Insight News ::: 6.24.19

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Insight News June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019

Vol. 46 No. 25• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

BLACK MUSIC MONTH salute to the DJs

DJ Willie Shu has emerged as one of the area’s most sought after crowd rockers.

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Page 2 • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Insight News

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Two area DJs, Brother Jules and DJ Willie Shu, share how they move the crowd

Hey DJ, play my song

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com

In hip-hop, before the rapper, there was the DJ. Before hip-hop there was the DJ. The often unsung musicians – and yes, DJs (true DJs) are musicians – there is no party without the DJ. More to the point, if the party is gonna pop, the DJ has got to be on point.

Two of the best are Brother Jules and DJ Willie Shu. Jules, who has been celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement recognition from the Black Music Awards, has been rocking crowds since the 1980s. As the former DJ to Prince, Jules’ party-rocking abilities have allowed him move to crowds in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Los Angeles, Miami, London … even Tokyo. But it all started in Uptown.

“I started spinning at the age of 13,” said Jules. “I started at Bernadette’s teen club.

Bernadette Anderson, who was Andre Cymone’s mother, had a teen club where the YWCA is now in Uptown. I started spinning for my peers there. I just jumped right in. She had all the latest equipment, so I started spinning on two Technics 1200s (the longtime gold standard turntables for DJs).”

When Jules wasn’t rockin’ his peers he was rockin’ the airwaves as a teenager manning the overnight shift at KMOJ, 89.9 FM. “It was 1989 and I was a junior in high school. I’d go to school, do my homework then catch the last No. 9 bus to the station (then at 501 Bryant Ave., N., Minneapolis) and do my shift from 2 a.m. – 5 a.m.,” said the hardworking DJ. “Then I would catch the first bus home,

over South (Minneapolis). It was dedication … early.”

That dedication paid off.

As they say, chance favors the prepared, so when Jules got the call to spin at the famed Glam Slam – Prince’s club – he was more than up to the task. Jules said when he got the call to spin he didn’t appreciate the importance of the moment.

“I didn’t really know who he (Prince) was. I got a call from Sharon Smith (who booked for Glam Slam) to fill in for the regular DJ. After I did my thing two guys, Joey and Dwayne – Prince’s bodyguards – came up to me and said, ‘the boss wants you out at Paisley Park,’” recalled Jules. “I made my way out there and the rest is history.”

Jules has a special adoration for Prince, and rightfully so.

“He took care of me. He sent me to college; bought me my first crib … he did all that for me,” said Jules.

Jules said he would later work at four of Prince’s clubs including ones in L.A. and Tokyo.

“I worked at his Glam Slam in Tokyo for two years,” said the well-traveled DJ, who when asked if he spoke Japanese responded in the affirmative with the greeting, “konnichi wa.”

That Japanese will come in handy as he has upcoming gigs booked in Tokyo, as well as London, Jamaica and Australia. Closer to home he’s spinning for the fourth annual 90s Throwback River Cruise, July 3 on the Mississippi River, cruising from Harriet Island in St. Paul.

Not only an acclaimed DJ, Jules plays 15 … 15 musical instruments.

“That would be my advice to anyone trying to DJ, learn an instrument. I helps

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Legendary DJ, Brother Jules – former DJ to Prince – has been on the turntables since he was 13 years old. when you are a student of music,” said Jules, who suggested aspiring DJs learn piano as an instrument of choice for DJs. “Jimmy Jam would DJ and play the keys at the same time when he was spinning at The Taste.

He’d make remixes right there on the spot.”

It could be said that DJing is the family business for Willie Shu. Shu said his father and godfather, who both attended the University of Minnesota, used to DJ and promote some of the most popular parties around town.

“That was during the days of Morris Day, Jimmy

Jam and Terry Lewis and The Time … I think they said Prince showed up a time or two,” said Shu. “My father used to work for a college radio station, so he had this huge collection of vinyl, so as a kid I had this amazing collection and at 11 I bought my first DJ set and I’d just practice, practice, practice.”

