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Cedar Riverside/West BankSeward •Longfellow

Cooper • HoweHiawatha

See Crimea, page 2See Warsame, page 2

BY ED FELIEN

Crimea is a dangling appen-dix to Ukraine. It is connectedby a narrow patch of land bare-ly 10 miles across. The totalarea of Ukraine is about233,000 square miles. Thetotal area of Crimea is about10,000 square miles, soCrimea represents only 4.3%of the total area of Ukraine.Russia has based its naval

fleet at Sevastopol in Crimeasince 1783. When Ukraine gotits independence in 1991 itsigned a partition treaty withRussia in 1997 that allowedRussia to maintain its navalbase and two air bases and sta-tion as many as 25,000 troopsin Crimea.Russia is less than 10 miles

across the Black Sea fromCrimea.It is instructive in this pres-

ent conflict to remember thefirst Big Power play in this area:The Crimean War from 1853to 1856. Fought ostensiblyover whether French Catholicor Russian Orthodox priestsshould control the Christianshrines in Palestine, the battle

was really over whetherRussia or Europe would con-trol the Middle East. Francesent its newest battleship,Charlemagne, into the BlackSea and it was game over. TheFrench securely tied upLebanon and Syria, and theBritish solidified their opiumtrade in Afghanistan so theycould force it on China in theSecond Opium War in 1856.Should Crimea be allowed

to have a referendum to decidewhether to secede fromUkraine and join Russia?Should Catalonia be allowed tohave a referendum to decidewhether to secede from Spain?Should Scotland be allowed tosecede from Britain?Does Russia have the right

to have a naval base inCrimea? Does the U.S. havethe right to have a naval base inCuba? The treaty that grantedRussia the right to have a navalbase in Crimea was signedoriginally in 1997 and renewedin 2010 to allow bases up to theyear 2042. The treaty thatgranted the U.S. the right to abase in Guantanamo, Cuba,was signed in 1903, and

the Cuban governmentrefuses to recognize the treaty’slegitimacy.These are questions that are

answered without rhyme orreason or the rule of law butare answerable only to theinterests of the big powers–“Political Power grows out ofthe barrel of a gun.”What’s going to happen to

Crimea and Ukraine?Crimea will probably end

up as part of Russia where forall practical purposes it hasbeen for the last 230 years.Ukraine will probably move

into the Western orbit. Like anabandoned crack house in apoor neighborhood, the banksare moving in to foreclose.It all started when the presi-

dent of Ukraine wanted to signan agreement with Russia toget $15 billion to pay somebills in exchange for not sign-ing an agreement with theEuropean Union for closereconomic ties. There weredemonstrations that quicklyturned violent. No one can sayfor sure who was at fault.Russia claims the U.S. inter-vened and provoked the crisis,

Straight talk about Crimea

See Pipe, page 2

BY ED FELIEN

Minneapolis CityCouncil Member AbdiWarsame has had a verybad first couple of months.

First, he voted forBarbara Johnson for coun-cil president against his fel-low Southside councilmember, ElizabethGlidden. Any hope pro-gressives had that he wouldalign himself with liberalsfrom South Minneapolislike Cam Gordon, AlondraCano, Andrew Johnson andElizabeth Glidden weredashed when he voted tosupport the more conserva-tive Northside Machine.Second, the tragic fire in

Cedar Riverside that tookthree lives was certainly nothis fault, contrary to thepopular belief in China thatbad things happen whenthe emperor loses theMandate of Heaven. But,when a tragic fire happenedin rooming houses at the

AbdiWarsame’svery bad,terrible,reallyawful firstfewmonths

RIVERSIDEEDITION

THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH

MARCH2014

VOL. XXIV, ISSUE 9

A pipe driventhrough theheart ofMinnesotaBY PAULA FISCHER

MN 350, the Sierra Club, Honor the Earth andothers are fighting Enbridge Energy of Canadabefore the Public Utilities Commission on April 3.Enbridge seeks to increase its enormous oil trans-port system using its existing Alberta ClipperPipeline through Minnesota, increasing the barrelsper day of tar sands crude oil from 450,000 to800,000 piped from Alberta, Canada, to Superior,Wis. Many Minnesotans do not even know that thispipeline exists.There are many serious issues here. Many believe

that this oil does not benefit the U.S. and is largelyintended for export. Climate scientists warn that fulldevelopment of tar sands oil will be “game over” forthe climate. Enbridge is the company responsible forthe 2010 spill in Michigan that poured over a mil-lion gallons into Talmadge Creek and theKalamazoo River. This type of oil sinks and has to bedredged, further destroying the aquatic ecosystem.The spill is yet to be cleaned up. A spill nearCohasset, Minn., in July 2002, resulted in long-terminjuries to wetland vegetation and wildlife habitataccording to the Natural Resources Trustees,Department of the Interior. Airbourne vapors ofbenzene and other carcinogens are released duringthese spills. Enbridge has a history of 804 oil and gasleaks over the last 10 years throughout its entire sys-tem.

The Alberta Clipper line crosses the headwaters ofthe Mississippi River five times and the breadth ofthe entire state filled with wetlands, wild rice bedsand communities. New pumping stations must bebuilt so Enbridge is claiming there will be new jobs.

University of Minnesota more than10 years ago, Paul Zerby, who was

council member there at the time,initiated a full scale inspection pro-gram that sent city inspectors intoall the rooming houses to try to

prevent future disasters. Warsamecould (and probably should) haveall the older apartments in the areainspected. It now seems likely thatthe cause of the Cedar Riversidefire was probably faulty electricalwiring. Warsame should not beblamed for the first fire, but he cer-tainly will be blamed for the nextone.

And, as if all that weren’tenough, there was the raucus cau-cus at Cedar Riverside that broughta lot of bad publicity and a possi-ble criminal investigation to hisfront door. Ilhan Omar, an aide toCouncil Member Andrew Johnson,was attacked at the DFL precinctcaucus at Cedar Riverside. It hasbeen alleged that the people whostruck her were either relatives ofWarsame or his council aide. It isfurther alleged that Warsamewarned Johnson that Omar shouldnot attend the caucus, which seemsto indicate an attack on her wasplanned and imminent.

As the highest elected official inthe state from the Somali commu-nity, Abdi Warsame carries a heavyburden of responsibility on hisshoulders. Non-Somalis look tohim to try to understand Somaliculture, and Somalis look to himto try to understand how govern-ment works in this culture. He isthe bridge of understandingbetween two worlds, and, rightnow, that bridge looks like it’s inneed of repair.

Warsame, from page 1

The classic jobs verses environ-ment argument wears very thinespecially when the risk is so huge.Many landowners along the routeare also contesting this project.

The hearing will be at thePublic Utilities Commission (1217th Place E., St. Paul) LargeHearing Room at 3:00 p.m. Thepublic comment period is opennow through April 14 at 4:30 p.m.Comments must include both thePUC Docket Number PL-9/CN-13-153 and the OAH DocketNumber 8-2500-30952 in theemail subject line to:RouteComments.OAH@state-.mn.us.

Comments should address: • Is the proposed project needed

and in the public interest? • What are the costs and benefits

of the proposed project and arethere other project-related issuesor concerns?

• Why is the increase needed?How does sending it to Superiorfor export through the Great Lakeshelp reduce U.S. dependence onforeign oil?

Enbridge is also proposinga new pipeline from NorthDakota across Minnesota toSuperior, Wis., the SandpiperPipeline. Currently, the MNDepartment of Commerce is seek-ing comments through April 4 at4:30 p.m. on proposed alternative

routes, what human and environ-mental impacts should be studiedand what specific methods mightbe used to study them. Use thePUC docket number 13-474 in theemail subject line to: larry.hart-man.state.mn.us.

