Insight News ::: 5.11.09

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MAYDAY CELEBRATION The event in and around South Minneapolis’ Powderhown Park culminates a month of community puppet- and mask-making.

Photo: StudioTobechi

May 11 - May 17, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 19 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

When heroes are Limbaugh, Palin

Truth, values, community interests get jettisoned

Commentary

By Alfred BabingtonJohnson, President Stairstep Foundation Perhaps Rush Limbaugh signing a $400,000,000 deal built on his use of lies, misinformation and distortion of facts has inspired the hit squads now roaming the organizations and e-mail turnpikes in the Minneapolis African American community. Or maybe these people are encouraged by the success and national notoriety Sarah Palin achieved by ignoring the truth and playing to the worst fears of the populace. Or maybe it’s just what our parents called the spirit of “crabs in a barrel” that produce such vile and meanspirited activities surrounding the recent process of filling the vacancy of CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL). Whatever the cause, the sights and sounds were and are disappointing.

At a time when we face staggering issues of real substance there are some our community who are more interested in drama than dialog; more committed to confusion than communication,

Family support and involvement for education help kids make the grade

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Alfred Babington-Johnson and more dedicated to conversation pollution than progress for our people. They have the nerve to represent themselves as champions of the people, but a review of their activities demonstrates that their only accomplishments are slander and misrepresentations for the sake of theater.

This came to clear focus in the artificial furor created around the Urban League search. I need to address the facts of the process, my wife’s role in it, some unfortunate slurs of one

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Sincere and insensible; sensible and insincere

By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief al@insightnews.com Black America is still unsettled following the great victories of the Civil Rights Movement, says Prof.

Mahmoud El-Kati, author, lecturer, and institution builder. “We have to learn that nothing can be solved that can’t be faced. We are in a position of flux that we don’t quite understand. A lot of people don’t know where we are as a culture.

Everybody wants to be free.

Everybody wants respect. Some are less politically developed than others.

Some are more sophisticated,” he said.

“Some criticize institutions to deal with personal antagonisms.

That gets confused. We need to call

Angelique Kedem, is the Minnesota state coordinator for the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) program. She provides technical assistance to JDAI pilot sites in Dakota, St. Louis, Hennepin and Ramsey counties. “Our vision is to address the disproportionate minority population that we have in detention. American Indian and

MInneapolis Urban League

Elliot Stewart-Franzen

Minneapolis Urban League names new president/CEO The Minneapolis Urban League announced last Thursday that Scott Gray has been selected as its new President/CEO. Since the departure of former President/CEO Clarence Hightower, who had lead the Urban League affiliate for 10 years, a nationwide search has been underway to find his successor. Gray will assume the President/CEO position on June 1, 2009.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Gray to the Minneapolis Urban League,” said Cathy Wassberg, Board Chair. “We look forward to having Mr. Gray’s skills, experience and energy applied to our organization and to his continued work on behalf of the Urban League movement as a whole.”

Scott Gray brings a wealth of

experience to the position, including sixteen years in community and economic development, with three of them heading up an Urban League affiliate in Madison, Wisconsin.

Gray’s accomplishments include leading the Urban League of Greater Madison through a successful $4 million capital campaign, and expanding that affiliate’s budget from less than $1 million to nearly $2 million. Gray spearheaded the State of Black Madison Report and organized six collaborative workgroups to address issues plaguing African Americans in Madison. He also has a great deal of experience in community organizing and housing & commercial

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Consider hidden costs before buying a new car

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X-Men Origins: Wolverine film review

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MUL

Scott Gray

Suluki Fardan

Mahmoud El-Kati

for an old-fashioned sit-down and put the basic issues on the table and not be afraid to wrestle with the issues. But it’s the issues, not the

Fellowship

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County resists involving community resources when power sharing is part of the solution

By Al McFarlane & B.P Ford The Editors Part 2 in a series

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African American youth, who together, comprise only 8.7% of our teenage population, make up 23% of youth in secure detention,” she said on a “Conversations with Al McFarlane” broadcast last month. “Our pilot sites push appropriate detention utilization and ask why we have disproportionate minority contact.

We do that by being data-driven.

In Minnesota, we have 40% to 60% of the youth in detention for either warrants or probation violations. So our question is what more can we do so we can

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Missionary Baptist Church welcomes new Senior Pastor Dwight E. Seawood

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Erica Carter

Donald Amos, Michael Eric Dyson and Sylvia Amos, MUL Chief Administrative Officer

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Nearly 1,000 Twin Cities residents turned out to show support for the work and legacy of the region’s flagship social service agency, The Minneapolis Urban League, at the organization’s 83th Annual Dinner and Scholarship Awards Ceremony last month at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel.

VIP guests included U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota, U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, State Representatives Jeff Hayden

and Bobbie Champion, former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, Mayor R.T. Rybak, City Council Members Don Samuels, Elizabeth Glidden, Ralph Remington, and Gary Schiff.

WCCO TV anchor Angela Davis, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. The Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Professor, University of Pennsylvania delivered the keynote address.

A membership appeal lead by

former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton resulted in the highest number of new memberships and membership pledges in the organization’s history.

The Minneapolis Urban League is the second oldest and largest community-based organization in the city. Since 1926, the Urban League has actively promoted the goals of interracial harmony and

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Brett Favre should be in a purple jersey next season

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Page 2 • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Insight News

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In Loving Memory

Stephen Israel Trice dies after a couragous battle with cancer Stephen I. Trice, age 22, the first born and only son of Community Activist & Organizer James B. Trice and Dionne L. Trice passed from this life at 12:10 AM on May 5, 2009. After a yearlong battle with cancer, it was Stephen’s wish to peacefully die at home in the arms of his parents.

From the time of Stephen’s birth to his untimely passing, Stephen’s life was filled with excitement & challenges.

Stephen was an over comer in every area of his life. He was an example of strength, resilience, perseverance and faith. Though his physical presence is gone, Stephen’s spirit will always remain with us, along with the precious memories that each of us have about him.

Stephen, a graduate of South High in South Minneapolis, played football, softball, hockey and soccer. Stephen worked at Cub Foods on Broadway and

later at West Indies Soul in the Global Market.

After high school, Stephen graduated from Transition Plus (a program to help young adults with learning disabilities enter community college) and took on a cooking apprentice program at PSP (People Serving People) cooking for residents of the shelter. Stephen was a hard worker, loyal friend and employee. Stephen’s dream was to attend Le Cordon Bleu and become a Pastry Chef and open a restaurant alongside his sister Rachel as Sous Chef. He made awesome cheesecakes and cakes.

Stephen was a lifelong active member of Holding Forth the Word of Life Ministries, 2029 W. Broadway in N. Mpls. He participated in the youth ministry and was part of the Hallel tech ministry until his health no longer permitted.

Stephen is survived by his

parents, James & Dionne Trice; sisters Rachel & Alicia Trice; nephew Zion Trice-Pratt; Great Grandmother Geneva Johnson; Grandmothers Margie Pernell of Sylvis, Ill & Dianne Sanders (Jimmy) of Milwaukee, WI; Grandfathers Archie L. Jones (Sherri)of Ewing, NJ & Algie (Sonny)Trice (Gertrude)of Rock Island, IL; plus a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, grands, godbrothers and friends. Special mention and regards to his girlfriend, Brea Zimmerman.

Lastly the family would like to offer a word of thanks and appreciation to the wonderful and kind doctors, nurses and medical staff of the University of Minnesota Fairview Children’s Hospital & Masonic Cancer Center. You made 5B a home away from home for Stephen & our family with your compassion, care and real investment into not only the care & treatment of Stephen but our

family as a whole. You guys were the friends we wished we never needed but the family we’re glad we had. We are eternally grateful. Therefore we dwell not on how & why Stephen died but rather on how he lived and what he means to all of us. We would also like to thank our church family for all the prayer, financial support, strength and encouragement they offered us along with Al McFarlane and Insight News as well as other community people and friends. We love you for opening up your arms, hearts and wallets to help us.

Services will be held on May 16, 2009 at Holding Forth the Word of Life Ministries, 2029 W. Broadway in North MPLS. Drs. Rufus & Dianne Thibodeaux presiding. Viewing will begin at 10AM followed by a service at 11 AM In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred (612-522-5807)

MUL

Habitat for Humanity International, managing a seven-state territory of over 250 affiliates. Additionally, Gray was the first African American in Milwaukee to create a Tax Incremental Finance District and developed a minority supplier linkage program that led to

successful contracts with large manufacturers in Milwaukee.

Gray received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2009, Gray earned his Master of Arts Degree in Corporate Social Responsibility and

Sustainability from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vt. His special emphasis was Social Entrepreneurship.

“I’m excited to join the Minneapolis Urban League at this time and to move my family to the Minneapolis area” said Gray. “The

From 1 development. Before he joined the Urban League in Wisconsin, he was the Associate Regional Director for

Stephen Israel Trice

Twin Cities offers a wealth of resources and I look forward to collaborating with organizations and individuals aimed at leveling the playing field for African Americans and other families of color.”

