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Obama Addresses Congress Seeking to build on momentum generated by his health care address to Congress, President Obama ratcheted up his call Thursday for the passage of reform legislation this year.

September 14 - September 20, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 37 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Health Care Reform

President Obama asks Americans to make change happen

By Al McFarlane and Bobbie Ford Following his nationallytelevised address to the U.S. Congress Wednesday night, President Barack Obama reached out to ethnic media and other individuals and institutions to seek support for his health care reform agenda.

In an email communication, the President said, “I just finished laying out my plan for health reform at a joint session of Congress. Now, I’m writing directly to you because what happens next is critical — and I need your help.

“Change this big will not happen because I ask for it. It can only come when the nation demands it. Congress knows where I stand. Now they need to hear from you,” he said.

The President asked supporters to add their voices to the decision at hand by asking their elected representatives to support his plan for health reform. The President’s email message included a link to a form voters could use to communicate via email or fax to their representatives in Congress. The email we received included pre-addressed electronic mail for our representatives, Sens. Amy

Klobuchar and Al Franken, and 5th Congressional District’s Representative Keith Ellison.

The form said: “Add your voice: Ask your representatives to support my plan for real health reform in 2009.”

President Obama continued, “The heart of my plan is simple: bring stability and security to Americans who already have health insurance, guarantee affordable coverage for those who don’t, and rein in the cost of health care.

“Tonight, I offered a specific plan for how to make it happen. I incorporated the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to create a plan that’s bold, practical, and represents the broad consensus of the American people’” he said.

“We’ve come closer to real health reform in the last few months than we have in the last 60 years. But those who profit from the status quo — and those who put partisan advantage above all else — will fight us every inch of the way,” he said.

“We do not seek that fight, but we will not shrink from it.

The stakes are too high to let scare tactics cloud the debate, or to allow partisan bickering to block the path. Your voice, right now, is essential,” President Obama said.

African American women and depression

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http://www.whitehouse.gov/photogallery

The President addresses a joint session of Congress on Health Care.

“Ours is not the first generation to understand the dire need for health reform. And I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last,” President Obama said.

“We applaud President Obama for tackling much needed health care reform. This has been a long time coming,” said Dorii Gbolo, CEO at Open

Cities Health Center. “He has strongly advocated for the public option in the reform package. Critics are attacking him saying that this is ‘socialized medicine’ when the public option simply offers one more slice to the health care plan. My concern is that the President may not keep the public option as part of the reform package. We need a

public plan to help make health insurance more affordable. It’s that simple.”

North Minneapolis healthcare executive Stella Whitney-West said she watched President Obama’s speech “cheering the whole time. I was so proud. He delivered the message that needed to be

OBAMA TURN TO

Deneane Richburg Concert on ice awakens students’

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No Minneapolis Primary Election

Rank Choice Voting

By Natonia Johnson SD58 Chair Are you ready to cast your vote Nov. 3, 2009?

As many of you may know, the City of Minneapolis will not be having a primary this year, or in the future. Why?

Well, in 2006 the voters of Minneapolis approved to end Minneapolis City primaries and instead opted for Rank Choice Voting (RCV).

The Minneapolis City Council placed a question on the ballot in 2006 asking us (voters) if Minneapolis should switch to

VOTING TURN TO

Tye Green is up and coming filmmaker

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Calvin Littlejohn (L) and Lester Royal Environmental scan project assesses infant mortality in Tri-Construction Community, construction and development communities of color

Elliot Stewart-Franzen

By Bobby Joe Champion A few months ago, I made a public appearance at a Brother's Keepers basketball tournament.

While there, I struck up a conversation with a young woman who lives in the district; I've known her for a while. As

acquaintances do, we spoke of work and family, she asked me about my children, and I asked her about her son. To my surprise, tears welled in her eyes as she said, "I actually have two children." Taken aback, I told her I didn't

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By Stacey Taylor

Tri-Construction has been a community-based venture from its inception in 2001.

Proof of this has been the work the company has done in Minneapolis.

The small construction company has been involved with construction on the Capri Theater, The Spirell Bar, Zion Baptist Church and the

Garden of Gethsemane Church.

"Most people think there are three of us based on our name and our logo," explained Lester Royal chief operating officer and vice president of Tri-Construction.

Actually the 'Tri' in our name stands for three things community, construction and development.

Community is our foundation and our philosophy is about people striving together and equipping people with jobs and a living."

By Robert McClain Is the St. Paul Urban League (SPUL) still in business? Who is the CEO and who are the staff?

What services are being offered?

What's really going on? These questions make you wonder: when was the last time you heard ANYTHING about SPUL? As a recent staff member, I would like to share some observations and concerns based on my experience, without

bringing in to question anyone's integrity. It is not my intent to only point the finger, but to stimulate discussion and generate action. People are very upset out here about what they think is going on!

Some may feel disgust with my remarks, but the silence on this subject is disrespectful to those before us who saw the need to create this indispensable

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Royal and business partner Calvin Littlejohn, the company's president, met working construction jobs 15 years ago and started the company. Littlejohn is a graduate of Roosevelt High School and Royal taught at Summit Academy training those with little or no skills to get into the business.

According to Royal the two came up together in the CONSTRUCTION TURN TO 7

Community questions St. Paul Urban League Green Collar Training Open House leadership, direction Summit Academy OIC Thursday held a Green-Collar Training open house. Community partners, contractors, and state and local officials learned about the premier Weatherization Technician training happening at Summit.

The event featured discussions on the growing demand for properly trained Weatherization Technicians and how Summit is helping to meet that demand with programs serving new entrants into the field and for and seasoned workers. The open house included a tour of Summit’s training

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Suluki Fardan

L-R: Gary Courtney, Carpentry Department Manager; Earl Rogers, Employment Specialist/Recruiter; and Alex Tittle, Education Director

Health News for a Healthy Heart

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Correction: Insight acknowledges the misprint of Dr. Curry's name in last week's diabetes article by Brandi Phillips. The name should read Dr. Endea J. Curry.

Page 2 • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Insight News

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Blues master Bobby Rush marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in Chicago

By Al McFarlane and B.P.Ford, The Editors Part 2 of 2 Bobby Rush marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Chicago campaigns, but his call to activism formed when he was 11, when his preacher father sent him on a clandestine mission into the heart of the enemy camp to “bring back news.”

“I was with Martin Luther King’s movement and marches in Chicago. In 1963 Martin Luther King came to Chicago for the fist time. My son was seven-years-old at the time. We drove to see him at 47th and Halsted where he was speaking that night. It was me, Little Milton, The Howling Wolf, and Marvin Gaye. He was a young man just getting noticed in the music industry at that time.”

“I got there early to park my car.

And when I parked my car, the white people ran us away. I didn’t have time to get away in the car. They chased us on foot. I looked back to see they had turned my car over and burned it up. I went to the police station and reported the crime, the incident. The police said: ‘Niggers, you ain’t got no business being over here! Get out of our station!’

“I remember in 1951 or 52, I was playing in Chicago at a place called Apex. Muddy Waters was playing on Wednesday and I was playing on Thursday and Friday. We had a mark on the floor. We stood on this marked spot. There was a curtain between us and the audience. They wanted to hear our music, but they didn’t want to see our faces. These are the kinds of things that I remember.”

A tear collected in the entertainer’s right eye as he was seeing what he experienced in southern Illinois. “In 1965 I went to Peoria, IL. My drummer and I were in an accident on the highway. We were in this station wagon. Ten trucks hit me in from the rear. All ten trucks blew up. All ten drivers burned up. My drummer and I were pinned in the crumpled station wagon. We clawed our way into a snow bank in the sub-zero freezing cold. When the sheriff’s’ department came at about 4 am or 5 am in the morning, they shined a light on us.

We called out for help. Someone said, ‘is anybody else out there?’The Sherriff’s department said, ‘Naw, just two niggers already dead or

almost dead. Leave ‘em there.’