Please speak for the watersheds,land, communities and creaturesagainst this oil corporation usingour state for its own gains.

For more info: Honor theEarth.org and MN350.org.

Paula Fischer (pfischer@com-cast-.net) loves living in Longfellowand writes on behalf of the four-toed salamanders and all wetlandwanderers.

and it is certain that Nazi militiasare now in control of much of thearea in Kiev. There is a sizeableRussian minority in Ukraine, aswell as Jewish and Muslim Tatarminorities. The Nazis want themall out: “Ukraine for theUkrainians.” Now it looks likethere will be closer ties with theE.U., and no one knows exactlywhat that will mean.

The International MonetaryFund (IMF) is willing to offer $15billion in loans and grants over thenext few years but only under cer-tain conditions. Like with Greece,they will want money that Ukrainewas going to spend on pensions,salaries for government workersand teachers. They will wring

every cent they can out of govern-ment workers. They will raisetaxes and raise the price of utili-ties.

In a special arrangement, theE.U. has offered to sell the Ukrainenatural gas that they now buyfrom Russia. Normally, Russiasells gas to Ukraine and Europe ata discount, but Ukraine owesRussia nearly $2 billion in unpaidgas bills, so Russia is threatening toeliminate the discount until theyget paid. So, the E.U. is offering tosell Russian gas to Ukrainethrough the back door.

What could go wrong with that?The Ukrainian economy is in

shambles. There are 10 oligarchswho control the economy andhave stolen all they could moveand mortgaged everything that

was nailed down. They make thekleptocrats in Greece look like boyscouts. Of course the criminal oli-garchs will be asked to partnerwith the IMF, and the workingpeople of Ukraine will be asked tobear the suffering. And, as theconditions worsen, the Nazis willblame the Russians, the Jews andthe Tatars. The fascist GoldenDawn arose in Greece under justsuch conditions, and it’s likely thatthis situation will only get worse inUkraine. Currently, the RightSector, an overtly Nazi organiza-tion, is in the coalition govern-ment and in control of the ArmedForces. They have a deputy primeminister, a deputy in charge ofnational security, justice and edu-cation.

There has always been fighting

between the left and the right inUkraine, between Communistsand Nazis and between Russiansand native Ukrainians. Up untilWorld War I, Ukraine was part ofRussia. Then after World War I,right-wing elements who weresupported by the Western Powersbegan a civil war. By 1922, theWest had interfered in the socialdemocratic governments of all thecountries in Eastern Europe andchanged all of them from democ-racies to fascist military states. Butthey were not successful inUkraine, and, after the victory ofthe Red Army, it became a SovietRepublic. But there were manyright-wing, pro-Western elementsstill active in Ukraine, and whenHitler invaded in 1941, they greet-ed him as a liberator.

Of course, people in the U.S. arevery confused. Hillary Clinton(who usually isn’t saying anythingabout anything these days) calledPutin “Hitler.” And John McCainflew into Kiev to stand next to andsupport Oleh Tyahnybok, theleader of the neo-Nazi Party.Tyahnybok had said earlier thatUkraine’s problems were causedby a “Muscovite-Jewish mafia”which sounds a lot like the“International Jewish Conspiracy”that the Nazis used to justify geno-cide in World War II.

Is that the future? Do we havemore to fear from John McCainand his “Straight Talk Express”and from the Ukrainian Nazisthan we do from Putin?

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE March 20142

NEWSSouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

Southside Pride Riverside Edition is a monthly community newspaper delivered on the Third Monday of the

month free to homes and businesses in South Minneapolis fromdowntown to Minnehaha Falls, from Hiawatha Avenue over to the

Mississippi River. We publish 12,000 copies each month. 10,000 are delivered door-to-door to homes and another 2,000 are left in area businesses and public buildings. We are proud of the racial and cultural diversity of the Southside, and we oppose racism and other efforts to

keep us apart as a community.If you want to share some news of your church, school

or organization, please write us at:

Southside Pride3200 CHICAGO AVENUE SOUTHMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55407

612-822-4662e-mail us at editor@southsidepride.com

or edfelien@southsidepride.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR ......................................................Ed FelienACCOUNTANT .........................................................Bridgit JordanART DIRECTOR,GRAPHIC DESIGNER ..................Ashley Pederson

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RIVERSIDE EDITION

Crimea, from page 1

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Pipe, from page 1

BY ED FELIEN

Colorado-based golf consultant JimKeegan gave a report to theMinneapolis Park and RecreationBoard (MPRB) at its Feb. 12 meetingthat got a lot of people’s attention. Hesaid the major reason rounds weredown at city courses was not because ofcost–the costs are less than anywhereelse and not because of location–there are 8,000 golfers within a five-mile radius of Hiawatha, as opposed to2,000 golfers within a five-mile radiusof most suburban courses. The reasonfewer people are coming out to play oncity courses is because of “the quality ofthe experience.”

The courses are in rough shape.Greens have patches of dirt on them.Fairways have exposed pipes.Overhanging trees should be trimmedbecause they’re making certain shotsimpossible.

Keegan estimates it would take $34million to do all of the deferred main-tenance and get all the courses up topar, so to speak.

How does he propose to pay forthat?

Keegan says the solution is privati-zation: “That’s the clear trend. InCalifornia only L.A. has a public golfcourse. All the rest have been priva-tized.” That startled me. One of my

favorite courses to play is Lincoln Parkin San Francisco. It’s a municipalcourse. I prefer the cozy comfort of amunicipal course to the rigid formalityof a private course. I checked. Keeganis wrong. Lincoln Park is still owned bythe City of San Francisco.

Keegan also said that labor unionshave no place in the operation of a golfcourse. He points out that pensionsrepresent 30% to 50% of labor costs. Isuspect that figure, but I have not beenable to verify or refute it. In any case, Iwould agree that pensions are a heavyburden for all levels of government–federal, state, local and park board. TheCity of Minneapolis, thanks to MayorRybak’s initiative, was able to persuadethe state to help out with some of thepension costs. The park board shouldbe following that example.

Keegan noted that Hiawatha has aspecial problem: “It is constantly beingconsumed by Lake Hiawatha.” I don’tthink Keegan is right when he says thecourse is below the level of the lake.The drainage ponds built in the last 10years seem to be at lake level, and theyare well below the level of the fairways.The problem is more that Hiawatha isbuilt on a peat bog, and frost heavesand heavy rains will often make for anuneven playing surface. What is prob-ably needed is something like aBodpave Ground Paver, a hexagonal

plastic mesh that would allow grass togrow through and over it but wouldstabilize the ground and keep it level.The product is used to level dirt drive-ways to prevent rutting and for high-ways to prevent erosion. A product likethat is being used now to stabilize theapproaches to greens. A much deeperand broader mesh would be needed tostabilize the fairways.

So, how would we pay for all thedeferred maintenance that has sentgolfers away from Hiawatha?

Keegan proposes raising fees. Hewants to raise the age for the senior dis-count from 55 to 65. He wants tocharge $1 more per round and $3more for renting an electric cart. Butwill those changes in all the courses

raise $34 million? Probably not.Golf courses have always been a

money-maker for the MPRB. The2014 Park Board Budget assumes con-tinued revenues and expenses and hasa surplus of $129,138. Over the years,golf has pumped millions of dollarsinto the General Fund to support otheractivities. For the past 10 years thealmost $2 million ($1,931,790) operat-ing deficits of the winter programs atWirth have been paid for out of the golfenterprise fund. This program must beaccounted for separately and shouldnot be counted against the necessarymaintenance and upkeep of the golfcourses.

