Insight News ::: 12.13.10

Photo: Peter B. Meyers

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Now through January 2, 2011 at The Ordway Center, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul. For more information or tickets: 651-282-3000, www.ordway.org

INSIGHT NEWS December 13 - December 19, 2010 • MN Metro Vol. 36 No. 50 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Dee Dee

Bridgewater (1915-1959) To Billie with love from Dee Dee; her connection with the life and work of Billie Holiday; and her sense of independence.

By Maya Beecham Contributing Writer Iconic jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater will grace the stage of Minnesota Orchestra Hall on Friday, December 17 at 8:00pm, for Piper Jaffray Jazz at Orchestra Hall with Irvin Mayfield, famed jazz trumpeter and Minnesota Orchestra Hall Artistic Director of Jazz, and the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Sarah Hicks, principal conductor of pops and presentations.

Bridgewater is internationally known for her versatile talent as jazz vocalist, producer, actor, and radio host of NPR’s Jazz Set with Dee Bridgewater. In a successful career spanning over four-decades, Bridgewater has received top industry honors in theater, music and radio including a Tony Award for her portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch in The Wiz, two Grammy Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award nomination, and the Victoire de la Musique, a prestigious French recording honor.

Recently, Bridgewater spoke with Insight News Contributing Writer Maya Beecham, to discuss her 2011 Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for ELEANORA FAGAN

How does it feel to be nominated for a Grammy this time around?

Whenever I am nominated it is wonderful, but this time around it has special meaning for me.

I have been producing my albums, but this is the first one I did literally all by myself without my manager, assistant, or anybody. And it’s the first time that I recorded an album basically live, meaning that I was in the studio with the musicians, and what you hear on that album is literally what we recorded. So, I am very pleased with it and it comes at the end of a very trying few years personally and so it’s very nice.

In working on this project in honor of Billie Holiday, did you feel as though you had to channel her in any way? If so, how did you channel her? Or, did you feel this was strictly a project honoring her in your own voice?

Well I know for a fact that this was a project honoring her in my own voice. I wanted to

BRIDGEWATER TURN TO 11

Photo courtesy of the artist

Reflections on 2010 vote Senate representing District 67 on St. Paul’s Eastside.

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors Part 1 in a series

Insight News: Minnesota was part of the national tidal wave, the shifting of power from... what we thought was an inspired democratic vision that fell victim to the inundation of the Tea Party backlash: Minnesota democrats lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate. What does that mean for you over at the State Legislature? What does it mean for your constituents in general, Black people, and

State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion represents District 58B in Minneapolis. At present he is one of two members of the Black Caucus, the African-American Caucus at the Minnesota House of Representatives. That will change when the next session begins. He will be joined by two more African-Americans, Rena Moran representing District 65A in St. Paul in the House and former St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington in the

State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion, 58B

Suluki Fardan

CHAMPION TURN TO 2

It’s official: Dayton will be Governor

By Al McFarlane and B.P. Ford, The Editors Mark Dayton met with Gov. Tim Pawlenty Thursday, getting a tour of the governor’s mansion while his team met with managers in the Executive Branch to create a transitional office for the Governor-elect.

Dayton’s status as winner in the hotly contested race for governor became clear Wednesday morning when Republican standard-bearer Tom Emmer concede defeat, indicating he did not believe further pursuit of the recount or other legal challenges would bear fruit, or benefit

Suluki Fardan

Governor-Elect Mark Dayton the citizens of Minnesota.

Emmer congratulated Dayton and pledged his support to the incoming Dayton administration.

Dayton’s transition team

Business

Griffin breaks barriers in architecture

PAGE 2

also gets $162,000 to support the transition effort. He will be sworn in officially January 3, 2011.

US Rep. Keith Ellison said, “I’d like to congratulate

Kindred Kitchen

Inspiring the dreams of North Minneapolis cooks

PAGE 3

Governor-Elect Mark Dayton on officially winning Minnesota’s Gubernatorial election.

Mark’s victory is a clear validation of the progressive community’s strength and dedication, even in the midst of a tough political climate. After eight years of irresponsible Republican policy, I’m thankful that Minnesota families will have a partner in the Governor’s office who will fight for them every day.”

Dayton, the first DFL Governor in 20 years, faces a daunting task sharing power with the Republican-controlled houses of the Minnesota

DAYTON TURN TO 5

ISAIAH

From L to R: Rev. Grant Stevensen, President of ISAIAH and Pastor of St. Matthews Lutheran Church and Spirit of Truth in St. Paul; Rabbi Michael Latz, Shir Tikvah, Minneapolis; Rev. Billy Russell, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Minneapolis

Shining the light on Minnesota’s future

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer Religious and community leaders and everyday heroes alike gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center Sunday, Dec. 5 for ISAIAH’s “Shining the Light” as part of the 10,000 Voices for One MN project. US Sen. Mark Dayton, and his transition team, took part in two roundtable discussions on creating equity in our education system and ensuring that public investments spur racial and economic justice. During the roundtable discussions, community leaders discussed how the new administration and the faith community can work together to help eliminate these disparities. The hopeful MN Governor-Elect has joined the

Lifestyle

Holiday Regifting: Do’s and Don’ts

PAGE 8

project to launch a statewide partnership aimed at eliminating the state’s racial and economic inequities.

ISAIAH is a faith-based community organization of 90 member congregations in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud regions working for racial and economic justice. The coalition seeks to create healthy communities by transforming the policies that are creating concentrated poverty and racial disparities.

Rev. Paul Slack, Co-Chair of the ISAIAH Clergy and Religious Leaders Caucus, praised the project for its ambitions to make Minnesota a better place.

“Organizations like ISAIAH are finding a way to make common ground together. We’re hearing stories of how we can

ISAIAH TURN TO 11

Our history How colored colony came to Fergus Falls

PAGE 9

Page 2 • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

BUSINESS

Griffin breaks barriers in architecture Few architecture firms get the opportunity to work with renowned architect Renzo Piano on ground breaking design and construction of a world icon—in this case the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago, but that is exactly what Interactive Design, Inc. (IDEA) of Chicago did. What is more unusual, however, is that firm is helmed by Dina A. Griffin, a Black woman—in fact one of only 262 Black women architects in the US. Griffin, however, takes it all in stride. And why shouldn’t she? She is president of a small firm that, in their words, creates designs that enrich and inspire people’s lives. The backgrounds of the IDEA staff are as diverse as the projects that they undertake.

The firm only hires licensed architects. Currently they have 10 professionals with experience ranging from ten years to 30. Half of the staff are women—a testament to Griffin’s commitment to bring more diversity into the field.

Each architect specializes in a specific area of architecture-from design for zoo enclosures to cultural, governmental and historic preservation. Given this scenario, Interactive Design is the “can do” and “go to” firm.

Says Griffin, “The culture of our firm is very different

Champion From 1 people of color in particular?

Bobby Champion: I think the challenges that we see locally are the same challenges that we see nationally.

There is a feeling of anger and uncertainty. Whenever there is an uncertainty, most people look to point the finger

Dina A. Griffin from that of other architectural firms.

We are small and decidedly not corporate. We

have no administrative staff.

We hire based on areas of expertise and personality

at someone else or blame someone else, unfortunately.

I don’t think that we have done a good job as Democrats making sure that we have a crystal clear message, so the people can really see the great work that has been done nationally as well as locally.

President Barrack Obama, in regulating Wall Street, is making sure that we are no longer going to face some of the economic challenges brought on by deregulation

that got us into the mess we are in right now.

Business owners say one of their biggest costs or their biggest expenses is healthcare.

There are so many Americans who need to be covered.

College-aged students should have coverage on a parent’s policy. A preexisting condition might allow insurance companies to say, “If you have a preexisting condition, or once you become sick and really need your insurance,

Johnson Publishing Company

that expand and round out our capabilities. Each of the architects handpicks a team

of consultants that reflect the creativity and goals that we have set forth for our client.”

we’re not going to cover you anymore.”

When you put that in its proper context, we know that something needs to be done about healthcare. This has been a mission that every President

has gone into the Oval Office to accomplish.

But the Obama Administration has accomplished meaningful and comprehensive healthcare reform and we democrats

Griffin, a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Architecture at UrbanaChampaign, knew that she was entering a male dominated field and certainly one that was devoid of minority women.

In high school, rather than taking the normal femaleoriented courses, such as home economics, she opted to take industrial education and learned architectural drafting.

This was her introduction into the profession. She was the only female in the class.

Then, in an engineering class at Western Illinois University, where she was not only the only female in class, but the only person of color, a professor told her that there was absolutely no way that she could major in architecture.

He told her, “You may as well try a less intense major”. This, of course, only fueled Griffin’s determination to break barriers in the field of architecture.

And that she has. In fact, Griffin was asked to deliver the commencement speech for the University of Illinois School of Architecture in May of 2010, where she shared her journey to the profession and how she used her love for technology to shape her career in architecture with the graduating class of 2010.

IDEA TURN TO 4

Suluki Fardan

failed to keep that victory in front of the voters, the public.

We have the same challenges here in Minnesota.

There’s money on the table right now for early enrollment in new medical coverage.

Getting people signed up can bring Minnesota $1.4 billion in federal funds for healthcare.

We have to put up $188 million.

IN: Sounds like a fair exchange to me.

BC: It’s a great exchange. I would support that bill any day.

Our guiding principle is making sure all people are covered, including our seniors and our young people.

But I’ve heard even my democratic friends say “Well, it doesn’t have single-payer.

It doesn’t have this, it doesn’t have that.” Well, history shows us that structural change must be incremental. You never get everything that you want. Case in point, in 1964 Civil Rights Act, did not include voting, did not include housing, did not include some of the important features that we claim to be near and dear to us.

