February 13, 2019
Learning to fly
Around Town
By Larry Brown. Pg. 2 Valley of Flowers Committee seeking volunteers and applicants for festival. Pg. 4
Special Section Vote for your favorite Business in North County. Pg. 10
Features (FLIP)
Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 Chris Miller, a Hazelwood Central High School graduate and Boeing engineer stands in the Prologue Room at Boeing.
Photo by Kate Edmonson
CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3
Boeing engineer brings mobile flight simulator to schools to give area children a chance to take the controls and learn what it takes to become a pilot
Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4
By Charlotte Beard
Weather
Some youth may never get the experience of flying on a commercial airplane until they are into their adult years. However, there is at least one Flight Simulations Lab Manager who has created a unique aviation experience which he transports to various schools. For approximately five years, Chris Miller, a Hazelwood Central High School graduate and alumnus of Tuskegee University, has driven his flight simulator to various schools in the St. Louis area and guided them through takeoffs and landings. Miller who leads a team of software engineers
in his role at the Boeing Corporation, built his mobile simulator to incorporate four computers and flight controls similar to a Cessna 172 (a four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft). The simulator is housed in the back of a trailer. “I was inspired by my dad; he was involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters,” Miller stated of his motivation to engage youth. “Growing up (I saw) he always had a ‘little brother’ through that organization. Just seeing him give back to the community, I knew it was something that I also wanted to do. In college I would read (to students) at
a local elementary school in Tuskegee, (Alabama). But then when I graduated college, being in St. Louis I started going to elementary schools and doing more reading and talking to students. But it wasn’t hands-on. I was speaking with the superintendent of one district; he had a program where he took students down to Parks College (of St. Louis University’s) aviation program. But it was costly to keep taking students from the district down there to see aerospace things, to see flight simulators.” See ‘FLY’ page 3
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Around Town
February 13, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com
City of Hazelwood hosts 17th annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The city of Hazelwood’s Community Enrichment Commission hosted its 17th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Civic Center East Jan. 20. The program featured these participants:
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• Brice Anderson, a fourth grade student at Blossomwood Day School, who is the third-fifth grade finalist of the North County Churches United for Racial Harmony and Justice – Dr. King Oratory Contest. • The Gentleman of Vision Step Team from Riverview Gardens High School who have won 12 National Step Championships including Stomp Wars, Disney Step Classic, Youth Step USA and the National Step Show Alliance. • Reverend David Graham, also known as “America’s Clean Comedian” who has made appearances on “Comedy Central” and NBC-TV’s “Last Comic Standing.” He has also earned the title of the #1 Lionel Richie Tribute Singer in America by “Perfect Impressions Entertainment.”
Photo courtesy city of Hazelwood Brice Anderson, a fourth grade student at Blossomwood Day School and third-fifth grade finalist of NCCU’s Dr. King Oratory Contest, gave an inspiring speech at Hazelwood’s 17th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The program ended with a traditional candle lighting ceremony to honor Dr. King and his legacy. The audience mem-
bers sang “We Shall Overcome” while they lit each other’s candle across the room.
COMMUNITY VOICES Your special blessing for today By Larry Brown If you are able to read this article today, then you are blessed beyond description. Just think about those persons you used to know who are no longer alive for some reason. Some may be contemporaries of yours, they grew up with you and went to school with you, but they are gone and you’re still here. What a blessing for you! Some may be older than you and have left the scene, having lived a long life and passed away under natural aging causes. But you’re still here and what a blessing that is. Some, no doubt, may be younger than you and have passed away due to premature health issues, accidental causes or detrimental life styles. However, you’re still here and that’s a blessing! Sometimes we forget or just fail to think about why we are here and why we have not become a victim to any of the situations that have caused the deaths of others whom we have known. This should not be taken lightly, with a grain of salt or with very casual reflection, because there must be a reason. It could have been either of us in the place of anyone of those folks who are no longer with us, and for that alone, we need to understand the blessing that’s involved. In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s beautiful poem “A Psalm of Life” it reminds us
that, “Life is real! Life is earnest and the grave is not its goal.” Life, therefore, gives us an opportunity for achievement, which can benefit us individually, benefit others with whom we may connect, or it may be the kind of achievement that benefits both us and others. The sooner we understand this phenomena, the more likely we will be to accomplish meaningful things during the time we have here on earth. We must live each day as if there is no tomorrow. Procrastination is a real thief of time. We should act in the present (which is the gift that God has given us). Yesterday is history, and tomorrow is a question mark. So act now while you have breath, sight, and presence of mind so that you can initiate and aspire to see your thought to conclusion. Your bright idea, especially if it is about something positive, deserves to be birthed into reality by you, because God gave it to you to move forward. You don’t have to look back at a later time and say “I woulda, I coulda, I shoulda if I had only known.” So while you are experiencing this blessing of life, make it meaningful for yourself or for your generation. Most millionaires have tried more than one business venture and kept pursuing until they struck gold. Most people who have made it big and are
widely known for their talent or skill are folks who have pursued excellence. So my word to you is to act now so that either you may achieve a higher level of success or someone who may walk in your footsteps or review your life’s pursuits may benefit from something positive that you did. The poem’s final stanza says, “Let us then, be up and doing, with a heart for any fate: still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labor and to wait.” Congratulations on the blessing you have received today. Please use it to accomplish something good. Larry Brown is Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Worknet, Inc., which has a national ten year contract with the Social Security Administration to find jobs for people with disabilities who are interested and qualified to enter the traditional workforce. He is also co-founder and president of Grace Chapel Ministries, former president of National Cable Training Centers, and president of Woodstock Industrial Products Group. The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.
www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 13, 2019
Around Town
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Susan G. Komen Missouri to premier new More Than Pink Walk Susan G. Komen Missouri told supporters on Jan. 25 to expect some changes at its signature fundraising event this spring. Komen has been hard at work on the next evolution in the history of the Race for the Cure series, and residents of the Greater St. Louis area will be among the first in the country to see it. Komen Missouri will be one of 26 locations across the country to launch the new Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk. Along with a new name, the event will include a fresh new look and experience focused on energizing the community around the lifesaving work Komen’s supporters make possible. This new approach is based on input from participants across the country, data from nine pilot events in 2018, and by Komen’s own observations from years as the leader in breast cancer walks.
