Fifth Ward City Councilcandidate Kenya McKnightnetworked with other risingstars in the national politicalarena last month as a participantin the Emerging Leaders TownHall, a program and feature ofthe Congressional BlackCaucus (CBC) AnnualLegislative Conference (ALC)in Washington, D.C.

“This was an excitingconference,” McKnight said. “Imet plenty of people andlearned many things. I am firedup and ready to go!”

McKnight, the Insight Newsendorsed candidate for 5thWard, was nominated to attendthe ALC by the FifthCongressional District. TheEmerging Leaders Series is aspecial track of issue forumsand networking events gearedtowards students and youngprofessionals between the agesof 18-35. The series offered aunique experience for

tomorrow’s leaders to take theircareers and their communitiesto the next level. The seriesincluded a special VIP breakfastfor Young Leaders andcorporate sponsors of theEmerging Leaders Series andhighlighted the 3rd AnnualYoung Leaders Recognition andNetworking Reception in whichMcKnight was recognized asbeing nominated to attend ALCby the 5th District office ofCongressman Keith Ellison.

Emerging leaders met withAfrican American executivesand leaders in business,government, education, sportsand nonprofit organizations.They connected withpowerbrokers and industryleaders who advised them onhow to gain the competitiveadvantage in today’s market,tap into one’s entrepreneurialspirit, and enhance leadershipskills.

Networking with officials

from the Obama administration,economists and beneficiaries ofthe economic stimulus in

Sen. Al Franken last Saturday heardfrom representatives of Minnesotacommunities of color about theirperspectives on the health carereform debate in Washington, D.C.

Fifth District CongressmanKeith Ellison (D-MN) and NorthMinneapolis' State Representative,Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-58B)joined health care providers andrepresentatives of the Asian,Hispanic, African American, andNative American Communitiesexploring the impact of policies andpractices that created gapingdisparities in health care outcomesfor people of color in Minnesota.

Ellison said the MinnesotaCongressional delegationappreciated the advocacy andstrong support for health reformcoming from communities of color.Champion said meetings withstakeholders and institution leadershelp shape and strengthenlegislators' capacity to createeffective laws and policies thatactually include the voices andvision and interests of people ofcolor.

Stella Whitney West, CEO ofNorthPoint Health and Wellness inNorth Minneapolis said communityclinics have demonstrated theirability to provide culturallycompetent health care in emergingmarkets.

Patricia Walker, MedicalDirector of HealthPartners Centerfor International Health, saidMinnesota is viewed around the

nation as a leader in developingculturally competent health carestrategies.

Eric Meininger, President ofRainbow Health Initiative, saidcultural competence must beinclusive of GLBT communityissues.

Helen Jackson Lockett-El, wholeads the Stairstep Foundationhealth outreach initiatives, saidhealth reform must more effectivelyengage legacy leadership resourcesand the innovative collaborationsthat empower people of color totake ownership of health challenges

and solutions.Al McFarlane, vice-president of

Minnesota Multicultural MediaConsortium (MMMC) said bothcommunity and government healthcare programs must engage ethnicmedia to "help create a public mindin our communities, that allows our

people to see ourselves as solutionmakers, not just as 'the problem.'You need to work with us topromote and celebrate responsibleand responsive civic engagementand leadership in our communities,"he said.

OOccttoobbeerr 1122 - OOccttoobbeerr 1188,, 22000099 •• MMNN MMeettrroo VVooll.. 3355 NNoo.. 4411 •• TThhee JJoouurrnnaall FFoorr CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwss,, BBuussiinneessss && TThhee AArrttss •• wwwwww..iinnssiigghhttnneewwss..ccoomm

Ethnic media weighs in on health reform

Health reformhealth to care

8PAGE

6PAGE

Save moneyby staying healthythis winter

The time to have clear, focused,and effective solutions is now!The time is now, especially withthe recent upswing in violence inMinneapolis, Minneapolis PublicSchool is closing even moreschool, and too many people andtheir families continue to live in achallenging economic climate.

Last month, I outlined theGateway to Opportunity, theMinneapolis Urban League’srefined action plan to address keyeconomic gaps facing AfricanAmericans in the GreaterMinneapolis community. Thefour over-arching areas of ourGateway model include: 1.Creating a workforce solutionscenter; 2. Closing the educational

gap; 3. Building equity, wealth,and economic prosperity; and 4.Supporting health, wellness, andsocial well-being. Since then,many individuals andorganizations have asked varyingquestions about the Gateway. Thequestions have ranged fromshould help, to why they shouldhelp, or how can they help. Andthe answer has been…Yes! Andthey should help because in orderto close these gaps of inequality,it will take collaboration andcooperation, as well as individualand organizational leadership.

We Are All Leaders

The U.S. Army, known forbuilding leadership skills amongour soldiers, has a leadershipphilosophy known as ‘Be, Know,Do (BKD).’ Be refers to the

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAIDMINNEAPOLIS MNPERMIT NO. 32468

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

There’s somethingabout Minnesota

11PAGE

StudioTobechiFifth Ward City Council

candidate Kenya McKnight

Political writerswanted for InsightNews, see thecomplete jobdescription

10PAGE

Chris Rock docgets to the root ofBlack hair issues

5PAGE

Business Leadership Profile - Mitchell ConstructionEnthusiasm, quality drive Northside entrepreneur

When he was a boy in Waco, TX,Anderson Mitchell III neverthought he would make hisfortune in the construction trade.Although he enjoyed workingwith his father, who by trade wasa framing contractor, Mitchell sawhimself becoming a clean-cutbusinessman or entrepreneurmaking his fortune behind a desk.

“I used to think constructionwork was dirty work,” Mitchelladmitted. “I only thought it was agood way to make fast cash. I didnot like doing it; I just liked themoney.”

In 1999, Mitchell moved toMinneapolis and worked variousjobs including construction as hefinished his Associates of ArtsDegree at Minneapolis

Community and TechnicalCollege (MCTC).

The KBD strategy

2MITCHELL TURN TO

Don Samuels can’t lead5th Ward Black residentsJohnson-Lee candidacy means redemption, supporter says

Travis LeeNatalie Johnson Lee

McKnight, young leadersconnect at CBC event

Suluki FardanAnderson Mitchell III

8MCKNIGHT TURN TO

American Heart & Stroke Association presents: Power To End Stroke Gospel Concert and Health Fair

Featuring Lexi of The Word Network (left), national songstress Dottie Peoples (right) and local Gospel talent. Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Mighty Fortress InternationalChurch in Brooklyn Park. More info at www.americanheart.org

By Stacey TaylorContributing Writer

Suluki FardanFifth Ward Councilmember

Don Samuels

By Scott GrayMUL President/CEOCommentary

2KBD TURN TO

I have read with a sense of shameand downright awe at the amountof apathy and trifling that hasgotten Black Minneapolis to thepoint where a self-hating Blackman cannot only be elected to themajority Black and working-class5th Ward, but has been proudly

running around peddling thevilest backwards racial theories.

Fifth Ward CouncilmemberDon Samuels has treated hisconstituency with downrightcondescension without botheringto hide his disdain for poor Blackfolks and poor folks in generaland the issues that are importantto them.