“I have been through a lot of changes. It’s a hurting situation. So I got involved with the march and the movement. I would take my tour bus and get people out to the voting polls,” Bobby Rush said.

“I am not where I should be or where I want to be. But I am thankful because I have come so far. We, as a people, have come a long way, but still, not far enough. I have a song called “How long? How Long?”

If anybody is confused about what I am talking about, All I am talking about is my 40 acres and a mule.

Martin Luther King died waiting for justice.

So did my mother and dad, and grandma.

The truth of the matter is, since they all died waiting, What about me and you. How long? “I have so many things I can cry about, but I have so many things I can shout about. God has delivered me. God has been good to me and given me some knowledge,” he said.

“I remember coming to my daddy’s church as a boy. Out of the 10 children, I was kind of the leader of my family. At the age of 11, my father told me to go to work at the cotton gin. He said they won’t pay you but $3 a week. ‘You go and work and bring me the news.’

“I didn’t ask my daddy anything, I understood him. My job was to go to the center of commerce and get the information that my daddy needed to give our people. As a race, we didn’t know anything about the stock market, Dow Jones and the like. But the white people would sit around the table and talk about the price of commodities, when they would sell, how they would sell, and what they would sell. The price of cotton would be up or down. They would say, ‘we can’t sell cotton because the niggers still got cotton in the field, so let’s keep the price down.’

“I had a rag and a handful of sand in my pocket. I would thump sand onto the table or onto the white men’s shoes so I would have a reason to wipe it off…so I could hear the news. So when I got home my daddy would say, ‘what’s the news?’

I would say you shouldn’t sell beans, but you can sell the peanuts now.

You should sell this or wait about a week before you sell that. And my

daddy would get the entire community into the church. His was the biggest Black church in the area.

He would tell the people what to do and what not to do, based on my information. He pastored Free Will Baptist Church. He was pastor of one church for 45 years and pastor of another for 40 years. His name was Emmett Ellis, Sr. I am Emmett Ellis, Jr. I changed my name to Bobby Rush only because of the respect I have for my Daddy and his work in the Ministry.”

“I did look at a variety of names for about a year and a half before I named myself Bobby Rush. I first named myself Eisenhower because it sounded big. I thought about naming myself after President Truman. When I finally settled on this name Bobby Rush, nobody called me Bobby. Nobody called me Mr. Rush. They all said Bobby Rush…it just rolls off the lips so easily.”

Bobby Rush has great respect for the Black Press. “What you say about me is what people perceived me to be. I don’t claim to be anything other than and upright man seeking to do unto others as I want them to do unto me. My wish is to carry forth my music, demonstrating the goodness of it, educating people about what I am really about – helping others. It’s not about me. It’s all about helping others.”

We asked about his family lineage. How much did he know?

Was it important?

“It is important,” he said. “On dad’s side we go back to my granddad, from there to Africa. On my mother’s side, we go two generations back to Indian and white.

“My great grandmother was born in Mississippi. I understand that my great grandmother was a maid to this white man named Van Spivey.

Van Spivey also was married. He had six kids by his white wife and five by my great grandmother, his maid in his house, and his woman, too.

“I understand that one of the six kids, when he got 18- or 19-yearsold, stole his five half-brothers and sisters, including my grandma, from his daddy and mama, and carried them to Eudora, AK and dropped them in a barn where they raised themselves.

“We were told as a family, don’t ever go back to Mississippi because our great granddaddy want to do

harm to us. We found out a hundred years later that he was not trying to do harm, but was trying to set things right. He had equally divided the estate between the 11 children giving land to each. But of course, the five from our side were no longer in the picture,” said Bobby Rush.

“My mother had blue eyes and blond hair. My daddy drove up one day and said, ‘I got to go to Homer, LA to get some hay.’ That was about 4-5 miles in a wagon. I was a little boy with my brother in the back of a buckboard wagon. My father had gone into the store and my mother was sitting with us in the wagon when three guys rode up on horseback and said to my mother, ‘Mattie, what you doing with this nigger?’She said, ‘I’m a nigger, too.’

“Because you couldn’t tell whether she was white or Black, they said, ‘Aw naw.’ She said, ‘If you don’t believe me, ask Mr. Baer.’She had to go inside the store and get the store owner to come outside. He said Mattie is one of Van’s kids. I didn’t know who Van was, though he was my great granddaddy. But he must have been some big shot because the white men stumbled back and cleared out hastily, as if they knew they were messing with the wrong people.

“When my daddy, my mother’s husband, came out, my mother never told him what happened. He never know about the incident,” said Bobby Rush.

“One day my brother and I were in the front yard at home shooting marbles. The ice man came. We lived in this big house, a plantation style house that our boss had given us. Apparently, whites should have been living there because it was a nice house. He came to the house, look at us, and yelled out, ‘You want some ice?’ then he yelled louder, ‘You want some ice?’ My mother came to the door and the iceman apologized for his rude manner: ‘I’m sorry, ma’am. I thought niggers lived here’, he said looking at us.

“It’s said that my mama had to play these roles to navigate in that society. When people turned my daddy down, my mama could go and get anything she wanted.

“A lot has changed. But the more things have changed, the more they remain the same. Honestly, I don’t see much change. I see a change in direction: they not coming at us from this direction, they coming at us from that direction.

Bobby Rush

Photos: Beaty Four Entertainment

“Yet, I am hopeful that we will emerge anew as one people,” he said.

“I never thought there would be a Black president. But now that he is the president, I just believe that I can do anything.!”

Bobby Rush’s solo tour gives club owners a chance to hire him on an economical basis, he said. “Juke joint can’t do big band any more. So I’m putting myself and my name

before the market and giving people a chance to see me who might not see me otherwise.”

But the message is the same. I talk about love and making love. I talk about being loved. I talk about money and about being broke. I talk about the cat, the dog, the house and a woman. What else is there to talk about?”

Green

replacement. The program was well received and instrumental in demonstrating the high quality training curriculum being and done at Summit. It also was a great way for attendees to network and form new partnerships in the building of Minnesota’s green future.

From 1 facilities and actual weatherization applications done

by Summit students including insulation of foundations, floors, walls and attic; subfloor insulation, bypass sealing and window retrofitting and

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Insight News • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Page 3

Black women expert in hiding sadness, refusing to name the pain

behavior. We need to lose the fear and name the pain.

"Many times when African American women consult health professionals they are frequently told that they are hypertensive, run down, tense or nervous. They will be prescribed antihypertensive, vitamins, or mood elevating pills; or they may be informed to lose weight, learn to relax, get a change of scenery, or get more exercise…"

Barbara Jones Warren, R.N., M.S., Ph.D. When we talk to our friends we commiserate and share our feelings of woe believing this is just the plight of a Black woman. These sistah group conversations validate what we hear from many of the doctors. In reality, African-American women live with a triple jeopardy status that places us at risk for depression. We live in a majoritydominated society that frequently

devalues our ethnicity, culture and gender.

Formal statistics on depression in African American women is either uncertain or non-existent because the research is scarce. Many women are unwilling to participate in research studies because they are afraid the information will be misinterpreted and will be used against them. The few studies that have been done show African American women report having more depressive symptoms than African American men and twice the rate of European Caucasian women.

If depression was linked to anything other than mental illness, it would be called an epidemic and measures would be taken to find a cure.

The stigma of living with a mental illness is so ingrained in us that we are afraid to inform our employers or report the information on insurance forms. Those of us with health insurance would rather pay for mental health services "out of pocket" than have it on our insurance record. We lose the ability to ask for accommodations at work because we won't reveal our medical condition. We believe that Black people have to be ten times better than white folks. So we hide our

pain, because to show it would be a sign of weakness.

Many Black women hide their pain out of fear of losing their children to the courts. African American children in Minnesota are seven times more likely to be placed out of their homes than their European Caucasian counterparts.

