November 13th, 2014 Edition

COGIC in the community

Charles E.

a

when

107th Holy Convocation in St. Louis features service, outreach

By Erica R. Van Buren Of The St. Louis American

The

n “No one in need was turned away.”

– Jennifer Turner, COGIC member and volunteer

One highlight in a week of community outreach and worship was a day of community service at Cote

to

and

Consecrating the streets

Police coming ‘from all over the state’

Nixon discusses security plan after grand jury decision

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Gov. Jay Nixon said he is prepared to activate the National Guard if “violence” erupts after the grand jury delivers its decision in the case of Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed unarmed teen Michael Brown Jr. on Aug. 9.

By Kenya Vaughn, Bridjes O’Neil and Sandra Jordan

Churches throughout the St. Louis region will offer “safe spaces” following the grand jury’s decision on whether to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. Clergy are among those who are readying the community for what many are expecting to be a non-indictment of Wilson for the fatal shooting of unarmed teen Michael Brown Jr. on August 9 –and the unrest that is also expected to ensue.

churches will have food available if people need to come in off the street and find respite,” said Rev. Renita Lampkin, pastor of St. John AME Church in St. Charles, Missouri. “There will be people who will provide comfort and offer a sense of community.”

Four African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches will serve as safe havens, including St.

The grand jury is expected to release its decision no earlier than Nov. 15 and sometime this month.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch deferred the decision on whether or not to indict Wilson in Brown’s death to the previously empaneled grand jury, which has been reviewing evidence since Aug. 20.

“Violence will not be tolerated,” Nixon said at a press conference held Tuesday, November 11 at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C headquarters in St. Charles County. “The vast majority of people who want to speak want to do so in a peaceful fashion, and it’s our job to make sure those voices are heard. Folks who are here to disrupt illegally will be dealt with quickly and efficiently.”

Better Together reports county judges, prosecutors almost all white

By Rebecca Rivas

and six are female.

The demographics for prosecutors in these courts aren’t much different. Of the 80 prosecutor positions in county municipalities, only six

COURTS, A7

Gov. Jay Nixon

Photo by Lawrence Bryant again.”

Brilliante Elementary School in the 2600 block of Cora on Thursday, November 6. Every year COGIC leadership selects a school

visit

read to the children. Upon leaving the elementary

Protestors march in Shaw neighborhood on 1-month anniversary

Rev. Osagyefo Sekou trained peaceful protestors in non-violent civil disobedience on Tuesday, November 11 at Greater St. Mark Family Church in Ferguson.

Bishop

Blake Sr., Chief Apostle and Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, delivered

spiritual message on November 9

COGIC held its 107th Holy Convocation at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten is to the right.

Photo by Wiley Price

Kenya wants NeNe to show her charity the money

On last season’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta” reunion show Ne Ne Leakes famously promised to match a donation to the charity of Kenya Moore’s choice after accusing Moore of using Leakes’ name and one of her favorite charities in a shameless attempt to promote herself.

Moore eventually made a $20k contribution to The Detroit Public Schools.

On the episode of “Watch What Happens Live” immediately following the season premiere , Leakes said she has no intention of donating money, because the statute of limitations on her offer had run out.

Moore immediately called Leakes out on twitter and demanded she stand by her word

“This isn’t about me this is about the kids,” Moore tweeted. “You made a promise to them. Pay your $20K

rich [expletive]! Do the right thing.”

Divorce drains Ginuwine’s cash, singer facing lawsuit

Ginwuine admitted in recent legal proceedings that his divorce from Sole has emptied his pockets and he’s on the verge of filing for bankruptcy.

He’s being sued by the executive producer of his 1996 debut album

‘The Bachelor’ for $250k in royalties from a five album $1. 2 million record deal with Sony Ginuwine argues the tardy producer isn’t owed a thing because the statute of limitations has run out, plus he doesn’t have any money.

Tyler Perry shares and deletes details of employee standoff

Earlier this week, Tyler Perry was forced to file a restraining order against one of his employees after a bizarre standoff at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. In a detailed message to his Facebook fans – that has since been removed from the page – Tyler

Perry explains exactly what happened. Here’s an excerpt: “I get a call from the president of my studio. He called me to tell me that there was an employee at the studio who was behaving strangely. I asked who it was and he said I wouldn’t know him because he works in production. Well, he was right. I didn’t know him.

TPS is a 60-acre campus that looks a lot like a small college. There are 400 employees working there. He works in a department that I have no firsthand dealings with.

This young man wasn’t fired and didn’t get into it with anyone at the studio. He just decided that he wanted to meet me. So he came up to the executive office. The accountant that he said this to was scared by it, so she called security. In the 15 seconds that it took for them to get upstairs to look for him, he seemed to have vanished. His supervisor and coworkers said that he had been acting strange all morning. Security continued the search for this young man. After 45 minutes they heard him inside of the sheetrock walls. He had somehow climbed into the drop ceiling and made his way into an empty office. He barricaded himself inside and refused to come out of the office until he met me.

SWAT team because they didn’t know if he had weapons. After he was arrested they searched the small office he had barricaded himself in, and he had left his headshot on the wall with a note to me saying ‘I believe in your leadership’.”

It took the police about 4 hours to get him to come out of the office. At one point they thought they were going to have to call the

Aretha may take legal action against unauthorized biography

Aretha Franklin is threatening to file suit over a new unauthorized biography, “Respect,” by her former ghostwriter David Ritz — which makes wild claims about her sexual promiscuity on the 1950s gospel circuit, known by insiders as the “Sex Circus,” when she was a young teen.

Sources say The Queen of Soul is “enormously upset by the book,” just released by Little, Brown and Company. Ritz, who penned Aretha’s 1999 memoir “From These Roots,” now claims that material was cut by the fiercely private singer –including that the gospel circuit, which Aretha and her own father toured on, was known as the “Sex Circus,” with “men-and-men and women-and-women” hookups.

Sources: New York Post, TMZ.com, Bravo. com, Twitter.com, Facebook.com

From Ferguson to Geneva

Brown family, attorneys, protestors travel to UN

By Bridjes O’Neil

Of The St. Louis American

Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr., parents of Michael Brown Jr., were scheduled to address the 53rd Session of the United Nations Committee against Torture in Geneva, Switzerland on November 12 and 13. Their trip, sponsored by the U.S. Human Rights Network, comes just before a grand jury decision on whether to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson is expected. Wilson fatally shot unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. on August 9. Traveling with the Brown family will be Justin Hansford, Saint Louis University law professor and protest legal observer. The effort was inspired by and is part of a larger U.S. delegation heading to Geneva to hold the U.S. government accountable.

n “It’s

world against human rights violations that result from racial profiling and police violence.

“I’m confident that people in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East see what’s happening and are disturbed by it – and if we asked for help, they would give it,” Hansford said.

time for us to make this a global movement.”

– Justin Hansford

Hansford said their goal is to further expose, and ultimately solve, systematic issues within the U.S. legal system against black and brown communities. He said the killing of Michael Brown is a human rights violation.

“This is something we as a people needed to do for a long time – take civil rights issues and turn them into human rights issues,” Hansford said. They hope to unite governments around the

They will also address the use of excessive force by law enforcement against protestors in the weeks of unrest following Brown’s shooting. On November 12 and 13 they will formally present a UN Shadow Report, which Hansford co-authored with attorneys Jessica Lee, Jeena Shah and Meena Jagannath. In that report, Hansford said, are detailed accounts of excessive force used by law enforcement against protestors. This includes accounts of protestors, including the elderly and small children, being tear gassed and shot at with rubber bullets, he said. Hansford said that he was tear gassed, at one point, and arrested during #MoralMonday Wal-Mart protests on October 13. He was jailed along with rapper and activist Tef Poe and Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors.

Additional funds of $7,000 were privately raised to also take Jagannath, one of the

Brown family attorneys Daryl Parks, and a few Ferguson frontline protestors, Hansford said. Donations were solicited to support the #FergusontoGeneva campaign online.

Hansford recalled initial conversations with the Brown family regarding the #FergusontoGeneva campaign, stating that it was difficult to get near the Brown family.

“They are well protected by a cocoon of people,” he said.

“But, I was determined.”

The Rev. Carlton Lee, Brown family pastor at Flood Christian Church and president of the National Action Network’s Ferguson chapter, served as a “bridge,” Hansford said. Hansford

eventually met with and presented a brief of the UN Shadow Report to the Brown family and gained their support.

Hansford admits that not everyone has been supportive of the campaign. He said Wilson supporters are upset by the UN trip, which he said reaffirms that they are on the right track. Hansford said he is inspired by Nelson Mandela and his ability to garner global support in his fight against apartheid.

“It’s time for us to make this a global movement,” Hansford said Visit fergusontogeneva. org to support the campaign. Follow this reporter: @ BridjesONeil.

Not what democracy looks like

The dreaded mid-terms are over. The incessant barrage of political ads has ceased, and leftover campaign signs and literature are stuffed in recycle bins. Yes, the Democrats blew this one, but what most people don’t clearly see yet is the consolidation of states’ rights around a white supremacist ideology and strategy.

A look at the post-election maps of Republican-controlled legislatures is down-right scary. You witness a sea of red states- symbolic of the political, economic and social bloodshed that we can expect over the next several years. The Democratic Party apparently has amnesia problems when it comes to campaigns and elections. Just as with previous times when they’ve been—in President Obama’s words – “shellacked,” it’s because they have forgotten who their base is and have tried to out-Republican the Republicans. The candidates then had the audacity to distance themselves from the President, which for many of the high-profile races proved to be lethal.

African-American issues, only Stenger’s rhetoric helped to nose him ahead. The fact that some black Dems in St. Louis County broke away from the party to endorse Stream is indicative of the political quagmire we find ourselves in. President Obama and the Democratic Party machine were timid contenders, an attribute that most voters despise. If you can’t stand up for your constituents, then they will find it difficult to stand up for you. The days of representing the agenda of the oppressed, the marginalized and the disenfranchised seem to be in the rear view mirror.

Democrats gave their base no reason to get out and vote. They presented us with a bunch of lackluster candidates or those whose platform was indistinguishable from their conservative counterparts.

The Stenger-Stream fight in St. Louis County was a close one. Republican Rick Stream and Democrat Steve Stenger represent two different predominantly white, conservative districts. When one examines their track records for addressing

In the Ferguson debacle of the Mike Brown case, Democratic Attorney General Bob McCulloch and Democratic Governor Jay Nixon have behaved like Dixiecrats. And while white Dems have been totally unaccountable to us, black Dems have some explaining to do as well. When racial profiling, an unfair justice system, discriminatory housing and predatory municipal courts were fully unearthed in North County, black elected officials seemed to be complicit with the oppressive systems weighing down on black residents. Fair-minded whites must fight for an inclusive government, not one that favors the rich elite. The majority of citizens must be able to fully participate in the structures that affect our lives, to make systems accountable to us and to benefit from full civil and human rights. That’s what democracy looks like.

Lesley McSpadden wept at the funeral of her son, Michael Brown Jr., held at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church on August 25.

Photo by Wiley Price

Jamala Rogers

Editorial /CommEntary

Aligned on the side of peace

This weekend, we may finally hear the St. Louis County grand jury’s decision whether or not to charge Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson with a crime in the killing of Michael Brown Jr., an unarmed teen stopped for jaywalking, on August 9. We have urged that Wilson be charged with second degree murder and put on trial, based admittedly on a partial hearing of the evidence – St. Louis County Police, which investigated the killing, has not yet released an incident report more than three months later.

However, like many people, we doubt that nine out of 12 jurors on a St. Louis County grand jury will charge a white officer with a violent crime after killing a black male who, according to some of the evidence, struggled with the officer before the shooting. These 12 jurors are drawn from the same pool of citizens that keeps electing Robert P. McCulloch, who is handling the case, as County Prosecutor. Nine of the jurors are white, and given that apparently most white citizens in the county feel protected by the police and this prosecutor, we find it difficult to believe that six of these white jurors would side with the three black jurors, and that’s assuming that all three black jurors feel as strongly as we do that this fatal shooting – again, looking at only some of the evidence – was not justified. As we wait to be told what most of us think we know, that another police officer who killed an unarmed black male will walk free, we are deeply distressed by the public mood in anticipation of the decision. The police and much of the public are preparing for riots, with the image of “race riots” not far from most minds. This characterization of the situation has almost nothing to do with what has happened in Ferguson and St. Louis since August 9. The earliest protestors in Ferguson included many white citizens, and the coalition that forms the protest movement has remained diverse. This weekend VonDerrit Myers Sr., the father of another black youth killed by St. Louis police on October 8, said at a vigil for his son that this “is not a white versus black thing.” Syreeta Myers, the slain youth’s mother, specifically asked protestors to spare their neighbors any destruction even of property. Their grievance is with the police, she insisted, not with the people or businesses in their neighborhood. This inclusive, non-violent message has been consistent and clear from the protest movement, but the wider public remembers other images and has fears based on those memories. The vigil for Michael Brown Jr. on August 10 did result in some destruction of property and looting that emerged from genuine, indigenous, local grief and rage; and we saw a similar response from the community on August 15, after Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson released a videotape of Brown strong-arming a store clerk and stealing cigars in an event that bears no relation to Wilson shooting him dead. But no one has been killed as a result of these protests, there has been no systematic pattern of blacks responding angrily or violently to whites, and the most aggressive confrontations with police – apart from the nights of August 10 and 15 – have been provoked by agitators and arsonists, mostly white, who infiltrated the protest movement to further their own anarchic anti-police agendas. We encourage peaceful protestors to continue isolating and excluding any outside violent elements whenever they appear.

misperception of Ferguson as a violent or potentially violent movement, and without question the mainstream news media prioritize violence and destruction in their coverage and tend to favor the police version of protest events. History, too, is to blame for our expectation of violence, because we have seen it so many times before in so many cities. And, we have to admit, it could happen here. However well prepared we may be for news that another police killer is going to walk free, that image unleashes anger in many people. Our reporters have been on the Ferguson front lines next to peacekeepers trying to calm outraged young black men willing to die for the struggle because “police are going to kill me one day and get away with it anyway.”

That raw rage and hopelessness is far from the principled intelligence of the millennial protestors with their signs, slogans and race critiques. It’s a raw rage and hopelessness we have not seen much at local protests in the past two months. It’s a raw rage and hopelessness that is likely to hit the streets again when the grand jury verdict is announced. We expect that peacekeepers will be needed on the streets once again to counsel our most hopeless and alienated youth against destruction and self-destruction. Fortunately, seasoned activist leaders have been preparing such peacekeepers in recent months, weeks and days.

n We encourage peaceful protestors to continue isolating and excluding any outside violent elements whenever they appear.

As for police commanders, they have an historic opportunity to get this thing right, at last. The protestors have offered a set of rules of engagement that deserves serious consideration from police commanders. St. Louis Metropolitan Police, under the command of Chief Sam Dotson, have shown that protestors can be given a wide berth to mourn and rage, with riot gear kept on the backline to be called in only when absolutely necessary. We trust that St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar has learned his lesson that an initial response with riot gear and snipers only leads to public disaster, as well as his own professional humiliation. A community mourning the loss of its young men with no retribution to the police officers who kill them deserves as much latitude to express themselves in the streets as, say, a mob of drunken sports fans celebrating a championship. That brings us to the other outside agitator whose destructive power must be appreciated and restrained, and that is alcohol. The most destructive nights in Ferguson, like the pumpkin riot in Keene, New Hampshire or the sports riots that follow many championship victories, was fueled by alcohol abuse. If you care about the movement for change that has been sustained for three months since the killing of Michael Brown Jr., you will tell people to put down the bottle at protests, or go away and party someplace else. The situation awaiting us is anything but a party, and we will need clear and sober heads to get through it together. Though we know violence invites attention from the comfortable power brokers that sometimes brings about substantive positive change as a result, we believe this protest movement already has captured the attention of power brokers, and we pray for peaceful streets and protests. So much important work is needed to repair this region without first doing any more damage to it. This is a moment when the mutual self-interest of police and protestors are aligned on the side of peace, and we really don’t need to regress to the violence and destruction of riots.

Protestors blame the media for the public’s

I am a student representative to the advisory board for Washington University’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion, but I certainly don’t represent all students. There are students and other individuals on this campus that are indifferent and even opposed to the existence of this center. I don’t represent them.

I have been chosen to represent the coalition of students that want and need this center and even then I can’t speak for them, either. But I hope I have listened enough to give it a good shot.

Are we excited about this center? Absolutely. But I think in the way that a village under attack is excited to hear that they are just now getting a wall. “Relieved,” I think, is a better word.

You may think that’s a dramatic metaphor. You may think that it’s excessive to bring violence into the conversation. But I think it wouldn’t be prudent to pretend that this center is not inexorably involved in violence.

Let’s not deny exactly what it is the Center for Diversity and Inclusion is at the center of. If the events in Ferguson

Letters to the editor As

Stand together against intolerance

Five years ago, I was proud to sign the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act into law – a law that strengthened the protections against crimes based on the color of our skin, the love in our hearts, the faith we practice, or the place of our birth. This law gave the Justice Department new tools for prosecuting criminals. It directed new resources to law enforcement agencies, so they could better serve their communities. And it did what we want all our laws to do: it reflected and strengthened our core national values. By recognizing violent bigotry as an especially dangerous crime – one that not only harms individuals, but threatens the social fabric that binds our country together – the Shepard Byrd Hate Crimes Act has made it possible for more Americans to live freely, openly and safely, and has reinforced our nation’s sacred commitment to equality for all. Since this law was passed, the FBI and Department of Justice have vigorously investigated and prosecuted dozens of hate crime cases nationwide, including attacks on minorities, gays and lesbians, and people with disabilities. The number of individuals charged with

are any indication, if the rate of sexual assault on this campus is any indication, if the number of my Wash. U students who have contemplated or attempted suicide in front of me are any indication, the violence that this center is facing is palpable.

