Insight News ::: 4.18.11

Northrop Dance presents

THE WHIZ: MONEYAPOLIS

by Nicholas Leichter Dance with Monstah Black

Performances held at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis. Wed, May 4- Sat, May 7, 8:00 pm, Sun, May 8, 7:00 pm. Tickets: $27 through the Northrop website or the U of M Tickets and Events Office only at 612-624-2345.

Photo credits: Steven Schreiber, © Julie Lemberger 2010

INSIGHT NEWS April 18 - April 24, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 16 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

BROOKLYN PARK MAYORAL ELECTION

Litmus test for Black voter power and civic leadership

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer Brooklyn Park will hold special elections later this month to replace Mayor Steve Lampi, who died of cancer on Saturday February 26th, 2011. Eleven residents are vying for the position. Four, Scott Scheid, Wynfred Russell, Boyd Morson and Jim Krautkremer, appeared on the April 12 weekly broadcast of “Conversations with Al McFarlane” on KFAI, 90.3FM. Scott Scheid is a lifelong resident of Brooklyn Park. His mother Linda Scheid, a DFLer, serves in the Minnesota Senate representing District 46, which includes Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. While growing up, Scheid said, he followed local, state and national politics.

A product of a political family, he considers himself a cheerleader on the sidelines who always wanted to get involved in the “noble calling” of public service.

Wynfred Russell is an eight year resident of Brooklyn Park.

He served as a board member of the Brooklyn Park Historical Society, and as a commissioner on Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission. In 2009, Russell was the recipient of the Human Rights Award from the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions. He was commended for his service to organizations such as the Brooklyn Park Historical Society, Community Collaboration

Jim Krautremer

Wynfred Russell

Council, Association of Health Care Journalists, and for being Spokesperson for the 2004 Minnesota AIDS Walk. He said he worked on the redevelopment of the Village Creek and Zane area corridors. He said his vision for moving the city forward is to continue the legacy of Mayor Lampi, who he considers a mentor and motivator.

Boyd Morson said he is the first and only person of color in Brooklyn Park’s 150 year history to run in two general elections.

He is an eight year resident of Brooklyn Park and former vice chair of the Brooklyn Park Human Rights Commission. He said he introduced the celebration “The Many Faces of Brooklyn Park” to help unite communities.

He served as vice president for the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions.

He said Brooklyn Park has few employment opportunities for people of color A 46-year resident of Brooklyn Park, Jim Krautkremer served as Mayor of Brooklyn Park for 18 years. He served on City Council for two years, and worked on the Planning Commission for three years.

“When I look at Brooklyn Park, I look at the phenomenal growth of people of color; and I wonder why with this marvelous growth and population of people of color, due to African American and Liberian growth,

Scott Denver Scheid

Boyd Morson

MAYOR TURN TO 2

Urban League, labor unions sign landmark agreement Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 132 and Local 563 signed a Memorandum of Commitment with Minneapolis Urban League to provide training for participants in Minneapolis Urban League’s new pilot program, BIG STEP. The program places African Americans in highway construction jobs.

This agreement is unprecedented, said the Urban League. Never before have actual labor unions partnered with a community-based organization to offer training in apprenticed occupations.

“This is groundbreaking and we look forward to positive outcomes,” said Scott Gray, President and CEO, Minneapolis Urban League.

“We’ve built a long relationship with Minneapolis Urban League, and we are expanding on it with more

training and opportunities,” said Jim Brady, President of LiUNA’s Regional Council.

Twin Cities rank number one among the top 18 metropolitan areas in the U.S. for the greatest gap in unemployment between whites and Blacks. The March jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statists said African-Americans national unemployment rate increased from 15.3% to 15.5%, while the overall national rate declined from 8.9% to 8.8%.

At 6:15 AM on Monday, April 11, a bus arrived at Minneapolis Urban League’s headquarters in North Minneapolis to take 18 men and women to the Laborers Training Center in Lino Lakes, MN. Over the next seven weeks, the trainees will be instructed in the fundamentals of the construction industry.

Examples of training include

At the end of their training, the participants will receive certificates that will increase their marketability to the building trades. The certificates are OSHA 30, Hazardous Materials 1 & 2, Confined Spaces, and Heavy Highway.

Minneapolis Urban League

in the first workshop in November 2010.

Fiftysix of them completed the workshop and met the project requirements.

The top 18 workshop participants were on the bus Monday morning.

“I’m looking forward to the training and working again. I’m

“This is truly groundbreaking and we look for positive outcomes”

Suluki Fardan

Scott Gray, President and CEO, Minneapolis Urban League the fundamentals of horizontal construction, OSHA safety

protocols, safe handling of hazardous materials, and safety in confined spaces.

prepared the 18 students by conducting a 20-hour softskills workshop that covered topics such as job readiness, money management, race relations, time management, and working for advancement.

Over 158 candidates enrolled

excited,” said Ken Maloney, a graduate from the November 2010 Soft Skills training.

Meanwhile, MUL continues to prepare another group of future participants in

BIG STEP TURN TO 5

Civil rights executive Kenneth E. White dies Courtesy of the family

Kenneth E. White

K e n n e t h White’s life work was Civil Rights, Human Rights and Affirmative Action.

White had a passion and unwavering commitment to inclusion, social justice

and equal opportunity. He worked in the Office of Equal Opportunity at the University of Minnesota for 15 years. In 1994 he was appointed Executive Director of Civil Rights for the City of Minneapolis. While at the City of Minneapolis he led the fight to make sure that women and minority small businesses could participate in city contracts. He created Minneapolis’ Small and

Plan Your Career

Get lost: Working passion into your workday

PAGE 3

Underutilized Business Program which resulted in more women and minority small business owners being awarded city contracts. He later served as Director of Affirmative Action at Minnesota State University in Mankato and Executive Director of Civil Rights in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

White was an entrepreneur as well. He owned and operated, with his father Edgar White,

Aesthetics

Bobby McFerrin crosses musical genres

PAGE 5

Smokehouse Barbeque a successful Lake Street eatery for over 20 years.

White was also passionate about nurturing and protecting children, not just his own children but youth everywhere.

He focused on providing quality time mentoring and assisting youth to better themselves through education and athletics.

He volunteered with and mentored students at De LaSalle

High School , where he also served as a substitute teacher.

His commitment and passion for serving fellow human beings grew out of his values about human dignity and decency.

White graduated from Minneapolis Central High School and attended Waldorf College in Forest City Iowa.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at University of Minnesota and later a Master of

Lifestyle

Making the most of a hot glue gun

PAGE 8

Public Administration degree at Mankato State University.

Over the course of his career, White received the Lillian H. Williams award for dedication to Affirmative Action; the Rekindling the Flame award in recognition of a decade of services toward the elimination of social injustices

WHITE TURN TO 4

Sports

Tiger meows back at The Masters

PAGE 11

Page 2 • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Insight News

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T.J. Ticey named AAFS Interim Director African American Family Services (AAFS) last week announced the resignation of its executive director Lissa Jones, who led the organization as the Chief Executive Officer for the past nine years.

Corporate executive T. J. Ticey, former AAFS Board Chair, was named interim Executive Director.

In a statement to the press, the AAFS Board of Directors said it “reluctantly accepted” the resignation and praised Jones for dedicated and superb leadership.

Jones brought stability to the organization that resulted in increased client satisfaction.

Improved certification of AAFS Mental Health providers made AAFS one of the premier providers of culturally competent mental health services in the Twin Cities, the Board said.

AAFS said it has assured all of its stakeholders there will be no lapse in the quality of client services or in meeting the agency’s contractual obligations.

“Under the leadership of our interim Executive Director and the

T.J. Ticey extraordinary expertise, skill and commitment of staff,

our clients will continue to experience the highest level

Lissa Jones of quality services, loyalty and advocacy on their behalf,” the

Suluki Fardan

Board said in a press release.

Mayor From 1 this seems to still be a city that does not find the wherewithal to include Black and African people in the political power machinery,” broadcast moderator Al McFarlane said.

Wilfred Harris, a former resident of Brooklyn Park and leader in the Liberian community, said three key issues need to be addressed by candidates: police-community relations; development and inclusion.

“How do we create a relationship between police and immigrants, so immigrants will know our culture and know what is expected of them,” he said.

“The large employers of Brooklyn Park are not employing minorities. You cannot continue to have people come into the city, do business and not even consider qualified candidates from the applicant pool,” Harris said.

