IMPORTANT alleynews.org NEIGHBORHOOD Of, By, and For its NEWS p 4, 5, & 9 Readers Since 1976 VOL. 46, NUMBER 2 ©2021 Alley Communications, Inc. FEBRUARY 2021 @alleynewspaper Tips from a COVID-19 Indian Reservation in New York; Case Investigator REMEMBERING moved to Honolulu in 1945, to East Phillips San Francisco in 1954, to Wash- Neighborhood Laura Waterman Wittstock ington, D.C. in 1971, and to the Feeling Sept. 11, 1937 – January 16, 2021 Twin Cities in 1973 where she Community and contined to: Press Conference Sick and Woman of Wisdom Via • Nurture her family, Words and Voice: The • Speak and write truth to a Major Success Uncertain Cosmos has Grown power, by One More Star • Build trusting relationships By THE EAST PHILLIPS By LINDSEY FENNER between people, cultures, NEIGHBORHOODS INSTITUTE By HARVEY WINJE and organizations, We recently had a COVID • Give unprententious coun- On January 16, the East Phil- scare in our house. I wanted Laura’s compassionate eyes sel to hundreds of people, lips Neighborhood Institute to share a little bit about that closed, her judicious intel- organizations personally (EPNI) hosted a virtual press experience, because even lect chronicled, her indigenous and on many boards of and community conference to though I have had hundreds discuss the future of the Roof wisdom relayed, her correc- directors. Depot building. Community of conversations about how to tions of errant history revealed, For many of us words cope with COVID isolation, I members and elected officials still felt uncertain and unpre- her gracious smile remembered, don’t come as easily as joined together in solidarity pared. I needed help to figure and her dedication to family of they did to Laura when for the fight towards environ- out whatPHOTO to COURTSEYdo. OF AICDC five children, four grandchil- expressing the deepest mental, racial, and economic I woke up on a Monday dren, two great grandchildren, of thoughts from heart, justice. Dean Dovolis, EPNI morning feeling sick: aches, one great-great grandchild, and head, and soul. Thank President, began the confer- chills, fatigue, headache, a three honorary children fulfilled; you, Laura. Rest in peace ence by introducing EPNI’s low-grade fever, and a cough. Laura Waterman Wittstock’s after walking with us and diverse board of directors and None of these symptoms is indelible impact lives on after “taking only memories and their tenacious commitment in specific to COVID. It might J.T.GUTHRIE making the community’s vi- passing to the Spirit world Janu- leaving only footprints;” sion of the East Phillips Urban have been a severe cold or ary 16th 2021. Laura was an “The birthright of every Indian born is that her Farm a reality. They hope that the flu, but to be safe, I had to enrolled member of the Seneca Continued on page 7... assume it was COVID and act or his ancestors paid a price beyond imaginingJ.T. GUTHRIE the 230,000 square foot Roof accordingly. Nation of Indians, Heron Clan, that their descendants would live as Indians.” Depot building at 1860 E 28th The first thing I had to and was born at the Cattaraugus LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK think through was how to get tested. It was snowing that day and I wasn’t feeling up to Abbott Northwestern Hospital Campus Renewal driving to a testing site. My partner doesn’t drive, and I Project is About to Begin to expand the campus. didn’t want anyone else to risk Before we improve patient care exposure by giving me a ride. areas at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, By ALISON PENCE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY we need to complete two critical infra- So I ordered a no-cost at-home ENGAGEMENT, ALLINA test through the State of MN structure updates. We need to build a new Central Utility Plant (CUP) near and Vault Health here: https:// Allina Health’s Abbott Northwest- learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of- 26th Street and Chicago Avenue. The ern Hospital is about to kick-off a CUP will replace the hospital’s old en- minnesota/ multi-year campus renewal project I started to mentally go ergy and steam producing equipment that will help us transform our facili- with more reliable and energy-efficient PHOTO CREDIT: through some of the interview ties and prepare to provide patient care CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS questions I had asked so many technology. This equipment is essen- for at least the next 50 years. Abbott tial to running both Abbott Northwest- “I can’t in good conscience continue to support times doing my job: where Northwestern has been a part of this I might have gotten COVID ern and Children’s hospitals. We also unsustainable unimaginable policies that continue neighborhood for more than 138 years need to build a new