December 2, 2021 - MN Spokesman-Recorder

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

Inside this Edition...

Read about seasonal theater delights on page 6.

THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934

December 2–8, 2021

Vol. 88

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No. 18

CHARTER SCHOOLS FORCE PAINFUL PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSINGS Parents, students fight proposed St. Paul changes

By Feven Gerezgiher Contributing Writer

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ritics of the plan to close or merge several St. Paul public schools argue that making the move without significant community

engagement risks alienating the families the City is trying to get to stay.

In a bid to combat declining enrollment and competition

from charter schools, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) officials created Envision SPPS, a proposal to close or merge 11 schools by next fall. Officials

Parents and children rally before St. Paul School Board meeting demanding that Paul and Sheila Wellstone Elementary not be closed.

Photo by Feven Gerezgiher

say consolidating resources from under-enrolled schools allows them to offer wellrounded education programs where students have access to more specialists and enrichment opportunities.

“It is not a result of the pandemic, and it is not a major cost-saving measure for the district,” said St. Paul Superintendent Joe Gothard at the October 11 board meeting announcing Envision SPPS. “While it will create some efficiencies,” Gothard said, “at its core it’s about making our schools sustainable with the ability to offer robust and culturally responsive curriculum and with staff who are able to deliver on the promise we make as a district to inspire students to think critically, pursue their dreams, and change the world.”

The proposed changes would impact nearly 3,000 students, and at higher rates for Black, Hispanic, and lowincome students than are represented in the district at large, according to the data presented at the board meeting.

SPPS Chief Operation Officer Jackie Turner said staff weighed potential equity and accessibility concerns when forming their recommendations. She said the sites of closed buildings could be repurposed to meet other community needs, like early childhood hubs and a Hmong dual-immersion middle school.

SPPS board members will soon vote on Envision SPPS. The vote, Turner said, must accept or reject the proposal in its entirety.

Tseganesh Selameab chose ■ See CLOSINGS on page 5

Pandemic risks and stress plague retail workers Arbery case shows progress, but finish line still distant

Continually working in crisis mode can be debilitating

By Brian Mayer, Melissa A. Barnett, Mona Arora and Sabrina V. Helm Retail and service sector workers have been laboring to keep shelves stocked and customers happy from the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Life on the front lines has been exceptionally stressful for these employees.

Suddenly, they found themselves identified as “essential workers,” providing critical services while working in close contact with customers and coworkers. But unlike health care workers, grocery store employees had no prior experience or training in combating infectious diseases.

Early in the pandemic, the public celebrated grocery workers. They were hailed as “heroes” who were risking their lives for the benefit of their local communities.

Billboards and the nightly news reminded the public to show kindness and compassion to store workers.

Major grocery chains initially offered their employees a “hero bonus,” but that quickly went away. Many grocery workers soon felt forgotten as businesses and customers adjusted to the new normal.

A team of researchers from the Uni- development and public health followed versity of Arizona with expertise in the impacts of the pandemic on grocery worker health, retail marketing, human ■See RETAIL on page 5

By Stacy M. Brown Contributing Writer

unnecessary and fueled by racist ideologies deeply ingrained into the fabric of this nation,” Johnson insisted.

After nearly two years of “Generations of Black peopain, suffering, and wondering if the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery would pay for their heinous crime, the 25-year-old’s family has finally received justice. A Glynn County, Georgia, convicted Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan of felony murder.

“Guilty. Guilty. Guilty,” civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump exclaimed. “Nothing will bring back Ahmaud, but Ahmaud Arbery his family will have some peace knowing the men who killed him will remain behind ple have seen this time and bars and can never inflict their time again, with the murder of brand of evil on another inno- Emmett Till, Trayvon Martin, cent soul,” Crump continued. and many others,” he continNAACP President and ued. “The actions and events CEO Derrick Johnson called perpetrated by the McMithe verdicts long overdue. chaels and William Bryan Workers at one time valued as essential now encounter a more hostile public.

■See ARBERY on page 5 MSR file photo “Ahmaud Arbery’s death was

Texas law limiting right to choose could affect Minnesota

By R.B. King Contributing Writer

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innesota has been affected by the national climate surrounding abortion. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the state’s policy tends to take a middle-of-the-road approach compared to the rest of the country, leaning more towards abortion rights but by no means being its most vocal supporter.

The issue has been thrust into the national spotlight by the decision in Texas to pass a law banning abortion after six weeks. This can present problems to women because many women do not become aware that they are pregnant until after the sixweeks period.

The Supreme Court has declined to intervene and block the six-week

Val Jensen, Executive Vice President of Planned Parenthood North Central States Photo courtesy of Planned Parenthood North Central States

abortion ban. While they review the law, it faces legal challenges from abortion providers. This is unprecedented because the high court has intervened in every other attempt to circumvent the abortion law in the past.

The Texas abortion ban remains in effect. On December 1 the Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case which has the potential to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that made abortion legal in the U.S. Three rules govern Minnesota abortion standards: • the patient must receive Statedirected counseling with information meant to discourage abortion, and then must wait 24 hours to conduct the procedure; • the parents of a minor must be notified before their child is given an abortion; • an abortion may be performed

at or after viability—the ability for the fetus to survive outside of the uterus—only if the patient’s life is endangered.

Effect on MN Val Jensen, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion with Planned Parenthood North Central States, said that Minnesota will continue to be a stronghold for reproductive freedom, but she is concerned about the impact of regional and national pressures.

“Anti-abortion governors in our neighboring states have become emboldened by SB 8 [the Supreme Court’s decision on the Texas abortion law] and are promising to pass similar legislation,” she said. “Antiabortion legislators introduced four abortion bans in Minnesota this year.

We expect these attacks to continue.”

Jenson added that while some politicians support abortion rights, mentioning the newly announced Reproductive Freedom Caucus in the state legislature, still others are forming anti-abortion majorities and introducing bills to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat has been detected.

Bills of that nature, which are reminiscent of the Texas abortion law, have been introduced in the MN State Legislature the last three sessions. There are also many bills introduced that would further restrict the right to abortion in the state.

However, there is some action being taken in the state to protect abortion rights even if Roe V. Wade is overturned. The Protect Reproductive Options, or PRO act, would safeguard Minnesotans’ reproductive freedom.

■See TEXAS on page 5

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December 2-8, 2021

Opinion LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Mpls Upper Harbor plan ignores climate change Business as usual is a disservice to Northside residents The Minneapolis City Review documents. Instead concertgoers to drive their Council just approved newly of fully analyzing the effect cars to the amphitheater. drafted leases and exclusive of the proposed project on There are no plans for on-site rights agreements with bil- the people and environment solar power or alternatives to lionaire-backed United Prop- of the North Side, the City gas-powered heating.

And, vitally, there are no erties to develop the Upper failed to look at how climate Harbor Terminal Site in North change might affect the pro- plans for true, green and Minneapolis along the Missis- posal, and also how pollution sustainable commercial acfrom the project would add to tivities as part of the project. sippi River waterfront.

Despite years of public the emissions now causing cli- It appears to be business as usual—designed to meet demeetings, the establishment mate change.

Also, the City failed en- velopers’ needs, not what our of a Collaborative Planning Committee, and a few small tirely to assess the cumula- communities need. concessions by the develop- tive impacts of the project—or ers, the development pro- how the project would harm Project never truly inclusive The City should take this posed at the former site of people who are already the the Upper Harbor barge ter- subject of more pollution and opportunity to stop the busiminal is remarkably similar to stress than people in other, ness-as-usual development the plan proposed by United less-industrialized neighbor- steamroller and try something different—a plan designed, hoods of Minneapolis.

Properties in 2017. planned, and ultimately owned Instead of responding to our Back then, we were shown the deaths and imprisonment by the community itself. While suggestions, the City entirely drawings of an eight-to-tenof leadership, and cooptation this idea may be foreign to the ignored them.

So we sued. thousand-seat amphitheater of a Black political class. The City’s Community Planning The city council, and espenext to a small park, with some reactionary response to the and Economic Development cially the newly elected counapartment buildings and office movement included the deDepartment, similar projects cil members, should be aware and commercial space.

And now, velopment of a prison indushave succeeded in other parts of the legal risk they are taking the City and United Properties trial complex and the mass of the country. in moving the United Properare proposing essentially the incarceration of one million For instance, in San Diego, ties’ development forward Black people. These dynamics same basic development plan. the Market Creek Plaza project when the environmental reDon’t be fooled.

The minor play a part in creating defeatis a vibrant development deism, confusion, and wishful signed and planned after conthinking.

The City failed entirely to assess how the sulting with all nearby residents.

The solution is a return It was built by, and will eventuproject would harm people who are already to Black politics. Black polially be completely owned by, tics are not synonymous the subject of more pollution and stress. neighborhood residents: a true with the presence of Black community development. politicians, who more often CMEJ is fighting for a betthan not are captives of the modifications are not evidence view documents are in the ter Upper Harbor project becourts.

A better path would be of widespread community supsame interests which create cause we know that developto pause all work and move inport of the proposal.

Instead, so much suffering. Politics ment must be grounded in a stead toward a more inclusive they show the stringent limits must be independent of the process that creates health the City and developers put on pro-active vision.

We are tired Democrats who continue to and wealth on the North Side. the community engagement of being reactive and offerbe seen as protection against process from the outset. ing solutions to just minimize White racism when they are Project ignores climate change The City can and must do harm and the expected disnothing of the sort.

According to a recent better.

As a start, the City must placement from gentrification.

Kyle Rittenhouse is obviously a White Supremacist, pause all work on this plan and study by the U.S. EPA, cli- We demand that all commubut so is Joe Biden, who re- revoke the new leases and ex- mate change will harm socially nity development projects ceived 90% of the Black vote. clusive rights agreements im- vulnerable people, includ- begin not with the developer ing Black people, much more and City’s vision in mind, but White Supremacy is a job re- mediately. Here’s why: than other groups. CMEJ has with community in mind. quirement for the presidency, pointed out to the City that Moving forward now too risky While we have come farther and Barack Obama signed its plans for the Upper Harbor Community Members for than before, it isn’t enough. on to that agreement just as site do not account for the Environmental Justice (CMEJ) Climate change and the City’s much as his predecessors did. increased heat, rainfall and have been working on a better legacy of environmental racBiden wasn’t particularly flooding that will result from way forward for the Upper Harism must be met head on. We concerned about the verdict, climate change.

And there is bor site for years but has been can no longer ignore them, beand his initial bland comment no plan to reduce the polluignored by the City all along. cause they affect us all. is proof. “Well look, I stand by tion and greenhouse gases This summer, CMEJ filed We must do better. what the jury has concluded.

