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February 15-21, 2018

PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391

THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SINCE 1934

— See Black History Community Profile on pg. 7

Vol. 84 No. 28 www.spokesman-recorder.com

‘Massive wave’ of civil disobedience predicted New Poor People’s Campaign calls for 40 days of nonviolent protest over 50 years ago by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. They are building a coalition of groups and organizations working to end systemic racism, poverty, economic disparities, and other problems in this country Many believe the first Poor People’s Campaign in 1967 didn’t achieve its desired results largely due to King’s assassi-

poor population (17.3 million) with Blacks (9.2 million), and Latinos (11.1 million) second and third, respectively. Thirty percent of the U.S. population — more than 95 million Americans — is either in poverty or considered “low income” (twice below the poverty line). Other report findings include that the U.S. child poverty rate has risen from 15.6

“The Poor People’s Campaign needs to be led by the very people who are impacted — the very people who are poor.” nation in 1968. In December, the national progressive think tank Institute for Policy Studies released their preliminary report, The Souls of Poor Folk, finding that conditions today in this country aren’t that much different than in1968. Speaking at the State Capitol launch of the national Poor People’s Campaign were [l to r] Samantha Selina SanAccording to the report, the U.S. overchez Ibarra, DeWayne Davis (at lectern), Mary Kay Boyd, and D’Narius Lewis. all poverty rate is at the same level today Photo courtesy of Minnesota Poor People’s Campaign (12.7 percent) as it was 50 years ago. At put the lawmakers on the clock by “serv- paign, co-organized by the Revs. Dr. Wil- least 15 million more people in AmeriBy Charles Hallman ing notice” to them to seriously address liam Barber II (leader of “Moral Mondays” ca are poor because the country’s popuStaff Writer systemic poverty and other disparities in protests in North Carolina) and Dr. Liz lation has increased by over 123 million Theoharis. They launched the campaign people since 1968. The 2018 Minnesota state legislative this year’s session. The report also shows that in 2016, Last week, Minnesota joined nearly 30 on December 4 using a blueprint of grasssession begins February 20 and must end by May 21. A local coalition has virtually other U.S. states in the Poor People’s Cam- roots organizing similar to that designed Whites made up the largest share of the

Councilmember Cunningham gives Minnesota Nice a new meaning community, said Cunningham. “Then I landed in North Minneapolis and all of a sudden, I was home.” Before Minneapolis, Cunningham, A colleague once told Phillipe Cunningham that North Minneapolis was a 30, worked on Chicago’s Southside as a place where she felt safest as a Black queer special education teacher. In Chicago, he woman. “That really resonated with me was so wrapped up in his job and stubecause I have felt very unsafe as a Black dents that he was not worried or giving much thought to big things like government policy. But during the 2012 Chicago Teachers Union Strike, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel extended the school day by one hour, lengthened the school year by 10 days, and closed 50 of the city’s schools, government policy started flashing on his radar. “[Emanuel] was making policies that felt that felt retaliatory against the teachers’ union, and that was the first time I really started to make those connections,” said Cunningham. “When I saw how Phillipe Cunningham the mayor could impact my kids, that is Photo courtesy Facebook when I had this big awakening around policy and politics.” One year after the strike, Cunningqueer man,” said Cunningham. Than he ham moved to Minneapolis. “I was never became a resident of North Minneapo- really happy in Chicago after seeing how lis and understood what his colleague that city treats their Black and Brown children. I was like, you’ve shown me your meant. cards and I already don’t like it,” Cunningham said. Coming to Minneapolis Coming from the Southside of ChicaBefore Minneapolis, Cunningham hadn’t lived any place where he felt com- go to the North Side of Minneapolis, Cunfortable enough to call it home. Having ningham said the problems felt more to navigate life as a Black queer man can manageable in Minneapolis. make it hard to feel like a part of your ■ See council on page 8 Keith Schubert Contributing Writer

By Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writer In case you missed it, over 67,000 people braved sub-zero wind chills to be part of the excitement of Superbowl LII. A host of celebrities were also present to watch the game and to entertain the crowd, chief among them hometown legends and international music producers James “Jimmy Jam”

right now today. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis made music right here at North High School. Today, they are multimillionaires, songwriters and producers. “You don’t know who you are going to become,” Berry said. “Your circumstances today do not predict your future.” Over more than 30 years, Harris and Lewis have produced the musical likes of Ush-

Patdro Harris

Photo courtesy Facebook

Tony Award-winning CTC’s peerless reputation is built on a 50-year history of adapting classic children’s literature. In the past two decades that reputation has been enhanced to include original work by

High, of the city of Minneapolis, of the state of Minnesota, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,” said the mayor. “This is a spectacular day.”

uation rates. The North High dance team celebrated the occasion with a dance routine using Harris’ and Lewis’ works, including Rhythm Nation and

“We wear the pride of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota anywhere we go around the world.” Harris and Terry Lewis, who served as music ambassadors for the 10-day line-up of events. The duo appeared at Lewis’ alma mater North High School to thunderous applause from students, faculty, and visiting dignitaries, including Mayor Jacob Fry, State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, MPS Superintendent Ed Graff and, North High Principal Dr. Shawn Harris Berry. “North High students, this is why this is important,” said Berry. “Terry Lewis sat in the same seats you’re sitting in

er, Janet Jackson, The Human People, Mya, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefan, Mariah Carey, Elton John, George Michael, Rod Stewart, Mary J. Blidge, Beyonce and Lionel Richie. An elated Mayor Frey took the stage and proclaimed January 31, 2018 as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Day. “If you’ve seen the influence that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have [had]…the list goes on and on with their unique North Minneapolis sound to the world. “We are so honored to recognize living legends of North

Given the collaboration’s assembled talent, a hit seems likely

The Wiz was never merely a remake of L. Frank Baum’s distinctly white-bread classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Still wholesome, family-friendly fare, it nonetheless over the decades underwent a telling, timeless transformation by which, reconceived, it celebrated and sustained the contemporary Black culture. No small feat. Indeed, The Wiz is a phenomenal accomplishment one can look to see repeated and perhaps improved upon with the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) and Penumbra Theatre production that opened January 23 at CTC. Tall talk, but consider: Staging this historic Broadway hit are institutions that epitomize theatrical excellence.

■ See DiobeDience on page 8

‘Jimmy Jam’ Harris and Terry Lewis big hits at North High

Penumbra partners with Children’s Theater on The Wiz By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer

percent in 1968 to 18 percent in 2016. Nearly 31 percent (3.4 million) of Black children are in poverty compared to about 27 percent of Latino children (4.9 million). Female-headed households in 2016 were five and a half times more likely to be in poverty than married heads-of-households. According to recent state data, 37 percent of Blacks, 36 percent of Native Americans, 24 percent of Latinos and nine percent of Whites live in poverty. In the two Twin Cities metro counties, 13

the likes of, among others, Chery L. West, Lonnie Carter and Carlyle Brown. Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius extols, “It is a great thrill and honor to partner with Penumbra Theater. They are a major [national] force as well as a local treasure. The insights and experience they bring to this partnership [are] extraordinary.” Penumbra Theatre is the world’s leading Black venue and among the nation’s finest. It rose in the wake of and eventually surpassed the legendary Negro Ensemble Company, which, led by Douglas Turner Ward, spawned the likes of Sidney Poitier, Rosalind Cash, Debbie Allen and more. The house that Lou Bellamy built, painstakingly cultivating singular prominence, premiered and nurtured the craft of the Broadway icon and twice-Pulitzer Prize recipient August Wilson, who remained a company member throughout

Terry Lewis (l) and Jimmy Jam with their proclamations from Minneapolis Mayor Frey Photo by Lou Michaels “I know this has been a great work in progress with many years of history,” said Superintendent Ed Graff, giving North High credit for its academics and sports programs and the 83 percent rise in grad-

his career. Newly minted Artistic Director Sarah Bellamy, succeeding founder Lou Bellamy, states, “[CTC and Penumbra] are getting to a space of depth and real honesty with each other in terms of our conversations about equity…our aesthetics..., and how we can create a proactive, equitable, shared learning environment…that feels very unique.” Key in the creative team, Patdro Harris, Theatrical Outfit artistic associate and choreographer, is the assistant director for Lou Bellamy. Acclaimed by The New York Times, his internationally accomplished dance acumen has dazzled numerous prestige venues including Kennedy Center, National Black Theatre Festival, and the Guthrie Theater. He choreographed 2004’s Tony Award-winning A Raisin in the Sun starring Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald. Pointedly, this material isn’t new ground for Harris. “It lives inside me, one of the most successful [vehicles] I’ve done

Pleasure Principal. State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, a North High alumnus, spoke on the hometown pride. “They have done ■ See north on page 8

around the country.” His approach? “I’ve got my own style: athletic.” Importantly, grounded in the aesthetic, he adds, “[It is] very polyrhythmic, [with] a lot of rhythms going on at one time. “[It is] an aspect that is to African and African American dance as wet is to water.” As well, Harris is on the same page as Bellamy. “My [artistry] has always been from a directing point of view, looking at it [as] storytelling, not only movement. None of which, in this instance, amounts to much if you lack the wherewithal to work well with and get the best from child performers. “I’m aware they’re kids. I like kids, but I treat them like professionals.” He’s also aware that youngsters sense the difference between being patronized with a pat on the head and being respected and responding accordingly. “We’ve established that. “There are eight students in this project. ■ See Penumbra on page 8

February 15-21, 2018

We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it? A focus on daily survival can make long-term planning impossible

