Issuu

— See Layer Up on pg. 7

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THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934 December 14-20, 2017 Vol. 84 No. 19 www.spokesman-recorder.com

2019 Final Four planners honor North Commons’ legacy By Charles Hallman Staff Writer

orth Commons Park will soon have new basketball courts, thanks to the NCAA. The 25-plus acre site, located in North Minneapolis, was first purchased in 1907. The basketball goals and other playground equipment were installed there in 1908, and North Commons soon became one of the city’s most heavily used parks. The park was selected as part of the NCAA Legacy Restorations project, which is usually held in the host city of an NCAA championship event. NCAA.com says it is in conjunction with the host city Local Organizing Committees “to identify locations in the community in need of repairs and updating to provide residents with a safe, functional and attractive place to gather for

sports, wellness and recreational activities.” As a result, the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee (MLOC) is working with the NCAA in hosting the 2019 Men’s Basketball Final Four. The MLOC includes the host institution University of Minnesota, Sports Minneapolis and Hall Elementary School Students in front. Adults standing in back (l-r): Kate Mortenson, JoAnn Scott, Gov. Mark Dayton, 2019 Men’s Basketball Committee Chair Bernard Muir, Dan Gavitt, Tyrize Cox Photos by Charles Hallman ■ See NCAA on page 5

Little things can mean a lot Especially to homeless people trying to work

Thomas continues, “it is ex- have groceries and a place hausting, and it is daunting. of your own. What we do is You don’t get to go home lift a couple of heavy burWhen people say, “Small every day and recharge dens on terms of getting things add up,” the nonprof- and get yourself organized back on that path and getit organization Small Sums, established in 2005, would agree. That insight is what informs their work helping hopeless people get and keep jobs by providing what some people might see as small things. Terre Thomas, executive director of Small Sums since 2013, says, “We aid…people who’ve experienced homelessness who have found a job and need some work items to take the job. Most typically we provide work shoes, work clothes, bus passes and tools if they are needed in their trade.” Thomas expects to help a little over 600 people this year. “We expect the number will go up to seven hundred Small Sums client (name unavailable) next year.” Photo courtesy Small Sums Focusing on gainful employment as a key factor in helping homeless individuals get out of their homeless situation, the sole purpose of Small Sums is to help homeless individuals who found have work and need items to start the new job, Thomas notes, “With our practical and timely assis- again, because you do not ting back to home.” Small Sums is located in tance that few other agencies have a place to call home. “If you are going to a shel- a small warehouse district provide, we remove obstacles that often prevent home- ter, often the shelters do not on University Avenue beless workers from being able open until 6, 7, 8 o’clock at tween Hamline and Lexto take a job.” The agency night. If you are about to get ington Avenues in St. Paul; provides work clothes and a job, that means that you however, they serve the enshoes, trade tools, profes- are probably up at about 5 tire seven-county area, and sional licenses or union dues, o’clock to get out the door, their location allows clients and bus passes so their cli- to catch the bus to get to easy access with the Green ents have a reliable way to work. So, it is exhausting Line light rail. About 50 perget to work every day until and daunting and expen- cent of Small Sums’ clients live in Minneapolis, about sive.” they receive a paycheck. According to Thomas, “Half of the clients are referred to us by other organizations that work with people [who] are poor or homeless. They work in food service, retail or customer service, warehouse and For people who are 40 percent in St. Paul. manufacturing, healthcare Where did the idea of and hospitality. They also homeless, Thomas said, Sums originate? work as general laborers and “there are also free meals. Small But you are eating out all construction workers. “When you are homeless,” the time because you do not ■ See LittLe thiNgs on page 5 By Brandi Phillips Contributing Writer

“When you are homeless, finding work is exhausting and daunting. You don’t get to go home every day and recharge.”

Mpls Blacks find cause for hope in new MPD chief “As chief of police, it obviously comes with a great deal of responsibility,” said Arradondo. “With that responsibility, I have to be really foOn a typical December night in Minneapolis cused in making sure I lead this department to — low temperature and below-zero wind chills provide the best service to our communities free — the Urban League office at 2100 Plymouth Ave N. was filled with expressions of warmth and triumph as Northside residents celebrated and honored MPD Chief Medaria Arradondo. The Dec. 6 event was coordinated by the Urban League and the African American Leadership Forum (AALF). “We are in a unique moment of celebration and history, “said Urban League CEO and President Steve Belton, “to celebrate one of our own being elevated into this historic position for our community.” The celebratory mood was enhanced by smooth jazz from Trio Milie and a variety of finger-food treats. As Belton stated, this is a unique moment in Min- Chief Arradondo neapolis history as African Americans assume new positions of power and political office, including Jeremiah Ellison (son of U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison) elected to the city council in North Minneapolis’ Fifth Ward, Phillipe Cunning- of discrimination, free of hate and free of biases.” The death of Justine Damond (with the ethham’s election to the council from the North Side’s Fourth Ward, and St. Paul’s first elected nic backgrounds of victim and police literally reBlack mayor Melvin Carter. Minneapolis ap- versed from previous incidents) has become the pointed Arradondo its 53rd police chief on Sep- third police shooting in the Twin Cities to gain tember 8, 2017, the city’s first Black chief in the national and global attention. “Not only do I recognize the history of policcity’s 150-year history. ing, I recognize what that history of policing has resulted in. Policing our country has not served African Americans. It was never intended to serve us. I use that history to make sure when I am directing the vision of our police department to keep that in the back of my mind.” Following the shooting and killing of Damond by a Minneapolis police officer, Mayor Betsy Hodges decided that Janee Harteau should step down as police chief and Arradondo would be her replacement. By Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writer

“I do not get a pass. You have to hold me accountable.”

Steve Belton, president and CEO Mpls. Urban League, standing at right

■ See Chief on page 5

December 14-20, 2017

Parents are the First Teachers and Home the First School

Holiday fun on a budget

Photo courtesy of Bigstock Sledding at Theodore Wirth Park The former tubing hill at Theodore Wirth Park is now a free sledding hill. Admission is free. Bring your own sled, snow tube or toboggan. Call the Wirth Chalet for more information. Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis also has unofficial sledding slopes and hills that families can enjoy. Bring your own sled!

Grand Meander and Grand Avenue Christmas Tree Lighting Grand Meander celebrates the holiday season with a full day’s worth of festivities for young and old alike, and has become known as one of the best Twin Cities holiday events. Grand Meander is held annually the first Saturday in December. In the morning, have breakfast with Santa, take a ride on a fire truck, and visit with Santa’s reindeer. In the afternoon, enjoy the young art fair and Art at Ramsey, both displaying art by the students in and around the Grand Avenue area. Stick

By Tammy McIntyre Contributing Writer

anaging your children’s expectations can be difficult during the holiday season, especially when many winter holidays involve giving gifts. As a parent, you may feel pressured to spend your last dollar to see a smile on your child’s face, but before you do, check out these Minneapolis and St. Paul opportunities to create wonderful holiday memories with your kids for no or very little money.

Snowballs! When snow comes (and it will come), engage your kids in a hilarious snowball fight. Everyone will get a good workout, and everyone will be ready to take a nap. Warning: Snowball fights are contagious!

