insight news ::: 08.11.14

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NBA President Michael Grant receiving award from MBDA National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo. At the Minneapolis Convention Center on July 31, the City of Minneapolis and civil rights agencies from across the state hosted a Closing Ceremony to their Minnesota Summer of Civil Rights in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Throughout the summer of 2014, many civil rights organizations collectively hosted community events around the Twin Cities – including at the State Capitol, the University of Minnesota, and William Mitchell College of Law – to increase awareness of the legislation’s continuing legacy. The closing ceremony (TriceEdneyWire.com) - The winner of the U. S. Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Lifetime Achievement Award says the economic fate of America’s Black community “hangs in the balance” because “we are a fourth quarter people”. Michael Grant, president of the National Bankers Association and its foundation, says, “Unlike our Hispanic and Asian brothers and sisters, we had to spend the rst three quarters just getting in the game...So you see, all things being equal, our ethnic counterparts came to the game with a different mindset, a different set of circumstances, a different self-image, and already with some capital from back home.” Grant was speaking during a joint press conference with the U. S. Black Chambers, Inc. two weeks after being notied he would receive the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Abe Venable Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award Aug. 1. The annual award is meant for a person who has exhibited “high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishments over a lifetime”, said MBDA National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo, preparing to present the award. “This award is granted to two individuals who have played an integral role in the creativity and professional progress of minority business development over the course of their lives.” The late Henry T. “Hank” Wilfong Jr., was also honored with the Legacy Award. He was founder of the National Association of Small Disadvantaged Businesses (NASDB), among a string of Insight2Health Testimonial: Adero Riser Cobb PAGE 2 Moments in Sports Wolves to add #1 pick Wiggins to talented young roster PAGE 9 Lifestyle Radisson Blu builds on tradition PAGE 7 Parenting Tips to boost infant and toddler brain development PAGE 8 Minnesota celebrates summer of civil rights Community and leaders unite in watershed moment New Black agenda: Economic empowerment In 2007 Lindy Vincent decided red was not her color. Last year she decided brown suited her much better. Vincent, a mother of three, was an established buyer with Target when following the birth of her third child, she decided Target was no longer the bull’s-eye of her professional desires. As it turns out, Vincent was more of a domestic and international shipping type of woman, so following her entrepreneurial spirit, last year Vincent opened her The UPS Store located at 10504 France Ave. S. in Bloomington. Al Flowers stepped to the press conference microphone and led with a tone of levity and appreciation. This was the response coming from a man recently thumped by several police officers late at night in his own home. On July 29 th a community press conference was held at the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) and broadcast on KMOJ (89.9 FM), to rally in the wake of Flowers’ recent brutish assault by Minneapolis police. While the process of police investigation progresses through its’ initial stages, the unique assembly of the community at this event represented a refreshing unity, coupled with measured By Harry Colbert, Jr. Contributing Writer By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer By Hazel Trice Edney By Ryan T. Scott Commentary CONFERENCE TURN TO 6 MBDA TURN TO 3 RIGHTS TURN TO 5 Clockwise from top-left: Al Flowers, Spike Moss, Jerry McAfee, Scott Gray, Peter Hayden, Al McFarlane, Abdirizak Bihi Harry Colbert, Jr. The UPS Store owner, Lindy Vincent is the only African-American female franchisee in the state. VINCENT TURN TO 5 Guided by personal logistics Entrepreneur Vincent owns The UPS Store Dr. Josie Johnson PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE So Blue: e Urban Spectrum eatre Company celebrate 40 years of multi-cultural entertainment with summer production MORE ON PAGE 10 Insight News Vol. 41 No. 34 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com August 11 - August 17, 2014

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News for the week of August 11, 2014. Insight News is the community journal for news, business and the arts serving the Minneapolis / St. Paul African American community

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

NBA President Michael Grant receiving award from MBDA National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo.

At the Minneapolis ConventionCenter on July 31, the City ofMinneapolis and civil rightsagencies from across the statehosted a Closing Ceremony totheir Minnesota Summer of CivilRights in commemorating the50th anniversary of the signing ofthe Civil Rights Act of 1964. Throughout the summerof 2014, many civil rightsorganizations collectively hostedcommunity events around theTwin Cities – including at theState Capitol, the University ofMinnesota, and William MitchellCollege of Law – to increaseawareness of the legislation’scontinuing legacy. The closing ceremony

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The winner of the U. S. Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Lifetime Achievement Award says the economic fate of America’s Black community “hangs in the balance” because “we are a fourth quarter people”. Michael Grant, president of the National Bankers Association and its foundation, says, “Unlike our Hispanic and Asian brothers and sisters, we had to spend the fi rst three quarters just getting in the game...So you see, all

things being equal, our ethnic counterparts came to the game with a different mindset, a different set of circumstances, a different self-image, and already with some capital from back home.” Grant was speaking during a joint press conference with the U. S. Black Chambers, Inc. two weeks after being notifi ed he would receive the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Abe Venable Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award Aug. 1. The annual award is meant for a person who has exhibited “high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishments

over a lifetime”, said MBDA National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo, preparing to present the award. “This award is granted to two individuals who have played an integral role in the creativity and professional progress of minority business development over the course of their lives.” The late Henry T. “Hank” Wilfong Jr., was also honored with the Legacy Award. He was founder of the National Association of Small Disadvantaged Businesses (NASDB), among a string of

Insight2HealthTestimonial: Adero Riser Cobb

PAGE 2

Moments in SportsWolves to add #1 pick Wiggins to talented young roster

PAGE 9

LifestyleRadisson Blu builds on tradition

PAGE 7

ParentingTips to boost infant and toddler brain development

PAGE 8

Minnesota celebrates summer of civil rights

Community and leaders unite in watershed moment

New Black agenda: Economic empowerment

In 2007 Lindy Vincent decided red was not her color. Last year she decided brown suited her much better. Vincent, a mother of three, was an established buyer with Target when following the birth of her third child, she decided Target was no longer the bull’s-eye of her professional desires. As it turns out, Vincent was more of a domestic and international shipping type of woman, so following her entrepreneurial spirit, last year Vincent opened her The UPS Store located at 10504 France Ave. S. in Bloomington.

Al Flowers stepped to the press conference microphone and led with a tone of levity and appreciation. This was the response coming from a man recently thumped by several police officers late at night in his own home. On July 29th a community press conference was held at the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) and broadcast on KMOJ (89.9 FM), to rally in the wake of Flowers’ recent brutish assault by Minneapolis police. While the process of police investigation progresses through its’ initial stages, the unique assembly of the community at this event represented a refreshing unity, coupled with measured

By Harry Colbert, Jr.Contributing Writer

By Lydia SchwartzContributing Writer

By Hazel Trice Edney

By Ryan T. ScottCommentary

CONFERENCE TURN TO 6

MBDA TURN TO 3 RIGHTS TURN TO 5

Clockwise from top-left: Al Flowers, Spike Moss,

Jerry McAfee, Scott Gray, Peter Hayden, Al McFarlane,

Abdirizak Bihi

Harry Colbert, Jr.The UPS Store owner,

Lindy Vincent is the only African-American female

franchisee in the state.

VINCENT TURN TO 5

Guided by personal logistics

Entrepreneur Vincent owns The UPS Store

Dr. Josie Johnson

PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE

So Blue: Th e Urban Spectrum Th eatre Company celebrate 40 years of multi-cultural entertainment with summer production

MORE ON PAGE 10

Insight NewsVol. 41 No. 34 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.comAugust 11 - August 17, 2014

Page 2: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

Page 2 • August 11 - August 17, 2014August 11 - August 17, 2014 • Insight News insightnews.com

TESTIMONIALADERO RISER COBB

Tyrone “Chizel” Minor has been very instrumental in my continued journey to get healthier and get fi t. He has been my go to fi tness guru. His wife, Jamie Minor, has been wonderful with sharing tips, recipes and answering any questions I have had; as well as introducing me to the world of yoga. The opening of The Fit Lab has allowed me to have a place to go, to take fi tness to the next level. In conjunction with Insight News, the Insight2Health Fitness Challenge has assisted in a complete lifestyle change for me. Having the ability to workout with fabulous trainers (Tyrone, Jamie, Adam, Rachel and Dan) up to fi ve days a week, work with life coach Michelle - Energized Coaching, LLC and nutrition coach Julie Sound Nutrition, I have been able to work on my journey of completely living a healthier lifestyle. The Insight2Health Challenge completely works on mind (life coach), body (trainers) and nourishment/eating (nutrition coach) allowing for consistent reinforcement and support during my transition. I lost 23 pounds during my fi rst 10-week Insight2Health Fitness Challenge and I am still losing weight. I could have had 1,000 reasons why I could have stayed in the mindset to remain unfi t – time, money, parenting and a bad ankle to name a few. When I let go of the excuses and made the decision to get healthier, nothing could (can) stop me. I have had ankle surgery and the trainers assist with modifi cations so I am able to get a great workout. This is not a diet or a quick fi x; I am on the pursuit of healthier living. Not only is Insight2Health a great program, the camaraderie of the other participants also assist holding each other accountable for support, encouragement and I look forward to seeing them at every workout. I wanted to take a moment to thank Tyrone Minor, Jamie Minor and Al McFarlane for making this possible.

