June 11 2015

All Grown Up

Evita Caldwell spent more than a year trying to learn if a special project at Jefferson School succeeded.

St. Louis American See special insert

The

CAC Audited JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

stlamerican.com

Ferguson gets a Boys & Girls Club

Vol. 86 No. 10 COMPLIMENTARY

Treasurer Jones Recognized

by Clinton

Global Initiative commends her for child college savings accounts

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

Joseph Smart stretched out in a long jump at the new Ferguson Middle School Boys & Girls Club on Monday, June 8, its first day of its first summer camp.

Deaconess, RBC, Centene help fund first year at new location

By Mariah Stewart Ferguson Fellow U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay said he understands why Ferguson would welcome a new Boys & Girls Club.

“Some of our kids here in Ferguson are scared,” Clay said. “They have good reason to feel that way. The things they saw and heard shook all of us to the core.”

Clay spoke Monday, June 8 in Ferguson Middle School’s cafeteria, where the community celebrated the first day of summer camp at The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis’ newest location.

Private donors raised about a halfmillion dollars for startup and operating costs for the first year of programming, Shuntae Ryan, spokesperson for the

clubs, told St. Louis Public Radio. They included the Deaconess Foundation, the Regional Business Council and Centene.

The new club in Ferguson comes after months of unrest following the August 9 Ferguson police killing of 18-year-old unarmed teenager Michael Brown Jr. Students in the Ferguson-

See FERGUSON, A6

InspireSTL celebrates graduation

Educational nonprofit supports its ‘scholars’ academically and emotionally

Kayla Lewis is one of the 18 students in the Class of 2015 for the educational nonprofit InspireSTL who celebrated their graduation with family and supporters on June 4 at the Public Media Commons in Grand Center.

By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Jaques Clinton, a recent Cardinal Ritter College Prep graduate, spoke to The St. Louis American from the hospital waiting room on June 9, while his aunt underwent breast cancer surgery.

“We found out back in February that she had breast cancer, but they caught it at an early stage,” said Clinton, an orphan who

See INSPIRE, A6 BUSINESS

JJK Foundation funded for STEM eduction

BP America and Bank of America each donated $10,000 to help launch the new STEM program.

Page B1

Incoming St. Louis Public Schools and charter school kindergarteners will soon receive packets in the mail with their new bank account numbers – and a starting balance of $50.

In August, St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones’ office will launch the College Kids program to provide college savings seed accounts to kindergartners.

“If we are serious about changing the trajectory in our city, the one thing that students lack is hope,” Jones said.

“College savings accounts give children hope. This is an investment we can make in our children today.”

On Tuesday, June 9, Jones was Tishaura among six people nationwide – two O. Jones from St. Louis – who were honored at the Clinton Global Initiative Conference in Denver for being part of a nationwide effort to increase the number of children with college savings accounts.

Michael Sherraden, founder of the Center for Social Development at the Brown School at Washington University, also took the stage with Jones and shook hands with former president Bill Clinton.

As part of College Kids, children will also be eligible to earn additional college funds based upon incentives for good grades, attendance and behavior. Parents and guardians will also be able to contribute money to the accounts.

College savings accounts are critical to increasing the number of college graduates, Jones said. Research indicates that low- and moderate-income children with college savings of just $500 or less are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate.

See JONES, A7

Encouragement and apology for Normandy

Middle school students celebrate graduation, with mixed feelings

By Dale Singer Of St. Louis Public Radio The promotion ceremony for 205 eighth graders at Normandy Middle School featured the usual words of encouragement and advice, plus memories of the past three years and more than a few hoots and hollers from family supporters.

But first, they got an apology.

Mike Jones, vice president of the Missouri State Board of Education, told the students that he realized the efforts by education officials in Jefferson City to help Normandy haven’t always succeeded. The district remains

See NORMANDY, A7

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

SPORTS

NEWS

Cavs defense has put the clamps on Curry

Selecting a Civilian Oversight Board

Page B3

Page A8

Stephen Curry stumbled and bumbled his way through seven quarters of terrible basketball during Game 2 and Game 3 of the Finals.

There’s a lot at stake in the selection of the citizens who will serve on this historic COB

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

A2

THE STUFF THAT HAS PEOPLE TALKING Did T-Boz make a local love connection?

The urban entertainment gossip site described Wade as Watkins’ “gorgeous” new man.

Since the Mediatakeout item was posted, all photos between Wade and Watkins were said to have disappeared from social media.

Writer sifting through Whitney dirt for new tell-all

Maia Campbell

According to several sources, Derrty Ent. Member and Nelly trainer Donta Wade began Two years ago news leaked that posting pictures of himself and TLC’s Tionne Whitney Houston had once been “T-Boz” Watkins to his social media channels. blackmailed over her suspected The pics ranged from informal and fun to romance with personal assistant Robyn intimate – and caused speculation as to whether Crawford. the two were indeed a couple.

Now Canadian investigative Wade then reportedly made it plain journalist Ian Halperin is dredging with a post where he proclaimed he was up the old dirt for his new book grateful for the New Kids on The Block’s The New York Post’s Page “The Main Event” Tour (which features Six released a small snippet of Nelly and TLC) because it led him to Halperin’s “Whitney & Bobbi his soul mate.

Kristina: The Deadly Price of The series of posts also included Fame.” a picture of the two cuddled up “On the eve of the premiere that was captioned, “everything of the Whitney Houston movie doesn’t have to be sexual, ‘The Bodyguard’ movie in sometimes just need good convo 1992, a Chicago lawyer tried while watching a movie.” to extort $250,000 from her, The picture – which has according to a heavily redacted T-Boz wrapping her arms FBI file,” Halperin wrote. “It around a shirtless Wade – made came at a time when Houston its way to Mediatakeout. was besieged by rumors about a T-Boz com. lesbian affair with her personal

2 ¢ 99 99 LB

Washington State Sweet Red Cherries

Buy 1 Get 1

Nature Sweet Sunbursts Tomatoes

FREE Your Your 99 Choice Choice LB 10.5 oz. pkg.

assistant and longtime friend, Robyn Crawford.

The lawyer told an FBI agent that the info included “knowledge of intimate details regarding Whitney Houston’s romantic relationships and will go public with the information.

According to the report, Houston’s father, John Houston, “settled the matter by sending a confidentiality agreement almost immediately,” although it was “unclear how much money was paid to silence the person and whether he met the initial demand for $250,000.”

Maia Campbell’s camp claims Iyanla is M.I.A.

and reached out to many people who turned their back on her. Maia contacted Iyanla Vanzant personally asking for help and support and the door was slammed in her face.

People [she] loved and respected who aid they’d be there or “call me anytime” ignored those calls. How about instead of exposing her we put it in our hands and get the help she needs.

We cannot afford to lose another life due to neglect of helping someone.”

Mother of Dwight Howard side baby comes out of the shadows

Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard is rumored to have several secret side babies – though he is said only to claim two.

A mother to one of his alleged children has come forward.

According to The Jasmine Brand, Tiffany Render filed court documents on May 12th in Florida asking that Dwight Howard be legally recognized as her Howard 5-year-old daughter Layla’s father.

The celebrity gossip blog says it appears that Howard has not been holding up his end of a previously reached out of court settlement.

Two years ago actress Maia Campbell appeared on the OWN Network’s Iyanla: Fix My Life in an effort to get her life back on track.

Now, after a series of disturbing videos of Campbell turned up online, her manager accuses life coach and television host Iyanla Vanzant of turning her back on the troubled actress.

“Recently my client has been exploited horribly. Many people know the battles and issues this young lady has encountered,” Maia’s manager says through Campbell’s Instagram account. “Maia felt she needed additional help

Sources: Twitter, Instagram, The Jasmine Brand, Mediatakeout.com, Page Six

2 FOR$3

1

Dole Salad Kits 8.4-13 oz. bag–All varieties

Frick’s Bone-In Shank Portion Ham Natural juices– Sold by the pound

Pride of the Farm Fresh Assorted Loin Pork Chops

16 OZ. Bar S Franks 16 oz. pkg.– All varieties

2

Oscar Mayer Bologna or Cotto Salami

99

12 oz. pkg.–All varieties except beef and fat free

Your Choice

Pride of the Farm Fresh Pork Spareribs

3

Auto Home

Farm Raised Frozen Catfish Nuggets Product of the USA

99 LB

Your Choice 99% Fat Free & Hand-Trimmed

Schnucks Natural Chicken Breasts

Schnucks Signature Salsiccia Link Sausage

FIELD

• Our growers meet our high standards • We inspect for the best flavor and quality

IN TRANSIT

Choose from boneless, skinless breast strips, fillets or thin sliced fillets.

Sold by the pound

• We continuously monitor temperature for peak quality, taste and freshness

Farmland Sliced Bacon

Limit 3 per order– 16 oz. pkg.–All varieties

Seven Fishes Tilapia Fillets

Sold by the pound in 2 lb. bags only–Sale $5.98

All Natural Swai Fillets

USDA Choice Certified Angus Beef Fresh Boneless Round Steaks

STORE

• We offer only the “Best of the Best” produce

79¢

Creamette or Ronzoni Pasta

Limit 3 per order–12-16 oz. pkg.– Selected varieties

1.49

Post Cereals

• You’ll find the freshest produce in town

Limit 3 per order–11-20 oz. box–Waffle Crisp, Golden Crisp, Original Raisin Bran, Honeycomb, Original Alpha Bits or Fruity or Cocoa Pebbles

Life Health

Do You Need Insurance?

This past year, many people came to know us as the Obamacare signup place. It has been our honor and pleasure to help so many families get healthcare. Over 7 million people now have healthcare because we stood together and helped change the world.

Even though open enrollment is over for now. We can help you year round with your insurance needs. We can cover your auto, your house, and even your life. Give us a try. We’ll give you a fair price and stand behind you in your hour of need. We are always here for you.

Please call us when you need insurance assistance.

M ISSOURI I N SU R AN C E E XCHANGE ~ Established 1993 ~

7532 West Florissant Ave

(at Lucas and Hunt/Next to Walgreens)

314-481-1100

When we stand together - We are Strong.

PRICES GOOD JUNE 10 THRU JUNE 16, 2015 in our Metro St. Louis, MO stores only

This ad not valid at Culinaria. Some items not available in some stores. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

SCHNUCKS.COM ©2015 Schnucks

www.stlamerican.com

A3

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

Repositioning Annie Malone

Interim CEO tries to educate community about center’s core programs American staff

Bill Young has more than 35 years of diverse experience in financial services. His new position as interim chief executive officer for Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center is requiring all of his skills in finance, marketing and strategic planning. After his first 100 days at the helm, he is finding that taking over an agency with 127-year history means looking to the future rather than resting on tradition.

Young said that the Board of Directors of Annie Malone is “charting a new direction and repositioning the center for the future.”

Immediate short-term goals include increasing visibility in the community, positioning the center for more services, and communicating to the public that Annie Malone is a customer service organization, instead of social service agency.

“The children and their families are our customers and most valuable resource,” said Young.

Young said it is important to let the community know exactly what the center does. Many people still believe that the agency is a residential service for “orphans,” he said; however, the center no longer serves “orphans.”

“It is important to know that we have restructured the residential services to meet the needs of families in crisis,” Young said.

He said that support from the May Day Parade and other fundraising events that are in the works will help to ensure that the center’s core programs and services “are the best that are available.”

According to the 2013 Annual Report, the most recent available, the center had $2.1 million in revenue in 2013, with more than half of that coming from program service fees, and $2.3 million in expenses. Darryl L. Wise was CEO for that reporting period.

The center’s four core programs and services are Crisis Care and Intervention Services (826 people served in 2013,

Bill Young, interim chief executive officer for Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center, supervises Cardinal Ritter students in a community service project. according to the 2013 Annual Report), Transitional Living Program (26 people served in 2013), Emerson Academy

n “We are the premier safety net for our most deserving and precious community asset: our children.”

– Bill Young, Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center

Special Education Therapeutic School (53 people served in 2013) and Parenting Education (239 people served in 2013).

“Annie Malone has been a mainstay

for 127 years – the very reason why the community should know the critical services Annie Malone Children & Family Service Center provides,” Young said. “We are the premier safety net for our most deserving and precious community asset: our children.”

Young said he always remains mindful of the organization’s mission, which is “To improve the quality of life for children, families and the community by proving social services, educational programs, advocacy and entrepreneurship.”

Based on that mission, he said, “The plan is to expand and grow what the organization does now and in the future.”

For more information about the programs and services Annie Malone Children and Family Center provides, visit www.anniemalone.com.

Misjudged in St. Clair County covert process is utilized in the St. Clair County Associate reappointment process.

Judge Laninya Cason has sat I recently participated on a on the bench since 2003 and, panel addressing the subject even prior to switching from the of black male incarceration, Democratic to the Republican convened and facilitated by party (as a means of political Judge Cason. Chief Judge survival), she had a rocky Baricevic sat in the audience. relationship with the St. Clair I watched as he grimaced and County bar. And a recent poll appeared quite displeased as he reflects their disdain for Cason. heard statistics and historical In the latest reappointment facts pointing to judicial bias, poll by the Illinois State Bar double standards and, indeed, Association, Judge Cason racism in the sentencing and received a 45.83 in the category incarceration of black of “meets requirements males nationally and in of office” – the lowest St. Clair County. score of all 13 associate So it is easy for judges in the 20th circuit. me to understand the She was the only judge possible motivation for not recommended for punishing Judge Cason, retention. who left a party which The annual, had abandoned her, anonymous poll is James for having the audacity distributed to all of the Ingram to organize a panel of attorneys in St. Clair scholars, judges and County who are members journalists who further revealed of the bar. the inherent biases and prejudices What’s interesting is that within St. Clair County and the 75 percent of the attorneys participating in the poll indicated courts.

“Politics should not have any that they had never appeared bearing on how I do my job,” before Judge Cason.

Judge Cason said. “Everybody Then, you may ask, how can is here to be fair and impartial. they even rate Judge Cason if However, with my being black they’ve never appeared in her and from East St. Louis, many courtroom? I would submit that people felt offended when I they cannot, at least not fairly. switched parties. But when I see So, then, what is the basis for the shuttered Schnucks store at their rating of Judge Cason and 25th and State Street, I realize others? The answer, I believe, that black people aren’t worried is like most things in St. Clair about Democrat or Republican.

County: “poli-tricks.”

Party affiliation is irrelevant The ultimate decision on associate judge reappointments is to the notion of justice and equality.” made by circuit judges who cast Too bad the lawyers have the secret ballots, not by the bar poll.

However, is it possible that the luxury of voting against Judge Cason, without knowing her, and bar’s voting, as well as that of circuit judges (who do know her) the circuit judges, is influenced have anonymity in stabbing her by politicians and circuit judges in the back at will, as the chief within the circuit court, namely judge minces words and hides St. Clair County Chief Judge behind polls and secret votes.

John Baricevic? Absolutely.

Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.

Can that be proved? Not com; Twitter@JamesTIngram. likely, particularly when such a

Editorial / Commentary A4

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

We must not give up on our schools

If we could only see the world through the eyes of our students, we might be able to find some answers that would help fix what’s wrong with our public school system. Of course, an adult can only learn so much from, say, a fifth grader. They are still acquiring knowledge and communication skills. But what if we waited just long enough for a fifth grader to grow up, but not so long that she forgets what it was like or becomes too jaded to care?

Remarkably, we have found such a person in Evita Caldwell. She was a member of a fifth grade class at Jefferson School that got a lot of attention at the time from educators, civic leaders and the press. The civic leaders poured millions of dollars into Jefferson School in the hopes of providing a better future for Evita, her classmates and every other child at their public school, located just a mile west of downtown in the Murphy Park-O’Fallon Place-Carr Square neighborhood.

Richard Baron led that effort. He is a nationally acclaimed developer, but also a passionate advocate for education initiatives. He was born and raised in a working-class area of Detroit, where he learned first-hand about the dynamics of inner-city neighborhoods. He took on Jefferson School as a cause in 1999 and then expanded the effort to nine more schools across North St. Louis, creating what came to be called the Vashon Compact.

The compact ended in 2006, with mixed results. Some schools showed improvements; others didn’t, for a variety of reasons. Some have closed. When the compact was dissolved, Jefferson School moved backward in many respects, as principals shuttled in and out. You can go to the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary and find reams of test scores for all of the schools involved – many of them disappointing, some dismaying.

But test scores tell only part of the story. What was the real impact on the kids? Caldwell, who graduated second in her class from Vashon in 2007 and earned a degree in communications from Saint Louis University, was burning with passion to find out. With the support and guidance of Richard Weiss, who worked on the Jefferson School story at the Post-Dispatch when Caldwell was a child, she reported a followup series on her former classmates. In today’s edition of The American, you can read what she learned in a 12-page special section, “All Grown Up,” illustrated with photographs by J.B. Forbes of the Post.

Like those test scores, Caldwell’s account is

Photo by J.B. Forbes / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Richard Baron descending the steps at Jefferson School.

dismaying in some respects, but quite hopeful in others. She has a few things to teach wellintentioned civic leaders trying to make a difference in the lives of city students. Two of those people are Maxine Clark and Bob Fox, who provided the underwriting for this special section through their charitable foundation.

Richard Baron also has continued to struggle for our children. Based on the same core values of enriching lives and building communities, Baron and others founded the Center for Creative Arts (COCA) in 1986. Just last year, the $11 million I. Jerome and Rosemary Flance Early Childhood Education Center opened only steps away from Jefferson School, thank to Baron’s vision and leadership, in partnership with others.

We want you to read all of what Caldwell has to say, so we will not dwell on her insights here.

But her message is clear: None of us can give up on our kids or our schools. We must find a way to fix our schools and deliver to all of our youth an education that challenges them from the earliest ages and prepares them for a productive and successful life.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Court reform should start with complete amnesty

By Malik Ahmed, For The St. Louis American We agree with many critics of the current municipal court system, including community activists, grass-roots organizations and Saint Louis University’s Law Clinic, who have consistently advocated for the elimination of the current court systems.

We are cautiously optimistic that the Missouri Supreme Court’s Municipal Division Work Group, co-chaired by attorney and former Judge Booker T. Shaw, will grasp this historic moment by recommending structural changes that bring about real justice and fairness to those citizens who reside in St. Louis County and beyond and have suffered under the current system.

A major issue in St. Louis County is the plethora of municipalities. These municipalities have their own rules, fines, processes and culture. Many of these fines and processes are draconian in their impact on citizens. In addition, there is a perverse, incestuous orgy of role conflicts involving police, prosecutors and judges serving this interest.

Over the years, this circle of interest has not been conducive to the fairest outcome for community residents who are made to pay exorbitant fees in order to get free of its grasp.

As has been dutifully noted in the scathing report by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Ferguson municipal court practices “disproportionately harms African Americans. It further stems in part from intentional discrimination in violation of

the constitution.”

While the DOJ’s investigation only covered the City of Ferguson, the same case can be made of the other St. Louis County courts. For decades, an exploitative system has existed that served the interest of the municipalities.

The penalties and fines were egregious and excessive, and many indigent people and their families suffered. In order to correct the historical wrongs, complete amnesty must occur for all minor outstanding infractions.

We don’t have to wait until the Supreme Court Municipal Division Work Group finishes its Guest Columnist report, we can act now!

Malik Municipal courts should Ahmed grant amnesty to all cases involving minor offenses (including traffic stops, outstanding court warrants, manner of walking on the roadway, housing code violations, failure to appear, failure to make timely payments and license suspension) from 2012 to February 2015 and maintain a complete cessation of prosecuting the foregoing practices as a means of generating revenue.

We should cap at five percent the annual revenue that a municipality can acquire from traffic tickets, warrants, bond payments, fines and court costs. Courts should utilize community service as a legitimate option for paying fines, fees, warrants and court costs, especially for indigent

populations, or where the cost will result in undue hardship on the family’s household income. Courts should reduce and cap the amount of fines and court costs that can accumulate against an individual in all municipalities to an amount that is reasonably based on the individual’s ability to pay.

Municipalities should utilize warrant recall as standard practice always available to the public.

Municipalities should immediately return all posted bonds to the person who paid for the arrested person’s release. Payment should be made immediately and in person, not mailed to an address. This is an important step in eliminating the economic exploitation of municipal residents. Monies sitting in accounts generate interest for the municipalities, and there is no legitimate reason a waiting period has to be exacted for those who may need cash the most.

For decades, municipalities have existed as self-serving financial mechanisms to extract profit from those who have the least. Observing municipal court proceedings involving indigent African Americans in St. Louis County is akin to observing a slave auction.

One sees officials who are predominately white presiding over the judicial auction block, deciding the fate of a predominately black populace.

One sees this population unable to pay and further penalized for being poor, black and lacking legal representation. It is unfair and unjust.

Malik Ahmed is CEO of Better Family Life, Inc.

As I See It - A Forum for Community Issues

Keeping students on the college path

By Alan Byrd and Allison Williams For The St. Louis American In the coming years, the St. Louis region’s economy will require that more than 60 percent of adults have a highquality certificate, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. Our region currently stands at 43 percent of adults with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. In a region called to raise racial and economic equity as an absolute priority, this number stands at only 26 percent among AfricanAmerican residents.

We can and must do better at ensuring that all students have the opportunity to complete a degree. That is why St. Louis Graduates has partnered with St. Louis Regional Chamber and other colleagues to coordinate regional efforts to increase college degree attainment for those in our region with the lowest completion rates – low-income, first-generation students and African American students.

Collaboration is at the heart of an effort to ensure college-intending high school graduates stay on the path to college during the summer after graduation. This week the St. Louis Graduates High School to College Center opened at 618 N. Skinker Blvd. in the Delmar Loop. Counselors from 23 area high schools and college access/success nonprofits are working together

to help our young people make successful student transitions onto a post-secondary campus in the fall.

They counsel students on financial aid, housing, orientation and other “what do I do now?” questions. Using College Bound’s student-friendly Bridgit system, students leave with a detailed task list, and center counselors Guest Columnist follow up with text reminders and Alan encouragement Byrd as they work through it.

Last summer, 167 students representing 50 high schools in the area visited the center for assistance. Of these students, 70 Guest Columnist percent enrolled in classes for the Allison fall semester, according to Williams National Student Clearinghouse data.

The High School to College Center is truly a collaborative response to a community challenge and only possible because so many pitch in.

The Scholarship Foundation contributes financial aid advisors and laptop computers; Washington University

LLetters Editor etterstotothe the Editor CORRECTION A photo caption for the HarrisStowe graduation story last week had an error. The woman pictured to the left is LaTunya Lockett, not Arleen Thomas.

We regret the error.

Criminalizing HIV It’s utterly sad and shocking that, in 2015, a person living with HIV can be sentenced to spend decades in prison due to laws criminalizing HIV – especially considering that these laws were passed in a fear-driven environment when little was understood about preventing and treating the disease.

While we fully support the notion that a person should disclose his/her HIV status before engaging in sexual contact, we also recognize the role that stigma and discrimination play in a person’s decision to withhold or even lie about this information. Yet in the 32 states that have HIV-specific criminal statutes on their books, most of which carry felony charges, what’s being meted out for people living with HIV is unfair judgment, not justice.

