Insight News ::: 11.2.09

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MINNEAPOLIS MN PERMIT NO. 32468

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

NOVEMBER 3RD

November 2 - November 8, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 44 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Fifth Ward Kenya McKnight

Natalie Johnson Lee

Lenny Chism

Troy Parker

Candidates in their own words

Chris Coleman

We endorse...

Insight News endorses the following candidates for office in Tuesdays General Election: 5th Ward Minneapolis 1st Choice – Kenya McKnight 2nd Choice – Natalie Johnson Lee 3rd Choice – Lenny Chism Kenya McKnight brings a refreshing sense of possibility, responsibility, and accountability to 5th Ward politics. She doesn’t bemoan the failures or lack of performance and lack of responsiveness of current and past officeholders, but rather advances a vision of inclusiveness that reveals a core belief that we can do better in and for 5th Ward. McKnight says her stepping forward to seek election to Minneapolis City Council representing 5th Ward is an audacious invitation to all residents, of all age groups, of all races, of all income levels, and of all religious and cultural affiliations to step forward with her, to create a North Minneapolis that genuinely celebrates and engages all the gifts that all residents bring to the fabric of civic and community life.

McKnight embodies philosophy in action. She calls for improving public safety, fighting crime and reducing violence in the home and among youth by promoting proper, effective police work combined

with proper effective parenting and citizenship. She challenges Black men in particular to live up to their duty to provide safety and security for their households, families and neighborhoods.

McKnight acknowledges that many good programs exist to abate to devastation of the current mortgage crisis, but some programs have the bar set to high for many people who are in need of loan restructuring or mortgage assistance. And she says despite the staggering statistics placing 5th Ward poverty at about 60% of households, our community has wealth that is significant and that can be built upon and leveraged in ways to help residents who live here now improve their quality of life and grow assets and equity. She says that will come from aggressive jobs and training initiatives, and targeted support that helps existing business grow and prosper to create more jobs, as well as through inviting new companies to locate or expand in the 5th Ward.

Natalie Johnson Lee offers passionate and credible defense of her record as a leader and politician. The former 5th Ward City Council Member points to critical leadership roles she played in Northside and Downtown business developments and emphasizes the need for integrity and

PAGE 5

courage as key characteristics essential for serving North Minneapolis in a volatile, often hostile political environment.

Johnson Lee has demonstrated the ability to stand up to bullying from moneyed interests, from unions, and from the Police Federation. To her credit, she walked away from major union endorsements and funding when she refused to buckle to union demands that there be no mention of minority hiring and contracting goals in the building of the downtown stadium. When she stood her ground, speaking truth to power, the union withdrew support from her and supported Don Samuels instead. Johnson Lee represents the noble legacy of being “Unbossed and Un-bought.”

Lenny Chism has brought fearless firepower and excitement to the 5th Ward contest. Chism says his strategy is to reveal the truth about a track record of failed leadership for North Minneapolis that goes back to former Mayor Don Fraser through the current mayor, and failed leadership of the 5th Ward Council Members who served alongside them.

Chism decries a policy of neglect and impotence that has allowed prime land to languish vacant and unproductive for over 30 years. The corners of Plymouth & Penn, Penn& Glenwood, Penn

& Golden Valley and the Plymouth and West Broadway commercial corridors have suffered from policy that values destroying over rehabbing, renovating, restoring and reusing. Chism is calling for 5th Ward to re-awaken its own development muscles, reenergize its can-do spirit, and reestablish the pride that characterized the neighborhood when Jewish and other immigrant residents dropped anchor and opened North Minneapolis for business.

4th Ward Troy Parker Troy Parker is the candidate of change for 4th Ward. The changing demographics of the far Northside mean the 4th Ward is the most likely ward to bring the next African American to a seat on Minneapolis City Council. With a background in labor and with his work in the DFL Party, Parker has invigorated political environment in the 4th Ward by standing up for the unemployed and underemployed, for the people most often redlined by banks and mortgage lenders, and home and auto insurers, and for the people bearing the brunt of disparities in health and education. He will demand and deliver a fair shake and a fare share for the residents of North

Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Park Board Mary Merrill Anderson We endorse Mary Merrill Anderson, a leader and visionary with clear knowledge and experience to serve the interests of the residents of Minneapolis.

Merrill-Anderson build an impeccable record of service to the Minneapolis Parks, and manager and ultimately at the Executive Director of the District. When she retired, she maintained her responsibility to the work and community she cherished by seeking and winning election to the Park Board.

Merrill Anderson represents the best in servant leadership and remains an asset to the Minneapolis Park Board and to the residents of our city.

Voters would do well to re-elect Mary Merrill Anderson to Minneapolis Park Board.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman Insight endorses incumbent mayor Chris Coleman for mayor of St. Paul. Mayor Coleman is on the right track in restructuring and retooling city departments to ensure effective management of dwindling resources due to state and national economic woes.

Like Barack Obama, Coleman’s mantra could be: Never

ENDORSE TURN TO

4

Five questions to ask at the prescription counter

PAGE 6

Older drivers: AARP offers driving tips for night driving

PAGE

7

Ellison announces special payments for service members Washington, D.C. – US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minneapolis) announced that special payments are now available to over 185,000 service members who have had their enlistments involuntarily extended since September 11, 2001, providing $500 for every month they were held under stop-loss orders.

Congress established this payment in the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted this summer.

“Our veterans served America with honor and they deserve the best our government can possibly offer” Ellison stated. “This $500 per month payment will help these service members who have literally served above and beyond the call of duty. This special payment is in recognition of the hardship placed on these troops and their families by being forced to remain on active duty longer than planned.”

The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is available to service members who had their

Office Etiquette Nghi Huynh

Susan Feuerherm

so you can get ahead on the job

Angela Burkhalter

Multicultural media forum urges strong ties between city departments and community development and business associations Part 3 of 3

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) enlistment extended or retirement suspended due to Stop Loss between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009.

Service members from every branch of the military will

PAYMENTS TURN TO

2

Nghi Huynh, president of the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium and publisher of Asian American Press asked about strategies that ensure economic and business participation equity for communities of color. He asked for assurances for minority participation in light rail business opportunity and asked why the city was not more aggressive in seeking stimulus funding. “The city of St. Paul

did not respond to Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium efforts to respond to the federal broadband stimulus spending proposal requests,” he said.

Consequently, he said, the Consortium partnered with the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis city agencies.

Susan Feuerherm, acting purchasing manager, (HREEO), said St. Paul is looking to be involved in broadband stimulus spending initiatives. “And we have received other stimulus funds this week,” she said.

“In addition, we put out a request for proposals for a $146

million project with 15% goals for women, minority and disadvantaged businesses participation and employment.

The project is being run by the Regional Rail Authority, but being put out to bid by our office,” she said.

