INSIGHT NEWS June 27 - July 3, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 26 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
Resurrecting Dad He’s almost been done in, but data show that families are hurting without him
By Stanley O. Williford Special to the NNPA from Our Weekly “… I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence—both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill.”
—President Barack Obama, Father’s Day 2009 A study called “The Meaning of Fatherhood for Men” delivered at the Urban Institute in 1967 reveals that “in the traditional model of fatherhood,” men “played a dominant role in the lives of their children” as well as having “domestic control” in the home. But when the nation’s economy shifted from agrarian to industrial “the
paternal control over children began to erode.” Men were increasingly drawn outside the home to earn a living and the mother’s influence over the children began to increase. The result was a shift in the nature of parenting, as well as the balance of power within the family. The father’s role as a “moral overseer” began to disappear and his emotional bond with the children began
to weaken. Interestingly, with this erosion of the father’s role came a change in “custody practices,” according to the report by Koray Tanfer, of Battelle Memorial Institute and Frank Mott of Ohio State University. “Until about the mid-19th century, custody following marital disruption was typically awarded to fathers; (but) by the end of the century children increasingly
remained with their mothers, when marriages dissolved. “Early in the 20th century, the practice of granting custody to mothers was sanctified in the doctrine of ‘the tender years,’ which held that the children’s interests were best served when they were raised by their mothers, whose parenting skills were ordinarily superior to those of their husbands.”
FATHERS TURN TO 2 PhotoXpress
Open road to Surly’s ‘Destination Brewery’ By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer
stock.xchng(andrewconn)
In thirty years HIV/AIDS has gone from a death sentence to a treatable disease, but there is still more that could be done.
Thirty years of AIDS in America By Wyndolyn C. Bell, M.D., FAAP, Vice President, Health Care Strategies, UnitedHealthcare National Accounts Nationwide (BlackNews.com) -- HIV/AIDS is not solely an individual concern. It is a family issue that we can’t afford to ignore. It affects not only the person living with the virus, but the entire family and, ultimately, our entire community. “National HIV Testing Day” is June 27 - a good reminder to turn our attention to the ways HIV/AIDS affects our families as well as our community. This month, various campaigns are running across the country to dispel myths, improve education and remind people that HIV has not gone away. But we should not have to wait until June 27 to have a conversation. People should treat HIV like any other disease and incorporate it into their regular dialogue about health. It has been 30 years since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first case of a deadly new syndrome that would come to be known as HIV/AIDS. Over the years, we have made great strides
in preventing HIV transmission and treating people with HIV and AIDS. Prescription drugs, longterm care plans, healthy-lifestyle interventions and innovative treatments are improving. Americans with HIV and AIDS are living longer, healthier and more productive lives. But we still have a long way to go. According to the CDC, more than 1 million people are living with HIV in the United States, and more than 20 percent of them are living with HIV but are unaware of their infection. The CDC estimates that more than 56,000 Americans become infected with HIV each year, and more than 18,000 people with AIDS die each year in the U.S. How AIDS affects African Americans By race/ethnicity, African Americans are severely and disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS in the United States, according to the CDC. African Americans represent roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population; however, they account for almost half of people living with HIV as well as nearly half of new infections each year,
AIDS TURN TO 4
Plan Your Career
Expectations: Path to great things
PAGE 2
Surly Brewing Co. has overcome a major hurdle in its plan to construct a new, spectacular brewery somewhere in the Twin Cities. Surly’s proposed $20 million ‘Destination Brewery’ will have a roof-deck beer garden, restaurant, bar, and event center. Under previous law, it was not legally feasible for Surly to own such a facility in the State of Minnesota. The traditional model of governmental liquor regulation is the Three-Tier System for supply and distribution. It is a strict separation between the manufacturers who make spirits, beer, and wine; the wholesalers who distribute them across and within the state to retailers; and the retailers who sell the products to the consuming public. Liquor regulation is a necessary government operation because a lack of control has caused public problems. Liquor
Stephanie Dunn
Omar Ansari, owner of Surly Brewing Company, giving his thank you speech to the crowd at Power of the Pint event.
is also regulated as an industry, both to compel the industry to meet the public goals of the state and to ensure fair competition. Minnesota has a variation of the Three-Tier System. City governments issue liquor licenses to independent businesses. This means that manufacturers, liquor stores, and bars exist solely at the discretion of the municipality. Surly’s founder, Omar Ansari, and beer enthusiasts across the state campaigned Minnesota lawmakers for less stringent business regulations on local breweries in order to make the Destination Brewery dream into a reality. On May 25, MN Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law the State Legislature’s 2011 Omnibus Liquor bill. The legislation, popularly called the “Surly Bill”, includes a revolutionary provision for a new class of liquor license. Local governments in Minnesota are now allowed to issue a “Brewer Taproom License”,
SURLY TURN TO 6
Obamas visit Mandela
(GIN) - First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied by her daughters and her mother visited the Nelson Mandela Foundation and was given a tour by Graca Machel, Mandela’s wife, of an exhibit chronicling the 27 years Mandela was imprisoned at Robben Island. After the tour, the Obamas went to the official residence of Mandela, who welcomed her entire family, including a niece and nephew travelling with them. Mandela, who turns 93 next month, has received few guests since January when he was admitted to hospital with an acute respiratory infection. Obama met briefly with Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, one of President Jacob Zuma’s three wives, and a group of about 100
Kam Williams Book review: End of Anger
PAGE 4
Nelson Mandela Foundation
Michelle Obama and her daughters Malia and Sasha with Nelson Mandela invitees in Pretoria but she did not get a meeting with the President. South African officials insisted that President Zuma was simply busy – but in fact the visit coincides with a cooling in
relations between South Africa and the U.S. Last week, President Zuma issued a sharp riposte to an appeal to African leaders by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to help remove Libya’s Colonel
Aesthetics
Opening this week: Crowne cast includes Grier, Henson, Credric
PAGE 5
Muammar Gaddafi. “We strongly believe that the (UN Security Council) resolution is being abused for regime change, political assassinations and foreign military occupation,” Zuma told parliament the day after Clinton’s speech. Professor Chris Landsberg, head of the University of Johannesburg’s politics department, said even if it was not a snub, it was a “missed opportunity”. “There is no doubt there’s been some irritation on both sides over Libya,” he said. “It might perhaps have been a chance for Mrs. Obama to pass some direct messages from her husband, clarify the position and ease some tensions.”
Lifestyle
West Broadway Farmer’s Market
PAGE 8
Page 2 • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Expectations: Path to great things Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Positive visualization: If you can imagine it, it can be yours. Those rich-guy shows like Cribs or Kardashians can invoke a
Fathers From 1 “... It seems likely, however, that the number of these actively involved fathers declined throughout the 19th century ... and a more distant and detached style of fatherhood role,
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.
pretty strong case of the wantthat’s. A pool table in every room, cars for every day of the week, a clothes budget without a budget attached… who wouldn’t want that? My winning (read, competitive) personality naturally turns a Want-that into an I Could Have That. But how? And what is a rich life, anyway? The How is easy: expect, anticipate, imagine. The What is not always what TV tells us it is. So we’ll start with the How.
