South End Citizen 12-18-2019

Black News Channel In ‘The Red Zone’ Ready for Launch — Page 3

Citizen Week of Dec. 18, 2019

| Vol. 52 | No. 45 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

Mayor Lori Lightfoot met with the Black Press at City Hall on Dec. 13, 2019 where she laid out her vision to improve economic development on the South and West Sides. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

MAYOR LAYS OUT VISION FOR BOOSTING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS During her first media roundtable discussion with the Black Press at City Hall, Mayor Lori Lightfoot adamantly spoke about her plan for boosting economic development in minority neighborhoods, particularly on the South and West Sides. PAGE 2

BUSINESS 10 Black-Owned Businesses Dealing with Sweet Treats PAGE 4

ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

FILM REVIEW: In Fabric

Home Decorating for the Holidays

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2 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Dec. 18, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

THE ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 2020-21 ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) recently announced the 2020-21 Illinois State Scholars: outstanding high school seniors who are recognized for their superior academic achievement. Illinois State Scholars, who rank in approximately the top ten percent of graduates from Illinois high schools, are selected annually based on their ACT and SAT exams and sixth semester class rank.

Each Illinois State Scholar receives a congratulatory letter from ISAC, a Certificate of Achievement and statewide recognition in traditional and social media outlets. Honorees can download an official Illinois State Scholar badge that can be displayed on their online profiles and social media platforms and shared with colleges and universities which take note of the fact that the students are State Scholars, according to Dennis Gutowski, college and career counselor at Thorndale High School in South Holland, Illinois. An online listing of current Illinois State Scholars can be found on ISAC’s website at https://bit.ly/2Reh1IY In this 61st year of the program, ISAC is celebrating all of its State Scholars with two videos that highlight some of their exceptional Illinois students. The videos can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2LftKqW

HEALTH

LURIE CHILDREN’S APPOINTS DR. THOMAS SHANLEY AS PRESIDENT AND CEO Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago recently announced its Board of Directors has elected Thomas Shanley, MD, as President and CEO. Dr. Shanley succeeds Patrick M. Magoon, who served in this role for 22 years and will support the transition as Emeritus CEO for one year.

Dr. Shanley previously served as Chair of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and President and Chief Research Officer of Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Lurie Children’s. He recently led the relocation of the Manne Research Institute to the new state-of-the-art facility within blocks of the hospital, strengthening the connection between the hospital’s earliest phase of laboratory research and its clinical work, promoting a closer partnership between Lurie Children’s, Northwestern University and the Feinberg School of Medicine.

LAW & POLITICS

UOFM BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVES REDUCED TUITION FOR NON-RESIDENT LAW STUDENTS, FORMS ATHLETICS COMMITTEE The University of Memphis Board of Trustees approved the School of Law’s non-resident (out-of-state) tuition rate to begin in academic year 2020-21 and formed an ad hoc Athletics Committee at its meeting on the UofM Lambuth campus recently. The proposed fee structure will cap tuition for non-resident law students at 11 credit hours, resulting in a 25% reduction for non-resident tuition and fees for 15 credit hours. The projected change in tuition revenue will be offset by reductions in out-of-state scholarships/waivers. The new rate should extend the Law School’s appeal beyond Tennessee’s borders and allow it to stay competitive with its peers.

The Athletics Committee will focus on the importance of intercollegiate athletics to the University and on athletic compliance. Committee members are Alan B. Graf Jr., chair; Cato Johnson and R. Brad Martin with possible additional members.

Mayor Lays Out Vision for Boosting Economic Growth in Minority Neighborhoods Continued from page 1

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

During her first media roundtable discussion with the Black Press at City Hall, Mayor Lori Lightfoot adamantly spoke about her plan for boosting economic development in minority neighborhoods, particularly on the South and West Sides.

After first acknowledging that the city of Chicago historically has not done a good job making sure economic development spurs in every neighborhood not just the affluent ones, she laid out her plan to change things around.

“A recent study identified $200 million a year is being spent by Austin residents at businesses in Oak Park because those services are not available on the West Side,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “So clearly, there’s buying power in Austin, but Chicago is missing out on tax revenue. That’s why I am hoping a new initiative I launched last month will change that pattern of spending.”

