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August 10 - August 16, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 32 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com
Advocates escalate fight against tobacco
Funds should be redirected to highest impact areas By Al McFarlane Insight Editor-In-Chief Results from a two-part study of tobacco use in Minnesota’s African American communities were released last week, painting an alarming picture reflecting prominent tobacco use among African American adults. The report said almost a third of U.S. born Black Minnesotans are using tobacco, versus 17 percent of all Minnesotans. Some two fifths of Black Minnesotans say they are current or former tobacco users. “Using definitions set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study found 28 percent of U.S.-born AfricanAmerican adults in Minnesota are current smokers, 10 percent are former smokers and 62 percent have never smoked. This compares to 17 percent of all adult Minnesotans who were current smokers,” said the report, “Tobacco Use Among African Americans In Minnesota: A Survey and Conversations with African-American Communities.” Dr. Jennifer R. Warren, Ph.D., presented the study that summarized findings from two complementary studies at a forum Monday, July 27, at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center in Minneapolis. Natalie Johnson Lee, executive director, Minnesota African/African-
The Favor: keeping life good with soul food
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From left to right: LaTanisha Wright, a director for National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAAPTN), Stella WhitneyWest, CEO, NorthPoint Health and Wellness, Natalie Johnson Lee, executive director Minnesota African/African-American Tobacco Education Network (MAAATEN), Dr. Jennifer Warren Indigo, Health and Research Consulting, LLC and Linda Fancher, outreach coordinator, MAAATEN American Tobacco Education Network (MAAATEN) said, “This report shows concretely the work that needs to be done in the African American community. We plan to use the data from the two studies to mobilize community members and begin developing an action plan built on interventions and strategies to reduce tobacco use in our community.”
“The tobacco industry is well funded, well positioned and extremely efficient and effective in intentionally targeting the African American community. They market specifically and more intensely to the African American community. Tobacco use is the number one culprit in causing preventable disease in the United States,” Johnson Lee said. “If we stop
tobacco use we will reduce and eliminate many other health problems.” Johnson Lee said African Americans and other conscious citizens should write their legislators and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, demanding greater funding for prevention and cessation work in our community. “We had a large settlement against the tobacco
industry and a lot of that money went for road construction. People should contact the Governor and elected officials and tell them this is unacceptable. Funding needs to come to communities most heavily impacted in proportion to the impact. We need higher funding to counter the attack against our
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50 Cent and The "Streets of Blood" Interview”
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A different way to handle race profiling; communication is key By Dr. George Banks Part 2 Racism and related issues persist to this day in all aspects of our society. These issues are reflected in longstanding disparities between the life experiences of African Americans and "mainstream" Americans. If African Americans come to understand that assumptions about effectiveness breed and sustain racism then African Americans can take the initiative to resolve these critical problems. One significant problem for African Americans is the practice of "racial profiling." The following is part 2 of a case study that illustrates
ingredients that can be useful in confronting this racist practice. I took my first step. I sent a letter to the head of the police authority that has jurisdiction for where I was stopped. No place in the letter did I mention that my daughter and I were African American. No place in the letter did I mention "racial profiling" or claim racism or unfair treatment. I simply provided a statement that included questions for which I was demanding answers. I started the letter by reporting the details of the stoppage and continued with the following statement and questions: "After reviewing the circumstances related to stoppage of my vehicle I have serious questions
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Urban League looks
to expand service By Zenitha Prince Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers CHICAGO (NNPA) – National Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial, in his State of the Urban League address August 29, said the 99-year-old civil rights organization must reset its mission to include all Americans as it looks to the future. “Today we stand on the doorstep of our second century ... and our mission and our message has expanded,” said Morial before an estimated crowd of 5,500 at Apostolic Church of God. “While the civil rights struggle is not over, we have to take our empowerment agenda to the next level.” While citing the NUL’s history
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President Obama
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
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Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)
As Congress leaves for August recess, CBC keeps health care on the front burner By Pharoh Martin NNPA National Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) - As members of Congress begin August recess, temporarily setting aside intense negotiations for a passable health care reform bill, the Congressional Black Caucus has vowed to continue pushing for
specific provisions that its members feel are vital for AfricanAmericans. The original House and Senate bills would significantly reduce the staggering number of uninsured Americans, many of which are disparately Black. But it won’t be as effective if other provisions are not also included, CBC members argue. The CBC and the
Congressional Tri-Caucus, which also comprises the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, introduced a bill recently that outlines their priorities for health care reform for people of color. They call for expanded data collection, improved health care
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Stop smoking it can improve your life
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Marc Morial
of seeking economic empowerment for African Americans, and acknowledging Black achievements that include the election of President Barack Obama, Morial kicked off the
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WASHINGTON, DC - Members of President Obama’s Green Cabinet and the community engagement campaign, Green the Block, met in Washington last week to discuss ways to ensure that opportunities from the new green economy are available to a broad cross section of the American people. In response to the president’s call to service through the United We Serve campaign, Green the Block also presented a birthday gift to President Obama in the form of a
call to action for green community service projects in underserved communities on September 11th, the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Participants in today’s event included Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency; and Under Secretary Kristina Johnson, Department of Energy. They were joined by the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.,
president of the Hip Hop Caucus; Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All; and leaders of Green the Block. Jackson, who grew up in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, understands the environmental challenges faced by individuals and families in vulnerable communities across the country. “Poison in the ground means poison in the economy. A weak environment means a weak
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Page 2 • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Insight News
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The Favor: keeping life good with soul food By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com The last year has been something to celebrate for The Favor Café. This Uptown Minneapolis restaurant this weekend celebrates its first complete year of being in business. The past year has been filled with packed houses, no matter the night of the week. And even during the slower periods there is always a small smattering of people at The Favor looking to keep life good with soul food that I like to describe as “What’cha want & What’cha need”. Most small restaurants shouldn’t expect to turn a profit in the first year of business. However, the businesses that find a way to shine in the midst of and ugly economic background –we all know about the recession— that provide us all with daily examples of hope and inspiration needed to fan our own flames of achievement. However, reports claim that the economic fortunes of the nation seem to be close to turning a corner, and that can
