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Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie will be the keynote speaker at the Founders Day Celebration of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson University Hotel in Minneapolis. The luncheon event is open to the public, and tickets are $50. For tickets to this event, call (612) 259-1472. No tickets will be sold at the door.

January 18 - January 24, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 3 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Seantrel Henderson is simply the best

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com

www.swamppolitics.com

New Salem benefit concert for Haiti New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, at 26th & Lyndale N. in Minneapolis will present a Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Benefit Concert 6 pm Monday, January 18th, MLK Day. Excelsior Community Choir, New Salem Mass Choir, and other area celebrity performers with join region church and civic leaders in raising money to assist disaster relief work in Haiti.

According to Reverend Jerry McAfee, the local church initiative will deliver assistance through networks created by Dr. Willa Grant Battle, pastor of Grace Temple Deliverance Center in South Minneapolis. Dr. Battle is founder and pastor of Grace Temple and heads the church’s 51 year old Haiti Mission work. The Mission includes two churches that were

destroyed in the earth quake, and a network of over 150 churches and ministries throughout Haiti.

The Mission’s principle medical facility, Good Samaritan Hospital, part of a large education and training campus, suffered damage as well.

Jamaica Minnesota Organization and other Caribbean focus service organizations, and University of Minnesota Northside University Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) have joined the initiative to promote the benefit event and to encourage humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Haiti. For more information contact Rev Jerry McAfee 612-522-2951.

Parties rally to try to break stereotypes

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer Minnesota’s political parties are rolling in to the New Year by getting people excited for their precinct caucuses and conventions. The DemocraticFarm-Labor (DFL), Independence, and Republican Party Precinct Caucuses are being held on February 2. Dates for the Minnesota Constitution and Green Party Precinct Caucuses are yet to be determined. The Minnesota Libertarian Party will not be holding a precinct caucus this year.

Precinct caucuses are free and open to the public.

However, to participate at a specific caucus you must support or be likely to support the political party whose caucus you attend.

Next month’s precinct caucuses are the first step for political parties to select the candidates and issues they will support in the 2010 elections. At precinct caucuses, political parties conduct preference polls, known as a ‘Straw Ballot,’ for candidates who are considering running under a certain party.

Candidates will usually try to make an appearance at as many precinct caucuses as they can because they are a great place to build support.

In Minnesota, each precinct

caucus elects a certain number of delegates to attend conventions at the county or state senate district level. Many of these delegates will continue on to the congressional district and State of Minnesota Conventions. The number of delegates that each precinct caucus can send to their conventions is based on voting results in that precinct for the party in previous elections. At these conventions, delegates vote to determine which candidates will receive the party’s endorsement.

Precinct caucuses are a good local forum to discuss issues of importance with your neighbors.

They are a forum for you to voice your views on a wide range of important political issues. You can submit and vote on resolutions that the party may make part of its official platform.

Precinct officers and other local party leadership roles are also determined at precinct caucuses.

While not unique to Minnesota, not every state practices precinct caucuses. It is up to each state to determine how it conducts local party endorsements and determines policy platforms.

Due to the economy, DFL leaders expect only a moderate turnout for precinct caucuses.

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To be named USA Today Offensive Player of the Year mean receiving one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a high school football player.

Minnesota’s own Seantrel Henderson claims that award, and in the process solidified a bookend to the decade for St. Paul powerhouse Cretin Derham Hall High School (CDH).

In 2000, reigning Major League Baseball American League MVP Joe Mauer, of the Minnesota Twins, also won the USA Today Player of the Year Award as a quarterback for CDH. If you toss in names such as Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. (Academy of Holy Angels) Michael Floyd (CDH), and Ryan Harris (CDH) of the NFL Denver Broncos, you get the feeling that the eyes of the nation’s high school football scene, and subsequently the college recruiting scene, are likely viewing the State of Minnesota as an emerging powerhouse in athletic achievement. The names

Jobs in Clean Dad, Sean Henderson, Seantrel Henderson and Mom, Bree Jasper mentioned also suggest that a certain quality of integrity comes through players from Minnesota, and Seantrel Henderson is on par with his predecessors.

On January 9, Henderson traveled to San Antonio, TX, to participate in the U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl which was held in the Alamodome. This particular all-star game is a final proving ground for national high school football stars, but also carries

strong academic performance requirements to ensure that the players seen on the field are individuals whom the entire nation can be proud of, on and off the field, just like our Army serviceman. With names such as Vikings running-back Adrian Peterson, and recently-named NFL Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin, it is clear that the NBC

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Energy offer opportunities for African-Americans

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Green & Sustainable Bauknight envisions MPS headquarters in Willard Homewood

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors Imagine a futuristic multi-story structure emerging to define anew Northside pride and progress at the Southeast corner of Penn & Plymouth Avenues in North Minneapolis’s Willard Homewood neighborhood.

And imagine green design and environmental sustainability as core features of the expansive complex, which will deliver 187,000 square feet of new workspace, making the facility some 7-8 times the size of the already impressive Glover Sudduth Center for Neighborhood and Economic Development,

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Lyna Nyamwaya chosen Metropolitan State outstanding student

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Book Review Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays & Conversations

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Hilda Solis

Louis King

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Keith Ellison

$9 million in Recovery grants Congressman Keith Ellison (DMN) Wednesday joined with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to announce a $4 million Green Jobs Pathways Out of Poverty grant for the Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota.

The City of Minneapolis will receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create training opportunities in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries for workers in disadvantaged communities.

This grant — combined with $5 million awarded to the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation last week — means $9 million in recent green jobs training grants, through coalitions spurred by

Ellison.

“I am proud that we were able to work together to take advantage of recovery funds for green jobs training in communities hit hard by the economic downturn,” Ellison said. “This grant empowers disadvantaged Minnesotans and it trains people to help with critical investment in green technologies, such as weatherizing homes – something families need for the frigid Minnesota winters.”

In a teleconference with Solis, Ellison and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including CBC chair Barbara Lee of California, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, Danny Davis of Illinois,

and Gwendolyn Moore of Wisconsin, legislators said they will work with ethnic media to ensure our communities are apprised of the opportunity to retool and embark on careers in the Green Economy.

Ellison said he hoped to work with Black newspapers and radio broadcasts to generate awareness and utilization of programs that can have a huge impact in helping families and communities bounce back from economic disaster.

“These ‘Pathways Out of Poverty’ grants will help workers in disadvantaged communities gain access to the good, safe and

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Harvin named Offensive Rookie of the Year

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Page 2 •January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Insight News

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Land Bank: An unprecedented response

By Al McFarlane, Editor, Insight News, and Nghi Huynh, Publisher, Asian American Press Final in 3 part series Twin Cities Community Land Bank launched last month with $25 million of capitalization and a mission to grow it's property acquisition fund to $100 million. In an interview with leaders of Minnesota Mulicultural Media Consortium, Land Bank president Rebecca Rom and outreach director, Shawn Huckleby said the initiative is guided by a public policy vision that recognizes the devastating collateral impact of the foreclosure crisis.

"Foreclosed properties do not generate property taxes, which means ours schools suffer," said Huckleby. "Properties which are foreclosed, means families may become homeless. So we want to break a number of cycles in a very a strategic way, not only preventing foreclosure, but addressing the impact of foreclosure. We want to get homes back into the hands of owner occupants."

