DFL Education Foundation

A Forum on Public Education, Segregation and Housing

Thursday May 24

University of Minnesota Law School, Mondale Hall, Room 50

229 19th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Education rhetoric abounds, but what are the real issues facing public education in our city today? Find out by joining us for a presentation by Myron Orfield of the Institute on Race and Poverty and a discussion of public education, housing and the well being of our city. Through data collected over the past twenty years we will take a look at the trends and policy issues that have closed public schools and further segregated our city. These trends affect not only Minneapolis, but also St. Paul and our suburbs.

For more information, go to: www.PEJAM.org

May Newsletter

We're waiting in anticipation of the results of Wisconsin's recall election, but until then enjoy some of the great events we've got coming up.   Sincerely, Jeremy Wieland DFL Education Foundation President

May's Stone Arch Topic Reflections on the MN. Legislature with Rep. Mindy Greiling Saturday, May 12 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map) It was only the second Republican-controlled legislature in almost 40 years and the agenda was quite different than in the recent past.  Rep. Mindy Greiling provides some reflections on being in the minority and doing the people's work.  As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Suggested Reading Articles that inspire (or anger) our Board to action Costs and Effects of Provisional Balloting Required in Amendment with Barriers to Voting Secretary of State Mark Ritchie Press Conference: read article  "What lurks in Minnesota's proposed Amendment?" read article  History of Voting Rights and Current Efforts to Restrict them LWV Film Clip - "Struggles for Voting Rights" - 3 1/2 Minutes: watch video  "The Strange Career of Voter Suppression": watch video  Nation Magazine Writer John Nichols Discusses ALEC - 3 minute video: watch video  ALEC Exposed:  Rigging Elections - John Nichols, The Nation: read article  People most likely to be prevented or discouraged from voting by Photo ID requirement Minorities Disproportionately Affected by Photo ID Voting Requirement: read article   Brennan Center for Justice - Voter ID: read article  Citizens without Proof: read article  How Chemicals Affect Us: read article  Wasting Our Minds: read article  What ALEC bills might we see next session? read article       CEO Pay Grew 127 Times Faster Than Worker Pay Over Last 30 Years: Study read article

Get Educated Via Video Achievement Gap Committee Meetings available online! Our Achievement Gap Committee has been working for several years convening deep thinkers and practitioners to close the racial achievement gap.  Recaps of their meetings (now with full video) can be found at http://mnachievementgap.org, with the first three including: Robert Bruininks, former U of M president Michelle Walker, the Accountability Officer for the Saint Paul Public Schools Rick Mills, the CEO of the Minneapolis Public Schools Some of the committee's older materials and some good reading can be found here.

Other Good Events From the Public Issues Calendar Thu May 10   7:00pm - 9:00pm Domestic Violence - Parish Community of St. Joseph, 8701-36th Avenue North, New Hope, MN   Fri May 11   12:00pm - 1:30pm Student Teacher Interactions in Pre-K - University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13 th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN   Mon May 14   7:00pm - 9:00pm LWV - The Achievement Gap - Plymouth Congregational Church 1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN   Thu Jul 12   11:30am - 2:00pm The New Violence and Its Unintended Victims - Joan Chittister - Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nicollet Mall and 12th Street, Minneapolis, MN   Showing events until 7/12/2012. Look for more

 

Stone Arch Preview: Reflections on the MN Legislature with Rep. Mindy Greiling

Saturday, May 12

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map)

It was only the second Republican-controlled legislature in almost 40 years and the agenda was quite different than in the recent past.  Rep. Mindy Greiling provides some reflections on being in the minority and doing the people's work.  

As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

 

Taxes with the MN Budget Project's Nan Madden

This podcast features Nan Madden, Director, MN Budget Project at the MN Council of Nonprofits. Madden is an active voice for tax fairness, a balanced approach to MN’s budget, adequate funding for government programs and author of numerous publications on fiscal issues and economic self-sufficiency.

Listen to the podcast from iDream.tv.

The linked podcast is a segment from the Stone Arch Discussion Group, a project of the DFL Education Foundation. It was recorded on March 10, 2011, at Gardens of Salonica in NE Minneapolis. Production services provided by Minneapolis-based multimedia company iDream.tv.