The AntiPoverty Soldier by

Dr. Clarence Hightower Studies have already shown that poorer people have elevated levels of stress, and it is also widely known that stress is linked to depression. People who are suffering from extreme stress and depression are less likely to make long-term investments in their health and education. These psychological effects of living in poverty make it more difficult for people to climb out of it. — The Borgen Project The inescapability of poverty weighs so heavily on [individuals] that they abandon long-term planning entirely, because the short-term needs are so great and the long-term gains so implausible. The train is just not coming. What if the psychology of poverty, which can appear so irrational to those not in poverty, is actually “the most rational response to a world of chaos and unpredictable outcomes.” — Andrew Golis Third in a six-part series

the first installment of this new six-part series, I made reference to a famous quote from author and activist James Baldwin to emphasize the psychological impact that poverty can have on its victims. In recent years a considerable amount of scholarship has focused on this is-

sue, especially with regard to how the stress of poverty can negatively affect the developing brains of small children. However, the psychological warfare generated by the scourge of poverty is not limited to the minds of the youngest among us, as evidenced by a 2013 research article published in Science. In the study “Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function,” a team of psychologists and economists representing the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, followed nearly 500 Indian sugar cane farmers in that nation’s southern state of Tamil Nadu. In this region, farmers generally receive the entirety of their income following the annual harvest at the end of the rainy season in midSeptember. The research team conducting this study gave each of the farmers an IQ test both before the harvest, when they had expended most if not all of their revenue from the previous year, and after the harvest when their coffers were refilled. The results were extraordinary, revealing that the farmer’s IQ scores were sig-

The critical reality of such data, coupled with its implications for public policy, is not lost on either these researchers or others across India and beyond. Consider a 2017 Al Jazeera

Poor adults were found often subject to psychological withdrawal from responsibilities and individuals around them. nificantly lower (in some cases by as many as 20 points) when they had little or no money as compared to when they received their income for the year. The researchers argue that the “diminished cognitive performance” in the farmers “is because poverty-related concerns consume mental resources, leaving less for other tasks.”

story revealing that in the nearby Indian state of Karnataka as many as 1,000 farmers take their own lives each year. Research here in America, including a piece in the Journal of Economic Psychology, confirms the harmful psychological effects that economic insecurity can have on adults. American psychologists Catherine Santia-

go, Martha Wadsworth and Jessica Stump demonstrate that poor adults are significantly more likely to suffer from “pervasive negative thinking” and other thought-related problems such as somatic nervous system disorders. Poor adults were found often subject to psychological withdrawal from responsibilities and individuals around them. These researchers heavily emphasize how significant these new studies are to “developing effective intervention and advocating for sound policy.” Those who reside in the clutches of poverty have frequently been disparaged for life decisions they have made. However, critical thinkers in the field such as Andrew Golis, Anandi Mani, Eldar Shafir, Derek Thompson, and numerous others have countered such criticism by showing how low-income individu-

als and families are often forced to make daily decisions as a matter of survival, forcing them to cast possible long-term plans and decisions aside. As such, the criticism leveled at those in poverty is both unjust and unfounded. Poverty remains one of the greatest public health crises of our time, and we absolutely must do more to reduce both its causes and effects. Clarence Hightower is the executive director of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties. Dr. Hightower holds a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University. He welcomes reader responses to 450 Syndicate Street North, St. Paul, MN 55104

EVERY SECONDS SOMEONE IN THE U S DEVELOPS ALZHEIMER’S

I AM DRIVEN TO FIND THE CURE

Karen Hsiao Ashe, Professor

We all grow older each day. How can you stay healthy as long as possible and enjoy your later years? Teams of researchers at the University of Minnesota are tackling this challenge from every angle. From finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, to designing neighborhoods that meet our needs as we age, to improving the quality of life in nursing homes, we’re solving the world’s biggest challenges. Learn more at discover.umn.edu

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

February 15-21, 2018

Identifying CPS — Cancer Prone Skin — can be a real lifesaver

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD

mericans today recognize acronyms and abbreviations for a wide range of important medical terms: ED is short for “Erectile Dysfunction,” OCD is an abbreviation for “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,” UTI stands for “Urinary Tract Infection,” and OIC stands for “Opioid Induced Constipation,” just to name a few. However, most people are not familiar with one acronym that could help save millions of lives: CPS. CPS stands for Cancer Prone Skin. Skin cancer is the most common cancer, with over two million Americans diagnosed with skin cancer each year. • One American dies of skin cancer every hour. • Almost 10,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. • The survival rate for melanoma that is detected early is over 98 percent. • One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It is imperative that we make a

household term the primary aid in identifying skin that is most at risk. No matter your skin color, you can get skin cancer. Some people have a higher risk of developing skin cancer than others, placing them in the CPS category. CPS typically includes several or more of the following risk factors: • Light-colored skin • Skin that burns or freckles rather than tans • Blond or red hair • Blue or green eyes • More than 50 moles • Irregularly shaped or darker moles • Use or used indoor tanning devices • History of sun exposure from outdoor activities • Family member with a history of melanoma or other skin cancer Skin cancer is most commonly caused by extended ultraviolet light exposure and genetics. These people have Cancer Prone Skin, or CPS. Additional CPS risk comes from extended sun exposure such as people get who spend a lot of time outdoors, like lifeguards, roofers, or anyone with a job or activity that involves extended hours in sunlight. Also, people who have experienced multiple chronic blistering sunburns are at increased risk. Other factors that can cause skin cancer include certain genetic disorders, exposure to toxins (including cigarette smoke), radiation therapy, or immune deficiencies. With early detection and treatment, skin cancer is highly curable. The most common warning signs of skin cancer include changes in size,

anoma skin cancer in African Americans that occurs on the palms and soles can be the most serious and challenging to treat. The musician Bob Marley died from acral melanoma of his foot. A person with any of the CPS risk factors should not panic, but they should begin a lifelong routine of visiting their board-certified dermatologist for a regular skin check. Dermatology has made incredible advances in identifying risks and early diagnoses. For patients with CPS, routine monitoring is the best means to early detection of skin cancer, leading to a great prognosis for successful treatment. Remember, CPS stands for “Cancer Prone Skin.” Be sure to schedule a regular skin examination with your dermatologist. Based on your personal and family history, the dermatologist will recommend a regular exam schedule that is best for you. shape or color of a mole or other skin lesion or the appearance of a new growth on the skin. If you have any lesion or mole change at all, or if you have a spot that bleeds and doesn’t heal in three weeks, see a dermatologist. That’s something everyone can do. The ABCDE’s of skin cancer detection Here are some signs to look for when examining changing moles. If you notice any of these, be sure to contact your doctor/dermatologist. A = Asymmetry: One half of the mole is unlike the other half. B = Border: Mole has an irregular,

Three ways To build beTTer emoTional capaciTy in 2018

JEGNA Brandon Jones As a mental health professional, I am often asked why African Americans do not go to therapy, or I’m asked to address the notion of the stigma on mental illness. These are things that I have addressed in this column before. One bit of advice that I often share is that many African Americans can be more proactive in our own mental and emotional health care. It is no secret that we, as African Americans, live under constant toxic stress. Therefore, the need for mental health first aid is needed. The following are three ways to improve your mental and emotional health in the year ahead.

beliefs, a system of personally customized theories about the world and how the world works. You should do something intentional this year to expand your worldview. It might be going to a new country or neighborhood, spending time with a group of people from a different background, or visiting a different state. Exposure is a wonderful way to develop your emotional capacity. Use YouTube as a university The Internet offers one of the greatest opportunities for us to develop and move forward in life. Unfortunately, too many people do not see the opportunities that the Interment provides at the simple press of a button. One of the most underutilized resources African Americans have at our disposal is YouTube. Probably one of the most important inventions within the last 15 years, YouTube is a database of information and knowledge that can be utilized to assist with most anything someone wants to learn. YouTube is a library of information rivaling any major uni-

There is a stigma in the community around seeking mental health care that is based on several factors, including historical trauma. Exposure (worldview) One of the more unfortunate things I notice with people is that we do not have the opportunity to be exposed to other cultures, people, places and spaces. Since we have this lack of exposure, our worldviews are limited. A worldview is a mental model of reality. It is our comprehensive framework of ideas and attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, a system of

versity in the world. YouTube has enough constructive information that it could be argued that they should be able to confer degrees and diplomas. Find alternative care professionals who understand Black culture Healing is a process that can take place with or without a professional. Either way, we all need some assistance as we move through our own healing journey. There is a stigma in

the community around seeking mental health care that is based on several factors, including historical trauma. However, this should not prevent us from getting the care we need. Finding alternative methods of care can provide quality results. These alternate methods of care can come from a variety of individuals, including yoga instructors, life coaches, business coaches, support groups, personal trainers, and so forth. However, the important correlates amongst these healthcare professionals are the need for a firm understanding of African American culture and the ability to provide a constructive result for you for the reason you have engaged them. Now, the three strategies above are not 100 percent solutions to the issues you may be facing in life. These are strategies to help improve and build your capacity. We are already several weeks into 2018, and many people have not completed any steps toward achieving any goals for the year. The healing needed in the community is beyond mental health. We will not be able to address our issues just by attending individual, family, and group therapy sessions. Mental health therapy is useful and beneficial; however, our issues are so very complex and compounded that we must access creative ways to address them. The more strategies we can utilize, the better off we can be as a collective. As a group, we must begin to use our collective genius to address our issues of toxic stress and trauma. We have done it before, and can do it now. Brandon Jones M.A. is a mental health practitioner. He welcomes reader responses to Brandon@jegnainstitute.com or follow him on twitter @UniversalJones.

scalloped or poorly defined border. C = Color: Mole is varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown or black, or is sometimes white, red, or blue. D = Diameter: Melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller. E = Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest, is changing in size, shape or color, or is becoming thicker, or “Elevating.” Also, remember that skin color doesn’t give you a free pass. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is; everyone can get skin cancer. In fact, mel-

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

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT:

MENTAL HEALTH MAR. 3, 2018 • 12-4

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February 16-22, 2017

4 February 15-21, 2018

Donate household items and get a tax break for you by testing three tax software programs: H&R Block, TaxAct, and TurboTax. The editors judged TaxAct to be the most favorable to contributors. You can also check out ReStore’s Donation Valuation guide to see a list of typical ReStore items.