“Much of what you have come to love about the Race will continue with our new More Than Pink Walk,” said Komen Missouri Executive Director Suzanne Fontaine. “These changes are intended to increase people’s connection to our work beyond breast cancer awareness. Together, we are more than pink – a community of people who want to do more for research, more for our communities, more for those who are living with breast cancer – including metastatic breast cancer – and more action to get us to the cures.” The biggest difference is that the More Than Pink Walk will not have a separate timed run element, focusing instead on the vast majority of participants who historically walk during the event. This change will create a greater sense of community among participants and will provide a more personalized, emotional
experience for all who attend. The Komen Greater St. Louis More Than Pink Walk will take place June 8 at the Downtown St. Louis Soldiers Memorial at 1315 Chestnut St. Walk site opens at 7:30 a.m., opening ceremony at 9 a.m., walk begins 9:30 a.m. and the post walk celebration is at 10 a.m. “We’re excited about this new chapter and encourage everyone to register and begin fundraising! We look forward to seeing everyone walking on June 8 for an inspiring day of community in support of all those living with breast cancer, celebrating those who have survived, and to remember loved ones we’ve lost to the disease,” added Fontaine. For more information on this event and what changes to expect, please visit www.komenmissouri.org/ STLwalk.
‘FLY’ from cover Miller shared that based on that conversation with the superintendent and the idea that he wanted to undertake something he felt made his involvement “handson,” he was motivated to build a simulator that he could take around to schools and community events. He shared that he believed it would, “satisfy the need of taking technology across the region but in particularly to underserved communities because they may not have as much budget for technology in the classroom.” The simulator visits are scheduled around Miller’s commitments to Boeing and its MQ-25 program. Requests for school visits are made on his website (www. chrisryanmiller.com). Miller shared that some of the students he first met during his school visits have now graduated from high school and some have gone on to study engineering. “Just knowing that you had a little bit to do with that (success) is rewarding.” He has also witnessed the excitement of other students in wanting to pursue aviation more. Unlike what Miller experienced in his youth, he discovered that some of the students had never flown on a commercial airplane. “My dad worked at St. Louis Airport. I can remember going to the airport out on the ramp with him. He had a position that allowed us to go out on the ramp and be around the aircraft. Also, there used to be a viewing point on Lindbergh Blvd. where you could watch airplanes take off and land. Many people who work for the airlines are aware of the benefits you get related to travel. We were always able to travel throughout my youth growing up. Just being around airplanes, whether traveling or seeing them in my dad’s work environment, inspired me to want to know more about them.” In addition to the flight simulator, Sarah Reed who heads Communications and Branding for Boeing’s Government Operations shared that Miller helped develop the Boeing-inspired design challenge “Design to Fly,” a hands-on project that teaches students about flight control systems. Miller shared that the design challenge has not yet been launched. “Students will build an instrument to learn how to fly and control an airplane,” stated Miller. “When you have the instrument panel that you build with this challenge and then link it with software, students can essentially do everything (as I can) in the simulator I have. But you’re building some of the controls that control the speed and left and right motion of the airplane. It’s a cool challenge. I was definitely a little biased when I was helping to design it. I thought kids being able to build something to learn how to fly an airplane would be pretty exciting.” Reed states that the simulator for the challenge was also shared with pilots at the United States Air Force’s “Eyes Above the Horizon,” an outreach event to expose students to STEM and aerospace careers. Reed also shared that Miller was awarded a 2019 Chairman’s Award at this year’s Boeing Leadership Meeting for his dedication to getting students interested in STEM. The award presented by Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg, enabled Miller to select the Legacy Flight Academy as the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Boeing. The academy is located on the campus of Tuskegee Airmen, at Moton Field in Alabama and is geared towards students ages 16-19. Miller stated, “They talk a lot about the Tuskegee Airmen and (due to) me being a Tuskegee grad that really hit home for me. Their community outreach doesn’t span one city; they go to various cities. They take students up on discovery flights.
Chris Miller sits with students inside the mobile flight simulator he designed.
Submitted photo
Not only do the students get to talk to pilots and learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, but they also have an opportunity to go up on a plane ride for the very first time.” Miller expressed that he hopes his involvement with students will encourage them to not shy away from careers that involve math and science and recognize that we are surrounded by these two disciplines. “I wasn’t the best in math, but I applied it to airplanes which is something I really wanted to learn about, so the math came easy. If you apply math and science to something you enjoy, or something you use every day, learning it will be pretty easy to get through because you are looking at the end goal. For me it was wanting to learn how planes fly, so I knew there had to be some math and science behind it. Anyone can get into any field with the right amount of work. The fields that they think are challenging they can do.” The Aerospace Science Engineering graduate went on to share his advice for youth while they are still in school. “I look at the internet – I think if I was growing up right now,” stated Miller, “I would say that the information is out there. If there is something they think they might be interested in, they can utilize the breadth of the information out on the internet to go out there and start learning and really get ahead of the curve. Right now, you can learn everything you need to learn to write software (programs) without going to get a four-year degree. So, I would highly encourage young people who have an inkling of what they want to do to utilize the internet. It’s not just for YouTube and doing things for entertainment value. It can really be a great tool to educate themselves right now and be ahead of the curve as they look towards college, as they look towards a degree. You can go to some firms without a fouryear degree if you fully understand how to write software.” Miller has also written two children’s books – “Daddy, How Do Planes Fly?” and “Daddy, How Do We Get to the Moon?” For more information visit: www. chrisryanmiller.com.
