12 05 16 insightnews

Insight News December 5 - December 11, 2016

Vol. 43 No. 49 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

©2016 Steve Kotvis, f/go (www.f-go.us)

In capping of an undefeated season, Minneapolis’ North Community High School can boast about being state champions in both boys basketball and football with the Polars’ 30-14 Prep Bowl

North High Polars rule For the second time in 2016, the North Community High Polars brought home a state championship trophy.

The North football team bested Rushford-Peterson 30-14 on Nov. 26 to win the Class 1A Prep Bowl.

This is the first Minneapolis Public Schools Prep Bowl win in nearly half a century, and the first Prep Bowl to be held in the

new U.S. Bank Stadium. Last spring, the Polars earned victory in the Class A state basketball championship. The win gave

North its sixth state basketball championship – and its first since 2003.

The wins come as the school is making a major comeback

NORTH HIGH 6

Our truth Managing Editor

By Harry Colbert, Jr. We need the Black Press now more than ever.

The fact is - the time we most needed the Black Press was probably weeks … months … years ago, in a time before the election to the presidency of Donald Trump and a time before the rise and unconscionable normalization of the racist Right. Hell, CNN, ABC, CBS, the New York Times and even our good friends over at MSNBC gave voice to the racists and even offered them a cute little name – the Alt-Right. And only now are people in mainstream media starting to call out the not-so-fringe block of the Republican Party for what they are … out-and-out racists. What gave you the hint? Surely it didn’t just hit you when a group of your “Alt-Right” got together in D.C. and praised … and I quote … “Heil Trump! Heil victory!” And certainly the pick of Steve Bannon, an unabashed racist, to run Trump’s transition team wasn’t your first reveal of the true Donald Trump.

Maybe, just maybe, if people had been paying attention to publications such as this one they would have seen that our writers and editorial staffs were sounding the alarm as far back as a year ago when now President-Elect (let that sink in) Trump was still a boisterous re-

Harry Colbert, Jr

Luz Maria Frias NBCNewsdotcom

Had more of us heeded the writings within the pages of the Black Press, maybe we wouldn’t be facing the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency. ality television personality in a crowded field Republicans vying for that party’s nod. And by no means is this meant to be an “I told you so” piece. The stakes are too high to be bragging about how correct we were, because trust, we wish we weren’t so correct in calling out the rise of the racist factions in this nation. Hell, we have been calling it out since President Obama’s election in 2008 but unfortunately those in major media ran with headlines and false narratives of “post-racial.”

So while mainstream media was soaking up the boost in ratings and ad revenues, putting profits over people, the Black Press was giving voice to men and women such at Dr. Ben Chavis, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, NAACP President Cornell Brooks, the late Mr. George Curry and others who warned of the rise of Trump and more importantly, the racists factions

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within the Republican Party.

Now all of America must learn what we already knew.

America’s racism has allowed an ill-equipped, ill-tempered, hate monger into the White House … well at least he has the keys. It is yet to be seen if he’ll give up his comfy digs at one of his many luxury penthouses that the American tax-payer will pay the costs to secure.

Yeah, the unpopular (as he lost the popular vote by more than two million) selection of Trump is already proving to be hell for people of color – more than 900 hate crimes reported since the election – but soon even the gullible, woefully ill-informed people who voted for this man will realize they’re in danger as well.

You wanted war in the Middle East to fight Isis? We’ll judging

BLACK PRESS 7

Frias: Wired for advocacy

New YWCA president envisions broadened corporate support for eliminating racism mission

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor Attorney Luz Maria Frias this week settles in as the president and CEO of the 125-year-old YWCA of Minneapolis. She says her values are in unison with the YWCA’s values and mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

Frias said one of the ways she will carry out they Y’s mission is to be intentional with the Y’s engagement of the area’s corporate community.

The organization’s board of directors chose Frias – a civic, community and business leader

with deep roots in the metro area, from a national list of more than 200 candidates. Frias succeeds Mary Jones, who served in the position on an interim basis.

Frias has served as St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman’s External Affairs Director before she was appointed by him to serve as the city’s inaugural Director of the Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department. She also served as Family Court Magistrate for the State of Minnesota, Hearing Examiner for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and CEO and chief legal officer of Centro Legal. Frias said she was pushed into service by necessity, but instead of it becoming a burden,

it became her passion.

“My parents came (to the U.S.) from Mexico in the 1950s and I was raised with a strong identity as a MexicanAmerican and I live and breathe that. My passion for all people of color stems from my childhood experiences; and even my adulthood experiences,” explained Frias. “We were very low income (as a child) and my father had a store and we lived above the store. One day some people came to my father asking for assistance with some official documents that were in English.

My father didn’t speak English, but he didn’t turn them away, he

YWCA 7

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Insight News • December 5 - December 11 • Page 3

Health Don’t fall victim to the silent killer Diabetes is a serious, lifelong disease that can lead to loss of vision, limb amputations and death.

It remains the sixth leading cause of death in Minnesota.

Southside Community Health Services (SCHS), a federally qualified health center in South Minneapolis, is hoping to draw attention to the deadly disease that now affects millions of children and adults in the U.S. Diabetes is called the “silent killer” because a person can have it for years and not know it. During that time harm to eyes, nerves and kidneys may have been going on for years.

Diabetes is caused by

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Managing Editor Harry Colbert, Jr. Associate Editor Afrodescendientes Carmen Robles Associate Editor Nigeria & West Africa Chief Folarin Ero-Phillips Associate Editor Culture and Education Dr. Irma McClaurin Associate Editor Leadership and Social Enterprise Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Content & Production Coordinator Sunny Thongthi Yang Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed

Southside optometrist Dr. Meredith Walburg with a young patient. higher than normal levels of blood sugar, which is a result of the body not producing or properly using insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts food into energy needed by the body. While there is no cure for diabetes it can be

controlled.

Many times individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes are overwhelmed because of the complexity of the disease and the, at times, confusing messages about how to manage it. A diabetes diagnosis means

making lifestyle changes that include eating differently, increasing exercise, losing weight and taking medications such as insulin.

Partial vision loss up to complete blindness is one of the side effects of diabetes. The

American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that individuals with diabetes see an eye care professional at least once a year for a dilated eye exam. According to the ADA, having a primary care doctor look at an individual’s eyes or having an eyeglass prescription tested are often not enough. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists can detect the signs of retinopathy; the condition that causes blindness.

Eye damage from diabetes is often subtle. “Individuals with diabetes may not even realize they are losing their eyesight until it becomes blurry,” said Dr. Meredith Walburg, SCHC’s optometrist. She said an optometrist or ophthalmologist can detect damage from diabetic retinopathy before the vision is affected.

Walburg works with SCHS’s medical and dental team to ensure patients with diabetes receive total care and disease management. She stressed the importance of regular eye examinations.

The clinic also places a strong emphasis on screening individuals who are at risk of being pre-diabetic. According to

the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) an estimated 29.1 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and 86 million more are estimated to have prediabetes.