3SAMUELS TURN TO

Suluki FardanAl McFarlane, Insight News; Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (58B); Senator Al Franken; Nghi Huynh, Asian American Press; Jonah

Ogiamien, MMMC; Bashe Said, African News Journal

By Mel ReevesGuest Commentary

Mitchell now lives in NorthMinneapolis with his wife Lisaand two children Sierra and Maxin the first home he bought inNorth Minneapolis.

Mitchell said it was not untilhe finished remodeling his home -bringing it up to code -and startedworking on his neighbors’ homesdid he change his mind about theconstruction trade.

“I thought I can be anentrepreneur and I can start myown construction company,”Mitchell said. “It just took off

from there.”In January 2004 Mitchell

started his own business MitchellConstruction, www.mitchellconstructionmn.com,from the equity generated fromhis labors and equity from hisproperty in North Minneapolis.

Last July MitchellConstruction was one of thesubcontractors for the $3.3million dollar Minneapolis PublicHousing Authority (MPHA) TheCedars high-rise enhancementproject. Minneapolis awarded themanagement contract to KnutsonConstruction Services through theAmerican Recovery andReinvestment Act (ARRA) tostimulate the economy in four

urban areas.Mitchell said the road to

owning his own constructionbusiness was not straight or easy,but his experiences inconstruction prepared him for theskills he needed to build hisbusiness.

After high school Mitchelljoined the army; moved back toTexas where he continued to workconstruction with his father andeventually moved to Atlanta, GA,where he pursued a career in sales.Between sales jobs, he workedconstruction and joined a framingcrew building mansions in thesuburbs of Atlanta. Later, hejoined the crew building one ofAtlanta’s federal buildings. His

big break in sales came when helanded a position at Bell SouthAdvertising and Publishing andthen MCI/Sprint of Atlanta.

When those jobs ended,Mitchell moved to Minneapolis topursue his Associates of Artsentrepreneurial studies degree. Heeasily found sales jobs andbecame a top sales person at aTwin Cities eyeglass retailer.Mitchell met his wife whileselling her a pair of eyeglasses.

But, Mitchell said, heeventually gravitated back tomaking better money withconstruction jobs. He saidworking with his father helpedhim stay steps ahead of thegeneral laborer positions. Mitchellknew all about framing andreading blueprints, which madehim more valuable on job sites.From 1986-87 his father was themain contractor for framingapartment complexes in andaround Baylor University inTexas.

Mitchell said his father taughthim one important lesson that hasearned him success in theconstruction field.

“My (late) father taught meabout the broom and thehammer,” Mitchell explained.When he was 11-years-old, hewas excited the first time hisfather took him on the job. Helooked forward to working withhis dad and looked forward towearing the tool belt with thehammer. When they got to thesite, Mitchell’s father handed hima broom instead of the hammer.His father told him if he couldtrust him working the broom thenhe would graduate to the hammer.

“He taught me even though Ihave my eye on the bigger jobs, I

had to do the smaller jobs wellbefore I got to do the bigger jobs,”Mitchell explained.

Mitchell said he continues torun his company that way. He

built a relationship with theMinneapolis Public HousingAuthority (MPHA) taking onsmaller jobs like roofing andpainting and eventually workedhis way to managing over 70MPHA properties.

“Minneapolis has endlesspossibilities for business growth,but it is similar to other parts ofthe country because it lags behindin opportunity for minorities” hesaid. “I had to educate myself toall variables to running a companybeyond the hammer and theblueprint.”

During the first months ofstarting his business Mitchell saidhe practically lived at J.J. Hillpublic library researching,learning about certifications andseeking out knowledge differentcommunity organizations had tooffer.

Eventually, Mitchell enrolledin the Jumpstart Programsponsored by the MinnesotaDepartment of Transportation(MnDOT) where he learned betteraccounting and marketing andjoined the Minnesota MinoritySupply Diversity Counsel(MMSDC) and the NationalAssociation of MinorityContractors (NAMC).

“If I would not have joinedNAMC I would not have been

cognoscente of those programs,”Mitchell admitted. “NAMC gaveme my first referrals. Minneapolisis like everywhere else becausethe playing field is not level.

Relationships have been set andmany bigger construction firms goback many generations.”

Mitchell admits he learned afew aspects of the business byhaving relationships withmentors. Along the way he madeconnections with some companiesthat worked with him and becamehis business mentors. Knutsonconstruction sought out Mitchell’scompany to show their support ofDisadvantaged BusinessesEnterprises (DBEs) firms ownedby women and minorities.

“Growing up down south Ialways understood that I had to betwice as good as mycounterparts,” Mitchell said. “Iaccept that life is not fair, but Idon’t get down on the fact I amBlack and a minority —I can’t letthat stop me.”

Anderson Mitchell and his wifeLisa both sit on the HawthorneCommunity Board and he chairsthe Hawthorne BusinessC o m m i t t e e .(http://hawthornecommunitycouncil.org)

The Cedars enhancement projectis to be completed in the spring of2010.

Page 2 • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

MitchellFrom 1

“I had to educate myself to all variablesto running a company beyond the

hammer and the blueprint.”

character and values a leadershould have. Know is for theeducation and knowledge a leadermust attain, and Do is for theaction he or she must take. I thinkit is an excellent model to followfor any aspiring leader. In ourongoing battle to close the gapsplaguing the African Americancommunity, I have transposed theBKD model into the KBD model,or ‘Know, Be, Do.’

Know the Issues, Know thePlan

Before addressing how to tacklethese gaps, we must first knowwhat the real issues are and why itis necessary to address a specificissue. From the perspective of thecommunity, we know thatindividuals and families arestruggling with a multitude ofissues. As an organization wecould address every issue fromhealth disparities, education,crime prevention, youthdevelopment, workforcedevelopment, businessdevelopment, professionaldevelopment, and more.

In order for MUL to beeffective, we must focus ouragenda on areas where we canclose significant gaps for African

Americans in this community.The areas are education, jobs,wealth, and health. We know theissues and we know that theGateway to Opportunity Plan willdirectly target those gaps byfocusing on providing access,achievement, and accountabilityin each area.

Be the Change, Be the Example,Be the Solution

Mahatma Ghandi, the Indian andspiritual leader who greatlyinfluenced Martin Luther King,said: “You must be the changeyou want to see in the world.” If

KBDFrom 1

7KBD TURN TO

In all my years I cannotremember a Black man braggingabout coming from “HouseNegro” stock, where, in hiswords, his family got a “leg up,”while working in the “BigHouse.”

He made the troublesomeremarks at a Northside forum in2005 when he ran against NatalieJohnson-Lee, the incumbent 5thWard Council Member. Later, heeven attempted to explain andjustify the shocking revelations inan Insight News commentary.

What kind of person doessuch a thing? This is not someonewho should be leading orrepresenting a majority Blackconstituency. It’s clear that he isnot one of us but feels he is betterthan us. He is our color, but notour kind.

Samuels doesn’t know asmuch history as he claims.Otherwise he would know thatbeing a House Negro, or comingfrom House Negro stock isnothing to brag about. It’s wellknown that the House Negrolorded over the field Negro,snitching on him and otherwiseplaying the Uncle Tom for theMaster. Samuels has played thisself-proclaimed role well. WhenMayor R.T. Rybak coughs,Samuels asks, “What’s the matterboss? We sick?” This guy lovesthe downtown power structuremore than he loves hisconstituents.