Photo from MGNonline

our big cleanup project is almost complete, and you’ve discovered some household items that you just don’t need or want anymore. They’re in decent shape, and you’d hate to throw them away. What do you do now? You could clean, price, and sell them at a garage sale, but that’s a lot of work and garage sales aren’t exactly popular during the winter months. So, why not donate them instead? They’ll

find a new use in someone else’s home, and you’ll get a financial benefit because your donation is tax-deductible. Donate household items by the book Here’s what you need to know about donating gently-used household items for resale: Donate to an organization approved by the IRS. You may not know that you can›t donate household items

to just any resale organization for a tax break. If you want a tax deduction, the organization must be approved by the IRS to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. The agency makes it easy to check with its online list. Charity Navigator is also a great resource. Check valuation tools. If you’re genuinely unsure how to assess the value of an item, don’t guess. Consumer Reports has done the legwork

Set values on the low side Try to view each household item through the filter of a buyer inspecting it at a thrift store. What would he or she be willing to pay? Consider the quality, age, and usefulness of an item, and err on the low side rather than the high side. Hold onto the receipts from your donation. The organization should give you a receipt for your donated items. The receipt should include your name, the organization’s name, the date, and a description of the items you have donated. This receipt alone will suffice if the value of your donation is $500 or less. For donations over $500, you must fill out and attach IRS Form 8283. Retain all documentation, just in case the IRS audits you. Benefits of Choosing ReStore for your Donation You’ll walk away with far more than a receipt when you donate to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Besides the tax deduction,

you’ll also help us keep good, reusable items out of landfills. (In 2016, alone, ReStore kept 960 tons of reusable items out of landfills!) Plus, 100 percent of the proceeds from your donation will help support Habitat’s mission to “eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience.” Last year, revenue from our stores helped sponsor the building of six new Habitat homes! ReStore accepts household items such as appliances, building materials, doors, flooring, furniture, hardware, kitchen cabinets, plumbing products, and windows. Check our website for a complete list of accepted items. You can drop off items at either of our store locations. If you have a large number of items to donate, the ReStore will pick them up for free. We hope you’ll choose ReStore as your preferred donation spot for gently used household items. Our team would love to help put your items to good use. —Information by TC Habitat for Humanity, ReStore

Brighten up your home with solar power: a few starter tips Are you interested in powering your home with solar energy, but don’t know where to begin? The Minnesota Commerce Department offers a few starter tips. Before investing in solar, first, make sure you take advantage of some basic energy-saving home improvements. These include getting an energy audit, sealing air leaks, adding insulation, maintaining or upgrading heating and cooling equipment, and using a programmable thermostat. By improving your home’s energy efficiency, you lower your overall energy demand and thereby reduce the size and cost of the solar system you need. The Commerce Department’s Home Energy Guide, available on the agency’s website (mn.gov/commerce), has many ideas to help you reduce your home’s energy use. Now you’re ready to explore solar. Here are a few steps to follow: • Get educated. Solar power can generate electricity, heat water or help

•

heat your home. Making electricity is the most common solar application in Minnesota, but solar heating applications are increasing too. Find helpful information about solar from the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), Minnesota Commerce Department and the U.S. Department of Energy. Take a class on solar basics. Check community education opportunities. Talk to neighbors and friends who have installed solar. Plan your system. Find out if your location is suitable for solar. The Minnesota Solar App (mn.gov/solarapp) can offer an initial measure of your home’s solar potential, but you will also need an onsite assessment. A third-party resource, such as the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, can provide an independent site assessment. Learn how to pay for it. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org) pro-

•

vides a comprehensive list of solar financial incentives. It includes information on the Federal Residential Renewable Energy (FRRE) Tax Credit; incentive programs, rebates and loans (such as Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Program); and state sales and property tax exemptions. Your solar contractor can also help identify financing options. Get bids. To locate installers near you, checklists from the Clean Energy Project Builders, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) or the Commerce Department’s Solar Business Directory. Get two or three bids and make sure you compare apples to apples. Each bid should specify system type and size, expected energy production, maintenance requirements, warranties and installed cost. Finalize a contract with a professional solar installation company and have your system installed.

•

Maintain your system and keep track of its energy production.

If your home is not suitable for its own solar energy system, consider subscribing to a community solar garden. You get a credit on your utility bill reflecting your subscribed share of the electricity generated at these solar installations. Information provided by Commerce Department’s Energy Information Center. For more information, go to energy.info@state. mn.us or call 800-657-3710.

Hennepin County achieved near-zero Super Bowl waste to landfills A lot of waste is created at large sporting events — about 40 tons of waste was created during a typical football game at U.S. Bank Stadi-

um. The NFL and its partners focused on tackling the problem of waste during the Super Bowl in Minneapolis on Feb 4. The aim was to recy-

cle and compost 90 percent of waste generated during the game and send zero waste to landfills.

! i l e D h Fres

317 E. 38th St., Minneapolis & 2823 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis

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go green!

Made big changes for the big game Just a year ago, only 20 percent of the waste created during games at U.S. Bank Stadium was getting recycled, so it took a lot of work for the big game. Some changes made at the stadium in the past year included having vendors switch to all compostable containers, adding labeled recycling, organics and trash bins, and finding donation opportunities for materials like leftover food and purses that fans aren’t allowed to bring inside. To ensure the Super Bowl zero waste effort was successful, extra staff was positioned throughout the stadium to help fans sort their waste into the correct bins; additional sorting of waste happened on the backend before materials were shipped to recycling and waste management facilities; leftover décor and construction materials were donated to local organizations; and meals that weren’t served were sent to local shelters and food banks. Hennepin County is contributing to the zero waste efforts

THIS MSR GO GREEN! PAGE IS SPONSORED BY:

Super Bowl zero waste – waste can Photo from Hennepin County Green Notes Hennepin County staff and facilities helped to make the effort a success. Some of the organics and recycling collected during the Super Bowl were delivered to Hennepin County’s transfer station in Brooklyn Park, and the leftover trash was burned to create energy at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center in downtown Minneapolis, which enabled the NFL to avoid landfilling waste. Hennepin County staff was a part of a waste work group for the Super Bowl Host Committee and provid-

ed signage to help fans and staff sort waste at Super Bowl Live. Hennepin County Master Recycler/Composter volunteers helped visitors during Super Bowl Live events sort their waste into the right bins, while others helped to deliver extra food from Super Bowl events to local hunger relief agencies. Learn more and do your part. —Information provided by Hennepin County Green Notes

February 15-21, 2018

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

The Super Bowl has ended Through My EyEs

The Minneapolis Story Continues By Ron Edwards Contributing Commentator

Genocide by suicide soMEThing i said By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Commentator What is a more effective means of genocide than fostering suicide? What America committed comes in second to Hitler’s infamous Final Solution, but not by much. Granted, Black men, women and children haven’t been rounded up in cattle cars and shipped to concentration camps, but it was so slick, that there’s no prominent image at which the world can point a damning finger. U.S. hands are perceptibly clean, while there is a popular perception that the crack plague is the Black community’s own problem. In fact, some people reason that crack cocaine is the Black community’s fault since no one placed a gun to anyone’s head and said, ”Do drugs.” Let’s set the record straight. Nationwide, the Black demand for crack cocaine didn’t come until the supply of crack flooded ghettoes across the country. Where would these folk find coke? How could they import it, and then distill it down to ready marketability all on their own? Somebody came up with networking with boats and planes, not to mention the upfront capital necessary to bring cocaine here. Enter new, improved slavery courtesy of Uncle Sam’s very own Central Intelligence Agency that possessed all things needed — starting with money — to establish and sustain drug traffic. This is hardly the first time laws didn’t expediently apply to fouling over Black folk. After all, murder’s illegal, yet how long did America’s history of law enforcement accommodate, indeed, facilitate, lynchings by blithely looking the other way? Here’s how it went. Congress wouldn’t sign off on a campaign to finance and otherwise support Nicaraguan Contras. No problem. To come up with money, the C.I.A. simply sidestepped the law and went into the drug-dealing business as a wholesaler, supplying, making and marketing crack. This is not a reckless, finger-pointing conspiracy theory. Gary Webb, an awardwinning San Jose Mercury News journalist, documented it. He was consequently

hounded out of a job for having the audacity to pull the covers off corruption that everybody knew was right under the government’s nose. Had crack cocaine turned White bread teenagers and young men into thugs, leading dead-end careers as lifelong criminals; had it induced White girls to peddle themselves on street corners, this illegal enterprise would’ve been stopped dead in its tracks. Indeed, it never would have been allowed to get off the ground. But, the Black lives it is destroying are deemed wholly expendable. For that matter, Black lives are expediently disposable, and America gets a twofer. The country invests in running another nation while helping Black people kill themselves. Not a bad deal. As for the nonsensical, knee-jerk “Just Say No” school of thought, the very nature of addiction is that crack cocaine is even more virulently addictive. The C.I.A. knew exactly what kind of powerfully parasitic revenue generating force they were letting loose. Particularly galling, our bright shining Affirmative Action token, Barack Obama, couldn’t help but know about it, yet didn’t do a damned thing. He never said a word. Time after time, he proved himself to be the White folk’s Black president showing no interest at all in issues that spurred leaders like Bobby C. Hall and Maxine Waters to protest this society’s inhumanity toward African Americans. The crack cocaine crisis has been swept under the rug in plain sight and allowed to fester and run rampant. Crack cocaine is a behavioral cancer without so much as hope in hell of a cure. It is a living death sentence to which the United States has ruthlessly condemned a large part of an entire population. Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