Shu, along with longtime collaborators and friends, Gabe Garcia and Franz Diego, recently celebrated their ninth anniversary of Turnt Up, a second Friday monthly at Honey in Northeast Minneapolis. More than just a party, Turnt Up is a chaotic mixture of sight and sound. That’s just how Shu likes it.

“I want my events to be an experience,” said Shu. “I want it to memorable each and every time.”

Like Jules, Shu has friends – and fans – in high places. He has earned praise from Grandmaster Flash, the iconic DJ who earlier this month became the first DJ to win the Nobel Prize in Music and Shu has performed a couple of times with the Black Eyed Peas. But in his eyes, his biggest honor came from space (so to speak).

“I met Pharrell and he told me I was dope,” said Shu, speaking of Neptunes producer and Grammy-winning artist.

“That might be No. 1 (musical memory) for me.”

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Not quite the same as gaining praise from Pharrell, Shu recently got a different nod of approval from a couple of partygoers excited by his musical selections.

“I was spinning and I looked up and people were naked, so I took it as a sign that things were going well and I was doing my job,” said Shu with a laugh.

Shu’s not promising nakedness for his upcoming shows, July 3 at Honey, July 12 at Honey with the Turnt Up crew and Aug. 17 at Palmer’s on West Bank for the Turnt Up Block Party; an event featuring 10 DJs, but he is promising a good time … and great music.

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Insight News • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Page 3

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June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019

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Vol. 46 No. 25• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

“We demand what is rightfully ours...equality, enfranchisement, empowerment”

Rep. Maxine Waters declares 2019 Year of the Woman in Congress

By Maya Beecham A proverbial gavel was raised at The Depot in Downtown Minneapolis, as Minnesota Reps. Illhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Betty McCollum introduced Rep. Maxine Waters of California to the stage as keynote speaker for the June 17 Women Winning’s She Runs, We Win. 37th Annual Luncheon.

The gavel pounded in the ether as Waters declared, “Women are just done asking.

We demand what is rightfully ours. We are instituting reforms.

We demand equality and enfranchisement and empowerment with parity on corporate boards, in government and everywhere decisions are made that guide our destiny. I’ve got the gavel and I’m not afraid to use it.”

There was no shortage of tenacity, fearlessness and boldness presented in Waters’ call to action for leadership and representation to hundreds of women that included elected officials such as Sen. Tina Smith, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Mayor Regan Gonzalez (Richfield), Mayor Emily Larson (Duluth), and hundreds of local elected officials and community leaders.

“I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to stand here on this stage and look out among this crowd and to see all of these women supporting this luncheon, involved in so many different ways,” said Waters.

“This is what America needs to see and understand the power of women.”

The congresswoman acknowledged the 100-year an-

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Rep. Maxine Waters

niversary of the United States Congress passing the bill that became the 19th Amendment granting all American women the right to vote. She also gave honor to pioneers of the Women’s Movement that forged the bill passage for paving the way for today’s diverse leadership in Congress and beyond.

Waters has more than 40 years in public service, including currently serving in her 15th term in the House of Representatives. She is the first African-American and woman to chair the House Committee on Financial Services that oversees all components of the nation’s housing and financial services sectors including banking, insurance, real estate, public and assisted housing, and securities.

“Imagine our nation’s founders coming to Congress and seeing 131 capable confident caring woman armed with new ideas, challenging and legislating … Suffragettes Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony would be proud that by the 19th Amendment’s 100th anniversary the number of congresswomen would rise from one in 1919 to 131 today, and would be delighted by the diversity of the new women members like (Rep.) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DNY), (Rep.) Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) , (Rep.) Illhan Omar (D-MN), (Rep.) Patty Murray (D-WA), (Rep.) Katherine Hill (D-CA), (Rep.) Sharice Davids (D-KS) and (Rep.) Angie Craig (D-MN),” said Waters, also acknowledging the emergence of new leaders such as Rep. Debra Halland (D-NM), Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Rep.

Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). “These highly skilled women hit the ground running. They are very impressing at hearings and raise well researched questions that expose witnesses who are unprepared for incisive probing inquiries. There used to be a year of the woman. That is history. As it was said today this is the era of women in Congress.

We are Congress. Women chair five House standing committees (and) dozens of subcommittees.”

Waters said women need to utilize the power they possess to pursue a full and critical agenda for the American people.

“Women have power and we have influence and we are going to use that power and influence to deal with the inequities of the past and the way we have been marginalized and not allowed to participate and be at the table. We are at the table now, and we got a gavel and were going to use it,” said the congresswoman.

Waters pointed out progress that has been made in the House such as her creation of the Subcommittee on Diversity Inclusion as part of the House Committee on Financial Services, McCollum becoming chairwoman of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee as part of the House Committee on Appropriations and the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act for Gender Equity in Wages.

The topic of President Donald Trump and his possible impeachment was also ad-

WATERS 4

Hospitality House: A legacy of service

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com For more than 60 years Hospitality House has been serving the youth of North Minneapolis; for the past 25 years it has benefited from its relationship with Northeast Bank.

Hospitality House, 1220 Logan Ave. N., Minneapolis, provides wrap-around services in the form of education, athletics and community outreach to more than 1,500 area youth; prekindergarten to teen. Founded in 1943 by

The Great Northern Greenway Overlook is expected to open at the eastern end of 26th Avenue North in 2020

General Mills, Bank of America grants seed river transformation

LEGACY 4

Courtesy Northeast Bank

Hospitality House executive director, the Rev. Johnny Hunter and Northeast Bank CEO Tom Beck.

Juneteenth forum -

Respect is fundamental

By Josh Cobb Insight News/Twin Cities Association of Black Journalist Intern North Minneapolis’ Phillis Wheatley Community Center was the home of the Juneteenth Forum on June 13.

Juneteeth is the most historic annual celebration that marked the end of American legalized slavery in 1865 and multiple events are held nationwide to commemorate the occasion.

Josh Cobb

FORUM 4

Spike Moss (second from right) shares passionate stories on his fight for justice.

News

Junita’s Jar: Cookies with a message

PAGE 4

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board shared the updated vision for the Great Northern Greenway Overlook, which will link North Minneapolis to the Mississippi River.

The RiverFirst project supported through this public campaign, Water Works and the Great Northern Greenway Overlook, is expected to break ground in 2019 and be open in 2020.

RiverFirst is a Minneapolis Park Board-led vision for regional riverfront parks and trails that will transform the Minneapolis Upper Riverfront. Other RiverFirst projects include the riverfront park at Upper Harbor Terminal, Hall’s Island restoration, and Graco Park.

“Today marks an important milestone in our efforts to provide access to the Mississippi riverfront for North Minneapolis residents,” said Minneapolis Parks Superintendent Al Bangoura. “This project is a demonstration of what we can accomplish when we all work together. I’m incredibly grateful for all of our public and private partners, especially the

Minneapolis Parks Foundation and the City of Minneapolis.”

The Parks Foundation launched the RiverFirst Campaign in 2015 and has raised 93 percent of the goal, or $16.7 million, from philanthropic contributions. RiverFirst gifts include a $3 million lead corporate contribution from the General Mills Foundation and a $1 million Anchor Grant from Bank of America, as well as generous contributions from more than 100 families.

“Through the RiverFirst Campaign and the partnership between the Parks Foundation, the Minneapolis Park Board, and the community, we are able to create new iconic parks that celebrate and strengthen the human connection to one of our state’s most vital natural resources – the Mississippi River,” said Tom Evers, executive director of the Parks Foundation. “It’s a bold vision for a more connected, creative, and inclusive Minneapolis parks system.”