Much like the lengthy and discriminatory mandatory minimum drug sentences that ruined thousands of lives in our nation and are now, thankfully, being overturned, so must we also challenge state laws that criminalize HIV. As yet another person faces spending the rest of his life behind bars due to these statutes, we’re even more determined to work to overturn these harmful laws that are based in ignorance and fear.

Christopher Johnson, co-chair Black AIDS Crisis Taskforce

Applauding Mayor Slay By standing up and speaking out, we are on the verge of making St. Louis the first city in America’s heartland to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

We’ve gone from the days of being told we had no shot to $15 an hour becoming a reality all over the country.

Momentum is building from

provides space in the studentfriendly Delmar Loop; Monsanto, Sigma-Aldrich, and United Way of Greater St. Louis provide funding for counselor stipends and operations.

The St. Louis region’s insufficient degree attainment rate belongs to all of us, affects all of us, and can be improved by all of us. The success of the High School to College Center shows what can happen when a community need is recognized, and caring stakeholders from across the region band together with an innovative solution.

We invite you to be a part of the solution. Come by the High School to College Center this summer with a new high school graduate – your neighbor, your son, your granddaughter, your cousin, the young man in the next pew at your place of worship, the employee working at your restaurant. You, too, can help keep a collegeintending student stay on the path to attending college this fall.

Information about the High School to College Center, including hours of operation, can be found at www.

StLouisGraduates.org.

Alan Byrd is dean of enrollment services at University of Missouri-St. Louis. Allison Williams is senior vice president-programs at Wyman Center. They serve as co-chairs of St. Louis Graduates.

All All letters letters are are edited edited for for length length and and style. style.

coast to coast, from St. Louis to Los Angeles, to end the lowwage crisis that’s making it impossible for people like me to get by without relying on public assistance.

My gas was recently shut off and it is virtually impossible to feed my 14-year-old son on just $7.65 an hour. Mothers like me shouldn’t have to worry about putting food in our kids’ mouths, especially when we work for multi-billion dollar companies like McDonald’s.

We applaud Mayor Slay for sticking up for the tens of thousands of workers like me in our city who are living in crushing poverty. And we’ll keep standing up and speaking out until we win $15 and union rights. If we can win here in St. Louis, we can win anywhere.

Bettie Douglas, St. Louis

Improve access The U.S. Small Business

The largest weekly newspaper in Missouri 70,000 copies - CAC Audited 100% Independently owned & operated Continuously published, without interruption since 1928

Donald M. Suggs Publisher & Executive Editor Kevin Jones - Sr. Vice Pres. & COO Dina M. Suggs - Sr. Vice Pres.

Nathan B. Young (1894 -1993) - Founder N.A. Sweets (1901-1988) - Publisher Emeritus Bennie G. Rodgers - (1914 - 2000) Executive Editor Emeritus Melba Sweets (1909 - 2006) Editor Emeritus Editorial Chris King - Managing Editor Kenya Vaughn - Website Editor Earl Austin Jr. - Sports Editor Sandra Jordan - Health Reporter Rebecca S. Rivas - Senior Reporter Wiley Price - Senior Photojournalist

Administration (SBA) recently called for Congress to approve the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) proposal. Ninetyfive percent of the world’s consumers live outside U.S. borders, but only one percent of U.S. businesses sell to them.

TPA is an essential step in changing that equation and helping U.S. entrepreneurs access vital foreign markets.

The SBA supports expanding exports by American small businesses through its 7(a) and 504 loan programs, as well as through trade-specific credit products. SBA also provides no-cost counseling to small businesses seeking to export via a vast network of 68 district offices, 19 U.S. Export Assistance Centers, 900 small business development centers, nearly 100 women business centers, and 15 Veterans’ business opportunity centers.

Maria Contreras-Sweet, administrator U.S. Small Business Administration

Lawrence Bryant - Photojournalist Denise Hooks -Anderson, M.D. Health Editor Jami Ballentine-Dolby Entertainment Danie Rae - Style Editor Dana G. Randolph Contributing Editor Fred Sweets - Contributing Editor Sales / Marketing Onye Hollomon- Sr. Acct. Exec.

Barbara Sills - Sr. Acct. Exec.

Pam Simmons- Sr. Acct. Exec.

Nevida Medina - Classified Ad Mgr Angelita F. Jackson - Graphic Artist Production Mike Terhaar - Art Director Melvin Moore - Graphic Designer Administration Robin Britt - Controller Cathy Sewell - NIE Manager Ishmael Sistrunk - Web/IT/ Promotions Coordinator Kate Daniel - Exec Assistant Loistine McGhee - Acct. Assistant Mary Easter - Receptionist

The St. Louis American

2315 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO, 63103.

Phone: 314-533-8000 / Fax: 314-533-2332

A5

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

Climate change makes allergies worse

By Dr. Huldah Blamoville For The St. Louis American

Getting ready for summer reading

Photo by Wiley Price

Oak Hill kindergarten student Madison Moore paints a book shelf to hold books from First Book for Oak Hill’s Summer Reading Program.

Story Time in Ferguson Parents as Teachers will present Story Time at the Ferguson Community Center, 1050 Smith Ave. in Ferguson on Tuesday mornings, from 10-11:00 a.m. on June 16, July 14, and August 18. A Parents as Teachers certified parent educator who will read several stories centered around a theme, then children and parents will have the opportunity to participate in a related activity. Suggested child ages are 3 months to 5 years. Call 314-506-9069 for more information.

New starting dates, times for SLPS The Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools recently approved several adjustments to the 2015/2016 school year calendar and to bell times for all SLPS schools beginning next school year.

The start of the school year has been changed from Monday, August 10 to Monday, August 17. The last day of the 2015/2016 school year will be moved from Friday, May 20 to Thursday, May 26. Spring Break will move from the week of March 14-18 to March 21-25. The two Record Keeping Days on the 2015/2016 calendar are being changed from December 21 to December 18 and from May 16 to May 27.

All schools will start and dismiss 20 minutes later next year. The district’s first tier of schools will now start at 7:30 a.m. and dismiss at 2:27 p.m. Tier two schools will begin at 8:25 a.m. and 8:35 a.m. and dismiss at 3:22 p.m. and 3:32 p.m. Tier 3 schools new start time will be 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. with dismissal times at 4:27 p.m. and 4:37 p.m.

The 2015/2016 revised calendar is available at www.slps.org/2015Calendar.

Free legal services for County seniors St. Louis County Department of Human Services’ County Older Resident Programs (CORP) offers free non-litigation services for county residents, 60 and older, with income of $34,000 or less. Assistance is provided one day each month at various St. Louis County locations. To schedule an appointment, or learn more about other CORP services, call 314-615-0931, Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Climate change is making our patients sicker.

As physicians of the Mound City Medical Forum, the Missouri affiliate of the National Medical Association, we are concerned how climate change is causing us to have to provide more asthma and allergy medication to our patients at younger and younger ages.

As many suffer through allergy season, you may not be surprised to learn that allergenic pollen production increases as carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures climb. Additionally, carbon pollution that causes climate change is linked to childhood asthma attacks, cardio vascular disease and other respiratory illnesses.

We are not alone. A recent national study of African-American physicians conducted by George Mason University and the National Medical Association – the leading voice for African-American physicians in the United States – showed that 88 percent of physicians surveyed are seeing health effects of climate change in their patients.

In this part of the Midwest, we have seen the ragweed pollen season increase by about two weeks. This, coupled with high ozone air pollution, is why the St. Louis area has been named a climate-vulnerable zone in a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, “Sneezing and Wheezing, How Climate Change Could Increase Ragweed Allergies, Air Pollution and Asthma.”

This report finds that 109 million people in our country are acutely exposed to both worsening respiratory allergies and asthma associated with Dr. Huldah climate change. In Missouri alone, nearly one Blamoville million people now live with asthma or chronic respiratory disease. These negative health effects are expected to worsen if carbon dioxide concentrations keep rising and climate change continues unchecked.

Our state can curb this harmful carbon pollution and create goodpaying clean energy jobs by investing in energy efficiency and renewable sources of power like wind and solar. It’s a win-win for our health and our economy.

And we can’t act on it soon enough. One analysis suggests that the health benefits from reducing particles and smog could save 1,200 lives and prevent 310 hospitalizations in Missouri from 2020-2030 alone.

To take action, we need to implement a new national plan to limit carbon pollution so that we can protect our children’s health. The plan (called The Clean Power Plan) will slash the largest source of carbon pollution in America – unlimited carbon emissions from power plants – and give Missouri the flexibility to craft its own path to reduce carbon pollution in the state.

Mound City Medical Forum joins other doctors and public health officials in our state who are fighting for cleaner air and water to protect our children’s health and limit the frequency of climate change-related weather disasters that put our children’s safety at risk. Their health depends on it, and so does ours.

Huldah Blamoville, MD, MPH, MBA, is president of the Mound City Medical Forum and associate professor at the Washington University and Saint Louis University schools of medicine.

A6

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

FERGUSON Continued from A1

Florissant school district were delayed from starting the 2014-2015 school year by two weeks as a result of continuing protests and militarized police response.

Gov. Jay Nixon declared states of emergency in Ferguson in August and again in November following the grand jury decision not to indict the police shooter.

Living in Ferguson over the past year has been rough, Blessing Hasan, 14, told St. Louis Public Radio.

“I live up the street from where Mike Brown got shot,” Hasan said. “There was a lot of looting, and some of the stores I live by got burned down.”

Hasan said her mother signed her up for the summer camp, but she wanted to come for the arts and music classes.

About 200 students, ages 6 to 15, signed up for the full-day program in Ferguson, which includes outdoor activities, field trips and classes. In the fall, The Ferguson Middle School Boys & Girls Club will host after-school activities for youth ages 6-18 in North St. Louis County.

It’s The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis’ sixth location in the region. The organization, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth, has been in the region for nearly 50 years. The original location was the Herbert Hoover’s Boys & Girls Club located in North St. Louis on North Grand Boulevard.

Robert Givens, 15, an aspiring engineer attending the camp in Ferguson, told St. Louis Pubic Radio he is looking forward to field trips and robotics classes.

The past year, he said, has been “hectic.” He lives just a few blocks from the Ferguson Police Station, where nightly protests continued for months after the August 9 killing of Brown. In March, two police officers were shot outside the station following a protest.

“I’m glad that the community is healing, and I’m glad that the new center is open,” Givens told St. Louis Pubic Radio. “I feel like it will open a lot of opportunities for us.”

Dozens of children sat anxiously in the school’s cafeteria on Monday as speakers expressed their joy for the new location. Those in attendance included Flint Fowler, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, County Executive Steve Stenger, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles and Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones.

“We have an obligation to show them that even though tragic things happen,” Clay said of the youth, “the future they will build and the world they will inherit will be better than today.”

For more information, visit www.bgcstl.org.

This story is published as part of a partnership between The St. Louis American and The Huffington Post.

Photo by Lawrence Bryant

The educational nonprofit InspireSTL celebrated the graduation of the 18 students in its Class of 2015 on June 4 at the Public Media Commons in Grand Center. Since 2011, InspireSTL has helped place 140 talented low-income middle-school students into the region’s top college-prep high schools.

INSPIRE Continued from A1

has lived with his aunt since he was 13. “She prolonged the surgery until after my graduation because she wanted to be able to participate in the ceremony and my prom.”

For him and his aunt, the educational nonprofit InspireSTL was like their second family, he said. And at the InspireSTL graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 4, when executive director Charli Cooksey gave the 18 Class of 2015 graduates “keys to success,” it was particularly symbolic to him.

“Inspire has been extremely supportive,” said Clinton, who will attend Dillard University,

in 2011. Amina Dalton, a a historically black university recent graduate of Carnahan in New Orleans, in the fall.

High School of the Future, “They helped me get into a was also in the first class. She phenomenal university. They remembers when her eighth have helped me with college grade Spanish teacher gave her applications and fill out scholarships, especially this last an application for InspireSTL. “I was hesitant, not knowing year of high school.” what was going to happen, but Since 2011, InspireSTL has my mom thought it would be a helped place 140 talented lowgood opportunity,” income middlesaid Dalton, who school students n “Your entered Metro into the region’s circumstances Academic and top college-prep do not define Classical High high schools. The program follows you. If anything, School as a freshman. their “scholars” they make you In her throughout their stronger and sophomore year, high school push you to she was failing experience and three classes supports them both create a better because she said academically and world.” the six hours emotionally. of homework For Clinton, – Jaques Clinton every night was InspireSTL helped overwhelming. to pay for his She said she didn’t tuition, school have time to be a teenager. uniforms and books – while “I felt disappointed in also acting as his academic myself,” she said. “Instead coach and providing a network of being disappointed in me, of students he could count on, Inspire encouraged me to leave he said.

Metro because it wasn’t the With the hope of helping best fit for me. Inspire did other orphans deal with the really have my back. They grief of losing their parents, really understood what I was he would like to study child going through.” psychology at Dillard and later Every week, her InspireSTL perhaps family law, he said. coaches would have weekly “Your circumstances do goal-setting meetings. But not define you,” he said. “If aside from academics, she said anything, they make you InspireSTL helped her break stronger and push you to create down some social anxiety that a better world for yourself and she had built up from being others.” bullied during middle school.

“For anyone out there who “When I was in middle suffers from the loss of a loved school, I was shy,” Dalton said. or has a difficult time coping “Inspire helped me come out of with grief, I want to say, ‘That my shell.” is not your destiny,’” he said.

Now her fellow InspireSTL “I am living proof.” scholars are some of her best Clinton was part of friends, she said. In the fall, InspireSTL’s inaugural class

Dalton will attend University of Missouri – Kansas City and study pre-med.

At the graduation, InspireSTL showed a video of the scholars talking about the program.

“To see myself talking about Inspire made me very emotional,” Dalton said.

“Inspire has impacted so many students already, and it’s only been around for four years.”

In 2011, InspireSTL’s four founders – Cooksey, Kathryn Bryant, Sonya Forg and James Kelly – were placed in inner-city middle schools in St. Louis as part of the Teach For America program.

“It helped me realize that our students need longterm opportunity access and support,” Cooksey said.

“A lot of my students didn’t realize what a lowperforming high school was. They all had visions of doing great things, but didn’t realize going to a certain high school gives you a less than 10 percent chance that you will be able to complete high school and become the things you aspire to be.”

For Cooksey, graduation was a reminder of all the diverse challenges that their inaugural class had overcome, she said.

She said, “Despite their many challenges – from losing their parents to immigrating from a foreign country – they were all there to celebrate their accomplishments and the fact that they made it together.”

Follow this reporter on Twitter @rebeccarivas.

A7

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

JONES

Laura Owens, director of Strategic Initiatives for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation; Heidi Goldberg, director of Economic Opportunity and Financial Empowerment for the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families; Michael Sherraden, founder and director of the Center for Social Development at Washington University; San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros; St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones; Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper; Andrea Levere, president of the Center for Enterprise Development; and former President Bill Clinton.

Continued from A1 Jones said St. Louis’ program is virtually identical to a program started in 2011

by José Cisneros, treasurer of the City and County of San Francisco. Clinton also recognized Cisneros at the conference on Tuesday.

About 2,600 families have saved more than $1 million combined over the last four years, according to San Francisco’s Kindergarten to College program. About half of the California families who are actively saving have a household income of less than $40,000 a year for a family of four.

Jones attended a conference last year, where she heard from some of the families who participated in San Francisco’s program.

“They brought up families who were in different stages in savings,” she said. “The kids, no matter what stage they were at, their mindset is totally different.”

Children saw that the money they spend on a new phone could be put in their savings account, she said, and parents also regularly contributed.

All the St. Louis accounts will be held at 1st Financial Federal Credit Union, which is leading a partnership with lending institutions that includes Wells Fargo, Vista Share and CFED’s 1:1 Fund, as well as St. Louis Public Schools and Missouri Charter Public School Association.

Sherraden has frequently praised the treasurer’s program.

At Washington University, Sherraden is leading a similar

NORMANDY Continued from A1

unaccredited and is finishing up its first year being run by a state-appointed board.

Before he began his official remarks, Jones told the students and their parents that the state board and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education owe them “a collective apology for failing to provide you with the education experience you should have.”

“It didn’t go like any of us wanted it to go,” Jones told St. Louis Public Radio. “We had good intentions, but good intentions didn’t get it done.”

Specifically, Jones said, when the Normandy School District was dissolved June 30 and replaced with the Normandy Schools Collaborative, letting all employee contracts lapse probably wasn’t the best idea.

“The turnover in the staff didn’t create the upside that we

project, SEED for Oklahoma Kids, which gave 1,346 children a much larger $1,000 college savings account at birth.

“We find that if the children have a college savings account their parents have higher expectations for their educational achievement,” Sherraden said. “We know that’s very much associated with educational achievement later on. We have more positive

would hope for,” Jones said. “It created a greater disruption.”

Jones’ term as vice president of the board ends at the end of this month. Last month, he said he didn’t want to move up to board president because he wanted to be able to speak more freely on behalf of “those children in places like Normandy that never have anybody in positions of authority and influence make their fate the single most important priority.”

When it was those children’s turn to speak, they represented their classmates in ways that brought laughter and shouts of encouragement from the audience in Viking Hall on the campus of Normandy High School.

Jewell Hall, who welcomed the crowd, spoke of stressful times at the middle school, where Superintendent Charles Pearson has acknowledged academic and other difficulties.

But, Hall said, “we did not give up,” and teachers helped them succeed.

The top eighth-grade

n “College savings accounts give children hope.

This is an investment we can make in our children today.”

– Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones

measures of child development, especially social and emotional development, with children and their mothers.”

Sherraden spoke about these results at the May 2014 release of “For the Sake of All,” a multi-disciplinary report on the

scholar, Mohammed Ahmadthe memories that the eighth Gol, reeled off the names of graders are taking with them, a number of those teachers, said, “Tonight, I look into this thanking them all for their crowd, and I see some of the dedication. smartest kids in the Destiny Watson world.” said that she and her n “Not a day In his speech, family had to decide goes by that Jones told the eighth whether Normandy they don’t try graders that they was the best place were going through to help us for her to continue significant rite of and guide us apassage. her education, and into mature her decision to “You’re not adults.” stay “turned out grown yet,” he to be better than I said, “but you’re – Destiny imagined.” no longer a child.

Watson Her teachers You’re making the pushed her and her transition to being an classmates to their adult.” limits, she said, He said they adding: “Not a day should view the life goes by that they don’t try ahead of them as a book with to help us and guide us into blank pages, where nothing is mature adults.” ever deleted or erased. “The Jerrell McKinney, world is going to judge and charged with talking about measure you by what’s on that

health of African Americans in St. Louis. The report – conducted by seven researchers from Washington University and Saint Louis University and led by Jason Q. Purnell, an assistant professor at the Brown School – revealed 67 pages of evidence that blacks in the St. Louis region endure hideous disparities in health outcomes, compared to their white counterparts.

Sherraden said mothers in

the Oklahoma study also report fewer depressive symptoms than a control group of mothers.

“This shows you can actually put in place better economic opportunities for people, and people will respond to those opportunities,” Sherraden said, “and evidence suggests that as a result people’s lives will be better.”

page,” he said. “Whatever is there, you put there.”

Principal GeNita Williams, who will not be returning to the middle school for the coming school year, had the final words of the evening.

“I’ve seen you guys grow in such momentous ways, outrageous ways,” she said, “and it’s truly touched my heart. I hope that you guys take away the spirit that was

generated at the middle school.

Always do your best, each and every single day. It is important for you to look good on paper. Please remember that. I love each and every one of you.”

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

Follow Dale Singer on Twitter for education news: @ Dalesinger.

A8

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

Urban League honors women leaders

Cheryl Miller, Marylen Mann, Angela Winbush, Amie Needham recognized June 19 American staff The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will host its 12th annual Salute to Women in Leadership Gala on Friday, June 19 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel on with a black-tie reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The 2015 honorees are Cheryl Miller, Marylen Mann, Angela Winbush and Amie Needham.

Cheryl Miller is a Hall of Fame basketball player and head coach of women’s basketball at Langston University. She led USA Basketball to gold in five major competitions in four years. In 1987, she accepted a reporter position with ESPN and a part-time coaching assistant position at the University of Southern California. In 1995, she left USC and began covering the NBA with Turner Sports, becoming the first women to call an NBA game. A few years later, WNBA’s Phoenix franchise asked Miller to coach and manage the team, making her the first female head coach and general manager in professional basketball.

Marylen Mann is founder and Chairman Emeritus of OASIS, a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the aging population through lifelong learning, health and civic engagement. Founded in 1982, OASIS serves more than 350,000 members age 50 and older through a national network in 49 U.S. cities and 24 states. Her civic involvement outside of OASIS includes member of National Council for the Gephardt Institute for Public Service, member of the National Council for the George

Angela Winbush

Cheryl Miller

Warren Brown School of Social Work, and vice president of the Jewish Community Relations council.

P.C, where she works with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses. As one of the few St. Louis women practicing traditional labor law, she has been consistently recognized and ranked as one of the top female labor and employment attorneys in the region. She serves the community with various organizations such as The Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Victory Fund and The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

“The Urban League is proud to give recognition to outstanding women who embody the mission of our organization to help create opportunities for disadvantaged and overlooked individuals and communities,” said Michael McMillan, president and CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Other awardees include: Brenda Walker McCain, Deborah Catchings-Smith, Denise Turner, Tiffany Anderson, Hazel Mallory, Mary Ann Wagner, Mary Harper Thomas, Rebeccah Bennett, Gloria Hernden and Rev. Traci Blackmon.

For tickets and additional information, contact Kathi Hadley at 314-615-3668 or purchase online at www.ulstl.com.

R&B singer and writer Angela Winbush began working with singers like Steve Wonder and raised to stardom in the 1980s with

n “The Urban League is proud to give recognition to outstanding women who embody the mission of our organization.”

– Michael McMillan

her R&B duo Rene & Angela.

Growing up singing at church, Winbush didn’t desire a music career, but that soon changed when she attended Howard University.

In 1987, she took on a solo career and began working with the Isley brothers. She has sold 10 million albums and singles worldwide.

