Sun Focus

Fridley Fire open house

Samuel Lenhart — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:58:03 +0000

The Fridley Fire Department kicked off fire prevention week with an open house for all ages. On Saturday, Oct. 7, visitors watched live demonstrations, tried on fire equipment, climbed on fire trucks, petted Dalmatians, watched a police K-9 demonstration and learned about fire safety.

Firefighters gave attendees a hands-on demonstrate of the jaws of life during the Oct. 7 open house at the Fridley Fire Department.

TCFF Spotlight: Wet Dreams: One Woman’s Chance at Touching Gold

Sun Editor — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:57:29 +0000

By Jared Huizenga – Contributing Writer

Over the course of 11 days, October 18-28, film fans and filmmakers from across the country will descend upon the ShowPlace ICON Theatre at the Shops at West End in St. Louis Park for the 2017 Twin Cities Film Fest.

More than 120 films – including features, shorts, animation and documentaries – will screen over the course of the festival. In addition, a large number of directors, producers, and actors will walk the red carpet, present their films, attend the mixers and chat with fans about their work.

Over the course of TCFF 2017, we’ll be chatting with some of those filmmakers and stars to find out more about what they’re bringing to the TCFF screens.

Film: Wet Dreams: One Woman’s Chance at Touching Gold – Roach, 10,000 Laughs (Comedy Shorts Block)

Showtime: 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19 and 5:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25

Information/tickets: http://twincitiesfilmfest.org/films/wet-dreams-one-womans-chance-at-touching-gold/

It’s always interesting to see what kind of homegrown talent TCFF draws in each and every year. Amont those for 2017 is Emily Bell, whose short film will screen twice during the festval … marking the first time one of her films has shown in her home state.

Q: Tell us about Wet Dreams: One Woman’s Chance at Touching Gold.”

“Wet Dreams” is a mockumentary about a determined amateur athlete and her coach as they train in the

obscure sport, Leisure Diving. Unfazed by numerous obstacles, including the fact that it’s not actually

considered an official sport, their hopes remain high that one day their dream to compete for gold in the

Olympics will come true.

Q: Where has the film screened and what has the audience reaction been like so far?

Emily Bell

The film has screened at two Hollywood film festivals: IFS and Salute Your Shorts. TCFF will be the first out-of-state festival for this film, and the first film festival I’ve attended in my home state of Minnesota.

So far it’s been received well and people seem to respond positively to the sincere nature of our two main characters, despite their ridiculous circumstances.

Q: What was the inspiration for the film?

It all started when I was trying to get a new profile picture for my Facebook page. I thought a picture of

me jumping into a pool could look cool, so I asked my brother to be the photographer while I cannon-

balled, belly-flopped, and did everything in between at our parent’s hotel pool while they were visiting us in California.

He and his wife started coaching me on different goofy poses to try, and pretty soon we got some Facebook-worthy pics. I remember thinking to myself how amusing it would be if someone took this art of “leisure diving” seriously, and shortly after I contacted my actor/writer/producer friend, Kassie

Thornton, and we started talking logistics about making it into a short film.

Q: It appears you wear multiple hats on this film – writer, star, director, etc. – is there one role you prefer over the others or one that you like way less than the others?

Acting has always been my first love, so that would have to be my favorite part. Almost all of the dialog in the film was improvised, so aside from the story outline that Kassie Thornton (producer/ actor/ writer), Darren Coyle (director/writer/editor), and I put together, there wasn’t as much writing required for this film.

On the day of the shoot the cast and crew continued to throw out new ideas and lines for us to try,

and Kassie and I had a blast playing off each other and letting the story come to life in an organic,

spontaneous way.

Q: It appears that this is your first time having a film at TCFF. What was it about the festival that drew you to submit your film?

I grew up in Minnesota (Minneapolis and Minnetonka, to be exact) and really wanted to screen a film in my home state. I had heard great things about TCFF and was thrilled to learn that “Wet Dreams” had

been accepted. I’m really looking forward to seeing it with my friends and family, who have supported me in so many ways over the years. Even my high school drama teacher will be there!

Q: If someone is only going to see one or two films at the Twin Cities Film Fest, why should it be

the comedy shorts block and this film?

Well, I’m a comedy nerd, so I’m really looking forward to seeing all the shorts in the comedy block. And if someone wants to learn some new leisure diving moves for their next visit to the pool, then “Wet Dreams” is right up their alley!

Jared Huizenga is a freelance movie critic and the owner of www.ManVersusMovie.com

COLUMN: Minnesota’s college completion problem and a chance to save money

Joe Nathan — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 06:11:47 +0000

By Joe Nathan
Guest Columnist

Minnesota doesn’t have a problem with students entering two- or four-year colleges. Most high school graduates do that. But we do have a problem with not enough students completing a certificate or diploma.

October, proclaimed “College Knowledge” month by state officials, gives Minnesota students and families a chance to save money and learn more about college completion. Those savings can help Minnesotans reach an important goal that a newly released poll shows most Minnesotans don’t know about.

Here’s the problem. Minnesota Office of Higher Education statistics show that more than 80 percent of high school graduates enter a college or university. But only 61 percent of our young people, ages 25-44, have earned some form of certificate or diploma. The Office of Higher Education shows a huge gap among various groups: 23 percent of American Indian, 27 percent of Hispanic, 35 percent of African American and 65 percent of Asian American and white students have earned a post-secondary certificate at a two-year college, or a four-year degree.