Past Presidents of the Minneapolis Urban League have

Dinner From 1 cooperation while also providing services to African Americans, other minorities and the poor.

Minneapolis Urban League provides human services and advocacy that enables African Americans and other minority group members to cultivate and develop their individual and group potential on a par with all other Minnesotans.

Minneapolis Urban League is funded by government grants and contracts, by the United Way since the 1950’s, and by foundation and corporate grants and private contributions.

At the present time, the Urban League is managing 25 separate grants and contracts. The agency uses CPA firm Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd. to maintain fiscal and business integrity and advises the public that a copy of its 2007 audit is

Erica Carter; Aretta-Rie Johnson

At Minneapolis Urban League Annual Dinner, Al McFarlane, Dr. Eric Dyson, and Nghi Huynh. At right, Angela Davis and Dyson. available by requesting it at (612) 302-3103.

The demand for the League’s programs and services far surpasses its ability to pay for them. As well as important contributions and grants from corporations, foundations, the League depends on memberships

and donations from individuals.

Minneapolis Urban League members receive an annual report, invitations to annual membership meetings and dinner, as well as other events sponsored by the League.

Members have the satisfaction of

JDAI From 1 eliminate using detention and get at those disproportionate numbers.”

Yet, how our community handles young people – the threat that some young people are to themselves and to community remains a major concern for the community and for legal and justice systems that serve the community, said Kedem. People need and expect safe and secure neighborhood and community environments. Our government, the police departments, the courts, the corrections department, ensure that safety and security. But safety and security, on the one hand, and fairness and justice on the other hand, must not be mutually exclusive in their presence and application in our communities, she said.

knowing they are doing something about urban problems.

Members’ support helps maintain an organization that has a record of accomplishment and commitment to making Minneapolis a better city for everyone to live and work.

Building pathways to brighter futures for our young people remains a primary mission of the Urban League. One recipient of an Urban League Scholarship told how important that mission is.

Kedem raised serious questions: “How do we not let our fears and biases marginalize a whole group of people – Black people, Brown people, Asian people? How do we apply specific and effective remedy to challenge and prevent, specific abusive or violating behavior, and correct that behavior, in a way that also protects civil and human rights?

Jerry Driesen runs juvenile services, including juvenile probation, the Juvenile Detention Center, and the County Home School for the Hennepin County.

He said, “We have two charges in the department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation: The first is public safety, the second is offender rehabilitation and community restoration.”

Driesen said a key concern for the department is making sure the staff has the right tools to meet both of those missions. “We are cleaning up bench warrant policies and making sure we have other means to deal with kids who fail to

appear for court, rather than using our most expensive resource, which is the Juvenile Detention Center,” he said. “There’s another warrant, though, that I don’t think we’ve talked about much, and that’s the arrest and detention warrant. When a child is put on probation, the court orders certain conditions – for instance, you must drop or must turn in a urine analysis on a regular basis; you must show up and meet with your probation officer. When a child doesn’t meet those conditions the probation officer issues an arrest and detention warrant, signed by the judge. We bring that kid back into the detention center. It’s not a new offense, but the kid didn’t comply with the orders of the court.”

“We created administrative sanctions grids that give the probation officers other tools, other things we can do to remind that child that they do need to comply with those conditions but that don’t resort straight to

“I am honored to be one of the

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candidate, and finally the involvement that I allegedly had in these endeavors.

Late in the summer of 2008 the MUL began a national search to fill their CEO vacancy. The first step was to engage an agent to handle the mechanical details of the process as the Board gave guidance. A search committee composed of nine members of the Board was appointed.

This committee issued an RFP to hire a firm to conduct the mechanics.

Most of the firms applying were owned and controlled by European Americans. To its credit, after a strenuous review, the Board chose an African American joint venture made up of The Diversity Connection and KP Companies. My wife is the owner of The Diversity Connection.

I had no role in the joint venture or the Board considerations, but for the accuracy of this truth telling, I researched a few points. (1) Over 100 applications were received and reviewed. The agent firm screened the applications and presented 10-12 prospects based on pre-determined Board criteria.

The Board search committee conducted interviews, whittled these down, and three highly qualified finalists were named.

This occurred in March. By the

included Gary Sudduth (1992-1997), Gleason Glover (1967-1991) and Robert Williams (1958-1967).

David Oguamanam, the League’s Youth Achievement Cluster director, has served as Interim President/CEO since the departure of Clarence Hightower in August of 2008. recipients of the Urban League Scholarships,” wrote Christian Amougou. “Thanks to your generous support, I am the first in my family to attend college.”

“Growing up in a less privileged community has not only offered financial and academic challenges, but it has more importantly made me realize the value of a college education.”

“I will begin my undergraduate career as a freshman at Minneapolis Community Technical College and can already report my academics are off to a first-rate start. My plans at this state are to complete a major in Business Management.”

“Working as a volunteer in my community throughout my high school career, I enjoyed helping who were uninformed about the community services available to them. I hope to be able to serve in a corporate position sometime in the future, where I might have more ability to help those less fortunate and under-represented,” Amougou wrote. detention,” he said, Driesen said the county now engages volunteers, through juvenile probation, who are working with the courts to serve as court reminder clerks. “They’re calling whenever a child is due for court; they’re calling the family, calling the child, to remind them: ‘you’ve got a court date tomorrow. Don’t miss it.’ We have data that shows that we’ve increased the appearance rates dramatically, and thereby then decreased the number of kids who don’t show and then get thrown back in the JDC.” Driesen said the county is creating a detention expeditor whose job is checking on a daily basis who’s in the detention center, how long have they been there, what agreements need to be worked out to get that kid through the system as quickly as possible.“The issue is how do we get these kids back in the

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way, my wife did not take part in any of the interviews and the agent firm made no decisions.

Intense background checks were conducted of the finalists and a mandatory certification of prospects, by the National Urban League, was scheduled. The national panel, with no input from the Minneapolis Board or the agent, interviewed the three finalists, and only two of the finalists were certified.

The final steps in the process were for the two finalists to have psychological assessments, an interview by the full Board, and an introduction to the community for general reaction. Here is where the craziness erupts, and here is where I unexpectedly found myself in the middle of some theater.

I am the founder and executive of The Stairstep Initiative. Many may have heard about Stairstep, but what we do is not generally understood. We are not an agency, like the Urban League or Turning Point, two of our best. We are an initiator of dialog and a creator of models.

Our goal for the 18 years of our existence has been to try to understand what actions and strategies can be put in place to revive the African American spirit of community and collaboration.

When we have an insight we create a living, breathing model of

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Insight News • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Page 3

EDUCATION Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison: create science literate society

By Titilayo Bediako Only 16% of African American students in Minnesota meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmark Score in mathematics and only 9% meet it in science.

These are issues that were addressed on April 22 at the Minnesota Meeting sponsored by the Minneapolis Foundation. This was the second of three meetings focusing on education policy.

The generous support of the Minneapolis Foundation and its Vice President Karen KelleyAriwoola provided for 20 girls from Cooper High School who are participants in WE WIN Institute’s Mentoring Program to attend the event. Keynoting the luncheon was the dynamic Dr. Mae C. Jemison, former NASA astronaut and the first woman of color to travel into space. The event was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. WE WIN girls and 150 middle and high school students were served lunch on china and cloth napkins. All

students were provided with electronic devices which allowed Jemison to ask students various questions and receive instantaneous answers. WE WIN student, Anthonette Sims asked Jemison for advice on how more African American youth can have a greater presence in the sciences.

Jemison told Minnesota that we needed to develop a “science literate society” to assure its economic competitiveness for the future. In a packed room of 800, Jemison talked about how fast technology is developing and how science is as important as other school subjects like reading. She went on to explain that science and math skills are about “problem solving and critical thinking skills are the most important aspects of science literacy and being able to work our way through the day.”

Jemison zoomed into orbit aboard the space shuttle Endeavor, September 12, 1992.

She was a Science Mission Specialist (a NASA first) on the STS-47 Space lab J flight, a

Courtesy of The Minneapolis Foundation

Dr. Mae Jemison at Minnesota Meeting US/Japan joint mission. She conducted experiments in life sciences, material sciences, and was co-investigator in a Bone Cell Research experiment.

This multi-talented African American is a chemical engineer, scientist, physician, teacher and astronaut.

She has in depth knowledge in technology, engineering, and medical research. In addition to her widespread background in science, she has expertise in

African and African American studies and is trained in dance and choreography. Jemison spent two and a half years as an Area Peace Corps Medical Officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa.

Raised in Chicago, IL, Jemison believed in following her dreams; she is committed to making sure that science and technology fields represent the full gender, ethnic, and social diversity of the United States.

She encourages all students to pursue careers in the

Alejandra Peña Photographs

WE WIN students with Mae Jemison sciences and fields they have a passion for. An advocate of public education, Jemison believes that public schools must be viable.

During her presentation she shared that it is never too early to expose children to science because they have a natural curiosity and inclination towards learning and that we as adults must build upon this curiosity.

She believes that computer training is not as important as giving young people hands on

experience.