"The data supports the concept that owner occupants invest not only in their house, but in their community and in their city and their neighborhood," he said.

"When people feel vested in that community you have the type of stability that we all want. It impacts a range of other issues including the success of children in

school and the crime rates within communities. So there is public policy self-interest in promoting home ownership, stabilizing communities, revitalizing neighborhoods. It creates the kind of community that allows our cities to flourish but also the residents in these communities to flourish," Huckleby said.

But will Land Bank initiatives result in displacement of people already victimized by the economic downturn, who lost homes and may never be able to own again? Is there a hidden agenda to simply remove the poor and stabilize neighborhoods by replacing residents will people who are better resourced or who are perceived as more politically engaged? We asked stabilization is a euphemism for displacement,

gentrification?

Huckleby said in this case, federal dollars come with strings in terms of the types of the income families that can buy the homes.

"So that serves as a safe guard to make sure that we are targeting and marketing to these families. The maximum income for purchasers is 115% of median income," he said.

"We are not only actually focusing on the physical structure of the houses but we are building relationships with organizations like Homeowner Centers so that we promote home buyer education and counseling, so we can preposition families to be successful at home ownership. We are working with emerging organizations within the community to address long term financial counseling, financial literacy, credit

counseling, and budgeting so we can prepare families and create that pipeline of residents that would like to own a home. We want to get them prepositioned so as these homes come available, they can buy them. We've seen nonprofits come up with alternative ownership models. We've seen several nonprofits who are know doing a concept of contract of deed which allows them to qualify for a homeownership opportunity now while they are correcting credit issues. In St. Paul they doing a lease to purchase model which allows the homeowners to move in to see the kind of long-term counseling and support they need, so they can refinance. So what you see is a number of different partners working together with lenders, with realtors, with

government to come up with alternatives for designs of ownership that will allow people to be successful."

Rebecca Rom said the Land Bank supports responsible renting as a viable living option for families and communities as well.

"The federal law also recognizes that rental housing is an important part of the mix and that we do need to have quality rental in communities. So they targeted 25 percent of the subsidy that every community has to families that have incomes of 50% of area wide median income or less. Those subsidy dollars are going into acquisition and rehabilitation of rental property. At least 25% of the houses that we are working with are rentals," she said.

Jobs in Clean Energy offer opportunities for African-Americans

By Emmanuel K. Glakpe NNPA Guest Commentary (NNPA) - Is there anything more important than reducing the federal deficit? Yes, it’s creating well-paying jobs in major industries to lift the United States out of the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression.

And when it comes to the staggering rate of unemployment, no community needs jobs more than Black Americans who have suffered the most from the misguided economic policies of the past decade that nave led to this recession.

The unemployment rate within the Black community currently stands at 15.6 percent, a much higher rate than for all other races that are tracked by the Labor Department.

As Bob Herbert pointed out recently in The New York Times, in discussing the overall impact of the recession, “there was no net job creation – none – between December 1999 and now.

None!”

This has to change and it needs to begin in the energy sector. The centerpiece of a jobs plan should be to expand and extend tax credits to companies

that invest in plant and equipment.

This saves them money, improves cash flow and encourages them to modernize.

The stimulating impact on business investment and on job creation would be huge. Consider what it would do to help boost the construction of new nuclear power plants, which are the key to meeting the nation’s growing need for electricity.

Because no nuclear plants have been built in this country in the last 30 years, more than 90 percent of the components and equipment for new reactors must be imported from abroad. This helps to explain why the estimated cost of building a new nuclear plant has reached $7 billion and Wall Street banks are unwilling to provide private financing for construction unless utilities receive government loan guarantees.

If plant components and equipment were built in the United States, the picture might be very different.

It would invigorate the economy, provide an opportunity to train and employ a new, highly skilled workforce in the building trades, and strengthen nuclear power. In fact, some manufacturers already have begun to expand their

facilities and payrolls in anticipation of new nuclear business.

This summer, two companies broke ground on a facility to build heavy components for nuclear reactors in Newport News, VA, a $360 million investment by AREVA that will create 500 jobs.

Also, a turbine-generator supplier

by Alstom reopened and expanded its manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, TN, as part of a $200-million investment that’s expected to create 350 jobs.

Other plants are opening in Louisiana, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. So far, about 15,000 jobs in nuclear power have been created. But that’s only a start.

A company planning to build a new nuclear plant in Maryland estimates that the project will generate 11,000 jobs, mainly in manufacturing. Among the jobs created are 1,800 in plant construction and 400-800 permanent jobs in plant operation and maintenance. And secondary jobs are generated in the surrounding communities, along with revenue for state and local governments, which, in turn, creates jobs. The average nuclear plant generates $430 million a year in total output for

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surrounding areas and nearly $40 million per year in labor income.

Considering the economic benefits, it’s no surprise that polls show overwhelming support for building additional nuclear units from people who live near existing plants.

The pace of nuclear power growth depends on several factors. One is passage of climate-change legislation.

Earlier this year the House of Representatives approved a bill requiring an 80 percent cut in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. To reach that goal, the

Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 130 additional nuclear plants would need to be built. The nuclear industry says this would create 350,000 jobs.

Nuclear power development also depends on financing support from the federal government.

Congress has made $18.5 billion available for government loan guarantees, but that would cover just five or six nuclear plants.

Obviously, the level of support needs to be raised substantially.

So it is possible to produce jobs and clean energy. More than

possible, it is essential. If the economy doesn’t turn around soon, the problem of unemployment and the millions of people furloughed into part-time work or have stopped looking for jobs will only worsen, and the economy will stagnate. How better to promote growth than to stimulate investment in manufacturing facilities and American workers?

Emmanuel K. Glakpe is professor of mechanical engineering at Howard University.

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Rally From 1 DFL Senate District 58 Chair, Natonia Johnson, said, “People are losing their homes in our district. This just isn’t where their attention is because they’re struggling to survive. People’s spirits have been dampened because of the way things are.”

In Senate District 58, Raymond Dehn is attempting to gain DFL endorsement over incumbent Sen. Linda Higgins.

Higgins could still run for reelection if Dehn wins the endorsement but she would have

Henderson From 1 commentator Tom Hammond was correct in stating: “A lot of players that you see in this game have bright futures.”

Hammond also added, “Seantrel Henderson had a great week at the U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl and has solidified his spot as the nation’s top offensive lineman.”

Sports Illustrated coined Henderson as “probably the most polished lineman of the past decade.” Considering historical praise such as this, it is no wonder that Henderson was able to lead his 2009-2010 CDH team to a Minnesota State 5A High School Football Championship.

Henderson’s likelihood of a championship winning future is fairly tangible also in that his list of collegiate interests include a ‘Who’s Who” of the leading college football institutions in the country’s history; the University of Southern California, Ohio State, Florida, Miami, Oklahoma and Nortre Dame are on the short list of collegiate opportunities extended, in which Henderson has the greatest interest.

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INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu 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.

Insight News • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Page 3 to run independently or seek another party’s endorsement.

Dehn is running for State Senate because he believes “the people of our district need a senator who understands that the status quo is not working for our community.” Johnson says the DFL is currently planning a debate between the two candidates.