Finally, yes, there probably is a needfor a dramatic infusion of capital to

bring Hiawatha and the other citycourses up to a playing level that canmake them popular again. Our basket-ball and football arenas sell yearly nam-ing rights to corporate sponsors. Whycan’t some corporation like Allinasponsor Hiawatha? A corporate dona-tion of $500,000 or $1,000,000 couldgive them a nice sign outside theentrance and on every score card say-ing, “Allina is proud to be a partner inthe improvement of Hiawatha GolfCourse,” and they could probably geta couple hundred season passes to giveto patients and friends. It couldbecome a popular form of physicalrehabilitation.

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE

NEWSSouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

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BY CHARLEY UNDERWOOD

It has gone out of fashion lately,but people used to say, “The bestthings in life are free.” Now theassumption seems to be the oppo-site, that you aren’t having fununless you pay for it, and even thatspending more money will give youmore happiness than spending less.What BS!

If we need proof that moneydoesn’t solve much, we have theentire world of plants. It is all free,essentially. The plant takes sun-light, water and a little nutritionfrom the soil and that generousgreen creature turns it into every-thing we eat, directly or indirectly.Yeah, I can hear the physicists talk-ing now, saying that we could meas-ure the whole process in joules andcompare it to gasoline or my fur-nace or me peddling my bike. Andit costs some effort to put seeds inthe ground, then weed and waterand harvest. But my point is that itdoesn’t cost money. You don’t haveto have a job to grow food. Youdon’t have to pay war taxes or stadi-um taxes on that effort. It is all a gift

and it is all free, and our only taxeson it are the thanks we give to what-ever deity we recognize as our bene-factor. If you doubt me, eat somemoney for dinner (yum!).

So this month, I want to focus onstuff that is free or almost free.

Let’s start with conferences.Over the past few years, I have spentthe second weekend of January atthe Minnesota Organic Conferencein St. Cloud, the third weekend ofJanuary at the Minnesota Fruit andVegetable Growers Association(also in St. Cloud), and the secondSaturday of February at theSustainable Farmers Association inSt. Joseph. All of these were free inconsideration for a little time vol-unteering at the conferences. Andthe granddaddy of them all, theMidwest Organic and SustainableEducation Service conference inlate February in La Crosse, only costme $40 for the whole weekend,including a couple of meals per day,just for volunteering and support-ing an organization I treasure.

There is also a lot of stuff thatgardeners and home food-growerscan pick up nearly free.

I have talked before about theCity of Minneapolis’ remarkablespring tree program, which sellswonderful fruit trees from 6 to 8feet tall, all for the amazingly subsi-dized price of $25. This year, thefruit trees include Honeycrispapple, Autumn Brilliance service-berry, the Evan’s Bali cherry, theNorth Star cherry, and the Amurcherry. The Honeycrisp is arguablythe best all-round Minnesota appleyou can get. The three cherry treesproduce pie cherries, not sweet forpopping them in your mouth, butgreat in pies, cobbler and the like.The serviceberries are almost myfavorite; they find a way onto mymorning cereal nearly every day.The apple and cherry trees need fullsun, but that wonderful little ser-viceberry will produce deliciousfruit, even mostly in the shade of ahouse or another tree. If you live inMinneapolis and want one of thesetrees, you had better move fast.They go on sale March 17 at 8 a.m.and some of them will be sold outbefore the day ends. Go tohttp://treetrust.org/get-a-tree/min-neapolis-tree-distribution/ formore information, or call the tal-ented Karen Zumach at 952-767-3886.

Then there is the GardeningMatters Food Hubs program whichyou can join at different levels fordifferent amounts of seeds andseedlings. Small for $15 will get you10 packets of seeds and 12 seedlings(a retail value of $45); medium for$30 gets you 20 packets of seeds and24 seedlings (an $85 value); largefor $90 gets you 40 packets of seedsand 72 seedlings (a $225 value).There are even scholarships avail-able, though the biggest benefit maybe joining a vibrant community ofgardeners. Seed distributions willbe in March and April, while plantswill be distributed on May 17.Details to follow, available at

http://www.gardeningmatters.org/or 612-821-2358.

Last, you might consider check-ing out the Friends School PlantSale, held every Mothers’ Day week-end at the State Fairgrounds. Thismonster plant sale has become aRite of Spring for Twin Cities gar-deners, featuring the largest collec-tion of plants in the state. The plantquality is universally great and theprices better than fair but, as usual,the best deals go to volunteers. As avolunteer, you are able to get a spe-cial pass to buy plants on Thursdayevening before the sale even opens.But even better, in my opinion, vol-unteers get first dibs on the leftoverplants after the sale ends on Sundayafternoon. There are no guaranteesthat any particular plant won’t besold out and the plants aren’t free tovolunteers, but the discount is sosteep that it is worth taking the risk,if you are flexible. You can sign uponline at http://friendsschoolplant-sale.com/volunteer or by calling651-621-8930.

Free things are almost unlimit-ed. You can volunteer and see playsfor free at Mixed Blood, Heart ofthe Beast, the Pillsbury, the Jungle,Park Square, the Children’s Theaterand even the Guthrie. You can hearsome of the best music in the worldby volunteering at the CedarCultural Center. You can sing in theshower or in a church choir or onthe front steps for free. You can seemovies for $3 at the Riverview ($2seniors). Over 62 years old, you cantake classes at the University for $10a credit, and audit for free. You canhave some of the best talk shows bymerely speaking to the personacross the breakfast table or walkingnext to you on the sidewalk.

The deeper point here is thatMoney Can’t Buy You Love. Lifeshould not be cheapened by sub-jecting joy to the unnatural metricof money. Live it fully. Volunteer

your time with groups you like.Give things away. You will beamazed how much you have.

Now for the calendar:

Monday, March 17, 7 p.m. Freebut RSVP required. “Beginning veg-gie gardening,” Mother EarthGardens at Riverview Wine Bar,3745 42nd Ave. S., Mpls. 612-724-8463 or www.SignUpGenius.-com/go/10C094BA4A828A0FE3-winter

Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. to4:30 p.m. $80, RSVP required.“Fruit tree grafting seminar”(includes 4 take-home grafts),Afton Apple Orchard, 144421 90thSt. S., Hastings. 952-240-5066 orpurvisrc@msn.com

Wednesday, March 19, 7 p.m.Free but RSVP required. “Shootsand microgreens,” Mother EarthGardens N.E. location, 2318 LowryAve. N.E. at Stinson Blvd, Mpls.612-789-0796 or www.SignUp-Genius.com/go/10C094BA4A8-28A0FE3-winter2

Monday, March 24, 7 p.m. Freebut RSVP required. “Tasks andtools” so you don’t get over-whelmed, Mother Earth Gardens atRiverview Wine Bar, 3745 42ndAve. S., Mpls. 612-724-8463 orwww.SignUpGenius.com/go/-10C094BA4A828A0FE3-winter

Tuesday, March 25, 6 to 8 p.m.$18. “Growing vertically, veggiesand flowers,” Jefferson High, 1200W. 26th St., Mpls. 612-668-2740 orhttp://www.mplscommunityed-.com/

Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 3p.m. $35, RSVP required. “Fruit treepruning,” Dodge Nature Center,1701 Charles St., West St. Paul. 651-789-3321 or http://www.event-brite.com/e/fruit-tree-pruning-tickets-10433437693

March/April: Gardening MattersFood Hubs seed distribution.Details TBD at http://www.garden-ingmatters.org/ or 612-821-2358.