In a class on black criminality, we were talking about slave patrols, about how slave codes made it so black individuals, regardless of whether they were free or enslaved, had to walk around with documentation to prove they were free or had their master’s permission to be about. A fellow student raised the point that something similar happens on this campus. I have never been stopped on the South 40 and been told to present my Wash. U ID, but I can’t say the same for my black fellow students.

Thus far, our experience of diversity and inclusion on this campus has involved celebration with food and dance and song. Our faces are plastered over brochures and banners, while our voices remain unheard and unsupported. There is a single person whose job it is to deal with sexual assault, and two staff positions outside this center that have to do with undergraduate diversity – and it’s not even their full job description.

I do not need my identity to be celebrated. I need it

to be valued. I need it to be integral to this institution and what it does and what it stands for. I need this university and its culture to care less about people’s feelings and discomfort and more about who is being dehumanized and who is doing the dehumanizing. I need this center to represent a change in the attitude of this institution, an understanding of the severity of its work, of the urgency of its work.

Imagine if the billions of people who are being oppressed were not being oppressed and instead were inventing, engineering, creating and innovating. Imagine where we could be, who could be in our lives, if they weren’t relegated to second-class status because of arbitrary characteristics. And on this campus, I am surrounded, and I don’t exaggerate, by some of the most brilliant and intelligent people in the world. I hate that I have to watch them suffer under discrimination, to flounder without help when they could be doing the things that they love, that could change the world.

I hope that this center will advocate for us and enable us to be our best selves, to transform and astonish without fear, without depression, without the world working against us.

hate crimes has increased significantly over the past five years. And state and local law enforcement officers and other community members have received training in how to recognize and address hate crimes. The law is working. We must continue to stand together against intolerance and hate wherever they occur, and respond decisively when they lead to violence.

President Barack Obama Washington, D.C.

Save the Katherine Dunham Museum

The Katherine Dunham Museum is in serious danger of closing as a result of owing more than $7,000 in taxes to St. Clair County. It is a small, African-American organization, serving a community where wealth inequality continues to be a challenge. There is no paid staff; as a result, much of the work rests upon the shoulders of volunteers, near and far.

Unlike many larger museums and cultural institutions, there are no major individual sponsors or endowments. With funding for the arts on decline nationwide, as well as the loss of arts funding from the state of Illinois, the museum cannot depend on state grants or foundations for assistance.

Denise Saunders Thompson,

and

director of the International Association of Blacks in Dance, confirmed that her organization is aiming to raise $3,500 if the City of East St. Louis and the Metro East region would match that. Marie-Christine Dunham Pratt, daughter of Katherine Dunham, continues to express her support of the Dunham Centers and willingness to make up the difference if the museum is unable to raise the amount needed.

If just 70 people pledged to donate $25 per month, the museum could be sustained and our annual operating budget would increase significantly, but we welcome all levels of giving. Please help us keep the doors of the Katherine Dunham Museum open by visiting www.kdcah.org/membershipgiving.

Danielle Hall, volunteer Via email

Victorious defeat

Congratulations to Mike Jones and the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County for nothing less than an awesome political showing. What a victorious defeat. Thank you.

Eric E. Vickers St. Louis

Guest Columnist Sam Lei

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Many businesses in Ferguson have boarded up their windows in anticipation of unrest following the St. Louis County grand jury decision in the case of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, which could be handed down as soon as this weekend.

Hands up, mask on

A peaceful protestor shows police the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” pose during a confrontation on North Elizabeth Avenue in Ferguson on Wednesday, November 5. Some regular Ferguson protestors were joined that night by a new group of masked protestors who answered Anonymous’ international call for a Million Mask March.

Maria’s ‘Eyes on Ferguson’

By Maria Chappelle-Nadal For The St. Louis American

As all of you know, our region is expecting a verdict from St. Louis County’s prosecuting attorney.

We are not sure whether there will be an indictment of Officer Darren Wilson or not, but I am cautioning you to prepare your family for either result.

In the best case scenario, there will be an indictment.

This would cool down the current anxiety felt throughout the community. In the case where there is not an indictment, multiple law enforcement agencies are prepared to address any unrest. Hopefully, their actions will be within the legal parameters of our beloved U.S. Constitution.

My hope is for you to stay updated and hear directly from me. For the last three months I’ve relied on the media to accurately report. In some cases, certain reports have only incited populations of people that are not only experiencing PTSD, but are daily being restricted from their constitutional rights. It IS true, there are outsiders that are trying to stir things up. And that is why peaceful protestors have chosen to selfpolice the crowds. They have been very successful and, in fact, I participated in identifying outsiders that are recklessly inciting police and peaceful protestors.

n Consider making social media an option for your updates. Allow yourself to receive balanced news that real citizens are offering.

I will tell you there are outsiders -- extremists -- from both ends of the spectrum. I urge you to be aware of your surroundings in the coming days. Please do not take my advice lightly. I prefer being cautious rather than telling you to live your life as though “business as usual” is okay. If the circumstance calls for it, please look after your neighbors, including seniors and children. For those of you who are prepared to serve as first responders and spiritual leaders, keep your circles updated on your whereabouts. Please consider making social media an option for your updates. Allow yourself to receive balanced news that real citizens are offering in their overall documentation of forthcoming events.

I have made available for you a few options to experience what will be happening at ground zero after the announcement is made on the indictment: the website www.EyesOnFerguson.com; @EyesOnFerguson on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; email EyesOnFerguson@gmail.com; or text 314-722-6121.

Maria Chappelle-Nadal, a Democrat from University City, represents Missouri’s 14th District in the Missouri Senate and has been an active protestor and supporter in Ferguson.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Maria ChappelleNadal

COGIC

Continued from A1

school, COGIC faithful noticed that the alley across from the school was littered with garbage and debris.

Michael Fowler, pastor of Tabernacle Memorial COGIC, and 4th Ward Alderman Samuel Moore were among the group that showed up to help clean the alley. Fowler also brought young people from his church to help.

“All of our COGIC Community Cares events were well attended,” Newsome said. “The cleanup of the area around Cote Brilliante was most appreciated by the principal and staff. We will look to do more areas of the city next year.”

From November 6-8, COGIC hosted “God’s Plan for your Health,” in partnership with the St. Louis County Health Department, the American Red Cross, Walgreens and the American Heart Association. This health fair devoted to conditions that impact the African-American community was designed for the COGIC community, but nonmembers were welcomed.

Dr. Jade James, Deputy Director of St. Louis County Health Department, educated participants about illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Attendees were offered free flu shots, with pneumonia shots provided to individuals 65 years of age or older as part of their Medicare plan. Screenings for blood pressure and STDs were also performed, and the American Heart Association offered CPR training.

“Hundreds of people were able to be served by the representatives of the St. Louis

POLICE

Continued from A1

Nixon said officers from three law enforcement agencies – the St. Louis County Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department – will operate as a “unified command to protect the public.”

Nixon would not talk about operation specifics, including use of tear gas and checkpoints in neighborhoods. However, he said, “As you move forward, the largest effort will be to communicate openly and directly” with the public.

When asked if he is concerned that the community will see bringing in the National Guard as a “militarized approach,” Nixon said he believes their recent efforts in officer training and community outreach will help “minimize the response.”

More than 1,000 law enforcement officers have received more than 5,000 hours of additional training, including

County Health Department, who were strategically placed in the exhibit hall with our vendors,” Newsome said. On Saturday, November 8, COGIC celebrated “Christmas in November” at the intersections of Union Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard, across from Williams Temple COGIC. Volunteers from all over the country ministered to the public, distributing free

on “constitutional issues,” he said.

However, in response to a question, Nixon said the National Guard has not cross-trained with area police agencies. Also, Nixon said police officers would be reporting to St. Louis “from all over the state,” with no guarantee that any of those officers have been trained in handling civil disobedience.

“Safety and speech” are the priorities, he said. However, “If folks cross that safety line on property or on person, we will use full power of law to keep the peace,” he said.

One reporter asked if Nixon plans to implement the “rules of engagement” that the Don’t Shoot Coalition proposed. The coalition represents a group of 50 local advocacy organizations that formed in the wake of Brown’s shooting. Those rules included giving the community 48 hours notice before the grand jury announces its decision and police wearing the minimally required crowd-control

groceries, toys and clothing and serving hot food. Children met and took pictures with actors playing the Dora and Diego characters from “Dora the Explorer,” and Judge Mablean Ephriam handed out promotional items for her show “Justice.”

n “The support of the greater St. Louis area is second to none.”

– David Newsome, COGIC

“Approximately 2,000 families totaling about 6,500 individuals from St. Louis city, St. Louis County and East St. Louis were serviced,” said Jennifer Turner, COGIC member and volunteer. “No one in need was turned away.”

equipment. Nixon merely said, “They have been a voice that has been heard.”

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar was asked if he would commit to honoring the safe spaces, which the coalition said it would establish in protest “hot spots” to give protestors places to rest, eat and obtain social services, such as counseling. In the rules of engagement, the coalition asked police not to barricade or intimidate those seeking refuge.

a search warrant. He said he could not commit to refraining from entering the spaces.

In August, police entered Greater St. Mark Family Church in Ferguson, which was being used as a protestor safe space – where protestors could get water, first aid, and supplies to combat tear gas exposure.

n Nixon said police officers would be reporting to St. Louis “from all over the state,” with no guarantee they have been trained in handling civil disobedience.

Belmar said that the three agencies have talked about that “in detail” the last few days.

“We honor that all the time,” Belmar said. “It’s no different than your home or business.”

He said they would only enter the safe spaces if someone calls the police, if there are extraordinary circumstances or if there is

Ferguson Police essentially shut down the operation, saying that people were sleeping there and it was a violation of occupancy policy. Clergy said people were not sleeping there. Police allegedly also confiscated the supplies to tend to tear gas exposure.

Tory Russell, a young leader in the protest movement and co-founder of Hands Up United, attended the press conference and asked Belmar to speak about police “violating” previous safe spaces in August.

The community event was planned by Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Chief Apostle and Presiding Bishop of COGIC; Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten Sr., host and General Board member of COGIC; and International Evangelist Shirley Wooten.

COGIOC is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the U.S. Its membership is predominately AfricanAmerican, with more than 5

Belmar briefly responded that the spaces “were entered by police officers but were not violated.”

When asked about agreeing to the coalition’s rules of engagement, Belmar said, “at a glance” he believed the coalition and police “will be on the same side” on most of the points raised.

Coalition leaders announced their proposed rules of engagement at a Nov. 5 press conference and urged police to agree.

“We are providing a number of supports to promote a peaceful response, but nothing will make a difference unless the police do their part by giving protesters adequate space,” said Don’t Shoot co-chair Michael T. McPhearson, executive director of Veterans For Peace. “That’s the key to peaceful outcomes.”

Advance notice of the grand jury’s announcement will help them keep things nonviolent, McPhearson said, as well as help local families to prepare accordingly.

The group repeatedly stressed that throughout the protests since Brown’s shooting death, the actions have largely remained peaceful.

“For nearly three months protest leaders have maintained the peace, with the only real incidents of conflict

million members in the U.S. and 15,000 congregations all over the world. Its mission is

“To seek and save that which is lost.”

Newsome gave special thanks to Mayor Francis Slay, the Board of Aldermen, Alderman Moore, law enforcement and the staff of the America’s Center. Newsome said, “This has been one of the best Holy Convocations.”

resulting solely from police engagement,” said Montague Simmons, chair of Organization for Black Struggle.

Simmons said he is concerned to hear plans that police are buying riot gear in anticipation for the grand jury decision.

“The police are militarizing, preparing to make war on the very people they are supposed to be protecting,” Simmons said. “Public officials are allowing leaks of confidential proceedings and warning county employees to not join in constitutionally protected First Amendment activities.” Organizer and Don’t Shoot member Damon Davis said he feels police have nurtured the feeling of mistrust that residents hold.

“Since the day they left Michael Brown’s body in the street for more than four hours, the government has failed to answer the cries of the public time and again,” Davis said. “There has been no accountability or transparency.”

When the grand jury’s verdict is revealed, the coalition encourages people to gather at the St. Louis County Department of Justice, 100 S. Central Ave. in Clayton or across from the Ferguson Police Department, 222 S. Florissant Road.

Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.

A minister was moved by the spirit on Sunday, November 9 during the Church of God in Christ’s 107th Holy Convocation held at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

Photo by Wiley Price

Difficult days ahead

Lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Jason Q. Purnell

For The St. Louis American

Martin Luther King Jr. and the modern Civil Rights Movement, of which he was a chief architect, have been referred to often in the past few months here in St. Louis. Those references are just as often pointed and poignant as they are hazy, nostalgic and a touch sentimental. Some young activists have taken to social media comparing their efforts to King’s – and others have faulted him and his generation for leaving the work of racial equality woefully undone. Some of this is right, and some of it is wrong. For those of us chiding the

young for the youth, it is worth noting that Martin’s public life began at the age of 26. He was not chosen to lead the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) for his impressive a resume – he had not yet finished his doctoral studies in Boston; he was not yet “Dr. King.” Rather, he had so little a track record it was difficult to weigh him down with the baggage the older clergy carried.

Despite his youth, he had a gravity to his bearing and a gift for soaring oratory. The short and stocky, middle-class son of a prominent Atlanta preaching family stirred the crowd to a near frenzy at the first MIA mass meeting. You hear it first at the line, “There

comes a time when people get tired of being trampled over by the iron feet of oppression.” Someone has finally given

voice to a pent up sense of spiritual weariness. It is still gripping to hear it nearly 60 years later.

As I sat at a Ferguson October mass meeting in Chaifetz Arena several weeks ago, the comparisons and

contrasts kept coming. While a moving link was made to a bygone era in the singing of “Woke Up This Morning with My Mind Stayed on Freedom,” the young protest leaders ultimately made clear that this was “not your father’s civil rights movement.” They were right and wrong. Of course, what is happening in our region today must be connected to history: King’s generation and before it, back through W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Booker T. Washington, on to Frederick Douglass and the abolitionists and suffragists he called friends and colleagues, to the earliest efforts to eke out freedom for people of African descent in a strange land across the ocean from their ancestral homes. At a deeper level, the contrast has to do with a history that has passed since King, though. His vision of integration makes a generation raised on multiculturalism very uncomfortable, if not downright hostile. To many his “dream” of interracial brotherhood seems quaint. His use of the term “brotherhood” stands in contrast to our own time, when women’s voices in struggle are rightly heard with greater force and frequency. And his commitment to nonviolence, steeped in equal parts Gandhian sociopolitics and Christian ethics, fails to resonate in still other quarters. But as deeply as I believe King held onto his dream and was animated by it from within, there was also a vital method to it. King was not only a masterful practitioner of civil disobedience; he was also a skillful strategist and communicator. Even in that first address, he carefully tied the struggle of Montgomery blacks to the American project (“If we are wrong, the Supreme Court of this nation is wrong … the Constitution of the United States is wrong”) and to the Judeo-Christian tradition (“If we are wrong, God Almighty is wrong … Jesus of Nazareth was merely a utopian dreamer that never came down to earth”). That framing is crucial. If you miss that, you have missed King. The night before he was killed, Martin Luther King Jr. said words whose truth haunts us at this hour in St. Louis: “We’ve got some difficult days ahead.” It is a final speech in which an older King exhorts the crowd to boycott and to protest for a now expanded agenda of economic opportunity and racial justice. But in the face of the difficult days ahead, his eyes are towards the “mountaintop” and a vision of the “promised land.” He leaves us with a faithforged certainty that “we as a people will get to the promised land.” This may not be our fathers’ or our mothers’ movement, but what they have done and how they have led does inform this moment. We have the choice to “stick together,” as a 26-year-old King encouraged the crowd to do that December of 1955, or to fall apart. They walked for 381 days in Montgomery. It will take the energy of youth and the wisdom of our shared history to continue the long march toward freedom in 2014.

Jason Q. Purnell is an associate professor at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University.

Peaceful protestors moved past the statue of Dred and Harriet Scott in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, October 11 during Ferguson October’s Weekend of Resistance. Photo by Wiley Price

Guest Columnist Jason Q. Purnell

Obama nominates Loretta Lynch as attorney general

Republican leaders say confirmation should wait for new Congress

By Evan Perez and Ray Sanchez Of CNN

On Saturday, November 8, President Barack Obama nominated Loretta Lynch as U.S. attorney general, describing the two-time U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York as a “tough, fair and independent” lawyer.

“It’s pretty hard to be more qualified for this job than Loretta Lynch,” Obama said at the White House, where he was joined by Lynch and outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. “I can think of no better public servant to be our next attorney general.”

The president said the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Lynch twice before as a federal prosecutor. “It’s my hope that the Senate will confirm her for a third time without delay,” he said.

“Loretta might be the only lawyer in America who battles mobsters and drug lords and terrorists and still has the reputation for being a charming people person,” the president said.

Lynch, 55, said she was

both thrilled and humbled, and thanked Holder for “leading by example” and “pushing the department to live up to its name.”

The first African-American woman to hold the nation’s top law enforcement post, Lynch vowed to “wake up every morning with the protection of the American people my first thought.”

The nominee, when confirmed by the Senate, will replace Holder, who announced his plans in September to step down.