According to Lightfoot, the “INVEST South/West” program will leverage resources from public, private and nonprofit sectors to revitalize commercial corridors in ten economically challenged neighborhoods, such as Roseland, South Chicago, Auburn Gresham, Englewood, South Shore, New City, Humboldt Park, Austin, North Lawndale, and Quad Communities.

She added that the program is geared towards “reversing decades of disinvest-

ment on Chicago’s South and West Sides.”

But when it comes to the South Side, the mayor said she is committed to growing the economy with projects that will drive more development. For example, the Pullman Park development, whose retail portion is anchored by Walmart, has increased foot traffic to the Pullman area, according to Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), whose ward encompasses much of the Far South Side.

Lightfoot said that’s why Roseland is among the neighborhoods targeted by the new initiative.

“There are a lot of things happening on the South Side like the redevelopment of the National Monument in Pullman, and that’s why INVEST South/West is such an important program for neighborhoods that have struggled to grow their economy,” added Lightfoot.

She was non-committal when asked if she’d like to see a casino placed on the Far South Side, as Beale has suggested is needed to boost tourism “through the roof.”

But one thing the mayor said South Side neighborhoods like Roseland would benefit from is the pending Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Jackson Park despite residents living nearby fearful that the center will displace them.

“My goal is to make sure we are doing everything we can to address the concerns of residents worried about being able to stay in their neighborhood,” said Lightfoot.

The mayor said she attended a com-

munity meeting this summer for the OPC and got an ear full from residents concerned about employment opportunities and if a Community Benefits Agreement would be in place to prevent displacement.

“After attending the meeting what became clear to me is that the city had not really been engaged in this process, and what was happening was a void pitting people (living in the neighborhood) and advocates on one side and the Obama Center and the University of Chicago on the other side.”

Right away, Lightfoot said she took action to ensure fairness for everyone.

“I told my team (after leaving that meeting) we have got to step into this void and own responsibility for the role the city should be playing,” explained Lightfoot.

“The Obama Presidential Center being in Chicago is a huge benefit. It has the potential to completely transform the South Side if we do it right.”

One thing the mayor said she has no plans to change even though it would create a new revenue stream, is lifting a liquor ban on strip clubs.

“I see booming liquor sales going on in economically challenged neighborhoods where crime is high. I would love to restrict the hours and operations of liquor stores,” said Lightfoot. “There are all kinds of stuff happening in these stores, in the parking lot and around the areas that is not fundamentally good for those communities.”

Sonia Manzano Best Known as “Maria” on “Sesame Street Gives MLK Commemorative Address Tickets are now available to hear Sonia Manzano deliver the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. at Elon University in North Carolina.

The event will take place at McCrary Theatre and Manzano’s talk is titled, “Multi-Racial Latinos & the Civil Rights Movement.”

Manzano is best known for inspiring, educating and delighting children as “Maria” on “Sesame Street.” She was a fixture on the iconic program for more than 30 years, having broken ground as one of the first Hispanic characters on national television.

Raised in the South Bronx, her involvement in the arts was inspired by teachers who encouraged her to audition for the High School of Performing Arts.

Following study at Carnegie Mellon University, Manzano landed a role in the original production of the off-Broadway show “Godspell”.

Within a year she had joined “Sesame Street,”

eventually writing scripts for the series. She played Maria for more than four decades until her retirement from the show in 2015.

Twice nominated for an Emmy for her performances on “Sesame Street,” she won 15 Emmys as part of the writing team for the series.

Her latest books are, “Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx” and a Christmas picture book, “Miracle on 133rd Street.” She authored the children’s book, “No Dogs Allowed” in 2007 and the young adult novel, “The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano” in 2012.

She received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd Daytime Emmy Awards and in 2016 was presented with honorary doctorates from Carnegie Mellon, Tufts University and Lehman College.

Admission is $15 or free with an Elon ID. Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office. For ticket information, call (336) 278-5610.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Actress and author Sonia Manzano

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Dec. 18, 2019

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NEWS

Black News Channel In ‘The Red Zone’ Ready for Launch

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

As the historic launch on January 6, 2020, of the Black News Channel (BNC) approaches, officials can count members of Congress among those eagerly anticipating the new platform.

Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, the chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, joined a gathering of BNC officials, anchors, and other guests at a reception on December 3 in Washington, D.C., to toast the launch of the network.

