August 20 2015 by St. Louis American

Rev. Sekou ‘proud to serve’

‘It’s a new movement calling for a new world.’

St. Louis American Page C6

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‘We are Hawthorn’

Vol. 86 No. 20 COMPLIMENTARY

AFL-CIO leader urges NGA to pick STL for site Trumka: will bring jobs and redevelopment to ‘communities of color’ By Chris King Of The St. Louis American North St. Louis has a new, powerful advocate in Richard L. Trumka, president of the 11.6 million–member American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the nation’s largest federation of unions. In a letter written on July 27, the nation’s most powerful labor leader directly urged the director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to relocate the NGA West facility currently in South St. Louis to the North Side. The North Side site is the only location in the city being considered by the NGA. Trumka wrote to Robert Cardillo, the See NGA, A6

Photo by Wiley Price

Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls, Missouri’s first all-gender public school, opened its doors for the first day of school. Students Twan ‘Niesha Leggette, Serinity Merritt, Zaariah Humphrey, and A’Neisha Henderson come up with ideas on what they want their class to be.

Girls make history on first day at Missouri’s first all-gender public school By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Chanting with enough power and confidence to put U.S. Army recruits to shame, the 11- and 12-year-old students at Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls on August 17 yelled, “We are Hawthorn.” They followed that up with a tightly performed “double clap,” which is just like it sounds – two loud claps in perfect rhythm.

The principal Robyn Wiens, Ed. D, asked the nearly 140 girls – all sitting in their gray pleated skirts and white shirts on the gym floor – to raise their hands if they were nervous. Timid hands slowly started to rise. “The first day of school is always a bit nerve-wrecking for a lot of different reasons,” she said, “but especially today because Hawthorn is

n “It seems like it will be harder than my other school. At my other school, I wasn’t being challenged.” – Sixth-grader Combe Frango

See HAWTHORN, A7

On Sept. 25, Roach will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achiever in Education award by the St. Louis American Foundation at its 2015 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, to be held at the America’s Center Ballroom.

Dr. Alice Roach is Lifetime Achiever Banquet honoring educators is Sept. 25 By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American In her 41 years of working in the St. Louis Public School District, Alice Faye Roach, Ed.D., said she met her most difficult challenge when she became the founding principal at Carnahan In High School of the Education Future in 2006. 2015 When she arrived, the attendance rate was 55 percent and academic test scores were in the single digits. By the time she left in 2009, attendance was 95 percent,

n “She gives who she is, her whole being, to making sure young people in the district are successful.” – Superintendent Kelvin Adams

parents were highly involved and the school was meeting the state’s annual yearly progress goals. She said she didn’t believe in suspension as a form of discipline, so she got See ROACH, A7

Jan. 14, 1940 – Aug. 15, 2015

Remarkable Bond Civil rights legend remembered for a purpose-driven life By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American “I will say as simply and sincerely on behalf of my delegation that we wish to offer a nomination that is the wave of the future,” Wisconsin delegate Ted Warshafsky said while addressing the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Immediately afterwards, he boldly declared Julian Bond as his nomination for the office of Vice President of The United States. The 28-year-old Bond was legally ineligible to Julian Bond run for the office that holds a minimum age requirement of 35. However, a person of color as vice president was seen as being far more implausible than being underage at the time. “It may be a symbolic nomination tonight, but it may not be symbolic in years hence,” Warshafsky said, clearly referring to Bond’s blackness. Forty-seven years later, the first AfricanAmerican president of the United States led the nation in mourning Bond’s sudden passing Saturday night. See BOND, A6

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

THE STUFF THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING Ciara claps back at fellas criticizing her parenting “It’s been very interesting to hear what a lot of guys have had to say,” Ciara said during an appearance Wednesday on “CBS This Morning.” She was referring to those men (and her ex-boyfriend Future) who have a problem with their son, Future Zahir Wilburn, spending time with her current boyfriend, Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks. “I feel like in a sense it’s a bit of a double standard, because when we were together, I took care of his kids as well.” Early in their relationship, Future even commended Ciara for attempting to develop healthy relationships with the mothers of his children. “I was involved [with Future’s children] very early in the stage of us getting to know each other,” she added. “It’s Ciara kind of like, ‘Well,

what’s the difference here?’ I think that even for the men that were outspoken, it’s like, wouldn’t you want someone to love on your child, or love on the child that you are speaking about?” Ciara continued: “To the guys who have such an opinion, know your facts! I did reach out to [Future] for him and Russell to speak and he didn’t want to talk to me. You know, we didn’t get to talk, and so that was that. I don’t know what more they would expect for me to do than just live my life, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Tyrese stages iHeart Radio protest, says pop stations don’t support him Tyrese recently scored his first number one album on the Billboard 200 with * his independently released album “Black Rose.” Since its release, the singer/ actor has been blasting white radio stations for not playing his hit single “Shame.” “I’m not a racist, I’m not using the race card and I’m not trying to create any type of negative energy toward (radio hosts) Ryan Seacrest or Elvis Duran specifically,” Tyrese says. “I’m simply asking the question: If Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Sam Smith are singing R&B/soul music,

how is it possible that they’re being played by the conversation with emoji eyes letting Mike Top 40, rhythmic and urban AC stations? Yet know she was watching. when we sing R&B/soul, it’s only being The model got a huge kick out of played on black radio? It’s not fair, it’s the entire thing and posted a screen not right and I’m not having it.” capture of the exchange on her Twitter Tyrese recently led a protest outside timeline long after Mike and his wife iHeartRadio in Burbank, California deleted their Tweets and showed fans – drawing hundreds of fans and the she was now blocked from viewing Police. Mike’s timeline. “I heard that there are a few folks The next day Epps announced that in this event, from iHeart, that haven’t his nephew manages the account for heard the song ‘Shame,’” Tyrese said. him and often uses the responsibility “They ain’t supporting it on mainstream to try and land ladies. Mike radio so I’m just coming to perform for “Sorry to all my fans for the drama Epps free.” on Twitter,” Mike tweeted. “I don’t Police arrived at the scene because run my account by self. My nephew the free concert was disrupting traffic, dm girls and they find out it’s not me.” and after a warning, Tyrese was reportedly cited for blocking traffic. . He later Sheriffs snatch Columbus Short from turned to Instagram to further express his his album listening party frustration about the cops shutting down his attempt to be great. Former “Scandal” star Columbus Short was “All I wanna do is have my #1 song ambushed at a club in LA earlier this week after #Billboard #Shame that’s 2 weeks in a row skipping out on one of his domestic violence on Billboard to be HEARD!!!!” he posted on court dates. Instagram. According to TMZ.com, he was about to Social media gets Mike Epps in trouble perform a sound check for a listening party to preview his latest album when bounty hunters Monday night comedian Mike Epps was put showed up with sheriff deputies and took him on blast by his wife for allegedly trying to creep into custody. Short, who is now considered a flight risk, on Twitter. had been out on $500K bond. It all started when Mike Epps struck up a conversation on Twitter with a young model Sources: Eurweb.com, TMZ.com, Twitter. asking her to direct message him. com, Instagram.com, CBS This Morning That’s when Mike’s wife Mechelle jumped into

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

County NAACP hosts First Ferguson Friday Branch commits to police and education reform By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American One of the many peaceful activities marking the first anniversary of the police killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown Jr. was First Ferguson Friday, a community leadership brunch held Friday, August 7 by the St. Louis County NAACP at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley. Local, regional, state and national elected leaders, along with state and county law enforcement, came together to talk about changes that have been enacted or they are supporting in the community as a result of the tragic event a year ago that prompted the national #BlackLivesMatter movement. “Rather than talk about the problem and pass judgment and want to have a press conference, let’s do a program and come up with solutions and make those solutions work in St. Louis County,” said John Gaskin III, a member of the NAACP national Board of Directors. The NAACP announced two initiatives to solve problems in the area. The first is Advocates for Education Reform, which puts volunteer legal minds together at no charge to families to represent school students in questionable discipline hearings. AfricanAmerican students make up

Photo by Wiley Price

Attorney Benjamin Crump greeted John Gaskin III of the St. Louis County NAACP at its leadership brunch held Friday, August 7 at St. Louis Community CollegeFlorissant Valley.

a disproportionate share of discipline cases in schools. The program will serve general education students ages 12 to 19 (to age of 21 for students with disabilities), who were illegally removed from school or are awaiting school disciplinary hearings, said attorney Pamela Meanes, former National Bar Association president who heads the County NAACP Legal Redress Committee. “The ultimate goal of each case will be to keep the student in school with appropriate educational services,” Meanes said. “Missouri is one of the few states that does not recognize education as a fundamental right.” A second initiative by the

county NAACP will address legal reform in matters of police brutality. “Focusing our attention on Jennings, Ferguson and Normandy, we are going to introduce a local law that will ask those communities to pass it,” Meanes said. It would mandate “stricter mental health testing, mandatory diversity/ race training and mandatory de-escalation of force training. “Never in the history of our generation should you ever commit a crime and your sentence automatically be death,” Meanes said. U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay asked constituents to support bipartisan efforts in Washington for training and retraining of local police officers, so they

know how to diffuse volatile situations and a more sensitive to different cultures they encounter in their day-to-day police work. He also wants to remove the specter of police armed with military equipment focused on citizens carrying out their First Amendment right to free speech. “I need you to support a bill that my good friend, Sen. Claire McCaskill, and I have introduced to restrict the flow of military surplus weapons to local police departments so that what we all witnessed on the streets of Ferguson never happens again.” About the young protestors, Clay said, they are brave, smart and they have courage. “When you hear young

said Captain Ron Johnson, protestors chant, ‘Black Lives Missouri Highway Patrol. Matter,’ what they are really Kathy Osborn, executive saying is some lives are still director of the Regional worth less than others in this Business Council, said through country,” Clay said. the Reinvest North County “They know this is true, Fund, in partnership with North and they are angry about it. County, Inc., it raised over And they are absolutely right $800,000 and allocated over The lessons from Ferguson a half million dollars to help are many, but until we can say 55 small businesses and four the lives of all of our children school districts in and around are valued equally across this Ferguson over the last year. country, we have a lot of work “The fund continues to be a to do.” vessel for donors of all walks “We also have to remind of life,” Osborn said. “It was ourselves why Michael Brown a way for them for them to is a gift to each and every one come together of us,” said state Senator Maria n “The ultimate and show their financial support Chappelle-Nadal. for the community. “Don’t forget goal of each I’m optimistic, the gift of having case will be because I’ve met a voice, because in the last year, prior to Mike to keep the hundreds of people Brown, we didn’t I didn’t know, have a voice. student in hardworking We didn’t have school with business men and a champion. He women committed sacrificed his life appropriate to the community for us, and that is to which they do why we shall be educational business.” thankful to him “Our and his family services.” community was for giving us that awakened and voice so we can – Pamela Meanes it is responding champion what he to the need for wanted us to do.” fairness, equality “Born out of the tragic events and justice for of Mr. Brown’s everyone, and we death, we have come a long have so much work ahead of us,” St. Louis County Executive way together,” St. Louis Steve Stenger said. County Police Chief Jon The county’s new office Belmar said. “If we didn’t of Strategy and Innovation have the issue – the events will help craft a blueprint that came out of that tragedy of tangible ways to address – we wouldn’t have Senate pervasive disparity that exists Bill 5; we wouldn’t have the in the St. Louis region. McArthur Grants; we wouldn’t “We want to disrupt have court reform; we wouldn’t the dynamics that lead to have additional implicit bias disparities in infant mortality, training; we wouldn’t have education preparedness, health police departments as focused outcomes, education itself and as they are right now on where job readiness skills,” Stenger we are with minority hiring.” said. “We will be using wrap“In these months that around approaches to help us followed some of the darkest build a community where our days that we could ever youth are ready for college, imagine, I have been humbled work and life.” by the resolve of a community, a state, a country to be better,”

Editorial / Commentary A4

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

Board of alderman need to be the adult in stadium deal

The Supreme Court of Missouri ruled on Tuesday (August 18) that St. Louis city’s red light camera ordinance is unconstitutional. Hours after the ruling came down, Deputy City Counselor Michael Garvin said that Mayor Francis G. Slay’s goal in appealing the decision was to get “a clear direction” from the Supreme Court on how to properly administer a camera program that would “safeguard individuals’ constitutional rights.” However, earlier this month, Slay declined to appeal a court decision on another city ordinance that was meant to protect citizens’ rights – and that was the right to vote on whether or not taxpayers’ money goes towards funding a new almost $1 billion NFL stadium. Apparently, Slay did not want a higher court’s advice on how to safeguard city residents in this case. The approximately $400 million – the cumulative amount that the city and state would pay on the stadium over the next two decades – is a lot of money. For the NFL, a monopoly, it’s pocket change because their annual revenue in 2014 was an estimated $9.5 billion and the overall market value of the league’s teams is an estimated $46 billion, according to a Bloomberg report. Sports entertainment is among one of the few things that otherwise prudent people are willing to spend large amounts of money on, regardless of the disproportionate fiscal results. So when it comes time to make a decision on whether a sports entertainment project is warranted based on financial analysis, many elected officials – pressured by civic boosters and hardcore sports enthusiasts – respond irrationally, especially to the lure of a NFL football team. Slay is unequivocally in this category, and there are sharks in the waters who are willing to prey on these strongly-felt feelings in pursuit of their own self interests. Not long after the court ruled that voters did not have the right to vote on the stadium, Slay came out publicly and admitted that the city might not recuperate its costs from building the stadium. However, he thinks the new stadium is still worth it because of “big-city pride,” he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Those words are like blood in the water for the deal-sharks who will be sure that they make their money back many times over if a stadium is built in St. Louis. We believe Slay has shown that he is less interested in making a fiscally sound decision in this case than he is in pandering to the current whims. And since Slay has bowed out of this fight to protect voters’ rights – and maybe his duty to ensure a good deal for the city, the responsibility now rests on the Board of Aldermen. Because the deal will require a multiple-year contractual agreement on the bonding of the stadium, the financing package will come before the board in the form of a bill. Though there are some very sharp members on the board, they are no match for the dealmakers who will be sitting across the table from them. The board has the power to influence this deal, and they should not waste it

by getting overly anxious – the way legislators did 20 years ago with the Edward Jones Dome – and the way Slay has already stated he will represent the city. The board should hire a financial advisor/ stadium consultant – of their choosing – that has the expertise and experience to represent them in any negotiations for a deal. The cost should be paid for by the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, who are already paying architects for stadium renderings, land acquisition and other expenses to make this deal happen. And because the mayor refuses to fight for a public vote, the aldermen must take it upon themselves to do more than just hold public meetings at City Hall. They should meet with their constituents in their neighborhoods to understand further whether or not they want them to agree to move forward with the stadium proposal. Lastly, but most importantly, when the aldermen come back into session on Sept. 11, they should be armed with a community benefits plan that ensures that their constituents will receive ongoing benefits like hiring and apprenticeship training, professional service opportunities and other positive changes from this deal. The stadium would be one piece of a much-needed and transformational economic development project along the Riverfront (including the CityArchRiver project) and development in North St. Louis City. In April 2014, the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency (NGA) announced its plans to move and build a bigger facility that could potentially increase its current 3,100 employees to an estimated 4,500 or more. While the federal mapping agency is looking at four potential sites for its new $1.6 billion facility, the area near the old Pruitt-Igoe site and an area adjacent to Scott Air Force Base are the two front runners. If this deal comes to fruition, new housing developments are almost certain follow. The Metropolitan Sewer District has also started its $4.7 billion in improvements to the sewer system over the next 20 years. Most of the benefits of these new opportunities will largely bypass the neighborhoods – particularly African American neighborhoods – without intentionally including African-American concerns and interests beyond a few individuals. It’s up to the aldermen to make sure that a plan that would include benefits for the entire community is stated clearly in writing and signed into law. Failure to institute more substantive inclusion policies will deepen further the racial and economic divides that already plague the city and hamper its overall competitiveness and success. As the city ordinance on the public vote proved, if it’s not clearly stated in writing – if there are any loopholes at all, those who are seeking to only advance the interests of a small group will continue to find them. And they will exploit them to the detriment of the city’s aspirations for greater growth and higher quality of the life for all its people.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

All votes matter

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League On the eve of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a federal appeals court in New Orleans struck down a strict Texas voter identification law. In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge panel found that the law violated the federal Voting Rights Act and had a disproportionate and discriminatory impact on Blacks and Hispanics in the state. The law – which requires forms of identification that many poor people and people in communities of color either do not have or have great difficulty accessing – made it far more difficult for these groups, including college students and the elderly, to exercise their constitutional right as citizens to vote. The importance of the ruling has not been lost on advocates battling on the frontlines to expand our nation’s access to the ballot and thwart legislative attempts at voter suppression. It was a small victory in the larger enterprise of many Republican-controlled states efforts to limit voters’ rights. It was a reminder of why the landmark civil rights legislation signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson 50 years ago remains an important weapon in the fight to expand access to the polls. And it underscored why Congress needs to make restoring the Voting Rights Act

a political priority. The aftermath of the Supreme Court’s regrettable 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder to gut Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act – which established which states had to get advance approval from the federal government before making any changes to their election laws –ushered in a wave of tough voter suppression laws. Texas does not stand alone in its zeal to make it harder for Americans to vote. Wisconsin and North Carolina have passed similar voter identification laws – and the restrictive Guest Columnist measures don’t just end there. Marc Eliminating same-day Morial registration, shortening early voting, doing away with online voting registration and aggressively purging voters from the voter registration rolls are some of the other tactics legislators are using to deny eligible voters access to the polls. These lawmakers justify their restrictive policies with allegations of voter fraud – a claim that experts have proven to be unfounded time and again. The myth of widespread voter identification fraud appears to be nothing more than a political fraud orchestrated by officials eager to shift political

fortunes to their party. There is no right more fundamental to our democracy than the right to vote. We, as a nation, must ensure that all Americans who can vote have the opportunity to vote. The seemingly obvious idea that a democracy functions at its best when the largest number of its citizens are afforded the opportunity to determine who will lead it—and how it will be led—is under a modernday legislative assault. If our elected officials truly do believe that all votes matter, Congress must commit to stemming the tide of suppression and get to the work of fully restoring voter protections in the Voting Rights Act. The National Urban League stands with President Barack Obama and the civil rights and voting rights advocates calling for the full restoration of the Voting Rights Act and the reinstatement of the voter protections dismantled under the Supreme Court’s disastrous 2013 decision. And we would do well to remember that this fight goes beyond maneuvers in the halls of Congress. As President Obama said during his remarks at the White House commemoration of the golden anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, “Far more people disenfranchise themselves than any law does, by not participating, by not getting involved.” Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Should we criminalize HIV? By Opal Jones and Theodore (Ted) Kerr For The St. Louis American In the last month we saw Michael Johnson, a 23-year-old black college student, sentenced to 30-plus years in prison on HIV criminalization-related charges. David Magnum was also sentenced to 30-plus years in prison, and Robert Smith has been held on $50,000 bail for attempting to expose a person to HIV. This is part of a disturbing trend: an ongoing criminalization of people living with HIV, at the same time as more people are living with HIV in Missouri. This prompts us to ask: Is criminalization how to deal with HIV? As the president and CEO of Doorways, an interfaith organization providing housing and supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDS, and a Doorways volunteer, we say no. Every day we see how support for people living with HIV is what is needed to end the epidemic, not criminalization, something echoed in a 1987 op-ed printed in this paper, “AIDS is a public health problem, not one that should be criminalized.” Written before MO. REV. STAT. § 191.677 was passed, the op-ed illustrates that even when less was known about the virus, it was understood that isolation and penalization were not answers to the crisis. Yet, since 2008, we have seen more than 15 prosecutions and arrests for HIV exposure in Missouri. Meanwhile, the number of people living with HIV in the state is increasing. In

2008, 9,877 people in Missouri were living with HIV; by 2013, the number rose to 11,704. While this reflects the good work Doorways and other care providers are doing – people with HIV are living longer – it also indicates there has not been a significant drop in new cases. Anecdotally, we see the majority of those charged for failure to disclose are black men, and an article in the Journal of AIDS Guest Columnist Behavior reports “sentences of Opal black individuals Jones arrested for HIV exposure were significantly more severe than the sentences of their white counterparts.” Black people already bear a heavier burden of HIV. According to Guest Columnist the Center of Theodore Disease Control, “the estimated Kerr rate of new HIV infections among blacks/ African Americans (68.9) was 7.9 times as high as the rate in whites (8.7).” Missouri’s HIV criminalization law – and similar ones existing in 33 other states – fly in the face of what has been learned about HIV in the last three decades. This exceptional dehumanization of people makes it harder for people with HIV to receive and maintain care, making criminalization a leading driver in the ongoing

Letters to the Editor Inflammatory demonstrations It has come to my attention that an outside group from an organization known as the Oath Keepers is brandishing weapons in the midst of an already tense situation in Ferguson. One can only assume that their objective is to escalate and intimidate. The situation on the ground in Ferguson remains tense and the last thing our community needs is added fuel to the fire. I condemn these inflammatory demonstrations in the strongest of terms. I call on these individuals to find a less threatening way of expressing themselves. State Senator Jamilah Nasheed, St. Louis

Assault on the First Amendment The National Association of Black Journalists is concerned with the decision by prosecutors in St. Louis County to charge Wesley Lowery of The Washington Post with trespassing and interfering with a police officer. The charges stem from an incident that took place as Lowery, 25, was in Ferguson in 2014 to report on the shooting death of Michael Brown Jr., a black teen, by a white police officer. Reporters have every right to do their jobs, pursue the truth and publish it. The association is troubled by the action taken by prosecutors and believe it to be a direct assault on the free exercise of the First Amendment, which ensures journalists can practice their craft. Journalists understand citizens, including journalists, must respect the rule of law, but as the Supreme Court of the United States noted in its 1972 decision in Branzburg v. Hayes, “without some protection for seeking out the news, freedom of the press could be eviscerated.” The organization believes Lowery acted reasonably in

All letters are edited for length and style.

pursuit of news and information needed by the public in the aftermath of the shooting death of Brown and in light of ensuing unrest in Ferguson. The initial decision to release Lowery without filing charges also suggests that authorities themselves believed that his initial arrest could have been an abuse of power and discretion. The organization encourages local officials to drop the charges filed against Lowery so journalists can operate without fear that doing their jobs will lead to them being jailed. Sarah Glover, president National Association of Black Journalists

epidemic. When entering into an intimate relationship, we believe that people should clearly communicate and disclose their status. However, people are being imprisoned based on a law that dictates it is 100 percent up to the person living with HIV to disclose their status and prove the disclosure, releasing other willing partners of responsibility. This may be unrealistic to prove and is not applicable for any other medical condition. Medical advances have made it possible for people living with HIV to have an undetectable viral load, making it nearly impossible to transmit the virus. But to be undetectable, you need what for 27 years Doorways has been providing to people who need assistance: stable housing, access to care and hope. But we can’t do our job if people living with HIV do not know their status. Reasons we hear for not getting tested: fear of a positive status being confirmed; not knowing where to go for care; not wanting to have to disclose “risky” behaviors and partners to authorities; and people often do not get tested because of the burden of knowing. The earlier someone knows their status, the sooner they are able to make treatment decisions and adapt to being someone with a communicable condition. If we are worried about HIV, we need to come up with something better than criminalization. Opal Jones is president and CEO of Doorways. Theodore (Ted) Kerr, a Masters student at Union Theological Seminary, is a Doorways volunteer.

Equal access to justice

The Missouri Bar believes all Missourians should have

equal access to justice. We support the building and upkeep of courts, but we do not believe capital improvement projects should be paid for by taxing those who seek resolution through the courts. That’s because increased court costs can make the cost of access to justice too high, restricting access of ordinary citizens to the state’s courts to resolve legitimate disputes. It’s also important to note the bar has supported concepts concerning other aspects related to the administration of justice which were included in these omnibus bills. One example includes supporting the transfers of divisions of the Circuit Courts where there is an objective need for such a transfer. Reuben Shelton, president The Missouri Bar

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

Police reform will require sustained effort By Kami Chavis Simmons For The St. Louis American

Moody at the memorial

Photo by Wiley Price

A young girl seemed to have a thoughtful moment near the temporarily rebuilt Michael Brown Jr. memorial on Canfield Drive during the commemoration of the one-year anniversary of his death on August 9.

