All News Stories

Looking Ahead

Helping you get involved in your community

For nearly 3 1/2 years, Young Saint Louis.com has been telling about the interesting things St. Louis area kids do. This fall, we're setting up a new "early warning" system so you can get personally involved in those activities you enjoy.

For instance, the Challenger Education Center won't begin its public space exploration sessions until November. But, your teacher or parents ought to make reservations now.

In the September edition, YSL.com will provide a continuous link to the Challenger website. That way, you can make your reservations right from your computer.

And, as the November opening nears, YSL.com will provide easy-to-access opening updates. Also, you'll be able to follow the addition of future events as they are added.

That direct Challenger link will be listed on our expanded Resources page.

In addition, we'll be including links to many other programs you might like to join.

Now, the Resources page lists individual links that were included in articles from past YSL.com editions.

But, starting Sept. 1, we'll include continuous logo links to many other interesting programs and activities. Those links will be there each month, even if there isn't a news article about the program in that edition.

There'll be listings in areas as: Sports/Outdoors, Government, Music, Science, Careers, Environment, Citizenship, Finances, History. Hobbies, Health, Reading and Profiles.

For instance, in the History category, there will be continuous access to the Lewis&Clark bicentennial celebration. In this August edition, there is a full story on Lewis&Clark, with some individual links.

Next month, there probably won't be a specific story. But, you might like to keep track of developments. When you open the September edition of YSL.com, you can go to the Resources area and find those website links.

In the Careers area, YSL.com will provide a continuous link to the Pathfinder website. That tells of a University of Missouri-St. Louis program that helps elementary and middle school students begin planning for college and a career.

You might like to suggest your school get involved in that program. And you'll be able to tell your teacher just how to do that by showing the YSL.com link to Pathfinder.

In the Hobbies area, we will be listing the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. Last year, we ran a story just before the spring festival so you and your family could attend.

But, maybe this year, you'd like to be a storyteller on stage rather than in the audience.

By linking to the festival website early this fall, you'll be able to find a mentor to help you create your own act. Then, maybe next spring, you'll be performing at the festival, rather than just listening.

Here are a few of the programs and activities that will be linked continuously, starting in September. (We'll also plan to keep adding other opportunities for you in future months.)

Sports/Outdoors:

Read, Right, Run, a year-long kids program tied to the 2004 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials; and Conservation Frontiers, an awards program where kids volunteer to help create better outdoor opportunities in St. Louis.

Environment:

Choose Environmental Excellence, Gateway Region (CEEGR), a program that helps schools and individuals participate in clean earth and water projects.

Citizenship:

Citizenship Education Clearing House (CECH), a program that helps school kids develop improvement projects in their own communities.

Music:

Young Heroes in Music, a program honoring outstanding young African-American musicians. It's sponsored by KFUO Radio, Classic 99.

Finances:

The Stock Market Game, a program where kids compete to find out who are the best investors. Their stock market portfolios are compared to other teams across Missouri.

Individual Achievement:

Young Achievers of St. Louis, this program annually honors St. Louis area kids for outstanding school, church and community activities; Do the Right Thing, this program honors individuals who provide outstanding community service.

 

News

Lewis&Clark re-enactment is big news

St. Louisans have important roles in the nation's bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery cross-country trip. And they are making it possible for you to follow all the action on your computer or those at school.

Three Wydown Middle School teachers have taken leaves of absence from teaching to be a part of this exciting 3-year project.

In fact, one teacher, Scott Mandrell, has the role of Merriwether Lewis during the cross-country re-enactment of the exploration trip.

The other two Clayton School District teachers on leave are Tim Gore and Jim Strum. Gore is coordinator of the Lewis and Clark Education Initiative. Strum is the technology coordinator for the re-enactment tour.

You can follow movements of the re-enactment party on the Education Initiative's website, at www.lewisandclark.net. Also, past programs will be archived on Apple Computer's educational resource site at www.ali.apple.com/lewisandclark.

(Young Saint Louis.com will be cooperating with the Lewis and Clark Education Initiative to provide local coverage. Also, you, in future months, will be able to link to the Initiative website through our Resources tab at the top of the YSL.com home page.)

Gore said the Initiative website will provide almost daily coverage of tour activities. While Mandrell is acting the part of Lewis, Strum will be recording the action. That will be posted almost immediately on the website.

The technology crew has wireless transmission equipment. That way, real-time reports can get on the website even from remote locations.

For instance, in July, Mandrell rode by horseback from Harper's Ferry, Va., to Pittsburgh, Pa. That was Lewis' mode of transportation when he traveled to pick up his river boat from a Pittsburgh boat-builder.

Another feature of the Initiative's website is a regularly updated calendar of coming events. The Lewis and Clark.net website will handle live broadcasts when available.

Also, another website feature will be a "then and now" diary. On one side of a split-screen will be daily entries from the original Lewis and Clark diary.

On the other side, Mandrell and others will post their own current-day diary. You'll read about what Lewis and Clark saw 200 years ago and what Mandrell is seeing now.

There's all sorts of neat information from people from Washington, D.C., to Oregon. That covers the whole distance of Lewis and Clark's original journey.

One fun item on the website are recounts of "tall tales from the frontier." They are written Oregon writer Tom Laidlaw.

Of course, there are plenty of pictures from all over the country.

Another feature of the Education Initiative will be video conference lessons beamed into schools across the country. The first one in the 2003-2004 school year will be on Sept. 11 when there is a lesson on what Lewis and Clark did to prepare for their trip.

Later on in the fall, there will be a video conference from Cairo, Ill. That's where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers join. The Lewis and Clark expedition came down the Ohio and then up the Mississippi to get to St. Louis.

The Cairo program will focus on how Lewis and Clark planned to keep track of where they were. Once they started on the Missouri River at St. Louis they would be in unmapped territory.

It was at Cairo when Lewis and Clark tried out their sextant. That's an early navigation device most often used on uncharted oceans. In 1804, Lewis and Clark would be close to land but still might not know exactly where they were.

Another feature of Lewis and Clark coverage will be opportunities for kids to talk to other kids across the country. Kids will be able to exchange information via video conferencing.

One of the amazing things about the Lewis and Clark trip to and from the Pacific Ocean was how few casualties there were. There was only one death among a party that included up to 45 people at times. The only death was of a Sgt. Floyd, who died of an appendicitis.

And that covered a 3-year period in some of the remotest parts of the country.

Initiative workers encourage kids to become involved in re-enactment activities.

Gore urged kids to encourage their teachers to sign up for video conferences. That can be done by e-mailing Gore at lewisandclark@clayton.k12.mo.us. Or your teacher can print out and complete an Indication of Interest form from www.lewisandclark.net website.

And, you can watch further editions of Young Saint Louis.com for further stories.