Jemison believes that family support and involvement for education in math and science also makes a difference in a child’s learning. Amongst the ways that she believes families can support their children and spur their curiosity is by taking them to museums and places that gives them opportunities experience science.

St. Paul Central students win Science Bowl WASHINGTON, DC -US Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) last week congratulated St. Paul Central High School's team who received national honors for their achievements during the U.S. Department of Energy's 2009 National Science Bowl, the

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Mehgaan Jones Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Mpls., 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.

nation's largest academic competition of its kind.

"Investing in America's future requires a significant investment in our students to ensure they are prepared with the academic training that will be necessary to tackle complex issues, like climate change and retrofitting our crumbling infrastructure," McCollum said. "I am very proud of St. Paul Central High School's science team for their commitment to excellence, which is demonstrated in their national achievements over the last two years."

McCollum met with the St. Paul students to congratulate them during the High School Science Bowl Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill. On May 2-4, St. Paul Central students Jennifer Wei, Jonathan Schellenberg, Martin Camacho, Yowon Yoon, Simon Gebrehiwet, along with their coach Randy Knoche, engaged in intense competition against students from 67 high schools across the country during this weekend's National Finals. To secure a place in the national contest, the St. Paul team had to defeat high schools from across the state in Minnesota Academy

of Science's 15th Annual Minnesota State Regional Science Bowl for High School Students this past January. The team competed against 26 teams of science and math students in order to represent Minnesota for the 2nd consecutive time in the national competition.

"For America to compete globally, student must excel in the sciences to ensure our nation has the engineers, mathematicians and scientists to prosper in the 21st century," Congresswoman McCollum said.

Last Congress, McCollum was a staunch supporter of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act America COMPETES - which doubles basic research funding and creates a math and science teacher corp. The legislation, which is now law, seeks to reverses alarming trends in the sciences. Less than 15 percent of U.S. high school graduates have sufficient proficiency in math and science to seek an engineering degree. The number of engineers, mathematicians and scientists graduating with bachelors degrees

from higher institutions has declined by 18 percent over the last twenty years.

The Department of Energy's National Science Bowl was developed to encourage students to excel in science and math, and to pursue careers in those fields.

The contest attracts more than 17,000 students nationwide. At the high school level, it involves more than 12,000 students and at the middle school level, more than 5,000 competitors.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4) serves on the House Appropriations & Budget Committees.

Congresswoman McCollum meets with St. Paul Central High School’s science team to personally congratulate them during the High School Science Bowl Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill

Page 4 • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Insight News

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BUSINESS Consider hidden costs before buying a new car

By Jason Alderman These are interesting times for potential car buyers. Because so many people have become wary of the faltering economy and are avoiding auto showrooms, nervous car manufacturers have been slashing prices, issuing rebates and offering extremely competitive financing terms – at least to people with sound credit – to lure in business.

But for many folks, the temptation to take advantage of those great offers is tempered by fears that government bailouts for automakers won’t necessarily

ensure their long-term solvency.

That uncertainty, in turn, casts doubt on the viability of their longterm product warranties.

If you are thinking about trading in your old car for a newer model, keep these financial factors in mind: Depreciation. New cars typically lose 20 percent or more in value once driven off the lot. Thus, on a $25,000 loan with 10 percent down, you would automatically owe $22,500 for a car that might only be worth $20,000. If you had to sell it suddenly, could you come up with an extra $2,500 to pay off the loan?

Insurance. Insuring a new car

is often much more expensive than with older vehicles. Before purchasing, ask your carrier for estimates on a few different models for comparison’s sake. And ask for a quote on gap coverage, which will pay the difference between the car’s actual cash value (factoring in depreciation) and your outstanding loan or lease balance, should the car be stolen or totaled in an accident.

Taxes and fees. When calculating how much car can you afford, don’t forget about sales tax and fees for title, registration and license plates that could add anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars to the purchase price.

Ask the Department of Motor Vehicles for current fee rates.

Your credit rating. A strong credit rating will qualify you for the best interest rates from auto manufacturers’ financing arms, banks and credit unions. But with only fair or mediocre credit, you’ll likely pay higher rates and qualify for lower loan limits – if you’re eligible for a loan at all.

Review your credit reports before seeking financing so you can correct any errors, omissions and fraudulent activities that could seriously impact your credit score.

www.themotorreport.com.au

You’re allowed to order one free report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com.

You can purchase your credit scores for about $15 each at www.myfico.com. Or, to estimate your credit score for free, visit What’s My Score, a financial literacy program run by Visa Inc. (www.whatsmyscore.org/estimator .) The site also features tips on repairing damaged or unestablished credit scores.

Do research. Find out in

advance the invoice price (dealer’s cost, minus incentives) and bargain up from that, rather than down from the manufacturer’s recommended “sticker price.”

Research invoice amounts online at sites like Kelly Blue Book ( w w w . k b b . c o m ) , www.edmunds.com, and www.cars.com.

Trade-ins vs. separate sale. You may prefer the convenience of trading in your old car with the dealer, although you can probably get more selling it on your own.

Just be sure to treat it as a separate transaction after you’ve settled on a sales price and loan terms.

Remember, there are many carbuying considerations besides color and option packages that will impact your financial bottom line.

For a comprehensive guide to buying or leasing a car, including financing considerations, visit Visa’s free personal financial management site, Practical Money Skills for Life (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/c ar).

U.S. Bancorp’s Anthony Kelley honored A U.S. Bancorp employee has been honored by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Anthony Kelley, senior vice president and credit manager for U.S. Bancorp’s credit administration division, was named one of the Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty honorees for 2009.

The 40 Under Forty award is bestowed upon 40 honorees based on their professional accomplishments, demonstrated leadership and community contributions.

“Tony has been a big asset to U.S. Bancorp’s credit

administration division,” said P.W. “Bill” Parker, executive vice president and chief credit officer at U.S. Bancorp. “He is highly intelligent and focused, which help him excel with his responsibilities, which include all of the credit reporting at U.S. Bancorp.”

Kelley is responsible for providing overall leadership and direction for forecasting and reporting of U.S. Bancorp’s credit statistics, as well as developing a system of internal controls for the company’s credit administration division.

Kelley is an active supporter of several local community organizations, including the Greater Twin Cities United Way and Project Homeless Connect. He also does volunteer work for All About Family and A Brush With Kindness, a project of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

A lifelong resident of the Twin Cities area, Kelley is a graduate of Washburn High School in Minneapolis. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

He resides in

Minneapolis with his wife, Katie, and their two children.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $266 billion in assets, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 2,791 banking offices and 5,164 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, and trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.

Stimulus bill helps pay for college

By Jason Alderman Financing college is becoming a little easier, thanks to the 2009 economic stimulus bill. For 2009 and 2010 – perhaps longer, pending Congressional approval – several education assistance programs are being expanded by hundreds of millions of dollars.

Here are highlights: Pell Grant increases. The maximum annual amount for Pell Grants (free scholarships for lower-income students) increases from $4,731 to $5,350 in 2009.

Congress is considering President Obama’s proposal to further boost the maximum to $5,500 next year.

Pell Grants needn’t be repaid and can be used for tuition, books and living expenses while enrolled at a participating institution. To apply, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Note that the

federal deadline for FAFSA submission for the 2009-2010 school year is June 30, 2009.

New tax credit. The Hope Scholarship, an educational tax credit that reduces a student’s or family’s tax liability, is being replaced in 2009 and 2010 by the more robust American Opportunity Tax Credit.

Enhancements include: Maximum credit amount increases from $1,800 to $2,500.

Tax credits can now be claimed for all four years of college, instead of only the first two.

Those with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $80,000 ($160,000 for joint tax filers) qualify for the full credit – a significant increase over previous years. The credit gradually phases out for AGI between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 to $180,000 for joint filers).

Unlike Hope Scholarships, this credit is partially refundable,

which means lower-income families paying for college can receive a refund of up to 40%, even if they owe no federal income tax.

Federal Work Study Program expansion. About $200 million has been added to this program, which provides on-campus part-time jobs to students. Eligibility is determined by information provided in the FAFSA. Financing computers. Tax-free withdrawals from 529 College Savings Plans are now allowed for computers, in addition to tuition, room and board, and books.

Many people turn to loans when grants, scholarships and tax credits can’t cover all collegerelated costs.

Governmentsponsored loans include: Perkins loans – low-interest loans awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Interest does not accrue until repayment begins nine months after graduation. (Current rate: 5%.)

Subsidized Stafford loans – low-interest, needs-based loans where the government pays the interest that accrues while students are enrolled. (Current rates: 6% for undergraduate students; 6.8% for graduate students.)

Unsubsidized Stafford loans – not based on financial need and students pay for interest that accrues while they’re enrolled.

(Current rate: 6.8%.)

PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) loans – let parents borrow for their children’s college expenses.

(Current rate: 8.5%.) There is a loan origination fee.

Keep in mind all interest rates above will readjust on July 1, 2009.

To learn more, visit the Department of Education’s website, www.ed.gov or the FAFSA site above.

Privately sponsored loans, including those from Sallie Mae, banks and other lenders are also available, but may have higher rates and different terms, so investigate your governmentsponsored options first.