The Great Northern Greenway Overlook – which is the first project in a larger

GREENWAY 6

News

News

Growing pains linger as Lynx try to find their identity

PAGE 4

US. Department of Commerce names Meda Top Business Center for the fourth time

PAGE 7

Page 4 • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Insight News

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Junita’s Jar: Cookies with a message

Hope muncher-in-chief is not a job title you come across often, but that’s how entrepreneur and Minneapolis native, Junita Flowers describes her position at Junita’s Jar. Inspired by her own experience with domestic violence, Flowers started Junita’s Jar, a cookie company supporting education and awareness initiatives dedicated to ending relationship violence, showing what it means to be a true ambassador of hope. Flowers said she knew she could raise awareness of domestic violence by baking hope into cookies using recipes from her childhood.

Some of her best memories stem from the time she spent in the kitchen with her family, preparing meals and making desserts.

“During the years that I was in an abusive relationship, baking cookies was my emotional escape. I want to provide the same experience for others,” said Flowers.

Flowers just wrapped up a fellowship program with Finnovation Lab, a social business catalyst supporting earlystage entrepreneurs. Finnovation Lab recognized Flowers’ passion and potential for business success and welcomed her into its inaugural cohort. For the past nine months, Flowers has been growing and scaling her business.

“When I started my cookie company, I knew I wanted to raise awareness on the topic of domestic violence.

I started with a commitment to donate a portion of profits to or-

ganizations, but I knew I wanted to do more,” said Flowers.

“The Finnovation Lab Fellowship allowed me to step outside of daily production and focus on my social impact strategy.”

Flowers has focused her efforts on an event series called Cookie ‘n Conversation, an interactive panel discussion where experts educate and encourage conversation on the topic of domestic violence. The events, which are targeted to college students, are designed to reduce shame experienced by most victim-survivors of domestic violence, create a community of support, and inspire people to take action towards reducing the occurrences of relationship violence.

The next event will take place in August and be hosted by the

Junita Flowers

Student Nurses Association in St. Cloud.

Looking forward, Flowers is growing her team of Cookies ‘n Conversation experts and working to build out a calendar of future conversations, with the goal of expanding outside the Twin Cities.

“I know that through the cookies we share and the conversations we spark, Junita’s Jar is spreading a message of hope. That is my main role in this business.” said Flowers.

To join her cause, look for her three cookie varieties – triple chocolate chip, oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin – at www.junitasjar.com and in local stores across the Twin Cities.

Attorneys ask Congress to protect America’s elections Citing his “significant concern regarding the persistent threats to our election systems,” Minnesota Attorney General Ellison led a coalition of 21 other attorneys general from around the country to ask Congress to take action to protect the integrity of America’s elections.

In a letter sent to key U.S. Senators, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar as ranking member of the Sen-

ate’s Rules and Administration Committee, Ellison and the other attorneys general ask Congress to provide additional election security grants to states and localities, support the establishment of cybersecurity and audit standards for election systems, and pass bipartisan election-security legislation.

“Our democracy works only if we can trust the integrity of our elections

Attorney General Keith Ellison

Legacy From 3 the Christian Businessmen’s Committee of Minneapolis, in 1960 Hospitality House Boys Club was formed and in 1971, took the progressive stance to also open its doors to area girls. The Rev. Johnny Hunter, executive director of Hospitality House, said the community organization has continually

Harry Colbert, Jr.

Front Room Session

— and that integrity was breached in 2016. What we need to do to rebuild it is not a mystery to anyone, including Congress. I put together this coalition of attorneys general because as the chief legal officers of our states, we know it is past time for Congress to act,” said Ellison.

The attorneys general cite warnings that “our election systems have been a target for foreign adversaries

and that those same adversaries are currently working to undermine the upcoming elections.” Their letter follows confirmed reports that Russia successfully breached election systems in Florida, installed malware on a voting-systems software company used by North Carolina, and targeted the election systems of all 50 states in 2016.

Joining the letter are the attorneys general of

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The June 18 letter follows up on a similar letter that attorneys general from 21 states sent to Congress in July 2018.

evolved to meet the needs of the Northside.

