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Theory of Flight Performing at the Fine Line Music Cafe Thursday, April 1st. Doors open at 7, music at 7:30. $8 for 18+, $5 - 21+

March 22 - March 28, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 12 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

KMOJ returns to North Minneapolis

Education Spotlight

By Alaina Lewis “More Old Skool, more R&B, more Love for your community,” Miss Georgia spits, as a rush of music rolls to a close and she prepares to claim the mic for a break between musical sets. After only one year of service as the host of KMOJ’s “Middays” the youngest personality to brave the DJ booth for the Twin Cities station knows all too well the importance of KMOJ’s mission as well as their purpose and necessity as our community leaders on the airwaves.

“I chose KMOJ as my home because the organization’s mission to reinstate a positive image into the Black community is very much so my

Help us highlight the achievements of those teachers and students who have made that extra effort at school.

Tell us who and why: info@insightnews.com

KMOJ TURN TO 11

W. Broadway & Penn Avenue N.

Photos courtesy of KMOJ

Pawlenty vetoes harmful to MN Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has line-item vetoed several projects from a public works bill important to Minneapolis communities, including $840,000 for the Minnesota African American History Museum and Cultural Center and $10 million for public housing. State Reps. Jeff Hayden (DFL – 61B) and State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL – 58B) criticized the Governor for his repeated pattern of disproportionately cutting programs and services that harm unemployed workers, students, and the poor.

“These vetoes continue this Governor’s long tradition of kicking Minnesotans while their down,” said Hayden. “Whether its cuts to health care programs for the poor and disabled, or housing cuts that exacerbate the foreclosure crisis, this Governor saves his wrath for the Minnesotans who can least

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AP coaches help students become college bound

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Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL – 61B)

blogs.dallasobserver.com

The U.S. Census Bureau has been hiring staff members, both to manage the enormous administrative duties that the census entails, and also to do the difficult task of going door-todoor, making sure that each person in this country is counted.

Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL – 58B)

Dafina Bobo

Girls in Motion win Ann Bancroft Award The 13th annual Ann Bancroft Awards, to be held Wednesday, April 29, 2010 at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, will recognize four recipients for their accomplishments and support of girls and women. The four winners are: co-winners Jazzmin Brooks and Dafina Bobo; Adrienne Diercks; Cindy Reuther; and Women’s Environmental Institute (WEI).

The Ann Bancroft Foundation www.annbancroftfoundation.org is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support girls and women in realizing their highest dreams and potential. The ABF endeavors to recognize individual achievement and promotes initiatives that inspire courage, risk-taking, integrity and

EDUCATION TURN TO

Census means jobs?

By Sheila Regan TC Daily Planet

Insight’s Education Spotlight

Jazzmin Brooks

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The huge number of jobs available for the census is seemingly good news for unemployed workers, for though the work is temporary, the pay is decent (in Minneapolis, the rate starts at $16.50/hour.) As community groups organize like mad to make sure that every single person gets counted, the U.S. Census Bureau slowly but surely has been hiring staff members, both to manage the enormous administrative duties that the census entails, and also to do the difficult task of going door-to-door, making sure that each person in this country is counted. But a number of factors make hiring people from underrepresented communities difficult.

First of all, there’s the test, which is only offered in Spanish and English. While the test is not extremely difficult, a number of sources say it is loaded with trick questions that make it difficult for non-native speakers. Then there’s the fact that the Census Bureau is not hiring non-citizens, except in very rare circumstances. Finally, an extensive background check that includes getting fingerprinted deters members of some

communities from even applying.

Bill Davnie, Minneapolis local Census Office manager, said that the census was only hiring American citizens, though it is possible to waive that restriction when needed, such as in an area where an ethnic group population lacks enough citizens to hire. He said each crew of door-to-door knockers will be made up of about 18 people and will be hired from the neighborhood that they work. He said the higher the test score that

check, is an issue both if an applicant is rejected, and because some may not even bother going through the check because they don’t want to address their issues, Davnie said.

As of the second week in March, Davnie’s office has hired around 100 people. Office administrative staff and initial contact people who go to institutions such as group homes and dorms have been hired.

Davnie said the non-response teams don’t start until the beginning of May, and so his

A Smooth exploration of the Harlem Renaissance with Irv and Ida

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“We want a positive, constructive team,” Davnie said. “We teach them to be positively persuasive.” an applicant receives, the higher they are on the hiring list.

“We are obligated to go down that list,” he said.

Davnie said that in areas where there is a lower return rate, the Census has an expectation that there will be a greater need for census employees to go door to door. He said that it was possible for a certain neighborhood to not have enough people that pass the test due to language issues and educational issues.

The other hindrance to getting hired, the background

office won’t be hiring those positions until the first week of April, although some team leaders have been hired.

“I would be very surprised if all crew leaders weren’t from their neighborhoods,” Davnie said, but he knows it will be difficult to staff non-response teams from areas such as some areas by the University populated by many immigrants.

Once Census workers are hired, they go through four days of training, Davnie said. They

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Gopher Madness: We can only hope that the ending is as good as the ride

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African Chamber of Commerce:

African immigrants are facing unprecedented financial hardships

By Martin Mohammed African immigrants are facing unprecedented financial hardships due to the lack of consumer protection education.

One critical problem they are experiencing is how to deal with collectors and creditors. Other issues are of sub-prime lending, unsecured loans and foreclosures.

African immigrants, who are trusting people, are being targeted by a large number of unlicensed

Census From 1 get finger printed, and learn the history of the census and about record keeping. One of the main things that new census workers learn is how to work with people.

“We want a positive, constructive team,” Davnie said.

“We teach them to be positively persuasive.”

To try to recruit employees to work for the census, Davnie said his office has set up tables at MCTC, the University of Minnesota, and other higher education institutions, as well as in the skyways and at Cub Foods on weekends. They have also put posters around the city, including North Minneapolis and along Franklin Avenue in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood.

“We’ve worked with a variety of community organizations for recruiting and for general outreach,” Davnie said. The Bureau has also met with Workforce Centers, conducting testing at their sites.

He said the bureau has also reached out to the faith community.

Richard Gerdes, the Assistant Regional Census Manager in Kansas City, said, “It’s really important to have people come from communities that they are coming from.” However, the census doesn’t keep statistics on the ethnic or racial make-up of their employees.

Gerdes said that the Bureau has done its best to reach out to

collectors and creditors who continually call and harass them via mail and email methods.

The African communities in the Twin Cities are facing foreclosures, wage garnishments, debt collections, judgments and court system issues. They are not aware, let alone understand, their rights, for protection, as a consumer.

Most often, their economic plight has resulted in loss of income, budget shortage, home foreclosures, etc. In light of these crises, there is a need for

community programs and immigrant-serving nonprofit’s for proactive services and consumer education that will give these immigrants the basic tools and strategies to empower themselves to take appropriate action to resolve their crises and maintain economic stability and self-sufficiency.

The Minneapolis-based African Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is asking state legislators, city governments, counties, governmental agencies, and civic organizations to help

different communities, hiring specialists to get the message out, although he did say immigrants can’t be hired, or anyone who has anything more than a traffic violation on their background check.

Gerdes defended the need for a background check, saying: “We don’t want to put a census person out there that’s been a threat to the community.”

Some critics have claimed that not enough resources have been spent to recruit individuals from underrepresented communities. For example, there haven’t been many ads on Latino radio stations.

“We have to look at the

residents in the community to respond.

Hannah Garcia, from Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), who works for the CCC committee, said the Minnesota Center for Neighborhood Organizing (MCNO), a CURA program, was hired by city of Minneapolis to do census outreach. Ten years ago, the city attempted to do outreach itself, and this time they wanted to entrust that responsibility to an organization that already knew how to organize from a grassroots level.

Garcia said that MCNO has been in charge of staffing the CCC committee and has reached

address these economic-driven immigrant issues — through collaborative partnerships to help save immigrant families from losing their homes, resolve unpaid bills and loss of assets, and other seemingly insurmountable financial problems that lead to greater socio-economic circumstance.

For example, the collaborative partners can assist families in need of Home Loan Modifications to avoid foreclosures; debt reduction plans to reduce their monthly

mortgage payments; compromise plans on outstanding payments due; dealing with principals for both secured and unsecured loans.

They need to enforce strict rules and regulations for a growing number of third-party collectors who are not licensed in the state of Minnesota.

The African Chamber of Commerce is also asking the philanthropic community to continue its funding focus and priorities in these areas, in financial education with a strong

consumer protection component. this will help families to how to deal with Collection agencies, ACC is thankful to the Otto Bremmer Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation, Allianz Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, the Christian Sharing Fund, the St. Paul Travelers Foundation, and other philanthropic foundations for their support along these program areas.

School.

Garcia wasn’t very optimistic about Census Bureau hiring of Census workers from underrepresented communities.

“It’s hard to say,” she said, “but it feels as if [hiring people from

underrepresented communities] is not quite happening, or happening very slowly.” Garcia said the Census was low on their recruiting numbers. “It’s been tough for us,” Garcia said, “particularly in North

Minneapolis.” She said some people took the test months ago and still haven’t heard anything.

“If people don’t pass criminal background checks, they

“We have to look at the country as a whole...” Gerdes said. “As a nation, we have to do the best we can. It’s tough to make everybody happy.” country as a whole...” Gerdes said. “As a nation, we have to do the best we can. It’s tough to make everybody happy.” Few resources have been spent on local ads, he said: “It’s really important that we spend the money wisely.”

