Vol. 83 No. 34
CAC Audited NOVEMBER 24 – 30, 2011
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
OWN orders second helping
The cast of OWN’s hit show from St. Louis, Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s: Lil’ Charles, Tim Norman and Miss Robbie Montgomery.
Sweetie Pie’s is smash hit on Oprah network By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American “I know one thing – I better be in this story,” said Charles Crenchaw, aka Lil’ Charles, one of the stars of Oprah Winfrey Network reality show Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. “And make sure you get one of us by ourselves,” he continued, motioning his hand back and forth between himself and his aunt, Sweetie Pie’s owner Robbie Montgomery.
What began as a photo op before the filming of what was to have been the season finale of the reality show turned into hilarious banter between the cast: who would stand where, would Tim wear his hat, should Ms. Montgomery hold the award she had received earlier in the day. “Come on now, y’all –just take the damn picture,” Montgomery fussed at her son Tim Norman and her nephew while Tim’s fiancée Janae shrugged her shoul-
Park bond issue nears passage
INSIDE BUSINESS
Power Up buys Crown Electrical
Advocates reject Green’s objections
Michael B. Kennedy Jr.’s company has become the largest minority-owned, full-service electrical contractor in the St. Louis region.
By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American
~ Page B1 ~
Ms. T. is a single mother of two children who lost her job this past summer. As a result, she was evicted from her apartment and forced to move into a onebedroom apartment with her grandmother. Due to her unemployment, the cost of school uniforms for her
St. Louis city residents may be enjoying more beautiful parks within the next few years, as city legislators draw closer to passing laws to fund the largest capital improvements to parks since 1955. On Friday, the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to perfect “All we’re board bills and asking is to 189 190, which use parks authorize two bond money – issues – a and $250 $30 million million in bond for private Forest Park investment capital projects and a – to solve $34 million the park’s for other challenges.” city parks. The bills – Gary Bess, would also parks lock in city director revenues for park capital projects and maintenance for the duration of the bonds. As part of the board bills, the nonprofit Forest Park Forever Inc. pledges to raise $130 million in private funds, and endow $4 million a year for 30 years for annual maintenance of Forest Park. In total, the annual funds for Forest Park would increase from the current $3.3 million to $7.3 million. The next step is getting approval from the city’s Board of Estimate & Apportionment. The bills have strong support from both President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed and Mayor Francis G. Slay, who both sit on the E&A board, and their two votes would be enough to pass the bills forward. However, they do not have the support of Comptroller Darlene Green, the third E&A board member. She says the city is facing numerous other bond issues, including public
See GIVING, A7
See PARK, A6
LIVING IT
Barbeque baby steps Rib Shack celebrates its 1st anniversary Tuesday, Nov. 29 with a bash at Studio Blu.
~ Page C1 ~ Photo by Wiley Price
Show-Me the memories This season marks the 25th Show-Me Bowl since Earl Austin Jr. became a sportswriter. Earl looks back and spotlights many of the great moments over his career.
~ Page B5 ~
Feeding the hungry Larry Hughes and the Larry Hughes Foundation donated 250 Thanksgiving turkeys last Thursday at the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, as part of the foundation’s annual “Feed the Hungry” Thanksgiving Dinner. More than 100 volunteers also worked three shifts to feed all of those who arrived at the Gateway Classic for a warm turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
DR. DECLUE PASSES AT 87 Pioneering optometrist, STL NAACP president American staff
Christian Morton of Riverview in 1997
– OWN President Erik Logan
See SWEETIE, A6
Photo by Rick Diamond, Getty Images
SPORTS
“The audience is really responding to this program, and the ratings continue to build, which is a great testament to the show.”
Civil rights pioneer and optometrist Dr. James Allen DeClue Sr. passed away in St. Louis Wednesday, November 16, 2011 of congestive heart failure. He was 87. DeClue’s professional career spanned 51 years, and he spent nearly the same amount of time fighting for the rights of African Americans here and throughout the U.S. James Allen DeClue was born on February 29, 1924 in St. Louis to Louise Viola Burnam of Kentucky and James “Jim” Shields DeClue Jr. of Missouri. He had one brother, Frank Burnam DeClue. Dr. James He attended the St. Louis Public Schools Allen and graduated from Sumner High School in DeClue Sr. 1941 along with is future wife, Shirley Marie Johnson. Johnson was the niece of Ethel Hedgeman-Lyle, founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. DeClue attended Stowe Teacher’s College for two years before he was drafted into World War II in 1943. He served
See DeCLUE, A7
2011 PEOPLE AGAINST POVERTY CAMPAIGN
Giving brings joy to all By Roscoe Crenshaw For The St. Louis American The People Against Poverty Campaign, co-sponsored by Community Women Against Hardship (CWAH) and The St. Louis American, enables all concerned compassionate citizens to share in a reciprocal feeling of joy. If you are moved by the following personal scenarios of real needs, you can provide the suggested assistance to these worthy clients. Just contact CWAH, 3963 West Belle Pl., at 314-289-7523.