Urban Chickens: Not Just A Passing Fad

Bill Ruppert' s backyard chickens in Kirkwood, Mo. Photo by Holly Shanks

Story published on the Environmental Echo Website, December 13, 2014.  http://environmentalecho.com/2014/12/13/urban-chicken-keepnig-grows-in-popularity/


By Holly Shanks

Egg-laying chickens and chicken coops are no longer a sight seen only in rural areas. Coops are popping up in suburban backyards like Webster and Kirkwood. Sustainability and a desire to reconnect with natural food sources seems to be driving the popularity of keeping the feathery egg-laying pets.

A Closer Look At Webster Students for Environmental Sustainability (WSES)

By Holly Shanks

Published October 2014 on Environmental Echo, a Webster University Journalism Class Website.

Click on the link to go to Environmental Echo article page:
http://environmentalecho.wix.com/echo#!A-Closer-Look-At-Webster-Students-for-Environmental-Sustainability-WSES/c17jj/BB588709-4C4A-485E-9BEC-EE0F135218EA

Environmental Echo Photo
Provided by Kris Parsons
Parsons pictured on the right.

Webster students looking for an environmental and sustainability minded organization on campus might take a look at WSES. The organization' s President Valerie Martin, says the group is working to educate about a sustainable lifestyle, but having some fun along the way too.

Webster Students for Environmental Sustainability (WSES) is a student organization that is looking to the future and providing an outlet for activism, education and community.

WSES President Valerie Martin, sophomore biology and French double major, explained WSES promotes sustainability in lifestyles of the students.

Kris Parsons Talks About WSES

By Holly Shanks

Published October 2014 on Environmental Echo.

Click on the link to go to Environmental Echo article page:

http://environmentalecho.wix.com/echo#!Kris-Parsons-Talks-About-WSES/c17jj/4784348A-E3F7-4990-8B76-2AB694A7D4D8

Environmental Echo Photo
provided by Kris Parsons
Pictured above is Kris Parsons

Kris Parsons answered a few questions that provide further reflection and insight about WSES and the time she spent as a member.  

The Q & A below is a continued reading informational post from A Closer Look At Webster Students for Environmental Sustainability (WSES) article.

Webster Project Manager Kris Parsons, graduated from Webster with her B.A. in International Human Rights and this year, completed an M.B.A., emphasis Finance. She started as project manager, which includes a wide range of responsabilities, in May 2014. 

As a student, she became a member of WSES in 2010 shortly after it formed and has served as WSES vice president. She has also led WSES student groups to participate in Powershift events, which is an environmental justice movement organized by the Energy Action Coalition. She still acts as an alumni advisor to WSES. 

Viewpoints Differ on Management of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Photo by Holly Shanks

By Holly Shanks

Published November 2014 on Environmental Echo.

Click on the link to go to the Echo Wordpress page.

Clashing viewpoints on a proposed new general management plan (GMP) for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) have resulted in some heated debate between environmental groups and regional interests.

Every couple of decades, the National Park Service (NPS) is required to re-evaluate a federal park’s GMP. The last time the ONSR re-evaluated its plan was in 1984.

A Gathering of Vietnam Veterans

 Story published in the South County Times June edition
http://www.southcountytimes.com/Articles-Features-i-2014-06-27-192628.114137-A-Gathering-Of-Vietnam-Veterans.html#axzz3Gz8W02q3

By Holly Shanks

Many Vietnam veterans from the 243rd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) have found an outlet for healing after being silent and alone for more than four decades.

Newly organized reunions are rebuilding lost relationships and providing a type of support found only with each other.

The veterans group gathered in Fenton for its third reunion last weekend. The event was hosted by Mike and Sue Koeller from Fenton. Each year attendance has grown and this year around 25 veterans attended the St. Louis reunion held at the Hampton Inn in Fenton. The first two reunions were held in Nebraska and Texas.

"It's a great experience even for the spouses because most of these men came home and did not want to talk about Vietnam," Sue Koeller said. "I've heard more stories in the last three years than I've heard in 38 years of marriage."

