September 19th, 2013 edition

Coming next week...Salute photo coverage

Lynell Johnson, a Suggs scholar at St.Louis Community College,is congratulated by Constance G.Gully,interim president of Harris-Stowe State University, while Timothy Moore,a Suggs scholar at Harris-Stowe, looks on at the St.Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala.Michael McMillan,who raised the funds for their scholarships, addresses the audience of nearly 1,500.

“This funding is a direct investment in our community and its future.” – Donald M.Suggs,president of the St.Louis American Foundation

‘Avery special St. Louis celebration’ of excellence in education

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St.Louis American

Nearly 1,500 people celebrated area educators and the awarding of $314,000 in scholarships and community grants at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala, held Friday at America’s Center.

Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation and publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American newspaper, introduced the evening as “a very special St. Louis celebration” of excellence in education.

The highest honor, 2013 Lifetime Achiever in Education, was awarded to Lynn Beckwith Jr., Ed.D, E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Urban Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

“I reject the concept that black children are innately intellectually inferior.If you take that away, then it’s got be something else.Well taught, well learned.”

– Lynn Beckwith Jr.,Ed.D, E.Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Urban Education at the University of Missouri-St.Louis

“I have the great honor of introducing an individual who has dedicated his lifetime to promoting diversity, equality and excellence

Student on a mission

Andrew Fowler takes campus ministry to Slovenia

By Sandra Jordan Of The St.Louis American

Since soon after his graduation from Saint Louis University High School in 2009, Andrew Fowler has been on a mission to build his career in journalism. While in college at Ohio University, Fowler worked during breaks as an intern with The St. Louis American, winning a national award for feature print

Andrew Fowler

journalism, and last year he interned in New York for The Today Show From all indications, the broadcast journalism major was making a departure from serving in leadership positions in banking, politics or ministry, like his father, uncles and grandfather.

“That’s something I’ve always particularly shied away from, because

See FOWLER, A7

Lynn Beckwith Jr.,Ed.D,E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Urban Education at the University of MissouriSt.Louis, was awarded 2013 Lifetime Achiever in Education.

Almost 1,500 at Education Salute

St. Louis American Foundation continues to see scholarships grow

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

With their glimmering outfits and sparkling smiles, 11 scholarship awardees took the stage to be recognized before nearly 1,500 guests at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards gala on Sept. 13.

“Prioritizing diversity and inclusion is an essential part of transforming our students for global citizenship.”

This year, the event fostered nearly $300,000 in scholarships to six Missouri colleges and universities, along with $17,000 in community grants for educators. Since its inception in 1994, the foundation has fostered nearly $3 million in scholarships and community grants.

– Beth Stroble, president of Webster University

“This funding is a direct investment in our community and its future,” said Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American and president of the St. Louis American Foundation.

“It was our revered leader Malcolm X who told us that, ‘Education is our passport to the future … for tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today.’” About 14 years ago, the University of Missouri – Columbia partnered with the foun-

Kosterconvenes crime summit

Missouri AG focuses on curbing urban crime

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

In the St. Louis area, police have identified 8,671 gang members – most who range in ages 14 to 19. The youngest documented gang member is nine and the oldest is 44, said Police Detective Jerod Breit, who spoke at Attorney General Chris Koster’s Urban Crime Summit on Sept. 18, held at the Saint Louis

“Many

“Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” – Jonathan Davis, University of Chicago Crime Lab

gang activity for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The first day of the crime summit in St. Louis focused on gang violence, youth employment programs to reduce crime, and mental health resources.

See KOSTER, A7

Photo by Wiley Price

Christopher Reiter is the son of Paul Reiter, of The St. Louis American, who was killed by Rico Paul, who was just sentenced to life without possibility of parole.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather did just what he’s done in at least

Photo by Wiley Price

Chante says Kelly spoke too soon on R&B Divas tour

Last week R&B Divas LA star Kelly Price told the world that cast members from both shows would be embarking on a tour in the fall. In an interview with The Jasmine Brand her co-star Chante Moore says Price jumped the gun.

“It was a premature announcement that was made by Kelly. I didn’t know that she’s going to make that announcement on the show but I thought that I should let it go at that time because the reunion was taped a couple of weeks ago; because I thought by now, it would be cleared up or settled – that it would happen or would be for sure, or either way I thought something would be settled and at this moment, nothing is happening. They postponed or cancelled –

definitely postponed – I don’t know if it’s ever going to get picked up. Period. But she made an announcement that we’re going and I was like ‘Okay…?’ because there weren’t conversations so I thought ‘Well, maybe she has a scoop on something that I’m unaware of or maybe just trying to surprise us.’ and I thought that it was just something that really positive which was going to happen but again, it seems like she’s talking prematurely and it actually isn’t happening. That tour was cancelled so I was a little uneasy by that.”

baby she conceived with Jay-Z that Nas would have committed suicide.

Bryan also pleads the fifth on whether she was intimately involved with Nas while he was married to Kelis and says the tension between the two stems from how she alleges Kelis treated her daughter.

“Kelis could be on fire and I wouldn’t spit on that [expletive].”

Mister Cee speaks on ‘sexual freedom’ in PSA

Carmen Bryan spills throwback tea on Nas, Jay-Z and Kelis In a twitter session of “Ask Me Anything” Nas’ ex Carmen Bryan offers plenty of juicy backstory about the love triangle between them and Jay-Z and her ongoing disdain for Nas’ ex-wife Kelis while previewing her second book.

“I didn’t know you were that serious over Jay-Z,” one of her followers tweeted. “Wars don’t start over flings,” Bryan responded. “There’s no doubt Jay-Z excited the world, however, I’m the girl that excited Jay-Z.” Bryan says that she believes that if she had not miscarried the

Last week Hot 97’s Mister Cee resigned from his position after his second scandal involving a transsexual commercial sex worker. By this week Mister Cee had returned to Hot 97, spoke publicly about his “sexual freedom” and filmed a public service announcement sponsored by the Aids Healthcare Foundation to help fight against the spread of STDs.

“The decision to open up about my sexuality is most definitely the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my life,” Cee said in the PSA.

bisexual. I felt like if I were to just be honest about myself that nobody would want to deal with me anymore. I realized that the more I kept lying and keeping secrets that I wasn’t really helping myself. I’m here today to tell you that you don’t have to hide or lie anymore about your sexual freedom.”

Porsha Stewart fuels Kordell gay rumors

“But I felt like this is the time for me to do it – personally and professionally. I was concerned with how my coworkers, my family and my friends would react to my decision because in this hip-hop community of ours it’s not cool to be gay. It’s not cool to be

The unspoken storyline of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” last season were the gay rumors surrounding Porsha Stewart’s husband Kordell In a preview for the next season of RHOA Porsha adds fuel the gay rumor fires. At the end of last season Porsha and Kordell’s marriage inexplicably came to an end In a clip for the new season, while discussing her impending divorce, Porsha questions Kordell preferences explaining in her voice-over, “Kordell didn’t necessarily want me physically and that made me wonder well what does he want?”

Sources: The Jasmine Brand, Twitter.com, Bravo.com, Hot 97.com

Porsha Stewart

Sorority convenes domestic violence forum

Judge, legislator, advocates address audience at History Museum

By Bridjes O’Neil

Louis American

Of The St.

More than 130 people attended Saving Our Sisters (SOS), A Community Forum on Domestic Violence, held at the Missouri History Museum on September 5.

“This is a part of an ongoing commitment of the Missouri History Museum, to not only address the past, but address the present – and look to the future with solutions,” said Alex Detrick, assistant director of community education and events at the museum.

The free, public event, which also featured a resource fair, was hosted by the Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA). The forum stemmed from Initiative Five, a social justice and human rights initiative of sorority. Lonita Rowland, member of the Gamma Omega Chapter of AKA, is chair of Initiative Five.

“We really work hard to offer relevant programming to the community,” said Shira Truitt, a member of the Gamma Omega Chapter of AKA.

The panel included Gina Mitten, state representative of the 83rd district; Paula Bryant, circuit judge of the 22nd Judicial Court; Capt. Amanda Snipes, special victims council at Scott Air Force Base (AFB); Pamela Dorsey, sexual assault prevention and response coordinator at Scott AFB; and Sylvia Jackson, executive director of the Women’s Safe House.

The Women’s Safe House is the oldest and largest locally-founded organization in St. Louis dedicated to helping women at risk.

Moderator Laurna Godwin, former broadcast journalist and co-founder of Vector Communications, began the forum by posing this question to audience: “How many of you know the signs of domestic violence?”

Audience members shouted out,

“Self-deprivation” and “isolation.”

As the expert, Jackson said that those were really great answers. However, she said domestic violence is also based on feelings.

“If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s probably not right,” Jackson said. Godwin sought to dispel the myth that domestic violence was solely “black eyes and bruises” by reading a definition by the U.S. Department of Justice, which defines domestic violence as a pattern of abuse, occurring in opposite and same-sex relationships.

The abuse is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another partner. It can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. It affects all people regardless of age, race, religion or socioeconomic status.

The panel agreed that more preventative resources are needed.

“What are we doing to help

mitigate the cycle of abuse?” Mitten asked. Jackson said there is a need for primary prevention aimed at youth and children, like in-shelter support

n “What are we doing to help mitigate the cycle of abuse?”

– State Rep. Gina Mitten

groups and by-stander intervention. She said, “There are more children in domestic violence shelters than there are women.”

She commended the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund: Keeping Kids First as an excellent example of an agency working

collaboratively with domestic violence and sexual assault programs.

During a Q-and-A session with the audience, one person anonymously asked: “Does education include an examination of the cultural mindset of male-entitlement?” Dorsey said she believed so. She responded that one should not minimize the impact that culture has on the socialization of gender.

“A person’s socialization will determine how they feel or think about women, depending on what they saw in the household,” she said.

Another audience member inquired why domestic violence discussions seem to primarily focus on one aspect of domestic violence, when males are also victims of domestic violence perpetrated by females?

Jackson agreed that women can be violent, too. Judge Bryant said she regularly encounters female-onmale domestic violence cases in her

courtroom.

“We have quite a stigma,” Judge Bryant said, “and it takes a lot of courage for a man to come to get an order of protection because they’re embarrassed.”

Dorsey said she is a “survivor” of domestic violence, preferring that word over victim.

“If you call a person a victim, they will continue to see themselves as a victim,” Dorsey said. “When you call them a survivor, they see themselves as surviving or coming out of a bad situation.”

If you or someone you is a victim of domestic & sexual violence, please visit the Missouri Coalition against Domestic & Sexual Violence www. mocadsv.org If you are a man seeking help, please visit RAVEN www. ravenstl.org/dev/

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Follow this reporter on Twitter: @ BridjesONeil.

Sylvia Jackson, executive director of the Women’s Safe House, makes remarks during a domestic violence summit at the Missouri History Museum. At left is moderator Laurna Godwin and at right is Judge Paula Bryant, circuit judge of the 22nd Judicial Court.

Photo by Wiley Price

Editorial /CommEntary

Fighting the war against ignorance

It makes us more proud than we can say to acknowledge and celebrate educators every September at the St. Louis American Foundation’s annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala. The success of this gala and its financial benefits to students would not be possible without the support from a broad range of many generous individuals and organizations, whom we thanked Friday night and thank again here.

As one of our top awardees for 2013, Ferguson-Florissant Superintendent Art McCoy Jr., said in his deeply personal remarks at the Salute, our teachers (and the administrators who guide them) are fighting on the front lines in an ongoing “war against ignorance.” Teachers are the soldiers in this war, and administrators are their officer corps. From the bottom of our heart, we salute them for their dedication and service to young people. The massacre of innocents at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. reminded the nation that teaching can be dangerous work, but in fact educators who serve in the trenches in the city of St. Louis and its inner suburbs didn’t need the reminder. We make it our point to award specifically excellence in teaching and educational leadership that serves primarily African-American students. In the St. Louis region, that means teaching primarily students from lower-income households who face difficult circumstances that impinge on classroom performance in many ways. We seek out educators and educational leaders who are effective despite these oftendifficult circumstances and award them, not only because they deserve it and we have a special obligation to the community we both serve. We also know that their success

in reaching these children and youth is essential to the health and future of our communities, and that includes the wider region beyond the AfricanAmerican neighborhoods where our children live. Improving academic achievement of lower-income youth is essential to the safety of our streets, the stability of our neighborhoods and the vibrancy of our regional economy. As Art McCoy Jr. said on Friday, “They use fourth-grade test scores to predict how many jail cells to build. By the time those children are adults, they fill them up. That’s my rule for judging how great of an educator I am – if I can be a jail cell closer.” It’s a point we find ourselves making over and over again, especially as public education – and the tax base needed to fund it – comes under continual attack by wealthy free-market activists like Rex Sinquefield. We can pay to properly educate our children now, or we can pay to incarcerate a disproportionate amount of them later. We are impressed and encouraged that so many gifted, committed people, who could do so many other things with their talent and energy, continue to dedicate themselves to educating these children and youth now, when they need it

Commentary

The St. Louis American Foundation’s 2013 Stellar Performer, Ferguson-Florissant Superintendent Art McCoy Jr. gave deeply personal remarks at the Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala on Friday.

Photo by Wiley Price

most. There are many external factors that effect the well being of our community. Many are out of our direct control, but we ourselves can help enhance the life prospects of of our young people by providing well-informed, zealous education aligned with ardent, disciplined parenting.

However, we must recognize that we are not alone on the battlefield in the war against ignorance. We submit that the forces arrayed against public education are at least content with, if not actively motivated by, a cold, anti-historical social Darwinism. We believe their actions suggest that they are content with not trying to reach every child, because not all children (according to this view) are equipped to succeed. Given the racial dynamics of the student populations in question, we believe their approach is at least consistent with racist expectations, if not actually guided by them. That is why we agree with our 2013 Lifetime Achiever Lynn Beckwith Jr. of the University of Missouri-St. Louis and St. Louis Public Schools, when he sternly declares, “I reject the concept that black children are innately intellectually inferior. If you take that away, then it’s got be something else. Well taught, well learned.”

No progress made

Washington was under siege on Monday, with SWAT teams racing through the streets and military helicopters circling overhead. Not immediately threatened, however, was the complacency that allows our elected officials to argue endlessly about the threats we face rather than work together to lessen them.

“We are confronting yet another mass shooting,” President Obama said at midday, “and today it happened on a military installation in our nation’s capital.”

A few miles away at the historic Washington Navy Yard, authorities were just beginning to assess the carnage left by a gunman –or perhaps gunmen – who sprayed the halls of the Naval Sea Systems Command with semi-automatic weapons fire. Police at one point put the number of fatalities at 13, but the tally of dead and wounded kept changing throughout the afternoon.

Was this an act of terrorism, similar to the Fort Hood shootings or the Boston bombings? That theory advanced and receded during the day, amid conflicting reports of multiple assailants and speculation about possible motives. Since no possibility could be quickly ruled out, all the old arguments about the nature of the “war on terror” were deemed in order. Obama’s supporters praise him for killing Osama bin Laden and smashing al-Qaeda to bits. Critics say that decentralized

terrorism and “self-radicalized” individuals constitute an increasing menace. Both positions are more often used to score political points than to seek solutions.

Or was the Navy Yard rampage “just” another senseless multiple shooting?

During his presidency, Obama has mourned the victims and consoled the survivors of Fort Hood, Tucson, Aurora and Newtown. There was a weariness in his voice as he spoke of Navy personnel who had served bravely overseas yet “faced the unimaginable violence that they wouldn’t have expected here at home.”

The one confirmed shooter – who died on the scene – was reportedly carrying at least three firearms. Following the unimaginable horror of Newtown, in which 20 children were slaughtered, Obama could not even convince Congress to mandate universal background checks for gun purchases, let alone take stronger measures to keep powerful weapons out of unstable hands.

Opponents of gun control argue that instead of infringing Second Amendment rights, we should focus on the fact that most, if not all, of these mass shooters are psychologically disturbed. But many of the officials who take this view are simultaneously trying their best to repeal Obamacare, which will provide access to mental health services to millions of Americans who are now uninsured.

So what difference did it really make what motivated Monday’s shooting? Beyond tightening security at military bases, what is our sclerotic political system capable of doing to prevent the next slaughter of innocents?

The shocking events in Washington eclipsed what

Harris-Stowe’s invisible graduates

Guest Columnist Dwyane Smith

This year the U.S. Department of Education (D.O.E.) began to post universities’ graduation rates as part of its goal of providing a transparent look at universities. This graduation rate counts only “freshmen cohorts,” i.e., students who begin as fulltime freshmen, never transfer and graduate within six years.

Harris-Stowe State University’s graduation rate is at eight percent when only “cohort data” are calculated. While this is an accurate figure, it is an incomplete measure. Degree production, or the total number of all individuals who eventually graduate from the institution, should be part of the equation.

Take the college experience of Jason Chapel. Jason graduated as the valedictorian of Sumner High School class of 2007. He initially earned an academic scholarship to Jackson State University. Personal reasons brought him back to St. Louis and he transferred to Harris-Stowe, graduating within six years.

Under current D.O.E. guidelines, only Jackson State University could have counted Jason since Jackson State is where he began as a full-time freshman. Because he transferred and graduated from Harris-Stowe, he cannot be included in either school’s graduation rate. Jason’s journey of starting at one university and transferring is not uncommon. Approximately one-third of

all college students in the U.S. transfer at least once prior to graduating, and seven million are attending part-time.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, this graduation rate calculation persists even though fewer than half of enrolled college students in the U.S. meet the traditional profile of first-time, full-time freshmen who never transfer. The rest of these students are simply not counted – up to 50 percent of enrolled students – though they may have graduated.

Of the 162 graduates in the May 2013 class at HarrisStowe, only 53 could be counted as students who began their studies here. The rest were not counted in the institution’s graduation rates. And who were these graduates?

Consider David Marango, who received second-place honors in the Mathematics and Statistics Division at the 2012 National Science Foundation’s Emerging Researchers Conference. Or Alicia Bamber, who was selected by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to participate in its prestigious and highly competitive undergraduate internship program.

Collectively, they are part of that larger group of graduates who are not counted in HarrisStowe’s graduation rates.

There are students who do begin at Harris-Stowe, never transfer and complete their degrees within the six-year graduation threshold. Idris Aziz graduated in four years and now is in graduate school at Alabama A&M University. Temisha Blanchard graduated with honors in four years. Harris-Stowe does indeed graduate students in four years,

Letters to the editor

Defining moment

otherwise would have been headline news from New York: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released a report providing “clear and convincing” evidence that chemical weapons were indeed used in Syria.

The report described the trajectory of rockets carrying nerve gas that were fired into a Damascus suburb on Aug. 21, and this data strongly indicates the projectiles were fired by forces loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad. If ever there was doubt, none remains: Assad used poison gas to kill more than 1,400 civilians.

In a rare display of consensus, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., both favor passage of a resolution giving Obama the authority to launch a punitive strike against Assad. But neither congressional leader is able to convince his rank-andfile members to back military action.

Failing to decide, however, is a decision. The multiple conflicts that intersect in Syria – Assad versus rebels, Shiites versus Sunnis, Iran versus Saudi Arabia – have the potential to reshape the Middle East in ways that clearly will have an impact on U.S. national security. Whatever we do or decline to do, we will live with the consequences. We don’t want to get involved in Syria. We don’t want to honestly assess where we are in the “war on terror.” We don’t want to deal with gun control. All these issues are fraught with political danger. Much safer for our intrepid elected officials to stake out their positions and yell at the other side, knowing the words will bounce off harmlessly. No progress made, no political damage done.

Missourians are fiscally conservative folks who want good jobs in their communities and quality schools for their kids. Over the past several months they have fought to defend those bedrock principles from being undermined by a reckless experiment in House Bill 253 – and they won. I applaud the legislators from both parties who came together to sustain my veto of this fiscally irresponsible bill, which would have defunded our schools and weakened our economy. This vote represents a defining moment for our state and a victory for all Missourians.

Gov. Jay Nixon, Jefferson City

Legislators who listened

The Coalition for Missouri’s Future would like to thank those Missouri legislators who stood up for Missouri values and voted against the override of Governor Nixon’s veto of HB 253. Missourians statewide communicated with their legislators and asked them to protect education and critical services throughout Missouri, and they will remember those legislators who listened. We look forward to working with lawmakers this fall and during the 2014 legislative session to develop a comprehensive economic development package that invests in P-12 and higher education, infrastructure and other critical services for all Missourians, strengthens Missouri’s middle class and keeps Missouri competitive in the 21st century global economy.

Traci Gleason, director of communications Missouri Budget Project

Needed: improved tax policy

The Missouri Association for Social Welfare thanks all House

but Harris-Stowe’s successful efforts in graduating diverse student populations are going unnoticed. Since 2001, 1,762 individuals graduated from Harris-Stowe, but only 456 could be counted, rendering 1,206 graduates invisible to the D.O.E.

The good news is that the D.O.E. will soon change its calculation to include part-time and transfer students. The many graduates whom Harris-Stowe produces will eventually be counted.

Harris-Stowe is the smallest public higher education institution in the state, but remains competitive in its degree production of African Americans. According to the Missouri Department of Higher Education, in 2012 HarrisStowe ranked fourth out of 13 Missouri public institutions in the number of AfricanAmerican graduates in 2012. Overall, Harris-Stowe ranks seventh out of 37 Missouri public and private four-year institutions in the graduation of African Americans.

Harris-Stowe is challenged to increase its full-time freshman cohort graduation rates and is firmly committed to matriculating this group of students. Harris-Stowe continues to play a critical role in Missouri in the graduation of diverse learners seeking a college degree. Certainly, this should not be lost in the discussion of graduation rates and degree production.

Dwyane Smith is vice president of academic affairs/ chief academic officer at Harris-Stowe State University and serves on the Missouri Department of Higher Education Council of Chief Academic Officers.

members who voted to sustain Gov. Nixon’s very wise veto of HB 253. HB 253 was poorly structured and would have worsened Missouri’s perpetual budget crisis.

