The Commonwealth Times; Sept. 23, 2020

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VOL. 62, NO. 6 SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

‘He was a traitor’

‘We cannot erase history’

Photos by Hannah Eason Photo illustration by Ni Sang

VCU APPROVES REMOVAL OF ON-CAMPUS CONFEDERATE NAMES, SYMBOLS EDUARDO ACEVEDO News Editor HANNAH EASON Managing Editor

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AMES OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, MAJORS and families affiliated with the Confederate army before establishing colleges, facilities and auditoriums in Richmond will soon disappear from VCU’s campuses.

Following a summer of statue teardowns by the City of Richmond, the university is moving forward in its plan to remove plaques and building names affiliated with members of the Confederacy. The board of visitors showed unanimous approval for the measures during a virtual Friday meeting.

“The symbols of the Confederacy have come to impede our mission to serve all, and that’s why I have recommended we no longer honor those symbols,” VCU and VCU Health System President Michael Rao said in a release.

The board passed a resolution to allow the Department of African American Studies to rename Harrison House, 816 W. Franklin St., where the department’s office is located. The building shares the name of Fort Harrison, which was used by Confederate forces during the Civil War. See CONFEDERATE SYMBOLS on page 3

VCU and VCU Health President Michael Rao and Board of Visitors Rector Keith Parker attend Friday’s meeting.

Photo by Jon Mirador, photo illustration by Ni Sang

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: United States surpassed 200,000 COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday. international: Saudi Arabia signed a series of deals to raise over $200 million in United Nations funding for Yemen.

Downtown Richmond vigil honors RBG A child at the candlelit vigil holds a candle in honor of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo by Jon Mirador ANYA SCZERZENIE Staff Writer ICHMONDERS MOURNED THE DEATH of an influential Supreme Court justice with candles and Jewish blessings on Sunday, as people across the nation continued to wonder when her spot on the nation’s highest bench will be filled and if her dying wish will be honored.

Around 150 people gathered outside the Virginia Eastern District Court in downtown Richmond on Sunday night for a vigil honoring the life of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The 87-year-old justice died due to complications with metastatic pancreatic cancer on Sept.

18. She was known for her forceful dissents in the United States Supreme Court, and for her support of reproductive and women’s rights.

“We know that RBG’s passing means we have a fight ahead of us,” Virginia Pride member Stephanie Merlo said during the event. “It is our duty as Americans to fight in her honor.

Do not give up, do not despair. Organize. Vote.”

Virginia Pride is an organization that seeks to raise awareness for the LGBT community.

James Millner, the organization’s interim director, planned the vigil on Facebook.

Speakers included a rabbi, a Christian minister and directors of local activist groups.

Because Ginsburg was Jewish, one speaker read the mourner’s kaddish, a Jewish blessing for the deceased.

Attendees shielded flames of white candles from the wind, reigniting them with others’ as they extinguished.

Reverend Lacette Cross, pastor of the Restoration Fellowship RVA, spoke at the event.

“This is a moment that her life needs to be mourned, and people are scared,” Cross said. “I believe that the best way to move forward is to collectively grieve, so we can collectively move forward to make a difference.”

Cross requested the crowd take a moment of silence in honor of Ginsburg. As the vigil winded down, a musician played guitar and sang as attendees spoke in quiet conversation.

Camille Bird, a resident of Carytown, said she came to be with others while grieving the loss of Ginsburg.

“It’s better to be together with others than crying in my living room,” Bird said. “I think it’s really important to grieve as a community.”

Bird said what she remembers most about Ginsburg was the justice’s reputation for writing dissenting opinions in the Supreme Court.

During her lifetime, Ginsburg fought for

Attendees at Sunday's vigil raise their candles. Photo by Jon Mirador

housing allowances for women in the military, advocated for same-sex marriage, argued the Virginia Military Institute should allow female students, fought for the rights of people with mental disabilities and assisted in many other landmark Supreme Court rulings that marked pivitol moments in the nation’s history.

Ginsburg’s death leaves a vacancy on the Supreme Court, which has ignited debate on when her spot should be filled. After the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the Republican party blocked former President Barack Obama from nominating a justice more than 11 months before a new president would be sworn in. Now, less than two months before the presidential election, President Donald Trump tweeted that he is obligated to fill the seat “without delay.”

President Donald Trump has promised to make an appointment within the upcoming days, despite Ginsburg’s dying wish — according to her granddaughter Clara Spera — that the next elected president nominate her replacement.

Richmond resident Perina Kiner says she came to the event to honor Ginsburg, despite concerns about how her vacant seat will be filled.

“She wasn’t always liked or agreed with,” Kiner said. “But she always accomplished what she wanted to accomplish.”

Vigil-goers shield their candles from the wind. Photo by Jon Mirador

Wed. September 23, 2020 3 CONFEDERATE SYMBOLS vice president of academic affairs, as well the offices of finance and administration, academic and faculty affairs and other departments.

Ginter House was named after Lewis Ginter, a major in the Confederate army. All mentions and commemorations of Ginter will be removed on Monroe Park and MCV campuses.

JEFFERSON DAVIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL

VCU's Board of Visitors held hybrid meetings on Aug. 17 and 18 in Cabell Library to vote on the decommemoration of Confederate symbols on campus. Photo by Jon Mirador

VCU board unanimously approves removal of Confederate memorabilia Continued from front page Board members also approved renaming a School of the Arts building after Murry DePillars, a former dean.

Six other VCU locations are up for de-commemoration following the Friday meeting: MCGUIRE HALL Located at 1112 E. Clay St., McGuire Hall houses administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, training facilities and a human science research facility. The hall was named after Hunter H. McGuire, a soldier and medical director in the Confederate army. The board voted to remove the name and all associated mentions and references to McGuire Hall.

In 1893, McGuire founded the College

Physicians and Surgeons, later called the University College of Medicine, which became part of MCV in 1913. The building was dedicated to McGuire by the MCV Board of Visitors in 1927.

