Insight News ::: 10.21.13 by Insight News, Inc

Algebra Blessett MORE ON PAGE 5

October 21 - October 27, 2013

Vol. 40 No. 43 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Honorees Toni Pierce-Sands (the arts); Shegitu Kebede (international trends and services), Dr. Verna C. Price (national trends and services), Robin Hickman (services to youth) and Linda Finney (health and human services).

Photos: Stephen Allen (courtesy of The Links)

Robin Hickman, CEO and executive producer of SoulTouch productions, received the Services to Youth award. Over the last eight years, her programs have helped to restore self-esteem and confidence in hundreds of girls from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Emcee for the luncheon, award-winning actress and Minneapolis native Kimberly Elise and Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of The Links president Tawanna Black.

The Links: Emerald Service Awards By Maya Beecham Contributing Writer Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott gathered seven of their friends at a planning meeting on the evening of Nov. 9, 1946 at a home in Philadelphia. This was the next step in

their plans to officially form a club of African-American women with various chapters along the eastern seaboard. The women would participate in civic, educational, and cultural activities. Additionally, they would develop a deep understanding of their social and civic responsibilities. They

called themselves The Links. Fast forward to Saturday, Oct. 12 of this year at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency, 1300 Nicollet Mall, and you could witness the legacy of the nine women realized in the 570 guests present at the Emerald Service Luncheon Awards hosted by the

Minneapolis - St. Paul Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The celebratory luncheon, emceed by award-winning actress and Minneapolis native Kimberly Elise, recognized the 40th anniversary of the local chapter and honored five women who have committed a lifetime of service to the community under

the Links five focus areas of the arts, health and human services, international trends and services, national trends and services and services to youth. The honorees included Toni Pierce-Sands (the arts); Linda Finney (health and human services); Shegitu Kebede (international trends and services), Dr. Verna C. Price

(national trends and services) and Robin Hickman (services to youth). “(We explored) who is doing great work in the Twin Cities that is really changing lives and creating lasting outcomes,” said Tawanna Black, president of the

LINKS TURN TO 10

President Obama prevails in budget showdown George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief WASHINGTON (NNPA) – President Barack Obama signed a bill into law early Thursday morning that ended the 16day government shutdown and averted an impending financial crisis by raising the debt ceiling. After Obama and Democrats defeated repeated efforts over the past two weeks by House Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the president’s signature health care achievement, the Senate passed the budget measure Wednesday night by a vote of 81-18 followed several hours later by a 285144 vote in the Republicancontrolled House. In the House, 87 Republicans joined the solidly united Democrats to assure the victory. All of the “no” votes in both chambers were cast by Republicans. The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 is retroactive to Oct. 1, the beginning

President Barack Obama

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

of the new fiscal year, and funds the government through Jan. 15, 2014. The debt limit has been extended through Feb. 7. President Obama signed the bill around 12:30 a.m., which set the stage for Thursday’s reopening of the nation’s parks and monuments, returning furloughed federal employees to work and restoring shutdown government services. Shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday, the Office of Management and Budget issued a formal memorandum ordering

federal agencies to reopen. “Today, the President signed a continuing resolution that brings employees back to work and reopens many government functions,” OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell said in the memo addressed to all heads of executive departments and agencies. “All employees who were on furlough due to the absence of appropriations may now return to work. You should re-open offices in a prompt and orderly manner.” Although ending the shutdown

was a clear victory for President Obama, he struck a conciliatory tone. “I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I am willing to work with anybody, I am eager to work with anybody – Democrat or Republican, House or Senate members – on any idea that will grow our economy, create new jobs, strengthen the middle class, and get our fiscal house in order for the long term,” Obama said in a brief, oddly-timed White House appearance Wednesday night between the Senate and House

voting. “I’ve never believed that Democrats have a monopoly on good ideas. And despite the differences over the issue of shutting down our government, I’m convinced that Democrats and Republicans can work together to make progress for America.” Obama, speaking at the White House Thursday morning, said: “Now, there’s been a lot of discussion lately of the politics of this shutdown. But let’s be clear: There are no winners here. These last few weeks have inflicted completely unnecessary damage on our economy. We don’t know yet the full scope of the damage, but every analyst out there believes it slowed our growth.” The president said, “But to all my friends in Congress, understand that how business is done in this town has to change. Because we’ve all got a lot of work to do on behalf of the American people – and that includes the hard work of regaining their trust. Our system of self-government doesn’t function without it. And now that the government is reopened, and this threat to our economy is

removed, all of us need to stop focusing on the lobbyists and the bloggers and the talking heads on radio and the professional activists who profit from conflict, and focus on what the majority of Americans sent us here to do, and that’s grow this economy; create good jobs; strengthen the middle class; educate our kids; lay the foundation for broad-based prosperity and get our fiscal house in order for the long haul. That’s why we’re here. That should be our focus.” To returning workers Obama said, “Thank you. Thanks for your service. Welcome back. What you do is important. It matters.” Regardless of whether President Obama wants to publicly admit it, the vote was an undeniable victory for the White House over Tea Party activists who shut down the federal government in an unsuccessful attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) said,

CONGRESS TURN TO 12

Health

Community

Business

Empowerment

3 tips for a tastier, lower-fat smoothie

North/St. Paul Harding football game

West Broadway welcomes new Mr. BBQ Express

African Women’s Development Fund USA comes to Minnesota

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Page 2 • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Insight News

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THE FUNDA MENTALS OF A HEALTHY DIET • Balanced meals with an emphasis on whole grains and seasonal vegetables • Home-cooking with fresh ingredients • Eating less • Eating fish at least twice a week • Eating vegetarian meals twice a week • Eating chicken, or meat only three times at most • Taking time to eat with friends and family on a daily basis • Eating breakfast

the moment, eat slowly, and get your palate to work.

Change your diet

Eight Guidelines to a healthier lifestyle

Your aim is to cook and eat food that is really tasty and full of fresh flavors that will give you joy and make you feel fulfilled and happy. This involves eating homecooked meals, where love and care have been put into their preparation. Set the table, sit down, and enjoy

Take care to eat three main meals a day made up of whole grains, lots of tasty vegetables and fruit, and cut down on portion sizes. Your daily intake should be about 30-50 percent vegetables. In between meals you can snack on fresh or dried fruit, raw vegetables, and nuts. Keep your blood sugar levels in balance and don’t starve yourself, but don’t eat if you are not hungry.

1. Exercise every day for at least thirty minutes. 2. Avoid junk food and ready-made meals; eat only things you know and recognize. 3. Eat at least six pieces of fruit and vegetables a day. 4. Eat whole grains in bread,

cereals, salads, and pasta every day. 5. Reduce the fat in your food, especially dairy products and meat. 6. Eat fish two to three times a week. 7. Drink plenty of water. 8. Avoid sugar, especially in sodas, candies, cookies, and cakes.

Do More, Save More Preparing foods from scratch is far less expensive than buying foods already prepared and for those who are in the habit of doing so, it’s often a pleasure to see raw ingredients transformed into nourishing foods for themselves, their family, and their friends. Consider, for example, that canned beans cost 3 to 4 times as much as dried beans that you cook yourself. Not only will you be saving money by cooking

your own, you can feel confident that the meals you prepare with those beans won’t contain all the extra preservatives and sodium that standard canned beans can bring to a meal. Four ways to have a better diet When it comes to eating better, diets don’t always

work. The changes you have to make tend to be drastic and usually don’t last. Instead, ditch the diet and make small changes that can last a lifetime. Start with these four simple eat-better tips: 1. Prepare ahead of time • Plan your meals for the week with your entire family • Keep your pantry stocked with better choices. • Organize your grocery list by departments for quick shopping • Shop the perimeter of the store and look for good-for-you foods up high and down low on the shelves. • Cut up your veggies right after you buy them. Put celery and carrots in water. • If you’re going out for dinner, choose better-foryou meals throughout the day. 2. Choose foods with color – more color means more benefits! • Make sure each meal has more than one color. • Choose in-season produce. • Remember dried fruit as an option for getting more fruit servings. 3. Adjust the way you cook • Be aware of portion sizes. • Cut back on the amount and type of fat you cook with.