Missouri does need reform of its tax system, but we advocate for improved tax policy, not tax cuts structured to deepen our state’s already startling income inequality. When legislators begin the 2014 debate about tax reform, we urge them to utilize the principles in the “Tax Justice for a Healthy Missouri Plan,” sponsored by Rep. Jeanne Kirkton as HB 843 in 2013.

Jeanette Mott Oxford executive director, Missouri Association for Social Welfare

Free tests of cultural bias

Congratulations to The American and the St. Louis NAACP for teaming up to take on the test score gap. I wish you great success, but fear that calling the gap an “achievement” gap might lead your efforts astray. So-called academic “achievement” tests don’t measure achievement. They measure a complex combination of achievement, culture and motivation. Without knowing how much of a role culture and motivation play in any individual’s score, there is no way to use that score to measure academic achievement. Thus, eliminating the test score gap requires a many-pronged campaign to tackle all of those elements.

I would hope that one of your efforts is to ensure that Missouri’s tests are free of cultural bias. While it can be argued that success in society at large requires an ability to communicate in the norms of the dominant culture, that should not require that children demonstrate knowledge of lifestyle of the dominant culture in order to show that they can read or write. Children can demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing without having to demonstrate

Columnist Michael Mcmillan

With support from the Monsanto Fund,Ranken Technical College hosted its fourth annual Adventure Academy summer camp for nearly 300 students interested in technology.One of the primary goals of the summer camp is to encourage students to complete high school and continue post-secondary education in STEM (science,technology, engineering and mathematics) fields,as well as encourage parents to help their children achieve academic and career goals.

Lewis Place Neighborhood Festival

The Lewis Place Historical Preservation, Inc. is hosting its 11th Annual Neighborhood Festival on Saturday, September 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4600 Lewis Place in the parkway at Marcus.

The festival is also a fundraiser, dedicated to saving the historic Lewis Place community and firming up its legacy. This year festival is recognizing the Union-Sarah Economic Development Corporation and its iconic leader, Nesby Moore Jr..

The historic Lewis Place neighborhood was the center of federal court battles in the 1940s and ‘50s that was the beginning of the end of housing discrimination. Organizers encourage residents and nonresidents to bring family members, friends and neighbors and make new friends, celebrating the rich history and culture of this spirited and enterprising community.

There will be free family fun for all ages including live music, spoken word and children’s games. Meals such as barbecued ribs, chicken and potato salad as well as homemade desserts will be sold.

For more information, contact Pamela Talley at 314-535-1354 or talleypam@att.net. The website is www.LewisPlaceSTL.org.

Supreme Court’s Constitution Project

The Supreme Court of Missouri’s Committee on Civic Education and the state judiciary are hosting a new competition called The Constitution Project, a statewide competition for high school students, in which students are given hands on experience in possible future careers integral to our constitution and our nation. The project kicked off on Constitution Day, September 17.

Professionals in the fields of journalism, law enforcement and trial advocacy will provide mentorship to Missouri students in coordination with participating schools. The project places students in charge of investigating and reporting a mock crime in their town, following it from the initial crime scene through the ultimate prosecution of the crime in mock trial.

Learn more about bringing the project to your school by visiting www.courts.mo.gov/constitutionproject.

Don’t defy your student’s teacher

By A.Bolanle Ambonisye For The St.Louis American

Parents make a mistake when they instruct their children to defy a teacher. For example: “If the teacher says you can’t go to the bathroom, just walk out.”

On the surface, it seems unfair to tell a child s/he can’t go to the bathroom, especially elementary school students. But please consider the following, and feel free to replace “going to the bathroom” with other actions students ask permission to leave the classroom to do.

Teachers, on average, have to manage 20-plus sets of bladders, intestines, personalities and needs roughly 200 days per year. Trust and believe his/her intuition and “truth meter” are welldeveloped. Plus s/he has a bathroom schedule.

Children often fake having to go to the bathroom to delay doing work.

Children often choose to not go to the bathroom when everyone else goes so they can ask once everyone is settled back in the classroom. Going to the bathroom alone significantly increases the likelihood of being able to play in the halls undetected.

If we are not careful, our child starts to believe “rules are for weak people. They don’t apply to me.” Notice that children who do follow rules are often teased, ridiculed and bullied by ones who don’t.

We have undermined the teacher’s authority, not just for our child, but other students in the classroom who witness our child openly defy the teacher with our permission. In their minds, the door has now been opened, so they are deciding if and when they will do the same thing.

Children don’t stop at that single act of defiance. Today, it’s going to the bathroom without permission; tomorrow, it’s disruptive behavior in class. Then report card time comes around, our children’s grades are horrible, and we wonder what’s wrong.

The authentic teacher-student relationship is a cooperative one in which a student learns to tame his/her individual, immediate impulses in favor of the delayed gratification that comes when one benefits from what the teacher has to offer.

Trust the teacher’s instincts. There are several dynamics to take into account when one has the responsibility of teaching a classroom.

Send a note to the teacher that describes what it is you are asking your child to be allowed to do on that day, and include a phone number where you can be reached for confirmation. Notice the words “on that day.”

Before a teacher can teach anything, the student must first give the teacher three things: attention, cooperation and respect. When we instruct our children to disobey the teacher, we stunt our children’s teachability and block their success.

A.Bolanle Ambonisye

STEM for summer

Continued from A1

through education,” Thomas F. George, chancellor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said of Beckwith. “It’s hard to pinpoint where Dr. Beckwith is most effective since he is most effective everywhere.”

Beckwith individually thanked members of his immediate family, whom he described as the wind beneath his wings. He acknowledged his parents, Lynn Beckwith Sr. and the late Myrtis Beckwith, and his four sisters, all of whom set the bar of excellence in education, he said.

“I reject the concept that black children are innately intellectually inferior,” Beckwith said. “If you take that away, then it’s got be something else. Well taught, well learned.”

Beckwith donated his $2,500 grant from the St. Louis American Foundation to the West Side Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund at his home church.

The coveted honor of 2013 Stellar Performer in Education went to Art McCoy Jr., Ph.D., Ferguson-Florissant superintendent.

“Dr. Art McCoy is a stellar performer who truly merits our recognition,” said Craig H. Larson, Ed. D., board chair of St. Louis Community College.

“The key to his success is his clear vision, which is to serve and lift up all children.”

Larson said McCoy has a gift for “rocking the boat without letting more water in.”

McCoy dedicated his award to his mother, Norma McCoy, who was celebrating a birthday that night.

As the nation’s leaders debated whether to engage in war against Syria, McCoy spoke of fighting an ongoing “war against ignorance.” He stated that 75 percent of fourth graders read below grade level.

“They use those same test scores to predict how many jail cells to build,” he said. “By the time those children are adults, they fill them up. That’s my rule for judging how great of an educator I am – if I can be a jail cell closer.”

The St. Louis American Foundation gave McCoy a $1,500 grant, which he said he would donate to the FergusonFlorissant School District. Aschool that benefits from McCoy’s leadership, Vogt Elementary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, was awarded the 2013 Monsanto School of Excellence Award.

Principal Leslie ThomasWashington, who accepted the award, publicly thanked both the Stellar Performer and the Lifetime Achiever. McCoy is her superintendent who highly recommended the school for the award, and Beckwith, she said, “is a very special mentor to me.” Deborah Patterson, president of the Monsanto Fund, presented the award to Thomas-Washington and also

announced that the Monsanto Fund will donate eight laptops to Vogt Elementary. Brian Bauer, senior vice president and business banking market manager at PNC Bank, presented Deborah Thomas with the 2013 PNC Bank Early Childhood Education Award. Thomas serves as lead infant teacher at the William L. Clay Sr. Early Childhood Center at Harris-Stowe State University.

“You get attached to the children,” Thomas said. “They are like your own. I really want our babies to form a desire for learning.”

PNC Bank will donate $2,500 to the William L. Clay Sr. Early Childhood Center, Bauer said.

Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, presented Chat Leonard with the 2013 SEMO Counselor of the Year Award. The award recognizes counselors who have nurtured first-generation and historically underrepresented students in postsecondary education.

“I’m really humbled and honored that Southeast Missouri State University, one of my favorite schools, decided to bestow this honor on me,” Leonard said. In addition to their awards, Thomas and Leonard each received $500 grants from the St. Louis American Foundation.

Eight educators also received 2013 Excellence in Education awards: Clara Collins Coleman, curator of Interpretation at Laumeier Sculpture Park and Museum; Tiffany Fane, seventh grade science teacher at Hazelwood East Middle School; Nathalie Means Henderson, principal of Jefferson Elementary School; Vanessa Howard, instructional coach for teachers at Johnson-Wabash Elementary School; Wanda LeFlore, principal at Kennard Classical Junior Academy; Wilma Slaughter, seventh grade math teacher at Hixson Middle School; Jody Squires, urban youth specialist and city program director with the University of Missouri Extension Program; and Deitre Terrell, reading interventionist instructor at Confluence Charter Schools.

KMOX-AM news anchor Carol Daniel and former KSDK NewsChannel 5 education reporter Sharon Stevens reprised their familiar roles as banquet emcees, entertaining and inspiring the audience. At one point, when scholarship awardees were passing down the line new laptops given to them by the St. Louis American Foundation, Daniel joked that they were “handing down laptops like a bucket brigade.”

Mark your calendars. The 14th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards and Networking Luncheon is Thursday, November 14 at the RitzCarlton Hotel. Tickets are now on sale.

AWARDS

Continued from A1

dation to provide funding for the first Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholarship, worth $12,500 per year with a $7,000 study abroad option to study any place in the world for one semester.

There are now six scholarships at six institutions named after Donald M. Suggs, totaling $252,000. These institutions include Harris-Stowe State University, Missouri State University, St. Louis Community College, Southeast Missouri State University, Webster University and Mizzou.

The scholarships aim to improve recruitment and retention of talented students from ethnic groups that are typically underrepresented in higher education, said DeAngela Burns-Wallace, assistant vice provost for enrollmentmanagement at Mizzou.

Briana Wilson, a graduate of Nerinx High School, received the 2013 Suggs scholarship for Mizzou. She plans to pursue a degree in psychology with a pre-med track.

“My experience at Mizzou

so far has been amazing,” Wilson said. “The campus is gorgeous, my classes are extremely engaging and I have made some great new friends.”

At the gala, Burns-Wallace announced that Mizzou also just established the Dr. Donald M. Suggs Dissertation Fellowship to help support the research endeavors of one minority Ph.D. student in the fall of 2014.

Missouri State University established two new scholarships this year to recognize Suggs and James H. Buford, who is the former president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Both scholarships are valued at $7,500 annually for four years of undergraduate work and one year of graduate work, including housing and study abroad funding.

“Our goal is to continue their legacy of leadership that has impacted so many – in St. Louis, in Missouri, and certainly at Missouri State University,” said Clif Smart, president of Missouri State University.

The two Missouri State award recipients were selected from the 144 students invited for on-campus interviews.

Christina J. Gardner, a gradu-

ate of Trinity Catholic High School, earned the first James H. Buford Multicultural Leadership Scholarship. Kendrick D. Hooks, a graduate of Hazelwood East High School, received the first Dr. Donald M. Suggs Multicultural Leadership Scholarship.

For five years, Southeast Missouri State University has offered a Donald M. Suggs scholarship, which provides a full-tuition scholarship plus expenses, valued at more than $30,000. This year’s recipient was Justin Robinson, a first generation college student and a graduate of Pattonville High School.

This year, Webster University presented its firstever Donald M. Suggs Scholarship, totaling $100,000 over four years, to Olivia Perez, a freshman media literacy major at Webster.

“To address the challenges today’s generation face in our local communities here in St. Louis and around the world, we at Webster know that prioritizing diversity and inclusion is an essential part of transforming our students for global citizenship and individual excellence,” said Beth Stroble, president of Webster University.

Timothy Moore, a HarrisStowe junior who is studying marketing, renewed his Donald M. Suggs Scholarship at Harris-Stowe. Lynell Johnson, a freshman at St. Louis Community College, earned a Suggs scholarship at the college. These two scholarships were made possible by $25,000 in funds raised by Salute Gala Co-chair Michael McMillan.

The five 2013 St. Louis American Foundation Scholars who were present were: Brynn Burns, a Mizzou freshman; Kendra Rowey, a University of Pittsburgh student; Jordan Johnson, a student at Mizzou; and Christina Wesley, a student at Washington University; and Paul Watkins, a Stanford University freshman.

“My professional goal is to become a psychiatrist and serve my community,” Wesley said, “by working to help people deal with stresses and mental health issues in a positive way.” As a surprise, each of the scholarship winners also was presented onstage with a laptop computer, provided by the St. Louis American Foundation.

Dr.Lynn Beckwith Jr. applauds St.Louis American photojournalist for his portrait of the 2013 Lifetime Achiever during last week's Salute to Excellence Education dinner at the America's Center.

Photo by Maurice Meredith

Photo by Wiley Price

Awardee Clara Collins Coleman with her family

Continued from A1

After painting a general picture of gang culture and activity in St. Louis, Breit was flooded with questions from the panelists, who included Koster, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch and Kansas City Mayor Sly James.

When Koster asked Breit what tools he needed from policy makers, Breit said there needed to be more emphasis on punishment. “It’s extremely frustrating for all our police officers and courts to see repeat offenders,” Breit said.

Koster also asked if local criminals are deterred by high, cash-only jail bonds. “Those organized gangs who participate in organized criminal activity, what we see is the ability to post bond no matter what the bond is,” Breit said.

Dooley inquired about loopholes for criminals and how to close them. Breit said some people who have been involved in gang-related crime feel safer living in smaller municipalities outside the city. Jennings is one place criminals once thought of as a safe haven, but police departments are now working together to change that.

“If our departments work together to share information, regardless of where they live, they won’t consider it a safe haven,” Breit said.

Breit also said that most young people who serve jail time don’t take their situation seriously. “The minute they are back on the street, they are lit-

FOWLER

Continued from A1

I’ve seen first-hand how hard it can be,” Fowler said. As it says in the “Good Book” in Jeremiah 29:11, God had other plans.

At Ohio University, Fowler joined a student-focused ministry found on college campuses around the globe, Campus Crusade for Christ Ministries International (CRU). As part of his ministry, he joined a summer mission trip to Slovenia, a small central European nation (population: 2.05million) that bordersItalyto the west, Austriato the north,Croatia to the south andHungaryto the northeast.

“No one goes to church between the ages of 10 and 70 there,” Fowler said. “They have a lot of old, old people going to church for traditional reasons, and they bring the younger grandchildren, but the vast majority of the population aren’t involved in church, and very disenchanted with the churches there.”

“I’m excited about this opportunity to go and share the gospel at the ends of the earth – quite literally.”

– Andrew Fowler

Aconversation he had with a Slovenian friend helped put a bend in the journalism major’s career plans. Afriend named Blesh surprised Fowler when he said he didn’t know if Christianity would survive in his country.

Fowler soon turned from summer visitor to a person, literally, on a mission.

“What Blesh had to say definitely helped me consider taking this year for a mission trip,’Fowler said.

That, and scripture, Matthew 28:19, where Jesus says: “Because you know who I am, go to the ends of the earth and tell people about me.”

“I don’t think He is just talking about the 11 who were present there; He’s talking to us as well,” Fowler said. “We can all be part of sharing the gospel, and I’m excited about this opportunity to go and share it at the ends of the earth – quite literally.”

Fowler broke the news to

erally back on the street,” he said.

Youth jobs drop crime

However, heavier sentencing for youth is not the only way to combat crime. Jonathan Davis, of University of Chicago Crime Lab, presented a study that showed that in

his parents, then raised funds through his networks to cover his salary and benefits for the year. Last week, he finished his summer work at The American and departed for the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, where he will work with Vsak ?tudent, CRU’s stu-

Chicago, a summer youth employment program cut violent crime in half.

“Nothing stops a bullet like a job,” Davis said.

As part of the STLYouth Jobs, 194 youth, ages 16 to 23, have participated in a summer jobs program – an idea that came out of the Regional Youth Violence Prevention Taskforce.

dent ministry on campus.

“Ljubljana is right in the center of the country, so we have all these students coming from different villages from around the country to the campus,” Fowler said. “We can introduce the gospel to them and help them grow and teach

Bridget Flood, executive director of Incarnate Word Foundation, said the $400,000 initiative – funded by the city and donations from various foundations and companies –helps to reduce crime and increase graduation rates. It costs $2,000 to employ one teen in the program.

The participants, who are 96 percent African-American,

them how to share their faith with other people.”

Slovenia is a long way from home in St. Louis – more than 5,000 miles.

“It’s definitely a scary thing to go away from home and be gone for such a long time, but Jesus promises to be with us

come from areas with highcrime rates, including Dutchtown, Tower Grove East, Gravois Park, Penrose, Baden and Mark Twain. Flood said 100 percent of the employers evaluated said it was a “good” or “very good” program.

Mental health services lacking

St. Louis Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass said 21 percent of the inmates in city jails have mental health issues and 65 percent have problems with substance abuse or addiction.

“If we can divert people from the system and put them in appropriate services, we can start to make a difference in mental issues and law enforcement,” Glass said. Glass said jails are overloaded with people with addictions and mental illnesses, and the jails lack the resources to deal with them.

“We have jail cells that are being used for mental health care,” Dooley said. The problem inevitably comes down to funding, the panelists agreed.

“People are willing to pay for jails,” St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch, “but not willing to pay for treatment centers.”

always,” Fowler said. “So, I have that comfort and that promise.”

Follow his journey at www.andrewcfowler.com (click on the “More” tab and the “Slovenia” link).

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and St.Louis Mayor Francis G.Slay talk during the Attorney General's Urban Crime Summit in St.Louis on September 18.Koster is holding the week long meetings in Kansas City and St.Louis,featuring speakers that will help spur ideas that will eventually lower the crime rate throughout the State of Missouri.

Photo by UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Melinda Alexandria Oliver

Crowned Miss FASHIONETTA® 2013

“An Enchanted Evening of Excellence and Elegance,” was the theme of the debutante cotillion that was held on May 26, 2013 at the downtown Millennium Hotel with over 1000 in attendance. FASHIONETTA® is a trade mark of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is a fundraising activity for the sorority’s philanthropic endeavors. During the year, the debutantes and escorts engage in activities that beneit themselves as well as the community. An overnight retreat is held, a community forum, community based activities such as serving a meal to the homeless and a parade of talent to the residents of an assisted living complex. They also participate in a group dining experience and the debutantes serenade their mothers with a mother – daughter luncheon. Evelyn Wilkerson Nash and Robert Lawrence Salter were the commentators. Co-chairmen of the FASHIONETTA® cotillion are V. Gale Hardeman, Michelle Sanders and Ruby Grady. Villajean Jones is the President of Gamma Omega Chapter.

Melinda Oliver, daughter of Linda S. Oliver, was crowned Miss FASHIONETTA® 2013 at the Annual Debutante Cotillion sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter. Melinda, a 2013 graduate of Westminster Christian Academy, plans to enroll in the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall and pursue a degree in pre law. While enrolled in high school, she served as editor of the school newspaper throughout her high school career. She also served as a small group discussion leader, manager of the varsity football team and was a member of the Literary Rogues and the varsity lacrosse team. While matriculating in high school, Melissa received many awards and accolades for her literary ability. She was awarded a scholarship in the amount of $6,526

First runner up to Miss FASHIONETTA® 2013 is Casandra Elaine Bozeman. Casandra received a scholarship in the amount of $5,424. She is the daughter of Charles D. Jr. and Carlon Bozeman. Casandra is a 2013 graduate of Hazelwood Central High School, where she was listed on the Honor Roll throughout her high school tenure. Casandra plans to enroll in Tennessee State University in the fall. Throughout high school, Casandra was a very involved student participating in the A+ Schools Program. She served as manager of the girl’s varsity basketball team in 2013 and played basketball, volleyball and soccer during her high school career.

Second runner up to Miss FASHIONETTA® 2013 is

Sydney A. Smith. Sydney received a scholarship in the amount of $4,950. She is the daughter of Dr. Clifton A. Smith and Ms. Alicia Harris Smith. Sydney is a 2013 graduate of Clayton High School where she was an Honor Roll Student. She was a four- year member of the varsity cheerleading squad and the Black Student Union. She also participated in a variety of other groups such as Big Sister Little Sister Mentor Program and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Sydney will attend Spelman College in the fall and pursue a pre-medical degree.

Third runner up to Miss FASHIONETTA®2013 is Raequel Nicole Lankford Raequel received a scholarship in the amount of $3,407. She is the daughter of Raymond Lewis Lankford and Yolanda Moore Lankford and is a 2013 graduate of Whitield School. While enrolled in high school, she served as captain of the cheerleading squad. She was voted MVP of her cheering squad, participated with the Big Brother Big Sister Mentor Program, City Friends and Thespian Troop 5436. Raequel plans to enroll in Howard University during the fall semester of 2013 and pursue a pre-medical biology major.

Fourth runner up to Miss FASHIONETTA® 2013 is Mauryn Amira BucknerSwain. Mauryn received a scholarship in the amount of $3,327. She is the daughter of Aaron N. Swain and Tara Buckner and is a 2013 graduate of Kirkwood High School. She was a three year honors student. Mauryn received the People to People Award and the African American

Achievement Award for the past three years. She traveled extensively while enrolled in high school. She participated in Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and performed many service projects. She is a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC and served as an Assistant Sunday School teacher. Mauryn plans to attend the University of Kansas and pursue a degree in education.

All of the debutantes in the cotillion receive a monetary award if they met the minimum requirements that are stipulated by the sorority. Other debutantes presented in the cotillion were Gabrielle Enyard, Geralynn Hinton, Christine Hughes, Taylor Ingram, Shaun Jackson, Chelsea Jenkins, Naomi Johnson, Brenelle Knight, Tori Liggins, Kennedy McAllister, Bre’Onna Robinson, Michele Robinson, Lacei Sams, Alexxus Santano and Alencia Sims. Escorts for this event were Christopher Anderson, Jai Blackshear, Nelson Butler, Sean Butler, William Dula, Kenneth Dumas, Tyrice Harris, Larry Hayes, Drew Haynes, Brandon Knight, Charles Lockett, Mitchell Mallory, Keenan Payne, Myles Peters, Rodrick Robins, Jabril Saleem, Brenden Solomon, Graham Stoddard, Thayer Weaver and Donovan

OtherAwards included: Miss CongenialityWinner: Mauryn BucknerSwain; Amount of the Award: $250

David Perine Escort Award Winner: Rodrick S. Robins; Amount of the Award: $250

Entrepreneur Team Presentations Award

Winners: Team I received $300 each. Team II received $200 each and Team III received $100 each

The Stanley W. Buck, MD Science Awards – Winners: Jai Blackshear-Bryant, $500; Drew A. Haynes, $250.

