Insight News ::: 6.20.11

INSIGHT NEWS June 20 - June 26, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 25 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Leaders and achievers L-R: Charisse Lillie, Vice President of Community Investment for Comcast Corporation and Executive Vice President of the Comcast Foundation, Aly Xiong of St. Paul, April Quioh of Brooklyn Park, and Bill Wright, senior vice president for Comcast’s Twin Cities Region

Submitted photos

Corporation and Executive Vice President of the Comcast Foundation, and Bill Wright, senior vice president for Comcast’s Twin Cities Region.

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program provides one-time $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who strive to achieve their potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools and who serve as models for their fellow students.

April Quioh of Brooklyn Park and Aly Xiong of St. Paul this week each received a $5,000 Ralph Roberts Founder Scholarship, named in honor of Comcast founder Ralph Roberts.

The awards were presented in a ceremony that recognized thirty-eight Twin Cities high school graduates as part of Comcast’s annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program. The special awards reception was held Wednesday, June 15, at the Saint Paul Hotel in downtown Saint Paul, hosted by Charisse Lillie, Vice President of Community Investment for Comcast

Comcast recognized 38 graduating high school seniors through the company’s Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Awards program at a special reception.

COMCAST TURN TO 9

Resilient & rising Gone to

By Dr. BraVada GarrettAkinsanya, Ph.D., LP

When I was a little girl growing up in a small farm town in West Texas I remember we had storms.

Bad storms...Tornados would wipe out barns, houses and ruin entire crops.

Consequently, although basements were not popular, most rural homes had storm cellars...places underground to run. I remember one particular storm during which my brother, Clifton was home. He had just survived the war in Vietnam, with shrapnel scars on his back to prove it. Our family ran to the cellar as my brother Clifton held the door open against violent winds. Suddenly, the clouds were dark, the entire world became silent, and then we heard what

Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya sounded like a train coming. I can still see a door flying in the sky as we made our final steps into the cellar. We all sat there in silence. My brother Clifton broke the silence by saying: “I made it through Vietnam, I’ll be damned if I let a tornado take me out!”

Submitted photo

Strangely, we all laughed.

According to one of my mentors, Joseph White, Black folks have a “gallows sense of humor.” We have sayings like “what won’t kill you will make you stronger,” and “Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from

crying.” Gallows humor is the type of humor that “still manages to be funny in the face of, and in response to, a perfectly hopeless situation” according to Webster’s dictionary. It arises from stressful, traumatic, or life-threatening situations and often seems to be associated with conditions during which doom or demise is impending and unavoidable. As a psychologist, I see this action as one of the many psychological defense mechanisms that help us reframe our reality to create a livable existence. This characteristic of being able to laugh in spite of our circumstances has long been among our greatest assets as we have historically experienced the American Holocaust called Slavery,

TRAUMA TURN TO 3

Rebuilding neighborhoods

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer Founded in 2007, the Minnesota Foreclosure Partners Council (MFPC) says it has collectively assisted over 4,000 Minnesota families and prevented 25,000 foreclosures by working with local governments and with families in need. The nonprofit is a coalition of housing

organizations that serve as a network of information and legal services to homeowners, renters, and elected community leaders.

As federal and state funds to city and county governments continue to shrink, Minnesotans are given a challenge, and an opportunity, to ensure family and community stability across the state. Local leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to execute critical

Business

Sunday’s Best now open in Frogtown Square

PAGE 2

services. The May 22nd tornado in North Minneapolis has left neighborhoods with the financial burden to reconstruct from catastrophic storm damage, foreclosed and boarded properties, and manage an overwhelming amount of displaced families and children.

Warren Hanson, President and CEO of The Greater Minnesota Housing Fund—a member of MFPC—is

Aesthetics

Rising concert brings hope and inspiration

PAGE 5

optimistic that we can turn the natural disaster in North Minneapolis into an opportunity to rebuild communities in the area. The Greater Minnesota Housing Fund addresses the urgent need for decent, affordable housing. “This is the time for neighborhood revitalization and investment in quality, affordable housing.

MFPC TURN TO 6

Ghana

By Cordie Aziz This real-time column tells the story of a young girl who decides to relocate to Ghana after losing her job.

Dirty 30 The day after I turned 30, I found myself unemployed, unhappy and unfulfilled. I must admit, it definitely wasn’t how I pictured myself during the peak of my 20s. You see, deep down inside I always felt like I was destined to do great things, and I was convinced that by the time I was 30 I would have conquered half the world and been on one of Forbes’ numerous lists. So imagine my disappointment, when I realized that my plan for life wasn’t quite working out as I anticipated. In fact, let me be honest, I didn’t even know what the plan was anymore.

It’s funny when I think about it, because those who know me would say that I am such a dedicated, driven individual, who has life all planned out. I mean, after all, I did go to college on a full scholarship, finished within

Health

Mission: Smoke free homes

PAGE 6

Submitted photo

Cordie Aziz

the four years allotted and then graduated near the top of my class. Not to mention, I’ve had numerous jobs with fancy titles, which makes it seem like I have steadily excelled throughout the years. But the truth of the matter was, at 30, I didn’t which direction my life was going.

Someone once told me, “People spend an unusual amount of time trying to leave one situation to go to another that they perceive is better, only to end up in the same situation.”

GHANA TURN TO 9

Lifestyle

Testimony: Surviving the odds

PAGE 8

Page 2 • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Kenya: US-Africa trade bill comes up short (GIN) – A highly-touted U.S.Africa trade bill comes up for renewal in 2015 and some Kenyans are demanding to see better results for Africa.

The Kenyan officials were speaking at the close of the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in Lusaka, Zambia, this week. AGOA, as the bill is known, was designed to provide preferential access to Africa’s products in U.S. markets.

In the spirit of “trade not aid,” Kenyan Trade Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere criticized foreign countries for showering African countries with aid. “If you look at the amount of money [given as Aid] that has been pumped into Kenya and Africa, it has not been effective,” he said. “If you give money to people there is no sustainability.

But if you have a business, it is a bit more dignified. It is good for employees, but also the business and the economy.”

He faulted strict U.S. rules

economic relationship with subSaharan nations.”

While agriculture remains the pillar of Africa’s economy, trade data shows that agro-related exports from sub-Saharan Africa to the U.S. under AGOA account for only one percent. The most common export is still a barrel of oil.

Photos: GIN

US Trade Secretary Ron Kirk

that limit the export sector in Kenya. “(Our farm) products are accepted in Europe but not in the U.S. If they are accepted in Europe, where they are consumed by Americans, why not in the U.S.?” Mwakwere asked.

U.S. Trade Secretary Ron Kirk opened the AGOA meeting in Zambia, saying: “The United States is committed to promoting Africa’s economic growth through trade, and AGOA is a critical pillar in growing the U.S.

Somali Prime Minister tells government to ‘go ahead and fire me!’

Jun. 14 (GIN) - Somalia’s prime minister is refusing to sign off on a deal made by the president and parliamentary speaker to resign and let a new government take over.

Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed pledged to stay in office after an outpouring of public support for him that

included demonstrations in Mogadishu.

Mohamed, a graduate of the University of Buffalo, NY, said he will step down only if parliament fires him.

The mandate of Somalia’s transitional government runs out in August, and Somali leaders remain at odds over how to proceed beyond then.

Chronic infighting has prevented successive

Prime Minister Mohamed

Farah Mohamed Beledi

governments from stabilizing the country. Parts of the capital and southern Somalia are held by the Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab.

The president and the parliament speaker have two reasons for wanting to oust the prime minister. Abdullahi Mohamed is an ethnic Ogadeni and they are under pressure from the Puntland region to replace him with an ethnic Darod.

Moreover he has gained a degree of popularity and this has riled them.

Meanwhile, a 27-year old Minnesotan of Somali descent was reported killed in Mogadishu where he had reportedly turned up on a suicide mission. African peacekeepers say Farah Mohamed Beledi was killed before he could activate his bombs.

A shocked family member, Hassan Mohamed Beledi, said it’s still a mystery why his younger brother, with whom he lost touch over the years, could get caught up with radical ideology.

“Whatever he was thinking - he’s my brother - but he was wrong,” said Hassan Beledi.

For the past three years, the FBI has been tracking the departures of young men from Minnesota who have allegedly joined the terror group in their homeland.

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

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

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Phyllis Gilliam and her husband Pastor Leo Gilliam

Maren Misner, Neighborhood Development Center

Sunday’s Best now open in Frogtown Square Sunday’s Best, formerly known as Just Churchin’ It Fashions, recently relocated their operations to a new location in Frogtown Square—a mixed use commercial and residential development located on the northeast corner of Dale and University.

Sunday’s Best carries a full assortment of church and formal wear for men and women.

The store features a complete selection of suits, dresses, fashion accessories and jewelry.

Sunday’s Best also carries what many have called the Twin Cities best assortment of women’s dress and formal hats.

“We really like making our customers look and feel good about themselves,” stated owner Phyllis Gilliam, who, along with her husband Pastor Leo Gilliam, manages the store’s daily operations.

Owner’s Tie to the Neighborhood Spans Decades...

Since 2000, the store’s previous locations have been Frogtown destinations for church and formal wear. However, Phyllis’s personal ties to the University and Dale intersection began in the 1970s.

“When I was 15, my mother Sarah, a single parent with 12 children, moved my brothers, sisters and I from Kansas City to a house on St. Anthony and Victoria. Kansas City was going through some tough times and she was in search of a better place to raise her kids,” stated Phyllis.

“I still remember going to Tiger Jack’s shack and purchasing candy. For me as a kid, our new neighborhood offered so much more.”