As Larry Pogemiller, commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, pointed out to me: “Any debt, when you don’t complete a certificate or diploma, is too much debt.” He explained that there’s no economic benefit for students who start, but don’t complete a certificate or degree.

Taking a small step toward making a two- or four-year college more affordable, many Minnesota public and private post-secondary institutions are waiving admissions fees for all or part of October. Many colleges have eliminated the application fee, year-round, for students from low-income families. Admissions fees can add up, so this helps. A complete list of participating colleges and universities can be found here: http://bit.ly/2wwJvAy.

Along with this savings opportunity, a newly released poll shows the vast majority of Minnesotans don’t know about an important goal that the 2015 state Legislature set.

After studying what Minnesota needs to continue making progress, the Legislature decided that by 2025, 70 percent of Minnesota adults, ages 25-55, should have attained some form of post-secondary certificate or degree.

Setting a goal doesn’t guarantee that it will be achieved, but getting there is more likely if people know about it. Most Minnesotans don’t.

Center for School Change, where I work, commissioned a statewide poll, conducted in July 2017. Public Policy Polling, a widely respected organization that accurately predicted both national and Minnesota presidential results last year, administered the poll.

This poll found that only 25 percent of Minnesotans said they were “very” or “somewhat” familiar with the goal. Only 24 percent thought the goal was 70 percent or higher. When told that the goal was 70 percent, the majority of Minnesotans (59 percent either strongly or somewhat supported it). Results are here: http://bit.ly/2g92JWH.

Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, chair of the Minnesota House Education Innovation Policy Committee, responded that the poll “points to the need for the K-12 system, especially secondary schools to be talking with students about this goal, and the reasons for it.”

Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, who chairs the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee, agreed, saying “there needs to be more discussion of the goal focused on ‘What does this mean for me and my kids?’”

Rep Bud Norness, R-Fergus Falls, chair of the Minnesota House Higher Education Committee told me he “wasn’t shocked” by the poll’s results. He continued, “We have to keep trying to educate people.” Norness believes higher education must “deliver relevant education that leads to jobs.” He cited an example in Perham, where the local community is not satisfied with some job training programs, and is establishing its own.

Sen. Greg Clausen, DFL-Apple Valley-Rosemount, believes “Students and families need to understand that most Minnesota jobs — now — require at least some post-secondary education — not necessarily a four-year diploma.”

While agreeing “absolutely” that students need to know about the goal, former Minnesota legislator Larry Pogemiller was not surprised by the poll’s results. He told me: “I don’t think it’s unusual… most Minnesotans don’t know every specific provision that the Legislature passes. However, institutional players better know. We need more students not only entering but earning some form of higher education certificate or diploma.”

The Office of Higher Education has convened education and community groups to help achieve the “attainment goal.” OHE also has many resources for College Knowledge month, helping students and families prepare to not just enter, but succeed in some form of post-secondary education: http://bit.ly/2y20ZbP

_________

Joe Nathan was a Minnesota public school teacher and administrator who directs the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org or @JoeNathan9249

TCFF Spotlight: Lady Lillian

Sun Editor — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 20:17:16 +0000

By Jared Huizenga – Contributing Writer

Over the course of TCFF 2017, we’ll be chatting with some of those filmmakers and stars to find out more about what they’re bringing to the TCFF screens.

Film: Lady Lillian – Roach, 10,000 Laughs (Comedy Shorts Block)

Showtime: 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19 and 5:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25

Information/tickets: http://twincitiesfilmfest.org/films/lady-lillian/

One of the things I enjoy most about TCFF is the people I’ve been able to meet. One of those people is Amber Johnson. For several years Amber and I would chat between screenings – her making sure everything ran smooth in the theater, and me sitting there waiting for her to make sure everything ran smoothly. And then all of a sudden she was gone. Well, she’s back this year, but this time as a filmmaker, with her comedy short “Lady Lillian.”

Q: Tell us about “Lady Lillian.”

“Lady Lillian” is a short dark comedy film about a fortune teller and a guy named Tim.

Tim comes to Lady Lillian because he’s having trouble with his relationship and at work. He’s never had a tarot card reading before, and is kind of nervous and buttoned-up.

His reading quickly starts to go downhill, amplifying Tim’s anxiety. The reading devolves into non-sequiturs about distracted driving and fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt that leave Tim rattled as he leaves to meet his fate.

Most of the film was shot in our cinematographer’s parents’ garage that we built a fortune teller studio set in with the amazing production design talent of Cheri Anderson.

The actors, Clarence Wethern, Lauren Anderson and Debra Berger, are some of Minneapolis’ best both on stage and screen, it was truly an honor to and a delight to get to work with them.

Laura Buchholz, our writer, is a kick ass … er really great comedy and sketch writer and it was a total blast to get to work with her and the script.

Our crew was top notch: Nick Hillyard, our cinematographer and colorist, is no stranger to the festival circuit and is easily one of the best in town. Cassie Wentlandt, is an amazing editor and collaborator. Our composer, Stephen Letnes, absolutely rocked the music and the begrudgingly but wonderfully made muzak. Sound recording by the ever wonderful and professional, Owen Brafford. Production assistance from Sarah Storbakken-Fehr and make-up artistry from Paige Fetter.