“The largest immigrant group is Liberians. How many

MAYOR TURN TO 11

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Insight News • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Page 3

BUSINESS Get lost: Working passion into your workday Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com You know the look: Einsteinlike hair, wild eyes that light up like Zelda. Passion. You know the feeling: a deep and irrational drive to participate or perform for the sake of participating or performing. No carrot, no reward; just doing it because it feels to your core like the absolute right thing to spend time on.

Many people trudge through every workday, just getting by until they can get out and do something that matters personally, something interesting.

Getting paid is a good reason to work, I get that. But what if it didn’t suck? What if you could incorporate some of that passion into your business-as-usual?

If you were hired, and especially if you have been in your role for a while, there must be something at work that you are good at. Often, we breeze through the parts of work that come easily, and then let ourselves be dragged through the muddy world of things we’ve put off. I say We because we all do it, to some extent. If it’s difficult or challenging, it is called work.

And yet, what is challenging to

others might be exactly the part of your day that was pleasant or exciting or really satisfying.

Look for more of what comes naturally.

Managers, look for ways to build on the strengths and interests of each team member. Rather than creating improvement plans that demand someone contort their skills and interests to fit a prescribed mold (aka job description), take a broad view of your team. Can the workload be re-orged to capitalize on individual strengths?

Teni is amazing with spreadsheets. People come from all corners of the company to get tweaks from an Excel Expert.

Some requests are challenging, but with a strong knowledge base and an interest in building on what she already knows, Teni has the confidence to welcome new assignments. She has a passion for this stuff, and everyone wins because of it.

No one can avoid drudgery entirely (it’s good to suffer a little). But if you ever look up from your work and wonder where the time went, then you’ve found your passion. Get to work looking for more of whatever it was you were doing when you completely forgot it was work.

Julie Desmond is a recruiter for Express and Specialized Recruiting Group in Minneapolis, MN. Write to julie@insightnews.com.

PhotoXpress

Federal internship program seeks applicants Nationwide (BlackNews.com) -- The Minority Access National Internship Program is offering PAID internships to talented undergraduate and graduate students who want to experience the diversity and scope of career opportunities available in the federal government and other participating entities.

Available only to African

Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans, the program provides students with the opportunity to merge academic theory with practical application in the workplace.

There are many opportunities available for the 2011-2012 fall, winter, and summer seasons and most of

the positions are located in the Washington DC area. All interns will receive pre-employment training, expert counseling on career choices, financial management and professional development, and recognition for fulfilling the requirements of the program.

To apply, applicants must submit an online application

with all attachments; must provide documents to prove U.S. Citizenship; must have a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) on 4.0 scale; and must have completed at least their undergraduate freshman year in college.

Completed applications are reviewed for academic qualifications, career goals,

professional experience, and personal interests. Weekly stipends range from $425 $550.

If transportation is needed for out-of-town students, funding will be provided to pay for round-trip travel from the student’s campus or home residence to and from their work site. Financial assistance

is also available for interns who need to locate suitable housing, and help is provided to make all move-in arrangements.

Students, however, are responsible for day-to-day commuting expenses.

For more details and application deadlines, visit w w w. B l a c k S t u d e n t s . c o m / minorityaccess

Page 4 • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Metropolitan State Spring Commencement set for May 3 Metropolitan State University’s 88th commencement exercises are Tuesday, May 3, in the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium.

Approximately 965 students are receiving bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees with 665 expected to participate in the ceremony.

Crystal L. Saric, Plymouth, College of Management outstanding graduate student, is the student speaker.

Other commencement participants include: Metropolitan State President Sue K. Hammersmith; Gary Seiler, interim provost and

academic vice president; Barbara Keinath, vice provost and graduate studies director; Michael Vekich, trustee, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system Board of Trustees; Michael Green, Inter-faculty Organization representative;

Noel Opoti, Student Senate president; Kathy Burnham, president, and Andrea Jenkins, Earlsworth Letang and Jim Lukaszewski, board members, Metropolitan State University Alumni Association Board; Brian Enright, Metropolitan State University Foundation

chair and Elsa Vega Peréz, trustee emeritus; and Dan Bostrom, member, Saint Paul City Council.

Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, provides high-quality,

affordable academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Note: Tickets are required for all guests.

Students who don’t read well in 3rd grade more likely to drop out New Orleans–Students who don’t read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave high school without a diploma than proficient readers, according to a study over time of nearly 4,000 students nationally.

Poverty compounds the problem: Students who have lived in poverty are three times more likely to drop out or fail to graduate on time than their more affluent peers; if they read poorly, too, the rate is six times greater than that for all

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis 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.

proficient readers, the study found. For black and Latino students, the combined effect of poverty and poor third grade reading skills makes the rate eight times greater.

Poverty troubles even the best readers: Proficient third graders who have lived in poverty graduate at about the same rate as subpar readers who have never been poor.

“We will never close the achievement gap, we will never solve our dropout crisis, we will never break the cycle of poverty that afflicts so many children if we don’t make sure that all our students learn to read,” said Ralph Smith, executive vice president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which commissioned the report, Double Jeopardy: How Poverty & Third-Grade Reading Skills Influence High School Graduation.

“This research confirms the compelling need to address the underlying issues that keep children from reading.”

The longitudinal study by Donald J. Hernandez, released today at the national Education Writers Association conference in New Orleans, confirms the link between third grade scores and high school graduation and, for the first time, breaks down the likelihood of graduation by different reading skill levels and poverty experiences.

The study relies on a unique national database of 3,975 students born between 1979 and 1989. The children’s

Trevor Manternach

parents were surveyed every two years to determine the family’s economic status and other factors, while the children’s reading progress was tracked using the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT) Reading Recognition subtest. The database reports whether students have finished

high school by age 19, but does not indicate whether they actually dropped out.

For purposes of this study, the researchers divided the children into three reading groups which correspond to the skill levels used in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): proficient,

basic and below basic. The children were also separated into three income categories: those who have never been poor, those who spent some time in poverty and those who have lived more than half the years surveyed in poverty.

Most of the students in the sample managed to finish high school by the time they were 19. But for students who did not, the rates were highest among those who didn’t read well in third grade and those who have lived in poverty.

Black and Hispanic students, disproportionately represented in both those categories, were twice as likely as similar white children not to graduate on time.

Specifically, the study found: One in six children who are not reading proficiently in third grade do not graduate from high school on time, a rate four times greater than that for proficient readers.

The rates are highest for the low, below-basic readers: 23 percent of these children drop out or fail to finish high school on time, compared to 9 percent of children with basic reading skills and 4 percent of proficient readers.

The below-basic readers account for a third of the sample but three-fifths of the students who do not graduate.

Overall, 22 percent of children who have lived in poverty do not graduate from high school, compared to 6 percent of those who have never been poor. This rises to 32 percent for students spending more than half of the survey time in poverty.

For children who were poor for at least a year and were not reading proficiently in third grade, the proportion of those who don’t finish school rose to 26 percent. The rate was highest for poor black and Hispanic students, at 31 and 33 percent respectively. Even so the majority of students who fail to graduate are white.

Even among poor children who were proficient readers in third grade, 11 percent still didn’t finish high school.

That compares to 9 percent of subpar third graders who were never poor.

Among children who never lived in poverty, all but 2

White From 1 in the world and community; National Association of Human Rights Workers Award of Merit for his commitment to civil and human rights; and the Housing and Urban Development Best Practices award. White was a NAACP lifetime Golden Heritage member. He was Past

percent of the best third-grade readers graduated from high school on time.

“These findings suggest we need to work in three arenas: improving the schools where these children are learning to read, helping the families weighed down by poverty and encouraging better federal, state and local policy to improve the lot of both schools and families,” said Hernandez, a sociology professor at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University and a senior advisor to the Foundation for Child Development.

The report recommends aligning quality early education programs with the curriculum and standards in the primary grades; paying better attention to health and developmental needs of young children; and providing work training and other programs that will help lift families out of poverty.

Casey is a member of The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, a collaborative effort by more than 70 foundations and advocacy groups to move the needle on early literacy.

The Campaign calls for an integrated approach starting at birth and ensuring children develop the social, emotional and academic skills needed to read by third grade. Third grade is considered a pivot point in education, where children shift from learning to read and begin reading to learn.

Nationally, two thirds of students are not reading on grade level by the fourth grade, the earliest year of testing in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

That proportion rises to fourfifths for low-income children, according to NAEP results released last year. A previous Casey report provides a stateby-state breakdown of fourthgraders who weren’t reading on grade level.

In addition to the Casey Foundation, the research was conducted with support from the Center for Demographic Analysis at the University of Albany and the Foundation for Child Development and the guidance of the staff of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.

