CN: September 25, 2019 by Community News

September 25, 2019

Strengthening bonds in Ferguson New Ferguson Police Department Chief of Police looks to improve relations between police and the community through open dialogue and interaction

MDC reopens Columbia Bottom Conservation Area to limited access. Pg. 4

Special Section COME ON OUT TO THIS WEEKEND’S FESTIVAL! Spet. 27 & 28: Ferguson StreetFest. Pg. 6

By Charlotte Beard “I am destined for greatness! If so later, why not now? Change does not happen overnight. In order to impact the BIG picture, focus on LITTLE victories. Know what you are worth, and then ask for it!” That is the inscription on the LinkedIn profile of a law enforcement officer who demonstrated change during his service in Georgia and aims to demonstrate change now that he is part of Ferguson, Missouri. Chief Jason P. Armstrong came to St. Louis from Forest Park, Georgia. He has been in St. Louis since July fulfilling his new role and his wife and two children are expected to join him here in St. Louis late October. Armstrong’s journey to the Ferguson’s Police Department began when he was in North Carolina. Armstrong stated, “I attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC. While I was at school, I learned about a program that the Department of Justice ran called the Police Corps. That program was geared towards getting more college educated police officers out on the streets across America. That’s what (took) me to Georgia. So, I went through the police academy (by way of) the Police Corps program and then started my career with the Forest Park Police Department.” He served on the Forest Park Police Department for almost 18 years. He started his law enforcement career in October 2001. Armstrong started as a patrol officer before moving up in rank. In a few years he was elevated to the Special Operations Unit which was involved with high-crime areas, drug investigations and other vice investigations. Later he was promoted to sergeant. “When I started with (Forest Park) in 2001,

Around Town

Northwest News Five years later – The Ice Bucket Challenge. Pg. 12

Features

Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Yeggs & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4 Submitted photo Ferguson Chief of Police Jason P. Armstrong came to St. Louis from Forest Park, Georgia. He has been in St. Louis since July fulfilling his new role.

sergeant was the highest position that a black person had ever held in the police department. In 2011, I was promoted to lieutenant; I was the first black lieutenant that we ever had there. Then I was promoted to the rank of captain. I held the rank of captain for five or six years. In October (2018) I served as the interim Chief of Police for the department for a few months. I also served as the interim Major of Operations for the department before coming (to St. Louis) and taking this position.” Armstrong shared of his past law enforcement career, he is most proud of all the bench-

marks he was able to attain while in Georgia for the establishment of “hope” for others both in and outside the department. Many veteran officers who were African American talked to him about the culture of the Forest Park Department when he joined it. Armstrong stressed that they didn’t believe any African American would ever be promoted beyond sergeant in the department. “Also, outside in the community, people would speak about those kinds of things – that there was no black representation,” stated See ‘STRENGTHENING’ page 2

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September 25, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

‘STRENGTHENING’ from cover Armstrong. “As I started to get promoted, as I started to reach some of those heights – it wasn’t just the gratification I accomplished for myself but so many people in that community had a sense of achievement also. They were seeing things happen that a lot of them thought they would never see happen in their lifetime in that city. To be a part of some of that change was definitely rewarding for me.” One of Armstrong’s most recent actions to promote change in the Ferguson community, was his partnering of the Ferguson Police Department with Adopt a Block to present a viewing of “Walking While Black: Love Is the Answer” at the Ferguson Community Center last Tuesday. The “film of reconciliation” was a simultaneous broadcast across the United States showing communities and police departments. The viewing was followed by discussion. “It was a great start to opening up dialogue about how we can better communicate with each other to form stronger bonds in our communities,” stated Armstrong. “This is only the beginning!” Armstrong shared the primary goals he desires the Ferguson Police Department to fulfill. “The number one goal is for us to get fully staffed. One of the things that I think has hurt this department over the years is that the department has been understaffed. We’re working hard right now to try filling the openings that we do have. We can look and see what we’re allocated for right now – is that sufficient to provide the quality level of service that we want to provide for our citizens here. So, number one is recruiting. We (must) get the people in here so we can better allocate our resources effectively. (Also), is the consent decree. What we have to deal with here at the department is that we have to get in com-