• Add extra veggies to your dish even if the recipe doesn’t call for it. • Think of fruit for dessert. 4. Save time – cook once, eat twice • Choose proteins that are on safe and prepare them with a least two uses in mind. • Use the same fresh herbs for multiple dishes. • Make your own dressings. SOURCE: NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Food Labels • Serving Size - Pay attention to the serving size, especially how many servings there are in the food package. • Calories – Multiple the calories by the number of servings you plan to eat. • Limit these nutrients • This section of the panel informs you about the percentage each nutrient has in your diet, based on a recommendation of a 2,000 calorie diet. • Get enough of these nutrients • Daily values in this section of the Food Label are based on 2,000 and 2,500 calories. This is an average estimate and may vary based on your age, gender, activity level, or during times of pregnancy and lactation. SOURCE: NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center

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Insight News • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Page 3

HEALTH 3 tips for a tastier, lower-fat smoothie hangover” ” promote healing”, “burns fat”, “increases immunity”, “restores vitality” etc. Naturally, they come with an additional price tag. Many of these extra ingredients cost 50 cents a pop, which can

Special to the NNPA from The Chicago Defender There is a huge difference between a fruit smoothie you blend up at home and the concoctions you can get at your local retail shop. Yes, smoothies are loaded with fruit, and fruit is healthy. They can also be a wonderful, incredible, delicious component of a healthy diet, containing other “good for you” ingredients and nutrients that will leave you feeling satisfied. However, a typical smoothie can also be packed with juice, yogurt, and sometimes, even sorbet. When you blend these ingredients together with the natural sugars found in fruit, you have yourself one sugary drink. Not to mention, hidden calories. Keep Calories Low To keep calories low, stick to fruit, juices and nonfat dairy products. Beware when you see chocolate, heavy syrup, premium ice cream, peanut butter or whole milk on the ingredient list. Other danger flags are coconut, honey, coconut cream, fruit nectar, and protein powder. These are destined to go straight to your

increase a $3.00 smoothie to a $5.00 price tag quickly. What are some of these “extra nutrition additives” and are they worth paying for?

HEALTH TURN TO 12

waistline, without passing your digestive tract. You can increase your vitamin and mineral value by choosing a smoothie with honeydew melon, or cantaloupe, any kind of berries, kiwis, bananas, low fat yogurt or milk and orange or other fruit juices. In addition, choose whole fruit whenever possible, to increase the fiber content and increase satisfaction by giving a feeling of fullness. One thing to keep in mind is that not every smoothie is

created equally. Some are dairy free while others are packed with it. Therefore, the calorie count and nutritional content of each smoothie will differ. Also, size does matter when it comes to a smoothie! Tip: You can shave several calories off your smoothie by going with the smaller size. It is also important that you don’t view a smoothie as a drink that supplements your meal. If you order a sandwich for lunch then run next door to wash it down with a smoothie,

you are essentially consuming 2 meals. With this mindset, you could seriously impede your weight loss efforts. A smoothie should either be viewed as breakfast or as an occasional treat. Keep The Price Low Many smoothie franchises advertise special ingredients called “boosters” or “enhancers” touted as healthy additions to the basic smoothie. Some outlets may claim such health miracles as “cure a

What to eat when eating out Remembering to eat healthful foods can sometimes be challenging when you’re not in your own kitchen. But it doesn’t have to be. “There are many things you can ask restaurants,” said Shirley Winslett, registered dietitian with Owatonna Hospital, part of Allina Health. “You can ask how the food is cooked; if it’s cooked with

butter, ask if they can cook with oil instead.” Other tips include ordering salad dressing on the side, putting extra sauces on the side, including a vegetable — whether it’s a salad or greens — and choosing water over sweetened drinks, such as soda. Winslett also advises restaurant-goers to think of

“healthy words,” like steamed, baked, broiled or grilled and avoid words like fried, breaded, saucy and creamy. Ask about portion sizes and remember proteins don’t need to be any larger than a deck of cards, starches should be about the size of a fist and salads about the size of two fists. When it comes to dessert, choose fruit rather than

cake, pie or muffins. “Another typical mistake is ordering ‘fat-free,’” said Winslett. “People think it’s healthier or doesn’t have the calories but this is a common misconception; it usually does and doesn’t leave the person satisfied, causing him or her to overeat.” Source: AllinaHealth

You belong. The health plan with you in mind.

At Medica, you’re not just part of a health plan. You’re part of a community that believes in better health for all. Learn more at medica.com/PublicPrograms

Page 4 â&#x20AC;˘ October 21 - October 27, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

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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.

Algebra Blessett By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer The princess of neosoul, Algebra Blessett coming to the Dakota, Oct. 27 She’s worked with everyone from Anthony Hamilton to Anthony David, Esperanza Spalding and Eric

Roberson, and now, with her latest album, Algebra Blessett is shining on her own. Known by most of her fans as simply Algebra, the Atlanta-born singer is set to release her long awaited sophomore LP, “Recovery” later next month. The singer/ songwriter will be debuting

some of her new music, as well as performing several of her well-known tunes, when she takes the stage at the Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, on Sunday, Oct. 27 for her 7 p.m. show. “I’m so excited to be performing in Minneapolis,”

said Algebra, who said the last time she was on stage in the Twin Cities was as a background singer to R&B sensation, Monica during a Nickelodeon tour several years ago. “It’s going to be a great show full of love and energy.” Though Algebra has been

Photo courtesy of the artist.

Neosoul star, Algebra Blessett is set to debut her new material live at the Dakota Jazz Club, Sunday, Oct. 27.

singing professionally for years, it was her debut LP, “Purpose” that garnered her a legion of hardcore fans who seem to adore her every lyric. “When I write I’m inspired by life and life experience,” said Algebra, who has penned songs such as “Talk to Her” recorded by

India.Arie. “I just try to be honest and say what comes from my heart. Maybe that’s why my music speaks to so many people. Maybe I’m a slight mirror image to people or maybe I show people a different side of themselves.”

BLESSETT 6 TURN TO

North Minneapolis performance artists at Capri theater open mic By Lee-Hoon Benson, TC Daily Planet The young woman sauntered onto the stage, cracked a half smile then pulled the mike almost to her lips. The lights dimmed, music piped in and the spotlight turned onto her. The smoky voice that emerged from this girl was surprising as was the melody. Here on the Capri Theater stage in North Minneapolis, an African American girl was singing a jazz song popularized by Billie Holiday, an American cultural icon of the 1940s. The audience of about 50 young students, teens and middle aged folks hooted and howled encouragement when this aspiring singer ended her

Photos: Lee-Hoon Benson

Daniel Reyes, PCYC high school senior and performance artist

Crystal Ruiz, host of Capri Theater’s Freedom of Xpression Open Mic rendition. She glowed with a big smile, waved, and bounded

off into the wings. This performance

typical of the monthly Open Mic sessions at the Capri

• Lizz Wright and Raul Midón join forces on the Ordway stage

Theater. Monday

Held on the first evening, Freedom

• Gates unlocked!

of Xpression (FOX) provides a free platform for emerging and amateur artists to test and hone their art form. Anyone who wishes an audience for her creative expressions has five minutes to unleash that talent at Capri’s FOX Open Mic. Poets, rappers, dancers, singers, musicians have come on stage to get a no-risk and free opportunity to share their craft with a diverse audience. Any art form is allowed and the range of expressions is wide. Immediately following a hiphop poet, a Hmong student played the qeej (traditional pan flute) and danced to rousing audience approval at a recent FOX Open Mic. Poet Crystal “Azteca” Ruiz

CAPRI TURN TO 6

Page 6 • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Aesthetically Speaking

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Lizz Wright and Raul Midón join forces on the Ordway stage The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts’ Target World Music and Dance Series opens on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. with performers Lizz Wright and Raul Midón. The singer-songwriters share the Ordway Stage with their combined talents to present an intoxicating collection of contemporary songs that deftly span the genre of jazz, rhythm and blues, soul and gospel. “These performers bring such a sense of intimacy to the audience you forget that you’re not the only one watching,” said director of world music and dance, Dayna Martinez. Midón, a New Mexico native, started his career as a backup singer for artists such as Shakira and Julio Iglesias before recording three major label records. He incorporates