August 9 marked the one-year anniversary of a Ferguson police officer’s fatal shooting of Michael Brown Jr., an unarmed 18-year-old. When protests over Brown’s death erupted, the indelible images depicting the law-enforcement response toward the protestors revealed the depth of the problems existing within our criminal justice system and highlighted longstanding tensions between police and communities of color. While we have made progress in reforming policing, we are still at the beginning and there are many miles to go. During this past year, numerous other unarmed African-American victims have succumbed to police violence, including Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott and Freddie Gray. One group estimates that of the 490 people killed by police between January and June 15, 2015, nearly 30 percent of those killed were black. The same group found that African Americans are more than twice as likely as whites to be unarmed when killed during encounters with police; a new Washington Post report places that disparity much higher at seven times more likely. Not surprisingly, a recent Reuters poll shows that only 28 percent of African Americans trust police to be fair and just, while 61 percent of whites believe police to be fair and just. Since Brown’s death, there have been many efforts to examine and reform U.S. law enforcement. President Obama, for example, established Kami Chavis The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing comprised of law enforcement officials, community activists, police practices experts, and Simmons academics. The Task Force recommended that local police departments increase community engagement and accountability, implement procedural justice training to restore trust and legitimacy, and consider the role of technology in promoting accountability and public safety. Further, President Obama signed an Executive Order to limit and place guidelines on the acquisition of surplus military equipment by local police departments. The Obama administration also earmarked $263 million for body-mounted cameras for body-mounted cameras for local police departments. State and local governments nationwide also have begun to explore alternative methods to investigate and prosecute police-involved deaths. Citing inherent conflicts of interest between local prosecutors and police, critics have advocated for more independent investigations (Michael Brown Jr.’s killer was not indicted, and neither were the New York officers whose choking and killing of Eric Garner was captured on videotape). To this end, the New York state Attorney General announced that a specialized unit within that office would be responsible for investigating and prosecuting police-involved deaths. While the deaths of Michael Brown Jr. and others resulted in significant efforts to reform the criminal justice system, much more is needed. State and local governments, for example, should adopt applicable recommendations within the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing Report. Similarly, experts should vigorously examine and conduct empirical research on newly adopted programs to determine their efficacy. Further, like New York, other states should continue to explore other models to investigate police-involved deaths to ensure that officers are held accountable for unjust killings. Although police violence against racial minorities has been an intractable problem for many decades, Brown’s death was the catalyst that sparked not only a national conversation police reform, but also a conversation about widespread criminal justice reforms needed to restore the legitimacy that counterproductive law enforcement strategies have eroded over time. Meaningful reform will require sustained effort to create the cultural shift in policing that is necessary to restore trust and legitimacy, especially among racial minorities. Kami Chavis Simmons is a professor of Law and the director of the Criminal Justice Program at Wake Forest University School of Law. She is also a fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

BOND

Continued from A1 “Julian Bond was a hero and, I’m privileged to say, a friend,” President Barack Obama said in response to Bond’s death. “Michelle and I have benefited from his example, his counsel, and his friendship.” Bond’s wife, Pamela Sue Horowitz, said the cause of death was complications of vascular disease. He was 75. Known in later years for his tenure as chairman of the NAACP (1998-2010), he left this world a civil rights icon with a list of accomplishments, achievements and honors that seem too vast to belong to a single individual. “From my days as a youth board member of the NAACP to my present tenure as NAACP chairman, like so many of my generation and before, I am yet inspired by the depth and breadth of Chairman Emeritus Bond’s exemplary service,” said current NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. “[He was an] activist, writer, historian, professor, public intellectual, public servant and an unrelentingly eloquent voice for the voiceless.” Much like when he had the audacity to entertain the notion of the vice presidency during the tense racial climate of 1968 – less than four months after the assassination of his former professor and mentor, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Bond spent the better part of six decades taking bold risks and sowing seeds for future generations to reap with respect to civil rights and equality. Young, but ready “The first thing that comes to mind for me with Julian was how young he was,” said fellow civil rights champion Frankie Muse Freeman. She lovingly reflected on a Bond’s “baby face” during the meetings with Dr. King as the collective of civil rights elite prepared for the March on Washington in 1963.

“Just think about it. He couldn’t have been much older than 21 or 22 at the time,” Freeman said. “All of this was taking place in the 60s, and he was only 75 when he died. He was a young man, but he was very effective – and there was no question about his commitment to civil rights.” Bond was still in his teens when he began his work in the movement while a student at Morehouse College. He was barely out of them when he became a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960. “His role at SNCC as communications director gave him the ability to shape issues,” Les Bond Jr. said of his beloved cousin. “And he had an equanimity about himself that lent itself to negotiation without anger. It was being able to deal with things calmly and in an intellectual way that made him most effective.” He was born Horace Julian Bond on January 14, 1940 in Nashville, Tennessee, but spent his youth in Pennsylvania, where his father, Horace Mann Bond, served as president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania – the nation’s second oldest historically black university. “His parents were like my parents – constantly exposing him to the greatest minds of the time,” Les said. “W.E.B. DuBois was a friend of his father’s, so he had the opportunity to listen to the discussions between the two. They talked scientifically about the conditions of the black community. His father did all sorts of scientific studies about the effects of poverty in sharecropping communities among black families in the south.” He would remember those conversations as his work for equal rights within the black community and beyond on the civil rights and political landscape. In 1965, at 25-yearold Bond was one of 11 African Americans elected to the Georgia House of Representatives after passage

Back to school Merlbie Jean-Baptiste walks her daughters Marissa Blanks 5, and Micayah Jean-Baptiste 8, into Sigel Elementary School Monday for the first day of school in the St. Louis Public School District.

Photo by Wiley Price

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 an Voting Rights Act of 1965 opened voter registration to blacks. On January 10, 1966, Georgia state representatives voted 184–12 not to seat him, because he had publicly endorsed SNCC’s policy regarding opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Later that year, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 9–0 in the case of Bond v. Floyd (385 U.S. 116) that the Georgia House of Representatives had denied Bond his freedom of speech and was required to seat him. From 1967 to 1975, Bond was elected to four terms in the Georgia House, where he organized the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. From 1971 to 1976, he served as the first president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a legal organization that fights discriminatory practices

throughout the country. “He recognized that civil rights had to go hand-in-hand with economic rights,” Les said. “Plus, he more broadly identified the civil rights struggle as a human rights movement and not just a black power movement.” ‘Liberty and justice for all’ Outside of politics, Bond would enjoy a career as a highly-coveted speaker on the lecture circuit before, during and following his tenure as Chairman of the NAACP. “He loved the NAACP, and he loved seeking justice for not just black people but any group that had been marginalized,” said John Gaskin III of the St. Louis County NAACP and National Board of Directors. “In the latter part of his career he became noted for his commitment to LGBTQ rights. He is one of the major reasons the NAACP National Board of Directors voted to endorse marriage equality in 2012.” Bond fought opposition from his peers’ conservative stance on the issue as he spoke up for the gay community’s right to marry and against the deafening silence with respect to the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the African-American community.

NGA

Continued from A1 NGA director, with a detailed knowledge of the factors and constraints that guide his decision on where to relocate and expand the facility, which currently houses 3,100 jobs with a median salary of $75,000. “Selecting the Northside of St. Louis for this location will bring desperately needed jobs and redevelopment to economically distressed communities of color,” Trumka wrote, citing the 1978 Executive Order that “requires consideration of the impact of federal site selection on the social and economic conditions of urban communities.” The new NGA West facility will take a projected $1.2 billion to construct, with a projected $1.6 billion in total development cost, as U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay has noted in this paper. “With this initial federal investment, 15,000 construction jobs and 11,500 permanent jobs will be created throughout Missouri,” Clay wrote on July 15. “The estimated economic impact of putting the NGA West facility in North St. Louis city is an additional $1.4 billion annually to the Missouri economy. Of that, 11,200 jobs and $1.2 billion are expected to benefit the St. Louis metropolitan region alone. Lastly, $8.1 billion of public and private investment is expected to be generated from 2016 to 2023 by selecting North St. Louis city as the new NGA West site,” Clay noted. Trumka also situated Cardillo’s decision in the renewed emphasis on race and inequity brought about by the Ferguson movement, which has been a major concern to the Obama

“His legacy was not just the rights of African Americans, but the rights of all people – the right to dignity and justice for all,” Les Bond said. “It gives a purpose to my life to know that my family is connected with the struggle of African Americans in this country. I’m very proud of that – I’m very proud to be a Bond.” With all of Bond’s efforts – as well as that of the freedom fighters who came before him and those who follow in his footsteps – the work remains unfinished. But the recent uprising that ignited in Ferguson and spread throughout the nation in response to police violence against the African American community and campaigns for higher minimum wage show promise that his legacy will continue. “All over this country we have a separation when it comes to the poor people and African Americans,” said Freeman. “The fact that there are more young people are involved in fighting against that now because of Ferguson reflects the sort of thing that he would be delighted to see.” Even in the shock of his sudden passing, it is impossible not to celebrate all that was gained because of a life welllived.

“Although I am saddened by his death and many of us are personally diminished by the loss of his counsel and leadership, he will always be remembered for his contributions to the cause of a better, more fair world,” said Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of the St. Louis American. “Many of us were inspired especially by his courage and audacityhis willingness to forsake his privilege to join in a struggle for justice during a period of tumult and peril.” The footprint of Bond’s legacy is one that won’t soon be forgotten. “The arc of service of Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond’s life extends high and wide over America’s social justice landscape,” said NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Pamela Horowitz; five children from his first marriage, Phyllis Jane BondMcMillan, Horace Mann Bond II, Michael Julian Bond, Jeffrey A. Bond and Julia L. Bond, all of Atlanta, and eight grandchildren. “Julian Bond helped change this country for the better,” Obama said. “And what better way to be remembered than that.”

administration. “The economic benefits of building the new West Campus Headquarters on the North Side of St. Louis will help the local community heal the race and class divisions that have fractured the greater St. Louis metropolitan area,” Trumka wrote. In case Cardillo missed the point, Trumka added, “North Side St. Louis borders Ferguson, Missouri, where Michael Brown was tragically killed last year.” Trumka then cited a few statistics that, no doubt, are to be found on a much-thumbed spread sheet on Cardillo’s desk:

now-underway $8 billion urban community development project called NorthSide Regeneration,” Trumka wrote to Cardillo. “The project is developing a 1,500-acre area into approximately 3 million square feet of private sector commercial office space, 3,000 market-rate housing units, and a massive upgrade to the public infrastructure.” Trumka spoke up – finally – on behalf of the 15,000 construction jobs the NGA project will bring to his members. Labor, of course, is often at odds with the African-American community, which feels shut out of many unions and apprenticeship programs. Trumka addressed that issue as well. “The St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council has proposed a community workforce agreement that will provide local hiring and apprenticeship training,” Trumka wrote to Cardillo. “Working with NGA, this agreement will launch sustainable career opportunities with skilled jobs for a severely underserved community.” According to sources close to the NGA decision-making process, the North Side location and a site near Scott Air Force Base in the Metro East are the only serious contenders for NGA West. “Business and labor leaders in St. Louis have supported the expansion and retention of Scott Air Force Base for many years,” Pat White, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council noted in a separate letter of support. “Now is not the time for SW Illinois to try to pirate these jobs out of the City of St. Louis and seriously undercut the City’s ongoing revitalization efforts and jeopardize the fiscal future of St. Louis.”

n “The estimated economic impact of putting the NGA West facility in North St. Louis city is an additional $1.4 billion annually to the Missouri economy.” – U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

“North Side St. Louis residents are 85 percent African-American, the unemployment rate is an astounding 22 percent and 45 percent of the population lives in poverty.” The North Side location initially was pitched to the NGA by developers Bob Clark of Clayco and Paul McKee Jr. The largest owners of property in the North Side site are the City of St. Louis and McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration. Locally, McKee has been attacked for advancing a federal project that would benefit his own development, but Trumka argued that McKee’s project is another positive for the North Side site. “The proposed 100-acre NGA West site is part of a

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

Search warrant turns into deadly police shooting in St. Louis Another police involved shooting death of a young black man in St. Louis occurred on Wednesday, August 19, on Walton Rd. near Page Ave. in the Fountain Park neighborhood. Ironically, this incident occurred as community activists gathered downtown for a midday remembrance at Kiener Plaza, marking the oneyear anniversary of the St. Louis police killing of Kajieme Powell. Police say members of the Special Operations unit and Tactical Team were executing a search warrant on a home on Walton when two young African American males ran out the back door. According to police, two officers at the back of the house shot and killed 18-year-old Mansur Ball-Bey. People quickly gathered outside of where the shooting took place. Some yelled angry expletives at officers, while others expressed frustration and grief. As word of the shooting spread, some who attended the Powell memorial demonstration came to the scene as well. As the crowd grew in numbers, so did additional law enforcement, in riot gear, with rifles and threatening to use mace to clear observers from the street. There were at least two crowd arrests.

Photo by Wiley Price

HAWTHORN Continued from A1

Missouri’s first single-gender public school. There is no other school in Missouri quite like us. Today, we are making history.” The charter school, located in North St. Louis City at 1901 N. Kingshighway Blvd., mirrors a group of charter schools that started in New York called the Young Women’s Leadership Network. Sponsored by Washington University, Hawthorn became the 11th of these network schools. Like those in New York, Hawthorn focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Research shows that women who study in single-gender schools are more likely to pursue careers in STEM fields, Wiens said. Women, particularly minorities, are greatly underrepresented in the STEM fields, she said. Sixth-grader Combe Frango

ROACH

Continued from A1 permission from parents to use “alternative” measures, such as washing tables and removing gum from the bottom of desks. “What she brings to the table is a real belief and high expectations of students,” said the district’s superintendent Kelvin Adams. “She believes anything is possible for our students.” Having retired from the district several times and repeatedly called back, Roach has served in many roles – including a classroom teacher, counselor, instructional coordinator and the superintendent’s chief of staff. She is currently the administrative director of the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund, which assists teachers and administrators in the district with financial support for educational and professional development, as well as aids them in dire financial situations due to a health or personal crisis. “She has given her life for the school district, and not only in the sense of just time but she gives much more than that,” Adams said. “She gives who she is, her whole being, to making sure young people in the district are successful.” On September 25, Roach will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achiever in Education award by the St. Louis American Foundation at its 2015 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, to be held at the America’s Center Ballroom. The gala will begin at 7 p.m., following a reception at 6 p.m. Roach said she knew she was going to be a teacher

became interested in becoming a civil engineer after she attended a STEM-focused camp. “I feel like I’m going to be part of history,” said Frango, who didn’t even realize she was enrolling in the state’s first single-gender school until her first day. “It seems like it will be harder than my other school. At my other school, I wasn’t being challenged.” In its first year, the school accepted sixth and seventh graders. Each year, they will add a class, ultimately serving 500 girls in grades 6 through 12 by 2020. The school’s capacity is currently 160 students, and executive director Mary Danforth Stillman, daughter of former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, anticipates that they will reach that limit within a month. Most of the students come from the surrounding area. However, they have students coming from 15 zip codes and 50 different schools in St. Louis, Wiens said. The racial breakdown is about 80 percent African American, and some of the remaining 20 percent

are mixed ethnicities, Wiens said. Among the 15 staff members – which includes the classroom teachers, guidance counselor and the dean – two are black and two are other minorities. Wiens is also a minority. Stillman said they will always strive to increase their staff diversity. Hawthorn is different from other schools, Stillman said, because it has two math classes daily, science every day, smaller class sizes and regular advisory sessions with students. But those are the easy things to point to, she said. Stillman, who also initiated the establishment of the school, said she attended an all-girls school and benefitted from the comradery and supportive environment. “There’s also that family structure and sisterhood that is built,” she said. “It’s really important that we celebrate each other gift’s and talents. The tone of the school is warm and accepting.” Hawthorn is a college-preparatory school, which is something else that appealed to many of the students.

ever since she was in the third grade. She tells the story of her belated father, Lee Moore, and how he greatly admired one of the teachers from his youth, Dora Randall. “He said, ‘You know Faye, I want you to be a teacher just like Miss Dora Randall,’” she said, smiling at the memory. “Folks don’t realize how powerful their words are. The words of parents and teachers are. Those words stayed with me always.” For her undergraduate degree, she attended Southeastern Missouri State University – Cape Girardeau. She gives much credit to her guidance counselor at Beaumont High School for coming to her house and talking to her parents about the necessity of her going to college. From there, she earned her master’s degree in guidance counseling at University of Missouri – St. Louis and her doctorate at Saint Louis University in 2005. Roach said she has always enjoyed whatever position she held in the district. So when Adams asked her to become his chief of staff in 2009, she was reluctant to leave her role as Carnahan’s principal. “He was able to convince me, and it proved to be good for me,” she said. “Dr. Adams has a unique leadership style. I found that we were likeminded about so many things.” She discovered that they were both “doing business by the good book,” which is the title of a book by David Steward. “He was following many of the principles that I followed so strongly,” she said. “It made working for him a good fit for me.” In 2010, Adams asked her

to put together a principal leadership program, which she was already doing in an unofficial capacity, Adams said. “She did all the research and put a qualitative program together,” he said. She was also one of the mentors for principals, and he recalls there being one individual who was having a difficult time in the program. Not only did Roach spend countless hours mentoring the principal, but she also bought the woman clothes and makeup and enrolled her in a publicspeaking program to give her more confidence. It wasn’t part of the plan, but that’s the kind of thing Roach would do all the time, Adams said. “She saw a real gem in this person, and she did everything she could to support her,” he said. “She has never thought of this job from A to Z. She’s gone beyond the alphabet to make sure every single time she is giving more to people who have desires. “I could tell you story upon story about when she’s reached out when she didn’t have to do it. She does it because she really believes it makes a difference in terms of changing young people’s lives.” The 2015 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, September 25 at the America’s Center Ballroom, following a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. Individual tickets are $85 each/$850 table, and VIP/Corporate tickets are $1,500 table. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.stlamerican. com and click on Salute to Excellence, or call 314-5338000.

Stillman said their goal is 100 percent graduation and college acceptance, but that’s not all. “The years here are not just a means to an end,” she said. “The here and now is its own experience of quality, rigor and fun. This is not a wrung on a ladder to something else. It’s is in itself an empowering, enriching, satisfying, and stimulating experience.” Roshaunda Cade, a Clayton High School English teacher, decided to send her daughter, Kimmeran, to Hawthorn because she had heard good things from people who had studied in all-girls schools. “To not have to worry about them during the school day is

going to be important,” she said. Kimmeran particularly loved the Summer Bridge program, which took place the week before school started and consisted of teambuilding and orientation activities. “She is a Hawthorn student now,” she said. “Saying she is a Hawthorn student means something to her now. They learned about all the each other and they had fun. So all that anxiety of going to a new school, that’s already been taken care of.” Indeed, it didn’t seem like the first day at a completely new school. The girls were responding in unison to Wiens

during their morning meeting, like they’ve been doing it for years. On Monday, there was one common question that media and supporters asked the girls, “Are you going to miss the boys?” “I like STEM – science and math,” said sixth grader Hannah Gray, who wants to be a singer, dancer and actress. “I like being around the girls sometimes because boys can be annoying. They can get on my nerves, and they are so mean sometimes.” Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

Activists rebuild Kajieme Powell memorial

Activists who helped to rebuild the Kajieme Powell memorial on August 7 shared a moment of silence with his grandmother Mildred Powell and Michael Hassell, the man who recorded the St. Louis police killing of the 25-year-old man last August. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Like many others in this North St. Louis neighborhood, Michael Hassell, 31, said he used to see the Kajieme Powell walk down to the street on his way to the library every day. Powell, 25, who suffered from a mental illness, would pass the store at the corner of Riverview and McLaran avenues, where Hassell worked. “He was sweet,” Hassell said. “He didn’t bother nobody. I never expected to be standing here today.” Hassell gathered on Friday, August 7 with about 30 others to rebuild Powell’s memorial, where he was shot and killed by St. Louis police on August 19, 2014. On that day, Hassell videotaped while police killed Powell within less than 30 seconds of arriving on the scene. According to police, the two officers were responding to reports of a shoplifting in Six Star Market in the city’s North Point neighborhood. The shop owner and another witness, Alderman Dionne Flowers, both told police that Powell was carrying a knife. Several people standing in front of the store and at the bus stop were shocked to see the situation escalate that quickly, Hassell said. It was a “brutal moment” for anyone to see, he said. “How do I deal with it?” he said. “Everyone says you should go to therapy. This is my therapy, to see all these wonderful people doing the same thing I’m doing and having the same consciousness that I have – that we are tired of being tired.” As part of the Ferguson Commemoration Weekend, people hung “social justice prayer flags” from the tall tree in the median on Riverview. Some of the flags were crafted with children that morning at the Youth Art Build. Kajieme’s grandmother, Debbie Powell, spoke to the crowd who gathered to rebuild her grandson’s memorial. She spoke of her grief in the past year. Kajieme had just moved to St. Louis to live with her in December 2013. The memorial tree has been adorned with stuffed animals since Kajieme’s death. The group added two tall sunflowers that grew out of pots with the painted words, “They tried to bury us; they didn’t know we were seeds.” “We wanted something that could create a lot of community response and give people an opportunity to not only express their condolences but also share their social justice dreams,” said Elizabeth Vega, leader of the Artivists activist group. “Out of the tragedy, we want to have that hope that we can push for.” Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.

Viral video slammee speaks out Only hours after police slammed down Ferguson activist Mike Lhotak on the highway, the video of his arrest went viral on social media. Lhotak, 28, was among about 10 “white allies,” who had volunteered to get arrested during August 10’s highway shutdown, an act of civil disobedience to bring attention to police brutality. The action was part of the Ferguson Commemoration Weekend, which included August 9 anniversary of Ferguson police killing Michael Brown Jr. “The white allies in the movement would be the ones who would get arrested for a change,” he said. “That was the goal.” About 80 demonstrators and legal observers were on site as human barricades were created to block Interstate-70, near 270 and the Blanchette Bridge, in both directions. The protest began at 5 p.m., peak rush hour time, and lasted for about 30 minutes. The group chose that particular bridge because he said it represents white flight and the racial divisiveness of the region. They were trying to get the attention of people who work in St. Louis County or city but live in St. Charles County, he said. In the video, Lhotak is seen breaking away from the group, as the protestors were being pushed off the highway by a line of police. He started jumping up and down waving his arms as a dozen police narrowed in on him, coming from all directions. One male officer – who was not a St. Louis County Police officer according to the county department – lifted Lhotak up and slammed him down on his left side. Then the others dived in to grab his limbs and hold him down. “I talked with the state troopers afterwards,” he said. “They knew I was acting as a decoy.” He said he was trying to draw attention away from the African-American protestors, including Millennial Activists United leaders Brittany Ferrell and Alexis Templeton who led the action. However the plan failed

During an act of civil disobedience to bring awareness to police brutality on August, activist Mike Lhotak was arrested for shutting down Interstate 70. Photo by Rebecca Rivas

when police started arresting people as they were trying to leave – as the police had ordered them to do. In total, police made 64 arrests, according to the St. Louis County police. All individuals involved in the highway shutdown were charged with “interfering with an officer.” Lhotak was still sitting in plastic handcuffs at the St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy in Wellston when officers started coming up to him. “The police were telling me, ‘You’re a YouTube sensation,’” he said. And then the jokes started. He said it was clear that all the officers there had already watched it. “Wasn’t it a Girl Scout passing you on street that slammed you?” one of them said. “Everybody has to be known for something,” another said. “You were the one making a fool of yourself on the highway.” The St. Louis County police spokesman said they’ve gotten no feedback or questions about the video because “he is not our officer.” The St. Louis American has not yet been able to identify the officer who took down Lhotak. Lhotak suffered from a rib contusion on his left side, scrapes and bruises as a result of the arrest. It wasn’t until the next day, when he was released from police custody, did he watch the video. By then it had been seen by millions around the world. From dental offices to social media, people are talking about the “take down” and the highway shutdown. He said he’s been trying not to look at the comments from people who were outraged at the demonstration. People who say things like, “He deserved much worse.” Because in the end, he said, they successfully stirred up the conversation. Lhotak, who earned a sociology degree from University of Missouri – Columbia, is currently looking for a position as a family advocate. He helped organize a Black Lives Matter silent march by Busch Stadium in June, where police repeatedly tased a University City school board member while arresting her. “Ferguson is everywhere,” he said, which were also the words printed on the large yellow boxes that helped block traffic. “We had organized resistance, and we were able

to do it that long. It was a real success.”