The jury system works and we a lengthy comment pointing from the development.

The City and United Propout the legal and moral flaws Community Members for Enhave to abide by it.” erties have only planned for in the City’s Environmental vironmental Justice The gun toter flashing the White Supremacy hand signal is but one part of the problem.

Protesters are correct when LETTER TO THE EDITOR they say, “The whole damn system is guilty as hell!” There is no way to carve out little bits of justice here and there.

We either have it everywhere or we don’t have it at all.

An affirmation of our right to self-determination and the will to affirm that right is We need a fundamental U.S. law firms that represents ing the time Andy Luger was the only proper response. Al- change in the criminal in- many of the abusive corpora- U.S. attorney were revealed legiance to political parties is justice system. The need for tions as well as having rep- by an FBI whistleblower who a dead end for Black people, change is as great in the fed- resented the Donald Trump was sentenced to 52 months and so is hoping that judges eral court system as anywhere. campaign. in prison for revealing the racand juries will behave differ- Tens of thousands of people Andy Luger has no dis- ist truths about federal law ently than they always do if every year receive unfathom- cernable experience advocat- enforcement practices in Minmillions of people are sud- ably harsh prison sentences ing for the oppressed or the nesota. denly paying attention to one that none of us would find downtrodden.

Andy Luger should be held He has no courtroom. tolerable if they involved our track record of challenging accountable for the racist There can’t be justice with- own family members. abuses in federal law enforcethe status quo. out a recognition of the seriHis last stint as U.S. at- ment under his watch that A greatly disproportionate ousness of our condition and number of the defendants are torney was most notable for were a result of policies that a commitment to fight. We Persons of Color. his aggressive pursuit of the he promoted. He should not must act as past generations In order to have a chance “Countering Violent Extrem- be rewarded with another apdid, who did not concern for change that is needed, we ism” (CVE) program that tar- pointment to a powerful and themselves with the machina- need change agents in key po- geted the Muslim community prestigious government positions of their enemies. for surveillance and govern- tion. sitions such as U.S. attorney.

They named them as such The NLG [National LawAndy Luger is not a change ment intervention, and for and proceeded to move on agent. His career has con- prosecution of a large number yers’ Guild] urges President their own accord. That strategy sisted of going back and forth of Somali youth for alleged Biden and the Senate to reject makes more sense than hoping between being a corporate material support for terrorism Luger’s nomination and find for different verdicts when the lawyer and a prosecutor pur- even though they had taken a candidate with a track reentire system declares us as suing the agenda of the law no concrete action to advance cord of advancing justice and guilty for daring to exist. terrorism. enforcement establishment. change.

The FBI’s and other law enHis most recent stint after Margaret Kimberley is execu- being replaced as U.S. attor- forcement agencies’ abuses Submitted by the Minnesota tive editor at BlackAgendaRe- ney was with the Jones Day in the Muslim and African Chapter of the National Lawport.com. law firm, one of the largest American communities dur- yers Guild.

Democrats fail to fight for the working class

By Margaret Kimberly Black people give great attention to certain court cases in hopes of receiving justice when the system is designed to be unjust. That recognition and the commitment to fighting back will be of greater use than divining conclusions about a racist nation when juries reach verdicts.

Every high-profile trial that demonstrates the connections between systemic racism and law enforcement rivets 40 million Black men, women and children to television, newspapers and social media. One would think that jury verdicts change the living conditions of Black people in this country. The recent trial and not-guilty verdict in the case of Wisconsin shooter Kyle Rittenhouse is but one example of this phenomenon.

Rittenhouse killed two White people in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year. Demonstrations after the police shooting of Jacob Blake brought hundreds of protesters and self-appointed vigilantes like Rittenhouse to that city. The race of the victims was less important than the identity of the killer and the circumstances which brought them all together.

Yet the names Rittenhouse or Derek Chauvin or Amber Guyger or George Zimmerman resonate more than perhaps they should. These people became stand-ins for the system, which is unrepentantly racist and where the demonization of Black people’s existence is

a feature of law, commerce, education, and even health care. There is no escape from the oppression, and desperation can transform court cases into symbolic referendums on Black existence.

Of course, an armed Black man would not have been warmly greeted by law enforcement as Rittenhouse was in Kenosha. Nor would a Black person be able to fatally shoot two people and then leave the scene without being arrested.

A claim of self-defense in a situation brought about by the perpetrator placing himself in a situation where his presence created a danger would not be permitted. Black people rarely find friendly judges as Rittenhouse did. All of these observations are valid, but they are no more true for Rittenhouse than in hundreds of other cases across the country.

The wish for some justice and the hope that there will be public vindication of what Black people live with is easy to understand. Yet these feelings are not very useful in navigating an understanding of how to bring about change.

The fact that millions of people simultaneously predicted an acquittal in this case, yet still experienced anger and dismay upon hearing the verdict, is an indication of the precarious condition of Black life. The defeat of Black politics weighs heavily. It has been a very long time since Black people acted in concert to secure their human rights.

The liberation movement was crushed by COINTELPRO,

Oppose nomination of Andy Luger for U.S. attorney

Health & Wellness

December 2-8, 2021

COVID-19: the bad news and the good

By Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD The bad news: The pandemic is not over. Now is the time to intensify the fight.

The good news: Dying from COVID-19 has become optional for all who are eligible for the vaccine.

With the holidays at hand, two-thirds of all Americans report plans for traveling and visiting family for traditional holiday festivities. The TSA says travel is at pre-COVID levels.

Unfortunately, we are not living in a post-COVID world.

Sixty-three million eligible Americans are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of national COVID cases has increased by 25% in the past two weeks alone.

Surge underway Not only is the pandemic not over, but there is also a surge occurring in Minnesota, giving it one of the highest COVID-19 outbreak rates in the country. Minnesota numbers: • Total cases: 871,200 • Total deaths: 9,155 • Seven-day positive test rate: 9.85% • Percent of eligible fully vaccinated: 75 (MDPH data) Hospitals and emergency rooms are at near overflow capacity with COVID-19 cases and have very few beds left.

Medical staff members are burning out at unprecedented rates. The Department of Defense will be sending two medical teams of 22 members each to relieve the overflow cases of COVID-19 at HCMC and St. Cloud hospitals. Several high schools have announced temporary closings due to large-scale outbreaks.

Doctors and medical staff are urging all Minnesotans who are eligible for vaccination to please do so. We all want the pandemic to be over, but wishing won’t get the job done. We must keep fighting and taking action. The COVID virus is a very wily virus and can produce variants like the delta version. Decreasing transmission decreases the chance of mutation.

Steps forward To keep us winning against the pandemic, last week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approved the use of a smaller-dose Pfizer vaccine for those ages 5-11. This new vaccine approval is a tremendous step forward as we continue to have in-person classes and attempt to dampen the COVID-19 spread in our schools. Remember, get the second vaccination 21 days after the first.

Other good news: The FDA, CDC, and many state governments, including Minnesota, all announced this

week that booster shots should be given to all eligible adults. Johnson and Johnston should get a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if it has been more than two months since their original vaccine.

We must not get complacent.

Six months after a second vaccine, the immunity is reduced remarkably. That is why it is so important to get a booster. In the future, the Johnson and Johnson may get reclassified as a two-shot vaccine.

If it has been more than six months since a Pfizer or Moderna second shot, a third booster will be strongly recommended and may become mandated by the government.

Either a third of the same shot or a different mix-and-match for the third shot (Moderna and Pfizer only) will be acceptable and preferable.

A series of three standard shots is recommended for immunocompromised patients.

Your physician will have details. There may be government mandates for vaccines for specific workers beginning January 1, 2022. Details are developing.

The new vaccines are miraculous, but not perfect.

There are breakthrough cases, but these breakthrough cases have a much better chance of survival than those who are not vaccinated.

Even more good news: There are now several medicines, including monoclonal antibodies, that can treat COVID-19 effectively if caught early. If you have any suspi-

employ mitigation techniques such as hand washing and social distancing.

• Getting vaccinated will not keep you from getting COVID-19, but it will keep you from dying. Of the people who die from COVID-19, 99% are NOT vaccinated.

• A booster takes effect rapidly. Experts say that a significant boost in your immunity can occur in just 2448 hours after your booster!

Boosters are readily available.

Consult your doctor, pediatrician, drug store, or Vaccines. gov for information about a vaccination center near you.

• Don’t forget to get your flu vaccine. Flu and COVID vaccines can be given the same day.

• Dr. Zeke McKinney reports that free vaccination events will be happening every Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at Wilson’s Image Barbershop at Broadway and Penn in North Minneapolis.

• Finally, Crutchfield Dermatology will be offering free booster vaccinations for all ages and first-time vaccinations for children ages 5-11, those 18 and older. Call 651290-3600 or visit CrutchfieldDermatology.com for details.

For Race and Ethnicity Vaccine data in Minnesota, go to: https://mn.gov/COVID19/vaccine/data/index.jsp.

Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, is a board-certified derma-

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• Set health goals and make a care plan together • Get support, equipment and services to be healthy and safe • Connect with your care team and community resources

Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) • $0 monthly premium • Medical, dental, prescription drug benefits U of M Professor John Wright getting his booster at Crutchfield Dermatology.

Submitted photo tologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of Biology at Carleton College. He also has a private practice, Crutchfield Dermatology, in Eagan, MN. He received his MD and master’s degree in molecular biology and genomics from the Mayo Clinic. He has been selected as one of the top 10 dermatologists in the United States by Black Enterprise magazine. He is the consulting team dermatologist for the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Lynx.

Dr. Crutchfield is an active member of the American and National Medical Associations and past president of the Minnesota Association of Black Physicians. He is a founding member of “Minnesota’s Black Community Project” which recently published an awardwinning book. Dr. Crutchfield has been recognized by NBC News/The Grio as one of the most influential African Americans in America. Dr. Action points: Crutchfield can be reached at • Get vaccinated, Minnesota.

CrutchfieldDermatology.com • Continue to wear masks as directed by your doctor and or by calling 651-209-3600. cion, get tested and, if positive, take action right away.

We are lucky—one of the country’s leading COVID outpatient treatment physicians is right here in Minnesota, Dr. Holder. If you test positive, talk to your doctor immediately. If you don’t have a doctor, contact Dr. Mark Holder at mperialhealth.com.

Several drug companies are developing antiviral pills that appear to be promising at decreasing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 by up to 90%. A Merck pill was recently approved in the U.K. and is under emergency use review in the U.S. Pfizer says it also has an antiviral tablet ready to launch. Both could be approved for emergency use by the end of the year or early 2022.