Wednesday, April 2, 7 p.m. Freebut RSVP required. “Herbs,”Mother Earth Gardens N.E. loca-tion, 2318 Lowry Ave. N.E. atStinson Blvd, Mpls. 612-789-0796or www.SignUpGenius.com/go/-10C094BA4A828A0FE3-winter2

Saturday, May 17, time and loca-tion TBD. Gardening Matters FoodHubs plant distribution. Details athttp://www.gardeningmatters.org/or 612-821-2358.

Nothing to lose and everything to gain

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE

CHARLEY’S GARDENSouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

March 20144

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BY ED FELIEN

“We mean to establish aCooperative Commonwealth.”What does that mean? And

how do we get there?A Cooperative Common-

wealth is simply the recogni-tion that we all share responsi-bility for the health of ourplanet and the health of ourbrothers and sisters. We arethe stewards of the land andwater for future generations.We are not healthy as a com-munity if some of us are sick orpoor or hungry and homeless.Most of the concrete work in

building a CooperativeCommonwealth is already hap-pening outside of governmentin neighborhood organiza-tions, food cooperatives (co-ops), Transition Towns dealingwith peak oil, etc. But there isa significant role that govern-ment can play.The rich and powerful have

ruled for more than 50 years.During the EisenhowerAdministration, in the 1950s,the tax rates on the rich were at90%. There wasn’t the crimi-nal gap between rich and poor.Working people could owntheir own homes and sendtheir kids to college.Unemployment was at about3%. But the rich wanted more.They told us that if we wouldonly give them more tax breaksthe money would trickle downand we would all get rich. Wegave them tax breaks, and theonly thing that trickled downwas poverty. Today unemploy-ment is at about 7%. Since2009, 95% of all income gainshave gone to the top 1%. Thegap between the rich and thepoor is the widest it’s beensince the Great Depression.Pope Francis said in November2013, “Some people continueto defend trickle-down theo-ries which assume that eco-nomic growth, encouraged by afree market, will inevitablysucceed in bringing aboutgreater justice and inclusive-ness in the world. This opin-ion, which has never been con-firmed by the facts, expresses acrude and naive trust in thegoodness of those wieldingeconomic power and in thesacralized workings of the pre-vailing economic system.Meanwhile, the excluded arestill waiting.”So, how do we get from

where we are to where we wantto be?The Minnesota Farmer

Labor Party merged with theDemocratic Party in 1944 as apart of the United Front strate-gy in World War II. Almostfrom the beginning the liberalsin the Democratic Party triedto exclude and marginalize the

radicals in the Farmer-LaborParty. Humphrey engineeredthe merger so he could run formayor of Minneapolis and thenfor senator. In Congress, hewrote or co-sponsored anti-communist legislation; heformed the Americans forDemocratic Action to excluderadicals from electoral politics;and he supported the purge ofradicals from the labor move-ment.Has the Democratic-Farmer-

Labor (DFL) changed muchfrom the 1950s? At theMinneapolis DFL CityConvention in 2013, twoFarmer-Labor Caucus DFL del-egates spoke in favor of a reso-lution supporting the cityusing its powers of eminentdomain to buy homes underforeclosure and sell them backto the distressed homeowners.Two other delegates spokeagainst the motion, and one ofthem said the proposal sound-ed like “some kind of ThirdParty idea”–a clear echo of theanti-communism of the ’50s.So, why should radicals stay

inside the DFL? The proposalwon over about 30% of the del-egates–that’s more than 300DFL delegates who might nothave thought about the con-cept, let alone voted to supportit, had the Farmer-LaborCaucus not been advocating itas DFL delegates at that con-vention.The DFL is made up of social

liberals, trade unionists, femi-nists and anti-war and gayrights activists. It is a forumwhere progressive ideas aredebated and discussed, and,sometimes, DFL elected offi-cials even act on them. At thispoint, it seems like operating asa caucus within the DFL is thebest vehicle we have to bringforth new ideas. But it’s not anabsolutely exclusive relation-ship. In the 2013 municipalelections FLA members sup-ported DFL candidates but alsosupported left alternatives toDFL candidates.If we want a democratic and

nonviolent revolution, then itseems the only viable strategyis to work through the electoralprocess. Direct action protestsand demonstrations are stillessential for agitation and edu-cation, but to change the gov-ernment, we need to haveaccess to the levers of powerthrough candidates and elec-tions. And, it seems at thispoint in Minnesota, the roomwith the greatest number ofprogressives and the best hopeof transforming a capitalistjungle into a cooperative com-monwealth is behind a doormarked DFL.However, not everyone in

the Farmer Labor Association

agrees with this strategy. Manyhave given up hope in the DFLand are aligned with other pro-gressive political organiza-tions. There will always be ahealthy debate within the FLAwith regard to strategic alter-natives.The Manifesto of the

Communist Party by Marx andEngels contained a programthat included, among otherthings, “a heavy progressive orgraduated income tax; anational bank; the improve-ment of the soil generally inaccordance with a commonplan; free education for allchildren in public schools;abolition of children’s factory

labor in its present form; etc.,etc.” Quite radical for 1849.The Farmer Labor

Association has a program forlegislation for 2014 in theMinnesota Legislature. Wewant: A state minimum wageincrease to $15 an hour effec-tive immediately and furtherincreases based on the cost ofliving. Legislation calling for asingle payer health plan, simi-lar to Vermont, which wouldbe an extension of Medicare foreverybody. Legalization ofmarijuana and immediaterelease from prison for anyoneconvicted of possession of asmall amount of marijuana.Immediately begin phasing out

nuclear power plants atMonticello and Prairie Island,and increased state subsidiesfor renewable energy. Felonyprosecution and cancellationof contracts with any sportsorganization that allows racistnames to be used as slogans ormascots for professional sportsteams using publicly supportedstadiums.If South Minneapolis DFL

legislators can deliver on thisminimal platform, then theydeserve our support in the2014 election. If they cannot,then they deserve our opposi-tion.

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE

COMMENTARYSouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

March 2014 5

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Bluestem2610 Lyndale Ave. S.612-870-7855

Monday morning, and we’rehungry. So hungry a bagel won’tdo. And neither will dishwater cof-fee. Sooo–picture a scene in aWoody Allen movie–we’re drivingaround South Minneapolis–Patisserie 46, Lynn on Bryant,Lucia’s, braking only for their“Closed on Mondays” signs.Finally, I remember: Yeah, FrenchMeadow! And then I remembersomething even better: its new sib-ling, Bluestem, joined at the hip toits older sis. Bluestem ditches theelder sister’s hippie vibe in favor ofa clean demeanor that could holdits own in L.A.: the minimalist-chic

of earthtone walls accented withbirch saplings for a made-in-Minnesota look and tiles inSuperior blue dressing the curvybar. The lunch and dinner menus are

a 2.0 version of French Meadow’s(which, itself, has leapt far beyondthose early sprouts-and-tofu days).But, rest assured, breakfast is just asluscious, only truer to its roots.First, I ordered a cappuccino big asa swimming pool, then a flapjack ofcrunchy cornmeal dotted withblueberries that lapped over a din-ner plate. Add a splash of maplesyrup and you’ve achieved nirvana.Stealthily, the Meadowlarks

remain true to their mission:healthy, good-for-you eats dis-guised as photos from GourmetMagazine. And, let me add, themenu is as tasty as it is inventive,

including dishes for vegans (if therest of us don’t nab them first).Burgers, too.In a flash of déjà-vu, I recalled a

