Insight News ::: 12.08.14 by Insight News, Inc

Aesthetically It! MORE ON PAGE 10

Insight News December 8 - December 14, 2014

Vol. 41 No. 51 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Kim Ellison

Sondra Samuels

Rena Moran

ELLISON TOWN HALL MEETING

Parent, community engagement critical for culture of achievement By Al McFarlane Editor-in-Chief North Minneapolis educators, parents, business and agency

leaders last month joined Kim Ellison, Minneapolis School Board member who represents District 2 (north Minneapolis) in the first in a series of town hall meetings looking to fix an education system

that is consistently failing Black children and families. The town hall was held Nov. 20 at The Glover Sudduth Center, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis. The next town hall

Education leaders from Lucy Laney and Nellie Stone Johnson elementary schools talked about strategies that are producing positive results for students. The two Northside schools have

will be 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. A third will be held in conjunction with the 38th annual Minnesota State University Pan African Conference in February at the college’s Edina campus.

historically delivered sub-par results in standardize student achievement tests.

MEETING TURN TO 8

4RM+ULA Boosting its profile while boosting minority ranks By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer James Watson would have a hard time explaining the successes of James Garrett, Jr. and Nathan Johnson, two St. Paul Central High School graduates. Watson, the now infamous Noble Prize recipient who is credited with helping to discover the structure of DNA, said Blacks were genetically less intelligent than whites. Watson has been widely discredited by his fellow scientists and shunned

by the public at large since his controversial statements. Garrett and Johnson are two examples of why Watson’s statement is so preposterous. Garrett and Johnson, both licensed architects, are partners with 4RM+ULA (Form plus Urban Landscape Articulation), an architectural and design firm headquartered in Lowertown St. Paul with satellite locations in New York and the Dominican Republic. The award winning firm has made a name in the industry

4RM+ULA TURN TO 9

Mica Anders

The architectural design team at 4RM+ULA. Front row (left to right) Dantes Ha, project designer, Lyssa Washington, project manager, Shawntera Hardy, business development specialist, Nathan Johnson, partner, architect. Back row (left to right) James Garrett, Jr., managing partner, architect, Paola Sanchez-Garrett, project architect, Erick Goodlow, Sr., partner, business manager, Kayla Carpenter, student intern.

A perverted view of Black on Black crime Nobody knows the Opinion

By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief In the aftermath of a Black teen being killed in Ferguson, Mo., former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was asked a simple question on the NBC television’s “Meet the Press.” Do you think that Blacks have a legitimate complaint about racial

Rudy Giuliani

discrimination by police in their communities? After responding yes, he added: “But I think just as much if not more responsibility is on the Black community to reduce the reason why the police officers are assigned in such large numbers to the Black community…” As the Washington Post observed, “Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) offered some now-infamous analysis of the situation in Ferguson, Mo., on “Meet the Press” on Sunday. ‘White police officers wouldn’t be’ in black neighborhoods, killing black men, ‘if you weren’t killing each other.’

trouble we’ve seen

“This wasn’t Giuliani’s only point, but it was the one that spurred the most online reaction. Giuliani also reiterated a version of a statistic that has been common in the wake of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown earlier this year. ‘I find it very disappointing,’ he said, ‘that we are not discussing the fact that 93 percent of blacks are killed by other blacks.’ He insisted to another member of the panel, Georgetown professor Michael Eric Dyson, that ‘I would like to see the attention paid to that than

seen Glory hallelujah!

Opinion

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Interim President, NNPA Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen Nobody knows my sorrow Nobody knows the trouble I’ve

CURRY TURN TO 6

Those are the opening lyrics to “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” a spiritual with roots as a slave song. It was originally called, “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Had.” The enormously gifted Marian Anderson popularized “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” in 1925. Different versions

CHAVIS TURN TO 2

Health network

Man talk

Sports

Community

Celebrate healthy eating during the holidays

Four helpful steps to dealing with the winter blues

Larry McKenzie becomes first AfricanAmerican inducted to state basketball coaches hall of fame

Choosing the right toys this holiday can help kids meet developmental milestones

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Page 2 • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Insight News

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Celebrate healthy eating during the holidays indulgence.

By Ramon P. Llamas, MPH, CHES, Men’s Health Network It’s finally December, and we all know what that means … the holidays. Whether it’s fun with the family, office parties or stores offering candy and other seasonal favorites, who can resist? Emotions are elevated, hopes are high and the temptation of tasty treats adds yet another dimension to the season … concern over holiday weight gain. While eating lots of good food is both expected and encouraged during these special times, excessive indulgence can create problems later. The holidays don’t have to be synonymous with weight gain, especially if you approach them with a sound game plan that addresses three factors to gaining weight; nutrition, fitness and stress management. Here is a holiday eating game plan that people can follow before making yet again another New Year’s resolution to lose unwanted pounds. Pre-game tips Don’t skip meals – especially breakfast – in anticipation of eating larger holiday meals later on. Research shows

Chavis From 1 were subsequently rendered by Lena Horne, Paul Robeson, Louis Armstrong, and Sam Cooke. In the wake of the latest miscarriage of justice in the Michael Brown case in Ferguson, Mo., the song once again has a relevance to the continuing reality of racial injustice for Black Americans. Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down Oh, yes, Lord Sometimes I’m almost to the ground Oh, yes, Lord Although you see me going ‘long so Oh, yes, Lord I have my trials here below

Canstockphoto

people who eat a healthy breakfast tend to consume fewer calories during the day. Have a pre-meal. Don’t go to a holiday gathering on an empty stomach. Snack on

fruits or vegetables before heading out the door. This will give a slight feeling of being full, which will help prevent overeating later. Plan ahead. Have a plan for

self-control, especially when it comes to the most tempting treats. Think ahead about the sights, sounds, aromas and feelings that trigger personal patterns of overeating, and

then make plans to combat these beforehand so they don’t become overwhelming. Practicing awareness and mindful eating helps reduce the potential for excessive

Oh, yes, Lord Nobody knows the pain of Michael Brown’s parents. Nobody knows the utter disgust of the Black American community across the nation after the grand jury in Ferguson failed to indict Darren Wilson. The writing and singing of spirituals are an important aspect of the tradition and long struggle for freedom and justice in America. We are a spiritfilled people. Our poetry, songs and cultural responses to the conditions and contradictions that we face have always helped us to not accept injustice, and to persevere even in the face of violence. Marching for equal justice is also therapeutic. The NAACP, our oldest civil rights organization, concluded a 7-day march from Ferguson to Jefferson City, the state capital, to protest

the Michael Brown injustice and to proposed corrective remedies. NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks stated, “We stand committed to continue our fight against racial profiling, police brutality and the militarization of local authorities. Our ‘Journey for Justice: Ferguson to Jefferson City’ march is the first of many demonstrations to show both the country and the world that the NAACP and our allies will not stand down until systemic change, accountability and justice in cases of police misconduct are served for Michael Brown and the countless other men and women who lost their lives to such police misconduct.” We hope that the march and the other protest activities that are being planned will involve the growing number of young activists and leaders who are

emerging in St Louis County and on the national scene. We need to propose solutions to local, state and federal bodies to take corrective action. Beyond singing and marching, we need to get more civil rights laws enacted to stop police brutality and racial profiling. Fifty years ago, in response to the racially-motivated police violence to suppress the voting rights of Black Americans in Selma, Ala. and throughout the Deep South, the Civil Rights Movement was successful in getting the 1965 Voting Rights Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. There are numerous issues that arise out of the killing of Michael Brown. Unjustified propensity by police officers to use deadly force against Black Americans and other persons of color, the improper

and inadequate training of police officers, racism in the flawed criminal justice system, prosecutorial misconduct, and the systemic racial oppression are all issues that need be addressed more effectively. We support the efforts of President Barack Obama and some of his key domestic policy advisers, such as Roy L. Austin, Jr., who are proposing the development and enactment of the “Michael Brown Law.” If enacted, the new law would require all state, county, and local police to wear a body video camera. Of course this is just one solution, but it is a much needed and achievable step in the right direction to hold police officers accountable for their actions, especially when deadly force is used. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a fullyfunctioning video camera

