March 21, 2019 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

March 21-27, 2019 Vol. 85 No. 33 www.spokesman-recorder.com

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Community responds in solidarity against New Zealand mosque attack

Several hundred community members attended Muslim Solidarity event on March 16 The Christchurch, New Zealand massacre claimed 50 lives and injured at least 50 others on Friday, March 15. An identified gunundreds of community members, pol- man, 28-year-old Brenton Harrison Tarrant iticians and activists of all faiths gath- of Australia, reportedly left behind a 74-page ered in solidarity last week after an an- manifesto that expressed anti-Muslim and ti-Muslim terrorist attack in New Zealand anti-immigrant sentiments and praised Presidevastated communities across the country. dent Donald Trump as a symbol of “renewed White identity.”

By Chris Juhn Editorial Intern

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Photos by Chris Juhn

Youth holding solidarity signs ed and heartbroken yesterday morning about the news from New Zealand,” said Rep. Melissa Hortman. “Another senseless act of violence targeted at Muslims. We grieve with

members of the Dar Al Farooq Center, its supporters, and the larger Twin Cities community.

The gathering’s leaders encouraged people in attendance to talk to people they didn’t know around them to help build a larger community focused on love and understanding.

“I always say love trumps hate, but it begins with each individual person,” reflected Rep. you today and we stand shoulder to shoulder Ilhan Omar, who herself has been a target of with our Muslim brothers and sisters.” anti-Muslim sentiment. “You can choose to The Dar Al Farooq Center held special sig- have suspicions that ultimately become hate, nificance for the event, as it was a victim of a or you can have a curiosity develop that turns terrorist attack two years ago. The communi- into love.” ty came out in 2017 to stand with members of The massacre came just days after ISAIAH’s the center after the mosque was attacked with Muslim coalition hosted a press conference a pipe bomb. to address Islamophobia and how it affects The community once again stood together to show the strength and endurance of the ■ See Solidarity on page 5

“Love trumps hate, but it begins with each individual person.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar

In response, ISAIAH, a non-partisan coalition of faith communities fighting for racial and economic justice, hosted a “Muslim Solidarity Gathering” at the Dar Al Farooq Center in Bloomington. The two-hour event was packed shoulder-to-shoulder, with many sitting on the floor and finding standing room in the center’s gym, with those looking to make sense of the tragedy.

“I woke up like so many of you, devastat-

Rondo native seeks council seat to make city safer, more welcoming

By Solomon Gustavo Contributing Writer NAACP Vice President Anika Bowie says her native St. Paul community has a family feel to it. Too bad she also feels intimidated there.

She enjoyed sharing public spaces like festivals or the park for some music and barbeque with her siblings, cousins, and community elders everyone called “Grandma” or “Grandpa.” That is, until the police came around and people felt it was time to “get out of here,” said Bowie.

The 26-year-old Hamline University graduate, former high school teacher, and current political consultant is running for St. Paul City Council in Ward 1. She wants to build her community up with steady jobs, safe streets, and a welcoming city council and police force.

Bowie, the first of four children, was raised in the Rondo neighborhood. Households full of children, either cousins or friends, lined ■ See Bowie on page 5

Anika Bowie

MSR file photo

BLACK BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: WILSON’S IMAGE

A good haircut and so much more For the past decade or so, Teto Wilson’s barbershop has served as a Northside staple for not just a good haircut, but also as a place for gathering, good times, and even accessing community resources.

After graduating from barber school in Malden, Mass., Wilson, an Illinois native, made his next move to Minnesota in 2000.

Here he worked with a friend and fellow student and went on to open Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists in August 2007.

Since then, he has connected his passion for people with behind-the-chair therapy to become a prominent voice in the community. “When you come into my shop, it’s more than just a haircut,” said Wilson.

The MSR caught up with Wilson to talk about what it takes to prepare for entrepreneurship and how he combined his two passions to benefit the community.

planning. I started saving money, thinking about locations and how I wanted my business model to be structured. So, it took me a few years after I put it in my mind that it was going to happen.

MSR: What was that opening process like?

What were some of your challenges?

TW: Even though I had been here for a few years, I didn’t know who’d be willing to take a chance to come and work with me as a start-up business owner. So, I took my time.

Challenges were more making sure I chose the right location and that I had gained enough understanding from working under other barbershop owners of how [the business] actually works, taking what I learned from them and getting all the good that I saw from them and then bringing it into my own and doing things my own way.

And getting the right people to work for me.

■ See BBS on page 5

Teto Wilson

MSR: What made you decide to open your own shop?

Teto Wilson: When I think back on the things that I did to generate money as a youngster, I’ve always kind of had, like, an entrepreneurial spirit. So, I knew eventually I was going to open up my own shop.

When I came to Minnesota, I worked with a lifelong friend of mine at his shop for seven years. It gave me an opportunity to get to know Minnesota. I built up a lot of clientele, but I knew that wasn’t going to be it for me to just stay working in their shop.

Around the fourth or fifth year, in my mind I was ready. But I hadn’t done things to get myself in position to do it. So I started Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists

Submitted photo

Black leaders prominent among 2019 Bush Fellows

By Stephenetta Harmon Editor-in-Chief Earning a coveted Bush Fellowship is the stuff of leadership development dreams. Most applicants apply multiple times before getting accepted. But its pursuit is worth it for those who ultimately get selected to advance their leadership vision and impact their communities and professional fields.

Seven of Minnesota’s top emerging and established Black leaders have joined those ranks as 2019 Bush Fellows. Siad Ali (Minneapolis), Maisha Giles (Oakdale), Huddah Ibrahim (St. Cloud), Rose McGee (Golden Valley), Nawal Noor (Minneapolis), Tony Sanneh (Bloomington),

and Alex West Steinman (Plymouth) are among 24 Fellows selected from a pool of more than 684 applications.

Provided by the Bush Foundation, Fellows receive upwards of $100,000 over a one- to twoyear period to further develop their leadership skills. Recipients use the grants for such things as travel, advanced education programs, and leadership and development opportunities.

As the first East African developer and general contractor in Minnesota, Noor wants to utilize research and national leadership development opportunities to scale up her model of building affordable housing by employing and training workers historically left out of real estate

development and construction projects.

McGee, founder of Sweet Potato Comfort Pies, is keen on personal development. “The purpose of the grant,” she says, “is really to focus on how you want to develop yourself so that when ■ See BuSh on page 5

Rose McGee

Maisha Giles

Huddah Ibrahim

Siad Ali

Nawal Noor

Tony Sanneh

Alex West Steinman

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March 21-27, 2019

ON THE RUN:

Youth advocate/activist looks to put focus back on students

By Chris Juhn Editorial Intern

F

or decades, Chauntyll Allen has served youth in the classroom as a Saint Paul Public Schools employee. The Rondo native has also worked in the community in youth outreach, where she’s been focused on inspiring youth to choose positive paths in life.

After experiencing issues firsthand that she wants to work on and effect change in the school system, the lifelong youth advocate and activist is now running for one of four open seats on the St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education. She says just working in the schools won’t help her meet her goals for student-focused and trauma-free education.

We sat down with Allen to find out more about why she decided to run for the school board and what she plans to do if elected..

MSR: What inspired you to run?

Chauntyll Allen: I’ve been working off and on with the school district for about 12 years.

I felt like there was a lot of resources lingering by a string out in the community, and I kept trying to be that bridge to pull those resources into the schools to help support the problems I was seeing. But the position I was in, it wasn’t working. I felt like I needed to get on the board and help people to get student-focused and start to change some policies from that perspective rather than just being a worker. The community also pushed me into this. [Last election], I even had people that contacted me and told me that they wrote me in. The last election I probably got 15 to 20 votes.

MSR: What’s the most important thing you want to accomplish if elected?

CA: I want to bring the trades back into schowant to bring the trades back into schools. A lot of kids are falling through the cracks and aren’t engaged in academics.

They end up dropping out, or if they don’t drop out, they don’t have the skills to go on to college. The focus has been mostly on college-readiness in school. If they brought the

Chauntyll Allen Photo by Chris Juhn

community weigh in on the situation. [Those are] the people that are really going to be affected by the policy decision. I don’t want it to become my decision to make. I think that’s where the people should get to step in and decide that.

“The biggest way to deal with really controversial issues is to bring them back to the community and let the community weigh in on the situation.” trades back into schools, [students would] have some skills they could work with to have a livable wage after they graduate.

I want to train paraprofessionals on how to deal with trauma. Our kids are being traumatized regularly because of the issues

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they deal with on the blocks they live on. We need to provide safety for our kids who are always going back into those areas of trauma every day through training paraprofessionals in how to deal with trauma in our youth.

MSR: What’s the most controversial issue you think you’d have to deal with, and how would you deal with it?

CA: As a lesbian Black woman who sits at the intersection, I have this conflict with intersex bathrooms. It’s something that the LGBTQI community really fought for for a long time. In the intersex bathrooms that are being installed in our schools, the door goes all the way to the floor, so you can’t tell how many people are in them. You can imagine in high school what kind of things are going on behind those closed doors.