Super Negro phantom St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch is flexing his vengeful muscles at the highway shutdown leaders Ferrell and Templeton. During the highway shutdown, an angry woman in an SUV drove through about 10 individuals who had linked arms. Even if the driver was agitated at being inconvenienced, nothing in the federal or state law says that a person can take justice into their own hands and drive over pedestrians. However, McCulloch obviously doesn’t see things that way. McCulloch has charged Templeton with three misdemeanors – assault, trespassing and peace disturbance, he announced on August 12, following the police investigation. Ferrell was charged with a felony – property damage in the first degree – as well as trespassing and peace disturbance. “Templeton is accused of punching the victim as our victim attempted to drive past the defendant,” the charges read. “The victim suffered an eye injury as result. Ferrell kicked the victim’s car as she passed causing nearly $5,000 in damage.” The idea that someone can cause $5,000 from kicking a moving SUV makes the EYE think that the Super Negro phantom of the white imagination has returned – if it ever left.

Maida Coleman to rule on utilities People should care about the Missouri Public Service Commission because their authority virtually touches every household in the state, Robert Kenney told the American when Gov. Jay Nixon appointed him as chairman of the commission in 2013. “Seventy percent of the electricity that’s sold Maida in Missouri is Coleman sold by investorowned utilities,” he said. “And we are the agency that’s responsible for setting the rates they are going to charge consumers.”

Kenney’s six-year term is finished, and recently, Nixon announced that former Senator Maida Coleman, of St. Louis, will be Kenney’s replacement effective Aug. 10. In his six years on the commission, Kenney emerged as a nationally-recognized leader in public utility regulation and was a dedicated consumer outreach and education specialist. Coleman, a former state representative and senator, was most recently the director of the Missouri Office of Community Engagement (OCE). “Her intelligence, integrity and experience have earned her the respect of leaders on both sides of the aisle and will make her an outstanding asset to the people of Missouri on the PSC,” Nixon said. A native of Sikeston, Coleman previously served as the executive director of the Missouri Workforce Investment Board at the Department of Economic Development, where she oversaw the state’s 37 member-business-led workforce policymaking boards. From 2001 Robert to 2009, Sen. Kenney Coleman served first as a state representative and then as state senator from St. Louis, and became the first African-American woman in state history to serve as Senate Minority Leader. Kenney has served as a member of the commission since July 2009. He said there was one thing he didn’t get done, and he hopes Coleman and others will take up the issue. In other states, he said authorities have established lower rates for moderate to low-income residents. He believes that can happen in Missouri. The call to action is not far from Coleman’s past experience. As a senator, she sponsored a “hot weather rule” to protect Missourians, particularly those who are older or low-income. A companion to the “cold weather rule,” the hot weather rule prevents utilities from disconnecting service for residential customers during summer weather extremes. “I’ve known her for a long time, and I think she is going to be a great member of the commission,” Kenney said.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

Student engineers win national award STL Metro Gateway NSBE Jr. is 2014–15 Chapter of the Year

n “This helps students open their minds to the world of engineering in a form and intensity they would not receive at a normal middle or high school.”

By Kevin M. Briscoe For The St. Louis American Recent events have made their city a ground zero for racial intolerance and violence, but these black youth, supported by good mentors and healthy resources, have gained fame within the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) for a different reason. The St. Louis Metro Gateway chapter – housed at the Florissant Valley campus of St. Louis Community College in Ferguson – is the 2014–15 NSBE Jr. Chapter of the Year. St. Louis Metro Gateway NSBE Jr. was selected as top chapter during NSBE’s Annual Convention in Anaheim, California, in March. The chapter supports the society’s national mission by developing a local environment for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and by fostering an increase in the number of underserved youth seeking a STEM education. “The mission of my NSBE chapter is to provide students with a necessary introduction and exposure to the basic principles of engineering,” said Shawn Blake Fields, vice president of the chapter, who will pursue a college degree in mechanical engineering. “This NSBE chapter helps students open their minds to the world of engineering in a form and intensity that they would not receive at a normal middle or high school.” St. Louis Metro Gateway NSBE Jr. consists of 120 students who meet every third Saturday to participate in NSBE Pre-College Initiative activities. With the support of NSBE’s St. Louis Metro Gateway Professionals Chapter, the NSBE Jr. group has participated in a number of events designed

– Shawn Blake Field

to promote STEM in the black community, including the Delta Sigma Theta Academy STEAM Program, the St. Louis Science Center MLK Science Showcase, the Discovery Fair with the St. Louis Engineers Club and NSBE’s “Walk for Education.” “We have created a network amongst our parents, students, collegiate (students) and professionals that provides a sense of family,” said Deborah Dilworth, parent liaison for the NSBE Jr. chapter and programs chair for the St. Louis Metro Gateway Professionals Chapter. The chapter’s family tree includes a number of branches, all of which have touched its members. “I have been a member of the St. Louis chapter since sixth grade,” said Olivia Martin, president of the NSBE Jr. chapter and a student at the Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School in Ladue, now an 11th grader. “Most importantly, my mentors believe in me and believe that I can, as an AfricanAmerican female, become an

engineer and attend colleges like Vanderbilt and Washington University,” Martin said. The chapter remained engaged in the community during the Ferguson unrest. “The chapter has used it as an opportunity to stress the importance of working hard throughout high school and into college so that we will be able to give back and benefit our community,” Fields said. NSBE’s national leadership has addressed the Ferguson shooting and injustice against residents of black communities across the country. The “Help NSBE Impact Ferguson Campaign” raised more than $3,600 to increase the exposure of youth in metropolitan St. Louis to information about STEM careers. Being located in Ferguson

prompted the NSBE Jr. chapter to work to bring more students into the group. “There was a concerted effort to increase the visibility of the program as a counternarrative to the one that had been presented in the media,” said Terrence L. Freeman, a member of NSBE’s St. Louis Professionals and a professor of mechanical engineering at St. Louis Community College. “Our students have participated in forums and discussions that focus on leadership, principles and values, decision-making and social justice. This has been a tragic but teachable moment for the students in the program.” Kevin M. Briscoe is a writer based in Baltimore and a former editor of NSBE Bridge.

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By Melanie Adams

Twilight Tuesdays time

West African Art and Culture takes center stage at Art Museum

The Fabulous Motown Revue plays Twilight Tuesdays at the Missouri History Museum on September 29.

Broseph E. Lee Band kicks off series on August 25 Fall is upon us, bringing with it another season of Twilight Tuesdays at the Missouri History Museum. This season we have diverse line-up of local musical acts that will surely get you up and dancing. In addition to the dynamic musical line-up, we will once again have free gallery tours and children’s activities to appeal to all members of the family. We encourage you arrive early to take advantage of these opportunities. These opportunities will begin at 5 pm with a 20-minute guided tour of A Walk in 1875 St. Louis. This exhibition is based on one of the most amazing maps of a city ever created— Compton & Dry’s Pictorial St. Louis, a collection of 110 maps drawn in 1875 and published in 1876. In 1874, Richard Compton, a St. Louis-based sheet music publisher, and Camille Dry, a wandering mechanical draftsman, teamed up on a task that sounds impossible—draw every single home, building, street, and even tree in St. Louis in accurate perspective. The result was Pictorial St. Louis, the largest pictorial map of any city in the 19th century. The entire map at its original size requires 300 square feet of space to lay out. Using this incredibly detailed cartographic masterpiece as its backdrop, the Missouri History Museum developed A Walk in 1875 St. Louis, a 6,000-square-foot exhibition that explores the collective life of 1875 St. Louis through photographs, artifacts, news, writings, and firsthand accounts of the day. The younger members of the family can explore the newly opened History Clubhouse. Created with input from regional families, History Clubhouse is a space to foster a love of

history, learning, and museums. Families can step back in time, explore, discover, and play in some favorite St. Louis places in a welcoming environment where nothing is hands-off. Walk among the buildings of Downtown St. Louis, steer a steamboat on the Mississippi River, prepare food in the ancient city of Cahokia, sell ice cream at the 1904 World’s Fair, and learn history along the way! As part of the Twilight Tuesdays outdoor concert series, you’ll enjoy free crafts and face painting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Keep an eye out for our roaming magician and watch a trick or two! Concerts run from 6pm to 8pm on the Museum’s North Lawn. The History Clubhouse will remain open until intermission begins at 6:45pm. We anticipate that the History Clubhouse may fill to capacity on these concert evenings, so we suggest arriving early. All guests will be allowed to enter on a first-come, firstserved basis, and children must be accompanied by adults. The fall is a great time to come out and visit the Museum, listen to some outstanding local music, and explore our exhibitions. For more information about Twilight Tuesdays please visit the Museum’s website (mohistory.org).

Twilight Tuesdays Free family activities, 5:30 - 7:30pm Free guided tour of A Walk in 1875 St. Louis, 5pm, Music starts at 6pm August 25: Broseph E. Lee Band (rock/country) September 1: Cheryl Brown and Friends (R&B) September 8: Miss Jubilee (swing) September 15: The Jackson 5 Tribute September 22: Jeremiah Allen and Friends present a Tribute to Stevie Wonder September 29: The Fabulous Motown Revue

Curator Nichole Bridges leads a group on a private guided tour of Senufo: Art and Identity in West African. As the summer comes to a close, we encourage you to schedule time to see the highly acclaimed exhibition, Senufo: Art and Identity in West Africa, on view at the Saint Louis Art Museum through September 27. Senufo, the first African art exhibition at the Art Museum since Masterpieces from Central Africa more than 15 years ago, is a stunning display of more than 170 masks, figure sculptures, and decorative arts. Senufo refers to the group of peoples linguistically related who inhabit an area of West Africa known as the three-corners region – an area spanning northern Côte d’Ivoire, western Burkina Faso , and southern Mali. As one drives along Art Hill, banners with images of Senufo artworks fly majestically high in the air outside the Museum. Once inside the Art Museum, one step into the exhibition, audiences are instantly wowed by the vast variety of rare objects on display. Senufo is one of the most popular and best studied forms of African art from the West African three-corner region. Friends of African American Art members were recently delighted by curator Nichole Bridges, as she led the group on a private guided tour of Senufo: Art and Identity in West African. Visitors are welcomed into the exhibition by a pair of male and female figures from a private collection, and it is immediately apparent why the objects in this exhibition have earned the reputation of being among the world’s most beloved artistic creations. The exhibition is divided into two parts. The first sections of the exhibition examine the significances of art labeled Senufo through many shifting meanings of the term Senufo since the late 19th century; while the final grouping of artworks shatters the boundaries of the artistic corpus typically identified as Senufo, calling into question the use and accuracy of such terms. Interest in sculpture classified as Senufo increased significantly due to the fascination the works inspired among members of the European artistic avant-garde in the early 20th century. The appeal and intense desirability of the arts described as Senufo continues today and was illustrated recently by the $12 million sale at auction of a standing female figure attributed to an unidentified artist called the “Folona Master” or the “Master of Sikasso.”

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Unidentified artist; Male and female figure pair; wood; h. 45 ¼ inches and 38 3/16 inches; Private collection (courtesy McClain Gallery, Houston); Image © Sotheby’s

Visitors will have an unprecedented opportunity to see two sculptures created by the same artist in the Senufo exhibition. If your group or organization would like to see this extraordinary display of West African art and culture, please contact me at renee. franklin@slam.org. For a complete listing of programs related to the exhibition and to learn more about Friends of African American Art, please visit www.slam.org.

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

ONE SMALL CHANGE is an ongoing series that challenges us to take very small steps toward being more environmentally-friendly. If we all participate, then ONE SMALL CHANGE can make a big difference!

DROP A BRICK!

Do you have a toilet in your house? Of course you do! By making this one small change, you can literally save a ton of water. Simply placing a brick (or two) in the top tank of your toilet will significantly reduce the amount of water used every time you flush the toilet. Be sure to get a parent’s permission ahead of time. Then all you’ll need to do is obtain a clean brick (they cost less than fifty cents at most hardware stores), carefully open the lid on the back tank of the toilet, and place the brick in the corner or somewhere safe in the tank. Just be sure you’re not obstructing anything from working inside the tank. Put the lid back on the tank and your one small change is done! The average family household flushes five times per day and with one or two bricks in your toilet tank you can conserve up to half a gallon of water per flush. At this rate your one small change will turn into saving 350 gallons of water per month! This of course saves money on the water bill too. Every day, Americans flush 4.8 billion gallons of water down the toilet and it is where the average household uses the most water. If all of us make this one small change it will have a huge impact on our communities and our water supply. So make the change today, go and get a brick, and challenge other friends to also Drop a Brick. THIS CHANGE SAVES 4,200 GALLONS OF WATER PER YEAR!

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ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

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NEWSPAPER IN

Healthy Kids

EDUCATION

PRESENT:

Planting the Seeds for Success!

The weekly Healthy Kids page provides health tips on nutrition, exercise and more.

Nutrition

Think Before Your Eat!

Exercise

Ask yourself these questions:

Challenge: Keep a food diary for one

Healthcare Careers

week. In a notebook, write down every single thing Newspaper you eat and drink for in seven Weekly Education Program Do I feel good most of the time? days. At the end of the week, take a d Respiratory Care Manager Fo o y Do I have energy (or does your look at your diary. How many fruits r Where do you work? D ia energy go up and down during and vegetables are in there? How Missouri Baptist Medical the day)? many glasses of water? How much Center. soda? Candy? As the Healthy Kids Can I keep up with my friends? Where did you go to series continues, you’ll learn some If you answered “no” to one or more of school? I graduated from very practical, easy changes you can these questions, it might be time to look Rialto High School in make to your diet that will put you on the road at the kinds of food you eat. Food choices are Rialto, California. I then to feeling happier and healthier! important because the foods you eat are what received an Associate of Learning Standards: HPE 2, NH1 keep your body strong and moving. Science in Respiratory Science from San Joaquin Valley College in speed, etc. a piece of lined paper write In addition to eating healthy, Ontario, California, and a Bachelor of Arts in the words “In one week I will one of the best ways to Management and Human Relations from Trevecca Always stay safe. Exercise in be…” and finish the sentence. be a Healthy Kid is to Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. I also areas that are well-lit and It could be “I will be walking add daily exercise to recently started school again to pursue a Master of filled with others who are the neighborhood with my mom your new lifestyle. Healthcare Administration at Webster University. exercising. at least four nights a week.” Before you start— What does a respiratory care manager do? I help Warm up and cool down. To After you have completed your remember to: people breathe when they can’t. Sometimes I use get the most benefit out weekly goal, go ahead and write Check with medications and sometimes I use breathing tools of exercise, spend at least out a monthly goal and an your family and equipment. From medications to control asthma a few minutes stretching, exercise goal for the end of the doctor. Find out to life support, we do it all. walking and bending before school year. Challenge yourself the right kinds of exercise for and after you exercise. Why did you choose this career? I was good at to increase your exercise level you. fixing electronics in the military, but I wanted to over the next several months. Want to Challenge Start slowly. Let your body fix something more valuable. I wanted to start Yourself? Set an exercise Learning Standards: adjust before you gradually fixing people because people are worth more goal for your first week. On HPE2, NH6 increase time, distance, than our machines.

Gabriel Logan,

> > >

And...

B e on the Lookout...

Health includes more than just nutrition and exercise. Smart choices, safety and happiness all affect our health. Every single day is filled with opportunities to make smart choices. Look in the newspaper for an example of someone who made a smart choice. Summarize the article and explain why you think it was the right thing to do.

Learning Standards: HPE2, NH2, NH5, CA3

Healthy Snacks

Banana-Peanut Butter Smoothie Ingredients: Banana (Cut into 1-inch cubes and frozen for two hours), 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter, ¼ Cp Low-fat Milk, 2 Ice Cubes, Small Splash of Vanilla Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

What is your favorite part of the job you have? I get to meet so many different people and learn about their history and life path. I also get to teach them a bit about the science of my field. One example is the mechanics of a cough. Did you know that a cough has four phases?

Learning Standards: HPE6, NH3

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

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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

SCIENCE STARS African -American Inventions in the Classrooom

Jennings Junior High School & College Prep Academy teacher, Kathleen Foster,

As you return to the classroom for a new school year, many items around the room were invented by African Americans. In this section, you will learn about a few of them.

works with students Katana Boler and Necho Cook on story comprehension by using the newspaper. Jennings Junior High School Prep is in the Jennings School District. Photo by Wiley Price/ St. Louis American.

Masking Tape and Clear Tape — Richard G. Drew received a patent for masking tape in 1923. Originally, this tape was used for painters and only had adhesives on the end, and not in the middle. Recognizing that tape could be used for many different purposes, Drew later made a clear tape with adhesive the entire length. It was called Scotch tape and was invented in 1930.

Teachers, if you are using the St. Louis American’s NIE program and would like to nominate your class for a Classroom Spotlight, please email: nie@stlamerican.com.

SCIENCE CORNER

The Science of Problem Solving: The Scientific Method

If you have ever tried to find a solution to a problem, you have used science. The first step is to identify the problem. In the experiment section on this page, the “problem” is that you are trying to keep an ice cube from melting. The second step is that you will form a theory. This is what you believe will fix the problem. It is also called a hypothesis. The third step is to test the hypothesis. Is your solution or design effective? What needs to be changed? The fourth step is to collect the data. This means you will write your observations or take measurements. Step five is to analyze

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

the data. How will the information help you tweak your design to make it more effective? Finally, step six is to draw conclusions. The conclusion will either be “yes” the hypothesis was correct, or “no” the hypothesis was incorrect. If the hypothesis was incorrect, you will use your data to change your original hypothesis and repeat the six steps.

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

Build a Cube Keeper!

Background Information:

Work with a group to design your cube keeper.

In this experiment, you will design a container to keep an ice cube from melting quickly.

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard (less that one cubic foot) • Waxed Paper • Masking Tape • Newspaper • Aluminum Foil • Rubber Bands • Ice Cubes Process:

q Using these materials, make a container to see how long you can keep an ice cube from melting. Find out what works best to keep the heat away from the ice cube. For example, should you wrap the box in aluminum foil? Should you use the aluminum foil to line the inside of the box?

MATH CONNECTION

w Put an ice cube in the cube keeper. Take another ice cube and leave it out of the cube keeper. It will be your control. In 90 minutes, check both ice cubes. If at the end of 90 minutes, the control ice cube is the same size as the ice cube in your cube keeper, the container didn’t do much to keep the ice cube from melting.

The cafeteria sold 3 more turkey zsandwiches than ham sandwiches. They sold 11 sandwiches in all. How many ham sandwiches did the cafeteria sell? ______ has 15 pens. All of the pens xare Maria either blue or black, and there are 5 more blue pens than black pens. How many black pens does Maria have? ______

students in all. How many girls are there in Kirk’s class? ______

and two packages of paper. What information is needed to find the total amount David spent before tax? ______

of the team has to run for a half mile of Learning Standards: I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve a 3-mile race. How many members are a problem. on the race team? ______

Fun Facts About Inventions!

Kitty litter was invented by Ed Lowe in 1947. A friend of Lowe complained that the ash she was using for her cat made a mess, and he created this solution.

in your classroom? Why? If you could invent something for your classroom, what would it be? How would it improve school?

Learning Standards: I can read nonfiction

bought a 3-ring binder for b$4.49,Davida package of pencils for $1.19,

Basketball was invented in 1891 by Canadian P.E. teacher James Naismith.

Discuss: What are your favorite inventions

Learning Standards: I can follow sequential directions to complete an experiment. I can apply the scientific method of problem solving and analyze results and draw conclusions.

In Kirk’s music class there are c2 more boys than girls. There are 8

DID YOU KNOW?

Folding Chair — The folding chair was invented by Nathaniel Alexander to be used in large gathering places, like church and school. Folding chairs are often used to add extra seating for musical programs, assemblies, meetings, etc. When the chairs are folded closed, they can be stored without taking up a lot of space.

with other groups in your class. Which techniques were most effective? Why?

Analyze: Compare your results

Jackie and Kendall are part of their vschool’s relay race team. Each member

Pen — W.B. Purvis invented the fountain pen which allowed people to write without having to carry a bottle of ink. He said, “The object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable and inexpensive construction of a fountain pen which may be carried in the pocket.” He received his patent in January of 1890.

Extension: Did you iron your clothes for school? Did you know that African American Sarah Boone invented a design for an ironing board? Maybe you placed your breakfast dishes in a dishwasher. You can thank Dennis Weahterby for inventing dishwasher detergent! How many mailboxes did you pass on the way to school? The mailbox was invented by Philip B. Downing so that people would not have to travel so far to the post office to send mail.

Back-to-School Word Problems!

Use your math skills to solve these back-to-school themed word problems.

Pencil Sharpener — JL Love received a patent for a pencil sharpener on November 23, 1897. This design was a handheld sharpener that worked by placing the pencil into the opening of the sharpener and rotating by hand. The sharpener held the shavings. Many artists used this invention. This design is still being used today and can be found in many school desks.

Janine Hausif invented an app called “Around the Way” that allows users to locate and support the nearest African-American companies in the area.

text about African American inventors.

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

Activity One — Spend 20 minutes reading the St. Louis American silently. At the end of the time, each student must state a fact they learned, express an opinion about an advertisement, and state a price for an item he/she would like to buy.

Activity Two — Have a race through the newspaper to find as many geographical words as you can like hill, river, lake, plateau, etc. Find examples of as many of them as you can on a state map.

Learning Standards: I can use a newspaper to locate information. I can identify the difference between fact and opinion. I can locate geographical terms in print and on a map.

This special Newspaper In Education initiative is made possible, and delivered to classrooms, through The St. Louis American Foundation and its NIE Corporate Partners:

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

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Foundation funds scholars with parents in prison

(Top) Ashland Hardin watches her son Cameron 3, get a check up during Saturday’s Little Urban Smiles Back to School event at the dental offices of Dr. William Jones’ Kingshighway Dental Center.

Photos by Wiley Price

Little Smiles

Ava’s Grace Scholarship Foundation, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization, provides college scholarships to Missouri teens with parents in prison, has awarded scholarships to 16 Missouri students, including eight new scholars in 2015. The class of 2015 scholars include Christopher Andry, Preston Pinnell, Christopher Perkins, Torrian Collins, Alijah Nelson, Rico Beuford, Telisha Lambert and Lukas Heading. Each will receive a four-year scholarship of up to $5,000 each year for college, trade school and/or technical program expenses. This year, 75 percent of the new scholarships went to young African-American men from St. Louis city and county, thanks in large part to a private donation after the Ferguson protests. The donation supports scholarships for African-American men, who have historically been underrepresented in college programs.

(Above) Dominique Darden, 5, Stylz Carter, 7, and Kali Carrol (right), 5-months, all enjoyed meeting Doc McStuffins during Saturday’s Little Urban Smiles Back to School event. The event was held at Dr. William Jones’ Kingshighway Dental Center.

AUDITION TO SING WITH THE

IN UNISON CHORUS!

Picture yourself on stage at Powell Hall, performing with the IN UNISON Chorus and the world-renowned St. Louis Symphony, led by conductor Kevin McBeth. 2015-16 SEASON REPERTOIRE Gospel Christmas featuring Thomas Young Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration featuring Larnelle Harris

AUDITIONS: MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2015 Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd.

You must schedule a specific time slot–these are not open-call auditions.

For more information call 314-286-4108, visit stlsymphony.org/inunison-auditions

or email susanp@stlsymphony.org

Alijah Nelson, Chris Andry, Preston Pinnell, Telisha Lambert, Chris Perkins, Rico Beuford and Lukas Heading. Not pictured: Torrian Collin.