Once in the game Drink lots of water. Sipping on a glass of cold water or ice throughout the event helps keep a person feeling full and staves off the dehydration that comes from eating too many highsugar, high-salt goodies. In fact, dehydration can actually mimic hunger, tempting one to eat more when that person should really be drinking more water. Practice portion control. It’s nice to dig in to favorite holiday treats, however, the extra effort required later to work off the calories – or worse, the gaining of unwanted body fat from eating too much – should be reminders for portion control. Also chew food slowly and keep return trips to a minimum. Size matters. The bigger the plate, the more food one is likely to eat. Use smaller plates at the buffet line as they can help with portion control. There is something about seeing an empty plate that helps us feel satisfied whether the container is large or small. That’s why using smaller plates is so effective. Eat food because of hungry, not because it’s there. Make a deliberate decision to control

EATING TURN TO 3 attached to police officers could be worth millions of words – and save thousands of lives in the process. As we campaign for passage of the law, we must continue to be vigilante and never cease singing our spirituals. If you get there before I do Oh, yes, Lord Tell all-a my friends I’m coming to Heaven! Oh, yes, Lord Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/ drbfc

YOU’VE BEEN WORKING HARD AND YOUR BODY IS LETTING YOU KNOW IT! By Julie McMahon, CHHC Sound Nutrition LLC Eat Well and you will Be Well! Let me show you how you can experience: • Increased energy • Better sleep • Beautiful hair, skin and nails • Stable mood • Stable weight • Increased mental clarity, memory and focus • Less inflammation, aches and pains • Better digestion • Hormonal balance • Higher level of awareness • A feeling of empowerment and sense of purpose All of this from upgrading your dietary and lifestyle choices! Lactic acid is released in the muscles in response to increased energy needs during your workout. This build-up can create burning sensations in the muscles that slow you down or even halt your activity. Feeling the burn is a good thing, but we do want to keep the lactic acid moving. I’m sure the trainers at Fit Lab

have been telling you to warm-up, cool down, stretch, and breathe deeply. All of these will help you from feeling sore later. There are also a few things you can do nutritionally to break up the lactic acid and bring down post-workout inflammation! My top 5 Tips to Decrease build-up of Lactic Acid and bring down inflammation! 1. Stay hydrated! By the time you notice that you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. A good rule of thumb is to drink 8-16 ounces of WATER prior to a workout and another 8 ounces for each 20 minutes you workout. 2. Get plenty of MAGNESIUM! The mineral magnesium is essential for proper energy production within the body. Healthy magnesium levels will help the body to deliver energy to the muscles while exercising, thus limiting the build up of lactic acid. VEGETABLES like Swiss chard, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens and green beans, LEGUMES like navy beans, pinto beans, kidney beans and Lima beans and SEEDS such as pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds are all excellent sources of magnesium

3. Eat HEALTHY FATS like salmon, flax seed, walnuts, chia seed and avocado. A healthy intake of foods rich in fatty acids helps the body to break down glucose, a process which is essential for normal energy production. This can help to limit the body’s need for lactic acid during a tough workout and keep you going for longer. 4. Get your B VITAMINS from fish, chicken and eggs. B vitamins are useful in transporting glucose around the body, which helps to fuel the muscles during a workout, thus reducing the need for lactic acid. 5. Drink WATER AND BAKING SODA!! Baking soda is an alkaline substance, so when taken internally it can help to neutralize the lactic acid that builds up in the muscles. Use about 1/2 tsp in a large glass of water. Add a little lemon for taste. PS...this helps for those of you with gout as well, because it breaks down the uric acid in your system. www.mysoundnutrition.com www.facebook.com/MySoundNutrition www.twitter.com/NutritionJulie

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Insight News • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Page 3

HEALTH Influenza (flu): What you need to know Your child has been home from school for three days with a cough, runny nose, and fever. You’ve had to miss work to take care of him and are worried that you’ll have to miss a couple more days. This is a common situation that families experience during influenza (flu) season because the flu can make people feel miserable for several days or weeks. Flu is an illness that affects people of all ages, and it is a major health issue around the world. Both children and adults should get a flu vaccine each year to reduce your chance of getting sick or spreading the flu to others. What is flu? Flu is an illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Most people get the flu during the colder months,

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 Assistant to the Publisher Shumira Cunningham Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Sunny Thongthi Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Contributing Writers Harry Colbert, Jr. Julie Desmond Fred Easter Timothy Houston Penny Jones-Richardson Alaina L. Lewis Darren Moore Lydia Schwartz Ryan T. Scott Toki Wright Photography Michele Spaise David Bradley Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

beginning in October and lasting through the spring. Flu can be spread in the air when people with the virus cough or sneeze, or a person can become infected by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching their mouth or eyes. Who gets flu? Anybody can get the flu! But, some people are more likely to become very sick with flu. Those at highest risk include: young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people who are already sick with diseases like pneumonia, asthma, chronic lung disease, HIV, heart disease, and diabetes. What are the signs and symptoms of flu? Flu symptoms include a sore throat, runny nose, and cough. People with the flu also feel very tired and may have a fever, chills, and body aches. Children who have the flu may have different symptoms than adults, like diarrhea and vomiting, in addition to the other symptoms. Flu symptoms usually come on very suddenly.

How is flu treated? Most of the time, flu can be treated at home. It is important to rest and to drink plenty of water. Stay home while you are sick and for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone so you do not spread the flu to others. Sometimes flu can be severe. If a person is having trouble breathing, feeling dizzy or confused, or having chest or abdominal pain, they should go to the hospital. In some cases doctors may also give medications to help your body fight the virus. How can I prevent flu? The most important way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated! Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year. The flu vaccine reduces the chances of getting sick. The vaccine may be given as a shot in the arm or as a spray in the nose. Talk with your doctor if you have an egg allergy or if you have had a reaction to the vaccine in the past. Now is a great time to get vaccinated! Other ways to avoid getting sick are: • Clean your hands often with soap and water, or an alcohol-

Nutritious food at McDonough Recreation Center Youthprise announced its participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals will be available at no separate charge to enrolled children at McDonough Recreation Center, 1544 Timberlake Rd, S MonThur 3-9PM and Fri 3-6PM. The goal of the program is to improve the diets of young children and increase the opportunity for children to eat a variety of nutritious foods. Meals meet nutrition standards

established by the United States Department of Agriculture. Meals are available to all participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. For more information, contact: Salah Ali, Nutrition Program Manager, 615 First Avenue Northeast, Suite 125, Minneapolis, MN 55413. By phone: 612-564-4858 x 7 (Ofc), 612-692-5504 (Fax), www. youthprise.org.