The Bohannon-Buck Liberal Arts Awards: Winners: Sean M. Butler, $500; Myles D. Peters, $250.

The Nathaniel Murdock, MD Health/Science AwardWinner: Geralynn K. Hinton; Amount of Scholarship: $1,000.

The Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Scholarship Award Winner: Geralynn K. Hinton, Scholarship Amount: $1,000.

White.

Ghost of Chief George haunts Slay administration

The ghost of former Fire Chief Sherman George still haunts the administration of Francis G. Slay, at least in its legal battles.

Chief George was all over a ruling issued last week by the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, authored by Judge Patricia L. Cohen, with Judge Lawrence E. Mooney and Judge Kurt S. Odenwald concurring. The appeals court was considering an appeal filed by the City of St. Louis, which lost a 2011 suit claiming racial discrimination filed by Deputy Chief Charles Coyle

The trial court (Judge Edward W. Sweeney Jr., presiding) had ruled in favor of Chief Coyle on his claim that the city discriminated against him on the basis of his race when it failed to promote him to the position of fire chief for the St. Louis Fire Department. Here is some background on the plaintiff, Chief Coyle, straight from the appeals court.

“Plaintiff, who is AfricanAmerican, began working for the fire department as a probationary firefighter in 1978. After one year as a probationary firefighter, plaintiff became a permanent firefighter and continued to progress through the ranks of the fire department until May 2000, when then-Fire Chief Sherman George promoted plaintiff to deputy fire chief.

In July 2000, Chief George appointed plaintiff the city’s fire marshal, making plaintiff the highest ranking of the fire department’s four deputy fire chiefs,” the appeals court notes.

“In October 2007, the city’s Director of Public Safety Charles Bryson demoted Chief George to deputy fire chief because he refused orders to make promotions to fill existing vacancies within the fire department. Chief George retired shortly thereafter,” the appeals court notes.

“Following Chief George’s demotion, Mr. Bryson interviewed plaintiff for the position of interim fire chief, but appointed deputy fire

chief Steve Kotraba, who is white. Mr. Bryson also interviewed plaintiff for the permanent fire chief position.

Despite Plaintiff’s superior rank within the fire department, successful performance on the promotional test, accomplishments as the city’s fire marshal, and years of experience filling in for Chief George, Bryson appointed Dennis Jenkerson, a white battalion chief, to the fire chief position,” the appeals court notes.

“Thereafter, plaintiff filed a claim with the Missouri Human Rights Commission.

After receiving a notice of right to sue, plaintiff filed suit under the Missouri Human Rights Act alleging that the city discriminated against him on the basis of race when it failed to promote him to the position of fire chief.”

Coyle introduced significant evidence, the appeals court notes, that the city failed to promote him because of race, including that he was “better qualified to be fire chief” than Jenkerson, the white battalion chief promoted over the head of Coyle, a black deputy chief. Also, the appeals court notes, Bryson, then director of public safety for Slay, “stated publicly that race would be a factor in the appointment of fire chief.”

Finally, the appeals court notes, “Chief Jenkerson’s promotion from battalion chief to fire chief was contrary to the city’s code and its historical practice of promoting deputy fire chiefs to the fire chief position.”

This is a rehash of Coyle’s original case, which he won, though not with nearly as much financial reward as he had asked for. A racially diverse jury awarded Coyle $300,000 for actual damages, “but only $50,000 of the $1 million he asked in punitive damages,” the Post-Dispatch reported in a 472-word squib about Coyle’s original suit published on May 27, 2011. As far as the EYE can see, the Post has not reported on Coyle prevailing on appeal last week.

Chief George – Slay’s old nemesis – was at the heart of the city’s failed appeal. The city was asking for a mistrial based on a question that Coyle’s counsel posed to Chief George, the first witness called in the 2011 trial.

Chief George’s testimony was a major bone of contention between Coyle and the city before he took the stand in 2011. The city wanted to admit into evidence Chief George’s own petition against the city for racial discrimination in his own battles against Slay and Sam Simon, the public safety director who preceded Bryson. (Bryson entered the Chief George drama at the last minute, as an enforcer in blackface. Even Tony Thompson, who is anything but an enemy of Slay’s, equated Bryson’s role to “a slave being called out to whip another slave.”) Chief George lost his

suit against the city, and his loss was upheld on appeal.

Coyle’s counsel conceded that Chief George’s filing his own claim against the city was relevant in Coyle’s trial, because it could suggest possible witness bias. But the trial court sided with Coyle when he argued that the outcome of Chief George’s case was an independent and irrelevant matter and introducing that outcome as evidence could “confuse” the jury considering Coyle’s suit. The appeals court summarizes, “The trial court ruled that, because the fact that Chief George filed a claim was relevant to his bias as a witness testifying at trial, the city could ask Chief George whether he filed a claim against the city challenging his demotion, but neither party could introduce evidence relating to the nature or outcome of Chief George’s claim.”

When Coyle’s counsel asked Chief George on the witness stand if he had filed a claim against the city, Chief George answered, “Yes, I did.”

The city counselor objected and, after an off-the-record discussion, the trial court sustained the city’s objection, denied the city’s request for a mistrial, and instructed the jury to disregard the question and answer.

Prior to cross-examining Chief George, the city counselor tried to introduce as evidence the Civil Service Commission’s determination that Chief George’s demotion was not discriminatory and the Court of Appeals’ affirmation of that ruling. Coyle’s counsel renewed his objection to this evidence, and the trial court sustained the objection. The trial court explained that the risk of creating juror confusion

“greatly outweighs” the minimal value of suggesting that Chief George’s testimony could be tainted with bias against the city.

The city’s appeal to the 2011 ruling in Coyle’s favor takes up this precise matter once again, on the same terms, and the appeals court rejects it once again, on the same terms the trial court rejected it. There is no mistrial, and there will be no retrial of Charlie Coyle where the outcome of Chief George’s suit and appeal will be considered as evidence.

The appeals court also ruled on a cross-appeal filed by Coyle, asking for attorney’s fees and more “equitable relief” than awarded by the jury. The trial court had denied Coyle’s request for a court order that the city “promote him to the next available fire chief position; in the interim, pay him the salary he would have been earning as fire chief but for the city’s discriminatory actions; and provide retirement benefits based upon the salary he would be earning as fire chief.”

The appeals court considered this cross-appeal and reversed the denial of Coyle’s motions to amend the judgment. The higher court remanded to the trial court for a determination of the amount of Coyle’s attorneys’ fees “and the appropriateness and amount of other equitable relief requested and to enter judgment accordingly.” So Coyle gets another bite at the apple as far as getting some of the compensation due him if Dennis Jenkerson is fire chief, and Charles Coyle is not, simply because Jenkerson is white and Coyle is black. The EYE would say that as long as Dennis Jenkerson is wearing a fire chief’s hat in the city of St. Louis, the restless ghost of Fire Chief Sherman George will haunt this city and its courts.

Deputy Fire Chief Charles Coyle with then-Fire Chief Sherman George.

Photo: River City Examiner

Obituaries

A Centennial Tribute in Honor of Isabelle Cooney

January 1845—July 10, 1913

Belle beloved wife of Clem Cooney, mother of Delia, Franklin, Nannie, Ellie, David, Nena, Tonie and my grandmother Gertrude Cooney Brandon Adams.

Dear Great-Granny Belle, All of your great-grand and great-great grandchildren celebrate your life. We love you and cherish the memoirs of the “Mulatto Woman”. Celebrating you 100 years later. Your great-grand daughter, Wanda Brandon

Cleotra Turner Woodson

Cleotra Turner Woodson was the third child born to McKinley and Lettie Turner on March 1, 1925 in St. Louis Missouri. At an early age she confessed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized by the late pastor, Dr. William Perry. She was a participant in the Sunday school, BYPU, Choir member, Usher Board and Summer Bible classes. In later years, she attended the St. Louis BibleWay church and became an active Member at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church. There she was instrumental in formation of the 55+ group and was a member of the Mothers Board.

Mrs. Woodson received her education in the St. Louis Public School System. She attended Marshall Elementary School and completed her

training at the Simmons Elementary School. She was a graduate of Sumner High School June Class of 1943. In 1948, Cleotra received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the esteemed Stowe Teachers College and her Master of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Illinois. She then received specialized training and certification as a Reading Specialist. She was united in holy matrimony to Arthur Woodson; to this union no children were born.

Cleotra began her educational career in the St. Louis Public Schools where most of her 30+ years were served at The Cupples School. There she mentored students and was known for her devotion and developing the best in her students.

She was a member of the Phi Delta Sorority. One of her most active affiliations was with the Phyllis Wheatly YWCA. Cleotra was a stalwart member of the COA Board and an advocate for young women in desperate need of housing. To this end she participated and helped to develop the annual fund drive for the Phyllis Wheatly Transitional Housing known as The Alberta E. Gant Fashion Show.

She loved to travel, and spent many years after retirement travelling extensively with her twin sister, niece and her family, creating wonderful memories.

Cleotra’s first love was family. She was considered the matriarch. She was an aunt extraordinaire. To each and every niece and nephew she has left an indelible image of what family should mean. There was never a problem too big, or burden too deep to share. She has supported, travelled from east to west coast, picked up dropped off all in the name of family and love. She left a

legacy. She is preceded in death by her sister, Beulah Reed, and 2 brothers Everett and Lawrence Turner. Cleotra Woodson departed this life on September 10, 2013 at Missouri Baptist Hospital.

Left to cherish her life are two sisters, her twin Cleodora Turner Ewing and Juanita Turner Jackson, both of St. Louis, three nephews, Arlington Reed, MD, Gregory Reed, and Robert Jackson, five nieces, Lynda Reed, Renee Ewing-Davis, MD, Yvette Rhodes, Denise Wilson, MD and Yvonne Bonner all of St. Louis a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Brian C. Criner

September 13, 2013

On this day we would have celebrated 50 years of life with you, Brian C.Criner. Gone but never forgotten, until we meet again. Rest in Paradise, Angela, Christian, Courtney, Bria, Josie, Sylvia, Ron, Bruce, Mona, and Kelvin. If we could have a lifetime wish

A dream that would come true, We would pray to God with all our hearts for a yesterday and you. A thousand words can’t bring you back, We know, because we tried; And neither will a million tears, We know, because we cried. You left behind our broken hearts And happy memories too. But, we never wanted memories, We only wanted you.

Jocelyn (Joy) Lettice Cetora Miller

Jocelyn Miller

Jocelyn (Joy) Lettice Cetora Miller, 57, of Union City (Atlanta), Georgia, passed away Monday, September 2 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on December 15, 1955 to John Anderson (deceased) and Wendell R. Miller. Jocelyn confessed her faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at Christ Pilgrim Rest MB Church. Jocelyn graduated from the Gifted Program at Walnut Park Elementary and the 1974 class of Northwest High School and went on to receive her Registered Nursing Degree from the St. Louis Municipal School of Nursing. She married her ex-husband, the late Daniel “Punch” Rhodes II in 1978. To this union was born John William Anderson Rhodes and Daniel Rhodes III. Jocelyn took pride in her work as a nurse in labor and delivery and assisted in the births of cousins, her niece Wendy, and the children of many friends. She was also known as the consummate hostess, always prepared to share a meal with her sons friends who adopted her as a second mother, her family and friends, or she would bring a dish to coworkers at Emory Hospital Midtown. She was best known for her cheesecakes. Jocelyn was also a wordsmith and trivia expert who handily beat all challengers at Words with Friends and successfully competed on the television program Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Jocelyn is survived by: her sons John (Chasity) Rhodes and Daniel Rhodes III; grandsons John William Anderson Rhodes, Jr., and Julian Maurice Rhodes; granddaughters Chase

Menee Rhodes, and Cetora Deniece Michelle Rhodes; Cetora’s mother Prathenia Peeples; sisters Evelyn Juanita Miller of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Renee Miller of Waterloo, Iowa, Kristal Miller of Van Nuys, California, and Eunice Faye Miller of St. Louis, Missouri; niece Wendy Renee Miller; nephew Christian Gregory Miller; a host of friends and family; and her loving mother Wendell R. Ballentine Miller. Jocelyn’s wonderful spirit will be celebrated at a 10 am Memorial Celebration, September 21, at Christ Pilgrim Rest MB Church at 1341 N Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63113, Phone (314) 3672974.

Brian C. Criner

Cleotra Woodson

Honoring ‘equal access to justice champions’

For the Common Good award winners for 2013, including Publisher Donald M. Suggs representing The St. Louis American.

American wins Legal Services’ 2013 Media Award

American staff

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) honored an array of equal access to justice champions during the 2013 For the Common Good Annual Awards Reception on Wednesday, August 28.

The annual awards reception recognized individuals who have been supportive of LSEM’s mission of providing civil legal services and equal access to justice for the lowincome community. The awards and

the 2013 honorees were:

The Robert Walston Chubb Award – Charles Weiss, Bryan Cave, for outstanding commitment to providing equal access to justice

The Ashley Award – Ian McCaslin, former Medicaid director for the State of Missouri, for commitment and excellence in advocacy for children

The Edna M. Taylor Client Service Award – Young Friends of LSEM, for great commitment to serving indigent and underserved individuals

The Richard B. Teitelman Distinguished Service Award – Judge Lisa Page, for exceptional service to the community through pro bono work

The Melton M. Lewis Equal Justice Award – The Simon Law Firm, for outstanding commitment to providing equal access to justice

Eddie Mae Binion Community Service Award – Gary Dollar, United Way of Greater St. Louis, for outstanding dedication and service to the community

The F. Wm. McCalpin Pro Bono Award – Maria Perron, The Perron Law Firm, P.C. Nancy Richards, Nancy Richards & Associates, P.C. for extraordinary dedication to pro bono work

The Gerald R. Ortbals Outstanding Law Firm Award – Thompson Coburn LLP, for exemplary commitment to pro bono service as a law firm

The John R. Essner Young Lawyer of the Year Award – Amanda Colvin, Bryan Cave, LLP, LSEM volunteer and Allison Eardley, Husch Blackwell, for meaningful contributions through pro bono work Media Award St. Louis American, for furthering equal access to justice through its newspaper.

LSEM has provided legal assistance in civil cases to the low-income community for more than 50 years. In 2011, LSEM helped over 21,000 people (including clients and their household members) in 21 counties of eastern Missouri. Visit www.lsem.org.

Speed up and hang up

New driving laws on the East Side

Come January 1, 2014, motorists in Illinois will be allowed to drive faster and forced to talk less, via cell phone, as they navigate the streets and highways on the “IL side” of the Mississippi. That comes on the heels of new legislation signed into law by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, which has drawn mixed reviews and controversy from both politicians and state residents, and for good reason. Who isn’t sick of drivers who inadvertently miss traffic lights, fail to signal or drift aimlessly between lanes because they are distracted by their cell phone conversations?

And who hasn’t experienced the frustration of driving behind some jerk who needlessly slows down the flow of traffic as they take in the scenery or just poke around? How about a mandatory minimum speed limit for these fools?

James Ingram

n The new cell phone law will make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in Illinois.

The new speeding law will allow an increase in the speed limit to 70 mph in Illinois’ rural interstates while, also, lowering the threshold at which speeders may exceed the speed limit (from 31 to only 26 mph) before being classified as a misdemeanor. In addition, the new cell phone law will make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving. It is already illegal to text and drive in Illinois. Fines will range from $75, for a first offense, up to $150.

However, the law will allow motorists to use hands-free devices, without penalty. Research shows that drivers who use hand-held electronic devices are four times more likely to be involved in an accident. At the same time, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also suggests that even drivers using hands-free devices can still be distracted. And a 2009 study by the American Journal of Public Health found a 9.1 percent increase in deaths on rural interstates due to increased speed limits. Something to consider. So I guess it makes sense to restrict cell phone usage if you’re going to increase the speed limit. Maybe, then, folks will focus more on the road than their phone conversations. There are positives and negatives no matter what side you’re on. If we’re allowed to drive faster we will, obviously, save time in commuting from point A to B. But the faster we go, the more it eats a hole in our wallet because we burn more gas due to a loss of fuel efficiency. So pick your poison. Yet, realistically, will it really change the overall behavior of drivers in the bi-state area?

Will Missouri motorists automatically hang up their cell phones as they cruise into the “Land of Lincoln” and will Illinois drivers wait until they cross the Mississippi into the “Show Me State” to talk on their cell phone? I doubt it. And don’t troopers and police officers already have enough on their plate without having to enforce another new law and will they make these new rules their priority? We shall see.

Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo. com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Planting the Seeds for Success!

Nutrition

PrEsENt: Liquid Candy?

Exercise

What Is A Calorie?

Why do they call it “Liquid Candy?”

Sugared soft drinks are one of the highest contributors to childhood obesity. “An extra soft drink a day gives a child a 60% greater chance of becoming obese,” according to a recent study published in Lancet. The average sugared soft drink contains 10 teaspoons of sugar

Calories are a way to measure the amount of “energy” gained from eating something. So if you eat a medium apple (about 100 calories), that’ll provide the energy for you to do a simple physical task such as walk around the block. Calories aren’t the bad guys; extra weight happens when we consume (eat) more of them than we need.

Mental Health Tip — If you don’t already have one, start a journal today. This is a great way to express

Take advantage of the many teacher programs we offer at the Zoo to supplement your students’ classroom experience. The Zoo Outreach Program offers instructors who can bring live animals to YOUR classroom. We offer a variety of teacher kits you can check out, and we offer other resources (videos, books, etc.) FREE for you from our library. We even designed a cool poster you can hang in the classroom! We’re here to help you succeed, and there are even scholarships available. Just visit stlzoo.org/teachers or call us at (314) 646-4544 to learn more.

Healthy Kids Kids

— and that’s just a small, 12-ounce can! How much sugar is in one of those huge, 64-ounce drink cups from the convenient store? It’s easy to cut back on the amount of sugar in your diet — replace those cans of soda with ice-cold water!

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

That’s why it’s important to stay physical and burn those calories throughout the day. Here are some ideas, and the calories an average 125-pound person will burn in 30 minutes (depending on speed).

your feelings and think about ways to change/improve your life. You can use any kind of notebook or a computer. But journaling does not mean “blogging.” Always be cautious about revealing personal information online.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH 4

> Walking = 120-150

> Running = 180-300

> Biking = 240-300

> Mowing = 135

> Watching TV = 23

Visit http://www.calorieking. com/foods for an excellent guide to the calories in the foods you eat.

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1, NH3

rewards!

Fitness Challenge: 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!

Healthcare Careers

Frank Lenoir, Vice President of Human Resources

Where do you work? I work at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Aberdeen High School and received a BA at the University of Mississippi. What does a V.P. of Human Resources do? I coordinate activities such as employee appreciation celebrations, cookouts, cooking demonstrations, and working out in the fitness center. I develop programs to allow Mercy to embrace applicants and co-workers of all backgrounds and implement and enforce HR policies and procedures.

Why did you choose this career? It is the main resource of an organization: hire people to make the company succeed. I knew I could impact the company’s performance and I would get to work with co-workers of all levels and backgrounds. What is your favorite part of the job you have? Helping co-workers develop to be the best that they can be.

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

CLASSOOM SPOTLIGHT

Mr. Deem’s 4th Grade Class

Cool Valley Elementary

Cool Valley Elementary School

4th grade students Jayda Small 10, Riaa Nolden 9, Brian Armstrong 10, Aniya Watson 9, and Damon Roberts 9 perform a water and oil experiment for their stem project with the help of teacher Ryan Deem.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com

SCIENCE CORNER

Fungi are organisms made of filaments (called hyphe) that are stacked together. Unlike plants, fungi do not have chlorophyll, so they cannot make their own food. Some fungi are parasites, which mean they live off of other organisms. Some fungi feed off of dead and decaying matter. Fungi are everywhere in the environment, including the soil, lakes, river and seas, air, and on plants and animals. Fungi (plural of fungus) help organic matter to decay and release carbon and oxygen into the environment.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Are Fungi?

Unlike plants, fungi do not have leaves, stems, or roots. Fungi use spores to reproduce. One common type of fungus is the mushrooms you find on your pizza. Mold, yeasts, and mildew are also types of fungus.

For More Information, Go to: library.thinkquest.org/CR0212089/ fungi.htm

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text to gain background information about fungi.

Growing

In this experiment, you will learn how mold grows best. Mold is an important fungus that has several uses, including breaking down dead organic material. Some purified molds are actually used as an antibiotic to treat illnesses.

Materials Needed:

• 3 slices of bread • Water • 3 Ziploc bags

• 10x10 square centimeter grid • Ruler

Process:

q Wet one slice of bread enough to make it moist and place it in a bag. Seal the bag very tightly.

w Place the two other slices of dry bread in two separate bags and seal them, as well.

e Place the bag with the wet slice of bread and one of the bags with a dry slice of bread in a dark place, such as a closed cabinet or closet.

r Place the third bag with a dry slice of bread in the refrigerator.

MATH CONNECTION

Mold!

t For five days, measure the square centimeters of mold on each piece of bread through the bag. Use a grid, if possible, or a ruler. If mold covers more than half a square centimeter, it is counted as one full centimeter. If it is less, it is counted as 0 centimeters. This will give you the area of mold on each slice of bread y At the end of a week (5 days of measuring) or longer, use your final results to say what percentage of the bread was covered in mold. Make a table or graph to display the information.

Discussion Questions: How much mold was on the bread? Which location had the most mold? Which had the least? What conclusions can you draw about the conditions in which mold grows? How can food manufacturers and restaurant owners use this information to help them?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can display my results, make observations, and draw conclusions.

Analyzing a Bar Graph

Scientists often use tables and graphs to display the results of their research. Looking at these displays, you can draw conclusions.

