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HOLIDAY SPIRIT: Cops collecting gift cards PAGE 13A
#MeToo: Prosecutor stands up in court for sexual assault victims BY SARA MARIE MOORE VADNAIS HEIGHTS EDITOR
For 20 years, Shoreview resident Kelly Moller has worked in the courtroom trenches as an attorney supporting victims of sexual assault who are brave enough to speak up — and she hopes the #MeToo movement of 2017 will continue to encourage victims to report the awful truth. “It is really about speaking up to put an end to the abuse, not only to yourself but for other victims,” said Moller, an
appellate prosecutor with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. Few victims report sexual assaults due to the skepticism, blaming and shaming they receive, she noted. Many victims avoid reporting because the perpetrator is not a stranger. It is also not uncommon for victims to delay reporting due to humiliation and trauma. Moller said she thinks the #MeToo movement will help victims have more courage to report sexual assaults, as well as sexual harassment, leading
to change within the legal system and in public dialogue. The #MeToo movement of 2017 went viral this fall when victims began using the hashtag on social media to share experiences of sexual assault or harassment. The phrase had been used by social activist Tarana Burke for about a decade but was popularized by actress Alyssa Milano. Milano encouraged victims to publicize how widespread sexual misconduct really is in SEE #METOO, PAGE 8A
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Shoreview resident Kelly Moller is an assistant Hennepin County attorney who advocates for victim privacy in sexual assault cases.
Script going as planned: New performing arts center in home stretch BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Junior Jingle Bear runners Santa Claus (Jason Brown) helps set the pace at the start of the Kid’s Fun Run that was held in conjunction with the annual Jingle Bear 5K Race Saturday, Dec. 9 in White Bear Lake. Adding authenticity to the name of the event, some of the participants wore jingle bells on their shoes and bear-themed running outfits. Find more photos online at www.presspubs.com.
Every room in White Bear Lake's new performing arts center has either been named on behalf of a benefactor or is awaiting one. The community has been generous. The curtain will lift next fall on the new home of Lakeshore Players Theatre and Children's Performing Arts. Actors will have their own dressing room, there is a scenic shop for set building, props and costumes will have a dedicated storage room — even a new Steinway will have its own climate-controlled closet, stage left. “A lot of thought has been put into every corner of this building,” maintained Kathy Blegen-Huntley, Birchwood resident and the capital campaign consultant. Of the $9.2 million needed for the 22,000-square-foot facility, $870,000 remains to be raised. “We met our goal early,” Blegen-Huntley stated, “and we're in the capstone (or final) phase of the campaign. For
anyone who wants to contribute, now is the time.” What has made the campaign effort unique is that funding has come mostly from individuals and community members, noted Rob Thomas, Lakeshore Players managing director. “This is pretty special,” he said. “It's almost unprecedented for the majority of money to come from individuals, as opposed to grants or government funding. The community wanted this so bad that they really stepped up.” A tour through the state-ofthe-art facility late last month began in the lobby, named for the Sally Ordway Irvine Family. Striking features like the curved “curtain glass” window and limestone fireplace greet theatergoers who will enter on either side of the lobby. There will be benches and tables for patrons to enjoy sandwiches and desserts from local vendors. Beer and wine will be served. During the day, the lobby and its coffee shop SEE THEATER, PAGE 9A
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