Readus Fletcher, Deputy Director, Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO), and who heads St. Paul’s Minority Business Development and Retention initiative, said the $1 billion light rail project is actually

BUSINESS TURN TO

3

PAGE

9

Iron Mike Tyson, a study in heart, talent, & education

PAGE 11

Page 2 • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Insight News

http://insightnews.com

Payments

for assistance in filing their claim.

From 1

Army: https://www.stoplosspay.army.m il

receive compensation.

Service members may begin submitting their claim for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay immediately.

All applications must be submitted to the respective services no later than Oct. 21, 2010. Service members must provide documented proof they were Stop Lossed with their claim.

Family members of deceased service members should contact the appropriate military service

Navy: send email to NXAG_N132C@navy.mil

–

Marine Corps: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil /stoploss Air Force: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ stoploss This payment builds on a significant record of accomplishment for veterans and

troops over the last two and a half years under the New Direction Congress – including the New GI Bill, progress in improving veterans’ hospitals and facilities, expanding economic opportunities for returning soldiers and improving care for those with PTSD. “This Congress made a promise to leave no veteran behind, and we are continuously working to fulfill that promise,” said Ellison. “These veterans have already served with distinction. Now, it’s our turn to honor them for going the extra mile.”

http://insightnews.com

Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Page 3

Business From 1 being built by the Metropolitan Council and the Federal Transit Authority.

“They let the contracts and they set their goals. We work with them to set high goals for employment, apprenticeships, and training,” he said.

“However, the city has put up money for a specific station and does control that project.

The $12,000,000 of city money behind that station shows our belief that this is a huge benefit to the community,” Fletcher said.

Angela Burkhalter, Public Information Officer - project manager, Minority Business Development and Retention (MBDR) (HREEO), introduced the final panel that included second ward city Councilman Dave Thune and bank executive John Kimball.

She said, “Thune has a vision for small businesses and for neighborhoods. It’s not top down, but is about CDCs and associations letting the city know how we can be better partners as we go forward.”

“My solution is to leave everything up to the neighborhoods,” Thune said.

“That is where the opportunity is. That is where the jobs are.

Neighborhoods are local. Small banks and branch banks are local. CDC’s and neighborhood associations are local.”

That notwithstanding, he said, “This is a bad time to start a new business. It is extremely risky. But that is why partners like REDA and the CDCs are so important. But this is also a region where entrepreneurism is strong.”

Thune said St. Paul has the largest health care market in the upper Midwest and he said environment oriented business markets are growing. He said education represents a growth market for new businesses. St. Paul is second only to Boston in the number of schools per capita, he said.

While government cannot be the “be all and end all” for small business, he said, “we need to demand responsible partnerships.

And when partnerships and projects that we set up don’t go exactly the

Dave Thune

John Kimball

way we want, we shouldn’t throw everything out and just walk away, despite the good work that has been done.”

Thune even faulted his own DFL colleagues for throwing ACORN “under the bus” when scamming problems surfaced in one of ACORN’s operations.

“Don’t let politicians get away with that,” he said.

Thune said St. Paul is right to be welcoming and non punitive to immigrant populations. He said the city doesn’t require proof of citizenship when providing services or employment. He said immigrant workers add to the vitality of the city and mean growth for businesses.

Thune encouraged small businesses to embrace and partner with the union movement.

“Unions are partners. Unions are not scary,” he said.

John Kimball, senior vice president and manager, SBA Lending, at Park Midway Bank said his bank’s mission is to be a leader in improving the community, particularly, low and moderate income communities.” Part of the Sunrise Financial Services System, the bank specializes in socially responsible deposits and lending. Customers can specify that they want all their deposits to be used exclusively for lending in their own community, he said.

“Your money has the double bottom line of aiding the community,” Kimball said.

Park Midway Bank was one of the leading SBA lenders in the state, Kimball said. “We used the New Market Tax Credit Program and we have used federal stimulus funds to increase the amount of guarantee assistance for loans

without increasing fees to the user. Our lending has increased over the past year, which is significant considering the difficult environment where banks have become more restrictive in their lending.

Partnerships do work and will continue to be important in the future,” he said.

Tom Gitaa, publisher of Mshale, asked Thune and Kimball what the city and industry could do to make sure more residents of immigrant and communities of color were aware of the resources and opportunities that exist in the community and in doing business with the city.

“A lot of people look to the government as a regulator. But we are learning tonight that government also represents a great business opportunity.

Many of us are not aware of that. How can we create more awareness and get better at getting this information out so people can engage? “Gitaa asked, “How can we build and increase the public-private partnerships?”

Kimball said the banks can help customers connect with information because “information is absolutely critical element of success. But we are a bank for profit. Our mission is banking, not information.”

Thune credited Mayor Chris Coleman with turning the corner for St. Paul neighborhoods and small businesses. “The city had failed to communicate in the past, but Chris is changing that and working harder and harder to connect with the least amount of bureaucracy. Yes, there are fewer dollars. But we can be good matchmakers connecting businesses to opportunity.

Page 4 • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Insight News

http://insightnews.com

What parents need to know if a child is under arrest or investigation

By Clayton Tyler Guest Contributing Writer As a parent, you want to do what is best for your child or children. You want to protect them, believe the best of them, and create a future for them that is better than your own. That is all part of trying to be a good parent, and if your son or daughter is involved in a conflict with the law the best way you can do that is by turning the case over to a legal professional.

Attempting to handle a juvenile arrest without the advice of a trained attorney experienced in juvenile criminal defense can do more harm than good. For example, even if

your child was present, but not directly involved while a crime was being committed, he or she can potentially be charged with aiding and abetting, and potentially face serious and lasting criminal penalties. If your child admits to being present for the crime, even while trying to point out that he or she didn’t take part, your child may actually be confessing to aiding and abetting. Similarly, any information you give the police about your child can be used to build a case against your child, even if your intent was to defend him or her.

Police know how to interrogate and ask the right questions to get you or your child to make incriminating statements. This is why it is so

important to work with a lawyer as quickly as possible, and to make sure that an attorney is present during any questioning. A polite but strong statement that you and your child have nothing to say until a lawyer is present can make all the difference in your child’s case.

At the Law Office of F. Clayton Tyler P.A., I provide straight talk and honest answers. I have seen time and again how a well-intentioned parent accidently makes a bad situation worse by trying to fix things on his or her own. Whether you believe your son or daughter has done something wrong or not, the first thing you should do when your child is arrested is talk to a lawyer – before telling your child to talk to the

police.

The juvenile justice system gives a trained attorney broad opportunities to find solutions that will protect your child and potentially avoid harsh penalties.

However, involvement in the juvenile justice system can have significant and lasting penalties.

Many parents wrongly believe that a juvenile conviction is essentially wiped away when the child turns 18.

The reality is that a juvenile criminal conviction can have permanent consequences.

It can affect your child’s ability to get an education, to get a job, to get a loan, or to get a home. It can be a factor in any future arrest, and seriously affect how law

enforcement and prosecutors deal with your child. When your child is involved with law enforcement, the decisions you make now can have an impact that lasts decades.