Transportation to disrupt our communities. I really support this from? and more importantly, and we intend to stay and invest in was anyone else besides my Hub and add two levels of parking to effort to create a more sustainable future for our our facilities in this community. We a ramp near 28th Street & Chicago communities, for our City.” – Minneapolis City partner potentially exposed? are also abiding by the Covenant - the I had to have a conversation Avenue. Building a new Transportation Council Vice President and Ward 8 Council Member agreement that was made with the Hub will allow us to tear down a dif- Andrea Jenkins with my partner about isola- residents of the Phillips neighborhood tion and quarantine. If it was many years ago - and will not buy any Continued on page 6... COVID, I would have been additional residential property in order St will become a community able to spread the virus two owned and operated enterprise days BEFORE I started to feel that includes hydroculture; sick. The people most at risk Letter, July 25, 1990 aquaponics; affordable low-in- to get infected from someone come housing; a world market; with COVID are the people Garbage community kitchen; entre- you live with. This meant both preneurial start-up spaces for of us needed to stay home: By MYRTLE LARSON people of color; and the largest I in isolation because I was solar array in Minnesota. potentially infected, and he in Andrea Jenkins, vice-presi- quarantine because he was po- Myrtle Larson was approxi- mately 80 years old and dent of the Minneapolis City tentially exposed. We canceled Council, spoke passionately or rescheduled all appoint- lived on 16th Avenue near ments for the next few weeks. 28th Street when she wrote Continued on page 6... We also couldn’t leave to get this letter. The new Gar- things like groceries, prescrip- bage Transfer Station was tions, or cat food. never built. Because I would potentially be infectious for 10 days after “Over fifty years ago I INSIDE... my symptoms started, I knew I might need to stay home for took a course in Chemistry at the University of Min- u How to get involved at least 10 days. But we also in the East Phillips needed to decide how I could nesota. The professor who taught the course was Dr. Neighborhood isolate from my partner in our Institute! p 6 house. Our home is small, and I. William Geiger. He was we only have one bedroom and very special. He was a dedi- u Excerpts from Laura's one bathroom. In the moment, cated conservationist and column, Indaway it didn’t seem possible for us environmentalist. He taught Mahgahnug (All My to stay in separate parts of the us that waste materials Relatives) p 7 & 10 house. So we didn’t even try, could be transformed into u Financial & Tax tips and something I would do differ- useful products. One such assistance p 3 & 10 ently next time. product is methanol which u Cultural Wellness Center My test took a little longer to news on neighborhood arrive than I expected. I ordered could be used for energy to run automobiles. nutrition programs it on Monday morning and it p 8 & 12 We asked him why metha- Continued on page 11... Continued on page 11... 2 alleynews.org • February 2021 appointment. The building will removed from your account Cloud Library remain locked, but staff will after a three-day quarantine. Downloadable ebooks for read- let you in at your appointment ers of all ages. A reader app is Alley Communications IS time. Masks are required and Outdoor Wifi Available at available for Apple, Android connecting neighbors, promoting art and culture, advocating for issues, building will be provided if you do not Franklin & Hosmer Libraries and other devices. health community, facilitating delibera- bring one. Because of social dis- Free Wi-Fi is available in Online Services tion, lifting every voice, documenting his- tancing, staff will be unable to the parking lots and grounds Go to the library without leav- tory, agitating for change, giving truth and offer computer assistance. You of several Hennepin County ing home. Here are just a few democracy a jog forward. will have access to a desktop libraries, including Franklin of the services available at Guided and Informed by: Phillips residents Library News computer, Internet, and printing. and Hosmer. Library staff can www.hclib.org: Governed by Directors: Cathy Strobel-Ayres, You will need to bring your own help you find the best signal. • Tools for job searches Pres.; Thorbjorn Adam, Eric Angell, Kyle By CARZ NELSON headphones. Homework Help • Ancestry Library Edition Cranston, Steve Dreyer, Lee Leichentritt, Frances At this time, Franklin Live, virtual tutors are avail- and other resources to research Mendenhall, Steve Sandberg. For updated information Library is open for computer use able through Help Now www.