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Pulitzer Prize-winning RUINED at Mixed Blood Theatre RUINED by Lynn Nottage, directed by Aditi Kapil October 16–November 22 (Wed–Sat at 7:30pm; Sun at 3pm) Alan Page Auditorium of Mixed Blood’s historic firehouse theatre, 1501 S. Fourth Street on the West Bank in Minneapolis Tickets: (612) 338-6131 or www.mixedblood.com

November 9 - November 15, 2009 • MN Metro Vol. 35 No. 45 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Ranked Choice Voting goes smoothly Fair Vote Minnesota last week called Minneapolis’ inaugural use of Ranked Choice Voting a great success, saying it creates “a model for how other Minnesota cities can successfully implement Ranked Choice Voting.” “The City of Minneapolis did a great job preparing for the election in terms of its own processes and in terms of voter education,” said Jeanne Massey, executive director of FairVote Minnesota. “The result appears to have been a smooth, trouble-free election. Most voters came to the polls knowing what to do and – when there were questions – election judges were prepared to help as needed. According to initial reports, we saw very

Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses Annual Awards Ceremony

Barb Johnson

Troy Parker

Don Samuels

Natalie Johnson Lee

few spoiled ballots and we have anecdotal reports indicating voters liked the new voting method. We’ll look forward to the full report of the City Election Department, but it appears that Minneapolis has established a successful model for Saint

Paul and hopefully other Minnesota cities to emulate when implementing Ranked Choice Voting. Last Tuesday, Saint Paul voters also passed a ballot question to allow for the use of Ranked Choice Voting and it will soon join Minneapolis in

using this new voting system for their municipal elections. Massey noted that the pending hand count was a part of the City’s plan for elections. While many of the races resulted in winners according to the initial machine tally of first choice rankings, the City has said that these results are preliminary and will be verified as part of the hand count process. The hand count will provide official results for all races. “This is exactly how the system was designed to work this year, ” Massey said. “The City has a very thorough process in place that will be accurate, thorough and transparent. We expect the next phase of the process to go as smoothly as today’s.” Ranked Choice Voting or RCV (also known as Instant Runoff Voting), is a tested, accepted and implementable system by which voters rank candidates in order of preference, ensuring majority winners in single-winner races where there are more than two

candidates on the ballot. Under RCV, voters cast their vote for their favorite candidate knowing that if no candidate gathers a majority of votes in the first round of counting their votes can count toward their second choice. Votes cast for the less popular candidates are not “wasted”, but rather redistributed to more popular candidates, based on the voters’ second choices, until one candidate emerges with a majority of votes. RCV is already in use in San Francisco and more than a half a dozen other jurisdictions around the United States and in democracies such as Ireland and Australia. FairVote Minnesota was founded in 1996 to work for better democracy through public education and advocating progressive voting systems that lead to greater competitiveness, better representation and more participation.

Election results City of Minneapolis: Mayor 1st Choice Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% R.T. Rybak 33,220 73.6% Papa John Kolstad 4,949 11.0% Al Flowers 1,783 4.0% Dick Franson 1,569 3.5% Christopher Clark 1,340 3.0% Tom Fiske 655 1.5% Joey Lombard 439 1.0% James R. Everett 354 0.8% Bill McGaughey 230 0.5% Bob Carney, Jr. 229 0.5% Write-In 215 0.5% John Charles Wilson 134 0.3% City of Mpls: Council Member Ward-W-03 1st Choice Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Diane Hofstede 1,458 65.9% Allen Kathir 348 15.7% Jeffrey Cobia 242 10.9% Melissa Hill 112 5.1% Raymond Wilson Rolfe 39 1.8% Write-In 15 0.7%

City of Mpls: Council Member Ward-W-04 1st Choice Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Barbara A. “Barb” Johnson 1,547 46.9% Troy Parker 919 27.9% Marcus Harcus 442 13.4% Grant Cermak 384 11.7% Write-In 5 0.2% City of Mpls: Council Member Ward-W-05 1st Choice Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Don Samuels 1,015 47.0% Natalie Johnson Lee 649 30.1% Kenya McKnight 336 15.6% Roger Smithrud 92 4.3% Lennie Chism 60 2.8% Write-In 8 0.4% City of Mpls: Council Member Ward-W-08 1st Choice Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Elizabeth Glidden 2,393 74.9%

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Benjamin confirmed as Surgeon General

Students scare up 10,000 pound donation for foodshelf

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Lee Daniels’ Precious lives up to the buzz

By Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Dr. Regina Benjamin was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 29 as the next U.S. surgeon general, making the Black Alabama physician the nation’s top doctor. “She will be an integral part of our H1N1 response effort, and America can expect to see her very soon communicating important information about how to stay healthy and safe this flu season,” Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-NV), had complained that Republicans were holding the surgeon general confirmation over unrelated issues, according to the New York Times. A subsequent voice vote elevated Benjamin to the post. Benjamin has a long history of public service as a family physician. She received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights and a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant, and was the first Black woman to head a state medical society. Benjamin became nationally known for her struggle to keep her Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic on Alabama’s Gulf Coast open to serve approximately 4,000

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NNPA

Sen. Edward Brooke greets audience alongside Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) last week during the ceremony where he received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Dr. Regina Benjamin local residents after the area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and again by Hurricane Rita. Benjamin is the third African American woman to be U.S. surgeon general. The first African American woman to be appointed surgeon general was Vice Admiral M. Joycelyn Elders, who was confirmed by Congress in 1993. Elders was also the first African American of either sex ever appointed to that position. Benjamin will be the fourth African American to become U.S. surgeon general since 1993, and the 18th U.S. surgeon general since John M. Woodworth was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant as the first surgeon general in 1871.