Shockingly, Don Samuelsactually admitted in a publicforum, sponsored by the CitizensLeague, that he had made fun ofthe attributes of darker skinnedBlack folks when he was ayoungster. (City Pages, “Black onBlack Grime,” October 26, 2005).

If anyone thinks that Iexaggerate, check out Samuels’interview with Steve Marsh ofMpls/St.Paul Magazine, “Q&Awith Don Samuels,” November2006. Samuels comes off socaustic toward Blacks in theinterview, that Marsh asked him,“Do you consider yourselfBlack.”

In that interview Samuelspasses off street cornerhypothesis, half-baked pseudoscience and crackpot theories asreal analysis, while being used by

the magazine to say the thingsabout Black folks that theestablishment and obviously thismagazine want to say about Blackfolks; things they couldn’tthemselves say.

And since when did thismagazine begin deciding whoshould speak for the Blackcommunity? When was it giventhe call to choose our leaders?Lord have mercy!

Don Samuels is wrong forNorth Minneapolis. He is wrongdespite the efforts of theMpls/St.Paul Magazine and othermedia outlets to crown him as aBlack leader and expert on all

things Black, including Blackhistory.

He said North High, aninstitution in the community fordecades, “...ought to be burneddown. My children will notdarken the door of a Minneapolis

public school in this city…. I’vesaid burn North High Schooldown. Something worse thanvouchers could come along. If itworks, if it sacrifices the entireschool system, fine! Get rid of thedamn thing! It hasn’t worked!”

(Mpls/St.Paul Magazine February2007 “the Great Black Hope”)

Of course the council memberis wrong. Public education, whileclearly needing to be improved,especially in the inner cities,generally has worked. Ironically,many of his conservative friendsare products of that system.Where would the kids in the innercity go if their schools weredissolved? The suburbs havemade it clear that they only wanta handful at a time? And charterschools haven’t been all theywere touted to be.

While cavalierly dismissingpublic education –which has been

responsible for educating most ofthe folks in our community fordecades — Samuels also mocksthe worth of books. He told a StarTribune writer, after votingagainst the Minneapolis Libraryrequest for additional fundingthat, “When you are a person onthe other end of a gun . . . the onlyuse for a book is to throw it atthem or block a bullet with it.”

Not surprisingly, Samuelsdoesn’t practice what hepreaches.

In the Q&A Mpls/St.PaulMagazine interview, Samuels

http://insightnews.com Insight News • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Page 3

INSIGHT NEWS

www.insightnews.com

Insight News is publishedweekly, every Monday byMcFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-ChiefAl McFarlaneCFOAdrianne Hamilton-ButlerPublisherBatala-Ra McFarlaneAssociate Editor &Associate PublisherB.P. FordVice President of Sales & MarketingSelene WhiteDirector of Content &ProductionPatricia WeaverSr. Content & ProductionCoordinatorElliot Stewart-FranzenWeb Design & ContentAssociateBen WilliamsDistribution/FacilitiesManagerJamal MohamedReceptionistLue B. LampleyContributing WritersBrenda ColstonJulie DesmondMarcia HumphreyMehgaan JonesAlaina L. LewisRashida McKenzieBrandi D. PhillipsRyan T. ScottPhotographySuluki FardanTobechi TobechukwuContact Us:Insight News, Inc.Marcus Garvey House1815 Bryant Ave. N.MinneAPOlis., MN 55411Ph.: (612) 588-1313Fax: (612) 588-2031Member: MinnesotaMulticultural MediaConsortium (MMMC)Midwest Black PublishersCoalition, Inc. (MBPCI)National NewspaperPublishers Association(NNPA)

Postmaster: Send addresschanges to McFarlaneMedia Interests, MarcusGarvey House 1815 BryantAvenue North, Minneapolis,Minnesota, 55411.

SamuelsFrom 1

4SAMUELS TURN TO

Samuels doesn’t know as muchhistory as he claims. Otherwise he

would know that being a HouseNegro, or coming from House Negro

stock is nothing to brag about.

claimed that Blacks and theirinstitutions, including Blackchurches, are undemocratic, incomparison to white institutions.“Our churches are not run asdemocratically as white people’schurches are,” Samuels said. Heeven poked fun at the Rev. JerryMcAffee, pastor of New SalemBaptist Church in NorthMinneapolis, saying, “I canassure you that ReverendMcAffee’s church is run muchmore autocratically than NickColeman’s church.” I doubtSamuels has set foot in McAfee’schurch.

However, it is Samuels whoappears to be undemocratic. Heclearly has a problem with freespeech. When he was challengedand ridiculed on an MTN

broadcast by mayoral candidateand activist Al Flowers formaking foolish and derogatorystatements about the Blackcommunity, Samuels veryundemocratically sought to haveFlowers and his partner Booker

Hodges removed from the publicaccess station. Flowers sued himand won.

Samuels has no courage,however, when it comes todemanding accountability fromcontractors, who continuouslyfail to comply with cityrequirements for the hiring ofminorities and women.

In his efforts to denigrate andbelittle Black folks in his ward,

Samuels leaves no stoneunturned: he even picks on littleBlack children. In a Forward for aposition paper extolling thevirtues of school vouchers, bylocal conservative think tank,Center of the American

Experiment, Samuels asks, “Howmany future murderers are in thefirst grade classes of the fourelementary schools within a mileof my house?”

While everyone correctly seesthe rash of foreclosures as a crisisand genuinely feels bad for thepeople who have lost theirhomes– many because ofunderhanded and deceptivepractices by lending institutions

and sub prime financiers, DonSamuels declares very callously,that there is a silver lining. In aFebruary 9, MinnPost.comarticle, “Are foreclosures helpingto improve the Northside?” – DonSamuels said, “In the typicalAmerican city it has exacerbatedthe crime problem. But inMinneapolis, certainly northMinneapolis, the foreclosurecrisis has improved the safetysituation.” I don’t think folks whohave lost their houses are going totake much comfort in the fact thattheir loss has made theneighborhood safer.

Speaking of public safety,Samuels has ridden that horse todeath, to the point of puttingmuch of the Northside under theeyes of Big Brother under thename of fighting crime.Minneapolis police surveillancecamera’s dot the landscape, evenunsuspecting Cub Foods shoppersare under the watchful eye of the

Fourth Precinct police station.He dismisses the very real and

documented fear that many Blackpeople have of being raciallyprofiled by police andconsequently mistreated, bysaying that only criminals have tofear mistreatment from the police.

Samuels offers NorthMinneapolis rehashedconservatism rife with victimblaming. He offers little hope. Hetells Black folks to take personalresponsibility, yet remains silentwhile those in power or richenough, rob the public till withtheir ponzie schemes, sub-primeloans and outright cheating.

W.E.B. Dubois aptly depictedwould be leaders such as Samuelsas, “ignorant social climberswhose only claim to fame is theability to kick Negroes when theyare down.”

Has Black Minneapolis noself-respect? This is 2009 not1909. Step n’ Fetchit and his ilk

have long been laid to rest. We nolonger allow folks to singMammy songs. We don’t scratchwhere we don’t itch. We don’tlaugh when we are not amused.

Understandably some readerswill be tempted to plead innocent‘cause’ you don’t live “overNorth.” While that may be so, youare still your brother’s and sister’skeeper. Brotherhood has noboundaries! And any cursoryreading of that Book, that Wordwe hold so dear, teaches us thatGod is a God of justice and thathe sides with the poor and thedowntrodden, the least, the lostand the left out.

