November 11, 2021 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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

Inside this Edition...

Read more about ‘The Harder They Fall” on page 7.

THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

November 11-17, 2021

Vol. 88

www.spokesman-recorder.com www.spokesman-recorde

No. 15

MSR featured on Hulu in Deluxe’s ‘Small Business Revolution’

By MSR News Services

T

he sixth season of the Deluxe Company’s Emmy-nominated television series “Small Business Revolution” was launched last week. The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) is one of six Black-owned businesses based in Minneapolis and St. Paul that will be featured this season on the Hulu-based series.

“I’m excited about seeing it and sharing the experience of running a historical newspaper with the viewers,” said Tracey Williams-Dillard, MSR publisher and CEO. “I hope viewers learn to appreciate the Black Press and the blood, sweat and tears that go into putting out timely and engaging news that our readers can use.”

This year, community leaders from Minneapo- (l-r) Charles Carter, Kasara Carter (Taste of Rondo), Tracey Williams-Dillard (MSR) Tameka lis and St. Paul helped nominate nearly 100 small Jones (Lip Esteem), Amanda Brinkman (Deluxe), Terrell Smith (Gentleman Cuts), Sammy businesses from six distinct neighborhoods—Ron- McDowell (Sammy’s Avenue Eatery) and Baron Davis (retired NBA All Star) Photo by Jeannine Marie do, East St. Paul, Frogtown/Midway, South Min-

neapolis, Lake Street and West Broadway—to be part of the “Small Business Revolution” television program.

All the chosen businesses have received branding and financial guidance as well as marketing and renovation assistance from Deluxe.

The other businesses selected for season six are: Elsa’s House of Sleep (Midway/Frogtown, St. Paul), Gentlemen Cuts (East St. Paul), Lip Esteem (Lake Street, Minneapolis), Sammy’s Avenue Eatery (West Broadway Ave., Minneapolis), and Taste of Rondo (Rondo, St. Paul).

At a gathering last week to honor those selected for the series, Williams-Dillard told the audience about her struggles to keep the MSR afloat.

She said she once went a year without a paycheck to keep the newspaper going.

Fighting back tears, she recalled how she and her late husband dipped into savings and used their credit cards to make sure staff was paid. She ■ See HULU on page 5 said he even took on

Introducing a new Mpls Council majority: People of Color The Minneapolis City Council will have a majority of BIPOC members starting when the newly elected members take their seats in January. Over the next few weeks the MSR will give our readers an opportunity to get to know them and their thoughts on the pressing issues in the city, especially as these relate to Communities of Color. This week we begin with the representatives of Minneapolis’ predominantly Black North Side.

Aggressive advocacy for North Side needs

An interview with Jeremiah Ellison, incumbent Ward 5 council member

Serving community by meeting individual needs An interview with LaTrisha Vetaw, freshman Ward 4 council member

By RB King Contributing Writer

By RB King Contributing Writer

MSR: Tell our readers who you are, where you come from, and what makes you tick as a person?

Ellison: I’m born and raised on the North Side of Minneapolis. Just got elected to my second term on the Minneapolis City Council. I am deeply motivated by the creativity and resilience of the North Side, and I want to see people on the North Side, working-class people especially, Jeremiah Ellison looks on as his father thriving and being supported by and amplified by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison their city government. examines results on election night.

Photos by Chris Juhn MSR: What makes you a good council member currently facing your ward? for your ward?

Ellison: Well, number one, especially these Ellison: I have a sense of what the real issues are. I’m studious. I am someone who aggressively past few years, is we have a gun violence probpursues policy that supports the North Side no lem. And I think that all evidence points to that having been exacerbated by the pandemic, and matter how unlikely I am told it is to be passed. for George Floyd, and we have to figure out if we ■ See ELLISON on page 5 MSR: What do you see as the major issues

MSR: Tell our readers who you are, where you come from, and what makes you tick as a person?

Vetaw: I’m LaTrisha Vetaw. I moved to Minneapolis over 30 years ago. I originally came from housing projects in Chicago. I currently work as the director of health policy and advocacy here in North Minneapolis at North Point Health and Wellness Center. I’ve been there for 15 years.

I’ve worked with a lot of Northside youth and faith leaders, building coalitions around public health. I serve as the vice president of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. I was elected to that four years ago and I am finishing out my term. I live in the [4th] ward with my husband.

So yeah, working in this community for 15 years, living in the ward. Actually, my family, my single mom moved here with her three kids. All three of us live in North Minneapolis.

My sister lives in Ward 5, and my brother and

LaTrisha Vetaw celebrates with supporters at her election night watch party. his family live in Ward 4, and so does my mom.

So my family is here, my nieces and nephews, they’re all here too on the North Side.

What makes me tick? I’m super passionate about the North Side. I love community. That’s what makes me tick the most is really being a servant to the community.

I grew up with so few resources, and my ■ See VETAW on page 5

Landmark $1.2M infrastructure bill passes U.S. House Democrats say they’ve delivered a ‘once-in-a-generation investment’

t was a messy and at times contentious process, but it was finally “Infrastructure Week,” joked President Joe Biden as he began remarks about the House’s passage of a bipartisan infrastructure deal.

Relishing the week’s turnaround in fortunes from the poor showing for Democrats on Election Day to the strong jobs report on Friday, and now the passage of landmark legislation, President Biden said of voters, “They want us to deliver. Last night we proved we can. On one big item, we delivered.”

President Biden said he would sign the $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal, known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, surrounded by lawmakers at a date yet to be announced. The White House touted the measure, calling it a once-ina-generation investment in

the nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness.

“For far too long, Washington policymakers have celebrated ‘infrastructure week’ without ever agreeing to build infrastructure,” The White House said in a statement.

“The president promised to work across the aisle to deliver results and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. After the president put forward his plan to do exactly that and then negotiated a deal with Members of Congress from both parties, this historic legislation is moving to his desk for signature.”

After Congress repeatedly failed to reach a consensus on the president’s domestic agenda and following the losses in the November election, Democrats were desperate for a win.

The bill was truly bipartisan, as 13 Republicans voted for the

measure, while six Progressive Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), voted against it.

“Passing the infrastructure bill without passing the Build Back Better Act first risks leaving behind childcare, paid leave, health care, climate action, housing, education, and a roadmap to citizenship,” Omar said in a statement.

The White House said the infrastructure deal would rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind.

“It will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone

gets ahead for decades to come.

Combined with the President’s Build Back Framework, it will add on average 1.5 million jobs per year for the next 10 years,” noted the White House.

“The legislation will help ease inflationary pressures and strengthen supply chains by making long-overdue improvements for our nation’s ports, airports, rail, and roads,” President Biden declared.

The president also proclaimed that the bill would make historic investments in environmental clean-up and remediation, “and build up our resilience for the next superstorms, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes that cost us billions of dollars in damage each year.”

“I’m also proud that a rule was voted on that will allow for passage of my Build Back Better Act in the House of Representatives the week of

Rep. Ilhan Omar November 15,” President Biden continued. “It will lower bills for health care, child care, elder care, prescription drugs, and preschool. And middle-class families get a tax cut,” he added.

“This bill is also fiscally responsible, fully paid for, and doesn’t raise the deficit. It does so by making sure the wealthiest Americans and

MSR file photo

biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share and doesn’t raise taxes a single cent on anyone making less than $400,000 per year,” Pres.

Biden concluded.

This story was provided in part by NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Stacy M. Brown.

2

November 11-17, 2021

Opinion The problem with vaccine mandates They rely on coercion, not trust

By Wim Laven

Elections give the illusion of real political power

By Margaret Kimberley Election day is treated with great fanfare in this country.

Citizens are propagandized into voting for the sake of voting and are shamed if they don’t. Black people who question the value of the process are under particular pressure.

“People died so that you could vote” and other exhortations cheapen the memory of the liberation movement that sought to guarantee human rights for Black people.

While casting a ballot is seen as a quasi-religious duty, the development of mass movements that are the foundation of all important political change is actively discouraged. The results are electoral victories for politicians that often spell defeat for the voters who are propagandized to put them in office.

Black politicians may be openly conservative or pretend leftists, but their constituents rarely get what they need. Politics absent a mass movement is a recipe for inaction or even outright betrayal.

The mayor-elect of New York City is Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. He will be the city’s second Black mayor in large part because he raised millions of dollars.

Adams is a former police officer who speaks favorably about the police.

Adams has said he will bring back some iteration of the awful stop and frisk policies of the Bloomberg administration years. His victory is certainly no victory for people

who are driven out by gentrification, targeted for police abuse, and dependent upon low-wage work when they can find it.

The Adams campaign was openly conservative, but others provide a pretense of left politics with virtue signaling and sloganeering, but absent any much-needed change.

This class of politicians may call themselves progressives, democratic socialists, the Squad, and other iterations.

The same process plays out in local races as well. In Buffalo, New York, the four-term incumbent Black mayor lost his primary race to India Walton, who calls herself a socialist.

The misuse of that term plays a big part in confusing people.

A socialist wants to nationalize the banks and provide free health care and cut the military budget significantly.

A socialist wants to expand all safety net programs and regulate major industries. A socialist would get rid of charter schools and cut the prison population. Socialists want the public to control utilities and higher education and provide things previously unheard of such as free public transportation.

Despite the fact that the odds of her actually following through with socialist programs were slim, Walton’s victory sent Democrats into a panic. As soon as she won the Democratic primary, the city council announced an intention to reduce the power of the mayoralty.

Her defeated opponent,

Byron Brown, didn’t step aside when he lost his party’s nomination. Instead he launched a write-in campaign and, with the help of Republicans, successfully held on to his mayoralty.

The ham-fisted efforts to ensure Walton’s defeat were intense. The chair of the New York State Democratic Party declared that endorsing primary winners was not a necessity.

He created controversy when he compared Walton’s victory to that of KKK leader David Duke running as a Democrat in New York and winning.

