Sherman A1
Sherman A1's JournalHow Forai Handicrafts Help Refugee Women In St. Louis Make Friends, Money
For 10 years, an organization based in Maplewood has helped refugees attain the skills they need to earn an income, often without leaving their homes. It all began when Jennifer Owens and her family hosted some refugees from Nepal for Thanksgiving dinner. Her church had sought American families willing to connect with newcomers for the holiday. Owens was happy to help.
Inspired by her conversation with the single mother at her dinner table, Owens started an effort that would eventually become the nonprofit organization Forai, an acronym for Friends Of Refugees And Immigrants. From humble beginnings, it’s helped dozens of refugee women in St. Louis make friends — and money — through sewing and making jewelry.
On Thursday’s St. Louis on the Air, Owens joined host Sarah Fenske to discuss how the faith-based organization teaches new immigrants to the U.S. the skills they need to start businesses and make connections.
Also joining the conversation were Luzmila Buechler, an immigrant from Colombia and part of the jewelry team, and Ning Lun, a refugee from Burma and Forai’s assistant sewing coordinator.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/how-forai-handicrafts-help-refugee-women-st-louis-make-friends-money
St. Louis-Area LGBTQ Workers Prepare For 'Terrifying' Supreme Court Rulings In 2020
It’s a brisk Sunday morning, and nearly 100 people are singing hymns at the steps of St. Louis City Hall. The congregation, draped in rainbow flags and wearing jackets with blue-pink-and-white-striped transgender pride pins, hoists picket signs that demand civil rights for LGBTQ workers.
Among the protesters is Beth Gombos, who says they’re "terrified" by the possible outcomes of three ongoing U.S Supreme Court cases.
The court could rule next year that federal civil rights law doesn’t prevent employers from firing people for being gay, bisexual or transgender. If the court decides against the employees in the cases, Missouri’s estimated 180,000 LGBTQ adults would be left with little recourse against discrimination in the workplace.
“People are already fighting to keep their jobs,” Gombos said. “If anything, we need more protections. This would remove everything that we’ve got.”
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/st-louis-area-lgbtq-workers-prepare-terrifying-supreme-court-rulings-2020
On Chess: Not Particularly Beautiful
"Not Particularly Beautiful" is a chessboard I created with Daniel Meirom, in homage to women players who endure backlashes as they find new power, inspired by the chess queen.
The queen was once the weakest force on the board, only able to move one square diagonally. Games were long and tedious, as it was much harder to checkmate without the chief executioner.
'Is that Lady on Drugs?'
Around 1500, as powerful queens reigned in Europe, the piece rose to the potent powerhouse she is today. This faster, better game that we still play over five centuries later was initially derided as the "madwoman’s chess game."
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/chess-not-particularly-beautiful
On Chess: Not Particularly Beautiful
"Not Particularly Beautiful" is a chessboard I created with Daniel Meirom, in homage to women players who endure backlashes as they find new power, inspired by the chess queen.
The queen was once the weakest force on the board, only able to move one square diagonally. Games were long and tedious, as it was much harder to checkmate without the chief executioner.
'Is that Lady on Drugs?'
Around 1500, as powerful queens reigned in Europe, the piece rose to the potent powerhouse she is today. This faster, better game that we still play over five centuries later was initially derided as the "madwoman’s chess game."
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/chess-not-particularly-beautiful
Edwardsville Approves Shopping Bag Fee. Will Other Metro East Cities Follow Its Lead?
Edwardsville will become the first city in downstate Illinois to require retailers to charge for single-use plastic and paper shopping bags to help protect the environment.
Edwardsville City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that was first proposed by a grassroots organization called Bring Your Own Bag Glen-Ed. Members argued that single-use bags pollute land and water, harm wildlife and human health and waste resources.
“This action by our council is not going to save the planet, but it’s going to impact on Edwardsville, and it will start to address a problem,” said Ward 6 alderman Craig Louer.