Expect something. Whether you expect to win or expect to lose, you will. Setting personal expectations for every day, every appointment, every interaction will set you deliberately on the path to great things. Choose: I expect to be late to work because the traffic on 94 is terrible; or, I expect to leave early to avoid the traffic on 94. Expect the minimum: co-workers will behave professionally, the paycheck will arrive on time, customers
will respond when you call. My friend Dylan sells kitchen knives. When he started out, I was early on his prospect list. I had agreed to listen, so he could practice his sales pitch. I wasn’t in the market for kitchen knives, but Dylan’s expectations were different. About halfway through his spiel, I realized he expected me to buy something. Anticipate some blessings. If you expect people to meet your minimum expectations, then anticipate that some people will
exceed those. Dylan made a sale that day because his expectation led me to believe he might have something worth buying. He changed my perspective. When I decided to buy, he didn’t remind me that I had already said no. He had anticipated what might happen, and had plenty of order forms handy. Imagine. If people do meet your low bar, and if you can anticipate or plan ahead for occasional blessings, then the Rich Life can be yours. Will you
know it when you see it? The Rich Life might surprise you. It might not be about cars and cribs. Imagine your kid graduating. Imagine your Sunday afternoon, relaxed and happy, surrounded by family and friends. Imagine a safe neighborhood, a home-cooked meal, walking with your head up and your shoulders back because you are the person you expected and anticipated and imagined you could become. The Rich Life? Want that.
restricted largely to fathers as ‘good providers,’ emerged.” Today, fathers may be one of the scarcest and most underappreciated natural resources in America, and here’s why: • In neighborhoods where fathers are most scarce, more than half of boys don’t finish high school. • In a study of Black infants, the more interaction the boy had with the father, the higher his mental competence and psycho-motor functioning by the age of six months. • Dads tend to encourage children to solve problems on their own. A study of children from infancy to age three discovers that this approach increases children’s ability to focus, be attentive and achieve goals. • The amount of time a father spends with a child is one of the strongest predictors of empathy in adulthood. Back in the 1950s, when some jurisdictions were ordering that welfare mothers be cut off if a man was present in the home, it is likely that the government did not understand the whirlwind that the nation would reap because of that ruling. The policy denigrated and devalued fatherhood, which consequently had a negative impact on children. Called the man-in-the-house rule, the regulation “denied poor families welfare payments in the event that a man resided under the same roof with them,” says West’s Encyclopedia of American Law. “Under the man-in-the-
house rule, a child, who otherwise qualified for welfare benefits, was denied those benefits, if the child’s mother was living with, or having relations with, any single or married able-bodied male. The man was considered a substitute father, even if the man was not supporting the child,” continued
the encyclopedia citation. “Before 1968, administrative agencies in many states created and enforced the man-in-thehouse rule. In 1968, the United States. Supreme Court struck down the regulation as being contrary to the legislative goals of the Aid to Families of Dependent Children (AFDC)
program.” In 1994, under President Bill Clinton, a White House Welfare Reform Task Force policy report helped reverse the government’s decision. It stated: “Under the present system, the needs, concerns and responsibilities of noncustodial parents [fathers] are
often ignored. The system needs to focus more attention on this population and send the message that ‘fathers matter.’ We ought to encourage noncustodial parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives—not drive them
FATHERS TURN TO 5
insightnews.com
We Care,
Insight News • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Page 3
Northside
Page 4 • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Book review: End of Anger Book Review By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com “The End of Anger is an exploration of why it is that many Black are feeling optimistic these days… [This] is a book about success—about a particularly privileged, even indulged, group of AfricanAmericans whose experiences in many respects are far from the norm… In January 2009, on the eve of President Barack Obama’s inauguration, a CNN poll found that 69% of Black agreed that Martin Luther King’s vision had been fulfilled… The election of
an African-American president was a Rubicon to be crossed… No longer are there any excuses for denying Black anything or for Black denying themselves the opportunity to aim as high as they wish.” -Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. 1-10) What a difference a generation makes! When Ellis Cose first conducted a study of Black graduates of elite academic institutions back in 1994, he encountered a set of relativelyprospering folks who were nonetheless frustrated about the obstacles they encountered as they endeavored to ascend the corporate ladder. Cose, a contributing editor at Newsweek Magazine, published his incendiary findings in The Rage of a Privilege Class. What made that groundbreaking best
seller so fascinating was how it revealed widespread discontent amidst members of a Black bourgeoisie who were undeniably better off moneywise, if not emotionally, than their lesser-educated brethren they’d left behind in the ghetto. 17 years later, a still curious Cose has subjected a similar demographic to socioeconomic and psychological analysis, and his microscope has again uncovered some surprising developments. Focusing solely on graduates of Harvard Business School and on alumni of a program for gifted minority students called A Better Chance (ABC), the author discovered this time that bourgie Black, like First Lady Michelle Obama, finally feel pretty darn good about being American. After all, in spite of the
recession, they’re currently flourishing financially, with over 90% being blessed with six-figure salaries. You even have a disgraced captain of industry like former CEO Stan O’Neal managing to retire from Merrill Lynch with a golden parachute of $161 million after having practically run the Fortune 500 Company into the ground. His failings are interpreted as a welcome sign that African-American employees no longer need to worry about being twice as good as their white counterparts to reach the pinnacle of their chosen professions. Cose’s research further indicates that the Black upper crust has come around to appreciating the perks associated with its lofty status. ”I am much more optimistic abut the future of my children than I am about the future of all Black children,” admits a 39 year-old sister with an MBA from Harvard University and the wherewithal to afford to pay for private schools. In sum, The End of Anger heralds the ushering-in of a post-racial age in America where green is the only color that determines whether you’re gonna reach the Promise Land.
AIDS From 1 far surpassing any other racial or ethnic group. There is no scientific evidence that demonstrates that African Americans are more susceptible to HIV infection, and efforts to prevent HIV transmission are equally effective in the AfricanAmerican population as in other populations. According to the CDC, many African Americans face the same challenges as other ethnic groups that contribute to higher rates of HIV infection, including socioeconomic issues associated with poverty, unprotected sex, injection drug use, lack of awareness of HIV status,
and higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The presence of certain STDs can significantly increase the chance of contracting HIV infection. What we can do HIV/AIDS is both preventable and treatable. Early diagnosis and proper care help people with HIV/AIDS live longer and healthier lives and prevent them from spreading the disease to others. Yet, one in five Americans living with HIV today does not know it. The CDC identifies stigma as a major contributor to the spread of HIV. Shame keeps people from seeking information, speaking openly, using protection, getting tested and treated, and otherwise acting to protect themselves and those they love.
HIV testing is fast, easy, widely available and can be done confidentially. Without needles, rapid HIV tests provide results in less than half an hour. Local health departments can provide information on how to get tested at no cost. This June, if you feel you may be at risk, give yourself the gift of knowing your HIV status - and encourage those you love to do the same. To learn more about HIV, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov. UnitedHealthcare’s Generations of Wellness® website (www. uhcgenerations.com) offers online tools and culturally relevant health information to help African Americans enhance their health and quality of life.
