Insight News ::: 7.27.09

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Photo: www.erau.edu

July 27- August 2, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 30 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Bill Green will not seek new MPS contract Minneapolis Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr.William Green announced Thursday that he will not seek an extension to his contract beyond June 30, 2010.

Green said he was advising the Board of Education a year in advance to give members ample time to choose his successor and ensure a smooth transition.

“Serving the Minneapolis Public Schools’ students, staff and community has been one of the greatest honors and I hope you will feel, at the end of my term, that all of our students’ educational experiences have been as enriched as I have been in serving them,” said Green.

“As a student of history, I have observed that a leader must feel the pulse of time and sense when it is time to begin to make room for a new kind of leadership. If a leader doesn’t sense when the time has come for him to pass the reins on to a different leader, the institution suffers. To do that would go against my commitment to this organization. I love the Minneapolis Public Schools’

Book Signing: The Hiptionary: A Survey of African American Speech Patterns with a Digest of Key Words and Phrases Kenya McKnight

Lennie Chism

By Mahmoud El-Kati

Natalie Johnson Lee

Plot thickens in North Minneapolis’ 5th Ward

Bill Green family, in all of its richness, diversity, commitment, hard work and potential.”

At the end of his term, Green plans to return to teaching and writing as a history professor at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. He is a tenured professor and has been on leave from the college while serving as superintendent.

The school board process and timetable for selecting his successor has yet to be determined.

Former City Council Member Natalie Johnson Lee formally entered the race for Near North Minneapolis’ city council seat at last Tuesday’s deadline for filing for the November General Election. Lee filed as a DFL candidate, though she ran and served as a Green Party endorsed candidate when she defeated incumbent Jackie Cherryhomes. She also ran as a Green Party candidate in her bid for a second term, she lost to current incumbent Don Samuels.

Northside businessman Lennie

Chism, a business developer who recently purchased the boarded up property at Sheridan on Plymouth Avenues also filed for the 5th Ward seat. Roger Smithrud filed as an Independence Party candidate.

Political newcomer Kenya McKnight, who challenged Samuels for the DFL endorsement, and Samuels have also filed.

Up to filing date, North Minneapolis politicos were viewing the 5th Ward race as a referendum on Don Samuels’ leadership and service, with many voters and

community leaders expressing dissatisfaction with Samuels’ willingness or ability to champion Black community interests and institutions.

Others saw the contest as a referendum on McKnight’s grassroots activism versus downtown directed leadership that traditionally placed Black community interests and priorities on the back burner. McKnight fared extremely well against Samuels but

POLITICS TURN TO

Washington DC —Two million more Black voters cast a ballot in the 2008 election than in 2004; and, young Black voters had the highest increase in turnout among all groups, a U.S. Census Bureau report released today revealed.

“We knew Black youth influenced the outcome of the election and will do so for years to come,” said Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. “Today’s Census report backs up our findings.”

Although voter turnout among some groups decreased or remained the same in 2008, according to the Census tables, overall 18 to 24 year-

old turnout saw a two percent increase over 2004, reaching 49 percent. However, 18- to 24-yearold Black voters turned out at 55 percent, an eight percent increase from 2004.

“We knew our work made a difference,” said William Kellibrew, national coordinator of Black Youth Vote! (BYV!), the young adult division of The National Coalition.

“This report is confirmation of the success of Black Youth Vote! Since The National Coalition started the young adult division our work has helped to inspire a new commitment to service and civic engagement among 18-24 year-olds.”

Salandra Hanna, Florida BYV! advisor adds, “In 2004 Black voter

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Over 1,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli offensive, which began to prevent rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

By N’soroma James

appearance of world renowned novelist Alice Walker. Looking graceful with her soft gray afro she moved purposefully down the corridor taking her place on stage.

The audience was wide-eyed and ready for the report.

Walker had traveled to Gaza with the delegation of Code Pink, a grass roots movement dedicated to influencing the end of wars and supporting life affirming

By Kam Williams

MANDELA TURN TO

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endeavors. Walker said, “We are always reminded of the Holocaust, yet there are many holocausts, African Americans have our holocaust as well.”

Walker then made a powerful statement, I wondered if I heard her correctly as she said, “Europeans settled among other people and destroyed.” Well,

Obama’s NAACP Convention speech stresses education and no excuses

work has made a difference in the lives of so many people. ‘’His leadership and courage in making South Africa a more just society

enters hall of fame

Seeing Gaza with our own eyes

By James Wright Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

NNPA

4

King Sunny Ade www.geenstijl.nl/archives/images/fosforgroot.jpg

The World celebrates as Mandela turns 91

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela

7:30-8:30pm @ Common Good Bookstore 165 Western Ave. N. St. Paul, (651) 225-8989

Rev. Jesse Jackson thanks for 25 years of service

The First Congregational Church of Oakland, CA was full to capacity on April 28, 2009; so full that many people had to stand against the walls. The audience of close to 500 was predominantly white with a sprinkle of African Americans anxiously awaiting the

(NNPA) - Nelson Mandela, the political activist imprisoned 27 years for fighting against apartheid in South Africa before becoming the first Black president of that country, was honored throughout the world July 18 on the occasion of his 91st birthday. There were concerts and works of community service in honor of Mandela, as well as a push by his foundation to mark his birthday as a worldwide day of observance.

Gerald LeMelle, executive director of Africa Action, a D.C.based pro-Africa development organization, said Mandela’s life’s

Tuesday, August 4th

3

Young Black voters had the highest increase in turnout in 2008 election

By Edrea Davis

Join Prof. El-Kati as he presents his latest book which “captures the vibrancy of words present and past.”

The NAACP’s Annual Convention, which convened at the Hilton Hotel in New York July 11-16, was marked by many inspirational and uplifting speeches delivered by left-leaning luminaries like Speaker of the House US Rep. Nancy Pelosi; New York Gov. David Patterson; New Your city Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel; former Congressman Kweisi Mfume; New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand; New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine; US

Reps. Gregory Meeks (NY) and John Conyers (MI), Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade; and Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack. Yes, there was even a token Republican in attendance, Party Chairman Michael Steele, who joked with the crowd that he had only been invited “to protect your tax-exempt status.”

But the highlight of the 100year-old civil rights organization’s centennial celebration came on Thursday evening when Barack Obama arrived to address the appreciative audience. And the President did not disappoint,

GAZA TURN TO

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adopting more of a minister’s than a politician’s air during his half-hour sermon, eliciting such an enthusiastic response that at one point he departed from his prepared remarks to acknowledge that, “I got an ‘Amen Corner’ back there.”

He began by paying tribute to the trailblazers who had paved the way for him, conceding “I stand here on the shoulders of giants,” adding “I’m here to say thank you to those pioneers and thank you to the NAACP.” He then reaffirmed that “Prejudice has no place in the U.S.” before shifting to a self-help

OBAMA TURN TO

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What is alcoholism? What is an alcoholic?