Lynch is in her second stint as U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, appointed by Obama in 2010 and also serving in the same post from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.

“She is someone who tried cases as a junior prosecutor, ran the Long Island office and then was promoted to U.S. Attorney for all of the Eastern District of New York,” said CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who worked with Lynch as a junior prosecutor in 1990.

Lynch would be the second woman to serve as Attorney General and the second African American to hold the post.

Lynch served on the trial

team that prosecuted and won convictions in 1999 against New York City police officers for violating the civil rights of Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant whom police officers beat and sodomized while he was in their custody.

That experience could help at the helm at the Justice Department, which is overseeing high-profile civil rights investigations, including one into the Ferguson, Missouri, police shooting of Michael Brown Jr.

In a statement, New York Police Commissioner William Bratton called Lynch “a remarkable prosecutor with a clear sense of justice without fear or favor.”

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement that Lynch “has time and time again demonstrated her commitment to ensuring there is one set of rules for everyone and to defending the principle of equal justice for all.”

Her 2010 nomination

won Senate approval on a voice vote, meaning Republicans didn’t view her as controversial.

In recent months, however, she has led the prosecution of U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, R-New York, for alleged tax fraud. Grimm won reelection this week despite being under indictment, and has called the case against him politically motivated.

Lynch was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate to be a U.S. Attorney in 2010, but

GOP aides said initially Friday they don’t know that much about her.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who becomes majority leader in January, said in a statement that a decision on the nomination should be made in the new Senate in January.

“Ms. Lynch will receive fair consideration by the Senate,” he said. “And her nomination should be considered in the new Congress through regular order.”

In a joint statement, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah said Lynch should state whether she believes Obama’s plan to sign an executive order overhauling immigration laws was “constitutional and legal.” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who is poised to chair the Judiciary Committee in the new GOP-controlled Senate, and other top Senate GOP leaders never got word about the expected nomination from the White House, according to aides.

While the administration is not required to inform Congress in advance about Cabinet picks, it is often done to give key lawmakers a courtesy headsup, or to consult with them and determine whether there would be major opposition.

CNN’s Ted Barrett contributed to this story from Capitol Hill.

Community remembers VonDerrit Myers Jr.

Protestors march in Shaw neighborhood on 1-month anniversary

By Rebecca Rivas

American

Of The St. Louis

About 70 people gathered in the Shaw neighborhood on the night of Saturday, November 8 to remember VonDerrit Myers Jr., an African-American teen shot and killed by an off-duty St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer on October 8.

“I love it … the support to let us know we are not by ourselves,” said his Mother, Syreeta Myers.

At about 6 p.m., family members and supporters gathered at VonDerrit Jr.’s memorial site at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Klemm Street. They then marched down to Flora Place, the neighborhood that hired the officer to patrol as a security guard on the night he shot VonDerrit Jr.

The marchers chanted, “Whose block? Droop’s block.” “Droop” is the name of the sandwich that VonDerrit

n “The people in this community didn’t do anything to us. We don’t want their properties tore up. We just want to be heard.”

– Syreeta Myers

to give presentations on the Israeli occupation in Palestine.

“Thank you for coming,” he told them, as both he and Syreeta hugged them.

purchased at the corner store with his two friends, moments before the officer allegedly followed him for looking suspicious.

The marchers walked down Grand Boulevard and then back down Shaw. Police did not trail or intervene during the march. However, several police cars were parked along streets nearby, including about four

cars on Russell Boulevard near Grand.

“We always want peaceful protests only,” Syreeta said. “These people in this community didn’t do anything to us. We don’t want their properties tore up. We just want to be heard.”

Some residents came out of their homes to watch the march.

After the march, VonDerrit

Sr. spoke about his appreciation for all the support and how the movement has brought together a diverse cross-section of people. It’s not a “black versus white” thing, he said.

Punctuating his words, VonDerrit Sr. greeted a group of 10 Palestinians college students, who were in the country for two weeks

Dina Jaber, a student at Birziet University in Palestine, said VonDerrit’s shooting was “very similar to our situation. People are oppressed. We need something to connect the oppressed people. I felt like I am home.”

Johnetta Elzie, a 25-yearold protestor who publishes a newsletter on the Ferguson movement with activist DeRay McKesson, said it had been a month since the shooting in Shaw. “It’s just a reminder,” Elzie said. “No one has forgotten.”

Loretta Lynch

About 70 people gathered in the Shaw neighborhood on Saturday, November 8 to remember VonDerrit Myers Jr., an African-American teen shot and killed by an offduty St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer on October 8. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Obituaries

Lena Goodwin

Lena Goodwin, 92, of St. Louis, MO, was born the fifth child of James and Lecretia Goodwin November 28, 1921, in Shuqualak, MS, in Noxubee County. Lena attended Noxubee County Mississippi Schools, after which she moved to St. Louis December 7, 1941. She was employed by Cannon Barbecue (1941-1957), and Que-King Barbecue (1957-1986). Lena Goodwin had a gregarious personality and made friends wherever she went. Her favorite expression was “Oh, you’re killing me.” Her most recent move from McCormick Place to The Valley nursing home was met with sadness by the many friends she made. Lena, loving sister of seven brothers and sisters, passed away September 14th, 2014, in The Valley nursing home, Florissant, MO, after an acute illness. She will be greatly missed and her memory will be held dear by her remaining sisters Mary Ray Thomas (Grover), Racine Wisconsin, and Rosa Lee Robinson, Murphysboro, Illinois, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Eugene Harper

Eugene Harper Sr., Jan. 26, 1948—Oct. 18, 2014, loving husband to Vola Washington-Harper; beloved father to Lisa Harper and Eugene Harper Jr.; grandfather of Sadeja and Mahogany; brother to Robert Lee Jones, Eddie Thompson (Edith), Ralph Harper (Ella), Cynthia Bates, Vickie Greene (Julius); brother-in-law, Walter Chambers, numerous nieces,

nephews and cousins. Served in the Vietnam War as a medic, earning the nickname “Doc” among his fellow veterans. In 2014 the department of the Army awarded a Meritious Service award for Medics. At the age of 23, he was named “Chief” of Inhalation Therapy Homer G. Phillips Hospital. After retiring he pursued his love of real estate. He worked for Century 21 Suburban, specializing in city investment properties. In later years his health began to deteriorate from the effects of Agent Orange and combat injuries. He spent his remaining years encouraging others suffering from PTSD and trauma from war.

In Loving Memory of Billie Thomas

Billie Thomas

October 30, 1952— November 11, 2013 It’s been one year of missing you.

Mae Belle Turner

Mae Belle Turner, age 93, a resident of Centreville, Illinois, passed on Monday, October 20, 2014 in Belleville, Illinois. Mrs. Turner leaves to cherish her memory: one son, James McNary of Centreville, Illinois; two grandchildren, James McNary, Jr. of Dallas, Texas and Sybrina Black of Tampa, Florida; nieces, Faye Black, Marge, and Anne Cummins; two nephews, Roy Phillip Wade and Samuel Hawkins; cousins, Comillia Mosley and Ilean Rigsbee; a host of great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Divided we fall, united we stand

On St. Louis, Ferguson and beyond

By Akbar Muhammad For The St. Louis American

We cannot allow those in the state of Missouri to divide us in the name of so-called peace when the grand jury drops its decision about Darren Wilson, the white police officer who killed Michael Brown Jr.

It appears to me if they wanted peace they would be trying to negotiate with the list of legitimate demands that the coalitions issued and openly discuss them. The first coalition that issued a list of demands was The Justice for Michael Brown Leadership Coalition, which demanded Wilson be fired and charged with murder, Gov. Nixon remove County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch from the

case, a Department of Justice investigation of police policies and practices throughout the state of Missouri, a state audit of local police departments, and the resignations of the Ferguson mayor and police chief.

I recommend strongly that those involved in this struggle identify ways to unify and work together so we can continue to push our struggle in St. Louis as a national struggle against police brutality and police killings.

I am watching the divisions that have cropped up since we began our protests in the name

about the strategy that is used to move a struggle forward within the same groups. During the civil rights and black liberation struggles, we differed about our tactics on how we would go forward, but many of us maintained a healthy respect for those who would struggle in different ways.

Minister Louis Farrakhan gave me a quote from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. When some young men met the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the city of Chicago and asked him, “Mr. Muhammad, will you come out into the

n We must find a way to work out our differences, form alliances and not become divided.

of justice for the murder of Michael Brown Jr. I encourage those seeking to understand our divisions to study the “ divide and conquer” strategy.

In this strategy, one power breaks another power into smaller, more manageable pieces, and then takes control of those pieces one by one. Leaders who use a divide and conquer strategy may encourage or foster feuds between smaller powers. Differences always exist

streets and fight with us?” The Honorable Elijah Muhammad told them, “No, I will not, but I can teach you how to fight and win.” This struggle in St. Louis is for the thousands who have died at the hands of police brutality in the communities across America. There is a culture of cover-up in many police departments that protects policemen who wrongfully killed a black person by criminalizing the victim so

they will be seen as a menace to society and a black thug that should have been killed.

This is why the struggle is so important and why we have to fight against being divided as we move forward to bring an end to these hideous crimes of the police against the black community. If we are going to win this battle for our community and all young men threatened by this mentality that exists in these police departments, we must find a way to work out our differences, form alliances and not become divided.

Be careful not to allow the enemies of our struggle for justice pull you aside, give you money and sponsor your programs, thinking your plans will fly in the face of others who are struggling. Communicate with your brothers and sisters, and when the enemy tries to isolate you talk about inclusion of your comrades in the struggle out of respect for their points of view.

Let’s not fall victim to our enemy’s strategy of divide and conquer. Let’s commit to the principled position of united we will stand, and God-willing we will win.

Akbar Muhammad can be contacted at aakbar314@ yahoo.com.

What will you ind during Medicare open enrollment?

October 15December 7

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Your health needs change

from year to year. And, your health plan may change the beneits and costs each year too. That’s why it’s important to review your Medicare choices each fall. Compare your current plan to new options and see if you can lower some costs or to

ind a plan that better suit your needs. Open Enrollment is the one time of year when ALL people with Medicare can see what new beneits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage. Whether you have Original

n Open

Enrollment is the one time of year when all people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes.

Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll still have the same beneits and security you have now. Certain preventive beneits – including cancer screenings –are available at no cost to you when provided by qualiied and participating health professionals. The annual wellness visit lets you sit down with your doctor and discuss your health care needs and the best ways to stay healthy. Medicare will notify you about plan performance and use its online Plan Finder to encourage enrollment in quality plans. In 2015, if you reach the “donut hole” in Medicare’s prescription drug beneit, you’ll get a 55% discount on covered brand name drugs and see increased savings on generic drugs. It’s worth it to take the time to review and compare, but you don’t have to do it alone. Medicare is available to help. Visit Medicare. gov/inda-plan to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800633-4227) 24-hours a day/7 days a week to ind out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877486-2048. Review the Medicare & You 2015 handbook. It’s mailed to people with Medicare in September. If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get Extra Help paying your prescription drug coverage costs. For more information, visit socialsecurity.gov/i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. Get one-on-one help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Lena Goodwin

Guest Columnist

Akbar Muhammad

All walks of life ride together

By Kimberly M. Cella

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is committed to working with various partners in the St. Louis region to support the community’s existing bus, light rail and Call-A-Ride services, while actively advocating for additional transit options. Discussions are underway at every level in the community on ways to bring St. Louis back together, and transit can play a key role in reconnecting our city. The average household in St. Louis currently spends almost 20 percent of its budget on transportation, obscuring the fact that this region is an affordable place to live. According to “Transportation for America,” in the St. Louis area, 61 percent of jobs are located in neighborhoods with access to transit. However, only 22 percent of the city’s population can reach jobs within 90 minutes via public transit. Compared to other U.S. cities, St. Louis ranks 58th when it comes to transit access, translating to a lower level of economic mobility for our region.

That said, MetroLink provides transit service to 17 million local riders a year, making it the 8th largest light rail system in the U.S. based on ridership. And, MetroBus has 75 routes and almost 100,000 daily boardings, positioning it as the 30th largest bus system in the nation.

In short, the region has a very successfully utilized system. The need lies in expansion.

There are several potential transit expansion corridors and service innovations which have received extensive review by the metropolitan area’s transportation planning organization. Unfortunately, the St. Louis region currently lacks funding to move any large-scale capital public transit project forward. Significant and transformative improvements will only be accomplished when the region builds the case for, and develops, longterm, sustainable public transit financing.

St. Louis County and city contribute one percent in sales tax to Metro. While there have been recent setbacks to providing more funding, there is a strong foundation from which to build. As a region, we must explore innovative financing options that could provide potential funding sources to sustain, improve and expand public transit options for riders, communities and businesses. CMT is committed to working to move this effort forward and is commissioning a study to do just that. The organization considers the funding issue to be “job one.”

Nationally, Missouri ranks near the bottom of states in funding of public transit. Last year alone, Metro/Bi-State Development Agency, the largest transit agency in the state with a $250 million plus budget, received only slightly more than $400,000 in state revenue for capital/ operating needs. Without an innovative and sufficient longterm funding mechanism, we are missing the opportunity to build stronger, mixed-use neighborhoods and make our region more vital, connected and productive though expanded transit options. The elements of a longrange transit plan have been identified. We can move forward both incremental projects and a larger vision, but only as funding allows. CMT’s “job one” is to find a funding mechanism which works for this region and to build much needed support to ensure transit connects us to our communities and each other. Today is the day to make that connection and get on board with transit.

Kimberly

M. Cella is Executive

Director

of Citizens for Modern Transit.

Guest Columnist

kimberly

M. Cella

Healthy Kids Kids

Healthcare Careers

Don’t Skip Breakfast!

Nature’s Colors

If we divide the word, “breakfast” into two words we have BREAK & FAST. To “fast” means to go for a long period of time without eating. By the time morning comes, most of us haven’t eaten for sometimes ten hours or more! Our body needs a nutritious, healthy breakfast to start the new day. Kids who eat a healthy breakfast are better able to focus at school, tend to eat better (healthier) throughout the day and will have

Exercise Challenge:

Now that the weather isn’t so hot, and before it gets really cold outside, take a nature walk around your neighborhood. See how many different kinds of trees you see, and how many

Let’s think of some ways to spread holiday cheer to others this year!

Helping Others

> Bake healthy holiday snacks and deliver them to someone who serves the community and has to work on Christmas day (police, firemen, nurses, doctors, etc.).

> How about a coat collection at school? Many families cannot afford new winter coats this season.

more energy. Try including whole grains, fruits and proteins into your breakfast for a nice healthy start to your day!

Try This:

Make your own healthy granola bars or small baggies of trail mix. Many recipes can be found online and having them ready-to-go will make mornings easier!

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

different color leaves. Walk briskly enough to get your heart rate up, but bring a notebook to document your findings. Why is it important to increase your heart rate?

Try walking this same route every few days to observe the change in the leaves. How many different colors do you see? Did

> Make some holiday decorations or cards that could be donated to a local nursing home.

> Collect canned goods for local families to have plenty of food over the holidays.

> What are some other things you could do to make a difference in the lives of others this holiday season?

Learning Standards: HPE 6, NH 3

you find any trees whose leaves weren’t turning or any that have already lost all of its leaves?

Learning Standards: HPE 1, HPE 2, HPE 5, HPE 6, NH 1, NH 3, NH 5

Cheesy Popcorn

Ingredients: 1 bag air-popped popcorn, few tablespoons parmesan cheese, sprinkle of seasonings (can use anything from cayenne pepper to seasoned salt)

Directions: Pop popcorn as directed on packaging, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and spices. Enjoy!

Dr. Bradley H. Stephens, MD, Neurosurgeon

Where do you work? I work at Barnes Jewish Hospital at Washington University. Where did you go to school? I graduated from Centereach High School in Centereach, New York. I received my BS in Biochemistry from Villanova University, medical doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and I’m in the process of acquiring a master’s in public health from Washington University Brown School.

What does a neurosurgeon do? The life of a neurosurgeon can be very unpredictable and that’s what I love about it. One day, I could be seeing patients in our outpatient clinic that serves the uninsured and underserved and the next day I could be spending my time in the operating room removing brain tumors, clipping brain aneurysms, and performing spine surgery.

Why did you choose this career? My attraction towards neurosurgery is multifaceted. One facet involves my intense desire to work with my hands. I am also deeply fascinated by the brain and how different areas of the brain work together to create a person like you or me. The ability to use my hands to improve the lives of people, young or old, suffering from injuries or diseases related to the brain is what drew me to neurosurgery.

What is your favorite part of the job you have?

The most amazing part of my job is being able to tell a patients’ loved one, who thought they were going to die, that the surgery went well and they can see them shortly.

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

Healthy Snacks

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.

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Jennings College Prep 8th Grade

Teacher Angela Keys watches her students Ayvena Norman, Kaylin Lyles, Alphonzo Andrews, and Kiara Teague use the newspaper to learn English and language arts.

The school is in the Jennings school district.

Louis American

SCIENCE CORNER

Did you know your heart is a muscle? It is pear shaped and comprised of 4 chambers: the right and left ventricles are located on the bottom, and the right and left atrium are located on the top. The septum is a muscle that separates them. Valves open and close to keep the blood flowing in the right direction. With each heart beat, the heart carries oxygen, vitamins, and minerals to all the cells in your body. The heart beats approximately a hundred thousand times a day. When you exercise, the heart beats faster in order to deliver oxygen to all of the muscles in your body. It’s important to take good care of your heart. Nutrition is a must. Fatty, processed foods can clog the arteries and will develop a film of fat over the heart, which will damage the heart. Choose fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Water is the best source of hydration. Exercise gets your heart in prime shape. You should exercise at least 30-60

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Background Information:

minutes per day. And finally, a good night’s rest will make the process complete.

