March 30th, 2017 Edition

Connecting learning with life

Fifth grade social entrepreneurs Karon Hunt, Savion Wilson, Jamar Aaron, Paul Thomas, Mya Wilson, and Ja’Nyah Smith from Farragut Elementary School presented their winning design to transform a rundown teacher’s lounge into a quiet study lounge to two of the judges of Saint Louis Public Schools’ Love of Learning Design Challenge. Six teams of finalists from grades 5-12 were asked to find workable solutions for homelessness, food deserts and lack of safe spaces.

By Sandra Jordan

‘The black

By Rebecca Rivas

and got caught up in street violence.

n “We are going to take back our streets.”

“So many of our youth are taking early trips to prison forever or ending up in the graveyard,” Ali said. “If you are a loose screw on society, the devil’s going to get you.”

– Brother Anthony Shahid

When Ali got out of prison a year and a half ago, he immediately joined local activist Brother Anthony Shahid in educating youth at schools, jails and in the community about the grave consequences of street violence. He joined the Tauheed Youth Group, a mentoring group for high-risk, African-American young men and women that Shahid founded in

students. In a unique learning experience, Saint Louis Public Schools turned to its students to propose ideas on how to use space to address issues in the schools and the community. Students became social entrepreneurs in the district’s first Love of Learning Design Challenge.

is

“That’s the beauty of the design-thinking process, it starts with empathy,” said Glenn Barnes, the social studies curriculum specialist who came up with the concept of the design challenge. “So they have the ability to make a connection between their head and their heart to an issue that is important to them.”

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Dr. Jacqueline Turner has delivered somewhere around 5,000 babies during her 30 years practicing in obstetrics and gynecology.

“It has happened on many occasions, when I’ll go to a delivery and have a room full of relatives of the patients and will have delivered babies for everyone in the room – which is a great feeling to have,” Turner said. “We take care of a lot of families that way.” Growing her private practice is one of Turner’s proudest professional achievements, she said.

When she completed her residency at Harlem Hospital, Turner came to St. Louis in 1987 to serve at Grace Hill Community Health Center, where she stayed for more than seven years before she went into private practice. Over the years, she added a nurse practitioner and a second doctor to her practice, called West End Ob-Gyn. Then in 2008, they became part of the BJC Medical Group and relocated to her current office near the St. Louis Community College - Forest Park campus.

“If I had to describe Dr. Turner in one word, it would be ‘dedicated,’” said Amy Elliott, a patient who has been with Turner for 12 years. “Her patients come first to her, and she treats each of us with the same level of respect and care. She is truly a caring individual, and her level of professionalism deserves to be recognized.”

On Friday, April 28, Turner will receive the Stellar Performer Award at the Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon, an event that raises money for college scholarships

By Rebecca Rivas

Photo by Wiley Price

Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

Dr. Jacqueline Turner

Brother Anthony Shahid organizing youth in Canfield Green Apartments during the early days of the Ferguson unrest.

Fetty Wap won’t comply with law enforcement following robbery

New Jersey rapper Fetty Wap robbed by a hometown rival of more than $450k in jewelry in a late night altercation that was caught on video and left three members of his entourage injured.

TMZ reports said that Wap is not cooperating with law enforcement. The celebrity news and gossip site says he is refusing to speak with police and intends to handle the issues in-house.

The alleged perpetrator, Raheem “Fuzz” Thomas, CEO of Muscle Music, was arrested after he posted photos of himself wearing Wap’s jewelry on Instagram and was clearly visible in the surveillance video evidence.

Are NeNe’s credit cards no good?

Popular YouTube blogger and personal stylist Arielle Cristiana claims NeNe Leakes’ credit card is often declined during shopping trips.

On her YouTube Channel, Cristiana gets candid about her experience.

“I’ve meet NeNe [Leakes] a couple times, a few times actually,” Cristiana said. “She used to shop with me at a couple of the stores where I worked… and I will say... Nene’s credit card was declined more often than not. So where them Trump checks [b-word expletive]!?”

Irvin says assault claims are ‘completely false’

Michael Irvin is vehemently denying accusation that he sexually assaulted a woman at a Ft. Lauderdale hotel.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ Sports that a 27-year-old Florida woman filed a police report

claiming she and the NFL Hall of Famer were out at a bar in the early hours of March 21 when they went back to his hotel.

The woman reportedly said that they were in Irvin’s room when she began to feel sick. She says the last thing she remembers is fighting him off. She says when she woke up he was about to check out, leaving her behind. She took an Uber home and called 911 at 7:30 a.m.

She told cops she feared she was drugged and raped. She was advised to go to a medical lab for a swab and a blood test, which she did.

Meanwhile, Irvin says the night when nothing like his accuser claims. He said he was out at a bar with a group of people – including the woman – until around 4:30 a.m. on March 21. When he returned to his hotel and she followed. Irvin says he had an early flight, was in the room for only 15 minutes and had no sexual contact with the woman. He also says another male was present.

Irvin’s lawyer, Larry Friedman issued the following statement to TMZ Sports: “Michael was in Ft. Lauderdale visiting his nieces and nephews at a track meet. He was also visiting his 90-year-old aunt and attending her birthday party. He was blindsided by news of these allegations. They are completely false. In the few hours since we’ve learned about

them we’ve already discovered many red flags about this young woman’s background and the allegations she made against Irvin. She was very drunk that night. Nothing happened and there was no assault.”

Jackson family drama continues

According to TMZ, Katherine Jackson has filed for a permanent restraining order against her nephew, Trent Jackson, who has been caring for her since her son Michael Jackson died in 2009. The matriarch filed a declaration saying she thinks Trent has stolen from her and committed elder abuse against her, something Trent has strongly denied.

Katherine is reportedly in London, where she’s said to have been for months. She has not been seen, but some of her kids say she’s scared to come back to the U.S. because she’s afraid of Trent.

Trent says Katherine’s being manipulated by Jermaine Jackson and some of her other kids – adding the kids made the stories up and Katherine may not have even signed the declaration.

Sources: TMZ.com, YouTube.com, Instagram

Michael Irvin

Fetty Wap

Maplewood sued for discrimination

Advocates say ordinance targets

minorities, people with disabilities, domestic violence victims

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council (EHOC) filed a federal housingdiscrimination lawsuit on March 13 against the City of Maplewood, alleging that Maplewood’s “chronic nuisance ordinance” violates the Fair Housing Act on the basis of race, sex, and disability.

“Maplewood enforces this ordinance in a way that punishes people for seeking help, including residents with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence,” said Will Jordan, executive director of EHOC. “Although Maplewood claims this promotes public safety, this chronic nuisance ordinance does no such thing. Instead it makes the community less safe by discouraging crime victims from contacting the police.”

Under this ordinance, Maplewood revokes the occupancy permits of residents who are deemed “chronic nuisances” because their households have generated two or more police calls within 180 days. It does not require that person in the household have been convicted of crime, and it enforces the ordinance even against a resident who is a victim of crime.

Revoking a resident’s occupancy permit effectively exiles that person from the city for a period of time – because it is a crime to live in Maplewood without an occupancy permit. Hundreds of municipalities around the country have adopted versions of such a nuisance ordinance in recent years. Studies have shown that such ordinances can be severely discriminatory in practice, Jordan said, and they believe Maplewood’s is as well.

Maplewood City Manager Marty

Corcoran told the American, “We don’t believe the allegations in the lawsuit are true and we look forward to defending ourselves in the court of law.”

EHOC filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, after a “painstaking” investigation into the way the city enforces the ordinance, said Kalila Jackson, EHOC’s senior staff attorney.

“The City of Maplewood has one of the most erroneous nuisance ordinances in the country,” Jackson said.

Reviewing five years of data, EHOC investigators found that 55 percent of the enforcement action are against African Americans, in cases where we the race if the household could be identified. Black residents make up only 17 percent of Maplewood’s population. The lawsuit claims that the ordinance is enforced “selectively” and ignores “similar conduct” by non-black residents. Additionally, 25 percent of the enforcement actions were taken against people with disabilities, and 37 percent rose out of incidents of domestic violence, Jackson said.

The ordinance is also enforced regardless of whether or not the resident was seeking help or was the victim of domestic violence, Jackson said. In one case, a suicidal man’s occupancy permit was revoked for making too many calls for medical assistance, Jackson said. Another resident suffering from depression had his occupancy permit revoked for a “peace disturbance” after his girlfriend made a police call to report that he was considering committing suicide.

In other cases, Maplewood deemed the survivor of domestic violence a “nuisance,” revoking her occupancy permit or putting her permit on a probationary period, thus precluding

her from calling the police again.

Gretchen Arnold, assistant professor of women’s and gender studies at Saint Louis University, has done multiple studies looking at the impact of local nuisance ordinances on victims of domestic violence.

n EHOC investigators found that 55 percent of the enforcement action are against African Americans, whereas black residents make up only 17 percent of Maplewood’s population.

“Nuisance laws trigger the women’s evictions from their homes, causing them to lose their eligibility for government housing assistance, and leaving many homeless or in unstable housing conditions,” Arnold said.

“They also discourage battered women from calling 911 for protection, which can cause the relationship violence to

escalate and puts them at greater risk of serious injury.”

Once evicted, Arnold said these women are labeled a nuisance in landlords’ databases and have more trouble renting new apartments, often having to move to more dangerous neighborhoods with their children.

EHOC is represented by the national civil rights law firm Relman, Dane & Colfax PLLC and local civil rights attorney Thomas Kennedy, III, L.C.

“It is remarkable enough that Maplewood claims the power to banish people from the city who haven’t been convicted of any crimes,” said Sasha SambergChampion of Relman, Dane & Colfax. “Unsurprisingly, that authority has been abused. There is no legitimate reason to target AfricanAmerican residents for much harsher enforcement. And it is simply cruel as well as illegal to punish people for being abused or for having a disability.”

Disability advocates have lent their support to EHOC’s enforcement of the Fair Housing Act’s protections for families and individuals with disabilities.

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community-based, recovery-oriented services for adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. Joe Yancy, executive director of Places for People, said their clients are often negatively impacted by local nuisance ordinances due to a broader lack of understanding on how to engage individuals with disabilities.

“We applaud EHOC’s effort to ensure equal housing opportunities for all people regardless of their disability by promoting trauma-informed interactions with law enforcement and city officials,” Yancey said.

Additionally, national experts on nuisance ordinances are supporting the local advocates’ suit. Thousands of local governments across the country have enacted nuisance property or crime-free ordinances under the guise of advancing public safety, said Kate Walz, Director of Housing Justice at the Shriver Center and a national expert on these laws.

Walz said, “Local governments should consider other, more legal methods for improving public safety, such as working directly with renters as partners to improve the quality and safety of their housing.”

Kalila Jackson, senior staff attorney at Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council, talks about the housingdiscrimination lawsuit the group filed on March 14 against the City of Maplewood and its “chronic nuisance ordinance.”

Editorial /CommEntary

The St. Louis American endorses …

The city’s vacancy problem means more than just eyesores in our neighborhoods and lost property-tax income. Those buildings also become crime hubs that terrorize our families. Proposition NS (neighborhood stabilization) on the city ballot is a $40 million bond issue to stabilize vacant, city-owned residential properties and make them rehab-ready. If approved, the bond would be repaid through a property-tax increase – which would start with a one-cent annual raise the first year and eventually go up to a seven-cent increase. Too many taxpayer dollars have been used for economic development that ends up only gentrifying our neighborhoods and benefitting only the middle or upper class. Organizers have ensured us that affordable housing projects would be prioritized. They said, “Under our watch, there will be inclusion in the bidding process and an intensive focus on lifting up low-income families with every decision made.” Prop NS would eventually cost about $11 a year on a $100,000 home. We think that’s a small price to pay to finally address a problem that is killing some of our neighborhoods and discouraging newcomers to the city. We urge a vote of YES on PRoPoSItIon nS Proposition P on St. Louis County ballots would impose a one-half of one percent sales tax to provide funds to improve police and public safety in St. Louis County and St. Louis County municipalities. We agree with critics who say that proponents of the measure have not been sufficiently clear about where and how the resulting revenues will be dedicated. “Where is the money going?” Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation said on St. Louis Public Radio. “Has this been discussed with county government? Why hasn’t that been shared with the public? What other intentions do you have beyond police? Public safety is a general term.” Advocates of this measure have failed to do the necessary work to build more broad consensus and to justify the need for the funds and detail more specifically how they will be spent. We urge a vote of no on PRoPoSItIon P

While the St. Louis Community College’s current board makeup may be diverse in race and professional backgrounds, what it completely lacks is diversity in age. We need some fresh, young blood on the Board of Trustees to help the college realize its goals of connecting with the community, creating a pipeline for high-school students to transition more fluidly into college and supporting innovation to meet the challenges to educate students for changing workforce needs. Both Miranda Avant-Elliott and Ciera Simril have the drive and experience to do that. Miranda Avant-Elliott, a Subdistrict 1 candidate, is the supervisor of college and career readiness for St. Louis Public Schools, the first district to participate in STLCC’s Early College Academy pilot program. As a board trustee, Avant-Elliott could support the college in enhancing these partnerships. Being a public school educator for 15 years and now a collegepipeline specialist, she has the knowledge and experience to help STLCC achieve its goals for increasing enrollment and supporting students. We endorse MIRAndA AvAnt-ELLIott foR StLCC BoARd tRuStEE In SuBdIStRICt 1

Ciera Simril, a Subdistrict 2 candidate, is a neighborhood organization leader in North

President Trump called himself “instinctual,” but the word he must have been groping for was “untruthful.” He lies incessantly, shamelessly, perhaps even pathologically, and his lying corrodes and dishonors our democracy.

St. Louis and a member of the city’s Civilian Oversight Board, which reviews complaints of police misconduct. She is passionate about continuing to make STLCC a quality education and affordable for students. She will push for more transparency and engagement with the community. We endorse CIERA SIMRIL foR tHE StLCC BoARd tRuStEE In SuBdIStRICt 2.

Ferguson voters have the first opportunity to vote out Mayor James Knowles since their town attained international infamy following the unrest after the Ferguson Police shooting of Michael Brown Jr. While Ella Jones, a new Ferguson City Council member and retired Mary Kay sales director, may not be the perfect candidate to become Ferguson’s first black mayor, she has the distinct advantage of not being Knowles, who works in a license office when not being America’s most notorious small-town mayor. We endorse ELLA JonES foR fERGuSon MAYoR

For years we have thought a compelling Republican or independent challenge to St. Louis’ Democratic nominee for mayor could shake up the city’s entrenched white Democratic power structure, which is set to continue its stranglehold on the city’s executive branch with the primary win by Lyda Krewson. Unfortunately, on the April 4 ballot we do not see a Republican or independent who can defeat this status quo Democrat and offer the city much-needed transparent and forward-thinking leadership.

Incumbent Comptroller Darlene Green has been a steady steward of the city’s finances and properly raised the alarm at various points when the city’s leadership suggested imprudent investments. We know how much more an activist can do with one of the three seats on the city’s chief fiscal body, and urge Green to use more of her political capital in the future to force positive change. We endorse dARLEnE GREEn foR St. LouIS CoMPtRoLLER

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

not all scholarships are created equal

By Karissa Anderson and Chris Walter Guest columnists

Readers may wonder why a group of students working with a scholarship organization would oppose expanding a scholarship. That just doesn’t sound right. However, not all scholarships are created equal and not all have the same impact. We oppose the expansion of Bright Flight. In a year when Missouri faces major budget shortfalls and fiscal conservativism is the watchword; the push to increase Bright Flight makes no sense. Bright Flight is the state’s most ineffective scholarship program. The Bright Flight scholarship is given to students who score in the top 3 percent on the ACT. This is the single measure that determines who is the “best and brightest” under the current guidelines. The award is given to students without regard for financial need. The goal of this award is to retain “talent” in Missouri (because apparently a high ACT score is thought to indicate talent). There are no requirements that students remain in the state after graduation, and the effects of the scholarship on achieving that outcome are not proven after 30-plus years of the program.

The fallout from rewarding students on the basis of test score only is damaging to Missouri. Most of the state does not benefit. Rural Missouri students account for just 11 percent of recipients, when 29 percent of Missouri’s students live outside the metropolitan areas. The only peerreviewed study of the program showed that less than 2percent of recipients were black, though 18 percent of the state’s students are black students. While the majority of recipients come from St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, the students primarily graduate from the wealthier suburbs or private high schools. The Bright Flight Scholarship provides scarce Missouri public funds to students who largely do not need them. We have heard

arguments that when Bright Flight was created (over 30 years ago), it was not intended to be a need-based program (and equity was not a goal). In times of severe scarcity, public dollars should be directed where public need is greatest.

The students of our coalition assert that no increase should be afforded to Bright Flight, but rather that the $4 million proposed by Governor Greitens be instead directed to Access Missouri, the state’s need-based scholarship. Access Missouri serves more than 50,000 students across the state, and the program has consistently struggled to meet statutory minimums because the need is so great. Funding access to higher education is the obvious answer to making sure we have a stronger work force. We cannot afford economically, morally, or otherwise to be funding programs that favor the wealthy while underfunding everything else.

Karissa Anderson is the manager of Advocacy & Policy Research at The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis & St. Louis Graduates. She oversees The Active Advocacy Coalition. Chris Walter is a student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an Education Policy intern with The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

Of course we’ve had presidents who lied -- to name a few, Lyndon Johnson about Vietnam, Richard Nixon about Watergate, Bill Clinton about Monica Lewinsky. But the key word in these examples is “about.” Other presidents had comprehensible though illegitimate reasons for lying about specific things. Trump often lies for no discernible purpose other than to pump up his own fragile ego. He even lies about his own lies. In an interview with Time magazine, he made the “instinctual” claim and portrayed himself as a modernday Nostradamus. “I predicted a lot of things,” he claimed. “Some things that came to you a little bit later. But, you know, we just rolled out a list.”

His list begins with Sweden. At a rally in Florida last month, Trump made an ominous reference to “what’s happening last night in Sweden.” In fact, nothing remarkable had happened in Sweden the previous night; Trump apparently saw a news report about immigration issues there, and must have mistakenly thought he heard a reference to a specific recent event -an honest mistake, for most people.

But Trump can’t admit it was a mistake at all. Two

Letters to

Correction

days after his remark, Sweden did see unrest in immigrant neighborhoods. So he counts that as a win, as if he had somehow seen the future.

Trump often uses clairvoyance as a justification for falsehoods. The most vivid recent example -- and perhaps the most damaging to the dignity and credibility of the presidency -- was the string of tweets that began with this: “Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my ‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!”

A host of present and former intelligence officials, including FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers, state categorically that there is no evidence any such thing took place. Trump initially sent press secretary Sean Spicer out to stand by the claim and demand

Nunes acknowledged that no, it did not. Not one of the “facts” Trump claimed was backed up – there is no evidence that President Obama ordered anything, no evidence that Trump Tower was wiretapped, no evidence that any of the “incidental” information was collected “before the victory.” But the president continues to insist he was right, because “a lot of information has just been learned, and a lot of information may be learned over the next coming period of time.”

Trump offered to Time that same I’m-a-soothsayer defense for his ridiculous claim that millions of people voted fraudulently in the election, thus causing him to lose the popular vote. No election official in any state has reported seeing voter fraud of this magnitude, or in fact of any magnitude.

a congressional investigation.

The White House finally admitted that one version of the allegation came from a Fox News legal analyst who was promptly refuted by his own network and pulled off the air.

But on March 22, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., dashed to the White House to tell Trump he had learned – from unnamed sources – that there may have been some “incidental” collection of intelligence from members of the Trump transition team. Asked by reporters if this supported Trump’s wiretapping claim,

the editor

reforms.

Last week’s editorial misstated that Martin Casas is on Rex Sinquefield’s payroll. We regret the error.

Committed to developing students

The election for the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees will be held April 4. While all other candidates for Subdistrict 1 are qualified, my choice is Dr. Kevin M. Martin.

Dr. Martin is actively committed to the development of students, as he has served as mentors to me and other students. He played a very impactful role in my college selection process, as well as my overall development and growth as a student and an individual. He has been a source of constant support, uplift and guidance throughout my current college career at Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Martin now wants to become even more involved in student’s lives by making the St. Louis Community College a better place for student’s development. I can personally attest to his impact and commitment to creating better lives and opportunities for those around him. I have gotten to know Dr. Martin and am confident he can and will deliver on his promise to improve the quality of life for our students.

Jordan Henderson St. Louis

Move forward on Medicaid expansion

Following advancement of Medicaid expansion legislation in Kansas and Virginia, we call on Missouri Republicans to move forward on similar

Bringing our federal tax dollars home to grow our economy, strengthen our budget and help people access quality health care should be a priority for Gov. Greitens and his colleagues in the Missouri General Assembly. With complete Republican control of the legislature, there is no reason for Gov. Greitens to delay common sense Medicaid reform, especially while Republican-controlled states like Kansas move forward.

Failing to act will only hurt working families in Missouri who are struggling to put food on the table and make ends meet.

Senate Bill 70 would expand Medicaid eligibility to

Trump also claimed that “I predicted Brexit,” except I can find no record of any such thing. When asked beforehand whether Britain would vote to leave the European Union, he said he didn’t know what would happen. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page, a conservative bastion, had this to say: “If President Trump announces that North Korea launched a missile that landed within 100 miles of Hawaii, would most Americans believe him? Would the rest of the world? We’re not sure, which speaks to the damage that Mr. Trump is doing to his presidency with his seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods.”

The president’s response: “I thought it was a disgrace that they could write that.” But no, Mr. Trump, the disgrace is all yours.

Missourians who have income at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level plus 5 percent of the applicable family size, which is less than $34,000 a year for a family of four. After years of criticizing the status quo, it’s time Republican leadership turns its words into action and fixes a broken Medicaid system by expanding access to working Missourians and their families. As a majority of other states have realized, moving forward on Medicaid expansion makes good fiscal sense while helping more people access the health care they need.