Eating

easy steps to burn more holiday calories. Maintain or slightly increase a regular exercise program. This will help decrease appetite, keep metabolism high and give a little caloric leeway for those sweet treats. When shopping for holiday gifts, park furthest away from the shopping entrance. Always take the stairs instead of the elevator. Also, take a walk after a heavy meal. As tempting as laying on the couch afterward may be, taking a short walk instead will actually help the body digest food.

From 2 so-called recreational eating. Again, eat slowly. The stomach needs about 20 minutes to tell the brain that it’s feeling full. But when food is gulped down, by the time the stomach sends its fullness signal to the brain, a person has probably already eaten too much food and too many calories. Veg out on veggies. Filling up on healthy, low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables instead of high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt and high-caffeine treats makes a person feel full without the drawbacks of dehydration, nervousness, weight gain and overeating. Share the holiday spirit – and food. Save calories by splitting treats with another person. Additionally, remember that healthy eating is only half the battle. People also need to stay physically active. Try these

based hand cleaner. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible. • Stay home from if you are

sick. You can search for a location to get flu vaccine at www.mdhflu. com and click on “Vaccine Clinic Look-Up.” This site also includes information on clinics in Minnesota that offer free or low-

cost vaccines for children and adults who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover immunizations. -MDH-

We can’tnot afford v to have health insurance. Everyone deserves insurance they can afford. MNsure can help you get it. MNsure is a free service where you can compare health plans to ﬁnd the best plan for you, often at a surprisingly affordable price. In fact, most people qualify for ﬁnancial help. Free in-person or phone assistance is available.

Call 1-855-3MNSURE or visit mnsure.org Text ENROLL to 30644 for information

Ramon Paolo Llamas received a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine and an MPH with an emphasis in Health Education and Promotion from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He has worked in a variety of settings in the public health and healthcare fields since 2005.

You belong. The health plan with you in mind.

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

Page 4 • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Insight News

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BUSINESS National Association of African American Owned Media files $10 billion lawsuit against AT&T and DirecTV LOS ANGELES – The National Association of African American Owned Media (NAAAOM) filed a $10 billion dollar lawsuit against AT&T, Inc., AT&T Services, Inc., AT&T Mobility LLC and DirecTV for race discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Citing U.S.C. Section 1981, this section prohibits racial discrimination in contracting and applies to both nongovernmental and governmental discrimination, further providing that all persons in the United States shall have the same right to make and enforce contracts as is enjoyed by white persons. “It is appalling, deeply upsetting and totally unacceptable now and moving forward that economic exclusion of 100 percent African-American owned media

continues to be perpetuated by these behemoth media conglomerates and their persistent, rigid refusal to contract with 100 percent African American owned media,” said Mark DeVitre, president of NAAAOM. “If AT&T and DirecTV do not respond to this lawsuit quickly and properly

resolve the issues, we will call for the resignation of Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T, Mark Wright, vice president Media Services and Sponsorships at AT&T, Aaron Slater, president, Content and Advertising Sales for AT&T, Michael D. White, chairman, CEO and President of DirecTV

and Daniel York, chief content officer, DirecTV. In addition, we will organize nationwide boycotts to disconnect all AT&T and DirecTV services.” It is estimated that collectively, AT&T and DirecTV spend approximately $22 billion dollars in both cable channel carriage license fees

and advertising, while less than $3 million of those dollars are allocated to 100 percent AfricanAmerican owned media. According to NAAAOM, in 2013, the combined personal compensation of the CEOs of these companies, AT&T›s Stephenson ($23 million) and DirecTV›s Michael D. White

can appear either easy or hard. Confidence and fear typically drive these stances. What is needed is a healthy dose of both, and lots of planning. In our work locally and across the country we help organizations large and small build the prerequisites for fundraising success. We help bring together board members, executive directors, fundraising professionals, and volunteers for the purpose of honestly assessing where they are, what they need, and where they want to go. That’s what we seek to accomplish with this column as well. We write to stimulate healthy conversation, to

encourage volunteer leaders and nonprofit executives to hold each other accountable, and to share some of the technical or how-to information specific to fundraising. We began writing FUNdraising Good Times in October of 2005 when we lived in the San Francisco, CA Bay Area. We approached Vernon Whitmore and Eleanor Boswell Raine of The Globe Newspaper Group with the column concept. We knew that many of their readers worked for nonprofits, made financial contributions, and depended on the work of these organizations. We also knew that readers

served as board members, were called upon to lead fundraising campaigns, and were forced to make difficult decisions when adequate funding could not be secured. We also knew that many struggled without access fundraising counsel. We wanted to fill the gap, for free, 500 words at a time. As we anticipate our 10th year writing this column we remain ever grateful to Vernon and Eleanor for our launch. We now reach readers across the country through 28 papers, two magazines and our blog FUNdraisingGoodTimes.com. The issues that drove us to begin writing this column are those

that sustain us in all aspects of our work. We want to help nonprofit organizations and institutions bring their visions and missions to life. We want them to succeed. And we want them to be thoughtful stewards of the resources they have access to. We encourage board members to increase their involvement, and we encourage nonprofit staff to invite board members into the fundraising process from the very beginning. Most importantly we encourage all nonprofit leaders to ask the hard questions: is our work making an impact? What if we invested in new technology or

($13 million) is at least 10 times more than both companies paid to African-American owned media during the same year. “This lawsuit presents a unique and important opportunity for our justice system to address and eradicate racial discrimination against 100 percent African-American owned media companies,” said Skip Miller, partner at Miller Barondess, LLP in Los Angeles and lead trial counsel for the plaintiff. “I look forward to presenting our case in court, explaining it to the jury and obtaining an appropriate remedy for the wrongful way AT&T and DirecTV have operated their businesses. One hundred percent African-American owned media companies have been egregiously harmed and we look forward to obtaining justice for them.”