Free stuff for parents The sites below highlight community resources for obtaining toys, handmade gift ideas for kids and cr afts: • www.freestuff.com/category/free-stuff/ holidays/ • w w w.t hebala nce.com/f reebies-forholidays-4073529 • minneapolis-mn.toysfortots.org/localcoordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx

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around for the community tree lighting! Como Park Holiday Flower Show The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park offers a break from the cold and snow with their annual Holiday Flower Show, featuring thousands of blooms. The flower show is open every day, including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The flower show and the Como Zoo are free. Volunteering for families Looking to volunteer for the holidays? One of the best gifts you can give this Christmas is your time and help. Here’s where to find local Minneapolis-St. Paul and Twin Cities nonprofit organizations and charities that will greatly appreciate

you volunteering your time to help local people and animals in need this Christmas. Popular holiday volunteer opportunities fill up fast, so if what you want to do with your kids is already taken, remember that there are opportunities to volunteer all year, and it will help your neighbors just as much. A few popular opportunities are listed below: Salvation Army Holiday Volunteers: The Salvation Army is one of the most prominent nonprofit organizations during the holidays, and they need plenty of people to help out at Christmas time. Many of the opportunities don’t need any experience save the willingness to help out. The Salvation Army needs people to prepare and serve holiday meals, help get toys to needy children, be a bell-ringer, sing carols, etc. For details, go to www. salvationarmynorth.org. Simpson Housing Services Holiday Volunteers: Children can work with parents to make sandwiches and pack lunches for guests who are looking for employment. Contact www.simpson housing.org for details. Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis Holiday Volunteers: Catholic Charities provides a range of social services to Twin Cities residents. Volunteer distributing gifts to children and adults, shop for Christmas gifts and holiday meals, or consider one of the many other volunteer opportunities at Catholic Charities. Meals on Wheels: Delivering meals to homebound disabled and elderly people in the Twin Cities is the classic Meals on Wheels volunteer position, but did you know that as well as drivers, Meals on Wheels also needs people to help with many other tasks if you can’t, or prefer not to drive? Check with the organization to determine age-appropriate opportunities. Tammy McIntyre, M.Ed. is a workforce development consultant providing individuals and small businesses with career development services. She welcomes reader responses to mcintyre_tammy@rocketmail.com. This article is reprinted from December 2016

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Gout is a painful condition that can be managed successfully der control, keep blood pressure under control, minimize alcohol consumption and minimize foods that are rich in purines that can cause a gout attack. Also, any time uric acid levels change, a gout attack can or may occur. If you are treating your gout, don’t give up. You still may have an outbreak or two as your uric acid levels become normalized. Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan to get you through this transition period, and also a long-term plan to minimize or eliminate future attacks of gout.

crease the incidence of gout, such as low-dose aspirin, diuretics for blood pressure, and drugs used for patients with organ transplants. Additional factors that can cause gout include high lipid levels, being overweight, having high blood pressure, and diabetes.

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

out is an extremely painful, inflammatory condition that commonly affects the joints of the large toe, but can affect any joint. About two percent of all Americans experience gout. However, approximately twice as many African Americans suffer from gout (three to four percent). Chronic gout can cause joint deformity and joint destruction. What causes gout? Gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals that get deposited in joints producing an intensely inflamed and painful joint response. Over time, the crystals can build up to a paste-like material called tophi. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of certain products in our bodies called purines, and also from foods that are rich in purines (such as high fructose corn syrup, red meats, seafood, alcohol; and certain vegetables such as beans, peas, lentils and spinach). Gout can be caused by either the inability to get rid of purines or an increased production of purines within the human body. Certain medications can also in-

Foods to avoid because they can trigger gout All alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and hard liquor Red meats, lamb, pork, and organ meats like liver and kidney and sweetbreads (pancreas and thymus) Seafood, including shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, mussels, sardines and anchovies High-fructose-containing products such as soda, juices, cereals, ice cream, candy, and fast food that contains high fructose corn syrup. Foods that do not trigger gout Low-purine containing foods such as low-fat dairy and non-dairy fat products, including yogurt and skim milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts are healthy and do not trigger gout. Tofu, eggs and peanut butter are good, too. It is essential to drink plenty of water. Ten glasses of water per day are desirable, and at least half of your fluid intake daily should be from clean, plain water. Fresh fruits are also important. Vitamin C and caffeinated beverages, in moderation, can also lower uric acid levels. How is gout diagnosed? The diagnosis of gout is made by examining the fluid of the inflamed joint under a microscope to see the characteristic crystals.

How is gout treated and prevented? Gout is treated with anti-inflammatory medications such as Indomethacin and Colchicine and several other prescription medications. Additionally, gout can be treated with steroids. These are used for acute attacks. There are newer prescription medications that can reduce uric acid levels and prevent future gout episodes. Your doctor will review and recommend these newer medications if appropriate. Other things you can do include drinking plenty of water, maintaining an appropriate and healthy weight, and minimizing foods that can cause a gout attack. By limiting intake of such foods (listed above), taking medications prescribed by your doctor to prevent gout, and by also managing

hypertension, high lipid levels, and diabetes, one can go a long way in preventing future gout attacks. Physical fitness and products such as coffee and vitamin C also appear to decrease the risk of developing gout. Action steps If you have a gout attack, contact your physician immediately, especially if you are experiencing fevers or chills, to make sure there is not an accompanying joint infection. Also, talk to your doctor about several medicines used to prevent gout attacks. If you have gout, make sure you are seeing a doctor on a regular basis and are having your uric acid levels checked. Make sure you take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor, maintain a healthy weight, keep diabetes un-

This is an updated reissue of a previous column. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board certified dermatologist and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology and Genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations.

When is it time to have a conversation with a loved one about aging? The holidays can provide such an opportunity Minnesota’s senior population is doubling as baby boomers reach retirement age. Soon there will be more senior citizens than schoolkids in our state. Minnesota must face the reality of a dramatically older society. The rapid growth in our senior population will personally affect nearly everyone in Minnesota: current and soon-to-be seniors, family members of aging loved ones, professional caregivers and policymakers.

When families gather for the holidays, it can be a time when changes in older relatives are noticed and concerns about their health and well-being are raised. Here are some signs that may indicate a caring conversation is needed: • Trouble with balance when walking, getting up from a chair or using stairs • Weight loss or gain • Decrease in attention to personal hygiene • Recent injuries such as cuts, bruises or burns • Forgetfulness and losing things • • Neglect of housekeeping • Piles of unopened mail, newspapers or bills • Late notices for utilities or other bills • Car dents or scratches • Old and expired food • Overuse or underuse of medications

If people witness these warning signs and need help knowing what to do, they are urged to call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433. Representatives offer assistance in evaluating the situation and share information about local resources that could help. Patti Cullen, president and CEO of Care Providers of Minnesota, encourages families to look for signs that could indicate that aging family members need more sup-

port and be ready to start the conversation before help is urgently needed. “Even if your aging loved one appears to be in good health, it’s still important to start the discussion. A simple conversation can go a long way to helping your loved one age well,” said Cullen. It’s more important than ever to be proactive in having a conversation about aging. At least 60,000 Minnesotans are turning 65 every year from now through 2030. The Face Aging MN campaign aims to raise awareness about the unprecedented growth in Minnesota’s senior population, how it affects all of us, and what we need to do to ensure all Minnesota seniors get the care and services they need. “We all need to face aging, as individuals, as family members, as communities and as a state,” said Gayle Kvenvold, president and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota.

“Never before have seniors been such a large and growing part of our population. This is a conversation that is important to every Minnesotan.”

2015 by the Long-Term Care Imperative, which is made up of members of Minnesota’s two longterm care provider associations, Care Providers of Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota.

To see conversation starters for family discussions, find resources to help you and your family face aging, and to learn more about Minnesota’s rapidly growing senior population, visit www.faceagingmn.org. Face Aging MN was launched in

DO YOUR HEART A FAVOR. QUIT SMOKING.

Roosevelt, Heart attack at age 45 Virginia

Smoking causes immediate damage to your body. For Roosevelt, it caused his heart attack. Your heart attack risk drops as soon as you quit smoking. For free help, including free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, call 1-888-354-PLAN or visit quitplan.com.

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4 December 14-20, 2017 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.