Raul Midón

Lizz Wright

a genre-defying musical blend of soul, pop, folk, jazz and Latin elements, while engaging crowds through humorous storytelling. Midón’s musical collaborators include Jason Mraz, Marcus Miller and Roberta Flack. Wright has been the recipient of nonstop critical acclaim and

ever-increasing audiences, since her Verve debut “Salt” in 2003. Wright continues her musical journey with her latest album “Fellowship,” a nod to her roots in gospel on the one hand and her pension for eclecticism on the other. Growing up the daughter of

a Georgia pastor, Wright wasn’t allowed to listen to popular music. “In all of my adventures in music, I’ve been drawn in by sparks of the familiar inside of the unfamiliar. For example, when I first heard what people were calling the blues, I was taken aback, because I had heard that sound all my life. That was how the mothers sang in church,” said Wright. Wright has transitioned from her gospel roots to her acclaimed bluesy and jazz sound that is hypnotic to all audiences. The Ordway is located at 345 Washington St., Saint Paul. Call the ticket office at (651) 224-4222 to reserve tickets. For group ticket reservation, call (651) 282-3111. Tickets start at $23 including fees. Visit ordway. org for more information.

Opening this week for October 25 By Kam Williams “Bad Grandpa” (R for profanity, crude humor, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity and brief drug use) Stunt comedy featuring hidden cameras and starring Jackass’ Johnny Knoxville as a cantankerous octogenarian who takes his impressionable, 8 yearold grandson (Jackson Nicholl) on a very eventful, cross-country road trip. With Spike Jonze, Georgina Cates and Brittany Mumford. “The Counselor” (R for profanity, sexuality, graphic violence and grisly images) Three-time Oscar-nominee Ridley Scott

Blessett From 5 Highly sought after as a vocalist, Algebra has been featured on several charttopping collaborations including the Billboard No. 1 R&B single, “4Evermore” with Anthony David and most recently on Esperanza Spalding’s “Black Gold.”

Capri From 5 has hosted the Capri’s FOX Open Mic since late 2009. This emcee role is a natural outgrowth from Ruiz’s regular job as a student advisor at the alternative high school run by Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC). Hosting the monthly FOX Open Mic also allows Ruiz to publicly

directed this crime thriller based on a script by Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men) about an avaricious attorney moonlighting as a drug-dealer (Michael Fassbender) whose life spirals out of control. Cast includes Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo and Ruben Blades.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Homoerotic romance drama about a 15 year-old virgin (Adele Exarchopoulos) whose satiates her carnal cravings in the arms of the blue-haired art student (Lea Seydoux) she’s been fantasizing about. Supporting cast includes Salim Kechiouche, Aurelien Recoing and Catherine Salee. (In French with subtitles) “Bridging the Gap” (Unrated) Behind-the-scenes documentary about the Vienna Boys’ Choir features members discussing the group’s crosscultural appeal.

this psychological thriller chronicling the efforts of the greedy CEO (Gad Elmaleh) of a European investment bank to fend off a hostile takeover by an American hedge fund. With Gabriel Byrne, Natacha Regnier and Celine Sallette. (In French and English with subtitles) “Go Grandriders” (Unrated) Golden Years documentary highlights the 1,000 mile trek of a scooter club comprised of senior citizens with an average age of 81 and suffering from an assortment of ailments. (In Mandarin with subtitles)

Harris Glenn Milstead, aka Divine, the cross-dressing star of such John Waters films as Pink Flamingos, Polyester and Hairspray. “One Chance” (PG-13 for profanity and sexuality) Musical biopic about Paul Potts (James Corden), the amateur opera singer who became a reality-TV sensation en route to winning the Britain’s Got Talent competition. With Simon Cowell, Jemima Rooper, Julie Walters and Colm Meany.

Alinea in Chicago, Illinois; Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown, Iowa; and La Cocina de Gabby in Tucson, Arizona. “The Square” (Unrated) Arab Spring documentary examining events surrounding the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 as recounted by a halfdozen activists who protested in Tahrir Square. (In Arabic with subtitles) “When I Walk” (Unrated) Autobiopic, directed by documentary filmmaker Jason Dasilva, chronicling his life since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006 at the age of 25.

“Blue Is the Warmest Color” (NC-17 for explicit sexuality)

“Capital” (R for profanity, sexuality and drug use) Blind ambition is the theme of

“I Am Divine” (Unrated) Drag queen documentary about

“Spinning Plates” (Unrated) Gourmet documentary highlighting the operations at three extraordinary restaurants:

Now, nearly five years after the release of “Purpose” Algebra is eager for the release of “Recovery.” “We’re really excited about this project,” said Algebra. “The difference between this album and ‘Purpose’ is I had more insight into the music with this one. ‘Purpose’ was more of a melting pot of songs I had. When I put this album together it was based on me being a live performer and

how I perform songs live with a band or acoustically.” Algebra worked with several well-known producers on “Recovery” including Grammy Award winner Brian Michael Cox (Usher, Monica, Keyshia Cole), Kwame Holland and Shannon Sanders. She also has a duet with Quinnes “Q” Parker from 112. The debut single, “Nobody But You,” is quickly moving up the R&B and urban

adult contemporary charts. “It’s one of those feel good songs about someone needing to know that party is feeling the other party even when they don’t seem to,” said Algebra. Known not only for her singing and songwriting, Algebra has added another feather to her ever-growing cap – aerial artist. During select shows, Algebra performs an aerial dance with

the help of ribbon suspended from the ceiling. “It started from a birthday gift I received to a trapeze school and I saw what the aerial artists were doing and I loved it,” said the petite singer. “I love the expressive aspect of it.” Algebra’s Sunday, Oct. 27 show at the Dakota takes place at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Dakota

box office at (612) 332-5299 or online at www.dakotacooks. com/event/algebra-blessett/.

share her creative impulses. Soft-spoken yet firm, Ruiz is passionate about giving young people a chance to develop their talents and test their alter egos on stage. Ruiz encourages the high school students at PCYC to perform at FOX Open Mic. She especially reaches out to female students. Many high schoolers have taken up Ruiz’s offer; some for the first time, but many reprising or honing their earlier FOX Open Mic

performances. Since its inception more than five years ago, FOX Open Mic has drawn performers mainly from neighborhoods that surround the Capri Theater. Many North Minneapolis performance groups have tested and refined their material here. One such group is the “Why So Serious” hip-hop collective of North Minneapolis. Collective member, Marquis “Eddiecane” Harris, said performing more than a dozen times at Capri’s FOX Open Mic gave them the exposure they needed. “Why So Serious” has produced several albums since 2010. In this way, Capri Theater’s FOX Open Mic is an incubator for performance talent. This harkens back to the early 1970s when a young performer later known as Prince first performed a concert on the

same stage. Today, FOX Open Mic performers sign up for slots half an hour ahead of the monthly 6 to 8 p.m. event. Slots are allotted on a first come, first served basis for any art form. The only restriction is obscene language. If it is used at all, the Capri Theater’s technical staff cuts off the microphone. Host Ruiz reminds performers of this rule when they sign up for their five-minute slot. Each Capri Theater FOX Open Mic also features 15-minute performances from artists whose art forms are more developed or wellknown locally and regionally. Featured artists have included B Girl Be co-founder Desdamona and R&B singer/ songwriter Gabrielle Samone. Host Crystal Ruiz points out that featured artists give novice performers a sense of the arc of artistic development and

helps to inspire the emerging performers to keep perfecting their art forms. Ruiz is excited that the October 7 FOX Open Mic will feature PCYC High School senior Daniel Reyes, who grew up in New York. Reyes will be singing several tunes he wrote while battling homelessness. Despite his living circumstances, Reyes is optimistic about his future. This emerging performance artist wants a career as a chiropractor to supplement his passionate pursuits of music and fashion in his free time. To that end, Reyes is focusing on

his high school studies while writing songs dedicated to his girlfriend Nicole and trying hard to secure safe and secure shelter. Reyes’ story is one of many inspirational ones that you’ll experience frequently at Open Mic and PYC. Inspired to learn more about the Capri Theater’s Freedom of Xpression Open Mic? Check out the details at www.thecapritheater.org or contact Host Crystal Ruiz at cruiz@ pcyc-mpls.org or 612643-2045. Lee-Hoon Benson works for PCYC.

