November 21, 2009
Alonzo Weston - Reporter/Columnist
"NOW That's What I Call Club Hits" - Various artists
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009
Two area schools earn national honor
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009
Monday, Sept. 14, 2009
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
Blue-collar jobs evolve, but pride remains
Monday, Sept. 7, 2009
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009
Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
Eager learners embark on new year
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
School expenses put strain on some families
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
St. Patrick Mexican Fiesta celebrates 40
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Take her out to the ballgame
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
NOW That's What I Call Music! sets its sights on dance floor domination with its new release.
These streets are made for walkingWednesday, Sept. 16, 2009
Back when I was a paperboy, I walked in the streets of my neighborhood at 4 a.m. to deliver papers.
Walking in the streets gave me an advantage. I could see my surroundings better and if I was attacked it afforded a running start.
People walk in the street all the time. Go out to Stonecrest, Lake of Twelve Oaks or most any street and you see people walking in the street. People walk down the street in front of my house daily. Sometimes I walk in the street.
Two area schools earn national honor
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009
A couple of area schools were chosen among America’s top schools in the federal No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School program. This is the second time Eugene Field Elementary School has received the award, The school also received Blue Ribbon School status in 2003. And the school won a Missouri Gold Star School designation earlier this year. But it’s the first time South Nodaway Elementary School will receive the Blue Ribbon School award. South Nodaway also won the Gold Star School last year.
The Eric Muhler Quarte - “The Jury Is Out” (Slow Turn Records)Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009
The music on "The Jury Is Out" establishes Eric Muhler's formidable composing and playing gifts.
Community hears from school consultantTuesday, Sept. 15, 2009
The community got an introduction to the group that will possibly help the St. Joseph School District form a long-range plan Monday evening. Representatives of Unicom.Arc, a St. Louis-based consulting firm, gave a PowerPoint presentation during the monthly St. Joseph Board of Education meeting. A gathering of about 80 school district staff, board and community members attend the meeting, which was held inside the Troester Media Center. Dan Burns, executive director of Unicom.Arc, told the gathering that first and foremost all members of the community should be involved in the planning. That included forming a facilitation team of people on opposite sides of the issues involving the schools.
Volunteers lend a helping hand to school districtMonday, Sept. 14, 2009
At the end of every school year, Carol Baltezor thinks she’ll quit as volunteer coordinator at Pickett Elementary School and get “a real job.” After all, she’s been a volunteer at the school for 16 years.
But a group of kindergartners always pulls her back.
“That new bunch comes in and they just suck me in,” Mrs. Baltezor said.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009
The community group that’s trying to get the school levy passed in November is negotiating a contract with a St. Louis consulting firm to help develop a long-range plan for the St. Joseph School District.
Campaign group asks for PTA’s supportWednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
The community team working to pass the St. Joseph School District levy in November held its first public campaign meeting Tuesday evening.
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
If you can read this, the world didn’t end and you survived President Obama’s school speech yesterday. If you allowed your kid to watch it, he’s already forgotten everything the president said. If you didn’t allow your son or daughter to watch the speech, they’ll only remember it as the time you told them to play hooky.
Blue-collar jobs evolve, but pride remains
Monday, Sept. 7, 2009
Dennis Merritt saw the writing on the wall. Some of his Mead Products co-workers didn’t.
With layoffs and jobs being shipped overseas, the St. Joseph man saw the labor market grow leaner in the 1990s. He started going to night school.
“All the people told me, they laughed and said, ‘You’re wasting your time, Merritt, reading books and going to school. You’re going to be a lifer,’” Mr. Merritt said.
Today, not many will spend their whole working lives on a factory floor. Plant closings and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs overseas have weakened labor unions and thinned out the blue-collar work force.
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently reported that Advanced Placement enrollments are up significantly across the state. That trend also holds true for the St. Joseph School District.
Laura Nelson, assistant director of assessment and program evaluation for the district, said there’s been a dramatic increase locally in the placement tests.