 

Lifestyle

Local kids' artwork helps others who are ill

Genna Atkins of Eureka and Dakota Riddle of Waterloo, Ill., like to draw and paint. They found a way this year to use their talent to help sick kids at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

Eight-year-old Genna and 10-year-old Dakota were among 17 winners in the hospital's 2003 Cards for Kids art competition. The artwork has been made into Christmas cards that will raise money for kids' care in the hospital..

All the kids in Genna's class at Most Sacred Heart School in Eureka submitted Cards for Kids artwork in this year's competition. Genna's winning entry marked the second consecutive year a Most Sacred Heart student has had a winning entry.

Dakota's entry was an individual one. All other winners go to Catholic schools but Dakota goes to public school in Waterloo. He heard about the competition from an aunt, who works at Cardinal Glennon.

Kids in Genna's class all worked on their artwork in class. "There were 28 of us and we all entered as part of the art class," she said.

Dakota did his artwork at home and admits he had to rush to meet the contest's deadline.

"I heard about it early enough and had it on my schedule. But, I kept putting it off until near the deadline," he said.

A total of 1,500 kids submitted artwork during the 2003 annual art competition.

Besides Genna and Dakota, other winners were:

Nick Ahlemeyer, 13, St. Louis; Katie Fogarty, 10, Ballwin; Maddie Hopkins, 5, Washington, Mo.; Kathryn Jahneke, 13, Fenton; LeeAnn Karpel, 13, St. Louis; Annie Karpinski, 10, St. Louis; Abby Lappe, 9, Perryville, Mo.

Cory Mitchell, 12, St. Peters, Mo.; Matthew Simpson, 9, Ballwin, Mo.; Courtney Stankoven, 11, St. Peters, Mo.; Courtney Underhill, 11, Ballwin, Mo., and four others who submitted anonymous entries.

The Cards for Kids program was organized nine years ago to raise money for the Cardinal Glennon's Children Fund. The funds provide care for premature and critically ill infants and young accident victims.

(If you or your family would like to order boxes of cards, you can call (314) 577-5605 or 1-800-269-0552. Also, you can order online at www.glennon.org.

(For a look at other winning entries, click here and on Cards for Kids icon. )

Genna's early interest in art sometimes got her into trouble. When she was little, she often used crayons and markers on walls, the car or just about anywhere else around the house.

But, she's got better discipline now. She even got a big "art box" for Christmas last year. That means she's got a place to store all of her art supplies.

She can even claim to be a "professional" artist. That's because she received $50 for taking second place in a U.S. Power Squadron Youth Poster Contest. Her grandfather is a Power Squadron member and suggested she enter.

Most of her artwork at home involves drawings or paintings of animals, especially cats. She and her brother and sister have two cats and a small dog as pets.

But, Genna says she uses pictures of cats in books as models for her artwork. "I can't use Smokey Joe (one of her cats) because he can't stand still," she said.

Dakota uses his drawings or paintings to illustrate fictional stories he writes. He said he's written three long stories. One was about a shark attack. Another was about "make believe" dinosaurs. "Another was about my cousins but I used different names," he said.

Both art winners have lots of other interests.

Genna plays forward on a select soccer team this summer. She started playing in kindergarten but this is the first year on the Busch Select team.

She got a keyboard last Christmas and plans to start piano lessons in the fall.

Dakota started trumpet lessons last month so he can be in the school band this fall. He also plays football, baseball and baseball and in on a swim team.

Asked about the future, Genna thinks she'd like to be an artist and/or a teacher.

Dakota says he might like to be a pet store owner. He's getting lots of practice. His family lives on 10 acres outside of Waterloo. He's got 12 dogs, a horse and a goat.

 

Books

This month's book reviews

How a class assignment changes a girl's life

Sixth grader, Tessy LeClerc, wasn't the smartest kid or the most popular girl in her class. This was the grade in which Mrs. Ford, the most boring teacher in the world, required all the kids to give an oral report on some aspect of Vermont history. Mrs. Ford had already let it be known that the smartest kid in the room would be reporting on the great Revolutionary War figure, Ethan Allen, hero of Ticonderoga. So the smart kids were all hoping to get Ethan Allen as their assignment. Some had already started to prepare just in case they were the lucky one. But not Tessy. She was counting on some easy topic that wouldn't require much time or effort.

Tessy was a little different from the other kids. Her family lived on a small farm just out of town. Her dad had a few dairy cows and he drove the truck that picked up milk from other farmers and delivered it to the dairy. Mr. LeClerc was from a French family and his English sounded more like French than English. Most of the time he smelled like tobacco and the cow barn. Tessy loved her family but she really didn't want the kids at school to know much about them.

The big change in her life occurred when Mrs. Ford had to be absent from school because she went to stay with her daughter who just had a new baby. The substitute teacher, Mr. Santangelo, was totally unlike Mrs. Ford. First of all, he was a man. But, most surprising of all, he believed the kids should be in charge of their learning, not the teacher! He did not believe kids should be competing against each other in the classroom. He wasn't about to assign the Ethan Allen report to the smartest kid in class. So guess who got the assignment. Yes, Tessy LeClerc was to report on Ethan Allen!

In this book we learn all about Ethan Allen and the Battle of Ticonderoga. But we learn about it in the most amazing way. Tessy starts her report by talking about things she thinks the kids will find interesting and entertaining. Mr. Santangelo keeps telling her to do more preparation and come back with more important information about the famous Vermont figure. So she does. Again and again she brings in a report with new information. Again and again Mr. Santangelo tells her that she must bring in more facts about Ethan Allen.

The kids like Tessy's reports because she tells such odd things about their state hero. The funniest part of the book is when the class goes to Ticonderoga to see the battlefield. Tessy even gives one segment of her report at the historical site. Her loud and smelly father goes along as one of the parents on the field trip. Oh, such embarrassment!

To Tessy's dismay, Mrs. Ford comes back and takes over the class before Mr. Santangelo has given Tessy a grade for her report. Has she done all this work for nothing?

This is a fun book to read. It is so different from what you would expect from the title.

 

Son of Jewish immigrants placed in orphanage on death of parents in New York of 1920's

David Caros is only eleven years old when his father is killed in an accident at his work. His mother had died at his birth. His relatives had joked that he had continued to cause trouble ever since. He wasn't a bad kid. He just couldn't keep from moving around all the time. His older brother, Gideon, on the other hand, was quiet and never got into trouble.

When their father was killed, an uncle was willing to take Gideon to live with his family in Chicago. Nobody was willing to keep Dave. His stepmother and aunts took him to the Hebrew Home for Boys, an orphanage. An angry Dave found out later that the other orphans called the home HHB or "Hell Hole for Brats."

His very first night in the home Dave manages to get out by climbing over a wall. He roams the streets of New York in only his pajamas and slippers. He meets a wide array of new friends and manages to be welcomed into some unusual parties. The trouble was that on returning to the home, he was caught and punished. That's how he came to find out why Mr. Bloom, the director of the orphanage, was called "Mr. Doom" by the other boys.