Don’t underestimate the damage that can be done if a juvenile is adjudicated as a delinquent. That record can be used against a person throughout his or her adult life and can be an aggravating factor if he or she is later charged with or investigated for a serious crime.

Visit my website at www.fctyler.com for more information on my criminal and juvenile defense practice, or call my office today at 612-333-7309 to schedule a free initial

Clayton Tyler consultation and case review to discuss your specific case.

Can children get Congress to protect their health?

By Marian Wright Edelman Contributing Writer (NNPA) - In 1931, Grace Abbott, the Chief of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, gave a speech about her long and frustrating workdays in our nation’s capital trying to advocate for children’s needs. She said she felt all alone standing with her baby carriage on the sidewalk watching a great traffic jam moving toward the Capitol where Congress sits.

She saw all kinds of vehicles including the tanks and trucks the Army put into the street; “the handsome limousines in which the Department of Commerce rides…the barouches in which the Department of State rides with such dignity…[and] the noisy patrols in which the Department of Justice officials sometimes appear.” And so she stood on the

Endorse From 1 waste a good crisis…. To his credit, this mayor is confronting economic crisis and challenge with confidence building, results producing gusto, not the handwringing shrinking from responsibility that too often throws the most vulnerable, least

sidewalk watching, “because the responsibility is mine and I must, I take a very firm hold on the handles of the baby carriage and I wheel it into the traffic.”

And so must we parents and grandparents and child care providers and educators grab the handles of our baby strollers and the hand of our children and walk into the traffic headed for Congress. We must make them hear and respond to the urgent, but still too ignored, needs of our 8.1 million uninsured children. We must break through the political den of powerful special interests like the insurance and drug companies with their fleet of well paid lobbyists.

On Wednesday, November 4th, the Children’s Defense Fund is organizing a Champions for Children’s Health Stroller Brigade in the nation’s Capitol to send an urgent and clear message to our political leaders that real health

reform for children must be enacted this year. Children’s unmet health needs have been lost in the debate’s “big” issues. Unless we act now, millions of children could be worse, rather than better off, as a result of pending health reform legislation.

D.C.’s stroller brigade will extend to Congressional districts across the country on November 6th through 8th where concerned parents, grandparents, faith, and community leaders will tell members of Congress back home to stand up and invest in an affordable, accessible, and comprehensive child health system. So far, stroller brigades are being planned for Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, and Texas.

It is morally and economically indefensible for millions of American children to be denied

critically needed health reform in the richest nation on earth claiming it lacks the money to protect its children.

We need to end the bureaucratic barriers that keep two out of three of the more than eight million uninsured children who are already eligible for either CHIP or Medicaid from actually getting the care they need. A simple, seamless enrollment process like older Americans have for Medicare would ensure our children are cared for and covered. We need to guarantee every child access to the full range of preventive and other health care services they need and that we now provide to all children in Medicaid but not to all children in CHIP or in the proposed Exchange. A child covered by CHIP has the same value as a child covered by Medicaid and all deserve comprehensive care regardless of the program they are in. And we need to provide an

protected, under the economic bus. Instead, Chris Coleman is wringing opportunity and the potential for growth out of a dour situation. In doing so, Chris Coleman is making St. Paul well positioned the imminent upturn and economic recovery. St. Paul voters are supporting a successful, improved St. Paul when they vote to keep Chris Coleman as mayor.

St. Paul School Board Vallay Varro Vallay Varro gets Insight News’ endorsement for St. Paul School Board. A University of Minnesota graduate with a Master’s degree in Education and a teacher in University of Saint Catherine’s pre-K education center, Varro has been a program manager for the Minnesota Literacy Council, and formerly directed the statewide

AmeriCorps Minnesota Reading Corps Program. Varro calls for additional resources to enable the district to start early and stay focused on providing excellent learning opportunities for all students. She proposes increased community involvement as a key to a successful school district.

affordable national health safety net for children whose families make up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($66,000 for a family of four) and eliminate the unjust lottery of geography.

Whether a child’s family can afford coverage should not depend on where they live. New York covers children up to 400 percent; North Dakota only to 160 percent; and Massachusetts and twenty-one other states, plus the District of Columbia are already at 300 percent. A child in North Dakota is no less valuable than a child in New York or Massachusetts.

The lives and health of millions of children depend on health reform this year. They will not get what they need unless you speak up and demand it. Children have no other voice but yours.

Lift it high and loud. Grab your strollers, your scooter, or your walking shoes, and join our children’s brigades on November

4th in Washington, D.C. and in other states across the country November 6-8th. In America, every child should have the health care they need – now. They have only one childhood. Together we can make it happen. To learn how to join a stroller brigade, create your own, or take action in other ways with simple steps, visit www.childrensdefense.org/stroller brigade.

Mary Merrill Anderson

Vallay Varro

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

http://insightnews.com

Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Page 5

Fifth Ward candidates, in their own words of the 5th ward along West Broadway, Glenwood avenues, Plymouth Ave, Penn Ave, or Golden Valley Road. No political will for small business development evidenced by the city’s razing of Uncle Bill’s convenience store, The big stop, the recent raids of business on West Broadway due to a rumor of missing cell phones from Target. Business owners were put in jail for up to 36-hours with no cell phones found and no charges filed.

The West Broadway projects bragged as one of his accomplishment are the results of lobbying by former city councilperson Jackie

Cherryhomes for her clients.

These are sweetheart deals at excessive cost above typical projects this size and nature.

Don Samuels participates in corruption of city hall. A recent lawsuit, Hoyt v. City of Minneapolis, revealed the city council was in violation of the city statues, Minnesota laws and the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The city council was found to be “closed minded”, “violating due process”, “and practicing an unwritten policy of king of my ward. The case may cost the city over $26 million dollars of tax payer money. The FBI is seeking

obstruction of justice charges against city council members for failing to turn over documents.

Don Samuels is anti-jobs as evidenced by the recent $1.7 million in demolition contracts awarded by the city to remove properties from the 5th ward with all the affirmative action requirements by city and federal laws stripped. This is an excellent example for the use of residents in our community, job and business development.

The lack of a job opportunity is known to encourage crime.

For most of us who cannot send our children to private schools, the incumbent Don

Samuels has stated he would never see his kids in a public school.

He is anti-public education. He has a far right wing position in opposition of public education. What would most of us do without public schools?

Regarding his recent statement that the 5th ward needs an exorcism; we all know who he wants to remove. Black People. The only thing we need to exercise from our community is Don Samuels Vote for Lennie Chism as your first choice.

The leadership the community needs for a better community. Lennie Chism.

and observing as a resident of the Fifth Ward for four years I decided that the Ward would be better served by my leadership.

The doors to city hall seem to require a private invitation for participation.

Opportunities remain virtually nonexistent for people who actually live North Minneapolis. We can no longer build the Fifth Ward from the outside in.

Through partnerships we can shine as a beacon of hope. Together, we can mount an effort to build upon our successes. Access to opportunity and equitable resource distribution will be important in this effort.