Not to be outdone, former governor David Paterson said, “Socialists and communists have been working on the African American community going back to the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. I’ve been somewhat surprised that they have made inroads in communities [of color] that certainly need what they’re talking about, but there’s no record that they’ve ever delivered it. Not in this country or anywhere else.”

Paterson’s remarks showed the true colors of the Black political class and their determination to stamp out left politics. Paterson and others know quite well that the liberation movement was most successful when the people made demands and didn’t care what politicians wanted them to do or to say. They know that socialists are responsible for the little bit of relief from capitalist predation that exists in this country.

Left politics would win if allowed to flourish, and no one knows that better than the people who like the system just the way it is. Sadly, the hard work of politics has been subordinated to elections.

Keeping Republicans, the White party, out of power is seen as the end all and be all of political action. When the Democrats are represented by Black office holders, the deception is magnified.

The demonization of even a little bit of progressive talk is a sign that the system lives in fear that someone may come along who will actually fight for change. A mass movement is an existential threat. That is why each newcomer is taken down as soon as they emerge.

The possibility that someone may actually be serious about doing the peoples’ business instead of representing corporate interests and petty tyrant political oligarchs cannot be allowed.

nated is the ultimate goal. I believe this is a big mistake. It has The issue of COVID vac- forced people to draw lines in cination is complicated. More the sand and dig into their pothan five million people have sitions. The deeper people get died from this pandemic into their positions, the harder (747,000 in the U.S.). There it gets to reach agreements. has not been consensus in Other strategies would likely the U.S. or a coordinated have much better short-term global response, and this has and long-term success.

Dismissing people as foolcertainly made things worse.

Since many of these problems impact populations differently, “It is easier to find collaba process that develops com- orative solutions when mon understandings is necestrust has been built and sary.

I made the choice to get when mutually satisfyvaccinated on the first day ing outcomes have been of my eligibility, and I understand that the end of the identified.” pandemic may well depend on many more choosing to ish is not a good strategy for get vaccinated. I am, howev- bringing people to the table. er, challenging the strategic The common goals—health and choice to coerce people with safety, with freedom—are lost. mandates into getting shots The mandates are threatening many people’s livelihoods. they do not want.

This is no minor issue. The Strategic thinking requires us to look at the underlying long-term impacts of forcing interests and values of the someone to either get a shot parties involved. It is easier they do not consent to or to to find collaborative solutions lose employment are signifiwhen trust has been built and cant and life-changing.

A survey in Sept. 2021 rewhen mutually satisfying outvealed six main reasons why comes have been identified.

Not all anti-vaccine posi- people aren’t getting vaccitions are the same. For instance, nated: “They are concerned perhaps an Amish community about possible side effects; would receive better public they don’t believe they need health benefit from wearing it; they’re waiting to see if it’s masks and public distancing safe; they don’t trust the vacthan from a focus on vaccines. cine; they don’t trust the govCoercion has been inten- ernment; or they don’t think tionally employed because COVID is a big threat.”

Mandates do not address any forcing people to get vacci-

of these concerns while they make several of them worse—it is strategic misalignment.

The decades-long campaigns of science skepticism may promote some of the conspiracy thinking, but the pharmaceutical companies have fed that. Earlier this year, three major drug distributors along with Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $26 billion settlement with states to resolve thousands of lawsuits over the opioid crisis. Right now J&J is engaging in corporate chicanery to avoid paying damages to those likely given cancer by their asbestos-laden baby powder.

It all comes down to trust; trust is built when you make and keep agreements. Health has become a casualty to politics, and that should concern everyone. The bottom line is that we cannot force our way into a better future.

The current mandates model the opposite behavior and suggest force as an expedient strategy. Good strategy for responding to people who question the safety of vaccines is proving they are safe and/or offer benefits. All coercion does in this case is punish a person for caring about their health, and that is a missed opportunity.

Wim Laven, Ph.D., syndicated by PeaceVoice, teaches courses in political science and conflict resolution.

Organized labor welcomes Biden’s new Labor Relations Board

By Ray Curry

Right now, 68% of Americans approve of labor unions.

That number is at a more than 50-year high. So what does it mean? I would say it means that America’s workers are hurting, and they know they need a voice in the workplace.

And they are right.

According to a recent AFLCIO analysis, the average CEO of an S&P 500 company made 299 times what the median worker made in 2020. In other sectors— like retail where Amazon lives— this number is much higher.

Unions are the one force that has the power to close that shameful gap in earnings. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a key player in making it possible for workers to organize and improve their lot.

The president appoints this federal board, which has done so much to shape American labor practices since its inception 85 years ago. However, the board that President Biden inherited isn’t exactly what was intended.

Under President Ronald Reagan’s two terms spanning the 1980s, the board reversed previous NLRB policy in more than two dozen major cases, almost totally changing to promanagement positions the pro-worker direction it had followed since its inception under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Instead of taking up worker complaints, Reagan’s NLRB backlog of unresolved complaints against employers rose to at least three times what it was before he took office. Delays of up to two years become common. Even more stymying to the labor force, his board took just as long to act on worker petitions to hold union Margaret Kimberley is a col- representation elections and umnist and executive editor of to certify fair union wins.

BlackAgendareport.com Fast forward almost 30

years to 2017 and President Donald Trump’s first year in office where we find his Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta, cheerfully announcing that Ronald Reagan, who did so very much to weaken organized labor, was voted into the Labor Hall of Fame.

One could easily argue that President Trump’s NLRB went the furthest in systematically rolling back the right to form a union and engage in collective bargaining, efforts that struck a further blow to America’s wage inequality and directly harmed workers, their communities, and the economy.

This board also diminished worker protections under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA/Act) with the administration’s NLRB general counsel (GC), putting into play policies that leave fewer workers protected by the NLRB while

morale, and failed to spend the money appropriated by Congress. This all occurred while Robb was pursuing an antiworker, pro-corporate agenda.”

All indications show that Jennifer Abruzzo, the President’s new general counsel, is helping to lead the charge and losing no time. She has put together a list of Trump-era decisions for reconsideration and is pushing to get important cases before the board quickly.

She also indicated that she is in favor of the PRO Act, the most sweeping piece of labor legislation in 50 years, and reestablishing the long practice of ordering companies to bargain with unions based on signed cards of support, rather than secret ballot elections. This is a game-changer for union organizing and for workers who want a voice in their workplace.

During the month of August,

“One could easily argue that President Trump’s NLRB went the furthest in systematically rolling back the right to form a union and engage in collective bargaining.” working toward changes in the law that directly roll back workers’ rights.

In short, the whole thing was a siege on the American worker.

On Inauguration Day, within a few hours of being sworn in, the new president acted boldly and decisively by firing Peter Robb, President Trump’s appointed NLRB general counsel. Lynn Rhinehart, a senior fellow at the Economic Policy Institute and former general counsel of the AFL-CIO, characterized Robb’s anti-union activities this way: “A report by the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that Robb was dismantling the agency from the inside. He reduced staff size, destroyed employee

the board ruled that Amazon illegally discouraged union organization in Bessemer, Alabama, which may lead to a new vote; heard a case against Google for firing multiple employees for circulating a petition calling on the company to stop doing business with ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement); and filed a complaint against Home Depot for penalizing an employee for wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt.

These are just a few examples of Biden’s new NLRB. This new NLRB is an agency returning to its original purpose in a time when America’s workers need it most.

Ray Curry is president of the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Health & Wellness

November 11-17, 2021

3

Do you have breast implant illness?

By Dr. Valerie Lemaine, M.D., M.P.H. Guest contributor If you’re not quite sure what breast implant illness (BII) is, don’t be alarmed: It is a relatively new term for a condition that isn’t completely understood. Breast implant illness is a term coined by some women and doctors to refer to a wide range of symptoms that can develop after undergoing a surgery with breast implants.

For example, it could happen after a breast reconstruction or after a cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. BII can occur with any type of breast implant, whether silicone or saline-filled; smooth surface or textured surface; and also with round or teardropshaped implants.

BII symptoms People afflicted with BII may be impacted in different ways. Also, the symptoms can appear any time after surgery with breast implants. For example, some people develop symptoms almost immediately after surgery, while others develop symptoms years later.

While there’s no doubt that these symptoms are real, researchers are still trying to determine if they are caused by implants or if they’re related to a separate illness or condition. The most frequently reported BII symptoms include: • Chronic fatigue and headaches • Poor memory and concentration (“brain fog”) • Sleep disturbance • Depression and anxiety • Persistent joint and muscle pain • Breathing and digestive problems • Dry mouth and dry eyes • Hair loss and frequent skin rashes One thing we have noticed is that many of the symptoms associated with BII are similar to the symptoms observed with autoimmune and connective tissue diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Some people who have BII also get diagnosed with a specific autoimmune or connective tissue disorder, but many do not.

Diagnosis of BII Currently, there are no commonly used diagnostic tests or diagnostic criteria specifically for BII. Furthermore, risk factors for BII are unknown. At this time, we don’t understand why some women with breast implants develop BII. A leading theory is that some people are predisposed to having an immune reaction to the materials that are used to build breast implants. This causes inflammation in the body that leads to the symptoms described above.

Treatment of BII In some (but not all) cases, surgery to remove the breast implants and the scar tissue or “capsule” surrounding the breast implants may improve or resolve BII symptoms. Experts do not recommend replacing the breast implants with new ones.

Some plastic surgeons recommend a procedure called an “en bloc capsulectomy” where the implant and surrounding capsule are removed in one piece. Others may recommend a “total” (or “complete”) capsulectomy, where both the implant and the capsule are also removed, just not in one piece.

If you are experiencing symptoms that you believe may be caused by your breast implants, it is important to see

your primary care physician and your plastic surgeon. If you are considering surgery to address BII symptoms, be sure to ask your plastic surgeon about the risks and benefits of the various surgical treatment approaches. It is also important to remember that removing your implants is not a guarantee that your BII symptoms will disappear.

What does this mean for you?