I am often asked when we will be able to go “mask free.”

I predict, barring any new variant, and if we can get 80%+ of the citizens vaccinated, we may be able to go “mask free” in January of 2023.

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December 2-8, 2021

Lutunji’s Palate

Bakery and Cafe

Black Business SPOTLIGHT

By Ashley Lauren Contributing Writer

A lot has happened since the MSR last spoke to local social entrepreneur Lutunji Abram. For starters, her shop, Lutunji’s Palate Bakery and Cafe, is set to open in South Minneapolis soon. The popular gourmet dessert business is flourishing with sweet success. “My trademark is the peach cobbler,” Abram explained.

Abram’s background spans both sides of the river: “I was born in St. Paul and raised in North Minneapolis.” She graduated from North High School, Metropolitan State University, and Bethel University (Class of 2009).

The choice to begin a dessert company wasn’t in her initial plans. The love for baking was inherited from the matriarchs in her family: “I’m a fourth-generation baker—I’m proud to say that.

“That entrepreneur spirit comes from within my family as well. And actually, my master’s is in organizational leadership with emphasis on education. The goal is to open a teen charter school for moms and dads.”

Before Abram created her gourmet dessert business, she

wanted to focus on launching a charter school geared toward helping teen parents. To that end, she founded Voices of Effective Change in 2003.

“I went to meet with a pastor [Jeff Cowmeadow] at Calvary Church in South Minneapolis,” Abram recalled.

During the meeting “I took the gourmet treats, in particular my peach cobbler, and he was eating the cobbler while we’re talking about how the GED program is going to shape up, and how it’s going to come together, and right in the middle of the meeting he stopped.”

To her surprise, the pastor informed Abram that she should be selling her peach cobbler at their farmer’s market. He offered the church’s commercial kitchen so she could launch the business.

She was amazed and extremely grateful for this generous support.

Abram said, “My highest power inspired me to start it—I was led to speak, to meet with that pastor thinking I was starting a GED program for teen moms but ended up starting a bakery company first.” She registered her famous gourmet dessert business years later in 2018.

Business can be very chal-

Business Gourmet dessert business is a sweet success

Lutunji Abram

Photos courtesy of Facebook and IFundWomen.com

lenging at times, Abrams pointed out. Attitude is everything. “We just have to continue to walk in love and keep pushing—believe in knowing that our higher power has us,” she advised.

Although business is growing with success at a rapid rate, Abram expressed the resistance she’s encountered thus far. She mentioned that her social media networks have been compromised.

“My accounts were hacked, a bunch of trolls and haters got

together—I’ve triumphed over all of it,” she said.

Like many local small businesses, she has found it difficult acquiring the necessary funding to sustain business operations. But Abram has a spirit of resilience and great strength. “I went to a community organization for my loan, and it was beyond the definition of nuts,” she said. However, she didn’t give up.

Abram pushed forward and gained support from Fortis Capital, located “in the

outskirts of downtown Minneapolis.” The unforeseen obstacles led her to a path of financial prosperity: “That hate turned into love.” She’s appreciative of those who stepped up to show support.

Customers can expect an array of “very unique gourmet treats,” Abram said. The desserts range from Harriet’s Escape Peach Cobbler, Harriet’s Escape Vegan Peach Cobbler, Dr. Thomas Adam’s Philosophy Pecan Cobbler, Exquisite Nicksology Macaroons, The King’s Coconut Cake Bites, The Trinity Experience Peanut Butter Fig Cookies, TuTu’s Apple’licious Apple Cobbler, and Momma Taught Me Well Lemon Pound Cakes.

The flavorful products can be found at various locations throughout the Twin Cities: Handsome Hog, Northeast Farmer’s Market, MinnyRow Market, Pimento Kitchen, Seasoned Speciality Food Market, Minneapolis Farmers Market Annex, The Gnome Craft Pub, North Market, and Lunds & Byerlys locations (downtown Mpls, Northeast, Uptown, Nokomis and Golden Valley).

Important to note: “Every scrumptious bite of Lutunji’s Palate Gourmet Cakes, cobblers and more contributes to

youth development, teen parental support, and transition assistance for men returning to society from incarceration, providing the space, education, resources and experience they need to grow and thrive,” according to the website.

Abram shared words of inspiration for youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. She said, “Look at yourself in the mirror and encourage yourself; tell yourself that you’re great.

Pray about who you should be surrounded with. Surround yourself with people that are going somewhere.”

She added, “Use discernment—when you know that you know who your haters are, it’s really hard, but you’ve just got to kill them with kindness.”

Abram is focused on protecting her peace and staying focused on living her dream.

On December 2, Lutunji’s Palate Bakery and Cafe hosted a “sneak peek” event for the new space at 1400 Park Ave. S. in South Minneapolis. For more info, visit @Lutunjispalate on Facebook, www.lutunjispalate. com or call 612-382-2021.

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

Taste of Rondo embraces its historic significance Sponsored by

opening Taste of Rondo in the heart of what was once the historic, vibrant Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Located a few hundred yards from the same Interstate that decimated the community in the 1950s, the Carters’ restaurant serves as a beacon of hope to the neighbors who have long called Rondo home.

One year later, their vision continues with each guest In July 2020, during the who walks through the door, onset of a pandemic, Charles and every new friend who Carter and his wife Kasara orders up their famous blacklaunched a lifelong dream— ened catfish or Wilkins’ wings.

This establishment—this community gathering place—is a labor of love accelerating the reawakening of this cherished neighborhood.

But the restaurant business isn’t all peach cobbler and cream, with survival rates exponentially lower than other industries. So it was serendipitous that Taste of Rondo was one of six Black-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.

Utilizing the power of storytelling Working closely with the Carters, the marketing team from Deluxe recognized an opportunity to enhance the restaurant’s branding by paying homage to both the legacy and future of the Rondo neighborhood. Emphasizing the soulfulness and community aspect of Taste of Rondo, designers from Deluxe established a mood board to capture the spirit and serve as the foundation for rebranding the restaurant.

Rondo’s logo to pay respect to its number-one menu item— the catfish—as well as lean into a more soulful version of a bar and grill feel.

Highlighting Rondo’s history To convey the importance of the neighborhood and enhance every diner’s experiA fresh, new logo With mood board in hand, ence, the team from Deluxe Deluxe reimagined Taste of created space on Taste of

Rondo’s new website, menus and coasters to celebrate the history and future of the community.

Watch the complete makeover To learn more about the history of Rondo and follow the vision of Charles and Kasara, head to Hulu, or smallbusinessrevolution.org, where Deluxe teams up with community leaders and industry, financial and tech experts to help strengthen Taste of Rondo for generations to come.

December 2-8, 2021

Closings

extending their bus ride from 30 minutes to an hour.

St. Paul resident Michelle Higgins Continued from page 1 has a granddaughter at Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School.

Higgins opposes the proposal, which to place her three children at Paul and she says targets schools based in Sheila Wellstone Elementary, a mag- Communities of Color that are chronnet school in the North End neigh- ically underfunded. borhood, for its cultural diversity and Spanish dual immersion program. She said she was shocked to learn just weeks earlier that their school was slated to close, despite adequate enrollment levels by SPPS standards.

“We are an integral part of that neighborhood, and the neighborhood is struggling,” she said. “Taking away “I was impressed at the fact that this sustainable school in the middle of that also seems like it would do more [Obama Elementary] understood that it was important to start teachharm to the community than good.”

Selameab said she is concerned ing African American history to our that a school closure would require babies in elementary school,” said her children to go far outside the Higgins. “But literally within two neighborhood for a similar program, years, the class was gone because

budgets have been cut and they had lost funding.”

Envision SPPS would also close LEAP High School, a school for English language learners new to the country. SPPS officials say they want to ensure college readiness and full access to opportunities by integrating students into traditional high schools.

“The proposed changes would impact nearly 3,000 students, and at higher rates for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students.”

Arbery

chael, who shot Arbery in February 2020, guilty of all nine charges, including malice murder Continued from page 1 and four counts of felony murder. The panel found his father, Gregory, not guilty of malice leading up to Ahmaud’s death murder but convicted him on reflect a growing and deepen- felony murder, unlawful imprising rift in America that will be onment, and other charges.

Bryan escaped a guilty verits undoing if not addressed on a systemic level. We must dict on malice murder, but the fix what is genuinely harming jury found him guilty of three our nation: White Supremacy.” felony murder counts, aggraThe jury found Travis McMi- vated assault, false imprison-

Retail Continued from page 1

workers across the state of Arizona.

Their research and that of others show that rates of mental health distress among grocery workers are very high.

In a newly published study, we reported that 20% of employees working in Arizona grocery stores in the summer of 2020 exhibited signs of severe anxiety and depression.

And the mental health struggles of these workers do not show much improvement since we began our research in summer 2020.

Anxiety, depression and stress By the summer of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 14% increase in symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders among the national adult U.S. population, compared with pre-pandemic levels. But for grocery workers, we found that the levels of anxiety and depression are more than twice the national average.

In July 2020, as the pandemic first peaked in Arizona, 22% of grocery workers reported symptoms of severe anxiety, while 16% reported symptoms of severe depression.

Although those levels dropped slightly near the start of 2021, the effects of continually working in crisis mode

Like Higgins, LEAP students contend that the proposal underestimates the value of social and emotional support that comes with being in community.

“All the English I know now is thanks to every [LEAP] teacher that taught me [when I was in school],” said former

ment, and criminal intent to commit a felony. The men, who also face federal charges, could spend life in prison when sentenced.

Immediately following the announcement of the first guilty verdict against Travis McMichael, Arberry’s father, Marcus Arbery, shouted, “Long time coming!”

“Ahmaud Arbery should be alive today. This tragedy should have never happened,”

can lead to significant persistent mental, physical and behavioral health problems.

Our online Arizona Frontline Worker Survey was developed in partnership with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99.

They represent some 24,000 workers in the retail, meatpacking, hospitality and administrative sectors throughout Arizona.

This survey tracks the experiences of these essential workers as they navigate the complexities of protecting their own health amid frequently hostile customer interactions and poorly defined safety measures.

We asked grocery workers to rate their sense of safety in the workplace, both in terms of their ability to protect themselves and the degree to which management prioritized their personal safety. Overall, about 60% of the 3,000 workers we heard from did feel generally safe in their workplaces.

The two most important factors that explained grocery workers’ high rates of mental health distress were the perceived absence of effective workplace protections and lack of enforcement of store policies like mask-wearing and social distancing.