I honestly, could not have asked for a better team of people to work on this with.

Q: Where has the film screened and what has the audience reaction been like so far?

Z-Fest Film Festival (Best Picture, Best Comedy, Best Production Design)
South Dakota Film Festival (Award for Excellence in Filmmaking)
Gallup Film Festival (Best Short Comedy)
Intrrobang Film Festival
Westercon 70 Film Festival
Duluth Superior Film Festival
Atlanta Underground Film Festival
Shawnee Shorts Midwestern Film Festival
Fayetteville Film Festival
Sydney Indie Film Festival (Semi-Finalist – Best Short Comedy)
Comedy Shorts Film Festival
Ironstar International Short Film Festival (Finalist – Best Short Comedy)

To Screen at:

Twin Cities Film Fest
Rockport Film Festival
New Haven Film Festival
Bath Film Festival

The film has been received very well. The great thing about making a comedy is that you can actually hear how well your film is doing with an audience by how much they laugh. Every screening I’ve attended has had non-stop laughs from the audience. So, I think we can take that as a success.

Q: What was the inspiration for the film?

I decided to make a film for the local filmmaking competition, Z-Fest, to kind of get back in the saddle of directing again. I had been playing more supportive roles for the last few years and decided it was time to take everything that I have learned and step back up to the plate. I should note here that I not only wanted to play, I wanted to win. I was pissed off and wanted to prove that women have just as much of a place in charge as men do, and be successful as leaders at that.

Nick Hillyard, my cinematographer and key collaborator, suggested that we see what we could do with 2 characters and 1 location. I rarely back down from a challenge so I started letting my options roll around in my head. I drive through uptown Minneapolis every day on the way to and from work. Driving home one day, the neon sign of a fortune teller’s shop caught my eye.

THAT’S IT! Interesting location (check) lots of room for hilarity (check).

So, I looked up the best comedy writer I know, who also happens to know her way around a deck of tarot cards, and asked her to write something for me. Laura wrote a script that had us laughing all the way through the process and even though it expanded slightly from our 1 location, 2 actors, we kept the work precise and focused on the talent and the story and rocked out the production over the course of a few days.

Laura wrote the part of Lady Lillian specifically for Lauren Anderson who is a talent I’ve wanted to work with for a long time. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Clarence Wethern before and he was easily my first choice for Tim, so I was elated when he was willing and able to work with me again on this project.

I cast the amazing, Debra Berger, for the cashier roll. Admittedly, a total under utilization of her skills, but her single shot in the film garnered a Best Supporting Actress nomination at Z-Fest. So, needless to say, she rocked it.

I put together a crew of some of the best, who I could continue to gush over but I will spare you.

So, we made the film. It won Best Picture at Z-Fest as well as Best Comedy and Best Production Design and I realized just how much an angry woman can accomplish with the right people by her side.

Q: Your experience with TCFF is likely quite different than 99% of the other filmmakers. Tell us a little bit about that, and what it’s like to be on the “other” side of things now.

Over the past 4 years I have had the pleasure of being involved in TCFF as a staff member overseeing video production and playback. In 2016 I officially stepped down from those roles, with the help of some really great replacements to focus on making films.

I realized that maybe setting an example as a successful female filmmaker would have more of a positive impact on the community instead of playing supportive role to the success of others. “Lady Lillian” is actually the first project in that new direction and it has been even more successful than I could have dreamed.

It’s definitely fun to be on this side, but I admit that I am very careful to get my materials to the festival on time and be an easy filmmaker to work with because I know first-hand the amount of work the festival staff has to accomplish.

So far, the experience has been like coming back home to family. The TCFF staff has always been so supportive and we’ve become so close that it’s truly a delight to celebrate this film and the festival with them.

Q: If someone is only going to see one or two films at the Twin Cities Film Fest, why should they focus on “Lady Lillian” and this block of shorts?

It’s very unique for what it is. A lot of short comedy films I see are either relationship or bro humor, which earn their laughs but have a long history or archetypes and traditions to lean on. “Lady Lillian” is a dark comedy that is as much human as it is absurd. The cast are hilarious and extremely talented, they alone are a delight to watch. It’s visually stunning without being mastubatory and distracting from the story and the talent. It’s a great film and the festivals agree: the film has won numerous awards and continues to be accepted in festivals all over the world.

You, dear viewer, are in for a fun and wild ride with this little film, I promise you that.

Jared Huizenga is a freelance movie critic and the owner of www.ManVersusMovie.com

Panther pride on display at 7th annual carnival, 5K

Olivia Alveshere — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 19:54:26 +0000

The Panther Foundation’s seventh annual carnival and 5K/2K brought 600 to Panther Stadium for a morning of fun Sept. 30.

Activities, games and inflatables entertained kids from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

A new panther mascot led the children in a kids run prior to 5K and 2K races. Last year football players filled in.

The weather cooperated perfectly for a fall run with hundreds lacing up their running shoes Saturday.

“We were excited to see many new families and first-time attendees this year,” said Colleen Pederson, Panther Foundation executive director. “Thanks to our generous sponsors – we are thrilled to be able to offer this family-fun event year to year.”

