December 18th, 2014 Edition

Ferguson Commission reviews municipal courts

James Mathews expressed his displeasure with the municipal court system to Rebeccah Bennett of Emerging Wisdom during the third meeting of the Ferguson Commission held on Monday, December 15 at Saint Louis University.

Community, attorneys call for changes to ‘North County justice’

By Jason Rosenbaum

Of St. Louis Public Radio

at the meeting of the Ferguson Commission at Saint Louis University’s Il Monastero on Monday, December 15, Maryland Heights resident Dan Hyatt brought

n “The attorneys called it ‘North County justice’ because they know it’s corrupt.”

– Dan Hyatt

the issue home. The IT professional told commissioners how he was put in jail in Breckenridge Hills

for three hours after a disagreement over whether he stopped at a stop sign. He said it was a galvanizing experience.

“I got into the North County courts and I saw nothing but injustice,” Hyatt said. “The blacks call it ‘just us,’ because there is no justice in St. Louis. The attorneys called it ‘North County justice’ because they know it’s corrupt. But they have to go along with the status quo.”

This was a sample of testimony the commission’s 16 members heard about how municipal courts affect ordinary citizens. Since Michael Brown Jr. was shot and killed

‘Black love matters’

Ferguson protest leaders get engaged at STL City Hall

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

n “It’s like watching poetry write itself.”

– Jamell Spann

Ferguson protest leader Brittany Ferrell remembers the first time she saw Alexis Templeton step out of the car at the Ferguson Police Department in mid-August.

“She had on an UMSL shirt,” said Ferrell, 25. “I was like, ‘Oh, hey.’ I embraced her just because she was there. You hug people and you welcome them, especially in a time like that.”

From that moment, Templeton, 20, said it was if they had no choice but to be connected.

by

By Bridjes O’Neil

Jennings Superintendent Tiffany Anderson

Ferguson protest leaders Alexis Templeton and Brittany Ferrell got engaged and registered to get married at St. Louis City Hall on Tuesday, December 16.

Silence speaks volumes as voices cry out

Protestors focus County Council meeting on Ferguson movement

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary for the St. Louis County Council meeting this dreary afternoon at the Buzz Westfall civic building in Clayton on Tuesday, December 16. St. Louis County Council Chair Hazel Erby called the meeting to order, motions were announced and the floor was opened for public comments to the half-full room of citizens and spectators.

Soon after, a shift in the regularly scheduled County Council programming took place.

“We are here today because the foul smell of injustice is still pervading our community – in

Photo by Wiley Price

Photo

Rebecca Rivas

K. Michelle melts down on morning show over Idris

Singer K. Michelle has made no secret that her latest album, “Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart” is based on her eight month secret romance with actor Idris Elba Michelle had a tough time talking about her affair with Idris on The Russ Parr Morning Show on Monday and left the studio in tears in the middle of her interview after she was asked why she and Idris broke up.

“We’re gonna come back,” Parr told listeners. “K. Michelle is a little upset, so we are going to come back and talk with her in a minute.”

Bill Cosby’s daughter Evin says accusers should be jailed

Last month Judy Huth came forward claiming Bill Cosby sexually molested her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974 when she was 15 years old.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Tuesday that the statute

of limitations for any possible misdemeanor or felony charge in the case had run out, therefore they would not be pursuing the case.

Meanwhile Bill Cosby’s youngest daughter, 38-year-old Evin Cosby, has been very vocal in supporting her father on social media and recently stated that women who falsely accuse men of rape should be jailed.

“Rape is a serious allegation and it is supposed to be taken VERY seriously but so is falsely accusing someone,” Evin said. “When someone rapes a person they go to prison. THAT should also happen to the person that has wrongfully accused an innocent victim. They are not ONLY destroying innocent people’s life they are ALSO making it hard for the MEN and Women to find justice when they have been raped.”

Pilar jailed in latest custody drama with Deion

Pilar Sanders was taken into custody this week and ordered to spend seven days in jail for failing to return her children to their custodial parent, Deion Sanders, after a scheduled visit.

Pilar videotaped her confrontation with police and is heard telling police “they have

Black, colored, [n-word], Negroes or Indian.”

In one video, Pilar insists she is withholding the children because they are being abused. She was ultimately taken in and ordered to serve seven days in jail for contempt.

Ashanti cross-examined by her convicted stalker

Ashanti faced a fan accused of stalking and harassing her family for years, telling him and a jury Monday that she was repulsed and frightened to learn he’d been tweeting her X-rated messages and posed for a photo with her sister despite a no-contact order.

In a strange courtroom scene that found the Grammy-winning R&B singer being questioned by accused stalker Devar Hurd — who’s representing himself — she recounted being at her mother’s July 2013 birthday dinner as she read raunchy, personal tweets from an account she had recently realized was Hurd’s.

of barraging Ashanti’s mother with lewd text messages about her daughter.

“I didn’t know what he was capable of,” added Ashanti, who said she’d hired extra security guards after realizing Hurd was contacting the family again. “I know sometimes when a person gets rejected, that emotion turns into, you know, dangerous feelings and dangerous actions, and I didn’t want it to go to a new level, so I was really, really scared.” Hurd argues that he did no harm and that Ashanti could have blocked his tweets if they upset her, saying he was just one adult communicating to another about “consensual sex, lovemaking and emotional heartbreak.”

Hurd had done jail time after being convicted in 2009

“Regardless, you violated the order of protection,” Ashanti told Hued during her 50 minutes on the witness stand, saying it was the first time she’d seen him in person.

Hurd spent about two years in jail on his initial stalking and aggravated harassment conviction, and he was ordered not to contact Ashanti, her sister or her parents until 2020. He now faces similar charges again.

Sources: The Associated Press, Russ Parr Morning Show, YouTube, LA Times, Instagram

Rasheen Aldridge to fight assault charge Transgender rights are a black issue, too

Ferguson Commissioner allegedly pushed marshal during protest

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

Rasheen Aldridge, a young protest leader who serves on the governor-appointed Ferguson Commission, has been charged with third-degree assault after he attempted to enter St. Louis City Hall during a November 26 protest.

Aldridge’s attorney Jerryl Christmas said they plan to fight the charge, which is a misdemeanor. A video posted on YouTube shows Aldridge, 20, standing to the left of the door, trying to enter the doorway while a city marshal stood in front of it.

“Of course, he did not assault the officer,” Christmas said. “This is a bogus charge. Looking at the video, you don’t see him intentionally act against that law enforcement officer.”

Christmas said Aldridge was protesting and trying to get into City Hall, a public building where Ferguson protestors have been welcomed before. There were no signs that said the building was closed, Christmas said, and the marshals gave no reason why they were preventing the citizens from entering the building.

Rev. Starsky Wilson, co-chair of the Ferguson Commission, told The St. Louis American in an interview, “We’ve seen nothing that would affect his status as a commissioner. He’s a valued member of the commission.”

The November 26 protest occurred two days after a St. Louis County grand jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown Jr. Aldridge and a group of about 100 protestors stopped at City Hall as part of their march around the downtown area.

According to the charging documents from the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, City Hall went on lock down “out of security concerns” before the protestors arrived.

“Several individuals rushed the doors at City Hall, attempting to gain entry,” according to a probable cause statement for Aldridge’s charge. “The individuals broke the door and C.U., a city marshal, stood at the door, blocking the individuals from entering City Hall.”

Aldridge was among the group that tried to

enter the building and was chanting outside the door, according to the statement. Aldridge allegedly “pushed” the city marshal blocking the door.

Christmas said the charge is an attempt to assassinate his character as a member of the Ferguson Commission.

The Don’t Shoot Coalition released a statement Thursday condemning Aldridge’s charge and objecting to “the widespread targeting of protest leaders.” The coalition said several protest leaders have been arrested after actions, held on exaggerated charges and put on 24-hour holds.

“Numerous activists in our movement have been followed, harassed and intimidated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police and other local police agencies,” said Michael T. McPhearson, Don’t Shoot co-chair and executive director of Veterans For Peace.

“The treatment of Rasheen stands out as politically motivated in response to his leadership on the ground and as a Ferguson Commission member.”

Aldridge has been a leader in numerous actions over the years. He recently met with St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay to discuss city policy changes that included civilian review for police. On December 1, he was among a

Rasheen Aldridge marching in protest of police shootings near the Ferguson Police Department.

group of Ferguson protest leaders nationwide who met with President Obama regarding police brutality and accountability.

Aldridge was not the only one charged for assault during the November 26 protest.

Zach Chasnoff, a former organizer with Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE), was also charged with Class C third degree assault for allegedly pushing a marshal. On Saturday, November 29, eight police officers arrested him while grocery shopping with his wife, according to the coalition.

After arresting him, the cops took his handcuffs off and one officer allegedly “got in Chasnoff’s face and urged Chasnoff to punch him,” the coalition leaders said. Chasnoff’s wife was also allegedly intimidated and harassed by officers while inside the Schnuck’s grocery store.

Chasnoff was put on a 24-hour hold.

“The Don’t Shoot Coalition calls on Mayor Slay and all law enforcement leaders to control their police forces,” said McPhearson. “Those who ‘serve and protect’ must demonstrate a greater respect for democratic rights. It’s time to drop all charges against protesters and stop targeting perceived political leaders.”

By Sharon Lynn Pruitt For The St. Louis American

Among black transgender individuals, unemployment and suicide rates, in addition to reports of harassment and discrimination, are among the highest of any group in the nation.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

The National Transgender Discrimination Survey was the first of its kind, and in 2011 measured transgender experiences of discrimination.

In the survey, 34 percent of black transgender respondents reported an income consistent with living in extreme poverty. Compare this to 15 percent for transgender people of all races, 9 percent for the black folks in general, and 4 percent for the general U.S. population.

Half of black transgender respondents also reported facing harassment at school (27 percent reported physical assault; 15 percent reported sexual assault). Onefourth (26 percent) reported being unemployed, 38 percent reported police harassment, 41 percent reported having been homeless at some point, 34 percent reported postponing healthcare due to fear of discrimination, 20 percent reported being HIVpositive and nearly half reported having attempted suicide.

As the survey states, it’s clear that the compounding of anti-transgender prejudice and racism on both a structural and individual level has had a devastating effect on black transgender individuals.

As a community, where is the outcry? Far too often, issues of gender and sexuality are pushed to the sidelines in the black community, viewed as far removed from race-based oppression.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Just as the numbers show, systems of oppression intersect in our everyday lives, and it’s important to acknowledge that, raise awareness, and seek ways to educate ourselves on how to be allies to the trans community.

The UMSL Transgender Spectrum Conference is the first event of its kind in St. Louis. It’s time for the black community to come together and support our trans folks. It’s time to show them that we’re here, that we care, that we’re listening. It doesn’t matter if you don’t identify as trans or if you don’t know anyone who does. Their fight needs to be our fight too.

Sharon Lynn Pruitt is a freelance writer from St. Louis.

Photo by Wiley Price

Guest Columnist

Sharon Lynn Pruitt

Editorial /CommEntary

Judge sees police as protestors do

A major precedent was established in the Ferguson protest movement on Thursday, December 11 that is not being properly acknowledged, though it was widely reported.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that requires police to give adequate warning before deploying tear gas at lawful protests and to ensure protestors have safe exit routes. That in itself is a major legal victory – unprotected lawful protestors asked a federal judge to restrain the actions of the Unified Command policing their movement, and the judge responded favorably by restraining the police – but an even more important precedent is established in this order issued by U.S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson on December 11.

Very importantly, in the evidence portion of the order – what the federal judge is entering into the record as uncontested fact – she describes reality according to the protestors, not the police. She writes that the evidence “establishes that law enforcement officials in St. Louis City and St. Louis County were authorized to use smoke canisters and tear gas to disperse crowds of protestors, including plaintiffs, who were not engaged in violent or criminal activity.” Anyone close to the protestors’ side of the story understands this to be a fact, true many times over. But this statement of fact is remarkably free of any of the smokescreens police officials use to cloud the facts, and which typically cloud the facts in mainstream news reports.

Judge Jackson continues: “The evidence also establishes that the law enforcement officials failed to give the plaintiffs and other protestors any warning that chemical agents would be deployed and, hence, no opportunity to avoid injury. As a result, the plaintiffs’ ability to engage in lawful speech and assembly is encumbered by a law enforcement response that would be used if a crime were being committed.”

This is, again, axiomatic to

President Obama’s observation that racism is “deeply rooted” in U.S. society is an understatement. Racism is as American as the Fourth of July, and ignoring this fact doesn’t make it go away. These truths, to quote a familiar document, are self-evident. Obama made the remark in an interview with Black Entertainment Television, telling the network’s largely African-American audience something it already knew. The President’s prediction that racism “isn’t going to be solved overnight” also came as no surprise.

and you just have to be steady so you don’t give up when we don’t get all the way there.”

Patience and persistence are virtues. As Obama well knows, however, we’ve already been at this for nearly 400 years.

The election of the first black President in 2008 was an enormous milestone. Obama’s re-election four years later was no less significant – a stinging rebuke to those who labored so hard to limit this aberration to one term.

But no one should have expected Obama to magically eliminate racial bias that has been baked into this society since the first Africans were brought to Jamestown in 1619.

The stirring words of the Declaration of Independence – “all men are created equal” – were not meant to apply to people who look like me.

have worsened “under the first black president,” while only 9 percent believe they have improved. A 2012 Associated Press poll found that 51 percent of Americans had “explicit anti-black attitudes” – up from 48 percent four years earlier, before Obama took office. It may be that having a black family in the White House just drives some people around the bend. Why else would a congressional aide viciously attack the president’s daughters, ages 16 and 13, by telling them via Facebook to “dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar”? The scold apologized and resigned, perhaps without fully knowing why she felt compelled to go there in the first place.

the protestors’ understanding of reality, and agreed upon by a national audience that gets a reasonably accurate picture of protests via livestreams. The police contested this claim on every point, and the judge curtly entered into the record as established fact the protestors’ side of the story. To summarize what the judge is establishing as fact: police in the Unified Command policing the Ferguson protest movement treated as criminals people who were committing no crime. The federal judicial record on Ferguson starts here. Judge Jackson is perceived as a fair-minded jurist who, if anything, favors law and order in her rulings. She is writing very mindful of the police perspective on the protests and how police justify their decisions and actions.

That’s why it’s important to drill down on how she reads a point of case law. She bases her order on a 1981 ruling that lists “the public interest” among the four factors to be considered when ruling on a temporary restraining order. The public interest is precisely the justification used by police commanders to excuse their, at times, indiscriminate use of tear gas. Police commanders have justified the use of tear gas on a crowd that had some “bad actors” in it among the

peaceful protestors, claiming this prevented escalation to worse violence. Judge Jackson dismissed that argument and ordered that police must do a better job at distinguishing criminals from people peacefully exercising their freedoms of speech and assembly.

That is how Judge Jackson reads “the public interest” –not public safety, as protected by the police using any means necessary, but public rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. “Additionally,” Judge Jackson writes, concluding the evidence portion of her order, “the public has a strong interest in protecting the right of individuals to peacefully protest.”

The order that Judge Jackson then issues, based on this evidence, is subject to enforcement. The judge is empowered to send U.S. marshals to arrest police commanders and frontline cops when and if they violate this order. We encourage her to leverage this power of her court, as needed, while admitting it’s not likely she would do so. But we do praise her for so clearly and forcefully establishing the facts on the badly flawed policing of peaceful protests in Ferguson and St. Louis.

Systemic racism underlies unrest

Over the last decade and a half, groups of racially and professionally diverse stakeholders across the nation, as well as in the St. Louis region, have begun to engage in courageous conversations about how race is impacting outcomes for children and families of color. The focus has been primarily on involvement with child welfare, juvenile justice and criminal justice systems. Commissioners, judges, lawyers, social workers, probation and school safety officers, behavioral and mental health professionals, family advocates, parents and youth have come together in their respective jurisdictions to identify causes and implement solutions that can lead to systemic reform.

But these conversations aren’t happening often enough or in enough places.

How might the response to the tragic death of Mike Brown and the subsequent grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson been different had there been ongoing work in Ferguson to address the community’s fragmented relationship with law enforcement and other deeper issues of social concern

related to race? The response that we have witnessed to date is indicative of what happens when our conversations about race occur only after a tragic event or death. We have seen firsthand what some people will do when they feel voiceless and ignored.

Beneath the racial tensions and civil unrest in Ferguson are a myriad of deeper structural and social issues. Much of the anger was directed towards law enforcement, but there are other structural issues pertaining to housing and race that are less obvious and far more insidious. According to the study “The Persistence of Segregation in the Metropolis: New Findings from the 2010 Census,” “In 367 metropolitan areas across the U.S., the typical white lives in a neighborhood that is 75 percent white, 8 percent black, 11 percent Hispanic, and 5 percent Asian.” In 2010, the greater St. Louis region ranked ninth in black-white segregation among the 50 metropolitan areas with the largest black populations. Many racially segregated inner and outer ring suburban communities were created by public and private housing policies and practices that included redlining, land use zoning regulations, urban renewal, restrictive covenants and block busting.

The legacy of those policies continues to perpetuate racial and ethnic advantages and disparities. They determine

where certain racial and ethnic sub-groups live, what the value of their property will be, how well the school districts will prepare students to succeed, whether the tax base will provide adequate municipal services and infrastructure, and the overall quality of their physical and emotional wellbeing.

What role do historically embedded, systemic disadvantages and racism play in perpetuating the sense of hopelessness that characterizes too many black communities?

Whether we consider the high-profile cases involving the deaths of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York, Timothy Thomas in Cincinnati or Amadou Diallo in New York, it is imperative that a deeper conversation needs to occur about why these tragedies are more likely to occur in African-American communities. Our children and grandchildren need us to lead and provide guidance that will help them prevent another episode of civil unrest and violence.

Khatib Waheed is a consultant, trainer and facilitator for various judicial circuits, child welfare jurisdictions and organizations interested in improving services and outcomes for children and families of color. He led an implicit bias training course with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in October.

Right-wing media outlets feigned shock and outrage. But their hearts didn’t seem to be in it. Not after Ferguson and Staten Island. Not after the killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland. These recent atrocities prompted Obama’s comments.

“This is something that’s deeply rooted in our society, it’s deeply rooted in our history,” the President said.

“When you’re dealing with something as deeply rooted as racism or bias in any society, you’ve got to have vigilance but you have to recognize that it’s going to take some time,

The Constitution specified that each slave would count as three-fifths of a person.

African Americans were systematically robbed of their labor, not just before the Civil War but for a century afterward through Jim Crow laws and other racist arrangements. Blacks were deliberately denied opportunities to obtain education and accumulate wealth.

You knew all of this, of course. I recite it here because there are those who would prefer to forget.

A new Bloomberg poll found that 53 percent of those surveyed believe race relations

Letters to the editor

Start with Kerner Commission

Here’s a suggestion for the Ferguson Commission: Why not do a comprehensive review of America’s benchmark report on civil disorder and proceed from there? In the summer of 1967 Newark and Detroit were wrought with the type of violence and civil disorder like that which erupted in Ferguson in August. Americans were shocked and dismayed as the violence spread to neighboring communities … just like Ferguson!

On July 28, 1967, President Johnson created the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, which became known as the Kerner Commission in deference to its chairman, Otto Kerner, who was governor of Illinois at the time. The President directed the Commission to answer three questions: 1) What happened? 2) Why did it happen? 3) What can be done to prevent it from happening again?

Reviewing the ground work done by the Kerner Commission seems to be a simple and appropriate start for the Ferguson Commission. They should thereafter focus on the three questions posed by President Johnson.

Michael K. Broughton Green Park

Makes me wanna holler

Will it ever end? Forty-three years ago, the late Marvin Gaye decried “trigger-happy policing” in his epic song, “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler).” Yet, more black lives are added yearly to a list of those slain by on-duty policemen or some would-be vigilante. Michael Brown Jr., Oscar Grant ... Supporters of zealous policing point to the high rate of crime committed in a large number of black communities, victimizing other blacks. Ironically, this creates a form of double jeopardy for lawobserving black citizens. Officers, who have sworn to serve and protect, have historically mistreated blacks and have bred as much anxiety and apprehension as the criminal element. Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, Eric Garner ... We must ask ourselves: Just what is it about black males that ignites such an

aggressive response from law enforcers? Every one of these victims were unarmed, unless you consider a child playing an imaginary game of cops and robbers in a park with an empty pellet gun or a young man shopping the aisles of a large store with a pellet rifle pulled from a store shelf as being armed. Tamir Rice, John Crawford III ...

Why is it that some people view somewhat innocuous situations surrounding blacks as such an imminent threat to place a 911 call claiming lives are at stake? Why are blacks stripped of their humanity? Why is there often no compassion and empathy? Black women are not immune to this mistreatment. Renisha McBride, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis ... Gerald Amandla Richmond, VA

Justice was not served

The legal process in Ferguson Missouri was sadly

For some people, it doesn’t matter what the Obamas do or don’t do. Their very presence is inexcusable. There’s something alien about them; their teenaged girls can’t just be seen as teenaged girls. We already know, from painful experience, how our society looks upon black teenaged boys.

U.S. neighborhoods and schools remain shockingly segregated. Jobs have abandoned many inner-city communities. The enormous wealth gap between whites and blacks has increased since the onset of the Great Recession. Black boys and men wear bull’s-eyes on their backs.

lacking in any appearance of fairness; it looked more like a fix. Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who killed Michael Brown Jr., was not charged by a grand jury. This means he would not be cross-examined, and only one side of the story, his side, would be accepted by those who wanted to see him cleared from being accountable for killing an unarmed 18-year-old. Those who did not believe in Darren Wilson’s side of the story – and believed in the 16 witnesses that alleged Michael Brown’s hands were up when Darren Wilson shot six bullets in his body – know that justice was not served. If the Justice Department does not bring charges against the whole legal process in Ferguson, to open up the type of “color of Law” fix that deprived Michael Brown and his family of their civil rights, a moment of exposure needed so badly will go on unseen and the worst type of authority abuse will continue against people of color.

Alfred Waddell, Hyannis, MA

Guest Columnist

Khatib A. Waheed

Columnist

Eugene Robinson

Three plaintiffs in a suit against the Unified Command – Kira Hudson Banks, Brittany Ferrell and Alexis Templeton – left the federal court building for a lunch break on Thursday, December 11. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Questioning diversity

A protestor posed a question about diversity and America’s justice on November 25 in downtown St. Louis, one day after a St. Louis County grand jury decided there was no probable cause to charge then Police Officer Darren Wilson with a crime in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown Jr.

Police shooting cases may be taken from prosecutors

By Gloria Browne-Marshall For The St. Louis American

The public has lost confidence in district attorneys to prosecute police shooting cases. This lack of public trust now drives New York’s highest prosecutor, the Attorney General, to take over such cases. It is an unusual request for a police shooting case, but not for civil rights cases.

The request in a change of authority came from national protests after the failure of a Staten Island, N.Y. grand jury to indict white police officers involved in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, an unarmed, black man.

President Barack Obama pledged over $77 million for police body cameras, better police training, and a federal civil rights investigation by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wants to take over any New York cases involving police officers shooting a civilian. In a Dec. 8 letter to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Schneiderman asked to investigate and prosecute New York’s police shooting cases. Under Executive Law, Section 63, Gov. Cuomo has the power to place the state’s Attorney General over any of New York’s district attorneys on any criminal case. Under this authority, Schneiderman’s office could investigate any police shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian by-passing the local district attorney.