For example, only 18% of grocery workers reported that they had received any meaningful training on pandemic-related safety protocols from their employer, despite existing guidelines and recommendations.

Importantly, federal guidelines require all employers to provide basic training

student Brenda Bautista. “I came to this country not knowing my ABCs, my 1-2-3. I sat in one of those classrooms holding to go to the bathroom because I didn’t even know how to ask.”

Bautista said LEAP offers the flexibility for older students and those working to support families abroad to also succeed academically.

At the heart of the issue are questions around school choice and racial integration. A 2013 report by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity said that “student losses to charter [schools] account for 50 to 60 percent of total enrollment declines [in the Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools districts] in the last decade.”

Families opting for charters take public funding with them, in turn leading public school systems in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul to make difficult decisions to ensure sustainable education programs.

said Florida Congresswoman Val Demings. “I am keeping his family in my prayers. But we must move forward together to dispel the shadows of our past and to ensure the safety

“We’re potentially going to see even more people choose charter schools in the coming year, depending on how this all breaks down,” said Saint Paul Federation of Educators President Leah VanDassor.

VanDassor said the St. Paul School District harmed relationships with parents by not involving them in shaping the proposal and not offering more guidance on what might happen if their schools close.

“Education is an investment. We cannot look at it as it’s costing us something. The cost will be in the effect. They’re gonna close down schools; that will cost us.”

For more information about Envision SPPS, questions or comments, or to find future public information sessions and board meeting dates, go to spps.org/envision.

Feven Gerezgiher welcomes reader responses to feven.gerezgiher@gmail.com.

civil rights and justice. “This case, by all accounts, should have been opened and closed.

The violent stalking and lynching of Ahmaud Arbery was documented on video for the

“America, you raised your voices for Ahmaud.

Now is not the time to let them quiet.” and civil rights of every American,” Demings asserted.

Crump insisted that Black America must keep fighting for

on COVID-19 mitigation measures, along with meaningful ways for workers to report their concerns to management without fear of retaliation.

Grocery workers who believed that their workplaces were safe placed a high premium on the enforcement of safety protocols specifically targeting customer behaviors. For example, our research found that grocery workers’ sense of safety increased three-fold when they also believed that store managers maintained clear policies requiring customers to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

world to witness. Yet, because of the deep cracks, flaws, and biases in our systems, we were left to wonder if we would

on their own when it comes to getting customers to observe basic public health measures and be civil. Many lack support from management in enforcing the public health guidelines that serve to keep them, their families, coworkers and customers safe.

Leanne—a pseudonym—is a young employee who has worked at a major grocery chain for three years. She told us about her struggles with abusive behaviors on the job, in particular with respect to mask-wearing.

“Customers have come right into my personal space and leaned in to

5

ever see justice. “[The verdict] indicates progress, but we are nowhere close to the finish line. America, you raised your voices for Ahmaud. Now is not the time to let them quiet. Keep marching. Keep fighting for what is right. And never stop running for Ahmaud.”

Stacy M. Brown is an NNPA Newswire national senior correspondent.

the national worker shortage.

Add holiday stress The stressful situation for grocery workers may be amplified in the coming months. The National Retail Federation forecasts a busy holiday shopping season. It may even eclipse last year’s records despite increasing inflation rates and supply shortages.

This is against the backdrop of increasing COVID-19 cases across the country. And as of Nov. 24, 2021, not quite 63% of the eligible U.S. population is fully vaccinated yet.

In our view, no worker—essential or not—should have to choose between a paycheck and risking their health and well-being. As shoppers flock to stores this holiday season in search of the perfect gift Those workers who felt safe at tell me why they’re not going to wear for their loved ones or ingredients work had significantly fewer symp- one—politics, uncomfortable, too hot, for that favorite family recipe, their toms of mental health distress than can’t breathe, their medical condition, individual choices and consideretc. But I wear mine correctly for eight ation of local safety guidelines could those who felt unsafe. help retail workers have a safer and hours every day…to protect them.”

Most grocery workers earn low merrier holiday season too.

Confrontations with customers It comes as no surprise that cus- wages. Only half of all retail workers Brian Mayer is professor of socioltomer hostility plays a significant are eligible for employer-sponsored role in the mental health of grocery health insurance or paid sick leave. Our ogy, University of Arizona; Melissa A. workers. Over time, shoppers have research suggests that this economi- Barnett is an associate professor of become increasingly rude, to the cally vulnerable workforce is taking family studies and human development, point that interactions with custom- on additional health risks during the University of Arizona; Mona Arora is an ers are now often contentious and pandemic while fearing that customers assistant research professor of pubmay verbally or physically assault them. lic health, University of Arizona; and occasionally violent.

With all these risks and stressors, Sabrina V. Helm is an associate profesMore than half of the grocery workers we heard from believe that it is not surprising that rates of men- sor of retailing and consumer science, they will be verbally threatened by an tal health distress among grocery University of Arizona.

This article initially appeared in theangry customer at some point during workers are high. Job burnout is a the pandemic. Employees are often real possibility, likely contributing to conversation.com.

Those workers who felt safe at work had significantly fewer symptoms of mental health distress than those who felt unsafe.

Texas

Jenson states that it has often been the Black immediately make abortion illegal in their community that has suffered the most from these states once Roe v. Wade is overturned. reproductive care restrictions.

Continued from page 1 Poor, BIPOC women most affected “It’s low-income women, women of color, Crisis Pregnancy Centers One area of major concern are Crisis Pregwomen in rural communities who will suffer” nancy Centers (CPC). These are often located from the current restrictive national climate The act is currently being considered in the state legislature. If passed, it would establish in state law surrounding abortion access,” explained Jen- near abortion clinics and are made to look like the right of all Minnesotans to make their own son. “People with the means and the money health centers, but are not licensed medical reproductive health care decisions, including those to travel will do so,” but Jenson worries about facilities. They are staffed by volunteers with no medical background who often wear white those who are not so lucky. around abortion, contraception and pregnancy.

“These policies exacerbate health inequities coats to give the impression of being doctors Minnesotans’ right to abortion is constitutionally protected by Doe v. Gomez, a 1995 state by harming People of Color, people with low or nurses.

There are currently over 2,500 CPCs nationsupreme court decision. But this has not stopped incomes, and those living in rural areas the anti-abortion politicians from attempting to most. People struggling to make ends meet are ally compared to 10,700 health care centers like enact restrictions on abortion access in the state.

Jenson believes abortion access in the state could become critical because women from other states may come to Minnesota to seek an abortion. In the nearby states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, the right to abortion hangs on the decision of the Supreme Court in its hearing of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Orga- often forced to delay accessing contraception Planned Parenthood, which provide family planand abortion services because they need time ning options. However, CPCs have begun expandnization, which may overturn Roe v. Wade. ing as access to abortion becomes more limited.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion access to secure the funds.

Jenson sees CPCs as a fundamental threat “They are also less able to travel out of state to becomes a state concern. North and South to quality health care. “Their goal is ideological, Dakota currently have “trigger laws” that would get the care they need.”

“These policies exacerbate health inequities by harming People of Color, people with low incomes, and those living in rural areas the most.”

not medical,” she explained, “They want to prevent pregnant people from obtaining abortion services using any means necessary, including by using delay tactics, disinformation and deception. And in Minnesota, CPCs are funded to the tune of $3.5 million per year.”

She said they are not up front with their religious and political ties with women seeking consultations. “They use scare tactics, visuals, and unsolicited ultrasound exams to intimidate and shame women seeking safe and legal abortion. These practices endanger the physical and emotional well-being of women seeking honest and nonjudgmental information.”

It’s not just abortion access that has deteriorated nationally. Sex education and access to contraceptives are also a big concern of Jenson’s, with many states limiting access to contraceptives and eliminating sex education programs.

“By taking away the ability to prevent pregnancy and chipping away at the right to abortion, we are in a new era of reproductive health care where individuals may be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will.”

R.B. King welcomes reader responses to kaysi003@umn.edu.

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December 2-8, 2021

Arts & Culture Relish the season’s joy with a return to theater

Nothing beats live entertainment. Perhaps now more than ever, taking in and absorbing live human emotion on stage can awaken the soul and connect us like few other life experiences.

This season, the holiday shows are plentiful from sparkling new discoveries to old favorites that comfort like warm slippers on a cold night.

Find a few of the MSR editors’ picks below. Make sure to check the theaters’ websites or call ahead for COVID-19 safety protocols before purchasing tickets. And have yourselves a merry little Christmas!

“Black Nativity” Dec 2. to Dec. 24 @ Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent S., St. Paul If you like your Christmas musicals with heart and foottapping soul, don’t miss this classic musical written by Langston Hughes and directed by Lou Bellamy. Running until Dec. 24, Penumbra’s homegrown Christmas show returns with a joyful concert version of the Nativity story. The capable Sandford Moore serves as musical director, with Dennis Spears, Greta Oglesby, and the Kingdom Life Church Choir rounding out the vocal talents. $15-40.

Info: For tickets, visit www. penumbratheatre.org or call 651-

224-3180.

José James at the Dakota Dec. 11 | 7 pm @ The Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.

Enjoy smooth and soulful Christmas renderings by crooner José James, who has been referred to as the “prince of new-jack jazz.” A versatile singer, James returns with his first holiday project that imbues classic songs of the season with the warmth and soul captured on his new Christmas album. $40-50.

Info: For tickets, visit www. dakotacooks.com or call 612332-1010.

And more. $20-40.

Info: For tickets, visit www.vocalessence.org or call 612-547-145.

JazzMN Returns Home for the Holidays Dec. 13 | Dinner @ 5:30 pm; Show @ 7:30 pm @ Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Main Stage, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen Internationally touring vocalist Lila Ammons will join in the festivities to help mark the full return to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. JazzMN Orchestra will play several classic holiday hits as well as new spins on old favorites that are sure to help swing in the season. $35-58.

“Welcome Christmas” Info: For tickets, visit tickets.

Dec. 11 | 4 pm & 7:30 pm @ Plymouth Congregational chanhassendt.com or call 952Church, 1919 LaSalle Ave., Mpls. 934-1547.