only mean good things for businesses that succeeded during ’08 – ’09. The menu at The Favor has continued to evolve into a solid group of standards that everyone can bank on (buckets of chicken wings and fries flow constantly out of the kitchen), in addition to some continuous occasional upgrades in recipe, and if you’re lucky, a surprise. The surprises generally become standards very quickly, so don’t worry if you miss it. Occasionally they might run out of something (not chicken), but if you’ve had that dish before then you probably know why they ran out. The way that you know the food is good is through seeing the quiet procession of people who sit and enjoy a quick beverage and some entertainment, only to quickly leave the fun with a couple of big sacks of goodies. Or there is always the legendary story of five dudes getting caught destroying three chicken wings as if they didn’t already know the deal about how good the chicken wings are. Let’s just say –if recall correctly— that a few additional
orders quickly followed. In any event, the patrons seem to leave on a much lighter foot than the pace in which they came. “We are our customers, so we understand how to make people comfortable. We also know how difficult times have been. Our catering business has quite a few educational institutions that we serve, so we’ve had to provide the same type of service to them on less, in order to keep our customers comfortable through the good and the bad,” said co-owner Angela Tucker-Dawson, who owns the restaurant with her husband Keith Dawson. She added, “I’m so happy that we are able to provide something that our community really needs. There have been too many good examples of soul food restaurants that have not lasted, and that is why we appreciate the strong support from all over. There are so many people to thank, and we love them all dearly. But most of all, obviously, we thank God for his Favor.” Noting that everyone is not
always going to be happy, TuckerDawson suggested, “We continue to make a lot of changes in order to try and provide better for our customers. We were constantly scrambling to make necessary upgrades, and we will continue to do so because it is good business to do so. It has been a test though. We opened for Sunday brunch the day after our wedding, and you can guess how tough that was.” In addition to the food, The Favor has been a much needed and celebrated new venue for artists and entertainment. Jamecia Bennett, our own lovely national superstar siren and worth all the adjectives said, “It makes me feel so good to see how they provide a stage, and thus a pedestal, for budding artists. It obviously makes me feel something when I see a beautiful young lady getting an early opportunity to hear her voice on stage. The Favor is a wonderful platform, and there is a wonderful list of people who support it, so you know it’s going to grow. Venues like this support the base of the community,” said Tucker-
Dawson. In terms of outward community support, The Favor must follow the Biblical adage that “It is better to give, than to receive,” because it seems that with most of their activities, there is a community support or non-profit element involved somewhere. Whether it is The National Kidney Foundation, the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, Keith Ellison, Al Franken, and Larry Fitzgerald Jr., or the National Black and Hispanic Caucuses, the people and causes that have flowed through the doors of 913 W. Lake Street have been of the highest caliber. Booker T. Washington spoke to the importance of small businesses, churches, and schools intermingling to create a strong African American community. It is these businesses that can provide opportunities to community youth, and those who may have trouble getting a job elsewhere for this or that reason. These businesses provide platforms for others to show-n-tell of their own goods and services, not to mention
StudioTobechi
Angela Tucker-Dawson and Keith Dawson
the non-profit and civic platforms. Uptown is an important area in the Twin Cities landscape. The coupling of The Favor, and long-standing natural hair salon Malobe next door, make for the seeds of outward and inward growth that we too often hear don’t exist. But these two Blackowned businesses are standing, growing, and blossoming before our very eyes every day. The Favor will host their One Year Anniversary Celebration on the evening of Saturday August 15th. They will serve free hors d’oeuvres and host a champagne toast in addition to give-a-ways, performances, and charity cause.
Page 4 • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Insight News
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COMMENTARY Courts should treat juveniles like children Justice for all
By Judge Greg Mathis Congress is set to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, originally passed in 1974. The law established a set of protections for juvenile offenders; state and local
Race From 1 as to actions of the police officer who conducted the stoppage. For more than 20 years I have driven on the highway where my vehicle was stopped. I have been, and I am, well aware of and I honor the 55 mph speed limit zone that extends for some distance from the tool booth before changing to a 65 mph speed limit. As I was driving that morning I was traveling at a speed that was consistent with the speed of the flow of traffic that was
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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests. Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Mehgaan Jones Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie 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.
governments that adhere to its guidelines are eligible for federal funding to maintain and improve its juvenile justice facilities. As lawmakers review the bill, they should take into serious consideration research that demonstrates the negative effects the criminal justice system has on offenders and, ultimately, society. An improved act should include provisions that prevent courts from treating minors like adults. Instead, the courts should be urged to find alternative methods that ensure these youth offenders are able to return to society as productive, law-abiding citizens. A recent report, written by
Michele Deitch, an attorney with over 23 years experience working on criminal justice policy issues, demonstrates why the adult criminal justice system is a poor, and often dangerous, place for young offenders. Every year, nearly 80 young offenders 13 and younger are transferred to adult court, mostly for what are considered minor offenses. While held in adult facilities, these youth face a higher risk of both physical and sexual assault. The younger the child, the more at risk they are. Often, the decisions about whether or not a young offender will be treated as an adult are made with racial and other biases.
The U.S., as it is with most aspects of the criminal justice system, is behind the times when it comes to the way it treats its youth offenders. According to the report, most countries, even those considered among the worst of human rights violators, do not try young children as adults and do not give them long sentences. And with good reason: young children sentences to adult jails often return to society more violent than they left, only to end up back in jail, this time for more serious crimes. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional to sentence a youth under the age of 18 to the death penalty. Justices
in support of the ruling felt these young minds were not mature enough to fully appreciate the consequences of their actions. That decision was a big step in toward creating a justice system that works to rehabilitate youth offenders. Now, Congress has the opportunity to build upon the Court’s ruling when it reworks the Act. Young offenders should be tried and convicted within the juvenile justice system and laws that call for the mandatory transfer of juveniles to adult court should be removed from the books. These young people should be housed in safe, juvenile facilities. In addition
to education, counseling should be mandatory for these young offenders. Connecting them with mentors, who can guide them as they leave the system, is also critical. The way the U.S. currently approaches crime, particularly the crime of juvenile offenders, does not work. It has been shown to actually foster criminality, not prevent it. It is time that new approaches are used to ensure these young people return to society ready to contribute. Doing so will contribute to a reduction in crime, creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.