 

 

April Newsletter

If the spring rain yesterday put you in the mood for  indoor, thought-provoking events, you're in luck.  The next two weeks are packed, and we're doing our best to let you know about all the great options.

 

Sincerely,
Jeremy Wieland
DFL Education Foundation President

 

April's Stone Arch Topic Taxes with the MN Budget Project's Nan Madden Saturday, April 14 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map) What's more appropriate than taxes in April?  On April 14, the Stone Arch Discussion Group will feature Nan Madden, Director, MN Budget Project at the MN Council of Nonprofits. Madden is an active voice for tax fairness, a balanced approach to MN's budget, adequate funding for government programs and author of numerous publications on fiscal issues and economic self-sufficiency.  As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Get Educated Via Video Achievement Gap Committee Meetings available online! Our Achievement Gap Committee has been working for several years convening deep thinkers and practitioners to close the racial achievement gap.  Recaps of their meetings (now with full video) can be found at http://mnachievementgap.org, with the first three including: Robert Bruininks, former U of M president Michelle Walker, the Accountability Officer for the Saint Paul Public Schools Rick Mills, the CEO of the Minneapolis Public Schools Some of the committee's older materials and some good reading can be found here.

Feminism: The Longest Revolution A co-sponsored event with Gloria Steinem Tuesday, April 17 7:15 PM Beth El Synagogue 5224 West 26th Street · Saint Louis Park, MN 55416 (map) Click for ticket information Beth El Synagogue is proud to announce that Ms. Gloria Steinem will be our next Inspiring Minds Speaker. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Gloria Steinem is an incredibly accomplished and world-renowned writer, lecturer, editor, and feminist activist. She is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples, and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice. She travels in this and other countries as an organizer and lecturer and is a frequent media spokeswoman on issues of equality. (Read full bio...)

The Last Great Senate A Conversation with Ira Shapiro and Walter F. Mondale RESCHEDULED: Wednesday, April 11 4:00 PM Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School 301 19th Avenue South Click for ticket information (free) Join us on Tuesday, March 20, when former Vice President Walter F. Mondale and former U.S. Senate staffer Ira Shapiro team up for a lively discussion of Shapiro's new book, The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis. The event takes place at 4 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium at the Humphrey School. A reception and book signing will follow the conversation.

Suggested Reading Articles that inspire (or anger) our Board to action Mapping voter same-day registrations in Minnesota: read article    The White House's Economic Case for Reelection in 13 Charts: read article  When States Abuse Women: read article  Even Critics of Safety Net Increasingly Depend on It: read article  Four Fiscal Phonies: read article     "This is not just history": Exhibit at the University of Minnesota documents the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany: read more  "Covering the Coverage: Scientists Propose Cuts in Methane, Soot Emissions" - by Andrew Freedman: read article  Conversations with Great Minds: Dr. Michael Mann, Nobel Prize winning physicist, Climate Scientist: watch video1, video2  "CBO Shows Ryan Budget Would Set Nation on Path to End Most of Government Other Than Social Security, Health Care, and Defense By 2050": read article  New Tax Cuts in Ryan Budget Would Give Millionaires $265,000 on Top of Bush Tax Cuts: read article  The Congressional Progressive Caucus' "Budget for All": read proposed budget  Students Get Cheated, On Many Levels: read article  Supreme Court hearings on health care law: transcript and audio     Urgent: Tell MN Senate Best Voter Id. Path" - Heartland Democracy: read article  21st Century Voter Registration Report: read report from Heartland Democracy

Other Good Events

From the Public Issues Calendar

Stone Arch Preview: Taxes! With MN Budget Project's Nan Madden

Saturday, April 14

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map)

What's more appropriate than taxes in April?  On April 14, the Stone Arch Discussion Group will feature Nan Madden, Director, MN Budget Project at the MN Council of Nonprofits. Madden is an active voice for tax fairness, a balanced approach to MN's budget, adequate funding for government programs and author of numerous publications on fiscal issues and economic self-sufficiency.  