• If you are considering getting breast implants for the first time or replacing ones that you already have, ask your plastic surgeon to tell you about BII. Be particularly cautious if you have a personal or family history of autoimmune conditions or allergies,

as these are currently thought to be risk factors for BII. • If you think you may have BII, schedule an appointment with your plastic surgeon, or find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience treating patients with BII. At the very least, find one who takes your concerns seriously and isn’t dismissive about the symptoms you are experiencing.

• If your breast implant surgery was cosmetic and you want to have surgery to have them removed, do not assume that your health insurance plan will cover the surgery costs. If your breast implants were

placed after a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, in most cases, private health insurance plans cover surgery to remove breast implants.

Dr. Valerie Lemaine, M.D., M.P.H., is a top-ranked, boardcertified plastic surgeon in private practice in Bloomington, MN. She received her M.D. from University of Montreal, Canada. She completed a reconstructive microsurgery fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Lemaine then accepted a staff position at the prestigious Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) where she taught, practiced and published clinical research. In 2018, she transitioned to private practice and joined Plastic Surgery Consultants and Minnesota Oncology.

A N I M P O R TA N T M E S S A G E F R O M M E D I C A R E

“WE SAVED ON PRESCRIPTION COSTS. IT PAYS TO COMPARE PLANS.”

MEDICARE PLANS CHANGE EVERY YEAR. Use Medicare.gov to find plans and to more easily compare: · Part D prescription plans for cost, coverage, and convenience. · Medicare Advantage plans for changes in network providers, co-pays, and more.

Find plans at Medicare.gov or call

Need help with Medicare costs?

If your 2021 income is below $18,000 you may qualify for help with Medicare costs. To find out about Medicare Savings Programs that could be available for you, call MNSure at 1-855-366-7873.

1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Paid for by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

4

November 11-17, 2021

Business

Black-owned consignment shop Thrifty Nifty is a wellspring of positivity Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Ashley Lauren Contributing Writer

The upbeat and optimistic Mary Ferguson is the proud owner of the Thrifty Nifty consignment shop located along University Avenue in St. Paul, MN. She established the popular business in 2017.

Ferguson is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in South Minneapolis. Before she worked hard to launch her shop, Ferguson would host a plethora of successful rummage sales. Her business was well received by the community. “I was doing yard sales in front of my house,” she recalled.

When Ferguson began her new enterprise, the Neighborhood Development Center [NDC] assisted her with developing a business plan. “I studied, got a laptop. I mapped it out, and what makes me different is that I do layaway at my thrift store,” Ferguson said.

Fortunately, Ferguson received a loan from NDC for her enterprise. In October

2017, she officially opened her store. “When I got my key I jumped for joy,” Ferguson recalled. Although she was ecstatic, she mentioned how she experienced a roadblock from her past. Ferguson was denied a loan to start her business.

She explained, “The bad thing is that I had a background [issue] in 2005, so they [NDC] denied me. I prayed to God because my life has been changed,” Ferguson said.

Undeterred, Ferguson focused on bringing the quaint consignment shop to fruition. She didn’t give up on her dream of opening a thrift store and went to the MN Supreme Court to advocate for herself and appeal her record. She was granted an opportunity to move forward with opening the business despite her past.

Like many local businesses, the COVID pandemic, civil unrest, and riots surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd had negatively impacted her business. But she sprang into action and started getting involved with George Floyd Square.

Mary Ferguson

She explained, “There was nothing I could do, so I was on 38th and Chicago from Worldwide Church. My brother had got a table and I helped him.”

Ferguson added, “I went and got t-shirts made and I stayed out there on 38th and Chicago for 80 days.” Ferguson used her earnings to cover rent for Thrifty Nifty. While Ferguson was stationed at George Floyd Square, unfortunately, her business was broken into. She utilized scarce funds to repair the broken window.

Ferguson didn’t let such events prevent her from carrying on with business. “It took me to stay in the Lord’s hands.

It took me to keep praying and not giving up. It took faith; I had to have faith in the Lord, and I never gave up.”

When customers shop at the TN consignment shop, they can expect exceptional customer service, affordable apparel, accessories, shoes, warm winter coats, and gifts. Fergu-

Photos courtesy of Thrifty Nifty son resells gently used and new products. The shop is currently running a sale where patrons can fill up a bag for only $5 with designated products.

Ferguson added “Janie’s Boutique” to the store, which is her daughter’s new clothing business. “If they can do it, she can do it,” Ferguson said. Now

to get people in there [Thrifty Nifty]—marketing, trying to get help, publicity.” She encourages her customers to spread the word about her business.

Every entrepreneur possesses a different mindset to be successful. Ferguson shared her ideology: “Believing in yourself that you’re gonna do it and just be that happy person like everything

“I love opening up my doors—I like being there for them.” customers have more options to choose from.

The most rewarding aspect about running a business is “helping people out, being there for those that can’t afford things. I like giving and being there for them,” Ferguson explained.

Although her business is a success, there are challenging moments as well. According to Ferguson, “It’s hard for me

is gonna go right. I don’t want to think no negative.”

She added, “I used to get mad when hardly [anybody] would come into the store, but I said you know what, today wasn’t a good day, tomorrow may not be one, but I will have a good day.” Although there can be difficult aspects of business, she tends to focus on the positive.

When asked about what

motivates her to live the dream every day, she said, “Getting up and serving these people; I love opening up my doors—I like being there for them.” She is a social butterfly and an allaround “people person” who enjoys meeting new people.

Ferguson aspires to serve as a positive role model for her family. She shared advice for youth and budding entrepreneurs: “Live your dreams— don’t give up on it. Someone is going to help you. You have to ask though. Don’t be ashamed.”

She added, “Set your mind on what you want. It will happen—don’t give up.”

Thrifty Nifty is located at 741 University Ave. W., Suite #4, St. Paul, MN 55104. Business hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 2:30 pm to 6 pm. For more information check out thrifty-nifty.business.site or call 612-601-2888.

Ashley Lauren welcomes reader responses to alauren@ spokesman-recorder.com.

MSR refreshes brand for next generation Sponsored by

One of the most noteworthy stories of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s 87year history never made it to print, but it did inspire founder Cecil E. Newman to start not one, but two newspapers in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

After leaving Kansas City as

covering human interest stories from a Black perspective. And while revenues of newspapers nationwide have plummeted over the last 15 years, Tracey has successfully steered her grandfather’s business into the digital era.

Looking to the future, however, Tracey knows appealing to younger readers will be vital to securing the MSR’s longevity. “Trying to get the old-school to come into the new-school is a challenge,” she said.

Timing of rethinking the newspaper’s brand strategy couldn’t be more perfect, as the MSR was one of six Black-

“Trying to get the old-school to come into the new-school is a challenge.” a 17-year-old Pullman porter, Newman ventured North to escape racism, only to find the same discrimination in Minnesota.

“My grandfather thought he would have more opportunity here, but once he got to Minnesota and went to a restaurant, he was served a burger laced with salt,” said third-generation MSR Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard.

Over the years, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) has continued its legacy as a trusted voice to Black communities across the state,

owned businesses selected to be featured in Season 6 of the Small Business Revolution—an Emmy-nominated series by Deluxe designed to help small businesses overcome marketing, finance and operational challenges.

brand refresh is to develop a mood board. This serves as a collection of imagery and colors to capture the feeling of the MSR and influence final color palettes, typography and photography style. Tracey Energizing the brand leaned toward a board that From the beginning, the de- was more soulful, confident, sign team at Deluxe wanted to cultural and bold. honor the legacy of the MSR Using the mood board as but modernize it a bit more to a guide, Deluxe developed appeal to digital audiences. several logo concepts—from modern to traditional—keepSelecting a mood board ing in mind the goal of atOne of the first steps in a tracting a more youthful audi-

ence. Tracey gravitated to the version with a big, bold and straightforward vibe where MSR is iconographic and instantly recognizable. The angles also give a sense of forward momentum, which is exactly where Tracy sees her family business headed.

cluding a full remodel of the interior of the newsroom— head to Hulu, Prime Video or smallbusinessrevolution.org, where Deluxe teams up with Watch the complete makeover community leaders and indusFor those curious to see try, financial and tech experts all the changes made to this to help the MSR keep founder longstanding business— in- Cecil Newman’s vision alive.

IN PRINT & ONLINE!

CALL 612-827-4021 • Employment • Rentals

• For Sale • Divorce

• Adoption • Bid

• Public Notices

November 11-17, 2021

Hulu

“Running a newspaper, especially a small newspaper, is not the easiest thing I could have Continued from page 1 done with my life,” WilliamsDillard said with a laugh at an extra part-time job, promis- the event. She told how her ing her he would do whatever it grandfather was motivated to took to help her keep the doors start the paper after ordering a hamburger at a restaurant in open.

Ellison Continued from page 1

know what caused this or what sparked it. I’m hoping that can give us some insights into how to end it.

Second, I think affordable housing. Dignified, stable housing is critically important on the North Side to prevent gentrification.

I think thirdly, North Side businesses being able to own our commercial corridors. Individual businesses, small businesses that are on the North Side whose owners and workforce live on the North Side, are able to own the very corridors that fuel our hyperlocal economy. That hasn’t been the case in the past, I started making that the case last term and I plan to continue on that work this term.

MSR: What would you say your priority is for this term?

Ellison: I would say all three of those issues.

MSR: What was your stance on the three ballot questions in this election?

Ellison: I was one of the authors for ballot question three [on rent control and stabilization], and so I was very much in support of that, and I’m glad to see that not only was I able to author that question but that it

Vetaw Continued from page 1 mother needed a lot of help, a lot of assistance, not just with programs, people, stuff like that—we needed food stamps, we needed low-income housing, we needed food shelves sometimes, clothing shelves.

We needed so many resources because my mom was a single parent. I just love being in community and showing up for community.

MSR: Would you say that experience will make you a good council member for your ward?

Vetaw: I think so. I think a lot of the challenges and the highlights that I’ve had in my life, you know, these people in this community have had the same and similar. The North Side is a great place because it lifts you up, but then it’ll knock you down. You know you have some hard times on the North Side, but then you have the most memorable times as well.