Thanks to these stimulus bill enhancements, financing a college education will be eased for millions more Americans.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. Sign up for his free monthly eNewsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ne wsletter.

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Insight News • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Over-plotted prequel unravels multi-layered mysteries surrounding Marvel superhero Film Review

By Kam Williams X-Men Origins is an over-plotted prequel devoted to developing the back story of Wolverine, aka James Logan, the short-fused superhero capable of morphing in an instant into a steel-clawed assassin. Hugh Jackman reprises the role he’s played in the popular franchise’s prior installments, and the versatile thespian rises to the demanding challenge of carrying a star vehicle.

Directed by Gavin Hood, this generations-spanning epic opens in 1845 on the Canadian frontier where we find then teenaged

James sickly and living in a log cabin. His life is irreversibly altered the fateful day he fatallystabs a man (Aaron Jeffery) in the chest in a fit of rage only to learn that he’s just slain his own father.

This pivotal piece of the Logan family genealogical puzzle means that James’ childhood pal, Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber), must be his half-brother. He also happens to be a superhuman with an alias, Sabretooth, so the two orphans enter a pact and flee to America.

The ensuing cinematic montage shows these seeminglyindestructible siblings serving in the U.S. Army together in the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and then in Vietnam. However, they are clearly polar opposites, morally.

Whereas Wolverine takes to the bloody line of work reluctantly, unsavory Sabretooth seems to delight in every opportunity to pillage and plunder.

Therefore, it is no surprise when the former decides to quit the mercenary business after

witnessing atrocities committed by fellow members of an elite squad of mutants being led by Col. William Stryker (Danny Huston).

Fast-forward a half-dozen years and we find Logan kicking back in Canada where he has kept a low profile as a lumberjack and fallen in love with a beautiful local gal, Kayla (Lynn Collins). Just when it looks like the cozy couple is content to live happily-everafter, Stryker shows up to talk Logan out of retirement to help in tracking down the stalker who’s been knocking off members of their old unit one-by-one.

Judging X-Men Origins with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, the picture wastes a lot of time weaving an unnecessarilycomplicated premise given that it leads to a fairly simplistic showdown of good versus evil. At least the adventure introduces several cool new mutants who put their extraordinary talents on display, including Will i. Am as the teleporting John Wraith, Kevin

Durand as the indestructible Blob, Ryan Reynolds as the self-healing Deadpool, Tahyna Tozzi as diamond-skinned Emma Frost, Dominic Monaghan as the electrifying Bolt, Taylor Kitsch as the detonating Gambit and Lynn Collins as the telepathic Silverfox.

Think Fantastic Four as opposed to The Dark Knight and you have a good idea of what to expect of this action-oriented, twist-driven morality play. And be sure to stay for all of the closing credits to catch one of two alternate endings.

Very Good (3 stars) Rated PG-13 for intense violence and partial nudity.

Running time: 108 minutes Studio: 20th Century Fox To see a trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =aCTDVNgNUeY www.impawards.com

Book Review

Steve Harvey’s: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man

By Kam Williams

“I want every woman who truly wants a solid relationship… to forget everything she’s been taught about men—erase the myths, the heresy, everything your mother told you, everything your girlfriends told you, all the advice you’ve read in magazines and seen on television—and find out here, in these pages, who men really are… If you’re tired of being played with, then I want you to use this book as a tool—to take each of the principles, rules, and tips in this no-nonsense guide and use them to anticipate a man’s game plan.

No matter how good you are to a man, no matter how good you are for him, until you understand what his makeup is, what drives him, what motivates him, and how he loves, you will be vulnerable to his deception and the games he plays. But with this book, you can get into a man’s mindset and understand him better, so that you can put into play your plans, your dreams, and your desires, and best of all, you can figure out if he’s planning to be with you or just playing with you.”

Excerpted from the Introduction (pages 6-7) Stand-up comic/sitcom star/TV show host/stage performer/movie actor/radio DJ/producer Steve Harvey was already a true Renaissance Man before he recently added relationship advice guru to his bag of tricks. After its release in January of this year, his book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think about Love Relationships, Intimacy and Commitment skyrocketed to #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list, and still enjoys that lofty spot as we go to publication (see http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04 /19/books/bestseller/besthardadvi

ce.html).

Apparently, the secrets about men he reveals on the pages of this much-needed how-to-tome are resonating with frustrated

Joyner in Chicago.

Let’s face it, Harvey is a juggernaut who’s on quite a roll.

And this critic is not at all surprised by this development,

STEVE’S BASIC FUNCTION HERE IS TO SHED LIGHT ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT MEN SAY AND HOW THEY BEHAVE. females of every demographic.

As a result, Harvey is not only making the rounds of the top talk shows like Oprah and Ellen, but expanding his own entertainment empire as his eponymous, nationally-syndicated morning radio show enters new markets, most recently replacing Tom

given that I’ve immensely enjoyed his last two stand-up DVDs and have also found the brother to be both hilarious and insightful every time I’ve had the opportunity to interview him.

As for the content of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, the title drops a big hint as to the sort of

common sense advice inside.

Still, every bit as important as the tough-love brand of relationship advice Harvey has to share is his folksy, down-home tone which practically leaps off the pages in Technicolor because he has convincingly translated his trademark charismatic anecdotal style to print, despite the inherent limitations of the literary format.

But the big question remains: will the book deliver on its promise of helping you land Mr. Right? I’m not comfortable speculating about that, after all, I’m not a woman and thus not really a part of the target audience. That disclaimer aside, I’d say that he does have guys pegged, so his ideas at the very least are likely to prove valuable

to impressionable young ladies who have been raised without a father figure in their lives, since Steve’s basic function here is to shed light on the difference between what men say and how they behave.

Traitor.

To see an excerpt of Steve Harvey on Oprah, visit: http://www.oprah.com/media/200 90312_tows_steve-harvey-video-2

Page 6 • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Great deals for $10 or less Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey Back when I was in my twenties, and my girlfriends and I would go shopping, I had one goal in mind: to spend $10 or less on each item. Am I that cheap? Well, basically: YES! What I realized is that I had stumbled upon a principle that would guide my spending habits in a very positive way throughout my life. And now twenty years later, I have revised my purchase-pricepoint only slightly: $10-$15 or less, $20 if I LOVE it!

(Granted, this system doesn’t work for refrigerators, washers, mattresses, etc., but you get the picture, right?) The bottom line when I am making nonessential purchases, the Price must be right. I have come up with a list of a few of my favorite items that I can usually get for $10 or less.

Shoes and Clothes Years ago, when my sister/girlfriend, Missy,

relocated from Minnesota to southern California, the two of us spent three days driving her shiny black sports car to her new home. That was one of the most memorable trips of my life. It consisted of eating, shopping, arguing (like sisters do), and shopping.

From Minnesota to Cali, we planned our stops around good shopping destinations. We bought highend boots for around $10, that were end-of-the-season and clearance priced (I still have a pair, and they look great). We would hit both malls and outlet stores, sniffing out $10-or-less bargains, and we scored at nearly every stop.

The key: Look for end-of season deals and plan to use them the following year. My favorite places where I recently scored: Target-shoes for $3.74 and $4.98; a great spot to find stuff for the kiddos!) Macy’s-ribbed turtlenecks and designer t-shirts for $8, and JC Penney’s-girls’ jeans and boys’ zippered hoodies for just $3.97!

Dining One of my favorite places to get a great meal for $10 or less is located inside International Market Square. Market Square Bistro & Bar is a beautiful fullservice eight-story atrium restaurant. Open weekdays from 11:30-2 pm, they offer a

soup and salad bar that is one of the best in town. The items are always fresh and the pasta salads keep me going back for seconds (and thirds). www.imsdesignonline.com My favorite Friday night dinner option is Little Caesar’s.

A large pepperoni or cheese pizza costs only $5! Add to that, a bag of salad and some fresh fruit and you have a great weekend meal. www.littlecaesars.com Entertainment Are you looking for cheap ways to have a night on the town?

Why not swing on over to the hip 1950’s style Riverview Theater, located at 3800 42nd Ave South in Minneapolis. The large hip lounge area invites you to come early and enjoy the mod vibe before taking in the movie. Tickets are only $2-$3, except for special showings.

Remember to take cash, because plastic is not accepted. w w w. r i v e r v i e w t h e a t e r. c o m .

Another one to try is Maple Grove Cinema 10, Maple Grove, where you will always find ticket prices from $2.50$3; www.manntheatresmn.com/theater.

What can you do with $10?

Lots-that is if you do your homework. At a time like this, adopting the principles of dealfinding is a downright smart idea. To start, set a limit and

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/US_$10_Series_2003_obverse.jpg

practice sticking to it.

Challenge yourself to find the very best ways you can make your ten dollar bill feel like a twenty. Every, little bit helps.

Finally, if you need a little more

convincing, consider this; wise spending leads to less stress and more peace! Enjoy!

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

Marcia Humphrey is an interior

Clyde Turner gets U of M Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award Clyde Turner has been selected to receive the 2009 University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development’s, Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Award. This award is presented by the college annually, to one individual, in acknowledgement of outstanding achievement in career, community engagement efforts, or other work that contributes to the education and human development of others.

