April 19, 2018 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934 April 19-25, 2018 Vol. 84 No. 37 www.spokesman-recorder.com

Procession defied blizzard to honor slain activist Hope in the midst of darkness

By Stephenetta Harmon Contributing Writer Dozens braved a recordbreaking snowstorm in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 14 to honor slain community activist Tyrone Williams. Despite the weather, a diverse swath of community groups, friends and activists joined Williams’ mother, Rosemary Nevils-Williams, sister Raeisha Williams, and other family members for the eight-block memorial procession.

“If we can spend 18 days in front of the 4th Precinct, we can come out in a blizzard to honor his memory,” said civil rights attorney and friend Mother’s final journey with her son Nekima Levy-Pounds. “If we could brave all of the freezing temps, the blizzards, and heavy police presence, of course we can pay our respects to someone who has meant so much to our entire community and who stood up for the rights of commuBy Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer nities of color and those who face oppression.”

First of a three-part story The procession began at 4th and Broadway and endThe United States is beed at the Shiloh Temple Incoming more segregated ternational Ministries, where both politically and socialthe wake and funeral services ly than it has been in many were held immediately after. years. A recent conference “Even though it was under aimed at slowing this drift tragic circumstances, it highidentified as one significant lights the dignity and spirit of obstacle the groups who tend the Minneapolis Convention tenacity and perseverance of to be absent from such dis- Center, hosted by the Univera people,” said Levy-Pounds. sity of St. Thomas. What becussions.

“To see Mama Rose walking so What’s needed to advance gan 30 years ago as a twodefiantly to honor her son and efforts toward true diversi- hour video conference now his legacy [see photo at top ty, equity and inclusion in to- attracts as many as 2,000 loleft] was symbolic of all the day’s workplace was the pri- cal, national and internationadversity we face as a commary focus of The Forum on al attendees from the cormunity and how we still hold Workplace Inclusion’s three- porate, community, social our heads high and with digday conference last week at justice, nonprofit and philannity intact.”

Crowd paying tribute to soldier for peace and justice Photos by Thaiphy Phan-Quang

‘Missing voices’ delay progress toward true equity

Underfunding, citizenship question suggest political motives

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer More than likely, Congress will soon approve a new citizenship question to be added on the 2020 U.S. Census. A coalition of organizations that thropic sectors, among oth- primarily work with commuers.

Last week’s 30th anniversary Forum had at least 1,600 attendees, The Forum Executive Director Steve Humerickhouse announced.

It included 60-minute and

YWCA program helps teens navigate sexual coming-of-age

By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

■ See standing on page 5

ed the MSR. Blacks historically have been underreported on the Census for decades.

Over six percent of Black children were undercounted on the 2010 Census, Morial reported.

“The concern is multi-racial and multi-ethnic,” the Lead-

■ See Missing Voices on page 5

Standing your ground: It’s hard to save teenagers from themselves; there’s only so much even the most conscientious parents can do once all that sexually charged energy is out the door for the day or evening. When adolescents are left to their own devices, it looks like parental options are to wring their hands, keep the porch light on, and hope for the best.

Few mishaps can more traumatically sideline a girl’s life than when she learns she is pregnant and will be a mother before she’s finished becoming a woman. It can stop a boy dead in his tracks when he discovers he’s about to be a dad. These circumstances happen all the time.

There is help available. The Contract Plus program at YWCA Minneapolis enrolls youngsters through school and prepares them to prevent the worst.

Mark Campbell, Contact Plus coordinator and a former program participant in his youth, now helps guide another generation through this difficult terrain.

“What we do at Contact Plus is build foundations of a strong relationship and [show youth] how to be allies for each other.

“We provide healthy information around sexuality so that young people [understand] how they want to move, and can have constructive conversations around sexual health. The goal of our program isn’t to tell them what to do [but]

People of color cry foul on Census 2020

nities of color and immigrant communities sees this as having a potentially adverse effect on their constituents.

Last week, Minnesota joined 16 other states, seven cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in filing suit to remove the question, which

ership Conference Education Fund President-CEO Vanita Gupta stressed. She pointed out that all U.S. people are required to participate in the Census, whether they are citizens or not.

People of color — and especially immigrants — his-

“This is a tactic designed to scare people away from participating.” hasn’t been asked by the Census since 1950. The U.S. Justice Department argues that the question is needed to help [l-r] Luz Maria Frias, Nicole Awad, Yusuf Abdullah, Mark Campbell enforce the Voting Rights Act, Photo by Dwight Hobbes but the plaintiffs counter argue that it isn’t needed to fully enforce the Act. State Attorney General Lori Swanson said in a published is branded a, shall we say, gardening imBy Dwight Hobbes story last week that the citizenplement by the time he’s done violating her Contributing Writer ship question could hurt Minreputation in school and around town. nesota in federal funding and “Nobody believed me/ I felt so alone/ I U Have the Right (a CD from the High possibly lose the state a U.S. School for the Recording Arts, 2002) stands didn’t even feel right laying down in my Congressional seat — the Cenany test of time. Created and performed by own home/ Emotional scratches and bruissus sets up federal funding forteens, it is spoken word prose-poetry no es/ bled more from my heart and soul/ Than mulas and congressional seat less significant or artistically sound than my body and face.” Truly, yes, girls amazed allocations based on its results. such social commenters as Sha Cage, E. G. by their power of physical allure and crazy The Trump administration Bailey and Truth Maze. To this day, U Have to get attention are apt to find themselves in is using the citizenship quesawkward one-on-one situations on which the Right remains a wake-up call. tion as a “veiled backdoor efImportantly, take “It Ain’t Right,” a chill- they didn’t count, with which they’re way fort to suppress the African ing verse by Mia R. set to ethereal music by too inexperienced to reckon.

American vote,” National UrSt. Nick, depicting a young woman nar■ See alarM on page 5 ban League President-CEO rowly escaping rape who, in the aftermath, Marc Morial said on a March 4 ethnic media call that includ-

U Have the Right sounds the alarm on teen rape

torically fear that answering Census questions may later be used against them, such as for the possibility of deportation. There has been a “great amount of fear among the immigrant communities around the country” since U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross’ announcement, said Arturo Vargas of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officers (NALEO).

He called Ross’ decision “deeply flawed.

“This is a tactic designed to scare people away from participating” in the 2020 Census, said Vargas, who added that some Latinos have told him that they are now scared to answer any Census questions.

Additionally, the Trump administration’s proposed ■ See census on page 5

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April 19-25, 2018

Parents are the First Teachers and Home the First School

Four ways you can help your child deal with stress 1. Listen to them and communicate “By listening to them, you are acknowledging their feelings but also strengthening the trust/bond you have with your child,” McGregor says. “Trust is so important in childhood.

They feel supported and feel better being able to get it off their chest.”

A

dults often complain they are “stressed out.” Increasingly, statistics show American children are stressed out as well, and the effects on their health, emotional state, and cognitive ability can be significant.

It’s well-documented that adult stress can lead to serious illnesses. But many researchers believe that ongoing stress during childhood — from poverty, parents fighting or substance abuse, bullying, violence or other adversity — can harm kids’ brains and other body systems and possibly lead to major health issues when they’re adults.

Therefore, it is vital for parents to help their children cope with stress. “Adults can handle more stress children, because our brains are already formed and we have many more coping skills,” says Alise McGregor, founder of Little Newtons (www.littlenewtons.com), an early education center with locations in Minnesota and Illinois.

“Research shows there from stress on kids’ development.

Not exposing your child to any stress at home, of course, is ideal, but in today’s world there is so much affecting kids that parents need to know how to help them through it.”

Statistics cited in a greatschools.org article reflect the higher levels of stress that American children are experiencing: suicides among adolescents have quadrupled since the 1950s; and in the past decade, using pharmaceuticals to treat emotional disorders has increased 68 percent for girls, 30 percent for boys.

McGregor suggests four ways parents can help their children cope with stress:

2. Exercise This is easy, fun and often necessary as a coping mechanism.

“Children who are physically active release stress as well as build confidence,” McGregor says.

“And they sleep better, which in turn makes them better equipped to take on their day.”

3. Take care of yourself, slow down Children are aware of their surroundings and look to their caregiver for support. “If a caregiver is not fully equipped to handle their own stress, they certainly can’t fully support a child,” McGregor says. “We often are in such a hurry that many of the basic necessities of care-giving are rushed through.

Children can feel the stress caregivers are experiencing and often will act out.”

