Selby Ave Jazz Fest MORE ON PAGE 10
Insight News September 22 - September 28, 2014
Vol. 41 No. 40 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com
Medtronic, United Way team up to reduce health disparities By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer The Greater Twin Cities United Way and Medtronic Philanthropy recently announced a joint-initiative aimed at improving engagement with community leaders and organizations to build a coalition aimed at reducing healthcare disparities. “We’ve had a long standing partnership with Medtronic so we came together on this to figure out what can be done to reduce healthcare disparities,” said Meghan Barp, senior vice president of Community Impact at Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Medtronic has been able to utilize their specialty – which is chronic
Meghan Barp
HEALTH TURN TO 7
Jacob Gayle
Sarah Caruso
Ferguson—A tipping point for national Black youth voter turnout? Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, and Ron Davis, father of Jordan Davis, testify during the grass-roots portion of the UN review in Geneva.
By Khalil Abdullah
UN criticizes US on racial justice issues raised by Minnesotans Geneva, Switzerland – A United Nations (UN) human rights committee composed of human rights laws experts from 18 countries and charged with monitoring U.S. compliance with its obligations under the racial
UN TURN TO 5
Michael Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. (New America Media) - A week before National Voter Registration Day Tuesday, September 23, civil rights leaders hope to increase African American youth voter turnout by citing the police shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., a city where only 12 percent of registered voters turned out to vote in the last city council elections. Community organizers in New Orleans and Houston -two cities with a long history of confrontations between AfricanAmericans and the police -- have mixed views on whether outrage over Ferguson will translate into voter participation.
Ferguson may be a rallying call in New Orleans, but it won’t be the dominant theme for staff and volunteers as they work voter registration tables around the city on Sept. 23, says Erica Buher of VAYLA-New Orleans, a multiethnic community organization focused on youth empowerment. Big Easy youth are attuned and empathetic to Brown’s killing on August 9, but, according to Buher “what happened in Ferguson happens frequently in New Orleans.” Young people have their own Michael Browns to focus on. Their names, Buher says, are virtually unknown outside the city. Buher remembers when the
TURNOUT TURN TO 3
Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy: Disaster inequality By Jazelle Hunt NNPA Columnist WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Just before Labor Day 2005, the world was stunned as images of Gulf Coast citizens, trudged through chaos and stagnant floodwaters, strewn with the debris of wrecked buildings and storm-tossed earth. The sights seemed to replay just before Halloween 2012, as coastal New York and New Jersey waded in icy waters and picked through the rubble of their destroyed property. The incidents were separated by more than 1,300 miles, seven years, and
two extreme weather events: Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy. But a new Web media project titled, Katrina/ Sandy, juxtaposes the storms to suggest that disastrous scenes like these may be on repeat, as extreme weather becomes a new global reality. “We’re not trying to say they’re the same event…. But it’s definitely a worthy thing to put [them] in context with each other when we think about, how do we respond better, how do we prepare better?” says Rachel Falcone, filmmaker, co-founder of Sandy Storyline (along with multimedia artist, Michael Premo),
INEQUALITY TURN TO 3
Sick pay
Health
Lifestyle
New report details statewide access to earned sick time benefits in Minnesota
Minnesota Health Commissioner tapped to lead national health coalition
Smile, you are altogether beautiful!
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
PAGE 7
Moments in Sports High quality competition boosts WNBA, fans
PAGE 9
Page 2 • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Insight News
insightnews.com
PhotoXpress
THIS IS MY GREEN JOB. Every day, I help turn Hennepin County’s postrecycled garbage into enough clean, renewable energy to power 25,000 Minneapolis homes. In addition to serving the community with sustainable waste disposal and clean, renewable energy, the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) provides well-paying, green jobs for area residents. For more information on HERC and its operations, visit covanta.com or hennepin.us/herc.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Recover Energy-from-Waste.
New report details statewide access to earned sick time benefits in Minnesota St. Paul, MN – TakeAction Minnesota and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research released a new statewide analysis recently, detailing access rates to earned sick time leave across the state of Minnesota. The new report breaks down data by gender, race and ethnicity, occupation, hours worked and earnings level. Overall, the report concludes that 41% of Minnesota workers lack access to even a single day of earned sick time off. On the morning teleconference briefing with reporters and policymakers, Jessica Milli, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, reviewed key findings from the statewide analysis. Milli said, “This data indicates that Minnesota workers who are least able to lose pay when they are sick are also the least likely to have employer-provided earned sick days. Earned sick time gives workers the ability to seek health services or stay home with sick children or other family members, helping reduce the spread of illness in schools and workplaces. It provides more economic security for families across the board, but most especially for those struggling in lower-wage and part-time jobs.” The analysis found that while 59% of all workers in Minnesota
Eat
Your
Greens!
currently have access to earned sick time benefits, access is not uniformly distributed across populations. Key findings include: 41%, just over 1.1 million Minnesota workers lack access to earned sick time benefits including a full 40% of private-sector workers (only 18% of publicsector workers lack access); 60% of Latino workers in the state lack access to earned sick time benefits, significantly less likely than workers in any other racial/ ethnic group, followed by 47% of African-American workers who lack access; Access to earned sick time varies substantially by occupation, with 71% of those in full-time positions having access while only 26% of those working parttime having access to earned sick time benefits; Service workers in particular are least likely to have access to earned sick time benefits, with only 35% having access. This includes food service and hospitality workers who work in close contact with the public; 80% of full-time workers in the highest earnings brackets, making over $65,000 annually, have access while only 34% of full-time workers in the lowest earnings brackets, making $15,000 or less, have access to earned sick time benefits.
There are lots of beautiful greens in season! Head to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and seek out greens such as collards, swiss chard, spinach and kale!! Green veggies are the most missing food in the modern diet and they benefit our health in so many ways! Benefits of Dark Leafy Greens: • Cancer Prevention • Blood Purification and added alkalinity • Bone Health • Improved Circulation • Healthy Looking Skin and Hair • Strengthened Immune System • Promote Healthy Intestinal Flora • Lift spirits and help to eliminate depression • Clear congestion in lungs • Improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function Plus they are yummy!! Toss them in a smoothie! I love my Vitamix Blender and use it every morning to make the kids a smoothie! Toss in a banana, your favorite frozen berries, some greek yogurt and a handful of greens! Try it in whatever blender you have….if you need something stronger I can offer you free shipping on any Vitamix at Vitamix.com, coupon #06-006081 Sauteed Greens with Leeks and Garlic
Greta Bergstrom, Communications Director for TakeAction Minnesota, believes the state of Minnesota can improve the economic security of families by instituting earned sick time policies that ensure that all workers have the opportunity to earn time off to care for themselves, a sick child or a loved one. “Workplace policies haven’t kept up with the realities of 21st century Minnesota families. People shouldn’t have to choose between being a good parent and being a responsible employee earning a paycheck. Having access to earned sick time gives individuals the ability to take care of their own health or the health of a loved one by using the time they have earned working hard every day.” The report, developed by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, details access rates for individuals 18 years and older, living in Minnesota regardless of their work. Data was culled from the 2010-2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the 2012 IPUMS American Community Survey (ACS). The new report can be downloaded here: http://www. iwpr.org/publications/pubs/ access-to-paid-sick-days-inminnesota/
• 3 garlic cloves • 1 large leek • 1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil • 2 bunches assorted dark leafy greens, chopped • 2 T mirin (rice cooking wine) • Ume Plum Vinegar • Toasted Sesame Seeds In large skillet over medium heat, saute garlic and leek in olive oil until soft. Add greens and mirin and saute until greens are bright green and tender. Remove from heat, drizzle lightly with ume plum vinegar, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve. (Serves 4) **Recipe from “Clean Start” by Terry Walters…a cookbook I highly recommend!! Julie McMahon, Founder/ Owner of Sound Nutrition, is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Raw Food Nutrition Educator who is passionate about Nutrition, Health and Wellness. Julie believes in the power of whole foods to create optimal health and is certified by the American Academy of Drugless Practitioners. Contact Julie today and set up your complimentary initial consultation at mysoundnutrition@gmail.com.