President of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

He was a Charter member and the first president of the Mankato Area Diversity Kiwanis Club.

Viewing and Funeral service will be held at Shiloh Temple International Ministry 1201 West Broadway Avenue North Minneapolis on Saturday April 16, 2011. Viewing from 10am to 11:30 and funeral service starts at 11:30am.

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Insight News • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Bobby McFerrin crosses musical genres

By Maya Beecham Contributing Writer No one can categorize Bobby McFerrin. His music is a universal expression of rhythm, tone, timbre, genre, spirit, and soul. 10 Grammy Awards gives an idea of his musical genius, but history, longevity, and unique composition are the true essence of a man embracing world cultures musically. McFerrin, a native of Brooklyn, New York, was born to classically trained singers.

His father Robert McFerrin, Sr. was the first African-American male to perform a solo at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and he sung the vocals for Sidney Poitier in the 1959 Samuel Goldwyn production of the movie Porgy and Bess.

McFerrin grew up with the musical taste of his parents that ranged from classical, top 40 and jazz, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Led Zeppelin, George Gershwin, Verdi, Joe Williams, Marvin Gaye, Sergio Mendes, Brasil ’66, to name a few. This influence led to an eclecticism or work with the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and Robin Williams. Additionally, his current projects include VOCABuLaries, a collection of McFerrin’s songs from over the years; Bobble, an opera representing various cultural operatic styles; Voicestra, an ensemble of singers trained in jazz, classical, and theater; other collaborations. McFerrin, a husband and father of three adult children, will perform in concert at Minnesota Orchestra on Friday, April 22, 8:00 pm, for the US Banks Pop Season, An Evening with Bobby McFerrin.

McFerrin took time for an interview with Contributing Writer Maya Beecham, to discuss influence, family, and music.

Maya Beecham: Can you give me specific examples of your father’s influence on your life as a musician and a family man?

Bobby McFerrin: I used to sit under the piano and listen to him teach. His dedication to excellence and his love of all kinds of music imprinted

Big Step From 1 this exciting new initiative.

Another 20 candidates

me for life. [note from Karen: check out this interview on WNYC’s The Takeaway, h t t p : / / w w w. t h e t a k e a w a y. org/2010/mar/05/bobbymcferrins-cultural-heritage/]

MB: When Bill Cosby made a way for you to perform at the Playboy Jazz Festival in 1980, what advice did he give you as a budding celebrity?

BM: We didn’t talk about celebrity. We mostly talked about jazz; he’s incredibly knowledgeable. And we’ve both had the experience of feeling changed by what we’ve heard.

MB: What advice did your parents give you that you still draw on today?

BM: Family comes first.

Trust in God. Do right.

MB: Your voice is like an expression of human diversity in culture, individual spirits, gifts, talents. How did you become so aware and grounded and what keeps you that way?

BM: I think music keeps me grounded. I think that when you go deep within yourself—the way you do when you’re really singing or praying—that leads to something universal. That’s why great singers and dancers and writers and painters from all different places and perspectives seem like they are speaking a common truth, getting at the human condition.

MB: What conversations did you have with your father regarding the dynamic of conducting the St. Louis Symphony in 1993 while your father performed?

BM: We didn’t really discuss the dynamic; we were just amazed to have the experience.

We’d sung together before, but though I played at being a conductor as a little boy, neither of us took it seriously.

As a lot of people know, I didn’t start conducting until my 40th birthday—just 3 years before that performance. So it was a great surprise. I always loved and admired my father’s singing, so it was a treat.

MB: Would you consider yourself a spiritual person/ minister of music/healer?

BM: I do consider myself a spiritual person.

MB: What influence does your current family life have on what you create musically?

BM: My family is a source of great joy, and of course that gets expressed through music.

We’ve always sung together a lot, just going about the day.

I miss that now that my sons are living on their own and my daughter’s away at college.

A long time ago I wrote the song Simple Pleasures about my family, and my kids sang it for me last year at my birthday party. [Bobby’s children are Taylor McFerrin, 29, a beatboxer/producer; Jevon McFerrin, 25, an actor; and Madison McFerrin, 19, a freshman at Berklee College of Music and an aspiring singer.]

MB: What advice do you give your children regarding music and life in general?

BM: Enjoy every minute.

MB: What advice do you have for upcoming musicians, and people in general who aspire to live the freedom expressed in your music?

BM: Always be true to yourself.

And don’t forget to play. I always say I learned everything I know at MSU: Making Stuff Up. No matter what style of music you play improvising is great for your flexibility and your ears. Be spontaneous; it forces you to connect every note you play to your soul, to your mood, to the environment you are in, to your audience.

Bobby McFerrin

MB: What have you learned in working with music cross culturally?

BM: I’ve performed all over the world, and have always tried to interact and improvise with local musicians. It seems

to me that the impulse to sing and make music is universal, but the place music has in our daily lives can be very different.

Seeing music’s place in other cultures has reinforced my belief that music belongs in our everyday lives, not just on the stage or in a packaged format.

will earn an opportunity to begin training soon.

Minneapolis Urban League has had strong ties to the building trades and the construction industry for over forty years. In collaboration with major construction

companies, trade unions and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minneapolis Urban League’s pilot BIG STEP program creates market driven employment opportunities for African Americans and other people of color.

Bringing King to China

Photo credit: Kevin McKiernan.

Bringing King to China, a film by journalist and filmmaker Kevin McKiernan will screen in the 2011 Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival on Easter weekend Friday, April 22 at 6:45 pm and Saturday, April 23 at 5 pm, St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street SE in Minneapolis. The film documents efforts to introduce the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr. in China (www.bringingkingtochina.com). In the photo Chinese actors performing a play in Beijing about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a scene where Dr. King and other protesters are arrested by the police. China has some 56 different minorities and many are treated as second class citizens. This was the first time that civil disobedience was performed on a Chinese stage. For tickets: www.mspfilmfest.org

Carol Friedman

For more information on tickets visit www.minnesotaorchestra. org, call 612- 612.371.5656 or 1.800.292.4141.

Page 6 • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Insight News

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HEALTH Oakdale event seeks to uplift diabetes patients

By Chris Garner Contributing Writer March 10, 2011 Mark Stesin, MD and Christopher Schoonover, MD of Oakdale Medical Center held their 3rd Annual Diabetes Patient Appreciation event, which was filled with lots of helpful information and supplies to make each and every diabetic patient’s life just a little easier.

“I feel my patients need to be educated of the current health methods,” said Stesin who has one of the largest endocrinology practices in the region. He and his partner Dr. Schoonover, along with Medtronic, gave

their patients the chance to find out ways to better manage their health. The public education event took a look into a disease that currently affects more than 200,000 Minnesotans and an estimated 25 million people nationwide, according to the CDC. The doctors and industry executives gave patients information on nutrition, technology and the latest diabetes research. Along with information, patients had the opportunity to try out some of the latest insulin checking devices for free provided by some of the biggest companies such as One Touch, Nova

Max and ACCU-Chek. Other organizations present, supplying healthful information, were Novo Nordisk, Takeda, Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis and American Diabetes Association. Medtronic also had a display highlighting training available to diabetic patients.

Diabetes is a disease that has been around for about 3500 years. It was first described in Egypt in 1552 BC. Over the years doctors have worked to find cures for the disease and figure out its causes. Studies have shown that diabetes can be onset by a mixture of genetic makeup and the environment. University of Minnesota Department of

Pediatrics associate professor, Dr. Brandon Nathan is currently in the process of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. With the National History Study, he is working with diabetic patients and relatives to find out more about diabetes and if it can be prevented.

“It is important to learn about new technology and the things going on,” said Debbie Jann, a patient of Stesin who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 25 years ago. One of the ways diabetic symptoms can be offset is with a healthy diet.

Everyone should make sure they take in the appropriate amounts of fruits and vegetables but

this is especially important for diabetics, who must watch their intake of carbohydrates. It is vital to control portion size and avoid trans and saturated fats. In addition to diet, it is important to get in enough calcium and vitamin D, particularly for African Americans. African Americans need to get about 60 minutes of sunlight in order to get the recommended vitamin D. Medtronic is also in the process of making the diabetic life easier to manage. Katie Szyman, senior President of Medtronic explained Medtronic’s future in diabetic health with the improvement of technology. They plan on

developing integrated systems that not only check insulin, but show when insulin levels are on the verge of being too high or too low. Their goal is to eventually develop an artificial pancreas within the next eight to ten years.

They also have a vision for a connected diabetic care system, which will provide insulin information automatically to the patient’s phone.