However, just a few blocks to the northeast of Phyllis’s new home, University Avenue was in a state of decline.

“University and Dale was not a nice place back in the’70s with the Faust Theater, adult bookstores and prostitution. My mother was very a strong woman.

She was not going to stand by and allow what happened in Kansas City take place in her new neighborhood.”

In response to the neighborhood’s decline, Sarah mobilized a group of residents to protest outside adult-oriented businesses. “She and her group were out there rain or shine every other night for nearly 7

years in hopes of discouraging people from supporting those businesses,” added Phyllis.

“My mother’s group would also

positively interact with the young ladies in hopes that they would find a better way of life.”

Looking back at her mother’s

efforts, Phyllis feels that a strong force has led her and Leo to open on University and Dale.

“I believe it is fate for me to be here. My mother was perhaps protesting in prophecy knowing that one day her daughter was going to be running her business in the same location.”

Owners Phyllis and Pastor Leo Gilliam are excited about their new store. “We’re very happy to be a part of the Frogtown Square project and look forward to helping our neighbors look their best,” stated Phyllis.

Frogtown Square is a mixeduse development that features affordable senior apartments and retail space. The partners in the project include Episcopal Homes of Minnesota, Meyer Contracting,

Benson-Orth Construction and NEDU, LLC—a collaboration that includes Model Cities, Inc., Neighborhood Development Center, Greater Frogtown CDC, and Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Center.

“The building is a beautiful addition to the University-Dale neighborhood and the developers did a great job designing our store.”

Located at 601 University Avenue, University at Dale, Sunday’s Best is open TuesdayThursday, 10–6, Friday, 10–8 and Saturday, 10–6. For more information, interested parties can contact Phyllis or Pastor Leo at 612-236-5696.

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Page 3

Why I hired you Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Hiring lately has been happening everywhere and

Trauma From 1 and continue to endure daily micro-aggressions, insults and racist policies. Our humor sustains our resilience.

Resilience refers to an individual or community’s capacity to withstand stressors and sustain health despite threats to the individual or community’s existence. According to one researcher, James Neil, “cultural resilience refers to a culture’s capacity to maintain and develop cultural identity and critical cultural knowledge and practices.

Despite challenges and difficulties, a resilient culture is capable of

at a fast pace. Manufacturers are taking orders and hiring production, operations and engineering people; retail and service businesses are hiring, too. The employment agency where I spend my time sees new jobs every day. Good times.

If you want to know why you got a new position and the guy next to you did not, here’s the answer: I wanted to hire

you.

I wanted to hire you because you called me and asked about the job. You followed my instructions about applying online, and you followed up with a very brief message to let me know you were ready for next steps.

I wanted to hire you because, when I scheduled your interview, you showed up.

You arrived just a few minutes

early, while the other guy arrived an hour early, waited in the lobby for a while and then left, angry that I couldn’t see him before the time we had agreed on.

I wanted to hire you because, when I asked you about your background, you gave me clear explanations.

You gave honest answers about the layoff last year and about the gap in your employment history. You didn’t say, “I decided to take some time off.”

And you didn’t say, “It was due to restructuring,” when we

maintaining and developing itself.

A resilient culture engages with other challenges such as natural disasters and encounters with other cultures, and manages to continue.”

Another factor that sustains our resilience is our ability to use common sense or as the Swahili would say “practical wisdom” (Busara), to help ourselves find ways of healing beyond trauma. Our great grandparents used prayer meetings, singing, chanting, dancing, drumming, and roots as aids in their natural healing processes. Despite that, I once heard my father say “common sense is not common” and “the world is full of educated fools.”

Consequently, despite our best efforts we sometimes continue

to engage in destructive practices and make poor decisions that render us helpless and hopeless.

Sometimes we do not access our cultural gifts or make use of our commonsensical decisionmaking. Some of this is because we still experience the symptoms of Post Slavery Syndrome.

According to Dr. DeGruyLeary, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (P.T.S.S.) is a condition that exists as a consequence of multigenerational oppression of Africans and their descendants resulting from centuries of chattel slavery-- a form of oppression which was predicated on the belief that African Americans were inherently and genetically inferior to whites. This was then followed by institutionalized racism, which

continues to perpetuate the injury.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the development of characteristic symptoms after witnessing an event that involves death, injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of another person; or learning about unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or threat of death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate.

One of the symptoms of this disorder involves what Dr. DeGruy-Leary refers to as “Vacant Self-esteem” (a sense of hopelessness, depression and a general self-destructive outlook). Another symptom is a “Marked propensity for violence and anger” (extreme feelings of suspicion, perceived negative motivations of others, violence

We Care, Northside

both know the only position restructured at your company at that time was yours.

I wanted to hire you because you had a good handshake and a friendly smile and professional clothing. Some people smoke, but no one needs to know about it; the aroma of the other guy lingered for hours after he left.

I wanted to hire you because, when our new admin assistant fumbled with the testing software, you cheerfully and patiently waited. You didn’t scowl or stomp or comment under your breath.

I wanted to hire you because your skills fit the job description perfectly. You didn’t try to tell me you could learn quickly, that you always wondered what that work would be like or that you had skipped reading the job description altogether. You applied for a job you knew you could succeed at, and, in the end, that made all the difference.

against self, property and others, including the members of one’s own group, i.e. friends, relatives, or acquaintances). Finally, the last symptom is “Racist Socialization and Internalized racism” (literacy deprivation, distorted selfconcept, lack of concern for, or aversion towards the members of ones own identified cultural/ethnic group). The systemic nature of PTSS predisposes individuals and

communities to be vulnerable to additional stressors or traumas.

Although many members of our community are African American, other groups who have experienced historical traumas (such as our Hmong, Native and Latino brothers and sisters) had similar pre-morbid reactions

Julie Desmond is a recruiter with Specialized Recruiting Group in Minneapolis. Write to julie@insightnews.com.

TRAUMA TURN TO 6

Page 4 • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

EDUCATION Minnesota state colleges will remain open The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will remain open this summer even if other parts of state government shut down July 1, according to system officials.

Gov. Mark Dayton’s office notified officials that the system will receive the support needed from Minnesota Management and Budget to continue operations on July 1, even if other parts of state government shut down.

The governor’s petition to the state district court said that “operations of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will continue based on its statutory and practical financial autonomy and its balance carryover authority.”

Chancellor James H.

McCormick thanked all officials who worked to assure the system’s continued operation.

“We are deeply appreciative of the governor’s action to support uninterrupted instruction and services at the state colleges and universities,” McCormick said.

“This is a critical time for the 67,000 students taking summer session courses at our schools and for the tens of thousands of students preparing to enroll in the fall term.”

The higher education appropriations bill awaits resolution with other state operating budgets. The system’s continued operation through the summer term will be funded through tuition receipts and fund balances at each of the

colleges and universities.

“Both the governor and Legislature have recognized the critical role that higher education has in fueling the state’s economy and improving the lives of all Minnesotans, and this will be welcome news for our students and our campuses” said Scott Thiss, chair of the system’s Board of Trustees.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 277,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 157,000 students in non-credit courses.

Wikimedia Commons

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities such as the University of Minnesota (pictured) will stay open even if state government shuts down.

Teachers get STEM certification Minneapolis Public Schools teachers will become STEMcertified through a custom training partnership with the National Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Elementary Education at St. Catherine University.

In June, a cohort of 20 teachers from across the school district will begin the graduate certificate program created by St. Catherine University. The comprehensive, graduate-level teacher preparation programs to improve STEM teaching skills are among the first in the nation for teachers at public/private and Montessori schools.

Focused primarily on engineering education for students in after-school programs, MPS teachers will receive hands-on training in

STEM concepts and design and how to incorporate them into existing lessons and activities. The program is team taught by St. Kate’s Assistant Professor of Engineering and Computer Science Yvonne Ng and Education faculty member Doug Bullinger.

Additional in-service sessions along with support and mentoring will be scheduled throughout the upcoming school year to broaden teachers’ professional development.

In addition, St. Catherine University elementary education majors, who are now required to complete a STEM certificate for initial licensure, are being recruited to teach in the after-school program during the 2011-12 school year.

Minneapolis STEM programs are supported

through the collaborative efforts of the Minneapolis Public School district, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and AchieveMpls.

Principal benefactors and community partners include The Medtronic Foundation, The Cargill Foundation, ADC Foundation, High Tech Kids, The Bakken Museum, Lockheed Martin, NASA and Augsburg College.

STEM participants will be engaged in coursework that focuses on inquiry in physical science, the basics of engineering design, number sense and measurement, and a capstone reflection on mathematics and science. The capstone project will include participant research and design opportunities in biomedical, adaptive technologies, and environmental studies.

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Concert brings hope & inspiration

Photos: Yvette Griffea-Gray

Vocalist Jamecia Bennett A modest crowd filled Sabathani’s Auditorium Sunday afternoon on June 12 to hear some of the Twin Cities finest performers all while supporting Sabathani in a fund raising effort to help North Minneapolis families in recovery following the May 22 tornado that ripped homes and lives apart in a single afternoon.

Shiloh Temple International Ministries Choir opened the show with some powerful gospels numbers that set the tone for the entire evening.

Most, Ray Covington and Ava Brown and an a cappella selection by Thomasina Petrus.

Spoken word artist KimberLove and words of inspiration from Bishop Richard Howell, Shiloh

bright colors, shells, tall feathers and bells. The show wrapped up with Terry Ann Nash, director of Diversity Alive! Kevin Nash, Terry Ann Nash’s son, brought the house to their feet in thunderous applause as he closed with Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.”