Sen. Edward William Brooke

Insuring America’s children a moral responsibility

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receives Congressional Gold Medal By Crystal Cranmore NNPA Special Correspondent Cheers and applause filled the U. S. Capitol Rotunda on October 28. It was an emotional moment as nearly 500 people witnessed “the Obama of the 20th century” receive the highest honor Congress can bestow - the Congressional Gold Medal. The grandson of a slave, former Sen. Edward William Brooke III grew up not too far from the Capitol in a thensegregated Ledroit Park. He faced racism as he fought in a segregated army during World War II as a soldier in the 336th Infantry. But toward the end of

the tumultuous 60s, Brooke would step over the boundaries of segregation and become the first African American elected to the U. S. Senate by popular vote in 1967. At the Gold Medal ceremony, two African American men, President Barack Obama and Senator Edward Brooke, sat on the stage with other leaders of the House and Senate. The crowd’s attention focused on President Obama as he gave his speech. The nation’s first African American president, he reflected the journey this country has taken over the past two centuries. “Ed was unfazed when people pointed out he was Black, Protestant, Republican and a

carpetbagger from the South,” said Obama. “They saw how hard he fought for them [and] just about everyone he encountered.” Brooke, who served as a Republican senator from Massachusetts, also commented on the advances the country has made, delightfully making note of the fact that the Speaker of the House was a lady. The crowd cheered as Brooke said, “Don’t think it’ll be long before a lady is president.” The 90-year-old senator continued to allure the crowd with his sense of humor as he told the story of how he learned he was going to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

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Vikings Mid-Season Report

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BUSINESS MN Black Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses Five Twin Cities businesses received distinguished awards from the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) at its 3rd annual Umoja Awards Ceremony Friday, November 6. The ceremony was held at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Each year, the awards ceremony and dinner recognize outstanding business achievements of the African American community and those working as advocates of the business community. There were three award categories: Business of the Year, Small Business Advocate of the Year, and a community recognition award. Business of the Year – Under $1 million: Associates by Design, Marie Lewis, founder and owner. Business of the Year – $1 million to $10 million: Independent Packing Services, Prince Wallace, co-founder Business of the Year – Over $10 million: EMPO Staffing, Alan

Photo courtesy of MBCC

Did you see this change coming? Women are now the primary breadwinners in over 50% of American households. Unfortunately, that change has come about due to massive layoffs of higher-paid men. While no one wishes for their man to be unemployed, the fact is that women are returning to the workplace. For stay-home spouses, returning to work can be intimidating. Having a search strategy will help. Keep your spouse involved. When making decisions about a new position, let your spouse support you by keeping him involved in your search activities. Your decision to return to work requires your partner’s buy-in if it is going to be successful; no guilt trips allowed.

Photo courtesy of MBCC

Prince Wallace

Alan Reid

Dave St. Peter

Robin Hickman

Reid, founder The award for Small Business Advocate was presented to the Minnesota Twins professional baseball team for its work and collaboration fostering the growth of Minnesota’s African American small businesses. Dave St. Peter, president of the Minnesota Twins,

accepted the award. Soultouch Productions founder Robin Hickman was awarded MBCC’s community recognition award. “Our annual awards ceremonies have been an opportunity for the chamber to recognize the accomplishments of

African and African American businesses, as well those who advocate for those businesses. This year, we took our efforts one step farther. The chamber launched a Youth Collegiate Scholarship Fund to provide scholarship opportunities to help

youth who have an interest in entrepreneurship and business,” announced Lea Hargett, vice president of the MBCC. A percentage of the event’s proceeds will be used to establish the MBCC’s new Youth Collegiate Scholarship Fund.

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

Back-to-work strategies for stay-home spouses By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com

Photo courtesy of MBCC

Marie Lewis

Know why you’re looking. Need to earn money to save your house? Or do you want to learn new skills? Write out some short and long term goals. Solidify your needs for this job. Consider hours, location, recognition, opportunity and salary and make a list of specifics. For example, part-time is not specific; instead, write “9 to 2” or “flexible, three days per week”. Next, categorize the list. The top two or three items may be non-negotiable, while you may be willing to flex on others. You have no family. Returning to work, parents are tempted to bring cute-kid stories or overexplain their need for flexibility. This is a red flag to potential employers. Your kids might mean the world to you, but in the workplace people want to focus on work. Keeping kid chat to a minimum allows the interviewer to

focus on the value you’ll bring to the job. Don’t deny you have a family, of course. During lunch or at happy hour, whip out those photos, but not in meetings and definitely not during interviews. Realize it can happen fast. You’ve prepared a resume, found an interview outfit and called a few friends. Realize a job might find you. Are you prepared to accept? Think it through: if a job were offered to me today, what would I have to get done before I could start? This list might include arranging child care, seeing the dentist, painting a closet or visiting a friend in another state. Start checking off these items so you when you get an offer, you can start ASAP. Julie Desmond is Director Career Planning Resources Help Wanted! Workshop Minneapolis. Write julie@insightnews.com.

of for in to

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2009 H1N1 Flu (“Swine Flu”) and You 2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway. Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”? This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus. What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people? The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and deaths

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

have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Wash your hands often

with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.* • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. • If you are sick with flulike illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is

gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a feverreducing medicine.) • Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention secondclasscitizens.files.wordpress.com

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EDUCATION Chatman receives ISU Alumni Achievement Award Cheryl Troutman Chatman, executive vice president and dean of diversity at Concordia University (St. Paul, Minn.), has been awarded the Alumni Achievement Award by the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences. The award was established in 1992 to recognize alumni for meritorious service and/or distinguished achievements of College of Human Sciences graduates in areas such as business and industry, education, family and consumer sciences, and health. She will be recognized at a university-wide ceremony on Oct. 17. Some call her Dr. Chatman, many call her an activist, others have nicknamed her “mom” – but

Cheryl Troutman Chatman

all call her an inspiration. Writes one of her nominators, “In Cheryl, I see a woman of great strength and self-esteem who is not afraid to involve herself and show others where she has traveled and what they can achieve. … She instills in every person the sense of dignity, worth, human commonality, a higher purpose, and thirst to learn.” Chatman carries a wealth of experience working with diverse and underserved populations in the St. Paul metro area, creating programs for low-income, single mothers to build their education and personal development; mentoring at-risk young adults and providing opportunities for them to gain after-school leadership experience; and

serving as a liaison between communities and academia, creating “great harmony among the many ethnic groups in an urban school area,” as one nominator wrote. For her involvement in civic, church, and campus groups, Chatman has twice been recognized by Concordia University for the Excellence in Action Award, given to individuals who show great pride, leadership, and attitude in their work at the university; and has received the Kwanzaa Unity in Family, Community, Nation, and Race Award and other community recognition for her efforts to bring together different ethnicities through faith, education, and community involvement.