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Around Town
February 13, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com
Former Florissant City Councilman passes away Harold “Hal” Schuchmann passed away on Jan. 18. Schuchmann was a Florissant City Councilman from 1963 to 1975. He was a member of the 1963 Board of Freeholders that drafted the current Florissant City Charter and was later honored with the title of Lord of the Valley of Flowers Court for his many years of volunteering to help select the queen and court. He was also a United States Army Veteran Schuchmann’s name is the only one that appears on both of the two brass plaques just inside the door to the main floor of Florissant City Hall. One plaque honors the service of the 1963 Board of Freeholders that drafted the current city charter. The other plaque commem-
orates the 1970 dedication of the current city hall when Hal was a member of the city council that appropriated funding for the building. Schuchmann served on the Florissant City Council for 12 years representing the people of Ward 6. He also served as a member of the Emergency League of Florissant and was President of the Florissant Junior Chamber of Commerce. Schuchmann continued his public service as an Alderman in Town and Country from 1980 to 1985 and served as the Town and Country Mayor from 1985 to 1987. He was active with the Missouri Municipal League and the National League of Cities. Schuch-
mann received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Department of Commerce in 1971, Community Service Award from the City of Florissant in 1976 and received the Creve Coeur Squire Award in 1985. “It was a pleasure to know Hal Schuchmann personally and an honor to present him with a proclamation at his 90th birthday party in 2017. He was the last man standing from that honorable body that drafted our valuable city charter. I had given instructions to lower the flag at city hall to half-mast in honor of and appreciation for the public service of Harrold ‘Hal’ Schuchmann,” Florissant Mayor Thomas Schneider said.
Valley of Flowers Committee seeking volunteers and applicants for this year’s festival On May 3-5, the 56th annual Valley of Flowers Festival will be celebrated. Each year the festival offers sporting events, a car show, children’s activities, queen competition, parade, carnival rides, flea market, craft fair, plant sale and many more activities. The 2019 theme is “Valley of Flowers Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Flo-
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rissant Valley Fire Protection District.” The Valley of Flowers Committee is seeking sponsorships to support the festival. In order to provide such a varied and diverse group of activities substantial financial assistance is needed from community leaders and local businesses. Sponsorship levels include: • Event Level - $2,500 • Fleur di Lis Level - $1,000 • Rose Level - $500 • Daisy Level - $250 • Friends of the Festival - $100 The Valley of Flowers Festival is one in which the entire region involves itself. Approximately 150,000 participants from not only Florissant, but the entire St. Louis metropolitan area, will come together for the three day festival held the first full weekend in May. The Valley of Flowers Committee is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and as such all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. 2019 Valley of Flowers Activities Applications now available Applications for the 2019 Valley of Flowers parade, craft fair, flea market, pretty baby, car show, food and game booths are now available. Applications maybe picked
up from the Valley of Flowers office, downloaded from www.florissantvalleyofflowers.com or via email at office@florissantvalleyofflowers.com or fax by request to 314-837-0033/Fax 314-837-5504. The Valley of Flowers office is located at 601 rue St. Charles St. in Florissant. Craft Fair, Pretty Baby, Flea Market and Food Booths at the James J. Eagan Center are for Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. Crafter space is $75 and $10 to rent table (limited supply available), vendors table is $100 and includes table, flea market space is $50, and the Pretty Baby cost is $5. The craft/vendor fair is on the covered Ice Rink Pavilion. All food booths are grouped together in the food tent on the grounds. The car show will be on St. Francois Street on May 4. The parade will be held on May 5. Parade applicants do not have to be a Florissant resident or business to participate in the parade and there is no entry fee. Parade units are strongly encouraged to decorate honoring those who serve thinking about first responders, military/veterans, educators, doctors/nurses, volunteers, etc. Food and game booth at the Knights of Columbus grounds are for May 3 through May 5 and cost $125 per space. Sponsorships are also available. Please contact the Valley of Flowers office for more information. More information is available by contacting the Valley of Flowers office at 314-837-0033 or office@florissantvalleyofflowers.com.
www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 13, 2019
Northwest News
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Northwest Views: Debunking common myths around ALS By Maureen Barber Hill Many people don’t know about ALS unless they’ve experienced it first-hand by receiving the diagnosis or watching a loved one go through it. Nearly five years ago, it made its way to the spotlight through the Ice Bucket Challenge. And over the years there have been several celebrities who have also received this heartbreaking diagnosis, like physicist Stephen Hawking, former NFL players Steve Gleason and Tim Green or the baseball player who gives the disease its alternative name, Lou Gehrig. However, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there about ALS. For those who don’t know, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS kills moto neurons, causing muscles to weaken and affecting a person’s ability to walk, talk, speak and eventually breathe on their own. Here are some of the most common myths surrounding ALS, debunked: 1. ALS is a hereditary disease only: Familial ALS accounts for about 5-10 percent of people diagnosed
with ALS. The majority of people diagnosed with ALS have no family history and instead develop ALS sporadically. 2. Only older people are affected by ALS: Although most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70, there are many cases of people in their 20s and 30s with ALS. 3. Brain function in not affected in people with ALS: While it is common for brain function to not be affected, approximately 20 percent of individuals with ALS also develop frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) which is characterized by changes in personality, behavior and speech. 4. If you’re paralyzed with ALS you can’t feel your body: People with ALS can still feel their body, even though they can’t control its movement. 5. ALS affects everyone the same way: From the initial symptoms to how the disease progresses, ALS can affect people very differently. The
first symptoms of ALS can vary widely depending on the type of onset, bulbar or limb. The rate at which ALS progresses is also quite different person to person. Understanding the facts about diseases like ALS make it easier for people living with it and the struggles they and their families face. You can find out more about ALS by visiting our website www.alsa-stl.org. Maureen Barber Hill has been the President and CEO of the ALS Association St. Louis Regional Chapter for nearly 9 years, dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by ALS, educating the community and supporting research. The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.
Powder Valley Nature Center announces winners of its 2018 photo contest The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Nature Center has announced the results of its 2018 photo contest, and the winning entries will be displayed in the nature center’s exhibit hallway during the month of February. “Our first Amateur Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Photo Contest was a success with 36 photographers submitting over 100 photos,” said MDC Naturalist Shelly Colatskie. The contest opened in March and was free of charge to amateur photographers of all ages. Winners in 10 categories were selected, including two youth categories. The contest accepted photos taken by amateur photographers at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, or nearby Emmenegger Nature Park/Possum Woods Conservation Area, and Claire Gempp Davidson Memorial Wildlife Area. First place winning photographers in adult categories were: • Winter: Ann West • Spring: Peter Baechle
Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation Kate Sprague’s photo of a whitetail buck won first place in the Wildlife category of the 2018 Powder Valley Nature Center Amateur Photography contest. All winning photos will be displayed in the nature center’s hallway gallery throughout the month of February.
