Insight News ::: 9.24.12

West Broadway Business Profi leMaster gardener at West Broadway Farmers Market

PAGE 10

HealthHow to spot victims of domestic violence

PAGE 12

Serving the CommunityGood in the ‘Hood serves families in need

TechnologySmall computer center making a large impact

PAGE 3

Mint Condition @ the speed of life

Church leaders on gay marriage

Brett Buckner announces bid for Ward 5 seat

When it comes to the music industry, Mint Condition is a

rarity. For most musical acts, their careers span just a few fl eeting years with one or two, maybe three or four – at best – albums to their credit. But Mint Condition has been going

strong for more than 20 years and earlier this month the group released its eighth studio album, “Music @ the Speed of Life.” Add the fact that Mint Condition is a band with all of its members trained musicians, and it makes

the group even more of a rarity – especially in R&B/soul music. And there are certainly very few – if any – acts that can say its eighth release in a 20-plus year career debuted number one on iTunes.

“It’s like the African proverb says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together,” said keyboardist Lawrence Waddell, who prefers to go by Lawrence El. “We just kind of jelled. It’s the love we

have of music and love for one another that keeps us together.” And it is the music that has endeared Mint to a legion of faithful fans worldwide. The fan

The Rev. Oliver White supports gay marriage – and he said it has cost him his church. White, pastor of Grace Community United Church of Christ, whose church was located at 986 Forest St. on the east side of St. Paul for nearly 12 years, closed the doors to the church on July 31. The church was foreclosed upon when it could no longer pay its bills due to a severe decline in members. White said he lost two-thirds of his congregation when he came out in support of gay marriage. The Rev. Jerry McAfee, pastor of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Bryant Ave. N, Minneapolis, said his church is thriving. And while McAfee says his church is welcoming to everyone, he is in complete opposition to gay marriage. White said his troubles began in 2006 when his denomination voted to support gay marriage. White was a delegate at the meeting where the church doctrine was changed and he said area members blamed him for the shift. “All of a sudden we were

labeled as a gay church and I was labeled a bisexual,” said White. “I just think good people should have the same rights as other good people. I’ve never had a second thought about that.” White said when the church was branded gay, most of his members left fearing they would be accused of being gay. McAfee said he too has been falsely branded. “(People) have called me homophobic and say I hate gays,” said McAfee. “Can’t no Black pastor hate gays because they are all through the church.” McAfee said his support of the ban on gay marriage is a simple one. “It’s a sin,” said the Baptist minister. “In the Bible, marriage is defi ned as between

a man and a woman. I respect all people but I don’t support (homosexual’s) right to marry.” According to White, who said he ministers to his congregation of about 30 at an area church (which he declined to name for fear it would be targeted for reprisal) homophobia is rampant in the African-American community. “It’s well known that homophobia exist (in the African-American community) more than any other community,” said White. “(To change it) it’s going to take some assimilation. People need to get to know each other beyond gender, sexual orientation, beyond race; beyond anything.”

NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center’s fi rst annual Fit4Fun event was a roaring success by any measure. In fact, neighbors came from blocks away just to see what all the commotion was about. Fit4Fun, which was initiated by NorthPoint employees as a means to help families easily integrate physical activity into their lives began with the notion of hosting a day of small demonstrations of hula hooping and jump roping. Such a great idea was embellished and enhanced until the full version emerged as a huge community event last Saturday, September 15th with over 700 people in attendance. Kids and adults participated in an obstacle course, hip hop dancing, Zumba, double-dutch jump rope and much more. There were healthy eating and cooking demonstrations along with health screenings and access to community information. A one mile walk and bike ride took place, as well as a three mile run for the more serious athletes. The LWA in Motion Drill Team & TKO Drum L ine kicked off the walkers and runners at the starting point and Jovanta Patton and the Deliverance for Youth

Lifelong North Minneapolis resident and community organizer Brett Buckner fi led with Hennepin County to run for Minneapolis City Council in ward 5. This fi ling will allow him to begin the formal organizing process, including raising money and hiring staff, leading up to the 2013 Minneapolis municipal elections. Buckner has been a leader in North Minneapolis, and throughout the region for many years, including working with the DFL party, Congressman Keith Ellison, President Obama and numerous other organizations that work to empower the community

through the election process to bring about positive change. “As a proud lifelong North Side resident,” said Buckner, “I feel honored and humbled to have been asked by so many friends and neighbors to take this fi rst step towards moving our community towards a brighter future.” Minneapolis ward 5 encompasses the vast majority of North Minneapolis and had been the only ward with a majority African American population prior to the latest redistricting by the city’s Charter Commission and approved by the City Council earlier this year.

By Harry Colbert, Jr.Contributing Writer

By Harry Colbert, Jr.Contributing Writer

Reverend Oliver White

Brett Buckner

Reverend Jerry McAfee

By D. Helene Woods and Maria Moore

FITNESS TURN TO 2

MINT TURN TO 3

MARRIAGE TURN TO 3

Fit4Fun 2012 a lively successPhotos: Phil Hernandez

Raymond Moore and Noah Tidwell

Helene Woods and daughter Teagan Woods

Women from Heritage Park participate in Fit4Fun Walk

Courtesy of Mint Condition

September 24 - September 30, 2012 • MN Metro Vol. 39 No. 39 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.comS t b 24 S t b 30 2012 MN M t V l 39 N 39 Th J l F C it N B i & Th A t i ight

INSIGHT NEWS

• September 24 - September 30, 2012September 24 - September 30, 2012 • Insight News insightnews.com

AfroDescendientesEntrevista: Legado y dinastíaTraducción por Paola Sánchez-Garrett

James Garrett Jr. y Paola Sánchez-Garrett son recién casados. Ella es de la República Dominicana y aunque él es de las Islas Vírgenes, tiene raíces muy profundas en Minnesota que lo hacen un oriundo de las ciudades gemelas. Recientemente ambos fueron invitados a participar de mi programa de radio “Conversations with Al McFarlane” que se transmite por KFAI FM 90.3. La entrevista puede ser escuchada en el siguiente link: http://feedburner.com/insightnewsconversationswithalmcfarlane.

Al McFarlane: Tú y Paola tienen la misma profesión y un negocio propio que crece que puede crecer como crece tu familia. ¿Como se conocieron? Paola, cuéntanos la historia Paola Garrett: Nos conocimos en una red social y fuimos amigos por un par de años para luego empezar a salir por un tiempo. El amor estaba ahí y empezamos a visitarnos frecuentemente en nuestros respectivos países. Ahora estamos juntos, felizmente casados, muy felices. AM: me contaste como te propuso matrimonio PG: Bueno, no hablo ingles perfectamente, pero trataré de relatar la historia. El me invitó a un concierto de jazz en Santiago, mi ciudad natal en la República Dominicana y la verdad no estaba muy entusiasmada con la invitación, pero pensé para mi misma “este hombre esta aquí por mi, así que voy a acompañarlo “.

Cuando llegamos al lugar, una parte de mis amigos estaba

allá y pensé que era una grata coincidencia y una oportunidad

para divertirnos todos juntos. James Garrett: ¡Fue una

coincidencia! PG: C oincidencia o algo más pensé. Durante el show, la jazzista dijo algo como “yo quiero dedicarle esta canción a una pareja de enamorados que se encuentra presente hoy con nosotros, él quiere declararle su amor y proponerle matrimonio a su novia”, yo pensé que era algo muy hermoso que tuviéramos la oportunidad de presenciar algo así, y pensé que era muy “cool”, sin sospechar lo que sucedería después. La jazzista empezó a cantar y mi corazón empezó a palpitar muy rápido porque ella cantaba nuestra canción. Yo no podía creer lo que estaba sucediendo y de pronto James tomo mi mano y me llevó al escenario donde empezó a bailar conmigo. Todas las personas que estaban en el concierto empezaron aplaudir y gritar. Había mujeres llorando de la emoción, fue todo un acontecimiento aquello y yo no podía creer lo que estaba pasando, él se arrodillo enfrente de todos y pidió mi mano. Todo fue documentado en Facebook y el video esta en YouTube también. Todavía hay personas que me ven el calle y me detienen para preguntarme “!Hey!, ¿eres tu la chica de la propuesta de matrimonio?”. AM: entonces ¿es una historia de amor famosa? PG: Sí, podría decirse que sí. AM: Paola, tu enseñas en la universidad, ¿Cuál es tu profesión? PG: Soy arquitecta y también planifi cadora urbana en Santiago. Estudié en la Pontifi cia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra de Santiago y allí enseño urbanismo. AM: Tu familia es muy conocida porque tu padre es una personalidad en los medios

de comunicación. PG: Sí, mi papa es productor de televisión allá. Fue por mucho tiempo un famoso DJ desde los años 60 hasta los años 80. Ahora se dedica más que nada a la producción de un programa de televisión. JG: Él no es sólo un productor de televisión, es toda una personalidad. Su show tiene una larga trayectoria en la isla. Se transmite de lunes a viernes a las 7:00pm. AM: Es una personalidad JG: Él es todo un personaje. Él se presenta frente a las cámaras y también produce su programa. Pero es toda una personalidad de la televisión. AM: Hago las pregunta para que podamos tener una imagen de tu nueva familia. La familia es muy importante. Tú también nos hablaste de tu mamá, Paola. Sobre la fuerte y maravillosa mujer que es. PG: Sí, lo es. Somos tres hermanos. Yo soy la mayor y siempre tengo presente a mi familia. La familia te enseña a ser una buena persona, a dar lo mejor de nosotros mismos para ayudar a otros. Es realmente importante para mí y siempre recuerdo eso. AM: Y James, tu procedes de una familia de trayectoria. Háblanos de tu familia aquí en Saint Paul. JG: Mi familia se asentó en Saint Paul alrededor del 1800. Soy la 5ta generación de “Saint Paulite”. Yo no nací aquí, como te mencione anteriormente. Nací en Charlote Amalie en las Islas Vírgenes, pero mi familia regreso aquí. La familia por parte de mi mamá es de aquí. Entonces hemos estado en Saint Paul desde hace mucho tiempo, James Garrett Jr. y Paola Sánchez-Garrett

