. It has no value to us, but tremendous value to them. What an impact that will make in their country, to be able to detect breast cancer in women before they develop a lump.”

Judi Elston, Manager, OutPatient Imaging and Breast Center at St. Anthony’s Medical Center and Ify Anne Nwabukwu, Executive Director of the African American Women’s Cancer Awareness Association (AWCAA). St. Anthony’s has donated a second mammography unit to a second hospital in Nigeria.

For more information on St. Anthony’s, visit Health StAnthonys 17.doc.

For more information about The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association, visit awcaa.org.

Young women with breast cancer often overestimate the benefit of having second breast removed

Young women with breast cancer often overestimate the odds that cancer will occur in their other, healthy breast, and decide to have the healthy breast surgically removed, according to a survey conducted by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators. The survey also shows that many patients opt for the procedure – known as a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, or CPM –despite knowing it will be unlikely to improve their chance of survival.

The study, published in the Sept. 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, shows a certain disconnect between what many patients know on an abstract, intellectual level – that CPM has little impact on survival rates for most women – and the choices they make after receiving the anxiety-inducing diagnosis of breast cancer, the authors said.

n They estimated that 10 out of 100 women with cancer in one breast would develop cancer in the other breast within five years. The actual risk of that happening is approximately 2 to 4 percent.

“An increasing percentage of women treated for early-stage breast cancer are choosing to have CPM,” said the study’s lead author, Shoshana Rosenberg, ScD, MPH, of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber.

“The trend is particularly notable among younger women.”

Rosenberg said the survey results suggest that many patients are going into

this decision with an unrealistic sense of the benefits of CPM, and of the risks.

“Improving the communication of those risks and benefits – together with better management of anxiety surrounding diagnosis – and providing patients with the support they need to make decisions based on solid evidence – are worthwhile steps,” said Rosenberg.

To explain this apparent contradiction,

the authors wrote, “Most women acknowledge that CPM does not improve survival, but anxiety and fear of recurrence probably influence them during the decision-making process.”

The survey also indicated that women who don’t inherit an increased genetic risk of breast cancer tend to overestimate the chance that cancer will develop in both breasts. They estimated that 10 out of 100 women with cancer in one breast would develop cancer in the other breast within five years. The actual risk of that happening is approximately 2 to 4 percent.

By contrast, respondents who did have an inherited predisposition to breast cancer – as a result of a mutation in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2, for example –more accurately perceived their risk for cancer in both breasts.

food outreacH recipe

Tofu and Shiitake Stack with Bok Choy-Ginger Puree

Ingredients

For the tofu:

1 cup of low sodium vegetable broth

2 tablespoons of sesame oil

1 tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon of agave syrup, honey or sugar

1 teaspoon of rice vinegar

1 block of firm tofu

For the puree:

One-fourth cup of leftover prepared marinade (above)

One-half tablespoon of fresh grated ginger

3 cups of bok choy

One-fourth teaspoon of salt

8 Fresh shiitake caps, stems removed

Preparation

1. Slice block of tofu into 12 slices. Place between several

layers of paper towel and set a few cookbooks on top to press out moisture. Let set for 10 minutes.

2. Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a large and shallow glass dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Flip the tofu to fully coat.

3. Place ¼ cup of the marinade into a skillet over medium-low heat. Add in the ginger and sauté for 1 minute.

4. Add in the bok choy and allow to soften for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add to a blender and allow to cool while you prepare your tofu.

5. In the same pan, add in about 3 TB of the marinade and the tofu. Increase the heat to medium. Allow to sauté for about 5 minutes. Check the bottom of the tofu—if it is nicely browned, flip it over, then allow to sauté for an

additional 5 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate to slightly cool.

6. Add 3 TB of the marinade to the pan. Place the shiitake caps into the pan, then cover. Allow to steam for 3-5 minutes, and remove them from the heat.