Alaina Lewis

Page 3: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

insightnews.com Insight News • August 11 - August 17, 2014August 11 - August 17, 2014 • Page 3

UCare hires Dr. Alvaro H. Sanchez as associate medical director

Five infants saved since Safe Place for Newborns law strengthened

Tips for health-conscious Minnesotans

UCare has hired Dr. Alvaro H. Sanchez as the nonprofi t health plan’s new associate medical director. He assumed his new responsibilities in UCare’s clinical and quality management department on July 7. Sanchez is a board-certifi ed internal medicine physician with 25 years of clinical experience in hospital and outpatient settings. As a member of UCare’s clinical and quality management team, he helps oversee the health care needs of UCare’s more than 400,000

members. He also contributes to the development, implementation,

and maintenance of UCare’s quality improvement, utilization review, and case management activities. “Dr. Sanchez brings an in-depth knowledge of clinical care in several complex medical settings to UCare,” said Dr. Michael Lynch, UCare’s medical director. “His patient care background and skills strengthen our service to UCare members on Medicare and Medicaid, and individuals with disabilities. We look forward to his contributions to UCare’s medical team.”

Sanchez most recently was regional medical director of primary care for Park Nicollet Health Serv ices (PNHS). There, Sanchez had a focus in the areas of evidence-based population management, wellness initiatives, and medical operations, resulting in improvements in the patient experience, health care quality indicators, and reducing health care costs. He previously held positions as clinical practice director at Park Nicollet Health Services’ Carlson Clinic, as an employee

assistance program physician with the Minnesota Twins and as an instructor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.Sanchez also continues his work as division surgeon with the Minnesota Army National Guard. He is a decorated veteran for his deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Sanchez earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Bartholomew College in Bogotá, Colombia, and his Doctor of Medicine degree at Javeriana University, also in Bogotá. He

completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In 2010, Sanchez received the Meritorious Service Medal from the President of the United States. This honor is given to military members who distinguish themselves by providing outstanding non-combat service to their country. Sanchez and his family live in Minnetonka.

Two years ago, when the Safe Place for Newborns law was strengthened, Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said, “If we can save even one child through this, it will be well worth the effort.” At least fi ve children’s lives have been saved since then. Enacted in 2000 and amended in 2012, the law allows a mother or someone acting with her permission to safely surrender an unharmed newborn to a designated safe place. Safe places include hospitals, urgent care facilities during regular hours of operation, or an ambulance that is dispatched in

response to any 911 call. In 2012, two children were placed into the foster care system by mothers or their designees who surrendered their children under the law. In 2013, three more children were placed under the guidelines of the law. “Clearly, Safe Place for Newborns is working. Mothers have made the loving and compassionate decision to place their children with someone who can care for them rather than abandoning them in a time of crisis,” said Jesson. Infants may be illegally and unsafely abandoned, in part, because mothers do not know

that they have a safe and legal option through this law. Cases of abandoned children are rare, but have occurred. Within 24 hours

of a mother or her designee leaving a child at a safe place, providers contact social services to place the child in the foster

care system temporarily until adopted. Minnesota’s counties have played a strong role in reviewing and improving the law with the Department of Human Services. Winona County’s Citizen Review Panel — a group of seven to 16 community members who review ways to improve child protection systems in Minnesota — translated information on a Safe Place for Newborns fl yer from English into multiple languages to ensure more members of the public were aware of the law and could easily seek help. The panel created a public

service announcement appearing on local television, radio and in newspapers, and updated the language on fl yers for Spanish- and Hmong-speaking communities. Jesson encouraged more communities to do outreach so women have the information they need to keep their children safe. “Safe Place for Newborns helps both mothers, who are often frightened and distraught because they are unable or unprepared to care for their newborns, as well as the children whose lives have been saved,” Jesson said.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A meal of a burger, French fries and a milkshake tops a list of the most calorie-laden meals served at restaurant chains nationwide. With 3,500 calories, the meal at Red Robin is among those featured in the Xtreme Eating Awards from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Dietitian Heather Fink says there are a lot of nutritional pitfalls when dining out, including portions that are too large and

high amounts of fat, calories and sodium. “With some of the restaurants, it’s like a contest, you know, to see who can eat the biggest thing,” she explains. “Whatever the reason is they’re creating these bigger items, it’s leading to more consumption and therefore weight gain.” Fink says occasional splurges are OK, but dining out multiple times a week can lead to trouble. Meals from The Cheesecake Factory, Famous Dave’s and Joe’s Crab Shack were also on the list. Fink says choosing healthier foods and reducing portion size are important, since you can’t

count on just exercise to counter whatever bad food you’ve just eaten. “When we’ve got a meal that’s 3,500 calories, well, that would take a lot of physical activity in order to burn that off,” she explains. “And so aiming to do that to really make up, if you will, for eating out a lot is probably not going to happen for most people.” Fink points out many people unknowingly consume high-calorie foods while dining out, because what may appear to be a healthier menu item may not be because of the way it is prepared. “It maybe doesn’t look like a lot of food but is very calorically

dense, is where more people get deceived because you can’t quite tell what’s in the product, and especially if it’s not labeled they don’t really know,” she says. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. For children and adolescents, obesity now affects more than one-in-six, triple the rate from one generation ago.

Dr. Alvaro H. Sanchez

terren in Virginia/FlickrA new list of some of the

nutritionally worst meals served at U.S. restaurant chains includes a 3,500 calorie

offering from Red Robin of a burger, fries and milkshake.

pioneering accomplishments that included service to presidents, governors and mayors. It was accepted by his widow, Wyllene Watson-Wilfong, who now runs the NASDB. Castillo said Wilfong was a “voice and trumpeter” for minority business development and stability. Grant has for decades advocated for Black economic participation, growth and sustainability. In his remarks upon receiving the award, he credited strategic partnerships for his successes. His activities over the past year alone includes a partnership with the U. S. Black Chambers Inc. and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to encourage Black organizations to make their deposits in Black-owned banks. Speaking at the press conference, Grant also joined with Busby to call for Black businesses and consumers to “choose to work and do business as a team” by supporting each other. He described how the African-American community has struggle to attain economic parity only to be surpassed by other ethnic groups. He illustrated this by outlining the annual budgets of the three national chambers and the gross annual receipts of the businesses that they represent. According to Grant: * The Hispanic chamber has an annual budget of $22 million. The average gross annual receipts of Hispanic businesses is $155,000. * The Asian Chamber has an annual budget of $11 million. The average gross annual receipts of Asian businesses is $327,000. * The African-American chamber has an annual budget of $900,000. The average gross annual receipts of African-American businesses is $71,000. And Black-owned businesses received only 1.7 percent of the guaranteed loans from the Small Business Administration last year.

Grant stressed that he did not cite the numbers to create “resentment and animosity” between the groups. He said, in the “fourth quarter”, Blacks must break free of the past and strategize to take their place in America’s economic mainstream. During the fi rst quarter - during slavery - “we struggled to prove that we were, indeed, men and women and not chattel, not someone’s personal property”. During the second quarter, “we harmonized with the political agendas of President Abraham Lincoln and the radical Republicans to rebuild our lives with a reconstruction movement. We gained some equal protection under the law.” During the third quarter, Grant said, “our social engineers used the words of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States to mobilize national support - Black and White - for equal accommodations and we secured the right to vote.” Today, in the fourth quarter, he concluded, “Our ethnic self-esteem was elevated when President Barack Obama ascended to the highest offi ce in this nation.” He said despite agreement or disagreement with Obama, “we needed him to succeed” in both elections for three key reasons: In a nutshell, those reasons were, fi rst, to prove that

“anything is possible if we’ll pull together and get on one accord”; secondly, to dispel for all time “the myth that we are not endowed with great intelligence”; and fi nally, “We

needed to see for ourselves the limits of political power alone.” Grant announced that he would continue to partner with the USBC to raise the level of Black business progress. “We

fi nally have a business-oriented organization, with a clear vision, under committed, intelligent and inclusive leadership that is designed for the challenges of the 21st Century,” Grant said of the USBC, whose president, Ron Busby, also attended the MED awards ceremony. Applauding Grant’s award, Busby said his recognition was important to underscore the role that Black banks play in the economic future and success of the nation. “Access to capital is one of the number one concerns for African-American owned businesses,” Busby said. “And through this partnership and relationships, we feel like we have the solution to be able to increase the number of Black fi rms as well as grow our existing fi rms.” Also applauding Grant at the MEB Awards Luncheon was former SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns, who

said she knows he will use the distinction “to help strengthen the great platform that he already has to make sure there is the capital and the resources that Black businesses need in order to grow, create jobs and help rebuild this nation’s economy.” Stressing the daunting task of strengthening minority-owned businesses, Castillo also announced a partnership between Busby’s USBC and the MBDA. “We need to bring all of our human capital together to make sure that minority businesses are seen and are regarded and are respected as part of the future; I should say as the integral corner of the future of this great nation,” she said. Grant concluded, “If the past is prologue, I’m betting in the year 2020, many of the economic gaps that exist between African-Americans and other groups will close. All we have to do is choose to work and do business as a team.”