Amie E. Needham is a shareholder at Little Mendelson,

Selecting a Civilian Oversight Board Better late than never. for any crime for which you were not The mayor has finally issued his convicted, excluding traffic offenses application for the Civilian Oversight where the fine imposed was less than Board (COB), as the process established $100; by the Coalition Against Police Crimes • Has any business you have & Repression (CAPCR) came to a close. owned, or of which you have been the Mayor Slay probably realized that he had majority shareholder, ever filed for not given any leadership to this important bankruptcy or been adjudicated bankrupt? process and there’s a lot at stake in the One has to wonder if this is an selection of the citizens who will serve on application to discourage people this historic COB. from applying. There are a number For CAPCR, this is a juncture in our of reasons why a business would file long struggle for real local control and an bankruptcy that have little to do with effective civilian oversight board where their ability to be a competent member transparency and democratic engagement of the COB. Questions about your social is absolutely mandatory. We began our media account? This may border on discussion and development of the COB infringement of one’s First Amendment application long before the bill was rights. signed into law. By late April, we Additionally, CAPCR has built announced the process and directed in its process a rating score that people to our website for all the also includes diversity factors. details. We also began holding The criteria was adapted from a meetings and town halls to help rubric by Alderwoman Megan identify worthy candidates for the Green which failed to pass as an seven positions. amendment to the bill, but that The COB law states that one we thought was still very useful. member will represent a COB Because it will be difficult for District that includes four wards. individual districts to pay attention Jamala These nominations come from the to the overall demographics of Rogers alderpeople and go to the mayor the board, CAPCR will also score for approval. His seven names according to whether the potential must go back to the Board of Alderpeople candidate is non-white, differently abled, for final approval. Built into the bill are LGBTQ, etc. public hearings for citizens to review the All applications turned into CAPCR proposed board composition and to assess will be turned over to the respective whether the board complies with the alderpeople in the COB district along ethical requirements by the community. with the score sheets. Several alders have CAPCR’s application centers on agreed to use our process. ascertaining the candidate’s character and The deadline for CAPCR’s application his/her demonstrative involvement in the is past, but the official deadline is not community. We think these elements are until July 6. Since there is no official key to being a public servant who will be application, you can still use the CAPCR accountable to the community. one at its website (www.capcr-stl.org) Conversely, the mayor’s 9-page and turn it in to your alderperson by the application seems to be witch-hunting and deadline date. You’re not required to use contains language like: the mayor’s application.

CAPCR is encouraging a robust • Please list all social media discussion about the board and the accounts you maintain or have access community’s expectations. Protecting to, whether in a personal or professional the integrity of the process by any means capacity and whether or not you use your necessary will be critical, but ongoing own name or another name; citizen participation is imperative.

• Have you ever, as an adult, been charged with any crime or arrested

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

New Jennings mayor sues everybody The phone rang at The American newsroom. The caller said he was a resident of Jennings. “You all need to take a look at Jennings,” he said. “The new mayor is suing everyone in sight.”

The EYE took a look at Missouri Casenet. Indeed, Mayor Yolonda Fountain Henderson is suing everyone in sight.

In a pleading filed May 18 in St. Louis County Circuit Court, Henderson named the Jennings City Council members, city clerk, city attorney, city collector, director of public safety, director of housing and economic development, director of streets, director of parks, coordinator of special services, public health officer, municipal judge, Youth Commission members, Senior Citizens Commission members, Landmarks Commission members, Human Rights Commission members, and the members of the Board of Trustees for the Police and Firemen’s Retirement Fund.

What is the complaint?

According to the pleading, Henderson “prefers to have as members of her cabinet and those persons making policy decisions or implementing policy decisions of the mayor’s office, individuals and appointees of her choice.” She prefers her own appointees, the pleading continues, “in order to assure their loyalty and competence and to assure that her policies, as mayor of the City of Jennings, are implemented and executed effectively, efficiently and expeditiously during the full four years of her term of office.”

And, according to the pleading, the former of mayor of Jennings, Mayor Ben Sutphin, and his allies pushed through changes, in anticipation of Henderson being elected, that unlawfully blocks or limits these appointing powers.

According to the pleading, this scheme to disempower her began long before Henderson was elected in March 2015. The pleading claims that the scheme to limit Henderson’s appointing powers, in anticipation of her election, began back in 2006 and continued through two elections where she was not, in fact, elected mayor. By the time she actually was elected mayor, the pleading claims, her

predecessors had rigged city government to leave Henderson with very limited powers.

“To the victor goes the spoils” is one truism of electoral politics. But according to this pleading, the victorious Henderson inherited only a bunch of people with “fixed terms of employment” whom she is unable to terminate in favor of new people whose “loyalty and competence” she trusts.

These limits on her appointing power, the pleading claims, are “unlawful and unconstitutional,” and the EYE trusts the judge to decide whether or not that is true, based on the Missouri Constitution and relevant law. However, the pleading does include one activist note when it claims that the limits on Henderson’s appointing powers are “detrimental to the public welfare in the case of the municipal court.”

The pleading continues: “The municipal courts of St. Louis County have been found to be plagued by many unjust practices and procedures in the administration of justice and it is the intent of Mayor Henderson, with the advice and consent of the City council, to commission an investigation of the administration and operation of the municipal courts of Jennings and take any action deemed appropriate or necessary as a result of said investigation to assure that justice is administered fairly and to assure that Jennings’ municipal courts are not guilty of any of the miscarriages of justice found to be prevalent in Ferguson, Missouri or other municipal courts of St Louis County.”

Jennings’ municipal judge is Judge John Duepner, one of many Jennings officials named in the suit who presumably is headed for the unemployment line if a circuit judge rules in Henderson’s favor.

The EYE believes it is relevant to note that Henderson is Jennings’ first black mayor.

Certainly, her attorney, Elbert A. Walton Jr., is alert to the racial dynamics in the municipality. The pleading he wrote does not claim any racial bias against Henderson, but does elude to “stalking horse” politics allegedly used to defeat her at the polls previous to her winning this year. A

A9

Newly elected Jennings Mayor Yolonda Fountain Henderson celebrated with Wesley Bell, who swore her in on April 27. Photo by Lawrence Byrant “stalking horse” is a candidate with similar demographics to a feared opponent put into the race merely to deflect votes from the feared opponent. So the underlying argument to the pleading is that a white power structure rigged municipal government to disempower a black mayor – even though it took a few tries for a black mayor finally to be elected.

At the time of the 2010 Census, Jennings’ population of 14,712 was 90 percent black.

Walton is a veteran strategist for black political empowerment in North County and, as such, entrenched white labor’s most formidable foe in North County prior to the emergence last year of the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition. He was last seen in action as attorney for the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, until it was taken over by the courts in October 2009 “amid allegations that board members at the time were violating open meetings laws and spending large sums inappropriately,” as the PostDispatch reported. Among those allegedly inappropriate large sums were payments to Walton for his attorney services.

“The court’s intervention was a key reason why Walton, attorney Bernard Edwards

Jr. and former board president and district Chief Joseph Washington did not walk away from the nearly bankrupt district with almost $1 million in a cloudy deal struck with the board then in place,” the Post reported.

Knowles: still mayor Petitioners seeking to oust controversial Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III have fallen some 800 valid signatures short of the number needed to trigger a recall election.

Eric Fey, the Democratic director of elections at St. Louis County Board of Elections, told St. Louis Public Radio that petitioners had gathered 1,008 valid signatures. They needed 1,814 to trigger a recall.

Fey also said that 1,125 signatures were declared invalid: 562 of the names weren’t registered in St. Louis County, while another 366 didn’t live in Ferguson.

As for the remaining 197, Fey said, 19 names had “blank lines” within the petition, 65 names didn’t provide an address, 65 names didn’t provide a signature, 18 names did not have the signature on file with the election board, and 30 names were duplicates.

According to the Ferguson city charter, St. Louis Public

Radio reported, the petitioners will be notified by certified mail that they did not collect enough signatures. They will have two days to file an intent to pursue an amended petition with additional signatures.

After that, the additional signatures must be filed within 10 days.

New city manager and judge While Knowles lives to play mayor another day, two Ferguson officials who got the axe in the wake of the damning Department of Justice Report have now been replaced, though probably not for long.

The Ferguson City Council approved a contract with Interim Solutions, LLC, a municipal government staffing agency, to employ Ed Beasley as interim city manager.

Beasley took over for acting city manager Matt Unrein, the city’s Public Works director, who took over for Pam Hylton when she left for an assistant city manager job in Richmond Heights. Hylton took over for disgraced longtime city manager John Shaw, who resigned after the DOJ report revealed him colluding with Police Chief Thomas Jackson and the municipal judge to

raise city revenues through aggressive policing.

Beasley, who is black, will not be here long either.

His contract can be extended only up to six months for up to $84,500, which includes a housing stipend. Ferguson is still seeking to hire an executive search firm to assist with the nationwide search for a permanent city manager.

Ferguson’s new municipal judge also is, in effect, an interim African-American hire.

The Ferguson City Council appointed Judge Donald McCullin as the new municipal judge, replacing Judge Roy L. Richter, who was appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to handle Ferguson court’s caseload after the DOJ report showed Municipal Judge Ronald Brockmeyer colluding with Shaw and Jackson.

McCullin currently serves as a hearing officer for the St. Louis City Parking Commission and the Civil Service Commission. He also serves as disciplinary hearing officer for the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

But he won’t hold court in Ferguson for long. As the Post noted, McCullin is 74 and Missouri law limits the age of municipal judges to 75.

A10

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

Fair housing violations bring $242M to Blacks and Latinos

HUD, CFPB, DOJ and Florida AG crack down on redlining, mortgage denials, scams

By Charlene Crowell Center for Responsible Lending

Despite long-standing federal laws banning discrimination in housing and credit, three recent actions reveal how the road to fair housing remains an arduous journey – especially for Black and Latino communities.

Three recent and separate enforcement actions involving federal and state agencies together prove how coordinated efforts can lead to equitable settlements for those whose rights have been denied.

Further, the actions illustrate how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) works in cooperation with other federal and state agencies to ensure that everyone harmed is protected by federal or state laws – or a combination of both.

On May 26, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) resolved the largest disparate treatment in redlining in the agency’s history. The settlement is also one of the largest redlining complaints brought by the federal government against a mortgage lender.

Associated Bank, based in Wisconsin and operating in multiple states, denied Black and Latino mortgage applicants loans from 20082010, particularly in large minority neighborhoods. As a result, Associated must now make more than $200 million in new mortgage lending available in majorityminority census tracts located in Chicago and adjoining Lake

County; Milwaukee and nearby Kenosha and in MinneapolisSt. Paul.

Beyond the $200 million in new mortgage lending, Associated Bank’s settlement also guarantees the opening of four loan offices in four of the majority-minority census tracts – three in Chicago and a fourth in the Milwaukee area.

Within six months, fair housing training must be offered to all of its employees and agents with substantial residential lending and a second level review on all denied residential loans will also go into effect.

An additional $5.75 million from the bank will be used to support homeowner improvements/repairs ($3 million), affirmative marking of loans ($1.4 million), community reinvestment and fair lending and education training ($1.35 million).

“Discriminatory lending practices have too often cut off many credit-worthy families from the opportunities they need to thrive,” said HUD Secretary Julian Castro. “This agreement will ensure that more Americans can fulfill their hopes and aspirations.”

Days later, CFPB took two back-to-back enforcement actions – again largely affecting Black and Latino consumers who either purchased a home or were striving to avoid foreclosure. About 16,000 affected consumers of color will share a total of $36.7 million for the harms incurred by these illegal actions.

On May 28, CFPB and the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a joint complaint against Provident Funding

HUD Secretary Julian Castro talked with St. Louis County Youth Build member Michelle Owens during a visit to Ferguson on April 27.

Photo by Wiley Price

Associates. The firm charged higher fees that were unrelated to an applicant’s creditworthiness, and additionally allowed broker discretion to charge higher interest rates to Black and Latino consumers seeking a mortgage. At the same time, similar White consumers were never charged the higher costs. Provident encouraged its brokers to follow these discriminatory practices by

rates than those of White borrowers, DOJ further alleged that Provident violated the Fair Housing Act, which also bans discrimination in mortgage lending.

As a result, approximately 14,000 Black and Latino who were sold Provident mortgages from 2006 to 2011 will share $9 million in damages for the harms incurred. Based in California, Provident mortgage brokers made loans across the

n DOJ and CFPB filed charges based on Equal Credit Opportunity Act bans on discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race or national origin.

sharing a portion of the higher costs, also known as yieldspread premiums, with their brokers.

DOJ and CFPB filed charges based on the Equal Credit Opportunity Act that bans creditors from discriminating against applicants in credit transactions on the basis of characteristics such as race and national origin. While charging these consumers of color higher

country.

“Consumers should never be charged higher fees because of their race or national origin,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “We will continue to root out illegal and discriminatory lending practices in the marketplace.”

For Paul Leonard, a senior vice-president with the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), the Provident case was

like a bad habit that would not go away.

“We’ve seen this before.

A lender provides broad discretion to mortgage brokers,” commented Leonard, “and results in AfricanAmerican and Latino borrowers being systematically targeted for higher broker fees. It was a bad practice before the crisis and it is a bad practice today.”

In 2006, CRL released a report that documented how borrowers of color were disproportionately affected in subprime mortgage pricing by both brokers and lenders.

On May 29, CFPB and the Florida Attorney General’s Office together obtained a final $27.7 million judgment against a foreclosure relief scam that targeted troubled homeowners facing foreclosure. Hoffman Law Group (formerly known as Residential Litigation Group), its affiliates and operators were charged with using deceptive marketing practices and scams to take $11,730,579 in illegal fees from approximately 2,000 Florida consumers.

Their actions violated both federal and Florida laws by charging troubled homeowners upfront fees of $6,000 to presumably keep their homes, and an additional $495 in monthly fees. Additionally, consumers were told to stop communicating with both their lenders and servicers.

In exchange for the fees paid, consumers were to be added to frivolous lawsuits that the firm claimed would pressure lenders to modify

loans or provide foreclosure relief.

“Scamming homeowners worried about losing their homes is not only illegal, it is despicable, and thanks to the great work of my consumer protection division and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, these defendants will pay for preying on Florida homeowners facing foreclosures,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“Foreclosure rescue scammers cannot evade the law by hiding behind a law firm. It is discouraging that there are attorneys out there that will allow their licenses to be used by shading companies to target people facing foreclosure.”

In addition to the $11 million restitution paid to consumers, the final court judgment also ordered the corporate defendants to pay two different civil penalties. The first is $10 million for the violation of Regulation O, formerly known as the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule that bans advance fees for mortgage loan modification services and misrepresentations about loan modifications. The second civil fine, another $6 million is charged for violation of Florida state law.

As the action also dissolves Hoffman and its affiliates should the corporate defendants fall short of the total $27.7 million ordered by the court, proceeds from an auction of personal belongings of value will recover remaining monies.

All auction proceeds will be paid to the receivership estate and the companies are permanently dissolved, unable to conduct business of any kind.

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.

FOP seeks public confidence, not division

By Kevin Ahlbrand For The St. Louis American

In response to Jamala Rogers’ column, “FOP fosters ‘us vs. them’ mentality,” I agree that the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lobbied for the passage and signing of the “Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015” and that the FOP is the world’s largest organization of law enforcement officers.

Unfortunately, that is where our agreement ends relative to her

article.

Rogers states that the Blue Alert Act “will issue warnings when there are threats to police officers, with the authority to hunt down the suspects who make or carry out the threats.”

In fact, the Blue Alert Act does not increase or impose any additional authority to law enforcement.

The Blue Alert system will work much like that of the highly successful Amber and Silver alerts. Issuing a Blue Alert must meet strict

guidelines when there is serious expanded to include officers. injury or death of an officer Rogers asserts that the FOP in the line of duty, when an condones illegal or unethical officer is missing in connection behavior by police officers. with his official duties, or when Nothing could be farther from there is an imminent, credible the truth. We strongly believe threat that an individual that the right to due process intends to cause the serious should apply to all, including injury or death of a law police officers. enforcement officer.

Rogers states that the The passage of the act FOP does not address was so uncontroversial in illegal behavior by Congress that it passed its members and cites both the Senate and that “137 rounds were House of Representatives fired into the bodies of by voice vote and Melissa Williams and the language was not Timothy Russell by amended from that which Guest Columnist Cleveland police.” The was originally filed.

FOP did not beat its Rogers takes umbrage Kevin chest when a “not guilty” with the FOP’s attempts Ahlbrand verdict was handed down to add assaults and in this case. This was a murders of police terrible tragedy, and we officers to the federal hate only asked for due process. crime statute. For over 10 The economic downturn of years, the FOP has advocated the last decade has had lasting that if the motivation for effects on policing in America. an attack on an officer is Cities were faced with budget simply because he or she is crises. Some of the first or is perceived to be a law budgets cut were public safety. enforcement officer, then Police departments had to federal protections should be downsize, and unfortunately

some of the first programs they cut were community policing programs. Police departments only had enough officers to respond to calls for service, and they were faced with going from call to call without the adequate time to problem-solve.

Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing programs are fancy terms for doing what good police work has always been: getting to know your community, building trusting relationships and solving problems. Instead of just handling the call and going to the next one, officers really do want to find out what the underlying issue is and to help the community fix it.

But this is not mainly a police issue. The roots of many of the problems facing us today lie with deep societal issues: poverty, economic inequity, joblessness, lack of adequate education and predatory municipal court systems, to name a few.

Rogers took a few words out

of the FOP’s mission statement, noting that the FOP’s focus is promoting and fostering “the enforcement of law and order.”

However, she left out the rest of the mission statement, which ends with “to cultivate a spirit of fraternalism and mutual helpfulness among our members and the people we serve; to increase the efficiency of the law enforcement profession and thus more firmly to establish the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property.”

Re-establishing lost relationships and forging new ones are key first steps in establishing the confidence of the public in the police.

Finger-pointing only makes that process more difficult.

Kevin Ahlbrand is president of the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, a sergeant in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and a member of the Ferguson Commission.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

Community Briefs

Free summer meals in the city

The City of St. Louis has recruited, trained and is sponsoring 71 volunteer sites that will serve summer meals Monday through Friday until August 7, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The city has no limit on the number of breakfast and lunches the program can provide to children and youth this summer.

Anyone 18 years or younger is eligible to eat. In addition, people who have been determined eligible by a state or local educational agency to have a mental or physical disability are also eligible.

Sites include Cherokee Recreation Center on Jefferson, Marquette Recreation Center on Minnesota, Monsanto YMCA on Page, The Sanctuary on Redbud, and Emerson Family YMCA on Pershall Road. To find the nearest site, call (314) 657-1695.

There are no limits to the number of sites the city can sponsor. It is not too late for additional volunteer sites to join the effort to feed children in all neighborhoods.

Organizations looking to open a site also should call (314) 657-1695.

County Library offers free lunches

St. Louis County Library and Operation Food Search are teaming up to provide free lunches to children this summer at select SLCL locations. Four SLCL branches are offering a nutritious lunch along with activities for kids from 12-1 p.m., Monday– Friday. Meals will be available free of charge for children ages 2-18.

The free lunch program will be offered at the following branches: Florissant Valley, Grand Glaize, Natural Bridge and Prairie Commons.

Activities for kids will also be offered, including performances by Juggling Jeff, Christian the Magician, Bobby Norfolk and Babaloo.

This is the second year SLCL has offered free summer lunches. Last year, over 8,500 meals were served.

Lunch service will be offered through August 7.

For more information about the free lunch program, contact Jennifer McBride at 314-994-3300 ext. 2250.

Homer G. Phillips adoption records released

Mysteries remain as city and attorney start to unravel missing baby cases

By Durrie Bouscaren Of St. Louis Public Radio

As a well-known gospel singer continues to search for answers as to how and why her daughter was taken from her at birth, a newly opened adoption record holds some clues for the ongoing investigation.

Zella Jackson Price contends that she gave birth to a baby girl in 1965 at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in North St. Louis, where she was told the infant died. But the child, now named Melanie Gilmore, was instead placed in foster care. Almost 50 years later, Gilmore’s children contacted Price through Facebook, and the two were reunited in a YouTube video that went viral.

After petitioning the state for records of adoption and birth, Price and Gilmore’s attorney, Albert Watkins, received, and then released a 103-page file to the public on Friday. The records include Gilmore’s birth certificate, which has a signature for Price that Watkins believes was forged. The certificate lists Gilmore’s place of birth as City Hospital #1, which Price says is incorrect. Homer G. Phillips was City Hospital #2.

Court documents in the adoption file allege that Price abandoned her daughter and could not be located to consent to her placement into foster care, despite Price’s address appearing on the birth certificate.

“It was alarming and startling that the methodology that was employed was as amateur as it was,” Watkins said. “They didn’t

Photo by Wiley Price

Zella Jackson Price after her reunion with her daughter, Melanie Gilmore.

find Zella Jackson Price because they chose not to look for Zella.”

The state, however, denied Gilmore access to specific identifying information of her biological parents, which requires the consent of both, or proof of death for both. Although Price

provided consent and a copy of her late husband’s death certificate, the state officer in charge of the case said another man is named as Gilmore’s biological father, and must be located in order for the file to be released.

“If the putative biological father

A11

refuses to consent to the disclosure of information, no information will be released. If the adoption agency is unable to find him, his information will not be released,” the letter read, from an officer with the St. Louis Family Court.

Price and Young’s story has prompted hundreds of people to call the St. Louis Health Department to file requests for death certificates of newborns they lost long ago, as well as other medical records. Two staff members are committed to answering phones and filling vital records requests, said St. Louis’ health commissioner and acting director Melba Moore. Another four people are assigned to assist on a part-time basis.

But retrieving the records – which are often handwritten and filed in boxes – is laborious and time-consuming, Moore said.

“I just want them to be patient with us so that we can go through the records,” Moore said. “I want to respect the patients, respect their loved ones, and respect the process.”

The St. Louis Health Department has set up a hotline for people to call if they would like to request their records: 314-657-1511.

Watkins’ law firm has also received these calls – many are from women who were told their children died shortly after birth at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in the 1950s and ‘60s, when hospitals in St. Louis were still segregated.

Homer G. served thousands of African-American patients each year, employing and training hundreds of black doctors and nurses.

Watkins’ staff members have assisted dozens of callers in filing vital records requests, and can locate some death certificates online if the infant died before 1965. But three mothers have come forward with stories so similar that Watkins has taken them on as clients as well.

Reprinted with permission from news.stlpublicradio.org.

A12

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

Business

B1

JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

People on the Move Roger D. Whittler was promoted to the rank of captain of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, from lieutenant, and designated director of the newly created Career Recruitment Division at General Roger D. Headquarters in Whittler Jefferson City.

Most recently he was assistant director of the patrol’s Human Resources Division. *******************

Photo by Suzy Gorman

Johanna Strong Wharton, Rachel Wallis Andreasson, John Sommer, Julie Brooks-Harris, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Lynn Wallis, Nolan Keller and Dale Kluba.

JJK Foundation funded for STEM education

BP America, Bank of America each donate $10K

By Mariah Stewart Ferguson Fellow The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation recently received two donations to help fund STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education among youth in East St. Louis.

BP America and Bank of America each donated $10,000 to help launch the new STEM program. The funding will be used to update computers and software, provide education consultants, and fund college field trips.

The JJK foundation, which has been in East St. Louis since 1995, provided a trial-run for a STEM after-school program that included

n “The support from BP allows us to engage educators, staff and volunteers so that we can continue to emphasize the importance of STEM education.”

– Jackie Joyner-Kersee

over 100 students. Johanna Strong Wharton, executive director of the JJK Foundation, told The American the pilot program was a success.

High schoolers helped engineer robots and younger students built airplanes and rockets.

The Brookings Institution reported between 2010-2013 more than 18 percent of the country’s job growth

contributed to the STEM industry.

“The support from BP allows us to engage educators, staff and volunteers so that we can continue to emphasize the importance of STEM education to our students while providing them with the tools they need to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow,” JoynerKersee said in a statement.

The curriculum will include introductions to geology, plant science, space, bioscience, chemical engineering, web design, app creation, robotics, math tricks and physics. Participants will also be exposed to BP’s Enterprising Science curriculum.

“Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a champion both on and off the track and we’re excited to partner with her foundation to help improve pathways to learning in East St. Louis,” George Bauernfeind, BP’s U.S. Head of Olympic and Paralympic Programs, said in a statement.

This story is published as part of a partnership between The St. Louis American and The Huffington Post.

Income disparity costing region $14B

Public Policy Research Center at UMSL releases ‘Equity Assessment’ of STL

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American Eliminating racial income gaps would boost the St. Louis economy by $14 billion, the Public Policy Research Center at University of Missouri-St. Louis concluded in a new report, “An Equity Assessment of the St. Louis Region.” n Whites The St. Louis in the region currently St. Louis has a $132.07 billion economy, region with 74,000 out-earn business blacks in establishments and the region a workforce of 1.4 at every million.

Researchers level of came to this educational conclusion after attainment. studying data on equity in various aspects, including income, education and housing conditions. Much of this data on racial disparities was previously published in the “For the Sake of All” report, led by Jason Q. Purnell of the Brown School at Washington University, which itself relied on previously published data.

For example, whites in the St. Louis region out-earn blacks in the

Eliminating racial income gaps would boost the St. Louis economy by $14 billion, the Public Policy Research Center at University of MissouriSt. Louis concluded in a new report.

region at every level of educational attainment. The wage gap is $3 for those with less than a high school diploma ($14 to $11), $3 for high school diploma ($17 to $14), $5 for some college or associate’s degree

($20 to $15) and $2 for bachelor’s degree or higher ($26 to $24).

Though St. Louis is often ranked as one of the most segregated regions in the United States, the report concluded that the region is about

average for income inequality. Using a measure for inequality called the Gini Coefficient, the St. Louis region falls in the middle for U.S. See DISPARITY, B2

Sheena R. Hamilton has joined Dowd Bennett LLP as a new associate in the practice areas of employment and commercial litigation. She is a former law clerk to Chief Judge Sheena R. Catherine D. Perry Hamilton of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and a 2014 Salute to Young Leaders awardee from the St. Louis American Foundation. ******************* Nate K. Johnson is treasurer elect of Missouri Realtors, a trade association representing over 18,000 members. He is president of Real Estate Solutions, a commercial and residential real Nate K. estate brokerage Johnson in St. Louis. He served as the 2011 president of the St. Louis Association of Realtors and chaired several committees. ******************* Jasmine Evans joined KAI Design & Build as brand manager. She had been with Forest Park Forever since 2011, and most recently held the position of marketing & Jasmine communications Evans specialist. She has a Master’s of Arts degree in Communication from Lindenwood University, where she also serves as adjunct professor. ******************* Marcus Creighton is the new vice president at Wealth Protection Advisors in St. Peters. He brings 13 years of experience in the financial services industry to advance the company’s mission to diverse Marcus markets across the Creighton country. A St. Louis native, he serves on numerous boards and committees. ******************* Jennifer Haynes has joined the board of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis. She is assistant counsel and officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, a position she assumed in 2012 Jennifer after eight years Haynes at Lashly & Baer.

She has also served as adjunct professor at Washington University’s School of Law. On the move? Congratulations! Send your professional news and a color headshot to cking@stlamerican.com.

B2

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

Personal Finance

Looking for work? Plan a money-smart job search

By Jason Alderman A successful job search goes well beyond snagging the title and the paycheck. From the day you start looking until the day you’re hired, there are strategic and financial issues to consider that may be more valuable to you in the long run.

To start, job seekers should always begin with a plan to promote themselves both in person and online, and some aspects of that process may be tax deductible. Keep in mind that if you are already employed, you may want to consider certain timing and legal issues that will define how and when you search. And finally, taking the job requires a close look at benefits.

It makes sense to discuss any potential job search with a qualified financial advisor who can evaluate your current financial circumstances as well as offer tips on how to strengthen your preparations for retirement and other goals.

Start with market research and improving your public profile. A recent Jobvite study notes that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles are the ranking social media options reaching employers and for industry hiring and pay projections, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls. gov/ooh/) is a wide-ranging and constantly updated online resource for that data.

Check your credit reports.

Remember that many employers screen applicants’ creditworthiness as part of their candidate review. Go to AnnualCreditReport. com (https://www. annualcreditreport.com/index. action) for free access to reports from the three major credit agencies – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax – to check for potential errors or

WWT Asynchrony Labs will remain in its current downtown office space

By Maria Altman Of St. Louis Public Radio

credit negatives you need to repair.

Evaluating search expenses and potential tax savings come next. Here are a few of the current rules listed by the IRS (http://www.irs.gov/ uac/Newsroom/Job-HuntingExpenses). Make note that your current job status will affect how the rules apply to you: • Expenses may qualify as deductions only for a job search in your current line of work. You won’t be able to deduct expenses for a job search in a new occupation.

• You can’t deduct job search expenses if you’re looking for a job for the first time or if there’s been what the IRS calls a “long break” between your last job and beginning your search for a new one.

• If you travel to look for a job in a qualified job search, you may be able to deduct the costs of all or part of the trip.

A job search is always a

good time to revisit current budgeting and savings goals.

For example, you might want to do more specialized budgeting (http://www. practicalmoneyskills.com/ calculators/budgetgoals) as you aim for a particular salary offer.

You’ll also want to consider the timing of your search to exhaust benefits you’ve earned at your current employer. You will see many employees schedule a job search after annual bonuses are paid or after they’re able to spend out in tax-advantaged Health or Flexible Spending accounts (HSAs or FSAs) for qualified health care, dependent care or other approved benefits. Also, before you start applying, it might be worthwhile to review confidentiality or non-compete agreements you signed at the time your current employer hired you in case those agreements might restrict any element of your search.

Sometimes job offers

Business Brief

Town hall on ‘Blacks & Labor,’ June 15 The St. Louis City NAACP and Omega Psi Phi will host “Blacks & Labor: A Call for Change” town hall 6 p.m.

Monday, June 15 at Omega Center, 3900 Goodfellow.

The panelists will be state Senator Maria Chappell-

World Wide Technology acquires Asynchrony

Nadal, state Rep. Karla May (a member of Local CWA), state Rep. Courtney Curtis, Mark Esters (president of CBTU and member of Local CWA) and Thomas Kitchen (Community Service chair for Omega Psi Phi, Upsilon Omega Chapter).

The moderators will be Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP, and Ashley Kornegay, president of Omega Psi Phi, Upsilon Omega Chapter.

“Blacks are not sufficiently present at organized labor’s decision-making tables,” Pruitt said. “Therefore, our collective interests will be better served if we all assume greater responsibility for helping to see that we get there.”

distract workers from taking a thorough look at the value of potential benefits (http://www. practicalmoneyskills.com/ employerbenefits). You may not get all the details until your actual starting date, but see whether your future employer’s human resources department can share details of the health, retirement or tax-advantaged benefits programs they offer.

Above all, find out how soon you’ll be eligible to sign up for your new employer’s 401(k) retirement plan.

Finally, touch base again with your financial advisor before you accept to make sure you’ve got all the information you need. You will need to do parallel retirement planning if you are to retire successfully, and qualified advisors can also assist with transferring previous-employer retirement assets and suggestions on ways to use other work-related benefits efficiently.

Bottom line: When searching for a new job, go beyond the paycheck issues to research tax and benefit issues that can make a good job a great one.

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

DISPARITY Continued from B1

metropolitan areas, ranked at 76.

The Bridgeport, Connecticut region is ranked as having the most inequality in the United States, and the Ogden, Utah region as having the least.

Income inequality by race is increasingly detrimental

St. Louis-based World Wide Technology has acquired local software company Asynchrony.

WWT is a systems integrator that has 3,500 employees and had nearly $7 billion in revenue last year. Asynchrony, which is based in downtown St. Louis, n Strunk said has about 250 employees and Asynchrony will do about $40 million in will allow revenue this year.

WWT to offer WWT Chief Financial solutions to Officer Tom Strunk said over the last five years his customers, company has been investing from the to help simplify customers’ underlying technology infrastructure. infrastructure “And as we were going through this, one piece to the to the puzzle that we were missing user-facing was really that end-user, software. customer-facing, softwaredevelopment and really custom-application piece of it,” he said.

Strunk said Asynchrony will now allow them to offer solutions to customers, from the underlying infrastructure to the user-facing software.

WWT bought Asynchrony for an undisclosed amount from Virginia-based Schafer Corporation.

That company had acquired Asynchrony in 2010.

Strunk said Asynchrony will now be called WWT Asynchrony Labs and will remain in its current downtown office space.

He said both World Wide Technology headquarters and Asynchrony will need room to expand.

“We think the market we’re in from a technology perspective is a great place to be in,” Strunk said.

“It’s changing quickly, but we expect to continue to grow over the long term.”

WWT was founded in 1990 by David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh. Steward is chairman of the board, and Kavanaugh is CEO. Reprinted with permission from news. stlpublicradio.org.

Follow Maria on Twitter: @radioaltman.

to regional and national economies, researchers point out, because of changing demographics. In the St. Louis region, from 1980-2010 people of color increased from 17.8 percent to 24.7 percent of the population. By 2040, 33.4 percent of the population of the St. Louis region will be people of color.

Nationally, by 2043 a majority of Americans will be people of color. As recently as 1980, 80 percent of the U.S.

population was white.

Nationally, the Gross Domestic Product would have been $2.1 trillion higher in 2012 if people of color had earned the same as their white counterparts, the researchers calculated.

“America’s demography is changing – and the nation’s economic fate will hinge on how we respond to these changes,” the researchers write in an introduction.

“As the population grows more diverse and people of color become the majority, equity – fair and just inclusion – has become an urgent economic imperative.

Reversing the trends of rising inequality and stagnant wages, and ensuring that everyone can participate and prosper are critical to build a strong, competitive economy.”

The researchers advocated for policy changes designed to grow jobs and wages in minority populations.

“To build a strong next economy, leaders in the private and public sector need to advance an equitable growth agenda: a strategy to create good jobs, increase human capabilities, and expand opportunities for everyone to participate and prosper,” the researchers claimed. “Equity will make America, and the St. Louis region stronger.”

Researchers cited Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York and Portland-Vancouver as “metropolitan areas that are proactively addressing issues of equity” and encouraged St. Louis civic leaders to join the list.

“There are many decisions and actions required for a more equitable St. Louis region,” researchers claimed.

For more information, visit pprc.umsl.edu.

n “I’m not going to get lost. I can do anything I really want to do.”

– Formula 1 racing champion Lewis Hamilton

Sports

INSIDE

FIFA gets a red card ~ See page B4 ~ B3

JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

Inside Sports With Earl Austin Jr.

St. Louis Surge opens home season

The St. Louis Surge will open its home season on Saturday night against the Nebraska Strikers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Tipoff is at 7:05 p.m. The Surge are the defending national champions of the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League.

From The East Side With Maurice Scott

Tillman, Goodwin make Elite 100

Both playing this summer for the No. 1-ranked St. Louis Eagles

Defending champs face Strikers on Saturday at UMSL

By Earl Austin Jr. Of The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Surge has opened a new season of semi-pro basketball in the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League, but there is one difference this year.

For the first time, the franchise has entered the season as the defending national champion St. Louis Surge. Under the direction of first-year head coach Tony Condra, the Surge ventured down to New Orleans

and came away with championship run. the WBCBL National “After winning a national Championship. St. Louis championship last season, as completed its 14-1 owner and general manager, championship season by I could not be more proud defeated Auburn (AL) of our organization,” Collier 81-69 in the national title said. “We’ve reloaded our game. roster and we are ready to go The Surge received for another championship.

Earl championship rings and For people that thought we Austin Jr. all the accolades that were talented last year, wait come with becoming until they see this year’s champions. However, that has not roster. The local talent is the best stopped owner Khalia Collier from we have thus far.” building her team towards another The Surge have opened the

Photo by Wiley Price

2015 season by winning three of their first four games, all on the road. They will open their home season on Saturday night against the Nebraska Strikers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m.

This year’s edition of the Surge has a distinct local flavor with a total of nine players on the roster from the St. Louis metro area. One of the top returning players is guard Rebecca Harris,

Metro East basketball standouts Jeremiah Tillmon of East St. Louis Senior High School and Jordan Goodwin from Belleville Althoff High school have earned invitations to play in this weekend’s Nike Elite 100 Camp at Saint Louis University.

The Elite 100 Camp annually brings together many of the nation’s top high school underclassmen to town. It is nice to see to kids from the 618 area code in the spotlight. Both had sophomore seasons that they will never forget.

Goodwin guided his Belleville Althoff team to a second -place finish in the IHSA Class 3-A state tournament. The 6’3 combo guard was the South 7 Conference MVP last season. In addition, he was a First Team All State selection as well.

Jeremiah The 6’11” Tillmon led Tillmon East St. Louis to an impressive 20-7 season and kept the Flyers among the top teams in the area’s rankings, as well as one of the top 10 teams in the state most of the season.

He accomplished this despite playing for Tony “Clothesline ‘em” Younge, who was replaced in mid-season by interim head coach Hank “Let Collinsville play halfcourt” Harris, who took the ball out of Tillman hand’s on a cold night in March, thus giving the Collinsville Kahoks a late Christmas gift when he gift-wrapped the Regional title, 58-50.

But this summer has been a blessing for both Tillmon and Goodwin. They both play for the St. Louis Eagles, the No. 1-ranked team in the prestigious Nike EYBL summer league. The Eagles earned a berth in next month’s Peach Jam in North Augusta, South Carolina from July 15-19.

The Eagles have produced plenty of local greats throughout the years in NBA players Larry Hughes, David Lee of the NBA Western Conference Champions Golden State Warriors and Tyler Hansbrough,

See SURGE, B5

See EAST SIDE, B5

In The Clutch With Ishmael Sistrunk

Curry shook by Delly’s D

With less than three minutes Iguodala was the only remaining the third quarter of Warriors player who put up Game 3 of the NBA Finals, it much of a fight in Game 3. appeared that midnight might Iggy hustled on both ends of have finally struck on Stephen the court and took the ball to Curry’s Cinderella the rack with desperaseason. Despite the tion and reckless abanabsence of All-Star don. Meanwhile Curry Kyrie Irving, Curry had allowed Matthew stumbled and bumbled Dellavedova to transhis way through seven form him from the most quarters of terrible basfeared shooter in the ketball during Game land into a timid guy 2 and Game 3 of the begging for shots to fall.

Finals. The league Curry ran lazily around Ishmael H. screens. He got the ball MVP was being shut Sistrunk down and taken out out of his hands almost of his game by a guy immediately as soon as who looks like he belongs in an he passed half court and didn’t Adam Sandler movie instead get it back. The guy who tanof the NBA Finals. Down by talized fans the entire season 20 points, Curry had a decision with his ball-handling wizardy, to make. He could either keep speedy and clever attacks to the playing soft, scared and intimbasket and unbelievable shot idated or he could man up and making ability was replaced fight back. by a guy who just wanted his Until that point, Andre defender to leave him alone.

Matthew Dellavedova and LeBron James have made Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors miserable with their lock down defense and hustle. The Cavs lead 2-1 going into Thursday night’s game.

Curry’s timidness apparently rubbed off of his Splash

Brother Klay Thompson.

After a stellar Game 2 in which

he kept the Warriors in the game, Thompson hesitated on

n Stephen Curry stumbled and bumbled his way through seven quarters of terrible basketball during Game 2 and Game 3 of the Finals.

several wide open looks in the 96-91 Game 3 loss. Had the Cavaliers managed to blow out the Warriors, they may very well have crushed their spirits and cruised to one of the more shocking NBA titles in years.

Luckily for Warriors fans, Curry finally chose to fight back.

With just three minutes See CLUTCH, B5

B4

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

FIFA gets a red card

By Eugene Robinson Washington Post We’re used to seeing soccer players fling themselves to the ground, writhe in feigned agony and complain bitterly about the injustice of it all. Now the international overlords of the game are beginning to do the same.

Metaphorically, I mean.

Targeted in a stunning corruption probe led by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, present and former officials of FIFA – the body that controls the World Cup and other major tournaments – are screaming “foul” even as they frantically point fingers at one another.

“I reasonably, actually fear for my life,” said Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president, in a melodramatic television address broadcast in his native Trinidad and Tobago. Charged in a Justice Department indictment with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering, Warner has threatened to release documents implicating others. In a separate speech, Warner declared: “Not even death will stop the avalanche that is coming.”

It’s hard to overstate what a huge story this is around the world, with front pages dominated by photographs of the accused and media websites covering developments in the scandal with breaking-news blogs. There have long been reports of corruption at FIFA, but the extent of the alleged bribery, kickbacks and lavish spending is jaw-dropping.

Why is the American justice system investigating an organization based in Zurich, Switzerland? For one reason, because an American is at the heart of the scandal.

In November 2013, Chuck Blazer, a Falstaffian figure who once was a top FIFA official, secretly appeared before a U.S. District Court judge in Brooklyn and copped a plea.

Blazer helped prosecutors assemble the case that led to the arrests that took place last week – and those likely to follow.

The Justice Department alleges that the 14 soccer poohbahs detained so far accepted more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks over a 24-year period. The scandal, still gathering steam, has

Investigation of Chuck Blazer led to indictments

We’re used to seeing soccer players fling themselves to the ground, writhe in feigned agony and complain bitterly about the injustice of it all. Now FIFA officials are beginning to do the same.

already forced FIFA’s powerful longtime president, Sepp Blatter, to announce he will resign.

Blazer admitted conspiring with other members of the FIFA executive committee to take bribes for selecting South Africa to host the World Cup in 2010 and France to host it in 1998. South African police have announced they are investigating whether the country’s national football association paid as much as $10 million in bribes for the right to stage the world’s biggest sporting event.

This raises the obvious question of whether similar bribes were paid to host upcoming World Cup

tournaments. In 2018, the venue will be Russia, a country that last year ranked 136 out of 175 in Transparency International’s annual corruption rankings (with No. 1, Denmark, being

provide answers.

Blazer is a character you couldn’t make up. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he looks like Karl Marx.

Blazer has kept a blog that

n There have long been reports of corruption at FIFA, but the extent of the alleged bribery, kickbacks and lavish spending is jaw-dropping. least corrupt). And in a highly controversial decision, FIFA awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, where summertime temperatures can reach 120 degrees.

Perhaps Blazer’s chats with prosecutors or Warner’s “avalanche” of documents will

chronicles his life as a jetsetting international soccer executive. From it, we know that he once shared a flight on a private plane with Nelson Mandela, attended the 2012 Super Bowl, enjoys good food and likes cats.

According to stories

published last year in the New York Daily News, when Blazer was the head of CONCACAF – the regional soccer federation for North America and the Caribbean – he used his expense accounts to help pay for two apartments in New York’s ritzy Trump Tower: one costing $18,000 a month for himself, and one costing $6,000 a month that was usually occupied only by his cats.

While he was living the high life, Blazer acknowledged in court, he neglected the pedestrian detail of paying his U.S. income taxes. That fact alone gave Lynch – who ran the

investigation in Brooklyn before becoming attorney general – reason enough to begin poking around FIFA’s affairs.

But while there has been some grumbling in international media about hegemonic America seeking to impose its will on the rest of the world, there have also been expressions of gratitude.

In many other countries, soccer is almost like a religion.

The United States can act as a disinterested observer – a referee who calls fouls, shows red cards and perhaps sends people to jail.

Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@ washpost.com.

All-Star Elite 12U Boys finish 65-7 The All-Star Elite 12U boys basketball team finished another successful season with a 65-7 record. They have won several regional tournaments in Kansas City, Memphis and Columbia. They also finished in first place in the Mathews-Dickey, Herbert Hoover, Jennings and St. Charles Leagues.

The All-Star Elite team is sponsored by ATU Local 788 and The Boys & Girls Club.

They have dedicated their season to the late Earl “Iceman” Randle, a former standout player at Soldan in the early 1980s.

The members of the team are: Devyn Jones, Charles Duke, Assistant coach Marco Shanklin, Demarion Shanklin, Trey Smith, Martez Poynter, Mario Fleming, head coach Eric Jones Sr., Rico Barfield, Delano Simms. Middle: Pee Wee All-Stars Tatum Polk Jr. and Jordan Shanklin. Not pictured: Tommy Williams.

B5

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

SURGE

Returning guard Bianca Camille Beck (Incarnate Word) at last year’s St. Louis Surge party celebrating their national championship.

Continued from B3 a former Mascoutah (Ill) standout who was named to the All-Tournament Team at the national tournament last season. She had 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the championship game against Auburn.

Veteran forward Jaleesa Butler (Alton/Georgetown) is a versatile 6’1” forward who has been a big part of the team’s success for the past three seasons. Guard Bianca Beck (Incarnate Word) and forwards Devonna Smith (Kirkwood/ UMSL) and Gabriella Green (Hazelwood East/Lindenwood) also return for last year’s championship team.

The Surge added even more talent from the metro area in former Incarnate Word teammates Brittany Carter (Illinois State) and Brianna Puni (Eastern Michigan).

Carter is a versatile 6’1” guard while Puni is a physical lowpost player. Guard Yelena

EAST SIDE Continued from B3

among others.

In addition, this current group of Eagles are being mentioned with the 2010 group, which featured NBA lottery picks Bradley Beal, Ben McClemore, and cur-

CLUTCH Continued from B3

remaining in the third quarter, Curry had accumulated just three points. But with his back against the wall, Steph morphed back into Chef. He got aggressive, he dazzled, he attacked. He brought his team back from the brink of embarrassment. After being so average for so long, Curry finished with a solid points, 6 rebound and 6 assists. In doing so, he regained his confidence and helped his teammates do the same.

He had some help from STL’s own David Lee, who had languished for on the end of the bench for most of the playoffs. When his number was finally called, Lee worked the pick and roll game with Curry to perfection and provided hustle and skill to give the Warriors a boost. If the Warriors want a chance to get back in the series, they’ll need Lee to gobble up some rebounds away from Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mosgov, who have proven to be too athletic and relentless for Andrew Bogut and the Warriors bigs.

Cavaliers show strong will to win and defend The reason the Cavaliers are up 2-1 despite significant injuries is simple – they want it more. LeBron James is

St. Louis American

Prep Athletes of the Week

Ricky Nelson Belleville West – Boys Track

Rosado (North Tech/SEMO) and forward Raven Berry (Collinsville/SIUE) are also new to the mix. Rounding out the roster are guards Leah Cotton, Sam Price and forwards Leah Kessing.

During Collier’s leadership of the franchise, the Surge has been among the top teams in the WBCBL. Not only have they been a consistent winning

team, they have also had the best attendance numbers in the league. More big crowds are expected for the Surge’s home games this season.

“The momentum we have built for the past three seasons has earned us credibility in the community,” Collier said. “The Surge is family entertainment, role models and mentors in the community. It makes us

champions on and off the court.

The bonus is that we have phenomenal athletes.”

Admission for Saturday’s home opener is $8 for adults and $5 for students with a middle school or high school ID. For more information on the team or for season’s tickets information, visit the team’s website at www. stlouissurgebasketball.com.

rent Butler University star and former O’Fallon Illinois High standout Roosevelt Jones.