According to the award announcement letter, Turner was selected because of his “passion and exemplary work in community youth outreach programs is a testimony of the vision and mission of the College of Education and Human Development.”

The award presentation will take place on stage, Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Northrop Memorial Auditorium, University of Minnesota.

“I am surprised and very happy to receive such a prestigious award. I have strived to empower many youth and families in Minnesota,” said Turner.

Turner was recruited as a student athlete in 1970 to attend the University of Minnesota.

While pursuing his academic credentials, he excelled as a star basketball player from 1971-’73.

He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA and played several years in Europe from 1973-’75. Turner returned to the U of M to receive a bachelor’s

degree in education in 1976, and again returned to the U of M in 1984 to earn a MSW degree in social work in 1986.

In 1976 Turner began his family advocacy career as a caseworker with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

He was promoted to Supervisor in 1987.

From 1988 to 2002, Turner worked as Associate Director of Family Alternatives, a private foster care agency located in Minneapolis that worked with the various county systems, the host contract being provided by Hennepin County.

In 1994, Turner co-founded the Past Athletes Concerned about Education (PACE) organization to work with Twin Cities public schools, mentoring and tutoring thousands of students, with a special focus on African American males experiencing academic and behavior problems.

In 2002 Turner was selected by Ramsey County Human Services to be the Manager of the Intake Division of the Child Protection unit.

In 2007 he became the Manager of the Ramsey County Family Services Division, composed of the Child Foster Care, Adult Foster Care, Adoption & Guardianship, and Child Care units.

Turner has served on the board of the Phyllis Wheatley organization, the YMCA, Mentoring Partnership of

Clyde Turner Minnesota organization, and the National Foster Parent organization’s Board of Directors.

He also served on the Hennepin County Blue Ribbon Task Force on Disproportionality and Disparate Outcomes of Placements of Children of Color in the Family Services System.

Turner has provided numerous trainings on team building, diversity issues, mentoring, the Search Institute's Forty Assets philosophy, and strength-based programming.

Especially close to his heart is the Clyde Turner Educational Basketball Camp, which he founded 26 years ago to focus on urban children. To date, the camp has served over 10,000 boys and girls in the Twin Cities area.

“Every time a young voice speaks, a more mature ear should listen and hear,” said Turner.

Insensible From 1 personalities. Some of us know how to have disagreement personally but never in principle. There should not be a difference of principle, but not all of us can make the distinction.

So that is a collective weakness.

Some understand better than others.

There are informed, uninformed, and ill-informed opinions. A lot of ill-informed and uninformed people speak sincerely. But as Douglass said, ‘they may be sincere and insensible, or, they may be sensible and not sincere,’” said El-Kati.

The Black community today is challenged to build institutions, to form institutions, El-Kati said.

Former University of Minnesota Regent Dr. Josie Johnson, a retired U of M vicepresident, said she has observed that it is hard for humans to shake off the yoke of oppression. “We were taught so carefully to understand where our strengths are and how we could be strong” following our emergence from slavery, she said.

“Despite that resilience, we remain fearful of the unknown, fearful of leadership that we don’t know, fearful of different ways of approaching or solving problems.

As a consequence, we fall back into old habits of allowing ourselves to be divided and placed in suspicion that creates questions about leadership.”

Dr. Josie Johnson Johnson said even Black people are having a hard time with some aspects of the Obama election and presidency because the president’s understanding is different and more reflective. “He is looking at the big picture and connecting all the dots, not immobilized by fixating on individual silos. We think issues that face us are so complex that it makes us suspicious. Then we allow ourselves to be divided and conquered. We create the opportunity to remain in a state of failure and disillusionment,” she said.

F. Clayton Tyler is a Minneapolis attorney who lives in North Minneapolis and is a board member of the Minneapolis Urban League. Speaking specifically to the barrage of innuendo and insinuation hurled at the Urban League, Tyler said: “It’s alright to express concern about process and outcomes. But the facts are what really matter and it is important that the community can understand the actual facts.

F. Clayton Tyler

Dr. Peter Hayden Anyone can throw out allegations, just like they did in attempting to destroy or derail Barack Obama.

But the facts don’t change.

Community decisions should be based on facts, not on innuendo and lack of knowledge.”

But former Urban League director the Rev. Randolph Staten was more critical. “The heart of the matter is scurrilous activity against our culture, against truth and honesty, and against progress is outrageous and cannot be tolerated.

It has to be rooted out,” he said.

Dr. Peter Hayden, president of Turning Point, Inc., also an Urban League board member, said “The question is ‘Why?’” “Why have we decided to take that road? What is the premise of all the attacks? I try to talk to people and try to get a better understanding about whatever the problem is. I don’t just go out and attack people and institutions. Everything is an open book. If you have questions, ask me and I can tell you. But if I had to answer to everyone everytime anyone had a question about anything, I would never be able to do my job. I would always be answering questions.

Somewhere, you have to have trust,” he said.

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Insight News • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Page 7

COMMUNITY Cycle trek commemorates forced movement of Dakota, Winnebago Four years ago, a small group of motorcycle enthusiasts, most of whom are Native Americans, hatched a simple plan for a motorcycle trip.

The idea was to trace the route used for the forced movement of the Dakota and Winnebago People who, after the conclusion of the Dakota Conflict of 1862, were removed from Minnesota and relocated to Crow Creek, SD. The purpose of the trip was to remember what happened to these people and acknowledge the suffering that took place at that time of Minnesota history. The riders wanted to let the people of Crow Creek know that they have not been forgotten.

The group of riders never could have imagined the events that would unfold from that trip.

Along the more than 1,800-mile

route, the riders met and were embraced by many descendants of those people that were exiled from Minnesota in 1863.

When the riders arrived at their final destination in Crow Creek, they were welcomed by over 200 people who gathered in appreciation of the arrival of the “Iron Horse Riders.” A small group of people from the Crow Creek area had transformed a grassy area within the Old Fort Thompson grounds into a camp from long ago with teepees, a fire pit and meat racks made from tree limbs for drying the meat.

Families pitched in to feed everyone and a small group Pow Wow was held around the fire pit.

The riders were so moved by the experience that they decided to adopt the name Crow Creek Long Riders and continue with an

annual commemorative motorcycle ride.

The people of Crow Creek saw this as a teaching opportunity and decided to continue a tradition to welcome the riders and create a glimpse of what life was like long ago to teach the children about the true ways of their people.

This grassroots initiative has evolved as a humanitarian effort to inspire hope and encouragement and provide a substantive contribution in support of the civil well-being of people of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.

Crow Creek Long Riders invite you to participate in recognizing Minnesota’s American Indian Month. Support the American Indian Community by celebrating their ancestry, their tribal heritage, as well as that of

future generations.

2009 marks the fourth annual ride to take place June 17 through June 20, 2009.

Crow Creek Long Riders will host two separate benefit fundraisers in the Month of May to coincide with Minnesota American Indian Month. All proceeds will go to Project Head Start and the Boys and Girls Club Youth Center of Crow Creek Indian Reservation.

JDAI

is on someone’s desk, but yet have not seen it nor signed it,” Foster said.

“As pastors, we do this all the time. But we’re still trying to figure out the depth of the department of corrections commitment to this type of programming. Even if a pilot program is implemented, if there is no sustainability, it’s just an exercise in futility. So we’re going through the motion of putting a band-aid on a real serious issue,” he said.

“We are sincere and we are committed,” Dreisen responded.

“I do fully understand how that looks on paper – two years to process a contract. Actually it’s taken us a while to figure out what exact community resources we wanted to build, and that contract

has, I think, been under development for about eight months. You would think, that just dropping the population at an institution would equal immediate returns of lower costs. But turning a bureaucracy around doesn’t just happen like that.”

When it comes to problemsolving in the community, our people get the misery and others get the money. So it seems like that our misery is something that’s nurtured and harvested as revenue stream for other people, said Al McFarlane, the shows host.

Jim Payne developed that idea further. He said, “If we do not have the communities at the table who are most affected, whose children are locked up, who are most often victims of crimes, we’re not going to succeed. Every place this has

been successful, particularly urban places, like Chicago, we’ve had communities of color at the table, making decisions about what policies and practices should be implemented, what programs should be open, and where those programs should be open.

“I’ll give you a good example,” Payne said. “In Chicago, we have what we call a model site in this foundation. It was one of the early sites. I believe it was a 630 bed detention center when they started. On any given day there were more kids than beds, and they didn’t know why half those kids were there. They now, after 18 years, have fewer than 400 kids there. It’s well protected. Most of the kids, instead of being in detention, are in community-based programs, in

communities where they live.

Now, how did they get there?

Community-based programs.”

That was a far cry from the original operating policy which was created without talking to the community, and without having people in the community at the table, Payne said. At first they assigned these kids to programs that were not anywhere near their particular neighborhood. The kids didn’t go, and the probation department and everybody got upset – ‘why didn’t you go?’ The kids would say, ‘I had to cross three gang territories and it was too dangerous.’”