End of year reflections FUNdraising Good Times

By Mel and Pearl Shaw As 2014 comes to an end, we find ourselves reflecting on our work and this column. They are both intertwined: FUNdraising Good Times is one way we help nonprofit organizations and institutions position themselves for fundraising success. To the uninitiated, fundraising

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Insight News • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Page 5

LIFESTYLE Four helpful steps to dealing with the winter blues Man Talk

By Timothy Houston Winter is upon us and it is a fact of life. As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, even the best of us can get a little down. The “winter blues” is a termed used to describe the mild depression, lack of enthusiasm, and low get-up-and-go that many people experience during this cold season. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to both prevent the blues from coming and make the most of this cold season. Here are my 4 helpful steps to dealing with the winter

blues. 1. Enjoy friends and family. Although the holiday season is often a reminder of our missed loved ones that have gone on, we should also not forget to celebrate and enjoy the company of those who remain. Make a list of some of your friends and family that could use a little cheer. Invite them over, email, write, text, Skype, or call them based on their preferred communication. You may be the spark that is needed to warm their winter blues. In any case, you will feel better for doing it. 2. Embrace a winter activity. This year I plan to take up cross-county skiing. This way, I will look forward to the snow fall, and I will have a positive reason to be out in it. Ice fishing, down-hill skiing, ice skating, hockey, snowmobiling, and snowboarding are also fun

In your winter, you can accomplish needed activities, put things to rest, enjoy the peacefulness of good friends, hobbies, and the inward work of each exceptional life. activities that will take the edge off of the winter blues. This is also a fun way to get out of the house and make new friends. 3. Accomplish an indoor project that you can see. We are visual people and projects that

we can see help us feel valued. Use the extra time indoor to stain that cabinet, fix that closet door, paint that spare room, or put together that much needed piece of furniture. Accomplishing something you can see and a

visual reminder that you have made good use of your time. It is also a way for you to get the benefit from the improvements that you have made. These small victories can go a long way in keeping you motivated throughout the winter months. 4. Complete a personal development project. The slow pace of winter will allow you the needed time to complete an individual or family budget, personal mission statement, long-term financial plan, or a profession development activity. This is also a good time to start exercising. Join a gym or use the one at work, or simply use a jump rope at home. Don’t make it too complicated. The goal is to use this time of year to get moving toward self-improvement. If winter is a fact of life, how do you beat the winter blues? Maybe you should adopt

the philosophy “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Nature is showing you that you need to take some time to look inwardly. By taking cues from nature you can more securely negotiate the seasons of your life. In your winter, you can accomplish needed activities, put things to rest, enjoy the peacefulness of good friends, hobbies, and the inward work of each exceptional life. Use these 4 simple steps to making the most of this winter, and your spring will be closer than you think. Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For copies of his book, questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

New year resolutions Motivational Moments

By Penny JonesRichardson The end of the year is approaching and it is almost time for us to make our

“resolutions” as to how we will change or be a better person in the year to come. I won’t make resolutions this year; however I will focus on the HOPE of a better year for you and so many more people of the world. My hope is that everyone who is on a journey of self discover, finally realize that life is full of lessons. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes you will fumble. But the key is to know that just because things

aren’t working out the way you planned right now, doesn’t mean that you won’t reach your destination. My hope is for those who are angry and feel as if there is no justice somehow peace finds you and comforts you. In this day and age, there are so many people praying for a country that really needs, “Liberty and Justice for ALL!” Not just for some, but for all of US! I hope that the New Year

brings in moments of pleasure for those who haven’t had a very pleasurable life. Pleasure comes in many forms and it varies for different individuals. Some find pleasure in the arms of loved ones, others in achieving goals, and then there are those who will find pleasure in just being able to be who they truly were born to be. Pleasure in finally being able to step out there on faith and move toward your greatness, is also what I

hope for many with the New Year. My final hope is that you are achieving all of the goals that you’ve worked so hard on throughout the year. I hope that you never give up and enjoy every moment of your journey, the good and the bad. I hope that I have been able to share with many my dreams and my goals and I hope that my writing touches hearts and minds. I hope you enjoy the rest of this

year and I hope that you are looking forward to what’s next! And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness. Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www. thequeensproject.com or email at penny@thequeensproject. com.

Building a spirit of gratitude from within By Dr. Daryl D. Green Has our society forgotten how to be appreciative? Many people are too busy running the rat race to say, “Thank you.” I remember sitting in a Sunday school class of young students during my college experience at Southern University. One student was saying how ungrateful he had been toward his parents. I also felt guilty. My parents bought me my first car while I was in high school; most students did not have cars. I had envisioned receiving a brand new car. Well, I did not. I got an old 1973 Dodge Charger. I was disappointed. But, I ended up falling in love with that old car which I later called “The New Wave Cruisemobile.” My car was far more dependable than most automobiles. I remember never having said “Thank you” for my car - I had also taken my parents for granted. Our society does not teach us that being appreciative is a virtue. This article examines the importance of developing a spirit of gratitude as a competitive advantage toward employability. Developing a spirit of

gratitude separates an individual from the rest of the pack. This attribute is all about character. Gratitude can be defined as the quality of being thankful; it is a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. In the fast pace of industrial living, people are not saying “Thank you” to anyone. Most people feel they deserve any kind act done for them. In fact, a selfish society creates a generation of ungrateful children. Consequently, our children grow up with this huge expectation of social pampering. Why else would a) waiters expect tips without good service, b) students expect good grades without putting in the effort, and c) couples want great relationships without any communication. All of these unrealistic expectations make “Thank you” less important. It is easy to see how people such as recent college graduates, can be discouraged with the current economic recession. According to the U.S. Labor Department, only 47.6% of people aged 16 to 24 had jobs last August. In the current economic climate, individuals need a spirit of gratitude for a competitive advantage. Some young people

may call this strategy too oldfashioned. Yet, fools shun wise counsel. In my book, Don’t Be An Old Fool: Common Sense & Gratitude, I mock popular culture that provides solutions that do not make common sense. In my world, I define a fool as an individual who is unwilling to listen and heed wise advice. When you show someone some gratitude after they assist you, that individual will likely continue to help or do more for you. However, if you are ungrateful, many times people will not do any more for you. Here are some things you can do to help produce this act of kindness: 1. Count your blessings one by one. Give God thanks. 2. Tell your parents “Thank you” for their support. 3. Give back financially to your university. 4. Visit past teachers who have contributed to your good character. 5. Support high school and college alumni organizations. 6. Send your church Sunday school teacher a greeting card. 7. Thank the person in your

community who serves as your role model. 8. Thank the public servants in your area (such as garbage collectors, police officers, postal workers, fire fighters, etc.). 9. Recognize and praise past coaches who have helped you. 10. Say something positive to your minister who contributes to your spiritual growth. As the economy continues to spiral downward, people are looking at various ways to differentiate themselves from the competition. The holiday season is the perfect time to add some gratitude into the character-building process. If a person is honest, he or she can probably think of at least one person who has helped him or her in some way. It is easy to get into a trap of only looking at the negative side of life. Can you afford to acknowledge these acts of kindness, no matter the size? Make your holidays the best ever! Spread your appreciation across your community. Showcasing a spirit of gratitude can be very rewarding and can transform an individual’s

leaders. He is an author of several books including Breaking Organizational Ties: How to Have a More Fulfilled Life in Your Current Job. For more information, you can contact him at www. darylgreen.org.