State Senator Scott Sifton State Senator Jill Schupp Jefferson City

Columnist Karissa Anderson

Columnist Eugene Robinson

Columnist Chris Walter

Darlene Green

6. Honorary co-chairs include Dr. Denise Hooks Anderson, Dr. Christy Richardson, Dr. Will Ross, Dr. Ebony January, Myrtis Spencer and Dr. Evelyn Irving.

Marion Medical Mission applications due April 1

The Marion Medical Mission is accepting applications for this year’s mission trip volunteers. Those chosen will spend approximately three weeks partnering with African communities to provide sustainable sources of safe drinking water to more than 2800 villages in remote areas of Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. Volunteers will participate in two teams in September or October for a three-week mission trip. Founded in 1985, the Marion Medical Mission has built more than 30,000 wells, and estimates that 85-90 percent of them remain functional. For more information or an application, please visit www.mmmwater.org. Completed applications are due no later than April 1

Auditor wants to hear about Sunshine Law violations

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway is calling on state and local government officials to renew commitments to the state’s open records and government transparency laws, known as the Missouri Sunshine Law. Last fall Auditor Galloway released a report that found just 30 percent of local governments across the state complied with the Sunshine Law. Auditor Galloway called the results “extremely disappointing” and demanded government to do better.

Individuals with information related to potential violations of the Sunshine Law or other inappropriate activities in government may contact the State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline by calling 800-347-8597, by emailing moaudit@auditor. mo.gov or by using the new online submission form at auditor.mo.gov/hotline. You may choose to remain anonymous and your identity will be protected.

Needed: New strategies for building political power

By Jamala Rogers

Last week’s mayoral result was like getting a whoopin’ as a kid because of something you weren’t supposed to do. Those whacks across the butt were painful, but you could’ve totally avoided them had you chose to do the right thing. You didn’t, and now you’re licking your wounds. The narrow margin of 888 votes between Lyda Krewson and Tishaura O. Jones only makes the results that much more agonizing for the African-American community.

In my February 16 column, “Mayoral race exposes lack of leadership,” a few mistakenly thought I was implying that we should only have one AfricanAmerican candidate in the race. It’s not about the numbers, it’s about our strategy for building political power. If we had 20 black people in the race, it would only prove that at least 20 people were interested in holding that office. That is not a strategy to win.

what do we want? Once that’s firmly established, who will fight with us to get it is the next phase? That’s taking elections out of the realm of personality to tangible outcomes.

The reason voter turnout is low and getting lower is because politicians or the political parties don’t really give a damn about voter turnout – at least not increasing voter turnout connected to building power. They are only concerned with the minimal number of votes needed to stay in office. A St. Louis alder can capture or maintain a ward with as low as 400 votes. Sad.

The post-election analysis is summing up the reasons why a majority non-white city gets a white mayor. Some of those reasons were male egos, when candidates got in the race and why (paid to siphon off votes?), black voter turnout, etc. There’s probably a bit of truth in all of these reasons, but there’s a more accurate explanation that has been the elephant in the room for nearly 40 years.

People have disengaged and continue to disengage from the current political system. Studies show that the wane in voter participation has been happening since the 1980s. Folks in this country seem to be more interested in voting for their favorite singer than a politician. American Idol voters casted a record 132 million votes in 2012, surpassing the number of popular votes in the presidential election. If you look at the average voter turnout in the last three mayoral primaries, it hovers a little over 20 percent. Does that look like most people – black or white – give a hoot about who’s in Room 200?

This can backfire on politicians when they need voters the most, but haven’t done the work. Alderman Jeffrey Boyd didn’t even win his own ward in the mayoral race. He came in fourth in the field of black mayoral candidates; only Bill Haas and Jimmie Mathews garnered fewer votes.

n From an organizer’s view, it’s the 72 percent who didn’t come out on March 7 that we need to focus on.

An elected official doesn’t educate and engage the constituents because he or she thinks that at some point that informed and organized base will turn on him or her. The base needs to turn on you or turn you out if you aren’t meeting their needs! Voter turnout, especially black voter turnout, is likely to get worse before it gets better given the corruption and insensitivity by status-quo politicians. People, not just the voting ones, need to be presented with organizing models that put them at the center – not put a politician in front. People are made to feel powerless because they’ve been told that only those who hold office have power. The organizing models that are emerging across the nation, such as People’s Assemblies, are organically built around community members working on issues that affect them and their families. Their strategies may include legislative tactics, but they are not relying solely on an elected official to deliver the goods and services.

The fact is that elections have not significantly improved the circumstances for many black folks. We’ve been hoodwinked to think that black faces in high places would change our lot. We’ve squandered resources, hope and futures thinking superficial things like race and gender are the key links to political and economic power.

The first question is not who to vote for, but

From an organizer’s view, it’s the 72 percent who didn’t come out on March 7 that we need to focus on. Maybe, just maybe, those folks are ready for a new kind of electoral strategy that builds real power and develops many leaders. Right now, these folks represent the majority and shouldn’t be dismissed. For politicians who’ve propped themselves up on bankrupt promises and undeserving authority, this is a scary proposition. Boo!

Jamala Rogers

Community Women Against Hardship is planning its 2017 Walk & Health Fair at Tower Grove Park on May

CWAH planning Walk & Health Fair

PROP 1

Continued from A1 which applies to city businesses that buy goods outside the state – increases by the same percentage.

Hence, Proposition 2 asks voters to take the $4 million projected revenue from the “use tax” increase and help fund a new Major League Soccer $155-million stadium downtown near Union Station. The city’s share in building the stadium is $60 million.

If Prop 1 fails, then Prop 2 automatically tanks as well. If Prop 1 passes and Prop 2 fails, then the $4 million usetax revenue would go towards another purpose. The use tax currently generates about $30 million a year, and that money goes towards public health, affordable housing, the police and a small portion towards building demolition.

Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia, who represents the 6th Ward, said the $4 million would most likely be divided up among the current budget needs if Prop 2 fails. Ingrassia sponsored the legislation for both Prop 1 and Prop 2. However, neither of these propositions was born from her initiative.

TURNER

Continued from A1 through the St. Louis American Foundation.

Turner is also on staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and participates in training residents and medical students.

“Although I now call her my colleague, it was not that long ago that I trained under Dr. Turner,” said Colleen McNicholas, assistant professor in Washington University School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“She has long been

The idea for the sales-tax increase came out of Mayor Francis G. Slay’s office last spring, said Patrick Brown, the mayor’s interim chief of staff.

At that time, the proposition to renew the city’s earnings tax was on the April 2016 ballot, and several city administrators were researching other means to generate revenue if it happened to fail, Brown said. They learned about the halfcent economic sales tax, and that opened their eyes for ways to fund a MetroLink expansion, Brown said.

Word about a proposed sales-tax increase spread quickly, and there was soon “no shortage of people who wanted to attach themselves to how the [use] tax dollars could be utilized,” Brown said. The Major League Soccer proposal to build a stadium “bubbled up as the one that moved forward,” he said.

The North-South MetroLink line is a 17-mile stretch costing about $1.2 billion, said Nahuel Fefer, the mayor’s special assistant. But the sales tax increase is mainly addressing the first phase –a roughly 8-mile stretch which will cost about $700 million. In terms of financing the new line, Fefer said that the $12 million in tax revenue will allow them to

involved in resident training, is universally respected both as a wonderful, skilled, and compassionate physician, but also as a great example of physician composure and poise in the face of medical emergencies.”

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Turner has fond memories of her father, who was a dedicated pharmacist who owned a small drugstore in Wichita’s black neighborhood.

“He remembered all of his patients,” Turner said. “He knew all of their prescriptions by heart.”

Her mother was a preschool teacher.

“We have two sons ages

secure about $350 million in bonds.

“With a federal match, that translates to roughly $700 million,” Fefer said. “This would allow us to build a roughly 8-mile line.”

A study expected to be completed in May 2018 will further refine these numbers. If the proposition passes, then the city would be able to apply to the Federal Transit Agency in 2018 for a match and potentially start construction in 2023.

While the new budget coming out the Trump administration could cause funding problems, Brown said that a recent visit with an FTA representative assured them that they had a good proposal and should move forward to request federal funding.

Fefer pointed out that 33 percent of households in North City don’t have access to a car.

“People are being cut off from jobs, food and family,” Fefer said.

n Proposition 2 asks voters to take the $4 million projected revenue from the “use tax” increase and help fund a new Major League Soccer $155-million stadium downtown near Union Station.

“I think with something like this, it’s completely transformational,” Brown said. “It will be a shot in the arm for the community it touches and the people who rely on its mode of transportation.”

24 and 26, and my 92-yearold mother still lives with us after coming to help after the youngest was born!” Turner said.

After high school, she went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she received a bachelor’s in biology. She earned her medical degree from Tulane University. She received a National Health Service Corp Scholarship, which financed her education and committed her to work in a physician-underserved area after completion of her medical training. So in 1983, she moved to New York City and completed her residency at

Aside from the MetroLink, the remaining $8 million in revenue would go towards several other areas. For neighborhood revitalization, the plan is to put the entire $2 million into one neighborhood every year and allow a panel of neighborhood residents to have a strong say in how the money is dispersed. The $1 million Youth Empowerment Fund would go towards recreation and afterschool jobs. Public safety would get $4 million, and $1 million would go to the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE).

If Prop 1 passes, the city’s sales tax rate would go from 8.679 percent up to 9.179 percent. In comparison, Chicago has the highest rate with 10.25 percent, and Seattle sits in sixth place with 9.6

Harlem Hospital.

“While living in New York, I met my husband Melvin Tann,” she said. “He moved here to join me and attended Washington University and received his master’s in social work.”

Tann practices individual and family therapy at his office in Clayton.

One of Turner’s biggest passions is her work at Planned Parenthood, where she currently serves as a board director.

“It’s a very important service,” Turner said. “Planned Parenthood is for a lot of women their first provider of reproductive health services. It

percent, according to the Tax Foundation. In some parts of St. Louis city – like the Starbucks at 2350 South Grand Blvd. – the sales tax would be as high as 11.68 percent because of special-taxing districts.

Opponents say that using sales tax to fund MetroLink is regressive and will put the most financial pressure on poor and lower-middle class families in St. Louis. Some have proposed using other methods, such as a property-tax increase or an income-tax increase, with the first $25-50,000 in earning exempted, to place more burden on the wealthier populous.

Fefer said that the city’s property tax in currently “maxed out” and the city’s earnings tax is too unstable. Because it has to be approved every five years by voters, bonding on that revenue source would be nearly impossible.

City Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones said that Denver recently funded its $2.2 billion transit line using a public-private partnership.

“I don’t think we’ve been creative enough with how we would fund the line should we lose access to federal transit dollars,” Jones said.

Jones supports the NorthSouth extension but opposes

serves students and people who are uninsured. People who are on Medicaid make up a large percentage of the people who go there. And there are really not a lot of providers who are able to pick up that slack if Planned Parenthood didn’t exist.”

She is also on the board of the Mound City Medical Forum, which is the state chapter of the National Medical Association. Turner delivered her last baby in January, and she now plans on concentrating her practice on gynecology – which will allow her to spend more time with her family, she said.

“Not only is she patient,

Prop 1 because the legislation language is too loose. Currently, it only states that the funds “can” be used for MetroLink, she said.

“There’s no guarantee that the funds raised by the sales tax will be appropriated to MetroLink,” Jones said. “Right now, Prop 1 is tied to Prop 2, and I would rather have – dare I say – a clean bill.” Many Prop 2 opponents say they are leery of the sales-tax increase being so closely tied to the stadium because it makes Prop 1 seem disingenuous.

“The intention is not to be misleading,” Ingrassia said. “The intention is to let voters decide what they would like to see happen with this money.”

In addition, Prop 1 and Prop 2 have no websites that explain the complicated details of deals for voters to consider. That also causes voters to be nervous about approving something they don’t understand and can’t research. Brown said that he agreed that it was a flaw.

“It’s not okay to have a bunch of stuff on the ballot and not have more information,” Brown said. “We have to do better at communication in order for the voters to be well informed when voting on these important topics.”

understanding and a well accomplished physician, she’s cool,” said Mary Williams, communications coordinator at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and one of Turner’s patients. “Dr. Turner has a very calm spirit and peaceful demeanor. Her presence makes me feel more comfortable.”

Tickets for the 17th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 28 at the Frontenac Hilton are $750 per table for VIP/Corporate seating and $50 each/$500 table for Individual seating. To order tickets, call 314-533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com.

SLPS

Six teams of finalists ranging from grades 5 to 12 presented their ideas in front of judges, “Shark Tank” style, at Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park on March 15. Judges were drawn from business, government, education, food service and the media.

Students prepared their prototypes with professional guidance and assistance from Tech Shop and Filament. The young finalists were dressed for success and passionately presented their proposed projects with confidence to the judges and audience.

The team from Earl Nance Sr. Elementary proposed “You Name It, We Got It,” a restaurant to serve locally sourced and donated healthy and affordable food in North St. Louis – with service to homeless populations.

Fanning Middle School pitched the idea of “Erth,” a multi-floored, eco-friendly, multi-cultural restaurant where refugees could work and enjoy foods from their home, featuring cuisine from each continent.

Central Visual and

SHAHID

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 the 1980s. Ali has since met several other mentors who “have straightened their lives out due to Brother Shahid,” he said. From April 6-9, Ali will join thousands of people whose lives Shahid has touched at the Tauheed Youth Group Reunion. Most of the weekend’s events are open to the public, and Shahid encourages the community to get involved.

The weekend’s main event will be a massive street patrol on Saturday, April 8 from 5 p.m. to midnight, when Shahid said thousands of black men from throughout the country

Performing Arts High School sent three teams to the design competition. One CVPA team proposed a “Green Thumb” restaurant for residents of North City who live in a food desert. It would have a coffee shop on the ground level and a rooftop garden tended by

will hit the streets to address the issue of violence head-on.

“When children can’t come out to play, that’s punishment,” Shahid said. “Something is wrong with that picture. We are going to take back our streets. When you see these 10,000 men around the country hit the streets, you’re going to know the black man is back.” Shahid is calling on black men to come and meet at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at Vashon High School, 3035 Cass Ave., and the street patrol will start at 7 p.m. At the same time on that Saturday, Shahid is calling on 10,000 women to participate in what he calls a “social media prayer takeover,” asking women to send out prayers via social media that “not a single

volunteers to sell fruits and vegetables.

With vacant schools, district buildings being sold, and onein-five SLPS students classified as homeless during the school year, the second CVPA team proposed reopening Simmons School as a shelter, providing

shot be fired that night and bless the men to come back home.”

He is also asking women to send out prayers from now until April 8 for 10,000 men to participate in the street patrol.

The weekend will kick off with a social event for youthgroup alumni at Vashon High School on Thursday, April 6 – which is the only exclusive event of the weekend. A Jumar prayer service will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 7 at the Cochran Community Center, 818 Cass Ave.

Shahid will also host an Honoring Our Heroes awards dinner from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, April 7 at Better Family Life, 5415 Page Blvd. Then Shahid will give a final address from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 9 at

unwind before returning to the school environment. A rubric used for scoring by the judges took into account whether the idea was innovative, feasible financially, energizing, aligned with the vision of the schools and the city, well researched and sustainable.

The winning proposal came from the team from Farragut Elementary School. They proposed a space redesign of the teacher’s lounge into “Tiger Cove,” a quiet, relaxing study lounge to work on projects and collaborate with peers in a tranquil setting outside of the normal classroom. The teachers approved the idea before the competition took place.

In addition to a trophy, Farragut will get resources to put that winning transformation into place. SLPS leaders may also look at ways to make quiet study lounges available in other schools.

support, counseling, job training and a safe place to sleep, eat and study.

The third CVPA finalist proposed turning an unused classroom into a “Quiet Room,” a space where students dealing with stress, anxiety, depression or trauma could

Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave. All events are free, except for the banquet.

For more than 30 years, Shahid has mentored youth in jails three times a week, mentored in dozens of schools, worked to bring jobs to the community and mediated discrimination cases at several large companies, Shahid said. He’s reached out to families whose loved ones fell to gun violence and police-involved shootings. He also stood by Michael Brown Jr.’s family in Ferguson after Brown’s death and led several protests and marches in the following months.

For the past 18 months,

“I think a room like that has to be personalized for the community, and that’s not necessarily a one-size-fitsall-approach,” Barnes said. “The idea could be the ‘one thing,’ but how each school implements that would be best left to the student body to decide.”

About a thousand dollars in initial seed money was

Shahid has been working on this reunion – not with the idea that it would be a one-weekend thing.

“We are going to sustain it,” Shahid said. For too long, women have been left to carry the heavy loads in the black community, Shahid said. He will be asking men to get involved in keeping up the community’s schools and mentoring. He will be asking businesses to take on apprentices to help the youth gain employable skills. He has a whole list of calls to action that he will reveal in his address on April 9, he said.

James Clark, vice president of community outreach at

set aside to start the process, Barnes said.

“Saint Louis Public Schools Foundation has also said they would commit some funds to that, but by-and -large, it’s going to require the help of members of the community and other businesses,” he said. “The passion amongst the teachers, the principals and especially the students makes this a very realistic opportunity.”

Even in the process of finding the funds to make it happen, there is an opportunity for students to learn. “It’s also teaching them real life,” Barnes said. “There is a certain process in trying to find the funding.” Barnes said they are always looking for student mentors or volunteers to help in schools.

“Whether it be a donation of time or something tangible – it could be money, in some cases, we even need food and clothing donations,” he said. “We are looking for building up partnerships in the community. We are trying to connect learning with life.”

To contribute seed money for the redesign project, contact Rachel Seward at 314345-2353 or email Rachel. seward@slps.org. For more information, visit www.slps. org/loveoflearning.

Better Family Life Inc., has participated in the youth group since its early beginnings.

“I’m excited to see some brothers I haven’t seen in 10-15 years,” Clark said, “but I’m more excited about the charge and the challenge that Anthony Shahid is going to put on black men.”

For more information about the Tauheed Youth Group Reunion and to register for events, visit https://tauheed43. wixsite.com/tauheedreunion or call 327-0271. Also visit https://www.facebook.com/ TauheedYouthGroup/. To purchase the $60 banquet tickets, call Ernest Muhammad at 314-312-9814.

Front row: Mya Wilson, Jamar Aaron, Ja’Niyah Smith, Karon Hunt and Paul Thomas. Back row: Savion Wilson, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Glenn Barnes, teacher Heather Britton, Garla Carter, Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams, Farragut Elementary Principal Patricia Cox and teacher Stephanie Merklin.

Photo by Meredith Pierce/SLPS

Peter Sortino

Unsung leader of St. Louis 2004 helped keep the region green and glowing

By Gloria Ross For St. Louis Public Radio

Peter Sortino planned a 100th birthday bash for St. Louis that would go on for days and draw thousands of guests, but his name was largely unknown to most who attended.

EATS Bridge, ’04 Eve and River Splash are the enduring memories that most St. Louisans have of the 1904 World’s Fair centennial celebration. Mr. Sortino was the director of St. Louis 2004, which planned the festivities and, later, the Danforth Foundation, which launched the initiative.

The fun was a minuscule part of the work of St. Louis 2004, which was formed in 1996 to kick-start major regional improvement projects. Mr. Sortino led the effort from 2000 until the organization completed its mission in 2004.

Initially, the project engendered rampant skepticism. But as the centennial dawned, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch declared that St. Louis 2004 had managed “a string of achievements.”

Among them is Great Rivers Greenway. The recreation district is well on its way to having a labyrinth of 600 miles of interconnected trails and parks traversing 1,200 square miles.

“The biggest single accomplishment and the most difficult was the establishment of the Greenways system,” said former Sen. John C. Danforth, who was the chair of 2004, “and it was all Peter Sortino.”

The challenge was funding. Mr. Sortino succeeded in getting two major sales tax initiatives passed. In 2000, he led the successful campaign to pass Proposition C, which funded Great Rivers Greenway, the

first local bi-state park and recreation district in the country and, in 2012, Proposition P, to fund redevelopment of the grounds of the Gateway Arch.

“Peter Sortino was one of the most consequential and effective persons in our town,” Danforth said.

Mr. Sortino, who had been receiving hospice care for several months, died of pancreatic cancer this morning (March 24, 2017) at his home in Sunset Hills.

He was 62.

Broad Vision

The 2004 initiative ended with numerous long-term projects underway, and Mr. Sortino was quickly appointed president of the Danforth Foundation. During his tenure, the foundation helped restore some of the majesty of downtown, including revitalization of the Old Post Office. He led the foundation through its planned dissolution in 2011, when all remaining assets were funneled into the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

Mr. Sortino was twice honored in 2016 for his green efforts. He received the Keeper of the Park award from St. Louis and Forest Park Forever in April, and was named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Citizen of the Year in November.

Until he received the latter award, many St. Louisans were unaware of Mr. Sortino’s role in the region. That’s because “he was such a humble person and so much behind the scenes,” said Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway.

Mr. Sortino was the founding chair of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, another lasting venture that

arose out of St. Louis 2004. With the closing of Regional Medical Center, St. Louis’ last remaining public hospital, the commission was formed to help low-income people gain access to health care.

“Peter had a vision of how things should go and a way to get people there,” said Rudy Nickens, who was vice president at St. Louis 2004. “There were no conversations about workforce diversity before St. Louis 2004.”

While leading the Danforth Foundation, Mr. Sortino joined the board of Forest Park Forever, where he helped secure the passage of two bond issues totaling $64 million for capital improvements in Forest Park and 108 other city parks. To sustain Forest Park, he spearheaded a funding partnership between the city and Forest Park Forever, a commitment that spurred an additional $100 million in private donations.

“Peter was instrumental in helping us define our role today and our role in the future,” said Lesley Hoffarth, president and executive director Forest Park Forever. “He had great vision. His compassion for people was inspiring.”

After wrapping up the foundation’s business in 2011, Mr. Sortino was named assistant vice chancellor for special initiatives at Washington

University. In 2013, he was inducted into the Missouri Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame for his work on the tax propositions.