Students scare up 10,000 pound donation for foodshelf Admission Possible students weren’t looking for candy when they knocked on doors across the Twin Cities on October 31. They were searching for cans of peas, rolls of paper towels and packets of Ramen. More than 750 staff and students in the college access program went “trick-or-treating” for canned goods in 13 metro neighborhoods to support Minnesota’s Emergency Foodshelf Network. Students from the 19 Admission Possible partner high schools challenged themselves to see which high school group could collect the most donations to help those in their communities. In total, they gathered 10,263 pounds of food and other donations. “By organizing a competitive volunteer activity, we’re encouraging the students to get excited about service and to have fun doing it,” said Andréa CarrollFranck, the Admission Possible AmeriCorps member who led planning for the day’s events. “Admission Possible receives a lot of support from the community, so we feel that it is very important for our students and staff to give back.” Admission Possible makes community service a key component for students participating in the organization’s free after-school college preparatory programming for lowincome students, working to develop an ethic of service in students, and helping students see their own potential for making a difference in their communities. Each student completes a minimum of eight hours of community service each year of the two-year program. Mid-day, the participating students, staff and program alumni gathered at the Minneapolis Sports Center to fill the food bank truck with the collected donations and participate in a service rally. For

Patrick Henry High School student Mae Yang, the day was a success. “I got up and did something that helped a family in need,” she said. Robbinsdale Armstrong High School collected the most donations per student with more than 800 items, winning the chance to decide where money from an organization-wide fundraiser would be donated. They chose to give the more than $1,000 donation to Action Against Hunger, a nonprofit that saves lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition. As students and staff prepared to wrap up the day, Admission Possible founder and CEO Jim McCorkell helped everyone reflect on their service. “Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?’ Well, today all of you answered that question in a big, big way. Congratulations to each and every member of the Admission Possible team for making a huge difference today,” McCorkell said. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak also had a message for the students, assuring them that they will be this nation’s greatest resource, but to fulfill their potential they must go to college, and Admission Possible can help them get there. The mayor also took time to speak with students, including Edison High School student Kamesha Beeks. “The mayor gave me good advice about which school would be a good fit for me,” Beeks said. “It was great to talk to him.” Representatives from the offices of US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken also shared congratulatory letters from the Senators and offered remarks of encouragement in achieving their dream of college.

Results

City of Mpls: Park and Recreation Board At Large 1st Choice (Elect 3) Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Bob Fine 8,089 22.1% Annie Young 6,934 18.9% John Erwin 6,360 17.4% Mary Merrill Anderson 5,392 14.7% Tom Nordyke 3,709 10.1% David Wahlstedt 2,804 7.7% Nancy Bernard 2,012 5.5% John Butler 1,110 3.0% Write-In 203 0.6%

From 1 Jeanine Estime 469 14.7% David Regan 174 5.4% Gregory McDonald 115 3.6% Michael J. Cavlan 42 1.3% Write-In 3 0.1% City of Mpls: Council Member Ward-W-10 - 1st Choice Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Meg Tuthill 2,403 72.3% Kim Vlaisavljevich 341 10.3% Matthew Dowgwillo 291 8.8% Dan Alvin 283 8.5% Write-In 8 0.2%

City of St. Paul: Mayor Precincts reporting 100.0% Candidate Votes Vote% Christopher B. Coleman 23,380 68.7% Eva Ng 10,496 30.8% Write-In 166 0.5%

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Admission Possible

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak talks one-on-one with Edison High student Kamesha Beeks

Chatman holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman College (’74), master’s degree from Iowa State University (’76), and a Ph.D from the University of

North Carolina-Greensboro (’90). She is an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association.

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AESTHETICS

Lee Daniels’ Precious lives up to the buzz Interview

By Kam Williams Precious is finally arriving in theaters after being the beneficiary of practically a year’s worth of buzz since winning a trio of trophies at Sundance, including that prestigious film festival’s equivalent of Best Picture. I’m happy to be the bearer of the good news that the movie more than lives up to the critical acclaim. The film is based on the novel Push by Sapphire, that relentlessly-raw best seller has been faithfully adapted by Lee Daniels, the producer of Monster’s Ball, the flick for which Halle Berry won her Academy Award in 2002. There’s a good chance that Daniels is about to repeat that historic feat, for he has coaxed an Oscar-quality performance out of comedienneturned-actress Mo’Nique, who is riveting here as one of the most

monstrous screen villains in memory. Set in Harlem in 1987, this remarkably-realistic tale of woe is narrated by Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabby Sidibe), an overweight and illiterate, 16 yearold still in junior high. She claims to enjoy Math class because, instead of opening her textbook, she simply sits there fantasizing about sleeping with her teacher, Mr. Wicher (Ean Sheehy). However, as the film further unfolds, being behind a few

frequently escapes into a parallel universe where she daydreams about being rescued from her nightmarish existence by “a lightskinned boyfriend with good hair.” But while desperately awaiting that proverbial “knight in shining armor” to materialize, Precious finds herself repeatedly slapped in the face, whether literally, by her mom, or figuratively, by a social service bureaucracy way too willing to let her slip through the cracks. The all

Set in Harlem in 1987, this remarkably-realistic tale of woe is narrated by Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabby Sidibe), an overweight and illiterate, 16 year-old still in junior high. grades turns out to be the least of the portly pepperpot’s problems. Over the protests,”I do my work,” and “My grades is good,” Precious is suspended from school for being pregnant. We also learn that she is not only expecting, but already has a daughter with Down Syndrome. So, between the absentee-father who impregnated her, and the relentlessly-abusive mother (Mo’Nique) who insists she’ll never amount to anything, it’s no surprise that Precious

but lost teen is shuttled back and forth between well-meaning, if ineffective lifelines, like her clueless welfare case-worker (Mariah Carey) and a kindly nurse (Lenny Kravitz). Tragically, no one seems to have any answers until Precious goes back to school where her compassionate GED teacher (Paula Patton) takes a special interest in her well-being. Nonetheless, nurturing the selfesteem of a life-long doormat

calls for a Herculean effort that might prove beyond the resources of resolute Ms Rain. As poignant as it is shocking, Precious stands as an undeniably authentic contrast to those ghetto fabulous adventures celebrating macho, misogynistic, malevolent and misanthropic behavior presumably of no emotional consequence. A searing, inner-city saga of transformation and triumph, and a masterpiece not to be forgotten during awards season. Excellent (4 stars) Rated R for child abuse, sexual assault, violence, pervasive profanity, ethnic slurs and mature themes. Running time:110 minutes Studio: Lionsgate Films To order a copy of “Push,” the novel on which Precious is based, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ ct/0307474844?ie=UTF8&tag=t h s l f o f i r e 20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789 &creative=390957&creativeASI N=0307474844

frolab.com

A searing, inner-city saga of transformation and triumph, and a masterpiece not to be forgotten during awards season