insightnews.com
Insight News • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Page 5
AESTHETICS Crowne cast includes Grier, Henson, Cedric Film Review By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com BIG BUDGET FILMS Larry Crowne (PG-13 for brief profanity and sexuality) Tom Hanks stars in the title role of this romantic romp as a victim of downsizing who develops a crush on his jaded speech professor (Julia Roberts) when he enrolls at a community college to brush up on his job skills. Supporting cast includes Pam Grier, Wilmer Valderrama, Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, George Takei and Nia Vardalos. Monte Carlo (PG for mild epithets) Road comedy about three young tourists (Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy) who are disappointed during their vacation in Paris until they
Fathers From 2 further away. “The well-being of children who live with only one parent would be enhanced, if emotional and financial support were provided by both of their parents. Ultimately, the system’s expectations of mothers and fathers should be parallel. Whatever is expected of the mother should also be expected of the father, and whatever education and training opportunities are provided to custodial parents, similar opportunities should be available to non-custodial parents, who pay their child support and remain involved in the lives of their children. If they can improve their earnings capacity and maintain relationships with their children, they could be a source of both financial and emotional support. “Much needs to be learned about non-custodial parents, partly because we have focused relatively little attention on this population in the past, and we know less about what types of
are suddenly whisked away for a glamorous international adventure when one of them is mistaken for a British heiress. With Andie MacDowell, Cory Monteith, Pierre Boulanger and Catherin Tate. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (PG-13 for profanity, mayhem, destruction, sexual innuendo and intense, sci-fi violence) Final installment in Michael Bay’s bombastic trilogy finds the heroic Autobots desperate to reach a spacecraft marooned on the moon containing secrets which could turn the tide in their epic showdown with the diabolical Decepticons. Ensemble cast includes Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hugo Weaving, Dr. Ken Jeong, Josh Duhamel, Frances McDormand, Tyrese, John Malkovich, John Turturro, Patrick Dempsey and Leonard Nimoy. INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS Aurora (Unrated) Deliberatelypaced drama contrasting a sedate family man’s (Cristi Puiu) programs would work.” • The more the father is involved, the more easily the child makes open, receptive, and trusting contact with new people in its life. • An Israeli study found that the more frequently a father visited the hospital of an infant who is born prematurely, the more rapidly the infant gained weight and the more quickly the infant was able to leave the hospital. • Boys who live with their fathers after divorce tend to be warmer, have a higher degree of self-esteem, be more mature, and more independent than boys who do not. • The most important factor by far in preventing drug use is a close relationship with dad. In 2009, the White House commissioned Warren Farrell, Ph.D., to submit a proposal for a White House Council on Boys to Men. Farrell, in turn, created a blue ribbon commission containing 28 others to assist him. They were authors, educators, researchers, and practitioners. The commission first identified five major components of the crisis of males in the nation: 1. The education of our sons
© 2010 Life Sentence Films LLC
Crime after Crime unremarkable home life with his explosive alter ego which only comes out at night while he’s roaming the streets of Bucharest. With Clara Voda, Catrinel Dumitrescu and Luminita Gheorghiu. (In Romanian with subtitles) Crime after Crime (Unrated) Justice delayed bio-pic recounting the quarter-century
campaign to free Debbie Peagler (T’Onna Champagne), a rape victim who was convicted of murder for killing the pimp (Doran Williams) who had forced her into a life of prostitution at the age of 15. With Tennille Williams, Dee Kelly Barrett and Anthony Belcher. Delhi Belly (Unrated) Buddy
2. The emotional health of our sons 3. Children without dads; dads without children 4. The crisis of boys’ and men’s physical health 5. The future of work, and of boys and men at work What they found about the nation’s troubled young men codified what many had already seen, but the breadth of the problem was even more shocking. Among many other problems, the commission found that “Boys increasingly face problems in reading and writing, motivation to be in school, motivation to do homework after school, grades, standardized test scores, violence, and criminal activity,” said the proposal. “More boys are dropouts, are in special education, or expelled, despite being more medicated to mitigate those problems. Perhaps as a result of all of the above, female college students and female college graduates now far outnumber their male counterparts—a trend that shows no sign of leveling off.” This article deals only with component No. 3, “Children Without Dads; Dads Without Children,” and all the statistical points (above and below) in this
writing were taken from that section of the commission’s findings. Farrell, author of “Why Men Are the Way Are” and “The Myth of Male Power,” in his writings believes that men, whether boys, adults or husbands and fathers, throughout history have been considered disposable. “I think it’s the understanding that in the past every society that survived did so based on disposability of our sons in war, in the workplace— coal mines, oil rigs and ‘Deadliest Catches,’” he said. “It’s all in the way that we make men heroes by putting them at risk. In the past, what was
Anointed Entertainment, Inc Boys To Men Group Home SBurress Enterprises PRESENT:
Marvin Sapp Colon Cancer Awareness Benefit
“An Evening For Your Soul, A Night of Internal Peace” July 23, 2011
Designed by: Kathy 612-282-0310
Hit Songs Include: Never Would Have Made It He Saw The Best In Me
The O’Shaughnessy at St Catherine University
Hosted & Special Performance By Gospel Comedian SHED G
2004 Randolph St. St. Paul, MN 55105 Doors Open: 6:00pm ~ Show Starts: 7:00pm Ticket Information: 651-690-6700 & 612-414-2454 Driving Instructions: oshaughnessy.stkate.edu
$20~$35~$50. . . True Apostolic Children of Grace Choir featuring: Tonia Hughes
As Seen On Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns www.canivent.com
James Grear & Company Antioch Christian Center Devine Ministers of Dance
Tickets Also Available At: Earth’s Beauty Supply ~ (651) 290-2836 (608 University W) Earth’s Beauty Supply ~ (651) 644-9504 (1453 University W) Dej’s Art of Hair ~ (763) 521-1234 Elsworth Clothing ~ (612) 339-0763
“At the request of the American Cancer Society, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Northside Disaster Relief”
FATHERS TURN TO 7
comedy about three bachelors (Imran Khan, Vir Das and Kunaal Roy Kapur) who land on the hit list of an Indian crime syndicate. With Raju Kher, Rahul Singh and Vijay Raaz. (In Hindi with subtitles) Love, Etc. (Unrated) Relationship documentary examining the fates of five couples confronting emotional issues revolving around infatuation, engagement, marriage, parenthood and divorce. The Perfect Host (R for profanity, violence and brief sexuality) Crime thriller about a con man (Clayne Crawford) who meets his match when he crashes the wrong dinner party after robbing a bank. With David Hyde Pierce, Helen Reddy and Nathaniel Parker. Polytechnique (Unrated) Canadian crime drama, shot in black & white, dramatizing the real-life, 1989 rampage by a misogynistic lunatic (Maxim
Gaudette) on the campus of the University of Montreal which left 14 college coeds dead and another 10 wounded. With Evelyne Brochu, Sebastien Huberdeau and Karine Vanasse. (In French with subtitles) Small Town Murder Songs (Unrated) Peter Stormare stars in this gothic tale of crime and redemption about an aging police officer who successfully suppresses his violent tendencies until a murder disrupts the peace of his tight-knit, Mennonite community in rural Ontario. With Martha Plimpton, Jill Hennessy, Stephen Eric McIntyre and Aaron Poole. Terri (Unrated) Coming-ofage comedy about an empathetic principal (John C. Reilly) who decides to befriend an ostracized, 15 year-old student (Jacob Wysocki) at his high school. Support cast includes Bridger Zadina, Creed Bratton and Justin Prentice.