In Minneapolis, an enormous effort has been launched via the Minneapolis Complete Count Committee (CCC), a committee made up of representatives from government agencies education, business, and religious organizations and the media initiated to increase awareness about the census and motivate

out to faith leaders, media outlets, and educators since this summer, with an extra effort made to reach out to hard-tocount communities. Garcia said one of the accomplishments of the CCC committee was in the creation of a neighborhood tool kit which provides information for neighborhood and community groups to get the message out about the census.

While the focus of CCC has been general outreach, Garcia said that they did do a job training session at Central Library, and one with the Hmong Community at New Millennium

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Insight News • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Page 3

Ellison announces arts competition US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) is proud to announce the opening of the 2010 Congressional Arts Competition for 5th District high school students. Each year, Congressional Districts from all over America display a cross section of developing artists’ works in the corridors of the United States Capitol.

“Arts education plays an integral part in the development of an imaginative society ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

The creativity these young people possess exemplifies tomorrow’s potential. I am honored and proud to be able to highlight their accomplishments,” Ellison said.

High school students from the Fifth Congressional District of Minnesota are encouraged to submit one piece of twodimensional visual art before March 31, 2010, for the competition. This is the third straight year that the Perpich Center for Art Education (PCAE) has teamed up with Ellison’s office to run the competition.

Entries will be accepted at PCAE during normal business hours from March 19-31, 2010. All entries must be received by no

later than 4:00 pm on Friday March 31, 2010.

All correctly submitted art will then be included in the month -ong Student Art Exhibition at PCAE. A panel of expert judges will determine three winners of the competition as well as honorable mentions.

The first-place piece will hang in the United States Capitol corridors; the second- and thirdplace selections will hang in Congressman Ellison’s Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis offices.

On May 3 from 6-8 pm at PCAE, Ellison will hold his annual Arts Education Forum & Awards Reception to conclude the competition and highlight the winners.

“Art deepens our understanding of the human experience.

The 5th Congressional District is unique in its appreciation for the Arts. I urge all teachers, parents, and mentors of 9-12 graders to actively encourage our youth to participate in this unique opportunity,” the Congressman said.

Entries may be delivered by hand or mailed (with return

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) postage included) to: Perpich Center for Arts Education Attention: Jeremy Holien 6125 Olson Memorial Highway Golden Valley, MN 55422 The Congressional Art Competition point of contact in Ellison’s District Office is Betty Folliard, Arts Community Representative, at (612) 5221212 or betty.folliard@mail.house.gov .

Census questionnaires mailed The 2010 Census is well underway with the U.S. Census Bureau mailing 2010 Census questionnaires to about 120 million addresses nationwide.

The questionnaires arrived the week of March 15-17. Residents are encouraged to complete the 10question Census form and return it in the accompanying pre-paid envelope as soon as possible.

“The 2010 Census is easy, important and safe,” said Census Bureau Regional Director Dennis R. Johnson. “It’s important for families to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 questions in the 2010 Census because of the impact of the 2010 Census has on our local communities.

I encourage everyone to participate.”

Census Bureau research shows that for every 1 percent increase in households that respond by mail, taxpayers save about $85 million in operational costs associated with census takers going door to door to

follow up with households that did not mail back the form. In the 2000 Census, 72% of households in the nation mailed back their questionnaires.

The more than 120 million households that receive the 2010 Census form by mail represent

Census Bureau employee must take an oath and is subject to five years in prison or a $250,000 fine or both if they disclose any information that could identify you or your household.

Your information is only used for statistical purposes.

“It’s important for families to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 questions in the 2010 Census because of the impact of the 2010 Census has on our local communities. I encourage everyone to participate.” about 90 percent of all residential addresses in the country. Census workers last week started handdelivering census forms to another 9 percent of addresses in areas where many households lack traditional city-style postal addresses.

Your answers to the 2010 Census are kept confidential and protected by federal law. Every

The 2010 Census is an actual count of everyone living in the United States and it is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data is used to allocate congressional seats to the states and to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year.

Page 4 • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Insight News

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AP coaches help students become college bound Admission Possible, the nonprofit organization providing college preparatory programming to lowincome high school students for free, is recruiting now through

mid-April for sophomores interested in obtaining a college education. Applications are being accepted from eligible sophomores

by Admission Possible staff at each

of the program’s greater Twin Cities partner high schools.

Students in attendance at other high schools may contact Admission Possible headquarters at (651) 917-3525 or info@admissionpossible.org to apply.

“Student recruitment is one of our most exciting times of the year,” said Admission Possible’s student recruitment coordinator, Chris Mitchell. “Our AmeriCorps members are creating a buzz across the Twin Cities and getting sophomores excited about the prospect of going to college. They may not even believe it yet, but in two years they could be stepping onto campus.”

Historically, 98 percent of participating students have earned admission to college; 94 percent have gone on to enroll and nearly 80 percent of those students are still working toward their college degrees or have already graduated.

The program currently serves 1,400 low-income juniors and seniors in the Greater Twin Cities.

Senior Nasro Barre, who attends the public charter school Ubah Medical Academy, credits her Admission Possible coach for the large number of college applications she sent in this year – a total of 14. Barre has received 13 acceptance letters. When asked what she would tell a sophomore wondering whether or not to take part in the program, she doesn’t hesitate: “I would say, ‘Why are you even asking? Of course you should join Admission Possible.’”

Admission Possible students commit to two after-school sessions a week during their junior and senior years of high school.

Students join a small learning group and are assigned one Admission Possible college coach who works with them in small groups and individually for each year of the program. During these two years, students are provided free ACT/SAT test preparation, intensive guidance in preparing college applications, help in obtaining financial aid and guidance in the transition to college.

Three requirements for entry into the Admission Possible program are: 1) income eligibility – a student’s family income is at or below the median household income for the state; 2) a student is a high school sophomore on track to be a junior in 2010-11; and 3) a student is willing to commit to after-school sessions, and Saturday ACT practice exams, college campus visits and community service outings over the two years.

Additionally, students admitted to the program typically have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and a solid record of school attendance.

Sarah Mason helps a senior with financial aid paperwork

Admission Possible seniors at St. Louis Park High School practice speaking about the college application process.

Approximately 750 sophomores across the Twin Cities will be notified of admittance to the program by late April and will begin Admission Possible afterschool programming in the fall of the 2010-11 school year at one of these partner schools: Arlington, Central, Como Park, Harding, Highland Park, Humboldt and Johnson high schools in St. Paul;

Patrick Henry, Roosevelt and Edison high schools in Minneapolis; Armstrong and Cooper high schools in Robbinsdale; St. Louis Park High School; Columbia Heights High School; Coon Rapids High School; and charter schools Higher Ground Academy, Ubah Medical Academy, and Community of Peace Academy.

Students, parents and other caring adults interested in learning more about the program or wishing to refer a student may visit the Admission Possible office at a partner high school, call (651) 9173525 or visit the organization’s w e b s i t e www.AdmissionPossible.org/Stud ent_Recruitment.

Bright Water Montessori offering education

opportunities for North Minneapolis Bright Water Montessori School (BWMS) will lead an outreach program in North Minneapolis to educate community members about the

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benefits of Montessori preschool education and to promote the start-up of new programs. BWMS will also provide technical assistance to interested organizations or individuals as they navigate the complex process of starting a new preschool program. The

project will provide highquality early education to as many as 200 preschool students each year as well as 40 new jobs that will stay in the community for the long term.

Ann Luce, Director of Bright Water said: “Montessori

education is particularly wellsuited to meeting the learning needs of young children on the Northside.

It offers individualized academic instruction but is also attuned to the emotional, cultural and social development of each child.

Additionally, Montessori education helps children develop executive function skills, abilities that are critical for success both in school and in the workforce.”

The project is part of a larger initiative, lead by the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, to expand access to high-quality early education programs to low-income, diverse communities which have traditionally not been served by Montessori programs. The overall goal of that initiative is to start 10 new Montessori programs serving low-income families over the next five years.

Bright Water Montessori School has operated its accredited pre-school program since 2004. It is also one of the only independent pre-school programs in Minnesota to offer scholarship assistance to help families afford the cost of high-quality childcare as well as accepting child care subsidies through the Child Care Assistance Program.

The Hiawatha Education Foundation is committed to the development of Montessori programs serving low-income families. In addition to the current project, it provided start-up funds for BWMS as well as on-going support for the School’s scholarship program.

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Insight News • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Page 5

AESTHETICS A Smooth exploration of the Harlem Renaissance with Irv and Ida One of the Twin Cities favorite jazz masters, Irv Williams (“Mr. Smooth”) and the Irv Williams Quartet, will appear alongside centenarian choreographer/dancer Ida Arbeit and the Kairos Dance Theatre company, Sunday, April 18, 4 pm, at Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis.

Kairos, under the direction of Maria Genné, is confounding audience expectations with its company of professional and avocational dancers, ages 4 -100 and differently abled, involving audiences in often emotionally rich, enjoyable and inspiring dance theatre experiences. In Ida Dances with Irv, Kairos offers a look into an exciting moment in American history – the Harlem Renaissance, with performers personally linked to that time, in a contemporary interpretation.