The health disparities with a disease such as diabetes are growing. Recent statistics from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) show that more than 300,000 Minnesota adults have diabetes and approximately 18,000 cases are diagnosed annually. When looking at populations of color, the statistics show much more troubling trends. According to MDH, African-Americans, Hispanic/Latinos and NativeAmericans in Minnesota had diabetes as an underlying cause of death two to five times greater than Asian-Americans and non-Hispanic whites. Among individuals with diabetes, kidney failure is two to five times greater in populations of color. Lower limb amputations are four times greater in NativeAmericans and eye disease is two times greater in Hispanic/ Latinos, and 40 to 50 percent greater in African-Americans.

Influenza (flu): What you need to know Your child has been home from school for three days with a cough, runny nose, and fever.

You’ve had to miss work to take care of him and are worried that you’ll have to miss a couple more days. This is a common situation that families experience during influenza (flu) season because the flu can make people feel miserable for several days or weeks. Flu is an illness that affects people of all ages, and it is a major health issue around the world. Both children and adults should get a flu vaccine each year to reduce your chance of getting sick or spreading the flu to others.

What is flu? Flu is an illness

caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Most people get the flu during the colder months, beginning in October and lasting through the spring. Flu can be spread in the air when people with the virus cough or sneeze, or a person can become infected by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching their mouth or eyes.

Who gets flu? Anybody can get the flu. But, some people are more likely to become very sick with flu. Those at highest risk include are young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and

people who are already sick with diseases like pneumonia, asthma, chronic lung disease, HIV, heart disease and diabetes.

What are the signs and symptoms of flu? Flu symptoms include a sore throat, runny nose, and cough. People with the flu also feel very tired and may have a fever, chills and body aches. Children who have the flu may have different symptoms than adults, like diarrhea and

vomiting, in addition to the other symptoms. Flu symptoms usually come on very suddenly.

How is flu treated? Most of the time, flu can be treated at home. It is important to rest and to drink plenty of water. Stay home while you are sick and for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone so you do not spread the flu to others. Sometimes flu can be severe. If a person is having trouble breathing, feeling dizzy

or confused, or having chest or abdominal pain, they should go to the hospital. In some cases doctors may also give medications to help your body fight the virus.

How can I prevent flu?

Clean your hands often with soap and water, or an alcoholbased hand cleaner. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.

Stay home from if you are sick.

Memory Loss Support AFRICAN AMERICAN CAREGIVER SUPPORT KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER

Lill’s Angels Support Group

Caregiver HOLIDAY GATHERING

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Melvin Carter, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Gloria Freeman Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Michelle Mitchum Darren Moore Artika Tyner Toki Wright

Thursday, December 15 at 5:30 – 8 pm VOA – MN Southwest Center 3612 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409

Featuring: Fea Fe eaat atur tur uri : A caregiver panel \ Ethylon (E.B.) Brown, ordained Minister of Music, ensemble, and instrumental music. Her passion for inspirational and interactive choral music draws audiences of every age in expressive, enthusiastic rhythms and melodies that celebrate life given by God the Creator.

Be prepared to share your favorite Christmas tunes to sing along.

Lift your spirits with the joy of music.

By RSVP only – 952-945-4173

Dinner served at 6 pm

The Holiday Gathering will replace the December support groups

Photography David Bradley Rebecca Rabb Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

You belong.

The health plan with you in mind.

At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan.

You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all.

Learn more at medica.com

Page 4 • December 5 - December 11, 2016 • Insight News

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Reflections on passing of Fidel Castro

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor With the recent death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro, people around the globe are reacting.

Depending upon perspective, Castro was either a great humanitarian who fought for the underdog or he was a brutal dictator who criminalized and even murdered those who opposed him. Not surprisingly, here in Minnesota reactions to Castro’s death are also mixed. But during the Nov. 29 broadcast of “Conversations with Al McFarlane” on KFAI Radio (90.3 FM) Castro was remembered fondly by a trio of guests with varying international lenses.

“Castro was a complex man, but as one of my friends puts it, only great men have complex sides,” said Ingrid Ferlo, a journalist who was born in Guatemala and was raised in Belize. “That was what Fidel Castro was. He was a great man and it was a great loss for us in Belize.”

Ferlo said Castro was a wonderful friend to Belize, providing medical aid and helping to train doctors in the neighboring Central American country.

“Cuba has been very instrumental in the development of Belize, so a lot of people in Belize are mourning his passing,” said Ferlo. “(Castro’s death) is bitter sweet to me,” said Carmen Robles, a native of Puerto Rico and associate editor of Afrodescendientes for Insight News. “Cuba and Puerto Rico were two wings of the eagle for a long time before (former Cuban dictator Fulgencio) Batista took over; and under Castro Cuba took off and Puerto Rico is a mess, so it’s really bitter sweet.”

Robles said during the Batista regime her family housed many Cuban refugees in New York and because of that she gained an affinity for Cuba.

Wilfred Harris, a native of Liberia, also spoke fondly of Castro.

“To be candid, you have to break some eggs to make an

Ingrid Ferlo omelet,” said Harris. “Fidel Castro wasn’t afraid to break some eggs. Africans loved the man. Look at Imperialism in Africa. Talk about Zimbabwe, talk about Angola, talk about South Africa, talk about the Congo … Fidel Castro was there putting together the rebellion.

Fidel became the battle cry for the people.”

Harris said just as in Belize,

Castro directed medical aid to many African nations as well, but he acknowledged there was brutality under the Castro regime.

“I know people died, I know people were killed, but like I said, sometimes you’ve got to break an egg to make an omelet,” said Harris.

Host Al McFarlane, whose father was born in Cuba, said

Carmen Robles

Wilfred Harris

his brother was almost named Fidel in honor of the Cuban president.

“This was at a time in America when Fidel Castro was hailed as a hero for taking down the oppressive Batista regime,” said McFarlane, who is the editor-in-chief of Insight News.

“The question then became what kind of leader would he be. They (American leaders)

wanted him to be the kind of person to continue the oppression of the Cuban people and Fidel said, ‘I’m not that guy.’”

On the day of Castro’s funeral, in pure coincidence, Delta Airlines began its scheduled flights From America to Cuba.

Castro: Strong voice for social justice (GIN) – United Nations Secretary General Ban KiMoon extended sympathies to the Cuban people on the passing of their longtime president, Fidel Castro, who he called “a strong voice for social justice.”

Admired by leftists and people of the developing world as a revolutionary champion of the poor, the former president died at the age of 90. Following his death, on Nov. 28 tens of thousands of Cubans, some wrapped in red, white and blue Cuban flags, lined the streets from Havana to Santiago de Cuba as a funeral cortege made its way across the country, carrying the ashes of the renowned leader.

Speaking to reporters at a conference in

Turkmenistan, Ban Ki-Moon praised Castro’s advances in the fields of education, literacy and health.

“As prime minister, president, commander of the Cuban armed forces and first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party, his role at the helm of Cuba spanned nearly 50 years, during which he left a major imprint on his country and on global politics,” said the U.N. chief. “His revolutionary ideals left few indifferent. He was a strong voice for social justice in global discussions at the U.N. General Assembly and international and regional forums.”

Castro served as Cuba’s president from 1976 to 2008.

The U.N.’s General Assembly president, Peter Thomson, called Castro “one of the iconic leaders of the 20th century … an inspirational figure for developing countries in particular,” adding that “his dedication to their advancement, especially in the fields of education and health, would be long remembered.”

Bill Fletcher, founder of the Black Radical Congress, recalled Fidel’s storied role in Africa’s anticolonial movements.