James Garrett Jr. y Paola Sánchez-Garrett

Phil Hernandez

ENTREVISTA VEULTA AL 13

Por Al McFarlane, Editor-en-Jefe

Choir welcomed them home to the fi nish line. Area residents came out of their homes and cheered on the walkers and runners, many joining in with their families. Throughout the day KMOJ provided entertainment and health professionals delivered health tips, while hundreds of people had a blast exercising and

dancing. The day culminated with a raffl e of new bikes for kids 16 and under, made possible through a donation from UnitedHealth Group. While NorthPoint expects to make this an annual event, this fi rst inaugural Fit4Fun honored Dr. John Williams, DDS, who passed away unexpectedly this year. Dr. Williams was committed to improving the health of North Minneapolis and it was a fi tting memorial to dedicate the 2012 Fit4Fun to his legacy. Dr. Williams practiced

dentistry in North Minneapolis for over 30 years in the same location on West Broadway. He was dedicated to the revitalization of the North Minneapolis community and used his business and community involvement as a catalyst for change. Dr. Williams was a founding member of NorthPoint’s Community Board of Directors and is duly missed as evidenced by the many community members that signed a memorial banner that will be

FitnessFrom 1

FITNESS TURN TO 10

insightnews.com Insight News • September 24 - September 30, 2012September 24 - September 30, 2012 •

Small computer center making large impact “It is my fi rst time to touch computer and I am very happy.” These were the words exclaimed by Zulfa Fara, an Ethiopian immigrant who was at a computer center developed through the Broadband Access Project (BAP), an outreach project of the University of Minnesota’s Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC). In response to the growing digital divide among underserved communities in the Twin Cities, UROC developed a project that aims to increase broadband access, awareness and use in four federally designated poverty zones in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The project is funded through a federal grant from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The Minneapolis Public Housing-Glendale lab is one of 12 new or enhanced community based BAP computer centers throughout the metro area. While the Glendale lab is one of the smaller centers with only fi ve computers, it can still have a large impact. Kadra Abdi, a University of Minnesota employee who works at the Glendale center explained how the small size allows her to make strong connections with clients. “We’re a small center so we don’t have a lot of training but we assist people in other ways. We give them one-on-one assistance; we sit with them as they’re trying to learn basic computer skills,” said Abdi. Larger BAP computer labs offer technology training with classes covering topics such as Microsoft Offi ce, fi nancial support, social media for business use and even Internet programming and design. Through these classes and the assistance offered in each lab, BAP aims to help people develop to meet the increased technological demands of today’s world.

According to BAP sources, people of all ages fi nd that computer use at these centers plays a large role in their everyday lives. Abdi taught Fara how to set up and use an email account so she can communicate in the workplace and with loved ones all over the world. “I’m so happy, believe me or not, because I send to my kids email to Ethiopia, to Africa. In the job place also they send me (emails). It’s a big knowledge I get, big knowledge. (I’m) oh so happy,” said Fara. Deshawn King, a regular visitor to the center, uses the

computers to do homework and submit schoolwork. She is pursuing her Certifi ed Medical Assistant degree from a local college and appreciates that there is no time limit on BAP computers, unlike those at the public libraries. “You don’t get but an hour at the library and you have to let somebody else get in,” said King. “Here I’m able to get a lot in. Whenever I have to do homework and submit it, I’m able to do it over here. There’s a lot of lab work and stuff that we

have to look up.” Because King’s schoolwork requires a lot of time and effort having a computer center staffed with helpful employees keeps her motivated. “I come here every day; every day because the work that you have to have for college is persistent. I don’t know what I would do without it, it would be very hard to submit my work,” King explained. Not only does the center supply a benefi cial resource to those with more professional

pursuits, it also provides a way for young people to feel connected and involved with their peers through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. “(Also people will come in) if they want to learn how to type or open their fi rst email account, or if they just want to come in and build a resume and other things like job research, cover letters,” said Abdi. “If they want to set up a Facebook account; if they’ve never done it before or try to fi gure out how to use

YouTube, those are just some of the things we can help with for our clients.” In only a year working at the center, Abdi said she has been able see the lab positively impact people’s lives. “I had people who came here and the computer lab helped them get a job because they were here to do their resumes. That was a really good thing to see,” said Abdi. For more information on the BAP labs visit www.bap.umn.edu.

By Britta Anderson

BAPMPH Glendale Computer lab

The Rev. McAfee said he believed a common ground could have been reached with supporters of gay marriage, but members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community refused to meet with him and other members of the clergy. “For more than a year (State) Senator (Jeff) Hayden tried to get the two sides together, but they (LGBT leaders) had no interest in meeting with us.” McAfee said he would have no opposition to strengthening

laws in support of civil unions, “But to change the defi nition of marriage is a different thing all together.” Pastor White’s troubles have brought a national spotlight to Minnesota, with media outlets such as Time, CNN and the Huffi ngton Post all exploring the story of his church. “We were called out of a building to set up a congregation of acceptance and love,” said a hopeful White. The issue on gay marriage will be decided by Minnesota voters in the upcoming Nov. 6 election.

MarriageFrom 1

support was no more evident than on the album’s release date, when “Music” soared to number one on the iTunes R&B album chart. iTunes is the world’s leading online music outlet. Mint bassist Rick Kinchen said with this latest release, “Music” was a completely collaborative effort among the group. “This was a record where everybody was on the same page on every song,” said Kinchen. “When we were putting this CD together it just all fell perfectly in place.” With the new album, Mint ventured into uncharted territories for the band. The most notable difference in the Mint sound this time around is the addition of horns. “We talked for years about adding horns and with this album it totally took it to another place,” said guitarist Homer O’Dell. “And to have Eric Leeds; one of my favorite horn players on this (album) is amazing.” The horns on the album are courtesy of M Factory Horns (Leeds, Bradley Shermock and Michael Nelson). Leeds arranged all the horn for the album. Mint also collaborated with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff for the song, “Girl of My Life” and rapper, Brother Ali, who provides a powerful verse on SixFortyNine/Changes. “I don’t think anybody could have done a better verse on that

song than Brother Ali,” said Kinchen. Mint is preparing to take the stage where it all began for them (the group performed there when they were seen – and later signed – by the legendary production duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) at the famed downtown Minneapolis club, First Avenue, 701 1st Ave. N. The upcoming show takes place on Friday, Sept. 28. Mint keyboardist, Jeffrey Allen, said the group’s live show is the reason the group has endured for so many years. “Our live show is where we excel,” said Allen. “That’s our biggest asset; it’s our biggest advertisement. We’re no holds barred on stage. It’s emotional up there on stage.” The group said the M Factory Horns will be joining them on stage for the Sept. 28 First Avenue show. “One of the good things about being a live band is you never know what to expect,” said O’Dell. “This is going to be a fun, exciting show.”

An Evening with Mint ConditionFirst Avenue, 701 1st Ave. N, Minneapolis (www.fi rst-avenue.com) Friday, Sept. 28Doors: 8 p.m.Admission: $26 in advance $29 at the doorAges 18 and up

The new single “Believe In Us” is currently at #15 UAC, and the new album “Music @ the Speed of Life” (just released) is ALREADY #1 on the iTunes R&B album chart!

MintFrom 1

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Master gardener at West Broadway Farmers Market

Starr Carpenter is a grower, newspaper editor, West Broadway Farmers Market vendor, private gardening maintenance consultant and entrepreneur. She moved to Minneapolis two and a half years ago from rural Isanti County, where for fi ve years she worked as Coordinator of the Master Gardener Program for Chisago County. Since she arrived, Carpenter’s been very active in the local and healthy foods community, which she sees as brimming with opportunity, especially on the Northside. We sat down in her bountiful garden at her North Minneapolis home and talked about the business of healthy food on the Northside.

Shaina Brassard: What’s your professional background and how did it lead you to be involved in healthy food access on the Northside?Starr Carpenter: I’m a grower, I was trained as a grower, but I’ve also spent many years in the food service industry, managing restaurants, school food service, senior nutrition programs, and then I did six years of sales with Sysco Food Service. So I have that whole background of working with distributors and knowing how that system works. I think that when we’re talking about changing our food system, the people involved have that knowledge of all the parts, because it is very much a system that is made up of a lot of moving parts. Food is grown, a broker buys it, it’s transported to a warehouse where it’s washed and packaged…before it ends up in the grocery store it has gone through many hands, so many that I’m surprised it still looks like food. So by the time it gets to the consumer, that food isn’t really fresh. And every time someone handles the food they have to make a profi t on it. So the secret to local foods is understanding the whole system, and what parts can you eliminate. Shortly after moving to

Minneapolis, I got involved in the local foods community and [a consultant with Northside Fresh] connected me with the produce distribution going on at Northpoint during the summer. So I went and started talking to people about seeds and how to grow their own tomatoes. The fi rst year I had to drag people over to get them to take some of the seeds, but then the second year I had people …asking, ‘What do you have this week? Do you have any jalapeño? Do you have cilantro?’ There is defi nitely a hunger [for healthy foods] on the Northside.

SB: What are the business opportunities around healthy food in North Minneapolis?SC: Food is huge. There is so much money in food. We all spend money on food every day. And the statistics about the number of people in North Minneapolis that receive EBT- that is guaranteed money that is in the community being spent on food. Food in this country has pretty much been relegated to

huge agribusiness companies; we’ve kind of conceded it. And really, we can take some of that back.

SB: It seems like you’ve been identifying the market gaps and trying to fi ll them. Tell me about your work at the West Broadway Farmers Market.SC: Before the regular market season started we had some pre-market plant sales. There’s no place in North Minneapolis to buy bedding plants, so we came out and did that. Then we saw that there was a need for fruit at the market, so through a market vendor stipend from Northside Fresh [a North Minneapolis Coalition for Healthy Eating], I was able to get the reseller license, which costs almost $400, just to be able to buy fruit from a wholesaler and sell it at the market. And in the six weeks I’ve been selling fruit at the market they’ve seen an increase of almost 25% in the amount of EBT that is being used at the market. People are also using Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons, which they otherwise

would have trouble using at all [FMNP aims to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers’ markets.]

We’re also doing an aggregation table so that growers can bring in food they have and I sell it for them. It can be anyone, from backyard growers with excess produce they can’t eat to urban farmers. And for the four weeks since I started, I’ve sold out every week. Now what we’re doing at the market with the aggregation table we’re looking at as a model for the City’s Healthy Corner Stores campaign implemented by Appetite for Change. One of the major challenges with that program is simply that, like most residents in North Minneapolis, the corner stores do not have access to healthy produce to stock in their stores; because they need small amounts, it’s not profi table for these big distributor companies to stop and drop off. So by coming up with a simpler model focused on those smaller accounts, we can make it more profi table, because we don’t need a large warehouse and all these big trucks. We could aggregate all of the produce from community gardens and small-scale growers in North Minneapolis and distribute it. So it actually could create entrepreneurial opportunities for people. To start with, the idea is that the corner store owners can come to the market aggregation table to

buy produce to sell in their stores, and at the market we advertise the corner stores where you can get the same produce during the week at a similar price, and also use EBT. Then the stores will get known for having quality produce, therefore they’re selling more produce, therefore the store owners are saying, ‘Wow, people do want this stuff.’ People want produce. People have gotten the message. We all know we need to eat healthier. But the question we’re trying to answer with action is ‘How?’ What I say is, ‘Imagine that we had a pile of food. How would we get it to people? What are the different strategies?’

