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NORTH NEWS March 29, 2018 • Serving the neighborhoods of North Minneapolis • www.mynorthnews.org ALSO INSIDE Putting their money behind their missions: religious organizations boost the local economy Page 6 Hard work doesn't cut it anymore: 10 the impact of unstable housing on education 1 Page 12 ArchitecT of our future 7 Jamil Ford talks growing up in the 1 community and his hopes for its development. Neighbors Page 22 2 • North News • March 29, 2018 NORTHnews Gratitude for our high school students (and all they're doing for us) One thing I know for sure is that You got the sense that they truly (see Page 4). Moua was one of youth lead. But as we step aside these young folks, regardless of valued the perspective of these au- North News’ 2017 summer interns, to give them space to "save" us, I what some of their ACT scores or dience members (many of whom and I hear from her frequently – think it’s important to lean in with disciplinary records might suppos- were PHHS alumni) despite the she requests information for class support in its many forms too. Our edly reflect, have brilliant minds fact that some of these folks hav- projects and connections to folks in students are fitting activism into rig- that make me excited for the future en't offered them the same decen- the community. She’s studious and orous academic and athletic sched- they'll architect. cy in return. compassionate; I admire her curi- ules. Many are seniors, applying for Early in March, I sat at a table in “All it does is feed me more and osity. “I am going to fight and pro- scholarship after scholarship, hop- Letter from the Editor one of Patrick Henry High School’s more energy to boost myself up to test for the teachers and staff who ing to piece together the funds to gymnasiums, watching PHHS se- where I want to go,” Rankin told me are there in supporting me to grad- get the educations they deserve as nior Semaj Rankin and a group of when we talked after the meeting. uate,” she wrote in her email, con- they simultaneously work to clean One of the reasons I love working his peers engage the school com- He’s been working on this name cluding with a link to the change. up messes made by the adults and at North News is that I get to spend munity in an educational presenta- change since the fall of 2016, and org petition her peers created and institutions around them. many hours each day with this tion about changing their school’s he plans to keep on respectfully details about meetings she encour- So even though they’re apt to community’s teenagers. name. They had clearly put hours but forcefully dialoguing and fund- aged me to report on. have me out searching for their I love their fresh takes on major of research into it, and they supple- raising until he achieves his goal, Our teenagers are fighting for broken-down bikes on Plymouth issues. I appreciate how their lived mented their historic facts with vul- which, for the record, is supported our future here and on a national after dark (true story) or to use our experience in North Minneapolis nerable anecdotes from their own by many of his teachers, school stage. Three of the students cur- fancy cameras to take pictures of informs the way we choose our lives, explaining what it feels like leaders, classmates, and commu- rently in our North High journalism me when I'm frustrated with them, stories and do our reporting here. to be the descendants of enslaved nity members. class went to Washington D.C. (see I want to express my gratitude for Their hilarious running commen- people asked to wear the name of A few weeks later, I received an Page 3) to attend and document them. It’s humbling to work along- tary gives me energy in a job that a man who owned their ancestors. email from PHHS senior Pa Nhia the March For Our Lives, a youth- side these future leaders. sometimes makes me feel burnt They remained thoughtful and Moua about the budget cuts that led protest against gun violence. out. Teaming up with their often Kenzie O'Keefe calm despite the at-times angry will almost certainly force nearly 20 I’ve heard a lot of people in this impulsive, unfolding selves leads to Editor/Publisher, North News and dehumanizing commentary teachers and support staff out of post-Parkland world saying that it’s all sorts of adventures, and, I like to [email protected] from some of the folks in the room. the school at the end of this year time for us to step aside and let our think, better journalism. 