Harlem, NY, between 19201930, experienced an outburst of creative activity in many art forms. That period of time was originally named “The New Negro Movement” and later became known as the Harlem Renaissance. More than a social revolt against racism, it was a celebration by the Black “whose who” of musicians, composers, poets, dramatists, visual artists and intellectuals of all things African American that first attracted prosperous Black middle class audiences.

Beloved Twin Cities tenor sax player Williams, 90, learned Al Green’s “Body and Soul” –at the age of 15— from a transcription of a Harlem Renaissance luminary Coleman Hawkins performance, published in Downbeat Magazine.

Irv credits that song with cementing his enthusiasm for the instrument, and bringing authority to the tenor sax throughout the jazz music world. Williams has worked in bands fronted by performers like Ella Fitzgerald, Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou

Williams, Billy Eckstine’s orchestra and many other jazz luminaries at venues like the Apollo Theater in Harlem. He continues to play and record in the Twin Cities. He will be joined with other members of the Irv Williams Quartet for the performance, playing music from the era.

The ebullient Ida Arbeit, age 100, is a choreographer and dancer now living in Saint Paul.

Arbeit has had a long career. As a young woman in the 1930s, she danced with American modern dance pioneer Helen Tamiris’ company on WPA Federal Dance Project wages of $50 per week.

Tamiris was a contemporary of Martha Graham, and Arbeit performed in the Tamiris show Look Home Brethren on Broadway, dancing to spirituals and protest songs. Tamiris was one of the first American choreographers to use jazz and spiritual music to explore social themes in dance. On off-evenings, Arbeit and her friends would travel up to Harlem for the music and nightlife. Since arriving in the Twin Cities two years ago, Arbeit has been collaborating with Genné and Kairos, and worked with Genné closely on this performance.

Kairos Artistic Director Maria Genné, full name Maria DuBois Genné, is named after Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, a scholar, writer, publisher, public intellectual and activist associated with the Harlem Renaissance, and cofounder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Her late mother, Noma Jensen Genné, worked as a field secretary for the NAACP national office in New York from 1943 - 47 under Thurgood Marshall and Roy Wilkins, traveling the country north of the Mason-Dixon line doing “inter-cultural education”

N’Olens style blessing Famed New Orleans jazz saxophonist and Berklee College of Music alum Donald Harrison (left) gave a special N’Olens style blessing to Berklee’s new Africana Studies center. This room is a space on campus for students to be actively involved with the Africana Studies curriculum initiative. He was accompanied by percussionists Thimba Mkhatshwa and Berklee Presidential scholar from New Orleans Joseph C. Dyson (right).

and encouraging community leaders to integrate their schools.

Norma Jense Genne was a friend and colleague of Dr. Du Bois’ soon-to-be wife, Shirley Graham.

Ida Dances with Irv should be a feel-good audience pleasing collaboration with intriguing artists, great music and dance surprises, put together with Genné’s community-based approach of radical inclusion and celebration of diversity. Genné is collaborating with Arbeit on choreography. There should be opportunities for audience participation.

As the Harlem Renaissance was ultimately a celebration, so is the work of Kairos Dance Theatre, even though its work sometimes rests on a foundation that includes some pain and irony.

Genne said: “It is a thrill to work with Ida and Irv, and to attempt to bring some spirit and possibly form of Tamiris’ work forward with a collaborator – Ida – who comes directly from that time, and with Irv, who is also connected to it.”

“It’s wonderful working with Kairos and Ida. I’m meeting and working with very interesting people, and I’m having a lot of fun,” said Williams.

“I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about choreography – much better than thinking about my aches and pains,” said Arbeit.

Kairos Dance Theatre, founded in 1999, has a mission to transform lives through movement and story. Artistic Director Maria Genné is also the founder of the Kairos Dance Theatre’s national award-winning, evidence-based, arts and healthcare program for elders, The Dancing Heart™ – Vital Elders Moving in Community, that is positively transforming lives, saving significant healthcare costs and helping to create a new role in

Irv Williams and Ida Arbeit society for artists. Current institutional partners for the Dancing Heart include Wilder Foundation and the Ebenezer Fairview Foundation.

Ida Dances with Irv is presented in association with Intermedia Arts as part of their Catalyst Series. The performance is supported by The Metropolitan

Regional Arts Council with funds from the Minnesota Legislature, Target, individual contributors and Kairos Dance Theatre.

For more information about Irv Williams, visit http://www.irvwilliams.com/.

For more information about

Kairos Dance Theatre

Kairos Dance Theatre, visit http://www.kairosdance.org/.

To see an exciting minidocumentary about the Dancing Heart™ program, Dancing Heart™ – Power to Nurture and Heal, click on the link in the lower left side of the front page of the Kairos web site.

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HEALTH Obesity Campaign inspiring parents to take action

By Alexa Murray Special to the NNPA from the Howard University News Service WASHINGTON (NNPA) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Those chips, sodas and snacks that children look forward to when they go into the school lunchroom may soon disappear if First Lady Michelle Obama gets her way.

The First Lady started the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Moveâ&#x20AC;? campaign, whose aim is to work with schools and parents to make sure all children are able to receive affordable and nutritious food and safe places to play.

This makes Lois Grooms, a mother of three in D.C., smile.

Grooms said she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be happier than to hear that Obama has decided to tackle childhood obesity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parents have taught their kids to rely on fast food as their meal ticket instead of [and] in case of emergency situation if the parents do not have time to cook a meal,â&#x20AC;? said Grooms.

Grooms said most children do not receive the guidance they should on what foods are nutritious and what they should do for play, so she makes sure her children understand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I make sure my children have

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home-cooked meals, including a meat, starch and vegetable, with no more than three cookies,â&#x20AC;? said Grooms.

She added that she got rid of her childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s video games, cable and movies to make sure they will go outside to play.

The number of obese children has tripled in adolescents since 1980 and doubled in young children in that same period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For children aged 12 to 19 obesity increased from 5 percent in 1980 to 18.1 percent in 2008, according to statistics from the CDC. The statistics show that American Indians and Alaska Natives were shown to have a higher rate of childhood obesity than any other race, with 21.2 percent.

Hispanic children, however, had an 18.5 percent rate of childhood obesity.

Charletta Bohler, a 21-year-old D.C. resident, said her generation is representative of children who grew up on fast food and video games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obesity has shot up because my generation is lazy and we are always looking for quick fixes in fast food and microwavable dinners, yet, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even take

the time to exercise,â&#x20AC;? said Bohler.

Dr. Richard H. Carmona, Health and Wellness chair for the STOP Obesity Alliance located in D.C. and former U.S. Surgeon General, said there are complex reasons why people of color have been disproportionally affected by childhood obesity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People of color do not always have the means to buy healthy foods because of their social circumstances and they may be in neighborhoods where it is not safe to go outside and play, so they stay inside,â&#x20AC;? said Carmona.

Carmona said obesity rates among minorities must not be interpreted, however, because all

WALTHAM, MA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Certain ethnic minorities, including African Americans and Hispanics, are at a higher risk than the general population for developing potentially lifethreatening chronic kidney disease (CKD), which has been linked to higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

During National Kidney Month in March, Fresenius

Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, is encouraging people to pay attention to their risk factors and become educated about kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive, usually permanent loss of kidney function that affects more than 26 million Americans, according to the

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

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.

First Lady Michelle Obama parents need to take an active role in making sure their children are not stationary or tempted by fast food. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a Popeyes, Wendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Boston Market, Burger King and McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all on one street, and children are happy to go to every one,â&#x20AC;? said Grooms.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mom always told me just because you lead a horse to the water doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to drink it. Society has to make up in their minds and take the initiative to stop childhood obesity,â&#x20AC;? said Bohler. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Michelle Obama canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it by herself.â&#x20AC;?

Minorities at greater risk for kidney disease

Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

children are facing increased rates of obesity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is far too much playing on the PlayStation and not enough playing on the playground,â&#x20AC;? said Carmona.

In her campaign, Obama has highlighted that children need safe streets to walk to school and places to play, healthy food made accessible to all children in every neighborhood and school and awareness of the food they are eating made clear by nutrition labels.

Grooms said that it is good that the First Lady is focusing on the different facets that children are faced with, but added that

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NKF. When CKD leads to kidney failure, or end stage renal disease (ESRD), the only treatments are a kidney transplant or dialysis.

African, Asian, Hispanic and Native Americans are at higher risk than the general population for developing kidney disease because they also tend to have higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, the top two causes of kidney disease, according to the NKF.

Some facts (Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK): â&#x20AC;˘ African Americans are nearly four times more likely to

Disease Education Program.

FMCNA recommends that people in these at-risk groups get regular screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes plus make changes to diet and

Fresenius Medical Care Urges Awareness and Education During National Kidney Month in March develop kidney failure than white Americans. â&#x20AC;˘ Native Americans have nearly three times the risk of kidney failure compared to white Americans. â&#x20AC;˘ Hispanic Americans have nearly twice the risk of kidney failure compared to nonHispanic white Americans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People with kidney disease may not have symptoms until the disease is at an advanced stage and they are close to requiring treatment with either dialysis or a kidney transplant,â&#x20AC;? says Franklin W. Maddux, M.D., FACP, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer at Fresenius Medical Care North America. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We encourage anyone with risk factors for kidney disease to educate themselves about chronic kidney disease and take steps to control the conditions that can lead to kidney failure.â&#x20AC;?