To Learn More About Your Heart, Go To: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids. aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1446.

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

Make a Pulse Meter!

In this activity, you’ll create a meter to measure your pulse. You’ll experiment with different factors to see how they affect your heart rate.

Materials Needed:

• Play-Doh® or Modeling Clay

• Toothpick

• Minute Timer or Stopwatch

Procedure:

q Use a dime sized piece of playdough or clay to create a small circle.

w Flatten the bottom of the circle on a hard surface, such as a table, creating a half circle shape.

e Place the toothpick halfway through the top of the circle. This is your pulse meter.

MATH CONNECTION

On average, a resting heart rate is 70-100 beats per minute, depending on age and other health conditions. In order to determine your heart rate, find your pulse and count the number of times your heart beats in ten seconds.

Multiply that by 6 to get your heart rate.

z Measure your pulse for 10 seconds ______ beats in 10 seconds = ______ beats per minute

x If Sara calculated 14 beats in 10 seconds, her heart rate is ______ beats per minute.

DID YOU KNOW?

r Place your arm flat on a surface, such as a desk or table. Locate the pulse in your wrist, which is usually near the thumb.

t Place the pulse meter on your pulse and watch it move with each pulse. You may need to adjust it a few times to find your pulse.

y Calculate the number of pulses in 10 seconds, then multiply that number by 6. That is your heart rate in beats per minute.

u Experiment with different factors to see how they change your heart rate. Jog in place for five minutes. Take your pulse after eating lunch—does digestion affect the heart rate? Does the heat or cold affect heart rate?

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can observe how variables change results.

c If Ben has a heart rate of 108 beats per minute, how many beats did he count in 10 seconds? ______

v During soccer practice, 6 players checked their active heart rate. They had the following numbers to represent beats per minute: 140, 158, 136, 170, 164, and 193. What is their average heart rate? ______

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

SCIENCE STARS

AFRICAN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN AND EDUCATOR: Dr. Daniel Hale Williams

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams III was born on January 18, 1856, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. His father was active in the Equal Rights League and encouraged his family to fight for racial equality. Williams was a shoemaker’s apprentice and a barber, but was unhappy in those fields. He wanted to pursue education. He went to work as an apprentice with surgeon Dr. Henry Palmer and finished his training at Chicago Medical College.

Williams opened a medical practice on Chicago’s Southside and taught anatomy. He was very interested in the sterilization processes introduced by Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister. However, at that time, African Americans could not get jobs as doctors and nurses. To solve the problem, Williams opened his own hospital in May of 1891—Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses. He hired a diverse staff and encouraged African Americans to train in the medical field. While at Provident, Williams treated a patient with a stab wound and was the first doctor to successfully complete an open-heart surgery.

From Provident Hospital, Williams went to Washington, D.C., where he was chief surgeon of the Freedmen’s Hospital, which treated former slaves. The hospital was in very poor condition when Williams arrived. He worked hard to get the hospital in excellent shape, and even started an ambulance service. Williams spent many hours educating the community and teaching them about good health practices. He hired black physicians and nurses on his staff. But African Americans still could not join the American Medical Association, so he created the National Medical Association in 1895.

Three years later, he married Alice Johnson and moved back to Chicago and Provident Hospital. He then worked for Cook County Hospital, and then St. Luke’s hospital. He was also a voluntary visiting clinical professor at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.

Learning Standards: I can read about a person who has contributed to the field of science.

Use the newspaper to complete these activities to sharpen your critical thinking skills.

Activity One

Conflict: newspaper to find an example of a conflict. What has caused the conflict? What are the different opinions of the issue? What has been done to resolve the conflict? What, if anything, could be done to prevent the conflict?

Activity Two — Lines and Angles: Clip news photos that illustrate different types of lines (parallel, perpendicular and askew) or different types of angles (right, acute, obtuse and straight).

Learning Standards:

I can use the newspaper to locate information. I can identify conflict, cause and solution. I can identify types of lines and angles.

Photo by Wiley Price/St.

City commits to police diversity

Black officers

to lead training program for potential black cadets

By Rebecca Rivas

Of The St. Louis American

St. Louis legislators will put $50,000 behind a police training program that black police officers created this year to recruit more African Americans into the police academy, said Mayor Francis Slay at a press conference on November 4. The Ethical Society of Police – a long-standing organization for black officers – will lead the 10-week mentoring program that aims to identify and prepare potential minority recruits for careers in law enforcement and other public safety professions.

“The ethical society is glad to

n “I will not do a police academy class that is not 50 percent African-American. I believe that that is reflective of the community.”

– Police Chief Sam Dotson

be spearheading this initiative,” said Srgt. Darren Wilson, an AfricanAmerican 18-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and president of the Ethical Society of Police.

In January, Wilson and other society members started mentoring potential candidates through an informal pilot program.

“We ran this for several months,”

Wilson said. “We started with 10 and were only able to endorse two –to let you know the dynamics of the program and what we’re looking for as far as the caliber of the applicants we feel comfortable endorsing.”

Slay said his office is entering into an agreement with the Ethical Society of Police to help launch the program full force. The initiative will pay African-American officers

to work, while off duty, to identify potential quality recruits and prepare them to go through the academy. The money for the program will come out of the Prop S fund, and aldermen will introduce a bill to allocate those funds soon, Slay said.

The 10-week course will include writing and interviewing skills, fitness, professional etiquette and community-oriented policing strategies.

Slay said, “We’ve seen the mistrust that can exist” when police officers do not reflect the people in the neighborhoods that they patrol.

In July, the Ethical Society released a statement criticizing

Message on Ferguson

BJC CEO: ‘this may be a difficult time for our community’

By Steve Lipstein Of BJC HealthCare

Dear Colleagues:

We will soon learn the outcome of the grand jury deliberations in the case of Michael Brown Jr.’s death.

We anticipate that this may be a difficult time for our community, as there have been many different perspectives expressed related to this tragedy. While we may not all agree with whatever decision is reached, I hope we can agree that grand jury members are taking their responsibility seriously, have access to information and testimony that is not available to us or to the media, and that they are acting according to their best judgment.

I hope we can also agree that we must find ways to heal our

community and move forward together. For those of us at BJC HealthCare, moving forward means we will reflect upon our shared principles of trust, dignity and respect –especially when expressing or responding to opinions and positions that may differ from our own. As we care for patients and for each other, we will continue to demonstrate high ethical standards and behaviors, as well as teamwork. We are a provider of health care services to all members of our community, and we take seriously our obligation to ensure that our patients are able to seek the care they need in an environment that respects diversity in all of its dimensions.

BJC HealthCare is an involved participant in our community’s dialogue on sustainable and beneficial improvement. We have, and will continue to serve communities of need and we have, and will continue to expand our hiring efforts to better connect with those searching for employment. While Ferguson has been the focus of media attention for the past few months, there is a need to improve education, public safety, housing and economic opportunity in many of the communities where BJC has a presence. As employees of BJC HealthCare, we are united through

n We take seriously our obligation to ensure that our patients are able to seek the care they need in an environment that respects diversity in all of its dimensions.

our mission of improving the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve and by our commitment to making medicine better. These are not just words. They also call upon us to act. Please join with me and your fellow employees in sharing ideas for how we can

Alma Adams joins the 113th Congress as its 100th woman. This marks the first time in history that 100 votes will be cast by women members of Congress. Adams, a North Carolina state representative, cleared a 7-way primary and avoided a run-off for the seat left open by Mel Watt in May, and won both a special and general election to represent North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District on November 4.

Leo D. Price Sr. was appointed to the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners by Gov. Jay Nixon. He holds barber and barber instructor licenses and owns and operates the Desi-Sports-Barber Shop. He also is the director/instructor of St. Charles Barber College. The board licenses and registers all persons engaged in the practice of hairdressing, cosmetology and manicuring in this state.

Michelle Lee was appointed Wells Fargo’s head of community banking for the entire East Coast. Currently she is executive vice president and Northeast regional president for the company. She started with Wachovia, now owned by Wells Fargo, 31 years ago. Her degree isn’t in finance or accounting. She graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a degree in applied voice.

Charles Q. Brown has been elected president of the Board of Directors of Queen of Peace Center (QOPC). QOPC is a leader in the field of family-centered and gender specific behavioral healthcare for women with addiction, their children and families. He has a BA in accounting and MBA in finance from St. Mary’s University and is retired from the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.

Nia Ray was appointed Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue by Gov. Jay Nixon. This appointment will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate. She currently serves as Director of the Division of Employment Security. Previous posts include Director of Missouri Economic Research and Information Center and executive director of Missouri’s Workforce Investment Board.

Jorge Riopedre Executive Director of Casa de Salud, has been named a 2015 USA Eisenhower Fellow. Fellows travel on an intensive four- to five-week individualized professional program to one or two countries they select from a list of some 42 potential destinations. While overseas, they will meet with experts in business, government and non-profit institutions in their respective fields. Riopedre will travel to Germany and Mexico.

On the move? Congratulations! Send your good professional news and a color headshot to cking@stlamerican. com.

Leo D. Price Sr.

Michelle Lee

Charles Q. Brown

Nia Ray

Alma Adams

Photo by Rebecca Rivas

Jorge Riopedre

Darren Wilson, an 18-year veteran on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and president of an organization for black police officers, spoke about a new program to recruit more African-Americans police officers.

Steve Lipstein

By Jason Alderman

When it comes to holiday spending, waiting in store lines all night and jostling for discounts will mean very little if you don’t have a budget that shapes your finances yearround. With the average U.S. household spending $600$700 in 2014 for the holidays, putting that money together shouldn’t be a game of chance. Here are some tips to get it right:

1. Before you make a list, plan. How’s your debt? Do you have an emergency fund or any savings put aside? Start the holiday season by getting a handle on what you owe and what you’re spending day-to-day. Then plan a holiday budget (www. practicalmoneyskills.com/ YourHolidayBudget) as early as possible that allows you to spend wisely.

2. See what spending is really necessary. It’s tough to cut young kids off a gift list, so turn to the adults. If your finances are limited, it’s worth asking adult friends and family members if they’d consider a gift swap or forego gifts altogether. They might actually think it’s a good idea.

3. Attack your everyday expenses. Want to afford the holidays? Consider evaluating some expensive habits. Try reducing the amount you are spending on expensive nights out. Cook at home and bring your lunch to work. Use public transportation. Compare and cut your auto and home insurance premiums. Turn down the thermostat, dump magazine subscriptions, gym memberships and any other

7 ways to cut your holiday expenses

budget item you’re not using. You’ll find that savings build quickly.

4. Browse before you buy. Assuming you’ve made a tight gift list, create a gift budget (www.practicalmoneyskills. com/YourGiftLog) tracking precisely what you’re willing to pay for every item. For must-have, non-negotiable gifts, you may have to pounce before Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday and Monday for both price and selection. Also, don’t forget to budget for holiday entertainment www. practicalmoneyskills.com/ EntertainmentPlanner). It’s a potentially huge cost. Plan ahead and don’t waver.

5. Create your own Holiday Club. Online savings and money market accounts can allow you to set aside your holiday budget in small amounts throughout the year and they’ll pay better

rates than the last few banks offering Holiday Club savings accounts.

6. Watch gas and shipping. Smart shoppers weigh the value of store trips versus online shopping. They also keep an eagle eye for advertised online and shipping discounts. Sign up for special deals and coupons, consolidate in-person trips to stores and make sure you review return policies at online and bricksand-mortar stores before you buy. Paying return fees or missing a window to return a gift entirely can cost big money.

7. Keep good records. Whether you track your finances on paper or on a computer, develop a system that allows you to match your holiday list to what you spend every year. Good recordkeeping not only allows you to track the

numbers, but also prevents you from duplicating gifts or overspending year to year. And it’s always a good idea to keep a list of what you get from others to make sure you’re thanking people appropriately. Finally, consider whether it’s worth making new holiday traditions that go beyond gift giving. Some families consider contributing throughout the year to a joint vacation or reunion fund to bring everyone together. You might also consider the needs of aging or needy relatives who need assistance with chores, transportation or pet care. The holidays are what you make them.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www. twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

SBA STL office did $227.8M in loans in FY 2014

The Small Business Administration’s St. Louis District office helped nearly 100 lenders in its loan guarantee programs which resulted in 550 loans with $227.8 million in loan guarantees this past fiscal year. The 177 SBA loan approvals in Fiscal Year 2014 went to fund new businesses, a 28 percent percent increase over the FY 2013 level. The average dollar amount per new business loan in FY 2014 was $351,000. The smallest SBA loan in FY 2014 was $5,000, and the largest was $5 million, which is the maximum size loan that SBA is authorized to guarantee.

Most of SBA financing went to small businesses located in urban areas (84 percent), while 88 loans went to small businesses in rural regions of the St. Louis District.

The top five industries receiving funding in Eastern Missouri during FY 2014 were: Manufacturing (49 loans of $32.1 million); Hotels and Food Service (70 loans of $28.9 million); Retail Trade (79 loans of $25.9 million); Wholesale Trade (30 loans of $22.7 million); and Health Care Related Industries (49 loans of $20.5 million). For more information, contact the St. Louis District Office at 314-539-6600 or visit www.sba.gov/mo/stlouis.

OBS and MORE offer activist grants

Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) and Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE) are offering support for on-the-ground activism against police brutality and repression. OBS is offering the Freedom Dreams STL-Youth Grant Project, and MORE is offering the Young Activists Action Fund. Contact OBS at freedomdreamstl@gmail.com or http://obs-onthemove.org/. Contact MORE at join@organizemo. org or www. organizemo.org.

St. Louis ArtWorks offers paid art internships

St. Louis ArtWorks is currently accepting applications from teens ages 15 to 19 for paid spring apprenticeships creating art. The spring artistic disciplines will include printmaking, graphic design, videography, and painting. Apply online now at http://www.stlartworks.org/Programs/Apply.aspx. For more information, call Susan Testrorte 314-289-4188 or email program.manager@stlartworks.org.

MOKAN to unveil Apprenticeship Training Program

MOKAN has established an Apprenticeship Training Program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and St. Louis Agency for Training and Employment (SLATE). It will be highlighted during the 40th Anniversary Awards Dinner, MOKAN’s largest fundraiser, to be held Friday, November 14 at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd. For more information, call 314-454-9675 or reserve tickets online at www.mokanccac.org.

n “He’s a four-time MVP. He’s a two-time champion. I’m sure he’ll figure it out as a leader.”

– Dwyane Wade, on the early struggles of his former teammate LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers

With Earl Austin Jr.

One step closer to the Dome

Semifinals and quarterfinals this weekend

District championships were earned last weekend in the state of Missouri, bringing teams one step closer to the Edward Jones Dome for the Show-Me Bowl Weekend in late November. The state semifinals will be held for Class 6 while the other five classes are at the quarterfinals stage of the playoffs.

Here is a capsule look at this weekend’s upcoming games:

Class 6 State Quarterfinals

Kirkwood (10-1) at CBC (12-0), Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to face Francis HowellRockhurst winner in state championship game on Nov. 28) – These two powerhouse programs posted impressive victories in

Earl Austin Jr.

winning district titles a week ago. CBC defeated Hazelwood Central 45-0 while Kirkwood dispatched Lafayette 56-9.

CBC’s defense came to the fore front as it shut down a potent Hazelwood Central offense. The Cadets forced four turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown. Tre Bryant scored two touchdowns to lead the CBC offensive onslaught. Kirkwood dominated its rematch with Lafayette in winning the District 1 title. Quarterback Reece Goodard scored four touchdowns and passed for another score while

Jerod Alton rushed for 211 yards and scored on a 96-yard run. Robert Columbus scored two touchdowns.

Francis Howell (11-0) at Rockhurst (111), Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to face CBCKirkwood winner in state championship game on Nov. 28) – The undefeated Vikings were pushed to the limit before edging Jefferson City 14-10 for the District 3 title. Howell trailed 10-0 in the fourth quarter, but staged a late rally behind the play of senior Sutton Smith. The standout tailback rushed for 232 yards on 42 carries and scored two fourth-

Going into his bout with Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, boxing experts stood sharply divided on whether Bernard Hopkins could outsmart and outbox his feared, but unproven, power-punching opponent. Amazingly, the 49-year-old Hopkins’ age was widely overlooked as an impediment since the ageless wonder beat another 31-year-old titlist, Beibut Shumenov, in April. Hopkins had made a career out of making easy work of younger boxing bullies through a mix of mental toughness, brilliant defense and the innate ability to pull of every dirty trick in the book without being caught. So it was no surprise when respected boxing writers such

as Dan Rafael of ESPN, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated and Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News picked the graybeard to emerge victorious.

Boy were they wrong.

Ishmael H. Sistrunk PreP Football Notebook

rams rouNduP

With Palmer L. Alexander III

Palmer L. Alexander

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. The St. Louis Rams coughed up another lead, the offense disappeared, the defense had breakdowns. Quarterback Austin Davis’ misfires lead to a pick six and a fumble six as well. Then you toss in injuries and, of course, timely penalties. With the Rams’ margin for error being zero, every penalty flag thrown in the direction of this team could be the difference between winning and losing. While the Rams were leading the Arizona Cardinals 14-10, Davis hit tight end Jared Cook on a seam route and he raced down to the Arizona Cardinals’ four yard line. If the Rams get into the end zone, they’ll have plenty of breathing room and will be able to get after Drew Stanton, because Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer was knocked out of the game with a knee injury.

n The Rams have stood up against every opponent, just not for four quarters of football.