BARUCH AUDITORIUM The board approved removal of a plaque outside the auditorium in the Egyptian Building at 1223 E. Marshall St. The sign commemorates Simon Baruch, an MCV graduate and surgeon for the Confederate States Army. His son, philanthropist Bernard Baruch, donated $100,000 to renovate the Egyptian Building in 1939.

GINTER HOUSE The Ginter House at 901 W. Franklin Street houses offices for the provost and the

Found on the 17th floor of the West Hospital on MCV campus, the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chapel is currently closed due to COVID-19. The chapel honors the Confederate president and Kathryn Wittichen, a former president of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The site will be de-commemorated and permanently closed, and four plaques honoring Davis and Wittichen will be removed from the chapel and the West Hospital.

TOMPKINS-MCCAW LIBRARY

Located at 509 N. 12th Street, the library is named in honor of five members of the Tompkins and McCaw families. James McCaw and Sally Tompkins operated Confederate hospitals in Richmond during the Civil War. The board voted to remove the name and all associated mentions of Tompkins-McCaw from the library. Members also approved the removal of Confederate plaques and a portrait of John Syng Dorsey Cullen, a surgeon for the Confederate army, from the library.

WOOD MEMORIAL BUILDING The Wood Memorial Building houses VCU’s School of Dentistry at 521 N. 11th St. It’s named after Judson B. Wood,

a dentist and private in the Confederate army. Wood’s name will be removed from the Wood Memorial Building, which was funded by Wood and his wife. All associated mentions and references will be removed from VCU’s campuses.

The board also approved the de-commemoration of several monuments, including those honoring Confederate soliders Fitzhugh Lee and Joseph Bryan and general W.C. Wickham, in Monroe Park Wickham’s monument, which stood on a pedestal near Cabell Library, was pulled down during Black Lives Matter protests in Richmond.

The VCU Committee on Commemorations and Memorials recommended the removal of Confederate names and symbols in July, and each recommendation was open for public comment until July 26.

The committee was established May 2019 to make recommendations on memorials, commemorations and decommemorations to the President.

“Confederate symbols are terror to Black students, staff and community members,” an anonymous comment on the Harrison House forum read. “They also serve as a signal to white members of the community on what is acceptable and aligned with the mission of VCU.” Several anonymous commenters said they would stop donating to the university if Confederate memorabilia were removed.

“The decision to remove this is a disgrace,” one commenter said of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chapel. “As VCU swings more to the left and demonstrates cowardice and lack of foundational values, my estate plan will swing in the other direction.

A commenter in the Baruch Auditorium forum said "we cannot erase history," while a comment on the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chapel forum read, "He was a traitor."

According to the Board of Visitors agenda, President Michael Rao established the President’s Committee on Confederate Commemoration in August 2017, following the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The committee was asked to conduct an inventory and analyze symbols of the Confederacy, slavery, white supremacy, and other items of an exclusionary nature on campuses.

Broad Street storefronts reopen despite delays, lessened foot traffic KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer After COVID-19 brought comic book distribution to a halt, forcing Richmond business Velocity Comics to shut its doors, co-owner Rawn Gandy said he and his partner faced difficulties in reopening their Broad Street location.

“My partner and I started working harder and longer for less money,” Gandy said of him and co-owner Patrick Godfrey.

Small businesses like Velocity Comics on Broad Street are learning to adapt to COVID-19, with some looking to hire workers and others managing a heavier workload with no more employees than before.

Velocity Comics rolled out mail-order and delivery options, which remain available although the store has reopened its 819 W. Broad St location. Delivery orders force back and forth communication with customers, Gandy said, adding at least another hour of work to each sale.

“Ultimately it adds time and draws out what used to be a normal transaction,” Gandy said in an email.

The store owners say they can’t afford hiring another employee for the job.

Despite occasionally having to remind customers to pull up their masks, Gandy said he feels safe at the store and doesn’t think it poses more of a threat than simply going to the grocery store.

Now that The Lab by Alchemy Coffee at 814 W. Broad St. is open for takeout and delivery, owner Eric Spivack said he is searching for workers to replace those who decided not to come back. While the owner expects to fill the position, he was surprised by a low number of applicants.

“I would have expected to have more of a response,” Spivack said. “It’s just average demand.”

The coffee shop remained closed over the summer due to a lack of foot traffic from Richmonders, Spivack said. The shop, which is a few doors down from VCU’s Fine Arts Building, reopened as students — its main source of business — returned to campus.

Spivack said the shop was able to stay closed by “hitting pause” on operations. He said he did not have to fire any employees.

“We weren’t losing money, we just weren’t making money,” Spivack said.

Velocity Comics co-owner Patrick Godfrey works the counter at the Broad Street location.

Photo by Enza Marcy VCU employees continue to work in common areas, including dorm lobbies and front offices of campus buildings.

Sophomore mass communications major Robin LeBlanc is a first-generation college student in the Federal Work Study program.

She worked for the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture’s front office during the 2019-20 school year before VCU sent students home in March.

“It’s very important I take advantage of everything the school offers me,” LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc said she now works in the

Robertson School’s Mac Lab, an editing space for broadcast students, where she enforces safety regulations such as mask wearing, social distancing and disinfecting work areas. LeBlanc said she always disinfects her area and the lab is “pretty quiet.”

According to the latest available statistics from the Virginia Employment Commission, the City of Richmond’s July unemployment rate was 12.3%. Richmond ranks 129 out of 134 cities and counties in Virginia in terms of unemployment. The statewide unemployment rate in July fell to 6.1%, down from 7.9% in June.

4 The Commonwealth Times

University site facilitates student connections, some with disregard to gathering guidelines SAGAL AHMED Contributing Writer Students may be meeting up through an online university resource with a heavy presence of clubs and organizations, despite a ban on student gatherings of 10 or more people on or off campus.

University Student Commons & Activities Director David Greene said his department monitors student engagement on RamsConnect, a site used by student groups to recruit new members.

Greene said the department sent messages to groups on the site, urging students take precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“We don’t see everything, but we are trying to track that,” Greene said.

VCU and VCU Health President Michael Rao said in an Aug. 20 release that students hosting parties or other gatherings on or off-campus with more than 10 people are subject to interim suspension.