This year’s Eagles are led by the No. 1 player in the country in Jayson Tatum of Chaminade, Tyler Cook of Chaminade and Tillmon. The trio forms one of the most imposing front lines on the EYB circuit.

Tillmon’s progres-

sion this summer with the Eagles has been very impressive. On a team that has so many weapons, he averages 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. But more importantly, he leads the EYBL in field goal percentage with an impressive 65.5 percent.

Playing with the Eagles has made a big difference in Tillmon’s total development. He is

being coached by former Mizzou forward and now assistant Missouri coach Corey Tate, and Maplewood Richmond Heights head coach Cory Frazier. Tillmon is one of the top big men in the class of 2017, as well as excelling in the classroom.

fighting as hard as we’ve ever seen to bring the Cleveland Cavaliers its first NBA title.

Through three games, James is averaging 41 points, 12 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game in the Finals. His performance has been epic.

While his shooting percentage may not be great, he’s doing everything on the court to win and his teammates have been feeding off his tremendous energy and effort. James wants to get to the basket, Thompson wants to get offen-

sive boards, Mosgov wants to attack the rim, Dellavedova wants to attack….well….everyone.

The Cavs come up with nearly every loose ball. They are physical. They are resilient.

So far it has been like watching the movie “300” where even though they are outmatched, they are putting up a tremendous fight out of sheer will power and hard-nosed fighting.

James and his teammates have forced the Warriors to play at their pace. It’s like a Floyd

Mayweather Jr. or Bernard Hopkins fight where their defense and pace has stifled their opponents and rendered their offense largely ineffective. The only game in which the Warriors scored more than 100 points was in Game 1 and it took overtime to get over the hump.

The old adage is offense wins games, defense wins championships. During the reg-

The standout senior was the Class 3A state champion in the discus at the Illinois State Track and Field Championships in Charleston.

Nelson won the event in stunning fashion with a throw of 192 feet 3 inches, which was a personal best by 16 feet. He also earned an All-State medal in the shot put when he finished in sixth place.

During the winter, Nelson was also a top performer on the Maroons’ wrestling team. He was a sectional champion at 285 pounds. He also placed fourth in his weight class at the Class 3A state wrestling meet.

Alvin Thompson Cardinal Ritter – Boys Track The junior jumper was the state champion in the triple jump at the Missouri Class 3 State Championships in Jefferson City.

Thompson won the event with a jump of 45 feet 10 3/4 inches, which came on his final jump of the competition. He also brought home a second-place medal in the long jump.

The 6’2 Thompson was consistently one of the top jumpers in the area throughout the season. He won both events at the district and sectional meets in the weeks leading up the the state meet.

ular season, the Warriors had a stellar offense and defense, which is why they were the big favorites going into these Finals. However, it’s the Cavs defense that has been the difference in the series. If Chef Curry wants to get out of hell’s kitchen, he’ll have to buck the trend and get it done on the offensive end. After his Game 3 finish there’s a sliver of hope.

However he and the Warriors

will have to dig down deep and find a way to outwork the Delly and the King. At this point, even the notion of that happening sounds almost as silly as the idea of the Cavs winning without Love and Irving did at the start of the series. Ah, what a strange and exciting Finals.

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ IshmaelSistrunk

B6

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

Kenney to leave Public Service Commission

Six-year term for chairman expires on August 7 and Education Specialist.

“The business of providing utility services is undergoing a profound evolution. Challenges and opportunities associated with this evolution require an increased emphasis on consumer education and outreach,” Kenney said.

“These challenges and opportunities also require continued examination of our regulatory processes and willingness to craft creative

By Chris King Of The St. Louis American Robert S. Kenney, chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, announced on Monday, June 8 that he will step down from the commission, effective August 7, following the expiration of his six-year term.

Kenney was appointed to the Public Service Commission on July 29, 2009 by Governor Jay Nixon.

Robert S. He was Kenney unanimously confirmed by the Missouri Senate on January 10, 2010. He was named chairman of the PSC by Governor Nixon on March 1, 2013.

“Since my appointment, we have worked proactively to enhance the quality of regulation at the commission, and I am especially proud of our efforts to increase consumer outreach and education,” Kenney said in a statement.

Under Kenney’s leadership, the commission created a Speakers Bureau, the annual Public Utility Law Symposium and a new position for a dedicated Consumer Outreach

n “I am especially proud of our efforts to increase consumer outreach and education.”

– Robert S. Kenney

policy solutions to increasingly complex issues.”

Kenney also was instrumental in leading the commission’s response to impending EPA rules under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Power Plan.

A nationally recognized leader in public utility law and regulation, Kenney serves on the boards and advisory boards of several organizations, including Electric Power Research Institute, the Critical Consumer Issues Forum and the National Regulatory

Research Institute.

“During my time on the commission, we have faced unique challenges and many complex issues,” Kenney said.

“I am proud of what we’ve done and what we continue to do every day for Missourians, balancing the interests of all who appear before us.”

As a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Kenney serves on its Board of Directors and on a number of committees.

He is chair of the Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment and serves on the Consumer Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on Utility Market Place Access and the International Relations Committee.

Prior to his appointment to the commission, Kenney served as Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster’s chief of staff.

Before joining Koster, Kenney was a partner at Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC, where he chaired the diversity committee.

Kenney is a native St. Louisan. He attended DeSmet Jesuit High School, graduating in 1989, then Hampton University. Kenney also has worked as a substitute teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools and as a community organizer for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

St. Louis American The

now offers a special free newspaper reading service for blind or visually impaired persons.

Call 866-504-7300

Check out this week’s

PARTYLINE See Page C10

C1 • ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

STL sax all-stars

Floetry reunited

Soul duo’s ‘The Reunion Tour’ at The Pageant next Friday

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American Last December a Christmas miracle happened for Floetry fans. After parting ways in 2007, the soul duo – singer Marsha Ambrosius and spoken word artist Natalie Stewart – shared the stage for the first time in nearly eight years. Video of the performance at Clapham Grand in their native London went viral almost as quickly as the hearts of Floetry fans filled with hopes that more would grow from the impromptu performance.

Prayers were answered this spring – and St. Louis is one of the lucky cities to once again experience Floetry in the flesh when

Photo by Erika Kapin

St. Louis native Eric Person will return home as a special guest performer during The Jazz Edge’s ‘Tribute to St. Louis Saxophonists’ next Friday (June 19) at The Touhill.

Jazz Edge Big Band honors local legends at Touhill Special to the American The Jazz Edge Big Band will once again offer a glimpse into the rich history of St. Louis horn masters next weekend.

In the same spirit of their tribute to St. Louis trumpeters that featured future icons Keyon Harrold and Russell Gunn, The Jazz Edge will pay homage to the St. Louis saxophone legends like Oliver Nelson, Jimmy Forrest and David Sanborn and others.

Eric Person, the Bosman Twins, Willie Akins and Paul DeMarinis will join the Jazz Edge in honoring eight of the most influential saxophonists that hail from n The show St. Louis.

The special presentation comes as of “Tribute to St. Louis The Jazz Saxophonists” will take place in the Lee Theater Edge of the Touhill Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on celebrates Friday, June 19.

Nelson, well-recognized their 25th for his film and television anniversary. work, is an Edison Award recipient heralded for his composition “The Blues and the Abstract Truth.”

Forrest, on the other hand, is celebrated for his composition “Night Train” while with the Count Basie Orchestra. And six time Grammy Award winner David Sanborn is described by L.A. jazz critic Scott Yanow as being “the most influential saxophonist on pop, R&B and crossover players of the past 20 years.”

The evening’s dynamic group of featured performers is esteemed in their own right.

Internationally renowned Eric Person, a St. Louis native based in New York, has See JAZZ, C4

they bring their reunion tour to The Pageant next Friday, June 19.

In just two studio albums, Floetry left a lasting impression on R&B in the early part of the new millennium.

An especially well received performance

by Stewart that fused her prose with Ambrosius’ signature vibrato gave birth to the group, and they became a featured attraction of the London spoken-word community.

Floetry made their debut on the American music scene in 2002. They came in on the tail end of the “neo soul” movement that birthed the likes of Erykah See FLOETRY, C4

The woman in Cleopatra Shirine Babb reveals the heart of Egypt’s final pharaoh

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American “What we hear about Cleopatra is so much about who she was as a queen that we often forget about who she was as a woman,” said actress Shirine Babb.

Babb masterfully portrays the iconic Ancient Egyptian ruler in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis 2015 season offering of “Antony and Cleopatra,” which concludes on Sunday (June 14) in Forest Park.

“I really wanted to make sure that I captured the essence of her being a woman in love and what that’s all about,” Babb said. “That’s how I got in touch with her.

It was more about coming from a place of love and letting that affect everything else.”

Two thousand years before the woes of the strong independent black woman became commonplace to the point of being cliché, Cleopatra created the mold.

She was ancient Egypt’s last ruler.

Her beauty and power – and how both simultaneously came into play as she sought to protect her throne – are still frames of reference, whether a source of inspiration or a cautionary tale of the downside of when love conquers all.

“I had so much fun dealing with her on that level,” Babb said. “I was like, ‘okay I’m in a situation where now I’m deeply in love and still getting to know who that person is – and we’re both ambitious and motivated. How does that affect us establishing an ongoing thing?’”

Cleopatra’s relationship resume included

Photo by J. David Levy

Actors Kari Ely, Raina Karianne Houston, Shirine Babb and Alan Knoll tumultuous affairs with The Roman Empire’s greatest leader Julius Caesar and Mark Antony – the man who sought to overthrow the empire from Julius Caesar’s appointed heir.

So St. Louis storytelling

Asim’s shares excerpts and intention of ‘Only The Strong’

By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American

Author and St. Louis native Jabari Asim engages with guest during the signing portion of his reading and discussion for ‘Only The Strong’ last Thursday at St. Louis Public Library’s Central Branch.

Floetry

“St. Louis is as much a character in this book as any of the people whose stories I tell,” writer native Jabari Asim said about his new novel ONLY THE STRONG. “I chose to call it the Gateway City so that I could use my imagination on some things.”

After reading excerpts from three chapters of the book that was released last month, Asim opened the floor for questions to those who filled all the seats of the Carnegie Room of St. Louis Public Library’s Central Branch last Thursday (June 4).

As a St. Louis native, he probably knew his decision to rename the city for the novel would be the first question from someone among a room full of folks that were more than likely consumed with St. Louis pride.

Although Gateway City is fictional, the audience grinned and nodded as they heard landmarks and experiences they knew like the back of their hands.

Streets like Vandeventer and Easton (later named Dr. Martin Luther King Drive) struck a chord with them as the hung on to every word.

The characters Asim chose to highlight in See JABARI, C4

“I’m still wrapping my mind around the understanding of love – what we do and why we See PLAY, C4

•Only Online •

I’m A Survivor Gala set for Sunday Orlando Watson’s 4th Annual I’m A Survivor All White Cancer Benefit Gala is heading to Union Station Sunday night (June 14).

Fox 2’s April Simpson will host and sounds will be provided by DJ Jo Prima.

www.stlamerican.com

Calendar

C2

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015 Bank Books hosts author Cheeraz Gormon, author of In the Midst of Loving. North St. Louis native, life-long activist, and internationally touring spoken word poet, Cheeraz Gormon, opens her heart for the world to connect with her story. As a life-long lover who understands that “Love makes no promises, only humans do,” she boldly takes the reader on a journey “...from break ups to break downs, while all in the midst of loving.” Refreshments will be provided. 399 N. Euclid, 63108. For more information, call (314) 367-6731 or visit www.left-bank.com.

How to place a calendar listing 1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com OR 2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts

local gigs

Through June 13, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., Jazz at the Bistro presents Terence Blanchard.

Blanchard has established himself as one of the most influential jazz musicians of his generation, helping to shape the contours of modern jazz today. 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For More information, visit www.jazzstl.org.

Sun., June 14, 4 p.m., The African American Alumni Chapter of the University of Missouri St. Louis presents An Afternoon of Jazz with Kim Massie. Proceeds will benefit the Marguerite Ross Barnett Scholarship at UMSL. Norman Probstein Clubhouse – Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr., MO 63112.

For more information, call (314) 516-6453 or visit www. umslalumni.org/KimMassie.

Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., K & LG Enterprises presents Floetry: The Reunion Tour.

The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 7266161 or visit www.thepageant. com.

Sat., June 20, 7 p.m., The Pageant presents Tyler, the Creator. 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 726-6161 or visit www.thepageant.com.

Thur., July 9, 7 p.m., 100.3 The Beat presents Summer Block Party feat. Jill Scott, Common, and special guest DJ Jazzy Jeff. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market St., 63103. For more information, call (314) 499-7600 or visit www.peabodyoperahouse.com.

Sun., July 12, 6 p.m., Ballpark Village and Old School 95.5 present District Rhythms Summer Concert Series feat. George Clinton and ParliamentFunkadelic. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark Ave., 63102. For more information, call (314) 345-9481 or visit www. stlballparkvillage.com.

Tues., July 14, 7 p.m., Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre presents the Boys of Summer Tour feat.

Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa, Hoodie Allen, and DJ Drama.

14141 Riverport Dr., 63043.

For more information, call (314) 298-9944 or visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., A Tribute to St. Louis Saxophonists feat. The Jazz Edge Big Band with Eric Person, Bosman Twins, Willie Akins, Paul DeMarinis. Recognized as a dynamic, driving and versatile ensemble, TJE delivers original charts combined with exciting contemporary R&B, soul and blues. Oliver Nelson, Jimmy Forrest and David Sanborn are among the revered horn legends that will be remembered. To cap the evening off, three dynamic individuals will each receive an award for their leadership in the arts: Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum, Ron Carter, Ron Himes. Touhill Performing Arts Center, UMSL, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www. touhill.org.

special events Through June 28, Circus Flora: “ One Summer on 2nd Street. Circus Flora, St. Louis’s own intimate onering theatre circus where audience members are as close as two-feet and never more than 40 feet from the ring.

Enter the Big Top and travel to the Roaring Twenties, to a typical block on a typical day, and meet a very atypical set of families. 3511 Samuel Shepard Dr., 63103. For show

dance A Tribute to St. Louis Saxophonists featuring The Jazz Edge Big Band with Eric Person, Bosman Twins (above), Willie Akins and Paul DeMarinis. See LOCAL GIGS for details.

time information, visit www. circusflora.org.

June 12 – 13, Forest Park hosts 9th Annual St. Louis Brewers Guild Festival. The festival will bring together 35 St. Louis area breweries, over 100 different beer styles, and six homebrew clubs. There will also be live music and food trucks. Beer sampling only available to those 21+ years of age with a valid photo ID. Forest Park Central Field, 63110. For more information, visit www.slbg.com/heritagefestival.

Fri., June 12, 9:30 p.m., Brainchild Events presents Graphic! A graphic T Shirt Fashion show featuring local designers that combines art, models and live entertainment into one room, Atomic Cowboy.

Sun., June 14, 7 p.m., I’m A Survivor Cancer Foundation presents their 4th Annual All White Cancer Gala. St. Louis Union Station Hotel, 1820 Market St., 63103. For more information, visit www. survivororg.com.

Sun., June 14, 8 p.m., Enjoi Entertainment presents She Is Poetry & More… Come listen to some soulful poetry by some of St. Louis’s most well known poets! There will also be an open mic! Hosted by Aja La’Starr, with sounds by DJ Natural. II Restaurant & Bar, 10466 West Florissant, 63136.

For more information, call

(314) 266-9767.

Through June 15, Ferguson Action presents The Black Voices Project. They are looking to create a digital archive of photos and quotes from interviews with Black and African American community members, leaders, professionals, students and activists, on the issues of policing, protesting, and political representation in the St. Louis area, centrally focused on the 2014 unrest following the death of Michael Brown. Participation requires a one on one discussion based interview with a researcher that would take approximately 30 minutes, discussing questions of black identity, policing, and protesting. Lab 1500, 1500 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information or to sign up for an interview, call (551) 587-2404 or visit www.engage. fergusonaction.com.

Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., St. Louis Zoo hosts ZooFARI 2015 The Golden Anniversary. Join us for our biennial creative black-tie fundraiser. Partygoers can graze from more than 60 restaurants, caterers and bars; enjoy specialty drinks, bid on spectacular items at the silent auction and dance under the stars. Headlining musical act is Kenny Loggins. Proceeds from the fundraiser help the Zoo in its efforts to save endangered species at home and around the world. Ages 21 and up only. Reservation required. 1

Government Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. stlzoo.org.

Fri., June 19, 8 p.m., Scottrade Center presents Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business Kimbo Slice vs.

Shamrock. 1401 Clark ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.scottradecenter.com.

Fri., June 19, 8 p.m., Normandy Senior High School Class of 2005 Reunion Party. Machinists Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd., 63044.

For more information, visit www.nhsco2005.myevent.com.

literary Thur., June 11, 7 p.m., St. Louis County Library Foundation hosts author Mary Pilon, author of The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and Scandal Behind the World’s Favorite Boardgame.

The way Parker Brothers tells it, Monopoly, the world’s most famous board game, was invented by an out-of-work salesman in the depths of the Great Depression, who lived happily—and richly—ever after. However, this book reveals the unknown story of how Monopoly came into existence, the reinvention of its history by Parker Brothers, the lost female originator of the game, and one man’s lifelong obsession to tell the true story about the game’s questionable origins. Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl. org.

Sat., June 13, 2 p.m., Shameless Grounds hosts author Jordan R. Diggs, author of The Journey to Find Peace in Hell. Local author Jordan R. Diggs just released his first book and is ready to celebrate. Join Diggs at the eccentric cafe Shameless Grounds from 2-5PM for an afternoon soiree. In addition to the signing, there will be live music: Ikaika Ronquillo, a Creve Coeur Records artist.

Drinks and light refreshments will be available. 1901 Withnell Ave., 63118. For more information, call (314) 449-1240 or visit www. shamelessgrounds.com.

Thur., June 18, 7 p.m., Left

June 13 – 14, Missouri Ballet Theatre presents The Little Mermaid. Edison Theatre, Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 397-7897 or visit www.edison. wustl.edu.

Sat., June 13, 10:30 a.m., Fundisha Turns 20!

Dance Workshops and Performance. Ever take a class or see a show with Mama Lisa? Now enjoy both!

CEO and artistic director of Fundisha Enterprises, Mama Lisa celebrates 20 years of the company’s arts-education service to St. Louis showcasing the music, songs, and dances of Africa, the Caribbean, and African American cultures. Families can enjoy dance classes and a folktale performance, BUSEJI: The Sacred Mask Tree, at the Museum. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

theatre June 4 – 20, Thur. – Sun., 8 p.m., Stray Dog Theatre presents Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead. A New York Fringe Festival hit which satirizes the Peanuts comic strip by aging its cast of characters into their teenage years. Consumed with teenage angst, Charlie Brown (CB) and his friends face questions of morality, the existence of an afterlife and true friendship.

Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Ave., 63104. For more information, call (314) 865-1995 or visit www. straydogtheatre.org.

June 6 – Aug. 1, Missouri History Museum presents Unlocking the Golden Door: The Fight for Sumner High School. In 1875, 10 years after the abolition of slavery, St. Louis had a strong group of African American activists and community leaders who were doing the hard work of civil rights. This performance focuses on their efforts, including the fight for Sumner High School, the first African American high school west of the Mississippi. Dates Vary.

5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. mohistory.org.

Through June 14, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Antony and Cleopatra. Enjoy a lovely night of Shakespeare under the stars in beautiful Forest Park. Antony and Cleopatra tells the epic, intriguing, and

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015 enchanting tale of Roman general caught under the spell of history’s most stunning and powerful queen. Thursday performances are signed for the hearing impaired. Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park, 6604 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www.sfstl. com.

June 15 – 21, 8:15 p.m. The Muny presents My Fair Lady.

1 Theatre Dr., 63112. For more information, call (314) 3611900 or visit www.muny.org.

Through Wed., June 17, 1 p.m., Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents The Barber of Seville. One of the world’s most popular operas. Rossini’s sparkling score sets the gold standard for opera that is fresh, elegant, funny, and brimming with vocal fireworks. OTSL celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2015. 130 Edgar Rd., 63119. For more information, visit www.opera-stl.org.

Through June 21, Gitana Productions presents “Black and Blue,” an original play by Lee Patton Chiles exploring the complex relationship between the African American community and the police, opens May 22 for a fourweek run. Performances will be at the Missouri History Museum May 22 – 24; at the Kranzberg Arts Center May 29 – May 31; at Greater St. Mark Family Church June 7; and at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley June 19 – 21. Tickets are free but reservations are required for all performances except the Missouri History Museum.

Register online at www.gitanainc.org or call (314) 721-6556 or email info@gitana-inc.org.

Sun., June 21, 2 p.m., Powell Symphony Hall presents My Sinatra. For Father’s Day, join the STL Symphony and actor Cary Hoffman for a 100th birthday celebration in honor of Frank Sinatra.

Hoffman brings his celebrated PBS Special, a very true, hilarious and poignant oneman musical play about his love and idolization for his

100.3 The Beat presents Summer Block Party feat. Jill Scott (left), Common, and special guest DJ Jazzy Jeff.

For more information, see CONCERTS.

Featured Event Sat., June 13, 10:30 a.m., Fundisha Turns 20! Dance Workshops and Performance. CEO and artistic director of Fundisha Enterprises, Mama Lisa celebrates 20 years of the company’s arts-education service to St. Louis showcasing the music, songs, and dances. The Sacred Mask Tree, at the Museum. 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www. mohistory.org.

(See Dance) hero Frank, to Powell Hall. 718 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. stlsymphony.org.

June 26 – 27, COCA presents Bring It On The Musical. Bitingly relevant and sprinkled with sass, this show takes audiences on a high-flying journey filled with the complexities of friendship, jealousy, betrayal, and forgiveness. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Edison Theatre, Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Blvd., 63130. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.edison.wustl.edu.

lectures/ workshops Thur., June 11, 6:30 p.m., The Junior Board of the International Institute presents Trafficked: Modern Day Slavery in America.

Human trafficking is not a problem of the past or limited to countries other than the U.S. Such trafficking exists widely today and it exists here at home impacting lives and communities in ways many are not be aware. Amanda Mohl of the St. Louis Rescue &

Restore Coalition will present this interactive presentation on human trafficking and what modern slavery looks like at home. 3401 Arsenal St., 63118.

For more information, call (314) 773-9090 or visit www. iistl.org.

Tues., Jun. 16, 6:30 p.m., Woman’s Place will offer our free HOW TO HELP WORKSHOP for friends and family members of someone suffering domestic violence.

The workshop highlights how to best support victims, encourage safe choices and identify “red flags” of potentially lethal escalation.

Located at 8300 Morganford Rd. 63123. Alternate times can be arranged. Preregistration is required. Call 314-645-4848 to reserve your place.

arts Through June 12, The Vaughn Cultural Center presents the exhibition “Black Americans in Flight: A Salute to Military Service.” The exhibit includes signed lithographs of the five panel mural installed at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in 1990.

Also included in the exhibition are two large-scale paintings

by SolomonThurman: “Lonely Eagle,” oil on canvas; and “Refueling in Flight,” acrylic on canvas. Vaughn Cultural Center, 3701 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63108 in the Urban League Building. Open hours are from 10am until 5pm.