In 2007, the district gave 296 Advanced Placement tests, or exams, that allow students to earn college credit. In 2009, the district gave 424 such tests.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009
I hate it when people look down at my waist. It makes me think either my fly is open or I’ve mindlessly peed my pants. It’s not much relief knowing that they’re actually looking at my belly.
Kristina - “Offshore Echoes” (Patois Records)Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
"Offshore Echoes" has been called "a bountiful jambalaya of melodies and cadences."
State honors Central counselorSaturday, Aug. 29, 2009
Chris Danford didn’t know what to make of the big, black box sitting on her desk. It was addressed from the Department of Agriculture. The Central High School counselor just figured it was some career guidance items. Until she opened it up ...
AYP unfit measure, schools contendSaturday, Aug. 29, 2009
Edison Elementary School missed making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) by about 8 percent, said Cheri Patterson, associate St. Joseph School District superintendent. That roughly translates into about five students not answering three or more test questions correctly.
Hardly the definition of a failing school, she added.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009
A part of St. Joseph got auctioned off piece by piece on Saturday. Old photos, beer advertisements, sheet music and movie posters that graced the walls of the former Judy’s D&G Restaurant went on sale.
"‘4A" - James MoodyTuesday, Aug. 25, 2009
The New CD From James Moody ‘4A’ features James Moody on Tenor Saxophone, Kenny Barron, Piano; Todd Coolman on Bass and Lewis Nash on Drums.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009
St. Joseph school officials spent the majority of Monday night’s two-hour board of education meeting addressing public concerns over redistricting and classroom overcrowding.
Steve Davis - "Eloquence" (Jazz Legacy Productions)Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Steve Davis is widely regarded as one of today's leading improvisers on the trombone.
"Relentless" - Sharel CassityMonday, Aug. 24, 2009
Saxophonist Sharel Cassity's sopohmore release "Relentless" is a true testament to her abilities as a performer, writer and leader.
Board meets to clear the airSaturday, Aug. 22, 2009
The St. Joseph Board of Education met Friday afternoon to talk numbers.
Members of the joint personnel, finance, curriculum instructional assessment and policy committees discussed transfers, budgets and MAP test scores they say are misleading.
Cheri Patterson, associate schools superintendent, said despite not meeting Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, Hall, Noyes and Edison are not failing schools. She presented numbers that showed the schools only missed the mark by a few students. Actually, those schools have made overall progress through the years in a number of areas, she said.
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM IS NELSON’S FIRST COLLECTION OF
JAZZ STANDARDS SINCE HIS 1978 MASTERPIECE STARDUST;
FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS NORAH JONES & DIANA KRALL
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
After months of discussion, the campaign to restore 63 cents to the St. Joseph School District operating levy officially kicked off Thursday. The committee formerly known as the Community Task Force filed the necessary paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission earlier this week as “Our Children. Our Decision. Our Future.”
The group also named Mike Veale of Northwest Missouri Central Labor Council as its campaign treasurer. Local business owner John Jarrett will serve as deputy treasurer.
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
Ambulance service was a raucous endeavor in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Frustrations flare over school transfer issueFriday, Aug. 21, 2009
Danielle McGaughy has experienced a redistricting conundrum that many parents faced this year, except for parents who work for the St. Joseph School District.
Eager learners embark on new year
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009
The buses hadn’t yet pulled up outside Coleman Elementary School Wednesday morning, but Molly Pierce was already scurrying about the office, trying to work out transfers and other first-day-of-school problems.
Redistricting helped solve some of the principal’s problems with overcrowding last year. But with three schools failing the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test scores this year, which allowed students at those schools to transfer to Coleman and three other eligible schools, the overcrowding is back.
And a sign sat on an office file cabinet that read: “Thou shall not whine.”
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
First off, let me say I have nothing against Larry Buck. I like Mr. Buck and consider him a good man and a friend. We’re also kindred spirts in that we both like good music.