pliance with the consent decree so that we can show that we are doing the things that we are supposed to be doing here.” The primary focus for staffing at the department is the hiring of police officers. Armstrong shared that the department has some command staff positions that are currently open, as well as line officers. To strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community, Armstrong encourages communication with the Ferguson community. “I’m real big on communication and open dialog,” he stated. “If people have any issues or any problems in this community, I want them to know, and feel comfortable to reach out to me and get in contact with me so we can talk about those things. We have a lot of community events and neighborhood associations. I can’t make every meeting but I try to make as many of those meeting as possible so I can interact and talk with the citizens. (I want to) hear things that they have to say – what issues, problems, or complaints about what’s going on. That’s the only way this thing is going to get turned around and us headed in the right direction. It’s not just the police department working in isolation by itself. It (must) be a community effort. We (must) have partnerships and relationships with our residents, businesses, and our visitors who come to the city of Ferguson. So, that’s how we combat some of the problems, some of the crime that I am hearing about and I’m seeing. We all have to lend to the solutions to make things better around here.” The best way to reach Armstrong is by email at jarmstrong@fergusoncity.com. Armstrong encourages people who are interested in what is going on at the Ferguson Police Department to follow https://www.facebook.com/CityofFergusonPoliceDept. The page holds the department’s events and happenings with invites for the community. In addition, Armstrong welcomes the community to invite the police department to events and happenings around Ferguson that would allow them to interact and better know the citizens of Ferguson.

St. Louis to host the region’s premiere filmmaking conference We all recognize Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and even Chicago as hubs for Hollywood, but we are usually considered “flyover country.” Midwest filmmakers plan to disrupt that with the first annual In Motion Filmmaking Conference Nov. 2 at Covo co-working space in downtown St. Louis. In Motion is organized by Continuity, a nonprofit whose mission is to expand diversity in media production through skills-based training, mentorship and opportunities for untapped talent. The conference is sponsored by the MO Film Office, Wildlife Command Center “Movie Animals,” Bruton Stroube, Explore St. Louis, SAG-AFTRA , Cinema St. Louis plus over a half dozen additional organizations. This one-day conference will afford both novice and professional filmmakers from St. Louis as well as the surrounding Midwest region the opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and participate in Continuity’s ongoing efforts to expand diversity in film. All profits from In Motion will go to Continuity’s programs. Attendees will hear from filmmakers whose films have played at

Sundance and premiered on Netflix and national television. With a dozen more speakers yet to be announced, over 25 speakers have already committed including Damon Davis (director of “Whose Streets”), Stephanie Tobey (Producer of the Netflix documentary “Abducted in Plain Sight”) and David Johnson (President of Coolfire Studios - Producers of “Fast N’ Loud” & “Welcome to Sweetie Pies.”) A Pitch Competition and Happy Hour networking event will round out the day’s activities. Tickets are on sale now at www.inmotionconference.com. “The support for the conference has truly blown away our expectations, and we continually hear from filmmakers ‘Thank you so much for organizing this! Our region really needs it’,” explains Dan Parris, Conference Director of In Motion and executive director of Continuity. Continuity is supported in the planning of the conference from a committee of eleven local artists and influencers. In Motion is looking to fill volunteer slots and additional sponsors for the event, including the Presenting Sponsor of the conference. To inquire about these remaining opportunities, visit the contact page at www.inmotionconference.com.

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www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 25, 2019

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, an organization at the forefront of closing the STEM leadership gap, has received a $25,000 grant from the Bayer Fund to support the organization’s robotics program, a hub of future software engineers, programmers and coders. It is not a secret that the gender gap exists, women make up only 28 percent of the science and engineering workforce, according to a national study. But the need for 21st-century skill development has been more pressing as organizations face unprecedented challenges driven by advancements in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has provided its girls innovative programs designed to evolve to meet the needs of our girls and community. As part of the organization’s robust STEM curriculum, the Girl Scout Council sponsors 92 FIRST robotic teams, more than any other youth-serving organization in the region. “Through our cutting-edge programs like robotics, eastern Missouri Girl Scouts are designing digital games, learning the fundamentals of coding and becoming real-world scientists,” said Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “Igniting these passions and interests have been made possible because of community leaders like Bayer. We are so grateful for their continued commitment to building our future leaders.” The Bayer Fund, the philanthropic arm of Bayer, supports high-quality educational programs of nonprofits with a focus on furthering STEM education. “The young women participating in the Girl Scouts robotics program are the future pipeline to STEM based careers,” said Al Mitchell, Vice President of Corporate Engagement for Bayer. “Our support of this program ensures these young women will have access to greater career opportunities.”

Party for Packs event raises more than $27,000 Submitted photo

Girl Scouts of E.M. awarded grant to support robotics program

Around Town

Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit hunger relief organization, recently raised a record-breaking $27,083 at its third annual Party for Packs event. OFS’s Friends Board, a diverse group of young professionals vested in feeding the community’s hungry, held the fundraiser that included local food, drink tastings, a silent auction and raffles. Proceeds from Party for Packs will support Operation Backpack, which provides weekend

meals to food-insecure kids throughout the school year. “Our Friends Board works tirelessly to ensure our community’s children are taken care throughout the weekend,” said OFS’s Executive Director Kristen Wild. “We appreciate the efforts of this very proactive group of individuals and all they continue to accomplish for our agency.”