SUPPORTED BY

“At a time when many will be looking back on the events of last August, we know education – particularly in families with incarcerated parents – will be a huge part of moving communities forward,” said Ava’s Grace founder and chairman Stephanie Regagnon. “It’s more important than ever to support these inspiring young adults, all of whom represent what can be accomplished in the face of tremendous challenge.” Ava’s Grace was founded in 2010 by St. Louis-area resident Regagnon, whose mother was imprisoned when she was a young adult. While visiting her mom, Regagnon met dozens of children whose parents were incarcerated. She later decided to start the Ava’s Grace Scholarship Foundation, which provides four-year partial college scholarships to children with jailed parents. Learn more about Ava’s Grace Scholarship Foundation at www.avasgrace.org.

Business

AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

People On The Move U.S. Air Force Gen. Darren W. McDew was nominated to relieve U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva as commander of U.S. Transportation Command by President Barack Obama. McDew Darren W. currently commands McDew USTRANSCOM’s air component, Air Mobility Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base. McDew’s nomination requires Senate confirmation.

The Pre-College Initiative of the National Society of Black Engineers, St. Louis Chapter, is located at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson. More than 1,000 students have graduated from the program.

Black engineers bond to boost STEM NSBE promotes careers in science, technology, engineering and math

By Ronald Moore For The St. Louis American The St. Louis Gateway chapter of National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is a group of professional engineers who are the driving force behind developing the next generation of engineers, entrepreneurs and leaders. One of our main thrusts is to interest students in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), because we understand science, technology, engineering and math liberal arts degrees are the degrees of the 21st century.

n Sadly, 95 percent of NSBE’s STEM graduates receive jobs away from the area.

Crime is a major factor in the economic decline of a community. A report from the Brookings Institute’s Hamilton Project found that black male dropouts born in 1975 have a 70 percent chance of ending up in prison. I

believe that we can reduce the prison pipeline numbers by training young parents, religious and community leaders on the importance of early childhood education, specifically an education with a STEM emphasis. An education with a STEM emphasis might also reverse this troubling trend: While people of African descent represent 14 percent of the U.S. population, we only hold 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. NSBE’s focus is to cause a cultural shift by exposing more African-American See STEM, B6

Kwame to manage $1.1M Maryville U expansion

Maryville University in St. Louis has contracted Kwame Building Group, Inc. as construction project manager on a $1.1 million expansion and athletic office renovation at the John E. and Adaline Simon Athletic Center. The 3,100-square-foot student fitness center will feature state-of-the art exercise equipment and a new workout room. The 4,260-square-foot athletic staff offices will be relocated into a completely renovated space in the John E. and Adaline Simon Athletic Center, and will include a high-tech conference room for video viewing. The project is scheduled for completion in January 2016. The architect is ACI Boland.

MSD responds to NAACP

‘Pruitt is entitled to his opinions, not his own set of facts’ By Lance LeComb Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Over the past several months, MSD and Adolphus Pruitt, president of the City of St. Louis Branch of the NAACP, have exchanged correspondence about MSD’s diversity program. Pruitt has recently raised the level of his rhetoric and expanded his correspondence to include The St. Louis American. In doing so, Mr. Pruitt – who was, until recently, a significant partner in developing and implementing MSD’s current diversity program – has chosen to present inflammatory and libelous statements as truth; which, when examined against the facts, show themselves to

range from mischaracterizations to untruths. Regarding job training, MSD has invested funds in two programs: the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment’s (SLATE) First Source Hiring Program; and the Building Union Diversity (BUD) Program, a partnership between Lance SLATE and area unions. Both LeComb programs are focused on lowincome residents, who are underemployed or unemployed. In general, these programs prepare individuals to work on St. Louis-area construction projects.

Pruitt says out of 100 African Americans in the First Source Program, no one has received MSD jobs through SLATE. How does Pruitt know this? The First Source Program did not start until this calendar year and reporting for 2015 to date is not yet complete. Thus, until the reporting is ready, no one knows who may or may not have received a job – on an MSD or non-MSD project. Additionally, to state or infer that no one has received a job through SLATE is false. MSD participated in its first BUD class sponsorship in 2015. There were 13 participants in the class, six of whom MSD sponsored. Preliminary reporting See MSD, B2

Wilma Calvert is a new member of the Board of Directors for St. Patrick Center. She is associate professor of nursing at the University of Missouri St. Louis. She teaches community health Wilma nursing in the Calvert undergraduate program and social detriments of health in the doctoral program.

Don W. Cook Sr. was elected president of the Lincoln University Board of Curators. The board assures good management of the university; establishes policy; sets fees; grants degrees; Don W. selects and supports Cook Sr. a president; and monitors presidential, institutional and board performance. Cook serves as co-leader and mentor in the Parkway Middle School Mentoring Program and is president and CEO of Capital International Communications.

Yolanda Austin was elected to serve as the president of The Cardinal Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. She recently served as the 2nd vice president, Sickle Cell chairman and Service to Youth Yolanda Committee member Austin of her chapter and TLOD, Inc. Area III corresponding secretary. She serves as the director of Operations of North County Community Development, Inc.

Roy Gillespie was selected to be the first Community Volunteer Leader in St. Louis for The American Red Cross of Eastern Missouri. He will serve as a contact within a community, who Roy works to develop, Gillespie build and expand the presence of the Red Cross. Gillespie serves as human rights commissioner for Teamsters Joint Council 13.

Kathryn Miller, of Florissant, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from WGU Missouri. WGU Missouri is a nonprofit, online university designed to expand access to higher education for Kathryn Missouri residents, Miller established by the state of Missouri through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University.

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

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

Personal Finance

By Nathaniel Sillin Stress can come from everywhere – career, school, family, relationships, health – and especially money. The American Psychological Association (APA) recently reported that money remains the number one stressor for 72 percent of Americans. In fact, money has led the APA’s annual stress survey since its debut in 2007, the year before the financial crash that took the U.S. economy into its worst slump since the Great Depression. Are you financially stressed? Here are 10 major signs of financial stress and ways to take action. 1. You wonder if your job is secure. Even though the economy has improved in recent years, employers still cut and reassign workers and make occasional adjustments in pay and benefits. If you’ve spotted changes in other departments or news accounts suggest a shift in your industry, start thinking ahead. Action Plan: Build up your emergency fund to cover six months or more of basic living expenses, update your resume and get organized for a potential job search. 2. There’s no money to save or invest. If meeting basic expenses is a struggle and you have no savings or investments at all, it’s time for a serious review of where your money is going. Action plan: Making a basic budget is the first step to tracking every penny spent. Figure out extras you can cut and set more aside for savings and debt payoff.

10 reasons why you’re financially stressed

3. You have disagreements with a spouse or partner about money. A 2013 University of Kansas study noted that arguments about money are the top predictor of divorce. Action plan: Share information about all debt and legal issues and exchange respective credit reports and credit score data as you plan to solve all money problems together. 4. You are paying bills late. Late payments can hurt your credit score (http://www. myfico.com). Action plan: Set up a physical or digital calendar to keep track of payment dates and budget in order to put more money toward debt and eventually savings. 5. You imagine a windfall. Waiting for a bonus, an inheritance or even a winning lotto ticket to ease your financial stress indicates you have a tendency toward financial denial. Action plan: If your current efforts at budgeting, saving money or paying off debt aren’t working, consider a reality check with a qualified financial advisor. 6. You use your home equity like a cash register. Home equity loans or lines of credit can provide an interestdeductible solution for a variety of important needs, but a down housing market can wipe out your equity. Action plan: Either refinance if you qualify or stop using the line entirely until you can pay down the balance. 7. You’re considering drawing from retirement

For some, late fees and overdraft fees take a heavy toll on finances. funds to solve money problems. Think twice before taking out loans against these funds. Interrupting your retirement planning, particularly over the age of 50, can have significant financial consequences. Action plan: Re-budget your finances and seek qualified advice to help you find another solution.

8. Late and overdraft fees are piling up. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, the average bank overdraft fee is $35; credit card late fees are similar. Action plan: Schedule bill payments and opt for online billing when possible to save time on mailing. If you have to pay additional late fees, ask your bank or credit card company if it might forgive the fee; many will remove one fee a year. 9. You’re late on student loan payments. It is difficult to have student loans

MSD

Continued from B1 shows that of the six, one dropped out, three have found employment, and SLATE is working with the other two on jobs. Granted, MSD looks for the programs to grow further, but both just became active in 2015 – there has to be reasonable time for results to be realized and time for adjustments to be implemented. More importantly, in working with community partners, MSD signed an agreement that stated MSD would work with these programs, give them time to adjust, and then evaluate MSD’s continued participation in 2017. This was an agreement several organizations agreed to, including the City NAACP – and Pruitt was its representative. Furthermore, Pruitt had a very, very strong voice in crafting details of the agreement. Pruitt is quoted as stating that Brian Hoelscher, MSD’s executive director, has been allowing MSD crews that are “non-diverse,” or all white males, “to be basically grandfathered in and skirt around the new [workforce] goals.” First, no one knew the racial or gender make-up of the crews. To contend MSD was making special exceptions for “white males” is contrived, false and inflammatory. Second, no crew was given special treatment. When the new workforce goals were put in place, all existing construction contractor crews with full-time employees were allowed to temporarily retain their race and gender composition. The reason was safety. A typical crew has five people. To immediately replace three crew members to meet the new workforce goal was

(https://studentaid.ed.gov/ sa/) forgiven, cancelled or discharged (eliminated) in bankruptcy if you can’t pay. Paying late can also hurt your credit score. Action Plan: Seek qualified financial advice that specifically addresses the type of student debt you have and resolve to pay bills on time. 10. Your accounts are disorganized. It’s difficult to reach important financial goals when you really can’t track your finances. Action plan: Get some advice from a trusted friend or a qualified financial

not safe, let alone practical from a business perspective. However, we did establish, as crews were expanded or replaced, that workforce diversity goals had to be met. MSD’s experience was that most contractors started to diversify crews. We determined by December 2014, the time was quickly approaching when all contractor crews – new or existing – should comply with workforce goals. In January 2015, MSD management reported to its board that changes for the contractor crews would be made. The change went into effect on August 1, 2015. Again, our community partners – including Pruitt – have been kept up-to-date on these

n Are these the numbers of an organization giving special treatment to white males? decisions, the logic informing these decisions and the timing of changes. Pruitt’s statements could lead a reader to believe MSD is not serious about workforce diversity. On construction projects, workforce goals for projects over $500,000 are 30 percent minority and 7 percent female. To date, a growing number of projects have minority and female workforce participation that meets or exceeds goals. (In fact, one project has over 40 percent minority and female workers.) Additionally, for professional service contracts that have current workforce goals, prime contractor diversity is 20.3 percent minority and 32.6 percent female. Compare this to professional service goals of 18 percent minority and 32 percent female. Are these the numbers of an organization

professional about how to best organize your accounts and whether online account management may be right for you. Bottom line: Reducing your financial stress is a healthy decision. Review your money habits and get qualified help if necessary to lessen this burden. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter. com/PracticalMoney.

giving special treatment to white males? The last example to be examined – of several that remain – is Pruitt’s quote of Hoelscher from a June 16 letter, where Hoelscher supposedly wrote to Pruitt: “Everyone seemed to be on the same page, even the unions who were initially opposed to the NAACP’s inclusion efforts.” This quote does not exist in the June 16 letter or any other written communication we have on file. Furthermore, as part of the stakeholder process we have been in engaged in for over four years now, we have not witnessed the unions acting as obstructionists. Rather, we have observed them to be supportive and collaborative in the development of MSD’s diversity program. To paraphrase a popular quote, Pruitt is certainly entitled to his opinions. However, he is not entitled to his own set of facts – and the facts do not support Mr. Pruitt. As MSD was briefly quoted as stating in The American: If Pruitt believes he needs to take his allegations to others for closer examination – including any federal, state, or local agencies – we invite him to do so. Why? Because we know his statements will not hold up to fact-based scrutiny by independent parties. While MSD will always strive to improve on its commitment to diversity, we will not allow others to mischaracterize or make false statements about that commitment. Nor will we allow others to take away from the progress we have already achieved on behalf of our St. Louis community. Lance LeComb is manager of Public Information and spokesperson for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD).

n “I hope he retires. This should be like a farewell tour.” – Charles Barkley, speaking about Los Angeles Lakers aging star Kobe Bryant

Sports

INSIDE

Michael Sam says goodbye as MLB prospect comes out ~ See ‘SportsEye’ page B4 ~

AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

Rams Roundup With Palmer L. Alexander III

Dejavu as Rams fall to Raiders Similar mistakes continue to haunt St. Louis

Harry Ballard (McCluer North): A 6’2” 190-pound senior wide receiver who is one of the most dynamic performers in the state of Missouri. A state champion

The St. Louis Rams opened their preseason schedule with a road game against the Oakland Raiders. The Rams lost the game 18-3. I’m fully aware this is still the preseason; however, there were a few things that I saw in the game that had me checking the calendar too see if it was Groundhog Day. It wouldn’t be a Rams game without dropped passes, penalties, and veteran offensive lineman Rodger Saffold leaving the field with an injury. The Rams had more penalties than points. Almost more penalty yards than rushPalmer L. ing yards 75/86, and did Alexander I mention Saffold leaving the field with an injury? One of the biggest concerns I have for the Rams is the offensive line. Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has his hands full with this young line. It’s almost as if he’s asked to play the role of former St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach czar Dave Duncan with all these projects. There were a couple of breakdowns on the offensive line involving Brandon Washington and Isaiah Battle that nearly got their quarterbacks airlifted to the nearest hospital. Backtracking to the Groundhog Day reference, these pre-snap offensive penalties remind me of a syndicated rerun. Even during the broadcast, former St. Louis Rams Marshall Faulk and Torry Holt mentioned offensive lineman Steven Baker, flinching at the line of scrimmage with little to no crowd noise at all to be a distraction. This is what has kept

See PREP, B5

See RAMS, B5

Senior running back Tre Bryant of CBC returns to lead one of the area’s most potent offensive units. Bryant scored 21 touchdowns in helping the Cadets to the Class 6 state championship. He has committed to Kansas State.

Top prep players to watch in 2015 Tre Bryant leads the defending Class 6 champion CBC Cadets

By Earl Austin Jr. Of the St. Louis American It is time for high school football once again in the St. Louis metro area. As we begin another exciting season this weekend, here are a few top players to watch in 2015. Lamar Anderson (CBC):

n Tre Bryant rushed for 1,072 yards and scored 21 touchdowns for Class 6 state champions. Committed to Kansas State. Talented senior who can excel at either running back or receiver. Had 56 receptions for 566 yards and seven touchdowns for Class 6

state champions. Jerod Alton (Kirkwood): Senior running back who rushed

for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns for Class 6 state semifinalists. Committed to Missouri.

In The Clutch With Ishmael H. Sistrunk

Lame duck or nah?

St. Louis fans are left in a state of limbo amidst relocation talk

Mid-August generally repChargers and the Los Angeles resents an exciting time for St. Raiders) was building steam Louis sports fans. As usual, and made the most sense. This the St. Louis Cardinals are in week, the script has changed. the thick of things in the MLB Benjamin Allbright, a radio playoff race. The Redbirds are talk show host in Denver, bona fide world title contendtweeted that the Rams in Los ers, favorites even, if Angeles were a “virtual they can keep more lock.” He also told The guys in the dugout than Ryan Kelley Morning on the disabled list. On After show that his the flip side, though the “inside sources” have Rams have not sniffed pegged the Rams probaplayoff action in well bility of leaving at 99.9 over a decade, football percent. Then again, is still the most popuAllbright’s sources told lar sport in the nation. him that the Denver Normally, excitement Ishmael H. Broncos were seeking to brews as the Rams host Sistrunk trade Peyton Manning open practices, scrimto the Houston Texans mages and preseason games to so that the Brock Osweiler era prepare for the upcoming seacould begin. So take his report son. There is generally a palatwith a grain of salt. able buzz about football – not Speaking of salt, many St. so much this time around. Louis Rams fans are probably This year is different. Due a tad bit salty at the sight of the to the seemingly never ending team practicing out in Oxnard, episode of “As the Stadium Ca. with the Dallas Cowboys. Turns,” many fans aren’t Los Angeles Rams fans were really sure how to feel. Every out in full force to show their week there’s a new, breaking support at the franchise’s story that handicaps the Rams potential return to Cali. Many prospects of relocation. Last have peered beyond the Royal week, the Carson project (joint Rumble that happened on the effort between the San Diego field (which the Rams clearly

n Benjamin Allbright, a radio talk show host in Denver, tweeted that the Rams in Los Angeles were a “virtual lock.”

Regardless of how the St. Louis Rams perform on the field, Rams fans will subconsciously wonder whether owner Stan Kroenke will pack up and ship out the franchise at the end of the season. won) and noticed Rams owner Stan Kroenke chumming it up in the owner’s box with

Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones. Bigfoot sightings are more common at Rams practices in

St. Louis than Kroenke sightings. Even though it’s common for NFL teams to spend time

practicing against other squads during the preseason, it’s certainly no coincidence that the Rams found their way to Cali amidst all the relocation talk. Jones is said to be one of Kroenke’s biggest supporters when it comes to jettisoning STL for LA. Conflicting reports will continue to pour in on a weekly basis until January, when the NFL owners are expected to make a decision on who stays and who goes. Until then, St. Louis fans are left in a state of limbo. There are a few reaSee CLUTCH, B5

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

SportsEye With Alvin Reid

Michael Sam says goodbye as black MLB prospect comes out

A few weeks back I wrote that it was time for Michael Sam to put up or shut up in regard to his opportunity with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. That’s the sound of silence you hear from north ofthe border. Citing mental health issues, Sam has stepped away from his reported $100,000 contract and, more importantly, his commitment to his team. “The last 12 months have been very difficult for me Alvin to the point where I’ve Reid been concerned with my mental health,” he announced via Twitter. “Because of this, I am going to step away from the game at this time. Twitter rhymes with quitter. That’s what Sam will also be remembered for – along with coming out last year before the NFL Draft. The former Mizzou standout and SEC co-defensive player of the year was drafted by the Rams and then cut. I thought he did enough to make the team. The Rams, and later the Cowboys, were right. I was wrong. He simply either wasn’t good enough and/or he was not willing to get better. Twelve plays. That is the extent of Sam’s professional football career. He didn’t make a tackle nor did he assist on one. Fresh off his stint on Dancing with the Stars, Sam showed up in

RAMS

Continued from B3 the Rams from being a legit playoff contender. It’s my

Montreal out of shape and with issues. He left the team for “personal reasons” shortly thereafter and his team should have jettisoned the young man immediately. The franchise allowed him to return a few weeks later and he entered a divided locker room. Some teammates might have bristled at his being gay, but the real problem was that his mind and his heart were not on playing football. He played in one CFL game. Now he’s gone. I am not making light of the challenge that he faced, first in society, then in the worlds of the NFL and CFL. There are players, coaches and fans that wanted Sam to fail solely because he is gay. That’s a fact. Reporter Vicki Hall wrote in a Canada.com column that a Twitter conversation involving You Can Play founder Patrick Burke included a CFL staffer saying she spent hours deleting “horrible comments” on the CFL Facebook page after Sam called it quits. You Can Play is an organization which “works to insure the safety and inclusion of all in sports - including LGBT athletes, coaches and fans.” A worthy cause but Burke somehow blames the media for Sam’s woes. “Media coverage of Michael Sam shows just how far society

number one concern. It’s the one of many things that hasn’t changed since Jeff Fisher has been head coach. And yes, this is the preseason. However, I’ve already seen this episode before.

Citing mental health issues, Michael Sam has stepped away from his reported $100,000 contract with the Montreal Alouettes. has to go not only on LGBT issues but on mental health issues,” he wrote on Twitter. He wrongly is accusing all media members of bias because he received an email from “a prominent Canadian sports reporter” that was “despicable, pathetic, revolting” and accused Sam of faking mental illness.

One idiot, who Burke doesn’t name for some unknown reason, does not represent the thousands of journalists that gave Sam a fair shake and are now disappointed that he has given up. On the same weekend that Sam left his team and dreams behind, Milwaukee Brewers

prospect David Denson announced he is gay. He is also African American. History is now recording him as the first openly gay player on a team affiliated with a Major League Baseball franchise. Denson said a teammate jokingly dropped the F-word

Now there were plenty of positives, starting with zero turnovers. And the Rams opening drive was highlighted by a beautifully designed play and QB Nick Foles completed a 26-yard pass to a wide open

tight end Lance Kendricks. He then hit wideout Tavon Austin on a screen and he had a sizzling 35-yard run after catch that reminded us why the Rams moved up in the 2013 draft to snag him. The Rams only managed three points out of that opening drive. Nick Foles took a shot at the end zone but Jared Cook couldn’t come down with the pass, even though he had both hands on it. Foles left the game unscathed and even though he only attempted five

passes, he looked the part of a starting signal-caller, and now we can see why the Rams made it their business to sign him to an extension. I really liked what I saw with rookie QB Sean Mannion in mop-up duty in the fourth quarter of the game. He showcased his arm and he displayed some presence. Let’s see how he progresses during the exhibition season. One of the best plays of the game came from the defense. Cornerback

derogatory term for gay men on him. Denson said he replied “Be careful what you say. You never know.” “Talking with my teammates, they gave me the confidence I needed, coming out to them,” Denson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “They said, ‘You’re still our teammate. You’re still our brother. We kind of had an idea, but your sexuality has nothing to do with your ability. You’re still a ballplayer at the end of the day. We don’t treat you any different. We’ve got your back.’” Like Sam, Denson has promise. He hit a home run and was named MVP of the Pioneer League All-Star Game on August 4. In 68 games as of Monday the first baseman was hitting .227 with five home runs and 26 RBI. He had also struck out an alarming 72 times compared to just 33 walks. He might not ever get a shot in the Majors, but his being gay doesn’t seem to be causing mental anguish as he plays minor league baseball “The outcome (of coming out to the team) was amazing. It was nice to know my teammates see me for who I am, not my sexuality,” he said. As for Sam, he closed his Twitter announcement by writing “I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon.” On what field? In what sport? Michael Sam’s professional football career is most likely over. I see a reality show in his future, don’t you?

Trumaine Johnson made a better than average play intercepting a David Carr pass in the red zone. Johnson told me a couple of weeks ago that he makes up for his lack of speed with instinct, because he was recruited out of high school as a wide receiver. I think he has best instinct in the Rams secondary. He is the type of player who can play for your organization for 10-plus years. The Rams need to make him a priority after this season. The Rams move on to practice in Oxnard, California with the Dallas Cowboys. A lot is being made of the joint practice due to the current stadium melodrama. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has let it be known how he feels about his billionaire pal Stan Kroenke. After the Rams leave California, they play their next preseason game this Sunday on the road against the Tennessee Titans. For more Rams Roundup, please subscribe to youtube. com/stlamericanvideo. And you can also hear me M-F, 6-8 PM on The Charlie Tuna Show on Talk1380AM and on my weekly podcast with Arlington LaneII @NTHEZONE.

Where it’s APP! Get The St. Louis American FREE, any time, on your phone. View more than 100 local photos every week!

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

Area track stars shine at AAU Olympics Alton’s Lajarvia Brown wins two national championships

By Earl Austin Jr. Of the St. Louis American The St. Louis metro area was well represented at last weekend›s Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in Norfolk, Va. Athletes from the various St. Louis summer track and field clubs brought home 17 national championships and numerous other medals from last week›s Junior Olympics. Several record-setting performances were also accomplished during a hot week on the track. In the Young Women›s (17-18) division, Lajarvia Brown of the Ultimate Speed Academy was a national champion in the long jump and triple jump. A standout performer at Alton High, Brown posted marks of 19 feet 6 1/4 inches in the long jump and 39 feet 11 1/2 inches in the triple jump. Andrea Kuehnlein of the Jefferson County Jets was the national champion in the 400-meter hurdles in the Young Women›s Division in a winning time of 59.5 seconds. Brandon Miller of the Ultimate Speed Academy continued his dominance in his age group by winning national championships in the 800 and 1,500-meter runs in the Boys 13 division. Miller set national records in both events for the age group. For his performance, Miller earned the AAU Joel Farrell Award for Outstanding Performance. It was the third consecutive year that Miller won the award. The area›s other outstanding individual performer was Adrianna Toran of the Police Athletic League in the Girls 11 Division. Toran was a triple-winner in the shot put, discus and javelin. Her winning throws were 36-4 3/4 in the shot put, 76-5 in the discus and 82-4 in the javelin. Isaiah Williams of the Ultimate Speed Academy was the national champion in the Boys 14 Outdoor Pentathlon with a total of 3,243 points. Mason Brock (Unattached) won the javelin in the Boys 12 Division with a throw of 129 feet 4 inches. Larry Minner, Jr. of the Blues Track Club won the discus in the Boys 11 Division with a throw of 10811, which was a new national record in the age group. Another national champion in the throws was Charles IsomMcCall (PAL) in the Boys 9

PREP

Continued from B3 in the long jump in track and field. Jaylen Bohanan (Soldan): Senior defensive end whom had 27 quarterback sacks last season to lead the St. Louis metro area. Tre Bryant (CBC): Talented running back who rushed for 1,072 yards and scored 21 touchdowns for Class 6 state champions. Committed to Kansas State. Roderick Campbell (Chaminade): A four-year starter who is one of the top defensive backs in the state. Committed to Northwestern University.