(Juvenile Out-of-Home Placement Task Force Report, MN Departments of Corrections and Human Service, January, 2001.)

But sometimes when we hide our pain we overreact to our children's misbehavior. We may yell at the top of our lungs, punish too severely, give them the silent treatment or withhold our warmth.

Unfortunately for our children this need to hide our pain results in pain.

It takes away from them what they need most-our nurturing and love.

If we as women suffer in silence, our men are imprisoned by the silence. Male children are told from babies to "act like a man" or just "suck it up." We are preparing our male children for a life of pain and silence.

Who do we talk to when we see a young child gunned down in the street by another child? What can we say to the family of a 15-year-old who is tried as an adult for murder?

How much does it hurt to see our young men and women selling their bodies? How do we react when we learn that the neighborhood basketball team we have seen playing in the park for years is one of the most vicious gangs in our town and they are recruiting our sons daily? How do we feel when we have lost our jobs and we go down to the public aid office to receive the much needed money and we are treated like second class citizens?

We need to verbally react in a way that addresses that pain. We need to express our emotions in a way that addresses the pain we see every day. Keeping that pain inside is killing us and our loves ones.

The good news is that there is effective treatment. We must educate our community on the early warning signs and symptoms of depression and the many treatment options available. We must not allow the stigma of mental illness to get in our way of obtaining the appropriate treatment for this brain disorder.

Depression is an illness of the brain, not a character defect or a moral failing.

While we have good reason to be depressed, we need to find good reason to talk about our pain. We cannot hide it; doing so is dangerous.

It is not only dangerous to us, but also to our loved ones. We perpetuate the dysfunction of mental unhealthiness when we don't acknowledge our pain or seek help.

We need to seek help from a mental health professional, and find support from our community. I once heard culture is the glue that keeps the mind, body and spirit together. What does a healthy mind, body and spirit mean to you? Where do you go to get that support? Connecting all three is important to our overall health.

with my own composure.

The loss of an infant whether in pregnancy or infancy - is as devastating to parents as any other loss of a child. Those of us who are parents know what it's like to await the arrival of a new baby.

We plan for the pregnancy and look forward to holding them close. We prepare a room, collect baby clothes and supplies, maybe register at the baby department of a store; perhaps a family member throws a baby shower. We fall in love with a small someone we haven't even seen yet. The baby is our dream child, and in our minds we see him or her growing, playing, talking and

entering kindergarten.

Eagerly anticipating this new arrival, we're devastated when something goes wrong, and turns one of the most joyous times in our lives into heartache.

The loss is overwhelming - for the parents, extended family and for the siblings who have been looking forward to a new brother or sister. Most piercing is the anguish felt by the mother, who feels only emptiness in arms that ache to hold her lost child close.

The shock felt by the parents is often compounded by the joy of other new parents, who happily show off their new arrival to relatives and friends.

Another complication they experience is that others may not acknowledge the immensity of their loss. The lost child is not nearly as real to others as it is to the grieving family. They haven't shared the parents' hopes and dreams, and they often just don't know what to say. They're tempted to look past the grief to make themselves more comfortable.

This woman's story and her quiet courage in sharing it, has stayed with me for weeks. I think one reason it moved me so deeply is because I know her story is not unique. Far too many families - more in our community than any other in Minneapolis - have experienced

the loss of a child due to infant mortality, defined as the death of a child prior to their first birthday. According to January 2009 data from the Minnesota Department of Health, infant mortality rates among African American and American Indian babies are more than double the rate among white infants.

As troubling as that statistic is, it's more troubling to me that statistics and data can obscure the human faces behind the data. If we only look at numbers, we lose the personal connection that will compel us to act with urgency. We need always to look past the statistics to find the human stories behind them. Because if we fail to look

past the statistics, then we risk looking past the grief. When we look past the grief, we may look past the compelling reasons the status quo must change. And by missing the opportunity to make lasting change, we risk diminishing our community and losing some of our humanity.

Stairstep Foundation, with support from the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota is conducting an environmental scan to assess infant mortality in communities of color, to determine the extent of the problem, the perception of the

By Matthea Little Smith, African American Outreach Director National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) "I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Fannie Lou Hammer because she didn't know any better she stayed alive among the tired and lonely not waiting always wanting needing a good night's rest Nikki Giovanni, "Introspection" How many times have we repeated the words of Fannie Lou Hammer, whether out loud or in silence?

Slavery, years of oppression and discrimination have contributed to our need to hide our feelings. We have generations and generations of habitual hiding and have become experts on hiding our sadness and refusing to name the pain. We hide it from the medical profession and ourselves. Our illness goes unnoticed, untreated or mistreated.

Untreated depression can lead to death by suicide and violent

Stairstep From 1 remember that she had another child.

Quietly, she told me she had recently lost her daughter, who after being born prematurely, had passed away this past spring. As you might imagine, I struggled with what to say that might offer her some sort of comfort, because clearly even though her loss occurred months ago, her grief was palpable and her emotions still raw.

Toward the end of our conversation, she said, "I always say I have two children.

Even though we only had her for a few hours, we couldn't have loved her more or miss her more deeply. She is just as much a part of our lives as my son is, and I never want to forget her." Those words and her quiet pain left me struggling

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.

mentalhelp.net

NAMI Minnesota Programs NAMI Minnesota has African American specific support groups and education groups for family members who have loved ones with a mental illness and for people living with a mental illness. Please call Matthea Little Smith at NAMI Minnesota for more information to receive a subscription to our African American Outreach E-News.

"Save our souls; plain and simple.

Save our souls" . …

Terrie Williams Black Pain: We Just Look Like We Are Not Hurting, January, 2008.

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Page 4 • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Insight News

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Larry Anderson appointed president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees today appointed Larry Anderson as president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet.

Anderson, 58, has served as interim president since July 1, 2008.

Previously, he held various positions at the college, including vice president of administration and student affairs; director of student services; dean of the college and athletic director.

In recommending Anderson's appointment as president, Chancellor James H. McCormick said, "Since serving as interim president, Larry Anderson has done an exceptional job. The college is on a positive and progressive path in the midst of challenges.

Equally important, Larry Anderson has earned the respect of the American Indian communities with which Fond du Lac works, and he has won support from the campus community he serves."

Trustee Ruth Grendahl, who chairs the board's Human Resources Committee, said, "Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College plays a vital role in the growth and development of the surrounding communities.

Under President Anderson's leadership, we can expect the college to continue advancing and enhancing the lives of the people it touches."

Anderson said, "It is an extreme honor to be president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. My role is

to serve our students, faculty and staff. I am committed to the mission of the college because it serves the whole community in a diverse, respectful environment."

Before joining the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College staff, Anderson was the Upward Bound and Student Support Services director at the College of St. Scholastica; a Talent Search coordinator for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and assistant director of American Indian programs at the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity agency. He holds a master's degree and a bachelor's degree, both in counseling, from the University of Wisconsin - Superior.

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, which

served more than 2,700 students last year, offers a wide array of liberal arts and transfer programs, including law enforcement, computer forensics, American Indian studies, clean energy technology, environmental science and human services.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Larry Anderson

Concert on ice awakens students’ racial awareness Ridder Ice Arena on the U of M campus will come to life on the morning of September 17 as more than 1,000 students from high schools throughout the metro area fill the seats to participate in an educational experience --exploring their own racial and cultural identity and the impact toxic conditioning (or branding) has had on the creation of their own personal identity.

These students will be attending a free 9:30 am performance of "Being Branded," a one-of-a-kind cultural education concert sponsored by the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce, designed to expand the students' racial awareness and awaken them to the complexities of racial and cultural identity and social conditioning, also known as "branding."