Political Theater

Mr. Sortino had gotten a taste of politics in 1974, when he came to St. Louis as an urban planning intern during his senior year at the University of Cincinnati. After sitting in on aldermanic meetings and watching mayoral aides plot political strategy, he was hooked.

Mr. Sortino returned to St. Louis in 1977, and for nearly a decade, he ran interference for two Democratic St. Louis mayors: Vincent C. Schoemehl and Freeman R. Bosley Jr. In between, he was Schoemehl’s director of Operation ConServ, a neighborhood stabilization program.

“He had the ability to work with politicians, the cast of characters, to accomplish important objectives and he just loved the political process,” Danforth said.

Sometimes the process called for his “awesome” humor and, occasionally, bravery.

Mr. Sortino was once enlisted to take a warning to Schoemehl, which briefly sent the mayor and his family into hiding.

The threat was issued by Luther Boykins, the ex-husband of the then-embattled license

collector, Billie Boykins.

‘’’You tell Vince I’m going to be on his front lawn this weekend,’’’ Mr. Sortino told the Post-Dispatch Luther Boykins said to him. “It wasn’t a real comfortable situation.”

Prior to his appointments with the city, Mr. Sortino was a community and economic development consultant and a corporate secretary and senior planner for the Urban Programming Corp.

Humble Servant

Peter Gerard Sortino was born June 30, 1954, the middle child of Peter Paul Sortino, a movie theater operator, and Mary Mitrione Sortino, a homemaker. He gained his cooking prowess and his penchant for doing spot-on imitations growing up in a big, extended Italian family in Yonkers, N.Y.

He earned a bachelor of urban from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. He later attended a senior executive program at Harvard University.

“I just want to be remembered as a humble servant who was fortunate,” Mr. Sortino told a longtime friend, Paul Wagman, shortly before his death.

He was preceded in death by his father and a sister, Elaine Sortino.

In addition to his mother and wife, Leslie Sortino, survivors includea son, Philip Sortino of St. Louis County, and a sister, Paula Celona of Yonkers, N.Y. Visitation is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road, Affton. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Ambrose Church, 5130 Wilson Ave., St. Louis. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, 5239 West Florissant Ave. Memorials may be made to Great Rivers Greenway District, 6174 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112. Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org

Mr. Sortino’s future wife, Leslie Gillman, was a college classmate. The young couple’s first home was in the Soulard neighborhood, where Mr. Sortino soon became president of the neighborhood restoration group. They later moved to The Hill neighborhood, where for many years he raised a garden and chickens. Even during the work day, he looked more Lt. Colombo than high-powered executive. After moving to Sunset Hills, the former altar boy returned to south St. Louis daily to open the doors of St. Ambrose Church for 6:30 a.m. Mass.

We will not tolerate hate

By Stacey Newman and Bruce Franks Jr. Guest columnists

Last Wednesday Andrew Rehfeld, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis was invited by Speaker Todd Richardson to give the opening prayer and remarks from the dais. House members were strongly encouraged to “name it, condemn it and do something about it” when confronted with hateful statements or situations as elected leaders. As House Progressive Caucus leaders, we are doing just that.

Last week anti-Semitic testimony and racial comments from committee members were allowed in a committee hearing which were designed to inflame, offend and instigate; comments which were not denounced by the chairs. In addition, a committee member was allowed to strongly admonish the audience during a 3.5 hour hearing for their reactions to these comments.

Recently, Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel had his mike cut off by a committee chair and silenced when presenting public testimony referencing

racism on bills which would weaken discrimination laws in Missouri. Democratic representatives objected but his testimony was refused. In addition, 2017 legislation has been introduced with public statements which are bigoted in nature, again with no response from House leadership.

We believe strongly that hate, bigotry, anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in the Missouri State Capitol, the people’s house.

We understand the First Amendment right of free speech, however to “look the other way” and be silent as targeted hate crimes towards minorities, Jewish cemetery desecrations and bomb threats

targeting Jewish and Muslim centers and schools increase nationwide s not acceptable.

We believe it is our responsibility as progressive leadership to “ name it, condemn it and do something about it”. It is our duty to not be silent regarding hateful speech in the Capitol in public testimony or from our own colleagues and ensure that the public is treated fairly when testifying. Free speech is vital. However, allowing hateful bigoted speech and behavior without a challenge is wrong and not of our morals or values.

We cannot pick and choose when to speak up about bigotry, hate and injustices. We have seen continuous disregard for a women’s reproductive choices, attacks on working families, as well as no compassion for our communities already disenfranchised. We will stand strong, work for understanding and bridge building but not tolerate purposeful hate in silence.

State Rep. Stacey Newman is House Progressive Caucus chair. State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. is House Progressive Caucus vice-chair.

Four officers placed on forced leave

Accused of falsely reporting overtime hours

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Four St. Louis city police officers are under criminal investigation after they were allegedly found submitting overtime hours for time they were spending at home, a police source said. The four officers were assigned to South Patrol, which includes Districts 1 and 2, and are on forced suspension without pay. Three of the suspended officers, according to a police source, are Daniel O’Brien, Michael Langsdorf and Brian Jost – who are all white. The source did not know the other officer’s name.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately confirm these names.

The department did say in a statement on Tuesday, March 28, “Internal Affairs Division is conducting both internal and criminal investigations into false reporting of duty hours by four St. Louis police officers. After a month-long investigation, the department discovered inconsistencies in overtime submissions by the officers. In addition to these inconsistencies, one officer was also found in violation of the residency rule, as he lived outside the City of St. Louis.”

Police Chief Sam Dotson

said the officers’ actions betrayed the community’s trust.

“It is disheartening when those sworn to protect and uphold the law are accused of stealing from taxpayers,” Dotson said in a statement.

“We hold our officers to a high standard, and the actions of a few should not tarnish the hard work and dedication of the men and women who serve without fail.”

The Internal Affairs Division is expected to finish its investigation in the next few days, according to the department. Dotson told The American that Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner has been briefed on the case.

Guest Columnist Stacey Newman Guest Columnist Bruce Franks Jr.

Meet the candidates for STLCC and SLPS boards

The St. Louis Community College (STLCC) has been the pathway for bettering the lives of thousands of people. Votes in the less-publicized STLCC Board of Trustees races are crucial in selecting leaders who can further opportunities for the community.

In the April 4 general municipal election, 12 candidates will vie for two seats on the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees.

The Subdistrict 1 seat largely represents North County, and Subdistrict 2 covers the city. The winner of the Subdistrict 1 seat will serve a three-year term while the winner of the Subdistrict 2 seat will serve a six-year term.

Our story on March 16 featured three Subdistrict 1 candidates – Miranda AvantElliott, Kevin Martin and Marsha Bonds – because the American was able to track them down first. This report includes all three Subdistrict 2 candidates and the remaining Subdistrict 1 candidates that we were able to contact.

(Some of them don’t have any online campaign presence so contacting them was a challenge or not possible.)

Subdistrict 2

Three candidates are vying for the Subdistrict 2 “city” seat, including Pam Ross, Patrick J. Burke and Ciera Lenette Simril. Incumbent Hattie R. Jackson did not seek re-election.

Ciera Simril is a neighborhood organization

leader in North St. Louis and a member of the city’s Civilian Oversight Board, which reviews complaints of police misconduct. She works as an account processor at U.S. Bank and as a contracted pharmacy technician for BJC Community Affairs. She attended STLCC’s Forest Park campus and believes her insight gives her an advantage.

“I’m most passionate about continuing to make STLCC a quality education and affordable for students,” Simril said. “I also want to manage the budget properly so that not only students get the things they need, but that staff and faculty have the proper tools.”

She will push for more transparency and to engage the public in what the trustees do, she said.

Pam Ross is a member of the St. Louis Community College Foundation, and she believes her political activism in the region gives her an advantage over the other candidates.

“I’m not afraid of conflicts,” said Ross, who attended STLCC – Forest Park. “It’s a political fight who needs this education.”

Ross has no online campaign presence or way for the public to contact her about her campaign. However, she said as a trustee she would “reach out to young parents and create a pathway to living wage jobs through STLCC programs.”

She also wants to return childcare to the Forest Park campus.

Patrick Burke is a board member of the Mullanphy

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay shared a laugh with Mayor Francis G. Slay at the so-called Democratic Unity Breakfast on March 18.

Community School and a neighborhood organizer who graduated from STLCC – Forest Park. He said he is running because he wants urban students represented at the board level.

“Too many decisions have been made to the detriment of our city students and potential students,” Burke said. “Education is the single best way to improve people’s lives.”

He is passionate about removing the barriers to student success and finding solutions to barriers such as lack of mentors, lack of transportation, need for child care, inadequate educational preparation for college, financial issues, bias in financial aid programs and poverty-related disabilities.

said, because she understands what it means to work for the community and the students’ needs. She spent a semester at STLCC – Florissant Valley before going on to a four-year university and wants to help students do the same.

Marcus Adams heads Centrue Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Mortgage Origination team for the St. Louis region.

“I’m passionate about the working-class adults that are being laid off or are not able to compete in certain markets,” Adams said. “They need to get another education, retool, regroup, and attain new skills that STLCC might have for them.”

Adams said he faced three bouts of unemployment and knows what it’s like to “regroup” several times to continue to maintain a competitive pay. He wants to promote and attain more adult education programs and resources for STLCC. He is also passionate about getting students prepared for college. He believes his background in budgets and finance will be an asset to the board.

Subdistrict 1

Nine candidates will be on the ballot for the Subdistrict 1 seat, including incumbent Derek Novel. The other candidates are Candace Gardner, Marsha Bonds, Kevin Martin, Marcus D. Adams, O. Daniel Gray, Veronica Avery-Moody, Theodis Brown and Miranda AvantElliott.

Subdistrict 1 includes the Hazelwood, Ferguson/ Florissant, Riverview Gardens, Jennings, Pattonville, Ritenour, University City, Normandy, Clayton and Ladue school districts.

Candace Gardner of Florissant is a special education teacher at Northview Elementary School in the Jennings School District. She was elected in 2016 but resigned after former tax liens filed against her made her ineligible for the position.

“I want to help young adults in the transition into college and furthering their career,” Gardner said. “Preparation is the thing I’m most passionate about for these students.”

Her experience as a special needs teacher sets her apart from other candidates, she

Incumbent Derek Novel of Florissant is a retired educator and active community volunteer. He was appointed to fill the Subdistrict 1 seat that Gardner left vacant in May 2016. He said he is passionate about being fiscally responsible as the college addresses Missouri’s budget cuts to higher education.

“Although we have instituted some hiring freezes, we have neither raised tuition nor have we been forced to implement widespread reductions in staff as elsewhere,” he said. “We need to work even harder to market and promote ourselves.”

He said he is the only candidate who has experience as a school principal. He believes that true pathways to career and college readiness begin in the primary grades.

SLPS school board

On April 4, voters will select three out of seven candidates for Saint Louis Public School’s elected Board of Education. Five candidates responded in a timely manner to questions we posed to them regarding school issues and governance, summarized below.

Susan Jones is running for re-election to the board, where she currently serves as president. The supplier diversity manager and former educator said a community’s best investment is in educating its children. Jones said the three most important issues

facing SLPS are poverty and homelessness, funding and parental education/involvement. Jones said elected school board members are in place to incorporate the views of the community and she favors a smooth transition of governance from SAB to elected board “so that taxpayers in St. Louis will have a say in education once again.” Jones is not a fan of charter schools in public education. “Charter schools are independently ran organizations that cipher education funds away from public schools and have no accountability to the tax payers that pay to run them,” Jones said. “There should be a moratorium placed on any new charter schools in the city of St. Louis.” Dorothy Rohde Collins is a former SLPS teacher and parent of an incoming kindergartener in the district. As a parent, Rohde Collins said she is impressed with the number of options and opportunities available, yet frustrated over the lack of information to make decisions and difficulty in navigating district procedures. She said enrollment, confidence in the district and the status of neighborhood schools are the three most important issues facing SLPS. She stated charter schools have gotten away from their original role of experimenting with new ideas and curriculum, now offering essentially what public schools offer. “We have far too many schools which are all competing for the same funds, resources, and students. This has led to the closure of many neighborhood public, which is chipping away at the identity and community of many neighborhoods across the city,” she said.

David L. Jackson Jr. is a product of SLPS and previously served on its school board before and after the SAB oversight. The business consultant believes in both traditional and vocational educational outcomes for SLPS. The three most important issues facing SLPS, according to Jackson, are financial stability, student learning and recruitment/retention of qualified teachers and administration. Jackson finds both good and bad points with charter school education. “I believe Charter Schools and Public School Districts can co-exist if true collaboration and partnership develops,” Jackson stated. “SLPS has not been successful in providing quality and successful special education, foreign languages, math and science curriculums and programs. I believe these are some areas where charters and the public school district could collaborate and partner.”

Brian P. Wallner wants technology in SLPS to be the best to prepare students as future leaders. An IT support and IT business analyst, Wallner said a vision of high expectations for student achievement and goals to create it are the most important responsibility for the board. Waller said the three most important issues facing SLPS are its reputation, teacher turnover/recruitment and future opportunities for students. Regarding charter schools, Wallner said, “Charter schools in St. Louis would seem to exert competitive pressure on the Saint Louis Public Schools and encourage them to improve.”

Natalie A. Vowell is running for the school board because it affects children, everyone and the city’s future. She describes herself as a tireless volunteer and she founded an organization that she says prevents the seizure of owneroccupied homes at sheriff’s tax auctions.

Vowell said the three most important issues facing SLPS are ending the school-to-prison pipeline and punishing students with suspension and felonies; empowering teachers to shape policy and directly engage with parents; and ending cyclical poverty.

She said charter schools should provide a unique education, not simply duplicate a regular SLPS curriculum.

“We need to make sure any charter school who takes on a student is willing to guide and inspire them throughout their entire education, instead of just sending them back to SLPS after they’ve collected the allocated per-child funding,” she said.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

September 23, 2009 – March 28, 2017

Ray Lathon goes home

Grandmother says prayers helped boy battling brain tumor defy the odds for years

By Chris King

Of The St. Louis American

Ray Lathon – who lived on prayers, according to his grandmother, for more than two years after doctors expected he would succumb – passed away on Tuesday, March 28 after a long battle with a brain tumor. He was 7. Ray was diagnosed in June 2015 when he was 5. The family was told the condition was incurable, and Ray was given a prognosis of six months to a year of life remaining. He finished his medical treatment that August.

His grandmother, Yvonne Rhodes, wrote to The American at about that time. She asked “the believers of the city to celebrate Ray’s birthday on September 23 by praying for him.” The grandmother’s letter about Ray was so detailed and eloquent it merited a front-page story. At age 3, he recited the Lord’s Prayer during Easter Sunday service. He fed the homeless with his pastor. He helped his family cook, clean, garden and even repair cars. When Ray took deathly ill at age 5 and was hospitalized, he would ask his visitors to join hands and start a prayer circle.

“There was so much crying and such testimonies that came from this little boy’s belief in prayer,” his grandmother wrote.

That came to be just as true when Ray’s story was published in this newspaper. His grandmother said the family received prayers and letters from New Zealand, Japan, Jerusalem and all over the United States.

“Because of your prayers and prayers that came from so far away, and by the Grace of God, Ray has beaten the odds,” his grandmother said. There were other blessings. Ray’s mother and siblings had an opportunity to fly round-trip to Orlando, Florida for a week at Disney World, sponsored by Make-A- Wish Foundation. The Cancer Society was a big help for necessities.

Then, in June 2016, at the far range of his prognosis to live, Ray had a setback. He lost his appetite and began to lose weight. Over the course of follow-up visits, the family was told there was swelling of the brain and the tumor seemed to have become aggressive. He was not expected to live long. Ray was discharged from the hospital to hospice care last July 5.

“Still weak, we took him home,” his grandmother said. “Pastor John and Elaine Mango

from Universal King Ministry, Pastor Cassandra Harris from Hope House of Worship, Pastor Harry Walls from Christian Fellowship, Elder Marcus and Gloria Henderson of Mount Zion Church were at the hospital or came to my home to pray for Ray.”

The family was following biblical practice, Ray’s grandmother pointed out, citing scripture from James 5:14-15: “The Word of God says, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church: and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up.”

Ray did rise up. He came with his grandmother to the newspaper when she delivered a new letter asking for prayers again on his birthday last year. He was still weak, but very much his loving self. He celebrated his seventh birthday last September with family, friends and supporters, though went home from the celebration early as he was not feeling well.

Finally, this past Tuesday, as his grandmother said, “Ray went home.”

Ray’s Homegoing will be held Monday, April 3 at Compton-Hill Baptist Church, 3141 La Salle St. in St. Louis, with a viewing 9-11 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. Anyone who ever prayed for Ray or wants to remember him is invited.

“I would want to thank anyone who ever prayed for Ray,” his grandmother said, “because that is what sustained him to defy the odds.”

Free speech or hate speech?

By James T. Ingram For The St. Louis American

Belleville shock jock, Bob “The Grim Reaper of Radio” Romanik, has taken his controversial brand of radio to another level. This time he has resorted to feeding his listeners a steady diet of the N-Word in his new “racially radical” format which has even garnered some national press.

Much of the attention is the by-product of a January 19 rant in which Romanik went off the rails, against rapper Waka Flocka Flame, after viewing disgusting concert footage of the rapper pulling down his pants and wiping his buttocks with a fan’s Donald Trump T-shirt.

Romanik went on to refer to the rapper as a “no good, no count, greasy… n-----.” Since that time, the recurrent theme of Romanik’s shows have been racial in nature, with repeated use of the n-word (in reference to both blacks and whites), references to whites as “crackers,” to himself as “poor white trash from the projects” and to those who would challenge his First Amendment rights as “ignorant son of a bitches.”

He (Romanik) has also attempted to make distinctions between n------, versus proud blacks and proud whites, whom he respects, and has said that he wants to use his show to encourage dialogue regarding the subject of race.

That’s, by-and-large, missed in the heat of the rhetoric which, often, devolves into gratuitous name-calling or callers who simply phone in to tell

crude racist jokes or simply to vent, with solutions taking a back seat to the venom.

And I agree that Romanik has a right to free speech, as I am exercising at this moment, and defend to the hilt. But with that freedom comes responsibility and forethought and respect for access to the airwaves and to the ears and minds of his listeners.

However, this goes beyond Romanik’s disgust with a rapper’s lewd behavior. It goes back, prior, to the November 8 elections in which Romanik unsuccessfully ran for the Illinois State House 114th District seat. In that election, Romanik trusted (and paid) black E. St. Louis politicians and “supporters” to get out

n Romanik went on to refer to the rapper as a “no good, no count, greasy… n-----.”

the vote and was, summarily, double-crossed and rejected.

According to Romanik’s report for the state election board, he paid his ESL election workers, via the The New Vision Democrats, $94,590, including $62,400 (among 12 workers) on the Friday prior to Election Day. That may have been just enough to light the fuse on Romanik’s n-wordlaced rage. That’s just my theory, but it was an expensive lesson for even a rich guy like Romanik.

Yet, at some point, if Romanik truly wants to go from being “racially radical” to having true racial dialogue,

he must use the good will that he created during the election in bringing democrats, republicans and independents together under his Freedom Coalition umbrella.

Romanik has stated that the n-word is simply a word, which he and anyone else should feel free to use because of the First Amendment. On that we disagree.

The word has history. Its etymology is far deeper and is not to be minimized for the benefit of a radio show or rap lyric. The word was used, derisively (for hundreds of years), as blacks were enslaved, lynched, disenfranchised, dehumanized and subjected to the worst treatment of any human beings in the history of mankind.

Bob Romanik, from my personal knowledge, has quietly helped feed, bury and assist countless poor blacks and whites, with his personal wealth. However, that’s not conveyed in his public rants, which he describes as “like you just took a good crap.”

That’s an interesting analogy, because we can publicly defecate. Animals do it all the time. The question, however, is whether we should defecate publicly. And we don’t, because it is considered to be indecent behavior. The same applies to what amounts to verbal defecation. Romanik has a precious forum, which in the age of Trump, “alternative facts” and heightened tensions, could be used to elevate the level of true racial dialogue and understanding. I hope that’s the course that “The Grim Reaper” pursues.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com Twitter@ JamesTIngram

Ray Lathon at Mount Zion Church last March.

Columnist James Ingram

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Think Lifestyle, Not Diet!

PRESENT:

Healthy Kids Kids

Perhaps you’ve decided to eat healthier. Don’t think of these healthy changes as “going on a diet.” Instead, think of these smart choices as a new, healthier lifestyle. You can do this by forming new habits. For example, if you decide to eliminate sugary drinks completely, it only takes a few weeks until this becomes what you’re used to. Here are the steps to making a healthy permanent change. We‘ll use the sugary drink change as an example.

Let’s make a game out of exercise!

First, locate either a deck of cards or two dice.

Exercise Game

Tech-Neck

Next you’ll need to make a list of different types of exercise: jumping jacks, sit-ups, lunges, etc. Write each exercise item on a small piece of paper or index

How much time do you spend each day looking down at a phone, laptop or video game?

Chiropractors around the country see young patients every day suffering from back, neck and head-aches resulting from the extra strain you put on your body when you look down for long periods of time.

A couple of quick tips that will reduce that strain on your neck are:

> Decide you’re going to switch from soda to water.

> Start by substituting one drink per day to water.

> Every few days increase the amount of water and decrease your soda intake.

> After 3-4 weeks, this change will become a habit.

When you automatically reach for water instead of soda, it has now become a lifestyle change!

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

card and fold into a small square. Put these squares into a bowl.

Take turns rolling the dice (or drawing a card) and selecting an exercise from the bowl. The total number on the dice or card tells you how many of the exercise you must do. Face cards (king,

1. Most importantly — take breaks! Have a goal of a 3 minute break every 15-20 minutes. Move around, stretch your neck and relax, without looking down!

2. Set your tech device in a holder to keep it at eye level, reducing the need to look down.

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

queen or jack) should all count as the number 10. Aces are “wild” and you can do as many as you want! To really challenge yourself, have one person roll the dice and the second can select the exercise. See who can complete the exercise challenge first!