Book is far more than a collection of snapshots from the campaign By Kam Williams Book review kam@insightnews.com Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy By Mary Tomer Center Street/Hachette Book Group Hardcover, $25.99 248 pages ISBN: 978-1-599-95258-1 “Celebrated for her style and substance, Michelle Obama has transformed the role of First Lady and become a 21st Century icon, attracting attention from all over the world. The qualities so admired in her—intelligence, strength and charisma—radiate through her personal style, which has united accessibility with highwattage glamour. The clothes, like the women, feel both familiar and inspirational. Readily mixing high-end labels with more affordable brands, with a focus on craftsmanship and artistry, Mrs. O has elevated the notion of real value and ushered in a new era of fashion democracy.”

their father took the oath of office? Of course you do! Photos of those three iconic events are just a few of the dozens of historic moments preserved for posterity in Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy. As the title suggests, the book is far more than a collection of snapshots from the campaign, for it focuses on the new First Lady and her family from a fashion point-of-view. Not only does this delightful coffee table tome present Michelle in all of her sartorial splendor, but it also devotes space to interviews with the designers of many of her outfits and accessories. For example, author Mary Tomer interviews Thakoon Panichgul, the Thai-born creator of Mrs. O’s rose-printed reverse kimono from the final

Excerpted from the Flyleaf. Do you remember the stunning red and black dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez that Michelle Obama wore in Grant Park on Election Night? Or the tasteful Jason Wu gown she donned to danced with her husband at the Inaugural Balls? Or how about the brightcolored J.Crew coats which kept her daughters Sasha and Malia warm while watching mommy hold the Bible while

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Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy

night of the Democratic National Convention. When asked whether Michelle is now America’s style icon, it is not surprising that he answers in the affirmative. Anybody looking for controversy ought

to look elsewhere, as this opus, at heart, is a gushy lovefest. Among the luminaries weighing-in is Andre’ Leon Talley, Vogue Magazine’s Editor-at-Large, who rolls out a string of superlatives stating that Michelle “has redefined

what it means to be a First Lady… She has changed and shifted the paradigm of what elegance and beauty are… I like what she stands for: you can be a woman, a good wife, and a modern mother. She has her own identity… She is the

most capable woman in the world.” And an inspiration and graceful role model who is likely to have a profound effect on impressionable young minds for generations to come.

To order a copy of Mrs. O, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/pro duct/1599952580?ie=UTF8&t a g = t h s l f o f i r e 20&linkCode=as2&camp=178 9&creative=390957&creativeA SIN=1599952580.

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HEALTH Insuring America’s children a moral responsibility By Marian Wright Edelman NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - What is a child’s life worth? What is a child’s health worth? What is a child’s spirit, battered by preventable suffering and chronic disease, worth? What are a child’s hope and ability to learn worth? What are the true values of the world’s richest nation that is so spiritually poor that it even debates whether it can afford to give all its children the basic right to health care? At the Children’s Defense Fund, I hear far too much about indefensible child tragedies and suffering. It is way past time for parents, faith, national, and community leaders to tell our

political leaders in no uncertain terms that child lives and health are not political or budget footballs and are not negotiable. Ensuring our children’s health and wellbeing is our deepest moral responsibility as adults and as a nation – a test not only of our morality but of our common and economic sense. We are spending tens of billions annually to hurt millions of children by neglect rather than invest in cost effective prevention and early intervention and in a child health system that really works rather than excludes millions of children. Let me share just one child’s story shared with our Texas office by a pediatrician. His name was Bert. “A couple of years ago, I met a patient named Bert, a 16-year-old boy. He was a big, blond guy who

looked like he could have played for the high school football team. He was from a working class family living on the outskirts of Houston. His family could not afford health insurance, and he, like most 16-year-olds, had been very healthy. In March of 2005, he started having chest pain. He didn’t have a primary care physician or regular physical exams, so he went to an emergency room. Over the next seven months he visited five different emergency rooms throughout the city of Houston with the same complaint. Chest radiographs showed that there was some abnormality in his chest, but given that he had no insurance and the problem did not appear to be immediately life-threatening, he was not admitted to the hospital

for further testing or treatment. “Finally in October he appeared at Texas Children’s Hospital with difficulty breathing. He was admitted to the hospital (under Emergency Medical Treatment And Labor Act laws, hospitals must treat patients with medical emergencies, regardless of ability to pay) and was found to have a tumor filling his entire left chest. He was admitted to the ICU and seen by critical care physicians and oncologists. Chemotherapy was initiated in an attempt to shrink the tumor so that it might become small enough to operate on. He was in the ICU for several weeks, but the tumor was already so far progressed that the chemotherapy did little to shrink it. Bert died less than a month later.

“Tragically, his tumor would have been treatable back in March when he first sought medical care. Instead he was pushed off for so long that the tumor grew to an unmanageable size. Furthermore, he ended up using very expensive emergency room services five times without actually getting the care he needed. Once he did get admitted to the hospital, he required intensive care unit treatment, ventilator assistance, and dialysis, at the cost of over $10,000 per day. With insurance, he might have been diagnosed earlier and treated successfully, and all this would have been done for less money.” Bert did not have to die. He should not have died. If he and his family had had health insurance he likely would have had the tests

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that might have discovered the underlying causes of his chest

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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2009 • Page 7

Kennedy that congress was working on passing a bill that would award the senator the medal. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) recalled that Jackie Robinson once said, “a life is not important except for the impact it’s had on another…and that is the type of life Ed has lived.” “Massachusetts elected Ed not

because of his race but as Martin Luther King had hoped, the content of his character,” Kerry said. Brooke’s works were many. He was involved when Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Otto Kerner to analyze the riots that were spreading throughout the sixties, and was on former president Ronald Reagan’s panel

to investigate those same riots. Brooke was also involved when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was enlisting people to join the cause for civil rights. He opposed three of former president Richard Nixon’s Supreme Court nominees and was the first senator in either party to call for Nixon’s resignation. “It took a man like you to become the Obama of the 20th century,” said US Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). “The hurdles you jumped were so high.” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said that “some played on bigotry for political gain. But Brooke saw what was best in American and strove to represent it. You have honored the principles and values of our country. In a room fully integrated with Blacks and Whites, the event was a gentle reminder of the accomplishments that the country has made. Senator Brooke was proud to receive the honor and thanked the Kennedy family that sat in the front row for their love and support throughout the years. “Politics is not a bad thing,” said Brooke. “When used properly it could do good things.” He took the opportunity to explain to the audience that this country still has much more growing to do. “There is nothing congress can’t do that it

all of its children in national health legislation this year so that Bert and Devante and all the other children we hear about do not have to die or suffer because we refuse to provide them effective and cost effective child health care? Isn’t it time for you to tell Congress to act right now and not leave millions of children worse rather than better off in national health reform? So far, they have not taken sufficient steps to do so and you and I must change that. We need to end the bureaucratic barriers that keep two out of three of the 8.1 million uninsured children, 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 all our children are cared for. It would have helped Devante. 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 Medicaid children but not to all children in CHIP or in the proposed Exchange. A child covered by CHIP or the Exchange 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 affordable national health safety net for children whose families make up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($66,150 for a family of four) and eliminate the unjust lottery of geography. Texas has nearly 1.5 million uninsured children – the highest in the nation. Whether a child’s family can afford coverage should not depend on where they live. New York covers children up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($88,200); North Dakota only to 160 percent ($35,280); Massachusetts and twenty-one other states, plus the District of