“This has been long in the making,” said BNC’s Vice President of Community Affairs and former Tallahassee, Florida Mayor John Marks.

“When you see what we’ve done and what we’re going to do, it will knock your socks off,” Marks stated.

Bass called the fledgling channel a necessity for African Americans and others who seek a different perspective than what’s available through other news outlets.

“Right now, we have a lot of opinion in the news,” Bass stated.

“There are 54 members of the Congressional Black Caucus who want to be a part of this because you don’t see us, and you don’t hear about us [through mainstream news],” she said.

With a partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Black-owned newspapers and media companies, the BNC expects to fast become the top destination for all who want to consume African American news in print, on television and mobile devices.

An independent network that’s minority-owned and operated, BNC will be the nation’s only provider of 24/7 cable news programming dedicated

(left to right) Waldo McMillian from Charter Communications, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (DNY), BNC Chairman JC Watts Photo: Cheryl Brownlee

to covering the unique perspective of African American communities. The channel is the endeavor of the network’s visionaries and co-founders, Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. and CEO Bob Brillante.

“I remember going to West Africa with a bipartisan delegation that included Democrat William Jefferson,” said Watts, the former Republican congressman out of Oklahoma.

“We saw the little huts and where they kept African people at the door of no return to never see Africa again. But we also saw clinics, doctors, the building of hospitals, lawyers, and others.

“And [Jefferson] went home and told his 90-year-old granddad that we saw doctors and lawyers and the building of hospitals. And, his 90-yearold granddad said, ‘I knew there was more.’

“That is the mission of the Black News Channel.

There’s more to the African American community than what we see,” Watts stated.

During the December 3 reception, Watts participated in a fireside chat with Clarke and Waldo McMillan, the vice president of Legislative Affairs at Charter Communications.

“We don’t have as many opportunities to view ourselves and to have our narratives authentically portrayed through those who have similar experiences,” Clarke stated during the engaging chat before nearly 200 guests.

“What’s significant about the BNC is that it will be a reflection of people of African descent. In my district, I have people from around the world, the [African] continent, the Caribbean, South and Central America.

“They’re all seeking knowledge and a viewpoint and lens that speak from their experience. So, I’m excited about this,” Clarke stated.

Watts noted that the BNC would be culturally specific.

“Rarely do you hear anyone on any network today talking about Sickle Cell Disease, which is a disease that primarily impacts African Americans,” Watts stated.

“And, when we talk about being culturally specific, we just had Thanksgiving. By and large, when we’re talking about Thanksgiving dinner, African Americans are talking about cornbread dressing and sweet potato pie.

“By and large, white people talk about stuffing and pumpkin pie. That doesn’t mean we can’t interchange those dishes, but culturally specific to us would be sweet potato pie and cornbread dressing.

We have different cultures, different meals.

“But, it’s a lot of things like that we never hear or see in mainstream media when it comes to African American culture.”

Watts also said it was important to acknowledge Charter Communications’ role in the launch of the BNC. “If someone thinks you can do this without distribution, it’s a pipedream. Charter came along and bought into our vision and understood where we were going,” Watts stated.

“They could have seen it as risky, and I suspect that someone sitting at the table said, ‘I’m not so sure,’ but they did it, and it made us real. Things have fallen into place. We have over 60 people employed in Tallahassee, and we have bureaus in New York, Atlanta, Washington, and other areas.”

Watts, who was a star quarterback in college and the Canadian Football League, then used a football analogy to describe where things currently stand with the BNC. “We’re in the Red Zone,” he stated. “We’re about to raise our hands [signaling a touchdown] on January 6, and I would not be sitting here with Congresswoman Clarke, had it not been for Charter Communications saying, ‘We believe in the Black News Channel vision.’”

Nearly 1,000 Ride-Share Services Available to Nation’s Seniors An analysis by NORC at the University of Chicago and ITNAmerica of Westbrook, ME, shows that seniors have access to nearly 1,000 ride-share services across the United States to help meet their transportation needs.

The study looked at non-profit and for-profit ride-share services available to seniors. While the study found that health care was the most common reason to use non-profit ride-share (43 percent), the majority of rides were for other personal needs, such as shopping, trips to the hairdresser, getting to work or volunteer activities, or just having fun.