Ferguson Protest: A Few Women Protester's Perspective

Photo by Paul Huddleston

KCFV News audio from protests in Ferguson, Mo., August 2014.
Content: reported, written and produced by Holly Shanks

Click on link below to hear the audio news piece from KCFV radio news by Holly Shanks

http://895thewavestl.tumblr.com/post/95509476755/kcfv-went-to-west-florissant-avenue-and-spoke-with

Listening Courses Offered To Audio Students

      By Holly Shanks

A new course is teaching something different to audio students - how to use their ears. Through perceptual coaching, Webster Assistant Professor Tim Ryan, Ph.D., is working to produce “Masters of Sound.” 

 “The skills that audio engineers learn over a lifetime – we’ve found a shortcut,” Ryan said. “We have found a way to teach people these skills in a very short period of time, compared to a lifetime at least.” 

Webster University Celebrates 40 Years of Military Education

Brig. Gen. Mike Callan, USAG (Ret.),
Associate Vice President for Military and Government Programs

By Holly Shanks

Webster College accepted an invitation to deliver education to the military in 1974.  For the first time, military-affiliated students would receive a college education inside the gates of their own military installations.

Missouri Mushroom Season Springs To Life

Shorter version of article published
in Webster University's The Journal

By Holly Shanks

St. Louis native, Don Dill, 88, started studying mushrooms 60-years ago. It started when he and some friends were at the Lake of the Ozarks. He went outside one morning to check their leaky boat tied in the water and discovered an amazing sight. He said he went out the porch door and encountered what looked like a “flower garden.” As far as he could see down to the water was covered with mushrooms.

Webster Theater A Landmark of History

By Holly Shanks

Nestled on a narrow street in a quiet neighborhood sits a 104-year-old house. Inside that house is the longest continuously running community theatre west of the Mississippi River, treasurer of the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves Debbie Love said.

She said the organization has offered generations of Webster Groves residents the chance to attend and participate in a local performing arts venue.

Pictures of cast members from past plays line the halls inside the theatre and date back to 1952.

“We have people come in and look at the pictures and go ‘there’s my grandma or great uncle,’” Love said. “It’s really cool. People just love to do that.”

Webster University grad to appear on Food Network’s ‘Worst Cooks in America’

By Holly Shanks

Webster University

The Journal - Online Article

February 2014

It will be a family affair in the Glazer’s St. Louis home for the Season 5 premiere of “Worst Cooks in America” on the Food Network. It’s not every day a  family member is on a national television show.
“It’s amazing,” Steve Glazer said of his son. “We are very excited. It’s all very cool.”

Mike Glazer is a writer and comedian who graduated from Webster University in 2006 with a degree in screenwriting. He has worked at Chicago’s legendary “Second City” comedy club. Glazer lives and works in Los Angeles. During this season of “Worst Cooks,” he will compete against 13 other contestants who must learn how cook to move forward.

"Pompeii" Movie Review

Review By: Holly Shanks from KCFV

February 2014

Image: Wikipedia

The story of Pompeii is an old one. To be exact – it’s ancient. So, my initial thoughts were just how many times can Hollywood possibly re-make this story? The plot could not lend any new element of surprise. Mount Vesuvius erupts destroying the Roman city and its citizens. Horrifically.

Except, at some point during this film I realized something changed. It started making me feel something. Not one emotion in particular, but a captured combination of mind, heart, compassion, and empathy. It had simply made me - feel.

In today’s cinematic world, the reign of high speed, constant movement, and twisting plots dominate the screens. The idea of a predictable and a bit cliché story should not really resonate. Right?  Think again. The theater was packed with people who must have gotten caught up in the story like I did.

As I munched on my popcorn, I found myself rooting for the boy turned man. I wanted him to win against the big ol’ Roman mean machine, save the girl, and get the heck out of the city that was inevitably about to crumble and burn.

Apparently, so was the crowd I was sharing the theater with. They actually cheered as one of the bad guys met his well-deserved and brutal end at the hand of a betrayed older Gladiator.

Student Veterans Organization Aims To Ease Transition

By Holly Shanks

Military veterans at Webster University have a place to find help and support. The Student Veterans Organization (SVO) officially started at the end of the 2013 spring semester. One of the club’s goals is to help veterans’ transition into college a little easier.

SVO President Charlie Mach said when he first applied for the 2012 fall semester at Webster, he quickly realized a veteran’s organization did not exist on campus.

“I was in the Marine Corps for seven years and didn’t know anything about going to college,” Mach said.