Broncos and Peyton Manning are next See PREP, B5

But that didn’t happen, because Rams tight end Lance Kendricks got flagged for an illegal block. Since that was a spot foul, the ball was placed at the Cardinals 35 yard line instead of the four. Rams got no points. Opportunity squandered, and the final score was Cardinals 31, Rams 14. I know this team has been decimated by injuries, and that’s understandable because it’s part of the game. But, this repetitive junk about failing to finish games has to stop. The Rams have been in every game with the exception of the opening game 34-7 beat down by the Minnesota Vikings. The Rams have stood up against every opponent, just not for four quarters of football.

Even in their three wins, the Rams didn’t exactly play four quarters. All three wins hinged on a questionable call. The 10-second run off against Tampa Bay. The Tre Mason fumble against the Seattle Seahawks. The

See RAMS, B4 IN the ClutCh

With Ismael Sistrunk

Kovalev ‘Krushed’ Hopkins, but not his legacy

Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO) dropped the ironchinned Hopkins (55-72, 32 KO) with the first solidly landed punch in the fight. After that, the pupil took over the role of professor. Following the first-round knockdown, Kovalev intelligently stalked Hopkins all night long. He used a consistent jab to keep Hopkins at a distance and unleashed hooks along with his vaunted right hand to make Hopkins think twice about employing his normal rough, inside fighting

charge to cut off the ring. None of Master Hopkins’ usual traps and escapes worked at all. Instead Hopkins often looked like a trapped animal, back against the ropes, as the hunter closed in for the kill.

job in preparing his

Bernard Hopkins absorbed flush shots from Sergey Kovalev, one of the most powerful punchers in the sport. At times he appeared to be held up by nothing but willpower and legend.

Kovalev did something that Father Time has repeatedly failed to do when it comes to Hopkins. He made him look vulnerable. In addition to firstround knockdown, Kovalev hurt Hopkins numerous times

throughout the fight. In the twelfth and final round, after an ill-advised taunt by Hopkins, Kovalev beat, battered and bruised the old man viciously. Hopkins staggered around the ring for the last minute of the fight, absorbing flush shots from one of the most powerful punchers in the sport. At times he appeared out on his feet, held up by nothing but willpower and legend. Some will chalk up Hopkins’ loss to age, but in reality much of Hopkins’ success has been due to the fact that he has fought like an old man since he was in his 30s. His uber-conservative punch output has made him equal parts boring and brilliant. Hopkins always possessed the innate ability to take away his

Kovalev’s

John Burroughs running back John Moten tries to escape DuBourg defender Maurion Warren during Saturday’s Missouri Class 3 district final. John Burroughs defeated DuBourg 58-0.

Photo by Wiley Price

I know the NBA season has started but before we pass real judgment, let it breathe a little bit. A lot of new moving parts with new faces on the court and on the bench so everyone needs time to come together.

Mike Claiborne

Everyone but the Los Angeles Lakers. They will have a hard time winning 30 games as they are a mess. A new coach, new players who are marginal, injuries that sidelined the past and the future and yet Kobe will find a way to get 30 shots up a night in hopes of the Lakers not losing by 20 every night. Yes, “Showtime” as we knew it will be on hiatus for a while. Thank you President Jim Buss for messing this thing up beyond repair. As for LeBron and the Cavaliers, this will take a while. I think it is safe to say they need work. There will be some new teams that may break through this year only to learn they will need another gear to continue their quest to be a championship caliber team. In any event, this will be an entertaining season.

College football and their playoffs

While it has gone under the radar somewhat, college football is undergoing its playoff format process. Each Tuesday, a committee unveils its ranking of the top four teams in the country to determine a final four who at season’s end will participate

Claib’s Call

With Mike Claiborne

NBA? Almost ready

in a playoff to determine a national champion. While it will be tweaked a bit over time, I like it and look forward to seeing the number of teams expanded.

This process will come with questions and gripes for sure. Those will be lodged by the ones who are ranked fifth and above as they will find a flaw. “Win one more game and play a better schedule” is what I would prescribe to fix it. As

for the others who are on the outside looking in, there are still games to be played as the bowl business is still lucrative financially. Who is the best team in the country remains to be seen as there is a lot of parody for a change. Oh the big boys will still rule the top but there are more teams to pay attention to now than ever before. Too bad the NFL is stuck with so many bad teams.

Nice NFL Here is where I am supposed to say something nice about the NFL and its leadership players and coaches … (Crickets.)

College basketball

Yes, it’s around the corner as some have elected to play some exhibition games before they start to play the “blood

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers sit in last place in the Paciic Division of the Western Conference. On Tuesday night Bryant set the infamous NBA record for most missed shots of all time.

in taking bad looses in a rebuilding year. It is my hope that in two years these teams will figure a way to play each other in a three-game series. It would be better for a non conference games than some of the teams that currently fit that bill. Let’s hope Mike Alden and the St. Louis U Athletic Director can come together and make it happen.

One-man band?

The St. Louis Blues have gotten off to a very good start and they have a player in Vladimir Tarasenko whom the league, if not the limited St. Louis media, is talking about. He is an exciting player but there is one problem here. If he does not score, the Blues have a problem as the annual scoring drought is now in play. This is a team that is deeper when it comes to talent and yet the “talent’ has a hard time scoring goals. It will take a while and that is fine with me as long as they play well into the spring.

Saving the Rams

donors” who normally come in and take a beating and leave with a pat on the head and a nice check for their services. Locally St. Louis University and Missouri are alike. They are very young and lack experience. Mizzou even has a new coach. The Billikens saw all their seniors move so Jim Crewe will have a new, young hungry bunch. Neither team has an exciting non-conference schedule as there is no sense

I noticed that Governor Nixon has made a move in trying to save the Rams by asking reputable individuals in charge of devising a plan to make this happen. I only hope this is not a waste of time as the Rams ownership has shown very little interest in staying here. St. Louis has to try something and let’s hope they do not give away the farm like they did the last time. See you in 60 days when the proposal will be complete. I’m barely lukewarm to this.

RAMS

Continued from B3 Colin Kaepernick fumble while playing San Francisco. The offense is not doing enough to help this team either. The injury to wideout Brian Quick is huge. However, they still have other players who have made plays before, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has to find a way to facilitate some action. He has to counter what opposing defenses are trying to do to disrupt the timing of the

Rams’ offense. He still hasn’t figured out how to use Tavon Austin to create mismatches. Quarterback Austin Davis plays his best when he gets rid of the ball quickly. He hits receivers in stride, spreading the ball around effectively, and throws to running backs as an extension of the run game, keeping the defense off guard. Now he has reverted to holding onto the ball too long. When he holds onto the ball longer, waiting for a receiver to get open instead of taking the yards in front of him, he finds trouble. He’s coughed up two fumbles that were returned

for touchdowns in the fourth quarter. And for the second week in a row he underthrew a wide open receiver who would’ve had a touchdown. Next up are the Denver Broncos and one of the great players of our generation in Peyton Manning. This game will be interesting to watch. I don’t imagine anybody picking the Rams. But, this could very well be another rallying cry for Coach Jeff Fisher. That’s what makes the Rams frustrating –and fun – to watch. For more Rams Roundup please subscribe to YouTube/ stlamericanvideo.

The St. Louis Rams’ T.J. McDonald sacks Arizona Cardonals’ Carson Palmer on a safety blitz during action on Sunday in Arizona.

By Maurice Scott

I had a big smile on my face. As I was riding down State Street in East Boogie and through the metro east, I noticed that there were no lights on at the football stadiums around the Southwestern Conference.

It was complete darkness at Edwardsville, Belleville West, Belleville East. Only one place was still open for business.

That would be Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis. Of all of the teams in the metro east that qualified for the Illinois state playoffs, only one remains standing after two weeks. Yes, that would be your East St. Louis Flyers.

I called my friend O. C. Hughes Jr. and asked him to tell all my friends at church especially my friend Mr. Curry, and the “street patrol”

CLUTCH

Continued from B3

opponent’s greatest weapon and slow the fighting pace down to a crawl. He almost always relied on his supreme defense and deft counter-punching to rack up the victories. However, Kovalev was simply too strong, too patient and too smart for Hopkins to ever get into the fight.

Many are now calling for the soon-to-be-AARP-eligible fighter to hang up the gloves. Why shouldn’t he? Just one month shy of his 50th birthday, Hopkins has achieved everything a fighter can wish for. He owns the middleweight record for most consecutive title defenses (20) and is the oldest fighter to ever win a world title. He has earned millions of dollars over his storied career and has beaten ring legends such as Felix Trinidad, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Tarver. Still, it’s hard to imagine Hopkins being comfortable walking away from the fight game after such a one-sided loss. Hopkins has made a career of doing things on his own terms and stubbornly, refusing to give in to others. That’s why Hopkins is talking about taking one last fight before calling it a career. He wants to walk away a winner. Just don’t expect

from B3

quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner in the closing minute. Now, the Vikings must head to the West side of the state to take on perennial state power Kansas City Rockhurst. The Hawklets are led by senior quarterback T.J. Green, who is the son of former St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.

Class 5 State Quarterfinals

Jackson (11-1) at Ladue (11-1), TBA (Winner to face Fort Zumwalt North/ Battle winner in the state semifinals) – This is a battle of the “Comeback Kids” as both teams staged dramatic secondhalf comebacks to win their respective district titles. Ladue trailed host Webster Groves 28-6 at halftime, stormed back with 28 unanswered points in the second half to take a 34-28 victory and the District 2 championship. Running back Daylen Edwards scored two touchdowns in the second half while quarterback Jack Fox scored the game winner on a 37-yard run in the last minute. As impressive as Ladue’s rally was, Jackson’s might have been better. The Indians trailed Vianney 35-3 at halftime before staging an incredible rally to win 39-35 to win the District 1 title. Jackson outscored Vianney 36-0 in the second half to stage the improbable victory.

Fort Zumwalt North (111) at Battle, Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to face JacksonLadue winner in the state semifinals) – North rolled to

One metro east team standing

that my guy Darren Sunkett and his boys still have the lights on in mid-November.

East St. Louis running back to Peoria

The Flyers blasted Normal Community 67-28 in the second round of the IHSA Class 6A playoffs last Saturday.

Running backs Nate Strong and Marvin “Beast Mode” Young combined for 404 of the team’s 466 yards on the ground for the afternoon. Strong had 11 carries for 240 yards and four touchdowns while Young had 24 carries for 164 yards and two TDs. All State wideout Jeff Thomas had four receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown. In addition, he had eight tackles on defense.

This weekend, the Flyers return to Richard Pryor’s hometown of Peoria to take on the 11-0 Irish of Peoria Notre Dame in the state quarterfinals. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.

It marks the Flyers’ second trip to Peoria in the postseason. Two weeks ago, East Side put a thumping on Peoria Richwoods 40-19 in the opening round of the playoffs. Next up is a quarter-final date with the other big shot independent school in town in Peoria Notre Dame.

The Irish are 18-3 in there last two seasons.

54-yard touchdown reception from quarterback. Demarco Washington.

They are fresh off a 41-0 win over Chatham Glenwood last Saturday. The Irish are led by Luke Andy, and David Shadid.

Andy has rushed for 1,013 yards in only seven games. He missed five games due to an injured finger. Against Glenwood, he rushed for 263 yards and three TDs. Wide-out David Shadid had a

An independent powerhouse, Notre Dame will join the new Western Big 12 conference along with Peoria Richwoods, Peoria High, along with members of the Western Big 6, among others. Notre Dame scored more than 60 points on three occasions, with the low point coming last week against Glenwood. In addition, the Irish blew out Class 5A state quarterfinalist Peoria High 60-26 back in week four.

But have the Knights seen anything like what they are about to face on Saturday?

The Flyers and the #1 ranked player in Terry Beckner Jr. have come back to town with their swagger back. After

him to fight Joe the Plumber, Larry the Electrician or any other bum in his last bout. Hard Nard will find a solid opponent, most likely a titleholder to fight at 50 years old. He will likely move down to super-middleweight (168 lbs.) for his last bout. If that holds to be true, his options for a new shiny strap would have to go through Andre Ward, Carl Froch, Andre Dirrell or Arthur Abraham. Hopkins has already gone on record saying he will never fight Andre Ward. That’s

the District 3 title with a 42-7 victory over Fort Zumwalt East. The Panthers’ punishing ground game produced 479 yards, led by quarterback Brendan Pierce’s 130 yards and a touchdown. Battle defeated Camdenton 22-14 for the District 4 title. Senior running back Nash Sutherlin has rushed for more than 1,500 yards.

Class 4 State Quarterfinals Cape Girardeau Central (10-2) at Affton (12-0), Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to face St. Charles WestWestminster winner in the state semifinals) – The Cougars will try to keep its dream unbeaten season alive against a talented team from Cape Central. Affton defeated Gateway STEM 29-6 for the District 2 title as Tyler Burrus scored two TDs and Jordan Sigel scored once. Cape Central is led by junior big play receiver Al Young, who scored three touchdowns in the Tigers’ 42-35 victory over Hillsboro in the District 1 finals.

St. Charles West (102) at Westminster (11-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. (Winner to face Cape CentralAffton winner in the state semifinals) – St. Charles West stopmed Jennings 55-14 to win the District 3 title and its 10th consecutive game in the process. Junior Dre Kelly scored on a TD run, TD reception and an interception return while Drew Lauer added two more scores for the Warriors. Westminster handled Borgia for the District 4 crown. The Wildcats have a potent offense led by senior quarterback Brendan Bognar and sophomore skilled position standouts Steven Webb and

probably a smart decision as Ward is universally lauded as the #2 pound for pound fighter in the world. Froch is another powerful and active fighter that could give Hopkins trouble, though he’s more vulnerable than Kovalev on the defensive end. That leaves Dirrell and Abraham. Both would like be interested in a high profile fight versus Hopkins (and the lucrative payday it would bring).

Of the two, Abraham’s style is likely more in Hopkins’ wheelhouse. Abraham is a powerful but limited fighter who was

Dyllan Conway.

Class 3 State Quarterfinals

Park Hills Central at John Burroughs (10-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. (winner to face Osage-Monett winner in state semifinals) – The host Bombers rolled to a district title 58-0 over DuBourg as John Moten rushed for 238 yards. JBS will face an undefeated Park Hill Central team that won its third consecutive district title last weekend.

Orchard Farm (10-2) at California (12-0), Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to face Oak Grove-Maryville winner in the state semifinals) – The Farm won a district title with a 21-14 victory over Macon. Running back Armand Keely has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored more than 30 TDs. California is undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the state. The Pintos are led by dual threat quarterback Jaden Barr.

Class 2 State Quaterfinals Malden (12-0) at Cardinal Ritter (6-6), Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to face StraffordLamar winner in the state semifinals) – Cardinal Ritter raced to a district title with a 44-22 victory over Herculaneum as Naeem Moore rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns. Undefeated Malden represents a major challenge. Senior Dremond Robinson scored five touchdowns in Malden’s victory over Caruthersville in the District 1 finals.

Lutheran North (11-1) at Palmyra (8-4), Friday, 7 p.m. (Winner to meet South Callaway-East Buchanan winner in the state semifinals) – The Crusaders continued

an 0-3 start, the Flyers have won seven of their last eight.

They are healthy and battletested. The running game has produced more than 800 yards in the past two weeks.

East St. Louis looks scary headed into the stretch run. The Flyers already know they can throw the ball with sophomore quarterback Reyondus Estes, and receivers Jeff Thomas and 6”4 Karon Randolph. This game will be won in the trenches, and again running the football up north. The All American Terry Beckner Jr. and his dogs keep blocking the way they have controlled things the last few weeks. Peoria fans haven’t seen nothing yet. My pick: Flyers advance 47-20.

Just one month shy of his 50th birthday, Hopkins has achieved everything a fighter can wish for. He owns the middleweight record for most consecutive title defenses (20) and is the oldest fighter to ever win a world title.

exposed in the Super Six middleweight tournament a few years back. He has flaws that Hopkins can expose. Hopkins’ last great feat as a fighter may be to lure Abraham in the ring. If he does so, he’ll likely retire as a champion at 50 years old. Maybe he’ll hold the fight in Canastota, New York so he can literally walk out of the ring and into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk and on Google+

its winning ways with a big victory over Hermann in the district finals. Lutheran North continues to be led by senior quarterback Justin Baker and senior tailback Carl Thomas. Palmyra will try to counter with a stout defense, which helped them upend No. 1 seed Bowling Green in their district championship game.

Maurice Scott

Nixon announces summer jobs program

American staff

On Thursday, October 30

Gov. Jay Nixon announced an initiative to connect 2,000 young people from low-income families in the St. Louis region with summer jobs in 2015. The summer jobs program will be led by former state Senator Maida Coleman, director of the Missouri Office of Community Engagement, in partnership with local workforce investment boards.

Nixon made the announcement during a visit to the MET Center in Wellston, which provides comprehensive job training, placement, assessment, career development services for the unemployed and underemployed in the St. Louis region.

“Your first job is where you learn the basic, foundational skills and values that you draw on throughout your career –like teamwork, timeliness, preparation, taking the initiative, and going the extra mile to get the job done right,” Nixon said.

“But for many young people, especially those in lowincome communities, access to these kinds of meaningful job opportunities is limited. Getting kids started out on the right path is vital to keeping them on course to financial independence, a rewarding career, and a successful life.”