Page 6 • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Insight News
insightnews.com
HEALTH Shame, stigma & Satan: Barriers to seeking help By BraVada GarrettAkinsanya, Ph.D., LP When I was learning to be a psychologist I had lots of training. One training was on the topic of shame. Our professor talked about shame as being one of human being’s most frequently experienced (and least favorite) emotions. She taught us that the acronym for “shame” (S.H.A.M.E.) stands for “Secretly Hiding All My Emotions.” I also learned that shame can be either healthy or unhealthy. For example, if you steal someone’s wallet and now they can’t buy groceries, you cheat on your wife, or manipulate others so that you take advantage of them, then you should experience shame. It is healthy to feel shame when we do something bad, wrong, sneaky, or under-handed. If you don’t feel shame under those circumstances, then something is probably wrong with the way you feel about yourself and others. Sadly, people who don’t feel shame about mistreating others either land up in jail, can’t find healthy relationships…or end up as somebody’s boss! Some examples of experiencing unhealthy shame, however, would include shame around the fact that you are single, overweight, don’t have money, can’t find a job, see a therapist, or have contracted some type of sexually transmitted disease. Shame around these life experiences are often more reflective of how other people would react “if only they knew.” This type of shame is called “stigma.” The dictionary describes “Stigma” as a sign of social unacceptability: the shame or disgrace attached to something regarded as socially unacceptable.” In these incidences of shame, other people knowing our “business” puts us at risk for being judged. Often the people doing all the “judging” are also the least informed about your disease, your circumstances, or
your needs. More importantly they often have no resources to help, and no viable idea of what you need to do in order to fix the problem! For example, I was once working with a man (let’s make up a name and call him ‘Jamal’) who had an anger-management problem-- more than likely related to a life long exposure to violence. In fact, he reported that when he was a child, either his parents would completely ignore him or give him what he referred to as “too much attention.” He reported that his father and his mother used to beat him, call him “stupid, ugly, and no good, etc.” He reported that at times, he heard them say things like they wished he had never been born. Thus, his problems, according to him, began as early as fourfive years old when his parents starting drinking and using drugs. So, in his adult relationships Jamal would experience anxiety and depression, and, at times, and would cry for no reason. Sometimes, he would drink or get high in order to handle his feelings. Other times he would find himself getting angry at his girlfriends and hitting walls. One time he even hit one of them. He felt a healthy shame, but did not have skills to handle it. With his last girlfriend, he decided to seek help. He told his girlfriend that he was going to seek counseling, however, she immediately told him that “only weak, crazy people” go to see therapists. She also told him that he should just “man-up,” pray, and go talk to the pastor at church. In the end, Jamal openly went to church… and secretly came to therapy. That leads to the idea of Satan. When I was a little girl, my great grandmother, my grandmother and my mother all attended a Pentecostal church in Texas. Back then, we called it the “Holiness” church. They would dress us kids and began our four block trek up the hill to white-painted church to sit for hours listening
to the sounds of tambourines, holy dancing, preaching, and high shouts to Jesus. I learned that faith was a big part of healing in our community. I also learned that sometimes when people were sick, people would poor “blessed oil” on people’s heads (or where ever the ailment was reported). Sometimes, the pastor or the women from the “Women’s Mission” (who always wore white on the second Sunday), would encircle a person and pray for them. Sure enough, people would
Culture, he reports that African Americans often seek emotional support (and medical support) after all else has failed and when conditions are at their worst. It is my opinion that when we talk about God, we have to know that many of us see our vocations as ways to serve our Creator. So, as a Black psychologist, I can not see effectively doing my work without glorifying the God who sent me! So, it is untrue that one has to turn her back on God in order to face getting help for emotional
“We have to take charge of our personal wellness. We have earned the right to wellness. The price has already been paid.” often get better. But sometimes they didn’t get better. Sometimes, they got worse. Then, folks at church would attribute their lack of healing to a “lack of faith,” or a punishment from God…but, more often they would just say it was the Devil. Within the context of our African Heritage (and in the heritage of many people of color), it is not at all uncommon to believe in the power of Spirits and to see that our Spirituality has the ability to impact our wellness. Problems arise, however, when uneducated clergy tell their parishioners that they should not take that “Zoloft” or “Prozac,” or go see a therapist. The lack of congruence between how God works and through whom he works becomes confused. Thus, we as Black folks often believe that if we go see a counselor, take medications, or find help outside of the church, then, we must be “weak, crazy, nuts, low in faith, and basically hopeless.” That is why according to the Surgeon General’s report on Mental Health: Race, Ethnicity and
or physical health concerns. In fact, according to the California Black women’s health project, in order to improve ones mental health, Black psychologists and other mental health professionals agree that spirituality is a necessary concept in healing. Emphasizing spirituality creates attitudes that embrace hope and positivity. Some other keys to optimal mental health include: (1) having a healthy identity: (2) using social networks found in the family, neighborhood, church, mosque, temple and community; (3) build self-confidence and a sense of self-determination/ control; (4) recognize symptoms that problems exist, do not “normalize” suffering; (5) think positively; there is Hope. Unfortunately, we have other reasons for not seeking help. Some of them most certainly involve mistrust of health care providers. We know about the Tuskegee syphilis project. We know about the multiple times that Black folks were unknowingly used for experimentation. Finally, we know how people create assessments and measures, perform studies and evaluations on us-without us! So cultural
mistrust is a serious issue. Researchers have determined that several factors influence our participation in counseling and our help-seeking behaviors. For example, there are a number of barriers to utilization of mental health services. We conducted at study at the Minneapolis Urban League exploring changes in attitudes toward mental health services among African Americans. We looked at the barriers (from stigma and negative attitudes to transportation costs). Our study revealed that those people who had the greatest number of perceived barriers experienced lower life satisfaction before treatment. After treatment, two things happened, the number of barriers no longer became correlated to life satisfaction, and life satisfaction increased. This meant that by seeking counseling the participants either assisted in finding ways to decrease the number of barriers that they encountered, or they increased their ability to deal with the barriers that they did have. This provided some evidence that counseling works! Other researchers have demonstrated that people who are the most emotionally intelligent, successful, and those who are more acculturated (which means familiar with and comfortable with mainstream cultural practices), tend to seek help more often than those who do not. One study asked successful business people if they would seek mental health support, why and why not. A majority of them reported that they tended to “hire” experts in whatever life areas that they needed assistance. Their belief was that seeking the assistance of “experts” constituted a more efficient use of their time. So, instead of having to figure it out for themselves, successful business people sought help immediately. Therefore, if they were having trouble losing weight, they would hire a trainer, or if they were having challenges with their financial planning, they would hire a financial planner. The interesting thing about that
study was that they went on to describe simple things like getting a dentist when their teeth needed attention, or seeking a therapist if they had personal or family problems. The reason that study was important to me was because it highlighted how we as Black folks often “make do.” We ‘make do’ and “get by til.” We exhibit this “make do” attitude because for many generations we had no access to help. Now we do have access to physical and emotional wellness resources like support groups, therapists, nurses etc… and we still act as if we don’t! We have to take charge of our personal wellness. We have earned the right to wellness. The price has already been paid. Over the next few months, community health and wellness providers will be rallying to make certain that people have access to both emotional, social and physical resources –especially after experiencing the trauma of the tornado. At the Minneapolis Urban League, Brakins Consulting & Psychological Services, the African American Child Wellness Institute, Members of the Association of Black Psychologists, Black Nurses and Black Social Workers, will provide make services available beginning this week for group, and individual walk-in “Talking Sessions.” These sessions will be available for both children and adults. They will be offered on Tuesday and Thursdays from 4pm-7 pm. To find out more about these services, please contact me at 612-302-3140. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, serves as President of Brakins 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.
Surly From 1 which authorizes malt liquor produced by the brewer, to be sold for consumption on the premises at one brewery location. The Brewer Taproom License does not eradicate the Three-Tier System in Minnesota. To qualify, Minnesota brewers (or any person having an economic interest or exercises control over the brewer) still cannot produce more than 250,000 barrels of malt liquor annually. Once the Destination Brewery is complete, Surly will be over this limit. The company will contract with outside distributing companies to comply with state regulations. Ansari is also the newly elected President of the MN Craft Brewers’ Guild. Minnesota has a long, diverse history in the brewing industry. More craft breweries producing fresh, local beer have been popping up across the state. The Guild argues that best beer is the freshest beer you can buy, and locally produced beer will always be freshest. They strive to educate the public on the pleasure of consuming beer— in moderation!—and to ensure that our rich brewing tradition will be carried on for future generations to enjoy. Surly is a small business that hopes to make its new brewery a Destination for craft-beer fans in Minnesota and across the country. Beer tourism is becoming more and more popular, which helps other local businesses, hotels, bars, restaurants, and transportation. Visiting and dining at a brewery is also a part of beer culture in many parts of the world.
SURLY TURN TO 8
insightnews.com
Insight News • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Page 7
Program helps homeowners at risk for foreclosure Homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure in Minnesota can now get help from The Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP), launched by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with NeighborWorks® America. The program will assist homeowners who have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical condition. HUD allocated $55,848,137 to fund this emergency loan program in Minnesota. “Through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program the Obama Administration is continuing our strong commitment to help keep families in their homes during
tough economic times,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Working with our community partners across the nation through NeighborWorks® America, we are pleased to launch this program today in 27 states and Puerto Rico to help families keep their homes while looking for work or recovering from illness.” “This program will help keep struggling Minnesota families in their homes and help them get back on their feet”, said Antonio R. Riley, HUD’s Midwest Region Administrator. The EHLP program will pay a portion of an approved applicant’s monthly mortgage including missed mortgage payments or past due charges including principal, interest, taxes, insurances, and attorney fees. The EHLP program is a complement to the Hardest Hit Fund which makes available
$7.6 billion to 18 states and the District of Columbia that were hardest hit by the housing crisis. The EHLP program will be offered in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming and Puerto Rico. Five states operating substantially similar programs are administering EHLP directly: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. With today’s launch, mortgage assistance is now available for unemployed and underemployed homeowners in every state. Contact information for
participating agencies, the PreApplicant Screening Worksheet and more information on the EHLP program and its eligibility requirements can be found at www.FindEHLP.org or by calling toll free at 855-FINDEHLP (346-3345). HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.