If elected, I pledge to: • Protect home ownership investments, property values and the rights of renters.

• Assist entrepreneurs and existing businesses by providing the capital necessary for expansion and job creation.

• Work with the Minneapolis Public School Board to develop a city-wide plan to prioritize youth leadership, strong parenting and educational opportunities.

• Facilitate first-class educational opportunities to all residents of the Fifth Ward who desire to improve their lives and secure a brighter future.

• Maintain autonomy of

Minneapolis Park Board and work collectively with the Board to preserve and strengthen our parks, lakes and wetlands.

We must ensure that federal stimulus monies be used to reinvigorate the economy in North Minneapolis. However, our dreams for a better future must extend beyond federal assistance as we seek to transform North Minneapolis into a viable economic engine that lifts all boats and transcends all tides.

As regional transportation is set, we must be vigilant in working with the Metropolitan Council to ensure that LRT

implementation adds to the value the 5th ward and its residents.

As I have traveled the Fifth Ward knocking on doors and visiting with residents, I am excited about the serious resolve of the residents who are committed to realizing the full potential of the Fifth Ward.

When voting on Tuesday, November 3, we can send a strong message that we will not view each other by socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race or religion, but rather begin to view each other as neighbor, friend and fellow human being.

It is time to tap the vast pool of

talent that exists in North Minneapolis.

I ask for your vote November 3 as your first choice and pledge that if elected, I will work continuously at being a bridge-builder and community healer.

Most importantly, if elected, I will harness all of my experience and knowledge to be an effective voice at the table of ideas and innovation at City Hall . . . working tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the 5th Ward.

• I will encourage the youth of the community and those seeking to enter the workforce and higher education; • I will pay attention to the needs of the elderly; • I will create collaborative responses to the housing and financial debacle in ways that ensure all elements of the community benefit from and participate in turnaround strategies as they flow from the federal to the local and neighborhood level.

change. These are not new problems, yet we must seek a new way to address these problems for the sake of our community health and our future. It has always been the community’s responsibility to govern itself and it’s time for us to get back to the basics. That is the change our community seeks and expects.

My goal is to help develop a political agenda to address issues proactively such as concerning ourselves with. 2010 Census study which will help leverage dollars for our community and making sure redistricting does not disenfranchise the 5th Ward again.

Creating a healthier public safety system by choosing a good chief who understands citizen engagement and the necessity of police and community working together.

Preserving our fire and safety department because they are our first line of safety. Investing time & effort into building our youths capacity to be productive citizens.

Fighting for expanded use of recidivism funding for educational support to our public and charter schools.

To elect me is to elect a new clean slate for the 5th Ward with doors open to everyone who has a vested interest in supporting the 5th Ward. Putting community first.

Minnesota in 1988 to work for Cargill. I created the economic publication Black Pages in 1990. I was the difference then and now.

I am running for the 5th Ward City Council because I strongly disagree and I am opposed to Don Samuels anti positions on the following issues, small business, public schools, people of color, gay rights, affirmative action and economic development.

By Lennie Chism I am a graduate of The Ohio State University. I moved to

By Natalie Johnson Lee After serving as a Councilmember for four years

By Kenya McKnight I have lived in North Minneapolis for the past 23 of my 32 years and have seen some very destructive disheartening political behavior and narrow approaches to addressing our challenges and increased division in recent years that has torn the fiber of this community into pieces. This momentum must change now.

• I will champion legacy leadership initiatives, • I will fight for full and expanded funding for deserving and accountable work and services; • I will promote entrepreneurship and business development; advocate increase service and opportunity for children and families,

By Don Samuels

By Roger Smithrud The undertone of corruption, backroom deals, lack of transparency and the take care your friends attitude is hurting our city and our ward. The “my way or the highway” attitude, the perceived attack on landlords with multiple properties by inspections using techniques like inspecting all of their properties at the same does not build confidence that inspections are not being used for political ends.

We have many intelligent, caring City of Minneapolis employees that wish to see the city inspectors be one of the prime examples how good

HE MUST GO!!!!

The incumbent has done nothing to encourage development of the vacant lots

My leadership sends a signal to Minneapolis City Council and to city government that policies and practices that marginalize or ignore our voices and our interests can no longer prevail. From this day on our community will work within a Social Entrepreneurship Model that increases social responsibility, social accountability and self sufficiency amongst the residents, returning the governance of community life back to the people with support from the government as opposed to a government operated community.

We will be strategic and intentional about the direction of our future. It’s not about looking backwards, it’s about moving forward. We know what our challenges are, we know what has not worked and what needs to It’s only a few days till the November 3 election. I thank you for your kindness as my campaigners and I have knocked on your doors, called your phones, and asked for your support. We’ve exchanged ideas and dreamed big dreams. We’ve remembered the history of our community and debated about its future.

I love representing the Fifth Ward on the Minneapolis City Council. I am proud of the strides we have made, even during the worst recession since the Great

Depression. With sure steps, we will rebuild our community, creating a home for people of all cultures and races, for families of all shapes and sizes.

I humbly ask for your vote on November 3 to allow me to serve you for another term.

I’d be proud to continue our work to revitalize our community — together!

communications —clear and precise to orders— can reduce generalization and increase understanding so that residents and landlords, commercial properties and small business owners can have respect for the city inspectors.

I would like to see Minneapolis increase its efforts to inform the public about spending that increases sales tax income for the city, and reduces property taxes without jeopardizing police and fire and inspections services.

We need more small business. North Minneapolis is a multicultural neighborhood that could have mini-malls in smallor medium-size buildings holding multiple small or startup businesses at low operating costs. We need more sit down restaurants, community meeting places that can hold 200 or 300 people, and more banquet halls. The only restrictions should be based on communication from the communities and what they say they want.

I’m looking for a renewed Minneapolis City Council. We need to look at new directions.

We need to not be looking at

corporate, but smaller businesses, and budget for partnerships and developments within our communities that recycle the money that comes into the city.

We need jobs within the Minneapolis community especially for the North side.

We need to look for ways to reduce police violence. We need to reduce the need for lawsuits against the city and the City Council. We need to increase the respectability of the employees and remind them that theirs is a public service job and the true employer is the public. We need to remind the mayor, senators, and state representatives that they are our employees.

I would highly appreciate being your first vote on this new ranked choice voting, if not your second or third. I’ve done my best to live my life with pride in the work I do. I try to be honest and honestly wish it also to be known that my union, Teamsters Local 120, told me they are mailing a donation to my campaign.

Page 6 • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Insight News

http://insightnews.com

HEALTH Five questions to ask at the prescription counter For many of us, the trip to the pharmacy is a quick one. You probably run up to the counter or use the drive-through, pay your pharmacist, and rightfully assume that you are leaving with the medication your doctor prescribed for you. It’s the same situation with mail-order prescriptions; you presume the drugs in your mailbox were filled according to your doctor’s script.