That is why I am supportingNatalie Johnson-Lee for the 5thWard City Council seat. Andwhile you may not be able to votefor her, you can contribute to hercampaign. If you’re broke youcan give her some of your time.

Page 4 • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

SamuelsFrom 3

Samuels offers North Minneapolisrehashed conservatism rife with victim

blaming. He offers little hope

6SAMUELS TURN TO

(NNPA) - It’s hard to knowwhat to expect when you hear“Chris Rock,” “documentary”and “good hair” used togetherwithin a film synopsis.

But theactor/comedian/filmmaker/producer takes an idea inspired byhis little girl and transforms herinsecurity into a film that is aseye-opening as it is compelling.“Daddy, why don’t I have goodhair?” Rock quoted his three-year-old daughter as theintroductory credits roll. And sothe film – and a historicaloverview of Black women andtheir love/hate hair relationship– begins.

Although it starts with thehistorical concept of texture,Good Hair quickly unravelsinto several aspects of thecosmetic practices that comewith the territory of Black hair.

Good Hair goes fromrelaxers, the business of Blackhair care to weave – includingthe thoughts from the womenwho wear them and the menwho hate, deal with or lovethem.

The candid film is anunlikely offering by Rock, buthe makes the most of his wit ashe enlists everyone fromwomen considered to be thestandard for Black beauty toordinary Black womenattempting to feel beautiful byany means necessary.

Rock presents a balancedand surprisingly extensivestudy of the ups and downs asBlack women attempting to feelpretty from head to toe –starting with the head.

Video model Melyssa Ford;Black actresses Nia Long,Lauren London, Raven Simon,

Salli Richardson-Whitfield;Black community heroes Dr.Maya Angelou and the Rev. AlSharpton; and rap group Salt-n-Pepa are among those who offeropinions that are blendedtogether to discuss Black hairfrom every perspective.

In Good Hair, Rockinterviews women and menfrom all regions, age groups,walks of life, from esteemed toordinary, getting perspectivesand delivering laughs and “aha!” moments along the way.

The topic of good hair hasbeen an ongoing debate withinthe Black community forgenerations. A symbol of statusfor some, a source ofresentment for others and theunattainable aspirations forthose in between – like Rock’sdaughter.

But in an ingeniousexpansion of the concept, Rockgoes beyond the surface of theage-old “good hair” vs. “happyto be nappy” debate.

What is probably mostrefreshing about the film is thatGood Hair doesn’t point anyfingers or take sides.

There is no moment in GoodHair where Rock demands – oreven merely encourages –women to revert to styles thatshowcase Black pride.However, the film does manageto promote self-love and

appreciation, whether our hairis relaxed or natural.

The film manages to beradical and inspiring bysuccessfully illustrating the factthat the elaborate (and, in somecases, unhealthy) hair practicesare a symptom of the systematicinferiority complex imposed onBlack people for so long thatsomewhere along the way itwas eventually embraced.

The film exposes the lengths(pun intended) Black womenimpose upon themselves in aneffort to camouflage andconform to Eurocentricstandards for beauty. Rockreveals the ravaging effects ofrelaxers and the mainstraightening ingredientsodium-hydrochloride – yes, hebreaks it down to a science. Healso offers a behind-the-scenesobservation within the multi-billion dollar Black hair careindustry, tracing weave from itsorigin to the scalp of anunsuspecting, overcharged

Black woman.Through the legendary

Bronner Brothers (BB) 60thAnnual Hair show and its worldchampion style-off in Atlanta,he shows that Black beauty canbe an ugly business.

By visiting the Dudley HairCare product plant andcosmetology school in NorthCarolina, he shows the promiseand prosperity among Blackentrepreneurs and stylists.

But he also illustratesthrough interviews and footagethat Blacks – the soleconsumers within the Black haircare market – are getting theshort end of the stick when itcomes to profits.

Dudley and the BronnerBrothers are the exception tothe rule as African Americanmanufacturers in an industryoversaturated by Asian andmajor mainstream companiessuch as Revlon.

Typical of Rock, in GoodHair he breaks all of the rulesand taboos when it comes to thesecrets of Black hair care andputs them right on front street.

For example, the financialbind of a weave is real, butrarely discussed in public. ABlack man saying how he feelsabout a woman’s weave outloud could end a relationshipand possibly lead to injury, butRock uses charm and humor toget the guards of his subjectpermanently down.

A few of the points –especially the seemingly never-ending drama as contestants

prepared for the BronnerBrothers hair competition finale– seemed to be dragged todeath, but the film wasotherwise a triumph.

Brilliantly using the “Thefirst step of solution isadmitting there is a problem”method, Rock bravely displaysfive-figure hair weaves,insecurities imposed frominfancy, and potential poisoning

by lathering the scalp with toxicchemicals. In this way, he usesGood Hair as an exposé intohealing.

Good Hair opened intheaters nationwide on Friday,October 9. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 95minutes.

AESTHETICS

By Kenya VaughnSpecial to the NNPA fromThe St. Louis American

http://insightnews.com Insight News • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Page 5

Chris Rock doc gets to the root of Black hair issues

loveisdope.wordpress.com

And those of you who directlybenefited when she was in office

should at least show yourgratitude by helping her, to helpand empower her constituentswho desperately need an advocatein City Hall.

This is not the time to hold onto petty grudges or petty

grievances or personal qualms.Natalie Johnson-Lee says she issomeone who is not perfect, but issomeone who “loves theNorthside.” She cares enoughabout the 5th ward to stand up anddefend its interests and open hermouth and advocate for it.

Johnson-Lee’s victory in 2002successfully gave back to itsconstituents the seat that had beenhi-jacked by the previousadministration. It was indeed apeople’s victory. I am astoundedto learn that when she was inoffice she was left to fight for theNorthside by herself. And fightshe did, as she had to start fromscratch after files of the previousadministration were destroyed,her district was evengerrymandered leaving the 5thWard to fend for it self. The“social servant” as one of herfriends calls her, was belittled andbullied and even harassed by thepolice for simply showing humancompassion. Johnson-Leeinsisted on having a workable andaccountable Civil RightsDepartment. She stood againstcuts that would diminish thedwindling social welfare net. Shestood with striking workersseeking fair wages and workingconditions. She was the first to

encourage the city to view youthviolence as a public health issue,a policy for which Don Samuelshas shamelessly taken credit.

Johnson-Lee didn’t just voteto bring Cub Foods to the Northside, but she required that theyhire and promote from thecommunity. Johnson-Leeanswered the call of manyconstituents helping manythrough seemingly hopelesscrises. She even brought heroffice to the Ward once a week.

Yet too many of us kept ourusually big mouths shut anddidn’t say a mumbling word, asJohnson-Lee spoke up for thosewho couldn’t speak up forthemselves. We sat and watchedas Johnson-Lee stood tall forthose who couldn’t stand forthemselves.

But there is a way to redeemourselves.

We can return NatalieJohnson-Lee to City Hall wherewe know at least one person willbe an advocate for “all” thepeople in the 5th Ward and all thepeople in Minneapolis willbenefit.

Mel Reeves is an activist andwriter whose works oftenappeared in the MinnesotaSpokesman-Recorder.