CLUTCH Continued from B3

sons for legitimate optimism and excitement regarding the Rams. The team has a new quarterback in Nick Foles. The defense, already one of the best in the league, should be improved. Todd Gurley and Tre Mason are expected to present a potent 1-2 attack out the backfield. Potential exists for the Rams to be a decent team this upcoming season. However, all fans can think about is whether the team will follow the lead of the football Cardinals and catch the next

javelin with a throw of 90-10. Nia Lyles of the Blues Track Club won the championship in the shot put in the Girls 14 Division with a throw of 45-10. Aaliyah El-Muhamma of the St. Louis Express was a national champion in the triathlon in the Girls 10 division. Aniyah Brown (Blues Track Club) won the 100-meter dash in the Girls 9 Division. There were also three national champions in the All Sports Combine; all who competed for the Ultimate Speed Academy. Zachary Valentine was the winner in the Boys 13 Division, JaRiya Johnson finished first in the Girls 10 Division and Karlie Wooten was first in the Girls 11 Division. Here is the list of medalists from the AAU Junior Olympics Track and Field Competition Girls (8) Amali Simpson (Ultimate Speed Academy), fifth in turbo javelin Boys (8) Amare Hendricks (RC Striders), second in long jump Girls (9) Aniyah Brown (Blues Track Club), second in 200; Hannah Wallace (Blues Track Club), third in high jump, second in triathlon; Jada Bruce (Royal Knights) eighth in high jump; Ja’Riya Johnson (Ultimate Speed Academy) fifth in triathlon. Boys (9) Dejerrian Miller (Ultimate Speed Academy) eighth in 100, eighth in 200, seventh in long jump; Tyler Anderson (Ultimate Speed Academy) sixth in 1,500; Khalil Peterson (Ultimate Speed Academy) second in high jump; Evan Norwood (Ultimate Speed Academy) fifth in high jump, eighth in turbo javelin, fourth in 1,500meter racewalk; Kellen Snelson (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in triathlon; Caleb Nesbitt (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in 1,500-meter racewalk

Dyllan Conway (Westminster): All-State receiver who had 946 yards and seven touchdowns for Class 4 state quarterfinalists. Daylen Edwards (Ladue): Senior running back who rushed for 1,320 yards and scored 18 touchdowns for Class 5 state semifinalists. Kaleb Eleby (Pattonville): Sophomore quarterback who burst on the scene as a freshman with 2,239 yards passing and 18 touchdowns. A.J. Epenesa (Edwardsville): Talented junior defensive end who is ranked among the best in the country in his class. A starter since his freshman year.

Alton High senior Lajarvia Brown of the Ultimate Speed Academy won two national championships in the long jump and triple jump at the recent Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics track and field competition in Norfolk, VA.

Girls (10) Sydney Burdine (Herbert Hoover), third in 400, fourth in 800; Aaliyah El-Muhamma (St. Louis Express), second in high jump; Mikalah Buckley (Ultimate Speed Academy), sixth in 1,500-meter racewalk. Boys (10) Ryan Gladney (U City Xplosion) seventh in javelin; Sherod Tate (PAL) eighth in discus Girls (11) Amani Jones (Blues Track Club) seventh in 400, second in 80-meter hurdles, fifth in outdoor pentathlon; Brooke Moore (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in 80-meter hurdles, eighth in long jump, third in triathlon; Maya Anderson, fourth in outdoor pentathlon Boys (11) Larry Minner Jr. (Blues Track Club) second in shot put; Sherodd Tate (PAL) eighth in discus; Akash Mallady (Ultimate Speed Academy) eightth in 3,000 Girls (12) Desire Poole (East St. Louis) fourth in discus, seventh in shot put, eighth in javelin; East St. Louis Community AC, sixth in 4x100;

returns after recording 66 tackles and 12 quarterback sacks as a sophomore. Tionne Harris (Vianney): Talented sophomore quarterback who rushed for 1,198 yards and passed for 1,364 yards as a freshman. Dirion Hutchins (Francis Howell): A 6’2” 215-pound senior defensive end who returns for talented Howell defense that advanced to the Class 6 state semifinals last season. Headed to Bowling Green. Kentrail Moran (O’Fallon): A four-year starter at tailback for the Panthers who has already committed to the University of Illinois.

Jabriel Green (Jennings): Junior defensive lineman who

Brendan Scales (Lafayette): Outstanding

plane, train or automobile and head west. While I’m a big fan of NFL football in St. Louis and am hopeful the Rams will stay, the incessant uncertainty around the situation has turned me apathetic. It feels like St. Louis is begging, pleading and fighting to keep a team that has its eyes on another boo. I believe that apathy is by design. Rams ownership has neither said nor done anything to display any level of commitment to St. Louis. Now, as fans tire of the tug a war, less seats will be filled. Less jerseys will be sold. Less beer will be chugged in the Dome. Ownership can then continue to argue to the NFL

that there’s just not enough fan support in St. Louis. Attendance numbers would be much different if the Rams had a visible and accessible owner, who was committed to winning and the community. Can you imagine if the Rams had an owner such as Jones, Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Dan Snyder of the Washington Redskins? Fans would rally around the franchise like none other. Just think about it, if St. Louis is fighting this hard for a team that doesn’t want to be here, how hard would we fight for one that does? There’s a natural allegiance

St. Louis Heat, seventh in 4x100, sixth in 4x400; Blues Track Club, fifth in 4x400; Ulitimate Speed Academy, eighth in 4x800 Boys (12) Jakailin Johnson (Blues Track Club) fifth in 400; George Blanco (PAL) second in 1,500, second in 3,000; Brody Hudson (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in 3,000; Myles Norwood (Ultimate Speed Academy) eighth in 80-meter hurdles, second in outdoor pentathlon; Corey Hunn, Jr. (St. Louis Storm) eighth in shot put, sixth in javelin, Malcolm Harvey (unattached) fourth in javelin; Raymond Casseus (Mustangs) sixth in 1,500meter racewalk; Akash Mallady (Ultimate Wpeed Academy) eighth in 3,000; Blues Track Club, fifth in 4x400 Girls (13) Alicia Burnett (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in 100, third in 200, sixth in 400; Elyse Marshall (St. Louis Heat), fourth in triple jump; Samaya Peterson (Ultimate Speed Academy), seventh in triple jump. Boys (13)

6’4” 240-pound tight end who excels everywhere in the Lancers’ offense. Committed to Alabama. Trevour Simms (East St. Louis): A 6’5” 290-pound offensive lineman who will anchor the Flyers line play in what should be an explosive offensive attack. Committed to Illinois. Jordan Siegel (Affton): Senior running back who rushed for 1,435 yards and 26 touchdowns for Class 4 state quarterfinalists. Jeff Thomas (East St. Louis): One of the top junior receivers in the country. Had 57 receptions for 1,143 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore. Jordan Wilkes

that is built up after 20 years. For those who remember the days of the Greatest Show on Turf, each preseason there’s subconscious hope that the team can turn from bad to good overnight. There’s hope that the next Kurt Warner, Issac Bruce or Torry Holt is hiding somewhere on the Rams’ roster. Even if the Rams take the next step this season and field an exciting, winning team, people will be left wondering about the future. St. Louis football fans are in for a long, weird season. Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

Keshon Campbell (Ultimate Speed Academy) eighth in 100-meter hurdles, sixth in outdoor pentathlon; Cameron Clay (Blues Track Club) eighth in 200-meter hurdles, seventh in outdoor pentathlon; Jordan Fulton (Blues Track Club) eighth in high jump; Eathan Hudson (Ultimate Speed Academy) second in 3000-meter racewalk; Dajavion Mitchell (Mustangs) third in 3000 meter racewalk; Justin McBride (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in All Sports Combine Girls (14) Anna Heacock (Jefferson County Jets), fourth in high jump; Evie Marshall (St. Louis Heat) third in pole vault; McKinlee Morris (Blues Track Club) sixth in shot put; Adrianna Minner (Blues Track Club) seventh in shot put, fifth in discus; Nia Lyles (Blues Track Club), third in discus; Kaila Poole (East St. Louis), sixth in discus; Zuri Reid (Ultimate Speed Academy) second in All Sports Combine; Teaia Jackson (Blues Track Club), eighth in discus; Blues Track Club, fourth in 4x100 Boys (14) Lazarus Williams (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in 800, third in 1,500; Jalani Williams (Blues Track Club) fifth in 200-meter hurdles; third in high jump; Isaiah Williams (Ultimate Speed Academy) fourth in triple jump; Amari Brooks (Unattached) third in shot put, fifth in discus, seventh in javelin; Ultimate Speed Academy, third in 4x400, second in 4x800; Blues Track Club, seventh in 4x800; Zachary Valenine (Ultimate Speed Academy) seventh in outdoor pentathlon; Jefferson Bashur (Ultimate Speed Academy)

(Pattonville): Excellent twoway performer who had 72 tackles and eight sacks while being an impact player at receiver on offense. Keenan Young (Althoff): A four-year starter at receiver for the Crusaders. Had 56 receptions for 651 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Top Games This Week Jefferson City at McCluer North, Friday, 7 p.m. Lafayette at Eureka, Friday, 7 p.m. Francis Howell at Webster

fourth in 3,000 Girls (15-16) Jasmin Pointer (Ultimate Speed Academy) eighth in triple jump; Jazzmine Poole (East St. Louis), second in discus; Bria Savoy (Ultimate Speed Academy) third in 3,000-meter racewalk; Lauren Brinkley (RC Striders), fourth in 3,000-meter racewalk; Ultimate Speed Academy, third in 4x100 Boys (15-16) Derrick Boyceiii (U City Xplosion) sixth in decathlon; East St. Louis Greyhounds, seventh in 4x400, second in 4x800 Young Women (17-18) Maya Cody (Blues Track Club), fifth in 100, third in 200; Ja’Ianna Williams (Blues Track Club), second in 800; Jasmine Barge (Blues Track Club) fourth in 100-meter high hurdles, third in 400-meter hurdles; Alicia Moellering (Ultimate Speed Academy), fifth in high jump; Leslie Brooks (U City Xplosion) sixth in triple jump; Lailah Elliott (St. Louis Express) eighth in triple jump Young Men (17-18) Roosevelt Davis (East St. Louis) eighth in 400; William Bahan (St. Louis Express) fifth in 3,000; Clinton Heffner (St. Louis Express) eighth in 3,000; Tahj Gayfield (Blues Track Club) sixth in 400-meter hurdles; Anttonyo Harris (Blues Track Club) fourth in long jump; Ryan Scott (Blues Track Club) sixth in triple jump; Jerrick Powell (Ultimate Speed Academy) sixth in javelin, second in decathlon; Quinlin Preston (Lebanon, IL), sixth in decathlon

Groves, Friday, 7 p.m. Hillsboro at SLUH, Friday, 7 p.m. Westminster at Festus, Friday, 7 p.m. Hazelwood Central at DeSmet, Friday, 7 p.m. Lindbergh at Kirkwood, Friday, 7 p.m. John Burroughs at Cardinal Ritter, Friday, 7 p.m. Fort Zumwalt North at St. Charles West, Friday, 7 p.m. CBC vs. Columbia Hickman at Mizzou, Saturday, 3 p.m.

STEM

continued from page B1 students to STEM fields and entrepreneurship. At the national level, NSBE started a campaign called “2025.” Its goal is to increase the number of African-American engineering graduates from 4,000 to 10,000 by the year 2025. We want to invite black professional engineers who are interested in giving back, helping us achieve parity and exponential growth in the STEM fields to become involved in recruitment and retention efforts in St. Louis. Sadly, 95 percent of NSBE’s STEM graduates receive jobs away from the area. We were pleased to have an opportunity to collaborate with The St. Louis American to feature six NSBE engineers with ties to the St. Louis region in the July 23-29 Diversity insert. If you missed these articles, look in the online archives for “From Kinloch to nuclear submarine commander,” about U.S. Navy Captain Richard R. Bryant; “Encourage minority students to pursue STEM,” about Marcus A. Huggans; “Expose your children to STEM,” about Jeremi London; “Where engineering meets art - and cooking,” about Marcus Foston; “General Mills manager credits NSBE for success,” about Alexandria Merritt; and “Engineer advises students: Take care of business,” about Jessica Ray. As you can see from these articles highlighting the achievements of engineers, NSBE has a family feel; we work together to help each other succeed. Membership is open to all STEM-focused individuals. Our members consists of people from all religious faiths and racial groups, and we are proud of our growing number of women; however, people of African descent make up the largest segment of our membership. NSBE wants to show the community that STEM

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

degrees are achievable with hard work and perseverance. An underlining message is the importance of finding mentors, networking, setting high standards and giving back to the community. Volunteers run the local chapter, and giving back is a key part of personal development. Members learn to give back to the community with time and money as they move through their life goals an expression of love to the young people in the program. We are very proud of our young people and honored that our local chapter of junior engineers – St. Louis Metro Gateway NSBE Jr. – was named chapter of the year for stressing the importance of working hard in high school and college, so they will be able to give back to the community in light of the Michael Brown Jr. incident. These students meet every third Saturday to participate

n NSBE has a family feel; we work together to help each other succeed. in NSBE Pre-College Initiative activities at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, which is located at 3400 Pershall Rd. in Ferguson. NSBE professional members mentor underrepresented students in order to prepare them to successfully matriculate through college and ultimately join the science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM workforce. There are currently 120 area 6-12th graders who receive pre-engineering training at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley every third Saturday. The PCI program is funded by two international companies headquartered in Germany, student dues and annual Scholars Receptions. NSBE also trains parents about the importance of preparing youth for STEM careers through special

seminars. Our message to parents, grandparents and supporters of the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs is that first grade is a great place to begin exposing children to a STEM program, but it is never too late to start. In 2015-16 and beyond, NSBE hopes to increase our monthly pre-engineering numbers from 120 to 150 students. We are also exploring the idea of starting chapters at area schools. We hope to facilitate and advocate for the implementation of internship and apprenticeship programs for high school students. NSBE will appeal to local leaders to develop and fund these programs. We aim to launch the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids program, which is a free, three-week program developed and sponsored by NSBE. The SEEK program is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals dedicated to pursuing professional excellence and giving back to the community. NSBE’s goal is to provide slots for 500 students at 10 locations in the St. Louis region. We also advocate for building a youth STEM technology center at the Florissant Valley community college campus. Florissant Valley is a perfect location to provide area students with STEM classes that they cannot receive at their schools. Classes would include physics, advance math, computer programming, computer-aided design, engineering design, art and music. For information about how you or your child can get involved in NSBE, visit nsbestl.org for local and nsbe.org for national information. You may also contact me directly at pci@nsbe-stl.org. Ron Moore is director of the Pre-College Initiative for the St. Louis Gateway chapter of National Society of Black Engineers

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C1 • ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

American Travels

Black girls travel too

Dancing full circle

Antonio and Kirven DouthitBoyd take helm of dance at COCA

Antonio Douthit – Boyd and Kirven Douthit-Boyd are joined by their fellow Ailey alum and St. Louis transplant Alicia Graf Mack at the reception that celebrated their first official day as co-directors of the dance program at COCA.

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American This week, Antonio Douthit-Boyd is taking the first steps in a full-circle journey as he assumes the role of co-director of the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) dance department. He’s probably danced 10,000 miles since being scooped up by COCA as a 16-yearold with an undeniable natural talent for

Photo by Wiley Price

movement. Blessed with a storied performance career that culminated last summer as a principal dancer for the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Douthit-Boyd has remained a

constant presence at COCA – and a poster child for what’s possible when a village rallies around the gifts of its young people nurtures them See DANCE, C4

My European summer vacation By Tiffany Shawn For the St. Louis American I recently returned from a weeklong excursion to France and Italy. My cousin is on her way to grad school and wanted to take one big trip before starting her new journey. Summer break, plus a travel fund made me the perfect candidate for last minute trips across the globe! My cousin did most of the legwork in the beginning, deciding where she wanted to go and the route that should be taken. When I stepped in to assist, we began looking for places to stay through TripAdvisor (mainly for hotels) and Airbnb for residential homes. This in itself was not an easy task because there are many things to consider: • Is there Wi-Fi? • If it is on the seventh floor, is there an elevator? • Is it near any of the attractions that are worth seeing in the city? • Is there air conditioning? And trust me, that last one became very important as we were in a heat wave the entire time. Needless to say, the summer nights without air-conditioning were not the easiest. We started our trip in Paris and hit the ground running. We stayed in Paris, France for two days. Lots of site seeing and eating – that was the theme of the week. Neither of us had an interest in spending a lot of unnecessary money. Seeing as much of the city as we could was the goal. We were able to travel their subway system everywhere we went and traveled between the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th, See TRAVEL, C4

• Only Online • District Rhythms concert returns to Ballpark Village with Blackstreet

F. Gary Gray delivers fitting biopic with ‘Straight Outta Compton’ By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American A project more than 10 years in the making, the N.W.A. biopic, “Straight Outta Compton” headed to the big screen this weekend. The film proved to be an instant fan favorite, earning a record August opening for a rated R film with $60 million. For the most part, the movie manages to live up to the heavy hype and anticipation. The F. Gary Gray directed film offers the full spectrum of experiences from the group that would forever change the face of rap with their gritty tales of urban decay – giving a formidable platform and legitimacy to West Coast hip-hop in the process. The opening scene of “Straight Outta Compton” hits like a sledgehammer as audiences

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are introduced to the dangers of street life in Compton, California – the city that N.W.A. would put on the map as the Mecca of gangsta rap. Ironically, chronicling those very experiences through rap would provide Eric “Eazy E” Wright, Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, O’Shea “Ice

Ferguson rocked Genre-bending fusion concert sets movement to music By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

The second installment of the District Rhythms summer concert series brings Blackstreet with special guest Nikko Smith to the FOX Sports Midwest Live! stage at Ballpark Village this Sunday (Aug.23).

n Fans are taken on a wild ride from the origins of Ruthless Records by Eazy E to the introduction of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label.

Former Rage Against The Machine leader and current Bruce Springsteen sideman Tom Morello was the draw for the “Ferguson Rocks” concert jointly organized by rapper/activist Talib Kweli and leaders from the frontline of the Ferguson uprising Saturday, August 8 at the Ready Room. But those who came through saw genrebending fusion that merged hip-hop, rock, reggae and poetry that sang of revolution.

Nationally renowned poet Jessica Care Moore served as mistress of ceremonies for the show that began with a performance by local hip-hop rock band Blank Generation. Rapper and Baltimore native Son of Nun spoke to the struggles of his community in the wake of Freddie Gray’s death in compelling lyrics that connected the dots with Ferguson in “Fire Next Time.” But the rock portion of the show truly began with Detroit native Steffanie Christi’an. She could have been mistaken for an R&B songstress as she stepped to the stage, but the See ROCK, C4 Former Rage Against The Machine leader and current Bruce Springsteen sideman Tom Morello played the Ready Room on Saturday, August 8 as part of the “Ferguson Rocks” conceart.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Cube” Jackson, Lorenzo “MC Ren” Patterson and Antoine “DJ Yella” Carraby an escape from the hood. Dr. Dre and Eazy E are the focal points of the film, named after the group’s double-platinum sophomore album – with some special attention given to Ice Cube. Fans are taken on a wild ride from the origins of Ruthless Records by Eazy E to the introduction of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label. The group’s disintegration (beginning with the departure of Ice Cube), the Ruthless collapse and the emergence of Death Row are also explored. And as much as “Straight Outta Compton” gives insight on the journey of N.W.A., the film attempts to offer perspective on their frustrations See COMPTON, C4

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015 Diffenbaugh blends gorgeous prose with compelling themes of motherhood, undocumented immigration, and the American Dream in a powerful and prescient story about family. Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl. org.

C3 The Fox Theatre welcomes Johnny Mathis. See CONCERTS for details.

Sat., Aug. 22, 6 p.m., Miracles Entertainment presents How Can I Find A Good Woman. A romantic comedy, drama for the whole family. A lovecraved husband goes over and beyond to win the affection of his spoiled, selfish wife only to be rejected by her repeatedly. He eventually finds love where he never thought he would. Written, directed and produced by Donald Gill. Florissant Civic Center, 1 James J. Eagan Dr., 63033. For more information, call (314) 921-5678 or visit www. florissantmo.com/theatre.

arts August 20 at 11 a.m. and August 21 at 6 pm. Nichole Bridges, The St. Louis Art Museum’s associate curator of the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, will talk about related works on view in a gallery talk entitled Senufo and Beyond in the Permanent Collection. Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive in Forest Park. For more information about the exhibit or related programming, call 314.721.0072 or visit slam.org. Through Aug. 23, The Botanical Gardens hosts Lantern festival: Magic Reimagined. The Garden plays host to an international exhibition of 22-lighted works of art from Zigong, China. The Garden has commissioned sets crafted from silk and steel

spiritual Through August 21, 7 p.m., Mt. Beulah M.B. Church hosts Back to School Revival. 7823 Racine Dr., 63133. For more information, call (314) 725-3136 or (314) 327-9966.

theatre

Sun., Aug. 30, 4 p.m., Gordon’s Entertainment presents 6th Jazz Heaven Series “St. Louis Legends”. We will pay tribute to those who have graced and entertained us on St. Louis stages with songs, musical compositions, dance and poetry. Our wonderful cast includes the Legendary Jeanne Trevor, Linda Kennedy, Joe Mancuso, Deborah Sharn, Uvee Hayes, Tish Haynes Keys, J. Samuel Davis, Wendy L. Gordon, Mary Dyson and special guests. Come out and take a stroll down memory lane. Let us take you back in time when the words of the songs had meaning, rhythm and rhyme. Florissant Civic Center, 1 James J. Eagan Dr., 63033. For more information, call (314) 838-9198 or visit www.florissantmo.com/theatre.

disease. Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 8010446 or visit www.alz.org/stl/ walk.

Sat., Aug. 22, 11 a.m., Mt. Beulah M.B. Church hosts Back To School Community Fair and Mt. Beulah Christian Academy Open House. Come out and fellowship as we have a good time before our young go back to school. 7823 Racine Dr., 63133. For more information, call (314) 727-1202 or visit www.mbchurchstl.com.

to offer visitors from around the world the opportunity to see an event rarely staged outside of Asia. Each set will include interpretation detailing the design’s tradition, symbolism and meaning. 4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

media: ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, jewelry, printmaking, digital art, glass, mixed media, fiber, sculpture, wood and more. Greensfelder Recreation Center, located on 550 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO. For more information, visit http://www. artfairatqueenypark.com

Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 29 at 12 p.m., 2015 AltArt Fair. We seek to showcase works of art that fall under the ‘outsider art’ umbrella. This includes folk, intuitive, visionary and self-taught art. ‘Non-mainstream art’ offers a visual poetry that presents a very ‘inside’ human perspective. We are pleased to announce that the Intuit Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago will be participating in this year’s event. Other participating galleries include local Panorama Folk Art Gallery, The Funhouse Gallery, the Outsider Art Gallery of Frenchtown, NJ, and works from the Trenton Community A-TEAM, an arts cooperative supporting adults frequenting the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. There will also be many other individual artists and galleries falling in the ‘non-mainstream’ categories. Koken Art Factory, 2500 Ohio Ave., 63122. For more information, call (314) 255-4038 or visit www.altart. us.