The Panther Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, the Panther Gala, is Saturday, Feb. 24. This year’s theme is “Fire & Ice.” Tickets go on sale after Jan. 1, 2018.

Follow the Sun Focus on Twitter at @MnSunFocus and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SunFocus

A variety of games brought kids together in Panther Stadium during the seventh annual Panther Foundation Carnival. (Photo courtesy of Spring Lake Park Schools)

COLUMN: Super Bowl more than just a one day event

Contributer — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 06:13:02 +0000

By Don Heinzman
Guest Columnist

I was “bowled” over as I heard Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead recently talk about plans underway for the Super Bowl LII two-week extravaganza that will affect the Twin Cities region and the entire state.

The game itself will be Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium, preceded by events expected to attract a million people, resulting in an estimated $400 million in direct economic purchases, the mayor said.

Naturally, the mayor said over 41,000 hotel rooms are rapidly being booked, including those in the 52 hotels in Bloomington. A typical $100 per night room will cost $300, on average, for the Super Bowl, according to the mayor.

In addition, 5,000 media from all over the world are expected to write and telecast stories about the state, publicity worth about $500 million, Mayor Winstead explained last week at a meeting of Bloomington Chamber of Commerce business members, hosted by the City of Bloomington.

The theme of that meeting was emerging trends that could affect their businesses in the future, but the mayor’s talk about how the Super Bowl events could affect their businesses focused on the “present.”

Speaking from a prepared script, the mayor said the theme of “Bold North” is meant to entice visitors to experience state treasures that are well beyond the scope of the Super Bowl, such as the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

The big show will feature 10 days of events throughout the Twin Cities that are expected to attract one million people.

The Mall of America will be a hub of activities where visitors can expect to see media from around the world, NFL players and celebrities.

Here are just some of the events cited by the mayor.

The St. Paul Winter Carnival will be featured, highlighted by a bigger-than-ever ice castle at the State Capitol and the traditional ice sculptures. Special free concerts throughout the 10 days will be played along Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

One of the more fascinating events will be Opening Night, a ticketed event at a site to be announced when each patron will be able to watch the two teams address thousands of fans and media.

The ever-popular U.S. Pond Hockey Championships will be played at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis will host the City of Lakes Loppet, a cross-country skiing event that will start at Theodore Wirth Park.

The Taste of the NFL will feature famous chefs from National Football League cities. This event originated in the Twin Cities during the Super Bowl held here 25 years ago. Proceeds from this ticketed event will go to relieve hunger.

The convention center in Minneapolis will be turned into Super Bowl Experience, “Disney Land for Football Fans,” summed up a spokesperson for the Super Bowl Committee.

There will be more than a week of free concerts featuring both local and national acts, and you can expect some tributes to Minnesota legends like Prince, said the committee spokesperson.

An NFL Women’s Summit Conference is scheduled.

The mayor stressed grants from the Super Bowl Legacy Fund are being distributed to cities for 52 weeks benefiting health and wellness of youth. For example, Anoka has received funds to build a recreational facility for kids with special needs.

Even though you may not have a ticket to the Super Bowl game, the committee wants you to enjoy many festivities during the 10 days they claim will be a winner.

________

Don Heinzman is a columnist for ECM Publishers.

Compassion Action Network forum spotlights domestic violence in Anoka County

Samuel Lenhart — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 19:51:51 +0000

In 2016, the Anoka County Attorney’s Office prosecuted 203 felony-level domestic assaults and in the State of Minnesota, at least 18 women were murdered by a current or former intimate partner.

This concerning trend provoked the Compassion Action Network of Anoka County to host a public meeting to dispel common myths about domestic violence and help the community understand the impact abuse has on families and relationships.

The Compassion Action Network is an organization described as a collaborative effort of Anoka County Human Services, faith communities and nonprofit organizations that intends to build resources and strengthen the community.

On Oct. 5, Alexandra House Executive Director Connie Moore, Alexandra House Community Education Coordinator Jess Cheney and a panel of speakers gathered in the Fridley City Hall Council Chambers to discuss the steps currently being taken protect victims in Anoka County.

Domestic abuse is defined as the use or the threat of physical, sexual or verbal behavior to coerce a partner to do something in order to maintain power and control in a relationship.

Moore, who began advocating for survivors 32 years ago, says that no two abusive relationships are alike. Domestic violence can happen to anyone at anytime regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race or economic background.

According to the Alexandra House, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.
Alexandra House works to empower victims of domestic and sexual violence, and inspire social change, through education, support, and advocacy.

“Alexandra House is way more than a shelter,” said Moore. “When most people think of Alexandra House they think it is just a shelter and that is really the smallest program in terms of the number of people that we work with throughout the year.”

Community partnerships

“Nothing that we do is done alone,” said Moore. “Alexandra House depends on the collaboration and the partnerships that we have in the community with law enforcement, with healthcare, with other social service entities and other non-profits.”

In response to the high numbers of domestic violence, multiple Anoka County law enforcement, criminal justice and community agencies joined forces to develop a Lethality Assessment Program, which aims to identify and protect high-risk victims of domestic violence.