leaving the toll booth. Given that I was driving my vehicle at a speed consistent with that of the traffic flow of which I was a part, the allegation that I was driving at 70 mph suggests that the flow of traffic was also traveling at approximately 70 mph. Also, as I passed through the express lane to pay the required toll I was driving my vehicle at a speed of approximately 10 mph as required at the toll booth. Considering the flow of traffic and the distance from the point of exiting the toll booth to the point at which I was directed to pull off the road by the police officer, it is highly unlikely that my automobile had the time to reach the speed of 70 mph as alleged by the officer. As a result, there is a question to be raised about my vehicle being directed off the road by the officer and it is based on two factors. One factor is that I was driving my vehicle at a speed consistent with the flow of traffic. The second
factor is that it was unlikely that I had the length of time to drive my vehicle to reach a speed of 70 mph in the distance between the toll booth to the point where I was signaled to pull off the road by the officer. The question is what was the basis of the officer's decision to direct me to pull my vehicle off of the highway? Given that the speed of my vehicle was consistent with the speed of the flow of traffic within which I was driving, the officer had a number of vehicles to choose from to pull over to the side of the road for an alleged violation of driving at a speed of 70 mph in a speed zone of 55 mph. When I passed my license and vehicle registration as directed to the officer he raised a question of my "nervousness." Apparently this question of "nervousness" was based on his personal observation and interpretation. What did the officer mean by "nervous?" How was any "nervousness" on my part perceived by the officer to be
relevant to the allegation of my driving at a speed that exceeded the designated speed limit? In the officer's experience and training would he expect a citizen not to be "nervous" when pulled over by the police especially if that citizen is dealing with a personal tragedy such as the death of a family member? What is the relevance to the allegation of driving above the speed limit, of information collected from me the driver when the observation of my nervousness is posed as a question from the officer, that because of his legal authority must be answered by me the driver? The officer directed me out of my vehicle and began to question me regarding the contract for the rental vehicle that I was driving. What was the basis of the officer threatening to impound my vehicle when in fact the rental contract authorized travel in the state that included the jurisdiction within which the officer had the legal responsibility to enforce the law? While directing me to stand outside my vehicle what was the basis of the officer asking personal questions regarding the circumstances of my travel to my sister's funeral? What relevance was there for the alleged speeding violation for the information regarding my personal travel plans? While directing me to stand
outside my vehicle, why was my daughter subjected to an interrogation? Why was she asked questions similar to those questions asked of me by the officer? Why was she questioned for information about an alleged speeding violation for which she had no legal responsibility as a passenger in the vehicle? What relevance would information she provided have with relation to the alleged driving violation? What was the purpose of subjecting her to interrogation separate from her father and source of support, at a time of serious distress at the loss of her aunt and the upset caused by the stoppage of the vehicle in which she was traveling to the funeral for her aunt? While seated in our vehicle a second officer approached my daughter and me. Why were we interrogated with questions similar to those that we were asked separately by the first police office? What would be the relevance of information provided by my daughter and me in response to the questions asked by the second officer, to the alleged speeding violation? As a citizen who drives extensively I would consider that driving a vehicle at 70 mph in a zone where the speed limit is set at 55 mph to be a serious traffic violation. I would see that enforcement related to such a
violation to be most critical for maintaining the safety of the driving public as well as the potential driving violator. In the instance of my alleged driving violation, why was I only issued a Warning for allegedly driving 15 mph above the speed limit in a zone of high traffic volume. If it was determined that I was proceeding at an excessively high speed which is a serious traffic violation with the safety of my passenger, myself, and the driving public at stake, why was I not issued a traffic citation with the associated fine? With these circumstances there is a question regarding the legitimacy of the basis for the alleged traffic violation and the road stoppage of my vehicle. I am writing to insist that you undertake an immediate and full investigation of the circumstances involved in the stoppage of my vehicle by your police officers. I demand that you provide the findings of your investigation in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of this correspondence. This demand is presented to you prior to my taking further action to resolve the questions in these circumstances. Subsequent to my letter I received a letter from head of the police authority. The letter thanked me for my communication and
RACE TURN TO 6
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AESTHETICS
Insight News • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Page 5
10 quick questions for 50 By Kam Williams Curtis James Jackson, III, aka 50 Cent, was born on July 6, 1975 in South Jamaica, Queens, where he was raised by his single mom until she was murdered when he was only 8. He was taken in by his grandparents, but began hanging out with the wrong kids and began selling crack by the age of 12. While still a teenager, he was arrested and convicted for drug dealing, and turned his life around while serving out a six-month sentence. After being paroled, he parlayed his street cred into an enviable career in gangsta’ rap with the help of the late Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, and the rest, as they say, is musical history. Here, he talks about his latest film, Streets of Blood, a crime thriller set in New Orleans and co-starring Val Kilmer. Kam Williams: Hi 50, what interested you in making Streets of Blood? 50 Cent: I was looking to work with Robert DeNiro on this picture but ended up working with him on Righteous Kill. The script sat for a while, but once they got Kilmer involved I knew I had to do it. KW: Tell me a little about your character, Stan Green. 50: My character Stan wants to play things straight, but cannot provide the things his family needs and wants, so he makes some decisions that catch up with him. KW: How did you prepare for the
role? 50: I lost 25 pounds for the role of Stan. I wanted it to be realistic. I wanted the audience to believe I was vulnerable and in danger in parts of the film. KW: How was it co-starring with Val Kilmer? 50: Amazing KW: Is it true that you liked working with him so much that you gave him a classic car worth $100,000 as a gift after the shooting? 50: I gave Val Kilmer a ‘67 Impala as a gift for taking time to teach me some of the craft. KW: I see you have already signed on to make eight more movies over the next couple of years. Which do you prefer, acting or music? 50: I am conditioned for music, although I like acting as you can tell a more complete story with a movie character than you can with a three-minute song. KW: When will your next CD, Before I Self Destruct, finally be released? 50: Very soon. KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read? 50: The 50th Law, written by myself and Robert Greene. I had to read my final edit in preparation for the September 8 release. KW: The Rudy Lewis question: Who’s at the top of your hero list? 50: Myself, as I have overcome so many obstacles.
50vstheworld.files.wordpress.com
Curtis James Jackson, III, aka 50 Cent KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps? 50: [Kidding)] Don’t try it! No, just be yourself as an artist and entrepreneur.
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KW: Thanks for the time, 50. 50: Thank you.