insightnews.com
Insight News • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Page 3
HEALTH Minnesota Health Commissioner tapped to lead national health coalition Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger has been elected to be president-elect of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the national organization representing the lead state health officials from all 50 states and other jurisdictions around the country. Dr. Ehlinger will serve as president-elect for one year and become the ASTHO president starting at the organization’s autumn 2015 annual meeting. ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing state public health agencies in the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia, and more than 100,000 public health
Dr. Ed Ehlinger
professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, formulate and influence sound public health policy and ensure excellence in state-based public health practice. ASTHO’s primary function is to track, evaluate, and advise members on the impact and formation of public or private health policy which may affect their states and to provide them with guidance and technical assistance on improving the nation’s health. “I congratulate Dr. Ehlinger on his election to this leadership position,� said Governor Mark Dayton. “I am confident he will be a strong advocate in this role for improving public health
across the country.� Commissioner Ehlinger was elected president in a vote taken at the organization’s annual meeting and policy summit, held recently in New Mexico. In addition to continuing the organization’s work of building stronger ties across state and local health departments, he said he intends to use the post to build awareness of the importance of a strong public health system to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Americans. “It is a tremendous honor to be asked to lead ASTHO as we enter a key period in the evolution of our public health system,� Commissioner Ehlinger said. “As a country we have a lot of work to do
when it comes to creating the conditions in which everyone has an opportunity to be healthy. To accomplish that goal we have to step up our efforts to fight chronic disease and reduce health disparities. Minnesota has made progress in these areas under the leadership of Governor Dayton, and I look forward to applying what we’ve learned from those efforts with my ASTHO colleagues. We are all working toward the same goal of protecting, maintaining and improving the health of individuals and communities around the country.� For more information about ASTHO, visit the organization’s website at www.astho.org. -MDH-
PreferredOne grabbed market share, then jumped ship TakeAction Minnesota, a statewide people’s network of individual and organizational members working together to motivate people to act publicly in order to advance economic and racial equity in our state released this statement following the
announcement that PreferredOne is severing its relationship with MNsure: “Today’s decision by PreferredOne to pull out of MNsure should serve as a reminder that depending on private, forprofit insurers for one’s health care
is like building a house on shifting sand. We doubt it comes as a surprise to health care consumers that a big carrier would jump onto a vehicle like MNsure in order to grab significant market share only to jump ship a year later. Families and small businesses are all too
used to annual rate increases and getting left high and dry by big health insurers. This is standard operating procedure for corporate insurers and one significant challenge to providing stable and reliable health care for Minnesota families.
“This year, however, consumers can face these kinds of unpredictable changes knowing they have new protections like tax credits and out of pocket spending limits, no denial or overcharging for pre-existing conditions, and basic preventative care benefits
whatever plan they choose. Many more Minnesotans qualified for MinnesotaCare and are even further protected from this kind of behavior.� TakeAction Minnesota has offices in St. Paul, Duluth and Grand Rapids.
Turnout
traffic stop by an officer who allegedly turned off her camera before the confrontation. The incident initially went unreported to the public by the police superintendent’s office. Buher says it reminds people all over again of the NOPD’s lack of transparency. “We will work to register voters through National Voter Registration Day up until October 6 which is the last day for us,� Buher says. Some 23 sites include college and university campuses as well as organizations like Covenant House and Liberty’s Kitchen, which offer services to the homeless and formerly incarcerated juveniles, respectively. “We work hard to reach that 18 to 24-year-old transitional age group because they’re such
a critical age and they’re the hardest to reach,� Buher explains, adding that In Louisiana, “you can actually register to vote when you’re 16. A lot of that under-18 age group is pushing back on the concept that voting is the only way you can be civically engaged.� Yet, in Houston, Christina Sanders, the director of the Texas League of Young Voters Education Fund, is convinced that Ferguson has been an “aha moment� for some of her city’s youth and a catalyst that may yield an increase in voter registration rolls. “This is a time when I’ve seen more young people connect to the power of the ballot,� Sanders said. She attributes increased interest to social media. “Social media, like Facebook, and the ability to connect with people around the country who are saying the same
thing, feeling the same way, that changes the conservation.� Sanders concurs with Buher that voter registration is not a panacea or silver bullet to foster change, but the Houston native sees voter registration as the gateway for young people to become more involved in determining how to define and address critical concerns within their communities. “Youth should not expect everything to happen overnight, because things didn’t get the way they are overnight,� Sanders said. “Voter registration isn’t sexy, but if you connect with young people about Ferguson and how it affects people’s lives on so many different levels, you have the capacity to build on the fire in people’s bellies. You can build these small fires into a firestorm.
What I say to young people is that voting is an opportunity, but your job is to constantly participate.� Sanders maintains that Ferguson has brought out a higher level of interest among African American youth in Houston than any single recent incident, an observation about other cities that is shared by Hazel Trice Edney, former Editor-in-Chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association and current president of the Capital Press Club in the District of Columbia. After a visit to Ferguson before the funeral of Brown, Edney says she had intense discussions with the media writing class she occasionally
teaches at Howard University as an adjunct professor. “The students are extremely interested in what’s going on in Ferguson. They wanted to know about the disposition of the people, about the next steps the community plans to take. Even more than the Trayvon Martin shooting almost two years ago, Michael Brown’s death has been a wake-up call to many communities.� Edney found the stories Ferguson residents told her about police abuse to be appalling, but Brown’s death seems to be a tipping point. “People are in a mood for action. They feel it’s time to do something.�
units without electricity, heat, or medications. Post-Katrina, it is mostly Black people slogging through hazardous floodwaters, searching for food and dry clothing. Scientists and researchers almost unanimously agree that extreme weather events like these have become and will continue to be commonplace, as a result of climate change. Low-income and underserved communities, often home to people of color, will continue to bear the brunt of the effects. “Folks who don’t have resources are the hardest hit at every stage of disaster. Katrina continues to be an ongoing disaster for a lot of people, and that’s clearly the bulk of what’s going on on the ground in Sandy,� says Luisa Dantas, filmmaker, director of Land of Opportunity, and co-creator of Katrina/Sandy. “When we talk about looking ahead, and learning, and preparing, it’s mostly around ensuring that folks who don’t have access to resources are protected, and cared for, and able to recover and rebuild their lives just like everyone else can.� Marginalization of these communities continues in debates about land use, rebuilding, and
the right to return in the aftermath of disasters. Outside this project, both Dantas and Falcone work on issues around housing rights; Dantas points out that this scenario plays out often around the country. “Crisis isn’t just a disaster on the scale of Katrina, but we’ve been looking at stories all over the country of crisis being used as a real excuse for policies that displace people, that put a premium on development agendas that aren’t necessarily inclusive, and aren’t necessarily being directed by the communities where they’re set,â€? she says, citing Detroit’s economic crisis as an example and Katrina as an extreme case. Sandy survivors are at the beginning stages of these issues. “Right after the storm there was all these meetings the mayor convened around policy that were shocking,â€? Falcone says. “There were town hall meetings, there’s been a lot of discussion around policy‌and around buyouts, and development, and who has a say in what’s happening to different areas that are trying to rebuild. So we definitely see similar issues. But for us we feel like it’s not yet written, so we wanted to invite people to help us tell that story.â€? Viewers are invited to
share their post-Sandy stories at Sandystoryline.com/ participate/share-your-story, and the Katrina/Sandy timeline can be viewed at http://beta. landofopportunityinteractive. com/#/compare. Dantas and Falcone hope the timeline will help inform how people and officials prepare for this new normal. “One really important thing to talk about with Katrina and the relationship to Sandy‌is when a natural disaster becomes a manmade catastrophe. In the case of Katrina, the storm itself did not cause the lion’s share of damage. It was the epic failure of manmade infrastructure. And similar situations happened in Sandy recovery,â€? says Dantas. “The Sandy anniversary is coming up and the decade of Katrina coming up in a year. The value of reflection isn’t just looking at what’s happened but also thinking about how what’s happened can be applicable to your own community. We’re really hoping that this work is driving home to people that this could happen to them, and if it were to happen to them, could they be better prepared?â€?