Dec. 12 | 4 pm @ Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 Rose- “Christmas… With a Whole Lot of Soul Feat. Ginger Commodore” lawn Ave. W., Roseville Dec. 14 @ 8:15 pm The power of a mother’s love Dec. 15 @ 1 pm & 8:15 pm is the theme for VocalEssence’s @ Chanhassen Dinner Theannual concert, which makes a return with three performances atres’ Main Stage, 501 W. 78th in December. The program fea- St., Chanhassen Ginger Commodore and tures poetic and spoken tributes shared by Twin Cities area friends will help usher in the joy mothers, including 18th- and and warmth of the season with 19th-century Brazilian compos- a show that infuses Christmas er José Maurício Nunes Garcia’s classics and originals, remixed setting of the Magnificat (Song and reframed as R&B, soul, funk of Mary); and selections by B.E. and gospel. Enjoy classic tunes Boykin, a young Black compos- like “Have Yourself A Merry er whose first operatic commis- Little Christmas,” “My Favorite sion had a virtual premiere with Things,” “This Christmas,” “Mary, the Minnesota Opera this year. Did You Know?,” “Let It Snow”

and more. Also discover some new band originals laced with R&B stylings, jazz riffs, and gospel harmonies. $40.

Info: For tickets, visit tickets. chanhassendt.com or call 952934-1547.

“Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas” Dec. 15 | 7 pm @ Ordway Theater, 345 Washington St., St. Paul Audiences of all ages will enjoy this delightful story about the exploits of a young bird named Max and his family as they journey south for the winter. Adventure ensues when Max gets blown off course and ends up at the North Pole.

Enjoy dancing toy soldiers, caroling worms, and performing poinsettias that light up the stage. $23-33.

Info: For tickets, visit ordway.

org/events/lightwire-theater or 6161 Highway 65 N.E., Fridley Drink in the soulful sounds call 651-224-4222. of these two dazzling vocalists “For the Holidays” with Moore who pair up for concerts that celebrate the magic and beauty

by Four of the season. $35-$40.

Dec. 20 @ 7 pm Info: For tickets, visit www.

Dec. 26 @ 5:30 pm @ Crooners MainStage, croonersmn.com or call 7636161 Highway 65 N.E., Fridley 760-0062.

Moore by Four’s “For the Holidays” is sure to be a crowd- “A Christmas Carol” Runs until Dec. 27 | Various pleaser, as this veteran ensemble offers up soulful Christmas times @ Guthrie Theater’s Wurtele tunes like only they can. The Dec. 13 show has already sold Thrust Stage, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls.

This world-premiere adapout, so get your tickets while tation of the beloved Charles you can. $35.

Info: For tickets, visit www. Dickens classic remains faithful croonersmn.com or call 763- to the text while inviting audiences to rejoice in the holiday 760-0062. season and live their best lives “A Joyful Night of Christmas through all-new looks and with Gwen Matthews and sounds. $29 to $134.

Info: For tickets, visit www.

Robert Robinson” guthrietheater.org or call 612Dec. 21-22 | Various times @ Crooners MainStage, 377-2224.

‘King Richard’ is a crowd-pleaser

By Dwight Brown The spirit of the prescient planner, dreamer and barker Richard Williams and the work ethic and faith of his wife Oracene “Brandy” Price, coupled with the talent of Venus and Serena, molded the Williams sisters into tennis icons. It’s a clear, self-empowering force that’s echoed in this inspiring, Oscar-worthy bio/film.

Once upon a time, in the low-income neighborhood of Compton, Los Angeles, a doting father and smart mother have a keen vision for two of their offspring: “Venus and Serena gonna shake up this world.”

A nontraditional path leads them in, out and around the normal white-bread, upperclass tennis system, ultimately helping them achieve monumental goals. It’s the American Dream personified, and “King Richard” provides a visual roadmap others can follow.

One of the smartest decisions the film’s producers made was hiring tennis-lover and screenwriter Zach Baylin (“Creed III”) to write and nurture a script that focuses on a segment of time, and not on the entire Williams story.

After some background plotting, this glimpse begins when Richard approaches coaches to get Venus on the junior circuit.

Within this narrowly focused window, the screenplay thoroughly develops the characters as they face familial challenges, neighborhood bullies, and a skeptical tennis world.

The smaller, intimate canvas—fewer people and settings—solidifies the characters’ identities, thoughts, and feelings, which are sometimes manifested in poignant, often humorous dialogue: As Richard drives past a cemetery he says to his kids, “Say hi to the people that are gone.”

“It’s easy to enjoy this classic, disarming American saga.”

Courtesy of Netflix The bane of many tennis movies is that producers frequently hire actors who can’t swing a racquet like a pro. The genius of hiring Saniyya Sidney (“Fences”) to play Venus and Demi Singleton (“Godfather of Harlem”) to portray Serena is that either they’ve played before, or someone showed them how to produce groundstrokes exactly the way the real sisters do. Open stance, lots of power.

Many will cite the outstanding performances of Will Smith as Richard and the very talented Aunjanue Ellis (“If Beal Street Could Talk”) as Oracene as the foundation for this thoughtfully written, acted and directed film.

Tennis players, however, will point to the realistic serves, strokes and volleys and the exposure of some of the professional game’s most irritating quirks, such as taking unnecessary but strategic bathroom breaks during a match to disrupt your rival’s focus. It’s frowned upon, but still legal.

Smith may gain an Oscar nom for his all-in performance in a very showy role about a goalachieving yet imperfect man.

He’s got the mannerisms and speech pattern just about right, but if you peek behind Richard’s curtain, there’s Will Smith pretending to be Williams.

If Delroy Lindo had been cast, his skills, natural physicality, and self-assuredness would have made his performance invisible. Ellis is quite endearing as the mom who demands r-es-p-e-c-t. Sidney, Singleton, and all the other young women who play the sisters at different stages melt into the scenery—it’s like watching kids in real-time.

Tony Goldwyn’s interpretation of the sisters’ first coach, Paul Cohen, is fine. Jon Bernthal (“The Punisher”), as their kinetic coach Rick Macci, is far more impressive in a pivotal role. Richard reminds the coach who is king: “You’re like a member of our family. But you work for us!”

Kris Bowers’ (“Bridgerton”) musical score tweaks emotions in all the right places. The Williams’ home looks lived-in, thanks to production designers William Arnold and Wynn Thomas. Costume designer Sharen Davis (“Dreamgirls”) gives the family clothes that look like they’re off the rack at TJ Maxx. Clean but not too flashy.

All the tech efforts are artfully captured by cinematographer Robert Elswit (“There Will Be Blood”) and given a steady rhythm by editor Pamela Martin (“Battle of the Sexes”), which makes this 2h-18m chapter of a bigger life story move quickly.

Director Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Monsters and Men,” “Joe Bell”), with the classic against-the-odds script, heaps so many challenges on the family you’ve got to root for them. Green milks the drama out of the gangs that threaten Richard, the husband-wife strife, and a tennis world ambivalent about opening its doors to interlopers.

His direction is as moving as the performances and storyline.

If there is one weakness in the production, it’s the language.

“The Harder They Fall,” a recent rough-’em-up gang-style Black cowboy movie, didn’t use the “N” word. So, why does this “family movie” drop the “N” bomb?

The real sisters don’t use that word. Why do children— especially Black kids—have to listen to this kind of language?

It’s a flaw that could have been fixed in post-production.

(l-r) Aunjanue Ellis, Mikayla Bartholomew, Will Smith, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton and Danielle Lawson in “King Richard” It’s easy to enjoy this classic, disarming American saga. Easier to watch the father, mother and daughters shake up the stodgy world of tennis. Expect audiences—in theaters or their living rooms—to applaud everyone’s efforts.

Richard knew his family’s day would come: “I’m in the cham-

pion building business.” Yep. “King Richard ‹› hit theaters and HBOMAX on November 19.

Dwight Brown is a film critic and travel writer. Read more movie reviews by Brown at DwightBrownInk.com or BlackPressUSA.com.

Metropolis

December 2-8, 2021

7

Monoclonal antibody treatment expands in the Twin Cities to combat COVID surge As part of an ongoing effort to ensure Minnesotans have access to the tools needed to fight the surge of COVID-19, Gov. Tim Walz announced last week that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and M Health Fairview are expanding access to monoclonal antibodies COVID-19 treatments in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

MDH is expanding the hours and capacity at its St. Paul Clinic and has requested additional staff support for the central region of the state from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Also, M Health Fairview is adding about 300 appointments for monoclonal antibody treatment at its Columbia Heights clinic, and MDH will add an additional 140 appointments a week. Together, these efforts will result in a 50% capacity increase for the treatments in the Twin Cities.

“From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve

they need to fight this virus.”

“We are working to ensure each and every Minnesotan, in every community, has fair and equitable access to monoclonal antibody COVID-19 treatments. This treatment is so important and made all the difference to alleviate my symptoms when I contracted COVID-19,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

"While this therapy has saved lives, it is not a replacement for the COVID-19 vaccine." worked hard to protect the health and safety of Minnesotans at every turn,” said Governor Walz. “That’s why we’re working to expand access to monoclonal antibody COVID-19 treatments for Minnesotans, strengthening our efforts to get Minnesotans across the state the resources

“While this therapy has saved lives, it is not a replacement for the COVID-19 vaccine. We continue to urge Minnesotans to roll up their sleeves and get their shot to protect themselves and their loved ones,” continued Lt. Gov. Flanagan.

Antibodies are proteins that people’s bodies make

to fight viruses, such as the virus that causes COVID-19.

Antibodies made in a laboratory act a lot like natural antibodies to limit the amount of virus in your body—they are called monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies last for 90 days, whereas COVID-19 vaccines help people form their own antibodies that can last months.

Patients and their providers seeking monoclonal antibody treatments can make an appointment at these clinics and other locations by using the state’s online tool, the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform (MNRAP). These sites are not open to walk-in appointments.

COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment can help qualifying patients get better faster. It is an outpatient treatment for patients with mild to moderate symptoms that started within the past 10 days, and who are at high

risk of their illness leading to hospitalization or death.

Learn more at the webpage COVID-19 Medication Options.

“These moves strengthen the capacity of providers in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota to respond to potentially serious COVID-19 cases,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “We thank M Health Fairview for its continued commitment to treating COVID-19 patients by provide this life saving treatment for more than a year.”

Demand for monoclonal antibody treatment has increased throughout the pandemic. Minnesota has been administering about 2,000 doses a week of the treatment since the beginning of October with the peak week during this surge being 2,599 treatments the week of November 10-16.

“There’s a clear need for more access to monoclonal antibodies in the Twin Cities,” said Hospitalist Andrew Olson, MD, director of COVID hospital medicine at M Health Fairview.

“We’re proud to offer expanded capacity through our partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health,” Olson continued. “By increasing our capacity to administer this therapy to patients with COVID, we may be able to decrease the strain on our emergency departments and hospitals from the continued surge of COVID-19 patients.

Together with continued vaccination and other measures such as masking and testing, this site will make a real difference.”

To receive this treatment, people who have tested positive for or who been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider or visit the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform (MNRAP) to request an appointment.