IN: We take for granted.

BC: Right, so that was 1964.

So we didn’t get the Voting Right Act until 1965, after, you know, some courageous folks, you know, took to the street...

That still did not include housing and some of the other things which didn’t get signed into law until 1968.

So we have to understand that change is certain but it must be incremental. You don’t get everything you want on the first ballot.

IN: Even though it’s misguided, I think you and I agree that we must protect and encourage people to express themselves and their vision for the future through the ballot.

Our challenge is to make sure

CHAMPION TURN TO 3

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Page 3

Inspiring the dreams of North Minneapolis cooks

By Chris Garner Contributing Writer Just in time for the Holidays Catalyst Community Partners has opened up its Kindred Kitchen to let Minneapolis’ Northside community sample some of its flavor. On November 11th, community members and politicians alike gathered into this new fullservice licensed commercial kitchen to taste foods from seven different up and coming and established chefs who plan to rent space from the newly opened facility.

One of those chefs was Marnita Schroedl, creator of Marnita’s Table who brought samplings of her Mad Snaps and Mad Nuts. She believes what Catalyst is doing in the Northside community is inspiring. “I want to make sure people who look like me are able to succeed and Catalyst is providing jobs where needed most,” said Schrodel.

The process for creating Kindred Kitchen began in March of 2009 when Catalyst who came up with their name from their groups need to create a spark and call to action, surveyed 50 local cooks and chefs to find if there was a need for such a facility. With a plethora of shared experiences

INSIGHT NEWS www.insightnews.com

Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Intern Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Technology Reporters Shanice Brown Ivan B. Phifer Christopher Toliver Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Rashida McKenzie Ryan T. Scott Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Photos by Suluki Fardan

Kindred Kitchen’s foods are created by seven different North Minneapolis chefs, cooks, and caterers in the cooking world from local chefs and cooks, Catalyst drew inspiration and was able to turn their dreams and the dreams of the Minneapolis community into a reality.

“Kindred Kitchen was born because North Minneapolis cooks and caterers told us that they needed a place that could help them take their food business to the next level,” said Jan Lysen, Senior Program Director for Catalyst Community Partners. Along with providing cooking space Lysen says the facility offers practical business classes for licensed and unlicensed professionals, helping cooks and chefs know more about the cooking industry. This includes how to market and sell their product and how to create business and finance plans to support their businesses. The vision of the Kindred Kitchen is to be recognized as a kitchen that provides an affordable high-quality environment for food entrepreneurs desiring to start up or grow their food businesses.

“I was looking for a kitchen to start my business and I saw it online so I called,” said Ade Aridi Russel creator of Aridi’s Catering of how she linked up with Catalyst. The Le Cordon Bleu graduate is happy to be able to use Kindred Kitchen because she can now showcase her African, Caribbean soul food.

Another Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Tamaria Sligh is also grateful for the opportunity she is receiving through Kindred Kitchen to showcase her food.

Showcasing her meatballs at Kindred Kitchen’s grand

Marnita Shroedl, Marnita’s Table

opening, the Augusta, Georgia native and creator of Taste of the South Catering is happy to have a kitchen where she can cook large quantities and is looking forward to catering parties.

Other caterers showcasing their culinary talents were Claire Redmond of Caked Up! who showcased her mini red velvet cupcakes , Nick Hall of Caribbean Kitchen who presented pulled pork sandwiches , Petrina Walter of Asase Yaa who showcased plantains, and Rose McGee of Deep Roots Gourmet Desserts who presented her famous sweet potato pie.

Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak said “the most basic value that we have is to be able to sit down with people that we care about and share food, that’s where community begins.

With these big open windows looking out on Broadway and having Broadway look back in, the community is going to come here and break bread and make real bread together and I’m talking about money. The city of Minneapolis stands rock solid behind this,” said Rybak and he hopes that by making sure that breaking bread becomes real bread, these windows will open up a whole new window of opportunity.

For further information on Kindred Kitchen or Catalyst Community Partners, visit www. kindredkitchen.org or www. catalystcommunitypartners. org . In the next year Kindred Kitchen plans to offer scholarships to their programs and is now accepting applications.

Ade Aridi Russel, Aridi’s Catering

Petrina Walter

Departing chair reviews Met council’s accomplishments

By Peter Bell Chair, Metropolitan Council As 2010 draws to a close, so does my tenure as chair of the Metropolitan Council after eight years in the job—the longest of any chair in Council history.

I leave the job more convinced than ever of the legitimacy of the Council and the valuable mission it performs—promoting orderly, economic growth in the seven-county metro area and ensuring the efficient delivery of vital regional services, such as transit and wastewater treatment.

I am also immensely proud of this Council’s accomplishments, especially during these difficult economic times. Our accomplishments have been especially visible in the area of transit. They include: Opening our first light-rail transit (LRT) line in the Hiawatha corridor and our first commuter

Champion From 2 that people that see things the way we see it are also equally fired up.

BC: We have to be sure our message is clear. From my vantage point Democrats ran away from the great work that had been done. When you run away from the great work that has been done, that sends the wrong message. It sends the message that you don’t even think it was great work.

So you leave us all totally exposed as opposed to making sure that your message clearly distinguishes between what you’ve done and what the other option is. And why it was important for you to do the work that you did and why it is important for us to stay at the table to make sure that we continue to make healthcare better, make it all better, not

rail line in the Northstar corridor.

Completing the first phase of bus rapid transit improvements in the I-35W and Cedar Avenue corridors.

Beginning construction of our second LRT line in the Central corridor.

Nearly doubling the number of park-and-ride spaces in the region and adding 100 miles to our nation’s leading network of bus shoulder lanes.

Most importantly, we’ve grown regional transit ridership from 73 million rides in 2003 to an estimated 92 million rides this year, improving mobility and easing traffic congestion for everyone.

In our wastewater system, we dramatically reduced air emissions from our Metro waste treatment plant, cut phosphorus discharges from our system by two thirds and partnered with cities to reduce the amount of clear water entering our system through infill and infiltration (I/I), conserving expensive get rid of it, right?

So I understand something being a legislator. I know that you can have a bill that comes in that can look different by the time it comes out the other end.

Because of what?

Negotiation.

Say there is a concern that people have. How do we make sure that we take us all along on this journey so we understand that the change that we seek, we are tending to it.

We must guide the change.

So even though President Barrack Obama went into the White House and has done great things, I think, we as Democrats have to make sure that we are equally fired up. I agree with you all Al. I agree about the fact that the Tea Partiers, have shown tenacity and commitment, no matter how dire it looked for them or how challenging it looked.

They stayed committed to their message.

Meanwhile, we Democrats failed to stay committed to our message, even though we have

Courtesy of Metropolitan Council

Peter Bell

sewer capacity to serve future growth.

To help guide the region’s growth, our Council completed a new 2030 Regional Development Framework and assisted communities in updating their local comprehensive plans— greatly reducing the amount of time required for this complex and important process. the better message.

That’s the thing that’s mattered to me. Why run away from having a better message?

Everything you want to do may not initially be popular, but the truth will stand and prevail.

But we have to be committed to that truth. We have to be committed to that mission. We have to be diligent in making sure that our message gets out there so that people understand that they’re making a clear choice.

IN: And so how does it look, Representative Champion, for the next general election two years out? Political pundits are saying on the one hand the death knell has already been sounded for the possibility of a second Obama presidency. I don’t see it at all that way, but what are you hearing? How do you propose progressives ought to analyze the experience and planfully move forward?

BC: Well, I think you said a couple of things that make

Over the last eight years, the Council also has provided more than $100 million in grants to help communities clean up contaminated land, expand the supply of affordable housing and leverage development that helps connect housing, jobs and services. In many cases, these grants have helped transform community eyesores into assets.

We’ve expanded our regional parks system, which now includes 55 parks and 231 miles of trails that encompass more than 55,000 acres of land.

These parks and trails not only provide abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, but also preserve vital natural areas for future generations.

We also gained legislative approval to create a Regional Parks Foundation to raise funds from private sources and accelerate the acquisition of the last, best open space while it is still available and affordable.

However, I am especially proud of our record of fiscal

prudence. Between 2003 and 2010, we increased the Council’s property tax levies by just 8.7 percent, while the levies of all other local governments in the region rose by an average of 54.7 percent.

We did this by reducing total staff while assuming new operating responsibilities for the Hiawatha and Northstar rail lines, investing in new technology to improve efficiency, refunding bonds at lower interest rates and moving into a newly renovated building that will save taxpayers $14 million over the life of the structure.

Transitions always are difficult. But I believe our agency is well positioned to continue providing efficient and effective regional services to the residents of the Seven-County Metropolitan Area.

sense to me. But first, the word of our “death” is highly over exaggerated, right?

But this has to be our call to action. Our call for us to recommit ourselves to our own mission, to our own message and to our own values. If we know nothing else, we know this is like a football game.

You don’t ever, ever give up.

You wait until the end of the game before saying this game is over. People can have some heroic comeback and they can re-assert themselves in ways that they haven’t been doing in the beginning part of the game. And so what that means for us is to make sure even in our minority status, which is not that far from the majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives, we are clear on our message.

We’ve got to be clear that we’re making sure that our people are aware what’s at stake. I don’t think we did a good job on making people aware of what is at stake, right?

And so when you start having

people early in the game, for lack better word, throwing up the white flag of surrender, that was unfortunate.

You never ever say you surrender anything. You get out there and you fight because you have something worth fighting for. So what does that mean? We have to continue to make sure our values are clear and that people are clear as to what our values are and that our values resonate with the people because our values do closely align with the people’s values.