Aound Town

September 25, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Missouri Governor visits Hazelwood School District

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

Missouri Governor Mike Parson visited the Hazelwood School District on Aug. 29. Gov. Parson recognized HSD Superintendent Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart for her recent recognition as 2019 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents. He also spent time meeting with students in the district’s GALACTIC program for gifted students.

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District

MDC reopens Columbia Bottom Conservation Area to limited access www.fcbbanks.com

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) has reopened Columbia Bottom Conservation Area for public

access. However, that access will be restricted for the immediate future. Due to extensive flood damage, public vehicle access and parking on the area will be limited and public access will mainly be walk-in. The public will only be able to enter the area in the following locations: • Park in the visitor’s center parking lot and walk into the area. • Drive on the main area road up to Parking Lot C, approximately 0.3 miles from the main entrance, and walk into the area. • Park in Parking Lot V, located near the area maintenance shop just south of the main entrance, and walk into the area. In addition, the Missouri River boat access is closed to the public until further notice due to flood damage. Likewise, all area hiking trails are closed to public access until further notice. Hunters should note that flood conditions have prevented dove management work of any type on the area for the 2019 season. Columbia Bottom staff are reporting very few doves using the area. Dove hunting will be permitted only after 1 p.m. during the first seven days of the dove hunting season and during legal shooting hours for the remainder of the season. All hunters must

Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

possess a Daily Dove Hunting Tag available at the visitor’s center. There will be no managed dove hunt on the area this year. Columbia Bottom spent most of the past spring and summer under water due to near-record flooding. The flood waters have receded, but the not without leaving extensive silt and mud throughout the area. In many portions, the deposits are four feet high, nearly or completely burying facilities like roads, parking lots and privies, and effectively changing the area’s entire landscape. The flood also left considerable damage to infrastructure on the area which will require significant repairs. As work crews continue to rebuild portions of the road damaged by spring flooding, MDC plans to provide more vehicle access to the area as the repairs permit. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road in north St. Louis County. The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 25, 2019

Around Town

Local schools hop aboard transit for first-ever College Transit Challenge Led by the mascots for each of their schools, students, faculty and staff from five of the St. Louis region’s colleges and universities hopped on board the Metro Transit system Aug. 28 to compete in the first ever College Transit Challenge. The event was aimed at reinforcing the advantages of a robust public transit system and further boosting ridership among students, faculty and staff at higher education institutions. Organizers teamed up with St. Louis Community College, Saint Louis University, Southwestern Illinois College, University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) and Washington University in St. Louis for the challenge. Those affiliated with the respective schools helped their college or university competed by taking MetroBus or MetroLink and checking in via social media with a status update or photo with #iTakeTransit, along with mentioning their school. After a full day of checking in on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, bragging rights were awarded to UMSL, whose students and staff shared more online posts highlighting their transit use than any other college or university participating in the challenge.

Kim Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit, served as emcee for the kick-off event at the Grand MetroLink Station, where mascots, students and staff from Submitted photo all the schools gathered (Front center, from left) Bi-State Development President and CEO Taulby Roach; Colonel Jon M. Belmar, Chief of Police, St. Louis County Police to share their school’s Department; and Citizens for Modern Transit Executive Director Kim Cella pause for a photo before boarding MetroLink with the mascots from spirit and get the chal- Southwestern Illinois College, University of Missouri -St. Louis, Washington University, St. Louis Community College and St. Louis University. They were joined by UMSL Chancellor Tom George (far left) and various students and staff from each institution to help kick off the College lenge started. “As the transit advo- Transit Challenge on Aug. 28. cacy group, we are constantly looking for outside the box ideas at the kick-off. work we’re doing with mass transit here to promote transit use and its benefits in “We have a lot of collaboration among in this region. It makes a positive difthe region,” said Cella. “We know public our colleges and universities and prob- ference,” Belmar said. “I commend each transit is a safe, cost-effective transpor- ably one of the glues that helps to foster of you for your commitment to use and tation option for people of all ages and that cooperation is the mass transit sys- leverage public transportation, because it makes education more accessible. So, tem,” George said. matters.” what better way to inspire students and “Congrats to UMSL for their commuColonel Jon M. Belmar, Chief of Postaff from our local universities and col- lice for the St. Louis County Police De- nity-wide support of the College Transit leges to give it a try than to create a little partment, discussed the key role a safe, Challenge with posts from both students competition for bragging rights for high- integrated public transit system plays in and staff on all social media platforms, est transit ridership.” providing access and making the region events on campus throughout the day to UMSL Chancellor Tom George was up a great place for all to live, work and get support transit usage and representation for the challenge, joining school mascot an education. by Chancellor George, the Triton and Louie the Triton and several other mem“Great cities have great public trans- students at the kick-off event,” said Cella. bers of the UMSL staff and student body portation. We have to continue the good

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September 25, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

We hope to see you there! BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE COMMUNITY-MINDED BUSINESSES

Friday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m Plaza 501! – 501 S Florissant Rd., Ferguson, MO 63135 FERGUSON STREETFEST is North St.