Patients who attended the event received certificates and key chains and were also acknowledged according to the number of years they had been on insulin pump therapy.

EPA regulates cleaning products radar in their products.

“The government only requires companies to list ‘chemicals of known concern’ on their labels. The key word here is ‘known’,” she says. “The fact is that the government has no idea whether most of the chemicals used in everyday cleaning products are safe because it doesn’t test them, and it doesn’t require manufacturers to test them either.”

She adds that the EPA, under the terms of 1976’s Toxic Substances Control Act, “can’t require chemical companies to prove the safety of their products unless the agency itself can show that the product poses a health risk—which the EPA does not have the resources to do since, according to one estimate, it receives some two thousand new applications for approval every year.”

She cites a recent study by the non-profit Environmental Working Group, which found that the EPA approved most applications within three weeks even though more than Digital Vision, courtesy Thinkstock

The government only requires companies to list “chemicals of known concern” on their labels. And the operative word is “known,” because the government has no idea whether most of the chemicals used in everyday cleaning products are safe because it doesn’t test them, and it doesn’t require manufacturers to test them either.

By EarthTalk® E - The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Why don’t cleaning products have to list their ingredients, and are these products tested for what they might do to your health?

-- Patricia Greenville, Bethel, CT Since cleaning products aren’t

food, beverages or drugs meant to be ingested, they aren’t regulated, per se, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

However, makers are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list ingredients that are active disinfectants or potentially harmful.

Otherwise, they usually keep their other ingredients secret, presumably so competitors can’t copy their formulas.

But consumer advocate

Sloan Barnett, author of Green Goes with Everything, doesn’t give manufacturers the benefit of that doubt. “Call me suspicious, but I honestly don’t think it’s because the recipe is top secret,” she says.

“If it was, there wouldn’t be so many competing products with identical ingredients.” Barnett thinks manufacturers don’t want to scare off consumers by disclosing how many potentially harmful chemicals are flying under the EPA’s

Colon cancer: Being screened saves lives

By Andrew Spiegel Colon cancer has hid in the shadows of other cancers because people are too embarrassed to openly discuss the disease because it deals with part of the body that the general public is uncomfortable talking about. Sadly, many individuals suffer needlessly. Understanding risk factors, symptoms, and screening options will not only help in avoiding the disease, but could mean the difference between life and death.

The stigma associated with this cancer still looms large.

Colon cancer kills nearly 50,000 Americans yearly and almost 150,000 new cases of colon or rectal cancer will be diagnosed this year.

Colon cancer doesn’t discriminate. It affects everyone, no matter race, gender or economic status. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an average citizen or of celebrity status, you have a 1 in 19 chance of getting colon cancer.

This disease has a significant impact on all races. New figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that African American men and women have the highest incidence rates among all races with 62 out of every 100,000 Black men being diagnosed with colon cancer and 47.1 Black women being diagnosed with the disease. Caucasian men and women had an incidence rate

of 51.5 and 38.5 respectively followed closely by Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders.

These numbers are alarming…and avoidable through a screening.

A screening test such as a colonoscopy is a preventative measure that works. When you turn 50, get screened. If you have risk factors such as a family history of the disease, talk to your doctor. You may need to be screened earlier.

The results of screening are undeniable. By being screened, colorectal cancer deaths could be reduced by more than 80 percent. This disease is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. but is one of the most preventable diseases and is a very curable cancer... if it’s caught early. Sadly, most cases are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease when treatment is challenging.

The Colon Cancer Alliance recently released highlights of findings from a new survey, Colonoscopy Perceptions. The goal of the survey was to identify concerns and knowledge gaps about colonoscopies and to use those findings to better educate the public. One of the salient points highlighted was the fact that seven out of 10 people age 50 years or older for whom the test was recommended, still had not had a colonoscopy primarily due to fears.

We must move past those fears and get screened.

Screening involves a relatively simple procedure that takes a couple hours of your time… but those hours spent getting screened could potentially save your life.

Prior to getting screened, it’s important for you to be armed with knowledge. I encourage everyone over 50 years of age or those with high risk factors to talk to their doctor. Asking simple questions such as how many colonoscopies has the doctor performed, how do I prepare for the procedure and what are the complications and risks will put you at ease and help alleviate fears. Following your colonoscopy, ask your doctor if he/she was able to view your entire colon, what did they find during the screening and what are the next steps.

Getting people to ask questions and to talk about the disease is a step in the right direction to making colon cancer a thing of the past.

Andrew Spiegel is the Chief Executive Officer of the Colon Cancer Alliance, a national patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer.

In order to increase screening and survivorship rates, the CCA provides education and patient support, furthers research efforts, and conducts advocacy work across the country.

half provided no information on toxicity whatsoever.

Regardless, consumers should be familiar with what warning labels are on cleaning products.

“All household cleaners that contain known hazardous chemicals must carry a warning label that spells out potential risks, along with precautionary steps and first-aid instructions,” reports Consumer Reports’ Greener Choices website.

Some manufacturers are beginning to be more transparent about their ingredients.

The Clorox Company, for example, one of the largest manufacturers of cleaning products, now publishes full lists of the ingredients for all of its brands on its corporate responsibility website, CloroxCSR.com.

Many praise Clorox for doing so; others argue that, whether or not ingredients are disclosed, the company—like many others—is still in the business of making products that pose health and environmental hazards.

Generally speaking, if you’re looking for safer alternatives, browse the cleaning products sections of natural foods markets such as Whole Foods, which are populated with lesser-known but more green-friendly brands. For do-it-yourselfers, the Greener Choices website also lists recipes for eco- and health-friendly homemade household cleaners using ingredients like baking soda, borax, lemon juice and vinegar.

CONTACTS: Greener Choices, www.greenerchoices. org; Clorox, www.cloroxcsr. com.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine ( www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@ emagazine.com.

Subscribe: w w w. e m a g a z i n e . c o m / subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

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Insight News • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Page 7

Martelly elected new President of Haiti

By Karen Juanita Carrillo Special to the NNPA from the New York Amsterdam News Preliminary results indicate that the singer Michel Joseph Martelly has been elected the new president of Haiti.

Following the fiasco of the Nov. 28, 2010, elections, a second round of voting was held on March 20 between two run-off candidates, one of whom will succeed René Préval as president.

And, yet even the March 20 vote had problems, with many voters not finding their names on voting rolls, earthquake survivors who are still homeless having little access to the polls and others arriving at polling stations where election officials did not have correct ballots and were unable to process votes.

Still, the results coming in from the country’s Conseil Électoral Provisoire (Provisional Electoral Council/ CEP) show that Martelly’s party, Repons Peyizan, won 67.5 percent of the votes cast while his rival, former first lady Mirlande Manigat of the Rassemblement des Démocrates Nationaux Progressistes (Rally of Progressive National Democrats/RDNP) party, received 31.7 percent of the vote.

Manigat’s RDNP has the opportunity to challenge the election results before they are declared final on April 16.

The 50-year-old Martelly, popularly known as “Tet Kalé” (créole for “Bald Head”) or “Sweet Micky,” is nationally known as an actor and kompa musician whose politics are largely viewed as right-wing.

Martelly lived in Florida for a while, working in construction and running a nonprofit organization with his wife before returning to Haiti in 1987 to open a dance hall.

In Haiti, Martelly established friendships with Haitian police officers and members of the Front pour l’Avancement et

Michel Martelly le Progrès Haitien (Front for Advancement and Progress/ FRAPH), a group organized by the CIA-funded spy, Emmanuel “Toto” Constant.

FRAPH infamously used terror tactics to overthrow former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991.

Haitian-American hip-

hop musician Wyclef Jean heavily supported Martelly’s presidential campaign.

Martelly and Jean have been friends for years and have collaborated on various musical projects. Jean’s efforts to help Martelly gain votes led to his being shot in the hand in

Port-au-Prince on March 19.

Reports are that Jean has fully recovered.

Jean was with Martelly when he got the news of the election results, and said, “The Haitian youth have spoken and Michel Martelly has been elected president. It’s time

US State Department

for every Haitian, poor or not, to dream again. It’s time for every Haitian in the Diaspora to reclaim his or her heritage and country.”

Pras Michel, who supported Martelly when he initiated his candidacy, said, “There are no words for this historical event,

but we must not be intimidated by the work ahead of us.”

Jimmy Rosemond, who organized a concert with Busta Rhymes that was instrumental to the final rally to push voters to come out, said, “Haiti’s rich history is now a current event.

The former government never asked people in the Diaspora to help, but Martelly has extended his hand. We are Haitian and we want to help our country.”