After Cuba’s first venture in Algeria that ended French domination there in 1962, Cuba under Castro “went on to support the various anticolonial movements in Africa,” said Fletcher. “These

Presidents F. Castro of Cuba and J. do Santos of Angola

included, in particular, the anti-Portuguese movements in Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique. And (the Cubans) were unquestioning in their support for the anti-

apartheid struggle in South Africa.”

In the film “Fidel: The Untold Story” directed by Estela Bravo, the documentary highlights strong ties forged

between Castro and national liberation leaders such as Sékou Touré, Amílcar Cabral, Julius Nyerere, Samora Machel and Agostinho Neto.

It was the “unwavering commitment of Fidel Castro to Namibia’s freedom that led to the destruction of apartheid in the country,” said Namibian leader Hage Geingob. “The late Castro had no interest in the natural resources of a free Namibia nor did Cubans come to collect gold and diamonds. Instead, Castro offered an education to more than 3,000 Namibian children; many of whom today occupy influential positions in all sectors of the economy.”

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 5 - December 11 • Page 5

Business Entrepreneurs create community wealth

By Urban News Service

UncleBrutha’s Hot Emporium www.unclebrotha.com

For the second year in a row, Urban News Service presents its “Crafts for Christmas” list.

Like last year’s list, this list is no simple collection of online stores. This one is focused on makers – AfricanAmericans entrepreneurs who have embraced the idea of creating change and community wealth by creating things with their own hands. Urban News Service scoured the web to find those businesses whose products reflect some combination of originality, innovation, ingenuity and a commitment from the owners to investing in their own communities.

The many awards given to Unclebrutha’s “Allsauce” shows a dedication to craft that has brought chef/owner Brennan Proctor national attention.

Food and Wine Bazaar Spices www.bazaarspices.com The Washington D.C.-based spice store offers a global blend of seasonings and botanicals for recipes and healing, from rare African bird peppers to Moroccan preserved lemons.

Destiny Moscat www.destinymoscato.com Winemaker Mark Thierry and celebrity business partner, Nicole Murphy, are taking on the hugely popular trend for sparkling wines on the sweeter side with two styles, Diamond (white) and Ruby (pink).

Mouton Noir Wines www.moutonnoirwines.com In short order, Mouton Noir (Black Sheep) has grown from 3,000 cases a year to now more than 300,000, which makes it the most successful Black-owned winery in America. It’s all the vision of Andre Hueston Mack, the former sommelier at world renowned restaurant, French Laundry.

Sauce

Apparel

From Canadian twin brothers Byron Peart and Dexter Peart, LesEssentiels is an extraordinary collection of high-end men’s and women’s leather goods -luggage, bags, shoes and fine accessories.

For those thick with style, but not thin of wallet.

Asiya Sport www.asiyasport.com

Spring Break Watches www.springbreakwatches.com

Launched and fully funded as a Kickstarter project just months ago, Asiya Sport takes the model set by MuslimAmerican Olympian fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad and goes a step beyond, with a line of performance hijab and modest wear for athletes whose religion or beliefs call for an alternative to the usual skin-baring workout gear.

Spring Break Watches offers a unique limited edition of sport and dress watches made from unique materials including wood, mineral glass and stainless steel mesh.

William Okpo www.williamokpo.com Sisters Darlene Okpo and Lizzie Okpo infuse their Nigerian heritage subtly into a women’s wear collection that manages to be global and American styles.

Free Negro University w w w. e t s y. c o m / s h o p / freenegrouniversity Free Negro University offers a line of fashionable tees and hats that present a simple, yet powerful messages.

Osrick Ingredients Cricket www.osingredientscricket.com Anyone paying attention knows that the world’s most fashionable sport, on the field is cricket. Osrick is the world’s first cricket menswear brand, and like their inspiration, Ralph Lauren did for Polo, they’ve captured the spirit and lifestyle of the sport brilliantly.

Culture of Fundraising FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Everyone has to have a responsibility for fundraising.

We call this a culture of fundraising. Others refer to it as a culture of philanthropy. Either way, this shared responsibility is at the core of nonprofit fundraising and sustainable organizations. But what exactly is culture? Here are three perspectives: “If you want to provoke a vigorous debate, start a conversation on organizational culture.

While there is universal agreement that it exists, and it plays a crucial role in shaping behavior in organizations, there is little consensus on what organizational culture actually is, never mind how it influences behavior and whether it is something leaders can change.” – Michael Watkins, Harvard Business Review “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” – Peter Drucker “Organizations that continue to operate in traditional, tightly controlled, top-down environments, rather than adapt to more fluid systems and approaches, risk having their relevance and funding dry up.” – Cynthia M. Gibson, “Beyond Fundraising: What does it mean to build a culture of philanthropy?”

Here’s what we know. Culture evolves over time. It’s about what you say and do, and what you don’t say and don’t do.

Those in positions of leadership like to believe they shape the culture of their organizations.

When things go wrong, they like to believe that culture is beyond intervention.

We believe that a culture of

Want LesEssentiels www. wantlesessentiels.com

fundraising (or philanthropy) is created over time. Integrating fundraising into the life of the organization takes multiple forms.

It starts with the mission, vision and goals. It takes form through the interactions and decisions of employees. Board members and executives guide it through policies. Fundraising culture manifests through engagement with donors and community leaders.

It demonstrates in the emphasis placed on fundraising planning, and how all employees and board members are encouraged to participate.

There is a culture of fundraising whether acknowledge it or not. It could support your nonprofit, or it could be taking you down. Fundraising culture includes things such as whether or not you engage in “emergency” or “last minute” fundraising, your donor retention rate, how long it takes to send out an acknowledgement, the quality of your database and whether or not fundraising is delegated to a select few.

Gibson advocates breaking down artificial barriers.

“In organizations with a culture of philanthropy, fund development is no longer separated from engagement. This reflects the fact that people today are connecting with nonprofits via multiple channels (e.g., social media, volunteering, blogs, meet ups, petitions) and engaging with them in multiple ways (e.g., as donors, volunteers, board members, constituents),” said Gibson.

Creating a culture of fundraising starts when all parties value fundraising and breakdown silos that separate functions within a nonprofit.

It requires the commitment of leadership and investment of time.

Ikere Jones Menswear www.ikerejones.com Ikere Jones Menswear provides a deft mix of vintagemeets-international clothing for men.

Bohten Eyeglasses www.bothen.com Another group of designers using wood and unconventional materials in unexpected places, Bohten Eyeglasses offers hot and stylish frames made from walnut, rosewood, ebony and more.

Sports Rad Black Kids www. theradblackkids.com For the daredevil in the family, Rad Black Kids offers a fun collection of handmade longboards, trick boards, tees, gear and all things skate.

Studio Maxe w w w. e t s y. com/shop/StudioMaxe Studio Maxe offers wall art for the serious man (or woman) cave.

Home, Kitchen and Bath

Photo courtesy of www.OsrickIngredientsCricket.com.

Styles from Osrick Ingredients Cricket.

AphroChic www.aphrochic.com For the tastefully fancy home, AphroChic delivers high-style pillows, poufs and accessories.

Middleton Knives www. middletonmadeknives.com

A sharp knife is the single most important kitchen essential.