SB: You’re also an editor of the newspaper, Growing Pathways. SC: Yes, we just printed our third edition, which is also available at growingpathways.com! There’re so many issues around food, and what we’re trying to do is get information out there. Growing Pathways has been very successful and “growing” rapidly. In addition to the website, check out their Kick Starter Campaign to learn more and support this new Northside based initiative. You can also visit Starr Carpenter at the West Broadway Farmers Market at 900 West Broadway Ave. on Fridays from 3-7pm.

By Shaina Brassard, West Broadway Business and Area Coalition

Photos: Shaina BrassardStarr Carpenter

Starr Carpenter at West Broadway Farmers Market

A look at the inadequacy of humans to stepinto each other’s shoes and render good justice

FEATURING NATHAN BARLOW | ZACH CURTIS | INDIA GURLEYKURT KWAN | SONJA PARKS | LUVERNE SEIFERT

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EDUCATIONCollege Possible: Bridge to college access and completionAs students enter a new school year, the nonprofi t program College Possible is engaging in another year of helping low-income students earn admission to – and succeed in college. College Possible Twin Cities serves 1,600 juniors and seniors through its core high school program in 19 high schools, and 3,500 high school freshmen and sophomores at partner schools through college planning workshops. An additional 3,500 former high school program participants are supported in their transition to college. Nationwide, College Possible serves nearly 12,000 students in three metro areas. College Possible is serving an additional 40 students each at Bloomington Kennedy and Park Center High Schools. The program was introduced at both schools last fall. This fall, College Possible will partner with Washington Technology Magnet School to offer intensive after-school college access curriculum to 40 students. “We are very excited to become the newest high school partner with College Possible,” said Dr. Mike McCollor, Washington Technology Magnet School principal. “We are confi dent that the support our students receive from College Possible will allow them not only to be accepted, but to thrive in their post-secondary education.” According to the nonprofi t, in its 12-year history, 98 percent of College Possible students have earned admission to college, and high school juniors have raised their ACT scores by more than 22 percent. The organization said once enrolled, College Possible students graduate at fi ve times the rate of their peers. Nationwide, College Possible’s six year college graduation rate is 57%, compared to the 11% college graduation rate of low-income students across the country. “We’re thrilled at the

opportunity to serve even more low-income students across the Twin Cities this year and bring our program to Washington Technology Magnet School,” said Sara Dziuk, College Possible Twin Cities executive

director. “With a results-driven staff that supports our mission and achievement goals, we’re excited to build this partnership to ensure that more students may attain college success.” This school year, 59

AmeriCorps members will dedicate a year of their lives to directly supporting students and building organizational capacity in the Twin Cities. Together, they will contribute more than 106,000 hours of service toward

making college accessible to all students, regardless of their economic status. College Possible uses an intensive curriculum of coaching and support to assist in making college admission and

success possible for low-income students. Launched in 2000, College Possible Twin Cities serves 8,600 low-income high school and college age students through its college access and completion programs.

College PossibleCollege Possible students spend 320 hours in after school sessions over the course of two years. They work on studying for the ACT, fi lling out college applications and applying for scholarships.


COMMENTARYRG III: Standing on the shoulders of Sandy Stephens

Van Jones: Obama can be ‘moved’ on environment, Romney can not

Photo ID laws, decline in youth vote may impact fall elections

An old boss of mine used to say, “If you’re going to pray for

something, pray for long life because if you live long enough, everything else will happen.” I was reminded of this while watching young Robert Griffi n III, rookie Washington Redskins quarterback, in his NFL debut. Years ago, back when there were “Purple People Eaters” roaming the old Metropolitan Stadium, I met Deacon Jones; the then retired L.A. Rams sack master who was here visiting mutual friends. I remember Jones saying he’d have gray hair where the sun don’t shine before there’d be a Black QB in the

NFL. Well, that was then, this is now. Make no mistake; this is not “post-racial” America at all. But, a brother is the president – even if he does have to keep his birth certifi cate on his person. A sister has just raised the bar for all First Ladies. And two young brothers, Cam Newton, and now, RG III (as Griffi n is commonly referred) are taking their places, along with Michael Vick, in a line of brothers who are helping to redefi ne quarterback play in the NFL. I bring this up because if

we look at the America that enumerated all the things that African-Americans couldn’t do, we must acknowledge that America knew it was lying to us and itself. The last quarterback to lead the Gophers to the Rose Bowl was the late, great Sandy Stephens, a brother. He was forced to suffer the indignity of being drafted to the NFL as a defensive back. To his credit, he declined the offer. Sandy “coulda, shoulda, woulda” been the RG III of the 1960s and retired to live in the comfort and luxury that the likes of Fran

Tarkenton and Dan Marino now enjoy. I watched Jackie Robinson endure the “slings and arrows” of a racist country in order to pave the way for a host of men with names like Larry Doby, Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson and Roberto Clemente. I could go on for a long time. And, while he was at it, Robinson showed Major League Baseball how to run the bases in ways that have not been done since. In recent years we’ve watched Tiger Woods fi tted for green jackets at Augusta National Golf Club when all the other brothers and sisters there were using the service entrance. Make no mistake; he knew where the shoulders of Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford were. Venus and Serena Williams knew where Althea Gibson’s

shoulders were while they were taking women’s tennis to the next level. So, now, while Barack and Michelle Obama are standing where no African-American family has stood before; a Republican controlled House of Representatives is showing us again just how much some segments of America fear African-American excellence. I often wonder what the old sports icons; the Babe Ruths, the Ty Cobbs the Sam Sneads would’ve accomplished if they were playing against allAmericans. And, who knows, maybe the Gophers are suffering from the curse of Sandy Stephens by not pushing for him to be drafted as a quarterback, the position he played when he took the team to the Rose Bowl.

Editor’s Note: As both Democratic and GOP conventions wrapped up, New America Media asked Van Jones to parse each candidate’s environment and energy agendas. Jones, briefl y President Obama’s green jobs czar, is president and co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, an organization that advocates for economic reforms. He is the author of The Green Collar Economy and Rebuild the Dream. New America Media’s Ngoc Nguyen spoke with Jones about the role of green jobs in the recovery and what’s needed to address climate change at the national level.

New America Media: What stood out for you in Obama or Romney’s remarks on climate change, energy, or the green economy during the recent party conventions?

Van Jones: What struck me about Romney’s speech was his snarky joke about how Obama promised to stop the seas from rising. I thought that was a cheap shot. [It was] particularly disappointing to see the 2012 Republican nominee essentially pooh-pooh global warming when the 2008 GOP nominee John McCain took the issue so seriously. It’s as clear a sign as any of the complete degeneration of the Republican Party into an extreme faction-based party that’s not qualifi ed to govern. I was happy to hear President Obama rejoinder in saying that climate change is not a joke. In a period when extreme droughts are socking red states and hurting farmers, for the Republican nominee to make a joke about climate change isn’t funny at all.

NAM: How would you grade Pres. Obama’s record on the environment and energy in

the last four years? Jones: [I would give Obama a] B or B-minus, he can’t get an A because he didn’t fi ght for the cap and trade bill … [he] didn’t try to solve climate change, but he has other things when it comes to fuel effi ciency for cars and some emissions stuff through the EPA. NAM: What do you think are the key differences between Obama and Romney in terms of their environment and energy platforms? Jones: Obama has tried to be consistent with his all-of-the-above approach [to energy] … [which] puts a big emphasis on renewables, and Romney has been all over the place on this issue ... At least you know what you are getting with Obama. You have no idea what you are getting with Romney. (But) the environmental movement is going to have to push Obama hard the day after the election … I think what we have learned in the last four years [is that] you have to have a president who is willing to be moved in a positive direction on the environment. That is Obama much more so than Romney, but you also have to have a movement that is willing to do the moving … that means willing to run tough ads, being willing to criticize publicly, being willing to protest and do all the things that we would do no matter who -- a Democrat, Green Party member or Libertarian -- is in the White House during a global planetary crisis like the one we have. NAM: A recent Brookings Institution report found that clean-technology jobs accounted for a small fraction -- just 2 percent -- of employment nationwide. What does that say about the green economy? Jones: The green economy

WA S H I N G T O N - E l e c t i o n turnout among young people of color, including African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans, may drop by nearly 700,000 voters in states with new photo ID laws, a decline potentially impacting presidential contests in the battleground states of Florida and Pennsylvania, according to a report released today by the Black Youth Project. Completed by Cathy Cohen, a University of Chicago political science professor, and Jon C. Rogowski, an assistant political science professor at Washington University, the report found that turnout among young minority voters in states with new restrictive ID laws could fall below 2004 and 2008 levels. The projections include Blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and Pacifi c Islanders. “Voter turnout among young people may be signifi cantly reduced because of these laws,” said Cohen. “The demobilizing effects of these new laws are

likely to be greater among young people of color than for young whites. We estimate that between 538,000 and 696,000 young people of color may be demobilized by photo ID laws that dilute the infl uence of young voters of color at the ballot box, potentially shifting outcomes in competitive races.” Over the last two years, more than two-thirds of the nation’s 50 states have sought to increase restrictions on the kinds of identifi cation that citizens must show before being allowed to vote, according to the report. As a result, nine states now have laws requiring citizens to show government-issued photo identifi cation before casting a ballot. Eight other states enacted similar measures, but offer a limited set of alternatives for those without IDs. Only two of these laws were enacted prior to the 2008 election. Some of the photo ID proposals have been defeated or denied. For instance, the U.S.