"Being Branded," is the unique fusion of modern dance on ice and features for the first time in the Twin Cities area a team of competitive, professional ice skaters who are of color. The skaters' ancestry includes East Indian, Puerto Rican and African American. In fact, two of the skaters are native to the Twin Cities. Instead of skating competitively, these ice skaters will perform steady, slow, graceful modern dance moves performances on ice that depict

the stories of struggle and survival of individuals of color.

"The concert will be a personal journey for students," says Deneane Richburg, "Being Branded" project director and choreographer. "It will expand their level of racial awareness and make them more cognizant of the types of toxic conditioning (or branding) that impact their daily lives, and how to stop it," she says.

"Being Branded" will be performed for students at 9:30 am on September 17 at Ridder Ice Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, 1901 4th Street SE, Minneapolis. Following the concert, students will engage in a post-concert discussion, which will include the professional skaters, and will help them learn to identify toxic conditioning and stop its impact.

"Being Branded" will also offer two evening performances on September 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm. Tickets for these two performances are $25 for adults and $12 for students. A postconcert discussion follows each performance.

For more information, including the classroom curriculum, the morning performance for the students, or the evening performances on the September 17 and 18, contact

Urban From 1 social service agency eightyseven years ago, to address the needs of the African American community in St. Paul.

The SPUL, like many of our organizations, is not perfect. It has experienced many ups and downs in the areas of finance, service delivery, available resources, community support and participation. In the face of adversity, this organization has in the past held its head up, picked up the pieces and continued to march forward.

Today the organization seems to operate under a cloud of secrecy.

In the past, on an annual basis, SPUL presented an annual dinner where it would showcase its accomplishments, provide scholarships, elect new board

Jaccues Jean Tiziou

Deneane Richburg, project director and choreographer Ashley at (651) 777-9119 or email ablocton@keystonecs.com To purchase tickets for either evening concert, visit www.mbccculturaleventg.eventbr ite.com .

For more information about the event, please contact Ashley at (651) 777-9119.

members, identify its membership and volunteers, recognized the achievements of outstanding community members and acknowledged a family of the year. In this era of accountability the SPUL fails miserably.

For the last two years we haven't seen or heard a peep from the SPUL since it has been under new leadership. From what I can see, the new CEO has made few attempts to introduce himself to the community in a positive and productive way.

When the words "community," "accountability" and "transparency" are brought up, he backs away to a defensive posture thinking that the Black community is after him, personally. The community has been asking about the affairs of SPUL long before the arrival of the current CEO, and should continue to do so.

It is my assessment that the performance of the current CEO is inadequate due to his lack of experience in the non-profit sector and the challenges he inherited. Since his arrival, staff worked under an atmosphere of distrust, with a CEO who subscribes to a management style of blame, unwilling to take responsibility for his decisions and actions. He was introduced as an individual who possessed great management and fundraising abilities; the "golden boy"who was going to turn things around. Instead, SPUL is rapidly falling apart under his leadership, and the failure of the board of directors, who appears to be misdirected, to address it.

What is the current leadership afraid of? What "big bang" are they waiting for? The buzzards are flying overhead in anticipation of a corpse. Is the plan to sell all off the assets and succumb to death just rumor, or a bit of truth? This is not simply about an individual it is about a heritage, a legacy, a history and cultural responsibility to African American people.

Unanswered attempts have been made to appeal to the local board of directors and to the National Urban League for information. What is now being demanded by the community is a forum where the current leadership may address the community and present the state of the organization publicly.

Also where support, memberships, volunteerism and advice can be solicited and received.

Ignoring the community or doing nothing feeds into the rumor mill and fuels false information. Current leadership states that everything is fine, while others tell of a different scenario. Both are far from the truth and require clarification.

I make no claims to know all the details of the current condition or future of the organization.

I make no accusations of wrong doing and/or mismanagement, but I can with a clear conscious state that all is not well at the SPUL. If there is no formal response to this commentary from current SPUL leadership, then we the people must take the necessary action to resuscitate what is perceived to be a dying organization. The St. Paul Urban League belongs to all of us, and its future is in our hands.

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Insight News • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Poet and Award Winning screenwriter Tye Green is up and coming filmmaker

By Alaina Lewis When it comes to art, the interpretation of excellence affects everyone differently when one's vision elopes gracefully within the perimeter of a blank canvas. From Van Gogh to Aaron Douglas, and even through the Impressionist era and onto the beauty of a Gordon Parks photograph, the uniqueness of every artist gives birth to the importance of individualism. But in this day and age, in order to further touch the masses, an artist's vision needs to be a closer reach than the confining walls of a picture frame.

With writing and film production, that same theory of individualism holds true. An original idea is born, nurtured, and expound upon, until its creation dares to travel through the extensions of a writer's fingertips. Yet when the marriage of visual words adjoin with the beauty of a life in photographs, the pages begin to move and art is no longer affixed to one dimension. So what better place for a writer to tell a more visual story than to take their original idea from the trappings of paper and onto the television screen?

For poet and Award Winning screenwriter Tye Green, making

Tye Green the transition from the page to a moving picture is proving to be an excellent decision in furthering her career as an up and coming filmmaker.

Them!, a television pilot created from the amazing mind of Green and her collaborative team, is at the ending stages of pre-production. The project is already proving to everyone within an ear shot, that it's going to pave a new road in the world of free cinematic expression.

With the idea, born from the walls of Green's openly gay lifestyle, the show speaks positively to not only the African American GLBT community, but rather it works to dispel the trail

Photo courtesy of the artist

of derogatory stereotypes that are sometimes associated with these individuals. "I think if people see a television show that displays this choice in lifestyle in a positive light, it will lesson some of the derogatory statements and some of the ignorance that comes from lack of understanding," Green states.

As the world becomes more accepting of people's choice in lifestyle, our televisions sets begin to reflect this positive new direction. Shows like The L Word, Noah's Arc and the once famed Queer as Folk, generally target all audiences, but their theme emphasizes a lavish lifestyle attributed solely to the rich and/or famous. Although these shows are celebrated for their excellence, this makes it hard for people to personally identify with any of the characters.

That is an obstructive wall that Them! never attempts to put up. The show is centered on the lives of six lesbian women and their daily exploits. The theme is like a cross between the shows The L Word and Girlfriends.

Through this production, which Green will present to HBO for possible pick up, she is finally bridging the narrow gap by creating realistic female African American GLBT characters in far more than just ensemble roles. What makes Them! further unique is that the characters are more like you and me and are inter-relatable to every audience apart from the focal point of the content.

The show begins filming October 3rd, and at this point since it is not yet attached to a big network, is still an independent production. This is a plus, as most filmmakers know, because it gives Green creative control over her vision and its direction. But in essence, it's safe to say, that most films derive a lot of their success during production through use of a shared effort. Green, who believes in the beauty of unifying to create something, has a volunteer production team of seasoned veterans as well as College interns, working together perfectly to keep the wheels turning in order to forge her vision. "Film students are the ones who are most passionate about what they're going to do," says Green, "They're the ones who are going to put in the time and the energy, and they're the ones who still truly believe in film. It's easy to get burnt out after years in the industry

whereas they're still passionate about the creative process."

Auditions for Them! are being held September 26.

Currently the majority of interest in auditioning has been reaching out from the Caucasian community. Although Them! will reflect a positive balance amongst the races and nationalities, the show hopes to employ a more dominate African American cast as to be more of a reflection of the life Green knows and lives as an African American woman. If you're interested in auditioning, I encourage you to contact Green.

The show is also in need of donations on the days of production. To be independent also denotes an idea of selffunding to bring your vision to the forefront. Because all the hands on deck are those of volunteers, Green hopes to acquire food donations to feed the cast and crew on days of filming. If you can help in any way, please contact the production. You'd be helping Green blur the lines of acceptance and bring another genre out in the open that speaks to many individuals who's personal story is definitely worth telling.

This is the progressive age; a time when freedom of expression should be celebrated in all avenues. With Green in the picture, and now reaching outward from behind the confinement of a camera, she's emitting a new beam of light on a world that is truly ready to be delivered into the mainstream spotlight.