PAGE

8

The next level of Protect the E.D.G.E.

PAGE 11

Page 2 • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Insight News

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Politics From 1 lost in the third round of balloting.

Even that showing was regarded a promising considering Samuels wielded the power of incumbency, money, experience and age.

Undaunted, McKnight took to the street and amassed petition style signatures of over 500 residents encouraging her to continue to run in the General Election. And when McKnight filed for office on July 20th she said she was “unmoved by the many contestants for the 5th Ward seat.”

She said she is standing on the vowed support of more than 500 residents in the 5th ward who are

Obama From 1 tone which sounded more like Booker T. Washington than the NAACP’s founder W.E.B. Du Bois.

For he said, “There’s never been less discrimination in the United States than at any time in our history,” as he focused on a good education as the means of making it in America.

“Our kids can’t all aspire to be

Census From 1 participation among 18 - 24-yearolds increased four percent over 2000, and in 2008 participation increased a whopping eight percent!

While there is still much to do to keep this demographic engaged, this news confirms the positive trend and gives us great encouragement.”

The National Coalition’s BYV! worked in 12 states registering new voters, educating voters on their

Mandela From 1 lives on through his work for a robust civil society on the continent,’’ he said.

The first lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, sang at a birthday celebration for Mandela in New York in her first public concert since she married the president of France.

She performed alongside such artists as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder,

Insight News • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Page 3 determined to stick with her to the very end. McKnight said she will continue to build her base of support the strong interest in changing the political landscape of the 5th Ward signals hope and opportunity for Northside residents. “The need for change has never been greater,” McKnight said. “There’s a lot going on in our community that we have to keep a close eye on. We need real champions to uphold the true needs and interests of our community.”

“We must raise the stakes in this critical time for our community. We must have leadership that will work with our community and help us move forward in a new direction with a clear vision to build our community up with a long term commitment to fulfill that vision,” she said.

Johnson-Lee described herself as among the residents who encouraged McKnight to seek office.

But, she said, “After careful consideration and long deliberation I decided that not only is it important that we have change at city hall, but that in fact I am the best candidate to provide leadership, direction and service to the residents of Ward 5.”

Viewed as a lightning rod that will attract attention and engagement of voters, Johnson-Lee agreed that the high level of interest in 5th Ward politics signals significant change is afoot and that 5th Ward residents will emerge the victors in the Ward 5 election contest.

Lenny Chism’s candidacy squarely challenges Samuel’s interest in championing Black business development. Chism

presented cursory plans for the development of a co-op health food store and coffee café for the business property he purchased at Sheridan and Plymouth Avenues in North Minneeapolis.

Following Chism’s presentation, Samuels told the Willard Homewood Organization neighborhood meeting why he thought getting the building rezoned for commercial use as requested would be an uphill battle and extremely unlikely. Samuels leveled blistering personal attacks against Chism , charging the businessman has a history as a property owner of violating city building codes.

Samuels said he used whatever means was available to shut down the grocery business that residents claimed was a hangout for gangs and

Lebron or Lil’ Wayne,” he warned.

“They can’t all be ballers and rappers.” He said that their horizons should be limitless, offering as alternatives the hope that they might see themselves as growing up to become a doctor, a lawyer, or even the President of the United States.

Obama further indicated that there’s “no better weapon than an education which can unlock a child’s God-given potential.” Bemoaning the fact that “over one-half of African American children are

dropping out of school,” he proceeded to build momentum via such familiar catchphrases as “No one has written your destiny for you” and “No excuses!” before closing with the ever-reliable “Yes we can!” which the satisfied congregation continued to chant in unison long after he had left the stage.

Perhaps American society has arrived at a post-racial point in our history, if we have elected a Black President who gets a standing ovation from members of the

nation’s leading civil rights organization for a fairly conservative speech essentially calling upon the Black community to pull itself up by its own bootstraps.

rights at the polls, and urging them to VOTE FIRST. The National Coalition credits their VOTE FIRST Campaign with reducing the problems at the polls on Election Day. Other effective outreach to young adults included partnerships with American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), fraternities and sororities and BET. AURN produced and distributed celebrityvoiced public service announcements urging young people to vote early.

“We did the traditional outreach at events and beauty salons, but we

also used new technology and enlisted the help of celebrities like rapper Bow Wow and the comedian Shang, to reach out to young voters,” said Campbell. “We also registered new voters online and used email and text messaging to contact young voters and make sure they voted early.”

“By combining old-school civic engagement tactics with new school technology we surpassed our goals.

An eight percent increase in participation among 18-24 year-olds demonstrated the power of that demographic and will definitely go

down in history,” said Richard Womack, Sr. chair of The National Coalition.

Founded in 1976, The National Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing African American participation in civil society. The current programs of the organization include Black Women’s Roundtable and a new young adult community service initiative.

For more information visit www.ncbcp.org.

Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys at Radio City Music Hall before a full auditorium.

Former President Bill Clinton hosted a fundraiser for Mandela and spent part of his day in community service in New York City.

In South Africa, Mandela spent the day with family and friends.

However, throughout his country, South Africans set aside 67 minutes of their time in community service as a symbolic tribute.

The number 67 represents the years Mandela dedicated to fighting

for freedom and rights. ‘’This day is symbolic in terms of the commitment he showed in his life and he hopes people work not only on Mandela Day, but every day in their communities to uplift those in need,’’ said Ruth Rensburg, who works for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664, named for the five digit number that was Mandela’s while he was incarcerated. ‘’Mr. Mandela once said, ‘It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.’ Mandela Day

will not be a holiday, but a day dedicated to service,’’said Rensburg.

South African President Joseph Zuma visited a home for the elderly and members of parliament painted government buildings and cleaned up communities by picking up trash and washing away graffiti.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed the idea of officially recognizing Mandela Day, but has not asked the parliament to act on it. The White House press office had no comment on the prospect of a Mandela Day in the United States.

To see an excerpt of Obama’s speech, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z cir6VRq7P4

a magnet for illegal drug trade.

Chism said he agreed with the assessment of the problem and had no argument with the city’s actions to eliminate the problems that existed. But, he said, the long view is that this building has existed as a commercial resource to the neighborhood for more than 70 years, and could be a retail and commercial asset again. Chism noted that the building housing the art studio business on the other end of the block once also had housed a business that created suspected drug trade problems for the neighborhood.

Just like the new business has cleaned up that end of the block, he

said, “the business I am proposing will clean up this end of the block and create jobs, training, and opportunity for our people.”

A link on Roger Smithrud’s web site described Independence Party members as “people who believe in another way to do politics. We believe in citizen driven government and not special interest purchased Samuels referred to himself as a proponent of collaborations and civic engagement. He said over the past six years he has been in office, he has sent out the message that North Minneapolis will not be ignored.