MSR: What would you say are the major issues facing your ward?

Vetaw: Safety is the first thing. That’s all people talk about. We knocked on over 8,000 doors during this campaign, and safety was it.

Whether that’s traffic safety [or] safety dealing with gun violence. Traffic safety and just the violence that was happening in the community were a big, big deal.

So I would say safety as a whole. People want to feel safe and welcome. That’s the number-one thing.

Housing is a huge part of safety. If folks don’t have a warm home to go to on cold nights, they’re more likely to have other issues happening in

passed, and the people of Minneapolis agree.

Question three opens the door for the city to pass a rent stabilization or rent control policy. The reason that’s needed is, you know, people will tell you that the average rate of rent increases is around 2-3% annually, which certainly can be true.

But when you look at who that’s mostly true for, that’s mostly true for market rate rents, market rate units.

When you look at people who are in the bottom third, or even the bottom two-thirds of income earners in Minneapolis, their rents are rising at much higher rates than that. And so the reason we need a rent stabilization policy is for the poorest residents of Minneapolis.

They’re seeing their rents rise 30%, 40%, you know, 100% over the course of five years or less.

So we need a rent control policy to prevent the rapid and unregulated rise of rent in our city.

I was a supporter of question two. I still think that question two was our real chance to pursue changes to public safety and that anyone who thinks that we are gonna be able to pursue real transformation and even reform now that question two has failed, I think that folks are maybe not seeing the full picture.

I was against question one, and I know that question one prevailed. I think that this is

Minneapolis and finding it laced with so much salt it was inedible.

He got the message, she said.

“From that point forward he decided to right wrongs and be a voice for the voiceless,” said Williams-Dillard.

For over 100 years, Deluxe has been a champion of small

businesses. Over the past five years, Deluxe has chosen a community to spotlight through the “Small Business Revolution” program, helping the community succeed through its small businesses.

“It’s a passion project. We love doing this,” explained Amanda

Brinkman, Deluxe chief brand and content officer and the creator and co-host of the series.

“The message is: Look how vital these small businesses are to their communities.

“The more we support small businesses, the ripple effect is felt within the neighborhoods

and the community. It’s really a celebration of how important small businesses are to our country, to our economy and our neighborhoods.”

This season, retired NBA superstar and entrepreneur Baron Davis joins Brinkman as a co-host.

important for readers to know: Question one is absolutely going to give vast authority, including the quality of constituent services, and hand it to the mayor.

That is a realm that has traditionally been in the purview of the council member, so I’m gonna figure out what this new red tape looks like, and I’m gonna cut through it as best I can. But I think it’s important for readers to know just how much of the entire City function is now delegated to the mayor.

are gonna have to go hand in hand when it comes to curbing this issue.

We also need to look at some of the results of our basic income, universal basic income pilot program and say, you know, does offering a basic income and guaranteeing a basic income to certain families help stabilize those parents and put them in a better position, instead of having to run and work multiple jobs, be present in their home in a way that I know most parents want to be?

So I think that we have to invest not just in the kids and in their employment and their activity, but we have to stabilize their guardians as well. We can’t stretch people incredibly thin and then expect them to have the capacity to account for their teenager at all times.

We can’t force people to be living in economic despair and then judge them when they’re working three to four jobs in order to avoid eviction and homelessness and then point the finger at them when their kid gets wrapped up in something that they shouldn’t have been. If we want families to be cohesive and we want kids to live productive lives, then we have to put our money where our mouth is.

Stable Schools is a program that we started I think three or four years ago, and I’m excited to see us continue that program and continue investing there.

It’s a program that helps us stabilize families, kind of to my earlier point, who are on the cusp of homelessness and who have a kid in our public school system.

So I think we owe it to families to continue that investment, because if someone is stable in their living situation, that is going to lead to better outcomes for them in school.

But if a kid is going to school hungry and they just slept in their parent’s car all night, we know that kid is not going to be set up to perform well in school. If that happens long enough, then we’re not setting people up to live the kind of lives that they deserve to live.

and are desperate and have needs that they are willing to harm other people to meet.

So let’s meet people’s needs.

When people cause harm, they do need to be held accountable, right, but what does accountability mean?

Accountability doesn’t mean we just punish you. Accountability means that we get some justice, we get some remedy for the person you harmed, but also that we work with you to make sure that you don’t cause harm in the community again.

If all we do is punish you, then we haven’t really set you up for success. In fact, we may have put you in a more desperate situation and have made it more likely that you will commit harm to the community in the future.

So, I think that if we want to get a hold on rises in crime, we have to ditch any notion that there is some sort of unique phenomenon such as “Black on Black” crime, which is a ridiculous notion. We have to understand and ask ourselves why people are committing crimes at all, and how we can not only hold them accountable when they harm people, but set them up in a way so that they don’t have to harm people again. That is how we are going to commit safety in our city.

MSR: In your opinion, what is the cause of so-called “Black on Black” violence, and how can it be stopped?

Ellison: Violence happens between communities. White people overwhelmingly commit crimes against other White people. Native people overwhelmingly commit crimes against other ndigenous people. Do we describe a White person who commits a crime against another White person as a “White on White” crime? No. So if “White on White” crime doesn’t exist, then I cannot entertain or validate the notion of “Black on Black” crime.

Crime occurs when people RB King welcomes reader live in proximity to one another responses to kaysi003@umn.edu.

violence and criminality?

Vetaw: What I know is effective is giving those young minds something to do, and having them earn something.

We piloted a program this year at the park board called Imagine Your Future, where there were 17-24-year-olds—I think it could be 23-year-olds—but these were kids who maybe had had some troubles, and you know they weren’t “squeaky clean” kids.

They got an opportunity to attend some workshops and classes over the course of two months that talked about financial literacy, just general life skills, you know, just some general activities. And during those eight weeks they got to earn a job at the park board, that was the big payoff. A fulltime job for some, a part-time job for others.

That was such a beautiful program. And it kept those young people focused on posi-

tives. They were given mentors. when I had struggles in my life, They were given something to what helped me was an indilook forward to. vidualized approach. It wasn’t like, “Oh, go take this class and MSR: What are your thoughts go do that.” I really had to sit on the cause of so-called down and talk to people and “Black on Black” violence, and understand who I was and how can it be stopped? what my needs were, and what Vetaw: I can’t answer that my future goals were. question. The only answer I So when I think about viocould have to that question is lence, I really do think, in my talking to the community about mind, when we find out that their needs. Because what I someone is, like, when a young think we get wrong as a society person is arrested or found with is trying to have one answer a gun or something, my mind and one fix to everything, and says we need the opportuthe needs are very specific to nity to talk to them and find out individuals. exactly what’s going on in their You can ask me what I need lives and tailor our resources to and it can be very different their needs. from what my sister needs. So That’s how you stop people I don’t have the answer to that, from doing the same things. that’s something that we have That’s how you really get to the to work on in community to root of it, is when you underachieve and tailor it to the spe- stand individual needs. cific person.

Some people may need RB King welcomes reader housing and a job. Some people responses to kaysi003@umn. may need an I.D. I know that edu.

MSR: How do you plan to hold the police accountable?

Ellison: The strong mayor amendment passed, and so the people of Minneapolis have said that they don’t really want the council to have a say when it comes to police. So I think that that question really rests exclusively with the mayor. I will continue to advocate for accountability, but I also have to recognize that I have no legal authority. The people of Minneapolis said they want the mayor to solve this problem.

MSR: What can be done to stem the problem of youth violence and criminality?

Ellison: I don’t think we should leave it just to the parks, but I’m hopeful that we can also make investments towards youth employment. But youth employment and youth activity

hurt the most by this amendment no matter what.

The rent control one I did not vote for either. First I thought, wait, this is a joke, right? Because they could’ve just done a study. It wasn’t rent control. We didn’t automatically go into rent control. That was for the council to direct staff to MSR: Which of those would do a study, [that] was that ballot you say is the most pressing amendment. While I continue issue facing your ward?

Vetaw: Safety. When you to oppose certain forms of rent think about those three issues- control, I just think there’s other and when I started running I ways. Rent controls are not talked about those three things proven to be effective. all the time, and it just turned into only talking about safety, How do you plan to hold the because if people don’t feel police accountable?

Vetaw: We have to have safe you don’t have good housing resources, you don’t have people at the table—people businesses investing, so safety who voted yes and who voted is it. In the beginning people no [to ballot question two], had great ideas, they were talk- people who represent these ing about all kinds of stuff. By communities, law enforcement, summer after, you know, sev- and elected officials.

I think the body camera stuff eral children being shot doing what kids do, it was all about has to be documented. We have to make sure that officers safety. have their cameras on at all times. Some of the measures MSR: What was your stance that have taken place already, on all three ballot questions?

Vetaw: I voted yes for the low-level traffic stops, that kind strong mayor. I saw that as a of stuff. Accountability on why good accountability measure. you pulled your gun out.

Now they’re asking for With this last administration there was a lot of passing the reports on why you took your buck, and I saw the strong gun out of the holster. That’s mayor ballot measure as an never happened before. And opportunity for us to create a what we’ve seen here in Minstructure where people had to neapolis, if you commit a crime, be accountable for their deci- you get charged!

You’re an officer, but you sions and we couldn’t play the blame game. I also saw it as can’t have this situation where an opportunity for me to have we watch you kill a man and more time to spend with my nothing happens, you just go back to work. That’s a big issue. constituents in Ward 4.

[On ballot question] two I That [solution] has to happen voted no, that was the public at the State [level]. The arbitrasafety question. I was a strong tion, the charter that the union no on that. We have real issues is covered under, has to hapwith violence in Ward 4, in the pen at the State level. And the North Side as a whole. The mayor said he’ll be pushing, and violence that’s happening over I’ll be pushing with him. here, there was no way we were going to vote for a vague MSR: Can you elaborate a bit amendment with no plan, no on what you think can be done details, no way. We would be and plan to do to stem youth

their families. Housing is a big issue.