Early detection and treatment can help prevent further kidney damage and slow the progression of kidney disease, according to the NIDDKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Kidney

exercise to help reduce their risk of progressive kidney disease.

FMCNA also offers Treatment Options Program (TOPs) educational sessions, which are free and open to the public. TOPs classes provide information about kidney disease management and the treatments available when CKD leads to kidney failure. During National Kidney Month, the company is hosting 200 TOPs sessions nationwide. To find a class near you this month or throughout the year, call tollfree 1-877-TOPS-LIFE (1-877867-7543) or visit w w w . u l t r a c a r e dialysis.com/TOPS (in English and Spanish).

Dialysis is a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood, removes extra fluids, and controls the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chemistry when a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kidneys fail.

Dialysis patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they receive a kidney transplant.

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Insight News • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Page 7

BUSINESS Energize your job search: A get smart approach Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com If you are tired of looking for work, it might be that you’re tired of not finding work. With

all the internet sites out there, it is easy to waste hours online and see little in return.

Technology is a useful tool. To your job search, technology is a tool the way oxygen is a tool for your lungs; things are easier when you use it. We have talked a lot in this column about how to get a job or promotion using the www. Yet, people still tell me they feel like they are spinning their wheels.

The next time you face off with your computer, you are

going to win. How? By spending one hour (look at a clock) checking off a list of tasks that will have a true impact on your job search.

Get smart on texts and emails. Does everyone know you are looking for work? Does anyone know what you do? If you use Outlook, create a signature that includes all your contact information plus a Rocket line. A Rocket line starts: I rock at ____. You don’t have to use those words

exactly, but you get the idea.

Let people know how you shine. Did you know you can update the tag line on your phone? It doesn’t have to say AT&T. Change it to your Rocket line and see if anyone notices.

Get smart on LinkedIn. Use the information on your resume to update your online profile.

Include words straight out of your favorite job descriptions so people will find you when they search.

Join groups

Social Security to provide helpful health care information Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced the agency

Census From 2 don’t hear back at all. We hear from a lot of people because they don’t hear one way or another.”

The major challenge, according to Garcia, is that the test is only in English and Spanish. “Some in the Somali community have decided not to take the test,” she said. She observed that Somali women who have a lot of connections in the high rises near Cedar and Riverside, feel like they are not eligible.

“People say ‘what’s the point in trying’,” Garcia said.

As non-citizens, they are last on the list. The people that do have high test scores don’t have the language skills or the community connection necessary to reach those underrepresented communities, she said.

Plus, “The test is very tricky,” Garcia said. “It’s not a difficult test, but it’s tricky...

That’s been challenging even for folks that speak English.”

She said her organization has been looking at some of the question on the test, and wondering about some of the questions: “Why is this relevant for immigrant communities and communities of color to get the word out?”

The CCC, along with some other community organizations, has been trying to combat the testing issue by offering trainings to help people to get higher scores.

Programs at Brian Coyle, Redeemer, and Shiloh Temple have been offered to help people improve their scores by taking practice tests.

Shiloh Temple has been training people to take the Census test since October.

Shiloh’s Sister Arnetta KabaPhillips, who is on the CCC committee, said that several certified teachers collaborated to create a curriculum for the training last fall.

An elementary school teacher, two high school teachers, and two retired teachers worked with Kaba-Phillips to design the curriculum. They designed trainings that involved three sessions of 45 minutes each.

Kaba-Phillips said one of the reasons that Shiloh decided to conduct the training was because she was hearing from a lot of people that they didn’t feel comfortable taking the test. “A lot of people don’t like testing,” she said. “They panic, they don’t focus....

They freak out. We wanted to give them an idea about what they can expect.”

In addition to the organized training sessions, of which there have been four, Kaba-Phillips said the temple has also been training people by appointment since October.

As of the first week in March, she said the church had trained 150 people.

Kaba-Phillips said that one of the aspects of the training is to focus on the mapping and the math. “The math is a little tricky,” she said. “You’re thinking they’re asking one thing, but it’s not always clear.” She said members from her community really want the jobs, and Shiloh is doing what they can to help them get them.

Sheila Regan (sheila@tcdailyplanet.net) is a Minneapolis theater artist and freelance writer.

is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. The website links take disability applicants to two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) websites – www.healthfinder.gov where they will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions; and

www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug where they may be able to get help paying for prescription drugs.

“This year over three million Americans will apply for disability benefits. Whether they meet the statutory test and qualify for benefits or not, almost all of them are facing difficult economic and medical challenges.

One of the advantages of our fully electronic system is that our notices can provide applicants with valuable information provided by HHS that might

help them make good choices faster,” Commissioner Astrue said. “Twenty five years ago, I had the experience of filing for disability benefits on behalf of my seriously ill father. It would have been a blessing to have had easy access to this kind of important information.”

The website at www.healthfinder.gov provides detailed information about specific diseases. For example, an applicant with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, or other diseases can go to the site to gather information about diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, ongoing research, and local resources available to people with those diseases. The website at www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug links people to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which directs people to information on reduced cost or free prescription drugs offered by drug companies, state and local governments, and local organizations.

The helpful health care links also are available on Social Security’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfo rdisability.

relevant to your profession.

These can be more lucrative than “hire me” groups. Finally, copy the URL of your public profile and add it to your signature in Outlook.

Search smart. Using your primary strengths and interests, engage a search engine like www.indeed.com to identify job titles. Play with this until you have 5-15 good results. Name your search, and click the box that sends you a daily update.

Ask for informational

interviews if you don’t get called back on applications.

If you are bored by your job search, it’s time to make yourself and your search more interesting. Take it from this Get Smart approach, and let me know if it makes a difference to you.

Julie Desmond directs Help Wanted!

Workshops in Minneapolis.

Write to julie@insightnews.com.

Page 8 • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Investing in good friends both far and near Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey How often do you find yourself in a conversation that ends with, “We really must make plans to get together (or get our families together) soon”? Most of us have people in our lives with whom we would really like to connect on a deeper level. Yet, too often, I would guess that you may encounter that person again and repeat those same (basically) empty words. Why? The Bible states it simply, “Without a vision the people…

(And their intention to build valuable relationships) perish.

In other words, it doesn’t happen without a plan. So here’s my

question. When was the last time that you purposefully invested time and energy in building or strengthening a relationship that you consider important? In most cases it costs no money, but can impact your life in priceless ways.

My husband Lonnie and his close friend, Bobby, demonstrated this principle in an impressive way this past weekend. They arranged for our families to meet in Wisconsin Dells to enjoy a fun family getaway. They made all the plans several weeks in advance; they picked the date, the place, and the time. Neither I, nor Bobby’s wife Celeste, despite our infinite wifely wisdom, were asked to do-nor volunteered to do-anything.

The men considered their relationship important enough to handle all the details themselves.

We had an absolutely wonderful time! All five of the children got along so well that

the adults were free to thoroughly enjoy one another.

During our conversation, Celeste and I discussed the fact that, for over thirty years, our husbands, had been a positive influence in one another’s lives.

Lonnie and Bobby had grown up together, having met in junior high school.

They also graduated high school together, attended college together and were even college roommates.

Although career pursuits, job transfers and family responsibilities have kept both men quite busy, they have made it a priority to stay connected; especially during life’s highs and lows. Now that Bobby has recently relocated to Chicago, meeting at a halfway point was an ideal way to get our families together.

On our drive back home, I could tell that my Lonnie’s spirits were lifted by seeing his longtime friend. While we have moved often, lived in many

different states, and met many wonderful people, his two best childhood-and adulthood friends Bobby and John bring him the most joy, encouragement, inspiration, and comfort.

Here is the main message; Wives, if your husband has a good friend or two with whom he has a positive connection, encourage that relationship because they don’t make friends as easily as we do. Although most men don’t talk much, they really need healthy interactions outside of you; someone with whom they can relate. The work and societal pressures on our Black men can be tremendous.

Remind him to call, text, or email his buddy regularly.

Wives, also please support your man when he wants to do a “guy’s only” evening. Finally, you might even take the time to get to know your husband’s friend’s wife. You may just discover a new friend of your own.

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If it’s been a while since you have reached out to your dearest friends, carve out time to do it today. Enjoy!

decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at low costs. A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

Marcia Humphrey is an interior

Book review

SistahFaith : Real Stories of Pain, Truth and Triumph

By Kam Williams “The women in this book have come a long way to meet you.

Some of them write under a new

name to protect their families.

Others speak in their own name to save their lives...

As you read these stories, be comforted if you are afflicted. Be clothed with the robe of many

colors, the garment of praise.

Walk with us on a journey past hurt, past shame, past rejection.

A journey straight to the heart of God.” — Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. xv) It was perhaps a watershed moment for the Black community, when Mo’Nique, during her tearful acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, said she was sharing her Award with all the Preciouses and with anyone “who’s ever been touched,” ostensibly meaning molested as a child. “It’s now time to tell, and it’s okay,” she assured, being an incest survivor who’d come out of the closet herself. With so many sisters still silently suffering as victims of abuse, it is hoped that the movie might inspire some to

seek help.