Longtime Sabathani supporter and President of the Minneapolis Maddads V.J. Smith was emcee. The Heart and Soul Drummers Academy brought a lively intermission show.

Sabathani commends all

Dance performers from Folklorico Temple International Ministries, reminded everyone to keep their heads toward heaven and

move on by faith. Dance groups Mexica Yolotl and Folklorico dazzled the audience adorned in

The “HawthoRNe” Interview:

The latest data on Jada Interview

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com Jada Pinkett Smith stars as Christina Hawthorne in TNT’s medical drama Hawthorne.

In the role of Chief Nursing Officer at James River Hospital, Christina is forced to juggle the roles and subsequent relationships that are demanded of her as a professional, mother, friend and love interest. Jada notably serves as Executive Producer on the show through Overbrook Entertainment following her initial foray into the role of Executive Producer of the The Secret Life of Bees starring Alicia Keys, Queen Latifah and Dakota Fanning.

The film captured hearts and went on to win two NAACP Image Awards along with two People’s Choice Awards. More recently, Jada produced the global blockbuster The Karate Kid starring her son Jaden.

Beyond the medium of film and TV, Jada together with her husband Will Smith and record industry mogul Jay-Z, produced the three-time Tony Award-winning musical Fela which went on to enjoy a run in London at the National Theatre.

As an actress, Jada is perhaps best known for takingcharge in the hugely successful sequels Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions. In addition, Jada has played pivotal roles opposite Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann’s Collateral, as well as alongside Meg Ryan and Annette Bening in the remake of The Women.

Jada also teamed up with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle in Reign Over Me,

SMITH TURN TO 7

Jada Pinkett Smith

of the artists who supported this worthwhile event. “We felt a leadership responsibility to extend support beyond our South Minneapolis boundary to assist families over north who are in crisis,” says Clyde Turner, executive director, Sabathani Community Center. Corporate sponsors along with Sabathani included African American Family Services, Pillsbury United Communities, East Side Neighborhood Services, HIRED and a host of in-kind sponsors.

Sabathani has already sent 7,000 lbs of food and clothing

to Minnesota Internship Center, a charter school, located at 2507 Fremont Avenue No., for distribution to residents of the affected area. Sabathani has provided food and clothing to at least 64 families in need of emergency relief as a result of the tornado.

Although in the heart of South Minneapolis, Sabathani opens its doors to anyone in need. For nearly 45 years, Sabathani has been a symbol of strength and hope to thousands of individuals and families who rely daily on its resources.

Page 6 • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

HEALTH

Mission: Smoke free homes

By Chris Garner Contributing Writer Project STARS (Start Taking Action to Restrict Smoking) is urging mothers who smoke, to do so from afar. As part of a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted by a partnership between the University of Minnesota and NorthPoint Health and Wellness, Inc., Project STARS sets out to help African American parents raise their children in smoke-free

Trauma From 3 to trauma. Therefore, many members of our community were already traumatized before the tornado hit.

After exposure to the traumatic event of the tornado, community members experienced a psychological phenomenon, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a normal reaction to an abnormal event. It involves the development of a specific set of symptoms after witnessing an event that involves death, injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of another person; or learning about unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or threat of death or injury experienced by a family

MFPC From 1 We have a statewide crisis and an obligation to deter further neighborhood decline,” Hanson says.

Vacant and run-down buildings only continue to decrease property values in neighborhoods across the state.

Courtesy of the University of Minnesota

study is to provide participants with feedback on the impact secondhand smoke has on their children and the positive effects of a smokefree home. Dr. Janet Thomas, lead researcher, Project STARS, believes many mothers may need assistance to help them make their homes smoke-free. Most mothers are able to quit smoking during their pregnancy but resume after their child is born—often due to the stress of parenting and lack of knowledge of the ill-effects of second-hand smoke on their baby’s health and development.

Research has shown that children living in homes where parents (or guardians) smoke have higher rates of inner ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome, colds and flu, and asthma attacks with increased severity.

“We want each participant to believe she has the strength to improve her health and the health of her children,” said Alysha Price, one of the community workers hired to counsel participants.

She, and others in the Project STARS team, plans to go into the homes of participants and create a

health and wellness plan centered around issues that contribute to parent’s smoking so that they can personalize ways to make changes.

Project STARS has started recruiting this month. Their goal for the project is to work with 200 families. For more information about the study and how to get involved, call 612-626-9261.

Thomas concluded with this appeal: “We call our study Project STARS. Mother, beautiful as you are, if you smoke, do so from afar, because your children are your stars.”

member or other close associate.

The symptoms of this disorder include: • Hypervigilance and scanning (over sensitivity to the environment and looking for the other shoe to drop!)

• Elevated startle response • Blunted affect, psychic numbing • Aggressive, controlling behavior (a high degree of insistence on getting your way) • Interruption of memory and concentration • Depression • Generalized anxiety • Violent eruptions of rage • Substance abuse • Intrusive recall -- stressful and anxiety-provoking memories that you can’t control • Dissociative experiences, including dissociative flashbacks • Insomnia

• Suicidal ideation • Survivor guilt If you or anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please seek assistance by contacting a health provider or community partner such as a clergy member, navigator, case manager or helper to gain access and referral to those of us who can help you acquire the special skills necessary to manage your normal reactions to this abnormal event.

While the first stage of adjusting to a natural disaster involves regaining access to one’s basic needs (e.g. food, shelter, water, physical safety), other innovative solutions to helping community members adjust to this level of basic needs are being developed at just about every turn. For example, the

Adventist Community Services Disaster Response team, headed

by Regional Coordinator, Debra Davis-Moody (612-229-1676) is now seeking donations to get storage spaces for those whose homes are condemned.

Additionally, several crosscultural support organizations such as NorthPoint Health & Wellness, Turning Point, African American Family Services, and Hmong Provider Network (just to name a few) are available to assist with both social and emotional health concerns. In addition, some other groups have also stepped up.

Because of the increased number of people affected by the tornado and the wellness challenges that it poses, a group of providers have signed up to volunteer to provide appointments as well as free individual and group wellness

(physical and emotional) walkin services over the course of the next few weeks and months. The Minnesota Association of Black Psychologists, the Minnesota Association of Black Social Workers and the Minnesota Association of Black Nurses have formally joined to provide group and individual support to our community members. Over the next few weeks, we will feature articles describing more detail on how you can heal through this experience and seek ongoing wellness strategies for yourself and your children. To find out more about these services, please contact me at 612-302-3140.

Consulting and Psychological Services, and is the Executive Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute. The mission of the African American Child Wellness Institute is to promote the psychological and spiritual liberation of children of African Descent by providing culturally specific mental health services and by developing culture-based, holistic wellness resources, research and practices.

Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya warns that this column should in no way be construed as constituting a therapeutic relationship through counseling or advice. To forward a comment about this article or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya by email @ bravadaakinsanya@ hotmail.com or by telephone at 612-302-3140.

Housing authorities agree that preventing foreclosure on family, individual, and retail properties is the single best return on investments we can make to mitigate this national trauma’s effect on Minnesota families. Once a property is foreclosed, the cost to society is so much greater.

The Family Housing Fund is a service for low- and moderate-income families and individuals to become

homeowners or find affordable rental housing. They work to fill vacant homes and bring new life to struggling neighborhoods.

The organization’s President, Tom Fulton, maintains urgency in supporting government officials who actively invest in neighborhood reconstruction and in foreclosure prevention.

“Actions against homelessness, and renovating neighborhoods, can happen when we support elected officials who actually

care about the people they represent,” he says.

It is also critical to confront predatory lenders, take innovative and collaborative action to change policies, common practices, and the distribution of resources. MFPC believes in consumer education on ‘Pre-Purchase Foreclosure Prevention’ financial-assistance programs; such as home ownership training, prepurchase counseling, foreclosure prevention counseling and products. Local partnerships

between community-based redevelopment entities and the mortgage industry can create financial mechanisms to assist distressed homeowners and their neighborhood.

Public and private sectors must continue to combat the foreclosure crisis and continue to rebuild communities statewide. St. Paul Deputy Mayor Paul Williams says that he “appreciates this partnership of people coming together.

Minnesota tends to do things better than everyone else, but

homes.

Previous studies have found that, despite smoking fewer cigarettes per day than many Caucasian smokers, African Americans suffer far more from tobacco-related diseases and have more difficulty quitting. Children raised in homes where smoking is permitted are more likely to become smokers themselves.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Health Equity is making African American smoke-free families its primary focus.

The main goal of the research

Alysha Price

BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, serves as President of Brakins

we still have a lot of work to do. I thank families who buy renovated homes, because they are making a market investment in their neighborhoods”.

Mary Tingerthal, the Commissioner of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, stresses the importance of preventing every single foreclosure possible. “[Mitigation] is the most cost-effective way to protect neighborhoods, families, and to preventing vacant buildings.

We are beginning to see a different Frogtown— and North Minneapolis until the tornado. It’s easy to leave yesterday’s crisis behind… but it is not over yet,” she says. Minnesota Housing also finances affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Minnesotans to enhance the quality of life for all and to foster strong communities.

St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter (Frogtown) is very excited to see renovations being done to foreclosed homes and vacant buildings in his own neighborhood. “I’ve had to shovel snow, mow the grass, and deal with vacant property ‘squatters’. We’re seeing a renaissance of neighborhoods truly becoming a community.”

Since government officials tend to live in the neighborhoods they represent, they are usually the most responsive in identifying foreclosures issues and in implementing remediationrelated efforts since they live in the community they represent.

They are also a citizen’s first contact with the government because they can provide residents with information on the availability of local homeownership counseling and legal assistance services. “For every foreclosure prevented, we’re not just talking about the family that gets to stay.