Louis County’s largest annual outdoor music festival that draws thousands of visitors each September. Renowned for its great live music, crazy fun events and mouthwatering food vendors, the event has hosted some of the Midwest’s top musicians and performers. Don’t miss out on this year’s great live entertainment. There will be crafts, food, artisans, and activities for kids and delicious food galore. You won’t want to miss one second!

STREETFEST LOCATION Located at Plaza 501! in the historic Citywalk district of Ferguson. Conveniently located between I-170 and I-270 with lots of nearby parking, fine dining, comfort, food options and shopping.

STREETFEST MUSIC LINEUP Smokin Lyons: Friday 5 - 7 p.m. Dirty Muggs: Friday 8 - 11 p.m. Join us for the Dirty Muggs complete entertainment experience. Dirty Muggs is a high energy, choreographic machine that provides everything you have always wanted in a band. A diverse and eclectic music set list that calls you to get on the dance floor, tap your toe or shake something.

Funkey Butt Brass Band: Saturday 4 - 7 p.m. Dogs of Society: Saturday 8 - 11 p.m. The Dogs are stoked to ROCK Ferguson with their all-live classic 70’s Elton John tribute concert band. Featuring massive hits such as Benny and the Jets, Tiny Dancer, and Crocodile Rock. To deeper cuts such as Funeral for a Friend, All the Girls Love Alice, Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, along with many, many more.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 25, 2019

FERGUSON STREETFEST 2019 Friday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m Plaza 501! – 501 S Florissant Rd. | Ferguson, MO 63135 BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE COMMUNITY-MINDED BUSINESSES

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School

September 25, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Normandy picks two recent graduates for new IT student internship At Normandy High School’s graduation last spring, the speaker shared with the crowd that the class valedictorian planned to major in computer science. Teri Green was in the audience and had an epiphany. Green, the Information Technology director with the Normandy Schools Collaborative, has been working to increase the number of women and people of color

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in the IT field. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, only 7.4 percent of the IT workforce is African American. The numbers are similar for women. After the ceremony, Green approached class valedictorian Gabrielle Brown and told her and her classmates about the idea for an IT intern program for Normandy graduates. Some of Photo courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative the graduates had other plans or interests; howev- Gabrielle Brown (center, holding laptop) assists Normandy art teacher Theresa Hopkins with her device. er, Brown, and classmate Brown and Ariel Piphus (at right) are 2019 Normandy graduates who served as interns in the district’s IT department last summer. Ariel Piphus signed on. “There’s a big push to increase the numbers of African Americans “This is another example of how (Normandy) has supand women in IT, and it hit me,” Green re- ported us and provides us with opportunities like this,” called. “I can help make their dreams come Brown said. “I’ve been a student here since kindergarten true while bridging a gap in our field.” and appreciate how they are helping to kick-start my caAs part of the Change Begins Now pro- reer, especially as a black woman.” gram, interns or ‘TechTerns,’ are learning Brown and Piphus are two of four students who gradthe basics of IT, working with teachers and uated from Normandy with their high school diplostaff on hardware specifications, adding ma, and an associate degree in general transfer studies. hardware to the domain, creating user ac- The students were enrolled in the Gateway to College counts and uploading software to the ma- program, a partnership with Normandy and St. Louis chines. Community College which allows talented students the Piphus, who is planning to attend the opportunity to earn an associate degree and high school University of Missouri-Columbia to study diploma simultaneously. nursing, participated in the program beGreen, who is also chief information officer with Fancause she has always had an interest in tech- tasTechs, a technology consultant, is pleased with the nology. progress of the TechTerns. Long-term plans include “I want to learn and always have been extending the summer internships to a year-round protech savvy,” Piphus said. “I’m the one who gram. fixes the Wi-Fi at home, helping my older “I’m a solution-oriented person which is why I named family members and keeping them up to the program The Change Begins Now,” Green said. “We date (on technology).” talk about increasing the numbers of POC and women Brown, who will begin coursework at the in IT, and I wanted to put something in place to help University of Missouri-St. Louis, is major- bridge that gap. But more importantly, when our stuing in computer science. She is appreciative dents graduate from college, they have the degree and of the opportunity to work with her alma relevant experience to be successful in whatever field mater, and with Green. they eventually decide to pursue.”