Even though he was under close watch after his first outside adventure, Dave, with the help of friends both inside and outside HHB, managed to spend other nights outside the walls. He knew he could make it on his own outside, but could he bring himself to leave the good buddies he had made in the home? He was the one who had helped them deal with the bullies who previously had made their lives even more miserable than Mr. Doom had.

"Dave at Night" is a historical novel for kids that gives the readers insight into life in an orphanage and into one part of New York society of the 1920's.

 

Can a human child raised by dolphins
ever live happily among humans?

A young girl had gone down at sea in a plane crash at the age of four. Years later a strange-appearing teenage girl is recovered from an uninhabited island off the coast of Florida. She can only make the squealing sounds that dolphins make and she likes to eat raw fish. The teenager, newly named Mila, turns out to be the lost four-year-old. She had been adopted by a female dolphin and raised as a dolphin in a family group or pod of the sea animals.

Mila turns out to be extremely bright and begins to pick up human language very quickly. Government researchers are intrigued at the possibility that Mila might eventually teach the scientists working with her the language of dolphins. Mila is not happy at being separated from her dolphin family, but she tries hard to please her human captors. When music is introduced to her, she finds an outlet for her pain and, temporarily, it appears she might adjust to human society.

Gradually Mila comes to realize that she is simply an object to be studied and later used for human purposes. Her human captors can never accept her as one of them. She begins to turn inward and slowly loses the gains made early in her captivity. Will government controlled researchers ever allow her to return to her happy life with the dolphins?

Any reader who values his or her own differences from others will come to empathize with Mila and her terrible loneliness.

 

A mountain boy rebels against helping
his father make illegal whiskey

Tom Higgins is only twelve years old but his father is teaching him a trade. Tom's father, just like his ancestors, has a reputation for making the best moonshine whiskey in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. One big problem is that it is the 1920's, the era of Prohibition, and making whiskey is a violation of federal law.

Tom's mother had taken his two younger sisters and left him and his father when Tom was only a six -year-old. So his father is his only family now and Tom wants very much to please him. He tries hard to learn how to make good moonshine like his dad. His way of life is upset when a preacher moves into the hollow with his wife and a daughter who is about the same age as Tom. The preacher is constantly preaching against the evils of drinking and is even willing to tell government revenue agents where to find hidden stills where whiskey is being made. On the other hand, the preacher wants to start a school so kids like Tom can learn to read and be successful in a changing world.

The little mountain community is also being invaded by "bootleggers" from the city who want to buy up all the moonshine whiskey that the mountain people can produce. These bootleggers don't care how the whiskey is made or even if it might be dangerously poisonous. Tom also starts to see that whiskey drinking often turns men into wife beaters and brutes who terrorize their own children. How can he continue to help his father make whiskey after he has seen the havoc drinking can cause?

While you are reading "Moonshiner's Son" you feel a part of a different time and a different place. Tom Higgins' problems become your problems and you become fully involved in his efforts to live up to his newly-acquired values without losing the respect of his tough-minded father.

 

Outdoors

Two local kids in international
Youth Hunting test

Fourteen-year-old Ashley Metzger went on her first hunting trip when she was 11 years old. But, she didn't bag her first deer until last November.

The Parkway South High School freshman said getting her first deer "was very exciting."

Last month, Ashley represented Missouri in the international Youth Hunter Education Challenge competition. She was in the junior division at Raton, New Mexico.

Sixteen-year-old James Vest of Crestwood was the local senior division representative.

Both kids are members of the Show-Me Shooters. That group is headquartered at the Missouri Conservation Department's Jay Hentges Range in southwest St. Louis County.

The Youth Hunter Challenge combines competitions in weapon skills and hunter safety.

The kids compete in four weapons categories: shotgun, muzzle-loaders, .22-caliber rifles and archery.

There are also four "academic" competitions: hunter safety, wildlife identification, hunter responsibility and orienteering. Orienteering tests kids' ability to find their way in the outdoors with only a compass and some basic charts.

The local Youth Hunter Education Challenge is open to kids from 11 to 19 years of age. You can find out how you can join by checking the Missouri YHEC website at: www.moyhec.com.

Or you can contact Jan G. Morris of Imperial, Mo. His number is (636) 464-6214 or e-mail him at MoYhec@aol.com. Registration for the 2003-2004 season is on Oct. 16.

Ashley said she learned about the need for hunter safety on her very first hunt. Many of her hunting trips are on a southern Missouri farm owned by a friend of her grandfather.

"One of the conditions for hunting on the land was that we always had radio contact when we were in the field. That's so we could communicate if anything happened," she said.

Ashley said interest in hunting runs in her family. Her first deer hunting trip was with her grandfather. In addition, her father and older sister also hunt. "And my two younger sisters are anxious to go too," she said.

James Vest was on a return trip to the international competition. This is his third year as a member of the Show-Me Shooters.

Both kids used their own weapons in the competition, including the old-style muzzle-loaders. However, you can be a Show-Me Shooter member without owning all the weapons. The club has weapons that you can borrow for practices and competitions.

James said he has two shotguns, a muzzle-loader, a .22 rifle and two archery bows.

James said his first hunting trip was on a "guided hunt" for ducks two years ago. He said he bagged one duck during that hunt.

Since then he's been hunting for deer, turkey, squirrel and rabbit.

Ashley said she went on her first turkey hunt last spring. But, she said she didn't get any birds because "mean people with loud dogs were riding ATVs nearby."

To be successful in most hunting efforts, you have to keep quiet so as not to scare off the wildlife.

Both of the kids take part in other activities.

James plans to play lacrosse this school year and he's on the school chess team. He also likes to do free-style drawing. Most of his artwork is in pencil and shows outdoor scenes.

Ashley has been refereeing soccer games involving kids from kindergarten to second grade. She said, "It's so much fun to watch these little kids play."

She said, "When they kick the ball, it's a big accomplishment. After the kick, they tend to stand around and watch the ball. The coaches keep telling them to chase the ball."

Ashley said she's planning to try out for color guard this fall. The girls perform with the school's marching band.

Asked what she likes best about the outdoors, Ashley said, "The pretty colors."

James said, "You can always find something new to do in the outdoors."

(YSL.com has featured the Youth Hunter Education Challenge previously. To look at an earlier story from August, 2001, click here.)

 

Entertainment

Second-choice instruments for young musicians

When they started in music, Alexandria Sayles wanted to play the violin and George Harper III, the trumpet. But, both ended up playing different instruments.

Now, both are very satisfied with their second choices.

Thirteen-year-old Alexandria tried out for her school band four years ago. But, the director only accepted violin players who already knew how to play the instrument.

"I was stuck with the clarinet. But, I liked it after I started to play it," she said. Alexandria recently graduated at Parkway Central Middle School and will be a freshman this fall.