It’s the business it creates for construction companies and the neighborhoods who get to keep their neighbors,” Carter says.

The crisis is not over and the longer we wait to start fixing the problem, the more difficult it is to have a successful outcome.

Ed Nelson, Spokesman of the Minnesota Home Ownership Center encourages families and individuals who are having mortgage trouble to seek help as soon as possible. “We are doing all we can to prevent foreclosures and to invest in neighborhood recovery, but there are still a number of homes we’re not able to save,” he says.

For more information on how you can help with constructive recovery in your neighborhood, visit the Minnesota Foreclosure Partners Council’s website, www.mnforeclosurerecovery. org.

Homeowners with questions can call the Minnesota Home Ownership Center at (651) 659-9336.

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Page 7

Faith and the environment

By Whitney Terrill In his book Green Deen, author Ibrahim Abdul-Matin combines his unique background as an environmental advocate and as a Muslim. Congressman Keith Ellison wrote the foreword and describes cross paths with Abdul-Matin at a conference and reflects on the importance of the environment in his own career.

Abdul-Matin draws on the Arabic work for way or path— deen—highlighting the books focus on Islamic inspirations to address green issues. He proposes that the environmental movement has room for the spiritually-inclined and that all communities will benefit from

Smith From 5 and her voiceover work includes the role of Gloria in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Later this year, she will return in the sequel which will also feature her daughter Willow.

Jada is an avid writer and her children’s book Girls Hold Up This World became a New York Times bestseller and continues to inspire girls all across the globe. A native of Maryland, Jada studied dance and acting at the Baltimore School for the Arts and at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Her big break came when she landed a role on the longrunning NBC series A Different World.

Here, she talks about the premiere of the third season of her hit TNT series, HawthoRNe, and about the challenge of handling the title role of Christina. The show airs on Tuesdays at 10 PM ET & PT / 9 PM CT. Kam Williams: Hi, Jada, thanks for another opportunity to speak with you.

Jada Pinkett Smith: Hey, Kam. How are you?

some of the ideas proposed from an Islamic perspective.

It is important to note that Abdul-Matin does not aim

KW: I’m fine. Congratulations on your third season of HawthoRNe! How does it feel?

JPS: Oh, it feels good. It really feels good. We’re glad to be back, and I feel like we have an exciting season in store for all the HawthoRNe fans.

KW: What should fans be anticipating seeing on the show this season?

JPS: They should anticipate a highly-charged, dramatic, intense season with a lot of romance and adult issues. It’s going to be a helluva ride!

KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you and asked them to send in questions. One of them, Lowery Gibson, says: Your character is marrying a white doctor this season. Are you concerned about the fans reaction?

JPS: No, not at all. I’ve been in a relationship with this particular doctor (Tom Wakefield played by Michael Vartan) for the last two seasons, so I’m not really concerned about that.

KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: What’s the most emotionally challenging part about playing Christina

to proselytize non-Muslim readers. The intended audience of the book is the budding environmental activist, fitting into categories of the seasoned, out-of-practice, or home-based.

His writing speaks to the benefit of Muslim and non-Muslim audiences. His book brings a siloed conversation into the mainstream. He references important articles of the Muslim faith as a foundation for protecting the environment.

The style of the book is informal. The reader gets a sense that they are having a conversation with AbdulMatin, who still manages to incorporate his style and to share his personal anecdotes with the reader. Abdul-Matin discusses the positive impact

his relationship with his father had on his appreciation of the environment. This is an important perspective, especially from an African American family.

The mixture of a conversational style with pertinent references and information helps to carry the book when the central principles—waste, watts, water and food—hinging the book together become slightly repetitive. The repetition could be related to emphasis and the call to action and reflection and the end of each chapter.

Ultimately the book left me charged to act and to reflect more on my own personal values and spirituality. It charged me to consider if my

spiritual practice included room to protect the environment and to dramatically change my view of consumption and its impact on my value as a human being.

The book should be considered an important contribution to the American environmental movement, to the African American community and to communities of faith, especially the Muslim community. It also offers a different narrative from a member of the Muslim community, which is often plagued with notions of terror and of violence in the media.

I welcomed a new insight into Islam.

At a local bookstore, it might be possible to find this cross-genre read in either

spirituality or environment.

This thematic combination is a growing theme. Wangari Mathai’s Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual values for Healing Ourselves and the World (2010) is another similar work.

Abdul-Matin has achieved his self-expressed goal of writing a book before he dies.

However, he has used his new found platform to also do a series of workshops. I had the privilege of attending one, and he has truly used this work to masterfully organize, motivate, and hopefully include other groups of Americans into the environmental movement.

I would definitely recommend this book. It is a must-read and must-discuss.

Hawthorne?

JPS: Well, this year, the most challenging aspect of the role is the fact that Christina goes through an extreme trauma starting with the first episode.

This whole season has actually been very emotional and highly dramatic, so I would say that, overall, it’s been a pretty difficult season to shoot.

capacity. It’s kind of hard for mommy to be on screen at this point. Now that Jaden’s getting a little older, his needs of me are different. There’s definitely a project that he and I have talked about doing together.

But first, I just have to make sure that he doesn’t need so much of mommy off screen as well. He’s getting to that point, so I definitely anticipate doing stuff like that with both of them when they’re older.

out.

JPS: Alaia.

KW: Do you ever wish you could have your anonymity back?

JPS: Oh, I still have my anonymity whenever I want it. I have a great way of disappearing, and I’m able to do things people would never imagine. I’m often not recognized because I’m easy to hide if I change my hairstyle or put on a hat. I disappear very easily. That’s not hard for me to do.

KW: The Taboo: What’s the best thing about being a parent?

JPS: The love of a child is different from any other type of love on the planet. And being loved by your children is a love that is immense. I’m always so overwhelmed by how much my children love me. I think the best part of being a parent is feeling the love of a child.

KW: Judyth Piazza asks: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

JPS: Our commitment. I think that’s the key quality. You just have to keep at it. People who enjoy sustained success understand the fact that you have to remain very committed to whatever it is you’re doing, especially in this instantgratification culture.

KW: Judyth has a followup: What has been the most important moment of your life?

JPS: I’d have to say the birth of my children.

KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles says: Will got to work with Jaden on screen in The Pursuit of Happyness. She asks: Would you like to work with Jaden or Willow?

JPS: [Chuckles] I do work with them, just in a different

KW: Harriet was also wondering whether you worry about the effect of celebrity on your kids, given the trouble so many child stars have handling fame.

JPS: No, this is part of their lives. They’ve been members of a very high-profile family since they were born. That’s just what it is.

KW: Harriet’s follow-up is: How do you prioritize doing a TV series? How does it fit into your family’s extremely full schedule?

JPS: Everybody has to work around mommy’s schedule when I’m working. Everybody has to stand down, basically.

Willow and Jaden can’t really do anything outside of L.A. That’s just how we worked it

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

JPS: Probably walking to school by myself in the first grade. [Laughs] KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

JPS: Pizza.

KW: Janice Malone asks: What’s one or two pieces of advice that you’ve given your kids about being an actor?”

JPS: I try to stay out of their way and kind of just let them discover things for themselves.

Our job as parents is more to keep other people out of their way, so they’re free to discover what works for them on their own.

KW: I just baked a homemade pizza today, myself. It had an herbed, whole wheat dough, and was topped with mushrooms, onions and fresh garlic.

JPS: Ooh, nice!

KW: Thanks for another great interview, Jada. And I appreciate you’re taking a break from your busy shooting schedule on the set to talk with me.

JPS: No problem, Kam, you have a great evening.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

To see a trailer for HawthoRNe, visit: http://www.tnt.tv/dramav ision/?cid=47859&oid=98851

Page 8 • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE

Testimony: Surviving the odds

By Judy E. Ireland How do we give hope and courage to one who has lost all

hope and faith? In Psalm 46:1 we hear that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

There have been times in

my life when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I could neither see the sky nor the shore. It is at such times that our faith is under test; to see if we are true believers or if we are the doubting Thomas or Judas.

When I was a child, I never really understood, when both my maternal and paternal grandmothers would say to me, “God doesn’t put more on you than you can bear.” But now as a mature adult I have experienced the profound significance of these words: In times of trouble Jesus is right there by our side he is indeed carrying us through the storms, like the recent tornado that hit our community.

(Remember the footprints on the sand?)

In the course of my days, I have learned that I can only trust God because “man will forsake you”. For there have been times in my life when

Judy E. Ireland I couldn’t turn to family or friends even when I was drowning in my sorrows arising from family disappointments and a previous failed marriage.

In addition, my health has been a tough challenge for me over the past ten years. I have now realized, instead of looking at this as an obstacle I should view it as a stepping stone to new opportunities and new doors that are yet to be opened and explored.

My passion several years ago was to become an intensive care RN and later to become a Family Practice Nurse practitioner. Then it seems as if certain doors began to close on me and the space that I was standing in began to feel isolated. Many times I complained, “God, what have I done in my life time to deserve this type of treatment“, but soon I began to realize that God had another plan for me.

Today, while I still struggle to open new doors, and keep open doors in my life open, I know now, what I didn’t know before, that I have found home.

Home for me these days is to share my story and not feel ashamed of it because others need to know that they are not the only ones who have travelled a road less chosen or done something that have made them ashamed. Believe me there is always a door that is waiting to be opened in our lives even when it appears that all options have failed.