“We become more vulnerable when we attend large parties or social gatherings without proper physical distancing and not wearing masks,” Rao said in the release.

If university employees find that an individual or an organization is holding an event that may have more than 10 people, Greene said his department will send a private message to the host and remind them of mandatory social distancing guidelines.

Since the start of the fall semester, dozens of students have posted in RamsConnect to find friends, gym partners or fellow students to play cards with.

“Any Spades players in the GRC??” one student said in an Aug. 19 post. “Looking to fill a spades game tonight if interested!”

Another student posted on Sept.

18, “All my classes are online so I don’t

have anyone to talk to. I’m trying to meet new people to just hang out, gym or do whatever.”

Greene said research suggests students who feel they are connected to the university can have a positive impact on their ability to graduate on time.

RamsConnect, which has about 271 scheduled programs, allows the department to track how students are engaging and how they can assist students, Greene said.

“We use RamsConnect to track attendance to our events and as an assessment

tool that shows the types of programs that draw the most students,” Greene said.

RamsConnect, developed by college tech service CampusGroups, changed during COVID-19 to offer virtual programming such as online fairs and booths for student organizations.

Art foundation freshman Claudia Gonzalez said the site was mostly “people asking if anyone wants to make friends.”

“I responded to one or two of the posts just because it sounds interesting,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez responded to a post asking if anyone wanted to go to the clothing store Rumors Boutique, but found a lack of responses to replies she left on others’ posts.

To freshman accounting major Victoria Wright, the community aspect translates well on the site she deemed “user-friendly.”

“I like that it has a feed section, where you can see what people have posted, it’s great,” Wright said.

Wright said she enjoys using RamsConnect to join different clubs alongside other students.

A group of three walk toward the outdoor workspaces near Shafer Court Dining Center. Photo by Jon Mirador

VCU considers change to COVID-19 testing eligibility COVID-19, you don’t need to be tested,’” the health, physical education and exercise sciences major said.

Townsend searc hed online f or When sophomore Kristin Townsend COVID-19 testing sites in the Richmond heard a friend of hers had been in close area and found CVS Pharmacy offered contact with someone who tested positive the service for free. After getting tested for COVID-19, she asked VCU to be test- and quarantining for two to three days, ed for the virus. Townsend was shocked Townsend received positive test results. when a VCU Health representative told As required for students who live on camher they would not be testing her. pus, Townsend notified VCU of her positive “I was kind of confused and taken status. The university then placed her in isoaback by how they were just like ‘you’re a lation housing for 10 days. She was released contact of a contact of someone who has after being asymptomatic for seven days.

KATHARINE DEROSA Staff Writer

Infographic by Raymond Liu

“They took care of me while I was in isolation, but it was confusing, so I’m glad I took the safety precautions that I did,” Townsend said.

VCU is considering adopting an at-will testing program that would allow asymptomatic students and employees to be tested for COVID-19 at an undetermined fee, according to a university spokesperson.

Thomas Gresham, director of news operations for VCU, said the university is evaluating its testing capacity to determine if at-will testing is possible.

Students are eligible for free testing from VCU if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if they came into close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.

Gresham said in an email that the university follows the Virginia Department of Health’s guidelines regarding what qualifies as close contact.

According to the VDH, anyone who has been closer than six feet for at least 15 minutes to someone who has COVID-19 may be exposed to the virus. Exposure may also occur via coughing, sneezing, kissing, and sharing utensils and drinks.

VCU refers close contacts to VCU Health for testing. Gresham said in an email that even if a close contact tests negative, they are required to quarantine for 14 days after their last exposure.

Junior photography and film major Kayleigh MacDonald said she was denied a test by VCU because she had not

established direct contact with a potential positive case.

Out of concern that she had been exposed to someone with the virus, MacDonald said she called the university’s COVID-19 hotline and scheduled a telehealth appointment with a nurse. She was then told she was not eligible for a test.

“I was sort of expecting them to be more willing to test,” MacDonald said. “They asked us to come back to school during a pandemic.”

MacDonald’s contact ended up testing negative, so MacDonald did not seek testing from outside the university.

There are many COVID-19 testing sites in the Richmond and Henrico area for people with or without insurance. Some require an appointment ahead of time, and others offer walk-up testing.

At-will COVID-19 testing locations include: • Patient First, 12 N. Thompson St. • West Grace Health Center, 517 W. Grace St. • CVS Minute Clinic, 3514 W. Cary St. • Hamilton Health Center of Richmond, VA, 201 N. Hamilton St. • Walgreens, 2924 Chamberlayne Ave. For more information on testing sites, visit the VDH’s website at vdh.virginia.gov.

Wed. September 23, 2020 5

Stat of the week

Former VCU baseball infielder Vimael Machin logged 12 hits, including two doubles, in 59 at-bats with the Oakland Athletics.

GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES SERVE AS ALTERNATIVE FOR GYM

Cary Street Gym is using three venues for group exercise: the multi-activity court, basketball courts and the group exercise studio. Photo by Alessandro Latour NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor

RecSports currently offers seven classes virtually: barre, core, high-intensity interval training, pilates, restorative and

and Well-Being Center.

RecSports is adding two more classes, bodysculpt Spaced out on a basketball court in and power yoga, to its Cary Street Gym are 12-foot squares, virtual lineup on Sept. 28. sectioned off by tape on the floor. The newPa r t ic ipa nts must look court is now home to several group register for group exercise exercise classes as one of the gym’s three classes taught in-person or There are some folks available workout areas. live over Zoom. Norman that aren’t willing to Jessica Norman, VCU Recreational s a i d c l a s s e s s to p p e d Sports assistant director for fitness and accept ing wa l k-ins to come back to a fitness wellness, said the squares were intentionalreduce the amount of facility for whatever ly designed to provide twice as much space people in the facility. reason. If they’ve gotten as the mandated six-foot requirement.

In-person classes have “We want to give people space to move, up to 28 participants, while into a rhythm and a and we know people are moving differonline classes can have workout routine at ent directions at different times,” Norup to 300. home, offering those man said. “We thought 12 feet would be Anthony Muscatello, good for that.”