Middleton Knives provides artisan-crafted knives to handle any culinary duty.

Melaku Aromatherapy www.etsy.com/shop/ MelakuAromatherapy

One of the largest and most successful Black-owned stores on the popular craft site, Etsy, Melaku sells a comprehensive range of natural and vegan body, bath and health products.

You see possibility.

We see you.

Right now, your little girl sees herself as a fairy princess. Whatever dream she decides to pursue, you want to support her every step of the way. When you’re ready to plan her happily ever after, spend time with our online financial tools and resources that are designed to help you work toward your goals.

Find your possible at a U.S. Bank branch, call 800.825.BANK (2265), or visit financialgenius.usbank.com

Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of the book “FUNdraising Good Times Classics Vol. 1” available on Amazon.com.

Member FDIC. ©2016 U.S. Bank 160547 11/16 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.

Page 6 • December 5 - December 11, 2016 • Insight News

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Commentary Give the gift of experiences, caring and love Child Focus

By Gloria Freeman Sitting in my office this morning, a woman named Leah, walked in and asked me if I had a good Thanksgiving.

After sharing with her that indeed, time spent with family and friends had been wonderful, our conversation quickly morphed into discussing the holiday season. That’s when Leah informed me that in lieu of exchanging gifts this Christmas, she and her daughter had agreed to instead share experiences such as attending a Heart of the Beast Theatre production, going snow sledding and attending

North High From 1

or an EBT card, you can get a huge discount in tickets to all sorts of theatres, museum, and

exhibits at the Science Museum, Children’s Museum and Minnesota History Museum.

You see, Leah understands that what her child, and many children, really desire during the holiday season is to feel loved, cared for and a sense of safety. Sure, it’s terrific to see our children’s eyes light up while opening gifts under the Christmas tree, but the real majesty of celebrating the holiday season is found in the memories made and the experiences shared with our children.

Most of us instinctually know that after children experience the temporary high of ripping open the Marvel superhero characters six-pack, tearing open the Lego’s set, or opening the Barbie dollhouse nicely packaged under the Christmas tree; the memories our children will someday pass down to their children will be about their time

spent with loved ones and family members, not the ninja character or the Easy Bake Oven they’ll

end up playing with for all of 15 days.

Still talking in my office, now in a hushed voice, Leah whispered, “You know, I’ll tell you a best kept secret that most people don’t know about.

If you have a MNsure card,

events.” She informed me that this practice is something event venues don’t heavily advertise, but many theatres and museums have some sort of special discount program for folks who don’t have a lot of disposable income. Leah says you just

after nearly being shuttered in 2010. Enrollment and graduation rates are at six-year highs; more than 70 percent of students graduated on time in 2015. Last year, 100 percent

of North seniors participating in athletics graduated on time and with an average of a “B” GPA. In addition, the school now boasts two learning academies – the North Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math (NSTEM) Academy and the Academy of Arts and Communications.

You know, I’ll tell you a best kept secret that most people don’t know about.

have to call and ask and you’ll be amazed at all the wonderful experiences you can have with your children, often at a 60 to 70 percent discounted price.

Now excited, Leah’s voice began to rise in volume as she explained she even gets to workout at a fitness club in her neighborhood for $10 per month just because she lives in the Phillips community. She says in many neighborhoods that have a park facility or community center, this perk is offered to residents and their children.

More so, Leah reports she gets to attend Zumba classes at the fitness center for free, something available to all Phillips community residents.

Leah is a special woman who spent 10 years in a Minnesota prison. Now, with the grace of God, she dedicates her life to advising high school students in the areas of academic achievement and life skills

acquisition. She says many of the women confined often talk about what they want to do by themselves and with family members after their prison release date.

Leah is now using her impressive prison rehabilitation and her natural gifts from God to remind us all that during Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and all the winter holidays and beyond, there is no greater gift than love. There is nothing more meaningful than experiences shared together. May it be so for you and yours during this blessed time of year.

Gloria Freeman is president/CEO of Olu’s Center, an intergenerational childcare and senior day program, and can be reached at gfreeman@ olushome.com.

©2016 Steve Kotvis, f/go (www.f-go.us)

With outstanding performances from sophomores Nasir El-Amin (left), Kehyan Porter (center) and senior quarterback Ahzerik Rodgers, the North Polars captured the first state championship for a Minneapolis City Conference team since 1977.

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Insight News • December 5 - December 11 • Page 7

Phyllis Wheatley students learn critical role of anthropology

The organization was holding its Annual Meeting Minneapolis.

Its Anthropologists Go Back to

School initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Johnnetta Cole, former president of Spelman College and Bennett College, and director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Heyward-Rotimi and Watkins have assumed the charge to encourage anthropologists to bring the knowledge of anthropology to America’s young learners.

Heyward-Rotimi is the founder and executive director of the Knowledge Exchange Research Group (KERG), and visiting research fellow in the Department of Cultural Anthropology, Duke University. An activist anthropologist, Heyward-Rotimi’s research focuses on understanding people of color and their relationship to new media, science and technology and presenting global solutions to unequal ac-

cess to digitized knowledge.

Watkins is associate professor of Anthropology at American University whose research focuses on social and the biological history of African-Americans. She promotes scholaractivism that helps to identify and address racial inequalities and their negative impact on the health of Black communities. “(I am) committed to using my research and expertise to engage in interdisciplinary and public discussions about race, health disparities and science as a social practice,” said Watkins.

“This includes speaking to elementary, middle and high school students about anthropology in a way that relates it to social studies and science topics they are covering in their classes.”

She also participates in events

focused on the history of race in science at museums and other institutions for the general public.

Heyward-Rotimi’s work challenges often overlooked disparities of people of color and their access to information technology and scientific knowledge. Her international research group KERG presents collaborative solutions to unequal access to knowledge, such as the project the West African eLibrary Collaborative to improve eLibrary access for West African universities. Heyward-Rotimi’s outreach extends to speaking to elementary, middle and high school students from both traditional and homeschooling learning communities.

map, but darn it, he’s ready to send American men and women there to fight it.

As members of the Black Press, we weren’t just looking out for “us.” We warned that our LGBT allies and women … many who absurdly voted for this misogynist … would soon feel our pain as well. The question now is how deep the knife (I wish I were only speaking figuratively here) will go?

But most importantly, the Black Press was seemingly the only media addressing the preelection elephant in the room – voter fraud and suppression on

the part of Trump and his supporters. Now – only after the alleged theft has occurred – are media outlets talking about the possibility of vote manipulation. Their conversations are tepid at best. But for more than a year leading up to the election the Black Press was offering concrete examples of voters being purged from rolls, being trolled by lying robocalls threatening arrests for unpaid traffic tickets or back child support if people who owed attempted to vote. This wasn’t just in the South. This was in key swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania,

Maryland and others. We rang the alarm but many chose to ignore it as just another drill. No, this was the real thing.

The Black Press has been ringing the alarm since the time of Reconstruction and will continue to ring the alarm in 2017 and beyond. Thankfully, we live in a country where freedom of the press is guaranteed under the Constitution’s First Amendment … at least for now it is, as we know Trump has already come out against certain protections under the First Amendment.

The question going forward is will America exercise its right

to hear (and act upon) the truth … a truth that is found within

the pages of the Black Press.