2,000 low-income youth will be paid through $5.9M block grants

The Missouri Office of Community Engagement will work over the coming months with employers that can offer rewarding, high-impact work experiences for young people. The office will partner with local workforce investment

TRAINING

Continued from B1 the demographics of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department – saying that for the last 30 years, AfricanAmerican officers have only made up 30 percent of the force.

boards including the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) and the Workforce Investment Board of St. Louis County. “Much like the Next-

Generation Jobs Team we put in place during the height of the recession, we will partner with local workforce investment boards, community organizations, education and

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon gives details of an initiative to connect 2,000 young people from low-income families in the St. Louis region with summer jobs in 2015, as former state Senator Maida Coleman, director of the Missouri Office of Community Engagement, looks on in Wellston on Thursday, October 30. The Missouri Office of Community Engagement will work with employers that can offer rewarding, highimpact work experiences for young people.

the businesses community to match young people with internships and apprenticeships in their fields of interest,”

Nixon said.

“It’s a proven model with

far-reaching benefits: young people gain the opportunity to learn valuable on-the-job skills, while drawing a paycheck. Businesses gain access to a pipeline of young, energetic and motivated workers to consider for full-time employment. And our state will get the benefit of a stronger, more diverse and inclusive workforce – ready to compete for the best jobs in the global economy.”

The summer jobs program will use $5.9 million of existing federal block grants to support wages of $8-an-hour, for up to thirty hours a week, for youth in low-income families during the summer of 2015. The program will also provide resources for supportive employment services such as mentoring and case management.

Funding for the initiative will come primarily from federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds. Due to improving economic conditions and additional job growth, there is extra funding available through the TANF program, which can be used to provide services for young Missourians in families under 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Support for the program will also be provided through federal Workforce Investment Act and Community Development Block Grant funds.

Under Police Chief Sam Dotson and Slay’s leadership, the society said, “The department’s level of diversity has remained stagnant in regards to recruitment, promotion and representation: Police academy classes continue with five or six minority recruits in classes of 20 or more officers.” Dotson said in the last two police academy classes, 50 percent of the cadets have been African Americans. And he will make sure future classes reflect those numbers as well.

qualified applicants on either side, I will. But I also have to make sure that it is reflective of the community.”

“I will not do a police academy class that is not 50 percent African-American,” Dotson said. “I believe that that is reflective of the community. If that means I have to wait a couple of weeks to get

Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP, said the program should be replicated throughout the region. He said the common excuse offered by police leaders – that they cannot find qualified black applicants –

SALUTE

This message was delivered to BJC staff on Friday, November 7. Steve Lipstein is President and Chief Executive Officer of BJC HealthCare. would no longer be tenable. Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.

Continued from B1 work together to make the communities where we live and work, better and stronger. I thank you for everything you do and look forward to hearing your ideas.

Photo by UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Contemporary spin makes for memorable Dance Theatre of Harlem return

As Dance Theatre of Harlem opened their performance, audiences prepared themselves for ballet in its purest form.

Aside from the phenomenon of mostly black and brown performers fitted in Pamela Allen-Cummings’ traditional classical costumes, the first movement of the opening dance created the illusion of a diverse troupe offering the typical professional ballet performance.

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach blared through the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Men in tights and women on pointe showcased years of classical training put to good use with the iconic troupe.

But by the second movement of “New Bach,” the idea of experiencing an impressive, but ordinary, classical ballet

See DANCE, C5

Brother to brother

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“It’s so great to talk like this with each other,” said Montague Simmons, chair of the Organization for Black Struggle and panelist for Question Bridge’s St. Louis Blueprint Roundtable. “We’re so busy doing this work that we don’t get to have these types of conversations.” It was the simplest of sidebars and was almost buried within one of many challenges he addressed while speaking as an “elder” organizer in the demonstrations that have taken place as an outcry against police

violence against blacks. Yet the statement spoke volumes. Simmons was one of a handful of black men who sat before an audience to share thoughts as Washington University’s Black Student Association played host to Question Bridge – a transmedia project created to develop a starting point for dialogue with respect to black male identity in America. The project was featured at The Missouri History Museum and other institutions around the nation. “Even though Question Bridge is looking See BROTHER, C4

Finding gold in glitter of Hollywood

‘Beyond the Lights’ illuminates the price of fame within music industry

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

In an era where rising pop starlets with hypersexual images seem to be born every minute within the music industry, writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood has decided to wrap a love story around the phenomenon with her latest film “Beyond the Lights.”

The movie presents sultry singer Noni Jean being primed to be the next irresistible vixen. But just as the universe has aligned for an industry takeover, Noni issues a drastic cry for help in response to the internal turmoil of keeping up appearances while all is not well with her soul. Things fall apart for her from the inside out due to an unyielding conflict between who she is and who her label and the industry is attempting to shape her to become.

But before Noni can dive into becoming a casualty of her own success, an unknown police officer working security detail pulls her back from the edge of the world – and manages to grab hold to her heart in the process.

Though predictable and formulaic with its storyline, even in the script’s thinness PrinceBythewood illustrates the true cost of celebrity when one is willing – or forced – to sell their soul for success.

She effectively displays the moral tug of war and how the spoils of fame and wealth can cloud one’s moral boundaries. The film expresses the danger and dysfunction from the business side of music and how expectations and pressure can

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams, –who is also a Question Bridge subject and executive producer of the project – served as host.

Photo by Wiley Price

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

“Beyond the Lights,” directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and co-starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker, opens in theatres nationwide on Friday, November 14.

Photos by Wiley Price

How to place a calendar listing

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

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

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

holiday haps

Fri., Nov. 21, 1 p.m., St. Louis Union Station presents Holiday Magic. Union Station will host a variety of family activities such as live musical entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa Clause, Holiday Express Train Show & Ride and much more. The Grand Hall will be the home of a 100foot bar and a spectacular and one-of-a-kind Holiday holographic light/music show created by Technomedia, the same company that recently completed Michael Jackson’s Cirque du Soleil. 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 421-6655 or email info@ stlouisunionstation.com.

Thur., Nov. 27, 8:45 a.m., 30th Annual Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Midwest’s best holiday parade features colorful floats, bands, storybook characters, carriages, equestrian units and Santa Claus to kick off the holiday season. We expect over 130 parade units, such as musical floats and displays, giant helium balloon figures, animal units and marching bands from around the St. Louis region. As always, Santa Claus will be present to wish everyone a Merry Christmas at the end of the parade. The parade begins at Market and 7th Street and heads west on Market concluding at St. Louis Union Station. For more information, visit www.christmasinstlouis. org/parade.

Tues., Dec. 2, 7 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. The largest and longest continually running Russian ballet tour in North America. With hundreds of hand-sewn costumes, life-sized puppets designed in the Russian tradition, and 9 hand-painted backdrops with 3-D effects, the Great Russian Nutcracker is

an acclaimed and spectacular holiday celebration. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Thur., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Sterling Bank presents Brian Owens: A Motown Christmas. Brian rings in the holiday season with his soulful interpretations of holiday favorites. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Sat., Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Bratton Center Inc., presents “Snow Days, Christmas Concert.” Featuring the Town & Country Symphony Orchestra with special guest, Broadway singer John Leggette. A community event to beneit low-income housing building efforts. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plz., 63101. For more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www. brownpapertickets.com.

Fri., Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m., The Kranzberg Arts Center presents Javier Mendoza’s Christmas Concert. 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. javiermendoza.com.

Dec. 12 – 14, The Fox Theatre presents A Christmas Carol. When Charles Dickens wrote his “ghostly little tale” in 1843, he couldn’t know that it was destined to become one of the most beloved holiday traditions of all time. By telling this fable illustrating the unfairness of the Industrial Revolution and the necessity for brotherhood and unselishness, Dickens gave the world one of its most enduring Christmas stories. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Sun., Dec. 14, 10 a.m., Lafayette Square Restoration Committee presents The Holiday Parlor Tour. The restoration committee seeks to facilitate the preservation and redevelopment of

Calendar

Lafayette Square, respecting its special historic character and enhancing its overall livability. Lafayette Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and has been named one of the “prettiest painted places in America.” Visitors will enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of a Victorian wonderland as they tour ten decorated homes. The tour will also feature carriage rides around Lafayette Park, trolley rides to tour destinations, holiday caroling, and live music.1917 Park Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63104. For more information, visit www. lafayettesquare.org.

Dec. 16 – Jan. 4, The Fox Theatre presents A Christmas Story. Ralphie Parker wants only one thing for Christmas – An Oficial Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rile. This is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas. This new Broadway musical is based on the classic 1983 movie, which itself was based on stories by legendary radio humorist Jean Shepherd. With songs both funny and heartfelt, and a faithful yet inventive book, A Christmas Story captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. It’s the Christmas present that you’ll cherish all holiday long. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Thur., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., A Gospel Christmas with Oleta Adams. Oleta Adams joins the STL Symphony and IN UNISON Chorus led by director Kevin McBeth for a night of soul-stirring Gospel music to celebrate

the most joyous of seasons. Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-1700 or visit www. stlsymphony.org.

concerts

Fri., Nov. 14, 8 p.m., The Ambassador and 210’s Entertainment present Willie Clayton and Sir Charles Jones Live. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, call (314) 869-9090.

Nov. 14 – 15, Jazz at the Bistro presents Tia Fuller, Sean Jones, and Warren Wolf. In a one-of-a-kind grouping, three of the hottest young artists on the scene will take to the Bistro stage. Alto saxophonist Tia Fuller is a veteran of the bands of Beyonce and Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society. Trumpeter Sean Jones previously held the lead trumpet position in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Vibraphonist Warren Wolf is a member of the SFJazz Collective, and has worked with artists like Christian McBride. 3536 Washington Blvd., 63101. For more information, visit hwww. grandcenter.org.

Sun., Nov. 16, Community Women Against Hardship presents the all women jazz ensemble JaZz in P!nk for their 2014 Circle of Support Gala, Sheldon Concert Hall For tickets contact Metro-tix, Community Women Against Hardship’s website www. cwah.org (PayPal) or call 314289-7523.

Tues., Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents SIUE Concert Jazz Band and

SIUE Alumni Jazz Band. The St. Louis area is home to many great university jazz programs. The SIUE jazz department, now under the leadership of guitarist Rick Haydon, consistently produces swingin’ musicians. This big band showcase will feature your favorite charts from Basie, Ellington, and beyond. 3536 Washington Blvd., 63101. For more information, visit www. grandcenter.org.

Wed., Nov. 19, 8 p.m., The Ready Room presents Shaggy. 4195 Manchester Ave., 63110. For more information, visit www. thereadyroom.com.

Nov. 28 – 29, Broadway Oyster Bar presents Javier Mendoza. 736 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.javiermendoza.com.

local gigs

Sun., Nov. 23, 5 p.m., Norman K. Probstein Golf Course presents The Music of Phyllis Hyman performed by Courtney Loveless. Special guest performance by Robert Steward with music by Last Call. Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

Fri., Nov. 28, 8 p.m., The Sheldon presents Marquise Knox. The St. Louis native has made a name for himself as one of today’s great young blues performers and has performed with some of America’s most notable blues performers, including B.B. King. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 533-9900 or visit www.metrotix.com.

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

Sat., Nov. 8 & Dec. 13, 9 p.m., Troy’s Jazz Gallery presents Ladies Sing the Blu’zz Masterpieces. Come experience the smooth and sultry vocal styles of Mary Dyson & Diane Vaughn. 4519 Olive St., 63108. For more information, call (314) 9231120.

Nov. 18 – 19, Sheldon Concert Hall presents Brian Owens: A Tribute to Nat King Cole. 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. sheldonconcerthall.org.

special events

Fri., Nov. 14, 11 a.m., World Wide Technology presents The St. Louis American Foundation’s 15th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business. Four Seasons Hotel, 999 N. 2nd St., 63102. For more information, call (314) 533-8000 or visit www. stlamerican.com.

Sat., Nov. 15, 8:30 p.m., Soldiers Memorial Park hosts Girls on the Run 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run. A community event to support the Girls on the Run Scholarship Fund. 1315 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. girlsontherunstlouis.org.

Sun., Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m., The St. Louis Metropolitan Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. present 2014 Reactivation Reception: A Legacy of Sisterhood and Service. Brentwood Recreation Center, 2505 S. Brentwood, 63144. For more information and to RSVP, email akastlreactivation@gmail.com.

Tues., Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m., Queen of Peace Center Fall FUN-Raiser. Queen of Peace Center is a family-centered behavioral healthcare provider for women with addiction, their children and families. All proceeds will beneit the work of this organization. Sheraton Westport Hotel – Lakeside Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza, 63146. For more information,

call (314) 531-0511 or visit www.qopcstl.org.

Fri., Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition hosts A Sizzling Celebration. Help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary and the 2,500 children and teens who have found forever families thanks to you and the hundreds of foster and adoptive families who have given them A Place to Call Home. Moulin, 2017 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. foster-adopt.org.

Fri., Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Kingdom House presents Toast & Taste: The 1920s Fundraiser feat. Miss Jubilee. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, as well as live music by St. Louis favorite Miss Jubilee and The Humdingers. As they play their blend of authentic hot jazz, swing, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll, swing dancers from Lindy Hop St. Louis will perform. An auction will round out the evening. 2017 Chouteau Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www. kingdomhouse.org.

Fri., Nov. 28, 5:30 p.m., Nickelodeon presents The Fresh Beat Band Greatest Hits Live. Come see Kiki, Shout, Marina, and Twist perform in this brand new production featuring new hit songs such as “Walk Like an Egyptian” along with fan favorites from their live-action TV show and recent albums. The band will perform all of their biggest hits that teach preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song and instrumental music. Fresh Beat Band Party packages, which include a meet and greet with The Fresh Beat Band will be available. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Thursdays, 7 p.m. (6 p.m. practice), The Cultural Bop Society Of St. Louis Continuing the Bop with Style (CBS) (BOP the official Dance of St. Louis, Free Bop Lessons and Bop Set Every Thursday Night, 7555 Olive Blvd. in U-City, St. Louis, MO 63130.

comedy

Through Dec. 13, Satori presents STL Up Late. This is an interactive late night talk show featuring the most talented & engaging guests that St. Louis has to offer. STL Up Late takes all of the best elements of your favorite televised late night talk shows, like live music & famous personalities, and adds interactive audience games, sketch comedy, and a spontaneity that you can’t ind on FCC regulated TV shows. 3003 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. stluplate.com.

theatre

Nov. 6 – 23, Boo Cat Club presents Stairs to the Roof. A rarely produced gem by Tennessee Wiliams that is at once a comedy and a love story with a touch of early science iction. 812 N. Union Blvd., 63108. For ticket information, visit http://www. brownpapertickets.com/ event/760846.

Nov. 6 at 10 p.m. & Nov. 8 at 4 p.m., Willi Ray Productions & Foundations of Truth C.O.G.I.C. present Gossip. This gospel stage play offers lots of laughs and lessons on white lies and rumors. Ferrara Theatre, The America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 276-4879 or visit www. cogic.org.

Through Nov. 18, The Missouri History Museum presents Esther. For free black women like Esther, the world changed enormously with the Louisiana Purchase. Hear her story. 5700 Lindell Blvd., Forest Park 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Nov. 18 – 30, The Fox

Sterling Bank presents Brian Owens: A Motown Christmas. See HOLIDAY HAPS for details.

Theatre presents MOTOWN the Musical. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. fabulousfox.com.

Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, The Black Rep presents A Raisin in the Sun. Emerson Performance Center, Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.org.

Tues., Dec. 2, 7 p.m., The Peabody Opera House presents Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. The largest and longest continually running Russian ballet tour in North America. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., Dec. 5, 6 p.m., The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presents Kids Night at the Fox. For this special day the Fox will offer adults the opportunity to purchase a ticket and receive a kid’s ticket free to attend a fun-filled performance of ANNIE. Area restaurants will offer a free or discounted kid’s entreé with the purchase of an adult entreé. Prior to the show, the Fox Theatre lobby will be filled with lots of kid-friendly, interactive activities. Each kid will also receive a free souvenir to remember this special day. 527 N Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. foxpacf.org.

Dec. 10 – 14, The Peabody Opera House presents Pippin. Come experience one young man’s journey to be extraordinary in this high-flying, death-defying hit musical. 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

arts

Fri., Nov. 14, 8 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis presents Art:314. Don’t miss this silent auction and party in support of CAM’s Open Studios STL program and Front Room exhibition series. Bid on work by a variety of St. Louis artists—at a range of prices—and enjoy dancing and an open bar throughout the evening. 3450 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www. grandcenter.org.

Sat., Nov. 15, 6 p.m., Divinemoira Studio presents Into the Light Juried Exhibit and Beneit Gala. A celebration of art in its multitude of forms. Guests will engage in an interactive environment exploring light and dark while enjoying a fun atmosphere of visual art, live music, food and

beverage. Following suit with Divinemoira Studio’s philosophy of giving to organizations that contribute positively to communities, the “Into the Light” Juried Exhibit and Beneit Gala will donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to will beneit arts education for City Garden Montessori School, St. Louis Language Immersion School (SLLIS), and St. Roch School, to further arts education for children. 2500 Ohio Ave., 63104. For more information, visit www.divinemoira.com.

