Post-Dispatch photos: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Date: 12/28/2011 Album ID: 1386171
Photos by Laurie Skrivan/st. louis post-dispatch
Photographs by staff photographers
Cory Gardner (left) discusses his interpretaion of a passage in the novel White Noise, by Don DeLillo during class at the at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC) Monday, December 12, 2011, in Bonne Terre, Mo.  Gardner is one of 19 prisoners participating in the The Saint Louis University Prison Program which offers an Associates of Arts degree to both prison staff and people incarcerated in Missouri. I know how unusual it is to get a post-secondary education in prison. I couldn't pass it up. I am in here for doing an unthinkable thing, and there are kids out there struggling to pay for college, said Gardner.  Gardner is in prison for 2nd degree murder. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Norma Grass, 67, from French Village, is checked on by RN Johnnie Watson during her stay at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis on Tuesday December 6, 2011.  I'm so thankful to the Lord I have insurance said Grass who is recovering from a stroke.  Saint Louis University Hospital and Des Peres Hospital, which are both owned by Tenet Healthcare Corp. of Dallas, said today that they intend to cancel their managed care contracts with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri as well as HealthLink at the end of this month because the two companies can not reach an a new agreement.   Grass has both private insurance and medicare.
Photo By David Carson, dcarosn@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Vernice Ellen, of East Alton, asks sales representative Linda Wesley about the red dot on the price tag of a lamp she is interested in buying Saturday Dec. 10, 2011.  I know that if something goes wrong I can pick up the phone and dial a local number and they'll take care of it, she said of why she likes to shop at local stores.  Alton Refrigeration & Home Furnishings is a family-owned that has been in business in Alton since 1931. 
Emily Rasinski,  erasinski@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Michael Sparrow prepared his brown and red quinoa  with sauteed onions and chicken broth and then adds roasted peppers with garlic. Photos taken Wednesday Dec. 14, 2011. 
Emily Rasinski,  erasinski@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Michael Sparrow prepared his brown and red quinoa  with sauteed onions and chicken broth and then adds roasted peppers with garlic. Photos taken Wednesday Dec. 14, 2011. 
Emily Rasinski,  erasinski@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Raja, the St. Louis Zoo's bull elephant, celebrated his 19th birthday Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011.  To celebrate, Raja was given giant cardboard boxes filled with his favorite things, which included cereal, melons, bananas, popcorn.
Emily Rasinski,  erasinski@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Tower Grove Park maintenance worker Brenda Koon clears away slush and debris from a drainage grate after an overnight snow at the park on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, in St. Louis.
Photo by Johnny Andrews, jandrews@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Workers from A-One Towing remove a truck that hopped over a median on Interstate 70 Tuesday, December 27, 2011, in O'Fallon. This is one of two separate accident scenes within a mile of each other on Interstate 70 that were being cleared at the same time.
Photo by Johnny Andrews, jandrews@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
This is well written paper. Very strong,  saidt. Louis University English Associate Professor Stephen Casmier to inmate Billy Lesmeister who is enrolled in the The Saint Louis University Prison Program which offers an Associates of Arts degree to both prison staff and people incarcerated in Missouri at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC)  Monday, December 12, 2011, in Bonne Terre, Mo. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Army veteran Eddie L. Williams, Jr., left, a seasonal employee at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and outdoor horticulturist Ilaz Dalipi, right, load fallen leaves into a utility vehicle, Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle, scordle@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Army veteran Eddie L. Williams, Jr., right, a seasonal employee at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and outdoor horticulturist Ilaz Dalipi, left, work to remove fallen leaves from bushes, at the Botanical Garden, Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle, scordle@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Army veteran Eddie L. Williams, Jr., a seasonal employee at the Missouri Botanical Garden, talks with a Botanical Garden patron, Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle, scordle@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Harry Jackson Jr.  hjackson@post-dispatch.com
Trail of the week An evening scene from Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
JOHN SWISTAK JR. / JOURNAL
Collinsville  Hockey player Dusty Watt
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
JOHN SWISTAK JR. / JOURNAL
Johny Mack, Alton wrestling
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Kwamain Mitchell, center, and St. Louis University Billiken teammates, from left, Brian Daly, Rob Loe, Cody Ellis and Kyle Cassity sit comfortably on the bench in the second half as a victory seems imminent against Texas Southern Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011 at Chaifetz Arena.
Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
St. Louis University's Kyle Cassity rises over Texas Southern's Lawrence Johnson-Danner in the first half of a game at Chaifetz Arena Tuesday Dec. 27, 2011.
Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo
Tuesday, December 27, 2011-- St. Joseph's Morgan Stock and Fort Zumwalt West's Paige Westbrook fight for a rebound during the first half of their semifinal game in Visitation Academy Christmas Basketball Tournament at Visitation.
Sarah Conard | freelance
Email Page to FriendBuy this PhotoEnlarge this Photo