4. Teach them relaxation techniques Just as parents teach children how to throw a baseball or build a tower with blocks, they should also teach them how to cope with stressful situations in life, McGregor says. “There are ways to do this, such as count down from 10, or ‘breathe in the soup, blow out the soup.’ It slows down their ‘hyperstate’ of accelerated heart rate and fast breathing.

“Most parents have the skills to deal with their child’s stress,” McGregor adds. “The time to seek professional help for a child’s stress is when any change in behavior persists, or when the stress is causing problems at home or school.”

—Story courtesy of News and Experts. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

New scholarship opportunity removes barrier for local homeless students As the cost of college grows, research shows that so does the number of hungry and homeless students at colleges and universities across the country.

Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless is offering 10, $2,000 scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year to Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) students who are currently homeless or have experienced homelessness in the past two years.

Funds can be used for education or living expenses.

With demand for technical and skilled trade positions at an all-time high, and with MCTC’s nearly 100 percent job placement rates for students graduating from their career and technical education (CTE) programs, Open Your Heart is confident that the benefits of this scholarship are twofold.

In addition to filling high-demand jobs, students are offered a real and permanent escape from a homeless life.

Since 1986, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, a Minnesota nonprofit, has supported hunger, homeless, and domestic violence programs throughout the state.

Entirely funded by the private sector, mostly indi-

viduals, Open Your Heart has also worked to ensure that homeless students have the same access to educational opportunities as all Minnesotans.

For more i n for mat ion visit www.oyh.org. Scholarship applicants should apply online at www.minneapolis.edu/ collegescholarships by the June 1 deadline.

—Information provided by Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless

April 19-25, 2018

3

Doctors may have discovered a new human organ

I

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD n a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at the New York University School of Medicine have come across what some have boldly called a “new human organ.” Scientists call this potential new organ the «interstitium.” In fact, this discovery involves tissue that may account for 20 percent of our total body weight, making this possible organ the largest in the body; even more substantial than our skin, the current title-holder as the largest organ of the human body.

The interstitium is composed of a lattice, mesh-like network of dense connective tissue that is filled with fluid that is widespread throughout the human body. Doctors have known about the interstitium for decades, but the new insight came from the fact that there are specialized microscopes that can look at living tissue in real time.

In the past, traditional microscopic slides portrayed this tissue as dense fi-

bers without fluid. Processing the tissue samples to view under a microscope changed it so dramatically that it was overlooked concerning its potential importance.

With the new microscopes that can look at the living tissue, the interstitium is a sizeable fluid-filled space of a network of connective tissue made of collagen and elastin that contains significant volumes of fluids that can be associated with large areas of the body including the skin, lungs, arteries, veins, muscles, urinary tract and mesentery of the intestines.

The interstitium is nearly everywhere and appears to be connected.

These large fluid-filled areas were not appreciated with standard microscopic views because the fluid was removed in processing making the sponge-like network flat.

Researchers have jokingly commented, “This potential new organ has

been hiding in plain sight for almost a hundred years.” With the new confocal microscopic images, the interstitium appears to be a sizeable sea-like region of moving fluids in the body, perhaps similar to the lymphatic system.

Concerning the status of the interstitium as a new organ, it is essential to recognize that the standard medical definition of an organ is “a collection of tissues with a unique structure performing a specific function like the heart, kidneys, skin, liver or brain.”

Some say that the vast, fluid-filled, in-between space fits the definition of organ, yet others say more research needs to be conducted before we rewrite the medical textbooks. It is wise to approach all new theories with a bit of care and skepticism.

We still need to evaluate the components and the specific role(s) of the materials in the fluid in the interstitium and where they are made, where they come from, where they go and what they do for our health.

We are documenting the intersti-

tium’s structure. We now need to know more about the interstitium’s function.

Researchers now studying the interstitium are calling the “new” field of study “interstitial science.”

Scientists are fascinated with the potential function of the interstitium. Some say it may act as a protective shock absorber for the body. Others say it is a moving river of fluids that may interact with the lymph system and play a vital role in supporting the immune system.

In fact, some postulate that metastatic cancer and other diseases may gain access to the lymph system and spread initially through the fluids in the interstitium. Doctors admit that our understanding of how cancers spread, early on, is poorly understood. A better understanding of the interstitium may turn out to be the missing link in that knowledge deficit.

This new view of the interstitium is exciting, as it may also turn out to be a critical area for doctors to treat to prevent the spread of cancer and oth-

er diseases. If cancer can’t spread (metastasize) to other organs and do lifethreatening damage, the prognoses for anyone with many forms of cancer and other devastating diseases become much better.

The new concept of the interstitium was sparked by research by Dr. Neil Theise and colleagues at the New York University School of Medicine and the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan.

It is amazing that scientists are still learning new and fascinating facts about the human body that can affect us all. I believe that calling the interstitium a “new organ” is certainly attention-getting. Unfortunately, it is also distracting. In actuality, the interstitium is more like a “body-system,” similar to the lymphatic system or vascular system. Nevertheless, the newly appreciated interstitium is an exciting discovery that may lead to exciting research and important cancer and other disease prevention and treatment strategies in the future.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the top 21 African American physicians in the U.S. by the Atlanta Post. Dr. Crutchfield is president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Autism: Moving from acceptance to action

By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer In honor of April being National Autism Awareness Month, Sheletta Brundidge shares the first of a two-part story chronicling her discovery that three of her four children were on the autism spectrum.

First of a two-part story My son Brandon was two years old when our autism journey began. He was playing with a couple of toys in the restroom while I was nearby bathing his then-one-year old sister Cameron (I was pregnant with their soon-to-be-born baby brother Daniel at the time). She was splashing around in the tub having fun and I guess he decided he’d look for a neighboring body of water to splash around in, too.

Brandon made a bee-line for the toilet and took a nose dive. Being a germaphobe I yelled out, “Noooooooooooo!” before sprinting over to pull his head out of the bowl. His face was wet, his hair was damp and he was as happy as he could be.

I immediately took Cameron out of the tub and put Brandon in, scrubbing him as hard as I could trying to get those toilet germs off his face. I remember looking at him in the eye and pleading “Son, don’t play in the toilet, okay?”

He looked beyond me with a blank stare, as if I wasn’t standing there. I knew instantly something was wrong. The light that had been in my son’s eyes was dimmed ever so slightly.

He couldn’t figure out what I was saying to him, and worse yet, he didn’t know how to respond. He began babbling and looking around as if imaginary butterflies were capturing his attention. He couldn’t give me direct eye contact.

“Oh no,” I thought, “Something is wrong with my baby!” Then I wondered, “How long has this been going on?” I blamed myself for not noticing sooner. How could I not see that my son was slipping into darkness?

I was working full-time, raising a growing family, being a mom, a wife, a daughter, an employee.

I was busy keeping my house clean and too preoccupied with chores to have a handle on my child’s mental development.

I hadn’t taken a moment to notice —until my son dunked his head in a toilet — that he wasn’t behaving like a normal two-year-old.

He was lining his food up and not eating it. He was still drinking from a bottle.

He wouldn’t make eye contact. He was bab-

The Brundidge family (l-r) Sheletta, Brandon, Daniel, Cameron and Shawn

bling instead of talking. He didn’t respond to his name when I called for him. I missed all the warning signs. I ignored all the clues.

My. Son. Had. Autism.

I cried. I stopped eating. I got down to 96 pounds. I was curled up in the fetal position under the table, unable to do anything except feel sorry for myself. My momma had to come and take care of my kids. I couldn’t even fold laundry or brush my teeth, because, of course, I made it all about me.

I’m a narcissist after all.

Somehow I thought I had failed as a parent and caused my son to have autism. So, instead of getting busy finding help for my child, I cowered in fear of what life had to offer a Black boy with special needs.

Since he couldn’t speak, would the police shoot him if he didn’t respond to their commands?

Would he ever be able to get a job and support himself? What about college? Without words, could he find a wife?

All the dreams I had for little Brandon were taking a nose dive out of the freakin’ window.

I had decided, that at age two, my son’s life was over and there was no hope for him.

go green!

Stay Informed on envIronmental and SuStaInabIlIty topIcS!

But God reached down and snatched me out from under the kitchen table and said: “I chose you!” My spirit awakened and I realized this was a blessing: Of all the women in the world, God picked me to be Brandon’s mother. What an honor that He selected me to be the shepherd of this little life.

I had to get it together for my baby, so he could live out his God-given destiny and reach his full potential. It was all on me to get it done.

