Sun in Cancer 2020 | advocacy • health • community news • opinions • arts • reviews • events

A Publication of For The Good, Inc. www.uticaphoenix.net Radio: 95.5FM Facebook.com/The Utica Phoeinx The Power Of Youth Persists City’s Youngest Common Councilmember Delvin Moody Speaks Out Page 5

Inside This Issue: Contact Testing: What is it? How does it work? Why do we need it? Phoenix Editorials Page Chamber: Wrong Message at the Wrong Time The morning of June 19th, as many from criminal justice officials and lo- assertion that the new law could harm friends and supporters of For The cal electeds. the state's business climate if the state Good and Phoenix Media were ea- The original intent of the 2019 law is perceived as being less safe, many gerly awaiting the second airing of was to provide more equity in the of those who will no longer linger in our Juneteenth special 'A Time for criminal justice system. The prison jail because they cannot post bail are Love,' on WKTV 2.2, we received a reform lobbying group FWD.us stud- hardly the type of person who will Cancer 2020 copy of a resolution recently passed ied records on incarceration in the immediately go out on another crime by the Greater Utica Chamber of years prior to passage of this law, and spree. The New York Civil Liberties Commerce. found that rates of pretrial release Union studied bail practices in 2018 Editor-in-Chief: C.Harris-Lockwood Photography: CHL Anne LaBastille Unlike statements and press releases have been significantly lower outside in eight counties outside New York Layout Editor:CHL from officials like Governor Cuomo of New York City, and among Black City, and found that the majority Copy Editor: Stephen L. Lockwood, and Congressman Anthony Brindisi New Yorkers. of the 90,000 people detained after Jay Stevens marking the observance of June- The legislative memo in support of they couldn't post bail had only been Webmaster: David Laguerre News Reporters: Pete Bianco, Jay teenth, the Chamber chose this red the Bail Elimination Act made power- charged with a violation or a mis- Stevens letter day to endorse an action which ful arguments for the need for bail re- demeanor—and faced bail of under Columnists: Roger Chambers, Natalie some studies confirm cause particu- form. Individuals who have not been $2,500. Williams, Ted Rajchel, Joan Shkane, lar harm to Black New Yorkers, and convicted of a crime, yet who cannot The most important precept in the Doug George Kanentiio, Mikasha Dawson, Willijah Dawson, Mark Zio- to state residents who live outside the post bail accounted for two-thirds of Bail Elimination Act is simply that bro, Jessica Szabo five boroughs of New York City. the average daily jail population in the criminal justice process should The Chamber's resolution calls New York. For many of these people, not be radically different based on in- for the complete repeal of the 'Bail the consequences of continued incar- come. The wealthy have long been For The Good, Inc. Elimination Act of 2019,' passed by ceration have been life-altering—the able to post bail—sometimes even Board of Directors the state legislature and signed into loss of their job, their housing, their for very serious crimes. For many President: Cassandra Harris-Lockwood law last year by Governor Cuomo. benefits, and even their children. And years, those without resources, who Chairperson: Onama Tanner-Connors The law took effect on January 1st, as the memo points out, “these harms are most likely Black and/or liv- Vice Chairperson: Frank Drayton Treasurer: Charlene Levonski but within three months, some of the are borne disproportionately by per- ing outside of New York City were Secretary: Stephen L Lockwood most unpopular aspects of the law sons of color.” more likely to face detention. There Denise Prince, Loretta Johnson,Sparkle Anthony were rolled back following an outcry In spite of the Chamber Resolution's

Minority Owned Businesses Need More Guidance to Be Sustainable Utica Phoeinx Radio A Facebook post that went vi- recounts what she says is her futile provides grants with impunity, 95.5FM ral earlier this month resulted attempt to get assistance through without a watchdog agency to re- “The Heat” Classic Hip Hop, Rhythm &Blues, in a lively discussion about the the City of Rome’s Community and view this type of funding. “I have Funk, Latin, Soul, Jazz, Gos- amount of guidance and assis- Economic Development Depart- never applied for any funding, be- pel, Daily News, Talk, Opinion. tance a minority-owned business ment. cause every time I went to the City, Streaming Online at in Rome has received from the “Rome City government has re- they said nothing was available, and fused to give Gardner’s Farm to I was not even guided toward po- uticaphoenix.net or city she pays taxes in. 955TheHeat.com Shelley Gardner purchased a Table any financial support, and tential future sources of funding,” former Caribbean restaurant and Community Block Grant funding Gardner said. “This wasn’t just a the city receives are earmarked for one-time entrance—I’d look at one adjoining lot at 401 W. Dominick Contact Us: Street in Rome, beautified the women and minorities first,” Gard- site (for the restaurant) and be told ner wrote in the post. there is nothing. Then, I’d ask again Phone: (315) 797-2417 location, and opened Gardner’s Fax: (315) 797-7025 Farm to Table restaurant, which In a follow-up interview several and be told nothing was available. E-mail: [email protected] offers soul food and locally pro- days later, Gardner says three or They could at least help with a low- [email protected] [email protected] duced foods. four visits to Rome City Hall yield- interest loan, or a facade or awning ed no encouragement at all for her grant, but I haven’t even been able Advertising: [email protected] Gardner’s Farm to Table is one of Address: 1113 Linwood Place, Utica NY 13501 a small number of minority-wom- business. “I’ve been given zero in to get that, or a tax abatement.” On the web at www.uticaphoenix.net en owned businesses in Rome and any kind of actionable or even in- Rome Mayor Jackie Izzo recalls WWW.955theheat.com the entire Mohawk Valley region. actionable suggestive measures, or Gardner requesting a façade grant In recent years, New York State even friendliness—not even to the prior to owning the building she is The Utica Phoenix reserves the right to edit has set more ambitious goals to point of expressing gratefulness I currently in. However, Mayor Izzo inquired,” Gardner said. informs, “Façade grants are only submission for space constraints or content boost these businesses. • Contents copyright 2014 by the individual Gardner’s recent Facebook post Gardner feels the City of Rome available to property owners. And authors; all rights reserved • For permission to reproduce articles in any form, please contact the paper • The opinions expressed in the Utica Phoenix are not necessarily those of newspa- per’s staff • For reprints, back issues, subscrip- tions, and advertising inquiries, contact the Utica Phoenix at (315) 797-2417 or e-mail at [email protected] • The Utica Phoenix is not responsible for typos or grammar mis- takes in submitted ads.