I brought the issue to the students at the Gay Straight Alliance. They told me, “Why don’t we just cut a few inches off the bottom of the door?” The biggest way to deal with the really controversial issues is to bring them back to the community and let the

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MSR: What legacy do you want to leave?

CA: As an advocate for youth, I was mentored by Katie McWatt. She was best known for laying down in the middle of the highway because they didn’t have enough African construction workers. She mentored me and left quite a legacy. I wear her on my shirt, and people come up to me and tell me that she changed [their] life. I want to leave that kind of legacy.

For more information, forschoolboard.com.

visit

chauntyll-

Chris Juhn welcomes reader responses to cjuhn@spokesman-recorder.com.

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MSR: Who do you look up to politically?

CA: Mitra [Nelson, St. Paul City Council]. I met her a few months ago — sat down with her for the first time a few months ago. I like how authentic she is and the work she’s putting in. Who inspired me? Toni Carter [Ramsey County Board of Commissioners].

I worked for her at ARTS-Us, and I just remember having in my mind that there’s a Black woman on the board. Ever since then, I’ve considered the school board position.

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March 21-27, 2019

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HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA: hard to pronounce, hard to live with, and hard to treat

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD Dr. Crutchfield, my cousin had a skin problem where she developed pimples in sensitive areas that would get bigger, become painful, turn into boils and break. The areas would smell bad. She saw a dermatologist and was diagnosed with a condition called “hidradenitis suppurativa.”

What is hidradenitis suppurativa?

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idradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that may be caused by an inappropriate response of the body’s immune system.

No one knows for sure what exactly causes HS. One theory is that HS is the result of an abnormality in hair follicles. HS tends to occur when hair follicles become blocked, leading to a clogged hair follicle. When the follicle is blocked, pressure builds up in the follicle, causing a rupture and leakage to the sides of the follicle, deep into the skin. The leakage produces a response by the immune system to the material in the skin. The immune response is in the form of inflammation.

This cycle can repeat itself over and over and in many areas, producing a chronic med-

ical condition. The lesions of HS appear as boils in the skin.

The medical term for a boil is an abscess. The abscesses of HS can be mild, moderate, or severe.

• Mild: This means a single abscess or a few abscesses that don’t connect or drain. They can be very painful.

• Moderate: Commonly, several abscesses are widely separated. These are painful. They may connect and drain with pus and blood.

• Severe: Multiple abscesses that are close together and cover large areas. These are painful and drain profusely. The common areas are the scalp, on the neck, around the ears, under the arms, under the breasts, in the groin, and on the backside. These areas coincide closely with hairbearing areas.

HS starts as pimples in sensitive hair-bearing areas that enlarge and turn into large abscesses that can be extremely painful, connect and rupture, and smell foul. The connection between abscesses is called a sinus tract.

HS is an inflammatory skin disease. It is a chronic medical condition, meaning it lasts for a long time, maybe even a lifetime. Some people mistakenly think that HS is an infection. It is not an infection, but is actually a malfunction of one’s immune system.

There are a lot of misconceptions about HS. Here are some other things you should know:

• HS is not the fault of the person who has it.

• HS is not transmitted sexually.

• HS is not caused by poor personal hygiene.

• HS is not contagious.

What are the symptoms of HS? The lesions of HS are boils or abscesses. They form under the skin in areas where hair grows and the skin may rub together.

They are painful and fill with pus and blood. When they get big, the lesions can rupture and release a very foul-smelling fluid. The amount of fluid produced can be quite significant, and in severe cases they can drain all day long, causing the person to have to wear absorbent pads in the areas that need to be changed often.

Larger regions can connect by tunnels in the skin known as fistulas or sinus tracts. Over time some areas can form scars, and new areas can form. The constant drainage of bad-smelling drainage can lead to a foul odor that travels with the affected person.

As one could imagine, the condition is terribly embarrassing and can interfere or prevent normal personal social interactions, leading to an inferior quality of life. As a result, many dermatologists believe that HS is one of the very worst skin diseases to have.

In some cases, HS may temporarily subside, but it often comes back. It may start out as

mild but rapidly progress to severe. Being overweight and smoking are two factors that can be managed and have an impact on the severity and progression of the disease.

Treatment Physicians will recommend smoking cessation and weight reduction. In addition, these treatments are available: • Antibiotics (as anti-inflammatories, not to treat infection) • Steroids • Surgery • Hormone therapy • Immunosuppressant medications • Biologic medications HS can be devastating for self-esteem and lead to profound depression. If HS is impacting social relationships, selfesteem, and/or depression, it is important to talk to experts in

the fields of mental and sexual health. It also may be helpful to join a support group so you can share feelings and information with other people who have HS. For stubborn or severe cases, you should visit a dermatologist who specializes in HS. These dermatologists are medical doctors who have experience in diagnosing and treating inflammatory conditions of the skin.

They understand what you’re going through and can recommend treatment options that are appropriate for you.

There are good treatments for HS, and no one should have to suffer from this terrible condition. Fortunately, there is an FDA-approved biologic treatment (named ‘adalimumab’) for HS. To find a dermatologist who specializes in the treatment of HS and for a list of national support groups

to join, visit www.noBSaboutHS. com.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He also has a private practice in Eagan, MN. He received his M.D. and Master’s Degree in molecular biology and genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States

by Black Enterprise magazine. Dr. Crutchfield was recognized by Minnesota Medicine as one of the 100 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders in Minnesota. He is the team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx. Dr. Crutchfield is also an active member of both the American and National Medical Associations, and president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians.

Contending with the winter blues, or SAD know that help is availIt is very common able now. Calling or texfor us to experience the ting the suicide prevenwinter blues living in tion resources identified Minnesota with the debelow can help you get creased sunlight, frigid through your current temperatures and relentfeelings of hopelessness less snow. With the holand direct you to addiidays occurring during tional supportive servicthe winter, this may lead Emotional es. to increased stress and Wellness with Depression is very challenges which can common; it is estimatimpact your mood durDr. Golden ed that 6.7 percent of ing this season. by the population, approxiMany of us find DeiDre Annice mately 16 million people, that although we may GolDen experiences some form be more fatigued and Ph.D., lP of depression each year gloomy, we are still able (www.healthline.com). to function and get the things done that need doing. How- Depressive symptoms are treatable, ever, if during the fall and winter and if you are experiencing any of the months you are experiencing de- above signs or having difficulty funcpressive symptoms for two weeks or tioning, please consult with a mental more that interfere with your ability health professional or your primary to function, you may have Seasonal care provider.

Some with SAD may experience a Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD is a type of mood disorder craving for carbohydrates (carbs) and that follows a seasonal pattern where sugar that can lead to a weight gain. symptoms begin in fall and continue There are “bad” carbs and “good” through winter. The signs of SAD are carbs. Examples of “bad” carbs inthe same as major depression and in- clude cookies, cakes, candy, chips, white bread and sugary drinks like clude the following symptoms: • Having little interest or pleasure in soda and fruit juice. “Good” carbs include whole grains, beans, nuts and doing things • Feeling down, depressed or hope- vegetables.

Women experience SAD four less • Having trouble falling asleep or times more often than men, and it staying asleep, or sleeping too often has an onset between the ages of 20-30. Those who live in regions much • Feeling tired or having little energy where winters are cold, dark, snowy • Having a poor appetite or overeat- and long (like Minnesota) are at higher risk for SAD. ing One of the reasons that people ex• Feeling bad about yourself, that you are a failure or that you have perience SAD is because during winter, the days are shorter, which means let others down • Having trouble concentrating on there is less sunlight. This reduced things such as television or reading sunlight can lead to a decrease in • Moving or talking so slowly that one of the chemicals in the brain (seothers have noticed; or the oppo- rotonin) that impacts mood. The insite, being fidgety and restless and crease in darkness can also impact moving around a lot more than a hormone called melatonin, which helps to regulate our internal biousual • Having thoughts that you would logical clock that regulates sleep and be better off dead or of hurting wake cycles.

Here are some things that you can yourself in some way If you find that you have been hav- do to reduce the winter blues: ing thoughts of harming yourself, 1. Get the recommended daily dose

of vitamin D. Good sources include cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, tuna, milk, yogurt, sardines, eggs, and cereals fortified with vitamin D or supplements.

2. Make a book and movie list. When you are shut in is a good time to catch up on reading or to watch that movie that you have been planning to watch, especially comedies. Laughter has been shown to stimulate chemicals and hormones in the brain that are related to your mood as well as boosting your immune system.

An article in Psychology Today reports that kindergarteners tend to laugh on average 300 times each day. Adults only laugh 17 times per day, so this is certainly an area for improvement.

3. Provide structure to your life.

When you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, it helps stabilize your body’s internal clock.

It also helps to eat three meals per day at the same time every day.

4. Listen to upbeat or positive music.

No matter what your favorite type of music may be, you can find some that will lift your mood.

5. Increase physical activity. It is not required that you attend a gym or exercise classes to get the benefit of physical activity. Any activity that uses your muscles and energy — household chores, outdoor activities, walking, taking the stairs — can have positive benefits not only on your mental state, but on your physical health as well. Consult with your primary care provider before changing your activity or beginning an exercise program.

