August 13, 2020 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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August 13 -19, 2020 Vol. 87 No. 2

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86

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CUP Foods: Good neighbor or bad?

The store’s controversial history has led to demands that it be closed

T

he intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis has become an international living memorial, the pavement painted with names of people whose lives were lost to police brutality.

While city leaders and community members contemplate how the space will evolve to reflect its physical and symbolic role in the Black Lives Matter movement, a different conversation is taking place about the corner store that is all but buried beneath the roses, murals and messages.

“Chicago Unbeatable Prices,” known as CUP Foods, reopened Monday, August 3 despite dozens of protesters at the site claiming the move was disrespectful to George Floyd’s memory. A petition has been circulating online demanding that the store, which initially called the police on Floyd, should now be permanently shut down.

The Change.org petition, which has more than 2,000 signatures, was started by Janell Hihi and demands that the City

testified to his own compliance with recommendations, and explained that he, too, sought to end the criminal activity near the intersection.”

On September 11, 2001, thenowner Samir Abumayyaleh appealed the City of Minneapolis decision to the Minnesota State Court of Appeals. CUP Foods said that the City’s attempt to sanction them was “arbitrary and capricious.” However, the document describes a review of sordid and nefarious activities on and around the premises since its Shut down by the City In December of 2000, the Min- opening in 1989. neapolis City Council ordered the store closed for six months, CUP hires off-duty police Although City Council Vice although they waived 90 days of that closure and instead enforced President Andrea Jenkins has a $10,000 fine. This followed a only represented the eighth series of controlled drug buys at Ward officially for two years, the store by the MPD; they sub- which includes the corner ocsequently obtained a warrant to cupied by CUP Foods, she has search the premises and found lived in the neighborhood for 22 stolen cell phones, ammunition, years and been a policy aid for ingredients commonly used to its last two city council members. make methamphetamine, and She remembers when the store other drug paraphernalia. They was shut down.

“The City took their license also observed bullet holes in the away because they were taking door.

In his defense, Abumayyaleh stolen items, paying for stolen offered “favorable testimony cell phones or other things and from neighbors and customers, reselling them,” Jenkins said. police being called in the first place, accusations of improprieties and illegal activities involving CUP Foods have hounded the store for most of its 30-year history in the neighborhood.

We have been in this community for three generations of our family and for 31 years have proudly served our neighborhood,” the store owner wrote in his defense on Facebook not long after George Floyd was killed by police.

By Analise Pruni Contributing writer

CUP Foods (top center) has been the focal point of protests against the Minneapolis killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day 2020.

MSR File Photo of Minneapolis investigate and close the store for its alleged under-the-table selling of electronics.

The petition addresses store co-owner Mahmoud “Mike” Abumayyaleh and claims that his store “offers fraudulent services to residents underneath the table avoiding taxes. Those services include illegally unlocking cell phones for a fee and copying

keys that are not supposed to be copied.” The petition demands that the owner of CUP Foods be “arrested and a full investigation of his illegal services is conducted by local police, FBI, Telecom-

nies, and the IRS for tax evasion.”

Although Abumayyaleh has stood in solidarity with the community since Floyd’s death, providing supplies at the memorial, reaching out to Floyd’s family

“People have been complaining about CUP Foods for decades. munication Cell Phone compa- and expressing remorse for the

■See CUP FOODS on page 5

Giving ex-offenders a second National census to end sooner than planned chance is this man’s Fears rise of a minority undercount ‘silent protest’ ect offers a physical location in South Minneapolis where residents are provided shelter and support as well as an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills. On August 1, the doors opened to welcome their first resident.

Jessup, who has called the Twin Cities home since 2006, cites a personal relationship as well as a career setback among the driving factors behind the project.

“In February of this year I was terminated from my company unexpectedly following 12 years of service,” said Jessup. “At first, I was heartbroken, but then I looked at as an opportunity to start my own thing.

“Initially, I wanted to open a group home and didn’t think about the Second Chance Project. I just wanted to work with people to see what it would look like for me. But the whole project came to be CJ Jessup in front of his group home Photo by Steve Floyd based on a relationship I had with Kevin Fenner, who is a young man out of Detroit, tenured career in the nonprof- Michigan.

“He moved his family to it sector where he emerged as

By Marquis Taylor a community leader in the Minnesota around 2005, 2006, Contributing writer and shared with me that his Twin Cities. father was given a life senAfter working and partCJ Jessup is no stranger to second chances. Having spent his formative years in Illinois’ juvenile facilities and adult prisons, he devoted his life to service and began a nering with many tence in Minnesota back in organizations, Jes- 2006 on a three-time offender sup is now utilizing law. Following the murder his platform as an of George Floyd, his life senagent of change with tence was overturned thanks the development of to the support of Trae Tha the Second Chance Truth, who is an artist out of Project, an initiative Houston.

“Now Kevin Fenner, Sr. is focused on providing resources to those coming home, and when he who are re-entering gets out, he wants to reach society following in- back into the community.

This made me think about carceration.

Established by Jes- putting together a business sup in May 2020, the where we can provide servicSecond Chance Proj- es to individuals coming out PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

“This way they can reach back and pull another person up.”

■See 2ND CHANCE on page 5

MSR News Service The Census Bureau recently decided to forego the extra time it requested to collect the 2020 national census and have now declared the census will end on September 30, a month earlier than previously announced.

This is unwelcome news in Communities of Color and immigrant communities that have been historically undercounted in the census.

The Bureau had appealed to Congress in April saying that it needed to extend the deadline for the count until October 31

and that it needed to extend by four months the December 31 deadline for the census data to completed and compiled. The request for the extension was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed responses and made follow-up difficult.

The numbers from the census, which happens every 10 years, are used to determine how nearly $1.5 trillion in federal funds get allocated as well as how electoral districts are drawn for the next decade. The Census Bureau estimated that in the 2000 and 2010 count, African Americans were undercounted by about 800,000.

According to projections by the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan national think tank, it is possible that African Americans could be

undercounted by 11,000.

“If we get an undercount, it means our community doesn’t get what it needs,” explained Anika Robbins, CEO and president of the Anika Foundation.

Robbins is presently a consultant on the census with Hennepin County. “We were undercounted in 2010, and Black men were undercounted even more.

“About $28,000 is attached to each count,” Robins said. “If we lose numbers, we also lose Congressional seats, and there are millions of dollars connected to that seat.”

The shortened deadline will likely hurt efforts to reach those

especially needed in communities where counting has been challenging.

Adding to the challenge of reaching poor neighborhoods and immigrant communities is the Trump administration’s attempt to politicize the census earlier this year when he sought to include a question about U.S. citizenship. The census is required by the U.S. Constitution to count everyone in the country, not just citizens. However, the Trump administration has pressed on with its agenda and asked the bureau not to count the undocumented. That charge is being challenged in U.S. fed-

who have not yet responded to census inquiries. The census uses what it calls a non-response follow-up (NRFU) to reach out to people who have not filled out census information. The bureau sends its employees to knock on doors and follow up with those

eral court as unconstitutional.

According to the bureau, as of August fourth nearly 63% of U.S. households had responded to the census. But some large U.S. cities such as Detroit reported that only half of their population had self-responded to census re-

“If we get an undercount, it means our community doesn’t get what it needs.” who have not responded, especially in hard-to-count areas.

Supporters of the census effort are concerned that shortening the deadline will make it more difficult for the bureau to conduct its follow-up, which is

quests.

According to Robbins, Minnesota is leading the nation with a response rate over 70%.

Of those yet uncounted, she said, “Latino brothers and sisters are afraid of deportation. For ■See CENSUS on page 5

2

August 13-19, 2020

Multiple crises call for new investments

Mayor Carter, Sen. Harris say economy must be rebuilt

By Charles Hallman Contributing writer Blacks, women, and young Minnesotans are suffering the most from the economic fallout due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to the latest state and national unemployment numbers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Black unemployment jumped from seven percent in March, at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown, to 16.4% in April,

Mayor Marvin Carter Courtesy of Facebook added that at least 70,000 city residents have filed for employment.

Harris plans to introduce

“Everyone is being hit in so many ways. We are about to step off a cliff.” then dropped slightly to 15.5% in June. It’s five percent higher than Whites’ (10%) and two percent higher than Asians (almost 4%).

This economic blow is one of three crises that have hit Black communities and communities of color, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (DCalif.) both stressed during a July 15 virtual event with local trades union officials.

“This is a peculiar time in our city, state and country,” said the mayor. “Crisis after crisis--not just a healthcare pandemic or just an economic crisis, but this national reckoning on race, all at the same time and calling on the character of this country…the character of our communities. It is also calling on the character of our elected leaders.” Carter

a Senate bill that, if passed, would ban evictions and fore-

Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Courtesy of YouTube

said.

The California senator and former U.S. presidential candidate spoke on the virus, the economic downturn, and the wave of protests that emerged after George Floyd’s death on Memorial Day. “Everyone is being hit in so many ways,” Harris added. “We are about to step off a cliff,” she said of unemployment benefits that are soon to run out.

Both Carter and Harris advocate new investments to help create more jobs in such areas as infrastructure, transit, weatherization of buildings and homes, building more sustainable housing and green jobs.

“We have to rebuild our future,” Carter said. “We are going to need more jobs to move forward.

Hopefully that means that we are building an economy that is not trying to figure out how to get back to where we were three weeks or three months ago, but focus on pushing our country forward in a way that all of our community members can get a chance to participate in our economy.”