• Summer: Mike Conley • Fall: Kate Sprague • Water: Mandy Yeager • Plants: George Bolhafner • Wildlife: Kate Sprague • People and Nature: Gabbie Stieb First place winners in youth categories were: • Water: Abigail Gorline • Wildlife: Catharyn Ryden “We loved seeing Missourians discover and enjoy the outdoors through photography,” Co-
latskie said. The 2019 photo contest is currently under way and the nature center will be accepting images through Nov. 1. For more details and an entry form, go to https://bit.ly/2LZJa1R, or contact Shelly Colatskie at shelly.colatskie@ mdc.mo.gov, or call 314-301-1506 ext. 4222. In addition to having their photos displayed at Powder Valley, contest winners also received award ribbons. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-44 and I-270.
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School
February 13, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com
Ferguson-Florissant School District’s 2018 state assessment scores announced Results from the 2018 Missouri Annual Performance Report (APR) for the Ferguson-Florissant School District show a substantial increase in the district’s overall score. Ferguson-Florissant received 110.5 points out of a possible 120 points on the state’s annual assessment, or 92.1 percent. This year’s score of 92.1 percent is a 24.7 percent increase from last year’s score of 67.4 percent and by far FFSD’s highest performance over the six years of MSIP 5. Ferguson-Florissant School District showed growth in ELA and math and gained points for attendance and graduation rate even with adjustments to the calculations.
This is a significant increase over past years and demonstrates the effectiveness of initiatives across the district. “Our performance says we are headed in the right direction, and we are especially excited that 87.5 percent of our seniors graduated in four years,” said Ferguson-Florissant’s Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Davis. “The hard work of our students, teachers and administrators is reflected in our scores on the APR. We are excited about the opportunities for our students and community as we continue to move forward.”
Normandy welcomes all-girls wrestling team to the mat
Photo courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative Normandy’s Christa’Nae Wright (left) sizes up her opponent Khaylie Ross of Clayton.
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The Normandy High School (NHS) wrestling teams recently hosted their first meet in 10 years, but the new mat wasn’t the only thing making its first appearance in Viking Hall. It was also the home debut for the school’s girls wrestling team. “The whole high school campus was buzzing,” said Terrence Hamilton, Normandy athletic coordinator. “It’s an excitement (among students and staff) that I haven’t seen in a while.” Until recently, wrestling was a co-ed sport with girls often competing against boys. After an increasing number of girls began participating in the sport, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) implemented an all-girls division which went into effect July 1, 2018. Beginning with the 2018-2019 season, there will be a two-year transition period that will give the girls the option of participating in both their school’s boys wrestling lineup and girls wrestling lineup during regular season contests only. After this transition period, girls will participate at girls-only competitions. Missouri became one of the few states to implement an all-girls wrestling division. Tyrone Baker, Normandy boys and girls wrestling coach, said the all-girls leagues will help level the playing field for female competitors. The Normandy girls wrestling team is in the Class 1/District 2 Division, boasting standouts junior Christa’Nae Wright at 143 lbs., and senior Ta’Kiera Steen at 235 lbs. Wright and Steen rank in the top 10 statewide in their weight classes, No. 5 and No. 10 respectively. The quad-meet matchup on Jan. 9 included Clayton High School, St. Louis Priory, and McCluer South-Berkeley High School. The Normandy Vikings-Clayton matchup pitted Wright
against Clayton’s Khaylie Ross, a junior at 136 lbs., whom Wright described as a formidable opponent. Wright said before the match her peers asked: “‘I heard you have to wrestle that girl from Clayton, again. You ready?’” Wright didn’t seem concerned nor did her coach. “It’s been plenty of times where she just could’ve gave up. She has too much fight in her,” Baker said of Wright. On a winning streak for the season, Wright seemed more than capable of meeting any challenge head on. However, the match ended in a double medical forfeit with Ross later announced as the winner due to points. What’s next for wrestling at Normandy? As for wrestling as a whole at Normandy, the goal is to restore the sport to its former glory. “Wrestling was king here at Normandy back in the day,” Baker, the wrestling coach, said. “Out of all the trophies Normandy has, 70 percent of them are wrestling trophies.” The problem now is getting young black men and women educated about the sport, he added. Now a part of Normandy’s future, the girls wrestling team has set the bar high. “Like I’ve told my girls, ‘you might not be the first individual to wrestle here at Normandy, but you’re the first to do it as a team,’” he said. “‘If girls choose to wrestle, they’re doing it because they saw what you did.’” For the 2018-2019 wrestling schedule, visit the Normandy High School website, www.normandysc.org/normandyvikings.
www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 13, 2019
Business
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Florissant Chick-fil-A celebrates opening with ribbon cutting The frigid temperatures on the last day of January did not stop a large crowd of dignitaries and residents from being on hand to join owner Tasha Fox and the Chick-fil-A family to celebrate their ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony. The new store is located at 3159 N. Hwy 67. People might recognize Tasha because she was the runner up of the Survivor Cambodia season #31. The Survivor season 31 winner, Jeremy Collins, was also present to support Tasha. Chick –fil-A was welcomed by the Greater North County Chamber and the African American Chamber St. Louis. A large combination of members of both chambers represented and many Florissant Residents who were both in the store and in a long drive up lane on a morning of single digit temperatures. Florissant Mayor Thomas Schneider and other dignitaries congratulated
Hazelwood resident Tasha Fox for being the first African-American female owner in the Chick-fil-A restaurant system and shared his excitement for the success of her new Florissant restaurant. Schneider said “Chicken has been served for over two centuries in Florissant and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne likely shared a chicken dinner with Jesuit pioneer priest Father Pierre Jean De Smet. They have high schools named Photo courtesy city of Florissant for them so it is fitting that Ferguson Florissant School District and Tasha’s alma matter Construction continues on the new Normandy Early Learning Center located on Natural Bridge Road Alton High are cheering for her success today. near the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus. Bonds sold are used on this project as well as other Florissant is a great place to invest and I am capital improvements in the collaborative. The facility is scheduled to open in fall 2019. confident this grand opening and others nearby recently and in the near future signal the beginning of a building and renovation boom near the intersection of Lindbergh and Halls Ferry.”