Page 4 • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Insight News

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COMMENTARY If guilty, grave robbers deserve life imprisonment sentences Justice for all

By Judge Greg Mathis When family members lay a loved one to rest, they expect that the final resting place for their body will be the same as the one they envision for their soul: peaceful. So it’s no surprise that relatives of those buried in Burr Oak are outraged that the graves of their dearly departed have been desecrated all because of greed.

Those who are responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law; life in prison for such deplorable behavior is not too much to ask.

If you aren’t familiar with the story, the manager of Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, IL, a Chicago suburb, and three grave diggers dug up more than 300 grave sites, reselling the plots. Bodies were found pounded down, buried on top of one other, body parts were scattered around and head stones carelessly tossed to the side.

Family members are horrified, and rightly so. So many have no idea of knowing where the remains of their loved ones actually are; they can only wait for authorities to identify the bodies.

For a time, Burr Oak was one of few cemeteries near Chicago that buried Black people. Its early importance to the African American community makes this story all the more outrageous. Over the years, cemeteries began to tear down their color lines, allowing Blacks to be buried among whites.

However, African Americans in the area continued to revere Burr Oak. In return, the owners victimized

those who have supported it for generations.

Emmett Till, the 14-year Chicago boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 for whistling at a white woman, is buried at Burr Oak. The gruesome nature of Till’s death, and the public funeral his mother was determined to have, breathed life into the civil rights movement. Till’s family reburied him in a new casket in 2004 after his body was exhumed as part of a new investigation into his death.

His original casket, viewed by more than 50,000 at his funeral, should be considered an important piece of civil rights and American history and treated as such. Instead, it was found rusting in a shack on the cemetery grounds. That a company which originally showed so much support to the Black community could show so little respect for one of its most memorable figures is shocking.

Thankfully, Till’s gravesite was intact.

Four people were charged with felonies in connection with the case. Justice will only be served if they are sentenced to life in prison.

These individuals not only disturbed the final resting places of the dead to turn a profit, but showed so little respect for how they disposed of the remains after they were unearthed. Their actions have opened old wounds and created new ones for the families of those buried there. Because of the way the bodies were tossed together in piles, it is possible some family members may never recover the remains of their loved ones. The four people charged with this crime abused the trust of those who selected them to handle a very personal and private matter. No sentence is too harsh for them.

Judge Greg Mathis became the youngest judge in Michigan’s history and was elected a Superior Court Judge for Michigan’s 36th District. He has been called upon

(Tribune photo by David Pierini / April 28, 2009)

The grounds at Burr Oak Cemetery. as a regular contributor to national television programs, including “Larry King Live,” “Politically Incorrect,” CNN’s “Talk Back Live,” “Showbiz Tonight” and “Extra” to discuss his opinions on

complex issues of the day, such as national security, unique sentencing, affirmative action and celebrity scandals. He also offers his take on high-profile legal cases.

Rev. Jesse Jackson shifted America’s political discourse

By Nicole C. Lee NNPA Columnist Has it really been 25 years since the Rev. Jesse Jackson made that powerful and profound speech to the Democratic National Convention? Twentyfive years since our nation stood mesmerized, as the first African American to garner as many votes and have as significant a presence in a major political party’s Presidential race spoke in culmination of his effort and electrified all of us.

In 25 years our nation’s political landscape has been completely transformed. Jesse Jackson was an African American candidate who newscasters openly asked inane and disrespectful questions like, “What qualifies you to run?”

President Barack Obama was asked some of those same questions during his campaign.

But he prevailed, standing on the shoulders of one who shifted the historical tide.

Rev. Jackson did more than simply run for President. He emboldened a generation of African American politicians and would-be politicians to take on the mantle of political leadership.

He emboldened young men and women who were ambivalent about mainstream politics and about their own chances of success with his chant: “I am somebody.”

He took on the African American establishment at that time – those in the Democratic Party who were connected to and supportive of former Vice President Walter Mondale.

That group of esteemed leaders – Ambassador Andrew Young,

Rev. Jesse Jackson Mrs. Coretta Scott King, and so many others – had another vision for the presidency, but they came to appreciate Rev. Jackson’s effort.

His presence in the 1984 campaign galvanized millions of voters who may otherwise have sat at the sidelines in the

election I was there in 1984 as part of the Rainbow Coalition.

When I think of those days the memories rush back at me. I ran to be a Jackson delegate and was an alternate. I was the designated Jackson representative who debated a Mondale and Hart representative every morning on a local radio program.

I was a surrogate speaker for Rev. Jackson, and at the same time I was running for local public office (I got whupped) and leading an initiative to remove San Francisco pension funds from companies doing business with South Africa (we prevailed).

I have fond memories of the political friends from those days – Butch Wing, Geraldine Johnson, so many others. It is through Rev. Jackson that I first met the CNN commentator, now friend, Donna Brazile.

My walk down memory lane is not just an opportunity to wallow in nostalgia. My memory tells me that we are so much better off for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s run for President. We, the nation, because Rev. Jackson led the shift in our historical context.

Just consider the difference in the African American political landscape before and after 1984. Before, we were tepidly running for a Congressional seat here and there. After, we are running for Governor, Senator, and President. Before, Democrats comfortably had just one or two African Americans in a cabinet.

We have had as many as four cabinet positions at a time after Jackson. The nation is better off for the Jackson run, and so are the inheritors.

Who are the inheritors? We are the thousands who were directly touched by the Jackson campaign. The delegates, fundraisers, and volunteers who were enlightened, enriched,

encouraged, emboldened. We are the ones who have had the opportunity to sit at Rev. Jackson’s feet and hear him think aloud and be astounded, again and again, at his brilliance and his courage.

My work today is very much impacted by the many ways the Democratic Party platforms in 1984 and 1988 were enhanced by the input of Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Jackson delegates who were committed to social and economic justice and especially educational equity.

From full funding of Head Start, to the consideration of ways that K-12 education is funded, to the illustration of differences in the quality of education between inner cities and suburbs, to the matter of affirmative action in higher education, Rev. Jackson’s advocacy has embraced the notion that education has the power to transform lives.

To the extent that he has used his influence to address and improve educational access and outcomes for African American young people, Rev. Jackson has invested in our nation’s future.

I think of Rev. Jackson when I think of Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in which he says, “I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere will have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, peace and freedom for their spirits.”

Audacity means nerve, means the utter nerve to think of, believe in, and embrace the possibility of social and economic justice at home and abroad. Jesse Jackson embodies that audacity. He has chosen not to play small on the world stage but to claim influence and wield it like a mighty sword!

Thank you, Rev. Jesse Jackson, for your phenomenal contribution to our nation and

our world, and for your influence in my life and in my work.

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 Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Mehgaan Jones Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Brandi D. Phillips Ryan T. Scott 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.