“There is a lot that we can do, and I remain an optimist,” Harris said. “We must have a plan that addresses every community…and also protects and creates jobs in America.”

closures for one year, prohibit rent increases and negative reporting to credit bureaus Charles Hallman welcomes on evictions. “As a country, we are in the midst of three reader responses to challman@ profound crises: two most re- spokesman-recorder.com. cently, and one that has been around for generations,” she

Advertorial Symbolic Gift Honors Survivor Spirit of Two African-American Organizations After the murder of George Floyd, amidst a global pandemic that disproportionately affects African-Americans, leaders of Crimson and Cream of Minnesota sought to donate to a South Minneapolis-based African-American nonprofit. The foundation is the giving arm of the St. Paul-Minneapolis chapter of Black Greek Letter Organization Kappa Alpha Psi, a fraternal organization of African-American men. Foundation leaders selected the Cultural Wellness Center, an African-American nonprofit with a mission to “unleash the power of citizens to heal themselves and build community.”

Over the past 24 years, the Cultural Wellness Center has received many grants and donations to support its work. But it’s the $500 contribution from Crimson and Cream Foundation of MInnesota that the nonprofit recognized and celebrated recently given its symbolism. The self-determination of the gesture honors the survivor spirit of the legacy-based work of both organizations.

Among other work in the community, the Cultural Wellness Center partners with the Council for Black Male Success to guide young Black men through a cultural self-study curriculum as part of a Manhood Rites of Passage process.

The Crimson and Cream Foundation donation is a testament to both organizations’respective commitment to the area’s African-American community.

"South Minneapolis does not get a lot of attention for Black people and Black culture,” said Rodney Anderson, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity member and Crimson and Cream Foundation of Minnesota board member. "So we wanted to choose a South Minneapolis African-American nonprofit doing great work to honor George Floyd, and we found that in the Cultural Wellness Center. The donation is a start of what we hope will lead to more collaboration with the organization.”

The Power of Self-determination and Resilience For Elder Atum Azzahir, the executive director of the Cultural Wellness Center, “Black male culture has been forced to become constantly reactionary to life experiences under the dominant system, instead of one grounded in African-centered cultural practices. They are now pushing forward to restore the spinal cord of their families and communities.They seek to recover the culturally grounded manhood that was lost during enslavement.”

Elder Atum sees Kappa Alpha Psi as the realization of that aspiration. Kappa Alpha Psi is a national historically African-American intercollegiate fraternity founded in 1911, that has never limited membership based on color, creed or national origin.

In this moment, as the Twin Cities faces a reckoning of its historic and systemic racism and subsequent inequities, two African-American-centered organizations are coming together to demonstrate in a symbolic gesture the power of African-Americans to heal themselves and lift up people of African descent in our community. Amidst COVID-19 and in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, this story offers hope and demonstrates the power of self-determination and resilience.

Advertorial

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August 13-19, 2020

3

Medical science and political science are not the same thing Learn to tell the difference

By Alyse M. Hamilton, MD Contributing writer One of my favorite movies is “Jurassic Park.” The author of the book that inspired the movie, the late Michael Crichton, was also a medical doctor. Like all of us who are medical doctors, he was trained in basic science, the science of modern medicine.

“Jurassic Park” was an amazing story of one man’s attempt to bring back to life prehistoric dinosaurs. If you saw the movie, you know some really bad things happened.

Michael Crichton showed people what could happen when people tampered with science. He also firmly believed that when non-scientists, like politicians and the media, start messing with science, all hell can break loose as it did in “Jurassic Park.”

Dr. Crichton once wrote about the frightening, real-life example of what happened in the early 1900s when politicians, the media and others promoted “fake science.” His example was about “eugenics.” This fake science claimed some people, like Blacks and Jews, were inferior

and should not be allowed to reproduce.

Eugenics was gladly accepted by scientists, universities, politicians and the press. In fact, Planned Parenthood was created from the false science of eugenics. In 1939, founder Margaret Sanger wrote in a shocking letter to Clarence Gamble, “We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population…”

Eugenics was also used by Nazi Germany as an excuse to murder millions of innocent people. All in the name of fake science.

Politically driven science But, what does this have to do with the COVID-19 virus?

It is certainly not eugenics. Like the false science of the past, we must always be alert to detect politically driven science from true medical science.

One recent controversy between political science and medical science was over the use of an old medication with a long name.

It’s called hydroxychloroquine or HCQ. HCQ has been prescribed safely and effectively millions of times for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and malaria. In 2005, scientists published a study that showed HCQ’s weaker cousin, chloroquine, could stop coronaviruses like COVID-19.

In March of this year, a French researcher showed that HCQ with an antibiotic and zinc was effective against cases of COVID-19. In July of this year, Henry Ford Medical Group and Mount Sinai Hospital showed that HCQ dropped the COVID-19 death rate by 50%!

Sounds good so far.

Unfortunately, when President Trump spoke in defense of

COVID-19 Virus HCQ, politicians and those with an agenda against the president said that the opposite was true about HCQ’s use and safety.

Cable news networks like to broadcast negative stories such as claiming that, after decades of safety, HCQ was suddenly dangerous.

The use of HCQ for COVID-19 was quickly silenced. A number of brave doctors, who only cared about their patients and not anyone’s political agenda, still used HCQ with antibiotics and zinc for COVID-19. These doctors got positive results in stopping COVID-19 in their patients.

A fellow Black female physician, Dr. Stella Immanuel, from Houston, Texas has successfully treated hundreds of COVID 19 patients with HCQ. In a recent tweet Dr. Immanuel wrote: “I refuse to be chained by fake science. I have successfully treated over 250 patients with HCQ, zpack [antibiotic] and zinc. No

Strengthen your immune system Your immune system was created to fight off bacteria and viruses to protect you. Of the nearly nine million children under 18 in California, thankfully not one child has died of COVID-19. And these kids have been to the grocery store, Target and Walmart.

A major difference between the immune system of a child and an adult is that adults have often had many rounds of antibiotics and drugs, lost sleep, been stressed, used alcohol and cigarettes, and have had poor diets. All of these weaken the immune system.

Strengthen your immune system with: • Good sleep and exercise Courtesy Pixabay • A diet with sufficient protein deaths. All these…studies by big • Vitamin C—3,000 mg pharma [major drug companies] daily is fake science.”

• Vitamin E—300 internaShe also wrote, “Physicians tional units failed America. We allowed bu• Vitamin D—2000 interreaucrats, politicians and fake national units news media to dictate how we • Selenium—200 microtreat patients. We attacked each grams [other] & cowered in fear. Many • Zinc—20 to 30 mg [patients] died when there is a (Always double-check cheap, safe and effective treatwith your doctor for ment for COVID-19. Shame on doses.) us doctors.”

The cost of HCQ is about $20.

So, what do you do if your Practice basic safety • Wear a mask around doctor is afraid to use HCQ? others.

Many are. Your doctor’s respon• Social distance. sibility is to treat you when you • Wash your hands a lot. are sick. Yours is to keep from getting sick. Three important things you can do for your own Know real science from political science health are: • Become a detective and 1. Strengthen your immune ask a lot of questions. system.

• Don’t accept the first 2. Practice basic safety. things you read on Google.

3. Learn to tell political The truth may be buried on science from medical the second or third page. science.

• Political science focuses

more on opinions. Medical science focuses on absolute, repeatable results. If politicians get too involved, keep digging. An early broadcasted claim might be denied or trashed later on.

That happened to HCQ. Eventually, the virus will fade. We’ll get through this.

Until then, strengthen that immune system, practice safety, and be on guard for political science vs. medical science.

Editor’s note: Hydroxychloroquine is not FDA approved to treat COVID-19. Before starting any medication, consult your doctor.

Dr. Alyse Hamilton is the founder and medical director of the Advanced Health and Vitality Center in Edina, Minnesota.

Dr. Hamilton offers her patients positive results from her exceptional professional training and an extraordinary passion to provide safe, proven and effective treatments for adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue and pain, menopause, andropause (male menopause), fibromyalgia and age-related conditions.

She partners with her patients to guide them to true health from the inside out. Her goal is to ensure that her patients reclaim their energy, memory and vitality so that they can once again enjoy the things that are missing in their lives. Her practice also offers IV nutritional support with the Myer’s Cocktail and Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and the Riordan protocol for high dose Vitamin C infusion therapy.

Do yourself a favor and get enough vitamin D

By Dr. Adepero Okulaja Contributing writer Vitamin D has recently been identified in the media as cutting-edge care for your immune system. At my practice, The Doctor’s House, we cut that edge a long time ago.

For years I have been talking about how important vitamin D is for the immune system. Yes, some of my patients have “rolled their eyes at me” during my vitamin D speeches. However, I find it heartwarming when these same patients come back and say, “Thank you, you told me how

important it is to be vitamin D sufficient, and I am really glad that I listened!”

Taking vitamin D in addition to sensible daily sun exposure is especially important during this pandemic. A recent study done in China demonstrated that 96% of patients who had a vitamin D level at 30ng/ml and above were asymptomatic or had very minor symptoms of COVID-19.

Patients with levels below 30ng/ml who tested positive for COVID-19 experienced severe or critical/fatal outcomes. The standard practice I follow at The Doctor’s House is to keep my patients at a blood level between 50 to 70 ng/ml, which is optimal to strengthen the immune system so that it is better able to fight disease.

You are doing yourself a favor by taking vitamin D because there are so many other benefits.

These including lowering your risk of osteoporosis, arthritis, autoimmune disease, heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, thyroid disease, Type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

What’s not to love? It’s easy to take a vitamin D supplement in order to raise your blood levels to acceptable limits, especially since it is very difficult to get enough vitamin D from your

Courtesy Pixabay

diet and sun exposure alone.

Just remember that too much vitamin D can be harmful, so please be sure to check in with your physician before starting supplements. They will determine your baseline levels and can monitor you to keep you in the recommended range.

Just for fun, Google “COVID-19 and vitamin D” to read more!

Dr. Adepero Okulaja grew up in Africa and knew that she was destined to be a doctor. Her practice, The Doctors House, is located in Edina. She considers herself “a do-er and a problem solver who tries to make a positive impact on people through medicine. She says, “My passion is people. I let my patients know that even if they have to deal with a medical issue I am here to help them live well. That is what I live for.” Dr. Okulaja can be reached by phone at 952-999-4049 or via her website, www.thedrshouse.com.