The local district attorney’s office relies heavily on police to investigate, testify and provide evidence in criminal cases. That working relationship has undermined public confidence in the district attorney to prosecute police “especially in cases where homicide or other serious charges against the accused officer are not pursued or are dismissed prior to a trial by jury,” Attorney General Schneiderman wrote.

In the police shooting death of Michael Brown Jr., in Ferguson, Mo., the grand jury failed to indict Officer Darren Wilson. Instead of charging Wilson outright, St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch convened a grand jury to decide if criminal charges should be brought against Wilson.

In a move different from how he prosecutes other criminal cases, McCulloch presented evidence for and against Officer Wilson. In the Eric Garner case, District Attorney Donovan chose a similar maneuver, presenting evidence for and against New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Presenting conflicting evidence to a grand jury undermines chances for an indictment.

Additionally, assistant district attorneys working with McCulloch gave grand jurors an outdated copy of Missouri law. The outdated version stated that all was required for Officer Wilson to use deadly force against Michael Brown Jr. is a “reasonable belief” that there was a threat, as reported by Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNBC. The U.S. Supreme Court made clear in a 1985 Memphis police shooting case, Tennessee v. Garner, that an officer must show probable cause to support their belief that there was a threat. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster admitted to O’Donnell that Missouri’s deadly force law was incorrectly given to the Darren Wilson grand jury.

Confusion surrounding Missouri’s deadly force law may have led to the grand jury’s decision not to indict Officer Wilson. Although Wilson testified before the grand jury for several hours he never explained or was asked by prosecutors the basis of his belief that Michael Brown Jr., unarmed, could or would take his life.

A grand jury only hears from the prosecutor and decides if there is probable cause that the suspect broke the law; if so, the suspect is indicted. The Fifth Amendment requires that either a grand jury indict a suspect or that a District Attorney bring criminal charges against a suspect before a criminal trial can take place. Then, a criminal trial jury decides if a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A recent USA Today public opinion poll found 57 percent over 22 percent thought the grand jury in the Eric Garner case made the wrong decision in failing to bring charges against Pantaleo.

However, Ken Thompson, Brooklyn’s District Attorney, said he is “adamantly opposed” to the New York Attorney General taking over police shooting death cases. “No one is more committed to ensuring equal justice under law” in police shooting cases, he said. Thompson is Brooklyn’s first African-American District Attorney.

In the infamous 1964 Mississippi voting rights case involving murdered college students James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, that state’s Attorney General took over the case when the local District Attorney failed to vigorously prosecute the Klansmen responsible for their deaths.

Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association of New York City is opposed to the state taking over police shooting cases from the local District Attorney. Lynch said, “There is absolutely no reason to alter the existing system.”

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall (@gbrownemarshall) is an associate professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College in New York City. She is author of “Race, Law, and American Society” and U.S. Supreme Court correspondent for African-American News & Information Consortium.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Gloria BrowneMarshall

Continued from A1

Both are Ferguson residents and University of Missouri

– St. Louis students who chose to put school on hold after Michael Brown Jr.’s death and devote themselves to organizing against police brutality. They founded Millennial Activists United with Ashley Yates – all black women in their 20s – and have since become some of the most prominent faces and voices of the Ferguson movement.

Templeton said she found herself gravitating towards certain people in the movement, namely Ferrell, “making sure they are safe. Making sure they are okay more than everyone else is okay. And when they get arrested, you try to get arrested with them.”

In the midst of the movement’s intensity, they fell in love.

On Tuesday, December 16 at about 2 p.m., Ferrell and Templeton arrived at St. Louis City Hall to get married

COURTS

Continued from A1

on August 9, attorneys have questioned whether some courts trap primarily lowincome residents into financial and legal turmoil over minor ordinance violations.

That message was magnified through presentations from three attorneys: Thomas

– something that only became possible a month before in Missouri. On November 5, a state judge overturned Missouri’s constitutional ban on gay marriage. The Slay administration has been a strong advocate for marriage equality.

Surrounded by supporters on the marbles steps of City Hall’s rotunda, Templeton told the story. “Last night, we were sitting in the kitchen and she asked me, ‘Would you marry me?’ I said, ‘Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I’ll do it tomorrow.’”

Templeton added, “Since she’s made me happy for 130 days, I want to make her happy for the rest of my life.”

To a chorus of “awwws” and the flashing of cell phone cameras, Templeton got down on her knee and proposed officially to Ferrell.

“One hundred and thirty days ago, I fell in love with somebody and her six-yearold mini me,” Templeton said to Ferrell in her proposal. “I didn’t expect you to want to be with me … other than fight on the front lines with me. You have every single piece of my heart.”

Harvey of the Arch City Defenders, Washington University law school professor Mae Quinn and Better Together’s Dave Leipholtz.

During his address to the commission, Harvey said the region “should be humiliated” into making changes to courts.

“When you’ve got the second highest source of revenue in many of these towns being revenue generated from municipal courts, and it’s $2.7

They applied for and received their marriage license, which means they have 30 days to be married by an officiant or judge. Although several members of the clergy were present who could have led a ceremony that day, the couple decided to wait and plan a wedding.

“There’s going to be a lot of food, drinks, happiness,” Templeton said. “I’m going to be the DJ – music over the people,” referring

million in one town and it’s $3.1 million in another town, it’s hard to say, ‘No, it’s not about the money,’” Harvey said.

“This is a system that works for rich people and doesn’t work for poor people. And it doesn’t work for black people in our region. And it works for lawyers and judges and prosecutors here that make their living off of it.” Quinn told the commission

to her Twitter handle @ musicoverpeople.

After they received the license in the small office, the crowd chanted, “Black love matters.”

Throughout the event, police were speckled throughout the halls and entrances. They even asked activist DeRay Mckesson when he arrived if they were trying to shut down City Hall. He told them, “No.” It was just two people celebrating their love and trying to get married.

In fact, one of the supporters

in her nearly 20 years of practicing law, she had “never seen what I’ve seen in this town.” Quinn, the director of Washington University’s Juvenile Law and Justice Clinic, said she’s seen “widespread” due process violations and deprivations of the right to counsel.

“When I set up my legal clinic at Washington University six years ago and I took my students into our courts and

arrived carrying a sign that read, “All we want to do is take the chains off! (and put a ring on it).” The sign references part of MAU’s mantra that is often chanted during protests, “We have nothing to lose but our chains.” Ferrell said part of MAU’s mantra is also to love and support each other.

“And that’s what we’ve been doing for each other for 130 days,” she said. “It’s been extremely critical to the work we’ve been doing.”

Jamell Spann, a 21-yearold Ferguson resident whom the couple called their best man, has been friends with Templeton since before the day Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Brown on August 9.

“We came to this unspoken agreement that we wanted to be active in history and fight for the freedom for our people,” he said of Templeton.

Through continuously standing on the front lines, they also came into contact with Ferrell.

“Day in and day out, I’d lock arms with these two and stand in the face of quite literally tyranny and

communities, I could not believe what I saw,” Quinn said.

“I was shocked. Shocked. And we have practiced in the juvenile courts and the municipal courts and the appellate courts and in the school disciplinary proceedings and administrative proceedings.

So it’s not just a single view on a single night, and it’s not just for one single client that I’m talking about.”

oppression, as they shoot rubber bullets at us, as they shoot tear gas at us,” he said. “It didn’t matter what the National Guard and the police threw at us. As long as we were together, we built power together and fed off each other’s love and energy.”

Spann said watching them grow as a couple and as a unit has been an awe-inspiring experience.

“It’s like watching poetry write itself,” he said. “Seeing them stimulate each other mentally. Seeing them bounce ideas off each other. Seeing them plan and plot such magnificent actions to further people’s consciousness, to wake people up. It gives me more than hope.”

As they walked out of City Hall, they laughed as Spann jumped up and down shouting, “Revolutionary love, love, love!” They all raised their fists to the air.

Templeton said, “This is what love and support looks like. Women are leading this revolution. And women are marrying women in the revolution. Welcome to it.”

Leipholtz’s group recently unveiled a study of how much revenue the region’s various municipalities take in from fines and court costs. He said one of the problems is that municipalities, in his words, “police themselves” to make sure they don’t violate the so-called “Mack’s Creek law.” That statute dictates that cities cannot have revenue from fines and court costs constitute more than 30 percent of their budget.

“We think it begins with granting greater oversight,” said Leipholtz, adding that his group didn’t find any St. Louis County municipality that had to forfeit any money because of the law. “There’s no enforcement of it. It simply doesn’t do the trick.”

After two meetings where commissioners faced a sometimes hostile reception from the crowd, Monday’s gathering went forward relatively smoothly. Soon after a public forum period came to an end, audience members broke into groups to discuss potential changes to municipal courts. Some of the ideas included giving community service instead of a fine; providing low-income individuals with public defenders; putting fines on a sliding scale; and lowering the “Mack’s Creek law” threshold. (Several lawmakers – including state Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale – pre-filed legislation to limit fine revenue to no more than 10 percent of a city’s budget.)

But both Harvey and Saint Louis University law professor John Amman said policymakers should consider consolidating or eliminating municipal courts altogether. Amman said that “we need to think more radically and decide whether this system should be allowed to survive –whether it’s reformed or not.”

“What we have isn’t working,” Amman said.

“And everybody in the system admits that there’s no oversight. The chief judge of St. Louis County has said, and rightfully so, she can’t supervise 84 municipal judges. The Supreme Court has yet to do anything. So the question is: Who’s watching? Who’s making sure that municipal courts do the right thing? And the answer is nobody.” Ferguson Commission co-chairs Starsky Wilson and Rich McClure told the crowd that commissioners would use “working groups” to provide the Missouri General Assembly with guidance on the issue. Even though the commission is planning to issue its final recommendations next September, Wilson said commissioners would have suggestions about municipal courts well before then. Harvey said, “Things are going to move back toward how they were unless there’s significant pressure from organizations and the people trying to push them in another direction.”

Protest leaders Alexis Templeton and Brittany Ferrell spoke with Ferguson Commission co-chair Rev. Starsky Wilson during the third meeting of the commission.

Photo by Wiley Price

and in New York, not to indict white police officers in the deaths of unarmed African Americans.

“We had class last week when all the protests were going on and students were very emotional and concerned,” Anderson said. Anderson met with students and asked them to come up with reasons why they were protesting.

“We tell them, ‘Protest without progress is just noise.’ And we’d rather not make noise this week,” she said.

At the police station, Lt. Col. Troy Doyle with the St. Louis County Police Department facilitated positive dialogue between police and students. Doyle was joined by Sgt. Ray Rice and Officer William Munson, both with the St. Louis County Police Department. All of the officers are African-American men. Jennings contracts for police services with the county.

“We grew up in North City and North County,” Lt. Col. Doyle said. “Some of us have went through the same things in regards to being harassed by the police. We can relate to their feelings.”

COUNCIL

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 this state and in this nation at large,” said a young woman who simply referred to herself as Sunny.

“You are able to live your lives in amble, whereas we have to live our lives in a state of urgency, because black people in this nation are in a state of emergency. Gov. Jay Nixon calls a state of emergency for people who simply want to protest – there is something wrong with that picture.”

She was one of four who signed up to speak before the

Anderson described Lt. Col. Doyle as a “trusted member” of the community and said the students looked forward to sharing their experiences with him.

Kievonn Monger, 15, a sophomore at Jennings Senior High School, was one of those students. In a phone interview with The St. Louis American, Kievonn spoke of a recent encounter he had with a police officer in Jennings.

County Council to voice their perspective on the Ferguson unrest.

“Across the street at the Justice Center there are fellow protestors who are imprisoned against their will, and the same officers who arrested them were the ones who were violating their constitutional rights,” Sunny said.

“What makes those officers fit to arrest anybody, if they have a wretched view of the rights of protestors? America is home to the world’s biggest prison population – 25 percent – yet it only makes up five percent of the world’s population. And the majority of the people in those prisons are black – and the majority

“He pulled up on me very aggressively and almost hit me with the car,” Monger said.

With one hand on his gun, the officer demanded to see the boy’s hands, stating that he fit the description of an armed young, black male wearing his same attire. When he was told to put his hands on the hood of the car, he said he felt like “less than a person.”

“I don’t agree with this stereotypical mind frame,” he

of those protestors who remain locked up are black people. They are charged with felonies. Some of them may never be able to vote again. Black people are being disenfranchised once again.”

Scattered amongst comments that mostly concerned the Westlake Landfill, Ferguson was still top of mind. There was no extreme chaos – or even raised voices. Each protestor attempted to remain within the three minutes allotted, even though Sunny’s emotions got the better of her and caused her to go over by about 45 seconds.

“We are suffocating. Black people can’t breathe, just like Eric Garner,” Sunny said. “We

said of the incident.

At the police station, students – primarily eighth graders and high school students from Jennings Junior and Senior high schools –presented a list of demands. They demanded better community engagement, a platform for students to voice their concerns, an increase in the department’s minority hiring to at least 15 percent by next year, and body camera

chant and we are met with riot gear police because they think that we are going to do something – or they are simply expressing how powerful they are. How does that make us feel? How are we supposed to peacefully protest when we see riot gear police that are ready to attack us?”

Mark Lohr used his designated time to offer his personal hopes for area politics in the coming year.

“First, I want to wish that the Fannie Lou Hamer Democrats grow bolder, more energized and thrive,” said Lohr, a young white man. “I think their development is an exciting one for St. Louis in an otherwise boring, predictable

Jennings Superintendent Tiffany Anderson led district students on a protest march to the city’s police department before school on Thursday, December 11.

use by November 2015. Lt. Col. Doyle said the demands weren’t unreasonable. They also demanded the appointment of a Special Prosecutor for police-involved fatal shootings and a change in shooting tactics.

“They don’t have to shoot to kill,” Monger said.

Police invited students to enroll in the teen police academy next month and agreed to conduct quarterly-

and stale political environment. I hope that they become a model nationwide so that black, Hispanic and Native American groups can hold [politics] accountable.”

His second wish was for the Ferguson Commission to succeed. “I’m not really a believer in task forces or blue ribbon committees,” Lohr said, “but after last night’s meeting I have some more confidence.”

Mostly upbeat and optimistic, Lohr’s harshest remarks were reserved for last.

scheduled meetings. With regards to appointing a Special Prosecutor, Lt. Col. Doyle advised students about the importance of voting for elected officials they want to hold office.

When asked whether the demands would be implemented throughout the entire St. Louis County, Lt. Col. Doyle said that’s the plan. But as of right now, his main focus is North County. To be in a position to make change is one reason why Monger said he still wants to be a police officer. For now, he said he hopes that police officers learn from their mistakes so that more young men won’t have to die. Lt. Col. Doyle stressed that everyone in law enforcement is not bad. But he said it’s important to identify bad officers and eliminate those people from the force. The community need to see more minorities in supervisory roles within the police department, he said, and not just for appearances sake.

“People put black faces in places for the appearance,” Lt. Col. Doyle said, “but don’t give those people the authority to make change.”

Follow this reporter on Twitter: @BridjesONeil.

“I wish we could talk more seriously about court reform. No more preying on people who drive down 170 to UMSL to get ticket money – that’s ridiculous. My suggestion is if they don’t stop it, then let’s charge them too,” Lohr said.

“And lastly, I wish Bob McCulloch could man up, drop the charade of professionalism and resign as the bum he is.” Christopher Woods, who is known throughout the protest movement as “Woo,” spoke through silence.

“Although we cannot afford to be silent anymore, I’m going to take the rest of my time and use it for a moment of silence in the memory of Mike Brown and all of the victims that have come before and after him,” Woo said. He proceeded in silence with the longest two-and-a-half minutes in the history of a St. Louis County Council meeting.

Photo courtesy Jennings School District

Dear white people

An explanation for those who are genuinely bewildered

This communique is not for the white trolls who lurk in the social media shadows, throwing racist, anonymous potshots, or the white people who’ve been publicly expressing that African Americans are savages who deserve to be shot down in the streets.

This column is for white people who are genuinely bewildered as to why people have been in the streets for 100-plus days in Ferguson and around the globe since Mike Brown’s death. This is for whites who are desperately trying to figure out how they can fit into the transformational shift for racial justice that is now being recalibrated.

Race has been made complicated, but it’s a sociological construct, designed by the white ruling elite generations ago for the main purpose of exploitation and control. Your racial isolation has been intentionally choreographed to minimize racial understanding that could lead to multi-racial unity.

subhuman they are. Such a belief system is inherently problematic and unsustainable for peaceful coexistence. You have been manipulated over the centuries.

If it’s any consolation, you are not alone. Non-whites have been twisted into self-hatred and manipulated into pursuing a path of whiteness, a perverted journey whose destination one can never reach. Yes, we’ve all been put in a trick bag. Let’s acknowledge this and move on to the real challenge of building the kind of society where all potential is fully developed and all life is valued. You need to know that your interaction with law enforcement can be dramatically different from that of black and brown people. For us, the distrust of police has a long and brutal history. Accept the preponderance of evidence of this fact or you can Google “police brutality videos.” This is our reality: any black person could be Mike Brown.

of terror by police in our communities over decades and without impunity that has ignited a spontaneous outrage in black people and justiceseeking allies. The righteous outrage is rooted in our countless, negative encounters with law enforcement and The courts. That is why you see millions across the nation responding to the refusal of St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch to indict Darren Wilson for the murder of Mike Brown. Over 170 U.S. cities hosted a variety of actions, from shutting down a highway in Washington, D.C. to St. Louis Rams players doing a hands-up-don’t-shoot gesture before the game.

So, you need to understand the source of our legitimate outrage – the unabated humiliation, assaults and murders of black humanity with little or no accountability or impunity. And while we demand justice for Mike Brown’s family, the issue of police violence transcends this single family and the City of Ferguson.

You have been fed an unhealthy diet of white supremacy that requires you to embrace the belief that all nonwhite peoples are inferior—the darker the being, the more

In a recent article by Isabel Wilkerson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author states the current “rate of police killings of black Americans is nearly the same as the

rate of lynchings in the early decades of the 20th century.” Wilkerson points to FBI data (undercounted) that show a black person is killed by a police every three or four days in the U.S. Because I’m black, this means I’m five times more likely to be killed by police than my white counterpart.

A report by the Malcolm

X Grassroots Movement (MXGM) a couple of years ago took this phenomenon a step further. According to the report on extrajudicial killings, every 36 hours a black person is “executed” by police, security guards or vigilantes.

Both Wilkerson and the MXGM report underscore that

people of African descent can be killed without due process, that a white person can Be both judge and jury and their deadly actions are almost always justified. In order to make this justification stick, all black people must be criminalized and their deaths blamed on their own actions.

Black people have a serious problem with this broad racial calculation, i.e. if you’re black, you’re dangerous and thereby a threat.

The loss of a child brings unspeakable grief for any family, but it just keeps on happening. The latest is the unwarranted shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, whose toy gun obviously made him a target of overzealous Cleveland police. We cannot stomach yet another cop killing of a black child with no accountability.

The weight of the human carnage is too much to bear.

It is these incessant acts

Police violence and corruption is a national problem, and that’s why the reactions quickly went national. The entire system is guilty and must be reformed, transformed. You must acknowledge this in order to be an active part of its transformation. Lastly, understand that black families want the same things that white families want – good health, happiness and success. We want a good education for our children and employment opportunities that bring them dignity and decent wages. We expect our civil and human rights will be fully protected. Ferguson and St. Louis city and county are now synonymous with corruption and incompetence. It is painfully clear that we cannot depend on elected and civic officials for leadership or to ensure justice. They have been silent in providing vision and long-term solutions.

I encourage you to join the legions of humanity in the region who will be working to say no more business as usual. Join in this movement to challenge racism in the streets, in police departments and in the courts. The social justice movement is as much about changing hearts and minds as it is changing laws and policies. We who believe in freedom cannot rest. If we work together in a respectful and disciplined way, a new Ferguson is possible. Visit my blog at jamalarogers.com.

Bailiffs, court staff and citizens watch protestors march past the Carnahan Courthouse in downtown St. Louis on November 26, two days after a St. Louis County grand jury decided there was no probable cause to charge then Police Officer

Darren Wilson with a crime in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown Jr.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Jamala Rogers

Riot cop wears ‘Wilson’ patch at protest

Chief

says officer and supervisor will be disciplined

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

A St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer dressed in riot gear wore a “Wilson” name patch on his right bicep while standing in front of protestors at City Hall on Friday, December 12.

Marchers had stopped at St. Louis City Hall as part of a “Circus of Injustice” action. Activist Elizabeth Vega pulled a large pig piñata with the names of all the police officers who have killed African Americans. A Santa Claus held up a sign that stated, “All we want for Christmas is justice.”

One person in the group noticed an officer’s “Wilson” name patch and thought it was the officer’s name. She shouted, “We have a Wilson here.” But others saw that his actual name patch – worn on his chest – read, “Coats.”

Amy Hunter, who works with the YWCA and is mother of three sons, asked the officer if wearing Wilson’s name while on duty was helping him build a better relationship with his community – which is nearly 50 percent African-American.

“You can probably imagine how the African-American community would feel about an officer – particularly a white officer – wearing a Wilson support anything on his person,” Hunter told The St. Louis American

“We are all working towards

peace. That is not a positive action towards that at all. It makes me feel unsafe.”

Marchers also held up signs with their Christmas list items, which included “Police accountability,” “Demilitarize all local police,” “Restorative justice programs,” “Community review board and power” and a “Special prosecutor.”

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson said when he saw The St. Louis American’s picture of the officer’s Wilson patch, he “was not happy.”

According to the department’s policy: “Only Department-approved and sanctioned pins, insignias, or awards may be worn on the uniform. Those acceptable include the service star pins award insignias, FBINA and

PERF pins. No employee of the Department, while in uniform, will wear any insignia, badges, buttons or patches which are not issued by the Department.”

While normally the department holds an investigation into policy violations, Dotson said, “In this case, the picture speaks a thousand words. He clearly didn’t follow our rules, and he will be disciplined.”

Before officers go out on duty, their supervisors conduct uniform inspections. The officer’s supervisor will also be disciplined for not correcting the officer’s behavior, Dotson said. Dotson said this is not the type of behavior that will help build bridges with the community.

At the protest, people chanted at the officers, “Why

are you in riot gear? We don’t see a riot here.”

As far as police dressing in riot gear, Dotson said that he understands people may not like it. However, “the equipment is designed to keep people safe,” he said.

When the protestors arrived, City Hall was gated up and the riot police were standing in front of the entrance with shields and helmets. In some past protests, City Hall has welcomed protestors inside. However, for the past couple weeks, the building has been on lockdown when protestors arrive. Dotson said he was unsure whether it has been the police commanders on the scene or the Mayor’s Office that ordered the building closed.

Library introduces new early literacy program

St. Louis County Library is partnering with area hospitals to make sure new parents know about the importance of early literacy.

Starting in January, the Born to Read program will provide new parents at four area hospitals with a gift bag from the library containing a board book, bath toy, activity calendar, milestone marker and instructions on how to get a library card.

Parents will also receive an invitation to celebrate their child’s first birthday at the library where they will receive another free book.