This environmental scan is the first part of a three-year study of all rideshare services for seniors in the United States conducted on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Older adults in the United States rely on private automobiles for transportation, taking nine out of 10 personal trips in cars, either as drivers or as passengers. As the population ages, this dependence poses safety and transportation problems for older

drivers. If they remain in the driver’s seat, they face the highest crash risk per mile driven of any group except teenagers. If they stop driving, they face limited transportation options.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether ride-share services could help address this unmet need.

“This study found that many adults age 75 and over require hightouch, personal service to travel safely, remain in their homes, and actively engage in their communities,” said Alycia Bayne, principal research scientist at NORC and an author of the white paper.

According to the research, that level of service is primarily provided to seniors by non-profit ride-share services.

The non-profit ride-share services in this study schedule rides in advance and provide personal assistance to riders.

The study also found that for-profit ride-share services that deliver rides for the general population are working to meet the mobility needs of older people. For-profit ride-share services are building relationships

with health care providers and senior living facilities to serve older adults. However, their independent contractor business model prevents them from directing drivers to help older riders with special needs such as folding walkers, carrying groceries, or escorting older passengers through the door at their destination.

The study found that geographic location also affects the availability of ride-share services, with urban seniors having far more transportation options. Suburban and rural seniors may be more likely to use the non-profit ride-share services where and when they are available. Many of the non-profit ride-share services rely on volunteer drivers. For the non-profits, demand for services outstrips supply.

According to Katherine Freund, executive director of ITNAmerica and lead author of the white paper, “When they are available, ride-share services help America’s seniors remain actively engaged in their communities, protecting them from the social isolation that can come www.citizennewspapergroup.com

when older people limit or stop driving. A lack of transportation can even stand in the way of older adults getting to and from vital health care appointments and basic necessities.

Ride-share services help seniors overcome this barrier.”

The report defines “ride-share” as transportation arranged through a third party, where a person is a passenger in a private automobile. A second phase of this study will explore older adults’ attitudes and beliefs toward using ride-share services.

Among the key findings from the report: l People age 65 and older who used non-profit ride-share services most frequently were women (74 percent), living alone (62 percent), and Caucasian (93 percent) with an average age of 81. More than a quarter of these users used a cane (29 percent) or a walker (27 percent), and more than one in 20 used a wheelchair (5 percent). l Two-thirds (66 percent) of older adults who used non-profit ride-share services no longer drove;

however, most (72 percent) still had a license or owned a car (60 percent). l Seven out of 10 riders reported their physical health as excellent, very good, or good. l Eighteen percent of riders required driver assistance such as lending an arm for balance, pushing a wheelchair, or buckling a seatbelt. l The telephone, rather than a mobile app, is the predominant means for older adults to request and schedule rides. l Seven in 10 riders had an annual income less than $50,000, and 41 percent had an income less than $25,000. l More ride-share services are available in higher population density communities than in rural and suburban communities. l All of the for-profit ride-share services studied offered rides for any purpose, and 63 percent of non-profits offered rides for any purpose. l For-profit ride-share services predominantly provided services on demand, and almost 100 percent of non-profits studied scheduled rideshare services in advance.

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BUSINESS

10 Black-Owned Businesses Dealing with Sweet Treats There‘s no better time like the holidays to enjoy decadent desserts and other delicious baked goods as family and friends come together for memorable meals bidding the past year adieu and welcoming the next.

Here’s a quick list of some of the black-owned businesses to put on your radar who you can turn to for an assortment of baked goods. Also, if you’re traveling to see friends and family over the holidays, check out these companies in a town near you!

SugarJam Cookies | Instagram The signature sugar cookies here are filled with specialty made jams and turned into sandwiches with flavors such as peach cobbler and almond amaretto. The store also serves pies, cakes and muffins. In addition, specialty holiday cookies include almond shorties and pecan melts. CEO and founder Dana N. Dumas is a self-taught baker and cook that hails from New York and New Jersey but now resides in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Vicky’s Signature Sweet Potato Pound Cakes | Instagram Fresh and moist sweet potato pound cakes are the signature delicacy at Victoria Franklin’s home-based business in the D.C. area, where she also offers her signature butter sauce, pound cake minis and pound cake drops. Her recipe’s secret lies in the proprietary spices she uses and if you are

local, she even has the cakes hand-delivered for a special touch.