Reps. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-58B) and Joe Mullery (DFL-58A) are running unopposed.

The DFL Senate District 58 Convention will be Feb 27 at North High School.

On the right, Republicans are trying to build an opposition to what they see as a one-party monopoly in Minneapolis.

According to the Republican Senate District 60 Chair, Brandon Ferdig, “We want to promote smart policy locally and provide alternatives that are different from the DFL.” Ferdig says that a lot of good policy ideas come from Minneapolis Republicans; however, they are ignored because of the negativity associated with the party nationally. He says that party politics are “not just about Iraq

and Afghanistan. We focus on local issues and policy that is fiscally wise and freedomminded. We want politicians who are honest too. We’re not your daddy’s Republicans.”

In attempt to break stereotypes against the party, Republican leaders are encouraging everyone to get involved locally and become precinct leaders, delegates, and party chairs.

In Senate District 60, DFL Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-60B) are up for reelection as well.

Speaker of the House Rep.

Margaret Kelliher (DFL-60A) is running for governor this fall, leaving her seat open.

According to Ferdig, frustration over national issues such as war, health care, and the economy may cause a lot of people to attend their precinct caucuses this year.

In 2008, Ron Paul’s bid for president brought many Republicans out to support his campaign. Ferdig said that we may not see the same vigor this year but expects a stronger turnout at their precinct caucuses than in previous years.

“Even though there isn’t a

presidential election, we still have a race for governor that people are excited about,” he said.

Ferdig also joked that a snow storm may deter people from coming out.

The Republican Senate District 60 Convention will be held in March.

For more information on your party’s precinct caucus, visit the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State’s website, http://www.sos.state.mn.us/.

Page 4 • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Lyna Nyamwaya chosen Metropolitan State outstanding student A New Hope woman has been selected an outstanding student at Metropolitan State University.

Lyna Nyamwaya, chosen fall semester outstanding undergraduate in the university’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was among 920 students receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees during Metropolitan State’s 85th commencement exercises on December 15.

“It’s a great honor,” said Nyamwaya, a registered nurse.

“I’m quite excited about it.”

Nyamwaya is a charge nurse in a cardiac unit at North

Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale. Previously, she worked on the hospital’s telemetry floor as a staff nurse.

Nyamwaya also previously served as a nurse manager at a Saint Louis Park nursing home and rehabilitation facility and as a licensed practical nurse at Saint Therese Home, New Hope.

Nyamwaya was born and reared in Kenya. She graduated with honors from Loreto Convent High School in Limuru, Kenya.

She came to the United States in 1997 and attended Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL, soon

afterward receiving her licensed practical nursing certificate. She won academic honors while receiving her associate of science in nursing from North Hennepin Community College in 2004, after which she obtained her registered nursing license.

She has been active in community service. Nyamwaya, a member of the Minnesota Nurse’s Association, participated in the Minnesota-Africa 10-mile AIDS Walk this past summer.

Through her Seventh Day Adventist Church in Minneapolis, she joined several other RNs who

organized a health fair that included critical health checks and instruction about healthy living.

Nyamwaya’s biggest challenge in life so far was dealing with the death of her grandmother in the Twin Cities.

“She was very dear to my heart, my mom, my dad, my everything,” she said. Nyamwaya and her husband Jerry Ong’era led efforts to raise $25,000 from family, friends and church members so her grandmother’s body could be transported back to Kenya and buried there.

In the future, Nyamwaya—

Lyna Nyamwaya with Metropolitan State University President Sue K. Hammersmith who speaks four languages fluently—plans to pursue a graduate degree in nursing and eventually serve as a nurse practitioner.

Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system,

MSU

provides high-quality, affordable education programs for adults seeking bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

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Insight News • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Page 5

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Moral giant, cherished hero

By Benjamin Jealous NAACP President Dr. Martin Luther King was a moral giant and cherished hero of the world. He was a tireless champion of the poor and oppressed against the powerful.

He understood the inescapable mutability of our fates and entreated the nation to embrace peace, justice and equality. He called on us to love humanity and one another and to fight for a just society. He was a man of vision and prescience. Sadly, many of

“an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.” He spoke on behalf of the Vietnamese people that we were fighting, “They must weep as the bulldozers roar through their areas preparing to destroy the precious trees. They wander into the hospitals with at least twenty casualties from American firepower for one Vietcong-inflicted injury. So far we may have killed a million of them, mostly children. They see the children selling their sisters to our soldiers, soliciting for their mothers. It is clear to them that we are on the side of the wealthy, and

question why there are forty million poor people in America; and when you begin to ask that question, you are raising questions about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy.”

Today the forty million of poor Dr. King spoke of has barely decreased with 39.2 million Americans living in poverty. The greed and excesses of our system has led to one of the worst recessions in history.

“In the end”, said Dr. King, “we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.....Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” his speeches are just as relevant today as they were over 40 years ago.

Dr. King courageously raised his voice against war. He spoke of the destructive impact of the Vietnam war draining resources from the fight against poverty and exhorted people to see the war as

the secure, while we create a hell for the poor.”

Today, we are at war in two nations.

Much of Dr. King’s work was to end the scourge of poverty and he began to question the essence of our prevailing economic system.

“We must ask the

Dr. King championed labor describing the labor movement as the “principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress. When in the thirties the wave of union organization crested over our nation, it carried to secure shores

not only itself but the whole society,” he said.

Today, the laws on union organizing have been weakened and the percentage of unionized workers has fallen from 36 percent in 1945 to 12.4 percent of American workers, only 7.6 percent in the private sector.

And Dr. King asked us all to give of our time and our voice to change the injustice around us.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,” he said.

Dr. King would be deeply satisfied at the progress we have made. The historic election of our nation’s first African American president, the rise of many prominent Black Americans to the pinnacle of politics and business. But Dr. King was a man of the poor and he would remind us that the struggle is not over. The dream has not yet been achieved. That the disparities in the criminal justice system, in poverty, in health and in employment that still plague our communities means that we have a long way to go.

Dr. King won a Nobel Peace Prize, and the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. He changed our country and our world for the better. He

Book review Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays & Conversations

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Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays & Conversations Edited by Arnold Adoff & Kacy Cook Blue Sky Press Hardcover, $29.99 368 pages ISBN: 978-0-439-27193-6

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com Book review

“In the 35 years between the publication of her first book and her death in 2002, Virginia Hamilton earned a place of honor in the pantheon of children’s literature… Hamilton’s books were about illuminating Black experience in America, the journey of Black people across what she called the American hopescape. She stated, more than once, that she saw her work as helping to portray ‘the essence of a people who are a parallel culture community of America,’ while at the same time revealing the universality among peoples.

This collection of Hamilton’s essays, speeches and conversations is significant

because it sheds light on the genius behind her profoundly important body of work. These pieces show Hamilton as a serious scholar of history and folktales and make clear the importance of place, time, family, and history to her and to her work. For those of us who knew and admired her, this collection offers the chance to ‘hear’ her voice again and be reminded once more of the enormity of her talent and the richness of her legacy.”

Excerpted from the Introduction

by Rudine Sims Bishop (pgs. 1112) Over the course of her illustrious career, Virginia Hamilton earned every major honor for which her children’s books were eligible: including the Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, the NAACP Image Award, the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Coretta Scott King Award, to name a few. Among her many masterpieces were works like The People Could Fly, a collection of two dozen, magically-illustrated folktales relied upon by blacks to cope during slavery.