From 1 police officer -- convicted of shooting Ronald Madison on Danziger Bridge in Hurricane Katrina’s wake -- was freed after a court upheld his appeal in September of 2013. James Brissette, 17 years old, also died on the bridge from police gunfire. Henry Glover was killed in a separate Katrina incident. The police officer charged in his death was also acquitted on appeal last year in December. “The court’s reversal hit the community hard,� Buher says of the Glover case. Just weeks ago, Armand Bennett, a 26-year-old AfricanAmerican man, was shot twice in the head during a NOPD
Inequality From 1 and co-creator of the Katrina/ Sandy project. “We’re trying to tell stories that can impact and improve the recovery after Sandy, or at least improve it so that‌we learn from the mistakes we made during Sandy and especially during Katrina. And also the successes‌ not all the stories are sad stories. Communities are coming together to meet needs successfully and create solutions.â€? Katrina/Sandy is the joint endeavor of two award-winning projects, Land of Opportunity and Sandy Storyline. Sandy Storyline is a crowd-sourced collection of Hurricane Sandy experiences, solicited and curated by a team of filmmakers. Land of Opportunity is a New Orleans-based multimedia project from a team of filmmakers that explores issues around housing; the Katrina/ Sandy timeline is hosted as part of this larger project. Created from donated footage and testimony from scores of local filmmakers and citizens around the country, Katrina/Sandy blends film, photography, and firsthand audio accounts into a powerful timeline before, during, and after the storms. Viewers click points along the line and journey through footage of ravaging winds, relentless floodwaters, weatherworn residents, and weary homeowners. As the short films and accounts play, viewers can also segue to compelling documents, articles, and interviews that explore related issues. In one scene from the Sandy accounts, a mother walks through her home, surveying gutted walls and detailing the bureaucratic ordeal of beginning the rebuilding process, as her young daughter wanders around calling out memories. In an accompanying scene from the Katrina footage, a father reflects on the 18 months he and his family have lived in a trailer on his property, waiting for the city to demolish his crumbling house so he can rebuild, as his young son plays nearby. The similarities continue to unfold in straightforward, powerful vignettes. Notably, low-income residents share similar experiences of isolation and neglect. In Sandy’s wake, it is elderly and disabled people stuck in high-rise public housing
Save the Dates! October 7, 8, and 9th 2014
)5((
&HUYLFDO DQG %UHDVW &DQFHU 6FUHHQLQJV IRU ZRPHQ DJHV WR ZKR DUH XQLQVXUHG RU XQGHULQVXUHG :KDW )5(( &DQFHU 6FUHHQLQJV DQG &RPPXQLW\ +HDOWK (GXFDWLRQ
:KHQ 2FW WK WK WK
7XHVGD\ 2FW WK (QJOLVK 6SHDNHUV :HGQHVGD\ 2FW WK 6SDQLVK 6SHDNHUV 7KXUVGD\ 2FW WK +PRQJ 6SHDNHUV 5HJLVWUDWLRQ &KHFN LQ $0 6FUHHQLQJ $0Âą 30 +HDOWK (GXFDWLRQ $0Âą 30
:KHUH 1313 Penn Ave. North To register call 612-767-9197 or visit www.northpointhealth.org
Page 4 • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Insight News
insightnews.com
BUSINESS Should I cancel other interviews? Plan Your Career By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Penny writes, “I just got a job offer! Should I cancel the other interviews I had scheduled for this week?” Yes! Or maybe not. First, Congratulations. Landing a job offer is fun, exciting and not always easy to do, so here’s to you, Penny. Now, about those other interviews…
INSIGHT NEWS
If the job offer is solid, if you have a start date and you’ve signed something or otherwise indicated that you are solidly accepting the job, then cancel your other interviews. You’re good to go. If the job offer is tepid, if someone said you’d be great for this job or they told you they are “putting together” an offer, keep the other interviews. Offers can fall apart after they’re signed, but they are more likely to fall apart before that. Budgets change, needs change, the boss’ daughter-in-law steps in. These things can happen, and you’ll want the other interviews as back-ups, just in case. If the job offer is solid, but
FUNdraising Good Times Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.
CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford
it’s not quite the title or money or responsibility you hoped
for, keep the other interviews. Respectfully ask the offering
By Mel and Pearl Shaw If you need to hire a fundraising professional you are in good company. This is one of the hardest positions to fill. It is even harder to retain a talented fundraiser. We have written extensively on these topics over the years because they are a major issue confronting the nonprofit sector. The number of experienced fund development and fundraising professionals is
much smaller than the pool of organizations that need such people. The pool of talent gets even smaller when looking for people who have experience with a diversity of fundraising methods. It is most challenging when looking for an individual who can manage the fundraising function for your organization or institution. This is coupled by a structural challenge: good fundraisers are not necessarily good fundraising managers. Yet the pathway to professional success is often tied to a move from fundraising to management. This is not always a good idea as the strengths of fundraisers are not always the strengths of fundraising managers. To help you make the right hire, we suggest asking
some out of the box questions. Whether you need someone to manage your fundraising, or someone to raise money the questions you ask can influence your hire. Try some of the following: What is your history of volunteerism and community involvement? This lets you know a candidate’s appreciation for the nonprofit sector and her understanding of the challenges faced by organizations and volunteers. Mentorship and training – who has she been mentored by? Worked under? Which seasoned professional or volunteer has shaped her career? Formal training is hard to come by, but good habits are learned from respected professionals. Project development
and management – what has your candidate created from scratch? What did she start and manage? Don’t worry about success: you want to learn about her initiative and how she approaches a goal. How well has she prepared for the interview? What types of questions does she ask in the interview? Do those questions reflect creative research of your organization? How a candidate prepares for an interview is a clue to how she may approach work with a donor. What is her work history and track record? Ask about growth with an organization or within a position; impact of her work; and length at previous positions – has she stayed long enough for organizations to benefit from her tenure? Was
Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi
Good-bye, short-term fixes.
Hello, long-term improvements.
Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Lydia Schwartz Ryan T. Scott Toki Wright Photography Michele Spaise David Bradley 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)
she a team player or a loner? Listen to language: do you hear “I raised $99 million in 90 days” or “Together our staff, board and volunteers exceeded our goal.” Does she mention working from a plan? Engaging and supporting volunteers? Consider these suggestions as you prepare to make your next hire: out-of-the box questions can help you learn what you need to know. Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your campaign visit www. saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
Payday loans can lead to debt spiral
Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White
Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed
#2 offered more money for the same position, you must be prepared for the possibility that Manager #1 might say, sorry, and send you off to Manager #2. Finally, if you do choose to skip the other interviews, make sure you cancel them. Don’t be a no show. Remember, offers fall apart and job changes happen; you just might need to interview with these people again someday, so you’ll want to leave them with a good impression. Julie Desmond is IT & Software Recruiting Manager with George Konik Associates, Inc. Send your career-related questions to Julie at jdesmond@ georgekonik.com.
Five out-of-the-box interview questions
www.insightnews.com
Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane
If the job offer is good, but not good enough, you might be able to use a second offer as leverage.
manager for some time; ask, Do you mind if I sleep on it? Or, Do you mind if I discuss this with my spouse? Ask, When do you need me to get back to you with a decision? This should buy you time to attend the other interviews and get a sense for whether one of those other positions is preferable. If the job offer is good, but not good enough, you might be able to use a second offer as leverage. The timing here has to be uncanny. You need to have multiple offers at once and you need to be extremely confident and polite so that you don’t offend anyone. You also have to be honest; when you tell Manager #1 that Manager
Introductory rate for 5 months
Home Equity Line of Credit
Rates as low as
1.50 % 3.75 % APR*
Rate available 09/02/14–10/31/14 Rates are subject to change
With competitive rates and flexible terms, a U.S. Bank Home Equity Line of Credit can help you make lasting improvements today.