First I went to the folk closest to me for assistance. But since I didn’t have friends who had kids with special needs, nobody could tell me what to do. I tried to call on my family but that quickly backfired.

My momma brushed off my suspicions about Brandon having autism as just me being dramatic. “Ain’t nothing wrong with that damn boy. You just looking for attention; he gon’ talk when he gets ready. Your cousin Meme didn’t talk until she was 3.”

My grandmother outright blamed me for everything, “If you had just got an epidural during your pregnancy,” she quipped, “the boy would be fine now. But you wanted to do that natural childbirth [expletive]. He probably ain’t get no oxygen to his brain. That’s why he ain’t talking. It’s your fault, Sheletta.”

Since family and friends wouldn’t come to my rescue, I turned to the professionals.

Everything that I read about having an autism diagnosis said early detection and intervention is the key to success. So I made an appointment at a children’s hospital to get Brandon evaluated and tested for autism.

After three hours of checking out my son, the doctor stepped out of the room and declared, “Yep,

Photo courtesy of Sheletta Brundidge you were right, your child has autism. Have a good life.”

Now what? What do I do with my special needs child? Does he need a prescription to keep him from flapping his hands? Or some speech sessions a couple times a week to help him learn how to talk? They didn’t give me one damn referral — not even a tip on what kind of therapy he needed or how I could go about getting services for Brandon.

I didn’t know what to do or where to turn, but I kept hearing God say, “I chose you!”

I knew this was gon’ be a “Roll up your sleeve — against all odds — me and my baby against the world” situation. So I went to my husband Shawn and asked if I could quit my job.

Without the worry of working every day, I dedicated my life to learning more about autism spectrum disorders and looking for ways to heal my child.

I didn’t want to get help for him. Forget help!

I wanted Brandon healed from this autism diagnosis, so he could grow up to be the man God designed him to be without deficit or deficiency. I prayed for God to send the answer and He did.

But in the meantime, both Cameron and my newborn son Daniel were diagnosed with autism as well.

Next week, Sheletta encounters an angel who guided her through the proper therapy and medication to heal her son Brandon from the effects of his autism diagnosis. She will provide a blueprint for other parents to find services for their special needs children and scholarships that are available to pay for it all.

4 April 19-25, 2018 The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) welcomes and values commentary and feedback from the community. The articles found here are edited for clarity and/or space, but the opinions are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of the MSR.

Will HUD Secretary Ben Carson enforce the Fair Housing Act?

By Julianne Malveaux Guest Commentator The Fair Housing Act was passed a week after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. President Lyndon Johnson encouraged Congress to pass the legislation as a tribute to the slain civil rights leader, who, along with several civil rights organizations (including the NAACP), strongly supported the act.

African American veteran’s organizations (including the American GI Forum) were very passionate about the legislation, especially since Vietnam veterans were among those experiencing severe housing discrimination. Senator Ed Brooke (R-Mass.), the only African American in the Senate at the time, along with his Massachusetts colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) was focused on the legislation.

The Fair Housing Act is also known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (which was later amended in 1988) prevents discrimination in the sale, rental, financing, and advertising of housing because of race, color, religion, disability, family status, and national origin.

But with the severe wealth inequality in our nation, there are still major gaps between homeownership by race; the Great Recession more heavily impacted African American households than any other racial group.

Between 2004 and 2016, every group experienced a decline in homeownership, but while Whites experienced a 4.1 percent decline, African American households experienced a seven percent decline, dropping from nearly half (49 percent) of Black households owning homes to just 41.9 percent. Meanwhile, White homeownership remained over 70 percent.

As much as a third of African American wealth was wiped out by the Great Recession, and this is partly due to discrimination in banking, including the ways that some banks aggressively pushed subprime loans on African Americans, even those who qualified for traditional loans.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency that is responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act, as well as providing rental assistance, public housing, and housing vouchers for those who cannot afford housing on their incomes.

Our 45th president had proposed deep cuts in the HUD budget, but the budget that was passed on March 23, 2018, just hours before the government was scheduled to shut down, actually adds money to the HUD budget, especially in the rental assistance and public housing capital funds program. Still, cuts are scheduled for the next fiscal year, and the issue of non-discriminatory and affordable housing remains a pressing one.

But will HUD Secretary Ben Carson enforce the Fair Housing Act and effectively administer an agency that can make a differ-

ence in the quality of life for low-income people? One has to raise the question, especially as Dr. Carson seems to want to spend more time looking for a $30,000 dining table than administering his agency.

Trump’s pick of Carson to administer the agency was a strange one, given that Carson’s only qualification for running one of the government’s largest agencies seems to be that his mom avoided public housing because of its “dangers.” Trump does not seem to be high on finding qualified people to run HUD. For example, Lynne Patton, the HUD administrator for Region II, which includes New York and New Jersey, was Eric Trump’s wedding planner.

It may seem snarky to point out things that some would call “minor,” and both Patton and Carson will, perhaps, grow into their roles. They have to; their work makes a difference in the quality of life and the quality of housing for millions of Americans. And, there is no evidence that Carson has spearheaded innovative programs (Wait — did I write Carson and “innovative programs” in the same sentence?) to close the homeownership gap or to help African American families recover from the ravages of the Great Recession.

Furthermore, while this has little to do with Carson, the effort to roll back DoddFrank reforms and the evisceration of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, strips power from consumers, especially those of low and moderate incomes.

By making it more difficult to file class action lawsuits, individuals who experience banking discrimination are handicapped in their ability to fight back. Carson, singing from the “45” playbook — when he opens up his mouth at all — is not likely to be an effective advocate for the people he has frequently disdained.

Indeed, though he has thrown his wife, Candy, under the bus on the matter of the dining table, he is no different from other cabinet officials who have a “let them eat cake” attitude toward those they serve.

First class travel, high-end furniture, and chicanery are the names of the “45” cabinet game. Fifty years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is not clear that the current HUD Secretary will be a warrior in the fight against housing discrimination.

Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and founder of Economic Education.

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Putting families first will help keep children safe

By Assistant Commissioner Jim Koppel Guest Commentator As more Minnesota families struggle with trauma, poverty, chemical dependency and the difficulties of daily life, children often suffer the consequences. Our child protection data paints an alarming picture.

In just the past few years, the number of child abuse and neglect reports assessed and investigated is up by 25 percent, and drugs and alcohol are often at the heart of the problem. Parents’ substance abuse was the most common primary reason for children being placed in foster care in 2016, surpassing neglect for the first time ever. And the number of babies allegedly exposed to drugs prenatally has more than doubled from 2012 to 2016.

There is some hope and help on the way. Minnesota has undertaken a variety of strategies to make sure children are safe. We continue to implement the changes recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on the Protection of Children published in March 2015, with short- and long-term steps for improving the child protection system.

Those efforts will be bolstered by the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act, recently signed into law. Family

First will provide child welfare agencies with the tools needed to help children and families in crisis, including families struggling with the opioid epidemic sweeping across Minnesota and the rest of the country.

This bipartisan legislation will help keep more children safely with their families so they can avoid the often-traumatic experience of entering foster care. When children must enter foster care, this act helps ensure they are placed in the least restrictive, most familylike foster care settings to meet their special needs.

This new law shifts funding and provides more flexibility to struggling and overburdened child welfare agencies by providing the tools needed to help children and families in crisis, including families struggling with opioids. Beginning in the Fiscal Year 2020, child welfare agencies can use federal funds to support evidence-based prevention efforts for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services; inhome services for children who are at imminent risk of entering foster care, and pregnant or parenting teens.

States have flexibility in defining the safety services they provide to children and families, and how they will ensure quality residential treatment for children with emotional and

behavioral needs.

I’m particularly excited about the help this new law will provide to address the opioid crisis. The law reauthorizes and updates funding to provide evidence-based services to prevent child maltreatment related to substance abuse due to opioids and other drugs.

This is certainly not all that needs to be done. We must tackle child abuse and neglect from many angles. We must continue to work with our county and tribal partners to determine what we can do differently to better serve struggling families. We must count on teachers, neighbors, and communities to support struggling families, offer to help where they can, and let us know when children are being harmed. And then we must respond swiftly and appropriately.

The federal Family First Prevention Services Act is another tool that offers help and hope for families. We know the more we can support families and prevent their involvement in the child protection system on the front end, the better families and children — and we as a society — will be.