Learning Standards: HPE 2, HPE 4, HPE 5, NH 1

Ingredients: 1 cup blueberries 1 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt

Directions: Drop each blueberry into the yogurt. Using a spoon, swirl around to coat and place each blueberry on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper. Freeze for at least an hour.

Dr. Charles Olagbegi, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine

Where do you work?

I am a physician with BJC Medical Group Specialists of North County.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Prospect High School in Ibadan, Nigeria. I then earned my MD degree from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

What does a gastroenterologist do? I evaluate and treat diseases of the digestive tract. I also perform endoscopies and colonoscopies, looking inside the gut with endoscopes.

Why did you choose this career? I chose this career because I have always been fascinated by the anatomy and working with the human gut.

What is your favorite part of the job you have? My favorite part is meeting new people daily and being able to solve their medical problems as they relate to my specialty.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

“Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

Frozen Yogurt Blueberry Bites

The St. Louis American’s award winning NIE program provides newspapers and resources to more than 7,000 teachers and students each week throughout the school year, at no charge.

Questions or comments? Contact Cathy Sewell csewell@stlamerican.com or 314-289-5422

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Northview Elementary School

3rd grade teacher

Carmen Little, shows students Ni’rhia Allen, Za’khya Cox, and Michael Nelson how to identify non-fiction text features and how to write summaries of articles found in the newspaper as a STEM lesson. Northview Elementary School is in the Jennings School district.

Price / St. Louis American

SCIENCE CORNER

Stem cells are cells that have the ability to selfrenew and change into mature cells. There are two main types: adult cells which generate replacement bone and muscle cells that are lost through injury or normal wear, and embryonic cells that are starter cells that can change and become other types of cells.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

In this experiment, you will get to witness your very own DNA.

Materials Needed:

• 20 oz. Bottled water

• 3 Clear Plastic Cups of Glasses

• Clear Liquid Dish Soap

• 1 Tbsp Table Salt

• 100 Ml Isopropyl Alcohol

• Blue Food Coloring

Procedure:

q Mix some bottled water with the salt in one of the cups.

Stir until salt is dissolved.

w Transfer 3 Tbsp of the salt water into a separate cup.

e Gargle the salt water for 1 minute without swallowing it.

r Spit the water back into the cup.

Researchers grow stem cells in labs and alter them to be specific types of cells, such as heart cells. Stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, replace cells damaged by chemotherapy or cancer. Stem cell research has helped scientists make advances to treat Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. For more information, visit: http:// science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellularmicroscopic/stem-cell.htm.

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction text for main idea and supporting details. I can make text-to-text connections.

t Add one drop of dish liquid to the salt water. Stir gently. Try not to create any bubbles.

y In a separate cup, mix the alcohol and 3 drops food coloring.

u Gently pour the alcohol and food coloring mixture into the salt water cup. Tilt the salt water cup as you pour, so the alcohol mixture forms a layer on top of the salt water.

i Wait for 2.5 minutes. You should see white clumps and strings forming. The white clumps and strings are your DNA.

Reflect: When you gargle and spit in a cup, some of your cheek cells entered the cup. The dish liquid breaks down the cheek membranes, allowing the DNA to enter the water. Because DNA is not soluble in alcohol, it will form a solid where the salt water layers meet.

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can observe and analyze results.

SCIENCE STARS

African American Biomedical Engineer Treena Livingston Arinzeh

Treena Livingston Arinzeh inherited a love of math and science from her father, who was a biochemist.

When she was in high school, she witnessed her father have a stroke and become paralyzed. That was her inspiration to use her skills in math and science to find a way to help cure people in need. She had a high school teacher who encouraged her to pursue a career in engineering. Arinzeh couldn’t picture that because she had never seen an African-American engineer.

Learning Standards: who has made contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Teachers,

Math Games for Fun

Math games are a great way to spend time with your friends and family while sharpening your skills. Try these games and see what you think.

HOW MANY NUMBERS CAN BE MADE:

Materials Needed: A Deck of Cards • Paper and Pencils

Give each player a piece of paper and a pencil. Using the cards from 1 to 9, deal four cards out with the numbers showing. Using all four cards and a choice of any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, have each player see how many different numbers a person can get in 5 minutes. Players get one point for each answer. For example, suppose the cards drawn are 4, 8, 9, and 2. What numbers can be made? Which player came up with the most combinations? Which player had the highest number? Which player had the lowest number?

DID YOU KNOW?

MAKE THE MOST OF IT:

Materials Needed: A Deck of Cards

You will use cards 1 to 9. Each player alternates drawing one card at a time, trying to create the largest 5-digit number possible. As the cards are drawn, each player puts the cards down in their “place” (ten thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones) with the numbers showing. Once placed, a card cannot be moved. The player with the largest 5-digit number wins. For example, if a 2 was drawn first, the player might place it in the ones’ place, but if the number had been an 8, it might have been put in the ten thousands’ place. For an added challenge, practice rounding your number to the nearest ten thousands’ place, to the nearest thousand, etc. Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve a problem.

In 1997, scientists cloned a lamb from stem cells. Her name was Dolly.

Arinzeh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University in 1992. Two years later, she earned a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. In 1999, she earned a PhD in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

After graduation, she worked as a project leader at Osiris Therapeutics, a biotechnology company that specializes in stem cell medicine. In 2001, she became a founding member of the Biomedical Engineering department at New Jersey Institute of Technology. She was an assistant professor for five years, was promoted to associate professor, and then became a full professor in 2011. Her research has focused on stem cell therapy and has led to two significant discoveries. The first discovery is that stem cells, mixed with scaffolds can help regenerate bone growth and damaged tissue. The second discovery is that stem cells from one person can be successfully implanted into another. This technique is being replicated in bone marrow transplants.

Arinzeh was awarded the Board of Overseers Excellence in Research Prize and Medal from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President Bush. In 2003, the National Science Foundation also gave Arinzeh a Faculty Early Career Development Award with a $400,000 research grant. She also earned the Outstanding Scientist Award from the New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research, “People to Watch in 2005” in the Star-Ledger, and the Coulter Foundation Translational Award. In 2013, Arinzeh was elected a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

Arinzeh encourages parents and teachers to help AfricanAmerican students find mentors in the STEM fields. She said, “I think they don’t see enough of us that look like them so they can identify with that career as something they can actually do.”

MAP CORNER

Enjoy these activities that help you get to know your St. Louis American newspaper.

Activities — Rules and Consequences: example in the newspaper of someone who did not follow a school or government rule. Write out what happened because the person did not follow the rule and who was affected most.

Analyzing logos: Look through the newspaper and find three logos that interest you. What appeals to you—the shape, the color, or something else? What does the logo say about the product or company?

Learning Standards: I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can write for a specific purpose and audience. I can make text-to-world connections.

Photo by Wiley

Soccer group promises community benefits

Stadium construction would be funded, in part, by public dollars if Props 1 and 2 pass

By Ryan Delaney Of St. Louis Public Radio

An ownership group that’s trying to persuade St. Louis voters to help fund a professional soccer stadium said at a news conference on March 21 that it will invest millions of dollars in youth soccer and jobtraining programs.

The ownership team, SC STL, along with St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay and nonprofit organizations, detailed the potential benefits of attracting an Major League Soccer team. Slay called the Community Benefit Agreement negotiated between SC STL and the city a “first-ofits-kind deal” that promises millions of dollars for more than a dozen organizations and initiatives.

n Without a stadium, St. Louis’ application will be sunk. But building that 20,000seat stadium just west of Union Station on stateowned land is contingent on the passage of Propositions 1 and 2.

The agreement is part of the push ahead of the April 4 election, when voters will decide the fate of two ballot initiatives — Propositions 1 and 2 — to fund part of the stadium construction. Some officials are skeptical of publicly financing a sports stadium, arguing any tax increase should go first to efforts such as affordable housing. Plus, the tax measures come on the heels of failed attempts to keep the NFL’s Rams in St. Louis.

One of the soccer ownership group’s partners, Paul Edgerley, noted that the agreement is “helpful not only in an economic development sense, but in a sense of trying to make sure that a bunch of important programs are adopted in the city.”

The programs SC STL is promising include:

• $5 million over 20 years to expand interest in soccer among city youth. The team will also run soccer camps in both north and south St. Louis.

• Free tickets to youth organizations for club home games.

See STADIUM, B2

Jim Kavanaugh of SC STL, the investment and ownership group trying to bring an Major League Soccer team to St. Louis, conferred with Otis Williams, executive director of the St. Louis Development Corporation, at a news conference on March 21 announcing the group’s plans to invest in community development.

Steward talks soccer, St. Louis and globalism

‘I talk

about

soccer in a visionary, strategic way, not in a tactical or political way’

By Sylvester Brown, Jr. For The St. Louis American

It took a while, but I finally convinced businessman and philanthropist, David Steward, to sit with me for this interview. Back in February, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran an article that back-handedly accused Steward of donating to mayoral candidate, Lewis Reed, to influence his vote on the allocation of public money to upgrade the Scottrade Center. Steward is a minority owner in the St. Louis Blues franchise. The team plays in the center. In full disclosure, Steward, the founder of World Wide Technology (WWT), a global technology solution provider with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, has been a consistent

n Helping kids of color develop a global vision that will help them rise above the challenges of “place and space” is David Steward’s ongoing mission.

supporter of the Sweet Potato Project, my nonprofit. The Dave Steward targeted in the Post-Dispatch’s hit piece didn’t meet the definition of the man I’ve known and admired for years.

See STEWARD, B6

Michael A. Scott joined KAI Design & Build as a senior project architect. He is responsible for the production of construction documents and assisting in the completion of design development documents. He will also take a leadership role as a liaison between clients and KAI. He previously worked as an architect at HOK, KAI, Kwame Building Group and Grice Group Architects.

Latonya Robinson was selected for the Missouri State Leadership Award by the National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators. She was also selected by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to serve on the Committee of Practitioners for Federal Programs. She is federal financial coordinator for Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Najeeb A. Travis graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas as U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class. He completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is a 2016 graduate of Hazelwood Central High School.

Teona McGhaw Boure has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Women’s Political Caucus-St. Louis Chapter. The caucus is a pro-choice, multicultural, intergenerational, and multiissue grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process and creating a true women’s political power base. Boure is on the April 4 ballot for 3rd Ward alderwoman of the City of Dellwood.

Rance Thomas was elected as chair of the Board of Directors for Health Protection and Education Service, which conducts comprehensive health screenings at the University City Library every third Saturday of the month. The president and co-founder of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice, he has volunteered for the agency for more than 14 years.

Ronda L. Wallace has been selected for inclusion in The Trademark Women of Distinction for demonstrating dedication, leadership, compassion, expertise, professional excellence, kindness and willingness to always help others find solutions. She is assistant principal at North Technical High School.

to cking@stlamerican. com

Michael A. Scott

Rance Thomas

Latonya Robinson

Ronda L. Wallace

A rendering of the proposed St. Louis soccer stadium.

Photo courtesy of HOK

Najeeb A. Travis

Teona McGhaw Boure

By Nathaniel Sillin

If you’ve made it to a point in life where you’re ready to start investing, or at least start thinking about investing, you may consider opening a brokerage account. But you’re not alone if the thought of choosing a brokerage firm is foreign to you.

While brokers have helped individual investors buy and sell investments for decades, the relationship and services have changed over time. For instance, rather than calling their brokers, today many investors use a sleek online platform or mobile app to place orders. Fees associated with maintaining a brokerage account and investing have also changed. Whether you’ve been investing for years, or are just diving in, it’s wise to occasionally compare brokerage firms’ offerings and costs, including those listed below, and find the option that’s right for you.

Trading-platform fees might not be necessary. A trading platform is downloadable software or an online app that you can use to make trades, view real-time quotes and news, perform analysis and set up your trading strategies. While platform fees can cost hundreds of dollars a month, many high-quality options are completely free. Others are free as long as you meet minimum account balance requirements.

Do you know how to save on online brokerage fees?

Deaconess hosts public meetings about grant opportunities

In April, the Deaconess Foundation will host three public meetings to introduce its funding strategy and grant opportunities to local non-profit leaders of organizations that serve, advocate or organize for children and youth. Applications for funding will open on April 17. Agencies or initiatives seeking funding should attend one of these three public meetings:

• Tuesday, April 4 (5:307:30 pm) at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman

Blvd. in St. Louis

• Monday, April 10 (10 a.m. – noon) at Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave. in Belleville

• Tuesday, April 11 (2:30-4:30 p.m.) at Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave. in Ferguson.

systems in electoral, legislative, judicial, administrative, communications and corporate arenas. One new element in the foundation’s funding going forward is its commitment to applying a racial equity lens to decision-making and grantmaking.

Grants will be awarded to institutions and initiatives with promise to influence

“Our children pay the price for persistent gaps in health and wealth between families and neighborhoods in

our region,” said Deaconess chief executive Rev. Starsky D. Wilson. “We can only reconcile disparities for the next generation if we consider diversity a core capacity, inclusion an asset, and equity as critical for effectiveness today.” Seating is limited, so registration is required. You may register at http:// deaconess.org/events. For more information, contact Alyssa Curran at AlyssaC@ deaconess.org.

traded funds (ETFs). Some brokers alternatively charge a fee per share, which could be a better option for day traders.

Making a trade over the phone or with the help of a broker rather than on your own online could incur an additional fee (sometimes between $20 to $50).

Mutual fund transaction fees may be higher than the cost of trading stocks, although some brokers have a list of no-transaction-fee funds. More advanced trading tactics, such as options, also may have additional fees.

Higher trading fees don’t necessarily indicate better service, but the fees could help the brokerage firm invest in its trading platform, customer service and research tools. Therefore, you’ll want to compare each firm as a whole, not just the trading fees.

Avoid annual fees. Some brokers charge an annual fee, often around $50 to $75. You might be able to avoid the fee by maintaining a minimum balance in your account, or there are a number of brokerages that don’t charge this fee regardless of your account balance.

Don’t overthink account closure or transfer fees. It’s common for a brokerage to charge $50 to $75 to close your account or transfer your holdings to a different brokerage. However, many brokerages will reimburse you when you open a new account with them.

STADIUM

Optional services are just that – optional. There are a few services, such as paper statements or premium research tools, that often cost money but are easy to opt in or out of based on your preferences.

How much could you save by choosing a low-fee brokerage? Unless you’re an advanced investor, there are likely a variety of brokerages that can fulfill your needs. Review the fees you’re paying at your current brokerage, or at a brokerage you’re considering, and the competition’s offering. Paying $5 versus $10 per trade might not be significant for every investor. However, that’s the difference between receiving $95 or $90 worth of stock when you invest $100. Everything being equal, spending the extra $5 means you take an immediate 5-percent loss, plus you miss out on potential gains.

Bottom line: Choosing a brokerage with low fees helps ensure that your money goes towards your investments rather than overhead expenses. Low-fee brokerages aren’t necessarily worse either. Some still offer high-end services, advanced trading platforms and mobile apps that can satisfy the needs of most beginner or intermediate investors.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

SC STL says it’s investing $255 million of its own money in the expansion effort. Revenue from ticket and sales taxes from soccer games and other events is estimated to be about $5 million a year, which SC STL says will offset the money it will get from the business tax.

Follow Ryan on Twitter: @ rpatrickdelaney.

Edited for space and reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

team. The league says it will announce later this year two clubs that will begin play by 2020; the other two will be named at a later date. Without a stadium, St. Louis’ application will be sunk. But building that 20,000seat stadium just west of Union Station on state-owned land is contingent on the passage of Propositions 1 and 2. About $4 million a year in an increased use tax on local businesses will go toward stadium construction.

Rev. Starsky D. Wilson

n “I know how I am as a player and I know what I can do on the court, so I’m ok with the expectations.”

– Prep basketball star and Mizzou recruit Michael Porter, Jr.

See ‘Sports Eye’ page B4 ~

Smith Gatorade Player of the Year

Vashon’s Farris is Class 4 Player of the Year

PreP BasketBall NoteBook

With Earl Austin Jr.

Missouri state champions Webster Groves and Vashon finished their respective seasons with a spot in the national rankings. Webster Groves, the Class 5 state champions, finished as the No. 13 team in the Max Preps Top 25 National Rankings after its 30-2 season. Vashon completed its 27-3 season as the Class 4 state champions and the No. 25 team in the nation by Max Preps.

Individual Honors for local standouts

Edwardsville High senior guard Mark Smith took home a couple of big postseason honors after a stellar year for the Tigers. The 6’4” Smith was selected the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Illinois. Smith also earned the Mr. Basketball Award in Illinois. A powerful point guard, Smith averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead Edwardsville to a 30-2 record and a berth in the Class 4A Supersectionals.

Vashon High point guard Daniel “Peanut” Farris was selected as the Class 4 Player of the Year by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and the website Prep Hoops Missouri. The 6’0” Farris concluded his career by leading the Wolverines to backto-back state championships.

n Edwardsville High senior guard Mark Smith was selected the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Illinois. Smith also earned the Mr. Basketball Award in Illinois.

Kirkwood High girls’ standout Lauryn Miller also took home a pair of postseason honors after leading the Pioneers to the Class 5 state championship. Miller was chosen the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Missouri as well as the Class 5 Player of the Year by the MBCA. Webster Groves High junior standout Courtney Ramey was selected the Class 5 Player of the Year by Prep Hoops Missouri after leading the Statesmen to the state championship. The 6’4” Ramey has already committed to the University of Louisville.

Certain dilemmas in the universe require deep evaluation, critical analysis and genius-level intelligence. How can humans colonize other planets? Where do astrophysical neutrinos come from? Who is hip-hop’s GOAT, Biggie or Lil Yachty 2Pac? Then there are other questions that appear simple and straightforward. Yet people insist on overthinking and overanalyzing them until ‘alternative’ dilemmas turn into real ones. This is exactly what has happened with the NBA’s MVP race. A decision that should be clear as day has become as muddled and murky as a White House press briefing. Here are the four candidates with a legitimate chance to win the MVP this season:

James Harden, Houston Rockets (51-23): 29.3 points, 11.4 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals - #3 seed in West, 20 triple doubles

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (47-26): 26.0 points, 8.8 assists, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals - #2 seed in the East, 10 triple doubles

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs (57-16): 26.0 points, 3.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals - Best defender in basketball, #2 seed in West

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (4231): 31.4 points, 10.4 assists, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals - #6 seed in West, 37 triple doubles

All of these players are having fantastic, MVP-worthy seasons (in other years). They are all certified monsters on the hardwood. I’ll also throw out the disclaimer that the MVP isn’t always about who has the best raw numbers. The formula It doesn’t take a rocket scientist for winning consists of individual success + team success + leadership x intangibles. Intangibles are why Leonard, who

Earl Austin Jr.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk Webster Groves Carte’Are Gordon (00) reaches

n Westbrook

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

Cardinals ‘magic number’ is 88; can we rent the Raiders?

St. Louis Cardinals “magic number” is 88; can we rent the Raiders?

If the St. Louis Cardinals win 88 games, I think they’ll sneak into the playoffs as a wild card team. Anything less, and there will be no postseason for a second consecutive year.

Should the Cardinals not make the playoffs, look for a change in the manager’s office. In fact, if the team struggles during the season’s first half, Mike Matheny could be asked to leave come the All-Star Game break.

I’m not predicting he’ll get fired. I’m saying it could happen if the team stumbles out the gate and is still playing mediocre baseball come summer.

Barring a slew of injuries to the Chicago Cubs – with several pitchers going down – St. Louis is looking at a second-place finish in the NL Central. After finishing a whopping 17.5 games behind the Cubs last year, I don’t see much chance in surpassing the reigning world champions.

will have the most impact on St. Louis. San Francisco will be the top wild-card team. The NL East will feature the annual showdown between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals. I like the Nationals to win the division and the Mets to fall flat on their collective faces. While their physical talents – when healthy – are magnificent, the “me first” attitudes of pitchers Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom turn me off. All the hair, muscles and machismo don’t add up to can’t miss 20-win seasons. I think the Mets falter and the Cardinals move into the second wild-card slot. It will take at least 88 wins though. We can start counting on Sunday.

Behind the black ball

The good news for the Cardinals is that they reside in the weak NL Central.

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are markedly improved in 2017, I still don’t see them in the playoffs. However, if the Bucs’ win total is anywhere near 88, it hurts the Cardinals’ chances of reaching that plateau. Without 88 wins, St. Louis is without playoff baseball. The Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers will field teams in 2017 that could both lose 90-plus games. That will help the Cards amass wins. An early season warning of bad things to come would be the Redbirds struggling against either one of these teams – especially at home.

n If the team struggles during the season’s first half, Mike Matheny could be asked to leave come the All-Star Game break.

The Cardinals should improve on the dismal 38-43 home record of 2016. It will be tough to match MLBbest 48-33 road mark. If the Redbirds play under .500 at home, the road to 88 wins is much bumpier.

The competition for a wildcard slot begins on the West Coast where the L.A. Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants will battle for NL West crown. The Giants led the universe in blown saves last year, but have added Mark Melancon as closer. Of all the offseason maneuvers in baseball, this one

When former San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick continued his protest of kneeling during the national anthem, it had to have dawned on him that he could be ending his playing career in the NFL. Hopefully, he isn’t shocked that no NFL team has signed him as a free agent during the offseason. Unless a team suffers a major industry late in the preseason, I’m guessing that he will not be on a team come September. Is he being blackballed?

Yes, says Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman

“I’m sure he is (being blackballed),” Sherman told ESPN. “It’s difficult to see because he’s played at such a high level, and you see guys, quarterbacks, who have never played at a high level being signed by teams. So, it’s difficult to understand.”

No, says New York Giants receiver Brandon Marshall, who also defended Commissioner Roger Goodell “..the reason why is I was one of those players on the other end of the spectrum,’’ Marshall said Monday at the NFL Annual Meeting.

“I was a player that probably was on my way out of the NFL. I was a troubled kid.