Strong apprenticeship programs key to addressing the wage gap By Odie Donald II Contributing Commentator

Young, gifted, and Black: What no one told me about being ”first” to go to college As college application season looms, here is some advice for first-time college attendees By Brandon Terrell Guest Commentator I was reared and schooled in Detroit, where poverty and oppression eloquently danced while violence and crime serenaded the communities. The crime and oppression in my neighborhood drove me to submit a college application that changed my life’s trajectory. I wasn’t going to college to become an adult; I faced mature challenges and struggles long before filling out my college applications. For me, higher education represented an escape from adult struggles. But, I couldn’t escape the financial challenges. For first-generation college students like me, the responsibilities designed for mature adults were often delegated to us adolescents. Now that I’m in graduate school, I have some distance and perspective on what first-gens really need to thrive at a four-year college. And, despite some model programs at universities, I fear the current political climate and threatened budget cuts will only make it harder for first-gens to obtain a four-year degree. I know from experience my journey as a first-gen and non-traditional undergraduate college student is devastatingly common. No one in high school or college spoke to me about the financial realities of being a student who couldn’t rely on family for support. FASFA, Pell Grants and loans were foreign concepts. The conversations I had growing up

rarely involved college. We talked about who was buying dinner that night or who needed to get a job to help pay bills. Survival was the goal. By the time I applied to college, I had already tangled with life and boxed with oppression, discrimination, stereotypical beliefs, and negative ideologies, all while juggling school, plus a job or two. Life had prepared me for college. But the challenges never stopped coming. Even as I struggled to pay tuition and buy meals when the food courts closed for the weekends, I often got calls from relatives who needed help buying groceries. Relief started with me. I had no safety net — I was the safety net. Completing college required a survival balancing act maintaining my GPA, bridging gaps back at home, and navigating collegiate bureaucracies while carefully responding to micro-aggressions and prejudice in majority White spaces. Spectators would classify the underlying factor of our motivation as ”grit” or ”determination,” but for many first-gens, our motivation is simply survival. We have no choice. Missing an assignment, being too tired to attend a bio lecture after working more than 30 hours a week, failing a 300 level course, or even missing a tuition payment, created a slippery slope back to the environment that suffocated dreams. But we are a population that colleges cannot afford to lose, as we represented 36

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percent of students seeking a four-year degree nationwide in 2012. Politicians, educators, social workers, counselors, and administrators must address the intersecting social and cultural challenges that precede our applications, accompany us to college, and follow us even after securing a degree. Access to college and financial aid is not enough to secure a better quality of life for students coming from low-income backgrounds. The gap is widening with only 14 percent of the most economically disadvantaged students earning a bachelor’s degree, according to a 2015 federal study. We need a different support system to thrive in college mentors, help with living expenses, travel costs, tutors, flexible schedules, and emotional support from other students who feel isolated, but are coping with similar struggles. We need to stop talking about college attainment in simplistic ways. It takes so much more than grit. Brandon Terrell is currently attending graduate school at Eastern Michigan University, after graduating there in 2015 with a bachelor’s in psychology. He also works at the University of Michigan as a program assistant for the community health department.

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Over the last decades, many American inner cities have seen an economic resurgence. Buoyed by millennials and people’s desire to shorten their daily work commute, neighborhoods and communities that were all but pronounced dead two decades ago now find themselves flush with new businesses and residents. This is no more evident than here in the District of Columbia, where the economic recovery of the city has been nothing short of breathtaking. However, as many have noted, this growth has not been equally beneficial to all residents. While policymakers and advocates search for answers and solutions to this problem, there is one time-tested and proven tool that should be a key part of any workforce development strategy-apprenticeships. Introduced in the 14th century, apprenticeships combine onthe-job training with classroom instruction, teaching workers the practical and theoretical aspects of highly skilled occupations. Employers, labor groups, or employer associations can sponsor apprenticeship programs. Traditional apprenticeship programs have been primarily relegated to labor fields, such as carpentry or pipefitting, but there are a growing number

of companies offering them in high skill/high wage fields, such as IT and engineering. While we understand that the wage and employment gaps cannot be completely closed until the educational and systematic inequalities in this country are addressed, strong apprenticeship programs can help bridge the gap between the shortcoming of our education system and job readiness for high wage sectors. Urban policymakers should make a strong investment in funding apprenticeship programs that help those from their most underserved communities enter into career fields with strong earnings and growth. By providing strong hands on training in high wage/high growth fields, such as tech or entrepreneurship, policymakers can help residents who may not have received adequate educational preparation build key job skills and find stable employment. Furthermore, in a political environment where big initiatives can often be hard to implement, apprenticeship programs have long had bipartisan support. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that over 91percent of all apprentices retain employment upon completion of their apprenticeship. Here, in the District of Columbia, we have committed to increasing the number of regis-

tered apprenticeships through our Apprenticeship DC initiative. In September of this year, we awarded approximately $400,000 in grants to local businesses and community-based organizations that target the IT, construction, and infrastructure industries. Apprenticeship DC promotes both pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship work-based learning models. Over the next year, we will work with local business owners and community advocates to build upon this effort and target resources to maximize the number of apprenticeships available for our communities. Through this initiative and the D.C. Infrastructure Academy, we hope to prove to Washingtonians that we are committed to ensuring that all District residents are able to participate in District’s growing economy. As officials and policymakers in other urban areas deal with their own economic gaps, I hope that they will take a look at what we have done here in the District with our apprenticeship programs and embrace this model as a strong workforce development tool. Odie Donald II is director of the DC Department of Employment Services.

OPEN LETTER

How progressive will new Mpls City Council be with public housing? Some are already calling the incoming Minneapolis City Council the most progressive in the United States. That means the new Council will be determining, through its actions, the meaning of the word “progressive.” Working class and marginalized folks in Minneapolis will be watching closely. We’ve watched as cities sold off public property on the cheap to private speculators who quickly brought them up to market-rate, telling citizens that no, this wasn’t corruption, it was simply “innovation.” We’ve watched as “affordable housing” became a meaningless slogan in cities where loophole-filled schemes catering to real estate speculators meant the rents deemed “affordable” are still rising, day after day. These same speculators for decades have drooled at the prospect of acquiring ownership stake in Minneapolis public housing, complete with pathways to massive profits through raising rents, displacing families, and transforming public land into private real estate. The project of neoliberal and right-wing politicians has always been to facilitate the privatization and plunder of public resources. Trump and his Housing and Urban Development (HUD) chief, Ben Carson, have made it clear that privatization is their objective for public housing across the country. Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) director Gregory Russ is trying to sell the Trump/Carson plan to Minneapolis as “progressive.” He tells us privatization is the only “pathway to preservation” for public housing. But we know this carrot-and-stick approach is how neoliberals

have always forced their schemes onto the public. Greg Russ no doubt learned these techniques of manipulating the public during his tenure at shadowy Abt Associates. In reality, Russ and the Trump administration are working in lockstep with the privatization of public housing as their shared objective. MPHA’s latest plan submitted to HUD openly admits to this. Minneapolis City Council could stop these plans. Funding exists that could truly preserve public housing for the public, not for private speculators. But will they do it? Will the new “progressive” city council save public housing for residents and the public, or will they sell us out to Russ, Carson, and Trump and transform “progressive” into yet another empty buzzword? Working class and marginalized folks in Minneapolis will be watching closely. References: In its annual plan submitted to HUD on November 13, 2017, MPHA states its privatization initiative ”is consistent with the strategies expressed by Secretary Carson during his June 9, 2017 Congressional testimony, “The old model was the government came in with a whole bunch of money and said, build this facility for people with AIDS. Build this facility for low-income people in this area, etc. The new model is government seeds the program and then facilitates public-private partnerships by creating win-win situations.’” (pg. 39-40 of the PDF pages) http://tinyurl.com/MTWFY2018-to-HUD —Defend Glendale & Public Housing Coalition