“Now there’s more of a need to be family oriented,” said Hunter during a June 19 “Front Room Sessions from the Marcus Garvey House,” a Facebook Live program of Insight News. “We still have the athletics, but we also offer afterschool programs with certified teachers who are working with the kids to close the (educational achievement) gap.

Hunter said Hospitality House’s kids have shown a 25 percent improvement in test scores upon returning to school following the summer break.

“That’s thanks to our teachers and volunteer readers who come and read with our kids,” said Hunter, who said the community’s support helps Hospi-

tality House achieve its objective to serve. “I’m a product of Hospitality House. I was there in 1967 as a child. Between Hospitality House, The Way and Phyliss Wheatley (two other Northside community organizations) it was that village mentality that kind of raised the kids. I try to bring that to Hospitality House now.”

Some of those volunteers come from Northeast Bank.

A community bank founded in Northeast Minneapolis in 1947, Northeast is partnered with Hospitality House in both business and philanthropy. Northeast Bank CEO Tom Beck said the partnership fits within the bank’s mission to “put people first.”

“To be involved with a community organization such as Hospitality House; it’s

sound business, but it’s also the right thing to do,” said Beck. “I believe a rising tide raises all boats. What’s going on at Hospitality House, they are saving lives.”

Beck said his bank is actively seeking to form other community partnerships such as the one it has with Hospitality House.

“We have a responsibility to do that,” said Beck.

“There’s more going on on the Northside from a business aspect. I have been so impressed by the level of entrepreneurialism among African-Americans in North Minneapolis.”

The full episode of “Front Room Sessions from the Marcus Garvey House” is available online on the Insight News Facebook page.

I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children,” from Hosea 4:6.

Leslie Redmond, Minneapolis President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, acknowledges the gap but emphasized the need for the youth to acknowledge elders in the community and learn from their past.

“Respect is fundamental,” Redmond said. “So many of us are trees with no roots.”

Al Flowers Jr, creator of the Be Better Foundation, created to honor the tragic loss of his 24-year-old daughter Tarvanisha Boyd, thinks that the intergenerational split is far deeper issue than just bridging the gap and it is a matter of understanding each other’s differences.

“You will notice no matter how far we get down the line, no matter what the age difference is, a lot of the answers will seem alike,” Flowers Jr. said. “I don’t think it’s too much of us bridging the gap, we got the bridge we just need to walk across it and shake each other’s hands.”

In addition to addressing a generational tear, several panelists also pointed out the prevalence of self-hatred and the need for unity in the African-American households and neighborhoods.

Spike Moss, a veteran activist and a local symbol of Black power for Minnesota, emphasized the issue of self-hate in Black spaces. He spoke directly to the AfricanAmerican men in the room and stressed the importance of loving Black women.

“Black men hold Black women to too high of a standard for them to be your woman in the first place,” Moss said. “You can’t find anything to like about her. So we have to work on this love and this hate.”

McAfee also noted the pattern of oppression against African-Americans on the local and national level. He called for community leaders to organize an African-American State of Emergency meeting after a recent Wall Street report naming Minnesota as the second worst state for Black and white racial equality.

“They (white institutions) will never fund our freedom,” he said.

Regardless of the outcome of the impeachment inquiry process Waters emphasized, “Patriotism must guide us at this pivotal time. Whether engaging in oversight and impeachment inquiry, or the legislative agenda that impacts Americans, patriotism is at the heart of the matter.

Patriotism inspires us to ensure equal opportunity for everyone to pursue the American dream and whatever goals we achieve with full rights and protections, foremost among them is the right of women to control our own reproductive decisions.”

Prior to the luncheon, Waters held a 90-minute talk presented by Black Women Rising with nearly 50 Black women taking in words of wisdom from the representative affectionately known in the Black community as “Auntie Maxine.” The breakfast was attended by former Minneapolis mayor, Sharon Sayles Belton, Minneapolis Public Schools board members Kim Ellison and KerryJo Felder, retired judge, LaJune Lange and several emerging leaders.