Those are my values.”

“There are things the business sector can do to lessen the many disparities we have when it comes to people of color,” said Frias. “And from my conversations with business people, there’s a genuine desire to help, but they just don’t know how.”

One of the measures Frias will be proposing is getting businesses to do “blind” assessments of resumes when seeking to hire. She said her daughter, who is AfricanAmerican and MexicanAmerican, and has a name that

could be considered non-white, sent out 100 resumes over the period of months and wasn’t offered an interview with any of the companies for which she applied. In an experiment, she sent out the same resume to three employers with a name that would be considered a traditional white American’s name and according to Frias within 36 hours she received a call to interview from all three.

“I know it’s just not her, so that’s just one example of how we can have a greater impact,” said Frias. “I hope with the Y we can leverage our broad reach to

have an even broader impact.”

In Frias, the Minneapolis Y feels they have the perfect person to lead them into 2017 and beyond.

“Ms. Frias has a deep history of leadership in the community, including government, nonprofits and philanthropy. Her personal and professional experiences align well with our mission, and we are thrilled that she will be our new leader,” said Barbara Schubring, associate director of Advancement for the YWCA Minneapolis.

Dr. Rachel Watkins (left) and Dr. Kamela Heyward-Rotimi of Anthropologists Go Back to School during a visit to East High School in Denver. Photo courtesy of the American Anthropological Association.

Black Press From 1 from his choice for National Security Advisor, retired Gen. Michael Flynn you’re gonna get it. Flynn, who was fired …

I say again, fired as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, is almost as nutty as Trump, regularly espousing conspiracy theories about Islamic Sharia law coming to the United States and he’s eager to go to war with Islam … keeping in mind Islam is nowhere to be found on a

YWCA From 1 sent me with them. I was just 10 years old. That’s how it started.

Some people would come to my father and ask to borrow me and I’d be with them at government offices sometimes for a whole day with them. And at 10 when I would translate I would recognize when someone was trying to take advantage of the people and so eventually I became their advocate. So it’s who I am; it’s how I’m wired.

Drs. Kamela Heyward-Rotimi and Rachel Watkins last week engaged students in the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Ave. N., after school program.

Heyward-Rotimi and Watkins are co-chairs of the Anthropologists Go Back to School initiative for the American Anthropological Association (AAA), the flagship professional organization for anthropologists nationally and internationally.

University of Minnesota graduate student Caroline Rowe familiarized students with some exercises on the AAA Race website after the presentation by Heyward-Rotimi and Watkins.

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Page 8 • December 5 - December 11, 2016 • Insight News

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Lifestyle Healing for the masculine soul Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Men are born whole.

They come into the world full of wonder and potential.

Their souls and spirits are one, and they are at peace internally and externally.

But when something happens that wounds his ego, attacks his sexuality, or scars him emotionally, a tear is made in his masculine soul. Wounded boys, become wounded

men, and wounded men become wounded fathers.

In order for us to be a better, community of families, we must provide healing for the masculine soul.

First, we must acknowledge that men can be wounded emotionally. This may not be readily apparent. When a man is scared at a young age emotionally, he only knows what he knows, so his broken life may seem normal to him. He may view his vices and addictions as a part of his life’s choices.

To some degree that may be true, but it may also be true that someone else impacted his life. He may need help in understanding that things that he has done may be a

by-product of the things that were done to him. A man can no more create a tear in his masculine soul than he can perform open heart surgery on himself. Because someone outside of him was involved in creating the tear, someone outside of him will be involved in the healing process as well.

We must find a way to get medicine to the wound.

This may be very painful.

Wounds have to be exposed to be treated properly.

Covering up the wound and healing is not the same.

Sensitive nerves will become visible. Men who have spent a lifetime masking the shame associated with their emotional scars are

now asked to uncover them for healing sake. Despite this reservation, exposure is needed for permanent healing to take place.

We must also address the need for spiritual and emotional healing. Once the wound has been exposed and medicine applied, the man must submit himself to the aftercare process. Emotional and spiritual wounds will have to be addressed and treated properly. No single therapy or counselling session will be sufficient.

Men who are wounded need a safe, healthy environment to recover. This environment must be sterile and free from the vices that have once ruled their life. The

wounded man will need to stay clear of any situation that has the potential to injure him again. This is the role of the church, to provide a safe place for spiritual and emotional healing to take place in a nonjudgemental environment.

There is healing for the masculine soul. If the church is the spiritual and emotional hospital, then God is the master physician. I believe that he is the only one who can permanently heal the tear in the masculine soul.

Qualified professionals will have their part, but God will do the heavy lifting. Through his son, he has given us all access to permanent healing.

“Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished

by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities.

To get copies of his books, for questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

Love, care and understanding for the holiday season Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson With the holidays upon us, this is the time of year where everyone is starting to reflect on the many blessings that they have.

This is the time of year where family get-togethers

are going on everywhere you turn. This is also the time of year where people are in need of love, care and lots of understanding.

I once worked with a woman who got so stressed during this time of year. She told me once that she would work hard all year just to make sure her kids got what they wanted for Christmas.

She was a single mother with six minor children.

During the week she worked as a waitress and every other weekend she worked

doing housekeeping for a hotel chain. She stated she didn’t hate this time of year, but she knew that she had to make her kids happy with Christmas gifts because this was a way to show them how much she loved them.

I am often amazed when I hear parents talk about how important spending money on gifts is for them. They work so hard all year just to spend most of their savings on gifts for their children, family and friends. There was once a time in my life

when I did the very same thing. I would buy my son the most expensive things without even thinking of how much of a financial burden I was placing on myself. But looking back I often wonder what I would do differently now that I know the value of a dollar.

This year I’ve decided to not go overboard on Christmas gifts. This year I’ve decided to stay on a budget for everything including food. I have also decided to not spend

money on things that I really don’t need. I have found that in the past, I’ve spend money on things just because someone asked me to buy something from their kids school or some neighborhood organization.

So when you decide on what’s most important this holiday season, please remember that spending money on things that you really don’t need should be a thing of the past. This year try and remember that your happiest time should not

consist of spending a whole lot of money on things not needed. Enjoy.

And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness.

Penny JonesRichardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached at penny@ thequeensproject.com.

Going deep for higher awareness

By Abeni Hill Radiant Life Yoga opened a donation-based studio in North Minneapolis to empower residents by offering accessible, affordable holistic wellness and creating spaces to help them achieve higher sense of awareness.

“What yoga does is it connects us to that deeper part of ourselves that goes beyond the limitation of who we think we are,” said Matthew Portwood, co-director of Radiant Life Yoga. He added yoga helps people to become more aware of their fears, their egos and their dramas, and this leads to emotional and physical benefits. “(Yoga) is good for relief of stress, it gives us perspective (and) it helps tap into really beautiful things like forgiveness and compassion,” said Portwood.

A donation-based studio means patrons pay what they can even if it means offering sessions to those who cannot pay. Portwood said this was the reason opening a donationbased studio was important.

“I wanted to open donation-based studio on the Northside instead of it being membership-based because it (yoga) can be really intimidating,” said Portwood. He added that yoga classes with a usual $20 drop-in rate can be too much for many interested patrons saying the monetary commitments, as well as the fear of not being physically strong enough to do yoga, may keep potential enthusiasts from participating.