Star Tribune’s logic on livable wages absurd By Frank Erickson Contributing Commentator Why is the Star Tribune opposing livable wages for metro workers? Could it be that some of the businesses that have the most low-wage workers (Target, Walmart, Cub Foods) spend millions on advertising in the Tribune? The paper is working hard to protect the wealthy capitalists and their ability to exploit workers. The Tribune is now trying to stop St. Paul from adopting a $15 minimum wage (12/1). They are still using the “less competitive island” approach, but if St. Paul goes to $15 an hour, Minneapolis will no longer be an island, it will

be a peninsula, as will St. Paul. The Tribune is concerned about “forcing additional costs onto employers.” Come on, editorial board, [have] any of you ever refused a pay increase because you were concerned about the additional cost it would put on your employer? Yet, lowwage workers should have such concerns? “Would increased competition for the jobs hurt current lower-wage workers?” the editors ask. If higher wages push more people to look for work, is this not a good thing? It’s what capitalism wants and needs — workers! This is flat out a scare tactic to keep workers in their place and

not asking for raises. The Tribune should be ashamed for using this type of intimidation. No one should fear losing his or her job if they get a raise — and no one will. How could they? Absurd and stupid logic by the Tribune! Frank Erickson lives in Minneapolis

December 14-20, 2017

Chief Continued from page 1

“After the unfortunate shooting of Justine, things changed,” said Sylvia Bartley, Medtronic’s director of global philanthropy. “When something bad happens, I always look for the good that comes out of it. What came from this unfortunate incident was this man [Arradondo] got appointed as chief of police for Minneapolis.” Bartley related feedback from the community describing Arradondo as “the guy we are hanging on to hope for” and someone “giving us new hope in the community.” Arrandondo stated that building trust with the community and being truthful with the community go hand in hand. “The first time you are untruthful will be remembered forever. You must earn the trust of the community that you serve.” Arradondo also stated that the

dren.” One resident commented that the St. Paul community has more Black police officers from the community and asked Arradondo how the police force in Minneapolis can achieve the same diversity. “The high-profile cases [that have come out of Minnesota] have branded our police force,” Arradondo replied. “Say a group of Black men are asked to pick a profession between business Kim Ellison, mother of Jeremiah Ellison, new and criminal justice. They 5th Ward council member are going to pick business conduct expected of an officer ap- without a doubt. “We need more men from our plies on and off duty. “Don’t think that if you commit misconduct off community in this profession. At duty, that you can put this uniform the same time, these men have to beback on Monday and you’re a differ- lieve that this profession will respect ent person. We have to really live and them, [that] they will be valued as be in that character of who we want guardians for their community.” In light of his new position and reto be and who we want our community to look up to. We also have to sponsibility, Arradondo also told the be positive role models for our chil- community he expects to be held ac-

countable. “I do not get a pass. You have to hold me accountable. If I do not deliver in the things that I am saying to you, I would want you to get another chief, truly.” Arradondo encouraged everyone to speak up and become involved with not only the community, but the people who “run” the community. “When your local council holds meetings, show up. I will meet you if you need a briefing before-hand. Sylvia Bartley, Medtronic I want our community to be important, beIvan Phifer welcomes reader responses to cause public safety imivan.b.phifer @gmail.com. pacts us. “Let your voices be heard.” Photos by Chris Juhn

NCAA Continued from page 1

Meet Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which runs the Minnesota Vikings’ downtown stadium, the site of the national semifinals games and championship contest in April 2019. The MLOC announced last week that North Commons has been chosen as the site for the legacy project. President and Chief Executive Officer Kate Mortenson told the MSR at North Commons Recreation Center, “We selected North Commons Park with the NCAA because we feel like here we are in the heart of Minneapolis. We are really excited to bring the [Final Four] to the community.” JoAnn Scott, NCAA men’s

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Kate Mortenson more people to [the park].” “Being here at North Commons is a good start,” Meet Minneapolis and Sports Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant declared af-

onship — the city previously hosted the Final Four in 1951, 1992 and 2001. NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt estimated that the 2019 event in April 6-8, 2019 is

“We selected North Commons Park … because we feel like here, we are in the heart of Minneapolis.” basketball managing director, added, “We held a couple of site visits and it didn’t matter where we went, this was where we need to do the court. It was a slam dunk.” “A lot of amazing things happen here at North Commons Park,” Minneapolis Park Board Assistant Superintendent Tyrize Cox told the December 8 gathering at the park’s center. Present for the unveiling of the new 2019 Final Four logo were MLOC and NCAA officials, Gov. Mark Dayton, community residents and students from Hall Elementary School. “It is a place on this side of town where families build relationships. I want to thank the NCAA for their generous contribution.” Cox later told the MSR, “We are so proud that North Commons has been selected to be the [Legacy] investment park. This is really going to be a huge asset in bringing

ter the one-hour ceremony. He is among the few Blacks who have played a pivotal role in helping to bring many largescale championship sporting events in recent years, including the Super Bowl, women’s hockey and women’s volleyball championships in 2018. “This is the type of event we really wanted” as a kick-off for the 2019 Final Four, U of M Associate Athletics Director Tom McGinnis said. “This is the opportunity to highlight the way we are going to give back to the community. This event is one of the ways we can impact our community. We want to make sure we [are] engaging community.” “We want people to feel a part” of the four days of Final Four-related events, including the three games, said Mortenson. In two years Minneapolis will become the eighth U.S. city to host a fourth men’s national basketball champi-

“484 days away.” “We’re on the clock,” Tennant said. A new basketball court dedication ceremony at North Commons is expected to be held during the week leading up to the Final Four weekend. “Not everybody is going to get a game ticket, but we want to make sure that everybody feels the impact of the Final Four,” said Tennant.

LittLe thiNgs

journey to providing workrelated items to those in need of such help locally. Thomas estimates there are about 1,000 to 2,000 homeless people in the Twin Cities who now have new jobs and need help. “It is just a matter of funding for us right now. We have a goal of over the next four years to keep growing and raising more money so that by the end of 2020 we are able to help everybody that needs are help. “This means if Small Sums can average increased funding for 200 more people per year to have clothes, shoes, tools and transportation…

we will as a village help raise and save our village.” “We move very quickly for [our clients],” Thomas says, urging anyone who thinks they may be eligible for their help to visit Small Sums’ website.

Continued from page 1

The founder used to be on the board of People Serving People (PSP), the family shelter in downtown Minneapolis. While volunteering at PSP, he heard stories of people saying they could take a job but did not have the necessary items to do so. While visiting the East coast, he found an organization there that offered services like Smalls Sums. He returned to the Twin Cities and with four other men began the

For more information, including details about how to volunteer for the Final Four, go to www.finalfourminneapolis.com. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Those interested in receiving services or donating can contact www.smallsums.org. Brandi Phillips welcomes reader responses to bphillips@ spokesman-recorder.com.

No purchase necessary. One entry per person. Winners will be chosen at random while supplies last. Employees of sponsors and their dependents are ineligible. No phone calls, please. DVDs distributed at the discretion of the promotional partner.