But, according to Dr. Mark Alberts of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, patients in Illinois are taking a closer look at the fine print on their prescription labels and realizing a much different story.

According to recent news reports, it has become quite common for pharmacists to

switch patients’ prescriptions to generic or less expensive brandname drugs. A number of factors may influence these decisions.

“While saving a few dollars on medications certainly sounds appealing during these tough economic times, cutting costs should never be at the expense of your health,” notes Alberts.

“Shop around for the cheapest gas to put in your car - don’t put a different drug in your body to save money.”

According to Dr. Alberts, there are five critical questions that you and your family should keep in mind each time you visit the pharmacy counter: Is this the exact drug that my doctor prescribed?

This may sound like a given, but

unless your physician specifically checks “dispense as written” on your prescription script, a pharmacist may change your prescription without knowing your full medical background as your physician does.

Why are you switching my prescription?

It’s probably to keep costs down for the pharmacy. You may be pleased to learn you’re also saving money, but it’s often the pharmacy that reaps the real reward of the switch. For example, last month Walgreens agreed to pay $35 million to 42 states, including Illinois, to settle allegations that it unlawfully switched medications from tablet form to capsules to receive more money from Medicaid

reimbursements. As taxpayers, this deceptive switch affected us all.

Will this switch impact my health?

Keep in mind that not all medications are created equal.

Many people think generics always perform the same as a brand-name equivalent, but that is a common misconception. While the active ingredients may be the same, it’s the inactive components of a drug that can potentially cause adverse reactions. Additionally, certain brand-name drugs don’t have a generic equivalent, so a switch means you are getting a different medication.

Have you notified my doctor of

this switch?

It’s all too common for a patient to be switched to a different medication without the knowledge of his or her doctor.

The physician often doesn’t find out until the patient requests another appointment because they are still sick or, in some cases, their condition has worsened.

Always consult with your doctor before a switch. After all, nobody knows what’s in a patient’s best medical interest better than his or her own physician.

Is this the same dosage as my previous prescription?

New medicines may be only be available in a higher or lower dose, and can be metabolized at a different rate than the previously prescribed medicine. This can

greatbritishmeds.co.uk

lead to confusion and nonadherence, which can affect both the safety and effectiveness of the medicine.

http://insightnews.com

Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Page 7

Older drivers: AARP offers driving tips for night

By George Rowan NNPA (NNPA) - The end of Daylight Savings time on November 1, 2009 doesn’t just mean you’re getting an extra hour of sleep.

Setting clocks back one hour also means an extra hour of night driving, which can be problematic for everyone, particularly older drivers.

Even on familiar roads, motorists should use caution and watch for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who will be less visible, especially during the first week of the time change. AARP urges all drivers to consider the link between night visibility and safe driving. If you have trouble

seeing well at night, get your vision checked and consider taking a driver safety course to learn more about how to compensate in dark conditions.

To focus attention on roadway safety, AARP is proclaiming this November Driver Safety Month.

Since folks will be driving more at night, AARP offers the following tips: • See and be seen. Get your headlights checked, and turn them on one hour before sunset and keep them on one hour after sunrise to ensure maximum visibility.

• Stay alert on the road. With reduced visibility, it’s important to reduce your speed, be extra alert, and maintain a three-second

following distance.

• Recognize and prevent drowsiness. The change in time can throw off our internal clock and may cause drowsiness so run errands in the morning when you are fresher and more alert.

• Avoid sun glare. You may need to adjust to early morning or late afternoon sun glare that can cause reflections off car windows and hoods and decrease your visibility.

Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants nationwide seeking to refresh their driving skills. The no-test course updates

drivers’ knowledge about relevant laws and offers strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect driving ability.

The course also includes a section on assessing driving abilities, and since November is also National Caregiver Month, now may be a good time to have a “family conversation” about driving to help ensure your loved one stays safe on the road.

Depending on insurance providers and state regulations, graduates of the AARP Driver Safety Program courses – both classroom and online – may be eligible to receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums.

All participants should check with their provider for further details.

brucefong.files.wordpress.com

For information on local courses, please call 1-888-227-7669 or visit us at www.aarp.org/drive.

For more information about AARP’s online course, please visit

w w w. a a r p . o rg / d r i v e / o n l i n e .

George Rowan is a member of the AARP board of directors.

Page 8 • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Insight News

http://insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE Learn a new language helps us appreciate the beauty of our diverse world Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey When my oldest daughter was just three-years-old, I signed her up to attend a Spanish Immersion preschool twice a week. At the time we were living in Chicago, and it

seemed that similar language schools were popping up everywhere for children of all ages. Having curiosity, but very little understanding of the immersion concept, I was both uneasy and excited the first time I walked into the classroom and observed the instructor speaking only Spanish to the children. As a matter of fact, I later learned that the instructor did not even speak English! The method of instruction was to naturally introduce the language to the children through games and

Presenting...

Marvelous Mondays at BROOKSIDE BARBERSHOP

Starring

“Barber Extraordinaire”

DARIUS KNIGHT CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT (APPOINTMENT ONLY)

SHOP: (952) 929-3998 CELL: (612) 414 - 9696

6102 Excelsior Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Check out travellingbarber.com for deals and updates

songs taught by a Spanish native. The experts say that the younger a child is, the easier it is for the brain to grasp new languages.

My excitement was shortlived because soon after starting the program, my husband took another job that moved us from Chicago to Wisconsin (there were no language programs near our new place). Now let’s fast forward to present. Although it has been ten years (and four job changes, and two more babies) since I first attempted to “grow” a bilingual child, I am ready to give it another try.

Another motivating factor is that our family is going to Germany this summer and we want to be able to at least communicate the two most important questions; where’s

the best place to eat and where’s the bathroom? Here are a few budget-friendly options I discovered to help our family of five to go from unilingual to bilingual.

Check them out…pronto (fast in Spanish)!

Your local library (Oh how I love the library!)

Over the years, I have borrowed various language instruction books, tapes, and CDs from the library for our family. Some have been helpful, and others not so much. The wonderful thing about the library is that they get new material on a regular basis.

Check with a friendly librarian at the information desk and they can usually help you find the most current material. Note: After you have been helped, remember to say “danke”

(thank you in German).

Live mocha Do you want to learn a language online for free? Then try www.livemocha.com. You will learn a foreign language, spoken by a native speaker, and then you get to give instructions to an individual desiring to learn English. That sounds like a good barter system to me!

BYKI Another recommended site is www.byki.com. They also offer free basic language learning options, and deluxe programs you can purchase that start at about $50. If you are on the go, consider placing your lessons on your mp3 player and listening while you exercise.

Check it out and you could be speaking a new language before you know it!

Rosetta Stone The price of the Rosetta Stone w w w. r o s e t t a s t o n e . c o m language program is a whopping $539, but it is still cheaper than paying for private lessons for several months.