APR*
Variable rate after Introductory Period
branch usbank.com/lowrate 800.209.BANK (2265)
Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411. *1.50% Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available on Equiline Home Equity Lines of Credit with an 80% loan-to-value (LTV) or less. The introductory interest rate will be fixed at 1.50% during the five month introductory period. A higher introductory rate will apply for an LTV above 80%. Offer is available for new applications submitted from September 2, 2014 to October 31, 2014. Existing customers are eligible with at least a $20,000 increase in balance and commitment amount. After the five month introductory period: the APR is variable and is based upon an index plus a margin. The APR will vary with Prime Rate (the index) as published in the Wall Street Journal. As of August 25, 2014, the variable rate for home equity lines of credit ranged from 3.75% APR to 8.25% APR. Higher rates may apply for lower credit limits (depending upon the market), an LTV at or above 80%, a low credit score and/or not having a U.S. Bank personal Package Checking account. The rate will not vary above 18% APR, or applicable state law, or below 1.50% APR. Choosing an interest only repayment may cause your monthly payment to increase, possibly substantially, once your credit line transitions into the repayment period. An annual fee of up to $90 may apply after the first year and is waived with a U.S. Bank personal Platinum Checking Package. See the Consumer Pricing Information brochure for terms and conditions that apply to U.S. Bank Package Checking accounts. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Customer pays no closing costs, except escrow related funding costs. Property insurance is required. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. Other restrictions may apply. Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit Products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2014 U.S. Bank. All rights reserved. 140989
With many consumers still on shaky financial footing after the Great Recession, some choose to explore payday loans, be it from a brick and mortar store or through an online payday lender. While there are certainly instances where payday loans can help bridge small financial gaps, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is warning consumers that it’s important to have a plan in place to pay off such loans quickly and to be sure to research the payday lender before agreeing to such loans. “Though some payday loan companies are making small steps towards self-regulation, overall it’s still a problematic industry,” says Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. Payday loans are small, short-term unsecured loans, which – ostensibly – are to be repaid when the borrower receives their next paycheck. Historically, in regard to payday loans, exorbitant interest rates have been a problem, with some loans running in excess of 500 percent annual percentage rate (APR). In some cases, borrowers find themselves unable to pay off these loans, leading to added interest and often resulting in a debt spiral that is difficult to stem. All payday lenders offering loans to Minnesotans – including online payday lenders – must be licensed with the State of Minnesota. Minnesota law also caps the amount of fees that can be charged on payday loans. According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, for payday loans less than $350, Minnesota rates are capped on a sliding scale. For loans between $350 and $1,000, payday lenders cannot charge more than 33% annual interest plus a $25 fee. The AG’s Office encourages people to avoid payday loans which fail to meet these caps. In some cases, desperate individuals seek out loans from online payday lenders that claim they are not beholden to
LOANS TURN TO 9
insightnews.com
Insight News • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Page 5
Crista Noel, Women’s All Points Bulletin, one of the grass roots participants testifying during the grass roots portion of the UN review at the Palais Des Nations in Geneva. In its Concluding Observations, the UN’s review committee asked the US to formally report progress within one year on all excessive force cases including the prosecution of the officers involved and restitution awarded to the survivors. Concluding Observations, Paragraph 17.
UN From 1 justice treaty issued a report (“Concluding Observations”), critical of U.S. performance in 18 areas, many of which had been raised in Shadow Reports filed by Minnesotans. The UN report was based on a review of extensive written and oral arguments at the Palais des Nations in Geneva presented by United States government representatives and grassroots human rights advocates from across the country. Despite a vigorous defense by a high-level U.S. government delegation the UN committee was persuaded by the documentation and oral presentations by grassroots voices organized by the U.S. Human Rights Network and their own review of the record that systemic inequities throughout the U.S. warranted creation of an independent national human rights institution and a national plan of action to comprehensively combat systemic racial discrimination by coordinating implementation of the racial justice treaty at all levels of government – federal, state, and local. In addition to calling for concerted action to implement the racial justice treaty throughout the United States, the UN committee gave special focus to the abuse of the rights of indigenous peoples, human rights abuses in connection with immigration law enforcement and on-going criminal law enforcement issues having a disparate impact on people of color and NativeAmericans, including racial profiling, criminalization of homelessness, excessive force and racial disparities at all stages
Left to right during the grass roots portion of the UN review at the Palais Des Nations in Geneva: Chandra Bhatnagar , ACLU; Robin Toma, Commission on Human Relations, Los Angeles County; Peter Brown, Minnesota Tenants Union; Efia Nwangaza, Malcolm X Center for Self-Determination; Jotaka Eaddy and Leon Russell, NAACP; Wade Henderson and June Zeitlin, , Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights of the criminal justice system for adults and juveniles. The UN report substantiates the main charge brought to Geneva by Minnesota human rights activists in a Shadow Report entitled “A Human Rights Perspective on The Land of 10,000 Lakes Disparities”. “While the (racial justice treaty) provides U.S. governments at all levels (federal, state, and local) with direction and guidance to combat the 21st century institutionalized burdens that are experienced disproportionately by persons and communities of color, the persistence of uncorrected disparities shows how poorly the U.S. has done in fulfilling the pledges it made in ratifying the ICERD to combat disparate impact discrimination,” the UN report read. Further, the UN report offered impetus to the advocates’ contention that “Based on the systemic conditions for persons of color and American Indians in Minnesota that reports like the Minnesota Department of Health have documented and that this Shadow Report has highlighted, it is clear that the ICERD’s approach must begin to be implemented and incorporated into operations at every level of state and local government, as envisioned in the ICERD itself and pledged by the US Senate to be ‘fulfilled’ when it ratified the ICERD nearly 20 years ago.” Shadow Reports filed by three Minnesota groups made substantive contributions to the UN review and were reflected in the committee’s concluding observations. A Shadow Report filed by Southside Pride focused on discriminatory and predatory lending practices of mortgage
bankers in north Minneapolis illustrated and raised the profile of the racial dimensions of the
foreclosure crisis. In its concluding observation on housing, the committee expressed concern for,
“discriminatory mortgage lending practices and the foreclosure crisis which disproportionately affected
and continues to affect racial and ethnic minorities.”
Page 6 • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Insight News
COMMENTARY What makes white folks think their child rearing methods are so great? Nobody Asked Me
By Fred Easter Nobody asked me, but the NFL has gotten on my last nerve. I have never hit a woman and I am the father and grandfather of four wonderful females. If any of them walked into a hook, I would consider going happily to jail for murder. Though, I must admit that if they got hit while, themselves, in full attack mode, it would undermine my indignation. But, while I still had my Glock trained on my son-in-law, I might require that he take a “time out,” which brings me to Adrian Peterson. The Adrian Peterson thing is a whole different kettle of fish. Here, the league seems to require that “white” cultural norms are applied across all cultures represented in the 50 states or in the league. In the projects where I grew up, kids who misbehaved got whipped. Mothers and kindly grandmothers were often heard saying, “Bring me a switch.” Ironing cords, those pink tubes that were part of the hot water bottle thingy that hung in the bathtub were also favored whipping tools. My grandfather even made a cat-o-nine tails for my mom to threaten us with. In school, when a parent was called in to receive an in person report on a recalcitrant child, the class and teacher often witnessed a beating right there. We bit our lips to keep from laughing. I know, firsthand, that it is possible to smile broadly with one’s lip held firmly between one’s teeth. Black kids got whipped back
Adrian Peterson then. In fact, my buddies and I used to go to the train yards, across the street from Yankee Stadium and steal fruit from half unloaded rail cars when the workers broke for lunch. About every third time, the “yard cop” would sneak up and catch one of us. They used their Billy club to tattoo our rumps and thighs. On the way home, we’d practice walking like nothing hurt. If a parent asked “Why are you limping” you were in line for another beating on your aching parts. I will stipulate, here, that I don’t remember ever bleeding from any of those whippings. Pains seemed to be taken to keep from marking us up. And we had to stand still and not cry so loud. Black kids got spanked, whipped … beaten. It kept to a minimum the number of us who got into trouble later in life. We were raised with a healthy respect for our elders, neighbors and
Arvee5.0 / Creative Commons
authority in general. And anyway, what makes white folks think their childrearing methods are so great? Timeouts seem to me to have bred a generation or two of entitled folks who think nothing of bringing their semi automatic weaponry to school or the movies to redress perceived wrongs. If they get horny, they have no compunctions about capturing some girls and chaining them in the basement. It seems to me that some traditional, mom and pop families are “broken” in the important ways; and no one has connected the dots. If Peterson’s son grows up to be a delinquent, the NFL would be quick to blame his absentee parenting and presumably cavalier role modeling as the root cause of the numbers of young Black males who find themselves incarcerated. Let us raise our kids. You raise yours.