6. Photo-therapy or bright-light therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing depression in many people who use it. During this treatment, a light box with special

bulbs is used that mimics daylight.

With a diagnosis of SAD, some insurances companies may cover the cost of light therapy boxes.

Available resources: Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255; Suicide Prevention Text, 741741; Adult Mobile Crisis Team (COPE), 612-596-1223;

Child Mobile Crisis Team, 612-348-2233; Acute Psychiatric Emergency Room (APS) at HCMC, 612-873-3161 Dr. Deirdre Golden, director of behavioral health at NorthPoint Health & Wellness, welcomes reader responses to 612543-2705.

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Kenneth Brown Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III Dr. Deirdre Golden Solomon Gustava Charles Hallman Dr. Clarence Hightower Dwight Hobbes Brandon Jones Tony Kiene Nekima Levy-Armstrong Issa A. Mansaray Tammy McIntyre Juliet Mitchell Khymyle Mims Ivan Phifer Nicole Pillow I. Angela Rae James L. Stroud, Jr.

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March 21-27, 2019

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.

Noor and Franklin trials to test scales of fairness and justice Through My Eyes The Minneapolis Story Continues

By Ron Edwards Contributing Commentator Two important, high profile trials will soon take place in Minneapolis regarding Mohamed Noor and Terrance Franklin.

The first is the April trial of Noor. The former Minneapolis police officer is accused of murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of Justine Damond, a White Australian citizen, on July 15, 2017.

The second trial, ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court, will deal with the violent 2013 death of Terrance Franklin at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers in the basement of a house in South Minneapolis six years ago. It was also originally scheduled for April but has since been postponed until October.

millions of dollars in the case of Franklin, but as of the writing of this column, we cannot find in the archives any such offer.

These trials will provide true testing for the future of fairness and integrity in Minneapolis courts. Some felt the pursuit of justice would ever complete the cycle of lying about the brutal 2013 killing of Franklin. Finally, we will hear of the circumstances, the facts, and the last moments of Franklin’s life before he was shot and killed in that basement.

The City of Minneapolis has protected wrongdoing in the death of Franklin. It will be interesting to see how the federal trial judge rules on motions by the City to block testimony that is extremely embarrassing to the City along with the calculated actions attempted by the City to cover Franklin’s wrongful death.

It is sad that, save for the law firms and this column, the Franklin family has had to stand alone.

In the case of Noor, it is difficult to see how he will get a fair trial in the second-de-

Both trials shall be a demanding task in the pursuit of justice and race relations in the state of Minnesota.

Many may pretend that they have forgotten about the death of Terrance Franklin, but it was the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Franklin’s heirs would not be denied. Who would have thought that the Supreme Court would order that Franklin have his day in court?

His father, Walter Louis Franklin II, is to be admired for the tenacious pursuit of justice for his son. And, with the court’s late 2018 order to go to trial, the quest for justice for Terrance is finally upon us.

Minneapolis is the hardened defendant pursuing the idea that the pursuit of justice for one will never be overcome by the quest of evasion by the many. The Appellate Law Firm in Washington D.C. argued the merits of the case of Terrance Franklin for his father Walter, Franklin’s suing heir and the trustee of his estate.

The city is said to have agreed to settle for

gree murder charge laid against him. As I have noted in previous columns, the Minnesota State Constitution states that the decision of whether to indict or not indict is the purview of the grand jury, once empaneled, not the county attorney. This was a clear violation of Noor’s constitutional rights.

Nevertheless, the cases of Mohamed Noor and Terrance Franklin will test the scales of fairness and justice in our city. Both trials shall be a demanding task in the pursuit of justice and race relations in the state of Minnesota.

Stay tuned.

Ron Edwards is an author and hosts radio and TV shows.

Manafort’s sentencing should be norm for all — not just rich White men

By Udi Ofer Guest Commentator Americans recently got a front row seat to the two systems of justice we have in America: one reserved for rich White men and the other for communities of color. Unfortunately, though, many people may have drawn the wrong lessons from these examples.

Paul Manafort, a White man, recently got a 47-month sentence for massive tax and bank fraud — far less than the 24 years recommended by prosecutors. People were outraged, rightfully pointing out that every day in Ameri-

while a Black man, an actor notwithstanding, gets the book thrown at him.

The outrage over these two systems of justice is entirely justified. There is systemic racism in our nation’s criminal legal system, where Black people are incarcerated at six times, and Latinos at three times, the rate of non-Latino Whites.

One in three young Black men can expect to serve time in prison if current trends continue.

To put this in context, the United States imprisons a larger percentage of its Black population than South Africa did at the height of apartheid.

Crimes committed in an office building should be treated as seriously as crimes committed on a street corner. ca, Black people face harsher sentences for less serious offenses. Many even called for Manafort to receive more prison time as a way to address this inequity.

One day later, another high profile case hit the news, just in time to pour salt on the Manafort-sentencing wound. Jussie Smollett, a Black man, got indicted on 16 felonies for lying to the police, meaning that he could face up to 64 years in prison if convicted.

So, here in plain sight, is the double standard so many of us decry. A rich White man gets leniency,

These disparities are not explained by offenses committed, but are a product of the extraordinary discretion afforded to the police, prosecutors, and judges.

Manafort receiving a lenient sentence while Smollett faces harsh treatment exemplifies the discretion afforded to law enforcement and the judicial system. In one, a judge exercised discretion to show leniency, while in the other, a prosecutor exercised discretion to seek harsh punishment.

But the solution to this inequity is not harsher sentences for people Manafort.

If we want to end our nation’s addiction to mass incarceration, then we must wean ourselves off long prison sentences as a default solution to punishing crime. To end mass incarceration, in other words, the criminal legal system should start treating everyone the way it currently treats rich White men.

Sentences should go down, and prosecutors should stop overcharging.

We must end the status quo which assumes that incarceration is the solution to lying to the police or that a four-year prison sentence for fraud is somehow light punishment.

In response to the Manafort sentencing, presidential candidate, Sen. Amy Klobuchar tweeted, “Crimes committed in an office building should be treated as seriously as crimes committed on a street corner.”

She is right that both should be treated the same, but if she meant that the solution is longer sentences for people like Manafort, then she is wrong. The solution is to lower sentences and to treat all people, including people arrested on the “street corner,” with less prison and more alternatives to incarceration.

Udi Ofer is the deputy national political director of the ACLU and director of the ACLU’s Campaign for Smart Justice.

Methodist Church’s LGBTQ opposition is wrong-headed and wrong-hearted

By Rev. Irene Monroe Contributing Commentator For decades, there has been an ongoing struggle in the United Methodist Church (UMC) to adopt a policy of full inclusion of its LGBTQ parishioners and clergy and all the spiritual gifts we bring to the church.

However, the UMC voted at General Conference last month to uphold, by 5347 percent, its Traditionalist Plan. The plan opposes samesex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy and created a potential schism with its global delegation outweighing the U.S. It was one of three proposed plans by the UMC’s Commission on a Way Forward. The others include the Connectional Conference Plan, which was also exclusionary to LGBTQ parishioners and the One Church Plan.

In the hopes of avoiding such a schism, the Council of Bishops had recommended the One Church Plan that would grant individual ministers and regional church bodies the decision to ordain LGBTQ members as clergy and to perform LGBTQ weddings.

The One Church Plan would excise the offensive and controversial language targeted at LGBTQs from the church’s law book, Book of Discipline — which prohibits same-sex marriages — and replace it with a more compassionate, accurate, up-todate, and contextualized language about human sexuality in support of the mission and all its parishioners. It would also uphold religious freedom and thereby safeguard those clerics and conferences unwilling to ordain or marry us because of their theological convictions.

It was believed that such a decision on a church-bychurch and regional basis would reflect the diversity as well as affirm the different churches and cultures throughout the global body of UMC. However, the UMC continues to be contradictory in its policies concerning LGBTQ worshippers. For example, the UMC states that LGBTQs have and are of the same sacred worth as heterosexuals and that the church is committed to the ministry of all people regardless of gender identities and sexual orientations. However, the church also views queer sexualities as sinful.

The Book of Discipline states that sexuality is “God’s good gift to all persons” and that people are “fully human only when their sexuality is acknowledged and affirmed

by themselves, the church and society.”

However, this rule is not applicable to LGBTQs. While it is clear that the UMC is not in lockstep with the changing societal tide toward LGBTQ acceptance, it is also not in lockstep with its own more progressive arm of ”reconciling and inclusive” congregations.

The UMC’s history of struggle on this issue clearly illustrates the defiant will for LGBTQ inclusion. For example, in last Sunday’s Boston Globe, nearly three dozen United Methodist churches across the Commonwealth took out a half-page ad affirming their belief “in the sacredness of all.”

In fact, Massachusetts churches have led advocacy efforts for decades. In the 1990s, the Union United Methodist Church (UUMC), a predominately African American congregation located in Boston’s South End — was once the epicenter of the city’s LGBTQ community and strong force.