delicious dinner here a few weeksago, relaxing amid those cushybooths. That night, we’d startedour adventure with a trio of rustictartines (apps $9-12). Crispy toastsbolstered a creamy melange ofhummus and avocado; artichokes,looking mild as that ubiquitousdip, but smuggling a cache of hit-me-again jalapenos; and a classicslice of Pacific smoked salmon withdill, unctuous as all get-out, andevery bit as luscious as those I’dgobbled throughout Scandinavialast summer.When asked our server’s opinion

of the Wild Acres duck confit flat-bread, she nearly swooned. I tookthat as a “yes,” and was not mistak-en. The thinnest of crusts cameladen with arugula, whose spicybite balanced the rich fattiness ofthe duck, abetted by a drizzle of

cream cheese hopping with horse-radish and tendrils of (supposedly)pickled ramps (today, sweet-souronions, and no complaint).We should have called it quits

after those two generous starters,but no. And I’m elated we aban-doned any pretense at seemlyrestraint, for we’d have missed twoterrific mains (entrees $10-21).First, a pair of fish tacos to end allfish tacos: moist and tender, lightly-blackened tilapia glistening underheaps of slaw, radish rounds andcilantro, all sparked with a livelylime crema. (We used our extralimes to awaken a side dish ofsautéed beet greens–on its own,simply dull and bland, I’m afraid.)But the star of the evening was

the chicken and waffle plate, an edi-ble work of art straight out of a

Southern farm kitchen. The tender,full-bodied corn waffle supported ahuge slab of chicken breast, juicybeneath its light jacket of cornmealthat sped it through the fryer. It’sthen topped with a scoop of cremefraiche, big as an ice cream cone,and a peppy drizzle of chipotle hotsauce. But what makes this dishreally click is a pink-peppercornsyrup. As my companion gushed,“Do they sell it by the gallon?”Already twice my original dress

size, I decided to pass on dessert–until we read the menu ($6-8).Who could resist a salted carameland Scotch whisky custard? Notme. And don’t you, either. The top-ping is almost too solid to pierce,thanks to its stay in the fridge, butbeneath it, pure heaven. And thatdoesn’t count the bonus of iceboxcookies and plate painting ofchocolate. (Or order many of thefantasies that appear in theMeadow’s pastry case.) That night, I sipped a crisp rose,

one of many fine wines by theglass–a swell toast to the delightfulnew café.

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE March 20146

Blue Meadow

BY RAINA GOLDSTEIN BUNNAG

This year marks the 50thanniversary of the 1964 SurgeonGeneral’s Report on the harm-ful effects of cigarette smoking.This landmark report was thefirst of its kind to present aclear causal relationshipbetween smoking and lung can-cer. This set the foundation forwhat would be one of the majorpublic health successes in ourcountry. It sparked a ban oncigarette advertising the nextyear, and over the next fivedecades, smoking was bannedin many public buildings andon campuses. Citywide andstatewide smoking bans are nowcommon throughout the coun-try. These regulations and lawshave worked. U.S. smokingrates have dropped from 42% in1965 to 19% in 2011. Smokinghas shifted from the norm tosomething highly stigmatized.

Despite these successes, wehave a long way to go. Smokingis still the leading cause ofdeath and disability today.According to the CDC, “Morethan 45 million Americanadults still smoke, more than 8million are living with a seriousillness caused by smoking, andabout 438,000 Americans dieprematurely each year as aresult of tobacco use.”

In honor of the 50thanniversary, here is a look atsome of the success as well asareas for improvement in thetobacco world.

Recent Successes • Minnesota Tobacco Tax:

MN has long been a leader inanti-tobacco campaigns. Mostrecently, on July 1, 2013, thestate raised the tobacco tax by$1.60 per pack. This increasewas sparked by the fact that theMN tax was lower than manyother states. Legislators andpublic health advocates pushedfor an increase, because tobaccotaxes are proven to be one of themost effective ways of reducingsmoking rates. Now Minnesotarates seventh of all states intobacco tax with a total of $2.83per pack. Clear Way Minnesotaestimates that this tax will save$1.65 billion in long-termhealthcare costs, prevent over47,000 youth from starting tosmoke and prevent more than25,000 smoking-related deathsin the state.

• CVS’s big decision: CVSCaremark will stop selling alltobacco products at its 7,600pharmacies in October 2014.This is huge news as CVS is thesecond largest drugstore chainin the country. This decisioncame as CVS’s role as a health-care provider is growing. Thechain now offers walk-in med-

ical clinics and registered nursesin many stores. CVS’s chiefexecutive officer, Larry J. Merlo,explained, “We came to thedecision that cigarettes andproviding health care just don’tgo together in the same setting.”The company acknowledgedthat it expects to lose about $2billion in sales, but companydecision-makers still believethey made the right choice.This is a big step toward fillingthe holes in the anti-tobaccocampaign and hopefully morestores will follow suit. Way to goCVS!

• FDA’s New Campaign:Teenagers are the biggest mar-ket for tobacco sales, becausethis is when most people startsmoking. According to theFDA, 9 out of 10 adult smokersstarted before the age of 18. InJanuary 2014, the FDA startedan anti-tobacco website forteens called “The Real Cost” inan effort to hinder teen smok-ing. The FDA makes no effortto hide its intentions. Accordingto its website, “Our goal is toreduce the number of teens whoexperiment with smoking andbecome lifelong tobacco users.”The website’s focus is using evi-dence-based research and atten-tion-grabbing stats to empha-size the myriad negative effectsof tobacco. There are quizzes tohelp teens identify if they’readdicted and resources to helpthem quit.

I like the site because it’sstraightforward, non-judgmen-tal and doesn’t belittle teens’intelligence. Teenagers arecapable of making their owndecisions and this website givesthem the information they need

to make educated ones. Room for Improvement• E-Cigarettes: E-cigarettes

are one of the hottest topics inthe news recently. E-cigs arebattery powered devices thatuse a heating element to vapor-ize a solution that createssmoke. People use them just asthey would cigarettes, but theyare tobacco free. Most e-cigscontain nicotine and they allcontain a long list of variouschemicals. Supporters of e-cigsclaim they are a great alterna-tive to tobacco and a good wayto quit smoking.

Using an e-cigarette is called“vaping” and it seems to beacceptable to do it almost any-where these days. The medicalcommunity and public healthadvocates are fighting for regu-lation of the devices, claimingthat there are not yet properstudies that demonstrate theirhealth effects and potentialharms. Several states, includingMinnesota, have attempted topass laws to ban the cigarettesfrom public places. This is metwith a lot of hesitation fromsome lawmakers and industry.

While safety is being testedin labs and fought in courts, e-cigs bring up the issue of publicperception. The public healthcommunity has worked hard tocreate a world where smoking isnot the norm. E-cigarettes pres-ent the potential to make smok-ing in public acceptable again,even if they are not “real” ciga-rettes.

• Major Disparities: Smokingrates have been significantlylowered, but there are stillmajor disparities between pop-ulations in the U.S. The most

recent stats show that Kentuckyhas the highest rate of any stateat 28% and Utah is the lowest inthe country at 10.6%. There aregender differences too: 20.5% ofmen smoke compared to 15.8%of women. Another huge dis-parity is income: 27.9% of peo-ple under the poverty levelsmoke while 17.0% of people ator over the poverty level smoke.Cigarette smoking causes seri-ous and often fatal health

effects for everyone; it doesn’tdiscriminate by gender orincome. This means we need todo a better job of lowering rateseverywhere and getting themessage across to all popula-tions.