Haitian-American boxer André Berto, the current WBC welterweight champion, responded when he heard the news by remarking, “Congrats to Michel Martelly! With him in office, we have someone who can really identify with the young people that are the majority there. I see change coming to Haiti.”

Barring a challenge from Manigat, Martelly will take office as president of the Republic of Haiti on May 7 and is due to serve for a total of five years.

He will begin his administration with an acknowledged lack of experience in government. The new president will be learning to govern in direct view of two of Haiti’s former rulers, both of whom still have numerous followers and have recently returned to the island. Former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returned to the country on Jan. 16, after 25 years in exile. Authorities have so far charged Duvalier with corruption and embezzlement and they have confiscated his passport.

The nation’s last popularly elected president, JeanBertrand Aristide, also returned to the island just two days before the elections, on March 18. Aristide spent seven years in exile in South Africa, and his Fanmi Lavalas party was not allowed on the ballot for this last round of presidential elections. There is little doubt that Lavalas’ critical voice will play a role in how the nation is governed in the near future.

A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life union.

All of the above achievements and many more are recounted in glowing detail in A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life, an autobiography which essentially amounts to an exercise in humility. For at every turn, the appreciative author credits this or that relative, teacher, mentor or benefactor for playing a pivotal role at each step as he scaled the ladder of success.

Along the way he also married and had a family, carving out the sort of quality time for his daughters that he had himself never enjoyed with his estranged dad. The

Book Review

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com “My life is often described as ‘improbable’ because I grew up in a broken home and in poverty… Of course, I acknowledge the unlikelihood of my good fortune. I also recognize the hard work and discipline that have made it possible.

But above all, I cherish and celebrate the many people who have taken moments to enlighten me, to renew my ideals, and to spur me to action. There have been teachers and preachers, supervisors and colleagues, friends and family… who through their words or deeds have delivered transcendent messages about life, faith and friendship… They have made all the difference. This book is a tribute to them.” (Excerpts from the Preface, pgs. 3-4) Deval Patrick and his sister Rhonda were raised on the South Side of Chicago by a mom who’d been abandoned by their deadbeat dad for the proverbial ‘other woman’ and a ‘love child’. Life is tough enough for a young boy growing up in the ‘hood without a father, but it must have been even more challenging when he’s a famous jazz musician (saxophonist Pat Patrick), always on tour, and who rarely visits or sends any child support.

This was precisely Deval’s plight during his formative years, a predicament which undoubtedly lowered his odds of ever making it out of the ‘hood. Nonetheless, thanks to his applying himself academically combined with the support of a devoted mother, grandparents and teachers, he managed to earn a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school by the time he graduated from junior high.

Deval subsequently attended Harvard College and then Harvard Law School, before working as an attorney for the NAACP and in the Clinton Administration. In 2006, he ran for political office

for the first time when he entered the race for Governor of Massachusetts.

Although a virtual unknown, he emerged victorious at the end of a

hard-fought campaign. And he repeated that unlikely feat just last fall when he made history by becoming the first AfricanAmerican ever reelected the governor of any state in the

icing on the on the cake is that, ultimately, Deval not only forgave his father before he died but took him into his home when he was down on his luck.

This is a moving memoir by an unassuming overachieverturned-altruistic role model well worth emulating.

A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life by Governor Deval Patrick, Broadway Books, Hardcover, $21.99. 238 pages, Illustrated. ISBN: 978-0-76793112-0 To order a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/ o b i d o s / A S I N / 0 7 6 7 9 3 11 2 2 / ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

Page 8 • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Making the most of a hot glue gun a remedy to emergency wardrobe malfunctions. So put down the hammer and nails, the sewing machine, and your needle and thread. It’s time to discover how cheap and easy it is to start using the hot glue gun!

Style on a Dime

By Marcia Humphrey

Craft Projects and hot glue guns go hand in hand. They can be purchased at any retailer and are usually available in a couple of sizes, depending on the type of projects you plan to take on. Years ago, when I first used a hot glue gun, glue sticks were clear and would be barely noticeable after drying—a big part of the appeal.

Now glue sticks also come in various colors, including ones that glitter and glow in the dark, which is ideal for scrapbooking or making specialized greeting cards or other projects.

marcia@insightnews.com My son, Landon, and his second grade class just did a science project. They were assigned an animal to research—Landon’s was the cheetah. Using clay, the children created a small replica of their animal and then recreated the animal’s natural habitat inside of a shoebox, using their imaginations, plus crayons, paint, construction paper, and anything else they could think of. While I didn’t want to be one of those ‘helicopter moms’ (you know, they hover over their kid, micromanaging all aspects of school projects and activities), I did feel it was necessary to introduce him to my secret weapon for school projects—the hot glue gun. It was the perfect tool to safely secure all the items inside the shoebox. My hot glue gun has always been a must-have for

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all three of my children’s school projects. (There are times when Elmer’s Glue just cannot get the

job done!) In fact, over the years— and through our family’s many moves—my trusty hot glue gun(s)

have been my tool of choice for decorating, quick fixes to broken, but salvageable items, and even as

Custom Window Treatments are a snap to make when you have a glue gun. I have glued on decorative beading across the top of store-bought curtains for instant glam. In addition, I have added classic sophistication by attaching ribbon down the length of plain uninspired curtains.

Installing Decorative Trim and Molding does not have to involve nail holes if you use your glue gun.

It can make your next DIY project quicker and easier. (The glue gun can also serve as a temporary bonder if you are undecided about committing to a project.)

Fabric Wall Panels are a breeze with your hot glue gun. Simply find an interesting fabric that you like, measure it to size, and glue it onto a canvas or wood frame.

Are you convinced that it’s time to pull out the glue gun again or go buy one? I hope so. Warning: Hot glue guns are actually hot, so be careful not to burn yourself. (I do sometimes, but it’s minor and worth the risk.) In addition, be sure to supervise your younger ones when the glue gun is around.

Let me know what fabulous ideas you come up with. Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior 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.

Make your garden the envy of the neighborhood (StatePoint) Gardens are a source of beauty. They are also a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Something as simple as hearing songbirds in the morning can help you start your day on the right note.

While your neighbors spend the season trying to grow a uniform lawn, why not elicit their envy by creating your very own Garden of Eden? A little pruning and some wildlife-friendly additions will make your garden stand out for neighbors as well as native birds and butterflies.

Here’s how you can get started: * First, tidy up the yard.

This may require re-seeding parts of your lawn that are known problem spots. If you

plan to aerate your grass, don’t forget to aerate the soil around your flowers and shrubbery as well. Water and air circulation helps prevent the spread of fungus while promoting healthy microorganisms that keep plant life vibrant. * Prune dead branches and cut back perennials. Fruit trees, in particular, thrive with pruning and often produce more blossoms as a result. Blossoms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and honey bees. If you find an old nest, it is best to leave it. Many bird species will reuse it. * Whenever possible, plant native greenery which is safer for wildlife than exotic imports and helps slow the spread of invasive plant species. Native choices can

istockphoto.com

Wildlife like birds and butterflies add natural beauty to any garden. be vibrant choices. Choose colors that compliment your home and are pleasing to the eye.

* Windows represent a significant collision hazard for birds in flight. You can

protect visiting songbirds with advanced window decals such as those made by WindowAlert.

These decals have the delicate appearance of frosted glass, but glow like a stoplight for birds with their unique ability to see ultraviolet light. You can order them online at www.windowalert. com. * Remember to periodically clean feeders, birdbaths, and nesting boxes with organic soap and distilled water to prevent the spread of disease. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned weekly and kept in the shade so the nectar does not ferment. * If you want to attract butterflies and bees, install some special nectar feeders and butterfly homes, which will bring

their acrobatic dance to your backyard. Mason bees, which are easily attracted with ready-made hive kits, are a gentle and docile addition as well.

“Wildlife can beautify your garden” says Spencer Schock, founder of WindowAlert. “But birds and other wildlife don’t appear by chance. They seek habitats that provide them with food, shelter, and safety.” * Don’t be afraid to add a personal touch. A gentle wind chime or brilliant sun catcher can add a special dimension to any garden without frightening wildlife.

By following these tips, your garden is likely to be envied by neighbors -- and loved by wildlife.

Five simple steps to cut down on gasoline costs Gas prices are rising across the country -- and the primary reason is the cost of making fuel. While both supply and demand for gasoline have risen in the United States, the worldwide demand for crude oil is up and the supply of crude oil is down. Middle East turmoil and loss of supply have further tightened markets. The increased crude oil costs and higher mandates for ethanol have made gasoline more expensive to make.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps that you can take to offset higher gas prices and keep

more money in your wallet. Here are five of them: 1. Drive slower Driving at high speeds makes your engine run at more revolutions per minute -- and consume more fuel.