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Insight News • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Page 5

AESTHETICS

Jazz for a change: Music for a brave new world

By Lamarr Scott This year, 2009 is witness to the monumental changes that have taken place in America; the changes in our economy, our political leadership, and our society. These historic moments were the inspiration for the theme of the 10th Annual Freedom Jazz Festival. This year we present “Jazz for a Change – Music for a Brave New World!”

In the spirit of change, the Freedom Jazz Festival is introducing new musicians on the program and creating future events. What stays the same are the sounds of jazz, blues, R&B, and hot rhythms that will have feet tappin’ and fingers snappin’ as the jazz festival swings into summer on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Minnehaha Falls Park.

Jazz has been a revolutionary social force and the innovative soundtrack for the shared consciousness of America. The theme for this year’s Freedom Jazz Festival is a reflection on

the kindred nature of jazz and the struggle for America to find its collective identity.

Jazz, America’s only original musical art form, was created from the incandescent fusion of sorrow, anger, and triumph of the field songs of southern Black slaves, cultivated by the call and response of gospel, the lyrical irreverence of the blues and the invention of improvisation. It is the history of Black America as told through music.

Jazz is in itself a musical consensus that mirrors the democratic process. It is created in a collective context, each performer supporting and recognizing the skill and talent of the other, each given equality and freedom of expression.

Jazz in America has been a musical cry for freedom, justice, equality, and transformation. It has always been music for and about change, change of heart, change of mind, and change in spirit. Jazz is even coming back to the White House as the administration fosters the

Debbie Duncan preservation and promotion of arts and culture; creating a new harmony in America.

We will honor this harmony as well as the hope for a new spirit of unity and cooperation in our communities. A celebration featuring some of the metropolitan Twin Cities’ finest Jazz and Blues against the

comfortable, scenic, and familyfriendly backdrop of Minnehaha Falls.

For nearly a decade, people from all walks of life have made attending the Freedom Jazz Festival a summer tradition, enjoying each year great music and entertainment; the camaraderie, solidarity, and friendship of Jazz lovers; and historic performances by some of the area’s premiere musicians.

With this year’s jazz festival we are looking forward to spotlighting the depth of the Twin Cities’ jazz community; there is an enormous amount of talent in this region. We have assembled probably one of the most comprehensive line-ups

King Sunny Ade enters hall of fame

By Matthew Feick,

Special to the NNPA from GIN (GIN) - King Sunny Ade, often billed as the “African Bob Marley,” was last week inducted into the Afropop Hall of Fame in Brooklyn, NY. A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Ade became an international spectacle of world music while touring Europe and North America in the early 80s, performing Nigerian juju music.

From the mid 60s through the mid 90s, Ade averaged an output of three albums per year, culminating in over 120 albums to date.

Now at 62, Ade is considered an architect of the juju style, big-band dance music. His impressive song

writing resume and charismatic performances have earned him score composition jobs in Hollywood - not to mention an acting role in National Lampoon’s O.C. & Stiggs. He is the only native African to ever be nominated twice for a Grammy award.

In a 1987 New York Times review of his Beacon Theater concert, Jon Pareles wrote: “His modern juju is still the multilayered, intoxicating marvel that makes him one of the world’s great band leaders.”

Today he remains active in Nigeria handling many business ventures, including the King Sunny Adé Foundation, a nonprofit designed to bring music and performing arts to Nigerian housing communities.

King Sunny Ade

Cicely Tyson gets Emmy nomination for Hallmark Channel, Relative Stranger Emmy® winning actress Cicely Tyson knows plenty about fatherless families, having been raised by her mother without a father around, a theme which rings true in her latest film for Hallmark Channel, Relative Stranger, which premiered Saturday, March 14 , 2009. The film portrays a family whose father, played by ER’s Eriq La Salle, returns after a six-year absence, and explores the effects that absence has had on his wife and two children, as well as other members of the family.

Tyson feels passionately about the film’s theme and expressed this sentiment in a recently made statement on her 2009 Primetime Emmy® Nomination in the category of

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie.

“I was really surprised because I have been in this business a very long time. I have been nominated several times and I have been awarded several times but to have the continued support of my peers is an award in and of itself. I am just grateful to have worked on a quality project like Hallmark’s ‘Relative Stranger,’ so to be nominated on top of that is truly having my cake and eating it too. ‘Relative Stranger’ is a story that desperately cried out to be told, to make men aware how important it is to be in their children’s lives. I’m truly honored to be recognized by the Academy for this role.”

www.tvguide.com

Cicely Tyson

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ever featuring the Capri Big Band, Cornbread Harris, Dean Brewington, Morris Wilson, Debbie Duncan and many more going “back to the roots” with Be-Bop, R&B and Blues. The artists include young Jazz novices, community Jazz Workshops, and a rich line up of seasoned Jazz Masters. This collection of local Jazz artists is unmatched anywhere in the area.

We are creating a new generation of Jazz lovers. Join us and be a part of the movement, witness history being made, and enjoy the best free outdoor Jazz concert in the Twin Cities. The festivities begin at 1pm and last

until 7:30 pm. Along with the great music, there will be arts exhibits and tasty treats from our food vendors so come on out to enjoy Jazz for a nice relaxing change!

(Major funding provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Across Minnesota Festivals Grant. Partners include the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, KFAI Radio, JazzInk, KBEMJazz88FM Radio, and Westport Properties).

Email: info@freedomjazzfestival.org.

See: www.minneapolisparks.org

Page 6 • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Dreaming of makeover? Create a new look in an old space Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey Have you grown bored with the room in your home where you spend the most time? Are you dreaming of a makeover, but realize that it’s just not in the budget anytime in the foreseeable future? I want to let you in on a little secret. You may be able to easily give your tired-looking space a fresh new look by simply rearranging the furniture. That’s right, friend, you don’t have to spend money to add that special touch to your favorite spot. By using simple furniture arrangement and placement guidelines, you can have a new look within a couple of hours!

Tip 1: Empty the room.

In order to get a fresh perspective you must clear out

the room completely and start with a blank canvas. To make this a one-man or one-woman job, I recommend you use a pack of furniture sliders and place them underneath all of your large, heavy items for ease of movement. Also, take up any area rugs that may be on the floor and remove window treatments. Now you are ready to become inspired with a new look!

Tip 2: Consider the room’s focal point.

Do you have a fireplace, a scenic view, or plasma television that you want to highlight? Arrange the furniture so that your favorite thing(s) gets the spotlight.

Tip 3: Place largest piece first in the room first.

Decide the best spot for your sofa or bed (or piano), by experimenting. Try the piece in a few different locations to help determine your favorite. Also, here is where I must dispel one myth about furniture placement: you CAN place a sofa (or a bed) in front of a window (in most cases). So if you like it there, then go for it!

After finding a home for the largest item, decide where you will place the remaining pieces working from largest to smallest.

Tip 4: Keep Function in mind.