“Then they got community people in who worked in each particular community. What we’ve done is encourage them to look at ZIP codes. What kids are being

held on probation violations in what ZIP codes for what reasons, and look in those communities and you’ll see programs that are already existing that you could use, or contract with,” Payne said.

Explaining the difficulty of bureaucratic change, Payne agreed with Driesen. “I worked for the government too. I know it’s hard to divert money. But it’s not impossible. Hennepin County spends $324 a day to put a kid in detention. Now ask the Reverend what his per capita costs to run the program would be. You’ll get better results. Why don’t we do it and then take that money and redirect it into community programs.

And it can be done – it’s difficult, I’ll admit, you have to have the right listening for this, but it can be done.” Payne said.

projectlegos.org

Public meeting on Homegrown Minneapolis initiative - May 18 May 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S. Questions:

Kristen.Klingler@ci.minneapolis. mn.us or 612-673-2910.

From 2 community and keep them there,” he said.

The Rev. G. Allen Foster, is the executive director of the Center for Hope and Compassion, and he manages project called Citadel of Hope. He said despite the good sounding intentions of county bureaucracies, community resources and routinely ignored, unutilized, or marginalized.

“I represent one of the agencies that is being considered to host community coaching pilot programs through the Department of Corrections. However, we’ve been working on this for almost two years. I’ve got a contract that

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send community events to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: 612-588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred. Visit www.insightnews.com for more events.

pm at Dunning Rec Center 1221 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul (1 block from Central High School). Free and open to the community.

Events

African Development Center celebration – May 14 Thurs., May 14, 5:00 PM – 7:00PM at RIVERVIEW MOVIE THEATER – 3800 42nd Ave South, Mpls. ADC celebrates being the number one business lender in the city of Mpls for the second year in a row. Free event.

RSVP: Abdirashid Said at 612333-4772.

Public meeting on Homegrown Minneapolis initiative - May 12 Tues., May 12, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave. N., Multipurpose Room A. Questions: Kristen.Klingler@ci.minneapolis. mn.us or 612-673-2910.

DFL District 61 Spaghetti Supper – May 13 The Democratic Farm Labor Party’s Senate District 61 will be holding a Spaghetti Supper on Weds., May 13th at Powderhorn Park (3400 18th Ave. S in South Minneapolis). The event will run from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM and will include spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and desert.

Fifth Precinct Open House May 14 5:00 - 7:00 PM, 3101 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.

Noche Hispana Cinco, at Patrick’s Cabaret - May 15th through 17 May 15 through 17, 8:00 PM Friday & Saturday, 2:00 PM Sunday, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls. www.patrickscabaret.org

Domestic Abuse Conference – May 12 through May 15 May 12 through May 15, 2009 at the Minneapolis Marriot City Center, 30 South 7th Street, Mpls.

Info: Sonia Palmer, 612-874-7063 x217, spalmer@mndap.org.

NDC Free Business Workshop: Low & No-Cost Marketing Tools – May 14 May 14, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., N Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave N., Mpls. Discover marketing tools available to do research and analysis on potential customers.

Preregister with Bonita at 651379-8429

Poetry/Spoken Word and Open House – May 14 Thursday May 14th 5:30- 8:30

Dollar Works 2 trainings – May 14 May 14, 9 - 4 p.m. at Richfield

Bloomington Credit Union, 345 E. 77th Street, Richfield. Dollar Works 2 is a personal finance education program designed to help teach financial literacy concepts. Registration / More info a t http://www.extension.umn.edu/Re sourceManagement.

Lex-Ham Theater: Pulitzer Prize winner reading – Albee’s Three Tall Women - May 15 Fri., May 15, at 1184 Portland Ave., St. Paul. Pot-luck supper at 6:30 p.m. Reading at 7 pm. www.LexHamArts.org/theater/Pu litzer/PulitzerRS.html or call 651644-3366 for more info.

Art-A-Whirl 2009 – May 15 Fri., May 15th, 7pm-10pm at Artistic Indulgence, 302 East Hennepin, Mpls. 612-746-4508. www.theartisticindulgence.com/e vents YMCA of Minneapolis Black/Hispanic & Multicultural Achievers Senior Banquet – May 15 Fri., May 15, 6:00-8:00 pm. at the YMCA North Community Youth and Teen Enrichment Center, 1711 West Broadway Ave., Mpls..

Call Tomie Conaway at 612-3718700 to reserve your place.

Project Legos annual YOUTH FOOTSTEPS MARCH – May 16 May 16, 9 am at Folwell Recreation Center, 1615 Dowling Ave N., Mpls. 612-353-6927.

Fundraiser #1: S a t u r d a y, May 16, 2009, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Music Festival at Black Bear Crossing, Como Park Pavilion 1360 North Lexington Parkway, St. Paul, Minnesota Live Music, Ceremonial Drums, Traditional

Spring Bird watching at Minnehaha Creek – May 16 Sat., May 16th 7 to 8:30am at 2401 East Minnehaha Parkway.

Register at minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725. Please note if you need binoculars at registration.

WaterFest 2009 – May 16 Sat., May 16, 9:30 AM - 2 PM (rain or shine) at Phalen Park Pavilion, St. Paul, North of Phalen Dr. & Wheelock Pkwy.

Info: www.rwmwd.org.

Rites of Spring Stret Festival May 17 May 17, 12:00 - 6:00 PM, Lyndale & Lake, Mpls. www.lynlakestreetfest.com Pangea World Theater Benefit May 17 5:00 - 9:00 PM, 225 Third Ave. S. (The Depot), Mpls. 612-2031088, pangeaworldtheater.org.

Gospel Choirs United 35th Anniversary Concert – May 17 Sun., May 17, 2009 - 5:30 PM at Mighty Fortress International Church, 6400 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. Info: 9 5 2 . 9 3 5 . 1 2 1 5 , www.GospelChoirsUnited.org.

Cast of the Guthrie’s Caroline, or Change to groove at The Dakota Jazz Club – May 18 Mon., May 18 at 7:00 p.m. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.

For more information and reservations call 612.332.1010 or visit www.dakotacooks.com.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Crowcreeklongriders/2008CrowCreekRide03#

Singers and Dancers and Guest Speakers Fundraiser #2: S a t u r d a y, May 30, 2009, 2:00 p.m. to Close

Barbeque at J & S Bean Factory 1518 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota Live Music, Barbeque, Silent Auction, Guest Speakers

Page 8 • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Insight News

Stairstep From 2 our idea and attempt to engage others in the process.

Among our activities, we have taken over 100 youth and adult role models to Ghana, West Africa to allow relationship building towards a stronger community.

The youth have come from an intentional mix of challenged financial circumstances to average means and “well to do”. This mix was important because this is a true reflection of the full spectrum of our people.

We are in the eighth year of a nationally-recognized effort in eliminating health disparities called “There is a Balm.” We are in the 14th year of a growing work to solidify a network of over 100 African American churches in the metro area to more effectively serve the practical needs of our families beyond the confines of the church walls.

We are working with David McGee’s Build Wealth Minnesota and the MUL in launching a community-centered model for financial stability for African American families. The diversity of our effort occurs because our focus is not the obvious issue addressed by any program, but rather the underlying goal of building both personal and institutional relationships that lead to a stronger African American community.

We have received national attention for the economic development models that we have woven into our social experiment.

We recognize the importance of accountable repositories of wealth that include every economic stratum of our people. We built a Dairy Queen Brazier and operated a Tires Plus franchise on West Broadway. In both instances we hired African American management and employees from the community with the hope that they would earn ownership, as the businesses were successful.

Regrettably, even though we were the only Dairy Queen in the nation to serve grits for breakfast, we were no more successful than Target, Red Owl, Auto Max, Supervalu, White Castle or several others in making business go on West Broadway. Stairstep continues to own the building and land, at 818 West Broadway; Burger King is our tenant.

In 1997 we started a food

manufacturing plant in the heart of North Minneapolis with wonderful support by General Mills, partnership with African American-owned Glory Foods of Columbus, OH and US Bank.

This was a nationally-acclaimed, award-winning model that proved you could create manufacturing in the inner city. We operated the plant for nine years employing over 400 inner-city folk and distributing over $12,000,000 in payroll. I would be happy to discuss the outcomes and the lessons learned in these ventures with anyone who genuinely wants to understand.

http://insightnews.com lengthy conversation about Stairstep’s goals, tactics, and the philosophy behind our activities.

At the end of our discussion I mailed him a video on Stairstep.

Flash ahead eight years and sometime in early February, this year, I got my second phone call from a Scott Gray. I didn’t remember our earlier contact and he reminded me and indicated that he continued to be intrigued by The Stairstep Initiative.

He said he had wanted to bring me to Milwaukee to describe our work but had never accomplished the invitation. Now he was the CEO of the Madison

WHEN YOU NEXT HEAR SOME DISQUIETING RUMOR ABOUT SOME FIGURE IN OUR COMMUNITY, “THEY PAL AROUND WITH TERRORISTS,” CONSIDER THE SOURCE. I haven’t left the Urban League story; these events are important because they led to and explain my first encounter with one of the candidates. Please indulge me as I need to go a little further to better contextualize an event that has been mangled by the distorters of fact that I mentioned at the beginning. The ideas that we promote and the models that we have put forward have led to speaking requests in various cities to a variety of organizations over our 17 years of operation.