We did need to do a better job of being very intentional and committed to making sure that our messages get out there and that we will work each one of them.

We must make sure that we have great candidates, make sure our message with the public is clear, make sure that we have the infrastructure and the energy that it takes to reelect President Barrack Obama and move our agenda forward.

Peter Bell is chair of the Metropolitan Council, the 17-member body appointed by the governor.

Page 4 • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

EDUCATION $1.2 million grant supports Indian education The Minneapolis Public School district was awarded one of nine demonstration grants for American Indian children by the United States Department of Education in the amount of $1.2 million over four years.

The grant will fund an individualized mentoring

program, College PREP (Personalized Resources and Education Pathways), which was established by the MPS Indian Education department and a consortium of American Indian community organizations.

The program will provide all American Indian ninth-grade

students from each MPS high school and alternative school with one-on-one academic mentoring support, including an individualized support plan, specific to each student. In total, approximately 105 students will be served. Mentors will provide referrals to culturally relevant

Idea

Griffin used her skills in computers skills to open doors in the architectural field. She initially secured a position in

the facilities department of Montgomery Ward, which, at the time, used cutting edge technology in architecture and design. This was the genesis of her passion for computers.

She then moved on to Perkins and Will with Andrew Heard and Associates.

However, after seven months of working there, she realized that she would be pigeon holed solely working with computer 3-D modeling and CAD drawing and feared that she would never get the on-hands architecture experience she so needed and desired. So she brought it up with her superior and asked that she be transferred to work “in the field” This brought her some of the onsite construction experience she wanted; working on-site during the construction of the International Terminal at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. She used her improved computer skills and field work to land a position at OWP/P (recently merged with Cannon Design) in their Corporate Interiors Group.

Having built up substantial experience both in building design and interiors, Griffin was recruited to Interactive Design to work on a major village hall and police station project. This was the break she had been waiting for.

She was groomed to take over the firm and in 1999 was made president. Griffin was also president of the Illinois Chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and now sits on the boards of both the Illinois and Chicago Chapters

From 2

For over 80 years, Hallie Q. Brown has been the Lighthouse of the Community...

...this is why we shine so bright.

The Hallie Q. Brown Early Learning Center is currently accepting applications for enrollment.

We are a licensed daycare and preschool program with a 4 Star Parent Aware rating. We feature licensed and trained staff, Project Early Kindergarten (PEK) curriculum and a sliding fee scale. We gladly accept Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Contact us today for a tour and more information.

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 N. Kent Street St. Paul, MN 55102 651-224-4601 www.hallieqbrown.org

education services and monitor student progress to keep them on track toward post-secondary enrollment and success.

“These grants are extremely competitive and we are honored that the Minneapolis Public School was selected as a recipient,” Danielle Grant,

Director of Indian Education at MPS, said. “We believe that the College PREP program will serve as an exciting opportunity which will inspire and increase the academic success of American Indian students in our district.”

MPS Indian Education will contract with four

www.artic.edu

Modern Wing at The Art Institute of Chicago of the American Institute of Architects and has recently been appointed a board member to the Leadership Advisory Committee for the Art Institute of Chicago. Since then, Griffin and her firm have worked on a multitude of projects including Farm in the Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo, the Wilmette Public Library, the Anti-Cruelty Society and, one of her favorites, St. Leo Apartments, a 14-unit apartment building for disabled residents. Griffin relishes in the gratification she gets through interacting and getting feedback from the residents who enjoy the finishing touches designed by IDEA to make these apartments their homes.

In fact, given the size and composition of the firm, all of these works are a source of pride to Griffin and her partners, firm co-founder Charles Young, Bob Larsen and Paul Steinbrecher. IDEA has received numerous awards and accolades for their designs, such as the 2003 Distinguished Building Award for Farm in the Zoo by the American Institute of Architects, two Chicago Landmark Awards for Preservation Excellence by the City of Chicago for the 2004 Washington Block Façade Restoration, 2008 Carlson Cottage Renovation at Lincoln Park Zoo, and the 2005 Excellence in Masonry Design Award for St. Peter Claver Courts Apartments.

They received many more for the crown jewel—the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago including the 2010 Merit Award for New Construction by the Chicago Building Congress, the Friends of Downtown 2010 Best New Cultural Space Award; and the Midwest Construction Best of 2009 Awards for Outstanding Architectural Function and

Aesthetic and Project of the Year in the area of Cultural.

When the Modern Wing subject is broached, Griffin’s eyes light up in delight. When the firm was approached by long-standing client, The Art Institute, to become the Architect of Record to implement the design for the new 264,000 square foot Modern Wing by Renzo Piano, Griffin knew that this was a golden opportunity for her firm.

And, while IDEA was credited as Architect of Record, the team, headed by Charles Young and Bob Larsen, actually worked side by side with both the Art Institute and Renzo Piano’s Building Workshop (RPBW). Over the course of the 10-year project, the core team, including Griffin, flew to Paris and Genoa multiple times per year to confer with RPBW. In addition managing the project website, she was very involved in the selection of the furniture, fixtures and equipment—the final touches that help shape the visitor’s experience in the museum. “It was such an honor to work with Renzo Piano Building Workshop and the Art Institute on The Modern Wing as it was truly a collaborative project.

Most Architects of Record do not have the opportunity to have much input on the overall project design, so our firm was able to have an impact on the finished product. It was very gratifying to be a part of a project that has garnered national and international recognition and to work with someone as acclaimed as Renzo Piano. I found him inspirational and personable, as he was the embodiment of someone who stays true to their craft.” Griffin’s source of pride from that project is seeing IDEA’s name as Architect of Record etched into

lead agencies—MIGIZI Communications, Division of Indian Work, Little Earth and Minneapolis American Indian Center—to provide mentoring services to a cohort of students from January 2011 through their high school graduation in 2014.

the cornerstone of the Modern Wing alongside that of Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

Despite the successes that she has experienced, Griffin is keenly aware of the gender and racial voids in her field.

Says Griffin, “I would like to see more minorities, and specifically, more minority women in the field of architecture.

When giving lectures to students in minority institutions, I educate and encourage them to consider architecture as a profession— many do not know it is even a field of study.” Additionally, her passion for technology remains unabated. When few firms were utilizing websites as a method of communication between disparate parties, Griffin and IDEA hosted and administered the Art Institute’s Modern Wing project site to ensure the project’s confidentiality and integrity were maintained, and that the flow of information was instantaneous—an important aspect considering that the design team was located in three countries.

This also proved an ingenious cost cutting move that saved the Art Institute hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Griffin and her partners look forward to expansive new projects that take the firm nationally and internationally.

Currently, the firm is working on projects for the University of Chicago, the Chicago Public Library, the Public Building Commission of Chicago and the Anti-Cruelty Society.

The firm also holds a term contract for General Services Administration Region 5 enabling them to respond to projects in a six-state area, specifically, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. “When our firm logo was created, the “E” in the acronym for our name and brand, IDEA, stood for Interactive Design │Eight Architects. The word IDEA speaks volumes about who we are--we have creative and inspired IDEAS. Since that time, our staff has grown and we’ve taken on a multitude of projects that have tested and expanded our wealth of talent.

So the “E” has now evolved into engaging, edgy, environments, enthused and exciting—words that reflect who are as firm and the type of projects that we like to undertake. We bring IDEAS together.”

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Penumbra Theatre’s James Craven honored

Ten Chimneys Foundation

James Craven, Penumbra Theatre Company 2011 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow

Dayton From 1 Legislature. Dayton promised to raise taxes on the rich ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share of the cost of improving the quality of life for Minnesota residents.

Republicans are vowing to resist any efforts to increase taxes.

The state’s unemployment rate is over seven percent making that a priority issue for the new administration.

“That’s my priority, finding a way to help improve the Minnesota economy to the maximum extent possible,” Dayton said Wednesday. “I have my ideas, the legislators have their ideas. I think it’s key we start from the very beginning and work together starting in January,” Dayton said.

State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion, 58B, was among many community and political leaders who expressed relief that the Governor’s contest is finally settled. “I am glad we now have an end to the recount and pleased that Mark Dayton has emerged as the next Governor of Minnesota,” Champion said Thursday. “This presents an interesting opportunity for all Minnesotans, and particularly for communities of color.

Dayton has promised to work to improve quality of life for all Minnesotans and I am looking to see that happen for our community. I believe we contributed to the margin of victory that allows him now be called Governor-Elect.”

Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter said, “Governor-Elect Dayton has earned the right to lead during a challenging time. Resolving the state’s $6.2 billion dollar deficit, maintaining services

and aids for vulnerable children and adults, and investing smartly to create jobs and rebuild our economy will strongly compete as key priorities. While residential and business taxpayers are crunched by an economy that has caused unprecedented loss, finding resources to support these priorities will require creativity and resolve.

“Especially for such a time as this, it is helpful to have a Governor who has iterated a value for inclusive processes and results. Communities of color in particular need heightened access to drive toward equity in education, employment, health and housing. As our new governor builds his team and policy agenda over the coming months and throughout the years, all in our communities -including workers, low income people and people of color -have reason to expect strong evidence of this value,” Carter said.

Dr. Bruce Corrie, organizer of the ALANA (AfricanAfrican American, Latino, Asian, Native American) One Minnesota voter mobilization initiative, offered congratulations to GovernorElect Dayton. “We were impressed that during your campaign you agreed with us that Minnesota needs to look at our ALANA communities as assets and that you would appoint people from our communities to be among your top cabinet members in areas such as the department of administration, transportation or DEED and that you would integrate our issues into your policy and implementation plans. We are excited about this opportunity to work with you to create a new Minnesota that is a world class global competitor,” Corrie said in a note to Dayton.