Kris Nelson dies peacefully
Kris Nelson Kris Nelson, who just turned 60, worked tirelessly over the past two decades to build strong bridges between the University, state and local governments, neighborhoods,
Fathers From 5 functional for a healthy society was unhealthy for our sons. In the future, we want to balance our needs for a healthy society with having sons who are also healthy. That means we have to really examine every single message we are sending to our sons,” said Farrell. “We re-enforce that at every high school in America. The cheerleaders cheer for the football players [who are putting their bodies at risk]. Boys learn to associate being loved with being abused. This is not just the love of women, but of their parents and other men. “On the other hand,” Farrell continued, “we don’t want to throw away the strength and the ability to compartmentalize. There’s value to that, and there’s value to the extraordinary problem-solving capability that men develop. We still need our firefighters and our soldiers. But the solution is in recognizing that in the past we told men they had no option but to be the soldier and sacrifice their lives. In the future, we need to give them the upside and the downside. We were manipulating our sons and bribing our sons, calling them heroes to make them feel loved and respected, that if they sacrificed themselves, we could live longer. At the age of 19, our sons are required to register for the draft; daughters have to register for nothing. That’s unfair. It violates the 14th Amendment—equal protection under the law. “If historically speaking we were able to dispose of our men, we implicitly ... [had to be willing to] lose our men as fathers. That’s the historical, unconscious basis of our willingness to dispose of our fathers. The next step is what’s happening today. The single biggest disaster today is fatherlessness. If you want to solve more of the nation’s problems with one solution, it would be working on incorporating our fathers both in married families and keeping them involved after divorce. That process would begin with a nationwide effort to discourage out-of-wedlock childbirth, because in out-ofwedlock childbirth very few fathers remain in a child’s life.” Some final points: • When fathers are not involved, girls show signs of being hyperactive, headstrong, and antisocial. Both boys and girls showed signs of over dependency on the mother. • Living in homes without dads is more correlated with suicide among children and teenagers than any other
and community organizations. He was director for Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). CURA pursues its urban and regional mission by facilitating and supporting connections between state and local governments; neighborhoods, nonprofit organizations, and relevant resources at the University, including faculty and students from appropriate campuses, colleges, centers or departments. Nelson’s wide-ranging accomplishments include numerous community expos, web-based programs, and consortiums; neighborhood revitalization efforts in Minneapolis and St. Paul focused on job creation and
affordable housing; and management of several grants focused on providing University research and technical assistance to community-based organizations. Nelson created the Neighborhood Partnerships for Community Research Program (NPCR), a consortium of eight Twin Cities higher educational institutions, as well as administration of the Northside Seed Grant Program in conjunction with the Urban Research and OutreachEngagement Center. In addition to his CURA responsibilities, he was a lecturer at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a member of the University District Alliance linking
the University with nearby neighborhoods. This past April, Nelson was presented with the University’s Outstanding Staff Community Service Award, given by the Office of Public Engagement. Kris Nelson has touched the lives of many people in North Minneapolis and the Twin Cities Metro area. His work with interns, researchers and faculty through both the NPCR and Northside Seed Grants has given much to us as individuals and to our communities. Kris Nelson died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Preceded in death by his parents. Survived by his wife, Susan; son, Hardy; and sister, Karen Ilardi.
factor—for both boys and girls. • In two-parent families, fathers’ involvement … is associated with an increased likelihood that
children in the first through fifth grades get mostly A’s. A father’s impact remains significant through the 12th grade.
• Most gang members come from homes without dads. • Among African American children, nearly two in three (64 percent) live in father-absent homes.
NeighborWorks® America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe
and affordable rental housing. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
Page 8 • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Insight News
insightnews.com
LIFESTYLE West Broadway Farmers Market The West Broadway Farmers Market has begun its first season! The market is located at 2101 West Broadway Ave North, Minneapolis MN 55411 near the intersection of Penn & W. Broadway. The market is open Sundays June 5th – October 30th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Wednesdays July 6th – October 26th 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The West Broadway Farmers Market is a project of the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC). The purpose of the market is to increase healthy food access, stimulate local economic development, and provide a fun and friendly community gathering space for Northside residents and visitors. The Market will be accepting EBT beginning in July. Locally Grown The West Broadway Farmers Market is dedicated to providing local products; vendors will be responsible for growing and/
potatoes, cabbage, summer squash, zucchini, squash, kohlrabi, carrot, leeks, watermelon, sweet corn, spinach, berries, apples, pumpkins, and more • All natural farm-raised prime beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and turkey • Bakery items including pastries and homemade bread • Flowers • Art and Jewelry • Ready to eat foods including: Green Salads, BBQ Beef, Chicken, and Pork, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, omelets, kabobs, dessert items, and much more
or creating the goods that they are selling at the market which provides customers with the opportunity to get to know who is growing their food and how it is grown. Alicia Uzarek, the West Broadway Farmers Market Manager, commented on why local vendors are important to this farmers market and the WBC, “From a business association perspective, the WBC realizes the importance of providing entrepreneurs with a low-risk starting place to grow their business, revitalize the commercial corridor, and keep the dollars recycling locally. From the farmers market perspective, local means we are offering the freshest food possible throughout the growing season.” The produce available at the Market will change weekly due to growing season of different fruits and vegetables.
Volunteers at West Broadway Farmers Market
Products Available
Alicia Uzarek
Vendors will be selling a variety of locally produced goods thoughout the season including:
• Produce: beans, greens, beets, broccoli, collards, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers,
herbs, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers radishes, tomatoes, green onions, oriental vegetables,
Surly
building the facility could create as many as 85 construction jobs. Surly also estimates that the new brewery will add 150 jobs permanently in Minnesota. The opposition to the new Brewer Taproom License, including resistance from the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, suggested that Surly build its Destination Brewery in
another state, where the laws are more accommodating. However, sending business away because of an outdated establishment, only serves to further cripple Minnesota’s economy. “While it is true that we could get this brewery built in many other states, we want to build it in Minnesota. We are a Minnesota company and would like to keep it that way. Some of the country’s hottest craft beer brands have breweries in their states similar to the one we are proposing. Our destination brewery will benefit Minnesota in many ways,” Ansari says. Ansari had been homebrewing since 1994 and had an apprenticeship at the New Holland Brewing Co. in Michigan. The growing enthusiast explored the country, seeking out the best regional microbrews. His all-grain
From 6 For Surly, the Destination Brewery is about creating jobs, increasing state tax revenue, and stimulating our local economy. Once the location is decided,
Get involved! The market is looking for involvement of varying types. Start by signing up for our e-newsletter at www.westbroadway.org/ farmersmarket. Please contact Alicia for information on sponsoring the market, tabling at the market, volunteering at the market and of course with any questions –manager@ westbroadway.org.
brewing quickly overwhelmed his home garage, and soon had so much equipment he moved it to the family business, an industrial space they used to manufacture adhesives. At the Spring 2004 Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, Ansari met Surly’s current Head Brewer, Todd Haug. At the time, Haug worked at Downtown Minneapolis’ Rock Bottom Brewery. The pair apparently attended the same junior high school but had not seen each other since. Now in its fifth year of production, Surly is still only available in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. Thanks to the collective action of the Surly Brewing Co. and its fans, Minnesota breweries now have more innovative freedom in how to sell beer and in how to shape our economic future.