Generally an honorarium, airfare, and hotel accommodations are part of the invitation. We have discussed Stairstep in New York City at the annual conference of the prestigious Drucker Leadership Foundation; in Oakland, CA before the Association of Black City Planners, and in Las Vegas where I addressed the convention of Black Food Operators. The community-corporate cooperation model that led to Siyeza received several national awards including The 1999-2000 Ron Brown Award for Corporate Citizenship which was awarded in the Oval Office to General Mills, Glory Foods, and Stairstep.

I received a call sometime in 2001 or 2002 from a fellow named Scott Gray of Milwaukee, WI. He had heard about Stairstep and was interested in “social entrepreneurship” in the African American community. We had a

Urban League and they were breaking ground on a new building with a twist. He was moving on a social entrepreneurship agenda and had fashioned a unique partnership as he built this building in which the Madison Urban League was serving as a developer for a condominium space to be occupied by a city library branch.

He also had a dream of creating jobs and nurturing businesses with the momentum that this landmark project created. He wanted me to come and share with his constituency the fire that burned in our mutual bellies for community building as an end goal.

Now I was not aware that Mr. Gray was a candidate for the Minneapolis Urban League position, because I was not involved. My wife, Anna Hyde, had been in touch with Scott, but he didn’t know she was my wife. I got this call on my cell phone and was riding in the car with my wife. She heard the name and at the end of my conversation she asked to speak with Scott and they had the “small world” discussion.

Since the Urban League search and my activities at Stairstep have no material connection we all moved on with our individual lives and tasks. I was to deliver two speeches in Madison: one at a private reception of Board and financial supporters of their capital campaign and a second oration at

the outside groundbreaking. There is no reason my private financial transactions need to be announced, but such distortions of this Madison engagement have been made that I will disclose our arrangement. I received an $1,800.00 honorarium, air fare, and hotel accommodations.

The event came and went and the MUL search moved forward.

I never lobbied for or even had a discussion concerning Scott Gray with any member of the search committee or the general Urban League Board. I was certain that the Urban League had great candidates and I was willing to wait and trust the process like most of the city.

I was stunned on the Tuesday following the very wonderful Urban League annual dinner to hear that a series of e-mails had been circulated by Donald Allen indicating my wife had manipulated the search process because Scott Gray had paid me (I later heard the fantastic amount of $25,000) in order to buy the Urban League position. I was shocked, to say the least. I thought, “Where does some false, crazy information like this come from?’ I was concerned because

my wife and Scott were being falsely accused as much as I was.

I remembered some light banter that I had with Al Flowers at the annual dinner: “Yeah, Bab. How did you like Madison? I got a cousin down there.” I replied, “Madison was great.” And we both moved on.

Now the conversation had more meaning. I made two trips to the Urban League that day, looking for Al to make sure that he was not laboring under any of these strange false impressions.

I was unable to connect with him at that time, but did reach him on his cell phone about 2:30 pm.

“I need to talk with you, man,” I said. He replied, “I got to do some drop offs for the day care, but then I can head back north.”

“Great, I’ll see you in about 45 minutes,” I said to close the conversation.

I didn’t see or hear from Al at all after that. My next sighting of him was at the community forum of the candidates Saturday when in a series of shouted questions laced with innuendo, he asked about my wife’s role. I tried to approach him to have the truth discussion I had wanted earlier only to discover that conversation

Siyeza factory workers was not on his agenda. He shouted, “When you gonna let us go! When you gonna let us go!”

The desire for theater was crystal clear, and I just moved away.

I saw Ron Edwards in the hallway, so I approached him and pretty much shared the contents of this article with him and my intention to write something for public awareness of the truth. He asked, “How much did you get for your time in Madison?

I replied, “$1,800, airfare, and hotel accommodations.”

He said, “I heard it was $25,000 and with maybe

STAIRSTEP TURN TO 9

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Insight News • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Page 9

FULL CIRCLE Putting people in their place: Prioritizing relationships in your life Instant Inspiration

By Rashida McKenzie Are you good at putting people in their place? I’m not talking about cursing anyone out or telling them off, but literally prioritizing the people in your life. Most of us aren’t.

Some of us have allowed people to be close to us, who quite frankly shouldn’t be.

Maybe they secured a number one spot in your life many years ago: a childhood friend, an oldco worker, or an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. However, where your life is today, they should be number four or five, or perhaps not in your life at all!

The harsh reality is that as your priorities in life change, your friends may have to change too. It’s not to say that you don’t care about that person or you feel like you are better than them, it’s about progressing,

moving forward.

Think of your life in terms of a boat. You have been given all the tools to navigate it to an island we’ll call “Destiny.”

Getting to your destination will depend on you rowing the right way consistently. Taking too many breaks could either keep you in the same spot or allow the current to send you back.

Stopping altogether would put you at risk of being lost at sea and drifting in any and every direction forever. So in order to help you get to your destination you enlist a crew. Who do you want in that boat with you?

You want people who are willing to row with you toward the island of “Destiny” even if none of you can see that it is there.

You want people who are willing to row with you collectively and people who will encourage you to keep rowing even when you grow weary. You want people who will even take over while you rest because they understand what happens if you stop. You want people with you who want to see you make it to your Destiny and who will celebrate when you get there. If they are not willing to do that, then they probably aren’t willing to row,

and if they aren’t willing to row, then they’re dead weight and better off overboard.

It’s not about being angry or upset with the people you have to put in their place, although it can be hard not to get emotional especially if they are a long time friend of a relative. That will happen because you want better for their life, but you cannot make someone grow or even be on your same page and see life the way you see it.

It is very possible that after the process of putting people in their place, you could look up and find yourself rowing alone,

and that is okay too. It may take a little longer to get where you are going, but you’ll still get there. While things may look bleak for a while; as you continue to row you will find people who are heading towards the same destination or who have already been there for a while, waiting for you.

Rashida McKenzie is a Motivational Speaker, based in Maryland. To find out her latest tips for helping you transform your life and find your purpose go to www.rashidamckenzie.com

Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church welcomes new Senior Pastor Dwight E. Seawood Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church last week welcomed new Senior Pastor Dwight E. Seawood The new senior pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church took the helm of the congregation Sunday May 3.

Fellowship’s – commonly referred to as FMBC – membership overwhelmingly voted in Seawood after he visited and preached at the church in late February. The Chicago, Illinois native recently moved to the Twin Cities from Wicomico Church, Virginia where he served as senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church.

FMBC functioned for nearly a year under the guidance of Interim Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. John Waters of Atlanta. During

Dr. Waters’ tenure, this allowed church leaders to move forward with their search process for a new senior pastor. Deacon Board Chair Troy Smith expressed his appreciation for Dr. Water’s work. “We at Fellowship are deeply indebted to Dr. Waters for his assuming the administrative and spiritual responsibilities of the church.

He arrived at a time when we were in a period of transition.”

Smith continues, “Dr. Waters’ preaching, leadership and pastoral care have been invaluable during our time of change.” Rev. Seawood comes to FMBC with extensive background in the academic and theological realms, which includes military credentials.

Upon graduating from high school in Portland, Oregon

(where his family moved when he was a young boy), Rev. Seawood enlisted in the United States Air Force where he received numerous awards. He graduated cum laude from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and History. He then went on to receive his Master of Divinity degree from the University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.

Rev. Seawood continued his theological education by completing a course in Church Business Administration through the National Association of Church Business Administration at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

Chair of the FMBC Pulpit Search Committee, Deacon

Calvin Walker says the committee-reviewed resumes of more than 100 excellent candidates, however, “Rev. Seawood stood out amongst the group. We believe he possesses the right combination of what it will take to move our church forward in the coming years: discipline, administrative experience, theological expertise and a passion for youth.” Walker continues, “Fellowship is located in a community, North Minneapolis, which is in great need of being ministered to. We believe Rev. Seawood will not only minister to the requirements of our congregation, but also get involved in the Twin Cities and North Minneapolis in particular.”

Rev. Seawood accepted the

call into Christian Ministry in 1986 while serving in the Air Force and was licensed into the Gospel Ministry in 1990 in Denver, Colorado by the King Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. He was later ordained in June 1997 by Macedonia Baptist Church and the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountain Region.

Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, Rev. Seawood was pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church from February 2000 until his recent calling at FMBC. Rev. Seawood says he is excited about assuming the senior pastorate of Fellowship.

“I believe the pastorate is a sacred stewardship between pastor, congregation and community. I look forward to loving, leading, liberating and lifting the people of FMBC and North Minneapolis” Married to the former Andrena Bundy of

Stairstep From 8 $15,000 down and $10,000 later for Stairstep. If I were you I would publish the number.”

Since that Saturday the false stories continue to be circulated, and that’s sad, but there is one more nasty aspect to this saga.