Portwood said there is no need for yoga to be intimidating.

“There is a yoga for everybody,” said Portwood.

“If you come to class at Radiant Life Yoga, we will make it accessible for wherever you are at in your

body and in your lifetime.”

He said that Radiant Life has been well received by the community and donations don’t have to be strictly monetary.

“Most people donate something; whether it be money or energy,” said Portwood.

“Yoga is not about being flexible,” said Vie Boheme, one of the teachers at Radiant Life Yoga. “It is more about intentionally putting your body into a predicament and then breathing through that circumstance.”

Boheme said the studio is a welcomed addition to North Minneapolis and helps in breaking stereotypes of the area.

“This is not an underprivileged community,” said Boheme. “It is not lacking anything. There are a ton of people here that are amazing, beautiful people with amazing spirits and lot of passion and energy. “I teach here because I am really passionate

about creating yoga culture in a space where there isn’t one already,” said Boheme.

“I believe, we all believe, this community is poised to harness the power of yoga.”

Portwood alongside codirector, Jaina Portwood, opened their first donationbased studio in 2001. Since then, Radiant Life Yoga has branched out to different spaces and there are currently 5 studio spaces.

Radiant Life Yoga recently vacated its former location above Fighting Chance Boxing Gym, and will soon be moving into a new space. Until then it will be holding temporary classes in alternative Northside spaces on Tuesdays and Fridays. A list of locations can be found at www. radiantlifeyoga.com.

stockvault.net

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Insight News • December 5 - December 11 • Page 9

Community Northside’s New Rules rewrites the rules on co-working

Photo by Annabelle Marcovici

Chris Webley is the CEO and founder of New Rules, a co-working space in North Minneapolis.

By Sara Nicole Miller, Twin Cities Daily Planet On a brisk Saturday night in November, in an old brick building with glass garage doors facing Lowry Avenue North, warm light and the sounds of laughter spill out onto the sidewalk. The smell of rich food and the rhythmic boom of a DJ set fill the air, inviting neighbors to gather with friends old and new.

Inside, the space is full of artists, organizers, entrepreneurs and visionaries.

In one room, a marketplace spans the perimeter as local business owners engage in conversations with the event goers. Beaded earrings from South Africa, natural body products, a food truck in the back serving collard greens and mac and cheese; they all mix and mingle throughout the compound.

Decked out in a mix of purple curls and cornrows, leather jackets and tuxedo jackets, all the guests inside are risk takers, comfortable with the unknown and with a passion for engaging the cultural and creative energies.

In one room, a DJ spins while a line up of musicians and spoken word artists rub elbows among the crowd, performing and raising funds for local initiatives like 15

NOW Minnesota and Raiesha William’s Minneapolis City Council campaign.

This is their third place for collaboration and entrepreneurial fellowship.

This is New Rules Coworking Space, 2015 Lowry Ave. N. With their grand opening just this past October, New Rules is part groove studio and music lounge, marketplace, design workshop and laboratory.

With a 3,000-square-foot space in North Minneapolis, fresh wood floors, framed photography by local artists and bright accent furniture, it is truly a brick-and-mortar workplace dreamscape.

Like most co-working spaces, New Rules offers monthly memberships to creators, merchants, designers, engineers, artists – anyone with an interest in fostering community, creative collaboration and transforming their economic situation.

But unlike other spaces, New Rules’ rates are more affordable.

Northside residents even get a discount when renting the space for events.

New Rules’ mission is to provide high-tech equipment, space and resources to expand creative and professional capabilities, build innovation in the community and contribute to economic growth for

Photo by Annabelle Marcovici

Nancy Musinguzi is the creative director for New Rules.

individuals and the region.

The people and the values behind New Rules The team at New Rules, led by founder and CEO Chris Webley, are artists, engineers and professionals who see a need on the Northside and also a tremendous capacity to connect and evolve. All have a passion for wanting to see the Northside community engage and thrive in this third space.

“A lot of my background, my upbringing and my experiences have shaped the narrative for New Rules,” explained Webley.

Webley studied textile technology with a concentration in medical textiles at North Carolina State University. He has worked with Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret and Target, working for seven years in the corporate retail fashion industry as a research and design textile engineer.

“Fashion was always a way of expression and freedom to some degree,” said Webley. “I also saw it as a platform to attract and change the perspectives of people by creating garments that solve problems.”

But after seven years, Webley decided he wanted his professional journey to take a different, uncertain turn.

“A lot of people need to see the future painted crystal clear. But I wake

up every morning and feel confident of what I don’t see because I’m confident in my ability to manifest what I want to,” said Webley.

Growing up, Webley watched his father, a Jamaican immigrant and engineer, hustle, create, develop and network to success.

“There was nothing that he couldn’t do or wouldn’t try,” recalled Webley. “Even on days when I want to give up, I recount those experiences I had as a kid and use them as a reference point.”

Inspired by his father, the pieces of Webley’s life started to come together.

He started a lawn business when he was 11 years old and cultivated a successful business, working weekends all the way to high school.

That first business taught Webley the importance of attention to detail, showing up on time, discipline and keeping his word. “(I) went around the country, I traveled the world. The same things I need as an entrepreneur are the same things that people in economic disparity situations need. I started to notice a trend,” said Webley.

Over the past year Webley put together a business plan for what would become New Rules. Webley personally put in more than 5,000 hours of manual sweat in redeveloping

Photo by Annabelle Marcovici

Stylists and models prepare for the clothing line Bold Manière’s event TRAP, held at New Rules on Nov. 27.

New Rules’ space himself.

“I was already finished with building the strategy and framework, so it was just about finding the right people help lead the charge,” Webley said.

Nancy Musinguzi, the creative director for New Rules, is one of the right people. Musinguzi was born to a Liberian mother, the daughter of a diplomat, and a Ugandan father who made his living as a Fortune 500 computer scientist and economist but, according to Musinguzi, “had all these hidden dreams of wanting to be a DJ.” Musinguzi found her calling in visual anthropology, photography and storytelling.

Since 2006, she has traveled the world, especially the boroughs of New York City, photographing and spending time with rappers and performance artists.

Musinguzi also immersed herself in the punk rock scene in New Jersey and was exposed to both music and people unifying their communities through expression.

Webley pointed out that “there was a natural synergy” between his team’s artistic backgrounds and entrepreneurship that fit well with what they wanted to build on Minneapolis’ Northside.

“It’s not just about

taking pictures and being a photographer, it’s about transcending those skills into other areas where I can contribute to New Rules as a creative director,” said Musinguzi. “The marriage between art and economics is a foggy link in most people’s minds. It doesn’t really click. But having those business skills as an artist is really important, in terms of sustaining yourself and being able to keep making work.”

Building momentum to create local industry Like any other start-up, New Rules needs financial resources and human capital to gain more momentum.

They are currently trying to get the funds to acquire 3-D printing technology, garment knitting technologies, as well as other emerging technologies and old faithful ones that aren’t going away.

“We need human capital. We are a lean team and we need help. We need for people to utilize this space,” said Webley.

“I’m inspired by people that take risks and don’t see them as risks; they see them as necessities. To keep forging future and progressing toward a future that people can’t see but that we need,” said Musinguzi.