Racism is not a card game Opinion
By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Interim President, NNPA Whenever someone accuses an African American of playing the “race card,” I cringe. Racism in America is not a card game. There is no such thing as “playing the race card” when it comes to making an accurate or rational evaluation of the socioeconomic and political plight of 45 million Black Americans. A routine disingenuous tactic of those who want to justify the systemic racial oppression of Black Americans and others is to accuse the articulate victims of racism of “playing the race card.” If it were a card game, it still would be strange to get that kind of criticism from people who, as the late Johnnie Cochran would say, deal from the bottom of the deck. Depicting racism as a card game is an attempt to keep us silent and not to disturb a false peace. During the horrible days of lynching, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) launched its national public anti-lynching campaign. In fact, the NAACP was formed in 1910 in large part to resist the wholesale lynching of Blacks. At first, the White-owned media was very negative toward the NAACP’s public “agitation” that exposed the horrors of lynching. In a sense, the NAACP was accused of being counterproductive by “playing the race card.” To its credit, the NAACP persisted and was ultimately successful in combatting such gross and inhumane behavior. Even though for some of the crowds of White Americans who would attend a Black lynching as a form of entertainment and pleasure – often immediately after attending church – it was no game or entertainment for Black America. Racism was then and continues today as a deadly reminder of the violent
Depicting racism as a card game is an attempt to keep us silent and not to disturb a false peace.
and ruthless consequences of centuries and decades of racial oppression. Yes, these are hard facts and a reality today for too many people who rather see less and hear less about racially motivated police brutality or other forms of racial hatred and violence. The slogan “No Justice, No Peace” is more than a chant for Black Americans and others who yearn for freedom, justice and empowerment. Just as we did during the days of widespread lynchings, we will not be silent. We will not kowtow to those who would oppress us because of our race. We will not be idle spectators to the recent resurgence of racial hatred and vile violence toward our men, women and children. We have come too far against horrific odds to even consider going backwards. We will not be distracted by false accusations of “playing the race card.” There was even a book published in 2005 titled, “Playing the Race Card.” It was written by George J. Sefa Dei, Nisha Karumanchery-Link and Leeno Luke Karumanchery. They said, “Playing the Race Card reflects and engages the dynamic nature of racialized experience in Western contexts. So that the privileged and the oppressed alike may reflexively examine their own subject positions, this book identifies and addresses the need to develop a working model for anti-racism strategies.” While I appreciated what some academic types are proposing concerning this issue, I know better from more than a
half-century on the front line of the Black American struggle for freedom and justice. It is ahistorical to posit that people who are oppressed have to somehow wait for the socalled “privileged” people who economically and politically benefit from racial oppression to change their hearts and minds. Racism is not a mind game or card game. It is real and it can be fatal. Racism is the real time power to systematically deny justice, fairness and opportunity to people based on their race or ethnicity. Racism is beyond racial prejudice and hatred. It is the power to forcefully enslave, negatively define and physically subjugate a person’s or a people’s life based on race. We should never permit the trivialization or denial of our long struggle for freedom. Let’s stay focus on what we all need to do to advance the quality of life in our communities. The fact is change has happened and social change will continue to unfold, in particular, if we stay vigilant, active, aware and committed to end all forms of racism and racial injustice. Those looking for a card game are at the wrong table. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the Interim President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/ drbfc.
insightnews.com
insightnews.com
Insight News • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Page 7
LIFESTYLE Smile, you are altogether beautiful! Man Talk
By Timothy Houston We have all heard the saying “Beauty is more than skin deep,” and it is true. What we see on the outside must also be reflected on the inside for it to be true beauty. Modesty, humility, compassion, and consideration must be inwardly present as well. A pretty face and an ugly soul are not attractive. This is partial beauty at best. To be all
together beautiful, you must possess inner and outer beauty. Inner and outer beauty is a gift from God. Like height, speed, talent, and brain power, it is an asset to the person that possesses it. When used in the right context, inner and outer beauty combined can bring the person in the presence of greatness. But this must be done with decorum and unpretentiousness. Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the beholder’s perspective must also be considered. Flaunting ones beauty can be perceived as unattractive, conceited and pretentious. For the gift of beauty to be shared, the possessor of it must be warm, welcoming, and inviting. This can be
Let the sweet humility and modesty of your soul show forth, and you too will truly be altogether beautiful!
demonstrated by the simple act of smiling. A smile is more than a mere
response to a hello. It is the soldier’s salute or the offer of a handshake that serves as the
first step to sharing ones gift. Because beauty, at times, can be intimidating to others, a smile says that you are welcome to approach me. A smile is a visual acknowledgement to those in your sphere that they are free to enjoy your gift. This removes the perception of any arrogance or pretense that many people believe attractive people possess. When you smile, you eliminate this misconception. Real beauty comes from within. One will never appear more beautiful than when their smile, eyes, and soul are all in alignment. “You are altogether beautiful.” These words found in the Song of Solomon 4:7 are spoken from a groom to his
bride. The sweet humility and modesty of the bride kindles his love anew. He praised the loveliness of her bodily form, and she responds by showing the loveliness of her soul. This person is altogether beautiful, and her beauty is more than skin deep. So smile! Let the sweet humility and modesty of your soul show forth, and you too will truly be altogether beautiful! Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For copies of his books, questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.
Time of year for new beginnings:
Start with small goals that lead to bigger ones Motivational Moments
By Penny JonesRichardson The weather around here has started to change and the leaves
Health From 1 care – and bring it together with ours; improving access to the best health care. It’s a new way for us to do business and we’re really excited about it.” It is a five-year, $2.5 million commitment that will pool Medtronic and United Way’s resources to give people in medically underserved communities a better chance to understand and manage their health, and to see a doctor or healthcare professional in their own neighborhood. “We have a worldwide commitment of supporting and recognizing community-based organizations and initiatives that expand healthcare access, with an emphasis on helping people with chronic disease liked diabetes and heart disease,” said Rich Fischer, manager of Corporate Public Relations for Medtronic Philanthropy and Community Affairs. “That commitment starts in Minnesota.” Together they hope to reduce health-related inequities by significantly increasing the number of community healthcare workers who will function in lower-income neighborhoods to help people better manage their health and navigate the resources available to them. “We’re especially excited for the local jobs that this initiative will create in the community,” said Barp. “And for making sure that people are as healthy as they can be.” Unfortunately, life expectancy within Minnesota often depends on one’s zip code. A person born in an affluent suburb of Minneapolis or St. Paul has a life expectancy of 83 years or higher, while a person born in an inner city neighborhood only has a life expectancy between 70 and 75 years. “(We’re) motivated by the knowledge that while Minnesota has one of the healthiest state populations in the United States, it has one of the largest health disparity gaps,” said Fischer. “The time to turn this knowledge into action is now. We know that Greater Twin Cities United Way understands broad health issues, and has ability to connect communities in need with real-world services that make a difference.” Medically underserved communities traditionally include those who cannot afford their healthcare, those who cannot travel to a care facility because of distance or health, have a limited
on the trees are changing into such beautiful colors. Autumn is a wonderful time of year and a great time to start working on new goals and changing some things for the better. This time of year can be considered a new beginning for lots of people. School starts over, summer ends, and many individuals are headed back to work. I like to start this time of year with small goals that lead to
bigger ones. If you have a goal of starting your own business next year, maybe one of your small goals could be to research and complete you business plan. Most goals have steps associated with them in order for you to complete them. My goal of completing my next book will take small goals of completing my outline and developing my characters first. Also, another advantage of setting small goals is that each
time you complete one goal it gets you closer to the big one. Completing small goals can also give you the confidence to keep working toward the other goals that you have set for yourself. For instance, if your goal is to buy your first home next year, maybe your small goals could be to make sure your credit is worthy and that you have the your budget set for what you can afford. Setting and achieving goals
can take time and effort. If you are serious about doing things to better yourself and your family, then identifying what that takes should be your first priority. Like I say quite often, achieving what you want out of life takes time. Nothing happens over night, but it will happen if you believe in yourself and never give up! You don’t want to end up being that person who gave up too soon and didn’t follow their dreams.
