CN: April 5, 2017 by Community News

April 5, 2017

Reimagining West Florissant Avenue

Around Town Residents of the region invited to celebrate new Gateway Arch park landscapes. P.3 Volunteers needed for Greater St. Louis Book Fair. P.6

Community Voices By Orvin Kimbrough . P.2

Special Section

Summer Camp Guide. P.9 Submitted image This artist’s rendering shows potential improvements to West Florissant Avenue including additional, wider sidewalks, more and better street lighting, more and better bus stops and additional pedestrian crossing locations along with more trees and landscaping.

Learn & Play

Great Streets Project looks to the future with major improvements to county thoroughfare By Nicholas Elmes How would you like to see West Florissant Avenue change in the coming years? That is the question being asked of area residents, businesses and stake holders as part of the West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Project which is designed to create a safe and accessible area for all vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders and connect communities, strengthen West Florissant Avenue’s positive identity, enhance mobility for all users and build momentum to transform the area’s future. “The Great Streets Initiative goes back to the middle part of the early 2000s,” said St. Louis County Departments of Transportation and Public Works Public Information Manager David G. Wrone. “It was established to identify thoroughfares throughout St. Louis County that would be good candidates for improvements and redesigns and West Florissant Avenue was selected as an ideal street for that purpose.” The final project is intended to provide improvements on West Florissant Avenue from Stein Avenue South to the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Ferguson. Wrone said the project is still in the early stages with focus on using about $2.5 million in grant funding to engage the community in a design for the final project. “Our consultant is doing the early design work and part of that includes outreach to the

public like an open house we held on March 9,” he said. “That was really successful with about well over 100 people in attendance. They made a lot of comments to give us a better idea of where the community wants to see this go. The comments we received will be incorporated into the final design and development phase.” Wrone said comments at the meeting ranged from transportation needs to increased parking and beautification with more trees. “You had a wide range of issues that were important to individual people,” he said. “You had people who want additional sidewalks or wider sidewalks, more and better street lighting, more and better bus stops and additional pedestrian crossing locations. There is a wide variety of improvements that can be made on this particular stretch of roadway and the public has certainly not been bashful about sharing their vision with us. We are very happy about that.” He said economic development was also a key goal of whatever the final plan for the street improvements ends up looking like. “We have met with dozens of community organizations and businesses to see what they want,” said Wrone. “If you make improvements to a major roadway like West Florissant Avenue that is going to stimulate a better business environment in that corridor.

“The intent is to make this corridor friendlier to all transportation users, whether they are in motor vehicles, in a bus, on foot, on a bike or in a wheelchair,” he added. “All of that will be taken into consideration.” While the county has not yet obtained funding for the eventual improvements, Wrone said all of the stakeholders in the project were committed to its success. “We cannot begin to pursue funding until we accomplish what we are currently doing,” he said. “We have to get a fairly solid idea of what we want to do with this stretch of roadway before we move forward with looking for funding. Once we get the design more fleshed out then the county executive will move forward with the funding portion of the process.” That could happen as early as this summer, according to Wrone. “We are still very early in the process, but our consultant expects to have a sufficient design data for us to begin identifying and going after some of the funding sources for this project,” he said, noting that before that happens there will be at least two more public comment meeting to share the design process with residents and businesses in the area. “One of our key philosophies is you have to solicit feedback from the public, you have to show the public the information you have to ensure a project’s chance of success.” See ‘REIMAGINING’ page 2

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Around Town

April 5, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

COMMUNITY VOICES What do we want to be known for? Radical hospitality By Orvin Kimbrough I am a St. Louisan, born and raised. Even though this place produced much pain for me as a foster child, my love for the region and its people was sealed. My profession allows me broad exposure to both those who have long been rooted in the St. Louis region and those who recently have moved here. It is not only what is said, but often what is not said by both parties that speaks to the essence of who we are as St. Louisans. Our region has many issues that largely shape its perception, from both the inside and outside. I believe the St. Louis region must embrace the idea of “radical hospitality” to create a welcoming environment and thus become a more competitive destination. I recently read “Setting the Table” by native St. Louisan turned New York City restaurateur Danny Meyer. Meyer’s philosophy on hospitality is simple: how his team engages employees and patrons is the differentiator. It is up to the leaders to set the vision,

Get your event or good news published in Community News: email your information in calendar and article formats to editor@mycnews.com.

model the behavior and apply constant, gentle pressure to ensure employees stay on track. I see how his thinking can translate to our region: we must extend ourselves beyond our traditional comfort and conversation to accelerate the region’s growth. How can this be done? What if our community supported the initiatives in place that welcome onboard new companies, leaders and transplants and apprised them of the work we are doing and the issues we are solving for? What if we encouraged all local companies to reinforce diversity in top leadership and worked together to recruit top talent? What if we established one collective hub for local groups so that newcomers could easily find and navigate our community’s civic offerings and become engaged? The idea of radical hospitality has the potential to address perception issues and, over time, even the current struggles of our region like racial tension

‘REIMAGINING’ from cover Once the design work is complete, Wrone said it could take two to three years before any physical improvements begin in the area. “A project of this nature has lots of steps that have to be taken,” he said. “You have to follow a very certain process and it is not particularly rapid.” He said he expects the final project to cost close to $33 million, most of which he said the county hopes will be funded through federal grants. “That is a significant amount of money, but this is a priority for us and we are very anxious to be going forward and identifying and obtaining the funding. This is something that is very important to the people of Dellwood and Ferguson and to the county executive and our department.” If the project does not win a federal transportation grant, the project will immediately begin looking for alternative funding sources, different phases and reapplying for federal grants. The entire project is sponsored by St. Louis County Department of Transportation and East-West Gateway Council of Governments (St. Louis’ regional planning organization), in partnership with the Cities of Dellwood and Ferguson. West Florissant Avenue is maintained by St. Louis County. For more information and to find out how to get involved in the project visit http://westflorissantavenue.com.

and separation. To begin the movement, to create the muscle necessary to push radical hospitality forward, we need the support and commitment of all leaders and people who want to see the St. Louis region become a competitive destination. Let’s work together and talk to our networks about radical hospitality, model the behavior and apply constant, gentle pressure to ensure that we stay on track as a region. Our future depends upon it. Orvin Kimbrough aged out of Foster Care and is President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. Follow his blog at http://reimaginingourfuture.org/ The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

Submitted photos Residents attend an open house West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Project on March 9 where they were able to review plans and provide input on improvements they would like to see along the road. Submitted image - map This map shows the area under consideration for improvements as part of the West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Project.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 5, 2017

MDC encourages celebrating Missouri trees during Arbor Days in April The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages Missourians to celebrate the value of Missouri trees and forests during Arbor Days in April by planting native trees and practicing proper tree care. Missouri Arbor Day is Friday, April 7. Missouri has been observing the state’s official Arbor Day on the first Friday in April since 1886 when the general assembly declared that day be set aside for the appreciation and planting of trees. National Arbor Day is recognized on the last Friday of April, which is April 28 for 2017. Get information from MDC on backyard tree care – inPhoto courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation cluding types of trees for urMDC encourages people to celebrate the value of Missouri trees and forests during Arbor Days in ban and other landscapes, April by planting native trees and practicing proper tree care. selecting the right tree for the right place, planting tips, watering and pruning Nov. 1 to April 15 every year. For more informainfo, and more -- from the department’s website tion, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/seedat mdc.mo.gov/tree-health. lings MDC’s George O. White State Forest Nursery Communities around the state also hold local near Licking offers Missouri residents a variety Arbor Day activities. For more information on of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for Arbor Day and Missouri’s Tree City USA comreforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, and munities, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at arwildlife food and cover. Orders are accepted from borday.org.