Algebra Blessett Live at the Dakota Sunday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. (Doors 5:30 p.m.) Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Ave., downtown Minneapolis Admission: $25 (612) 332-5299 www.dakotacooks.com.

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Aesthetically Speaking • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Page 7

Gates unlocked! By Kam Williams Born in Keyser, West Virginia on September 16, 1950, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research at Harvard University. He is the author of 16 books, has made 12 documentaries, and is the editor-in-chief of The Root, a daily online magazine. In 1981, he was a member of the first class awarded “genius grants” by the MacArthur Foundation, and in 1998, he became the first African-American scholar to be awarded the National Humanities Medal. He was named to Time’s 25 Most Influential Americans list in 1997, to Ebony’s Power 150 list in 2009, and to Ebony’s Power 100 list in 2010 and 2012. Here he talks about his new PBS series, “The African Americans,” and its companion book of the same name. The show is set to premiere on Tuesday, October 22nd at 8 pm ET/PT. (Check local listings) Kam Williams: Hi Dr. Gates, thanks for another interview. I really appreciate the opportunity. Dr. Henry Louis Gates: Hey, Kam, I appreciate it. You’re doing me the favor, brother. KW: The last time we spoke to you was before the Boston Marathon. Were you in town that day? HLG: Yes I was. In fact, my girlfriend, who’s a history professor in Cuba, was over there because she had left her wallet in a restaurant right nearby. I couldn’t reach her after I heard the news about the bombing, because all of the cell phones in that area were immediately jammed. So, I freaked out, of course, until she called. But what a horrible tragedy. KW: I’m glad she was okay. What was the biggest challenge in covering 500 years of African-American history in a six-hour PBS-TV series? HLG: Precisely that, covering 500 years of AfricanAmerican history in six hours. [Chuckles] Well, I’ve been working on this for seven years. The biggest challenge was deciding which stories to tell. In a one-hour documentary, you can tell maybe ten stories. That’s how the documentary is structured. I wrote to forty of the greatest historians of both African and African-American history, and hired them as consultants. I had them submit what they thought were the indispensable stories, the ones they felt this series absolutely had to include. And we got about a thousand different suggestions which we had to boil down to seventy. So, my producers and I worked with these consultants and came up with seventy which we think are exemplary of the larger arc of African-American history between 1513 and 2013. We covered half a millennium, and it’s amazing. KW: What was your biggest surprise? HLG: The biggest surprise for me, without a doubt, was that the first black people who came to the United States weren’t the 20 who arrived in Jamestown in 1619. All of us had been taught that. Well, guess what? The first African came to Florida in 1513. And the huge shock is we know his name, Juan Garrido, and that he wasn’t a slave. He was free! This brother was a conquistador who came with Ponce de Leon. He was looking for the Fountain of Youth just like the white people were. Then, the first slave came to Florida in 1526. The first one

we know by name, Esteban, which means Stephen, came a couple of years later. So, we start with the stories of Juan Garrido and Esteban to show that African-American people have been here a century longer than anyone thought, and that the diversity we see in the African-American community today has existed since the beginning. You had one guy who was a slave, and another who wasn’t. And I actually know what happened to them. Garrido ended up getting good jobs and a pension in Mexico which was the center of New Spain, as it was called. Esteban ended up being killed by the Zuni Indians. KW: I haven’t seen any of the series yet, but I found the book very informative and surprising, and I majored in Black Studies. HLG: Yeah, like the amazing story of Anthony Johnson. This man was a slave, then became free, accumulated 250 acres, and even had his own slave, a black man who took him to court in Virginia in 1654. That man argued that he should be freed like an indentured servant. But Johnson, who we believe was a pure African from Angola, said, “No way, you’re my slave.” And the court agreed, ruling that the man was a slave for life. So, we can see that the complexity we witness inside the African-American community today has always been there. Black people were just as noble and just as ignoble as anybody else. KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier says she considers your Africana Encyclopedia one of the most important literary contributions to the black world. She hopes it will be translated into other languages and that there will be a junior version because the youth definitely need to know our history and heritage. As an Afro-Canadian, she’d like to know whether the new PBS series will touch on the stories of escaped slaves who fled to Canada. HLG: Thanks for the kind words, Patricia. As far as covering Canada, absolutely! We go to Ontario where we recount the feats of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Many people don’t know that she left the United States to live in the Province of Ontario. We go to her church in the small town of St. Catherines. So, yes, Patricia, we do tell the story of the escaped slaves who moved to Canada. KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles says: Three researchers have just been on the news explaining what it was like when they

you encountered different preferences in your travels around the country? HLG: No, I find that people today tend to use them interchangeably. I use African-American, because I teach African Studies as well as African-American Studies, so it’s easy, neat and convenient. But sometimes, when you’re in a barber shop, somebody’ll say, “Did you see what that Negro did?” A lot of people slip in and out of different terms effortlessly, and I don’t think the thought police should be on patrol. KW: Dinesh Sharma says: In my forthcoming book, “The Global Obama,” Professor Ali Mazrui refers to the president as a “great man of history.” Do you agree? HLG: Yes, without doubt, President Obama is a great historical figure.

Peter Simon

Dr.Henry Louis Gates heard they’d won the Nobel Prize. What’s it like to unearth, authenticate and publish a previously undocumented historic manuscript? HLG: Harriet, that’s a wonderful question! It’s like finding a treasure chest hidden in a cave. It’s the ultimate rush! Finding and authenticating “The Bondwoman’s Narrative” by Hannah Crafts was one of the greatest thrills of my whole life. [Chuckles] KW: Harriet also observes that in your memoir, “Colored People,” you evoke an extraordinary sense of community at the annual picnics. How can we look back and recapture that sense while at the same time moving forward to a more multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society? HLG: Well, I think that is what we do by preserving and telling our stories. If you don’t tell your stories, other people will tell their story about you. It’s important that we nurture and protect these memories. Things change. Existence means change. So, the kind of precious memories about being black for my generation won’t exist for my kids’ and grandkids’ generations unless we preserve them through fiction, through film, through comic books, and every other form of media we can possibly utilize to perpetuate the story of the great African-American people.

HLG: I’d say imagine that you wake up one morning when you’re going through a midlife crisis. You’re getting divorced. Your kids won’t speak to you. Their faces are covered with acne, and you have to decide why you should get out of bed. That’s the career you should pick. The one that keeps you going no matter what, even if your life is falling apart. That’s how I feel about my career. The truth is I would do my job for free! I love it every day. If you can possibly choose a vocation that’s an avocation, a job that’s really a hobby, then you’ll be way ahead of the game. You should not pick an occupation because your think your parents want you to do it, or because you think it’s the noble thing to do. You should only pick a job because it turns you on.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? HLG: My favorite dish to cook? KW: Yep. HLG: [Chuckles] That’s funny. Meat loaf and baked beans.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory? HLG: My earliest childhood memory is of my father going crazy when the Giants won the World Series in 1954. He started whoopin’ and hollerin’ and jumpin’ up and down all around the living room. I started crying because he scared me to death. [LOL] KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered? HLG: That’s a good question, Kam. I want to be remembered as someone who tried to bring the story of our ancestors to the broadest possible audience. I want to be remembered as a man who loved his race. KW: Thanks again for the time, Dr. Gates, and best of luck with both the book and the TV series. HLG: Okay Kam, I love talking about every project with you. To see a preview of The African Americans, visit: http:// www.pbs.org/wnet/africanamericans-many-rivers-tocross/video/

KW: Documentary director Kevin Williams says: While making our film, “Fear Of a Black Republican,” and also while screening it around the country, we have come across multiple divides, political affiliation, age, education, geographic, over the use of the term “black” versus “African-American.” Have

KW: Bernadette Beekman asks: If you were giving advice to a high school senior with equal ability in the arts and sciences, which field of study would you encourage the student to pursue in college?