Page 6 • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Insight News

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COMMENTARY State should lead in reducing job disparities Guest Commentary By Laurie A. StofferSteiger, Attorney at Law People of color currently represent 18 percent of Minnesota’s population and their percent of the total population continues to increase. In Ramsey and Hennepin counties respectively, people of color represent 34 percent and 29 percent of the population. Unfortunately, people of color are often not “considered, groomed or selected for high level positions” because of “stereotypical views or unconscious bias.” Further they are less likely to “receive crucial information about career advancement … coaching about networking, tips on informal or unwritten rules of the workplace or information about job opportunities.” This concern, reported in the 2013 “EEOC African American Workforce Report,” could have been written about employment prospects for racial/ethnic minorities at Minnesota state

Curry From 1 you are paying to this.’” Dyson countered, “First of all, most Black people who commit crimes against other Black people go to jail. Number two, they are not sworn by the police department as agents of the state to uphold the law…. White people who kill Black people do not go to jail.” Giuliani, a lawyer, an exfederal prosecutor, and former presidential wannabe, knows better. A Justice Department report on homicides committed from 1980 through 2008 found that 93 percent of Black homicides were perpetrated by other

agencies, where data shows that agency temporary appointments are simply not available on an equitable basis to persons of color. Minnesota agency “work out of class” appointments give existing employees an opportunity to work in a higher level job classification that is temporarily unfilled. Similarly “temporary unclassified appointments” give current employees or selected external applicants a temporary job which offers experience, training, opportunities for advancement and even permanent employment. Other than AFSCME work out of class appointments, agencies are not required to post these appointments and persons are often hand-selected without any competitive process or objective documentation showing that bias did not influence the decision. Minnesota state agency data shows that from 2013 to 2014, ethnic minorities filled only 6 percent of all state agency work out of class appointments. Even more troubling, out of 52 managerial-level work out of class appointments only one was

African Americans. Giuliani conveniently neglected to note that the report also showed that 84 percent of White homicide victims were killed by other Whites. The 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report reflected a similar pattern. It showed that 83 percent of Whites were killed by other Whites and 90 percent of Blacks were killed by other Blacks. The report found that 14 percent of Whites were killed by Blacks while 7.6 percent of Blacks were killed by Whites. It’s not just a matter of Blacks killing Blacks and Whites killing Whites. Most homicides are committed by people who know their victim, usually a spouse or acquaintance. According to Justice Department’s Bureau of

From 2013 to 2014, ethnic minorities filled only 6 percent of all state agency work out of class appointments.

filled by a minority. Of the 87 total Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) work out of class positions, only one was filled by a minority. Minorities were appointed to only 5 percent of Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) total 529 work out of class appointments in 2013, with the majority of their appointments being in the AFSCME union bargaining unit. MnDOT appointed no minorities in work out of class managerial positions

and only one in a temporary unclassified managerial position. The state Department of Corrections placed only 3.7 percent of minorities in its work out of class appointments. It placed no minorities in managerial-level work out of class appointments and only one in a managerial-level temporary unclassified appointment. The Minnesota Department of Human Services placed only one minority in a managerial-level

Justice Statistics, 56 percent of homicide victims were killed by acquaintances. Another 22 percent of victims were killed by a spouse or other family member. Only 22 percent of the victims were killed by strangers. So, it was disingenuous for Giuliani to assert that Blacks are “killing each other” as though that’s a phenomenon unique to African Americans. The FBI annual compilation of crimes does not break down the race of people killed by police. However, the public interest website ProPublica studied federal data from 2010 to 2012 and concluded that young Black males were 21 times more likely to be killed by police than their White counterparts. Giuliani, never considered a friend of African Americans,

would probably be even more enraged if most Whites were being killed by Blacks. Yet, he pretends to be concerned about the loss of Black life at the hands of Blacks. As we have seen in Ferguson, with Officer Darren Wilson killing Michael Brown, long before a police officer fires his weapon at an unarmed Black target, he frequently harbors certain misperceptions about the person at the other end of the gun barrel. In the case of Wilson, he testified before a St. Louis County grand jury: “And when I grabbed him, the only way I can describe it is I felt like a five-year old holding on to Hulk Hogan.” [Grand jury transcript, Volume 5, page 212, line 21] Wilson testified that he stands

work out of class appointment and only one minority in a manageriallevel temporary unclassified appointment. According to statute, Gov. Mark Dayton and his appointed agency heads are ultimately responsible for removing systemic and discriminatory barriers in employment practices. However, because agency heads have consistently and regularly delegated away their equal employment opportunity responsibilities, many are unaware of their own agencies’ particular inequitable barriers and most simply do not get personally involved in tearing down these barriers, even though that is precisely their responsibility. Even where agency heads do make progress in eliminating disparities, the continuity of their efforts and the institutional memory of practices that are effective is interrupted (and often lost) each time a new governor is elected and a new slate of agency heads appointed. This is why Dayton should take meaningful action to institutionalize effective,

equitable statewide employment practices and policies that bring the full complement of qualified Minnesotans into the workforce. If this occurred, state government employment will begin to reflect the increasing diversity of Minnesota’s population. I have focused on racial disparities in this piece, but data similarly shows concerning disparities based on disability. The bottom line is that these appointments should be effectively posted for a minimum time period and all qualified applicants should be fairly considered. Dayton could easily require his agency heads to make this happen via Executive Order or a personal directive. He could easily direct Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) Commissioner James Schowalter to seal this and other equitable employment practices in a statewide policy that will remain even when governors and commissioners come and go. Other agency heads could also roll up their sleeves and get the ball rolling via a directive to their appropriate agency personnel.

a shade under 6’4” and weights “210-ish.” Michael Brown was listed as 6’4” and weighed nearly 300 pounds. Wilson was the same height as Brown and though the teenager enjoyed about a 90-pound weight advantage – which could be considered a disadvantage – Wilson was armed with a Sig Sauer P229, .40 caliber pistol loaded with 12 bullets, a nightstick and mace. With those clear advantages, along with the ability to call for backup help, which he had exercised, there was no reason a trained police officer should have felt “like a five-year old” holding on to a 6’7,” 302-pound professional wrestler. Clearly, Wilson was also armed with certain stereotypes of young Black males and that may

have affected his poor decisionmaking on that fatal day in Ferguson, Mo. Both Rudy Giuliani and Darren Wilson are entitled to have their opinions of African Americans, however flawed. But their biases should not cost Michel Brown or anyone else their life. George E. Curry, former editorin-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry. com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.

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Insight News • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Page 7

SPORTS Larry McKenzie becomes first African-American inducted to state basketball coaches hall of fame Larry McKenzie, North High School’s basketball coach, was among four inductees to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Hall of Fame on Nov. 1. The Hall of Fame recognizes Minnesota coaches who have made significant contributions to high school basketball through their achievements and service. McKenzie is the first African-American coach to receive this honor. “Mr. McKenzie has not only led our teams to succeed in athletics, he has also served as a powerful role model and mentor to students during critical high school years,” said Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson. “His influence on and off the court has undoubtedly contributed to the academic and social success of many students.” McKenzie led the Patrick Henry High School’s boys basketball team to four consecutive Class AAA state titles in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. He also led the Henry Patriots to six Minneapolis City Conference championships, three Twin Cities championships and six state section titles. After coaching semiprofessional basketball for a short time, McKenzie transitioned to coaching high school athletes at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, and in 2013 he returned to his Minneapolis roots to lead the North High School boys basketball program.