Sept. 5, 4 p.m., Join Pulitzer Arts Foundation for a musical performance by California-based sound and social practice artist Chris Kallmyer, LA-based violinist Andrew Tholl, and leaders of the St. Louis creative community. The performance is a culmination of a two-week residency at the Pulitzer in which Kallmyer worked with local artists to craft earthenware instruments made from Mississippi River clay and develop an original group performance piece for chimes, a violin, and a guitar. For more information, visit http://pulitzerarts.org/ program/commonfield-clayperformance

Sept. 4-6, Labor Day Weekend Art Fair at Queeny Park The Greater St. Louis Art Association (GSLAA) presents the Labor Day Weekend Art Fair at Queeny Park. The show features more than 130 juried artists from around the St. Louis region and 20 or more states, representing the following

lectures/ workshops Aug. 25, 6:45 p.m., Make a Bigger Difference: Environmental Action for Your Life, Your Community and Your House of Worship, Hear keynote speaker, Don Corrigan, Professor of Environmental Journalis and Global Communication at Webster University and author of “Environmental Missouri” speak on why climate change affects us all. Then attend a break out session: sessions include “Greening Your

House of Worship” and “Greening Your Life and Community.” Free and open to all, but RSVPs required at http://bit.ly/082515 Aug. 27, Meet in the lobby of the Gateway Arch for a free, ranger-led astronomy lesson. Pending clear skies, there will be a telescope viewing led by the St. Louis Astronomical Society. Call 314-655-1750, ext. 472 to check weather conditions the afternoon of the program. For more information, visit http:// gatewayarch.com. Sept. 2, 8:30 a.m., COCAbiz will host SPARK, a business creativity conference, featuring keynote presenter John Maeda and a mix of hands-on arts activities paired with business strategy. A morning address from corporate change agent Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, will be followed by bizLABS focused on improving leadership, collaboration and communication. COCA, 524 Trinity. For more information, visit cocabiz.com/sparkconference

health Wed., Aug. 26, 10 a.m., Something for Everyone Resource Fair. Meet the experts at this free event. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Department experts will be available for immediate

services and referrals for additional services. Representatives from CLAIM, the Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance Program, will be available for Medicare and related health insurance needs including assistance with online applications. Also come out for blood pressure screenings, information on home weatherization services, legal advice, and much more. Monsanto Family YMCA, 5555 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 367-4646 x 231. Sept. 2, 10:30 a.m., Oasis presents a Dance Party, Get your groove on at a dance party where you’ll learn some simple dance moves. We’ll Zumba, Wobble, Cupid Shuffle and more! St. Louis Oasis. For more information or to register, call 314.862.4859, ext 24. Sat., Sept. 12, 9 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Participants will complete a one or three mile walk and will learn about Alzheimer’s disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment and support programs and services from the Alzheimer’s Association. Walk participants will also join in a meaningful tribute ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 5,500 people from the St. Louis area are expected at this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s

Sun., Aug. 23, 10 a.m. & 4 p.m., Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church 105th Church Anniversary “Remembering and Celebrating Our Past While Embracing Our Future.” Guest preacher Rev. Dr. William Watley. 11410 Old Halls Ferry Rd., 63033. For more information, call (314) 494-0279. Aug. 23- Sept. 6, 7 p.m., Solomon’s Temple Community Tent Revival, Solomon’s Temple Church, Bishop James E. Holloway Sr. - Founder and Pastor First Lady Sister Linda D. Holloway - Co-Pastor 5569 Page Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112. For more information, call (314) 361- 4466, (314) 3614460 or email: solomons@ i1.net Web Site: www. solomonstemplechurch.org Fri., Aug. 28, 7 p.m., McDonald’s presents The 2015 Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour feat. Dorinda Clark-Cole, Ricky Dillard, Tasha Page-Lockhart, and Dewayne Woods with host Lonnie Hunter and comedian Small Fire. This event is free. Greater Grace Church, 3690 Pershall Rd., 63135. For tickets, visit www.365black.com. Sat., Sept. 12, 10 a.m., Mt. Beulah M.B. Church Women’s Day Committee presents “Putting on the Ritz…A Business Affair”. Take advantage of this entrepreneurial workshop to showcase your business to prospective clients/customers. Registration is required. 7823 Racine Dr., 63133. For more information, call (314) 7271202 or visit www.mbchurchstl. com.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

DANCE

Just two months after their final bows with Ailey, Antonio and Kirven have assumed full-time roles as co-directors of COCA’s dance department.

Continued from C1 beyond their circumstances. “In COCA I found several mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles and people I never thought I would come across in my lifetime,” Antonio said. “People keep saying, ‘Welcome home, welcome home.’ But since the moment I left COCA, I’ve always been here. I’ve never spent a year away from COCA.” He has indeed been a constant presence, bringing some of the best dancers in the world with him to leading workshops and classes – including his husband, fellow Ailey alum Kirven DouthitBoyd. In January, it was announced that the couple would step away from the stage to assume the newly created roles at COCA. Just two months after their final bows with Ailey, Antonio and Kirven have assumed fulltime roles as co-directors of COCA’s dance department. They will manage all aspects of COCA’s Dance Department, including the renowned PreProfessional Dance Division, and two of COCA’s student

ROCK Continued from C1 moment her band began to play it was obvious she was anything but that. Christi’an is a black girl who rocks. She screamed at the top of her lungs while invading the personal space of those standing directly in front of the

Compton Continued from C1 with law enforcement – which felt especially timely in the wake of unrest and protests stemming from tragedies in Ferguson, Cleveland and Baltimore to name a few. With repeated scenes that display profiling and abuse at the hands of police, a true understanding of why the group said “[expletive] tha Police”

companies, COCA Dance and Ballet Eclectica. The two will also teach classes as part of COCA’s dance curriculum. On Monday, their first day was commemorated with a private reception and performance by the students they now lead full-time. “It is truly amazing that Antonio and Kirven are

choosing to retire at the peak of their careers in order to devote themselves to educating the next generation of dancers here at COCA,” said Kelly Pollock, Executive Director of COCA. “Plus, to have Antonio back home as a member of our staff, after watching him accomplish so much since his time at COCA as a student, makes it all

the more meaningful.” For Antonio, the move is fulfilling a promise he’s repeatedly made over the course of a storied career that saw him as a company member of Dance Theatre of Harlem and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal in addition to Ailey. Anyone who has ever had

a conversation with him about his future knows that paying his gifts forward by sharing them has always been a part of the plan. “I’m so grateful that COCA has given me a gift that I can now give back and share with others,” Antonio said. “I am thrilled to be coming to a place that elevates new talent and

stage. It was electrifying to watch as she played air guitar during solos and hopped around on stage the entire course of her set of songs from her soon-tobe-released debut album. She also spoke to the heart of the protesters in the building with her cover of Bob Marley’s “War,” with lyrics from a speech in the UN by the Ethiopian emperor Haile

Selassie. “Until the philosophy which holds one man superior and another inferior is totally and permanently discredited and abandoned,” Christi’an belted as the audience sang along to Marley’s anthem. “Until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes … everywhere is war.” In lieu of an intermission,

Moore delivered some of her poetry while backed by musicians. But she would demand complete silence as she recited work that reflected on Ferguson. “I can’t breathe because now I’m being forced to lie facedown in cement in Ferguson with an AR-15 drawn at my back,” Moore said. “A tall brown teenage boy is shaking in Rosa’s lap. A big girl stands

up anyway.” The poem tied Michael Brown Jr., Eric Garner and the unrest that has taken place around the country as a response to the deaths of people of color at the hands of police. “Who can push out fresh air anymore?” Moore recited. “The rich, the corporations? We should all be choking to death on Fox News and processed foods and white supremacy.”

Despite outward appearances, Band Outer National proved that they were anything but a run-of-the-mill rock band as their music issued a war cry against injustice. “Most of this song was written by us, but the chorus was written by Eric Garner,” front man Miles Solay said before he started singing “This Stops Today.”

seems almost as important a story to tell as the one surrounding group itself. The move to do so is understandable since they were labeled everything from inciters of violence to domestic terrorists because of the controversial song. Though “Straight Outta Compton” boasts Hollywood heavy hitters behind the scenes– including film subjects Dr. Dre and Ice Cube – the biggest name in front of the screen is character actor Paul Giamatti, who plays the group’s

manager Jerry Heller. The lack of star power actually is an advantage as it keeps the focus on the story and not the portrayals. The cast is comprised of up-and-coming actors with striking resemblances to the roles they assume – including Oshea Jackson Jr., the real-life son of Ice Cube. Jason E. Mitchell’s delivers the most impressive portrayal as Eazy E, giving a laid back and humorous edge to drug dealer-turned-music mogul. Some elements within

“Straight Outta Compton” seem to be rewritten in Dr. Dre’s favor, but the story still works. There are a few stones that remained unturned – most conspicuously the Eazy vs. Dre beef that birthed “Real Compton City Gs” and “Dre Day” and the matter of the East Coast vs. West Coast rap beef. With a film that stretches to two-and-a-half hours, perhaps attention to those details found their way on the cutting room floor. In one of the film’s few shortcomings, “Straight

Outta Compton” missed the opportunity for the group to reflect on – or react to – the rampant claims that their music promoted street violence. Some even deemed it a recruiting tool as the gangs rippled out of Compton and made their way across the country. Though the group was given far more credit than they deserve as far as influencing the already dangerous urban terrain that turned into an all-out war zone in the wake of the crack epidemic, feedback on that

burden – as well as response to the misogynistic content – would have catapulted the film even further beyond with respect to assumptions and expectations of hip-hop biopics. But the film completes the task of providing a solid backstory for N.W.A.’s pioneering legacy and their importance in the genre of rap music – and beyond. Straight Outta Compton is open in theatres nationwide. The film is rated R with a running time of 150 minutes.

TRAVEL

screenshot the list as well as the map view. However, I was still able to open that portion of the map while roaming the streets. The blue dot will move with you, your directions just won’t be given to you step-bystep.

Continued from C1

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inspires a love for dance in people of all ages.” As his partner in life and in work, Kirven is equally excited for what lies ahead. “I grew up dancing at a very similar organization, so I know the tremendous value of a place like COCA to a community,” said Kirven. “We’ve been watching COCA become a national model for community arts centers, especially in dance, and we’re ready to build upon that momentum to take St. Louis dance training to the next level.” Antonio beams at the thought of his new beginning. He exudes pure joy by simply speaking on guiding aspiring young artists and equipping them with the tools to become great dancers – and good people. “Coming back always inspires me,” Antonio said. “It is so exciting to me that I now have the opportunity to stay here and stay inspired – and inspire others.”

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9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements. My Fitbit tracked us at over 20k steps a day! Besides the Eiffel Tower, which I obviously loved a lot, we also enjoyed the following sites: • Luxembourg Garden • Petit Palais, an art museum that dates back to the early 1900s • The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, a museum complex • The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, also known as SacréCœur Basilica (a Roman Catholic Church) • The red light district and Moulin Rouge • Love Locks • Notre-Dame, a historic Catholic cathedral Now on to Nice, France: I loved Nice. I’m pretty easy to please – and between the daily gelato and the beach, I was in heaven. Not to mention our Airbnb abode had the absolute best view I’d seen in a while! After Paris and Nice, my cousin and I traveled to Italy. We wanted to go straight to Venice, but that would’ve made for a long train ride, so we stopped for one day in Milan. The colorful buildings and glass throughout the islands of Venice, Murano, and Burano were simply stunning. The boat ride between the three and lack of cold water was slight torture, but it made me appreciate air conditioning just that much more. We walked the streets of

TIP # 2 – Keep your phone as charged as possible and eat at restaurants that have Wi-Fi so you can plan accordingly. This way you can feel safe while out all day long. Yes, charged phones add to my ability to feel safe. And you can check in at restaurants to help increase your Yelp cred – what, it’s just me who cares? TIP # 3 – Invest in a great pair of noise-reducing headphones. The Bose around the ear blue tooth headphones, which can also be used with a wire when the battery dies, were great for canceling out the loud people on the trains.

Venice from morning until evening. I was sad to depart from my cousin as she traveled on to Rome, Greece and Santorini – which she says was the best part of her trip. AirBnB homes ran about $100 per night (divided by two) and a special on theflightdeal.com for $775 roundtrip to Paris out of Dallas. To get from St. Louis to Dallas, my cousin and I used our Southwest points and her A-List status, which comes with a companion pass. So that part of the trip was only $10 per person and a few thousand points! We purchased the train routes prior to leaving.

The cost depended on distance, but in total we paid about $400 to travel by train from Paris to Nice to Milan to Venice. Tiffany’s travel tips TIP #1 – Plan all your routes while you have the ability to use data at no cost or free Wi-Fi. Google maps will show you locations while off data and Wi-Fi but you have to load the maps before turning both options off. For example, if I knew which part of Paris we’d travel to, I’d go as far as to map the directions from our place to the location and

TIP #4 – Pack light! I didn’t plan to buy much because as I said before, the goal was to view amazing architecture and eat all the food…but traveling from city to city with large bags just wouldn’t have cut it. TIP #5 – Learn the most important words you think you’ll need before you are out and about without Google translator (which needs Wi-Fi or data to work). Words like restroom or your favorite foods – for me it was chicken and vegetables – and maybe even short phrases like “which direction is…” We were lucky in some restaurants because they either had Englishspeaking waitresses/waiters or they had American menus. TIP #6 – Never be afraid to put your passport to use – even if it means traveling

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 – 26, 2015

Celebrations Anniversaries

Birthdays

Joseph and Grace Boyd celebrated their 60th Anniversary on August 19. They have three children, 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grands and nine greatgreat-grands.

Happy 4th Birthday to Jason Julius Holman on August 19! We Love You! From your meemaw Robin Conners, mother Julia Brooks, and sister Julianna Brooks

Curtis and Vivian Brown Power celebrated 66 years of marriage on August 19. Their love kept them together all these years—what a blessing from God!

FREE OF CHARGE 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:

Robert and Joyce Theard married on August 18, 1984. I will always love you. Then, now and forever!

Curtis and Vivian Brown Power Happy 9th Birthday to our precious angel Jaida M. Armstrong on August 23. We love you! From your mom Jaime and grandmother Edwina Joseph and Grace Boyd

Robert and Joyce Theard

Reunions All reunion announcements can be viewed online! Beaumont High School Class of 1965 will celebrate their 50th Class Reunion on September 26, 2015 at the Royale Orleans, 2801 Telegraph. Dinner dance with open bar is $65/person. For additional information contact Geraldine Carter-Reid at 314868-8284 or bluejackets65@ gmail.com. Beaumont Alumni Class 1968 are having 48th Class Reunion Kickoff Luncheon & Meeting on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, 1-4 p.m. at Granite City Food & Brewery, 11411 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Beaumont Class of 1970

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

will be celebrating their 45th Class Reunion Saturday, October 24,2015, at Catering to You.12775 New Halls Ferry Rd,63033. For more info please contact: Oneita (Meeks) Murphy: (314) 322-4205, Chuck Campbell: (314) 5204581, Toni (Brady) Hopson: beaumontclassof1970@gmail. com, or see our Facebook page. Beaumont High School class of 1975 is in the planning process for its 40th year reunion! Reunion dates: August 14-16, 2015, contact: Gale (314) 838-8493 or Cynthia (314) 869-4049. 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. Normandy High School Class of 1975 40th year reunion weekend September 18–20 at Ameristar Casino.

For full details contact Lisa Garrett at 314-707-4673, Jay Buck at 636-346-9165, Virginia Ferguson Crosby at v_crosby2004@yahoo.com, Paul Jordan at 314-565-3452 and Gina Whitfield Pope at 314-348-6795 or Normandy High School Class of 1975 Facebook page. Northwest High School Class of 1973 has planned a 60th Birthday Bash for September 5, 2015 at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. The deadline for payment has been extended to 8/21/2015. If you have not received an email with the details, please email northwesths1973@ gmail.com or contact Cornelia Clark Stephens 314-580-1114. Old Neighborhood Reunion Incorporated 14th Annual Street Festival (Representing CassGarrison-Glasgow-HowardLeffingwell-MadisonSheridan-Jefferson-Elliott, The Huts, North Market

and Graduates of Curtis and Columbia Grade Schools). Saturday September 19, 2015, 12 pm—6 pm, 2700 Block of Howard Street (Between Leffingwell and Elliott Streets. Soldan High School Class of 1975 40th Reunion Celebration, September 11-13, 2015. Contact: Terese ColeMarshall, (314) 640-9611, Roslyn “Cookie” Williams (314) 616-4892, or AnnieSue Preston (314) 606-5618, email: Soldanclass75@gmail.com. St. Mark High School Classes of 72, 73, 74 and 75 are planning a joint reunion picnic on Saturday September 12, 2015 at Tilles Park. If you are or know someone from one of these classes, please have them contact: Anne Epplin Jesse at

thejesses@prodigy.net or Eldra Taylor at eldra.taylor@yahoo. com, (314) 570-1513. Soldan Class of 1961 is inviting all Soldan Alumni to join them the weekend of September 10-13, 2015 at the New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. For additional information please contact Willie Mullins at wjmull@yahoo.com or 1-510-530-8337 by March 15 for additional information. University City High School Class of ‘75 will be celebrating its 40th reunion the weekend of September 18. For more information register at: www.uchs75.myevent.com or email UCclassof75@outlook. 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

Religion

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 -26, 2015

Rev. Sekou ‘proud to serve’

‘It’s a new movement calling for a new world’

The Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, right, connected with VonDerrit Myers Sr. in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis on Saturday, August 8. Photo by Lawrence Bryant

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American The Rev. Osagyefo Sekou agrees wholeheartedly that Black Lives Matter is a new, diverse, national movement led by young African Americans, but it’s not a new civil rights movement. “This movement is not about integration into a morally bankrupt system,” Sekou told The American in an August 8 interview. “It’s a clarion cry for a new system, and it’s global – people all over the world have looked to this movement. It’s a new movement calling for a new world.” The movement started with the issue of disparate impact of police enforcement on African Americans, seen most violently in police killings of unarmed black people like Michael Brown Jr., but extending more insidiously to the racial profiling of motorists, pedestrians and shoppers. Ultimately, it’s embraced by the concept of white supremacy, which Black Lives Matter activists find subtly at work in all sectors of American society. “We’re not free, but we’re not enslaved,” Sekou said. “We see these lingering effects of white supremacy, where we are afforded different levels of freedom of movement.” “White supremacy” is a mindset, a theory of human ability and privilege. Sekou said the mindset can be attacked, piece by piece, through reforms.

“As we see reforms – of predatory municipal court structures, with police body cameras – we begin to articulate the possibility of a truly free and democratic society,” Sekou said. One reason to seek incremental change, he said, is made obvious by human compassion: because it alleviates suffering. “If a man is hungry, he will not seek shelter,” Sekou cited a proverb. “There is a hunger in people, so we bring reforms to help alleviate that hunger. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said you can’t change the heart of a racist, but you can restrain him. We seek reforms to restrain the most egregious behavior.” On a personal level, though subject to discrimination typical of a black man with long hair, Sekou has been free to move about the country. Like many of his peers in the multi-leader movement, he is in demand as a speaker and organizer. He also has moved back to St. Louis, where he attended high school. He left pastoral work in suburban Boston for a Bayard Rustin Fellowship with the Fellowship of Reconciliation.

“I am proud I went to high school here,” Sekou said. “Ferguson has become a touchstone, for my work – and the world.” His work here also includes co-teaching a course at Eden Theological Seminary with the Rev. Renita Lamkin, a fellow front-line Ferguson pastor. He said the course, on theological dimensions of the Black Lives Matter movement, has 20 students “and half of them are from way out in California.” Sekou offered some theology of the movement: “Reinhold Niebuhr said, ‘We are seeking a proximate solution to insoluble problems.’” The Black Lives Matter movement energizes him because of the human contact with young people. “This movement produced a new generation of leaders, and I am privileged to serve them,” Sekou said. “It is the gift of youth to be wholly impatient. Their wholly – holy – impatience is amplified by people speaking the language of gradualism, who just want to tinker with the status quo. Young people want a new reality.”

Sekou was asked, in all the reforms of police and court policy, does he see any evidence of change in police command, staff and conduct? Does he see any greater awareness of implicit bias or rethinking of blatantly militaristic approaches to policing? In the words of the young protestors, does he see any evidence they are going to “stop killing us?” “No,” Sekou said.

Community Tent Revival Solomon’s Temple Church will host a Community Tent Revival from August 23 through September 6, with services at 7 p.m. nightly. The church is located at 5569 Page Blvd. in St. Louis. Bishop James E. Holloway Sr. is founder and pastor, and Sister Linda D. Holloway is first lady and co-pastor. For information, call 314- 3614466 or 314-361- 4460, email solomons@i1.net or visit www. solomonstemplechurch.org

The Message

Getting personal

Let’s be real. How many people have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? How about a personal relationship with the Almighty or, perhaps a personal experience with the Holy Spirit? Many of us can acknowledge and understand personal in the secular realm. We can all attest to personal relationships with other people. They are at times wonderful, painful, even traumatic, but they are personal. Not only do deep, substantive personal relationships define us, they also can set a course for our lives long after they’re over. Your relationships to your mother, brother, spouse, lover or friend can, and do, leave lasting impressions, if not scars, that never leave us and have consequences for how we live and relate to others. It is how we deal with and recover from personal relationships that allow us to eventually become who we really are. You are an extremely blessed person if you are able to share life’s monumental moments with others. Most of us keep our most valued moments hidden in secret places to cherish as treasures or to despise alone. Isn’t it interesting that the road to enlightened salvation begins with a personal experience that many call “being saved” – being called, accepting Christ as their Lord Columnist and Savior? Having had that experience, I James can understand how that might be puzzling Washington to those who have not. How can you have a personal experience, how can you have a personal relationship with the invisible, with someone who has reportedly been dead for over two centuries? If you had a real relationship with someone who is now deceased or who is no longer in your life, then you can testify about the profound effect that person had on you as a human being. Even now, you respond to the knowledge of how that person might look upon certain behaviors. You know if that person would be proud of you or embarrassed for you. That’s reality. That’s personal and that’s how it is with God. By faith in Jesus Christ we begin this personal trip. You can’t have a personal relationship with anyone until you truly understand and then respond to where he or she is coming from. Only a fool would claim a personal relationship with a stranger. Only an idiot would submit themselves to the direction of someone they just met yesterday. How many times have you spent an ungodly amount of time with someone who turned out to be foreign to your spirit? We don’t know God because we seek Him not. We don’t know God because we haven’t studied Him, haven’t taken the time to get to know what He’s all about, haven’t shared, haven’t gotten personal. A personal relationship is not achieved by casual contact. It requires effort. It requires time, yours and God’s. He’s waiting for you.

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Career Center ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

•

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN C7

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

$29 $22.50/week

$19.50/week

PROBATION OFFICER ASSISTANT U.S. Probation Officer Assistant vacancy/ies, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/benefits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep.uscourts.gov. Vacancy Announcement 2015-06. Equal Opportunity Employer.

“JANITORIAL” Full, Part-Time positions, background check.Steady work history for 3-5 years, forklift or equipment operating experience preferred. MUST apply in person at 314 N. Jefferson at Olive. Monday - Friday 9A to 5P. Two forms of I.D.

ARMED AND UNARMED SECURITY GUARDS

City of Wentzville

MAINTENANCE WORKER I $12.95 per hour

At Least One Year Experience Required Bring Security License & Proper ID Full & Part-Time Apply in Person No Phone Calls 600 W. Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63136

Plus excellent benefits 636-639-2190 or

LICENSED HAIR STYLIST AND BARBER WANTED.

FIREFIGHTER/ PARAMEDIC

PROBATION CLERK

Great location and atmosphere. Call Glenn for an interview

HIRING/ELIGIBILITY LIST CITY OF BRENTWOOD More information and application materials available at: www.brentwoodmo.org EOE/AA

314-669-9174 PROBATION OFFICER U.S. Probation Officer vacancy/ies, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/ benefits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep.uscourts.gov. Vacancy Announcement 2015-10. Equal Opportunity Employer.

www.stlamerican.com PUBLIC SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Part-time The Missouri History Museum is seeking a part-time Public Service Representative. Bi-lingual candidate strongly desired. For full position details, please visit www.mohistory.org.