Courtesy MGN

4

August 13-19, 2020

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.

John Lewis funeral marred by offensive speakers

By Paul Street

Mpls. Charter Commission stands in for the power structure MELLANEOUS

By Mel Reeves “A Minneapolis commission scuttled any chance of letting voters decide in November whether to replace the City’s police department, dealing a setback to the city council’s signature effort to overhaul public safety in the wake of the killing of George Floyd,” read the Wall Street Journal’s lead paragraph about the Minneapolis Charter Commission decision to the delay the vote.

In essence, an unelected body decided that the citizens of Minneapolis couldn’t hold an election to decide how they, the people, want to be policed.

“Scuttle” was a seemingly odd choice of words, but few more accurately describe what the Minneapolis Charter Commission did to what appeared to be a reasonable request from the Minneapolis City Council.

The Oxford Dictionary defines scuttle as “to deliberately cause (a scheme) to fail.”

They deliberately denied the people an opportunity to vote on a reasonable proposal put forth by the representatives of the people.

Historically the tactics the rulers have used to maintain their power and thus the status quo has included delay, deception, disingenuousness and distraction.

In what can best be defined as a filibuster, the Charter Commission—whose job is to oversee the City Charter and are “appointed” by a district judge—decided by a 10 to five majority that they needed more time to study the Minneapolis City Council’s plan for proposed changes to its police department. In other words, tell the council and the people what they think is good for them.

Few decisions have been less arrogant, patronizing or undemocratic! When a few of the

commissioners were asked about why they voted to delay a decision, which without exaggeration has been one of the most brutal and racist in the country, they all lied about their reasons.

Andrew Kozak dissembled, spitting out something about his obligation to make sure (the stupid people) in Minneapolis could make an “informed choice.”

Jill Garcia’s statement in defense of the indefensible was even more garbled, as she said, “This is an issue that involves the lives, the well-being, the safety of Minneapolis residents.” Well, duh! She and her partners in crime would have done better to just come out and tell the truth, that they were opposed and are there to maintain the status quo.

And that is exactly what their job is, to serve as a buffer, a kind of Electoral College, a veto to deny the will of the people.

Ironically, the plan had been well thought out and crafted by five city council members. The proposal would have ended the City’s requirement that a standing police force be maintained at certain levels and replaced it with a Department of Community Safety & Violence Prevention that would seek to prioritize “a holistic, public health-oriented approach.”

The city council even tried to reassure the Commission that this was not about disbanding the police but rather creating a department that everyone could live with and would end the problem of over-policing and police violence. They wrote a letter to the Commission before the vote explaining, “The City Council is not asking you to put police abolition on the ballot, nor does the amendment propose this…We are asking you to let Minneapolis vote on a new framework for public safety that aligns with

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the State of Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety.”

Councilmember Cam Gordon called it what it was: “They were predisposed to not like the idea. They seemed more comfortable with the status quo,” he said. “I don’t know what they’re going to hope to accomplish by reviewing it longer, except to keep it off the ballot, which seemed to be the motivation of the majority of them.”

Who are these people that they should sit in judgment on what is best for the city?

Nobody voted for them! It’s likely until about a month ago that few people had heard of the Charter Commission or could name more than two members.

On its face, the entire setup sounds anti-democratic. A district judge gets to choose 15 people. How is the judge chosen? What criterion was used to choose the 15 people?

Were they supposed to be representative of the city?

Clearly they were not representative of the city. Most made incomes in excess of $80,000; only one made less than $47,000. Five live in Southwest Minneapolis, the wealthiest region of the city.

And surprise, not one resides on the North Side of the city where Minneapolis police carry out most of their harassment, humiliation, and abuse of the city’s population.

"Wait" has almost always meant "never,” MLK once said.

And the Commission operating in their class and yes, race interest, means by delaying the vote they hope they can buy time for the power structure to build a case against the proposal by scaring people out of real change.

Ironically, the proposal that was voted down came about as a result of the movement in the streets and the protests.

This makes it clear that only a constant and concerted movement is going to bring the change needed to create a society that will no longer need the present system of policing. This system currently serves to terrorize those not found in political, social, or economic favor in this country, while giving comfort and protection to those who benefit from this insidious, unequal, unjust and inequitable arrangement.

Ultimately, real change is wrought in the streets. In fact, it is the only reason that the power structure pulled out of their pocket a veto in the form of the Charter Commission.

Justice then peace.

Anyone who thinks it was fine and proper for the Jeffrey Epstein pal Bill Clinton to be a featured speaker at the funeral of John Lewis, a Black civil rights icon, ought to read Elaine Brown’s brilliant 2002 book "The Condemnation of Little B." In this classic radical Black text, Brown—a former chair of the Black Panther Party—tried to explain how the City of Atlanta, including its prominent Black citizens, had unjustly condemned a poor 14-year-old Black boy, Michael Lewis, for the murder of a White man visiting a well-known drug haven in one of that city’s Black ghettoes.

Brown showed how Lewis’s conviction was “effectively predestined” by the “comfortable New Age racism of White liberals and middle-class Blacks alike who have abandoned the cause of civil rights and equal opportunity.”

The most biting chapter in Brown’s bitter volume was titled “The Abandonment.” There Brown demonstrated how a host of Black bourgeois elites (her list included William Julius Wilson, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, most members of the Congressional Black Caucus and, of course, Oprah Winfrey) aligned themselves with the insidious, “post-racial” neoliberal racism of the Clintons.

These Black misleaders, Brown showed, had joined the Clintons and other White elites in: ● Smearing and trying to delete the Black radical tradition. ● Backing Bill Clinton’s removal of millions of poor Black women and children from the welfare rolls. ● Supporting the Clintons’ vicious corporatist hit job on efforts to provide national governmental health insurance as a human right to poor Black and other Americans. ● Backing Bill Clinton’s rac-

ist mass-incarcerationist “three strikes” crime bill. ● Blaming the Black poor for their own oppression. Black bourgeois elites applauded as President Clinton “audaciously admonished” Black Americans “for creating the deplorable state of Black America,” Brown wrote.

How pathetic but predictable it was then to see the racist and rapist Bill Clinton invited to speak at the John Lewis funeral last week. True to his longstanding socio-pathological and lane-crossing form, Clinton (who seems to think of himself as a Black insider) thought the assignment gave him license to crap on the historical legacy of the great Black freedom fighter Kwame Ture (1941-1998), previously known as Stokely Carmichael.

“There were two or three years there where the [mid1960s Civil Rights] Movement went a little bit too far towards Stokely,” Clinton opined, “but in the end, John Lewis prevailed.”

For this remark, Clinton got and deserved an eloquent slap in the face from the Black historian Barbara Ransby: “Who is Bill Clinton to weigh in on whether or not Ture went ‘too far’ when he was at the helm of SNCC? And how dare he poke jabs at a Black Freedom Movement leader who has been dead over 20 years, at a memorial service for another: too far toward what, ‘freedom’?

“Kwame Ture was a Trinidadian-born former Howard University student, powerful orator and brilliant intellectual. He drew inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Fannie Lou Hamer, and by the late 1960s, he was an unapologetic revolutionary.

“Ture made enormous personal sacrifices toward his vision of liberation. He believed that the systems of capitalism, White supremacy, imperialism and paternalistic White liberalism had to be undone in order for true human freedom to flourish.

“After he left SNCC, Ture worked briefly with the Black Panther Party, then moved to West Africa and founded the AllAfrican People’s Revolutionary Party. He wrote, traveled, agitated and organized, never garnering much fame and never earning much money. He had been jailed, harassed and threatened during his work in the South. He had become close to some of the fiercest freedom fighters in Mississippi and Alabama, and later to heroic anti-colonial leaders throughout the African continent.

“For some of those early years he fought alongside John Lewis, and then the two men took different paths.”

Bill Clinton’s presence on the Lewis funeral stage—and his despicable shot at Kwame Ture—was no less offensive than that other Epstein buddy Donald Trump’s failure even to pay his respects by visiting Lewis’s casket.

Equally inappropriate as a Lewis eulogizer last week was George W. Bush—the man who let Black New Orleans drown while spending billions of dollars that needed to be invested in meeting the vast needs of the nation’s ghettoes on the arch-criminal, mass-murderous, and racist invasion and occupation of Iraq.

John Lewis was a lovely man.

I ran into him (an unmistakable presence) once at an airport (either Reagan or Hartsfield) and asked him some questions about the history of the Civil Rights Movement (I was teaching a class on post-WWII U.S. History at the time.) He kindly took time to answer and reflect and wished me and my students well.

It’s a shame Lewis got all wrapped-up in the great corporate-imperialist ruling class crime syndicate that is the Democratic Party.

Paul Street is a nationally known political essayist and political commentary writer.

Letter to the Editor Extend CARES ACT and provide workers with a living wage

By Adam Shah

Members of the One Percent, such as former restaurateur Andrew Puzder, have urged Congress to not renew the $600a-week unemployment supplement Congress enacted as part of the CARES Act. They argue, in Puzder’s words, that “this $600 -per-week bonus is discouraging work” for low-wage earners.

But as low as unemployment benefits are, they are higher than the U.S. paltry minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which is tantamount to a starvation wage, leaving working families significantly food insecure. Puzder’s argument makes sense: Why would anyone risk their life and health during a pandemic for lower wages than they could receive by remaining unemployed?

In the short-term, we could solve the problem Puzder raises by increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour or more.

Mel Reeves can be reached at A $15 minimum wage would mellanous19@yahoo.com. provide people with, yes, $600 a week if they work a full-time job. There goes the incentive not to look for work. (Puzder, by the way, was Trump’s choice for Labor Secretary before he withdrew from the running in the face of sexual harassment and labor abuse charges at his fast-food restaurants)

But a minimum wage increase, while alleviating the problem in the short run, would do nothing to fix the long-term problems in our economy exposed by the novel coronavirus.