RecSports assistant direcvirtual classes is great After the gym reopened in August, tor for external relations, for them.” group exercise classes resumed as well — said Car y Street Gym this time with in-person and virtual foraverages 800 people per Jessica Norman, VCU mats. Norman said before the pandemic, day during the semester.

Recreational Sports assistant if a class wasn’t meeting participation That’s down from almost director for fitness and wellness numbers, it would be canceled. Now, 3,000 a day during the it moves online. vinyasa yoga, and guided meditation. 2019 academic year.

“We have a really unique opportunity Gu ide d me d it at ion i s t au ght i n “Based on the requirewith a virtual space,” Norman said. partnership with the Health Promotion ments for physical distancing by the state of Virginia, VCU, and best practices Participants have to clean the gym equipment before and in our industry, we cannot after using it. Photo by Alessandro Latour safely provide access to the same number of users we had seen prior to In addition to the videos, RecSports the pandemic,” Muscatello said in an email. has a subscription to FLEX by Fitness The gym has a reservation system for on Demand — a service that offers free weights, but those in group exercise professionally produced fitness classes. classes don’t need a reservation to enter. There are 500 licenses RecSports can They can enter the gym 15 minutes be- distribute to st udents, facult y and fore class starts and cannot enter after the RecSports members. start time passes.

Interested parties can fill out a form Most gym-goers with reservations tend for FLEX access. If there are no available to show up for their scheduled workouts, licenses, the member will be added Muscatello said, with about 20% of reser- to a waitlist. vations resulting in a no-show.

“There are some folks that aren’t willGroup exercise classes are an alternative ing to come back to a fitness facility for to working out inside the gym, especially whatever reason,” Norman said. “If they’ve for those that are not comfortable with en- gotten into a rhythm and a workout routine tering the gym facility, Norman said. at home, offering those virtual classes is RecSports offers recorded f itness great for them.” classes from last spring and summer on Some gym equipment is closed off to allow for social distancing. Photo by Alessandro Latour its YouTube channel.

6 The Commonwealth Times

PRESS BOX

Illustration By Marisa Stratton

Former VCU great Lanto Griffin deserves more recognition on PGA Tour RYAN GRUBE Contributing Writer

Since regaining his tour card in During PGA telecasts, Griffin is typically 2019, Griffin has recorded four top-10 only highlighted for special moments like finishes, along with 14 top-25 outings, dunking a long shot from the fairway or FTER GRADUATING FROM which begs the question as to why the sinking a long putt on the green.

VCU in 2010 following a suc- former VCU great is so vastly overlooked Meanwhile, national viewers get to watch cessful golf career with the during PGA events. shot-by-shot footage of high-profile playblack and gold, it took Lanto Griffin a ers such as Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy, while to find his footing at the profeswhether they are in contention or not. sional level. But in the last year, Griffin It’s understandable why golf legends like has lit up on the PGA Tour, securing a Woods and McIlroy are featured so often victory at the Houston Open in October — their decorative careers certainly speak and notching five top-25 finishes since for themselves.

This year has been big the PGA’s restart in June.

But if a player like Griffin is excelling for me in a lot of ways, Because of this recent success, it’s and contending for a possible victory or but especially with the time for the Blacksburg, Virginia, native top-10 finish, there should be no reason to start receiving more recognition from why they aren’t featured consistently during self-image … as a golfer. the public and golf analysts. live coverage. Griffin has excelled since the We are playing against Upon his departure from VCU, Grifrestart, unlike Woods, McIlroy and other the best players in the fin participated in lower-tier events of household names. the professional golf ranks. He began Griffin isn’t going to shock anyone world. It’s been fun. It’s his career on the South American tour with a particular stat. For the 2020 season, been a dream year.” before working his way up to the Korn he ranked 42nd on the tour in driving Ferry Tour –– the development assigndistance –– 302.5 yards –– 39th in strokes Lanto Griffin, PGA Tour golfer ment for the PGA. gained putting, 76th in strokes gained Griffin lost his PGA Tour card in on approaches to the green, and 72nd in 2018 but regained it after a victory on strokes gained tee-to-green. the Korn Ferry Tour and a sixth-place “This year has been big for me in a lot Griffin stands out on the field, howevfinish in points for the 2019 season. of ways, but especially with the self-image er, with his consistency in his overall game.

Now, fresh off an 18th-place finish in … as a golfer,” Griffin told the Richmond Over the course of the 2020 campaign, he the 2020 Fed-Ex Cup standings, Griffin Times-Dispatch in August. “We are playing ranked in the top half of all players in every appears poised to assert himself as one against the best players in the world. It’s major statistical category, except for two –– of golf ’s rising prodigies. been fun. It’s been a dream year.” driving accuracy percentage at 145th and

A

greens in regulation percentage at 137th out of 193 qualified players.

Griffin’s steady play netted him at least $3 million in total winnings during the 2020 campaign. It put him on the map for players to watch heading into the 2021 season, which kicked off with the U.S. Open last week at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.

Griffin finished tied for 43rd place with a score of 15 over par in his first U.S. Open appearance.

Following Thursday ’s opening round at Winged Foot, Griffin sat just six shots back of 5-under-par leader Justin Thomas.

But in Bleacher Report’s summary heading into Friday’s outing, the article was quick to highlight Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Woods, who all remained behind Griffin, and eight shots back from Thomas.

The former VCU standout is too young and talented of a player to be receiving such limited coverage, especially considering the undeniable success he’s experienced since earning his most recent tour card.

If Griffin is able to continue his high level of play into the 2021 season, there is no doubt that he should garner more recognition from national media outlets.

Wed. September 23, 2020 7

On this day

In 1937, “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien was published in London.

Claire Green sells a variety of baked products and homemade canned sauces at her booth, Avery’s Greens. Photo by Enza Marcy

Black-owned businesses celebrate community at local farmers market

CLAIRE DARCY Contributing Writer

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LEVEN-YEAR-OLD ENTREPRENEUR Amanni “Tink” Spratley was one of the vendors at RVA’s Black Farmer’s Market on Saturday. Her business, Tink’s Organic Lemonade, was featured among several other local and Black-owned businesses at the recently-founded market.