— Information from MN Dept. of Human Services

Fair Housing Act: a milestone on the journey to equality

By Jeffrey W. Hicks Contributing Commentator A half-century ago, the Fair Housing Act was enacted to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, creed and national origin. The law also supported the National Association of Real Estate Brokers’ (NAREB) efforts to increase Black homeownership, which we believe serves to increase wealth and other economic outcomes for Black Americans.

We have since experienced highs and lows in the journey towards economic empowerment and Black homeownership. While sometimes challenged, we are not discouraged. And, we have learned vital lessons along the way.

NAREB has advocated for Black Americans to own their homes since 1947, and we are proud to play a leadership role in that struggle. But this is not a solitary endeavor. We must grow a community of concern by partnering and actively involving civil and human rights organizations, community-based and social service organizations, business groups, and the faith-based community — our oldest and most trusted institution. We must collaborate to create strong, viable communities that help to stabilize Black Americans and their families through homeownership.

In 1970, two years after the passage of

the Fair Housing Act, Black homeownership was 41.6 percent. It reached its height in 2004 at 49 percent. Today, Black homeownership stands at 42.1 percent, almost the same as nearly 50 years ago.

The economic downturn of a decade ago hurt many Black homeowners with high foreclosures, upside-down mortgages, and financial upheaval from which many are still struggling to recover.

Today, economic segregation remains a problem. Urban centers, long the home of Black Americans, are being gentrified. Many families with deep community roots are being forced out by rising taxes and skyrocketing housing values.

While obvious obstacles like Jim Crow segregation no longer exist, we still face formidable obstacles to owning homes: credit scoring, which is based not on how diligently we pay our bills, but on how much consumer debt we can amass; crippling student debt, which impacts Black Americans deeply; and unfair mortgage lending practices.

Despite these challenges, we know that wealth can be built through education, through financial literacy, and through creating and growing our community of concern to support homeownership. This is how Black America educates its children and how we set up businesses — by using equity from our homes to invest in ourselves, our families, and our futures.

We stand on the shoulders of NAREB

founders and visionaries like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who spoke to NAREB in 1967 about the need for ”middleclass Negroes to... publicly identify with the problem of poverty which engulfs the life of the masses.”

NAREB’s motto is ”Democracy in Housing,” and we will continue to fight for that.

We must continue to be vigilant. We must continue to educate Black Americans, to encourage Black Americans, and do everything we can to empower Black Americans to build wealth, to build stability, and to invest in our futures through that most fundamental part of the American Dream: Homeownership.

Jeffrey W. Hicks is the 30th president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

— Information from National News Release

April 19-25, 2018

Census Continued from page 1

$3.8 billion funding for the Census in the fiscal year 2019 federal budget “sorely underfund[s]” such Census efforts as community outreach and partnerships with NALEO, the Urban League, and other such organizations…

There are talks of cutting in half the number of Census area offices around the country as well as reducing the number of field workers who do follow-up with residents.

“The underfunding…will

eliminate test and research that will [ensure] an accurate count” in 2020, Morial believes. He added that the Census now has been “politicized.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) PresidentExecutive Director John Yang said that he has advised his constituents not to boycott the 2020 Census. “We will partner with the Census Bureau where it is appropriate. But it is necessary to fight against the government on [such] policies,” he pointed out. Nonetheless, Yang calls the citizenship question “anti-immigrant” and said that

it helped “increase the lack of confidence” among Asians about the Census.

The participants in the media call pledged that “this growing multi-partisan and multi-racial coalition…will continue to challenge” the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the 2020 Census.

“What’s at stake is the state of our communities for the next 10 years,” Vargas concluded.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

missing VoiCes Continued from page 1

90-minute workshops and three-hour “deep dive” seminars on topics related to workplace diversity and inclusion.

During his welcoming remarks, Humerickhouse told the audience that there are too many “missing voices” at such gatherings,

“We cannot solve our country or world issues unless we are all involved.”

5

for these folk?”

He listed among the missing voices “the Trump voters, folk on the religious right or social conservatives in general,” Humerickhouse stressed. “I realize that I am talking about my own family. My own socially conservative, religiously conservative, racist in some cases family members. I am a product of that family.”

Target Corporation Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell told the gathering last week, “When we have a deep understanding…create a diverse and inclusive workplace, and think purposefully, we…help create a better society for all.”

“Diversity is one of the university’s convictions,” University of St. Thomas President Dr. Julie Sullivan added. “We strive to create a vibrant, diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society.”

Diversity and inclusion can’t be just buzzwords, Humerickhouse said. “We cannot solve our country or world issues unless we are all involved. We are talking about diversity in thought [as well as] inclusion. They are as much about our culture in America and the world as anyone…”

Earvin Johnson and Michele Norris were The Forum’s two featured keynote speakers.

Their appearances and remarks will be covered in subsequent articles.

which challenges achieving diversity and inclusion in today’s workplace. He later expanded on his remarks for the MSR. “There are a lot of missing voices at any forum,” Humerickhouse pointed out. “There are whole groups who are not part of this.

These are the people who are disaffected in one way or another. They see themselves included in a zero-sum game – if one group of folk wins, then [the other] must lose.”

Many factors come into play here, including the fear of losing one’s job, Humerickhouse continued. Nonetheless, “All voices Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to must be included [in] diversity and inclusion in the real world. But how do we make space challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

standing

A sad but all too common story is that of a pregnant young woman of color who winds Continued from page 1 up leaving school and on government assistance. She is stereotyped and stigmatized as an up-and-coming welfare queen who sits to lay out all the information from abstinence around the house with a very grim future of to birth control to decision-making in terms being up to her hips with kids at taxpayer expense. of pregnancy.

YWCA Minneapolis President-CEO Luz “The real goal is to understand that there are so many things you can be in front of [to] Maria Frias said of this stereotype, “Not onhelp you be a better parent one day when you ly are more White women receiving welfare, choose to be a parent. We provide informa- but when it comes to portraying the negative image of receiving public assistance, White tion so young people are knowledgeable.”

Knowledge, as it’s said, is power. In this women are not featured. It’s the Black wominstance, the power is for young people to an.”

As revered sage Dick Gregory’s timeless obtain the knowledge to help themselves.

Parenthood, after all, should be a carefully recording The Light Side, The Dark Side comconsidered choice, not an unexpected pitfall. mented on the supposed immorality of fe-

“Knowing there are so many other girls who do give in to pressure makes me stand my ground and not become like them.”

Campbell, again, underscored, “It’s really about building those foundations for young men and young women.”

That foundation entails relating to one another more as individuals than as sex objects, which is a prevalent pastime among adolescents since time immemorial. The advent of today’s music videos and resultant fleshbaring fashions for females greatly heighten the pursuit. Even girls who dress and behave sensibly find themselves pressed for sex whether they’re interested or not.

Nicole “Nikki” Awad, a Patrick Henry High School junior, is one such young woman who finds herself fending off male students trying to talk holes in her clothes. “I’m very consistent and hard in my ‘no,’ but I do feel a lot of pressure not only from randy boys.” More than a few of those boys finally figure out Nikki’s hard “no” does not mean “try harder.” They walk away with a sourgrapes complaint: “You ain’t all that, anyway.”

Few things are as powerful as the force of peers, including other females who say “yes.”

How does Nikki feel in the face of that pressure?

“Knowing there are so many other girls who do give in to pressure, it makes me feel strong. That motivates me to stand my ground and not become like [them].” She can withstand being teased by her girlfriends as a prude.

Nikki has learned by example what can happen to girls who give in. “In my family, all the women in my life — as I’ve grown up — that’s probably my biggest motivation. It [unplanned pregnancies] made their lives a lot more complicated than they needed.”

alarm Continued from page 1

None of which turns her from a human being into free meat, rendering him unaccountable for his actions.

“Because I let him touch, kiss, hold and convince/ It wasn’t considered unwanted force/ But when I said/ Stop!/ Hold

males of color, “Because White women have two percent illegitimate babies and my Black sisters have more, your White sister can bathe in Channel No. 5 and she is still Mrs. So-andSo. Let me tell you something: We ever get our hands on you White folk’s abortion credit cards, we will show you how to knock a rate down, too, baby.” The point being that historically, the worst mistake Black, Latina and, for that matter, more than a few White females can make is not being able to afford terminating an unwanted pregnancy.

Yusuf Abdullah, also at Patrick Henry High and now in his sophomore year, reflects, “I would take ‘no’ for an answer. But I see other people in my school, they will keep trying to push and get to that person.”

He, too, withstands the peer pressure of other fellas egging him on to turn a “no” into a “yes.” Abdullah is accused of being soft, but “I kind of let it go past me.”