The long-term systemic reason that working people are willing to accept jobs that cannot provide enough income to cover basic needs is because they are unable to organize and demand higher wages. Unionization is clearly tied to higher and more equal wages. The real disincentive working people face is that if they try to assert their right to collective bargaining, they often are quickly fired even though such firing is technically illegal.

The threat of losing your job is backed up by real consequences—loss of income, loss of housing, loss of health insurance, and food insecurity. Unemployment benefits are so paltry, the economy cannot survive long during a period of double-digit unemployment.

Unfortunately, too many members of Congress have been listening more to voices like Puzder’s than the voices of working people. They are letting the CARES Act unemployment benefits expire as they continue to fight over the terms of the next stimulus package.

Extending the $600 unemployment supplement would

not be a threat to businesses that pay living wages and support worker voices. Not extending it is a threat to every unemployed person who is trying to survive this economic crisis.

Puzder attempts to make the argument that small business owners hiring or trying to hire reported difficulty finding quali fied applicants or any applicants and blames the unemployment supplement. What he does not take into account is the volatility of the current workplace with a cycle of re-openings and closings due to coronavirus impacting many of the minimum wage sec tors.

It took many people weeks to secure unemployment benefits and they are concerned that if they return to a workplace that closes a week later they will lose this temporary stability.

Puzder argues that there is no substitute for the dignity of a job but he grossly misses the mark— forcing people to risk their lives to return to work is the opposite of dignity.

The dignity of work is re stored when employment leads to working people securing liv ing wages and having their voic es heard.

Adam Shah is the senior policy analyst at Jobs With Justice.

August 13-19, 2020

CuP Foods Continued from page 1 “The City was able to prove that and take their license away and make them respond to the different rules.

“People have been complaining about CUP Foods for decades literally,” Jenkins continued. “It has been no secret that for whatever reasons, the gangs in the area—and primarily it’s the Bloods—have deemed that corner of the intersection, and maybe even the entire intersection, as their spot. That is where they hang out, that is where they congregate, that’s where they do whatever gangs do.”

However, the store does have its supporters. After some suggested that the store should be closed on Facebook, several people posted in its defense.

“Do you know how many Black people they let have $200 to $400 tabs for groceries and phone bills until they got some money?” asked Nicoletta Jackson in a Facebook post from June 16. “Do you know how many Black people they put in apartments [saying] pay me what you can…because they had no money, because I don’t want you to be homeless?”

Long before gaining a reputation as a gang hangout and drug dealing and illegal electronics sales temporarily closed CUP Food’s doors, the convenience store had been ordered in 1993 to hire “off-duty police officers” and “report drug activity to police.” Lucas Ainsworth, a business owner from Minneapolis with investments near that neighborhood, claims to have much more recently seen off-duty MPD officers working

security at the store.

“I’ve seen multiple police officers, after hours, late at night in that neighborhood, and they’re working security for CUP Foods.

They’re not just in the neighborhood working for the Minneapolis Police Department; they’re working overtime and being paid on the books from Mike as personal security,” said Ainsworth.

Despite allegations of an ongoing relationship with off- and on-duty officers, Mike Abumayyaleh questioned the integrity of the police while extending CUP Food’s deepest condolences to George Floyd’s Family in a released statement. “There is no justification for the use of reckless force displayed by the police that murdered George Floyd,” the statement reads.

“We support this protest and share in their anger. Police are

Obituary

James Edward Bransford Sunrise, December 11, 1930 — Sunset, July 31, 2020

James Edward Bransford passed away peacefully on July 31, at the age of 89 after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. Jim was born on December 11, 1930 as the eldest of five siblings raised in rural Maryland. He was predeceased by parents Aurora and Hugh L. Bransford, Jr. and his brother Hugh L. Bransford, III. Jim served in the Korean War and later graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Biology and Chemistry and pursued a brilliant career as a research chemist at Honeywell and the Veteran’s Hospital.

Jim married Jeanne Watson in 1957 and settled in the Rondo neighborhood of St Paul. From that union came Tanya and Traci. Jim became active in the Twin Cities as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He loved literature, music, theater and cooking. Jim had a second career as a founding member of what is now African American Family Services. He “retired” as a dispositional advisor in the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office.

Jim worked tirelessly as a substance abuse and violence prevention counselor and steered multiple generations of families towards treatment and away from incarceration.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Barbara; daughters, Tanya Bransford Lewis (Jeff Lewis) and Traci Vernita Bransford, step-daughter Alcenya Ajayi; seven grandchildren; sisters Joyce Byrd of Havre de Grace, Maryland; Judith Muhammad of Baltimore,Maryland; Jean Hartzog of Jersey City, New Jersey and sister in law Isabella Bransford of Madison, Alabama. Jim is also survived by a host of loving great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on August 18, 2020 via a virtual platform and a private family memorial service will be held in Maryland in 2021.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 13, 2020

From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING INQUIRIES & TEARSHEETS PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT OBIT /MEMORIAL RATE $50 (FIRST 200 WORDS) + 95 X $0.50 = $ 47.50 (295 WORDS TOTAL) SUBTOTAL: $97.50 + PHOTO: $15 TOTAL: $112.50 Please proof, respond with email confirmation to display@spokesman-recorder.com.

supposed to protect and serve their communities; instead, what we’ve seen over and over again is the police abusing their power and violating the people’s trust.”

However, the 20 years between CUP Foods’ temporary closure and the events leading up to the killing of George Floyd are filled with shootings, drug busts, and constant police interactions on and around the property. These activities are again under intense scrutiny as people in the area dispute the past, present and future of the store and its role on the corner of 38th St. and Chicago Ave., infamous long before police were called over a fraudulent $20 bill that led to Floyd’s death.

Analise Pruni welcomes reader responses to apruni@spokesman-recorder.com.

Census Continued from page 1 Black people, it is about distrust of government. People don’t know if the information will be shared with the FBI or ICE. The Census Bureau says it’s safe and secure and the information is not shared. But do people trust that?

“COVID hit when we were starting to hit the ground running with our grassroots events. We have been slowly getting back out since June.

We sent out direct mail and we phone banked,” said Robbins of ongoing census efforts.

Federal law requires the Census Bureau to report data for apportionment by December 31, a deadline the bureau has said it plans to meet.

2nd ChanCe Continued from page 1

5

worked his way out of the transition program. Unfortunately, he was not able to find any place to live and was denied housing 17 times.

“I invited the young man over to see our property, and from there he was able to find a place to stay. Taking this story, the Kevin Fenner story, and the George Floyd story, and putting those components together, I consider it to be my silent protest.”

While he remains steadfast in his belief in second chances, Jessup understands that he has to combat many obstructive narratives, including those that may not see value in the rehabilitation of former intimates. Despite the contrasting thoughts, he wants people to see the benefit in this work.

“If you take somebody out of an environment and put them back into the same environment they left from, chances are they are going to repeat some of the same behaviors. My vision with the Second Chance Project is that once these individuals are released from whatever institution they’re coming from, we can provide them with leadership, role models, service and support that will successfully integrate them into the community.

“This way they can reach back and pull another person up,” Jessup said. “At the end of the day, a second chance starts with self, but the Second Chance Project will give individuals another opportunity to be productive and love themselves.”

of incarceration and state facilities while also being a part of healing. And that’s where the whole Second Chance idea came about.”

The five-bedroom property is intended to serve as a safe haven for residents who are looking to re-integrate themselves into the community. With this process, Jessup wants to provide holistic support to each person who may have a full range of needs.

“Right now Hennepin County is one of our biggest partners, and that’s based on the mental health services they provide and the relationships we’ve built with their caseworkers. Because we may be working with individuals who have mental health needs or require disability support, the call for 24-hour supervision is important. So, we’re working with some good people in South Minneapolis to help meet these needs.”

In the wake of the George Floyd killing, South Minneapolis has become both a hotbed of controversy and a catalyst for activism. Jessup, who has a home in the area, recognizes how the Second Chance Project can positively shape the community.

“I live in South Minneapolis, and although I placed my sons in the Hopkins School District, every morning they’d ride the bus on 38th and Chicago,” Jessup explained. “With the George Floyd incident, and even with the Kevin Fenner story, there was a way to give Marquis Taylor welcomes back to the community. reader responses to mtaylor@ “As this was going on, I spokesman-recorder.com. was working with a young man that did 25 years, and after he got out, he went into a transition program and then

6

Business

August 13-19, 2020

New ice cream shop offers sweet diversion 2 Scoops Eatery Black Business SPOTLIGHT used to be a very well-known coffee shop called Golden

By Ashley Lauren Thyme Coffee,” said White.

Contributing writer Golden Thyme has since relocated to a new building at 934 azz tunes played in the background music Selby Avenue in St. Paul.

As orders for ice cream upon entering 2 Scoops Eatery in St. Paul, as the quaint came rushing in on a Tuesice cream shop grew busier by day, the 2 Scoops Eatery team the minute. The shop's owner provided fast and efficient Brian White Jr. made sure to service. Customers waited acknowledge and greet every patiently as they observed customer that walked in. His homemade waffle cones be-

J

Customers at 2 Scoops friendly disposition created a positive, welcoming and neighborly vibe.

The ice cream eatery opened just this summer, and there’s a unique history behind the location. “This place

ing freshly made. Children and adults seemed in awe of the operation.

Important to note that everyone wore a mask, gloves and abided by proper social distancing due to COVID-19

protocol. Sanitizer was also available. During the earlier months of the summer, “People couldn’t eat in; they had to retrieve orders at the back door,” said White. But now customers can feel free to stop by, dine in or order for pick up while continuing to follow safety precautions.

The neighborhood ice cream shop offers more than 18 flavors of ice cream, desserts and wholesome food.

Kids love the "Superman" ice cream, while adults favor the "Oreo Espresso."

The strawberry cheesecake ice cream is bursting with flavor. There’s a generous amount of small, fresh strawberries and small chunks of creamy cheesecake. It tastes like a rich dessert that was formulated into silky smooth ice cream.