And when your car is traveling faster, it’s also facing greater air resistance, which requires the engine to work harder. So don’t floor the accelerator unless it’s an emergency. Driving 55 miles per hour instead of 65 miles per hour can improve your car’s fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon.

2. Avoid abrupt stops and starts The herky-jerky trips most commuters are familiar with don’t just give us headaches -- they also cost us fuel. Starting from a full stop is a particularly energyintensive activity for an engine.

And the extra gas each rev-up costs quickly adds up to a much bigger bill at the pump.

So try to make your car rides as smooth as possible. Use back roads to avoid lights and traffic jams. Keep an ample distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid unnecessary braking and accelerating.

When approaching a red light, try to slow down gradually to avoid a full stop before speeding back up again. And when you’re at a full stop, don’t gun it after the light turns green -- gradual starts can use up to 40 percent less gas than abrupt ones.

3. Don’t overuse your air conditioner A vehicle’s air conditioner works by compressing a cooling agent.

That process requires energy.

And in a car, that source of energy is the fuel in your tank.

On a blistering summer day, of course, it’s fine to turn on the air conditioner. But once you’ve cooled down, don’t keep the inside of your car at refrigeratorlow temperatures. Overusing the air conditioner can reduce a car’s fuel economy by up to two miles per gallon.

When it’s a nice day, roll down the windows. And make a point to park in the shade.

4. Plan your trips in advance Taking a series of short trips instead of a single long one can put many extra miles on an engine. Plan ahead to combine

errands and cut down on short trips. Pick the kids up from school, buy groceries, and drop a package off at the post office in one trip instead of three.

And consider carpooling.

When you share a ride you aren’t just splitting gas costs -- you’re also cutting down on expenses like insurance and taxes and helping the environment.

5. Maintain your car Too many American drivers don’t get their vehicle the regular tune-ups it requires.

Properly maintaining your car can dramatically cut down on gas consumption and save you money.

For example, properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent.

When tires start losing pressure,

the engine has a tougher time pushing the car forward -- and thus consumes more gas. The average vehicle on the road right now has its tires under-inflated by over 7 percent, which can cause about a 3 percent loss in fuel economy.

Removing excess weight in the cabin or trunk of the vehicle will also improve fuel efficiency.

Simply removing this load can reduce fuel consumption and help to lower emissions.

Gas prices could continue to rise over the next few months.

But even if they don’t, these five simple steps will help you reduce your fuel consumption -- and conserve your cash.

John Felmy is the chief economist at the American Petroleum Institute.

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Insight News • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Page 9

TECHNOLOGY St. Philip creates on-ramp to the information highway

By Ivan B. Phifer MMMC Technology Reporter The ongoing expansion of community outreach at the Church of St. Philip in north Minneapolis has been given a boost with the addition of a fully-updated public computer center that features high-speed Internet, free computer classes, and staff to help individuals who want to learn more about computers.

The addition of highspeed Internet along with new computer equipment and support services through the University of Minnesota Broadband Access Project (BAP) (http://www.bap. umn.edu/) has increased the church’s abilities to meet its outreach mission.

Father Jules Omba, originally from Congo, Africa, is pastor of the 300-member Catholic parish of St. Philip’s, 2507 Bryant Ave. N., where he has served since July 2008.

“We now have 20 new computers and new furniture, chairs and tables for our computer center,” says Father Jules. “We have classes for software, and other computer based training. This extends our outreach and service to the community.”

The computer center at St. Philip’s is one of the 11 public computer sites under the BAP to receive a new computer lab.

It is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The BAP is a $3.6 million program of the University of Minnesota whose purpose to create high-speed Internet (broadband) access awareness, in partnership with the Office for Business and Community Economic Development (BCED) and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC) (http://

Faisal Ahmed, BAP Apprentice at St. Philip’s computer center multiculturallife.org/).

The BAP, envisioned as a service to bridge the digital divide for under-resourced sections of the Twin Cities, has created computer centers in four federally-designated poverty zones: north Minneapolis, south Minneapolis, southeast Minneapolis, and west St. Paul. The community groups in these areas are typically African American, Latino, Native American, Somali, and Hmong.

Faisal Ahmed is St. Philip’s BAP technology apprentice.

Having received training in broadband technology, software, and support services, BAP apprentices such as Ahmed can provide technical support and assist computer center users with different software programs and skills such as resume writing and job searching.

“We are so blessed to receive these 20 new computers,” Father Jules says. “ And BAP provides staff, and high speed Internet. All we need now are people to come in, to use the computers, and

ask for service.”

Father Jules said when he first came to Twin Cities, people warned him, “’Father, why are you going in North Minneapolis? It is a crazy place and you won’t like it!

There is a lot of crime, a lot of violence, it’s an evil place.’”

So, Father Jules says, “it is for these very same reasons I felt the need to come here.

“If churches, community and schools are willing to help out the students,” he says, “this can be a healthy, safe and secure neighborhood.

We cannot

Ben Williams

ignore north Minneapolis. It’s a shame. ” There are several other ongoing programs at St. Philip’s including the after-school Kids Club and the College Bound.

At Kids Club—4:30 . to 6:30 p.m.—children do homework, use computers and eat a meal.

The College Bound group meets Wednesdays during the school year. Meals are served at 6:30 p.m. followed by homework in the computer lab.

Students receive assistance with math, science and English.

These two programs were

designed in response to the issue of parents not being able to be at home after school.

“They like to come here to do their homework, and have volunteers help them out,” Father Jules says. “It is about education, and providing a safe place for children to play, to learn how to respect one another, and to become involved in the community.”

Additionally there is a sixweek summer program that includes meals and student instruction in the computer lab, plus access to a children’s library.

Father Jules says he has no procedure for enrollment for these programs.

All participants need to do is come in and sign up.

St. Philip’s has regular parish programs as well— choir; children’s choir; Chorale Sainte Marie, the new French African choir; Renouveau Charismatique; social justice and literacy programs; ministry for French-speaking Africans, and outreach ministry.

The outreach ministry organizes different groups of people for social activities, including hospitality after Mass. “We offer doughnuts, bread and cakes here every Sunday for whoever would like to have some food,” says Father Jules. “Every second Saturday of the month we give bags of food to whoever needs it. We have support from Christ the King Catholic Church in South Minneapolis. Most of our food donations come from there.”

Last summer the neighborhood community and Minnesota Vikings players helped to set up a playground on the Nellie Stone Johnson School site across from St. Philip’s. “It was very exciting. Many people came over and the community was involved, students parents and even myself. I think if this community works together, it can stand in peace and security,” says Father Jules.

Page 10 • April 18, - April 24 , 2011 • Insight News

Classifieds / Calendar Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews. com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events Step-Parenting/Issues Within the Blended Family - Apr. 18 FREE African American Parenting Workshops & Support Group. Mon. Apr 18, 7:30-8:45PM @ Sunray Library 2105 Wilson Ave. St. Paul, MN 55119.

For more information please contact Shatona Groves @ 612-568-6326 or visit www.theblackparentgroup.com.

Pre Adoption Free Information Session for Minnesota’s Waiting Children - Apr 19 Downey Side, families for youth, invites community members to attend a FREE information session regarding adoption and Minnesota’s Waiting Children.

Downey Side’s next information session will be Tue., Apr. 19, 6:30-8pm at Downey Side Minnesota, 450 North Syndicate Street, Suite 90, St. Paul, MN 55104. Pre-registration required. To register, email stpaulmn@downeyside. org or call 651-228-0117.

Jamaican Activists to discuss human rights issues in Jamaica - Apr 19 Dr. Carolyn Gomes, UN Prize in Human Rights recipient, along with Susan Goffe, prominent activist, will talk about issues facing the island and their experience defending human rights in Jamaica at 5:30pm Tue., Apr. 19 in John B. Davis Auditorium at Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave.

Beyond the Pure: Color Theory for the 21st Century

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PHONE: 612.588.1313

young people who need and are looking for a healthy and nurturing connection.

If you are interested in hearing more about this community building program, please come to one of the following informational meetings: Wed. or Thur. Apr. 20&21 at Midtown YWCA 2121 E. Lake St. Mpls. www. ywca-minneapolis.org Family Literacy Night - Apr 21 Enjoy many activities throughout the evening including: Workshops on expanding reading at home, Resources from the Minneapolis Public Library Book fair 3pm - 8pm, Storyteller.