But there is, or was, depending on who you talk to, an effort under way to get the gazebo at Coleman Hawkins Park named “Buck Stage.”
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009
The specters of a failed levy and bond issue, poor MAP test scores, redistricting and school closings did little to dampen the spirts of the St. Joseph School District’s annual convocation Tuesday morning. Educators and support staff from every faction of the district sat like delegates in colored-coded school T-shirts. And when each school’s name was called, members showed their spirit with pom-poms, cheers, drums and noisemakers. It was a pep rally to welcome back and motivate district staff for the upcoming school year, which begins today — a hurrah going into a school year with a levy vote in November and after salary freezes and staff cuts.
Teachers’ career ladder in jeopardyMonday, Aug. 10, 2009
Legislative budget leaders in June notified Dr. Bert Schulte, commissioner of education, that the Career Ladder Program likely wouldn’t be funded after the 2009-10 school year.
The program offers financial rewards to teachers who do extra work in addition to their contracted duties.
“The General Assembly cannot assure that participants in the Career Ladder Program for the 2009-2010 school year and beyond will be supported by state appropriation, and these potential participants should be notified of these changes,” House Budget Chairman Allen Icet and Senate Appropriations Chairman Gary Nodler wrote.
School expenses put strain on some families
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009
Karen Kimmi didn’t wait for the sales tax weekend. She went back-to-school shopping with her three boys at the South Belt Wal-Mart early last week. “It’s too chaotic,” said the Horton, Kan., mother and high school math teacher. “It would be cheaper, I guess, but that weekend is too crazy.” Buying school clothes and supplies for two teenagers and a grade-schooler is no easy task for a single mother. And with two boys in three sports, it’ll cost at least $300 to get them both enrolled in school this year, Ms. Kimmi said. That’s why she brought along her mother, Mary Kimmi, for backup. “Mom bought their football cleats. That saved us $200,” Karen Kimmi said.
“Say it Plain” (Unity Music) - Scotty BarnhartFriday, Aug. 7, 2009
If Scotty Barnhart keeps us this pace, he’ll soon be a household name in jazz.
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Kansas City legend Karrin Allyson releases a 13 song retrospective of her career that features a variety of jazz musical styles.
Jackie Ryan "Doozy" (OpenArt)Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Jackie Ryan along with Cyrus Chesnut, Eric Alexander, Jeremy Pelt and Romero Lubambo on a romantic collection of bossa novas, standards and blues.
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
Cyrus Chesnut’s latest CD “Spirit” is an inspirational album of hymns. The Heath Brothers’ “Endurance” features Jimmy and Tootie Heath, and is the first recording since their brother Percy passed away in 2005.
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009
The late jazz vocalist Leon Thomas had a distinct baritone that he often used in fairly unconventional ways at times. For one, he yodeled, which was unheard of in jazz singing.
New teachers optimisticThursday, Aug. 6, 2009
The St. Joseph School District held a breakfast for its new teachers Wednesday morning at Stoney Creek Inn.
Program seeks to add to drug court successThursday, Aug. 6, 2009
Mike O’Grady began using drugs and alcohol at age 11. In ensuing years, he graduated to harder drugs before winding up a methamphetamine addict.
Living on TwitterWednesday, Aug. 5, 2009
According to Twitter, I’ve got 12 people following me. I’m afraid to leave my house now. I’m thinking about filing an ex parte order. That’s stalking, man.
Double-Booked” - Robert Glasper (Blue Note)Friday, July 31, 2009
The album bridges Glasper’s parallel careers as the leader of an acclaimed jazz trio and a first-call sideman with hip-hop artists such as Mos Def, Q Tip and The Roots.
St. Patrick Mexican Fiesta celebrates 40
Friday, July 31, 2009
A small group of men worked intently Thursday morning to build a stage entryway in time for the St. Patrick Mexican Fiesta.