Around Town

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Residents of the region invited to celebrate new Gateway Arch park landscapes

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CityArchRiver project partners will commemorate the renovation and reimagining of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial with a community celebration called Spring into your Park on Saturday, April 8. Throughout 2016, almost all of the park areas have opened to the public in stages. With most of the park now open, everyone is invited to join Spring into your Park festivities celebrating renovated park areas with live music, Laclede’s Landing food and drink vendors, kids activities, lawn games and more. The celebration starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. Dignitaries and CityArchRiver project leaders will speak at 12:30 p.m. to officially open the newly renovated grounds at the Gateway Arch. The event leads up to the GO! St. Louis Marathon the following day on April 9, which will start and finish on the riverfront for the first time in its history. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. on the riverfront has been raised and renovated through the CityArchRiver project. More than 20,000 people are expected to watch or participate in the marathon and other races that day. To showcase the transformation, visitors will be able to participate in the Discovery Map Challenge - a scavenger hunt tour of the park highlighting new park features and additions. Participants will receive special memorabilia as prizes.

Discovery Map Challenge destinations include: the North Gateway elevated walkway, Lewis and Clark Explorers’ Garden, Riverwalk Pathways on the east slopes of the park, and more. National Park Service Rangers will be performing American musical styles through history during the Mississippi River Musical Expedition at 1 - 3 p.m. at Spring into your Park. “The Gateway Arch grounds have been renovated to be a park for everyone to enjoy in many ways,” Mike Ward, Superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial said. “Everyone is invited to rediscover this unique park that honors St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States.” The renovation design was developed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates with private funding through the CityArchRiver Foundation. Construction on the renovated park landscape work is funded by the National Park Service, Great Rivers Greenway and the CityArchRiver Foundation. Great Rivers Greenway is overseeing funding provided by Proposition P, a sales tax approved by voters in April 2013 that provides funding for improvements to the Arch grounds and surrounding areas. Event information and updates are available at www.CityArchRiver.org/Spring.

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Around Town

April 5, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Regional study shows 7.1 percent of St. Louisans carpool, not far from 9.0 percent national average

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Results from the 2017 edition of “Where We Stand,” produced by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, show that St. Louis is slightly behind the national average of commuters who carpool to and from work. The information, which comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, states that nine percent of U.S. workers carpool, compared to 7.1 percent of workers in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. New economic, social and demographic changes are occurring that can and should improve St. Louis ridesharing, according to RideFinders, the region’s ridematching organization that operates in nine counties in Missouri and Illinois. The region is experiencing a shift in attitudes toward sustainable commuting, says RideFinders Spokesperson SJ Morrison. “Carpooling is serving a growing population of millennials who embrace a shared economy and commuters who are seeking ways to reduce congestion and pollution levels,” Morrison explains. “In past years, we saw spikes in ridesharing when gas prices were high or when there was increased highway construction. Now we are seeing people who want a more connected culture and also those who want a healthier place to work and live.” Carpooling and vanpooling in St. Louis can

fill important roles in connecting people in areas where mass transit is not available, Morrison points out. “While our region does not have the mass transportation infrastructure of metropolitan areas like Chicago or New York, St. Louis is less than a percentage point behind Midwest cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Indianapolis in carpooling. We have the resources to make us a national leader in sustainable commuting. By sharing a ride with just one friend for one year, you can save thousands of dollars, eliminate 5,200 driving miles and reduce toxic emissions by more than 4,700 lbs.” Limited employer parking is also creating increased interest in commuter carpooling and vanpooling throughout the region, according to Morrison. More than 900 employers, colleges and other organizations participate in RideFinders at no cost as “Employer Transportation Coordinators” help thousands of commuters rideshare. Morrison says joining RideFinders is free and easy, and urges commuters to share a ride even once a week to make St. Louis healthier and more sustainable. “The best part of the RideFinders program is that we do the work and both the employee and the employer get the benefit.”

Weather from Nick’s Window

by Nick Palisch

New clouds on the horizon

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This sounds like a verse out of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “You know cumulus, stratus, and cirrus, but do you know the twelve new clouds announced by the World Meteorological Oganization (WMO)?” It has been more than 30 years since new clouds were identified and named by the WMO, but recently they announced a dozen new cloud types to the list. Clouds are important to us because they help to regulate the Earth’s energy balance by reflecting and scattering solar radiation. Clouds also help redistribute heat from the equator to the poles and return precipitation to Earth. There are various types of clouds depending on the level in the atmosphere which include high, mid, and low clouds. The ten most basic clouds include the cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, altostratus, altocumulus, nimbostratus, cumulus, stratus and cumulonimbus. Clouds found high in the atmosphere include the cirrus, cirrostratus and cirrocumulus. The cirrus cloud is a wispy looking cloud high in the sky and is made from ice crystals. These clouds are transparent. The cirrostratus cloud is a transparent and whitish veil cloud and often overtakes the entire sky. The cirrocumulus cloud is a thin and white patch or sheet of clouds that lack shading and form ripple looking characteristics. Mid-level clouds include the altostratus, altocumulus and nimbostratus. Altostratus clouds are often grey or bluish and often cover the entire sky. They are a thin cloud that allows the sun or moon to shine through. The altocumulus is the most common midlevel cloud and looks like ripples in the sky. The nimbostratus cloud is a rain cloud and is often grey color because of falling rain or snow. In the low level of the atmosphere we have the cumulus, stratus, cumulonimbus and stratocumulus clouds. The cumulus clouds

are the puffy clouds that dot the sky. They can appear white or dark depending on the sunlight. The cumulus cloud can grow into the cumulonimbus cloud which is commonly known as a “thunderhead.” The cumulonimbus cloud is responsible for thunderstorms that can produce hail and even tornadoes. The stratus cloud is a blanket cloud that often produces rain and snow. These clouds are often thick enough to prevent sunlight and moonlight from radiating through them. As they break up though, the blue sky is often seen behind them. The stratocumulus cloud is a mix of the cumulus and stratus cloud and appear dark in color. One thing to remember is that there are several additional cloud types that form including the mammatus clouds, roll clouds, wall clouds and even fog; but it is important to remember they are the offspring of the more common clouds that we are familiar with in the sky. And now, let me introduce you to the new clouds added to the cloud atlas. The new list includes the volutus, asperitas, cavum, cauda, fluctus, flumen, murus, cataractagenitus, flammagenitus, homogenitus, silagenitus and the homomutatus clouds. These new cloud names just roll of your tongue, right? Until next time, keep your head in the clouds! Nick Palisch is a meteorologist and Missouri native who understands the weather here in our area. He currently resides in Lake Saint Louis and can be reached at nick-wx@sbcglobal.net and you can always get the most up-to-date forecast from the FirstWarn Weather page at www.facebook.com/nickswx The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 5, 2017

Yeggs

Around Town

John Hanna

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‘Yeggs’ is a comic series about Robert and Bill, two rabbits who have opened their own egg franchise in the Midwest (St. Louis area). We follow their day to day lives, watching as they go about the hectic task of preparing for their one big day every year. Along the way they have adventures filled with fun, comic doings and pathos.