Customers can try a variation of ice cream cones, freshly made waffle cones, classic root beer floats, sweet sundaes, malts and shakes. Ice cream is served in a cup, pint and/or quart, with prices that range from $4-$12.

But 2 Scoops doesn't just offer cool treats. The shop also offers homemade pizza, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and much more. “We just added the beef barbeque brisket and it’s fire,” said White.

The shop aims to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity. “We have been intentionally having conversations around how do we create a business that everybody can feel a part of. Everything we do is intentional,” said White.

As a result, he created a shrine dedicated to local sports legends. Customers are drawn to the “Cream of the Crop” wall dedicated to local athletes from the Twin Cities.

DEED announces cultural mall operator grant awards Grants of up to $250K will go to 12 mall operators Global Center, LLC, St. than the maximum award of Cloud: $110,000 $250,000.

The Minnesota Department Hmong Village Shopping To qualify, an applicant must: of Employment and Economic ● Be an operator of a pri- Center, St. Paul: $250,000 Development (DEED) recently Hmongtown Market Place, announced recipients of the vately owned, permanent indoor $2.5 million Minnesota Cultural retail space and food market lo- St. Paul: $250,000 JigJiga Business Center/PlaMall Operator Grants program, cated in Minnesota. which was part of the $62.5 million Small Business Relief Grants package that passed with bipartisan support in the Minnesota Legislature during the 2020 first Special Session and was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz.

Grants ranging from $110,000 to $250,000 will be awarded to 12 cultural mall operators whose facilities have a combined total of over 1,150 tenants.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created undue hardships for small business owners,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “These grants will provide much needed help to many Courtesy MGN of Minnesota’s cultural malls, ● Be a facility that leases za Verde, Minneapolis: $117,500 which are economic, cultural and Karmel Mall, Minneapolis: civic cornerstones of their com- space to 25 or more tenants. ● Be a facility in which 50% $250,000 munities.”

Madina Management Group, Awards will be disbursed and or more of the tenants have fewer Minneapolis: $177,500 administered by qualified local than 20 employees.

Mercado Central, Minneapo● Be a facility in which 50% and regionally based nonprofit organizations who verify the or more of tenant businesses lis, $250,000 Midtown Global Market, eligibility of grantees and ten- are majority owned by one or ants to receive these funds. Un- more individuals who identify Minneapolis, $250,000 Plaza Mexico, Minneapolis, der terms of the program, funds as one or more of the following must be used to make subgrants racial or ethnic categories: Black, $250,000 Riverside Mall Inc., Minneto existing tenants—with at least African American, Asian or Pa50% used to forgive their rent. cific Islanders, Hispanic, Latinx, apolis, $157,500 To receive benefits through the American Indian, Alaska Native, Grant administrators will cultural mall operator grant, a or other racial or ethnic minority. work with cultural mall optenant subgrantee must meet the Below are recipients of grants erator grantees and any tenants same eligibility requirements as applicants for the Small Business through the Cultural Mall Op- who may have received a Small erators Grant Program and the Business Relief Grant to enRelief Grants Program. sure there is no duplication of Owners of more than one cul- award amounts: awards. tural mall facility/operation are 24 Mall LLC/Village Market, eligible to receive up to $250,000 —Information provided by per separate cultural mall facil- Minneapolis: $250,000 Al Karama Mall, Minneapo- DEED. ity/operation. A single cultural mall facility cannot receive more lis: $187,500

Owner Brian White, Jr. in front of the shop “We’re sports fanatics, me and my dad, so we created this Cream of the Crop Wall,” explained White. The beloved Jovanny “JoJo” Garcia is one of the athletes featured. “He was a top division athlete, only 19 years old,” said White.

Garcia’s picture is posted to honor his life and legacy. He passed away in 2017.

The ice cream shop is bringing people together from all backgrounds.“The thing about ice cream, it’s very universal,” White said. “You’re not pigeonholed into selling to one group of people—it’s everybody.” He also emphasized how some people stop by to take a break from the harsh realities of the world.

Ice cream is viewed as a sweet diversion.

In recent weeks, there has been tragedy, trials and tribulations. “A dark cloud was over our city, state and coun-

try," White said. "But when people come in here they can come in with a frown and leave with a smile.”

In regards to community outreach, White aspires to sponsor a 2 Scoops team. “We are always looking for opportunities to give back. So, right now we’re planning on sponsoring a 2 Scoops basketball team," he said. “We’d pay for uniforms, and they would wear our logo on their jerseys.” The plan is to embrace and support youth in the neighborhood.

White joyfully expressed that his 14-year-old daughter works in the shop, too.

“We’ve been teaching her how to do everything. It’s legacy building.” He plans on handing down the business to her one day. Manifesting generational wealth is the goal.

White also shared helpful advice for the youth. “Don’t

Photos by Ashley Lauren give up, it can definitely happen," he said. "Don’t take no for an answer. Seek knowledge; ask people questions.”

Overall, 2 Scoops Eatery serves as a safe, neighborhood gathering space. Kids, adults, and families are highly encouraged to stop by the new shop. They’ve also given away over 1,000 ice cream cones.

2 Scoops Eatery is located at 921 Selby Ave. in St. Paul, MN. Customers can dine in or place an order for take out by calling 651-645-0227. The shop is open Monday-Thursday, 12-9 pm; Friday-Saturday, 12-10 pm and Sunday, 12-7-pm Find more information at www.2scoopseatery. com.

Save back-to-school shopping receipts for valuable tax benefits The school year may look and feel a little different this fall, but parents can still claim valuable K-12 tax benefits by saving receipts on school supply purchases this year.

“Every year, parents across Minnesota invest in their children’s education by purchasing school supplies,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “This year, distance learning may have changed the nature of these investments, but parents should still keep receipts for these purchases, including distance learning needs, and claim the K-12 Education Credit or Subtraction to help save money when it comes time to file taxes in 2021.”

Two tax benefits can help Minnesota families pay expenses related to their child’s education: the refundable K-12 Education Credit (income limits apply) and the K-12 Education Subtraction (no income limits). These programs reduce the tax parents pay and could deliver a larger refund when filing a Minnesota income tax return.

To qualify, the purchases

must be for educational services or required materials.

The child must be attending kindergarten through 12th grade at a public, private, or home school and meet other qualifications.

Last year, more than 36,000 families received the K-12 Education Credit and saved an average of $251. Nearly 192,000 families received the K-12 Education Subtraction.

Save those receipts Remember to save your receipts to claim the credit or subtraction. Most expenses for educational instruction or materials qualify, including: • paper • pens and notebooks • textbooks • rental or purchases of educational equipment such as musical instruments computer hardware (hotspots, modems, and routers) and educational software (up to $200 for the subtraction and $200 for the credit. Fees for internet service do not qualify.)

• after-school tutoring and educational summer camps taught by a qualified instructor

Qualifying household incomes • 1-2 children in K-12, household income must be less than $37,500 • 3 children in K-12, household income must be $39,500 • 4 or more children in K-12, add $2,000 for each additional child Taxpayers who are not required to file an income tax return must do so in order to claim a refund for any eligible education credit.

K-12 Education Subtraction There are no income limits to qualify for the education subtraction. Most parents qualify. Parents can claim the K-12 Subtraction for tuition paid to private schools or college courses used to satisfy high school graduation requirements.

Information provided by the Department of Revenue. Get the latest news and updates from the Department by following them on Facebook and Twitter or by signing up for their mail subscription list. Visit their website at www.revenue.state.mn.us.

August 13-19, 2020

7

August brims with more great jazz James on Jazz

By Robin James Contributing writer

T

he first weekend in August is usually the time the jazz community gathers at the Newport Jazz Festival. But since music lovers can’t be there in person due to coronavirus concerns, the music of previous concerts has been presented by Jazz Night in America.

Go to NPR.org to check out The Modern All-Stars: A Newport Jazz Festival Special. Plus, hear sets from Ray Charles, Cannonball Adderley, Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. It’s the next best thing to being there.

I’ll always have fond memories of the Newport Jazz Festival from 2005, too many to mention here and now. However, I’m looking forward to getting back to Rhode Island again soon for some new adventures.

Until we can all gather together again for beloved

events to celebrate with our jazz artists, there’s still plenty of virtual experiences to be had.

The NEA Jazz Masters is the highest honor bestowed upon jazz artists. This year’s Jazz Masters include vocalist Bobby McFerrin, saxophonist/multi-reedist/composer Roscoe Mitchell, bassist Reggie Workman, and jazz advocate, producer, and curator Dorthaan Kirk. Recipients will be celebrated with an online event on August 20.

“SFJAZZ is honored to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts to host the 2020 NEA Jazz Masters concert and festivities at the SFJAZZ Center,” said SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director Randall Kline prior to the rescheduled event.

The NEA is co-presenting the concert with SFJAZZ. The event was originally set to take place at SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco on April 2, 2020. It was the first time since 2005 that the NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert was scheduled to take place in California.

The 2020 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert will be broad-

cast at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT via websites for SFJAZZ, the NEA, and NPR Music. For the online tribute, performers who will salute honorees include Terri Lynn Carrington (also musical director), Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater, James Carter, Gerald Clayton, Vincent Davis, Lisa Fischer, Morgan Guerin, Oliver Lake, Jevon Madison, and Taylor McFerrin, Christian McBride, Kanoa Mendenhall, Junius Paul, and Steve Turre, plus the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars. The NEA website will have an archived version of the concert after the conclusion of the event.

Coupled with the fantastic online events, there’s always a variety of new albums to revel in from an array of artists to love and support.

Drummer Joe Farnsworth has a new debut release coming out on Smoke Sessions Records. He recently played music from the album, “Time to Swing” at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. According to the club’s newsletter, the live-stream concert attracted an audience of 50,000 as pianist Mike LeDonne, and bassist Peter Washington and

Billy Childs’ “Acceptance from Mack Avenue” is due out August 28.