MNRAP is an online scheduling tool the state created during the pandemic to facilitate equitable access to monoclonal treatments. Patients or their caregivers can access MNRAP to find out if they qualify for treatment. The website will also refer them to the nearest site with an available appointment, including the new St. Paul clinic.

MDH partnered with Matrix Medical Network, an

Arizona-based company that runs workplace and mobile health clinics and provides telehealth services, in October to open a monoclonal treatment clinic in St. Paul located near Interstate 35E and Arlington Avenue West.

For more information, visit www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/meds.html.

—Information provided by the Office of Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Primary cause of spike in overdose deaths: fentanyl Pandemic has made matters worse

By Andrew Kolodny

28.5% over the same period a year earlier.

The soaring death toll has The latest tally from the CDC shows that for the first been fueled by a much more time ever the number of dangerous black market opiAmericans who fatally over- oid supply. Illicitly synthesized dosed over the course of a fentanyl—a potent and inexyear surpassed 100,000. In pensive opioid that has driven a 12-month period ending at the rise in overdoses since it the end of April 2021, some emerged in 2014—is increas100,306 died in the U.S., up ingly replacing heroin. Fentan-

yl and fentanyl analogs were responsible for almost twothirds of the overdose deaths recorded in the 12-month period ending in April 2021.

It is especially tragic that these deaths are mainly oc-

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curring in people with a disease—opioid addiction—that is both preventable and treatable. Most heroin users want to avoid fentanyl. But increasingly, the heroin they seek is mixed with fentanyl, or what they purchase is just fentanyl without any heroin in the mix.

While the spread of fentanyl is the primary cause of the spike in overdose deaths, the coronavirus pandemic also made the crisis worse. The geographical distribution of opioid deaths makes it clear that there has been a change during the pandemic months.

Before the COVID-19 health crisis, the skyrocketing increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in America was mainly affecting the eastern half of the U.S. and hit especially hard in urban areas like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. A possible reason behind this was that in the eastern half of the U.S., heroin has mainly been available in powder form rather than the black tar heroin more common in the West. It is easier to mix fentanyl with powdered heroin.

COVID-19 resulted in less cross-national traffic, which made it harder to smuggle illegal drugs across borders. Border restrictions make it harder to move bulkier drugs, result-

ing in smugglers’ increased reliance on fentanyl. It is more potent and easier to transport in small quantities and as pills, making it easier to traffic by mail. This may have helped fentanyl spread to areas that escaped the earlier surge in fentanyl deaths.

Opioid-addicted individuals seeking prescription opioids instead of heroin have also been affected, because counterfeit pills made with fentanyl have become more common. This may explain why public health officials in

has to be easy to access or addicted individuals will continue using heroin, prescription opioids, or illicit fentanyl to stave off withdrawal.

Some treatment centers innovated in the face of lockdowns, for example, by allowing more patients to take methadone unsupervised at home, but this may not have been enough to offset the disruption to treatment services.

And maintaining access to treatment is crucial to avoid relapse, especially during the pandemic. Research has

The pandemic made it harder for those dependent on opioids to get in-person treatment.

Seattle and elsewhere are reporting many fatalities resulting from use of counterfeit pills.

Another factor that may have contributed to the soaring death toll is that the pandemic made it harder for those dependent on opioids to get in-person treatment.

More than anything else, what drives opioid-addicted individuals to continue using is that without opioids they will experience severe symptoms of withdrawal.

Treatment, especially with buprenorphine and methadone,

shown that social isolation and stress, which became more common during the pandemic, increase the chances of a relapse in someone in recovery.

In the past, one slip might not be the end of the world for someone in recovery. But given the extraordinarily dangerous black market opioid supply, any slip can result in death.

Andrew Kolodny is co-director of Opioid Policy Research at Brandeis University.

This article initially appeared in theconversation.com.

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December 2-8, 2021

BULLETIN

Obituary

Celebration of Life for

Dennis Wayne Danforth Dennis Wayne Danforth was born to Joseph and Ernestine Danforth on August 22, 1946. He was a lifelong resident of Minneapolis and graduated from Minneapolis Central High School in 1964. Dennis went on to become a sheet metal worker by trade and had a career in this field for many years.

Later in life Dennis went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Dennis enjoyed bowling and golf and was a member of the Twin City Golf League.

Dennis passed away on November 11, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Ernestine Danforth as well as a son, Sean Danforth. Dennis leaves behind to mourn his passing, wife, Janelle Danforth, a brother, Terry Danforth, two children, Dennis

Danforth, Jr., and Monica Danforth Mosch (Dan), and a host of other relatives including 3 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder December 2, 2021

nomic revolution,” said Georgetown Law School Professor Brad Snyder. He, Continued from page 10 along with Flood’s teammate Tim McCarver, MLB journaldeal with the New York Yan- ist and Hall-of-Famer Claire Smith, former baseball player kees.

Flood sparked “an eco- David Cone, and Flood’s son

SOE

Curt Flood, Jr., discussed the late major leaguer’s impact on the game.

“This was a man of high principle,” said Snyder of Flood.

Added Blackistone, “He lost the case in the Supreme

Change, Inc. recognized for commitment to the underserved NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) presented Change, Inc. with a Provider of the Year Award at its annual conference held online on Nov. 13. The award recognizes an organization that provides mental health services that demonstrate excellence, respect and best practices.

“Their philosophy is to build strong relationships and trust, to provide services holistically, and to meet the individualized education needs of students, including social-emotional, mental health services, and basic needs resources such as meals, childcare and transportation,” said NAMI Minnesota board officer Mariah C. Owens.

“The organization has three key programs: GAP School, the Community & School

Court but he won the battle.”

Cone recalled when Flood, nearly three years before his death due to cancer at age 59, spoke to players on solidarity as they prepared to strike. “I had the great honor of being there when Curt Flood came

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

Worship

3744 4th Ave. South • Minneapolis, MN 55409 Phone: 612-827-4021 • Fax: 612-827-0577

TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD

Rev. Arthur Agnew, 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"

Publisher/CEO

WALLACE (JACK) JACKMAN Co-Publisher Emeritus

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

Rev. James C. Thomas, Pastor

to speak to the players. He said, ‘Don’t let them put the genie back in the bottle,’ and I never forgot how he delivered in that moment.”

Save for a few—namely former players Jackie Robinson and Hank Greenburg and

Founder-Publisher 1934-1976

Bethesda Baptist Church

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

L AUNA Q. NEWMAN CEO/Publisher 1976-2000

NORMA JEAN WILLIAMS Vice President Emeritus

Senior Editor Jerry Freeman

Contributing Writers

Tony Kiene

Dr. Charles Crutchfield, III

Ashley Lauren

Community Editor Mel Reeves

Dr. Deidre Golden

Nikki Love

Charles Hallman

Nadine Matthews

Stephenetta “isis” Harmon

Mary F. Moriarty

Dr. Clarence Hightower

Juliet Mitchell

Robin James

Addi Mohamed

Jon Jeter

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Tiffany Johnson

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Sports Writers

Contributing Photographers

Charles Hallman

Onika Nicole Craven

Dr. Mitchell P. McDonald

Steve Floyd

Digital Editor Paige Elliott Desktop Publisher Kobie Conrath Jim Handrigan Account Representatives Cecilia Viel

of systemic poverty and racism that prevent Twin Cities families from achieving their full potential.

NAMI Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families through its programs of education, support and advocacy.

—Information and photo provided by NAMI Minnesota.

Change, Inc. was recognized with NAMI Minnesota Provider of the Year Award.

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER CECIL E. NEWMAN

Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

Collaborative (CSC), and the Change Institute. They have truly changed the lives of so many students and we thank them for their work,” Owens added.

Change, Inc. is the product of a merger of two community-based organizations, Guadalupe Alternative Programs and Change Inc., both originally founded to serve atrisk, underserved individuals and address the challenges

Chris Juhn Travis Lee

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former owner Bill Veeck, who testified on his behalf—Flood stood alone in his fight. “Curt made it perfectly clear that he was going to do it by himself,” said McCarver, who admitted that he wished he would have spoken out more back then in support of Flood.

“Of all the people that we know, Curt was the ideal player who could do what it required… who would give up a salary of $90,000 to $100,000,” added McCarver.

Smith said the reporters at the time opposed Flood’s actions. Snyder added, “You had a lot of White sportswriters and columnists who were unsympathetic. To be frank about it, they were in the owners’ pocket.”

Like many others who bucked the system and sacrificed their careers to make their sport better for those who would come later, Flood should be better recognized, said his son. “It’s such a shame that he’s not [in the Hall of Fame] given his contribution to the betterment of the sport.”

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesmanrecorder.com.

Employment & Legals

State of Minnesota Minnesota Washington County ton County

District Court District Court Judicial District Tenth Judicial Tenth District FOR HEARING AND ORDER FOR ORDER HEARING AND NOTICE OF PUBLICATION NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

Court File No.Court File No. 82-JV-21-445 82-JV-21-445 County Attorney File No. JV-2021-808 County Attorney File No. JV-2021-808

IN THE MATTER OF THEOF: CHILDREN OF: MATTER OF THE CHILDREN Jeffrey John Fritz, II and Meghan hn Fritz, II and Meghan June Blaiser June Blaiser Parent (s)

That Richard D. Allen, Assistant Washington County Attorney, representing hat Richard D. Allen, Assistant Washington County Attorney, representing Petitioner, Washington County Community Services, Stillwater, Minnesota, has , Washington County Community Services, Stillwater, Minnesota, has filed in this Court a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of parents Jeffrey is Court a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of parents Jeffrey John Fritz, II and Meghan June Blaiser seeking to permanently sever the parental z, II and Meghan June Blaiser seeking to permanently sever the parental rights of the above-named parents to C.J.F., DOB 10/21/2017 and L.J.F., DOB he above-named parents to C.J.F., DOB 10/21/2017 and L.J.F., DOB 10/21/2017.

17.