Moore On Life

Shoptalk

Men and women are definitely poured into different molds. Case in point: I attempted to sneak out of the house the other day for a little retail therapy or as commonly referred to – shopping. Unfortunately, my husband asked to tag along. I refused, but then he offered to drive and push the cart and tote my packages and carry my purse. Hmm, I was on to him. March Madness was over and he was bored. Only after he volunteered to buy lunch did I concede. We arrived at the store whereupon he made mistake number one. He spoke. “What do you need here?” “One does not necessarily ‘need’ anything in particular to shop,” I huffed. We proceeded down the first aisle when I spied some fancy scented candles in jars. I began to open lid after lid and inhale. “Are you buying a candle?” “Silly! I have plenty of candles.” “Why would you stop to open ten jars and smell them if you don’t need one?” My glare was enough to button his lips. We moved on to jewelry. I placed several pairs of earrings up against my ears and admired them in the mirror; I slung a few necklaces over my neck then tried on numerous sparkly rings. He asked, “So what did you decide on?” “Huh? I didn’t come for jewelry,” which left him with a perplexed look. We headed towards shoes. I walked around in dozens of pairs. We left without buying any. He scratched his head, but dared not mutter a peep. The new spring fashions offered an abundance of activity. I held several shirts up to my neck and ogled at myself in the mirror turning left and

By Cindy Moore

right. I tried on several outfits and asked him, “Does this one make my rear look huge?” He gave me the ol’ deer in the headlight look then refused to answer without legal counsel present. I tossed the entire pile into the take-back section and moved on. “You’re not getting any of those?” he wondered. “Nope. Just looking.” “How much longer will it take?” “Three…maybe four more stores.” “But, you’ve not found anything yet!” “I’ll know it when I see it and I haven’t seen it yet.” “So, you’re shopping randomly without a purpose? Isn’t that like letting your surgeon remove multiple organs until he happens to pull out the right one?” I sat him on a bench with a smoothie and told him to sit and stay or I’d surgically remove a few of his organs. That March Madness thingy seriously needs to be extended into May! Cindy Moore is the mother of three superlative kids, servant of two self-indulgent felines and wife to one nifty husband. Her ficticious occupation? Archeological Humorist: someone who unearths absurdity and hilarity in strange and unusual places including public restrooms, the lint filter, and church meetings. Most recently, she excavated a find in her neighbor’s bird feeder. The opinions expressed in this column are Cindy Moore’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.

www.stlcompost.com

Around Town

April 5, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

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Volunteers needed for Greater St. Louis Book Fair With the 2017 Greater St. Louis Book Fair set for May 4-7 at Greensfelder Recreation Complex in Queeny Park, volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of roles throughout the four-day event. “Whether you can give a few hours or a few days, we need your assistance,” said Marilyn Brown, Director of the Greater St. Louis Book Fair. “We are once again anticipating large crowds so this is an outstanding opportunity to share your love of books and reading by assisting our staff. Your volunteer efforts can make this fair our best ever.” Greater St. Louis Book Fair volunteer opportunities include cashier assistants, baggers, greeters, information desk, re-stockers; cart wranglers and setup/cleanup. One of the oldest and most popular charity book sales in the Midwest, all proceeds from the Greater St. Louis Book Fair will go to area

literacy and education programs. For more information about volunteering, please email Barbara at barbarabookfair@hotmail.com.

Volunteer shifts available: May 4

3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

May 5

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

May 6

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; noon to 4 p.m.; 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

May 7

10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; 2:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

SSD Board of Education seeks applicants for vacant board seat The SSD Board of Education is seeking applicants for an open seat on the board representing Subdistrict 1, which includes the Hazelwood and Jennings school districts. According to district policy, when a vacancy occurs on the board of education, the remaining members of the board will select an individual to fill the vacant position until the next board election. The vacancy was created when a board member resigned last week for personal reasons. Applications will be accepted for the vacant seat until 3 p.m. on April 28. The board then will interview selected candidates at an open board meeting. Following the interviews, the board will take a vote to fill the vacancy. The appointee will serve on the board until March 2018 when the SSD Governing Council will hold an election for the remaining two years of the term.

Candidates who wish to apply for the open seat must pick up an information packet and application form at the SSD Central Administrative Offices at 12110 Clayton Road in Town and Country, during regular business hours beginning at 8:30 a.m. Applicants must be citizens of the United States, must have resided in Missouri for at least one year, be at least 24 years old, be a registered voter of the District, and be a resident of the subdistrict in which the application is filed. Information packets and applications must be picked up and returned to the SSD administrative offices by the candidate. Packets and forms will not be mailed. Those returning completed applications must show proof of identification. For more information, call the superintendent’s office at 314-989-8419.

Operation Food Search raises $105,000 at Purses for Pantries fundraiser

www.feetforlifecenters.com

Submitted photo (From left) Purses for Pantries’ chair Bonnie Wedel stands with Purses’ honorary chair and OFS board member Skip Spielberg and OFS Executive Director Sunny Schaefer.

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Operation Food Search (OFS), a hunger relief organization that provides food to the area’s hungry, recently held its fourth Purses for Pantries fundraiser and raised $105,000. The event included both silent and live auctions featuring a variety of designer and designer-inspired purses for purchase including evening clutches, vintage pocketbooks, and trendy tote bags. All proceeds will be used to supply backpacks and summer meals, as well as to support other childhood hunger relief programs.

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food and nutrition education. With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families with a range of programs and services proven to reduce food insecurity and increase access to healthy and affordable food. OFS helps feed more than 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of which are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 31 Missouri and Illinois counties.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 5, 2017

School

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley biotechnology program among finalists at the Arcus Awards www.stlchristian.edu

Photo courtesy STLCC-Florissant Valley The STLCC-Florissant Valley Center for Plant and Life Sciences biotechnology program was one of six finalists for the Achievement in Biosciences Award at the Fourth Annual Arcus Awards.

On Feb. 23 the St. Louis Regional Chamber held the Fourth Annual Arcus Awards, an event celebrating the achievements of companies and honoring leaders who make the St. Louis region a great place to live, work and invest. Among those in attendance was the STLCCFlorissant Valley Center for Plant and Life Sciences. The center’s biotechnology program was one of six finalists for the Achievement in Biosciences Award. The STLCC-Florissant Valley Center for Plant and Life Sciences was developed in response to plant and life sciences industry demands, the Greater Regional Opportunities for Workforce Training and Higher Education (GROWTH) Initiative and the college’s strategic directions.

The center provides a pathway to employment in biosciences, boasting a 94 percent placement rate post-completion. The center also supports the growing industry by providing startups with student interns (paid through grants) and an opportunity to access specialized equipment and lab space. Drawing on the strength of relevant programming across the community college district, the center interconnects business and industry to provide innovative education and workforce training in the growing plant and bioscience industry. The center was established in 2006 and moved into BRDG (Bio Research Development and Growth) Park on the Donald Danforth Plant & Life Science Center campus in 2009.

PROBE sixth grader is FFSD spelling champ

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Photo courtesy Ferguson-Florissant School District (From left) Jadzia Renauld, Grace Raycraft and Breeze Collins, placed first, second and third (respectively) in the Ferguson-Florissant School District Spelling Bee.