2 July 2020 The Utica Phoenix www.uticaphoenix.net Minority Owned Businesses cont’d Saluting those who care for the sick By Eve Van de Wal it is a first come first serve policy. tity that works on a regular basis to catching COVID-19, as are their loved We don’t have an Economic De- ease the roadblocks and provide en- couragement to minorities seeking ones at home, and those with whom velopment person or programs. they come in contact as they travel to start-up or expansion assistance. We are limited to CDBG for low to and from work. moderate income residents but ap- One effort ongoing in New York We mustn’t overlook the exceptional plications are accepted for the State City has drawn a number of part- providers of care who serve the needs CFA program as well as MVEDGE ners with the goal of developing of the sick, injured and frail in patients’ grants.” Izzo did approve Gardner’s and expanding the number of finan- own apartments and homes. Their risk request for a bike rack for her Gard- cially sustainable Black businesses may be even greater because of envi- ner’s Farm to Table Restaurant and in New York City from two percent ronmental factors that are beyond their encourages Gardner to apply early to 22 percent in the next two years. control at the site, or sites, they visit each day. in 2021 for the façade grant. Meetings and focus groups have Front line health care workers who Gardner points out that existing been developing a written strategy for achieving this to present to those are African American are particularly higher-level assistance—such as vulnerable to the lethal nature of the seeking office in New York City. certification of Minority and Wom- There is a war underway against the COVID-19 virus. Nationally, and here en Owned Business Enterprises is We would encourage state and local COVID-19 pandemic, and the front in our region, the chronic disease states an extremely detailed process that officials to buy into this approach at line is a dangerous place. Health care that are significantly more prevalent is daunting at best for a small busi- the state level, so that the existing providers, including doctors and nurs- among African Americans—diabetes, ness owner. goal the state has to boost contracts es, and the dedicated professionals hypertension, obesity, asthma—com- Mayor Izzo agrees that the MWBE to minority and women owned in the labs and pharmacies, are in the bined with the social determinants of application process is extremely businesses can be achieved—and so thick of it every day. By having close health including poverty and inad- involved and herself opted out of new and existing smaller businesses contact with patients in their care, these equate housing, are resulting in this health care professionals are at risk for outbreak spreading among the African completing the application for her get the guidance and nurturing they catching the disease themselves, and American community and causing a own private business. deserve to be part of the economy of the Mohawk Valley and the rest then bringing it home to the ones they disproportionate number of admissions What seems to be missing in up- hold dear. to intensive care units, and deaths. of upstate New York. state New York is an agency or en- It is a risk they willingly accept, be- In our lifetimes, we have never ex- cause to them, caring for others is more perienced a health care crisis like this. than their profession, it is their calling. We may never again see a mobilization Chamber: Wrong Message Wrong Time Serving side by side with doctors and of health care services like the one we has been a systemic over reliance on was permitted for virtually all violent nurses in this battle are the men and are witnessing. It is important to under- incarceration—and there have been felonies and for other crimes, includ- women who provide hands-on support. stand and address differences in risk ing sex offenses. The revisions add great racial disparities in jail popula- Their call to serve is just as strong. that exist across populations. other crimes to those where bail can tions. This includes health care aides who Each day—from prior to this pan- The Chamber's resolution raises be set, including for sex trafficking tend to patient needs, the people who demic, to well after it is resolved—we the issue of how much localities are offenses, second degree burglary, and keep building systems operational, the benefit from the selfless dedication of paying to track and pursue defen- assault, vehicular assault, and any food service professionals, the staff the people across our community who dants who fail to show up for trial. charge involving the death of a per- who clean and disinfect, the guards stand ready, when needed, to serve and We couldn't find evidence of a ma- son. who keep the buildings safe and se- care for the sick and injured. We owe jor increase in pre-trial disappear- We don't disagree with changes to cure, and the administrators who are them our thanks and our gratitude. ances. But there's certainly no proof the law that have the potential to keep responsible for the decisions and strat- Eve Van de Wal, a former critical that localities' bottom lines will be New Yorkers safer. But throwing out egies that underlie it all. care nurse, is regional president at strained by an increase in supervision a law that is based on the premise Because of their proximity to those Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in of defendants. The average cost of that people without means should be who are sick, they too are at risk for Utica. housing an inmate in a county jail in locked up, while those with a large New York is $105 a day---or roughly income can simply write a check and many in New York have fought for not always act with lightning speed $38,000 a year. Supervised proba- be sprung free discards the end result years--providing fairness and equity to amend laws they've passed which tion costs in New York run less than of a debate that went on for many in our criminal justice system. At a draw a strong reaction, but in this $3,000 a year. years in the state legislature. time when profound changes are hap- case, they've more than addressed Because COVID hit New York a We don't argue that people commit- pening to right the wrongs so many the concerns, and we think further mere two months after the law took ting a heinous crime should be off the Black and poor people have endured changes to the Bail Reform Act will effect, it's hard to find a definite trend streets and should pay for their crime. for decades in our country, sending do more harm than good—causing in crime statistics. New York City We also think judges should have this resolution to the media on the economic harm and breaking up fam- officials who were arguing for re- some discretion in how people who very day many people, White and ilies at a time when COVID-19 has scinding bail reform were pointing committed serious crimes are treated Black celebrated the emancipation of already hurt so many already at risk. to a significant crime increase al- before their trial. But it is simply not slaves in 1865 was truly the wrong The following is the text of the most immediately after January 1st. fair that indigent defendants who message at the wrong time. Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce But crime statistics for New York commit a non-violent misdemeanor It would be an understatement to resolution, sent to the media on June- City showed an increase in murders face the risk of losing their job and say the New York Legislature does teenth, 2020: in May, but a decrease in overall family, while a wealthy person can crime. The call for revisions to the go on with their life while awaiting law proved to quickly bear fruit, as sentencing. LET OUR EXPERTS the state legislature included them in And while we're at it, we also can't argue with the Chamber's position GET YOU MOVING! the 2020-21 State Budget, which was You’ve found the right home. Now get the right loan. quickly signed into law by Governor that important state issues shouldn't Cuomo. be tacked on to the State Budget. It's a practice that's been going on for Jeffrey Witherwax The basic framework of the law Mortgage Originator remains the same. For misdemean- many years, and makes it difficult for Mohawk Valley ors, violations, and nonviolent felo- legislators who support the goals of NMLS #1087651 nies, there still won't be cash bail set. the budget, but not some of add-ons 315.235.0067 But for more serious cases, judges that can't be separated from the fis- nbtbank.com/witherwax can have more leeway than they did cal process. It is often a tactic used to under the original bail reform bill- stifle debate, and is an Albany tradi- -deciding whether defendants can be tion that needs to end now. released, and if they are, whether set- With that being said, we believe ting a variety of pretrial conditions is that the changes to the Bail Reform Talk with us or apply appropriate. And in the case of cer- Law passed in April are adequate to online today! tain felonies, judges will be able to address many of the concerns the remand people into custody. Chamber has. We think the Cham- Member FDIC Under the original reform, cash bail ber's resolution misses the reason so July 2020 The Utica Phoenix 3 www.uticaphoenix.net Masters of Jazz with Lou Sanracroce Sundays 2-6 PM By Jess Szabo Milo Fine are some of the best Free who have Jazz artists.” never lis- Those who typically listen to Pop tened to and soft Rock music will likely find a Jazz.” Jazz vocalist they enjoy. One trend “Jazz vocalists are a whole category in contem- of Jazz unto itself,” Santacroce said. porary Jazz “Jazz vocals involve singers try- is to fuse it ing to make their voices into instru- heavily with ments. Classic artists include Billie club or tech- Holiday, who used her voice as a no music. horn, and of course, Ella Fitzgerald. This may ap- Many modern Jazz vocalists, such as peal to those Diana Krall and Norah Jones, make who enjoy use of the pop idiom. They fuse Pop that type of As we struggle to adapt to the con- with Jazz. If a Jazz singer sings a Pop the genre that may turn some listeners music, or discourage those who dis- stantly changing situation around us tune, that song is no longer Pop, it’s away from it. The first is that “Jazz” like it. Santacroce urged new music today, many are torn between waiting Jazz, because the singer brings Jazz is the same thing as “Smooth Jazz.” fans who stumble upon something it out by indulging in fun activities inflections to the song. They bring Santacroce suggests avoiding that does not appeal to them or sound and using the time to learn some- their whole knowledge of Jazz to the Smooth Jazz, and selecting Classic, like what they expected to hear to thing. Why not do both, by listen- Pop song.” Bop, or Swing music, or finding a fa- keep learning about Jazz and listen- ing to and learning about the world’s Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B fans are vorite Jazz vocalist, to explore Jazz. ing to different forms and artists. most diverse musical genre, Jazz? especially encouraged to listen to and “Smooth Jazz to me is background “Music has to progress,” he ex- Utica musician Lou Santacroce learn about Jazz, because when they music,” he explained. “It’s not music plained. “But on the other hand, there is the Program Host of “Masters of listen to Jazz, they are listening to the to sit down and listen to. It’s music are musicians like Terence Blanchard Jazz” on Phoenix Radio. Santacroce history of the music they love. to have on while you’re doing some- and Nicholas Payton, whose playing explained that the genre’s diversity “Jazz was the original urban music,” thing else. People listen to it because harkens back to an earlier time whiel lies in its roots and the way the music Santacroce explained. “It came out it’s often the only Jazz they’ve been still keeping one foot firmly planted evolved. of the Black community in New Or- exposed to, as it is all you hear on a in the present.” “The earliest forms of Jazz are leans around the turn of the last cen- lot of Jazz radio today.” Jazz is even well-suited to the way known as Classic, or Dixieland Jazz,” tury. Of course, now it is universal Another misconception is that mod- we listen to music today. Streaming he said. “This is the type of music music, because the inventors of Jazz ern Jazz is defined by artists such as services offer music grouped by ac- played by artists such as Louis Arm- freely shared their music with the rest Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Bu- tivity or mood rather than genre, and strong. Swing music evolved from of the world.” ble. But Jazz remains a diverse musi- there is Jazz that will fit in to any of Classic Jazz. This was the whole ‘Big Although Jazz is a part of the music cal genre today. those categories as well. Band’ era, with artists such as Benny scene around the world today, there “I hope people who start out listen- “It doesn’t have to be loud, brassy, Goodman. This evolved into ‘Bop,’ are a couple of misconceptions about ing to Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael or fast tempo to be Jazz,” Santacroce which is the type of music played by Buble will explained. Charlie Parker is the king Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.” look deep- of Bop, but if you listen to a tune like Other forms of Jazz include “Straight er into ‘Lover Man,’ it’s soft and kind of Ahead” music and Free Jazz. Jazz, and melancholy. You can find Jazz in any “Straight Ahead music is probably discover genre, to match any kind of mood, best known today through the work some of any kind of feeling. If you listen to of Wynton Marsalis,” Santacroce the real enough Jazz, you are bound to find explained. “Free Jazz is also known masters,” something you like.” as Avant Garde Jazz. This form de- Santac- To learn more about Jazz, and to veloped by the late 1950’s or early roce said. hear some great Jazz in a variety of 1960’s, when some musicians decid- “Their forms, tune in to Masters of Jazz ev- ed to break down Jazz conventions music is ery Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The like tempo, tones, and chord chang- a start- program is available exclusively on es. They believed the music that had ing point 95.5 The Heat, Phoenix Radio. (95.5 come before had become too limit- for people on your FM dial or via streaming at ing. Cecil Taylor, Evan Parker, and www.955theheat.com