I had things going on that I was aware of and I needed time to be able to fix that, and (Goodell) embraced me, he brought me in, he talked to me like he was a coach. He told

me what was expected of me and how I needed to protect the shield, and he also gave me the resources I needed to get the help I needed.”

Marshall simply said the commissioner isn’t leading a possible boycott – but he isn’t stopping one by individual owners either.

Honesty must prevail here and I’ll be honest. If I were a general manager and the owner of my franchise asked me about the possibility of bringing in Kaepernick, I’d advise him to pass.

It’s not the 2016 protest (and he says he’ll stand in 2017 by the way), it’s not the $9 million he wants per season, it’s not the fact he wants to start, it’s not the fact that more than half the fan base would be livid – it’s ALL of that put together.

Raiders of the lost cause

NFL owners voted 31-1 to allow the Oakland Raiders to move to Las Vegas. Raiders owner Mark Davis said the team will play in Oakland for

at least two seasons, with no real home in 2019 as a new stadium in Las Vegas nears completion.

First, the NFL would have to be crazy to allow the team to play in Oakland in 2018. Next year will be dangerous enough. Oakland is one of the most dangerous places in the NFL for visiting fans. They would be targets for abuse by unhappy and unruly Raiders fans.

This will sound insane, but a two-year trip to St. Louis could be a good idea. The

Chrishana Wilson

team would leave after a couple of seasons and we would not be heartbroken. The NFL would again be reminded that St. Louis is a decent and deserving NFL town. A win-win if you ask me.

Alvin A. Reid is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook and appears on ABC’s The Allman Report and several sports radio shows, including Frank Cusumano’s “The Press Box” on KFNS. His Twitter handle is #aareid1

St. Louis Community College – Women’s Basketball

The 5’10” freshman forward from Gateway Stem led the Lady Archers to a fifth-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Tournament in Harrison, Arkansas.

In four games at the tournament, Wilson averaged 19.3 points, 14.5 rebounds and three steals a game as STLCC finished the week with a 3-1 record. She had 25 points, 17 rebounds and four steals in a 73-52 victory over Essex County (Ohio) in the fifth-place game.

For the season, Wilson averaged 17.0 points, 14.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.7 steals while shooting 49 percent from the field. She led the Lady Archers to a 26-9 record and a NJCAA Region 16 championship.

Maalik Walker

McKendree – Men’s Volleyball

The 6’7” senior opposite hitter from Minooka, Ill. led the Bearcats to a pair of impressive home-court victories last week. In a 3-1 upset over No. 11 ranked Ball State University, Walker had a team-high 16 kills to go along with seven digs, two blocks and four aces. He followed up with 11 kills, three blocks and two aces as McKendree swept Fort Wayne 3-0 on Senior Night in Lebanon, Ill. For the season, Walker has registered 241 kills, which is first on the team. As a junior, Walker had 196 kills, which was fourth on the Bearcats.

Alvin A. Reid

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny

With Maurice Scott

East St. Louis welcomes Cuonzo Martin

East St. Louis’ own Cuonzo Martin was introduced as the head basketball coach at the University of Missouri last week with plenty of fanfare and hype.

Martin fills the shoes vacated by former coach Kim Anderson with impressive credentials. He had a 61-41 record at Missouri State with a Missouri Valley Conference title. Martin was 63-41 and a Sweet 16 appearance while at Tennessee. And he recorded a 61-41 mark under some of the toughest academic standards in the country while at the University of California –Berkley.

The former Purdue University and East St. Louis Lincoln standout has hit the ground running, by getting a verbal commitment from the National Player of the year Michael Porter Jr. He is also recruiting McDonalds All-American Kevin Knox Jr., who is the son of former Florida State Seminole wide

Continued from B3

of being snubbed due to the Thunder’s current .575 winning percentage. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time. Oscar Roberson the only man who has achieved the epic feat that Westbrook is chasing did not win the MVP Award for his historic 1960-61 season. Robertson’s Cincinnati Royals finished 43-37 (.538). Though the Royals finished as the #2 seed in the Western Division, Robertson lost out to Bill Russell for the MVP award. Russell’s Celtics had a league-best 60-20 regular-season record (.750) and went on to win the championship. However, it is still considered a travesty that Robertson was not named MVP in a season where he accomplished something that no man, until now, has achieved. Harden is considered the front-runner for the award by many because of his team’s success. After saying goodbye to Dwight Howard and saying hello to coach Mike D’Antoni, many people expected Harden and the Rockets to finish near the middle or the bottom of the

PREP

Continued from B3

Triple Crown for Carte’are

Webster Groves junior forward Carte’are Gordon accomplished a most unique Triple Crown during the calendar year. During the summer, Gordon helped lead a powerful MoKan Elite team to the championship of the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, which is the most prestigious tournament on the summer grassroots circuit. Gordon was also a member of Team USA that won a gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Championships in Spain in August. The 6’8” Gordon completed his personal triple crown two weeks ago when he helped lead the Statesmen to the Class 5 state championship. Gordon has committed to Saint Louis University.

PHL makes history

It was a historic postseason for the Public High League as two teams came home with state championships for the first time in history. Joining Class 4 state champion Vashon in the winner’s circle was Northwest Academy, which won the Class 3 state championship the previous week. Northwest Academy head coach Gerald Jones was a star point guard for Vashon’s Class 4A state championship team in 1986.

n The former Purdue University and East St. Louis Lincoln standout has hit the ground running, by getting a verbal commitment from the National Player of the year Michael Porter Jr.

receiver Kevin Knox. Knox is a 6’8 combo forward who has unlimited potential and would fit in real nice in a Cuonzo Martin-run system. Mizzou is in the running, as Florida State, Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina are in heavy pursuit also.

Another player that Martin and his staff is heavily recruiting is Edwardsville High guard Mark Smith, who was recently named Illinois Mr. Basketball and Illinois

Gatorade Player of the Year. The smooth 6’5 combo guard is considered one of the toughest guards in the country who hasn’t given a commitment yet. Martin had offered the former University of Missouri baseball commit a scholarship at his previous stop at Cal, so Smith and his family are quite familiar with coach.

his program would qualify academically.

Landing Smith would shut-up some other coaches from around the country who are attempting to gain a recruiting advantage by telling local recruits that Martin didn’t recruit St. Louis players at his previous stops. It’s something that’s totally not true. At Tennessee he had a roster without much leverage based on what he inherited. And as far as his tenure at California, the academic standards were such that not many local players who would fit into

Martin met with Mark Smith and his family on Tuesday night. The St. Louis American will be the first to know, according to the Smith family, when he makes his official announcement. So the heat is on, so to speak, as Director of Athletics Jim Sterk aggressively hired Martin to restore the roar during basketball season in Columbia.

And make no mistake, the alumni and fans at Saint Louis University and the University of Illinois will feel the effect of Martin’s coaching, integrity and winning ways that are coming to Columbia. Martin and his staff will do things the right way at the University of Missouri.

What you saw last week during the Martin tour with the media wasn’t a sales pitch.

Western Conference standings. On Hardens shoulders though, the Rockets team has outperformed expectations and appear locked into the #3 seed.

Number three.

We’re not talking about a team with the best record in the league. We’re not even talking about a team with champion-

Gateway Tech celebrates 20 Years

At last week’s girls’ state tournament, there was a reunion of the 1997 Gateway Tech girls team that made history by becoming the first girls PHL team in history to win a state championship. Most of the team members and their families were in Columbia to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of that achievement. The Jaguars defeated Jackson 42-41 to complete an undefeated season at 28-0. Gateway Tech was directed by the brilliant Sherman Curtis as its head coach. The team is in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame because they went undefeated, but I think Sherman Curtis should definite-

ship expectations. James is the only player on the list with a reasonable expectation of winning a championship this year.

Leonard has an outside chance. That could sound like an endorsement for James or Leonard, but it isn’t. Both players have far more talented teams than Westbrook

ly be in the Hall of Fame for his excellence on the sidelines at Vashon and Gateway Tech.

* Congratulations to the women’s basketball team at St. Louis Community College for its fifth-place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national tournament in Harrison, Arkansas last week.

* Congratulations to the Harris-Stowe State University Men’s team on making its first ever appearance at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Tournament in Kansas City last week. The Hornets pulled off three consecutive upsets to win the American Midwest Conference Tournament title to earn their spot in the national tournament.

What you saw and heard is what you are going to get from the new Missouri head coach. And for Missouri fans, alumni, and basketball fans who don’t know him like I do, just wait and see what takes place in the near future with Mizzou basketball.

Scott’s notes

So much was going on in collegiate and high school basketball last week. The NCAA tournament, Mizzou hiring Cuonzo Martin, both Vashon and Northwest High schools in the city (PHL) winning state championships, University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman doing a double take hiring former Washington University women’s head coach Nancy Fahey and former Oklahoma State head coach Brad Underwood.

But something real stinky happened right down the street regarding Travis Ford and his

the guy who is doing something that has only been done once before. Did I mention that he’s leading the league is scoring?

It’s just not reasonable that the tiebreaker is a #3 seed over a #6 seed. Realistically, both Westbrook and Harden will be sitting at home watching the Finals with you and me. But the MVP award is about the regular season and there’s nothing regular about Westbrook’s remarkable feat.

Westbrook might be grumpy. He can be petty. He shoots a lot. However, it doesn’t take Albert Einstein to see that he’s far and away having the best season in the NBA this season, and one of the best seasons in league history. Hopefully MVP voters will do the right thing. Any name but Westbrook’s is fake news.

MPJ recruiting hard for Mizzou

and Harden. Take James off the Cavs and Leonard off the Spurs and both teams would likely still make the playoffs. Neither the Thunder nor the Rockets would have a chance without their superstars.

For me though, when two guys stand out above the rest, the tiebreaker is going to be

Mizzou hoops did the unthinkable and landed the #1 recruit in the nation when Michael Porter Jr. de-committed from the University of Washington in order to follow his father back to Columbia, Mo. Porter realizes that he’ll

Alicia Burnett

band in the SLU basketball program. Former Riverview Gardens standout Zeke Moore was forced out and asked for his release of his scholarship from SLU without much fanfare from the local media.

But it didn’t go unnoticed from the East Side. Moore, who averaged 5.3 points and 20 minutes per game, was quite impressive during the 201617 Billiken season as a true freshman. Moore’s ability off the bench helped spark numerous Billikens runs that turned into the few wins the Billikens had this season. But head coach Travis Ford never seemed to give Zeke Moore the opportunity to blossom and often pulled him out of games just when he was doing well.

Listen to Maurice Scott Jr. on the Charlie “Tuna” Edwards show at 9:30p.m. every Wednesday night on 590am ‘The Fan” KFNS.

likely need some help to immediately turn around a disastrous team that finished 8-24 for the season. As Maurice Scott reported, Porter is going hard in the paint trying to recruit All-American forward Kevin Knox. However, Knox isn’t the only target of Mizzou’s star player and best recruiter. Porter is also publicly wooing another blue chip recruit on social media. On Friday, Porter tweeted out, “Mizzou nation show my guy some love we need him at the ZOU.” The message was a retweet from a message by Blake Harris an elite point guard out of Chapel Hill, NC. Like Porter, Harris initially signed with Washington, but de-committed when Lorenzo Romar was fired. According to Zagsblog. com, Harris has narrowed down his choices to Michigan State, Missouri, N.C. State and Rutgers. If the Tigers can add Harris and/or Knox and keep point guard C.J. Roberts (a Kim Anderson recruit) committed, you can expect Mizzou to go dancing next season.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

Michael Porter Jr. de-committed from the University of Washington in order to follow his father back to Columbia, Mo.

STEWARD

continued from page B1

Steward had no interest in defending himself against the daily newspaper’s allegations. I persisted, arguing that the black community is at a disadvantage. We need to hear more from our success stories, and not just from the vantage point of the white-owned media. It’s crucial, I continued, that black people and young black folk, especially, know where our leaders stand on a wide variety of issues that impact their futures.

Mentioning youth was the ticket. Steward donates millions to what he defines as “community assets” institutions, like the Art Museum, Science Center, Cardinal Ritter High School, Harris-Stowe State University, The Muny, The BJK People’s Health Center, The KIPP Program, The Sheldon Concert Hall, Symphony, Boy Scouts, Variety the Children’s Charity, Symphony, Matthew Dickey-Boys and Girls Club, the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, St. Louis American Foundation programs, and countless other local entities that offer programs aimed at instilling core values and expanding the global vision of young people – particularly young people of color.

For example, the Centene Jazz Education Center within the Center for Jazz, offers workshops and studio time for some 11,000 youth every year. Young, promising musicians get the chance to learn their craft, Steward says, from international talents like Wynton Marsalis, David Sanborn, Joshua Redman, Terence Blanchard and many more. Steward, the author of “Doing Business by the Good Book,” credits his massive success to the highest power.

“Give what is given to you,” Steward told me. “God’s principles work that way. It’s about love, joy, peace, faith, kindness, humbleness and

so forth. But, at the end of the day, my purpose is about building the Kingdom and glorifying God in the process.”

It bothers him that WWT ranks as the country’s largest African American-owned business with a global client base, yet most local black youth have no idea what the company does or the employment opportunities the company offers. Helping kids of color develop a global vision that will help them rise above the challenges of “place and space” is Steward’s ongoing mission.

“How do we help our kids realize their relevance and strategic value in the world?” Steward said. “If we don’t reach out and help them learn a set of core values and those soft skills they need, then our ability to recruit them will be impacted. For this company to grow dramatically, we desperately need that diversity of thought at the table. It will make us a better company.”

Steward also makes investments to help prepare kids for the technological world. They include organizations such as the Global Leadership Forum and NPower, whose work focuses on creating a pipeline of diverse science, technology, engineering and math talent. The Steward Scholars program alone provides scholarships for over 100 high potential black students in St. Louis. Steward says there are two sure-fire routes to introduce youth to the global economy – music and sports – and he highlighted his point by recalling a recent trip to the Samsung Group, a multinational, South Korean conglomerate.

“We visited Samsung’s training center, which was located on what must have been 7,000 acres. We went into this huge auditorium and whose photos did I see placarded all over the place,” Steward recalled, “American jazz musicians like Miles, Thelonious, Lonnie Liston Smith, James Carter, Al Hirt and more,” Steward said. “They honored these jazz

greats but, more important, they wanted to capture and replicate the innovation process that went into their music. That sense of innovation is the thing that’s going to help Samsung tackle the global opportunities and challenges in technology for the next generation.”

“That’s what’s going to help us here in the U.S.,” Steward continued – “thinking differently, not in standard ways. Innovation is going to come from different experiences. That’s why it’s so important that people of color are engaged. Our experiences are so different from anybody else’s in the world. Those experiences have driven us to come up with innovative ideas and approaches.”

And sports, particularly the sport of soccer, he said, is a way to help youth think far beyond the constraints existing in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

“Soccer is a global sport, football is not. The big crowds around the world are connected to soccer. Yet, it’s the one sport that hasn’t really taken hold

at Saint Louis University, became a member of the 1984 Olympic team and went on to play professionally for the St. Louis Steamers. In 2011, Kavanaugh and Tom Strunk, WWT’s chief financial officer, purchased the St. Louis Soccer Park, one of the nation’s first soccer-specific facilities. The men gifted the facility to the Scott Gallagher Soccer Club (SLSC), a 4,000-member organization of youth soccer players. Kavanaugh serves as SLSC’s president.

Like Steward, Kavanaugh describes soccer as “the biggest global game out there” that’s attracted the attention of millennials worldwide. When discussing his lifelong love of the sport, Kavanaugh, too, speaks of his commitment to enhancing the lives of youth in the St. Louis region.

“I truly believe organized sports can help kids develop good habits and values that will positively impact them and their communities for life,” Kavanaugh said.

in the United States,” Steward said.

“And that’s unfortunate, because there’s a discipline to the game. Strategic relationships are built, there’s teamwork, trust, integrity, rules to live by, inner-discipline –all those things that represent a set of core values. When you consider that a pair of cleats and a ball are the only equipment required to play, soccer is a natural sport for kids whose parents are focused on making ends meet.”

Props 1 and 2

Steward supports the idea of soccer as another “community asset” in the region. Of the two proposals, Propositions 1 and 2, on the upcoming ballot, Prop 2 will provide funding for a new downtown soccer stadium.

The CEO of WWT, Jim Kavanaugh, is part of SC STL, a group of businessmen who own St. Louis’ first major league soccer franchise. Kavanaugh won a state soccer title as a student at Rosary High School. He played soccer

There are several defining differences between the city’s quest to build a soccer stadium now, versus the failed attempt to build a billion-dollar football stadium last year. Unlike the owners of the Rams and the NFL, SC STL and Major League Soccer (MLS) want to build and become a fixture in St. Louis. And local politicians attempted to ram the idea of football stadium down the throats of St. Louisans without a vote. This time, voters will decide the fate of a soccer stadium downtown.

Last week, the SC STL group held a press conference along with its community partners that include the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis, MOKAN, SLATE, the Urban League, Mission: St Louis, St. Patrick Center, Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club and the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation.

The group and its partners are promoting what they call the “Community Benefits Agreement.” Among several commitments, the group pledges to invest millions into

youth soccer programs and guarantee that there will be job training and minority inclusion in the construction and maintenance of the estimated $255 million, multipurpose, 20,000-seat stadium and much more.

“Our agreement with the city holds us accountable, and we promise to meet every term and then some for generations to come,” Kavanaugh said in a press statement. “But beyond accountability, we see this contract with our community as a unique opportunity to both lead and serve, in both new and traditional ways.”

Mike McMillan, president, and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, said it was clear from the start that the SC STL group had a “genuine interest” in engaging and serving the AfricanAmerican community.

“The Community Benefits Agreement serves as a model of how major projects should work,” McMillan said. “This is a comprehensive and groundbreaking contract between the ownership group and our city and one that the Urban League enthusiastically supports.”

Flint Fowler, director of the Boys and Girls Club of greater St. Louis, said he appreciated the fact that SC STL reached out to community leaders before announcing the deal.

“I’ve never seen a group come in and say, ‘This is what I want to do for the entire St. Louis community,’” Fowler told reporters last week. “We recognize the benefits that can be derived from partnerships of this nature.”

Steward said he sees a bigger picture.

“Faith is about looking at the unseen, and I’ve walked that path for a very long time,” Steward told me. “I talk about soccer in a visionary, strategic way, not in a tactical or political way. I look at the overarching parts of another community asset that will build the community in significant ways and affect our kids, minorities, and small businesses some 20, 30, 40 years from now.”

David Steward, chairman and founder of World Wide Technology, greeted friends after being honored as St. Louis Citizen of the Year in Ladue on May 13, 2015.

Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Living It

For love and the Diaspora

Wash U’s African Film Festival returns for 12th year

Special to the American Now in its 12th year, Washington University’s annual African Film Festival boasts some of Africa’s most acclaimed films on the big screen. And festival coordinator Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo is especially proud of what the series of films will bring to the screen this weekend at Brown Hall.

“In creating this year’s lineup, I tried to mix genres and ensure a mix of diverse and distinct cultures, but in each feature narrative, the premise of each film is love – and that looks different from culture to culture,” Toliver-Diallo said. This year’s showcase features nine films –including the acclaimed Nollywood drama 76,

August’s blues

Nationally renowned director Ed Smith helms The Black Rep’s latest production of August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’

Ed Smith directs Black Rep’s latest staging of Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“If you really want to learn August Wilson, turn on some blues and pick up his scripts,” said director Ed Smith.

Smith is at the helm Black Rep’s upcoming production of Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” – which opened at Harris-Stowe’s Emerson Performance Center this week and continues through April 23rd. The ensemble cast features Broadway veteran Kingsley Leggs and Linda Kennedy.

The nationally renowned director is considered by many to be an August Wilson subject matter expert. He has directed eight works within Wilson’s ten play cycle that captures black life in America during each decade of the 20th century – nearly all of them set in Wilson’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“The difference between working on August Wilson versus other playwrights is the beauty of words,” Smith said. “Hearing the African-American speak – I mean it’s really so poetic and musical when you think about it. If you like the blues, you just have

which dominated last year’s African International Film Festival. Also in the crop is a homage to Prince, “Rain the Color Blue with a Little Red in It,” featuring Mdou Moctor, a known Tuareg musician. The beauty in the film is the wide shots of the Niger landscape and the glimpse into the guitar scene in Agadez. Aside from Moctor, the actors in the film are non-professional actors. “76” is the first Nollywood feature ever featured in the festival and is the opening night feature. A historical fiction – the film retells the story of the 1976 coup against General Murtala Muhammed in Nigeria. “76” features Nigeria’s

‘I

Called Him Morgan’

Documentarian Kasper Collin unravels tragic fate of gifted jazz trumpeter

(NNPA) – Bee Bop. Jazz. The 1950s and 1960s were a hotbed for cool music – and the hip musicians, who played those genres on records and in smoky, dimly lit nightclubs, were a special breed. Years later, most people still revere legendary trumpeters like Miles Davis and Chet Baker and are amazed by the lives they

The power of portrayal

Stage drama ‘Idris Elba is James Bond’ speaks to minority representation in media

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Award-winning playwright and educator

Mariah Richardson was in Los Angeles teaching a class about the representations of race, gender, class and sexuality in American film when a hack at Sony Pictures revealed that Idris Elba was being considered as replacing Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. Upon hearing the information, conservative media personality Rush Limbaugh lost his mind.

“He said, ‘Idris Elba can’t be James Bond because James Bond is white,’” Richardson said. “I thought, ‘that’s stupid. James Bond is a fictional character. What is he talking about?’” She thought about how white people have played characters of all ethnicities since the inception feature film more than 100 years ago up through present day, but other than a few exceptions, people of color are expected to stay

‘Children of The Mountain’ by Priscilla Anany is among the featured selections for the 12th Annual African Film Festival.