I am a survivor and I want to encourage everyone and anyone that have ever felt hopeless, unloved, disappointed, depressed, down, forsaken, worthless, persecuted, or left out in the cold that God loves you and there is always a door that is waiting for you to discover. Don’t feel dismayed and lonely because there is a place for everyone in life and so never settle for less than what you deserve.

People may call you a loser and say harsh words that you will never make it, but know that God is there to guide you through the storms of life. I am home, and home for me today is to meet one, reach one and teach one, along life’s narrow ways because Christ Jesus lives today.

I am still surviving the odds and remembering as a Black woman I will not allow anyone to steal my joy and oppress me because I am a free woman.

I have a mind to choose whatever direction I choose to travel and my feet have led me in the Mental Health field to empower the ones who may feel that they have no way out.

God has also blessed me with a great man whom I am about to share marital vows with and become one with in August of this year. I also thank God for a loving daughter who lights up my world every day.

I pray that everyone who reads my story may continue to dream big, find hope even if all hope seems lost, and trust God because he will lead you to the way out of your predicament.

We must continue to persevere and survive the odds as a people and never lose sight of the bigger picture that lies ahead.

Life is a journey and we must embrace the good with the bad to appreciate the blessings of doors that are yet to be opened or discovered.

Bio: My name is Judy E. Ireland. I was born in Monrovia, Liberia.

I have lived in the United States for almost twenty-five plus years. I graduated from High School in Brooklyn, NY and home for me is also NYC where I grew up away from Liberia. I have a loving eight year old daughter and a very compassionate soon to be husband Rev. Samuel E. Vansiea who I feel blessed to have in my life. I have a BS in Nursing and a BA in Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Studies that were obtained in May 1997 from State University of New York at Stony Brook. I have been a RN for 14 years. I use to be an Army Lieutenant who served during the Gulf War Era at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I have a MS in Psychiatric Mental Nursing (12/09) from State University of New York at Stony Brook. Currently, I am working on my second Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling from Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. I anticipate graduating from Hazelden next year summer. My ultimate goal is to become certified in the fall as a Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and work with cooccurring mental health and chemical dependency disorders.

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Page 9

Hawthorne Huddle assesses neighborhood strengths

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer The May 22nd tornadoes have tested many residents of North Minneapolis.

Fortunately, in this time of need, various organizations, public officials and neighbors, have come together to assist those most affected.

Farview Park, located at 621 29th Ave N, has been one of the main locations for assisting victims with food, hygiene products, and water. This is also where the Hawthorne Huddle meetings take place every first Thursday of the month from 7:30am to 8:45am.

June 2, 2011 “We are here to share information and keep the General Mills Foundation grounded in what is happening in the community; especially at this time given all that’s happened in terms of damage,” stated Ellen Luger, Executive Director of the General Mills Foundation (GMF), and mediator for the Hawthorne Huddle.

Each meeting consists of a different group of guests, such as public office members, non-profit organizations and local businesses. “Long term partnerships will help the long term rebuilding effort,” Luger said.

These long-term partnerships include, but are not limited to; Mayor R.T. Rybak, East Gateway, General Mills, Greater Twin

Comcast From 1 The philosophy behind the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program is to give young people every opportunity to be prepared for the future, to engage youth in their communities, and to

Ghana From 1 I definitely think they were trying to tell me something.

After all, over the past 10 years, I had 23 different jobs in various occupational fields.

I had gone from dream job to dream job only to realize that I hated them all. That is why, I must admit, I was slightly happy the day I found out I was losing my job in January 2011.

Now don’t get me wrong, I was not excited about losing the steady paycheck, but I was happy to be moving on, even if it was to the unknown. The first two weeks after I was told I was being laid off, I spent my time looking for a job and riding the emotional

addresses this issue, is located at Hamilton Elementary School at 4119 Dupont Ave N. “There are people facing some complicated issues with homeowners. It will be a place where people can learn more about insurance and contracting,” he said.

In an area that has the heaviest cluster of foreclosures in the city of Minneapolis, the tornado created more of a crisis with housing in the area.

“Northside was cut in half by the tornado. This community was devastated by foreclosures, now we have a tornado-devastation,” said Commissioner Mark Stenglein.

“We are not going to let this community splinter and scatter around. Through adversity comes strength; it’s a cliché thing to say but it’s true.”

The General Mills Foundation will be investing $125,000 and at least 1,000 employees’ volunteer hours over the course of the next 12 months to assist in the rebuilding of North Minneapolis. Of the $125,000 in grants, $25,000 has already been directed to the Twin Cities chapter of the Red Cross.

GMF plans to announce the specific gifts and timing of the additional $100,000 in grants at an upcoming Hawthorne Huddle meeting.

To find out more information about the Hawthorne Huddle monthly meetings, contact Sophie Winter at 763-7643413, or sophie.winter@ genmills.com

About The Comcast Foundation The Comcast Foundation ( w w w. c o m c a s t . c o m / i n t h e

community) was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified nonprofit organizations.

The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation’s focus areas are volunteerism, literacy, and youth leadership development.

Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $64 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves.

For more information about Comcast’s products and services in the Twin Cities, call 651-222-3333, or visit the company’s Web site at www.comcast.com.

financial future to a company that provides the same stability as self-employment. Now the quandary for most people when they start a business is deciding what to do. Not for me though, I chose the obvious next step for any former Congressional staffer, consulting.

Now the real issue with me consulting is that I never really mastered a particular subject on the Hill. I mean I definitely was a jack of all trades, but I was a master of none, as the old saying goes. In spite of this, I set up a company and moved forward on a wing and a prayer. Now I must admit, deep down inside I knew I didn’t want to do consulting.

I had worked the DC scene for nearly three years and to be honest, I was tired of congressional receptions where nothing but fake kisses and interests were exchanged.

Now time for a disclaimer, I am not a horoscope junkie, but I do believe in the meeting of fates, and for the past year my horoscope has said I would find myself doing something

completely different for work.

So when I bumped into a prominent business owner, who does work in Africa, a week before my departure, and she told me that if I wanted to be successful I should move to Ghana, I must admit my gears started to turn. After all, if you ask me, this was divine intervention at its best. Besides, I had always wanted to live in Africa and I had nothing holding me to Washington, DC. So from that very moment forward, I decided to make my trip to Ghana more of an exploratory trip than a vacation.

My first day in Ghana was one of the most invigorating days of the trip. Sure enough, everywhere I went I saw opportunity. In fact, there was so much opportunity I couldn’t even keep up with all the ideas in my head. It soon became practice for me to walk around with a small notebook and pen notating all of the thoughts of the day. I mean for the first time, in a long time, I felt that I could do anything

my mind could imagine. Here, the boundaries and restrictions were not the same as in the States. I felt here, I could not only do everything that I had ever imagined, but I could be happy as well. So after nearly three weeks of taking notes, intense conversations, relationship building and falling in love with Ghana, I was confident that it should be my new home.

Do I think that life will be easy as I adjust to my new home, no. Will I miss some of the luxuries, like superfast internet and McDonalds, yes.

But do I think it’s worth taking the chance for, ABSOLUTELY yes. I won’t guarantee that everything will work as planned and I won’t guarantee that I will be a millionaire overnight. Somehow though, I do believe my chances of success in Ghana are slightly greater than here in the States.

It’s like a friend once told me, “If you want to be successful, go somewhere where you stand out.” I must admit, I definitely stand out in Ghana.

“That is something that we are tracking,” Martin said.

“Insurance fraud is a crime that takes a lot of work and time to prove.”

Mayor R.T. Rybak addressed four issues, which have had deep affects on North Minneapolis that are even more severe now due to the tornado disaster, including; basic human needs, housing

and shelter, employment and insurance. These efforts included getting people connected with services through shuttle busses to resources and non-profits to provide victims with these services.

Rybak states that food is a basic need and should be

Housing is another essential need Rybak addressed. “About an hour after the crisis hit, we had a city county team working on housing. Many have been moved one by one through individual triage into ongoing shelters, temporary housing, and vouchers to move people to different places. A lot of

demonstrate the importance of civic involvement, and the value placed on civic involvement by the business community.

“Each year, we are excited to provide scholarships for these talented students,” said Mary Beth Schubert, vice president of corporate affairs, Comcast Twin Cities.

“Comcast seeks students

who demonstrate leadership abilities in academics and school activities, and who reflect a strong commitment to community service. These students are our future leaders and we hope these scholarships will help to power their dreams for success.”

Since 2001, the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program has recognized more

than 13,300 students around the country—and given away more than $13.4 million in scholarship grants. In the Twin Cities, Comcast has awarded $268,000 in scholarships to 256 students since 2004.

rollercoaster of worry and defeat. Then in that third week, I decided to let go and just live life; a concept that was completely foreign to me. You see, like most of us, I often felt chained to responsibility.

However, that week, I had an Eat, Love Pray moment and something just said, “Step back and see where the chips fall.”

Before the job loss, I had planned a trip to Europe that I promptly cancelled after receiving the news. However, now I found myself rebooking the trip, only this time with one extra stop, Accra, Ghana.

Now, I would like to say I had some sound reasoning for choosing Ghana, but I can’t say that I did. After all, my father is Sierra Leonean, and it probably would have made just as much sense for me to go

to Freetown for vacation. Yet for some reason, this country called to me and I answered.

I don’t know why, but it did.

Soon after my arrival, it became apparent to me why perhaps my soul had chosen Ghana, and on top of it all, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time, genuine happiness.

A happiness that could only be generated by the realization that Accra, Ghana, was my land of milk and honey and it was there that my destiny would be fulfilled.

Solutions From 10

people are living in inadequate housing,” he said.