The four area hospitals participating in Born to Read are St. Anthony’s Medical Center, SSM DePaul Health Center, St. Clare Health Center and Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Recent studies have shown that children who are exposed to language and

reading at an early age have a better chance of succeeding in school and beyond. SLCL offers a variety of tools for parents to engage their young children in learning, including kindergarten readiness programs, story time, preschool “appiness” workshops (where parents can learn about educational apps), and Family Literacy Involvement Program (FLIP) kits.

Financial support for the program comes from the St. Louis County Library Foundation. Born to Read was the featured “pledge for a cause” at the Foundation’s annual gala held in September 2014. More info about early literacy resources at SLCL can be found at www.slcl. org/early-literacy. To learn more about Born to Read please call 314-9943300 or visit www.slcl.org.

A St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer named Coats wore a “Wilson” patch in support of Darren Wilson while standing in front of protestors at St. Louis City Hall on Friday, December 12. Photo by Wiley Price

Protestors march on city jail

Inmates applaud as Systematic Freedom leads solidarity action

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St. Louis American

In solidarity actions nationwide, thousands of people hit the streets on Saturday, December 13 declaring in a unified voice that “Black Lives Matter.” Locally, Systematic Freedom – activists calling for an end to mass incarceration and police brutality – led a march from Hickey Park in Baden to St. Louis city’s Medium Security Institution, also known as the Workhouse.

Behind a pair of police escorts, a diverse group of roughly 100 protestors, including two women dressed in orange jumpsuits, made their way down Hall Street. Police, who had already blocked off a large portion of the street, observed the protest from a distance.

Several inmates observing the scene banged on their jail cell window in support.

“We love y’all. Keep up the movement!” one inmate yelled.

Organizers were demanding an end to inhumane conditions in St. Louis city jails, where they said protestors are being held. They were arrested during protests in the Shaw neighborhood after a St. Louis County grand jury did not indict now former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown Jr. Protestors chanted, “Let them go!” The action was meant to underscore the problem of mass incarceration.

“Mass incarceration is a racial caste system that creates a permanent underclass by branding citizens as criminals,” said Sunny Ford, event co-organizer. “It pulls people into a system that allows for legal, sociallyacceptable discrimination and disenfranchisement.”

With a bullhorn, event co-organizer Juliette Lacovino read a list of local and statewide demands to be implemented immediately. They included a full-scale, independent investigation into alleged abuses in St. Louis city jails, a ban on racial profiling

Smith described his experience as an inmate in the jail behind him, known as the workhouse, but officially named the Medium Security Institution, during a protest on Saturday, December 13.

Photo by Camille Phillips/St. Louis Public Radio

and discriminatory judicial practices, and a restoration of human rights for current and former inmates. In front of the place where he spent two months of his life, Darrick Smith shared his experience of being locked up at the Workhouse. Smith was only 17 when he was arrested

n “Mass incarceration is a racial caste system that creates a permanent underclass by branding citizens as criminals.”

– Sunny Ford

for the first time and sent to the jail. Now 25, the pain of the ordeal seemed fresh in his memory.

Stumbling over his words, Smith said, “The experiences that I went through in there is still with me to this day.”

He said inmates at the Workhouse are “dehumanized” regardless of race. He spoke

of civil lawsuits against the jail, poor living conditions, and inmates on the brink of starvation willing to fight for food. Two years ago, The St. Louis American reported on a federal class-action lawsuit filed by seven inmates alleging that guards forced them to engage in gladiator-style combat for entertainment and punishment. It was a fate he wouldn’t wish on anyone, he said.

“They turn people into animals. But, I didn’t let that happen to me,” he said.

Since his initial arrest, he said, he’s had additional run-ins with the police and is currently serving out the last few months of his probation. Yet, he has learned to turn a negative experience into a positive one. Inspired by recent protests and the solidarity it created, he became a member of the Organization of Black Struggle. He hopes to help others, particularly youth, avoid the same cycle.

“I believe I can educate more youth because they’re in the dark right now,” he said. “They need to come into the light.”

Follow this reporter: @ BridjesONeil.

Training for fire service

F.I.R.E. Retirees are hosting a training class to assist people interested in the fire service in filling out applications and preparing to compete in an entry-level testing process. Individuals who complete the fire preparation course are put on an eligibility list to be hired in a fire department and may be eligible to receive a scholarship to obtain their Emergency Medical Technicians license. Classes will be held at the

O’Fallon Park YMCA, 4343 W. Florissant Ave., starting at 6 p.m. Monday, January 26. For more information or to apply for training, email scrdiabpff@ swbell.net

Rep’ing

By Melanie Adams

the History Museum with the First Lady

Teen travels to D.C. to accept national award from Mrs. Obama

By Amesha Payne For The St. Louis American

On November 10, Amesha Payne received the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program (NAHYP) Award from First Lady Michelle Obama on behalf of the Missouri History Museum’s Teens Make History Program. The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the nation’s highest honor for non-school programs in the arts and the humanities.

Looking back on the visit to the White House, I am not only grateful but I am blessed. While spending three days in Washington, D.C., I met so many great people and among them were also teens just like me who wanted to make a difference in their lives, communities, and homes.

I had never been out of St. Louis and I was given a great opportunity to finally get a chance to explore a place other than my home city. I met teens from all over the world, including Delhi, India, Memphis, Tennessee, and Santa Anta, California.

One teen that stuck out to me was Rashid from the Salaam Baalak Trust in India. He had such an amazing heart and an even bigger smile. Students at the Salaam Baalak Trust are trained to do theatre and also give tours of their city. Because of the similarity between their work and the work Teens Make History does, I was invited to do a playwriting workshop with Rashid and with students from the Young Playwrights’ Theater in Washington, D.C. We combined what we wrote together to make a strong performance.

After the workshop, we took a bike ride to see many of the monuments, like the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. In the end seeing these monuments and others was really touching. I could hardly believe I was really there!

As I met teens from the other programs

who received the award, we sat down to discuss what program we were a part of and why it was so important to us. We talked about how our programs change us in a positive way and impact our lives. I can honestly say that I did a serious self-reflection after listening to all of their stories. We all had different stories, but there were also a lot of similarities. When the day finally came for the award ceremony, I can honestly say that I wasn’t nervous to meet First Lady Michelle Obama, because I knew that she was rooting for me and every teen that wants to make a positive change. Her demeanor was very elegant, passionate, caring, and even loving. She has dreams and hopes for us no matter where we come from across the globe and that’s what matters most. Hearing her speech was very heart warming and surreal. It made me realize that I am bigger than my struggles and stronger than what I really thought I was. When it was our turn to go up on stage to accept the NAHYP it felt so surreal, like it was happening to me but really it wasn’t. She instantly held out her arms and came in for a hug. I knew then and there that it was real and that she cared about what we are accomplishing at the Missouri History Museum assisting teens in a real working environment. She has compassion for us and showed that she acknowledged our hard work. Never once did she stop smiling or telling me how proud she was of Teens Make History.

Sitting in the crowd was also Congressman Clay, the only member of Congress to attend the award ceremony. I am so proud to be on his Youth Cabinet Board because it is another way I can make a difference back home. I was standing in the White House at the age of 17 because of who I am becoming and the people that are positively impacting my life. I can’t begin to thank the Missouri History Museum enough for choosing me to be the one to accept the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. I don’t take this experience lightly, and I think about the days I spent in Washington, D.C. and meeting our First Lady Michelle Obama. I will never forget that day because November 10, 2014 was a life changer for me.

Darrick

Amesha Payne traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from First Lady Michelle Obama on behalf of the Missouri History Museum’s Teens Make History Program.

Race, lies, police and prosecutors

Two disturbing instances of fraud were uncovered on Monday, December 15 – by

St. Louis Metropolitan Police detectives and investigative reporters at the Smoking Gun – that contribute to the ongoing “conversation” (as it is called in polite circles) about race, policing and prosecution in St. Louis.

On Monday St. Louis police announced that a Bosnian woman who claimed to be the victim of a hate crime at the hands of three black teenagers had made up the story. In fact, she acted out the story, and that is how her fraud was detected. A surveillance video revealed by the police does not show the woman being pulled out of her car and threatened by black teens, as she claimed. According to police, the video shows her getting out of her car and lying unharmed in the street, waiting for a car to pull up and discover her. When confronted with the video evidence, police said, she admitted that she had lied.

A few amazing things about this story.

For one thing, one individual’s act of fraud put the entire Bevo neighborhood at risk of a race riot. Mayor Francis Slay promptly vowed to investigate the (fake) crime as a hate crime, according to police sources, in an attempt to appease a very angry Bosnian community. This immigrant community already is grieving and enraged by the senseless killing of one of its young men, 32-year-old Zemir Begic,

by a group of black and Hispanic teens who have been apprehended. An assault on a Bosnian woman by young black males – had it actually happened, as she claimed –would have been just the sort of incident that could incite violence in retribution, given how much on edge everyone is already.

For another thing, consider that this fraud’s dangerous little play-acting involved her lying in the street. Consider that the Ferguson protest movement began with a dead young man lying dead in the street on August 9. Consider further that this protest movement now stages “die-ins” all over the country where protestors play lying dead in the street (or in the shopping mall or at the transit hub or wherever). There is something about people lying down in the street that is going around.

But importantly, the EYE must give the devil his due here. In this case, St. Louis police responded to a call and conducted an investigation that may have prevented citizenon-citizen violence, rather than resulting in police violence against civilians. They may have stopped a fraud – she is reportedly a disturbed person – from provoking retaliatory violence against innocent people.

Anyone harboring a really involved conspiracy theory about the police has to factor this story into their theory. According to some anti-police theories, the police are almost

all white racists who would welcome some good oldfashioned race riots to throw down in – or, at the very least, who would not work too hard to exonerate black males and make a white woman look like a dangerous fraud. But that is what this police investigation accomplished – it removed criminal suspicion from young black males and resulted in a white woman being charged with a crime. She was charged with filing a false police report and faces up to six months in prison and/or a fine up to $500.

Also on December 15, the Smoking Gun published a bombshell claiming to identify by name the notorious “Witness 40” who testified before the St. Louis County grand jury that let Darren Wilson walk. Witness 40 is the not-verycredible alleged eyewitness to the killing of Michael Brown Jr. who claimed to be in the neighborhood smoking a cigarette because she was visiting Canfield Green Apartments in an effort to break herself of using the N-bomb to describe black people.

McCulloch and his staff, and they put her before the grand jury anyway. Once onstage, she described the unarmed 18-year-old teen as a sort of doomsday linebacker, headdown charging at QB Wilson, who was holding a loaded gun, rather than a football, and who (in her testimony, which lines up with Wilson’s own) killed the kid rather than go down in a quarterback sack. Her testimony has gone over extremely well on conservative broadcast media, who can always be depended on to rush to poor judgment, as they owe answers only to their advertisers and are only as ignorant of the facts as their viewers want them be. Yet it is particularly disturbing for a prosecutor to fall for this performance when such a high-profile public killing is at stake.

eventually dismissed as a ‘complete fabrication.’”

There has been no official confirmation that TSG made the correct identification, which is based on an examination of “criminal, civil, matrimonial, and bankruptcy court records, as well as online postings and comments.” The 45-year-old white woman they identified by name told TSG that they had, in fact, identified the right person, but if the person TSG named is as unreliable as her track record suggests, then her self-identification to TSG can’t be trusted any more than any of her other crackpot lies. We are in a hall of mirrors of who not to trust here.

Yes, that really is what she told St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P.

As for the purported name identification of Witness 40, The Smoking Gun (TSG) offers a snapshot description that is pretty damning, calling her “a troubled, bipolar Missouri woman with a criminal past who has a history of making racist remarks and once insinuated herself into another high-profile St. Louis criminal case with claims that police

The purported smoking gun in the Smoking Gun’s account is a Facebook page that Witness 40 started to raise money for Wilson. Witness 40 corrected the prosecutor, saying that the page was not for Wilson but rather for other law enforcement officers working long hours as a result of unrest in Ferguson. TSG claims to have proof that the disturbed woman they identify by name – who also supplied fabricated evidence in the Shawn Hornbeck case – operates that same Facebook page discussed by Witness 40.

The EYE is not going along with identifying this

woman by name, because of the unreliability of her self-identification and to avoid giving her any more unwarranted attention. If the identification is correct, however, McCulloch’s failure to do due diligence is astoundingly irresponsible. But, then again, Witness 40’s extremely dubious testimony – which FBI investigators told her they did not believe – should have been enough to keep her from testifying before the grand jury, whoever Witness 40 may be. As for the Bosnian woman fraud, the EYE also leaves her nameless because, when confronted with her fraud, she said she suffers from “emotional issues” and apparently needs professional help more than public scorn.

Though St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson gave her some public rebuke in one published report. “This woman made up an incident, caused us to divert our resources from investigating more serious crimes,” Dotson said. “This young woman felt comfortable under the conversation that’s going on in our community now to come forward and make false allegations towards individuals that required us to do a significant amount of investigation.”

St. Louis Metropolitan Police worked a street protest in the Shaw neighborhood on October 23. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Attention St. Louis American Readers

As a service to the community, we list obituaries in the St. Louis American Newspaper, on a space-available basis and online at stlamerican.com. AT NO CHARGE. Please send all obituary notices to kdaniel @stlamerican.com.

What kind of fool?

Some years ago the soul vocal group The Tams recorded the hit song “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?” and I am asking the same question.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson, Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and Ferguson Mayor James Knowles: What kinds of fools do you think we are?

Why would you prepare for a riot in Ferguson if the result of the grand jury wasn’t foreseen? Why were police in riot gear and the National Guard deployed if the persons named

above did not anticipate that the St. Louis County grand jury would not indict Darren Wilson? Why did New York prepare for protests and possible violence in the wake of the Eric Garner grand jury decision?

The families of Michael Brown Jr. and Eric Garner have been damaged, disrespected, insulted and offended, as well as hundreds of thousands who had waited for the decisions of these grand juries. And now most news organizations have made the victims appear as aggressors and criminals. They repeatedly proclaim that Michael Brown Jr. was charging his killer Darren

Bernie Hayes

Wilson and the officer fired in self-defense, fearing for his life. How ludicrous is that? They dismissed eyewitness accounts that Brown had surrendered. They also insinuate that Eric Garner was resisting arrest, regardless of the video evidence that the entire world has seen. The city medical examiner has ruled the death of Eric Garner a homicide, declaring a chokehold killed him and said compression of the neck and chest, along with Garner’s positioning on the ground while being restrained by police, was the cause of death.

Now revolutionaries are demonstrating across the country chanting “I can’t breathe” and carrying various signs such as “No Justice No Peace and “Black Lives Matter.” They blocked traffic in St. Louis, New York, Chicago,

Obituaries

Emma Hervey

Emma Hervey, born January 22, 1926 and departed this life on December 14, 2014. Services will be held at Mt. Bethel M.B. Church, 1600 Belt Ave., St. Louis, MO 63112, Sunday, December 21, 2014, Visitation at 2-4 p.m., service at 4 p.m.

Thomas E. Hill

Thomas E. Hill Beloved father, barber and entrepreneur Thomas Edward “Eddie” Hill, age 84, was called home on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. He leaves to cherish his

memory, his sister, Virgie Hill McNeal, his sister-in-law, Bobbie Edwards Hill, his three daughters, Ellen Kaye Young, Angela (Lester) Yancey, Marjorie (Arnold) Bullock; nine grandchildren: Lawrence (Tara-former spouse), Amber (Brian), Kendall (Blake), Kristin (Jamian), Lester, Aaron (Talicia), Dominique, Arnold, Thomas; thirteen greatgrandchildren: Victoria, Bronson, Lauryn, Divante, Destiny, Jamian, Keegan, Jaiya, Leah, Aiden, Matthew, Ava and Bryant, and a host of loving relatives, “favorite” nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

His life and legacy will be celebrated on Saturday, December 20, 2014, 11 a.m., at New Sunny Mount Baptist Church, 4700 West Florissant, St. Louis, MO 63115.

Agnes Creath Hughes

Agnes Creath Hughes (nee Goodwin), July 22, 1935-December 14, 2014. Survived by her son Charles Wendell Creath, her grandchildren Candace Creath, Charles Jones, Christopher Creath, Lauren Morrow and Kelci Creath, her sisters Irene E. Grahm and Ida Goodwin Woolfolk, nieces Irene Myrelia Graham and Sarah Woolfolk Edwards. Visitation Sunday, December 21, 2014, 3:00-7:00 PM at Kennerly Temple Church of

Boston and many other cities. And now some authorities can’t understand why the masses are calling for fundamental reforms of policing at the federal, state and local levels. They can’t comprehend why New York’s Democrat Mayor Bill De Blasio met with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Rev. Al Sharpton in Washington to discuss events in Ferguson. The families have suffered enough, and it is time for the federal government to intervene and show some appearance of fairness and equality. How do you expect all of the marchers to remain peaceful? They too are asking, “What kind of fool do you think I am?” Please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday night at 10 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. on KNLCTV Ch. 24. I can be reached by fax at 314-837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.

God in Christ, 4307 Kennerly Ave. (63113) Final viewing and Prayers from Kriegshauser Mortuary, 9450 Olive Blvd (63132), Monday, December 22, 2014, 9:30 AM-10:30 AM then burial at Bellefontaine Cemetery. A full obituary will be in next edition.

Keisha Lashelle Johnson Keisha Lashelle

Emma Hervey

Thomas E. Hill

Not a moment, but a movement

By John Gaskin III

For The St. Louis American

What many thought would just be a moment of civil unrest and protest in Ferguson, Missouri has now grown into a movement across the globe with protests as far as Japan. What is unique, yet encouraging about this movement is that it is black, white, Hispanic, gays and other minority groups working together as one, sending a robust and profound message that the issue of police brutality and excessive force is not just a minority or black problem, it is an American problem.

The number of demonstrations that have taken place in our country over the past 10 years is astounding. While those efforts received media coverage and national attention, within weeks they became the story of yesteryear. For over 120 days, however, protests have taken place every day across this country, bringing attention to police brutality and excessive force.

The movement that started in Ferguson has obviously sparked not just a moment, but also a movement across this nation.

As we turn on television each night and view social media, we see demonstrations that have stemmed from a cry for justice in my hometown of Ferguson, Missouri.

Since August 9, the day Michael Brown Jr. was killed, young people were looking to the leadership of the civil rights and social justice community to step up and offer viable solutions to what appeared to be just a local issue. Now, young people have raised their own dollars to collectively plan, organize and facilitate non-violent civil disobedience

trainings across the country.

Protests have grown from mere chants and signage outside of the Ferguson Police Department to highway shutdowns in New York, Atlanta, Berkeley and Oakland. Young people have grown frustrated with national leaders planning mass press conferences with microphones draped across a podium from every news organization in the nation, hijacking the momentum of the effort and not hearing the concerns of the young people who are the real victims of police brutality and excessive force.

Similar to the 1950s and ‘60s, youth have risen to the occasion to carry the mantle of leadership and plan peaceful direct actions not just in St.

n Protest leaders from St. Louis have traveled to cities like New York to provide leadership, motivation and direction.

Louis but also across the country. Now, many of the same protest leaders in St. Louis have traveled to cities like New York to provide leadership, motivation and direction to young leaders who are searching for methods to bring attention to police brutality.

The parallel between today’s movement and the Civil Rights Movement is clear in terms of the same age group of people stepping up to lead. It’s ironic that 59 years ago, the Montgomery bus boycott began as a local struggle that turned into what can be known as the start of the Civil Rights Movement.

On December 1, 2014, dozens of walkouts were conducted by students in response to the Ferguson grand jury decision. Just days later, a New York grand jury decided to not indict the officer who killed Eric Garner with an illegal chokehold.

The movement is being led by a group of fearless leaders of all walks of life who are not waiting for national leaders to validate their approach or their strategy, a practice that my generation has learned from history books.

When groups like SNCC (Student Non Violence Coordinating Committee) led efforts in the South in 1963 during Freedom Summer, they used an approach and effort that many civil rights groups like the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), the NAACP and the Urban League viewed as too progressive and dangerous. The heroic, less glamorous efforts of the young people is what brought national attention to the horrific Jim Crow conditions of the South.

Law enforcement experts, network contributors and even some national leaders believe that a potential root of the problem is police training.

Although training is important to ensure that law enforcement officers are competent to do their jobs, there must be impartial and bona fide accountability measures put into place to ensure that tangible punishment is an option when an officer abuses his power to use lethal force.

As local law enforcement works to make a sincere effort to restore accountability with minority communities, the world must see that those who kill unarmed civilians are held accountable for their actions and face an unbiased panel or procedure to enforce an appropriate discourse.

John Gaskin III is a Ferguson native and one of the youngest members of the NAACP’s National Board of Directors.

and

Guest Columnist

John Gaskin III

Healthy Kids Kids

Healthcare Careers

Holiday E ating!

Nutrition Challenge:

The holidays bring parties, family time, plays, concerts and more. Many of these events also include food! Let’s review some ways to eat smart during these fun times.

> Eat a healthy snack before attending such an event — this way you won’t be tempted to overdo it.

> Remember to fill ½ of your plate with fruits/vegetables.

Follow The Leader!

> If you want to try a special treat, just keep it to a taste.

> Be sure to drink plenty of water!

> What are other ways to eat healthy during the holidays?

— BONUS — Healthy eating helps your body fight off winter colds and other sickness.

Learning Standards:

Choose one leader from your group of friends. Everyone should line up behind the leader and follow him or her throughout the house, yard or playground. The leader will do a variety of actions using their arms and legs: jumping, skipping, clapping, etc. Do what the leader does until they change to a new action. Take turns being the leader and creating more difficult, interesting and fun activities along the way.

Following the leader is a great way to stay active, increase your heart rate and burn calories throughout the day. Have fun!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 5, NH 1

Healthy Snacks

No Guns!

NEVER, ever play with any kind of gun. Even if you think the gun isn’t loaded, or maybe it looks like a toy — it isn’t worth taking a chance. Immediately

tell an adult if you find a gun. And remember that many kids are killed each year by a gun that they thought was unloaded.

Learning Standards: HPE 5, NH 5

Dossie Jennings III, Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist

professionals to fill roles that are needed in our organization. I also meet with managers to discuss job openings and the kind of professionals needed for the roles.

Why did you choose this career? My cousin, Rod Campbell, recommended it to me. He has worked in the industry for quite some time and thought it matched up well with my background in sales and marketing.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I enjoy being able to offer jobs to candidates that will make a big impact at BJC HealthCare. I also enjoy knowing that I play a key role in making sure BJC has talented professionals who help us accomplish our mission.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Rice Cake Snack

and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Lucas Crossing Elementary School 4th grade teacher Michael Frueh works with students Ebony Taylor, Jaylen Greenlee, and Alyssa Rainey on how to use the newspaper for information on health care.

Lucas Crossing Elementary School is in the Normandy Schools Collaborative.

Photo by Wiley Price/St. Louis American

Teachers,

SCIENCE CORNER

The Benefits of Music!

Music can inspire you to do many things and feel a variety of emotions, but did you know it can improve your brain activity? Many scientific studies, including one at Stanford University in August of 2007, have found that music can improve memory and concentration. As your brain detects patterns in the music, it stimulates the brain waves.

Furthermore, learning to play an instrument has even more benefits than simply listening to music.

The 2007 Stanford study found that people who played music had a larger vocabulary and could handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Background Information:

In this experiment, you will be creating a model that displays the rings of Saturn. Note: The rings of Saturn do not go in alphabetical order.