But because Hamilton’s work was aimed at kids, her readers never got much of an idea about what motivated her to create such a bounty of inspired literary treasures. Fortunately, Arnold Adoff, with the help of fellow editor Kacy Cook, culled through his late wife’s papers, and the upshot of their efforts is Virginia Hamilton: Speeches, Essays & Conversations, a veritable, posthumous memoir which offers a compelling peek into how the innovative author’s mind worked.

For instance, she shares that The People Could Fly was one of those thoroughly pleasurable projects that one comes upon occasionally... It didn’t feel like work; it felt like an exploration of my own heart and being.” Overall,

the collection paints a rich portrait of a literary icon revealing her to be a brilliant, opinionated and, fiercely-independent soul whose legacy and innovative approach to storytelling deserves to be the subject of study not merely by African-Americans but by English scholars of all hues for generations to come.

To order a copy of Virginia Hamilton, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ ct/0439271932?ie=UTF8&tag=t h s l f o f i r e 20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789 &creative=390957&creativeASI N=0439271932

offered us a shining paragon that we can strive for and ideals that we should endeavor to live up to.

Today we can best honor Dr. King’s life and commemorate his death by continuing his noble work for a just society with equal opportunity for all, humankind, peace, economic democracy and a

political system within which the rights of all are enshrined.

“In the end”, said Dr. King, “we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.....Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Page 6 • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Insight News

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HEALTH Freeport West launching new housing initiative supporting teen mothers Freeport West , a 39-year-old nonprofit providing services to atrisk, runaway and homeless youth, recently announced that in partnership with Freeport Saint Paul Youth Center, it will now offer

secured housing in Saint Paul. The house dedicated to assisting parenting youth and those impacted by domestic violence is made possible by the City of Saint Paul and the United Way.

The house is dedicated to helping youth who are identified as homeless, parenting between the ages of 16-21, victims of domestic violence and currently reside in Saint Paul. This new initiative is designed to help parenting youth eliminate homelessness and prepare them for permanent housing, achieve self-sufficiency, promote independence while maintaining a sense of safety, prepare youth for

tenancy rights and responsibilities, and assist in the development and capability to nurture and care for their children.

Freeport West is a multifaceted, community-based human services organization offering a wide range of hands-on assistance, (e.g. housing, life skills education, counseling, in-home parenting training, assessment, advocacy) as well as collaboration for access to

additional services. Its focus is on attaining positive outcomes for youth (and families), and strengthening (inherent) community supports which will sustain their efforts.

Freeport also administrates and coordinates the StreetWorks program, founded in 1994, which brings together 12 local youthserving agencies to provide coordinated street-based outreach to

runaway and homeless youth ages 12-21. In 2008, Freeport expanded its services to a Saint Paul site to better serve the at-risk African American youth that were not finding or using the services they needed.

For more information on Freeport West or the programs and services it provides please call (612) 824-3040 or visit www.freeportwest.org.

Public Health Department Immunization Clinics Bloomington Clinic 3:00 - 5:30 pm Bloomington Division of Health 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road Brooklyn Center Clinic 9:00 - 11:00 am Brookdale Service Center 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway Minneapolis Clinic 8:30 - 11:00 am Health Services Building 525 Portland Ave. S. 4th Floor January - March 2010 Jan 19 Bloomington Jan 26 Brooklyn Center Feb 2 Bloomington

Feb 5 Feb 16 Feb 23 Mar 2 Mar 5 Mar 16 Mar 23

Minneapolis Bloomington Brooklyn Center Bloomington Minneapolis Bloomington Brooklyn Center

We offer all routine vaccines for children through 18 years of age who have no health insurance or have health insurance but it does not cover vaccines We offer routine vaccines for adults 19 and older who do not have insurance or the insurance does not cover vaccines.

We do not offer adult meningitis or travel shots. Please call 612-348-

2741 for more detailed information.

Flu vaccine: call 612-348-2884 for information and availability Donations & Fees • $10 per shot -recommended donation • $25 - Adult Influenza (flu shot) I-693 Immunization record for Immigration (green card) for refugees not available at the Bloomington location • $50 - 18 or older • $40 - 17 & younger We do not offer immunizations for travel (except for Hepatitis vaccine).

For information regarding travel clinics, please call Minnesota Department of Health at 651-2015513 or the Neighborhood Healthcare Network at 651-4892273.

Please bring all immunization records with you to clinic.

612-348-2884 automated line

Hennepin County

612-348-2741 Hennepin County Immunization Services 952-563-8900 Bloomington Public Health

Masjid An Nur marriage conference Masjid An Nur, 1729 Lyndale Av. N., Minneapolis, will host a weekend marriage conference January 22-24. The conference is sponsored by Muslim American Research Institute Advocating Marriage (M.A.R.I.A.M.) which conducts conferences nationwide presenting research on marriage in the urban population, the conference will unveil findings of the Institute’s latest survey.

Presenters include Dr. Verna Price, Ph.D., founder, president and principal consultant of J.

Cameron & Associates. She has authored numerous research and educational articles and chapters, and two best-selling books: The Power of People: Four Kinds of People Who Can Change Your Life (2003) and The Silent Cry: Dealing with Subtractors in Work and Life (2008). Price is a Leadership Institute faculty member at The College of St. Catherine.

Also presenting is Zehra Ansari, M.A., a licensed practicing psychologist who holds

masters degrees from Osmania University in India and University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Ansari, a school psychologist, has a 25year practice in Twin Cities. Her clientele in private practice are predominantly Muslims from all ethnic backgrounds and other immigrant populations.

The Institute’s founder, Faheem Shuaibe, of Oakland, CA, researched distinct features of urban American marriage and presents findings from the nationwide poll on the state of

marriage in that population.

Statistics shows that half of all marriages end in divorce and for certain populations marriages are even slower to form. The M.A.R.I.A.M. Conferences explores causes and cures for marriage breakdown.

For more information about the conference Contact: Kamilah Shuaibe (510) 677-5782 (napture3k@yahoo.com or Arlene El-Amin at (612) 521-1749 (info@masjidannur.org) .

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Insight News • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Page 7

MLK poems and pictures very year the United States celebrates the life and accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through a holiday on the third Monday of every January, breakfasts, speakers, and marches occur in the name of this great African American.

WE WIN Institute is a community organization that is dedicated to the mission of creating academic and social success for all children. Its programs are designed to instill pride, confidence and academic and social skills in children by giving them knowledge and experiences that honor and celebrate their cultural roots.

When children in WE WIN studied about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. not only did they learn the traditional information about him such as the famous March on Washington in 1963, but they also learned that Dr. King was named Michael until he was five-years-old when he and his father (who he was named after) changed their names to Martin Luther, after the great European Protestant, Martin Luther.

WE WIN children learned that Dr. Martin Luther publically opposed the Viet Nam War in 1967 and although he was attacked by Black leadership all over the country, he stood strong for what he believed in.

He made it clear: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

WE WIN Institute’s Rites of Passage programs serve children ages 6-18 in North and South Minneapolis. They have a program

E

at Zion Baptist Church and their home base on 38th street.