Jadzia Renaud, a sixth grader in the PROBE gifted program, is the Ferguson-Florissant School District’s 2017 Spelling Bee champion. Renaud, who has won the event for the second consecutive year, competed against elementary and middle school students who represented their respective schools as building-level winners. Grace Raycraft, a sixth grader at Parker Road Elementary, is the runner-up and Breeze Collins, a fifth grader from Holman Elementary placed third. Renaud, Raycraft and Collins, along with other building-level winners, will compete in the annual Greater St. Louis/Post-Dispatch Spelling Bee. Building-level champions are: • William Bostic, Vogt Elementary • Brandon Brenson, Combs Elementary • Breeze Collins, Holman Elementary • Alexis Conners, Ferguson Middle • Diego Dominguez, Walnut Grove Elementary • Cameron Guido, Wedgwood Elementary • Jamarah Lewis, Griffith Elementary • Lilyanah Loving, Johnson-Wabash Elementary

• Rhyan Muldrew, Halls Ferry Elementary • Shay O’Leary, Duchesne Elementary • Jayla Partee, Cool Valley Elementary • Keionna Powell, Berkeley Middle School • Donald Raven, Lee-Hamilton Elementary • Grace Raycraft, Parker Road Elementary • Jadzia Renaud, PROBE Center • Jaylah Sharp, Airport Elementary • Juwain Dickerson, Bermuda Elementary • Isaiah Taylor, Commons Lane Elementary • Ryan Weaver-Palmer, Cross Keys Middle School • Maya Ward, Robinwood Elementary • Dezmine Wilkes, Central Elementary Grade-level winners are: • 4th Grade – Jamarah Lewis, Griffith Elementary • 5th Grade – Isaiah Taylor, Commons Lane Elementary • 6th Grade – Jadzia Renaud, PROBE Center • 7th Grade – Elise Palmer, Cross Keys Middle School • 8th Grade – Dre-Ona Ware, Ferguson Middle School

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School

April 5, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Record number of Hazelwood students complete UMSL’s Bridge Program

More than 130 Hazelwood School District students recently participated in the 31st Annual University of Missouri-St. Louis Bridge closing ceremony at the America’s Center, in Downtown St. Louis.

More than 130 Hazelwood School District (HSD) students recently participated in the 31st Annual University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) Bridge closing ceremony at the America’s Center, in Downtown St. Louis. Parents, administrators, teachers and elected officials gathered to support HSD students, along with other students who represented school districts from across the area. The UMSL Bridge Pre-Collegiate Program offers a Saturday Academy for ninth through 12th grade students, designed to build strong academic proficiency in math, science, writing and other areas critical for the successful transition to college. High school students throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area were selected to actively participate in the 2016-17 Bridge Academy Saturday program. All participants attended classes and

workshops on the UMSL campus the first two Saturdays of the month from October through March. “During the UMSL Bridge Saturday Academy, students benefited from math and science enrichment courses designed to support their current high school curricula,” said Dr. Natissia Small, UMSL assistant dean of students and Bridge director. “Students were exposed to strategies to enhance writing skills, communication skills, college-career exploration, and ACT preparation. In addition, participants attended classes and workshops on UMSL’s campus, allowing high school students the opportunity to experience life on a college campus.” Since its 1986 inception, the Bridge Program remains one of the most successful and widely emulated models for pre-collegiate programming in the St. Louis commu-

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District

nity. “The UMSL Bridge Program provides students with critical resources and learning opportunities to ensure a successful transition to college,” said Michael Peoples, associate principal at Hazelwood East High School. Peoples who was in attendance at the closing ceremony, watched and cheered as HSD students were recognized. “This is UMSL’s 31st year hosting this program. We look forward to helping students achieve their academic goals for many years to come. In fact, we encourage all students in grades ninth -10th to apply for our upcoming Summer Academy program. Applications and additional information can be found on our website at www. umsl.edu/precollegiate,” said Dr. Small.

Hazelwood middle school student receives college scholarship from the St. Louis Cardinals

Photo courtesy Hazelwood School District Anthony Smith, Hazelwood North Middle School student, received an $8,000 scholarship from the St. Louis Cardinals.

www.bgcstl.org

Anthony Smith, eighth-grader at Hazelwood North Middle School, received the Redbird Rookies Saigh Scholarship from the St. Louis Cardinals. Redbird Rookies is a children’s baseball league sponsored by Cardinals Care, the charitable organization of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Redbird Rookies Saigh Scholarship is given to students who demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity and teamwork as members of a Redbird Rookies team. “Since joining the team I’ve learned several important life skills,” said Smith. “I’ve learned the value of communicating and teamwork. Being a team player really helps you to communicate efficiently, without communication there will be chaos on the field.” The $8,000 scholarship will be awarded in equal amounts, and applied to Smith’s pursuit of higher education at an accredited university. “After high school, I plan to attend the University of Missouri and study computer science. I believe that the skills I’ve learned will help me to better contribute in class, in high school, and college,” said Smith.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 5, 2017

Mathews-Dickey keeps kids learning, safe and active all summer long

Submitted photo

Each year, hundreds of youth in the Metro St. Louis area call Mathews-Dickey home during summer days. And this summer the club will welcome both a greater number of youth as well as a more diverse population thanks to the addition of DVN assistance and a camp just for teens. Both camps include breakfast and lunch, are open to residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan area and will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in two consecutive five-week sessions: May 30 through Aug. 10. The 2017 Summer Day Training Camp Session is offered to youth ages six to 13 and held at MathewsDickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club at 4245 N. Kingshighway Blvd. in St. Louis with optional field trips occurring at various sites. Each child receives an hour of health education per week. Participants engage in a host of educational enrichment and other activities each day including two of nine electives – baseball, tennis, reading and composition, basketball, music theater, swimming, math and science, volleyball and field activities. Sessions are $200 each, but for clients participating in both sessions, the club offers a $50 discount making it $350 for the full 10-week camp. Assistance is offered two ways to clients who meet income requirements: 1.) DVN through the state of Missouri and 2) scholarships provided by TIAA-Cref and Blueprint4Summer (limited number of scholarships available). New this year, the club introduces a camp tailored for enriching adolescents once they graduate out of the younger camp: College & Career Leadership Camp. This camp is a combination of programs currently offered separately at Mathews-Dickey as well as new ones, all tailored for teen development. For ten weeks, the young adults aged 13 to 18 will engage in activities to improve skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, civic engagement, college preparedness and, of course, recreation. Maximum enrollment for the camp is set at 40 teens and each participant will enjoy the College & Career Leadership Camp for free thanks to generous sponsors. Sign up today for these fun and engaging camps to keep your kids happy, safe, healthy, active and learning all summer long. Participants must be/become members of Mathews-Dickey. New members can fill out the Membership Sign-Up form by visiting our office or mathews-dickey.com. Contact Membership Coordinator Chantal Brown at cbrown@mathews-dickey.com or 314-679-5226 for more information.

www.iwacademy.org

Mathews-Dickey Summer Day Camp Scholarship + Athleticism + Character

Be a Summer Scholar-Athlete!

Sign-up for 5 or all 10 weeks! May 30 to June 30 July 5 to August 4 Less than $10 a day for safe summer fun! Child care assistance (DVN) accepted.

Donate | Volunteer | Join Our Club www.mathews-dickey.com www.mathews-dickey.com 314.679.5226 BREAKFAST | LUNCH | FIELD TRIPS

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Choice of electives: reading, math and science, basketball, baseball, tennis, music theater, swimming, volleyball and field games.

Open to children ages 6-13|Teen Leaders 13-18

Sports

April 5, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

– SUDOKU – Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all the digits 1 through 9.