Larry McKenzie McKenzie’s team at North was primarily composed of underclassmen and came within one win of qualifying for the state tournament.

McKenzie’s coaching achievements earned him four Section Coach of the Year awards. In 2001 he was named State Class AAA Coach of the

Year and National Coach of the Year. Off the court, McKenzie is a member of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)

Boys Basketball Advisory Committee, has authored three books and is a motivational speaker. The other 2014 inductees

are Gary Holmseth of Blue Earth, John Holsten of Glenwood, Alexandria and Brandon-Evansville, and Dean Schnaible of Adrian.

Page 8 • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Insight News

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OPINION Less scrolling and scanning, more digesting By Bruce Johansen, TC Daily Planet Tied to our electronic devices, most of us do a lot of scrolling these days: scanning our Facebook newsfeeds and tweets, skimming favorite blogs and online news sources. The result, says Nicholas Carr (“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” and The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains), is that we’re losing our capacity to concentrate, contemplate, reflect, even as what we’re reading is often purposely kept shorter in response to our shortened attention spans. All of this has consequences for the quality, depth, and tone of the discourse that we can engage in about important matters. Andrew Keen, who has a tendency in The Cult of the Amateur to overstate his case, rightly contends that what we need more of is information and reporting that is vetted and edited by professional journalists, which as a result, has the potential to inform readers. What I would add is that for this to matter requires readers who are hungry for credible information, willing to take the time to read thoughtful, informed writers, and then to process, listen, and reflect, not simply “like” and share, or even worse poison reader’s comments sections of online newspapers with their bigotry or by circulating proven myths and lies to their unsuspecting and receptive audiences on social media. When I was a Hamline undergraduate, it was common for literature professors to assign one meaty novel per week, or 14 per semester, and professors of history or sociology to assign a good eight or 10. The quantity of reading increased exponentially in graduate seminars. Reading and the writing and discussions that accompanied it were

Meeting From 1 The meeting asked participants to explore fixes for Lucy Laney and similarly challenged schools and asked community leaders to join parents to prevent teacher and resource cuts to north Minneapolis schools. Presenters all highlighted the need for greater parental and community engagement inside the schools. Nicole Plowman said she began working with the coteaching program at Lucy Laney in 2011 when she was hired as a 5th grade math specialist in a co-teaching model. “What we found was that at the end of that year 5th grade math was the only area that exceeded expectations on

essential to the development of critical thinking skills. However, by the time I was teaching undergrads, during my grad school years at the University of Maryland, it was clear that attention spans were shrinking. I was warned not to assign books, or at most to stick to one or two. Better, I was advised, to assign course packets, which became skinnier and skinnier each semester. This, at a time, when newspapers--both print and online--were publishing shorter articles. This diminishment of attention has implications for the Internet as a platform and tool for civic engagement. In grad school, where I studied media and culture, a good deal of attention was devoted to speculation about the capacity of new decentralized tools to engage more people, more voices, in conversations about important issues of the day. There were writers, like Howard Rheingold, who viewed the Internet in utopic terms, and others, including Sherry Turkle, who approached it more skeptically. Jump ahead a few years and you’ll find Andrew Keen polemicizing about the downsides of the Internet as a democratic platform, where presumably everyone has a voice. “This infinite desire for personal attention,” he writes, “is driving the hottest part of the new Internet economy,” social networking sites. Everyone has the capacity and easy access to multiple platforms now to shine a spotlight on themselves and talk at others, a decidedly much larger audience than ever before. But is anyone truly listening if our main motivation is to draw attention to oneself? And if we are listening, are we likely to act upon what we’ve learned, or just keep scrolling, scrolling? The seamiest side of life online is precisely that aspect of the Internet that in the late 1990s, early 2000s, held out the

most hope, that it would give voice to the voiceless (i.e. most of us.) I was vividly confronted by this aspect at its worst in January 2010, when reading online comments about a triple homicide at a Somali-owned grocery store in my South Minneapolis neighborhood. Several readers from farflung suburbs felt compelled to spew vile prejudices about East African immigrants and refugees--a sizable portion of my neighborhood’s population-based on no firsthand experience or information, just the ugly ideas that had formed in their heads. Sadly, the same thing is at play in the obscene

comments frequently spouted online about President Obama (not his policies, but his personhood), and in the misinformation shared widely via social media or reader’s comments about healthcare, people on federal assistance, certain neighborhoods in the Twin Cities, or any particular demographic you can think of. Not that this tendency to speak loudly on subjects which one knows nothing about is anything new. There have always been those who’ve been prone to bloviate without having the facts to back up what they are saying. Again, from my teaching stint, there were students each semester who

thought they could boost their grade through participation. They held forth on every article or subject, even though it was clear they had not done the assigned reading. Much of the conversation online, outside of the sharing of trivial personal information, is by people who are similarly blowing off steam or speaking just to speak, frequently cloaked in anonymity. One thing that’s become increasingly clear is that to carry on a meaningful conversation with fellow community members online, as in person, is much more challenging than it might seem, especially in a culture

as polarized as ours, and one that increasingly is prone to being misinformed, with too many of us unintentionally and sometimes intentionally misinforming others, as we become more active online. Fortunately, the decentralized nature of the Internet provides us with greater access to a wider spectrum of voices and views. Knowing which sources to trust and which to question draws upon our critical thinking skills. It also calls for skilled journalists, who know a thing or two about fact-checking. We had better have both.

testing. We knew we were onto something good and we wanted to continue and expand that,” said Plowman. “We added to the co-teaching model by adding more math specialists and this year we added literacy specialists. We are using coteaching in grades K through 5 in math and literacy. All data supports this is working. The biggest indicator of success is prior success. Most important is that students leave school every day feeling like they are successful. Proficiency has doubled each of the past three years in 5th grade math. We are on track to achieve 100 percent proficiency. We have behavior data that shows without coteaching, there is a higher suspension rate.” Co-teaching, she said, is two teachers in classroom each having small group of five to seven students, gearing instruction to the students.

There is more accountability working with small groups and teachers can play off each other’s strengths. “I have 18 years classroom experience, my co-teacher is new to the classroom but brings knowledge of the latest technology. We both learn from each other,” said Plowman. Pia Shannon, who teaches at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary School said culture and accountability are important. “Teachers need to be able to do our jobs in the classroom. It’s hard, being under a microscope because of the standardized tests. Teachers work hard day in and day out. We are holding ourselves accountable. We talk and share information and resources. If a child responds to me better than another teacher we support each other,” said Shannon. Shannon continued by

saying, “Parents don’t know how to advocate for their children. The system is huge and bureaucratic. Go in one door and they tell you ‘No.’ Go in another door, they say ‘No.’ But our families are in crises. We need help. We need community people in the buildings. We need men especially helping us with the kids. It is getting harder and harder. Parent liaisons build bridges that are critical. (We) need people who can talk to parents without using education-speak.” Education advocate and education chair for Minnesota Chapter of NAACP, Lisa Neal Delgado, said many parents say school administrators talk down to them, and thus parents disengage. “We have to get more parents engaged,” said Delgado. “Going to basketball games, dance recitals, teacher