WE WIN children in the Rites of Passage programs were given the assignment to write a poem on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their poem had to be five stanzas, and each stanza had to have at least four lines.

The following poems and pictures are how WE WIN students honored the late great, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Abucar Mohamed & Sedrique Ametor

Abdullani Dhimbil

The Great Brave Man

By Abucar Mohamed 5th Grade & Sedrique Ametor 4th Grade Martin Luther King Jr. Was a brave man He was the a great, brave man He was a role model He was a King He stood for Everything Good, Just, Fair Martin Luther King Was born With the name Michael In 1934 He changed his name To Marin Luther King So Did his Dad After Martin Luther A Protestant leader Martin Luther King Fought for civil right He married Coretta Scott She was a Fox Martin Luther King Was so smart

Nesani Sabal He won the Nobel Peace Prize When he was 35 Martin Luther King Fought for freedom He love his people He love the world He gave his life For Justice For All May he rest in peace MLK Rap

By Kyalah Albritton 7th Grade D is for the doctor he became R is for not having revenge M is for the master of all minds A is for helping the poorest of all Americans R is for the reverend he became

Mark Miller T is for the time he gave I is for his famous I Have a Dream speech N is for the Nobel Peace prize he won L is for the leadership he showed U is for using nonviolence T is for the thoughtful thinking H is for the honor people had for him E is for establishing MLK Day R is for reaching peace K is for Martin Luther King I is not for ignoring his people N is for his skipping 9th and 12th grades G is for a good black man graduating from Morehouse College

Kyalah Albritton Dr. King Was The Man By: Nesani Sabal 6th Grade Dr. King was the man He helped his people He took a stand For Freedom And Love That he wanted to spread Throughout the land Martin Luther King Was born January 15, 1929 He was very smart And he had A lot of heart Martin Luther King Was the youngest man To receive A Nobel Peace Prize For Non-Violence ….And Peaceful Protest MLK created and was president Of SCLC An organization That fought for Black’s Civil Rights

Drawn by Ananda White

Demetrius Compton

Drawn by Nesani Sabal

Drawn by Abdullahi Dhimbi

Drawn by Demetrius Compton

April 4, 1968 Was the dreadful day Dr. King was killed For what he believed He love his family He love his people He cared, he gave, and he made a difference

Ananda White For Humanity Dr. King Is The One By: Mark Miller 7th Grade Dr. King is the One He didn’t worry about Fun He fought for Freedom For Everyone Martin Luther King Was born January 15, 1929 He married…He had 4 kids…

He even went to college At 15 Martin Luther King Was the youngest man To win a Peace Prize It was no surprise For Non-violent Protest He gave his best Martin Luther King Spoke in Washington, D.C. 250,000 People Came to hear him speak Martin Luther King was killed On April 4, 1968 In Tennessee James Earl Ray Went to prison Ray proclaimed He didn’t kill Our leader King’s Family Believed Ray at the end Martin Luther King

Page 8 • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Insight News

Jobs From 1 prosperous jobs of the 21st Century green economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis. “Green jobs present tremendous opportunities for people who have the core skills and competencies needed in such well-paying and rapidly growing industries as energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

“I am thrilled that the Department of Labor has offered us this opportunity to help some of our most disadvantaged residents get out of poverty,”

Mayor R.T. Rybak said. “With this effort we are also ensuring that area businesses have access to a well-trained workforce that is prepared to carry out the work of greening our local economy. We owe many thanks to Congressman Ellison’s office for their partnership and assistance in this effort.”

“We look forward to building an effective partnership with labor groups, job training organizations, training institutions and employers alike to implement this grant,” said Mike Wynne, Executive Director of EMERGE Community Development, a workforce nonprofit serving

North Minneapolis and one of the recipients of the Pathways grant.

For individuals who are living below or near the poverty line the current economic downturn has created a unique set of challenges and has heightened the need to find pathways out of poverty and into employment.

These individuals may lack basic literacy and job readiness skills and they may face other barriers to employment, such as the need for childcare or transportation.

To assist individuals in meeting these challenges, the Department of Labor is investing in Pathways Out of Poverty grants, which will integrate

http://insightnews.com training and supportive services into cohesive programs that will help targeted populations find pathways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency through employment in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

Despite the economic downturn, these green industries present many potential opportunities for individuals to learn new skills and competencies, gain employment and advance along career pathways.

In order to most effectively serve the specific populations targeted by these grants, the Department of Labor encouraged applicants to focus project efforts

in communities located within one or more contiguous Public Micro Data Areas (PUMAs) where poverty rates were 15% or higher.

PUMAs are geographic areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau.

These investments will prepare participants for employment within energy efficiency and renewable energy industries and are designed to: • Include sound recruitment and referral strategies for targeted populations; • Integrate basic skills and work-readiness training with occupational skills training, as necessary;

• Combine supportive services with training services to help participants overcome barriers to employment, as necessary, and; • Provide training services at times and locations that are easily accessible to targeted populations.

Thirty-eight awards ranging from approximately $1 million to $8 million each were made to two categories of grantees: (1) National non-profit organizations with networks of local affiliates; and (2) local public organizations or private non-profit organizations. In both categories, projects will be implemented at the community level by

JOBS TURN TO

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School From 1 home of the Minneapolis Urban League, which occupies the northeast corner of the intersection.

And visualize the historic Lincoln Junior High School incorporated into the development, adding 60,000 sq. ft. of usable space, plus an attached ramp providing 825 parking spaces.

But wait…there’s more.

Consider the value of a project that masters the art of leveraging, delivering more bang for the buck by intentional link aging of opportunity previously obscured by lack of imagination and lack of political will.

Enter Paul Bauknight, principal of the Urban Design Group, a design and architectural firm that is competing for the $6070 million construction project creating a new administrative headquarters for the Minneapolis Public Schools District.

Uniquely, it’s Bauknight’s presence in the competition that takes the notion of organic sustainability to a whole new level.

For not only does the Bauknight proposal present an innovative LEED Platinum

Jobs From 8 partnerships that include nonprofit organizations, the public workforce system, the education and training community, employers and industry-related organizations, and labor organizations.

Ellison has secured nearly $ 11 million in ‘2009 Federal funding for vital projects in the 5th Congressional District.”These projects are critically important to Minnesota’s economic recovery,” Ellison said. “They not only create good jobs, but they reinforce the infrastructure of the Fifth District.

These funds strengthen the fabric of our communities, by providing services to at-risk youth, offer community-based alternatives for seniors, and make available startup funds for key public transit projects in the Fifth District.”

“Many have characterized

Insight News • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Page 9 certified project, it delivers advanced Waste to Green Energy Infrastructure that converts waste to electricity, heating & cooling for building. The result: a zero waste, zero carbon facility.

“The District has asked for a green solution for their new office building. We believe that standard green strategies are only the floor.

We are proposing the first zero waste and zero carbon school district facility in the country,” Bauknight said is his proposal to the Minneapolis School District.

“By working with PLACE, a national non-profit who is pioneering the use of existing technology to produce environmentally sustainable communities at the highest levels, the new MPS building will have zero waste, zero carbon and free green energy for the whole building valued at over $267,500 annually,” he said, adding that the process, called e-Generation, will create at least 12 permanent, living-wage green collar jobs for the community.