Forum From 3 The host of the forum, Al McFarlane, editorin-chief of Insight News, laid the foundation for the conversation by addressing the intergenerational divide between the old and young among the African-American people. McFarlane asked the panel, which included nine additional community figures, to give their thoughts on McFarlane’s opening inquiry.

“Sometimes our perception turns into our reality and it’s not real at all because many of us operate in such a small silo, that we look at the world from our viewpoint,” the Rev. Jerry McAfee said when addressing the question.

“Most of the young folk from my perspective aren’t facing too many more of the problems that we faced over the past 20, 30 years.”

McAfee also referred to the Bible scripture that reads, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge,

Waters From 3 dressed, with Waters calling the president the “culprit in chief.”

“We confront a president who wants to revert to the era where quality of life was precarious, corporate abuses were unrestrained, and opportunity was a gift to the privilege. It is no secret in 2017 I began calling for Trump’s impeachment in 2017.

I started early,” said Waters.

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Insight News • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Page 5

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Page 6 • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Insight News

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Transformation: NorthPoint site preparation

By Randall Bradley Architect NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center is expanding its current operation.

It occupies the entire block bounded by Plymouth Avenue North, Penn Avenue North, 14th Avenue North and Queen Avenue North. In its immediate future, NorthPoint will present a different visual reality to this community from the site that it currently occupies. This expansion will take place both north and south of the existing building. For this new construction to take place, the former buildings had to be demolished. This work has been undertaken and completed. Both sites are vacant and empty. They stand in anticipation of the contractors and builders showing up to begin their work.

In Minnesota, in this region of the country, footings must be installed below the frost line. That is typically a depth measured 48 inches below the surface of the soil. The moisture in the ground can freeze to this depth. That freezing can result in frost heaves. Most of us have experienced this phenomenon in road surfaces, especially on

gravel roads. Buildings can also be affected by frost heaves. So, as footings are placed below the frost line for new construction, they must also be removed when buildings are demolished.

Footings are not reusable. As footings are loaded and stressed for the building that they were intended for, it is not feasible to be redesigned and/or re-engineered for new and different loads and stresses in different locations on that footing. Removing and building new footings is the most prudent, safe and smart way to proceed. Footing removal is also required by city ordinance.

Once all the belowgrade structures and utilities are removed, the site is left in a manner that will allow the next activities to commence with as few encumbrances as possible.

The two most frequently utilized methods require filling in the hole or leaving the hole unfilled.

Both methods are being utilized on this project.

On the southern addition (the former Estes Funeral Chapel site), fill has been placed in the hole and brought up to surface level. This fill has been surrounded by a silt fence. This fence is placed to prevent the fill, or soil, from leaking from

NorthPoint the site and flowing into the city storm sewer. The slit fence is an environmental consideration, for a safe and healthy city. This fill and silt fence, will remain until removed by the next contractor.

The northern addition (the former NorthPoint site) leaves the hole in place. At this writing, the site is being graded and compacted to a slope of approximately 30 degrees. The

reasons for this configuration are likely to be cost and schedule. Since the new construction is likely to have a lower level (as did the former NorthPoint) this opening will allow for the direct placement of the new footings without re-excavating the site.

The cost of materials (fill) may also be a factor in this decision.

The project schedule is also a significant indicator of the con-

struction start. Conversation and construction experience may move the starting date to a more cost-effective calendar time.

As this hole remains, respect the fence. The primary purpose of this fence is for your safety.

The separation between what is inside of the fence, and what is outside (you), is to keep you from harm and injury. All construction sites are always dan-

gerous. Do not use any reason that you can conjure up to enter a construction site. The workers on these sites have training and education, both in the classroom and in the field to become knowledgeable regarding the construction environment. Without that information, you will put yourselves at risk to go beyond the fence. Don’t do it. Be safe.

Growing pains linger as Lynx try to find their identity

By Josh Cobb Insight News/Twin Cities Association of Black Journalist Intern We are just two years removed from a Minnesota Lynx WNBA Championship that ended with a thrilling Game Five win over the Los Angeles Sparks.