The last 50 years have seenlowered smoking rates coupledwith fewer deaths and smoking-related diseases. As you can see,there is still a long way to go,but luckily there are peoplefighting hard to fill the gaps.The outlook is looking good forthe future of anti-tobacco. Ifyou want to quit smoking, visithttps://www.quitplan.com/ forresources and support.

Raina Goldstein Bunnag hasa bachelor’s degree from BostonUniversity and is currently amaster’s candidate in nutritionand public health at theUniversity of North Carolina.She keeps abreast of the latesthealth news and addresses rele-vant wellness topics each month.If you have any questions or top-ics you would like to see coveredin the column, please send her anemail at rainagoldstein@south-sidepride.com.

50 Years of Anti-Tobacco

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE

RAINA’S WELLNESSSouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

March 2014 7

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March 2014SOUTHSIDE PRIDE8

•COMMUNITY CALENDAR•Southside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

Opening on City Boards and CommissionsApplications are now beingaccepted for a number of openboard and commission positionsthat the City Council and mayorwill appoint this spring. Boardand commission members of theCity of Minneapolis providevaluable insights, help shape keypolicy decisions and providecommunity­based input intoadministration of services. Thecity is seeking applicants with adiversity of backgrounds andexperiences to strengthen thework of the city. There are morethan 40 open positions on thefollowing six city boards andcommissions: Civil RightsCommission; Bicycle AdvisoryCommittee; Workforce Council;

Public Health AdvisoryCommittee; Neighborhood andCommunity EngagementCommission; and PedestrianAdvisory Committee.Applications will be reviewedbeginning April 25, but the posi­tions are open until filled. Visitthe city’s website for a full list ofappointment opportunities andposition descriptions.Appointments to boards andcommissions are made twice ayear in the spring and fall. Thisstreamlined appointmentprocess makes it easier for folksto learn about volunteer oppor­tunities, ensures a more openand understandable process forresidents and staff, andincreased the diversity of theapplicant pool.

The War Next Door: U.S. Rolein Colombia’s Civil WarSaturday, March 22, 2 to 4 p.m.Mayday Books301 Cedar Ave. S.Since 2000, the United States hasspent more than $6 billion on“Plan Colombia,” as part of the“drug war’’ and “war on terror­ism”—80% on military aid.Colombia received more U.S.military aid during this periodthan any other country outsidethe Middle East. Extensivelydocumented by human rightsgroups, the Colombian militaryworks with right­wing paramili­tary death squads who murdertrade unionists, human rightsworkers and social justiceactivists. Guatamala only recently sur­passed Colombia as the deadliestcountry in the world for unionactivists. In the last 20 years,4,000 Colombian trade unionistshave been murdered. Each year,more activists are killed inColombia than in the rest of theworld combined. Human rightsgroups have documented thatthe paramilitary death squadskilling trade unionists receivesubstantial U.S. aid.Come hear about the war lesscovered by the U.S. media: theColombian civil war, howColombians are fighting to keepthe right to organize unions, andwhat you can do to stop the U.S.obstruction of genuine peace.

MayDay CommunityMeetingTuesday, March 25, 7 to 9 p.m.Heart of the Beast Theatre1500 E. Lake St.

Hear initial plans for the“parade story” devised from theideas voiced in the first commu­nity meeting. Share your feed­back and add depth to the pro­posed theme and artist designs.

Longfellow Brewing ClubWednesday, March 26, 7 p.m.2852 35th Ave. S.Open to beer enthusiasts of allexperience levels, this fun, infor­mal group meets to share infor­mation, ideas and samples oftheir latest beer achievements.

Celebrate NanoDaysSaturday, April 5, 1 to 5 p.m.Sabathani Community Center310 E. 38th St. NanoDays bring universityresearchers together with scienceeducators to create new andunique learning experiences forboth children and adults toexplore the miniscule world ofatoms, molecules and nanoscaleforces. Nanotechnology is revo­lutionizing research and devel­opment in medicine, computing,new materials, food, energy,clothing and other areas. Freefood provided. Door prizes. Formore information call Bobby Layat 612­821­2329 at SabathaniHorizons Youth Program oremail boblay@sabathani.org.

Trees, Shrubs & Vines forCity Yards: Garden ClubWednesday, April 9, 7 to 9 p.m.Epworth United MethodistChurch (in basement)3207 37th Ave. S.Longfellow Garden Club hostsDr. Gary Johnson, U of M urbanforestry professor, who willshare his knowledge about thebest trees and other plantings for

city yards. Free and open to thepublic.

The Town Hall Forum: In Search of JesusThursday, April 10, noonWestminister PresbyterianChurch1200 Marquette Ave.Reza Aslan is the author of thebestselling books “No god butGod: The Origins, Evolution,and Future of Islam” and“Zealot: The Life and Times ofJesus of Nazareth.” He is anassociate professor of creativewriting at the University ofSouthern California’s Center onPublic Diplomacy. He holds amaster of theological studiesfrom Harvard Divinity Schooland a Ph. D. in the history ofreligion from the University ofCalifornia, Santa Barbara.

All My Relations Gallery1414 E. Franklin Ave.612­235­4970www.allmyrelationsarts.comWhere I FitTextile Artist Maggie Thompson(Fon Du Lac Ojibwe) utilizes avariety of weaving and knittingtechniques, printed fabrics andassemblage works as a way tocontain memory and reflectupon the difficult subject matterof Indian identity. Thompsonused her education as an oppor­tunity to delve deeply into thenotions of her identity whilefocusing on issues of culturalappropriation and nativeauthenticity, examining the rigidideas of blood quantum andstereotyping. In doing so, she isable to rebuild her textured past

Thomas Lowell Grady Fund

minneapolisst. paul

international film festival

april 3-19 2014

For Showtimes & Tickets visit: www.MSPFILM.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS EVENTS

ART

•COMMUNITY CALENDAR•Southside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITIONand explore the history of herpeople through making art.Through May 31

Douglas Flanders & Associates818 W. Lake St.612­791­1285www.flandersart.comDon Holzschuh: Vistas & CityscapesCome see this exciting newseries of painting by longtimeMinneapolis artist DonHolzschuh. The work exploresvast rural landscapes, city parks,cafes and street corners.April 5 through May 10

Northern Clay Center2424 Franklin Ave.612­339­8007www.northernclaycenter.orgMythology Meets ArchetypeThe exhibition will respond topersonal cultural and religiousmyths that have grown out ofthe desire to know (or the pos­ture to know) the unknowable.Symbols of the god figure, themother figure, the self and thedemon have been used todescribe ancient and contempo­rary narratives. Through April 27

Shoebox Gallery2948 Chicago Ave. S.612­825­3833theshoeboxgallery.blogspot.com/Jennifer NevittDrawing and painting urbanspaces covered in cement orasphalt and fenced or blockedoff, local artist Jennifer Nevitt’swork differentiates between theacts of perception and definition.It records these energies or ren­ders them transient.Through April 25

The Bakken Museum3537 Zenith Ave. S.612­926­3878www.thebakken.orgNano ScienceJoin us for Free SecondSaturday! Nano Science is theScience of the Small—and to cel­ebrate, we’ll be reading “HortonHears a Who!” and making funnano crafts like UV bead jewelryand thin film bookmarks. Guestswill be able to participate in our“Nano Nano” workshop!April 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guthrie Theatre818 S. 2nd St.612­225­6238www.guthrietheater.orgOthelloShakespeare’s great tragedy ofsweeping passions and murder­ous jealousy is a thrilling medi­tation about the power of loveand the destructiveness of doubtand suspicion, triggered by oneof literature’s most manipulativevillains: Iago.Through April 20

Jungle Theater2951 Lyndale Ave. S.