For more information on this production and how you can help

or become involved, please visit this link at the MN Film Board http://www.mnfilmtv.org/mnhotli ne/?p=1355

To send a resume/headshot to be considered for an audition, or to donate to the production, please email Tye@Tyegreen.com

Page 6 • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Instruments for children: Finding treasures at the Pawn shop Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey In an effort to expose our three children to various types of experiences while helping them to discover their God-given gifts and abilities, my husband and I encourage their participation in various extracurricular activities (just not all at the same time). The general rule of thumb for this extracurricular fun is that the child must complete the activity season or at least stick with it until the

end of the school year (or until mama says otherwise).

Currently, our two youngest children are taking piano lessons.

Because I was unsure whether piano lessons would be a shortterm or long-term commitment, we had the children practicing on a small electric keyboard which cost around $100. Although it didn't have the 88-keys like a real piano, nor the "feel" of the real thing, it was fine for beginning students. We are now entering their second year of lessons and I felt it was time for an instrument upgrade. Purchasing a new one right now was out of the question: they are expensive, they take up a lot of space, and they are expensive (I'm only buying one if I know we have the next Stevie Wonder in our midst.) We solved our problem when we found a

gently-used digital piano, complete with the full 88-keys, foot pedals, and the "feel" of a real piano. Guess where we found itpriced right? A nearby…. pawn shop… ssshhh.

Yes, I went to a pawn shop, but please don't tell my mama!

See, I grew up thinking that pawn shops are the places where thieves go to "fence" stolen merchandise.

I even went to a few looking for my stuff when our neighbors "robbed us blind" while we lived in Chicago many years ago. What I have since learned is that most pawn shop customers are lawabiding citizens. In addition, the pawn shop is really a brick and mortar version of Craigslist-a place where buyers, sellers, borrowers, and swappers meet.

Before you turn up your nose and stop reading this article I want you to reconsider your nearby pawn shop because it might become your favorite shopping destination.

Is your kid a budding musician??

Instead of buying brand new top-of-the line instruments for your beginning student musician, check out the selection at your local pawn shop. Our very first pawn purchase was in Georgia a few years ago. We bought our oldest daughter her first flute, so it seemed like a good idea when we

www.agilitynut.com/06/3/okpawn.jpg

visited the St. Louis Park Pawn America last week. (Truth be told, I was really looking for a bike.) We scored when we found our digital piano, because I hadn't seen anything on Craigslist and I hadn't wanted to pay $1,000 for a new one. Pawn America has 13 locations around the twin cities www.pawnamerica.com where you can buy, sell, and borrow.

They even have online shopping.

Are you an electronics fanatic??

Years ago, when I was still

suspicious of pawn shops, my brother-in-law would come to visit us and always ask where he could find a pawn shop. Keenan is a DJ and loves everything electronic. He would frequently buy and sell DJ equipment and upgrade when the price was right.

In fact he bought DVDs, cameras, etc. If you have outgrown your old electronics and want to find a low-cost upgrade and sell your old one-all in one stop-check it out.

Need new tools in your toolbelt or a new piece of jewelry??

These days pawn shops have it all. Find great prices on all types of jewelry and gadgets. Choose from new, gently used, or refurbished merchandise. Unlike most consignment shops, the pawn shop will buy your items on the spot and give you cash.

Most of us would never knowingly buy stolen merchandise and neither do most pawn shops.

They have

definitely evolved over the years in ways that have helped to shed their shady image. I remember after our incident in Chicago, I went to the nearby pawn shop hoping to retrieve some of my own stolen items; I was informed that merchandise is only accepted from sellers after a verification process --which involves law enforcement-- to determine that it had not been stolen. At the time that made me feel slightly better about these establishments.

I now go (read: sneak) into pawn shops regularly…okay occasionally.

Just another bargain shopping option that I thought (some of) you (more daring readers) would like to hear about. 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.

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Insight News • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Page 7

Three R’s of job searching: Reorganize, retool, reconnect

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com There are 2.3 million people who are unwittingly wearing the government's ironic label, Discouraged Worker. These are the people who have stopped looking for work because "they believe there are no jobs available."

The label is incongruous because a

Construction From 1 construction ranks and began working residentially doing small jobs and later moved into the ranks of commercial construction with Tri-Construction.

So it seemed natural for their company to have a hand putting together the new Minnesota Twins Ballpark- one of the largest construction projects in the State of Minnesota.

Tri-Construction bid and received three contracts for $1.5 million to supply the entire stadium with furnished drywall, carpentry/woodwork and partitions for bathroom stalls. The stadium houses 667 bathroom stalls (401 for women and 266 for men).

The $522 million Minnesota Twins stadium and Target Field is set to open in April 2010.

According to reports, the ballpark will generate an estimated $50 million in revenue per year. Passed Twins organization owner Carl Pohlad shelled out $167 million while the rest is publicly funded.

The 1 million square foot stadium will be a mixture of columns of Minnesota Limestone, glass, and metal. The stadium seating capacity will be for 40,000 fans with ticket prices ranging from as low as $12 to as high as $275 per ticket with 3,400 premium seats and exclusive suites some of which will include parking, dinner, beverages and snacks served by waiters.

Reportedly, the park will also feature what is known as "knotholes" along 5th street that should allow fans to see some action outside of the park without

discouraged worker is still, most likely, a worker. Discouraged or not, few of us have the luxury of retiring permanently. So what are these people working on?

For many would-be workers, stopping the formal job search is not so much an act of surrender, but of changing gears. If you are discouraged, and want to be working, it may be time to change your perspective, too. Taking time to reorganize, retool and

reconnect will put you in position to accept new opportunities when the job market opens for business again soon.

Reorganizing physically and emotionally is critical to career success. Move away from any bitterness you have about your situation and try to look objectively at where you have been and where you want to go.

Create a resume specific to the industry you are most interested in

and direct the bulk of your efforts to that industry: its companies, its people, its conferences, its professional organizations.

Retool if you have to. If you're not sure, then you have to.

Gaining new skills and polishing old ones is going to be a basic characteristic of career management in coming years.

Can you name ten things in your work that are different now than they were when you first

paying.

Through provisions laid out by the state and Minnesota Ballpark Authority (MBA) in the management contract awarded Mortensen construction, building the stadium included meeting hiring and subcontracting goals for Small, Women, and Minority and Women Business Enterprise (SWMBE). Reportedly, all parties under agreement were to keep the pledge that 30% of all ballpark construction was to be maintain throughout the project by SWMBE. As of May and June reports the ballpark was at 28% compliance.

According to the MBA website (www.mnba.avenet.net) Chairman Steve Cramer recently stated that those SWME goals have been surpassed.

Tri-Construction is registered as a small minority-owned construction company. Forty per cent of the company is diverse employing 17 people including two women with Littlejohn and Royal at the helm.

Littlejohn said that the two have trained and placed some community members hired in other companies that worked on the stadium project. "It has been a pleasure to place some of these people within our own organization," Littlejohn added.

"If we don't find a way to employ our people; to introduce them to construction and that standard of living and if we don't take the time as business owners; as Black men; as people of color in our community… If we don't care enough, how can we ask someone else to care," Littlejohn said.

Royal admits as a minorityowned company they have to prove themselves like everyone

else on issues such as safety, keeping good records and making payroll on time. He said TriConstruction contracts were awarded based on a strong record of workmanship and safety.

"Performance is very important as well as doing what you say as a smaller contractor," Royal said. "It is also important to follow guidelines and specifications for the job and hit goals above and beyond."

Another aspect of owning a business, Royal stressed, is having good skills. "If you don't have skills set or financial backing or everything it takes to engulf a larger job, you are not going to get it no matter what color you are… thus making it harder for those looking for opportunity to make it happen."