June 12 – 14, The Vintage Peddler Weekend Market.

A treasure house of all things from shabby chic, retro, rustic, primitive, inspired, desired, reclaimed, restored, revived, handmade, upcycled and refurbished from vintage enthusiasts and curators. Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd., 63011. For more information, visit www. vintageped.com.

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 to offer visitors from around the world the opportunity to see an event rarely staged outside of Asia. Each set will include interpretation

C3 detailing the design’s tradition, symbolism and meaning.

4344 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For more information visit www. missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Through Sept. 7, The St. Louis Art Museum presents Adorning Self and Space: West African Textile Exhibit.

The blankets, garments, and clothes highlighted in the exhibit demonstrate a captivating array of design and pattern. They were created to comfort and protect, to proclaim identity, status and style. Although created by artists of several cultures from Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, many of the textiles on view share a formal structure of strip-woven cloth that is the basis for myriad design variations. Other cloths in the exhibition merge foreign, industrially produced fabric with inventive techniques for dyeing and decorating that result in kaleidoscopic effects.

1 Fine Arts Dr., 63110. For more information, visit www. slam.org.

health Thur., June 11, 1 p.m., St. Louis OASIS and The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis present Fit for Function: Preventing AgeRelated Muscle Loss. Learn about new research proving basic strength training can reverse age-related muscle loss. Experience this screening and presentation to learn what it means to be functionally fit and whether or not you pass the test based on national norms. This program and screening is specifically designed for those ages 60 and older. Space is limited.

Northwest Healthcare, 1225 Graham Rd., 63031. For more information and to register, call (314) 220-6871 or visit www. oasisnet.org.

Sat., June 13, 6:30 a.m., Susan G. Komen 2015 St. Louis Race for the Cure.

The event raises funds and awareness for the breast

cancer movement, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those we have lost to the disease. 75% of the net income stays in the community to help fund local programs offering breast cancer screening, breast health education and patient navigation services.

The remaining 25 % supports cutting-edge breast cancer research. Soldiers Memorial Park, 1315 Chestnut St., 63103.

For more information, visit www.komenstlouis.org.

spiritual Sat., Jun. 13, 7 p.m., San Francisco Temple’s 30th Annual Dr. Marie McDaniels Christian Prom, Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO. Attire: Black Tie. Reservations: $25; Special guest: 2015 Grammy and Stellar Awards Nominees The Walls Group. Please call Angelita Jackson 314-520-3245 or email sanfranmedia@att.net Sun., June 14, 4 p.m., Pastor D.E. Rainey’s 10TH Year Pastoral Celebration, Bridgeton Baptist Church, 5120 Bristol Rock Road St. Louis, MO 63033.

Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., Creative Designz presents It’s My Time to be Blessed Benefit Concert.

We are raising funds to bless a few ministries. Our featured gospel Hip-Hop artists are Kingdom Muzic: Bryann and Monica Trejo, Antwoine Hill and Jarrod Tennell. Special guest Gospel artist Sean Johnson and local hip hop Christian artists: MadMusic Inc, Will Roc and Kee Roc and Ladybugz 200, will also be present. Halls Ferry Christian Church, 12100 Old Halls Ferry Rd., 63033. For more information, call (314) 5463683.

Fri., June 19, 7 p.m., F.A.S.T. Movement presents Flame in concert, Tribe of Judah Church, 10229 Lewis and Clark. For more information, call (314) 291-8898.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

C4

JABARI Continued from C1 the book were “so St. Louis” as well.

Exchanges within their narratives captured the nuances of the typical North St. Louis personality: overtly friendly, streetwise and an intrinsic sense of comedic timing that makes every day conversations and dialogue exchanges seem as if they were snatched from sitcom television scripts.

“Growing up in North St. Louis, everyone was a storyteller – everyone.

Everywhere you went,” Asim said. “There’s a poet named Muriel Rukeyser who says the universe of is not made up of atoms but made up stories.”

In ONLY THE STRONG, Asim weaves together the matter of providing insight into the Gateway City in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – and a climate of unrest through some of the characters he introduced in A TASTE OF HONEY. He delved into fiction writing as a mental escape as he was writing THE N WORD. “I worked on the book for six-and-a-half years, and I immersed myself in a lot of hateful material,” Asim said. “It was depressing and exhausting, but I had to do it. I put it down, and I would work on A TASTE OF HONEY to clear my brain as a palate cleanser.”

By the time N WORD was

done, he had six chapters of A TASTE OF HONEY. He was able to sell the book – a group of short stories set in the St. Louis inspired Gateway City during the 1960s – based on those chapters.

“Fiction is very freeing,” Asim said. “It’s a lot less ambitious, and primarily I want to be entertaining – and to entertain myself. I try to avoid passages that turn into lectures.”

One of the most striking stories to unfold was the outrage that ensued after an unarmed young black man was killed by a police officer.

“A TASTE OF HONEY opens with the killing of an unarmed black man by a policeman and it’s set in 1968,” Asim said. “People interviewed me about this book and would say ‘this is really timely.’ But the point is there is a succession of Mike Browns.

TASTE OF HONEY starts in 1968 and that story could have started in 1938 and been just as plausible.”

His intention with his fiction writing is to capture the essence of St. Louis and share the city’s uniquely entertaining perspective with the masses.

“I’m fortunate in my placement in time in space and it has influenced what I’m capable of coming up with,” Asim said. “I tried to pay homage to those storytellers that surrounded me by letting them float through my consciousness and seeing what comes out.”

JAZZ

But next Friday night will be all about honoring others – and will also present three awards for leadership in the arts.

Living saxophone legend Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum, famed jazz instructor Ron Carter, and Black Rep founder Ron Himes will all be honored for their respective contributions to St. Louis’ cultural community.

Continued from C1 been featured as a leader and sideman on over 30 recordings.

Dwayne and Dwight Bosman, known collectively as The Bosman Twins, have become synonymous with St. Louis saxophonists for decades.

The two recently released their first CD of original music entitled “When Lions Roar.”

Considered a living legend by many, Willie Akins has more than a half-century of experience as a band leader, sideman and sax master.

Professor Paul DeMarinis is a well-known technical performer, adjudicator, and clinician known worldwide. He performs with jazz artists like Dave Liebman, Bobby Shew

FLOETRY Continued from C1 Badu, D’ Angelou and Maxwell. The two honed their craft in Philadelphia’s rich soul music scene, which in recent years has produced Bilal, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots and Jill Scott.

It was apparent early on that Floetry had something special – well before their music made it to the masses.

Michael Jackson heard their demo “Butterflies” and fell in love with the song. He recorded it for his 2001 “Invincible” album.

“It was incredible,” Stewart told Yahoo Music. “He continually asked, ‘Marsh, what’s the next harmony?

Girls, does this sound right?

What do you think? Is this what you were looking for?’ He was so open.”

PLAY Continued from C1 justify what we do because we are in love,” Babb said. “That’s why I feel like I can play this role, because that is at the core of what I’m trying to learn now.”

The “it’s complicated” status was yet to be invented, but it is indeed appropriate when it comes to Cleopatra’s personal life.

“I played her when I was in my mid-twenties and at that time she was just as challenging as this time around,” Babb said. “Where I am right now in my life is in a beautiful place to bring that complexity of love – and the uncertainty of love – not knowing or trusting that who you want to give your whole heart to is the right person.”

Members of the Jazz Edge Band and more.

The show comes as The Jazz Edge celebrates their 25th anniversary. Currently under the direction of Thomas Moore, The Jazz Edge has performed

with giants Clark Terry, Lester Bowie, James Moody, Frank Foster, Oliver Nelson, Denise Thimes, Frank Wess, Chuck Berry, Geri Allen and Wallace Roney.

The next year Floetry released their debut LP “Floetic,” with the title track as their debut single. The single as moderately received, but it was their follow-up ballad “Say Yes” that caught Urban Adult Contemporary listeners’ attention. “Getting Late” locked

success, it was suddenly over for Floetry. For reasons that are still not entirely clear – some sources cite creative differences, while others say it was the desire to establish solo careers – Ambrosius and Stewart split in 2007.

“I’m not sure why,” Stewart

n “It’s all for the fans. And it’s only right that they get to enjoy – and we get to enjoy – those songs again.”

– Natalie Stewart

in official fans for their smooth soul and poetry hybrid.

2005’s “Flo’ology” saw continued success with the ballad “Lay Down” and the up-tempo “SupaStar,” featuring Common.

But at the height of their

said about the group’s breakup.

“In hindsight, I just know that everything went the way that it was supposed to go. We had to take time as solo artists to do what we do.”

They released five solo albums between them (two

Babb absolutely owns the stage from the first scene to the last. She credits her cast, director Mike Donahue and the entire Shakespeare Festival St. Louis company for providing a springboard and support system.

But her rich experience as a classically trained actress well versed portraying Shakespeare’s leading ladies (and men) also had a hand in her successful embodiment of Cleopatra.

As a freshman in high school, the New York City native was cast as Hamlet and fell in love with the language of Shakespeare.

She would go on to receive her MFA from the Old Globe/ USD PTAP in 2011, and also holds an MA from East 15 Acting School in the U.K. “There is something about how Shakespeare captures the intricacy of life through his

characters,” Babb said. “We don’t have a lot of women in Shakespeare plays in general, but the women that we do have represented are so powerful – and one of the most beautiful things you can do as an actress.”

She admits that her skin color has been a barrier at times as she’s worked to establish herself in Shakespearian genre. “[It’s about] being aware of that and not being deterred or losing the courage to continue – and knowing that you are enough,” Babb said. “If I truly believe in that, then there’s bound to be at least one person out there who believes I am enough to tell a story like Cleopatra’s.”

Because the part of Cleopatra’s story that Shakespeare hones in on is one that is so relatable for black women, Babb is especially equipped to tell it.

The Jazz Edge, Inc. presents a “Tribute to St. Louis Saxophonists” featuring Eric Person, the Bosman Twins, Willie Akins and Paul DeMarinis will take place on Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m. in the Lee Theater of the Touhill Performing Arts Center, One University Blvd, University of Missouri St. Louis. For more information, call (314) 516-4949 or visit www.

TheJazzEdge.com.

from Ambrosius, three from Stewart), but the music never seemed to strike the same chord with listeners as when they were together – proven by the response to their performance back in December.

In February, Stewart announced that based on fan feedback, she and Ambrosius would return to the stage as a duo. In May The Reunion Tour kicked off in Atlanta and will make its way to St. Louis next weekend.

“Like always, it’s been kind of organic,” Stewart told DJ Smallz Eyez. “Ultimately, it’s all for the fans. And it’s only right that they get to enjoy – and we get to enjoy – those songs again.”

Floetry’s The Reunion Tour will hit The Pageant on Friday, June 19. For more information, visit www.thepageant.com or call (314) 726-6161.

She hopes that in doing so, like the production has done for her, that there are elements within “Antony and Cleopatra” audiences can apply to their own lives.

“I hope people will leave feeling that it was real and real in all aspects,” Babb said.

“That they were really in love with each other and the whole experience was so real for the audience that it compels them to reflect on, or have the courage to fight for who they love – or do what they need to do to hold on to the person that will do anything to express how much they love them.”

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ production of “Antony and Cleopatra” continues through June 14 at Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen. For more information, visit www. sfstl.com or call (314) 5319800.

C5

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 – 17, 2015

Celebrations Stellar Students

FREE OF CHARGE

Nuptials Sharon Denise Otis and Elder Keith Chatman were married on June 6, 2015 at Saint Fellowship Mission Church, 1101 Skinker Parkway and celebrated with a reception at the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown St. Louis. Sharon is a singer and wedding planner and Keith is an elder and custodian with Webster Groves School District.

They will honeymoon in the Bahamas.

Students in the newly-formed Technology Student Association (TSA) at Cross Keys Middle School (Ferguson-Florissant School District) performed exceptionally at the 2015 TSA Spring Distinctions Conference in Rolla, MO. The students participated in several competitions at the conference, with seven students each receiving multiple awards! Student members of the CKMS TSA are: Passion Barriere, Josiah Gooden, Marvin Quarells, Grace Ruyle, Emily Thompson, Zachary Tincher with president Josh Geisler and vice president Moses Woods.

The club’s advisor is Eric Brown.

Reunions All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Kinloch High School Alumni Association will host a Kinloch Reunion Dinner dance on July 24, 2015. For more information, please contact Arlene Owens Davis at 314792-0659, Lester Wilson at 314-863-2180, Reuben Melton at 314-239-5202, Mc McKinnies at 314-5240126 or Darryl Henderson at hendodh@sbcglobal.net.

Langston Elementary School Classes 1964-1980 are planning an All-Class Reunion July 18-19 2015. Look us up on Facebook or contact, Eric Hayes at (314)269-4508,Pat Colten-Mullens at (314)4943162 or Rodney Brown at (314)952-3455.

Lincoln High School (East St. Louis, IL) January and June 1955 classes are planning the 60th year reunion, September 4-6, 2015. For additional information, you may contact John W. Morgan at 618-558-6880 or Maxine Parks Kimbrough at 314-7413967.

St. Louis Community College needs your help identifying STLCC alumni.

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

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) 5701513.

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.

Soldan Class of 1965 50th Reunion, June 27, 2015 at the Hollywood Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Maryland Height, Mo. 63043. Contact any committee member for more information about this event: Isaiah Hair, Jr. (314) 387-7592, Pat Holloway (314) 839-4306, Corine Stuckes (636) 294-4373, Jackie Williams (314) 863-5133, or Brenda Yancey (314) 830-1334.

Soldan Class of 1970 Reunion Committee presents 45 Year Reunion Weekend, August 7– 9. Total cost for the weekend is $90 per person. Check or money order should be sent to: Soldan Alumni Class of 1970, P. O. Box 812, St. Louis Missouri 63032. Final payment must be received by July 24, 2015. When mailing your payment please include your T-Shirt sizes.

Soldan High School Class of 75, 40th Reunion, September 11-13, 2015, Contact: Terese Cole- Marshall, (314) 640 9611 or AnnieSue Preston (314) 606 5618, Email: Soldanclass75@gmail.com or view our Facebook page: Soldan class 75.

Young Leader awarded Charli Cooksey is the 2015 recipient of the prestigious Harvard Club of St. Louis Community Service Award. Charli is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of inspireSTL and was recently elected to the St. Louis Public School Board.

Charli is also a member of the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Young Leaders 2015 cohort.

Sumner High School Class of 1966 is planning their 50th Class Reunion. Please contact Ella Scott at 314436-1696, Els2188@sbcglobal.net with your name, address and email or join the Sumner Class of 1966 Facebook Group page.

High School Class of 1965 will celebrate its 50th Class Reunion September 18-20, 2015 at the Marriott St. Louis Airport. For information contact Cleo at 314 383 1934 or Bernice at 314 534 8282 or email Vashon65Alumni@ yahoo.com.

Sumner High Class of 1970 is planning its 45th Reunion.

Please provide contact information to: cshsco70@yahoo. com or J. Fox at 314-6063506 for more information.

Vashon Class of 1970 45th Reunion, July 24-26, 2015 at the Renaissance Hotel -St Louis Airport. 9801 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 63134. Contact: Rose Wilson-Cockrell 314-327-9521 or Wayne Mason 314-401-6416. Reunion Meeting Dates: Julia Davis Library, 4415 Natural Bridge Ave., 10 a.m., February 21, March 21, April 18 and May 16.

Sumner High School Class of 1975 is proud to announce the 40th Year Reunion Celebration.

Please join us at the Airport Renaissance Hotel August 21-23, 2015. The cost is $60 per person. Contact C. Jackson at 314-477-6785 or D. Moore at 314-303-0074 for more information.

Sumner Class of ‘76, 40th Class Reunion Announcement, Meeting Dates and Location: Thursdays, June 25, July 23 and August 20, 2015, 6 - 8:30 p.m., as needed at the St. Louis County Library Natural Bridge Branch (Small Meeting Room), 7606 Natural Bridge Rd., STL, 63121. For questions or to leave current contact info, please contact B. Louis at 314.385.9843 or email: sumnerclassof76@yahoo. com.

University City Class of 1981 is preparing for their 35th reunion to be held August 5-7, 2016. Please send contact information to Denise Weatherford-Bell at msdenise38@yahoo.com.

Upward Bound (Webster University ) Class of ‘66 thru ‘70 of Kinloch, Beaumont, Vashon, Summer, Central, Soldan, Northwest, Vashon

Vashon High Class of 1975

reunion celebration will be August 7-8, 2015. For information: 314-660-1784 or 314283-5503.

Vashon High School Class of 1990, 25th Reunion Celebration, August 7-9, 2015.

Contact Tiffany Lindsey, (314) 359-4663 or view our Facebook Page: VHS-STL Class of 1990 or email me at Vashon1990classreunion@ yahoo.com for more reunion information.

Vashon 2015 Hall of Fame Nominations are due 1/31/15.

Criteria on VashonHigh.org, for more information contact: brown7166@sbcglobal.net, Cozy Marks, Jr. at 383-5682 or Elvis Hopson at 535-0243.

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers.

Whether it’s a birth, graduation, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available. Photos will not be returned.

Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to: St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

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 • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

MCU calls for action on vehicle stops report

Data show clergy are ‘not just playing the race card’

Eulogizing Bishop Johnson Bishop Jessie Battle, pastor of The House of Deliverance Church, gave the eulogy for his good friend, Bishop James A. Johnson, longtime pastor of Bethesda Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, on Friday, May 29 at Greater Grace Church of God. The former presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., Bishop Johnson passed away Thursday, May 21 at age 90.

American staff Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) decried the continuing bias against African American drivers in the state of Missouri as reported in Attorney General Chris Koster’s latest report on vehicular stops for 2014.

“In the community we knew racial profiling was a problem, now we have a 15 year study that offers evidence that we’re just not playing the race card,” said MCU Clergy Caucus co-chair, Rev. Dietra Wise Baker. “ MCU and other groups have been asking questions about racial bias for years. It’s found in employment, education, health care, transportation and, most notable in the past year, policing. Since the death of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson, MCU has conducted dozens of Sacred Conversations on race and racism in congregations, both Christian and non-Christian, and uncovered a lot of hurt, denial and fear.

“Most people understand that racism exists, and that changes need to be made, but many are uncertain what changes will help, and how to be involved in transforming our region,” said Rev. Samuel voth Schrag, Clergy Caucus co-chair.

Recognizing not just the disparities in traffic stops but how racism in general has structured and hurt the region, MCU’s 30-plus congregations have expanded their conversations into action. Many are discussing the disparity in traffic stops and bias policing with their local police chiefs.

Some are turning up candidates for St. Louis City’s Citizen Review Board. Still others are looking at the education issues that have

Photo by Wiley Price

brought the Normandy School District to its knees and threatens other school districts.

“We understand that as important as dialogue is, it must lead to concrete action and change,” said Rev. Wise Baker. “We see one avenue of action being to push accountability on the recommendations coming out of the Ferguson Commission report.”

Both Rev. Wise Baker and Rev. voth Schrag acknowledge that the Commission’s

report will cast an important vision for the whole region to consider and act on – or it could land on a shelf.

“We intend to gather leaders in the community and our congregations and make sure that the Ferguson Commission Report isn’t wasted,” Wise Baker said. “MCU intends to create the momentum we need to re-create our region in the image of real community, like we know it can be.”

C6

The Message

Christian control freaks Today is truly a day that the Lord has made, and it’s apparent to me that as the world gets more and more complicated the Word of God gets easier to understand.

I oftentimes get reminded of the power of ego (mine), pride and the desire to control or more correctly, be in control. Dare I say that most people believe, certainly understand the concept of letting go and letting God. But actually doing it, they find is impossible.

I know many so called Christians who can quote scripture, but even after all these years demonstrate very little faith, if any. I know Christian control freaks who must have the last say and who just have to be right all the time. I’ve gotten caught up in rationalizing my own actions given the circumstances of the day, as if by some miracle of intelligence I am the authority, only to recognize later that not only am I wrong, but God never entered the picture.

It is at these times that I feel open to receiving the Holy Spirit and realize every day is full of miracles. I am blessed and highly favored and always have been. I am not in control.

I never have been. Giving one’s life to Christ requires a constant vigil against taking credit or assessing blame.

When you focus on service in the name of the Lord, you really do get a chance to see all of this from a very different perspective. Service in this regard neither Columnist seeks nor expects reward. Any act of this James nature speaks for itself.

Washington Behavior should have limits, actions should have purpose and your intent should be uppermost in your mind. You see how easy it is to get up and succumb to jealousy, pettiness, cruelty, envy and the like? It actually takes work to be humble, loving, giving and a source of truth all day every day. It shouldn’t, but it does. The world sees to that.

I believe the calling of every Christian is simply to try.

It’s the effort that God expects. It’s the intent He wants.

I’m fortunate enough to believe that I’ve known people who were angels walking. I believe there are saints among us, and I don’t ever want to be so busy that I ignore them in my haste pursuing the world instead of the Word.

However, from these living breathing angels, I’ve learned the battle is not necessarily over until you win. And don’t concern yourself about the victory because Christ did that some time ago.

What’s that line in the movie? What we do today echoes in eternity. My eternity is set. All I have to do is get through this life thing. Therefore get up each and every day and get this before you leave your home. See me, see God.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN THE

Career Center ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

•

JUNE 11

- 17, 2015

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN THE

C7

$29

$22.50/week $19.50/week

TEACHERS

Qualified Early Head Start Teachers (Infant Toddler CDA) for Child Development Center.

Cover letter and resume to HR, St. Louis Transitional Hope House, Inc., 1611 Hodiamont Ave., St. Louis, MO 63112 or email to info@hopehousestl.com.

“JANITORIAL”

Possible 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.

PROGRAM SPECIALIST IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Child Abuse Prevention Program. Make presentations to school-aged children, parents, school staff. Requires a 4 year college degree.

Apply online: WWW.JFCSAPPLY.COM with cover letter and resume.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service – St. Louis EOE M/F/D/V

COORDINATOR

Webster University is seeking an Annual Fund Coordinator in the Office of Advancement.

Please visit our website at www.webster.edu for a complete job description.

No phone calls please.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

www.stlamerican.com

K-12 MUSEUM EDUCATOR (Part-time)

The Missouri History Museum is seeking a K-12 Museum Educator. Ideal candidate will be responsible for facilitating educational tours and leading activities. At least 2 years of college- BA or BS preferred. Available to work 15-25 hours a week. Position pays $9/hr. Visit www.mohistory.org for full position details.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

SPANISH TEACHER

De Smet Jesuit High School seeks highly qualified candidates for the full-time position of Spanish teacher for the 2015-2016 school year.

Candidates should be qualified to teach all levels of Spanish, with preference given to those who hold a master’s degree in Spanish or education, along with experience in secondary school teaching in a faith context. More information is available at www.desmet.org/employment.html.

Send a resume, cover letter and list of at least three references to Anna Oliver, Assistant to the Principal, at aoliver@desmet.org. Application materials will be accepted through June 15th.

The St. Louis County office has a limited number of openings for training in the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

To qualify, you must be 55 or older, unemployed, meet Federal income eligibility guidelines and a resident of St. Louis County.