612­822­7063www.jungletheater.comDetroitIn a “first ring” suburb outside amid­sized American city, Benand Mary fire up the grill to wel­come the couple who’ve movedinto the long­empty house nextdoor. The fledgling friendshipsoon veers out of control, shat­tering the fragile hold that newlyunemployed Ben and burgeon­ing alcoholic Mary have on theirown way of life—with unexpect­ed comic consequences.April 11 through May 25

Open Eye Figure Theatre506 E. 24th St.612­874­6338www.openeyetheatre.orgThe OdysseyShipwrecks, sirens and mythicalgoddesses meet magic, deathand revenge. Acclaimed soloartist Charlie Bethel (Beowulf,Gilgamesh) re­imagines Homer’sfamous tale in a faithful yetaccessible performance.Odysseus’ voyage takes himacross land and sea, through theunderworld, and to the top ofMt. Olympus as he seeks hishomeland and the arms of hisloving wife. Don’t miss thisthrilling epic adventure, suitablefor most audiences.March 21 through April 6

Safe Place Homework HelpMonday – Friday, 3:30 to 6 p.m.Trinity Lutheran Congregation2001 Riverside Ave.Adults, students and children allwelcome. Tutors available for alllevels. Interested in being a vol­unteer or tutor? Need moreinformation about the program?Contact 612­333­2561.

Senior Nutrition ProgramMonday through Friday theVolunteers of America host afree/reduced price lunch for areaseniors aged 60+. The suggestedcontribution is $3.50.However, they just ask people topay what they can afford. Noone is ever denied a mealbecause they cannot pay. Mealsare at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross

Lutheran Church, 1720 E.Minnehaha Pkwy. For more infocall 952­945­4157 or 612­729­6668.

Senior Volunteers NeededIf you are 55 or older and wouldlike to visit isolated adults inMinneapolis and surroundingareas to provide in­home com­panionship and transportation,please contact Kate Neuhaus atLutheran Social Service, 651­310­9447 or kate.neuhaus@lssmn.org.You will receive a tax­freestipend, mileage reimbursementand other benefits.

East Lake Library2727 E. Lake St.612­543­8425http://www.hclib.orgRegister online or call for allevents.

** Mazinaakizige: AmericanIndian Teen PhotographyProject ExhibitionThrough April 27In this exhibit you will see 13cyanotype prints created by fourAmerican Indian teen artists.This program was a partnershipbetween the MinnesotaHistorical Society and PATCkids. **Library Lab for Adults: BikeMaintenanceSaturday, March 22, 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Do you know how to fix a flattire? Remove a wheel? Lube thechain without covering yourselfin oil? Learn the essentials ofbike maintenance from ThadCialek of Freewheel Bike.** First Pages for Adults: HowDo I Get Published?Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m.Get answers to important ques­tions and guidance on theresearch that needs to be done tounderstand the process.

SOUTHSIDE PRIDEMarch 2014 9

Supportingundiscovered

bandsone rent check at a time

Real College Radio

COMMUNITY

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her oceanhome to live in the world above. Based on the classic Disney animated feature and originally rooted inHans Christian Andersen’s enchanting fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid” is a musical favorite for audiencesof all ages. This production is sure to thrill in every way as it showcases beautiful sets, dazzling costumesand an award-winning musical score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

Disney’s The Little MermaidChanhassen Dinner Theatres • 501 W. 78th St., PO Box 100, Chanhassen 55317

www.chanhassentheatres.com • 952-934-1525

MUSEUMS

THEATER

Now playing through August 30

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE March 201410

•RELIGION CALENDAR•Southside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On the day of the total lunar eclipse,Tuesday, April 15, you can attendLunafest, a traveling film festival ofinternational award­winning shortfilms by, for and about women. It’s atthe Edina Cinema at 50th and Francefrom 7 to 9 p.m. The nine filmsinclude stories about love, bodyimage, poverty, sports and disease.They all sound interesting. Seewww.lunafest.org for trailers.Lunafest is a fundraiser for theMinnesota PeacebuildingLeadership Institute (MPLI). MPLI isthe administrator of Strategies forTrauma Awareness and Resilience(STAR) trainings, which integraterestorative justice, nonviolence andconflict transformation. The STAR

workshops lay the groundwork forpeace because they teach alternativesto revenge. Enjoy the films and sup­port peace. Tickets are atwww.lunafest.org/minneapolis.

EVENTS

Savvy Social Security WorkshopTuesday, March 18, Faith LutheranChurch; Thursday, March 20, LakeNokomis Lutheran Church;Tuesday, March 25, St. Peder’sLutheran Church; Thursday, March27, Trinity Lutheran Church ofMinnehaha FallsThis workshop covers the basics ofSocial Security and reveals strategiesfor maximizing your benefits.Workshops are presented at 2 and 7p.m. There is no cost. For more infor­mation contact Patrick Anderson at763­746­3168 orpatrick.anderson@thrivent.com.

The Complete Rameau ConcertiSunday, March 23, 4 p.m.

Mount Olive Lutheran Church3045 Chicago Ave. S.Mount Olive Music and Fine Artspresents virtuoso harpsichordistTami Morse in an exceptional tourde force: a complete performance ofthe five harpsichord concertos ofJean­Philippe Rameau. Free andopen to the public. Freewill offeringto support the fine arts program. Areception follows. Further informa­tion is available: Contact Dr.Cherwien at 612­827­5919,cantor@mountolivechurch.org, orwww.mountolivechurch.org.

The Power of Forgiveness Wednesday , March 26, 6 p.m.(meal); 7 p.m. (film and discussion)Faith Mennonite ChurchE. 22nd St. & 28th Ave. S. Enjoy a home­cooked meal beforethe film. Donations accepted. “ThePower of Forgiveness,” is by MartinDoblmeier, director of “Bonhoeffer.”Featured in the film are NobelLaureate Elie Wiesel, Buddhist mas­ter Thich Nhat Hanh and bestsellingauthors Thomas Moore andMarianne Williamson. Please use the 28th Ave. entrance forthe meal and the 22nd Street educa­tion building entrance immediatelywest of the main church building ifyou only attend the film.

Vigil for Immigration and ReconciliationFriday, March 28, 6 to 8 p.m.Living Spirit United MethodistChurch4501 Bloomington Ave. S.The vigil is in conjunction with theSimpson Center for Servant Ministryand other community partners.

Immigration issues will be exploredthrough song, poetry, prayer andsharing of experience.

Our TownThursday – Saturday, March 20 –22, 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 23, 4 p.m.Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchE. 31st St. & 28th Ave. S.The Holy Trinity Theatre Circle pres­ents the Thornton Wilder classic“Our Town,” a delightful drama thatencourages us to think about ourlives in new ways—both the com­mon and the unique. Admission isfree, donations are appreciated.More info at 612­729­8358.

Chasing IceSunday, April 6, 12:30 p.m.Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchE. 31st St. & 28th Ave. S.The Holy Trinity Peace with JusticeFilm Series presents “Chasing Ice,” a75­minute documentary illustratingthe changing nature of Arctic glacierswith time­lapse imagery. Sandwichlunch, freewill offering. 612­729­8358,

www.htlcmpls.org.

ONGOING

Vets Ministry RoundtableTuesday, March 11, noon to 1:30 p.m.Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church2315 Chicago Ave. S.The speaker is psychologist Dr.Michelle Sherman: “BuildingSpiritual Strength Among Veterans.”Dr. Sherman worked for theOklahoma City VeteransAdministration for 17 years and isnow helping with research on howspirituality aids coping after trauma. People interested in ministry withveterans and their families are invit­ed. No charge. Meetings are everyother month.