Nobody Asked Me

By Fred Easter

New America Media

OBAMA TURN TO 11

ID TURN TO 9

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2012 Minnesota


Paranoid Dreams from D’Souza

Legends schedule set

Paranoid and delusional thinking is defi ned as the generalized distrust and suspicion of others. Individuals suffering from paranoid thinking may sometimes have dreams that are characterized by intuitions and feelings of grandeur bordering on pure fantasy. In art or fi lm, one might give fl ight to such fantasies or daydreams without disrupting everyday social reality, especially, if you can convince others to assume your version of an alternative social reality, albeit temporarily. Dinesh D’Souza’s fi lm “2016: Obama’s America” manages to do just this while craftily walking the fi ne line between partial truths and fi ction about the early

socialization, family life and political philosophy of the 44th president of the US, Barack

Hussein Obama, who also happens to be the fi rst black president of the US with a

multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious lineage and genealogy rooted in America, Africa and Indonesia. D’Souza is overwhelmingly concerned with establishing an apparent anti-colonial strain in Obama’s worldview acquired from his Kenyan father. The fact that his father was part of “the airlift to America” (1959-63), sponsored by civil rights leaders, non-profi t organizations and the Kennedy family simply misses D’Souza’s purview. Why? Because it does not fi t the anti-American or anti-colonial narrative he imputes to Obama’s father and to the president. This is a signifi cant ‘sin of omission’ if you’re trying to understand the absentee father’s anti-colonial sentiments that shaped the fi rst black President. Instead, D’Souza fi nds a line

in East African Journal in 1965 where Obama’s father suggested 100% taxation to build the newly independent Kenyan economy. This is evidence for the motive for $16 trillion U.S. debt under Obama, a large percentage of which was incurred by the Republican predecessor? But the son has become just like the father, according to D’Souza. In another blatantly biased claim D’Souza states that the annexation of Hawaii in 1959 was primarily driven by colonization of the natives, while making not a single mention of the fact that native Hawaiians, unlike the mainland US, welcomed newcomers to the islands and married them. Thus, the interracial marriage rates in

Hawaii have always been high. The sacrifi ces of Hawaiians in WW-II in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attacks and prior to the annexation have gone missing from this distorted fi lm. D’Souza fails to mention that Obama’s maternal grandfather’s service (Stanley Armour Dunham) in the war also deeply ties Obama to Hawaiian soil and to the memory of the Pearl Harbor attacks, the only other instance when America has been attacked at home prior to September 11, 2011. Why does D’Souza not include any suggestion of these important historical turning points in American life and Obama’s biography? Because

The Capri Theater is set to open its sixth season of Legends at the Capri Theater with a tribute to fi lm and theater great, Eartha Kitt. Eartha … The Whole Kitt & Kaboodle starring Regina Marie Williams, comes to the Capri Sat., Nov. 10 and Sun., Nov. 11. Williams is an Ivey Award winning actress who thrilled concertgoers last year with her tribute to the music of Nina Simone. Williams is also well-known for her portrayal of music legend Dinah Washington in Penumbra Theatre’s production of Dinah Was. She also starred in last season’s Guthrie production of The Burial at Thebes. Williams won a 2010 Ivey Award for her starring role in Mixed Blood’s Ruined. “We’re jumping right in with a tribute to the incomparable Eartha Kitt, and this show is the perfect fi t for the vocal stylings of Regina Marie Williams,” said series artistic director, Dennis W. Spears. “There’s no better performer than Regina to capture Eartha’s sensuality. And there’s no better setting than the Capri to provide the intimacy required for this show.” Williams said she is thrilled to be performing at the Capri. “As a performer, performing at the Capri is really divine,” said Williams. “The stage is not so big that it swallows you up or so small that it doesn’t allow you to spread your wings. The audience is the perfect distance away. You hear them. You feel them. It’s beautiful. It is a spiritual experience. The vibe is good on and off stage.” Joining Williams for Eartha is pianist Dan Chouinard, who performed in the fi rst-ever Legends concert at the Capri in 2007. Spears and Williams said they talked about putting together a tribute to Eartha Kitt for some time. “At the start of Eartha Kitt’s last performance in the Twin Cities, I was asked to escort her to the stage. I considered Eartha royalty,” said Spears. “She had such focus and presence. She’d get you from the fi rst note. She combined theatricality and a rich musical experience, which is the feel we strive for in our

By Dinesh Sharma

Courtesy of Dinesh SharmaDinesh Sharma

Photos courtesy of the Capri TheaterRegina Williams

Thomasina Petrus

D’SOUZA TURN TO 11

LEGENDS TURN TO 13

AESTHETICS


Extend your garden enjoymentDon’t let fall or potentially frosty temperatures stop you from enjoying garden- fresh produce. Extend the nutritional value and homegrown fl avor into your fall and early winter meals with the help of short season crops and season extending strategies. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips, and beets are quick to mature from seed to harvest. Plus, the cooler temperatures enhance their fl avor. Simply count the number of frost-free days left in your growing season and compare it with the number of days from planting to harvest

listed on the seed packet. Protect these late plantings and other vegetables from chilly fall temperatures with cloches, coldframes, and fl oating row covers. Many of these devices have long been used by gardeners to jump start the season in spring and extend it much later into fall. These devices trap heat around the plants, protecting them from frosty temperatures. Convert gallon milk jugs into garden cloches for individual plants. Remove the bottom of the jug and slide it over the plant. Use the cap to capture heat or remove to ventilate your homemade cloche on sunny days. Or purchase reusable

cloches with built in ventilation. Originally made of glass many of the newer cloches are plastic, making them more affordable, easy to stack and portable. You can make your own coldframes. Many gardeners convert discarded windows, a bit of lumber and nails into a homemade shelter for their plants. The window size usually determines the size of your coldframe. Just make sure you can reach all the plants inside. For best results your frame should be higher in the back then the front so water and melting snow can drain off. And if possible, facing south for better warming. The internet and garden books are fi lled with plans. I prefer the construction-free, all-purpose garden fabrics. Simply drape these fl oating row covers (season-extending fabrics) over your crops. Anchor the edges with rocks, boards, or wire wickets. The fabric traps heat around your plants, but allows air,

light and water through so there is no need to uncover the plants during the day or for watering. Increase the ease of season-extending fabrics with low and tall frost pop-up covers and plant protection frost covers from Gardener’s Supply. The frames are fi tted with all-purpose garden fabric to create protective tents. You can protect new plantings and extend your harvest by protecting plants down to 24 degrees Fahrenheit. So with a little preparation you can keep enjoying fresh-from-the-garden fl avor long past the traditional end to your harvest season. For more gardening tips visit www.melindamyers.com

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books,

including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on over 115 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper column. Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine. Melinda hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio program for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has written articles for Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening and was a columnist and contributing editor for Backyard Living magazine. Melinda has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certifi ed arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Her web site is www.melindamyers.com

Courtesy of Melinda MyersFloating row covers

By Melinda Myers

LIFESTYLE


Time to redirect your career journey

The place I lived for a while in Michigan is like a sanctuary. Imagine, crawling home through rush hour traffi c on an expedition that involves u-turns, construction and eight lane freeways. Now, exit to the right and turn onto the unmarked, sandy limestone road that winds through the woods. After about a mile, the road sweeps into a paved drive. Continue another 100 yards and leave your vehicle behind. As you step onto the porch and through the oversized wooden door, the one with stained glass windows and a heavy brass latch, I have a surprise for you. The fi rst thing you will see when you enter is a long wall of windows, overlooking another acre of backyard, gardens, grass and woods. You will say, Ahh. And you will want to stay awhile, to ponder the possibilities of all that breathtaking scenery. Now, imagine you’re me, and every second thought is about helping great people fi nd good work. Can your job search, your career, be like that place in Michigan? If you are working now in a concrete, rush hour tangle of construction, u-turns and

rollovers, I invite you to take the next exit. Talk to me about where you’d like to end up in your worklife. It might be a winding

road we decide to take; it might have some woods and some hills and we might get a little sand on the car. But with help,

you just might fi nd your work turning toward a new driveway; you might open the right door on your career and see for yourself

the surprises and possibilities that await you. Julie Desmond is IT Recruiting Manager with George Konik

Associates. Send your career planning and job search questions to [email protected].

By Julie [email protected]

Plan Your Career

Department of Justice invoked the Voting Rights Act and refused to grant clearance to laws passed in South Carolina and Texas, and the Wisconsin law was declared unconstitutional earlier this year. Legal action is ongoing in other states, including Pennsylvania, with civil rights and social justice organizations offering strong opposition to the measures that are likely to restrict voting. “Engaging young people-our future leaders-in the political

process and motivating them to vote should be among our highest priorities as a democracy,” said Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “While we are disheartened to see the apparently systematic way in which the minority youth vote is being undermined, we are committed to meeting this assault with redoubled efforts to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote can and does vote. Nothing less than the future of our political process is at stake.” Judith Browne Dianis, co-director of the Advancement

Project, expressed concern over the laws. “The voting booth is the one place in America where everyone has an equal voice,” said Browne Dianis, whose organization is engaged in the legal battles over the photo ID laws in the states. “It’s wrong for politicians to manipulate election laws for their own partisan gain. These photo ID laws have a disproportionate impact on people of color, so if we want our country to live up to its democratic ideals, then our voting system must be free, fair and accessible to all eligible Americans.” Rogowski said the new laws may impact the presidential contest, as well as at least 16 competitive House races across the country where photo identifi cation requirements will likely disproportionately impact minority voters.

In Florida, a crucial battleground state in the presidential race, voters are required to show photo identifi cation or some other form of ID that displays a signature. More than 100,000 youths of color in the state could be demobilized by these new voting requirements - far more votes than separated George W. Bush and Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. Meanwhile, the report estimated that if Pennsylvania’s photo identifi cation law is upheld by the State Supreme Court, 37,000 to 44,000 young people of color may stay home or be denied the right to vote, signifi cantly infl uencing the state’s presidential contest. While these laws are likely to disproportionately demobilize all youth of color, they may have more severe consequences for

young Blacks. Citing data from the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, the report said that 11 percent of American citizens don’t have government-issued photo identifi cation such as a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID or a passport. But only nine percent of whites lacked photo identifi cation, compared with 16 percent of Latinos and 25 percent of Blacks. “African Americans possess photo IDs at lower rates than other people of color, but Black youth also exhibited the greatest increase in voter turnout in 2008

compared to 2004,” Cohen said. “These laws, therefore, create additional challenges for sustaining high levels of participation among African American and other youth of color and highlight the need for campaign, community and civic organizations to devote increased efforts to mobilizing young voters of color in November as well as contesting these laws over the long run.” The entire report can be downloaded at: http://research.b l a c k y o u t h p r o j e c t . c o m /files/2012/09/Youth-of-Color-and-Photo-ID-Laws.pdf

IDFrom 6

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BUSINESS


given to his family. Stella Whitney-West, NorthPoint CEO stated “Fit 4

Fun will become NorthPoint’s signature event that we will use to encourage North Minneapolis to take charge of their health and their community through adopting a lifestyle of physical activity and healthy eating. It is our vision that North Minneapolis

becomes a healthier community where children and families engaged in physical activity is the norm. Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and community residents that helped make this event a success.”