Louis King of Summit Academy OIC addressed the problem of housing as well, which includes repair to homes still livable but damaged. “A concern is patch and repair,” King said. “A little hole in the ceiling today, if you do not get it done, water comes in, then we have a homeless family at that point,” he said. “Some homeowners are uninsured, so the philanthropic community has stepped up and provided a fund for homeowners.”

The third issue was employment. “There was a huge issue with employment here before, there is an even bigger one now,” Rybak said.

“We are working with youth and adult employment. We won’t be able to do a massive program that this area needs, but that is an area we will be spending a lot of time on.”

King also stated the importance of providing opportunities to minority businesses to flow economy right here in North Minneapolis, where it is most needed. “A core value of this effort is that, the economic exchange that will occur because the rebuilding will remain in this community. We are working to make sure our folks understand we have people right here, and they do not have to depend on storm chasers to come in and do the work for them,” King said.

Insurance was the final issue addressed by Rybak. The Home Owner’s Center, which

distributed among neighbors to provide the resource. “When you take an entire part of the city that did not have a whole lot to begin with, we need people to step up ’cause we will continue to have these issues,” Rybak said. “We really need people to step up, neighbor to neighbor, person to person, and know that people are short of food and hungry,” he said.

Cities United Way, Diane Hofstede, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis and MAD DADS. One of the concerns addressed by Inspector Mike Martin, Commander of 4th Precinct, was the increase of burglaries. “This last week our safety issues have changed dramatically,” Martin said.

“This week we had a really good week in crime other than burglaries. Part of that issue is we have literally hundreds of homes that were damaged by the storm; people had items stolen from their homes and garages that were not secure,” he said. These items according to Martin were air conditioners from apartments and businesses.

Despite this one area of increased activity, other crime has decreased. “Crime is down 21% on the North side this last week, in addition to a double digit decline the last few years,” Martin said.

Another concern was the livability and safety concerns of residence having nowhere to go. “People were upset because they were asked to leave their apartments,” Martin said. It was not structurally sound and they did not want to leave. However, with help of MADDADS, they assisted with arrangements for moving back in and bringing the necessary belongings.”

Insurance Fraud was a frequent inquiry at the meeting, with the numerous fly by night scam artists viewing the tornado as opportunity for quick and easy money.

THE SIXTIES

“We are not going to let this community splinter and scatter around. Through adversity comes strength; it’s a cliché thing to say but its true.”

Finding My Way Over the years, I have come to realize I am a horrible employee. I take too much vacation time, I don’t like being told what to do, I don’t like it when I am not involved in the planning stages and I always believe my goals and objectives are more important than my boss’. This is why, I decided in my new phase of life, I would no longer work for anyone. Not to mention, in this tough economy, I’m not totally confident in trusting my

Page 10 • June 20, - June 26, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

COMMUNITY Minnesota Sinfonia Summer Concert Series II: DJ Inform

MN Sinfonia

DJ Inform

DJ Inform premiers new composition composed for DJ and orchestra with the Minnesota Sinfonia at Lake Harriet on Friday, June 24. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m at Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy in Minneapolis.

Admission is free and children are welcome

to attend. Audience members should arrive early—all concerts are first-come, first-seated.

This new and exciting concert will be a for sure hit for all ages.

The program will feature new composition, Fantasy for DJ and Orchestra, composed by Bernard Fishman and Jay

Fishman as well as some more traditional classics; Georg Frederic Handel’s The Water Music and Louis Gottschalk’s Suite Americana.

DJ Inform hails from Columbus, Ohio, a city known as an underground hotbed for producing quality Jazz, Hip Hop, and Rock music, as

well as having a good symphony orchestra.

For additional information about DJ Inform, visit his website at http://www.djinform. blogspot.com/ Additional Minnesota Sinfonia concert information is available at 612-871-1701 or www.mnsinfonia.org.

Addressing

West Broadway Business Opportunity Fair domestic violence Potential and existing businesses can take advantage of this opportunity to start, sustain and grow businesses along the West Broadway corridor.

Information

regarding the West Broadway business community will be presented at the Capri Theater from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on June 23. Local non-profits, business partners and many professional

business consultants will be on hand to give one-on-one consultations.

“We recognize the strengths, challenges, and opportunities on West Broadway and we look forward to working

with the community to bring back its great vive, Yvonne Cheung Ho, MEDA CEO. The Great Streets Partners are MEDA, City of Minneapolis Great Streets Program, Catalyst Community

Partners and West Broadway Business & Area Coalition WBAC. For more information or to register for this great event, visit MEDA online at www.meda. net or call 612-3326332.

Cle an S we ep volun t e er s ne e de d in nor t h Minne apolis 2 0 0 vol u n t e e r s a r e n e e d e d fo r a C le a n S we e p d ay t o h el p fol k s g e t s t o r m d e b r i s lo a d e d o n t o t r u c k s fo r p r o p e r d i s p o s a l o n S a tu r d ay, Ju n e 25; 8 a.m. – noon; & n o o n – 4 p. m . (10 0

vol u n t e e r s each s h i f t) i n d e sig n a t e d No r t h M i n n e a p ol i s n e ig h b o r h o o d s t h a t we r e i m p a c t e d by t h e M ay 2 2 s t o r m .

Vol u n t e e r s w i l l g e t s p e c i f ic meeting lo c a t io n i n fo r m a t io n w h e n t h e y sig n

u p fo r a vol u n t e e r shif t.

Vo l u nt e e r s mu s t : • B e a t le a s t 18 ye a r s old • C o m m it t o wo r king a fo u r- h o u r shif t • B e a ble t o l i f t a t least 40 pou nds

Classifieds/Calendar Data Collectors

PHONE: 612.588.1313

Lee Family Event Ad

Retail Data has an immediate need for Data Collectors in the Minneapolis areas. The successful candidates will be collecting retail pricing information in grocery, office, pet and mass retailer locations. Must be willing to work 16-20 hours per week. Prior grocery, retail, merchandising, inventory or mystery shopping experience helpful but not required. We offer mileage reimbursement and competitive compensation. To apply and for additional information visit www.Retaildatallc.com. No calls please.

Seeking contact from relatives of Arthur and Edith Lee, who lived at 4600 Columbus Avenue South in 1931. Arthur Lee worked for the U.S. Post Office. Their daughter Mary worked for the Minneapolis Public Library, was married and had one son, Robert Forman. If you have information regarding family members, please call James Bush at 612-599-8943 or Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group at 612-721-5424.

Commercial Appraiser

Scouting Executive

The City of Brooklyn Park is seeking applicants for a full-time Commercial Appraiser to appraise commercial and industrial properties, apartments, and vacant land parcels. Salary Range: $28.23 to $36.27/hour; anticipated hiring wage: $28.23$32.82/hour. City and supplemental application forms and job posting with additional information and required qualifications available on city web site or address below. Closing date: 5 p.m., Friday, July 1, 2011.

City of Brooklyn Park 5200 - 85th Ave North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 763-424-8000 Fax: 763-493-8391 www.brooklynpark.org Equal Opportunity Employer

• We a r t h i c k s ol e d s h o e s , id e a l ly wo r k boots - no ten nis s h o e s (fo o d , wo r k g love s , & p r o t e c t ive e ye g e a r w i l l b e p r ov id e d ) To sig n u p, c a l l t h e Ne ig h b o rhood and Com-

Boy Scouts of America seeks FT entry-level exec to recruit, train & guide adults to run Scouting program serving African-American youth & families. Involves fundraising, volunteer mgmt, program/events mgmt, & supervision of PT employees. Must be a goal oriented self-starter with effective people skills. Qualifs: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, proven organizational & communication skills, driver’s license & reliable transportation. Must enjoy working w/ volunteers & youth, demonstrate passion for youth programs, & able to work days, some evenings & weekends. Exp. in Scouting & supervision helpful, not required.

Applications pref’d by 6/30; will be accepted until filled.

Email resume with cover letter & salary req’t to jobs@ northernstarbsa.org or mail to Boy Scouts of America, Attn: HR, 393 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102. www.northernstarbsa.org. EOE

mu n it y Rel a t io n s Depar t ment at: 612 - 673 -2 2 43.

T h e Ju n e 25 C l e a n S we e p w i l l b e i n t h e a r e a of 29 t h – 12t h ave n u e s n o r t h f r o m Hu m b old t t o Xe r xe s .

FAX: 612.588.2031

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

Events Celebrate African Heritage - June Hennepin County Library will present a free program series, Celebrate African Heritage the last two weeks in June at eight libraries. Twenty educational and entertaining programs are scheduled.

Several programs are for children, others are geared to adults. The programs are funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more information about the “Celebrate African Heritage” programs, call librarian Johannah Genett at 612-543-8639 or check website for more information and updates (www. hclib.org) .

Domestic violence ranks as the number one public health problem for women in America. History has taught us all well, that whatever is disaffecting mainstream America, then Black America is really getting hit disproportionately hard. The pastors invite people in from the ravages of a cold, uncaring and parched sin-sick society.

If the SEE was a case of domestic abuse, the pastor will get wind of it because domestic abuse victims turn to their pastors more often than to all other resources combined. This places the pastor in a most unenviable position. No doubt, violence is a learned behavior.

(James Baldwin, 1955) Men who have witnessed their parents’ domestic violence are three times more likely to abuse their own wives than children of non-violent parents. Involuntary chattel slavery had us picking cotton, replaced only today by voluntary slavery having us picked as the cotton. One of the top reasons for parolees and probationers being violated and sent back to prison is due to domestic violence perpetration.

More so, the pastors must receive thorough education and training in domestic violence. On June 23th and 24th, 2011 the 3rd annual Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing” will be held at Metropolitan State University, 700 East Seventh Street, St. Paul MN to address this issue and the question, “Why focus on Black men healing as a way to empower the community?”