See solution on page 13

www.MasterGCR.com

Sports you see with Gary B... Pattonville High golfer shines at Augusta National Golf Club A Pattonville High School 14-year-old freshman, Momo Kikuchi, competed in the drive, chip and putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club recently. Overall, she finished tied for eighth out of 10 contestants. The competition is a joint initiative of the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America. Kikuchi played in the Photo courtesy Pattonville School District female 14-15 year Momo Kikuchi, competed in the old category and is drive, chip and putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club. one of 80 top performers in the nation to qualify for the event. The contest was broadcasted live on the Golf Channel. In her first year at Pattonville this fall, Kikuchi placed 11th in the state for girl’s golf and was named All-Conference First Team. Last summer, she was the champion in her age group at the Gateway PGA’s 18-Hole Final Championship tournament. In the spring of 2015, Kikuchi was chosen by the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame Golf Committee to receive one of its inaugural Jay Randolph Achievement Awards for her championship play as a St. Louis area amateur golfer in 2014. The award was established to honor the very best amateur youth playing the game of golf in St. Louis. * Thanks to Mickey Schoonover, APR, Director of School-Community Relations-Pattonville School District Indoor football this Saturday as undefeated Raiders take the turf The River City Raiders play professional indoor football and are a member of the Arena Pro Football league with home games at the Family Arena. After an impressive win 45-34 over the Alabama Outlawz in front of the hometown fans, the squad will face the Florida Tarpons with a 7 p.m. start. DeAndre Jackson the 5’ 10” wide receiver assessed last week’s performance. “The defense came to play. We gave up a few early touchdowns on miscues. We fixed it on the drawing board (at

halftime) and they basically had a shutout in the second half. Their camaraderie is getting greater and, in this game of football, it goes a long way, so I appreciate and want to give a big shout out to our defense.” Go to www.IndoorRaiders.com for more information and some possible free tickets. * Good start to season Professional baseball starts in May The River City Rascals play professional baseball in the West Division of the Frontier League with home games at Car Shield Field in O’Fallon. May 5 at 6:35 p.m. the umpire will yell out those infamous words, “Play ball!” Many opening day activities are planned for the day and evening. Go to www.RiverCityRascals.com for more information. * Come see the new turf Rascal’s invite former St. Louis Cardinals to the Legends Game The team is working hard to get former baseball Cardinals to attend a great nostalgic game perfect for all ages. Lately pitcher John Tudor was the latest addition to the Saint Louis Legends Game. Tudor spent most of his twelve years in the show with the St. Louis Cardinals. He will join former Cardinals including Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, Jim Edmonds, Jason Isringhausen and Fernando Tatis as well as several local celebrities. The Saint Louis Legends game is taking place on Aug. 19 at CarShield Field. The gates will open at 10:45 a.m. for lucky fans who have secured their spot in the sold-out pre-game autograph session. The gates will reopen at noon for the 1 p.m. seveninning game. * Heroes of the game

1999 for the paper.

Gary Baute, a St. Louis native, has hosted many radio shows from Health to Sports to Baby Boomer news. He was the EMCEE of the River City Rascals and St. Louis Swarm basketball team inaugural seasons and broadcasting for the indoor football teams over a decade. Has been writing sports since

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www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 5, 2017

Recipe: Guilt-free comfort foods

hether planning a family feast or attending gatherings where delicious comfort foods are on the menu, you may find it harder than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your weight management goals on track. However, with the right approach, you can still enjoy many of your favorite dishes and serve foods your guests will appreciate as much as your waistline does. The key is managing your carbohydrate and sugar intake. If you’re looking to lose or maintain weight, you know the importance of relying on a lifestyle with proven results – without feeling deprived. A low carb approach is backed by more than 80 scientific studies and still allows you to enjoy a wide variety of delicious foods. When you control your carbohydrate intake, you start burning stored fat as your fuel source instead of carbohydrates. A long-term, well-balanced, low carb eating plan such as Atkins encourages reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars, while optimizing levels of protein, high fiber carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

Learn & Play

Crossword Puzzle Theme: Outdoor Fun

This wide range of foods makes it easy to find delicious ways to indulge without feeling restricted at events. Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education at Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., offers several tips to help stay on track: • Leading up to big meals or parties, snack on protein that contain healthy fats such as nuts or grab some cubes of cheese. • When crafting a menu, identify a savory main dish that offers a healthy serving of protein such as this Cranberry-Ginger Pork Roast. Finish off the meal with a low carb Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, and you and your taste buds will be very satisfied. • When alcoholic beverages are being served, confine yourself to a glass (or two at the most) of wine or one glass of spirits. Just be sure to have your spirits with club soda and slice of lemon or lime, or a mixer made without sugar. And make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. For step-by-step instructions for this tasty, low carb roast, watch the video and find more recipes at Atkins.com.

Low Carb Cranberry-Ginger Pork Roast Servings: 4 | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 8 hours Ingredients: Cooking oil 2 pounds pork chops or roast (center rib, bone-in) 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus additional for seasoning 1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce 1/2 cup cranberries 1/8 cup sugar-free maple syrup 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1/2 cup chicken broth, bouillon or consomme 1/2 cup (4 ounces) water 1/8 teaspoon guar gum or xanthan gum 1 tablespoon unsalted butter stick (optional) Directions: Prepare skillet with small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Season chops or roast with salt and pepper then place into skillet and brown each side for about 1 minute, 4 minutes total, to help seal in moisture and give it color. Set aside on plate to cool slightly.

ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Rub mixture onto roast then place it into slow cooker. Add cranberries and pour chicken broth down side of pan (avoiding rinsing rub from roast).

Finely dice chipotle pepper and chop cranberries, if desired.

Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours.

In small bowl, combine syrup, diced chipotle,

Remove roast and set on serving platter covered with tent of aluminum foil; reserving

liquid. Keep slow cooker on low and add water and guar gum or xanthan gum to reserved mixture, whisking to combine. Continue to cook on low heat until sauce thickens slightly. Once thick, enrich sauce, if desired, with butter, adding additional salt and pepper, to taste. Serve sauce over pork roast.

Low Carb Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake Servings: 4 | Prep time: 25 minutes | Cook time: 50 minutes I ngredients: 2/3 cup halved pecan nuts 2/3 cup sucralose-based sweetener (sugar substitute), plus 1 tablespoon 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 tablespoon unsalted butter stick 1/2 large egg white 9 2/3 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 6 ounces canned pumpkin, without salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 1/4 large eggs Directions: To make crust: Heat oven to 350 F. In food processor, combine pecans, 1 tablespoon sugar substitute and cinnamon. Process until finely ground. Toss with butter and egg white; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan, rounding up to cover pan seam. Bake until golden and set, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. To make filling: Reduce oven heat to 325 F.