conferences … whenever you get them into the building it is better.” “Our parents and our children are not a deficit,” said Sondra Samuels, CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ). “They have a lot of assets. And when you tap into that it makes all the difference in the world. We are looking at creating a culture of achievement – from womb to work, from cradle to career. And we are seeing incredible outcomes for doing full wrap around support services for NAZ families. NAZ connectors, family coaches who are from the Northside, work fulltime to make sure each family is connected to the wraparound services support. We started about five years ago and got significant funding three years ago. We got $28 million over five years. We are ending our third year. We are

building a system where we hold each other accountable for outcomes. Gone are the days when we could just say we have a nice program. You have to be able to show results for families and for children. Our parents are leading this work. They are holding us accountable. Fifty-nine percent of NAZ children are ready for kindergarten versus 34 percent who are not enrolled in NAZ. State Representative Rena Moran, (D-65A, St. Paul), whose degree is in early childhood education said, “At the state level, we look at policy. I want that to align with what works for our community. We have to be part of the decision making. We need to see you. We need to hear you. We are not doing well until all of our kids are doing well. Minnesota will not have a great education system until all of our kids are achieving.”

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Insight News â&#x20AC;˘ December 8 - December 14, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 9

COMMUNITY 4RM+ULA From 1 working on high profile projects including Metro Transitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light rail stations, the new Lowertown Ballpark (home of the St. Paul Saints) and projects at the University of Minnesota. While 4RM+ULA (pronounced Formula) stands out first and foremost because of the quality of work and design, the firm also stands out as one of the only licensed Black owned architectural firms in Minnesota. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just between Nate and me, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 15 percent of the licensed Black architects in the state,â&#x20AC;? said Garrett, with both pride and anguish in his tone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to change that by encouraging young African-Americans to seek careers in architecture. Just by doing what we are doing weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re leading by example that others can follow.â&#x20AC;? In leading by example 4RM+ULA (www.4rmula.com) has become a major player in the Twin Cities. Thus far, the small firm with a total of seven employees has had a design role on 19 light rail stations, the redesign and renovation of the Juxtaposition Arts building, 1108 West Broadway, Minneapolis, and the design of Tate Hall on the University of Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus. In total, the firm has worked on projects budgeted for more than $1billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We won two awards for the design work we did on the Target Field (light rail) station,â&#x20AC;? said Johnson, a graduate of Cornell University. With all the success and with such lofty dollar amounts being thrown around, there is the question as to why there are so few Blacks in the field. Of the more than 2,200 licensed architects in the state only 88 are people of color â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just 15 of those are African-American, with only one being an African-American woman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen as a glamorous profession,â&#x20AC;? said Johnson, offering a possible explanation for the lack of diversity within the field. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough career exposure among people of color.â&#x20AC;? But Johnson said there are many rewards that come with being an architect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going through architectural education is in my opinion one of the most rigorous programs out there,â&#x20AC;? said Johnson, who is also an instructor at Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the graphics and design side and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the technical side. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the only professions that is both right and left brain.â&#x20AC;? Garrett, who is a graduate of the University of California â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Berkley, has a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from the Parsons The New School for Design and is a professor at the University of Minnesota teaching masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level courses, said while there is a certain level of commitment in becoming licensed, the rewards are vast. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I first started out on my own, before getting licensed, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to have other architects sign off on all my projects and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to pay them to do that,â&#x20AC;? said Garrett. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then I partnered with Nate, who was already licensed, which meant we could write our own projects and later I became licensed as well.â&#x20AC;? According to Garrett, the process of becoming licensed can take up to 10 or more years and that affects some peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career decision. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When talking to a young kid who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been exposed to this before, they want to know two things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how long is it going to take (in terms of schooling) and how much money can they make,â&#x20AC;? said Garrett. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But a person can work in the profession without having a license and still have a great career in the industry.â&#x20AC;? With their works, Garrett and Johnson are a couple of pretty good examples of the career that can be had in the lucrative field. As for Watson, the now disgraced scientist, recently he has fallen on hard times and said he was forced to auction off his Nobel Prize because he has not been able find work.

HOLIDAY SEASON

Choosing the right toys this holiday can help kids meet developmental milestones (StatePoint) This holiday season, keep in mind the notion that what your children play with can have a large impact on their interests and brain development. So when it comes to a walk down the toy aisle, parents are becoming more discerning, leading smart toymakers to design toys with a learning component thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equally as important as the fun. VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children, works with a team of child development experts to assess toys and provide feedback before reaching store shelves. The members of VTechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expert Panel are offering some helpful holiday shopping hints to parents looking to foster their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of learning: â&#x20AC;˘ Add it up: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mathematical foundations provide the building blocks for future mathematical success, both in school and beyond,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Francis (Skip) Fennell, mathematics educator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toys that emphasize numbers, counting and beginning concepts with whole number operations will develop, support and encourage these crucial concepts and skills.â&#x20AC;?

The Count & Chomp Dino, for example, introduces children to numbers, colors, shapes and foods. â&#x20AC;˘ Age-appropriate: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brains are developing at a remarkable speed,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Lise Eliot, an early childhood development expert. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their toys should keep up with that growth.â&#x20AC;? Keep kids challenged with educational toys that are age-appropriate, so they are never bored or frustrated. Consider child-sized, kidfriendly tablets, such as the InnoTab MAX, that are packed with educational, stage-based learning content. â&#x20AC;˘ Full STEAM ahead: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (collectively known as STEM) have gained more visibility in schools, along with the addition of arts to form STEAM. However, says Dr. Carla C. Johnson, science and STEM expert, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is still crucial to cultivate skills in these subjects and implement them in everyday learning. Educational toys can help kids develop self-confidence in the use and application of these important disciplines.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Build vocabulary: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Children absorb new

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information like sponges. Take advantage of their blossoming interests with interactive toys that highlight letters of the alphabet, the sounds letters make and vocabulary,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Deborah Sharp Libby, early childhood language and reading expert. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Above all, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the importance of reading to and with your children often!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Choose wisely: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get carried away with the bells and whistles. You and your kids will quickly look past those. Instead, look for toys that actively engage your kids through technology, by deeply integrating games and learning,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Eric Klopfer, platform learning expert. Remember, each child grows at his or her own pace, and there are few hard and fast deadlines when it comes to a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s milestones. For a detailed guideline, sorted by age group and area of development, along with other free parenting resources, visit www.vtechkids.com/milestones. With toys as tools for learning, you can help children as they reach their educational and developmental milestones.