Thirteen-year-old George said, "I signed up to play the trumpet in the school band. But, the mouthpiece was too small." His band director suggested he try the trombone and he's been at it ever since.

The two young musicians also share another common experience. Both are recipients of Whitaker Foundation grants that pay most of their fees for private lessons.

The Whitaker grant can pay over 90 per cent of the cost of private music lessons. Free-lunch students pay only $2 per lesson and reduced-cost students pay only $5. Such lessons can cost as much as $40 apiece.

Initially, the Whitaker grants were available only to young musicians in the Normandy School District. George is in that district.

But, the program has been expanded to include promising musicians in the Parkway School District. That's where Alexandria is a student.

To be eligible for a grant, a kid needs at least one year of school band or orchestra and a music teacher's recommendation. There also has to be a financial need.

If you would like more information about the Whitaker program, contact Tricia Oates, KFUO's educational initiatives director. Her office number is (314) 505-7814.

Alexandria is actually getting financial help for lessons for two different instruments.

The Whitaker grant pays for her clarinet lessons. But, her church is helping to finance her piano lessons. That's because she plays piano during worship services at the St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist Church.

She also played for Christmas and Easter services. She did a solo during a Midnight Mass.

But, her outside activities include more than music. She is a member of the Matthews Dickey swim team and has competed in meets as far away as Atlanta, Ga. She said her best stroke is the free-style.

She plans to try out for the Parkway Central swim team this fall.

Recently, she was featured in an article in Splash magazine. She had her name picked in a drawing that resulted in a profile of her.

George also has a sports interest. He's a catcher on his YMCA baseball team this summer.

Alexandria said she isn't sure about a career in music. For now, she's aiming to go to law school at Harvard University. She has a cousin who is a JAG lawyer in the U.S. Navy.

Asked what she likes about music, Alexandria said, "I like the fact that it makes me unique. All my friends had dropped out of music by the sixth grade." She added, "I'm also the only kid playing at our church."

George said his interest in music is a very practical one. "I got interested after I found out I might be able to go to college on a music scholarship," he said.

He said he's likely to pursue a career as an accountant or an investment banker. He said his favorite class in school is math.

Both musicians have had a lot of chances to perform. In addition to playing in their school bands, each has done recitals with their private-lesson teachers. Also, the Whitaker scholarship students get together for a spring concert every year.

George said he "likes to perform in front of people," even if he does get nervous before every concert. He said he usually warms up about 15 minutes before every performance.

He said he knows he'll have to continue to improve if he's going to get a college scholarship. He said, "I need to work on extending my range of notes."

George has one private lesson a week. Then, he practices from 30 to 45 minutes each day.

Both of the musicians play mostly classical music. However, Alexandria said she does like hip-hop music.

 

A YSL.com followup

Four years later, young musician heads to college

Ketsia Theodor was among the first kids featured on the Young Saint Louis.com website. At that time, her story told of her winning a 4-year music scholarship to a local private high school.

At that time, the 14-year-old native of Haiti was given an OPUS music scholarship to attend Thomas Jefferson School in south St. Louis. She had only been in the U.S. for only two years.

The OPUS scholarship was offered jointly by KFUO-Classic 99 radio station and Thomas Jefferson School. The small school is the only non-military boarding school in Missouri.

Ketsia would stay at the school five days a week and then with her parents on weekends.

Ketsia is now 18 and has been accepted at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. That is her choice from among six small Midwest liberal arts colleges to offer her a place in their freshman classes.

Although she's continued her piano lessons through high school, she isn't planning a musical career.

"I've considered my options and I think I'll do better in law," Ketsia said.

However, she's undecided on what branch of law she favors. But, she's not worried. "The law is very versatile; you can do so many different things with a law degree," she said.

Ketsia's life so far has a little magical feel to it.

While living in Haiti in the Caribbean, Ketsia decided she wanted to play the piano because one of her cousins did. She admits she had to nag her father and mother before they agreed she could have lessons.

Then, the family moved to St. Louis. Her local music teacher liked her talent. She told Ketsia about the new OPUS scholarship program. She auditioned and received the first scholarship that was awarded.

At Thomas Jefferson, she studied a wide range of courses and also participated in school activities. Besides her music, she played varsity soccer, some tennis and worked on the school newspaper.

When she sent out her inquiries about college, she focused mostly on small Midwest private schools.

Ketsia said most of the colleges asked her a standard question about what she thought she'd bring to their school. "I told them that with my religious and Haitian background, I could bring a lot to school discussions," she said.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Also, Ketsia is a third-generation member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

She also brings a knowledge of French and Creole languages along with English.

One thing about college in Minnesota is the question of the winter weather.

"I'm from Haiti where the weather is hot," she said. But, she and her family have lived in St. Louis for six years. "Last winter, I finally started to get used to winter," she said.

However, she knows that Minnesota winters are likely to be much colder. But, she's looking forward to the challenge of both the weather and college.

 

Sports

Waterloo, Ill., sisters follow bike trails

Sisters Courtney and Tiffany Harbison were among hundreds of bicycle riders on last month's Fair Saint Louis Riverfront Bike Ride. The 27.6-mile route they rode was the longest distance they'd ever done.

The Fair Saint Louis routes were typical of the outstanding biking opportunities available for St. Louis-area bikers. For instance, the Fair Saint Louis ride included a first chance to ride across the Mississippi River on the newly-reopened Eads Bridge.

The historic bridge was completely refurbished to allow for pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

For the Harbison girls, this ride included two river crossings. They started on the Illinois side of the Eads Bridge. After crossing high above the river, they and their parents headed north on the Missouri side.

They re-crossed the Mississippi on the Chain of Rocks Bridge and then went south to return to their starting point.

The girls admitted they had to stop several times to rest. After all, temperatures at Fair Saint Louis time are almost always hot. This year, they did their ride in temperatures over 90 degrees.

Courtney said, "We stopped five or six times." The kids favorite stop was after crossing the Chain of Rocks Bridge when they made their "custard stop."

The Fair Saint Louis ride organizers had rest stops placed along the various bike routes.

Courtney said, "I had a hot dog at one stop and cookies at another." But, she added, "I think that all I drank was water during the whole ride."

Tiffany said the Eads Bridge crossing was the first time she'd ridden over the Mississippi on a bike. She said the crossing offered a neat view of downtown St. Louis.

Most of the time, when the Harbisons take a bike trip, they go to places with extra sightseeing opportunities.

That's where Trailnet comes in. The local not-for-profit group was a sponsor of the Fair Saint Louis ride. The group was set up years ago to develop multi-use recreational trails and greenways in metro St. Louis.

Also, the group sponsors the Bicycle Fun Club. That organizes special bike trips which are usually tied to area historic sites or community events.

For instance, in August, the Club will have the following rides:

• Aug. 3, the New Memphis BBQ Ride starting in Mascoutah, Ill.
• Aug. 9: the Yellow Dog Ride from Hamel, Ill.
• Aug. 17: a new Grafton Ferry Ride starting in Orchard Farm, Mo.
• Aug. 24: Annie's Frozen Custard Ride, starting in Edwardsville, Ill.