In 2015-2016, Contact Plus served more than 200 students, and 100 percent of the participants reported not becoming pregnant or fathering a child during the 10-month program. The report also covers ground on sexually transmitted infections and disease.

Suffice to say, this is an invaluable source of support for teens to sidestep seriously lifeimpacting problems. Enrollment is enlisted through schools.

For more information about Contact Plus, contact Mark Campbell at 612 215-4362, mcampbell@ywcampls.org.

Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403

up!/ He held me down with the weight of a horse.”

Mom’s key hit the door lock at the critical moment and he ran out the back.

“When a women says no/ she means no.” Which goes for every part in the process. It may not be fun to get blocked at the last minute, but that’s the way it goes.

“Sincere Apology” by Lil’ Magic, written with Mia R., flips the script, giving us a

young blood who did make the girl give him some — and wound up in prison.

The writing cuts cold to the bone. The music is subtle.

Performances are nuanced, powerful, and production values sterling. The message hits home. Hard.

6

April 19-25, 2018

By Charles Hallman Staff Writer

The Purple Current honors Prince’s diverse and enduring legacy

M

innesota Public Radio’s (MPR) The Current now has a new 24-hour stream dedicated to Prince’s rich musical legacy.

The new stream, Purple Current, launched at 12:01 am on Friday, April 6 and joins Local Current (all-Minnesota music), Radio Heartland (acoustic, American and roots music) and Rock the Cradle (music for kids) — all four streams are available at www.TheCurrent.org, as well as both the MPR and The Current apps. The Current can be heard on 89.3 FM (Twin Cities), 88.7 (Rochester) and 90.9 (Duluth).

During the April 6 launch party at Capri Theatre in North Minneapolis, Program Director Jim McGuinn said that the idea for the Purple Current came shortly after Prince’s death on April 21, 2016.

“There was no event that touched our lives [more] than the passing of Prince,” he recalled. Subsequently, for several days after Prince’s death, The Current became “a de facto vigil for Prince fans everywhere,” wrote The Daily Beast.

“This is something we thought about a while ago,” confirmed McGuinn. “Can we create an experience… to honor that musical legacy looking forward and backward?”

Is the stream, in essence, a new radio station? “I don’t know the exact answer,” McGuinn told the MSR. “We referred to it as an audio stream because right now it is not available on the FM transmitter. But if people love it, who knows…maybe we can get it on the FM dial somewhere” or an HD sub-channel, he surmised.

“I’m excited to listen to it,” said Michelle Mercado of Minneapolis at the Capri gathering as the Purple Current played in the background. “I

(l-r) Derrick Stevens and Sammi Brown want to hear more of it,” added Channie Wilson, also of Minneapolis. “We’re excited to hear more.”

The Current Production Manager Derrick Stevens is among several people who worked on the project; he’s done voiceovers and on-air announcing. “Once they decided to do it, they brought me in,” said Stevens.

“It’s not all Prince all the time,” he stressed. “You might hear anything from Little Richard to Sly and The Family Stone to Janelle Monae to the Roots. All of the music has some type of connection to Prince over the years.

“When people hear Purple Current, we want people to think Prince because you are going to hear at least two Prince

Photos by Charles Hallman

songs per hour,” Stevens continued.

“Then you’re going to hear artists that have been influenced by Prince [such as] The Time, Sheila E. and those artists Prince got influence from.”

the ’70s, and his peers from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s… You start to see this incredibly rich tapestry of American music.”

“Prince obviously is the big headline, but there’s so much great Minne-

McGuinn added, “Prince’s musical universe [included] blues music from the ’40s, to R&B records from the ’50s, to soul music from the ’60s, and funk from

sota music that The Current can’t do a thorough job covering,” Purple Current Project Manager Sean McPherson said.

“This gives us an opportunity to shine

a spotlight…on a lot of [local deserving] artists.”

Because The Current is mainly known as a rock music station, Stevens said that the Purple Current could help lure new listeners to the station as well as attract longtime Prince fans, and possibly create new fans of his music. “We feel by incorporating some of the R&B/ soul/hip hop on the stream, we’ll hope that people living within the Twin Cities…maybe they will turn to the Purple Current and stick with [The Current].”

“People all over the world are going to be touched by this, and little ole me from St. Paul has something to do with it,” Sammi Brown of St. Paul gushed about her work on the stream —she also provided voiceovers. “I listened to [Prince] when I was younger [and] to be on the project [like this] as an adult, it’s an honor. I’m speechless.

“I’m hoping to do more with MPR,” added Brown. “I’m very humbled to be part of the project.”

During a test launch in late March at The Current’s studios, McGuinn reported, “We couldn’t stop listening to it.” They also received positive emails from people locally, nationally and internationally who heard the sampling, he added.

“Right now it is an experiment we’re launching and seeing how people react to it,” McGuinn concluded.

“We are looking forward to everyone’s feedback to help make this better. It’s just going to get better…this is just the beginning,” he predicted.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder. com.

Rampage: Mutant monsters decimate the Windy City in old-fashioned horror flick

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

Kam Williams Contributing Writer

Hey, sci-fi fans, did you find it hard to stomach the sight of a human mating with another species in The Shape of Water, too? If so, have I got a movie that’ll wash the bad taste right

out of your mouth.

Call me shallow, but I much prefer this old-fashioned monster flick. Loosely based on the video game of the same name, Rampage is reminiscent of campy Japanese classics like Godzilla (1954), King Kong vs.

Godzilla (1962) and Mothra vs.

Godzilla (1964).

But instead of decimating Tokyo, the gargantuan creatures here have their sights set on the

Windy City. Another significant difference is that Rampage is a big-budget spectacular that relies heavily on CGI and state-ofthe-art special f/x.

Otherwise, you know the drill. Some ordinary animals morph into mammoth, maneating beasts in the wake of a scientific experiment gone terribly wrong. In this case, we have a wolf, a crocodile and an albino gorilla mutating into alpha

predators.

The anthropomorphic primate actually has a name, George (Jason Liles). That’s because he was raised in captivity

by Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson), an ape-whisperer stationed in Rwanda where he heads an anti-poaching unit dedicated to the preservation of endangered species.

However, he makes a beeline to Chicago as soon as he receives word that the enormous animals have begun wreaking havoc. There, he joins forces with Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris), a disgraced geneticist in need of redemption with access to an antidote.

But before the cure can be administered, brace yourself for generous helpings of horror fare, ranging from the scaling of skyscrapers, to mass hysteria in mob scenes, to my favorite, helicopters swallowed whole.

Rampage marks the third time director Brad Peyton has collaborated with Dwayne Johnson following the equally bombastic Journey 2 (2012) and San Andreas (2015). The capable supporting cast includes Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman and Joe Manganiello.

For all the visually captivating action sequences, what I enjoyed most about Rampage was the comic relief coming courtesy of the hero, and invariably in the middle of major mayhem, as if to remind everybody that we’re just watching a movie.

After a sightseeing boat filled with tourists flips over, Davis says, “Well, that sucks.” Then, when an iconic building is flattened, it’s, “I need a drink.” And as a menacing creature unexpectedly takes flight, he matterof-factly moans, “Of course, the wolf flies.”

The movie has not only breathtaking stunts, but perfect comedic timing from a beefy action star at the top of his game!

Excellent (4 stars) Rated PG-13 for violence, mass destruction, brief profanity and obscene gestures Running time: 107 minutes Production Studios: Wrigley Pictures / Twisted Media / Flynn Picture Company Distributor: New Line Cinema Rampage opened April 13.

Check local listings for show times.

Kam Williams welcomes readers’ responses to kam_ williams@hotmail.com.

April 19-25, 2018

7

Life Etiquette -according to Ms. J.

Life Etiquette, it’s all about respect for ourselves, respect for others and respect for the world around us.

It

seems that my March column titled “Are all those forks necessary?” caused quite a stir. In this column, I am taking time to address some of the questions and even the rebuttals that the column

raised.

One person inquired, “How can four different forks be more convenient than one?” I’m glad you asked. The answer is, it’s a combination of convenience and practicality.

Here’s an example: Have you ever seen a “shrimp” or seafood fork? What about a butter knife? Now, picture an eight-ounce steak or six-ounce chicken breast. What would you rather have? What are the best implements (tools) for cutting and getting that steak or chicken breast into your mouth? Certainly not that shrimp fork and butter knife, right?

Here’s another practical example: Can you eat your dessert with your salad or dinner fork?