That 2017 Lynx team won their fourth title in a seven year stretch, which also included six championship appearances.

With a nucleus of Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson, the Lynx entered every season a heavy favorite to compete for a title.

However, this season looks different with Moore, Augustus, Whalen and Brunson all not playing due to being called to the ministry (Moore), injury (Augustus), retirement (Whalen) and motherhood (Brunson).

In the recent June 16 game against the Las Vegas Aces, the starting lineup was Odyssey Sims, Danielle Robinson, Naphessa Collier, Damiris Dantas and Fowles.

It is a new look for the 8,300 fans that came to support on Father’s Day. The game seamlessly gave

viewers a metaphor for the current status of the Lynx after losing a tightly contested game.

“We’re not losing by that much, it’s the little things that we’re not doing too well,” Fowles, the 11-year vet, said.

“I would say it’s the last five minutes of the game, just making sure we lock in, stay focused on the task at hand.”

Minnesota jumped on top of the Aces in the first quarter with a 19-6 start.

The team looked locked in defensively with three steals, forcing eight turnovers and holding the Aces to 30 percent shooting in the first period.

The team played scrappy from the opening tip. It started with Fowles’ anticipated matchup down low against 6’8” Australian, Liz Cambage. Each team ran sets for both to start the game and their physical play was on full display all game. Fowles held Cambage to just two rebounds and a goose egg in the points column of the box score.

Fowles set the tone during their run by denying an entry pass to Cambage that led to a transition layup for Sims.

Guard play was also key in the Lynx’s early game success.

Robinson and Sims harassed Ace guards Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young as soon as they crossed half court. There was

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no drop-off when Lexie Brown, the second-year Duke star checked in the game. Brown was engaged defensively and was rewarded with a fast-break layup after she collected a steal.

After the first period the Lynx saw what was a 13-point lead slowly dwindle for the remainder of the game.

A key reason why their lead was carved away was their inconsistency on the offensive end.

There were multiple mental lapses that resulted in errant throws, mishandled balls and repeated shot-clock management issues.

“We’ll probably tweak with the offense a little more,” Cheryl Reeve, Lynx head coach and general manager said.

Another reason was the number of foul shots the Aces accumulated during the course of the game. The Aces went 2427 at the charity stripe, which is nearly an 89 percent clip.

“We clearly lost the game at the foul line,” Reeve said.

“That discrepancy seems, for lack of a better word unfair.”

The Lynx only shot 10 free throws, hitting all but one.

Outside of Dantes’ excellent performance (22 points on 8/15 shooting, 5/10 from beyond the three-point arc), there were times in the game where it seemed that nobody wanted to handle the scoring load.

“I mean this (is) just the time where we need each other,” Fowles said. “We just make sure we come in and we don’t play the blame game, we hold each other accountable but at

Greenway From 3 multi-phase Great Northern Greenway River Link plan – is located at the east end of 26th Avenue North where the City of Minneapolis recently completed an off-street bike and

Lynx the same time knowing that this is a team thing and that we’ll get better eventually.”

Augustus, who has been sidelined due to a surgery on her right knee, noticed the lapses and took any chance she got to be vocal on the sidelines during action and in timeouts but her veteran presence was missed on the court.

The Aces outscored the Lynx in the remaining three quarters and never looked back after the game was tied at 72 with 2:35 remaining in the fourth.

“Overall, I think our team gutted this one out,” Las Vegas Aces Head Coach Bill Laimbeer said. “We’re growing, it was a great experience for us to keep our composure in the first half.”

The Aces pulling out the win can be attributed to their shooting woes fading away.

They finished the game shooting 40% from the field and Kayla McBride’s 22 points led the way for them. Kelsey Plum also added 21 points and went 5 for 8 from the three-point line.

“Obviously disappointed and hurt in that locker room,” Coach Reeve said when asked how the team handled the loss.