Trailnet's rides vary in distance and terrain. For instance, the New Memphis and Grafton Ferry rides are for beginning cyclists. But, the Frozen Custard ride involves longer distances and is good for kids with more experience.

(For more information about Trailnet and its activities, visit www.trailnet.org.)

Nine-year-old Courtney Harbison and her 8-year-old sister, Tiffany, are from Waterloo, Ill. They've been riding bikes since they were three and four. Of course, their first bikes were tiny and had training wheels.

But, they've both graduated to 21-speed Giant bicycles so they can handle rougher terrain and longer distances. The only thing different about each bikes is the color. Courtney's is pink and Tiffany's is blue.

So far, the Harbison girls have been on a half-dozen organized rides.

One of the rides that Courtney liked the best was a 15-mile ride sponsored by a hostelling group. That ride was at Sullivan, Mo., and involved an overnight stay.

Tiffany thought her favorite was a 25-mile ride held in conjunction with a strawberry festival at St. Jacob, Mo. She liked that ride best because, for completing the ride, the cyclists got special strawberry shortcake desserts.

One thing that made it extra special, the shortcake is topped by both ice cream and whipped cream.

Trailnet says the St. Jacob ride is one of the most popular among all their scheduled rides.

The girls say they plan to take other organized rides later this summer.

Tiffany doesn't wait for her parents to plan the rides. She oftentimes will ask her sister and parents to go for a little ride around their home. Since they live in the country outside Waterloo, her "little rides" often involve several miles to a neighboring town.

 

Profile

Third in a series

Young Achiever wants to be astronaut

Ten-year-old Alexander Ecklund knows he wants to be an astronaut. And he's already taken the first political step to making that happen.

The young Wildwood resident thinks his best chance would be to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He said that's because the academy "produces the most astronauts per year of any college."

But he knows each academy appointment must be endorsed by a U.S. congressman. So Alexander already has written to tell U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (Rep., Mo.) of his interest.

Alexander said, "He wrote back and said I needed to be older. Of course, I already knew that. But, he did give me a lot of other good stuff." Alexander plans to keep reminding Representative Akin of his interest in the coming years.

By the time he enters college, Alexander will certainly have a very full resume. He's already done enough things in school, church and community to be named a 2003 St. Louis Young Achiever of the Year.

(Young Saint Louis.com first announced the Achiever winners in May, 2003. Since then, YSL.com has been running profiles of individual elementary and middle school winners. To read the May announcement story, click here.

(To read a June profile on Kristen Delia, click here. To read a July profile on Meghan Biotnott, click here. For more about the program, visit www.iln-gateway.org.)

Alexander will be in 5th grade at Babler Elementary School in the fall. But, he's certainly not just waiting around for school to start. His summer program is very busy and varied.

In sports, he played baseball with the Ellisville Rams team in early summer and he's also on a competitive swim team.

On the first day after school was out in June, Alexander was on his way to a week-long space camp. It was at the U.S. space installation at Huntsville, Ala. There, he got to experience the weightlessness and strong G-forces that the astronauts feel in space flight.

When he got back, he rented a violin so he could attend a summer music camp. In Alexander's elementary school, all fourth graders have mandatory violin classes. In later grades, music classes are voluntary.

Alexander decided to continue violin this fall. He went to the music camp to get ready.

Another summer activity involves Mr. Snuffles. He was the hamster in Alexander's 4th grade class. In a year-ending auction, Alexander made the winning bid for Mr. Snuffles.

The hamster is now on the living room table in the Ecklund home in Wildwood.

Alexander's Achiever award was based on his school, church and community accomplishments through the end of 2002.

In school, he ranked in the 96th percentile for science and 93rd percentile in reading. He also attended his school district's accelerated Creative Education Center.

One class he especially liked was architecture. His favorite architect is Frank Lloyd Wright. One of Alexander's class projects was to design on a computer-generated floor plan for a family residence.

"I designed a home for a scientist and his family who lived in Antarctica or Alaska," he said. One of the features of the two-story home was lots of indoor recreation area. "They certainly couldn't play outdoors," he said.

In Cub Scouts, he's almost completed the Webelos program. As a part of that, he turned out to be the top seller in the group's fund-raising project.

Last November, Alexander had popcorn sales of $4,098 around his neighborhood. That made him the top sales person in the whole district.

"We had our whole living room completely filled with cans of popcorn. We even put the customers' names in a computer database so we could keep track of them." he said.

The sales period was all of November, 2002. But, he accomplished his sales in just three weeks. "I took one week off for my grandmother's funeral," he said.

Then, there is his ACE Birdhouse Co. Alexander made and sold birdhouses so he could earn $200 needed to attend a baseball camp in Fenton.

His birdhouses come in different models to suit different types of birds. There were three models of bluebird houses. And then there were the robin "ledges" because "robins like to make their nest in the open," he said.

 

St. Louis History

From Missouri History Museum

First steamboat arrives here in 1817

St. Louis has a long history of river travel and commerce. And, for many years, the steamboat was the transportation of choice on the river.

On August 2, 1817, the first steamboat arrived in St. Louis. It was smaller than many of the keelboats that were on the Mississippi River.

Named the Zebulon M. Pike, the steamboat certainly wasn't overpowered. At times, crew members used poles to help the engine move the boat. (A note: Pike's Peak in Colorado is named after the same man.)

There were a lot of steamboat firsts in those early 1800s. In 1819, the steamboat Independence was the first to navigate the Missouri River. In 1823, a steamboat named the Virginia was the first to navigate the Mississippi from St. Louis all the way to Fort Snelling, which is now Minneapolis, Minn.

By the 1830s, steamboats had larger engines and made better times. For instance, to travel by steamboat from New Orleans to St. Louis could be accomplished in 12-14 days. A keelboat took 90-100 days (that's about three months).

According to St. Louis historian William B. Faherty, by 1841, St. Louis had 186 steamboats land a total of 1928 times. Those boats discharged 263,681 tons of goods, Faherty said.

St. Louis was the second busiest port on the Missisippi, behind only New Orleans.

During the Civil War, a steamboat on its way from New Orleans to St. Louis became "America's worst maritime disaster." That's when the steamboat Sultana exploded with 2,400 passengers aboard shortly after leaving Memphis.

The total death toll was over 1,800. That's more lives than were lost in the famed ocean liner Titanic's collision with an iceberg in the north Atlantic Ocean.

For this and more Mississippi steamboat history can be seen on the following website: www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/steamboat.htm.

 

Key Missouri Civil War battle
was in August, 1861.

The Civil War battle that left Missouri with two state governments was fought August 10, 1861. It was named the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

An illustration of that battle is in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

In that battle, pro-slavery Missourians bitterly fought anti-slavery Missourians. Then Governor Jackson headed the Missouri government that sided with the south. He was forced to flee and set up a government-in-exile when the Union Army triumphed.