You certainly can. In fact, in these cases, the size is in the same range, so size does not matter.

However, think steak and sauce; now think crème brûlée.

Would you want those flavors blending? I think not! The crème brûlée experience would be ruined.

Yes, you can wipe off your fork, but then you stain the napkin with the sauce. And at an elegant dinner, who wants to be worried about wiping

Photo by chuttersnap/Unsplash

KEYS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP MAY 5, 2018 • 12-4

Join us at Sister Spokesman and meet local entrepreneurs who will help you understand the home buying process, the steps to becoming a homeowner, and how to find resources to help you finance your home.

their silverware between courses?

When you are in the privacy of your own home having your everyday meals, it would be most impractical to set a full table every day; unless, of course, you have maids, butlers and servers.

On those special occasions, however, bring on the full spread.

Another question raised: “Why does it matter which side the silverware goes on?” I keep coming back to the practical. It’s about order and flow. The more people you have at the table, the more important it becomes to have the setting laid out in an orderly way.

Here’s an example: Your drinking vessels are on your right. No matter how close the

one’s fingers.

Depending on the foods selected by the host, utensils may or may not be available.

For example, chicken wings and carrot sticks require no utensils.

If you tried to eat a boned wing or a crunch carrot stick with a fork, you’d probably make a mess of things and the food would end up in your lap or on the floor. Worse yet, it would pop over into someone else’s lap.

On the other hand, some meatballs are really big and may be dripping with sauce.

In cases where large meatballs are served, yes, you should use a fork. By the way, to hosts, including me, horsd’oeuvre forks are really cute, but not very practical for eating meatballs.

Wash your hands or use sanitizer before consuming finger foods. As much as possible, do not pick up finger foods from the serving tray with your hands. Tongs, forks or some other instrument should be available.

I know that sometimes, however, an instrument may not be available, so if you must, be ever so careful in using your fingers but do not “touch” anyone else's portions. I know you are familiar with the idiom “if you touch it, it’s yours.”

Give people a break on the handshaking when finger foods are being served. People who know me know that I’m big on the handshake; but if one is consuming chicken wings, saucy meatballs and veggies with dip, well, you

It’s about order and flow. The more people you have at the table, the more important it becomes to have the setting laid out in an orderly way. drinking vessels are to your left hand, they belong to the person to your left.

Think about it. If I get your glass from my left, and you get the other person’s glass, things will get twisted and convoluted quite quickly. Picture in your mind people reaching, grabbing and asking “Is this mine?”

“No, I think that’s mine!”

“Can you bring me another glass?” etc.

A final question for this column: “Where do you place the knife when you are eating?”

After you have used your knife to cut your food and/or pushed your food onto your fork, place the knife on the upper rim of your plate.

Some people place their knife at the top rim of the plate.

Again, not very practical.

You’re more likely to get food stains on your sleeve. I suggest

know. Could be a sticky situation. So you get a break. A nod, a smile and a hello will do it.

Also, please remember that talking with a mouth full of food is still and always will be a faux pas.

Look for more dining etiquette tips in upcoming columns.

Until then, remember manners are memorable; Always, but your best foot forward!

Courtesy of Ms. J

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So the short answer is, it matters which side the silverware goes on. In fact, it matters where each item in the place setting is situated because designated positions help to maintain order and flow, thus facilitating a smooth, refined, even elegant dining experience.

Here’s another question relating to dining etiquette: “Should one go out of his/ her way to use utensils when he/she is eating finger food?”

Finger food, often referred to as an appetizer or horsd’oeuvre, is just what it says, finger food. This means that the intention is for the food to be consumed using

placing the knife slanted across the upper right quadrant of the plate. Maybe I can show you better than these words can describe. I’ve placed an image here that shows you where the knife should be placed.

Please note that this pertains to American dining.

In European dining, and perhaps in other countries, the knife and fork remain in your hand while dining.

When I told people that I was writing about dining etiquette, I got all kinds of questions and suggestions. I was told about the outlandish things that people do, or don’t do, so I’ll share a few of those pet peeves and tips here.

Ms. J helps people to put their best foot forward by giving them tips, strategies and techniques for success with her Social Education and Life Etiquette™ (SELE™) classes, workshops, seminars and individualized etiquette coaching. If you need help figuring out how to identify and navigate the place-setting so that you can claim your seat at the table, contact her at ms.j@ mannersarememorable.com.

8

April 19-25, 2018

EnErgy assistancE for low-incomE minnEsotans still availablE Commerce offers tips to stay warm and safe during our extended winter

New addition to Kennedy High School is a multitasker

Keep vents clear and free of any snow or ice.

Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working throughout the house. Minnesota law requires these alarms in every single-family and multifamily dwelling.

A well-functioning, older, less-efficient furnace that vents through the chimney will usually create exhaust temperatures that are hot enough to melt any snow that might collect on the chimney. But it is a good idea to check chimneys and rooftop vents (such as on mobile homes) to make sure they are not snow clogged.

A

record April snowstorm and cold temperatures mean Minnesotans need to keep the heat on to stay warm and safe.

For those who are struggling to pay their heating bills, the Minnesota Commerce Department urges residents to apply for the state’s Energy Assistance Program.

Heating assistance funds are still available, but are limited and households receive assistance on a firstcome, first-served basis. Applications are accepted until May 31.

For information, visit the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program on the Minnesota Commerce Department website (mn, gov/commerce) or call 800-657-3710.

The Cold Weather Rule that protects Minnesotans from natural gas or electricity shut-off ended on April 15.

To avoid disconnection now, customers who still owe on their heating bill

should contact their utility and ask to continue their payment plan or establish a new payment plan.

For more information on the Cold Weather Rule, visit the Public Utilities Commission website, email consumer. puc@state.mn.us or call 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.

Put health and safety first With the recent heavy snowfall, Minnesotans are also advised to protect their health and safety by checking that their homes are properly vented.

In homes with high-efficiency furnaces and other combustion appliances that vent through an exterior sidewall, proper venting is essential. To prevent dangerous back drafting of carbon monoxide and keep appliances operating safely, follow these tips.

Check vents regularly to make sure they are not blocked.

SOE

How to apply for energy assistance The Commerce Department administers the Energy Assistance Program in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Energy assistance is available for renters and homeowners earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($48,077 for a family of four).

Energy assistance funds go directly to the energy provider on behalf of eligible households.

The average annual grant per household is about $520. Last year, the program helped more than 126,000 Minnesota households.

To apply for energy assistance, contact the local service provider in your county.

To find your service provider, visit the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program on the Commerce website or call 800-657-3710.

winner with six seconds left to defeat Michigan in the semifinals.

Wade, an Aurora, Ill. native and IT management major, finished his college career with nearly 150 blocks, but he also led his team this season in penalties (16) and penalty minutes (54). But he didn’t spend any time in the penalty box during the Frozen Four.

“I played football, then hockey” as a youngster, the 6’-1” player told me after the semifinals.

“I incorporated my football abilities with hockey.

I played the game the way I thought.

“Early in the year it was rough playing defense under control,” Wade continued. “I took a step back and tried to be physical but stay in control. I watched video and figured it out.”

Joshua, a 6’-3” junior forward from Dearborn, Mich., assisted on the Buckeyes’ only goal in their 2-1 loss to UMD, his 11th assist of the season. “I’m proud of our guys, and we gave it a good fight,” he told me afterwards.

He led the Big Ten in faceoff winning percentage (.594) and finished sixth in the nation this season. Joshua won nearly 67 percent of his faceoffs

Continued from page 10 “It feels great to see players of color,” Notre Dame senior defenseman Justin Wade exclaimed.

He was the only Black player among the two finalists as the Irish finished as runners-up. He also was on the ice when Notre Dame scored the game

Justin Wade Photo courtesy of Notre Dame

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Leticia Alvarez

Leticia Alvarez is a new addition to our program this year and what an amazing addition it has been.

Alvarez is gifted in working with students. She has an amazing knack to establish trusting relationships rather quickly and therefore can have a great impact with kids immediately.

Alvarez does a number of different things for our program. She supports kids one-to-one with difficult academic work, visits many mainstream classes throughout the day to support our students in those classes, and helps within our own classes if need be.

A true woman of integrity, Alvarez has an emphasis on learning, helps to foster accelerated learning opportunities, and values the connection and partnership between families and students.

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in the NCAA Midwest Regional as well.

“I think I have an advantage being taller than the people I’m going up against,” he pointed out.

“I think it’s more of a will thing. It’s just you and the other guy.”