When responding to a domestic violence call, all law enforcement officers in Anoka County give the victim a 12-question questionnaire to assess the victim’s potential risk for escalated abuse or lethality. If the victim is deemed high risk, steps will be taken to address the risk factors, protect the victim and hold the abuser accountable.

“When I started over 28 years ago, our response to domestic abuse was dismal,” said Fridley Police Captain Mike Monsrud. “We had no legal authority to arrest a domestic abuser at that point for a misdemeanor assault that didn’t occur in our presence. Luckily, that has changed with some legislative changes we are now allowed to arrest someone for a domestic assault that doesn’t occur in our presence.”

If it is a high-risk case, it is treated differently by law enforcement, Alexandra House and the courts. There are also pieces in place to help the offender get help and make the necessary changes in their lives.

Before launching the Lethality Assessment Program, the Anoka County LAP team was told by national experts to expect about 50% of assessments to come back as high-risk. But the numbers have been higher. Approximately 75% of the domestic violence victims assessed in Anoka County are categorized as high risk.

Because of the LAP program, the percent of domestic assault victims being reached by the Alexandra House has increased from 64 percent to 81 percent.

“It [LAP] has really helped with our response,” said Monsrud. “It helps people get connected with the resources right away at the scene and the evidence collected at the scene is much more thorough.”

Cases are also being prosecuted even when the victim does not want to press charges.

“We have come a long way and we have more work to do but we are open to moving forward in that area and hopefully with the partners we have established now we can keep moving in the right direction,” said Monsrud.

“This is work that can’t be done by one agency,” said Moore. “We all have to be a part of it.”

The fear, danger of breaking free

“We know that the most dangerous time for somebody in a domestic violence relationship is immediately after they are leaving or trying to leave,” said Alexandra House Community Education Coordinator Jess Cheney.

On Sept. 26, 55-year-old Tony Le was arrested in Minneapolis after strangling his wife, Michele Le, with a phone cord after she filed for divorce.

On Sept. 29, Minneapolis resident Vanessa Danielson, 36, died after being severely burned when her house was intentionally set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, 32-year-old Wyndale Fayson. Court documents show Fayson was charged with felony domestic assault in July and given a no-contact order for Danielson.

“Both of those victims were in the process of trying to get out of those relationships,” said Moore. “It is pretty stark. It is right there in your face — you can’t really miss that.”

Homelessness is another major issue facing victims of domestic violence, “one that is becoming harder and harder to solve because of the availability of affordable safe housing,” said Moore.

“It is not enough to just come in and stay at the shelter or get an order of protection. There are ongoing issues and barriers and it takes time for people to rebuild their life. We are working hard to try to help families get back on their feet, stabilized and build the community support that they need move forward in a violence free life.”

Breaking the cycle

In order to stop the cycle of domestic abuse, work must begin with young people.

There are six school districts in Anoka County, and Alexandra House continuously works with students to provide education on healthy relationships, dating violence, sexual violence and child abuse. Educating young people on domestic abuse will allow them to identify unhealthy and violent relationships and seek help.

Alexandra House Youth Services has three full-time staff members that coordinate weekly prevention and intervention programs.

“There is a lot of work being done with youth,” said Moore.

Elder abuse

Most recently, Alexandra House started an elder abuse program in June 2015.

Abuse in later life takes many forms, and often involves emotional and psychological abuse, intimidation and threats, isolation, neglect and financial exploitation.

“The resources and the circumstances for older adults is different in terms of what is out there for a safety net,” said Moore. “So there is a lot of complexities in working with that population. What we have found is that most of our victims that we are working with, is that the perpetrator is an adult child, family members or a caretaker. It is not always an intimate partner although we do see that as well. There is a lot of different dynamics involved in those relationships.”

The elder abuse program at Alexandra House is client-centered advocacy service specifically for adults 50 and over. Advocated are available to meet in-home or in a safe location of the client’s choosing.

Perpetrator intervention

The Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Well-Being has several programs designed to rehabilitate men and women who perpetuate abuse.

Currently, Lee Carlson has three ongoing groups for men to work on effective behavior management skills and learn to amend underlying issues that may be affecting each person.

Lee Carlson’s philosophy is that all abuse can be treated and can be prevented in the future and that abuse is not an accident; but a choice.

“We are looking at another group because our referrals continue to come in.” said supervising therapist Carolyn Larson. “I also co-facilitate an aggressors group for women who have perpetrated an active domestic abuse,” said Larson. “What are seeing more and more is that women who perpetrate abuse are actual survivors of abuse.”

Larson said that women sometimes begin to fight back and end up being arrested themselves.

“I have maybe had four true female abusers in the last year,” she said.

Restorative parenting is also offered for both men and women. The program is designed for families where domestic abuse has occurred and focuses on the impact that domestic abuse has on the relationship between a child and a parent.

“The one thing that I think we would like to see in the community is that somehow within the court system restorative parenting is court ordered,” said Larson.

“Children are affected and they need, especially for the men who are abusers, the need to rebuild their relationship with their children,”

Compassion Action Network meetings are free of charge and open to the public.