Former chair of DFL Senate

Twin cities actor James Craven has been selected as a 2011 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow.

Nominated by Penumbra Theatre Company, Craven is one of only ten actors in the entire country who will participate in the 2011 LuntFontanne Fellowship Program, a widely acclaimed national program to serve the future of American theatre. Next summer (July 24-31, 2011), Craven and the other selected Lunt-Fontanne Fellows will join Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis for an intensive weeklong master class and immersion experience at Ten Chimneys, the National Historic Landmark estate of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin (just outside of

Milwaukee).

This will be the third year of the groundbreaking LuntFontanne Fellowship program.

During the first two years, the top regional theatre actors in the U.S. spent the artistic portion of their Ten Chimneys immersion delving into Shakespeare—with the late actress Lynn Redgrave in 2009, and renowned Shakespearean Barry Edelstein in 2010. In 2011, the ten selected LuntFontanne Fellows will explore Chekhov, led by revered actress and Chekhov expert, Olympia Dukakis.

Olympia Dukakis, 2011 Master Teacher states, “I am proud to be a part of this program, which is so important to the future of American theatre, and am eager to work with the selected 2011

Lunt-Fontanne Fellows. With Chekhov, our hearts will open with compassion and reverence for life in all its contradictions.”

“Jim Craven is a true leader at Penumbra Theatre. His acting is trained, mature and secure, yet still responsive to the cultural shadows that shaped him as an AfricanAmerican male in his youth.

No small feat, since many finishing schools seem to have the effect of sweeping out cultural difference while training actors for the classics.

When Jim is on stage with younger actors the experience turns out to be a ‘master class’ for the aspiring ensemble” says Lou Bellamy, Artistic Director, Penumbra Theatre Company.

In addition to the honor of being selected as a Lunt-

Fontanne Fellow, and the inherent value and benefits of the master class and immersion experience, Craven will be awarded a $2,500 cash fellowship in recognition of his exceptional contribution to his community and to the overall quality of American theatre. According to Sean Malone, President of Ten Chimneys Foundation, “The Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program celebrates the top actors in America’s top theatre communities, widely respected for their talent, dedication to craft, and passionate pursuit of excellence, the qualities for which Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were so revered. This program celebrates people like James Craven—the best of the best, our communities’ theatre mentors.”

Bobby Joe Champion

Toni Carter

Bruce Corrie

Natonia Johnson

District 58, Natonia Johnson said, “Mark Dayton ran a very competitive yet respectful campaign from the very beginning and the end result of his efforts is that he won. He clearly had a significant lead over Emmer after ballots were counted during the General Elections. Like many voters, I wasn’t clear as for the need of a recount. Dayton was in the lead with over 8,700 votes.

What’s to recount?”

“According to MN law, if the margin between the two top candidates falls within one-half of one percent, an automatic hand recount is required by state law. The margin between Dayton and Emmer was less than 1/2 of one percent. Emmer could have waived his option for an automatic hand recount and saved MN taxpayers thousands of dollars, but he didn’t,” she said.

“This is ironic considering during Emmer’s campaign he was quick to harp on issues like: the elimination of wasteful government spending; and put the people first not government bureaucracies and elected officials. Well it’s clear where his priorities were. Dayton has proved from the beginning that he is about building a better Minnesota. I believe it is time for all of us to do what we can to help Dayton achieve this goal,” said Johnson.

Page 6 • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

HEALTH

Depression: More than “just the blues”

By Melody Mendiola, MD Clinical depression can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, age, creed or income.

Every year more than 19 million Americans suffer from some type of depressive illness. According to a Surgeon General’s report, African Americans are over-represented in populations that are particularly at risk for mental illness. Consider the following: African Americans are 30 percent more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Non-Hispanic Whites.

Non-Hispanic Whites are more than twice as likely to receive antidepressant prescription treatments as are Non-Hispanic Blacks.

Depression robs people of the enjoyment found in daily life and can even lead to suicide.

The truth is that depression is not a normal part of life for any African American, regardless of age or life situation.

Unfortunately, depression has often been misdiagnosed in the African American community.

However, help is available.

What is clinical depression?

Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Doctors use the term “clinical depression” to describe the more severe, persistent form of depression also known as “major depression” or “major depressive disorder.”

may refer you to a mental health specialist.

Mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, pastoral counselors and social workers. With a wide variety of safe and effective medication choices, depression can often be managed in the primary care setting.

How do I know if I or someone else is clinically depressed?

Signs and symptoms of clinical depression may include loss of interest in daily activities, persistent sadness or feeling of emptiness, sleep disturbances, significant weight loss or gain, loss of concentration, fatigue, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Depression may or may not present as overwhelming sadness. Sometimes it can make you feel numb, unable to fully engage in the normal ups and downs of everyday life.

How is depression treated?

Clinical depression is a treatable illness: The good news is that, like other illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes, clinical depression is treatable with the help of a health care professional.

In fact, over 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully. People may feel that they just need to “pull themselves out of it”, or that “things will get better”. But the truth is that major depression is a true medical illness, with a biochemical cause. Once diagnosed, a person with depression can be treated with a number of methods. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.

What should I do if I think someone is clinically depressed?

The first step is to talk to your doctor, who may recommend a physical checkup to find out if there is any underlying physical cause for the depressive symptoms. If clinical depression is diagnosed, then your provider

What is “post partum depression”?

During the first year after childbirth, women are at high risk for developing symptoms of

depression. This is because of the significant hormonal changes, as well sleep deprivation, and the stress of caring for an infant.

Sometimes called the “baby blues”, post partum depression is related to major depression, and responds to the same medical therapies. It is important to be aware of this high risk time, and to be screened during the first year after childbirth.

Why are mental health illnesses or conditions more prevalent among the African American community?

Cultural background, where some have suggested that depression is a sign of weakness or is a matter between the person and God, has played into myths surrounding depression among African Americans.

Often, African Americans do not feel comfortable seeking help for depression because they have been taught that depression is not a “real” illness.

In addition, research shows that poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are four times more likely to report psychological distress.

Health reform seminars target artists, entertainers The Actors Fund’s Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC) will offer two free health care seminars, hosted by Springboard for The Arts, to Minneapolis/St. Paul area visual and performing artists, arts administrators and entertainment professionals on Thursday, December 16, 5:30 - 8 pm and Saturday, December 18, 1–3:30 pm. The seminars will be held at

Doctor Sam, 1300 Quincy Street NE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

AHIRC promotes full access to quality, affordable health care and health care coverage for artists and entertainers. The information is comprehensive and unbiased, with no commercial or political sponsors.

The seminars will address how our nation’s artists can

benefit from recent health care reform and cover topics including: • Understanding health care reform • Applying for government programs • Finding affordable health insurance and health care • Getting insured despite a preexisting condition Lowering the cost of medications • The seminars will be followed by

a Q&A, individual consultations and a free flu shot clinic for artists, arts administrators and their families. Two free booklets will be available: “How to Get Affordable Health Care in Minneapolis/St. Paul” and “Every Artist Insured: Understanding Health Care Reform.” Both booklets are available at ahirc.org.

To register visit www. springboardforthearts.org or email nikki@springboardforthearts.org.

You must register to attend the seminar and receive a free flu shot.

What can I do for myself or for others with mental health issues?

Hennepin County Medical Center offers comprehensive mental health services. Acute Psychiatric Service is available 24 hours a day for urgent help with mental health problems.

Patients are seen on a first come, first served basis. No appointment is necessary. It is located at HCMC, near the Emergency Room. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from depression, you should talk with your primary care provider. That person can

screen you for depression, talk to you about your symptoms, and prescribe treatment options, and offer referral to mental health resources if needed.

Melody Mendiola, MD, is a board-certified general internal medicine doctor and medical director of the Brooklyn Center Clinic, a clinic of Hennepin County Medical Center, located in Brooklyn Center, MN. Dr. Mendiola is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call (612) 873-8800.

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Page 7

COMMENTARY Twenty years of beating the odds Child Watch

By Marian Wright Edelman NNPA Columnist How does a child endure unspeakable hardship and still manage to succeed? What does it mean to save rather than give up on a child? When you read the stories of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)’s Beat the Odds® award recipients, you’ll find the answers. Too often we hear about teens getting into trouble, dropping out of school, getting involved with drugs, crime, and gangs, or becoming parents too soon. Yet thousands of children overcome tremendous obstacles like these and poverty, homelessness, hunger, abuse and neglect by adults, parental incarceration, and more every day. Each year, CDF takes time to honor some of these inspiring high school students through our Beat the Odds scholarship program. We provide them with scholarships up to $10,000, a laptop computer, and, most importantly, recognition

of what they’re doing: beating the odds.

Twenty years ago, the first Children’s Defense Fund Beat the Odds awards event was held in Los Angeles. Today, we celebrate resilient young people in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C. More than 600 young people who have persevered despite family breakdown, homelessness, parental incarceration, drug and alcohol addiction, neglect and abuse have been honored and been able to go on to college and become productive citizens. Some of them are now doctors, lawyers, teachers, Peace Corps volunteers, and responsible parents. They are living proof that no one should ever give up on a child.