Serving elders through special access outreach

1

Gaoly Yang In her 24-year tenure with Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA), Gaoly Yang has been at the center of fostering relationships

with ethnic/minorityspecific organizations that serve older adults.

Since the 1990s, MAAA has fine-tuned its approaches and strategies with special access and outreach provider partners to ensure elders are aware of, and seeking, culturally sensitive services and support.

For example, a typical Request for Proposal process can be challenging for cultural community organizations that have

Classifieds

primarily operated as grass roots organizations.

So, MAAA established funding policies and service priorities to leverage their strengths; that is, service models using bilingual/ bicultural approaches and staff. In another example of process fine-tuning, MAAA undertook a three-year pilot project to coach special access provider partners on capacity building and sustainability.

These process “adaptations” have become a model for

other area agencies on aging in Minnesota.

In 2015, through Older Americans Act Title III funding, MAAA had grants with eight special access provider partners.

These organizations served 11 cultural communities and a total of 1,729 minority and non-English-speaking elders with information and referral, advocacy, translation/ interpretation, and short-term case management.

One provider partner, United Cambodian

Phone: 612.588.1313

Fax: 612.588.2031

RENTAL PROPERTIES INH Properties manages Section 8, Section 42 and Rural Development projects in the following MN cities: Anoka – Bridge Square, 763-421-6772 Big Lake – Autumn Winds, 320-258-6000 Brainerd – Mississippi Terrace, 218-829-0274 Cold Spring – Cottage Court, 320-685-3888 Coon Rapids- Coon Creek, 763-767-7755 Eden Valley – Hillside, 320-453-5968 Fergus Falls – Kaddatz, 218-205-0644 Glenwood – Glenview, 320-634-3188 Hawley – Northside Terrace, 218-483-4524 Hutchinson – Clinton House, 320-587-5458 Isle – Isle View, 320-676-8624 Isle – Mille Lacs Manor, 320-676-8624 Mankato – Dublin Road, 507-345-3351 Minneapolis - Holmes Park, 612-378-8817 Morris – Crystal Lake, 320-589-3662 Onamia – Oakwood, 320-532-4321 Onamia – Onamia Shores, 320-532-4321 Pierz – Kamnic Lane, 320-468-2581 Rice – Benton Place, 320-630-1201 St Michael -Countryside Cottages, 763-497-4901 St Paul – Parkway Gardens, 651-771-0267 Virginia – Alice Nettell, 218-741-3650

that, “Ethnic elders are becoming more comfortable in using community services rather than relying solely on their families for support.

This often means a faster response, thereby preventing a situation from becoming a crisis. MAAA has been a champion for cultural communities for the past three decades, and the priority remains as the needs of minority/ethnic elders become more pressing.”

Email: info@insightnews.com

TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer with Kids at East Side Learning Center. At East Side Learning Center build a life changing relationship by meeting the individual needs of diverse children on St. Paul’s East Side through one-on-one reading tutoring with K-2nd graders. Tutoring opportunities available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Volunteers tutor a minimum of one child, once a week for about 45 minutes. Training, materials, and on-site support are provided.

Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 651-793-7364 for more information on this or other volunteer opportunities or visit www. eastsidelearningcenter.org

Cookie Cart Volunteer Opportunities

Residents must meet income guidelines.

Rent based on income at some locations.

INH Properties is an equal opportunity housing company

Association of Minnesota, serves Cambodian elders 60 and older with various health, social and support services, such as advocacy, citizenship, translation, transportation, immigration assistance, civic education, health education, English language classes, Medicare application, cultural and traditional ceremonies and housing assistance.

Reflecting on how special access outreach has changed over the years, Yang noted

Cookie Cart welcomes individuals and groups of up to 25 to volunteer in the bakery at any time of the year and especially during the busy holiday season – this year the bakery expects to bake approximately 25,000 dozens of cookies between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Volunteer shifts are available weekdays, weekday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday. It’s a fun way for family, friends and colleagues to give back to the community while working alongside the talented and dedicated Cookie Cart teens. For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Sara Ernst at 612-843-1942 or sernst@cookiecart.org.

Operations Generalist The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Operations Generalist in Minneapolis, MN. Salary range is $41,551 – $67, 534. For more information visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Client Accounting Specialist Dynamic Economic Dev. Org. working with Small Businesses seeks a Client Accounting Specialist to provide clients with financial reviews and assessments, cash flow projections, sales tracking and inventory control. Bachelor’s degree in business management or accounting. Experience working with small businesses.

Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.

Bi-lingual skills a plus. Send resume to: NDC, 663 University Ave, #200, St. Paul, MN 55104 or email to HR@ndc-mn.org. EOE/AA

Staff Accountant Dynamic Economic Dev. Org. working with Small Businesses seeks a Staff Accountant to provide support to the Accounting department. Gather and analyze financial information, support budgeting and funding activities, prepare financial reports and develop best practices. Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or business administration. Previous experience in nonprofit financial management. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups. Bi-lingual skills a plus. Send resume to: NDC, 663 University Ave, #200, St. Paul, MN 55104 or email to HR@ndc-mn.org. EOE/AA

Page 10 • December 5 - December 11, 2016 • Insight News

Dec. 5 – Dec. 11 Monday, Dec. 5 JAZZ Tower of Power Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $45-$70

Dec. 5 - Dec. 11

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking.

Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Legendary jazz fusion band, Tower of Power, has been wowing audiences for more than 40 years. Do yourself a favor and check them out at one of their two shows.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 KARAOKE Karaoke in Uptown Sushi Tango – Calhoun Square 3001 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis 10 p.m.

21-plus Free

insightnews.com

Every Tuesday it’s karaoke at Sushi Tango in Uptown. No need to be auditioning for “The Voice,” this karaoke is for singers (or non-singers) of all abilities.

Ice House 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m.

21-plus $8

Wednesday, Dec. 7

The Feels, presented

by Jazz 88 and Soul Tools Entertainment, is a night of live instrumentation featuring singers, poets, emcees, comedians and more.

Performing artists include Seaberg, Juice the Poet (Malik Curtis ), MycDazzle, Dream of the Wild, Kevin “Kaoz” Moore, DJ Miss Brit, Jessika Songbird Nolen and Sagirah Shahid. The event is hosted by “Candy Fresh’s” Sanni.

PRODUCTION/BEAT MAKING Last of the Record Buyers Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

18-plus $7 This event allows up-andcoming music producers an opportunity to play their music in a club setting. Signup starts at 9:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC

The Feels (formerly the Feel Good Revolution)

Thee Urbane Life is back for another round of Transformation featuring the all-star line-up of Jesse Larson (guitar), Brandon Commodore (drums), PaviElle (vocals), Ernest Bisong (violin), Marcus Woodard (keys), Kenneth Garnier (bass), and Anthony “A-Quil” DuBose (DJ). Witness a collaboration of some of the Twin Cities’ best musicians as they transform your favorite hip-hop and R&B to jazz, reggae, go-go and more.

Patrons are asked to donate a hygiene or basic necessity items that will go to an area community center.

Friday, Dec. 9

Thursday, Dec. 8 HIP-HOP/SPOKEN WORD

21-plus $10 advance, $15 door

Transformation Vol. 7 Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10 PLAY

$15-$67 Set during Christmas 1183, “The Lion in Winter” tells the tale of King Henry, II, his imprisoned queen and their three entitled sons who vie for the throne in a double-dealing division of the kingdom.