Local financial institutions continue to support Normandy growth with bonds purchase The Normandy Schools Collaborative approved the sale of $10 million in general obligation bonds to help finance a new Early Learning Center, additions to Washington and Jefferson Elementary schools, and other facility upgrades. The Collaborative’s Joint Executive Governing Board approved the sale at a special meeting Dec. 14, 2018, makPhoto courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative ing this the final offering of a $23 million, no-tax-rate-increase Construction continues on the new Normandy Early Learning Center located on Natural Bridge bond issue approved by voters Road near the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus. Bonds sold are used on this project as well as other capital improvements in the collaborative. The facility is scheduled to open in fall 2019. in April 2017. The first $5 million in municipal bonds were sold in August 2017 and $8 million more were sold in exceed project budgets. The interest income from the bonds is exempt from state and federal inMarch 2018. The Normandy Joint Executive Governing come taxes, and the bonds carry an AA+ rating Board (JEGB) approved the latest bond issue to from S&P Global (formerly Standard & Poor’s L.J. Hart & Company of St. Louis, the district’s Corp.). The rating is based on the school district’s municipal bond underwriter. Local banks were participation in the state’s Direct Deposit Program offered the first opportunity to invest, and tak- through the Missouri Health and Educational ing up the offer this time were: Midwest Bank- Facilities Authority, along with the financial and Centre purchasing $250,000; Central Bank of St. academic strides it has made since gaining proviLouis, $250,000; and Parkside Financial bought sional accreditation in 2018. The bonds also contain an optional, penalty-free $250,000. During the previous offerings, Midwest BankCentre, Carrollton Bank, and Parkside Fi- redemption provision on March 1, 2024, which can help reduce future interest charges in case of nancial Bank and Trust invested in the bonds. “Our partnerships with local businesses have prepayment or refinancing. The financing probeen critical to the progress we’ve made as a school ceeds are expected to be available to the collaboradistrict and we appreciate these institutions mak- tive on Jan. 10 and will be reinvested immediately ing an investment in our students and the com- to earn additional interest for paying project costs. The new Early Learning Center is scheduled to munity,” said Dr. Charles J. Pearson, Superintenopen in August on the site of the current Normandent of Schools. According to L.J. Hart & Company, all of the dy 7th-8th Grade Center at 7855 Natural Bridge bonds carry a five percent interest rate and are Road. The two elementary schools are being outscheduled to mature between March 1, 2023, and fitted with new science labs and media centers, March 1, 2029, with reoffered yields on the March among other needed improvements. The projects 1, 2024, call date ranging from 2.65 percent to 3.10 are expected to be completed for the 2019-2020 percent. This structure produces almost $947,000 school year. in additional funding in case construction bids
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What’s Happening
February 13, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com
Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Feb. 13: Karaoke
Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.
Feb. 13: Community empowerment workshop
The Hazelwood School District is offering a three-session community empowerment workshop series in partnership with Alive and Well Communities. The first session will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hazelwood East High School at 11300 Dunn Road in St. Louis. The series will focus on topics like historical oppression, discipline policies, how trauma affects adults and youth, and how to respond to those who have experienced trauma. The workshops are free and open
to the public; a light dinner and childcare will be provided. Registration is required, and those interested should call 314-953-5160 or email sjackson@ hazelwoodschools.org to reserve a seat.
Feb. 16: Free concert
Justin B. Funk presents “A Love Affair” with Funksession featuring Thedarox from 7 – 9 p.m. at Hwy 67 BBQ at 1752 New Florissant Rd. in Florissant. Free entry and all ages are welcome. For more information call 314-455-2999.
Feb.18: Making schools safe for students
“Turn it Around...Hands Down” is a program that raises student’s self-esteem, reduces bulling and stresses a peacemaking approach in the school climate. Carol Kuhlengel, who designed and implements this innovative program at Riverview Gardens School District and JoAnn Klees who works with her, will discuss this acclaimed
w w w. s e n i o r s h e l p i n g s e n i o r s . c o m / s t l o u i s c e n t r a l
program. The American Association of University Women Ferguson-Florissant (North County) branch meeting will be at 10 a.m. in the Educational Building of Immanuel UCC Church at 211 Church Street in Ferguson. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 314-9217109, 314-522-0414, or 314-831-5359.
Feb. 20: Karaoke
Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.
Feb. 21: Community forum
The Hazelwood School District will host a community forum with its superintendent and board of education on from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Hazelwood West High School at 1 Wildcat Lane in Hazelwood. A panel consisting of Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart and three board members will host a discussion centered on district updates, the Strategic Plan, and answering questions from attendees. Parents, students, district staff, and community members are invited to attend. This is the second of three community forums in the district this school year; the final forum will be held April 4 at Central High School.
Feb. 21: Black History Celebration
Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road, will host a Black History Celebration from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Guest speakers include KSDK Meteorologist Anthony Slaughter, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, and St. Louis Surge Team Owner Khalia Collier.
Feb. 22: Chicken dinner
Chicken dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.
Feb. 22-23: Theater performance
Hazelwood East High School will present two showings of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” The first performance is Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m.; the second performance is Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. Admission is three canned food items per person; the performances will be held at the school, located at 11300 Dunn Road in St. Louis.
Feb. 23: Art exhibition
“History in Technicolor: North County Students Reflect on Black History Month” is now open at Good Shepherd Arts Center at 252 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson. The exhibit, sponsored by North County Churches United for Racial Harmony and Justice, will run through Feb. 23. This art exhibit was made possible by a generous grant from the FSC Foundation.
Feb. 27: Karaoke
Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from
8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.