Columbia at 300 percent; and Texas at 200 percent ($44,100). A child is a child wherever they live – North Dakota, New York, or Massachusetts. Treat them all fairly. The lives and health of millions of children depend on real child health reform this year. They will not get what they need unless you and I speak up and demand it. Children have no other voice but ours. Lift it high and loud and make sure you vote next year for people who vote for – not talk about - children. Grab your strollers, your scooter, and your walking shoes, and visit your Senators in November and December and for as long as necessary to make Congress treat our children justly. Send emails, letters, and calls until our children’s message gets through. Children have only one childhood. Let’s ensure they enjoy rather than lose it. To learn how to take action, visit CDF’s website:

NNPA

(L-R) House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Barack Obama award Sen. Edward Brooke with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Brooke From 1 “I was in shock. I was in awe, but you could be sure I was pleased,” he said. A good friend of the late Ted Kennedy, Brooke remembered receiving the telephone call from Mr.

Values From 6 pains at the first rather than fifth visit. His parents would have been prevented unspeakable grief, and taxpayers would not have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in too late intensive care. I have written about a 14year-old Black Houston boy – Devante Johnson – who had treatable kidney cancer but fell through the cracks of Texas’ bureaucratic state child health system. Repeatedly lost applications and confusion about which program, CHIP or Medicaid, he was eligible for resulted in Devante going three months without life-giving treatment during which time his tumor grew and, like Bert’s, became inoperable. Isn’t it time for America to get its priorities straight and to protect

can’t correct,” he said. The audience continued to applaud as Brooke offered to give his own prized medal up if Congress would pass the D.C. House Voting Rights Act, a bipartisan legislation that would bring congressional voting representation to DC residents

www.childrensdefense.org.

for the first time ever “He was a model back in his day and even today we see he still has the power to bring people together,” said Sen. Mitch McConnel (R- MA). “And that is a legacy to be proud of.”

Memories of love

Tribute to my husband By Inez A. Walton One year ago on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 1:27 pm, the Lord called you into His arms out of mine. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you – something you said or did. Quotations you made have come to mind and out of my mouth: “This too will pass”; “That devilish noise”; “Thank God” or you calling me “Walt”. Our children miss you so very much, along with our grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, your brothers, sister, nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, pastor, church family, and friends. When I glance over at your

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to

Gellis Lee Walton Sr chair in the front of the church I can almost see you there. We shared so many dreams that came true, by the grace of God, over our 45 ½ years of marriage. Thank you for loving me. I will always love you, “Walt”

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.

Page 8 • November 9 - November 15, 2009 • Insight News

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LIFESTYLE Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times Style on a dime

By Marcia Humphrey Lately I have noticed that my younger daughter, Arianna, is changing. At nine-years-old, I find her growing taller than she was a few months ago, wanting to express her unique style and newfound tastes in everything from clothing to room décor. Most importantly she has been on a quest to find that perfect best friend. Although she has friends, she is still looking for the one upon whom she can bestow the title of

bff, best friend forever. She has been trying a few on for size and learning a lot in the process. Her dad and I are teaching her that the friends she chooses today can play an important role in determining her future path in life. At an early age, we want our daughter to understand that relationships are one of the most important investments there are; without good ones, financial success seems meaningless and financial disaster seems hopeless. We are teaching Ari a few friendship guidelines as we train her to be a young lady of truth and integrity, grace, and style.

way, she refused to play at all. Whether you are a 10-year-old shopping for a friend or a 40-yearold, when you see those types of behavior in your would-be-bff, think twice before claiming her as the one. Even if bad behavior by a friend isn’t directed at you initially, your turn will come soon. Also, if your friend doesn’t like to share with others, that is also a warning sign. She may not want to share you either. Hint: you should not have to ask Suzie for permission to hang out with your girl Sally. If so, Suzie has some real control issues and you should run!

True friends take turns and share Ari had been playing with Suzie, (not her real name) but Suzie only wanted to do what Suzie liked to do. Also, if Suzie didn’t get her

True friends know how to listen (and keep a secret…mostly) My older daughter, Alanna, was once telling me about a friend who was on her school bus. I asked her if this friend was a best friend. Her response revealed just how in tuned she was as a 12-year-old. She replied, “We laugh a lot together, but she usually does all the talking, and not much listening.” A true friend is interested in what you have to say, and will not betray your confidence. Hint: If you do have a bff who occasionally spills

the beans with no malicious intent, then be discerning about what you share with him. Mama always said that if you don’t want anyone to know, keep your lips sealed! True friendship can never be separated by distance True friends are difficult to find, therefore once you have identified a real friend, invest in the relationship by staying in touch, even if you (or they) move. This summer we visited some of our daughters’ friends in Alabama and Georgia. I am hopeful that these relationships will continue into their adult lives. It’s so beautiful to watch a new friendship forming; it’s exciting, it’s adventurous, it’s safe, and it endures. With true friends, even if you have been apart for a while, you pick up where you last left off, just like the girls did this summer. When our first child was born, I was really into Winnie the Pooh-I think it was because my favorite aunt called me Pooh Bear- so I bought her Pooh clothes, music, and books. In one particular storybook Pooh was pondering an important question, “Who is my best friend in the Hundred Acre

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/3637533727_9416606495.jpg

Wood?” After considering all of his good friends, he concluded that Piglet was his best friend, because Piglet always gave Pooh the biggest slice of pie (not to mention he was always kind and caring). Pooh decided that if Piglet was his best friend, he wanted to be Piglet’s best friend as well, by offering Piglet the same type of love and caring concern. A true friend is worth more than any amount of money. There is a wonderful

proverb in the Bible which states that a friend loves at all times… Proverbs 17:17 Can you be described as a true friend? 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.