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Petition for HEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Petition for Termination of Parental Rights be heard by the Court at the Washington County on of Parental Rights be heard by the Court at the Washington County Law Enforcement Center, 15015 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, on rcement Center, 15015 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, on December 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m or as soon thereafter as the matter can be r 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, and on any subsequent hearing dates set on this matter. d on any subsequent hearing dates set on this matter.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice hereof be given to the father of IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice hereof be given to the father of said children, Jeffrey Fritz, II, by publication in the Country Messenger, a legal ren, Jeffrey Fritz, II, by publication in the Country Messenger, a legal newspaper, for three weeks as provided by law and by mailing a copy of such er, for three weeks as provided by law and by mailing a copy of such notice by certified mail to the natural father’s last known address of 8315 certified mail to the natural father’s last known address of 8315 Grenadier Avenue S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. r Avenue S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Dated: _____________ ____________

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2, 2021 nnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2, 2021

Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Nov 2, 2021 State of Minnesota

District Court

Washington County

Tenth Judicial District Court File Number: 82-JV-21-545

Filed in District Court State of Minnesota Nov 2, 2021 In the Matter of:

Case Type: CHIPS - Permanency

Minnesota In the Matter of the WelfareDistrict Court

of the Child(ren) of: ton County Brittany Alaine Stanton

Summons and Notice

of Parental Rights Matter Tenth Judicial Termination District

Court File Number: 82-JV-21-545

Case Type: CHIPS - Permanency NOTICE TO: Above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s).

1. atter of:

A Termination of Parental Rights Petition has been filed in the Office of

the Clerk of Juvenile Court located at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box 3802 atter of the Welfare Summons and Notice

ild(ren) of: Stillwater MN 55082,alleging Termination Parental Rights Matter that of parental rights of the above-named Alaine Stanton parent(s) or legal custodian(s) to the child(ren) named in the petition should

be permanently severed.

E TO: Above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s).

2.

Notice is hereby given that the matter of said Termination of Parental Termination of Parental Rights Petition has been filed in the Office of Rights Petition will be called for hearing before the Juvenile Court located e Clerk of Juvenile Court located at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box 3802 at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box3802 Stillwater MN 55082, on December 08, llwater MN 55082,alleging that parental rights of the above-named 2021 at 1:20PM or as soon after as the Matter can be heard. rent(s) or legal custodian(s) to the child(ren) named in the petition should

3.

YOU ARE ORDERED to appear before the Juvenile Court at the permanently severed.

scheduled time and date. otice is hereby given that the matter of said Termination of Parental

4.

You a rightfor to hearing be represented by counsel. ghts Petition willhave be called before the Juvenile Court located

149495.- 62nd St. N; PO Box3802 Stillwater MN 55082, on December 08, If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may still conduct the hearing 21 at 1:20PM as soon after as the Matter can bepermanently heard. andorgrant appropriate relief, including severing the parental

rights of thetoabove-named or legal custodian(s) and taking OU ARE ORDERED appear beforeparent(s) the Juvenile Court at the permanent custody of the child/ren named in the Petition. heduled time and date.

u have a right to be represented by counsel. WITNESS, the Honorable Laura Pietan Judge of District Court you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may still conduct the hearing

Filed in District Court Filed in District Court State of Minnesota State of Minnesota Nov 2, 2021 Nov 2, 2021 State of Minnesota State of Minnesota Washington County Washington County

Judicial District Tenth Judicial Tenth District Court File Number: 82-JV-21-445 Court File Number: 82-JV-21-445

Parent

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Petition for Termination of Parental Rights beheardWashington by the CourtCounty at the Washington County Law EnforcementMinnesota Spokesman-Recorder Oct 28, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25, Dec 2, 2021 That Erin A. Johnson, Assistant Attorney, representing Center, 15015 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, onMinnesota, December has 8, 2021, at 1:20 p.m.

Petitioner, Washington County Community Services, Stillwater, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, and on any subsequent hearing filed in this Court a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights, seeking to dates set on this matter. permanently sever the parental rights of the above-named parent to M.S.-H..

Case Type:

Domestic Abuse

In the Matter of:

Notice of Hearing by Publication

Quetzali Villasenor-Lira for self and

(Minn. Stat. § 518B.01, subd. 8)

on Behalf of Minor Child(ren) Petitioner vs.

Octavious Harris Respondent To Respondent name above: An order has been issued directing you to appear at via Zoom (call 612-348-8756 for instructions) on December 21, 2021 at 8:45 a.m. and explain why the relief sought in the Petition for the Order for Protection should not be granted.

You may obtain a copy of the Petition and any order issued from the court from the Hennepin County Court Administrator’s Office at 110 South 4th St, Minneapolis, MN. If you do not appear at the scheduled hearing, the Petitioner’s request may be granted as a default matter. Failure to appear will not be a defense to prosecution for violation of the Court’s Order.

November 24, 2021 Date

/S/Jessica Rahier Court Administrator/Deputy

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder December 2, 2021

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice hereof be given to the mother of THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Petition for Termination Sealed proposals will be received by the Public Housing Agency said child, by publication in the Country Messenger, a legal newspaper, for three of Parental Rights beheard by the Court at the Washington County Law Enforcement of the City of Saint Paul at Finance Department Attn: Holly weeks as provided by law and by mailing a copy of such notice by certified mail Center, 15015 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN, on December 8, 2021, at 1:20 p.m.

Gray, 555 Wabasha St Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55102 for to the natural mother’s last known address of 7845 Rimbley Road, Woodbury, or as soon thereafter as the matter can be heard, and on any subsequent hearing PROFESSIONAL AUDITING SERVICES, Contract No. Minnesota 55125. dates set on this matter.

22-097, until 4:00 p.m. Local Time on JANUARY 5, 2022.

Proposals may be submitted electronically, in a PDF format, to Northstar Imaging, www.northstarplanroom.com

Dated: _____________ IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that notice hereof be given to the mother of

said child, by publication in the Country Messenger, a legal newspaper, for three weeks as provided by law and by mailing a copy of such notice by certified mail to the natural mother’s last known address of 7845 Rimbley Road, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2, 2021 Dated: _____________

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2, 2021

View

State of Minnesota District: nesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25,Judicial December 2, 2021 4th Hennepin County Court File Number: 27-DA-FA-21-5712

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 Case Type: CHIPS Permanency Case Type: CHIPS - Permanency 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) In the Matter of: In the Matter of: Dollars, recorded with the Hennepin County Recorder, State of Minnesota, on Inthe theWelfare Matter of the Welfare In the Matter of Summons andSummons Notice and Notice January 20, 2017, as Document. No. A10404168; which was thereafter assigned of the Termination of Parental of the Child(ren) of: Child(ren) of: Termination of Parental Rights MatterRights Matter to Realty Pros, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company by instrument dated Jeffrey John Fritz, II and Jeffrey John Fritz, II and August 5, 2021 and recorded with the Hennepin County Recorder on August 11, Meghan June Blaiser Meghan June Blaiser 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 NOTICE TO: Above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s).

NOTICE TO: Above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s). proceeding has been instituted at law to recover any part of the debt secured by said 1.

A Termination of Parental Rights Petition has been filed in the Office of mortgage; that there is claimed to be due thereon the sum of Seventy-seven Thousand 1.

A Termination of Parental Rights Petition has been filed in the Office of Five Hundred Forty-eight and 42/100 ($77,548.42) Dollars on this date; and that the Clerk of Juvenile Court located at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box 3802 the Clerk of Juvenile Court located at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box 3802 Stillwater MN 55082,alleging that parental rights of the above-named pursuant to the power of sale therein contained, the mortgage will be foreclosed Stillwater MN 55082,alleging that parental rights of the above-named and the tract of land lying and being in Hennepin County, Minnesota, described parent(s) or legal custodian(s) to the child(ren) named in the petition should parent(s) or legal custodian(s) to the child(ren) named in the petition should as follows, to-wit: be permanently severed. be permanently severed.

Lot 20 and the E 35 ft of W 68 ft of S ½ of Lot 22, Block 1, 2.

Notice is hereby given that the matter of said Termination of Parental “Ball’s Addition to Minneapolis”, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

2.

Notice is hereby given that the matter of said Termination of Parental Rights Petition will be called for hearing before the Juvenile Court located Property address: 1312 18th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 Rights Petition will be called for hearing before the Juvenile Court located at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box3802 Stillwater MN 55082, on December 07, I.D. #: 16-029-24-42-0016 Parcel at 14949 - 62nd St. N; PO Box3802 Stillwater MN 55082, on December 07, 2021 at 10:00AM or as soon after as the Matter can be heard.

Transaction Agent: N/A 2021 at 10:00AM or as soon after as the Matter can be heard.

Transaction agent’s Mortgage Identification Number: N/A 3.

YOU ARE ORDERED to appear before the Juvenile Court at the Mortgage Originator: Star Choice Credit Union 3.

YOU ARE ORDERED to appear before the Juvenile Court at the scheduled time and date. scheduled time and date. will be sold by the sheriff of said county at public auction on December 22, 2021, 4.

You have a right to be represented by counsel. at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Civil Division, 350 4.

You have a right to be represented by counsel.

South Fifth Street, Room 30, Minneapolis, MN 55415, to pay the debt secured 5.

If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may still conduct the hearing by the mortgage, including costs and attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to 5.

If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Court may still conduct the hearing and grant appropriate relief, including permanently severing the parental redemption by the mortgagor(s), her heirs or assigns, within six (6) months from and grant appropriate relief, including permanently severing the parental rights of the above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s) and taking permathe date of sale. rights of the above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s) and taking permanent custody of the child/ren named in the Petition.

TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an ownernent custody of the child/ren named in the Petition. occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on WITNESS, the Honorable Tad Judeor before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not WITNESS, theJudge Honorable Tad Jude reinstated under Section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Section of District Court Judge of District Court 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on June 22, 2022, (if that date is a Saturday, Sunday or BY: Amy C Bydzovsky holiday, then the date to vacate is the next date thereafter which is not a Saturday, State of Minnesota District Court BY: Amy C Bydzovsky Court Administrator Sunday or holiday).

Washington County Tenth Judicial District Court Administrator Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2, 2021 THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2021 ORDER FOR2,HEARING AND THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED NOTICE OF PUBLICATION UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE State of Minnesota District Court Court File No. 82-JV-21-545 IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE Washington County Tenth JudicialCounty DistrictAttorney File No. JV-2021-932 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. IN THE MATTER OF THEORDER CHILDFOR OF: HEARING AND Notice Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This communication Brittany Alaine Stanton, NOTICE OF PUBLICATION is from a debt collector and is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information Parent obtained will be used for that purpose.

Court File No. 82-JV-21-545 That Erin A. Johnson, Assistant Washington County Attorney, representing County Attorney File No. JV-2021-932 Dated: October 27, 2021 Realty Pros, LLC, Assignee of Mortgagee Petitioner, Washington County Community Services, Stillwater, Minnesota, has filed in this Court a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights, seeking to Christopher L. Olson, GDO LAW, Attorneys at Law, 4770 White Bear Parkway, IN THE MATTER OF THE CHILD OF: #100, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 426-3249 permanently sever the parental rights of the above-named parent to M.S.-H..