Mack Avenue Records trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who both appear on the new album, performed together on the bandstand along with Farnsworth.

It was indeed a time to swing. Pianist Kenny Barron also appears on the recording that’s due out September 18.

Another great album on the way is from the all-star collective known as Artemis

cords on September 11. Hear the adventurous track “Goddess of the Hunt” and preorder the album on vinyl, CD or DL: artemis.Ink.to/album.

Pianist/keyboardist Billy Childs also has a new album, “Acceptance from Mack Avenue,” due out on August 28. On this album, he plays with core players saxophonist Steve Wilson, bassist Hans Glawiscnig, and drummer Eric Harland.

Childs is well-known as a composer, arranger, and producer and all of that expertise shines on the track “Leimert Park,” a tribute to the Los Angeles neighborhood. On Mack Avenue’s website he states, “On my first Mack Avenue recording, “Rebirth” [Childs’ 2017 album which won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album], I wanted to return to a focus on my jazz piano playing,” recalled Childs. “Acceptance is an extension of that, and the musicians make it very comfortable for me.”

that made an impression at the Newport Jazz Festival a couple of years ago. The selftitled album features vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, drummer Allison Miller, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, clarinetist Anat Cohen, Robin James welcomes readand bassist Noriko Ueda, and ers' responses to rjames@spokesis due out from Blue Note Re- man-recorder.com.

U.S. Postal Service considers stamp honoring Supremes’ Florence Ballard

By Stacy M. Brown Supremes legend Mary Wilson is on a crusade that she hopes will end with the United States Postal Service commemorating her late bandmate and close friend Florence Ballard on a Forever Stamp.

“I get so emotional when I speak about Flo,” said Wilson, who received a 2020 NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award during the Black Press of America’s recent virtual convention. “I’ve been working hard to get that recognition for her because she deserves it.”

Wilson noted that the U.S. Postal Service has done a brilliant job of issuing commemorative postage stamps about iconic pop culture heroes who have helped shape the world.

In the past, there have been U.S. Postage Stamps to celebrate the lives and accom-

Florence Ballard Marvin Gaye, and Janis Joplin.

Wilson’s quest to get the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp to celebrate Ballard, a founding star of The Supremes, has gained momen-

Committee meeting,” Roy Betts, a U.S. Postal Service spokesman, told BlackPressUSA. The U.S. Postal Service and the members of the Citizens’

extraordinary and enduring contributions to American society, history, culture, or environment.

U.S. stamp programs are planned and developed two to three years in advance and consideration would occur if suggestions are submitted three or more years in advance of the proposed stamp.

In 2018, the Postal Service began considering proposals for deceased individuals three years following their death. Officials noted that the stamp program commemorates positive contributions to American life, history, culture, and environment.

Born in Detroit in 1943, Ballard was the eighth of Jesse and Lurlee Ballard’s 13 children.

them.

Those early lessons made a deep impression, and legend has it that Florence Ballard was soon out-singing her father.

Ballard’s musical gift was hard to go unnoticed. As she grew older, she found an outlet for her singing in school music classes and choirs.

While in her early teens, Ballard’s career was set in motion. Two of her neighbors, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams, sang in a group called the Primes (later to become the Temptations). They introduced her to manager Milton Jenkins, who was so impressed with the 14-yearold’s voice that he asked her to perform as a soloist along with the Primes.

friend, Mary Wilson, to be a member of the group.

Betty McGlown and Mary’s friend, Diana Ross, were also recruited. After gaining their parent’s permission, the four teenagers, in the spring of 1959, became officially known as the Primettes. They began rehearsals with Ballard as the lead singer.

McGlown departed just before the group found fame at Motown with the name The Supremes. Ballard died in 1976 at the age of 31.

“The memories are so vivid,” Wilson said. “Florence Ballard was such a wonderful person.

It’s my sincere hope that we can get the Postal Service to honor her now.”

Supremes member Mary Wilson’s quest to get the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp to celebrate Florence Ballard, a founding star of The Supremes, has gained momentum. plishments of several music business legends, including Elvis Presley, Sarah Vaughn, Patsy Cline, Jimi Hendryx,

tum. “We have received a proposal from the public, and it will be reviewed at our next Citizens’ Stamp Advisory

Instrument Drive The Sabathanites Drum and Bugle corps was “founded in 1964 and is the oldest existing African American drum corps in Minnesota” as mentioned in the MNOPEDIA’s article. In 1996, the Sabathanites had a reunion with all the drum and bugle corps of the Twins Cities and began performing again in 1997.

The Sabathanites would like to reorganize and keep their traditional drum and bugle corps. They are asking for donations of gently used marching instruments and equipment.

For example: marching snares, tenors, and bass drums; baritones and soprano marching bugles; and/or baritone and soprano horns.

Donations can be dropped off at Sabathani Community Center 310 E 38th Street Minneapolis, MN 55409.

Due to COVID19, please call Suluki Fardan, a Sabathanites member, the day before donation drop-off at 218-216-7165.

For more information on the MNOPEDIA’s article on the Sabathanites, please check out the article at https://www.mnopedia.org/group/sabathanites-drum-corps

Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) have set specific criteria used in determining the eligibility of subjects for commemoration on all U.S. stamps and stationery, Betts added.

Among them are that stamps and stationery would primarily feature American or American-related subjects.

The Postal Service will honor

The Supremes (l-r) Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross Almost from the start, music played an essential part in her life, according to her biography.

Her father was her first teacher, and a young Ballard displayed a keen interest in his music. Jesse Ballard would play particular songs and teach his daughter to sing

After Ballard appeared Stacy Brown is an NNPA with the group for a few en- newswire correspondent. Congagements, Jenkins knew he nect with him on Twitter at @ had found an outstanding tal- StacyBrownMedia. ent, her biography reads.

Since groups were popular in the late 1950s, Jenkins suggested that Ballard form a sister group to the Primes.

Immediately she asked her

Love Symbol unveiled at Paisley Park As if Prince fans needed another reason to visit Paisley Park, organizers at the late legend’s home and recording studio unveiled a statue of his famous “Love Symbol” outside the sprawling 65,000 square-foot compound.

Visitors can stop by for free

Photos courtesy of NNPA

and take photos of and with the 11-foot structure during business hours. Paisley Park is located at 7801 Audubon Road in Chanhassen.

Visit www.paisleypark.com/ to purchase tickets for tour and other info.

August 13-19, 2020

Legals

Employment From Classified

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS:

NAMEHOLDER(s):

Xpress Xteriors R.S.W. 720 W. Lake Street #319 Minneapolis, MN 55408 USA

Raul A. Garzon Miguel /Aztec Construction LLC 720 W. Lake Street #319 Minneapolis, MN 55408 USA

I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

SIGNED BY: EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: DATED:

Raul A. Garzon Miguel XpressXteriorsRSW@gmail.com 07/17/2020 11:59 PM

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 6 & 13, 2020

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS:

Private Risk Strategies 2727 Grand Prairie Parkway Waukee IA 50263 USA

NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Holmes, Murphy and Associates, LLC Address: 2727 Grand Prairie Parkway Waukee IA 50263 USA

If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

SIGNED BY: Jessie Benson MAILING ADDRESS: None Provided EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: JBenson@holmesmurphy.com FILED 06/02/2020 11:59 PM

Steve Simon Secretary of State

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 13 & 20, 2020

State of Minnesota Ramsey County

District Court Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62-DA-FA-20-753 Case Type: Domestic Abuse

In The Matter Of Phyllis Jean Eide Vs Steven Remone Dancy Notice of Hearing by Publication (Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8) To Respondent named above: An order has been issued directing you to appear to a hearing on August 26, 2020 at 8:30 AM before Referee Rebecca Rossow for an Order for Protection Hearing and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted.

You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the Ramsey County Court Administrator's Office.

If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner's request may be granted as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court's Order.

Court Administrator Ramsey Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 13, 2020

CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY STATE OF MINNESOTA

DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY OF HENNEPIN

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Yolanda White, as individual Plaintiff and as Parent and/or Guardian of minors E’Mya Holliday and Annette Robbins, Court File Number: The Honorable: Plaintiffs, SUMMONS v.

Trent Fair,

Defendant.

THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you.

The Plaintiff's Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: Brantingham Law Office 2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff's Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must say so in your Answer.

4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case. You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond. A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint.

5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

Dated: 8/11/2020

8

By: /s/ Jeremy Brantingham BRANTINGHAM LAW OFFICE Jeremy L. Brantingham, MN #0299558 2200 E. Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 339-9700 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 13, 20, & 27, 2020

From Classified Operations Support Engineer Department/MN Ledelsea, Minnetonka, MN, Operations Support Engineer: Req. Spokesman-Recorder bachelor’s in Comp. Sci., Comp. Eng., or related tech field PHONE: 612-827-4021 & 5 yrs. exp. as software eng. Must have 3 yrs. prog. exp. in: FOR BILLING PL SQL, Java, Python, IntelliJ, Jenkins (CI/CD), Slack, SQL INQUIRIES Developer, Hue, Linux, GIT, Putty, WinSCP, JIRA, Confluence, & TEARSHEETS DBeaver.

Position requires Travel within Metro Area 90 %.

PLEASE CONTACT Submit résumé to ayesha@ledelsea.com No agencies or phone ACCOUNTING DEPT calls.

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate ofDepartment/MN Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333 Spokesman-Recorder ASSUMED NAME: Botanicals PHONE: 612-827-4021 Lena PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 4434 Pillsbury Ave S FOR BILLING Minneapolis MN 55419 USA NAMEHOLDER(S): INQUIRIES Name: The Arzon Group & TEARSHEETS Address: 4434 Pillsbury Ave S Minneapolis MN 55419 USA PLEASE CONTACT

ACCOUNTING DEPT into this document. If the If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment.

ASSUMED NAME

FLAT $150.00 certify that I am signing this document By typing my name, RATE I, the undersigned, as the person signature 2 whose WEEK RUNis required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I underproof, respond withtoemail confirmation stand that byPlease signing this document I am subject the penalties of perjury as to dis set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document oath. play@spokesman-recorder.com.