Young people are being honored in Los Angeles and New York this month, and a few weeks ago we honored five more extraordinary Beat the Odds recipients in Washington, D.C. Chelsea Kraatz didn’t have any formal schooling until the 11th grade. Her mother homeschooled Chelsea and her two siblings, but by the time Chelsea was in fifth grade, she had stopped teaching her. After she divorced Chelsea’s alcoholic father, who had been sexually abusing Chelsea for

years, her mother suffered from depression and was unable to pay the bills or provide food and other essentials for the family. During the day she would often leave Chelsea and her siblings alone, where Chelsea struggled to try to teach herself. Today, living in her aunt and uncle’s stable and loving

enthusiastic student who excels in school, especially her science and math classes. She has a 3.9 grade point average, is taking nearly all Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and plans to study engineering in college. Her eye is on MIT. Nick Mugge’s life changed

“... thousands of children overcome tremendous obstacles like these and poverty, homelessness, hunger, abuse and neglect by adults, parental incarceration, and more every day” home and finally attending school, Chelsea has caught up with her peers and has a 3.5 grade point average.

Arianna McQuillen was raised in poverty by a single mother who suffered from depression and attempted suicide when Arianna was in sixth grade. Arianna was eventually removed from her home and placed in an alternative residential program where she received treatment and academic support.

She is now living in a foster home, and though she was once bullied by other children for being bi-racial and poor, she is now an energetic,

completely the day in ninth grade when he found his mother unconscious and unresponsive on her bedroom floor—the victim of a catastrophic ruptured brain aneurism and stroke that left her completely incapacitated. Today, Nick’s mom can speak, but she cannot feed herself, walk, or even move from her bed to her wheelchair. While his father is working two jobs to provide for the family and the medical bills, Nick is responsible for many of his mother’s daily caregiving needs. But, he remains in the top 10 percent of his class, with many volunteer and extracurricular

activities, and has learned important lessons: “I will always know how to handle any situation, no matter how horrifying or scary.”

During one of the many moves Asia Smith made with her mother, they lived in her grandfather’s condemned home, which had no electricity or bathroom. Even under those conditions, living with her grandfather, who was a father figure to her, was still better than the home they later shared with a family friend where Asia was physically, emotionally, and sexually abused. When Asia was 11, family tragedy struck: her mother was convicted of murdering her grandfather. Asia’s mother is now serving a 30–year prison term, but Asia has finally found a safe, stable home with a friend’s family. Today she is an active and hardworking high school senior taking honors classes and an advocate for other teenagers in the foster care system.

I’eisha Williams is a survivor of family violence and homelessness, and when she graduates in May, she will be the first person in her family to finish high school and go on to college. As a young child I’eisha often lived in fear of her father, who she once saw attempting to strangle her mother with a phone

cord. Soon after that, he was sent to prison, leaving I’eisha’s mother to care for five children on her own. The family was often uprooted, living in hotels and emergency shelters, but with her mother’s encouragement I’eisha sought out work and tutoring opportunities that have helped her succeed in school and brought her closer to fulfilling her dream— becoming a pediatric nurse.

These are the kinds of inspiring and resilient young people and future leaders the Children’s Defense Fund has been honoring for the last 20 years. I hope sharing their stories will encourage other community leaders and citizens to help celebrate more youths like them. To learn more about the Beat the Odds scholarship program, visit http://www. childrensdefense.org/beattheodds.

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www. childrensdefense.org.

Justice and compensation for farmers To Be Equal

By Judge Greg Mathis After decades of struggle, it appears that Black and Native American farmers will finally receive compensation—in the

form of nearly $4.6 billion— from the federal government for injustices carried out against them.

In 1997, 400 black farmers joined in a class action lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture, alleging they were unfairly denied governmental loans and other support. The farmers ultimately won their lawsuit. But, more than $1 billion of that settlement was never paid out—$1.2 billion of the $4.6 approved by Congress will finish paying off that debt.

Native American farmers have waited just as long for financial justice. In 1996, a group of Native American farmers sued both the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Department of the Treasury. In their suit, they alleged the government cheated approximately 300,000 Native Americans out of the royalties owed to them from leases on tribal land, used to harvest oil and other resources, dating back to 1887. The settlement approved

by Congress provides $3.4 billion

to the farmers: $1.4 billion will go directly to them, the government will use $2 billion to repurchase Indian land and another $60 million will be used to fund scholarships for Native American students.

Though there were dissenters, the settlement received support from both Democrats and Republicans, and rightly so. This country has a long and storied history of social and economic discrimination against both African Americans and Native Americans.

No amount of money can begin to repay the psychological debts caused by social injustices. But, this settlement will help repair the financial damage that economic injustice causes.

Like most things, this fight for justice took some time to win. Let’s hope—as President Obama does—that the settlement will be used as a basis to resolve similar suits.

Judge Greg Mathis became the youngest judge in Michigan’s

history and was elected a Superior Court Judge for Michigan’s 36th District. He has been called upon as a regular contributor to national television programs, including “Larry King Live,” “Politically Incorrect,” CNN’s “Talk Back Live,” “Showbiz Tonight” and “Extra” to discuss his opinions on complex issues of the day, such as national security, unique sentencing, affirmative action and celebrity scandals. He also offers his take on high-profile legal cases.

Page 8 • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

LIFESTYLE Holiday regifting: Do’s and Don’ts Style on a Dime

By Marcia Humphrey marcia@insightnews.com Did I ever tell you about my favorite Aunt Annie? Many years ago, an older man started calling and coming around to see her. They began what my aunt would call, a friendship, and, what the man would call, a courtship. Before long, he had managed to upgrade his status in her eyes; he was her boyfriend (sort of).

Christmas rolled around and the suitor presented my aunt with a, let’s just say, very, very modest engagement ring.

I couldn’t tell if my aunt was more put off by the size of the ring or by the fact that she was in no way ready to commit to him in marriage. I happened to be visiting that year and when I examined the still-boxed ring, I noticed that the inside was engraved, but not with my aunt’s name! She was horrified when I showed her that she had been the victim of a serious crime; regifting-the practice of attempting to pass off a used gift as new or giving a gift to someone that you originally received as a gift, but didn’t want. (Needless to say, my aunt did not marry him and the relationship went quickly

downhill from there-much to my relief and hers too, I think.)

Most people have strong opinions about regifting; either you love it or hate it. If you are a regular reader, you probably know that I have no problem with it. However, as with everything, there are certain rules of etiquette that should be observed. If this season’s gift-giving includes a little regifting, make sure you follow a few simple rules that will save you from potential embarrassment.

Be Sure the Gift is Appropriate—Don’t give your 75-year-old grandmother those awful toe-socks that you got from the office party giftexchange. Save them for your teenage niece or cousin. Also, never, ever give-take regifted lingerie to coworkers. That choice could land you in the unemployment office.

Give Only Brand New, Unused Gifts—The exception would be antique or collector’s items, of course.

It’s not okay, however, to regift a fivepiece cologne gift set with half of the shower gel missingtacky. In addition, be certain to remove any dust that may have accumulated on the item during its time in the regifting section of the closet.

Unwrap and Then Rewrap— Instead of leaving the gift in the original wrapping paper (it still may have the gift tag attached that has your name

on it), rewrap it in different paper, or simply use a new gift bag and stuff it with fresh tissue paper. In addition, while you have the item unwrapped, examine it to be sure it’s still in good shape, with no broken or missing pieces.

With clothing, jewelry and photo frames, double-check and be certain that they contain no monograms or engravings.

Gift cards Do Expire—If you have a gift card that you lost last Christmas (before you had a chance to use it) and just found this Christmas, don’t be quick to regift it. While the face value on that Visa Gift Card may say $25, there may only be $2.50 left on it now. I discovered this lesson the hard way. Some gift cards charge monthly service fees on remaining balances, which is

deducted from the card’s value.

Before giving, call to check the balance.

In an age when most of us have too much stuff, regifting can be a great solution at Christmas and at anytime. In fact, in January, my girlfriend and I plan to have a Regifting/ Swap Party. Each person will bring about five new, unwanted items from home (Christmas gifts or otherwise) and “shop” the items brought by the other

women. That’s what I call a “green” way to shop that saves lots of green ($)—Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, and Regift.

Enjoy!

Marcia Humphrey is an interior decorator and home stager who specializes in achieving high style at low costs. A native of Michigan, she and her husband, Lonnie, have three children.

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Page 9

How colored colony came to Fergus Falls

By Sylvia Loveless Amos I had to share with you the article and a little bit about our weekend reunion in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

It was powerful.

There were 90 descendants of 8 families that came to Fergus Falls around 1897. In 1897 there were 85 Blacks that came to Fergus Falls. The 90 represented several generations – from babies to Dorothy Parsons who is 91 years old and was born and raised in Fergus.

The presentation at the Historical Society that Friday was informational, interesting and enlightening.

Many people were able to recognize for the Historical Society people in the pictures as well as correct some of the information they had. We searched articles and the archives and found a lot of information we did not know.

For the reception that evening we invited white residents who may have known some of the Black families and any current Black residents living in Fergus.

When we returned from the Historical Society, the lobby was full of mostly old white folks – most were there to see my Dad (who at the last minute did not go) and others to see the Tate family who were the last to leave Fergus.

Three Blacks came, one who had been living there for 3-4 months who worked for African American Family Services in Minneapolis and was relocated to Fergus.

Another Black female who was married to a white farmer and lived there for 5 years and another female who had been living there for 2 years.

The news media was there, and it was highlighted on the 10 o-clock news. The visit to the cemetery was just as powerful.

Generally speaking, most of us were interconnected by one side of the family or the other.

We had a follow-up at the Minneapolis Urban League in October where the Fergus Falls Historical Society representative, Missy Hammes did the PowerPoint p re s e n t a t i o n again for many who were unable to attend the trip to Fergus. Also, the oldest Black born in Fergus that attended the gathering in Fergus Falls passed on November 24. Her name was Dorothy Parson, she was 91 years old. Her parents were John Wills Smith and Ida Mae Tate, both originally from Campbellsville, Kentucky which was where 98% of the Blacks that came to Fergus in the late 1890’s, early 1900 came from.