Materials Needed: • Small Styrofoam Ball (about 1.5 inches in diameter) • CD

• Permanent Markers • 4 Colors of Sequins or Glitter • Glue • Dowel

• Modeling Clay • Paper • Protractor

• Compass • Ruler

Procedure:

q Cut your foam ball in half and place one piece of it on the CD.

w Trace around the foam ball with a magic marker. (You will glue the foam ball to the center of the CD later).

e The D ring will be created first. In reality, the D ring is 4600 miles across. Mark a point that is about 3 mm from where you outlined the planet. Use a compass to help you draw a circle that is 3 mm thick. Place white glue inside this area and sprinkle one color of sequins or glitter on the glue to represent the D ring. Let it dry.

r The C ring will be created next. It is larger than the D ring—over 10,000 miles wide in real life. In your model, use your ruler and compass to create a circle that’s 7

MATH CONNECTION

Music has also been proven to enhance exercise—fast paced beats inspire runners to keep pace, upbeat tempos encourage participants to enjoy the workout and continue moving, and slow tempos allow for an effective cool down and stretch session to enhance flexibility.

For A Video About the Effect of Music on the Brain, Visit: http://ed.ted.com/ lessons/how-playing-an-instrument-benefitsyour-brain-anita-collins.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details.

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN PHYSICIST, EDUCATOR, AND JAZZ MUSICIAN:

Stephon Alexander

Stephon Alexander was born in Trinidad and moved with his family to the Bronx in New York when he was 8 years old. He first became interested in physics when he took apart a used computer to see how it

worked. Alexander attended De Witt Clinton high school, where his love of science was recognized and encouraged by a physics teacher. The same teacher also cultivated his love of jazz music and Stephon began to play the saxophone.

In 1993, Alexander received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Haverford College in Pennsylvania. Seven years later, he received his doctorate degree in physics from Brown University. He continued to follow his love of music and used it not only as a form of stress relief, but as a means to help him understand difficult concepts. In an interview with National Geographic, he stated, “For me, playing and composing music can help my mind relax, the way a muscle would relax, and allow me to think more freely.” Alexander also uses music to explain difficult concepts (such as the Big Bang Theory) and has produced music professionally. He states, “By connecting physics with music, I want to inspire young people and open their eyes to new possibilities.”

mm thick. Cover the circle in glue and place a different color of sequins or glitter. Let it dry.

t The B ring will be created next. In reality, it is 15,000 miles across. In your model, it will be 1 cm thick. Measure this area, cover it with glue, and place a third color of sequins or glitter.

y The A ring comes next. In reality, it is 9000 miles wide. Make a circle that is 5 mm thick. It has a gap 2/3 of the way across the width of the ring. Make a thin black circle here to show the division, and then add white glue and glitter to the rest of the A ring.

u On the outside of the rings, draw another black line about 2 mm thick. Leave a small space after the last black line.

i The F ring is the smallest and final ring in this model. A sliver of the shiny CD will serve as the F ring. Color the rest of the CD black.

o When the glitter and glue has dried, glue one half of the foam ball to the top of the CD. When that is dry, glue the bottom of the ball to the bottom of the CD. When everything has dried, place a dowel into the bottom of the Styrofoam ball and position it at a 27 degree angle. Use your protractor to find the angle.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to create a scaled model.

Equations & Physics!

An equation used in physics is F=MA (Force=mass times acceleration). Use the formula to solve the following math problems.

z If a 6 kg soccer ball is traveling at a rate of 1.4 m/s, what is the force on it? __________

x I am a roller skater with a mass of 115 pounds. If I am accelerating toward a wall at 3.7 m/s, what will be the amount of force at which I hit the wall? __________ Make a Model of the Rings of Saturn!

DID YOU KNOW?

Because of thermal expansion, the Eiffel Tower is 15 cm taller in summer.

c How much force must be applied to a toy car that has a mass of .28 kg to achieve an acceleration of 2.6 m/s?

v How much force is needed to move a 0.2 kg snowball at a rate of 16 m/s upward? __________

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

Albert Einstein said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.... I do know that I get most joy in life out of my violin.”

Alexander served as an assistant professor of physics, astronomy, and astrophysics at Penn State University before transferring to Haverford College as a physics professor. In 2012, he joined Dartmouth College as a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He was elected as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer.

Stephon Alexander’s Homepage Is Found Here: https://www.haverford.edu/physics-astro/alexander/.

To Listen to His Music, Visit: http://pitchfork.com/ reviews/albums/19576-rioux-stephon-alexander-here-comesnow/.

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

Use the newspaper to complete the following activities.

Activity One — Giving Directions: Choose a partner for this activity. Select a news story you would like for them to read. Give them directions to reach the article (e.g., section B, page 6, three lines down, two columns to the right). Did your partner find the correct article? Read the article together and summarize the main idea and supporting details.

Activity Two — Natural Disasters: Collect news articles about natural disasters. Locate the geographic location on a map and determine the cause and effect.

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can follow directions. determine cause and effect.

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers

Photo courtesy John Sherman, johnshermanphotography.com

Cardinal Ritter wins Constitution

Project competition

Students from Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School in St. Louis earned top honors last month in Jefferson City during the statewide championships of The Constitution Project, an experience-filled intensive competition

to

experience in the

of

crime scene investigation and trial advocacy. In its second appearance at the statewide finals, Cardinal Ritter was awarded a traveling “Freedom Cup” as the grand champion of the competition. Cardinal Ritter also earned team honors in the First Amendment Award, recognizing outstanding journalism, and the Sixth Amendment Award, recognizing outstanding trial advocacy. In addition, Cardinal Ritter student Cameron Cardwell won the individual Sixth Amendment Award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers. The November 12 final competition was a daylong endeavor, starting with a crime scene staged at the Missouri State Highway Patrol headquarters, moving to the courtrooms of the Supreme Court of Missouri for mock trials and culminating in an awards celebration hosted by Chief Justice Mary R. Russell and Supreme Court Judges Breckenridge, Laura Denvir Stith and Paul C. Wilson.

Jonathan Pulphus is 2014 Jamala Rogers Young Visionary

Tribe X co-founder has been active in Ferguson and at SLU

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Jonathan Pulphus Jr., an emerging young leader in the Ferguson movement and a Saint Louis University student, has been named the 2014 Jamala Rogers Young Visionary Awardee by the Organization for Black Struggle’s Youth Council for Positive Development.

The $2,000 scholarship award recognizes students who demonstrate leadership in social justice, both on campus and in the community. Pulphus is majoring in African American Studies and is a member of the African American Male Scholars Initiative.

“Whatever space I’m in, whether it’s at Saint Louis University or in Ferguson, I want to be a change agent,” Pulphus said. “Young people must assume the responsibility of leadership in this movement moment.”

In response to Michael Brown Jr.’s shooting death, Pulphus created the activist group Tribe X with SLU student Alisha Sonnier, now Tribe X’s president, along with several youth from the community.

Their mission is to address systemic racism locally and globally by organizing and educating.

“We are a family of people who were bonded in our pursuit of justice,” according to a Tribe X statement. “In that endeavor in Ferguson, we experienced great trials and tribulations in the form of being gassed, assaulted, and unjustly jailed.”

Tribe X led the Ferguson movement’s first mass die-in, which has since become a symbol of solidarity around the world.

During Ferguson October, the group also led a march through the Shaw neighborhood, which ended in the historic and spontaneous occupation of SLU’s campus. After the occupation, Tribe X then led the negotiations on an agreement with SLU President Fred Pestello on 13

Aaron Omotola, MD

demands for a more equitable campus and community.

“We presented of 10 of the line items and the president added three,” he said. “During the negotiation, a lot of Tribe members got an opportunity to express their frustration.”

The demands included increased financial aid resources for retention of African-American students at SLU, as well as additional college prep workshops for students in the area’s most disadvantaged school districts. Also related to recruitment, Pestello agree to establish a K-12 bridge program, including summer programs, in the Normandy and Shaw neighborhoods to help increase number of college-bound students from those areas.

According to the council, award recipients are visionaries responding to society’s most pressing social, political and economic issues.

“The recipient’s actions or project helped to change public policies, impacted a critical issue, created innovative models of service or strengthened an important community institution,” according to the council.

The award is named after Jamala Rogers, a respected community leader, who was motivated to become active in social justice movements as a teen. She has inspired thousands of young people to use their time, talents and skills to impact and transform their communities in meaningful ways.

“It is our belief that Mike Brown’s death lit the fuse to an already crafted bomb,” stated Tribe X leaders in an October statement after the SLU occupation. “Ferguson made us but it did not break us. It did create a determination in us to change the system that created and allowed the death of Mike Brown to occur. With that resolve it was our aim to not only demand justice but to create systematic changes that were for the benefit of people in the St. Louis region.”

Information about the scholarship is available at www.positiveyouthdev.com.

Cardinal Ritter student Cameron Cardwell won the individual Sixth Amendment Award.

Jonathan Pulphus Jr., 2014 Jamala Rogers Young Visionary (Center), poses with three previous Visionaries: Rasheen Aldridge (2013), Jessica Burns (2008) and Jonathan Long (2011).

Watt lowers mortgage down payment

Fannie

Mae

and

Freddie Mac

drop requirements from 5 to 3 percent

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director

Mel Watt is taking action to turn the American dream of homeownership into reality for many more people.

Watt recently announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which he regulates and which are linchpins of the nation’s residential mortgage market, will reduce down payment requirements from 5 percent to 3 percent. This will enable many more low-income, but credit-worthy, consumers to become homeowners while helping the nation’s faltering housing market regain its traction.

We enthusiastically applaud this move and believe that as a result, more AfricanAmerican, Latino and working class borrowers of all races, who face an especially tough time securing mortgages, will have greater access to conventional loans, which are more affordable than other financing options. We are also encouraged that Watt’s plan will allow housing counseling in lieu of costly mortgage insurance to be a compensating factor to help make up for low down payments or low credit scores.

GIVERS

Continued from B1

annual gift of $1,000 or more to the United Way and remains a national leader in leadership and philanthropy. The initiative has raised nearly $29 million since its inception, according to the United Way.

“We’re doing this because

Saving the necessary down payment to purchase a home is one of the biggest obstacles to attaining the American Dream, especially for communities of color. African Americans and Latinos typically have lower incomes and are less likely to receive an inheritance or first-time buying help from their parents than white Americans. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, while it takes the typical white family 14 years to save for a 5 percent down payment, plus closing costs, it takes the typical Latino family 17 years and the typical AfricanAmerican family 21 years to save those amounts.

of whether somebody will pay a loan. If they have good credit, if they have housing counseling ... and know how to be responsible homeowners – those can mitigate the perceived increased risk.”

Marc H. Morial

The National Urban League has long supported a reasonable and affordable “skin in the game” down payment requirement, but the ability to save a lump sum of money does not translate to the ability to pay a monthly mortgage. As Watt said at a Senate Banking Committee hearing recently, “The problem is that the down payment itself is not necessarily a reliable indicator

people need our help,” Reuben Shelton added. “And that’s what the United Way does.”

United Way of Greater St. Louis supports more than 170 local nonprofit agencies that assist with basic needs, financial stability, education and health. The United Way has been actively involved in meeting the needs of families and individuals in Ferguson and neighboring communities

Forty years of National Urban League housing counseling experience and independent research indicate that borrowers who receive housing counseling services are onethird less likely to be seriously delinquent on their mortgage than non-counseled borrowers. We have seen first-hand how housing counseling benefits borrowers, lenders, Fannie and Freddie, and communities. Nearly 50 of the National Urban League’s 95 affiliates provide home buyer education to ensure communities of color are well-informed of their housing rights and options. Since 2008, we have provided pre-and-post purchase counseling to nearly 180,000 clients.

Watt has been rolling out this policy for several months. On October 20, he told the Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Meeting,

in coordination with a variety of agencies, said former co-chair of the Charmaine Chapman Society Johnny Furr Jr.

“In the wake of recent events in our community,” Furr said, “we have been asking what we can do to make a difference, particularly with our young people.” Matching a young person with a caring adult mentor can

“To increase access for creditworthy but lowerwealth borrowers, FHFA is also working with the Enterprises [Fannie and Freddie] to develop sensible and responsible guidelines for mortgages with loan-to-value ratios between 95 and 97 percent. Through these revised guidelines, we believe that the Enterprises will be able to responsibly serve a targeted segment of creditworthy borrowers with lower-down payment mortgages by taking into account compensating factors. It is yet another much needed piece to the broaderaccess-to-credit puzzle.”

Watt recognizes that low down payments did not cause the housing crisis, but that irresponsible products and predatory lending did. Lowering Fannie and Freddie down payment requirements will allow tens of thousands of African Americans, Latinos and working class Americans to purchase lower cost mortgages and become homeowners. That is good for our communities and good for America.

Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League.

make a big difference, he said, referring to his nonprofit, St. Louis Cares.

“There are over a 100,000 children in the St. Louis region waiting to be matched with a mentor,” he said. “Eighty percent of these young people are between the ages of 12-17, and most of these children are boys.”

Children matched with a mentor for one or more years are more likely to attend college, receive a four-year college degree, have higher household incomes, and higher self-esteem, He said.

FERGUSON

Continued from B1

she said about 73 businesses were affected with 15 of those completely destroyed.

Still, she said, most of the businesses they’ve talked to are committed to staying.

“When we visited with the small businesses that have been traumatically impacted, they say, ‘We love this community. Our customers are in this community and we’re not going anywhere,’” Zoll said.

The challenge will be helping make that a reality.

Zoll said she’s talked to the owners of 13 businesses affected by the latest unrest and estimates their damage alone tops $1 million.

As for #FergusonRebuild, another $30,000 came rolling in during Thursday’s press conference. World Wide

Webster

U President recognized for diversity

Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble received the Diversity Visionary Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This award honors individuals who have made significant past and present contributions to diversity in higher education. Honorees are nominated by colleagues and are selected by INSIGHT staff.

Since being named president of Webster University in 2009, Stroble increased the diversity of her leadership team, established the position of associate vice president of diversity and inclusion for the first time in the University’s 100-year history, and partnered with Webster’s Board of Trustees to increase board diversity. In 2013, under Stroble’s leadership, Webster University held its first Global Inclusion and Diversity Summit.

Employment

Coalition receives grants for job training

The Near Southside Employment Coalition has received three major grants to help train and guide urban males to employment in the St. Louis region: $50,000 from Daughters of Charity Foundation of St. Louis, $20,000 from United Way of Greater St. Louis, and $10,000 for UPS Foundation. For more information on this program for training, call Ohala Ward, Executive Director of NSEC, at 314-856-4453.

State Board grants personnel authority for Normandy

The Joint Executive Governing Board of the Normandy Schools Collaborative (NSC) will assume increased authority over the evaluation, hiring and discipline of personnel and the ongoing implementation of the NSC Accountability Plan. The State Board of Education approved the operational changes at its meeting in Branson. Members of the board accepted the proposed changes last month. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will retain financial oversight of the NSC.

He challenged members to consider taking part in the next level of leadership service and civic engagement by becoming mentors.

“Whatever level of success we’ve had is because some adult supported us along our journey to success,” Furr said.

“This is one of those moments where we’re going to be asked to wrap our arms around a young person and make a difference.”

Overall, the United Way exceeded its 2014 fundraising goal of $72.5 million by raising a little more than $73 million.

“We witnessed an outpouring of generosity from everyone in our region – on both sides of the river, from our labor unions, from companies big and small, and households in 16 counties – to make this campaign successful,” said 2014 United Way campaign chair Scott Schnuck. Money raised in this year’s campaign will help one out of every three people in this region, Schnuck said.

Follow this reporter: @ BridjesONeil.

Technology, a North Countybased corporation, matched Kander’s $25,000 donation.

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president Mike McMillan offered another

On November 25, Queen Barnes stood in front of her salon in disbelief the morning after a night of arson, looting and vandalism that followed the 8 p.m. release of the St. Louis County’s grand jury decision in the Darren Wilson case.

Photo by Wiley Price

n “I’m

—Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, speaking after his automobile accident last week

Hoopin’ holiday

It’s time to talk about the girls this week. The holiday tournament season will kick off this weekend with the Visitation Holiday Tournament, which begins on Saturday. The top four seeds at Visitation are Incarnate Word, Parkway North, Kirkwood and Fort Zumwalt West.

The schedule for Saturday’s first round games are: Kirkwood vs. Nerinx Hall, 10 a.m.; Notre Dame vs. Cor Jesu, 11:30 p.m.; Ursuline vs. Parkway North, 1 p.m.; Webster Groves vs. Visitation, 2:30 p.m.; Metro vs. Fort Zumwalt West, 4 p.m.; Miller Career Academy vs. St. Joseph’s, 5:30 p.m.; Hazelwood Central vs. Francis Howell, 7 p.m.; Parkway South vs. Incarnate Word, 8:30 p.m. Parkway North’s girls advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5 state tournament a year ago. The Vikings are prime contenders to go a little further this year. North is off to a 4-0 start after its 78-57 victory over Eureka last Friday night. The Vikings feature one of the nation’s top junior point guards in 5’9” Alecia “Sug” Sutton. She is the consummate point guard who can score, pass, rebound, defend and make her teammates better. Sutton is being recruited by several major college programs around the country. She is that good. Sutton also has plenty of help, mainly from 6’0” sophomore Aliyah Belcher, 5’3” sophomore Jaydn Pimentel, 6’1” junior Mya Johnson, 5’7” senior Kyiia Hailes and 5’6” freshman Amaya Stovall.

Most entertaining

The most entertaining team in town may be the MICDS girls, who run, shoot and play uptempo basketball for the entire 32 minutes. The Rams won the Nerinx Hall Tournament last week and averaged 85 points a game in the process. MICDS defeated Cardinal Ritter 84-71 in the first round and Nerinx Hall 95-48 in the semifinals. In the championship game, the Rams rallied from a 15-point deficit to edge Metro League rival Westminster 74-71. The Rams employ a four-guard offense and play with a frenzied pace. Junior guard Abby O’Keefe is averaging 19.7 points a game. Junior guard Rachel Thompson averages 19 points a game and fuels the Rams pressure defense. Senior guard Maya Howard is averaging 16 points a game while freshman guard Kalen “K.K.” Rodriguez is averaging nine points a game.

Top dynamic duo

Kirkwood High is off to a 2-1 start with its loss coming to nationally-ranked Columbia Rock Bridge. The Pioneers will not lose too

many more games this season. They have one on the area’s top dynamic duos in 6’1” sophomore Lauryn Miller and 5’9” junior Jordan Roundtree. Both are averaging 17 points a game. Roundtree has already given a verbal

When the St. Louis Rams lost to the Arizona Cardinals last Thursday night 12-6, it squashed the remote mathematic probability of the Rams qualifying for the playoffs. It also signaled another season near or under .500 football since Jeff Fisher and Les Snead took over at the start of the 2012 season.

Much was made about the post-game remarks by Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, who was quite perturbed by the national media gushing over the Rams’ last two shutouts over two downtrodden teams.

“I love it when nobody says you have no chance to win. There is an 11-3 team, and a team that is always 8-8. You figure it out,” Arians said. Actually Arians is a shade off. The Rams have not been 8-8 since 2006 under then coach Scott Linehan. However, under Fisher the Rams at best have won 7 games. And whether the Rams can defeat the New York Giants this upcoming Sunday or the Seattle Seahawks in the last game of the season, the Rams will go into another off-season looking for answers on how and when will they get over the hump. The defense has finally come around for the Rams, and they’re playing at a high level. Rookie defensive tackle has Aaron Donald, who has eight sacks and counting, knocked out Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton. The improved play of middle linebacker James Laurinaitis has not gone unnoticed, and the return of Trumaine Johnson has been beneficial for the Rams’ defense, which has come to life over the last several weeks.

not

The Rams’ defense is on its third defensive coordinator in three seasons. In 2012, with Blake Williams, son of Gregg Williams, calling the defense, the Rams finished ranked 14th but were tied for first in the NFL with sacks (cornerback Janoris Jenkins also has four defensive touchdowns). Blake was let go.

Angry Cleveland cop drops ball

Surprise! A peaceful protest by an NFL player sends yet another police union president into a tizzy.

This time, the suspect player under fire was Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Andrew Hawkins. Before Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hawkins wore a shirt over his jersey that read: “Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford III.” Hawkins’ sentiment echoed those by LeBron James and numerous players from the St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles

Lakers, Washington Redskins, Brooklyn Nets and many more who have chosen to take a stance against police killings of black males. Both Rice (12-yearsold) and Crawford (22-years-old) were killed by Cleveland cops for carrying toy guns. Unsurprisingly, city prosecutors declined to press charges against any of the officers involved, despite the fact that it’s perfectly legal to openly carry real guns in Ohio. Apparently, a toy one justifies a death sentence.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Earl Austin Jr.

Photo by Wiley Price

(23) of

Jahmouri

Rameybasketball

Shootout at Vashon

School

C

laib’s Call

With Mike Claiborne

The mess that is the NFL

Now that the NFL regular season is winding down, it may be time to see just what we had for the season. It’s very simple: a full-fledged mess. If you look at all of the issues with this league, on and off the field, you would have to wonder how they can stay in business. I am not sure what was more disappointing and embarrassing, the play on the field or the antics within the league offices.

Have you ever seen so many bad teams play week in week out? There will be at least six teams that will not win four games. You have a division where the winner will be under .500. The play on both sides of the ball has been atrocious most Sundays. Poor tackling, poor route running and just the inability to block as a unit have become so glaring that the forefathers of this league must be turning over in their graves. It’s amazing how everyone wants to pass and the league has made it a near felony if you touch a receiver. Yet you cannot find many teams that can grind out a running game when the going gets tough and the elements take over. Quarterback play has become comical as most quarterbacks are poorly programmed robots. Few quarterbacks could call their own game, and yet teams continue to pay big money for questionable mediocrity at best. You can count three to four coaches who will get the pink slip for sure. Only the National Hockey League has worse luck with coaches surviving than the NFL.

Speaking of surviving, how is it with the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson fiascos that no one has been replaced? It appears that the top would be a good place to start, as Commissioner Roger Goodell has lost the confidence of the players and fans – but not the owners and media, who continue to prop up a person who can no longer be trusted when it comes to the best interest of the league.

Peterson was suspended by the league during his child abuse hearing, in which legal wrangling saw him get off without any jail time. Peterson appealed the suspension. It was really nice of the commissioner

to recuse himself this time, given how he bungled the Ray Rice suspension. Goodell dusted off Harold Henderson, a longtime NFL labor employee, to hear Peterson’s appeal. Of course it was denied, and Peterson will not be reinstated until April of 2015. Peterson, not happy, indicated that he may retire and pursue a track career, and then some sense came to him. He had a recorded phone conversation with an NFL Vice President, former player Troy Vincent, who told him he would only get a twogame suspension. Oops! Now the NFL and Vincent deny that a deal was struck beforehand. Peterson has since filed suit against the league in federal court.

The NFL cannot keep making up rules as they go along and expect anyone to take them seriously. Yet they have enough media lackeys who will just worry about

n There will be at least six teams that will not win four games. You have a division where the winner will be under .500. The play on both sides of the ball has been atrocious most Sundays.

the game on the field and let someone else figure out what to do. Sad, but true.