7. Puree bok choy and ginger until smooth, adding a little bit more of the marinade if needed.

8. To serve, stack the tofu and shiitake, then drizzle with the bok choy puree.

Nutrient Information Serves 4 (per serving)

Calories 185

Fat 12 g

Saturated fat 2 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Carbohydrate 10 mg

Fiber 3 g

Protein 13 mg

Sodium 215 mg

Established in 1988, Food Outreach continues to be the only nonprofit organization in greater St. Louis that focuses on providing critical nutritional support to low-income men, women and children battling cancer or HIV/AIDS. The on-staff Chef and Registered Dietitians are pivotal to the program. Through a combination of freshly prepared frozen meals, groceries and nutrition counseling, clients have access to critical nutrients to help them best optimize their treatments and enhance their quality of life. In 2012, Food Outreach provided more than 500,000 nutritious meals at no cost to 2,053 clients living in 174 Missouri and Illinois zip codes. For more information, call 314-652-3663 x121 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.

START NOW

continued from page 3

they receive the services that they need.”

Custer’s attentiveness and support was a godsend to Drayton, who said she appreciated that Custer didn’t insist she do anything and let the decision be hers. By the next morning, Drayton had changed her mind.

On the morning of her surgery, Drayton’s prayer warrior friend, along with her spiritual mother and father from her church, Miracle Deliverance Temple in Cahokia, Illinois, were with her.

Drayton underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction using muscle and tissues from her stomach. One would think a built-in tummy tuck would be bonus byproduct of having to undergo such a radical procedure, but it comes with its own issues, like residual pain. Removing muscles from the abdomen force the remaining muscles to compensate and do work for which they were not initially intended.

“They were able to save my tattoos, praise God, because they remind me of who I am, my original,” Drayton said, “so it didn’t make me feel so bad.”

Drayton also had a less than pleasant experience in the hospital as well, thanks to an uncaring employee who Drayton said was harsh and unwilling to assist her in moving or tending to her basic body functions. Eventually a friendly, helpful nurse working on the next shift took the place of the inconsiderate worker, Drayton said. She happened to be a minister’s wife.

When she was discharged from the hospital, women from her church took turns being at her side around-the-clock to get her through the roughest days.

Within about two months, Drayton was back on her feet, praising God for her life and talking to everyone she could about her experience with cancer.

Thanks to Komen funds, which come from community events, private and corporate support, Drayton paid nothing out of pocket for any of her treatment for breast cancer.

Drayton is now a spokesperson for the regional Illinois chapter of American Cancer Society, about the importance of breast health awareness, selfexams and getting mammograms and necessary follow-up care, if needed.

“The no show rate in our area is kind of high,” Custer said about clients they reach out to in the STARTNOW program. Some of the excuses she has heard from women includes, “I heard that a breast mammogram hurts,” “I just don’t have time,” or “I am taking care of other family members.”

“They are putting themselves on the back burner, and part of our empowerment is to make sure that they know if you don’t take care of yourself, who is going to take care of their family?” Custer asked. “ [We] help them understand how important they are in the family equation.”

For more information on the START NOW program in Southern Illinois, call 618-332-6130 or visit touchette.org/start-now.htm, or contact the Maryville Metro East Regional Office of the American Cancer Society at 618-288-2320.

Susan G. Komen St. Louis is accepting grant applications for 2014-15

Applications for 2014 grant cycle due Dec. 6, 2013

Susan G. Komen St. Louis is accepting grant applications for its upcoming community-based grant awards cycle, which runs April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015.

Komen St. Louis’ community grants program supports non-profit organizations and governmental institutions in its 17-county Missouri/Illinois service area that provide innovative, non-duplicative, evidence-based breast health/breast cancer screening, treatment, education and support programs targeting services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations.

All grant applications must meet eligibility requirements and be completed and submitted through the Komen Grants e-Management System (GeMS). Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2013. Grant awards are for one year (April 1-March 31). Organizations receiving Komen St. Louis grant funding must re-apply each year.