For assistance 24/7, call the Alexandra House helpline at 763-780-2330 or visit www.alexandrahouse.org

Follow the Sun Focus on Twitter at @MnSunFocus and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SunFocus

TCFF Spotlight: Darcy

Sun Editor — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 12:54:25 +0000

Darcy

By Jared Huizenga – Contributing Writer

Over the course of TCFF 2017, we’ll be chatting with some of those filmmakers and stars to find out more about what they’re bringing to the TCFF screens.

Film: Darcy

Showtime: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24

Information/tickets: http://twincitiesfilmfest.org/films/darcy/

Among the films getting their world premieres at TCFF 2017 is the drama “Darcy.” With co-directors, co-writers, actors, and executive directors scheduled to attend, the film will certainly have a strong presence during the festival. Prior to that, however, co-directors Heidi Philipsen and Jon Russell Cring spent some time time chatting about their film.

Q: Tell us about “Darcy.”

Heidi Philipsen as Toni in “Darcy.” Philipsen also serves as a co-director and producer of the film.

Heidi: “Darcy” is about a teenage “every girl” who is on the cusp of womanhood, but still very much a girl. She has ideas about the world, but no real proof, except for her surroundings – and Darcy’s surroundings are really starting to feel confining for her (as they do for many a teenager).

Darcy dreams about romance, as well, like so many do at that age – not sure when or where it will happen, willing it to happen, just to experience it. Meanwhile, her parents hope and pray she won’t will her hopes and dreams on the wrong person who could shatter her innocence.

I put the word out that I was looking for a character-driven drama to produce and potentially direct as my first feature film in the Hudson Valley. It had to be something that was about the characters, so I could work with actors with great chops – and it had to be authentic.

I knew Jon and Tracy from independent filmmaking circles upstate, but had never worked with them. When they heard that I was looking for a script, they sent me “Darcy,” (then with the working title “This is Nowhere”) – I couldn’t put it down. I called them the next day and said that I found my script.

Darcy spoke to me because I, too, had been that girl. I could identity so well with her dreams and aspirations, but also her heartache, fears and confusion … her bravery. And I was so compelled by the fact that Jon and Tracy had the courage to tell what was, essentially, part of their real-life story. It was – so bold, so authentic, so to be commended.

And yet, I had never grown up in such circumstances of poverty and hardship in the same way. Thus, “Darcy,” enlightened me.

I’m an activist in getting all stories out to give the viewer another perspective to think about and consider through art. This film definitely does that.

Gus Birney stars as “Darcy,” which will have its world premiere at the 2017 Twin Cities Film Fest.

Jon: “Darcy” is a feature film written by my wife and I. It really at its heart is about a 15-year-old girl’s coming of age in the midst of oppression. Growing up in a “no tell motel” owned by her parents, Darcy falls for Luke – recently released from prison, but trying to change his ways. It’s a film that makes you care for the forgotten of society. We wanted a movie without cliché. The lead actress in the film, Gus Birney, is a revelation. Since we finished the film her career has skyrocketed with multiple features and a starring role in the series “The Mist.” What really comes across in her debut performance is the soul of a girl struggling on the cusp of womanhood. She will break your heart.

Q: What was the inspiration for the story?

Jon: I think you can trace the story back to my wife and my separate experiences. She brought a lot of her growing up poor in Tennessee to the script and I lived in a motel with my family for about a year and a half populated by the castoffs of society just trying to make their way. Add in a newspaper article about a local motel being picketed for housing former offenders and that was the genesis of “Darcy” as a script. Enter our producer and co-director Heidi Philipsen. Every project needs a champion and Heidi believed whole heartedly in this film and has never stopped pushing for the movies integrity of vision.

Q: You’ve got co-directors on the film. What kind of opportunities or challenges does that provide?

Heidi: Opportunities: To get the full picture from both male and female director. It’s like a gender-experienced and perspective VR – you get all the angles to weigh and then decide. I’ve rarely sensed that male directors truly get female characters in all of their complexities and nuances. And I would never dare to believe that I fully understand the male psyche. I just don’t live in those jeans. And you get a tag team that is there 200 percent for the crew and actors. When one actor was having issues with his/her character, one of us would step out of production to confer – while the other stayed “on deck” to direct. You also get two separate styles that come together to create one: i.e. I tend to be a technical tactician, while Jon is often “big picture.” I have my head in “serious mode,” while Jon keeps everyone happy and feeling comfortable. It’s like having two parents for different needs … when you need to get one kind of feedback, Jon was your director, when you need another perspective, I was up to bat. And, more often than not, we stood together and played devil’s advocate for each other’s thoughts and ideas, or confirmed a singular thought between two artist, to make sure that no idea was cliché or prejudice.

On the challenges side, I would say that co-directing is like running a three-legged race. You need to get the right pacing, you need to work together, and you need to check your ego – there is no “I” in team, as they say.

Jon: I highly recommend a male and female co-directing relationship. I can’t always see a scene from the same perspective as a woman that has lived it. We worked beautifully together because it always comes back to what was best for the story. We also made it a point to try and give every opportunity on the crew to a female. If the playing field is ever going to be leveled, then we have to stop doing what we have always done and make room for all the different voices. It makes for a deeper cinematic experience. If it takes quotas or mandates so be it, but we can’t continue with the status quo. “Darcy” was never status quo.

Q: It appears this will be the world premiere for the movie. What made the Twin Cities Film Fest the right place to debut the film?