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Page 8 â&#x20AC;˘ October 21 - October 27, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Aesthetically Speaking

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Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a lifelong Northsider with n a vision and pla for everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better future.

ONE NORTHSIDE. ONE MINNEAPOLIS.

CHOICE.

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VOTE FOR BRETT

Our Plan for the Northside IN FOUR YEARS, WE ENVISIONâ&#x20AC;Ś

1st CHOICE Tuesday, Nov. 5th

AS YOUR

STABILIZE.

Photo: Larry Marcus

YOUR VOTE

is a critical ďŹ rst step to a better Northside.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Increase living wage job opportunities and cut unemployment

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Zip Code and Income Hiring Ordinance for all municipal contract jobs

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Work to increase academic test scores and graduation rates to state levels

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Current Northsiders remain in home after 4 years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Reduction of violent and property crime each year

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Work to reduce recidivism

North Minneapolis is ground zero for our metropolitan regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battle with â&#x20AC;&#x153;gaps.â&#x20AC;?

CONNECT.

To achieve equity, equality and justice within our region, we have designed a policy and program agenda to eliminate â&#x20AC;&#x153;gapsâ&#x20AC;? that divide our communities. Our plan is designed to create a Stable, Connected and Growing community for all 30,000+ residents who live, learn, work and play in North Minneapolis.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Become one of the 100 Best Communities for Youth according to Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Promise standards

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Development of a Northside Center (Community Market, Retail & Professional Center)

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Create 100 Urban Scholar sites

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Support expanded day and year-round academic enrichment programs

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; All homes with internet access

We will work with community, city, county, state and federal elected allies and stakeholders to achieve key goals and objectives for our Northside community.

GROW.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sustainable nodes and corridors

YOUR VOTE

MATTERS. NO VOTE = NO VOICE.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Community Recreational HUB with a Health, Fitness and Wellness Center, Stadium and Fieldhouse

Did you know that only 2,200 Northsiders participated in the 2009 election? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less than 20% of 12,900 registered voters and less than 10% of our Northside community. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m counting on YOUR VOTE to bring EQUITY to Minneapolis. Join me and thousands of Northsiders in the voting booth on Tuesday, November 5th and show Minneapolis that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re engaged and ready to fight for our future.

TT E R B R O F VOT E , NOVEMBER 5th

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Establish a Business Impact Zone for new development

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Establish Destination, Northside! An Arts, Culture and Food Experience on the Northside â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Approve lots for Urban Gardens and Farms and establish a network for gardeners

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insightnews.com

Insight News • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Page 9

COMMUNITY North/St. Paul Harding football game fans, but that doubt didn’t last long. The North Polars rallied and by halftime the team had an insurmountable lead against the St. Paul Harding High School squad in their Friday, Oct.11 matchup. There was

By Nolan Cramer An early two touchdown deficit may have allowed doubt to creep in for some of the North Community High School players and

concern on the North side during the week of practice about quality of attitude on the part of some of the individual players. Missed practices and suspensions from school for one reason or another and the usual bumps and bruises complaints

and official injuries sidelining some of the lineup, which may have led to a feeling of doubt. By the end of the first quarter, North was trailing 14-0. But that head start on the part of Harding may have been just the shock required for

the Polars to come to their committed senses. By halftime North lead 3114. The usual performances of quarterback Tyler Johnson and receiver Malik Matthews were on display as the two connected four times

in the game. Nate Hampton, Matthew Goodman and Marcus Johnson all found the end zone for North as the team rolled up a lopsided 51-22 victory. The shocking Polars now have a 5-2 overall record for the season.

#10 Tyler Johnson of North going back to pass guarded by #44 Kori Randle

Asian-American and Pacific Islander Community Summit to take place Asian-American and Pacific Islander Community Summit to take place It has been 10 years since the first Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community Summit hosted by the City of Minneapolis on Oct. 23, 2003. At that landmark session 250-plus AAPI community members met to map out a detailed plan and made strong requests for support. The plan focused on how to improve the AAPIs’ well-being in Minneapolis. Ten years later, a second AAPI Community Summit

will be held on Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. The summit examines the progress made over these 10 years, with a special focus on Transit Oriented Development (TOD), educational and health disparities and proposed Minneapolis Public School’s 5-year plans. The Twin Cities Regional Center will lead the event and the center collaborated with Asian Media Access, Hawman and

Co., Project Sweetie Pie, Strategies and UROC on the summit. At the initial summit, the city initiated outreach to its four major minority groups – AfricanAmerican, AsianAmerican, Hispanic/ Latino-American and Native-American. The AAPI Community Summit held at the Harrison Community Center in north Minneapolis was attended by 250 people consisting of youth, elders, businesses, community-based organizations, private and public organizations serving AAPI citizens and the community at large.

The summit addressed various topics including domestic violence, gambling, addiction, racism, issues regarding police, language and cultural competency. Some of the groups of people represented came from Asian and Pacific countries such as Loas, Korea and Cambodia. The upcoming AAPI Community Summit will recreate the AAPI vision and dreams to bring the city officials and AAPI communities together to have the face-toface discussion and share resources, with a special emphasis

on the TOD. Besides the TOD resources, the summit will also feature the most updated information for health and educational disparities. Twin Cities Regional Center (TCRC), a new c o m m u n i t y development based non-profit agency in Minnesota, will present findings on the economic development for people of color in both north Minneapolis and Frogtown (St. Paul) neighborhoods. Through a special immigration program called – EB5, the center will bring in a

Legal Assistant Legal Assistant, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. For details go to http://www.mylegalaid.org/employment.

Townhomes

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Minneapolis Public Schools Interview Fair Walk-in Interviews

Cokato Apts, Cokato, MN (a seniors complex 62 or over or handicapped) has vacancies on 2nd Floor for one BR apts. Waiting list open. Contact Don at 320-286-2758. E-Mail cokapts@embarqmail.com

Thursday, October 24, 2013 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1250 W. Broadway, Minneapolis

Program Director, FamilyWise, Mpls. Apply by 10/31/13 to familywise@familywiseservices.org. See website for more info. No phone calls.

Please bring a copy of your resume to leave with us.

Culinary and Nutrition Services • Food Service Coordinator • Food Service Assistant • Prep Cook

Minneapolis Kids • Child Care Assistant Please complete an online application and review the minimum requirements for the positions prior to attending the interview fair.

To apply: • Visit www.mpls.k12.mn.us • Select “Careers” • Select “Online Employment Application” • Register and complete the online process. Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

Program Director

Communications Specialist The MN House of Representatives DFL Caucus has a full-time Communications Specialist position available. The complete job posting can be found at: www.house.mn/jobs or call 651-297-8200 for a faxed or mailed copy. Cover letter and resume must be received by Tuesday, October 29, 2013.

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minimum $500,000 in foreign capital that creates 10-sustained jobs to support the neighborhoods.

TCRC venture capital representatives will be on site to listen to AAPI business development ideas.

Registration is free and open to the public. Those who preregister will receive a half-hour free

consultation with the venture capital team. For more information and registration for the event, call

(612) 376-7715, email amamedia@ amamedia.org or go to www.tcrc-mn.org.

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This mural is on the side of Asian Media Access(AMA) Media’s building. AMA strives to uphold creative traditions is Asian culture and provides programs in filmmaking, music, and dance.