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic

This enlightening and haunting film by Swedish musical documentarian Kasper Collin gives Edward

Morgan his due by reassembling

paramour. The story is so primal and tortured it also deserves to be a feature film starring someone like Michael B. Jordan or Nate Parker –someone with depth. Lee Morgan, born in Philly and a gifted trumpeter from adolescence, joined the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band at age 18 in the early ‘50s. Stints or guest performances with John Coltrane and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers further solidified his reputation in the jazz community

Lee Morgan

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concerts

Sat., Apr. 1, 7 p.m., The National Blues Museum Honors Big George Brock. Featuring performances by Marquise Knox, Skeet Rodgers and Mickey Rogers. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, call (314) 925-0016 or visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Sun., Apr. 2, 3 p.m., Season Finale at the Sheldon. Celebrating Intercultural Music with performances by IMI Chamber Players, Sunghee Hinners, Marie Jureit-Beamish, Bjorn Ranheim and others. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 289-4051 or visit www.thesheldon.org.

Sun., Apr. 9, 6 p.m., The Ambassador presents Sir Charles Jones. 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For mor einofrmation, call (314) 8699090 or visit www.metrotix. com.

Sat., Apr. 15, MJP welcomes Emily King, The Ready Room. For more information, visit www.thereadyroom.com.

Thurs., Apr. 20, 8 p.m.

The Ready Room welcomes Leela James and Daley. For more information, visit www. thereadyroom.com

Fri., May 5, 8 p.m., Steve Litman presents Trey Songz, The Pageant. For

more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Sun., May 14, 7:30 p.m., Mother’s Day Music Festival starring Anthony Hamilton and Joe, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sun., May 14, 8 p.m., Chance The Rapper, Scottrade Center. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Wed., May 17, 8 p.m., The Pageant welcomes Travi$ Scott, The Pageant. For more information, visit www. thepageant.com.

Fri., May 19, 8 p.m. doors, T.I.’s ‘The Hustle Gang’ Tour, Pops. For more information, visit www. ticketweb.com.

local gigs

Fri., Mar. 31, 5 p.m., The National Blues Museum presents Howlin’ Friday with Marquise Knox. 615 Washington Ave., 63101. For more information, call (314) 925-0016 or visit www. nationalbluesmuseum.org.

Apr. 4 – 5, 10 a.m., Sheldon Concert Hall presents Kim Fuller: A Tribute to Nancy Wilson. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 5339900 or visit www.thesheldon. org.

Featured Event

Thurs., Apr. 20, 8 p.m. The Ready Room welcomes Leela James and Daley. For more information, visit www.thereadyroom.com

special events

Fri., Mar. 31, 5 p.m., Gateway 180 presents the 8th

Festival of Laughs tour with Mike Epps,Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley and Felipe Esparza. For more information, see COMEDY.

Annual Open Your Heart for the Homeless Gala: Light Up the Night. Join us for an auction, live entertainment and art to honor the achievements of our families as they gain independence. Union Station, 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. gateway180.org.

Fri., Mar. 31, 9 p.m., The Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women invites you to our Cosmic Bowl Scholarship Fundraiser. Proceeds help support our annual Achievement Against the Odds scholarship program. Olivette Lanes, 9520 Olive Blvd., 63132. For more information, call (314) 684-9757 or visit www.ncbwstl.org.

Mar. 31 – Apr. 1, Dance St. Louis hosts Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue. A fusion of film, dance, and music, takes audiences on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society. Blanche M. Touhill Perofrming Arts Center, UMSL, 1 University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.dancestlouis.org.

Mar. 31 – Apr. 1, Malena Amusa presents Truth-orDare Mega African Dance Conference. We’re dedicating this event to live contemporary Afro-beat dance and soulful

West African and South African Zulu dance. Central Studio, 5617 Pershing Ave., 63112. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Mar. 31 – Apr. 2, The Fox Theatre presents The Illusionists – Live from Broadway. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

Sat., Apr. 1, 12 p.m., City of Overland Easter Egg Hunt. Children 1 – 10 years can collect eggs, and win prizes. Open to the public, but proof of Overland Residency is required to win the large prizes. Norman Myers Park, 8600 Midland Blvd., 63114. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Sat., Apr. 1, 6 p.m., Dignity Period Spring Gala. We believe that change can happen through a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing girls in Ethiopia. The evening includes dinner and a performance by Denise Thimes. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (3140 704-1501 or visit www.dignityperiod.org.

Sun., Apr. 2, 3 p.m., Karah Academy presents Dance Into Fashion Spring Bling Fashion Show. A fashion show that highlights creativity, dancers, apparel, interesting runway walks and runway choreography. Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave., 63135. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Thur., Apr. 6, 5:30 p.m., United 4 Children invites you to Lighting the Way At The Races. Donations from the gala help us provide children with after school programs, healthy meals and specialized training. Randall Gallery, 999 North 13th St., 63106. For more information, call (314) 531-1412 or visit www. united4children.org.

Fri., Apr. 7, 7 p.m., Thomas Dunn Learning Center presents All That Jazz: Art. Music. Food. Chill. An evening of art, music, poetry and more. You can also create your own masterpiece or mess-terpiece in the Art Lab, chill in the video lounge, or participate in the ShakeN-Bake Jazz Session. 3113 Gasconade St., 63118. For more information, call (314) 353-3050 or visit www.tdunn. org.

Sat., Apr. 8, 5:30 p.m., National Black Marathoners Association presents the 3rd Annual Black Distance Hall of Fame and Achievement Awards Banquet. Join us as we recognize the newest inductees into the black distance hall of fame, and raise money for our scholarship fund. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 200 N. 4th St., 63102.

Sat., Apr. 8, 6 p.m., The College School invites you to The Journey Gala and Auction. 2319 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, call (618) 655-0425 or visit www.thecollegeschool.org.

Sun., Apr. 9, 5 p.m., The Made Moguls’ 3rd Annual B.L.A.C.K. T.I.E. Charity Dinner. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 200 N. 4th St., 63102. For more information, visit www.mademoguls.org

Sat., Apr. 15, 6 p.m., A Queen & Her Prince, A King & His Princess: MotherSon, Father-Daughter Gala. A night of dinner, dancing, prizes and just an all around good time celebrating with our children. Center of Clayton, 50 Gay Ave., 63105. For more information, call (314) 4800311.

Sat., Apr. 22, 6 p.m., The Center for Women in Transition invites you to Beautiful Transformations Gala and Auction. The center helps provide safe housing, treatment, financial stability, and support systems to fight recidivism. The Grand Hall on Chouteau, 2319 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, call (618) 6550425 or visit www.cwitstl.org.

Sun., Apr. 23, 9 a.m., APA’s Fast & the Furriest. It’s time to lace up for our 5K run or 1-mile walk. We’re upping the ante and taking this race to the Hollywood Casino. 777 Casino Center Dr., 63043. For more information, call (314) 6454610 or visit www.raceroster. com.

Mon., Apr. 24, 6 p.m., St. Louis Visionary Awards. Grammy Award-winning soprano Christine Brewer and

St. Louis star Linda Kennedy will perform. The Sun Theater, 3625 Grandel Square, 63108. For more information, call (314) 584-6068 or visit www. vizawards.org.

Fri., Apr. 28, 11 a.m., St. Louis American Foundation’s 17th Annual Salute To Excellence in Healthcare, Frontenac Hilton. For more information, call (314) 533-8000 or visit www. stlamerican.com.

comedy

April 8 (7 p.m. ) & April 9 (7:30 p.m.), Chris Rock: Total Blackout Tour 2017, Peabody Opera House. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Apr. 21, 8 p.m., Festival of Laughs tour with Mike Epps,Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley and Felipe Esparza, Chaifetz Arena. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

literary

Wed., Apr. 5, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author

Ibtisam Barakat, author of Balcony on the Moon: Coming of Age in Palestine 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Wed., Apr. 5, 7 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral hosts author Thomas Frank, author of Listen, Liberal: Or What Ever Happened to the Party of the People. 1210 Locust St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 231-3454.

Thur., Apr. 6, 5:30 p.m., Subterranean Books hosts author DuEwa Frazier, author of Quincy Rules. 6275 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 8626100 or visit www.subbooks. com.

Fri., Apr. 7, 5:30 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Chelsea Clinton, author of It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspire, & Get Going! 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Tues., Apr. 11, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Thomas Shapiro, author of Toxic Inequality: How America’s Wealth Gap Destroys Mobility, Deepens the Racial Divide, & Threatens Our Future! 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Mar. 31 – Apr. 2, Spring Art Fair. Featuring original pieces of jewelry, photography, sculpture, and more. Also with wine tastings raffle drawings, music, and more. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, call

(314) 889-0433 or visit www. artfairatqueenypark.com.

Sat., Apr. 8, 8 p.m. Unifying Through Art with Cbabi Bayoc and Hobo Cane (Javier Mendoza), .Zack, 3224 Locust. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Through May 14, COCA presents Harlem Renaissance: Contemporary Response. Exhibition featuring works by emerging or young artists inspired by artists associated with the Harlem Renaissance. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl. org.

lectures and workshops

Wed., Apr. 5, 6:30 p.m., The Scholarship Foundation invites you to Decision-Making: Using Award Letters to Assess Affordability. We will help high school seniors learn how to review the types of financial aid offered, as well as assess any remaining expense gap students would have to cover on their own. 8215 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, call (314) 7257990.

Apr. 7 – 8, 9 a.m., VA St. Louis Health Care System and Warrior Summit Coalition invite you to Welcome Home/Warrior Summit. St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 289-6393 or visit www.stlcc. edu.

Wed., Apr. 19, 7 p.m., The Happiness & Well-Being Project presents For the Sake of All: Translating Evidence into Health and Well-Being. Il Monastero, SLU, 3050 Olive St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-3159 or visit www. happinessandwellbeing.org.

Wed., Apr. 19, 7 p.m., Washington University presents the Henry Hampton Film Series with guest speaker Jon Else. The event includes a discussion of Else’s new book, True South: Henry Hampton and ‘Eyes on the Prize,’ a screening of an “Eyes on the Prize” episode and a look at previously unavailable excerpts of the series. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 9355495.

Wednesdays Through Apr. 26, 7 p.m. The Missouri Bar Association invites you to the Spring 2017 Mini Law School for the Public St. Louis County Council Campus, 41 S. Central, 63105. For more information, call (866) 366-0270 or visit www. missourilawyershelp.org/minilaw-school.

theatre

Mar. 30 – Apr. 2, Idris Elba is James Bond. Is the media the enemy of the people? A tale of stereotyping, media, and the community in the age

of Trump. Mildred E. Bastian Center for Performing Arts, STLCC at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 644-9232.

Mar. 31, 8 p.m., Touhill Performing Arts Center presents MADCO Freedom. The show brings to life Washington Universities Olin Libraries special Civil Rights collection through dance exploring a timely theme in St. Louis and the United States. UMSL. For more information, visit www.touhil.org.

Sun., Apr. 2, 7 p.m., Je’Caryous Johnson presents Married But Single Too 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www. peabodyoperahouse.com.

Through Apr. 2, Never the Sinner. In 1924 Clarence Darrow defended two murderers in the “Crime of the Century.” His defense was an eloquent plea against capital punishment. The play asks what demons lurked in these men’s minds and the complex relationship between them. Wool Studio Theater, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., 63146. For more information, call (314) 442-3283.

Apr. 7 – 9, COCA presents Uptown. An episodic tour through 1920s Harlem bringing to life the rich artistic activity of the era. 524 Trinity Ave., 63130. For more information, call (314) 561-4877 or visit

www.cocastl.com.

Sun., Apr. 9, 8 p.m., Todrick Hall presents Straight Outta Oz. With over 20 original songs, watch Hall’s adventures from his small town in Texas, to the big Emerald City lights of “Oz Angeles.” Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-9900 or visit www. thesheldon.org.

Apr. 21 – 22, 6:30 p.m., Next Generation Theatre Company presents Night and Day: The Music of Cole Porter. Florissant Civic Center, 1 James J. Eagan Dr., 63033. For more information, call (636) 336-2599 or visit www.nextgenerationtheatre. company.

Through Apr. 23, The Black Rep presents August Wilson’s Seven Guitars, Harris-Stowe State University’s Emerson Performance Center. For tickets or more information, call (314) 534-3810 or visit www.theblackrep.org.

health

Thurs., Mar. 30, 6:30 p.m., Health and Nutrition Seminar: The Deadliest Weapon of Mass Destruction This World has EVER SEEN The Standard American Diet (SAD), St. Louis Public Library –Carpenter Branch, 3309 S. Grand Blvd. For more information, call (314) 4438441.

Sat., Apr. 1, 9 a.m., The National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter invites you to Empowered To Serve Program. They have partnered with The American Heart Association for six health lessons designed to encourage healthy living, control blood pressure, and more. For more information, call (314) 3677778.

Mon., Apr. 10, 8 a.m., Project AWARE Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. Behavioral Health Response, 12647 Olive Blvd., Ste. 200, 63141. For more information, call (314) 6286229 or visit www.bhrstl.org.

Sat., Apr. 15, 6:30 a.m., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Edwardsville Collinsville Chapter presents Kappa 5K Run/Walk. All proceeds will be used to support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and their Kappa Alpha Psi Guide Right mentoring Program. SIUE,

North University Dr., 62025. For more information, visit www.ecnupes.com.

Fri., Mar. 31, 7 p.m., The Worship Center presents The Rush. Calling all musicians, singers, pastors and anyone else who would like to attend for teaching and activation in ministry. 5869 Bartmer Ave., 63112. For more information, call (314) 361-0274 or visit www.therush2017.eventbrite. com.

Fri., Apr. 14, 12 noon, The Rev. & Mrs. Spencer LaMar Booker And The Cathedral at St. Paul AME Church present the “The Women View at the Cross,” St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 1260 Hamilton Ave., St. Louis MO. 63112. For more information, call (314) 385-8900.

Sat., Apr. 22, 7 p.m., Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis 10th Anniversary Concert. Special guests include the Legend Singers, the Gospel Symphonic Choir, and others. Salem United Methodist Church, 1200 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 329-4242 or visit www. communitygospelchoir.org.

Sat., May 6, 1 p.m., The Cathedral At St. Paul AME Church Women’s Missionary Society presents their 4th Annual 1st Lady Crystal Luncheon Honoring Mrs. Estella Shockley, St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Ave. St. Louis, MO. 63112. For more information, call (314) 385-8900.

Mar. 31 – Apr. 2, Washington University presents the 12th Annual African Film Festival Brown Hall, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, call (314) 935-7879 or visit www.africanfilm.wustl.edu.

Apr. 2 – 4, The Tivoli Theatre presents Amadeus Film Screening. 6350 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, visit www. landmarktheatres.com.

Tues., Apr. 4, 12 p.m., Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness for Change Film Screening. This film investigates the role Catholic nuns played in Alabama’s 1965 Selmato-Montgomery marches. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112.

The National Blues Museum Honors Big George Brock. See CONCERTS for additional details.

hottest stars and plenty of Nollywood elements, but more importantly, the film offers audiences a glimpse into 1970s West African fashion and music. The festival also will feature a screening of the acclaimed series, “Children of the Mountain,” followed by a conversation with director Priscilla Anany – an advocate for telling women’s stories in Africa. ‘Children’ has received much acclaim in international festivals with its protagonist claiming many Best Female lead awards. The Saint Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will sponsor the reception following Saturday evening’s screenings.

Film fun for the kids

The festival sets aside 1-3 p.m. Saturday for its special “Eye on Youth” programming. This year’s selected shorts are “Stick Man,” an animated adventure about a father’s epic quest home; “Orisha’s Journey,” an animated fantasy about a mysterious walking forest and “Hair that Moves,” the charming tale of a girl who wants to win a singing competition.

Toliver-Diallo says the movies’ themes are universal, but they also offer a unique look at the perspectives and people of Africa.

“I love film’s power to transport us to other landscapes within minutes,” said Toliver-

Diallo, who is also assistant dean in Arts & Sciences and senior lecturer in African and African-American Studies at Washington University. “I hope these films provide children an opportunity to compare their lives with the lives others thousands of miles away and to gain a more complex, 3-D understanding of other cultures.”

Immediately following the screening, animator, comic book illustrator and storyboard editor Abdul Ndadi will lead an interactive workshop, “From Idea to Life.” Ndadi is excited about his visit to Saint Louis.

“I am honored to be presenting my film Orisha’s Journey’ at Washington University in St. Louis for their African Film Festival,” said Ndadi. “And I feel privileged to be working with youth about creating stories of their own.”

Supplies provided for the interactive workshop are courtesy of the Saint Louis Art Museum.

The Festival is sponsored by the Department of African & African American Studies, Program in Film & Media Studies and the African Students Association of Washington University. The festival is supported with funding from the Washington University Women’s Society, Missouri Humanities Council and the Missouri Arts Council. Washington University’s 12th Annual African Film Festival will take place from March 31-April 2 in Brown Hall on the Danforth Campus. All films and related programming are free and open to the public. For a full list of films at this year’s festival, visit africanfilm.wustl. edu or call (314) 935-7879.

for blowing a sweet horn. Recording around 25 records, mostly for the famed Blue Note Records label, added sheen to his career and allure. But as a musician’s life can go, he had his troubles. An addiction to drugs got him kicked out of Blakey’s band. He was broke, homeless and often sold his worldly possessions for a fix of heroin.

The stabilizing force in Morgan’s increasingly harrowing life was a magnanimous older woman named Helen. She fed him, put a roof over his head, was his ardent lover, and his biggest fan. If Morgan regained his footing at all, it was because of her unwavering support. She loved him with all her heart, but not unconditionally. She had her pride. When Morgan turned his attention to a younger lover, his commonlaw-wife was not about to take it on the chin. She had a plan –and a gun.

Reconstructing Lee

Morgan’s bio through old interviews with Morgan, anecdotes from jazz greats like Wayne Shorter, photos and archival footage vividly recreates the jazz age and the trumpeter’s travails. The most soul-crushing recollections, however, come from Helen herself. Her stories can be heard on an audiocassette interview that was arranged by a night school teacher who was intrigued to find out that one of his students did a stint in

March 31-April 2. Richardson also directs the production, which stars a diverse ensemble of student actors.

in their place on screen.

“We are getting our perceptions of how we see each other – and ourselves – from mainstream media,” Richardson said. “We get all of these negative images of blackness. And I believe that’s what’s led us to the Black Lives Matter movement – because we’ve been profiled, because we’ve been portrayed as dangerous animals, and that’s how we are seen.”

Out of her thoughts came the idea to create a counter narrative. The end result was the stage drama “Idris Elba Is James Bond,” which plays at St. Louis Community College – Forest Park’s Mildred Bastian Center for Performing Arts,

“Idris Elba is James Bond” begins with a grieving AfricanAmerican mother who has lost her only child to police violence. She falls asleep and awakes in a box she shares with other minorities.

“There’s a Native American, There’s an Arab guy, there’s an Asian woman. There’s a black woman and a Filipino. There is also a gay man,” Richardson said. “They are dealing with their stereotypes with each other. They are talking about how they are being represented, but they are stuck in this box –and the only way they can get out is that they learn to control their own narrative and tell their own stories.”

She hopes the play will be

prison for committing perhaps one of the most heinous acts of violence in the jazz world.

Hearing Helen recall the ups and downs of her relationship that left her in an emotional fog is like hearing an old jazz 78 rpm record that is so scratched, you can barely make out the tune, but you do. Everything you hear and see leads up to an ill-fated, cold wintry New York City night in 1972.

Performers and an audience are gathered at an East Village jazz bar. Morgan is there with

a gateway to conversations to talk about these issues and hopefully help build community. Post-show discussions are planned to facilitate conversations that have the potential to move towards healing while dismantling misconceptions, misperceptions and negative stereotypes.

“If we understand that the images we are fed are what lead to our inability to come together, then maybe we can get past that,” Richardson said. “I hope that people will leave the play more media literate – that is my hope – and when they start looking, whether its film, TV or whatever medium, that they are looking at it closely and are able to observe the ways that they are affected by it.”

Through “Idris Elba is James Bond” Richardson

a girl on his arm. A shot rings out. An irrevocable crime of passion occurs. Time stands still. People live or die with the consequences. Kasper Collin has assembled a top-notch tech crew for this urban tale. The splendid cinematography of Bradford Young (Arrival, Selma) recreates scenes with the artistry of a painter. Editing by Collin with the help of Hanna Lejonqvist, Eva Hillström and Dino Jonsäter make you feel like a picture book has come alive, reeling out photos with a rhythm as precise yet eclectic as a jazz score.

Watch “I Called Him Morgan,” and you will sit enraptured. Morgan’s music and Helen’s foggy memories will take your breath away. It’s an amazing coda to a jazz musician’s life. It’s the encore Morgan never had the chance to do.

“I Called Him Morgan” opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, April 7. Dwight Brown is a film critic and travel writer. Read more of his reviews and features at DwightBrownInk.com.

hopes that the audience can see the correlation of how their own biases are coming from mainstream media –particularly film and television – and how biases towards them are coming from the media.

“If we are going to talk about coming together to build community, we are going to have to address these things,” Richardson said. “Everybody needs to be able to tell their stories. And the way it is right now, we are not telling our stories. White people are telling our stories – and they are portraying us in the process.”

“Idris Elba is James Bond” will run March 30 – Apr. 2 (7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat and 3:30 p.m. on Sun.) at the Mildred E. Bastian Center for Performing Arts, STLCC at Forest Park, 5600 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 644-9232.

Lee Morgan

Continued from C1

to like August Wilson.”

The work of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright was brought to the mainstream late last year when Denzel Washington directed and starred in a film adaptation of “Fences.”

It was through August Wilson’s work that connected Smith with the Black Rep. He directed a production of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” at the Studio Arena Theater in Buffalo, New York 25 years ago – which ironically starred “Fences” film co-star Stephen Henderson. Black Rep founder and Producing Director Ron Himes caught a performance of the production and asked him to direct the show for his company in St. Louis. Smith would return to direct several productions for the Black Rep in the years since, including four of Wilson’s plays.

“August Wilson has introduced so many people to the history of African people in America,” Smith said. “He starts that from the very beginning of his plays – he always talks about history. You’re going to the theatre, but you always get a history lesson with August Wilson’s work.”