In large bowl, combine cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar substitute and cream. With electric mixer at medium speed, beat until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, mixing to combine. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until just combined. Pour batter over crust. Bake until just set, 45-50 minutes. Turn off oven and let stand

10 minutes; transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours or overnight. Slice and serve. Recipes courtesy of Atkins.com Photos courtesy of Getty Images

ACROSS 1. Big Ben’s face 6. “C’____ la vie!” 9. Hefty competitor 13. Water-resistant wool cloth 14. William F. Cody, ____ Buffalo Bill 15. Domenikos Theotokopoulos, a.k.a. El _____ 16. Food-borne bacteria 17. Bro to sis or sis to bro 18. Bat dwelling? 19. *It lights up the sky 21. *S’more cooker 23. Turkish title of respect 24. Sensational promotion 25. *Take a first aid one on a camping trip 28. Lover of Aeneas 30. *____ and field 34. Singular of #26 Down 36. Lagerlöf’s “The Wonderful Adventures of ___” 38. Where there’s trouble? 40. Ripped 41. Labored breaths 43. 43,560 square feet 44. *Done to get in a race 46. Stash in the hold 47. Multicolored horse 48. Type of car 50. Greek Hs 52. *Picnic invader 53. Make like a cat 55. Nuke 57. *High ride 61. *Requires luring 65. Roundish 66. Variable, abbr. 68. “Roots” author 69. Shoe binders 70. Shoshonean 71. Discrimination against seniors 72. Soon, to a bard 73. The day before 74. “The Second Coming” poet

DOWN 1. Staff leader 2. Places 3. Carbon monoxide lacks this 4. “The Late Show” guest 5. Stabbed 6. No problem 7. *Used on powder and water 8. Brindled kitty 9. Tennis great Steffi 10. First name in jeans 11. Maple, to a botanist 12. Doctor’s order 15. Genus in plural 20. What Pinocchio was doing? 22. Make a choice 24. Gun sleeve 25. *On a string 26. Paintings in an Orthodox church 27. Layered cake 29. “Days” in Havana 31. At a great distance 32. Served hot in winter 33. God’s revelation to Muhammad 35. Financial aid criterion 37. Dick and Jane’s pet 39. *Camping abode 42. Mbabane native 45. *Shoot this? 49. Teresa of Calcutta, e.g. 51. Move sideways 54. A variety show 56. Bacteriophage, informally 57. French novelist Émile 58. Popular Russian name 59. Little bit, in Mexico 60. Right to a property 61. “Born ____,” movie 62. Pelvic parts 63. Home on a limb 64. Fitness centers 67. *For any terrain See answers on page 13

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What’s Happening

April 5, 2017 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com

Send your event to editor@mycnews.com and we'll print it! April 6: Piano concert

EVENTS April 5: Women’s Interfaith Conference 2017

The 37th Annual Women’s Interfaith Conference, “Women of Faith: Responding Faithfully in a Changing World” will gather from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dar al Jalal Masjid (Mosque) at 8945 Dunn Road in Hazelwood. The conference costs $12 per person, including lunch. When you register please indicate your preference for either the tuna or the tossed salad meal provided (upon request you can receive a Vaad Certified Kosher Meal). After the panelist presentations there will be time for questions from the audience. Registration can be completed online by going to www.womeninterfaithstl.org, clicking registration and simply entering the necessary information. For those not applying online please contact Jerri Livingston at 314-469-3553. Due to a space limitation of 240 persons, to guarantee your reservation, payment must accompany your completed registration form. Your reservation must be postmarked by March 27.

April 5: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 5: Spring Fling Shopping

Spring Fling Shopping in Old Town Florissant takes place from 5 – 8 p.m. on St. Francois Street and the surrounding area of Old Town Florissant. Participating businesses will have sales, specials, refreshments and will be all decorated for spring, Easter and more.

Classical pianist John Beckmann will perform at Church of the Master at 1325 Paddock Dr. in Florissant at 11:15 a.m. A free will offering will be collected. Bring a sandwich; desserts and beverages will be served. For more information call 314-831-8127. April 7: Fish fry Fish fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 3 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 7: Scholarship and awards gala

The Jennings School District will be hosting its Fourth Annual Gala Arts Extravaganza at Norwood Hills Country Club at 5 p.m. This event will include musical performances and an art exhibit from Jennings students, as well as a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit Jennings School District, post-secondary education, and Jennings Hope House, which is a homeless shelter for families. The theme for this year’s Gala is “Enlightened, Empowered, and Engaged.” Several partners from different industries will be recognized for their support and assistance to the Jennings School District. Individual tickets are $50 and sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $1,500. In addition to supporting the students of Jennings, sponsors will receive a table of eight for dinner and media exposure. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit the Jennings School District website at www.jenningsk12.org or call 314-6538003.

April 8: Health showcase

Christian Hospital invites the community to its Initiatives & Opportunities special event from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Detrick Building Atrium. Complimentary lunch will be provided for all visitors. Please RSVP by calling 314-747-WELL (9355). The event includes physician lectures on cancer, urology, interventional cardiology, men’s health, plastic surgery/ lipedema, endocrinology, pain man-

agement, orthopedics, breast health, ENT and cardiothoracic surgery. Informational booths will showcase hospital departments and services. Special guest celebrity chef Judson Todd Allen, author of “The Spice Diet” and seen on The Food Network and “The Steve Harvey Show,” will perform a cooking demonstration and be available for a meet-and-greet with visitors. His popular Chef Blend Hot Sauce will be available for purchase, and free recipe cards will be offered. The Emerson YMCA is hosting Kids Corner.

April 8: Easter egg hunt

Children ages 12 and under can enjoy a few fun activities and visit with the Easter Bunny before heading outside for the Florissant Easter Egg Hunt from 10 – 11 a.m. at the James J Eagan Center. Tickets will be required upon entry for all children. This event is for residents only and the cost is $1 per ticket or one canned food item per ticket. Only children need a ticket. Tickets are available at the James J. Eagan and John F. Kennedy Community Centers. Tickets must be obtained by a Florissant Resident showing a valid and current resident card. Tickets are limited. For additional information call the James J. Eagan Center at 9214466 or the JFK Center at 921-4250.

April 8: Violence prevention summit

Community members are encouraged to attend the Spanish Lake Violence Prevention Conference from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Twillman Elementary School, in the Hazelwood School District, located at 11831 Bellefontaine Road. Law enforcement, gun safety and public health issues will be addressed. A panel of Hazelwood School District students will be present to help identify challenges and explore solutions to violence. Please join in effort to help build a safer and supportive community.

April 8: Job fair

Christian Care Home at 800 Chambers Rd. in St. Louis will be hosting a job fair from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come dressed professionally, bring resumes

and be prepared to interview. Openings in the following departments: Nursing—RN, LPN and CNA, Housekeeping/Laundry, Dietary and Maintenance.

money rounds will be available. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the park. For more information, please visit www.jenningsdodads.org.

April 8: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

April 12: Karaoke

Calvary United Church of Christ, at 2501 Hartland Avenue in Overland, invites the community to its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9 – 11 a.m. The cost is $4 for adults and children three and older. Cost includes breakfast, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, crafts and an egg hunt. All are welcome the day of the event, but advance reservations are requested. Call 314-429-7464 for reservations or directions.

April 8: Christian concert

A Christian concert takes place at 6 p.m. at Florissant Presbyterian Church at 660 Charbonier Rd. in Florissant. There will be two bands and light refreshments available at intermission. Admission is three cans of food for the TEAM food pantry.

Join us for an evening of Jazz Wednesday, April 12, 2017 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. Hor D’oeuvres ~ Cocktails ~ Music ~ Tours Call 636-946-4966, ext. 1130 to RSVP 2150 W Randolph Street | St. Charles, MO 63301 | (636)946-4966

April 14: Fish fry

A fish fry takes place every Friday until April 14 at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Church at 3500 St. Catherine Street in Florissant from 4 - 7 p.m.

April 14: Fish Fry

American Legion Post 444 in Florissant Valley will host a fish fry every Friday from Jan. 27 until April 14.