It is also the one institution least expected to be lauded among LGBTQ people of African descent because of the Black church’s notorious history of homophobia. However, when its pastor came out at General Conference in 2016 to move the global church body’s moral compass against its anti-LGBTQ policies, UUMC was in full support.

Since June 2011, more than 100 Methodist ministers in New England have pledged to marry LGBTQ couples in defiance of the denomination’s ban on same-sex unions. Approximately one out of nine Methodist clerics signed a statement pledging to open their churches to LGBTQ couples.

“We repent that it has taken us so long to act,” read the statement. “We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the church to the world, and we are [complicit].”

But like the most recent vote, these advocacy efforts have not gone unchallenged.

For example, in 2013, the Reverend Frank Schaefer, pastor at Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in Pennsylvania, was forced to stand trial and lost his ministerial credentials for officiating his son’s 2007 same-sex nuptials.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Church wanted to drill home to Schaefer and his allies that he — irrespective of familial love or Christian belief — blatantly and willfully violated the Book of Discipline.

Knowing where Methodist clerics in New England stand on same-sex marriages, Schaefer officiated his son’s nuptials in Massachusetts.

“I love him so much and didn’t want to deny him that joy. I had to follow my heart,” Schaefer told the New York Daily News.

UMC’s decision to oppose same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy is both wrong-headed and wrong-hearted. However, as LGBTQ people, we must know that this religious intolerance and spiritual abuse are antithetical to the social gospel of Jesus Christ that all people under God have the same sacred worth — even if the United Methodist Church doesn’t practice it.

Rev. Irene Monroe is an African American lesbian feminist public theologian, sought-after speaker, and preacher.

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March 21-27, 2019

Bowie Continued from page 1

the block. On warm mornings, they would meet in St. Paul alleys to talk, play basketball and double dutch. The elders would yell at them for trampling flowers. “We learned the rules of the neighborhood.”

Bowie spoke with the MSR at Golden Thyme, sitting at the table closest to the door. “Hey, good to see you,” Bowie said between questions, speaking to folks coming and going — first to an older Middle-Eastern man, then a young bearded White man, and finally to local Black historian Mahmoud ElKati. Any visitor popping into the lively shop greeted the navy blue-suited Bowie and her regal waves with the passing respect and casual familiarity reserved for local icons or landmarks.

She went on to college at Hamline, just down the block and about the same size as Central, where Bowie was the only person of color in any given classroom. “It was a huge culture shock, which is kind of strange,” said Bowie.

On her way to a degree in criminal justice, Bowie noticed literacy was a large factor in the odds on whether or not someone would wind up behind bars.

“Those most vulnerable to entering the criminal justice system are those most vulnerable in our education system,” said Bowie.

So, after college, she worked as a teacher for the Children Defense Funds’ Freedom School, which partnered with the Rondo Community Center. Bowie helped students with reading and writing.

After her stint in education, including time teaching at Gordon Parks High School, Bowie worked for Ramsey County as a clerk typist. She was the first

“Who’s gonna step up to the plate?”

Come winter months during Bowie’s formative years, kids would go to the library to hang, but Bowie said they never really felt welcome. Now, she notes, the Rondo Library is much more intentional about teen and adult space. She believes the City can extend this thoughtfulness to all public spaces.

Bowie’s mother raised her and her siblings. Her father was a businessman who owned a grocery store and shipping company. “My dad also had a past,” said Bowie. He went to prison for marijuana possession.

“My dad didn’t have a college degree or even a high school diploma,” said Bowie. “He had a wife and kids.”

Bowie went to Central High School, where she cultivated goals to be a journalist and lawyer, to help her community and tell its stories. Her dad going through the criminal justice system was not the beginning of her ambitions, but it was a “really strong springboard.”

“Not only do I have to help my community.” said Bowie. “I have to help what’s closest to me.”

the council to balance a need for more safety with curbing police violence, misconduct and mistrust.

Bowie wants to invest in her neighborhood, build “pathways to sustainable living,” and have a community “no longer vulnerable to turning to guns or drugs.” She also supports a $15 minimum wage — and thinks it can be higher — as well as job creation that isn’t part-time or contract work but rather fulltime work that supports a full family.

“My vision for Saint Paul is to ‘R.A.C.E. to the top.’ It’s a fourpoint acronym that stands for restore, access, community, and equity. These four values anchor us in the foundation of what makes Saint Paul a place we all can call home.”

Bowie’s biggest issue, however, is restorative justice. She also proposes to end the cash bail system: “If someone is booked for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, we shouldn’t utilize bail as a way of penalizing them before they are even tried.”

What will help, she added, is an ordinance that would allow the county attorney to collect data on who they are convicting. “Currently, we don’t have information on race, age or gender of who is being convicted on a City level.”

No matter what else she hears from the community or wants to get done, Bowie feels the St. Paul City Council and police department need to be more receptive to the people they serve and protect. They could also look more like the members of the community.

Bowie was part of a civilian police group that heard presentations from St. Paul police officers, “none of whom were women of color.”

Anika Bowie wants to join the city council ranks and be that woman of color who stepped up to the plate.

contact person momentarily stabilizing people seeking suicide intervention or assisting single mothers who hadn’t received their food stamps for two months.

Now she is a political consultant for Darris Consulting in Minneapolis and vice president of the NAACP’s St. Paul branch.

As a result of being in such “dope spaces,” she was around people she trusted who asked her if she’d considered running for office. She hadn’t, yet.

“I just kinda felt I didn’t have all of the assets or privileges to step into that boldly,” said Bowie, adding she didn’t acquire that requisite confidence until seeing other people like her run, Black women like Ilhan Omar and Angela Conley.

Now that she’s decided to run, which she announced Feb. For more information, visit anik1, Bowie’s neighbors are talking to her in a more personal way abowie.com. than ever before. In their honSolomon Gustavo welcomes esty, Bowie said, they are “more prone to share their fears than reader responses at sgustavo@ spokesman-recorder.com. hopes.”

The top concern is safety. In the month Bowie announced, there were three gun-related deaths. She said residents want

BBS Continued from page 1

support Black. I give good service in a clean, safe environment at a fair price. So, just treat me like you would treat another establishment. You go in, you get what you want, you pay the price.

TW: I’ve been cutting hair with a license now for about 25 years. But my passion — as much as I love to cut hair — is not cutting hair. My passion is community and being able to connect with people.

Being a barbershop owner and having my barbershop right in North Minneapolis gives me a space where I can connect with community. I look at the barbershop as a community resource hub. There’s a space in my shop called the situation room, and I designed it just like a round table. We have a lot of events where it could be conversations with the Minneapolis Public Schools superintendent…or with the Minneapolis chief of police and the newly elected Hennepin County sheriff.

Whether it’s around education, police and community relations, whatever it is that we can host here where people can gain from it, that’s what’s important to me. And having the parties and stuff like that, that’s a fun time, a way to give back, too.

MSR: What’s one thing you would tell someone else who wants to launch their own business?

TW: I would tell them the same thing as some of the challenges that presented for me, [such as the importance of] location. If you have your own money, then that’s great. If you have to do financing, don’t get in over your head. You have to do your day-to-day management; you have bills, utilities. If you bought a building or if you’re renting, you have a lot of expenses that go with that.

Just make sure you plan it out and don’t, don’t just go out there and say, “Hey, I want to open up a business” and throw caution to the wind hoping MSR: What does success look like for you? that it works. You have to be strategic about it.

TW: When we’re all winning. I’m going to conMSR: What do you think makes a haircut tinue to grow and get in these spaces where I can connect and go to bat for our community. I also go experience in your shop so special?

TW: When people think of barbers and stylists as to other spaces where I can gain for us, [and] I can kind of like their therapist, I think about it as like bring it back so we can benefit from it.

The haircutting thing is down pat, you know we are working on their head and that’s how we end up getting in their head, whether it’s 30 min- what I mean? I’ve been doing that for years. But utes for a haircut or with women who can be in just making sure that our community continues the shop for hours. That’s a real intimate time, so to get what they need — that’s what success is for people like to share things that are important to me. them. For me, it’s a listening to what they got goWilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists is located at 2201 ing on and making sure that I keep that personal.

Beyond that, it’s having a great haircut and lis- W Broadway Ave. in North Minneapolis. From April tening and giving your customer what they’re 1 through June 30, MSR readers can mention this artiasking for. If you can’t do it, maybe send them to cle for $5 off adult and kids hair cuts. For more info, visanother barber that can… Building relationships it wilsonsimage.com.

— it feels good, you get a great haircut, and you Interview conducted and condensed clarity by Stebuild a relationship with your customer, laugh and talk with them about some things that are phenetta Harmon. important.

MSR: Outside of cutting hair, you have a scholarship fund, host community events. Why is that important for you?

Attorney General Keith Ellison

5

All photos by Chris Juhn

Solidarity

urged. “Yesterday’s murder of at least 49 people and dozens more injured is proof of Islamophobia’s impact.

“We remain committed to partner together with our neighbors to end Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and xenophobia, both near and far.”

