Bobby Rush Revue returns to Wilebski Blues Saloon
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May 10 - May 16, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 19 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
UROC: research driven access to power Professor Mahmoud El-Kati
By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief
File Photo
Scientist and administrator, Dr. Robert Jones, Ph.D
Guiding public engagement Acolleague, an elder, a friend, a leader in the community, an educator who has a wonderful and fascinating story and a huge responsibility for our community, Dr. Robert Jones exemplifies dedication to higher
education, to research and to scientific inquiry, to the University of Minnesota and to the people of Minnesota. In 1978 he earned his PhD in crop physiology from the University of Missouri. He joined the University of Minnesota faculty as a professor of agronomy and plant genetics and he’s internationally recognized as an authority on plant physiology. Jones has published more than 100 scientific papers, manuscripts and abstracts. His research focused on stabilizing grain
yields of maize against environmental stresses. He’s been a visiting professor and a featured speaker throughout North America and in Europe, Asia and Africa, and during the resistance to Apartheid he served as an academic and scientific consultant for Archbishop Tutu’s South African Education Program. In addition to his contributions to agriculture worldwide, Jones has also held administrative positions at the University of Minnesota for the past
20 years, including his current position as the Senior Vice President responsible for all academic administration and outreach throughout the five-campus University system. His university leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to, administrative oversight for the University’s four coordinated campuses, public engagement and outreach, diversity and multicultural
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The University of Minnesota and residents of North Minneapolis celebrate the opening of a first-of-its kind collaborative facility that serves the needs of urban communities. The U’s Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) and community partners launch the initiative with a grand opening celebration 1-6 pm Wednesday, May 12. UROC is located at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., between Newton and Oliver. The building once before opened to great fanfare and with great expectations. It was the newly built home of neighborhood owned entrepreneurial enterprises. Known as the Penn Plymouth shopping center, the building opened in the mid 70’s and included King’s Super Market, Coast-to-Coast Hardware Store, The Phone Store, a Northwestern Bell Telephone Company retail outlet, the Carl Eller Liquor Store, and J.C. Clark’s Pharmacy. It was a symbol of pride hailing the emergence of a vibrant middleclass North Minneapolis that could support and celebrate Black business leadership and development. UROC is igniting those feelings of pride, hope and possibility once again with its multi-million dollar investment to renovate and retool the resource to deliver impact in today’s social and cultural environment. As one of the very few landgrant research universities located in an urban setting in the United States, the University of Minnesota has
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will begin a 3 part series on Haiti, it’s glory and it’s tragedy starting next week. Watch for it!
Mo’nique at the Orpheum Theatre
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Style on a Dime:
Creating a village
It pays to seek wisdom and ask good questions
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By Nettie Smith Upper Willard Homewood Eunita Jackson spoke passionately to over 60 of her neighbors about children and young people in the neighborhood: “They need to know that we know each other, and that we care about them and believe in them. That we’re in charge and they can count on us.” The room was quiet as she spoke, then loud with enthusiastic applause when she finished. This vibrant, lively crowd met on April 11 at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church at 26th and Thomas Avenue North. Some say creating a village in a diverse North Minneapolis neighborhood can’t be done. Some say it can’t be done in any neighborhood because people don’t know their neighbors these days. Well, we are doing it! We are creating a village! We are neighbors getting to know one another on many levels. There is no formal leadership, just folks
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Suluki Fardan RRHS
Red Hats reign at Sabathani One day in 2004 Marionne Robbins was brainstorming to find something that would give seniors something to do. In March 2004 the Royal Red Hat Sabathanettes were officially chartered in the National Red Hat Society. Robbins holds the title of Queen Mother, because she is the Sabathani Senior Center chapter founder. After her leadership all other leaders are called Queen Bee. The current Queen Bee is Letrice Jones. The official colors of a Red Hatter are Purple with a Red Hat. During a birthday month, a red outfit is worn with a purple hat. All members are given fun royal names because this is an
organization strictly for fun and enjoyment. There are no meetings, but frequent gatherings and events. Seniors on walkers, canes, or just moving a little slower, are not stopped from participating in the Royal Red Hat Sabathanettes. Thanks to Sabathani Senior Center, the organization has access to transportation, provided for a nominal fee, to transport the group to our events. But limited by size not all are able to ride in the van. (Would someone help us obtain a larger van) We participate with other Red Hat Groups throughout the State of Minnesota. Our membership
Mr. T’s Sports Report Suluki Fardan
Top left: Georgia Omorean and Queen Mother Marionne Robbins. Top right: Virginia Clark, Queen Bee Lee Jones, Mary Mitchem and Marjorie Tendle. Bottom right: Clara Tims, Ruth Wilson, Vernice Carter, Flora McRae, Opal Byrd, Marcileen Martin and Cassie Norris. enrollment is only open in March. We are the largest African American Chartered Red Hat Group in Minnesota.
The average age of a Red Hatter is 75, however, their participation in this group makes them feel so much younger.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. backs up his big talk
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