Heidi: I’m a Midwesterner from Michigan with deep roots in northern Wisconsin, stretching to Minnesota – and, as such, I love that sense of being in the heart of the country with very independent and, yet, dedicated sensibilities toward filmmaking and supporting independent cinema.

Further, our Executive Producer Stephanie Dillon is from Minneapolis.

Lastly, I went to the Twin Cities Film Fest three years ago and was blown away. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before – full of glamour, generosity and high-level content, grace and independent edge, all without the pretentious attitude. Now THAT’s the fest I want to experience!

Q: If someone is only going to see one or two films at the Twin Cities Film Fest, why should “Darcy” be one of them?

Heidi: Because “Darcy” is unlike any other film out there right now. It steers clear of the cliché and allows itself to show all sides of its story and face, yet in a streamlined fashion. It’s complex, but honest. Brutally honest about many tough topics that we are only now starting to understand and examine in America. It doesn’t plaster a “happy ending” like a bunch of fluff at the end like an opioid trying to block the pain; rather, it takes you on a journey and truly allows you to see the world from this girl, Darcy’s eyes.

And it’s a prime chance to see some of the most incredible, as of yet “non-famous” actors of our time, including, but not solely, our lead actress, Gus Birney.

We were her first feature film (she had only one short film prior), and this was our first feature film. We both took a huge chance on each other. Gus is now in a film as a lead character opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Renee Zellweger. I guess you could say that the gamble paid off for both parties.

Jon: All I can say is what other people who saw the film said, “This film showed me a world that I never had seen and made me care deeply about people that society has forgotten.” If you want a simplistic story, this isn’t the film for you. The Golden Age of movies told deeper stories with complicated people struggling to find happiness. I don’t want to tell an audience how to feel. I just want them to feel something. If that is what interests you, then checkout “Darcy” at Twin Cities.

Jared Huizenga is a freelance movie critic and the owner of www.ManVersusMovie.com.

TCFF Spotlight: Addicted to Porn: Chasing the Cardboard Butterfly

Sun Editor — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 04:50:37 +0000

By Jared Huizenga – Contributing Writer

Over the course of TCFF 2017, we’ll be chatting with some of those filmmakers and stars to find out more about what they’re bringing to the TCFF screens.

Film: Addicted to Porn: Chasing the Cardboard Butterfly

Showtime: 2:30 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 25

Information/tickets: http://twincitiesfilmfest.org/films/addicted-to-porn-chasing-the-cardboard-butterfly/

When it comes to documentaries, it’s not unheard of to have a celebrity serve as the narrator (Morgan Freeman, anyone?). What’s a little less common is to have one of the most recognizable voices in heavy metal serve as the voice talent. But that’s exactly what filmmaker Justin Hunt has in the form of Metallica vocalist James Hetfield. Adding to the intrigue is the film’s subject matter – pornography and its effects on the world. Prior to the film’s Oct. 25 screening, which Hunt will be in attendance for, he took the time to chat about his film.

Q: Tell us about “Addicted to Porn: Chasing the Cardboard Butterfly.”

Justin Hunt

That’s a tricky question. There’s a lot to tell. Basically, it’s a study of what porn can/is doing from the inside out. Starting with the brain and how porn reshapes it, to the ease of access at far too early an age due to modern technology. Couple that with a lack of public education, and instead of educating on porn, porn is becoming the educator. Then, people take that into relationships and guess what … they don’t work. We highlight that by spending some time with a man and woman that used to be married and the marriage dissolved because of his addiction. We also have international interviews and an active female addict in the film, so you get a very broad spectrum of the pornography landscape. And we do it all without a single provocative image.

Q: This isn’t a topic that’s often discussed. What drew you to the topic and made you decide to tackle it?

Well, if you look at the history of my films, I tend to take on and discuss things people don’t want to talk about: meth addiction, absent fathers, porn addiction. In essence, it’s the material most other people are scared to touch, or at least they were at the time I made the films. What put this topic on my radar was a conversation with a girl I went to high school with. I hadn’t seen her in about 15 years. We crossed paths and I asked her how she and her family were doing. She told me she was getting divorced because of her husband’s addiction to porn. I was utterly shocked by that. Porn has never been a part of my life, so I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I think what shocked me more was how shocked I was by it. Thus, research and the filmmaking process began.

Q: Your narrator has one of the most recognizable voices in music. How did you get James Hetfield on board?

James Hetfield

James and I became fairly close friends after I interviewed him for my documentary, “Absent.” We did a number of screenings together, went on national television together, etc. I interviewed him about how he’d turned his father wound into music. In the process, and after having seen the film, it affected his life greatly as a father himself. From there, we’ve just kept in touch over the years. When I told him about this film, he was quite interested. We’re both husbands, we’re both fathers and I think he wanted to help me try to make a difference in this world. You can imagine the uproar and interest that caused in the music world.

Q: Prior to TCFF, where has the film screened, and what has the response been so far?

TCFF is actually the first festival we’ve screened the film at, but we’ve had a good 30 or so screenings around the globe in the past eight or nine months. A lot of professional organizations and churches want to screen the film, and we’ve four-walled a few ourselves. We’ve screened it all around the U.S., in Copenhagen, Denmark and we have a 20-screening tour coming up in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand in February of next year.