When winter strikes, create a bar graph that displays the amount of snow you measured in your yard for four consecutive days. Day 1: 3 inches, Day 2: 5.5 inches, Day 3: 4 inches, Day 4: 1.5 inches.

Discussion Questions: Which day had the most measured snow fall? Which had the least? Looking at the bar graph, when do you think the snowfall ended? When did the snow start to melt? What other observations can you make? Learning Standards: I can use a bar graph to display information. I can use the information to make deductions and inferences.

SCIENCE STARS

Jeanette Jones was born on September 19, 1950, in Fort Valley, Georgia. Jones graduated from Fort Valley State University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in biology education. In 1973, Jones received her master’s degree in botany and mycology (a branch of biology that studies fungi) from The Ohio State University. In 1976, she received her doctorate (Ph.D.) degree. She also studied at the University of Nevada, the University of California Medical School, and the National Center for Disease Control-Atlanta, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

After graduation, Alabama A&M University hired Jones as an assistant biology professor. In 1986, she served as an adjunct professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and worked on a project with NASA. In 1991, Jones served as the first female vice president of research and development at Alabama A&M University. She also served as President of Alabama A&M University’s Faculty Senate from 2001 to 2006. In 1992, she was appointed to the U.S. Army Science Board by the U.S. Secretary of the Army, Togo West. Since 2004 Jones has been the director of the Center for Biomedical, Behavioral, and Environment Research at Alabama A&M University. She also worked as a consultant with federal agencies to help them develop training programs to attract women and minorities to STEM education and careers.

In 1975, Jones was listed in the World’s Women’s Who’s Who and she was named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1978. Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society awarded her the distinguished service award. Jones also received the Significant Service Award from the NASA Space Life Sciences Training Program and the Extramural Associate Research Development Award from the National Institute of Health. In 1990 and 2006, she was named Woman of the Year at Alabama A&M University and was given the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Faculty Senate. The U.S. Army presented Jones the Commander’s Award for Outstanding Civilian Service as a member of the Army Science Board.

Discussion Questions: Dr. Jones received many awards and honors. How would you describe her achievements and her contributions to science? Dr. Jones is studying how fungi might be used as agents of war. What purpose do you think fungi serve in modern warfare? Are fungi beneficial or harmful?

Learning Standards: I can read a biography to learn about an African American who has made contributions in science, math, technology, or engineering.

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities: Types of News: Use the front section of the newspaper to evaluate the types of news stories presented: local, national, and international. Sort the articles into the three categories and create a bar graph that displays the amount of coverage each type of news story received.

Mystery Story: Cut out several pictures from the newspaper without reading the caption. Place the pictures in a bag, and without looking, pick your mystery picture from the bag. That’s your stimulus for writing. Construct a graphic organizer to identify the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) of your story by looking at your picture. Then, continue the writing process.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can categorize and summarize that information.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MYCOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR: Jeanette Jones

Photo by Wiley Price

Letter to my father’s killer

I want to tell you what the community and I have lost

By Christopher Reiter

For The St. Louis American

Dear Rico Paul, Whether you’re listening or not, I forgive you. Whether you feel remorse or not, I forgive you. Whether you have forgiven yourself or not, I forgive you.

I hope the weight of your actions has set in. You’re an adult now. I don’t want to give you a lecture on what you’ve done. But I want to tell you what I’ve lost.

I, my family, Paul Reiter’s co-workers and friends have lost more than what’s on the surface. A father, a son, a brother, a colleague, a friend. I can’t put into words what we’ve all lost, what the community has lost. I can, however, tell you how this has affected me personally. I can’t sleep some nights, my mind and heart just won’t let me. I can’t see a white van, or a pair of Chuck Taylors, or a St. Louis American stand without my mind automatically thinking of the blue eyes and big smile that came with Paul G. Reiter. I’ve lost security, safety, love, comfort, the list goes on. I can’t even watch certain movies! I refuse to watch The Lion King now!

Two winters ago, it occurred to me what I miss most about my dad, Paul, while watching a movie about a young man who loses his father in the 9/11 attacks. When asked, “What do you miss most about him?” the young man replies, “His voice,” and for the remainder of the movie I couldn’t hear a single word being spoken on screen because all I could hear was Paul: “Work, work, work” or “Let’s wrestle.”

And that’s what I miss most. His voice. I can’t hear it live and in person, and it breaks my

heart. I have to play it on repeat in my mind, and that’s the closest I can ever get. I may put up a tough exterior and not show much pain and grief, but I hurt every day. It will literally move me to tears when I think that he’ll never see me get married. He’ll never see me get my bachelor’s or master’s degrees or pass my CPA exam.

And the one that hurt’s the most, he’ll never meet his grandchildren, my sons or daughters. He would have received a “World’s Best

n And the one that hurt’s the most, he’ll never meet his grandchildren, my sons or daughters.

Grandpa” mug or T-shirt or bumper sticker or whatever, and I think for the first time in history one of those items would have rung true, because he really would have been the best. Except, he wouldn’t have been Grandpa, or Paw-paw or Gramps, he would have been Paul.

It is not an exaggeration when I say that I think about him every day. And some days it’s me missing him. Some days it’s fond memories of him. But every reflection ends in

heartache.

That’s just a glance at the somersaults my heart and mind do every day since he’s gone, and I’m one person. He was a brother to seven siblings. He was an integral part of the St. Louis American newspaper. In 58 years he made more friends and connections than most probably do in a lifetime.

There was a family at my grade school, 12-plus children all attending Saint Anthony of Padua. He would pick them up and take them home every day after school.

When people needed help, he was there in a heartbeat. When I needed something, he’d bend over backwards for me. He would donate, he would volunteer. And never once would he ask for anything in return. The community has lost Paul as well. That being said, again, Rico Paul, I forgive you and I hope everyone else has also. And believe it or not, I feel pain for you. I wouldn’t wish this situation on my worst enemy. But I also wish I still had Paul. I hope this helps you with closure of the outcome of this situation and why what’s about to ensue has to happen, after what has transpired. Christopher Reiter is the son of Paul Reiter, who was killed by Rico Paul on May 9, 2011. Rico Paul was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges on August 16 and on Tuesday he was sentenced to life without possibility of parole.

Community Brief

‘Fresh

Start’ for dropouts

If you’ve been out of school for a while but are ready for a better future, the St. Louis Public Schools Fresh Start Academy can give you the structure and instruction you need to earn a high school diploma. Fresh Start is not a regular GED program. One of the advantages of Fresh Start is that students who successfully complete the program by passing the GED test receive a high school diploma and participate in a graduation ceremony. The program is limited to young adults ages 17 to 21 who are ready for a second chance and prepared to attend school regularly and

be productive students and citizens. Fresh Start makes coming to class easy, so students can focus on coursework without being concerned about missing work or other commitments. Applicants have the option to attend morning or afternoon classes, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 11:50 to 2:50 p.m. Free bus tickets are provided daily once classes begin. Lunch and childcare are also provided. Classes are held in the east wing of Sumner High School, 4248 W. Cottage Ave., in The Ville neighborhood. The process to sign up is also easy: bring in a photo ID, birth certificate, social security

card, and proof of St. Louis City residency for an office visit with the principal or counselor for registration; take a placement test; be assigned to an advisor; begin classes. Along with academic coursework, Fresh Start students are exposed to career education, internships, networking with young professionals, and other lifeskill opportunities. Fresh Start graduates are encouraged to attend college; financial aid application assistance is available. For additional information about Fresh Start Academy, visit www.slps.org/freshstart or call 314-531-2220.

Christopher Reiter

The late Paul Reiter and his son Christopher.

Kevin M.Demoff, executive vice president of football operations/chef operating officer,St.Louis Rams;Orvin Kimbrough, president and CEO,United Way of Greater St.Louis;Cheri and Ron Fromm, 2013 United Way campaign co-chairs (Ron Fromm is also chairman of the board of Brown Shoe Company.)

BUSINESS

‘The need is greater’

Fromms

set historic $72.25M United Way campaign goal after touring agencies

By Andrew Fowler For The St.Louis American

PEOPLEON THE MOVE

Patricia Washington is the new director of Communications for St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. She is a veteran communications professional who has worked in St. Louis media as a reporter, radio on-air talent and newspaper editor. She has more than 10 years experience as a strategic communications consultant. Washington joined St. Louis County in 2011 as a media manager in the Health Department. She moved to the County Executive’s office in 2012.

Stacy E. Johnson is the new chief program officer/Head Start director for the YWCAHead Start/Early Head Start program. Johnson joined the YWCAHead Start program as assistant director for Program Operations in 2004. She was promoted to assistant director one year later, and most recently has been serving as Interim director. Previously she was with the Kansas City School District Head Start program for nearly 20 years.

“The Charmaine Chapman Society has been our model for our affinity groups.”

– 2013 United Way campaign co-chair Ron Fromm

Ron and Cheri Fromm recently announced the largest-ever fundraising campaign goal for United Way of Greater St. Louis to a room of 600 attendees at the fourth annual luncheon hosted by the St. Louis Rams in support of United Way. The Fromms are this year’s fundraising co-chairs for the St. Louis branch of the United Way. They announced that this year’s goal is to raise $72,250,000 to support more than 170 area agencies that provide social services to the region. “We’re not just helping one person with a

N YOUR BUSINESS

handout, but people who need help over time,” said Ron Fromm, chairman of the board of Brown Shoe Company. “This is really a core theme of the United Way today.”

“We have been so amazed at the enthusiasm and the generosity of business people and their companies,” Cheri Fromm said. “We live in a great city with lots of great people who really want to help.”

The Fromms were instrumental in deter-

Greeting cards from prison

Ricky Kidd partners with minister to turn life sentence into small business

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

“It began its journey from a dark place, yet our cards carry the most bright and vibrant colors.”

– Ricky Kidd

Harriet Clark, owner of Humble Standards Greeting Cards, first met Ricky Kidd in prison as a minister in 2009. She soon became dedicated to fighting for his freedom. Kidd has served 17 years of a life sentence without parole for a murder in Kansas City he says he didn’t commit. Although his numerous court appeals have failed, Clark has stuck with him through his journey. Now Clark is supporting him in another way.

“It was Ricky that presented the idea to me,” Clark said. “He was talking about the greeting card industry. Even though the words meant a lot, the pictures did not always coincide. So he said, ‘What if we learn how to marry real art with deep sentiment and expression?’”

Partnering with visual artists in prison, Kidd began to play around with joining the art and words. In the meantime, Clark found a printing company, and she did a dry run with a few cards. “The cards sold well,” she said. “Everybody loved the wording and artwork. They put the artwork on their walls. Not only can you enjoy the card

itself, you can hang the work on the wall as well.”

Clark registered a greeting card business in February 2012, and now all of the proceeds go to

Ayo M. Bamimore, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist, has joined SSM Heart Institute. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms. He performs both catheter-based interventional and device-based surgical procedures to treat cardiac arrhythmia, including implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators. He is board-certified in cardiovascular diseases, nuclear cardiology, adult echocardiography and internal medicine.

James Paine, Ph.D., dean of student services at Logan University, recently accepted an invitation to join the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association as a peer accreditation reviewer. Dr. Paine will serve an initial three-year term.The commission is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. It accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

BioGeneratorwins national award forexcellence

BioGenerator was named a winner of SSTI’s 2013 “Excellence in TBED” (technology-based economic development) award, recognizing BioGenerator and its programs as national models for investing in science, technology and innovation to grow the economy and create high-paying jobs. SSTI is a national nonprofit organization that leads, supports and strengthens efforts to improve state and regional economies through science, technology, and innovation.

“This award is a recognition of the growing entrepreneurial momentum in St. Louis. BioGenerator is grateful to have played a part, working with our partners across the region, in building comprehensive infrastructure to support talented entrepreneurs and emerging companies in St. Louis,” said Eric Gulve, president of the BioGenerator.

UMSLranked best undergrad international business program in MO

TheInternational Business programat the University of Missouri–St. Louis landed its 11th consecutive top 20 ranking byU.S. News & World Reportand moved up the list this year. The magazine’s 2014 “America’s Best Colleges” guidebook named the International Business program at UMSL the 14th best undergraduate international business program. This was the highest ranking for undergraduate international business programs in Missouri.

Trailnet receives $29.6K EPAgrant forthree STLneighborhoods

Trailnet Inc. will receive a $29,623 Environmental Justice Small Grant from the EPAto teach residents in three St. Louis neighborhoods how to prevent and reduce pollution, help with watershed management, and reduce rates of obesity and asthma by advocating for a safe and inviting space for walking and biking. This was one of 39 grants totaling $1.1 million to 39 non-profit and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice issues nationwide.

Patricia Washington

Stacy E. Johnson

James Paine

Ayo M. Bamimore

Harriet Clark is owner of Humble Standards Greeting Cards.

Don’t dawdle on student loan search

By Jason Alderman

Millions of young Americans recently began their senior year of high school. If your kid is among them, he or she is probably busy juggling homework, extracurricular activities and maybe a parttime job – all while trying to savor the last official year of childhood and simultaneously prepare for impending adulthood. You, on the other hand, are likely just wondering how the heck you’re going to pay for college. College may be a year away, but scholarship and loan application deadlines are just around the corner. As you’ll soon learn, there are tons of decisions to make and documents to fill out. Plus, some states award aid on a first-

come, first-served basis, meaning funds for your child’s dream school could be exhausted by the time you get your paperwork together. If that doesn’t make you want to get the jump on financial aid, I don’t know what will. Your first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which is required by virtually all colleges, universities and career schools for federal student aid, as well as for most aid from states and individual colleges. It’s easiest to file an FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

You can also get a hard copy from your child’s school or by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID. The FAFSAfiling deadline for federal loans isn’t until June 30, 2014, but many state and indi-

‘The

vidual school deadlines fall months earlier. Many types of student aid are available to help cover costs at four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and trade, career or technical schools, including:

ï Hundreds of thousands of free scholarships and fellowships are awarded each year. Visit www.finaid.org/scholarships for helpful tips.

ï Federal Pell Grants are needs-based grants given to low-income students to pursue post-secondary education. The maximum annual Pell Grant amount is $5,500; but students can receive Pell Grants for no more than 12 semesters. They need not be repaid.

ï Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants

for up to $4,000 a year are awarded to undergraduates demonstrating exceptional financial need.

ï Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.

ï Low-interest Federal Perkins Loans are for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. They are “subsidized,” meaning the government pays yearly interest while students are enrolled. They have no origination or default fees.

ï Direct Stafford Loans are low-interest federal government loans with no origination fee and come in two varieties:

needs-based “Subsidized” loans for undergraduate students where the government pays the yearly interest while students are enrolled; and “Unsubsidized,” for undergraduate and graduate students of any income level, where students are responsible for interest that accrues while enrolled.

ï Private Education Loans are offered by lenders to students and parents to supplement government loans. They aren’t government-guaranteed or subsidized and typically carry higher interest rates, although you can borrow greater amounts. Details and rates vary widely.

ï Some colleges sponsor their own loans to students and parents. Interest rates may be

right person forthe job’

Urban League welcomes Michael

By Rebecca S.Rivas Of The St.Louis American

The crowd surrounding Michael McMillan never ceased to smile at a private reception at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis headquarters on September 12 to welcome him as the organization’s new president and CEO.

“We are all just thrilled,” said board member Melanie DiLeo. “He is the right person for the job.”

The Thursday evening event was open to board members and invited longtime supporters, but board chair Debra Denham said the Urban League will host a communitywide reception soon. McMillan took over from James H. Buford, who stepped

NEED

Continued from B1

mining the campaign goal.

“We spent the greater time of the last three months meeting with over 100 people who

McMillan

as new CEO

“He has always been a strong leader in the community.”

– Urban League board member Michael Burns, on Michael McMillan

down after 28 years of leadership, after having brought the organization’s annual budget from $2.5 million to more than $23 million and seeing it certified as the only Five-Star Urban League affiliate in the nation.

McMillan resigned as license collector for the City of St. Louis to accept the position. He previously was alderman of the 19th Ward. He has become the seventh president

represent CEOs and business leaders in the community,” Ron Fromm said. “What we heard was that for the community in St. Louis, the needs are always great. And in the current situation, where there’s a lot of pressure coming from a reduc-

of the 95-year-old agency, recognized as “the top affiliate in the Urban League movement nationally” by national President Marc Morial.

As the former alderman of the 19th Ward, McMillan has been able to bring new resources to the organization, Denham said

“He has already been doing a fantastic job,” Denham said.

Many Urban League board members and city and county dignitaries attended the private reception.

Board member Michael Burns said McMillan, 41, brings new energy to the organization.

“He has always been a strong leader in the community,” Burn said.

tion of state and federal grants, the need is, quite frankly, greater.”

The United Way of Greater St. Louis partners with many different types of agencies throughout Missouri and Illinois, including major partnerships with American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Through meeting with several of these diverse agencies throughout the region, the Fromms were able to see trends in areas of need.

“One of the largest areas for support and need is for children’s services,” Ron Fromm said. “Those could be things such as the Crisis Nursery in St. Charles.”

lower than federal loans. Check each college’s aid materials to see if they’re available.

ï PLUS loans are federal loans that graduate or professional-degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to pay for education expenses. They are made through participating schools at a fixed interest rate. There is an origination fee.

Visit the Federal Student Aid site (http://studentaid.ed.gov ) and www.FinAid.org for complete explanations of the different types of grants/loans, calculators and many other tools. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney

often they do not have in their school and at their homes.

“In the current situation, where there’s a lot of pressure coming from a reduction of state and federal grants, the need is, quite frankly, greater.”

– Ron Fromm

The Fromms also noted this need for children services being particularly acute in St. Louis city. Cheri Fromm mentioned the importance of agencies that provide afterschool care like the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis.

“The places children can go after school are so wonderful,” Cheri Fromm said. “They are safe places and helpful places. They have computers, which

Another thing is they have eye care and dental care there. A child needs to have good eye care and dental care in order to be successful in school.”

The Fromms also noted another big need in the community.

“Another real focus is, of course, the elderly and their needs,” Ron Fromm said. “We

got to visit a number of those agencies as well. And you’re just delighted when you’re seeing that they can really be in a setting that feels like home.”

While this is the largest campaign goal in United Way of Greater St. Louis history, the Fromms said it is reachable. Along with encouraging individuals and companies to give more this year, they have planned other strategies to reach this historic goal.

“One of those is giving incentives to those who step up and give more than they did last year,” Ron Fromm said.

This year people will see 20 co-branded billboards throughout the area that show companies who support United Way. Another key way to raise money is through various affinity groups.

“All the affinity groups are our biggest supporters,” Cheri Fromm said. “They are so enthusiastic, and they have an energy level. They see the purpose and feel the purpose. They have ownership in this community.”

The Fromms mentioned the importance of the AfricanAmerican affinity group, the Charmaine Chapman Society, founded by The American’s publisher Donald M. Suggs. “The Charmaine Chapman Society has been our model for our affinity groups,” Ron Fromm said. “I had a chance to visit. I left there and I just thought, ‘How do you get people to see this community at work where people are excited about what’s going on in this community?’”

The fundraising campaign began September 3 and continues through early November. For more information, visit http://www.stl.unitedway.org/.

Visit The American at www. stlamerican. com

Mike McMillan looks on as Kenneth Smith greets Diane Garner at McMillan’s reception welcoming him as the Urban League’s new president and CEO.

Photo by Wiley Price

“It was simple.I couldn’t catch him.He was very elusive.He’s a great fighter.”

– Canelo Alvarez,after losing a majority decision to Floyd “Money”Mayweather Saturday night in Las Vegas

PREP FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

With Earl Austin Jr.

Edwardsville edges Flyers

I spent my Friday evening in Edwardsville for the annual showdown between Edwardsville and East St. Louis. The two teams gave the Metro East fans another great game and a classic finish. Edwardsville edged the Flyers 29-28 on a successful two-point conversion in the game’s closing minutes. Junior quarterback Dan Marinko showed great poise down the stretch in orchestrating the Tigers’last-minute drive. He scored on a 15-yard run late in the game to cut East Side’s lead to 28-27. Marinko then hit D’Anthony Knight in the back of the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion. Marinko’s counterpart, junior Dominic Nelson, also enjoyed a big night in his debut. A transfer from Cardinal Ritter, Nelson completed 23 of 37 passes for 310 yards and three touch-

downs. He also ran for another score.

We also saw the coming out party of two very promising freshmen in East Side wide receiver Jeff Thomas and Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa. Thomas had 11 receptions for 193 yards and a touchdown in a tremendous performance. The 6’5” 230-pound Epenesa was a force for much of the evening for the Tigers.

Pinkel on the scene

University of Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel made his presence known in the metro area as his helicopter took him to various games last Friday night. Pinkel was on the scene at the Alton-O’Fallon game, the East St.

Underdog Garcia wins again

Saturday night Floyd

“Money” Mayweather did just what he’s done in at least 43 of the 45 victories in his stellar, undefeated career – he made it look easy. Mayweather defeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-1-1) with his impregnable shoulder roll defense and deft counter-punching. Maybe the next reality TVventure for Mayweather, whose only career loss came on the set of Dancing WithThe Stars, will be beside Buddy Valastro on Cake Boss since he continues to cake walk through his opponents. In front of a packed house at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mayweather quickly silenced the voracious fans of

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

the previously undefeated Mexican superstar. Canelo, which means ‘cinnamon’in Spanish, in reference to the young fighter’s bright red hair, might as well have changed his name to “Idiota” after entering into the fight with the worst strategy known to man. The bigger, stronger but slower Alvarez attempted to outbox the best ring technician on the planet. Before the fight, I stated that Alvarez had a chance, but only if he brought the fight to Mayweather and made him uncomfortable. He didn’t and unsurprisingly Mayweather boxed-off his proverbial

Louis-Edwardsville game and back across the river to the CBC at SLUH game. It was kind of cool to see, especially listening to the talk around the stadium in anticipation of his arrival.