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NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT TO: Students attending Broadway High School in Minneapolis who received credits or portions of credits for courses in which they were instructed by unlicensed teachers in classes required to be taught by licensed teachers, or who were instructed by teachers whose licensure was for an area different from the class in which they were teaching, during the 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 academic years. You are hereby notified of: The conditional certification of a settlement class consisting of certain persons who were students at Broadway High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota between September 2, 2008, and June 8, 2011, as described above; The Preliminary approval of a class action settlement under which the District: 1. will create a compensatory education fund for qualified settlement Class Members to be used for certain future educational expenses; 2. will pay a monetary sum to qualified subclass members whose credits were reallocated from core credits to elective credits during the 2010-2011 school year; 3. will provide educational counseling to settlement Class Members. Your rights as a settlement Class Member to comment on or object to, participate in, or exclude yourself from settlement shall be affected if you delay. All interested affected persons should immediately request a copy of the Notice of Class Action and Proposed Settlement and Settlement Agreement from the following attorney and law firm, who serve as class counsel: Joshua R. Williams Law Office of Joshua R. Williams, PLLC 3249 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 216 Minneapolis, MN 55408 Jwilliams@jrwilliamslaw.com 612-486-5540

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 Resource Center (HERC) provides well-paying, green jobs for area residents. For more information on HERC and its operations, visit covantaenergy.com or hennepin.us/herc.

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Page 10 â&#x20AC;˘ October 21 - October 27, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

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Justice 4 All: Bridging the racial jobs gap By Justine Hicks, Adam Miller, Dr. Artika Tyner (Community Justice Project) Did you know that in Minnesota one in five people have an arrest or conviction record that can show up on a routine criminal background check for employment? Community members with a criminal or arrest record are routinely denied employment, leading to one million people within Minnesota struggling to find work. A personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s criminal record and even a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrest record will follow them throughout their lives and may negatively impact their employment opportunities. By promoting changes to employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of background information, it allows for access to employment opportunities for those with criminal records. Equal access to employment opportunities benefits

From L - R: Alex Migambi, Artika Tyner, Adam Miller, Sarah Orange, Justine Hicks neighborhoods, families, the economy, and the overall societal well-being. However, for many members of our community this access has been denied. Communities of color are facing a serious employment crisis in our state. Minnesota has the worst unemployment gap in the nation,

where Blacks are three times more likely to be unemployed than Whites. A contributing factor leading to this disparity are the challenges experienced by those with a criminal record who are seeking to obtain employment. Especially when, more than 92% of employers use background

checks, and as many as two thirds refuse to hire applicants with criminal or arrest records, regardless of the length of time since conviction or relevancy to the job. A criminal history serves as a bar to employment. States across the nation are engaging in reform efforts by addressing the unemployment challenges that those with a criminal history are facing. These states recognize that having a job is key to communitybuilding. Policy changes will aid in eliminating the racial jobs gap and offering opportunities for those with a criminal record to secure a job. For instance, the state of Indiana restricts the information that criminal history providers are allowed to share with employers. The state no longer allows criminal history providers to include in a report an infraction such as an arrest or a charge that did not result in a conviction. Also, included in this legislation is the restriction of not providing a record that has been

expunged, a record of a felony that has been entered or converted to a misdemeanor conviction, and a record that the criminal history provider knows is inaccurate. Further, the State also bars employers from inquiring into sealed records and violators are subject to a $1,000 fine. Indiana can serve as a model for reform, and to improve the livelihood of millions of Minnesotans we must take action by organizing around this important issue. Further, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) added new guidelines to address the employment challenges that people with criminal records are facing. In 2013, the EEOC limited the scope in which past criminal records could be evaluated and set forth guidelines limiting an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to examine past criminal records. The EEOC offers a comprehensive model for fair hiring practices. An employer must first look at the nature and gravity of the offense or conduct.

Second, the employer must look at the amount of time that has passed since the offense or conduct in question. Third, the nature of the job the applicant is applying for must be evaluated. These guidelines are one step in the right direction for policy reform however there is more work to be done. Now is the time to take action in order to ensure those with a criminal history have a second chance. A chance to write a new chapter for their futures by becoming gainfully employed, supporting their families, and strengthening our community. Take Action MN and community leaders are working to make this vision a reality. Please join the Target Racial Jobs Gap meeting on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Capri Theatre to lead change in Minnesota. For more information about Take Action Minnesota and the Justice 4 All Campaign please visit: www. takeactionminnesota.org.

Estes family expresses gratitude to community By April Estes

Richard C. Estes

On behalf of the family of the late Richard C. Estes, thank you for all acts of kindness shown following his passing. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult to put all my thoughts into words, but I very much appreciate your kind words, deeds and gestures at a time when these things mean so much. I thank God for friends and community such as you! To my pastor, Reverend

Brian C. Herron, Sr., and the congregation of Zion Baptist Church, thank you for all of the love and support shown through the years. Thank you for your prayers, calls, hospital visits and the wonderful home-going service and luncheon. It was a very fitting service to a tremendous life of someone who truly loved the Lord and the Zion Baptist Church family. Thank you for your endless support! To all the speakers and participants at his service, thank

you for honoring him and capturing his spirit with such heartfelt words. To friends and family that traveled from near and far, your presence meant a lot to me and my family. Please know that each of you were very dear and treasured by Richard. To the many that sent beautiful flower arrangements, thank you so much. All of the arrangements were lovely and very special. To the community at-large, no words could ever express our appreciation for the love and

support shown to us. We are deeply grateful. Richard established the Estes Funeral Home in 1962 and it continues to serve the community. We are committed to providing high ethical standards to families during a very difficult time. With your support, we will carry-on that tradition and continue to provide the service that Richard was so respected for creating. God has called Richard to rest, â&#x20AC;&#x153;well done, good and faithful servant.â&#x20AC;?

There is help for the parents of adult children Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Parenting adult children can be both challenging and rewarding at times. As a parent of 4 adult children, I have firsthand knowledge of the stages and challenges that parents progress through as your child moves into adulthood. This will only get more complicated as times goes on. All four of my children are parents as well so I must also wear the grandparent hat. Those of us who

are successful are able to move from parent, to life coach and mentor as the child moves from teenager to adult. This is true whether the child lives in or out of your house. Here are a few key tips to consider. First, recognize and respect your difference view of the world. Remember, your child comes though you, but they are not you. They have their own thoughts. Your child is not here to live your unfulfilled dreams. They have a view of the world that is all their own. Their style, likes, and dislikes are all unique to them. You will benefit them more by helping them to realize their own dreams and by helping them obtain the tools needed to bring their dreams into fruition. This is where your role as mentor comes

in. Allow them to learn how to respect the differences in others by the way they see you respect their differences. Secondly, share your wisdom and insight without being critical. Although your child is an adult, they can still benefit from you as a life coach. You have experiences that will help them down the road. The most successful parents are the ones who can give insight without being critical. When you criticize (critter-size) your adult child, you end up making them feel small. To prevent this from happening, make a conscious effort to keep their life goals in mind. Think about the role of a coach. They are on the sideline giving directions. They help the individual to see things that are not always apparent to those that

are in the game. As a coach, you have insight that will help them live a successful, productive life. If your wisdom and insight is focused on helping them to fulfill their purpose in life, they will readily accept it. Finally, give your adult child over to God. If you do the vital inner work necessary to spiritual and emotional parenting, then relinquishing your child over to the Lord, transitioning them into adulthood will be easier than you might expect. Once you place them in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands, you will no longer feel compelled to use them as a means of working through the unfinished business of your past or as the focus of your future desires. They will be free to realize Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans for their life. Plus, by placing them in the

Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands, you acknowledge that you are not able to be with them in all times in places, nor do you have the ability to understand or fulfill the desires of their heart. God is faithful, and he will not allow them to be tempted above that which they are able to bear, and with the temptation, he will make a way of escape for them (1 Corinthians 10:13). There is help for the parents of adult children. It is found in the word of God. Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. Now is the time for you to work on building or restoring your relationship with your adult children. As the parent, you should take the first step. Sit down with your child. If needed, admit your imperfections and commit them to a perfect God â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

who will guide, guard and govern your sons and daughters in ways you could never carry out on your own. I now meet regularly with my adult children and daily, I take them to the Lord in prayer. I get help and guidance from the Lord that as a coach and mentor, I pass on to them. I pray the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessing over you and all of your children. May they grow up and out of your house to live strong, productive lives! Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

Never give up on your dreams Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson Are you waiting on the right time to step into your greatness? Are you waiting until the