When placing your favorite reading chair in the room, make sure that it is paired with a reading lamp and table for your coffee cup and eyeglasses. In addition, if your goal is to have comfortable seating that promotes conversation, bring the sofa and chairs closer together. Resist the urge to situate all the furniture along the walls. Placing a rug in the center of a sofa and two chairs is an ideal way to anchor the seating area. If possible have a table within reach of most seating so that drinks have a place to sit, too. Generally, you don’t want the room so filled with furniture that you have no room to easily move about, nor do you want furniture blocking the room’s entry. Sometimes less is more.

When the seasons change, that’s usually my clue to change something. Yet change doesn’t always have to cost money.

Sometimes giving your old

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furnishings a new perspective is all that is needed. You’d be surprised at how much contentment there is in discovering a fresh perspective-

in decorating and in life. Try it, you just might like it! Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who

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

Youth Farm Project benefits West Side youth and community For the second year in a row, Youth Farm and Market Project, the Riverview Economic Development Association, and El Burrito Mercado have teamed

up to bring locally-grown organic produce to Saint Paul residents. The project, made possible by a generous grant from Ecolab, promises to engage

youth, nourish Saint Paul’s families and keep money in the local economy.

Youth Farm and Market Project, a Twin Cities-based organization focused on connecting urban youth with their families, communities, and the earth through growing, cooking, and selling healthy food, initiated the project for the summer of 2008. Peppers,

tomatillos, cucumbers, and other items grown on the West Side of

for purchase by mid-afternoon each week.

Youth are involved in every step of the process, from planting the seeds to creating the selling price and delivering the produce.

Saint Paul will be harvested by youth in the morning, transported by bicycle to El Burrito Mercado, and available

Youth are involved in every step of the process, from planting the seeds to creating the selling price and delivering the produce. From the project, youth gain an understanding of the food supply and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Meanwhile, Saint Paul residents have access to high-quality vegetables with a low

environmental impact.

The project strives to keep money in the local economy by selling the produce at El Burrito Mercado, a pillar of the West Side business community.

El Burrito Mercado will host a happy hour kick off on August 4. Appetizers will be provided and individuals can learn more about this program and get a first look at the produce available.

The produce, available now, will continue to be available through the summer and into early fall.

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Insight News • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Page 7

BUSINESS Gaps in employment a common problem for job seekers Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Reader Preetham writes: “One of the most significant issues is gaps in employment. I even had one recruiter tell me straight up, ‘The hiring manager will not consider job seekers with gaps

This obstacle is familiar to scores of job seekers. Managing your own attitude toward lapses in employment will help hiring managers keep them in perspective, too.

While some hiring managers seem to overlook the fact that unemployment is at an almost all-time high, remember that an increase in job seekers creates an overload of applicants for every position. One HR manager received 250 resumes for a part time administrative position. Hiring managers have to weed through the applicants and gaps in work history are a

Decide in advance how you will talk about your transitions. Plan one or two sentence explanations about your reasons for leaving each position. in their work history.’ I have been impacted by multiple downsizings and have held several contract positions. It seems so critical to hiring managers that it takes precedence over my qualifications.”

simple way to eliminate groups of resumes from consideration, making the hiring process more efficient, although not necessarily more effective.

The best way to address this challenge during an interview is to change perceptions – yours

and the hiring manager’s.

Realize that millions of Americans now have significant gaps in their employment history, as victims of our economic debacle. Similarly, after 9/11, our economy and people’s personal views took a significant change in direction, and many lost jobs or changed careers as a result. Hiring managers came to recognize the gap as expected, and after a year or two, stopped eliminating applicants with breaks occurring during that period.

Today’s problems eventually will be regarded the same way. But for now, anticipate the questions that you have heard before.

Decide in advance how you will talk about your transitions.

Plan one or two sentence explanations about your reasons for leaving each position. Don’t apologize or give the impression that you did anything wrong. Rather, treat it as inevitable, and move on in the conversation.

Stellar references will boost your chances once you’re in the interview stage. If most of your work is contract-based, collect

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the best possible references from each position. Ask for written letters of reference during or at the end of each contract whenever possible, because it is likely that your supervisor will eventually move or be laid off. If you request a reference through LinkedIn, it will appear with your profile on that site, adding to your credibility even prior to an interview. If you are contracting

through a recruiter, ask that person to request a reference for you. They may already have one on file, saving you and your supervisor some time.

Recruiter’s secret: Prior to the interview, hiring managers are looking for ways to narrow the field of applicants. Once they invite you in, their expectation is to hire you. They truly hope you are in person the professional you appear to be

on paper. Most interviewers already know why you were laid off, but are required to ask, so do not spend more interview time than necessary on transition issues.

Please send your career management questions to Julie@insightnews.com.

Business leadership profile

Entrepreneur Donald Bryant, Jr. helps launch products and businesses Marketing professional Donald Bryant, Jr. isn’t just bringing his business to West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. He is helping other entrepreneurs create viable businesses along the corridor as well.

Bryant is sharing valuable marketing expertise with North Minneapolis community members like Jackie Williams, who later this year will bring her catering company

Abundant Bistro to the 1200 West Broadway building, the latest redevelopment project from Catalyst Community Partners.

Bryant is providing pro bono support to Williams to grow her existing business and develop operational plans for a commercial rental kitchen and events center for which she will serve as general manager.

“I am able to expand my operation in North

Minneapolis thanks to Don’s help,” Williams remarked.

Bryant is eager to help other Northside entrepreneurs like Williams and shares a vision of promoting economic empowerment for minority and local residents.

“Community members must be the primary beneficiaries of new investments into the Northside neighborhoods,” Bryant said.

“It’s important because by

serving passionately in the community through our collective efforts we believe there will be an elevation of mind-sets and income levels resulting in sustainable change.”

This fall Bryant’s specialty consumer products marketing and distribution company, The Alden Group, will move its headquarters to the 1200 West Broadway building.

Catalyst Community Partners is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization focused on revitalizing key commercial corridors in underperforming urban neighborhoods by developing commercial property and sustainable local businesses to increase safety, meet community needs and provide neighborhood jobs.

Catalyst is dedicated to revitalizing West Broadway, the historical, economic and social spine of North Minneapolis. To-date Catalyst has created space for nearly 50 full-time jobs on the avenue.

Donald Bryant, Jr.

Diane Napper elected to PFund Foundation executive committee Diane Napper was recently elected to the PFund Foundation board of directors executive committee.

Napper has been on the board for three years and was elected to be vice

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industry for 15 years and has worked for American Express Financial Advisors, ING ReliaStar and Starkey Laboratories. In 2003, she joined PFund on the communications committee, creating newsletters, brochures, event programs and other materials. She joined the board in 2006 and is currently the chair of the communications committee. She has also staffed Pride booths in the Twin Cities and Mankato.

Napper is a native of Philadelphia, PA and earned her bachelor’s degree in International Business from American University in Washington, D.C. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Shawn Holster.