As for the owners, they could care less as long as the money machine keeps printing it at an alarming rate and those who just want to see games stick their heads back in the sand just before kickoff. Goodell still has the confidence of the owners, and that is all that counts.

I said at the beginning of the year that I was going step away from this mess that is called the NFL. I found the college game has its issues, but at least they know it and continue to eventually eliminate the NCAA’s power

to the point that the NCAA will have a different look soon. The college play and emotion – not to mention the coaching – are much better than the NFL product on Sundays. I will say now that the National Championship game will be more entertaining than the Super Bowl. Remember where you heard it first.

Selfie stupidity

Yes, it never fails when someone just cannot help it. As services were held for the departed Bryan Burwell, one person just could not help it. Many came out to pay their respects – including the likes of Charlie Steiner, William Rhoden of The New York

PREP

Continued from B3

Excellent start

Junior Gabby Walker of St. Charles High is off to an excellent start in leading the Pirates to a 6-1 record. The 6’1” Walker is averaging 21.4 points, 10 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.

Times, Steve Wyche of the NFL Network, TNT’s David Aldridge and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. Not to mention our local media heavyweights and well wishers that included Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead, who – on a game day – thought enough of Bryan Burwell to come out and pay their respects. And then there was one individual who thought it was a good idea to get up during the services to attempt to get a selfie with his favorite media guys. He was told by them that this was not the time, nor place, for such stupidity to upstage the reason we were all there. Just when you think you had seen it all.

Long, long season ahead

In case you have not noticed, both Missouri and Saint Louis University are having a tough time winning games these days. Mizzou has a combination of young players

7-0 in Edwardsville

who have no real role, as the former coach saw and got of Dodge before he got fired. He did not do new Head Coach Kim Anderson any favors, as the cupboard is bare. It will take a while for Missouri to get on track. As for Saint Louis University, the loss of a seniorloaded team from last year is now showing up for Coach Jim Crews as he is working with a whole new cast for the first time. It will take some time to get it straightened out. Now is the time for these two teams to schedule some games against each other two years from now. Each is not ready for the other as we speak, but in two years both will be better because they have good coaches who will help them grow and get better. Saint Louis University and Missouri need each other, as neither sells out the house when they play some of the losers on their nonconference schedules. Let’s hope Mike Alden and Chris May can figure it out soon.

Edwardsville High has graduated some high-powered talent in the last two years, but that hasn’t stopped the Tigers from rolling to a 7-0 start this season. Leading the way this season has been freshman forward Rachel Pranger, who is averaging 17 points and eight rebounds a game. Sophomores Makenzie Silvey and Cristen Waters are averaging 13.2 and 10.7 points, respectively.

Do-it-all freshman

Webster Groves is off to a 4-1 start behind of talents of do-it-all freshman Jadiah Stewart, who is currently averaging 17.3 points, nine rebounds, 2.5 assists and five steals a game.

Mike Claiborne

Adrian Peterson was suspended by the league during his child abuse hearing, in which legal wrangling saw him get off without any jail time.

What happened to wrestling in North County?

And what can be done to bring it back?

By Umar Lee For The St. Louis American

This summer I sat in a sweltering Wellspring Church in Ferguson and listened to a panel of speakers discuss the killing of Michael Brown Jr. and the aftermath of that tragedy. The panel included Ferguson Mayor James Knowles. After the event was over I walked up to Mayor Knowles and challenged him to a wrestling match. He responded to my challenge with an amused look. Despite the numerous political disagreements we have, I admire the fact that Knowles volunteers as a little league wrestling coach at McCluer South-Berkeley. North St. Louis County was once a powerhouse in the sport

RAMS

Continued from B3

of wrestling, and today the sport is on life support in North County (and the City of St. Louis). Other than the McCluer South-Berkeley program, there are only two other little league programs remaining in North County: St. Louis Warrior Wrestling coached by Jeremy Guyton and Major Decision Wrestling ran out of McCluer North.

n The sport of wrestling was a casualty as wrestling coaches, officials and families moved west of the river along with everyone else.

To put this into historical context, Ritenour won every Missouri state team wrestling championship from 1948-1963, and the one time they didn’t win O’Fallon Tech won. In 1965 Riverview Gardens won their first of six Missouri state championships. McCluer won in 1968. Hazelwood in 1969. Hazelwood West in 1985. Hazelwood East won three state championships from 1993-95. Then there is Coach Charlie Sherertz Sr. Between 1967-73 he led Northwest High School in the Walnut Park neighborhood of North St. Louis to five state championships. After a stint in Nebraska (where he led

Columbus High School to four state championships) Sherertz returned to Missouri wrestling, coaching McCluer North to three state championships from 1988-90. After 1995 there are no more state championships for North County. The epicenter of power for the sport of wrestling in Missouri moved to St. Charles County and to the suburbs of Kansas City. Why did wrestling rise in North County? And why did it fall?

were many good and bad traits, but one of the defining characteristics of North County has always been hard work.

I have my theory. If we look nationally, wrestling has tended to thrive in both industrial blue-collar areas (such as the mining and factory towns of Pennsylvania and Ohio) and rural farming communities (in Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, etc.).

North County suburbs boomed in the post-World War II years for many reasons: the GI Bill, suburban housing boom, the interstate highway system, and desegregation in the city leading to white flight. Within this newly created suburban culture, there

North County grew as industrial blue-collar suburbia. Hardworking people achieving a little piece of the American Dream in modest homes. Prosperity in North County was at its highest when unions were strongest, factories were open, and the economy was growing. Today North County is still full of hard workers. Anyone who disputes this, I encourage you to wake up at five in the morning and see who is getting up early to go to the bus stops and Metro stations to commute to their low-paying jobs with laughable benefits. Wrestling has declined in North County as the economy declined. While the economy declined and communities were desegregated in the same time period, white flight to St. Charles County and further points west exploded. The sport of wrestling was a casualty as wrestling coaches, officials and families moved west of the river along with everyone else.

The question for the wrestling community is: if you love this sport and want to give back to the sport shouldn’t you be giving where it is needed most? When I talked to the Athletic Director at Riverview Gardens and he told me that the school may not even have a wrestling program anymore, it hurt my heart. When I see other schools in North County with once-proud programs no longer competitive, it hurts my heart. When I see the St. Louis Public Schools with zero commitment to the sport of wrestling, it hurts my heart. Why? Not because of trophies and not because of medals. No, there is something far greater than that. Wrestling builds character. Wrestling creates virtue. Wrestling helps to build the future leaders of our society. I want every child to have access to this beautiful and ancient sport. You shouldn’t have to live in a nice neighborhood to be able to wrestle and be properly coached. Having parents who can’t afford to send them to academies and camps should not prohibit kids from competing at a high level. Wrestling doesn’t have to only thrive in the middleclass suburbs and exurbs.

It can thrive in the ghettos and barrios of America and in communities made up of the working poor, African Americans, and immigrants. USA Wrestling started the Beat The Streets program for this reason. However, much more is needed.

First and foremost, the fraternity of ex-wrestlers must give back where it’s needed and where the kids need it the most. This is in both maintaining the sport in places like North County and expanding the sport in places in the city.

Secondly, school districts must be lobbied to do their part to ensure kids have access to wrestling.

Lastly, if urban recreation centers throughout the country (including the City of St. Louis) are going to fund boxing programs, they need to start funding wrestling programs as well. This is something we must lobby Aldermanic President Lewis Reed - a former wrestler – on.

Umar Lee may be reached for comment at umarlee@ gmail.com. His writing may be found at his Amazon author page or umarlee.wordpress. com.

In 2013 the Rams brought in Tim Walton. That didn’t work out for either party, with Walton being let go after just one season. However, the Rams’ defense ranked 13th overall with 53 sacks and had a run defense ranked 9th

As of this moment in 2014, the Rams’ defense is ranked 13th overall, 10th in passing and 13th against the run. Most of that occurred earlier on in the season as the team was still getting acclimated to new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

But, on the other side of the ball the Rams have had the same person calling plays. Often-criticized Brian Schottenheimer gets plenty of blame for the Rams’ offense, especially with the team presently ranked 26th in passing and 20th in rushing. It’s not all his fault. He does call the plays, and it’s the responsibility of the players to execute. On that 38-yard catch by Rams’ wideout Stedman

CLUTCH

Continued from B3 officer reacting angrily to a peaceful protester. Follmer didn’t stop there. After his initial statement, he went on a MSNBC with Chris Hayes and unleashed the following gems in a tone that was much more attack and destroy than ‘protect and serve’:

“We’re not apologizing to anybody!”

“How about this? Listen to police officers’ commands. Listen to what we tell you, and just stop. That eliminates a lot of problems…The nation needs to realize, when we tell you to do something, do it, and if you’re wrong, you’re wrong, and if you’re right, the courts will figure it out.”

“When you talk about two [police officers] that were put in a situation like these officers were, then you’re talking about all of us.”

Herein lies the problem. The last statement shows precisely why it’s proven so difficult to get the police and those calling for justice on the same page. If officers have the mindset that if someone is critical of one officer or one act, they’re being critical of an entire police force, how can progress possibly be made? That mindset is absolutely wrong and irresponsible. It’s a gang mentality. It is the duty of police officers to protect the rights and safety of citizens. Most officers do an admirable job. However, our trained, paid law enforcement must realize that when people are killed, people will object. Nobody likes to see dead people. Outrage will occur whenever killings could have been avoided.

Most professional ath-

letes learn to deal with criticism early on. Athletes like James, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, Albert Pujols, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and many others are criticized every time they lace up their respective shoes, shorts, pants, gloves, etc. Every shot, pass, swing or punch is scrutinized by the media and the general public. The 21st century of policing will soon be the same. Now that nearly everyone has a smartphone and police forces nationwide are utilizing dash and/or body cameras, the eyes of the world are on police officers.

Imagine if James angrily demanded an apology from every athlete, fan or media member who criticized him on or off the court. What if Bryant flipped his lid every time somebody questioned the talent of one of his teammates, coaches or team executives? It is silly

Bailey, QB Shaun Hill threw a slow, wobbly pass that spun through the air like a wounded water fowl. Then later, on a critical 3rd down late in the 4th quarter with the game on the

to even imagine such scenarios, yet time after time, when athletes show the courage to stand up for their beliefs they are told to apologize and shut up.

I’ll expect professional athletes to talk solely about sports once only former Presidents are allowed comment on President Obama, former oil executives to comment on gas prices and Hollywood actors and directors are allowed to give reviews on the latest films.

Why is it so difficult for certain individuals to grasp the concept that one can simultaneously be supportive of honest, hardworking law enforcement officials but not want to see dead bodies pile up when lethal force is not required?

In the words of Voltaire, FDR, Winston Churchill and Uncle Ben (Spiderman), “With great power comes great responsibility.” Andrew Hawkins conveyed his opin-

line, Hill misfires on a pass to a wide open Stedman Bailey that could’ve turned into a big play. Instead, on 4th down his pass was batted down and the game was over.

The defense has played their assets off over the last three weeks, not surrendering a touchdown. The offense is still lacking, and that shouldn’t be the case. The Rams traded up in the 2013 draft to get Tavon Austin, and Schottenheimer has no idea how to use him. He doesn’t help facilitate a mismatch against a linebacker.

The Rams intent is to give Austin 16 offensive touches a game. In the loss against the Cardinals, Austin caught one pass and had two rush attempts. No excuse, especially when you know he’s a red zone threat ready to happen any time he touches the ball. I could go on … and I will.

For more Rams Roundup, please subscribe to youtube. com/stlamerican video.

ion in a peaceful, responsible manner. Hopefully Follmer or the next police union president subject to protest will learn something from these ‘pathetic’ professional athletes and do the same. If they cannot, we the people would certainly encourage them to exercise their right to remain silent.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

Prep Athletes of the Week

Rachel Thompson

The 5’9” junior guard led the Rams to the championship of the Nerinx Hall Tournament last week. In the championship game, Thompson had 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the Rams’ 74-71 victory over Metro League rival Westminster Christian. She had 16 points and six assists in the Rams’ 95-48 victory over Nerinx Hall in the semifinals and 24 points and three assists in an 84-71 victory over Cardinal Ritter in the first round. For the season, Thompson is averaging 19.3 points and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 72 percent from the free throw line. She is also the point person of MICDS’ full-court pressure defense.

Gabby Walker

The 6’1” junior has the Pirates off to a 6-1 start, which included the championship of the Troy Tournament. Walker had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Pirates past Westminster in the championship game at Troy. She followed up last week with 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a victory over Winfield and 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in a victory over Orchard Farm.

For the season, Walker is averaging 21.4 points, 10 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

Umar Lee

Eugene Sims, Alec Ogletree and Daren Bates make a tackle during action against Arizona on Thursday night.

Alumni lead Hazelwood Career Fair

Professionals from wide range of disciplines return to give back

American staff

When planning this year’s college and career fair, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School staff decided to do something a little unorthodox; they invited Hazelwood alumni to lead the event.

Alumni from Hazelwood East High School ranging from 1990-2008 returned to the Hazelwood School District to share their wisdom with current students. They gave back by proudly representing numerous companies and diverse professions. The careers ranged from various fields of engineering, human resources, law, education, medical, fashion, and animation design. The alumni in attendance were:

• David Gorden, Lion Forge Comics - HEHS class of 1990

• Bellande Christian, Boeing - HEHS class of 1991

• Crystal Martin-Nicholson, Centene Corporation - HEHS class of 1991

• Felicia Chatters-Boyd, Parkway School DistrictHEHS class of 1991

• Wesley J.C. Bell, municipal court judge for Velda City, law professor at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, and prosecutor for the Village of Riverview - HEHS class of 1992

• Andrea Hayes, Hazelwood School District communication arts and reading specialistHEHS class of 1992

• James Thomas, BoeingHEHS class of 1992

• Sheldon Williams, Scottrade Center - HEHS class of 1992

• Kimberly Danchus, BJC

Intensive Care Units - HEHS class of 1992

• Kacey Martin-Johnson, Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery - HEHS class of 1997

• Jasmine Stocking Brown, JStocking Designs - HEHS class of 2008.

During the event, the East High Alumni shared information about college preparation and readiness, school and career options, as well as the choices and challenges that they faced. Students were also given an opportunity to ask questions of the former students. In addition to HSD alumni and other representatives, Fox 2 News Reporter Anthony Kiekow, Pamela Simmons of The St. Louis American, and Spanish Lake Fire Protection District Emergency Responders were among the presenters.

Financial Focus

By Aaron Ezell, financial advisor

Like everyone else, you have financial goals. To help achieve these goals, you may need to investand when you invest, you’ll need to take on some risk. But the more you understand this risk, and the better you are at managing it, the greater your potential for staying invested for the long term. To begin with, then, take a look at these terms: Risk tolerance - Your risk tolerance is essentially your comfort level with taking risk. For example, if you have a high tolerance for risk, you may be comfortable investing aggressively. Conversely, if you tend to be risk-averse, you might lean more toward more conservative investment vehicles that offer greater protection of principal.

Seek to balance ‘risk tolerance’ and ‘required risk’ need to balance these two aspects of risk. For example, what might happen if you have a low risk tolerance, leading you toward “safer,” lowgrowth investments, but your goal is to retire early?

For most people, this goal requires them to invest in vehicles that offer significant growth potential, such as stocks. And, as you

Required risk - While the term “required risk” may sound odd, it is actually an integral component of your ability to invest successfully. Basically, your required risk is the level of risk necessary to help you achieve your investment goals. The higher the return necessary to reach those goals, the more potential risk you’ll need to assume. As you invest, you’ll

Alumni from Hazelwood East High School ranging from 1990-2008 returned to the school district to share their wisdom with Hazelwood Southeast Middle School students during its annual college and career fair.

Michael Castro is STL’s first Poet Laureate

Veteran poet, critic, performer, translator was unanimous choice

By Nancy Fowler Of St. Louis Public Radio

Michael Castro, a founder of the local River Styx poetry publication and organization, will become St. Louis’ first Poet Laureate on January 1. A task force chose the University City resident from a pool of 64 names. The Board of Aldermen approved the nomination Friday.

St. Louis faces a number of challenges that poetry can address, Castro said, speaking of issues around the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. by now former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, and a grand jury’s decision not to indict him.

“I think the scab has been lifted and the poison is pouring out and there’s an openness, there’s a recognition that there has to be a change,” Castro said. Castro, 69, has a Ph.D. in American Literature from Washington University where he focused on Native American mythology and culture. He’s taught at UMSL and Lindenwood University and is widely published and nationally recognized.

Castro studied the art and culture of India as a Fulbright Fellow in 1990. He has published and translated numerous poetry books as well as a book of prose called “Interpreting the Indian: Twentieth Century Poets and the Native America.” He was named a Warrior Poet by St. Louis’ Word in Motion in 2005.

“Words provide moments of identity with quote-unquote ‘the other,’ moments of simple recognition of our common humanity,” he said.

Castro is Jewish with Spanish roots. He plans to work with a diverse group of local poets to make sure every voice is heard during his two-year term.

“I would hope, as Poet Laureate, to bring the various strands of the poetry community together through initiating some programs that would accomplish that and bring in diverse audiences,” he said.

Castro wrote a poem about Brown’s death and its aftermath, referring to the police as a threat. His feelings about the demonstrators and law enforcement are clear, and he feels compelled to speak what’s in his heart.

“I think there are certain situations where the

Haute holiday bash for the books

Prepping for Black & White Ball play by play

By Jami Ballentine Dolby

For The St. Louis American THE holiday party of the season.

Attorneys Jermaine Wooten, Raphael Morris and Lorenzo Hester outdid themselves this year for their second annual private Holiday Party at Neo. Anytime the security is turning away folks before they make it to the list because their attire didn’t meet the dress code, you know this isn’t your average holiday party. As soon as I made it off the elevator and onto the red carpet, photographer Suzy Gorman was there snapping away. These three dynamic attorneys are all business in the courtroom, but on Friday night they put the law books down and showed the city out with an epic night. Tonia Harris, who is Special Consultant to Legal Solutions Group, outdid

Annie remix fails brand

Spelman College, which once received a $20 million gift from comedy legend Bill Cosby, has now suspended The Cosby Chair for the Humanities (an endowed professorship) indefinitely until the score of rape allegations get resolved.

this year for their second annual private Holiday

Dramatizing Ferguson

Famed stage and film star shares creative perspective on unrest

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St.

Louis American

“If you ask the right questions, then you can help people find their own answers,” Tony Award-nominated actor Stephen Henderson said following a workshop he led at the Black Rep two weeks ago. The famed actor, director and theatre professor was in town to present an award to Frankie Muse Freeman at the Sunday afternoon performance of The Black Rep’s presentation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” which runs through this weekend at HarrisStowe’s Emerson Performance Center. He managed to steal a few hours to offer a few nuggets of wisdom for eager workshop participants Saturday morning.

“My goal was to introduce them to the method of the great Lloyd Richards,” Henderson said. Richards was dean of the Yale School of Drama, director for the Broadway

By Kenya Vaughn Of The

Huston’s 1982 adaptation of the popular Great Depression-era comic strip that subsequently became

1970s.

Michael Castro, a founder of the local River Styx poetry publication and organization, will become St. Louis’ Poet Laureate on January 1. Photo by Roscoe Crenshaw

Attorneys Jermaine Wooten, Raphael Morris and Lorenzo Hester outdid themselves

Party at Neo.

“Annie,” directed by Will Gluck, opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, December 19. The film is rated PG with a running time of 118 minutes.

Juda Jones 4, enjoyed doing arts and crafts with his father Jarrett Jones during last weekend’s Better Family Life Kwanzaa Holiday Expo. Photo by Wiley Price

Jami Ballentine Dolby

Stephen Henderson

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

holiday haps

Featured Event

Sun., Dec. 28, 12 noon, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. & Saint Louis Art Museum present KWANZAA: Holding Our Past, Strengthening Our Present, Saint Louis Art Museum and The Farrell Auditorium at The St. Louis Art Museum for Musical Performance. For more information, visit www.dstslmac.com

Through Jan. 4, The Fox Theatre presents A Christmas Story. With songs both funny and heartfelt, and a faithful yet inventive book, A Christmas Story captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. It’s the Christmas present that you’ll cherish all holiday long. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Thur., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., A Gospel Christmas with Oleta Adams. Oleta Adams joins the STL Symphony and IN UNISON Chorus led by director Kevin McBeth for a night of soul-stirring Gospel music to celebrate the most joyous of seasons. Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700 or visit www. stlsymphony.org.

Dec. 19 – 20, 5:30 p.m., The St. Louis Ballet presents Nutcracker Dinner. Enjoy a three-course dinner (with kid-friendly options) in the festively decorated Lee Theatre in advance of two selected Nutcracker performances at 7 p.m. Children will receive a signed, commemorative photo of the cast and have an opportunity to visit with a

special guest – Santa Claus. Tickets for performances are sold separately. Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.touhill. org.

Sun., Dec. 20, 1 p.m., Afro World presents Santa’s Got a Secret. Soulful Santa will appear with treats, face paintings, giveaways & holiday fun for the children. Be Soulful Santa’s helper and bring can goods for a local food pantry. 7276 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 389-5194 or visit www.afroworld.com.

Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m., A Shelly Jenkins Christmas (stage play) 3623 Finney Ave, St. Louis MO, 63113.

Mon., Dec 22 –Tues., Dec. 23, Jazz St. Louis Presents Ellington’s Nutcracker. Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave. For more information, visit www.jazzstl. org.

Tues., Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m., Powell Symphony Hall presents Bach Society of St. Louis Christmas Candlelight Concert. Capture the spirit of Christmas with Handel’s Messiah. The well-known selections will highlight solos by soprano Jane Jennings, mezzo soprano Debra Hillabrand and tenor Don Frazure. Then, experience the much-anticipated candlelight procession, a cornerstone of this concert since 1951, with the Bach Society Chorus and special guests The St. Louis Children’s Choirs processing throughout the hall. Favorite carols of the season and an audience sing-along promise to make this the perfect holiday family tradition. 718 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. bachsociety.org.

Sun., Dec. 27, 3 p.m., Afro World presents Kwanzaa Celebration. Special

guests include actress/life coach Redina Medley and percussionist/poet David A. N. Jackson. 7276 Natural Bridge Rd., 63121. For more information, call (314) 3895194 or visit www.afroworld. com.

Through Dec. 27, Chase Park Plaza presents The Annual Holiday Extravaganza. A month-long event featuring Christmas carolers, cookie decorating, a gingerbread house, elves, a Hanukkah Celebration, a special Kwanzaa display, and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The festivities begin with the outdoor arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by a Holidaythemed horse drawn carriage as Caroling St. Louis, dressed in period costumes, perform in the hotel lobby. The evening also includes complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and hot cider. Tour the Chase’s elegant lobby as it is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.chaseparkplaza.com.

Sun., Dec. 28, 12 noon, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. & Saint Louis Art Museum present KWANZAA: Holding Our Past, Strengthening Our Present, Saint Louis Art Museum and The Farrell Auditorium at The St. Louis Art Museum for Musical Performance. For more information, visit www. dstslmac.com

Fri., Dec. 26, 8 p.m., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Omega Chapter presents End of the Year Jam The Machinists Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, call (314) 973-9801 or (314) 303-4082.