You also get the blues.

“People tend to say that there’s a hatred for the white man, but it’s really not,” Smith said. “It’s about our coming to America the way that we did, the way we have had to live in America and deal with what’s given to us in America.” It was the black experience of finding beauty and strength in the pain of seemingly insurmountable odds that birthed the blues – and Wilson’s words.

“That’s what made me gravitate towards August Wilson’s work.” Smith said. “If you follow his writing, you will pick up that blues feeling.” Wilson’s words and blues music intersect on stage with “Seven Guitars.”

Musician Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton returns from a stint in prison to discover that his music has become popular. He decides that he must to travel to Chicago to capitalize on the momentum and become a successful recording artist.

“He has to go to Chicago because that was the place to be at the time for the blues,” Smith said. “This production is showing you the conditions of 1948. Musicians who really are fighting to be recognized – but cannot be recognized because of the system, what’s going on with their records and their identity [the color of their skin]. August is a wonderful writer, and this is a wonderful piece. I tell the actors ‘there are lines in this play that you will never forget.’”

The story is about friends, family and a sense of community that happens in the backyard of a Pittsburgh apartment building.

“The seven guitars are the seven stories told by these artists,” Smith said. “The interesting thing is that when August wrote this play, it was really geared for just the four men with no women. But he kept hearing this woman say ‘where am I in this? I need to be here.’ He listened –and it’s good that he did.

It’s hard to deal with blues without a woman – and in some cases you can’t truly have the blues without a woman. If you take women out of the blues, you only have half the song.”

The Black Rep’s presentation of August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” continues through April 23rd at Harris-Stowe State University’s Emerson Performance Center, Laclede. For more information, call (314) 534-3810 or visit www. theblackrep.org.

Cast members from the The Black Rep’s presentation of August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars”

Birthdays

Sending Happy 7th Birthday wishes to Damara (aka Nuk) on April 2, from your Mom, Dad, and family!

Happy 18th birthday to our amazing, smart, and beautiful daughter, Courtney Harris! You are loved for the little girl you were, the special young woman you are now, and the wonderful daughter you will always be! Continue to “stay strong and stay positive” throughout your life! We love you, Mom and Dad

Reunions

Beaumont Class of 1967, if you have not received a letter or e-mail, call 314-533-6087 or Beaumontclassof67@ sbcglobal.net with your contact information. Several activities are planned for the week of June 6-11, 2017. Meet & greet on 6-9-17, banquet on 6-1017, church services 6-11-17 at Greater Mt. Carmel and

a brunch after services. Our scheduled meetings are 3-1817, 4-15-17 and 5-20-17 at the Normandy Library at 1:30 p.m.

Beaumont Alumni Class 1968 meetings in preparation for their 50th Class Reunion will be held at STL County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge, St. Louis MO, 63121 on Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. on March 25, April 22, May 20 and June 24. For more information email bhsco1968@ att.net or call 314 869-8312.

Beaumont High School Class of 1972 is celebrating 45! Calling all classmates to mark your calendar for August 11 -13 2017 and celebrate our 45th class reunion. Activities have been planned for a fun illed weekend you don’t

Celebrations

Engaged

Happy 18th Birthday to Teri Alexis Blake on April 6! We love you! From your parents (Garrett “Fat Fat” and Tiffani), grandparents (Terry and Trina Carter) and aunts (Tamika Carter and Marsha Caldwell)

want to miss. Please direct all inquiries and registration request to Sharon Webb Steele at (314) 757-2799 or Linda Howard at (314) 397-5570. You may also use Facebook , BHS72 Reunion Committee.

Beaumont High School Class of 1977 will celebrate its 40year reunion Sept. 15–17, 2017. For further information, please contact: Karen Handley (314) 330-0129, Audrey Dixon (314) 413-9202, Lois Moore (314) 315-0474, Kelvin Ellison (314) 599-6733.

Beaumont High School, Class of 1978 will celebrate its 40-year reunion in 2018. For further information, please contact: Marietta Shegog Shelby, 314-799-5296,

Congratulations to LaKisha Brown and Gerry Bolden on their recent engagement! Plans are underway for the big day on May 26, 2018!

madeshe@sbcglobal.net.

Cleveland High School 1980-84 is planning a reunion for anyone that attended Cleveland High School during the desegregation period on August 5-6, 2017 at the Renaissance St Louis Airport Hotel. For more information, please contact Babette PerkinsAnderson 314-345-0939.

Hadley Tech Classes of 1962-1963 are having their 55th year reunion on October 13-15, 2017 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. For more information, please contact Hellon (Merritt) Jefferson at 314-307-3681, Ora (Scott) Roberts at 314-222-3662, Wilhelmina (Gibson) Baker at 314-630-9647, Pearl (Tillman)

Holden 314-685-0466 or Virdell (Robinson) Stennis at 314-773-8177.

Soldan High School Class of 1977 celebrating its 40-year reunion on Friday June 2-4, 2017 at the Crown Plaza Hotel located at 11228 Lone Eagle Dr. in Bridgeton, MO. For further information, please contact Debbie Marshall at 314-831-8831.

Vashon High School Class of 1972 is planning our 45-year reunion for 2017. Meetings are being held every 1st Tuesday of the month at the new Vashon High School; 3032 Cass Ave., in the library. Please email your info to eufabya@sbcglobal.net, or attend the meetings.

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, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

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

North County churches honor orators

Clay decries ‘cruel and counterproductive’ Muslim ban

American staff

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice recently held its Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Oratory Essay Contest at John Knox Presbyterian Church.

Winners include Jennifer Andrade, principal of Walnut Grove Elementary School, Ferguson-Florissant School District, grades 9-12; Reece Ellis, Hazelwood East High School, Hazelwood School District, grades 6-8; Morgan McKenzie, Hazelwood North Middle School, Hazelwood School District, and grades 1-5; Jermel Grissomm, Fairview Elementary School, Jennings School District.

“We truly have some outstanding winners this year, and they include four students and one adult,” said Rance Thomas, president of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU).

In addition to each winner receiving $100 prize money, each presented their winning essays at the Dr. King Celebration at St. Louis Community College –Florissant Valley in the Terry Fisher Theatre on January 15.

The keynote speaker at the celebration was one of NCCU’s Pastors, Rev. Cedric Portis of Third Presbyterian Church, and Third Presbyterian’s choir provided the music for this year’s celebration.

Give it to God Women’s Conference

Give it to God Ministries, Inc. is hosting its 3rd Annual Iron Sharpens Iron Women’s Conference on April 1 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, 1410 S 5th Street St. Charles, MO

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice recently held its Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Oratory Essay Contest  at John Knox Presbyterian Church.

63301. The title of this year’s conference is “Defined,” based on Ephesians 1:4: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

The speakers include Jeanne Vogt, minister at Give it to God Ministries, and Apostle Octavia Standley, minister at Remnant Ministries KC. Returning to the stage again this year will be Andy Raines “The Passion Painter,” who will paint a portrait during worship service that can be won by a drawing of all the names of guests who pre-register for the conference. Joy Nance Johnson and her crew will worship both morning and afternoon with an anointing. Through the bold teaching and biblical insight of these two speakers, the women will be taught how to find their true definition in God, not by the world, their past or their circumstances.

To register, visit www. GIVEITTOGODSTL.COM.

Cruel and counterproductive Muslim ban

“President Trump’s revised Muslim

travel ban is cruel, ineffective, and counterproductive to our national security. It will do nothing to keep America safe but it will empower the extremists who wish to do us harm,” U.S. Rep. Wm Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) wrote in a letter to The American “We must continue to welcome and defend refugees and immigrants without discriminating against them on the basis of their religion or country of origin. And we will demand equal protection under the law for all, as required by the U.S. Constitution.

“Since the 9-11 attacks, there has not been a single case where a refugee admitted to the United States committed a terrorist attack. And this revised Muslim travel ban does not even cover the nations that produced the 9-11 terrorists. Those are the facts, and the refugee vetting process, which takes almost two years, is already very strict. It works.

“People of faith across this country are united in opposing this terrible, totally un-American action that violates our core values, contributes nothing to our national security, and emboldens extremism.”

This humility thing

I went to church a while back intent on hearing the message from a particular preacher only to find him missing in action. The guest minister’s sermon on humility was a stark reminder that it’s all about the message and not necessarily the messenger. Fortunately for me, that was one of the enlightening moments when I came to Christ that oddly enough, was a key principle taught by the preacher I was set on hearing that Sunday.

Humility as preached on this day was to be looked upon with Philippians 2 as the backdrop. That entire chapter is devoted to Paul’s message to the church at Philippi regarding the effort to “imitate Christ’s humility.” As I listened humility went somewhat uncomfortably from a docile concept of passive behavior to a clear fact and demonstration of power and strength rooted in faith. It was made crystal clear that Christ chose to consider Himself at best equal to, if not lesser than His fellow man. That’s you and me.

The “ah-ha” moment comes when you recognize this is God we’re talking about. He consciously chose to make himself human in order to serve His divine purpose.

The text tells us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Now my recollection of Christ says that a pretty good description of how He looked at His duty is pretty much what got Him killed.

Has anyone else noticed that the most dangerous, therefore the most powerful and important thing you can do in life is to care about someone else more than you care about yourself? You see this humility thing does indeed have teeth.

Paul teaches us that it is our fundamental responsibility as Christians, to be united in our effort to emulate Jesus’ denunciation of status, pride, ego and self. Surely if anyone one a right to be arrogant, it was the living Son of God. Think about it. You try being the walking talking Word and deliberately transform yourself into a mere mortal. Become Christ and die willingly at the hands of men. Now don’t spend too much time on this because you couldn’t do it. Fortunately Paul, as the minister made clear, is not asking you or me to do the impossible. However, he made it plain enough that our Christian goal should be service unto man. Paul tells us that our conduct must be rooted in the following truth. Out of this thing called humility, Christ saved the world. Are we better than Him? Think it through. If you’ve looked down your nose at anyone for any reason, if you really think you’re better than someone else, then you think you’re better than Jesus; who thought Himself no better and even less than you. He died in service to us, you and me. Do something good for someone else today simply because you can. If you don’t get this or refuse to…

Columnist James Washington

Swag Snap of the Week

Khalid’s STL introduction. My weekend started way early thanks to Hot 104.1 FM and their Who’s Next series. How dare y’all have it on Wednesday night like that this time? I’m still in recovery because of y’all. Luckily it was worth it. Anyway, nothing but death or deadline could have kept me from checking out rising R&B star Khalid on stage at HG. I know what you’re thinking right now, who is Khalid? He’s the guy that sings “Location.” I know, you thought it was Frank Ocean…so did I! Well it ain’t. And I’ll know who the El Paso native is from now own because of how he and his little band put it down on stage. I can’t say that I was checking for his Iman Shumpert hair game and skater boy swag, but I got life from the actual performance – even though it was so packed I had to strain my neck peeking around a concrete support beam to check him out. The thing that was most striking was how diverse the crowd was. He served up a cross between Frank Ocean (no surprise there) and Miguel (probably no surprise either). But he had way more of a pop edge – which would explain the general population folks being so deep. When he comes back, he’ll be doing The Pageant at the least. Shout out to Hot for constantly hipping folks to the new.

What was Gary Owen going through? I had been waiting for weeks to see Gary Owen at The Pageant because I knew that I was going to be gagging with laughter. Sadly, after the show all I could muster up was an “I guess…” I know y’all don’t believe me, but the Jon B./Robin Thicke of comedy was underwhelming at best for my first time catching him as a headliner. In lieu of an introduction, Gary played a video intro long enough to be a Showtime special by itself that featured every single cameo, performance and standup snippet of his entire career. My seat neighbor leaned over and was like, “Honey, is this the show?” In hindsight, if it had been that would have been fine with me. I don’t know if he was having a bad night or what. Every time he’s on an urban comedy revue, he kills it. Maybe he’s one of those people who needs some sort of competition to hit it out of the park. He had one little fan that lovingly heckling him over the course of his set. The best thing about it was that it was quick. I will say that I’m fortunate to have gone because I had the chance to run into some of my favorite peeps up in there – mainly from the 100.3 The Beat family. BJ The DJ, Osei, Jesse, Mousie, Meredith (good to see you again, girl) and Tammie Holland. I also had the chance to catch a kee-kee catching up with Kevin C. Johnson from the P-D – which is more than I could say for Gary. I’m going to charge it to the game of him being a ball of nerves as he waits to find out if his reality TV show is renewed.

Happy birthday Blank Space. In order to lift my spirits after that alleged comedy show, I stopped through one of my favorite haunts as they celebrated five years in the game. I think everybody was coming through Blank Space to on Saturday night because it was lighter than I expected. But that’s not to say I didn’t have a good time – especially after chopping it up with The Knuckles. Marquee trap music March Madness: Take one. I’m so glad I got to experience some wiggle room at Blank Space because that would not be the case when I headed over to the Marquee to check out Young Dro 2.0 a.k.a.

Young Dolph. It was packed in so high that I sat outside in the rain for a minute just to catch my breath. And while y’all are too cute for coats, y’all need to keep umbrellas on deck for the sake of your dollar tree sew-ins if you hear that there is a five percent chance of rain. I saw a wet quick weave that looked like a honey-blonde Chia Pet and kept some poor chica’s club gear from being great. I know y’all came to hear about Dolph, so I’ll get to him now. He came out wearing an Iceberg Slim paisley coat with Eddie Winslow’s “Family Matters” hair game – and the folks got their life! At first it seemed like the last thing on his mind was actually performing as he hyped the crowd up. The good thing is that he did not need to perform because everybody in that crowd knew every single word to all of his little trap collection. On any other week Dolph would have been the win, but the Marquee was closing the weekend out with Boosie – so the crowd in all of its rap ratchetry glory was just a dress rehearsal. Marquee trap music madness: Grand Finale. I knew out the gate that Boosie was going to be the undisputed king of the Marquee as far as the crowd goes Sunday night, but I actually had no idea. Everybody and their mama knew good and well that Boosie wasn’t taking the stage before 1 a.m., but that didn’t stop the line from forming at 9 p.m. And actually, it was already to the corner then. And people were still trying to get in at 1:30 ambassador. It’s safe to say it’s that serious when it comes to Boosie. The girls were serving their best of the worst savage seduction style. I don’t know how the one woman with the mesh shirt and not a bra to speak of was able to get up and in the club in the first place without arrest. Girl, at least put some pasties on. Nobody wants to see all of that. Maybe she was trying to keep cool. It was so packed and so lit that I’m getting nauseous just thinking about it. I felt so sorry for the Marquee staff, but they did their best to try to control a crowd that belonged at The Ambassador as far as the size goes. Boosie did what he does, and he has some ride or die fans in the STL. One almost died trying to ride. I won’t elaborate, since it was all over social media already. Don’t jump into celebrity vehicles uninvited, y’all. I don’t care how big of a fan you are – or how hot you think your

is.

mixtape

Yvette, Gia and Jackie wrapped their weekend up @ The Marquee Sunday night

Brooke and Tiona took time to unwind from their week @Lifestyle Saturdays @ Mood

Triece, Keshia and Amber hit the town Saturday night @ HG

Lil Boosie snapped a pic with a couple of fans after he hit the stage Sunday night @ The Marquee

Photo by Mike Speelberg Price

Rockwell Knuckles, DJ Kimmy Nu and Aloha helped The Blank Space celebrate going five years strong as a South City nightlife staple Friday night

100.3 The Beat’s Tammie Holland with comedian and reality television star Gary Owen after his headlining performance Friday night @ The Pageant

Debbie and Alexis came out to see Young Dolph @ The Marquee Friday

Stacy, Erica and Rianna made their way to @ Mood for Lifestyle Saturdays

Monica and Kim were in the building to check out Young Dolph Friday night @ The Marquee

Kim and Deb came through to check out Khalid Wednesday night @ HG

Rising R&B star Khalid performed his hit song “Location” along with other selections from his ‘American Teen’ album for the Hot 104.1 FM’s Who’s Next concert series that had HG at capacity Wednesday night. Hot 104.1 FM’s Princess Stormm was one of many from the Radio One St. Louis team in the building.

Photos by John Scott

TAX ACCOUNTING

SPECIALIST AT SAFETY NATIONAL

Individual is responsible for accurately and timely preparing and iling all state premium and municipal tax returns and estimates for the organization. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

City of Wentzville LEAD GROUNDSKEEPER (SEASONAL)

$13.36 hourly Apply online: www.wentzvillemo.org

E.O.E.

City of Wentzville GROUNDSKEEPER (SEASONAL)

$10.83 - $11.83 hourly Depending on experience Apply online: www.wentzvillemo.org

E.O.E.

POLICE ADMIN. ASSIST. & PROSECUTING ATTY. ASSIST.

he City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Police Administrative Assistant/Prosecuting Attorney’s Assistant. Apply at www.richmondheights. applicantpro.com/jobs/ by Friday, March 31st. EOE

LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. has an opening for a full-time Legal Administrative Assistant for our St. Louis oice. Our staf focus on teamwork & supporting each other to better balance workloads. herefore, strong teamwork & communication skills are highly desired. Qualiied applicants will type at least 70 wpm & have excellent attention to detail, grammar, proofreading & customer service skills. Law irm exp and/or legal study courses required. Apply online at www. greensfelder.com or at 10 S. Broadway, Ste 2000, St. Louis, MO 63102. EOE

PHYSICS/MATH INSTRUCTOR

De Smet Jesuit High School seeks highly qualiied candidates for the full-time position of physics/math instructor for the 2017–2018 school year. Successful candidates will have a master’s degree in engineering or physics and an ability to achieve student learning objectives through engineering-based design-build projects as well as through traditional classroom teaching strategies. A desire to nurture the creativity and imagination of students is a must. More information is available at https:// www.desmet.org/about/careers. Send a resumé, cover letter, and three references to Carrie Becher, Administrative Assistant to the Principal, at cbecher@desmet.org. Application materials will be accepted through April 7.

GROCERY CENTER COOR-

DINATOR / ASSIST. CHEF

Food Outreach, FT Culinary/Nutrition

Degree/ServSafe Cert. Flexible hours, some evenings/weekends. Email resume to marysue@foodoutreach.org

PUBLIC BENEFITS STAFF ATTORNEY

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a non-proit law irm that provides free civil legal assistance to people living with low income/low opportunity, seeks a Staf Attorney to work in its Public Beneits Program. For more information including how to apply, please visit our website at www.lsem.org. his position closes April 9, 2017.

RENTAL SERVICES COORDINATOR

he City of Richmond Heights is accepting applications for Rental Services Coordinator. Apply at www.richmondheights.applicantpro.com/jobs/ by Friday, March 31st. EOE

Agency has immediate positions for Home health Aides and Liaison oicer. Home health Aide experience required and one year marketing experience for a Liaison Oicer. Apply at 3470 Hampton Avenue suite 103 St Louis MO 63139. Call 314-454-1219.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION EDUCATION SPECIALIST

MOSERS is recruiting for a Deined Contribution Education Specialist. he position will be an integral part of a team responsible for the ongoing dissemination of customized retirement and investment education to Missouri State Employees in the form of live seminars and one-on-one consultation pertaining to the State of Missouri Deferred Compensation Plan employee beneit. Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree preferably in business, inance, marketing, or similar. Previous inancial planning experience, Certiied Financial Planner or Chartered Financial Consultant designation is strongly preferred. Candidates should possess strong presentation skills, knowledge of investment concepts, retirement and inancial planning, competency in all Microsot Oice products, and the ability to quickly learn web-based applications. his position works mostly of-site, regular day-trips and occasional overnight travel are required. Applicants must have a valid Missouri driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle. Starting salary is $52,000-$57,000, dependent on experience. Apply at www.mosers.org, click “Careers”. Visit www.modeferredcomp. org for more information about the plan. Application deadline is Monday, April 3. EOE:M/F/V/D.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM) Staf Attorney

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM), a non-proit law irm that provides free legal assistance to people living with low income/low opportunity, seeks a staf attorney in its Children’s Legal Alliance program. he staf attorney will be responsible for providing representation to children and families relating to all aspects of education law. For more information visit our website at www.lsem.org. Applications are due by March 27, 2017.

MULTI-MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

SENIOR TECHNICAL LEAD

Vintech Solutions Inc has openings for a Senior Technical Lead w/ Bachelors degree in Engg (any),Comp Sci, Tech or rltd & 5 yrs of exp. to plan, direct, coordinate, analysis & dsgn of SAP HCM sys that meet spec , rqmnts of projects & overall buss needs. Ensure accurate implementation of SAP apps, sys to supp the environment that will provide up-to-date info to all areas & levels of the company. Review project plans to plan & coordinate project activity & ensure the timely completion of all assigned. Applies extensive SAP conig exp in time (WFM), payroll, across all HCM modules to accomplish projects & the overall buss needs. Consults with buss users, mgmnt, vendors, technicians who request assistance in understanding SAP system problems, assesses computing needs & sys rqmnts.

Work loc: Olivette, MO w/rqur’d travel to client loc throughout the USA. Mail resumes: 9715 Olive Blvd, Floor 2, Olivette, MO 63132 (OR) e-mail: legal@vintech. com

FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER

DIRECTOR, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business seeks a Director for its Small Business Development Center. he Center Director will administer three programs within the Illinois Small Business Development Center grant (the International Trade Center and two Small Business Development Centers).