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Philadelphia wins in an upset. Super Bowl 52 has come and gone. Minnesota was on the world stage. Men and women sang songs and wrote poetry. What will the records say? Time will tell. Great amounts of money were made. Those who came were able to party, drink and be merry. The City of Minneapolis profited. Media will say that over a million people descended upon our frozen Northland for ten days for merrymaking. We suspect the Super Bowl will now not return to the headwaters of the Mississippi in the state of Minnesota for 30 years. Accountants will analyze the profits from this sporting event seen worldwide. Great American corporations sponsored, invested in and made great profit. The powerful were networking connections. Celebrities were celebrated. The downtown streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul enjoyed a vast number of people and the money they spent. The NFL, that billion-dollar corporation, the exclusive gentlemen’s club of 32 White owners, continued to make money. As a columnist in a Black newspaper, I would like to be writing about how the Black community also enjoyed and profited from the investment in Super Bowl 52 in our stadium. But that would not be true in the real world, only in the wish

world. Once again, with the exception of Louis King, a great Black entrepreneur, the Black communities of Minnesota are on the outside looking in, and not making a dime from this sporting event. For many years, as I have exposed in these columns, we were often promised an economic windfall, but only Mr. King made a profit, corporately and personally on the stadium. How is that? Why does Minnesota continually upset us with shell game promises of expectations and dreams? How is it they promise us to be included in sharing profits and business success when they are clearly false? In the coming months, assessments will be falsely reporting that the Black community in the State of Minnesota profited from Super Bowl 52. It is no different from when the same was promised regarding the construction of the people’s stadium, as false representations were made that a great Black workforce would help to build the people’s stadium, with Black men and women trained in the art of construction, and with Black businesses taking profit from the building of the People’s stadium. These representations proclaiming Black American communities profited and enjoyed the opportunity will not be supported by facts. Once again, the Black community of Minnesota is betrayed by the profit enjoyed by Minnesota and the NFL. There will be “reports” once again that the Black community enjoyed tremendous economic success. Who? How much? In

the tradition of a Shakespearean play, children will sing songs and poets will write poetry about the economic success in the Black community. We know refrains about Black prosperity have always been, are now, and will continue to be false, as we are kept outside the great profit castle. It becomes acceptable fake news and fake history. Why do people, Black and White, stand by and allow the great book on Super Bowl 52 continue to tighten the economic noose around Black Minnesota? The average ticket price was over $5,000. The highest was $100,000. But we were not invited to a seat at the table of this party. No place for us. No chair. Not even a key to the room. We were promised 35 percent of stadium construction jobs, but it was not so. We have asked for proof. No one has yet provided the verified numbers. On that magnificent, glorious Viking stadium’s purple boat, no rides for Black Minnesota. Stay tuned. Ron hosts radio and TV shows. To read his solutions papers, books, and archives, go to www. TheMinneapolisStory.com.

IN RESPONSE TO: In response to “Choice Words” by Juliet Mitchell, Feb. 2, 2018 I believe that we have exploited the right to express ourselves in any way we want. I’ve learned from my sage elders that how we use words lets others know the extent of our vocabulary. —Barbara L. ONeal In response to “Sheila E., The Revolution, and Morris Day and the Time brave cold to salute Prince,” by Jonika Stowes, January 30, 2018 My name is Wanda Frazier, I am an early member of The Sounds of Blackness. Thank you for publishing this story. In my opinion I would like to say, All the great entertainers we have from this city, I do not understand why they had to hire Justin Timberlake for the Super Bowl half time show. I would like to see The Sounds of Blackness, The Steele Singers, Sheila E, Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam, Prince;s band the Revolution, Jay Young, Morris Day, GCU Choir, Andre, Cymone, Mark Brown and many more. We could have rocked the house with them all. We are blessed to have all the visitors, both teams in our city, it;s been a blast. Maybe next year? —Wanda A Frazier My name is Caroline Sayre, and I agree with Wanda. With such great talent, why not showcase it? It would’ve been much more authentic and a true tribute to Prince, who so much deserves it, as do all of the musicians and fans who loved him and supported him in one way or another —Caroline Sayre In response to “Super Bowl Gospel Celebration Featuring… Snoop Dogg?” by Charles Hallman, Feb. 1, 2018 God loves the sinner as much if not more than others. —Rich B In response to “Local event planner scores big with Super Bowl LII” by Charles Hallman Feb. 1, 2018 Natalie has long been a positive energy force in the Twin Cities, and an ambassador for the Black business community here. She deserves all the excellent new opportunities now coming her way. Much continued success, Natalie! —Geoff Jones

Great article. Many of us make better choices once we become parents. Many are children themselves and don’t think about brain development and how much children learn by the age of three. Exposure to profanity, sex, and negative subliminal messages can affect us, as much as the children. So let’s all of us, STAY WOKE! —Joyce Williams In response to “Needed: More Foreign Service diversity” by Charles Hallman, Feb. 2, 2018 I’m a Foreign Service officer and when I started working in this capacity for the State Department in early 2011, there were 89 in my class. I was astounded on the first day when I surveyed the room that there were NO people of color! I thought it was not only wrong but shameful that the ranks did not at all resemble America. A few weeks later, after uncovering horrible stats on the low numbers of people of minorities in the FS, I started reaching out to HR and requesting to start a task force on how to improve opportunities. At every step of the way, I was rebuffed and even received comments from Jeffrey Levine, office director of recruitment and employment to the effect that he was annoyed that I had the idea to work on this issue. When I met with him, he said he would NOT form any task force to look into the matter. I received some encouragement from other areas, but it turned out to be simply lip service and co-opting. So I gave up and went to my overseas assignments in Brazil later that year, then to Saudi Arabia. Now, seven years later, things still seem atrocious in the area of minority recruitment. But now, with all the other morale issues caused by the new administration and Department leadership, this is the least of our worries. Still, I know what should have been and wonder what could have been! —PD Officer on Domestic Assignment

February 15-21, 2018

REVIEW: Underground: A nod to a short-lived television gem Arts No Chaser Dwight Hobbes

Contributing Writer

ooking back on history, there’s an aspect of slavery to celebrate: the legendary underground railroad, which is done justice by short-lived but nonetheless noteworthy television series Underground (Sony DVD). Set on the fictitious Macon plantation in Georgia, this compelling drama is propelled by the cunning courage of seven souls making a desperate 600-mile run for freedom in Philadelphia. Rich characterizations fascinate throughout season one, powerfully driving a story of more than circumstance, immersed in the complex humanity of people relegated to subsistence as livestock, beasts of burden. As well, a telling look at the Whites impacting their lives — blithely arrogant plantation owner, well-off, dogooding abolitionist and, of striking interest, a hard-pressed homesteading slave catcher scratching a living as best he can. It’s all carried off by deft scripting, skilled directing and superb acting. Dynamically gifted April Grace guests in a brief, heart-wrenching turn. Adina Porter (True Blood) recurs in a memorable performance. The stars are brilliant — Mykelti Williamson (Forrest Gump, Heat) and Amirah Vann emerges, effecting a premier appear-

Courtesy of Sony ance; Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: SVU) and Clarke Peters (The Wire) subtly convey an intriguing master-slave relationship. Meloni as the catcher, pragmatically flint hard and holding on to what little land he has, Peters matter of fact, giving him, a guiding, fairly philosophical hand. Alano Miller, constant-

ly conniving for his good first, fellow runaways second, keeps the saga unpredictably on edge. Auspiciously cute child actor-cumaccomplished-artist Journee SmolletBell (Eve’s Bayou, Cosby) brandishes arching range, transitioning from naive, pampered house gal to hard-bit, swamp-wading escapee. His charac-

ter scrambles to survive by strength of grit, wit, and when it comes down to it, literally fighting for her life. It’s a plumb role of which she inarguably makes the most. Opposite her, Aldis Hodge, masterfully conveys the brooding, determined mastermind of the flight to freedom. This is not a feel-good, happily ever after, but creditably executes stark realism: most of the escapees don’t make it. You hurt for them and harbor hope for those who are left, pulling for them to prevail. Regrettably, season two falls short, considerably drained of immediacy by stilted and sluggish, meandering scripts rendered still more inert by pedestrian directing. As well, the producers play fast and loose with the facts, rewriting the death of outlaw Patty Cannon, who hunted slaves and kidnapped the free. She wasn’t murdered by a Black bedmate but died in prison awaiting trial for illegal trafficking. The less said of it on the whole the better, though there is an upside. Like the first season, quite a few actors (along with a world of extras) saw employment and gained hard to come by exposure. This time among them Jasika Nicole passing for White in polite society with another secret life as an armed abolitionist; DeWanda Wise slyly getting out of the field and into the big house by way of the master’s amorous attentions and, tragically, Rana Roy, who accidentally throws her life away. Crossing the Atlantic all the way from London to chase after a self-centered freeman-cum-plantation owner she unwittingly winds up shanghaied into slavery, likely headed for con-

signment to a brothel. A saving grace is the casting of film veteran Bokeem Woodbine and Aisha Hinds. Woodbine (Dead Presidents, Jason’s Lyric) is cast in something of a comeback, refreshingly against type. He plays a hired out stone sculptor and loving husband, nurturing dad blinded for secretly teaching fellow slaves how to read. Aisha Hinds (Star Trek: Into Darkness, The Shield) transcends bit roles in this movie, on that program to enjoy a true showcase. Featured in the recurring role of Harriet Tubman, she is front and center for an entire episode which consists wholly of Hinds delivering a monologue recalling the heroic figure’s origin, reflecting on her life. The projected third season held promise. Anticipated depictions of John Brown, Abe Lincoln, and The Civil War — all as backdrop to men and women breaking themselves and children out of bondage. The captivating creative excellence and sterling artistry of season one might’ve returned, pulling off a truly powerhouse event. All told, season one of Underground, powerful, painful, and ultimately uplifting, is a strong tribute to a historic life in African America. Find season one and two of Underground on Netflix or order your own copies at Amazon. Dwight Hobbes welcomes reader responses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Sister Spokesman stresses the importance of self-love If you missed Sister Spokesman’s “Love Thyself” event on Feb. 3, you missed an afternoon of uplifting discussion centered on self-love and care. Panelists Nicole Pillow, Marquis Armstrong and Nancy Ellis offered poignant information about the importance of loving yourself, sharing personal lessons learned and tips that attendees could take with them and utilize in their daily lives. Find video and photo highlights on MSRNewsOnline.com. Next up: Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health at Hallie Q. Brown Center in St. Paul on March 3. Visit Facebook/ SisterSpokesman to RSVP!