For your dreams can be a light showing you how great your future could be! Keep dreaming! And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness. Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject.com.
knowledge of their condition or how to navigate their local healthcare system, or simply do not know how to advocate for themselves. “There are significant inequities in healthcare access,” said Sarah Caruso, president and CEO of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, in a press release. “Immigrants, people of color and people living in poverty are the populations that experience this at higher levels and are particularly at risk.” Across the Twin Cities, chronic, non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer continue to disproportionately affect people in medically underserved communities. “Increasing the number of healthcare workers who reflect the cultures and languages of communities in greatest need is a critical component to improve health equity,” said Jacob Gayle, vice president of Medtronic Philanthropy, in the same press release. “(It) is crucial for delivering cost-effective, localized interventions to meet the health-related needs of our entire region. By investing in community healthcare
workers, we hope to bring care to the door of the underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations. This will not only yield a high return in the form of reduced cost of care, but with improvements in individual health, we can expect increased contributions from family members, friends and coworkers. That means a stronger Minnesota.” As part of the initiative, Medtronic and United Way say they are currently working on an assessment to identify
neighborhoods with the greatest need for access to community-based care within the Twin Cities. The results are expected to be released next year. “Everybody deserves a fair opportunity to take ownership of their health,” said Gayle. “But if for any number of socioeconomic reasons you don’t have access to seeing a doctor or healthcare professional, then that fair opportunity is elusive. We are hopeful our approach
will make a difference, and hope others will join in the
advancement access.”
of
healthcare
Page 8 • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Insight News
insightnews.com
EDUCATION
Emebet Fantahun
Emebet Fantahun selected Metropolitan State University outstanding student An Eagan woman and Ethiopian native has been selected a spring semester outstanding student at Metropolitan State University. Emebet Fantahun has been chosen outstanding graduate student in the university’s School of Nursing. She was one of 985 students earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at Metropolitan State’s 94th commencement exercises on May 5. Fantahun, a member of the university’s Student Parent Center, is a part-time nursing assistant at The Commons on Marice, an Eagan assisted living center. Before arriving in the United States in 2008, Fantahun was a junior agricultural researcher at the Ambo Plant Protection Research Center, Ambo, Ethiopia. Active in community service, Fantahun has volunteered for several years for Mahibere Kidusan Association, a nonprofit that promotes children’s education
in Ethiopia. She won an award from the organization for her contributions. She also helps with Sunday school at Debreselam Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox church in south Minneapolis. Fantahun graduated in 2001 with a degree in crop science from Alamaya University, Harar, Ethiopia. She attended Normandale Community College and received academic honors there before enrolling at Metropolitan State. The married mother of two eventually plans to return to Ethiopia and assist underserved women and children, perhaps providing education and/or social services. Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is America’s premier university for lifelong learning, providing unsurpassed, competitive academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels while maintaining affordability.
Cooper 50th Birthday Party Photos courtesy of CHS
Cooper High School celebrated 50 years as a school. The school turned 50 years old on Sept. 8, 2014. Members of the alumni association sent cakes, cookies, and balloons to the school for the students to have a party. Above: Student leaders at Cooper. Right: Alumni’s Al Puder and Suzanne Kelley are members of the first Cooper graduating class in 1965.
Grant supports paid internships for Metropolitan State University students Metropolitan State University’s Institute for Community Engagement and Scholarship (ICES) has been awarded a $150,000 grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation (Great Lakes) to create paid internships for university students. This award comes as Great Lakes expands its Career Ready Internship program, awarding $5.2 million
in new grants to 40 colleges and universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Funded through its Community Investments program, Great Lakes’ Career Ready Internship Grant provides funding for Metropolitan State to create 100 paid internships for students that pay at least $10 per hour. A significant portion of these internships will be created
in partnership with the East Side Area Business Association. The grant’s underlying principle is to help students with financial need reap the educational and career-boosting benefits of paid internships. Students gain meaningful work experiences in their field of study, and are more likely to stay enrolled in college until graduation.
Unpaid internships pose a challenge for Metropolitan State students. “In order to earn credit for an internship, a student must successfully complete 40 hours on site, with supervision and submission of assigned deliverables, for each credit
GRANT TURN TO 9
Fox, Wallis help launch Northport arts program Northport Elementary students launched their Turnaround Arts program with a huge surprise. Students were surprised on Sept. 10 with a visit from film stars Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis, who are starring in the upcoming movie “Annie.” Additionally, the film director from “Annie” and the White House Director of Arts and Humanities were in attendance to promote the arts in schools and answer questions from the students. Northport students knew “Annie” was going to be their first school-wide musical but had no idea they would be visited by the Hollywood actors. Northport is one of four
Principal Derden gives Jamie Fox and Quvenzhané Wallis a tour of the school
Northport boys say a pledge during the assembly schools in Minnesota that was selected to participate in Turnaround Arts. This program is a national initiative designed to narrow the achievement gap and improve student engagement through the arts. “I’m so excited that Northport students will receive intensive and
integrated education in the arts. I believe through art enrichment, all different types of learners are reached,” said Northport principal, Leona Derden. “We know that years of research show that art is closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools – academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement and equitable opportunity.” In addition to producing the musical “Annie,” the school is gearing up to integrate comprehensive arts offerings throughout the school. The affiliation with Turnaround Arts will bring added resources to the school through arts supplies, musical instruments, teacher training, school-wide strategic planning, principal coaching and community arts partnerships. The surprise event was filmed by ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
insightnews.com
Insight News • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Page 9
COMMUNITY High quality competition boosts WNBA, fans Moments in Sports By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Across many regions including these Twin Cities, the WNBA is establishing a root that is growing. As proof, look no further than the exciting three-game Western Conference Final (WCF) series between the Minnesota Lynx and eventual WNBA champion, Phoenix Mercury. With central young stars Maya Moore and Britney Griner at the root of the rivalry, both the Twin Cities and Phoenix can lean back and look forward to a decade of shouldsee-TV. The Phoenix Mercury were simply too good this year. The Lynx, defending their 2013 championship trophy, provided
the most considerable resistance to the Mercury’s historic yearlong run. Game 2 of the WCF was a classic for the future WNBA ages, with Lynx duo Moore and Seimone Augustus sealing the Lynx victory in dramatic fashion. The Mercury combo of Griner and Finals’ MVP Diana Tuarasi, are greatly flanked with length and scorers including forward DeWanna Bonner. The team polished off Eastern Conference champion Chicago Sky with a three game sweep in the finals series. Having won relatively recent championships in 2007 and 2009, the Mercury’s balance of veteran and youth leadership will drive a strong run for the next few seasons. The Lynx have a similar situation, yet certain player upgrades will be needed to overcome the future prospects of the Mercury. Across the WNBA, several franchises have attractive, successful rosters that are drawing profitable crowds. The
Sphilbrick / Creative Commons
Brittney Griner Lynx were one of six WNBA franchises that turned a profit
in 2013, and at minimum, the same is expected of final league
returns for the 2014 season. The balance of talent and
championship winning teams since the leagues’ inception has provided most fan bases with a reason to support and believe, and the talent keeps getting better. Since the beginning of time people have always figured out ways to do things better. WNBA basketball and all women’s sports will do the same. There will be more women that dunk, and players like Moore will improve upon the greatness she’s already displayed. As this happens, the media and advertisers will be forced to focus a more prominent light on WNBA stars, and their competitions. Minnesota Lynx fans know that WNBA basketball is here to stay, and as the league nears its 20 year anniversary in 2017, sports fans can look both backward and forward at the growing success of the WNBA. There is significant value for the league and franchises, from a fan perspective when competition measures up to its billing.
