JOE PALM FOR STATE REP

Free screenings April 8

By Gerald Pace

For The St. Louis American

People’s Health Center will celebrate Minority Health Awareness Month Saturday, April 8 from 9:30-2 p.m. There will be free health screenings, but the focus of the celebration will be on children’s health. The center will offer free breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Easter photos and goodie bags, and income tax preparation.

People’s most recently hosted a Black History Month event offering free health screenings, food and family entertainment to local residents. About 300 people passed through the center, taking advantage of the many services provided.

There were free massages from licensed masseuses and blood pressure, glucose, diabetes and cholesterol testing. Crown Optical provided vision screenings. Patrons were also able to get haircuts, by the St. Louis College of Beauty, dental screenings, and natural facials by a Mary Kay Cosmetics representative.

Numerous booths offered information on various health issues such as lupus, fitness, and physical therapy. Several health associations were present such as the American Diabetes Association, the Allergy and Lung Association, the American Cancer Society, Monsanto YMCA, Williams and Associates and others.

St. Louis University Department of Physical Therapy checked the weight of students’ book bags to see if they were causing potential back problems. The American Red Cross also held a blood drive during the event. Medical students from St. Louis University and Washington University conducted health screenings.

“It’s a one-stop shop,” said Mark Sanford, vice-president of People’s Health Centers.

Several officials were present during Family Health Awareness Day.

“It’s a wonderful event for people to be able to access an agency that’s really theirs,” Rep. Amber Boykins, said.

“This is especially important with the recent health care cuts and people being cut off of Medicare. With people losing jobs and health insurance, they’re able to get the health care they so desperately need.”

“I got my blood pressure taken and I got all kinds of medical information, all kinds of pamphlets and info,” Joetta Boyd, West End resident, said while waiting to get a free massage.

Christopher Favell and Christopher Toney, who are unleashing their new company, Total Health and Wellness Express, offered therapeutic massages. Favell said the type of massages they offered during the Family Health Awareness Day is supplemental therapy for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, arthritis, and other ailments.

“I grew up in this community and I’m proud to work at a PHC where they’ve provided health care to this community and the St. Louis region for over 30 years,” said Joe Palm, 26th Ward committeeman who works in the Abstinence Only Education department. “We love the community we serve here at People’s.”

For more information about services and health awareness events of People’s Health Center, call (314) 460-3648 or visit www.phcenters.org

March 21, 2006, St. Louis – The Great Rivers Greenway District, the public organization leading the development of a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails known as The River Ring, is sponsoring the first annual Porter Park Clean-up from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. Porter Park, which also is known as Ruth Porter Mall, reaches north for 9 blocks from 5649 Delmar to Etzel.

Volunteers, who are encouraged to wear work gloves, will pick up large and small trash items in the park. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and refreshments. Participating groups include the 26^th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, SPUD (Skinker-Page-Union-Delmar), West End Community Conference, DeBaliviere Place landlords and Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council.

Porter Park is an integral part of the planned St. Vincent Greenway, a seven-mile expanse designed to connect Ramona Lake Park in Berkeley, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Vincent Park and Forest Park. The Greenway encompasses 16 municipalities and parts of some unincorporated areas, as well as the 26^th and 28^th Wards in the City.

“This clean up is a great opportunity for our friends and neighbors to come together to enhance the appearance of an important community asset and have a great time working side-by-side, as well as to honor the memory of Ruth C. Porter, for whom the park is named,” said Joseph Palm, 26^th Ward Committeeman.

Ruth C. Porter, who moved to St. Louis in 1959, was a social activist involved community organizations in the West End neighborhood where she lived. Working with the West End Community Conference, Kinloch YWCA, and various church and civic organizations, she organized Kinder Cottage - a much needed preschool program for local children. After her death in 1967, the former Blackstone Park was renamed Ruth C. Porter Mall in her honor.

According to David Fisher, Executive Director of The Great Rivers Greenway District, the St. Vincent Greenway, which will be completed over the next five years, will be a vital St. Louis City and County connection, creating a public amenity with environmental, economic and social benefits for residential neighborhoods and commercial zones.

The Great Rivers Greenway District is the public organization leading the development of a region-wide system of interconnected greenways, parks and trails, known as the River Ring, which will join two states and cover an area of 1,216 square miles. The Greenway District, formerly known as the Metropolitan Park and Recreation District, was established in November 2000 by the successful passage of the Clean Water, Safe Parks and Community Trails Initiative (Proposition C) in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, Missouri. For more information about Great Rivers Greenway District, visit www.greatrivers.info.

26th Ward Democratic Commiteeman Joseph Palm has thrown his hat into the race for the 57th District state representative seat that will be left open by the current 57th District State Representative Yaphett El-Amin. El-Amin has announced that she will run for the 4th District state Senate seat that is being vacated by state Senator Pat Dougherty because of term limits. Palm joins El-Amin’s husband, Talibin El-Amin, as the two announced candidates for the 57th District seat. El-Amin’s husband has the upper hand now because of El-Amin’s name recognition in the district. But Palm has some decent credits on his political resume - assistant to Chief of Staff Mike Jones in the Clarence Harmon administration, legislative assistant for then-state Rep. Charles Quincy Troupe, and legislative researcher for U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay. With hard work on his part, matched by some support from his past and present associates, Palm could make a run of it.

The decision by the El-Amins to run for the 4th District Senate seat and the 57th District State representative seat is puzzling to the EYE, in light of the fact that they have three young children at home. If the two of them were elected, they would have to both be in Jefferson City, at least four days a week, from January to May 15. The EYE had heard that the weekly trek to legislative sessions in Jefferson City was already difficult for Yaphett because of the recent birth of twins and a third child, who is a toddler. There is speculation in some quarters that Yaphett is not serious about winning the 4th District seat, but is using it as way to leave Jefferson City and keep the 57th District seat in the family. Just a thought.