Last week my entire family got flushots in efforts to stay healthy duringthis year’s cold and flu season. Thisis the first time I have ever had theshot because I am kind of old schoolwhen it comes to taking medicines. Ibelieve in things like castor oil,garlic, and spicy soups for curingwhat ails our clan. But with the fluvirus getting more vicious with eachpassing year (let’s not even talkabout H1N1), I thought we’d give ita try this time. Even though I got myshot, I am not under the falseimpression that the flu shot alone isthe complete answer for all winterailments. It’s really one of manypreventive measures that should be

taken to stay in top shape during thiscold and flu season. Since missingwork often means missing moneyfrom the paycheck I know we allwant to stay well. Check out this listof foods and healthy practices thatcan help your body stay cold-freeand flu-free.

Think real food not fake While vitamins have their place, theyshould not be a substitute for realfood. For instance, oranges andgrapefruits have more overallbenefits than a vitamin C pill.Among other things, an orange ispacked with magnesium, potassium,folate, and vitamin B6. Since thecitrus fruits will be in season duringwinter, make sure you get your dailydose (and yes, eating oranges andgrapefruits are better for you thandrinking it from a carton!).

Think more fruit and vegetablesAlthough folks tend to eat less fruitand veggies in winter, they should beloading up more! Even though thereis not as much fruit in season duringwinter, the freezer isles will haveeverything you need, withoutskimping on the nutrients. Darkveggies like collards, spinach, andkale pack a big punch. Also,consider nontraditional veggies likebok choy, brussel sprouts, andwatercress. Mix it up by grabbing apomegranate, a kiwi, andblueberries, and of course don’tforget the staples; strawberries,bananas, tomatoes, and grapes(again, frozen is fine).

Think lean proteinsIf you want to have the benefit of astrong immune system, lean proteinsplay an important role. Foods like

lean meats, fish, poultry, wholegrains, legumes (black beans,edamame, lentils) nuts (walnuts andalmonds), and seeds are greatoptions to help keep you strong andhealthy.

Think healthy choicesIt is not only what you eat that’simportant, it’s also wise to considerwhat you shouldn’t eat. For instancelimit the amount of sugary snacksand unhealthy fats. Choosenutritious snacks-like trail mix ordried fruit-and keep them handy,then you’ll be less likely to eat thatchocolate bar. Also, make exercisea regular part of your routine-it’s astress reliever and mood booster.Remember to keep hydrated withwater and herbal teas, while limitingpop and caffeine. Finally, get to bedat a decent hour. I admit to being

challenged by this one myself. Truthis, your mild symptoms ofdepression or anxiety could likelydisappear with proper rest (considerthat remedy before rushing off toyour doctor).

This winter do you want to avoidthe sniffles, sneezing, coughing,aching, stuffy head, and feverishnights that accompany a cold or flu??Don’t resort to being scared andworried until spring; be proactiveand be good to your body. Give itthe food it needs, the physicalactivity it needs, the fluids it needs,and the rest it needs. This way youwon’t have to spend your hard-earned money on doctor visits foryou and your family. Lastly, yetmost important: pray. Pray forcourage to walk through whateveryou are faced with this season andfor daily wisdom to make healthy

choices. God made you strongerthan you think! Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interiordecorator and home stager whospecializes in achieving high style ata low cost. A native of Michigan, sheand her husband, Lonnie, have threechildren.

LIFESTYLESave money by staying healthy this winter

Page 6 • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

By Marcia Humphreymarcia@insightnews.com

Presenting...

Marvelous MondaysStarring

“Barber Extraordinaire”

DARIUS KNIGHTDARIUS KNIGHT

at BROOKSIDE BARBERSHOPat BROOKSIDE BARBERSHOP

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENTCALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT(APPOINTMENT ONLY)(APPOINTMENT ONLY)

SHOP: (952) 929-3998 CELL: (612) 414 - 96966102 Excelsior Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Check out travellingbarber.com for deals and updates

www.treehugger.com

SamuelsFrom 4

everyone who reads this articlewould take that statement toheart, what kind of change couldwe see in our community?

When we become the change,we become the example and it’seasier to inspire the youth and ourpeers.

Do the Work (and yourhomework)

As an African American malewho grew up in inner-city

Milwaukee with a single motheramidst crime, poverty, and astruggling school system, I knowhow impossible some situationsmay seem. I have learned,however, that if we work hard andcontinue to get educated thatthere can be great opportunitywithin the most challengingenvironments.

Thomas Edison once said,“opportunity is missed by mostpeople because it is dressed inoveralls and looks like work.”There was a time when, as apeople, we were taught to be“hard workers.” Is that the casetoday?

What Do We Know?

In the Twin Cities there arenumerous resources, agencies,and opportunities whose mainpurpose is to close gaps.Minnesota has a number of strongphilanthropic arms, a top UnitedWay agency, and many of thenation’s top foundations. In fact,Minnesota has the most publicFortune 500 companies per capitathan any other state; most of thesefirms are based in the Twin Cities.There are numerous very activecommunity-oriented churchesand community organizations,and a strong mayoral and councilinitiative to tackle youth violence.

Knowing all of these facts andresources, we are able to buildappropriate collaborations tofunnel the resources to the need.

Who Do We Want to Be?

After 145 days and 175 meetingswith community stakeholders, Iwould say that as the greaterMinneapolis community, we wantto Be the Example. Minneapolishas all the ingredients of being a

world class community. Evenwith all the resources, intellectualcapital, and large companies,however, I believe we cannot callourselves a world classcommunity as long as we havesome of the largest economicgaps facing African Americans inthe country. We are ripe to be thechange. It is time forMinneapolis to be the example. Itis up to each of us to be thesolution.

What Should We Do?

The answer to is simple. We haveto get to WORK. We have to getactive working on the solutions.We have to roll up our sleeves andwork. We have to commit to dothe hard work. We have tocollaborate and work together.

In the words of MayaAngelou, “Nothing will workunless you do.”

I keep telling people there arejobs out there. Alex Tittleshares that belief. Tittlecontends that high schoolgraduates and GED holders who

are willing to work hard andwilling to learn can find jobsnow. And he should know.Tittle is Education Director forSummit Academy OIC inMinneapolis, and he has seenfirsthand the benefits of greattraining and mentorship.

Tittle’s Summit AcademyOIC has developed 100 HardHats, a comprehensiveconstruction trades trainingprogram. The programcombines relevant classroomtraining with hands-on skilldevelopment in buildingconstruction, weatherization

technology and more. Add inexhaustive safety training –graduates earn an OSHA safetycertificate – and a relentlessemphasis on life skills, and theresult is workers who are

leadership bound: hireableregardless of where they werebefore they started the course.

The life skills taught in the

Hard Hats program are criticalto job seekers in any industry.Students learn the importanceof arriving every day time.Whether on a construction crewor in an office setting, other

team members are counting onyou to be where you said youwould be and on time. Simplyshowing up is the first step to

getting and keeping a job andHard Hats grads get this.

Communication skills arealso a priority at SAOIC. Everyinteraction requirescommunication. Employeeswho connect effectively withsupervisors and with co-workers will be more successfulthan those who don’t.

And the hiring outlook forHard Hats graduates?According to Mr. Tittle, about70% of graduates findemployment somewhere aftergraduation. Those who are notphysically constructing

buildings are uniquely qualifiedfor other positions includingretail jobs in homeimprovement stores, forexample.