By 1865, the pro-Union Governor Thomas C. Fletcher was in office when Missouri became the first slave state to outlaw slavery.

Many of Missouri's Civil War battles were small. But, at war's end, Missouri was the scene of the second most armed conflicts of any state. The Union's victorious general, Ulysses S. Grant, started his Civil War career in St. Louis.

You can find lots more about the state's Civil War history by logging on:
www.missouricivilwarmuseum.org/history.htm.

 

August birthdays for both Lewis and Clark

Young Saint Louis.com will be featuring lots of news about Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the coming months. The bicentennial of the Corps of Discovery Expedition to explore the western United States is coming soon.

One bit of trivia that centers in August is that both men had August birthdays.

Lewis was born on August 18, 1774. That made him just 29 years old when the Corps of Discovery trip began in 1804.

Clark was four years older. He was born on August 1, 1770. He was 33 when the famed trip up the Missouri River started.

This is just one piece of information to be found on www.lewisandclarktrail.com.

 

Lots of firsts in St. Louis history in August

The St. Louis police department was the first one in the U.S. to use fingerprinting. The first interstate highway section was built in St. Charles County.

Also, a Missouri Botanical Garden researcher identified the first plant virus.

Then, there was the duel that fatally wounded a local congressman and an Army major.

These were among August news events that occurred in St. Louis's past.

(These are just some of the interesting historical notes in local historian Joe Sonderman's book, "St. Louis, 365." The book is available in local book stories or can be obtained at www.booksonline.com.)

Here are just a few of the 157 historical events included in the book's August chapter:

Aug. 1, 1904: The St. Louis Police Department became the first in the nation to use the fingerprint method of identification. It had been demonstrated at the World's Fair by Scotland Yard detectives, who said it was foolproof.

August 3, 1938: The Art Museum announced the purchase of a $14,000 Egyptian bronze sculpture of a cat. The cat purchase ignited a controversy that captured national attention, at a time when the city was still suffering the effects of the Great Depression. The papers were bombarded with letters to the editor, and the city threatened to cut the museum tax rate in half. (Later in the month, the city did cut the museum tax rate by 50 per cent.)

August 6, 1970: The St. Louis County Council allowed the city of Black Jack to incorporate. A 10-year battle over incorporation began when the city voted to allow only single-family housing units, in an effort to head-off a proposed federally assisted apartment complex (which was thought to encourage African-Americans to come to the city.) The fight went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The name "Black Jack" comes from two massive black "Jack Oak" trees that stood at Parker and Old Halls Ferry in the 1800s. (In the 1990s, Black Jack was identified as the metro area city with the highest per-family income for African-Americans.)

August 12, 1974: Negro League great James "Cool Papa" Bell was inducted into the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame. Bell played for the St. Louis Stars, among other teams. He was the fastest man ever to play the game, once clocked rounding the bases in just 12 seconds. Bell once stole 175 bases in under 200 games.

August 13, 1956: Construction began on a short stretch of I-70 in St. Charles, near the present-day Fifth Street exit. Those few miles of I-70 were the very first of over 40,000 miles of interstate built in the United States. At the time, the population of all of St. Charles County was about 40,000. The construction of the interstate launched a population boom that continues to this day.

August 19, 1926: Doctor Benjamin Duggar of the Missouri Botanical Garden startled the scientific community with the announcement that he had discovered a lower form of life than any known at the time. He blamed the "virus" for several diseases in the plant world and said further research might link them to diseases in the animal kingdom.

August 25, 1900: The 12th U.S. census showed that St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the nation. The population of the city had increased more than 123,000 since 1890, placing it behind only New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

August 26, 1831: Major Thomas Biddle and Congressman Spencer Pettis mortally wounded each other in a duel on Bloody Island (now part of the East St. Louis riverfront). While campaigning, Pettis criticized Biddle's brother, who ran the Bank of the United States here. Biddle barged into the Congressman's room and horsewhipped him.

August 29, 1977: Lou Brock broke Ty Cobb's career stolen base mark, swiping his 893rd in a game at San Diego. The Redbirds lost the game, 4-3. Rickey Henderson now holds the major league record. But, Lou still holds the National League mark.

 

Things to do

Places to go, Things to do

St. Louis County Fair and Air Show in August

What Fair Saint Louis is to Fourth of July, the St. Louis County Fair and Air Show is to Labor Day weekend. This year's fair and air show is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

The show site is the Spirit of St. Louis Airport fairgrounds in Chesterfield.

The show is for everyone. But, there are plenty of things especially interesting to kids.

Among the kid-friendly events are: Faust Park Historical Village, the County Parks Kids Town, carnival rides, static aircraft displays, the Purina Farm's Petting Zoo and, of course, plenty of fireworks.

The world-famous Anheuser Busch Clydesdales also will be there.

For information, call (636) 530-9FUN or see the fair's website at www.stlcofair.org.

 

Other St. Louis County events in August

* Ice Grass Sledding

A special event that goes well with August's hot weather is Ice Grass Sledding.

That's scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9. The event will be at the Big Hill at Sioux Passage Park.

This doesn't involve sliding on frozen grass. Rather, kids slide down the grassy slope on a big block of ice.

Park officials recommend you wear old clothes. Also, bring along a heavy towel or a carpet square so you don't get too cold while riding the block of ice.

There is a $5 fee. Advanced registration is required so call (314) 615-4386.

* Fun Down at the Creek

Another fun event for August that requires special clothing is Fun Down at the Creek.

That involves taking a "safari" along Gravois Creek. The event is scheduled for Clydesdale Park on Sunday, Aug. 17. It starts at 2 p.m.

There's a $3 fee. Advanced registration is recommended so call (314) 615-4386.

You'll sample water quality and search for aquatic critters and fish. You're likely to get wet so a change of shoes is advisable.

* Archery for Kids

A recurring outdoor summer event at St. Louis County Parks is Archery for Kids.

The August event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24, from 9-11 a.m. It will be held at Bruder Park's North Archery Range.

Then, a final archery event of the summer will be at Bruder Park on September 6.

There is a $5 fee and advanced registration is required. Call (314) 615-4386.

 

Japanese Festival at Botanical Garden

This year's Japanese Festival will be held at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Aug. 30-Sept. 1. That's another fine Labor Day Weekend event for the whole family.

Hours on Saturday and Sunday are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours on Monday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $3 for members. Children 12-under, free.

All sorts of Japanese activities and events are included. They include martial arts, Taiko drummers, candlelight tours, kimono fashion shows and various Japanese botanical arts.

For 24-hour festival information, call (314) 577-9400.

 

Math Puzzler

All Math Puzzlers for August are word puzzles

Mr. Math Puzzler has provided six elaborate, but not super-hard, word puzzles for August. That's a fun way to end the summer vacation and get ready for the 2003-2004 school year.