Economic development and stability, the income of folks in the ward. The opportunity to have businesses and the essentials in the ward is another big issue.

5

6

November 11-17, 2021

Metropolis

Strong demand for ages 5-11 vaccinations at COVID-19 community clinics

By MSR News Service “Getting our children vaccinated will help our kids be kids again,” said Governor Walz.

“Now that the vaccine is approved for kids ages 5-11, Minnesota is ready to administer these shots quickly, efficiently, and equitably. I encourage families to make a plan to get their child vaccinated and help keep them safe.”

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said she had a lot of extreme feelings over the course of the pandemic but nothing compared to the anxiety she experienced when her daughter tested positive for COVID-19.

“While we are so fortunate she is okay, I don’t want any other families to have to go through that experience,” said Flanagan. “My most important job as a mom is to keep my child safe—I can’t wait to get her vaccinated so she’s protected. I’m making a plan to get my daughter vaccinated,

off on Thursday with vaccination events in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, and Duluth.

Governor Walz, Commissioner Malcolm, and Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller visited the vaccination clinic at Brooklyn Center Elementary to greet students, teachers, and parents on the first day.

Nearly 30 schools across the state are scheduled to hold vaccination clinics onsite in the next two weeks.

“Vaccination of students and staff is the fastest way for our students to get back to focusing on school and enjoying the extracurricular activities that were canceled during the pandemic,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “School is the place where childhood happens and we Mall of America Brooklyn Center Elementary want that place to be as happy and healthy as possible. We enGovernor Walz and Depart- School ment of Health Commissioner The Administration’s part- courage parents to follow the Jan Malcolm visited the Mall of nership with school districts advice of the CDC, the AmeriAmerica Community Vaccina- to host in-school clinics kicked can Academy of Pediatrics, and and I encourage all Minnesota families to do the same.”

Minnesota providers have ordered as many doses as possible from the federal government. Doses will arrive in waves this week, with most providers receiving their vaccines by this weekend.

There are over 500,000 children across Minnesota that are now eligible for the vaccine. Ninety-four percent of Minnesota’s population is now eligible to be vaccinated.

Since the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for children 5- to 11-years-old last week, Governor Tim Walz has visited a variety of vaccine clinics, in an effort to highlight the strong demand and robust provider network for child vaccinations across the state.

tion Clinic last Wednesday to celebrate the authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5- to 11-years-old and highlight the more than 11,000 sites where children 5-11 can get the Pfizer vaccine in Minnesota.

Due to incredible demand among Minnesota families, all vaccine appointments were booked each day the MOA clinic was open this week, Wednesday through Saturday.

More than 4,000 doses were administered to children 5- to 11-years-old at this location since Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the clinic was operating at the previous capacity of 500 doses per day.

The site’s capacity tripled on Thursday and can now provide up to 1,500 shots to all eligible Minnesotans per day.

Thousands of vaccinations have been administered to 5 to 11-year-olds since CDC approved them for the age group.

MSR file photo other public health experts and to vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds. choose to have their schoolMinneapolis age children vaccinated.”

The Southside Community clinic is providing vaccinations Minnesota’s Children’s by appointment on Monday Museum On Sunday, Governor Walz through Friday from 8 a.m. to and Commissioner Malcolm 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays the visited the COVID-19 com- clinic is open until 6:30 p.m.

Parents can learn more munity vaccine clinic hosted by the Minnesota’s Children’s about COVID-19 vaccines for Museum in St. Paul to high- children and teens and find light the state’s partnership where to get their children vacwith community organizations cinated at mn.gov/vaxforkids.

Western Governors University provides affordable pathway to higher education Sponsored Content For those looking to get ahead at work or jump into a new career altogether, not having the right education or skills can often lead to roadblocks along the path to success. But for many adults who are busy working and raising families, finding the time and money to go to class and complete coursework can seem impossible.

Luckily, there are affordable and flexible high-quality educational options for those who want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in less time and for less money.

Western Governors University (WGU), for instance, has been a leader in delivering high-quality, online college education to busy adults for nearly 25 years. It has been successfully addressing Minnesota’s workforce needs by providing those who have some college but no degree— as well as those looking to further their education by earning a master’s degree—with an affordable pathway to higher education.

The fully online, nonprofit university was founded in 1997 by a group of 19 U.S. governors to help expand access to affordable, careerboosting, high-quality college education to working adults who want to further their

ter graduating—over twice the national average. Within four years, that number grows to $21,800 for WGU grads compared to the national average of $11,500.

WGU’s solely online course offerings and competency-

education. The university’s degree programs specifically focus on high-need workforce areas to help address the growing skills gap.

It offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of business, information technology, education and health professions, including nursing. Faculty members are there to work one-on-one with students as mentors, providing guidance, support and individualized instruction.

WGU, which is accredited and nationally recognized, pioneered the use of the competency-based education model in an online environment.

Competency-based education allows students to leverage previous education, training and work experience—instead of time spent in a classroom—to earn their degrees faster. Students complete their programs by studying on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon

as they demonstrate they’ve mastered the subject matter.

The nontraditional programs are perfect for students who need a flexible, affordable option in higher education. While the university’s degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competencybased learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their programs, saving them both time and money.

The competency-based model, coupled with WGU’s flat-rate tuition of about $3,800 per six-month term, means students can complete their degrees faster and at lower cost, with the option for them to take as many courses as possible each term without any added fees. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree through WGU is about $18,000, with students graduating in 2.5 years, on average.

The return on investment is high, with WGU grads seeing a salary increase of $12,300, on average, just two years af-

Education your way Flexible format.

Support services.

Affordable.

Spring classes start January 10.

minneapolis.edu/admissions 612-659-6281 admissions.office@minneapolis.edu

based education model enables the university to offer flexible start dates to students instead of following traditional semesters, with new students starting the first day of every month. Students are able to apply for financial aid, and the

university also offers grants and scholarships to new and returning students to make tuition even more affordable.

To learn more, visit wgu. edu/msp or call 866-2255948.

November 11-17, 2021

Arts & Culture

7

M OV I E R E V I E W

‘The Harder They Fall’ packs a punch

By Dwight Brown

They’re roughriders, pistolpacking outlaws blasting bullets. The setup for this shoot’em-up started with the 2013 short film “They Die by Dawn,” the brainchild of Jeymes Samuel, aka “The Bullitts.” He’s a British singer-songwriter, producer, and writer/director who is also the brother of the Grammy Award-winning musician Seal.

In the past, Samuel would make films to accompany his album releases. “They Die…” fits that pattern and features Western characters based on real people: Nat Love, played

by Michael K. Williams, and

Stagecoach Mary portrayed

by Erykah Badu.

Eight years later, after a perfect gestation period, “The Harder They Fall” comes to theaters, and Netflix and its genius is no fluke. It’s been nurtured

by Samuel and co-writer Boaz Yakin (“Remember the Titans”), who’ve thoughtfully created a Wild West tale of biblical proportions with a new cast and additional characters.

Nat Love (Jonathan Majors, “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”) has been trailing and killing bad men who messed with him and his family decades ago. The barrel of his gun has meted out the ultimate punishment again and

again. The last one standing is the killer whom he despises most, the cunning and elusive Rufus Buck (Idris Elba). The men’s mutual hatred runs as deep as Cain’s and Abel’s.

Love rides with his gang: On-and-off again lover Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz, “Atlanta”), the fiery Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi), and Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler), a gunman who loves showing off his fast draw.

Buck, amid a jail transfer, is looking for aid from his posse led by “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield).

Ain’t no town in Texas big enough for the both of ‘em.

Something’s gonna happen. (l-r) Zazie Beetz and Regina King

(l-r) Regina King, Idris Elba and LaKeith Stanfield in “The Harder They Fall.”

Someone’s gonna die.

A graphic murder starts the footage. It’s set in a small house with furniture, fixtures and props that look like they were stolen off the set of “Gunsmoke” (production designer Martin Whist; set decorators Jay Hart, Cynthia La Jeunesse, and Anthony Whitman).

Clearly, a young Nat has been wronged and emotionally scarred by a demonic act.

No need to guess why adult Nat’s revenge is so hellbent.

It’s payback—a driving force that propels the film until the last bullet is shot.

The court of characters surrounding Nat and Rufus are as colorful, deadly and memorable as any gunslingers ever assembled for a wes/dra/act/ thr. And, somehow, intuitively, Samuel and Yakin have figured out a way for the outlaws to talk in an 1800s country/ Western drawl with the ferocity of enraged gangbangers from modern times.

matographer Mihai Malaimare Jr. (“Jojo Rabbit”).

A steady, pulsating rhythm beats faster and faster as it edges towards the film’s two-hour-ten-minute length (editor Tom Eagles, “Jojo Rabbit”). Everything is big. Loud.

Exaggerated. Especially the thunderous horse-hooves as they pound the earth like explosives. And the soundtrack vibrates with bold music that enhances the film’s bravura spirit, though it doesn’t necessarily reflect the times.

Jamaican reggae singer Koffee sings the title track; reggae dancehall legend Barrington Levy, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill and Jadakiss bring down the house, too. Only a few scenes flounder or are too farfetched, like a long-winded marriage proposal and an improbable ruse to buy a saloon.

Gunfights are brutal and choreographed with both grace and ruggedness. The universally convincing performances

“This cowboy tale is unapologetically strong and Afrocentric.”

Specifically, Majors’ speech pattern, inflection, phrasing and dialogue will leave audiences astounded by his character’s 19th century, postCivil War authenticity and contemporary swagger.

As a director, Samuel keeps the action coming and coming.

Tense verbal confrontations, robberies, gunfights, fisticuffs, and riding the range over arid land test the mettle of the cast, stunt doubles, and cine-

are a testament to an astute director who knows how to pull what he needs from a very professional cast. Some may want to compare Samuel’s visions to Sergio Leone’s stylish spaghetti Westerns.

Others will bring up Tarantino’s name. Samuel’s ability to mix old, new and Black culture differentiates him from those two, and Black Westerns (e.g., Mario Van Peeble’s “Posse”) are a genre all their own. Also

Courtesy of Netflix

of note, these curse-spewing Black folks rarely if ever utter the “N” word.