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 25, 2019

Business

Vantage gathers donations for local children’s charities For nearly twenty years, Vantage Credit Union has collected school supplies and monetary donations in support of two local charities and their efforts to prepare area children for their first day of school. This year Vantage members and staff donated nearly 4,000 different items to KidSmart, including over 500 pencil/pen packs, nearly 900 folders and binders, and countless essentials to start the school year. As one volunteer said, “Over and over again, we watched jaws drop and eyes widen” as the kids saw all of the different backpacks and supplies. In addition to the items collected, Vantage members and employees raised $1,270.09 for Fos-

ter & Adoptive Care Coalition of Greater St. Louis. Vantage Credit Union was founded as a teachers’ credit union and takes pride in its strong ties to the educational community. In addition to supporting local charities and members on the front lines of education, VCU also offers a variety of free educational programs that teach smart finances. The Secret Savers Club teaches children 10 and under the importance of saving money, and the Money Matters program is designed to teach students of all ages about establishing good credit and financial habits. Vantage also awards college scholarships to young members annually through its Quest For Education scholarship program.

Community Spotlight Is a Partial Knee Replacement Right for You? SSM Health DePaul Hospital is hosting a free dinner presentation on Tuesday, October 15 in the May Center. Over the course of their lifetimes, approximately 20 percent of Americans will develop arthritis in their knees. If you suffer from knee arthritis and your pain cannot be controlled with non-operative treatments such as cortisone injections or anti-inflammatory medication, a partial or full knee replacement could help you regain function and quality of life. Knee replacement surgery is generally reserved for those who have tried all of the other treatment options and still have significant pain during normal activities. In the procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged or deformed part of the joint and replaces it with a metal or plastic implant. Recognized as national leaders in joint replacement surgery, orthopedic surgeons at SSM Health DePaul are performing both partial and total knee replacements on a growing number of patients. This procedure is a viable option for patients whose arthritis is localized to a specific section or compartment of the knee. The procedure is not appropriate for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, patients with severe joint stiffness or patients who are morbidly obese. There are many benefits to partial knee replacement procedures, according to Greg Nelson, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at SSM Health DePaul Hospital. “Because we are able to preserve healthy bone and ligaments, patients often report that their knee feels more natural with a partial knee replacement. Patients also report less post-operative pain and faster rehabilitation and recovery following partial knee replacements as compared to a full knee replacement,” Dr. Nelson said.

“With a partial knee replacement, patients often have improved range of motion and are able to return to heavier activities, too. I have performed partial knee replacements on people with physically demanding jobs including paramedics, laborers, and machinists who were able to return to work following surgery. It’s very rewarding to be able to offer this option to my patients.” SSM Health DePaul Hospital is currently the only program in Missouri to earn the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal for Quality in knee and hip replacement. The hospital also was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as “high performer” in knee replacement surgery in 2019. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about partial knee replacement surgery or to find out if you are a candidate for the procedure. You also can register to attend a free dinner presentation with Dr. Nelson about partial knee replacements on Tuesday, October 15 at DePaul Hospital. Register online at ssmhealth.com or call 866-SSM-DOCS.

12303 DePaul Drive St. Louis, MO, 63044 314-344-6000 Greg Nelson, MD www.aperioncare.com

Whats Happening

September 25, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! EVENTS Sept. 25: 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.

Sept. 27: 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.

Oct. 26: Mother son superhero carnival

The Sparrow’s Nest Teen Maternity Home that serves the metro St. Louis area is hosting their second annual Mother Son Superhero Carnival fundraiser from 3 to 5 p.m. at West County Assembly of God at 13431 N. Outer Rd. in Town and Country. Moms and sons are encouraged to come dressed in their superhero costumes to experience a super-fun, superhero after-

noon. This event is designed to appeal to boys ages 3-12. All proceeds benefit The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home. Event tickets are $35 per mom and son, with ticket cost decreasing for each additional child. For more information on sponsorship, volunteering or to purchase tickets, visit www.thesparrowsneststl.org.

Donate Directly to Garry’s Special Needs Trust, make check out to “ArcareTrust II FBO Garry Lake”, Mail to: PO Box 12890, Overland Park, KS 66282-2890. Contact Jana Odom 913951-3705, www.arcare.org. For More Details Call: Connie at 314-363-5969 or E-mail: Wilson.joe7@sbcglobal.net

Oct. 26: Benefit dance

This Grief Share 13-week session (no cost) runs every Saturday from Sept. 21 through Dec. 14 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at Florissant Church of Christ at 16460 New Halls Ferry in Florissant. For more information contact Arthur Matthews at 314-839-1449.

The Breakfast Club, Inc, a breast cancer support group, is hosting its eighth annual Pink Posse Roundup for a Cure benefit dance from 8 p.m. to midnight at Machinist Hall at 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd. in St. Louis County. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or at the door. For more information visit www.breakfastclub-stl.org or call 314-972-8883.