Continued from page 1

Muslim Minnesotans. “Islamophobia is real and has real implications,” said the coalition Chris Juhn welcomes readers responses at in a statement on Friday. cjuhn@spokesman-recorder.com.

“Let us take seriously the consequences of maligning an entire community for political points or viewership rates,” the statement

Obituary

Pam Davis Carr

N

November 10, 1951 — March 7, 2019

ative Minnesotan Pam Davis Carr recently lost her battle with cancer. Carr was the daughter of Syl Davis, founder of The Way Community Center, and Rose Davis Harris, a popular 1970s key punch instructor at Twin Cities Opportunities Industrialization Center (TCOIC), currently known as Summit OIC Carr had resided on the West coast for the past 40-plus years.

Local memorial services will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at New Creation Ministries GOGIC, 5144 13th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN. 55417

BuSh Continued from page 1

you are done with the grant, you’ve now got something in place that can make you a better leader in your community.”

She will use the fellowship to expand her communitybuilding and racial justice efforts, as well as focusing on developing and connecting with young leaders.

“One of the major things that I want to be able to come out of this grant [is] having a better understanding for leading… and be a better bridge-builder with young people,” said McGee. “We have this thing where, when you’re young, you think you know it all and it’s hard to really listen to others. And then if you’re old, you think you know it all and it’s hard to listen to others. So we’re all operating in the same boat, but somehow we have to begin to go back to that history that we have of sharing our wisdom.”

While McGee has won numerous awards for her human rights and racial justice work, she says she’s applied for the fellowship seven times over the course of her career. She kept applying until “the time was right.”

For Giles, one submission was enough. “It’s still kind of sinking in for me,” she says.

A behavioral health director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Giles plans on directly integrating her fellowship with her work.

“I know that some of the Bush Fellows take a leave of absence from their jobs, but it was really important to me that I stay in the trenches because I really do see the two working together,” Giles said.

This includes getting her doctorate in leadership and public administration, as well as creating a support system for women of color in leadership who may feel isolated. “I really want to focus on and study and develop a mentorship model for Black females like myself that find themselves in leadership roles in the public sector.”

Steinman’s work also aligns with empowering women. The co-founder and CEO of Coven wants to help increase economic access, resources and opportunities for women. She will use the fellowship to develop her leadership, financial and cultural competencies.

Other Fellows have also set goals that include advanced education. Ali, outreach director for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and a director of the Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education, will focus on earning a Ph.D. in educational leadership.

Ibrahim helps employers attract and retain immigrant and refugee employees. She will work on a master’s in businesses to help the Somali community achieve greater economic equity.

Sanneh is the founder of the Sanneh Foundation, which is focused on youth development in Saint Paul’s East Side. He plans on completing his bachelor’s degree in education poli-

cy and seeking advanced training in sports philanthropy and public speaking.

This year’s class reflects a diverse mix of communities — African American, East African, Latinx, Hmong and East Asian — from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, along with 23 Native nations. Giles hopes the foundation’s continued commitment to diversity represents a larger shift in how leaders of color are viewed in the state.

“It shows that the Bush Foundation and, hopefully, what we’ll see in the coming years, the state of Minnesota, have really prioritized people of color in leadership and are starting to really see the value that we bring them,” says Giles.

“And also, just more importantly, the work that needs to be done, the work that has needed to be done for many years, can’t be done unless we’re at the table. And I think people are starting to become aware of that.”

The foundation will begin accepting applications for the 2020 fellowship program on Sept. 24.

The Bush Fellowship is open to anyone 24 years and older who lives in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or one of the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.

For more info, visit bushfoundation.org.

Stephenetta Harmon welcomes reader responses to sharmon@ spokesman-recorder.com.Submitted photos

6

March 21-27, 2019

How I got a shout out from Michelle Obama

By Sheletta Brundidge Contributing Writer My grandmother always told me God takes care of babies and fools. And sometimes you gotta act a damn fool to get what you want in life. So, when it was announced that Former First Lady Michelle Obama would be coming to St. Paul for her Live Nation Becoming book talk, I became a one-woman welcome crew.

I couldn’t just get tickets and go sit up at the Xcel Energy Center like 20,000 other folks and listen to her talk.

No, that ain’t even my style.

I’m Mrs. Obama’s numberone fan!

See, Mrs. Obama is responsible for saving my marriage.

Seeing her example of how to be a supportive wife made me realize that I needed to do a better job. Paying homage to the woman was the least I could do. And I did it big!

I went out and got tickets to the tour for me and six of my friends in the I Am Becoming book club. Then I got t-shirts for all the ladies in my book club to wear that night at the concert. Still, that didn’t seem like enough. So I bought blue jean jackets, sent them down to Houston where I’m from so that my momma and her sister could have them customized.

But then my world was rocked and my status as a superfan was challenged. See, my friends in Houston informed me that someone created a Michelle Obama mural in anticipation of her visit to the Bayou City.

I was not to be outdone, you hear me? So I got on the phone and called muralists in the Twin Cities. Begged them, in sub-zero temperatures to paint a portrait of Mi-

Sheletta Brundidge (r) and best friend Fanchon Pendleton in front of the mural chelle Obama on the side of my house to welcome her to the Twin Cities.

I called printer after printer and nobody could do it.

“What are you going to do with this big a#$ poster when you’re done?” asked my husband. “Cause we can’t keep it up forever. The moment Mrs.

One magical night A few days before Michelle’s arrival in the Twin Cities, event host Michele Norris put a message on Twitter ask-

Sometimes you gotta act a damn fool to get what you want in life.

Either it was too fast of a turn around time or they didn’t have the materials in stock. But finally, God led me to Gina at Image 360 in Woodbury and she’s as crazy as me.

She and her staff not only did it, but they also designed it and had it ready the next day.

I regained number-one superfan status and began tagging everyone associated with Michelle on social media, even the Obamas’ dog! But I wasn’t getting any feedback. Nobody but me cared about my poster, Michelle Obama shoes, mural, or my shirts.

Obama gets on a plane and heads to her next tour stop, it’s coming down.” I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“Why don’t you,” he continued, “donate it to Girls In Action? The program Dr. Verna Cornelia Price started to help young ladies who are at risk in Twin Cities schools?

They have a big fundraiser coming up in May and they could auction off the poster.”

What an excellent idea.

That’s what Mrs. Obama is all about, helping young girls.

ing people to send in questions that they wanted Mrs. Obama to answer during the book talk.

Well, y’all know I was the first one to send in a question.

I asked her how she and President Obama kept their marriage strong in the midst of all the demands they face. Well, baby, on that stage, in front of 20,000 folks, Mrs. Norris said my name and asked Mrs. Obama MY question.

I lost it; I started jumping up and down, running up and down the stairs high-fiving

people like a winner on the Price is Right! I couldn’t hear what advice she had for me cause I was too busy yelling.

But then, chile, she put the cherry on top because, during that segment, they put our family photo on the jumbotron. That’s right — the one we took a few years ago at Union Depot in St. Paul and we were looking like brand new money.

Me, Shawn, Andrew, Brandon, Cameron, and little Daniel were all standing there in our denim outfits holding hands. On the big screen. Behind Mrs. Obama and Norris.

And when the photo popped up, at one time, everyone in the Xcel E n e r gy Center yelled “Awhhhh.”

And Mrs. Obama, in response to seeing a photograph of my kids said: “They’re beautiful.”

Then, before I could blink, the photo of the #Minneso-

taLovesMichelle poster that I put on my home to welcome her to the Twin Cities replaced our family photo. I guess they got the picture from social media and displayed it for everyone to see.

When Mrs. Obama saw it, she laughed and said, “I feel sorry for your neighbors.”

She’s funny, like me. That’s why we’re friends...in my head.

Television, media, Mrs. Obama’s tweet and having my babies on the jumbotron and she declaring them beautiful in front of 20,000 folks?

Yeah, God takes care of fools — I am a testament to that! Everything I did was absolutely foolish to anyone watching, but this fool got more than she ever dreamed.

The poster is down, my gear is in a box and Mrs. Obama is gone on to complete the rest of her book tour.

But I’m still on cloud nine and can’t believe this happened to me and can’t stop being over the moon excited about my Michelle Obama experience.

My hope is that Mrs. Obama circles back to the Twin Cities and signs the poster prior to the big Girls In Action fundraiser so we can raise more money for a great cause.

It is, after all, her mission: to help young girls in need.

Sheletta Brundidge is co-host of the Two Haute Mamaspodcast online at WCCO Radio. You can listen to the show on her website at twohautemamas.com.

Submitted photo.

TOP FIVE COMMUNITY EVENTS Monday, March 25

6-8 pm, Black Power: African & African American Solidarity @ UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave., N, Mpls; Free and open to all ages Black Table Arts will host a discussion that unpacks what it means to be and love Blackness across differences and the diaspora. Hear from artists, healers, poets, dancers and more.

Info: bit.ly/BlackSolidarity

Thursday, March 28 Did you miss former First Lady Michelle Obama’s motivational author talk in the Twin Cities? Don’t fret. There is no shortage of events in Twin Cities to keep the good vibes flowing. Below are a few low-cost event offerings on the horizon.