Royal added as a construction business it is important to identify your roles and limitations. "Never think you are bigger than those roles. We worked on community projects like the Spirell Bar, but when it came to the Stadium ballpark we knew we had a learning curve."

According to Littlejohn, relationships and true partnerships are what help make a company like theirs successful on the bigger scale.

Reportedly, Mortenson encouraged many of the SWMBEs to bid on the Twins project including Tri-Construction. Both men worked on previous jobs with Mortenson including on the University Of Minnesota Stadium.

"The construction field is all about relationships," Littlejohn said. "There has to be a relationship built. The bigger picture is to find a partner and learn. Forming partnerships is one

of the ways smaller contractors really and truly can grow."

Littlejohn pointed out that TriConstruction built a strong network and partnership with many other subcontractors that enabled them to bid on the stadium jobs.

"Tri-Construction learned big business from Olympic Drywall and J.R. Jones in general subcontracting," Royal added.

"We learned on a big scale from a small contractor then moved to general contracting."

Tri-Construction included Olympic Drywall as a partner when they acquired one of the stadium bids.

"In our business it is a win-win for both parties. We bring work to the table and they bring expertise and it goes hand in hand," Littlejohn added.

"Smaller contractors need to understand their value as the larger contractor understands their roles."

Throughout their combined years in construction Littlejohn's trade was laborer and Royal's was labor and carpentry. Nowadays both men consider themselves fulltime front office workers entering invoices and compiling hours for payroll.

"It is quite unique to have two African American males working in the office sitting as the heads of the business," Royal said. "It can be challenging at times, but we have a good relationship because our passions and drives are the same and we know we will be partners through to the end."

Even with some of the controversies surrounding the

started working? (Remember thermal paper for fax machines?

Remember floppy disks?) Ten years from now, technology and techniques will have forged ahead even further.

Make selfdevelopment part of your routine.

Reconnect with colleagues, classmates, neighbors and friends from your past lives. People who know you were a good worker back then may be willing to pass on a job lead or even hire you now

and, with everyone in America showing up on Facebook and LinkedIn, reconnecting is easier than ever.

Don't wait until the jobs are there to get back to work.

Reorganizing, retooling and reconnecting gives you plenty to work on now.

Please send career planning questions to Julie@insightnews.com.

www.womansday.com

Lester Royal (L) and Calvin Littlejohn stadium including issues of public funding, public use and reaching SWMB goals both men see the entire stadium experience as very positive.

"I think there's always some flak somewhere people think certain organizations should have been utilized more for this or some people could have been more use for that. Sure there has been criticism, but on our end it has been a wonderful project to work on," Littlejohn said. "We have learned a lot. It was great to work with Mortenson, the Ball Park Authority, Olympic, JR Jones and the others."

"It has been quite a ride and we have had nothing but full cooperation from all involved in the project," Royal said. "These people truly meant what they said.

It wasn't flak or sweeping things under the rug. From the beginning to end they truly meant what they set out for with the goals and follow-through and making sure everybody was accountable above and beyond."

"It was our pleasure to employ

people on a project of that size and to realize how everyday we are making a difference," Littlejohn explained. "That is a partnership when we can be out there everyday performing a task. We cannot be out there without them.

We need them like they need us.

"It means a lot if we can inspire the community," Royal added. "We like to say if we can do it, you can do."

Tri-Construction recently finished work on a multi-tenant Capri Theatre building providing drywall and framing package and also helped with the Akerberg Group Building at 1200 West Broadway. The Stadium project looks to open on time in April 2010.

Of being part of the Twins ball park project, Royal said: "My greatest satisfaction was making payroll every week. Even if we don't eat, I love to pay my guys," Royal said. "Those are important goals for us."

Page 8 • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Insight News

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HEALTH For a healthy heart: Optimism can help, loneliness can hurt Health & Wellness

By Brandi D. Phillips There are many different things that can affect the health of a person's heart -Optimism can help, loneliness can hurt. This article discusses the former and latter.

Optimism May Lower the

Risk of Heart Disease in Women In a study published the week of August 10, 2009 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, women 50 and over who have a more optimistic approach to life in comparison to the "glass half empty" approach, are less likely to get heart disease In her article, Heather Mayer quotes Dr. Hilary Tindle, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania. "In the grand scheme of things, the real importance is recognizing and raising awareness of the

link between attitude and heath," she said. Tindle also adds that pessimism may be as bad as having high blood pressure - a well known heart risk factor - when it comes to cardiovascular health.

Mayer noted in her article on cnn.com, optimists in general experience less stress than pessimists, tend to assess the situation, deal with the situations head on, and find adequate support to solve concerns, whereas pessimists do not handle situations the same. In her research, Dr. Tindle and her fellow researchers found that pessimists were also more likely to be at risk for other health concerns such as being overweight and a sedentary life style, although once these factors were corrected, mood also was still a factor in the pessimists risk for heart disease.

In contrast, Dr. Kirk Garratt, who works a Lenox Hill Hospital in the Cardiac Unit, says "Nobody has a clear cut answer, but there's a strong sense that attitude impacts physiology.

Loneliness May Hurt a Heart On August 10, 2009, Ray Hanier reported that research shows being lonely can break your heart, literally.

He reported that people who lack a

Voting From 1 RCV. That year, 149,318 election ballots were cast. Of those voters, about 78,741 voted "yes" for RCV and about 42,493 voted "no." Another 28,084 voters did not vote on the question.

Why the Switch?

RCV is based on the majority rules principal. In theory the principal is easy to

close, trusting support network from family or friends are more likely to develop and die from heart disease.

Dr. John Cacioppo, PhD., . . . says, "We found fairly quickly that objective social isolation in everyday life isn't as important as perceived social isolation".

This means that feeling alone can be just as bad for the heart as physically isolating yourself from others.

The feeling of being lonely leads to stress and through research, stress has been proven to lead to heart disease. Hanier notes, in the past, researchers have defined loneliness as the difference between a person's desired and actual social relationships and interactions in these relationships.

The definition of loneliness may differ from person to person.

Some people are considered to be "loners", because they like to spend a lot of time alone. Others like to spend time with one or two friends, while there are still others who like to be around many people most of the time.

So, it is important to distinguish between choosing to socially isolate from others based on need for space, and feeling alone, which is a lack of a close, trusting, and even emotionally intimate relationship with another human being.

Dr. Cacioppo, states "The

wegohealth.ning.com

brains of lonely people are on high alert for social threats."

This level of alertness releases a hormone called cortisol, which is related to stress, which in turn leads to strain on the cardiovascular system.

So, in conclusion, stay optimistic and try building close trusting relationships with others. Doing so may lead to less stress, thus less heart disease and possibly death.

Mayoclinic.com is a good website to obtain information

about having a healthy heart and diet. If you have any questions or concerns about maintaining a healthy heart, contact your health care professional or local library or search the Internet for more information.

understand‌in a democracy the majority rules. However, this hasn't been the case in many city and state elections. In general, candidates running for elected office are often times decided by her/his political party.

During the party's convention only one candidate is endorsed. True, it is the "majority" at the respective political party's deciding the outcome of who gets the endorsement, but the convention is only a subset of how the majority of voters at large feel about the candidate(s). For instance, in 2001, Minneapolis Ward 5 City Councilmember and Incumbent Jackie Cherryhomes handily won her party's (DFL) endorsement for City Council.

In a surprising turn of events,

the voters made another decision and elected newcomer Natalie Johnson Lee. RCV would assure that the principal of majority rules is upheld in Minnesota elections.

the same. Each ballot will have three columns. In each office, voters will mark the ballot from left to right, marking their first choice for each office in the first column. If voters wish to rank different second and theirs choices, they will mark them in the second and third columns on the ballot. The candidate with over 50% of the vote wins.

Stairstep

compassionate. This discussion will never be just about statistics, it's about real people and real lives and deaths. It's about economic and moral

From 3 cause, and to gain wisdom about solutions from a community perspective.