OF SUCH I DREAM

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OF SUCH I DREAM

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February 15-21, 2018

Elder perseveres through creativity and crafts By Judith Hence Contributing Writer

Black America recounts how far it’s come, there is pride in culture and in accomplishments. One can see how the contributions and sacrifices of America’s Black seniors are woven throughout every part of the country’s history. Black History Month formalizes that recognition. The MSR recently sat down with senior Arie Gipson in her home in North Minneapolis. Gipson, born in Addison, Indiana, was raised in Minneapolis and attended several schools on the city’s North and South Sides. “I bounced around a bit,” recalled Gipson as she reflected on the good times and sad times in her life.

“You talking about one man’s junk is another man’s treasure? Everything I got came out of thrift stores!” said Gipson. She confessed that when she is buying for someone else she goes to Macy’s or J.C. Penney’s, but when she’s buying for herself, “I go straight to the junk shops.” The tone of the conversation changes as she speaks about her four children and her 34-year-old son who, in 2004, was shot and killed in North Minneapolis. The early morning phone call she received did not begin by informing her that her son had been killed. “It was two o’clock in the morning! The first call I got [about her pending heartbreak] was asking for his organs. He was an organ donor.” Her son’s case is still open. To this

”You talking about one man’s junk is another man’s treasure? Everything I got came out of thrift stores.” One of the good memories was time spent with her mother rifling through second-hand stores to browse or look for things they could repurpose. “I love thrift stores,” said Gipson. She still makes those visits when possible, although she moves a little slower with a walker, the results of an overdose of medication. One might say Gipson was recycling long before it was a social trend.

SOE Continued from page 10

day, she waits for a coroner’s report that won’t be released until the case is solved. She doesn’t know what happened. “He just gone.” Gipson is still coping with her son’s untimely death, but cannot accept that piece of the puzzle still missing: Why did he die? “Whatever he did wasn’t nothing the rest of them wasn’t doing in that group [that he hung around].”

Basketball and working out occupy most of my time. But outside of that, hanging with friends and family and my dogs.

During our visit, Gipson invited the MSR to see some of the things she’s made: The first item is a little red and yellow stuffed teddy bear sitting in a wooden chair, high atop a cabinet. She also showed us her legwarmers made from coat sleeves; a bathroom night light; a wall hanging; a stuffed baby doll made from a newborn onesie; an arrangement of dried flowers in a vase; and a beach bag made from a skirt. Each piece comes with a little story about how she came by the materials and how she assembled it. Gipson shared her opinion about society’s changes, stating Martin Luther King, Jr. would roll over in his grave if he knew how things were today. “They’re not treating each other with love or care no more. It makes you want to cry,” she lamented. She recalled an incident when she was boarding a city bus using her walker. She asked a young woman to please move her foot, as it was blocking the aisle. A fellow passenger repeated Gipson’s request, but the young woman cursed and said, “I don’t care about that old woman — she better not hurt my feet!” Gipson said there are cliques, even in church. “You say hello to them, and they look at you like you’ve lost your mind.” She wants African Americans to do less blaming and more work on self-awareness. As MSR concluded the interview, Gipson says in passing, “Did you know I was in the military? I was a

Chonquita ”CJ” Eckhardt (Maiden – Jones) Sport(s): Rowing and Softball Years: Rowing (‘07); Softball

3) Please share your favorite university or athletic event you’ve attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you. The most special moment for me after graduating was going back to watch the women’s basketball team take on top-ranked Maryland and have the privilege of getting my jersey retired!

5) What does Black History Month mean to you? Black History Month means a lot to me because it’s a time to shine even more light on those who were strong, brave, and paved a way for all of us to live a more comfortable life. 6) What occupies your time now? Chonquita ”CJ” Eckhardt

Judith Hence welcomes reader responses at jhence@spokesman-recorder. com

Month mean to you? Pride, fulfillment, growth, magic and beauty are a few words that describe Black History Month for me. There is still so much to learn about our Black History. This month also represents resilience. We should continue to navigate how we want our history. We should hope to continue pushing for a better society for ourselves and the people around us. It takes a village and I am proud of our village.

3) Please share your favorite university or athletic event you’ve attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you. The first Homecoming after graduation was special to me. It reminded me of how amazing the university’s community was for me. There is so much Gopher pride. I felt it when I was a student and feel it just the same after graduation. I am proud of the culture and love taking part in the experience.

6) What occupies your time now? Currently, I spend most of my time educating young people on their academic options, helping young students navigate the big world of high school and college experiences. I am also an avid CrossFit participant, so that is a ton of fun. More than anything else, enjoying my life here in Minnesota with my amazing partner, Amanda.

4) What are you grateful for? Being in education, I always share how impactful being a student-athlete is for your development. I am grateful to have met so many different people. I am grateful for the community I still have after graduation. I am grateful for the skills I built in my time at Minnesota. I am better off with time-management skills, interpersonal relationships, and life-long networks from my time at Minnesota. 5) What does Black History

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— more than her share of personal hardships, but she remains committed to enjoying life and sharing her story with others.

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(‘08-10) Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Occupation: Associate Director of Admissions at the Blake School

2) If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be? My advice would be to take advantage of all your resources. There is plenty of support to help navigate your journey. Go say “hi” to your academic advisors. Use the study halls to organize your academic responsibilities. It feels that much easier when you lean on the people there to assist your progress.

4) What are you grateful for? I am grateful for God, family, friends and good health.

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cook in the Army National Guard, 94 Bravo, Fort Dix, New Jersey.” She reels off each detail of her position in the service, and, “I was the best field cook they ever had.” Gipson’s story is Black America’s story. She is a veteran; she has struggled through — and survived

1) What is it you honestly miss most about the university? I miss being a part of such a tight-knit group. My teammates were my family away from home. We had so much fun in practice, games, traveling, and we learned a lot from each other. I miss the pride and passion we all shared for a common goal. Being a student-athlete can be magical.

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February 15-21, 2018

Penumbra Continued from page 1

Part of my job is to pass [skills and talent] on to them. Teach by example. You have to go to where they are. It’s been a joy to see them come alive. Once they own [their performance], it’s something nobody can take away from them.”

solo show channeling the magic of Nat “King” Cole’s I Wish You Love. The characteristic, he says, is a family trait. My grandmother taught me…what comes from the heart goes to the heart.” It is a trait that readily translates to doing the role. “In this group of friends, [Tin Man] helps protect Dorothy on their journey,” he continues. “He’s real. That’s what I love about him.”

“There are eight students in this project. Once they own their performance, it’s something nobody can take away from them.” There couldn’t be a more natural fit for the Tin Man than Dennis Spears. Just as the character no longer looks for a heart, that quality veritably radiates from Spears on-stage and, of course, while chatting over a conference table at CTC. Spears is unassuming with a warm, welcoming disposition. His heart clearly is the winning quality along with, naturally, his velvet voice, which more than a trademark is a suave persona that has endeared him to fans of the jazz ensemble Moore By Four. The Minnesota Music Hall of Famer has delighted audiences in Get Ready, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, Two Trains Running (Penumbra Theater), and his Ivey Award-winning

DisobeDienCe Continued from page 1

So, you have Spears and Rambo, along with company mainstay Greta Oglesby (Aunt Em/Evillene) and Aimee K. Bryant (Addaperle). The cast is rounded out with Grammy Award-winner Jamecia Bennett (Glinda), American Idol’s Paris Bennett (Dorothy), and Rudolph Searles III (Lion). This takes nothing away from the Children’s Theatre Company whose artistic director, in fact, put unprecedented teeth in CTC’s espoused mission to reflect and further confirm cultural diversity when he stepped on board 20 years past. Brosius, knowing where to get the goods, simply went and got them. He has to be pleased to see CTC’s performing apprentice, Dwight Leslie (Scarecrow), learn the ropes from top-flight veterans. For good measure, the music direction is by Sanford Moore, whose credits include Dinah Was (Penumbra Theatre), Nina Simone: Four Women (Park Square Theatre), Two Queens, One Castle (Mixed Blood Theatre) and, of course, leading Moore By Four. Predicting that this collaboration of companies will produce a hit production hardly requires a crystal ball. It will be interesting to see what future fare they put on the boards.