Second among Big Ten scorers in power play goals (four), Joshua, a sport industry major, and senior forward Christian Lampasso of Amherst, NY were among 15 Ohio State players named Academic All-Big Ten.

“It shouldn’t matter if you’re African American, White or Asian, you should just be able to play.”

Lampasso, a 5’-10” industrial and systems engineering major, scored a career-best 10 goals this season, nearly quadruple his goal output from his first three years. He had only four tallies to his credit coming into the season.

“I had some great passes with my goals through my teammates,” he noted. “I started to

get better, and everyone started pushing each other in practice harder and harder because we all wanted to win.”

More and more Blacks are playing hockey today at all levels, but their numbers still are comparatively miniscule. Wade believes that the cost of playing hockey can be an economic barrier hard for some players of color to overcome.

“I hope kids that are younger are looking at me and Dakota [and] saying, ‘These kids made it… Hey, I got a shot. If I put my work in and work as hard as I can, then I can do it [too],” Lampasso said.

“Someone like me or the two others who are here…seeing us on TV goes a long way for the next [Black] kid seeing us and wanting to follow,” Joshua added.

“It shouldn’t matter if you’re African American, White or Asian, you should just be able to play,” Lampasso stressed. “It’s been a great opportunity playing the sport of hockey. It opened a lot of [doors] for me in life. Hockey is a great sport for everybody to play.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

Worship Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

Myrle Cooper Ron Edwards Frank Erikson Booker T. Hodges Rev. Irene Monroe Mel Reeves Lucky Rosenbloom

Contributing Photographers Onika Nichole Craven Olivia Crutchfield Steve Floyd Chris Juhn Sophia Hantzes Lou Michaels

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Bethesda Baptist Church

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

Rev. Billy G. Russell, Sr. Pastor 2600 E. 38th Street.

Mpls., MN 55408 612-827-7928 fax: 612-827-3587 www.greatfriend.org Sunday Morning Worship: 8 am Sunday School: 9 am Morning Worship: 10:40 am N.B.C.: 5:30 pm Evening Worship: 7pm (1st Sunday) www.greatfriend.org The Friendly Church Where Everybody Is Somebody

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor 451 West Central St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444 Church School 9:30 am Morning Worship

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Doctor Charles Gill 732 W. Central Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104

Dr. Willa Lee Grant Battle, Pastor 1908 Fourth Ave. So. Mpls., MN 24 Hour Dial-A-Prayer: 612-870-4695 www.gtdci.org Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Prayer Daily 7 pm Evangelistic Service: Wednesday & Friday 8 pm

Sunday Worship Service: 9:45 AM Sunday School: 8:45 AM

8 & 10:45 am Prayer Service:

Wednesday 7 pm "Welcome to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church" Grace Temple Deliverance Center

At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404 612-332-5904

www.bethesdamnonline.com email:bethesdamn@prodigy.net

Service Times: Sunday School 10 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm

Advertise your weekly service, directory or listing!

CALL 612-827-4021

April 19-25, 2018

Legals STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In Re: Custody of C.S.A., DOB: January 6, 2003 Mariana Sofia Alvarez Zuniga, Petitioner, and Cornelio Sanchez Lopez, Respondent.

Employment DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FAMILY COURT DIVISION CASE TYPE: CUSTODY SUMMONS

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In Re: Estate of Lisa Marie Maanum, a/k/a Lisa M. Maanum

DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No.: 27-PA-PR-18-414

Decedent

Court File No.: 27-FA-18-1991

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: THIS SUMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT THAT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS. A copy of the paperwork regarding the lawsuit is served on you with this summons. Read this summons and attached petition carefully. If you do not understand it, contact an attorney for legal advice.

1.The Petitioner has filed a lawsuit asking the court to decide custody of the minor child listed above in the caption. At this time, the Petitioner is not asking for a ruling on Child Support.

2.You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the court a written Answer to the Petition.

If Petitioner is requesting child support, you must file a Financial Affidavit along with your Answer. You must pay the required filing fee. If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, you may qualify to have the filing fee waived by the court. You must file an In Forma Pauperis application with the court and a judge will decide whether you must pay the fee.

All court forms are available from the Court Administrator’s office and on the Court’s website at www.mncourts.gov/forms. You must serve your Answer and Financial Affidavit upon Petitioner within twenty (20) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer and Financial Affidavit, the court may grant Petitioner everything he or she is asking for in the attached Petition.

NOTICE OF PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Parenting education may be required in all custody or parenting proceedings. You may contact court administration for additional information regarding this requirement and the availability of parent education programs. /s/ You may serve the Petitioner’s Attorney: Stephen Roiger Walther Goss Law 333 Washington Ave North #208 Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-824-2244 stephen@walthergoss.com Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, April 12, 19 & 26, 2018

Public Notices Notice of Comment Period on the Reappointment of Part-Time U.S. Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby The U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota invites comments from members of the bar and public as to whether incumbent Part-time U.S. Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby should be recommended for reappointment. Comments should be received by 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday, May 11, 2018, and may be directed to: U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office ATTN: Tricia Pepin, Chief Deputy Clerk 300 South Fourth Street, Room 202 Minneapolis, MN 55415 meritselectionpanel@mnd.uscourts.gov

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: Notice is given that an Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was filed with the Registrar herein. No Will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Michael Dana Maanum, whose address is 5836 10th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55017, as personal representative of the estate of the above-named decedent has been made.

Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative is empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders.

Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Probate Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred.

Dated: April 10, 2018 ALONNA J. WARNS Probate Registrar SARAH LINDAHL PFIEFER Court Administrator MN Spokesman-Recorder, April 12 & 19, 2018

Fitz Continued from page 10 all the major Minnesota teams – Lynx, Twins, Vikings, Wild and Timberwolves – reach the playoffs in the same calendar season.

The Timberwolves now have their hands full with the NBA’s Houston Rockets in a best of seven series. Because the 47-35 Timberwolves were the last team to clinch a playoff spot, they get the Rockets, seeded number one versus the number-eight Wolves.

Houston had the NBA’s best record, 65-17, and was second in scoring with 112.7 points a game.

Game one: 104-101 Rockets. Andrew Wiggins led the Timber-

To view the full public notice, visit the Court’s website at www.mnd.uscourts.gov.

To place a classified ad or legal notice call: 612-827-4021

NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Houston’s James Harden dominated game one.

Photo by Larry Fitzgerald

wolves with 18; Derrick Rose had 16.

TNT’s Charles Barkley slammed the Timberwolves. He called them “dumb” because of the troubles they had switching on defense. James Harden dominated the game with 44 points; Clint Capela had 24 points and 12 rebounds.

All-Star Karl Anthony Towns scored just eight points, though he did grab 12 rebounds. He averaged 21.2 points a game during the season.”

He’s got to be more active,” said Coach Tom Thibodeau of Towns, who led the NBA in double doubles with 68. Towns agreed: “I’ve got to be better allaround.” The Rockets were 4-0 vs Minnesota during the regular season. Game two is Wednesday and game three is Saturday at Target Center.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGYAM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com.

He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2).

Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

Sr. Statistical Programmer Analyst (Multiple Positions): Medtronic, Inc., Mounds View, MN. Req. Master’s degree in Comp Sc., Engineering, Biostatistics, Statistics, Biology, Biological Sciences, Pharmacy or health-related field and two years of experience in SAS® programming. Must possess 2 yrs. exp. with utilizing Base SAS®, SAS/STAT, SAS Macro language, SAS/SQL, & SAS/GRAPH; working w/clinical data & integrating data from multiple sources; working w/statisticians & biostatisticians; preparing data for reg. submission incl. CDISC & SDTM; clinical database analysis programming utilizing SAS; programming, testing, documenting, & validating statistical programs & tools in regulated dev. environ.; & in medical device ind.

To apply, visit www.medtronic.com/careers, select Req. #17000OVZ. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace.

All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Sr. IT Quality Systems Analyst Sr. IT Quality Systems Analyst for Medtronic, Inc. at its facility in Mounds View, MN. Supports the Global IT Quality group to ensure compliance adherence during execution of MSCM policies and processes. Requires a Masters’ degree in Information Technology, Engineering or related field and two (2) years post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Non-Product Software Validation Projects to include Laboratory Automated Systems, Desktop Tools, Spreadsheets and Reports; Deviation & Defect Reports related to Computer Validation Processes execution; Perform and support Root Cause Analysis and CAPA (Corrective and Preventative Actions) process; Applying 21 CFR Part 11, 210, 211, 820, ISO 13485 applicable regulations to Validation Specific documentation such as System Requirements (Compliance Requirements) and Design Specifications Requirements (DSR); Author and Reviewer of Computer Validation formal testing protocols to include (VMP, IQ, OQ, DQ and PQ), Risk Plans, and Validation Reports; Utilizing SAP, Trackwise, HP-ALM and Polarion tools; Utilizing cGMP (current good manufacturing practices), cGLP (current good laboratory practices and ISO 14971 Guidelines; Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Computer Systems Validation (CSV). Apply at www. medtronic.com/careers, Req.1800066Q. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace.