MBDAFrom 1

U.S. Black Chamber President Ron Busby and former SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns congratulate NBA President Michael Grant on MEB’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

By John Michaelson, Minnesota News Connection

HEALTH

Page 4: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

Page 4 • August 11 - August 17, 2014August 11 - August 17, 2014 • Insight News insightnews.com

Car Review: 2015 Toyota Prius v

Reader success!An interview with Judy Davis – part two

DETROIT – There are two ways to look at the Toyota Prius hybrid. Either the Japanese automaker dragged the rest of the U.S. market into gasoline-electric powered cars, the belief that if you want to compete with Toyota, you’ve got to have hybrids. Or, the automaker was out in front of the curve and saw that gas pump prices would eventually cause Americans to become a lot more sensitive to the fuel effi ciency of their vehicles.

Whichever you believe, the fact is that Toyota is the industry leader in the sale of hybrids in the U.S. market and the automaker has expanded and continues to expand its leadership role. We test drove the Prius v for a week. It was the third Prius, out of four, brought to market when it was introduced more than a year ago. The v stands for versatility. Yes, it is kind of hokey, but this Prius was spacious, it could carry four people in real comfort and it could carry a bunch of stuff. It had more than 34.3 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the split folding rear seat and a cavernous 67.3 cu. ft. of space with the rear seatbacks lowered. The front passenger seat folded fl at creating even more storage space. Although they were loathed to use the word, the Prius v had a silhouette that brought to mind ever so slightly images of a minivan. But it was smaller. Still, at a regional launch of the vehicle offi cials did say that this Prius was aimed at young families. The second row seats were adjustable. They slid forward or to the rear and the seatbacks had a 45 degree recline for greater comfort. The cabin was chock full of nooks for storage. The Prius v had a dual glove box, bottle holders were in the front and rear door panels and there was a storage tray behind the center console. Families, especially young ones, mean kids. And little ones want what they want when they want it. That means food, drinks, whatever it takes to keep them relatively calm. An available interior material is something that Toyota called SofTex. We

did not test it but the press packet for the Prius v Toyota said the material is easy to clean, resisted spills and was wear resistant. The ultimate testers, kids and time, will put that to the, uh, test. Still, what makes a hybrid is the powertrain. And in the case of the Toyota Prius v, it is comprised of a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a 60 kW electric motor and a smaller electric motor as the power source for stuff like the radio, climate control system, etc. Maximum voltage was 650 and the net horsepower output was 134. Obviously, this was

not a car to go speeding down the pavement. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) made that even less unlikely. Still, the car was very good at what it did. In day-to-day traffi c it was capable, on the expressways it was relatively able, it handled well, sight lines were great, the interior was airy, and we never got the feel of being cramped and never was the compact Prius v overwhelmed by other traffi c. The Prius v had four driving modes: EV (electric vehicle), Power that enhanced midrange response, ECO that prioritized fuel economy and

Normal. It also had a pitch and bounce control system for the suspension. This car was awfully smooth and it had a shift by wire system that seemed not needed in a car with a CVT. That was our only complaint. Whenever we put the car in park and took our foot off the brake, the Prius v would roll a bit except when the pavement was absolutely fl at. It’s hard to say how much, an inch, two inches maybe, but it was noticeable. The car was loaded with equipment: a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a navigation system, satellite radio, it had auxiliary

and USB jacks and there was a smart key. The best part was fuel consumption or the lack of it. For 2014, the Prius v got 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the hwy. That was impressive and seemed worth the premium that was embedded in the car’s hybrid system; the sticker of the car was $37,267. What’s more, over a fi ve year period Toyota said the Prius v would save $6,250 in fuel costs. That sounded pretty good.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com

“I did not recruit leadership, instead I embraced leadership.” This is what we learned from Judy Davis membership outreach manager at the Metal Museum in Memphis. We were talking with Davis to learn how this column FUNdraising Good Times infl uenced her work in

raising $45,000 for The 10th Anniversary Gates Campaign. This was a campaign to restore the beloved metal gates at the museum and the 331 rosettes that adorn them. The campaign was launched in April 2013, but Davis “did not get involved with the campaign until November 2013 when I saw we needed more funds. I produced a timeline of events and presented it to my Director and the Public Engagement Associate. I took the Development Boot Camp workshops that were offered at the Alliance for Nonprofi t Excellence and received advice from my previous manager that

raised funds for the Memphis Public Library,” Davis shared. “I did not ask anyone to do anything I would not do and I tried to keep the momentum going. I tried to create an environment where all my coworkers felt they had a vested interest in the success of the campaign.” She developed two questions to drive her fundraising. These were: “How do the Metal Museum gates impact the community?” and “What is your story as it relates to the gate?” These were derived from her desire for museum members and visitors to feel they had a personal connection with the gates. Davis also developed a brand identify for the campaign that tied to the museum’s overarching brand. “I wanted the feel and color of gray (metal) but to focus on the gates not the museum. The stationary, invitations and

thank you cards were one unit. The pieces were interchangeable

but they could be put together as one.” She took the time to share her brand strategy with fellow staff, “I wanted to make sure that we all understood why and how to communicate that to the public.” When asked what she would do differently next time, Davis responded, “Give myself more than seven months to raise a substantial amount of money. Have a volunteer front person, a voice, to help raise the funds needed.” We share Davis’ story with you because it shows that one person can make a difference. Davis had been reading our column, cutting them out, and jotting down adjectives and catch phrases on index cards for easy reference. Here are a few examples: developed, branded, launched, raised = goal. She focused on tips such as “leadership is critical to the success of any fundraising efforts” and “communicate in words and action.” Davis is ready for her next project: making the museum’s collection more accessible to the public. Stay tuned: she is a woman you are sure to hear more from.

Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofi ts, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your campaign visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

By Mel and Pearl Shaw

FUNdraisingGood Times

Judy Davis

2014 Prius v

By Frank S. WashingtonNNPA Columnist

From Chef Derik Moran, find daily specials, salads, sandwiches and more, and never forget dessert by Pastry Chef Katie Elsing. Prices starting at $8

11:30 - 2 Monday through Friday

View our complete menu at dakotacooks.com

Come have lunch at the Dakota

BUSINESS

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlane

CFOAdrianne Hamilton-Butler

Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane

Assistant to the PublisherShumira Cunningham

Associate Editor & Associate PublisherB.P. Ford

Vice President of Sales & MarketingSelene White

Culture and Education EditorIrma McClaurin

Director of Content & ProductionPatricia Weaver

Sr. Content & Production CoordinatorBen Williams

Production InternSunny Thongthi

Distribution/Facilities ManagerJamal Mohamed

Receptionist Lue B. Lampley

Contributing WritersHarry Colbert, Jr.Julie DesmondFred EasterAbeni HillTimothy HoustonPenny Jones-RichardsonToki WrightAlaina L. LewisDarren Moore

Photography Michele SpaiseDavid Bradley

Contact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.Minneapolis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC),Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

INSIGHT NEWSwww.insightnews.com

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insightnews.com Insight News • August 11 - August 17, 2014August 11 - August 17, 2014 • Page 5

celebrated both the historical milestones of the past and recognized the importance of instilling tenacity and fortitude in the youth of today. The event was even kicked-off with an inspiring musical performance by a group of young scholars from the St. Paul Freedom School. The Civil Rights Act was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended the unequal application of voter registration requirements, and racial segregation in schools and workplaces. “The passing of the Civil Rights Act is an important day for all of us to remember and one of the most important milestones in the history of our country,” said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “The work that we do today is just as important as it was 50 years ago. Currently, our schools are the central battleground.” Keynote speaker Eric Mahmoud, founder and president of the SEED Academy and Harvest Preparatory Schools, has long been a leader and champion for African-American education in north Minneapolis. He fi rmly believes that providing youth with an adequate education, and giving them confi dence in their own abilities, are the best ways to improve how we inspire upcoming generations. “It amazes me when you think about all of the people who are willing to risk their lives for what they believe in,” said Mahmoud. “We have made a lot of progress, but we have a long way to go. When we talk about the achievement gap, it’s an issue with us adults, not a problem with the child.” The Minnesota Summer of Civil Rights Closing Ceremony also honored one of the state’s most celebrated civil rights leaders, Dr. Josie Johnson. Johnson was the fi rst African-American member of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and her extensive career as an activist for equality has spanned fi ve decades. Johnson led the Minnesota delegation to the historic March on Washington in 1963 and a year later conducted a fact-fi nding mission to Mississippi during the volatile Freedom Summer. “True freedom is education, and voting is true citizenship,” said Johnson. “We must pick up the challenge that our ancestors have handed to us. Voting must become synonymous with citizenship, and educating our children about their history, must become synonymous with freedom.” Johnson continues to speak

out against civil rights and voting injustices, particularly against a recent United States Supreme Court decision to eliminate a key voter protection law. When the Civil Rights Act was signed into law in 1964, its actual powers of enforcement were initially rather weak but were strengthened over time through various legislations. On June 25, 2013, in the Shelby County v. Holder ruling, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court struck down a

signifi cant portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The decision removed the requirement that jurisdictions with a history of voter discrimination get pre-approval for any voting law changes from the federal government. Many states, predominantly in the South, took the advantage of the resulting gap to enact discriminatory voting laws. “The decisions of our leaders have shown us that they are willing to sacrifi ce the good of the many, for the beliefs of a few,” said Johnson. “We have come too far in the struggle in honoring our ancestors’ sacrifi ce to turn back now. We must overcome all of the obstacles that society tries to put in our way.” However, the decision does give Congress an opportunity to pass a new set of protections that could work together to guarantee the right to vote. A bipartisan bill, called the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, is currently under Congressional committee review. The legislation

would provide the United States Department of Justice with the ability to enforce voting right protections. “One of the gifts of the Civil

Rights Act is the knowledge that we can come together to honor the values of our community through government,” said Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges. “This

is about reclaiming the heart and soul of every person in the community. That is the work this generation is charged with.”