Quite an early impression

Junior tailback Kevin Batt has made quite an early impression at Hazelwood Central since transferring over from McCluer SouthBerkeley. In three games, Batt has rushed for 637 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He is averaging nine yards carry. Batt scored five touchdowns in the Hawks’41-27 victory over

See PREP, B5

Former Hazelwood East football

standout Walter Powell was selected the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week after a dominant performance in the Racers’41-38 victory over Missouri State.

Powerto Powell

Hazelwood East star scores 5 TDs for mom’s birthday

Former Hazelwood East football standout Walter Powell is having a banner collegiate career at Murray State University. Powell was selected the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week after a dominant performance in the Racers’41-38 victory over Missouri State.

Powell amassed a career-high 306 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns. He had 11 receptions for 155 yards and four touchdowns. He also added a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD to open the second half. Powell scored the game-winning touchdown with 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter. As an added special touch, Powell scored his five touchdowns on the day of his mother Tammy Davis’birthday celebration.

Powell has earned All Ohio Valley and All-American recognition for his work as a receiver and a kick return specialist. As a junior, he had 94 receptions for 1,213 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had two punt returns for TDs last season, including a 100yarder against Eastern Illinois. Powell has already scored eight touchdowns this season and 30 for his career. The National Football League could be a likely destination for Powell. His older brother, Brandon Williams, was a former star at Hazelwood East and the University of Wisconsin. Williams played in the NFLwith the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

College football at Busch

College football comes to St. Louis this weekend when Southern Illinois University

Soldan Tiger QB Ronald Clower (4) tries to move past Northwest Academy's Montay Walton (3) during Saturday's game at Soldan.The Tiger's would go on to defeat the Hornets 18-12.

Photo by Wiley Price

With Earl Austin Jr.

Earl Austin Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.celebrates with Justin Bieber after an impressive victory over Canelo Alvarez.

CLAIB’S CALL

With Mike Claiborne

Pinkel in a pickle at Mizzou

There is a new book out about extracurricular activities that were allegedly taking place at Mizzou. One former player went as far as to say how much sex took place between athletes and tutors and others who were associated with the program. Former Mizzou running back Derrick Washington, who contributed to the book, also contributed some time as a guest of the state after he was convicted of sexual assault of none other than a tutor.

There seems to be a quiet groundswell that would indicate some of the natives have grown tired of Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel. All of a sudden the term “hot seat” is now in play in print, TVand radio. Some in St. Louis are not happy with how he has handled things, especially when it comes to local players. Others are not fans of his because he keeps the media at arm’s distance. Then still others feel that he is not getting the job done on the field.

Pinkel’s players graduate and the bad apples are quickly ushered out the door.

All that could be true, but here is a fact. In this day and age of college football, where education (as well as discipline) has taken a back seat in many programs, Pinkel’s players graduate, and bad apples are quickly ushered out the door. For AfricanAmerican parents who send their kids there, it’s essential for their child to have an education when their playing career is over.

As for last season, what coach could win with all the offensive line injuries Missouri had? Before they get the moving vans ready for Pinkel, why don’t we let the season play itself out? I am not sure if Nick Saban is going to take over in Columbia before Halloween. While I understand some of the criticism, Pinkel is still the coach until further notice. He has time to fix this.

Room on Blues bandwagon

For those who try to keep up with local sports, the St. Louis Blues made some news last week when they announced that the greatest player in their history, Brett Hull, had returned to St. Louis. Unfortunately, he will not be in uniform, as he will be assuming a position on the

business side of the organization. I have followed the St. Louis Blues and the multiple ownerships that have been in place over the years, and I must say that this current locally owned and operated group is pushing all the right buttons. They have been proactive despite pockets that may not be as deep as some of their counterparts.

In short, they are going for it now, and they could use a little support from all corners of town. The St. Louis Blues are close. As close as they have been in some time. There is room on the bandwagon.

Johnny Manziel mania

Is anyone getting tired of

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

sleeves en route to the easiest ‘majority decision’known to man. Speaking of the decision, Mayweather and his camp should have petitioned the Nevada State Athletic Commission to drug test judge CJ Ross who scored the bout a draw. This isn’t the first time Ross has turned in an awful scorecard that could be categorized as under the influence. She helped award Tim Bradley and underserved decision versus Manny Pacquiao that helped put a nail in the coffin of the proposed superfight between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Sadly poor and corrupt judging is all too common in the sport of boxing. How terrible judges like Ross keep getting called for championship bouts is amazing. At this point, I’d rather see call-in judging like American Idol than to see Ross ever turn in a scorecard that counts again. Maybe she’s the one who helped Alvarez devise his brilliant strategy.

the whole Johnny Manziel mania? I think he is a good player, but there are 10 other guys who play with him on offense and they are doing their jobs as well.

The hype that surrounds him has gotten out of hand. He makes things happen, and college football has their eye on him for sure, but what is really next for him? Arecent survey of NFLscouts reported that Manziel is undraftable at this time because of all the baggage that comes with him.

The mood swings and tantrums along with the entitlement thing will not go over well at the next level. It barely works now. But Manziel certainly has time to clean up his act.

For the record, I scored the bout 118-110 for Mayweather and one of the two rounds I scored for Alvarez was very kind.

Garcia keeps on winning

While Mayweather’s performance was certainly the most flawless of the evening, the most exciting was from one of the most underrated fighters in the game: Danny Garcia. The Philadelphia fighter entered his bout with esteemed knockout artist Lucas Matthysse as an underdog to most. After all, since his disputed decision loss to St. Louis’own Devon Alexander back in 2011, Matthysse had stopped five straight opponents, mostly in devastating, jaw-dropping style. Garcia’s somewhat awkward style seemed tailor-made for Matthysse’s straight, powerful punches. However, Garcia shored up some of his technical flaws and his iron chin shook off every shot Matthysse threw at it. Garcia’s ability to take a punch is incredible. His opponent landed a few punches that

Must-watch TV

In this day and age with every sports network having a score and highlight show, ESPN has gone in a different direction. Someone thought it was a good idea to bring former anchor Keith Olbermann back for a late-night show. Even if you vote with the extreme right, you would have to give this show a shot as good research and reporting, not politics, comes into play. There is not a better writer in the business than Olbermann. It is worth the late-night hour. You can find it on ESPN 2 at 11 p.m.

Money Mayweather

Like him or not, Floyd

would have sent lesser men into the realm of unconsciousness, but Garcia barely winced. Instead he used his supreme boxing skills to retain his titles in impressive fashion. He even put his more powerful opponent on his butt in the 11th round for good measure. The knockdown helped secure a close decision victory for Garcia (114-112, 114-112 and 115-111), who is appreciative the Ross and her dartboard style of scoring wasn’t in charge of the scores in his bout.

The fact that Garcia and Matthysse put on an actionfilled, exciting fight on what figures to be one of the mostwatched PPVevents of alltime will increase bode well for them in the future, especially Garcia. There are already murmurs in the boxing world that the unified 140 lb. champion could end up sharing a ring with Mayweather in the future instead of warming it up for him. While Mr. Pound for Pound would undoubtedly be a big favorite should that fight ever come to fruition, Garcia’s heart and determination would ensure that fans would feel they got more than just the ol’

There seems to be a quiet groundswell that would indicate some of the natives have grown tired of Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel.All of a sudden the term “hot seat” is now in play in print,TV and radio.

Mayweather runs this show, and everyone else is playing for third place. While there are some who pooh-pooh boxing and say it is a dying sport, show me another sport where it’s best performer will make $73 million in a calendar year. Mayweather added on to his $32 million from an earlier fight this year to a level unseen in any other sport. Spare me with the MMAand Ultimate Fighting talk. They have competitive athletes, for sure, but none of those guys will ever cash a check like Floyd. When you put pen to paper for the year 2013, Mayweather will make $200,000 a day. For the haters, who would you like to see him fight next? Age is the only opponent he will have to contend with for the foreseeable future.

college try from another.

What’s next?

Overall “The One” should be seen as a successful event. Official PPVnumbers haven’t yet been released, but Richard Schaefer from Golden Boy Promotions is confident the fight sold more than two million buys. If so, it will go down as the richest fight in history. That record may stand for a while since there doesn’t seem to be a big-name opponent left for Mayweather that fans might reasonably believe could upend the undefeated fighter. Mayweather’s next opponent will likely be the winner of the upcoming bout between Alexander and Amir Khan. After that, Bradley is an option or we may be other undefeated up and comers such as Kell Brook or Keith Thurman built up as the latest sacrificial lambs for boxing’s finest. Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk and tune into his weekly boxing Hangout on youtube.com/stlamericanvideo

Mike Claiborne

RAMS ROUNDUP

With Palmer L.Alexander III

No magic forthe Rams

The young 1-0 St. Louis Rams football team ventured into the Georgia Dome in front of 70,000 fans this past Sunday, looking to build on the momentum gained from the season-opening win against the Arizona Cardinals. But, they came up short after flirting with the possibility of another magical 4th quarter comeback spearheaded by Sam Bradford. There was no magic for the Rams, well at least not until it got later in the game when they deployed the no-huddle offense. And that’s when you saw the Rams move the ball effectively and quickly close a 21-point deficit.

But, why did it take so long for this to happen? The Rams are notorious slow starters, and that’s keeping the defense on the field much longer than they should. Speaking of the defense, it would be nice to see some nastiness. Didn’t see much of a pass rush against the Falcons, other than the sacks by Rams defensive lineman Robert

Continued from B3

takes on Southeast Missouri State on Saturday at Busch Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

As I mentioned last week, there will be a large St. Louis metro area presence in the game as close to 40 athletes from both teams are from the area. It should be fun.

Big win

Congratulations for head coach Mike Jones and his Lincoln Blue Tigers on their 47-34 victory over Grambling State last Saturday in the

Continued from B3 visiting McCluer North last Saturday. He carried the ball 33 times for 263 yards. His emergence as a top runner as give the Hawks a great compliment to its explosive passing game.

Excellent start

Parkway North’s Roosevelt Abram is off to an excellent start this season with 563 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. The 5’9” 165-pound junior rushed for 150 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns in the Vikings’28-21 victory over Rockwood Summit.

Workhorse performer

Another workhorse performer last weekend came from Lafayette’s Kevin Hampton, who rushed for 217 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns in the Lancers’ 28-18 victory over Marquette.

Very versatile evening

Jonathan Henderson had a very versatile evening in Cardinal Ritter’s 30-14 victory over Trinity. Henderson scored on a five-yard run, an 80-yard kickoff return and a 90-yard interception return. He did it all.

3-0 in Brentwood

The Brentwood Eagles are off to a 3-0 start and

Quinn and Eugene Simms. The secondary didn’t have a good day. Falcons wide out Julio Jones blistered the Rams secondary with a career-best 181 yards. Of those, 81 yards came on one play while he was matched up against Janoris Jenkins in man-on-man coverage.

Speaking of the defense, it would be nice to see some nastiness.

As a unit, the defense has given up almost 700 passing yards in just two games. Even though it’s still very early in the season, there should be concern about the play in the secondary. Sometimes it looks like miscommunication, as in that Julio Jones touchdown. Or it could be as simple as disrupting the timing of the receivers’route, like when Harry Douglass was lined up in the slot, he went untouched on all four of his catches. Against the run, the Rams’ defense is solid. There are plenty of guys flying to the football. The Falcons only managed 36 rushing yards for

Missouri Classic at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lincoln is a NCAADivision II school while Grambling is a legendary program which competes in the Division I FCS. This is a big win for Mike Jones as he tries to rebuild the Lincoln U. football program.

All-purpose performer

Former DeSmet football standout Durron Neal of Oklahoma had four catches for 64 yards in the Sooners’ 51-20 victory over Tulsa last Saturday. Neal was a tremendous all-purpose performer for the Spartans throughout

impressive victories. Another team that is currently 3-0 is Miller Career Academy. The Phoenix went undefeated in the regular season last season, so they have now won 12 consecutive regular season games.

Merritt runs wild

Junior Trey Merritt of Westminster Christian rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats 31-14 victory at Lutheran North. Westminster is out of the gate quickly at 3-0.

Top Games to Watch

Cardinal Ritter (2-1) at Christian-O’Fallon (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m. Fort Zumwalt West (2-1) at Timberland (3-0), Friday, 7

2.5 yards a carry.

The Rams’running game wasn’t setting records either. Daryl Richardson had 10 carries for 35 yards and got knocked around. And on Isaiah Pead’s one and only carry, he ran into a pile of players only to be shot backwards on the turf.

The Rams don’t have much a running game. However, they do have plenty of speed on the outside, and already in the first two games we’ve seen what happens when the tempo is up. It’s time to turn this offense loose. This marks the fourth straight game Sam Bradford wasn’t sacked, and he’s averaged 300 passing yards in the first two games. He also made some plays with his legs. He threw a pick six, but Richardson has to catch that ball.

We already knew what to expect. This team is young, and all you can do is hope they learn and grow. Next week they go into Dallas. Will the young Rams secondary rebound and hold Tony Romo under 300 passing yards? Or will Sam Bradford come out of the gate firing passes, trying to a get an early jump instead of playing from behind?

his career.

Booker commits Kirkwood High basketball standout Evan Booker has given a commitment to attend Maryville University in St. Louis. The 6’5” Booker averaged 13.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.4 blocks a game as a junior. He is one of the top forwards in the St. Louis area and an excellent recruit for Maryville, which is emerging as a Division II power under coach Kevin Carroll. (You can follow Earl Austin Jr. on Twitter @earlaustinjr. You can also follow him on his basketball website, www.earlaustinjr.com.)

p.m.

McCluer North (1-2) at Ritenour (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Jerseyville (2-1) at Highland (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

SLUH (1-1) at Vianney (21), Friday, 7 p.m.

Jefferson City (3-0) at Hazelwood East (2-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.

O’Fallon (2-1) at East St. Louis (1-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.

Belleville East at Belleville West, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Soldan (2-1) vs. Vashon (30) at Gateway Tech, Saturday, 1 p.m.

Priory (2-1) at MICDS (21), Saturday, 2 p.m.

(You can watch Earl Austin Jr. talking high school football on the Fox 2 Prep Zone on Friday Nights at 10:20 p.m. with host Rich Gould.)

Prep Athletes of the Week

Marlon Smith

Riverview Gardens – Football

The senior quarterback enjoyed an excellent all-around performance in leading the Rams to a 29-12 victory over McCluer last Friday afternoon.

The 5’9” 185-pound Smith rushed for 120 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also passed for another touchdown. On defense, he had two interceptions. For the season, Smith has rushed for 295 yards and five touchdowns while passing for 221 yards and three touchdowns in leading the surprising Rams to a 3-0 record to start the season.

Riverview Gardens will host Pattonville in a Suburban North Conference game on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Noble Tobias

MICDS – Football

The junior tailback enjoyed a huge performance in leading the Rams to a 47-28 victory over Lutheran South last Thursday night.

Tobias rushed for 235 yards on 13 carries and scored three touchdowns on runs of 59, 78 and 42 yards. He also scored on a 67-yard reception and a 40-yard interception return to give him a total of five touchdowns on the night.

For the season, Tobias has rushed for 421 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging more than 12 yards per carry. He scored on runs of 76 and 69 yards in the Rams’loss to Westminster on September 7.

MICDS (2-1) will host Priory in a Metro League game on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Palmer L. Alexander

people’s lives through ministry work.”

can be supported by Humble Standards,” Kidd said.

Financial Focus

By Andre Nelson, AAMS

counts to groups, such as mothers of incarcerated sons and daughters, who want to use the cards as fundraising items.

Kidd believes he is contributing to Clark’s ministry work toward preventing injustice.

“When Harriet Clark came along, we thought who better to share the idea with, since we knew we could not benefit from it,” Kidd said. “She had long made a difference in other

According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, inmates are not allowed to own businesses. Kidd said he has no part in ownership, and he will not receive payment for his artistic contributions. The company has yet to be profitable in a measureable way, he said, but the goal is for the proceeds to impact the community.

“Eventually, when Humble begins to turn a sufficient profit, we have dedicated our vision to make sure that causes such as bullying, breast cancer and youth violence prevention

He also wants the business to provide a financial pipeline back into the community by creating jobs.

“Humble Standards is a unique greeting card company,” he said. “It began its journey from a dark place, yet our cards carry the most bright and vibrant colors. AHumble Standards greeting card is truly like receiving a gift of art.”

For more information about the company, visit www.humblestandards.org. To learn more about Kidd’s legal case, visit http://freerickykidd.com.

Gateway Classic is back

The Tennessee State University Tigers and their Aristocrat of Bands are coming to St. Louis for the Gateway Classic Weekend, Sept. 26-28. They oppose Central State University in the football game and their Invincible Marching Marauders in the Battle of the Bands.

New ideas mix with old traditions as Tennessee State comes to town

By American staff

The St. Louis Gateway Classic is back, this year celebrating football with a weekend filled with exciting and new activities.

The festivities begin 11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 26 with the unveiling of the Walk of Fame.

This year’s inductees include James H. Buford, Richard Mark, Robbie Montgomery, Betty Thompson and Ida Woolfolk. This event and program is open to the public this year with compliments of lunch. Friday kicks off several events, some new and others proven to the

scene. At noon the Coaches Luncheon will once again take center stage as the two football teams and guests meet and engage in friendly rivalry, while the Rams’ COO Kevin Demoff delivers the keynote speech. New to the Classic Weekend this year is the Fifth Third Bank Fish Fry/ Pep Rally and Street Fest which takes place from noon – 7 p.m. Friday with the Pep Rally from 5-7 p.m. at Baer Plaza (901 N. Broadway) directly across the street from the Dome. Prompted by the Tennessee State University administration and alumni,

A legendary Salute

It’s been almost a week since the St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute To Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala and I’m still on cloud nine. Friday’s event produced more than $300,000 (yes, in that one night) in scholarships and community grants while bringing out some of STL’s best and brightest to celebrate, promote and encourage excellence in education.

But, y’all really want to know why I’m so excited? Well…mainly because I get to gloat and say I told you so after letting everybody know on the front end that Salute 26 would be the event of the century. The Budweiser Black Crown After Party was one for the Salute history books. I mean we tore the roof off of America’s Center last Friday! And as if the party wasn’t legendary enough in its own right, hip-hop icon MC Lyte

had folks of all ages – and all pedigrees – turned up to another level with her performance. Was I the only one thrilled to see how many people still knew all the words to her verse in “SelfDestruction,” “Cha Cha Cha” and “Ruffneck?”

I’m gonna go ahead and say no. The one and only DJ Kut RIPPED IT on the turntables – from the time the party kicked off until we danced on out the door. I’m not trying to snatch him away from Old School 95.5, but he and Lyte should seriously consider taking their tag team show on the road. And if y’all decide to link up, please hire Hunter as your official hype man. For those who don’t know him by name, he was the young man with the prematurely (and perfectly laid) salt and pepper curl box hair game busting a move and photo bombing like his life depended on it. He was by far my favorite among the many party animals! If I had to describe Salute

2K13 in one word, it would undoubtedly be LIFE! I mean, I can’t remember the last time I got down like that. The only bad thing about the night is that my feet are STILL on fire from how I cut a rug in my pumps.

Salute to the fashion. Before I get into the best dressed from Salute 26 I have to give a special shout out to The St. Louis American staff for bringing all types of glamour to the building. What? Call it nepotism if you want, but I have to give props where it’s due.

Okay, I said it…now on with the list.

I’m going to go ahead and coin 2013 Salute’s unofficial style theme as “shades of blue” because from navy to royal, the ladies were werking (yes, I spelled it werking) that color Friday night! As far as who wore what best: I’m going with STLTV’s

Rashid’s ‘Message’

“Rashid

Message to

Celebrated contemporary artist spotlighted at Kemper Art Museum

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“A lot of the work I grew up seeing by black artists very much depicted a problem,” artist Rashid Johnson said during the PBS minidocumentary Art 21: A New York Close Up. “I wanted to make something that didn’t necessarily speak to a problem.”

Out of his “anti-inspiration” came the New Negro Escapist Social and Athletic Club – a series of images heavily inspired by the work of Harlem Renaissance photographer James Van Der Zee.

“I think the black experience is very much invested in the history of escapism,” Johnson said. “You have blacks wanting to go from the South to the North. Then you have Marcus Garvey and he says, ‘Let’s go back to Africa,’ and you have Sun Ra and he says, ‘Don’t worry about it, we’re going to go to Saturn.’” This weekend Johnson will come to St. Louis for the opening reception for Rashid Johnson: Message to Our Folks. The exhibit – which includes images from The New Negro Escapist Social and Athletic Club – will be displayed at Washington University’s Mildred Kemper Art Museum from September 20 – January 6. It’s the first major solo museum exhibition to survey the career of the Chicagoborn, New York-based artist.

Using photography, painting, sculpture and video, Johnson challenges deeply-rooted ways of thinking about the black experience and issues of race in America.

Johnson incorporates commonplace objects from his childhood into his work in a process he describes as

See RASHID, C4

By Kenya Vaughn Of The

Keys to Love by Kewana will present a Business Professional Speed Dating Fundraiser 6-9 p.m. Friday, September 27 at The Office, 5917

Johnson:

Our Folks” will be displayed at Washington University’s Mildred Kemper Art Museum from September 20 – January 6. The artist will attend a free public reception 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

398-0574.

Tues., Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m., The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and the Community Service Public Relations Council present Speed Networking. SqWires Annex, 1415 S. 18th St., 63104. For more information, call (314) 416-2237.

Wed., Sept. 25, 6 p.m., The 2013 Signature Chefs Auction, Sample unique and delicious culinary creations by dozens of our town’s top chefs and enjoy the live auction with fabulous items up for bid!

More than 600 guests are expected to attend the annual event that raises more than $250,000 for the Missouri Chapter of March of Dimes. Contact Missy Tillman, 314513-995, to make your reservation or visit: www.marchofdimes.com/missouri.

Sept. 26 – 29, Chaifetz Arena presents Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic. 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5000.

Sept. 27 – 29, The Budweiser Taste of St. Louis. An awardwinning celebration of the best food, music, art and culture St. Louis has to offer. Soldiers Memorial, 12th and Market St., 63103. For more information, visitwww.tastestl.com.