Gun buy-back program aims to make MN streets safer By Laura Thornquist Last year, 109 people in Minnesota died by the trigger of someone else’s gun, according to the state Department of Safety. Public safety groups have joined forces and organized a gun buy-back day in an effort to get guns off the street. Anyone turning in a firearm will receive gift cards: $100 for automatic guns and $50 for revolvers - with no questions asked. Deseria Galloway with the Twin Cities Anti-Violence Coalition says it’s time to get these weapons out of the hands of people who don’t need them.

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“You have people that are innocently being shot. They were not the intended target but they are killed or injured at the hands of these same weapons that land in the hands of our young people - our young men.” Well over 400 guns were turned in back in 2005. The “Bury Our Guns, Not Our People” program hopes to double that number on November 20 in Minneapolis and St. Paul. “Here in the state of Minnesota we are noting that the firearms are landing in the hands of children and young adult males between the ages of 13- and 27-years-old. We are trying to do something about

www.springfield.il.us

that,” said Galloway. She hopes programs like this also bring awareness to the gun violence issue in the state. Because the groups need financial assistance to make this program successful, they are asking for cash donations by mail or online. information and locations of the buy-back

initiative are available at www.endgunviolence.com. The buy-back will take place from 10 am - 10 pm at Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ, 247 Grotto Street North in St. Paul, and at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, 1201 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis.

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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2009 • Page 9

COMMENTARY

Are we better off than we were a year ago? By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - President Ronald Reagan had his flaws, but he certainly could turn a phrase. In the 1980 Presidential campaign he asked a question that has resonated in campaigns ever since. “Are you better off than you were four years ago,” the former California governor asked in his race against Democratic President Jimmy Carter. The people answered with a resounding “no” and Ronald Reagan was elected. The question has been asked in every election since, but President Barack Obama spun it cleverly in the 2008 election, when he said “At the rate you are going you will have to ask are you better off than you were four weeks ago.” And so, just one year ago, in a stunning

moment of history, the former Illinois Senator Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. I remember that election night, November 4, 2008, as if it were yesterday, remember the tear trickling down the cheeks of the Rev. Jesse Jackson at that cold park in Chicago, I remember the exuberance of some of the commentators as the numbers came in. It wasn’t even close, really, and all of us who were afraid to believe in the possibility of an African American president were chastened and excited. And many of us remain excited at this Presidency, even as Obama’s ratings drop to something around 53 percent in late October (from a high of 62 percent in April). The drops are understandable. President Obama presides over the worst economic conditions in seventy years, with

unemployment rates at all time highs, and consumer confidence at all time lows. He has ambitiously tackled some of the most tractable policy challenges, including credit reform and health care reform, even as he has had to manage military action in Afghanistan and Iraq and the declining popularity of our nation in the world (Nobel Peace price notwithstanding). And, our President has had to manage the hostility of the tea party Republicans whose disrespectful and obnoxious behavior has changed the tone of civic discourse and introduced an acceptable racism into what might otherwise be reasonable criticism about policy matters. Challenges notwithstanding, there is a question that must be answered. Are the American people better off now than we were a year ago? The answer is an ambiguous yes. We are better off

for the possibility of health care reform. We are better off for the possibility of credit card and banking reform. We are better off thanks to a stimulus that has saved some jobs and pumped some money in the economy. We are better off to the extent that the federal government is attempting to help with the foreclosure situation. In terms of the labor market we are emphatically not better off. The unemployment rate was 8.1 percent when President Obama was sworn in on January 20. It is 9.8 percent now. African Americans had official unemployment rates of 13.4 percent last January. Now the rate is 15.4. Those are only the official rates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that it estimates overall unemployment as high as 17 percent. Using the same formula,

the African American unemployment rate is 26.7 percent, a Depression-era rate. If you are a renter who is also jobless, you probably have not seen any positive impact of the public policy that president Obama is attempting. Are you better off than you were a year ago? It depends on where you stand on the economic totem pole. Is it too soon for us to have this conversation? After all, President Obama absolutely inherited an untenable economic situation. He has approached it with energy and vigor, championing stimulus and counting on stimulus to trickle down to workers. My only criticism is that there are workers who would like to have the same priority that Wall Street and the bankers do. A federal employment program would make all the difference in the world for people at the bottom. An

unemployment rate of 9.8 percent is all too high, and the cost of living with it is way too much. Indeed, it is not likely that our economy can recover without a jobs program. People won’t spend until they feel secure about their economic futures. We are moving into the holiday spending season, and what people spend in the next two months will make the difference between profits and losses for millions of retailers. On election night, a year ago, our nation might have gone in another direction. Are we better off than we were a year ago? For sure. But we’d be even better still if we could put Americans back to work. Julianne Malveaux is President of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina.

We must fully embrace the principle of racial non-discrimination By Joseph C. Phillips Guest Commentary On the issue of race in America there is something in the air. Shakespeare’s melancholy Dane might say it is the “scent of morning;” our president would call it a “teaching moment.” A lawsuit filed in the district court of East St. Louis alleges that Mayor Alvin Parks and City manager Robert Becks refused to hire Ronald Grimming, a former top commander of the Illinois State Police and former Director of the Florida Highway Patrol as the city’s police chief because he is white. Plaintiffs Wyatt Frazer and Della Murphy, former members of the Police, Fire and Civil Service board, allege that shortly after Parks was elected he let his bias be known rejecting their recommendation of Grimming

because in his words, “the city was not ready to hire a white police chief.” At Parks’ recommendation the city later hired Michael Braxton, a Black candidate with considerably less experience. Braxton resigned earlier this year following allegations that he has mishandled murder cases and engaged in racebased hiring practices. Frazer and Murphy further claim that for their advocacy of white candidates for other jobs in the municipality they were forced off the board. The two had better not hold their collective breaths waiting for an invite to the white house for a few brewskies with the President. The Obama administration is decidedly unsympathetic and in fact shares the opinion of the city of East St. Louis that Black interests are best served by Black (and undoubtedly democratic) representation.