March 9: Summer camp fair
Join Ferguson-Florissant School District and Blueprint4Summer St. Louis for the 2019 Summer Camp Fair. Parents can explore a variety of summer opportunities for school-age children at the Summer Camp Fair. Representatives from local and regional providers will be available to talk about summer camps, programs, internships, and volunteer activities. During the fair, parents can meet program staff, pick up information and registration forms. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at McCluer North High School Gymnasium at 705 Waterford Dr. in Florissant. The fair is free and open to all families within any school in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
March 30-31: Holistic fair
Internal Spirit Holistic Fair takes place March 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and March 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Machinist’s District 9 Hall at 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd. in Bridgeton. A $5 admission provides access to a variety of alternative healers, inspirational and educational lectures, vendors, jewelry, crystals, shamans, bio-mat, aura photo, astrologer, psychic/mediums and more. Free gift bag to the first 50 participants each day. For more information visit www.internalspiritholisticfair.com.
Mondays: Choral Art Singers
Choral Arts Singers resume practice on Mondays, at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 1860 Lake St. Louis Blvd. in Lake St. Louis. This session will include performance at St. James Cathedral, Chicago on June 25. New singers are welcome. Auditions are not required. See www.concertarts.org.
Mondays: City council meetings
City of Pine Lawn holds regular city council meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.
Mondays: Workshop meetings
City of Pine Lawn holds regular workshop meetings at city hall at 6250 Steve Marre Ave. in Pine Lawn on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.
Mondays: A cappella singers
RECURRING EVENTS
All men who like to sing are invited to come sing with us, The Men of Harmony. We practice every Monday night at 7 p.m. at 5500 Parker Road which is the first house on Uthe Lane. We sing four-part harmony a capella (without accompaniment ). We sing some traditional songs, as well as show tunes and more contemporary music. We do perform for the public at various functions. Persons interested can come right on in or for more information call Al at 314-993-6134.
Any time: Tours at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine by appointment
Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed
#1 Rue St. Francois St., Florissant. Donations accepted. Docents needed. 314-921-7582, Vicki Wittman Email: vicray01@aol.com.
Monthly: Free legal services
Every month CORP Legal Services provides: legal document preparations such as wills, deeds and power of attorneys at no cost to St. Louis County seniors 60 years and older. There is an income limit. Contact the coordinator at 314-615-0931 for more information.
Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org.
Weekdays: Volunteer drivers
The St. Louis County Older Resident Programs need volunteer drivers who live in St. Louis County to give a few hours during the day to provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments for our senior residents of St. Louis County that lives near you! No weekends and mileage reimbursement is available. Call today at 314615-4516.
Community Action Agency of St. Louis County is in need of volunteers to stock shelves, sort food shipments and pack bags for Food Pantry Clients Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Two to four hour shifts are available. If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Piece at 314-446-4440 or cpiece@caastlc.org for additional information.
Tuesdays: Chair Zumba
Chair Zumba every Tuesday from 2:15 – 3 p.m. at The Bridge At Florissant at 1101 Garden Plaza Dr. (Parker @ Arlington). For more information call 314-831-0988.
Tuesdays: Choir rehearsals
The St. Louis Chordinals, a women’s a cappella chorus, rehearse every Tuesday evening from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church at 12397 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bridgeton (next to the Bridgeton Government Center). For more information call Linda at 314-839-3495 or visit stlouischordinals.org.
Tuesdays: Vietnam Veterans Association meeting
Chapter 794 Vietnam Veterans Association meets on the third Tuesday of each month at VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant. Meetings start at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-921-2132.
www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • February 13, 2019 Tuesdays: TOPS pounds sensibly)
(Take
off
From 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. located at John F. Kennedy Center/Henry Koch Ctr., Howdershell Rd. at Charbonier Rd., Florissant. For more info contact Paul or Connie McConnell, 314-831-5476.
Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting
6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335, at the Bellefontaine Neighbors Community Center at 9669 Bellefontaine Rd. Those interested in membership are invited to attend.
Every Tuesday: Bingo Evening at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316
Doors at 4:30 p.m., games begin at 6pm, Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. For more information, call 314.921.2316.
Wednesdays: TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets from 6 p.m. -7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 3975 N. Hwy 67 in Florissant. For more information contact Norma at 314-306-4731.
Wednesdays: Are you interested in losing weight?
Check out TOPS #361 Florissant group of supportive ladies. Meetings are on Wednesday mornings beginning at 9:15 a.m. at Florissant Church of Christ, 16460 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. If interested, please contact Shirley at 314-895-3528 for more information.
Every Wednesday: Bingo Morning at Florissant Elks Lodge #2316 Florissant Elks Lodge #2316, 16400 New Halls Ferry Rd. in Florissant. Doors at 7:30 a.m., games begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 314.921.2316.
Bridgeton Trails Library Branch Programs:
3455 McKelvey Rd., St. Louis, 314.994.3300. Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 9 months to 2 yrs. Room 1 (Lap Time); Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 2; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3–5. Room 1.
Florissant Senior Citizens’ Bingo Clubs: 314.839.7604. Every 1st Wednesday of the Month: Stroke Support Group
3-4 p.m., Center for Senior Renewal, Detrick Building 1st floor, 11133 Dunn Rd. For more information, contact Jamie Stevens at 314.653.5331.
Thursdays: Bingo
Community Bingo at the Bridge At Florissant, at 1101 Garden Plaza Drive (intersection of Parker and Arlington) takes place on the third Thursday of each month starts at 2 p.m. There will be snacks and prizes. For more information call 314-831-0988.
Thursdays: Quilting guild
Every third Thursday of the month the Flower Valley Quilting Guild meets at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 123 Carson Road in Ferguson.
Thursdays: Korean War Veterans Association meeting
If you had military service in Korea between Sept. 3, 1945 and the present you are cordially invited to a meeting of Chapter 4, North County Korean War Veterans Association. Meetings take place at the VFW Post 4105 at 410 St. Francois in Florissant on the first Thursday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-921-2132.
Thursdays: checks
Blood
Thursdays: meeting
Women’s
pressure
Free blood pressure checks monthly at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant every third Thursday of the month. Call 831-3752 for more information.
chorus
Every Thursday City Voices Chorus, a women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmony, meets at Church of the Good Shepherd at 1166 S. Mason Rd. in St. Louis. Members come from the entire bi-state region. Call Marcia at 636-274-0723 for more information or visit www.cityvoiceschorus.org.