Forunder more exposure: We are also inviting our clients to advertise on our Abigail Stoddard for 2 weeks for a flat netPillsbury fee of Ave $150.00 per 4434 S Minneapolis MN 55419 position with purchase of print ad. Online only ads EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: afstoddard@gmail.com run 2 weeks for $300.00 per position.

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Steve Simon Secretary of State

From Classified Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder August 6 & 13, 2020 Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 State of Minnesota FOR BILLING Certificate of Assumed Name INQUIRIES Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 & TEARSHEETS ASSUMED NAME: Pure Dior LLC PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 7940 Sierra Park Way PLEASE CONTACT Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 USA ACCOUNTING DEPT NAMEHOLDER:

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Please proof, respond with email confirmation to I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information display@spokesman-recorder.com in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

SIGNED BY: Steve Simon EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: None DATED: 08/03/2020 11:59 PM

From ClassifiedAugust 13 & 20, 2020 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder Advertorial PHONE: 612-827-4021

Metro Transit asks how recent events affected travel needs, expands reduced-fare program FOR BILLING Metro Transit is asking customers how their travel needs have INQUIRIES been affected by recent events so it can better serve them while & TEARSHEETS expanding its reduced fare program to help more people.

PLEASE CONTACT Metro Transit will use the feedback collected through surveys ACCOUNTING DEPT to inform future public engagement efforts, near-term decisions and long-range plans. Take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/ mtsummer2020. RAMSEY COUNTY ``It is important now more than ever that we stay connected 1WEEK with our riders. In August,RUN Metro Transit employees will be FLAT RATE $100.00 out at our stations and stops listening toPREPAID how our customers’ expectations for transit have been affected by COVID-19, George Floyd’s homicide, and the destruction resulting from civil unrest,” Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra said.

Staff have already distributed 50,000 masks and will continue toFrom do so atClassified busy bus stops. Outreach staff are also sharing information about Metro Transit’s Transit Assistance Program (TAP) Department/MN and it’s designed to make public transit more affordable for lower Spokesman-Recorder income residents. TAP provides a reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card.

It allows customers to use a bus or train for just $1 per ride PHONE: 612-827-4021 – even during rush hour – with a 2½ hour transfer. Signing up for a FOR TAP card is easy. To learn how, visit: https://www.metrotransit.

BILLING org/tap-riders INQUIRIES

& TEARSHEETS Advertorial PLEASE CONTACT ACCOUNTING DEPT SUMMONS $200

Please proof, respond with email confirmation to dis play@spokesman-recorder.com.

From Classified Department/MN Spokesman-Recorder PHONE: 612-827-4021 FOR BILLING ward this season, we want a true iew INQUIRIES partnership between the players Continued from page 10& TEARSHEETS and the conference that opens a PLEASEline CONTACT of communication where the ACCOUNTING DEPT a real input in how “There hasn’t been that open line players have

V

of communication between the things are handled.”

ASSUMEDThe NAME MAC last weekend called players and the conference.”

FLAT RATE $150.00 fall sports, including footAsked if he’d expected oth- off all WEEK RUN ball. The Big Ten at press time erwise, Reynolds said, 2“There hasn’t been a ton of communica- were still deciding their next tions with the players through- move as the conference schools Please respond with have started practicing. out its history.” Given that it’s proof, email confirmation to dis Asked if he feels safe, Reynbeen the NCAA’s longstanding play@spokesman-recorder. practice to put the players last olds said he is doing everything com. he can to take precautions but in any form, “It isn’t a surprise how they operated during the concluded, “There’s no 100% way not to put yourself at risk.” pandemic.

“As players we want our voicFrom Display Ad Update: The Big 10 has just anes heard,Department/MN and we are not afraid to nounced it will cancel the 2020 footspeak up,” he said.

Spokesman-Recorder ball season.

School presidents voted Are officials really listening?

PHONE: 612-827-4021 12-2 to do so.

Big TenFOR Commissioner Kevin BILLING Warren INQUIRIES “reached out to me perCharles Hallman welcomes readsonally & andTEARSHEETS we had a conversaer responses to challman@spokestion,” said Reynolds.

“We came PLEASE CONTACT man-recorder.com. to a consensus that moving forACCOUNTING DEPT

shot 66. Johnson has now DISPLAY finished SIZE: 2 COL X 4.75 INCHES = 9.5 second five times in Major Championships. He RATE $42.00 PER COL. INCH Continued from page 10 has won one Major, the U.S TOTAL: $399.00 Open.

Wolff had a final round of to perform, winning 82 times, the most in history, has him 65, Jason Day 66, Bryson DeChambeau a 66, andtotoughtied with Samproof, Snead.

He haswith Please respond email confirmation luck Tony delivered for golf with the display@spokesman-recorder.com. Finau a 66 that ability to produce spectacular tied him for fourth, his 31st shots with huge crowds re- top-10 finish in the last four acting, which can reverberate years, by far the best on the through the course and affect PGA tour.

But it was Morikawa's the ability of other players.

Wood's had a final round 67 brilliant tournament-tying Sunday and finished tied for low round of 64, including a 37th. He struggled with his spectacular eagle on the par putter throughout the tour- four 16th that won the day. nament.

Morikawa drove the green on With no fans, golf is just the 294-yard hole and made a walk in the park for these an eight-foot putt to win his young stars on tour like Mat- first Major Championship at thew Wolff, who won the age 23. He joins Tiger Woods, 3M Open last year and beat Jack Nicklaus and McIlroy as Morakawa. They starred the youngest-ever first-time in college with virtually no Major winners. one watching. Playing in Morikawa shot the lowest big tournaments like the score ever in a Major the final PGA Championship with no two rounds, 65-64-129. He is fans has helped these young now ranked number five in guns around superstars like the world. He gets a five-year Woods, Rory McIlroy, Brooks exemption on the PGA Tour, Koepka, Justin Thomas and including invites to play in Phil Mickelson. the Masters, Open ChampiSunday's PGA Champion- onship and the U.S Open. ship delivered great theater.

And a check for $1,980,000.

Several times during the final round as many as seven Larry Fitzgerald is a longplayers were tied for the lead. standing contributing columKoepka was trying to win nist at the Minnesota Spokeshis record third-straight PGA man-Recorder. He can be heard Championship. He finished weekday mornings on KMOJ in a tie for 29th.

Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on Dustin Johnson had a one WDGY-AM 740 Monday and shot lead starting Sunday's Friday at 9:10 am, and at www. final round when as many Gamedaygold.com. He also as 16 players were within commentates on sports 7-8 pm three shots of the lead. Rarely on “Almanac” (TPT channel 2). do you see so many players Follow him on Twitter at Fitzbunched that closely all play- BeatSr. Larry welcomes reader ing well. responses to info@larry-fitzgerJohnson's final round of ald.com, or visit www.Larry68 got him a share of second, Fitzgerald.com. tied with Paul Casey playing in his 64th career Major, who

Fitz

August 13-19, 2020

BULLETIN

9

How to get a free mask

Ramsey County offering free COVID-19 testing in August Ramsey County Public Health is working with community partners to offer COVID-19 testing at two sites over the next four weekends.

The drive-thru and walk-up testing is open to anyone, with or without symptoms. The testing is free, no insurance or ID is needed and will start Aug. 8, at the following locations and days:

The State is aiming to ease the burden on Minnesotans who may be unable to afford a mask or easily obtain one. Through partnering with organizations, the State is distributing more than 300,000 reusable, cloth masks.

Masks are being distributed across the state to community organizations, food banks, area agencies on aging, and affordable housing providers. This one-time allotment will allow organizations and providers the ability to distribute masks to those they serve. Each organization will be responsible for deciding how to distribute the masks.

To review the list for the organization nearest you visit www.health.state.mn.us/ diseases/coronavirus/masklocations.html

● Saturdays, 2-6 pm – Aldrich Arena 1850 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109 ● Sundays, 2-6 pm – Washington Technology Magnet School, 1495 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55117 Preregistration is recommended but not required. Testing hours may expand over the month, check ramseycounty.us/testingsites to register and get the latest updates, links to online registration and information on other testing sites.

Public Health is operating the clinics in collaboration with the Hmong American Partnership, the Hmong Health Care Professionals Coalition, the Karen Organization of Minnesota, M Health Fairview, the Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul Public Schools, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation, the Medical Reserve Corps and the State Emergency Operations Center.

In addition to testing, Public Health and community partners will provide information about COVID-19, the testing process and why and how contract tracing is done. Interpreters will be available on site.

Courtesy of MGN

Mask

–Information provided by the MN Department of Health

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Worship Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

Bethesda Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Billy G. Russell, Sr. Pastor

COVID Testing

2600 E. 38th Street Minneapolis, MN 55408 www.greatfriend.org Phone: 612.827.7928 Fax: 612.827.3587 info@greatfriend.org

Courtesy of MGN Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

–Information provided by Ramsey County.

At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor

451 West Central

Sundays 8:00am Sunday School 9:30am Worship Service

612-332-5904 www.bethesdamnonline.com bethesdamn@prodigy.net

St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444

Church School 9:30 am

The Friendly Church Where Everybody Is Somebody

Sunday Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am

Morning Worship 8:00 & 10:45 am Prayer Service:

Sunday Worship 11:30 am

Wednesday 7 pm

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Doctor Charles Gill 732 W. Central Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 Sunday Worship Service: 9:45 AM Sunday School: 8:45 AM

Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm

"Welcome to

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church"

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER 3744 4th Ave. South • Minneapolis, MN 55409 Phone: 612-827-4021 • Fax: 612-827-0577

Tracey Williams-DillarD

cecil e. NeWmaN

Publisher/CEO

Founder-Publisher 1934-1976

Wallace (Jack) JackmaN Co-Publisher Emeritus

Senior Editor Jerry Freeman Community Editor Mel Reeves Digital Editor Paige Elliott

CEO/Publisher 1976-2000

Norma JeaN Williams Vice President Emeritus

Vice President of Strategic Planning John Jamison

Tony Kiene

Account Representatives Cecilia Viel

Abdi Muhommed

Contributing Writers

Desktop Publisher Jennifer Cherrier

Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III

Administrative Assistant Kris’Tina Holmes

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Dr. Deirdre Golden

Juliet Mitchell Khymyle Mims Monica Zorilla Sports Writers Larry Fitzgerald Charles Hallman Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald

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Dwight Hobbes

Steve Floyd

Tiffany Johnson

Chris Juhn

Brandon Jones

Travis Lee

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10

August 13-19, 2020

College players demand a say in sport deliberations

Lightning-bolt shot wins PGA

Fitz Beat Larry FitzgeraLd

R

emember the name Collin Morikawa!