The proposal calls for Green roofs, or permaculture selfsustaining ecosystem design through landscape and gardens, and a greenhouse on top of the parking ramp that provides yearround fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bauknight said the new facility will create bridges between educational and academic aspects

of the District by becoming a living educational resource.

In addition, the Bauknight proposal team is the only “minority-led” proposal under consideration by the District. And Bauknight, whose architectural signature already dots the Northside, is a long time Northside resident, and member of the Willard Homewood neighborhood.

And because he lives and works in the community, Bauknight is adamant about the value North Minneapolis and the city deserve and will gain from selecting his proposal to locate the District headquarters building in the Willard Homewood neighborhood.

“The District’s student population consists of students of color. A building project in the heart of communities of color, and engaging businesses that from the same community of color demonstrates awareness of added value and equity our community should expect from policy makers,” Bauknight said.

Bauknight says his proposal is unique also because it leverages the opportunity at hand to create new jobs and business activity in North Minneapolis at District owned property on West Broadway and on Lake Street. He proposes to acquire and develop commercial applications for these

sites.

“The redevelopment of 1250 W. Broadway, 807 NE Broadway, the Lehmann Center, on West lake, and 2225 East Lake Street will have a significant positive impact on the District’s long-term operating budget while at the same time creating hundreds of jobs, enhancing the city’s tax base and providing community amenities for Minneapolis residents. This strategy relieves the District’s holding costs for these vacated properties along with returning future sales proceeds estimated between $10 and $20 million within one to three years,” he said.

“The Urban Design Lab team will secure these sites with $3,000,000 to cover operations and maintenance on the four sites upon contract signing. Value of all four properties in today’s market is in the $10,000,000 range if sold within 12 months and in the $16,000,000 range if disposition occurs within 24-36 months. By the time MPS is ready to move into their new building, predevelopment will have been completed and proceeds from their sale will go into MPS coffers either lump sum or rent reduction,” he said.

“We propose working with Minneapolis residents, artists and students in a design workshop led by artist Seitu Jones and the

such funding as ‘wasteful earmarks’ or ‘pork’. They are neither. These projects help to build healthy and vibrant communities that prosper and contribute to strengthening our economy,” he said.

5th Congressional District Projects 1. $305,000 for the Minnehaha Watershed District Water Study.

This study will result in a Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) for the area, which improves a District’s ability to analyze the impacts of land use activities on water resources. A CWMP addresses primary areas like flood protection, water supply, water quality and changes to natural systems, such as wetlands.

2. $150,000 for the renovation of the Historic Coe Mansion in Minneapolis. The Mansion is listed on the National Trust for Historic Trust for Historic Preservation and is the future site for the Minnesota African

American Museum and Cultural Center.

3. $750,000 for the Minneapolis Emergency Operations Center.

This will allow the City of Minneapolis to build a new Emergency Operations Center.

The current Operations Center was used to coordinate the local, state, and federal emergency response to the August 2007 collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specifically stated the present facility in inadequate to meet the needs of future emergency incidents.

4. $2 Million for the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) Reintegration Program of the Minnesota National Guard. The reintegration program provides training to service members and their families to ensure a successful transition back to civilian life.

5. $2.4 Million for the Phygen Plasma Sterilizer in Minneapolis.

The plasma sterilization process is a technological breakthrough that allows for a “cold” sterilization of medical instruments in far forward surgical units.

6. $250,000 for an innovative Family Caregiver Access Network Demonstration Project that places more seniors in community-based care settings, and reduces the need for costly institutional long-term care for seniors. The funds will be administered through the Jewish Family and Children’s Service.

7. $1.9 Million to renovate the STARBASE Minnesota Educational Building.

STARBASE is an educational and training program that addresses math and science curriculum topics for underprivileged middleschool aged children.

STARBASE is located in facilities provided by the 133rd Airlift Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard (MNANG), at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

8. $250,000 for the Bottineau

Paul Bauknight

Suluki Fardan

Urban Design Lab team, to create a public art plan for the Minneapolis Complex,” he said.

“Many studies have shown the connection between health and educational outcomes. MPS already is involved in most of these issues as an employer, an advocate, a partner and a responsible community member.

The move to Penn & Plymouth can intensify and leverage MPS partnerships with surrounding institutional partners such as NorthPoint Health & Wellness to achieve even greater health outcomes for employees and community members,” he said.

Bauknight said sustainability has to be more than just an environmental force - it should also be an economic and social

force. Creating a LEED certified building in a distressed community contributes to the needs of the whole community by anchoring initiatives that assure that community members have stable affordable housing; safe neighborhoods; access to recreational, social and educational resources in order to achieve a good quality of life.

The Minneapolis School Board is considering proposals for its new headquarters building and may decide on a project late this month or early February. Willard Homewood Organization will host a presentation by Bauknight’s team at its January meeting, 6:30 pm Thursday, January 28th at North Point’s community services building at 14th & Penn N.

Transit – a potential light rail line that will connect Downtown and North Minneapolis with the northwestern suburbs of the Twin Cities including: Robbinsdale, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Osseo, and Maple Grove.

9. $400,000 to construct a new hyperbaric chamber for the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). Currently, HCMC has the only hyperbaric facility in Minnesota that handles patients with life threatening infections and carbon monoxide poisoning.

10. $400,000 for the Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) Green Jobs Initiative located in the Harrison neighborhood of Minneapolis. This vital “green job” funding would train workers to conduct energy audits and provide weatherization.

11. $500,000 for the design and construction of the Grand Rounds Missing Link National Scenic Byway Project in North East Minneapolis. The Missing Link

Project connects St. Anthony Parkway to East River Parkway.

12. $150,000 to the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) providing technical assistance to help start-up small businesses in North Minneapolis.

13. $500,000 for a new transithub located in downtown Minneapolis that will serve as a center for current and future commuter and light rail lines (LRT).

14. $400,000 for Digital Cameras and Computers for the Minneapolis Police Department.

The funds will be used to install digital cameras in squad cars for the Police Force.

15. $300,000 for the Bolder Options Program in Minneapolis.

The funding will be used for programs to reduce truancy and juvenile delinquency of at-risk youth.

16. $200,000 for the Midtown Global Market to provide technical assistance for culturally diverse start-up businesses.

Page 10 • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events HBCU COLLEGE FAIR – Jan. 18 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM at St. Peter’s AME Church, 401 E. 41st Street, Mpls. For more information call Arnise Roberson (612) 4551566, email: aroberson@achievempls.org. or visit www.achievempls.org.

Activate the Dream II: Home Ownership – Jan 18 January 18, 6pm - 8pm at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, Business Division, 1201 West Broadway Ave., Mpls. Free.

Learn about the home buying

ABA

Minnesota Blizzards Basketball The Minnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Team is announcing a program for college Internships for the fall and winter. The program will consist of five teams of 5 interns each in the following areas: (1) Sales, (2) Basketball Operations. (3) Marketing (4) Public Relations (5) Business administration. Each team will have a leader and be given challenging assignments.

We are looking for college students majoring in Sports Management, Business, Public Relations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting and Event Planning. We need 20 or 25 interns working with us for a (minimum of 8 hours a week) on a part-time basis. Interns will gain valuable experience, and in most cases college credits.