Every Friday: Our Lady of Fatima #4429 Knights of Columbus Bingo
6:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 1216 Teson Rd. in Hazelwood. For more information call 314.731.9330
Every 3rd Friday of the month: Bingo
2 p.m., Life Care Center of Florissant, 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. For more information, call 314.831.3752.
Fridays: Celebrate Recovery
For 25 years Celebrate Recovery has been helping everyday folks find freedom from whatever difficulty you are experiencing in your life. This Christ-centered, 12-step program is based on the Beatitudes. We meet every Friday at 6:15 p.m. for dinner ($5); 7 p.m. large group meeting; 8 p.m. Small groups sharing; 9 p.m. dessert at First Christian Church of Florissant at 2890 Patterson Rd. in Florissant. For more information call 314-837-2269 or visit http://www.fccf. org/ or Facebook page Celebrate Recovery-FCCF.
Saturdays: Toastmasters meeting
Everyone is welcome to attend Toastmasters Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Normandy United Methodist Church at 8001 Natural Bridge Road (across from UMSL). For more info call 314402-7025.
Saturdays: Free walk-in clinic
Salam Clinic at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ at 1425 Stein Road at West Florissant in Ferguson is a free walk-in clinic open Saturdays from
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The clinic is jointly sponsored by the Muslim Community of St. Louis (MCSL) and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ to provide basic adult medical screening, treatment and referrals free of charge for the uninsured. For more information or if you would be interested in volunteering, please call 314-521-5694 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday or visit www.stpeterschurch.org
Saturdays: Clothing sale
On the second Saturday of each month Bethany-Peace UCC at 11952 Bellefontaine Rd. in St. Louis County hosts a clothing sale from 9 - 11 a.m. For sale are used clothing and shoes, some household items, books and toys. Fill your bag for $1.
What’s Happening
GriefShare Support Group
Tuesdays from 2 - 4pm and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30pm, 11645 Benham Rd., 314.741.3737
HEALTH Every Mon. & Tues.: Healthy Meal Replacement (HMR) Program Orientation Mondays: 6–7pm Tuesdays: Noon– 1pm SSM DePaul Wellness Center. Attend a free orientation to learn: the SUDOKU answers from page F-1
Five Success Variables needed to lose weight, different diet options available and how important physical activity really is. Please call to register at 1.877.477.6954.
Every Monday-Friday: Evening Front Desk Volunteers Needed
4-7pm, Christian Hospital, 1225 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information, please contact Lee Shields at 314.653.5032.
CROSSWORD answers from page F-2
Saturdays: Grief support
On the fourth Saturday of each month, grief support meeting “A Way With Words Ministry” meets at 12:30 p.m. at Community Christ Fellowship, rear, at 121 Williams Blvd. in Hazelwood, 1/4 mile south of Hwy 270 off Florissant Rd. There are a variety of topics monthly. You are not alone. Come help your heart heal with others. For more information call 314-605-3949.
Every Fourth Saturday’s Writer’s Workshop 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Baden Library, at 8448 Church Rd. For more information call 314-388-2400.
Sundays: Meat shoot
Come and enjoy the meat shoots at American Legion Post 444 located on 17090 Old Jamestown Road between Sinks Rd and Lindbergh starting at noon until dusk every Sunday in February and March in the spring and every Sunday in October through the second-to-last week in November in the fall - rain or shine. Great meat prizes awarded. Sundays: AMVETS meat shoot Sundays in September through April, AMVETS Post 55, located on 8842 Natural Bridge Rd. in Bel-Ridge will be hosting meat shoots with practice beginning at 11 a.m. and rounds starting at noon. Shooters must be 18 or older and will shoot #9’s with no bull barrels or scopes and 675 minimum chokes. The shooting area is indoors and food and drink are available in the club room. For more information, contact 314-630-2671 or 314-330-7269.
Sundays: meeting
Jennings
Do-Dads
The Jennings Do-Dads hold meetings every third Sunday of the month (except June which is the second Sunday and no meeting in December) at 1 p.m. at Classics Bar & Grill at 11601 West Florissant Avenue. Those interested in membership are invited to attend. For more information visit www.jenningsdodads.org.
CHURCH Tuesdays & Thursdays: Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church
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February 13, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com
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Recipe:
Take a trip to the Mediterranean for heart health
Feature
F-1
– SUDOKU –
Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.
Greek Style Quesadillas Yield: 8 servings | Serving Size-: ½ quesadilla; ¼ cup tzatziki sauce
Ingredients: Quesadilla Ingredients: 8 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, chopped 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained and chopped 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 cup cucumber, finely diced ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions: To make the tzatziki sauce, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice and lemon zest in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle with olive oil. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Top a tortilla with ¼ of the spinach, olives, sun dried tomatoes
and cheeses, and then top with another tortilla. Repeat with remaining tortillas to make four quesadillas. Place quesadillas onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and bake until the cheese has melted, about 10-12 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut prepared tortillas into quarter sections. Serve immediately with tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition Facts: 392 Calories, 22 Grams Fat, 31 % DV Calcium, 19 Grams Protein For more information on the Mediterranean diet, visit www.choosemyplate.gov For more information on the benefits of dairy, visit www.stldairycouncil.org
SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9
‘Cold Pursuit’ junket features Liam Neeson’s open admission
D
Movie: By Steve Bryan
Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.