With a near-perfect customer satisfaction rating and a host of awards of excellence, this

http://pad2.wikihow.com/images

would be a worthwhile investment if you have the extra cash. I would recommend this investment if you seriously want to learn the language for longer term use (versus a short vacation). It’s also a great option for those who need to brush up on foreign language skills that have become rusty.

Better yet, if you just want a short-term commitment, then “rent” the program. This will give you unlimited online access for a six-month or one–year period at the rate of $200 and $300, respectively.

Over twenty years ago, I took my first Spanish class in high school and I regret not continuing in college. I want to help my children see the value of learning a second language, and appreciate the beauty of the diverse world of people among which we live. While your budget might not allow you to have private lessons if you really want to learn a language, review some of the above options and see which works best for you. Ciao (bye in Italian) and Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at low costs. A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Elliot Stewart-Franzen Web Design & Content Associate Ben Williams Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Brenda Colston Julie Desmond Marcia Humphrey Mehgaan Jones Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Brandi D. Phillips Ryan T. Scott Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. MinneAPOlis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC) Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI) National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis,

http://insightnews.com

Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Page 9

Office etiquette is important Plan your career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Contract employees who move frequently between companies tell me the rules are the same wherever you work. Know your Office Etiquette so you can get ahead on the job.

If it’s on my desk, it’s mine.

If I want it, it’s mine.

If I need it, it’s mine.

If I used to have one just like it, it’s mine.

If I break it, it’s yours.

If it’s in the break room and unlabeled, it’s mine.

If it’s in the break room and I don’t see your name on it, it’s mine.

If I run late, it is unavoidable.

If you run late, it is unforgiveable.

If I can hear you over the walls of your cube, you are too loud.

If you talk to me over the walls of

businesswithgermans.com

your cube, I can’t hear you.

If you have two ears and one mouth, listen more, speak less.

If it’s Monday, ask me about my weekend.

If it’s Friday, ask me about my weekend.

If I don’t ask about your weekend, it does not mean I don’t like you.

Probably.

And as long as we have to work together, have my back. I’ll have yours, too. Probably.

Julie Desmond is Director of Career Planning Resources with Help Wanted! Workshop. Send career planning questions to julie@insightnews.com.

Share with others while you’re still around

By Jason Alderman Contributing Writer You’ve probably already thought about how you’d like to share your assets with relatives, friends and favorite charities when you’re gone, whether it’s money you’ve saved, your home, or family heirlooms you want to pass along to the next generation.

But you needn’t wait to begin making a difference in people’s lives. Plus, you can reap significant tax advantages by distributing a portion of your assets now.

First, make sure you’re on track to fund your own retirement, have adequate health insurance, can pay off your mortgage and are otherwise debt-free. You wouldn’t want to deplete your resources and then become a financial burden on others.

If your finances are in good shape, consider these options: Avoid gift tax. You can give cash or property worth up to $13,000 a year, per individual, before the federal gift tax kicks in.

This limit doesn’t apply if you’re paying someone’s tuition or medical expenses, or for gifts to your spouse, charities or political organizations. Read Publication 950 at www.irs.gov for more details.

Pay for education. If college is still far off for your children, grandchildren or others, consider funding 529 Qualified State Tuition Plans for them. Account interest earned is not subject to federal (and in most cases, state) income taxes; plus, many states offer tax deductions for

contributions made to their own 529 Plans.

To learn more about the intricacies of 529 Plans, read FinAid’s comprehensive overview at www.finaid.org/savings/529plans. phtml. Another good resource for information on the different types of financial aid, grants and loans available to college students is Practical Money Skills for Life, Visa Inc.’s free personal financial management program (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/c ollege).

Roth IRAs for kids. If your minor children or grandchildren earn income, you may fund a Roth IRA on their behalf up to the lesser of $5,000 or the amount of their taxable earnings. You contribute on an after-tax basis, but the earnings grow, tax-free, until the account is tapped at retirement.

For young people, these earnings can compound tremendously over time. For example, if you made only a onetime $1,000 contribution for your 16-year-old granddaughter, at 6 percent interest the account would be worth nearly $20,000 – tax-free – at age 66. If she contributed an additional $50 a month going forward, it would grow to more than $210,000 at 66.

Fund someone’s benefits.

Many people cannot afford health insurance and so forego coverage, putting themselves just one serious illness or accident away from financial disaster. Many also cannot afford to fully fund their 401(k) plan or IRA. Consider applying your tax-exempt gifts mentioned above to help loved ones pay for these critical benefits,

greatly increasing their financial self-sufficiency.

Charitable contributions. If you’re planning to leave money or property to charities in your will, consider beginning to share those assets now, if you can afford to.

You’ll be able to enjoy watching your contributions at work – and deduct them from your income taxes. Read IRS Publication 526 for details (www.irs.gov).

Before taking any of these actions, consult your financial advisor to make sure your own bases are covered. If you don’t have an advisor, visit www.fpaforfinancialplanning.org for help locating one.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs.

Sign up for his free monthly eNewsletter at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ne wsletter.

Page 10 • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Insight News

http://insightnews.com

Phyllis Wheatley celebrates 85th anniversary Art Rolnick, Annie Young, Harry Davis, Jr., Phyllis Wheatley Board Members and Senior Alumni were all present to celebrate the organization’s legacy of service to children and families in the community.

The evening included live music by SLI’JE and event sponsors included Insight Minnesota Blizzards Basketball News and Fredrikson & We are looking for college students majoring in Byron, PA. Sports Management, Business, Public “We have much to Relations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting, Event Planning etc. to become Interns for The celebrate,” said Executive Minnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Team. Director Barbara Milon.

Interns will gain valuable experience, and in “Through the organization’s most cases college credits.

85-year history, countless

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center marked its 85th Anniversary with a celebration on Friday, October 23 at Augsburg College’s Christensen Center in Minneapolis. Honorary co-hosts Sharon Sayles-Belton, Al McFarlane, Don and Sondra Samuels, Mary Merrill-Anderson,

Interested Parties please send resume to: Minnesota Blizzards Attn: Internship Program 1161 Vierling Drive, Ste 161 Shakopee, MN 55379 Ph: 612-242-1909 Fax: 480-302-5813 ben@minnesotaBlizzards.com http://www.minnesotablizzards.com

Grants and Appeals Coordinator Summit Academy OIC is seeking a highly skilled and experienced grant and appeals writer to coordinate and develop long-term, expanded constituency for grants, and gifts for support of vocational education programs of the Summit Academy OIC. The ideal candidates must have a four-year college degree and at least four years proven grant writing experience and development work in the non-profit sector. Candidates must also possess expert level skills in word processing, spreadsheets and database management programs. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Valid Driver's license required. EEO/AA Employer. Position open until filled. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. Submit all resumes to cbennett@saoic.org. No phone inquiries, please.