Following is an article that appeared in the Fergus Falls Journal in 1933.

Photos courtesy Sylvia Loveless Amos

Descendants of the Black pioneers gathered recently in Fergus Falls

How Colored Colony Came to Fergus Falls Literature Distributed at GAR Encampment brought Colony from Kentucky Article Written by Elmer E. Adams Years Ago Gives

Interesting Bit of History.

(Editors Note – 1933) Fergus Falls had quite a large colony of colored people in years gone by and there are still a few of them here, but not many. On April 7, 1898, the Journal files show that a colony of 85 Negroes, 60 men and boys and 25 women and girls arrived in this city and proposed to engage in farming. Later most of them went elsewhere.

Years later, the following article from the pen of Elmer E. Adams, sketched the history of the “colony” and told how it arrived together with other interesting data. The article was as follows:

(Written by Elmer E. Adams) There has been a great deal of controversy as to how, when and why the colored people came to Fergus Falls and the holding of the Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in St. Paul has revived quite a good many facts in connection with the colonization of the colored people here.

Prince Honeycutt was camp boy for Captain James Compton when he was in the Civil War and when Captain Compton returned to his home after the war was over Prince insisted on coming home with him. He was a slight youth with badly crossed eyes and was not a very prepossessing looking darky but he had a fine disposition

and everybody always liked Prince during his long residence in Fergus Falls. He learned to be a barber and operated a shop here for a great many years. If any stray colored persons came to town he was always parked with Prince who lived across the slough in the second ward. He married a white woman and after she died he married a colored woman and his children taught school here in Otter Tail County.

The second colored man to reside here was Colonel Joe Robinson, a large, portly colored man with a mustache and a distinguished looking goatee. He was a porter and runner for the different hotels in the days when hotels used to have solicitors at

the station calling out “free bus to Bell’s hotel” or “free bus to Grand Hotel”. Why he was called colonel was never known except that in those days everybody who had anything to do with a hotel was called “Colonel” and he was known as Colonel Joe to the traveling public of those days.

He was married to a white woman and for a great many years lived in a house on the river bank near the present creamery building but what became of him is not known. He is undoubtedly dead as he would have been more than a hundred years old if still living.

The great influx of colored people occurred thirty-six years ago on the sixth of April when a carload arrived from Kentucky.

The Grand Army of the Republic held its Encampment at St. Paul the previous year and it was attended

by Civil War Veterans from every state in the Union. It was looked upon as a great time to advertise the interests of the state and the Fergus Falls Commercial Club had a supply of literature scattered though the various hotels for the people to look at in case they were interested. In Kentucky there were a lot of colored people in the Union Army and a delegation from Kentucky came to attend the Grand Army Encampment at St. Paul. At that time the whole northwest was looking for settlers and Chris Johnson and C. J. Wright, who were engaged in the real estate business and in locating settlers and prospectors, went to St. Paul to distribute the literature and meet the people. The colored visitors from Kentucky carried away some of this literature and the addresses of Messrs. Wright and Johnson.

This literature made such a favorable impression on the minds of the visitors that the colored people in a certain vicinity of Kentucky raised some money and sent four delegates to Minnesota to look up the situation and make a report. According to Thomas Anderson, who came with the colony in 1897 two of the delegates who were sent never went any farther than St. Paul while two came on to Fergus Falls but I think they did not do anything more than to stay with Prince Honeycutt while here.

CAME IN 1897

FERGUS TURN TO 12

Page 10 • December 13, 2010 - December 19, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

Ethiopians celebrate Holy Days

David Sterling

Meon Ayele plays the kebero liturgical drum, a style of worship which dates to Saint Yared who lived in Aksum in the 6th century.

The Saint Yared angelic inspired hymns have changed little since that time.

Calendar Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews.com, by fax: 612588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.

Events

Kwanzaa Celebration - Dec 14 — Come and watch our children teach you about Kwanzaa. Tue., Dec

PHONE: 612.588.1313 14 6pm at Zion Baptist Church in the basement, 621 Elwood Ave. N. Potluck of Ideas - Dec 14 — What do you bring to the table when it comes to your feelings about the state of America? Share your food for thought: bring a potluck item inspired by this question! Film Screening: Sekou Sundiata’s 51st Dream State. Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S. Mpls. $5 With Potluck Item / $10 Without. Get Your Seats Today! Call 612.871.4444.

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Substitute Teacher DEPT: Early Learning Center SUPERVISED BY: Youth Program Manager TITLES SUPERVISED: N/A FLSA: Non-Exempt SALARY GRADE: $10-13/hour POSITION SUMMARY: This is a substitute position designed to fill in as needed on a short or long term basis for permanent teaching staff. Substitute Teacher participates in long and short range activities for students in accordance with curriculum objectives and engages students in developmentally appropriate activities. Assists with ensuring that the classroom is appropriately staffed and maintained to provide a safe and secure environment for each child.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Works with teaching staff to implement program curriculum and coordinate students activities.

2.

Plans and supervises the arrangement of the classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy.

3. Maintains a safe and healthy environment, including safely managing developmental activities for the participants.

4. Keeps all appropriate records such as records, attendance, time sheets and accident reports.

5.

Maintains open communication with parents/guardians of the program participants regarding the developmental needs of the participants.

QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Associates degree or equivalent in early childhood development. B.S. in Early childhood Development preferred.

Licensing and Certifications: CPR and Meet all applicable licensing regulations. Valid Driver’s License and proof of insurance. Minnesota Teachers’ License (preferred).

Work Experience: 5 years of Child Care Center or related experience required.

Other Requirements: • Dealing with confidential information.

• Tight deadlines.

• Dealing with unfavorable weather conditions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively with employees, colleagues and manager.

• Agree to mandated child abuse reporting guidelines.

• Ability to relate to children from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and references to: Hallie Q. Brown Community Center ATTN: Human Resources 270 N. Kent Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 651-224-7074-Fax hr@hallieqbrown.org

DEWEY PLACE APARTMENTS & THE PINES TOWNHOMES

Now accepting applications for our Section 8 waiting list. Please call: (320) 968-7791 or email us at deweyplace@metesbounds.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Program Assistant II The City of Brooklyn Park is seeking applicants for a part-time Program Assistant II to provide administrative and clerical support to the Director and Assistant Director of Finance and to administer the administrative enforcement hearing process. Schedule: 25-30 hours/week; $18.45/hour. City and supplemental application forms and job posting with additional information and required qualifications available on city web site or address below. Closing date: 5 p.m., Monday, December 20, 2010.

City of Brooklyn Park 5200 85th Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 763-424-8000 Fax: 763-493-8391 www.brooklynpark.org Equal Opportunity Employer

Assumed Name 1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: Uchefotography 2. State the address of the principal place of business: 4633 33rd Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55406 3. List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address. Attach additional sheet(s) if necessary: Mary Lou Middleton, 4633 33rd Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55406 4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statues section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Signed by: Mary Lou Middleton Date Filed: 11/14/2010 Insight News 12/6/2010, 12/13/2010

Choir members from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Our Savior in Minneapolis sang their traditional praises in Amharic, the Ethiopian national language, and in Ge’ez, the Ethiopian Orthodox church language, at the Mall of America for the 18th Annual Holy Days and Holidays of Thanksgiving Around the World on Sunday, November 21st.

Some fifteen other groups shared their sacred arts during this two day event of “Spirituality and the Visual & Performing Arts” in the Sears Court at the Mall. One audience member said she was moved to the thrill of joyful tears by the chanting and drumming in spite of not knowing the Ethiopian words being sung adding that it was obvious that all of these choir members believed and truly felt

FAX: 612.588.2031 Afro-Universal II - Dec 16 — The ADC Art Gallery showcases contemporary art inspired by vivacious cultures of artists from the global African Diaspora. Join us Thur. Dec. 16 6-9pm at the African Development Center 1931 S. 5th St. Mpls. for a vibrant evening filled with fine art, live-music, and refreshments from the Afro Deli.

Co-op Movie Night - Malls R Us - Dec 16 — This provocative documentary seriously argues that malls serve similar functions today that cathedrals, temples, parliaments and town squares did in earlier times.

Then the film slowly works its way around to the possibility that they may be a plague upon the Earth.

Ironic, sobering and visually stunning, this surprising documentary offers a trip to the mall like no other.

Thur., Dec. 16 7-9pm at Eastside Food Co-op, 2551 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis. FREE + Popcorn and Beverages.

Holiday Fair - Dec 18 — Make a Mosaic: Experience the art of mosaic during a “hands on” demonstration

Focus group study ARE YOU CURRENTLY RECEIVING FOOD STAMPS? We want your opinion! We are conducting a focus group study and are looking for SNAP participants. If you are at least 18 years old, have a child living with you, and are receiving food stamps (SNAP benefits), you may be eligible to be in a study on how food stamps can improve people’s diets.

Each participant will receive a $30 gift card. Fore more information, call Dana at (612) 625-6734. Be sure to mention you are calling about the SNAP study. Affiliated with the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

the meanings of their praises and thanksgiving.

A choir member commented that after all the help from American citizens and social organizations in bringing them to America and finding them homes, jobs and schooling they were now in some small way able to say thank you and give back in return with this invitation to sing in a public place for an audience other than their own Ethiopian community.

Numerous expressions of heartfelt gratitude were exchanged between the audience members and choir members. It was a true Love Feast. For a list of the other sacred arts groups at this event go to: www.meaningstore. org which is the web site of the sponsoring organization, the Mall Area Religious council.