To order a copy of 50’s new book, The 50th Law, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ ct/006177460X?ie=UTF8&tag=t hslfofire20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789 &creative=390957&creativeASI N=006177460X
To order a copy of Streets of Blood, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ ct/B0026VKXSA?ie=UTF8&tag= thslfofire20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789 &creative=390957&creativeASI N=B0026VKXSA To order a copy of 50’s new CD, Before I self Destruct, visit:
CBC From 1 workforce diversity efforts, comparative effectiveness research provisions for the disaggregation of data, community-centric prevention efforts that focus on reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, language and translation services throughout the health care system and a significant investment in community health centers and in community health workers. With hopes that certain reform provisions from their Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 will make it into the final health care bill, CBC leaders – including Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) - wrote a letter to both President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “We are very concerned about the current negotiations and feel that it is necessary to restate our strong position on several issues and provisions going forward,” the letter stated. They are vehemently urging Congress to keep efforts that would correct health disparities and make improvements to Medicare and health services for children. They argued that additional cuts to the proposed bill that passed the three House
To see a trailer for Streets of Blood, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =XWCT7OvnJuw
committees will weaken the initiative itself. “The Tri Com bill is budget neutral and we are concerned that efforts to cut more costs would mean cutting the vital services, like prevention and comparative effectiveness or disproportionate share,” the CBC wrote in the letter, which was also signed by co-chairs of the CBC Health and Wellness Taskforce Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Rep. Donna Christensen. (D-VI). While nothing is finalized yet, Christensen, a medical doctor, said the new bill, as proposed, will include an expansion of Medicaid to young people that meet poverty guidelines. “Those who meet 133 percent of poverty guidelines, which has been increased from before, will qualify for Medicaid,” the congresswomen said in an interview. “It has been expanded beyond just the elderly and the disabled.” Christensen wanted Medicaid to become a part of the public plan because, she said, services are not covered in the same degree. For example, Medicaid covers some expensive procedures for children differently than the proposed public plan, and long-term care is not covered the same. Christensen, the first female physician in the history of the U.S. Congress, pointed out that those whose incomes are not above 400 percent of poverty, which amounts to about $88,000 for a family, will qualify for subsidies if they purchase their coverage from an insurance exchange. This exchange is being considered to go along with the hotly contested public option. US Rep. Donna Edwards (DMD) has also been fighting for the public option to be included in the final health care bill. “[The] most significant part of the health care bill is the public option,” Edwards contended. “It’s a vital option for people who don’t have insurance.” Edwards represents Maryland’s 4th District, home to the state’s affluent Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Both Washington, D.C. suburban counties boast significant Black populations and are among the richest in the country. Yet, onefifth of its residents are uninsured. “The doctor would bill the public plan option like Medicare,” Edwards said, explaining how the public option would work. The biggest health care concerns of her largely Black constituency are those related to accessing insurance, the amounts of co-payments, being denied for pre-existing conditions and skyrocketing costs of premiums and deductibles. “The U.S. health care system is one of the most expensive systems in the world. We spend
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LIFESTYLE Shoppers gone wild: The devastating dark side of generosity Style on a dime
By Marcia Humphrey Did I ever tell you about my Aunt Lydia (not her real name)? She’s my favorite aunt and we spent a lot of time together when I was growing up. We developed a special bond and having no children of her own, I held (and still hold) an extra special place in her heart. In general, my aunt is very kind-she’s the one all the nieces and nephews (as well as friends) count on for very generous and
Race From 4 advised me that my letter was being forwarded to the appropriate officials for an Internal Affairs Unit investigation. The next set of actions from the police authority consisted of contacting me through telephone calls and then letters. The purpose of these contacts was not to provide answers to the questions I raised in my letter to the head of the police authority. But rather the purpose of the contacts was to engage me in providing additional information to assist with an "internal" investigation. In fact, I was asked to come to the police authority facilities for an interview regarding the incident.
thoughtful gifts for birthdays, graduations, and weddings. At some point after becoming a wife and mother, I realized, in an adult sort of way, that her generosity has a dark side —allow me to clarify. Several years ago, Aunt Lydia attended a small church where many members struggled financially and she started a tradition of buying every church member a small Christmas gift. As this practice continued and the church grew, Aunt Lydia would use her resourceful bargain-hunting skills to purchase these Christmas (and later birthday) gifts throughout the year at ultradiscounted prices. Naturally, she needed to store the gifts in her home until gift-giving time arrived. Over time, my aunt’s basement became so filled with gifts that she soon could not remember or access
the items she had previously purchased. Her solution? She’d go out and buy new bargains and store them in two of the three bedrooms located on the second floor of her home. Once those became filled, her bedroom became the next storage area. On and on this practice went and during one visit, I noticed every room in her beautiful old home contained some temporarily stored items. While I am the first one to promote the virtues of bargainhunting, I recognize that too much of a good thing can be devastating. I know that at times when I have overindulged in bargains, my spirit begins to feel heavy and that is my cue to push back from the bargainbin. If you find yourself with a similar struggle, here are some tips to help you rid yourself of those
shopaholic tendencies and adopt a healthier approach to deal-finding.
Having experience in resolving issues of discrimination, I was not surprised that requests were being made of me for additional information. I realized that with my initial letter to the head of the police authority I was placing on the police authority the burden of providing information to me regarding the actions of their police officers. This burden on the police authority was given additional weight in that I had sent copies of my initial letter to my U.S. Congressional Representative and my state government representative. Therefore, I anticipated that there would be an attempt to shift the burden of providing information away from the police authority back to me as my burden. I did not respond to these communications thereby not accepting this burden to provide information. I had already
provided a detailed account of the incident in my initial letter to the head of the police authority. I provided an amount of information sufficient for the police authority to begin its "internal" investigation to collect information for answering my questions. Furthermore, my question was, given the detailed account of the incident that I provided, and given that the police authority was engaging in an "internal" investigation through its Internal Affairs Unit, why was information being requested from me? It seemed that the most significant information for the police authority internal investigation resided within the authority's police officers who were present at the incident. Additionally, I felt that my daughter and I were subjected to an inappropriate, time consuming, stressful interrogation while stopped on the highway on the way to my sister's funeral. My question was, why would I go to the police authority facility and subject myself to an unjustified, second interrogation at my time and
expense? I have yet to receive answers to my questions from the police authority. The burden and indeed the obligation to provide information that answers my questions remain with the police authority. Until the police authority provides information that answers my questions there is substantial justification for the conclusion that my daughter and I were the subject of "racial profiling." By presenting my questions I have given the police authority an opportunity to explain the action of their police officers as justifiable police practice and that my daughter and I were not subjected to "racial profiling." It may well be that the actions of the police officers were well within their legal authority. However, the police authority has yet to take advantage of that opportunity. At this time the case remains open. It will remain open until the point at which answers to the initial questions that I have asked are provided through the exercise of legal or other options. My approach to dealing with
Spread out Shopping Trips If you are one who goes shopping every weekend, wean yourself slowly. Start with visiting your favorite spot every other week, then once per month. Also, deliberately leave money and plastic at home. If you really want the item you see, get it the following day. This will eliminate impulse shopping. Find a Hobby For some of us shopping is a hobby, and that usually becomes a recipe for disaster! Purposefully identify interests that don’t require spending money —reading, puzzles, gardening, volunteering. Replace your old hobby, shopping, with your new one.
Learn Healthy Ways to Combat Stress Many folks use shopping as a stress reliever. While I don’t think it’s wrong to treat yourself to something new here and there, watch out when shopping becomes your primary way of coping with life’s inevitable stresses. If you are stressed and feel you must buy a little something, decide in advance to only spend a small amount-choose a new bottle of nail polish for $7, instead of those new $100 shoes! Better yet, a smart and healthy way to deal with the cares of life is by exercising. Take a walk, attend a yoga or fitness class, or play tennis. Your body will say thanks! I am reminded of a Bible verse which says, in essence, do all things decently and in order, I Corinthians 14:40. To me, this commandment is
given for our benefit and if adhered to, our lives can be marked by a consistent state of (relative) order and sense of well-being. Before you run out to catch the next deal, ask yourself, “In the big scheme of my family life, does this purchase simplify life or make it more complicated?” Once you have answered this important question, submit yourself and your actions to the wisdom which lies within. Find pleasure in shopping gone well, not wild. Enjoy!