Komen St. Louis’ service area includes the City of St. Louis; the Missouri counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, Perry, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Warren and Washington; and the Illinois counties of Clinton, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair.

Komen St. Louis funding is limited and awarded through a competitive process. All grant applications meeting the eligibility requirements undergo rigorous review by an independent panel of local professionals from varied backgrounds, including medicine, business,

public health, and breast cancer survivors. This panel is responsible for making the final decisions regarding grant awards.

Komen St. Louis has identified four funding priorities:

1. Increase regular breast cancer screenings and ensure access to quality breast cancer treatment and support services for African-American women in St. Louis County

2. Increase breast cancer screenings in Jefferson County, particularly targeting women age 40 and over who have never been screened

3. Increase breast cancer screenings in rural counties within the Komen St. Louis service area, particularly in Madison and Washington counties in Missouri and Clinton County in Illinois

4. Increase breast cancer screening, treatment, education and support services for underserved women in the entire Komen St. Louis service area

For more information about community grants eligibility requirements and the application process, call 314-5693900 or visit www.komenstlouis.org/grants.

SLU clinical trial to assess gene therapy in patients with poor heart function

Saint Louis University has enrolled its first patients in a new clinical trial that will further assess the efficacy of gene therapy in patients with advanced heart failure.

The new study, “CUPID 2b”, follows the initial exploratory study, “CUPID” that enrolled 40 patients nationally and tested whether MYDICAR – a genetically-targeted regulatory protein replacement therapy – could repair heart muscle that was damaged by a prior heart attack or cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease. The new trial will enroll a total of 200 patients in 52 sites worldwide.

“This trial is the next important step in advancing gene therapy as a treatment for advanced heart failure,” said Paul Hauptman, M.D., professor

of internal medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and principal investigator of the study. “With this new study we will now be able to assess whether the early impressive improvements seen in CUPID can be replicated in a much larger number of patients.”

The therapy involves infusing a gene – a type of regulatory protein called SERCA-2a – down the coronary arteries that may help heart cells utilize calcium better, which is similar to an engine getting better gas mileage. This outpatient procedure is performed in a cardiac catheterization lab and aims to increase the level of SERCA-2a, which is reduced in the individual heart muscle cells in patients with heart failure and can thereby

change the way those cells function “This study provides a truly novel therapy to help the heart improve its ability to function for patients who are suffering from symptoms related to poor heart function,” said Michael Lim, M.D., who serves as director of the division of cardiology at Saint Louis University and performs the catheterization procedure.

“A patient will undergo a heart

catheterization procedure to have the therapy delivered, which will not be any different from a catheterization procedure that they have received before.”

SLU is the only medical center in the region and one of only 33 in the nation that is participating in the study. To participate in the trial, please contact the Cardiology Research Office at Saint Louis University at 314-577-8876.

Helpful Resources

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 314-839-3171 or 1-800-447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center provides no cost support for persons affected by criminal acts. Email peggy@ supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BE-MAD (6523673) or visit www.supportvictims.org.

Bike helmet safety

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

Breast Cancer

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

Dental

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

Diabetes

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

Health Partnerships

The Center for Community Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges for

Healthy Communities works to develop and support beneficial communityacademic 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

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

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

Nutrition

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

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

Prostate Cancer

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

Prescription Cost Help

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 314-8796208.

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

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

Respiratory Health

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

Sexual Health

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

St. Louis Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Program offers confidential or anonymous Testing at St. Louis ConnectCare, Suite 203 at 5535 Delmar, St. Louis, Mo. 63112. For more information, call (314) 879-6468.

Schnucks Pharmacies – now offers

HealtH calendar

Fri. Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. & Sat. Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Give Kids A Smile Free Dental Clinic, Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education at Dreiling-Marshall Hall, 3220 Rutger St., St. Louis 63104. For children up to age 15 who are is Medicaid-eligible, qualifies for a school lunch program or needs dental assistance due to other circumstances. Comprehensive services include X-rays, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as restorations, endodontics and oral surgery as needed. Appointments are required. Call 636-397-6453 or visit www.gkas.org.