651-245-2647 NORTH NEWS 2018 Issue #3 Show some Circulation: 10,000 in North Minneapolis. Delivered free on a monthly basis to public places and love for the some homes in Near North and Camden. 125 West Broadway Ave. Suite 130, antique that Minneapolis, MN 55411 Phone: 651-245-2647 Website: www.mynorthnews.org you live in… Kenzie O’Keefe Editor/Publisher/Advertising Get ideas for your vintage home INSIDE OUR “O” April 28-29, when dozens of Cirien Saadeh Staff Reporter A donut from the Thirsty Whale homes across Minneapolis and Emily Ronning Saint Paul are open with ideas for Graphic Designer The Thirsty Whale, 4149 Fremont Ave restoring, remodeling, & decor. Anya Johanna DeNiro N, North Minneapolis’ brand new and At MSPHomeTour.com, plan Copy Editor only bakery, opened its doors on Feb. 10 your first stop. Pick up the printed David Pierini to rave reviews and block-long lines. “I’m guide there. Images from 2017 tour, courtesy Freelance Photographer looking forward to supporting a Northside Inspired by something you see? Scott Amundson Photography North News is produced in part by our journalism class business, as well as the donuts. It’s just Do it! And tell your story at North High School, taught in partnership with Sam To nominate a home for a future Wilbur. beautiful,” said Peggy Burress, a long- to inspire others. tour, call Margo 612-867-4874. time Northsider, who waited in line for Additional support is provided by The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota. donuts for nearly an hour on the day the Thirsty Whale opened. The bakery, Story ideas and letters to the editor are always Tour is Free & Self-Guided which specializes in custom cakes as welcome. Unsigned letters will not be run. Homes are open If you want North News on your doorstep NOW, sub- well as donuts, is open every weekday scribe for $30 per year. Email kenzieo@pillsburyunited. (except Monday) from 6:30am-6pm, Saturday, April 28 org or call 651-245-2647 to sign up. Saturdays from 7am-3pm, and Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Next issue delivered: April 26, 2018 from 7am-1pm. Sunday, April 29 North News is an enterprise of By Cirien Saadeh | Staff Reporter 1-5 p.m. Photo by Jaylen Green | North High www.MSPHomeTour.com Promoting North Mpls since 1988 NORTHnews March 29, 2018 • North News • 3 North Minneapolis at a glance Street sweeping begins April 17 North Minneapolis students march for their lives in Washington D.C. For about four weeks, beginning April Northside teens from several different high 17, crews will sweep more than 1,000 schools traveled to miles of city streets and alleys. To make our nation's capitol for sure the crews can do the most com- "March For Our Lives" on plete job possible, temporary “No Park- March 24. "The Northside group came together to ing” signs will be posted at least 24 not only fight against the hours in advance to make sure streets negligence of the NRA are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers and government officials, need to follow street sweeping park- but to nourish the power within [ourselves] and ing rules or they may have their cars [our] community. Enough ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis is enough," said Azhae'la Impound Lot. Folks can use a tool on Hanson, a North News the City’s website to find out when the photographer who attended the march with sweeping crews are coming through many of her classmates their neighborhoods. By the Friday be- and took these photos. fore the first week of the sweep, peo- ple can go to www.minneapolismn.gov/ publicworks/streetsweeping and click "Save the babies, not the .380s," called North on “street sweeping schedule lookup” High School junior Chris to find out when a street is scheduled Jennings as he marched. to be swept. The Northside group marched for four blocks Eggstravaganza returns to North and stopped at the Capitol building, where Commons for third year they stood for hours Over 50,000 eggs will be dropped by waiting to hear speakers. Thousands of people, helicopter over North Commons Park mostly other students, again this year for Easter. The third marched and listened annual community Eggstravaganza with them. will take place on April 7 from 1-4pm. Originally, this year's event was sched- uled for March 24, but weather required Photos by Azhae'la Hanson | North it to be rescheduled. In addition to the 2018 Bush Fellowships given to High egg drop, the event will offer bounce houses, face painters, a balloon artist, three North Minneapolis leaders and live entertainment. Last year, thou- Three North Minneapolis community Major transit "improvements" will be made on Penn Ave.