Brittany Alaine Stanton,

rmanent custody of the child/ren named in the Petition.

BY: Amy C Bydzovsky Filed in District Court Court Administrator State of Minnesota November 24, 2021

9

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

District Court District Court

BY:severing Amy Cthe Bydzovsky d grant appropriate relief, including permanently parental Court Administrator hts of the above-named parent(s) or legal custodian(s) and taking

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder November 18, 25, December 2, 2021 WITNESS, the Honorable Laura Pietan Judge of District Court

December 2-8, 2021

Continued from page 10 once worked with beginning players, elite athletes, and professional athletes at Orlando’s The Edge Training Facility.

He was a Dolphins assistant for three seasons, then promoted to associate head coach for two seasons before being named HC in 2018. “My administration is great,” declared Haney. “I think they believe in me.”

Like Minnesota, which has 10 newcomers on this year’s roster, the Jacksonville roster this season also features 10 newcomers— six transfers and four true freshmen. Before his hiring, Jordan Mincy held assistant stints at Florida (2015-21), Louisiana Tech (2014-15), Toledo (2013-14), Charleston (2012-13), and Kent State (2010-12), and was a

graduate assistant at South Carolina (2009-10). He also played at Kent State (200509) and earned a business marketing degree.

“You always kind of dreamed [of being a head coach], but when it comes you want to be prepared,” said the first-year HC after last Wednesday’s 55-44 loss to the Gophers.

The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport’s latest data (2020) pointed out that the numbers and percentages of Black coaches in college basketball goes up and down “ever so slightly.”

There are fewer than 100 Blacks in men’s basketball, and barely five percent of WBB head coaches are Black men.

“I don’t take it for granted,” admitted Haney, who is in his fifth season among that single-digit percentage.

Said Mincy of fellow firstyear Black head coach John-

A complete set of proposal documents is available through Northstar Imaging under public plan room, at www.northstarplanroom.com, under PROFESSIONAL AUDITING SERVICES, Contract No. 22-097 or by calling 651-686-0477. Digital downloads are at no charge, contact Northstar for hard copy pricing. Proposal Documents will be available Thursday, December 2, 2021.

A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on December 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., via zoom, contact Holly Gray at holly.gray@ stpha.org by December 12, 2021 for zoom invite. All questions arising from this pre-proposal conference will be addressed by addendum, if necessary.

The PHA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in the bidding process.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Holly Gray INTERIM FINANCE DIRECTOR (651) 292-6145 holly.gray@stpha.org

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder December 2, 2021

son, “He is doing a great job. work and work every day. I Case: St. Paul Public Housing He has a lot of transfers very want to make sure we preSize: 3.4167 x 5.25 parewith them foryou life.” similar to ourselves.

He’s try- $150 Ad Options: For an additional print, can get online Mincy admitted that he ing to do it theWithout right way. print $300 roots hard for fellow Black “You try the best you can coaches like Johnston, to recruit the best players you can,” continued the JAX Haney, and others around coach on his first HC job. the country. “Even though “You don’t take this oppor- we play the game of baskettunity to be head coach for ball,” he said, “we also can coach the game of basketgranted.”

Added Haney, “I’m ball at a high level.” blessed to be able to coach Charles Hallman welcomes [the women’s team]. I’m reader responses to challman@ blessed to be able to go to spokesman-recorder.com. practice every day, man, and

10

December 2-8, 2021

Sports

Curt Flood let the free-agency genie out of the bottle aseball’s free agency now is in full mode, and players are inking their names on huge money contracts. How many of them know how they gained the right to do so?

Curt Flood (1938-1997) was a star centerfielder for 15 MLB seasons (1956-1971), a seven-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star, twotime World Series winner, and he finished behind Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn for most games played in center Curt Flood field.

“This was a man of high principle.”

He also became a pivotal figure in baseball’s labor history and fought for free agency when he flatly refused a trade after the 1969 season, fighting it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Flood unsuccessfully challenged baseball’s reserve

clause and demanded that then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn declare him a free agent, something unheard of at the time in pro sports. When Kuhn refused, Flood sued him and MLB and sat out the 1970 season.

He later returned to baseball in 1971 but played only 13 games with Washington before retiring.

Flood v. Kuhn reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972, and the Court ruled 5-3 in favor of MLB. Three years later in 1975, the reserve clause was struck down and MLB and the players union agreed

Black head coaches living the dream

innesota’s Williams Arena—“The Barn”—has held many historic events during its illustrious existence. Two occurred during a couple Courtesy of Wikipedia of weeks in November, witnessed by this longtime Gopher beat writer. But they to a new collective bargaining hardly made a ripple in local agreement that introduced media coverage. free agency in 1976.

The all-Black Jacksonville The repeated narrative for University (JU) women’s basdecades is that today’s ma- ketball team defeated the jor leaguers don’t know, or host Gophers on November Jacksonville University care, or respect, or recognize 9, the first time a non-HBCU Men’s Basketball Coach who Flood was and what he school with an all-Black roster Jordan Mincy did, journalist David Steele recently tweeted. But Merrill Black men’s basketball team College Journalism Professor lost to Minnesota, but it was and veteran journalist Kevin an historic meeting of two Blackistone pointed out, as first-time head coaches: the moderator of the Nov. 16 Gophers’ Ben Johnson and Shirley Povich virtual SymJordan Mincy of JAX. Both are posium, that current MLBer Black.

Gerrit Cole publicly thanked Darnell Haney is now in Flood when he signed a big came in and won at the Barn. his fourth year as JAX WBB ■ See SOE on page 8 Then last week, JU’s nearly all- coach and his ninth year at the

“You don’t take this opportunity to be head coach for granted.”

Jacksonville University Women’s Basketball Coach Darnell Haney Photos by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald school. He’s a 2004 Florida A&M graduate in engineering technology with a master’s in athletic administration from Nova Southeastern University (2010). Haney coached in high school in Florida and

■ See VIEW on page 9

The prep girls’ basketball season has begun he Minnesota girls’ basketball season has gotten off to a great start with many outstanding players taking the court during Thanksgiving weekend. More recruiters are visiting the metro area on a consistent basis to draw from a talent pool that is among the nation’s best.

I’m not big on lists because someone’s always left out, but here are nine girls’ basketball players that come to mind as

the season begins: Kaylynn Asberry, 5’5” senior guard (St. Paul Como Park): One of the state’s top point guards since her freshman year.

Amaya Battle, 5’11” senior guard (Hopkins): The University of Minnesota signee, who is part of a historic recruiting class, has been a varsity player since eighth grade.

Nia Holloway, 6’0” senior forward (Eden Prairie): The University of Minnesota signee, also part of the Gophers’ historic recruiting class, has been among the state’s best.

Kiani Lockett, 5’9” senior point

guard (Minnetonka): The Creighton University signee is one of the state’s elite point guards.

Maya Nnaji, 6’4” senior power forward (Hopkins): The University of Arizona signee is the state’s most dominant player whether it’s scoring, rebounding, or blocking shots.

Ronnie Porter, 5’2” senior guard (St. Paul Como Park): Can score at will while also setting up teammates for baskets.

Desiree Ware, 5’6” senior guard (Minnetonka): The University of Alabama Birmingham signee is part of one of the state’s top backcourts.

Savannah White, 6’1” senior guard (DeLaSalle): The University of Wisconsin signee has been among the state’s elite since her freshman year.

Taylor Woodson, 6’0” junior power forward (Hopkins): Is developing into quite a player on one of the the state’s top teams.

After not being able to regularly attend games during the pandemic last year, it was good to be back in a gymnasium. It’s going to be a great season!

Minnetonka senior point guard and Creighton University signDr. Mitchell Palmer McDon- ee Kiani Lockett (0) goes for two in a game against White Bear ald welcomes reader responses Lake on Friday, November 26 at Hamline University. to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.

Photo by Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald

Knight Commission relies on ‘moral persuasion’ to change college sport

By Charles Hallman Sports Columnist ince 1989, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics has offered recommendations on how big-time college sports can come close to or fully adopt its mission: “…that all athletes, regardless of race and gender, should be treated equitably.”

Earlier this year the Commission introduced the C.A.R.E. Model (Connecting Athletics Revenues with the Educational Model of College Sports). It has five core principles: transparency, independent oversight, gender equity, broad-based sports opportunities, and financial responsibility.

The group also suggested a new way of distributing the $3 billion-plus in annual revenue generated from big-time football and men’s basketball.

But like previous Knight reports, studies and recommendations, the model leaves the main question unanswered.

Will college sports ever change in favor of the players,

Len Elmore

the main generators in the billion-dollar college sports engine? Will they eventually adopt a real revenue sharing plan to replace the existing “everyone gets paid but the

Courtesy of Knight Commission players” system?

Len Elmore, a longtime advocate of college sports, strongly sees it as a good preparation for young men and women for life after col-

lege, especially those of color.

College sports, nonetheless, must change and become more equitable to all, not just some, Elmore told the MSR. As a result, he wasn’t totally surprised that the C.A.R.E. idea didn’t get much mainstream media traction: “It’s not sizzling or sexy,” noted Elmore, a former college and pro athlete. As a lawyer he once was a Brooklyn, NY assistant district attorney.

Now he teaches sports media, athlete activism, and social justice at Columbia University graduate school. Since 2020, Elmore has been the Commission co-chair.

“There is a certain bias [in mainstream media] that the headlines go to those who are more focused [on other matters],” said Elmore. “My personal opinion is that the media is looking for something that leads to Facebook.

“I am who I am,” declared Elmore, who also does analysis on college basketball telecasts.

“Whatever defines me as a professional, as a human being, a

lot of that comes from my experience as a collegiate athlete.

As a student, I would never have been able to go to college, at least in the sense that I went to a large Division I school like the University of Maryland.

“I recognized doors can open for young people of color,” he added, “and the concept of leadership, and many

forcing change—if they really want change.

“We don’t have the power to change,” said Elmore of the Knight Commission. “The Knight Commission essentially is a reform-minded group.

We do it through the power of moral persuasion.”

He and other Commission members are dedicated to

“The Knight Commission essentially is a reform-minded group.” of the things that are coveted by corporate America.”

Elmore mentioned a survey of college presidents, athletic directors, and other school leaders who mostly preferred “a more stable future for college sports” that is more aligned with education, which is what the C.A.R.E. model promotes. But he quickly pointed out that these same folk, namely the presidents, could be more involved in

change in college sports. “I’m thankful for the folks with whom I’ve been able to collaborate.

“We’re not making any money, doing it out of love and the ability to give something back to a system that’s given me everything that allows me to be who I am.”

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