CUSTODIAL Sealed bids will be received by Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties for the custodial maintenance of the Bigelow Building, 450 Syndicate St. N, St. Paul, MN 55104, located in the Midway area. A 90,000 sq. ft. four-story structure, renovated in 1984, houses multi-tenant office suites along with a preschool facility and a dental office. Cleaning schedule will be from Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 10:00pm and 3:00am. STAFFING SHOULD BE A MINIMUN OF 4 PERSONS WORKING 5 HOURS EACH PER NIGHT. PREBID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009, AT 9:00 AM, AT 450 SYNDICATE ST N., SUITE 5. Please RSVP to 651-603-5942 by November 5, or call for a bidder's packet. Minority owned and small businesses are encouraged to apply.

men, women and children have found hope, discovery and success at Phyllis Wheatley as well as support for the opportunities and challenges of daily life.”

Aspiring athletes, entertainers, educators and civic leaders have all graced the center; it is widely known for its excellence through programs such as the Golden Gloves boxing program, and for providing lodging to African American students and others during a time when they were not allowed elsewhere due to racial discrimination. Most recently, the center earned national

accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for its Mary T. Wellcome Child Development Center, and launched the Phyllis Wheatley Community Lawyering Project (PWCLP) which provides free legal advice to low income residents.

Established in 1924, Phyllis Wheatley provides comprehensive, quality programs in lifelong learning, child development and family support for the diverse greater Minneapolis community and is recognized in the Minnesota Historical Society’s MN 150

exhibit as one of the significant people, places and things that Minnesotans say shaped our state.

Children involved in Phyllis Wheatley programs are prepared for and successful in school and community life while family leaders receive support in developing skills to strengthen healthy relationships and foster family stability and civic engagement.

For more information call (612) 374-4342 or visit the center’s web site at www.phylliswheatley.org.

Gertrude Brown with kids

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or

POLITICAL WRITER - FREELANCE Insight News is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced political writer for a beat that includes covering high profile elected officials and the community events they sponsor — or a not so-well attended neighborhood or block club meeting. This is a freelance position. The perfect candidate is someone who is a self-starter who can work in a fast-paced environment as well as produce news features, and jump on breaking stories when needed.

Strong writing skills are a must, as well as a proven track record connecting local/neighborhood issues to national/federal policy.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three to five writing samples to: Patricia Weaver, Director of Content, Insight News, PO BOX 581367, Minneapolis, MN 55411 or email patricia@insightnews.

Please note "POLITICAL WRITER" in the subject line. No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events Moon Walk at Lake Nokomis – Nov. 3 Tuesday, Nov. 3, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Evening tour of the Park. To register, go to minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725. Meet at the Lake Nokomis Beach parking lot. $5 fee.

Art fundraiser for Conflict Resolution Center – Nov. 6 Friday, Nov., 6, from 3-8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., the Conflict Resolution Center will host a fundraiser entitled Art Affair, selling a variety of art for $5 and up. The Art Affair will take place at Colonial Church in Edina, 6200 Colonial Way. Contact 612- 822-9883 for information.

Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony – Nov. 6 Nov. 6 at Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The 3rd

Annual Umoja Celebration is open to the public and African dress is encouraged. Tickets can be purchased by calling (612) 746-4150, or online at www.mbccumojacelebration.eve ntbrite.com.

For more information about the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce or to learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit www.minnesotambcc.org.

Breaking The Siege of Gaza with Cynthia McKinney Nov. 6 Fri., November 6, 7:00pm at Walker Methodist Church, 3104 16th Ave. S, Minneapolis. Free and open to the public.

Donations accepted. Sponsored by the Middle East Committee of WAMM. 612.827.5364 http://mec.worldwidewamm.org/ http://www.worldwidewamm.org Camden Music School Fall Student Recitals – Nov. 7, 14, 21 Saturday, November 7, 3pm at Chapel / NE Community Lutheran Church, 697 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis. Saturday, November 14 and 21, 3pm, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., Minneapolis. Free.

More

information: 612-618-0219 or www.camdenmusicschool.com.

Macedonia Baptist Church First Pastoral Anniversary Nov. 7 - 8 Sat., Nov. 7, @ 6:00 pm “Black Out” Banquet. Zuhrah Shrine Event Center (Reservation required! - call (612) 827-4608), 2540 Park Avenue S. Mpls. Sun., Nov. 8, @ 10:45am Special Guest: Bishop Dorothy Blaylark - Hill and the Victory Christian Center Church choir. Sun., Nov. 8, @ 4:00pm Special Guest: Bishop Richard D. Howell, Jr. and Shiloh Temple International Ministries Choir. Sunday events at 3801 First Avenue South, Mpls. (612) 827-4608. macedoniabaptistchurchmn.org.

Joe Hall and the Louisiana Cane Cutters and “Whoa Mans Auxiliary” – Nov. 7 Saturday, November 7th; Zydeco/Cajun Lesson with Flory Katz at 7:30 p.m.; Dance begins at 8:00 p.m. Minneapolis Eagles club 34, 2507 25th Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55406, 612729-4469, www.minneapoliseagles34.org.

Gathering of Our Children Pow Wow - Nov. 7 Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin in Minneapolis. Grand Entries will be at 1 and 7 p.m., and a feast will be at 5:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

www.hennepin.us.

Minneapolis Geology at Minnehaha Park – Nov. 7 Saturday, Nov. 7, 10-11:30 a.m.

Meet at the Minnehaha Park Pavilion (also known as Sea Salt). To register, go to minneapolisparks.org or call 612-313-7725. $5 fee.

‘Family Feuds: How We Deal With Difference’ - Ongoing 7 to 9 p.m. on five consecutive Mondays from Oct. 19 to Nov. 16. Locations are: Oct. 19, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church; Oct. 26, Islamic Center of Minnesota; Nov. 2, Klas Center, Hamline University; Nov. 9, Temple of Aaron; Nov. 16, Central Baptist Church. For addresses and directions go to the SPIN Website at: http://www.spacc.org/spin.

St. Joan of Arc Mental Illness Ministry – Nov. 9 Mon, Nov 9; 5:45 - 8:15pm.

5:45: Light meal provided; 7pm: Topic: Hispanic Population and Mental Health; Speaker: CLUES, Kathleen Westerhaus; No RSVP needed; free and open to all; Certificate of Attendance available; St. Joan, Roseann, 612.823.8205; Mary claudemaryparadis@comcast.ne t; St. Joan Hospitality Hall, Door 1, 4537 3rd Av S, Mpls; www.stjoan.com/mimfr.htm

http://insightnews.com

Insight News • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Page 11

SPORTS Iron Mike Tyson, a study in heart, talent, & education Mr T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Mike Tyson. It’s amazing how a person’s name instantly whipsup an epic Titanic-like movie in our minds. I often ask children to repeat their full names so that they do not take their own lifetime epic movie and epic potential for granted. It doesn’t matter how brilliant or unrefined a person is, their life can become something for all to marvel over; especially if they invest their time into a positive activity that compliments their talents.