A timely-arriving aid in this regard is SistahFaith: Real Stories of Pain, Truth and Triumph. This intimate collection of tales of individuals overcoming adversity was compiled by Marilynn Griffith, who was sexually assaulted at 13 and became a mother at 14. The book is comprised of dozens of moving memoirs recounting nightmares involving everything from incest to rape to abortion to attempted suicide.

This cautionary tome’s contributors come from all walks of life, including several celebrities, such as Bunny DeBarge of the renowned Motown recording group. She talks about how she turned to drugs to repress the fact that she’d been molested by a family

member for years. She blames her terribly self-destructive spiral on being stuck in denial and without a shoulder to lean on.

Although shame and humiliation seem to be a recurring theme in these women’s tragic lives, fortunately, so is redemption, especially with the help of God. Considerable solace is taken in the scriptural passages referring to the Biblical character Tamar (2 Samuel 13:2) who was raped by her own brother.

In sum, SistahFaith is a heartening, hopeful reminder that healing, compassion and support await those vulnerable souls ready to take the painful steps along the path to salvation and emotional, physical and spiritual recovery.

SistahFaith: Real Stories of Pain, Truth and

Marilynn Griffith Triumph Edited by Marilynn Griffith Howard Books Paperback, $14.99 234 pages ISBN: 978-1-4391-5277-5

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Insight News • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Page 9

Minneapolis approves $15.4-million foreclosure plan Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak last week approved a spending plan passed by the City Council to use $15,424,156 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization funds to continue work underway to stabilize and rebuild communities heavily affected by mortgage foreclosures. The funds come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The City submitted an application for Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding as lead applicant in a consortium with Hennepin County and the City of Brooklyn Park, receiving $19,455,156 in funds.

Allocations include $2,344,000 for the City of Brooklyn Park and $1,687,000 for Hennepin County.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the Minneapolis consortium’s foreclosure-

recovery plan earlier this month.

“Once again, the Obama administration has come through,” Rybak said. “These much-needed funds will help us further stabilize neighborhoods that have been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, both by reinvesting in property and infrastructure, and by assisting our ongoing efforts to rebuild a healthy housing market.”

Rybak continued, “We’re also very pleased that the administration recognized the importance of our collaboration with Hennepin County and Brooklyn Park. We look forward to continuing to work with them.”

“We are seeing results of the first round of NSP funding in our neighborhoods throughout the City,” said Council President Barbara A. Johnson (Ward 4).

“New neighbors are moving into

homes that were once shuttered and in poor condition and are now the gems on the block, all thanks to the economic-recovery funding and the City’s great partnerships with nonprofit developers who have worked with us to restore these homes and a healthy housing market,” she added.

The $15.4 million plan adopted by Rybak and the City Council is focused around purchasing, redeveloping, and rehabilitating foreclosed properties. It is estimated that in the next three years, NSP funding will provide for the financing of 70 homes, rehabilitation of 54 units, acquisition and demolition of 56 blighted properties, and redevelopment of 80 properties.

“The Neighborhood Stabilization Program is a key component of the Minneapolis Foreclosure Recovery Plan,” said

Tom Streitz, Director of Housing Policy and Development, City of Minneapolis. “This funding is targeted to provide strategic and timely intervention to stimulate the marketplace and restore a healthy housing market as quickly as possible,” he added.

The City received $14 million in funding from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to help state and local governments respond to rising foreclosures and falling home values. Half of the funding is currently expended and the remaining balance will be spent

by September 2010.

Spending plan • $1.5 million will establish downpayment and closing-cost assistance to meet the affordability gap in homeownership opportunities for

homebuyers; expand homeownership incentives and promote Minneapolis neighborhoods in preparing the housing market for a rebound.

• $3.5 million will be used for development gap financing to non-profit developers to cover the difference between the cost of purchase and rehab of a foreclosed and/or abandoned single family home or rental property. These units will be primarily rental.

• $2.6 million will be used to acquire foreclosed or abandoned properties that cannot be rehabbed due to cost or condition, demolish them and hold them as vacant parcels and land bank until the market is ready to absorb new development. The City will continue to pursue a partnership

with the Twin Cities Community Land Bank to facilitate the acquisition and holding of blighted properties.

• $1 million will be used for demolishing blighted foreclosed or abandoned properties that cannot be rehabbed due to cost or condition acquired in the land banking activity.

• $5.2 million will support the redevelopment of demolished or vacant properties. These units will be primarily for homeownership.

• $1.6 million will cover program administration costs for the City of Minneapolis Departments of Community Planning and Economic Development, Finance and Intergovernmental Relations.

Remembering “Bill” Lawrence, of the Native American Press/Ojibwe News A Memorial Service attended by hundreds was held March 13 at Bemidji State University for William Joseph “Bill” Lawrence, founding publisher of the Native American Press/Ojibwe News (1988 to 2009), who passed away of cancer in Idaho on March 2, 2010.

Until he became ill, Lawrence had published the Native American Press/Ojibwe News from the Twin Cities and Bemidji. It was a member publication of the Minnesota Minority Media Consortium that is now the Minnesota

Multicultural Media Consortium.

He received the Freedom of Information Award from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2007, in part for his monumental legal effort to open the accounting books of Minnesota’s casinos, tribal government coverage and awareness projects on the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Lawrence also authored a series of essays, “In Defense of Indian Rights” that were published in Beyond the Color Line, New Perspectives on

Race and Ethnicity, in America (Hoover Institution Press, 2002).

Lawrence was also an Adjunct Instructor of Investigative Reporting in the Mass Media Department at Bemidji State University in 2006.

Prior to his publishing career, Lawrence held several tribal government roles including Executive Director of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe from 1978 to 1982 and Superintendent of the Colorado River Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1975 to 1978. He

was also the Educational Administrator for the Minnesota Department of Education from 1968 to 1975 and Director of Economic Development and Planning for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians from 1968 to 1969.

He was also a private pilot with more than 1,200 hours, and was a contract representative for Honeywell Military Avionics Division from 1984 to 1992.

Lawrence was born in 1939 at Red Lake, MN. He earned a degree in Business

Administration at Bemidji State University in 1962, and served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1962 to 1966, serving in Vietnam and continuing as a Captain in the Marine Corp Reserves until 1978. He studied law and was awarded his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1972.

Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents, an elder brother and a son, and is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, and partner Roxanne Jensen.

Education

and a commitment to service.

They were 11-years-old. Two years later, these young activists created Girls in Motion Minnesota, which promotes excellence in education, vocation, leadership, civic service and the arts through a variety of educational and career opportunities. Today, the two high school juniors are empowering girls to lead dynamic and purposedriven lives.

The two girls, who have known each other since pre-school while attending Harvest Preparatory Charter School, believe it is important for young girls to dream that the world can be a better place. Therefore, it is most important to first teach them how to gain the skills needed to participate in that change. Led by Brooks and Bobo, Girls in Motion (GIM) was formed in 2006 to serve all girls of various heritages and socioeconomic backgrounds to take on leadership roles.

Today, Jazzmin, a 17-year-old junior at Blaine High School, and Dafina, a16-year-old junior at Blake School, are empowering girls to lead dynamic and purposedriven lives. “Jazzmin and Dafina are committed champions for

accessing opportunities for youth in their community, believing girls can make the world a better place one girl at a time,” said Nicole Randolph, parent and community liaison with Nellie Stone Johnson School. “Their sound judgment and mature outlook ensure a logical and practical approach to their endeavors.”

This exceptional duo believes “when you help one girl, you help us all.” They have already accomplished so much as young people but they’ll be the first to admit there is so much more to do.

Jazzmin Brooks and Dafina Bobo truly are two girls in motion.

GIM’s programs target 6th- to 12th-grade girls in Minneapolis and apply values based on Kwanzaa Principles: unity, selfdetermination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose and faith.

Their activities help girls learn to define their goals and dreams; to support each other and their personal endeavors; to create service-learning projects; and to promote literacy among their peers. By using their innovative platform, girls can have healthier relationships with friends, families and communities, resulting in

increased self-esteem, better choices and actively planning for a future of success.

Understanding that their overriding objectives are broad, they are all critical to helping girls to become productive and successful. Brooks and Bobo have identified several key areas where they, along with other GIM volunteers, have donated thousands of hours of volunteerism and preparation to educational programs and community service.

Providing community service is another objective central to the organization. Led by Brooks and Bobo, girls fundraise and create partnerships with organizations and businesses to provide food to needy families or the elderly; to purchase school supplies for students; tickets to significant community lectures and programs; tickets to theater, circus, sporting and arts events. GIM hosted a teen summit “Justice Remix,” where colleges, art centers, authors and artists collaborated to address how youth can solve community problems through artistic expression. Over 150 students attended as well as collected food items that were donated to the

Nelly Stone Johnson School.

Managing personal finances is a challenge and concern to many girls after high school. Brooks and Bobo created an event addressing financial literacy, entrepreneurship and etiquette called “Girls Get Your Money Right!” The workshop helped students heading to college how to manage student loans, checking and savings accounts, and avoiding the pitfalls of credit cards. GIM has also partnered with Wells Fargo to provide free checking and savings accounts to students, and with the Anika Foundation to provide young women with tips on how to interview and proper dress for an interview.

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are being contracted at alarming rates by African-American women and girls. Brooks and Bobo helped to write, produce and record a series of public service announcements about HIV/AIDS. GIM also created HIV/AIDS awareness messages with Juxtaposition Arts sidewalk painting to educate those passing by about the effect of the disease on the community. This summer, GIM will host its second annual teen summit to educate

From 1 individuality in girls and women.