All these Puzzlers can be answered with numbers. But, sometimes, the best way to figure the answers are to use line pictures or charts.

Unlike July, all of these Puzzlers have only one answer. Last month, Mr. Math Puzzler--math teacher Wayne Hesse--had questions with some leeway in them. Some even had more than one correct answer.

Young Saint Louis.com continued the Math Puzzlers all through the summer. That way, you could keep your math reasoning skills sharp. They provided an opportunity to sit in the shade with friends and have a little competition.

If this is your first time with the Math Puzzlers, you might like to review past questions and answers to find out how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.

YSL.com Math Puzzlers started two years ago. Using the Past Stories tab on the home page, bring up a past edition and review questions and answers. The answers to one month's questions are included in the next month's edition.

(To see the July answers, click here.)

Young Saint Louis.com likes it when kids get all answers correct. We list all winners the following month. Up to three of them can win $10 Borders certificates as an extra bonus.

A reminder: These Math Puzzlers can be quite challenging, especially for younger kids. Remember, we don't mind if you get help from a parent or older brother or sister. In fact, you might want to make this a family activity.

Here's how to enter:

1. Print out the following entry form.
2. Fill out your name, address and telephone number.
3. Give your answers to the six Math Puzzlers.
4. Put your completed entry into a stamped envelope.
5. Mail your entry to:
   
   Math Puzzler Contest
   Young Saint Louis.com
   231 So. Bemiston Ave., Suite 800
   Clayton, MO 63105
   
   
6. All entries must be postmarked by the 15th of the month to be eligible.

---------------Clip here to make entry---------------

Entry for August, 2003, Math Puzzler Contest:

Name: _________________________________ Age: _____

Address: ___________________ School: _______________

City:____________________, State:______ ZIP__________

Contact phone no.(____)____________________

The Math Puzzlers
(August, 2003)

1. Each of three towns was menaced by a dragon living in a cave above each town. The wizards Malefano, Sagareth and Thaumater created these three dragons. Sagareth's dragon will menace its town for the same number of years as the square root of the number of years Thaumater's dragon curse is on its town. Sagareth's dragon curse also will last the number of years equal to half the square root of the number of years Malefano's dragon curse is on the third town. Taumater's dragon curse will last the number of years equal to twice the square root of the number of years of Malefano's curse. How long will each curse last? (Hint: All curses will be expressed in whole years, no fractions. Also, you need to set up formulas and a table of values for all.)

 

Answer: _______________

 

2. Five glubs that tried to enter the town of Galvinchy were slain by 10 Knights of the Golden Sword. The knights laid the five glubs' bodies tail to head with five feet between one tail and the next head. Stretched out like that, the glubs covered a distance of 200 feet. The first, third and fifth glubs were all the same length, as were the second and fourth glubs. Each glub was either 10 feet longer or 10 feet shorter than its neighboring glub. Furthermore, each glub's length was a multiple of 10. What was the length of each glub? (Hint: Make a line drawing featuring the glubs and the gaps between them.)

 

Answer: _____________

 

3. Four cave dwarves, each of whom works at the same rate, were to complete a mining job according to a schedule. However, because of an argument, two of the four quit after working only one day. The remaining two dwarves finished the job, but it required two more days than originally had been scheduled. How many days were originally scheduled for completion of the job? (Hint: Create a table.)

 

Answer: _____________

 

4. A certain gardener had a number of skilled workers, each of whom was getting $28 a day. He also had a number of semi-skilled workers, each earning $12 a day. This amounted to a combined daily payroll of $264 per day. Since many of the jobs didn't require much supervision, he figured that by reducing the number of skilled workers by one-half and doubling the number of semi-skilled employees, he could actually get much more work done at a cost of only $12 a day more. After making these changes, how many total employees does he now have? (Hint: Set up a system of linear equations and then find the answers by using the addition method.)

 

Answer: _____________

 

5. Art, Boyd and Carl were sitting at a bar and, to pass time, Art suggested that they flip coins. Whoever tossed the only head or tail of the three coins thrown wins 1/2 of the money that each of the others then has. They all start out with the same amount of money. Art won the first flip; Boyd won the second flip, and Carl won the third. Carl then counted his money and had exactly $13. How much did each have when they started? (Hint: Use a table and think in terms of common denominators of fractions.)

 

Answer: _____________

 

6. After playing poker for a few hours, George realized that he had lost 3/4ths of his money, so he stopped playing and went to the cafe for a bite to eat. He spent $3 for lunch and then returned to play a few more hours. During this time, he won back 4/5ths of the money he had lost. He stopped playing for the night and discovered that he now had $21 less than when he had started. How much money did he have when he started?

 

Answer: _____________

 

The number of entries in the July Math Puzzler contest were down, probably because of summer vacation. But, there was one winner and he's a familiar face.

In June, 2003, Thomas Van Horn was included twice in Young Saint Louis.com. First, he was featured in a story about his efforts to send "care" packages to U.S.troops in Iraq.

Then, he was also one of two winners in YSL.com's Harry Potter Trivia contest.

This month, he's back as the only winner in the July Math Puzzler competition. As a result of answering all six Puzzlers, Thomas gets a $10 Border's book certificate as well as having his name in this article.

In keeping with summer, Mr. Math Puzzler, math teacher Wayne Hesse of Green Park Lutheran School, loosened up a bit in July.

There were two questions based on grids where it was possible to have more than one correct answer. Another answer called for an illustration, rather than a formula.

But, the one that gave most entrants trouble (Question 2) involved the ticking of a clock. It sounded simple, but Mr. Math Puzzler made it a little tricky.

YSL.com is continuing the Math Puzzlers during the summer. That's so you can have some fun but still keep up your math skills. Getting friends together in the shade of a big tree would be a good way to spend a hot summer day.

You could make a little competition out of it and then all send in your entries.

If you or your friends haven't entered before, you might like to review some past Puzzlers to learn how Mr. Math Puzzler thinks.

YSL.com Math Puzzlers started in September, 2001. Using the Past Stories tab on the home page, pick a past month or two. Then, you can review past questions and check answers the next month.

(Once you've studied up, you can move to the August quiz by clicking here.)

The July Answers:

1. The dragons Argothel and Bargothel like to get together for fiery conversations. They live some distance apart, each in his own cave. One day, Argothel left home to visit Bargothel at exactly the same time that Bargothel left home to visit Argothel. The day being most agreeable, both dragons decided to proceed at a rather leisurely rate. So, rather than fly, they walked. Argothel walked at a constant rate of 24 miles per hour and Bargothel at a constant rate of 36 miles per hour. How far apart were they five minutes before they met? (We've had a similar question to this one in the past.)