Income Tax AssistanceMondays & Tuesdays, ThroughApril 15, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Holy Trinity Lutheran Church2730 E. 31st St. AARP Tax Aide will be offered forseniors and low­income taxpayers.

BaptistUNIVERSITY BAPTISTCHURCH 1219 University Ave. S.E. 612-331-1768 | www.ubcmn.org Sunday Worship 10 am; SundaySchool & Adult Education 11:30 am https://www.facebook.com/groups/82471051272

CatholicCATHOLIC CHURCHOF THE HOLY NAME3637 11th Ave. S. * 612-724-5465Masses Saturday 5 pmSunday 8:30 & 11 amReconciliation Sat. 4 - 4:30 pmPastor: Fr. Leo SchneiderA welcoming Roman Catholic community

CHURCH OF ST.ALBERT THE GREATCorner of E. 29th & 32nd Ave. S.612-724-3643Mass M, T, TH, F at 8:15 amSaturday 5 pm & Sunday 9:30 amSunday morning childcarewww.saintalbertthegreat.org

ST. FRANCES CABRINI 1500 Franklin Ave. S.E.612-339-3023, www.cabrinimn.orgMasses 5 pm Saturday and 9 am SundayAll Are Welcome

LutheranBETHANY LUTHERAN 2511 E. Franklin Ave., 612-332-2397www.bethanyinseward.org10 am WorshipHoly Communion every Sunday

HOLY TRINITYLUTHERAN, ELCA2730 E. 31st St. * 612-729-8358 www.htlcmpls.orgSunday Worship 8:45 & 11 am; Educa-tion opportunities for all ages 9:45 am Holy Week: Thurs, Fri, Sat, 7 pmEaster, April 20, 8:45 & 11 amChildcare available Pastors: Jay Carlson, Ingrid RasmussenTraditional Worship — Contemporary Message — A Call to Social Justice All are welcome — no exceptions

MINNEHAHA COMMUNION LUTHERAN4101 37th Ave. S. * 612-722-9527Sunday School & Worship 9:45 amMaundy Thursday 7 pmCelebrate Easter with us at 9:45 amPastors: Dan & Sally Ankerfelt

UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE601 13th Ave. S.E. (Dinkytown)612-331-5988, www.ulch.orgWorship Services 8:30 & 10:30 amEducation Hour 9:30-10:25 am

TRINITY LUTHERAN CONGREGATION Augsburg College, Hoversten ChapelRiverside & 22nd Avenues612-333-2561 * www.trinity-lc.orgHoly Communion 9 & 11 amEducation Hour 10 amAsh Wed Service 7:15 pm Lent Eucharist 6 pm ThursdaysPastors: Jane Buckley-Farlee & AlemAsmelashOffice: 2001 Riverside Ave. Reconciling in Christ

Methodist

MINNEHAHA UNITEDMETHODIST3701 E. 50th St. * 612-721-6231www.minnehaha.orgTraditional Sunday Worship 9 amContemporary Service 11 am (Sept-May); Education 10 am (Sept - May) Taizé Worship 2nd Friday 7 pm

United Church of ChristFIRST CONGREGATIONALCHURCH OF MINNESOTA, UnitedChurch of Christ500 8th Ave. S.E., Minneapolis 55414612-331-3816www.firstchurchmn.org

The RiversideReligious Community

Welcomes You

BY MICHELLE GROSS

It is with very deep sadness that weannounce the sudden passing of long-time friend and Communities UnitedAgainst Police Brutality vice-president,Darryl Robinson. His passing leaves agiant hole in our organization and inthe community, and we are truly dev-astated. Darryl has been solely respon-sible for the safety of many peoplealong Lake Street and at the homelessshelters downtown through daily cop-watch. He has taught literally thou-

sands of people how to advocate safelyand effectively for themselves throughKnow Your Rights training. Darryl rep-resented CUAPB at conferences andevents around the country and will beremembered by legions of friends andcolleagues. He spent his last days beingwhat he called himself–a freedomfighter: speaking out at the Crystal citycouncil meeting, talking with U of Mstudents with Students United AgainstPolice Brutality and copwatching onLake Street the night he died.

Darryl M. Robinson, presente!

Minneapolis Public Schools(MPS) is planning for thefuture and we invite you toshare your input to help guideour work.

FY15 Budget PlanningPlanning for the fiscal year

2015 (FY15) budget–whichruns from July 1, 2014, to June30, 2015–has begun. We wantto make sure that all MPSstakeholders have an opportu-nity to be a part of the processof maintaining a sustainablefinancial foundation to sup-port academic achievement.

Last year’s challengingbudget decisions now allow us

to start this year’s planningwith a structurally balancedbudget. This year’s budgetprocess will undoubtedly bringnew opportunities to the table.We are hosting engagementsessions to inform stakehold-ers about the budget and allowthem to share thoughts, askquestions and make sugges-tions before the budget isadopted by the school board inJune.

2014-2020 Strategic PlanWe are working to identify

priorities and strategies toimprove student achievementand ensure that all MPS stu-dents are college and careerready. The areas we identifywill be articulated in a new2014-2020 strategic plan,

which will be presented to theschool board for approval inthe summer of 2014.

Your feedback is critical inhelping us identify what’sworking, what’s not workingand what we can do differently.Please share your thoughtswith us via email atMPSStrategicPlan@mpls.k12-.mn.us or by attending anengagement session to react toa draft plan this spring.

To learn more about FY15budget planning and the 2014-2020 strategic plan, visit www.-mpls.k12.mn.us.

SOUTHSIDE PRIDEMarch 2014 11

HOME IMPROVEMENT & MORESouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

NEWTON’S TREE & STUMP SERVICEHard to Reach Stumpsare NO PROBLEM

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**WANTED**Old Stereo/Hi-Fi Equip.,

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LARRY’S PAINTING(15% Discount)

Ext-Int, Spray, Textured. Drywall,Paper hanging, Skin coating, WaterDamage Repair, Knock Down. Freeestimates. Insured. Family Business.Over 35 Years Exp. 651.222.4227

***BATHROOMS***Fix bad water pressure. Installsinks, tub/tub surrounds, toilets,& ceramic tile. 612-275-9815* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BASEMENTS! Finish base-ment, family room, bathroom,etc. Free est. & design ideas.612-275-9815

Reliable, quality work. Free est.Michael, 612-729-2018www.tinysandman.com

Now Accepting Major Credit Cards

TINY SANDMAN’S LAWN,SNOW & PAINTING SERVICE

MPS wants to hear from you!

FFEENNCCEE // DDEECCKKSSNew or repairs. 14 Years in Busi-

ness. ST-Lic# BC581059FREE Estimate.651-210-1387

Troy’s Decks & Wood Fence

Weekly Lawn Mowing.Complete Lawn Service.

Call for details. 612-554-4124

Dr. House does it all,from a leaky faucet to a new

addition. I can save you money on electrical & plumbing.

Call John at 651-231-5652

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE March 201412

YOUR BACKPAGESouthside Pride | RIVERSIDE EDITION

SOUTHSIDEPRIDE.COM

We want

to hear from you!

MPS is planning for the future. Share your input to help guide our work.

FY15 Budget PlanningWe are building and maintaining a sustainable financial foundation to support academic achievement.

2014-2020 Strategic PlanWe are identifying priorities and strategies to improve student achievement and ensure all MPS students are college and career ready.

Engagement and feedback opportunities are upcoming. Learn more and share ideas at www.mpls.k12.mn.us.