In addition to the Ann Bancroft Awards, the ABF’s generous donors and mentors help underserved girls take the first steps toward fresh possibilities.

ABF Micro Grants – of up to $500 — fund meaningful experiences for girls, many of whom are disenfranchised and close to falling through the cracks.

Mentors encourage the girls to use an ABF Micro Grant as a springboard to the next exploration and to gain a new perspective on their own abilities and goals. Girls discover new self-confidence and selfknowledge as they open their eyes to a broader world — and to new possibilities within themselves.

Jazzmin Brooks and Dafina Bobo are (co-winners) of the Dream Maker Award “Girl” category (leadership and achievement).

In 2004, Brooks and Bobo wanted to find a way for girls to develop a sisterhood of high educational standards, leadership

William Joseph “Bill” Lawrence, founding publisher of the Native American Press/Ojibwe News from 1988 to 2009 young women about prevention, testing and how to become community advocates for this important cause.

Girls in Motion has only begun to scratch the surface of educational initiatives and ideas to help girls prepare for the future. A new project recruited 120 young students to attend their first science event with the U of M Association of Multicultural Scientists. Another event will host its first essay competition in July addressing, “What does following in the footsteps of our ancestors mean to you?” A subsequent retreat will help students understand what slaves endured while escaping to freedom.

Proceeds from the event will further the efforts of the Ann Bancroft Foundation.

Event sponsors include Best Buy Women’s Leadership Forum, Imation, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, KARE 11 and Minnesota Women’s Press. For ticket information contact www.annbancroftfoundation.org or call Tracy Adams at (763) 479-4499.

Page 10 • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY Lowertown Reading Jam: An Evening of Poetry and Activism The Saint Paul Almanac continues its year-round literary celebration of the capital city with inspiring spoken word performances, followed by a thought-provoking discussion about “Poetry and Activism.”

The April Lowertown Reading Jam, April 5, 2010, curated by internationally acclaimed artist, Desdamona, will also feature performances by Reggie Harris, Tish Jones and Ibé. The poets will perform their poetry and talk about the work they do in schools, prisons and other communities, and invite the

audience to share a dialog with them on their work. The Reading Jam runs from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Black Dog Café, 308 Prince Street in Saint Paul.

The Lowertown Reading Jams continue at the Black Dog the first Monday of each month through July 2010. Each Jam is produced and hosted by a wellknown writer or spoken word artist. Saint Paul “performance drawing” artist Lara Hanson interprets the readings using Japanese ink brushes. Free hors d’oeuvres are served, and the Black Dog Café offers its

“Monday Madness” special featuring a large pizza and bottle of wine or a large pizza and four Summit beer taps for just $20. All Reading Jams are American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted.

Writers Wanted!

Not all of the performers at the Lowertown Reading Jams were contributors to the 2010 Saint Paul Almanac, but they and everyone who lives in or loves the capital city is invited to submit reviews, essays and poems about Saint Paul for the

2011 Almanac. Most selections are 650 words or fewer, with a small number being as long as 1,500 words. Small stipends are paid for works accepted for publication. Writers interested in having their work considered for the 2011 Saint Paul Almanac have until March 31 to submit.

Multiple submissions are acceptable. The complete guidelines for submitting a piece and ideas for topics are available at www.saintpaulalmanac.com on the submissions page.

Saint Paul Almanac

Desdamona

Saint Paul Almanac

Tish Jones

Renowned author headline Hamline’s Annual Mahle Lecture Renowned author, speaker, and activist Terry Tempest Williams; will keynote Hamline University’s annual Mahle Lecture in Progressive Christian Thought, “Finding Beauty in a Broken World,” which is also the title of her most recent book.

The lecture takes place Tuesday, April 20 at 7:30 pm at Hamline United Methodist Church, located at 1514 Englewood Avenue in Saint Paul.

The event is free and open to the public, and free parking is available in the church lot.

A second event, “A Writer’s

Interview with Terry Tempest Williams” will take place the following day, Wednesday, April 21 at 7:30 pm in Sundin Music Hall located, 1531 Hewitt Avenue in Saint Paul. The interview will be conducted by faculty member Barrie Jean Borich and MFA student Nuria Sheehan.

Terry Tempest Williams has been called “a citizen writer,” one who speaks out eloquently on behalf of an ethical stance toward life. A naturalist and fierce advocate for freedom of speech, she has consistently shown us how environmental issues are

Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

Hennepin County Foreclosure Workshop – Mar. 23 Tues, March 23, 6:30 p.m. at Hennepin County Library – Augsburg Park, 7100 Nicollet Ave., Richfield. Hennepin County Taxpayers Services and the Minnesota Home Ownership. 952-847-5300.

How are the children? – Mar. 24 Mar. 24, 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in downtown Mpls. The cost is $25.

Registration is now open at www.stthomas.edu/law/rsvp/. Lunch and snacks included. Limited Scholarships available.

Please contact cashell@stthomas.edu for more information.

Old Highland Neighborhood Association’s Problem Properties Meeting - Mar. 25 Thurs., Mar. 25, 7 pm at Ascension Church Community Meeting room (Dupont Ave N & 17th. Enter from door at the back of

Evening Maintenance and Security Worker JOB LOCATION: Twin Cities Metro SALARY: $10-$13/hour TYPE: Part Time / 20 hours DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

social issues that ultimately become matters of justice. Known for her passionate and lyrical prose, Williams is the author of the environmental literature classic, Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place. Her other works include An Unspoken Hunger; Desert Quartet; Leap; Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert; and The Open Space of Democracy.

Williams has testified before Congress on women’s health issues, been a guest at the White House, and camped in the Alaska wilderness. In 2006, she received

building). Hear from City Council Member Don Samuels and city staff as well as take part in a discussion to improve the problem properties report process. www.oldhighland.org Program helps people with disabilities gain control, flexibility – Mar. 25 If you are disabled and want more control, flexibility and responsibility for your care, come to a free information session about the “Consumer Support Grant” on Thurs., Mar. 25, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Room 229, Minnetonka.

To attend, you must register. Call 612-5966631 or go to www.hennepin.us/adsinfo.

For directions call 952-847-8800.

PACER workshop explores charter schools – Mar. 25 Thurs., Mar. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m., at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minn. To register, call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY). In Greater Minnesota, call 800537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER.org.

2nd Family Night (Welcome parents and friends) - Mar. 25 Thurs., Mar. 25, 4:30 - 7:00 pm at Hmong International Academy - Minneapolis Public School, 1501 - 30th Avenue North.

612-668-2250.

Staged reading of the play “Eclipsed” Mar. 26 Fri., Mar. 26 at Weyerhaueser Chapel, Macalester College, St. Paul. For more information, please contact History Professor Peter Rachleff at rachleff@macalester.edu and 651-6966371.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for providing light maintenance and general security for HQB during the late afternoon through evening hours of operation with occasional weekends. Key responsibilities include: end of daily operations visitor control and general facility security, light maintenance and general janitorial duties.

Jawaahir Dance Company & Cassandra Enchanted Evening – Mar. 26 Fri., Mar. 26 at 8 p.m., doors open 7:30pm at The Jawaahir Studio Theater, 1940

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Responsible for locking all internal and external doors at the end of the facility's operating hours.

2. Ensures that all users of the facility safely conclude their business and appropriately exit the facility on a timely basis.

3. Maintains close monitoring of operations and visitor control, securing St. Paul Police assistance, as appropriate.

4. Provides light maintenance, including changing light bulbs, monitoring HVAC operations, minor equipment repair, painting and checking mechanical operations.

5. Sets-up rooms for use, as directed.

6. Janitorial duties may include but are not limited to: vacuuming floors and furnishings, mopping hard surface floors, cleaning, dusting and polishing furniture, cleaning walls and windows, cleaning and disinfecting kitchen and bathroom, emptying and sanitizing waste baskets.

5. Perform errands and special projects as requested by supervisor.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: Education: High School degree or equivalent.

Vocational training in building maintenance and specialized training in the areas of HVAC, plumbing and electrical repair not required but highly preferred.

The BEST 1 bedrooms in Brooklyn Park! 1 BRs starting at $595 • Huge bedrooms • Tons of closet space • In & outdoor pool • Special Offer! Move in by 3/31/10 And receive $300 off your 2nd month’s rent PLUS half off your deposit! Call today! 763-5600244 www.liveathp.com EHO

Work Experience: 3+ years of general building janitorial, maintenance and repair experience.

Other Requirements: Physical ability to moderately strenuous work safely. Customer service skills Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager. Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines HOW TO APPLY: Submit Resume and Cover Letter or Application available on our website to: Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc. ATTN: Human Resources 270 North Kent Street St. Paul, MN 55102 651-224-7074-Fax www.hallieqbrown.org hr@hallieqbrown.org

Huntington Place Apartments

CM/ECF Analyst The Clerk's Office of the U.S. District Court of Minnesota is seeking a CM/ECF Analyst to be located in the Clerk's Office in Minneapolis. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the efficient use and effective integration of the court's electronic case management system (CM/ECF) within all court operations. CM/ECF is an Informix database web application providing access to case information and documents.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a combination of excellent technical skills/experience, as well as an understanding of court processes and procedures. Technical skills include: experience with web applications and relational databases; ability to create, analyze, and maintain database tables and records; thorough knowledge of statistical/analytical methods; experience in providing support and communicating with end-users on complex technical issues: ability to develop and deliver professional presentations and make recommendations to court management.

Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is preferred. Court operations experience preferred. Future regular and promotional vacancies may be filled by internal or temporary employees. Starting salary - $48,663 to $60,827. Position range to $79,073. For a complete job description please visit our web site at: www.mnd.uscourts.gov. Submit cover letter and resume by 5 PM on March 29, to HR Manager, U.S. District Court, 202 U.S. Courthouse, 300 S. 4th St., Minneapolis, MN 55415. E-mail: hr-usdc@mnd.uscourts.gov.

U.S. or allied country citizenship required. All employees are subject to a background check.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.

the Robert Marshall Award from The Wilderness Society, its highest honor given to an American citizen. She also received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Western American Literature Association and the Wallace Stegner Award given by The Center for the American West.

Williams is the recipient of a Lannan Literary Fellowship and a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in creative nonfiction.

She is currently the Annie Clark Tanner Scholar in Environmental Humanities at the University of

Hennepin Ave. Mpls. Tickets: $15, on-line at www.jawaahir.org or at the door. 612872-6050.

2nd Annual Women’s Appreciation Banquet - Mar. 27 Sat., Mar. 27, 6 pm – 9 pm at Holiday Inn & Suites, Bloomington, MN. $20 advance purchase only; VIP Tables Available. jmostmusic_lyrics@yahoo.com, (612) 237-5118. Sponsored by UCare.

Cheerful Givers Great Minnesota Birthday Party – Mar. 27 Sat., Mar. 27, 1 - 3 pm at Mall of America, Sears Court. M.A. Rosko from Fox 9 will MC the event. www.cheerfulgivers.org Naked Stages - Mar. 31 to Apr. 17 Weds., Mar. 31 to Saturday, Apr. 17 at Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave S. Mpls. (612) 825-0459. www.pillsburyhousetheatre.org Classic Black films at VOA Park Elder Center - Ongoing First and third Mondays of each month, 11 am - 12:15 pm. These films are free of charge and the public is invited. Popcorn, hotdogs and drinks are provided for a suggested donation of $1. VOA Park ElderCenter, 1505 Park Ave. Mpls. 612339-7581, parkcenter@voamn.org World Language Storytime: Vietnamese Apr. 3 to 24 Saturdays, April 3 - 24, 11 a.m. at Augsburg Park Library, 7100 Nicollet Ave., Richfield, 952-847-5300. For children age 2 and up. Experience the world in other languages.

Soap Boxing Poetry Slam – Apr. 5 Every 1st Monday - at the Artists’ Quarter in Downtown St. Paul. Doors open at 7 pm - Slam begins at 8 pm. $5 cover - free if you compete. (612) 207-7991, www.soapboxing.com Conversation Circles - Apr. 5 to May 10 Mondays, April 5-May 10, 6:15 p.m. at Augsburg Park Library. Non-native English speakers: practice your English and make new friends in an informal, volunteer-led setting, and learn about the Updated 1-2 Bedroom Apartments in Whittier Clean, quiet, secure, Parking available near bus WHITTIER COMMUNITY APARTMENTS 612-870-RENT(7368) “Equal Housing Opportunity Provider”

Utah.

The Mahle lecture and “A Writer’s Interview” are made possible through a collaboration between the Hamline University Graduate School of Liberal Studies and the Wesley Center for Spirituality, Service and Social Justice’s Mahle Endowed Fund for Progressive Christian Thought.

For more information, contact the Graduate School of Liberal Studies at (651) 523-2902, the Wesley Center at (651) 523-2878, or view: www.hamline.edu/wesleycenter

library, too. Call 612-630-6069 for more information in English or, in Hmong, 952847-8845; in Somali, 952-847-8756; in Spanish, 952-847-8510.

Concordia Cafe - Apr. 7 Weds., April 7, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Concordia University, Buenger Education Center, 312 Hamline Ave., St. Paul (I-94 and Hamline Ave.) A free information session for adults exploring accelerated undergraduate or graduate degree programs. www.csp.edu/concordiacafe. con’tro’VERSE’ial: Spoken Word Event - Apr. 7 Weds., April 7 from 7-10 p.m. at Hamline University - Bush Student Center, Ballroom, 1551 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul.

Cuban Movie Festival 2010 – Now to Apr. 8 Regular hours: 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 4 – Apr. 8. St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street, SE, Mpls. www.stanthonymaintheatre.com. Free parking in ramp at 2nd Street SE and 2nd Avenue SE. Admission: $6; 4 for $20.

Screening of Food, Inc – Apr. 8 Tues., Apr. 8, 6 pm at School of Environmental Studies, 12155 Johnny Cake Road, Apple Valley. Free, with donations to the School of Environmental Studies Education Foundation encouraged.

952-891-1212, #239. www.valleynaturalfoods.com “The House of Bernarda Alba” by Federico García Lorca - Apr. 9 to 25 All shows at 7:30 p.m. at the SteppingStone Theatre, 55 Victoria Street North. Tix: $15 General Admission / $12 Students & Seniors. 612-203-1088, www.PangeaWorldTheater.org St. Joan of Arc Church Mental Illness Ministry Meeting – Apr. 12 Mon, Apr 12: Dr. Henry Emmons, The Chemistry of Joy; 5:45pm: light meal provided; 7—8:15pm: Dr. Emmons; free; open to all; St. Joan of Arc Church Mental Illness Ministry, Door 1, 4537 Third Av S, Mpls; Roseann Rogers, 612.823.8205; Mary claudemaryparadis@comcast.net; www.st.joan.com The 2010 Noble Lecture: Archiving Black Transnational Modernity – Apr. 13 Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul. Free. Info: 651-259-3000, 800-6573773, 651-282-6073 (TTY), www.minnesotahistorycenter.org

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: 952-829-1040 www.minnesotablizzards.com

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: MJ Designs 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 3918 Aldrich Ave N, Mpls., MN 55412 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Molly Johnson, 3918 Aldrich Ave N, Mpls., MN 55412 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: Molly Johnson, Owner Date Filed: 03/03/2010 Insight News 3/15/2010, 3/22/2010

Mark Babushkin

Terry Tempest Williams

Justice Alan Page to speak at MN State Mankato – Apr. 16 “The Importance of Education” Fri., Apr. 16, at Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN. Page’s talk, sponsored by the Ethnic Studies Department, will be from noon until 1 p.m. in Room 284 of Centennial Student Union. Free. 1-800722-0544.

Socialist Minnesota Conference - Apr. 17 Sat., Apr. 17 at the University of Minnesota, West Bank Auditorium in the basement of Willey Hall, 225 19th Ave. S, Mpls. 612-760-1980, mn@socialistalternative.org.

Buchenwald and Beyond – Apr. 18 Sun., April 18 at 5000 Girard Avenue South, Mpls. 3 - 4 p.m., reception to follow. Free, open to the public. 952-6935206, www.worldwithoutgenocide.org “Critical Conversations: Middle East Conflicts, Root Causes” - Ongoing A course on Middle East Conflicts will be held through St. Paul Community Education, every Tues. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for five weeks, beginning Tues., April 20 at Como Park Senior High School, 740 West Rose Ave., St. Paul. Fee: $35. Info / registration: call 651-293-8733.

Resource Fair for Crime Victims - Apr. 22 Thurs., April 22, at Hennepin Co. Government Center A – Level. Crime Victims’ Resource Fair 11 am - 2 pm (Atrium). “Little Victims, Huge Consequences” Child Abuse Prevention Speaker and Panel 12 pm - 1 pm (Auditorium). For questions or to reserve a table, call (612) 940-8090.

Hennepin County foreclosure workshop – Apr. 24 Sat., April 24, 10:30 a.m. at Hennepin County Library – Sumner, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd., Mpls. 952-847-2875.

Event: History Lounge: Near v.

Minnesota: How Far Have We Come? Apr. 27 Tues., Apr. 27, 7 p.m. at Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul.

Free. Info: 651-259-3000, 800-657-3773, 651-282-6073 (TTY), www.minnesotahistorycenter.org Hungry Planet: What the World Eats – Now thru May 9 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.

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: A Natural Beauty 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 8301 Sumter Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Mechille Mann, 8301 Sumter Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 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: Mechille Mann - Owner Date Filed: 3/01/2010 Insight News 3/15/2010, 3/22/2010

http://insightnews.com

KMOJ From 1 personal desire. I strive for social change especially in the areas of women’s rights and the growing absence of family in the African American community. Working at KMOJ has cultivated my abilities to voice my opinions effectively as well as respectably and has provided me a platform where it is appropriate to touch on the issues I feel passionate about,” said 22-year-old Georgia “Miss Georgia” McClellon, whose passion for the community loudly resonates while she’s hosting her daily program.

Some 30 years ago, the station that started out as WMOJ on the AM circuit had only enough wattage to reach a couple of blocks from its transmitter, but their desire to service the surrounding area with positive radio in the Sumner-Olson and GlenwoodLyndale Public Housing Developments became the catalyst for how the facility is still run today. Their ability to be a reaffirming voice of the positive values that the African American community at large was built on, quickly garnered them the moniker of “The People’s Station,” and has made them a permanent fixture in our homes today.