To all intent and purpose, this is Penumbra at CTC. In addition to Spears, there is arguably the brightest star in the Twin Cities constellation, T. Mychael Rambo (The Wiz), of whom Harris says, “He’s wonderful to work with [and] does his homework; I’m grateful for that.” Rambo, years back, leading the Penumbra cast of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, prompted this reviewer to remark that his dancing virtually repealed the law of gravity. “I love him as an artist,” Harris says. “When you’re a professional, you make it look easy.” The regional Emmy Award-winner has made it look easy Dwight Hobbes welcomes readers’ rein a host of hit productions, not the least being Amber Waves (CTC), Two Trains sponses to P.O. Box 50357, Minneapolis, Running and Crowns (Guthrie Theater). MN 55403.

politan Community Church, stressed, “It is about a real grassroots effort. The Poor People’s Campaign really needs to be led by the very people who are impacted — the very people who are poor. They should be the leaders,” he said. “We want [the lawmakers] to work on addressing… poverty by looking at our resources,” Davis pointed out. “Look [at] how much resources we targeted to the Super Bowl. This is an issue on where you put your resources. We never seem to be short on resources to do something like supporting the Super Bowl.” “We know what the [legislative agenda] should be. We want to talk about addressing poverty as opposed to addressing the poor,” Davis continued. “Even when they talk about poverty, they oftentimes end up unintentionally or intentionally criminalizing or racializing poverty, or trying to change the behavior of the poor.” Barber, Theoharis and others pledge a “massive wave of nonviolent civil disobedience” around the country between now and May to call attention to the nation’s poverty problem. Davis told the MSR that the Minnesota delegation made a similar pledge last week for “a sustained massive effort at the State Capitol” in St. Paul. “There will be some surprises,” he promised. “Forty days of civil disobedience — I’m not sure how that will look,” said Boyd. Davis wants local and statewide organizations and groups already working for change to join the Minnesota Poor People’s Campaign. “We are about getting all the organizations, activists and clergy working on this issue to come together” in this effort.

percent of Hennepin County residents and 17 percent of Ramsey County residents live in poverty. “Poverty has no bias. Everyone is affected by poverty, maybe not directly, but everyone knows someone,” said D’Narius Lewis, an activist with the Minnesota 15 Now campaign. His organization, which is advocating for a $15-an-hour minimum wage in St. Paul, is one of many groups that the Minnesota Poor People’s Campaign seeks to enlist, noted Minnesota Co-Chair DeWayne Davis. Lewis and Davis were among those who delivered their letter to state lawmakers at the State Capitol last week. “We demand a change in course,” the letter reads. “Our political discourse consistently ignores the 140 million poor and low-income people in America.” The MSR contacted several of the participants in person or by phone. Mary Kay Boyd and Rob Eller-Issacs are both involved in this year’s Poor People’s Campaign. They participated in the 1968 campaign as well. “When I got the call [I said] of course, I’ll come,” admitted Boyd, a veteran St. Paul education and human services professional. This year’s campaign fits with the work she and others are currently doing to help eradicate poverty and other disparities locally and nationally, she stressed. Eller-Issacs, co-pastor of Unity Unitarian Church and the Minnesota campaign co-chair, added, “We can no longer live with disparities.” He said that the Black Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ Lives Matter movement, among similar protest efforts, is spokesman-recorder.com a present-day example for “the old-line liberal church… to follow young people of color in [using] new ways to solve old problems.” Davis, the senior pastor of All God’s Children Metro-

north Continued from page 1

all the extraordinary things in terms of music, but Lewis also ran track for North and set all kinds of state records. These are two individuals I know as two good people. “[When] KMOJ needed help, they stepped up,” Champion said. “When North High School needed to make sure they [students] understand their history, they made sure Mahmud El Kati was in these doors. “They took a chance on me, a young kid from the North Side, out of five kids, who was the first to go to college and law school. They let me work at Flyte Time for them, and every day I worked there I was happy because I represented my family, community and North High School.” Harris and Lewis took the stage to a standing ovation. “First of all, I want to say what an honor it is to be in Minneapolis again,” said Harris. “I was born and raised here. I was born on the South Side, but I was raised on the North Side.” “Terry and I met 45 years ago,” said Harris. “We first wanted to become teachers in the subject of math. We met in Upward Bound [a federally funded education program]. Without education bringing us together, there would be no Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.” Harris stressed the importance of education and pursuing your passion. “Where we are standing from where you

are sitting seems like the Grand Canyon, like it’s a really long way. We are proof that it’s not. It’s really about loving what you do and having the opportunity to do it. “One of the reasons we are here today is to give you guys [North High students] the opportunity to do what you want to do. From the basements of all of our houses over here to the crazy winters, [the music] became the most important thing. North Side made that happen for us.” Harris mentioned Bruno Mars, humbly paying respect to him during the Grammys. “Mars not only has respect for what [I and Lewis do], but he has a deep respect for Minneapolis, as does Janet Jackson. We wear the pride of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota anywhere we go around the world.” Harris, an only child, said Lewis was and still is like an older brother to him. Lewis advised him to start playing the keyboard while playing drums and influenced Harris to play in the band. “I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for this brother. The biggest thing he taught me was it’s not about you, it’s about what you do.” Lewis happily stated, “I used to run these halls, sit in these chairs, practice athletics just like you all. Make sure you continue to be active. “North Side taught me one thing was honor. You had to be accountable for everything you did, because somebody’s mother and father would always knock you upside the head, so there was no slacking off, and you didn’t get away

with anything.” Lewis said he stayed busy to perfect his craft despite the distractions. “It taught me to be competitive as well, hanging at the community center. We played sports and music. It protected us from the other harms in the community, and I hope you all aren’t running that way.” He encouraged the students to know their value. “You are invaluable. There’s not a number or limit you can put on it, and you just have to do the work. I’ve never done music for money, just the passion.” Harris and Lewis held a Q&A session. Little did Harris know he would be reunited with a family member, North High junior Shequila Harris-Anderson, who asked Harris who taught him to play the keyboard. Harris replied he’d learned from his father, James “Cornbread” Harris. “My father is a keyboard player, so there were always keyboards around the house,” adding how he and Prince took music lessons at Bryant Junior High. Harris-Anderson followed with, “Your grandpa’s name is James...but that’s my great grandpa, and you’re my great uncle.” The audience applauded as she went up on the stage and gave Harris a welcoming hug. Said Frey, “They are an inspiration for Minneapolis youth and students. They have represented us with class and distinction.” Ivan B. Phifer welcomes reader responses to ivan.b.phifer@gmail.com.

CounCil Continued from page 1

Pathway to politics When Cunningham got to Minneapolis, he knew he wanted to have a more prominent voice in decisions made at the City level but didn’t know how to get started. So, he went to the Trans Equity Summit where he met the founder, Andrea Jenkins, got introduced to council policy aides and met other local politicians. Through those connections and his youth work in Chicago, he was appointed to the Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee by former mayor Betsy Hodges, who later hired him as her senior policy aid for education and youth success. “The youth work is what got me into policy, but it’s North Minneapolis that got me into politics,” Cunningham said. Working for Hodges gave Cunningham “a look behind the institutional curtain,” and he didn’t like what he saw. He didn’t see anyone at the City level jumping up and fighting for the North Side. Cunningham views the current progressive movement as an extension of the Civil Rights Movement. Instead of fighting just for equality, he is also pushing for racial equity. During his time working for Hodges, he did not see an equity lens; in fact, he said he saw hostility towards equity. City council race At first, Cunningham was hesitant to run for office. As a self-proclaimed “policy wonk,” he wasn’t thrilled about the idea of getting into politics. However, he knew he couldn’t wait four more years until the next election cycle. “I felt like I was ready to step up in the movement to begin driving a deeper conversation,” Cunningham said. Although Cunningham thinks local media overlooked his race, it was one of the more interesting races in the last round of city council elections. The reason: Cunningham was going up against a family dynasty and the longest-serving city council president, Barb Johnson, who has represented the fourth ward for the last 20 years. “Nobody talks about the fact I unseated a city council member. Nobody talks about the fact I unseated a 50-year family dynasty,” Cunningham said.

unhappy with what she was reporting she had accomplished.” Racism and transphobia Other than battling incumbent Johnson, the biggest challenge Cunningham faced was the validation of his identity. As a trans man, people thought “he didn’t really count as a man,” in his words. “Being trans is a huge part of my identity. People look at me and just see a gay man. They don’t see all the layers of me.” For the first 23 years of his life, Cunningham identified as a Black woman. “I am proud of those 23 years. Those 23 years make me the Black man I am now. I don’t want those to ever be erased,” he said. “Being trans is a huge part of my identity.” Racism is something Cunningham has dealt with from a young age, from being called the n-word at age five, to teachers in high school assuming he would drop out because he was Black. But through all that, he has had the unique experience of seeing racism first through the lens of a Black woman and, now, as a Black man. After Cunningham transitioned, he noticed that the racism became more overt. “As a Black man, now all of a sudden White men became physically aggressive toward me.” “Racism as a Black woman was centered through sexism and violence. It was like White men in my lifetime felt they had automatic access to my body, and so I was treated as an exotic treat rather than a human,” Cunningham said. “As a Black man, it was a brand-new experience of racism… There were overlaps, but I can’t say it was better or worse because they both suck.” While he still believes that he would be in the same type of leadership role as a Black woman, Cunningham said that male privilege has made him feel more like a leader. “My voice has more oomph… I can take up more space.” Ultimately, Cunningham said he thinks he gets taken more seriously as a man. Plans for the ward “Community wealth” was a big part of Cunningham’s campaign. In his own words, that means building the wealth of the people who already call the North Side home. But wealth to Cunningham isn’t just monetary; it’s holistic prosperity. “It’s clean air to breathe, green space to