For more information and required qualiications, please see: https://siue.hiretouch.com/jobdetails?jobID=5693&job=director-smallbusiness-development-center-5693

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

he Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis seeks an outgoing Director of Strategic Partnerships to solicit and build relationships with area corporate, foundation and organizations in the bi-state region. For complete position description and information on how to apply, visit KeepArtHappening.org/makeyour-impact/jobs-internships. No phone calls please

BILLING CLERK

Greensfelder has a full-time opening for a Billing Clerk in our Accounting/Finance Department. his position will be responsible for processing client billings & e-billings, insurance billing & conformity, conducting frequent follow-up of bill status to ensure timely issuance & collection, resolving internal & external client billing inquiries, addressing payment inquiries & performing year-end client collection & audit follow-up. Qualiied candidates will have excellent customer service, organizational & time management skills, & demonstrate a sense of urgency & ability to meet deadlines. High degree of accuracy & attention to detail is required. Candidates should possess 5+ yrs billing exp, preferably at a legal or professional services irm, & an Associates’ or Bachelors’ Degree in Accounting. Proiciency in both MS Word & Excel, experience with Prolaw (or other time & billing sotware) & e-billing sotware sites is preferred. Apply online at www.greensfelder.com or at 10 S. Broadway, Ste 2000, St.Louis, MO 63102. EOE

he city of Rock Hill is hiring 1 Full Time police oicer. Applicant must be Post Certiied and hold a Class A license. Annual salary is $37,240.00. Applications can be picked up at the police department at 320 W hornton Ave, St Louis, MO 63119 or the city website at Rockhillmo.net. Applications are to be returned/mailed to Det.-Sgt. Ferrara or emailed to mharries@stljg.org. Deadline for Applications is April 3rd at 5pm. he city of Rock Hill is an EOE.

PERSONAL/ ACADEMIC COUNSELOR

De Smet Jesuit High School seeks highly qualiied candidates for the full-time position of Personal/Academic Counselor for the 2017–2018 academic year. Candidates should be qualiied to provide personal and academic counseling in both individual and small group settings in an all-boy secondary school environment. Preference will be given to those who hold a master’s degree in counseling and have experience with counseling in a faith context. More information is available at https://www.desmet.org/about/careers. Send a resumé, cover letter, and three references to Carrie Becher, Administrative Assistant to the Principal, at cbecher@ desmet.org. Application materials will be accepted through April 21.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS (STREETS AND PARKS) AND MAINTENANCE

he City of Jennings is accepting applications for an Administrative Assistance to administer the oice of the Public Works/ Street & Park Department and Maintenance Department. Duties include: Typing correspondence, maintaining records and iles, processing personnel records, assisting with budget, purchasing and contracts, preparing reports, preparing for and/or attends meetings.

Minimum three years oice experience with excellent clerical, computer and customer service skills and attention to detail. Experience with municipal purchasing or public works oice administration preferred. Starting salary $24,394.50. Applications available at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave. or at www.cityojennings.org.

in child welfare ield. Interested candidates forward letter of interest and resume to: admin@posimpacts.com, Attention: Valerie Atkins. Employee will be employed by Positive Impacts, Inc. and contracted to Epworth Children & Family Services.

NO RESUMES ACCEPTED WITHOUT COMPLETION OF OUR APPLICATION! Completed applications may be mailed, emailed to jobs@cityojennings. org or faxed to 314-388-3999. Applications accepted until position is illed.

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for the 2016 CDBG Curb Ramps Project will be received by the City of Clayton, Finance Department, 10 N. Bemiston Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105-3397, until 1:00 P.M. CST, on April 13, 2017. he bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 1:05 P.M. CST, on April 13, 2017 in City Hall Conference Room A/B, 1st loor, 10 N. Bemiston Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105-3397.

Bid packages will be available March 21, 2017 for download by visiting www.claytonmo.gov/vendors .

A pre-bid meeting will be held on April 4, 2017 at 9:00 AM in Conference Room A/B, 1st loor, Clayton City Hall, 10 N. Bemiston Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105-3397.

he Scope of Work includes the removal and replacement of curb ramps, sidewalks, and curb and gutter in order improve accessibility in Downtown Clayton. Traic control, restoration, and other incidental items shall be included as shown in the speciications. his will be a Community Development Block Grant Program pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. he available funding is $22,500. If bids come in over budget, the scope will be reduced accordingly. If bids come in under budget, it is anticipated that additional work of the same nature will be completed on curb ramps along Bemiston Ave. at the same unit prices.

Not less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages shall be paid to all workers performing under this Contract in this area according to the rates determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations of the State of Missouri.

A bid security in the amount of ive percent (5%) of the bid amount must accompany each bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.

THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY BID AND TO WAIVE ANY IRREGULARITIES IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISCLAIMER

his activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant funds pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and efect.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Request For Proposal : Lemay Child and Family Center, at 9828 South Broadway Saint Louis Missouri, is requesting bids from qualiied irms for technology services associated with our early childhood education programs. he scope of work for this project will be replacement of an existing server, oice workstations and ongoing maintenance of the Center’s technology systems. Interested parties should contact Denise Wiese by email at dwiese@ lemaychildandfamily.org. Upon request, LCFC will send interested parties a detailed invitation to bid. Interested parties must deliver bids to the Lemay Child and Family Center by 5:00pm on April 14, 2017. Bids will be privately opened by selected Lemay Child and Family Center board members. No bid bond or performance and payment bonds are required.

HOUSING DEMOLITION

he Cities of Jennings, Pagedale, Pine Lawn and Vinita Park, Missouri, are seeking bids to demolish derelict housing structures. he bid packet can be picked up hurs. March 30 – Tues. April 18, 2017 at any of the following municipalities: Jennings(2120 Hord Avenue, Jennings MO 63136); Pagedale(1420 Ferguson Avenue, Pagedale MO 63133); Pine Lawn(6250 Steve Marre Avenue, Pine Lawn MO 63121); Vinita Park(8374 Midland Boulevard, Vinita Park MO 63114). Sealed Bids for the entire project scope must be returned to any of the above noted municipalities by Tues. April 18, 2017 5:00 p.m. he public bid opening will occur Wed. April 19, 2017 at Beyond Housing, 6506 Wright Way, Pine Lawn MO 63121 at 10:00 am. Bids must indicate the demolition, asbestos remediation and debris removal price for each property (33 total). Proof of business license, bonding and insurance are required in the bid. Minimum 10% Section III Compliance is mandatory to be selected. Any one of the above group of cities reserves the right to reject any and all bids. his activity is funded in whole or in part with Community Development Block Grant funds pursuant to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. All applicable federal regulations shall be in full force and efect

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Seeking proposals from subs, suppliers, Sect. 3 businesses & qualiied MBE & WBE irms for all constr. div. of Baltimore Meadows, a new 48 unit apt. dev. In Kirksville, MO. his project has Section 3 opportunities under the HUD act of 1968 as well as minority participation goals. Interested irms should contact Fairway Constr. for a link to access plans and speciications.

Proposal Due: April 3, 2017 @ 5 PM CDT Direct inquiries to: pproposals@ fairwayconstruction.net. Fairway Constr., 206 Peach Way, Columbia, MO 65203, 573-303-3765. Fairway Constr. reserves all rights to waive any bid informalities and is an AA/EOE employer.

WBE/MBE/SDVE

INVITATION TO BID

Foley Company will be accepting subcontract and/or material bids on the following projects:

he University of Missouri-Columbia Lowry Mall – Repair & Upgrade Steam Tunnel Bid Date & Time: April 4, 2017 @ 1:30 PM A Diversity Participation goal of 10% MBE / 3% SDVE /10% Combined WBE, DBE and Veteran Owned Business has been established for this contract. Send bids to Foley Company @ 7501 Front Street, KCMO, 64120.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on April 21st, 2017 to contract with a company for: Five (5) Pump Installations at Fillmore Pump Station and Upton Pump Station. Mandatory pre-bids will be required, per the Speciications. Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8851 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.6269 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Sealed bids to Replace Electrical

r s , Guhleman, Hearnes, & Biggs Forensic Complexes, Fulton State Hospital, Fulton, MO, Project N o . M

1 7 - 0 3 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 4/27/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

Sealed bids for M i s c e l l a n e o u s Renovations, NW Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Ctr, St. Joseph, Missouri, Project No. M160401 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 4/13/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

MWBE Pre-bid Meeting Notice

he SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Pre-bid meeting for Qualiied and Certiied MWBE contractors to discuss working on Springdale I/I Reduction Contract Letting No. 12209-015.1

A pre-bid meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members: Bates Utility Company 841 Westwood Industrial Drive Weldon Spring, MO 63304

636/939-5628

he meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. April 6, 2017

SITE Improvement Association 2071 Exchange Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303

For questions regarding this pre-bid meeting, contact the SITE Improvement Association oice at 314/966-2950

MWBE Pre-bid Meeting Notice

he SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Pre-bid meeting for Qualiied and Certiied MWBE contractors to discuss working on Martigney I/I Reduction Contract Letting No. 11661-015.1

A pre-bid meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members:

Bates Utility Company 841 Westwood Industrial Drive Weldon Spring, MO 63304 636/939-5628

he meeting will take place at 10:00 a.m.

April 6, 2017

SITE Improvement Association 2071 Exchange Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303

For questions regarding this pre-bid meeting, contact the SITE Improvement Association oice at 314/966-2950

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

Goodwin Bros. Construction Co. is requesting subcontract bids and/or material quotations from qualifying minority business enterprises for relevant phases of work forMetropolitan St. Louis Sewer District,Harlem-Baden Relief Phase IV (Improvements from Basin to Hamilton Trunk), Contract Letting No. 11770-015.1. Interested parties should contact the Goodwin Oice at (636) 931-6084. A prebidmeeting for all interested MBE’s will be held at our oice at 1766 Highway 61 South, Crystal City, MO 63019 at 8:00 am on April 6, 2017. Subcontractor/Supplier bids are due April 20, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. An Equal Opportunity Employer

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on May 2nd, 2017 to contract with a company for: MO RIVER CONCENTRIC TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER REPLACEMENT.

Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). he bid document will be identiied as 8875 RFQ.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MBE/WBE/SDVBE INVITATION TO BID

K&S Associates will be accepting bids for the following projects during the month of April. Audrain County Jail Expansion –April 5th @ 1:30pm Parker Hall Foundation Stabilization –Rolla – April 12th @ 2:00pm Grant Elementary Renovation –Columbia April 18th @ 1:00pm Plans and Specs can be viewed at www.ksgcstlplanroom.com. Submit Bids to estimating@ksgcstl.com or Fax 314-647-5302 Contact Dennis Dyes @ 314-647-3535 with questions.Tel: 816/241-3335, Fax: 816/231-5762.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropol- itan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00am April 14, 2017 for Purchase of: Carbon Replacement Speciications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com - click on “MSD At Work”, then “Bidding on Proj- ects”. he bid document will be identiied as 8852 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call (314) 768-6314 to request a copy of this bid.

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

ADVERTISE YOUR BIDS, PROPOSALS & NOTICES HERE

SEALED BIDS

Sealed bids for Drainage Repairs (A-Side), Western MO Correctional Center, Cameron, MO, Project No. C1702-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 4/13/2017. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo.gov/ facilities

sf Senior Lifestyle

on the ground loor.

Four General Contractors have been invited to provide bids to the Owner, Covenant Place II, LLC. General Contractor bids are due to the Owner on April 18, 2017; however, subcontractor bid due dates will be set by each of the four contractors listed below. Please contact each General Contractor individually to conirm exact time and method of submitting bids.

Arco Construction, John Monshausen (314) 835-3425, jmonshausen@arco1.com

Blanton Construction, Joe Brandt (636) 928-4444, ext. 228, jbrandt@blantonconstruction.com

BSI Constructors, Kelly Swanson (314) 781-7820, Kellys@BSISTL.com

Paric, Michael Schneider (800) 500-4320, mlschneider@paric.com

here will be a Pre-bid / MWBE / Section 3 opportunities meeting on April 4, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. he meeting will be held at the AGC Training Facility at 6301 Knox Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63139.

he purpose of this meeting is to introduce the project to prospective subcontractor bidders. We encourage the attendance of Section 3/Minority/Women-Owned and Small Businesses to make introductions and determine potential business opportunities. Important information regarding bid requirements and the project will be reviewed at the meeting, and all Contractors are encouraged to attend.

he bid package is now available for viewing at each of the listed General Contractors’ oices, as well as the following:

MOKAN St. Louis Contractor’s Assistance Center 4666 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 63115

Contact: Kabir Muhammad, Plan Room Mgr. (314) 454-9675

Cross Rhodes Print & Technologies 1712 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 678-0087

he Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid. he prevailing wage law is in efect on this project. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of one-hundred twenty (120) days subsequent to the speciied time for receipt of Bids. Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of

limits which vary by household size and location. Federal iscal year 2017 Income limits may be found at www.HUD.gov.

Gateway Accessible Housing II Apartments shall not discriminate because of race, color, sex, religion, familial status, disability, handicap, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity in the leasing, rental or other disposition of housing. here is no application fee, picture ID, S.S. card and proof of income required.

If you have any questions, please call the leasing oice at 314-7256694.

INVITATION TO BID –

MBE SUBCONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that Super Excavators, Inc. is requesting quotes from qualiied MBE Subcontractors & Suppliers for the following project: Harlem-Baden Relief Phase IV (Hebert) (Improvements from Basin to Hamilton Trunk) under Letting No. 11770-015.1, bidding on April 21, 2017 at 2:00PM with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. We are soliciting quotations for all trades including the following segments of work, and any others that may have inadvertently been let of of this list: site work, abandonments, aggregate supply, concrete removal / replacement (curb, sidewalks, driveways), dewatering, pipe supply, sewer inlet work, protection and restoration of site, sodding (bluegrass), AC Paving, environmental protection and control, quality control and testing, ield engineering, near surface utilities, pre/post construction surveying, concrete work, temporary power, hauling & disposal, geotechnical instrumentation & monitoring, traic control, site security, manhole construction, fencing, and other associated works. We will be hosting prebid meeting on hursday, April 13th at 10:00 am, at the SITE Improvement Association Oice at 2071 Exchange Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303. he purpose of this meeting is to disperse pertinent project details, and provide an opportunity for Certiied MBE subcontractors, suppliers, or manufacturers to meet and discuss speciic opportunities with Super Excavators. We encourage all interested MBEs to attend. Please contact Pete or Jef at (262) 252-3200 or email plans@superexcavators.com for additional information, to request copies of project documents, for assistance with bonding/ insurance, and/or to discuss available opportunities. Complete all negotiations prior to April 19th at 5:00PM. Super Excavators, Inc. N59 W14601 Bobolink Avenue, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Paric Corporation is seeking proposals for the following project: Washington University School of Medicine Mid Campus Center 10th Floor Fit Out.

he project consists of the build out of the 40,000 SF 10th Floor within a 13-story oice building.

A pre-bid walk-through will be held on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 10:00 AM. he meeting will be at 4590 Childrens Place, St.

or gdkrueger@ paric.com.

All bids should be delivered to Paric via e-mail (bids@paric. com) or fax (636-561-9501).

INVITATION TO BID

any and/or all bids.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Plans and speciications will be available to view at Paric’s Main oice at 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63146. PARIC CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER FOR RENT 3 Large Rooms, Utilities, Stove, Fridge included 314-534-0631

NOTICE OF ELECTION

Notice is hereby given by the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, that a General Municipal Election will be held at the designated polling place for each precinct in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. The polls will be open between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of electing a Mayor and Comptroller, an Alderman in each of the odd-numbered wards and in Ward 16 (Special Election to fill an unexpired term), three Members of the Board of Education (Four-Year Term,) and a Trustee for Subdistrict #2 of the Junior College District. Eligible voters will also be able to vote on three proposed Charter Amendments (Propositions A, B and C), a sales tax proposal (Proposition 1), a use tax proposal (Proposition 2) and a bond issue proposal (Proposition NS).

The last day that the Board of Election Commissioners can accept an application to vote an absentee ballot by mail in the April 4, 2017 General Municipal Election is 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Absentee voting in person will conclude at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, April 3, 2017. The office of the Board of Election Commissioners will be open on Saturday, April 1, 2017, from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.

THE OFFICIAL BALLOT WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FOLLOWING FORM:

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: In today’s election, you have your choice of using either an electronic, touch screen voting machine or an optical scan voting machine to cast your ballot.

IF YOU USE THE OPTICAL SCAN VOTING MACHINE to cast your ballot, you must completely darken the oval to the left of the name of the candidate of your choice. For Members of the Board of Education, darken the ovals to the left of the names of three candidates. To vote on a proposition, if you are in favor of the proposition completely darken the oval to the left of the word “YES.” If you are against the proposition completely darken the oval to the left of the word “NO.” Do not try to punch through the ballot. Use only the marking device provided to you. If you tear, deface or make a mistake and incorrectly mark your ballot, return it to the Election Judges and obtain a new ballot.

IF YOU USE THE ELECTRONIC, TOUCH SCREEN VOTING MACHINE to cast your ballot, follow the directions on the screen. For each candidate, touch the box on the screen to the left of the name of the candidate of your choice. For Members of the Board of Education, touch the boxes on the screen to the left of the names of three candidates. To vote on a proposition, if you are in favor of the proposition touch the screen to the left of the word “YES.” If you are against the proposition touch the screen to the left of the word “NO.” If you need assistance in using this machine, please ask the Election Judges to help you.

OFFICIAL BALLOT

GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

REPUBLICAN PARTY

(REP) (DEM) (LIB) (GRN) (IND)

FOR MAYOR (VOTE FOR ONE)

ANDREW JONES REP

LYDA KREWSON DEM

ROBB CUNNINGHAM LIB

JOHNATHAN MCFARLAND GRN

LARRY RICE IND

TYRONE AUSTIN IND

FOR COMPTROLLER (VOTE FOR ONE)

DARLENE GREEN DEM

HUBBARD

(JACK) COATAR

ALDERMAN WARD 5 (VOTE FOR ONE)

ALDERMAN WARD 7 (VOTE FOR ONE)

ALDERMAN WARD 9 (VOTE FOR ONE)

GUENTHER

WOOD MARTIN

ALDERMAN WARD 11 (VOTE FOR ONE)

HANNAH DONELLE LACHANCE GRN

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 13 (VOTE FOR ONE)

BETH MURPHY DEM

STEPHANIE DINGES GRN

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 15 (VOTE FOR ONE)

MEGAN ELLYIA GREEN DEM

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR ALDERMAN WARD 16 (TO FILL UNEXPIRED TERM) (VOTE FOR ONE)

ABIGAIL NIEBLING REP

THOMAS (TOM) ROBERT OLDENBURG DEM WRITE-IN__________________________________________

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 17 (VOTE FOR ONE)

JOE RODDY DEM WRITE-IN__________________________________________

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 19 (VOTE FOR ONE)

MARLENE E. DAVIS DEM WRITE-IN__________________________________________

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 21 (VOTE FOR ONE)

JOHN COLLINS-MUHAMMAD

MARTY D. SPIKENER

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 23 (VOTE FOR ONE)

JOSEPH (JOE) VACCARO, JR.

FOR ALDERMAN WARD 25 (VOTE FOR ONE)

SHANE COHN

SPIKENER

FOR MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Four-Year Term – Vote for Three)

BILL MONROE

NATALIE VOWELL

DAVID LEE JACKSON

DOROTHY ROHDE-COLLINS

BRIAN P. WALLNER

JAMES IRA REECE

SUSAN R. JONES

FOR TRUSTEE FOR SUBDISTRICT #2 OF THE JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT OF ST. LOUIS – ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI (ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE) (Six-Year Term – Vote for One)

PAM ROSS

CIERA L. SIMRIL

PATRICK J. BURKE

Write-In__________________________

PROPOSITION A

AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER

(Proposed by Initiative Petition)

A proposed ordinance submitting to the registered voters of the City of St. Louis an amendment to Article XV of the City Charter repealing Sections 4 and 5 and enacting in lieu thereof four new sections, Sections 4, 4a, 4b and 5, the purpose of which is to abolish the Office of Recorder of Deeds and consolidate the functions of that office with that of the Assessor, and place any realized cost savings in a special fund known as “the police body-worn camera fund” dedicated to the purchase and use of police body-worn cameras by the city Metropolitan Police Department subject to appropriation from the fund by the Board of Aldermen for the express purpose of the fund (the full text of which is available at all polling places).

YES – FOR THE PROPOSITION NO – AGAINST THE PROPOSITION

PROPOSITION B

AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER

(Proposed by Initiative Petition)

A proposed ordinance submitting to the registered voters of the City of St. Louis an amendment to Article II of the City Charter repealing

Sections 1, 2 and 3 and enacting in lieu thereof four new Sections 1, 1(a), 2 and 3, the purpose of which is to move the Primary Municipal Election date from March to August and the General Municipal Election date from April to November in even-numbered years, commencing in 2020 and continuing every two years thereafter, and providing for a transition to accomplish those changes (the full text of which is available at all polling places).

YES – FOR THE PROPOSITION NO – AGAINST THE PROPOSITION

PROPOSITION C AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER

(Proposed by Ordinance)

Shall Section 4 of Article XVIII of the Charter of the City of St.

Louis be amended to add paragraph (f), which provides for the enactment of an ordinance establishing a residents’ preference to residents of the City of St. Louis upon successfully passing a civil service examination for civil service positions with the City? Section 4. Ordinances to be enacted – The mayor and aldermen shall provide, by ordinance: (f) City Residents’ Preference. For a preference to be granted to residents of the City of St. Louis who successfully pass an examination for a civil service position.

YES – FOR THE PROPOSITION NO – AGAINST THE PROPOSITION

PROPOSITION 1 (Proposed by Ordinance)

Shall the City of St. Louis impose a sales tax at a rate of one half of one percent for economic development purposes including (1) North/ South Metrolink, (2) neighborhood revitalization, (3) workforce development; (4) public safety, and (5) to upgrade the city’s infrastructure, with annual public audits?

YES – FOR THE PROPOSITION NO – AGAINST THE PROPOSITION

PROPOSITION 2 (Proposed by Ordinance)

Shall the use tax paid by businesses on out-of-state purchases and derived from the one half of one percent increased use tax, which corresponds to approval and levy of an Economic Development Sales Tax in the City of St. Louis, be used for the purposes of minority job training and business development programs, and a portion of construction

PROPOSITION

WE

BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS

JERRY M. HUNTER Chairman/Member

JOSEPH A. BARBAGLIA Member

PAUL M. MALONEY

(Seal) Attest: BENJAMIN M. PHILLIPS, SR. Secretary/Member