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com (ages 11-adult: $10; 10 and younger: $6 to cover supplies) and take your artwork home with you! Rachel Rodenborg will also have some of her original artwork featuring recycled and repurposed glass, china, and art objects that will be available for purchase. Gift Basket Station: Purchase the raffia, ribbon and basket - large or small $4 and shop at the co-op for goodies to make your own unique gift for friends and family. For more information, please visit www.seriouslywhimsical. com & www.eastsidefood.coop Sat., Dec. 18 1-4pm at Eastside Food Co-op, 2551 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis.

Arise! Bookstore Hosts Festive Holiday Sale - Dec 19&20 — Holiday sale and fundraiser for Arise!

Bookstore. Sat., Dec. 19 and Sun., Dec. 20, 11am–9pm; baked goods go on sale at 11am and music starts at 5pm on the 19th @ 2441 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405.

Readings by Writers - Holiday Reading - Dec 21 — The Carol Connolly Readings by Writers series celebrates the rich diversity of emerging and established writers and poets in the Twin Cities literary community.

Readers will be: Mary Moore Easter, Margaret Hasse, William Jack, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Tim Nolan, and Gret Watson. Readings last one hour. The writers will have books to sell and sign. Tue. Dec. 21 7:30pm @ University Club. 420 Summit Ave. St. Paul. FREE. Queer Voices - Dec 21 — For more than 9 years, Intermedia Arts’ Queer Voices reading series has been creating a safe space for GLBT writers and audiences to explore the day-to-day material of life without internal or external censorship. Curated by John Medeiros and Andrea Jenkins, Queer Voices is the longest running series of its kind in the nation. Tue., December 21 7pm at Intermedia Arts 2822 Lyndale Ave. S. Mpls.

Suggested donation: $5.

insightnews.com

Insight News • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Page 11

Gospel artist launches project Bridgewater From 1 to aid homeless women Contemporary gospel artist Tonia Hughes closed out a year of performances on a different note – serving the homeless.

She has launched Adopt-aHome, an effort to rally the collective resources of the community together to furnish a new home for Pressing Toward the Mark, Inc. The nonprofit organization provides shelter and transitional housing to women across the Twin Cities who are homeless due to unemployment, chemical abuse, mental illness, domestic violence and exiting the criminal justice system.

Hughes’ team is collecting new or used furniture, as well as appliances, kitchen, bath, bedding and other household items. In addition, supporters are welcome to make a secure financial contribution by visiting www.

pressingtowardthemarkinc. com.

More than 2,800 women were homeless in Minnesota in 2009. She says that the work of the organization’s founder Jannette Nash is what caused her to do this event. “Her organization’s commitment to reducing homelessness by building self-esteem and self-resiliency in single adult women is amazing. I just want to help her provide a nice space to give women a system of support so that they can rebuild their lives and maintain emotional, financial, and mental stability,” said Hughes.

For a complete a list of urgently needed items for our Adopt-A-Home initiative, go to www.toniahughes.com or call (612) 695-5612.

celebrate Billie’s life, and I was hoping that this would cast another light on Billie because Billie was not always this downtrodden figure that she has been made out to be. She was a feisty woman, she was militant, and she was a very independent woman. I wanted to do it in my own voice, and infuse my own energy and the same with the musicians. It was an album done with a lot of love between the musicians and myself and a lot of mutual love for Billie Holiday and her musicianship.

Do you remember the first time you heard Billie’s voice? Where were you, and what emotions did you experience?

I don’t remember the first time I heard Billie’s voice, that was quite some time ago. That was over 40 years ago. I do remember when I was married to my first husband Cecil Bridgewater he wanted me

ISAIAH From 1 move forward not just with the Department of Transportation, but how all departments in the state of Minnesota can work together to meet racially just outcomes for our state,” he said.

In the first roundtable conversation, community leaders discussed the specifics of how to open up opportunities through public investments for the common good.

Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter (District 4) spoke to the ways that transportation can serve underprivileged neighborhoods.

She argues that “people want to be connected and know that they will be involved and enjoy the benefits of jobs, business, and opportunity…

The Central Corridor [light rail line, for example,] is so much more than transportation.” She believes that we need to focus on neighborhoods where this has not occurred and ask, “What do we need to do to make sure that particular area succeeds?”

Aneesa Parks, a Primary Math Specialist at Nellie Stone

ISAIAH

Johnson Middle School in Minneapolis, talked about the impact of foreclosures on her students. “More than 10% of the students who go to my school live in a shelter. They live in a shelter because their parents had jobs, they had houses that were foreclosed upon, and then they were tossed out…So all of this is connected,” she said.

Lee Sheehy, a member of Sen. Dayton’s transition team, agrees. He says that we can “work together to build the region through transportation because

housing not only needs to be affordable, it needs transportation for people to have access to jobs and education and be able to attract private capital.”

At the second roundtable conversation, academic leaders discussed how to obtain education for all by growing together and preparing for the future.

Markeesha Zigbuo, an ISAIAH member from New Creation Church in Brooklyn Park, gave voice to the consequences of having school districts in competition with one another. She

to listen to Billie, and I remember listening to her when I was 19, 20 and I wasn’t that impressed with her voice. It was when I read her autobiography, “Lady Sings the Blues”, that I could identify with her and that was more on a personal level. I found a lot of similarities to different things she went through in her life that I had gone through. So after reading her book, when I listened to her then I could understand her voice better.

When I was younger I didn’t consider her a singer because she didn’t have a lot of range.

She is more of an interpretive singer who knew her instrument very well and knew how to use it very well. And even in her drug riddled days she was still able to sing and use her voice, so she understood her instrument very well and I grew to appreciate that. It is still very hard for me to listen to Billie because I hear the melancholy, and I can listen to her earlier albums but I don’t like to listen so much to her albums closer to when she died.

Do you feel any connection to Billie Holiday? Do you feel you were kindred spirits?

I feel like I am a kindred spirit with her. I feel a kind of spiritual connection to her quite similar to the connection that I feel I have with several other singers; Ella Fitzgerald, Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, to be precise. These were all just women I connected to for varying reasons.

With Billie Holiday to be more specific, I felt that her choices in men reminded me a lot of my choices in men, you know picking them for the wrong reasons, allowing men to run your life. She was raped and I was raped when I was young. She was put in a catholic school, kind of like a boarding institution. I went to a catholic school. She suffered abuse from the sisters, and so did I. So those kinds of things I felt connected us, but also I just think she was very daring.

You know if you will read anything about Billie Holiday you will realize she didn’t start having problems with the government in

general until she started singing “Strange Fruit”, that is when she began to be harassed. That is when drugs were planted in her dressing room, in her home, when police would raid her. And I truly believe that Billie didn’t die from an overdose, I believe that Billie Holiday was murdered that is my firm belief.

There have been a lot of theories about that and there has been some documentation about that in England that is not allowed in the United States that I was privy to from living in France. So you know like I said she was a militant, she dared to speak out. And you have to imagine for a woman to sing a song about lynching in the south in the forties when it was still going on, that is pretty brave. So she was a very brave woman. I believe that she was a victim of circumstance. You know a lot of people turn to drugs when they can’t find their own personal happiness. She really started doing a lot more drug use at

argues, “We cannot wait to create a new vision. Right now, too many white children and children of color attend racially isolated schools. As Minnesota becomes more diverse, our children can only succeed and lead, if the Department of Education makes integration and equitable education its top priority.”

Cindy Jesson, another member of Dayton’s transition team, spoke on the importance of conversations like these. “The achievement gap and racial isolation should be in the headlines, many of these issues I didn’t know about,” she said.

Bishop Jon Anderson of Southwest Minnesota Synod (ELCA) spoke on the need for courage to stand up for justice, equality, and true community.

“We’re in a time in our history when we’re facing overwhelming challenges, as stewards of the future [we must] behave in ways that build up trust…God is calling us to receive the gifts of our neighbors all around us, with their many experiences, their many insights, to listen respectfully and deeply, and to realize that real riches come when we love our neighbors,” he said.

Sen. Dayton understands that ISAIAH is offering something

new and crucial to governing our state in a time of crisis. He and his transition team agreed to meet with members of the project launch, a partnership to overturn our state’s inequities. Sen. Dayton connected his religious upbringing, to being able to govern with fairness and compassion. “Those of you of different faiths will have to allow me to refer to my own faith tradition. I’m a Presbyterian, so I see everything framed according to when Jesus was asked, ‘What is the greatest commandment?’

And he replied, ‘To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, and all thy strength. That’s the first great commandment.

And the second is like unto the first: to love your neighbor as yourself.’ …Now some would say the fundamental principle and the greatest commandment is that no one who’s rich in Minnesota should pay a single dollar of higher taxes so someone else can get a quality education. Now I’ve read the Bible, I’ve reread the Bible, and I can’t find anywhere where Jesus takes a position on Minnesota tax policy. Although he does in a way take a position, because he says that to whom much has been given, from them much will be required,” he said.

Sen. Dayton also committed

to working with the people of Minnesota to end racial disparity.

“It takes all of you together, who recognize what is at stake in the next debate and in these decisions: it is the future of Minnesota, of all of us together. It’s whether our values, and our principles, and our faith and beliefs, and our convictions, and our responsibility for one another all come together in ways that are going to lead to a better Minnesota. That’s my commitment that I share with you… Now let’s go to work together,” he said.

Revs.

Grant Stevenson, President of ISAIAH from St. Matthews Lutheran Church/ Spirit of Truth in St. Paul, and Billy Russell, from the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, call all of us to action against racial disparity. Rev. Russell gave his vision saying, “I want principals and teachers across this state to have high expectations of everybody. I say to you right now it’s time to close that gap. Dr. Martin Luther King said, ‘I have a dream.’ I too have a dream today. I have a dream of one Minnesota— one Minnesota where we all come together, white and black and brown and red and yellow, as one Minnesota!”