PFund Foundation is a vital resource and community builder for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied communities by providing grants and scholarships, developing leaders, and inspiring giving. PFund serves the Upper Midwest: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. For more information: http://www.pfundonline.org/

Page 8 • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Insight News

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HEALTH What is alcoholism? What is an alcoholic? Answers may vary Health & Wellness

By Brandi D. Phillips What is alcoholism? What is an alcoholic? Depending on who you ask, the answer you receive may vary.

According to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of alcoholism is 1) continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks; 2) poisoning by alcohol (esp. a complex chronic

psychological and nutritional disorder associated with excessive and usu. compulsive drinking.

Alcoholic is also defined in this dictionary as 1a) of, relating to, or caused by alcohol: b) containing alcohol: 2) affected with alcoholism (alcoholically) or an alcoholic is a person affected with alcoholism.

These definitions are very broad and general. Let’s analyze each of these definitions.

The first definition of alcoholism given is the continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks.

We all know that excessive and compulsive means different things to different people. For some, having seven drinks once or twice a week is an alcoholic. For others having one or two drinks seven days a week is excessive.

What about the term alcoholic – affected with alcoholism, or a person

affected with alcoholism. The same thought process could be applied to this concept.

I personally would define an alcoholic as someone who drinks alcohol so much they cannot handle their business. This could mean missing appointments including work, family and religious obligations and personal endeavors and hobbies. I most definitely am not an expert in chemical dependency, although in my professional and personal life, I have dealt with alcoholics in many different capacities.

In doing some research on this topic, to come up with a definition, I found a definition that resembles the one I previously offered. Naomi Sims, author of All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman, defines the concept of alcoholism as “… occurring when an individual so

loses control of drinking that it seriously compromises physical and mental health, family life, social activities and employment.”

She notes in her book that we (African Americans) account for fewer heavy drinkers than whites, but we are still plagued by alcoholism. Again, the term heavy drinkers can also be debated.

One last nutritional definition of alcoholism according to Prescription For Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch, M.D., and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C, is alcoholism is a chronic condition marked by dependence on ethanol (ethylalcohol).

The dependence may be physiological, psychological, or a combination of the two. It is noted that one in 10 Americans who drink alcohol can be expected to have a problem with alcohol consumption.

Knowing this information, as a

community, we must educate ourselves about the dangers of alcohol and recognize the signs of alcoholism in alcoholics.

Here is a list of natural remedies to deal with alcoholism according to James F. and Phyllis A. Balch.

• Avoid alcohol (the obvious choice) • Seek help from a person or persons knowledgeable about this disorder.

• Try a 10-day juice and cleansing fast to remove toxins from the body.

• Avoid saturated fats and fried foods.

• Don’t consume refined sugar or anything that contains it. (Alcoholics sometime have concerns with sugar metabolism.

• Avoid stress and social situations where drinking is a primary activity.

• Get plenty of rest to allow your body to cleanse and heal itself.

• Most importantly take dealing with alcoholism one day at a time, as it is a complete lifestyle change.

Hopefully, this open up a discussion in the community regarding a consensus on what constitutes alcoholism. A consensus may not be possible with such a general definition, but recognizing it and dealing with it, is always the same.

Please consult a trusted chemical dependency professional if you or someone you know is dealing with alcoholism and it is affecting the quality of his or her life, both personally and professionally.

Brandi Phillips is a health and wellness professional, working with women, men and children to build a healthy community.

Children demand real child health reform legislation in Congress for all children Children’s Defense Fund

By Marian Wright Edelman As legislators on Capitol Hill make crucial decisions right now to reform America’s broken health care system, thousands of children across the country raised their voices demanding health coverage for all children during the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools® annual National Day of Social Action. A summer literacy enrichment model, the CDF Freedom Schools® program provides free summer and afterschool reading and cultural enrichment programs for thousands of children at sites from California to Maryland and from Minnesota to Texas and Florida. Each child is

required to engage in a service activity. They also are empowered to be an active citizen and raise their voices for just treatment for themselves and others. All learn about the vital role children played in the Civil Rights Movement in ending legal segregation in our country.

During this year’s National Day of Social Action, on July 13, nearly 12,000 children in 27 states from 135 CDF Freedom Schools sites marched, held rallies and health fairs, visited Congressional offices and conducted letter-writing campaigns urging their Senators and Representatives to ensure real child health reform this year for all nine million uninsured children and the millions more who are underinsured as part of national health reform legislation for all.

Children used their own words to tell their political leaders how critical it is that health reform legislation ensure every child in America accessible, affordable, equitable, comprehensive health coverage regardless of where they live.

The CDF Freedom Schools program seeks to empower children to make a difference in their families, their communities, their country and their world, through education, service and action. Our college-age teachers deliver a strong reading-rich curriculum designed to help children love to read and learn as well as motivate them to serve others—a value we hope will follow them the rest of their lives. Parents come to weekly workshops to learn about child development and how to support their children’s school achievement.

And the importance of nonviolent conflict resolution is shared with children and adults.

We took it as a good omen that the children’s National Day of Social Action coincided with President Obama’s announcement that he is nominating the extraordinary Dr. Regina Benjamin to be the nation’s next Surgeon General. A wonderful role model, she is the founder of a health clinic in the small shrimping village of Bayou la Batre, AL, on the Gulf Coast. She rebuilt the clinic three

times following two hurricanes and a fire. Many of her low-income patients lack health insurance or the money to pay for care, but she served them anyway. She is the first Black woman and physician under 40 to be elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees, and the first Black woman to be president of a State Medical Society in the United States. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship.

In announcing Dr. Benjamin’s nomination, President Obama said, “I know there are those who believe we should wait to solve this problem, or take a more incremental approach, or simply do nothing. . . .

Make no mistake: The status quo on health care is no longer an option for the United States of America. . . . And now we in Washington and across America have to refuse to give up on the goal of health care that is affordable and accessible for every last one of us.”

I agree that the status quo is no longer an option for our nation’s children as well as the tens of millions of other Americans who are uninsured and underinsured.

The thousands of students who

marched demanding a national health safety net for all children are trying to make adults and our political leaders understand that health coverage is a right, and that every child’s life is of equal value.

President Obama and Congressional leaders must make sure that fixing our broken child health system is a strong priority in any final health reform legislation.

The current House proposal falls short and may leave millions of children worse rather than better off on both affordability and benefits.

That is unacceptable and we need to tell our leaders so.

Children of color are disproportionately uninsured and are more likely to be in poor health.

The recent expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) left six million children still uninsured and millions more underinsured without all the medically necessary benefits that Medicaid-eligible children are provided. Children understand how important health care is to them and their families. I hope the students’ witness will help push adults to take responsibility for providing them the comprehensive, affordable health coverage everyone—

especially children—need.