RightsFrom 1

For Vincent, deciding to leave cooperate America to become a small business owner was all about her personal logistics. “I wanted more fl exibility in my life,” said Vincent, who holds an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. “I had three kids and I needed better control of my schedule. So I left Target in 2007 and started a personal training business – Moxie Fitness, but I

always knew I wanted a brick and mortar store.” In addition to a “brick and mortar” location, with her The UPS Store, Vincent has a full-service shipping, printing, copying, mailbox and more business. In becoming a The UPS Store owner, Vincent is somewhat of anomaly. Of the 40 franchise owners in the state, Vincent is the only African-American female owner. There is just one other African-American The UPS Store franchisee in the state. Vincent said though she had long wanted to be an entrepreneur, her sights were not necessarily set on the shipping

industry. “I knew I didn’t want a retail goods store,” said Vincent. “I wanted a business that was recession proof. Shoes are cute, but when the economy is down people aren’t buying shoes. The UPS Store is a business that serves a need, not just a want. People need to ship … people need printing. As a small business owner, I used The UPS Store all the time. I was always there for mailings and copies. I had a mailbox there. And coming from a marketing background, I wanted to have a business that had a strong brand.” The UPS Store has a strong brand indeed. The UPS Store

was named a top retail brand by The Business Journals’ American Brand Excellence Awards and has been ranked No. 1 in the business services industry for 24 consecutive years by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. And being affi liated with those distinctive brown trucks and brown uniforms certainly helps. Plus, in recent years there is a growing trend of people opting for mailing alternatives other than the United States Post Offi ce. “We do everything a post offi ce does,” said Vincent, who has three employees at her Bloomington location. “We get people all the time who say

they’re so happy we’re here and they don’t have to deal with the long lines at the post offi ce.” According to Vincent – whose husband, Anton Vincent, also invested in the venture – her The UPS Store will begin operating in the black within the next three to six months when the majority of her revenues come in. According to the owner, fourth quarter sales – primarily winter holiday sales – account for between 60 to 70 percent of her yearly revenues. Many businesses are not able to recoup their initial investments until up to fi ve years of operation. Vincent’s The UPS Store is just short of being a year old. And as their motto says, big

or small they ship it all. “The largest thing we’ve shipped so far is a mountain lion,” said Vincent, speaking of a stuffed mountain lion that was shipped by a taxidermist. “Big or small, we ship it all, so that includes a mountain lion.” No longer tied to Target red, brown seems to be a fi tting color on Vincent. The UPS Store owner said she has no regrets in leaving the comforts of corporate America and striking out on her own. “It was the best decision I ever made,” said Vincent. “I love being my own boss. I love being an entrepreneur.”

VincentFrom 1

Eric Mahmoud

On Thursday, June 26th Joel Seabury-Kolod, pictured front row center, an in-coming senior at Central High School, had only been working at the Grand Ole Creamery located at 750 Grand Ave in St. Paul for about a month. Then, President Barack Obama walked in. It was noted that he ordered the famous

Black Hills Gold ice cream cone. To see more photos visit the Grand Ole Creamery Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Ole-

Creamery/185415317314?hc_location=timeline

Obama’s St. Paul visit

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Page 6: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

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COMMENTARYEbola: The Trojan horseSlow responses on the behalf of West African nations and the international community have allowed the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa to transition into a full scale international bio-hazard. Offi cials of the World Health Organization (WHO) state there have been more than 730 deaths, including 60 health workers, from West Africa’s fi rst and current Ebola outbreak. The disease has infi ltrated Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and most recently Nigeria. The fears by the international community that the disease will spread to neighboring countries have been realized. This is especially concerning,

because the disease is not curable and carries with it an up to 90 percent fatality rate. Dr. Margaret Chan, the WHO director general, has stated that if the contagion is not contained soon the effects could be, “catastrophic.” WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl stated, “There

could well be cases in the community that we have missed because this has been one of the biggest challenges in terms of also tracing contacts.” He states that one of the biggest obstacles facing the containment is the vast amount of transmission points, many of which remain unknown. The fact that carriers of the disease are spread out as opposed to centralized, makes it diffi cult to set up treatment post and requires that health offi cials locate and transport those who have been possibly infected. This is made especially problematic due to the skepticism directed toward foreign health offi cials. Because the disease can remain dormant for several weeks,

during which time it remains infectious, the disease has a high potential for being unknowingly spread. With one sick individual possessing the capacity to infect several more the disease possesses an exponential infection potential. Many problems are preventing the containment of the outbreak including cultural customs of body burial that involve kissing and touching of the body of those who have died, including from Ebola. Ebola is then transmitted through mucus membranes. These same family members when questioned often deny having come in contact with the body. This makes it diffi cult to decide who to test for the virus. Many locals of these countries

are skeptical of the intent of health offi cials sent to contain the outbreak. This has led to health offi cials literally being run out of towns where the need for education about the disease is most needed. Since the disease is untreatable, those who fear they’ve been infected, tend not seek treatment fearing they’ll be stigmatized in their last portion of life. This leads to an increased populace exposed to the disease. WHO and West African Leaders are fi nalizing a 100 million dollar plan aimed at containing the virus. Dr. Chan and associates are currently meeting with leaders from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast in an effort to draft the plan. Several

hundred medical personnel from WHO are about to be deployed to West Africa. An emergency committee will be meeting on Wednesday August the 6th to discuss possible international risks. Liberia has closed its schools, temporarily suspended non-essential public servants, and closed its borders. Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency. The outbreak which was initially responded to with indifference is now being seen as Trojan horse with the potential to bring West Africa to its knees.

Jeremy Bamidele is a nationally syndicated journalist. He can be reached at [email protected].

By Jeremy Bamidele

Jeremy Bamidele

intolerance. The presence of a profound cross-section of community advocates, leaders, organizers, and clergy provided a comforting, and organizationally intent laden tone, for the message moving forward in pursuit of justice and overall resolutions with regards to police brutality. “Al means a lot to all of us,” community and event organizer Spike Moss emoted to a capacity room. Aligned alongside him was a critical group of active leaders from a key mix of community organizations. Moss resolutely opened with calls for the African-American community at large to “…stand with your village” and “Stand with your leaders.”

Minneapolis NAACP President Rev. Jerry McAfee delivered a poignant summary of the greater goal at hand as being “a fight to change this climate.” The term “climate” being apt to describe the long-term history of violence and inequities in community policing, noted by each speaker. “We got to put an end to this,” propounded MUL President Scott Gray. “For a man to be beat down in his own home is a reminder of how far we haven’t come in this community and this country,” expanded Gray. “This representation of people showing up today, is really what’s going to help us get the justice that we need,” and “This has got to be about every day…,” Gray added as measures of covenant and commitment with the audience at hand. Actionably, Turning Point

CEO Peter Hayden stipulated, “We can’t continue to run our mouths and show emotion, we have to put it on paper.” The accord and messages offered by each leader as they spoke provided a palpable feeling of successful organization towards a goal. “The organization of this

group is powerful,” asserted MUL Chairman of the Board Al McFarlane in reflection on the press conference event. “It is a watershed moment to bring about change to oppression, arrogance and abuse,” McFarlane said. Emblematic of the uniquely constituted gathering

and opportunity were the presence and words from Abdirizak Bihi, Director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center. Bihi quickly related the challenges and developments within the Somali community, and the actionable relationship held with Flowers and the other leaders present. “If Al Flowers is not safe in our community, then we are not safe,” Bihi relayed as the collective response from the local Somali community. Frequently Bihi used the term “trust” as a tie between the event and overall relationships of stakeholders involved. Powerfully, Moss brought together a timeless message about brutality and the persecution of those who serve the underprivileged by relating the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Moss also spoke to the notion of anti-Black attitudes within the

African-American community, stating, “To you Blacks talking about, ‘Al got what he had coming…’ Well, wait ‘til your turn comes!” Al Flowers Jr. spoke wisely, incorporating the words of Martin Luther King Jr. along with establishing Flowers as a father of five and grandfather of six children. Flowers Jr. said, “The community seems stronger than ever,” in response to the palpable feeling of unity at the press conference. Al Flowers expressed continued appreciation to all, and an open door to all inquiries. “I felt every blow,” Flowers explained, identifying thirty to forty strikes to his body and his subsequent awareness to ensure pictures were taken to document the damages. “We will win this battle,” Flowers said.