Mon., Dec. 29, 12 p.m., The Botanical Garden hosts Kwanzaa: The Festival of the First Fruits. Kwanzaa is a Swahili term that means “irst fruits,” and this contemporary African-American holiday centers on the feast table of the harvest. A Kwanzaa ceremony highlights a day of storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, and authentic African drumming and musical performances. 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information, visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Wed., Dec. 31, Harry’s New Years Glow Party. Once again, Harry’s and Horizon will be hosting their annual NYE bash. This party has sold out weeks before NYE for the last 5 years. The party will feature 4 amazing DJs, a premium open bar all night long, a complimentary shuttle to all downtown hotels, and some very special surprises. If you are making NYE plans, this is where you want to be. 2144 Market, 63102. For more ticket information, call (314) 750-5605.

Wed., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., NYE with the Dirty Muggs. Send off 2014 in style with an open bar all night long, dinner and dessert buffet, party favors and champagne. Orlando’s Event Center, 2050 Dorsett Village Plaza, 63043. For more information, call (314) 846-9043 or email tickets@ nyestlparty.com.

Wed., Dec. 31, 6 p.m., First Night in Grand Center. In celebration of the 250th Birthday of the City of St. Louis, this year’s First Night will be an evening to remember! The winter celebration features visual and performing arts, musicians,

Jazz St. Louis welcomes The Roy Hargrove Quintet. See CONCERTS for details.

storytellers, dancers, magicians, actors, puppeteers and visual and media artists. This year’s theme is “St. Lou-minous.” The opening ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. on the Main Stage at Grand and Lindell. There will be a children’s ireworks show at 9:00 p.m. and Grand Finale Fireworks at midnight. Grand Center District, Grand and Lindell, 63103. For more information, call (314) 2891500 or visit www.grandcenter. org

concerts

Through Sat., Dec. 20, Jazz St. Louis welcomes The Roy Hargrove Quintet, Ferring Jazz Bistro, Harold and Thelma Steward Center for Jazz, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sat., Dec. 20, PSG Entertainment presents The Infamous Slum Tour w/ Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Slum Village and featuring Tef Poe, Rockwell Knuckles Thelonius Kryptonite, Nato Caliph & Nappy DJ Needles, Plush St. Louis, 3224 Locust St, St Louis, MO. For more information, visit http:// ampstlouis.com

Dec. 26 & 27, Jazz at the Bistro in Grand Center presents Good 4 the Soul. This explosive four-piece outfit, led by John King on bass, with Adaron “Pops” Jackson on keys, James Jackson on drums, and Shaun Robinson on guitar, draws upon jazz, funk, fusion, gospel, and R&B repertoires to deliver a powerful and unapologetic sound that excites and thrills audiences. When this band hits the stage, there are no boundaries. The only

guarantee is a night of worldclass music that is Good 4 the Soul. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Mon., Dec. 22 and 29, 7:30 p.m., The Gramophone hosts Open MIC Night. 4243 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 531-5700 or visit www. thegramophonelive.com.

Fri., Dec. 26, 6 p.m., The Dark Room presents Mo Egeston (Mo E All-Stars). Pianist Mo Egeston will play a mix of original soul, jazz standards, bossa and more. 615 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. moegeston.com.

Sat., Jan. 3, 11 p.m., Harry’s Restaurant and Bar presents Scooter and Lavelle. 2144 Market, 63102. For more information, call (314) 421-6969 or visit www. scooterandlavelle.com

Wednesdays, 6-10 p.m., Lexus Len’s “Winedown Wednesdays,” Live Band featuring: Cheryl Brown, Jeremiah Allen, Jeff Taylor, Gerald Warren & Amos Brewer, The Loft, 3112 Olive.

Sat., Dec. 20, 8 p.m. Corey Holcomb, The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com or call (314) 5341111.

Sat., Dec. 27, Café Soul and STL Kings of Comedy present a Tribute to Richard Pryor featuring Jessie Taylor, Lil Rock and Jovan Bibbs. Rustic Goat, 2619 Washington.

special events

Sat., Jan. 3, 2 p.m., Omicron Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Ivy Foundation of St. Louis, Incorporated presents The 25th annual “Little Miss Fashionetta.” Little Miss Fashionetta® is a six-month experience for young AfricanAmerican girls between the ages of 9-12. The culminating event is a spring pageant where the girls will receive awards, showcase a talent and be presented to the community in debutante attire. The pageant generates funds to benefit scholarships for our youth and other philanthropic

endeavors. 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, email littlemissfashionetta@ aka-omicronetaomega.org.

Sat., Jan. 3, 7 p.m., The Scottrade Center presents Harlem Globetrotters Fans Rule World Tour. The world famous Harlem Globetrotters have been thrilling families and millions of fans for 88 years, all the while innovating the game in exciting new ways. Last year, the Globetrotters did something unparalleled in the history of sports and entertainment, letting fans vote on new rules to be used in actual games. It was so much fun, we are doing it again, and there are cool new rules to choose from: Hot Hand Jersey, Make or Miss, or Trick Shot Challenge Take your kids to www. harlemglobetrotters.com/rule to vote for their favorite, craziest rule. Then, get your tickets to the game, where you will see the winning rules put into live action. 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 622-5400 or visit www.scottradecenter.com.

Jan. 3 – 4, 10 a.m., EPIC STL Productions presents STL Motorcycle Show. This is the event of the year for any motorcycle enthusiast. Every make and model that St. Louis has to offer will be represented. Live bike trial demonstration from some of the hottest trick riders in the country. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 276-4497 or visit www.stlmotorcycleshow.com.

Jan. 3 – 4, 11 a.m., St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine presents The Wedding Show. This is the largest wedding planning event in the Midwest. In just one afternoon you will see more wedding businesses than you could visit in a month on your own. See some of the hottest designer bridal fashions, on a New York-style professional runway show. The show features bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedos, beautiful motherof-the-brides gowns, and even swimwear perfect for a tropical honeymoon. Enjoy some of the area’s top wedding musicians as they perform throughout the day in a special staging area with seating. 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (636) 530-7989 or visit www. stlbrideandgroom.com.

Sat., Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m., 29th

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission Kick-off Program for Missouri. 2015 Theme: Emerging Leaders Called to Action: A Time

for Healing. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Special performances by Ronni Gee, Excel Performing Arts, Point of View Jazz Ensemble, Harris-Stowe State University Concert Chorale. A reception featuring Danita Mumphard will follow the program. Harris-Stowe State University Main Auditorium, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 3403390.

theatre

Through Dec. 21, The Black Rep presents A Raisin in the Sun. Emerson Performance Center, Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.org.

Jan. 13 – 18, Peabody Opera House presents The Book of Mormon. The story of two young Mormon missionaries sent to a remote village in northern Uganda, where a brutal warlord is threatening the local population. Naïve and optimistic, the two missionaries try to share the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptures—which only one of them has read—but have trouble connecting with the locals, who are more worried about war, famine, poverty, and AIDS than about religion. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Jan. 22 – 25, Peabody Opera House presents Sesame Street Live: Let’s Dance. Elmo uses his imagination to ‘Do the Robot,’ Cookie teaches all ‘feets’ to dance, and Ernie shares the fun of dance with the Sesame Street favorite “Shake Your Head One Time.” Favorite friends join the audience on the floor –dancing with fans, not just for them. It’s Sesame Street Live like you’ve never experienced it before. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fridays & Saturdays

Through Dec. 20, 10:30 a.m., The Alliance of Black Art Galleries presents Hands Up, Don’t Shoot: Artists Respond Exhibiting artists include: Lenard Hinds, Bill Murphy, Lola Ogbara, Eva Sutton, Jacquelyn Williams, (St. Louis), Edna Patterson-

Petty (East St. Louis), Sean Starowitz & Lauren Tweedie (Kansas City), Teamworks Unlimited (New York).

The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Ave., 63106. For more information, call (314) 241-7057.

Through Jan. 4, St. Louis Art Museum presents Atua: Sacred Gods from Polynesia Explore, in unprecedented depth, the relationship between art objects and Polynesian concepts of atua—gods, ancestors, and spirit beings that are fundamental to the Polynesian cosmos. Organized geographically, Atua leads visitors across the vast span of Polynesian islands. With the arrival of missionaries, artworks associated with atua often were destroyed or exported to the West as souvenirs of conversion and colonialism. Among those sculptures that did survive this period, the most powerful and celebrated objects are presented in this exhibit. One Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 7210072 or visit www.slam.org/ atua.

Thur., Jan. 15, 6 p.m., St Lou Fringe 2015 Fringe Festival Submissions Go Live. At 6 p.m. sharp (CST) you can submit your online application to secure one of our 20 (10 local and 10 national) firstcome first-served spots at St. Louis Fringe Festival. In 2014, these spots filled up in a matter of seconds! So be prepared. Producers of all genres of performing arts are invited to submit. Details, including submission guidelines, are available at www.stlfringe. com.

January 23, 6 p.m., Opening reception for Moments of Silence: A Response to

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Victorian London and work side-by-side with his legendary detective. You will become Holmes’ eyes and ears as he tackles a baffling new case in a world steeped in innovation and experimentation. Along the way you’ll see a dazzling array of original manuscripts, publications, period artifacts, film and television props and costumes. You’ll learn to use investigative tools and techniques from Holmes himself, and test yourself with exciting, interactive crime-solving opportunities. Come Solve the Mystery. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 289-4400 or visit www.slsc.org/watson.

the Ferguson Experience Exhibition, This exhibition by the Coalition of Artists for Peace is on display at the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and Art Gallery on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University. The primary theme of the exhibition will focus on the state of human relationships in response to a national crisis. Fifteen visual and performing artists will present approximately thirty original pieces. This exhibition will include the works of several local and national artists including Cbabi Bayoc, Lucia Garcia, and Fabio Rodriguez. Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and Art Gallery Henry Givens Administration Building, Rm 003, Harris-Stowe State University 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. For more information on other touring venues contact the Coalition of artists for Peace at: coalitionofartistsforpeace@ gmail.com.

lectures

Through Jan. 4, 2015, The St. Louis Science Center presents The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes. Step in to Sir

Tues., Jan. 6, 8 p.m., Maryville University presents 2014-15 St. Louis Speaker Series feat. Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1969. The daughter of a political opponent of the Somali dictatorship, she grew up in exile. As a young child, she was subjected to female genital mutilation. As she grew up, she embraced Islam and strove to live as a devout Muslim. But she began to question aspects of her faith.

In 1992, Ayaan was married off by her father to a distant cousin who lived in Canada. 718 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700.

Sat., Jan. 17, 2 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Dr. King, Michael Brown, #Ferguson, and the Future of America. Months after holding a town hall on the recent unrest that plagued Ferguson, Missouri, activist, journalist, and author Kevin Powell returns to relect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the protests that Michael Brown’s death prompted. A community conversation follows. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Sat., Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., Health Protection and Education Services presents Free Health Screenings and Physician Referrals. Health Protection and Education Services, a health organization operating in University City offers free health screenings and referrals for people who are under-insured. They employ volunteer doctors, nurses and medical and nursing students to screen people for ailments. University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 448-7373.

Sat., Jan. 17, 8:00 a.m., American Heart Association and American Stroke Association present Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Fair and Luncheon with special guest Richard Smallwood. Enjoy a free lunch at the health fair beginning at 11 a.m. St. Louis Union Station Doubletree, 1820 Market St., 631303. For more information or to RSVP, call (314) 6925642 or visit www.heart.org/ stlouis.

Wed., Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., Southern Mission Baptist Church Watch Night Service with special guest speaker Pastor Michael Tyler of Greater Paradise MB Church, Southern Mission Baptist Church(SMBC), 8171 Wesley Ave., Kinloch, MO. For more information, call (314)5213951.

Fri., Dec. 19, Annie starring Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis opens in theatres nationwide.

Fri., Jan. 9, Selma starring David Oyelowo, Tessa Thompson and Reuben Santiago Hudson opens in theatres nationwide.

PSG Entertainment presents The Infamous Slum Tour w/ Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Slum Village and featuring Tef Poe, Rockwell Knuckles Thelonius Kryptonite, Nato Caliph & Nappy DJ Needles. For more information, see CONCERTS.

herself planning this event and it showed by the amount of people who stayed on the dance floor while the band Gemini played a bit of everything for every generation to enjoy. And with an open bar, please use your imagination for the action that went down by the time DJ Kut took to DJ booth.

My favorite couple on the dance floor had to be Nissa El-Hassan and Clayton Moore, and Nissa looked absolutely amazing in her green gown. St. Louis License Collector Mavis Thompson was there along with other elected officials, including President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed. Attorney Jerryl Christmas, Steve Harmon, Tiffany Spain, Debora Kellom and over 500 other elite St. Louisians. Best dressed for the evening had to be Tonia Harris, who had on a custom white tuxedo suit and sparkling new Jimmy Choos. For more photos, check us out on Facebook.com/ theSTLsuite.

I tried my best to stay out there as long as possible, but my feet were on a two-hour minimum after attending the Radio One Christmas party with my husband (Boogie D) the night before. It was all smiles at Mandarin for the staff at HOT 104.1 and Old School 95.5 when newcomer to the Radio One family Tony Scott walked in. Clear Channel also hosted their annual holiday party this year and I have my sources there as well, and I heard the party was packed with staff from the multiple stations, including the new 100.3 The Beat.

Weddings on the Rise Is it me or have weddings amongst young urban professionals been on the rise lately? Let me find out all the cool people have adopted marriage and values as the hottest trend (no shade … unless it applies).

PLAY

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production of seven of August Wilson’s plays – which is how he and Henderson developed their special bond – and was also the original director of the 1959 production of Hansberry’s iconic play.

“It seemed fitting since they are doing ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and I had worked with Lloyd Richards that we do something with his method,” Henderson said. “He used to say, ‘I enjoy helping people fly as much as I enjoy flying.’” Henderson has been soaring within the realm of theatre for nearly 50 years. He was in the first class of the Julliard School of Drama and has since gone on to do work in film, television and stage – most recently in the Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun” starring Denzel Washington.

The Kansas City, MO native established ties to St. Louis as a company member of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Florissant Pediatrics held their Holiday Open House, and the families flooded the North County office where Dr. Elinor Hancock played the fiercest Dr. Claus.

From makeup artist to wedding planners to the guests that attend every weekend, I’m seeing a new hashtag being used each weekend for the hottest wedding – and this weekend it was the nuptials of Chris Miller and his new bride Jessica

They held their ceremony and reception at Third Degree Glass Factory. Congratulations to the happy couple, who reside in St. Louis County with their daughter. Jessica, who is a teacher, and Chris an Engineer, entrusted their wedding planning to Brittany Starks –lead Bridal Consultant with Build A Wedding. The décor for the evening was infused with rich shades of eggplant, plum and lavender. Starks went from managing accounts at a Fortune 25 company to owning her wedding consultation business, which allows couples to have their cake and eat it too.

Doctor Claus to the rescue. Florissant Pediatrics held their Holiday Open House, and the families flooded the North County office where Dr. Elinor Hancock played the fiercest

in the early 1980s and through the Black Rep – where he has directed shows and performed.

“He’s a lifelong friend and I come back for the respect and admiration for what he has done here in St. Louis,” Henderson said of founder and Producing Director Ron Himes. “I will always answer his call when I can. I cherish the fact that he thinks that I have something to contribute.”

He’s especially thrilled the Black Rep chose to stage “A Raisin in the Sun” in light of the times.

“We are a part of this country and we want the same things for our children as everyone else – and a play that talks about that is always relevant,” Henderson said. “As a matter of fact I wish these police departments would buy out a house so they could see it for themselves.”

He spoke of a scenario that had clearly been rumbling in his head about two AfricanAmerican men – one who grew up with respect for police and one who didn’t – and how their relationships with law

Dr. Claus. There is not a more lively and fit pediatrician in the state than Dr. Hancock. Two lucky children were able to win large stockings stuffed with toys and goodies.

Besides running her own practice, I heard that the good doctor is working on some new projects set to launch soon that will take her practice to a new level – and have every highend mommy calling to get on her books. Stay tuned for an update, because I promise to be first!

Tea & Crumpets. For those lucky enough to receive an invitation to Nelly’s Black and White Ball, please note this means you are to wear Black and White. No gray, no red and no drama! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. I say that assuming that no one would dare try coming into the Four Seasons or get past the Derrty ENT family with anything but class for this event that benefits students at Lindenwood University. Also be sure to follow @theSTLsuite on Instagram for a play by play of the most anticipated event of the year.

enforcement set the tone for events that would change the course of their lives.

“Here’s the thing, though. I would have it come to trial – mainly because most people wouldn’t have believed cases like Michael Brown and Eric Garner wouldn’t go to trial if it were written for dramatic literature,” Henderson said. “In the outcome, I would show that you can’t justifiably kill someone because they don’t like you.”

The notion was something he felt led to reiterate.

“Disrespect is not punishable by execution and death: that’s the play that I would want to write,” Henderson said. “If I took a gun to everyone who blatantly disrespected me and called me names, I would be a serial killer – and I’d certainly get indicted.”

The Black Rep’s production of A Raisin in the Sun continues through Dec. 21 at HarrisStowe State University’s Emerson Performance Center. For more information, call (314) 534-3810 or visit www. theblackrep.org.

POET

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poet is obligated to tell what he or she sees as the truth,” Castro said. “I think the main point in that poem is that fear is at the root of all of this. If there was not fear on both sides of the equation, the Michael Brown tragedy would not happen.”

East St. Louis Poet

Laureate Eugene Redmond has known Castro longer than Redmond has held his post, which is 38 years. Redmond noted Castro’s Ph.D., his wide recognition and the legacy of his teaching. But he also pointed out that Castro is completely unpretentious and a “poet of the people,” who’s read in any number of venues from churches and synagogues to casual, open-air

ANNIE

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Forced to reside in a single room full of fellow wards of the state for the sake of a greedy foster mother seeking to maximize benefits via the welfare system, Annie envisions a world bigger than her current circumstances.

Wallis is confident –actually, absolutely fearless – in her attempt to carry the film on her shoulders in the title role. And while she displays acting chops well beyond her young years, the prerequisites for a proper Annie, urban or otherwise, she simply does not possess.

But even with her marginal singing voice and limited capacity for dance, Wallis is among the most inclined for a musical film.

Songs that aren’t necessarily sung and choreographed chaos that includes more formless flopping (and a few flips) than the typical structured routines characteristically seen in

spaces. “You can call him tonight and say, ‘We’re having a reading early in the morning,’ and unless he’s really got something to do, he’ll come,” Redmond said.

Redmond called Castro’s nomination “poetic justice.”

“He’s a walking, talking, living, writing example of what so many people are trying to catch up with or understand and speak of: diversity, multiculturalism, pluralism. Michael embodies that,” Redmond said.

Well-known St. Louis performance poet Shirley Bradley Leflore has also known Castro for more than four decades as a colleague and a friend.

“Michael has integrity, and that’s important to me,” LeFlore said. “He’s a nice person, and he’s dedicated to his craft.”

musicals.

Tragically modernized versions of the “Annie” signature selections infused with boring original music that sounds like the worst case scenario of when pop music co-opts R&B make for an underwhelming, unmemorable musical element of “Annie.”

The “anti-musical” moments are liberally disseminated over the course of the two-hour film will make audiences cringe upon hearing the opening beats of what will most certainly be yet another annoying, undercooked performance.

As the millennial Daddy Warbucks, Foxx is the strongest link through his performance of Will Stacks. But his strengths seem to further illustrate the weaknesses within the film. Namely, the fact that Foxx can actually sing, makes for lopsided musical performances – especially during a particular duet with Wallis – amongst a cast that mostly talks and/or whispers their way through the musical selections.

Aaron Williams, founder of the 7th Grade Poetry Foundation, chaired the Poet Laureate selection committee. The selection of Castro was unanimous.

A spokesperson for Lewis Reed’s office said that Reed is pleased with the choice of Castro.

“We think Michael Castro is a great poet leader for the region. We’re really confident and his work speaks for itself,” he said. “He has the ability to speak to a local and national audience.” Castro will receive $1,250 for each of his two, one-year terms. His duties include six public appearances and composing a poem to commemorate St. Louis’ 250th anniversary. Edited for length and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

But even as he’s the sole member of the musical movie cast that can carry a tune, the R&B crooner tone he delivers creates a musical mismatch between the pop/Broadway character singing styles that the role commands.

With Jay Z on board as a producer, one could easily have been hopeful for the possibility of remixing a classic to speak to a new audience – and create an unlikely generation of “Annie” fans. But other than a few social media references, there seemed to be no consideration for what actually attracts the film’s potential core audience. Add a cast who doesn’t collectively possess the basic skills necessary to fulfill the intention of the film and the end result is a bona fide cinematic disaster – and a waste of time, talent and opportunity.

“Annie” opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, December 19. The film is rated PG with a running time of 118 minutes.

Reunions

Beaumont High Class of 1965 is planning a 50th reunion. Searching for classmates who are interesting in celebrating. Please email your contact information to bluejackets65@ gmail.com.

Beaumont High Class of 1970 is looking for team members to plan its’ 45th year reunion.

Celebrations

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to our son Deren “Berk Boy” Teague on December 18! This aspiring rapper will be a household name soon. Stay encouraged no matter what, and know we’ll always be here for you. Love infinity...Mom and Dad.

Happy 17th birthday to my daughter, Jada Nicole Anderson, on December 17. I am honored and thankful to have you in my life! From your father, Antoine Anderson.

Interested? Please email Beatrice Palmer (Vanzant-Smith) at bvanzantsmith@yahoo.com or bsmithrealtor@att.net.

Beaumont High Class of 1984 can stay updated via our Facebook page “Beaumont Class of 1984”. We meet the last Friday of every month. Contact Rochelle Williams at rochellewilliams001@yahoo. com.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri District 3 would like to invite you to an Alumni Event. We are looking for anyone who worked in or was a member of Girl Scouts in St. Louis City. If you would like to participate, please contact Essie Harrison at essie.harrison@att.net or call (314) 400-4602 with your

name, address, phone number, and email address.

Sumner High School Class of 1965 is planning a 50th year reunion for June 12-14. 2015. Please join us via Facebook: Class of ‘65 Sumner High School St. Louis, MO.

St. Louis Community College needs your help identifying STLCC alumni. Alumni are encouraged to visit the website: www.stlcc.edu/foundation/, to become members or update information. For more information, contact Ashley Budde, coordinator of alumni relations, at abudde6@stlcc. edu, or 314-539-5145.

Sumner Class of ’59 Alumni presents 37th Annual Oldie

But Goodie Dance, Sat. Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.. There will be music provided by Baby O & Master Blaster. Machinists Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044. For more information, call (314) 6808324 or (314) 791-5504.

Sumner High Class of 1965 is planning its 50th Reunion on the second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Lower Level of Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapel. For updates and/or to leave your contact info--visit our Facebook group Sumner Class of ‘65.

Sumner High Class of 1970 is planning its 45th Reunion. Please provide contact information to: cshsco70@yahoo. com or J. Fox at 314-606-3506

Happy Birthday to our wonderful mother Claudette Carson. Her special day was December 13.

James Cleophas Burton, Sr. turned 100 years old on Saturday, December 13, 2014. He was born in Moscow, Arkansas on December 13, 1914. Mr. Burton celebrated with family and friends at the Green Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

for more information.

Sumner High Class of 1975 has started planning its 40th reunion. Please provide contact information to sumnerclassof75@gmail.com or C. Jackson 314-477-6785 for more information.