We are working with local businesses offering employment opportunities in Call Centers, Security officers, CNA’s, Office Support Jobs and Home Improvement.

Please call 314-830-3600 between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM for an initial eligibility assessment to see if you qualify.

Earn EXTRA MONEY $$$ NOW HIRING PT evening positions M-F, call us today! Proud to offer a drug free Environment! Clean criminal background required. Call now 1-888-645-1505

REPRESENTATIVE

Webster University seeks a Representative in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Dean’s office.

Please visit our website at www.webster.edu for a complete job description.

No phone calls please.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

POLICE OFFICER

City of Florissant is accepting applications for Police Officer from qualified Police Academy graduates. Starting salary $45,593 increasing to $50,148 upon completion of probationary period. Applications are available at www.florissantmo.com and Human Resources, 1055 rue St. Francois, Florissant, MO 63031.

EOE/M/F/DISABLED/VETERAN

STARS Afterschool Program

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

CIRCULATION MANAGER/AUDITOR

Part time The St. Louis American is looking for a part time Circulation Manager/Auditor to oversee our newspaper distribution system and to ensure we are continuing to best serve our readers’ needs throughout the region. The duties include: checking the quality of boxes and racks throughout the area, checking numbers of papers distributed, papers returned, and when the newspapers are delivered, as well as scouting new distribution locations for the newspaper.

Must be conscientious, detail-oriented and have own vehicle.

Veterans applications welcome.

Please send resume to kjones@stlamerican.com

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE WORKER

St. Louis Development Corporation has an opening for a Property Maintenance Worker. Qualified candidates must have a H.S. Diploma or G.E.D, two + years exp. in general grounds maintenance, and the ability to operate maintenance vehicles, equipment, and power tools. Must have or be able to obtain a Class E Drivers License and knowledge of City of St. Louis streets. Position requires the ability to lift 50 lbs frequently and 100 lbs occasionally throughout the day. Maintains LRA-owned property: by cutting grass, trimming trees, clearing trash, boarding up windows and changing locks, and other duties as necessary. Assists in the maintenance and protection of equipment/tools.

SLDC offers a full range of benefits including deferred comp, 401(a), and medical insurance. SLDC is an equal opportunity employer. Successful candidate must be a St. Louis city resident or establish residency within 180 days of completing a probationary period. Employees in this position are subject to drug testing.

Apply online at www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc click on Careers or apply in person at 1520 Market Street, LRA Reception 2nd Floor, St. Louis.

Deadline for submission: June 26, 2015.

Assist Manager of Afterschool Programs with implementation and planning of daily afterschool activities, including design and execution of lesson plans, activities and events.

2:00pm – 6:30pm $10.50 per hour For full job description and to submit your cover letter and resume, contact Ms. Edmondson at nsedmondson@nsyssc.com.

BIDS & PUBLIC NOTICES LETTING #8580

Anode Replacement on Selected Steel Transmission Mains

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 _June 30, 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).

LETTING #8582

FOOD COMMISSARY ROOF REPLACEMENT At Lambert-St. Louis International Airport

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 June 30,2015 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). A Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Wednesday, JUNE 10, 2015 at 1:30 PM in the Training Room at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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).

www.stlamerican.com ONLINE

COMMUNICATIONS

COORDINATOR

The Missouri History Museum is seeking a Online Communications Coordinator to maintain the Museum’s brand standards in online communications, and manage social media strategy and tactics. Visit www.mohistory.org for full position details.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

STEM/SCIENCE POSITION

Marian Middle School (www.mms-stl.ort) is accepting applications for a 6th-8th grade STEM/Science position. Our school is an all-girls, Catholic school committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education. The ideal candidate will possess certification, two or more years of teaching experience, and skill with/passion for STEM programming. Please email resume/cover letter to Sister Barbara Roche at broche@mms-stl.org.

Minorities are encouraged to apply.

Email your ads to

vmedina@stlamerican.com

Goherbalife.com/getsexymovement

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

Bids & Notices

THE

C8

E-BID

for St. Louis Community College on Bid No. B0003416 for a contract for Charter Bus Services will be received until 3:00 P.M. (local time) on June 25, 2015 at the Dept. of Purchasing, 300 So. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102, and immediately thereafter opened and read. Bid documents can be accessed on our website at www.stlcc.edu/purchasing or call (314) 539-5225. EOE/AA Employer.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

BUSINESS MENTORING SERVICES The St. Louis Local Development Company (LDC) is seeking the services of a firm to provide individual and group mentoring services to small businesses located in the City of St. Louis. Proposals are due by 06/25/15.

Details at www.stlouis-mo.gov/sldc or contact Rick Palank at 314-615-7667.

Email your ads to vmedina@stlamerican.com

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

CITY OF ST. LOUIS LAMBERT - ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT® Request for Proposals (RFP) for

Information Personnel Staffing Services Proposals Wanted

Proposal documents may be obtained at Lambert St. Louis International Airport - Airport Properties Division, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or by calling (314) 426-8184. This RFP may also be obtained by visiting our website at www.flystl.com (Click on “Business Opportunities”).

Robert Salarano Airport Properties Division Manager

Requests subcontractor bids for the following project:

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 June 1, 2015.

CHARLESS HOME renovations & new addition including the following scopes of work:

Plans and specifications will be available on June 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 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

www.stlamerican.com

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

• Tuckpointing • Roofing & Gutters • Flooring • Metal Railings • HVAC • Plumbing • Demolition • Siding • Windows

• Carpentry • Doors and Hardware • Painting • Appliances • Electrical • Fire Sprinklers • Cabinets • Paving

Contact Jackie True, Project Manager 314-382-7717 Jackie@roanoke-construction.com

Section 3, MBE and WBE firms are encouraged to bid. This is a prevailing wage project, certified payroll will be required.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS # 57815160, Snack Vending Machines and Services

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) is requesting sealed proposals for Snack Vending Machines and Services. Proposals will be accepted in sealed envelopes, clearly marked “PROPOSAL FOR SNACK VENDING MACHINES AND SERVICES”) in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., Administration building, Room 105, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103 until Tuesday June 23, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. The bids will then be publicly opened and the name(s) of the Contractors read at 10:00 a.m. in Room 118 on Tuesday, June 23, 2015.

A copy of the Request for Proposals can be obtained by emailing the request to barskys@hssu.edu, faxing a written request to HSSU, ATTN: Shelley Barsky, (314) 340-3322 or by calling (314) 340-3325 and leaving contact information.

Any proposal received after the time of bid opening shall not be accepted and shall be returned unopened. No award shall be made at the time proposals are opened and the names read.

City of Northwoods-Trash Hauler Services

REQUEST FOR BIDS Service to Begin August 1, 2015

June 7, 2015 To: Prospective Bidders From: Lillian Eunice- Northwoods City Administrator Re: Solicitation of Bids for Trash Collection Service

City of Northwoods – Seeking Trash Collection Bids The City of Northwoods is seeking bids from area trash haulers that are licensed, bonded and insured to provide service to approximately 1,750 households each week. Services needed include pick-up of Household Trash (1 day @ week); Recycling (1 day @ week); Yardwaste (see bid specifications at Northwoods City Hall for week/month variations); Bulk Items; White Good Items (when called in by residents); other hauler service offers. Regarding services identified above, Bids should show the unit cost per month for 5 years of service beginning Aug.1, 2015-Jul. 31, 2020. Bids should also show the price if Northwoods City Pays the total bill and the price if Residents Pay their own trash bill. Roll-off containers will be required in at least 2 locations for City of Northwoods trash and the City will pay the waste hauler within 10 days of invoice each month for City trash service. Bid specifications are available at Northwoods City Hall-4600 Oakridge Blvd., Northwoods, Missouri 63121 where Sealed Bids will be opened on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Please address your questions directly to Ms. Lillian Eunice-Northwoods City Administrator at (314) 477-4051 or by e-mail to leunice@cityofnorthwoods.com.

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

University City Public I/I Reduction-East Contract Letting No. 12062-015.1

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

SAK Construction 864 Hoff Road O’Fallon, MO 63366 636/385-1000

The meeting will take place at

10:00 a.m.

June 18, 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.

Need a quote?

Send your ad text to

vmedina@stlamerican.com

•

JUNE 11

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN THE

- 17, 2015

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on July 7th, 2015 to contract with a company for: Pre-sort Mail 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 5973 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.

ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

St. Louis Community College will receive separate sealed bids for Contract No. F 16 601, Repair MTHW Lines At CN and CS, St. Louis Community College at Meramec, until 2:00 p.m. local time Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the office of the Manager of Engineering and Design, 300 South Broadway (Room 423, Fourth Floor). Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Manager's office, at the above address or by calling (314) 539-5015.

MANDATORY PREBID MEETING FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 AT 1:00 PM AT THE SERVICE BUILDING An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

www.stlamerican.com

LETTING NUMBER 8581

RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY FOXTROT FROM TAXIWAY KILO TO TAXIWAY JULIET; RECONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY JULIET FROM TAXIWAY FOXTROT TO RUNWAY 12L-30R Lambert-St. Louis International Airport

Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Public Service, Room 208, City Hall, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103 until 1:45 PM, CT, on June 23, 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 DBE/MBE/WBE policies). Mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. in the Training Room (AO-4066) at the Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.

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 (Virtual Plan Room).

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 University City Public I/I Reduction East (WC-01), Letting No. 12062-015.1, Bidding June 25, 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, Interstate hauling with a reefer truck, Protection and site restoration, Concrete & asphalt restoration, Manhole location, 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 for the bid will be held at Insituform Technologies USA, LLC’s Training Center , 580 Goddard Avenue, Chesterfield, MO 63005 on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 9:00 AM. Quotes must be completed and submitted to Kenny Pipitone at kpipitone@insituform.com by 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 23, 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.

Lillian Avenue Improvement Project Pine Ridge Drive to Edgewood Boulevard Northwoods, Missouri

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for the Lillian Avenue Improvement Project, STP-5503(605) and SRTS-INF-H31F (101) will be received at: The City Of Northwoods City Hall, 4600 Oakridge Boulevard, Northwoods, Missouri 63121, until 2:00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Local Time) on the 2nd day of July, 2015, in the Board of Aldermen Chambers of City Hall, and at that time will be publicly opened and read. All bids shall be submitted sealed and clearly marked: Lillian Avenue Improvement Project - STP-5503 (605) and SRTS-INF-H3.

The proposed project consists of installing new concrete curb and gutter system for proper stormwater drainage will be constructed on both sides of Lillian Avenue from the east side of Nelson Drive to approximately 150 feet east of Melwood Drive, approximately 0.48 miles with a new asphalt overlay in between the new concrete curb and gutter system. The limits of the STP roadway improvements are between Nelson Drive and Melwood Avenue (approximately 2422 linear feet). The limits of the STP sidewalk improvements are between east of Seattle Street and Edgewood Boulevard (approximately 1375 linear feet) and between Nelson Drive and Pine Ridge Drive (approximately 795 linear feet). Other improvements consist of decorative street lighting, landscaping and street furniture. SRTS Lillian Avenue Sidewalk Project: The limits of the SRTS sidewalk improvements are between Nelson Drive and east of Seattle Street (approximately 1615 linear feet). Additionally, all amenities listed within the SRTS application such as concrete bus stop pads and new ADA compliant curb ramps and crosswalks along Lillian Avenue within the combined projects limits and any incidental work as deemed by the City. The duration of the project shall be limited to 150 calendar days.

Plans and specifications 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 your last name as your password. If you do not already have an account, setting one up is free of charge. Once you are logged in, click on Public Jobs and then scroll down to the St. Louis Plan Room for this particular City of Northwoods project. Any addendum to the plan set will be forwarded to all plan holders.

All labor used in the construction of this public improvement shall be paid a wage no less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages of work of a similar character in this locality as established by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (Federal Wage Rate), or state wage rate, whichever is higher.

The City of Northwoods hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry, or national origin in consideration for an award.”

All bidders must be on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT’s) Qualified Contractor List per Section 102.2 of the Missouri Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 2011 Edition including all revisions. The contractor questionnaire must be on file 7 days prior to bid opening.

Contractors and sub-contractors who sign a contract to work on public works project provide a 10-Hour OSHA construction safety program, or similar program approved by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to be completed by their on-site employees within sixty (60) days of beginning work on the construction project.

A certified or cashier’s check or a bid bond in the amount of 5% shall be submitted with each proposal. The City of Northwoods, Missouri reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

The DBE Goal for this project is 14%. No 2nd tier subcontracting will be allowed on this project.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 11:00 a.m., July 15, 2015 to contract with a company for: Service, Building Demolition, Per Specifications.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com (MSD at Work, Bidding on Projects). The bid document will be identified as 5966 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call (314) 768-6313 to request a copy of the bid.

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Jennings will hold a public hearing to discuss the allocation of $186,800.00 in Community Development Block Grant funds which will become available after January 1, 2016. The public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 22, 2015, in the Council Room at Jennings City Hall, 2120 Hord Avenue, Jennings, Missouri 63136.

To further its commitment to fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, the City of Jennings has enacted and/or enforces the following: A Fair Housing Ordinance prohibiting unlawful discrimination against any person because of race, sex, color, religion, disability, familial status or national origin; A Policy of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in the admission or access to, or employment in, its federally assisted programs or activities;

A Policy of Equal Opportunity to Participate in Municipal Programs and Services regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, familial status, national origin, or political affiliation; A requirement for bidding on CDBG activities that promotes employment opportunities created by HUD funding and that these opportunities be afforded low-income community residents and business.

If you would like information regarding the above policies or if you believe you have been unlawfully discriminated against, contact the following municipal official or employee who has been designated to coordinate compliance with equal employment opportunity requirements referenced above.

Stacey Blake, Special Services Coordinator 2120 Hord Avenue, Room 104 Jennings, Missouri 63136 (314) 388-1164

If you are a person with a disability or have special needs in order to participate in this public hearing, please contact Stacey Blake, Special Services Coordinator, no later than 2:00 p.m.June 18, 2015.

For More Information Call: 314-388-1164 VOICE 1-800-735-2466 RELAY MISSOURI Equal Opportunity Employer

Visit us on the web @ www.stlamerican.com

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids will be received by the Construction Manager, S. M. Wilson & Co. & the City of Brentwood at The Office of the City Clerk, (2348 South Brentwood Blvd. Brentwood, MO 63144), at 9:00 AM on Thursday June 11, 2015 for the Bid Package(s) described herein. Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud at 9:15 AM at Brentwood City Hall.

The date and time of receipt of bids as noted by the City of Brentwood shall be final, conclusive and binding on bidders for all purposes.

Bids MUST be delivered to the above address by 9:00 AM on June 11, 2015. All copies of the bid, and any other documents required to be submitted with the bid shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope. The envelope shall be addressed to Office of the City Clerk, 2348 South Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, MO 63144 and shall be identified with the Project name, the Bidder's name and address and the designated Work Package # for which the bid is submitted. If the bid is sent by mail, the sealed envelope shall be enclosed in a separate mailing envelope with the notation "SEALED BID ENCLOSED" on the face thereof.

Brentwood Recreation Complex – Building Renovation Bid Package #4 Work Package #25 – Masonry Labor There will NOT be a Pre-bid Meeting held for this Bid Package Bidding documents will be available as of June 2, 2015 and can viewed and/or downloaded from the following link. https://secure.smartbidnet.com/External/PublicPlanRoom. aspx?ld-178703&i=1

Bidding documents may also be viewed and/or purchased at the following locations.

Smartbid.net For access to Smartbid.net contact Debra Sheahan at S.M. Wilson. debra.sheahan@smwilson.com

County Blue Reprographics 1449 Strassner Drive Brentwood, MO 314-961-3800

Construction Managers Office S. M. Wilson & Co. 2185 Hampton Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139 314-645-9595

Hampton Printing Services 2185 Hampton Ave. P.O.Box 5210 St. Louis, MO 63139 314-633-9623

City of Brentwood, MO website www.brentwoodmo.org/bids.aspx

The City of Brentwood is a TAX EXEMPT entity. All bids are to be submitted without tax.

The City of Brentwood reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive informalities therein to determine the lowest and best bid, and to approve the Bond (if applicable). The prevailing wage law is in effect on this project. No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the specified time for receipt of Bids.

The Statutes of the State of Missouri require that not less than the prevailing rate per diem, legal holiday and overtime wages in the locality where the work is to be performed, be paid to all laborers, workmen and mechanics employed in the execution of the Contract. All other Statutes of the State of Missouri covering employment shall apply to any Contract awarded.

Bidders must be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Fair Employment Practices Commission.

The Construction Management Agency for this project is S. M. Wilson & Co. The Senior Estimator is Mrs. Debra Sheahan, email debra.sheahan@smwilson.com, phone 314-645-9595, or fax 314-645-1700, Pre-Construction Director is Mr. Brian Nuehring, e-mail brian.nuehring@smwilson.com, phone 314-645-9595, or fax 314-645-1700, and the Project Manager is Mr. Bret Zlatnik, email bret.zlatnik@smwilson.com 314-645-9595, or fax 314-645-1700.

S. M. Wilson & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN THE

Real Estate & Rentals ST. LOUIS AMERICAN THE

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN

BIDS & PUBLIC NOTICES CONTINUED LETTING NO. 8563

OFF SYSTEMS BRIDGE PROGRAM REPAIRS TO LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL BLVD. BRIDGE OVER AIRFIGHT DR. FEDERAL PROJECT NO. BRO-B 115-15 (PARTS A & B)

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 July 7, 2015, then publicly opened and read. Drawings 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. The prime contractor must have a fully responsive contractor questionnaire on file with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission at least 7 days prior to bid opening date in order for MODOT to concur with the award of this project.

Bidders shall comply with all applicable City, State and Federal laws (including DBE policies).

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on the 16th day of June, 2015 at Airport Office Building, 11495 Navaid, Mo. Bridgeton, Mo, 63044, 4th Floor – Training Room. All bidders are encouraged to attend the pre-bid meeting.

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).

Need a

quote?

Email your

FOR RENT

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

Near downtown

314-570-2959 FOR RENT

LEWIS & CLARK APARTMENTS

now accepting applications for:

1 & 2 bdrm. Starting at $507

Call now (314) 869-3400 or Come in to

1282 Marquis Court St. Louis, MO 63137

SAN REMO APARTMENTS Move-In Special!

1BR $475 2BR $575

text to vmedina@ stlamerican.com

848 N. Kingshighway St. Louis, MO 63108

314-454-9305

Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm Saturdays 10:00am -2:00pm

Newly remodeled 5231 Lotus 2nd fl Spacious 2BR apt, new hardwood fls through out, some utils incl. $625/mo+Dep. Negotiable Sec 8 welcome

314-724-2054 1ST MONTH FREE

VERY NICE APTS. New Unit $375/mo 5200 Block of Palm

314-718-0642 University City!

2 bed house, full 2 BR hardwood fls, basement, central air, 1 full ba, living rm, newer carpet, large yard dining rm w/d hk-up in w/deck, off street parking! basement. $550 a only $600 month 44xx Floriss pl rs-stl.com

314-780-9263

North City... Clean

Sec 8 Welcome North City

1 BR apt 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 + BR single family homes

314-518-5898

U.CITY RANCH LEASE. BUY OPTION 3Br, 1.5ba, $1199/mo Disabled/elderly friendly.

1290 sq.ft.

Newly decorated Partially fin. basement.

314-309-2043 AGN6L

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

618-781-7968 LARGE ROOMS FOR RENT

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

(314)266-1585 314-741-1951 leave a message.

REAL ESTATE & RENTALS Love where you live!

APT FOR RENT

ROOMS FOR RENT

Good heating and cooling. Fully furnished & Cable

314-484-3147 314-717-9966 FOR RENT 1 BR furn. apartments 4981 Rosalie @ Kingshighway $450/mo + Dep Stove & Fridge Ready Now!

314-243-3188

FEMALE ENVIRONMENT

HOUSE FOR RENT 2BR in the Northwoods For information call

314-727-0548 STARTING at $100/wk

FURNISHED ROOMS FOR RENT IN SOUTH CITY /NORTH CO, Near bus line and Metrolink, All Utilities & Cable Included, Clean & Quiet

314-740-1878

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HOUSING WAIT LIST OPENING Clinton-Peabody will accept pre-applications online at www.slha.org for 5 bedroom units only beginning June 8, 2015 at 8 A.M. closing June 12, 2015 at 5 P.M. Applicants with disabilities that need assistance in completing an online application or who do not have access to a computer can be accommodated at 1401 LaSalle Lane, St. Louis, MO 63104 or SLHA Corporate Office located at 3520 page from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on June 8-12, 2015.

•

JUNE 11

FOR RENT

- 17, 2015

North City!

5255 ST. LOUIS AVE APT. 1st fl,1 br, hw fls., stove, fridge, w/d, c/a, $450/mo Ask Fred Fletcher

Updated 1-2 bedroom, central air, hardwood floors, off street parking, no app fee! only $375

Dale Ave!

**SPECIAL**

314-460-0626

Remodeled 2 bedroom, central air, cute kitchen w/all appliances, hardwoodfloors, pets allowed! only $525

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6N

HOUSE FOR RENT 5629 TERRY 3 Bedrooms

Section 8 ONLY

Finished Basement

314-283-3839

ROOMS FOR RENT North City Near Grand & Natural Bridge $100/wk and up Shared Bath & Kitchen

314-761-5400

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6I

3304 Salena 1st fl 1 bedroom apt. cable ready, newly painted, large fenced yard $425 per mo no application fee. Section 8 Accepted.

314-681-3008

South City!

Loaded 3 bedroom, full basement, 2 car garage w/opener, hardwood floors, fenced yard, appliances, pets! $600

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6M

City Sec 8 Welcome North City

1-2-3-4 bdrm houses 2 - 3 bdrm apts

314-772-4563

Summer 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

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

for further details.

8869 Maya Lane, St. Louis MO 63136

BE OUR FRIEND

Winter Garden Apts.

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

314-925-9406

TTY 800-735-2966 Equal Housing Opportunity

Professionally Managed by NHPMN Management, LLC

APT FOR RENT NORTH CITY

Nice Area 4 rms, appliances, enclosed back porch, Near bus line $450/mo+ Dep. Req.

314-210-6116 Delmar!

Stylish 2-3 bedroom, custom hardwood floors, basement for storage, fenced yard, all appliances, w/d hookups! $535

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6E

ROOMS FOR RENT

Midtown Near Downtown Furnished, TV, satellite, personal phone, Wi-Fi, utilities included, w/d, off street parking. $150/wk

314-397-8422 CREDIT FRIENDLY 2125-27 Obear 3 rms, (1 BDRM) $425/mo For details call

314-255-4733

ROOMS FOR RENT

Halls Ferry Circle $450/mo + $50 Dep. Security Cameras & Each door has it's own lock. Weapon & Drug Free Property Social Security or Income Required

314-504-2173 HOUSE FOR RENT

2 BR, Stove & Fridge $500/MO 1st & last month's rent background check & Ref Req.

314-322-0493

FURNISHED ROOMS FOR RENT

South City, nice & clean, c/a, utilities included, near bus line

314-921-3708

FURNISHED KITCHENETTES FOR RENT

$149/wk & up!