Through Nov. 22, Philip Slein Gallery presents Other Ways, Other Times: Inluence of African-American Tradition from St. Louis Collections. An exhibition highlighting the inluences of African-American tradition culled from numerous private collections. The exhibition features works by Radcliffe Bailey, Jean Michel Basquiat, Dawoud Bey, Ellen Gallagher, Glenn Ligon, Kara Walker, Kehinde Wiley, and others. 4735 McPherson Ave., 63108. For more information, call (314) 361-2617.

lectures

Thur., Nov. 13, 1:30 p.m., St. Louis Small Business and Technology Development Center and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri present The Legal Clinic. Come for a oneon-one 30-minute session with a business attorney at no cost. Legal Clinic is held twice a month on Thursday from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. An appointment is necessary, no walk-ins. SLATE – Missouri Career Center, 1520 Market St., 63103. For more information or to make an appointment, call (314) 657-3547 or email toddti@missouri.edu.

Sat., Nov. 15, 8 .a.m., Wells Fargo Advisors Free Financial Education Workshop for High School Athletes& Parents, Harris Stowe State University’s Early Childhood Center. For questions or more information please contact:

314.875.2115 or georin. lagrant@wellsfargoadvisors. com Please RSVP to: bankingonyourathleticfuture. eventbrite.com, Password: WFHOB

Sat., Nov. 15, 3 p.m., The St. Louis African American Community presents Genocide: They’ve Come to Kill Us. The Better Family Life Cultural, Educational and Business Center, 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 8134304.

Sun., Nov. 16, 3 p.m., Missouri History Museum presents Color Matters: Skin Tone Bias and the Myth of a Postracial America Washington University professor Kim Norwood delivers this talk based on her book, which explores how colorism touches every corner of society, especially the law. AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room, Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 7464599 or visit www.mohistory. org.

Sat., Nov. 22, 10 a.m., Circle of inluence presents African American Women’s Empowerment Network: The Enrichment. Learn business strategies, network, get motivated, empowered, get started and take your business and yourself to the next level of success. Bring your business cards, the willingness to learn, a motivating spirit, samples of your products/services and be empowered. 6250 Steve Marre Ave., 63121. For more information, visit www. circleoinluence.us.

Through Jan. 4, 2015, The St. Louis Science Center presents The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes. Step in to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Victorian London and work sideby-side with his legendary detective. You will become Holmes’ eyes and ears as he tackles a baffling new case in a world steeped in innovation

The Fox Theatre presents MOTOWN the Musical. For more information, see THEATRE.

and experimentation. Along the way you’ll see a dazzling array of original manuscripts, publications, period artifacts, film and television props and costumes. You’ll learn to use investigative tools and techniques from Holmes himself, and test yourself with exciting, interactive crimesolving opportunities. Come Solve the Mystery. 5050 Oakland Ave., 63110. For more information, call (314) 289-4400 or visit www.slsc. org/watson.

health

Sat., Nov. 15, 6 p.m., CHIPS Health and Wellness Center presents A Night at The Savoy IV – Beneit Gala and Charity Auction. Celebrating our commitment to providing Health Care Beyond Walls for the underserved and uninsured.

Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 652-9231 ext. 20 or visit www.chipsstl.org.

Sat., Nov. 15, 8:30 p.m., Soldiers Memorial Park hosts Girls on the Run 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run. A community event to support the Girls on the Run Scholarship Fund. 1315 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www.

girlsontherunstlouis.org.

Sat., Nov. 15 & Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., Health Protection and Education Services presents Free Health Screenings and Physician Referrals. Health Protection and Education Services, a health organization operating in University City offers free health screenings and referrals for people who are under-insured. They employ volunteer doctors, nurses and medical and nursing students to screen people for ailments. Translators available. Referrals are made to the People’s Health Center. University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 448-7373.

Thur., Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m., SSM St. Mary’s Health Center hosts Provident’s Mental Health Symposium. The keynote speaker will be Susan Dreyfus from the Alliance for Children & Families. There will be several local speakers including Rob Fruend, CEO, St. Louis Regional Health Commission; Daniel Body, Vice President, SSM Behavioral Health; Steve Sullivan, Executive Director, Provident and more. Symposium also includes panels and discussion. CEUs available. 6420 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www.providentstl.org.

Sat., Nov., 22, 9 a.m., Busch Stadium hosts St. Jude Give Thanks Walk. Join St. Jude supporters in the St. Louis community and in more than 65 cities nationwide in the St. Jude Give thanks walk, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Come together to help St. Jude change the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer. 700 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, visit fundraising. stjude.org.

Sat., Nov. 22, 7 p.m., St. Louis Union Station hosts Play Date. For one night, adults are invited to be kids again. See the world with wonder and amazement. From

larger-than-life amusements to sounds and sights of the arcade, this event promises to be packed with interactive games and entertainment. Get ready for bold color, lots of laughter, and surprises around every corner at this totally-not-boring fundraising event. Proceeds from Play Date will support mission-critical programs and services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, 1820 Market St., 63198. For more information, visit www.stlouischildrens.org.

spiritual

Through Nov. 11, The Church of God in Christ 107th Holy Convocation Event highlights include COGIC Health Fair, 5th Annual Job Fair, “Christmas in November,” and Annual Presiding Bishop’s We Care Banquet. The America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, call (314) 342-5036 or visit www.cogic.org.

Sat., Nov. 15, 8 a.m., St. Joseph’s Academy Mission Week Garage Sale. All proceeds will beneit the mission work of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Peru and Uganda. Household items, formal dresses, toys, games, books, furniture, accessories and more will be available for purchase. Please come and support the CSJ Missions. 2307 South Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63131.

Fri., Nov. 21, 7 p.m., The Contemporary Art Museum presents On Company Business. This ilm screening is presented in partnership with the 23rd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF), On Company Business (1980) is about the one of the world’s most powerful secret organizations—the US Central Intelligence Agency. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, call (314) 535-4660.

at things through the lens of black male identity, it really deals with human issues,”

Question Bridge historian Bayete Ross Smith said as he presented segments of the exhibit to an audience on Saturday afternoon in the May Auditorium of Wash U’s Olin School of Business.

“We felt that if we could humanize black males and get people to see their shared humanity – black men are one of the most feared and misunderstood demographics in American society – that it would be powerful in the terms of how to create mutual understanding.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams – who is also a Question Bridge subject and executive producer of the project – served as host. Spoken word artist and activist Cheeraz Gormon moderated a panel of African-American men. After greeting the audience with a few introductory remarks, Williams sat off to the side and played observer as the traveling presentation was framed around Ferguson for its St. Louis visit.

A panel of distinguished men – including Simmons, Michael McPhearson, Damon Davis, Tory Russell, DJ Kut, Larry Fellows and Justin Hansford – represented “old school” and “new school.” They posed questions to

each other regarding their experiences and ideas regarding the protests and civil unrest in the wake of the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown Jr. on August 9. They also compared and contrasted the Civil Rights Movement with Ferguson.

“What’s the biggest win from the first Civil Rights Movement?” Davis asked. “What did we learn from that win and the tactics they used, and how do we readapt those tactics for this fight that we

have now?”

“There is a moral and ethical win that people achieved with the first Civil Rights Movement,” Hansford responded. “There was a time when people didn’t think it was wrong to have segregation or to call people names – to be racist was cool. Now people think racial profiling is cool. Black criminality is the narrative of the day. People think that they are right to assume that a black man is more likely to be a thug – thug

is the new n-word.”

They didn’t always agree –as a matter of fact, opposition loomed among a few panelists as they shared thoughts about their vision for the movement. But as with the intention of Question Bridge’s origin, they were talking to each other –which is the first step towards understanding.

“Why do you teach us to ‘not die’ and survival?” Russell asked. “You are telling us not to stand up to the system, but how to live in

n

“We’re so busy doing this work that we don’t get to have these types of conversations.”

– Montague Simmons

a system [that oppresses us].

Why are we teaching basic survival?”

“I think this has to be an inside/outside movement if we are going to win,” an audience member said later in the question and answer session.

“We need y’all out there on the front lines, but you also need us in the system. We can give jobs and resources and by doing that we can help dismantle it from the inside.

We need each other.”

Other subjects – such as the role of women and internal tensions between individuals and organizations as they fight for justice – were candidly discussed.

“If we allow wedges to happen, they can actually beat us,” Simmons said.

“It’s a tactic to allow them to break us apart so that one tries to dominate the other.

When that stuff happens, my antenna goes up. Because if you try to disrupt the movement with those things, it’s counterrevolutionary – and harming us more than helping us.”

Continued from C1

be just as damaging as the trappings of fame. What the film lacks in substance with respect to the screenplay is further compensated by timely subject matter and an amazing cast.

Led by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker and featuring Minnie Driver and Danny Glover, there is an authenticity that permeates “Beyond the Lights.”

Driver is the quintessential no-nonsense stage mother who, though she has the best intentions, forsakes her daughter’s well-being and personal best interests in the name of building Noni’s brand as music’s next big thing.

But the soul of the film lies in the emotional exchange between Parker and MbathaRaw’s Noni Jean.

As Noni attempts a quest for something real in Kaz, he runs the risk of her image impeding his political ambitions as he prepares to run for city council. They lean on each other as pressures mount from both sides of their lives.

Just as she did for her major film debut with 2000’s “Love and Basketball,” PrinceBythewood made her leading man and leading lady selection more mindful of natural chemistry between the actors than any sort of star power. And as audiences connected with a thenunknown Sanaa Lathan as Monica in “Love and Basketball,” they will see themselves (and a few of their favorite singers) in MbathaRaw’s performance as Noni Jean in “Beyond the Lights.” Because of Prince Bythewood’s unwavering faith in her leading lady, “Beyond the Lights” was nearly a decade in the making. She would lose studio backing because of her determination to cast the unknown as the star of what was originally slated to be her feature film follow up to “Love and Basketball.”

While the idea sat on the shelf, Mbatha-Raw was able to build buzz through film and television performances – most recently as a wealthy mulatto socialite, and title character, in the 17th century period piece “Belle.”

Her portrayal of Noni Jean demonstrates why PrinceBythewood would take the risk – and how it paid off. As Kaz, Parker gives himself a lead in the campaign for the next black heartthrob on the big screen with a tender, yet commanding, performance. “Beyond the Lights” opens in theatres nationwide on Friday (November 14). The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 116 minutes. n They lean on each other as pressures mount from both sides of their lives.

Community organizer Damon Davis speaks on behalf of the new generation of activists that have emerged in response to the tragic death of Michael Brown Jr. during Question Bridge: Blueprint Conversation Saturday Afternoon at Washington University’s May Auditorium. Photo by Wiley Price

Led by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, there is an authenticity that permeates “Beyond the Lights.”

Ferguson as acute health crisis

The view from Saint Louis University School of Medicine

By Michael T. Railey, M.D.

For The St. Louis American

The recent St. Louis County

– Ferguson incident resulting in the death of Michael Brown Jr. has exposed important issues that have challenged our society in the past and now have become acute, not only in our region but around the entire country. In keeping with the Saint Louis University (SLU) tradition of men and women serving other men and women, our School of Medicine continues to adjust and remain responsive to the needs of our community.

SLU does this, in part, by keeping its broad array of clinically and academically solid health care students abreast of relevant social issues.

The Ferguson crisis has highlighted a few such “realities” that we feel must be reflected upon by all in our academic community. This is needed for us to remain culturally humble, culturally competent and ever mindful of the societal context that we must incorporate into our clinical care and attitudes toward our patients.

Our students, graduate trainees and faculty must be aware of how health is both directly and indirectly affected by crime, violence, proper housing, safety issues, education and political events. Any attitude that would isolate or separate the intricate and ongoing process of “good health” from socio-economic and sometimes politicized events would be erroneous.

We see at least three events that bear serious consideration within our academic community of physicians and

other health care professionals in training. These events must be and are being addressed in both our curriculum and longitudinally in the training process.

First and foremost, we recognize that societal issues impact health, both collectively and individually. Society unfortunately is not devoid of bigoted and even racist components that, mixed with certain potentially volatile circumstances, can result in destructive and unhealthy events ranging from anxiety and extreme stress to psychosomatic disorders and even violent crime.

Our curricular programming during the first two years of medical school provides dialogue, lectures and special sessions to keep students informed about these societal aspects of health. In recent years, information and dialogue has increased concerning health disparity, its genesis and potential solutions that are needed. On occasion, guest speakers sponsored by various medical school departments also address these problems.

n Society unfortunately is not devoid of bigoted and even racist components that can result in destructive and unhealthy events.

Our senior and graduating medical students have embedded in their final year of study lectures on implicit bias, cultural competency and humility. We also continue to reach out to our graduate trainees and faculty through regularly scheduled events and continue to seek unique ways to keep all of our staff abreast of these important societal impacts on health.

A second issue is the importance of personal wellness, which is strongly emphasized at our School of Medicine. We believe that we have been innovative in matriculating students who strive for personal balance and who will seek the same

advantage for their patients. We want our students to not only exhibit wellness in their own daily lives, but to be leaders in affecting the same changes in the patients they serve.

This emphasis at our school is being recognized and respected nationwide. In embedding these approaches in the lives of our trainees, we emphasize that they must pass them along to their patients, giving the underprivileged in our society a chance to lead lives of peace and wellness.

The third major issue that the Ferguson crisis made evident is the need to respect the concept of peaceful protestation and how this concept can be constructively used to affect change. The School of Medicine wants health care workers understand the difference between civil disobedience and civil disorder.

On October 17, at the School of Medicine’s Learning Resources Center, a student interest group, the Student National Medical Association, hosted (in collaboration with our office of Multicultural Affairs) a panel discussion open to the public that was most enlightening and highly successful. Moderated by a SLU psychologist, four panelists discussed and answered questions regarding the Ferguson crisis and the death of Michael Brown Jr. Representatives from the University of Missouri-St. Louis as well as an attorney from Washington University were present.

The vigorous discussion that followed was peaceful, informative and satisfying to all in attendance. It provided a forum for valuable dialogue that the nearly 200 in attendance needed in order to understand and cope with these recent events. The School of Medicine is supportive of special events of this type, held under civil circumstances. This type of multicultural communication and dialogue is vital to the process of allowing future health care professionals to understand the critical need for them to remain involved in and understanding of the communities they serve.

Michael T. Railey, M.D. is Associate Dean of Multicultural Affairs at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

DANCE

Continued from C1

performance was out the question for an audience who waited more than a decade to see the legendary dance company’s St. Louis return.

With Robert Garland’s modified choreography – that seemed to borrow movement elements from influences that ranged from “The Harlem Shake” street dance craze to Beyoncé – the tone was set for an evening of dance that would destroy the boundaries of ballet. As the performances effortlessly meandered between modern and traditional, they managed to shift the paradigm with respect to expectations of ballet as well as represent classical dance for a new generation.

Four ballets would be featured in the Dance St.

Louis presentation and, with the exception of “Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux,” each progressively nudged audiences further outside the presumed borders of traditional ballet.

George Balanchine’s “Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux” served the purpose of showcasing Dance Theatre of Harlem’s roots in classical and the company’s ability hold its own in comparison to historic mainstream troupes.

And for the Saturday evening performance, Nayara Lopes and Da’Von Doane were up for unyielding physical demands of the performance.

“Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven: Odes to Love and Loss” tugged at the heartstrings of the audience. The ballet is Ulysses Dove’s emotional outpouring in response to – and remembrance of – the deaths of 13 close friends and family.

Dressed in all white, the

group of dancers effectively recreated pain, sorrow, frustration, confusion and hope as they were aided by muted sounds and the absence (and amplification) of light.

Darrell Grand Moultrie’s “ Vessels,” which presents the vision of founders Karel Shook and Arthur Mitchell to a new era of dance lovers, proved a fitting finale for Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Through this particular ballet, one sees the classical foundation paired with outside influences – mainly modern dance – which created a visually stunning experience that was the polar opposite of how Dance Theatre of Harlem introduced themselves at the start of the show.

From the costumes to the accompaniment, the piece proved that Dance Theatre of Harlem is not a company that is rigid and unwilling to make room for new concepts within their realm of classical dance.

Photo by Wiley Price

Guest Columnist

Michael T. Railey, M.D.

A young man pauses in thought at a candelight vigil for VonDerrit Myers Jr., who was shot and killed by an off-duty St. Louis police officer on October 8. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Celebrations

Centenarian Anniversary

Pastor Arlene B. and Elder Kenneth W. McClendon will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary on November 17. Apostle Pastor and Elder are the Founder of Chronicles Christian Center Church, 1001 Dunn Road in Florissant, Missouri. Pastor and Elder have two loving daughters, Dr. Ingrid D. McClendon and Iris K. McClendon, both educators. Elder retired from the Navy after 20 years, and has also been with General Motors for 29 years. Pastor is a licensed barber and instructor for over 20 years.

Reunions

Attention Beaumont Class 1968, join the Beaumont Alumni Class 1968 meeting on Saturday, Nov. 22,2014, 2-5:00 p.m. at St Louis County Library, 7606 Natural Bridge, to organize and plan the 47th Class Reunion. For more information email bhsco1968@att. net or call (314) 869-8312.

Birthdays

Happy 38th Birthday to my beautiful sister-in-law, Antonette Collins-Johnson on November 15. You are more than just my sister-in-law; we have a sisterhood, a bond that will last a lifetime. I hope you have the most spectacular birthday ever. Love always, Nikki

Semaj Nevaeh Marie Johnson celebrates her birthday on November 7. Happy 7th Birthday to my beautiful ‘lil lady. Mommy loves you!

Happy Birthday to Dina Suggs on November 11! Dina is the daughter of St. Louis American publisher Donald M. Suggs. Dina currently lives in New York City and works for the U.S. Department of State. Before joining the State Department, Dina was Senior Vice President at the American.