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RENTALS

Chief Financial Officer

Tapestry Management, LLC has various sized apartments/townhomes for rent in the following locations: St. Paul, Golden Valley, Mankato, Red Wing, N. St. Paul, Rochester, Plymouth, Jordan, Winona, Olivia, and Redwood Falls. Rental assistance is available to qualified applicants in all locations. Please contact the appropriate location for availability and additional information. Birmingham Townhomes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. Paul 952-854-8800 Calvary Center Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Golden Valley 763-546-4988 Colonial Square Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mankato 507-345-1321 Cooperidge Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Red Wing 651-388-1500 Franklyn Park Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; N. St. Paul 651-770-1504 Innsbruck Townhomes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rochester 507-289-1319 Mission Oaks Townhomes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Plymouth 763-559-5770 Newbridge Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rochester 507-282-8284 Northgate Community Housing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rochester 507-289-1319 Oakridge Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rochester 507-281-1031 Schule Haus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jordan 952-492-2084 Wapasa Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winona 507-429-9261 Westcourt Apartments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Olivia 320-523-2101 Westfalls Townhomes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Redwood Falls 507-641-5933

NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Mpls. $74,950.72 - $116,631.84 Annually. This FT leadership position develops, implements, maintains, & evaluates its financial systems, financial best practices, & fiscal services for the clinic. Quals: Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree or higher in business/healthcare/ public health admin, finance, or related field & 5+ years finance exp in a health care setting, at least 1 year in an administrative management position; leadership & mgt exp. For full description & to apply, visit www.hennepin.jobs by Mon, Dec. 22 5PM.

Public Notice of Election NAACP St Paul Branch Election of Officers Tuesday, December 9th, 2014 2:00 6:00pm Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 N. Kent Street, St Paul, MN

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

West Falls Estates

International Falls, MN. 56649 Rent based on 30% Of adjusted income Call Patricia Brown At 218-283-4967 TDD 800-627-3529

Page 10 • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Insight News

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Baby

Doomtree

Lia Renee Dior

Dec. 9 - 14

Aesthetically It! is a list of picks from the editors of Aesthetically Speaking. Aesthetically It! features venues, events, outings and more that are worthy of “It” status. If you have a venue, event or outing that you feel is “It” worthy, email us at aestheticallyit@ insightnews.com

Monday, Dec. 8

TOY DRIVE/PARTY Moody’s 24th Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive Urban Eatery Minneapolis 2730 W. Lake St., Minneapolis 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Join the annual toy drive and party at the Urban Eatery across from Lake Calhoun. Fashion icon Richard Moody is hosting the event and ask everyone bring an unwrapped toy for children and teens of all ages. All gifts received will be donated to the Domestic Abuse Project MN and

Sabathani Community Center Horizon Youth Program.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

The ever popular Doomtree hip-hop collective is ending its sell out “Blowout” series and to celebrate members P.O.S., Dessa, Mike Mictlan, Sims, Cecil Otter, Lazerbeak, and Paper Tiger will visit schools during the day followed by an all ages performance at Triple Rock. Check www.doomtree.net for the full list of performances.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE Doomtree Last Blowout Ever Triple Rock Social Club 629 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis 6:30 p.m. All ages $15

McNally Smith Emerging Artist Series Minnesota Music Cafe 499 Payne Ave., St. Paul 7:30 p.m. No cover As a part of McNally Smith’s

College of Music’s final exams, various student ensembles will perform. Discover new talent playing with rock, funk, improv, hip-hop ensembles and more.

Thursday, Dec. 11 THEATER/PERFORMANCE “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Children’s Theatre Company 2400 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis $25 - $60 with discounted tickets available The classic tale of Dr. Seuss’s Grinch is retold to new audiences throughout December and January at the Children’s Theatre Company. Nostalgic for some, this

should be good for the entire family.

Friday, Dec. 12 DRUM AND DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Africans in the Snow Patrick’s Cabaret 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis 7:30 p.m. $8 advance, $10 door Come in out of the cold for warm drinks, spicy snacks, good stories, music, dance and drumming. All door fees will go to Medcins Sans Frontiers to fight Ebola in West Africa. The event features performances by Kenna Cottman, Auntie

IT! TURN TO 11

Exhibition for artist Julie Buffalohead to open at Minnesota Museum of American Art project space in December The Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA) will present the first major museum exhibition of Julie Buffalohead’s artwork, opening Thursday, Dec. 18. Buffalohead, born in 1972, is an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. The Minnesota-based artist has enjoyed both critical and popular success with her playful yet provocative drawings and paintings. The exhibit will present a selection of about 25 artworks from the early 2000s to today that charts the artist’s development. Buffalohead’s work challenges stereotypes of Native-Americans using narrative imagery drawn from myths and fairytales, Native culture, and personal experience. “We are thrilled to be presenting the work of this talented artist with her gallery, Bockley Gallery, a longtime friend and supporter of the museum,” said Kristin

Makholm, the executive director of MMAA. “Julie’s exhibition coincides with the museumorganized retrospective of George Morrison (Modern Spirit: The Art of George Morrison) on view at the Minnesota History Center, allowing us to think more broadly about the contributions that NativeAmerican artists have made to broadening the discourse and expanding the boundaries of contemporary artistic practice.” “Julie Buffalohead: Coyote Dreams” will be on view at the MMAA Project Space from Dec. 18 to Feb. 22 with a special members event Thursday, Jan. 15, at 5:30 p.m. when members of the museum can participate in a special gallery talk by Buffalohead. Following the members only event, there will be a public reception at 7:00 p.m. to meet the artist and experience a storytelling program inspired by her art curated by poet Heid Erdrich, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe.

The Standoff, 2012, 20 1/4 x 30 1/2 inches, mixed media on paper. Image courtesy Bockley Gallery.

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Insight News • December 8 - December 14, 2014 • Page 11

New Sound Underground

IT! From 10 Beverly, Bill Cottman, Voice of Culture, and Raboday Drums and Dance Culture. HIP-HOP/PERFORMANCE Rich Gang (Birdman, Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan) Myth 3090 Southlawn Dr., Saint Paul 9 p.m. $49 – $80 Cash Money Records head, Birdman, stops into the Twin Cities with controversial rapper Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan.

upbeat urban music in a comfortable environment outside of downtown Minneapolis. DJs Willie Shu, Gabe Garcia and Noam The Drummer have built a strong audience with this monthly event alongside host, Franz Diego.

Saturday, Dec. 13 SOUL/HIP-HOP/ PERFORMANCE The Avant Garde Launch Party Bedlam Lowertown 213 4th St., St. Paul $8 advance – $12 door 21-plus

DANCE/CLUB Turnt Up Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21-plus $5 The Turnt Up! Dance Party has become a go to destination for anyone wanting to hear

Saturday marks the official launch of Niles Chadwhick’s entertainment/arts company, The Avant Garde. Expect a night of neo-soul and jazz mixed with live performances by The Kevin E. Washington Quartet, Margeaux Davis, Theo Brown Music, Lia Renee Dior and Proper-T (The Soulflower Collective & Zuluu Zuluu). The event also features live painting

by Lorenzo Crockett and DJ Dan Speak on the turntables. Tickets are available online at www.vitalculture.com/events/ detail/2613.

Sunday, Dec. 14 FUNK/PERFORMANCE New Sound Underground 701 First Ave., Minneapolis 8 p.m. 18-plus $7 New Sound Underground is a genre-defying, Minneapolisbased ensemble who has built a reputation around their energetic and riveting live performances, and is quickly becoming one of the most respected names among musicians and audiences alike. While their influences include such instrumental music heavyweights as Soulive, Weather Report, The RH Factor and Snarky Puppy, their music is a well-developed fusion of varied genres.

Page 12 â&#x20AC;˘ December 8 - December 14, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Insight News

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