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December 14-20, 2017

Cory Hardrict stars as both gangsta and architect in sci-fi saga

heed Smith (Cory I suppose Basir was too Hardrict) is a drug in love with his bifurcatdealer roaming Deed, sci-fi script to considtroit’s mean streets in a er jettisoning one-half and bloody turf war being fleshing out the other into a waged in the ’hood where full-length feature. Instead, he was raised. Meanwe’re treated to a one-trick while, his doppelgangpony that repeatedly illusKam Williams er, Rasheed Smith (also trates the diverging fates Contributing Hardrict), is an idealisof a guy who kept his nose Writer tic architect overseeing clean and that of an identian urban renewal project cal stranger who ventured designed to revitalize the to the dark side. same ghetto. An amusing idea that runs out of However, the two look-a-likes’ steam not long after the premise is paths never cross. That’s because established. they exist in parallel universes. You see, Destined is one of those “What Fair (1.5 stars) if?” affairs set in a couple of alter- Unrated nate realities. Thus, we are able to Running time: 91 minutes compare bad boy Sheed’s fate to Production Studio: Whitewater that of his straitlaced alter ego. Films / Tilted Windmill ProducThe picture was written and di- tions /Confluential Films rected by Qasim Basir, who made Distributor: XLrator Media a spectacular directorial debut in 2010 with the relatively-movGo to Facebook/@destinedmovie for ing Mooz-lum. This disappointing more movie information. sophomore offering earns an A for ambition, if only a C for execution. Kam Williams welcomes readHardrict stars as both Sheed and ers’ responses to kam_williams@ Rasheed in a split screen saga that hotmail.com. flits back and forth between storylines that never intersect. Unfortunately, neither plot is well enough developed to fully engage the viewer.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis announce lineup for Super Bowl LIVE

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Photo courtesy of MN Super Bowl Host Committee As previously reported, Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis will be the site of the massive, free, 10-day fan festival leading up to Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018. On Dec. 1, Minnesota music legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, serving as Minnesota Music Ambassadors, announced that several artists with personal and professional ties to Prince are

confirmed to perform and are expected to honor the late Minnesota-born icon. The Revolution, Sheila E. and Morris Day and the Time will perform on Monday, January 29 at the Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain to be located on Nicollet Mall at 8th street. This evening, dubbed ‘Prince Night,’ will conclude with a community sing-along of Prince’s legend-

ary song "Purple Rain." Select ‘Prince Night’ performances will be shown on NFL Network, ESPN2, and NBC Sports Network as part of their telecast of Super Bowl Opening Night fueled by Gatorade from Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. The Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain will formally open on Friday, January 26 with Tony Award-winning icon Idina Menzel performing the song “Let It Go,” from the Disney movie Frozen. Other artists announced as performers include Bob Mould, Cobi, Dessa, Esera Tuaolo, the former Minnesota Viking who was recently a competitor on NBC’s The Voice, The Jayhawks, The Jets, Mint Condition and Stokley, New Power Generation (NPG), New Power Soul, Soul Asylum, Sounds of Blackness, The Steeles, Stokley Williams, The Suburbs and VocalEssence. Starting on Friday, January 26 and each day following in the lead-up to Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4, various musical acts will perform free concerts for guests of Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon. Daily line-ups and schedules will be organized largely based on genre, such as country, rock, gospel, hip hop, reggae and soul. Schedule line-up and details will be confirmed on a continuous basis in the days ahead.

GET NEWS FASTER

“It’s an honor to be a part of welcoming the eyes and ears of the world to our home state of Minnesota,” stated Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. “We are proud to be a born and raised Minnesotan and even more proud to be able to showcase and share the won-

derful gift of our music and culture with the world. “From Bob Dylan to Prince, Minnesota’s musical legacy is like no other. We’re happy to be a part of bringing our local folks and families together to share in this celebration of our iconic mu-

sic community.” Fans can stay up-to-date with Super Bowl LII by going to www.mnsuperbowl.com/ sblive. —Information provided by Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee

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December 14-20, 2017

Fashionably You! INSIDE & OUT

elcome to the first installment of Fashioning YOU – Inside and Out. This column is two-fold. In addition to keeping readers in the know about the latest fashion trends and ideas for everyday life, Fashion Columnist Nicole Pillow also intends to provide food for thought on how to cultivate beauty and confidence that radiates from the soul.

Enjoy!

By Nicole Pillow

Peel off the layers to let the authentic you shine When your soul, the real authentic you, has the opportunity to shine from within, it is a fashion forward statement of its very own. So while we are working these fabulous layers of style to stay warm, let’s be sure we are also cultivating a foundation of authenticity.

bi-racial child in the ’70s. That’s when I learned to hide the real me. No matter how hard I tried, I just didn’t fit in. My classmates made fun of my hair and complexion. I was a little bit too light on one hand, but I wasn’t quite dark enough on the other. So, I turned

when we are comfortable in our own skin. When we are willing to be more transparent, self-accepting, and aware of who we really are, we can begin to peel back the layers that are stifling us, giving the unfiltered, authentic version of ourselves an opportunity to breathe.

Photo by Henri Meilhac on Unsplash Authenticity is an unhindered state of being that is connected to who you are at your core. I believe that every person is lovable, important, and valuable. This is a core value that cannot be earned, nor can it be taken away. I recently held a newborn baby, which was a sweet reminder of this. So, let’s keep it real: We all want to be seen through the lens of our ideal self. The “I’ve got it going on,” put-together version that is packaged up nice and neat so people will like and accept us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m clearly passionate about fashion and wearing the clothes we feel good in, but when we show up in the world with an agenda, whether consciously or unconsciously, to gain acceptance, we put on layers upon layers that smother our authentic self. Looking back, it’s easy to see that my layers began to form when I was a

to makeup and clothes to gain acceptance. I always made sure to straighten my curly hair and kept a pair of Jordache jeans close by. As life went on, despite my professional success, more layers were added and more compromises were made, until I realized that I was in danger of disconnecting from my true self. Something had to change. Living authentically is an inside job. It has taken an intentional journey of laughter, tears, disappointments, and breakthroughs to discover my worthiness and priceless value. Underneath the layers of fear, people pleasing and approval seeking, I found confidence and contentment with who I am from the inside out. I still adore my designer jeans, but I now set healthy boundaries, speak my truth in love, and rock my natural ’fro. There is incredible freedom and joy that comes

Embracing self-acceptance and choosing to stay true to yourself will take courage. But this is the pathway to allowing the brilliance of your soul to shine through. As you get dressed each day, or page the fashion trends online or in a magazine, let it be a reminder of your value and authenticity — just like a Haute Couture garment crafted by one of the world’s top fashion designers, you too are a priceless, one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Not a knockoff, but the bona fide, genuine, real thing. What does being authentic mean to you?

Inside

Four fabulous ways to layer up in style Baby, it’s cold outside, and the scramble to stay warm and cute begins. It’s tempting to throw fashion to the wind and pile on everything in your closet until your silhouette is buried. The good news is, with a hint of creativity and personal flair, we can achieve both warmth and style at the same time. So ladies (and men), where do we begin? It all starts with the art of layering — pairing different types of clothing together to create an effortlessly unexpected, flattering look. Here are four fabulous ways you can stay warm and cozy from head-to-toe, without sacrificing style. 1. Body-con meets knitwear — a longsleeve tee or fitted button-down shirt, for example, can be layered underneath a cashmereblend pullover sweater that skims the frame without appearing too bulky. Be sure to allow the collar, hemline, and sleeves of the shirt to peak out a bit to enhance this layered look. For a touch of current trend, mix in a shirt with a plaid, winter-floral, or striped pattern. To achieve a unique twist with lots of warmth and texture, try layering a long-sleeve cotton shirt underneath an opened chambray shirt, underneath an unbut-

toned chunky cable-knit sweater. 2. Flash-dance meets footwear — Step up your layering game with a pair of leg warmers or knee-high socks. Leg warmers scrunched above a pair of ankle boots, wedge shoes, or even a pair of closed-toe heels, are sure to add a fashionable yet functional layer of warmth. A pair of textured knee-high socks peeking out from under calfhigh boots is my favorite way to rock this layered style. Determining how far to scrunch down or pull up will depend upon your boot style and body proportion. So play around a little to find what looks flattering. A pair of textured kneehigh socks peeking out a few inches from underneath calf-high boots, is a great option to bring a more conservative feel to this layered style. 3. Comfy cozy meets classy chic — one of the coziest winter clothing items you can incorporate into your fall and winter wardrobe is a flattering sweater dress. This no-brainer layering piece is extremely versatile and will keep you warm and stylish on those chilly days. Sweater dresses are available in various styles. A key component is to determine your body shape and decide what cut, design, and

length will flatter your figure the most. Once you get this first step down, the layering can begin. Textured tights or your favorite skinny jeans make a great option to layer underneath. A pair of leather leggings will bring a sleek contrast to your look. Achieve a sporty feel by layering a quilted cropped vest. If your sweater dress is a bit too shapeless, adding a thin belt will usually do the trick. Drape a plaid blanket scarf over the shoulders like a poncho, or around the neck. Flats will dress your look down, while heels and ankle boots will dress it up. If you’re in the mood to make a sexier statement that’s sure to be on point, go with a pair of over-theknee boots. 4. Fur meets functionality — When the temperatures start to drop and you’re shivering from the frigid air, add luxury and functionality to your winter layers with a (real or faux) fur vest. For glam and elegance, lean toward blacks and browns. While winter white and rich neutrals are a trustworthy option, it’s the colorful fur in bold shades of canary yellow, red, and peacock blue that are taking center stage.