Minnesota has made some strides forward to reduce infant mortality and other health disparities in our community. But we still have far to go before the journey is complete. Clearly, we cannot afford to look past what's right in front of us. It's not enough to just talk about an issue, we need - no, we must - become informed, engaged, active and

How does RCV work?

RCV allows voters to rank multiple candidates in the order of preference. For instance, if there are five candidates running for Mayor, voters get to rank up to three candidates.

This year, RCV will be used in the Mayoral, City Council, Board of Estimate and Taxation, and the Park Board. Ranking up to three candidates applies to a single seat election and multiple seats as is the case with the Park Board. The ballots will look pretty much

Brandi Phillips is a Life Skills Therapist, Personal Trainer and Professional Dancer. Her goal is to cultivate healthy children and sustain healthy seniors.

RCV Training If you would like to learn more about RC: next upcoming Majority Rules Training on Tuesday, September 15th at North Commons located at 1801 James Avenue North. We will start promptly at 7 pm.

Refreshments will be provided.

justice. And it's about the kind of world we want to live in, and the kind of change we can create together, for our children and for our community.

Stairstep is recruiting individuals and family members who have experienced the loss of an infant to participate in focus groups and surveys. We need to hear your experience in order to help spare our community more of these tragic losses. For more information about how to participate, contact Helen Lockett-El at Stairstep Foundation, (612) 521-3110, or by email at info@stairstep.org.

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Obama From 1 delivered. He has taken the lead and his statement was strong.

He is determined to get health reform done under his administration. His goals are right on – particularly holding insurance companies accountable.”

President Obama was right in defining the challenge as not just a health care issue, but and economic issue, and a moral issue, Whitney West said. “It is immoral that insurers are allowed to drop or refuse insurance to people when they need it most. President Obama gave examples that illustrated that in some cases people have died or suffered greatly because their insurers dropped them or withheld insurance benefits unreasonably,” she said. “This is a moral issue. For the United States to be a leader among democracies and to have one of the worst health care systems is a travesty. The time for change has come.”

Whitney West runs the $40 million NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center which serves populations that will be positively impacted by proposed healthcare reforms.

“For our customers, health insurance accountability is significant. We see people on assistance and people with private insurance. Some people who can’t get coverage because of pre existing conditions come to our clinic and pay out of pocket. With the proposed health care reform, we can provide them with more service, care and treatment,” Whitney West said.

“For our community, President Obama’s plan of having an Insurance Market Exchange for small business and individuals alongside the traditional private market is really going to increase the number of small business that can be competitive,” she said.

State Representative Bobby Champion serves MN District 58B in North Minneapolis and Downtown. In a phone interview Thursday, Champion said, “It is timely and appropriate for our country to think about the most vulnerable as well as those who have insurance. I like President Obama’s attention to getting both proper health care and proper insurance coverage for everyone, regardless of economic status. His proposals fit the needs of my District. We have a lot of people in the District who have insurance and a lot of people who don’t have insurance. The President’s proposals mean access to affordable, efficient health care for everyone. His plan also looks heavily toward prevention. This approach has a positive impact on daily lives of ordinary citizens.”

Champion praised President Obama’s speech as being “Detailed enough for every lay person to understand”.

US Representative Keith Ellison concurred. “President Obama’s speech clarified what he meant by the public option for insurance coverage. He stood by it and was unwavering.

That was very important.”

Ellison said the public option proposed by the President was not presented as a “nice add-on” that was nonessential. “It doesn’t make the bill ‘perfect’,” he said, emphasizing that the public options should not be viewed as fluff or a ‘finishing touch’.

“The public option makes the bill function. It is what makes the bill work. It is the essential element of the bill,” Ellison said.

“We are mandating that 49 million Americans will have health care. This will break up the monopolistic practices of the insurance industry. The President pointed out that in 34 states, five or fewer companies control the health insurance market. In Alabama, one company controls over 90% of the health insurance market.”

“The American people want and deserve competition and they deserve choice in competition. President Obama was right in showing that the ‘public option‘ in higher education —the state university systems — don’t ruin private markets. Private colleges are thriving, and in fact, improved by the competition they face from public state-run institutions of higher learning.”

Ellison said he didn’t know how it came across on television, but he and other Members of Congress thought the behavior of some Republican members was appalling and disrespectful.

One Congressman yelled “You lie!” in and effort to deride the President’s remarks. Others

Insight News • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Page 9 were booing the President.

“The Republicans are reacting this way because they are fit to be tied,” Ellison said.

“During Iraq war, nobody in Congress called President Bush “a lie or liar”. I sat in the Republication section. This behavior was different from normal decorum in house. This was not some town hall meeting. This is congress,” Ellison said.

Why the venomous posturing? Ellison said, “Their major paymaster will have to be more equitable. The insurance industry has bankrolled them.”

He added, “This President is unique. Some are not quite ready to accept his leadership.”

Whitney West said, “This should be a wakeup call. This behavior that disrespects the President of United States is unheard of. Our President is held in high regard around the world. The rude behavior of some Republicans is an embarrassment.”

Yet, she said, “It pulls the cover off what we already know.”

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4), who serves on the House Appropriations & Budget Committees, said she is supporting President Obama’s Health Care Reform initiatives.

“It is time to fight for affordable health care for every American.

It is time to unite the country and defeat the fear mongers, profiteers and right wing lies.”

“President Obama can count me as a strong ally in this battle and we will win because the American people – all our citizens – deserve affordable, quality health care,” she said in a media release.

“Health security for only some Americans – those with the wealth or the best jobs – is the way our current system operates and it is unacceptable.

Private insurance companies that focus on profits rather than people are running our health care system and leaving millions of ruined lives behind,” she said.

“Republicans in Congress have a simple choice – work with the President and Democrats in Congress to make health reform that will benefit every American family a reality or remain on the extremist fringe fighting for the status quo. I sincerely hope my Republican colleagues will stand with the American people” McCollum said.

US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)

Senator Amy Klobuchar(D-MN)

Senator Al Franken (D-MN)

State Rep. Bobby Champion (DFL-58B)

Stella Whitney-West

Page 10 • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Insight News

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT/ DRIVERS D R I V E R S : Local/Regional.

Great Pay/HomeTime/Benefits. No touch, Pd Vac. CDLA 2yrs OTR Exp. Koch: 888-242-3675.

ADVERTISE WITH US: 612.588.1313

Development & Communications Manager Lead and manage the fundraising and communications efforts for Emerge Community Development. Position includes developing relationships with donors, directing annual appeals, fundraising events, grant writing, overseeing agency’s communications program, etc. Refer to www.puc-mn.org for position details. Deadline: 9/30/09. Send resumes to: Pillsbury United Communities, HR, 414 S. 8th St, Mpls, MN 55404; e-mail: mcw.jobs@mcwmn.org or fax: 612-341-1653.

EEO M/F H DV.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts Sales & Service Reps The MIA is seeking people to greet & provide info & services to museum visitors for approx 3 months. Sell tickets & memberships in person & over the phone. Reqs: prev sales or customer service exp; accurate data entry & financial transactions; comp & keyboarding skills; a positive professional appearance & work ethic; good comm, organization & problem solving skills. Avail to work flexible sched. $10.50/hr, PThrs vary. Send resume or complete app.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts Attn: Human Resources 2400 Third Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 Fax: (612) 870-3263 miajobs@artsmia.org

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: 3 Season's Maintenance and Landscape Proffessionals 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 1907 Glenwood Ave. North, Mpls., MN 55405 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name: Richard J. Hill, 1907 Glenwood Ave. North, Mpls., MN 55405 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: Richard J. Hill Date Filed: 9/04/2009 Insight News 9/14/2009, 9/21/2009

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR 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 Weight Watchers sessions at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center - Sept.

Everyone is welcome to join.