ConferenceFrom 1

“It is a watershed moment to bring about change to

oppression, arrogance and abuse,” - Al McFarlane

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The new Radisson Blu in downtown Minneapolis boldly glides into the future of hospitality full-sail powered by indefatigable traditions of highest quality accommodations and expertly intuitive service. Radisson Blu, next to Macy’s, formerly Dayton’s Department Store, on Seventh Street, continues as the personifi cation of tradition. First opened over a hundred years ago as the Radisson Hotel, this landmark hospitality resource has hosted American presidents and visiting royalty and leaders from around the world. And just like some people stubbornly hold on to the idea that Macy’s is still Dayton’s Department Store, the town’s attachment to the Radisson as the gold standard, speaks volumes about the power of

tradition. The Radisson brand is one of the oldest upscale brands in the United States and dates back to 1909 when the fi rst Radisson hotel, named after famous French explorer Pierre Radisson, opened in Minneapolis. In 1962 the Radisson was acquired by Curt Carlson, a Minneapolis businessman and entrepreneur. A business innovator, Carlson fi rst gained national prominence in the 1940s and 50s with his successful Gold Bond Stamp Company, which pioneered the concept of customer loyalty programs. The Radisson Blu concept, introduced fi rst in the Twin Cities at the Mall of America, and last month as a conversion of the Downtown Radisson, brings elegance and luxury, quality and affordability together in a grand style that is neither pretentious nor inaccessible. Au contraire, Blu invites the public, all publics,

to embrace and enjoy exquisite comfort and excellent cuisine, whether for business travel or hometown staycation. We chose the Radisson because we often do weekends at local hotels, taking note of quality of accommodations and attitudes that undergird services. We explore menus and environments and write food and hotel reviews for our readers and community

LIFESTYLE

In tune with the spirit of who you are

Radisson Blu builds on tradition

Follow your dreams: Stay focused on what you were meant to do

Relationship expectations are changing with the times. The modern day woman is looking for a man that in tune with her. Because men don’t always share their emotions, some questions may go unanswered. How much emotion is too much? What is the standard a man should aspire to? Is it possible for a man to be sensitive but out of touch? I believe a man is out of touch when he is only sensitive to his own needs. If his emotions are the driver of his actions,

he can and will not be in tune with you. A good man must be sensitive to the real you. He should know your dreams and encourage them and know your passions and embrace them. First, a man that is in tune with you will be sensitive to the changes that take place in your environment. Change is a part of spiritual, emotional, and natural development. In nature, once you plant a seed, it goes through various stages of change. When the seed is below ground, it needs covering, and when it is above ground it needs support. Every signifi cant change that takes place begins in the heart of the earth. You know you have a good man when he is so tuned into you that the changes that take place in your spirit reaches his heart and motivates him to support you through your change.

Next, a man that is in tune with you will give you what you need to be safe and secure. The natural elements can be harsh and severe. The seed must remain in the heart of the soil where it can be protected. There, the seed is sheltered.

Good men carry those they love in their heart, protecting and providing for them. This is a requirement from God. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse

than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5:8). You know you have man that is in tune with you when he is sensitive enough to you to know what you need to be so safe. This safety is demonstrated in the freedom to be yourself. This is true for both the man and the woman. Safety and security is an integral part of any relationship. Finally, a man that is in tune with you will provide you what you need to feel supported. Feeling supported is different from being supported. Feelings are supported by closeness. He is like the soil that supports and nourishes the plant once it has blossomed. Once the plant is exposed, it depends on the soil for balance and stability. A man that is in tune with you is there through the ups and downs. He is not imitated by your success. On the contrary, he welcomes and supports it.

Is he in tune with the spirit of who you are? Is he only aware of his own needs? A man that is sensitive to you must be perceptive enough to be in tune with your needs. Your need for support, protection, and acceptance will be paramount in his heart. This man is able to change when you change. He laughs when you laugh, sings when you sing, and cries when you cry. He understands your boundaries and respects them. This man is thoughtful enough to really and truly be in tune to the spirit of who you are.

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.

Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if you followed your dreams and started working on some specifi c goals that could change your life forever? I know you have those dreams that sometimes keep you up at night and I know they sometimes occupy your day. The key is to stay focused on your goals no

matter what happens. When I talk about staying focused, I mean to stay focused on doing what you feel you were meant to do. Whatever you feel you want to achieve in life, you have to be the one who keeps the focus and never give up. So what if you make mistakes along the way. That’s just a part of learning life’s

lessons. There are times when your journey will lead you in a direction that may make you have to adjust your thinking a bit. But that doesn’t mean you have to put all your dreams on the back burner. Being who you set out to be is a great feeling! I set out to be a writer a long time ago and I stayed focus on doing just that. I write any time there is an opportunity for me to do so. I show my writing skills any time there is a need. The goal that keeps me up at night and

one that I think of often is being a New York Times Best Seller! I study my craft, I read other best selling author’s work, I reach out to other Authors and I am constantly focused on this goal. Following your dreams is how you will achieve the goals you set for yourself. I like to believe that if you can see it, dream it, think it, then you can achieve it! No dream is too great if you are determined to make it a reality. The key is to believe with your whole

heart that you deserve and are worthy of good things. Believe that you are here to do great things and great things will come your way! And as always, stay focused, stay determined, and keep striving for greatness.

Penny Jones-Richardson is a published author and life coach. She can be reached via her website at www.thequeensproject.com or email at [email protected].

ManTalk

By Timothy Houston

MotivationalMoments

By Penny Jones-Richardson

Good men carry those they love in their heart, protecting and pro-

viding for them.

RADISSON TURN TO 8

By Al McFarlane and BP Ford

Radisson Blu Minneapolis35 South Seventh Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 Phone (612) 339-4900

Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, currently operates more than 230 hotels worldwide, with another 51 projects under development. Minnetonka based Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, based in Minneapolis (USA), is the majority shareholder of The Rezidor Hotel Group. Together, Carlson and Rezidor have hotels in more than 90 different countries, 1,070 hotels in operation and 240 hotels under development.

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EDUCATION

PARENTING

Tips to boost infant and toddler brain development

Robbinsdale Area School Board sets November 4 Referendum Election

(StatePoint) When babies are born, their minds are still a work in progress, and their brains will rapidly grow and develop based on their experience. That means the fi rst few years are critical for healthy brain development. “Parents play a daily role in promoting lifelong health by focusing on positive ways to nurture brain development, starting in infancy and extending through the toddler years,” says Dr. James M. Perrin, 2014 president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). According to Perrin, this means creating a safe, consistent environment to ensure children know they’re physically and emotionally protected. He offers these tips for fostering a happy, healthy home: • Talk to your baby in a responsive way, starting at birth. Watch how he responds to your face, focuses, and moves in time to your voice. As he grows, talk to him about everyday things, waiting for his coos and ahhs, and then respond with an encouraging word.

One study showed that the more words parents used when speaking to an eight-month-old infant, the more words that child used at age three. • Respond to distress with comfort. Even in infancy, it’s an important way to build a child’s confi dence that the caregiver is there. • Make eye contact with your child from day one. That could be during play, tummy time or even during necessary activities like diaper changes. • When your baby starts to smile, smile back! If young children learn healthy, positive ways to get your attention, they’ll be less likely to resort to fussing, crying or whining. • Follow your infant’s gaze to get a sense of what is capturing his or her attention. When it’s appropriate, let your child explore that object. • Be aware of what your face is “saying.” Temper negative feelings because your baby is “feeling” them as well. • Infants let us know when they’ve had enough and it’s

time for a nap by avoiding eye contact, becoming sleepy or fussy, coughing or rubbing his or her eyes.

• Reading to your child from infancy stimulates language and cognitive skills, builds motivation, curiosity

and memory and stimulates language development. • Babies learn best from people, not screens, and

unstructured play time is more valuable for the developing brain than electronic media. Through unstructured, unplugged play, children learn to think creatively, problem solve, and develop reasoning and motor skills. Instead of screens, try to encourage supervised but independent play like exploring a set of nesting cups or pounding on a pot with a spoon while you are preparing dinner. • Healthy brain, healthy body. Keep a regular schedule of visits to the pediatrician to ensure your child`s physical, mental, and developmental and behavioral health is on track. Your child`s pediatrician can be a great resource. For more tips and free parenting resources, visit www.HealthyChildren.org. Raising healthy children means daily care, attention, comfort and love. Fostering such an environment early can help put your child on a permanent path of emotional well-being.

Robbinsdale Area School District voters will see two school funding requests on the November 4 ballot, based on the School Board’s unanimous approval of the election resolution and ballot questions at its August 4 school board meeting.• Question 1 is a request to renew the existing operating levy, with no tax increase if approved by voters.• Question 2 is a request to approve a new technology levy. Robbinsdale Area Schools is one of the few school districts in

Hennepin County that does not currently have a voter-approved capital project levy to provide funds for technology. “We take our responsibility as stewards of the community’s resources very seriously,” said School Board Chair Sherry Tyrrell. “Based on our thorough review of District fi nances and educational program, we believe that asking our community to renew the existing operating levy and add a technology levy is the best way to most effectively and effi ciently meet our students’ learning needs.”

