Best of the Beacon for the week of June 18
We at the Beacon hope that you take a look at us every day, but we also know that that's not always possible. So, once a week, on Friday, we'll be highlighting some of the top stories of the week. Here are Beacon must-reads from the week of June 18.
Breathing easy
Take Five: Behind the scenes with the counters at St. Louis County's Pollen and Mold Center
For allergy and asthma sufferers, the daily reports from the county health department are nothing to sneeze at. But thanks to the Pollen and Mold Center of the St. Louis County Department of Health at least we know which ones are in the air.
And the walls come a-tumbling down?
AAA takes first steps toward demolishing its mid-century modern home
AAA and CVS have worked out an agreement and plan to tear down the existing AAA building and the building that houses an Enterprise Leasing office, pending city permit approval, a spokesman for AAA said. Preservationists admit they have little power over what owners can do.
Healthy choice
Pilot Medicaid program begins July 1 regardless of Supreme Court ruling
A Medicaid demonstration project in St. Louis is offering health care to residents who ordinarily wouldn't qualify at least until 2014 -- no matter what the Supreme Court rules on the Affordable Care Act.
Blast from the past

Contempt vote, views stir memories of EPA's Gorsuch, Times Beach
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, a House committee approved a contempt of Congress resolution against the attorney general, recalling a similar battle 30 years ago when the EPA head became first head of a federal agency cited for contempt of Congress.
Pressing issues
Moral support for UM Press not enough to keep it open
Despite signatures on an online protest petition and "likes" on Facebook, the interim director of the press doesn't expect the University of Missouri to change its mind to shut the operation down.
On her toes

Local dancer sets sights on New York City by way of Iowa
When Venezia Manuel was a little girl in East St. Louis, she idolized iconic Alvin Ailey dancer/choreographer Judith Jamison. Now, at 18, Manuel is also larger than life. As she sets her sights on the Ailey company, her image graces SIUE billboards.
Innovation STL
For Jim McKelvey, the path to success is clear as glass
Jim McKelvey, e-commerce entrepreneur and glassblowing artist, says St. Louis could be on the cusp of an entrepreneurial revolution. The co-creator of Square spoke at the Danforth Plant Science Center Friday morning.
Rock on

Second set: The Bishops rocked the region, post punk
Among the finest rock bands of this region over the past 25, or so, years, The Bishops could rightly lay claim to that well-worn riff: “We deserved a better fate.” We catch up with three of the four members of the classic lineup.
Howdy, neighbor
Welcome to the neighborhood, St. Louis Public Radio
This weekend, St. Louis Public Radio moved into its new building in Grand Center. For the past year, Beacon presentation editor Brent Jones has chronicled the construction. Check in for more than a year's worth of construction in one and a half minutes.
Clean and green
On roofs around the city, solar energy raises its profile
Since Proposition C passed in 2008, the cost of solar energy has dropped drastically in Missouri as utility companies and the federal government offer rebates and incentives to go green. For local businesses, the environmental impact of solar is become an economic one as well.
Green roofs, chickens and city kitties
The Sustainable Backyard Tour returns on June 24 for its second year. The tour has grown to include 54 sustainable outdoor spaces that visitors can see between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Stops include yards with sustainable gardens, rain collection systems, beekeeping, chickens, and more.