Consider learning a newskill this fall, and yourprospects may be better thanever next year.

Julie Desmond is Director ofCareer Planning Resources atHelp Wanted Workshop inMinneapolis. Please send yourcareer planning questions tojulie@insightnews.com.

Training and mentoring key ingredients for getting a good job

By Julie Desmondjulie@insightnews.com

Planyour

career

http://insightnews.com Insight News • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Page 7

KBDFrom 2

Consider learning a new skill thisfall, and your prospects may be

better than ever next year.

One of the most difficultexperiences by a family with a(n)

aging parent(s) is the prospect orneed for medical care that is soserious that surgery isrecommended. This becomes allthe more complicated by a familywhen most of them do not live inthe same city as the aging parent.I support wholeheartedly health

care reform, because I believethat everyone is entitled healthcare and information.Increasingly I am convinced thata public option is necessary. I amvery troubled by what our familyis experiencing.

Our mom, now our onlyparent up and until this year, washospitalized suddenly. One of mybrothers, who does not live in thecity where mom resides, droppedeverything including his duties asa businessman, father, etc., anddrove home to be with mom. Ourmother was hospitalized forabout five days. One of the

requests made by my brother isfor a meeting with the surgeonand mom’s medical doctor. Mybrother thought that this wasagreed to and showed up the nextmorning at 8am only to find outthat the doctors were therearound 6 am. My brother did getto speak to the medical doctor,but not the surgeon.

My role was to be one of thefamily points of contact supportcommunications to my siblings.There are seven of us. In one ofthe emails I recommended to mybrother that the doctors should beasked to coordinate and review

all of her medical information. Sothis is point one.

On another point, my brotherrequested that all the medicaltests needed for mom becompleted while mom was in thehospital. Mom is 82-years-old,my brother lives out of town andthis seemed to be a reasonablerequest - point two. Gettingback to the busy surgeon, pointone, my brother decided the bestway to communicate with thebusy surgeon was to email himquestions since his efforts to meetwith him were to no avail,including scheduling a second

time to meet with him. Thissecond meeting was cancelledabout five minutes before the

Page 8 • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

11HEALTH TURN TO

Family health crisis illustrates need for reform

urban communities, participantslearned about PresidentObama’s American Recoveryand Reinvestment Act of 2009and the billions of dollars forhealthcare, job training,education, housing, energy and

scientific research. They werechallenged to use their talents,resources, and credentials toimprove their economicsituation by creating a “trickle-up” economy in their respectivecommunities.

A Town Hall sessionexplored the significantcontributions that BlackAmericans have made to the

public and private sectors andemphasized the importance ofdispelling the notion of “youngversus old” while developingand advancing an agenda toimprove our communities.

McKnight announced beforeher departure for the CBCLegislative Weekend that hercampaign received endorsementof Minneapolis Fire Fighters

Local 82. She said the screeningprocess gave her anappreciation of the “internalworkings and the challengesFire Fighters face to effectivelydo their job with very littleresources. I gained new respectand appreciation for theircourage and commitment.”

McKnightFrom 1

By Barbara Milon,Executive DirectorPhyllis WheatleyCommunity Center

blogs.creativeloafing.com

http://insightnews.com Insight News • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Page 9

Page 10 • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

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

Events

Minneapolis Performing & VisualArts College Fair – Oct. 12Mon., Oct. 12, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.at University of Minnesota, TwinCities - Coffman Memorial Union,300 Washington Ave., SE Mpls.612-624-4636.

St. Joan of Arc Church MentalIllness Ministry – Oct. 12Mon, Oct 12, 5:45 - 8:15pm; 5:45:Light meal provided; 7:00:Speaker; Topic: Early Signs ofChildren’s Mental HealthDisorders; Resources; Speaker:Deb Cavitt, MACMH; No RSVP

needed; free and open to all;Certificate of Attendance available;Roseann, 612.823.8205; Mary,claudemaryparadis@comcast.net;St. Joan of Arc Hospitality Hall,Door 1, 4537 3rd Av S, Mpls;www.stjoan.com/mimfr.htm.

Ward 5 Minneapolis City CouncilCandidate Forum – Oct. 13Tues., Oct. 13, 6:30 – 8:00 pm,Capri Theatre, 2027 W Broadway,Mpls. Hear from candidates as theymake opening and closingstatements and take writtenquestions from the audience. Learnabout ranked choice voting.Sponsored by the League ofWomen Voters of Minneapolis.

AHA 2009 Silent AuctionFundraiser/NetworkingLuncheon – Oct. 14Weds., Oct. 14, 11:00 am – 1:00 pmat Rudolph’s Bar-B-Que, 1933Lyndale Ave. S. Mpls., MN 55403.Call 612.871.8969 for free parkinginformation.

INSPIRE: A Tribute toMIchael Jackson - Oct. 15,16Oct. 15, 16, at 10 pm. Doorsat 9:30. Bryant Lake BowlTheater, 810 West Lake St.,Mpls. $12. Tickets: 612-825-8949. bryantlakebowl.com.

Chapter & Verse Book ClubMeets at The Red BalloonBookshop – Oct. 15October 15, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. –8:00 p.m., Free. 891 Grand Avenue,Saint Paul, MN. Call ahead toreserve your chair: (651) 224-8320.

African Development Centeropen house reception – Oct. 15Thursday, October 15 from 5 to 8p.m. in Minneapolis’s Cedar-Riverside neighborhood at 1931South 5th Street. RSVP: Call 612-333-4772 or Email :asaid@adcminnesota.org

4th Annual “Peace, Power, andUnity Conference – Oct. 17Sat., Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. - 2:30p.m. at Sabathani CommunityCenter, 310 East 38th St., SouthMpls. Register online for this freeevent atwww.everyfamilymatters.org orcall 612-728-2084.

Art Center Open House - Oct. 17Sat., Oct. 17, 1 - 4 pm atMinnetonka Center for the Arts,2240 North Shore Drive WayzataMN. 952.473.7361, ext 16.www.minnetonkaarts.org

Art for Healing & Celebration,with sample night live – Oct. 17 Weds., October 7, 7 pm at the

History Theatre, in downtown SaintPaul. www.samplenightlive.com.

Minnesota Historical SocietyOctober EventsHistory Forum: Chief Justice

John Marshall – 345 Kellogg BlvdW., St. Paul2 – 3:15pm, 651-259-3000 if anyquestions, Sat Oct. 17

Victorian Ghost Stories – 240Summit Ave., St. Paul6pm and 7:30pm, 651-297-2555 ifany questions, Sun Oct. 18

Foreclosure informationworkshops scheduled atHennepin County libraries andcity halls – Ongoing

Saturday, Oct. 17 11 a.m.Hennepin County Library –Southdale 7001 York Ave. S.,Edina. 952-847-5900.

Thursday, Nov. 12 6:30 p.m.St. Louis Park City Hall5005 Minnetonka Blvd.952-924-2500.

For more information about theworkshops, call the individuallocations or Ed Nelson, MinnesotaHome Ownership Center: 651-659-9336. www.hennepin.us.

Milkweed Editions’ Book LoversBall – Oct. 17Sat, 6pm at Graves 601 Hotel, 601First Avenue North, Minneapolis,MN. For tickets go towww.milkweed.org/bookloversballor call (612) 215-2553.