Mike Tyson invested his time into boxing. I imagine that the intelligent nuances of boxing were perfect to occupy Tyson’s troubled mind as a youth. Tyson’s father left when he was two, and his mother died when he was only 16. Anyone can guess the trouble available to Tyson under these circumstances. But although the streets took him under, like most, he had an opportunity to escape.

Many in Tyson’s position would not have taken to the positive opportunity afforded him by his trainer Cus D’Amato, who after Tyson’s mother passed, took him in, and instead would have strengthened their relationship with the streets. The difference between success and failure in those situations is very simple: heart. Mike Tyson had the heart to open up to someone, and someone had the sensibility to recognize the potential of his heart.

Combine heart with talent, and more often than not, you end up with someone moving towards something of a special

life. Obviously, everyone will not rise to the heights of Mike Tyson, but the context clues tell me that the man simply has a special heart; perhaps looking for the love he never had in his youth.

Most people only saw the raw nature of Tyson’s talent during his crushing wins of the 80s and 90s. Muhammad Ali danced and dazzled as a heavyweight champion long before Tyson, spouting flirty poems to seduce the world into amazement. Tyson dazzled by providing the silent savagery that people are –unfortunately— drawn to. The mid to late 80s was a tough time in Southern California where I grew up, and Tyson was the embodiment of the tough nature that young men there, and obviously around the World, felt they wanted to and needed to project – “Don’t get Mike Tyson’ed!” we might say in those days.

If Jesus can catch a beat down then none of us are immune to “catching a bad one.” There was your standard salivating anxiety to see Tyson on February 11, 1990, just before he stepped into the ring to knock Buster Douglas into Pluto’s orbit. But even once Tyson dropped to the canvas and

Mike Tyson really possible? Mike Tyson got Mike Tyson’ed?

As life goes by we all become careful witnesses to the rise and fall of those held in high esteem. It happens in many ways, but usually their fall comes as a result of a combination of their own selfdestructive behavior, and some other person seeking to bring them down. In Tyson’s case, his big heart, combined with his

T YSON’S LIFE SHOULD BE STUDIED BY ALL ATHLETES crawled around searching for his mouthpiece, none of my friends and I seemed to really believe that he had just lost. To this day the moment was as surreal as I’ve ever seen in sports. I’ve always been pretty good about keeping sports into perspective, but there we sat on the steps of my buddy’s apartment, staring at the ground, and dare I say, almost feeling on the verge of tears. What in the World just happened? Was that

incomparable position, and most importantly his lack of education, led to an overall life beatdown of epic proportions.

The few people who cared for him withered away consistently, in rhythmic fashion, during each phase of his early life. And so the balance of life says that the fella known as Iron Mike will be exposed for his tender heart and lack of protection, whether protection by a person or through education.

In my opinion, the life of

Mike Tyson should be discussed in collegiate type classes. His life most certainly should be examined when discussing the development of young urban athletes. Too often we see young athletes taken advantage of by their own ignorance and the vicious lures of others: Adam “Pac-Man” Jones, Dennis Rodman, Lawrence Taylor, Michael Vick, and the list goes on for miles with the names of those who didn’t make it nearly as far as these examples. Oddly, each of those names mentioned represents a person who many would consider has a big heart.

To quote a friend, “The World can make us into monsters, congratulations to those who survive.”

Every young athlete should study Mike Tyson; and Mike Tyson should be applauded for weathering the onslaught life has laid upon him, which includes the death of his fouryear-old daughter in May of this year. There’s nothing wrong with having a big heart, and there’s everything right with developing your talents, but education saves.

mike-tyson.info

Page 12 • November 2 - November 8, 2009 • Insight News

http://insightnews.com Choose from over 270 items throughout the store!

See Store

10

10

SAVE UP TO

$44.00

Sale

WHEN YOU PURCHASE THESE FRONT PAGE

ADVERTISED SPECIALS

We accept these credit & debit cards

Proud Grocer of the Minnesota

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER

10$10 1

2

3

4

5

6

PRICES EFFECTIVE: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 THROUGH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009

Incredible Meal Deal

Buy a Cooks Portion Ham and Get all This FREE! Jennie-O 10-12 lb. Average Hen Turkey Frozen

FREE SAVE UP TO 98¢ LB.

and breakfast is on us Over

Buy a

$13.84

Cooks Ham Portion

$1.99

Free Items lb.

One Roundy's Large Eggs Dozen SAVE UP TO $1.28

One Roundy's Original or Maple Breakfast Links

FREE

Selected 12 Oz. Varieties Frozen SAVE UP TO $2.99

FREE

Roundy's Gallon Milk 1%, 2%, Whole or Skim

$1.78 SAVE UP TO $1.51 LIMIT 2

Roundy's Organic Milk

$2.99

All Half Gallon Varieties

SAVE UP TO 40¢

Fresh Certified 85% Lean Ground Round

Beef Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast

3 Lbs or More

$1.99

$1.99

lb.

lb.

SAVE UP TO $1.00 LB. LIMIT 2 PKG.

SAVE UP TO $1.50 LB.

Chef's Grill Fresh Certified 85% Lean Ground Round Patties 16 Oz.

$2.49

Beef Boneless Sirloin Tip Steak

SAVE UP TO $1.80

Coca-Cola, Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Zero

$2.49

lb.

SAVE UP TO 50¢ LB. LIMIT 2 PKG.

Knorr Lipton Side Dishes

And Other Selected 12 Pack 12 Oz. Can Varieties

Selected 4-5.7 Oz. Varieties

3/$10.98

10/$10

SAVE UP TO $3.39 ON 3 LIMIT 3

SAVE UP TO $5.50 ON 10

Jack's Naturally Rising, Tombstone Stuffed Crust or Brick Oven Pizza

Wisconsin Russet Potatoes 5 Lb. Bag

Selected 16-30.5 Oz. Varieties

Buy One Get One of equal or lesser value

FREE

3/$9.99 SAVE UP TO $7.38 ON 3 LIMIT 3

*

SAVE UP TO $2.49 ON 2

Tostitos Tortilla Chips or Ruffle Potato Chips

Charmin Ultra Bath Tissue or Bounty Paper Towels

Selected 9-15.63 Oz. Varieties

Selected 6-24 Roll Varieties

2/$6.00

$5.99

SAVE UP TO $1.98 ON 2 LIMIT 2

SAVE UP TO $4.46 LIMIT 2

Buy any 5 at regular price and get

FREE MILK COUPON

Buy Five (5) General Mills Cereal receive ONE gallon of milk free (up to $3.25 off) on your next visit with coupon printed at register

$5.00 off Instantly At Checkout

General Mills Cereal Selected 8.7-24.9 Oz. Varieties (Excludes Count Chocula, Frankenberry or Boo Berry) We reserve the right to limit quantities and correct all printed errors. Not all varieties available at all locations. Prices subject to state and local taxes, if applicable. No sales to dealers.

Purchase requirements exclude discounts, coupons, gift cards, lottery tickets and bus passes. Check out our website at: www.rainbowfoods.com *Free promotion will be applied to item of least value.

7