insightnews.com
Insight News • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Page 9
COMMENTARY We need Tahrir spirit at King Tut Exhibit By Ahmed Tharwat, Public speaker, Host Arab American TV show Last Sunday I visited the King Tut exhibition at MN Science Museum, St. Paul. As I approached the exhibition gate, the deep authoritative voice of Harrison Ford demanded that I “enter the golden world of the Pharoses”. King Tut exhibition according to this deep voice gives us the chance to experience “the riches of royal life in Egypt, more than 3,000 years ago”. For me it was great to see my ancient ancestor’s history been appreciated by millions of people, and the exhibition indeed did a great job of that, to the extent
that I was willing to tolerate the video appearance of Zahi Hawass ‘the supreme chief of Egyptian Antiquities‘. The masterful display artifacts and lighting, with great attention to detail, presented breathtaking experience—incidentally this exhibition reflected much more reverence to Egyptian antiquities than what Hawass does back home, and especially at Egyptian Museum in Cairo which looks more like a warehouse. When I reached the end of the display area and as I was leaving the exhibition, I had to move through an IKEA style exit with no option but to walk into the gift shop. No other way out. And the 3000-year-old experience now suddenly transformed into a Mickey Mouse experience in
front of my very eyes: there were shelves full of King Tut paper masks, hats, plastic rings, t-shirts and other memorabilia: no deep voice in the gift shop, only young, pretty, smiling volunteers. But I almost turned into a Mummy myself, while I was assiduously avoiding the commercialization of 3000-yearold history, when I spotted, bang in front of the exhibition a live size poster of Hawass, the modern King Tut, with his famous Indiana Jones hat, standing next to a claim that all funds generated from the exhibit will be giving to Suzanne Mubarak Children Museum. I had to read again to confirm that it really mentioned Suzanne Mubarak! Have the folks at MN Science Museum heard of the Egyptian
revolution and the Arab Spring? Haven’t they realized that, Dr. Hawass and Ms. Mubarak were arrested and indicted, accused of allegedly looting Egyptian treasure and wealth? Ms. Mubarak herself had to cough-up more than $25m to remain out of jail; she is still under investigation. Dr. Hawass was sentenced to one year in prison, (an appeal against it is currently pending), and is accused of using his close association with the Mubarak family to accumulate wealth and fortune. He is the actually the ‘Mubarak of the Egyptian antiquities’, and is now under investigation alleged misdemeanors. FP magazine had earlier reported, “In a separate scandal, several Egyptian publications
are claiming that Hawass used priceless artifacts in the Egyptian museum’s collection for a photo shoot to promote his fashion line. The photos... show a model appearing to sit in Tutankhamen’s chair and leaning on frescoes”. There was a revolution in Egypt where millions of Egyptians went to street, put their lives on the line to rid Egypt of the 30year Mubarak dictatorial regime, and here is the MN Science Museum in alliance with National Geographic bringing them back painful memories, highlighting the fact that King Tut exhibition, the golden Egyptian antiquity treasure is brought to us by the biggest looters of Egyptian Antiquity, Zahi Hawass and Suzanne Mubarak. I sent a letter to the Science Museum PR department bringing
to their attention this clausal misjudgment, they kindly and promptly responded and assured me they are working on changing the sign and the names. According to Science Museum website, Hawass is coming to town to “present... ‘Egypt Past and Present’ on Friday, June 10, 8 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Theater”. This is an insult to the millions of Egyptians who revolted and toppled the Mubarak, and his cronies—one of them being Hawass. We need another Tahrir Square to topple the ‘Mubarak of Egyptian antiquities’. I call on MN Science Museum and National Geographic to give the same attention and respect they give to ancient Egypt’s dead Egyptians, to the new Egypt’s living Egyptians.
Cain plays the race card every chance he gets The Hutchinson Political Report By Earl Ofari Hutchinson SYNOPSIS: For a presidential candidate who claims race is meaningless when it comes to his candidacy, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain sure takes great delight in rubbing race in the faces of his white conservative backers every chance he gets. For a presidential candidate who claims race is meaningless when it comes to his candidacy, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain sure takes great delight in rubbing race in the faces of his white conservative backers every chance he gets. He opened his speech at the recent Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans with
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most famous words, “I have a Dream.” Later, in an interview, Cain flatly said, “I label myself American Black conservative.” But if race doesn’t matter to him, then why did he insert “black” in between “American” and “conservative?” But Cain’s not-so-subtle way of playing the race card is to denounce civil rights leaders, Black Democrats and of course President Obama for tacitly or overtly playing on race to score political points, pander to Black voters, and cower Democrats into backing tax and spending and expanded government programs, among other things. Cain loudly declares that this smacks of the new “plantationism.” This is the pejorative label that Black conservatives gleefully picked up from some Blacks who criticized the Democratic Party for allegedly taking the Black vote for granted while doing nothing to earn it, and then lambasting any Black politician who dares to stray from
the Democrat’s plantation. Cain, of course, is his own best example of that politician. Cain’s anti-race race talk is not new. The first thing out of his mouth when he addressed a group of conservative New Hampshire Republicans on the eve of his announcement back in March that he was going for the GOP presidential nomination was that they shouldn’t blame him for a “bad” Black president. That person supposedly is President Obama. Cain perpetually makes racial digs at Obama and other Black Democrats to make the claim that their success rests squarely on their stoking of white guilt. Cain and the Black conservatives that perpetuate this baseless myth blow off the skill, policy acumen and hard work it took to make Obama the successful politician that he is. They ignore the sex and financial corruption scandals in the GOP, and Bush’s towering foreign and domestic bungles, and the near
crash of the economy on the Bush watch. Those factors did much to turn the GOP into damaged goods with millions of voters in 2008. But Cain, to hear him tell it, is different. There’s no white guilt in the political DNA of the legions of conservative whites that cheer him. He’s their darling because, as one Southern white GOP voter put it, he believes in personal responsibility. That transcends race. The presumption is that Blacks and Democrats believe in government handouts and scream racism at every turn to get that handout. Cain turned back to race in his address at the Conservative Political Action Committee confab earlier this year when he shouted that anyone white who dares criticize Obama will be branded a racist. Cain must have been gripped by amnesia. Assorted Tea Party activists and leaders, right wing bloggers and radio and TV talk jocks have hectored and ravaged Obama with open
and borderline racial digs, taunts and depictions from the moment he set foot in the White House. GOP congressional leaders have relentlessly hammered him if he even sneezed wrong. They didn’t seem to have any problem pulling their punches against him because he’s Black. So this raises this intriguing question: What chance does Cain have to get the legions of conservative grass-roots voters, Tea Party leaders and activists, who now appear to revel in Cain, to actually vote for him? A 2006 Yale study found that white Republicans were 25 percentage points more likely to cross over and vote for a Democratic senatorial candidate against a Black Republican foe. The study also found that in the near 20-year stretch from 1982 to 2000, when the GOP candidate was Black, the greater majority of white independent voters backed the white candidate. But that was a decade ago,
and since then Black GOP congressional candidates Allen West in Florida and Tim Scott in South Carolina got a majority of white votes and easily beat their Democratic opponents. But West and Scott won in lockdown GOP districts, and against weak, underfunded Democratic opponents. Their wins were regional wins with absolutely no national implications. Cain is now trying to muscle his way onto the big stage, and he’s trying to bag the big prize, the GOP nomination, and beyond, the White House. So what did Cain do to make the point that he’s the man best able to snatch the grand prize? In his talk at the Republican Leadership Conference, he of course invoked race, shouting “I’ve got another dream for 2012.” The dream is that he will be the next President. For a candidate that purports to say his candidacy is not about race, he sure knows how to play the race card every chance he gets.