Last year voters of Kinston, North Carolina – a city of 23 thousand residents — voted overwhelmingly to remove party affiliations from ballots in their local elections for offices of mayor and city council. In their continuing effort to demonstrate to cowardly Americans what true racial courage looks like the Obama Justice Department stepped in and over-ruled the voters in mid October. Registered Black voters in Kinston outnumber whites; however, whites tend to vote in larger numbers. (The Obama election was the exception bringing thousands of Black voters to the polls for the first time.) The justice department therefore argues that Blacks must still be viewed as a minority for “analytical purposes.” They further argue that because whites will only vote for Black candidates if they are Democrats

the net effect of removing party affiliations is to deny Black voters representation of their choice, which the DOJ believes are only Black and only Democrat. Irony is apparently a strong suit of this Justice Department. Officials claim to be protecting the free choice of Black voters while tacitly ignoring the choice they made by a 2-1 margin to do away with party affiliations. The decision is more troubling, however, in that it seems to put the United States Government in the position of attempting to guarantee that the “choices” of Black voters win elections. As civil rights commissioner Abigail Thernstrom rightly points out the Civil Rights Act was never intended to be a guarantee that ones choice of candidate would be victorious. The opinion that only Black Democrats can represent Black people is shared by the Maryland

chapter of the NAACP, which has asked that the state legislature strip the Governor of the right to name a successor as Mayor of Baltimore should current Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon be found guilty of any of the nine charges of theft and perjury she faces. Marvin Cheatham, President of the Baltimore Chapter expressed his concern: “Here you have a predominantly African American city. What if the governor appointed somebody white? ... Would he appoint someone Irish to be the mayor?” Would he indeed?! And will the Obama Justice Department act on behalf of the minority white citizens of Baltimore to ensure that they receive representation of their choice? The specter of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization requesting that the state legislature run interference for

them so that they might discriminate based on race should give all of us pause to consider if we have not entered into a Ray Bradbury novel. We might also consider that if America is ever to move beyond race — which is to say if the dream of America is ever to become a reality — we must fully embrace the principle of racial non-discrimination. The way forward does not lie through proportional representation and/or the political use of government power to pick winners and losers. Yes, there is indeed something in the air. What the new morning brings and whether or not we learn the appropriate lessons remains to be seen. Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like a White Boy” available where ever books are sold.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, ben@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Ben Williams. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events Free energy efficiency/renewable energy workshop for nonprofits, business owners - Nov. 10 Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1:30 - 4 p.m., at

Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway N., St. Paul. More info at http://eicenergyworkshop.eventbr ite.com/?ref=ebtn. Sponsored by Energy Innovation Corridor partners. Israel's Palestinian PrisonersAmerica's Other Guantanamo - Nov. 11 Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota, Blegen Hall, Room 150, 269 19th Avenue South, Mpls. Co-Sponsored by: the AntiWar Committee and WAMM. Endorsed by Al-Aqsa Institute.

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.

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 selfstarter 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.

Town Hall Forum on the Gangs of Saint Paul, Part III: A Chance for Change - Nov. 12 Thurs., Nov. 12, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, 732 Central Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Free and open to the public. For Marketing / Sales Immediate Opening: Local Professional Marketing / Sales. Position: Account Executive. Training, Commission and Bonus. Fax Resume: 1-877208-9664.

Minnesota Blizzards Basketball We are looking for college students majoring in Sports Management, Business, Public Relations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting, Event Planning etc. to become Interns for The Minnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Team. Interns will gain valuable experience, and in most cases college credits. 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

more information, please contact the St. Paul NAACP at (651) 6490520. Camden Music School Fall Student Recitals – Nov. 14, 21 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. ‘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. Dr. Robert Carman and Lucile Carman will speak on “India and Global Issues” – Nov. 12 Thursday, Nov. 12 in a program sponsored by Northwest Neighbors for Peace. This presentation will begin at 7 PM at Spirit of Hope Methodist Church, 7600 Harold Avenue, Golden Valley (near Winnetka Avenue and Hwy. 55). This program is free and open to the public; for more information contact Carole Rydberg, 763-546-5368. Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon - Nov. 12 thru Nov. 21 November 12 – 21 at Dreamland Arts, 77 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul For ticket information and purchase, call 651-645-5506 or online at www.dreamlandarts.com. Foreclosure information workshop – Nov. 12 Thursday, Nov. 12 6:30 p.m. St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. 952-924-2500. www.hennepin.us.

Sixth Annual SSCA Members’ Opening Night Reception – Nov. 14 On view from Sun., Nov. 15 – December 6, 2009. Opening Night Reception. Sat., Nov. 14, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Located at 1905 Third Avenue S., directly above the Third Avenue Market. www.stevensarts.org. DFL candidates for MN Governor discuss veteran’s issues - Nov. 14 Sat., Nov. 14, 2 PM. Sponsored by the DFL Veterans Caucus and Senate District 61 DFL, the event will be held at the new Center for Changing Lives, an accessible facility at 2400 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Free and open to the public. Midtown Global Market’s 3rd Annual Global Chili Cook-Off - Nov. 14 Sat., Nov. 14, Noon – 2 p.m. at Midtown Global Market, 920 East Lake Street, Mpls. Chili connoisseurs are invited sample over 13 types of chili made by Midtown Global Market business owners. $3 donation is suggested. PACER’s Simon Technology Center is presenting its 22nd annual open house – Nov. 14 Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, Minn. Advance registration is requested. To register, call PACER at 952-8389000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY) or visit PACER.org. The free event is for parents, children, and professionals and is focused on current trends in assistive technology for people with disabilities. Pillsbury House Theatre presents Non English Speaking Spoken Here: The Late Nite Series – Nov. 14 November 14. Jazzy music, intense dance, new theatre, slammin’ poetry, and fresh beats

featuring José James, Kenna Sarge, D’Lo, The St. Paul Soapboxing Slam Team, and DJO and more. Food served at 8pm, and performances at 9pm. 3501 Chicago Avenue South, Mpls. More info / tickets and packages can be purchased by visiting www.pillsburyhousetheatre.org. Camden Music School Winter Registration – Nov. 16 Winter term: January 11 – March 20 (10 weeks). Scholarship applications due: 5pm Monday, January 4. Family discounts available. All ages welcome. Locations: Northeast Community Lutheran Church, 697 13th Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis. Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Avenue North, Minneapolis. To register, or for more information visit www.camdenmusicschool.com or call 612-618-0219. A Tribute to Federico Garcia Lorca – Nov. 18 Weds., 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Auditorium, adjacent to the Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, 651-695-3700. A Night of Poetry, Music and Flamenco featuring Flamenco guitar master Michael Hauser, actress Mim Solberg, dancer Deborah Elias Morse and saxophonist Chuck Armstrong. A Public Meeting for the Lowry Ave. Strategic Plan – Nov. 19 Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at North Regional Library, 315 Lowry Avenue North Minneapolis. More information: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/ cped/lowry_strategic_plan.asp NETROOTS Minnesota - Nov. 20, 21 Location: St. Paul Hilton Garden Inn. Date & Time: 11/20/2009 at 1:00 PM Address: 411 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. http://netrootsminnesota.org MPRB Come Out and Play Family Nature Club - Nov. 21 Saturday, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m.noon – Lake Hiawatha Park, 2701 44th St. E., Mpls. Street parking is adjacent to the recreation center on 28th Ave. S and directly in front of the recreation center at the intersection of 27th Ave. and 44th St. www.minneapolisparks.org Minneapolis Urban League Guild Craft Fair – Nov. 21 Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10am – 5pm, Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Avenue N. The Guild is looking for vendors who are interested in taking the opportunity to sale their goods at the 2nd Annual Crafts Fair for a small fee. If interested please contact Lucretia by phone at (612)730-1904 or via e-mail at lsudduthwood@mul.org. Chorale’s 2009 Bridges Concert – Nov. 21 Minneapolis Youth Chorus (MYC) and adult singers in the Chorale. This upbeat, family friendly event will begin at 7 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 21, at St. Olaf

Catholic Church, 215 South 8th Street, in downtown Minneapolis.