Contact Tracing: What is It? How does it work? Why do we needBy Susan it? Braider comparison is the seemingly high of you may remember the SARS tion. Also, having been warned, if I incidence of flu each year. Because scare that occurred in 2002-3. am a responsible person, I will con- 1% of the people who develop flu Your phone may ring as mine did at duct myself in a way that prevents require hospitalization, and about 11 pm on a Friday night. The identity everyone around me from developing 5% of those who require hospitaliza- of the caller was unknown to me, but the infection. I would be receiving a tion die from the flu or a flu-related it was from a small town where I once daily phone call and would be asked complaint, the assumption is that lived. Concluding, that it was unlike- to report on the development of any more people die from flu each year ly to be a nuisance call, I answered symptoms and appearance of a tem- COVID-19 is a coronavirus. That than die from COVID-19. Yet, 20% it. I was asked to confirm my name perature. is, when studied under a micro- of all victims of COVID-19 need to and my date of birth. The speaker scope it is seen to be surrounded by be hospitalized and at least 5% of informed me that he was the doctor a crown. Since COVID-19 and the those who are hospitalized die from that I saw earlier that week. He was common cold virus are coronavi- the disease. COVID -19 belongs to calling to inform me that I was ex- ruses, a common mistake is made in a large group of viruses that vary in posed to COVID-19 while at Bassett considering that they have similar the severity of the illness they cause Hospital. No mention was made of functions. Comparatively speaking, as well as in the species they infect. who was the contact, or index case to COVID-19 is a far more contagious The mechanism by which these in- protect his privacy. What was impor- and potentially lethal virus than is the fections have their effects is that they tant was someone was informing me Quarantine, Isolation, and Social common cold. trigger inflammatory processes. In- that I was exposed to this potentially Distancing This same error is made when flammation can become so robust deadly virus. I was being alerted to Isolation is the separation of people COVID-19 and the seasonal flu are that the system crashes, as occurs the fact that I had to be vigilant about who are sick with an infectious dis- compared. The flu molecule is not a when an individual develops acute the changes in my health status foe ease from those who are not sick. coronavirus. What leads to the false respiratory distress syndrome. Some 10to 14 days lest I develop the condi- continued on page 7 4 July2020 The Utica Phoenix www.uticaphoenix.net The Power of Youth Persists: Delvin Moody Speaks Out photos by Nancy Ford Today’s Movement Seeks Positive Move Forward By Jay Stevens

Noonan have pledged to improve it. Moody feels there still needs to be outreach in different ways to boost diversity by better encouraging mi- norities to consider serving in a law enforcement agency—not just in the Utica Police Department, but in the fire department as well. “We need to know what minority applications look like, and what some of the barriers are. It might be that some people don’t have the money to take all the tests. Some might not have a gym membership to, or know In the days after George Floyd’s that they need to be (fitness) training. murder in Minneapolis at the hands Or maybe the Civil Service process of the police officers sworn to ‘pro- isn’t understood,” Moody said. tect and serve’ their community, Uti- Many in Black Lives Matter and cans turned out by the hundreds to other groups are calling for a defund- peacefully protest police violence by ing of police departments, but Moody The Utica rally Moody helped organize was peaceful and drew a large crowd. marking down James Street to Onei- says he’s not seeking to zero out the component to making further produc- to the public. da Square. police department’s budget. Moody tive changes happen in Utica. “I’m normally not the person to cri- Utica fifth district Common Coun- says if anything, the city needs more “We don’t need an advisory board tique other electeds, and sometimes cilman Delvin Moody helped coordi- police officers, but with a force that with the same components that have in difficult decisions, you don’t al- nate the protest, and is part of a new reflects the fact that Utica is one of been at every table before,” Moody ways know in totality why they did generation of young leaders across the country’s most ethnically diverse says. “This has to be coordinated what they did. But I must say I am the country who want to bring change communities. with our community members.” wildly disappointed in our Assembly- to their communities. Currently, Utica Mayor Robert One of the biggest disappointments woman voting against the repeal of The New York State Legislature re- Palmieri also serves as the city’s Moody has seen over the past few 50-a,” Moody said. sponded quickly to the issue with the Public Safety Commissioner, which weeks is the lack of support of Uti- In an interview with the Rome Sen- passage of 10 bills that ban choke- Moody says needs to change. He ca-area Assemblywoman Marianne tinel published on June 17th, Butten- holds and significantly improve po- says many people in the African Buttenschon for the state legislation schon said she voted no on the mea- lice department accountability—in- American community really want to he says is vital to police reform. On sure because she felt key stakeholders cluding creation of an Office under see an independent person oversee- June 9th, members of the State As- on the issue were absent from the dis- the Attorney General to investigate ing public safety in the city. sembly voted 101 to 43 to repeal sec- cussion on it. She also said that while all police-related deaths, as well as Moody says many of the changes he tion 50-a of State Civil Rights Law, action is needed on the issues raised establishing a new Law Enforcement and others would like to see would be which had shielded law enforcement in the bill, she believes the changes Misconduct Investigative Agency. a very positive way forward for the personnel from disclosing personnel in the bill wouldn’t have stopped the “Our protest was peaceful, but I’m entire community. He favors more records used to evaluate their perfor- tragedy in Minneapolis, and could al- not sure the message has been heard officers walking neighborhood beats; mance. The State Senate approved low for the disclosure of unsubstanti- by everyone. People came to a protest creation of a Police Athletic League, the bill the same day, 40 to 22. Just ated claims against law enforcement at a moment—what we see across the so officers and young people can in- three days later, Governor Cuomo officers. country. But some folks believe we teract. He’d also like to see mental signed the bill into law. Overall, Moody strikes a positive don’t need any improvement at all. health workers available for crisis Buttenschon was one of only a few tone when evaluating what has been Some members of government don’t calls. Democrats in either house to oppose done, and what can be done to im- think so either, but they’re forced Ultimately Moody, who is Vice the law. While some personal infor- prove policing in Utica. to, because of the state’s reaction,” Chairman of the council’s pub- mation, such as Social Security num- “While action has occurred, the ef- Moody said. lic safety committee, would like to bers and home addresses still will be fort has to be localized. We have to Moody says there’s still room for hold a public hearing with its chair- private information, the new law will do our part as a city, be proactive, and transparency, particularly with the man, Councilman at Large Frank Di- make items like evaluations and mis- respond appropriately with the com- internal review process of local law Brango to build a public safety plan. conduct reports on police and correc- munity—doing what is best—good enforcement. And diversity remains While police department represen- tions officers, sheriff’s deputies, and for African Americans, and good for a challenge—even though Utica Po- tatives and elected officials would fire department personnel available everyone,” Moody said. lice Department leaders like Chief participate, Moody says community Mark Williams and Deputy Chief Ed members are the most important LET OUR EXPERTS GET YOU MOVING! You’ve found the right home. Now get the right loan.