Interested Parties please send resume to: The Minnesota ABA Team Attn: Internship Program 10125 Crosstown Circle #200 Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952-829-1250 Fax: 952-8291040 www.minnesotablizzards.com

process and the tax credit for homebuyers - up to $8,000. For more information: Call Joseph Dillard at 612-251-6593, email: jdillard3723@msn.com Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Holiday Breakfast Jan 18 January 18, 7:00 am at the MPLS Convention Center. www.mlkbreakfast.org for tickets and information.

History HiJinx Craft Program: I Have A Dream Luminaries - Jan 18 Jan. 18, Noon to 4 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul. For more info and ticket information: www.minnesotahistorycenter.org, 651-259-3000.

Café Scientifique: Human Evolution and the Cooking of Food – Jan. 19 Tuesday, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bryan-Lake Bowl Theater.

Tickets $5-$12. Call 612-8258949 for reservations.

Summit Academy OIC Information Sessions Ongoing The following are held at 2 p.m.: Jan 20 – Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota, 1159 University Ave. W. Jan 27 – Lao

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Savoy Uptown 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 2329 Hennepin Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55405 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Lowertown Hospitality Group, Inc., 125 Bates Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55106 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Steve Ledin - Vice President Date Filed: 1/7/2010 Insight News 1/18/2010, 1/25/2010

Family Community of Minnesota, 320 W. University Ave. Feb 3 – Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent St. Feb 10 – Paul and Sheila Wellstone Center for Community Building, 179 Robie St. The following are held at 10 a.m.: January 14, 21, 28; February 5, 12 at Plaza Latina, 925 Payne Avenue, St. Paul African Dance / Afro Modern Ongoing African Dance: Every Wednesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm.

Live drumming by Fode Bangoura & Dan Handeen. Afro Modern: Every Thursday 5:30pm - 7:00pm. Zenon Dance Company and School, 528 Hennepin Ave. #400 Mpls. Visit http://www.zenondance.org/new s.asp?news_id=503 for details & registration.

Hamline University Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration – Jan 19 Tues., January 19, 4 p.m. in Sundin Music Hall, located at 1531 Hewitt Avenue in Saint Paul.

MLK Week at MCTC - Ongoing Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 p.m.—MCTC Campus - Gourmet Dining Room, T.1000, Panel Discussion, “An Oral History of African-American Race Relations in the Twin Cities” Thursday, January 21 Noon to 1:30 p.m., MCTC Campus - Gourmet Dining Room, T.1000

Chaplain and Colonel Wally G. Vaughn, “Reflections on Our Pastor: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, 1954-1960” and “The Selma Campaign, 1963-1965: The Decisive Battle of the Civil Rights Movement.”

Friday, January 22, Noon to 1:30 p.m., MCTC Campus - Helland Student Center Open microphone event. Students will share and perform pieces that speak to what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy means to them.

Dissecting Dinner – Jan 21 Thursday, 7 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Bell Museum of Natural History, 17th Ave. SE in Minneapolis, on the University of Minnesota campus. Free admission on Sundays. Info: 612-624-7083.

Register: 612-624-9050.

Transportation Town Hall Meeting There will be a Transportation Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, January 28, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, UROC, 2001 Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis. Please join Rep. Bobby Joe Champion, Congressman Keith Ellison, Councilman Don Samuels, business owners and others to learn about the plans and the business impact for the proposed (Northside) Bottineau Light Rail to Downtown Minneapolis.

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Insight News • January 18 - January 24, 2010 • Page 11

SPORTS Harvin named Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2009-2010 season Mr T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com The Vikings know how to put on a show. The past few head coaches have been pretty much entertaining themselves, but the players on the field have been nothing short of the stuff of legend, and they certainly have the hardware to prove it.

The latest and greatest (as I play “My Latest and Greatest Inspiration” by Teddy Pendergrass, R.I.P.) Vikings player to claim top honors in the NFL is young William Percival “Percy” Harvin, III. Just one year removed from a National Championship with his college alma mater, the University of Florida, Harvin is continuing his winning ways here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. The Associated Press named Harvin Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2009-2010 season.

The highlight reel Harvin has

Henderson From 3 Notre Dame’s campus and online community are abuzz over the opportunity to secure Henderson to go alongside his former high school teammate, wide receiver Michael Floyd, who performed remarkably in 2009 for the Fighting Irish. The University of Minnesota still has a fair chance at landing the historic prep star, but no matter where Henderson attends school in the Fall of 2010, it is certain that the team, and overall school, has gained a valuable asset towards a prosperous future. According to

assembled this season has allowed the Vikings faithful to reminisce upon the shocking NFL entrance of former Vikings’ previous Rookie of the Year, Randy Moss.

Unlike Moss, who won the award in 1998, Harvin has a lean, polished, professional playing ability. Moss was as raw as they come during his first season in the NFL, and the numbers he produced were as gaudy as his play was raw, ending his rookie season with 17 touchdowns.

Harvin scored eight touchdowns this season, which is nothing short of excellent. But Moss benefited from stepping into the second most prolific offense in NFL history under coach Dennis Green.

While Moss’s play was loud and awe inspiring, Harvin’s performances are lean and efficient. There is no doubt that the Vikings could have gotten much more production from Harvin, but occasional struggles with the offense, and time missed due to sporadic migraine headaches, certainly held down his full potential for the year. But considering that Harvin still was able to earn Rookie of the Year honors despite those struggles shows what kind of player he is.

Harvin has a professionalism about his game that Moss seemed

to lack, and a greater ability to serve as a broad utility for the offense overall, including special teams where he returned two kicks for touchdowns this season.

Somehow it may end up, though many may deny the possibility, that Harvin’s career could surpass that of Moss in the end. To compare the two gives me the feeling of ‘The Tortoise and The Hare’ type of story. For this reason, I think Vikings fans should regard Harvin as the same type of prodigy that Moss was celebrated as.

The Vikings went 15-1 in 1998, and came seconds from making the Superbowl. This year, the Vikings are in their most handsome playoff position since then, and just like Moss in ’98, Harvin is a key reason why.

Certainly Harvin seems to be Brett Favre’s favorite option to deliver the ball to. Considering Harvin’s winning pedigree since youth (he led his high school team to a 14-0 state championship in Virginia), all the way to 2010 Rookie of the Year, perhaps the Vikings can support higher hopes for a Superbowl laden future.

Now we certainly can’t leave out the matching player success of the Vikings border rival, the Green Bay Packers, who produced the NFL Defensive

Player of the Year for 2009-2010.

Charles Woodson could not be more deserving of this honor in that he is a six-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, and former Rookie of the Year himself.

Throughout Woodson’s 11-year career he has consistently been amongst the best defensive players in the league, so in essence Woodson deserves this award not only for his performance this year, but also for an entire career of excellence.

Woodson should unequivocally qualify for the NFL Hall of Fame on the first ballot. If people also throw in Woodson’s selection as the only defensive player to win the collegiate Heisman Trophy, there may have to be some “Best Ever” discussions to come in the near future. I for one will not argue with the assertion if it is made, because if anyone has seen his one-handed interception from college (Michigan), they know why I call that the Greatest Football Play I Have Ever Seen; and so it makes sense to think that the Best Overall Football Player Ever would be the one who pulled it off. Woodson certainly doesn’t hold that title yet, but a future Superbowl victory may be just the exclamation point needed for his already historic resume.