Great River T’ai Chi Ch’uanfree open house – Oct. 18Sun., Oct. 18, 3-5 p.m. at 1940Hennepin Avenue South 2F (atFranklin), Minneapolis.http://www.greatriver.blogspot.com

2009 Minneapolis InterfaithForum – Oct. 18Sun., Oct. 18, WestminsterPresbyterian, 10:30 a.m. at 1200Marquette Avenue, Mpls. Freeparking is available in the OrchestraHall Ramp. Directions orinformation: www.ewestminster.org; 612-332-3421.

Free showing of ‘H2 Worker’ –Oct. 19Monday, Oct. 19, 6:30 PM ParishCenter, St. Joan of Arc Church,4537 Third Ave. S., Mpls. Hostedby Women Against MilitaryMadness.

Free hearing, glaucoma, diabeteshealth screening - Oct. 19Mon., Oct. 19, 9:00 am - Noon, at

Sabathani Senior Center, 310 E.38th St., Room 106, Mpls., MN. Noappointment necessary except forthe hearing screening. Please call612-821-2306 for moreinformation.

Minneapolis hosts propertymanagement workshop – Oct. 22Thursday, Oct. 22, 5 – 9 pm, 3450Irving Ave. S., Minneapolis, St.Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church.Interested property owners shouldRSVP by Thursday, October 15. Toget a registration form, emailccpsafe@ci.minneapolis.mn.us orcall the message line at 612-673-2812. There is a $20 registrationfee, which covers the costs for allprinted materials, a box meal and aDVD on Hennepin CountyHousing Court. After Oct. 15, theregistration fee is $30.

Singing the Legacy of SekouSundiata: Potluck Dinner andCommunity Sing with T.Mychael Rambo - Oct. 24Sat., Oct. 24, 6 – 10 pm at 2822Lyndale Avenue South, Mpls.Admission is free with potluckcontribution or $5 without Seatingis limited; reservations are required.Call (612) 871-444 to make yourreservation today. All AgesWelcome. www.intermediarts.org.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Grants and Appeals CoordinatorSummit Academy OIC is seeking a highly skilledand experienced grant and appeals writer tocoordinate and develop long-term, expandedconstituency for grants, and gifts for support ofvocational education programs of the SummitAcademy OIC. The ideal candidates must havea four-year college degree and at least fouryears proven grant writing experience anddevelopment work in the non-profit sector.Candidates must also possess expert level skillsin word processing, spreadsheets and databasemanagement programs. Salary iscommensurate with education and experience.Valid Driver's license required. EEO/AAEmployer. Position open until filled. Women andminorities encouraged to apply. Submit allresumes to cbennett@saoic.org. No phoneinquiries, please.

DEWEY PLACE APARTMENTS &THE PINES TOWNHOMES

Now accepting applications for Section 8 waitingList at Dewey Place and The Pines in Foley, MN.Dewey Place offers 1 bedroom apartments toApplicants who are at least 62 or disabled. The Pines offers 2 and 3 bedroom townhomesAnd is open to all families. Call Marie at(320)968-7791.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Minnesota Blizzards Basketball We are looking for college students majoring inSports Management, Business, PublicRelations, Marketing Sales, Broadcasting,Event Planning etc. to become Interns for TheMinnesota Blizzards ABA Basketball Team.Interns will gain valuable experience, and inmost cases college credits.

Interested Parties please send resume to:Minnesota Blizzards Attn: Internship Program1161 Vierling Drive, Ste 161Shakopee, MN 55379Ph: 612-242-1909Fax: 480-302-5813ben@minnesotaBlizzards.comhttp://www.minnesotablizzards.com

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTInsight News is looking for an enthusiastic andexperienced political writer for a beat thatincludes covering high profile elected officialsand the community events they sponsor — or anot so-well attended neighborhood or block clubmeeting. This is a freelance position. Theperfect candidate is someone who is a self-starter who can work in a fast-pacedenvironment as well as produce news features,and jump on breaking stories when needed.Strong writing skills are a must, as well as aproven track record connectinglocal/neighborhood issues to national/federalpolicy. Interested applicants should send a coverletter, resume and three to five writing samplesto: Patricia Weaver, Director of Content, InsightNews, PO BOX 581367, Minneapolis, MN55411 or email patricia@insightnews. Pleasenote "POLITICAL WRITER" in the subject line.No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

The whole country is gushingover what’s going on within theborders of Minnesota these days.Turn on every television channelthat even grazes the subject ofsports, and one of the hometownheadliners graces the air. Turn onUnivision (the Spanish speakingstation), and sandwiched betweenthe words you may or may notunderstand, will be the wordMinnesota; I imagine that theJapanese station is the same,especially since the Twins areplaying the vaunted New YorkYankees, who boast multipleJapanese players to their roster.Heck, it’s the Yankees, so theWorld will be watching anyway.All over the World, if they’retalking about the best ofAmerican sports, they’re talkingabout Minnesota. The Minnesotatourism industry should hurry-upand roll-out an ‘It won’t be

stupid-freezing cold untilJanuary’ marketing campaign, sowe can pack in the Mall ofAmerica, and thus give everyonethat third or fourth part-time jobthey need for the holidays.

Just when Brett Favrefinished ripping open the buttonsof his flannel, country boy,button-up shirt to reveal the S onhis chest – meaning “Silver Fox”,and justifiably buried beneathhaystacks of stressed-out golden-gray hair – is just about the sametime that the lovable Twinsbaseball team stood up and

straightened out the record as towho’s the championship winningteam ‘round these parts. TheTwins are heralded around thecountry, and perhaps beyond,because of their approach to thegame of baseball. The baseballpurist loves Minnesota Twinsbaseball. Thus in the minds ofmany, the Twins fully representthe ultimate scrappy-American-underdog

So, when the Twins madetheir late season comeback in thestandings, even minus their

superstar slugger JustinMourneau, a match was thrownon the fire that is the Americanbaseball love affair. It was easy tore-realize the fondness that thenation holds for memories of the’87 and ’91 World Series. Thenational media seemed to have akind of happy-misty look in theireyes in talking about Minnesotaas a whole, and they might aswell have all taken their turnshugging the Metrodome andgiving Kirby Puckett’s banner abig wet kiss. Minneapolis MayorR.T. Ryback proudly rode the

wave of Minnesota love ontelevision the day after theTwins’ regular season extra-inning super-thriller finale, evenpredicting a World SeriesChampionship. Hmmm.

Brett Favre has his own loveaffair with the country. Favre’srecent football victory over hisformer team, the Green BayPackers supports comments madeby Michael Jordan in his Hall ofFame speech. Jordan said,“players, not management, winchampionships,” and this

sentiment puts the icing on thecake for the athletes vs.management argument thatlingers heavily in certain circles.And so answers to life’s mostcritical questions even getresolved on Minnesota soil, as wewitness Brett Favre standing inpainful celebration of victoryover management as if he wereMaximus from the movieGladiator. The story of victoryover management never gets old,and football runs this part ofNorth America, and so the fire ofthe American love affair withfootball burns amidst 10,000puddles of water alongsidebaseball.

Tiger Woods just left town,and the World’s love affair withgolf joined him to enjoy a unique,challenging, enjoyable, andmemorable major championshipevent. President Obama suremakes a point to kindle the firesof the nation’s love affair withpolitics (also a sport) through hisfrequent, poignant visits toMinnesota. Al Jefferson of theMinnesota Timberwolves lost31lbs., and so the fire ofAmerica’s love affair with losingweight (also a sport) burnsbrightly in the Target Center sky.