Sunday, Dec. 11 RALLY/MARCH March and Rally to End Gun Violence Dickman Park 614 N.E. 2nd St., Minneapolis 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Join Moms Demand Action - MN, the MN Everytown Survivor Network, Enough MPLS, the family of Birdell Beeks, United in Peace MPLS and other organizations in a show of unity to end gun violence.

“The Lion in Winter” Guthrie Theater 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis All ages

“Believe” features Ryan O’Quinn (second from left), Danielle Nicolet (center) and Isaac Ryan Brown (right).

imdb.com

‘Believe’ warms hearts this holiday season

By Kam Williams

It’s late November in Grundy, Va., a tiny town whose economy revolves around Peyton Automotive, a family business inherited by Matthew Peyton (Ryan O’Quinn) from his late grandfather. Because the company has fallen on hard times in recent days, the overwhelmed CEO is considering cancelling the annual Christmas

pageant the corporation has sponsored since the 1970s.

In fact, Matthew finds himself being pressured by his financial advisor, Albert Bagley (Kevin Sizemore) either to lay off or lower the salaries of some of his 115 employees. Needless to say, the prospect of cutbacks doesn’t sit well with union rep Bob Alexander (James C. Burns) who proceeds to call for a strike.

Matthew, in turn, testifies before Grundy’s City Council that he can no longer afford to stage the holiday

festival because the funds in the trust have been totally exhausted.

Trouble is, his grandfather specifically stipulated in his will that Peyton Automotive must continue the tradition.

Nevertheless, Matthew asserts that the business has been losing money for a couple of years and that, given the situation; he has no choice but to shut it down.

Meanwhile, he’s warned by the mayor (Lance E. Nichols), “You keep going in this direction, you will get crucified.”

Soon enough, Matthew finds

himself the victim of escalating violence. First his BMW is egged and has a tire slashed, before being torched entirely.

Then, he’s beaten to within an inch of his life and left for dead by a gang of union goons.

Coming to his rescue is a most unlikely hero, a precocious homeless kid named CJ Joseph (Isaac Ryan Brown). CJ and his mom Sharon (Danielle Nicolet) nurse Matthew back to health while giving him a priceless lesson about what really matters most in life.

For, despite their dire circumstances, the Josephs both fervently believe that better days are coming.

“I wish I had that kind of faith,” admits Matthew.

Upon recovering, the grateful heir informs Sharon and son that “You took care of me, now I’ll take care of you.”

That is the point of departure of “Believe,” a modern morality story marking the featurefilm directorial debut of Billy Dickson. Although the picture is ostensibly aimed at the

Christian demographic, it has a complicated enough storyline, including a love triangle and intriguing plot twists, to appeal to more than merely Bible-thumping evangelicals.

“Believe” is a thoughtprovoking parable as entertaining as it is a message movie.

Very Good (3 stars) Rated PG for violence, mature themes and mild epithets Running time: 118 minutes

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 5 - December 11 • Page 11

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penumbratheatre.org

Greta Oglesby (left) and Dennis Spears star in Penumbra’s “Black Nativity”

‘Black Nativity’ returns to Penumbra “Black Nativity” has returned to Penumbra Theatre.

The holiday play written

by Langston Hughes and directed by Lou Bellamy runs through Dec. 23 at Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent

Cox conducts Minnesota Orchestra concert at Shiloh Temple Minnesota Orchestra presents Spirit of the Season, a concert, at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, 1201 W. Broadway Ave. N., this Sunday, Dec.11.

The 5 p.m. concert opens with a showcase of Shiloh Temple singers, dancers and choirs offering celebratory Christmas music, followed by a full performance of Dvořák’s “New World Symphony,” among other works featuring the Minnesota Orchestra led by associate conductor Roderick Cox.

St., St. Paul. Tickets range in price from $15 for students/ youth to $40 for adults, and are on sale through Penumbra Theatre’s box office at (651) 224-3180 and online at www. penumbratheatre.org.

Penumbra’s homegrown Christmas show returns with a concert version of the “Nativity” story. “Go tell it on the Mountain,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Hallelujah” and many others are brought

to life by the vocal talents of Dennis Spears, Greta Oglesby, Yolande Bruce and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Choir; all under the musical direction of Sanford Moore and narrated

by Lou Bellamy. This year’s production also features choreography by Uri Sands of TU Dance and performances by dancers Taylor Collier and Randall Riley.

The band is composed of

outstanding musicians Lee Gatlin, Steve Jennings, Geoff LeCrone, Sanford Moore and and Jay Young, III.

WINTER2016-17 A N O R D WAY PRODUCTION

TICKETS ON SALE

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Roderick Cox Cox was named the Minnesota Orchestra’s associate conductor in September after one full season as assistant conductor. A native of Macon, Ga., Cox earned a master of music degree in conducting from Northwestern University in Illinois.

Dvořák wrote his “Ninth Symphony” while visiting America. His influences included songs of Native-Americans and African-Americans. The composer visited Minnehaha

Minnesota Orchestra

Falls on his American travels, jotting down a tune on his shirt cuff because he had no paper.

The evening concludes with a sing-along performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Tickets are free and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Page 12 • December 5 - December 11, 2016 • Insight News

insightnews.com

An Urbane Celebration Bianca “Cali” Lewis, co-producer of Thee Urbane Life, recently celebrated her birthday in a gathering of friends at Mediterranean Cruise Café in Burnsville and Insight News was there to capture some of the sights. Clockwise from top left:

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Close to 30 people came out to celebrate with Bianca Lewis (first row in the dress).

The light of each other’s life, Anthony DuBose (left) and Bianca Lewis.

Power-couple Camille Thomas (left) and Reuben ThompsonAmarteifio enjoying each other’s company.

Good friends flashing great smiles, Chris Hervey (left) and Dana Joubert-Hayes.

Photos Harry Colbert, Jr.

Tuesday Night Turn-up 1

Who said fun is reserved for the weekend? On a recent Tuesday Uptown Minneapolis was the place to be. MPLS’ David Billingsley celebrated his 32nd birthday at the popular adult playground, Up Down, while other got their karaoke on at Sushi Tango in Calhoun Square.

(Top left) MPLS bandmates David Billingsley (left) and Rob Coleman celebrating Billingsley’s birthday at Up Down.

(Top center) Cousins Hannah Miller (left) and Adara Smith hanging out at Tuesday night hot spot, Sushi Tango.

(Top right) Emmy-winner Bianca Rhodes (left) along with Can I Vent’s Shed G hanging out at Up Down.

(Bottom) David Billingsley (back row, red vest) with friends celebrating his birthday at Up Down.

Photos Harry Colbert, Jr.

Recycle food scraps with organics recycling “We recycle our organics to waste less and give back to the environment.”

-Minneapolis resident No extra cost to sign up: minneapolismn.gov/organics or call 612-673-2917

Organics Recycling

NE ED D EE II N To BU A E H LTYH G e. cS. anIE rER suC InRO You can do both. MNsure is the only place to find out if you qualify for financial help to pay insurance premiums - which most people do. See what you qualify for at mnsure.org, or call 1-855-3MNSURE.

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