Schedule a Tour for enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year. This is a family event all students must be accompanied by an adult, WISE Charter School 1501 Aldrich Ave. N, Mpls. Questions: contact Sean Johnson 612-455-1623 Uniting Hmong America: Invoking the Power Within - Apr 22-24 It is a crucial time for the Hmong community to participate in a national dialogue to discuss the future of our community. You can be a part of the conversation by attending the Hmong National Conference, which will be held on Apr. 22-24, at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information and to register, please visit: www.hndinc.org Get Started Vegetable Gardening Apr 23 Does the idea of growing your own vegetables interest you? Do you just need someone to tell you how to begin?

This is the class for you! Join us on Sat., Apr. 23, from 9am-12pm, at Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista. Cost is $6 and reservations are required. Call 763559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity #237409-00. This

FAX: 612.588.2031

St. Paul International Film festival on Apr. 27 at 7:00pm - St. Anthony Main Theater. Special guest appearance Actress Lesley Ann Brandt (Spartacus / CSI-NY) Community Action of Minneapolis Southside Energy Clinic - Apr 27 Are you a low-income community member in Minneapolis that is in danger of having your electricity shut off? If so, please come to the Southside Energy Clinic and fill out an Energy Assistance application. Wed., Apr. 27 10am-2pm at the Minneapolis Urban League Sharon Sales Belton Center (411 E. 38th St., Mpls) For more information regarding the Southside Energy Clinic call 612.767.1734 SPARK: The Fundraising Event for Young Professionals - Apr 28 United Way Emerging Leaders invite you for an evening of State Fair amusement. Thur., Apr. 28; 6:30-10pm @ Nicollet Island Pavilion. Register by 5p. on Mon., Apr. 11 and be entered into a drawing for a round-trip airline ticket courtesy of Delta Airlines! To register, visit: http://elspark.eventbrite.com/ Apply now to play an important role in redistricting in Mpls - Apr 29 There is still a chance for people in Minneapolis to participate in redistricting the city, creating boundaries for elections in 2012 and beyond. The deadline to apply to join the redistricting Advisory Group has been extended to April 29. The job description and application form are posted on the Charter Commission’s website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ charter-commission. All applications should be submitted as outlined in the application by the April 29, 2011 deadline. If your group is interested in a presentation or if you have any questions, please call the Commission Coordinator, Peggy Menshek, at 612-673-2287 or email her at peggy. menshek@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale Apr. 30 & May 7 Build and strengthen By composting organic waste community while exploring (vegetable scraps and yard waste) and shared experiences and issues capturing rainwater from the roof, of race, culture, and identity. you can reduce the need for expensive An evening of poetry, song fertilizers, reduce your water bill, help and celebration on Tuesday, keep waterways clean, and reduce April 26, 2011 at Intermedia waste. The Recycling Association of Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue Minnesota will have its sale in Saint Paul South, Minneapolis. All on April 30 and May 1 (pre-registration readings begin at 7PM $5 Beyond the Pure Reading Series featured artist required). The City of Roseville, in Suggested Donation Supports clockwise from top: Carla-Elaone Johnson, Nahid partnership with several other cities in the Series.

Khan, J. Otis Powell! and Rush Merchant III. Ramsey County, will have its sale on May 7. For more information, go to www.recycleminnesota.org and www. cityofroseville.com/rainbarrelsale.

The Court’s Role with Children and program is for ages 11 and older.

Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinic - Apr 30 their Families - Apr 19 Illustration: Spring Youth Clinic being held at the Phyllis Our second Perspectives Breakfast will Botanical Wheatley Community Center, 919 focus on the Courts. Learn about the Flowers - Apr 23-May 28 philosophy of our Courts in making The promise of spring, tulips, daffodils, Fremont Ave N in Minneapolis Sat., decisions affecting children and relative hyacinths, and other spring-flowering Apr. 30. The clinic is free and open to caregivers. How do the Courts decide bulbs will be the subject of this six- anyone between the ages of 6 and 16 what is the best interest of the child? week class. Students will explore plant and no registration is required. Kids There will be time for you to ask morphology as they draw and paint ages 6 – 9 years should arrive at 10:00 questions. Tue. Apr. 19 7:30-9am @ St. the whole plant from bulb to flower. a.m.; kids ages 10 – 16 years should Paul College Faculty Dining Room 235 Classes run Sat. Apr. 23-May 28, from arrive at 11:30 a.m.

Marshall Ave. St. Paul. RSP by Fri. Apr. 9:30am-noon, at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony. Cost is $215 for the series Volunteers needed to study flora and 8 to MKCA.org or call 877-917-4640 and reservations are required. Call 763- fauna - May-July 559-6700 to make a reservation and Have you ever experienced the living Draw the Line Minnesota - Apr 19 We’d like to invite you to join us to get an reference activity #237811-00. This wonder of a wetland? Have you wanted to wade in, get your hands wet, and update on what is currently happening program is for ages 14 and older. discover the plants and animals that at the legislature and to find out about new ways you can be engaged. Apr. Sabathani to Host Community live there? If so, Hennepin County and its cities have a unique volunteer 19 9:30-11am at Minnesota Council of Meeting - Apr 26 Nonprofits - 2314 University Ave. W., Sabathani Community Center will opportunity – the Wetland Health host a public meeting to discuss a Evaluation Program (WHEP). For Ste. 20, St. Paul, MN. proposed Hennepin County Regional more information or to become a GLBT Host Home Program of Services site at Sabathani. Users of volunteer, call Mary Karius at 612-596Avenues for Homeless Youth - Apr county services or anyone interested are 9129 or visit the program website at encouraged to attend. 6-8pm Tue., Apr. www.mnwhep.org 20&21 As volunteers of the program, adults 26 at Sabathani. 310 E. 38th Street, open their homes and their hearts to Mpls. For more information, call Pam YO MAMA: In the spirit of Our Young, 612-821-2308.

Mothers - May 1 1-4pm at St. Jane House, 1403 Emerson I’m Not Black, I’m Coloured - Apr 27 Avenue N - a gathering to honor our Education Organizer Local filmmaker Kiersten Dunbar ancestral and contemporary mothers. We NOC is hiring a community organizer to build our Chace of Mondé World Films will share personal and collective stories education campaign. For full job posting, visit presents her award winning historical about our mamas, share music, song and www.mnnoc.org. documentary film I’m Not Black, I’m prayer to celebrate and heal our most Court Reporter Coloured – Identity Crisis at the Cape important relationship. Refreshments of Good Hope at the Minneapolis/ and gifts. Donation $25.00.

The U.S. District Court, District of MN is accepting applications for a full-time Court Reporter. Starting salary $77,751 - $89,414 DOQ. For a complete description visit the court’s website, www.mnd.uscourts.gov, Employment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

Homeless is My Address, Not My Name - Apr 4-30 Credit: Hennepin County Public Affairs

A new exhibit coming to the skyway level of the Government Center — hopes to put a face to the word “homeless” using families of all shapes and sizes. On display on the Public Service (skyway) Level of the Hennepin County Government Center Apr. 4-30. 300 S. Sixth St., Mpls.

Now accepting applications:

The Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission “Applications are now being accepted to serve on the City of Minneapolis’ Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission (NCEC). This commission was created to work with the Neighborhood and Community Relations department to provide overall direction on the City’s community engagement efforts. Through the input and work of the Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission, residents, community and neighborhood organizations will play a key role in enhancing and shaping how the City engages its residents.

The Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission also advises the Mayor, City Council and other City Departments on community issues and needs related to community participation and the City’s community participation system.

Applicants with diverse backgrounds such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application period closes on April 29, 2011. To apply, please go to: www. ci.minneapolis.mn.us/boardsandcommissions.asp” EX.I.T.E. Camp Applications Are Due - May 1 PACER Center’s EX.I.T.E. Camp (EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering) is accepting applications for its August 2011 session.

Applications are due May 1. The day camp, held at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, MN., runs for five days in August. For a camp schedule and application, call PACER at 952-838-9000 or visit PACER.org/ stc/exite/Camp.asp.

Twin Cities RISE! Annual Report to Stakeholders Luncheon - May 2 Please join us for our Annual Report to Stakeholders Luncheon, and learn about the state of Twin Cities RISE! and our 2010 results and plans for 2011. 121:30pm Marriott City Center 30 South 7th St., Mpls. RSVP by April 26 to 612279-5886 or clawrence@twincitiesrise. org.