North High prevails in Como Park, Southwest gridiron matches By Nolan Cramer Football teams do not begin their official season playing only the first half. On Aug. 29, however, just before the beginning of the second half of the game between the North Minneapolis High School Polars and St. Paul Como Park, a loud and heavy thunderstorm demanded the head official make the game ‌ official. With North leading
Grant From 8 s/he requests/requires,� said Victor Cole, Metropolitan State community engagement coordinator and Academic Internships and Study Abroad advisor. “The average student at Metropolitan State University is about 35 years old, working full time, with familial/community obligations and taking up to a full
Loans From 4 state or federal laws regarding licensing requirements, debt collection practices or caps on interest rates. This can lead to a number of issues for consumers, including: Being subject to exorbitant interest rates and hefty or hidden fees Unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts
14-0, on their home field, the game was called and the rains continued to fall in soaking fashion. On Sept. 5, again on the Polars home field, they took on the Minneapolis Southwest Lakers and demonstrated the efforts of their offensive power by coming away with a 44-6 victory. Typical of North’s offence, quarterback Tyler Johnson connected with wide receiver Malik Matthews for three touchdown passes.
North High Polar Nathan Hampton # 28
load of courses per semester. To add a 120-hour, on-site learning strategy such as an internship can seem daunting, and even more so when it is unpaid.� “The Great Lakes internship grants program may help students make choices that they may not have been able to before,� Cole continued. This is the first time Metropolitan State has received a grant for developing paid internships for its students. Strong preference for the
grant is given to institutions that are most proactive in coordinating with the business and nonprofit community to create new paid internships. Metropolitan State’s receipt of the Great Lakes Career Ready Internship grant illustrates the university’s commitment to being the partner of choice in helping meet the workforce and community needs of the Twin Cities. Since its inception in 1971, Metropolitan State has continued to partner with area
businesses, working together to identify current business needs and develop matching programs to fulfill those needs. An important part of the university-local business partnership is ICES. Begun in 1996 as the Center for Community-Based Learning, ICES coordinates an academic internship program where staff act as liaisons for the local businesses and university, providing information to students and potential business
participants. Faculty liaisons in each academic discipline oversee the academic component of the internship. More information about the Career Ready Internship Grant can be found at: https://community. mygreatlakes.org/web/ community/grants/career-readyinternship.html More information about the Institute for Community Engagement and Scholarship may be found at: http://
www.metrostate.edu/msweb/ community/ices/ Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is America’s premier university for lifelong learning, providing unsurpassed, competitive academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels while maintaining affordability.
Possibly even identity theft Better Business Bureau is aware of many situations in recent years where people explored online payday loans before deciding not to go through with them. Still, simply providing some of their personal information online with unscrupulous entities later led to harassing collection calls threatening some individuals – who had ultimately never taken out payday loans – with arrest unless immediate payments were made.
Before seeking out a payday loan, BBB recommends the following: Consider all your options. Payday loans can be extremely expensive if you are unable to pay the loan off quickly. The Federal Trade Commission recommends looking into a short term loan from your bank, contacting your current creditors to explore payment options, working with a credit counseling center or at the very least, shopping around for the best interest rate and terms. Because
of concerns with some online lenders, try to find a brick and mortar location before settling on a lender. Know the facts. Be aware that loans from Sovereign nations may not be subject to state law or loan caps. Make sure you understand all the terms of conditions of any payday loan. Look for the red flags. Unscrupulous online lenders are often not forthcoming about their location or contact information. Also be leery of any lender that doesn’t ask you
for any background information outside of your bank account number. Research the lender with BBB. Always research payday lenders – whether they’re brick and mortar locations or online – at bbb.org before you hand over any personal or bank account information. BBB Business Reviews are free and will tell you how many complaints BBB has received, how the company responded to those complaints as well as their overall lettergrade rating.
The mission of Better Business Bureau is to be the leader in building marketplace trust by promoting, through selfregulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, assist and protect the general public. We are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact BBB at bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.
Classifieds
Phone: 612.588.1313
RENTALS
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
0LQQHDSROLV %XIIDOR %XUQVYLOOH 0LQQHDSROLV 0LQQHDSROLV +XWFKLQVRQ $QRND 6W 3DXO 6W 3DXO $SSOH 9DOOH\ +RSNLQV 0DKWRPHGL 0LQQHDSROLV 0LQQHDSROLV 0LQQHDSROLV (GHQ 3UDLULH 6W 3DXO 0LQQHDSROLV
:DLWLQJ )DPLO\ 6HQLRU 3KRQH /LVW GLVDEOH G FORVHG X RSHQ X FORVHG X RSHQ X FORVHG X RSHQ X RSHQ X RSHQ X FORVHG X RSHQ X RSHQ X RSHQ X FORVHG X FORVHG X RSHQ X FORVHG X RSHQ X RSHQ X
0LQQHDSROLV 0LQQHDSROLV %URRNO\Q &WU 9DGQDLV +HLJKWV /LWWOH )DOOV 3DUN 5DSLGV
&LW\
3OHDVH FDOO LQGLYLGXDO VLWH IRU VSHFLILF EXLOGLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ 3URIHVVLRQDOO\ 0DQDJHG E\ %'& 0DQDJHPHQW &R
FORVHG RSHQ FORVHG FORVHG RSHQ RSHQ
X X X X X X
%HGURRP VL]H V HIILFLHQF\
Tapestry Management, LLC has various sized apartments/townhomes for rent in the following locations: St. Paul, Golden Valley, Mankato, Red Wing, N. St. Paul, Rochester, Plymouth, Jordan, Winona, Olivia, and Redwood Falls. Rental assistance is available to qualified applicants in all locations. Please contact the appropriate location for availability and additional information. Birmingham Townhomes – St. Paul 952-854-8800 Calvary Center Apartments – Golden Valley 763-546-4988 Colonial Square Apartments – Mankato 507-345-1321 Cooperidge Apartments – Red Wing 651-388-1500 Franklyn Park Apartments – N. St. Paul 651-770-1504 Innsbruck Townhomes – Rochester 507-289-1319 Mission Oaks Townhomes – Plymouth 763-559-5770 Newbridge Apartments – Rochester 507-282-8284 Northgate Community Housing – Rochester 507-289-1319 Oakridge Apartments – Rochester 507-281-1031 Schule Haus – Jordan 952-492-2084 Wapasa Apartments – Winona 507-429-9261 Westcourt Apartments – Olivia 320-523-2101 Westfalls Townhomes – Redwood Falls 507-641-5933
Fax: 612.588.2031
Email: info@insightnews.com
Church assistant and pianist/singer Wanted! Church assistant and pianist/singer needed for Sunday morning worship at One Love Ministry, 750 N. Milton in Saint Paul. Please contact Pastor Love at 651-489-4350.
LOVE PEOPLE? The Wilder Foundation seeks Client Services Specialist for Twin Cities Mobile Market. FT with Benefits, $13-$16/hr, apply online at www.wilder.org Candidates of color encouraged to apply EOE/AA
INFORMATIONAL MEETING Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, and VeteranOwned businesses are invited to an informational meeting regarding Technology sub-contracts for the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Stadium. Sponsored by Parsons Technologies, the event will be held on Monday, October 6 at 3:30 pm at 479 Hayward Ave. N, Oakdale, MN. For additional information, call Karen Boosalis at 763-528-2270.