Sat., Sept. 28, 9 p.m., NightSociety and BfreeStLouis hosts Gateway Classic AfterParty. Lola, 500 N. 14th St., 63118. For more information, call (314) 8848785 or visit www.gwcpartystl.com.

literary

Thurs., Sept. 19, 7 p.m., As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness month, authorDr. Roberts will be reading from his new book, “Mama Is Still Here!” Dr. Roberts will be discussing the book and signing copies. University City Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130.

Fri., Sept. 20, 2 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Luis Carlos Montalvan & Dog, Tuesday, author of Until Tuesday. The story of how two wounded warriors, who had given so much and suffered the consequences, found salvation in each other. Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 206-6779 or visit www.slpl.org.

Fri., Sept. 20, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts

author Mark Lee Gardner author of Shot All to Hell. It was the most famous bank robbery of all time, one of the largest manhunts in US history, and the bloody end of Jesse James’celebrated crime spree. St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300.

Sat., Sept. 21, 2 p.m., St. Louis County Library hosts author Pat Simmons, author of The Acquittal. St. Louis native and award-winning inspirational novelist Pat Simmons presents the latest installment in her Guilty Parties series. In “The Acquittal,” Natural Bridge Branch, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 994-3300.

Sat., Sept. 21, 3 p.m., St. Louis Public Library presents Latino Poets. Christopher Chable of Somnadrome Press presents a poetry reading featuring six Latino authors reciting their own works as well as poetry by notable Latino writers. Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 2066779 or visit www.slpl.org.

Sun., Sept. 22, 4 p.m., Left Bank Books Downtown hosts author Gregory Petersen, author of Open Mike. Adark love story between a comedian, Michael Clover, and a stripper, Dana Wisby. Gregory Petersen will read from and sign copies of the book. 321 N. Tenth St., 63101. For more information, call (314) 4363049.

Mon., Sept. 23, 7 p.m. The Cast of Days of ourLives will be coming to St. Louis for a stop on our multi-city book tour for the new lifestyle and wellness book called Better Living. Visiting cast members will include Shawn Christian, Arianne Zucker, Bryan Dattilo, Kate Mansi, and James Reynolds. Barnes & Noble at the West County Mall.

Tues., Sept. 24, 6 p.m., St. Louis Public Library hosts author Patrick Ness. Dr. Jennifer Buehler, SLU Assistant Professor, leads a moderated interview with the author. They will discuss Ness’ body of work, with a focus on his new book, AMonster Calls. St. Louis Central Library, 1301 Olive St. 63103. For more information, call (314) 206-6779 or visit www.slpl.org.

Sat., Sept. 28, 9:15 a.m., St. Louis Public Library presents

AuthorBreakfast. Enjoy a light breakfast with eight of St. Louis’most notable authors. Register is required. Carondelet, 6800 Michigan Ave., 63111. For more information, call (314) 206-6779 or visit www.slpl.org

Wed., Oct. 2, 7 p.m., Terry McMillan signs and discusses “Who Asked You?” Kaleidoscopic, fast-paced, and filled with McMillan’s inimitable humor, “Who Asked You?” opens as Trinetta leaves her two young sons with her mother, Betty Jean, and promptly disappears. BJ, a trademark McMillan heroine, already has her hands full dealing with her other adult children, two opinionated sisters, an ill husband, and her own postponed dreams. Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-6731.

comedy

Thur., Sept. 19 Dominique

“The Way I See It.” You’ve heard her on the Tom Joyner Morning show & seen her on Comic View, Def Jam & Chappelle Show. Along with the talents of Jesse Taylor and St. Louis’very own Maurice G. Hosted by Henry Welch. The Ambassador, 9800 Falls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 8699090 or visit www.stlsoldout.com

Oct. 5, The Fox Theater welcomes Chris Tucker. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103.For more information, call (314) 5341111 or visit www.metrotix.com

The Fox presents Chris Tucker. See COMEDY for more information.

theatre

Sep. 19 – 21, 8 p.m.

Shakespeare in the Streets, Shopkeepers and artists are just a few of the Grove and Forest Park Southeast residents who will appear alongside professional actors in a play artfully adapted from William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, as part of the second annual, wildly popular event. 4226 Manchester Avenue (between Tower Grove and South Boyle avenues).

Sept. 20 – 22, Dance St. Louis presents Chicago. Fox Theatre St. Louis, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 5345000 or visit www.metrotix.com.

arts

Sept. 21 – 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.

Through Sept. 30, The Griot Museum of Black History presents Crowning Glory. This exhibitexplores four main themes with more than 50 hats and head-coverings and other artifacts from The Griot’s collections and private citizens. The exhibit is curated by Lois D. Conley, Founding Executive Director and James A.Vincent, historian.The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Ave., St. Louis, MO 63106. For more information, call (314) 241-7057 or visit http://www. thegriotmuseum.com

lectures

Thur., Sept. 19, 6 p.m., St. Louis Community College presents New You Career Exploration Session. Participants will learn how their interests can lead to good career decisions, how their interests relate to STLCC career programs, hear about resources to pay for school and find out how to get started at STLCC. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 539-5002.

Tues., Sept. 24, 6 p.m., St. Louis Community College presents Careers in Arts and Communication Information Session. For those interested in pursuing careers in the arts and communication. Learn how your interests relate to STLCC career programs. Hear about resources to pay for school. Find out how to get started at STLCC. Forest Park Campus, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 539-5002.

Wed., Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Rollin’and Tumblin’: The Importance of Blues in American Music History. Robert Santelli, the noted rock and blues historian – and executive director of the GRAMMYMuseum at L.A. Live –will present. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103.

Wed., Sept. 25, 6 p.m.,St.

Louis Community College presents Careers in Caring Information session for those interested in pursuing careers in nursing, human services, criminal justice, and early care and education. Hear about resources to pay for school. Learn how to get started at STLCC. Florissant Valley Campus, 3400 Pershall Rd., 63135. For more information, call (314) 539-5002.

health

Wed., Sept. 25, 6 p.m., The Asthma & Allergy Foundation, St. Louis Chapter presents Food Allergies 101-AFree Community Panel Discussion Focusing on Teens & Food Allergies. Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 3015 N. Ballas Rd., 63131. For more information or to register, visit www.foodallergies101.eventbrite.com.

Fri., Sept. 20, 7 p.m., God’s Gift of Gospel Music. This marks the kickoff celebration of Harvest Fest 2013. Nationally acclaimed Christian Comedian “Reggie Reg “ will bring the funny and serve as MC for this night filled with God’s Gift of Gospel Music. Proceeds from Harvest Fest will benefit Mathews-Dickey Boys’& Girls’Club. Christian Embassy Church, 13775 Old Jamestown Rd., 63033. For more information, call (314) 741-4463.

Wed., Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m., ATOD United in Worship presents Fall Conference 2013: Seize the Opportunity We want to invite you to come and get your praise on. Ephesians 5:16 encourages us to redeem the time or seize the opportunity.Come let us help you realize the opportunities that are available to you.The conference is free to all attendees. Come and be our friend for a day, you may find a family for life.5001 Washington Ave., 63108.

Continued from C1

Regans said. “There are people out here that you might be missing, so come get to know some people who are looking for the same thing you are.” She works in the banking industry by day, but after connecting two couples who went on to get married, Regans decided to turn her hobby into a business.

“You go out on this date and you ask all of these questions, when you really just want to know how compatible you are in the beginning,” Regans said. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I could be that person to cut to the chase for them?’”

Her motivation is quite simple.

“I just love seeing black love,” Regans said. “I think a lot of people assume that it’s going away and that our men have commitment issues, but black love still exists.”

Her process includes – but is not limited to – scouting potential clients at networking events and everyday places, interviewing potential matches and bringing them together. Since she started, she has serviced 10-15 clients. She says her client base is steadily growing.

“People don’t realize that St. Louis is a hidden gem,” Regans said. “It depends on where you go, how approachable you are and what you’re looking for.”

She says her biggest obstacle is getting men to buy into utilizing her services.

“Women are like, ‘Sign me up,’” Regans said. “But most of the men are like, ‘I can find somebody on my own. What do I need you for?’”

After gathering information on her clients she pairs them based on what they are looking for.

“We say women are picky, but men are picky too,” Regans said. “Women, we think we are the only ones that have a list – but men have a list too. The

n “I just love seeing black love.”

– Kewana Regans

women’s lists are mostly about financial stability. The men are more about the personality traits: fun, openminded.”

The key to Keys to Love by Kewana is rooted in reality.

“Do I believe in love? Yes,” Regans said. “But do I think there’s this perfect prince in shining armor? No. We all come with issues. We all come with baggage. It’s comes down to what you are willing to compromise on and deal with.”

Those who attend next Friday’s event can expect to meet a minimum of 40 eligible potential dates by the end of the night.

“There are a lot of quality single men in St. Louis, they are just not in the places we expect them to be,” Regans said. “That’s one of the reasons why I started this service – because I always hear people say, ‘I don’t want to go to the club.’”

Reach One Teach One Foundation’s Business Professional Speed Dating Fundraiser presented by Keys to Love by Kewana will take place on Friday, September 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at The Office, 5917 Delmar.

To preregister or for more information, visit http://www. rotof.org/events/calendarflyers/. For more information on Keys to Love by Kewana, e-mail Keke408@yahoo.com or call (314) 482-4287.

RASHID

Continued from C1

“hijacking the domestic.” He transforms these materials –plants, books, record albums, photographs, shea butter, soap – into conceptually loaded and visually compelling art that investigates the construction of identity. Born in Chicago in 1977, Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Columbia College Chicago in 2000 and attended the MFA program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003. In 2005 he moved to New York, where he currently lives and works.

Johnson has exhibited widely in both the United States and Europe. Recent solo exhibitions include New Growth, Ballroom Marfa, Texas (2013); Smoke and Mirrors, Sculpture Center, New York (2009); Sharpening My Oyster Knife, Kunstmuseum Magdeburg, Germany (2008); and The Production of Escapism, Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (2005).

CLASSIC

Continued from C1

the Classic expects a great turnout. This event is free to attend, and there will be a variety of food, vendors, bands and entertainment.

Friday evening will be celebrated with black-tie elegance at the Gateway Classic Honors Dinner and Awards Gala. Held at the Millennium Hotel, this will be far from your normal chicken dinner. “I would expect the gala to have a hint of football, cheerleaders, and a drum line all incorporated,” said Dawn Fuller, president and CEO of the Gateway Classic Sports Foundation. The awards dinner will be headlined by Tammie Holland of Magic 100.3, and

comedian Dick Gregory, soul

singer Al Green, rap group Public Enemy and author/ illustrator Aaron McGruder.

Major group exhibitions include the 9th Shanghai Biennale, Reactivation, China (2012) and the 54th Venice Biennale, ILLUMInations, Italy (2011).

Message to Our Folks is titled after a 1969 album by avant-garde jazz collective the Art Ensemble of Chicago. The exhibition is curated by Julie Rodrigues Widholm, Pamela J. Alper Associate Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art,

awardees include Judge AnneMarie Clarke, Tony Thompson, Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, Dwayne Butler and Jimmie Williams.

Saturday morning is when the parade and football action begin. The Classic has partnered with Pepsi this year to host the Throwback Parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Don’t miss the new route this year as the parade starts at the Classic building, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, heads to 14th Street, over to Washington and continues to Broadway.

Numerous local and out-oftown bands and organizations will march in this judged

Chicago, where it debuted in 2012. The St. Louis exhibition is curated by Meredith Malone, associate curator at the Kemper Art Museum.

The exhibit not only creates an artistic narrative of his personal journeys and more than decade-long professional career, but Rashid Johnson: Message to Our Folks also showcases Johnson’s varied sources of inspiration: boxing legend Jack Johnson,

competition, and will be joined by the Invincible Marching Marauders of Central State University and the Aristocrat of Bands from Tennessee State University.

Directly after the parade, day parties take over for attendees eager to start the game early. While tailgaters frequent Classics throughout the country, the Gateway Classic will be turning up on the inside as DJ Cuddy and Charlie Chan from Hot 104.1 host Day Parties in the Dome. The party is free at the BudLight Party Zone with your Gateway Classic ticket.

The 2013 Ameren Gateway

“Aaron McGruder writes this comic strip called ‘The Boondocks,’ and he had this quote that said, ‘Why does every black person think that they were chased by dogs and sprayed by hoses?’” Johnson said. “It’s important for you live your own history. And if you are consistently burdened by a bigger history that may have affected your existence – but is not your specific story –then you are doing yourself a disservice. It’s not fully about the predicament of history. It’s also about what you are able to author yourself – and that you are able to form the future rather than live in the past.” Rashid Johnson: Message to Our Folks will open with a public reception 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, and will remain on view through Jan. 6, 2014. Both the reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public. For more information, call (314) 935-4523 or visit kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.

Classic kicks off at 2 p.m.

This year’s Classic matches the Tennessee State University Tigers against the Central State University Marauders.

“St. Louis asked for a bigtime team, with a big-time band,” said Dawn Fuller. “You asked for it, and now you’ve got it.”

And while some spectators enjoy the rival and competition played on the field, others equally relish watching the bands perform during the legendary Battle of the Bands at halftime and the 5th Quarter Band Extravaganza.

Rashid Johnson, The New Negro Escapist Social and Athletic Club (Emmett), 2008.

By Melanie Adams

Teens perform liberty play

‘Ought to be Free’ at Missouri History Museum on Saturdays

With the recent opening of the exhibit Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty, the Missouri History Museum is happy to present an original work entitled “Ought to be Free” performed by our Teens Make History players. Performed in the gallery, the 15-minute play looks at the everyday lives of the enslaved people of Monticello and showcases their heroism and their quest for freedom.

I have written numerous columns in the past about the wonderful students who participate in the Museum’s Teens Make History program. Started seven years ago, the program hires local high school teens to research, write, and perform historically based plays. They have performed plays on the East St. Louis race riots, the civil rights movement, and the integration of the National Football League. In addition to looking at the past, the teens also created a play that looked at issues of race in St. Louis and used actual comments found on-line to make their point.

Two years ago the program expanded to include teens who were interested in learning how to create museum exhibits. This first group of fearless teens worked with museum staff to pick a topic, select artifacts, conduct oral histories, and

mount a professional quality exhibit. Opened in July 2013, Between Two Worlds: Veterans Journey Home provides museum visitors with a glimpse into the lives of soldiers after they return home from serving their country. The exhibit serves as a reminder not only of the sacrifice of those who served, but of the lasting legacy of the freedom we all enjoy.

The teen exhibitors have embarked on a new project that focuses on collecting oral histories of local civil rights leaders. These histories will be developed into a program as part of the 250th anniversary of the city. With each new interview the students are more excited about what they learn from these civil rights activists. Each year I am more impressed with the young men and women in the Teens Make History program. Contrary to what you see on television or read in the newspapers, there are young people in the community engaged in productive and meaningful activities. At a time when the news is filled with stories of unaccredited schools, low test scores, and school violence, this program helps to show teens in a more holistic manner. I must admit when the program first started I was a bit skeptical whether these young people would actually be able to learn the material and perform in front of an audience. Happily they proved me wrong and have continued to do so each year since.

When the program was in development, we originally thought that it would work with students from predominately urban districts. I am happy to report that this was not

The Missouri History Museum’s Teens Make History players will perform the original work “Ought to be Free” at 11:30 a.m. every Saturday from September 21 through November 23 in the Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty gallery. The event is free.

the case. The program has attracted students from private, parochial, public, charter schools, and students who are homeschooled. This diversity helps the students realize that while you may attend University City and another student attends Johns Burroughs, you still encounter similar issues. It is not always about what high school you attend, even in St. Louis!

As a final shout-out, below is a list of the students in this year’s Teens Make History Program.

Crossroads Academy

Sebastian Cooper Soloman Cooper Devi Achyra

Homeschool

Quentin Tate

Brentwood High School

Jacob Laseter

University City High School

Haley Clemons-Landre

Claire Tschempel, Jordan Jennings

SIUE East St. Louis Charter

Taylor Luster Lift for Life Academy

Johari Gillespie

Carnahan High School of the Future

Amesha Payne

Soldan International Studies

High School

Rachele Banks

St. Joseph’s Academy Libby Friehaut

Ought to be Free

Starts Saturday, September 21 and runs every Saturday through November 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty gallery.

FREE

No to strike against Syria

If you have been thinking that the U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East is a bit schizophrenic and a whole lot hypocritical, you’re right on both counts.

A U.S. attack on Syria is a bad move for several reasons. The majority of Americans oppose the military action; U.S. military leaders are lukewarm to the idea; some other G20 leaders are opposed to military strikes; there’s no military exit strategy; the U.S. doesn’t have a clear understanding of all the forces operating in the Syria and who could assume power if Assad is weakened; and the U.S. has no business going into sovereign countries to settle their affairs.

The Middle East is an area where the U.S. has supported dictators before they were against them. Here are a few examples from the not-toodistant past.

Under the first Bush administration, billions of taxpayers’ dollars were secretly funneled to Saddam Hussein during the late 1980s. These dollars allowed Iraq to build a formidable arsenal, including chemical gas used against the Iraqi Kurds.

These same dollars were used against the U.S. and allied military during the Persian Gulf War. The Bush administration falsified documents to Congress and attempted to derail investigation into the aid to Iraq. This military scandal was dubbed Iraq Gate. No U.S. officials were charged with war crimes; Saddam was eventually executed in 2006.

Then the Arab Spring swept across the region.

President Mubarak was a U.S. ally before he was

n The U.S. is selective about when it sheds tears and what interventions it makes.

deposed. The U.S. supported the democratic election of Mohamed Morsi. The U.S. decided it didn’t like Morsi either and subsequently supported the Egyptian military coup that kicked Morsi out.

The U.S. government also decided Libya needed a regime change and took out Muammar Gaddafi. It invaded the sovereign country of Pakistan to take out Osama bin Laden. Now President Obama says as a morally responsible country we cannot sit idly by as Bashar al Assad uses chemical gas on his own people. He says the U.S. is not interested in a regime change in Syria but only wants to teach Assad a lesson. In the past, the U.S. government has been silent on other governments killing its citizens, including its children. Saddam and his cousin “Chemical Ali” gassed up to 100, 000 of their people based upon American aid. There was barely a peep from the U.S. government during the Rwanda and Dalfur genocides. What about South African apartheid? The U.S. is selective about when it sheds tears and what interventions it makes. This is not good foreign policy, and it certainly isn’t a humane practice.

Let’s encourage the Congress to vote against the call to arms. This will give President Obama the political cover he needs, as well as the time, to explore non-military options to address the actions of yet another dictator that the U.S. has supported. War-weary citizens in this country should continue to oppose any military strikes against Syria and demand some meaningful support from the government to improve our lives here at home.

Jamala Rogers

Graduates

Congratulations to Dorothy Shaw, who recently graduated with Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

~ CELEBRATIONS ~

and may God bless you to see many more years to come. We

meeting. Contact info: LaDonne Felton at beaumontclassof1969@yahoo.com.

Gianna Peeple celebrates her 1st Birthday on September 20. You are beautiful, funny, intelligent and determined. That’s why we strive every day to build a legacy that will give you a solid foundation and a springboard to pursue your dreams.

Congratulations to Candice Smith: My mommy graduated from Vatterott College on Friday, September 13, 2013. Mommy, we are so proud of you. Keep up the good work! Love Always, Your daughter TaSharri and the entire family and friends

reunion form to turn in send email to bhsco1983@gmail.com or call Tammy Flowers at 314-3247615.

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School class of 1969 is preparing for its 45th reunion in 2014. Please join us Saturday, September 21 from Noon-3 pm at the Vagabond Mansion, 4315 Westminister Pl. for a planning

Beaumont High Class of 1983, please send your reunion forms in to BHS Class of 83, PO Box 211322, St. Louis, MO 63121with your payment ASAP.This will be our 30th year Alumni Celebration that you do not want to miss! Our exciting reunion weekend starts with Meet and Greet on Friday, Oct. 4 at Dave& Busters, Saturday, Oct. 5,the Reunion Banquet at The Airport Hilton Hotel and Sunday, Oct 6 at The Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church.If your need your

Beaumont High School Class of 1984 islookingfor participants to begin planningits 30 year class reunion.Please provide your contact information to: beaumont_1984@yahoo.com.

Hazelwood Central Classes of 1980–1985 reunion dinner at Moolah Shrine Center Ballroom on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 7:30 pm. Dinner $50 and includes appetizers, full dinner buffet, desserts, open

Happy Birthday to JoAnn Gardner on September 23! You make 65 years look lovely and elegant.Best of wishes now andin years to come.Love you Sis! Linda & Terese

bar, photo booth and giveaways. Reunion Picnic on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at St. Ferdinand Park in Florissant, Pavilion 5 at 1 pm until park closes. For questions, please contact Carla L Hudson or Michele Blackman at HazelwoodCentral1983@gmai l.com or you may check http://www.hazelwoodschools.org/Alumni/Pages/Alu mni.aspx.

Old Neighborhood Reunion, Inc. will host it’s 12th Annual Street Festival on Saturday, September 21 from Noon-6 pm, 2700 Block of Howard St. (between Leffingwell and

Howard St.). Music, food, games, raffle, attendace prizes.

SumnerClass Of 1974 has started planning its 40th class reunion. Meetings are held each third Saturday of the month at 2-4 p.m. At New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church, 4055 Edmundson Rd., 63134. Please contact Marsha D. Roberts-Moore at sumnerclassof1974@yahoo.com, 314-367-3159 or Joyce Bush-Cruesoe at cruesoe2195@att.net , 314484-1552.

FREE OF CHARGE

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

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

Happy Birthday to Antoinette Anderson on September 23. Enjoy yourself

love you!

From: Your New Northside CDC Family

Urban Christian novelist to speak at library

Pat Simmons at the Natural Bridge Branch on September 21.

By American staff

Author Pat Simmons will hold a book signing and discussion of her newest book, “The Acquittal,” at the Natural Bridge Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 21. The program is free and open to the public. “The Acquittal,” is the latest book in Simmons’ Guilty series. Dr. Rainey Reynolds has lost his way after a series of professional and personal losses. Will a missionary trip to Africa and reunion with a long-lost love bring him the peace he desperately seeks?