The sterling cast’s vibrant ensemble acting blends perfectly, and they are dressed for battle (costume designer Antoinette Messam). Danielle Deadwyler’s portrayal of Mary’s androgynous security guard is one for the LGBTQ ages.

Delroy Lindo as Sheriff Bass Reeves, who plays both sides of the fence, can blow everyone in his path away.

Stanfield’s Cherokee is just sardonic and laconic enough: “Being scared will only give you bad karma in the afterlife.”

King is as lethal as a Colt 45 with a slug in its chamber.

Beetz straddles the femininity and aggressive qualities of her character well, while Elba parades around like an African king, as he should. If there is one actor who shines a bit brighter it’s Majors, who finds all the right nuances in a boy done wrong settling grievances as a man.

This cowboy tale is unapologetically strong and Afrocentric, a la “Black Panther.” It’s as cutting edge as it is retro.

Expect action-loving Netflix watchers to gather around TVs like curious townsfolk eyeballing the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

If you like Westerns as much as you like Black swagger, this one is calling your name.

‘The Harder They Fall’ is in theaters now and on Netflix.

Dwight Brown is an NNPA News Wire film critic. He welcomes reader responses toDwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

8

November 11-17, 2021

View Continued from page 10

wrote in First and Pen. com, “That lineup shattered the misconception that an all-Black team was incapable of winning a [baseball] championship,” which the Pirates later did in defeating Baltimore in the 1971 World Series. “It was a win for the team…and Black America,” stressed the professor.

“This team was able to pull this off… The Pirates had a lot of Black players,” Moore later told the MSR. “You know 50 years ago how significant that was, and maybe we’ll never see that again in baseball.”

Finally, Phil “Daddy” Reid (1854-1912) was honored before a St. Paul Saints game. Reid started the St. Paul Colored Gophers in 1907 and went 380-89-2, winning several Black baseball championships.

“There is such a rich history in the city of St. Paul, the state of Minnesota as well,” said Saints GM Derek Sharrer of the new headstone installed at Reid’s burial site in Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul.

Fans who attended the July 27 game received a STPG baseball cap. Wonder if they really knew that it honored the state’s most notable Black baseball team.

that we’ve lost.”

Also, this past August in downtown St. Paul the St. Paul Saints won its 2019 American Association championship. The pandemic delayed celebration plans a year earlier, but this year several members of that winning team were in town to watch its banner raised.

Said Jabari Henry, the team’s only Black member, “I came in a little later [that season]. They brought me in, made me feel like I’ve been part [of the team] the entire year.”

It was his first championship at any level, admitted the minor league veteran.

“I’ve always wanted to play here, always played against them.

So, when I had the opportunity to come here, I had to take it.

“I felt like I was here [for] my knowledge as one of the older guys, to give my knowledge to some of the younger guys,” Henry proudly pointed out. “It was a great experience.”

When a young Black man passed me recently on West Broadway wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates cap, I wondered to myself if he truly knows that team’s history: On Sept.

1, 1971, nine Black players started for the Pirates, Charles Hallman wela first in MLB history.

Grand Valley State comes reader responses (Mich.) Associate History to challman@spokesmanProfessor Louis Moore recorder.com.

Prep

Coach Abe

Continued from page 10

Continued from page 10

The Tigers are headed back to the state playoffs thanks to the leadership of Head Coach Justine Reese and a 35-6 4AAAA championship victory over Columbia Heights Friday, November 5 at Fridley High School.

Junior quarterback MJ Newton, senior running back Zachary Gotsch, and wide receiver Devon Williams have led Fridley’s offense.

Junior linebackers Kerome Thompson and Guinahi Douhe lead the defense.

Shakopee (8-2): The Sabres, led by Head Coach Ray Betton, earned a chance to participate in the state playoffs after defeating Blaine 20-13 Friday.

November 5 in the Cass 6A round of 16 at Shakopee High School.

Running back Jadon Hellerud, receiver Nicholas Katona, sophomore quarterback Leyton Kerns, and junior signal-caller Dominic Jackson are among the offensive leaders for the Sabres.

Senior linebacker Owen Diede, senior defensive back Aaron Lee, and junior linebacker Jacob Ruud lead the defense.

The 2021 state playoffs could prove to be very memorable.

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

a great crowd is a good way to start the year,” stated Woldeslassie. “I feel we are at a point now that we can compete with everyone in

the public. “We want fans to come and enjoy it,” he said.

“We want to entertain kids and families.”

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

IN PRINT & ONLINE!

CALL 612-827-4021 • Employment • Rentals

• For Sale • Divorce

• Adoption • Bid

Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

• Public Notices Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Worship Bethesda Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Billy G. Russell, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Arthur Agnew, Pastor

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor

451 West Central

St. Paul, MN 55103 651-227-4444

Church School 9:30 am Morning Worship 8:00 & 10:45 am Prayer Service:

Wednesday 7 pm "Welcome to

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church"

ACCESS TO GREAT CARE From the Twin Cities to Two Harbors get a plan that fits you.

Choose from a variety of individual and family plans Visit bluecrossmn.com/2022blueplans or call 1-844-931-5208 (TTY 711) You must live in the service area to enroll.

Blue Cross® and Blue Shield ® of Minnesota and Blue Plus® are nonprofit independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Ad: M05697_Spokesman-Recorder (4c, 10.5 x 9.4375)

the MIAC.” The Scots return home on Nov. 11 to host U-M Morris.

Woldeslassie invites the Twin Cities sporting community to come out and watch his Scots this season.

All home games are free to

At the Old Landmark 1118 So. 8th Street Mpls., MN 55404 612-332-5904 www.bethesdamnonline.com bethesdamn@prodigy.net Sunday Service Times: Early Morning Service 9 am Sunday School 10 am Sunday Worship 11:30 am Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 6 pm Adult Bible Class 7 pm Children's Bible Class 7 pm

2600 E. 38th Street Minneapolis, MN 55408 www.greatfriend.org Phone: 612.827.7928 Fax: 612.827.3587 info@greatfriend.org Sundays 8:00am Sunday School 9:30am Worship Service The Friendly Church Where Everybody Is Somebody

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Doctor Charles Gill 732 W. Central Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 Sunday Worship Service: 9:45 AM Sunday School: 8:45 AM

Employment & Legals State of Minnesota

Case Type: Personal Injury

County of Ramsey

District Court

State of Minnesota State of Minnesota Ramsey County Ramsey County

District Court District Court Second Judicial District Second Judicial District Court File Number: 62HRCV20955 Court File Number: 62HRCV20955

Court File Number: 62-CV-21-5748 The Honorable: Judge Laura Nelson Jessica Single

SUMMONS

Danaysha Chatman Danaysha Chatman

Notice of Issuance of Issuance NoticeofofNotice Issuance of Notice of Issuance

Petitioner

of Harassment ofRestraining HarassmentOrder Restraining Order

Petitioner

vs

Plaintiff vs Jordan Steinberg Defendant THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant:

vs Shabrecha Monye Shell Monye Shell Shabrecha

State of Minnesota State of Minnesota

District Court District Court

Ramsey County Ramsey County

Second Judicial District Second Judicial District Case Type: Harassment Case Type: Harassment

Court File Number: 62-HR-CV-20-955 Court File Number: 62-HR-CV

By Publication

By Publication

vs Shabrecha Monye Shell Monye Shell Shabrecha

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Harassment Restraining Order has been issued on YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Harassment Restraining Order has been issued on 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you.10-14-21.

10-14-21.

Based upon the Petitioner’s Affidavit and Request, IT IS ORDERED: Based upon the Petitioner’s Affidavit and Request, IT IS ORDERED:

The Plaintiffs Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw  A hearing is scheduled for the following date, time, and location:

1.

respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and

2.

 A hearing is scheduled for the following date, time, and location: Date: ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________ Time: ____________________________ am/  pm Time: ____________________________ am/  pm Location: ________________________________________ Location: ________________________________________

there may be no court file number on this summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a

OR

3.

OR

written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you A hearing has not been scheduled. You may request a hearing on this matter by

 A hearing has not been scheduled. You may request a hearing on this matter by

received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the personfiling a Request for Hearing HAR301 with the Court within twenty (20) days of who signed this summons located at: Brantingham Law Office 2200 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55404

filing a Request for Hearing HAR301 with the Court within twenty (20) days of the date this Notice is published. You may get a copy of the HRO from the court the date this Notice is published. You may get a copy of the HRO from the court administrator’s office at the following address: 25 W.7th Street, administrator’s office at the following address: 25 W.7th Street, St. Paul MN 55102.

St. Paul MN 55102.

Failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or to get a copy of the Harassment Failure appear a scheduled hearing or get a copy of the Harassment Restraining Order willtonot be a at defense to prosecution fortoviolation of the

3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written Court’s order. Restraining Order will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the response to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the 11-5-2021 Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must

Court’s order.

DA/HR clerk Court Administrator/Deputy DA/HR clerk Court Administrator/Deputy

11-5-2021

say so in your Answer.

4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 11, 2021

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 11, 2021

RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case.

You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond.

A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in

State of Minnesota

Case Type: Personal Injury

County of Hennepin

District Court Fourth Judicial District

the complaint.

Court File Number:

5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you

The Honorable:

do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still

Abraham Toure

provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

Plaintiff

6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You must still send your written response to the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

SUMMONS

vs Murty Batchu Defendant THIS SUMMONS IS DIRECTED TO the above-named Defendant: 1. YOU ARE BEING SUED. The Plaintiff has started a lawsuit against you.

The Plaintiffs Complaint against you is attached to this summons. Do not throw these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must respond to this lawsuit even though it may not yet be filed with the Court and there may be no court file number on this summons.