Saturday was Spratley’s first time participating in RVA’s Black Farmer’s Market, although she’s done similar events before.

The booth was sold out of lemonade and trail mix before noon.

“My favorite part is the smiles and the laughter that I get from people,” Spratley said.

Richmond-based author and Virginia State University alumna Navi Johnson founded RVA’s Black Farmer’s Market in July. According to the market’s Facebook page, it is a “celebration of resiliency and community.”

The monthly event takes place behind The Way of the Lord Fellowship at 1700 Blair St., occupying two asphalt lots and sidewalk space along the road. Occurring every third Saturday of the month until Nov. 21, the market is open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The farmers market is free to enter, and masks are required at all times. Volunteers at various entrance points conduct contactless temperature checks before allowing guests to enter.

Claire Green, owner of Avery’s Greens, experienced similar success and noted that her items were quickly selling out. Avery’s Greens, named for the owner’s son, features a rotating selection of homemade baked goods such as tomato basil sauce and banana bread.

“It’s just a way for me to take care of myself and stay grounded,” Green said about gardening and baking. She described Avery’s Greens as “self-care turned business.”

The Saturday market was Green’s second time as a vendor with RVA’s Black Farmers

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1. Tink’s Organic Lemonade, owned by Amanni "Tink" Spratley and mother Pamela Spratley, sells homemade lemonade at RVA’s Black Farmer’s Market. 2. Rolando Reyes, 83, dives into chicken wings from catering service Smoking Ice. Reyes is visiting Richmond on vacation from his home in the Dominican Republic. 3. Ground & Palette, owned by Kyle Epps, offers a variety of artisan goods and plants. Photos by Enza Marcy

Richmond farmers markets, Rogers said this one felt more genuinely local, and Mathis said the variety of vendors was the best part. They said they plan to visit again in the future.

“There’s so much here, and I didn’t even know that Richmond had all of this stuff,” Rogers said. “I think it’s a great way for people in Richmond to showcase their talent and receive positive feedback.”

Rogers and Mathis said Ground and Palette was their favorite vendor. Run by VCU alumnus Kyle Epps, Ground and Palette offered a variety of produce, muffins, plants and flowers for sale, along with some of Epps’ artwork.

“He’s like a one-stop shop,” Mathis said.

Some vendors, such as Urban Spiced, traveled from out of town to participate in the farmers market.

Run by India Cheeks and Symone Langham, Urban Spiced is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Originally from Richmond, Cheeks said it was easy making the trip.

“We’re just grateful for the opportunity to do so,” said Cheeks, who was invited to participate in the market by a family friend.

Cheeks and Langham released two new spices for Saturday’s event, called U-Bay and Urban Greens, both of which were sold out before noon.

There were also opportunities for visitors to take home free items that had been donated by farmers — Cheeks and Langham offered green peppers to their customers, while another vendor offered apples to passersby.

Consumers had many options for dessert, from ice cream by Ruby Scoops to mini donuts by food truck Domo’s Delights. Karmalita offered marshmallows, s’mores and other confections, while D’s Delectables sold baked goods such as cake and cupcakes.

Market. She said she felt more prepared Richmond locals Matthew Rogers and The next RVA’s Black Farmer’s Market will this time thanks to an increased inventory, Alexis Mathis shopped at the farmers mar- be on Oct. 17 behind The Way of the Lord including homemade olive bread and red ket on Saturday. This was their first time Fellowship, 1700 Blair St. velvet cake that her friends contributed. attending the event. Having visited other

8 The Commonwealth Times

From left, Jasmine Leeward, Micky Jordan and Laura Chow Reeve spearheaded the idea to create “Color Out Cash Bail” in 2019 for activist organization Southerners on New Ground. The coloring book covers topics such as defunding police and the cash bail system, featuring illustrations from five Richmond artists. Photo by Alessandro Latour

‘Color Out Cash Bail’ illustrates prison reform for all ages

EBONIQUE LITTLE Contributing Writer

work and how deeply the artist resonated with the book’s goals. He said they also focused on representing artists of color and WENTY-TWO PAGES OF CARTOON those of the LGBTQ community. Each art-style drawings created by Richmond ist was given a topic, and they created one artists and other Southerners are re- interactive page based on their assignment. imagining conversations surrounding the Syd Cordoba, a 2019 VCUarts photogVirginia jail system. raphy and film graduate, was one of five "Color Out Cash Bail," released Sept. 16, Richmond artists who lent their talent to is a political education coloring book that the project. Cordoba created a comic strip seeks to end pretrial detention in Virginia on bail statistics, depicting a person in front and the South. of a judge in a courtroom setting, pulling The project was created by Southerners out empty pockets. on New Ground, or SONG, an organization that connects Southern LGBTQ people of color, rural individuals, immigrants and working class people who face varying forms of oppression.

SONG members Micky Jordan, Laura A dandelion doesn’t just Chow Reeve and Jasmine Leeward led the grow in the most hostile coloring book project, which took about a year to complete. environment you can “We wanted to find ways to talk about throw at it, it thrives.” the issues of the money bail system,” said Jordan, a Richmond-based genderqueer Melissa Duffy, illustrator activist and graphic designer, “and just like, general criminalization of Black people, people of color, queer and trans people in Text accompanying the drawing states the state of Virginia, in a way that incor- that 46% of people in Virginia jails haven’t porated art.” been convicted of a crime, a figure reported Jordan said he wanted to bring criminal by the Legal Aid and Justice Center. justice issues to light in a way that was diCordoba said visualizing statistics was a gestible and not age-specific. bit challenging, but they enjoyed combining The book examines calls to defund the art and activism. In late May, nationwide police, immigrant detention centers, sur- Black Lives Matter protests sparked in veillance technology and the cash bail sys- honor of George Floyd, who died in Mintem. Jordan said the latter destroys margin- neapolis police custody with an officer’s alized communities because the ability to knee on his neck. post bail matters more than the crime itself.