8:30-4:30 pm, Challenging Islamophobia Conference 2019 @ Metropolitan State University, 700 E., 7th St. St Paul; $20-40 Billed as the largest regional conference on challenging Islamophobia in the nation, this timely event will bring together leading national experts, as well as community leaders to address how to challenge Islamophobia.

Info: bit.ly/ChallengeIslamophobia

6-8 pm, Assata Speaks: #BlackWomenRock Edition @ Brave New Workshop, 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls; $10 This month’s edition of Assata Speaks, “the swagged-out version of TED Talks,” will feature three powerful speakers honoring Women’s History Month: Sylvia Bartley, Ph.D., global director of Medtronic Philanthropy; Leslie E. Redmond, activist and president of the Minneapolis NAACP and Jayda Pounds, advocate and student-activist.

Info: bit.ly/BlackWomenRock2019

Saturday, March 30

in Minnesota, and foster organic relationships among the African Diaspora.

Info: bit.ly/BlkEXPOsed 8-10 pm, Soul Sessions at the Tea House @ Heritage Tea House, 360 W. University #103, St. Paul; Free with purchase of food or beverage A showcase for Twin Cities brightest rising stars, this event series features musicians and vocalists every fourth Saturday of the month for an afternoon soulful sounds, vibes, music, and food.

Info: bit.ly/SoulSessionsMarch30 For more community events, visit spokesmanrecorder.com/calendar.

9 am – 1 pm, BLACK EXPOsed @ SCSU Atwood Memorial Center Student Union, 651 1st Ave., S., St. Cloud; Free The BLACK EXPOsed Fair aims to showcase the many Black-owned and Black-operated businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs

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March 21-27, 2019

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8

March 21-27, 2019

Tips for coping with flood damage

BULLETIN

PreP Scene Dr. Mitchell PalMer McDonalD

Girls’ state tournament: a quick summary The 2019 state girls’ basketball tournament will be one to remember with outstanding performances from Hopkins, DeLaSalle, Minnehaha Academy, Stillwater and Robbinsdale Cooper.

Hopkins won its first title since 2015; DeLaSalle hadn’t experienced a title since 2013; Minnehaha Academy captured their first crown; and Stillwater made an appearance for the first time since 1988, while 2018 champ Robbinsdale Cooper made it back to the big dance to finish fourth.

There were lots of storylines that will be featured in future columns, but for now here is a quick summary of the tournament with pictures.

Nnaji’s quiet dominance leads Hopkins Maya Nnaji led her team with 18 points in a quiet smoothness, Dlayla Chakolis and Paige Bueckers added 13 apiece, Kayla Adams scored 12 — all from three-point range — and Amaya Battle, who had an outstanding floor game, and Taylor Woodson added nine points each, giving Hopkins a 74-45 Class 4A state championship victory over Stillwater.

Stillwater, who were up 29-27 at halftime, were led by Sara Scalia’s 24 points and 16 from Alexis Pratt.

Nnaji, Chakolis, Bueckers, Scalia and Pratt were named to the Wells Fargo Class 4A AllTournament Team.

Nora Francois comes up big for DeLaSalle Nora Francois, along with timely threepoint shooting, led the way with 14 points; guard Kiani Lockett, along with an all-round

floor game, had 12; forward Nurjei Weems added 11, Mary C. Francois chipped in 10, Sydney Runsewe had seven points, and Leah Dengerud two points as DeLaSalle defeated Becker 56-40 to win the Class 3A championship.

Nora Francois, Lockett and Weems were named to the Wells Fargo Class 3A All-Tournament Team.

Rhoades led the way for Minnehaha Academy Taytum Rhoades scored 29 points, playing with four fouls most of the second half.

Mia Curtis had 18 before fouling out midway through the second half, Kate Pryor chipped in 10, Tana Gallo added six, Nevaeh Galloway had five points, including a tip-in basket that sealed the victory for the Red Hawks, and Avery New had four points, leading Minnehaha Academy to a 72-63 win over Caledonia to capture the Class 2A girls’ state basketball championship.

Rhoades, Curtis, and Galloway were named to the Wells Fargo Class 2A All-Tournament Team.

Wheeler, Tribble, Reliford led Cooper Aja Wheeler had 16 points, Andrea Tribble added 15, and Jayla Reliford chipped in 14 as defending Class 3A champion Robbinsdale Cooper finished fourth, losing the third-place game to the Academy of Holy Angels 78-69.

Wheeler was named to the Wells Fargo Class 3A All-Tournament Team.

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

With all the recent snow and rain, some homeowners are finding themselves dealing with flooding and mold issues. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) has some advice for those having to clean up and repair damage from all the water that’s leaked into their homes.

Getting rid of water inside a home can be as easy as vacuuming it up and drying out the room, or as extreme as having to rebuild part of the structure.

Mold is also a big issue when moisture or water accumulates indoors. Detecting mold may be difficult because it can be hidden inside walls, under carpet, inside ductwork, or in roofing materials above the ceiling, so it’s best to get help from a professional.

Dealing with water damage can be very stressful and naturally, people want to get their homes back in order as soon as possible. However, making some decisions too quickly and without doing the necessary research can make matters worse.

To help properTy owners navigaTe The recovery & resToraTion process, BBB offers These Tips: • Make sure your insurance policy covers flood damage – Most homeowner’s insurance policies in Minnesota and North Dakota do not provide flood coverage. This additional coverage needs to be purchased in advance because there is a 30-day waiting period after you’ve applied and paid the premium before it takes effect.

• Get repair approval first– Don’t make any permanent changes to your property until you get approval from your insurance provider. They may not fully reimburse you for repairs made without their approval. Be sure to document the damage by taking pictures or video of your property.

• Get multiple estimates – Shop around and get at least three different estimates before deciding on a contractor. Make sure the estimates are broken down the same way. Watch out for highpressure sales tactics and people who go door-to-door offering to do work. Research company profiles at BBB.org to find reputable contractors.

• Get everything in writing – Request a written contract from anyone you hire. Don’t let any work begin or make any payments until its final. It should specify the scope of the work to be done, the materials to be used, and the price breakdown of both the work and materials. Review all documents closely before signing or making any payments. Get start and end dates in writing, and always ask for receipts.

• Ask for proof of liability, workers compensation, and licensing – Make sure the contractor has the correct license to do work in your state and is covered in case something happens while doing work on your property.

Find more information and tips at BBB.org.

To report sidewalk/drain flooding in Minneapolis, call 311 or go to bit.ly/FloodingMpls To report sidewalk/drain flooding in St. Paul, call 651-266-9850 or email StormDrain@ci.stpaul. mn.us.

Find flooding info for Brooklyn Center at bit.ly/BrooklynCenterflooding —Information provided, in part, by the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota MSR file photo Kiani Lockett (DeLaSalle)

Alexis Pratt (Stillwater)

Kayla Adams (Hopkins)

Grants for girls: APPLY NOW!

Nevaeh Gallowa y (Minnehaha Acad emy)

Aja Wheeler Cooper) (Robbinsdale Courtesy of Ann Bancroft Foundation The time is now for girls grades K-12 to apply for Dare to Dream or Let Me Play grants. The Ann Bancroft Foundation, dedicated to helping girls reach their full potential, is awarding up to $500 to young girls in pursuit of a dream or to be active in sports.

The grants enable girls to do things like: • Attend school trips, summer camps, or be on sports teams they otherwise could not afford.

• Go on group wilderness adventures, travel experiences, or special sports or dance teams • Attend dance, theater, arts, science, sports, cooking, technology or any other kind of lesson or training • Be involved in costly school or community activities The deadline to apply for a Dare to Dream or Let Me Play grant of up to $500 is the end of the day on Monday, April 1. All applicants must have an eligible mentor and submit an online application through FluidReview. For more on the grants and how to apply, go to annbancroft.fluidreview.com.

March 21-27, 2019

Employment

Legals

WORK FOR CANDO in South Minneapolis!

Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization is hiring an Executive Director: • 32-40 hours/week • Generous benefits • Apply by April 5, 2019 Full details at www.thecentralneighborhood.com

Case Administrator The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Case Administrator in Duluth, MN. Salary range is $40,464-$65,799. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Program Associate, Community Programs & Evaluation - History Center Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) seeks a FT Program Associate to establish and nurture relationships with Community partners that include larger cultural organizations, community based organizations and individual community leaders along with supporting the development and delivery of community programs, in collaboration with the Community Programs & Evaluation team, internal MNHS staff (site and exhibit staff) and community partners. The African American community is the current priority audience with whom this work unit is focusing their efforts.

To apply, visit www.mnhs.org/jobs. Application deadline: 4.5.2019. EEO

INVITATION TO BID

Human Services Professionals!

Human services nonprofit working with a diverse population of families living in poverty is hiring for 7 paid positions in case management, employment services, and client and volunteer support. Competitive salary and benefits package. Visit: iocp.org/openpositions.