Answer: Five miles

Explanation: If Argothel walks at 24 miles per hour, he would travel two miles in five minutes. If Bargothel travels 36 miles per hour, he would travel three miles in five minutes. So, in the final five minutes, Argothel would travel an additional two miles while Bargothel would travel an additional three miles. Thus, with five minutes to go, that leaves them five miles apart.

 

2. We have an old-fashioned grandfather clock that strikes the exact number of times each hour to indicate the correct time. It takes 15 seconds to strike 6 o'clock. How long will it take to strike 12 o'clock?

Answer: 33 seconds

Explanation: This one is a little tricky. The timing starts when the first chime sounds. Thus, to get to 6 o'clock, there are six sounds with five silent spaces of three seconds each between the first and sixth sound. But, for 12 sounds there are 11 3-second gaps or 33 seconds, not 30 as might seem logical at first glance.

 

3. Place the numbers one through eight in the squares shown so that no consecutive numbers occur next to each other in adjoining squares either vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

Answer: There are more than one
possibility, as long as no consecutive
numbers occur next to each other.

Explanation: One possibility:

       7
     3 1 4
     5 8 6
       2

 

4. Can you take the digits 1 through 9 to form the numerator and denominator for a fraction that is equal to 1/2?

Answer: This also has more
than one correct answer

Explanation: Two possibilities:

       6 7 2 9   1
     --------- = -
     1 3 4 5 8   2

or

       7 3 2 9   1
     --------- = -
     1 4 6 5 8   2

 

5. There once was a very artistic farmer with 10 fruit trees. He wanted to plant them in five straight rows with 4 trees in each row. How did he lay out his orchard? (Remember, there is no numeric answer. Your answer must be in the shape of the orchard's design.)

Answer: This solved best
by a star diagram

Explanation: With the star shape, trees can be a part of more than one straight line.

6. A water tower has three drains. One drain could empty the tank in 45 hours, one in 15 hours and the third one in 30 hours. How long would it take to empty the tower if all three drains were opened? (This is not going to give you a nice even-numbered answer.)

Answer: 90/11 or 8 2/11 hours

Explanation: This involves finding a cross product, then multiply and divide. One drain empties 1/45th of the tank in one hour; another, 1/15th in an hour, and the other, 1/30th in an hour. The formula is then:

      1    1    1   1
     -- + -- + -- = -
     45   15   30   T

      2 + 6 + 3   1
      --------- = -
         90       T

         11   1
         -- = -
         90   T

then, develop a cross product

        90 = 11T

or

8 2/11 hours = T

 

Fun & Games

Fun & Games

Trivia: What kind of party?

When you're done, click here for the answers.

1. What kind of party is interested in winning elections?
2. This party has an elephant as its symbol.
3. This party has a donkey as its symbol.
4. At what kind of party are you likely to see candles on a cake?
5. What kind of party is likely to be unknown to its guest of honor?
6. You are likely to see pumpkins at this party.
7. At what party is mistletoe an appropriate decoration?
8. Pink hearts are the decoration of choice at this party.
9. At what kind of party are tears and goodbyes a likely accompaniment?
10. Yellow ribbons have become traditional at this kind of party, particularly for servicemen.

 

Crossword Puzzles

When you have completed the puzzles, you can click here to find the answers!

Young Saint Louis.com #1

Across	Down
1. not factual 4. without using name 6. a space traveler 8. unit of lan measure 9. built for a purpose 10. before expected time	2. prize seeking 3. not required 5. list of events 7. a required action

 

Young Saint Louis.com #2

Across	Down
4. bike riders 7. use map and compass 9. transportation means 10. slide instrument	1. two hundred years 2. repair and improve 3. one who walks 5. game from Indians 6. unlike any other 8. string instrument

 

Fast Food

Across	Down
4. eaten in car 6. buy in buckets 7. served on buns 9. hard and soft shell 11. essential with fries 13. food for wimps	1. only at breakfast 2. often supersized 3. wrapped beans 5. comes in slices 7. ballgame favorites 8. need at least 32 oz 10. expected to pitch in 12. usually rocks

 

Back to School

Across	Down
1. heavier each year 4. reluctant returnees 6. never have enough 7. what moms look for 9. new pair needed	1. heard every period 2. returning enemy - 2 words 3. never long enough 5. lost till next year 8. often inedible

 

Jokes

Let's start off with some dog jokes

What do you call a Happy Lassie?
      A Jolly Collie!

What did the cowboy say when a bear ate Lassie?
      "Well, doggone!"

Why do dogs wag their tails?
      Because no one else will do it for them!

How can you tell if you have a stupid dog?
      It chases parked cars!

What do you do if your dog eats your ballpoint pen?
      Use your pencil instead!

What is a dog's favorite food?
      Anything that's on your plate!

How did the dog feel when he lost his flashlight?
      Delighted!

 

Now, some "romantic" jokes

The computer-dating agency picked me out as a boyfriend.
      Yeah, sure. But who wants to go out with a computer!

What happened to the couple who met in a revolving door?
      Oh, they're still going round together!

I got a lovely kitten for my girlfriend.
      I wish I could make a trade like that!

My girlfriend has beautiful hair all down her back.
      Oh, what a shame it's not on her head!

The girl that I marry will have to take a joke.
      Of course. That's the only kind you're ever going to get!

What's the wife of a hippy called?
      Mississippi!

 

Our usual knock, knock finale

Knock, knock.
     Who's there?
Hammond.
     Hammond who?
Hammond eggs!

Knock, knock.
     Who's there?
Harmony.
      Harmony who?
Harmony knock knock jokes do you expect me to know?

 

Answers to Fun & Games

Trivia: What kind of party?

1. Political party
2. Republican party
3. Democratic party
4. Birthday party
5. Surprise party
6. Halloween party
7. Christmas party
8. Valentine party
9. Farewell party
10. Welcome Home party

Crossword Puzzles

Note that the words used in Young Saint Louis.com crossword puzzles are all taken from the articles appearing in this months issue.

Young Saint Louis.com #1

Across	Down
1. not factual 4. without using name 6. a space traveler 8. unit of lan measure 9. built for a purpose 10. before expected time	2. prize seeking 3. not required 5. list of events 7. a required action

 

Young Saint Louis.com #2

Across	Down
4. bike riders 7. use map and compass 9. transportation means 10. slide instrument	1. two hundred years 2. repair and improve 3. one who walks 5. game from Indians 6. unlike any other 8. string instrument

 

Fast Food

Across	Down
4. eaten in car 6. buy in buckets 7. served on buns 9. hard and soft shell 11. essential with fries 13. food for wimps	1. only at breakfast 2. often supersized 3. wrapped beans 5. comes in slices 7. ballgame favorites 8. need at least 32 oz 10. expected to pitch in 12. usually rocks

 

Back to School

Across	Down
1. heavier each year 4. reluctant returnees 6. never have enough 7. what moms look for 9. new pair needed	1. heard every period 2. returning enemy - 2 words 3. never long enough 5. lost till next year 8. often inedible