How to spot a victim of domestic violenceIn the United States, women are assaulted or beaten once every nine seconds; worldwide, one in three women have been battered, raped or otherwise abused in her lifetime, according to women’s advocacy organizations.

“That means most of us – while grocery shopping, at work or at home – come across several women a day who have either been abused, or are currently enduring abuse,” says Linda O’Dochartaigh, a health professional and

author of Peregrine (www.lavanderkatbooks.com). “It’s a terrible fact of life for too many women, but if there is something we can do about it and we care about fellow human beings, then we must try.” There are several abuse resources available to women who are being abused, or friends of women who need advice, including:• TheHotline.org, National

Domestic Violence Hotline, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)

• HelpGuide.org, provides unbiased, advertising-free mental health information to give people the self-help options to help people understand, prevent, and resolve life’s challenges

• VineLink.com, allows women to search for an offender in custody by name or identifi cation number, then register to be alerted if the offender is released, transferred, or escapes

• D A H M W . o r g , 1-888-7HELPLINE, offers crisis intervention and support services for victims of intimate partner violence and their families

Perhaps the best thing friends and family can do for a woman enduring domestic abuse is to be there for her – not only as a sympathetic ear, but also as a source of common sense that encourages her to take protective measures, O’Dochartaigh says. Before that, however, loved ones need to recognize that help is needed. O’Dochartaigh reviews some of the warning signs:• Clothing – Take notice of

a change in clothing style or unusual fashion choices that would allow marks or bruises to be easily hidden. For instance, someone who wears long sleeves even in the dog days of summer may be trying to hide signs of abuse.

• Constant phone calls – Many abusers are very controlling and suspicious, so they will call their victims multiple times each day to “check in.” This is a subtle way of manipulating their victims, to make them fearful of uttering a stray word that might alert someone that something is wrong. Many abusers are also jealous, and suspect their partner is cheating on them, and the constant calls are a way of

making sure they aren’t with anyone they aren’t supposed to be around.

• Unaccountable injuries – Sometimes, obvious injuries such as arm bruises or black eyes are a way to show outward domination over the victim. Other times, abusers harm areas of the body that won’t be seen by family, friends and coworkers.

• Frequent absences – Often missing work or school and other last-minute plan changes may be a woman hiding abuse, especially if

she is otherwise reliable. • Excessive guilt & culpability

– Taking the blame for things that go wrong, even though she was clearly not the person responsible – or she is overly-emotional for her involvement – is a red fl ag.

• Fear of confl ict – Being brow-beaten or physically beaten takes a heavy psychological toll, and anxiety bleeds into other relationships.

• Chronic uncertainty – Abusers often dominate every phase of a victim’s life, including what she thinks she likes, so making basic decisions can prove challenging.

Linda O’Dochartaigh has worked in health care is an advocate for victims of child abuse and domestic violence. She wants survivors to know that an enriched, stable and happy life is available to them. O’Dochartaigh is the mother of three grown children and is raising four adopted grandchildren.

PhotoXpress

Phil HernandezMajor Taylor Bicycling Club led the Fit4Fun Bike Ride

Cedrick DancerZoomba class at Fit4Fun at NorthPoint

Author Linda O’Dochartaigh

FitnessFrom 2

HEALTH


The spiritual side of man

We will never truly understand man by merely looking at his physical attributes. He is more than what meets the eye. X-ray machines allow us to see inside the human body so that

doctors can diagnose diseases, the symptoms of which might otherwise have been mistakenly attributed to something external. Before the invention of the x-ray machine, many died never knowing the real causes of their problems, some of which could have been successfully treated. Without the aid of the x-ray machine, the root cause of many of man’s problems went undiscovered. Although the invention of the x-ray machine is a thing of the past, there is still no machine to let us see into the spirit of man.

To look there, spiritual insight is needed. With the right spiritual insight, we can get to the root cause of man’s spiritual ailments which will allow him to live the best life possible. I believe this spiritual insight comes from God, and it will illuminate the moral condition of a man’s heart. There is a spiritual side to man or mankind. We are triune, meaning that we are a spirit that has a soul that lives in a body. Our spirit represents who we really are and is a direct refl ection of the condition of our heart. And since our external

desire is a by-product of what is stored internally, improving our inner being is essential to good health. The ability to repair the spiritual breach in a man’s heart is reserved for God seeing he is the one that created it in the fi rst place. Because we are spiritual, our biggest problems are spiritual in nature. We will never get to the source of what is really ailing us without evaluating our relationship with the Father. Identifying the problem is the fi rst step to problem solving. The word of God is a powerful

tool serving as our spiritual x-ray machine. It illuminates the condition of a man’s heart and gives him the ability to make the right kind of changes. Everyday men and women are living by it and transforming their lives for the better. As people of faith, we must feed our spirit everyday. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifi ces, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). Man is spiritual, and spiritual problems require spiritual solutions.

Timothy Houston is an author, minister, and motivational speaker who is committed to guiding positive life changes in families and communities. For questions, comments or more information, go to www.tlhouston.com.

is a part of the U.S. economy; it’s not separate from the U.S. economy … There are 2.4 million to 3.1 million green jobs, according to the government [U.S. Labor Department] and expert [Brookings Institution] studies … [that] is not a small number, especially when you realize that cap and trade was never passed into law. The green economy needed the playing fi eld to be level so polluters are not getting subsidies and permission to pollute for free. It’s impossible for the green economy to take off under the present conditions where all the subsidies go to the polluters and polluters can dump megatons of carbon and not pay a penny for it …That said … the potential for the greening of the U.S. economy is very big. There are 80,000 coalmining jobs in the country total. Now,

the coal industry is on TV every day bragging about how many coal jobs they are creating, but there are 80,000 people in the coalmines. There are 100,000 workers in the solar industry alone in America right now. There are 100,000 in the wind industry right now. There are more people working in wind and solar than there are coal miners in America. NAM: You are now focusing your efforts on economic policies to rebuild the American middle class through your organization Rebuild the Dream. Do green jobs play a role in the recovery you envision? Jones: [The] problem is that we need about 15 to 20 million jobs and those can’t all be green jobs … If you have 2 to 3 million [green] jobs, you’ll be short about 15 million jobs … If you are going to take seriously moving the economy forward, you’re going to have to do other things … We have a 10-point program called Contract for the

American Dream, which calls for investing in infrastructure and education and stopping [spending] on wars. The jewel in the crown of any economic recovery for America will be the greening of the U.S. economy and clean energy jobs of the future, but the crown will be bigger than the crown jewel. NAM: What’s needed in terms of leadership on the national stage around climate change? Obama has adopted a pragmatic approach – one of small achievable steps. If he’s re-elected, will this be enough? Jones: If the environmental community continues to do what it is doing, then the president will continue to do what he is doing. You see, this president reacts when there’s public protest and public pressure … just like any other president … When the Tea Party was pushing austerity, then he talked a lot about austerity. When Occupy Wall Street talked about income inequality, he started talking about that.

But when the main pressure was coming from big polluters, there wasn’t a lot of talk about environmental issues, and when [noted environmentalist Bill McKibben’s group] 350.org started marching and sitting in about the Keystone [XL] pipeline [which would carry tar sands crude from Canada to refi neries along the Gulf Coast], he took up that cause … So presidents respond to public opinion as much as they shape public opinion. The constituencies that have stood up to this president -- the immigrant rights community or the [LGBT] part of our movement -- have thankfully and wonderfully gotten some results…Those parts that stood down too much -- whether the environmental movement after the [BP] Gulf oil spill or the labor movement -- [they] didn’t get as much done as they wanted. The lesson there is elect a president that can be moved, and then unleash a movement that can do the moving.

ObamaFrom 6

D’Souza wants you to believe that Obama is not really cut from the same American cloth as other presidents. D’Souza peddles Indonesian history from Obama’s autobiography, but fails to reveal the central reason for the disillusionment suffered by Obama’s mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, in Jakarta in the late 1960’s, namely, the nexus of American oil companies and CIA’s deep involvement in the remaking of the fl edgling democracy in South East Asia. When Ann Dunham landed in Jakarta, thousands of Chinese had been slaughtered by the Indonesian military in a bloody coup (1965-66). The U.S. had decided to place their man, General Suharto, in charge of the emerging Islamic democracy. Clearly, D’Souza commits another signifi cant ‘sin of omission’. Why? Because

D’Souza wants you to believe that Ann Dunham was somehow genetically predisposed to “not think well of America” as a liberal and passed this trait onto her son by idealizing his anti-colonial African father. It can be argued that Obama’s landmark election in 2008 was partly a refl ection of several secular trends: emerging multipolar world; globalization led by American fi rms; direct effect of American decline due to wars in Iraq and the AfPak region; and Obama’s global biography resonated to these global challenges Americans face in the 21st century. Instead, D’Souza seems intent on targeting the anti-colonial shades of the president inherited from the ghost of his father through some mysterious cultural transmission, which is highly suspect given his father abandoned him at the age of two years and met him only once in the winter of 1971. This fundamental misattribution in the fi lm and many others littered throughout this baldly election year

propaganda make this a baffl ing achievement from a reportedly serious conservative thinker who worked in the Reagan White House. It is packaged very slickly, however, to persuade an audience, who may not be aware of the biographical and historical details or unable to detect the inaccuracies. Based on the majority of the published reviews of the fi lm, only D’Souza’s right wing supporters seem to really ‘get’ how this anti-colonial virus may have been passed on from the father to the son, eventually driving an improbable rise to the American presidency to level it once and for all or to make America a dethroned superpower. D’Souza’s fi lm further obscures the ‘narrative truth’ with many outright factual errors or ‘sins of commission’, as reported by the Associated Press. For instance, he blames Obama for the national debt of $16 trillion but never explains the doubling of the debt under Republicans in 2008. D’Souza fails to mention the killing

of Osama bin Laden and the escalation of drone strikes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while accusing Obama of harboring Muslim sympathies. He ignores the non-partisan polling data which repeatedly indicates Obama has the lowest approval ratings in the Muslim majority nations due to drone attacks. Despite these mind-numbing fallacies, there is a perfectly rational way to understand D’Souza’s wild interpretations in fi lm-making. He represents for our times what Richard Hofstadter called a generation ago “the paranoid style of American politics”. “American politics has often been an arena for angry minds…. I call it the paranoid style, simply because no other word adequately evokes the sense of heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy that I have in mind.” As a new immigrant who could have expanded the circle of knowledge, D’Souza disappointingly has hitched his

wagon to a regressive trend in American politics, which produces more irrational heat and dust than a reasoned judgment. He has taken one of the more hopeful and inspiring American stories in many generations and turned it into a dark and sinister documentary for political gains. D’Souza’s paranoid dreams do not align with the American dream and are not good for this country or the world. Bio: Dinesh Sharma is a cultural psychologist, marketing consultant and an acclaimed author, with a doctorate from Harvard University. He is a senior fellow at Institute for International and Cross-Cultural Research, St Francis

College, NYC, and a columnist for Asia Times Online. His biography of the 44th President of the US, titled “Barack Obama in Hawaii and Indonesia: The Making of a Global President” (Praeger, 2011), was rated as the Top 10 Books of Black History for 2012 by Book List Online, American Library Association. He is currently editing a book on Obama’s global leadership in 25 different countries, “Crossroads of Leadership: Globalization and American Exceptionalism in the Obama Presidency” (Routledge, 2013), which is due to be published after the general election.