Out

Lately, I have fallen completely in love with feminine hues of powder pink and smoky grey. When it comes to layering your fur vest, the options are endless. Let it bring a fashionforward look to your favorite pair of distressed jeans, graphic tee, and simple cardigan. Layer it over a longsleeve blouse or a button-down shirt. If you layer it with your sweater dress and over-the-knee boots, you’ll have a match made in heaven. The temperature may be going down, but with these fashion-forward tips, you’ll soon be wrapping yourself up in warm and stylish layers. Until next month, my beauties, take the time to be Fashionably YOU- Inside & Out. Get creative, build on what you already have, and make it your own. When you believe you look good, it helps you to feel good. And when you feel good, you’re empowered to do good. And when you’re empowered to do good, you can make a difference in this world. Nicole Pillow welcomes readers’ responses to npillow@spokesmanrecorder.com. Photos courtesy of LookBook/ YouTube

December 14-20, 2017

Holidays and impaired driving don’t mix

ith the holidays here, it’s a good time to talk about impaired driving and what communities can do to prevent it. Twenty-nine years ago, Larry Mahoney drove his pickup truck down the wrong side of Kentucky’s Interstate 71 hitting a church bus head on and killing 24 children and three adults. The incident, which became known as the Carrollton Bus Crash, remains the deadliest drunk driving incident in American history. The crash received national media attention and resulted in a crackdown on drunk driving. Between 1982 and 2014, the number of annual drunk driving fatalities decreased by 51percent; then they started to rise. A new report from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2016, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased for the second year in a row and are at the highest level since 2009. The opioid epidemic has rightly received significant attention, but impaired driving remains one of the single most serious threats to public safety — one that is entirely preventable. Progress has been made, but the rising number of fatalities shows more must be done. This year, the National Center for DWI Courts and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility embarked on a nationwide Reform & Responsibility Tour to explore solutions to immediately reduce impaired driving deaths. Here is what we have found: We need to screen and assess all Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders. More robust screening and assessment for DUI offenders allows them to be matched to the appropriate level of supervision and treatment. Many DUI offenders only need

one arrest to never re-offend. They are capable of changing their behavior and do so out of fear of being arrested again. For many, a DUI arrest is a huge wake up call. But others are not capable of changing without outside intervention. According to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, repeat offenders commonly suffer from mental health disorders, in addition to substance use issues. Left untreated, repeat DUI offenders are statistically the most dangerous drivers on the road and over represented in fatal crashes. Research also shows that the earlier the screening and assessment occurs, the greater the likelihood for success. Better screening and assessment can identify drivers likely to become repeat offenders and ensure they receive more supervision, more accountability and evidencebased treatment. We need to expand and improve DUI Courts. For over two decades, drug courts have proven that a combination of accountability and treatment can lead people into recovery, reduce crime, and save resources. Building on the success of our nation’s drug court movement, DUI courts serve repeat and/or high blood alcohol content (BAC) DUI offenders with substance use disorders. DUI court participants are under strict supervision. They have mandated home visits, continuous alcohol monitoring, and frequent appearances in court. They undergo rigorous individual treatment and participate in group therapy. They must pass frequent and random drug tests. In addition to all of this, they’re required to hold down a job, perform community service, or advance their education. Research on this combination of accountability and treatment

Get More News MSRNewsOnline.com

Courtesy of MGNOnline shows that DUI courts are the most successful way to reduce impaired driving, decreasing recidivism by as much as 60 percent, all while saving taxpayers money: an incredible $3.19 is saved by society, for every $1 invested in a DUI court. We need evidence-based supervision and technology. Many states have adopted ignition interlock programs for repeat offenders, so they can’t drive a car if they’ve been drinking. Ignition interlock has been found to reduce repeat impaired driving by about two thirds. Unfortunately, despite the passage of legislation supporting the use of these devices, this technology often remains underutilized by local communities. Continuous alcohol monitoring

(CAM) technology can be a critical tool for ensuring compliance and supervision. CAM monitors alcohol consumption and can relay data back to law enforcement. Research has found the use of CAM to improve enforcement of abstinence orders and is more effective than random testing. Used in conjunction with assessment and appropriate treatment interventions that target individual needs, supervision and technology can play a vital role in getting DUI offenders the support they need. We need to take action. Larry Mahoney was not a first time offender on the fateful night he took 27 lives. Several years before the crash, he was arrested and charged with a DUI. If we knew then, what

we know now, would tragedy have been avoided? We’ll never know the answer to that question. However, life is too valuable to risk another tragedy like this. There is an urgent need now to robustly implement and strengthen solutions that will protect public safety and save resources while putting impaired drivers in treatment and holding them accountable. We’ve made tremendous progress on this issue since the 1980s. Now is the time to continue our momentum and do more. Thank you to Jim Eberspacher and the National Center for DWI Courts

Stokley brings some ‘sonic healing’ to hometown fans On Sunday, December 10, Stokley Williams of Mint Condition brought his Sonic Healer Tour to St. Paul’s Ordway Theater for a crowd-pleasing hometown concert. See more from the show on MSRNewsOnline.com.

ARTISTIC EAR WEAR Judith Clark your ear wear stylist 612-702-3457 Judy_digg@yahoo.com (title you message: regarding ear wear) facebook: artistic ear wear, leave a message there also

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December 14-20, 2017

Legals

Employment

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN WITHOUT REAL ESTATE

CASE TYPE: DISSOLUTION WITH CHILDREN DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL COURT

ORDER FOR SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS In Re - the Marriage of: Saynab Ali Adan Petitioner and Omar A. Abdalla, Respondent THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: Warning: Your spouse (husband or wife) has filed a lawsuit against you for dissolution of your marriage. A copy of the paperwork regarding the lawsuit is served on you with this summons. This summons is an official document from the court that affects your rights. Read this summons carefully. If you do not understand it, contact an attorney for legal advice. 1. The Petitioner, (your spouse) has filed a lawsuit against you asking for dissolution of your marriage (divorce). A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is attached to this Summons. 2. You must serve upon Petitioner and file with the Court a written Answer to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, and you must pay the required filing fee. Answer forms are available from the Family Law Facilitator Program, Family Court Self Help Center located in the Family Justice Center, 110 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401. You must serve your Answer upon Petitioner within thirty (30) days of the date you were served with this Summons, not counting the day of service. If you do not serve and file your Answer, the Court may give your spouse everything he or she is asking for in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 3. This proceeding involves, affects, or brings into question the real property located at the following address: 2605 W. 70th St.Richfield, in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota, with the following legal discription: E 1/2 of N 1/2 of that part lying S of N 30 ft Lot 9 Sabin Lake, Harriet Garden Lots. NOTICE OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING PROVISIONS: Under Minnesota law, service of this summons makes the following requirements apply to both parties to the action, unless they are modified by the Court or the proceeding is dismissed: (1) Neither party may dispose of any assets except (A) for the necessities of life or for the necessary generation of income or preservation of assets, (B) by an agreement of the parties in writing, or (C) for retaining counsel to carry on or to contest this proceeding. (2) Neither party may harass the other party. (3) All currently available insurance coverage must be maintained and continued without change in coverage or beneficiary designation. (4) Parties to a marriage dissolution proceeding are encouraged to attempt alternative dispute resolution pursuant to Minnesota law. Alternative dispute resolution includes mediation, arbitration and other processes as set forth in the district court rules. You may contact the Court Administrator about resources in your area. If you cannot pay for mediation or alternative dispute resolution, in some counties, assistance may be available to you through a nonprofit provider of a court program. If you are a victim of domestic abuse or threats as defined in Minnesota statutes, Chapter 518B, you are not required to try mediation and you will not be penalized by the Court in later proceedings. IF YOU VIOLATE ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS BY THE COURT. NOTICE OF PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Under Minnesota Statutes, Section 518.157, in a contested proceeding involving custody or parenting time of a minor child, the parties must begin participation in a parent education program that meets minimum standards promulgated by the Minnesota Supreme Court within 30 days after the first filing with the court. In some districts, parenting education may be required in all custody or parenting proceedings. You may contact the District Court Administrator for additional information regarding this requirement and the availability of parent education programs. Date: 11/29/17 Signed: Saynab Ali Adan 2731 17th Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55407 Telephone: (612) 513-8398