Some demonstrations in Richmond led “When Black women and caregivers in to protesters’ arrests, and demands for their their communities are in jail, it really di- release became a central element of ensuing rectly impacts everybody around them, their marches. The coloring book was in its final kids, family members,” Jordan said. “They stages as more bail funds were created to lose their jobs. And so all of that can just release protesters. be ruined just because they have a bail set “What was really interesting was that they can’t pay.” when I was done with my page, that’s when Jordan said the coloring book artists the uprising started here in Richmond,” were selected based on the quality of their Cordoba said.

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Cordoba said their favorite part of participating in Color Out Cash Bail was the sense of community among Southern artists. Cordoba was able to connect with some of them virtually.

Richmond illustrator Melissa Duffysaid she was “all in” after hearing about the project. She created the book’s “Know Your Rights” page, which includes an illustrated dandelion representing resilience and strength in the justice system.

“A dandelion doesn’t just grow in the most hostile environment you can throw at it, it thrives,” Duffy said in an email. “That seemed like a good idea to branch out from.”

Duffy said providing collateral, or bond, to secure one’s release is a challenge for Virginians. Text on the page states that someone who is struggling with drug addiction and charged with simple possession will automatically be given secured bond, instead of opportunities for treatment.

“The system needs reform, rework and overhaul,” Duffy said.

The SONG members who organized the book said they hope it’ll inspire change.

Jordan said they are providing 300 limited copies to Richmond teachers and other organizations, including National Bail Out and Black Mamas Bail Out Action, who can use them as educational tools.

At the request of a donation, the coloring book is also available as a downloadable file, so that everyone can access the information.

“It’s not just like, here’s a bunch of facts about these awful systems,” Jordan said. “It’s also ‘What can we do about it? What do we hope for the future?’”

To access the online version of the coloring book, visit southernsonnewground.org.

Southerners on New Ground plans to distribute 300 copies of the downloadable coloring book to Richmond teachers and other organizations. Photo by Alessandro Latour

Wed. September 23, 2020 9

BLM mural makes statement in arts building SANJANA RAVULAPALLI Contributing Writer

time and labor. The group consisted of artists and former VCUarts students Aaron Douglas Estrada, Ruben Rodriguez, Luis Vasquez La Roche, LaRissa Rogers, Cielo Felix-Hernandez, Mariana Parisca and Sandy Williams IV. “I admire their work. I honestly wish I could have invited more friends but because of COVID-19, access to campus and participants had to be limited,” Estrada said.

Artist LaRissa Rogers, who typically works with performance, moving images and installation art, happened to be in town when asked by Estrada to help with the mural. Rogers graduated from VCU’s painting and printmaking department in 2019 and is currently living in Los Angeles.

Rogers said installing the mural by the Fine Arts Building was significant given past allegations about prejudice within the VCUarts community. She said it felt liberating to see the mural installed.

“I think it was a public statement that was necessary to have, especially within that space,” Rogers said. “I know a lot of POC artists or people within that space felt that they weren’t always necessarily welcome there.”

Rogers said the mural was a good first step in holding VCU accountable.

“I’m not sure how much it will actually structurally change how these systems are

set up and running, and I think that that’s gonna require more than a mural,” Rogers said, “but I think it’s hopeful for students of color and a way to kind of build this community of support.”

In April 2019, several VCUarts students sought to address what they called racial inequities and discrimination within the department after a painting and printmaking professor called security on a Black colleague. VCUarts addressed several of the group demands, including implementing increased bias training, midterm course evaluations and inclusion of non-Western perspectives in course materials.

“VCUarts acknowledges that instances of systemic racism have negatively affected students, faculty, and staff, and the school is committed to rebuilding that trust,” the school said in a Sept. 2 release.

Suzanne Silitch, director of communications at VCUarts, said Estrada reached out to the department’s interim dean, Nancy Scott, with the idea for the mural in June.

Scott was moved by Estrada’s proposal and felt the mural aligned with the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, Silitch said in an email.

“We hope that the mural will encourage students, faculty, and staff to have frank conversations and open dialogue with one another about racial injustice, ” Silitch said, “and to see that the school’s administration supports them.”

As students enter VCU’s Fine Arts Building, large black letters on the floor lined with the Pan-African colors of green, red and yellow spell “Black Lives Matter.”

The students and artists behind the project say it’s a good first step in holding VCUarts accountable for its statements in support of diversity and inclusion.

Seven VCUarts alumni created the mural, initiated by Aaron Douglas Estrada, who graduated in May from the school’s master program in sculpture and extended media.

Estrada said the Fine Arts Building at 1000 W. Broad St. was chosen to house the mural because the space already functions as a gathering area for conversation.

“By placing the Black Lives Matter text within institutional spaces, they begin to establish much-needed conversations about systemic racism,” Estrada said. “However, we must also keep in mind that the text on the floor is not enough, but let it be a move toward greater commitment to enact real change toward ending racial injustice.”

Inspired by various Black Lives Matter murals and artwork across the country, Estrada proposed an idea to VCUarts: Install a mural in solidarity with the movement, and have open conversations on how to move forward as an art community.

“It is a disservice to our communities and us to not do anything,” Estrada said. “Black culture and people should be acknowledged and respected as a keystone in the growth of this country.”

Estrada reached out to friends from the VCU community who were available to help. He said the hand-painted mural took about two days to create and was completed A new Black Lives Matter mural, created by seven VCUarts alumni, resides at the on Aug. 13. Artists were also paid for their entrance of the Fine Arts Building. Photo by Enza Marcy

Food carts adapt on empty campus FABIAN FONTANEZ Contributing Writer Lunchtime on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus was once bustling with local food carts, offering students a plethora of meal choices from familiar owners. But this semester, Mary’s Empanadas is one of the only food carts on campus.

Located on Floyd Avenue near the University Student Commons, owner Marcelo Munoz has his cart set up and ready to serve empanadas to passersby. Munoz said one of the reasons for his continued presence is student support.

“I have a lot of regular customers,” Munoz said. “I’m going to hold through, the hard time was the beginning.”