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Delvin Moody speaks at the recent Utica rally for Justice maintaining the ad- Member FDIC vised mask protection www.uticaphoenix.net July 2020 The Utica Phoenix 5 by Natalie Williams Poetry Corner Legal Briefs Hit. a decision on custody. Some of them A lesson learned. Detente with him. are traditional facts, another is new. Some of the questions a court will try They say he had a ‘thing’ for me. to find the answers to are the follow- Misinterpreting my kindness; he bad- ing: how does each party ( parents talked me. and each child) conduct itself during In Devilish rankour, I’ve come to see the lawsuit, and during the trial; does The bully’s shame upon him; He gave each party follow court orders regard- no true apology. ing the children; does a parent try to prejudice or alienate the child against Shall women speak and seek again? the other parent; does a parent try to Resolve: Reclaim our lives; and then weaponize the child by withholding Perhaps live peacefully, with men. Head Butt visitation, invitations or knowledge Who are true fathers; husbands then of the child’s school or extracurricu- lar activities; does a parent withhold At six foot five, he made a lunge; The stakes are high; the weapons child support payments; does a par- And smacked my forehead, as I wagged fierce. ent use the child as a messenger for my tongue. The lives of our descendants pierce. child support or other occurrences; He later claimed it was just to scare; These childish thugs who pass today Legal Myths v. Reality is there dependable structured pa- at 5 foot two, my messages is clear. Do not meet muster; come what may by Judge Joan Shkane No doubt about it. Outta here. And so to women, and to men; This is a continuing discussion of Le- rental access and is it encouraged by Avoid a sex war, if you can… gal Myths and Reality, because those the other parent; is the transfer of the Away from him. My safety first. informed are always the most suc- child for visitation done peacefully; With power like that; I’d need a hearse. Good men, who hear and turn away; cessful. is the parent willing to undergo psy- A head butt can be strong as fists. might find no women there, for they MYTH: New York State law pro- chotherapy, marriage counseling, No second chances For emotional fits. In failing to protect with Might, vides only one way to evict a tenant meditation, parent education classes, you let these thieves pass in the night, who does not pay rent or otherwise etc. as it pertains to the child. A new Like twisted ear, or a ringed neck, does not follow the law in ways that fact that the court may consider in the corrects a child. I did not fret. to harm weak others; then you’ve lost. badly affect the property rented. future is how each parent conducts But recognized what’s real and mean; The trust. And your humanity’s cost REALITY: New York has two ways him/herself during the pandemic cri- and took an action unforeseen. For who would marry; trust in you; to evict an undesirable tenant. (This sis. Courts recognize that sometimes or call you father, if abuser too? does not apply while under the mora- people make mistakes and chose a Predictions are - they escalate; torium on eviction for non-payment partner who may not be a good fit. accelerate to dominate It’s the same old struggle In patriar- of rent during the pandemic). The These adults are entitled to start a Fool me once, that we all see; chy. new life. Children of these couples Fool me twice, that’d be on me. But woman’s time has come, you see. first way is through a Housing Court proceedure or a local justice court. are often stuck in the marital conflict, We had it once, we will again. cannot start over, and may suffer ir- Avoid, evade aggressive men, The Housing Court procedure is a rel- Control our lives; make other friends reparable damage. Released from the cage. They’ll come atively inexpensive and quick proce- again… And he who might usher threats must dure. In our area, evictions are most MYTH: Women and minorities in the then; likely handled through the three city Court System have made huge ad- Can’t argue with Crazy. Nor, ignore a in all non-violence, make amends. courts, or in justice (town) courts. A second way under the law is through vances since 2017. a common law procedure called an REALITY: The New York State Bar ejectment action. The case must be Association commissioned a study brought in Supreme Court. It differs in 2017 about women in the courts. in important ways from the justice They were concerned about under- court procedure. One difference is representation of women lawyers in that the cost in Supreme Court starts courtrooms. This concern was despite with $210.00 to purchase an index thirty years of law schools graduating number under which the case will be women at about 50% of each class. filed. It will usually require an attor- The Bar Association then recommis- ney to draw up the papers, and to par- sioned the study in 2020. What they ticipate in discovery. This is the pro- found is woeful. In the three stud- cedure wherein each side must tell ied years female lead attorneys in the the other side what each intends to public sector (like Legal Aid, Public prove, in detail. Discovery can add Defender or prosecutor offices) de- to attorney fees. Another difference clined to 35.1 % of all lawyers; wom- between the two procedures is that en attorneys working in private law Phoenix Media firms was 38.2 %. This is not overly in a Supreme Court proceeding city marshals do not physically conduct surprising since we are in the mid- Seeking the eviction, unlike in a city court dle of a health crisis. During crises, procedure. The eviction is done by women and minority society mem- sheriffs. It all becomes a more com- bers are badly impacted out of pro- Experienced plicated procedure because the whole portion to the number of people in the case must be handled with formality. population. Crises affect them hard- Sales Although the Supreme Court route er. Women attorneys appearing in can be slow and expensive, if the courts in civil and criminal cases was tenant owes more than $25,000.00, only 20.7%. The vast number of trial Professional Supreme Court can award a mon- lead counsel are men, and women are etary judgement instead of posses- most often second counsel, if at all. Send Your Resume to sion of the property. This cannot be Upstate courts had more participation handled in justice court. Sometimes by women in court, perhaps because the Supreme Court option is attrac- there are fewer total attorneys up- 955theHeat@gmail .com tive, especially if the tenant has left state to go around. The lowest rate of the property in the meantime, and women attorneys is in the Commer- or call 315-797-2417 for appointment therefore eviction is not requested, cial Division of New York County at but compensation is. 18.7% of lawyers. The question has MYTH: A court will examine only a been posed as to why this remains so few facts in determining custody of low. Judge Shira A. Scheindlin, for- a child. Continued on page 12 REALITY: Many factors can go into 6 July 2020 The Utica Phoenix www.uticaphoenix.net Doug George Kanentiio Akwasane Mohawk O Biting Fly, I hate you so. You wonder why ? I’ll of the nation’s lacrosse team. He had let you know! been a member of the honor guard for a wash cloth as hot in running water President Kennedy’s funeral and was as you can stand, wring it out and entitled to an honored military burial, press it to the area in question until it which his family refused, stating, makes the bite even more intense. Do ‘’We thought not after he was shot that a couple of times and suddenly down by a uniformed man.’’ its stops itching. You’ll want to keep a product called The Six Nations report stated that Camphophenique on hand. It’s great Shenandoah ‘’was repeatedly kicked for neutralizing the venom of those and his face, smashed against the biting creeps. Put a little of that Com- wall ... the police left him for an pho on and the itching will stay gone hour and a half without medical at- So, this is the season for mosquitos, for hours. You can do it several times tention that may have saved his life. black flies and other nasties that like a day and your bite or sting will heal Although there were two hospitals to suck your blood and eat your flesh. up more quickly and leave you in a within blocks of the hotel, his body So, after you wear your Off, or Skin better state. was thrown into a paddy wagon so Soft, hats and long sleeves and You can use this technique with chil- and taken to a hospital twenty miles you’re still eaten alive what do you dren too. away. His brother was refused per- do about the stinging, the itching, the And with an actual sting from a bee mission to go with Leroy and instead swelling and pain? the homeopathic Apis Melifica is of was taken to jail. A policeman said to Philadelphia Indian Killed by Police- The first thing is hot packs. Yup. Get great use. Use three pellets 3 x a day. him, ‘Get the hell out of here or we’ll returned, he told us: ‘’I answered kill you too.’’’ questions I’ve based a career on not answering - one chief asked if I were Contact Tracing...Why? continued from page 4 The medical examiner declared a Communist and I said no.’’ Shenandoah’s death an ‘’excusable people with whom U y isolating me, homicide.’’ Judge Charles Mirarchi Quarantine an individual with conta- The ironworkers’ case needed every the public health community was found the ironworkers guilty of mul- gious disease to see if they become bit of star power it could get. The po- breaking the route of disease transi- tiple charges, from aggravated as- sick. Social distancing is the effort to lice swore they were attacked first, tion. If I was going to develop CO- sault and battery to conspiracy, and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet saying they feared the ironworkers VID-19, I would do so over the 14 sentenced them to the state penal sys- from other people to reduce the risk would kill them. The ironworkers days between my first encounter and tem. of transmitting and contracting the swore the police started slugging and virus. the end of the virus’ period of being shooting, saying they were forced to infectious. While police were tailing and men- defend themselves. We began to be bombarded by news acing Indian people, the Friends of of the effects COVID-19 is having on Philadelphia maintained its reputa- ‘’A mattress came flying off the bal- states, counties, cities, towns, offices, tion as the City of Brotherly Love cony,’’ stated the police report. ‘’Of- homes, and individuals just 6 months by providing shelter and publicly ex- ficers entered the balcony area to ago. This virus did not exist a year pressing their belief in the ironwork- clear it for the safety of those below.’’ ago, so any process to develop a vac- ers’ innocence. Patrolman Albert Montanaro, 42, cine to protect us from COVID-19 said Leroy Shenandoah tried to throw became the focus of researchers in The subsequent jury trial appeared to him off the balcony and he ‘’fired six early 2020 at the earliest. be headed toward another conviction, shots in order to protect myself.’’ Despite its reluctance to share in- until film of the incident emerged. The purpose of the call was to in- Montanaro and Sgt. Thomas Rambo, formation the Chinese shared the ge- The filmmakers maintained cameras form me of the and to tell me how I 31, shot two other men and took all netic sequence of COVID-2 that they did not roll after the director said, should manage this period when I did the Indians to jail. Authorities later extracted from the serum of a patient ‘’cut.’’ Harjo and I thought from our not, indeed, could not know if I was announced the arrest of four men: in Wuhan, at the end of December, experience in radio that the camera- infected. Marvin Crouse, 24; Maynard Gabri- 2019. Two days later, on January man, more likely than not, recorded To determine if I contracted the virus el, 34; and Raymond Moses, 21, all 14th doctors reported that they were the balcony scene. We convinced the physician informed me to take my Onondaga; and John Benedict, 25, perplexed by a cluster of 41 pneumo- Kunstler, who sent his brother to Los temperature morning and evening for Mohawk from Cornwall Island, On- nia patients because the disease was Angeles in search of film footage. the duration of my confinement. Ab- tario. sent a test for COVID-19, quarantine of an unknown etiology. Of those pa- tients 11 were severely ill. No fatali- One week and a purported $100,000 and social distancing when I had to According to a Six Nations Brothers ties were reported. later, the film was turned over to the go out were the best options avail- report, the police singled out the Indi- International politics, secrecy, and court. The judge directed everyone in able. One of the challenges arising ans, started pushing them around and hidden agendas confound and con- the courtroom to walk in single file to from the pandemic is that individuals began shooting: ‘’Raymond Moses, fuse the efforts of the public health of- a nearby theater, view the film once with the disease can be asymptom- hearing the confusion, left the shower ficials appointed to educate the Amer- and walk back, all in total silence. atic and infectious at the same time. and was shot on sight. John Benedict ica public of the latest news about the I sat between Shenandoah’s wife Also, those who are pre-symptomatic was shot as he stood with his hands pandemic, the growing knowledge of Deena and mother Gertrude, holding may also be infectious. against the wall. Marvin and May- the effects of the disease, and its im- their hands as they suppressed sobs COVID-19 can range from as- nard were beaten with nightsticks and absorbed the shock of seeing ymptomatic to mild and from mild and thrown down a flight of stairs their loved one shot, kicked, bleeding to moderate and from moderate to while handcuffed.’’ and dying. severe cases which require hospital- ization. The 20% of COVID- cases Harjo and I went with Kunstler twice The film confirmed that the police that are severe About 80% of those to view the crime scene. When the accounts were false and the iron- who contract COVID-19 develop trial started in September, a bullet workers’ testimony was true. Undis- mild home-based medical care at the hole could still be seen in a door- closed settlements were later paid to extreme. Twenty percent of those frame and blood traces remained on the Shenandoah family and the iron- infected with COVID-19 requiring the balcony’s metal steps, where Le- workers, but the police didn’t pay. It hospitalization. Not only do a great- roy Shenandoah bled to death after was something, but it wasn’t justice. er proportion of COVID-19 patients being beaten and shot five times. And there was something about hav- suffer from a severe form of the dis- ing to watch that horror film in ab- ease needing hospitalization, but they Shenandoah, 32, was a foreman on solute silence that also kept anyone are hospitalized are likely to be 11-12 the construction job. He lived at On- from making anything like a joyful days instead on the 5-6 days required ondaga with his wife and 1-year-old noise about the outcome. by flu patients. daughter, and was the all-star center The purpose of quarantining me continued on page 13 was to prevent me from infecting www.uticaphoenix.net July 2020 The Utica Phoenix 7 When Robbie Dancy, Utica’s regular Falvo on drums gave everyone confi- Juneteenth planner told me it was can- dence that they would be the wind be- celled I didn’t want that to happen. I neath our wings. figured we had lost enough during the level, on time, with perfection and nail- donnas. We wanted performers who There was one other performer who pandemic lockdown and Black folks, ing it. That was the mark to hit. would come in and handle their busi- joined us, Oneida Wolf clan mem- especially hard hit, could use some en- I knew that top notch performer TK ness. Myself,TK,Tracy Bowens, As- ber, Joanne Shenandoah who is also joyment. Howard was the next person to get on tena Smith, Delmarshia Curry, Theresa a Grammy Award winner and prob- I called my longtime friend and board. He loved the concept, would be Mancuso and Gary Thornton fit the bill ably the most famous Native American musical collaborator, Hamilton Col- an anchor and was pivotal in pulling in and knocked it out of the box. singer songwriter in the world. With lege’s Doctor Michael Woods what he the singers we wanted and selecting the Production week consisted of one re- the intention of demonstrating to our thought about getting a crew of artists songs. He and Lady T and I spent hours hearsal at the offices of For The Good, Juneteenth viewers that multicultural- together and record some tunes. Put in the office choosing songs, contact- Inc. We were socially distancing and ism is precious my dear friend joined some Juneteenth messaging around it ing artists and planning the program. the singers and musicians were meet- us and it was a perfect message. and get it on the air. He thought it was a Then George Floyd was killed and ing for the first time. All of us singers The show aired 7PM on WKTV CBS great idea and suggested that the tunes there was a tidal shift in energy. We had been working on our music indi- on June 13 on and June 19th and was a we chose should be comforting, sup- had to rework, rethink our delivery. vidually but, after that one rehearsal stunning success. portive, healing, loving. I agreed. The fact that inititally the project was the next two days were recording at the Sponsorship money made this awe- Next I had to enroll my closest ally, Juneteenth and freedom, we knew we Capitol. some production possible and raised Theresa Mancuso, Office Manager of had to new songs with specail inten- There is a resident PA in the office money for For The Good. The Bank For The Good, Inc. and Phoenix Radio, tion. for the current undeniable reality. so we had the room, multiple mics and of Utica and Murphy Excavating were 95.5FM The Heat. For every profes- Rick Lewis is the top Black video amplification to get a feel for what we the first monies to come through. Their sional theatrical or musical production and media operative in Upstate New were coming together to do. It was an confidence and support for the project is an enormous coordinated behind York and manages the Rome Capi- aggressive schedule but the energy was were and are so greatly appreciated. he scenes effort. It requires focus and tol Theatre. We were going to need a good and our country and our world Hopes are that the success of this proj- top administrative skill with the abil- venue to shoot and record so it was a kept driving the passion behind all of ect will continue to grow and continue ity to deliver specific information at a natural. The only thing was that we the songs. We were there to deliver a to bring in needed revenues to fund the moment’s notice. I knew Lady T and I had so little time to produce a superior message and we all knew it. important programs underway with could make it happen. product. That’s when my friend Mark The musicians had never played to- FTG, to provide for the needs of Uti- Steve McMurray of WKTV was the Bolos told me of Rob Capezzano and gether and things were awkward from ca’s underserved Black community. the man who made it happen. He said yes his Silver City Recording. We needed time to time when singers were adapt- Community Gardens and the Virtual to Juneteenth show. It was on. someone to record the music while ing their versions of songs for the mu- Study Buddy Club. I learned right out of college when I Rick captured the video. sicians. Keys, instrumentation, tim- Now you can now see the show at worked production for three different All the while sponsors were be- ings, stripped down versions, who was forthegoodinc.org and click on June- Broadway shows that shows could be ing sought to make it all possible. gonna back up who and on what tunes? teenth and continue the fundraiser for put together in 8 weeks. I figured with Among the artists, we were sure to It was a lot but the level of profession- the agency, which is Utica’s only Black the right players we could put a show only include the best talent I had al- alism and talent with our chosen mu- led notfor profit equipped to provide together in 6 weeks. In NYC I saw ready worked with. We didn’t want sicians, Doc Woods, Ed Crowder on community development programming Black folks performing at a world class any surprises. No babies. No prima piano, Mike Tebo on guitar and Steve for the City of Utica. Please support us. Specail thanks to our fine sponsors who made this production possible