Sweet Petit Desserts |Instagram Cake shooters, pops, chocolate covered pretzels and pie tartlets are just some of the many sugary delicacies that third generation baker Taren Kinebrew creates as the CEO of this Cincinnati, Ohio operation. One look at her cakes decorated with edible seasonal flowers and you might just want to order it for your next dinner party. She also has a Junior Baking Series for youngsters should you want to gain insight into some of her handiwork.

neighborhood of Treme in 2008. They are known for their classic baked goods but especially their buttermilk drop, sold by the dozen online.

upside-down. Cupcakes, breakfast breads and muffins, brownies and cookies are a few other options on the menu.

Petsi Pies | Instagram An indie bakery specializing in handmade pies and pastries in Somerville, Mass. since 2003, the sweet treats here are a result of founder Renee “Petsi” McLeod growing up baking pies in her grandmother’s kitchen. Some of their famed flavors include bourbon chocolate pecan and coconut cream in their sweet pies, chicken pot pies and vegetarian savory pies as well as scones, muffins and other pastry offerings.

Green Garden Bakery (Instagram) An award-winning youth-run business selling vegetable-based desserts to the Minneapolis community, this enterprise comprises a group of young entrepreneurs from Heritage Park who are driven by a passion to change the world one healthy and delicious baked good at a time. Vegetables used are grown in the community garden, baked into healthy vegetable-based desserts, and proceeds head back to the community.

The Puddery | (Instagram Single working mother Janel Prator is the founder and flavor creator of the Los Angelesbased business which serves over 21 different flavors with new items added to the menu almost every month. Five new flavors have been released just in time for the holidays, including two adult flavors – naughty and nice Baileys, no tricks all treat, nana nog, ginger snap ya fingas and jus peachy nana.

Danielle’s Desserts | Instagram From cakes and pies to cookies and bars, as well as specialty and gluten-free cupcakes, Danielle’s Desserts elevates American Southernstyle homemade baking by offering more than 57 flavors across all baked goodies. Founded by Danielle Poux in April 2010 in McLean, Va., each of the recipes found here are her own. Choose from blondies, caramel Bundt cakes, coconut macaroons and more for your holiday party.

Buttermilk Drop Bakery |Instagram Donuts, king cakes and drops are offered at this New Orleans, La. business celebrating a decade. Despite hurricane Katrina causing a small detour in operations, the owners persisted, perfecting their recipe for a new twist to an old favorite pastry and opening doors in the historical

Good Cakes and Bakes |Instagram For organic, gourmet, vegan and homemade baked goods, turn to this bakery in Detroit owned by pastry chef April Anderson, who offers pound, custom, layer and birthday cakes in flavors ranging from 7UP pound cake, lemon gooey butter cake, and pineapple

QCakes |Facebook At Q’s Cakes and Sweets Boutique in Albuquerque, NM, from scratch custom cakes, desserts, sweets and more by owner and U.S. Air Force veteran Queneesha Meyers are on the menu.

A quick glance at her gallery of decadent creations will keep you scrolling through the page at each beautifully constructed piece of work. From chocolate covered Oreos, to brownies and bars, she has a variety of flavor options to choose from.

So go ahead and take your pick. This list is by no means comprehensive and is only a quick glance at some of the businesses you can go on to support during the holidays while also enjoying the unique creations by their owners.

Here’s to some sweet tooth satisfaction!

Aki Spicer named chief strategy officer of Leo Burnett Chicago

Leo Burnett Chicago Names Aki Spicer Chief Strategy Officer Leo Burnett Chicago recently named Aki Spicer to the role of chief strategy officer. Elevated from the role of EVP and Global Strategy Lead, Spicer will report to Andrew Swinand, Leo Burnett Group CEO. “Aki is a rare thinker who’s steeped in the classical aspects of the discipline, but with the edge to help architect our agency for the future of the industry,” said Swinand.

“Cultural fluency, a dynamic understanding of data and a passion for experience design, he brings it all to the table.”

Spicer will be charged with www.citizennewspapergroup.com

leading a team of more than 40 strategists across Leo Burnett Chicago’s client roster.