Links From 1 Minneapolis - St. Paul Chapter of The Links. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each of these five women really stood out to us. They have a legacy for doing the work not for recognition, but really because their hearts are in it. They have a record of building strong partnerships to

time is right for you to do what has been in your heart to do? Do you ever tell yourself that there are certain things that need to happen before your life will change for the better? Then welcome to the, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it can wait until laterâ&#x20AC;? club. Obviously, there is no such club. But if you asked around I am sure you could find more than one person that could belong in such a club. So letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a moment to think about this. When

you visualize your life being exactly how you want it to be, are you saying, you need to be a certain weight before I can achieve your greatness? Are you saying or thinking that you have to have a certain amount of money saved before you can start to work on your goals? If this is true, then you will never move forward and achieve your goals. You have to realize that you can achieve any goal as soon as you decide itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time

to do it. Achieving goals has nothing to do with your size or bank account. It has nothing to do with where you came from or your economic status. People have stepped into their greatness after starting from the very bottom. And when I say the bottom, I mean the bottom. Think about all of the things that you have achieved in your life right now. Think about all of the wonderful goals you set for yourself and have completed

at this point in your life. You should be amazed. If you can dream it, then you can have it. I have seen so many people in my life that started with nothing and now they have exactly what they said they would have. With hard work and perseverance all things are possible. The key is to never give up on your dreams and know that they can come true. Also, remember that nothing happens overnight. But just because it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen

take this work to the next level and we are really impressed by each one of them and thrilled to be able to honor them in this way.â&#x20AC;? Pierce-Sands, is the cofounder of TU Dance Company and TU Dance Center. PierceSands is internationally known for dance and worked with Minnesota Dance Theater and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre School.

Finney, the first AfricanAmerican to lead the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, co-founded the African-American Breast Cancer Foundation. As a breast cancer survivor she provides mentorship to African-American women about health issues impacting communities of color. Kebede is founder of Going Home, Inc. a cleaning company that provides employment to

immigrant mothers and those with little work experience. She is also co-founder of Flamingo Restaurant, which employs lowincome women and survivors of domestic abuse. Additionally, Kebede provides after school tutoring and mentoring programs, a sewing class, and networking groups that helps women with parenting, domestic abuse, and employment. Price tackled low graduation

rates and high rates of violence at North Community High

right away, is no reason to give up. Most of our goals are worth having; therefore they are worth waiting for. And as always remember, 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.

LINKS TURN TO 12

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insightnews.com

Insight News • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Page 11

BUSINESS West Broadway welcomes new Mr. BBQ Express Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Coalition Since opening on West Broadway in August, Mr. BBQ Express has experienced a warm welcome from the community. Area residents, as well as people passing through on their way to and from Robbinsdale, are filling the small restaurant daily, hungry for the St. Louis pork ribs, beef tips, fried chicken and all the classic side dishes one expects: macaroni and cheese, collard greens, rice and beans, mashed potatoes and more. “We’re very pleased with business and our clientele so far,” says manager Ted Wilebski. The restaurant’s early success can in part be credited to the carefully crafted recipes and the management’s experience in the business of barbecue. Mr. BBQ Express is a satellite of Mr. BBQ, a restaurant-bar-club famous for showcasing Twin Cities Blues musicians and old school R&B DJs on the weekends. When owner Mohamed Shambolia saw a market opportunity and first decided to open

From L to R: Ted Wilebski, manager, and Mohamed Shambolia, owner.

Photos: Shaina Brassard

Umm umm umm finger lickin’ good, ribs with classic side dishes one expects: greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and more. Mr. BBQ, he hired the most knowledgeable professional chefs around to create a menu and recipes that honor the Southern barbeque tradition. Mr. BBQ operated on Central Avenue in Columbia Heights for over five years, and is now located in Brooklyn Center. Mr. BBQ Express occupies the former Pizza Town space at 1600 West Broadway. The bright, renovated interior features prints depicting old fashioned Blues and barbecue parties and a painting by local artist Charles Caldwell. The restaurant’s primary business

is take out, but there are several tables and chairs, two flat screen televisions and free wifi available for those dining in. The friendly staff and extensive, reasonably-priced menu (which includes the metro area’s only one pound hot dog) are sure to keep customers coming back for more. Mr. BBQ Express 1600 West Broadway Ave Minneapolis (612) 588-4227

Get ready for the year end FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw Are you and the nonprofits you are involved with ready for the year end? Many nonprofits seek to raise a meaningful percentage of their funds during the last two months of the year. Planning usually begins in August, but it is not too late to make a plan and implement it. Here are our recommendations. Take time to consider what you know about your donors and their history with your nonprofit. Who has responded to direct mail appeals? Who gives because of an email or social media campaign? Who are friends of board members? Who regularly attends your special events? Knowing who your donors are can help you set an achievable year-end fundraising goal and develop strategies for different groups of donors. Move beyond a “one size fits all” direct mail or email appeal. Instead, determine how you want to engage each donor. Do you want to encourage those who attend special events to make a gift to your

annual fund? Are you looking to encourage online donors to increase their giving or make an additional gift? Do you want to encourage prior direct mail donors to give at a higher level? Do you want to reengage those who gave in 2011 but did not give in 2012? Your database can help you define your strategies. Consider running the following reports: first time donors; donors who gave multiple times during 2013; those who purchase event tickets but have not yet made a gift; those who give major gifts; those who have given for each of the past five years; those who give by email only; donors who responded to prior direct mail appeals. Review the reports. Identify those you want to communicate with via email or direct mail. Check to see which of your board members have relationships with your major donors: ask them to personally solicit those they know. Identify those special events supporters and develop a strategy to solicit a year end gift. Consider working with a consultant to find the right strategy. Think about what your nonprofit has accomplished over the past year and what you want to accomplish in 2014. Craft your message for each medium using emotion and facts. Share how past gifts have made an impact, and how a gift

today will increase or continue that impact. Ask for a specific amount. Email should be short, with links and images. Multipage direct mail letters are most effective. A Facebook campaign will be distinctly different, and hopefully viral.

Conversations that board members and volunteers have during personal meetings with major donors will be different still. One size does not fit all. Each year-end ask should be appropriate to the donor.

Take the time to figure out the right approach for each donor. Hone your message. Set a goal and track your activities and results.

Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” They position nonprofits for fundraising success. Visit them at www.saadandshaw.com.

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Page 12 • October 21 - October 27, 2013 • Insight News

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Celebrating Grandmother power

African Women’s Development Fund USA comes to Minnesota Today’s grandmothers are younger, healthier, better educated and better off than grandmothers have ever been. Across the country and the world, often unheralded women elders are charting a new future for their communities. Whether serving as activists, caregivers, philanthropists, community volunteers or in many other roles, grandmothers are a vital force. Women across the African Diaspora and throughout the world have launched a new international grandmother movement. The African Women’s

Health From 3 One of the reasons consumers are drawn to smoothies is because of the additional supplements that are used to “boost” the nutritional content. In actuality, the supplements often used in smoothies are genetically modified and contain lots of chemical fillers and other

Paola Gianturco Development Fund (AWDF) USA is bringing the movement to Minneapolis Saturday, Oct. 26 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the University of Minnesota’s Urban

synthetic ingredients. The actual nutrient being tooted, like vitamin C, is usually one of the last items on the ingredient list, and is generally of poor quality (meaning absorption rates and nutritional benefit are questionable). Your sudden surge of energy is more likely from the sugar than the booster nutrient! The best way to ensure a “booster” is indeed a healthy option is to make the retailer accountable for its ingredients. The ultimate scenario is that the retailer is using a smoothie booster made from highly