All individuals are encouraged to apply.

STAFF ATTORNEY

Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks full-time attorney for its St. Cloud office. Fam. Law; some work in other poverty law. Licensed in MN pref’d. Post-law school pov. law exper., fam. law or clinical exper. pref’d. Spanish or Somali language a plus. Salary $50,000+D.O.E. Excellent benes. Resume with references and writing sample to CMLS, 110 6th Avenue S, St. Cloud, MN #205, 56301.

Email to smerriman@centralmnlegal.org

View Continued from page 10

PreP Photos

Asked if he succumbed to outside pressure to hire Whalen, Coyle responded, “Not at all. We felt no pressure to hire a candidate.” Then we asked if his candidate search included Blacks. “We did,” he replied without providing specifics.

“I think it’s a great hire for Gopher basketball,” former U of M AD Joel Maturi, who hired Smith, said of Whalen.

Continued from page 10

Hopkins senior guard Raena Suggs recently signed with the University of Nevada. She averaged 15.8 points per game while leading the Royals to a Class AAAA runner-up finish.

Minneapolis North senior Odell Wilson IV, the 6'-6" forward whose varsity career includes two Class A state championships — and another title in football while playing lineman — was recently named Minneapolis Sports Club Basketball Player of the Year.

‘Fab Five’ prep stars of the week (pictured right) Senior guard K’Lynn Lewis will continue her scholastic career at the collegiate level at St. Olaf College. Lewis led St. Agnes in scoring last season with a 17.3 per game average.

Photo by Richard Graner

South senior guard Morgan Hill is the Minneapolis City Conference Player of the Year for the third straight season.

The 5’10” guard will attend Tennessee-Chattanooga next year.

Photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald except where noted

DeLaSalle Girls' Basketball Coach Tanysha Scott (pictured above) led the Islanders to their second consecutive Class AAA state tournament appearance this past season. Scott starred at point guard for DeLaSalle from 1998-2001 and started four years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2001-2005.

could get one or two of them interested early in playing for Minnesota, unlike Whalen herself, whose lifelong dream was to be a Gopher. This isn’t always the case for the urban player.

“There are a ton of great players in this state. We’re going to do our best to make sure these players are wanting to stay home,” Whalen pledged.

Therefore, it must be at the top of her must-do-now list that Whalen hire a very competent staff, especially one that can effectively beat the recruiting bushes. “I think I have a good

“We’re going to do our best to make sure these [local] players are wanting to stay home.”

But let’s do a deep dive going forward: First, historically there has been a talent drain of good players, great players, Black players from this state who if they had stayed would have propelled Minnesota into a perennial Big Ten contender. For whatever reasons, this hasn’t happened. Can Whalen indeed turn the proverbial corner in this regard?

“Putting together a staff and building a relationship with instate recruits and coaches” is important, Borton confirmed.

This relationship-building might be Whalen’s biggest challenge. There are state players, specifically Black players, who deserve serious looks. Reaching out to them early rather than waiting until they are on other schools’ radar screens, when in most cases it’s way too late, only makes sense.

The new Gopher coach

mix of people we will look at and surround [myself] with,” she told me.

“There’s not a living room she won’t be able to go into,” Coyle said regarding Whalen’s recruiting potential.

Second, please enough of the Dawn Staley comparison. First of all, Staley’s first coaching job at Temple while she was still an active WNBA player was not at her alma mater (Virginia) as Whalen is in her first coaching job. Also, Staley wasn’t on a defending league champion team vying to repeat this summer, as Whalen is on the Lynx.

“I’ve reached out to [Staley] and we’re going to talk,” Whalen said. “I think she’ll have some great words and some great advice.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

9

June 8-14, 2017

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9

April 19-25, 2018

Finally, Timberwolves back Whalen named new Gopher coach after ‘whirlwind’ search Will she be more successful recruiting local Black athletes? in playoffs!

As

I lay in an I n tensive Care Unit at Abrazo Arizona Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona in January, I said to myself, “I can’t go out like this. The Super Bowl is February 4 in my town, Minneapolis, and the Vikings could be in it. And the Timberwolves are sure to be a playoff team for the first time since 2003-2004.”

When your world appears to be closing in on you, the mind reminds you this could be a special year. It has been all that, and it’s just April with snow everywhere. I did get to cover my

37th Super Bowl; of course, the Vikings did not make it.

My oldest son won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with PGA-Pro Kevin Streelman. Weeks later I’m with Larry, Jr. and the great Tiger Woods in Jupiter, Florida watching them play nine holes of golf during a NIKE commercial shoot.

Priceless.

The Timberwolves did indeed clinch a playoff spot with an overtime win versus Denver in the last game of the regular season. Because of that, after all these years I get to witness

■ See Fitz on page 9

I

love Lindsay Whalen.

I’ve known her since her freshman year at Minnesota and throughout her stellar WNBA career.

Charles “You saw this comhallman ing?” a local reporter asked yours truly, the longest-tenured Gopher women’s basketball beat reporter, of my thoughts on perhaps the quickest coaching search since LaRue Fields.

The program’s first Black head coach, Fields was hired in 1987 after Ellen Mosher-Hanson unexpectedly announced her departure from the job.

Whalen is the eighth Gopher coach under my reporting watch. “I will do my best,” she said during last Friday’s “hail the conquering heroine” press conference on the Williams Arena floor, the first time since a similar event was held for Tubby Smith when he

ANOTHER

VIEW

was hired.

Pam Borton, who coached Whalen in her final two seasons, told me, “I had talked to her earlier and knew it was a possibility. I’m very happy.”

Minnesota AD Mark Coyle briefly outlined the “whirlwind” timeline, which began “officially” last Monday after former coach Marlene Stollings bolted for Texas Tech after four seasons. “We had a search committee, and we talked to multiple candidates about the position over a two-day period,” Coyle told me.

“Once we learned Coach Stollings was going to leave, I reached out to Lindsay Whalen and Mark Coyle Lindsay on Monday. We talked with Photo by Eric Miller three candidates on Tuesday and a candidate on Wednesday. Then we had it wrapped up on Wednesday after- day],” Whalen confirmed. “It’s been a whirlnoon,” said Coyle. wind couple of days.”

“The offer was [made] Wednesday night.

■ See View on page 9 Everything was signed yesterday [Thurs-

The ‘Fab Five’ prep stars of the week

Sports odds and ends

‘If they made it, so can I!’ Black hockey players see themselves as role models

By Charles Hallman Senior Staff Writer Two conferences were represented earlier this month in this year’s NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul.

Eventual champion Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) and Notre Dame (Big Ten) played for the 2018 title.

This was the first time since 2005 that three schools in the same conference – Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan, all from the Big Ten – made the final four teams.

But here’s a historical footnote to this year’s Frozen Four: Three Black players, two of them on one team and all three from the same conference, were on the ice, a first somehow overlooked by other commentators.

When asked when hockey players of color (HPOCs) will get past being novelties, Nate Ewell told the MSR between periods Christian Lampasso of the 2018 NCAA championship game, “I think everybody in hockey would like to see that day.” He’s the deputy executive director of College Hockey, Inc., founded in 2009 to “extensively” promote Division I men’s college hockey to prospective players and fans.

“It’s still out of the norm,” Ohio State’s Dakota

Dakota Joshua Photos courtesy of Ohio State

This week’s five photos feature two senior girls’ basketball players making their college choices (Raena Suggs and K’Lynn Lewis), a senior boys’ PreP Scene basketball player winDr. mitChell ning a prestigious Palmer mCDonalD award (O’Dell Wilson IV), a three-time conference player of the year in girls’ basketball (Morgan Hill), and a girls’ basketball coach who has successfully led her alma-mater (Tanysha Scott).

Joshua admitted. “There are about 100 guys here and three colored people. I don’t know how much people read into it, but obviously it’s something you notice.”

Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

■ See soe on page 8

■ See PreP Photos on page 9