Q: What was it that drew you to submit your film for the Twin Cities Film Fest?

Actually, we were invited to TCFF. Of the 10 or so other festivals that we submitted to, none of them selected it and I truly believe it’s because of the topic. It’s about porn, but it’s not salacious, so they don’t know what to make of it. Having said that, and seeing what I’ve seen about TCFF so far, we are truly excited about bringing it up there and screening it!

Q: If someone is only going to see one or two films at the Twin Cities Film Fest, why should this be one of them?

Great question. I think there are several reasons, to be honest. It’s about an extremely relevant topic in our culture right now, a topic that is having much more effect than people realize and that can have a long lasting impact on our future. It’s something everyone should educate themselves on, regardless of their stance. It features a very unique juxtaposition with the narration and the narrator, who does a really good job voicing the film, in my opinion. It’s done by a veteran filmmaker who has some significant experience taking on really big topics and making them palatable in a 75-90 minute period. The production value is good, the visuals are strong (we use 27 artists from 9 different countries) and the sound is solid. So, if you’re looking at your check list: interesting topic, famous narrator, good picture, solid sound, experienced filmmaker. I’d go see that. And I say all of that with the most sincere level of humility.

Jared Huizenga is a freelance movie critic and the owner of www.ManVersusMovie.com.

SLP High School hosts 4 foreign exchange students

Olivia Alveshere — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:46:16 +0000

Spring Lake Park High School has four foreign exchange students this year.

Exchange students are, from left, Saskia Kabelitz, of Germany; Veera Toikka, of Finland; Romina Montii Zapata, of Chile; and Cedric Leuenberger, of Switzerland, are introduced to the student body by Spring Lake Park High School Principal Matthew Boucher. (Photo by Olivia Alveshere-ABC Newspapers)

Saskia Kabelitz is from Berlin, Germany; Cedric Leuenberger is from Frenkendorf, Switzerland; Romina Montii Zapata is from Coyhaique, Chile; and Veera Toikka is from Vantaa, Finland.

Leuenberger, Montii Zapata and Toikka came to Minnesota through AFS Intercultural Programs, while Kabelitz is here independently with a scholarship.

Saskia Kabelitz

Kabelitz started learning English in third grade and decided to study in the United States to improve her English, meet new people and learn about a different culture, she said.

Additionally, she came to buy herself some time because she does not know what she wants to do following graduation in Germany.

Her favorite subject is history and U.S. history has been an interesting course at Spring Lake Park High School.

“It’s another point of view,” she said.

Overall, school is quite different in the United States, she said. It’s strange for her to have the same classes daily and not be able to take her lunch break whenever she chooses.

Additionally, “we are allowed to go out during the day,” Kabelitz said.

She had hoped to play volleyball, as she does in Germany, but she arrived too late to nab a spot on the team, she said. She is still deciding which co-curricular activities interest her.

This is Kabelitz’s first time in the Midwest. She took a road trip around the Great Lakes, starting and ending in Chicago, several years ago with family.
Her father works as an auto mechanic, and her mother is a pediatrician. She has an 8-year-old half brother.

Kabelitz misses the food back home.

“You eat so much sweet food,” she said.

Kabelitz finds candy corn absolutely disgusting, but does like cotton candy here.

She tried lots of food on a stick at the State Fair, and has enjoyed visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which she has done twice so far.

Cedric Leuenberger

Leuenberger has been to the United States twice before when his family vacationed in Florida.

He opted to study here because he wants to be exposed to other cultures.

“The USA is a very interesting country with politics,” he said.

Leuenberger has found English to be essential.

“English is an important language,” he said, and his mastery is improving each day at Spring Lake Park High School.

Leuenberger plays on the football team at the high school.

Sports and travel are his favorite pastimes, and he has traveled down to the Mall of America already to see what the fuss is all about.
Back home, Leuenberger lives with his father, a pastor; mother, a physical therapist; and his 14-year-old brother.

Romina Montti Zapata

Montti Zapata is no stranger to snow living in Coyhaique, which has been called “the city of eternal snow.”

But temperatures there seem to be less extreme than they are in Minnesota, she said.

The population is more homogeneous, too.

“We don’t have much diversity,” she said, adding that she appreciates the fact that Spring Lake Park High School is more diverse.
School in Chile is “very different than here,” according to Montti Zapata.

“We never change classrooms, and always we have the same classmates,” she said.

Subjects are studied in a different order each day with English being an obligatory subject from age 8.

“My English – it’s improving,” Montti Zapata said. “The language I think it a wall for the relationships.”

She is participating in the swimming and diving program at Spring Lake Park High School.

Veera Toikka

Toikka dreams of some day becoming a pilot, she said.

At home, she is enrolled in upper secondary school, which is both high school and college combined in the United States, she said.

Homecoming was a new experience for her.

“We don’t have anything like it,” she said.

She participates in the swimming and diving program at the high school with Montti Zapata.

Additionally, she loves hanging out with friends, shopping, snowboarding and traveling.

At home, she has three younger siblings, and she doesn’t miss her family just yet, she said.

She does miss Finnish cuisine.

Food in America, “it’s very unhealthy,” she said.

Follow the Sun Focus on Twitter at @MnSunFocus and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SunFocus