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Best of the Beacon for week of Aug. 13

In Issues & Politics

10:59 am on Fri, 08.17.12

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.

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Conference of American nuns will mull response to Vatican charges

In Nation

7:55 am on Fri, 08.03.12

Meeting in St. Louis next week, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious will have its first opportunity as an assembled group to consider what to do after the Vatican issued a mandate for change this spring. It calls on the conference to reorganize and more strictly observe church teachings.

The 'free' Zoo

In Commentary

7:51 am on Tue, 05.22.12

When a family of four goes to the St. Louis Zoo, they can be forgiven for not knowing it will cost them $60, $72 if they park. If they can't pay, the alternative is to tell the kids they can't do what kids do at the zoo.

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Pirates are first to land on Opera Theatre's shore

In Performing Arts

12:24 am on Mon, 05.20.13

“We speak in old language in a new witty way with contemporary feel,” Sean Curran said about the OTSL production of "Pirates of Penzance," which is set in the 1870s. Much of the Gilbert and Sullivan satire, however, focuses on still-relevant human foibles, government officials’ ineptitude and opera excesses.

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Save that dirt, Howard Buffett says

In Science

11:09 am on Wed, 05.15.13

Speaking to reporters at Monsanto, Howard Buffett warned that future generations would foot the bill for irresponsible soil use. He urged leaders to address thorny issues such as malnutrition and environmental destruction.

Arch Grants winners set for debut

In InnovationSTL

11:32 am on Tue, 05.14.13

Twenty winners will split a million dollars and a wide array of professional services after this year's Arch Grants competition. Victors will also see one-on-one business mentoring in their prize package. The diverse group includes everything from biotech concerns to fashion enterprises.

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Innovation and entrepreneurial activity are on the rise in St. Louis, especially in bioscience, technology and alternative energy. The Beacon's InnovationSTL section focuses on the people who are part of this wave, what they're doing and how this is shaping our future. To many St. Louisans, this wave is not yet visible. InnovationSTL aims to change that. We welcome you to share your knowledge, learn more about this vibrant trend and discuss its impact.

Featured Articles

Save that dirt, Howard Buffett says

In Science

11:09 am on Wed, 05.15.13

Speaking to reporters at Monsanto, Howard Buffett warned that future generations would foot the bill for irresponsible soil use. He urged leaders to address thorny issues such as malnutrition and environmental destruction.

Supreme Court rules unanimously for Monsanto in Roundup case

In Law Scoop

10:42 pm on Mon, 05.13.13

Vernon Bowman's challenge to Monsanto Co.'s patent on its Roundup Ready soybean seeds was billed as a David vs. Goliath contest. Goliath won and won big. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an Indiana soybean farmer had violated Monsanto's patent on its genetically engineered soybean seeds.

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U.S. Grant and the Battle of Vicksburg

In Commentary

12:22 am on Mon, 05.20.13

When the Civil War broke out, Grant rejoined the military. He may not have liked it, but it was what he was good at: fighting. The battle that cemented his reputation began 150 years ago yesterday.

Is political ethics an oxymoron?

In Commentary

12:22 am on Mon, 05.20.13

Democracy is our answer to perhaps our most difficult ethical problem: How do we ethically protect the social cooperation that makes our society strong, while respecting the rights of individuals to pursue vastly divergent visions of the good life and deeply conflicting moral and political beliefs?

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