LockwoodLaw, P.C.

8 July 2020 The Utica Phoenix www.uticaphoenix.net COVERAGE FOR EVERY STAGE OF LIFE

A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

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ANDREW M. CUOMO RUTHANNE VISNAUSKAS Governor Commissioner/CEO

www.uticaphoenix.net July 2020 The Utica Phoenix 9 Bee Corner: Letting Go written by Willijah Dawson shows the hand releasing the rope. The should be no hesitation when it comes more pain/unhappiness then happi- third picture shows a free hand that is to these things, let it go).When I reach ness? no longer holding on .. in the picture a point in my life where I know a deci- you can see that the redness around the sion needs to be made .. I will ask my- 4) Can you live without this person or wrist area is gone. self some of the following questions: thing? If not why not?

When something no longer serves you 1) Ask yourself where are you going? 5) Imagine a life without this thing or and you’ve concluded you’ve done all What are you doing with you life?

person, when you think about it do you that you could or that its not adding any What are your goals? Is this thing/per- feel that eventually withtime you would value to your life. You need to let go. son helping you reach those goals or be better off?After asking yourself For some it could be a A dead-end job, supporting the life you want to live. If some of t these questions and sincerely Taking on to many responsibilities, dealing with a person are you enriching answering them... give your self some a marriage/relationship that is over, their live? time and come back to them.. continue There’s a picture floating around on Negantive friends/family, an activity repeating these steps until you are con- the internet with a quote that reads that is not benefiting your life, etc. 2) Are you happy with yourself, do you fident that letting go is the best option... “Sometimes holding on does more have some inner weaknesses that you Some things are easier to let go then damage then letting go.” In the picture Before making any rash decisions its need to work out? Are you the whole others. Be sure you will not regret your you see a hand struggling to hold on always important to stop, reflect and do complete person you want to be? If decision... Accept the decision that you to rope ... there’s 3 separate pictures some serious soul searching to ensure dealing with a person, are they working are making... and begin the journey to of this hand. The first shows that the you are making the right choice (this towards the betterment of themselves? the next page in your book. rope is causing tension and is bruis- does not include obvious things that ing the wrist area. The second picture you need to let go of such as abuse, 3) Does this thing/person cause your activities that cause self-harm.. there Stephen L. Lockwood, P.C. General Practice of Law Zoom Conferencing Available Anaisa A. Peralta, Office Manager Se Habla Español 285 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501 Telephone: 315.724.5177 [email protected] Call MJ Trucking and Moving Your In Town Moving Specialists Phone 917-405-3079 Email [email protected] On Time - Courteous- Careful

10 July 2020 The Utica Phoenix Voices of Polonia The Christianization of Poland By Ted Rajchel

Background sisted a siege in the Swedish invasion of Poland in the 17th century, became The Christianization of Poland re- a symbol of national resistance to fers to the introduction and spread of occupation. The establishment of a Christianity in Poland, which was the communist regime controlled by the baptism of Poland. This was the per- Soviet Union following World War II sonal baptism of Mieszko I, the first allowed the church to continue fulfill- ruler of the future Polish state, and ing this role, although recent allega- much of his court. This ceremony tions suggest there was some minor took place on the Holy Saturday of collaboration between Polish clergy April 14, 966. Mieszko’s wife, Do- and the regime. The 1978 election brawa of Bohemia, is often credited of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla as as a major influence on Mieszko’s Pope John Paul II strengthened the decision to accept Christianity. The ties to identification. Pope John Paul spread of Christianity in Poland took II’s visits to Poland became rallying many centuries to finish this process, points for the faithful and galvanized which became ultimately very suc- opposition to the Soviet regime. His cessful. Within several decades, Po- beatification in 2011 and canoniza- land joined the ranks of established tion 3 years later further instilled European states recognized by the pride and joy in the Polish people. In papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. 2013 Pope Francis, John Paul II’s 2nd The baptism of Poland marks the successor (and who was made a car- beginning of Polish statehood. The dinal by the Polish Pope John Paul) Christianization was a long and dif- announced that World Youth Day, the ficult process, as most of the Polish most historians argue that Gniezno creasingly common in the 12th cen- world’s largest religious gathering of population remained pagan until the or Poznan, Poland are the most likely tury. By the 13th century Roman young people would be held in Kra- pagan reaction during the 1030s. Be- sites the date of Mieszko’s baptism Catholicism had become the domi- kow, Poland in 2016. fore the start of Christianity in mod- was on the Holy Saturday, April 14, nant religion throughout Poland. In ern-day Poland, there were a num- 966. The ceremony was preceded by adopting Christianity as the state reli- The Thousand (1,000) Year Cel- ber of many different pagan tribes. a week of oral Catechism and several gion, Mieszko sought to achieve sev- ebration of 1966 (966-1966) Svetovid was among the most wide- days of fasting. The actual ceremony eral personal goals. He saw Poland’s spread pagan gods worshipped in Po- involved pouring water over the seg- baptism as a way to strengthening his The preparations for the millennial land. Christianity arrived around the regated groups of men and women. hold on power, as well as using it as a celebrations began with the Great late 9th century. Most likely around The baptismal mission which began unifying force for the Polish people. Novena of 1957, which marked a the time when the Vistulan tribe en- in the two cities of Gniezno and Po- It replaced several smaller cults with nine years period of fast and prayer. countered the Christian Rite in deal- zan with the baptism of Mieszko and a single, central one, clearly associat- In 1966 the People’s Republic of Po- ing with their neighbors, The Great his court spread throughout Poland. ed with the royal court. It would also land witnessed large festivities on Moravia (Bohemian) State. The During the 10th and11th centuries, improve the position and respect- the 1,000 year anniversary of those Moravian cultural made a big influ- various ecclesiastical organs were ability of the Polish state on the in- events with the church celebrating ence and played a significant role in established in Poland. This included ternational and European scene. The the 1,000 years of Christianity in the spread of Christianity onto the the building of churches and the ap- church also helped to strengthen the Poland, while the communist gov- Polish lands and the adoption of the pointment of clergy. The first Bishop monarch’s authority and brought to ernment celebrated the secular 1,000 Christian religion. The Christianiza- of Poland, Jordan, was appointed by Poland much experience with regard years of the Polish State and culmi- tion of Poland through the Czech-Pol- Pope John XIII in 988. Mieszko’s to state administration. The church nated in twice denying Pope Paul VI ish Alliance represented a conscious son, Boleslaw I, supported Chris- organization supported the state and permission to visit Poland that year. choice on the part of Polish rulers to tianization missions to neighboring in return, the bishops received im- The desire of the communist party to ally themselves with the Czech state lands, notably the mission of future portant government titles (in the later separate religion from the state made rather than the German one. Some of Saint Adalbert of Prague to Old Prus- era, they were members of the senate the festivities a culture clash between the later political struggles involved sians, and established the Archbish- of Poland). the state and the church. While the the Polish church refusing to subor- opric of Gniezno in the year 1000. church was focusing on the religious, dinate itself to the German hierarchy At first the Christian religion was History of the Church of Poland ecclesiastical aspects of the Baptism, and instead being directly subordi- “unpopular and alien”. Mileszko’s with slogans (in Latin) like Sacrum nate to the Vatican, located within the baptism was highly influential but Every since Poland officially adopted Poloniae Millenium (Poland’s Sa- City of Rome, Italy. needed to be enforce by the state and Latin Christianity in 966, the Catho- cred Millennium), the Communist ran into some popular opposition, in- lic Church has played an important Party was framing the celebrations The Baptism of Poland cluding an uprising in the 1030s (par- religious, cultural, and political role as a secular, political anniversary of ticularly intense in the years of 1035- in the country. Identifying oneself the creation of the Polish State, with This refers to the ceremony when 1037). During this time Poland had as Catholic distinguished Polish slogans, in Polish, like Tysiacle- the first ruler of this Polish state, won recognition as a papacy from culture and nationality from neigh- cie panstwa polskiego (A Thousand Mieszko I and much of his court, the Holy Roman Empire. Christian- boring Germany, especially Eastern Years of the Polish converted to the Christian religion. ity’s spread was slowest in Pomera- and Northern Germany, which is State. On the 30th of July 1966, the Mieszko’s wife, Dobrawa of Bohe- nia, where it gained a significant fol- mostly Lutheran, and the countries United States Bureau of Engrav- mia, a zealous Christian, played a lowing only around the 12th century. to the East which are orthodox. Dur- ing and Printing issued 128,475,000 significant role in promoting Christi- The clergy came from the western ing times of foreign oppression, the commemoration stamps honoring the anity in Poland, and might have had European countries; native Polish Catholic Church was a cultural guard millennium anniversary of the adop- significant influence on converting clergy took three or four generations in the fight for independence and na- Mieszko himself. The exact place to emerge, and were supported by the tional survival. The Polish Abbey in of Mieszko’s baptism is disputed; monasteries and friars that grew in- Czestochowa, which successfully re- 11 July 2020 The Utica Phoenix Legal Briefs Continued from page 6 mer U.S. district judge and now a mediator and arbitrator, answers that she believes there is still a lack of trust of women lawyers. She suggests that in an important and complex legal problem, businesses and the public feel safer with the middle-aged to elderly white male image, like Perry Mason! She believes that the bar leaders, judiciary and corporate counsel, and especially the public need to come to understand that intelligence and talent are not related to gender. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was tied for first place in her Columbia Law School class, could not find a single law firm who would hire her, solely because of her gender. Locally, this happened to one of the best lawyers in recent memory in Oneida and Herkimer Counties, Mary Panarites (sadly now deceased). Many years ago (and with all due respect to the Rev. Al Sharpton at the George Floyd memo- rial service), Justice Ginsburg said “You need to get your foot off our necks!” Giving attention to legal myths is not wrong. It can be a starting point for developing an interest in the law. However, if legal issues are important in your life, for instance regarding custody of your children or money payable for any reason, it is wise to consult a lawyer who can advise you on the truth of legal myths. This discussion is not intended to render legal advice on spe- cific cases or to express an opinion on any specific case. Polonia tion of Christianity in Poland. An an- ligious countries in Europe. Polish niversary parade was held in the front Catholics participate in the sacraments of the Palace of Culture and Science more frequently than their counter on Parade Square on the 22nd of July parts in most Western European and to coincide with the Annual National North American countries. A 2009 Day of the Rebirth of Poland celebra- study by the church itself revealed that tions. It was attended by Wladyslaw 80% of Poles go to confession at least Gonulka, the First Secretary of the once a year, while 60% of the respon- Polish United Worker’s Party, as well dents say they do so more often than as members of the Polish Council of once a year. A 2005 study by George- State. The parade inspector was Mar- town University’s Center for applied shal of Poland Marian Spychalski, research in the apostolate revealed that while it was commanded by the Com- only 14% of Americans Catholics take mander of the Warsaw Military Dis- part in the Sacrament of Penance one a trict Major General Czeslaw Waryszak year. The majority of Poles continue to (1919-1979). Troops of the Polish declare themselves Catholic. This is in People’s Army were on parade, fea- stark contrast to the otherwise similar turing units such as the representative neighboring Czech Republic, which is honor guard of the LWP, the Band of one of the least religious practicing ar- LWP (led by Colonel Lisztok) as well eas on earth, with only 19% declaring as cadets of military academies and “They believe there is a God” of any other ceremonial units dressed in Pol- kind. A 2014 survey conducted by the ish historical military uniforms dating church found that the number of Pol- back to the Piast Dynasty. The parade ish Catholics attending Sunday Mass is today regarded as the largest mili- had fallen by two million over the last tary parade in the history of Poland. decade with 39% of baptized Catholics regularly attending Mass in 2014. At The Number of Catholics in Poland the same time, however, this partly re- sults from the fact that since 2004, 2.1 As of 2005 a majority of Poles, ap- million Poles have emigrated to West- proximately 88% identified them- ern Europe. “Open wide the doors to selves as Catholic and 58% said they Christ,” urged Pope John Paul II when are active practicing Catholics ac- he was installed as Pope in 1978. Be- cording to a survey by the Center for lieved by Catholics worldwide, Saint Public Opinion Research. According John Paul II’s personal warmth and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of charisma helped trans form the papacy the Republic of Poland, 95% of Poles and inspired millions of Catholics. belong to the Catholic Church. This survey bases the number of adherents References: 1. Catholic Church in Po- on the number of infants baptized, as land—Wikipedia 2. 100th Birthday of provided by the Catholic Church. In St. John Paul II/Nawas Poland Pilgrim- the biggest part of Europe the rated ages 3. Christianization of Poland— of religious observance has steadily Wikipedia 4. Poland’s Government is decreased. However, Poland still re- Leading a Catholic Revival mains one of the most devoutly re-