D’SouzaFrom 7

ManTalk

By Timothy Houston

FULL CIRCLE


Good in the ‘Hood serves families in need

The League of Women Voters Minneapolis host community education forums

Good in the ‘Hood, a Minneapolis-based charity and community enablement organization, announced their latest venture with Normandale Community College. The program is called Campus Cupboard and is designed to serve school families in need. “We believe hunger has a detrimental impact upon personal grades and the overall rate of graduation,” said founder Shawn Morrison. “Our intention is to move people forward and to improve their quality of life by eliminating on-campus student hunger and to help improve individual grades of those enrolled at Normandale Community College and to have a positive impact upon the overall rate of graduation.” The Campus Cupboard is a program of Good in the ‘Hood on the campus of Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. The purpose of our program is to collaborate in order to build successful futures together. This will be achieved as we do our part by addressing the physical needs of economically-challenged students that are coming to class hungry due to their inability to afford regular meals. According to a recent on-campus survey of over 400 students, 25% of those surveyed stated that they could not afford to purchase meals and that they were attending classes suffering with hunger. This program is for students that declare a fi nancial hardship by completing the necessary

application to be enrolled. Eligible students will receive 21 points per month with each food item being worth 1 point. These points cannot be sold, bartered, traded or carried over to the next month. The program will be managed by students as a community service classroom opportunity and is intended to be for enrolled students only. “We believe this collaboration with Normandale Community College is leading the way in considering the needs of students. Soon, we expect to begin providing personal items and other essentials,” added Morrison. As this model proves to be successful, Good in the ‘Hood’s long-term vision is to establish a Campus Cupboard in every community college in the Twin Cities by 2020. The objective is to eliminate hunger and to provide support for the basic needs of all local community college students in order to advance their overall educational experience and quality of life. Good in the ‘Hood is an urban-based partnering organization committed to initiating and sustaining focused acts of kindness as a means of inspiring neighborhood decency and transformation. So far in 2012 we have collaborated with Union Gospel Mission and Cedarcrest Church to provide over a quarter million pounds of food to nearly 10,000 Minnesotans. Visit us at www.goodinthehood.org.

The League of Women Voters Minneapolis is hosting two education forums this fall. The fi rst, October 4, is titled Chalk

Talk: Teachers Take on Education Policy. Then on October 25 it will host a debate among Minneapolis School Board candidates.

The League put together the fi rst forum because during the perennial election-year school reform debates, one voice often

missing is the classroom teacher: the most important person at the end of the education policy funnel. The classroom teacher

works at the intersection of complex and ever-changing federal, state, and local education policies and the nuts-and-bolts world of helping students learn. Chalk Talk offers a panel of teachers with varying experiences and viewpoints to discuss how education policies affect work in the classroom. Topics will range from teacher evaluation policies to testing. The speakers are: Crystal Ballard, who teaches AVID at Olson Middle School; AVID is an international college readiness program. Ballard also is a member of the African American Leadership Forum’s Education Workgroup, a group dedicated to closing the achievement gap for African American children, birth through 12th grade, in the seven-county metro area. Jim Barnhill, a special education teacher at South High School’s Life Skills Program, which helps students live and work independently. Barnhill is a Minneapolis Federation of Teachers executive board member, and serves on several school district working groups on teacher evaluation. Susan Bell, who taught grades 1-8 for 38 years in both the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts. Bell was a Minnesota Teacher of the Year fi nalist in 2003. Now retired from teaching, she is the test coordinator at the Hmong International Academy, a job that lets her stay in touch with students. Paul Hegre, who taught in Minneapolis for 23 years at Nawayee Center School and Seward Montessori. Hegre is on

special assignment working on the district’s teacher evaluation process. He also spent four years coordinating the district’s TAP/QComp program, a strategy to attract, develop, motivate and retain high-quality teachers. James Kindle, a third to fi fth grade English Language Learner teacher at Anne Sullivan Elementary, a union steward, and a member of Empowering Educators for Equity, a newly formed group that works to promote educational equity by ensuring that teachers’ voices are heard in policy decisions. The forum will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S., from 7:30-9 p.m. It will include prepared questions, but audience members also will have the opportunity to submit written questions. On Thursday, October 25, the League will host a Minneapolis School Board candidates forum, tentatively scheduled for Jefferson K-8 School, 1200 26th Street West from 7:30-9 p.m. Co-sponsors of these community forums include Achieve Minneapolis, African American Leadership Forum, the Education Equity Organizing Collaborative, MinnCAN, and Don Fraser’s Achievement Gap Committee. Support for these forums has been provided by a grant from the Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi LLP Foundation for Children, a supporting organization of the Minneapolis Foundation. More information available at: www.lwvmpls.org or call (612) 333-6319.

Normandale Community CollegeThrough collaboration, the Good in the ‘Hood Campus Cupboard at Normandale Community College is taking a bite out of on campus

student hunger. Pictured are students Simon Semere and Sandrine Akem.


básicamente en la misma parte de la ciudad por más de 100 años. El padrino de mi abuelo fue el primer arquitecto de color a nivel municipal. Cap Wigington fue arquitecto en la ciudad de Saint Paul desde los años 10 hasta los años 50. Mi abuelo, James Griffi n, en 1972 obtuvo el más alto cargo como ofi cial de la policía en los Estados Unidos de un hombre negro, cuando se convirtió en el Subjefe del Departamento de la Policía de Saint Paul. Él tenía 42 años de servicio y también fue elegido como parte del Consejo Administrativo Escolar sirviendo en la institución por 16 años. El estadio de Saint Paul Central High School lleva el nombre de mi abuelo. Y la jefatura de la policía de Saint Paul lleva también el nombre de mi abuelo. Mi mama Linda, legalmente Griffi n-Garrett, fue durante mucho tiempo maestra dentro las escuelas publicas de Saint Paul. Ella trabajó 30 años en el área, creando una agenda de educativa multicultural. Ella fue una consultora de educación para el estado de Minnesota por muchos años. Entonces las fundaciones puestas por ellos aquí contribuyeron a que se tuvieran ciertas expectativas con mi hermano, Christopher y conmigo cuando íbamos creciendo, esperando que fuéramos exitosos en lo que emprendiéramos en nuestras vidas. Nosotros teníamos que soñar y teníamos que proceder de forma tal que pudiéramos alcanzar nuestros sueños. AM: Entiendo, hablando con ustedes dos sobre legado y dinastía. Hablamos ya de legado: Paola, tus raíces familiares en la República Dominicana y James, con tu familia en Saint Paul. Pero la dinastía no es lo único que atrae a dos personas como ustedes, que además cuentan

con un legado, pero además trae su experiencia profesional y sus esperanzas como individuos. Tu eres el propietario de una fi rma de arquitectos llamada 4RM+ULA instalada en Saint Paul y también en la República Dominicana. ¿Cuál es tu visión empresarial? JG: 4RM+ULA cumplió 10 años de fundada el 1ero de julio de este año. Hemos estado ejerciendo la arquitectura aquí en las ciudades gemelas con nuestra ofi cina principal en Saint Paul. Nuestra licencia nos permite ejercer la arquitectura en Minnesota y también tenemos licencia para ejercer la profesión en Nueva York. Estamos mirando la manera de expandirnos. Ella tiene licencia para ejercer en la República Dominicana y formamos juntos una versión de 4RM+ULA en la República Dominicana donde estamos realizando algunos trabajos. Entonces nuestra visión es crear varios satélites. Siento que el cielo es el límite. Siento que hemos pasado 10 años aprendiendo. Por muchos años trabajamos para otras fi rmas que fueron nuestras mentoras. Durante estos 10 años hemos aprendido sobre este negocio, sobre comercio, sobre la importancia de entender las regulaciones y las fi nanzas. Ya tenemos una base sólida y estamos listos para crecer más rápido. AM: Tu proyecto más importante es el diseño del corredor del tren que va desde Minneapolis hasta Saint Paul. JG: Nosotros fuimos parte de equipo que realizó la propuesta en el 2007 para el corredor central del tren y fuimos parte del equipo ganador con AECOM. Nosotros trabajamos con AECOM como arquitectos básicamente diseñando las 18 estaciones a lo largo de la ruta del Corredor Central incluyendo la estación que está aquí al frente (en la Avenida Cedar). Trabajamos en esto durante 5 años y tuvimos la oportunidad de realmente tocar, moldear y dejar nuestra huella en cada una de las estaciones.

Ese ha sido nuestro trabajo más notable hasta la fecha. Será un proyecto que estaremos utilizando. Pasará por nuestro barrio, a un bloque de mi casa. Pasará por el frente de nuestra ofi cina. Es un poco extraño que como arquitecto tengas la oportunidad de hacer algo del cual puedas benefi ciarte tu mismo, así como tu comunidad y que tengas la oportunidad de ver tu obra todos los días de tu vida. AM: Veo que tú y Paola son parte de la generación del Hip Hop. Para mí, eso signifi ca que existe un desarrollo propio y seguridad en uno mismo, con un sentido de poder cambiar el

mundo y crear el mundo que queremos. No dependemos de nadie para tener una propia defi nición. Tenemos la obligación, el deber y el poder para defi nirnos a nosotros mismos y a nuestro futuro. ¿Tiene esto que digo sentido para ti? JG: Sí. Pero hay varias partes de la generación del Hip Hop. Los creadores de la cultura. Nosotros fuimos parte de esa generación que creció en el mundo cuando el Hip Hop inició. No podemos recordar antes de que estuviera el Hip Hop. Fuimos la primera generación desde el kindergarder hasta el resto de

nuestras vidas como parte de ello. Pienso que el Hip Hop hizo mucho con tan poco. Fuimos parte de esos movimientos de protesta de los años 80 con el “No más Violencia” y hablamos de la autodeterminación y la habilidad para la autodefi nición. Eso tratábamos de hacer en aquellos tiempos. AM: ¿Cuáles son tus ejes que dirigen tu vida, desde el Hip Hop hasta tus padres o tu legado? ¿Qué cosas están en tu mente y en tu corazón que son las que dirigen tu vida y tu carrera? JG: Para mi es la responsabilidad. Me siento

en deuda con mis ancestros y con aquellos que por los que hoy estoy aquí. Siempre tengo presente que las oportunidades hay que capitalizarlas y me siento que es mi responsabilidad hacerlo. AM: Y Paola, ¿Qué hay de ti? ¿Qué piensas al respecto? PG: Para mi es la honestidad. Es una combinación. James es un hombre muy responsable. Y yo me siento ser una persona honesta. Soy honesta conmigo misma. Soy honesta con él todo el tiempo y trato de ser honesta con el resto del mundo. La honestidad y la responsabilidad son muy importantes hoy en día.