Although KMOJ’s popularity has never been defeated or victimized by the changing of seasons in today’s music, the non-profit organization still sails with the tides of being a mostly community funded institution.

Even as the recession peaks through the cracks of many of our wallets, the station, now in the middle of its 2010 Radiothon, is on a mission to garner donations from the public and those continued

Vetoes From 1 afford it.”

The Legislature passed a $986 million jobs bill that would have created over 20,000 jobs throughout the state, but the

Insight News • March 22 - March 28, 2010 • Page 11 listeners who are dedicated to their diverse programing and who also share the desire to bring the station’s mission to a wider audience from their future home on the renovated block of Broadway and Penn in North Minneapolis.

“KMOJ is ready to move back to North Minneapolis.

That’s where it all began for our diverse and hardworking family of DJs and that’s where our heart is. In addition to the move, our station has unfortunately faced tremendous expenses as they’ve been trying to work towards its broadcasting expansion through the entire Metro Area,” McClellon said.

“Because we represent the people, it has been a long desire for us to be able to reach all of the people city wide.

Right now our signal comes into the homes of Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs, but St. Paul is part of our desired network too, and we’re hoping that this radiothon will give us the boost we need to reach the masses.”

McClellon, who was

Kelvin Quarles General Manager

Walter “Q Bear” Banks Operations Coordinator

Georgia McClellon Radio Host

Lisa Moy Radio Host

addition, McClellon was impressed with the successful careers of former DJ’s and personalities who got their start at KMOJ. “To me the station is an opportunity for me to build a respectable career in entertainment and most

and audience desired programming unlike several other stations who continue to reinvent themselves in order to maintain listenership amongst the Twin Cities. KMOJ’s celebrated excellence comes from the fact that their station offers no surprises in format only continued reasons to listen.

Beyond the airwaves, KMOJs outreach has found them tied to a plethora of positive events such as Juneteenth, Playdate at the Downtown Hyatt-Regency, Family Reunion Saturday, The International Fashion Show, The Twin Cities Hip Hop Awards and several other functions that directly effect the African American community and promote positive entertainment.

Although the public promotion of their 2010 Radiothon is rolled to a close Sunday, March 21, KMOJ will continue to accept donations throughout the year, as well as continuing to spread their

mission of community via music and urban programming.

To say the least, it is a wonderful thing for the African American community in the Twin Cities to have media outlets in circulation that they can call their own. From the pages of this publication to the airwaves of KMOJ, we have our eyes and ears occupied with the exchange of positive programming and publications.

Now it is up to us to support the continuation of having our voice heard through these institutions.

A monetary donation to KMOJ’s Radiothon, is a donation to your future in urban programming and a continued focus on positive media for and by our community.

improving the lives of Minnesotans, especially those in need, is not very high on the Governor list of priorities.”

Hayden called the $10 million veto of public housing funds especially harmful to the potential economic recovery of the region.

“Not only would this have put a roof over the heads of

Minnesotans who need a home, it would have put shovels and in the hands of Minnesotans who need a job,” said Hayden.

“People are fighting and clawing their way back from this recession and we should be standing right by their side,” said Champion.

working as a Radio DJ for her college radio station at St. Thomas University, sought an opportunity to intern with KMOJ because of its reputation for being a credible broadcast training facility that places emphasis on educating its personalities to deliver positive and unique public affairs programming.

In

importantly, KMOJ has been a family that has helped me grow, emotionally, mentally, and professionally,” McClellon said.

From “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” which once aired on KMOJ, to Mahmoud El-Kati, Michael “Mike Mike” Lindsey, Larry Fitzgerald, Sr., Spike Moss, Walter “Q-Bear”

Banks Jr., Crstyle, Big Si, Lisa Moy, Big Sam, Candice Breedlove, Caddy, Ray Richardson, Dan Speak and Disco T, Leah B. Olson, Ray Seville, and many others including U.S Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), KMOJ has consistently provided a space for thoughtful, progressive programming. Through each of their accomplishments, the listening audience has been exposed to no only wellpresented radio personalities, but also community leaders.

Timeless shows like, “The Morning Show with Big Si and Lisa Moy,” “Back In The Day Buffet,” “Urban Griots,” “ The Original Quiet Storm,” “African Roots Connection,” “Seniors Perspective,” “Middays,” “Tropical Vibes,” “Urban Agenda,” “Youth Summit,” “Rush It or Flush It,”” The Tight at Night Show” and many other shows are the reason we stay connected to 89.9FM and continue to celebrate their stance on maintaining the same format

Governor has vetoed $313 million in projects. Minneapolis projects were pared back significantly, including: • $12.9 million that would have been used to design, renovate and equip instructional and support space at Minneapolis Community and Technical College • $10 million for the Minnesota

Housing Finance Agency that could have been used to improve public housing. These funds would have helped lessen the damage of the home foreclosure crisis and create needed construction jobs to build public housing.

• $840,000 that would have helped Hennepin County renovate

a historic Minneapolis mansion into the Minnesota African American History Museum and Cultural Center.

“When we stand with our brothers and sisters and help them secure a job, or stay in their homes, we improve lives and strengthen our communities,” said Champion.

“Unfortunately

“To me the station means my opportunity to build a respectable career in entertainment and most importantly, KMOJ means to me what it has been to me; a family that has helped me grow, emotionally, mentally, and professionally,” McClellon offers.

To donate to the KMOJ call (612) 824-1929 or visit www.KMOJFM.com and click “DONATE.” Tune in to 89.9 KMOJ FM the People’s Station.

Page 12 â&#x20AC;˘ March 22 - March 28, 20100 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

http://insightnews.com

Gopher Madness: We can only hope that the ending is as good as the ride Mr Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com First of all, with regard to the 20092010 Gopher Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball season, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all cast our support into the air, and subsequent ears, for the future return of Al Nolen Jr. who ran into some solvable eligibility issues. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no doubt that he possesses the resolve to make a comeback to the court â&#x20AC;&#x201D;he simply needs to remain as calm and resolute with this problem, as he does with the ball in his hands as the most senior on-court director of the team. Knowing him Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that he is likely to be a big part of the reason that the young guards behind him have found such a stern, relaxed confidence to succeed. The control that replacement guard Devoe Joseph

has shown in leadership of the young Gopher team seems to clearly be a reflection of the reserved wise decision making of Nolen Jr. Way to go Al. Now as for the Gopher guard apprentice Mr. Devoe Joseph, he is proving the Bible correct: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A child shall lead themâ&#x20AC;?. The turmoil surrounding this Gopher Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball season has been about as relentless as it gets. The loss of star players and star recruits, through a maze of unusual reasons, would seem to make for a confusing calamity amongst a group of collegiate underclassmen.

It has really been some kind of story to follow, and like any great story the ending has many (like the whole state and region) people on the edge of their seats. The March Madness and Gopher Madness worlds are colliding, and we can only hope that the ending is as good as the ride.

After the continued influx of bad news for the Gopher squad, it certainly would have been easy for them to continue down the slippery slope of the mid-season losses that

began to compile. Instead, what happened is what is entirely possible of happening when there is wise counsel in the building. They turned lemons into lemonade.

Coach Tubby Smith may have to be lauded for his best coaching job ever for what he has been able to draw out of this yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team under some excruciating circumstances. Somehow, with very few words (visible to the public), Coach Smith was able to find a means to make his young crew realize the incredible untapped ability that resides within each one of them. And though the dazzling contributions of Freshman point guard Devoe Joseph are certainly the most glossy birth to come from this seasons struggle, it is the coming to fruition of the potential which resides in the two Gopher versions of Redwood trees that has been the most meaningful in my observation. Coach Smith challenged the whole team, but 7ft sophomore centers Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III have uniquely broken out of a previous timid shell as if they both took a trip

down the yellow brick road to see The Wiz. The red of Iversonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous adolescent acne has been replaced by a face flush with the redness of a pale kid from South Dakota who is scrapping for every loose ball and intimidating shot block that comes within the radar of his court-sized wing span. Right behind Iverson, Sampson III has taken to a more forceful role in the outcome of games through the use of the history making athleticism bequeathed from his father who once seemed to be the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain. To see even the glimmer of potential rise out of these two beanstalks spells nothing but a hugely indefensible competitive advantage over other teams across the nation.

Sandwiched between the outstanding young guard play and the unique compliment of twin towers, forwards such as Paul Carter (my favorite) have found a way to consistently provide the leaping, dynamic collegiate basketball expectation that brings back to memory the explosive

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Devoe Joseph, # 5 teams of Coach Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history making coaching past.

The story of the 2009-2010 season has yet to see its final achievement, but what it seems that they have already achieved is the stamping of a pivot point for the future. The Tubby Smith Era of Gopher hoops has incrementally grown through his first three seasons in a far above satisfactory fashion. But one of the most enjoyable elements of this period of seemingly explosive growth has been the intelligent weave of

gophersports.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;coaching for the futureâ&#x20AC;? that Smith has been executing all the while.

The Real Gopher Hoops has returned, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set up to stick around for a while.

Make sure to send Tubby some cookies or something, so that we can make sure he sticks around as wellâ&#x20AC;Śbecause his phone will be ringing something fierce in a couple of weeks. Considering the look of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team, I really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think there is a better place in the country for a coach to be.