BILLING SUPERVISOR Thompson Coburn LLP currently has an exempt position available in our St. Louis office for a full time Billing Supervisor with two years of supervisory experience. Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred. The person selected for this position must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. For more details and to complete our online application, visit

www.thompsoncoburncareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Email your ads to

An Equal Opportunity Employer

PERMIT CLERK The City of Jennings is accepting applications for the position of permit clerk in the Building Department. Duties include serving customers in person and by phone, maintaining files, entering information into the computer and issuing permits. Good computer and customer service skills required, familiarity with building permits and zoning codes preferred. Hours of work are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Starting salary of $26,578.50 Applications available at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Ave., or online at www.cityofjennings.org. NO RESUMES ACCEPTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY CITY OF JENNINGS APPLICATION! Applications accepted through 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 2nd.

vmedina@stlamerican.com

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS Growing Property Management Company seeks 2 Maintenance Technicians to work in Hyde Park and Old North St. Louis neighborhoods. Desired skillsets: HVAC certification, plumbing, appliance repair, painting, plaster/drywall repair. Requirements: 2+ years exp, valid DL, reliable vehicle/insurance, cellphone. Company provides tools. Background check / drug screenings performed. Competitive wages based on skills and experience. Status: Full-time, salaried, non-exempt. Health Benefits at no cost for employee. Fax resume to: ATTN HR 314-771-7268. No phone calls.

www.wentzvillemo.org E.O.E.

U.S. Probation Clerk vacancy/ies, Eastern District of Missouri. Generous retirement/ benefits package. For additional information including how to apply, see our website at www.moep.uscourts.gov. Vacancy Announcement 2015-11. Equal Opportunity Employer.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT The Missouri History Museum is seeking a Senior Accountant. For full position details, please visit www.mohistory.org. An Equal Opportunity Employer

POLICE CHIEF The City of Moline Acres is accepting applications for Police Chief. Requirements: Minimum of 10 years law enforcement. Missouri POST certified, Salary is commencement with experience and education. Full benefits package. Resumes and applications should be submitted in by mail to Moline Acres 2449 Chambers Road, Moline Acres, Mo. 63136, Attn: City Clerk or in person at City Hall. Moline Acres is a progressive and diverse community.

www.stlamerican.com PAYROLL MANAGER Safety National is seeking a full-time Payroll Manager with at least 3 years of progressive payroll experience and a bachelor degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field. CPP or FPC certification is preferred. Ideal candidates will have a high degree of proficiency in computer skills, specifically payroll processing and time and attendance applications, HRIS, Microsoft Office Suite, including word processing, spreadsheet and database knowledge. For more details and instructions on how to apply, please visit our website at

www.safetynational.com Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Visit our website www.stlamerican.com Click Classifieds to find a great career & the perfect living space!

IMMEDIATE OPENING New City School Extended Day Program

Monday-Friday 3:15pm-6:00pm

Interviewing NOW! School year begins August 31 Start Date: Pending Background Check (full school year commitment) EXPERIENCE: Minimum 2 years recent continuous work with elementary school aged children in a formal group setting required no exceptions; work with other adults to PLAN activities and PLAY with children. Education majors encouraged. START PAY: $8.50/hr & up based on experience CONTACT: Tobie @ New City School for a 1st round telephone interview 314-361-2267.

LIBRARY YOUTH SERVICES SPECIALIST II The St. Louis County Library Headquarters is seeking applicants for a full-time Youth Services Specialist II at our Lewis & Clark Branch. Duties include planning, developing, and presenting programs for youth ages 0-17. Works cooperatively with Branch staff to plan and coordinate programs in an effort to support the Library’s mission to offer programs for children that promote reading and learning. Proficiency in Microsoft Office products desired. Valid drivers’ license required. Hours: 40 hours per week as scheduled. Educational requirements: BA/BS degree. Salary – $31,221, plus benefits. Apply online at www.slcl.org. Equal Opportunity Employer.

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN C8

Bids & Notices ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 9:00 a.m. on September 24th, 2015 to contract with a company for: Test Validation Study Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 6095 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

INVITATION FOR BIDS The City of Webster Groves is accepting sealed bids for “HVAC and Control System Upgrade at the City Hall Complex - Project 15PW02”, until 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 9th, 2015. Bid packages are available at planroom.drexeltech.com. A five (5) percent security in the form specified must accompany each bid. Questions and clarifications should be addressed to the City via email at verheyenp@webstergroves.org. The Contractor will have an opportunity to tour the facility and pose questions prior to submission of their respective bid. All rights reserved.

REQUEST FOR BIDS NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids for 2015 CRS Ultra-Thin Bonded Wearing Surface Area A, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1651, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on September 2, 2015. Plans and specifications will be available on August 17, 2015 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800. DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Sharon Ct. #9 Sanitary Sewer Replacement (IR) under Letting No. 12071-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: DEEP SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Baumgartner & Black Forest Sanitary Replacement Phase II under Letting No. 10407-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at a place designated.

SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Frostwood Park Streambank Stabilization under Letting No. 10362-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: NATURAL CHANNEL RESTORATION and BIO-RETENTION Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The MetropolitanSt. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Dacey Branch I/I Reduction (BP-313) (PIR) Storm Sewer under Letting No. 12448-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 03:00 PM on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Construction Management Services The Board of Trustees of the St. Louis County Library District (the “Library District”) requests the submission of proposals from qualified firms to provide Facilities Master Plan Construction Management Services for Phase 2 to the Board of Trustees as described in this Request for Proposals. The Proposal must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. C.T., on August 21, 2015, by: Steve Hunter, Manager of Construction & Facilities St. Louis County Library District 1640 South Lindbergh St. Louis, Missouri 63131 For more information please visit: http://www.slcl.org/bid-opportunities

INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed bids f or Project No. 1201 “Millar Park Field Renovation & Irrigation” will be received by the City of University City in the Administrative Services Department , 1st Floor, 6801 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130, until 10:00 A.M. CDT on Thursday, September 3, 2015. Bids should be clearly marked with the Project No. and Name listed above. Bid packages are available through Drexel Technologies eDistribution Plan Room web site http://planroom.drexeltech.com). Log on using your email address as your Username, and first initial followed by last name as your password. If you do not already have an account, setting one up is easy and free. Once you are logged in, click on Public Jobs and then scroll down to the St. Louis Plan Room for this City of University City project. The Scope of Work consists of turf restoration, irrigation, infield grading, and other miscellaneous items necessary to complete the project.

LETTING # 8589 BELLERIVE TO SISTER MARIE CHARLES (SMC) TRAIL CONNECTION Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CST, on _SEPTEMBER 15,2015, then publicly opened an read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPSOn Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made. A pre-bid conference for all contractors bidding on this project will be held on AUGUST 31, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 208 City Hall. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within andreferenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

Find a New Career on Page C7.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

QUALIFICATION STATEMENTS Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Missouri, is currently accepting qualification statements for architectural and engineering professional services for the Martin Hall Revitalization Project until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. For additional information, please contact the Office of Design and Construction, 309 Young Hall, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, (573) 681-5084 or by email at huffer@lincolnu.edu Sheila M. Gassner, Executive Director Facilities and Planning Lincoln University

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 9:00 a.m. on September 21st, 2015 to contract with a company for: Elevator Maintenance & Repair Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 6096 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

www.stlamerican.com

CITY OF ST. LOUIS BOARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR DESIGN OF VIDEO CAMERA SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, ST. LOUIS, MO. Statements of Qualifications due by 5:00 P.M., CT, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 at Board of Public Service, 1200 Market, Room 301 City Hall, St. Louis, MO 63103. RFQ may be obtained from website www.stl-bps.org, under On Line Plan Room, or call Board of Public Service at 314-622-3535. 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Selvidge Area I/I Reduction under Letting No. 11665-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Thursday, September 17, 2015, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1710 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed bids f or Project No. 1201B “Millar Park – Park and Playground Improvements” will be received by the City of University City in the Administrative Services Department , 1st Floor, 6801 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130, until 10:00 A.M. CDT on Thursday, September 3, 2015. Bids should be clearly marked with the Project No. and Name listed above. Bid packages are available through Drexel Technologies eDistribution Plan Room web site http://planroom.drexeltech.com). Log on using your email address as your Username, and first initial followed by last name as your password. If you do not already have an account, setting one up is easy and free. Once you are logged in, click on Public Jobs and then scroll down to the St. Louis Plan Room for this City of University City project. The Scope of Work consists of playground installation, sidewalks, site furnishings, backstop, landscape plantings, parking lot overlay, and other miscellaneous items necessary to complete the project.

LETTING# 8579 Install Twenty (20) Inch Liner in Sublette Main from Arsenal St. to Potomac St., State Revolving Fund Project This project is financed through the Missouri State Revolving Fund, established by the sale of Missouri Water Pollution Control bonds and federal Capitalization Grants to Missouri. Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. until 1:45 PM, CT, on September 15, 2015, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The City of St. Louis Department of Public Safety is seeking proposals from qualified third party Emergency Medical Service Billing Providers to conduct all billing activities associated with emergency medical services provided by the St. Louis Fire Department. To obtain a copy of the RFP, please visit https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/ procurement.cfm. The RFP will be listed under “Local Government Services.” Proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on September 15, 2015 to contract with a company for: FILTERS-LIGHT/MEDIUM/ HEAVY DUTY/OFF HIGHWAY EQUIMENT/ INDUSTRIAL.

SEALED BIDS

for Building Renovation and Related Work, Missouri National Guard, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, ProjectNo. T1425-03 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/3/2015. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to http:// www.oa.mo. gov/fmdc/dc/ list.htm

for AHU Replacement, DOLIR Office Building 3315 W. Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, Project No. O1504-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 9/10/2015. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to http:// www.oa.mo. gov/fmdc/dc/ list.htm.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 6086 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Visit is on the web at

www.stlamerican.com

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the 2015 ARS Crackseal, Area A project, St. Louis County Project No.AR-1527, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on August 26, 2015.

Sealed bids for the Wells Road Overlay, St. Louis County Project No.CR-1443, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on September 9, 2015.

Plans and specifications will be available on August 10, 2015 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800. DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

Plans and specifications will be available on August 17, 2015 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800. DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

LETTING # 8590 CIVIL COURTS BUILDING – FACADE & PLAZA REPAIRS Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service in Room 208 City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo. Until 1:45 PM, CT, on September 22, 2015, then publicly opened and read. Plans and Specifications may be examined on the Board of Public Service website http://www.stl-bps.org/planroom.aspx (BPS On Line Plan Room) and may be purchased directly through the BPS website from INDOX Services at cost plus shipping. No refunds will be made. Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

ATTENTION: MBE/WBE Contractors and non-minority contractors Insituform Technologies USA, LLC, 17988 Edison Ave. Chesterfield, MO 63005, is seeking subcontractor quotes for The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Infrastructure Repairs Rehabilitation FY2016 Contract A Letting No. 11709-015.1, Bidding September 18, 2015 at 2:00pm. Potential subcontracting opportunities available for consideration on these projects include: Lab testing services, Closed-circuit television inspection & cleaning of existing sewer lines, Manhole cover remove & replacement, Cementitious manhole rehabilitation, CIPP lateral connection repair and/or Point repairs. All in accordance with project specifications. IMPORTANT: QUOTE LINE ITEMS ON A TURNKEY BASIS AND INCLUDE PERMITS, TRAFFIC CONTROL, SEWER BY-PASSING, ETC, IF REQUIRED. All MWBE and non-minority contractors should contact Greg Patton or Mark Reeves in writing (certified letter, return receipt requested) to discuss bid opportunities. In lieu of a certified letter, contact can be made by e-mail to gpatton@insituform.com and mwreeves@insituform.com. Acknowledge in your quote your company will meet the workforce per trade minority requirements per the project specifications. A pre-bid conference will be held at Insituform Technologies USA, LLC’s Training Center, 580 Goddard Avenue, Chesterfield, MO 63005 on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 9:00 AM. Quotes must be completed and submitted to Kenny Pipitone at kpipitone@insituform.com by 11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 16, 2015, along with a copy of your current MWBE Certification. Please complete EPA form attached with your quote. All quotations will be evaluated for overall compliance with the project specifications, scheduling availability and pricing. Subcontractors should review and meet the Work Force Utilization requirements of the project.

MWBE PREBID MEETING NOTICE The SITE Improvement Association is hosting a Prebid meeting for Qualified and Certified MWBE contractors to discuss working on

Meadowridge and Eastwood Storm and Sanitary Relief

Contract Letting No. 11840-015.1 This meeting is being held on behalf of the following SITE contractor members: Fred M. Luth & Sons 4516 McRee Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 314/771-3892

Bi-State Utilities Co. 12894 Pennridge Drive Bridgeton, MO 63044 314/209-0202

The meeting will take place at Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including MBE/WBE policies). All bidders must regard Federal Executive Order 11246, “Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity”, the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth within and referenced at www.stl-bps.org (Announcements).

10:00 a.m. August 27, 2015 SITE Improvement Association 2071 Exchange Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 For questions regarding this prebid meeting, Contact the SITE Improvement Association office at 314/966-2950.

www.stlamerican.com

Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for:

Contegra Construction Company, LLC, 22 Gateway Commerce Center Drive W, Suite 110, Edwardsville, IL 62025, O-618-931-3500, F-618-931-3535 will be submitting bids on the following City of Fulton, MO project: Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, bid date 9/9/15 at 2:00 pm. We are requesting bids from qualified Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE) on this project to help in our effort to meet or exceed the goal of 4.0% for minority and 6.9% for female set for by the DBE utilization program. DBE firms interested in bidding are encouraged to contact Contegra Construction Company to learn more about s ubcontracting opportunities. Any questions please contact Chris Wernle, Estimator, ext 203.

•

THE

Real Estate & Rentals

THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

READY NOW! 58XX RIDGE 1 BR 2ND FL Newcarpet & new mini-blinds, stove fridge $350/mo + Negotiable Dep $450

South County!

FOR RENT

314-968-1291

314-382-4826

NORTH CITY

FURNISHED ROOMS FOR RENT A/C & Heat Shared Bath and Kitchen

1 BR apt. stove & fridge, very clean and quiet Minutes from major grocery store plaza, Senior citizens Discount $450/mo + Dep

314-243-2222 Tower Grove! Spacious 3-4 bedroom, all appliances, central air, beautiful hardwood floors, nice deck, recent updates! $650

rs-stl.com AGT5J 314-309-2043

APARTMENTS FOR RENT 5203 Northland Ave 3 BR Stove & Fridge

Section 8 ONLY

314-283-3839

FOR RENT

Budget 3 bed house, basement, central air, fenced yard, appliances, single carport, washer/dryer! only $675

51XX Cote Brilliante Newly redecorated 1 & 2 BR

314-652-6154 1ST MONTH FREE

rs-stl.com AGT5K 314-309-2043

•

Potential Free Rent 1220 Warren

Freshly remodeled 2 BR Apt. $650/mo + Dep. All appliances incl. Near downtown

Senior over age 55 & eligible handicapped individual1 bedroom apt. Income base. Electric included call

314-570-2959

314-436-0733

Sec 8 Welcome APTS. & HOUSES 1 BR apt 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 + BR single family homes

Looking for a few great tenants to live in a God fearing environment. Sec. 8 welcome with open arms.

FURNISHED ROOMS FOR RENT C/A, CABLE TV

314-518-5898

314-629-5051

314-717-7688

FOR RENT

North City

South City! Updated 2 bedroom, central air, nice hardwood floors, fireplace, basement storage, pets allowed! only $495

rs-stl.com AGT5I 314-309-2043

ROOMS FOR RENT Good heating and cooling. Fully furnished & Cable

314-484-3147 314-717-9966

FURNISHED ROOMS FOR RENT

Section 8 Welcomed

314-534-3863

FOR RENT

LARGE ROOMS FOR RENT

5928 Plymouth

Centrally located newly remodeled shared house $135/wk + Dep, w/d, cable, internet, all utils. included.

2 BR 2nd Fl a/c, ceiling fans, curtains, high gloss floors, stove, fridge, off-street parking, cable ready, washer & dryer, & private storage. $550/mo + Dep $500, Section 8 welcome

314-741-1951

314-276-0593

leave a message.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN C9

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

ROOMS FOR RENT Central West End! South City!! Nice 2-3 bedroom, Sharp apartment, frosty $110/wk North City finished basement, a/c, all kitchen appli2BR on Ashland central air, thermal win- cable, security bars, ances, pets ok, utilities $535/mo New Unit $375/mo shared bathroom dows, hardwoods, applipaid, recent updates! 2 BR in Baden and kitchen, washer ances, hookups! $600 only $395 $550/mo 5200 Block of Palm & dryer $85 rs-stl.com rs-stl.com Call Mr. Robert 150/wk. AGT5F AGT5D 314-718-0642 314-368-1298 Call 314-952-1614 314-309-2043 314-309-2043

FOR RENT Total Rehab 1-3 bedroom homes & apts. C/A, w/d hookups & private yards.

THE

FOR RENT

2 BR Living Room, Dining Room, Fenced Yard, c/a, basement $725/mo + Dep

1 BR 1ST FL Perfect for 2 people hwd fls in living room & tile in the kitchen 16XX Union Blvd. $450/mo + Dep. $450

636-227-3647

314-258-4859

READY NOW!

Florissant House!

APT FOR RENT

Rare 3 bed, 1.5 bath house, central air, vaulted ceilings, double carport, recent updates! only $750

34XX Michigan Ave. 63118 2 BR Apt $575/mo Sec 8 & Shelter Care Accepted

rs-stl.com AGT5H 314-309-2043

314-496-5808

AVAILABLE CLEAN FURNISHED SEPTEMBER 1ST ROOMS & 1 BR FOR RENT Updated, utilities included $138/wk & up Proof of income

FOR RENT

1, 2 & 3 BR $475 - $550/MO $10 Non-refundable app fee

314-371-4339

314-585-6638

ATTENTION!

OFF I-44! Newly updated 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, kitchen appliances, pets allowed, w/d hookups, part utilities paid! $425

PRIVATE BATH & KITCHEN FURNISHED KITCHENETTES FOR RENT

$149/wk & up!

314-575-2665

rs-stl.com AGT5E 314-309-2043

(Nothing Like Your Own)

Overland House! Large 3 bed house, finished basement, central air, hardwoods, family room, fenced, appliances, pets! $795

rs-stl.com AGT5L 314-309-2043

CREDIT FRIENDLY 2125-27 Obear 3 rms, (1 BDRM) $425/mo For details call

314-255-4733

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

HOUSES & APTS

2-4 bdrms North City 2-3 bdrms South City Sect 8 OK

2BR, 1BA, completely re-decorated, new carpet.

314-389-1804 314-346-1302

314-772-4563

West End! Roomy 2-3 bedrooms, kitchen appliances, w/d hookups, extra storage, part bills paid, recent updates! only $485

rs-stl.com AGT5G 314-309-2043

PAGE PROPERTIES 4 BR in nice neighborhood, Large Yard $550/mo + Dep.

618-781-7968

FOR RENT

$350 Rent!! First floor 1 bedroom, frosty a/c, plush carpet, all appliances, w/d hookups, flexible deposit! only $350

Large 1 BR apts. Stove Fridge, Mini-blinds, CLEAN $400/mo 62XX PAGE

314-863-2399

rs-stl.com AGT5C 314-309-2043

Email your ads to vmedina@ stlamerican.com Fall is Fun with us!! Move-In Special

McCormack House Sr. Living Apartments

Heat included - 24 Hour Desk Attendant Fully Equipped Kitchens - Walk-in Showers Beautiful! A must see for those 62 yrs or older!!

www.mccormackhouseatwestminsterapts.com

866-347-8650 Visit www.stlamerican.com

Park Place Apts MARK TWAIN 2 MONTHS 1/2 OFF RENT A Senior Community HOTEL Now Accepting Apps! Summer discounts avail. 314-421-2980 62+ Sec 8 housing (Downtown) avail, income restr. apply 1-bdrm apts, A/C, Centrally Located & Connected to Metro on-site laundry and Buses, Short Term Free gas/water/trash Weekly Rentals4399 Forest Park Blvd No credit check St. Louis, MO 63108 $110.50 and up per 314-925-9405 week (utilities and TTY 800-735-2966 Housekeeping svcs included) Other terms Equal Housing Opportunity and conditions may Professionally Managed by apply. NHPMN Management, LLC

MOVE IN SPECIAL!!! Under New Management!

Lewis & Clark Apartments 1 & 2 bedrooms starting at $507/mo Washer and dryers partially finished basements in select units! Terrific onsite management and maintenance team!

(314) 869-3400 or visit 1282 Marquis Court, St. Louis, MO 63137 LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!!!

Winter Garden Apts.

has 1 and 2 BR apartment homes for rent and is Section 8 approved. Please call for an appointment today

2BR Available TODAY for qualified applicant 62+ and/or disabled Sec. 8 housing avail, income restrictions apply. ADA. Pet friendly, gated, near Metro Link 5708 Kingsbury Place St. Louis, MO 63112

314-942-3400.

314-925-9406

Blue Fountain APARTMENTS

We are location on TTY 800-735-2966 819 Gustav Ave off of Equal Housing Opportunity North Broadway in Professionally Managed by St. Louis City NHPMN Management, LLC

OWN YOUR HOME In North County FOR ONLY $499 PER MONTH

636-532-5487

Houses are MOVE-IN READY Brick House, 2 & 3 Bedrooms With Finished Basements

Rolling Hills Apts. 1Br @ $405/mo 2Br @ $505/mo Extensive Renovations, Stove, Refrigerator, AC, gas & elec., App Fee $25; 1sm pet allowed, nearby schools, shops, businesses & parks; laundry facility, park-like setting; credit friendly, rent credit special Call

(314) 869-5033

CALL FOR DETAILS With Credit Score Of 620 & $3000 Down

for further details. 8869 Maya Lane, St. Louis MO 63136

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 “We will 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!

SERVICE DIRECTORY 314-289-5406 MEDICARE & MEDICAID ACCEPTED Hearing Aids

Dental

As low as $150/Pair

$1000/year Dentures, Partials, Crowns, Root Canals & Other Dental Services

Co-pay

Glasses

Co-pay

Call 1-800-733-1912 to see if you qualify.

“New Year New You!!”

Get more self-esteem in 2015 …Transform your body NOW. \ *Weight loss *Extra energy *Digestive Cleaning

*Nutrition

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Ask me how! Check out my new website:

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CALL 314-898-8898 HERBALIFE Distr.

All-inclusive Vacations Hotels, Cars, Flights

Man & H0is Truck

Light Hauling & Yard Work, Moving & Gutter Cleaning REASONABLE

As low as $15/Pair

Cruises

Summer Clean-up

314-583-6971

Payment Plans Available www.IndaKaya.com

HUGE

Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale! _____________________ Rags to Riches time in Skinker-DeBaliviere

Saturday, August 22 from 8 am to 2 pm Maps available at the Corner of Skinker & McPherson Breakfast & great BBQ available for purchase all day. This event draws more than 50 vendors ________________________ For more information, call 314-862-5122 or

www.skinkerd.org

Do you have medicare and medicaid? If so, then you can qualify for $1,000 of preventiative and comprehensive dental benefits every year at no cost to you. Including oral examinations, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, root canals, and full or partial dentures. Must have both medicare and medicaid aslo known as Mo. Healthnet. Also offering Life Insurance Plans. For more info call Mike:

314-285-2198

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

C10

Celebrity Swag Snap of the Week R&B heartthrob Chris Brown finally skipped to The Lou for to party with fans at Lux Thursday night thanks to LooseCannon S.L.I.M. He stayed posted in his booth, but still performed along to some of his favorite hits as DJ Stevie J kept Brown’s catalog spinning.