"racial profiling" is based on my work with overall issues of racism and unfair treatment in our country. In my practice and research as a social scientist I have identified a critical relationship between levels of measurable human effectiveness on the one hand and issues or problems of race and other background factors, on the other hand. In any set of circumstances where the responsible people involved are at higher levels of effectiveness there is less of a likelihood of problems or issues related to background differences. Conversely, in any set of circumstances where the responsible people involved are at lower levels of effectiveness there is a greater likelihood of problems or issues related to background differences. For me this principle means that when there are issues or problems such as "racial profiling" or other forms of racism present in any situation, the point of attack for dealing with these issues is not really that of leveling charges of unfair treatment. What is far more important and likely to be more successful than making open charges of racism, is to directly confront the underlying human ineffectiveness of those responsible, which sets off the unfair treatment in the first place. Therefore, where my daughter and I were subjected to
"racial profiling" I have not launched a tirade claiming "racial profiling" or racism. Instead, I am confronting the underlying ineffectiveness of law enforcement policy and practice that gives life to "racial profiling." Each question I presented in my initial letter to the police authority regarding the stoppage of my vehicle was directed at the ineffectiveness of police policy and practice. My continued pursuit in this case will focus on ineffectiveness and its role in the "racial profiling" that my daughter and I experienced.
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.
Dr. George Banks is the author of the book The Issue of Race: A Resolution for the 21st Century. Seaburn Publishing Group, web link: http://www.seaburn.com/The_Issue _of_Race.htm Dr. Banks featured The Issue of Race as he talked at the U.S. Department of Education about African American Emergence. For the video of this presentation visit the following web link: http://www.todaysdrum.com/4933/ banking-on-african-americanemergence/
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Insight News • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Page 7
Excellent interview, no job offer:
What went wrong? Plan your career
By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com The worst mistake you make during the interview process probably will not happen during the meeting at all. By choosing clothes, words and gestures carefully, job seekers agree the success of an interview is largely within their control. But standouts drive every part of the process: within and outside of the inperson interview. If you need a car and you meet a guy who wants to sell you a shiny vehicle, cheap, do you buy it? Maybe. But first you take a good long look at it. You take a test drive to your buddy’s house and then to Fred at the Firestone on Glenwood. You decide this is the car you want. Do you buy it now? Maybe. But you want to be sure, so you inquire about the guy
CBC From 5 $2.2 trillion per year on health care services and products, and yet approximately 46 million Americans are uninsured, 80 percent of whom are from working families,” Rep. Edwards wrote in an editorial, published in The Washington Informer. “Almost half of all personal bankruptcies are attributed to medical debt. And, for the 80 percent of Americans who have health insurance, premiums, deductibles, and co-payments are skyrocketing; and we all pay for the flaws that leave millions uninsured and seeking care in expensive hospital emergency rooms. In fact, premiums rose 114 percent from 1999 to 2007,
selling the car. Where did he get it? Why is it for sale? Is this guy a talented sales professional or a crook? You ask around. You check him out online. You might try to talk with a few of his other customers. You like his commercials on TV. You’ve seen a product, tested it, and sought out confirmation that you made a good decision. Finally, you drive away happy. Unsophisticated as it sounds, prospective employers are checking you out the same way. Reading your application, they decide you’re worth a test drive. They interview with you and have their colleagues interview with you. If they still see you as a potential hire, they seek to bolster their decision. In minutes, your facebook, myspace and linkedin can make or break your opportunity. Don’t just clean up your presence, enhance it. Reference your associations, awards and successes on your sites. Tweet about relevant industry happenings. Connect to people who know people. Blog about your profession like the rockstar you are. Then ask friends to check you out online so you will know how others see you.
Mending fences goes miles in life and in work. Make an effort to right things with your professional rivals. Agree to disagree, but take your personality out of the problem and try to clear the air. If you make a sincere attempt at professional peace, you will gain some respect from your adversary, which he or she should remember if ever asked about your work. It’s a small world; the references your boss-to-be calls upon are not always the names you’ve provided. Advertise your talents. Blogging helps, but also be clear with family and friends about your ambitions and skills. Jane is a neuropsychologist. An acquaintance said she should meet his friend who does the same thing. The friend was a dental hygienist. Equally important, but I wouldn’t want Jane to clean my teeth. You know how to give a perfect interview, but remember that long term decisions – cars and hires – are never made on looks alone.
greatly outpacing incomes,” Edwards wrote. She stated that a “robust public health insurance option modeled after Medicare must be available to compete alongside private insurers.” The public plan that the Maryland congresswoman hoped for won’t be as robust as she likes because a deal to water it down was made with a group of conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats threatening to block passage of the bill over the cost. Speaker Pelosi announced that the deal would lower the estimated cost of reforming health care by $100 billion dollars and bring the total cost to under a trillion dollars over ten years. Specifics of the compromise called for less subsidies for the uninsured and more lenient requirements for mandates for
large employers to provide coverage for their workers. Also, in an effort to balance the board for competing private insurers, the rates for the “public option” must be negotiated with doctors like the private industry has to do. If the compromised bill reaches the floor as negotiated, then it will likely infuriate progressives and will not be directly tied to Medicaid for which Christensen is lobbying. “We do think that it makes sense to have a public option alongside the private option,” President Obama said at an AARP sponsored town hall event on health care. “So you could still choose a private insurer, but we’d also have a public plan that you could choose from that would be non-for-profit, wouldn’t have,
Please send your career questions to Julie@insightnews.com.
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HEALTH Stop smoking, it can improve your life Health & Wellness
By Brandi D. Phillips Smoking is a habit that millions of people across the world fight. Most people would prefer not to have this habit, but unfortunately they find it very hard to quit. Although smoking is the most common way of ingesting tobacco, it is also consumed by chewing and sniffing. For some, smoking temporarily relieves mental and emotional stress. It also gives some people a nicotine high similar to highs of other drugs, although it may not be as intense. Smoking is also used in social
Tobacco From 1 community’s health,” she said. According to the report, more than 70 percent of African American adults in Minnesota who smoked in the past year tried to quit. Yet only 42 percent of smokers who tried to quit in the 12 months before the survey used some kind of stop-smoking assistance, such as stop smoking medications or behavioral counseling.
CBC From 7 hopefully, some of the same high administrative costs, and would be potentially more responsive to your needs at a lower cost. I think that helps keep the insurance companies honest because now
Essentials: It is essential to take the Coenzyme Q10, which aids in oxygen flow to the brain, protects heart tissue and protects the heart and lungs, by acting as an antioxidant. Vitamin C is essential because it protects cells from damage since Vitamin C it is seriously depleted when smoking. Vitamins B-Complex and E will also protect cells from further damage and help repair previous damage.