Upward Bound (Webster University ) Class of ‘66 thru ‘70 of Kinloch, Beaumont, Vashon, Summer, Central, Soldan, Northwest, McKinney and Laboure, we are the process of planning a reunion around June/ July 2015. Please respond by contacting via email or Facebook Lawrence (Larry) Lewis: lewis3936@gm.com or Kenneth W. McClendon irisingridarlene@aol.com.

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

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us!

However, notices may also be sent by mail to: Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

Laushell Yvonne Harvey turned “5” on December 11. Happy Birthday to my beautiful Lady Laushell. We love you!

Rev. Witherspoon to run for AME Zion Bishop

Pastor of Washington Metropolitan has 33 years experience in ministry

By Erica R. Van Buren

St. Louis

For The

American Rev. Dr. Anthony

Witherspoon, Pastor of Washington Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 613 N. Garrison Ave., announced that he will be run for bishop, the highest office held in the AME Zion church, in 2016. In the past, six bishops have been elected from Washington Metropolitan AME Zion church. There are certain requirements that one must fulfill in order to hold such a title. One must have proven to be fiscally responsible, be an Ordained Elder in the church and possess at least 20 years’ pastoral experience. His 33 years of experience in the ministry (the last 15 years at Washington Metropolitan) and having served as adjunct professor of religion at Saint Louis University have prepared him for such a position.

Witherspoon is dedicated to serving his community. In late October he gave out blankets and fed homeless veterans. This hit close to home for Witherspoon, considering he is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. He also went to Ferguson, where unarmed teenager Michael Brown Jr. was killed, and led a prayer for young men killed around the nation. “We aren’t just praying for Mike Brown but for the nation,” said

Witherspoon. On October 13, Witherspoon, co-organized the “Man Up: Men Being Positive Agents for Change” seminar in hopes of fueling the need for change in communities across the nation. The event brought men from around the nation as positive images of change.

“The only way is for the young men to be educated,” said Witherspoon. “The men that attended hopefully can continue the Man Up conference in their own communities.”

Speakers and topics included Rev. Scot Moore, Pastor of Judah Temple AME Zion church, Bowie MD (Refueling and Inspiring people); Rev. Richard Dalton, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Revisiting the Power of Non-Violence); James Clark, Better Family Life (Organizing and Recruiting Men); Rev. Vincent Andujo, Pastor of Jamison Memorial CME Church (Organizing and Empowering Youth & Young Adults); Rev. Dr. Lester McCorn, Pastor of Pennsylvania Ave AME Zion church Baltimore, MD. (Organizing a Community to Become Change Agents); Rev. Dr. W. E. Marshall, Pastor of St. James AME church (Community at the Ready); Rev. Kevin Kosh, Pastor of Union Memorial UMC (The Sending Forth).

The host pastor who spoke

during breakfast was Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson Jr., Pastor of Wellspring United Methodist church.

In August 17, a roundtable discussion was held at Washington Metropolitan AME Zion Church that included Judge Greg Mathis, members of the NAACP and local clergy to discuss the death of Michael Brown Jr., issues surrounding race in the community and local and city government. The question “How do we effect change in the community?” was asked.

Judge Mathis voiced his concerned about the low numbers of African Americans who govern and police largely black communities. He said he would apprise the White House of the roundtable discussion and impart the urgent need to develop an action plan to bring more African Americans and minorities into St. Louis County police departments, courts and government.

Witherspoon’s church has ministries, such as Project

Baby It's Cold Inside... HEAT-UP

his family. His wife has two sickly elderly parents. The couple has three kids under twelve. He makes $10,500 annually. They have past due heating bills mounting to $1,100. Finally there is Georgette, a single parent, who lives in Metro East. Despite having to take care of her of four kids, and her elderly mother, she manages to work. She makes about $9,500 annually cleaning homes. Two of Georgette's smallest children are disabled. She attempts to pay something on her $900 past due utility bills, while making tough choices on life’s essentials.

Cope, a ministry that provides assistance to people released from prison; and Angel Tree, a ministry that gives Christmas gifts to kids whose parents are incarcerated. Washington Metropolitan also allows growth for their youth by facilitating “Youth in Christ,” which gives the younger members the chance to have their own service every first Sunday.

Washington Metropolitan also builds apartments and senior living facilities. Lucas Heights Phase 1 includes 192 garden-style apartments and two-story townhomes. Phase 2 is known as Metropolitan Village and includes 147 apartments to accommodate the elderly community. Phase 3 includes 228 apartment homes geared toward smaller family units.

Witherspoon quoted Carter G. Wilson in saying, “The black church is the most important institution in the community.”

The Message

What do you know?

I have often thought, heard and to some degree concluded that Jesus, as was Paul, was killed because He dared to stand up and speak truth to power. He and many of His followers, convicted by their beliefs, professed and preached that the ruling religious law of the day, although large and in charge, was indeed corrupt and deserving of renunciation.

In my office I have a poster which states, “One man with courage makes a majority.”

Until recently, I had never associated this powerful statement with the life and death and life of Jesus Christ. But the courage of faith coupled with the commitment to act on that faith sometimes leaves you in the unenviable position of being alone.

James A. Washington

Have you ever found yourself so committed to a course of action, so positive in your convictions and your resolve, so steadfast in your purpose that nothing could change your mind or your behavior? I suppose we should all be so blessed to at least once in our lives to know that we know. Can you now imagine Jesus, so sure, so confident, so right that even in death, He knew that He knew?

I must then ask the question of you and myself. What do you know? What does your faith and courage allow you to be the majority of, when numerically, you’re in the minority? The point is that at some time during your faith walk, you will find yourself walking absolutely by yourself. Inevitably it will become necessary for you, as well to take a position of faith that will perhaps alienate you from so called friends and family, just as Jesus was alienated from the hierarchy of the church of His day. Maybe it’s already happened to you. I know it has happened to me. On that day you consciously decide to choose the Lord over the world. People who are recognized in this world as having principles and integrity are supposed to be honored for their stances even when they go against popular opinion. The Bible teaches us that those men and women of God were often victimized, sometimes ridiculed and often times crucified. The Bible also lets us know these are the exact people we should emulate. These people, who are our faith examples, lived lives set apart. We’ve all heard the phrase “stepping out on faith.” Reality suggests that this is a very scary, sometimes lonely place to be. The truth is we so easily sound like it’s a forgone conclusion regarding our faith, when in actuality we shy away from the courage it takes to stand alone and stand for God in this world. My belief is that the first step, the first time, is the hardest. But after that, God takes over and takes us places we could never imagine. From me to you, I wish you the imagination of the saints and faith the size of a mustard seed.

Sarah, a senior citizen lives on social security in St. Charles County. Her past due utility bill is $350. She suffers with heart disease and arthritis, paying about $500 monthly for her medical services. Rent and food gobbles up $900 monthly.

Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon is Pastor of Washington Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 613 N. Garrison Ave.

Harris-Stowe State University has an opening for a Financial Assistance Counselor. Duties include, but are not limited to, counseling students and parents on financial aid programs,

at the above referenced address or 314/615-4459 314/615-8674 (Fax) 1-800-735-2966 (TTY) TFilla@stlouisco.com

For further information and available facilities for persons with disabilities, contact the person above.

REQUESTFOR BIDS

bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUESTFOR BID

REQUESTFOR BIDS

ATTENTION

REQUESTFOR BIDS

NOTICE TOSMALL (SBE), DISADVANTAGED (DBE), MINORITY (MBE), & WOMEN’S (WBE) BUSINESSES ADVERTISEMENT

RIVER CITYCONSTRUCTION, L.L.C., 1509 N. MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, (618) 435-2612 (PHONE) (618) 435-2457 (FAX)

IS SEEKING QUALIFIED SMALL, DISADVATANGED, MINORITY, &WOMEN’S BUSINESSES FOR THE SOUTHEASTMISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITYSHOWME CENTER FACILITYUPGRADES –PACKAGE 1, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI FOR THE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SELECTIVE DEMOLITION, METALS, FINISHES, EQUIPMENT, FURNSHISHINGS, SEISMIC ELECTRICALSYSTEMS, ELECTRICAL. ALLINTERESTED AND QUALIFIED SMALL, DISADVANTAGED, MINORITYAND WOMEN’S BUSINESSES SHOULD CONTACT, IN WRITING, (CERTIFIED LETTER, RETURN RECEIPTREQUESTED) JOE MISCHLER, TO DISCUSS THE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES. ALLNEGOTIATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TOTHE BID OPENING BID DATE OF 1/08/2015 @ 2:00 PM. PROPOSALS WILL BE EVALUATED IN ORDER ON THE BASIS OF LOWRESPONSIVE BID RECEIVED. ALL MBE/FBE FIRMS MUSTPROVIDE PROOFOFCERTIFICATION MUSTWHEN SUBMITTING ABID.

6:00 p.m.

•At Osage Community Centre, Room 2AB, 1625 North Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701, on Monday, January 26, 2015, beginning at 12:00 p.m. • At Elks Lodge, 325 North Two Mile Road, Dexter, Missouri 63841, on Monday, January 26, 2015, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

•At Harris-Stowe State University, Givens Administration Building, Main Au- ditorium #112, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, beginning at 12:00 p.m.

•At East Central College, Conference Room 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, Missouri 63084, on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

•At Fox C-6 School District, Roy Wilde Conference Center, 745 Jeffco Boulevard, Arnold, Missouri 63010, on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

*Each hearing will begin with an informal question-and-answersession before testimony is taken from the public.

If you are unable to attend a live public hearing and wish to make written comments or secure additional information, you may contact: The Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City,Missouri 65102, telephone (573) 751-4857, email opcservice@ded.mo.gov or the Missouri Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 360 Jefferson City,Missouri 65102, telephone 800-392-4211,email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov.Comments may also be registered in the case using the Commission’selectronic filing system at https://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/Comments.html.The Commission will also conduct an evidentiary hearing at its offices in Jefferson City from February 23 throughMarch 13, 2015, beginning each day at 8:30 a.m.

Theevidentiary hearing and local public hearings will be held in buildings that meet accessibility standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If a customer needs additional accommodations to participate in these hearings, please call the Public Service Commission’sHotline at 1-800-392-4211 (voice) or Relay Missouri at 711before the hearing.

REQUESTFOR PROPOSALS

LEAD-BASED PAINTHAZARD CONTROL INSPECTION - SPECIFICATION WRITING –CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT– PROJECTSUPERVISION

St. Louis County is seeking a lead inspector/risk assessor, specification writer, construction manager, project supervisor for its Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant. Qualified applicants should have experience in lead-based paint hazard remediation, housing construction and/or inspection and specification writing. Possession of State licensed Risk Assessor license is required. The County is requesting proposals from individuals or companies. The scope of work will involve testing for the presence of lead-based paint in occupied housing units, assessment of lead-based paint risks, preparation of work specifications, assembling bid packages, conducting pre-bid and pre-construction meetings, supervision of containment and control/abatement, clearance testing and preparation of case reports.

Proposals will be available for pick-up on Monday,December 22, 2014 at:

St. Louis County,Department of Planning 41 S. Central, 5th Floor Clayton, MO 63105

To obtain proposal packages by e-mail or fax contact Bradley R. Waller at 314-615-4428 BWaller@stlouisco.com

Proposals shall be submitted by: 4:30 PM Thursday,January 8, 2015

Thomas Filla,

Gentlemen at the movies. I kicked my weekend off just as the sun was setting at the M/X Theatre thanks to the Order of Gentlemen – who reintroduced themselves to the nightlife scene with what I would call “happy hour and a movie” Friday night. The concept was really cute – including complimentary Gentleman Jack cocktails in the outer lounge area and a free screening of the new Chris Rock movie “Top Five.” I also loved, loved, loved the swagged out promo items that included a bowtie and cuff links among other things. I’ll take that over a key chain and shot glass any day of the week. Speaking of days, I think the success of the event would’ve been more resounding if the function had taken place before the movie actually hit theatres. Had that same event been on a Wednesday night, folks would’ve been lined up all eight flights that lead to the M/X screens because they would feel as if they were getting the ultimate sneak preview. And a complimentary sip or two on the side to top it off…what are you saying?! Even though the “when” element of it was challenge, the evening was still a nice mix of the young black professional crowd. I only say so because I’m here for The Order of Gentlemen and would love it if they have to politely decline entry for some folks because of capacity crowds.

Tanqueray tango. Since I’m already on the topic of the young professionals, I might as well let the world know that they truly let their hair down and unbuttoned their stylish blazers at the Tanqueray holiday party presented by MPAC and Koncepts. Them setting up shop Friday night was the unofficial “urban” audience biennial takeover of the Pepper Lounge. I got my life as I watched people find the hard way – thanks to one too many samples –Tanqueray is nothing to play with!

I also want to deliver a special shout out to the group of college students spending their first semester break home as legal adults who commandeered the dance floor. They were getting down in a way that seasoned holiday club hoppers would be too self-conscious to partake in – so much so that it appeared as if The Wayans family was filming a scene for “Dance Movie 3: Downtown STL Nights.” It was actually quite amazing to see the range of emotions from onlookers as these youngsters engaged in an epic nonbreakdance battle. Some were confused, others enthused and a few were caught up in the back and forth secretly longing to give the soon to be second semester seniors a run for their money. The only downside took place when one of the dancing machines accidentally almost slapped the taste out of my mouth when he waved his hand in the air as the “Nae Nae” remix beat dropped. But seriously, the whole night was quite a nice look! Sagittarius shutdown. The Pepper Lounge wasn’t the only place poppin’ on Locust Friday night. The Umbrella Group, The Marquee and DJ Cuddy teamed up for 1212 – or as it will be remembered “the ultimate Sagittarius Bash.” The crowd was a bit more soulful than the element down the street, and their “turnup” level was on ten (in a good way). I had only planned to poke my head in since I’ve been The Marquee plenty of play these past few weeks, but I ended up getting my life from all of the guilty trill/trap tunes I’m ashamed to admit I know the words to – and watching the folks act out how I was secretly responding to the music in my head.

Dwele and delightful dining. I’ve been waiting for weeks to catch the neo-soul whisperer Dwele in action for his Dwele Unplugged concert and DELUX Magazine holiday party Sunday at The Rustic Goat. And if the show wasn’t enough to get me in the holiday spirit, DELUX and David (Rustic Goat owner) had the nerve to feed me a delicious three course meal. Everything was _______ (insert new slang for “fire”) but the sushi salad sent me to another stratosphere. Seriously, I was ready to pay the Sony Hackers a handsome reward to get into somebody’s computer for that recipe so it could set my Christmas meal all the way off – though I know I’d have to substitute the sushi with deep fried catfish nuggets in order for my family to partake. Even though I can talk about the food for the rest of Partyline, I’ll get on to the show. The grown folks were deep up in the Rustic Goat to hear some Dwele. And even though it sounded like he was unplugged for real thanks to the combination of a soft voice and a shoddy mic, everyone still seemed to be thrilled. The band was sickening! And I was checking for every bit of his look – that suit, the beard and the hair…all of it. He was giving me grown man swag! I think about how he looked when he first came out with those cornrows and baggy clothes. He was giving the secret love child of D’Angelo and Da Brat well, if it where biologically possible. Speaking of looks, the new Mrs. Cornell Boone a.k.a. Jamila DJ Jo Prima was giving me absolutely everything with her glammed out 1940s Hollywood hair and makeup coupled with that printed formfitting cocktail dress. I will be jacking outfits and entrees thanks to my experience Sunday night – and singing Dwele’s hook on Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” while I’m doing it!

Soul and laughter. Since I’m talking music and the Rustic Goat I might as well let y’all know that the ladies of Café Soul and the fellas of the STL Kings of Comedy are joining forces next weekend (Dec. 27) to give the folks a change to giggle and groove at the same doggone time! Jessie Taylor, Lil Rock, Hot Sauce and Jovan Bibbs will have the laughter. Rhoda G, Justin Hoskin, Will Robinson and host Theresa Payne are planning to provide the laid back sounds. I’m already anticipating it to be a worthwhile combination.

area after serving up his signature hits for DELUX Magazine’s holiday party Sunday night.

The Nupes Jeremy and Devon relaxed in their VIP section @ Pepper Lounge Friday

Ebony and Raquel started their weekend off ready to party for the sake of the season Friday @ The Holiday Party @ Pepper Lounge

Jamie and Patrice were among the stylish revelers who stopped through to celebrate the holiday season @ Pepper Lounge Friday.

Keith from Koncepts and Mo Spoon of MPAC collaborated for yet another hit holiday party Friday @ The Pepper Lounge

Charisse and Kenneth Montgomery stepped out to hear Justin Hoskin & The Movie pay homage to D’Angelo @ The Rustic Goat

Celebrity make-up artist Pat Sumpter Davis and Former NFL player and current radio personality Demetrious Johnson during their Beauty Bag Giveaway @ Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation Saturday

George and Melody took party of a tribute to D’Angelo featuring John Hoskins & The Movie Saturday @ The Rustic Goat

Raphael of the Umbrella Group and Val celebrated December birthday babies for the Ultimate Sagittarius Bash Friday @ The Marquee

National recording artist Dwele was met by a group of fans who were as eager to meet him as they were lovely. The soul singer was flanked when he made his way to the VIP

Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

What about the children?

Instead of the normal barrage of questions regarding the menu for dinner, I was struck with a very different visual as I entered my home one evening. I opened the door from the garage only to see my 7 year-old daughter kneeling in front of her father in a prayer position. I gave a curious glance to my husband, stood perfectly still and just watched her momentarily. Apparently, she had overheard my husband say that he was going to Ferguson to join the protesters (this was a few days following the death of Mike Brown) and she was frightened that something would happen to him. Therefore, she felt it was best just to pray for his safety.

There are so many things wrong with this picture. The fact that an unarmed teen was shot and killed and that a young child was aware of all the commotion in our community from such an atrocity is wrong on so many levels. For my child, she was only getting bits and pieces of information from the television and from secretly listening her father’s calls. What about those children who lived in Ferguson, particularly on or near West Florissant? What about the children who lived in the Canfield Apartments? What about those vivid pictures of the

teenagers who were teargassed as they were leaving McDonald’s?

I have spoken with parents of some of these children and the parents have already begun to observe nightmares or alterations in the child’s normal sleeping pattern. One mother told me that protesters have actually been on her lawn so her children hear this noise constantly outside of their bedroom windows. I can only imagine the ramifications of these inappropriate life situations on their fragile, developing minds.

Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D.

As I sit and listen to the political pundits argue back and forth on the details of the various cases, I ask myself if these individuals consider the thousands of children who have to live in the neighborhoods affected, the children who walk past the places where the Browns and the Garners have died, and the children related to the deceased in question? Are we so caught up in the heat of the moment that we have not taken time to anticipate the negative mental sequelae from these events?

Most people think of trauma in terms of physical harm but psychological trauma can be just as painful, stressful and life threatening. Witnessing distressing events such as the September 11, 2011 terrorist attack, Hurricane Katrina, gang violence, and definitely the recent police shootings of unarmed men and young boys are all examples of horrific occurrences that can cause psychological trauma. Trauma threatens the witness’ sense of security and safety. How children react to trauma can be immediate or delayed. A prior history of mental illness may affect the type of response children display. Lack of family support and a prior history of traumatic events are other situations that may heighten the type of response exhibited by children. It is also important to remember that children’s response to trauma may be affected by the parent’s response as well. For example, the Michael Brown case provides an excellent illustration of that. For most African American households, there is an undercurrent of terror every time their sons are behind the wheel of a car. Will this teen be pulled over, will they be beaten, will they be killed? That sense of anxiety is also felt by the teens. Many parents have expressed to me how their sons often ask why do I always get

pulled over and not my friends? What have I done?

Other factors such as age can affect the response as well. For example, an eight year old may resort back to infant behaviors such as thumb sucking or bed-wetting. A tween may have academic troubles or get involved in multiple altercations. I’ve personally seen troubled teens initiate drug or alcohol use or become sexually promiscuous.

Silence can also be a sign of psychological trauma. Therefore, a sudden change in behavior in a child should be an early cry for immediate help. Maya Angelou in her famous book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings shares her story of sexual abuse as a child and how she stopped talking for an extended period of time after she found out the man who had violated her had been killed. She believe her voice had murdered him. So for me, the point of all of this is that our children are not immune to this current tense climate in our communities. The time for discussion and therapy is now. Listen to your children and allow them to express their feelings. For additional information, visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network at www. nctsn.org.

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

Your Health Matters

A bi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American December 18, 2014

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

Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher

Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO

Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President

Chris King, Editorial Director

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

Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter

Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach

Onye Hollomon, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales

Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager

Angelita Jackson, Cover Design

Wiley Price, Photojournalist

Women and men who live in the Chicago Heights area and Elmwood Park neighborhood in St. Louis County receive health study findings about possible medical problems in the area related to trichloroethylene exposure through the groundwater.

Test on vapor exposure offers no proof of health problems

By Sandra Jordan

Of The St. Louis American

Residents in the Chicago Heights Boulevard and Elmwood Park neighborhood in unincorporated St. Louis County did not get the answers they were seeking about potentially harmful health effects from TCE water contamination seeping into their homes as vapor through the ground.

TCE is short for trichloroethylene, a colorless, odorless industrial solvent used to remove grease from metal parts at Missouri Metals, a nearby manufacturing plant that has been located on Page

n “The disease rates would need to be much, much higher to conclude that Chicago Heights residents had a greater risk of developing TCE-related conditions.”

– Rich DeClue, epidemiology manager, St. Louis County Health Department

Avenue in Overland since 1957. TCE is also an ingredient of some adhesives as well as in paint and spot removers.

As posted on the Saint Louis County Department of Health’s website, it received a report from the Environmental

Protection Agency in December 2013 that detailed a serious environmental problem in the Chicago Heights neighborhood from the presence of TCE. The EPA report found that elevated levels of TCE exist in many places in the Chicago

Heights neighborhood, requiring the immediate action of the public health community.

Earlier this year, the Saint Louis County Department of Health conducted a health survey in the Chicago Heights neighborhood to determine the health status of that community. This included current residents of the community and former residents as well.

Residents said there have been several cases of cancer and some birth defects among persons who live or formerly lived in the area. Residents had asked the

See TCE, page 5

Photo by Wiley Price

Analysis uncovers link between persistent asthma and cardiovascular disease

A new study presented recently at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2014 Scientific Sessions reported that patients with persistent asthma had a 60 percent higher risk of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, angina, stroke, and cardiovascular/stroke death, over a nine-year follow-up period when compared with individuals without asthma.

In addition, the investigators also observed significantly elevated age-adjusted levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen (markers of inflammation) among patients with persistent asthma, a finding that suggests a link between the inflammatory processes in asthma and cardiovascular disease. Still, investigators say the reason for the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease among persons with asthma is not known.

n The study included a mix of patients, including white, Chinese, AfricanAmerican, and Hispanic individuals. Nearly half of the patients were male, and the average age was 62 years.

The analysis, led by Dr. Matthew Tattersall of the University of Wisconsin, Madison included 6792 individuals participating in MESA. The study included a mix of patients, including white, Chinese, AfricanAmerican, and Hispanic individuals. Nearly half of the patients were male, and the average age was 62 years. Of the cohort, 156 had persistent asthma, defined as the need for regular controller medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, and leukotriene inhibitors; 511 had intermittent asthma (those diagnosed with asthma but not taking controller medication); and 6125 were without asthma.