Research and Outreach Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. in Minneapolis. Renowned Author Paola Gianturco, will present her book “Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon.” Gianturco explains the “grandmother movement” in her book by pointing out women not only outnumber men worldwide, but grandmothers are outliving their male peers. According to a recent Pew Research Center report, 10 percent of American children live with a grandparent, usually a grandmother. Among racial and ethnic groups, Black children

are the most likely to be cared for primarily by a grandparent. In Africa most of the continent’s 11 million AIDS orphans live with their grandmothers. “Grandmother Power” (PowerHouse Books, 2012) is a tribute to the lives of grandmothers from five different continents, as well as the lives they support, the traditions they pass on to future generations and the changes they inspire in others to make the world better. According to the book, many African grandmothers have lost their children to HIV/AIDS and are often caring for a dozen or

more grandchildren. Canadian grandmothers have created a support network for African grandmothers learning about their cultures, the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS in their families and the type of grief and overwhelming responsibility that the grandmothers are living. AWDF USA executive director, Jackie Copeland Carson reminds us that Africa is the birthplace of all humanity. “(The) Our Mother Africa Campaign celebrates the contributions of women at all stages of life,” said Copeland Carson. “African grandmothers

stand in solidarity with all grandmothers who are building new futures for communities everywhere. Our grandmother power celebrations convene grandmothers and their allies of backgrounds for learning, networking and support of the grandmothers throughout Africa taking on the responsibility of raising the world’s largest population of AIDS orphans with very limited resources.” Tickets to the event are $30 and are tax deductible. Tickets are available online at www.grandmotherpowermn. eventbrite.com.

raw and organic whole foods in powder form, without any added chemicals. That way, the vitamins and minerals are all naturally occurring and easily absorbed in the body. Aloe Vera Juice. The famous burn remedy, appearing regularly as a miracle cure for a wide range of ailments. There is no scientific proof that swallowing it cures or treats anything. Not only that, some of the constituents may be carcinogenic and it could cause severe cramping, diarrhea and bleeding, in its form as a laxative.

Chromium Picolinate. This one is touted as a fat burning, muscle building substance, again with no scientific proof. It cannot increase lean muscle mass, only lifting weights can do that, and it has no curative effect on diabetes, as some claims assert. Acidophilus. This is a good source of beneficial intestinal bacteria, valuable for assisting digestion, but is also the active ingredient in yogurt, so if your smoothie is yogurt based you can skip this additive. Spirulina. Highly touted to do everything from cure acne

to impotence, “purify blood” and cures most diseases. It is of little proven benefit. It does have a few vitamins, but not as much, nor as valuable as most fruits. Chlorophyll, one of its main ingredients, is of benefit to plants, not humans. Ginkgo Biloba. Claims are it improves blood flow and circulatory disorders, prevents or cures absent-mindedness, memory loss, and dementia. Don’t I wish? Actual studies show it may have limited benefits for some Alzheimer’s patients, no proven benefit for others.

Ginseng. Another ingredient that’s been making miracle cure claims for ages. No evidence that it does anything. You may also see such enticing offerings as amino acids, echinacea, brewers’ yeast, wheat grass and who knows how many other worthless at best additives advertised. Don’t bother, you can spend a fortune on such expensive herbal and nutritional supplements in any health food store with equal questionable benefit. Enjoy A Smarter Smoothie!

we are passionate.” The Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of the Links is one of 276 chapters that consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Margot James Copeland, the Links, national president gave her stamp of approval to the Minnesota chapter. “This is a chapter of exceptional leaders – this is a chapter with a history of exceptionalism,” said James Copeland. For more information about the Minneapolis - St. Paul chapter of the Links, visit www. mpls-stpaullinks.org.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told a Cincinnati radio station on Wednesday. “We fought the good fight. We just didn’t win.” That doesn’t mean they won’t win the next fight. Although President Obama refused to be steamrolled by Tea Party antics, he has signaled a willingness to compromise with Republicans, even on issues dear to his Democratic base. “Keep in mind that the budget that we are going to pass under any deal is going to be the Republican budget. It will have cuts that are much more substantial than Democrats would prefer,” Obama said in an interview with WABC on Tuesday. “The Democrats have not asked for anything to reopen the government. The Democrats haven’t asked for anything for paying our bills on time.” And that’s part of the problem, according to some Democrats. “At no point have we said what our demands are. All you’ve heard was what their demands are,” Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) told Politico. “Maybe we should put down what our demands are of what we need and what we want because there’s things that are important and dear to us also, and then the negotiations start from there.”

INSIGHT Links 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 Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Alysha Price Photography Suluki Fardan Michele Spaise 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.

Lovin’ the Skin I’m In Hope and Healing Movement. Through

the movement’s curriculum, events and films, girls have

embraced themselves as their own personal standard of beauty. “I hope that people are inspired not only by what they see in our programming but really by these five women to say whatever your passion is go out and make it happen,” said Black. “Find partners, find supporters, find your girlfriends and make it happen. There is not a shortage of need in our community. As African-Americans I think we hear the challenges and disparities quite frequently. We know them, we live them and we see them. But the reality is a small group of people can make a difference. You can pull together and make that happen. And we are best serviced where

their agreement Wednesday afternoon on the Senate floor. “After weeks spent facing off across a partisan divide that often seemed too wide to cross, our country came to the brink of disaster,” Reid said. “What we’ve done is send a message to Americans…and in addition to that, to the citizens of every country in the world, that the United States lives up to its obligations.” Standing next to Reid in the Senate, McConnell indicated that the nation hasn’t seen the last of GOP efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. “Republicans remain determined to repeal this terrible law,” he said. “But for today – for today –the relief we hope is to reopen the government, avoid default and protect the historic cuts we have achieved under the Budget Control Act.” Although the Affordable Care Act was passed by the House and Senate, signed into law by President Obama, and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, House Republicans have made more than

40 attempts to repeal the landmark legislation – all without success. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found, “By a 22-point margin (53 percent to 31 percent), the public blames the Republican Party more for the shutdown than President Barack Obama – a wider margin of blame for the GOP than the party received during the last shutdown in 1995-96. “Just 24 percent of respondents have a favorable opinion about the GOP, and only 21 percent have a favorable view of the Tea Party, which are both at all-time lows in the history of poll.” Senators Reid and McConnell agreed as part of their deal to set up a budget conference committee assigned to put the country on a long-term path to fiscal stability. The panel will be chaired by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Budget Committee. The budget conference committee is scheduled to issue its report by Dec. 13, three weeks before the new debt ceiling limit is reached on Jan. 15. Because Republicans felt that Obama would blink during the latest budget showdown, they had no exit strategy in the event the president did not give in to their demands. That proved to be a costly miscalculation. What

the most rabid wing of the GOP did not realize was that Obama had already decided not to give in to their threats to shut down government if they did not get their way. According to the New York Times, “More than two years ago, President Obama was still in the thick of his previous showdown with Republican House leaders over the nation’s debt limit when he called five senior advisers into his office. He did not ask their advice, one said. Rather, he told them, in a way that brooked no discussion: From now on, no more negotiating over legislation so basic and essential to the economy, and the country. “’I’m not going through this again. It’s bad for democracy. It’s bad for the presidency,’” Mr. Obama said, according to the adviser, who declined to be identified describing internal discussions. The president then told the group – his Treasury secretary, chief Congressional lobbyist, chief economic adviser and both his and the vice president’s chiefs of staff – to spread that word, “‘even in your body language.’” In the end, Republicans got the message. “We’ve been locked in a fight over here, trying to bring government down to size, trying to do our best to stop Obamacare,”

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School through the Girls in Action program. The structured mentoring program helps girls envision a positive future and refocus on grades and graduation. Violence dropped at North by 75 percent since the inception of Girls in Action, and the program has extended to Detroit and Guatemala. Hickman restored selfesteem and confidence in hundreds of girls from diverse cultural backgrounds in the last eight years as founder of the

Congress From 1 “If we learn nothing else, I hope we learn we shouldn’t get behind a strategy that has no endgame.” The agreement lifts the $16.7 trillion debt limit, allowing the U.S. to pay its bills. Standard & Poor’s dropped the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+ after the 2011 debt ceiling crisis. Another credit rating agency, Fitch, said earlier in the week that it might follow suit if the U.S. defaulted on its obligations. A third credit rating agency, Moody’s, still has the U.S. rated AAA. The White House made a minor concession by agreeing to require verification of the income of those qualifying for health insurance subsidies. Despite their well-known animus for each other, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reached a last-minute deal Wednesday that ended impasse. They announced

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