April 14: Fish fry

Fish fry at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 3 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 8: Legacy fundraising dinner and silent auction

April 14: Fish fries

April 8: Electronics recycling event

April 15: Meat shoots

North County Christian School (NCCS) will host their annual Legacy Dinner and Silent Auction at 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. The fundraising dinner will celebrate the ongoing legacy of excellence in Christian education established by the school in its 55 year history. Current families, alumni and community friends are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $25 per person and will be sold through April 5 or as long as they last. Call 314-972-6227 for more information or to purchase tickets. NCCS is located at 845 Dunn Rd in Florissant.

The city of Florissant along with Midwest Recycling Center will be hosting an electronics recycling collection event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Ferdinand Park at the rear parking lot, rain or shine. Signs will be posted at park entrances to direct the people on where to go. The event is open to the public. Acceptable items to be collected are computers and all of their accessories, networking and telecommunications equipment, phones (home and cell), clocks, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, A/V equipment including cable and satellite boxes, home electronics, rechargeable batteries, fax machines, adapters/chargers, household appliances and lawn and garden equipment (lawn and garden equipment must have oil and gas removed). Midwest Recycling Center will have equipment and employees on hand to assist in the drop off process. If you need additional information feel free to contact the Florissant Health Department at 314-839-7655 or visit Midwest Recycling Center’s website at www.midwrc.net.

April 8: Flea market

Celebrates our Assisted Living Open House

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

Flea market at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 a.m. to 1p.m. To reserve a table or for more information contact the post at 314-831-6121.

April 8: Breakfast

Breakfast at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 to 10 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 9: Meat shoot

The Jennings Do-Dads will be hosting their Spring Meat Shoot starting at 1 p.m. The meat shoot will be under the pavilion at Sievers Park at Jennings Station Rd. and Hord Ave., in Jennings. Guns and ammo will be provided by the Jennings Do-Dads. Cost is $3 per shot per round. Pork loins, hams, bacon, pork steak and 50/50

St. Andrew United Methodist Church will be having a fish fry every Friday from now until April 14 (including April 14th) from 4 – 7 p.m. at 3975 N. US Highway 67 in Florissant. You can dine in or carryout. Price is $12 a plate. The menu includes a choice of fish: deep fried catfish, fried cod or baked tilapia. There is also a weekly fish special. Sides include pasta, vegetables, baked beans and hush puppies. Price also includes drink and dessert. All proceeds from the fish fries go to the Ignite Youth Mission Trip. This year the group, including 15 kids and six adults will be traveling to New Orleans. The Florissant Eagles Meat Shoots take place every Saturday from Feb. 11 through April 15. It will run from noon until dusk. They are located at 15245 New Halls Ferry Rd in Florissant. No bull barrels. For more information call the Florissant Eagles at 314-838-3470.

April 19: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 20: Blood pressure check

Free blood pressure check at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.). Call 314831-3752 for more information.

April 21: Pork steak dinner

Pork steak dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 21: Bingo

Bingo takes place from 2 – 3 p.m. at Life Care Center of Florissant at 1201 Garden Plaza Dr. (off Parker Rd.) in Florissant.Call 314-831-3752 for more information.

April 21 & 23: Choir concert

Choral Arts Singers, Francis Howell North High School Concert Choir, and members of the St. Charles Symphony will perform Joseph Haydn’s “Kleine Orgelmasse mass in B/Bflat Major” and other selections on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church at 3866 S. Old Hwy 94 in St. Charles, and April 23 at 2 p.m. at Assumption Chapel at 403 N. Main in O’Fallon. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children (ages six-18). For more information visit www.concertarts.org.

www.mycnews.com • Community News – St. Louis County • April 5, 2017 April 22: Business expo and flea market

Parkway North High will host a vendor/business expo and flea market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Commons Area of Parkway North High School. There will be free admission, ample parking, a band fundraiser, over 57 vendors and a flea market area. Event is wheel chair and stroller accessible.

April 22: Mental health first aid training

Lutheran Church of the Atonement will host Mental Health First Aid Training from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. This course uses a program manual, lecture, role-playing and simulations for offering initial help in a mental illness crisis. Trainees learn the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants a five-step action plan to help loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and others cope with mental health problems. A fee of $17 will cover the cost of the manual. A light breakfast and lunch will be included. Atonement Church is located at 1285 North New Florissant Road, where Parker Road and Florissant Road intersect. For more information call Joyce Pingel at 314-740-2137 or email Rev. Williams from Behavior Health Network at gharwilliams@me.com. Everyone is welcome to attend.

April 22: Trivia night

The annual trivia night fundraiser for TEAM Food Pantry will be held in the parish hall of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 751 N. Jefferson St. The trivia night is being sponsored by the Florissant Rotary Club. Entry fee is $200 per table with a maximum of eight people per team. Entry fee includes beer, soda, water, popcorn and attendance prizes. Tickets may be purchased in advance or the night of the event. First come basis – only 500 tickets available. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., trivia starts promptly at 7 p.m. Checks should be made payable to TEAM Food Pantry and mailed to Pat Piotrowicz, TEAM Trivia Night, 9 Beaujolais, Florissant, MO 63031. To register, sponsor, or make a donation, please contact Pat Piotrowicz at p.piotrowicz1@yahoo.com or 314-2221362.

April 22: Gardening demonstration

Come join the Gardeners of Florissant as they welcome members from The Rose Society of Greater St. Louis for a hands-on rose pruning demo at the Florissant Civic Center Rose Garden at 1 James J Eagan Dr. in Florissant. Instructions will be given at 10 a.m. You will then be able to prune rose bushes either on your own or with the aid of a rose society member. Stay as long as you like. Learn how to prune a rose for a healthy new growing season. Randy Hoffmann, a member of both clubs, will lead the seminar. Randy has a Bachelor of Science Horticulture degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. What to bring: hand pruners, gloves and (optional) a bucket to collect your clippings. Contact Randy Hoffmann at 314-521-6824 for more information; leave a message.

April 25: Card and game party

Annual card and game party will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 3400 St Gregory Lane in St Ann. Doors open at 11 a.m., games start at noon. The cost is $7 which includes cake and coffee or tea. Other food items will be available for purchase. Many great attendance prizes will be awarded. Also Pot of Gold and raffle prizes, including a quilt raffle. For reservations call Mary Cornwall at 314428-3236 to reserve your table.

April 26: Karaoke

Karaoke at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois,

from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 28: Chicken dinner

Chicken dinner at Florissant Valley VFW Post 4105, located at 410 St. Francois, from 4 to 7 p.m. All profits go to support veterans. For more information call 314-831-6121.

April 28: Trivia night

Girlfriends for Good will hold its seventh annual trivia night to benefit Youth In Need at the Machinists’ Hall in Bridgeton at 12365 St. Charles Rock Road. Tables of eight are $200 and include beer, soda and snacks. Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia begins at 7 p.m. Sponsor a round for $50. All proceeds benefit Youth In Need. For more information, contact Cody Finan, Community Engagement Coordinator, at cfinan@youthinneed.org or 636-7579334.

April 29: Luncheon/bingo fundraiser

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 444 on 17090 Old Jamestown Road in Florissantis holding a Spring Salad Luncheon/Bingo Fundraiser. The proceeds of this function helps the Auxiliary provide activities for veterans and their families. The doors open at noon. The tickets are $12. There will be chicken salad sandwiches and many types of salads. There will also be a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing, a raffle and attendance prizes for everyone. For tickets call Judy De Clue at 314-868-3612.