“Leo Burnett is a storied brand with an incredible legacy of creative innovation, paving the way for modern disciplines like media and content strategy, experience design and the idea of building populist brands through cultural relevancy,” Spicer said. “Where better than Leo Burnett to reprise that for this modern era? I’m thrilled to take up that mantle and carry it forward in a world where data promises to make us smarter than ever across so many channels.”

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Dec. 18, 2019

CFC 2019 Game Day Raffle Ticket Prize Giveaway Photos by Jerome Simmons Pictured left to right are: Alex Kocik, General Manager Sherman Dodge of Skokie; Everette Rand, Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Foundation Inc. ; Darrell Garth, (Winner of the CFC Raffle Drawing), Publisher of Citizen Newspaper Group Inc. ; Janice Garth, Citizen Newspaper Group Inc.; Larry Huggins, Chicago Football Classic Scholarship Foundation Inc. and Rev. Walter Turner, New Spiritual Light Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Turner pulled the winning ticket during the drawing following the HBCU game Hampton vs. Howard. The Garth’s were awarded a new 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Photo by Jerome Simmons

ket Prize. ic T le ff a R 020 eek at the 2 A Sneak P

Pictured left to right: Everette Rand, Chicago Football Classic; Alex Kocik, GM Sherman Dodge of Skokie and Larry Huggins of Chicago Football Classic. The three shook hands as a sign of deliverance for the 2020 prize giveaway. All looking forward to game day 2020, standing next to the Jeep Safari to be awarded to CFC next Raffle Winner in September of 2020. Photo by Jerome Simmons

Slowbreakers Recently Hosted Its Annual Holiday Party Scholarship winners posed with their checks after the presentation.

Pictured is: Kaylin Searless, Zoe Hudson, Alondria Nelson, Samantha C. Latson, Asa Green, Xavier McKinney and John Dawson.

Pictured is Judge Muse and John Marsh

Pictured to the left : Slowbreakers event goers take to the dance floor dancing the evening away after the Awards Presentation.

About Slowbreakers

Slowbreakers established in 2006 as a civic organization

composed of numerous former educators, coaches, high school and college athletes from the Chicago Metropolitan.

The organization's primary purpose is to maintain a membership that will advocate for strengthening the role of the student athlete and its inherent correlation to academic achievement. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the student athletes' opportunities for success while enabling them to become productive members of society.

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ENTERTAINMENT Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Original Motion Picture Soundtrack From Oscar®Winning Composer John Williams

Marianne Jean Baptiste as Sheila

FILM REVIEW:

In Fabric

BY DWIGHT BROWN NNPA Newswire Film Critic

She thought she was simply buying a sexy red dress, off the rack. But when that frock came home with her, so did the supernatural.

Writer/director Peter Strickland had a wicked vision in mind when he created this campy horror film, which has a style that is reminiscent of the 1977 cult classic Suspiria, by famed 1970s/80s Italian horror director Dario Argento. Argento gained notoriety for his arty mixture of thriller, mystery, psychological and erotic elements versus unbridled gore.

Director Luca Guadagnino (Oscar-nominee Call Me by Your Name) attempted to mimic Argento’s style with his misguided 2018 remake of Suspiria.

His failure proves that stepping into this horror subgenre successfully is not that easy.

Credit Strickland for succeeding where others have not. His direction exhibits a quirky, artistic style. Scenes melt into each other effortlessly. There’s a dazzling visual flare that keeps your eyeballs glued to the screen for 118 minutes. You’re hooked until he’s through weaving a very sordid tale about a dress with a mind of its own and a curse that is deadly.

Sheila (Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Secrets & Lies) is very conscientious. She’s a chatty and polite bank teller. As a recently divorced single mom, she lives with her young adult son Vince (Jaygann Ayeh, The Souvenir). Her offspring, judging by the moans and groans that emanate from his bedroom at night when he’s hosting his ladyfriend (Gwendoline Christie), should have been living on his own years ago.

Sheila, tired of being alone, puts her profile on a dating page and is about to meet a new man for dinner. Wanting to make the right impression, she heads to a bizarre London department store and is tempted to buy something wild, for a woman of a certain age. A creepy-looking store clerk (Fatma Mohamed), who slithers down the aisles like Morticia Adams (of The Adams Family), champions a low-cut red dress. Sheila: “Isn’t it a little risqué? I don’t normally wear this kind of

Fatma Mohamed as Miss Luckmoore

thing.” Clerk: “Be bold. Your date will compliment you. Touch it. Feel it. Here.”