“Being trans is a huge part of my identity. People look at me and just see a gay man. They don’t see all the layers of me.” His victory is viewed as the most significant upset in local city council history, and it was not a cake walk. “My race was hard. I fought and worked so hard, and no one talks about that. No one thought I was going to win,” Cunningham said. The lack of equity lens that Cunningham saw as an incumbent was a big reason he ran for city council. “The story of North Minneapolis that was being told on the dais was one of a never-ending war hellscape, and I know better than that, and the people of Northside knew better than that,” Cunningham said. Also, when working for Mayor Hodges Cunningham didn’t see anyone acting as a champion for the Northside. “I didn’t see someone who was hustling. I didn’t see anybody who was being innovative to think out of the box.” There is a narrative floating around, Cunningham said, that much of his success in the election was because of Bernie Sanders supporters and outside help. He said that narrative is false. “I had to build my base from the grassroots up… All my people, all my supporters, almost all my volunteers came [from] within the ward.” However, in the last few weeks of his campaign, while he was under attack from Minneapolis Works!, a political action committee founded by the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, he received outside help from TransUnited Fund, a group committed to building the political power of trans and gender-expansive communities. They even went into debt for Cunningham to make sure he had the resources he needed to win the election. Cunningham ended up beating Johnson by 175 votes, according to Ballotpedia. org The fact that the Northside voted Cunningham in over such a strong incumbent shows that the North Side is ready for a change. “They were hungry for a vision, hungry for energy, hungry for new ideas,” Cunningham said. “I’ve got mad respect for Barb Johnson, don’t get it twisted,” Cunningham said, but it was clear to him that people “were

hang out at, knowing where you’re going to fall asleep every night, having access to fresh food, letting your kids be able to go to the park.” More specifically, community wealth breaks down into different policy sectors, Cunningham said, ranging from housing to environmental justice. In the fourth ward, there are problems centered around gun violence and police brutality, but Cunningham knows that more police is not the answer. When it comes to public safety strategies, he believes prevention, intervention, and reentry are the three biggest components. “I’m looking at public safety from a comprehensive approach, because history, our current reality, the data, all show that traditional policing does not inherently make communities safer.” As a member of the Public Safety Committee, he plans to ask questions and hold police accountable as well as Mayor Jacob Frey about how he governs the police department. Cunningham plans to make sure that rent increases won’t displace the people who already call the North Side home. He said he believes housing to be a human right and wants to make sure people have access to affordable housing. Whether it’s through community land trusts, more homeownership opportunities, or redefining affordable housing altogether, he plans to make it a priority. Equity and asset building with a focus on small businesses is also on Cunningham’s to-do list. He wants to make it easier for people to start businesses on the North Side and to make sure existing businesses can stay there. “My job is to create an environment in which those business owners can thrive.” Keith Schubert welcomes reader responses to keithsch94@gmail.com.

February 15-21, 2018

Legals STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN WITHOUT REAL ESTATE

CASE TYPE: DISSOLUTION WITHOUT CHILDREN DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL COURT CASE NO: 27-FA-18-53

ORDER FOR SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS In Re the Marriage of: LaConya Lewis, Petitioner and William Thomas Lewis, Sr. 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 does not involve real property. 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. Date: 01/03/2018 Signed: LaConya Lewis MN Spokesman-Recorder, February 15 & 22, and March 1, 2018

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN WITHOUT REAL ESTATE

CASE TYPE: DISSOLUTION WITHOUT CHILDREN DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL COURT CASE NO: 27-FA-18-848

ORDER FOR SERVICE BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS In Re the Marriage of: Peter Keosya, f/k/a Petr Georgieyevich Keosya, Petitioner and Larissa Nikolyevna Desna, 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 7068 Springhill Circle in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota, with the following legal description Lot 8, Block z, Edenvale 10th addition. 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. Date: 02/08/2018 Signed: Peter Keosya MN Spokesman-Recorder, February 15 & 22, and March 1, 2018

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN Youavang Pachao, Plaintiff, vs. Prince Webber and Latiquwa Johnson, Defendants.

SUMMONS

CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO: Prince Webber and Latiquwa Johnson. 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff’s Complaint against you [is attached to this summons] [is on file in the office of the court administrator of the above-named court].* 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: Swor & Gatto, P.A. 345 St. Peter Street, Suite 1280 St. Paul, MN 55102 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: 10/26/2017 Signed By: Swor & Gatto, P.A. Marcus P. Gatto (#0391160) ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF Landmark Towers 345 St. Peter Street, Suite 1280 St. Paul, MN 55102 651-454-3600 MN Spokesman-Recorder, February 1, 8 & 15, 2018

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN Youavang Pachao, Plaintiff, vs. Prince Webber and Latiquwa Johnson, Defendants.

CASE TYPE: PERSONAL INJURY DISTRICT COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COMPLAINT

PLAINTIFF, for her claim against the defendants, states and alleges as follows: 1). On April 15, 2017, plaintiff Youavang Pachao was driving her motor vehicle southbound on Penn Avenue at its intersection with Broadway Avenue in the city of Minneapolis, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota. Defendant Prince Webber was operating a vehicle owned by defendant Latiqwa Johnson with defendant Latiqwa Johnson’s permission and consent, westbound on Broadway Avenue at its intersection with Penn Avenue. At said time and place, as a result of the carelessness and negligence of the defendants, and each of them, jointly and severally, the vehicle operated by the plaintiff was struck by the vehicle negligently operated by Prince Webber and owned by defendant Latiqwa Johnson. 2). As a result of the crash and the carelessness and negligence of the defendants, and each of them, jointly and severally, the plaintiff sustained permanent injuries, satisfying the thresholds set forthe at Minn. Stat. 65B.51, Subd.3; as a result, she has in the past and will in the future incur medical and hospital expenses for the treatment of her injuries; as a result, she has in the past and will in the future suffer physical and metal pain; as a result, plaintiff Youavang Pachao has been damaged and injured in an amount in excelss of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00). Wherefore, plaintiff prays for judgment against the defendants, and each of them, jointly and severally, in an amount in excess of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00), together with interest, costs and disbursements incurred herein. Dated: 10/26/2017 Signed By: Swor & Gatto, P.A. Marcus P. Gatto ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF Attorney license #0391160 Landmark Towers 345 St. Peter Street, Suite 1280 St. Paul, MN 55102 651-454-3600 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT UNDER SECTION 549.211 The undersigned hereby acknowledges that I am familiar with the terms of Minn. Stat. 549.211, and that sanctions may be imposed pursuant to Subd. 3 in the event a party or an attorney acts in bad faith; asserts aclaim or a defense that is frivolous and that is costly to the other parties; asserts an unfounded position solely to delay the order and course of the proceedings or to harass; or commits fraud upon the court. Signed By: Marcus P. Gatto (#0391160) MN Spokesman-Recorder, February 1, 8 & 15, 2018

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 The Law Offices of Josh Johnson 310 4th Ave South Ste 7000 Minneapolis MN 55415 USA 310 4th Ave South Ste 7000 Minneapolis MN 55415 USA

ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: NAMEHOLDER: Joshua P Johnson

In whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be 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: Joshua P Johnson, Attorney/Sole Proprietor EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: megan@joshjohnsonlaw.com DATED: 1/16/2018 11:59 PM Minnesota Spokesman Recorder February 15 & 22, 2018

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: NAMEHOLDER: James Lipon, D.D.S., P.A.

Minnesota Dental Anesthesia 225 South Sixth Street Suite 3500 Minneapolis MN 55402 USA 225 South Sixth Street Suite 3500 Minneapolis MN 55402 USA

In whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be 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: James Lipon EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: lipon001@umn.edu DATED: 1/26/2018 11:59 PM Minnesota Spokesman Recorder February 8 & 15, 2018

State of Minnesota Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 ASSUMED NAME: PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: NAMEHOLDER: James Lipon, D.D.S., P.A.

Minnesota Anesthesia for Dentistry 225 South Sixth Street Suite 3500 Minneapolis MN 55402 USA 225 South Sixth Street Suite 3500 Minneapolis MN 55402 USA

In whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be 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: James Lipon EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: lipon001@umn.edu DATED: 1/26/2018 11:59 PM Minnesota Spokesman Recorder February 8 & 15, 2018

Employment Accountant

Saint Paul Federation of Teachers is seeking a part-time (0.6 FTE) Accountant, Class I, benefit eligible position in the OPEIU Local 12 bargaining unit. Preferred workdays are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a resume and cover letter explaining why you are interested in working for SPFT to Leah Lindeman at leah@spft.org by 5p.m., Monday, February 19, 2018. For more detailed information, visit our website at: https:// spft.org/job-posting-accountant-position/ SPFT is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified applicants regardless of gender identification, race, ethnicity, or religion.

Principal IT Technologist (SAP Basis) Principal IT Technologist (SAP Basis) for Medtronic at its facility located in Mounds View, MN. Analyze business, engineering, and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems. Multiple positions available. Must be willing to work evening shift. Requires a Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science or Engineering. Requires five (5) years post bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: SAP Basis environment; SAP Basis Administration and SAP system implementations including; SAP ERP, SCM, BW, PI, CRM, MDM, NWDI and SLD; SAP Portal, SAP SCM, SAP NWDI, SAP MDM and SAP MII; Administering SAP systems running on IBM AIX & DB2 and RHEL & Oracle; Working with SAP administrative tools, SAP system related issue troubleshooting and performance tuning; Supporting production operations, maintenance, and SAP implementation of SAP NetWeaver ABAP and JAVA systems. Experience must also include two (2) years post bachelors progressive experience administering BW 7.1 system. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.17000OVN. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

From Classified Department/MNDirector of Finance Spokesman-Recorder The Minneapolis Urban League is seeking an experienced PHONE: Director of612-827-4021 Finance to join the team. This is an extraordinary FOR BILLING opportunity for a mature leader with seven to ten years of INQUIRIES accounting and finance experience, ideally beginning in ac& TEARSHEETS counting and audit, followed by experience in gathering, evalPLEASE CONTACT uating, presenting and reporting financial information to exACCOUNTING DEPT ecutive teams and external stakeholders. The idea candidate will have experience in a complex nonprofit that has multiCOMPLAINT ple programs. This is a part-time (25-30) hours a week posiPERSONAL INJURY tion. Please send cover letter and resume to careers@mul.org SUMMONS or send to 2100 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 3 WEEK RUN Human Resource Department. Competitive 55411 Attention: FLAT RATE $200.00 PREPAID benefits and salary offered.

View Continued from page 10 we talked with legislators about changing laws. There was a need for us to protest and make our voices heard.” Both players are part of the NFL’s Let’s Listen Together, a new initiative to further engagement efforts among players, owners, law enforcement and civic groups

to improve communities around the country. Jenkins met with a Pennsylvania police chief and discussed police-community relations, and McCourty and other Patriots players met with community folk and elected officials at Harvard to discuss systemic racism in education and criminal justice. Jenkins and McCourty both said they believe the protests helped educate both the league

Fellowship Attorney Funded by Robins Kaplan Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details go to : www.mylegalaid.org/jobs.