Sat. Oct. 26, 9 a.m. American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, St. Louis Forest Park/ Upper Muny Parking Lot. 5K and 1 mile run. For more information, call 1-800-227-2345 or go online to makingstrides/acsevents.org.

Sat. Oct. 26, Free Flu Shots, SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center – Ambulatory Care Clinics, 1465 S. Grand Blvd. St. Louis, 63104 for ages 3 and up. Walk in or reserve a time by calling 866-SSMDOCS (776-3627) or register online at www.ssmhealth. com/flu.

Sun. Oct. 27, 12Noon – 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Spare Nothing For The Cure, Brunswick Zone in Chesterfield and St. Peters, Mo. $25 per bowler and $150 per lane (team of six bowlers). For more information, call 314-569-3900 or visit www.

komenstlouis.org.

Sat. Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – Noon, Free Flu Shots, SSM DePaul Health Center – May Center, 12303 DePaul Dr., Bridgeton, MO 63044 for ages 9 and up. Walk in or reserve a time by calling 866-SSM-DOCS (776-3627) or register online at www.ssmhealth.com/flu.

Sat., Nov. 2, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Free Flu Shots, St. John’s United Church of Christ Health Fair, 4136 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63107. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sat. Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Black Women and Breast Cancer, The Knowledge is Power Conference, Millennium Student Center, UMSL North Campus. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please bring non-perishable canned food items to support Food Outreach. Space is limited to 300 for this free event and registration required by calling 314-516-5994 or online at http://tinyurl.com/UMSL-BWBC.

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 Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 5503 Gillmore Ave., St. Louis, 63120. RSVP by Oct. 31 to 314-545-KIDS (5437) and press 3 to register.

Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian

Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I-270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

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

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, call 314839-3171.

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 more 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.

HealtH Q&a

Q. I’m practically broke. Do I still have to buy health insurance?

Edited and reprinted with permission, Consumer Reports

Health

A. No. But in many states you’ll now be eligible for Medicaid, so you can get insurance without having to buy it. That includes states that, as part of the new health care law, agreed to expand this federal health insurance program for people with very low incomes.

Under the new rules, the new cutoffs for qualifying for Medicaid are $15,282 for a singleton, $20,628 for a couple, and $31,322 for a family of four. If you’re in this situation, you’ll be glad to know that there’s no asset test. You can have a house, a car, savings, even a retirement account; it’s only your income that matters.

where you get insurance, you won’t have to pay a fine if you don’t buy it because your premiums would eat up more than 8 percent of your household income, or if you earn so little that you don’t have to file an income tax return.

But you should think twice about skipping buying coverage, even if technically you don’t have to. Here’s why: The average three-day hospital stay costs $30,000, and so does having a baby. And a standard course of breast-cancer treatment can easily top $100,000. And you might be surprised how affordable the plans are turning out to be.

Now, no matter who you are and where you get insurance, you won’t have to pay a fine if you don’t buy it because your premiums would eat up more than 8 percent of your household income, or if you earn so little that you don’t have to file an income tax return.

But in the states that are not expanding Medicaid [including Missouri], people below the poverty line who don’t qualify for existing Medicaid programs (for specific groups like low-income disabled people and pregnant women) still won’t have a source for affordable coverage. Why? Because back in 2012 the Supreme Court decided that it should be up to the states to decide whether or not to expand Medicaid to cover all residents below a certain income level. (In the original law, that was required of all states.) And many states, mostly in the South, are not doing it. Those people are out of luck. Now, no matter who you are and

Editor’s note: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) recently approved a one-year extension of the St. Louis Gateway to Better Health demonstration project, which provides primary, specialty and urgent care coverage to uninsured adults in St. Louis City and County, ages 19-64, through a network of community providers. It is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Social Services in partnership with the St. Louis Regional Health Commission. The temporary coverage is in effect until 2015.

For new Gateway eligibility information, please visit http://www. stlgbh.com.