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

Really Really Free Market - June-Oct It’s like a swap meet, a potluck, and a block party all rolled into one! Bring stuff you want to share, take whatever you need. Everyone has old stuff lying around, taking up space, and never getting used. Why not share it with someone? 2pm, on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of every month June 12th, July 10th, August 14th, September 18th, October 9th. @ Powderhorn Park, near the stage.

North High Summer Camp - June 20Aug 5 Camp activities are led by the North High varsity coach of each sport and community leaders with the assistance of community coaches and student athletes who will act as trainers and team leaders. Including: Adaptive bowling • Badminton • Baseball • Basketball • Cheerleading • Crosscountry running • Dance & Danceline • Golf • Football • Softball • Show choir • Soccer • Swimming • Tennis • Track and field • Wrestling. June 20-Aug. 5

off the week July 4, 12-2:30pm and 3:30-6pm. For students grades 5 -8 and incoming freshmen at North. Call North High School at 612.668.1700 for more information or to register.

Barriers to Mental Health Care for the Somali Community in Minnesota - June 22 Please join the conversation on: June 22 11am–1pm. Invited guest: Nancy Raymond, M.D., Director, Deborah E. Powell Center for Women’s Health, Professor of Psychiatry. @ Lutheran Social Services - 2400 Park Ave. Mpls, MN. This event is free and lunch will be provided; please RSVP to: phdr@umn.edu Catalyst event at CRAVE - June 22 Network with Twin Cities professionals at the new Crave Downtown and support the work of Catalyst Community Partners including one of our exciting projects, Kindred Kitchen. Wed. June 22 5-7pm - Crave Restaurant 825 Hennepin Ave. Mpls, MN - Please RSVP to amy. blenker@catalystcommunitypartners.org

Coffee Break

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE SIXTIES ACROSS 1. WWII villain 6. *Betty Friedan’s org.

9. “____ ‘til you drop”

13. *Twiggy, e.g.

14. “Without further ___” 15. Round loaf, in Paris 16. Prefix for earliest 17. Diamond or ruby 18. Sicker 19. Moves, as in a prowler 21. *”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” autobiographer 23. Maiden name indicator

24. Annoying biter 25. IRS employee 28. Level or dismantle 30. Make it known 35. ____ hoop 37. Unit of life 39. Pulpits 40. It will 41. “Roots” author 43. Bath powder 44. Found at the gallows 46. *”One Life to ____” (1968-present) 47. Iranian monarch 48. Whoever 50. Standard 52. Food morsel 53. Like a bug in a rug 55. Cranberry habitat 57. *_______ invasion 61. *”In Cold Blood” author 64. Artist’s tripod 65. Color quality 67. *The Beatles went on them in ‘64, ‘65, ‘66 69. Trinity 70. Large coffee pot 71. Ancient Romans’ resort 72. #1 Across’ deputy 73. ___ or miss 74. Bothersome DOWN 1. *Pete Townsend knocked it over on Smothers Brothers show 2. Village, mostly in South Africa 3. Often described as either pleasant or offensive 4. Grant or imply 5. *______ Power

6. Scolds 7. *Gentry’s “___ to Billie Joe” (1967) 8. *”Oh, Pretty _____” by Orbison (1964) 9. Under a foot 10. Seed covering 11. Butter substitute 12. Heart of Inca empire 15. “Water for Elephants” tent 20. TV host Robin 22. Form of Anna 24. Treating with gel 25. *Cultural Revolution locale 26. Fool or hoax 27. Bronze, e.g.

29. Eagerness 31. Marines’ toys recipients 32. Gem State 33. With filaments 34. Fancy water ride 36. In addition 38. Russian left 42. Grass in Mexico 45. Store in a silo 49. Half the width of an em, pl. w e ek e h 51. *The Beatles’ haircut t of 54. Yeah or aye e t 56. Mother _____ uo Q 57. Long for Liz “The present was an egg 58. Steak preference 59. Egyptian goddess of laid by the past that had the fertility 60. Decades future inside its shell. ” 61. Abe’s coin 62. Goes “tut-tut” 63. Psychoanalyst Erikson — Zora Neale Hurston 66. University of Rhode Island 68. “___ it isn’t so” Answers on page 9

insightnews.com

Insight News • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Page 11

We Care, Northside!

WHO TO CALL. WHERE TO GO. Hotline - Information and referrals, assistance and support 763-746-5863 Oak Park - Social service referrals 612-377-7000

If you are a victim, FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/ • Red Cross Disaster Services 24-hour helpline — 612-871-7676

Renters

• If your home is not getting the necessary repairs • If you have safety concerns about your residence

The City wants to hear from anyone who is concerned about the safety or livability of their home or apartment. To report issues with rental properties call 311 (612-673-3000) if calling outside of Minneapolis)

NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Community cleanup efforts are being coordinated by The Salvation Army 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, is accepting donations to assist Northside residents who were affected by the May tornado. Food, hygiene and paper good donations can be dropped off at the NorthPoint food shelf. The food shelf and other areas of NorthPoint are always in need of volunteers.

There are volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups, for one-time events or projects and on a long-term basis. All donations are weighed with a receipt issued.

Food donations can also be picked up. Call to make arrangements: 612-767-9175.

For cash donations to NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center Inc., one hundred percent of cash donations are used to purchase food items at cooperative prices from local food banks. Mail checks to NorthPoint Food Shelf, 1315 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Donations by credit card can be made online at www.northpointhealth.org.

University of Minnesota Broadway Family Medicine

Physicians

at Emerson & Broadway is open to provide healthcare to those in need.

People can call 612-302-8200 for an appointment. They can also re-charge cell phones and use our public computer while here. We are on the 5 and the 14 bus line.

Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) is partnering with local emergency response organizations to assist in providing direction and support to tornado victims.

MUL’s Glover-Sudduth Building in North Minneapolis at, 2100 Plymouth Avenue N. 612-302-3100, and MUL’s Sharon Sayles-Belton Community Services Building in South Minneapolis, (411 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, MN 55409) 612827-5673 are open and available to take inquiries.

MUL is working with other community partners to assess the damage and needs in North Minneapolis and provide additional onsite support to the relief efforts in the area.

Elected officials contact numbers: Ward 3 Council Offices Diane Hofstede - 612-673-2203 Ward 4 Council Offices Barbara Johnson - 612-673-2204 Ward 5 Council Offices Don Samuels - 612-673-2205 State Representative, District 58A Joe Mullery - 651-296-4262 State Representative, District 58B Bobby Jo Champion - 651296-8659 State Senator, District 58 Linda Higgins - 651-296-9246 County Commissioner District 2 Mark Stenglein - 612-7881235 US Congressman Keith Ellison - 612-522-1212 Legal Aid - 612-332-1441 University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) is assisting the relief and cleanup efforts that are now under way in the aftermath of devastating tornado damage by supporting North Side neighbors, friends, and community partners who are facing major upheaval.

North Minneapolis residents without power, can charge cell phones, make phone calls, and use some computers for internet access at UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave North. Call 612626-UROC (8762) for details. You can use facilities between 8am and 5pm The UROC Broadband Access Project (BAP) Computer Labs also provide free internet access and training at the following North Minneapolis locations: Phyllis Wheatley: 1301 10th Ave N Minneapolis, MN 55411.

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Patchwork Quilt: 3700 Bryant Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411. Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Internet access also available at: • University of Minnesota Physicians Broadway Family Medicine at Emerson & Broadway, which is open to provide healthcare to those in need. People can call 612-302-8200 for an appointment. Visitors and clients can re-charge cell phones and use public computer on site.

• Emerge Community Development 1101 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411 (Emerson/Broadway- 2nd Floor) 612-529-9267 Contact is Paul .Hours: 9:00am- 5:00pm.

several organizations. One is Urban Homeworks (immediate volunteer needs met; check Facebook page for updates).

Minneapolis Public Works and Park Board crews continue to work in north Minneapolis to make provide debris pickup for property owners in the affected area. Visit the city website or call 311 for more information.

Community radio station KMOJ continues to share information about relief needs on the air (89.9 FM) and on the station’s website, www.kmoj.com.

North Minneapolis Post Tornado Watch at http://www. facebook.com/mplstornado is a Facebook page providing updates on relief efforts.

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center is directly

contacting and visiting client families in the community, including those staying in area shelters to determine and address unique needs and potential longer term issues. If you are a current client/program participant and have not heard from us, please call us at 612-374-4342 to let us know where you are and how you are doing.

The City of Minneapolis has created a Minneapolis

Recovers: North Side Tornado page with valuable information on the government’s response, as well as advice for citizens.

Northside Community Response Team,

a partnership of more than 30 community based organizations formed in response to the devastating effects of the May 22nd tornado has authorized the Northside Home Fund Tornado Relief Fund to accept donations to support emergency home repair.

Through their door-to-door canvassing efforts, the Northside Community Response Team is encountering a significant percentage of uninsured homeowners who have been unable to stabilize and secure their property. Immediate dollars are needed to provide relief for uninsured homeowners to secure their buildings, weatherproof them from the elements, and restore electricity. This is a short-term, damage-control effort. These homes must be secured quickly in order to avoid displacing more families if the weather turns.

The Northside Community Response Team has developed a coordinated strategy that will: 1.Provide immediate support for uninsured homeowners 2.Avoid further displacement of residents in North Minneapolis 3.Engage and mobilize local and minority contractors

Oak Park Neighborhood Center--located at 1701

Oak Park Ave N on the North Side--had a steady stream of people coming in to use electricity to plug in cell phones, laptops, and other electronics. Furthermore, we have been inundated with phone calls from individuals and businesses looking for resources and referrals. We have responded to this crisis as we always have with time, energy, resources, ingenuity, and community support.