Please add your voice to this important struggle! You can help make the CDF Freedom Schools children’s call to action even louder by sending an email today to your Members of Congress and to the White House. They need to hear that now is the time for real health care reform for all children and pregnant women, that no child should be worse rather than better off, and that no child should be left to an unjust 50-state lottery of geography where a child’s eligibility, costs and benefits depend on where they live. Our children must have a basic national safety net like senior citizens and this is the year to do it. Children cannot wait. They have only one childhood.

Marian Wright Edelman, whose new book is The Sea Is So Wide And My Boat Is So Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation, is president of the Children’s Defense Fund. For more information about the Children’s Defense Fund, go to http://www.childrensdefense.org/.

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Insight News • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Page 9

Feds fund Hennepin County project Washington, D.C. – US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) secured another two major appropriations for the Fifth District - $500,000 to help develop a new transit hub in downtown Minneapolis and $250,000 to begin planning for the Bottineau Transitway, a new light rail line between downtown Minneapolis and the Northwest Suburbs.

“Affordable, reliable and state-of-the-art transportation systems are one of my top priorities here in the Congress,” said Ellison. “Our economy depends on our ability to get where we need to, when we need to, in the least amount of time.

Furthermore, Minneapolis is an international city and our transportation system must reflect that as well,” he said.

The $500,000 appropriation will be used to develop a new transit-hub located in downtown Minneapolis that will serve as a center for current and future commuter and light rail lines (LRT). The $250,000 appropriation will be used to help pay for the planning of a potential light rail line that extends from Downtown Minneapolis through North Minneapolis and into the Northwestern Suburbs including Robbinsdale, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Osseo and Maple Grove.

“We appreciate Congressman Ellison’s great work and leadership in jumpstarting the development of the intermodal transit hub in downtown Minneapolis,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter

McLaughlin. “It will be an operational hub in late fall when Northstar Commuter Rail and Hiawatha LRT meet.

These funds will start the detailed planning for the bigger and better hub that will be needed when Central, Southwest, and Bottineau are completed.”

“I could not be more pleased to have this provision included for the Bottineau Transit project and thank Congressman Ellison for his leadership,” said Hennepin County Board Chair Mike Opat. “This appropriation will take us one step closer to building a major transit investment and transportation equity in the North Minneapolis and northern suburban communities.”

These appropriations are included in the draft House

Gaza

families, and homes.” Over 400,000 Palestinians have had to flee their country. The elders have kept the keys to their bulldozed and bombed homes thinking they would come back in a day, a week, a month- it has been generations but still they hold onto the keys to homes that are no longer there.

Today, increasing numbers of international observers like Alice Walker go to support Palestine and other oppressed people of the world. Just recently, Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate, along with 21 other human rights workers and journalists were abducted by Israeli Occupation Forces and forcibly taken to an Israeli jail. On the Spirit of Humanity vessel they attempted to break the blockade and deliver medical supplies, toys, and olive trees to Palestinians in despair. Walker spoke about being criticized for her views as an activist, she said, “I’ve been punished a lot, I married into a Jewish family. I was called antisemitic, it was so painful. It’s very personal. We are criticized to see it in a different light. We have Jewish friends and we want to protect them.”

Walker added: “Fear is the absence of love, but there is something besides fear here.

Why, is it so hard to have this covered in the media, they have built this power —many Jews give everything to Israel. I do not believe in violence but I do believe in self defense and I believe the Palestinians are trying to defend themselves.”

The night could not end without someone in the audience requesting a comment on how she felt about the historically newly elected African- American President of the United States,

Barack Hussein Obama. Walker said, “I am not happy we gave over 30 million dollars to Israel to buy weapons, it’s such a mistake we will regret. I think it’s monstrous activity to offer money to Palestine to rebuild, it’s so insulting, kill and rebuild. What I fear most is for Obama to lose his soul; he is so kind and gentle. If, it happened I would never stop crying. It is our work to show him where we will be led and where we won’t be led.”

Addressing a comment made

by American Foreign Policy Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice.

Walker said, “Susan Rice said, ‘We are not going to allow any Israel bashing crap!’ The use of such language is so ungraceful.

I’m disappointed right there, if

From 1 historically that is correct so my ears did not deceive me. She continued, “Israel, reminds me of the Indian reservations, and the South African Bantustans. It supported the Apartheid system, but even you in this room know it’s not going to work, like it didn’t work for us, it’s so retro.

We won’t take anymore Apartheids. It took me back to Georgia, Pine Ridge, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Geronimo. The Palestinians fight back-hello!

They are trying to turn them into waiters, waitresses and slaves.”

Israel, has taken all the land and forced Palestinians into concentration camps, she said.

Listening intensely, I thought back to Ms. Walkers long history of peaceful resistance against apartheid, the war in Iraq and now the occupation of Palestine.

Occupied Palestine has been constantly at war with its Jewish Zionist neighbors. Britain once ruled Palestine, this ancient and biblical land between 1920 and 1948. After World War II the British terminated its mandate over Palestine. Fleeing the horror of the holocaust Jews sought a homeland where they could have sanctuary. In exchange for financial assistance, a bankrupt and war torn Britain promised President Truman 100,000 fleeing Jews refuge inside Palestine. The United General Assembly voted on November 29, 1947 in favor of a plan to partition the territory into separate Jewish and Arab stateshowever history and recent events have shown that the Jewish state gets exponentially larger while Palestinian land gets increasingly smaller.

Walker said, “I love Code Pink because they take people to see for themselves. I traveled through Gaza through the Rafa crossing. At first they wouldn’t let us through but, the President of Israel’s wife told the military to let us through, because Alice Walker is with them. It was important for me to absorb and walk among the ruins, what I saw was like a human Katrina. Over 100,000 Palestinians are homeless and more than half of Gaza’s population is under the age of 17, and 60 percent of those killed are children. Apache bombs are dropped exploding at high altitudes, they release a phosphorous gas that burns

www.mncn.org

Commissioner Mike Opat

Transportation and Housing, Urban, Development Appropriations bill.

congress doesn’t get what they need to do, that is really sad, but it doesn’t stop us from doing what we need to do.”

By the end of the program I felt blessed to have heard one of our great writers and humanitarians speak. Walker was so thoughtful in her presentation, she gave the name of two books for people to consider reading, A Peoples History of the U.S. by Howard Zinn and One Country: A Bold Proposal to end the Israeli/Palestinian Impasse by Ali Abunimah.

I would encourage my fellow citizens to look into both sides of this conflict- and I say, we must co-exist in peace, respect and mutual understanding or perish as fools.

Page 10 • July 27 - August 2, 2009 • Insight News

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612588-2031, by phone: (612) 5881313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events Greater Twin Cities United Way Twins Game - July 29 Weds. July 29. Support literacy

among Twin Cities' children as the Minnesota Twins take on the Chicago White Sox. To receive a discounted ticket, go to www.liveunitedtc.org and $5 of every purchased ticket will be donated to United Way to increase the number of third graders reading at grade level, outlined in our Agenda for Lasting Change.