Nov. 8: Trivia Night Fundraiser For Garry Lake

7 p.m. Doors Open 6 p.m. at St. Rose Parish Hall, 2650 Parker Rd. Florissant. Beer & Snacks Provided, $20 per person or Table of 8 $160. To

Dec. 14: Grief share

RECURRING EVENTS Any time: Tours at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine by appointment

#1 Rue St. Francois St., Florissant. Donations accepted. Docents needed. 314-921-7582, Vicki Wittman Email: vicray01@aol.com.

Weekdays: Food pantry volun-

teers 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: Tax filing program volunteers

Seeking greeters, appointment schedulers, and tax preparers to assist older adults in the St. Louis County Tax Filing Program. Training and mileage reimbursement is provided. For more information and to start the volunteer application process, contact the County Older Resident Programs and ask for Mike Nickel at 314-615-4021.

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.

Mondays: TOPS meeting

Come, join and take off those extra pounds. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) has meetings on Monday nights at 7 p.m. (weigh in begins at 6:35 p.m.) at 9124 St. Charles Rock Rd.

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You can visit a meeting for free. Any questions please call Dan Agee at 314540-5223.

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: TOPS

Come, join and take off those extra pounds. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) has meetings on Monday nights at 7 p.m. (weigh in begins at 6:35 p.m.) at 9124 St. Charles Rock Rd. in St. Louis County. TOPS is a very inexpensive way to lose weight. You can visit a meeting for free. Any questions please call Dan Agee at 314-540-5223.

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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • September 25, 2019 Mondays: A cappella singers

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 314-9936134.

Mondays: 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 second Monday of the month, starting at 7 p.m. For more information contact Walter Kaiser at 314-9212132.

Mondays-Thursdays: Volunteers needed

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: Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery Tuesday meetings take place at 6 p.m. with a Saturday Bible Study at 9 a.m. at LifePoint Church at 424 Graham Rd. in Florissant. For more information visit w w w.lifepointministries.church/ celebrate-recovery or call (men) Steve D. at 636-634-6582 or (women) Denise W. at 530-417-6151.

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: Food pantry

Every second Tuesday of the month, food pantry takes place from 9 - 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. – noon at St. Andrew United Methodist Church at 3975 N. US Highway 67 in Florissant. Other times by appointment, call 314-837-4233.

What’s Happening

Tuesdays: TOPS pounds sensibly)

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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, 314831-5476.

Every 4th Tuesday of the month: Fort Bellefontaine Memorial American Legion Post 335 meeting

ial 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.

6:30pm, Fort Bellefontaine MemorSUDOKU answers from page F-1

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 314-9212132.

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Northwest News

September 25, 2019 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Northwest Views:

Boys & Girls Clubs and St. Louis Internship Program combine forces The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis has partnered with the St. Louis Internship Program to foster greater opportunities for area teens in the career and workforce readiness

space and prepare more young people in the St. Louis Market for jobs. The goal of the St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP) is to provide hope and opportunity for high school students through paid summer internships, intensive employability training, and year-round college and career planning. SLIP works in partnership with businesses and community organizations, to build the St. Louis community by developing motivated, well-trained, and talented youth for the workforce. Since 1992, 98 percent of 4,000 SLIP interns have successfully acquired employability skills, graduated high school, and pursued their career goals. According to BGCSTL Preswww.LifeCareCenterofBridgeton.com ident, Dr. Flint Fowler, “The program aligns with the vision of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) to ensure that teens who come to the club, develop the capacities they need to succeed, with a plan for their futures.” To be a part of the program, teens simply need to be a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and can do so by calling 314-335-8000 or visiting www.bgcstl.org.

Five years later – The Ice Bucket Challenge By Maureen Barber Hill Let’s not kid ourselves, we can all use help with our memory from time to time. Maybe it’s a prompt like “where did you have it last?” or “Don’t forget Aunt Sally’s birthday is coming up.” Likewise, it can be hard to find the time to sit back and remember “that time when….” We are all busy, and maybe we’ll have time next week, or next month, to look back. This is one area where social media has been a help. Without that reminder from Facebook, you might not remember that time when you took the time to watch the sunset, or won $25 from that scratch-off lottery ticket, or dumped a bucket of ice water over your head. I’m talking, of course, about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Five years ago during the late summer of 2014, the Challenge became a viral phenomenon on social media. We at the ALS Association – just like everyone else – were swept up in the challenge as more and more people began posting their videos for