There’s a lot of love in theMinnesota air, and all of thosecumulative love-fires are sending

smoke signals to the World. Lastweek’s Vikings and Twins gamesbroke all sorts of records forattendance and televisionviewers, so the proof is certainlycalculable. If it moves people, it

means something – and the goodpeople of Minnesota shouldshake a tail-feather like the goodpeople of Rio de Janeiro didwhen they won their bid for theOlympics.

By Ryan T. Scottryan@insightnews.com

Mr T’sSportsReport

The whole world is watching: There’s something about Minnesota

http://insightnews.com Insight News • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Page 11

They’re shakin’ tail-feathersin Brazil, and the Twin Cities.

SPORTS

www.tigardtimes.comCarlos Gomez scored the winning run in the seesaw battle with

one out in the 12th inning on Alexi Casilla's ground single toright off Detroit pitcher Fernando Rodney.

scheduled meeting. In addition tomy brother directly sending anemail to the surgeon with ourquestions, I asked my brother ifhe had communicated to a nurseor someone in the doctor’s officewho might be able to help orfacilitate getting the questionsanswered.

Point three my brotherrequested that all tests beconducted on our mother beforeshe left the hospital and this didnot happen. After mom wasdischarged from the hospital andmy brother left to return to hishome another test was requestedand scheduled. This test wasextremely painful for mom.

There was no medication prior tothe test which involved adiagnostic instrument inserted inher noise in order to examine herstomach and chest area. This wasvery traumatic because of mom’sage, and what she had alreadyexperienced. Frankly she alreadyhas made up in her mind that shedoes not want surgery.

In regards to the busy surgeonand the email questions, pointtwo, and the request for moreinformation there has been noreply and we have not heard fromthe surgeon. My brother, whofortunately lives in a majorMidwest city, will follow up withthe health care provider todetermine if they will pay formom to have a second opinion bya specialist and at one of themedical facilities where he lives. You see, under mom’s medical

coverage’s visits to agastroenterologist at the hospitalare not covered. I spoke tosomeone who works in the fieldof health care to determinerecommendations on getting aresponse from the surgeon.Interestingly, she said vascularsurgeons never, or rarely, respondbecause they are so busy. I knowthis cannot be true for allsurgeons, yet I wonder howsurgeons deal with medicalsituations when their mom or alove one is facing a healthconcern and a recommendationfor surgery. I just attended theHamline University School ofLaw health law forum onhealthcare reform; it was a nonpartisan program. I learned manythings about the multiplicity andcomplex issues related to healthcare reform including that

providers do not pay for medicalcoordination.

As an executive director of anon profit organization I knowwith certainty that ourgovernment responds to thepublic, someone will have to giveyou an answer. I also know as anexecutive director that we dohave accountability standards. Ialso know that the delivery ofservices is a professional qualitythat both non profits and forprofits aspire to provide in amanner that is respectable, andresponsive.

Our mom is the only parentmy brothers and sisters and Ihave; and I know change musthappen. I support our Presidentand Congress for working on ourbehalf to make health care reformchange now – “a step forward isbetter than no step at all.”

HealthFrom 8

Page 12 • October 12 - October 18, 2009 • Insight News http://insightnews.com

$4.99

See Store

1010 1010$

10101010

Sale

We reserve the right to limit quantities and correct all printed errors. Not all varieties available at all locations. Prices subject to state and local taxes, if applicable. No sales to dealers. Purchase requirements exclude discounts, coupons, gift cards, lottery tickets and bus passes. Check out our website at: www.rainbowfoods.com *Free promotion will be applied to item of least value.

We accept these credit & debit cards

Fresh WholeBone-In Pork Loin

SAVE UP TO $1.00 LB.

99¢ lb.

$1.29Fresh Bone-In Pork Rib Half lb.

SAVE UP TO $2.30 LB.

$1.59Quarter Pork Loin Chops2 Rib End, 2 Loin, 2 Center Rib and 2 Sirloin lb.

SAVE UP TO $1.40 LB.

$1.99Center Cut Pork ChopsRegular, Stuffed or Bone-In Thin lb.

SAVE UP TO $2.00 LB.

Roundy's Fresh Boneless SkinlessChicken BreastRegular or Family Pack

SAVE UP TO $2.50 LB.

$1.99

CaliforniaStrawberries1 Lb. Pkg.

SAVE UP TO $1.00

$1.99

Pepsi, Diet Pepsior Mountain DewAnd Other Selected 12 Pack 12 Oz. Can Varieties

SAVE UP TO $3.39 ON 3

LIMIT 3

3/$10.98

Yoplait Light orThick & CreamyYogurtSelected 6 Oz. Varieties

SAVE UP TO $2.50 ON 10

10/$5

DiGiorno Ultimate, StuffedCrust or California PizzaKitchen Rising Crust Pizza Selected 22.96-30.7 Oz. Varieties

SAVE UP TO $5.58 ON 2

2/$11

CaliforniaBroccoli

SAVE UP TO 51¢

each99¢

Oscar MayerMeat FranksSelected 16 Oz.Varieties(Excludes Beef)

SAVE UP TO $2.58 ON 2

2/$4

Lay's, Wavy Lay's or Kettle CookedPotato ChipsSelected 8.5-11 Oz.Varieties

SAVE UP TO $1.98 ON 2

2/$6

KraftShredded,Crumbles orChunk CheeseSelected 5-8 Oz.Varieties

SAVE UP TO $4.89 ON 3

3/$4.98

Sunny ValleyIce CreamSelected 64 Oz. Varieties

SAVE UP TO 90¢LIMIT 2

99¢

$2.49Perdue Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast lb.

SAVE UP TO $2.50 LB.

PORKPORK

$1.39Fresh Bone-In Pork Loin Half lb.

SAVE UP TO $2.30 LB.

Redi ServeChickenNibblers, Patties orStripsSelected 28-35 Oz.Varieties

SAVE UP TO $1.00 • LIMIT 2THEREAFTER $4.99

$3.99

Patrick Cudahy Honey, Virginia orMaple HamFrom Our Deli

SAVE UP TO 30¢ LB.

lb.

$4.99Colby or Colby Jack CheeseFrom Our Deli lb.

SAVE UP TO $1.00 LB.

PRICES EFFECTIVE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 THROUGH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2009

SUNDAY

OCTOBER11

MONDAY

OCTOBER12

TUESDAY

OCTOBER13

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER14

THURSDAY

OCTOBER15

FRIDAY

OCTOBER16

SATURDAY

OCTOBER17

Kellogg's Cereal, Pop•Tarts,Granola Bars, Fruit Snacks,Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies,Club, Animal Crackers orSunshine Cheez-ItsSelected 3.8-20 Oz. or 12 Ct. Varieties

Instantly at Checkout $10.00 offBuy any 8 for$20 and get

Mix orMatch

SAVE UP TO $13.52

Purchase Two DiGiorno Ultimate, Stuffed Crust or California Pizza Kitchen Rising Crust Pizza And Get a Coupon for a Free Gallon of Milk(to be used on a future shopping visit) (up to $3.50)

That’s Only $1.25 each

lb.