Pat Simmons is an award-winning author who writes urban Christian novels and is best known for her Guilty series: “Guilty of Love,” “Not Guilty of Love” and “Still Guilty.” She is the author of “Talk to Me,” ranked in the Top Books in 2008 that Changed Lives. She also received the Katherine D. Jones Award for Grace and Humility from the Romance Slam Jam committee in 2008. Program sites are accessible. Upon two weeks’ notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Contact St. Louis County Library by phone 314-994-3300, or visit www.slcl. org. For more information please call 314 994-3300.

Music Ministry’s Annual Day

The Music Ministry/Mass Choir of the Newstead Ave. Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its Music

Urban Christian novelist Pat Simmons will hold a free book signing of her newest book, “The Acquittal,” at the Natural Bridge Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 21.

Ministry’s Annual Day 3 p.m. Sunday, September 22. “We extend a heartfelt invitation to you and your church to join us in this fellowship and service uplifting the wonderful name of Jesus,” organizers say. The theme is “Worship In The Beauty of Holiness” based on the scripture of Psalms 96:9: “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.”

Newstead Ave. Missionary Baptist Church is located at 4370 North Market in North St. Louis. For more information, please call 314-371-4436.

Free church organ concert

On Sunday, October 27, 2013, at 4 p.m. Faythe Freese will play an exciting

organ program at Second Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End. A screen will show the organist’s hands and feet up close. Freese has played throughout the United States and Europe and is professor of Organ at the University of Alabama School of Music. For more information call 314-367-0367 or visit www.secondchurch.net. The event is free and open to the public.

Celebration of World Faiths at

SIUE

The annual Celebration of World Faiths will take place from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Center for Spirituality and Sustainability. The center is located in the Geodesic dome on the SIUE campus.

The interfaith colloquium is titled, “What’s Your Vision of the Divine? Exploring the Singularities and Similarities of Diverse Spiritual Traditions.” During the discussion, a panel of representatives from diverse spiritual traditions will talk about their experiences.

Panelists will include: Maryl Walters, a Christian Science practitioner and interfaith advocate who serves on the Cabinet of the Interfaith Partnership in St. Louis; Cindy Conner, who is of Cherokee ancestry and deeply connected to the Cherokee spiritual traditions; Satnam Singh, a member of the St. Louis Sikh community and president of the Sikh Study Circle of St. Louis.

The public is invited to join the Friends of the Center in discussion, fellowship and refreshment. Free-will donations will be accepted.

Parking is free in visitors’ parking lot B on South Circle Drive, between Morris University Center and the dome.

Since its inception in 1971, the center has been dedicated to its foundational principle of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Do you think God has an expectation of those whom He’s blessed with certain gifts?

I ask that question because believe it or not, we all have spiritual gifts we had nothing to do with acquiring. Very much like Moses, once God picks you, you can’t talk your way out or ignore your way out of doing what God expects or desires you to do with the gift He’s given you.

As a believer, one day you realize you are indeed blessed and as such, the expectation should be that you will use your blessings to be a blessing to others. It’s divine law, I think. There is no option.

Sometimes I think we become enamored with our talents and believe them to be learned skills or attributes we’ve acquired via business training or maybe things we’re just good at. Say, for instance, you have great mathematical skills and work as an accountant. Maybe you might find a way to use them in service for the Lord.

I can personally relate to this, because I had to come to that reality that my gift of writing had never been used for anything remotely Godly. I had received recognition of all sorts from my industry, from local to regional and some national awards. However, I had written nothing that demonstrated a belief in Jesus, or that showed

a submission to the will of God, or more I importantly that acknowledged this gift as Godgiven. In my first religious column, all I tried to do was publicly claim Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. That became a weekly proclamation of faith via this column. I was fearful, at first, which merely hid a flaw in my thinking that I was not worthy to even “speak” in the name of God. Now it is my mission to tell anyone who’ll listen that I take no credit for anything I have.

I am blessed and therefore obligated to use what I’ve been blessed with to fulfill what just might be my destiny. Some have said it is a calling. I don’t claim it as a ministry, but I have friends and readers who tell me they see it that way. More importantly, I have received correspondences from strangers who have told me that in some small way my words have been helpful. My goal was not and is not to receive accolades. It is solely to give honor and praise. God will put opportunity after opportunity in front of you to insure you use His gifts for His purposes and not your own. Hopefully, God will continue to encourage and lead as opposed to drag and discipline. In this case, I believe you have only two options. Use it or lose it!

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

S

T. LOUIS AMERICAN The

UNCFawards scholarships to HSD graduates

Also, SLCC explores career options throughout the fall

By American staff

United Negro College Fund (UNCF) awarded scholarships to several members of the Hazelwood School District Class of 2013 recently at the UNCF Scholarship Dinner at Norwood Hills Country Club.

Bianca Bealer-Wilkes, Hazelwood West High School, received the Ryan Howard Scholarship. Bealer-Wilkes will be attending Lindenwood to study accounting.

Intisar Faulkner, Hazelwood East High School, received the McDonald’s Academic Excellence Award. Faulkner will be attending Missouri State University to study political science.

Ciara Linze, Hazelwood Central High School, received the Cedric “The Entertainer” Scholarship. Linze will be attending Southeast Missouri State University to study human environmental studies and child development.

Rodrick Robins, Hazelwood Central High School, received the McDonald’s Academic Excellence Award. Robins will be attending Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville to study social work.

Monet Royal, Hazelwood Central High School, received the Cedric “The Entertainer” Scholarship. Royal will be attending Southeast Missouri State University and will study music education.

The Cedric “the Entertainer “ Scholarship is awarded to minority students in their senior year, attending a St. Louis area high school with a GPAof 3.0 or above, planning to attend a UNCF School or Southeast Missouri State University. Students must possess leadership qualities and some involvement in school and community service.

The McDonald’s Academic Excellence Scholarship, is awarded to African American students in their senior year

attending a St. Louis or Metro East area high school with a minimum GPAof 2.8. Students must possess leadership qualities, good academic standing and potential for success in a four- year accredited college or institution along with involvement in school and community service.

The Ryan Howard Family Foundation Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors with a GPAof 2.5 attending a Great St. Louis Metropolitan area high school, with plans to attend an accredited four year institution. Students must possess leadership qualities, potential for success in the college and some involvement in school and community service.

STLCC to host Career Connections

St. Louis Community

College is hosting career connections events throughout the fall to introduce the public to fields in a variety of academic areas.

Careers in Arts and Communication – Sept. 24, 67:30 p.m., Café East in the Student Center at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave. Session focuses on programs such as speech communication, public relations/advertising, media communications, theater and film, and general education.

Careers in Caring – Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m., Training Center lobby, Emerson Center for Engineering and Manufacturing at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Road. Session focuses on programs such as nursing, human services, criminal justice, and early care and education.

Careers in Allied Health and Nursing – Oct. 20, 1-3

p.m., Room A-112 in Tower A Lecture Hall at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave. Session focuses on careers in nursing, dental hygiene, dental assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, health information technology, medical billing and coding, radiologic technology and respiratory technology.

Careers in Accounting, Business and Information Systems – Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m., Room 105 in the Business Administration building at Meramec, 1333 Big Bend Road. Session focuses on careers in accounting, business management, computer networking, microcomputer support, office information and software development.

Careers in Justice – Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m., Room 105 in the Business Administration building at Meramec, 1333 Big Bend Road. Session focuses on

careers in criminal justice, legal studies for paralegals, court reporting and captioning

Careers in Design – Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m., Lecture Hall lobby at Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Road. Session focuses on careers in architectural design, digital media, graphic communications, interior design, kitchen and bath design, and landscape design.

Careers in Business and Technology – Nov. 21, Room 105, Training Center, Emerson Center for Engineering and Manufacturing at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Road. Session focuses on careers in engineering, computer aided design, computer aided manufacturing, computer integrated manufacturing, electronics and telecommunications engineering technology.

Green Careers – Dec. 5, 6-8 p.m., Lecture Hall lobby at Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Road. Session focuses on careers in architectural technology, horticulture, interior design, kitchen and bath design, landscape design, and continuing education programs in sustainability

Those who register for the event will receive a link to a free interest inventory that will help identify your primary interest areas and link them to jobs and industries where those interests apply. Acareer counselor will explain the results of your interest inventory at the event.

St. Louis Community College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you

have accommodation needs, call 314-539-5002 within two working days of the scheduled event to request needs. Documentation of disability may be required. Register now at www.stlcc.edu/jobnews. For more information, call 314539-5002.

Careers for Older Adults

St. Louis Community College’s Plus 50 Completion Initiative is sponsoring a conversation with Marc Freedman of Encore.org about the role higher education, and other organizations, can play in supporting adults looking for a change in their second half of life. This event is slated for 3:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Mildred E. Bastian Center for the Performing Arts at the Forest Park campus, 5600 Oakland Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Freedman is founder and CEO of Encore.org, a nonprofit organization working to promote encore careers –second acts for the greater good – jobs that combine personal meaning, continued income and social impact –in the second half of life.jobs.

Freedman is the author of “The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife” and a frequent commentator in the national media. He has been recognized by Fast Company magazine three straight years as one of the nation’s leading social entrepreneurs. In 2012, AARPMagazine named Freedman one of “The Influentials,” the 50 people over 50 affecting individuals’ lives and futures.

While Encore.org is not a job placement service, it provides free, comprehensive information that helps people transition to jobs in the nonprofit world and the public sector. Through Plus 50, St. Louis Community College provides programs and services that make it easier for adult learners to earn credit for their past education and work experience. Individuals receive support and flexibility to help reach their goals, from choosing a course of study and scheduling classes to applying for financial aid. For more information about Freedman’s presentation or STLCC’s Plus 50 Initiative, contact Heather Ellison, hellison@stlcc.edu, or 314-984-7842.

Hazelwood School District administrators pose with United Negro College Fund scholarship recipients at a recent awards dinner.

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

Continued from Page C1

Lampley Charles Mallett, KMOV-TV’s Andre Hepkins and Sygu’s Eddie Holman for the fellas who had their suit and tie swag on absolute official. The ladies did their thing too! KSDK’s Kelly Jackson was about that glamorous life like I’ve never seen from her before. That face was beat and that hair was snatched. I also have to say that Salute volunteers Patrice Willis and Bonita Washington were serving all types of style as they ushered folks to their seats. Stefan Bradley and his lovely wife Tracy earned best couple honors. Denise Thimes was delivering a tall glass of glamour as she belted it out at the J. Hill Jazz Bistro, too. Lisa Anderson-Smith (with her flawless makeup, fantastically textured up-do and to-die-for black and white ensemble) was not to be slept on either. But if I’m picking top to bottom overall best dressed I’m going to go with someone who was already a winner for the evening. Salute to Excellence in Education Awardee Jody Squires was giving me life from head to toe! She was absolutely breathtaking! Her cobalt blue gown, understated accessories and classic bun were everything! I love how she went against the grain with the color, but kept everything else low key – hair, makeup and jewelry – to keep from doing too much. I know it’s not fair that she gets two awards for one night, but she earned it.

Two scoops of delicious R&B. I know y’all are wondering how I was able to be at two places at once. To that I say mind your business. Do you want to know about the Fantasia and Musiq Soulchild show at the Fox or not? Okay then, let’s get to it. Last minute sales meant that the show had a nice-sized crowd. And that was a good thing because it turned out to be a great show from all parties involved. Usually his performance serves as my pre-show powernap, but Musiq Soulchild must have spent the past two years in somebody’s live performance boot camp because he came out and sang like he actually performs for a living for a change. His AWESOME live band and tag team duo of background vocals, gave us his yesteryear hits like “Radio”, “Buddy” and one of my favorites, “For the Night.” Fannie stepped foot on that stage and opened with the crowd pleaser “It’s All Good,” and the “favorite ratchet auntie at the BBQ realness” instantly ensued. As I’m trying to enjoy my cousin in my head and her show, I had to suffer through your Uncle Floyd with his scalp length cornrows and his boo rocking a fresh red 27 piece quick weave to my right trying to capture the ENTIRE performance on their BOOST Mobile Haywei phones. Needless to say, this took nothing away from Fantasia’s performance as she belted out a few classics and some new material. As y’all know, she stays in her feelings…I mean, every range of emotion. But I still got my life as she showcased her newly chiseled Shaun T insanity shape and perfectly pressed sew-in along with her powerhouse vocals. It was also a plus that throughout the night, she showed major love to her 3 background vocalists, which were phenomenal. From what I could tell they were STL locals, due to the fact that they KILLT (yes, I said KILLT) their solo performances. STL songstress Tish Haynes-Keys and other guests could be heard yelling “Sing Tasha!” or “Sing Ursula!” The show concluded with Fannie getting adventurous and sitting on the edge of the stage while crying and singing “Lose to Win” and side-cradling a little girl from the audience. Then she bounced off the stage in what appeared to be a New Orleans secondline band tribute exit stage left. There was a lot going on, but for most of it I wasn’t mad.

Funbrella at Lola. After I danced till my toes looked like Vienna sausages at Salute and sneaked away to hear Fannie Mae whoop and holler to the heavens I limped over to Lola for The Umbrella Group’s set and I must say that Raphael and ‘nem really had it set off up in there! I thought I was going to need a wheelchair to make my rounds, but it was so hype that I mentally conditioned myself to drown out the pain! DJ Reminisce an DJ Charlie Chan Soprano were tearing it up on the ones and twos, and there were all types of power players in the building getting their party on – like Keith and Carrie from DELUX and Fred from 1st Fridays to name a few. It was indeed a good look for Lola and The Umbrella Group.

In search of August. Thursday night I made my way over to The Loft to get a live sip of the newest raunchy R&B sensation August Alsina. Well, because 12:45 came and went before he even arrived I’ll have make my way to YouTube to catch him in action. I was walking around asking the staff where he was like he was my date. It was a nice-sized crowd for a Thursday night too. Though I must admit the ladies seemed to have locked their self-respect in the trunk of their cars right alongside their purses. I mean, I’m all about having some fun and letting your hair down. But if somebody pulls out their phone and starts recording your “dance” moves saying they are sending them to World Star Hip-hop, that’s your cue to take it down about twelve notches. But these poor girls took it as an opportunity to let their dignity bite the dust and I couldn’t help but make my way towards the door after seeing such. Fight night in STL. Canelo and Mayweather met up for the boxing event of the year Saturday night and I felt like it was only right for me to make my rounds to the respective fight parties. Of all of the places, The Coliseum seems to have cornered the sporting event party game by the way they had it packed from front to back. Although I must admit most of the parties went down just like the fight – everyone was all excited about the idea of it, but once it happened folks were looking around like “this is cute, but where’s the real action?”

LaKricia and Andrew were all smiles as they supported their friend’s recognition @ The Salute to Excellence

Natasha, Dangela and LeAnn partied the night away @ The Budweiser Black Crown After Party Friday @ The Salute to Excellence

Earl Winfrey, Lisa Anderson-Smith, Howard

Richards, 2013 honoree Jody Squires and Charles Mallett were among the most dapper at this year’s Salute to Excellence

KMOV-TV’s Andre Hepkins and Serena Gregory were among the stylish influentials who helped celebrate education @ The Salute To Excellence

Elonda, Stacy and Doll glammed it up for The St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute To Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala Friday

Donnell and Adrienne Bland joined the who’s who of STL @ The St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute to Excellence

Aaron and Destiny were eager to see MC Lyte rip the mic @ Budweiser Black Crown After party @ The 26th Annual Salute to Excellence

Meka and Nicole vibed to MC Lyte @ The Budweiser Black Crown After Party Friday @ The St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala

Jordan and Ciera came dressed to impress @ St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala @ America’s Center Friday night

Marcus and Jonathan got their suit and tie on Friday @ The St. Louis American Foundation’s 26th Annual Salute to Excellence

Photos by Lawrence Bryant

White House disease trivia

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

To the dismay of my many outstanding social studies/history teachers and my husband, history was never one of my favorite subjects as a child and during my teen years. It wasn’t until I read the “Autobiography of Malcolm X” that I started to appreciate the value of lessons from the past. Malcolm seemed to speak directly to me and propelled me into a deeper consciousness regarding not only black history,but history in general. It was only then that I began to read for enlightenment in addition to pleasure.

With that in mind, after seeing the Lee Daniels movie “The Butler,” I was compelled to learn more about the many ailments our past presidents may have suffered and the various ploys they constructed to hide their illnesses. The deceptive methods utilized to shield the public from the complete truth were quite creative and would involve not only family members but the White House staff as well. For example, the general public did not know the extent of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s gait issue as a result of a polio infection. FDR insisted that journalists only photographed him

from a seated position and his constituents were unaware that he required braces and the use of a wheelchair.

Almost every common illness you could imagine and a few rare ones plagued our commanders-in-chief during their terms in office. It was well known that our first president, George Washington, had extremely poor dental health. However, contrary to popular belief, he did not wear wooden teeth. By the time he entered his presidency, he actually only had one tooth left and over his lifetime would employ dentists to design various dentures made of ivory, metal, and other materials. These uncomfortable contraptions would eventually cause severe pain and facial disfigurement. In addition, at one time or another, President Washington contracted tuberculosis, dysentery, and malaria and eventually died of a throat infection at age 67.

More recent presidents and candidates often reveal their medical files in order to solidify their claim for medical fitness. This has not always been the standard. Take for instance, President Grover

Cleveland. Shortly after his second term, he was diagnosed with a malignant mouth lesion. Because he and his vice president, Aldai E. Stevenson, shared opposing views regarding gold and silver, he was determined not to relinquish the presidency. Therefore, he orchestrated an elaborate scheme that involved surgical removal of the mass on a friend’s yacht anchored in New York’s East River. The procedure was performed as the boat sailed up the river and President Cleveland had to be tied to the mast in order to keep steady. Many years followed before the details of the situation were revealed to the masses. Ingenious! Nancy Reagan, wife of President Ronald Reagan, was not the only wife who was rumored to have been running the country behind closed doors. Reagan’s illness was Alzheimer’s disease but in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a massive stroke that affected his ability to speak and walk. His wife, Edith Galt Wilson, screened his mail and limited his visitors. Years later, it is reported that she even joked about how well the White House was run during Woody’s illness. The public never knew that he had been suffering strokes years before he was ever elected. Some historians believe that following that stroke his personality was altered and that may

have interfered with subsequent important foreign affairs. Wilson’s strokes and eventual paralysis was the impetus for the 25th Amendment to the Constitution which states that the vice president shall assume power upon the death, resignation or disability of the president.

Although William Taft was not the only president who was obese, he had the unfortunate honor of being the largest at over 300 pounds. Because of his morbid obesity, he suffered from sleep apnea and this resulted in chronic fatigue, which caused President Taft to sleep during important meetings. During 1909-1913, C-PAP, the device used to keep airways open during sleep, was non-existent. He eventually developed hypertension and had heart problems.

Addison’s disease, an incurable disorder of the adrenal glands, was JFK’s health secret in addition to his addiction to painkillers for his chronic back pain. Eisenhower had Crohn’s disease and George H.W. Bush was diagnosed with Grave’s disease. As illustrated in the above examples, our presidents were burdened with everyday conditions just as the general population including nicotine addiction like our current president, Barack Obama.

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

YourHealth Matters

Abi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American September 19, 2013

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

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

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

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Ijei, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Denise Hooks Anderson,M.D.

Prostrate health advocate saves lives by getting men tested

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St.Louis American

There are many milestones in one’s health journey. Abig one for prostate cancer survivor Isadore M. Wayne was when his youngest son graduated from high school. Since his initial diagnosis in 2002, both of his sons have graduated from college, the last one in December of 2012.

At age 46 while working in Minnesota, Wayne underwent a proteinspecific antigen or PSAtest as part of his physical exam. It was his first PSAtest, which soon parlayed into his first cancer diagnosis. His antigen levels for the protein made in the prostate gland were 10ng/mL.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races.”

“Normal” was considered 4ng/mLat the time, however some doctors have moved away from the term normal because recent studies cited by the National Cancer Institute reports some men with PSAlevels below 4ng/mLget prostate cancer and many men with levels higher than 4 do not have prostate cancer.

Wayne was treated at the Mayo Clinic.

“I had a prostatectomy, he said.

That’s the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland.

“At that time, my doctor told me there was a possibility that he did not get all of the cancer, so I knew from there that there was a possibility that I would have some other issues.”

After being cancer-free for five years, his PSAlevels began to rise and Wayne had a recurrence. This time, experts at Saint Louis University were his treatment team.

“I talked to my oncologist, Steven Pincus. My experience with Saint LouisU has been great. They make me feel like I am part of the team,” Wayne said. “When it comes to my treatment evalua-

tions and with the different type of diagnosis and treatments, I am right there discussing it with the oncologist, the urologist and we decide as a team what’s the best approach to take as the next step in my fight and my journey.”

When his cancer came back in 2007, Wayne said he was placed on a hormonal drug called Eligard, which he took for four years.

“In 2011, I was treated with Provenge … and it worked pretty good for maybe about a year and last year I had to have radiation and chemo,” Wayne said.

“Since then, I’ve been on this new

drug called Zytiga.”

Along his journey, Wayne discovered some important family medical history.

“After I went through my surgery and worked through my issues with the prostate cancer, I talked to my cousin,” Wayne said. “And, come to find out my mother’s brother – we thought he died of lung cancer, but it was prostate cancer and it spread to his lungs.”

It’s important to find out if any relatives had prostate cancer because male family members may need to begin testing for it at an earlier age, based on family history and other risk factors as deter-

At age 46 while working in Minnesota, Isadore Wayne underwent a protein-specific antigen or PSA test as part of his physical exam.It was his first PSA test, which soon parlayed into his first cancer diagnosis.

mined by men and their doctors. Testing could include the PSAblood analysis and a digital rectal exam, or DRE.

There has been some controversy whether healthy men should be screened for prostate cancer and at what age they should stop screening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, “prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among men of all races.”

Older men, African American men and men with a family history of the dis-

Photo by Wiley Price

HEALTH BRIEFS

Exposure to BPAlinked to cancer

Exposing developing tissue to low levels of the plastic bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is linked to a greater incidence of prostate cancer in tissue grown from human prostate stem cells, a study found. The results were presented recently at The Endocrine Society’s 95th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

BPAis a synthetic estrogen that is used to add flexibility to many common products, including food cans and containers, compact discs, eyeglasses, and even baby bottles. It is universally prevalent, and tests indicate that almost everyone has measurable levels of the chemical in their bodies.