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the world to see. It was a wild time. The Challenge became what it did because of people in our community like you. Maybe you heard about the Challenge from a friend or family member; maybe you were challenged yourself and then challenged others. The reality is that no one planned for the Ice Bucket Challenge to become “The Ice Bucket Challenge,” it just did because millions of people (around 17 million, actually) saw or heard about the Challenge and decided to take part. If you took the Challenge back in 2014, we hope you’ll share your video again so we can all enjoy these memories. While we know nothing will ever match the summer 2014, we hope these memories will help us all remember “that time when…” and allow us all to reflect on where we were then, where we are now, and where we are going. The summer of 2014 brought new attention to ALS not because of a grand plan that was intentionally created but because people – first by the hundreds, then by thousands, then by ever more and more – saw something fun but with a meaning, and decided to take part. We remain thankful for and more than a bit in awe of what happened then. Thank you to everyone who made the Ice Bucket Challenge something worth remembering. M a u reen Barber Hill has been the President and CEO of the ALS Associat ion St. Louis Regional Chapter for nearly nine 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.

www.mycnews.com • Community News • September 25, 2019

Recipe:

Dairy recipes pack a nutrient punch

For dairy-rich recipes or additional information about St. Louis District Dairy Council visit www.stldairycouncil.org, call 314-835-9668, or e-mail emcgraw@stldairycouncil.org. To learn more about our local dairy promotion efforts in Illinois and Missouri, check us out on Facebook

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and Instagram at STLDairyCouncil. National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month is the perfect time to give kid-friendly dishes a try. These simple nutritious delicious recipes can also help your kiddos get the recommended 3 servings of dairy a day!

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.

EASY YOGURT CAKE Cake Ingredients: 1 cup yogurt, any flavor 3 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder Sauce Ingredients: 1 cup blueberries 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons water 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice Directions: Preparation and Cooking Time: 50 minutes Makes 10 servings Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8 inch (round) cake pan. In medium

bowl, lightly beat eggs with hand-mixer on medium speed; approximately 30 seconds. Add oil, sugar and yogurt; beat for 1 minute until smooth. Add flour and baking powder; beat until well combined; approximately one minute. Pour mixture into greased pan and bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Blueberry Sauce: In medium saucepan, mix berries, sugar, cornstarch, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until desired thickness. Pour into bowl, let cool completely. Serve over sliced cake. Refrigerate remaining sauce for future use. Nutrition Facts: 310 calories; 4 grams protein; 13grams fat; 9.2% DV Calcium.

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9

1982: when Rocky became Rambo

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.

ummer 1982 was a great time to go to the movies. “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” one of the best installments in its franchise, featured William Shatner’s Kirk facing off against Ricardo Montalban’s Khan. In St. Louis, a little film called “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” had families lined up to see it at drive-ins and indoor theaters. Set partially inside a mainframe computer, “Tron” was underappreciated in its initial theatrical run, but it showed the power of CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) long before “Toy Story.” Sylvester Stallone also had a great summer that year with “Rocky III,” the third film which also laid the foundation for the “Creed” spin-offs. In the fall of 1982, Stallone took the lead role in “First Blood,” the story of another fighting man, this one a Vietnam vet who runs afoul of the law. The recently released “Rambo: Last Blood” marks the fifth installment of the franchise. Rocky Balboa was a good-hearted man who got the opportunity of a lifetime and became a sports legend. In contrast, John Rambo, a Medal of Honor-winner, was like countless young men who fought during the Vietnam War. Years after his discharge, he traveled to Hope, Washington, to check up on a combat buddy. Unfortunately, his friend died of can-

soldiers who fought in that war. The title references the average age of the combat solider, which was 19. The lyrics also pointed out that Vietnam Vets were struggling post-traumatic stress almost a decade later. Stallone’s portrayal of a discharged soldier highlighted the character’s own struggle with PTSD. John Rambo gave a cinematic face and voice to millions of soldiers. He simply wanted something to eat and some time alone after learning his Photo courtesy Balboa Productions friend was dead. After enduring abuse by the sheriff and his deputies, his comcer, the result of Agent Orange exposure while bat and guerilla warfare training kicked into he was serving overseas. high gear. If everyone had acted reasonably, Rambo simply wanted something to eat be- Rambo would have left town quietly instead of fore heading out, but the local sheriff (Brian injuring people and blowing things up. Dennehy) didn’t want the scruffy drifter to “First Blood” was a box office success, though stay in town. Rambo disobeyed his orders and the initial critical reaction was not entirely faquickly landed in the local jail. Tensions be- vorable. In later years, it received more hontween the soldier and the authorities escalated est praise from critics and fans. “Rambo: Last and he made a dramatic – and highly violent – Blood” shows Rambo heading to Mexico to escape. Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna), save his niece from a local cartel. Depending his former commanding officer, arrived on the on audience reaction and box office receipts, scene, expressing surprise that Rambo let any Rambo may be back or finally head into cineof the deputies live. matic retirement. “First Blood” arrived approximately seven “Rambo: Last Blood,” which earned a years after the end of the Vietnam War. In 1985, “hard-R” rating from the MPAA, is currently Paul Hardcastle released “19,” a song about the playing in theaters.