2. YOU MUST REPLY WITHIN 20 DAYS TO PROTECT YOUR

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 4, 11, 18, 2021

RIGHTS. You must give or mail to the person who signed this summons a written response called an Answer within 20 days of the date on which you received this Summons. You must send a copy of your Answer to the person

SENIOR DESIGN QUALITY ENGINEER Sr. Design Quality Engineer for Medtronic, Inc. at its facility in Minneapolis, MN. The Sr. Design Quality Engineer provides quality engineering support in the design and development of products for Renal Care Solutions through design controls planning, test method development, verification, validation and transfer. Requires a Masters’ degree in Mechanical, Biomedical or Electrical engineering field and two (2) years of experience in design quality engineering and two (2) years of post-bachelor’s progressive experience in all of the following: FDA 21 CFR820 regulations and ISO13485; Risk activities per ISO 14971 including Product Hazard Analysis, Design and Process Failure Mode Control Analysis (DFMECA, PFMECA; Design Verification, Test method and Equipment validation, and Design Validation; Providing support during internal and external audits; Qualification of OEM products; Quality and Statistical tools including Gage R&R, Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process control (SPC). Apply at https://jobs.medtronic.com/ Req.21000SOU. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

who signed this summons located at: Megan Curtis Law, PLLC 332 Minnesota Street, Suite W1610 St. Paul, MN 55101 3. YOU MUST RESPOND TO EACH CLAIM. The Answer is your written response to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. In your Answer you must state whether

Medtronic say so in your Answer.

(2x3.5) 4. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CASE IF YOU DO NOT SEND A WRITTEN 165 words you agree or disagree with each paragraph of the Complaint. If you believe the Plaintiff should not be given everything asked for in the Complaint, you must

RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED

THIS SUMMONS. If you do not Answer within 20 days, you will lose this case.

You will not get to tell your side of the story, and the Court may decide against you and award the Plaintiff everything asked for in the complaint. If you do not want to contest the claims stated in the complaint, you do not need to respond.

A default judgment can then be entered against you for the relief requested in the complaint.

5. LEGAL ASSISTANCE. You may wish to get legal help from a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, the Court Administrator may have information about places where you can get legal assistance. Even if you cannot get legal help, you must still

SENIOR PHARMA QUALITY ENGINEER Sr. Pharma Quality Engineer for Medtronic, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. Req. Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Mechanical or Biomedical engr. & 2 yrs. exp. in quality engr. Must possess a min. 2 yrs. exp. w/each of the following: Pharma or drugdevice Combination product mfg.; Current Good Manufacturing (cGMPs), United States Pharmacopeia, ICH, & ISPE; FDA 21 CFR Part 210, 211, 820, Part 4 & Part 11; ISO 14644, ISO 13485 & ISO 14971; Corrective & Preventative Actions & equip. & process validations using Process Characterization, IQ, OQ, & PQ, process changes & product non-conformance evaluations; design of experiments, risk evaluation, validation, Measurement System Analysis, methodical problem solving, & statistical analysis; & JD Edwards & FACTORYworks. To apply, visit https://jobs.medtronic.com/, select Req. #21000SOZ. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

FOR SALE - MNDOT OWNED VACANT LAND Located at the NW Quadrant of TH212 and Martin Dr., Eden Prairie, Hennepin County. Approximately 3.97 acres to be sold by sealed bid on 1/11/2022 at 2:00 at Central Office, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul.

Bid Form: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/row/propsales.html Info: LandSales.MN.DOT@state.mn.us

[Minn. Stat. § [Minn.

609.748, subd.

3(b)] subd. 3( Stat. § 609.748,

vs

To Respondent: To Respondent:

these papers away. They are official papers that affect your rights. You must

Order for Publication Order for(Harassment) Publication (Harass

Danaysha Chatman Danaysha Chatman

Respondent Respondent

provide a written Answer to protect your rights or you may lose the case.

6. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties may agree to or be ordered to participate in an alternative dispute resolution process under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. You mustMEGAN still send your LAW, written response to CURTIS PLLC the Complaint even if you expect to use alternative means of resolving this dispute.

Medtronic (2x3.25) 152 words

06/25/2021 Dated: _______________

By:

___________________________________ Megan M. Curtis, MN #0393601 First National Bank Building 332 Minnesota Street, Suite W1610 St. Paul, MN 55101 P: 612-750-4688 F: 651-412-5070 E: mc@megancurtislaw.com ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 4, 11, 18, 2021

REFLECTIONS DENTAL CARE Reflections Dental Care, Brooklyn Park, MN seeks FT Dental Hygienist M-F, Duties include remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth, apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth

9

Filed in District Court Filed in District Court State of Minnesota State of Minnesota Nov 4, 2021 Nov 4, 2021

Case Type: Harassment Case Type: Harassment

Second Judicial District

November 11-17, 2021

4.

The notice shall be published one time in a legal newspaper in 1. The notice shall be published one time in a legal newspaper in Hennepin County.

Hennepin County.

Costs for notice by publication shall be paid by the Court. The Court 2.

Costs for notice by publication shall be paid by the Court. The Co

may assess such costs against Respondent.

STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT assess such costs against Respondent.

Ramsey County may Second Judicial District DISTRIC STATE OF MINNESOTA

Case Type: Harassment Ramsey County Second Judicia Other: Service shall be by first class mail, forwarding address requested,

Court File Number: 62‐HR‐CV‐20‐955

Case Type: Ha 3. Other: Service shall be by first class mail, forwarding address req

to the following address: 1239 Sheridan Avenue North, APTCourt File Number: 62‐HR‐C 305, Danaysha Chatman vs Shabrecha Order for Publication (Harassment)

to the following address: 1239 Sheridan Avenue North, APT 305 Monye Shell [Minn. Stat. § 609.748, subd. 3(b)] Order for Publication (Harassment) Minneapolis, MNDanaysha 55411 Chatman vs Shabrecha Monye Shell [Minn. Stat. § 609.748, subd. 3(b)]

Minneapolis, MN 55411 Petitioner has made a request to keep their address and/or phone number

4. Petitioner has made a request to keep their address and/or phone nu

Based upon the Petitioner’s Affidavit and Request, IT IS ORDERED: confidential. The confidential information is also included in the (Affidavit Based upon the Petitioner’s Affidavit and Request, IT IS ORDERED: confidential.

The confidential information is also included in the (A 1. The notice shall be published one time in a legal newspaper in Hennepin County. for Publication). Pursuant to the Rules of Access Rule 4, upon petitioner’s 1. The notice shall be published one time in a legal newspaper in Hennepin County.

2. Costs for notice by publication shall be paid by the Court. The Court may assess such costs for Publication). Pursuant to the Rules of Access Rule 4, upon peti request,against Respondent. information2. maintained by the court regarding the petitioner’s Costs for notice by publication shall be paid by the Court. The Court may assess su 3. Other: Service shall be by first class mail, forwarding address requested, to the following request,against Respondent. information maintained by the court regarding the petition locationaddress: 1239 Sheridan Avenue North, APT 305, Minneapolis, MN 55411 or residence is not accessible to the public. Therefore, Court 3. Other: Service shall be by first class mail, forwarding address requested, to the foll location or residence is nota redacted accessibleversion to the public.

Therefore, Cou address: 1239 Sheridan Avenue North, APT 305, Minneapolis, MN 55411 4. Petitioner has made a request to keep their address and/or phone number confidential. The Administration shall create and process of said pleading confidential information is also included in the (Affidavit for Publication). Pursuant to the Rules

4. Petitioner has made a request to keep their address and/or phone number confide shall create and process a redacted version of Access Rule 4, upon petitioner’s request, information maintained by the court regarding the to remove the Administration petitioner’s confidential address and/or phone number.

Theof said p confidential information is also included in the (Affidavit for Publication). Pursuant petitioner’s location or residence is not accessible to the public. Therefore, Court of Access Rule 4, upon petitioner’s request, information maintained by the court re to shall remove the petitioner’s address phone numb originalAdministration shall create and process a redacted version of said pleading to remove the version remain confidentialconfidential and inaccessible to and/or the public.

petitioner’s location or residence is not accessible to the public. Therefore, Court petitioner’s confidential address and/or phone number. The original version shall remain Administration shall create and process a redacted version of said pleading to remo

originalofversion shall remain andthe inaccessible to the pu confidential and inaccessible to the public. The redacted version of the document shall be The redacted version the document shall confidential be served upon respondent. petitioner’s confidential address and/or phone number. The original version shall re served upon the respondent. confidential and inaccessible to the public. The redacted version of the document s The redacted version of the document shall be served upon the resp

served upon the respondent.

Dated:

Dated:

Dated:

Dated:

*62-HR-CV-20-955*

Referee of District Court

Referee of District Court

Judge of District Court

Judge of District Court

*62-HR-CV-20-955*

Notice of Filing of Order

Notice of Filing of Order PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT you are hereby notified that the attached Order has been filed in this case. The date of filing is represented on the PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT you are hereby notified that the attach “FILED” stamp on the face of the order.

Order has been filed in this case. The date of filing is represented on the “FILED” stamp on the face of the order.

Donald Harper Court Administrator Donald Harper Ramsey County District Court Court Administrator 25 West Seventh Street Ramsey Saint Paul, MN 55102 County District Court 25 West Seventh Street (651) 266-5130 Saint Paul, MN 55102 A true and correct copy of this notice has been served pursuant to Minnesota (651) 266-5130 Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 77.04.

