Best of the Beacon for week of Aug. 13
Elections
Missouri Republicans adopt team approach in bid for across-the-board victories in November
All of the Republican nominees for Missouri statewide office joined other party leaders, officeholders and GOP activists at rallies in Fenton and St. Charles aimed at energizing and unifying the base, in hopes of a broad victory this fall.
Illinois' 12th District candidates clash in first debate
Three contenders — Republican Jason Plummer, Democrat William Enyart and Green Party"s Paula Bradshaw — sparred in Carbondale, the first in-person clash between those who would replace U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello.
Ryan's budget plan a lightning rod for praise, criticism in GOP campaign
Mitt Romney's GOP running mate Rep. Paul Ryan has been defined by a deficit-reduction plan that is a lightning rod for its proposals to revamp Medicare while avoiding tax hikes or major Pentagon cuts.
Schools, drought, gardens, distinctive buildings
St. Louis schools show improvement, but accreditation remains out of reach
The latest Missouri school report cards show very small growth across that state in MAP scores, and St. Louis area schools that are unaccredited or provisionally accredited did not progress very much. Local charters beat St. Louis Public Schools.
Missouri bucks trend as drought levels out nationally
After weeks of dry weather paterns and blistering sun, the drought that has gripped most of the nation's midsection since June is showing signs of leveling off, but that is not the case in Missouri, says a new U.S Drought Monitor report.
Husband-wife team sets up city farm to offer urban residents wider varieties of fresh vegetables
Allergies among their three children convinced Carlos and Jeri Villarreal to look for alternatives to food found in supermarkets. Their solution was to grow their own vegetables. They have since started an urban farm to serve other area families.
Lewis & Clark branch could fall in St. Louis County Library master plan
The St. Louis County Library system says it needs bond issue support to upgrade its buildings so they can meet the changing demands on libraries, but some area architectural champions are rallying to support what they say is a mid-century modern gem. Demolition decisions are not yet final.
Art on a Mission
Photo project documents turnips, tradition and teens
Long before Cbabi Bayoc set out to paint “365 Days with Dad,” he was committed to promoting black fatherhood through his art. Other such art-on-a-mission projects include UMSL's Public Policy Research Center's Photography Project.
Art on a Mission: VSA brings joy to local artists and water to Africa
Art on a Mission: Turner Center encourages the artist in those with disabilities
City Museum, Lanterns going out
Second Set: City Museum and music and magic
Looking back on memories that include punk-funk pioneers Fishbone, artist Sharon von Senden, Midwest Mayhem, The Cabin Inn, and a boxing match unlike any other. There also memories very few could share such as a tresspassed look at Cementland and the world inside the museum after hours.
Lantern Festival: by the numbers
The Lantern Festival opened in St. Louis Memorial Day weekend and has drawn record numbers of people to the Missouri Botanical Garden since. In its final week, we decided to look back at all the numbers that went into making the festival. The garden hasn’t disclosed how much it took to put on the festival because of an agreement signed with the company providing the work, but there is one number worth reporting: Six. That's the days left until the Lantern Festival turns off its lights in St. Louis.
Piece out: Art by day, Lantern Festival nears the end, but also new beginnings
Voices
The electorate should know what's behind employment numbers
The Republicans talk about the president's job-killing policies. And total employment in the non-farm private sector of the economy has fallen during Obama’s tenure in office. But much of that job loss reflects a hold-over of the effects from the recession and financial crisis that began in his predecessor’s last term.
Even with aid efforts expanded, Tower Grove's plants are suffering
The stories of how people are coping with the drought are growing. Here is breakdown of the work that is being done to try to save the plants in Tower Grove Park as punishing conditions persist. And the lessons learned include that some species can apparently wilt from the extraordinary heat, even if kept moist.