MN Spokesman-Recorder, December 7, 14, and 21, 2017

Final FOur Continued from page 10

because we feel like here we are in the heart of Minneapolis.” Many local Blacks and other people of color have complained that previous large-scale sporting events have somehow eluded community involvement outside of the downtown area. Mortenson told the MSR, “We charge ourselves with ensuring that the [various activities] will benefit the community.” “I do believe there is a strong commitment” for community inclusion, added Sports Minneapolis and Meet Minneapolis President-CEO Melvin Tennant. He was among the contin-

gent mainly responsible for successfully bringing the Final Four, the Super Bowl and other big sporting events to the area. “Being here at North Commons is a good start,” said Tennant. Minneapolis Park Board Assistant Superintendent Tyrize Cox pointed out, “I do feel like the investment in this park brings the Final Four closer to the community.” “Anytime you can have an event like this is a win-win for everybody involved,” said University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle. The school is the host institution. Minnesota Senior Associate AD Tom McGinnis reiterated that the MLOC “will have a couple of new initiatives” designed for community involvement as the 2019 Final Four planning now in progress continues.

Globe-tracking the Lynx Natasha Howard (Zhejiang), Sylvia Fowles (Beijing) and Temi Fagbenie (CCC Polkowice) are among several Lynx players in overseas action this week. Howard last week averaged 29 points and 14 boards as her club had a 1-1 week. Fagbenie’s club also had a .500 week as she knocked in 11 points in a win and eight points in a loss. Alexis Jones (Al-Qazeres) continues her torrid play with a 29-point effort in an overtime win last week. Final Four logo courtesy of the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Institutional Giving Manager The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is seeking an Institutional Giving Manager, who will be responsible for foundation, corporate, and government grant-making to the Minneapolis Parks Foundation as well as corporate sponsorship. This position is fulltime,salaried, and benefited. For the full job description and how to apply, visit https:// mplsparksfoundation.org/blog/ and view the November 28 posting. Applications will be accepted until position is filled, preferably by year-end 2017. EOE.

Principal R&D Project Engineer New Prod. Dev.: Medtronic, Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN. Req. Master’s in Mech. Eng. or Biomechanical Eng. & 3 yrs. exp. in mech. design for medical device ind. Must possess 3 yrs. exp. with navigating U.S. FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, European Medical Device Regs. & other int’l equivalents regarding medical device regs.; CAPA, QMR & quality assurance dev. & mfg. activities for medical devices; eval. of product performance & compliance to safety & reg. requirements; utilizing DMAIC methodology and MS Project; utilizing Lean sigma, incl. Kaizen events, value stream & process mapping; GMP; utilizing statistical methods, incl. DOE, SPC, Measurement System Analysis, Variable Gage R & R, attribute agreement analysis, ANOVA, t-test, regression analysis, Process Capability, Confidence & Tolerance interval analysis & process control; & evaluating medical product & process risk utilizing d (Design) & p(Process) FMECA, process validation. To apply, visit www.medtronic.com/careers, select Req. #17000N7N. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Financial Technician The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Financial Technician in Minneapolis, MN. Salary range is $42,445 - $69,026. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts. gov, Employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer

Building Services Manager The City of Dubuque, Iowa (population 58,000) invites applications for the position of Building Services Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for administering, enforcing, interpreting and providing outreach and education regarding the city’s building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and ADA codes and ordinances. Work also will involve responsibility for facility maintenance by administering and supervising the day to day operations and all capital improvement projects for City Hall, City Hall Annex, Multicultural Family Center and the Historic Federal Building. Supervision is exercised over a staff of inspectors, permit clerk, maintenance supervisor and custodial staff. The successful candidate will possess progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience in all phases of building design, construction and inspection and experience supervising and working with a diverse workforce; graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in structural engineering, architecture, construction technology or related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the essential knowledge, skills and abilities. The successful candidate will possess a demonstrated ability to follow a management style that is input oriented, values equity, problem solving and the development of partnerships, and a desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and teamwork. The City offers an annual salary range of $71,697 to $93,724, and an attractive benefit package. Please submit an application and resume to Randy Peck, Personnel Manager, City Hall, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4805 by January 29, 2018. The Personnel Office may be contacted at (563) 5894125 or citypers@cityofdubuque.org. The employment application, benefit summary and job description are available at www. cityofdubuque.org/employment. Women, minorities, veterans and qualified persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EOE.

ViEw Continued from page 10 keep fighting for more and better coverage, whether online or traditionally on television or on radio. “You’d think in 2017 a lot of things would be different,” concluded Williams. “Unfortunately it’s not.” Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesmanrecorder.com.

SOE Continued from page 10 GSRs in the 90th percentage, 11 teams in the 80s. • There are two teams with no gap, where both Black and White player GSRs are the same. • There are zero teams with 100 percent Black GSRs but nine teams with 100 percent White GSRs. How fare the four teams competing in the college football playoff later this month?

Georgia (29 percent), Oklahoma (24 percent), Clemson (19 percent) and Alabama (14 percent). The worst gap? Ohio with 47 percent. The “best”? Duke and New Mexico State, both at zero percent. Two of the three teams with the next-smallest gap (two percent) are playing in the same bowl: Michigan and South Carolina. The third is Appalachian State playing Toledo (22 percent) in another bowl. These reports will keep coming despite their overlooked status by football media types,

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612-827-4021 Fitz Continued from page 10

now have the same record as New England, the defending Super Bowl Champions. It’s not easy trying to win your first-ever Super Bowl, so come down off that cliff. It’s not over. Grab your pom poms and get behind your team. Remember, six teams qualify for the playoffs from each conference based on best record. The Eagles (11-2), Vikings (10-3), Saints (9-4) and Rams (94) all lead their respective divisions. Also with a chance at two wild-card spots are the Panthers (9-4), Seahawks (8-5), Falcons (8-5), Packers (7-6), Lions (7-6) and Cardinals (6-7). Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 MondayFriday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larryfitzgerald.com, or visit www. Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

said Lapchick, who advocates that the bowl money be better distributed, especially among those schools that shows better grad rates. “We want to keep the pressure on,” Lapchick pledged. “We must keep the focus that there is a tremendous disparity of African American and White student-athletes, especially in the revenue sports” of football and basketball. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

June 8-14, 2017

December 14-20, 2017

Panthers humble Vikings!