Renewing the operating levy (question 1) would provide approximately $20 million per year to help maintain lower than average class sizes and fund daily school and district operations such as classroom supplies, staff salaries, building maintenance and transportation. $20 million is 13% of the total operating budget and is the equivalent of 225 teachers or the entire staffi ng costs of fi ve elementary schools. Adding a technology levy (question 2 – which is offi cially called the “capital project levy

to fund technology”) would provide a stable source of funding to increase technology access for students and staff, support personalized learning and expand technology for teaching and learning. If approved, the tax impact on the median value district home ($195,000) would be $7 per month. At its May meeting, the School Board had authorized school district staff to move forward in planning for an election. The action taken at this August 4 meeting offi cially

declares the election, approves the two ballot questions and accepts the Review and Comment required by the state on the technology plan. The Minnesota Department of Education approved the District’s Review and Comment for the capital project levy to fund technology. According to Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Brenda Cassellius, “Based on the department’s analysis of the school district’s required documentation and other pertinent information from

sources of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education provides a positive review and comment.” Voter approval is now required for the technology levy to take effect. Complete information about the November 4 referendum, including fact sheets, polling locations, the absentee voting process and tax impact charts can be found at www.rdale.org. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or 763-504-8022.

MichaelJung - Fotolia.com

here in Insight News. Radisson’s FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar had already established itself as our “spot.” It’s where we go for weekly and sometimes more often, family business meetings. But we hadn’t been there for a month or so because the restaurant was shut down for the conversion to Blu. We recommend Radisson Blu to visitors and hometown weekenders alike for its world-class amenities and capacity to serve as a base station for fun exploration of our vibrant downtown and neighborhood cultural treasure. And we certainly recommend the Radisson Blu FireLake Grill House. Our friend and Chicago native Chef Ed Fields and his colleague Chef Javier Piñot prepare a phenomenal pork chop entrée, which we argue is the absolute best in this market. And they modify the entrée to accommodate our “slow-carb” regimen. We recommend this dish without reservation: Grilled pork chop, fried egg, arugula and sliced tomatoes. Simple, clean, delicious with no carbs. It doesn’t get any better. If one of us is having the pork chop, the other is having exquisitely tasty salmon on a bed of greens. If it’s the weekend, we relent and enjoy good carbs in a wild rice pancake, or, perfectly prepared buttermilk pancakes with eggs to order.

We rate the food 5 stars. We also rate the server team 5 stars and above. One of the things we have written about is our concern and disappointment in some retail and service establishments where sales persons ignore you, or are slow to acknowledge your presence, or treat you like a suspect, rather than a prospect. When we discover disheartening experiences like that we believe it is a question of race and ignorance…individuals insuffi ciently trained in the art and practice of quality customer service. And we hold the company as well as the individual responsible for poor service and bad attitudes especially when it feels like the attitude and poor service is reserved for us, as Black people, while we see completely different interaction with white customers. So it is both pleasing and consistent with our high expectations when we step on the Radisson property to the warm welcome of our Ethiopian, Somali and Oromo bell captain friends, our Somali maître’d friend, our Ecuadorian and

Minnesota native table servers friends. We count FireLake general manager Kristin Holt as a friend, who, whether greeting us in the restaurant, or, with her husband, crossing paths with us on a downtown night out, returns our smile with a smile and a hug, and brief but genuine conversation about kids and the joy of parenting. And when you meet Radisson Blu General Manager Steve Lindburg, its crystal clear that the quality relationships you have discovered, simply refl ect the standards at the heart of the Radisson brand: 100% guest satisfaction guarantee and the “Yes I Can!” spirit of service. This week Radisson Blu launched a new travel magazine style blog to encourage consumers to share travel insights, tips and knowledge about the destinations that surround their hotels. In a contest entitled Social Eyes that runs through the end of the month travelers are invited to share an insider travel tip about one of the destinations in which Radisson Blu hotels are located. The best tips each week during

the contest will win a free room night at any Radisson Blu hotel of their choice worldwide. Radisson Blu is betting its guests will share information like how to locate the best viewpoint, discover a hidden café, enjoy a secret garden, or interesting ways to experience a city. “There’s a real art to traveling well and even the most seasoned voyager looks to local people for tips to make a trip something special. We want our new blog to become a trusted source for travel insights,” said Rose Anderson, vice president, Branding, Radisson Blu. “We recognize that knowledge is a powerful currency and as such want to be able to reward the sharing of the top insights with a free night at one of our hotels.” To participate in the Social Eyes contest, consumers are encouraged to share their insider knowledge by uploading their tips at blog.radissonblu.com/social-eyes and entering to win one of 300 free room nights at any Radisson Blu hotel of their choice worldwide.

RadissonFrom 7

FireLake Grill House & Cocktail BarAward-winning Chef Jim Kyndberg pioneered farm-to-table dishes created from fresh,

sustainable, locally grown ingredients. Guests can request a table near the theatrical open kitchen for a glimpse of the hickory-fueled rotisserie, brick oven and mesquite grill, which impart

that irresistible wood-fi red fl avor Hours Breakfast | Mon-Fri: 6-11 a.m. Sat-Sun: 7-11 a.m.

Lunch | Mon-Fri: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.Brunch | Sat-Sun: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Dinner | Daily: 5-11 p.m.Late-night Limited MenuTue-Sat: 11 p.m.-midnight

Contact: (612) 216-FIRE (3473)

Al McFarlane

Chef Javier Piñot (left) and Chef Ed Fields

Page 9: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

insightnews.com Insight News • August 11 - August 17, 2014August 11 - August 17, 2014 • Page 9

COMMUNITY

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

Wolves to add #1 pick Wiggins to talented young roster

City of Minneapolis to host open houses to gather public input on Accessory Dwelling Units (Mother-in-Law Apartments)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a “handshake agreement” to trade star power forward Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers (yes the team with Lebron James) in exchange for this years’ #1 pick Andrew Wiggins from the University of Kansas. Also likely in the deal, are draft picks and a valuable young forward from the Philadelphia 76ers named Thaddeus Young. As with any big ticket trade, opinions vary, but it is always valuable to consider the obvious. I repeat: Andrew Wiggins was the #1 pick this year. Somehow in the back-n-forth evaluation, which involves the hard evidence of Kevin Love’s established resume, many seem to have forgotten that we’re talking about the #1 pick. Love has proven to be worth all the hype bestowed on him when drafted by the Wolves out of UCLA in 2008. Unfortunately in the last time the Wolves made the playoffs was fi ve years before Love arrived. The goal for any franchise should be to win a championship. Keepin’ it real, in order for the Wolves to win a championship it will require some very special stars to align. Kevin Love hasn’t had the impact to suggest he’s the right star to guide this franchise to heights seen before. He might be an ideal fi t for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that speculation may be pre-mature as well. The Wolves have an interesting mix of talent, and a brand new (though old) regime to coach them. New coach Flip Saunders had extreme success in his previous stint with the

team (1995-2005), going 411-326 overall, with eight straight appearances in the playoffs. That wave rode on the athletic shoulders of the teams’ 1995 #1 draft pick nicknamed “The Kid”. Kevin Garnett looked very much like a kid in those days, as does young Wiggins now. Wolves’ fans can hold faith that history in this world has a tendency to repeat itself. History returns in contemporary packaging. While Garnett had a mix of uniquely gifted teammates that assisted in the team’s glory years, Wiggins will potentially have the same. Though point guard Ricky Rubio has muddled through his fi rst three full seasons, he still seems a committed competitor, and the type of player that could benefi t from synergy with a good coach. Flip Saunders is a good coach. Rubio also has the style of play that meshes well with high-fl ying, athletic teammates. Recent years of collegiate draft picks have not panned out in superstar fashion for the Wolves, since Love’s arrival. Yet early billing for 2014 fi rst round pick Zack LaVine (13th overall pick, UCLA) minimally suggests that ticket purchases will deliver a complimentary dunk contest worth the price of admission. Surprise second round pick Glenn Robinson III (40th overall, Michigan) provides the team a savvy young shooter with NBA family pedigree. A decisive shooter has long been missing from the Wolves repertoire. Effi cient veterans Corey Brewer, Nikola Pekovic, Ronny Turiaf, and recent signee Mo Williams could easily provide a decent foundation to support the team’s youth movement. The inclusion of Thaddeus Young in the trade scenario could especially go a long way to bolster both offensive and defensive production. All together it seems to come down to coaching for the

Wolves, because the talent is young, vigorous, and projects to be very coachable. On the other hand, the Western Conference is a vigorous challenge for all

NBA teams. The young squad will likely suffer from frequent “old school” lessons from established teams. As they say: “talent wins

out.” We’ll see about that, but I do believe the Wolves have enough talent, and coaching experience, for a surprise run at MAKING the playoffs.

Plus Wiggins is from Canada, so -50degrees won’t hinder the fans dunking pleasure. Timberwolves games should be fun this year.

On June 13, Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Bender, Ward 10, gave notice of intent to introduce Zoning Code Text Amendment: Accessory Dwelling Units changes that would allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in residential areas. Also known as granny fl ats or mother-in-law apartments, ADUs are smaller dwellings that are attached to or on the same property as existing

homes. ADUs are currently allowed with a conditional use permit in the North Phillips Overlay District, which covers the Ventura Village neighborhood and parts of Phillips West and East Phillips, but they are not allowed in the rest of Minneapolis. Many cities across the country allow ADUs, including Seattle, Portland, and Austin.