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September 18, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

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September 25, 2019 • Community News • www.mycnews.com

Yeggs

John Hanna

Crossword: Rap Artists

‘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 There’s an old saying that goes, “Never waste a dimer on a person that’s a minor”. Actually, it’s a new saying. I just made it up, but I am getting along in years so that counts for the “old” part. For those who are kidless and need an explanation, allow me: You see, when children don’t know the value of a dollar and think money grows on trees they become unappreciative. (Oh, snap! Put me out of my misery, I’m sounding like my mother.) Excuse me while I take a Valium. Now then, back to gratitude. This is why hotdogs were invented. As the legend goes, many decades ago a grownup had just grilled some tasty expensive ribeyes and served them to his hungry children. He ran in to fetch a steak knife only to return horrified to find the kids slathering the expensive cuts in ketchup. “NO! NO!” He yelled. “Don’t cover this kind of meat in ketchup. It’s blasphemy!” The children looked at him and laughed at the silly word he used. “Silly Dad,” they said. They then bit into their steak and began to cry. “This is nasty,” wailed one. “This is hard to chew,” said another. “Then eat your beans!” their mother chimed in. They cried even harder and said, “No way. They’re green!” The kids immediately fed their meat to the family dog then grabbed some dry cereal and ate it straight from the box as they watched cartoons. The man sadly looked at his content dog that was

now a fattened lump snoring blissfully as it belched up costly meat burps. That’s the last straw, he thought. He gathered up the leftover meat gristle and mixed in some uneaten beans and added a handful of dry cereal then rolled it all between his hands until it formed a long, snake-like shape. He tossed it on the grill then threw it between a slice of bread and slathered it in ketchup. The hotdog was born and children everywhere were delighted. Why am I recounting this tale of ingratitude? Oh, maybe because I spent a small wad of cash on a few grandkid minors and transported them to Hawaii. After seeing beautiful mountains and oceans and beaches and jungles and sea animals, what was their most memorable experience? The hotel swimming pool. Refer to paragraph one.

URBAN LEGEND?

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, he 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. Same as Amir 6. Graduate degree 9. Rotisserie skewer 13. Wispy clouds 14. *Run-DMC performed at “Live ____”, 1985 15. Elbow room 16. Portfolio content 17. Some special effects 18. Noncommittal response 19. *N.W.A. songwriter turned actor 21. *Marshall Bruce Mathers III 23. Last letter of Hebrew alphabet 24. Two-fold 25. Tit for ___ 28. Serve soup, e.g. 30. Done at “inspiration point” 35. Eurasian mountain range 37. Jack of all trades’ sphere of expertise 39. More painful 40. Little bit, in Mexico 41. Open-mouthed 43. Classic TV’s Mr. Cleaver 44. Friend from Mexico 46. Power system 47. Batman’s cave, e.g. 48. Ketchup, to some 50. *a.k.a. Detective Tutuola 52. “To Kill a Mockingbird” author

53. Bangkok native 55. Yoga turf 57. *She likes dollars, she likes diamonds 60. *SAG and Golden Globe awards recipient 64. 2 halves of a diameter 65. Exchange for money 67. Watery-eyed 68. Turn upside down 69. To add, often used with “out” 70. Shockingly graphic 71. “Cobbler, cobbler, ____ my shoe” 72. Up and down nod 73. Horace’s poem DOWN 1. South American blackishpurple berry 2. Catchall abbr. 3. Gaelic tongue 4. Not slouching 5. Something regularly observed 6. Debilitating spray 7. *The Notorious one 8. Opposite of bonjour 9. Distance from wingtip to wingtip, e.g. 10. Pay as you earn tax system 11. Ballistic missile acronym 12. Golf peg 15. Expression of pleasure, pl. 20. Boss, in Swahili

22. Vitruvian one 24. Ancient Roman silver coins 25. *”The hate you give...” artist 26. Scent 27. Like unspoken agreement 29. *Snoop’s last name? 31. Loose hood 32. Cattle enclosure in African village 33. Chill-inducing 34. *Beats by ____ ____ 36. Fireplace fodder 38. *”____ Rap Battles of History” 42. Possible allergic reaction 45. Bested 49. Sigma ____ Epsilon 51. Babble out 54. *Drake’s tattoo of the The Beatles’“____ Road” 56. Bind 57. Super garb? 58. Port in Yemen 59. Orange peel 60. Cleaning cabinet supplies 61. Wyatt Earp’s card game 62. Desert quality 63. Jekyll’s alter ego 64. Cuba Libre ingredient 66. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s strings SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 9