Second Annual Ecclesiastical Fellowship - July 29-31 & Aug. 2 2425 White Bear Ave. Maplewood,

Street, www.millcitymuseum.org

MN. Nightly 7pm and Sun. 4pm "Eyewitness Report from Pakistan" - July 30 Thurs. at 7:00 p.m. St. Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Guest Speaker: Kathy Kelly, Voices for Creative Nonviolence.

Kohl's Fall Fashion Show and Beauty Event - July 31 Fri, 11am - 9pm at Kohl's Department Store, 7931 Southtown Center, Bloomington MN Mill City Live Returns with Outdoor Music and Museum Admission for One Low Price July 9 through Aug. 13 Every Thursday, 6 - 8 pm at Mill City Museum, 704 South Second

Mpls.

'Minnesota on the Map:' Four Centuries of Maps from the Minnesota Historical Society Collection - Now thru Sept. 7 Feb. 28, 2009 - Sept. 7, 2009, at Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. This exhibit features dozens of maps, atlases and artifacts from the Society's collection, including an atlas from 1595, displayed along side current road, city and tourist maps. www.mnhs.org.

Freedom Jazz Festival - Aug. 1 Sat., 1:00 - 7:30 PM at Minnehaha Park Band Shell, 4801 Minnehaha Avenue South, Mpls.

Sustainable Saturday - Aug. 1 Sat., 11:30am - 2:30pm at Indian Mounds Park, St. Paul (Parking is located on Mounds Blvd. just east of Earl St.) Join a picnic with Greenpeace to learn about global warming and environmental sustainability.

West Bank School of Music Concert - Aug. 1 Sat, 7:30pm at Lake Harriet Bandshell (Free Event) 4th Annual Protect The E.D.G.E Basketball Camp - Aug. 3-6 8 - 4:30pm each day at Brooklyn Center High School, Brooklyn Center, MN For more information please call Quadree Drakeford at 612-2160845

The Hero of the Rails Tour Aug, 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, & 16 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at 21778 Highview Avenue, Lakeville MN 15th Annual Latino Family Resource Fair - Aug. 8 Sat, 10am - 2pm at the Midtown Farmer's Market at the intersection of East Lake Street and 22nd Ave. South.

Stevens Square Center for the Arts - Aug. 8-23 "We'll Burn That Bridge When We Get To It " Collage Art and Woodcuts by Erik Farseth, Opening night reception on Sat, August 8 at 7pm-10pm. 1905 3rd Ave S. Mpls, MN

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2. Registered Office Address: 1419 Penn Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411-3049

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4. Business Mailing Address: PO Box 22272, Minneapolis, MN 55422-0272 5. Desired Duration of LLC: (in years). (If you do not complete this item, a perpetual duration is assumed by law.): 6. Does this LLC own, lease or have any interest in agricultural land or land capable of being farmed?

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Insight News • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Page 11

SPORTS The next level of Protect the E.D.G.E.

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Any member of the team that many call ‘The Greatest High School Basketball Team of AllTime” more than likely has a bird’s eye view of the world that few will ever know or even dream of. Anyone would have to imagine that a kid going through an experience such as that would have quite the story to tell, and the experience to back it up. Many in the Twin Cities are already aware of the name Coach Q, but the hoop-dream baptism that young Quadree Drakeford experienced in his time at Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, NC, provides a story that anyone can sit and be riveted to for hours, and I’m proof. Fortunately for the youth of the Twin Cities, Coach Q has converted his experience into an exploding basketball concept by the name of Protect the E.D.G.E. (PTE).

Last year I reported on the solid concept foundation and success that PTE rests upon. For those who missed that article, check the Insight archives on www.Insightnews.com or www.protecttheedgenow.com to cover the basic educational and athletic premise of this brilliant and passionate camp. As we follow up with the growth of this system of youth development camps, complete with its sister organization Butterfly Springs, which provides tutoring services, I wanted to make readers aware of the inspiration that birthed PTE. Before that though, I will mention that the big PTE 4th Annual Basketball Camp takes place at Brooklyn Center High School on August 3-6 (ages 8-17) together with the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. For kids and coaches to call a high school team ‘The Greatest High School Basketball Team of All-Time’ is one thing; when USA Today says it, and Sports Illustrated backs it up with a four-

page spread, then I think it is time to pull up a chair and study the blueprints. First of all, most people who have sniffed the leather of a basketball, or the funk of a gym, know that people in the state of North Carolina are as serious about basketball as Prince is about the color purple…maybe more. Thus, one can only imagine the regional passion and pressure to provide the high school equivalent to the Duke University (Durham, NC) and North Carolina University collegiate basketball juggernauts.

In the case of the 1997 Mt. Zion Christian Academy basketball team, eight AllAmerican rated basketball players graced the 14 or so member squad. That’s right; that means that players coming off of the bench were All-Americans. Most amazing teams have a superstar phenom and one other talented player that catches the phenom’s drift.

This Mt. Zion team,

however, had eight AllAmericans!! The phenom on this team was NBA superstar Tracy McGrady. For those who perhaps don’t know the name Tracy McGrady, just imagine LeBron James without muscles, and with a better jump shot. McGrady was drafted directly to the NBA after his 1997 senior year. “Any player on our team could have easily gone and starred at any other team in the nation. We had players from all over the southeastern seaboard, and we went to a major Christian private school in North Carolina.

I mean we lived together! In a big house! With the coach and his wife and kids! And traveled all over the country kickin’ major butt in front of wild crowds!” said Drakeford.

To listen to Drakeford vividly recant about household collegiate and professional basketball names is captivating and wakes up every competitive memory of your own.

“We were a brotherhood: A

family.” Drakeford expressed in summary of the experience.

Coach Q is the wise diamond that came out of that pressure-packed experience. Through harnessing the wisdom of his unique basketball experience, together with his personal drive to create improved methods for youth development, Coach Q created PTE. ‘ “These kids need us, man,” he said. “We have to show them how to be the best at whatever they do.

I’ve seen some of the mightiest stars…my friends…and they didn’t make it to their potential.

Many aren’t able to channel their basketball skills to life skills. If a child is successful in life, then basketball success will be a breeze. We teach kids how to do that on top of very critical basketball skills. They will become better players and people if you let us at ‘em.”

In addition to the quality programming (including food,

www.protecttheedgenow.com

speakers, and a Lynx game, amongst much more), PTE is priced for extreme affordability compared to many other highquality camps. “The Lynx are an excellent, credible, young organization, and their support is helping to spread our message of hope to other corporate partners,

but of course we welcome all the support we can get. We have (Glaceau) Vitamin Water sponsoring now!! It’s time to take these kids to the next level!” exclaimed Drakeford. www.protecttheedgenow.com

Page 12 • July 27- August 2, 2009 • Insight News

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