Among patients with persistent asthma, 84.1 percent were alive and free from cardiovascular disease at 10 years compared with 91.1 percent of patients with intermittent asthma and 90.2 percent of patients without asthma. After adjustment for age, race, and gender, as well as other potential confounding variables such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes, medication use, body-mass index, family history, and income, individuals with persistent asthma had a 59 percent increased risk of cardiovascular-disease

events compared with those without asthma. There was no association between those with intermittent asthma and cardiovascular outcomes.

“The most important clinical take-home message from our research is that patients with asthma and their physicians should be aware that they are increased risk for

heart and vascular disease,” senior investigator Dr. James Stein of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. “Although we are not certain of the mechanism, it behooves them to pay close attention to their traditional risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and obesity.”

Mental health support for Ferguson area families

For residents seeking mental health services, the Missouri Resilience Coalition is continuing to provide mental health support and services to children, families and residents of Ferguson and the surrounding areas. The Coalition,

which includes behavioral health, social services and related organizations, is also working closely with the faith community, and mental health professionals will be stationed at various churches throughout the area.

Individuals seeking help can talk personally and confidentially to staff with the skills to listen, calm, provide words of encouragement, and engage people in conversation. Staff will also refer individuals to appropriate sources if longer-term

assistance is needed. The Access Crisis Intervention (ACI) number (800-8114760) is available 24 hours a day to help individuals in crisis.

TCE

Continued from page 3

St. Louis County Department of Health to investigate the TCE vapor plume levels and health effects of children and families living in the area.

TCE can cause heart defects in fetuses of pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy if enough exposure occurs, as well as autoimmune disorders, kidney damage and cancer of the liver, kidney and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Where permitted, the health department conducted surveys and tested exposure of TCE vapors that seep through the ground into basements and concrete slabs of residences.

A little more than a dozen women and men attended the session at First Baptist Church Elmwood a couple of weeks ago to discuss the health department’s study findings.

”The highest concentrations of TCE in the basements that were sampled falls very, very low on the scale,” said Rich DeClue, epidemiology manager at Saint Louis County Health Department.

Their study examined 134 residents or apartments, with 90 adult men and 44 children in the study who completed surveys. With the area being 96 percent African American, the health department compared the study group to unaffected groups of African Americans in the county and state to look for any differences.

“For heart disease, we found the rates were statistically higher than Missouri, Missouri black African Americans in St. Louis County,” DeClue said. “Because of this, we looked at exposures, so those who had been living in Chicago Heights at this time span and had been diagnosed with heart disease. It shows that they were not statistically different from Missouri, Missouri black African Americans or St. Louis County.”

In regards to cancer rates, DeClue said they did not see a statistical difference and the same was said for stroke, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. And there were no first trimester heart defects in the sampled population.

Diabetes rates were higher than reported for Missouri and St. Louis County. Obesity rates were high but not statistically different from others, DeClue said.

“Bearing the limitations of the study overall, the size of the sample, the overall statistics were difficult,” DeClue said. “The disease rates would need to be much, much higher to conclude that Chicago Heights residents had a greater risk of developing TCE-related conditions.”

Participation in the study by residents was voluntary, which points to the problem for health investigators – low participation. The sample size of participants

was too small to make firm conclusions, said health department Director Delores Gunn, MD.

“Based on the information that the residents of Chicago Heights who were willing to participate and gave us, it was not enough information to say, or we could not prove a statistically significant scientific point between the current reason and the population of people who live here in Chicago Heights and TCE,” Dr. Gunn said.

“It is very difficult scientifically to prove that people have been exposed to something and that exposure has actually caused the disease, unless you see something very obvious in a population that’s unusual.”

During the Q&A session following the presentation, some of those who spoke suggested the sample area should have included neighborhoods east of Diehlman, not just those who lived to the west of Diehlman.

“Why is it that the people east of Diehlman are excluded?” one woman asked. There are over 30 homes on the other side of Diehlman. “In my family alone, there are eight people in my immediate or extended family who have died from one form of cancer or another.”

Some residents expressed concerns about TCE groundwater contamination possibly contaminating food grown in their gardens. Another resident suggested the vapor plume could have moved.

“Maybe they should have tested the park,” she said.

“I am so tired of all of you coming out here, and that goes for the EPA too –

and excluding people, that should not be done,” she added. “You can’t have people agreeing to work with you if you exclude them.”

Dr. Gunn explained that scientifically, they started with the area closest to the plume, which would include residents who were most likely to be affected and expansion of the sample area would need the Environmental Protection Agency.

The health department recommended several next steps, including vapor mitigation systems (some residents have already installed) for all residents and apartments; visiting the County health department with any medical concerns; and participation in health education and promotion activities, such as their Healthy Home program, for asthma management.

Residents were given summaries of the health department report and health officials posted the full 65-page report online as well as related documents to the TCE contamination. Find out more at http://www.stlouisco.com/ HealthandWellness/TCE.

For more information on Missouri Metals, visit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr. mo.gov/env/hwp/sfund/missourimetals-elmwoodpark.htm.

HealtHy Q & a

Questions and answers about lung cancer and African Americans

Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer deaths among all Americans, including African American men and due to later uptake of smoking, African American women since the early 1990s. The good news is that treatment possibilities for those with the disease are expanding. Targeted medicines guided by powerful new screening technologies have the potential to significantly improve lung cancer treatment.

Christopher S. Lathan, M.D., DanaFarber Cancer Institute, treats patients with the disease, answers some questions about lung cancer among African Americans.

Does lung cancer affect African American men more than other groups?

Of all ethnic/racial and gender groups in the United States, African American men are the most likely to develop lung cancer and also to die from the disease. We don’t know why that is. Smoking alone cannot explain the high incidence and mortality from the disease in African American men.

What causes lung cancer?

The main risk factor for lung cancer is cigarette smoking. However, smoking does not explain all cases of the disease. About 15 percent of cases occur in nonsmokers. More research is ongoing to understand the role of risk factors other than smoking.

Is lung cancer always fatal?

No. When detected at an early stage, lung cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the disease is frequently found at more advanced stages, when it cannot be cured. This is a tough disease to treat. We’re curing only about 15 percent of people with lung cancer.

Do beliefs about lung cancer differ among different racial and ethnic groups?

My research suggests that African Americans are less likely than whites to think that changing their behavior or lifestyle would decrease their risk of developing lung cancer. This concerns me because getting people to quit smoking is critical for making progress against this disease.

What should the public know about

smoking and lung cancer?

First, if you smoke, the best thing you can do for your overall health is to stop. Help is available, such as the toll-free quit line 1-877-44U-QUIT. Second, if you smoke now or smoked in the past, talk to your doctor about whether you should be screened for lung cancer based on your age and smoking history.

What do you hear from patients about the disease?

Many African Americans in my clinics tell me that they never thought lung cancer would affect them or their community, even though the disease clearly has a large impact on their community. I also hear people say that there are no treatments for lung cancer, yet treatments are available.

Have treatments for lung cancer

expanded in recent years?

We now live in an age of personalized medicine. We can identify subgroups of patients with lung cancer who are likely to respond to new treatments. These new therapies are often better at controlling cancer and have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

Are you optimistic about our ability to combat lung cancer in the future?

I am. In the future, we’re going to detect more lung cancers at earlier stages, when they may be treatable. We’re also making progress in treating lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. And, finally, fewer people smoke today than in the past. All of these things make me hopeful that things are going to get better with this disease. We just have a ways to go.

NCI leads the National Cancer Program and the NIH effort to dramatically reduce the prevalence of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI web site at www.cancer.gov or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

Source: National Cancer Institute

Email your health-related question to yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com. A health professional will provide an answer that will be printed in a future issue of Your Health Matters.

By Bret Berigan Christian Hospital

Poster proves a lifesaver for hospital worker

Willie Davis, who works in environmental services at Christian Hospital, stopped to read the colon cancer awareness poster that hung in the hospital’s lobby last March, he had no idea it would end up saving his life.

“I had been seeing the poster about getting a colonoscopy but had never really stopped to read it,” Davis said. “Then one day, I was there with Dennis (Emmons) from facilities and we read it together. I looked at him and said, ‘You know what? I have some of these symptoms,’ Just like that. I said there and then, ‘I’m going to get checked out and get my colonoscopy done.’”

Davis scheduled an appointment with Gastroenterologist Olayiwola Olabegi, MD, and underwent a colonoscopy shortly thereafter.

“After I had it done, the doctor came in and told me I had six polyps and one tumor removed, and he was pretty sure it was cancer,” said Davis. “I was scared for sure.” Davis then made an appointment to see Hannah Ha, MD, a colorectal surgeon.

“Dr. Ha doesn’t bite her tongue and I love her to death,” Davis said. “She told me I had cancer in my colon. I was hoping she’d tell me something different. She told me she was going to cut out about eight inches of my colon. She’s telling me all this and I’m about to pass out. And she told me I needed to lose five- to-10 pounds because she didn’t want me to have a heart attack on the table. I’m thinking, ‘Is there anything else she forgot to tell me?’”

Davis had his colon surgery at Christian Hospital May 15, two weeks after seeing Dr. Ha. “I was in surgery for seven hours and a patient for 10 days … and they took great care of me,” said Davis. “After that I had to have radiation for 30 days. I did everything here at Christian. I put my faith in this hospital and God.”

After recuperating at home until the end of July, Davis returned to work. “I had to come back to work. I just couldn’t sit around the house any longer,” said Davis. “I made arrangements to get my radiation done here after I got off work at 3 p.m. and that worked perfectly. The radiation therapists, treated me like a king and were all so caring. And then I took chemo pills, instead of having to walk around with a chemo pump.”

Through this life-changing experience, Davis has been able to help others. “What I’ve learned is that there are a lot of people walking around sick and they don’t even know it,” said Davis. “So far I’ve gotten six people to get their colonoscopies done, including my wife, Cheryl. You hear about stuff like this and see things happen, but when your turn comes you’ve just got to keep the faith. I’m fine now and just have a few things left to do with Dr. Q (Osama Qubaiah, MD) at Christian’s Cancer Care Center.”

Davis was surprised to learn that other

family members have been affected by colon cancer as well. “I found out that it kind of runs in my family,” said Davis, who discovered his cousin had surgery for colon cancer last year, and an uncle had died of it. “It’s definitely a silent killer because in some cases you don’t even know you got it.”

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• a change in your bowel habits, i.e., diarrhea, constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool

• rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

• persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain

• a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely

• weakness or fatigue

• unexplained weight loss

Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they will likely vary, depending on the cancer’s size and location in your large intestine.

One thing is for certain — Davis is proud to work and receive care at Christian. “I’ve been working here since

When to see a doctor

If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, make an appointment with your doctor.

Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.

January 1985, and in that time I’ve seen the emergency department and ICU save a bunch of people’s lives,” said Davis. Davis also credits the hospital with saving the lives of some of his family members.

“I believe in Christian Hospital,” said Davis. “And the Lord put me there in front of that poster that day like He was saying, ‘Look, you read this and go get it taken care of.’ And I put my faith in the doctors and nurses here — that’s what I did — and it saved my life.”

For more information about colon cancer, visit the American Cancer Society at http://bit.ly/1Ba9A8G.

Sat. Feb. 7, 2015, Doorways Gala, Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, For more information, vist www.doorwaysred.org.

Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I-270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends.

HealtH Calendar

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

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, call 314-839-3171.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. –STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group

This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia. Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

First Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Family Support Group by NAMI St. Louis, The Alliance on Mental Illness at Transfiguration Lutheran Church, 1807

Biddle Street. No registration needed; no cost. For more information, call 314-962-4670.

Free psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations are confidential at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. Call 314839-3171.

Willie Davis

12 portions

Ingredients:

3 lbs. Pork Tenderloin, lean.

3 cups Low-calorie Apple Cider

1 cup Low-sodium chicken broth

2 tbsp Dried Rosemary

1 tbsp. Fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

1 tbsp. Orange rind

1 tbsp. Olive oil

6 g Garlic cloves

¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper

1 gr Green apple (thinly sliced)

2 oz. Bay leaf (2 leaves)

Preparation:

• Combine rosemary, ginger, orange H

Apple Glazed Pork Tenderloin

rind, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper, and garlic. Rub mixture evenly over tenderloin. Place pork in a deep dish, cover and chill for one hour.

• Combine apple cider and bay leaves in a skillet. Bring to a boil over medium to high heat. Cook until it is reduced to 1.5 cups (approx. 10 minutes). Add chicken broth and bring back to a boil.

• Add pork. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until done.

• Remove pork from skillet and bring the remainder of liquid to a boil. Add sliced apples to liquid. Cook until it is reduced to ¾ cup (approx. 8 minutes).

• Strain the liquid through a sieve into a

bowl. Set apple slices aside and discard the remaining solid leftovers.

• Slice pork tenderloin. Spoon liquid over pork and place apple slices on top.

Nutrition Information: (per serving)

Calories: 164 (36 calories from fat)

Total Fats: 4g (Monounsaturated: 1.8g,

Polyunsaturated: .7g; Saturated:1.1g;

Trans Fat: 0)

Cholesterol: 74mg

Carbohydrates: 7g

Sugar: 2g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Protein: 25g

Potassium: 508mg

Sodium: 82mg

Food Outreach continues to be the only nonprofit organization in the greater St. Louis area that focuses on providing critical nutritional support to individuals with a life-threatening illness. Through a combination of prepared meals, groceries and nutrition counseling, the organization is able to enhance the quality of life of low income men, women and children living with cancer or HIV/AIDS. The on-staff chef and on-staff registered dietitian work together to develop menus that are tailored to the specific nutrition needs of Food Outreach clients. Food Outreach is on pace to provide 410,000+ nutritious meals to 1,500 clients residing in 137 Missouri and Illinois zip codes in 2009. For more information, call 314-652-3663 or visit www.foodoutreach.org

Asthma

Free asthma and allergy clinic by Saint Louis University students at the HRC, every other Wednesday afternoon 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment with SLU physician Dr. Raymond Slavin. The clinic offers allergy skin tests, pulmonary function tests and asthma and allergy education. It is located in the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 N. Kingshighway, between Martin Luther King Drive and Page Blvd. For more information, call 314-720-1522.

Behavioral

Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

Christian Hospital Key Program offers support and education to patients with chronic mental illness to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314-8393171 or 1-800-447-4301.

Crime Victim Advocacy Center pro-

HealtH ResouRces

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

Bike helmet safety

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

Breast Cancer

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

Dental

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

Diabetes CHIPS Diabetes Support Group is open to anyone and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, call 314-652-9231.

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

Fresh Food Coop

Community Helpings Coop sells fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods at wholesale prices in locations throughout the St. Louis area and Metro-East. For more information, visit www.communityhelpingscoop.com.

Health Partnerships

The Center for Community Health and Partnerships: Building Bridges for Healthy Communities works to develop and support beneficial community-academic partnerships to address the health needs of the St. Louis. For more information, email publichealth@wustl.edu; phone 314-747-9212 or visit publichealth. wustl.edu.

Information

Missouri 2-1-1 offers referral and information on a wide range of social service and helpful resources. Call 2-1-1.

Lupus

A Lupus Support Group in North St. Louis County meets the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Community Room #1 at Northwest Health Care, 1225 Graham Rd. in Hazelwood. RSVP to the Lupus Foundation of America at 314-644-2222 or email info@lfaheartland.org.

Medical

CHIPS Health & Wellness Center offers no cost medical, dental, psychiatric, chiropractic health care for uninsured children and adults by appointment only. $25 annual fee requested. For more information, call 314-652-9231 or visit www. chipsstl.org.

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

Salam Free Saturday Clinic, 10 a.m. –2 p.m. at the Isom Community Center at Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 916 N.

Newstead, St. Louis, Mo. for those who are uninsured. For more information, call 314-533-0534.

Nutrition

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

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

Prostate Cancer

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

Prescription Cost Help

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

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

Respiratory

Health

Free lung function screening - Christian Hospital Breathing Center at Northwest HealthCare, 1225 Graham Rd. For more information, call 314-953-6040. Free flu shots for patients being treated for an illness or injury at Downtown Urgent Care (314-436-9300), North City Urgent Care (314-932-1213), Creve Coeur Urgent Care (314-548-6550) and Eureka Urgent Care (636-549-2100).

Sexual Health

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

The SPOT offers private, reproductive, mental and behavioral health services at no charge to youth ages 13-24, Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at 4169 Laclede Ave. For more information, call 314-535-0413 or visit http:// thespot.wustl.edu.

STI testing and treatment at North City Urgent Care and Downtown Urgent Care. For more information, call 314436-9300.

Position/Where:

Hematology/Phlebotomy Technical Coordinator at Christian Hospital

Career Highlights: ASCP certified

Profiling PeoPle in HealtH

Dawn J. Bethel MT (ASCP), MBA

Manages the laboratory’s peer interviewing process

Active member of the hospital’s grievance panel

Often serves as an interim hematology supervisor in the absence of the official

supervisor

Awards: 2013-Recognized as a High performer by Christian hospital

Education: Master of Business Administration from Webster University Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from Saint Louis University

Personal:

Mother of Kyla, Khalin and Kaci Often attends Grace church in Maryland Heights, Mo.

St. Louis Connection: Hazelwood West High School

Journey to success: My decision to enter a science field happened early on in life. My mother and father were helping me study for the ‘Black History bowl’ that was to take place at McKinley Elementary School (now closed) in Normandy, Mo. It was during this time that my father informed me that although there were significant contributions to science by many black men and women, there was a decline of black people entering into science fields (at that time, mid 80’s). I already loved science and math, so the decision was easy. I was going to do something pertaining to science but, I had no idea what. I excelled in high school, taking several honors classes, being a member of the national honors society, a member of the precision guard and frequently volunteering at local nursing homes. During the latter part of my senior year, I found my father dead in his home. I was devastated. He motivated me to excel in school and life. He was a significant contributor of my mentality that being mediocre is not enough. He pushed me to reach for the stars and not to settle for less. Don’t get me wrong, my mother provided motivation as well. She was my stability, my rock. She encouraged me to remember what I learned from my father and apply those principles to my life. She encouraged me to pick up the pieces and keep going. So I did. I had earned several academic scholarships. One of them being the Calloway scholarship through Saint Louis University. During a required freshman weekend retreat for this scholarship, I was introduced to Clinical Laboratory Science by the former Chair of the department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Peggy Edwards.

After her presentation, I was certain I had found my major. I struggled as I pursued my degree at SLU. I did not feel that high school had prepared me for what I was facing in college. At one point, I was placed on academic probation for my scholarships and I was not sure that graduating was in my future. Plus, I was not a typical undergraduate college student. By this time, I had met the love of my life, Karl Bethel. We got married and had our first child by 1998. With hard work and the encouragement and support of my husband and my mother, I was able to successfully earn my bachelor’s degree. I began work at Missouri Baptist Medical Center the week following graduation as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (generalist). I loved it too. Remembering a lesson from my paternal grandfather, ‘to put some meat on head everyday’, that’s what I did. I tried to learn something new every day. I still try to learn new things every day to this very day. As life went on, my husband and I had two more beautiful children. I decided to go part time to be with my babies as much as possible. That is what prompted the transfer to Christian hospital. As the children entered school, I switched to a day shift position with a focus in Hematology. As I grew in my career, I began to become interested in what it takes to run, operate and manage a successful laboratory. I was offered opportunities to take on more leadership roles in the lab such as being the charge technologist and leading the peer interviewing team. Then the ultimate door of opportunity opened. BJC began offering MBA cohorts with Webster University to their employees. This was an important move because now my dream is to become a laboratory director. Most importantly, I want to be an inspiration to my children letting them know that they can do anything that they put their minds to doing. During the pursuit of my MBA, my husband was killed in a terrible drunk driving accident on March 2, 2012. My husband had been one of my biggest advocates (along with my mom) to pursue this dream. So I did. I think Karl would be proud. Not too long after graduation, I received a promotion to my current position as the Hematology and Phlebotomy technical coordinator of Christian hospital laboratory. I am still working my way to my dream of one day becoming a laboratory director.

Avoid naughty holiday eating by choosing fruits, vegetables

Are decadent treats and meals putting you on the naughty list this holiday season? Make healthier choices and get more fruits and vegetables with these tips from the American Heart Association.

Snack on fruit or veggies before the party. Have a high-fiber snack, such as an apple, before heading out. It’ll help you feel full and avoid overeating.

Skip the cheese plate. Find the fruit and veggies instead. Skip the chips and creamy dip and try hummus with carrot sticks.

Swap veggies for crackers and chips. Can’t resist your aunt’s famous party dip? Try dunking a crisp celery stick instead of crackers or chips.

Try fruit for dessert. If you want to cap off your meal with a special dessert, try baked apples or pears stuffed with spices and nuts. The natural flavors can satiate your sweet tooth.

Pack in the veggies. Making a stew in the slow cooker? Go easy on the meat. Load up on sturdy winter vegetables like squash, carrots or turnips.

Roast your veggies. Make a batch of seasoned, chopped winter vegetables at the beginning of the week. You’ll have delicious options to make quick side dishes, toss into greens for a wintry salad or add to soups, casseroles or pasta. The rich, caramelized flavor will make you want to reach for seconds.

Use juice. Instead of adding sugar to mixed drinks, mix 100 percent juice with water or use a freshly squeezed lime, lemon or orange. Mix juice with club soda for a festive, sparkling (and kid-friendly!) beverage.

Employees with financial incentives are more likely to participate in wellness programs

n “While the jury is still out about whether workplace wellness programs improve health, the programs have great potential.”

New research shows that when employers offered financial incentives, employees were 33 times more likely to participate in telephone health coaching, and did so sooner, than employees without incentives. Telephone health coaching – one-on-one phone calls with a personal health coach – is one of myriad employee wellness programs that employers and insurers can offer today. With all that goes on in the workplace, employee wellness programs can sometimes go unnoticed; however this new research shows that adding an incentive can drastically change participation numbers, thus leading to a potential increase in overall health and a decrease in costs for health plans. The findings were presented last month at the annual meeting of the Obesity Society in Boston, Mass.

– Jason Block, MD, TOS Member and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Population Medicine

“While the jury is still out about whether workplace wellness programs improve health, the programs have great potential,” said lead author Jason Block, MD, TOS Member and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Population Medicine. “Our goal was to evaluate what motivates people to participate in these programs and what strategies companies and insurers can use to get everyone involved. Our data show that financial incentives clearly work to motivate participation in a health coach program.”

From October 2010 to July 2013, researchers led by Dr. Block gathered data on adult members of one non-profit health plan. They compared the uptake of a telephone health coaching program among the 16,961 members who received financial incentives to the 974,782 members who did not. Their research found that during the nearly three-year follow-up period, 10 percent of the members with incentives began using the telephone health coaching, whereas only 0.3 percent of those without the incentives did so. Financial incentives were also strongly associated with how long it took members to begin using the program. Members who used the telephone health coaching typically had six to seven interactions with a coach over an average duration of four months, where they discussed their lifestyle, assessed their health situation and concerns, and worked to develop specific health goals.

“This research gives us a solid foundation to build upon,” said Eric Finkelstein, PhD, MHA, associate research professor in the Duke Global Health Institute at Duke University. “The next step is to measure changes in these participants’ health behaviors, and identify long-term success.”