100 Years of Chinese American History in MN - May 4 The Project will highlight the Chinese American Minnesotans, their contributions and struggles, with a special emphasis on the Oral and Photo History throughout MN. The project will kick off at the May 4th, 2011 at the Landmark Center 75 5th St W., Saint Paul, MN. 5-7pm.

4th Annual Fakoly Drum & Dance Project - May 4-8 Master drummer Fode Bangoura will be hosting his 4th Annual Fakoly Drum & Dance Project! 5 days of daily drum and dance classes taught

by Master Drummers and Dancers from West Africa. The workshop will culminate in a Guest Artist performance Saturday evening May 7th at The Southern Theater. Visit www.duniyadrumanddance.org for full details & Registration.

UWOC 10th Anniversary, Celebrating a New Decade of Community Inspired Leadership - May 5 Women of color at the University of Minnesota play a vital role in the advancement of the mission of the institution as a whole. University Women of Color sponsors events and

gatherings that create a space for all women of color within the University, to feel supported, affirmed, and connected.

Thur. May 5 3-5pm @ Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. Mpls. Please RSVP to uwoc@umn.edu SchoolHouse Rock Live! - May 5-22 Based on the Emmy award winning educational cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math and more through fun upbeat songs and merriment. Its time to “Unpack Your Adjectives” and tap your toes to “Just A Bill.” Join us as we rock the schoolhouse! Howard Conn Fine Arts Center 1900 Nicollet Ave. Mpls. For show times and reservations: www. youthperformanceco.org Moms Night Out - May 5 Maplewood Mall is hosting the National Mom’s Nite Out TM from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. This event is a chance for area mothers to take the night off, enjoy freebies from local vendors and get the pampering and attention they deserve.

Journeys Reading and Awards Ceremony - May 12 The event will celebrate the accomplishments of adult literacy students, literacy volunteers, and community partners across Minnesota.

It will give adult literacy students a unique opportunity to share their original poems and stories and make their voices heard. Thur. May 12 6:30 @ The Loft Literary Center of Minneapolis Suite 200, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.

International Anti-Human Trafficking Event - May 13-14 A groundbreaking event that will take place for the purpose of educating and engaging men and the general public about the issue of sex trafficking to bring awareness to the issue, celebrate the work that is being done, honor the survivors, unite the men’s and women’s anti-human trafficking movements, raise desperately needed funds to help victims and end the demand for commercial sex.

For more details on events and locations, visit: demandchangeproject.org

TELEMARKETING POSITION Insight News is seeking applicants for a part-time Classified Sales Telemarketing Representative.

This position is perfect for a college student or someone looking for part time employment.

Hours are Mon-Thursday, 10 – 2 PM, not to exceed 20 hours per week.

Position Duties: • Deliver prepared sales talks, reading from scripts that describe Insight News and www.insightnews. com, in order to secure classified advertising.

• Contact businesses by telephone in order to solicit sales.

• Adjust sales scripts to better target the needs and interests of specific individuals.

• Answer telephone calls from potential customers who have been solicited through advertisements.

• Telephone or write letters to respond to correspondence from customers or to follow up initial sales contacts.

• Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.

This position requires a high school diploma, previous telemarketing experience and the ability to produce results.

Please submit resume with three references to batalara@insightnews.com NO WALK-INS and no PHONE CALLS, please.

Congratulations graduate!

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Congratulate your graduate Just $25.00 per week Call Patricia @ 612.588.1313 or email patricia@insightnews.com

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Insight News • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Page 11

SPORTS

Tiger meows back at The Masters Mr. T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com The 2011 Masters tournament was great, but all is not necessarily right with the world, so don’t get it twisted. Anyone who includes golf as a game that at least makes for moments where things seem right with the Universe, appreciated the returned presence and golf prowess of Tiger Woods in the Masters. Augusta hasn’t been the same since Woods exploded with his first victory there in 1997. and whether good or bad times, he knows how to play there.

Augusta National Golf Course, where the Masters is played, is a course that is engrained in any great golfer’s mind, and thus I can’t give Woods as many props as I might like to for his Top 5 performance there this year. But something that can, and should be appreciated by all followers of golf, is the international presence within the sport. That presence has always been there, considering golf was born in Scotland, but the international presence seems more vibrant than ever – part of me would like to say that Tiger Woods had something to do with that.

At 32-years-old, Tiger Woods is now of the age where little kids who once sought early autographs are now joining him on the course to say thank you, in all the wrong ways. Note to the kids: One of the true pleasures of playing amateur sports is when you do good (doesn’t even have to be something big) and little kids come up and ask for your autograph. And thus the moral for the kids is: Play sports. You may not become Kobe Bryant, Maya Moore, or Michelle Wie, but at least you’ll get a good opportunity to see what it’s like. You might even have to sign some autographs, which is good practice for whatever else you seek to do.

So when the media peanut gallery starts rousing the questions of whether Woods still carries his intimidating mystique on the course, I say, “yes,” and “no.” Yes, Woods intimidates his competition, and

Mayor From 2 do you find in City Hall?”

Harris asked.

Candidate Scheid responded to the questions about ethnicity. “When I was going to elementary school, there were two or three African American students in the entire school. If you go back to Crest

Creative Commons / Keith Allison

Tiger Woods

When Woods plays his best, few are able to match his strength and concentration. I think it’s important to note that

trained muscular tissue to the professional golf scene either (at least when you’re talking about the great golfers). To

continue on the physique note, it certainly seems as though the younger golfers are a much more fit group than the young tubba’lards that we watched bounce around the television golf screens in the 20th century.

Part of me would like to say that Tiger Woods has something to do with that, too.

And thus, that leads to my reason why, no, Woods does not intimidate his competition.

And that’s because his real competition these days is a group of little kids who grew up emulating him, and envisioning themselves beating him. The two years that Woods somewhat lost in controversy, was a bad two years for him

View, the numbers have almost reversed themselves,” Scheid said. “The city of Minneapolis experienced growing pains in the 1990’s that contribute to the influx of immigrants and people looking to get out of the city,” he said.

“The city is a little over 50% Caucasian. Minorities make up 48%. We have large Hispanic, Liberian, Hmong and African American communities,” Scheid said.

“Is there any scenario, in your mind, in which these ethnic groups will have 48% of the power; meaning 48% of the seats on city council, 48% of the contracts awarded

by Brooklyn Park, 48% of the jobs in Brooklyn Park. Is that a possibility,” asked McFarlane.

“I absolutely think it’s a possibility,” Scheid said. “Is there ever an end game? I don’t think so.”

Candidate Russell

addressed the changing demographics from his own experience. “It has changed dramatically,” he said. “I’ve been in the city eight years now. A number of people in Brooklyn Park are African immigrants and of African descent. There are African American and Asians.

“I value diversity. The key is we need to work with all of these communities,” he said.

Candidate Morson said

it has been hilarious listening to so many of the other pro golfers finally getting it off their chest that he did intimidate them.

Woods is much bigger in stature than your typical professional golfer, and nobody has ever brought as much lean well-

“Woods’ main competition comes from the youth, and his own mind.”

to lose. Woods is no longer on the right side of age and enthusiasm when it comes to athletic competition, and that’s just what it is.

But golf is a sport that has extended playing life. The key with longevity in golf is the same as many other sports: stay mentally tough and physically fit (that’s another one for the kids). Tiger Woods, obviously, is still physically fit because he’s got one half a billion dollars to spend on staying physically fit (Hey, what happened to the other half?

LOL!) So the problem that allows the peanut gallery to question Woods’ intimidation is in his head, where the peanut

gallery unfortunately still has rented space.

Although Woods has waded through the whole stone-casting mess like a skilled politician, he needs to take that conservative strategy off of his golf game.

It’s time for Tiger Woods to tell everyone, “Kiss my grits,” and repeat that statement every time he stands over the ball to hit it.

That will give the ball that little extra zip that comes naturally when you’re young. When you get older you have to actually verbalize that statement, because the folks who know you’re still the best, will keep trying to apply kryptonite so the tiger doesn’t get back to roaring in their face.

cultural diversity has not been a factor despite the dramatic shift in population demographics.

“Brooklyn Park has the largest demographically mixed community in the region for the past 15 years. Yet our city has not kept pace with that changing dynamic,” Morson said.

Morson said he introduced “The Many Faces of Brooklyn Park” promotion concept six

years ago. “The city has now implemented a community engagement initiative to do the same thing I started six years ago,” Morson said. “If they want to engage us, it should be evident in the job market, the contracts we receive and a commitment level for the people in our community.”

The election for Brooklyn Park Mayor takes place on April 30th 2011.

Page 12 • April 18 - April 24, 2011 • Insight News

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