Helpful: Grape Seed Extract, L-cycteine, L-methionine. The first in this group helps to seek out free
Food Recommendations: Eat plenty of green vegetables, eat onions or garlic or take a garlic supplement, avoid junk foods containing sugar, saturated fats and white flour. Also avoid alcohol, coffee and teas that are not herbal. Also avoid animal proteins except broiled fish. Avoid luncheon meats, hot dogs or other processed meats. One last food that you may want to reduce, but not totally eliminate is peanuts. (Taken from Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing) If you have any concerns regarding quitting smoking, please contact your health care provider immediately, so you can
Nearly two-thirds of African Americans reported breathing secondhand smoke at home, at work, in a car or at another location in the week prior to the survey, the report said. The research also described the social environments of African Americans that influence smoking and quitting. The MATS African American study found that approximately 70 percent of African American adults in Minnesota have someone close to them who uses tobacco and nearly 40 percent live with a smoker. Many participants in the community-based focus groups
validated these findings, commenting that it seems like “everyone smokes” in their community. In fact, community members thought the smoking prevalence rate is actually much higher than the MATS finding of 28 percent of U.S.born African American adults. Similarly, community members felt the secondhand smoke exposure was also underestimated in the MATS findings. Other insights and recommendations from the focus groups and interviews with
community members and leaders included: Acknowledgement of the many underlying issues that influence smoking and the ability to quit including stress, socioeconomic factors, growing up among smokers, and the addictive power of nicotine. A sense that using assistance to quit was not wide spread and a belief that willpower is the key to quitting smoking successfully. Agreement that, in addition to continuing higher tobacco prices and clean-indoor air policies, there is a need to conduct more tailored public
education–especially around the harms of tobacco and access to stopsmoking assistance–and to use voices and success stories of individuals in the community. Warren’s presentation included quantitative research from the 2007 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) sub-sample of U.S.-born African Americans and included qualitative research using community focus groups and interviews. The qualitative research project was conducted with oversight by an advisory board composed of African American
community leaders from MAAATEN, NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center and the Minneapolis Urban League. Copies of the report, “Tobacco Use Among African-Americans in Minnesota: A Survey and Conversations with AfricanAmerican Communities,” are available on the MATS website at www.mnadulttobaccosurvey.org.
they have somebody to compete with.” The president engaged older Americans about their concerns about health care reform last week. In an hour long forum, President Obama answered questions and cleared up misconceptions about components being legislated upon such as the bill’s affect on Medicare to a
rumored clause that pertains to living wills. “So, the idea behind reform is: Number one, we reform the insurance companies so they can’t take advantage of you,” the president explained. “Number two, that we provide you a place to go to purchase insurance that is secure, that isn’t full of fine print that is actually going to deliver on
what you pay for. Number three, we want to make sure that you’re getting a good bargain for your health care by reducing some of the unnecessary tests and costs that have raised rates.” Following the town hall the Obama administration shifted their health care sales pitch strategy to stress security and stability. In an email campaign, the president focused on eight specific consumer protections in order to “create a new foundation
for health care security.” Some of these new provisions include non-discrimination for pre-existing conditions, exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays; no costsharing for preventive care, no dropping of coverage if a person becomes seriously ill and extending coverage for young adults. “Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics
from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo,” Obama wrote in the email. “But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.”
Very Important: Vitamin A is important because it is helpful in healing the mucous membranes. Zinc is very important in the function of your immune system and will improve the systems ability to function appropriately.
EVERYBODY NEEDS CARE No matter who you are, everybody needs care at some point. That’s why UCare welcomes all members of our diverse community. While the needs of every body may be different, health is something we all have in common, so quality health care is something we should all have in common too.
H2456 H2407 071206_1 (071206) IA
radicals (bad/infectious germs), acting as an antioxidant. The last two supplements act as detoxifiers that protect the brain, lungs, liver and tissues from cigarette smoke. Taking a multi-vitamin supplemented with selenium will also improve immune function.
activities while reading, drinking coffee, entertaining friends, working or watching TV. Although smoking can be comforting and provide habitual relief in social situations, smoking causes many health problems. One thing that will most definitely change is the texture, hydration, look and feel of you skin, both on your face and the rest of the body. The elasticity and pliability of your lungs changes when you smoke. Another change in our bodies that can be caused by smoking is the vocal cords and the sounds of our voices. Our voices get deeper because of the abuse and some people experience cysts and tumors, both benign and malignant. This article will give you some ideas about ways to rebuild your body while you are trying to kick the habit. These suggestions have been taken from the book, Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing.
ucare.org
blog.pennlive.com
improve the quality and length of your life. Brandi Phillips is a professional
life skills coach and personal trainer specializing in the health and wellness of our youth and seniors.
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Energy From 1 consumer base. And unhealthy air means an unhealthy atmosphere for investments,” Jackson said. “In case after case, the things that make good environmental sense also make good economic sense. When we put that environmental green on the block, we also put a lot more of that economic green on the block.” Donovan discussed efforts by HUD to weatherize multi-family housing across the country and keep those jobs in impacted communities.
Urban From 1 organization’s annual conference by reminding conferees that the work of equality remains undone. “As long as Black kids are denied the right to swim in a pool in Philadelphia; as long as our Equality Index continues to show big disparities in jobs, healthcare, housing and education that break down along the color line; as long as hate crimes are rising and falsely convicted Black men languish in our prisons ...; as long as a Supreme Court nominee is vilified because of her gender or ethnicity; or as long as a Harvard professor ... is arrested in his own house, this fight is not over,” he said. “But even as we fight these persistent battles of the 20th century,” Morial added, “we must now lead beyond the narrow confines of civil rights for African Americans to speak for every American – Black, White, Latino, Asian, Native American – who shares our vision of equality and justice for all.” Morial’s vision for color-blind advocacy is not something that everyone may share, some members said. “I think it’s going to be something that will be challenged,” said Nolan Rollins, president/CEO of the New Orleans Urban League and former head of the Baltimore affiliate. “But if we’re honest about it, it’s a change that is necessary.”
Insight News • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Page 9 “The transition to clean energy and the benefits from it should extend to every corner of the country and penetrate communities that have long been passed over whenever waves of economic innovation are developing,” Donovan said. “This effort to advance information and resources to these communities now is a big step towards ensuring that the emerging green economy provides not simply a job, but a chance to build a business or invest in the next great idea in the industry.” The Department of Energy is also making significant investments with more than $8 billion for weatherization projects
in local communities and incentivizing the use of clean energy. This work involves installing new energy efficient windows and doors, updating insulation, and encouraging state and local governments to use more fuel efficient vehicles and renewable forms of energy. Johnson noted that, “Cleaner communities are more livable communities. This is a chance for us to significantly change course in our use of energy and lift up the economic fortunes of individuals and families.” Convened by Green For All and the Hip Hop Caucus, Green the Block is a new campaign to more deeply engage the country’s most vulnerable communities in
the transition to a 21st-century economy. Green the Block will encourage education, legislative advocacy, private-sector development and youth activism, and is supported by a broad-base coalition of partners. “Green the Block is a movement to build a clean-energy economy where everyone has a chance to succeed,” said EllisLamkins. “That starts with making sure that those who are often left out and left behind – low-income people and communities of color – have a voice and a presence in this movement. These communities also need a fair share of the economic, social and environmental benefits this
transition is creating.” Traditionally underserved areas are often hardest hit by environmental hazards and inefficiencies including industrial brownfields, ground contamination and structural deficiencies. In the coming months as these areas are cleaned up and we move more towards a clean-energy economy, Green the Block will launch an effort to educate traditionally underserved communities about the opportunities available to individuals in the emerging green economy through job training, entrepreneurship, and increased energy efficiency through infrastructure development. According to Yearwood, this
transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is rich with opportunities for all Americans, and everyone should have a chance to participate. “Clean-energy investments will create more job opportunities than spending on fossil fuels, like oil, natural gas and coal,” Yearwood said. “The building of a clean-energy economy in the United States can serve to create new pathways out of poverty for the 78 million people in this country who are presently poor or near poor.”