A true and correct copy of this notice has been served pursuant to Minnes Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 77.04.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 11, 2021 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 11, 2021 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of a mortgage dated January 17, 2017, executed by Lorie Wray Miller, a single person, as mortgagor(s) to Star Choice Credit Union as mortgagee in the original or maximum principal amount of One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 ($100,000.00) Dollars, recorded with the Hennepin County Recorder, State of Minnesota, on January 20, 2017, as Document. No. A10404168; which was thereafter assigned to Realty Pros, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company by instrument dated August 5, 2021 and recorded with the Hennepin County Recorder on August 11, 2021 as Document No. 11001220; that there has been compliance with all notice provisions and conditions precedent as required by law; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover any part of the debt secured by said mortgage; that there is claimed to be due thereon the sum of Seventy-seven Thousand Five Hundred Forty-eight and 42/100 ($77,548.42) Dollars on this date; and that pursuant to the power of sale therein contained, the mortgage will be foreclosed and the tract of land lying and being in Hennepin County, Minnesota, described as follows, to-wit: Lot 20 and the E 35 ft of W 68 ft of S ½ of Lot 22, Block 1, “Ball’s Addition to Minneapolis”, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Property address: 1312 18th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 Parcel I.D. #: 16-029-24-42-0016 Transaction Agent: N/A Transaction agent’s Mortgage Identification Number: N/A Mortgage Originator: Star Choice Credit Union will be sold by the sheriff of said county at public auction on December 22, 2021, at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Civil Division, 350 South Fifth Street, Room 30, Minneapolis, MN 55415, to pay the debt secured by the mortgage, including costs and attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption by the mortgagor(s), her heirs or assigns, within six (6) months from the date of sale.

TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under Section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on June 22, 2022, (if that date is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, then the date to vacate is the next date thereafter which is not a Saturday, Sunday or holiday).

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

Reflections Dental Care (2x2) Take and develop dental x rays, assess patients’ oral health and Dated: October 27, 2021 Realty Pros, LLC, Assignee of Mortgagee report findings to dentists, document patient care and treatment 81 words MN Department of Transportation Christopher L. Olson, GDO LAW, Attorneys at Law, 4770 White Bear Parkway, plans, educate patients about oral hygiene techniques, and other (2x2) 48 words

task assigned by the dentist. Graduated from accredited Dental hygiene program and MN Dental Hygiene license required.

Send resume to career@rdcaremn.com

Notice Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This communication is from a debt collector and is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

#100, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 426-3249

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25, Dec 2, 2021

10

November 11-17, 2021

Sports

First ‘Coaches vs. Racism’ Game this weekend in D.C. continue the conversation.”

“We have guys that come from different backgrounds,” said Howard, “…religious backgrounds as well as ethnic backgrounds. With sports, you bring all these together…how can we all just become together and form that brotherhood.”

Both coaches stressed that the game will not be a David vs. Goliath mismatch. “We want to try to play the best just to get gauged as to where we are,” stated Smith. “Michigan is probably at the top of our schedule. It’s a very tough, very competitive schedule.”

Added Howard, “We didn’t win an NCAA championship last year, so no entitlement on our end. [Prairie View] will be well coached. This can be a very competitive game from a well-coached balanced team.”

Howard begins his third Two Black coaches—Michi- want to help as much as I posgan’s Juwan Howard and Prai- sibly can, continue to educate season as Wolverines coach. rie View’s Byron Smith—are your players about the issues He won several top coaches on the sidelines. Having two that are in the front of us as a honors last season, includBlack HCs is coincidental, society. We want to be at the ing Big Ten Coach of the said Woods when asked by forefront of change if we can Year and Associated Press

t’s not unusual that a Power 5 school plays an HBCU school in a non-conference basketball contest. However, this Saturday, November 13 in Washington, D.C., the Michigan-Prairie View A&M men’s basketball game is the firstever HBCU Basketball Experience and the inaugural Coaches vs. Racism (CVR) Game.

CVR is a nonprofit national organization. Executive Director Darryl Woods told reporters during the Oct. 26 virtual press conference, “The reason we chose coaches is because we know that coaches are great teachers, innovators, role models, etcetera, and coaches also are great messengers.”

the MSR to speak on its significance. “It didn’t matter if these coaches were White or Black, to be honest with you.

We chose the teams based on the conversations that I had with coaches because I just wanted to get an idea on what their thoughts were.

“Based on these conversations that I had with Coach Howard and Coach Smith, these were the two that we decided make the most sense.”

“We thought that it would be very good for us to get involved…,” noted Smith, “try to continue to share information and raise awareness that we are in a bit of times of discriminatory environment. I

“We want to be at the forefront of change.”

Juwan Howard

National Coach of the Year.

Michigan made the 2021 NCAA regional final.

Smith is in his sixth season at Prairie View A&M, where he led the Panthers to three straight SWAC regular-season titles. He has a 44-5 conference record in the past three years, and is 6419 overall in five years.

More importantly, both Black head coaches have mad respect for each other.

“There’s a lot of guys that come from the NBA. I don’t think that they really under-

Byron Smith Photos courtesy of Coaches vs. Racism

stand what it entails to be a college coach,” said Smith of Howard, who began his coaching career with Miami in 2013 after 19 NBA playing seasons.

“He’s done one of the best coaching jobs in the country.”

“Thank you, Coach Smith,” said Howard. “That means a lot coming from a guy who’s done it before, and I know you’ve had an opportunity to witness a lot of coaches on the sideline. You never know who’s watching you.”

In addition to Saturday’s game, both teams plan to visit the National Museum of African American History. A panel discussion is scheduled with 1968 Olympic medalist John Carlos expected among the panelists.

Woods said plans are underway for the 2022 CVR game in Las Vegas. “We’ll probably have eight teams,” he predicted.

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

North, Cooper, Fridley, Celebrating Black baseball Shakopee make it to state

he state football playoffs are upon us, and with that here are four metro coaches whose outstanding leadership has put their schools in position to capture a state title.

Minneapolis North (9-1): For the eighth consecutive season, Head Coach Charles Adams has his team in the state playoffs after defeating St. Agnes 42-6 Friday, November 5 at Crown College.

Sophomore quarterback Deshawn Hill, senior receiver and quarterback Rio Sanders, senior receiver De’Meiko Anderson, and senior running back Jaylon Washington lead the offense.

Sophomore linebackers Cashmere Hamilton-Grunau

Fridley High School Head Football Coach Justin Reese during a September 10 game against Minneapolis North at North High.

Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald and Khalil Brown, with classmate and defensive back sophomore DeShaun Sager, represent North’s top defensive players.

Robbinsdale Cooper (8-2): Head Coach Willie Howard has the Hawks in the state playoffs for the first time since 1996 after a 1413 victory over Robbinsdale Armstrong in the Section 5AAAAA championship

mong the many problems that baseball has is its slowness to honor those who are deserving while completely ignoring too many others. The just-concluded 2021 baseball season, both locally and nationally, saw both ends of the recogni-

tion-overlooked spectrum.

Called the Greatest World Series Ever, Minnesota and Atlanta played seven games in 1991, the firstever opponents in MLB history to finish last the season before and reach the fall classic the next. In the worst-to-first series in which the home team won every game, the Twins won the deciding game in 11 innings.

The 30th anniversary of the 1991 champions was celebrated this past midAugust. Al Newman was among the players and coaches at the on-field ceremony.

Jabari Henry the host Twins, he continued. “The Metrodome [was a] special place.”

Newman briefly reflected on his late teammate

“There is such a rich history of Black baseball in the city of St. Paul, and the state of Minnesota as well.”

game Friday, November 5 at Cooper Stadium.

The offense is led by se“I knew it was the best nior quarterback Joe Russell, team in the five years that senior running back Camden I’d been here,” Newman Royal, and senior receiver recalled to the MSR. “We David Connors. had the young nucleus even Junior end Jaxson Howard, though we finished last in senior linebacker Josh Gonleh, 1990.” and junior lineman Deshawn The now-gone MetroRicks lead the defense.

Al Newman dome scared the bejeebers Fridley (8-2): Photos by Charles Hallman out of opponents, but not

■ See Prep on page 8

and friend Kirby Puckett, the Series hero who hit the game-winning homer in Game 6 to tie the series at 3-3. “I considered [him] my brother,” said Newman of Puckett. “I wish Kirby could have been here, as well as some of the other people

■ See View on page 8

Excited Scots coach invites fans to come share the fun

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist he 2021-22 MIAC basketball season officially got underway last weekend as the member teams look to play a full season for the first time in almost two years. Only 32 games were played in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abe Woldeslassie in his fourth season at Macalester is the MIAC’s longest-tenured Black men’s head basketball coach since 2018. He returned to his alma mater (a 2008 graduate) after two years as an assistant coach at Siena College. Since taking over the helm, his Scots teams have increased their winning percentages in each of his first three seasons, including a CO-

VID-shortened 2020-21 season when Mac finished 2-2.

“I’m very excited,” said Woldeslassie after a preseason intrasquad scrimmage attended by the MSR. Three seniors are on the 18-man roster, primarily a majority underclassman squad: “We have 12-13 players who have never played a college basketball game,” noted the coach. This includes several first-year players like Robert Grace IV (Minneapolis Blake), Marcus Crawford (Edina), Badou Ba (Dakar, Senegal), and Jack Hernandez (New Hope and Hopkins).

“I’m excited about our young point guard,” admitted Woldeslassie on the 5’-10” Grace, who scored nine points, three assists, and two steals in last Saturday’s season opener,

more reps.” He added that Hernandez, a 6’-9” post player, offers the potential to be solid in the paint.

Woldeslassie believes he has both the depth and talent to play up-tempo this season.

“We want to play in the 80s and 90s every game,” he de-

every game is 10 turnovers or less. We had four. For a young team, I was really pleased.”

This season’s first highlight was a second-half block by the team’s smallest player.

“They were pushing the ball, and our 5’-8” point guard [Grace] came from behind

“I told our guys to play as hard as you can, and we will live with the results.”

Abe Woldeslassie an 80-59 win over Luther College. “Undersized but superfast, a lot of heart.”

This year’s Scots easily could be a mini-United Na-

Photo courtesy Mac Athletics tions as four team members hail from outside the United States, including the 6’-7” Ba, who Woldeslassie pointed out is “very athletic but needs

clared. “You got to make shots to do it. We got the talent to do it this year, a lot of youth, a lot of energy. We’re excited.

“It is our first game playing in front of fans in a year,” said Woldeslassie after last Saturday’s home win. “Our goal

and blocked the 6’-9” center and never gave up on the play,” marveled the coach. “I told our guys to play as hard as you can, and we will live with the results.

“A 21-point win in front of

■ See Coach Abe on page 8