They were not young men. Ray and Joe Canchola, Merced Barbosa and Ralph Alvarez have been part of the Mexican Fiesta for years.
Mr. Barbosa admitted they could use some younger hands.
“You see we’re here putting this up. There’s a lot of kids out there, high school kids not in school yet. Where are they?“ Mr. Barbosa asked no one in particular.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Community Task Force met Wednesday morning in the Hausman Metal Works & Roofing offices to discuss plans for moving forward on passing the school levy in November.
'The Gates moment'Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Early one morning, during an ice storm a couple of years ago, a neighbor woman locked her keys in her car and asked me for help.
She also locked her purse, which contained some sort of information for roadside assistance, in the car. Since the ice storm had shut off all the power in our neighborhood, I drove the woman down to the News-Press offices so she could regain the information from my computer.
It was barely light as we drove back. Only after I parked the car at the side of my house and got out did I notice that a police cruiser had followed me home. My first thought was that officer was there to unlock the woman’s car. Instead, he screamed at me to get back in the car.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Citizens Against Forever Tax won’t oppose the November school levy issue, its treasurer and spokesman says. But Ken Reeder is not entirely on board with the district’s campaign, either. That’s even with the district asking for 63 cents with a five-year sunset clause. “It’s one of those things now where it’s hard for me to be against it, because that was my main issue,” Mr. Reeder said. “They’ve included the sunset clause, which I don’t think is the right time. I think it should be moved to six years instead of five years so it doesn’t have to be run as a special election.”
Ramsey Lewis to Release Concord Jazz Debut, Songs From the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey,Tuesday, July 28, 2009
On September 29, Concord Jazz will release Songs From the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey, the debut Concord Jazz CD from iconic pianist/bandleader Ramsey Lewis.
Soulful newcomer Kristina Train to release her blue not debut "Spilt Milk" on Oct. 20Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Kristina Train—who was born in New York City and raised in Savannah, Georgia—has made an urbane, soulful, and lush debut that showcases her stunning voice.
School levy back on ballotTuesday, July 28, 2009
Get ready to vote again in November. During a special meeting Monday evening, the St. Joseph Board of Education voted to put the 63-cent operating levy with a five-year sunset clause on the Nov. 3 ballot. The board voted 6 to 1 in favor of the measure, with Dennis Snethen casting the dissenting vote. “I’ll never vote against kids. I just think it’s the wrong time,” he told his fellow board members.
School levy on November ballotMonday, July 27, 2009
During a special meeting Monday evening, the St. Joseph Board of Education voted to put the 63-cent operating levy with a five-year sunset clause on the Nov. 3 ballot. The board voted 6 to 1 in favor of the measure with Dennis Snethen casting the dissenting vote.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A recent study showed that more mentally ill adults across the country are being cared for in nursing homes. Missouri has one of the fastest-growing populations of this demographic.
Missouri’s nursing home population of mentally ill patients between ages 22 and 64 has increased by 76 percent since 2002, according to an Associated Press story reporting on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. That compares to a 41 percent increase on the national level in that time span. Missouri lags behind only Utah and Nevada in this population growth.
Take her out to the ballgame
Thursday, July 23, 2009
You just know she’ll be there. Everybody knows. A short, red-haired dynamo in Diamond Club gear, zipping like a fastball through the bleachers at Phil Welch Stadium.
One minute she’s selling 50/50 baseball raffle tickets, the next minute she’s selling hot dogs. But always she’s there, encouraging the home team to get on base, to get that last out.
Jeannie Tudor is as much a Phil Welch fixture as the green bleachers and the advertisement-covered center field wall.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Bill Brown first went into psychology because he didn’t like math. What he didn’t know was that part of his schooling involved something called statistics on psychology. “So I didn’t avoid anything,” he said. Now, more than 30 years after going to work for the Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare, Mr. Brown has avoided little in the way of assisting those in crisis.
JOB SEARCH
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