12 July 2020 The Utica Phoenix ther’s profession, as well as a scene of At revelry at a bar with these men, scored with The Wallflowers’ “One Head- the light;” like Jacob Dylan, Scott realizes the gravity of the shoes left behind by Movies his father. with Mark Ziobro The other absolute joys of “The King of Staten Island” are the performances by Maude Apatow, as Scott’s sister, The King of and Bel Powley, as Scott’s girlfriend Kelsey. Maude and Davidson have Staten Island great chemistry, and we see that, now grown up, Apatow can really act, and under Claire’s irritation with Scott has vThere are several wonderful sur- a love that is palpable and real. And kicking around abandoned sites, drink- don’t crush them when you don’t prises in Judd Apatow’s latest ef- Powley brings life to Kelsey that flies ing and smoking pot with his friends, come home that one time.” fort, “The King of Staten Island.” in the face of convention: beautiful who seem to ride the fine line between That’s not to say that Apatow has Pete Davidson, known more for and young, she has a sincerity and rebel and lawlessness. Among them is lost himself, or refuses to find op- his SNL chops, can act very well, love of Staten Island (and Scott) that Scott’s ‘girlfriend’ Kelsey - Staten Is- portunities for humor. Some scenes, and brings a very personal story to has a healing power all its own. One lander with dreams of studying urban such as when Scott begins walking comedic relevance. The movie also can’t help but watch “The King of planning in NYC to finally put Staten Ray’s kids to school every morning, features a fun, young cast (with Staten Island” and fall in love with its Island into the standing it deserves— or jokes at Scott’s expense over his some additional favorites), and, namesake’s appeal; like Scott, it has a only Scott keeps her hidden from others lack of artistry skills–Scott’s dream with the exception of Apatow’s potential and charm just waiting to be in his life, with a mixed bag of excuses is to b a tattoo artist, but his friends own daughter Maude, doesn’t recy- unwrapped. that all seem to find different ways of have long grown weary of his incon- cle many of the characters from his All-in-all, “The King of Staten Is- saying, “I’m not good enough.” sistent work and letting Scott prac- older films. But first and foremost, land” is marvelous. Pete Davidson Others players, such as Scott’s mother tice on them. Other scenes, such as “The King of Staten Island” shows brings an authenticity and sweetness (played by Marisa Tomei) and a love a talk Scott has with Ray’s ex-wife, that Apatow hasn’t lost a step since to a role that could have been slapstick interest for her (Bill Bur)—who is also and an ensuing physical fight he has his last writer/director production, in lesser hands, and the film hits notes a fireman—round out the picture. with Ray later, buffer the film in mo- “This is 40.” The film brings laughs in all the right places to be a respect- What works about “The King of Stat- ments of slapstick and levity to round in the right places, emotion where ful coming of age story. As is usual en Island” is the humorous yet dramatic out the film’s seriousness. needed, and anchors the film with with Apatow, the film also isn’t one way that Apatow and the cast ground The acting performances are all needed empathy and understand- sided: Scott isn’t the only one to grow the film in reality. First, there’s the fact apt, and despite their motley crew ing. during the film, but as is Kelsey, Ray, that Davidson helped to co-write the arrangement, perfectly cast. Tomei, The basic premise of the film is and Scott’s mother. The film’s close, script, based off of losing his own fa- who I’ve always liked, does a great that Scott (Davidson) is stuck in silhouetted against the skyscrapers in ther, who was a firefighter during 9/11, job playing a mother-figure exhaust- burnout mode at 24, and can’t move NYC gives the sense of Scott’s growth that casts a pallor of seriousness over it. ed from Scott’s arrested develop- on with his life. Several things con- and purpose. But, packed with hysteri- Scott, along with his friends, joke that ment. Likewise Bill Bur, as Ray, is tribute to this, such as his sister cal humor and heavy doses of empa- it doesn’t bother him. He shrugs it off; likable and relatable, especially dur- (Maude Apatow) graduating high thy, Apatow once again creates a pic- but it isn’t until his mother starts dat- ing some of the film’s later scenes school and leaving for college, but ture that makes life’s ups and downs ing Ray, that his long-repressed feel- that take place at a firehouse. Apatow more so due to his father, who was relatable and funny at the same time. ings are able to finally seethe to the sur- layers his film with some more sym- a firefighter, dying on the job when A win for all involved and a definite face. “[Being a fireman] is fine if you bolic elements this time around, such Scott was 7. Scott has the typical recommend. don’t have kids,” Scott laments to Ray as Scott learning respect for his fa- quarter-life-crisis approach: cov- and his work friends, “so that way you ered in tattoos, he spends his days