LooseCannon Slim had his crew with him – including celebrity DJ Stevie J, LA 4ss, and Vinnie as they kicked it on stage for an evening with Chris Brown

Asia, Bianca, and Erica kicked it on stage during an evening with Chris Brown Thursday @ Lux nightclub

Fashion mogul and daughter of Rap pioneer Rev. Run’s Angela Simmons posed with Niddy @ HG Friday for Fetish Fridays

A Breezy bust. Okay so, to say that I was underwhelmed by Chris Brown’s visit to St. Louis Thursday night would be like saying my appendicitis was slightly irritating. LooseCannon S.L.I.M. deserves a shoutout for being the ONLY promoter to get Breezy to actually show up in St. Louis. Getting somebody to roll through after two years-worth of cancelations is no small matter. Sadly, either the city assumed that Breezy was gonna cancel again (which you should’ve known better since S.L.I.M) or decided to show him how it feels to be dusted. It was a light crowd to say the least considering how Brown had the Sprint Center on lock in KC the day before and had clubs at capacity in every city other than ours. The night kicked off with me being amazed – and somewhat confused by what this Wild Boy person was serving on stage. I have been in these clubs since well before Y2K and have never seen a hype man, DJ, host and backup dancer all in the same body – at the same dang time. One minute he would be spinning and you look away for a second and he would be pop-drop-and locking it all across the stage. Wait, what? And he was like the Energizer Bunny with it – I swear it went on for hours. Now I do have a note for the Wild Boy, don’t keep asking people “are y’all ready to see Chris Brown” if you know he won’t be in the building for another two hours. DJ Stevie J (not to be confused with Steebie from ‘Love and Hip-Hop’) hit the tables next with his fine self and kept asking “who’s here with your best friend?” I was like “who cares, just bring Breezy out so I can see some of his glorious glowstick antics!” When he did come out, nobody believed he was there for 15 minutes because he sat in the corner with a hood covering his face and smoked cigarettes like he was in the witness protection program. He loosened up when the crowd filled out a bit later in the night– even performing a bit of Chris Brown karaoke with his shirt off – but it was still not how expected it to go.

Sydne, Shari, Dara and Co came out to see Angela Simmons Friday @ HG

Chris G of Exclusive and SuperEgo Mitch celebrated in style @ The Marquee Friday for their Red and White B-day Bash Keshia and Ree closed their weekend out with Ciroc and Close to Famous Sunday @ HG

Oh well for Angela Simmons. Day two of the unofficial “we’re not really checking for celebrities” weekend continued on Friday when it was somewhat light boots for the lovely Angela Simmons visit to HG. She was serving the fiercest Denise Huxtable edgy 80’s black leather prom mini-gown with a snatched hair and a beat face. But she clearly didn’t do doing quite enough for anyone to be truly bothered. She was as sweet as she could be though. I don’t think that the crowd was thick enough to give her the energy to truly ________ (insert new slang for “turn up.”). Rumor has it. Speaking of HG, word on the curb is that Friday KEVIN HART will step in the building following his Scottrade gig as HG’s weekly obligatory famous person. I’ve heard that he will be rolling through from more than one person that I truly trust, so it turns out to be an unfounded rumor I will be utterly shocked. I’m thinking that they might want to move things over to Lux, because if the club could hardly handle Omari “Ghost” Hardwick, the folks will be squeezed in HG so tight it might cause permanent damage to the whole building’s foundation to see reining it boy of comedy.

Raphael of the Umbrella Group and Renzo Metropolis came out to support Chris G and SuperEgo Mitch Friday @ The Marquee

Now Hart health love for STL. Since I’m already talking about Kevin Hart, I might as well vent for a second. I surprisingly got over the fact that I wouldn’t be reviewing his upcoming show because of a strict “no media” policy he has poppin’ off this go ‘round. But I must say that I truly got in my feelings when I found out he would NOT be doing one of his runs here. All that Couch 2 5K for nothing – okay, maybe not “all that” couch 2 5K, but I was ready for a brisk walk with Kevin Hart only to find out that he was passing us over. I know you need to give your body some recovery time, but you did Dallas and Houston back to back. Oh well. I’m over it.

Long time friends Gerald and James got it in @ The Marquee Saturday night

SuperEgo owned the night. On a positive note, SuperEgo and the crew had the Marquee going up on a Friday for a change. Don’t get me wrong the Marquee makes a killing almost every Saturday, no matter what they are up against. But every Friday that I’ve been through that didn’t have a celebrity – and a few that did (Sorry Miss Jackson) the crowd is pretty mellow. But Damion Mitchell did it big and turned it out for his b-day. Now your Ric Flair tribute WWF villain entrance was a bit much, but I know from your hee-larious Halloween costume shenanigans that you don’t take yourself to seriously.

Melissa and Antoinette in VIP @ HG for Close to Famous Ciroc party Sunday night

www.stlamerican.com

Sunday talent on deck. Y’all insist on refusing to give me a day off, I once again dusted my Sunday “Snapped” marathon for these streets. When it was all said and done, I must say I was glad I rolled off my futon for the second installment of the Next Up LIVE concert series at the Rustic Goat. St. Louis is running over with talent, and it showed as all 13 acts performed their original songs along with the band, Immoral Soul Era. Songstress Lydia Caesar of New York blew the crowd away with her Love song, “St. Louis,” dedicated to her boo from the Lou. And Bryan Jones had the ladies on fire with his soulful grooves. Amber Woods not only brought her “A” game, but she literally had the stage smoking – taking a page straight from Beyoncé. Carleone closed out the show, and had the Goat rocking when he performed his catchy, “See Me Baby.” Other artists included Justin Hoskin, BU, Da Kompetition, Que Black and Mariah Thomure, Kurral, Tie Taylor, Chief RCG, Lou Kang, Smoove Life and Chukk Fresh. The standing room only show was hosted by Willie C and Rampage – with DJ Pharoah on the wheels of steel. I don’t know about y’all, but I can’t wait to see what they have NEXT UP!

India and Bianca were in the building for the SuperEgo Mitch and Chris G Exclusive Red and White B-day Bash Friday @ The Marquee Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

Page 2

Growing up, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to live with my grandparents for the first three years of my life. Personally, I don’t think there exists a more special bond than that of a child and their grandparents. Our time together may not be considered all that awe-inspiring to you, but my memories of those encounters are priceless. In my mind, I can still see that pig-tailed little girl feeding the cows with her grandfather or watching her grandmother bake the most delicious teacakes in the world. So, it should come to no surprise how highly I regard seniors and how disgusted I become when I feel as if they are not being cared for in the manner in which they deserve. A few months ago while working with the residents on the inpatient service, we cared for a sweet little lady who fell while gardening at her home and fractured several ribs. She was in moderate to severe pain and required hospitalization simply for management of her discomfort. As we were preparing her for discharge, we learned that she lived alone and she was apprehensive about how she would perform her routine activities of daily living. However, per the standards of today’s healthcare system she did not meet criteria for

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Senior assistance

continued care in a hospital seniors, healthcare providsetting. Therefore, we coners and policy makers will tacted her son and made him be presented with greater aware of his mother’s disposichallenges. For instance, tion since no one had inquired each year, millions of older about her at this point. We adults fall. Per the CDC, falls asked the son if he or his are the leading cause of fatal brother would be able to help and non-fatal injuries among their mother and explained older adults. the situation thoroughly. Not only are falls a serious The son finally came to the health hazard for our seniors, hospital but told his mother but memory lapses become he would only be able to drive a huge barrier to optimal her home because he had care as well. I cannot begin Denise Hooks plans to go to the lake that to count the numerous times Anderson, M.D. weekend. This poor patient seniors have come to office then asked, “What about your visits alone, who in my opindear old mama?” ion, needed someone to be with them. Needless to say, the entire medical Even though most practices with electeam was completely repulsed by this tronic health records provide an after encounter, yet we tried to maintain our visit summary, if the patient has memprofessional demeanor to the best of our ory issues, they may just discard that abilities. Really, the lake? But, I guess I paperwork accidentally and therefore be should not have been that surprised by uninformed about medication changes, the son’s behavior since I often see other referrals to other specialists, etc. atrocities like this on a daily basis in my Per my experience, I would have to outpatient practice as well. rank medication errors high on the list The population of adults aged 65 or of potentially dangerous situations for older in the year 2050 is expected to be seniors. Too many of my older patients 83.7 million people. This estimate is are either not taking the recommended twice that of the estimated population of medication at all, taking too much, or 2012. With an increasing proportion of too little or taking duplications. Much of

August 20 – 26, 2015

our limited time together is spent trying to reconcile the medication list, calling the pharmacy to verify if the meds were even picked up and trying to help the patient remember information from their other doctor visits. So how can family members improve the care of their senior loved ones? Number one on my list would be advocacy. Having someone advocate for seniors is vital for adequate continuity of care, particularly in individuals who are showing cognitive impairment. Secondly, take notes. With each doctor’s visit, make sure you obtain a summary of the encounter, preferably typewritten. Third, ask questions. If the instructions are unclear, please have the nurse or the provider to clarify. Lastly, seek assistance if needed – physical therapy, home health nurse, hospice or long-term care facilities. As seniors age, family members must be willing to take a more handson approach to their care. Yours in Service, Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Assistant Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

Your Health Matters

A bi-monthly special supplement of the St. Louis American

August 20, 2015 Your Health Matters provides up-to-date information, from an African-American perspective, about one of the most important subjects in evryone’s life – their personal health. Donald M. Suggs, President and Publisher Kevin Jones, Senior Vice President, COO Dina M. Suggs, Senior Vice President Chris King, Editorial Director Denise Hooks Anderson, M.D., Medical Accuracy Editor Sandra Jordan, Health Reporter Debbie Chase, Director of Health Strategy & Outreach Onye Hollomon, Barb Sills, Pamela Simmons, Sales Michael Terhaar, Art/Production Manager Angelita Jackson, Cover Design Wiley Price, Photojournalist

St. Louis American The

August 20 – 26, 2015

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

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50 at 50

Earl Austin Jr. walks off 50 pounds By Sandra Jordan Of the St. Louis American Turning 50 years old is a celebrated milestone for most people. After a health scare put St. Louis American Sports Editor Earl Austin, Jr. in the hospital, causing him to miss the last three days of his beloved Saint Louis University Billikens Basketball, turning 50 brought introspection with renewed determination to reclaim his health. “Once you turn 50, you start to think real hard. Both my parents died before they were 70,” Austin said. “My father had hypertension and my mother had diabetes and several other problems. You start thinking about that when you hit that 5-0.” Austin said he tried dieting over the years and could always drop 20 or 30 pounds, but was unable to stay committed to losing weight. This time, a doctor told him he needed to do something about his obesity. Step-by-step he got there, just by walking his neighborhood. Austin began walking only a few minutes at a time (which was all he could do initially). It increased to 30 minutes, and his endurance continued to build and he can now walk more than an hour at a time. The benefits are many. Austin now knows many more of his neighbors, the terrain, and has an easy way to clear his thoughts, feel better and lose weight. In just a few months after his 50th birthday, Austin has walked off more than 50 pounds. “I was about 345 pounds when I got sick, and now I’m probably about 295,” he said. “And I remember I looked at the scale and I saw a ‘2’ next to it instead of a ‘3’ I remember crying, because that hadn’t been like that. It was after my 50th birthday – I went my whole 30s and my whole 40s over 300. I think I was in my mid 20s when I was last under 300 pounds.” Walking is considered one of the easiest exercises. A good pair of walking shoes and a bottle of water for hydration is all you need to get started. You can walk indoors, on a treadmill or outdoors. Brisk walking is a faster than normal pace, which increases benefits. However, you should be able to walk and talk at the same time. By taking the “talk test,” you can determine if your walking is too intense for your body. According to Walking.org, “if you can’t hold a conversation without getting out of breath, then you’re going too fast.” Simply slow down a little to a pace which is more comfortable. The site states, “the talk test is a good guide at any walking pace,

Earl Austin Jr. takes a walk outside the St. Louis American office. In just a few months, the sports editor has walked off more than 50 pounds.

Photo by Wiley Price

from a moderate to a brisk, aerobic pace and it will ensure that you never over exert and injure yourself.” More than 145 million adults now include walking as part of a physically

active lifestyle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical activity such as walking can help improve health even without weight loss, the CDC stated. Physically active

people live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers.

See 50, page 5

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YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Page 4

Back-to-school turnout for People’s Community Resource Health Fair

The People’s Community Action Corporation turned the parking lot of Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Center on Delmar into a back-to-school and community health fair Saturday, August 1. Families received health screenings, mammograms, dental and eye exams, school supplies, mammograms, raffles, and free haircuts. The event had a live DJ, live entertainment from the Dirty Muggs music group, free food, a basketball shootout contest, a jump house, a 34-foot obstacle course for kids, fire truck sprinklers, raffles for bikes, and a limited number of shoe certificates. A spokesman for People’s said the event likely reached 4,000 again this year, adding that several parents came back to the health center to thank them for the kit their children received for school.

SSM Health Care - St. Louis changes name to SSM Health Employees celebrated at all seven SSM Health Care - St. Louis hospitals on July 29 as hospital leaders unveiled a new sign along with a renewed commitment to patients. The hospitals, medical group and urgent cares in St. Louis will be known as: • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital • SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis • SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Fenton • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – St. Charles

Mom’s weight during first pregnancy may impact second child Saint Louis University research finds that a woman’s weight during her first pregnancy can affect how her second baby fares. Physicians have long recognized complications can occur when a mother is not at a healthy weight when she first becomes pregnant. Saint Louis University’s research, published electronically in the June 20 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, shows that those complications can surface during a second pregnancy even if they didn’t occur during a first pregnancy or if the mother is at a healthy weight when she becomes pregnant a second time. The majority of women are not at a healthy weight when they first become pregnant, which means their Body Mass Index (BMI) is either higher or lower than recommended by the National Institutes of Health. It is more common to have a high BMI than a low one. “While moms who weigh too much or too little might have uncomplicated pregnancies and deliver healthy babies the first time around, our research shows they are still at increased risk of adverse outcomes during their second pregnancies. That risk may not go away even if they are at a normal weight when they get pregnant again,” says Jen Jen Chang, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology at Saint Louis University and the senior author on the paper.

August 20 – 26, 2015

“The bottom line for physicians and second-time moms is not to let down their guard even if things went well for moms with unhealthy weight during the first pregnancy or if those moms reach a normal weight when they become pregnant again.” Chang said it is unclear why women

with unhealthy weight but no complications during a first pregnancy would develop them during a second one. “I suspect our body remembers, but we don’t know for certain,” she suggested. ‘”Women who are over or underweight during their first pregnancy may experience permanent physiological changes that negatively affect their second baby.” Researchers surveyed records of 121,092 women in the Missouri maternally-linked birth registry, from the years 1989-2005. They found that women who were underweight during their first pregnancy had a 20 percent increased chance of giving birth early and were 40 percent more likely to have a baby who is small for gestational age during their second pregnancy, when compared to women of healthy weight. In addition, women who were obese when they first became pregnant were significantly more likely than women of normal weight to face complications during their second pregnancy. Specifically, they were 54 percent more likely to have a large for gestational age baby, 156 percent more likely to have preeclampsia and 85 percent more likely to deliver by cesarean. Their babies were 37 percent more likely to die within the first 28 days of life.

• SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake St. Louis • SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Wentzville • SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Richmond Heights • SSM Health Medical Group • SSM Health Urgent Care SSM Health is looking to transform health care through a consistently positive experience, by offering additional tools and more accessibility to our patients. To accomplish this goal, SSM Health locations will be offering new convenient hours, as well as the means and information patients need to stay healthy. “For more than 140 years, we’ve had the honor and privilege of serving patients in the St. Louis area and beyond,” said Candace Jennings, regional president of SSM Health St. Louis and interim president of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. “Recently our home care and hospice locations adopted SSM Health, as have other hospitals across our health system. By uniting under this common name, our patients, employees and community will know to expect an exceptional experience every time they see SSM Health.” SSM Health’s other clinics, hospitals and health care services in Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Wisconsin will transition to the new name within the next two years.

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

August 20 – 26, 2015

Page 5

SSM Health Cancer Care, Sinclair Automotive partner for free prostate screenings

SSM Health Cancer Care will again partner with the Dave Sinclair Automotive Group to offer free prostate screenings for men aged 50 to 69 in September (Prostate Cancer Awareness Month). Screenings will be offered in four area locations – Wednesday, September 9 at Dave Sinclair Buick/ GMC (South County), Tuesday,

Continued from page 3 When he is away at tournaments, Austin says he gets up early to walk and takes the steps instead of elevators. Austin finds it amusing when people tell him he looks skinny. “It’s funny to be just under 300 pounds and people say ‘God, you’re skinny,’” he said. Austin still has incremental goals on his way down to where he wants his weight to be. “I want to stay under 300; I think 275 might be realistic,” Austin said of his ulti-

September 15 at Dave Sinclair Lincoln (St. Peters), Tuesday, September 22 at Dave Sinclair Ford (South County), and Wednesday, September 30 at Dave Sinclair Chrysler (Pacific). All screenings will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In 2015, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 220,000 new cases of prostate cancer and

more than 27,000 deaths from prostate cancer in the United States. At age 75, the founder of Dave Sinclair Automotive Group, the late Dave Sinclair, Sr. was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He credited the PSA test with saving his life. He was a very strong advocate of these screenings – encouraging his family, friends and the general

• Walking is the most popular aerobic physical activity. About six in 10 adults report walking for at least 10 minutes in the previous week. Source: CDC

mate weight loss goal. “That would be another 20 pounds,” or 70 pounds total. Earlier this year, Austin had high blood pressure and with pre-diabetic blood glucose levels. Walking has made difference. His blood pressure is down considerably. “Between the medicine and diet and

exercise, it’s normal. I’ll probably be on it for at least a year. My doctor wants to keep me on it for a year to see what happens,” Austin said. Earl also decided to upgrade drastically his eating behaviors. “Instead of eating a lot of fast food, a lot of fried food, a lot of big portions,

public to attend one of these events. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the Dave Sinclair Automotive Group showrooms, pick up educational information and have refreshments before and after their blood draw. To register or for more information, please call 1-866-SSM-DOCS (1-866776-3627).

I instituted more fruit. I like apples, bananas, grapes – I like pineapple,” he said. “I eat more vegetables – broccoli, spinach; especially I eat a lot of salads.” He also drinks plenty of water. “For about two months straight, I drank nothing but water and a lot of it every day,” Austin said. “And for the first time, I dieted and exercised at the same time. It got to the point where I walk three miles a day – an hour a day. If I’m not walking, I got an exercise bike in my basement.” Earl said he wants to weigh 275 by the next basketball season in November. At the pace he is walking, that will be a slam-dunk.

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YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

August 20 – 26, 2015

Calendar Sat. Aug. 22, 9 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., ARCHS Health & Safety Institute Trainings on CPR, First Aid, Emergency Preparedness and Child Safety. William L. Clay Sr. Child Development Center, Harris-Stowe State University, 10 N. Compton Ave., St. Louis, 63103. Fees range from $12.50 to $25. To register/pay, visit http://bit.ly/1eGBeQC. Fri. Aug. 28, 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Community Forum on Heroin at Employment Connection, 2838 Market St. St. Louis 63103. Event is sponsored by Employment Connection, St. Louis Alliance for Reentry (STAR), U. S. Probation Office, NCADA, and ARCHS. Keynote speaker is substance abuse consultant Dr. William Harvey. RSVP to brendamahr@employmentstl.org. Sat., Aug. 29, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., No-cost vision screenings, eye exams and eyeglasses for qualified children ages 6-13 at Maplewood Crown Vision Center, 1817 Maplewood Commons Drive. For more information, call 800-475-6320 or visit www.KidsVisionForLifeStLouis.com. Sat. Aug. 29, Midnight, St. Louis Moonlight Ramble, 8-mile or 18-mile bike course. Event day registration opens at 9 pm. For more information, visit moonlightramble.com/registration. Sat. Sept. 5, 8 a.m. – 12 noon, Rise ‘n Shine Yoga for St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness, World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.sloca.org/yoga. Sat. Sept. 12, 8 a.m., 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Ave. St. Louis, 63103. 1-mile or 3-mile route. For more information, call 314-432-3422 or register at http://bit.ly/ 1JANVta. Fri. Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m., Frankly Speaking about Coping with the Cost of

Care, by Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis at Food Outreach. For more information, call 314-238-2000 or visit cancersupportstl.org. Thurs. Oct. 15– Fri., Oct. 16, Health Literacy Missouri Tribute Awards & Summit, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis. For more information, visit healthliteracymissouri.org. Sat. Nov. 14, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America St. Louis, 11th Annual Trivia Night, JCC Staenberg Family Complex, Creve Coeur. For more information, visit aafastl.org. Fridays & Saturdays, 11 am – Noon, Get Pumped! Free Slide/Zumba classes, O’Fallon Park Recreation Complex YMCA, 4343 W. Florissant Ave. 63115. Sundays, 10 a.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous Group 109 meets in the 11th floor conference room at Christian Hospital, 11133 Dunn Road at I-270/Hwy. 367. This is an open meeting for alcoholics, drug addicts and their family and friends. Mondays, 7 p.m. – “Tobacco Free for Life” support group – free weekly meetings at St. Peters Mo. City Hall. Supported by SSM Cancer Care; RSVP initial participation to 636-947-5304. Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Alcohol and Drug Informational meeting, Christian Hospital, Professional Office Building 2, Suite 401. For information, call 314-839-3171. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – STEPS Schizophrenia Support Group This nationally recognized program provides education and support for those with schizophrenia. Group is facilitated by an experienced STEPS nurse. For more information, call 314-839-3171.

August 20 – 26, 2015

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Healthy Recipe

Serves 6

Buckwheat Pancakes with Fresh Blueberry Sauce

Ingredients 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. buckwheat flour 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour 2 ½ tbsp. wheat germ  2 ½ tbsp. baking powder

Directions 1. Whisk together the buckwheat flour, whole flour, wheat germ, baking powder, brown sugar and baking soda in a bowl and set aside. 2. In another bowl, whisk together the liquids, vanilla, egg white and olive oil until frothy. Pour the liquid into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix to a batter consistency. 3. Let the batter sit for one hour.

1 tbsp. brown sugar 1⁄2 tsp. baking soda 1 ¾ cup low-fat buttermilk 2 ½ oz. egg white 1 tsp. olive oil 6 tsp. cool water 6 tbsp. 1% milk 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

4. Make the blueberry sauce and hold warm. 5. Preheat the griddle to 300F degree and coat lightly with nonstick spray. 6. For each pancake, pour 2 ounces of batter onto the griddle and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip over to cook the other side for approximately 1 minute. Recipe and photo by Pedestal Foods

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August 20 – 26, 2015

Health Resources Asthma Free asthma and allergy clinic by Saint Louis University students at the HRC,

every other Wednesday afternoon 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. by appointment with SLU physician Dr. Raymond Slavin.

The clinic offers allergy skin tests, pulmonary function tests and asthma and allergy education. It is located in

the Victor Roberts Building, 1408 N. Kingshighway, between Martin Luther King Drive and Page Blvd. For more information, call 314-720-1522. Behavioral Christian Hospital offers free and confidential psychiatric and chemical dependency evaluations at the Christian Hospital Center for Mental Health. For more information, call 314-8393171. Christian Hospital Key Program offers support and education to patients with chronic mental illness to prevent increased severity of symptoms and to reduce the need for inpatient re-hospitalization. Call confidentially to 314839-3171 or 1-800-447-4301. Crime Victim Advocacy Center provides no cost support for persons affected by criminal acts. Email peggy@supportvictims.org, visit or call the 24-hour hotline 314-OK-BEMAD (652-3673) or visit www.supportvictims.org. Bike helmet safety The St. Louis County Health Department provides free bicycle helmets to St. Louis County residents between ages 1 and 17 by appointment only. Proof of residency is required. For the location nearest you, visit www.tinyurl.freebikehelmets. Breast Cancer Gateway to Hope offers no-charge medical and reconstructive treatment for uninsured breast cancer patients in Missouri. Contact 314-569-1113. Dental Free Dental Hygiene Clinic - No charge dental exams, x-rays, cleanings and other dental services for children and adults provided by dental students at Missouri College. Patients needing more extensive dental work (fillings, crowns, etc.) will be referred to local dentists. For information, call 314-7687899. Diabetes CHIPS Diabetes Support Group is open to anyone and meets on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, call 314652-9231. SSM St. Mary’s Health Center provides free, Diabetes Support Group sessions the second Tuesday of every month from 6 – 7 p.m. to address health management issues. It’s located at Meeting Room 1 on the second floor, 6420 Clayton Rd. in St. Louis. To register, call toll free 866-SSMDOCS (866-776-3627).