314-575-2665

(Nothing Like Your Own)

Potential Free Rent 1220 Warren

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

Electric included call

314-436-0733

314-575-2665 (Nothing Like Your Own) All utils. included, Fully Furnished, major bus lines Men/Women All Ages

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

FOR RENT

www.stlamerican.com

ROOMS FOR RENT

Starting at $100/wk

314-629-1220 2 Bedroom house North St. Louis Section 8 only!

New hardwood floors Fenced yard,Security system,Very nice!

314-315-6145

WAIT LIST OPEN Roosevelt Towne Apartments Will be accepting applications

EVERY MONDAY 10AM - 3PM

1 & 2 BEDROOM UNITS* Ammenities: Appliances, laundry facilities on each floor, carpet, community room, 24 HR security, key-card entry, off-street *Income based

711 N. Euclid

314-361-7330

Call about our MOVE IN SPECIAL

Winter discounts avail.

VERSAILLES MARK TWAIN APARTMENTS HOTEL

www.stlamerican.com

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6F

for rent in the U-City Area Central Air & Cable $125/wk & up *Shared Bathroom & Kitchen*

314-868-1811 or 314-369-8467

*Restrictions Apply.

Subject to Change.

Central West End!

All Utilities Paid! Nice apartment, central air, hardwoods, appliances, low deposit, w/d hookups! $550

GORGEOUS ROOMS

Lg 1 & 2 BR $495-$595 + Dep,C/A, C/H, Wall to wall Carpet, Blinds, Stove, Refrigerator, Off Street Parking & Cable included

(314) 867-1882

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6J

ATTENTION!

620 Chain of Rocks Dr. 63137

Section 8 Vouchers Accepted

All-electric 1 bedroom, all kitchen appliances, frosty a/c, redone hardwood floors, ready to rent! $395

PRIVATE BATH & KITCHEN

50 GRAND APTS NORTH CITY

1 BR: $535 2BR: $635

South City!

C9

314-421-2980 (Downtown)

Centrally Located & Connected to Metro and Buses, Short Term Weekly RentalsNo credit check $110.50 and up per week (utilities and Housekeeping svcs included) Other terms and conditions may apply.

www.stlamerican.com

Section 8 Welcomed

314-534-3863 West End!

Roomy 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home, hardwoods, central air, all appliances, dishwasher, microwave, w/d hookups! $655

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6O

APTS. & HOUSES FOR RENT Looking for a few great tenants to live in a God fearing environment.

Sec. 8 welcome with open arms.

314-629-5051 St Ann House!

Newly updated 2 bed house, kitchen appliances, pets welcome, off street parking, ready to rent! only $675

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6K FOR RENT

85XX Church Rd. Newly Decorated 5 Rms. Duplex C/Air & Heat Range & Fridge W/D Hookup $590 / M0.

636-405-0559 South City!

Massive 5 bed, 2 bath, central air, plush carpet, all kitchen appliances, off street parking! only $900

rs-stl.com 314-309-2043 AGN6P

LARGE FURNISHED

ROOMS with sitting space, walk-in closet, Free utilities, cable, w/d, c/a. Quiet Area, near bus line. $250 every 2 weeks + $100 Dep. SSI & SSD welcome

314-239-4288

Park Place Apts

A Senior Community Now Accepting Apps!

62+ Sec 8 housing avail, income restr. apply 1-bdrm apts, A/C, on-site laundry Free gas/water/trash 4399 Forest Park Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108

314-925-9405

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

TTY 800-735-2966 Equal Housing Opportunity

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.”

Professionally Managed by NHPMN Management, LLC

Call Vida at 314-289-5406 to place your rental/real estate ad today!

SERVICE DIRECTORY 314-289-5406

MEDICARE & MEDICAID ACCEPTED Dental

Spring Clean-up

Man & His Truck Light Hauling & Yard Work, Moving & Gutter Cleaning REASONABLE

314-583-6971

BE OUR FRIEND ON

$1000/year

Dentures, Partials, Crowns, Root Canals & Other Dental Services

Hearing Aids

As low as $150/Pair Co-pay

Glasses

As low as $15/Pair Co-pay

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

ST. LOUIS AMERICAN • JUNE 11 - 17, 2015

C10

Celebrity Swag Snap of the Week

Doyle and Michelle made their way to The Marquee for Element Saturdays

Rae and Erika relaxed relished in the wonderful weather on the rooftop of J. Buck Friday night

Birthday girl Bronica and Tramia caught some of good vibes flowing through BallPark Village for the 4Play Day experience on Sunday

Clay Cahill and Egypt enjoyed the styles of Eyekon Clotheing @ their RAW fashion event Friday @ J.Bucks Former NFL running back Laurence Maroney, Dre’co and former NBA guard Larry Hughes showed their support for support the Fighting for CJ Celebrity Basketball game at Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School Saturday.

Fandom for Floetry. Can I tell you how much joy is in my heart as I count down the days before the soulful yodels of Marsha Ambrosius and the infectious spoken word flow of Natalie Stewart come together once again as Floetry? Next Friday (June 19) at the Pageant will mark the first time in the seven years since they paid each other in dust. I’m especially thrilled with the upcoming Reunion Tour because I’ve tried with everything in my power to catch them since almost the beginning of the new millennium. Something the devil seems to have always been busy blocking me from seeing them bless the stage. The first time my car broke down. Oh, I’m sorry if you’ve never had a hooptie to handle with your permanently financial secure self. The second time I was trying to make deadline and hustled and bustled up in there only to burst through the doors to hear a Nanny McPHee/Mary Poppins sounding voice “thank you St. Louis for your support.” They broke up and I just assumed it wasn’t meant to be. But nothing but death can keep me from the Pageant, do you hear me? It’s going down next Friday at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. door) Y’all better get your tickets if you haven’t done so already, because I have a feeling you will see a “sold-out” sign if you try to get them at the door.

Spoken word and shade show. Speaking of spoken word, for the first time in a minute I peeked my head into Mocha Latte’s “Got Lyrics” monthly open mic and poetry set at the club formerly known as InSpot. I mad it my business to stop through to see my boy Ervin Williams spit as the featured spoken word artist. He did his thing! Even though 98.9 percent of his content is NSFP (Not Safe For Partyline), he really charged the capacity crowd with getting active and being positive influences in the community. I caught life…that was until he tried to clap at the paper for catching him in the act of tearing the club up at the Mystikal concert. Let me clap back on that one Mr. Williams.

First of all, you already know there is no way you can look anything other than an amped up mess if you are deep into getting your life from Mystikal’s OG trap offerings– I don’t care if you have an Easter suit on. Don’t put that on the paper because you haven’t practiced staying pretty while you get your gutter groove on. If you are going to be in the public – which based on your talents I’ll go ahead and claim that for you – you need to be ready for that camera even in the throes of savagery and hoodrat stuff. Yes, that means if you are hollering out “Y’all (partyline edit) ain’t Ready” to the vibe of Mystikal’s swamp flow, you need to be tucked, sucked, shaved, shampooed and sweat free for the sake of your brand. You tried it, but I’ll let it slide a bit this time because you’re my boy. Just know I’ll only be this polite once. Now that I’ve dropped that mic, let me finish my point. I had a wonderful Love Jones time as usual at Got Lyrics – including Ervin’s feature. Be sure to mark your calendars for it each first Thursday of the Month.

Marquita, Efia, and Genea ended their weekend on a high note @ Ballpark village on Sunday

HG’s lovely ladies Crystal and Elyse made sure service was top-notch for Off the Hook-ah Saturdays @ HG

Celebrating survivors. It’s that time of year for Orlando Watson’s 4th Annual I’m a Survivor Cancer Benefit Gala. For 2015 they are heading to Union Station, which is a great change of pace for the urban scene of late.

Fox 2’s April Simpson will be the hostess with the most and the DJ Jo Prima will be serving up the sounds on Sunday (June 14). The party starts at 6 p.m. and I’m sure the folks will be so fresh and so clean for the evening – you will most certainly see some visions in white if you roll through. For tickets visit: www.survivororg.com or survivor2015.eventbrite.com

Morgan, Katie, and Krista continued their weekend of kicking it Saturday @ The Rustic Goat

Having a ball at The Village. I might as well transition my conversation about folks being snatched from head to toe and apply it to the 4Play Day Experience (translation the latest Sunday day party) at Ballpark Village.

When I tell you that I got my life after I recovered from climbing the stairway to heaven to get to the club, please understand. The energy was perfect and DJ Reminisce was absolutely slaying with his summer jam spin session on the ones and twos. When I heard Lucy Pearl’s “Dance Tonight” I had to hold my peace. The vibe and ambiance felt like we were doing an impromptu remake of the “My Boo” video. All we needed were some chicks in swimsuits to lip sync and we would have had it on lock. And with the exception of a few scattered sew-ins in need of repair everybody was serving! My favorite was Bronica – who was celebrating her birthday with hair as high as the ceiling and a face that was beat to death! I know it’ not even officially summer yet, but I’m predicting 4Play will be hard to beat when I weigh in on who slayed pound for pound as far as the day parties go.

Shermaine and Morning chilled in V.I.P @ HG Friday night for Fetish Fridays hosted by video model Lira Galore

Sunday night live at Lit. I’m officially convinced that there is a conspiracy to keep me working day and night on Sunday. Luckily for everyone, but spots I hit were a win. Club Lit had a serious crowd for the first time its weekly Sunday night set. It looks like it takes an underground trap star to do the trick because Young Scooter brought a decent amount of folks in. Close to Famous and ‘nem are looking for a repeat this Sunday when they bring the Trapaholic with Jose Guapo and Yowda Live.

Bria and Sherele soaked in the sunlight @ Ballpark village @ The 4Play Day experience on Sunday Photos by Lawrence Bryant & John Scott

Low Down in the Lou. It’ a few weeks away, but I was so excited about it that I thought I would share. Erykah Badu’s DJ alter-ego Low Down Loretta Brown will be in town to hit the turntables for the 100.3 The Beat Throwback. From what I gather the event some sort of grand reopening festivities for LUX, formerly the Complex, formerly formerly the Coliseum (2619 Washington). While I have been supremely underwhelmed and unbothered by just about every celebrity DJ ever, I’m banking on Ms. Badu/ Brown to be her usual exception to the rule self. It’s going down July 11th.

Tickets will be available through metrotix.com on Friday morning, so be sure to get yourselves situated for what will be a summer sell-out.

Angela and Shajuana stepped into Levels on Sunday the 4Play Day experience @ Ballpark village

WWW.STLAMERICAN.COM

Page 2

YOUR HOME GUIDE

JUNE 11- 17, 2015

Economists discuss housing market Realtors give industry experts input on boosting sales American staff The nation’s leading housing economists spoke in April at an economic and policy forum to appraise the state of the U.S. housing market.

The event, held by the National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders, and McGraw Hill Financial Global Institute, drew more than 80 attendees representing industry analysts, congressional staff and members of the media.

“Realtors support legislative and regulatory efforts to protect homebuyers from the risky and predatory lending practices that contributed to the nation’s financial crisis nearly a decade ago,” said NAR Immediate Past President Steve Brown, broker/owner of Irongate, Inc. Realtors in Dayton, Ohio during his opening remarks. “In some cases though, well-intentioned but overlycorrective policies are hampering access to credit and holding back the housing market from a full recovery. We need to strike a balance.”

During two panel discussions and a featured keynote speech by American Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller, presenters offered a variety of historical and forward-looking perspectives on the factors driving the real estate market.

Shiller shared insights into the current housing market trends, including the residential and condo markets, and offered his outlook for the future of homeownership, which is currently well below its historical norm.

“Although the homeownership rate is down, renters still have a desire to own a home. But, there needs to be something done to improve mobility so people can be closer to where they work,” Shiller said.

The first panel discussion, moderated by Wall Street Journal economics reporter Nick Timiraos, examined local market conditions, whether current inventory levels are meeting consumer demand and what it all means for home prices.

“The combination of low-interest rates and strong consumer confidence, based on job growth, cheap oil and low inflation, should further increase home prices,” said S&P Dow Jones Indices Managing Director David Blitzer.

Antoine Thompson, executive director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, asked about barriers to homeownership for African Americans and communities of color.

“But, despite price gains, the housing market faces some difficulties. Home prices are rising roughly twice as fast as wages, putting pressure on potential homebuyers and heightening the risk that any uptick in interest rates could be a setback. Home building and new home sales are soft, and residential construction is still below its precrisis peak. Before 2008, any time that housing starts were as low as the current rate of roughly one million, the economy was in a recession.”

Anthony Sanders, a distinguished professor of finance at George Mason University, echoed Blitzer’s concern that stagnant wage growth is one of the underlying problems impacting the housing market. “Demand for buying is not reaching its potential because households aren’t seeing meaningful increases in their incomes,” he said.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun agreed that low housing inventory is driving up prices, but remained optimistic about the future of the market.

“I do expect first-time buyers to slightly pick up this year as the economy and job market continues to stabilize,” he said.

Yun added that a combination of new home construction and a responsible increase in credit access would create more opportunities for first-time and move-up buyers to enter the market.

Continued on Page 4

JUNE 11- 17, 2015

YOUR HOME GUIDE

The biggest purchase you will ever make

Jacqueline Brooks was jubilant recently when closing on a home purchase through Beyond Housing.

Home-buying advice from Beyond Housing American staff Have you ever heard these statements about home ownership?

“This is the biggest purchase you will ever make in your life.”

Or: “I don’t have 20% for a downpayment on a house.”

Or, lastly: “Owning a home is way more expensive than renting.”

Like many repeated phrases over time, there are some truths and some myths to each. Here are a few key tips to set the record straight, from Beyond Housing.

For many, this will probably be the single largest purchase you ever make.

True.

Owning a home requires a large investment of time, money and energy, so you should make your decision to buy a home carefully. Fortunately St. Louis

has several HUD approved nonprofit agencies that provide objective advice and unbiased recommendations on home ownership so start with one of their credentialed housing advisors first.

You need to have twenty-percent as a down payment. False.

The down payment is the amount of cash you pay toward the purchase price.

FHA loans require 3.5% as your downpayment with some new conventional loan products with a minimum of 5% required for down-payment. Closing costs are expenses over and above the purchase price of a home. While normally both are expected to be paid upfront, there are many down-payment assistance programs through local nonprofit organizations and state or local government agencies that Continued on Page 4

Page 3

Page 4

YOUR HOME GUIDE

JUNE 11- 17, 2015

PURCHASE Continued from Page 5 can help you access these.

Owning a home is more expensive than renting. It depends.

This could be true in cities like San Francisco or New York where home prices remain steady, but many U.S. cities saw an increase in rental prices where owning a home is actually cheaper or the same cost as renting. With home ownership you’re building an asset for you and your family and not towards paying your landlord’s vacation. The key point to make sure you have an affordable life-long asset is to get your finances in order: Look at your credit score and credit report to correct any inaccuracies. Your credit score will determine your ability to borrow money. A credit score reflects how much money you owe, how often you use credit and whether you pay your bills on time.

Lenders look at factors called the four Cs of credit: • Credit history (timely bill paying), • Capital (money available for a down-payment) • Capacity (income versus debt), and • Collateral (the value and condition of the house).

It is important that you understand what a lender is looking for and what counts most in your favor regarding your finances.

Here are our final tips for a successful home purchase: Don’t rush! Home purchase contracts and loan documents are legally binding documents. If you feel rushed to sign such documents, you should seek out help right away from a HUD-approved housing agency.

Homeownership always costs more than you think it will. Many firsttime homebuyers are surprised by the cost of basic maintenance. Financial experts recommend building an annual emergency fund that is equal to three months’ worth of living expenses.

Home Brief

State association offering Inman Select Missouri Realtors now offers Inman Select to all members of the state association. providing access to the breaking news, business intelligence and special reports produced by Inman for Select subscribers.

“Simply put, it’s everything you need to be smarter about real estate every day,” said publisher Brad Inman about the Select program.

Missouri is one of the first associations to offer access to Inman Select through its membership. The goal is to help realtors work smarter, provide resources to help them be successful and deliver continued

value and expertise to their clients, the association said.

“We are excited to be able to offer all 18,000-plus of our members access to the top industry news and information as part of their membership,” said 2015 Missouri Realtors president Gary Nelson. “The real estate industry is changing at a quick pace, and this is one way we can help our members stay on top of their game and embrace the change.”

For more information, visit missourirealtor.org. To learn more about Inman Select, visit inman.com/select.

JUNE 11- 17, 2015

YOUR HOME GUIDE

Page 5

‘Everyone deserves a great agent’ Mother and daughter partner in Hamilton Group Realty St. Louis American Staff After the market crashed, Tiffany Hamilton – like many young real estate agents – thought about abandoning her career. At 22, she and her mother, Ann, had opened their own company – Hamilton Group Realty – in 2005. But from 2008 to 2011, the market turned.

Instead of getting out, she said she “reinvented herself” in real estate by focusing on investors and leases. Now she specializes in first-time home buyers, “move-up buyers,” commercial, new construction and listings. According to Five Star Professionals, she ranks in the top four percent of realtors in the greater St. Louis area.

“I think everyone saw that I persevered though the bad times,” Continued on Page 7

Mother and daughter team of Ann and Tiffany Hamilton are partners in Hamilton Group Realty. The group’s house listings mainly focus in the Central West End, South St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Clayton, Creve Coeur and St. Charles County.

Photo by Wiley Price

YOUR HOME GUIDE

Page 6

YOUR HOME GUIDE Donald M. Suggs Publisher & Executive Editor Kevin Jones - Sr. Vice Pres. & COO Dina M. Suggs - Sr. Vice Pres.

Nathan B. Young (1894 -1993) - Founder N.A. Sweets (1901-1988) - Publisher Emeritus Bennie G. Rodgers - (1914 - 2000) Executive Editor Emeritus Melba Sweets (1909 - 2006) Editor Emeritus Editorial Chris King - Managing Editor Kenya Vaughn - Website Editor Earl Austin Jr. - Sports Editor Sandra Jordan - Health Reporter Rebecca S. Rivas - Senior Reporter Wiley Price - Senior Photojournalist Lawrence Bryant - Photojournalist Denise Hooks -Anderson, M.D. Health Editor Jami Ballentine-Dolby - Entertainment Danie Rae - Style Editor

Dana G. Randolph Contributing Editor Fred Sweets - Contributing Editor Sales / Marketing Onye Hollomon- Sr. Acct. Exec.

Barbara Sills - Sr. Acct. Exec.

Pam Simmons- Sr. Acct. Exec.

Nevida Medina - Classified Ad Mgr Angelita F. Jackson - Graphic Artist Production Mike Terhaar - Art Director Melvin Moore - Graphic Designer Administration Robin Britt - Controller Cathy Sewell - NIE Manager Ishmael Sistrunk - Web/IT/Promotions Coordinator Kate Daniel - Exec Assistant Loistine McGhee - Acct. Assistant Mary Easter - Receptionist

MARKET Continued from Page 2 On the issue of increasing home prices, David Crowe, NAHB chief economist, added that new home prices are on the rise because builders are targeting move-up buyers who generally buy larger homes.

“We can have reasonable confidence that the housing market is healthy and will continue to expand as the overall economy grows,” he said. “The fundamental housing indicators are in good shape, and we’re seeing low interest rates, affordable prices and plenty of pent-up demand.”

The second panel discussion, moderated by Jon Prior, politics reporter for Politico, examined whether tight credit conditions are delaying a full market recovery. The panelists all agreed that restrictive credit is an obstacle to homeownership.

Julia Gordon, the senior director of housing and consumer finance at Center for American Progress, explained some of the hurdles to loosening overly restrictive credit conditions.

“Part of it is psychological,” she said. “The American public is still upset that heads did not roll after the housing crisis. Having failed to pursue anything

JUNE 11- 17, 2015 meaningful on the criminal side, there’s a feeling of angst and a sense we need to do something on the enforcement side. The public still does not feel like anybody was made to pay for the massive public suffering of the financial crash.

That’s certainly a factor right now.”

Gordon also commented on a missed opportunity by the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, who announced that FHFA would not be reducing the guarantee fees charged by the government-sponsored enterprises.

She remarked that a decrease would stimulate market entry for people with slow income growth.

Joe Nery, 2015 president-elect of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, answered an important question from Antoine Thompson, executive director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers regarding the reasons for lower homeownership rates among African Americans and communities of color.

Nery said that credit policies are the biggest barriers to homeownership for communities of color. “We hope that the agencies will consider alternative scoring that looks at additional factors when calculating scores,” said Nery.

“Fortunately, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development told us recently that the Federal Housing Administration is considering new credit models that look at the full picture of a borrower.”

JUNE 11- 17, 2015

YOUR HOME GUIDE

Photo by Wiley Price

n “I’m a teacher at heart. That’s the mission – you are also teaching real estate.”

– Ann Hamilton

Hamilton Continued from Page 5 said Tiffany, who is a broker manager with the group. “It made me a stronger broker.”

Tiffany is the top-selling agent in Hamilton Group Realty, a diverse group of nine realtors. Although they service the entire state, the group’s main focus areas are Clayton, Creve Coeur, Central West End, South St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

Their Clayton office is at 7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite #1100, and they are licensed in Missouri, Illinois and Oklahoma.

Before becoming a real estate broker, Ann was on the other side of real estate for 20 years, buying investment properties throughout the region – largely in North County and the Central West End. Several friends nudged her to get her license and join them at Coldwell Banker Premier. In her first year, she became a top-selling agent there.

Excited about her success, she called up Tiffany, who had just graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. with a concentration in international marketing. Tiffany had been living in Chicago for a year and decided to return to St. Louis and follow her mother’s lead.

They then started Hamilton Group Realty.

While earning her real estate and broker’s license, Tiffany made several friends at real estate school who also joined the group.

From there, Ann fell into a mentor and trainer role, while still acting as an agent and maintaining her property investments.

Not wanting to be specific, she said she

and her husband Jerome own a “300-unit here and a 200-unit there.”

Ann strongly believes that their realty group should be providing clients with sound information about the market they are looking to buy in.

“I’m a teacher at heart,” she said.

“That’s the mission – you are also teaching real estate.”

Tiffany believes their success comes first from referrals. They earn the loyalty and trust from their clients and often become life-long clients and friends, she said. She has served on St. Louis Association of Realtors board of directors for two terms, and she is still a member of the board of directors for Missouri Association of Realtors.

She also has a large presence on social media. She has videos called Real Estate 101 with Tiffany, which are popular among first-time homebuyers. She loves hosting quarterly first-time homebuyer seminars to educate people on the buying process.

“I genuinely care about my clients,” Tiffany said. “I treat them like a friend.

And I’m transparent. I tell them what I think.”

On their website, Rebecca Rubin Schlansky, who sold her home with the company, said Tiffany is the only person she’ll work with for buying, selling and renting.

“Her commitment to detail is rivaled only by her accessibility to all of her clients,” she said. “She listened to all of my concerns and made suggestions based on her in-depth knowledge of the market.”

Noting that she has sold everything from a $3,000 lot to a $5 million property, Tiffany said her motto is, “Everyone deserves a great agent.”

Page 7

Page 8

YOUR HOME GUIDE

JUNE 11- 17, 2015