Links Inc. program guides youth to community serviceThe Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (The Links) this week launched Links to Success…an African American Leadership Experience, a new program providing innovative and engaging leadership development and college preparation curriculum, mentoring, and exposure to academically high performing girls. The new initiative follows last year’s suspension of the Links’ Debutante Cotillion Program for the 2011-12 school year. According to The Links

President, Marcia Norman Murray, when the Debutant Cotillion was suspended, the organization “committed to come back with a new youth program to recognize high achievers. We believe Links to Success will be that program.” Murray said “We’re optimistically expecting this new program to engage 20-30 high school juniors and seniors. We’re looking for teens who are able to demonstrate commitment to community engagement and service. Applications were available September 4th from

the Counselors Offi ces in the high schools in the Twin Cities School Districts and are due back by October 5th.” Murray reached out to families and community organizations to help counselors identify candidates for Links to Success. “Please help us spread the word,” she said. “We’re confi dent that Links to Success…An African Leadership Experience” is an experience that our youth will fi nd extremely valuable.” The Links to Success program culminating

celebration will be an outstanding awards recognition and scholarship luncheon showcasing the outstanding talents and accomplishments of the participants. “No black-tie gala with debutantes in their white ball gowns. Some may be disappointed,” Murray said. But the new program would be a” more realistic and inclusive refl ection on where we need to be in 2012 and beyond!” She said The Links will continue partnering with community nonprofi ts and individuals. “In May 2012, we

held our Young Woman’s Issues Forum where over 150 girls ages 13-18 participated in a day-long forum at MCTC in workshops covering peer relations and entertainment. In June and July, The Links had Voter Registration and Information Booths at Juneteenth and Rondo Days, respectively. As we approach our 40th anniversary on December 10, 2012, we look forward to celebrating with our Minneapolis-Saint Paul community throughout 2013 with more outstanding programs and events.”

We, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter of The Links, Incorporated are grateful for your support. We are committed to continued service and programs that support the needs of the community and fulfi ll our mission. For more information about Links to Success…you may email [email protected] Again, thank you for your years of support and we look forward to what the future holds.

Legends series.” Artistic director Spears said the upcoming season has a little something for everyone. Spears will be joining Coré

Cotton, a former soloist with the Grammy Award winning Sounds of Blackness, on Feb. 17 and 18 for Sweet Love (A Valentine’s Tribute). On Apr. 20 and 21 the Capri and Thomasina Petrus present Etta … Tell Mama!, a tribute to Etta James. “Etta pulled no punches in

her live performances. Her very frank and blatant delivery of her more suggestive song offerings often left her audiences blushing,” said Spears. “Thomasina defi nitely has the total package needed to capture the very essence of hot and sassy Etta James.” Single tickets for Legends

concerts are $25 ($20 for groups of 10 or more) and can be ordered online at thecapritheater.org, or by calling OvationTix at 866-811-4111. Three-concert season tickets are still available and are $60 – a savings of $15 off single ticket prices.

Capri Theater 2012-2013 Legends SeriesEartha…The Whole Kitt & KaboodleRegina Marie Williams7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 10, 20123 p.m. Sun., Nov. 11, 2012

Sweet Love (A Valentine’s Tribute)Coré Cotton & Dennis Spears7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 16, 20133 p.m. Sun., Feb. 17, 2013

Etta…Tell Mama!Thomasina Petrus7 p.m. Sat. April 20, 20133 p.m. Sun. April 21, 2013

LegendsFrom 7

EntrevistaFrom 2


COMMUNITY

Calendar • Classifi eds Phone: 612.588.1313 Fax: 612.588.2031 Email: [email protected]

Hawthorne Huddle focuses on early education, child health and crime

Send Community Calendar information to us by email: [email protected], by fax: 612.588.2031, by phone: 612.588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Natalie Benz. Free or low cost events preferred.

EVENTSCommunity Anti-Foreclosure meeting Sept 24Community Anti-Foreclosure meeting to save Rose McGee’s home from foreclosure Monday Sept. 24 Zion Baptist Church 621 Elwood Ave No. (corner of Elwood and Olson Memorial Highway). Long time neighborhood activist, storyteller and entrepreneur (Sweet Potato Pies) Rose McGee has been victimized by the foreclosure crisis and is in danger of losing her home. Come out and show support for Rose McGee and others that are trying to keep their homes. Thousands of hard working people have lost their homes to foreclosure in our community and it is time we stand together.

National Voter Registration Day Sept. 25 Community Action will host a National Voter Registration Day event on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The event will focus on registering voters, asking citizens to pledge to vote on Nov. 6, and educate voters on the Voter ID Amendment and how it will affect low-income people. Event Location: Parking lot at 450 Syndicate Street N, St. Paul, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Hot dogs and chips will be served from noon to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. for folks to stop by and register during their lunch or dinner times.

World Without Genocide hosts Examining the Holocaust through the Arts Sept 24 & Oct 10Two fi lm events on the Holocaust as part of their new ‘Exploring Human Rights through the Arts’ series. Both fi lms, explore the effects of World War II on America in little-known ways.

Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust, will be screened on Mon. Sept 24, 7–9pm at William Mitchell College of Law, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, 55105, in the Kelley Board Room. From Swastika to Jim Crow: Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges, will be screened on Wed. Oct10, 7–9pm at William Mitchell College of Law in room 245. free to students and seniors and $10 to the general public. Visit www.worldwithoutgenocide.org for more info.

Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) National Conference, Sept 26–29Speakers such as John Perkins, Shane Claiborne, Tony Campolo, Lisa Harper, Curtiss DeYoung, and more will . Evening plenary sessions for the conference are free to the public. To register and to see the whole schedule visit http://www.ccda.org Scholarships available. Join fellow First Covenanters on Sat. Sept 29 for the FREE evening session from 7 to 9pm. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Contact Kara VerHage at [email protected] or 651.587.0969 for more info.

Hawthorne Neighborhood Council’s Annual Meeting and Board of Director Elections Sept 27There will be a free, buffet style dinner as well as childcare onsite so residents may participate fully in the meeting. This meeting is free and open to the public. Thur. Sept 27, 6pm. at Farview Park.

Current Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain & Arthritis Sept 27Attend a Free Community Health Talk on the Current Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain and Arthritis. Learn how you can address your pain and regain motion presented by Michael Freehill, MD. Thur., Sept 27. 1:30 pm (check-in) 2–3pm (seminar). Spouse or guest is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, call 877.585.0125 to register today.

21st Annual “Signifyin’ & Testifyin” Black Master Storytelling Festival Sept 27–29Celebrating the power of the oral storytelling tradition as practiced by African people in the Diaspora with a line-up of world renown Master storytellers. For festival locations, times and for more info visit www.blackstorytellers.com or call 612.529.5864.

Wells Fargo brings NeighborhoodLIFTS program to St. Paul and Minneapolis Sept 28Potential homebuyers can fi nd out if they qualify for the down payment assistance program and reserve funds–of $15,000 – for 60 days, even if they have yet to fi nd a property. The program will include a free large-scale homebuyer workshop on Fri. and Sat. Sept. 7 and 8, at the Minneapolis Convention Center , Hall A, from 10am– 7pm. Prospective homebuyers can register until Wed. Sept, 5 and learn more about the NeighborhoodLIFTS program at www.neighborhoodlift.org or by calling 866.858.2151.

Open Streets Minneapolis combines forces with Harvest Fest for North MPLS event Sept 29All the Harvest Fest fare such as live music, an art fair, car show, food vendors and multiple kid zones. Added, courtesy of Open Streets, will be a KMOJ stage with live music, a complete urban agricultural node, healthy eating exhibits, youth-orientated music, fi tness classes, creation of a community mural and other happenings yet to be announced. Sat. Sept 29, 11am–6pm on the 1.5 miles of North Lowry Ave. from Victory Memorial Parkway to 4th St. For more info call Joni Bonnell 763.656.8810 (Lowry Business Association) or Colin Harris 612.293.7818 (Open Streets Minneapolis / Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition).

Fundraising event to support COFHED and the villages in southern Haiti Sept 30Join COFHED as well as many friends and supporters for an evening of fun, featuring dinner provided by D’Amico Catering, silent and live auctions, and an inspiring update from our fi eld

directors. COFHED is a nonprofi t organization based in the Twin Cities with a vision for helping Haitians help themselves. Sun., Sept 30 at 4:30pm at McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota, 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis. Tickets may be purchased online. Visit www.cofhed.org for more information

Twin Cities RISE! Music on the Mississippi Sept 304th Annual Music on the Mississippi: an evening of inspiring stories and entertainment. Sun. Sept 30, 6:30–9:30pm at The Saint Paul Hotel 350 North Market Street, St. Paul, MN. Twin Cities RISE! has provided work skills and personal development training for Minnesotans in generational poverty. Visit https://tcrise.ejoinme.org/motm2012 to register or for more info visit www.twincitiesrise.org.

2012 Healthy Foods Summit Oct. 1Join in a conversation with acclaimed vegan soul food chef and food justice activist Bryant Terry about how you can honor your soul food traditions and other food traditions while fi nding ways to eat better and have better health on Monday, Oct. 1, 7–8:30 p.m., Urban Research and Outreach–Engagement Center, 2001 North Plymouth Ave., Minneapolis, MN. $25, scholarships available. Registration: w w w . a r b o r e t u m . u m n .edu/2012HealthyFoodsSummit.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Health & Fitness Expo Oct. 5 – 6The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Health & Fitness Expo returns to the Saint Paul RiverCentre – Exhibit Halls A & B on Friday, Oct. 5 - Noon - 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 - 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The expo is free and open to the public. Attendees can enjoy free seminars by a host of celebrated running experts and enthusiasts. The Saint Paul RiverCentre is located at 175 West Kellogg Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55102. For more information visit website at https://www.tcmevents.org/

University of St. Thomas Graduate School Fair Oct. 2Representatives from College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Leadership and Counseling, School of Engineering including Graduate Programs in Software, School of Law, School of Social Work, Opus College of Business, and St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity will be available to share info and answer questions. Graduate Financial Aid and other Student Support Services will also be in attendance. FREE. Oct 2, 4–7pm at St. Paul Campus Anderson Student Center.