This session will be 12 weeks and will include 8 weeks of free e-tools. This group meets Fridays from 12 - 1 pm. If you are interested, please call to Doris Hanson at. – 612-5432886 or 612-543-2577.

NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, 1313 Penn Avenue North, Mpls.

Foreclosure information workshops scheduled at Hennepin County libraries and city halls - Ongoing Monday, Sept. 14 6:30 p.m.

Hennepin County Library – Brookdale 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway Brooklyn Center. 952847-5600.

Thursday, Sept. 17 6:30 p.m.

Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka. 952-8478800.

Thursday, Oct. 1 6:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Park City Hall 5200 85th Ave. N. 763-424-8000 Monday, Oct. 5 6:30 p.m.

Hennepin County Library – St. Anthony 2941 Pentagon Drive N.E. 952-847-6075.

Saturday, Oct. 17 11 a.m.

Hennepin County Library – Southdale 7001 York

Ave. S., Edina. 952-847-5900.

Thursday, Nov. 12 6:30 p.m.

St. Louis Park City Hall 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

952-924-2500.

For more information about the workshops, call the individual locations or Ed Nelson, Minnesota Home Ownership Center: 651-659-9336. www.hennepin.us.

The Law and Mental Health Series - Ongoing A Free Training Series for Parents and Caregivers, Advocates, and Support Group Leaders. 9:30 am - Registration & light breakfast. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Session. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road. Presented by: Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health • MACMH www.macmh.org • 651-644-7333. There is no charge but space is limited; you must call to register.

Monday, September 14 Law Primer: An Introduction to Systems and Laws Friday, September 18 My Idea and Your Idea of Best Interests May Not Be the Same: Avoiding and Resolving Disputes Thursday, September 24 Rights and Remedies in Juvenile Justice Tuesday, September 29 Special Education: Know Your Rights GLBT Host Home Program Informational Meetings - Sept 15, 17 Tues, Sept. 15, 6-8 pm at Hosmer Library, 347 East 36th St, Mpls. www.hclib.org. Thurs,

Sept. 17, 6-8pm at Midtown YWCA, 2121 East Lake St, Mpls. www.ywcaminneapolis.org. For more information, contact Raquel at Avenues for Homeless Youth, 612-522-1690, ext.

110, hosthome@avenuesforyouth.org .

Fremont Community Clinics’ 4th Annual Gala - Sept. 17 Thursday, Sept. 17, 5:30 - 9:00 pm at the Ukrainian Event Center, 301 Main St. NE, Mpls.

Live and silent auctions, refreshments, and live music from Best Kept Secret.All proceeds will support Fremont Community Clinics.

B-Girl Be Dance Showcase – Sept. 17 - 20 Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave South, Mpls. Tickets on Sale now at www.IntermediaArts.org. Call 612.871.4444 or visit www.IntermediaArts.org for more info.

“Being Branded” concert on ice – Sept. 17, 18 7:30 pm with post-concert discussion at the Ridder Ice Arena, University of MN campus 1901 4th Street SE, Mpls, MN. To purchase tickets visit: www.mbccculturaleventg.event brite.com.

For more information call: 651-7779119.

Reduce Stress While Unfolding Your Full Potential – Sept. 17, 19 Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30-8:30 pm or Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 am - 12 pm. 399 Ruth Street St. Paul. RSVP needed by: September 15. A Workshop for students, educators and parents on the Transcendental Meditation® Quiet Time

program. Contact: 651-7140254 or twincities@tm.org.

Fremont Clinics Gala – Sept. 17 Thurs, 5:30pm – Ukrainian Event Main Street NE, Tickets are $25 in at the door.

4th Annual 9pm, at the Center, 301 Minneapolis, advance, $30

Mitch Hedberg Memorial Charity Golf Tournament benefits drug and alcohol treatment programs – Sept. 18 Fri. at the Oak Marsh Golf Course, 526 Inwood Avenue North, Oakdale, MN. 1:00 pm Tournament (4-Person Scramble), 6:00 pm Silent Auction, Dinner, and Program. www.mitchhedbergmemorialgol f.com

B-Girl Be Block Party – Sept.

19 Saturday; 12PM to 10PM. at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. A celebration of women in hip-hop presented by Intermedia Arts.

Call 612-871-4444 or visit www.IntermediaArts.org for more info or tickets.

From the River to the River Sept. 19 Saturday, 9 a.m at the Mississippi River. 1st Annual Appreciation Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser in honor of Pastor Bettie Williams. For more information or to participate, contact River of Life Christian Church, 739 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN. 651-290-2348.

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Insight News • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Page 11

Track MN Elite sews seeds of a National Championship

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com At the recent 2009 AAU Junior Olympics held at Eastern Michigan University there were 172 heats of the 100m Dash. If we estimate that on average six athletes run in each heat, then that equals over 1,000 youth who competed against each other in a singular event, and the many other events were much the same.

Obviously a National Championship includes power population states such as California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and so forth. From what I've observed, Olympic athletes are many of the standouts who also competed at the Junior Olympic level. So when we report that Cameron Downey of Track MN Elite got second place in the discus, and fifth place in the shot put, we are really talking about truly stunning feats. Add to that the consistently stunning national performances by sprinter Elise Anderson of Track MN Elite - this year placing sixth in the 100m and fourth in the 200m with a breakout sixth place finish in the high jump by Taylor Anderson, and you have the seeds of a track juggernaut that all the populous states are forced to recognize.

It would be different if there were only those three highlights for the overall performance by Track MN, but they accomplished much more. The level of AAU All-American means that a competitor placed in the top eight within a given event.

AllAmerican Honorable Mentions were given out to Track MN youth for placing in the top 20 nationally --remember we're talking about thousands of competitors. Along with the three All-Americans, Track MN honored eight other athletes for All-American Honorable Mention (names listed at the end of this article).

The high variation of events in which Track MN athletes achieved top 20 placement within, tells a track enthusiast that the team has National Championship potential. Many track programs don't have diversity in specialization to offer thorough success in field events, sprinting events, and distance events, and prefer to concentrate their specialization on one of those

Track MN

three areas. Track MN takes a strong broad approach, and this approach lends itself to national championship level track teams.

And though the team has a strong contingent of professional, affectionate, and stern coaches, it is easy to see that it is the holistic system that they apply, that raises the performance of all the children under their watch. At their recent 10-year anniversary banquet, the image that dominated was that of the bright, healthy, engaged, and intelligent smiles that the diverse group of youth possesses. As you get older one of the most comforting and hopeful things you can see is a group of kids on the right track (pun mildly

intended). The holistic approach of Track MN not only teaches technical mastery of events, but also passionately maintains concern for the child's overall health and educational success.

The young athlete's network of caring parents, provides an abundance of hard, but rewarding work, in order to bring the whole picture of success together. The results are undeniable, and where the team travels, they are known.

Track MN carried a team of 65 youth this year, and judging by the strength and breadth of the coaches, the team can and will handle further growth in the near future; that is to say, they have plenty of room for additional

children that the readers may know. The opportunities to travel, the focus on health and education, and the influence of a large group of kids "on the right track", are game changers for any child's outlook, and future success in life.

As for the outlook on Track MN Elite as a whole: the vision of a team from Minnesota trumping all the teams from warm weather climates and populous regions, is the type of thought that stirs the American celebration of the underdog coming out on top.

Though when you see the strength of this group of children, you know that you are not looking at underdogs, but elite, youthful, conquerors. Congratulations is due to the institution of Track MN for 10 years of consistently providing an opportunity that is welcoming to all youth, and determined to provide the foundations of successful youth development through simply showing kids big and small how to properly run through life.

Track MN All-American Honorable Mentions Awarded to: Bridget Amoako, Mitchell Dickerson, Hunter Downey, Jeremy Duruji, Sidreshia Floyd, Shaheed Hickman, Niara Hill and Shane Ringkob.

Page 12 • September 14 - September 20, 2009 • Insight News

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