The chemical has received a great deal of media attention in recent years because of its potential to increase the risk of disease. The concern about BPA

BPA is a synthetic estrogen that is used to add flexibility to many common products,including food cans and containers,compact discs,eyeglasses,and even baby bottles.

in the human body is that it is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which means that it alters the body’s hormonal balance by replicating the activity of a naturally occurring hormone. In this case, BPAreplicates the activity of estrogen. Of greatest concern are BPA’s effects on developing fetuses and infants because endocrine-disrupting chemicals are thought to predispose developing

Foroldermen, walking leads to betterhealth

cells to later disease.

In this study, investigators used human prostate stem cells from organ donors to grow prostate tissue in a mouse model. They found that early BPAexposure significantly increased the risk of both prostate cancer and a precancerous condition known as prostate epithelial neoplasia, or PIN. The incidence rates for PIN and prostate cancer were:

The more an older man walks, the better his physical and mental health and his quality of life are likely to be, finds a new study in the American Journal of Health Promotion as reported by Health Behavior News Service, part of the Center for Advancing Health.

Although walking ranks among the favorite forms of physical activity for older adults, few studies have considered the specific impact of walking as opposed to overall physical activity, on health in older people.

“Men’s health is becoming an increasing concern given their high rates of chronic diseases, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In particular, health behaviors of older men have not been studied very much,” said the study’s lead author Jeff Vallance, Ph.D., associate professor in the faculty of health disciplines at Athabasca University in Canada.

The more an older man walks, the better his physical and mental health.

The researchers surveyed 385 men above age 55 living in Alberta, Canada. The majority (69 percent) were overweight, with 19 percent being obese. The men wore step pedometers for three consecutive days, including one weekend day, to measure walking activity.

“Many health promotion experts suggest that pedometers offer objective measurement of both activity and motivation,” said Nanette Mutrie, Ph.D., a professor at the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

The researchers divided the men into four groups based on the number of steps taken daily, ranging from lowest to highest. The men averaged 8,539 steps per day. “Older men who averaged the greatest number of steps per day reported more optimal quality of life profiles, in terms of both physical and mental health, than older men averaging fewer steps per day.”

Mutrie pointed out that although higher step counts were associated with higher healthrelated quality of life, it is important for the public to realize that “these associations were noted even at modest step counts.” She said the new findings “add to the growing literature on the benefits of walking, the use of pedometers and the health benefits of modest amounts of daily activity that contribute to how we feel and how we function.”

Walking 10,000 steps per day has become “a commonly recognized walking goal that is often promoted,” noted the researchers. But in practical terms, Vallance said, “the majority of older men don’t achieve 10,000 steps per day so that may not be a realistic target. It doesn’t necessarily matter how many steps you are doing.”

The important thing, he said, is that older men continually strive to increase the amount of walking they do. “More steps are better,” he said.

ï 12 percent of non-BPAexposed tissue ï 33-45 percent of tissue exposed to BPA

“These results suggest that stem cells are direct BPAtargets which may explain the long-lasting effects of this chemical throughout the body,” said study lead author Gail S. Prins, Ph.D., professor of physiology and urology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “They provide the first direct in vivo evidence that developmental exposure to environmentally relevant levels of BPAincreases human prostate cancer risk.”

The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences funded the study.

HEALTHY Q&A

Health Insurance Marketplaces and the Affordable Care Act

Question: What resources are available to help shop foraffordable, quality health insurance on the new Health Insurance Marketplace?

Answer: In June, the Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a new, consumer-focused HealthCare.gov website and the 24hours-a-day consumer call center to help Americans prepare for open enrollment and ultimately sign up for private health insurance.The new tools will help Americans understand their choices and select the coverage that best suits their needs when open enrollment in the new Health Insurance Marketplace begins October 1.

On that date, a new Health Insurance Marketplace will open in every state, giving Americans a new way to shop for health insurance.

For the first time in the history of the private insurance market, consumers will be able to go to one place to check out their coverage options, get accurate information in easy-to-understand language, and make apples-to-apples comparisons of plans before they make their decision.

All health plans will cover a comprehensive set of benefits, including physician visits, preventive care, hospital stays, and prescriptions.Discrimination based on gender or pre-existing conditions are banned.Many families and small businesses will qualify for a break on their monthly premiums.

And only by shopping at the Health

PROSTATE

Continued from B1

ease have the risk.

The American Cancer Society states, “Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men and Jamaican men of African ancestry than in men of other races. African-American men are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advancedstage, and are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer.” The reasons for this disparity are uncertain.

The American Urological Association updated its prostate screening recommendations in May 2013. “We feel that men ages 55 to 69 who are in good health and have more than a 10- to 15-year life

Insurance Marketplace will Americans find out if they are able to get lower costs on their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs–making more affordable coverage a new reality for many hard working Americans and their families.

The Marketplace’s online home start-

expectancy should have the choice to be tested and not discouraged from doing

So,” the AUAstated. “Our new guideline supports the use of the PSA test in a more targeted manner, whereas the [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] recommendations do not recommend its use in men of any age.”

For men with a family history or high risk for prostate cancer, the AUA encourages men to discuss their individual case with their doctor, regardless of their age.

For more information about prostate cancer testing guidelines, visit aua.org and for more information, visit www.cancer.org.

Regardless of controversy, PSAtesting of African American men has saved

ing in October will be at HealthCare.gov. For Spanish speaking consumers, CuidadoDeSalud.gov has also been updated in preparation for the Marketplace.

Aconsumer call center will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1-800-318-2596.

Anew Health Insurance

Marketplace will open in every state, giving Americans a new way to shop for health insurance when open enrollment begins October 1.

Hearing impaired callers using TTY/TDD technology can dial 1-855889-4325 for assistance.

This toll-free service will help answer questions, and starting in October it will provide personalized assistance for callers who are filling out their application or selecting a plan.

lives.

Five years ago, Wayne stepped forward in service of fellow men in St. Louis with prostate cancer to offer support and to promote prostate health testing and awareness. Wayne co-founded

The Empowerment Network in St. Louis in 2008 with prostate cancer survivor and advocate Mellve Shahid.

“When you are fighting cancer, you not only need a team, you need a network,” Wayne said. His doctors, his family, his church; friends and other prostate cancer survivors are all part of Wayne’s network.

With what he describes as an epidemic of prostate cancer among African American men, Wayne and his network encourages men to get tested.

“Men should be tested when they are

45 years old and if they have a family history, at age 40,” he advocates. “It’s a simple blood test, a PSAtest. Most men are afraid to be tested for anything because they are afraid to find out what is going on with them.

But, if they do a simple blood test, it might save their lives.”

Currently, Wayne said “I am doing great. As a matter of fact, I was at the doctor’s office … and when my lab reports came back everything was great. My PSAis down – the lowest it’s been since 2009 and my other vital signs are right where they are supposed to be.”

The Empowerment Network is located at 6000 W. Florissant at 314-385-0998 or visit online at theempowermentnetwork.net.

Roasted Tomato Rosemary Soup HEALTHY RECIPE

Soup and salad serves 4

Ingredients:

8 large tomatoes, cut into wedges

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

8 garlic cloves

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/4 tsp. salt fresh ground pepper

2 (14.5 oz) cans low sodium vegetable broth

1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt

4 sprigs fresh rosemary

Preparation:

Toss tomatoes, onion, and garlic with olive oil and salt & pepper. In an oven preheated to 375 degrees, roast for 30-40 minutes. Let cool. Add half of the vegetables to food processor or blender along with vegetable broth and Greek yogurt. Puree until smooth. Add remaining vegetables and pulse until desired consistency is reached. Pour mixture into a large saucepan and add rosemary sprigs. Simmer on medium-low for 20 minutes. Remove rosemary and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information (soup, per serving):

Calories 180

Fat 8 g

Saturated fat 1 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Carbohydrate 23 g

Fiber

Protein

Sodium

Vertical Pear Salad

Ingredients:

4 smooth pears

2-3 cups watercress

1/4 cup toasted pecans

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

2 Tbalsamic vinegar

1 t extra virgin olive oil

Fresh black pepper honey for drizzling lemon juice

Preparation

Cut pears horizontally into 3 or 4 slices depending on the size of the pear. Use a paring knife to cut out the cores. Leave the stem on the pop piece.

Brush slices of pear with lemon juice to keep it from browning. (continued next page)

Toss watercress, pecans, and blue cheese with vinegar and oil until coated.

Reassemble the pear, vertically, with the watercress salad in between each slice.

Established in 1988, Food Outreach continues to be the only nonprofit organization in greater St.Louis that focuses on providing 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 dietary needs to help them best optimize their treatments and enhance their quality of life. In 2011, Food Outreach provided nearly half a million nutritious meals at no cost to 1902 clients of all ages living in 137 Missouri and Illinois zip codes. For more information, call 314-652-3663 x121 or visit www.foodoutreach.org.

Once assembled, drizzle with honey, and serve!

Nutritient Information (pear salad per serving):

Photo by Wiley Price

Position/Where:

PROFILING PEOPLE IN HEALTH

Kimberly Clark

Patient Care Manager at Christian Hospital

CareerHighlights:

I started off at Barnes Hospital as a staff nurse in the ICU.I have worked in Indianapolis Indiana.Probably one of the most rewarding times in my career was when I lived in Houston and I volunteered 80 hours of nursing care to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.I was a director at the time, but did hands-on nursing and worked in the Houston Astrodome as a triage RN caring for evacuees.

Awards:

2007 Salute to Nurses awardee from The Houston Chronicle

Education:

RN diploma 1993- Jewish Hospital School of Nursing, St. Louis

Bachelor of Arts 2011- Ashford University, Clinton, IA

Personal:

16 year old daughter, 12 year old son, and 5 year old son

Attends Shalom Church City of Peace

St. Louis Connection:

University City High School class of 1990

Journey to success:

I started off watching my grandmother be the church nurse at Westside Missionary Baptist Church on Page Avenue in St. Louis.I looked at her as a hero because she was helping people in the moment of their need. She is the reason why I fell in love with nursing. My grandmother in that moment showed compassion, competence, and a nurturing spirit. That was magic to me.My mom was also a big influence in my career.My mother was a single parent, and really showed me how to work hard.She worked for the F.B.I. and was a minority at that organization. My mom showed me that hard work pays off and you can elevate in your career.I was an average student at University City High, but once I attended Jewish Hospital School of Nursing, I was pushed to excel in my studies.One of my nursing instructors by the name of Susan Grinslade was exceptionally tough on me.At the time, I felt like I was being harassed, but she was just preparing me for the world of nursing as it is more than just writing a care plan, it is actually executing the plan of care and getting your patient to buy into it.Susan taught me to step back from my textbook and step into the realm of the patient and see their illness through their eyes.She was in the military, so her clinicals were much like being in the military, but I definitely appreciated and respected her for her pushing me.

I am a nurse because of the connection that I make with patients.I strive to meet the patient where they are in their life course and nurture them through the course of their illness.My job is to care, not cure.Even in my role now as a nursing leader, my job is to encourage staff to connect the purpose of caringto each and every patient- this translates into delivering compassionate care at the bedside.Whether it is holding their hand as they take their last breath, or giving them an icepack to place on their new knee, patients need and want great nurses.And, I hope thatis what my legacy will be; I was a great nurse.

I have never wanted to do anything else besides nursing. I was called to this profession.Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a very caring, nurturing soul.I have been blessed to have mentors of all races to assist me with the growth of my professional career.I think that as long as you continue to be hungry for knowledge and never think you know everything, you will be a safe, compassionate, caring professional.

Sat. Sept. 21, 7 p.m. – 12 midnight, 3rd Annual The Empowerment Network Blue Tie Gala Tribute to Survivorship Dinner, Doubletree Hotel at Historic St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market St., 63103. Semi-formal attire; tickets $50. For more information, call 314-385-0998 or 314-497-7390.

Tues. Sept. 17, Free prostate cancer screenings by SSM CancerCare at Dave Sinclair Lincoln, St. Peters, 4670 N. Service Rd., 63376. To register/more information, call 866-SSM-DOCS (1866-776-3627).

Sat. Sept. 21, 7:00 a.m. - Community Health Fair& Gospel Fest & World Changing-Word of Faith Free & Fit Fitness Challenge, Venice Recreation Center, 305 Broadway, Venice, Illinois 62090. Free & Fit Fitness Challenge by BKM Fitness-7:30 a.m., 1-mile; 5K at 8:00 a.m.; 11-12noon – senior hour (age 60+); noon- 3 p.m. all ages; $25 per person, children $10 and under; Praise in the Park, 3 p.m. until. For more information, call 618-315-1056 or visit http://www.wcwoffreeandfit.com/.

Sun., Sept. 22, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free Flu Shots, Christ the King United Church of Christ, 11370 Old Halls Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63033 Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Mon., Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., St. Louis Regional Health Commission Community Meeting at Metropolitan Psychiatric Center, 5351 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis. RHC will host a discussion/planning session concerning access to healthcare services, in light of recent changes in the region’s healthcare safety net. For more information, call 314-446-6454 x.1101 or email rstafford@stlrhc.org.

Tues. Sept. 24, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Free prostate cancerscreenings by SSM CancerCare at Dave SinclairLincoln, South County, 7500 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63125. To register/more information, call 866-SSM-DOCS (1-866-776-3627).

Wed. Sept. 25, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Heart Health Screening, $20, SSM DePaul Health Center- total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, blood glucose, body fat analysis and blood pressure; To register call 314-SSM-DOCS (776-3627) or visit www.ssmhealth.com/classservicesearch/.

Wed., Sept. 25, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Food Allergies 101, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of St. Louis at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 3015

CALENDAR

N. Ballas Rd. St. Louis, 63131. Register at http://foodallergies101.eventbrite.com/.

Fri. Sept. 27, 3 p.m., Light The Night Walk Team Dre’Charities in Forest Park. 5595 Grand Drive. Bone Marrow registry awareness. For more information, call 314-359-8043.

Sat. Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m., Free to Breathe St. Louis 4th Annual Lung Cancer5K and 1-Mile Walk, benefitting the National Lung Cancer Partnership; Tremayne Shelter, Creve Coeur Park, 13725 Marine Ave., Maryland Heights, Mo. 63043. For more information, call 312-558-1770 or visit www.FreetoBreathe.org/stlouis.

Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free Flu Shots, Shalom Church City of Peace Health Fair, 5491 N Highway 67, Florissant, Mo. 63034. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sun., Sept. 29, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Medical Office Building 2, 10 Barnes West Drive, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Ages 6 months & up by BarnesJewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Mon., Sept. 30 – Fri., Oct. 4, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Main FloorLobby, One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63110; adult vaccinations only (18+ years old); South Garage parking$1.50/hr. by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Mon., Sept. 30 – Fri., Oct. 4, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Centerfor Advanced Medicine, 3rd FloorLobby, 4921 Parkview Place, St. Louis, MO 63110; Ages 6 months & up) by BarnesJewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals. North Garage & Forest Park Laclede Garage parking -$1.50/hr.

Thurs. Oct .3 – Fri. Oct. 4, 4th Annual Health Literacy Missouri Summit and Health Literacy Tribute Awards, Doubletree Hotel St. Louis at Westport. For more information, visit www.healthliteracymissouri.org

Fri. Oct. 4, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Free Dentistry Day forFairview Heights, Ill. community at Smiles by Design, 5953 North Illinois Street. Patients can choose from either one free cleaning, extraction or filling. Appointments are first-come, first served. For more information, please call 618-233-6700 or visit www.freedentistryday.org.

Sat., Oct. 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Free Flu

Shots, Matthew-Dickey Boys’& Girls’ Club, 4245 N. Kingshighway, St. Louis, MO 63115; Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sun. Oct. 6, 9 a.m., JDRF2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes-St. Louis, Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park. For more information, call 314-729-1846 or visit www.walk.jdrf.org.

Sun., Oct. 6, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Friendly Temple MB Church, 5515 Martin Luther King Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112; Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Mon., Oct. 7, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Monsanto YMCA, 5555 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63112. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Tues., Oct. 8, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Free Flu Shots, The Wesley House, 4507 Lee Ave., St. Louis, MO 63115; Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Thurs., Oct. 10,12 noon - 5 p.m., Free Flu Shots, St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League – Jennings, 8960 Jennings Station Rd., St. Louis, MO 63136. Ages 6 months & up by BarnesJewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Thurs. Oct. 10, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., AWARE forAll St. Louis, a Clinical Research Education event, Missouri History Museum in Forest Park by the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation. Register by calling 1-877-633-4376 (MEDHERO) or emailing aware@ciscrp.org.

Fri., Oct. 11,12 noon - 6 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Eden Theological SeminaryThe Commons, 475 East Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119 Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sat., Oct. 12,10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Child Safety Day @ The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sun., Oct. 13,9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. John’s AME Church - St. Charles, 547 Washington St, 63301. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Mon., Oct. 14, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Emerson Family YMCA, 3390 Pershall Rd., St. Louis, MO 63135. Ages 6 months & up) by Barnes-Jewish & St.

Louis Children’s hospitals.

Tues, Oct.15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Central Baptist Church, 2843 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Thurs., Oct. 17, 12 noon - 5 p.m., Free Flu Shots, St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League – Vandeventer, 935 N. Vandeventer, St. Louis, MO 63108. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sat., Oct. 19, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Beyond Housing - St. Vincent’s Community Center, 7335 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sun., Oct. 20, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Free Flu Shots, Vietnamese Health FairResurrection Church, 3900 Meramec, St. Louis, MO 63116. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Mon., Oct. 21, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Free Flu Shots, South City Family YMCA, 3150 Sublette, St. Louis, MO 63139. Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Tues., Oct. 22,10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Free Flu Shots, BRIDGE - Centenary United Methodist Church,1610 Olive St., St. Louis, MO 63103 Ages 6 months & up by Barnes-Jewish & St. Louis Children’s hospitals.

Sun. Oct. 27, 12Noon – 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Spare Nothing ForThe 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, 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.

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

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

Testosterone improves memory in postmenopausal women

Postmenopausal women had better improvement in verbal learning and memory after receiving treatment with testosterone gel, compared with women who received sham treatment with a placebo, according to study findings recently released The Endocrine Society’s 95th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

“This is the first large, placebo-controlled study of the effects of testosterone on mental skills in postmenopausal women who are not on estrogen therapy,” said principal investigator Susan Davis, MBBS (MD), PhD, of Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Menopause has been linked with memory decline because of a decrease in levels of the protective hormone estrogen.

“Our study has confirmed our similar findings from two smaller studies in postmenopausal women and suggests that testosterone therapy may protect women against cognitive decline after menopause.”

Menopause has been linked with memory decline because of a decrease in levels of the protective hormone estrogen. Yet testosterone also is an important hormone in women because it has a role in sexual desire, bone density and energy while improving mood. In men, studies have shown that testosterone replacement has favorable effects on brain function.

In this study, researchers randomly assigned 92 healthy postmenopausal women, ages 55 to 65, who were not receiving estrogen therapy, to receive one of two treatments for 26 weeks. The treatments were a testosterone gel applied daily to the upper arm, or a placebo, an identical-appearing gel containing none of the medication. Neither the study participants nor the investigators were aware of which gel the women received.

Before treatment and at 12 and 26 weeks of treatment, subjects underwent comprehensive testing of their cognitive function (mental skills) using a computer-based battery of tests designed for people with normal brain function. Ninety women completed the study. The investigators found no cognitive differences between groups before the start of treatment.

After 26 weeks, the women who received testosterone therapy had a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in verbal learning and memory—how well they recalled words from a list, Davis reported. The average test score for the testosterone-treated group was 1.6 points greater than that of the placebo group. No differences between the groups were evident for any other cognitive test.

Women receiving testosterone therapy reported no major side effects related to the gel. Their testosterone levels increased with treatment but remained in the normal female range.

Although further study is needed in more women, Davis said the results are important. “There is no effective treatment to date to prevent memory decline in women, who are higher risk of dementia than men,” she said.

Behavioral

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

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

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

Bike helmet safety

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

HEALTH RESOURCES

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

Dental

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

Diabetes

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSM-DOCS (866-7763627).

Health Partnerships

The CenterforCommunity Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges for Healthy Communities works to develop and support beneficial community-academic partnerships to address the health

needs of the St. Louis. For more information, email publichealth@wustl.edu; phone 314-747-9212 or visit publichealth.wustl.edu.

Information

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

Medical

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

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

Nutrition

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

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

Prostate Cancer

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

Prescription Cost Help

St. Louis ConnectCare Retail

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

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

Respiratory Health

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

New treatment extends survival in prostate cancerpatients

Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago is among hospitals that are using new, targeted radiation treatment that can reduce bone pain, the incidence of fractures – and also extend patients’ lives.

The treatment, recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, is called Xofigo. Aradioactive substance, radium-223, is injected into the patient. Because it is similar to calcium, radium223 binds to the bone.

Radium-223 delivers highenergy radiation over a short distance, providing a targeted treatment that is less damaging to other structures or tissues.

Radium-223 delivers highenergy radiation over a short distance, providing a targeted treatment that is less damaging to other structures or tissues, said Robert Wagner, MD, medical director of Nuclear Medicine in the Department of Radiology at Loyola University in Chicago.

Radium-223 is rapidly cleared from the blood stream. Fifteen minutes after injection, about 20 percent of the injected radioactivity remains in the blood. By 24 hours, less than 1 percent of radioactivity remains.

Xofigo is indicated for prostate cancer patients in which:

ï the cancer has spread to the bones, but not to other organs

ï the cancer is not responding to hormone therapy or surgery that blocks production of testosterone, and

ï the cancer spread to the bones is causing other serious symptoms.

Radium-223 is injected into an IV line in a patient’s vein, in a procedure that takes less than five minutes. The patient receives a series of six injections, given once every four to six weeks.

Side effects can include upset stomach, diarrhea, swelling in the hands and feet and decreased counts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

“While the treatment is not a cure, it can enable patients to live longer, with significantly improved quality of life,” Wagner said.