Sheila’s restaurant rendezvous doesn’t go well. He’s a bore. Self-absorbed. No feel for small talk. No sense of humor. Pity. But at least she has the dress she adores. Unfortunately, the feeling is not mutual. The frock gives her a rash. It moves around on its own, causes a series of accidents, mishaps and oddities that leave puddles of blood in its wake.

There is something so matter-of-fact about Sheila that when unnatural things vex her, you feel extra sorry about her misfortune. Her life turns to tatters. So do the lives of anyone who dons the scarlet garment.

Strickland sets the scare meter at moderate. The horror is consistent but not explosive. Ghastly in the right places. A little mangling here. Oral sex there.

A washing machine run amuck. Untimely deaths.

The director brushes on the macabre like an artist choosing the right colors, shapes and textures for a Salvador Dali painting. Tasteful. Sick. Weird. More like an art film gone askew. Not at all like a tacky B-movie.

The costume designer (Jo Thompson) threads together a catchy wardrobe for the cast, who look prepared to go to work or a freak show, depending.

Sets (Adrian Greenwood) and production design (Paki Smith), from Shelia’s cramped two-story flat to a department store with a secret dumbwaiter that leads to a coven, pull you into a working-class life that clashes with an underworld.

The score (Cavern of Anti-Matter) has both whimsical and sinister tones. Ditto the sound design (Rob Entwistle). Editing (Matyas Fekete) the footage down to a fairly lengthy movie that doesn’t feel long is not an easy feat. The rainbow of colors (Bobbie Cousins art director) is well captured by cinematography (Ari Wegner) with lighting that is particularly sensual during a very intimate peeping tom scene. The camerawork evokes an odd feeling as you become the watcher observing a voyeur.

Baptiste leaves her everywoman imprint all over the footage. Sheila’s inflection, nonchalant delivery and stoic facial expressions rarely waver, even in the presence of two overbearing bosses, played snidely

by Steve Oram and Julian Barratt. Mohamed’s accent, as the temptress clerk, is so thick you could trip over it, and the clandestine life the character leads gets spookier every minute. Jaygann Ayeh’s chemistry with Baptiste is so natural it’s as if Sheila was his real helicopter mom and he was her actual ungrateful millennial son.

Even with the dry humor and intelligent writing, make no mistakes about it, In Fabric is designed to scare the heck out of you and it does! Small eerie moments pile up, fraying your nerves, building and building. Like someone first sticking needles in your back, then switching to shivs.

Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Walt Disney Records is set to release the original motion picture soundtrack for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

The album features a new score conducted and composed by five-time Academy Award®winning composer John Williams. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker digital soundtrack is set for release on December 18 and the physical album will be available on December 20 as the film opens in U.S. theaters nationwide.

From the physical album’s liner notes, director J.J. Abrams said, “Once again, John has come up with an utterly stunning soundtrack, creating brand new, gorgeous, frightening, mysterious, epic and intimate themes while also revisiting some of his greatest, classic melodies. My gratitude toward John Williams cannot be overstated — not just for elevating every scene in this film, but for providing us all with soundtracks that elevate our lives.”

John Williams stated in the album’s liner notes, “More than 40 years ago, George Lucas introduced to the world his singular imagination, his ingenuity and his creative genius.

He also gave me an opportunity never before enjoyed by an operatic or film composer…the chance to work continually for four decades on a single project, and with each film, to add to a collection of musical themes which I hope will be seen as parts of a singular, organic whole.

“This experience has been one of the highlights of my professional life, bringing me so much joy in working with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and musicians. I stand before the now completed nine Star Wars films with pride and gratitude for the gift of this extraordinary journey.”

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Original Motion Picture soundtrack will be available to stream and download on December 18. The physical album will be available on December 20 and is now available for pre-order.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Dec. 18, 2019

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NEWS

Home Decorating for the Holidays Family Features - Chances are good that at some point during the holiday season, you’ll welcome guests into your home. Whether you lease or own your home, creating a cozy, festive setting for holiday gatherings can actually be quite simple, especially if you take on the project one room at a time.

One advantage of seasonal decorating is that it is, by definition, temporary. This gives you plenty of freedom to experiment with new ideas and completely transform your living space on a short-term basis. It’s also an opportunity to get creative with your home’s decor to create warm, inviting places for family and friends to gather.