Munoz said he’s found new ways to ensure a stable income by offering catering through his website and serving at Dorey Park Farmers Market in Henrico, Virginia, on weekends.

“Life has changed for many businesses,” Munoz said. “I survived for six, seven months since the pandemic started. Not much money, but I’m still in business.”

Munoz said he has ramped up sanitation at his cart and enforces social distancing for his own safety, as well as the safety of his customers. He said he also monitors student cases through VCU’s online COVID-19 dashboard to determine if it’s safe for him to sell on campus.

Munoz knew the university had around 100 active COVID-19 cases at the time of

UPCOMING EVENTS See something

WED. 9/23 Sunset Hike to Belle Isle

This dirt-paved, 5-mile hike explores several spots along the James River, including Brown’s Island, the Canal Walk and Belle Isle. Hiking gear, water, rain boots and insect repellent are recommended for this activity.

Participants are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer and wear a mask. To get tickets, visit the Central Virginia Trailblazers’ Facebook page.

6 - 7:30 p.m., Belle Isle, 300 Tredegar St., donations encouraged

SAT. 9/26 ‘Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker’ Screening

Catch a big-screen showing of the second installment in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy at The Diamond as a part of the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ “Movies in the Outfield” program. To buy tickets, visit the Flying Squirrels’ website.

6:35 - 9:30 p.m., The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., $8

SAT. 9/26 ‘Cars and Corks at Maymont’

Live music from upbeat jazz band Good Shot Judy, food trucks and classic cars will be available at Maymont’s kid-friendly car show. Face coverings and social distancing is required as well as a review of COVID-19 symptom checklist.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

1 - 6 p.m., Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., $10

Do something

SUN. 9/27 Artisan Market at Brambly Park

Local artists and makers will bring handmade art, jewelry and home decor to the Artisan Market at Brambly Park, a free and weekly event. For more information, visit artisanmakers.org.

Noon - 4 p.m., Brambly Park, 1708 Belleville St.

TUES. 9/29 When the spring semester moved online in March, many food cart owners found themselves with a vacancy in customers. This led many to move locations or shut down, a decision that Collins said turned the university into a “ghost town.”

After monitoring the cases on campus, Mobile Munchies owners John Chandler and Kathleen Farley determined they would not set up on campus until further notice.

The owners said closing the cart, which was usually set up near Grace E. Harris Hall, was a difficult deDominique Collins operates her food cart, Domo’s cision. Chandler said the Delights, on weekdays outside Johnson Hall. consequences of a food Photo by Fabian Fontanez handler becoming sick was too much of a “gamble,” and the Sept. 7 interview, but he emphasized, they have found ways to adapt to the tem“VCU is my home, I could never leave it.” porary closure.

Dominique Collins, owner of Domo’s “We have resorted to asking customers Delights, a food cart that serves waffle pops and friends for help, something we’ve nevand mini donuts on campus, faced delays er been very comfortable with,” Chandler setting up her business during the summer. said, “some have VERY thankfully noticed, Collins started the business in May, but donated, offered us lawn work, and more.”

Domo’s Delights could not officially open Though he wishes to return to the spot until Aug. 1. Since then, the food cart has where his business started, Chandler is been popping up on weekdays in Monroe waiting for the right moment.

Park in front of Johnson Hall.

“We appreciate any support one would “This is something I’ve been wanting to do consider offering until we can get through for years, but I was scared to get started,” Col- this mess,” Chandler said. lins said. “I figured it would be good to strike while things were slowly building back up.”

‘Mutts at Maymont’

Listen to live music and eat at food trucks for humans and dogs during Maymont’s LETTER TO THE EDITOR special access hours.

Attendees must register beforehand. For a complete list of rules and dog behavior guidelines, visit the event’s Facebook page.

For additional questions, email info@ maymont.org or call 804-358-7166.

5:30 - 8 p.m., Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., $10 per dog

Learn something

SUN. 9/27 Sunset Sound Bath

Lauramarie Laskey and Annie Peace will lead a free and socially distanced sound bath as the sun sets at Chimborazo Park. Sounds of singing crystal bowls and cellos will fill the park gazebo as conversations prompt in the space. Social distancing is advised, as well as bringing a yoga mat, a blanket and tea. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

6:30 p.m., Chimborazo Park, N. 34th St.

TUES. 9/29 Virtual Voting Story Circle

Students can reflect and share their personal voting experiences in small groups during a virtual moderated discussion hosted by VCU Votes. At the end of the meeting, participants will develop a plan to vote in the November elections.

7 - 7:45 p.m. Register at vcu.campusgroups.com/vcuvotes.

Have suggestions for the events calendar? Contact spectrum@ commonwealthtimes.org

10 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“Women will have achieved true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.”

— Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

Tea Time with Tagwa

RBG ARGUED THAT WOMEN NEEDED EQUALITY, AND SCOTUS LISTENED TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor Tea timers, when I think of revolution and progress in the Supreme Court, I think about one woman: Ruth Bader Ginsburg. An icon and shepherd for gender equality, the passing of former Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg is devastating.

On Sept. 18, Ginsburg passed away due to complications related to metastatic pancreatic cancer. Nominated in 1993 by former President Bill Clinton, she served a long and respectable tenure on the court.

Ginsburg delivered progressive votes on an array of controversial subjects and ushered a wave of liberalism that our country direly needed.

As a woman, she was an inspiration to many. She served on the highest and most prestigious court in the nation, completely debunking stereotypes that a woman is too emotional for the position. She took firm stances on a woman’s right to an abortion and reigned in the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Most importantly, Ginsburg was a pioneer in the fight for equality. In her early days as an attorney, she argued case after case against sexual discrimination.

When a mother wanted the right to her dead son’s estate, it was Ginsburg who helped Sally Reed get that. In Reed v. Reed, Ginsburg argued that an Idaho law was discriminatory against women because it unquestionably appointed the father to his son’s estate. Thanks to

Ginsburg’s tenacity and comprehension, the In Frontiero v. Richardson, U.S. Air court voted against the state law.