Project: 410 West Lake St Apartments 410 West Lake St Minneapolis, MN 55408

Description: Rental Apartment (111) units

Bidding: On behalf of Developer, Lake Street Apartments LLC, Frana Companies

Regulatory Affairs Specialist for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Prepares global submissions for new products and product changes to ensure timely approval and clearance for clinical studies and market release. Requires a Masters’ Degree in Regulatory Affairs, Mechanical Engineering or Biomedical Engineering and 6 months Post-Bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: Preparing new product submissions for OUS (Outside US) countries; supporting post-market regulatory activities for OUS countries to include license renewal, technical questions from regulatory agencies, submission and approval of new versions or updates of products and software approval; designing dossiers, technical files and change notifications for AIMD and MDD Medical Devices; working with EN standards to include EN 980, EN 1041, EN 60601-1, EN 60601-1-2, EN 60601-1-6, EN 62304, EN 62366; working with Medical Device Quality Systems and Risk Management to include (21 CFR 820, ISO13485, ISO14971); writing and training for regulatory SOP (Standard Operating Procedures); conducting the total product life-cycle regulatory process to include pre-clinical, clinical, approval, post-approval and obsolescence. No Travel Required. Apply at www.medtronic.com/ careers, Req.1900033G. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace.

All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Masonry, Metals, Carpentry, Thermal & Moisture Protection, Doors & Windows, Finishes, Specialties, Furnishings, Special Construction, Elevators, Fire Protection, Bids Due: SEALED BIDS DUE: Thursday, April 4th 2019 at 4:00pm at Frana Companies.

Bid opening is public: EMAIL, PHONE, OR FAX BIDS NOT ACCEPTED Project Manager: Landon Schmitz 952-405-7303 lschmitz@frana.com Project Assistant: Allie Killion 952-908-2660 akillion@frana.com

Special Notes: 1. This project will include Minneapolis Small and Underutilized Business Program (SUBP) Contracting Goals of 8% Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and 8%Women Business Enterprise (WBE). Certifications listed on MNUCP Website http://mnucp.org. The MnUCP list of certified contractors is included in the bid documents dated January 4th, 2019.

2. The Workforce Goals on this project will be 20% of the total project trade hours to be performed by females and 32% of the total project trade hours to be performed by minorities.

3. Prevailing wage rates are required, and the bid documents include the preliminary wage decision. All subcontractors performing labor hours will be required to submit certified payroll reports using LCP tracker Reporting System on bi-weekly (every other week) basis.

4. Site work is expected to commence May 1st, 2019. A (14) month construction schedule is anticipated.

5. The attached Contractor Profile Form and List of Subcontractor & Suppliers Form is required to be submitted with your bid.

6. This project is not LEED certified, but will be built under MHFA Green Communities Criteria.

7. Procedure for Bid Inquiries and Questions: a. All inquiries must be submitted in writing with reference to specification section and/or drawing. b. All inquiries must be submitted to Landon Schmitz, Frana Companies, lschmitz@frana.com.

8. AFL – CIO Financing/ Requirements: The project is being financed through the AFL CIO investment funds, therefore

Engineering Program Manager Engineering Program Manager for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, MN. Duties: Lead a software development team working on the next generation implanted device programmer system. Requires: a Bachelor’s Degree or foreign equivalent in Computer Science/ Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or related and include five (5) years’ Post-Bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: using Android and iOS mobile operating systems and development environment including Xamarin cross-platform technology; software development with Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) technology; Software Development Life Cycle in a medical device environment with IEC62304 compliance; leading the development of FDA Class III medical device instrument and implantable device systems while navigating ISO13485; managing geographically distributed teams; working with XML Web Services and related internet technologies to include XML, HTTP, AJAX and .NET Framework; programing using C, C++, C# and Javascript; working with Windows, Mac And Linux Platforms. 10% travel required. Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req. 190003AX. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace.

All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Principal Software Engineer Principal Software Engineer for Medtronic, Inc. at its facilities located in Mounds View, Minnesota. Duties: Provides expertise in Software Architecture and the Design of Software for new products Cardiac Therapy Programmers, Pacing System Analyzer, Remote Patient Monitors for Cardiac Patients. Requires a Bachelors’ Degree or foreign equivalent in Information Technology, Computer Engineering/Science or related field and five (5) Years PostBachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: navigating FDA and other medical device regulations to include IEC 62034, ISO14971 and ISO13485; working with Android, IOS Mobile Applications, embedded platforms & framework development; conducting product verification & automated testing for medical devices; rapid prototyping, wireless technologies, open source & standards; programming languages to include C/C++, HTML5, Javascript, Scripting, Object Oriented Programming; Visual Studio, Android Studio, Xcode, Team Foundation Service; LINUX, Windows, Embedded Systems.

Apply at www.medtronic.com/careers, Req.190003CU. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN In the Estate of MARY ANN MILLER , Decedent

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

NOTICE OF INFORMAL , APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given, that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been filed with the Registrar herein. No will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

Notice is hereby further given that the informal appointment of Mark Miller, whose address is 6345 ZANE AVENUE NORTH, #104, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55429 as Personal Representative of the Estate of the above-named Decedent, has been made.

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

Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred Dated: March 8, 2019 Kate Fogarty District Court Administrator

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 14, 21 & 28, 2019

is accepting bids for divisions 1-16 including but not limited to Site Work, Concrete,

Mechanical and Electrical.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

9

all on-site labor is required to be performed by workers (members) represented by unions, affiliated with local building and construction trades council.

Plan Review Options: Frana FTP Site: 1. https://frana.sharefile.com 2. Email: franabids@frana.com 3. Password: Franabids1!

4. Direct Link to Project: https://frana.sharefile.com/d-s99a8d05e275426fa Frana Companies:

633 2nd Ave. S, Hopkins, MN 55343

STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF HENNEPIN Shelter Construction LLC, Plaintiff, v.

We Local People L.L.C.,and Airizes Miller,

CASE TYPE: CONTRACT COURT FILE NO.: 27-CV-19-2795 JUDGE: THOMAS FRASER

SUMMONS

Defendants THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you. The Plaintiff’s Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person who signed this summons located at: Virtus Law, PLLC 7040 Lakeland Avenue, Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55428 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: February 21, 2019 By:Nathan W. Nelson (#0347401) Steven V. Rose (#0296661) Daniel R. Spicer (#0399414) 7040 Lakeland Avenue, Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55428 (612) 888-1000 Fax:(763)447-3591 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 7,14 & 21 2019

Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm Please contact Allie Killion, Project Assistant, by email at akillion@frana.com to order a Flash Drive with PDF Plans & Specs for no $0.

EQUAL HOUSING & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY-

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, March 14, 21 & 28 , 2019

Fitz

Continued from page 10 pink signature shoes in Chicago, also received a number-two seed. They started the year 170 and beat defending NCAA champ Villanova and numberone Midwest seed North Carolina, who beat Duke twice. Regular-season Co-Big Ten champ Purdue, seeded number three in the NCAAs, lost to the Gophers twice, including 75-73 in the Big Ten Tournament. Wisconsin is seeded number five, Maryland number six, Minnesota and Iowa are 10 seeds, and Ohio State is seeded 11th.

Let’s hope the Big Ten teams do better than they did the last time they had eight teams in the NCAA tournament. That year, 2016, not one BIG team reached the Elite Eight. The mighty ACC with Duke, North Carolina, Virginia — all number-one NCAA Tournament seeds — got seven teams in, as did the SEC Conference, receiving NCAA bids.

Syracuse is one of those ACC teams coached by Jim Boehiem, who killed a 51-year-old man recently in a car accident. No charges were filed. Boehiem is coaching his 34th NCAA team

in the tournament.

Auburn won the SEC Tournament championship. Kentucky and Tennessee are also highly regarded. Charles Barkley, Samuel Jackson, and Oscarwinner Spike Lee are featured again in NCAA Capital One commercials. Larry Bird is featured also on the road to Minneapolis and the Final Four.

Did you know that Bird and I were both at Indiana State at the same time? In fact, I was the most famous Larry at ISU until he arrived and led us to the Final Four.

The NCAA tournament may be exciting, but it’s all about the Benjamins. As ABC-ESPN Analyst Jeff Van Gundy said, “The NCAA is all about student athletes and money.”

This time of year in March, the NCAA has the best of both basketball worlds, national focus on the NCAA Tournament and the NBA as well with Duke star Zion Williamson easily the prohibited next NBA numberone pick. He’s the most explosive, electrifying talent since Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. He’s also being compared to LeBron James and his enormous NBA potential.

With millions of Americans

SOE Continued from page 10 season, a historic first for Twin Cities pro teams.

“For the season to end this way is a great exclamation point on an amazing year for the Whitecaps,” League Founder and Commissioner Dani Rylan told the MSR after she hand-

ed the Isobel Cup to the winning players.

The Whitecaps sold out all their home games in their inaugural season in the NWHL. “It’s fantastic to see the fan support in the State of Hockey,” Rylan observed. “You couldn’t ask for a better year.”

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

ViEw

one of five Black coaches in the 64-team field.

Continued from page 10

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

Tournament, when asked if she would accept a WNIT bit if offered. The Gophers (20-10) host Northern Iowa Friday at 6:30 pm. The Panthers (20-12) are coached by Tanya Warren,

having tournament brackets and work pools, billions of dollars will be wagered on this tournament, while the players — all amateur student athletes — will get…what?