“Navigating Children’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide” Oct 6Learn about parenting challenges and when and how to seek help for a child. Speaker Elizabeth Burns, author of Tilt: Every Family Spins on its Own Axis, will share the compelling tale of her struggle to cope with her own family’s mental illness and autism. Event also includes other speakers, a resource fair and info booth, refreshments and craft activities for kids. Oct 6, 9:30am–12pm at East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center 2307 17th Avenue South MPLS, MN 55404 Event is free, but register at [email protected] or call 612.825.9615.

Change Your Pace and help the Joy Project fi ght eating disorders Oct 6Unique ( leisurely/at your own pace) 5k walk to help broaden and deepen the impact of the Joy Project and actively raising money to fi ght eating disorders. Dress as your own challenge to the breakneck pace and unrealistic standards set by the media and societal pressure or come as you are, costumes are entirely optional. Registration closes Thur., Oct. 4 2012 at 11:59pm. Event takes place on Sat., Oct.6, 2012 at 10am, Lake Como1330 N Lexington Parkway St. Paul. Visit joyproject.org for more info or for registration and event details visit: http://www.active.com/fitness/st-paul-mn/change-your-pace-5k-to-fight-eating-disorders-2012.

Saint Paul Public Library Encourages Kids to Get a Move On Now–Oct 6The Saint Paul Public Library is hosting a series of free events to get kids moving! The Get A Move On series includes yoga, dance, and movement exploration

workshops. visit www.sppl.org/grade-school/move to see a schedule of events and for more info.

American Indian College Fund Gala Oct. 11The American Indian College Fund (AICF) will celebrate its 17th Annual Flame of Hope Gala at The Depot in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, October 11 at 5:30 p.m. to raise funds for scholarships to benefi t needy Native students. The event will feature Native entertainment, a silent auction of Native arts and the AICF will honor the late Stanley R. Crooks, former Tribal Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The Depot is located at 225 South 3rd Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55401.

West Broadway Farmers Market Announces Second Season Now–Oct 19Northside grown mushrooms, veggies, fruits, sweet bread, quality art, and more. Music, cooking demonstrations (with free samples), physical activities and classes, art activities, health services (i.e. blood pressure checks), and more will take place weekly. New location at the Hawthorne Crossings parking lot, 900 West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis, near the intersection of Bryant and West Broadway. Market hours are Fridays from 3pm to 7pm. All who walk or bike to the market can enter to win a $25 voucher for market goods. For updates and to sign up for the weekly email newsletter visit www.westbroadway.org or for any questions contact Alicia at 612.353.5178 or at [email protected]

MN-NAME’s annual equity and education conference Oct 27Focus on action and sustainability for educat ional equity. Sat. Oct 27, 8:30–3pm at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. As low as $35 per person, depending on the type of registration. Contact Jennifer Heimlich at 952. 988.4637.

NorthPoint Health & Wellness ART GALLERY Presents The Photography of Donald Sparks Now–Nov 2Covering multiple sports and other artistic and historical subjects, these rarely seen images include some of the great names in sports and the arts such as Jackie Robinson, Wilma Rudolph, Hank Aaron and Duke Ellington. NorthPoint Health & Wellness 1313 Penn Ave N. Mpls MN 55411. Mon. & Fri. 8:30am–5pm, Tues.–Thur. 8:30am–7pm, Sat. 8am–12pm. Contact Helene Woods at 612.543.2549 for more info.

Enrollment opens for 2012 / 2013 Saint Paul Citizen’s Police Academy Dec 19–Feb 27

Classes begin Dec. 19 and continue through Feb. 27on Wed. evenings 6:30–9:30pm. 25 community members will participate in training modeled after the Police Academy program that police offi cers complete. No cost to CPA participants. The CPA is not intended to serve as accredited law enforcement courses but merely to provide insight to the internal workings of the police department. Applications due by Oct. 15 are available by calling CPA Coordinator Don Luna at 651. 266.5583.

The September Hawthorn Huddle meeting discussed the value of childhood education and ways to help parents understand what they need to do to help their children be ready to start school. Twin Cities Healthy Start is a part of the National Healthy Start Association, founded in 1991 and established on the premise that community driven strategies are needed to address the cause of infant mortality and low birth weight, especially among high risk populations. The program is designed to impact infant

mortality “The health disparities in the Twin Cities are huge,” said Angela Watts, Project Director of Twin Cities Healthy Start, Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support. “In order for both Minneapolis and St Paul to receive this funding, that means our infant mortality rate is two and a half times the national rate. It is a black eye to receive this funding. Families and women need support; our most vulnerable children are infants and youth and they deserve a healthy start.” Watts also said the most important aspect is to involve men in this issue. “Fathers who are a part of their children’s

lives (have children who) do better. No matter what is going on in the primary relationship, fathers have to have a roll,” said Watts. Also during the Huddle, Inspector Mike Martin of the Minneapolis Police Department, 4th Precinct, provided a safety report that revealed an up-tick in burglaries. “We had a large increase last year as well; part of that was due to the tornado,” said Martin. “We used to have a lot of serial and older, career burglars; now we get kids who used to sell drugs on the corner, due to the profi ts not being as high as in the (19)90s.” Martin said robberies too

are up. “It’s mainly people on the street being robbed by youth,” said the inspector. “Some are by gunpoint, some by strong arm, mainly for cell phones, iPods, and money.” According to Martin, robbery is up 15 percent from last year, but down from two years ago, gun seizures are up 25 percent as well with a total of 225 guns seized. These alarming statistics demonstrate the need for programs such as Family Academy of the Northside Achievement Zone, Twin Cities Healthy Start and Family Partnerships, proponents say. The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) Family Academy

is a foundational component of the NAZ “cradle to career” pipeline. The Family Academy consists of the Infants and Toddlers model, which teaches parenting strategies that promote children’s language development and positive parenting for families with children age zero to three. Andre Dukes, Family Academy Lead Facilitator for NAZ said the organization also runs a parent group with a goal to assist parents to ensure their children are school ready and able to develop meaningful relationships, focus in school and proceed to college successfully. During the 12 week program, parents are taught

the biological functions of early childhood development. “Everything a parent does with a child the fi rst fi ve years is setting the trajectory for that child’s entire life. Parents are the fi rst and primary teachers,” said Dukes. “The primary goal is to get parents to understand how they infl uence child development.” The Hawthorne Huddle is held the fi rst Thursday of every month from 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. in the multi-purpose room of Farview Park, 621 29th Ave. N., with continental breakfast starting at 7:15 a.m. For additional information on the Huddle, contact Sophie Winter, at 763-764-3413 or [email protected].

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WASHINGTON, DC – Thursday, Minnesota faith leaders traveled to the nation’s capital to meet with top Obama Administration officials at the White House about implementing bold solutions to the housing crisis that has enveloped Minnesota. More than 150 homeowners, faith and community leaders, and housing advocates from 26 states laid out recommendations for fixing the housing crisis and getting

our economy back on solid ground. After returning from the meeting, Rev. Paul Slack, Pastor of New Creation Church in Minneapolis and President of ISAIAH, commented, “We need help. My home, our community and our economic future are depending on it. I was pleased to share solutions with White House officials that will address the housing crisis, restore our economies, and rebuild our economy. I look forward to hearing bold solutions from this Administration soon. We need action and we need it as soon as possible.” Local leaders from Minnesota told the White House it is far past time that they enact policy solutions such as: Principal reduction – the bold plan we need to fix the housing crisis, create jobs, and reset the economy. Publicly support the RMBS

Task Force investigating big bank fraud and make sure there are enough resources and staff supplied to the investigation that will result in principal reduction for underwater homeowners around the country and accountability for Wall Street crimes that crashed our economy. In Minnesota there were 21,000 foreclosure last year, with over half concentrated in the metro area. An estimated 18% of Minnesota homeowners are underwater.

If mortgages were reduced to the current value, there would be an average savings of $365 per month to the homeowner, and $402 million put back into the local economy each year according to the report Wasted Wealth: Why Banks Should Fix Mortgages Instead of Foreclosing on Homes, published by several community groups, including ISAIAH this year. The crisis in Minnesota is rooted in illegal activity by lenders and Wall Street and inadequate rules and enforcement. The misconduct included predatory sub-prime lending, targeting of senior citizens, veterans, and communities of color, and bundling and pawning off flawed mortgages, avoiding accountability. Those forces combined with record long-term unemployment to bring our economy to the brink of collapse and continue to jeopardize our economic

recovery. Nationally, there are almost 16 million underwater homes, worth $2.8 trillion, that are $1.2 trillion underwater. Resetting those mortgages to fair market value would save the average underwater homeowner $543 per month, pumping $104 billion into the national economy every year. This would create 1.5 million jobs nationally. Yet for too long Washington has been silent on these issues. That is why groups have joined together in the Home is Where the Vote Is campaign to demand President Obama and Governor Romney address these issues immediately on the campaign trail.

Photos: Kate Hess PaceReverend Paul Slack at the White House

Kate Hess Pace and Reverend Paul Slack at the meeting in the White House

Slack, advocates seek foreclosure solutions


Lynx honored at the White HouseWASHINGTON - President Barack Obama welcomed the Minnesota Lynx to the White House last Tuesday in recognition of the team’s 2011 WNBA Championship. The

President honored the team’s memorable 2011 season, as well as the efforts of the Lynx to support health and wellness programs through its WNBA FIT and Breast Health

Awareness initiatives. The Lynx had a historic 2011 season, setting a franchise record with 27 wins and outscoring opponents by an average of 7.9 points per game, matching

the fi fth largest single-season point differential in WNBA history. Minnesota went 7-1 in the postseason, including sweeping the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals to win

the team’s fi rst championship in franchise history. Lynx guard and Olympian Seimone Augustus was named the 2012 WNBA Finals MVP for her play against Atlanta in the Finals,

averaging 24.7 points per game in the series, including scoring a single-game franchise postseason high 36 points in Game 2.

WNBAWNBA Minnesota Lynx

Insight News ::: 9.24.12

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Transcript of Insight News ::: 9.24.12