Force Lieutenant Sharron Frontiero For the first time in more than 100 years, fought for a dependent’s allowance for the court struck down a state law on the ba- her husband. Ginsburg argued — in front sis that it discriminated against women in of the same court she would later find violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal herself sitting on — that men could be Protection Clause. financially dependent on their wives, and Ginsburg directed the American Civil that the federal law was unconstitutionally Liberties Union’s Women’s Rights Project in discriminatory.

1972. The project took on hundreds of casThis case was Ginsburg’s defining moes, ranging from education to reproductive ment. She stood in front of uninterested rights to prisons and military involvement. men and fought to convince them that sexIn a time where a woman was nothing based discrimination was an actual problem more than a second thought, Ginsburg in our nation. She had to draw from her made it her priority and mission to bring own trauma of discrimination to enlighten justice to women across the nation. these men — all in the name of equality.

It impressed me that Ginsburg seemed While she was a liberal justice, there is to find equality in everything. no denying that Ginsburg completed her In Duren v. Missouri, Ginsburg argued role eloquently. She dissented in Bush v. against a MissouGore, clarifying the confusion surrounding ri law that made Democratic candidate Al Gore’s loss and jury duty mandaformer President George W. Bush’s victory for men, yet tory. Her opinions focused on conoptional for women. stitutionality instead of potential To many people, political gain. By favoring a Rethis was strange. Why publican candidate, she set a stanwould a woman fight for dard for seeing the bigger picsomething that men did not ture: democracy and fairness. want? Jury duty has always Ginsburg also worked been viewed as a drag, so it was well with conservative felconfusing that Ginsburg rallied low justices. Former so hard to make it mandatory Supreme Court Jusfor women. tice Antonin Scalia However, I understood it. She and Ginsburg shared a reasoned that optional jury duty beautiful friendship. Scalia for women weakened their stance was notably one of the more for equality. She argued that the law conservative justices and devalued the contributions did not share similar voting Illustration by Karly Andersen of female citizens. habits as Ginsburg.

Party alignment aside, she was a memorable justice and an icon.

While respecting and honoring the actions and legacy of Ginsburg are important, I can’t help but wonder: What’s next?

I cannot imagine the idea of President Donald Trump nominating yet another Supreme Court justice. I think appointing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh — a man who was accused of raping and disrespecting women — was enough toxic white masculinity to last me a lifetime.

The day after Ginsburg died, the president took to Twitter and demanded the selection of the next justice be done “without delay.”

I’m sorry, but I don’t remember such urgency when former Scalia died and the Republican party blocked former President Barack Obama from making a nomination. Out of respect for Ginsburg and her wish to not be replaced until a new president is elected, we should wait for the November election results.

Without Ginsburg, the court is filled with six men and only two women. While President Trump has assured the nation he would nominate a female justice, nobody can live up to the work and success of Ginsburg.

Ginsburg has been an inspiration to this nation. She has been a pioneer in a multitude of ways. Supreme Court justice.

Author. Attorney. Columbia Law School alumna. Trailblazer. Without Ginsburg, the feminist movement would not be where it is today. And that’s the tea.

Wed. September 23, 2020 11

THE CT STAFF

Energy by Lauren Johnson

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrew Ringle ringlea@commonwealthtimes.org MANAGING EDITOR Hannah Eason easonhd@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Eduardo Acevedo news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Iman Mekonen spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Jon Mirador photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Alexandra Zernik zernikal@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Lauren Johnson illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org STAFF WRITERS Katharine DeRosa, News Anya Sczerzenie, News

Not Yet by Sarah Brady

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jayce Nguyen Raymond Liu Ni Sang Gabrielle Wood designers@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kofi Roberts advertising@vcustudentmedia.com WEB MANAGER Chranjitpandian Murugapandi web@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tibebe Gebiso distribution@vcustudentmedia.com DIRECTOR Allison Bennett Dyche abdyche@vcu.edu (804) 827-1975 CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu

Laundry Day by Ren Newport

SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dominique Lee leeds3@vcu.edu (804) 827-1642 OFFICE MANAGER Owen Martin martinso@vcu.edu

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969.

The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Tagwa Shammet, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times.

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The Commonwealth Times strives for accuracy in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please email the appropriate section editor.

Corrections will appear on the news pages and/or online. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

12 The Commonwealth Times 12 The Commonwealth Times

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by Rich Norris Joyce Nichols Lewis Los Angeles Times Contact Dominique Lee @ leeds3@vcu.edu Lo s An g el es ord Ti mPuzzle es Sunday Crossw Sunda y Cr o ssw o r d P u z z l e Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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By John-Clark Levin

By Dan MargolisEdited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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5 Lions marching 107Short 108stars “Better Call Saul” Materials” international union?

100 Tick-ing bomb?

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39 Paul51 Simon song Emeritus with fabric 0 Edmond __: the for a 112 116DOWN MGM Kingdom of Great choice calledSong” Claymates 103 Results “Love singer 105 Swimwear Earthenware potResorts43 Tardy Reason star 106 Blitzed 53 “His57 Dark about53a budding 100 Tick-ing bomb? __:Bareilles Maine 113 reward Britain and Ireland 59Juno, Result of a threeCount Monte 48 “What __ thou?”

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HERD MENTALITY ADDITIONALLY

Herd MentalityEdited

by John-Clark

by Rich NorrisLevin and Joyce Nichols Lewis Additionally by Dan Margoli

Level

Sudoku Sudoku

1 3

The MephamGroup Group ByBy The Mepham

1/15/19 1/15/19 Complete the Complete therow, grid so each grid so each row, column and column 3-by-3and box 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) (in contains bold borders) every contains digit, 1every to 9. digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies For strategies on how to solve on how to solve Sudoku, visit Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

4

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sudoku.org.uk

© 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved. © 2020byThe © 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle

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1 12 23 3 4 4

2/26/20

2

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, please visit sudoku.org.uk

DIFFICULTY LEVEL DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Complete grid Complete thethe grid so each row, column, so each row, column, and 3-by-3 box (in and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) containsSolution to Monday’s puzzle bold borders) containsSolution to Monday’s puzzle every digit, 1 to 9. every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk sudoku.org.uk

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