To explore the idea of allowing ADUs in Minneapolis, staff from the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department (CPED) will host open houses in August and September. The beginning of each open house will feature a presentation that provides information about why the City is exploring this idea, a summary of peer city

research and other information gathered to date. Following the presentation, a few basic designs will be presented and attendees will be invited to participate in small group discussions to provide feedback and ask questions.

WHEN/WHERE:

South:Saturday, August 23, 2014

10:30-12:30 p.m.Hosmer Community Library347 E 36th Street

Northeast:Wednesday, August 27, 20145:00PM – 7:00 p.m.Eastside Neighborhood Services1700 2nd St NE

North:Tuesday, September 16, 20145:00 – 7:00 p.m.

North Regional Library1315 Lowry Ave N

Southwest:Wednesday, September 17, 20145:00 – 7:00 p.m.Kenwood Community Center2101 W Franklin Ave For more information on ADUs please visit the City of Minneapolis website.

Moments in Sports

By Ryan T. [email protected]

Bryan Horowitz / Creative CommonsAndrew Wiggins Huntington

FOR RENT2 bedrooms, Hiawatha neighborhood, 1100 sq ft, hardwood fl r, great for roommates, call 612-559-1043.

RENTAL UNITS AVAILABLE

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Housing Authority has rental units available in Cass County, MN. Please call 218-335-8280. Must meet certain qualifi cations.

University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality

Extension Educator – Leadership and Civic EngagementMorris or Moorhead, Minnesota

This Leadership and Civic Engagement Extension Educator will be based in either the Morris or the Moorhead Regional Extension office and will primarily serve a region of 11 or more counties in west central Minnesota (which also has a Community Economics educator assigned to it.) The Educator meets program area outcome and impact goals through education, out-reach, applied scholarship and by leveraging University of Minnesota resources for and with communities. The educator also serves as a member of a statewide pro-gram team that serves other regions and the entire state of Minnesota. Required: A Master’s degree at time of appointment. Formal education should include significant course in leadership development or studies (personal and/or community); educational, counseling or clinical psychology; and/or in public or civic engage-ment, community studies, sociology, communication, adult learning or a closely related field.

Application Review: The review of applications begins on August 18, 2014. Position will remain open until filled.

To learn more about these positions and to apply, visit: @ http://www1.extension.umn.edu/about/employment/ or call 612-624-3717

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

FOOD SERVICE Volunteers of America, MN

Line Supervisor for Senior Dining. Serve the noon meal to Seniors

M thru F -3110 Blaisdell Ave S, MplsHours 8:30-1:30 Pay $11.79Apply: [email protected]

Joint hearing Aug. 13 on revised Southwest LRT plans for MinneapolisBy Met Council/Hennepin County Board and Regional Rail Authority

4:30 p.m. - Open house5:30 p.m. - Hearing to receive comments Central Library’s Pohlad Hall300 Nicollet MallMinneapolis For any special accommodations, contact Dar-en Nyquist at [email protected] or 612-373-3894 at least 7 days before hearing. For more information, see Municipal Consent at www.swlrt.org

Volunteer Attorney Program CoordinatorCentral Minnesota Legal Services-St. Cloud Office Full-time position in our Saint Cloud office. Duties Full-time position in our St. Cloud office. Duties in-clude: recruiting volunteer attorneys, completing client intakes and referrals, maintaining case files, outreach to the client community, bar associations, and pro bono planning organizations; administering legal advice clinics, and planning community educa-tion events. Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required. Spanish or Somali language a plus. Salary: D.O.E. per CMLS salary schedule. Excellent benefits. Resume references writing sample and cover letter by August 15 (late applications accepted until filled), specifying interest and skills to Terri S. Thorson, Man-aging Attorney, CMLS, 110 6th Avenue South, Suite 205, St. Cloud, MN 56301. No calls please. EOE.

Director of Membership ServicesJob Summary: The Director of Member Services has primary responsibility for managing and imple-menting membership activities, services and data-bases to ensure a meaningful and positive member-ship experience for MSSA members. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mar-keting, Communications, Administration, Membership /Volunteer Management or related field; with at least three years related work experience. Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects and priorities effectively and professionally. Excellent, positive interpersonal and customer service skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience in managing and utilizing membership databases. Organized, able to attend to details and provide error free work products. Closing Date August 15, 2014Salary $41,200-$61,800Contact For more information, or to submit a resume [email protected] | www.mnssa.org X

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Church assistant and pianist/singerWanted! Church assistant and pianist/singer needed for Sunday morning worship at One Love Ministry, 750 N. Milton in Saint Paul. Please contact Pastor Love at 651-489-4350.

Productions and Sponsorship CoordinatorSaint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) seeks a new Production and Sponsorship Coordinator in the Community Productions department. SPNN has a strong footing of development work within the local foundation community and a growing individual do-nor base. SPNN is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply:Please email cover letter and resume as a single pdf document to [email protected]

No phone calls, please. Deadline to apply is Friday,August 22nd.

Visit www.spnn.org for the full posting and application information.

Child Care Providers and LeadsWant a job that is rewarding and fulfilling? Want to work with a team of top notch folks who work to end child abuse and neglect? Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is looking to hire Child Care Provid-ers (CCP) and Lead CCPs. The CCPs provides the primary care for children newborn to 6 who are placed by parents at the Nursery. Responsibilities include providing a safe, healthy, loving environ-ment, which fosters physical, emotional, social, per-sonal, creative, and language development. High School Diploma or equivalent and 1 year working with children required; early childhood training and Bachelor’s degree preferred. Cross cultural experi-ence, working in crisis situations and early child-hood development preferred. College education may substitute. To apply, send cover letter (mention job title) to: [email protected] or mail to: Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, 4544 4th Ave So, Mpls, 55419 or fax 612-767-8491. For more info visit www.crisisnursery.org. We are an E/O/E who en-courages and welcomes all applicants.

Page 10: Insight News ::: 08.11.14

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The Urban Spectrum Theatre Company celebrate 40 years of multi-cultural entertainment with summer production

OPENING AUGUST 8“When Momma Prayed” blends faith, belief, gospel, and blues

Phyllis Productions presents Th e Urban Spectrum Th eatre Company’s hot, sizzling summer production of “So Blue,” written & directed by Artistic Director Judy Cooper Lyle, August 28, 29, 30, September 5 & 6 at the Drift wood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, at 7:30 p.m.. Audiences fi lled the house every night for 2012’s “Honeydripper,” loving the sounds of early rock & roll---now return to the 1920’s - early ‘40’s with a prequel to those days, with a jammin’ blues band under the direction of Wain McFarlane and choreographed by Penny Masuku! Th is is an exciting time for the company, as it celebrates its 40th year of presenting accessible, multi-cultural entertainment to the twin cities. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com/event/750048 (guaranteed seating), or at the door: suggested donation $10.00.

“When Momma Prayed,” is performing to the Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. Enhanced with six pieces of original music created by Matt “Dr. Fink” Fink, former co-writer and sideman for years with Prince, and playwright-director Darryl Harrell, the play runs through Aug. 30. Starring Greta Oglesby and a cast of six actors, nine singers, a dancer, and two musicians, the play is a story about a rural, very poor, Black family living in the Deep South in the 1960s. When the father unexpectedly passes away, the family’s food and money quickly vanish. Their situation becomes dire,

Momma prays, and her prayer is answered in a miraculous way. There will be 15 performances at the Hopkins Center. Four Saturday matinee performances will be held at noon on Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Aug. 23, with the closing performance the noon matinee Aug. 30. Tickets are $16, $20, and $24, and are available by ordering through the Hopkins Center box offi ce. Group discounts are available. Additional information about the production is available at www.whenmommaprayed.com.

SO BLUE Above: Wain McFarlane.

Below: Vocalists l-r: Patricia Lacy, Pippi Ardennia, and Judi Gronseth

Michal DanielAbove: In a scene of family prayer, left to right are: (Son) Sherman Starr, (Momma) Greta Oglesby, (Father) Ansa Akyea and (Son)

Jackson Hurst. Right: Darrin Thomas, left, as the Preacher, and T.J. Mayrand, right, worshipper, in front of the congregation.

Christopher Lyle

Lisa Vang

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insightnews.com Insight News • August 11 - August 17, 2014August 11 - August 17, 2014 • Page 11

‘Blacklist’ actor Harry Lennix launches movie production company

GET ON UPChadwick channels James Brown in nostalgic jukebox musical

Harry Lennix, who played a general in “Man of Steel” and the assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division on NBC’s “The Blacklist,” has quietly become a prolifi c producer with three movie projects already completed. “I decided that I needed to take control,” the Chicago native told Variety. He’s starred in and fi nanced “H4,” a street version of William Shakespeare’s “Henry IV”; “Mr. Sophistication,” chronicling the journey of a stand-up comedian inspired by Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor; and “Revival,” a gospel concert movie starring Mali Music, described by Lennix as “‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ meets ‘The Wiz.’” With longtime associate Steve Harris, the duo has formed Exponent Media Group and made a distribution deal for

“H4″ and the concert movie to be shown through Nehst Media’s Digiplex chain early next year. He’s assembling investors for a fi lm fund with plans for fi ve more fi lms over the next three years in the $1 million range.