Contact Tracing: How it works will telephone the contact, identify termine what the individual was doing himself as a public health official, as- and with whom he came in contact dur- sure the contact that his confidential- ing the 2 days befgore he developed ity will be protected, and then engage symptoms or, if asymptomatic, during in the process of tracing all the peo- the 2 days preceding diagnosis with ple with whom the contact may have the positive test. Once the timeline is been in contact during the infectious established, the contact tracer will ask stage of the natural history of COR- the infected individual for the contact VID-19. information for every individual The The infectious stage of CORVID-19 purpose of contact tracing is to stop the With the assistance of the tracer, a spread of the virus. timeline will be established to de- Heavenly Aroma of CNY Incense Oils Lotions and Potions Br. Ian Muhammad Ali pacts on society. Public health of- infection remained unclear. They sus- 315-351-5181 ficials are champions of population pected person-to-person transmission Thursday-Saturday health. Their goal is to establish was involved because family members conditions where everyone has the were in the cluster. Two days later, Corner of South and Park opportunity to enjoy good health. they informed the public that there Few understand that social justice were 41 one confirmed cases. The Chi- is and has always been the driver of nese proposed that transmission could public health. It is the misfortune result from person to person contact of the American people that the because members of the same family President is unteachable. That the were among the hospitalized. public health community is sharing When a contact tracer is informed that what it is discovering in a timely an individual, identified as the contact, fashion. tested positive for CORVID-19 or de- The mode of transmission of the veloped symptoms of CORVID-19, he July 2020 The Utica Phoenix 13 Garden Season 2020 Underway Nonagenarian GardenerGeorge Pavese Delivers Erin Corrigan (Garden Coordinator) food has been going to garden partici- pants, streets passersby, the hope house, and For The Good staff and visitors.

Little Sillies in the Garden! This is 90 year old George Pavese once again delivering several varieties of squash to the headquarters building on Linwood. George loves squash blos- Every Tuesday we have a community soms and is really good at starting plants. Its a great deal. He comes through- The days have gotten long and the garden work day, in the gardens on Lin- out the season and helps himself and we get the squash Thanks George! community gardens are really starting wood Place from 10-1, and Jay St from to pop! I am feeling the chance to catch 1:30-4. We warmly welcome anyone my breath and start to enjoy our efforts who wants to participate. We also wel- OnPoint for College Graduates as the work in the garden transitions come anyone who is in need of fresh into maintaining and harvesting from local veggies to come by and take some the rush to prep and plant beds. of the harvest home! We are so grateful for so much won- The garden is still a wonderful safe derful amount of community support space for social distancing as the gar- and participation. All the beds at Lin- dens are large and we can easily work wood are full between individual and with much distance between each other. community beds. Jay street is coming Come join us!! back to life after some years of being Also new and in the works is going to underused and most of the beds are re- be Tuesday Evenings in The Garden claimed and will be providing an abun- from 6:30-8pm in the Linwood Place dance of food again. gardens. We will be starting July 14th This has truly been a community with an introduction to medicinal herbs effort!We’ve had volunteers building in the garden with local herbalist Lisa bed boxes, donating plants, weeding, Fazio. This will be a time for educa- filling beds with soil, planting, water- tion, empowerment, and sharing of ing, harvesting, and eating!! knowledge and skills related to grow- A big thanks to the fire department as ing and using food and medicine. well for filling our water tanks. And a We would like to encourage anyone in Left: OnPoint advocated for Alex Dankwa to re-matriculate, provided trans- big thanks to Truly and Ian who have the community who has experience to portation to Mansfield University in Pennsylvania for his recruiting trip and share to reach out to Erin- erindancor@ helped him secure a partial scholarship to run Track & Field. He has since been spending most evenings during secured a position on the athletic staff. our dry weather keep all the plants gmail.com about signing up for a night Right: Luis Batres, has earned his degree in Electrical Service Technician growing. If anyone is able to help con- or simply come by on Tuesday night! from MVCC. He is from El Salvador. We helped him enroll at MVCC and as- tribute with the watering please contact This is free and open to everyone but sisted him in filling out his financial aid, seeking and filling out scholarships. us, we could always use more hands. we encourage non-BIPOC individuals So far we’ve been harvesting spring to bring a donation to support For The Support Black Businesses onions, basil, spinach, kale, collards, Good. Thanks for reading, Be well and turnips, radishes, lettuce, and mint. The Much Love. Erin Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers Alumni Covid-19 Mitigation Task Force at Work in Community

A Lord Allah, Theodore Allah, Samantha Taverez and Alexandria Paul take a mo- ment to pose while distributing masks and hand sanitizer and Covid-19 informai- Native Roman,Shelly Gardner,stands before her newly opened, ton on June 12 at Johnson Park Center in Utica. Gardners Farm Table Resaurant located at 401 West Dominic Street. She specializes in Soul Food and locally grown and sourced The Utica Phoenix food products. Gardner’s is Rome’s only Soul Food restaurant and 14 July 2020 one of only a few Black-owned businesses in Rome. Mohawk Valley Almanac, July 2020 Edition by Roger Chambers In these unprecedented times, most, if Many other localities and events, such In the difficult times ahead, we will Rising and SettingTimes of the Sun, not all, of the major festivals and fairs as state parks and various picnics and have to adjust the best we can, adapt- Moon, and Visible Planets on Tues- that make summer a season of large cookouts will likely be scaled back in ing to the use of masks and limiting day July 21, 2020 outdoor gatherings for parades, arts size with some type of “social distanc- social interaction on a large sale as and music festivals and sporting events ing” guidelines in place. These will part of the “new normal” at least for Sunrise 5:41 A.M. have been canceled due to the Corona likely include keeping groups separat- the next few months. Support local Sunset 8:32 P.M. virus pandemic. Major holidays may ed by six feet or more and the encour- businesses as much as possible, and Moonrise 6:23 A.M., NE, be celebrated this year, though in ways aged, if not mandated, use of masks hopefully pull together as an indica- Waxing Crescent different than in most years with large for any potentially close interactions. tion that this is a community. If you Moonset 9:39 P.M., NW gatherings likely very limited in scope. are fortunate enough to have a job, Mercury rises 4:16 A.M., NE Be that as it may, the seasonal differ- do your best to support local non Venus rises 2:48 A.M., NE Holidays and Observances for July ences continue, with home gardens profits and food banks to help those Mars rises 11:44 P.M., East and regional agricultural businesses who are newly unemployed or under- Jupiter rises 7:58 P.M., SE July 1 Canada Day tied to these variations in the climate. employed. We will get through this Jupiter sets 5:10 A.M., SW July 4 Independence Day, usually Some farmers markets (in Utica and as difficult as it might seem at the Saturn rises 8:22 P.M., SE called the “Fourth of July” Clinton) are open (with restrictions), moment as a community that may be Saturn sets 5:46 A.M., SW July 13 Nathan Bedford Forrest’s while others have chosen not to oper- stronger and better off as this pan- Birthday, Tennessee ate this year. For those markets, and demic winds down. Full Buck Moon July 5 July 24 Pioneer Day, Utah for home gardeners, the strawberries Last Quarter July 12 July 25 Constitution Day, Puerto will be nearly gone by early July, In the Night Skies New Moon July 20 Rico; National Day of the Cowboy while raspberries, blackberries and First Quarter July 27 July 27 José Celso Barbosa’s Birth- blueberries coming into season in mid Mercury and Venus are both visible day, Puerto Rico; National Day of the summer. And not too long after that, in the predawn sky in the east, Mer- Cowboy peppers, tomatoes, summer squash, cury better towards the end of the beans and corn will be in season. month, but quite low on the horizon. As most traditional events are not hap- The Moon joins these two planets on pening, the usual calendar of events For those who usually take summer the 17th, and is to the left of Mercury is not included this month. These in- vacations at resorts out of the area, or on the 19th. clude, but are not limited to, the fol- visiting relatives out of state, many lowing usual large celebrations of the plans will simply be canceled, and Jupiter is in opposition on 14th, while summer season: the Munson Williams finding ways to relax at parks or other Saturn is in opposition on the 20th. Proctor Arts Institute Sidewalk Arts regional attractions may be limited as This means that they rise about sun- Festival, the Utica Boilermaker, large well. This may prove to be a bit ex- set and are visible most of the night, regional Fourth of July parades and hausting, as it appears we may have a and they are both at their brightest for events, Honor America Days in Rome, hot summer, by late June already hav- the year. The Moon is below these Sylvan Beach Amusement Park and ing four days over 90°F, with a long two giant planets on the 6th, forming the Boonville Fair. The Enchanted time average of five such hot days for a triangle. Forest and Water Safari in Old Forge is the full season. All we can do is find opening as of this writing on June 27. little things to do with family or close friends, but limit close social contact as much as possible and carry on.

The Utica Phoenix 15