Get started decking the halls this holiday season with these room-byroom decorating tips from the design experts at Invitation Homes, one of the nation’s premier home leasing companies with more than 80,000 single-family homes for lease in the United States.

Exterior Curb appeal isn’t a concept reserved for buying and selling; set the festive mood from the moment guests arrive by enhancing your home’s outdoor space. Bold or twinkling, strings of lights add instant holiday appeal, and the possibilities for creating a custom look are nearly endless when you use weather-resistant removable hooks.

You can embellish the design with fun, whimsical inflatables or go more traditional with stylish wreaths and garland to accent the door. Make the look your own with unexpected touches like an old sled propped against the porch railing. The beauty of outdoor decorating is that virtually all of it can be easily removed to make way for a new season or event.

Entryway Delight guests from the moment they enter your home by paying special attention to the entryway. It’s a great place to introduce a theme you’ll carry throughout the house such as seasonal patterns or textures like a colorful plaid print. Create ambient light with strings hung from the ceiling or wrap banisters and stairs with garland (prelit garland adds a classic touch).

Kitchen In most homes, the kitchen is an entertaining hub. While platters of food may occupy many of the available surfaces, you can still incorporate a holiday theme. Set the table with a festive yuletide log with faux berries, pinecones and candles artfully placed nearby. Seasonal candles, festive seat cushions and a cheerful table runner all add subtle touches of holiday flair. Other ideas include dangling lights from the chandelier or stacking

Curb appeal isn’t a concept reserved for buying and selling; set the festive mood from the moment guests arrive by enhancing your home’s outdoor space. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

pinecones with string lights in a bowl or vase to accent the buffet line or to use as a table centerpiece. Holiday desserts can be artwork in their own right, so get creative to make the dessert table a stand-out element of the decor.

Living Room A comfy, cozy environment that invites guests to make themselves at home as they catch up with loved ones is a holiday entertaining must.

Extend the holiday happiness into this space with little touches like a lantern filled with pinecones, faux gifts by the mantle, stockings hung from stocking holders that reflect your decorative theme, seasonal throw pillows and evergreen arrangements on the end tables and coffee table.

Bathrooms It may be a smaller space, but the bathroom is a room every guest is likely to visit. Incorporate flameless candles and seasonal metallic accents that complement the fixtures. Hang holiday items from shower curtain rings and replace your standard curtain with a festive or candy-cane striped alternative. Be sure to finish the look with seasonal decorative towels.

Guest Rooms Traveling during the holidays can be stressful, but you can do your part to make guests feel comfortable by adding some cheerful touches to the area they’ll call home. A miniature evergreen tree in a planter or pot makes a fun addition to a nightstand.

You can adorn headboards with garland or delicate lights and add festive throw pillows and blankets or even swap out linens entirely for a fullblown holiday welcome.

Holiday Hosting Hosting guests can be stressful, especially during the holidays. These are some easy ways to prepare for holiday guests and make sure they feel at home.

Tidy Up Before you go all out with the tinsel and holly, take some time to tidy up the areas in your home guests will use the most. Your decorations can shine brighter and make a better impression without school bags and shoes cluttering the display. Take advantage of holiday sales and invest in some storage cubes or other storage options.

Candles Not only do can they add visual

Delight guests from the moment they enter your home by paying special attention to the entryway. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

appeal, but the right scent creates an ambiance that brings everyone together. If you want to stay away from anything with flames, there are plenty of alternatives, such as plug-in scent diffusers, room sprays and wax warmers.

Snacks Waiting for the big holiday meal can be tiresome. Set out some hors d’oeuvres

for everyone to enjoy while they wait for the main course to be served. Cheese and cracker plates, hummus, veggies, mixed nuts and pretzels can help keep your guests from getting hungry. Make sure you ask about any allergies or dietary requirements beforehand so you can be prepared.

Find more lease-friendly holiday tips at invitationhomes.com.

SOURCE: Invitation Homes

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LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF INDIANA) ) SS: COUNTY OF LAKE ) IN THE LAKE SUPPERIOR COURT ROOM NUMBER FIVE SITTING IN HAMMOND, INDIANA IN RE: THE DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE OF:

and

AQUILLA SYKES Wife,

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