Beaumont High School Class of 1970 is looking for team members to plan its’ 45th year reunion. Interested? Please email Beatrice Palmer (Vanzant-Smith) at bvanzantsmith@ yahoo.com or bsmithrealtor@ att.net.

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

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri District 3 would like to invite you to an Alumni Event. We are looking for anyone who worked in or was a member of Girl Scouts in St. Louis City.

If you would like to participate, please contact Essie Harrison at essie.harrison@att.net or call (314) 400-4602 with your name, address, phone number, and email address.

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

St. Louis Community College needs your help identifying the 1.5 million STLCC alumni. Alumni are encouraged to visit the website: www. stlcc.edu/foundation/, to become members or update information. For more information, contact Ashley Budde, coordinator of alumni

Happy 100th Birthday to Irene Smith on November 14! After graduating Homer Phillips School of Nursing, Irene was hired as one of the first AfricanAmerican nurses employed by Christian Hospital. She also served as the first African American elected as President of the Missouri Licensed Practical Nurses Association. She is a devoted member of West Side Baptist Church and still cherishes time spent in prayer and reading. She has two sons, Ezekiel (Brenda), and Alvin (Cynthia) Smith, two grandsons and four greatgrandchildren who visit her often in her Penrose area home. She has been heard often lately saying: “Ninety nine and a half won’t do!”

relations, at abudde6@stlcc. edu, or 314-539-5145.

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

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

Sumner Class of ‘76 Annual Christmas Party, Friday, December 19, 2014, 6 pm at Deja

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103 FREE OF CHARGE

Vu II Cafe, 2805 Target Dr, St. Louis, MO 63136. Two for one drinks (5:30 - 8 p.m.), food available to buy from kitchen, free parking, no cover charge and limited reserved seating available until 10 p.m. Please RSVPASAP with B. Louis at 314-385-9843.

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

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

Chaplains nurture juveniles in detention

‘Spirituality is one tool to help

them’

By Patricia Rice Of St. Louis Public Radio

Prison chaplains wear hope on their sleeves. Many talk about ex-prisoners who transform their lives in prison and, after release, become contributing citizens and good parents.

One chaplain, the Rev. Dietra Wise Baker, said that most judges and others who work in the justice and corrections systems are “loving” but the system is flawed.

“We have to deal with that as a society and begin to dismantle those systems,” Baker said. For 10 years, Baker has been a full time chaplain at the three juvenile detention centers in the city and county.

For her job, one key is connection. Chaplains are generally trusted, and that trust often allows in-depth, one-on-one conversations that can lead to helping a prisoner find the hope and courage to make wiser choices.

“I never take notes,” said Jeff Fabbiano, a chaplain at the same three youth facilities. “We don’t talk about what they tell us.” Baker and Fabbiano’s salaries are paid by the Episcopal City Mission ministry, which is funded by the Episcopal Church of Missouri. It focuses all of its prison ministry on youth. Baker, who has a doctorate in ministry, also is pastor of the 50-member Liberation Christian Church, a Disciples of Christ congregation that meets in rental space at the Regional Arts Commission in the Delmar Loop. Fabbiano is a former youth minister at a nondenominational church.

For many prisoners, detention is the first time they have lived in a structured environment with three meals a day and regular quiet hours for sleep.

Many teens in detention – some as young as 12, none over 17 – are poorly educated. They may, however, make educational strides in detention centers’

worship services at the facilities, Baker said.

“They often have good memories of going to church with a grandmother maybe or a parent, and they don’t want to sit in their rooms,” Baker said. “Spirituality is one tool to help them.”

Baker and Fabbiano hope for transformation even though they brace themselves for disappointment.

“I saw a young man today (at the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center in Clayton) who had returned,” she said. “I knew him from last time, I knew his name.”

Close to her heart is the memory of one boy from the city who was in detention at the rustic lakeside facility near Creve Coeur Lake. He made the honor role at a nearby Parkway school where Lakeside administrators enrolled him. Many Lakeside staff were surprised at his honors, but Baker had had many conversations with him and knew he was bright.

“He never had had such educational structure and resources in his old school,” she said. “The wider community needs to care more about children in underperforming school districts.”

The original prosperity gospel

“I am the Lord, I change not. Since the days of your ancestors, you have failed to obey my commandments and law. Now return unto me, and I will return unto you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! However, you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we cheat you?’

closed educational environment with the support of encouraging teachers, counselors and chaplains.

Baker is impressed by the teachers who work with juveniles in detention residences. She’s observed youth in long-term detention improve their reading as much as three grade levels in six months under the structured, drugfree environment. They can be tutored by reading specialists and own books given by the nonprofit group Reading Is Fundamental.

Fabbiano motivates those who had been on drugs to reflect on their improved mental health. He helps them realize that they sleep better, eat better and that their minds are more clear and focused away from drugs, he said. He often tells Christian inmates that Jesus promised a “full life” and encourages them to make positive “full life” choices.

Baker and Fabbiano stress that God forgives the teens and loves them.

Volunteer rabbis and imams also attend to needs at the three youth residential facilities.

About three-quarters of the juveniles voluntarily show up for Sunday Christian

When released, the honor-roll student returned to his environment and his old ways, was arrested and now is in an adult penitentiary.

“He got help too late,” she said.

Once an offender is released from prison or juvenile detention, most need help starting a new life away from the temptations of former addictions and criminal cronies who may include neighbors, classmates and family members.

“There is a big gap in the criminal justice system especially once juveniles are released,” Baker said. “No organized entity, no agency here helps young people under 18 with re-entry, not one agency.”

Nationally 2.5 million teens are arrested each year. Some federal studies say one in five youth are at-risk. In Missouri, a young black male is six times more likely to be in detention than a young white male.

Baker said, “Whether they are black or white, most are poor. We just don’t see kids who are privileged, rich and white; and I don’t think it is because they are not doing (illegal) things.”

Reprinted with permission from news. stlpublicradio.org.

DECEMBER 18

Thursday aT 7:30pm

Kevin mcBeth, conductor Oleta adams, vocalist st. Louis symphony IN uNIsON® Chorus

Oleta adams joins the sTL symphony and IN uNIsON® Chorus led by director Kevin mcBeth for a night of soul-stirring Gospel music to celebrate the most joyous of seasons.

By

return unto you.” He’s saying “stop robbing me. Pay your tithes.”

“You have cheated God of tithes and offerings. You are under a curse, for your whole nation (family) has been cheating God. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse …... If you do,” says the Lord, “I will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great you will not have room to take it! Try me! Put me (God) to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord. “Then all nations will call you blessed.” – Malachi 3:610 NLT

Do you want prosperity?

Instead of fasting, praying and standing in the $1,000 blessing line, God says “return unto me and I will

Disobedience drives a wedge in our relationship with God. Do you wonder why it’s hard to get a prayer through or why you cannot keep cash in your pocket? The answer is because you have cheated God by keeping what is already His (the tithes). Return unto me and I will return unto you. Standing there with His arms wide open, God is pleading with us to repent and come back home.

The giving of tithes is an act of obedience to God. Only ten cents for every one dollar. The blessings come not because God received His money, but through obedience and giving believers put themselves in the place of trusting God to supply their need. Tithing is the minimum standard of giving in the New Testament. Jehovah Jireh, our God of “more than enough,” says prove me NOW. The promise is if you will return and stop robbing God that He will return to you and open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there will be no room to receive. Now that’s prosperity!

The American is accepting Inspirational Messages from the community. Send your column (no more than 400 words) as a Word document and pasted text to cking@stlamerican.com and attach a photo of yourself as a jpeg ile. Please be patient; we will run columns in the order received.

The Rev. Dietra Wise Baker

Photo by Rebecca Smith / St. Louis Public Radio

James A. Washington

Question Bridge producer and “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams with spoken word artist/activist Cheeraz Gormon as Wash U.’s Black Student Association hosted a Blueprint Conversation Saturday

by Mike Pagano

Photo

Saturday

Celebrity Swagger Snap of the Week

Comedian Mike Epps with Lesley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown, at the After Dark Comedy Tour Friday night at Chaifetz Arena. Epps showed love to Michael Brown’s family during the show and visited the Michael Brown memorial site in the Canfield Green Apartments.

King of the (Jack’N for) Beats. After nearly two months of being perched in our city giving up and coming MCs a chance to drop bars for a chance to pick up five racks, Jack Daniel’s Jack’N For Beats rhyme competition came to a thrilling end Thursday night at The Loft. For the grand finale, the ten folks with the most online votes were asked to step to the mic and drop 2 minutes of flow as the beat switched up a la the Ice Cube classic for which the contest is named and pays homage to. I used to tell people that there are two ways for you to truly get a feel for how long it takes for time to elapse. The first is by counting while underwater holding your breath – the second is running on the treadmill. Thursday night proved that freestyle rapping while trying to keep pace as a new beat drops is the third. I’ve never heard “uhh,” “yeah,” “get your hands up,” “put your hands up,” “let’s go” or “let’s get it” so many times in all of my life. And when they flipped the beat, some of the folks simply couldn’t hang. But, I must say that the group of mostly unknowns had way more skills on the mic than I expected. I was actually quite impressed. Things got a bit hectic when contestant Buddy Luv, who has some sort of heart condition, experienced a medical emergency. I hope he’s okay. Anyway, after things settled down, the competition heated up. I knew from the second round that it would come down to a face-off between Riley B and Truth Do it. But when they bumped the time up to three minutes, Riley B blew her out the water. Shout Riley B as the winner – as well as everyone else involved who helped make the Jack’N for Beats first STL round a success.

Cackling after dark. Since I’m amongst friends I feel like I can let y’all know I wasn’t really expecting to be doing a whole lot of laughing at the annual Mike Epps comedy show after the way he underwhelmed me last year. But I couldn’t have been more wrong! Friday night’s “Comedy After Dark Tour” at The Chaifetz Arena had me gagging from start to finish. G-Thang who is clearly still keeping up with his Shaun T’s Insanity/Xbox Kinect work outs, kicked the show off in a great way. Kenny Howell came out there sounding like Weezy Jefferson’s daddy, but he was funnier than I’ve seen him in a while. I thought my seat neighbor was going to have to resuscitate me when he called a couple of late comers “The Real Housewives of East St. Louis.” “Love and Hip Hop Brooklyn (Illinois)” was more like it. Seriously, half the women up in there looked like they had reaped the rewards of a K. Michelle/Joseline Hernandez “The Rent is Due” emergency wardrobe sale. That’s right – “Versace Style” bodycon dresses, cat suits and thigh high boots galore. But enough about the fashion faux paus, let me get back to the funny. DeRay Davis had me in stitches. The best thing Mike Epps could have done in this world was add him to his tour. Mike Epps got his comedy groove most of the way back – so I’m assuming last year’s lackluster show was because he had become a TMZ sensation thanks to the “You the devil, Bria” phone tap courtesy of his daughter.

Sleepy soul. Because I had a previous engagement I had to hit the ground running on my way to the Pageant to see Vivian Green and Kindred Sunday night. I came up in there all out of breath like someone had been chasing me – and just in time to hear Staci Static say “Vivian Green.” Most of me was glad the show wasn’t lopsided with opening acts this time, but the rest of me was thinking “that was close.” The stage sat empty for a while, only for her to come in like the same person who chased me had almost mowed her down. She still sounded good, even though I’m not what you would call a Vivian Green fan. I’m sorry, but she sounds like a soulful yawner more than a singer to me. But the crowd really caught life from her four-song set. The folks didn’t seem to be checking for Kindred at all – because their energy level didn’t seem to be nearly what it usually is. By the time that show was over, I had renamed it the “Try to Stay Woke” tour. I did get some piping hot tea during the show when I learned that Chris Brown was coming to the Ambassador. That’s right, Nov. 30.

Congrats to a happily ever after. There’s a wedding going down in Beverly Hills this weekend with a St. Louis connection that warrants a bit of social chatter. Michael & Jeanne Roberts’ baby girl Meaghan will be jumping the broom in a way that most of us can only imagine when she weds renowned urban playwright/producer Je’Caryous Johnson in an outdoor ceremony in Beverly Hills on Saturday. Three hundred guests have been invited to see the couple exchange vows, including Wendy RaQuel Robinson, Essence Atkins, Malik Yoba Billy Dee Williams Richard Roundtree Louis Gossett Jr, Vivica A. Fox Miguel Nunez Allen Payne Leon Omar Gooding, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Jill Marie Jones, Jennifer Williams and Judge Glenda Hatchett. Brian McKnight will be serenading them for their first dance. They will honeymoon in Thailand and reside in Beverly Hills. Can you say Bawse?

Bodies in Motion. Now I know some of y’all don’t care much for culture around this neck of the woods, but all wouldn’t be well with my soul if I didn’t tell y’all what a fantastic time I had at Dance St. Louis’ presentation of Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Touhill Saturday night. It was a wonderful thing to see DTH return to STL for the first time in 10 years. The wide receiver / running back bodies on a few of those male dancers – yes, at the ballet – had some of us in the audience completely undone. I’m telling you, some of those glorious shapes put the musclebound thickness of our secret NFL crush (Steven Jackson, you know I still love you, boo) to shame. I know some y’all are thinkin’ “they are probably not interested in you.” So what, that don’t mean I can’t give credit where credit is due!

Chicago rapper Lil Bibby came through DNA and showed love to Trey and Nate before he opened for Ty Dollar Sign @ The Ready Room

Kuriston White, Shania Boyd, Mieshia Mcdonald stopped through Soho before getting their laugh on thanks to Mike Epps Friday night

Tasha and Renne stepped into The Umbrella Group’s celebration of Scorpios @ SOHO

Comedian DeRay Davis with Live Nation’s lovely Angela Brown Friday night @ Chaifetz Arena

Jack’N for Beats judges A-plus of Hot 104.1 and DJ Drama during the Jack’N 4 Beats competition Finale, where Riley B was crowned winner Thursday @ The Loft

Ty Dollar Sign took some time to unwind @ Niddy’s club Envy

Sarah and Kristen @ Envy on Saturdays

Tony Thompson and Yolanda Lankford of the Kwame Foundation with soul singer Vivian Green following her heartfelt performance Sunday night @ The Pageant

Monaysia and Raven hung out @ Envy Sunday for football.

Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

DIRECTOR

PROBATION OFFICER

BIDS

for

Contract for ABC Infants Child Care Open 11/7/14 closed 11/20/14. Text all info to 314 651 8910

REQUESTFOR BIDS

or

a

(314) 340-3322. Bids must be submitted to room 105 in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration (HGA) building no later than 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 and will be opened at 10:15 a.m. in room 017 of the HGAbuilding.

LETTING #8564

SECURITY UPGRADES AT THE JUSTICE CENTER

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of

and

http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx

Sealed

submitted.

One electronic copy of the Bid Documents and other information relating to the project MUSTbe obtained from Kiku Obata and Company starting November 11, 2014. All questions should be communicated to Todd Mayberry, at Kiku Obata & Company, via email at tmayberry@kikuobata.com

Successful Bidder shall be required to comply in all respects with applicable statutory provisions concerning payment of prevailing wages on public works, Sections 290.210 through 290.340 R.S. Mo. 1959, as currently amended, and shall pay to all workmen performing under work contract not less than prevailing hourly rate of wages as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations of the State of Missouri. Great Rivers Greenway is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting forQualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

GC-06 Gravois Creek to Briarstone and Gates Sanitary Relief Contract Letting No. 10611-015.1

This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractormembers:

Fred M. Luth & Sons J.H. Berra Construction Co. 4516 McRee Avenue 5091 New Baumgartner Road St. Louis, MO 63110 St. Louis, MO 63129 314/771-3892 314/487-5617

Unnerstall Contracting Gershenson Construction 2803 W. Osage 2 Truitt Drive Pacific, MO 63069 Eureka, MO 63025 636/257-3003 636/938-9595 10:00 a.m. November20, 2014

SITE Improvement Association 2705 Dougherty Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63122

Project plans are available from MSD. For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids for New Installation of Ceiling Fans, located in St. Louis

County will be received at the Purchasing Office, Housing Authority of St. Louis County, 8865 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, Mo. 63121, until 10:00 AM., local time, December 02, 2014 and then publicly opened and read aloud. Acertified or cashier’scheck, or bid bond executed by the bidder and an approved Surety Company,in the amount of 5% of the total bid (refundable) shall be submitted with each bid. Specifications can be secured from address above, startingNovember 17, 2014 from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. (Closed Noon – 1:00 P.M.)

Arepresentative of the Authority will be at 39B Cheryl Lane, Valley Park, MO 63088 on November 20, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. for a walk through. Bidders shall agree to comply with Prevailing Wage Rate Provisions and other statutory regulations referred to in the specification. Section 3, MBE and WBE contractors are encouraged to participate. The Housing Authority of St. Louis County reserves the right to reject any and all bids, waive any informality,and to choose the bid most advantageous to the Authority.

INVITATION FOR BID

Spiral Screen,Northeast Correctional Center, Bowling Green, Missouri, Project No. C1402-01 will be received byFMDC, State ofMO, UNTIL1:30PM, 12/4/2014. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to http://www.oa.mo. gov/fmdc/dc/ list.htm.

WAGES (as set by US Department of Labor and Missouri Housing Development Commission immediately prior to start of construction) MUST BE PAID TO ALLWORKERS; CERTIFIED PAYROLLREPORTS REQUIRED. For questions or additional information, please contact Vic Hoffmeisterat: vic@emharris.com EMH is

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination .“Wewill not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Call Vida at 314-289-5406 to place your rental/real estate ad today!