Section 8 Housing for Seniors 62 and older Bergstad Properties is accepting application for Seniors 62 and older. Applicant must be income eligible and must qualify for Section 8 Housing. Please visit our web site at www.bergstad.com for a virtual tour and application. The following sites are currently accepting application. Park Street Apartments 321 West Park St. Cannon Falls, MN. 55009 507-263-4773 200 Levee Drive Apartments 200 Levee Drive Shakopee, MN. 55379 952-445-2001
West Falls Estates
International Falls, MN. 56649 Rent based on 30% Of adjusted income Call Patricia Brown At 218-283-4967 TDD 800-627-3529
Page 10 • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Insight News
insightnews.com
SELBY AVE JAZZ FEST Photos by David Bradley
St. Paul was the place to be this past week as the 2014 Selby Avenue Jazz Fest once again brought together jazz enthusiasts from across the region to experience top national and local traditional and contemporary jazz performers. Above: Harvey Mason. Bottom (l-r) Jason Weismann, Maurice Jacox, Mahmoud El-Kati & Wenso Ashby.
Second season of ‘Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’ to air on PBS DEARBORN, Mich. – As fall arrives and new shows debut on the small screen, one television show in particular will allow viewers to learn more about the heritage and ancestries of 30 of today’s leading entertainers, athletes, chefs and media personalities, including hiphop superstar Nas and author Stephen King. Ford Motor Company has joined forces with Public Television to bring the second season of “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” The 10-part series finds Henry Louis Gates, Jr. continuing on his quest to – as he puts it – “get into the DNA of American culture.” By
weaving a group of celebrity stories together, each episode takes viewers on a journey through layers of ancestral history, uncovering familial secrets. “This is one of the most fascinating ways history is uncovered … a true example of the significance our past plays in where we are today,” said Shawn Thompson, manager, Ford multicultural marketing. “The role Professor Gates is undertaking to show how all Americans are connected is something we as a company can stand by. Ford is thrilled to be a part of this project.” Each hour-long episode will
Nas highlight three celebrity guests bound together by an intimate, sometimes hidden link. With the help of a team of genealogists, Gates travels thousands of years
into the past to discover the origins of today’s game changers. In addition, each episode will feature a 30-second spot that looks back at the history of
Henry Ford and his company. For Gates, one of Henry Ford’s lasting contributions was his willingness to pay a fair wage to African-American workers employed in his factories, which led Southern sharecroppers to Detroit as part of the early 20th century’s great migration. Ford set to launch original digital content series tied to program As part of Ford’s support, the Ford brand has created an original digital content series that will launch on YouTube on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The 10-part series will highlight individual user stories as the featured guests share the impact their family
history has had on their lives. Gates kicks off season premiere with live Q&A in Detroit Gates was joined journalist Ed Gordon on the stage for a live question and answer session tied to the program and a book signing at the 9th Biennial Awards for Excellence Legacy Dinner, which took place at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. The event took place this past Saturday. “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. CST and will run until Nov. 25.
insightnews.com
Insight News • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Page 11 BDotCroc
Sunday, Sept. 28
Keno Evol
REGGAE/R&B/ PERFORMANCE J Boog The Cabooze 917 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis $13 advance, $20 door
Raul Midón
Reggae and R&B vocalist J Boog was raised in Compton, and is now based in Hawaii. His solo album “Hear Me Roar” peaked on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums at No. 8.
Toki Wright & Big Cats Ab-Soul
Sept 22 - 28
HIP-HOP/SOUL/ PERFORMANCE
Monday, Sept. 22 WORLD
Raul Midón Dakota Jazz Club 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 7 p.m. $30 Last time he was in town, guitarist Raul Midón blew audiences away playing alongside Lizz Wright at the Ordway and performing a special set at Sabathani Community Center. Midón has collaborated with Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder. He has contributed to recordings by Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, and was featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s “She Hate Me.” Midón is of mixed African-American and Argentinean heritage and has been blind since birth.
Tuesday, Sept. 23 OPEN MIC The Poet’s Groove – Open Mic Blue Nile Restaurant 2027 E Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
(612) 338-3000 www.bluenilempls.com
POETRY/FOLK/ PERFORMANCE
Icehouse with P.O.S. and DJ Willie Shu.
8 p.m. $25 advance, $28 door
The longest running weekly open mic in the state of Minnesota, the Poet’s Groove is an open mic hosted by Chadwick “Niles” Phillips that features a full live band including world renowned drummer Kevin Washington. Sign up at 10 p.m. every Tuesday at the Blue Nile in Minneapolis. Show starts at 11 p.m.
Sounds of Justice With David Rovics, Keno Evol and more Walker Community United Methodist Church 3104 16th Ave. S., Minneapolis $6-$20
The debut collaboration from Toki Wright & Big Cats, “Pangaea,” is due out Sept. 23, but the duo’s inventive new sound has already been garnering critical acclaim following the release of several singles, a tour with Atmosphere, and a performance at Soundset. The album takes a more experimental approach to hip-hop, blending live instrumentation, intricate synthesizer work, and programmed sounds to create lush, constantly evolving backdrops to showcase Wright’s impressive range as an MC and poet. The album features guest appearances from P.O.S., BJ The Chicago Kid, Caroline Smith and more.
Last in town playing to 30,000 at the sold out Soundset Festival, TDE member Ab-Soul (with Kendrick Lamar, SZA, J Rock, Schoolboy Q) returns to play at the Fine Line.
Wednesday, Sept. 24 POETRY/HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE SHUT IT DOWN: A Night of Music, Poetry, and Action to Disrupt Street Harassment Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. 18-plus $5 BdotCroc, Guante, Anna Binkovitz Poetry, Ollie Schminkey and MAMADU perform at this event to speak out against street harassment, while making the connections between catcalling, rape culture, and gender-based violence. There will be an interactive photo booth and more. All proceeds go to the local Sexual Violence Center
Thursday, Sept. 25
Sounds of Justice is a night of music and politics on prison abolition and ending the use of the U.S. criminal justice system. David Rovics is a musician, activist, and songwriter for peace, justice and revolution. He has shared the stage with a veritable who’s who of the political left in two dozen countries, and has had his music featured on “Democracy Now!,” BBC, Al-Jazeera and other networks. His essays are published regularly on “CounterPunch” and elsewhere, and the 200-plus songs he makes available for free on the web have been downloaded more than a million times. The night also features poet/ designer Keno Evol.
Friday, Sept. 26
Toki Wright and Big Cats Album Release Party w/ Greg Grease and Voice of Culture Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. All ages $10 Also Friday night at Icehouse.
Come have lunch at the Dakota 11:30 - 2 Monday through Friday From Chef Derik Moran, find daily specials, salads, sandwiches and more, and never forget dessert by Pastry Chef Katie Elsing.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Prices starting at $8 View our complete menu at
HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE
dakotacooks.com
Ab-Soul Fine Line Music Cafe 318 1st Ave N., Minneapolis 16-plus
HIP-HOP/SOUL/ PERFORMANCE
ON STAGE THIS FALL
Toki Wright & Big Cats Pangaea Release Party w/ P.O.S. Icehouse 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis $10 advance/$12 door 21-plus Also Sunday at Intermedia Arts Toki Wright & Big Cats celebrate the release of their new album, “Pangaea,” with a very special release party at
NOW – OCTOBER 19
An enchanting tale of friendship and love.
written and directed by
MARY ZIMMERMAN based on the classic Chinese fable
NOW – OCTOBER 26
A quirky coming of age comedy. Sponsored by
by
WENDY
WASSERSTEIN
directed by
LEIGH
SILVERMAN
NOW – OCTOBER 5 The Dowling Studio season is sponsored by
PHOTO: TRAVIS ANDERSON
Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com
612.377.2224 GUTHRIETHEATER.ORG
Page 12 • September 22 - September 28, 2014 • Insight News
insightnews.com
Choose well New choices in health care are here. Introducing UCare ChoicesSM, affordable new health plans from a leader in Minnesota health care, with coverage for young adults, families, empty nesters and everyone in between. Find out more at UCareChoices.org, and look for us on the MNsure health insurance marketplace. Choose well. Choose UCare Choices.