Notice of U.S. Magistrate Judge Vacancy The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of one fulltime United States Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The current salary of the fulltime position is $191,360 per year and the position will be located in Minneapolis or St. Paul. The term of office for a full-time magistrate judge is eight years; incumbents may be reappointed to successive terms. The full public notice, application instructions, and application form are available on the Court’s website at www. mnd.uscourts.gov. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 9, 2018.

Fitz Continued from page 10

After 14 seasons at age 34, Fitzgerald is third all-time in receptions (1,234) and yards receiving (15,545), and he is eighth in touchdown receptions with 110. Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday 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@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

and fans on social justice issues. “The league can play a real role in changing this country,” Jenkins said. Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

June 8-14, 2017

February 15-21, 2018

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. wins AT&T-Pro Am

xperience is a wonderful thing. I’m a strong believer in that and how preparation meets opportunity. Larry Fitzgerald Jr. one week after covering Super Bowl LII in his hometown teamed up with PGA Tour Pro Kevin Streelman to win the prestigious AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am by seven shots at -41. The AT&T is one of the most famous and recognized PGA tournaments in the world of golf. Since 1937 they have been playing golf on the banks of the Pacific Ocean on this scenic, breathtaking location. Once called the Bing Crosby, named after the legendary entertainer, this tournament’s history speaks for itself. Last year Fitzgerald and Streelman were close — they finished second. But as the Philadelphia Eagles’ 41-33 win avenged a previous Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, Streelman and Fitzgerald dominated the field this time around. Fitzgerald is the first Black man to win this tournament, and he’s just the third NFL player ever to win it since John Brodie and Dan Marino in 1988 some 30 years ago. Fitzgerald is just the seventh pro athlete to capture the AT&T. I remember years ago when he was a child taking Larry Jr. to Hiawatha Golf Course when I was trying to practice chipping and putting between jobs. In 1999 the great Tiger Woods had his Tiger Woods Foundation Clinic at Hi-

awatha Golf Course, and I made certain that my two sons Marcus and Larry were there, where they learned a lot. I have long believed that teaching children how to dream and exposing them to greatness has its rewards. Woods has won 14 majors, and one of those Majors was the 2005 United States Open at Pebble Beach. Woods won by a record 15 shots that summer. Playing in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, where golf is 365 days a year in the Grand Canyon state, the golf bug has bitten Larry Jr. the last five to seven years, and he’s now obviously a pretty good player. Fitzgerald will decide soon if he will continue his NFL career. ■ See Fitz on page 9

NFL player protests still hotly debated

he just-completed 2017 NFL season crowned a new champion after a season where player protests over the country’s racial inequities and injustices, by either charles taking a knee or raising a allMan h closed fist in the air during the national anthem, took place as well. A January 30 panel discussion during Super Bowl week at the University of Minnesota asked if the NFL players rightly exercised their constitutional rights or violated their player conduct contracts by protesting. The answer came by way of three different perspectives at the school’s Andersen Library — from a Black veteran, a White sociologist and a White conservative. Minnesota’s Humphrey School Professor Larry Jacobs moderated “Betrayal or a Right? The NFL National Anthem Protests,” which focused on the “fiery cultural debate” that took place all season long. That debate included the current White House occupant who sent out at least two dozen anti-player protest tweets, noted the professor and Center for the Study of Politics and Governance director. Panelist Frank White served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam years. The St. Paul native told the mostly White audience that he fully supported Colin Kaepernick’s pre-game protest at a 2016 NFL preseason contest that sparked further protests, outrage and criticism and eventually led to his apparent banishment from the league as a result.

ANOTHER

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Anthem protest panel members (l-r) Scott Johnson, Doug Hartmann,Frank White, Larry Jacobs

Devin McCourty disrespecting the flag.” Scott Johnson, a Minneapolis attorney and blogger, argued that the players have the right to protest but not during the anthem. “The national anthem is a time-honored [ritual],” Johnson told the audience. “I wish it would be kept that way.” Johnson told me later, “I support their right to say what they have to say. I just think the na-

“There was a need for us to protest and make our voices heard.” Larry Fitzgerald Jr. with Pebble Beach Pro Am trophy Photo by Larry Fitzgerald Sr.

“He did this at a personal sacrifice,” said White. “How many people in this country would stand up for something you believe in at the sake of losing your job? It wasn’t about

tional anthem is not the way to say it.” Doug Hartmann, the U of M sociology department chair and author of a 2003 book, Race, Culture, and the Revolt of the Black Athlete,

Celebrating Black Gopher student-athletes Sports odds and ends

Tommy Watson In recognition of Black History Month this year, the University of Minnesota is “Celebrating Those Who Made Us Great” by interviewing (via surveys) former Black student-athletes. In this month’s “Sports Odds and Ends” we will publish as many of these interviews as space allows. This week: Tommy Watson, Rachel Banham, Chonquita Jones-Echhardt Tommy Watson Sport(s): Football Years: 1992-97 Hometown: Denver, Colo. Occupation: Speaker and Author 1) What is it you honestly miss most about the university? The support. I came to U of M needing lots of support beyond football. I arrived on campus to play football while homeless, with my mother and father in prison, my grandmother (who was my last legal guardian) in a nursing home suffering from Alzheimer’s, my younger brother in prison, my older brother involved with gangs, my oldest sister a crack addict, my second-oldest sister in foster care in Iowa, my youngest sister living with my aunt. Between my junior and senior years of high school, I lived in five different locations and spent the last six months of my senior year of high

Malcolm Jenkins Photos by Charles Hallman

school homeless. The University of Minnesota did a fantastic job of providing me with the resources that I needed to survive and thrive as a studentathlete. The university played a vital role in helping me become Dr. Tommy Watson! 2) If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be? Get that degree! Maximize your time and build solid relationships. Everywhere I travel today, I run into my former teammates and alumni. It was one of my teammates who recruited me to live in Charlotte, N.C., where we have five other teammates also living. We get together on a regular basis, hang out and support each other’s families and activities. These relationships all started at the University of Minnesota 20-plus years ago. 3) Please share your favorite university or athletic event you’ve attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you. I have been back to speak to athletes and serve as a mentor. However, one of the most memorable moments occurred when I returned for the opening of TCF Bank Stadium. It was amazing sharing the experience with my former teammates and legends that played and coached at the university many years earlier.

4) What are you grateful for? I am forever grateful for being a graduate of the University of Minnesota and maintaining a relationship with the school. When I was a principal in the Twin Cities, I established a partnership with the university to have student-athletes come to my school monthly to mentor my students. My students loved it and loved the University of Minnesota. In fact, our school song was a modified version of the University of Minnesota’s fight song. I have a number of my former students attending the University of Minnesota today. 5) What does Black History Month mean to you? Resilience! It’s the honoring of a group of people that has had nearly every obstacle imaginable placed on us and before us to keep us down and hold us back. Despite the obstacles and odds, we have been able to bounce back and thrive — and here we still stand today! 6) What occupies your time now? Today, I travel the nation inspiring individuals and organi-

zations to turn transitions into success as a speaker, author, executive coach and a consultant. The essential part of my message to audiences is sharing how the University of Minnesota helped me go from homeless to doctor. Rachel Banham (Maiden) Sport(s): Women’s Basketball Years: 2011-16 Hometown: Lakeville, Minn. Occupation: Professional Basketball (WNBA) 1) What is it you honestly miss most about the university? What I miss most about the university is the people. I loved being around such a supportive community and playing alongside a bunch of women who were like sisters to me. 2) If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be? My piece of advice would be to enjoy every moment. It flies by so fast and you have to soak it all in because nothing in your life is going to be like college, nor being on a team of people who understand your life ■ See SOe on page 7

noted, “I think there are a lot of Americans who have that kind of response,” but he added that opinions oftentimes were split down racial lines. “Black folk tend to support protests because they saw it as a moral stand, whereas White folk saw it as disrespectful. What counts as protest and what doesn’t is the issue here,” said the professor. We earlier got a fourth perspective from two Black NFL players. “It’s been pretty cool for us as players to exercise and use our voice,” New England safety Devin McCourty told the MSR during the February 4 Super Bowl media night in St. Paul. Philadelphia safety Malcolm Jenkins added, “Before I raised my fist, I had conversations” with police officers. “After the protest ■ See View on page 9

‘FAB FIVE’ PREP STARS OF THE WEEK

PreP Scene Mitchell PalMer McDonalD

This week’s “Fab Five” photos feature a former athletic director’s jersey retirement by the college he played basketball for (Al Frost Jr.), a former prep girls’ basketball player having her jersey retired (Andrayah Adams), two future University of Minnesota basketball players going head-to-head in a high school matchup (Daniel Oturu and Gabe Kalscheur), and a ninth grader leading her team to victory against a conference rival (Jade Hill).

(pictured right) Former Minneapolis Roosevelt Athletic Director Al Frost Jr. recently had his jersey retired during a ceremony at Hamline University. Frost played at the school from 1963-1967, averaging 29.1 points per game for Hamline during his senior year. (pictured left) Former St. Paul Como Park girls’ basketball standout Andrayah Adams, now a sophomore guard at St. John’s University-NY, recently had her jersey number retired at a ceremony held at the school. She scored 3,238 career points after starting her varsity career as a 7th grader. Photo courtesy St. John’s University (pictured right) Senior forward and University of Minnesota men’s basketball signee Daniel Oturu (25) scores two of his 25 points leading Cretin Derham Hall to a recent 77-66 victory over DeLaSalle. (pictured left) Minneapolis South freshman guard Jade Hill scored a game-high 32 points in leading her team to a 71-67 victory over City Conference rival Minneapolis North.

(pictured right) Senior Gabe Kalscheur, a University of Minnesota signee, led the way with 24 points in the Islanders’ 77-66 loss to Cretin Derham Hall.

Rachel Banham

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mcdeezy05@gmail. com. All photos by Mitchell Palmer McDonald except where otherwise indicated. Photos courtesy of U of M