“I told them in the last five minutes we have to grow in that area-being able to execute on both ends. We never got the stops in the second half the way we got stops early in the game.”

With only one remaining player still in the lineup from

the championship run two years ago, there have been hardships in the Lynx’s 4-5 start – a team that opened with three straight wins, but with the June 16 loss have dropped four in a row. Even with the team’s struggles, there is still a strong emphasis on establishing a defensive presence.

“From a defensive identity it’s there. I think offensively we were really good in the first half in terms of what we were trying to get. We’re growing there. I think we’re probably close to it,” said Reeve after being asked where the team identity currently lies.

Up next for the Lynx are games Tuesday (June 25) at Indiana and Sunday (June 30) at Dallas.

pedestrian trail that connects the Grand Rounds at Theodore Wirth Regional Park with the Mississippi River through the heart of North Minneapolis.

The project scope includes shoreline enhancements and a river overlook with inventive approaches to lighting, furniture, and art. An interdisciplinary team led by TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture and

4RM+ULA Architecture is developing the design, which creates opportunities for visitors to discover the Mississippi River as a sensory experience. Features will include an oval loop trail that will perch like a nest above the riverbank, a 50-ft-tall beacon, visible from a distance of half a mile or more, and opportunities for “pop-up” interactive experiences and tempo-

rary art installations. Elements of the Overlook concept are informed by engagement and design ideas developed by Environmental Design Studio apprentices at Juxtaposition Arts, a partnership brought to the project by the Parks Foundation.

The broader vision for the project includes connections to downtown Minneapolis and West River Road trails, together with new parks stretching north and south from the Overlook along the riverfront. Once complete, the full River Link will unite downtown to North Minneapolis along the river, open up a new 40-mile trail loop in Minneapolis, and eventually reach to Northeast across the river.

The Overlook’s companion project is Water Works in the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park. Already home to St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge, Water Works will be an expansion of Mill Ruins Park.

Among the new amenities will be a park pavilion with a restaurant by James Beard Awardwinning The Sioux Chef; revealed and restored historic mill remnants; a city steps gathering and performance space; and places to picnic and play.

Both projects are expected to break ground in late summer or early fall of 2019.

The Overlook’s grand opening is anticipated in spring 2020, with the Water Works grand opening to follow in fall of the same year.

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Insight News • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Page 7

Meda1

Meda’s CEO Gary Cunningham (front row middle) and Pat Mahoney of Chase (to the left of Cunningham) with the winners of the fi rst Meda’s $1 Million Challenge Powered by Chase.

US. Department of Commerce names Meda Top Business Center for the fourth time The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) named Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) the top performing MBDA Business Center in the nation for the fourth consecutive year.

It was also awarded for the highest dollar amount in contract/procurement reaching $4.02 billion in the past year. These honors were announced last week at MBDA’s annual National Training Conference in Detroit.

“I am so proud of all the work we have done and honored to be

recognized for that work for the fourth time” Gary Cunningham, Meda rresident and CEO, remarked.

“These honors are thanks to the remarkable minority business owners Meda represents and the expertise of our wonderful staff. We, at Meda, are constantly trying exemplify and uplift the perseverance, tenacity and determination of the entrepreneurs we work with, and these honors highlight our collective success.”

In 2018, Meda served 974 minority businesses while helping organize 12 mergers and acquisitions. Meda obtained $17.2 million in financ-

ing, which it said created or retained 3,644 jobs.

Also in the last year, Meda launched the Million Dollar Challenge, said to be the largest minority-exclusive entrepreneurial pitch competition in the nation.

“These awards are a reminder that the work we are doing matters,” said Dr. Barbara Butts Williams, chair of the Meda board.

“These minority entrepreneurs are incredibly deserving of all of their successes, and these awards are another chance to celebrate the work we have done together to elevate our community.”

A Better Banking Experience.

612-455-1100 Five Twin Cities locations to serve you or visit us online at nabankco.com

Page 8 • June 24, 2019 - June 30, 2019 • Insight News

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