The ordinance will go into effect April 1, 2020. Stores larger than 7,000 square feet will be required to charge 10 cents per bag and post signs at doors and cash registers. Smaller retailers, restaurants, pharmacists and other specified vendors are exempt.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/edwardsville-approves-shopping-bag-fee-will-other-metro-east-cities-follow-its-lead
Edwardsville Approves Shopping Bag Fee. Will Other Metro East Cities Follow Its Lead?
Edwardsville will become the first city in downstate Illinois to require retailers to charge for single-use plastic and paper shopping bags to help protect the environment.
Edwardsville City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that was first proposed by a grassroots organization called Bring Your Own Bag Glen-Ed. Members argued that single-use bags pollute land and water, harm wildlife and human health and waste resources.
“This action by our council is not going to save the planet, but it’s going to impact on Edwardsville, and it will start to address a problem,” said Ward 6 alderman Craig Louer.
The ordinance will go into effect April 1, 2020. Stores larger than 7,000 square feet will be required to charge 10 cents per bag and post signs at doors and cash registers. Smaller retailers, restaurants, pharmacists and other specified vendors are exempt.
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/edwardsville-approves-shopping-bag-fee-will-other-metro-east-cities-follow-its-lead
Circuit attorney appoints Captain Ron Johnson as law enforcement liaison
If St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner’s primary motive in appointing retired Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ronald Johnson as her law enforcement liaison was to repair a fractured relationship with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, she had the right idea.
“Captain Johnson has a great reputation and a strong law enforcement background,” St. Louis Police Chief John W. Hayden stated. “He is the ideal person to serve as the liaison.”
Gardner made the announcement on Wednesday, October 16. She stated that Johnson also will “lead efforts to enhance communication and collaboration” between her office and other law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Missouri.
http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/circuit-attorney-appoints-captain-ron-johnson-as-law-enforcement-liaison/article_bbe9e19c-f0ff-11e9-8d15-7bd964f6c522.html
Andrew Yang's 10-Hour Q&A Friday
The Q&A Will Run from 10 AM-8 PM Eastern on Friday
Yang will be answering questions for 10 hours live on Friday, October 18. The live Q&A will be broadcast on multiple platforms.
According to his campaign: “He will answer questions live for 10 hours, splitting time between a multiplatform livestream and posting answers online using channels including Twitter’s new Q&A service.”
The Q&A will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern on Friday, October 18 and run until 8 p.m. Eastern.
To submit a question go to
https://www.yang2020.com
Andrew Yang's 10-Hour Q&A Friday
The Q&A Will Run from 10 AM-8 PM Eastern on Friday
Yang will be answering questions for 10 hours live on Friday, October 18. The live Q&A will be broadcast on multiple platforms.
According to his campaign: “He will answer questions live for 10 hours, splitting time between a multiplatform livestream and posting answers online using channels including Twitter’s new Q&A service.”
The Q&A will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern on Friday, October 18 and run until 8 p.m. Eastern.
To submit a question go to
https://www.yang2020.com
County wipes clean $3.4M in inmate debt, County Council eliminated six jail fees in late August
Some of the region’s most vulnerable people and their families have had $3.4 million more to spend between them over the past two months because the St. Louis County Council listened to Lt. Col. Troy Doyle, interim director of the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services.
In July, Doyle advised that the county eliminate six jail fees, and the council passed an ordinance eliminating those fees in late August.
The county eliminated a $70 booking fee, $20 bond fee charged to someone who posts bond, a $2 fee charged each time an inmate is seen by a nurse, a $5 fee charged each time an inmate is seen by a dentist, a $5 fee for dispensing medication, and a $20 medical assessment fee charged each time an individual is incarcerated.
The fees were put in place by the St. Louis County Council in 2009.
http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/county-wipes-clean-m-in-inmate-debt-county-council-eliminated/article_25c12b90-f031-11e9-adb1-4b45636c4f59.html
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