Great memories, the experience of a lifetime, and just maybe a parting gift like a CD player or earphones.

Yes the NCAA has a monopoly — that is no secret. They rake in many billions of dollars, and their partners and sponsors and bookmakers share in the enormous profits.

I ask the same question each year:

What about the players? Where is their piece of the pie, NCAA? Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.

10

March 21-27, 2019

MARCH MADNESS IN FULL SWING

All roads now lead to Minneapolis!

CHICAGO — The risk of going home to Chicago is heartfelt. It’s my birthplace, where I was raised and schooled

by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fitzgerald. I mentioned in one of my radio broadcast reports that I had put my bulletproof vest on as I arrived at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. I take pride in my accuracy — I learned Monday that there were 20 shootings in Chicago over the weekend and three people killed.

They may have painted the Chicago River green celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Sunday, but the bloodshed continues in a city once ruled by Al Capone. Even in fear of tragedy, there is no place like home.

I was in Chicago at the United Center on the west side of town for the Men’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament Wednesday, March 13 through Sunday, watching the deepest college basketball tournament with 14 teams play their hearts out before 122,000 fans. It started 20 years ago; if it’s not the best post-season tournament, it can only trail the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

So let the journey begin: It’s called March Madness. The men’s field of 68 teams begins this week with the challenge of who can win six games and capture a national championship. It won’t be easy getting to Minneapolis for a shot at that one shining moment.

The Minnesota Gophers qualified for the NCAA tournament by winning twice over Penn State in overtime and Co-Big Ten cham-

Following that long winding road to the Final Four Upon our arrival, Wright State Coach Katrina Merriweather and her team instantly became our unabashed favorite — she was the only Black coach among the four semifinalists, and 10 of her 12 players are Black. The Raiders (27-6) last week completed a double-double, winning both the regular

pion Purdue. Senior Jordan Murphy and Junior Amir Coffey did the heavy lifting.

The men of Richard Pitino earned him his second NCAA bid, and they are seeded number 10 in the Midwest Region. They play Thursday against Louisville in Des Moines, Iowa. Louisville was once coached by Pitino’s dad. Wright State team, coach at left He won a national championship shown the door after their The latest Walthere before being fired for accusaseason concluded. letHub report retions of NCAA violations.

The slogan-laden and leased last week notHow strong is the Big Ten? They male-centric “Road to ed that $4 billion in were denied an NCAA numberthe Final Four” eventualcorporate losses are one seed despite getting a recordly will wind up in downdue to unproductying eight teams in the NCAA C harles town Minneapolis in a tive workers durfield of 68. Michigan State, the Coallman h couple of weeks.

But the ing March Madness; Big Ten regular-season champion last couple of weeks, this $9.7 of the estimated and Big Ten Tournament champi$10 billion wagered on NCAA columnist instead followed othon with three wins over Michigan, men’s basketball is done illegal- er roads to that other tournawere robbed. Then they were seedment — the women’s NCAA ly. ed number two in the East Region Final Four that also is held the Selection Sunday and along with number-one tournasame weekend in Tampa, but in “Moanin” Monday (men) and ment seed Duke. the unfortunate shadow of the Selection Monday and “Too Michigan players, who wore Bad Tuesday” (women) took men’s events.

Our 10-day female-centric place earlier this week. Count■ See Fitz on page 9 less Americans by now have al- road trip first took us to Indiaready filled out NCAA tourna- napolis, where Iowa locked up ment brackets and conjured up an automatic NCAA bid as Big excuses for missing work later Ten Tournament champs. We then took a first-time-ever trip this week due to “hoopitis.”

It’s also “March or Gone” to the Horizon League Baskettime for some coaches, with ball Tournament, the “Motor a Janet Jackson “What Have City Madness” in Detroit.

While the Big Ten, a Power You Done for Me Lately” state of mind by athletic directors 5 conference, annually gets in who issue pink slips and be- multiple teams, the Horizon is Son Richard with father gin coaching searches. Coquese a 10-school “mid-major” conRick Pitino at Gophers vs.

Washington (Penn State) and ference that usually only gets Louisville Daynia La-Force (Rhode Island) one qualifying team because Photo courtesy of Larrysadly are among this year’s its post-season tourney winner Fitzgerald.com coaching causalities who were earns the automatic bid.

the Wright State coach said of Scott.

After Wright State’s semifinals win, Merriweather reiterated that playing in the league tournament “is a huge deal. It’s great to play in this type of arena, this type of atmosphere.

When we get to the NCAA tournament, this is the type of

“We have been working really hard for years for this to happen.

Thank God it’s finally here.”

ANOTHER

season and tournament titles.

“I am grateful and appreciative of this team, my staff, and the support we received,” Merriweather told me on the court amidst the falling confetti after her team’s championship win.

“These kids really deserve it.”

Her top-seeded club is ranked nationally first in total rebounds and third in rebounds per game: Wright State was ranked 10th in the latest women’s mid-major top 25 poll.

Merriweather was named this year’s Horizon League Coach of the Year.

“We have been working really hard for years for this to happen. Thank God it’s finally here,” stressed Merriweather, who was hired in 2016.

Merriweather, University of Detroit Mercy Coach Bernard Scott, and University of Illinois—Chicago’s Tasha Pointer are the Horizon League’s only Black head coaches. Scott, during halftime of the tourney finals, told me that he’s rooting for Merriweather.

“He always has been very supportive, and I of him also,”

VIEW

Coach Katrina Merriweather Photos by Charles Hallman arena we would play in,” she predicted.

There were no hopin’ emotions among the Wright State players and coaches this year: The Raiders on Monday got the 13th seed in the NCAA and will play fourth-seeded Texas A&M on Friday.

“It’s about where, when, and not if,” Merriweather said.

“That’s the beautiful thing.”

Furthermore…

“Yeah,” Minnesota Coach Lindsay Whalen told me a couple of weeks ago, after her team lost to Indiana in the Big Ten ■ See ViEw on page 9

Sports odds and ends

NCAA selection committee still hard at work as tournaments begin

COME READY TO

By Charles Hallman Contributing Writer The 10-member NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection committee, composed of Division I athletic directors and conference commissioners, don’t select the four finalists that will compete during the first weekend of April for the national championship. But earlier this week they did select the 68-team field.

“We put in a great field,” Stanford AD Bernard Muir said on Sunday’s selection show. Muir is the only Black member on the selection committee — he finishes his five-year term this year. He is also the committee chair.

Bernard Muir

Photo by Charles Hallman

“Those four teams who are lucky to be here in Minneapolis are going to have a wonderful weekend.”

“I’m one of 10 members,” Muir told me during a January visit to Minneapolis, where this year’s Final Four will be held. “It’s great to have this opportunity to lead the group as chair. It’s always difficult for us [to get] those last few teams in. It requires a lot of study on everyone’s part.”

Minnesota (seventh seed) plays 10th-seed Louisville Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa.

As committee chair, Muir explained, “My role is to shepherd the process and procedure that we have to follow. My job is to make sure that we continue to follow and adhere to those rules and have everyone collectively contribute to the meeting, the voting and the process.”

Asked about his legacy as a selection committee member, Muir pointed out, “My legacy is about making sure we get those teams right. We are very excited to be involved with college basketball and its marquee event.”

The 2019 NCAA Men’s Tournament started Tuesday, but the committee work is far from done, Muir stressed. “We are still responsible for administrating the tournament [at] each of the sites: the First Four site [in Dayton], the first and second round site[s], the regional sites, and then the Final Four.” Their responsibilities include “monitoring the administration [of the tourney] from officiating to getting the teams to the lo-

cales, making sure they are set up well.”

“I know [that] those four teams who are lucky to be here [in Minneapolis] are going to have a wonderful weekend,” Muir said.

MN women’s hockey on a roll Women’s hockey dominated this reporter’s attention last weekend. Minnesota (31-5-1) defeated Princeton 5-2 last Saturday at Ridder Arena to advance to the program’s 14th Frozen Four appearance. The Gophers will play Cornell in the first of two semifinals Friday at Hamden, Conn.

This year’s squad is one of Brad Frost’s youngest clubs, but he told the MSR after the win he couldn’t be more proud. “About half of our team was not here last year,” the head coach pointed out. “We’re thrilled to be going to the Frozen Four. This is a team that earned it.

They deserved it.”

The Gopher victory was sandwiched between last weekend’s NWHL Isobel Cup semifinals and finals at the Minnesota Whitecaps’ home ice in St. Paul.

The hosts defeated Metropolitan last Friday 5-2 and then became the fourth different league team since the league was founded in 2015 to win the Cup with a 2-1 overtime win over Buffalo on Sunday.

This was Minnesota’s first NWHL title in its first ■ See SOE on page 9

PreP Scene See Mitchell Palmer McDonald’s column on page 8 MSR Community Bulletin

INTERACTIVE GAMES, AUTOGRAPHS, FREE OPEN TEAM PRACTICES & SO MUCH MORE A P R I L

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