obody said it would be easy. Remember, only the 1972 Miami Dolphins finished 17-0. You would think the world came to an end in the state of Minnesota after Carolina beat the Vikings Sunday 31-24, ending their eight-game winning streak and five-game road win streak. The Panthers scored a season-high 31 points and ran for 216 yards in winning at home in Charlotte. Yes, the stakes are high when you’re trying to become the first team in NFL history to host and play in a home Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4, 2018. The Panthers sacked Vikings quarterback Case Keenum six times; the Vikings had not allowed more than two sacks all season. The Vi-

kings committed two costly turnovers and dropped several passes. They also missed several tackles on defense, missed a field goal, and had a touchdown reversed by an official. It happens — it’s the reality of winning and losing. Nobody wins them all. The Vikings are now 10-3 with three games remaining: Sunday at home against Cincinnati at 12 noon, at Green Bay December 24, and home against Chicago December 3. The Vikings still have the second-best record in the NFL at 10-3, and if they can hold that position for three more weeks they will win the NFC North and host a divisional round playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings ■ See Fitz on page 9

Women’s sports slapped down again

he 2017 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four this weekend is in Kansas City, Missouri, but finding news on it is virtually impossible unless you know exactly where to go to find it. You certainly won’t find it on the eight most popular sports websites, according to eBizMBA, and definitely not on NBC Sports that “gives more attention to animals than it gives to women,” wrote Forbes.com’s David Berri last month. We also checked the peacock site and found everything in men’s sports but no women’s sports. We also checked the other seven sports sites. Nothing. Yahoo! Sports and ESPN both feature WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball news, but the former doesn’t have a home page tab as they do for men’s sports. The latter regularly commingles WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball news but does not similarly mix NBA and NCAA men’s basketball news. SBNation posted WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball news under the NBA tab. As for the rest — Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Bleacher Report and the aforementioned NBC Sports — nothing. My weekly Sports Illustrated rarely has anything on women’s sports; the annual swimsuit issue each February is the only time women get prime-time coverage there. The two local mainstream newspaper sites barely have a Minnesota Lynx tab, and we haven’t

ANOTHER

VIEW Charles hallman

Andrea Williams

Photo by Onika Nicole Craven

year that barely three percent of airtime on women’s sports can be found on news broadcasts, down from a “high” of five percent in 1989. ESPN can only muster two percent of airtime on its popular SportsCenter shows. We must note that espnW has since 2010 been the network’s answer to better women’s sports coverage. But you have to be an Inspector Gadget to find many of them for your daily dose of

“You’d think in 2017 a lot of things would be different. Unfortunately it’s not.”

Courtesy of the NFL

seen any updates on the players’ overseas performances. We suspect the only reason why we saw volleyball scores on ESPN’s Bottom Line sports ticker while watching NCAA volleyball last weekend was because a game was being shown at the same time. A decades-long University of Southern California study told us earlier this

Introducing a new college bowl game: the Disparity Bowl By Charles Hallman Staff Writer It’s that time of year in the waning days of the college football season when talk of coaches being fired and hired, the fairness or unfairness of the current fourteam playoff system, and other such subjects are oft-discussed. But buried under such talk is the ever-existing graduation-rate gap between Division I Black and White football players. “I don’t expect that [gap] to change,” Richard Lapchick, director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES), said in a December 4 phone interview. Winning takes top priority, especially at the Power Five conference schools where coaches are expected to win “even if they have a 98 percent graduation rate,” Lapchick said. After the NCAA created the Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2004 as part of its academic reform pack-

Richard Lapchick

Sports odds and ends

age to better measure players’ classroom success and graduation rates, teams now must achieve an APR score of 930, which is considered an expected 50-percent student-athletes grad-

“For one thing, they will lose scholarships if they don’t.” Adding more academic advisors for the players has helped as well,” he said. “That has helped move the needle forward.”

women’s sports news. “I don’t think it’s anything new,” Big Sky Commissioner Andrea Williams told us while in town to watch one of her league members play at U of M’s Maturi Pavilion in NCAA volleyball’s opening round action a couple of weeks ago. She is the only Black commissioner of a major Division I conference. “Part of it is men’s sports have been

around a lot longer,” Williams said. “I also think it speaks to demand.” We’ve heard so many times before that more people want to view men’s sports than women’s sports. Usually this is said by those who don’t care for women’s sports. “You got Minnesota and you got eight schools from the same conference” in this year’s NCAA field of 64, added Williams on the Big Ten’s volleyball contingent. The Gophers made it to the Sweet 16, and two Big Ten teams, Penn State and Nebraska, plays each other in one of the two national semifinals this week. “Whether it’s ESPN, Fox Sports or whatever, there are great [women’s sports] stories,” Williams said. “We need to continue to make sure to do as much as we can to promote and market [all sports]. There are people at home who want to know.” Women’s sports shouldn’t have to ■ See ViEw on page 9

2019 Final Four planners promise more local community engagement By Charles Hallman Staff Writer It’s over a year away, but the clock now is ticking on the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Minneapolis. “An incredible year and a half” remains before the Division I men’s college basketball national semifinals and finals are held at the Minnesota Vikings’ downtown stadium April 6-8, 2019, said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball.

Elite Eight in 1989 and preliminary rounds in 2003, 2006 and 2009. “This will be the 13th time the state of Minnesota has hosted March Madness,” Gavitt pointed out. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, other NCAA officials, local dignitaries and community folk were present. “This is an exciting event for all of Minnesota,” Gov. Dayton stressed. The weekend event and the an-

for more details, see the feature story on this project on this week’s front page.

cantly lower.” Although this year’s graduation gap between Black and White players has narrowed a bit, it is still large, Lapchick writes. “The good news is [that] it is

“We want to keep the pressure on.” uation rate. Anything below that score means a reduction in scholarships. “I think [schools] are taking it much more seriously,” Lapchick said.

MSR file photo

All bowl-bound teams surpassed the 930 APR score, but the graduation gap between Black and White football players still exists, states the TIDES director in the latest TIDES report on the 78 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) bowl-eligible schools (a minimum of six wins is needed) that was released December 4. Asked why his annual report is important to football fans and non-football folk alike, Lapchick pointed out, “Because these are educational institutions. When we started doing these studies, graduation rates were signifi-

shrinking, as last year’s report showed a 19 percent difference between the two groups,” he stressed. The 2017 average Graduation Success Rate (GSR) is 71 percent for Black football players, up from 68 percent a year ago. The average GSR for White players remains at 87 percent. But let’s look closer at the “disparity bowl” teams: • 45 teams are above average. • 17 teams have singledigit disparity gaps. • Seven teams have Black GSRs higher than Whites. • Six teams have Black ■ See SOE on page 9

(l-r) Tom McGinnis, MN Sports Facilities Authority Ex. Director Rick Evans, Kate Mortenson, Melvin Tennant, NCAA Managing Director JoAnn Scott, Dan Gavitt Photo by Charles Hallman Last week’s Final Four logo unveiling event was an “historic launch,” declared Gavitt December 8 at North Commons Park in North Minneapolis. “Minneapolis once again will be the center of the basketball universe, only the eighth [U.S.] city to host four national championship games,” noted the NCAA official. Minneapolis previously hosted the event in 1951 (Williams Arena), 1992 and 2001 (Metrodome), and opening round games in 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2000. The city hosted the Sweet Sixteen and

cillary planned events leading up to the three games are expected to “bring worldwide attention” to the area, he pointed out. North Commons Park also will be the site of the NCAA’s Legacy Restoration project, where new basketball courts will be installed and dedicated during Final Four week in April 2019 —

Kate Mortenson, the Minneapolis Local Organizing Committee (MLOC) president and chief executive officer, stressed that unveiling the Final Four logo at North Commons is “symbolic” of how her committee plans to include the broader community outside downtown. “We selected North Commons Park with the NCAA ■ See Final FOur on page 9

PreP Scene Mitchell Palmer McDonald’s column will return next week..