He’s the only fourtime All-American golfer at the University of California.

Morikawa played in his first PGA Championship in his home state of California in San Francisco August 3-9 at the TPC Harding Park, a course he has played on many times while pursuing a business degree at the University of California campus about 24 miles away.

Morikawa, in the final round on Sunday, had to overcome some humble pie.

While being introduced at the first tee Sunday by one of the PGA of America vice presidents, he heard his name pronounced incorrectly. "Collin Morakama," the announcer blurted out. In his prideful highlight moment, the mistake startled Morikawa. In fact, he hit a bad drive and took two shots to get to the green. He held together, made a huge 30-foot putt, and saved par on the first hole.

Professional golf has now

returned successfully for 10 consecutive weeks without fans during this pandemic that has taken the lives of 163,000 Americans so far. The PGA Championship was the biggest sporting event in the world since March 11, when the sports world stopped playing games because of the invisible terror called the novel coronavirus.

Harding Park, named after one of America's presidents, opened in 1916 as a public golf course. But over time it had taken an urban beating.

In 1998, when the last Major golf tournament, the United States Open, was held at the nearby Olympic Club course, Harding Park was used as a parking lot for thousands of spectators and patrons.

Hard times had taken their toll. It took the vision of San Francisco's first Black mayor, Willie Brown, to work with community leaders and pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into restoring the historic course.

Golf is a gentleman's game, but professionally, like all sports, it is dependent on fans’ support. The great Tiger Woods is the most dominant force in sports in terms of moving the VU meter. Before Tiger, it was the late Arnold Palmer and his famous army of fans. Hundreds of thousands of fans flock to see Woods play.

His greatness and ability

A

re college players once again being used? This time it’s in sacrificial fashion, putting their bodies on the line for their bigtime colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reportedly over 100 football players tested positive for COVID since June 1 after they were allowed to return to campus for voluntary workouts.

A Morning Consult poll released last week found nearly 60 percent of college football fans would rather see the season postponed or cancelled. Yet the cries for football, or sports in general, continue to ring out like some magical elixir to ward off the worldwide virus that still hasn’t reached its peak. Some cite a Poseidon-like catastrophe for PWI (predominately White institutions) if football isn’t played.

The Ivy League in June was the first Division I conference to call off all fall sports, followed by nine other conferences, including four HBCU conferences that either cancelled fall sports or moved them to next spring. The Division III MIAC last month announced that they moved their major fall sports to next spring.

Are student-athletes being used as guinea pigs by some colleges hoping to keep their sports revenue flowing in spite of COVID-19?

Courtesy of Twitter founding member and co-president, in an MSR phone interview last week. He noted that George Floyd’s death on Memorial Day had profoundly affected him and other players, which led to founding CAU about two weeks afterwards.

“After the murder of George Floyd, my former and current teammates and I recognized that we have a platform and we can reach a large amount of people with our message we visions, the NAIA and Canada’s have,” Reynolds explained. “We only football schedule.

But two players’ groups sepa- U Sport. Its mission focus is on started brainstorming on how rately in the last couple of weeks addressing systemic injustices we can go about that. We started are both demanding among their and ensuring the well-being of reaching out to players across top priorities that health and college athletes in this COVID the country, and more and more players over time started hearsafety measures be put in place age.

“A big part of it is the players ing about us through teammates or they may opt out of playing.

The Pac-12’s “#WeAreUnited” not having their voices heard,” and social media.”

Reynolds added that the playand “Big Ten United” both had said Michigan senior defensive their list of demands published back Hunter Reynolds, a CAU ers should have been consulted: The Power 5 conferences all announced either a conferenceonly or conference-plus-one football schedule, beginning in September. The Big Ten last week released safety and testing protocols with its conference-

in The Players Tribune.

They are members of College Athlete Unity (CAU), a new organization representing football players as well as 23 varsity sports at PWI schools, major conferences, all three NCAA di-

“As players we want our voices heard, and we are not afraid to speak up.”

■ See View on page 8

■ See Fitz on page 8

WNBA: ‘We’re people first, players second’

Kelly helped put North’s Polars on girls’ b-ball map

For many, this motivates their vigorous activism The WNBA for at least four years has been the unheralded leader in pro sport when it comes to advocating social justice.

Seimone Augustus remembers well how it began: “When we wore those [antipolice brutality] shirts four years ago [in Minnesota], the [other] players started to kneel for the anthem and other things like that.”

As the NBA this summer has boldly etched Black Lives Matter on its “bubble” court, the W players all season long have honored deceased Black women, either on the backs of their jerseys or in pregame tributes before their “wubble” games to highlight the fact that Black women are killed by police as well.

A different Black woman victim of police violence will be spotlighted as part of the “Say Her Name” campaign founded in 2014, along with keeping Breonna Taylor’s name out front, or in this case on the backs of the players’ jerseys. Taylor was killed in her apartment in March by police, and the case is still outstanding.

added, “but all are minority-led, Black-led, that are aligned with what we want to accomplish.”

Teammate Cheyenne Parker said, “We had a team meeting just to talk about what we were going to do. There’s a lot of symbolism. There’s a lot of, I don’t want to call it empty, but we wanted to make sure that we were being active in our approach and making sure that we were actually doing something.”

The tragic events of recent weeks, including George Floyd’s death on Memorial Day in Minneapolis, have impacted each player in some way or another. “We have been talking non-stop way before we got to the wubble,” admitted Dangerfield. “It was heartbreaking.”

Williams added, “It’s ex“Sky Takes Action is our WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert about her league’s initiative that we are doing hausting to see people who season-long social justice this year,” Chicago Forward look like you, people who focus. “I’ve been so proud Gabby Williams told us. The do the same things as you, of the WNBA players, who players have pledged $10 a be murdered in cold blood, have always been at the fore- point, $100 a win, and $50 and then people turn back front of social movements,” for each loss to five Chicago- and tell you that your life based nonprofits, she pointed just doesn’t matter. Or they she responded.

“I quite frankly wasn’t that out. “Actually, a couple of try to distract you and say all focused [before becoming them aren’t in Chicago,” she lives matter or whatever it is. We’re just exhausted, and we’re sick and tired of it.

“We’re tired of seeing these images of people who look like us, look like our brothers, look like my little brother,” she said. For Williams and her fellow WNBAers, it’s become personal: “I’m a person before I’m a basketball player, and I think that’s how we all feel.”

Last month the league and its players union jointly launched the new WNBA/ WNBPA Social Justice Council and The Justice Movement.

Last week WNBA players wore “Vote Warnock” t-shirts in support of the Georgia U.S. Senate candidate and against current Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), an Atlanta Dream coowner and outspoken critic of the league’s Black Lives Matter focus.

“Our voices are being heard,” Augustus noted.

During a pre-season media conference call, we asked

commissioner last year] on how they were using their platforms to vigorously advocate for the things that matter most to them. It is bigger than basketball right now for them,” she said.

“Our league has been proactive,” Minnesota guard Crystal Dangerfield told the MSR. All 12 WNBA teams this season are doing different things in their advocacy.

The Lynx players have been having Zoom meetings with Minneapolis officials, said Dangerfield. “We’re working behind the scenes.”

“It’s exhausting to see people who look like you, people who do the same things as you, be murdered in cold blood.”

“Vote Warnock” t-shirts on display: (l-r) Lynx Center Sylvia Fowles, Lynx Guard Crystal Dangerfield, Chicago Sky’s Gabby Williams

Courtesy of Twitter

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

PreP Scene Dr. Mitchell PalMer McDonalD

sition to score, and was just as excellent on the defensive side of the ball. With an 11-1 record, the Polars earned the right to represent Minneapolis in the Twin Cities championship game against St. Paul Harding.

In an 88-70 loss, Kelly had 15 points as teammates Walker and Hines led the way with 22 and 19 points respectively.

After North’s season ended in region play, Kelly graduated and enrolled at Arizona State University. She settled in the Phoenix area for the remainder of her life.

So before North legends Tamara Moore and Mauri Horton put the Polars on the girls’ basketball map in the late 1990s, Kelly led a group of young ladies to success a decade earlier. She was loved by many and had quite an influence on the North High community during her days as a student athlete.

Kelly was one of the most dominant prep basketball players of her era, and more importantly, she was a great person who will be missed.

Rest easy, Ebony.

Ebony Kelly was one of a group of people who gave me a deep appreciation for high school girls’ basketball during my first year as a 22-year-old prep sports columnist during the 1987-88 season.

An all-conference player for the Minneapolis North Polars that year before moving on to earn a college degree at Arizona State University seven years later, Kelly passed away last week at the age of 49 in Phoenix, Arizona.

It was her calming presence and teaming with backcourt mates Margaret Davis and Mymique Baxter, forwards Daphne Walker and Stacia Hines, and center Gloria Holcomb that led North Dr. Mitchell Palmer Mcto their second consecutive City Conference title, in the Donald welcomes reader reprocess changing my whole sponses to mcdeezy05@gmail. perspective on girls’ basket- com. ball.

Kelly was a 5’-5” point guard who could score in bunches, put anyone in po-

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