2009 IBEW Holiday Lights in the Park – Nov. 24 through Dec. 31 Daily Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. Hours of Operation: 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm each day. Phalen Park in Saint Paul at 1615 Phalen Drive East.

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World – Nov. 27 through Jul 4 Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul. Nov. 27, 2009 through July 4, 2010. http://events.mnhs.org

Gingerbread House Contest and Decorated Trees Create Wild Winter Wonderland Nov. 28 Sat., Nov. 28, 6 pm at Rice Park, St. Paul. Rice Park will be transformed into a wintry wonderland this holiday season as figurines of classic nutcrackers, gingerbread men and a giant 75foot decorated tree dazzle visitors. There will also be a visit from Santa and musical entertainment.

Holiday Art Sale - Ongoing Dec. 5, 6, 12 & 13. Saturdays: 10am – 4pm. Sundays: 1pm – 4pm. All Nations Church, 1515 East 23rd St. Mpls. Original beadwork, jewelry, leatherwork, fabric, soaps, perfumes & much more. Free to the public. For more info, call (715) 386-3100.

Exhibit Reception, ‘Inventive Women: Portraits of Scientists and Engineers from the University of Minnesota’ – Dec. 1 Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St. Paul. Time: 5 to 8 p.m. Free. Phone: 651-2593000. This exhibit is offered in conjunction with “Ben Franklin: In Search of a Better World” on view concurrently through July 4, 2010, at the Minnesota History Center.

5th Annual Camden Music School Holiday Concert, SingAlong and Bake Sale – Dec. 12 Saturday, December 12, 3-4pm, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 3751 Sheridan Ave. N., Minneapolis. Free. More information: 612-618-0219 or www.camdenmusicschool.com.

Where’s Claudia? / ?Donde Esta Claudia? - Dec. 12 Show times: 10 AM & Noon. Make-n-Take workshops: 11 AM. Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, 1500 E. Lake Street, Mpls, 612-721-2535, www.hobt.org.

Snow Flake Bentley - Dec. 19 Show times: 10 AM & Noon. Make-n-Take workshops: 11 AM. Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, 1500 E. Lake Street, Mpls, 612-721-2535, www.hobt.org.

Saint Paul Winter Carnival January 21 - 31, 2010 For more information, visit www.winter-carnival.com

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Insight News • November 9 - November 15, 2009 • Page 11

SPORTS

MN Vikings mid-season report Mr T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Momentum. We all know about good days and bad days. My advice is to squeeze as much as possible into the good days, and sit your butt down and read a book or go to bed early on the bad days. Days turn into years, and the Vikings are having about as good of a first-half of an NFL year as possible. I mean, anytime that the Vikings beat the Packers twice before the Thanksgiving turkeys get nervous, then the momentum must be squarely on the side of Purple Pride. I can’t imagine that football life has ever felt much better for Brett Favre. He’s got the best running-back in football standing behind him. He’s got an ample array of short, tall, fast and skinny young receivers to throw the ball to and he’s got a coach who should be thankful to have a veteran quarterback who knows how to blow the coach off when he knows that there is a better play than the one the coach just called. For developing football fans, those types of plays are called audibles, but I like to call them “coach-butt-savers”, “cbs’s” for short. Brett Favre knows when to save the coaches butt from himself, and he has now proven that he knows how to kick a coach’s butt when they tread on him, as Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has learned the hard way. McCarthy and Packers General Manager Ted Thompson must be feeling like

Adrian Peterson Grade-A fools right now for dissing Favre in his hometown of Krypton, I mean Greae Bay. The son of Jor-EL, I mean Brett Favre, has been sent to save our planet, I mean save the Vikings,

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Now we’ve never seen a Superman sequel where he is forty-years-old (in Krypton years), but we all know that Favre doesn’t feel like Superman when he wakes up the morning

Like Sherman Klump’s grandma said, “Wheeew! Might make you head pop off!” from the imminent danger of never winning a Super Bowl. Yes, Brett Favre must feel just a tiny bit like Superman right now, but from what I hear the fella is about as humble as can possibly be. And though he may be humble, he sure ain’t stupid, so I’m placing bets that you will soon find a Brett Favre sponsored restaurant somewhere that everybody can see from miles around. I’m guessing it would be a steakhouse, but if Favre opens up a Mississippi soul food restaurant in downtown Minneapolis then I’m throwing his name in for governor, too.

after a hard-fought game. We also know that Favre flamed out a bit last year with the Jets after a little too much gun-slingin’ over the first half of the season. And so the biggest looming issue for the Vikings over the second half of the season revolves around the health of Brett Favre, but Viking fans might want to include running-back Adrian Peterson in their prayers for good health while their at it. Adrian Peterson’s nickname is All-Day, but with Favre at the helm they might want to adjust that nickname to Allstate, because Peterson is the insurance necessary to keep Favre from the

Brett Favre Kryptonite represented by his gray hair. The more Peterson carries the ball, the less Favre throws the ball; the less Favre throws the ball, the greater the chance that our state economy will be saved by the bookoo dollars that come along with a Super Bowl birth. And so Vikings fans should feel particularly good about the second half of this 2009 season. The best compliment that I have heard from the inner circles of the Vikings is that the team consists of a plain ole, good group of guys, from Favre on down. Good things happen to good people when they persevere, and the Vikings and Viking fans seem to fall into that category. And of course also in that category, would be the one and only Tarvaris Fox Jackson. The Fox is soaking up all that Brett Favre country boy savvy from the bench and has it all pent up to unleash his love on the football field just like Sherman Klump’s grandmother said Sherman would unleash his love on Ms. Purdy in The Nutty Professor, “Wheeew! Might make yo’ head blow off!!” (Long live the Tarvaris Jackson Fan Club)

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Page 12 • November 9 - November 15, 2009 • Insight News

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