Both of the finalists at the meeting were accomplished, thoughtful people worthy of serious consideration. Both had resumes filled with accomplishment.

Rather than allowing the process to maintain the high ground in which the ideas and strategies of the candidates would carry the day, Donald Allen, and perhaps others, seized on a youthful indiscretion by Scott Gray, for which he paid his full debt to society, as a means of discrediting him.

How hypocritical can we be?!

First, a look at the track record of Mr. Gray since his challenge reveals a successful entrepreneur (owner of a Cousins franchise); an African American that rose to become a regional Vice President for Habitat for Humanity, and a capable administrator who has effectively run an Urban League affiliate for several years,

FMBC

Rev. Dwight E. Seawood

Baltimore, Maryland, the Seawoods have one son, Matthew who is seven years old.

including a successful capital campaign.

Since incarceration is a fact of too many of our young men’s lives, what is the intended message of these “champions of the people”? They would seek to smear and disqualify one of our young men that has fought back from the pit and has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of his people. If Donald Allen and his collaborators were on the search committee, Malcolm X need not apply for any position of leadership in Minneapolis.

Finally, I would really feel bad about being the brunt of this spurious attack, until I realized that this crew has a hall of fame of falsely attacked ones: Congressman Keith Ellison, media magnate Al McFarlane, community contributor Rev. Jerry McAfee, hometown hero Rep. Bobby Champion, Tim Baylor and other folk who are just trying to do their best for our people. I should be proud to add my name to the list, Alfred BabingtonJohnson.

When you next hear some disquieting rumor about some figure in our community, “They pal around with terrorists,” consider the source.

Page 10 • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Insight News

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Deal breakers: Avoid common mistakes during your job search Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Assumed Name

If you donate blood on a regular basis, that’s a good thing. But does it make you a Key Advisor to the American Red Cross? Of course not. Inflating work experience on a resume or job application is one of several mistakes job seekers make, leaving them wondering why no one is hiring.

The Resume

1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: B l o o d St a i n e d Entertainment 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 2011 Willow Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Michael Dixon, 2011 Willow Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 Johanna Dixon, 2011 Willow Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 Tia Thomas, 4244 James Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411 Sharon Calloway, P O Box 2787, Minneapolis, MN 55402 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Michael Dixon, CEO Date Filed: 3/12/2009 Contact Person: Sharon Calloway Daytime Phone Number: (612) 242-0354 Insight News 5/4/2009, 5/11/2009

Inflator is easy to spot. During an interview, employers will walk straight through your list of positions asking you to describe your work. In the case above, I asked the candidate what issues he advised on and quickly discovered that his advisory work actually involved making suggestions to administrators while he was

giving blood. Did they seek your advice? No. Were you on a board of some kind? No. Were you paid for your suggestions? No. Okay. Now the integrity of your entire application is questionable, and I am immediately moving on to a more straightforward candidate. Under Employment Experience on your application

Assumed Name

Assumed Name

1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: A Little Touch of Heaven Cleaning Service

1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Curry’s Publishing Company

2. State the address of the principal place of business: 503 Lyndale Pl N., Minneapolis, MN 55405

2. State the address of the principal place of business: 701 4th Ave South, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55415

3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Charles E. Evans III, 503 Lyndale Pl N., Minneapolis, MN 55405 January E. Evans, 503 Lyndale Pl N., Minneapolis, MN 55405

3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Revinia Curry, 701 4th Ave South, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55415 Walter Curry, Jr., 701 4th Ave South, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55415

4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Charles E. Evans III, owner Date Filed: 3/10/2009 Contact Person: Charles E. Evans III Daytime Phone Number: 612-205-5325 612-377-3196

Signed by: Walter Curry, Jr., owner Date Filed: 8/11/2008 Contact Person: Walter Curry, Jr. Daytime Phone Number:(P) 612-337-9067 (C) 767-244-9603

Insight News 5/11/2009, 5/18/2009

Insight News 5/11/2009, 5/18/2009

or resume, include only positions for which you were paid.

Add a section for Volunteer Work, Community Service or Special Interests if your blood letting activities are relevant to your job search.

Another mistake people make is to lose focus, applying to every position ever posted.

Just because you can do the work doesn’t mean you should.

Employers think an experienced candidate who applies to entry level jobs is going to quit as soon as something better comes along.

Of course you will.

Why wouldn’t you? Be flexible in your search, but keep it within the margins of what makes sense for you. The candidate with Blurred Vision is not automatically disqualified, but will often be passed over for candidates who are a closer fit.

Make better use of your time by applying for positions you can realistically stay at for a year or more.

Time is a huge issue for employers. No one has extra minutes to spend guessing about what you can do or how much you should be paid.

Don’t sidestep salary questions.

You know what you can live on, and you know what compensation is fair for the work you do, so be specific. If money turns out to be a deal breaker, fine. Don’t waste time (yours or theirs) on positions that aren’t going to pay you what you expect. Sidesteppers are sometimes worried they’ll lose negotiating power by listing salary expectations.

Don’t worry about it. If you’ve done your research, you can state a range that is fair for both you and your future boss.

Finally, look on the bright side. You need someone to like you well enough to hire you, so be someone people want to be around. Find a positive spin on your situation, keeping lawsuits and other vengeful plans to yourself. Optimists live longer, are hired faster and make more money than pessimists. What more do you want?

Julie Desmond is Senior Talent Consultant for the Walstrom Group.

Write to Julie@insightnews.com.

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Insight News • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Page 11

SPORTS

http://images.packers.com/images/wallpaper/070125favre2-1024.jpg

I would have to cast my support for Brett Favre in a purple jersey next season (Scratching my head)

Mr T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com

Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings huh?! Can you say: Happy Birthday, Christmas, Kwanza and Fourth of July to every sports writer in Minnesota and Wisconsin. At the moment, Vikings head coach Brad Childress is soppin’ up some good ole

country biscuits and gravy while sitting across the table from Brett Favre (dang I have the worst time spelling his name) in some sweaty roadside Mississippi diner. Here’s the conversation: Childress – “So, uuuuuh Brett…whadaya think buddy?”

Favre – “I thaynk I wanna beat the Green Bay Packers like they stole sumthin’ They stole my shine! They stole my shine! I was the King of Green Bay! Do you know that I never paid for a block of cheese my whole time there?!…Fiiine Cheese…Cheddar!”

I really don’t know what to think about Brett Favre potentially coming to play quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

As a Minnesota sports writer I suppose it is my duty to contribute my random daydream thoughts on the topic of the day.

The scenario produces an avalanche of considerations across the board.

First of all, Brett Favre is 40-years-old. Football ain’t easy on old men. Actually, I don’t think that it is the worst thing in the world, though.

The Vikings have three

quarterbacks that probably equal one good quarterback.

Plus there are plenty of examples of quarterbacks who have played well into their 30s and 40s. I am a Travaris Jackson fan, but the remainder of the Vikings team is too good to wait on Jackson to finish working out the kinks in his game. The Vikings only need a smart, settled quarterback considering all the other weapons that they have on offense. No matter who the quarterback is, running back Adrian Peterson is at the top of the food chain when it comes to who is touching the ball…or at least that’s how it should be.

Brett Favre is not settled. He’s all over the place. Favre likes to throw, throw, throw, and the Vikings like to run, run, run.

The Vikings offense already bounces back and forth between predictable and ridiculously predictable (though that rookie from Florida might help out).

The last adjective to describe Brett Favre’s playing style is predictable…more like predictably unpredictable. One game he will throw six

quarterback position is about as easy as it gets. If you have

sportswrap.berecruited.com

Brett Favre

the best running back in the league then life is good. All you have to do is turn around, hand the ball to the running back who will be standing approximately three feet away, and say: “Get ‘em dawg!”

I think Brett Favre is smart enough to figure out that simple equation, so I would have to cast my support for Brett Favre in a purple jersey next season. I think it will look silly, but I’m game for laughing at that, too.

THE LAST ADJECTIVE TO DESCRIBE BRETT FAVRE’S PLAYING STYLE IS PREDICTABLE…MORE LIKE PREDICTABLY UNPREDICTABLE. touchdowns, another game he will throw six interceptions. I admire his gun-slinging spirit, but if he plays for the Vikings he’s gotta tone down all that hyper-kid in a candy store-act, and act his fragile old age.

Here’s the game plan: Quickly get the ball to the fast guys.

That’s it.

The Vikings

Now the funny part about the whole deal is from the fan perspective. I might have to console my Green Bay faithful if their favorite quarterback of all-time comes back in a purple jersey and stomps on their cheeseheads like they stole something. That’s worth the price of admission itself.

Perhaps it can work for the good and heal this painful divide. So many have suffered.

Maybe John Madden will come out of retirement too, since he loves Brett Favre so much.

Well, if he does come to town, remember that he is a country boy, and point him to the soul food spots (shout out The Favor, Sunnyside Deli,…uh…Wendy’s) While I’m floating random thoughts, I think it’s about time they brought back Arsenio Hall. We need more brothas in Late Night! And what’s up with that chicken special at Popeye’s?

Page 12 • May 11 - May 17, 2009 • Insight News

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