April 29: Fine arts show

The Hazelwood School District will host its third annual Fine Arts Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event is free and open to the community. The Fine Arts Show is a collective show of artwork created by HSD art students in pre-K through 12th grade.

with opportunities to serve according to their schedules, skills, comfort levels and geographic areas. Volunteer opportunities include: caregiver relief, companionship, bereavement support, administrative assistance, and other opportunities. The next free four week training will be Tuesdays – May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. To register or ask any questions please contact Mercy Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Minogue, at 314-729-4415 or Paula.Minogue@mercy.net.

May 4: Pitch, hit and run competition

Kids ages 7-14 (as of July 17, 2017) are invited to participate in Florissant’s Pitch, Hit and Run competition at 6 p.m. at Koch Park field #4. Cost is free, but preregistration is required by May 3. Participants compete in three stations: pitching, hitting, and running with a chance to advance to Sectional Competitions, Team Championships at a Cardinal’s game, and the National Finals at the 2017 MLB All Star game. Metal spikes are not allowed. For further information, please call 314-9214466.

May 13: Scholarship run

The Hazelwood Parent Teacher Association PTA Council invites students, families and the entire community to participate in the 36th Annual Hazelwood PTA Scholarship Run/Walk event. Registration begins at 7 a.m. The first race begins at 8:30 a.m. All activities will take place at Hazelwood Central High School at 15875 New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. The event will also include a health and wellness fair with several vendors, student entertainment, and concession stands. To register for this event or to make a donation toward the scholarship fund, go to the Hazelwood PTA Council website at www.hazelwoodptacouncil.com or the Hazelwood School District website at www.

What’s Happening

hazelwoodschools.org. Volunteers are needed to make the run/walk event a success. Many opportunities are available to assist the PTA Council as the race approaches. For additional details on participating in the race or to become a volunteer, please call 314-9535000.

May 15: Golf fundraiser

Christian Hospital Foundation is hosting their seventh-annual Golf Outing at Norwood Hills Country Club. The day includes lunch, shotgun start, oncourse refreshments and games and an awards reception with cocktails and dinner immediately after play. Proceeds from the outing will help the foundation continue in its mission to provide service, compassionate care and clinical excellence to directly improve the health and wellness of our community. The foundation supports efforts such as patient care, advanced medicine and technology, community benefit programs, community health access and staff education. Sponsorships are still available and cost for a foursome is $900; individual play is $225; or cocktail/dinner only is $75. Event day packages, which includes mulligans, on-course game participation and raffle tickets, are $50 per person. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.christianhospital.org/golf or contact Mindy SUDOKU answers from page 11

Copp at 314-653-4410 or Mindy. Copp@bjc.org.

RECURRING EVENTS Weekdays: Food pantry volunteers needed The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is in need of ongoing adult volunteers to sort food, stock shelves and shop with clients. Two-to-four hour shifts are available, Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. To learn more or to join this fun group, contact Chelsey Banaskavich at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org. Weekdays: Volunteer drivers The St. Louis County Older Resident Programs need volunteer drivers who live in St. Louis County to give a few hours during the day to provide transportation to and from doctor’s appointments for our senior residents of St. Louis County that lives near you! No weekends and mileage reimbursement is available. Call today at 314615-4516.

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April 29: Florissant Garage Sale

Florissant residents can haul down the clutter from their attics and treasures from their garages and organize accumulations from their barns for the Seventh Annual Florissant Garage Sale. The garage sale will be held at the James J Eagan Ice Rink area from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Each applicant will only receive one space. Only Florissant residents receive a space to sell. The selling of craft items will not be approved. Fill out an application and return it by April 13. Applications will be available at the JJE and JFK Center and at www. florissantmo.com. Space is limited. The fee is $20 per table. The Florissant Garage Sale is free to attend.

April 29: Walk/run fundraiser

Join Friends of Kids with Cancer as they honor and remember special cancer patients and raise money to support their Educational, Emotional, and Recreational programs that help kids with cancer…be kids with the 17th Annual Walk with a Friend 5k Run/1 Mile Walk at 635 Maryville Centre Dr. in St. Louis. Registration is from 7:30-8:30 a.m., the run starts at 9 a.m. and the walk immediately follows. Family and corporate team sponsorships available with logos on event shirts. Enjoy free First Watch breakfast and carnival style games and entertainment for the whole family. Sponsored by Vanderbilt Office Properties. Cost is for $25 individual registration, increases to $30 after April 14. For more information visit https:// www.friendsofkids.com/walk-with-afriend.html or to register visit https:// www.friendsofkids.com/walk-registration.html.

May 2: Mercy Hospice new volunteer training

Mercy Hospice is currently seeking volunteers to offer support and comfort to patients and families in your community. Volunteers are matched

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“Wonder Woman”

Can ‘Wonder Woman’ restart the cinematic DC Comics universe?

M O V I E By Steve Bryan

Coming off the wild success of their 2014 “The Guardians of the Galaxy” movie, “Saturday Night Live” poked fun at Marvel Studios and their incredible success with obscure characters. “Guardians” was so popular, in fact, that the sequel earned a coveted May release date this year. Not bad for a team containing Rocket Raccoon and a hero who loves 1980’s mixtapes. And who doesn’t love a Baby Groot? In contrast, the folks adapting DC Comics characters had a rough time as of late in their movies. Christian Bale’s Batman dominated the box office in three films years ago, but Ben Affleck, the latest man in the cape and cowl, was not as well-received. It’s also difficult to tell if “Suicide Squad,” a DC cult favorite from the 1980’s, was a hit or a miss. Rabid fans loved it and attacked the critics that panned it, but the box office totals were not outstanding. “Wonder Woman,” due for a June 2 release, should be a good indicator of how the DC Comics Universe will do going forward. Created in the 1940’s by William Moulton Marston, Princess Diana came from an island of Amazonian warriors where men were not allowed. She arrived in the United States in time to battle the Nazi’s and join her place in what would eventually become DC’s legion of heroes. Patty Jenkins steps behind the camera for the film adaptation, using a script that was partially developed by Zack Snyder. A polarizing figure with comic book fans, Snyder directed both “The Watchmen” and “Batman v. Superman,” but his efforts in both were heavily criticized. His work on the upcoming “Justice League” movies will either redeem or break him for good.

Though the script deviates from the original Wonder Woman history, the trailers for the film have been exceptionally good. Gal Gadot, who debuted as the character in “Batman v. Superman,” brings a sharper edge to her performance than predecessor Linda Carter did in the 1970s. Chris Pine also seems to be a better fit for Steve Trevor, Diana’s love interest, than Lyle Waggoner was back in the day. The story also has some light touches as well. Lucy Davis is perfectly cast as Etta Candy, the lady who becomes a good friend to Wonder Woman. Etta tries to help Diana adapt to a world where the skirts are not suit-

able for fighting and long swords should never be carried in public. “Wonder Woman” makes her debut in June, which seems like the right time in the summer movie calendar. The Amazonian princess will pave the way for the “Justice League” movie if she can win over fans and deflect the bullets of critics with her bracelets. Maybe she can use her golden lasso of truth to get some honest reviews as well. “Wonder Woman” photo courtesy of DC Entertainment Born and raised in South St. Louis, Steve Bryan is now based in Anaheim, California, and has been allowed access to movie and television sets to see actors and directors at work. Though his writing has taken him far from St. Louis, Steve is, at heart, still the same wide-eyed kid who spent countless hours watching classic movies at neighborhood theaters.

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