“It wasn’t easy to get this far — Steve and I are just two guys from Chicago,” he added. “What we want to do is to make good quality fi lms that we actually want to make for a price.” Lennix acknowledges that

he’s been able to work regularly in movies, TV and stage over the last three decades with credits including TV roles in “Commander in Chief,” “24” and “ER” and movie roles in “State of Play,” “Ray,” “The

Matrix: Revolutions” and “The Matrix: Reloaded.” But he also believes that it’s not enough. “I would love to just keep acting but I’m forced to make business for myself,” he added. “And because of the improvements in production equipment, costs have gone down. I just wish I’d thought of this 20 years ago.”

Nehst CEO Larry Meistrich and Digiplex CEO Bud Mayo both said they believe Lennix can deliver to audiences hungry for alternative programming. “We’re going to give his fi lms a limited release but they won’t be tiny,” Meistrich added. “Harry is providing movies that are not cliched.”

Just last year, Chadwick Boseman successfully channeled the spirit of Jackie Robinson in “42,” a powerful biopic about the Hall of Fame great who made history when he integrated Major League Baseball in 1947. “In Get on Up,” the gifted young actor is already impersonating another legendary African-American, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (1933-2006). Unfortunately, this revisionist fairytale works better as a jukebox musical than as an accurate recitation of the late crooner’s checkered past. The problem is that Brown simply is hard to portray sympathetically, despite his overcoming abject poverty and a dysfunctional childhood on the road to superstardom.

Yes, he was abandoned by abusive parents (Viola Davis and Lennie James) at the home of an aunt (Octavia Spencer) in Augusta, Georgia who did her best to raise him in the absence of a father fi gure. Nevertheless, James dropped out of school in the 7th grade, took to the streets, and spent several years behind bars for an armed robbery committed at just 16. Upon parole, he made a foray into showbiz after joining the Famous Flames, the fi rst of numerous R&B groups he would headline over the course of a career marked again and again by bad break-ups due to disagreements he had over salary with disgruntled sidemen. Brown would also have further run-ins with the law, ranging from repeated arrests for domestic violence against three different battered wives, to embezzlement, tax

evasion and bankruptcy, to another three years in prison for illegal drug and weapons possession, assaulting a police offi cer and resisting arrest. Somehow, Tate Taylor (The Help) has fi gured a way to put a positive spin on the tarnished legacy of this terribly-fl awed fi gure. Rather than have the fi lm unfold chronologically, the inventive director has crafted an oft-confusing fl ashback fl ick which jumps backwards and forwards in time in dizzying fashion with no apparent rhyme or reason. That scattershot approach ostensibly enables “Get on Up” to sidestep the more tawdry episodes on Brown’s resume without appearing to leave gaping holes in his life story. Consequently, the movie sits on solid ground during gyrating Boseman’s lip-synched, onstage performances of such

James Brown hits as “I Feel Good,” “It’s a Man’s World,” “Super Bad” and “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,” but not so much whenever it shifts its focus to its morally-objectionable protagonist’s poor people skills. A nostalgic indulgence which, like the cinematic equivalent of a fl uffy fanzine, eschews serious criticism of a revered icon in favor of a pleasant parade of his most memorable classics.

Very Good

Rated PG-13 for sexuality, drug use, profanity and violence Running time: 138 minutesDistributor: Universal Pictures

By Dave McNary, Film Reporter@Variety_DMcNary

Harry Lennix

By Kam Williams

LIFE HAS NO REWIND

crash without seat belt =

FALLING 12 STORIES

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Monday, Aug. 11 Writer’s Workshop with Adrienne Marie BrownAncestry Books2205 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis (612) 338-30006 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Internationally recognized writer and activist, Adrienne Marie Brown leads a writing workshop at Ancestry Books.

Brown was a 2013 Kresge Literary Arts Fellow and 2013 Knights Arts Challenge winner, writing and generating science fiction in and about Detroit. Brown is a co-editor of

the upcoming anthology “Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction From Social Justice Movements” with Walidah Imarisha. She was also a national coordinator for the 2010 U.S. Social Forum and facilitates the development of organizations throughout the movement including Chorus Foundation, ColorofChange.org and Detroit Summer. She is also a co-founder of the League of Pissed Off/Young Voters.

Tuesday, Aug. 12Face Forward Artist Dialogue with Chadwick “Niles” PhillipsHigh School for Recording Arts1166 University Ave. W., St. Paul6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Host, MC, and curriculum creator, Chadwick “Niles” Phillips takes part in a dialogue that looks at history from ancient Africa to the Civil Rights Movement and how they gave birth to the culture of hip-hop. For more information go to www.facebook.com/hiphophistoryandthearts.

Wednesday, Aug. 1321st Annual Wing Ding Benefit for Tubman The Depot Minneapolis225 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis5 p.m. – 10 p.m.All ages $8 – $30

The 21st Annual Wing Ding is a beloved Twin Cities summertime tradition for the whole family.

More than a dozen local restaurants serve up

their sweetest, spiciest, and simply best all-you-can-eat chicken wings and desserts. Attendees will also enjoy games, an exciting auction, live music, potato bar, and cash bar. Tickets can be purchased at the door, online at www.wingdingfling.com or by phone at (612) 767-6580. Twenty-five of the proceeds from this event will support the capital campaign for the Legal Services Center at Tubman East in Maplewood.

Thursday,

Aug. 14

Gravity Nights Honey 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis21-plus $5

Gravity Nights is a showcase of art and fashion combined with R&B and hip-hop. Check out live art from multiple Twin Cities artists including WishYouWood, Brandon Crutcher and a showcase of local clothing designers including Stack

Duckets and many more. The event features live performances from Tek, DJ Francisco, Anchormen and a birthday party for Big Wiz.

Friday, Aug. 15

Thee Urbane Life presents Transformation Vol. 3: Band vs. Beats Fine Line Music Cafe318 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis, 9 p.m. 21-plus$15-$20

Remember the days of battling on wax? How about a good musician competition where each solo trumps the one before? Transformation is a live band that will take your favorite hip-hop/rock/R&B songs and transform them into jazz, reggae and go-go. Transformation Vol. 3 features the Mashwell Brothas founders, DJ Dell Dilla, DJ Chuck Chizzle and DJ Big Reece as well as the the Transformation Trio – Rob Coleman of #MPLS (keys) Demetrius Mabry (drums) and Alex Kosak (guitar). For reservations, email [email protected].

Saturday, Aug. 16Battle Rotunda Mall of America60 E. Broadway, Bloomington3 p.m.Free

Battle Rotunda is Minnesota’s largest break-dancing competitionBrought to you by MN Joe, Jonny Craze and the Mall of America, the event features a grand prize of $2000.

Femme Fatale: The Final Curtain CallCapri Theater2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis 6 p.m. $15 – $20

Back by popular for two days only, the stage play “Femme Fatale” returns to Capri Theater Aug. 16 and 17.

Fourteen women will hit the stage for one mission and one mission only – to ignite a new social order. The views expressed range from abortion, mental health, social injustice, pharmaceutical drug abuse to major record companies raking in billions by offering an altered image of hip-hop.

Dark Time Sunshine with Asphate First Avenue/7th Street Entry701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis8 p.m.18-plus

Dark Time Sunshine is comprised of Onry Ozzborn of Grayskul (Rhymesayers) and producer Zavala. MC/B-Boy/Aerosol artist, Asphate opens the show.

Sunday, Aug. 17 Midwest Family Reunion (with a performance by Selph)Riedel Farm EstateFridley3 p.m. – 10 p.m. $20

Five Star Entertainment presents the Midwest Family Reunion. There will be a DJ, dancing with two2 dance floors, performances, cards, dominoes, drinks and the “best barbeque from the Midwest.”

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

Aug 11 - 17

Adrienne Marie Brown

Mashwell Brothas

Selph

Tek

asphate

In addition to serving the community with sustainable waste disposal and clean, renewable energy, the

Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) provides well-paying, green jobs for area residents.

For more information on HERC and its operations, visit covanta.com or hennepin.us/herc.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.Recover Energy-from-Waste.

Every day, I help turn Hennepin County’s post-recycled garbage into enough clean, renewable

energy to power 25,000 Minneapolis homes.

THIS IS MY GREEN JOB. directed by

J O E D O W L I N G

based on Pygmalion by

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

music by

F R E D E R I C K L O E W E

book and lyrics by

ALAN JAY LERNER

612.377.2224 GUTHRIETHEATER.ORG

MUST-SEE SHOWS AT THE GUTHRIE

FINAL 3 WEEKS!NOW – AUGUST 31

SPONSORED BY

FINAL 3 WEEKS!NOW – AUGUST 31

SPONSORED BY

byC H R I S T O P H E R

D U R A N Gdirected byJ O E L

SASS

“My Fair Lady is fresh, lavish

and loverly!” – Pioneer Press

“The funniest show in town!”

– Pioneer Press