Henderson’s father Sean Henderson, “All eight schools are neck and neck”. Henderson is scheduled to announce his final decision next month February 3;

ACT college entrance exam in order to secure the very best legacy for himself moving forward. Henderson is a strong B student, and has shown all-around

star (actually three including track and field, in which he is very accomplished also), and considered a top national prospect for basketball as well. At 6’8” and 337lbs Henderson is the bigger of the talented bookends. Surpassing the feats of Mauer’s sporting career may be difficult, but Henderson seems to be the best man for the job. Coach Scanlan confirmed that feeling by saying, “In terms of offensive lineman, Ryan Harris stands thus far as the best to come out of our school, but it seems to me that Seantrel has the potential to be the best that has ever walked out of this place.”

Sports Illustrated described Henderson as “the most polished lineman of the past decade.” this is the first day of the national signing period for high school football players.

As for now, Henderson is tackling the final educational milestones necessary to qualify for enrollment at one of the strong academic institutions on his target list.

He has shown fervor academically in refusing to settle for mediocre academic performance, and is retaking his

maturity through handling the entire whirlwind that comes along with being considered the best football prospect in the nation.

CDH Head Football Coach Mike Scanlan used the word “remarkable” to describe Henderson’s handling of the entire process.

Just like the decades’ opening bookend CDH superstar, Joe Mauer, Henderson is a two-sport

Percy Harvin

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BUSINESS Career Plan Q & A: What does your next job look like?

Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com You cannot have it all (where would you put it?) but you can

have all of what matters most to you in your next position. Where are you willing to compromise and to what degree? Which areas are critical must-haves? Which aspects of work are so important to you that missing these would force you to walk away from a job?

Use this survey to look at nine common work factors; when you’re done, go back and rank your answers, one to ten, based on their importance to you. When asked for a response, be specific.

For example, part-time is not specific; instead, write “9 to 2” or “flexible, three days per week.”

1. Urgency?

I need a job yesterday I have time to wait for the right offer 2. Altitude?

Entry level/not a manager Management/direct reports Executive or owner (decision maker) 3. Location (city, zip code or within X miles of a specific

place)?

4. Hours/schedule?

5. Willing to travel?

No travel 10-25% travel (quarterly or monthly) 50% or more (basically, on the road all the time) 6. Recognition: My success needs to be recognized by: Myself only (low recognition value) My family/community/peers Everyone/ public profile (high recognition value)

7. Advancement value: I am willing to stay in one position: Indefinitely (low advancement value) Until I find something better somewhere else A short time; climbing the ladder matters to me (high advancement value) 8. Benefits? Choose one or two that rank high on your list (health care, vacation days, corporate jet or paid parking, for example) 9. Minimum acceptable salary?

Rank your priorities, one through nine, and then highlight the top two or three. Now you can focus your career plan on positions that meet your needs. You need a job; and, you need a job that you can live with and succeed at longterm.

Julie Desmond is Director of Career Planning Resources for Help Wanted! Workshop in Minneapolis. Next Job Search Workshop January 18, 2010.

Write to julie@insightnews.com.

Things a lawyer needs to consider before taking a case

By Clayton Tyler At the Law Office of F. Clayton Tyler P.A. people walk through my front door every day to put my decades of criminal defense experience to work for them.

When considering which cases I choose to accept, I look at a number of important questions.

Just as you want to find the right lawyer to handle your case, most attorneys want to make sure that they can make a difference in the cases they take.

The first question I ask is: Am I your right choice to fight your criminal charge?

When you hire a lawyer for a criminal matter, you are putting faith and trust into that attorney. How well your attorney does his or her job can affect your future and your freedom. Criminal defense is very serious business, and if I don’t feel like I’m the right fit for your case I will be entirely honest with you and give you the options and knowledge to make the right decision.

I am proud of my office’s reputation and record of successful defense, but that doesn’t mean that we’re the best choice for every client. I offer a free initial consultation so that I can review your case, look at

the facts, get a sense of how well we can work together, and then give you an honest appraisal of what my office can do for you. Sometimes that means I tell you how I think I can fight your case, and other times it means that I encourage you to find a professional who might better match your needs.

The next question I ask is: Can I give this person’s case the attention it needs?

A criminal case such as a felony violent crime or a large drug charge can require extensive time and effort to fully defend. If I have a large caseload and multiple clients relying on my office for

defense, then I have to consider whether adding another case will overextend my office’s time and resources.

If I can’t invest the time or effort it would take to defend a case, I won’t take that case. To take that case might be unfair to clients to whom I have already made a commitment, and it would be unfair to you. When you spend your money on a professional, you should be sure that you are getting his or her best effort.

One of the last questions I ask is: Can I trust this client and do I feel he or she will trust me?

The relationship you build with your lawyer is an

important one. Holding back information can potentially damage your case and make a bad situation worse. If I don’t feel like I can connect with a client and convince you that I am on your side, then part of my job is to send you to someone you can trust. I work to provide the strongest legal defense that I can, and I need to be confident that we can work together, both financially and professionally.

I stand behind my motto of straight talk and honest answers, and work every day to make sure my clients are getting the representation, counsel, and defense they need.

Respect and trust can be hard to come by in criminal defense, but they can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful case. If you have been charged with a crime and need to find a lawyer, call my office at 612-333-7309 or visit my website at www.fctyler.com to find out more about my approach to client defense.

Copyright 2009 F.Clayton Tyler, Attorney at Law. Text may not be altered or reprinted without permission.

Summit Academy expands into St. Paul: offers training, free transportation Summit Academy OIC is taking its mission of empowering individuals to become educated, employed and contributing members of the community to St. Paul by partnering with a variety of nonprofits and providing free transportation for residents interested in participating in weatherization, construction and healthcare training at its Minneapolis facility. Summit has plans to open a St. Paul location in

2010.

“At a time when many nonprofits are scaling back or closing, we felt the need to expand our reach so that individuals from all parts of the Twin Cities can have access to programs that can literally change their lives,” said Louis King, CEO of Summit Academy OIC. “We truly believe that there is no better way to assist these individuals than by teaching them the skills they need to get a

living wage job.”

Summit Academy OIC is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit educational and vocational center that empowers adults residing in the most economically depressed neighborhoods in the Twin Cities to become contributing members of the community by offering training in the high-demand, highgrowth industries of healthcare and construction. Previously Summit’s students were

predominately from the Minneapolis area.

Recently, Summit completed training for individuals who were displaced when East Metro OIC in St. Paul closed its doors. Summit has forged partnerships with East Side Neighborhood Development Company, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, the Lao Family Community of Minnesota and the Asian American Press to educate community members of the

benefits of learning a skill that will help them become employed in the future.

Beginning in February, Summit will be providing free transportation for up to 60 students from St. Paul for its training programs that begin February 15.

“We are excited to be working with these organizations and expanding our offerings to individuals with a variety of

cultural backgrounds to ensure that they can succeed now and into the future,” King said.

“Working together, we can and will make a difference in these communities.”

Summit will be hosting a series of free information sessions about its training programs. For more information, call (651) 288-9999.