Especially given the current economic environment, he added. “We are Americans in this thing first,” Rollins said, “so we have to look out for everyone.” In the coming years, the Urban League will advocate for each American to achieve the path to power on several fronts, Morial said, “empowerment goals” that the nation must achieve by 2025. The first of those goals is to prepare every American child “for college, for work and for life,” he said, and the first step is to hold lawmakers and officials responsible for its “55 years of malignant neglect” since Brown v. Board of Education mandated equality in K-12 education. “Too many schools in America are separate and unequal,” Morial said, adding that in failing to properly educate all children – by failing to upgrade school buildings or provide trained teachers – the nation would suffer. “We are in danger in this nation of creating a permanent underclass ... precisely at the time when the demands of our global economy tell us that we have not one person to waste,” he said. Mirroring a constant theme of President Obama’s, Morial added that while government must tailor its policies to better educate American children, parents and young people, must also be accountable. “We call on the parents to step up to the plate,” Morial said. “Turn off the TV and hide the remote. Unplug the iPod and the
computer games. Take out an oldfashioned book and read with your children ... get involved in the schools, don’t be a spectator.” And to the youth he said: “Pull up your pants, stand up straight, stop trying to look like a thug. If you want [success] you have to act like it, you have to talk like it, you have to dress like it.” Conferring after the speech, Chicago residents Versa Ballard, Barbara Hamilton and Joyce
to the 15 percent jobless rate in the Black community and the resulting poverty, the NUL chief said, “The best anti-poverty program is a decent job.... We want less welfare and more workfare in the 21st century.” Saying President Obama’s stimulus plan was the “right move” to stem the tide of unemployment, the former New Orleans mayor said officials must hold governors accountable for
be reformed to prevent the targeting of Black and Brown communities by predatory lenders. By 2025, the government must also ensure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare, Morial said. The NUL chief praised the president’s efforts to offer a universal health care plan and issued a challenge to his detractors. “I say to those who
Urban League are family,” he said at a plenary session. Saying that reforming the criminal justice system is the civil rights frontier of this age, along with the continuing fight for quality education, healthcare and homes, Jealous added, “We don’t win these battles unless we work together.” Lisa Hasegawa of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development and Janet Murgía, president and CEO of La Raza, also vowed to forge stronger relationships with the Urban League. “In much way the African American community has led the way on civil rights and we have benefited and I want to say, thank you,” Murguía said. Acknowledging continuing tensions between Black and Latino communities, Murguía said, however, that the similarities outweighed the differences and the two communities must work together to achieve common goals. “Forging these partnerships across our communities have never been more important…. We know when we’re together we’ll be able to leverage better opportunities for everyone.”
“We call on the parents to step up to the plate,” Morial said. “Turn off the TV and hide the remote. Unplug the iPod and the computer games. Take out an old-fashioned book and read with your children ... get involved in the schools, don’t be a spectator.” Marshall all agreed that the call for personal, parental and community responsibility resonated strongly with them. “It all brought us back to a time when everyone was responsible for each other’s children, when good values, principles and the value of education were taught,” Marshall said of Morial’s admonishment. In its second century, the Urban League must also push for every American to have a job with a fair wage, Morial said. Pointing
how that money is spent and ensure minority neighborhoods benefit from the new focus on renewable energy. “We say ‘no’ to green apartheid,” he said. “Our neighborhoods must be included in the green economy of the future.” And they must also have access to energy-efficient homes on fair terms, Morial said. “We must overturn the tables of the moneylenders,” he exclaimed, saying the financial system must
oppose the president, put a better plan on the table,” he said, adding, “The cost of doing nothing is far greater than the price of doing something.” Such weighty goals can only be achieved by building multilateral coalitions with other civil and human rights organization, Morial said. NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Jealous agreed. “Marc and I are very clear that the NAACP and the National
Page 10 • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Insight News
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Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Brothers of Distinction 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 51 Luverne Ave., Mpls., MN 55419 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Keith York, P.O. Box 1441, Maple Grove, MN 55311; Harold Rayford, 51 Luverne Ave., Mpls., MN 55419 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. Signed by: Keith York, President Date Filed: 5/20/2009 Insight News 8/10/2009, 8/17/2009
Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Sheko Sheko 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 606 27th Ave. So, Mpls., MN 55454 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Janet E. Curiel 606 27th Ave. So, Mpls., MN 55454 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. Signed by: Janet E. Curiel, Sole Proprietor Date Filed: 7/15/2009 Insight News 8/10/2009, 8/17/2009
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Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred. Events Learning to cope: Managing Stress During Tough Times – Aug. 11 This event will be hosted at the Jewish Community Center in St. Paul, MN, Tues, at 6 p.m. The event will include hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction to raise money for the organization. National Health Center Week – Aug. 12 Wed, 3:00-6:00pm, People’s Center Medical Clinic, 425 20th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN. Contact Rhonda Eastlund at 612238-3527 for more information about the Event
M&I Bank, 11915 Elm Creek Blvd. North Maple Grove, MN M&I Bank, 7095 151st St. West Apple Valley, MN “Walking Home,” a benefit for The Family Place – Aug. 15 Sat, Noon – 3 p.m., 244 Tenth Street East in downtown St. Paul and ending at 250 Sixth Street, St Paul March on the banks – Aug. 15 Stop foreclosures and evictions now! We will first march to the home of Rosemary Williams, where that prominent fighter against foreclosures will speak. Then we will go to Wells Fargo Bank. Saturday, August 15, 200911 AM: Gather: Lake Street & Clinton Ave. Mpls11:15 AM: March to closing rally at Wells Fargo office Nicollet Ave. and E. 31st Street Mpls.
KFAI Presents Nick Coleman – Aug. 20 Thurs, at St. Joan of Arc Church, 4537 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis. If any questions please contact Janis Lane-Ewart at 612341-3144 First Christian Church Annual Grande Sale – Aug. 20-22 Thurs, Aug. 20 12-7pm Fri, Aug. 21 12-7pm and Sat, Aug. 22 9am-1pm. 2201 1st Avenue South. For more information contact the church at 612-870-1868. The Breast Party – Aug. 21 Fri, 5:00 pm - Doors Open and Silent Auction, Epic Entertainment Center 110 North Fifth St, Mpls. For information and to register call 763-548-1306. (A fund raiser for the Breast Cancer Awareness Association)
Armed Forces Family Fishing Celebration – Aug. 21 Free fishing tournament for military families on Friday, Aug. 21, at Maynard’s on Lake Minnetonka. Preregistration is required. To register for the event, please send an email to info@fishingforlife.org, or call 763-245-9829, by August 14. How to Create a Professional Webpage Workshop – Aug. 22 Sat, 12 -1pm, at North Regional Library, Hosted by InsideNorthside.org VOA Park Eldercenter Open House – Aug. 24 Mon, at 1505 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404, 1:00pm and 4:00pm. For further information, you can contact Richard Bain at parkcenter@voamn.org or call 612-339-7581.