Kids today: Texting, talking and footing the bill By Cheryl PearsonMcNeil, NNPA Columnist Show of hands. How many of you are parents of a teenager? Then you realize that kids today have never lived in a world without the internet or cell phones and have a myriad of media choices. So I’m sure it isn’t news that our younguns’ (teens 13-17) are burning up the phone lines with texting. (Figure of speech since Smartphones don’t use old school phone lines.) I work for Nielsen, but even I was stunned when one of our latest studies revealed just how much texting was going on. In the first quarter of 2011, teens sent an
average of 3,364 mobile texts per month! I compared my 14-yearold son’s phone bill against this number and was astonished to learn that he actually sends more than that each month. That’s a lot of talking! But texting isn’t actually talking now is it? Case in point; consider this typical titillating conversation we have daily when I call to check in on him after school: “Hey KC, it’s mom. Whatcha doin’?” “Nuthin’.” “Anything exciting happen in school today?” “No” “Ok, anything happen in school today that I should KNOW
Solutions From 10
INDEPENDENCE DAY
about?” (Big sigh, but no response.) “Hellleerr, you still there? Anything I should know about?” (Even bigger sigh, because clearly I am annoying him now. Sound familiar?) “Nooo mooom.” “Ok, well, I’ll be home on time tonight. What do you want for dinner?’” “I don’t care” “Alrighty then! Been great talking with you too. Love ya!” “Love you t ----” Click. He hangs up before he even gets a full, whopping three word sentence out. But he can send more than 3,000 text messages a month? Really? If you ask him why the freeze out over the phone he’ll tell you, “I’m just not a phone person.” Period. End of story. This is in line with his “peeps” as Nielsen also reveals that amazingly, teens talk less on their phones than any other group, running neck
and neck with seniors 65-plus for an average of 515 minutes per month. (Can someone please call my mom and let her know on average she’s talking way more than this? I would call her, but then, um, I wouldn’t be able to get her off the phone!) Back to your teens: don’t try reaching them through email either. If it wasn’t for his school assignments my teen probably wouldn’t touch his laptop because he can do everything through his Smartphone. He may be a little ahead of his age (and I’m modestly blushing here, because, well, he always has been advanced!) because Nielsen says American 18 year olds also spend less time on their computers, averaging 39 hours, 50 minutes online per month from their home computers. When it comes to online video viewing, 12-17 year olds watched 7 hours, 13 minutes of mobile video a month, compared to 4 hours, 20 minutes
for the general population. Perhaps that explains why teens age 12-17 watch the least amount of TV than the average American, 23 hours, 41 minutes per week as opposed to 34 hours, 39 minutes for most of us. And who foots the bills for all of this mobile texting and video viewing? Like many of you, I totally foot the bill for my son’s texting addiction. But Nielsen data shows that out of eight countries surveyed young people in the United States are the most likely to say that someone else is footing the bill; with only 45% saying they pay for their own service. While a whopping 84% of youngsters ages 15-19 in Germany and 88% in Russia report paying their own mobile charges. (Before your head spins totally around keep in mind that it wasn’t specified if they paid their mobile bills from their own money or parent-paid allowance.) But still!
My sister lives in Germany, and she hasn’t gotten my 10 yearold nephew a cell phone yet. I think it’s worth the international call to her to find out how all of her German friends are getting their kids to foot their own cell phone bills – allowance funded or not. I’ll let you know what their secret is. But it may take awhile, because like my mom, my sister can talk up a blue storm too. So don’t hold your breath, it may take me awhile. I know I preach that knowledge is power. And, it is. So, Mom and Dad, consider yourself warned and armed with information. Go forth and do with it what you will! Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www. nielsenwire.com.
Page 10 • June 27, - July 3, 2011 • Insight News
Classifieds/Calendar Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews. com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.
Events Summer Dance Series - Thurs. thru Aug. 4 Every Thursday through August 4, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is hosting its Summer Dance Series, a free event located at the Landmark Plaza in downtown Saint Paul. This
Project Supervisor - Critical Home Repair Program Do you have extensive experience building and restoring homes? Come work for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Full Time position with benefits. Resumes due by June 30, 2011. 3001 4th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Fax: 612-305-7231 Email jobs@tchabitat.org
Lee Family Event Ad
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.
Data Collectors
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.
Scouting Executive 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
Commercial Appraiser
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
insightnews.com
PHONE: 612.588.1313
series includes free lessons and dance demos, as well as live music from local bands, every week! Whether you want to groove to Reggae music or perfect your Ballroom steps, there is something for everyone. Food and beverages are available for purchase starting at 5:30pm, dance Instruction begins at 6pm, and live music begins at 7:15pm. For more info call 651.224.4222 or visit http://www.ordway.org/summerdance/” 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 612543-8639 or check website for more information and updates (www.hclib. org) . 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. Meet Taft High School Principal Anthony Smith - June 29 Please join us and our co-hosts - Center for School Change, African American Leadership Forum, and Growth & Justice - at the Capri Theater to hear Taft High School Principal Anthony Smith and his colleague Michael Turner. Wed., June 29 5:30–7:30pm. At The Capri Theater - 2027 W. Broadway Ave. Mpls. This presentation will be free and open to the public. Please let us know if you plan to attend and RSVP to jnathan@macalester.edu Waiver Overview for Individuals Under 65 - July 5 People who are disabled and under the age of 65 are invited to a free information session on Wed., July 5, 10:30am-12:30pm, Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale, Room 229, 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka. Waivers are designed to allow enrollees easier access to home and community-based services versus receiving care in hospitals or nursing facilities. Information to be covered includes: The service menu for each waiver program, examples of how programs are used, the process to apply. You must register for this session. Call 612-596-6631 or go to www.hennepin. us/adsinfo. St. Joan of Arc Church MH/MIM 2nd Mon - July 11 Mon, July 11, 5:45-8:15p; Light meal provided; Film: Inside Outside:
FAX: 612.588.2031
Building a Meaningful Life after the Hospital, www.patdeegan.com; Info: Free/open to all; Certificate of Attendance; Roseann 612.823.8205; Mary claudemaryparadis@comcast. net; @ St. Joan of Arc Hospitality Hall, Door 1, 4537 3rd Ave. S., Mpls; www. stjoan.com Red Ribbon Ride - July 14-17, 4-day, nearly 300-mile charity bike ride for HIV/AIDS in Minnesota. The Ride starts at the Mall of America, travels to overnight stops in Lake City, Rochester and Northfield and ends at the State Capitol. Supported by an all-volunteer crew. Rider and crew registration fee is $75.00. Riders are required to raise $1,500.00; Crew are encouraged to raise $250.00 but not required. Eight Minnesota AIDS service organizations benefit: African American AIDS Task Force, The Aliveness Project, Claire Housing, Hope House of St. Croix Valley, Minnesota AIDS Project, One Heartland, Park House and Rural AIDS Action Network. Visit www. redribbonride.org for more information. Live on the Drive - July 14 The 10-piece all-star group La Gran Charanga brings their romantic boleros, hip-shaking meringues and salsa music
to Live on the Drive, Thursday, July 14, 6-8pm, at 34th Avenue North and Victory Memorial Parkway, one of the most beautiful concert settings in the city. The event is free. Sapphire reads from her novel The Kid - July 15 A story of body and spirit, rooted in the hungers of flesh and of the soul, The Kid brings us deep into the interior life of Abdul Jones. 7:30pm, Fri., July 15, at Magers & Quinn Booksellers (3038 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis; 612/822-4611). Poetry & Open Mic - July 15 Feat: Hersi, IBé & (i am) isis - from New York. Fri. July 15 6-9pm @ the Loft 1011 Washington Ave. S. #200, Mpls. FREE - Advanced sign-up required or register to perform @ mshale15years. com Art at St. Kates - July 23 Quality fine crafts and fine art, is produced by Artists’ Circle, a Minnesota non-profit art organization promoting fine crafts since 1995, and Textile Center, a national center for fiber arts in Minneapolis. Sat. July 23 10am-5pm. www.artatkates.org Mississippi River Challenge - July 30-31 A fully supported 44 mile paddle
EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com
event through the Twin Cities stretch of the river. One or two day options available, with camping overnight at Historic Fort Snelling! Enjoy delicious food, Surly beer, live music and beautiful views of the river this summer. Register online today at www.mississippiriverchallenge.org. Supported by Friends of the Mississippi River. Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities – August 3 Learn a basic structure for understanding poverty, a description of the differences between generational and situational poverty, and the hidden norms that govern behavior and decision-making. Featuring aha! Process trainer Jodi Pfarr. 9:00 am - 4:30 pm at the International Institute of Minnesota, 1694 Como Ave, St. Paul. Cost is $45 per person and includes breakfast, lunch and copy of Dr. Ruby Payne’s book “Bridges Out of Poverty”. Please visit www.twincitiesrise.org or call 612-2795868 to register by July 20. 70 Years of Aviation Excellence: Then, Now, the FUTURE - Aug 3-7 The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) will hold its 40th Annual Convention August 3-7, 2011 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center National Harbor, MD. celebrate the 70th anniversary of the start of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience in 1941 and honor the men and women who carry the torch and fight today’s wars. For more information contact Clarence D. Smith Jr., Colonel, USAF (Retired), at cpo@ ecctai.com, cell 703-967-4463. 55+ Meet & Greet - Aug 5 RSVP of the Greater Twin Cities* is hosting a 55+ Meet & Greet for adults over the age of 55 interested in tutoring. Hear about local programs and meet current volunteers. Reserve your spot today by calling Mary Jane Horton, RSVP Literacy Coordinator at 952.945.4163 or mhorton@voamn.org. Fri. Aug. 5 10am-12pm @ Midtown Global Market - 920 E. Lake St. Mpls, MN. Joy Project 5k Run/Walk - Oct 8 The Joy Project, a grassroots, nonprofit, eating disorder organization is hosting its 2nd annual 5k walk/run at Como Lake on Oct. 8. The walk is being held to raise support for those suffering with eating disorders, those that have survived eating disorders, or have died as the result of an eating disorder. There will be prizes for the most donations raised, as well as door prizes for the participants. Those that bring in a $25 donation will receive a t-shirt. Those that bring in a $50 donation will receive a t-shirt and a reusable water bottle. Registration is free until the end of July ($5 fee after that): http://www.active. com/running/st-paul-mn/change-yourpace-5k-walkskip-2011 Please check our pages for more information: http://www.joyproject.org The Black Parent Group - Mondays
Free weekly support group for parents of any race raising African American children. Mondays at 7-830PM located at: Washington Tech Middle School 1495 Rice St. Saint Paul. Please visit the website: www.theblackparentgroup. com or send an e-mail to info@ theblackparentgroup.com African Dance w/ Whitney Every Tuesday & Wednesday • Tue. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $12 Patricks Cabaret 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S. Mpls. • Wed. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $13 Zenon School of Dance (4th Floor) Hennepin center for the Arts 528 Hennepin Ave. Mpls. Music is in the air this spring and summer at Camden Music School! Ongoing Feeling musical? CMS still has time slots available this spring – and you can register now for summer lessons. Classes are held at: Camden location: Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., 55412 and Northeast location: Grace Center for Community Life, 1500 6th St. NE, 55413. To register or for more information: 612-618-0219 or www. camdenmusicschool.com. Impact the life of a child: Become a literacy tutor with RSVP RSVP of the Greater Twin Cities is accepting applications from people 55 and over who are interested in tutoring youth, either in the classroom or in an after school program format. RSVP places people in volunteer tutoring positions with organizations in their own neighborhoods. You can make a difference in a child’s life for as little as one hour a week. The RSVP program, sponsored locally by Volunteers of America of Minnesota, provides benefits and support to people 55 and over. For more information call Mary Jane Horton, RSVP Literacy Coordinator, at 952-945-4163 or mhorton@voamn.org Senior Companions Make a Difference - Ongoing Are you interested in visiting homebound or isolated elders in their homes and helping with transportation for appointments or errands? If so, the Senior Companion Program would like to match you with people in the community who need a little extra help to stay in their homes. Senior Companion volunteers earn a taxfree stipend, mileage reimbursement, training and liability insurance while serving. Volunteers must be 55 or older and serve 15 hours a week. For more information, contact Kate Neuhaus with the Senior Companion Program of Lutheran Social Service at 651-3109447 or at kate.neuhaus@lssmn.org Free Internet Access - Ongoing Access internet, check email, look for housing, type up resumes, jobsearch, practice typing, learn Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. M-F 11am-2pm and 5pm7pm. At Sabathani Community Center Room 324 310 E 38th St Mpls, MN 55409.
Coffee Break
S T A T E P O I N T CROSSWORD THEME: INDEPENDENCE DAY ACROSS 1. Very light wood 6. School support org. 9. *Don’t get fireworks ____
13. Once more 14. Poetic “even” 15. *Done to America on the Fourth 16. The _____, Marvel Comics 17. Landers or Coulter, e.g. 18. One up 19. *First to sign the Declaration 21. Not yet tested
23. Make a mistake 24. Clothed 25. Ogre-like creature 28. Target of grand theft 30. “Wild Blue ______” 35. Action word 37. This over matter? 39. Hollow rock 40. Butter substitute 41. Haze over 43. Seed cover 44. Twisted cotton thread 46. Irritate or disturb 47. Printing unit 48. 8vo 50. City in Nevada 52. Eye infection 53. SAT, e.g. 55. Gremlin or pixie 57. Name of geographical place 61. *Between life and pursuit of happiness 65. What volcanoes do 66. *”Home of the brave” 68. Ralph in Paris 69. Puzzle in pictures 70. Cow chew 71. Fill with optimism 72. *Seamstress Betsy 73. *Anthem writer 74. Truth _____ DOWN 1. Soaking ritual 2. Title for Turkish leader 3. Past participle of “lie” 4. From then on 5. Fluffy sweater material 6. Pinnacle
7. *Number of amendments in Bill Of Rights 8. Declare invalid 9. Grim 10. Not in favor of 11. Pie a la ____ 12. Poking instrument 15. *Edible favorite 20. Pigeon food? 22. Negative response 24. Acquire more evidence 25. Convex molding 26. Antiquity of the past 27. Summit 29. Wedding cake layer 31. Less than average tide 32. Singer and actress Day 33. Authoritative proclamation 34. 4 x 4 race 36. Cowboy’s necktie 38. Clinton’s 1996 contender 42. Many geniuses 45. *”When in the course of human ______...” 49. ___moron 51. ______ Chinoises, aka shadow play 54. Without self-control 56. *Famous portrait painter 57. Territory, abbr. 58. Dunking treat 59. Taverns 60. Chopin’s creation, e.g. 61. Tramp’s companion 62. Lion’s sound 63. “Swan Lake” outfit 64. Big bang theory’s original matter 67. File a suit
o Qu
te
w e ek e h t of
“Action, self-reliance, the vision of self and the future have been the only means by which the oppressed have seen and realized the light of their own freedom. ”
— Marcus Garvey, The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey
Answers on page 9
insightnews.com
Insight News • June 27 - July 3, 2011 • Page 11
We Care, Northside! WHO TO CALL. WHERE TO GO. Hotline - Information and referrals, assistance and support 763-746-5823 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 27 - July 3, 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
New World Electric
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
CONTACT: Joseph Christensen PHONE: 612-275-9487 FAX: CITY: Minneapolis TYPE OF BUSINESS: Electrical design and construction company E-MAIL ADDRESS: newworldelectric@gmail.com
Larkins Construction, LLC
Prism Production & General Services
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
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
Maccrete 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
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
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