BRIDGEWATER 12 TURN TO

Page 12 • December 13 - December 19, 2010 • Insight News

insightnews.com

SPORTS New Gopher coach Kill may grow on people Mr. T’s Sports Report

By Ryan T. Scott ryan@insightnews.com Though Tubby Smith’s Golden Gopher Basketball team is all grown up and in the center of the local spotlight; there is a possible room in said spotlight for the University of Minnesota football team as well. On Monday, Dec. 6, U of M Athletic Director Joel Maturi hired Jerry Kill, former head coach for Northern Illinois University, as the next head coach of the Gopher football team.

In sports there often seems to be a tendency for schools to hire coaches from teams that have recently put a thumping on the hiring schools’ team – no scientific evidence there, but sure seems like it --Kill defeated the Gophers in TCF stadium in September. But though this prejudice may exist, and though Kill doesn’t immediately strike the image of a big tough football coach, there is no doubt that after a few minutes of hearing him speak most couldn’t possibly hold anything against the man.

Kill, seeming genuine enough to potentially talk about the

Bridgewater From 11 the same time she started being persecuted by the government, so these things kind of went hand in hand, in my opinion.

What do you hope listeners

Fergus From 9 They reported favorably on the country and in April 1897 a carload consisting of about eighteen families left Kentucky on their trip to the Northwest. They were met in St. Paul by Messrs. Wright and Johnson who accompanied them to Fergus Falls. They came up on the day train and as there was no habitat ready for them they

holes in his socks to a national audience, gave one of the more engaging opening press conferences that one could hope for.

Obviously, Kill is a name unfamiliar to the average college football fan, or U of M fan. Northern Illinois has a history of producing good players, something I know from personal experience and general observation over the years; so I can say with fair certainty that Northern Illinois is not in the business of hiring scrubs. For those who follow college football, the name of Northern Illinois is known well, and so even without knowing too much about Kill, I have to give him a pass on pedigree and for the fact that his rise has been a consistent path. It fits, at this point in his career, that Kill might get this opportunity to coach a Big Ten team. Kill’s roots go all the way down to high school football, and climb steadily from 1994 through a series of consistent lower division programs throughout the Midwest. A look at the progression of Kill’s record in coaching over the years could be an easy sell for an athletic director.

Surprisingly, many Gopher fans are upset over the selection of Kill. Athletic Director Joel Maturi seemed to have an affinity for Kill’s high school experience, as Maturi formerly coached in high

Kill can find plenty of great football recruits in city conference schools

Bobak Ha’Eri

former players at Northern Illinois we’re quite upset by the coaching team’s departure, perhaps could be a good indicator of the coaching staff’s ability. Kill’s coaching staff of ten years follows him wherever he goes. Little things like this can be easily overlooked. Kill seems to fit the Midwestern family mode, and has a challenging past, including cancer, that should allow most local folks to feel comfortable with him.

The Gopher Basketball team has beefed up after a few years of Tubby Smith’s influence and coaching system.

The system was good from the start with Smith at the helm, so all he needed was to add the beef. With the Gopher football team, you don’t have to ask, “where’s the beef?” The football team has players that I believe could really surprise a lot of folks. Hopefully Kill can put a little more discipline into the young fellas, as he is known to be big with regard to team fitness.

Hopefully, Kill also takes note of the talented young men at Twin Cities inner city schools, because there’s a bunch of them; many of them now play on Saturdays at other Universities nationally, and plenty more even play on Sundays for large compensation. I’m just sayin’.

school himself. It doesn’t seem anyone could blame Maturi for making uninteresting choices for coaches at the very least.

Yet at the same time, it seems to me that Maturi puts a fair amount of thought into his choices. I also think that there is something to say that Maturi’s choices are generally made in efficient fashion. Chasing around big names for coaching positions can often end up in an ugly situation whether a

school is successful in landing the coach, or not. Expectations can easily get too high. The past selection of Tim Brewster was a good selection from the standpoint that Brewster did what he was known to do well, which is recruit players. The final games by the Gophers this season were an indication of the talent available on this team.

Unfortunately, Brewster’s oral confidence carried the young team only so far on the field.

Defeating the Iowa Hawkeye’s was an important proving point regarding the talent on the Gophers football team. Interim head coach Jeff Horton had a very good head coach aura about him, but ultimately, Maturi likely was interested in shaking the system a little more than to simply choose someone from the previous regiment of coaches.

The fact that Kill’s now

draw from the album, ELEANORA FAGAN (19151959) To Billie with love from Dee Dee? You know I make a statement at the end of the album about what I hope listeners will draw. The statement is, “Young people take note of this woman’s life, this woman’s bravery, so you can learn to stand up and not be afraid

to speak in your own voice.

Children stand tall and dare to be a Billie Holiday.”

impacted?

Well I hope that if somebody should decide to honor me, hopefully the person will be able to convey the positivity that I try to convey in my albums and the zest for life that I have; the sense of independence that I feel.

am working on some things, but I never talk about the stuff that I am working on until it is final and done. I am hoping to begin producing other artists… renegotiating my next licensing deal. In terms of my own music, I am interested in going to Memphis, Tennessee, where I was born, and try to get an understanding of the music I

heard around me when I was a child. I am interested in doing a blues album. I am also interested in doing a Latin music project. I am a free spirit. I let my spirit tell me what to do. I call that my God voice.

For ticket information contact Minnesota Orchestra Hall at www.minnesotaorchestra.org or 612.371.5656.

remained in the car over night and the next day houses were found for them in various parts of the city. It was the largest influx of colored people the Northwest had ever seen and in the crowd were a lot of little pickaninies who are now among the grown up colored people of Fergus Falls. They were shown land in and around the city but did not find as many homesteads as they expected and part of the delegation went on to Akeley and Nevis, north of the Northern Pacific road, but it was

an unfortunate move for them as they did not find as good soil there.

The heads of the families were all Civil War pensioners and in the party at that time were Oscar Vaughn, Frank Marshall, John Lewis, Allen Webster, Reuben Fitch, Joe Himsly, Gane Strader and Alexander Pennick. While a good many in the colony were rather old men. They were all fairly good workers and for honesty and sobriety always stood well in the community. They were

of ethics on the part of real estate men that there is now and if one agent brought a prospect to town he had to hound him constantly in order that he would not be picked off by some competitor. When this colored gentleman arrived and it was learned that he had these drafts for such large amounts he was much sought after and he was driven about the country by the C. D. Baker Agency, Clarence Reed and others. As he sat on the back seat with the realtor and looked at the various farms he would say “I will take this one” or that one, with a perfect sang-froid of a millionaire and after he had seen some of the country south of town another agency would show him something in a different direction and try to gain his favor for that section.

In the meantime Prince Honeycutt had died or was no longer acting as host for visiting colored gentlemen and so this gentleman was parked with Uncle Tom Anderson over in the fourth ward. In those days people were not looking around for nonalcoholic malt liquor to slake their thirst. Sport Curry was operating

a saloon in the building in which Mirandy Burbank formerly had her millinery store and which was located just this side of the old city hall on Mill Street.

Frank Curry, his brother operated a little more elegant looking place in the Bailey Block now occupied by the Home Bakery and many of the ablest drinkers of those days divided their patronage between these two well known places not only on account of the excellence of the liquor, but because, being on a side street, they were not quite as conspicuous in going into a saloon, for even in those days it was not quite au fait to be seen going in the front door and less so to be going out the back door.

The Realtors discovered that this colored prospect, from the south enjoyed a nip and so to gain his good will and patronage they were generous in their hospitality and by night when they returned im to his lodging at Uncle Tom’s he was often a little bit groggy. William Edward Anderson, Uncle tom’s son, who had served with the army in the Philippines and could tell when the bones were loaded or there was fingernail marks on the backs of the cards, became suspicious of this prospect and told his father, who was keeping these large drafts, that he wanted to see them and as soon as he examined them he said he would not take them even in payment of a poker debt. When it became known that these drafts were fakes, the police took the visitor up to the Northwest part of the city and headed him on foot for Fargo.

It was reported that latter on when he got into Montana that he worked the same racket but there were no arrivals from Kentucky or anywhere else as a result of his visit, which was just about as profitable to those who drove him about as it has been for others who drove white prospectors all over the country only to find out that they could not come here unless freight and car fare was furnished.

This year the Grand Army will have its reunion in St. Paul. The state has appropriated $10,000 to entertain those who wore the blue, white or black, but the coming gathering will not be like the one in the olden days when there were long columns of marching veterans, with bands playing patriotic music, with speeches from the leaders in the great battles. There are only a few left and there will only be a few more reunions on this earth.

There have been so many reports and rumors as to how the colored people came to Fergus Falls that it is only proper that this record should be made.

Being an icon yourself, if years from now a future jazz artist wants to work on a project in honor of you and your work, what do you hope they convey to the public? How do you hope the artist and the public will be

What’s next?

I never know what is next. I mostly members of the Baptist Church but thirty years ago Uncle Tom Anderson attended a Seventh Day Adventist revival in a tent pitched near the Lincoln School and since that time has observed the Sabbath. Most of the colored people, however, are members of the Baptist Church and they have a church on Washington Avenue which is out of debt. (This church edifice is now used by the Jehovah Witnesses).

During the past few years there has been quite an emigration from here to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and there are probably less colored people in Fergus Falls now than there were some time ago.

‘DISTINGUISHED VISITOR” A later effort was made to colonize this territory with colored people through the arrival in Minnesota of a distinguished looking colored gentleman who announced that he was the advance agent to locate a number of wealthy colored land seekers and as evidence he showed what he claimed were drafts for $50,000 each. In those days there was not the same high standard