uring his career, Liam Neeson has played solid supporting characters, including one in 1992’s underappreciated “Leap of Faith.” Neeson was Will Braverman, the sheriff of a small Kansas town suffering from a terrible drought. Steve Martin played Jonas Nightengale, a traveling evangelist who, with the help of Winger’s Jane Larson, cons the locals while promising them rain. Sheriff Braverman set out to expose the preacher as a fraud. Neeson, an Oscar nominee for “Schindler’s List,” is a solid Hollywood performer and known for the “Taken” franchise. He took his own leap of faith recently by admitting to Clémence Michallon, a writer for “The Independent,” that he once contemplated killing a black person. Those angry thoughts came, according to Michallon’s interview, after a friend was reportedly raped by a person of color. Michallon, who did the interview in support of Neeson’s new film “Cold Pursuit,” published a follow-up piece explaining her decision to print the quote. In recent years, notable names such as Harvey Fierstein and Kevin Spacey, have
The plot of Neeson’s movie also is a story of revenge: he plays a snowplow driver seeking revenge on the drug dealers he believed killed his son. The reaction to the actor’s moment of brutal honesty has been mixed. Twitter comments appear to support Neeson while others have taken him to task for blatant racism. In a Spacey-like reaction, some even asked that Neeson be digitally-removed from the upcoming “Men in Black: Inter“Cold Pursuit” photo courtesy Paradox Films national” film. The red carpet for “Cold Pursuit” also has been been scrubbed from Hollywood, their con- cancelled considering the actor’s remarks to tributions stricken from the record. During Michallon. the height of the #MeToo movement, their Human beings have angry impulses and inappropriate behavior came back to haunt Neeson, though larger-than-life in some of them. For both Fierstein and Spacey, their his movies, is decidedly human. The actor accusers had kept silent until finally coming responded to one of Michallon’s questions forth to announce what happened years ago. with an anecdote from his own life. The More recently, director Bryan Singer’s own quote reads like he was simply giving a rebad behavior has affected “Bohemian Rhap- al-life perspective on what his character did sody” during awards season. in the film. He has made appearances since Neeson’s case is not the same thing be- the story broke on “Good Morning, Americause he didn’t hurt anyone. His admission ca” and “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” to Michallon during the “Cold Pursuit” press Is this the end for Liam Neeson and his junket seems like something that would be particular set of acting skills? Only time shared with a close friend in confidence. will tell.
F-2
Feature
February 13, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
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February 13, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com
Yeggs
John Hanna
Crossword: Valentine’s Day
‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.
By Cindy Moore
Moore On Life Oh what a bowl game it was this year. Things heated up hotter than my spicy jalapeno poppers. And why? “Because the game was so intensely riveting and eventful?” No. It was about as exciting as watching my cats lick their toes. “Halftime excitement?” Nope. It was pleasantly lame. Everyone’s wardrobes stayed in place: no blatant politics; no mass protests of controversial things like eating bacon. Even the commercials were mediocre. Come on! At five million bucks a pop, I wanted 3-D images of Jason Momoa coming out of my screen to snuggle with me. “So what caused the kerfuffle?” This year I chose the opposing team from my husband’s. Usually I ask who we’re cheering for and he tells me. I agree then sit back and watch cat videos on my phone until there’s an expensive commercial. But this time I made the decision to pick my own team. I asked, “Who’re we cheering for this year?” He said, “The Rams. They’re the underdog and I’m sick of the Patriots winning all the time. Besides, Brady doesn’t have enough fingers on his hand for another ring.” “Hmmm. Which team has those nice red, white and blue outfits?” “Patriots.” “Ok. I’m voting for them.” “You don’t vote, you root.” “Well if they’re called the Patriots, I’m going to vote.” “No! You can’t choose them; they cheat.”
“It’s just a silly game,” I said as I nuzzled next to him. He grabbed a couple of pillows and shoved them between us forming a barrier. “Stay on your side, traitor.” I glanced up periodically from my cat videos to see how the game was progressing. “Hey, the score’s 3 to 0. Why didn’t you cheer? Oh, I see. I think my team scored. Well, that was very considerate of them to only take three points. Isn’t it usually six for a touchdown?” I didn’t understand his eye roll. Soon the score was tied. I glanced up. “Wasn’t that nice of them to let you catch up?” He grabbed more pillows and shoved them in between us. Before long the game was over and my team took turns kissing a giant silver trophy. “Don’t they each get one? Must be on a budget. I sure hope they Purell their lips after. Well that was fun. High five me for picking the winner.” I dodged five pillows.
Bowl of cheer-ies
Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder. The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.
ACROSS 1. Indian black tea 6. Elmer to Bugs 9. Glorify 13. Head of a mosque 14. E.T. transporter 15. This was his name-o 16. Mental portrait 17. Chlorofluorocarbon, abbr. 18. French novelist Zola 19. *Related to puzzle theme 21. Way to absorb 23. Lobe locale 24. H. H. Munro’s pseudonym 25. Rap sheet abbr. 28. Hungarian bagpipe 30. Deeply hidden within self 35. Initiation ceremony, e.g. 37. Made with stitches 39. Venus neighbor 40. Crucifix 41. Cerberus’ domain 43. Petri dish filler 44. Young hooter 46. Fraternity recruitment season 47. Type of shark 48. ____ Grove, MN 50. Corset rod 52. Animal’s nose
53. Number one 55. Second solfa syllable, pl. 57. *Flowery Valentine’s gift 61. *Between girlfriend and wife 65. Liquid drug container 66. Planet ruler in the movies 68. *Blast from Harry’s past, movie 69. Caterpillar hairs 70. Easter lead-in 71. Human social group 72. *Tied upon marriage 73. Kith partner 74. Wild plums DOWN 1. Gulf V.I.P. 2. Clash of heavyweights 3. NBA action 4. Lake scum 5. Dionysus’ follower 6. Mussolini, with Il 7. On vacation 8. Cuckoo for what puffs? 9. *Romantic ride 10. Anisette, for short 11. Tangerine plus grapefruit 12. “Easy ____ it” 15. *Kind of wish 20. *Puppy love
22. Do biathlon 24. Woodworker’s byproduct 25. *Cupid’s ammo 26. Native of American Great Plains 27. Circular island of coral 29. *First word 31. Hat-tipper’s word 32. Donated life-saver 33. Interest in a venture 34. *Heart____ 36. “Harper Valley PTA” star 38. Hatchling’s home 42. Harry Belafonte’s daughter 45. Tiny tube 49. Tiger’s launch point 51. Leavening agent, pl. 54. Smelled offensively 56. Angry growl 57. Lounge, like in the sun 58. A sign 59. “____ ____ no good” 60. African tea 61. Shade-loving plant 62. Greek muse of history 63. River in Bohemia 64. *”Can’t take my ____ off you...” 67. Hawaiian dish SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9