9 Nights of Music: Cyril Paul and Calypso Monarchs – Aug. 25 Tues,. 6:30pm-8pm, Minnesota History Center at 345 Kellogg Blvd W. St. Paul. Paul and Monarchs bring a taste of the “Carnival” to 9 Nights. If you have any Questions please call 651-259-3000. (Free event) Mahmoud El-Kati presents his book The Hiptionary – Aug. 27 Thurs, 7:30pm at Magers & Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55408 The Thrivent Builds Mobile – Aug. 27 through Sept. 7 The Thrivent Builds Mobile is a multi-media experience on wheels that depicts the nation-wide problem of substandard housing and is sponsored by Thrivent Builds with Habitat for
Humanity. Look for the “big, red truck” on Wright Avenue just west of the 4-H building. It’s a free tour with games and giveaways! www.thriventbuilds.com/mo bile Washburn Class of ‘79 Pre-Reunion Party – Aug. 28 7pm til bar close, open to anyone with an interest in Washburn or the class of ‘79 At the Whiskey Junction, 901 Cedar Ave. South, Mpls MN West Side Community Health Services celebrates National Health Center Week HIV/STD Testing, Mon. Aug 10, at La Clinica located at 153 Cesar Chavez Street. St. Paul. Glucose Testing, Tues. Aug 11. Dental care, Wed. Aug 13. For more information please contact Valerie at 651-222-1816.
Financial and Medical Programs for Children – Aug. 12 Wed, 1 – 3pm, at Hennepin County Library – Southdale, 7001 York Ave. S., Edina. Ella Company offer free lunchtime music – Aug. 12 Ella company members Joilet F. Harris and George Caldwell will host a free event at the Minneapolis Convention Center providing a peek inside the life of one of the greatest jazz and pop vocalists of the 20th century. In addition, the onsite Dunn Bros. Cafe (open daily to the public from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.) provides a great lunchtime destination for sandwiches, fresh baked goods and aromatic onpremise roasted coffee. Business Workshop: Best Practices for Waste Reduction – Aug. 13 Thurs, 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M at la Vina Restaurant, 3010 4th Ave. (Free Event) The 4th Annual “Neighborhood Link-Up” – Aug. 15 Sat., 12:00pm- 4:00pm at The Jordan New Life Hub, 1922 26th Ave N. Minneapolis (corner of Newton and 26th Ave N.) M&I Bank Shredding Events – Aug. 15
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Insight News • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Page 11
SPORTS Tiger wins Buick Open by three strokes By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com It can be easily argued that Tiger Woods has had the greatest cultural impact on sports of any athlete ever, though his impact is only possible through the past achievements of icons such as Jackie Robinson and Bill Russell. If Jackie Robinson came to town for competition (when he was alive, funny people), knowing what we know now of the history that was taking place, there is no doubt that people would be climbing over each other to be a part of that history. My guess is that this weeks’ PGA Championship hosted at Hazeltine National Golf in Chaska, MN (August 10-16), will be the last time that Tiger Woods graces the Land of 10,000 Lakes in such a grand event for quite some time. Thus, if you’re overly interested in having a 50/50 chance of seeing sports history up close and personal, then you might want to give those tickets a shot. I have talked about golf plenty, but I’m not sure that I have conveyed one clear statement about golf: It is really, really, hard, difficult, aaand challenging. Something I have conveyed is that Tiger Woods is the only person who is any good at golf. If you go to youtube.com and see some of the tricks and other stuff Tiger Woods can do with a golf club and a golf ball, you would think he is better suited for a Cirque du Soleil type magic show in Las Vegas. He’s good, the rest of us are trying, and the “rest of us” include the other players who get paid (almost, but not really) like Tiger. It is hard to come up with another example of a person of this era who is far and away better, and more important, than everyone else in a particular skilled athletic profession than Tiger Woods. Sounds too fancy, but the best example I can think of is Michelangelo who is widely considered the greatest artist of all-
time. Michelangelo was a painter, sculptor, and architect, while Tiger Woods is a historic golfer, prime philanthropist, and image of racial progress in America. It always sounds strange to think of sports in such important of a fashion, but if “sport is to adult, as play is to child” then it sort of makes more sense that the humanity of those playing the game can loom larger than the game itself. Golfers seem to reach their prime after 30 or so. Tiger Woods is 32. There is no better time or place for Tiger Woods to kick off the best years of his already historic career than here. We all know Minnesota is a pretty special place, but with the PGA Championship being the last of the four annual major championships, a climactic element is added overall. In addition to the general elements of the event there are other storylines to observe this year, and I definitely think that
overall it will be worth the price of admission even if just for one of the practice rounds on the first three days. Though Tiger Woods is central to the eyes of the golf world, a story of greater weight exists with his primary competitor Phil Mickelson. Both Mickelson’s mother and wife were recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and this will be the first tournament since he stepped away to care for his family. I’m sure that many of us take for granted the pink ribbon campaigns supporting Susan G. Komen, but stuff like that hits home every day, and I can raise my hand as far as the homes breast cancer has hit. I can’t raise my hand and say that my wife and mother both were diagnosed in the same year, and I’m sure that not many people can. No matter how much money you make (and Phil Mickelson makes bookoo buckets of bread), or how many golf
tournaments you win, some things can crush all those good times in real swift fashion and make us all feel the same; and so the humanity within sports makes itself known again, but in a different way than with Tiger. Other than that, everybody in sports is just trippin’ because they think Tiger lost his Superman powers since the combo of knee surgery, marriage and fatherhood were added to his forefront concerns. Oh how in the days of the 24-minute news cycle they quickly forget. It was only a year and a half ago that the man beat all of the best competition (and they were playing their best) while limping and grimacing over a fully torn knee ligament resulting in that good ole bone-on-bone action…and it was on one of the hardest courses to boot. Then again, of course, a year and a half can be a long time. Hopefully for a little sporting pizzazz to end the
Tiger Woods summer round here (already) Tiger will wave his 9-iron over Lake Minnetonka and make it disappear, only to make it reappear in North
www.sportsdesktopwallpaper.net
Minneapolis. Or maybe he can just win and give me the exclusive post tournament interview. I’ll have to see if I can squeeze him in.
Page 12 • August 10 - August 16, 2009 • Insight News
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