PUC has extended its hours at the Oak Park Neighborhood Center from 8am to 9pm until further notice. Oak Park has opened its doors and meeting rooms for people to meet with insurance adjusters and other contractors, and phones, fax, computers, and a copier have been made available to the public. We have also provided coolers and ice, and have made transportation available. Moreover, we have relied on our broad network of partnerships to refer community members to the resources they will need to recover from this terrible tragedy.

Secondly, one PUC facility located at 1200 37th Ave N was hit by the tornado. Damage at the Camden facility ranges from broken windows to roof, water, and additional damages, causing PUC to cancel programs, and relocate our programmatic and executive staff to the Oak Park Neighborhood Center location.

Recovering from this tragedy will take both time and resources. Current needs include: flashlights, clothes, water, batteries, ice, coolers, blankets, and of course, emergency financial assistance. For more information or to make a taxdeductible donation to assist in the recovery efforts, please call 612-377-7000 or visit www.puc-mn.org.

long-term recovery for North Minneapolis tornado survivors started last week. Families and individuals coming to The Salvation Army Worship and Service Center at 2024 Lyndale will be served through its regular social service programs. Qualifications for service will be based on need and available resources. The Salvation Army center is offering limited supply of foodshelf items and hygiene products for tornado survivors who are living in the official disaster zone area. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday while supplies last. The Salvation Army has served 1,150 families so far from its 2024 Lyndale location since May 23.

Other families from North Minneapolis are always welcome at our service center as we have been serving our neighbors there since 1897.

The Prayer Center 821 1/2 West Broadway Minneapolis, MN 55411. Will have food assistance. Contact Jariland Spence. 612-522-3015 theprayercentermn@gmail. com . Saturday, August 28th hours: 11am to 3pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Accepting donations of non-perishable food, diapers (newborn size), hygiene items, gift cards/gas cards, trash bags, toilet paper, paper towels.

Shiloh Temple is offering shelter for women with children (A partnering church will house men). Shiloh is located on Broadway and N. Fremont. For more information, call 612302-1463. Shiloh Temple will need people with vans and trucks to deliver food and other resources in the community.

They will also need volunteers to distribute and serve donates items as residents come in to receive them. Call them to see need. 1201 West Broadway Avenue. 612-302-1463.

The Bridge for Youth as a resource for families and youth. They are offering youth shelter between the ages of 10-17. Family reunification counseling and other resources available. Call 612-377-8800 to reach the crisis line. www. bridgeforyouth.org Masjid An-Nur, 1729 Lyndale Avenue N., is accepting the following items for donations: general toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, pampers (all sizes), wet wipes, deodorant, socks, underwear (all sizes for kids and adults), groceries, and clothing! You can drop items there between 2 and 5p, and use the parking lot entrance. Call: 612-521-1749 Twafiq Islamic Center on 2900 Lyndale Ave N. 2900 Lyndale Ave N. 612-588-1160. Call for update.

Emerge will be providing rides on a case-by-case basis.

Please call them at 612-529-9267 to coordinate rides. Please have them provide the following: Name, requested time of pick up, and pick up address.

HomeLine, a tenant advocacy organization, has written an advice column (http://www.homelinemn.org/main/2011/05/ information-for-renters-affected-by-the-tornado) for renters affected by the tornado. Renters are advised to call Legal Aid at 612-332-1441 or Minneapolis Housing Services at 612-6733003.

Animal Humane Society, 763-522-4325, will assist

with animal and pet situations. You can also visit their website for lost and found animals.

Minneapolis Animal Care & Control (MACC) will provide food and shelter for displaced animals. Dial 311. Tornado victims who need temporary pet sheltering can receive up to five days of no-cost kenneling from MACC. Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/tornado.pets / mpls.tornado.pets@gmail.com The Pet Project will be handing out food/supplies from the gym at River of Life Lutheran Church 2200 Freemont Av N. on Mondays and Thursdays through the month of June from 10 am to 2 pm.

Page 12 • June 20 - June 26, 2011 • Insight News

insightnews.com

We Care, Northside!

NEED HELP WITH HOME REPAIRS? TO CONTACT QUALIFIED NORTHSIDE CONTRACTORS, call 763-746-5823 or email pwiddel@thorcon.net or reach out directly.

Certified Section 3 Contractors Note: Homeowners and businesses should always verify license and insurance.

AnderBel, LLC

K-Star RCI Properties, LLC

CONTACT: Robert Belton PHONE: 612-685-2881 FAX: 612-377-7337 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: General construction, construction management, architectural services E-MAIL ADDRESS: robert@anderbelconstruction.com

CONTACT: Kester Wubben PHONE: 612-226-8700 FAX: CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Lawn care and landscaping service E-MAIL ADDRESS: kester.wubben@yahoo.com

Arrington Floor Covering, Inc. CONTACT: James Arrington PHONE: 612-356-0026 FAX: CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Installation of soft floors carpet-VCTvinyl sheet goods stairthread wallbase E-MAIL ADDRESS: j2917arrington@gmail.com

Brick It Your Way, LLC CONTACT: Paul Hill PHONE: 612-423-7016 FAX: 612-423-7016 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Masonry, brick, block, stone, glass block, tuck-pointing, concrete steps, sidewalks, etc.

E-MAIL ADDRESS: brickiturway@aol.com

Callpashay Contracting, Inc. CONTACT: Doris Ruiz PHONE: 612-328-7969 FAX: 612-729-5355 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Residential & commercial roofing, siding, windows, doors, gutters, stucco & concrete E-MAIL ADDRESS: concho72@live.com

D&J Steele Construction, Inc. CONTACT: Donald Steele PHONE: 612-728-9909 FAX: 612-728-9961 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Construction E-MAIL ADDRESS: no.problem@dandjsteele.com

Falcon Group, The CONTACT: James Frisco PHONE: 612-290-1059 FAX: 651-459-3273 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Telecom services, computer network hardware, fiber optic E-MAIL ADDRESS: jefjco@msn.com

Gill Construction, Inc. CONTACT: Bobby Gill PHONE: 612-703-7724 FAX: CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Residential, remodeling, rough carpentry, finish carpentry, roofing, siding, painting, drywall & floor E-MAIL ADDRESS: gillconstructs@gmail.com

Larkins Construction, LLC CONTACT: Demetrius Larkins PHONE: 612-703-0156 FAX: 612-521-1791 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: General contractor, building, remodeling, pavers, and retaining walls E-MAIL ADDRESS: demetrius.larkins@yahoo.com

Lett Construction, LLC CONTACT: Darrell Lett PHONE: 612-823-0351 FAX: 612-823-0351 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: General Construction E-MAIL ADDRESS: neverlett08@hotmail.com

Macrete Construction Services, LLC CONTACT: Ericka Mackey PHONE: 612-377-2775 FAX: 612-377-2775 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Concrete construction E-MAIL ADDRESS: maccretemikemac@gmail.com

Mitchell Construction, Inc. CONTACT: Anderson Mitchell PHONE: 612-588-3112 FAX: 612-588-3134 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: General Contractor-Drywall, Framing E-MAIL ADDRESS: am@mitchellconstructionmn.com

MN Best Enterprises, Inc. CONTACT: Kate Snyder PHONE: 763-502-2355 FAX: 612-294-3352 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Construction and maintenance E-MAIL ADDRESS: mnbest@mnbestinc.com

New Finish Remodeling & Construction, Inc. CONTACT: Tom Hall PHONE: 612-490-0331 FAX: 612-259-7025 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Construction - remodel or build E-MAIL ADDRESS: thallinc@live.com

New World Electric CONTACT: Joseph Christensen PHONE: 612-275-9487 FAX: CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Electrical design and construction company E-MAIL ADDRESS: newworldelectric@gmail.com

Prism Production & General Services CONTACT: Sobirimabo Youngharry PHONE: 651-335-5046 FAX: 651-917-2013 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Janitorial services E-MAIL ADDRESS: ppgscontract@yahoo.com

Rivera Exteriors, Inc. CONTACT: Ralph Rivera PHONE: 612-876-2201 FAX: 612-729-5355 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Residential and commercial roofing, siding, doors, windows, gutters, stucco, brick, framing E-MAIL ADDRESS: ralph_1975@hotmail.com

Skk Architects, LLC CONTACT: Peter Kim PHONE: 612-208-7271 FAX: 763-381-5834 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Full architectural service, interior design, drafting service, sustainable design consulting E-MAIL ADDRESS: pkim@skkarchitects.com

Tri-Construction, Inc. CONTACT: Calvin Littlejohn PHONE: 612-529-5924 FAX: 612-529-5934 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Building Construction E-MAIL ADDRESS: calvin@tri-construction.com

Vera Construction, LLC CONTACT: Jenny Emmes PHONE: 612-522-0887 FAX: 612-522-6062 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Concrete, Masonry, Restor, Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Roof, Paint E-MAIL ADDRESS: veracoinc@yahoo.com

Vincent Brown Trucking and Construction, LLC CONTACT: Vincent Brown PHONE: 612-250-1239 FAX: 612-588-1699 CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Construction, rolloff, hauling, landscaping, roofing E-MAIL ADDRESS: veeannvince1@comcast.net

Well Done LLC Cleaning Services CONTACT: Sierra Remus PHONE: 612-267-5409 FAX: CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Pre construction and cleanups, landscaping, janitorial, painting, windows & snow removal E-MAIL ADDRESS: sierraremus@ymail.com