As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Health Care Conversation with Elizabeth Frost

Elizabeth Frost, co-chair of PHNP or Physicians for a National Health Program, headlined our March Stone Arch discussion on, of course, health care.  She's a family practice doctor working at a community clinic which is part of Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). After a residency at the U of MN, she volunteered with Doctors for Global Health in Chiapas, Mexico before coming back to MN to work in the clinic that has a heavily Latino and uninsured population.  

Listen to the podcast from iDream.tv.

The linked podcast is a segment from the Stone Arch Discussion Group, a project of the DFL Education Foundation. It was recorded on March 10, 2011, at Gardens of Salonica in NE Minneapolis. Production services provided by Minneapolis-based multimedia company iDream.tv.

 

March Newsletter

By the time Saturday's Stone Arch conversation rolls around, the air temperature will be high enough to break a filibuster.  In addition to the coming health care conversation, don't miss our Achievement Gap meeting videos, and some other great events in the next month!   Sincerely, Jeremy Wieland @ DFL Ed Foundation DFL Education Foundation

March's Stone Arch Topic Health Care with Elizabeth Frost of Physicians for a National Health Program Saturday, March 10 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map) March madness at Stone Arch means Elizabeth Frost, co-chair of PHNP or Physicians for a National Health Program on, of course, health care.  She's a family practice doctor working at a community clinic which is part of Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). After a residency at the U of MN, she volunteered with Doctors for Global Health in Chiapas, Mexico before coming back to MN to work in the clinic that has a heavily Latino and uninsured population.   As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Get Educated Via Video Achievement Gap Committee Meetings available online! Our Achievement Gap Committee has been working for several years convening deep thinkers and practitioners to close the racial achievement gap.  Recaps of their meetings (now with full video) can be found at http://mnachievementgap.org, with the first three including: Robert Bruininks, former U of M president Michelle Walker, the Accountability Officer for the Saint Paul Public Schools Rick Mills, the CEO of the Minneapolis Public Schools Some of the committee's older materials and some good reading can be found here.

Develop Democracy Coaches needed for Heartland Democracy's EmpoweringU Campaign Empowering U treats systemic problems in our democracy and our economy at their roots -- with sustainable, long-term results:  please take a moment to help it grow!  We need the best people available, we need them now, and we know that they are already in your networks.  Given the backgrounds of our host partners' participants, we are focusing our outreach on people of color and African-Americans in particular.  Most of our participants this year are African-American and most are men.  Most have known the hardships of low income and socio-economic barriers. Read more about becoming an EmpoweringU Coach

Feminism: The Longest Revolution A co-sponsored event with Gloria Steinem Tuesday, April 17 7:15 PM Beth El Synagogue 5224 West 26th Street · Saint Louis Park, MN 55416 (map) Click for ticket information Beth El Synagogue is proud to announce that Ms. Gloria Steinem will be our next Inspiring Minds Speaker. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Gloria Steinem is an incredibly accomplished and world-renowned writer, lecturer, editor, and feminist activist. She is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples, and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice. She travels in this and other countries as an organizer and lecturer and is a frequent media spokeswoman on issues of equality. (Read full bio...)

The Last Great Senate A Conversation with Ira Shapiro and Walter F. Mondale Tuesday, March 20 4:00 PM Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School 301 19th Avenue South Click for ticket information (free) Join us on Tuesday, March 20, when former Vice President Walter F. Mondale and former U.S. Senate staffer Ira Shapiro team up for a lively discussion of Shapiro's new book, The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis. The event takes place at 4 p.m. in Cowels Auditorium at the Humphrey School. A reception and book signing will follow the conversation.

Suggested Reading Articles that inspire (or anger) our Board to action Greed Isn't Good: Wealth Could Make People Unethical: read article  We Need a Second Party: read article  Carlson, Marty plan bill to limit Citizens United decision: read article  A Good Question (should the U.S. join OPEC?): read article   The pro-choice re-awakening: read article  Pay falls short for Minnesota women: read article  Rooftop Revolution: Changing Everything with Cost-Effective Local Solar: read summary  The White House's Economic Case for Reelection in 13 Charts: see charts  Rethinking the New York Times' visit to Chisago County: read article   Where the Jobs Are, the Training May Not Be: read article    Photo ID Amendment League of Women Voters talking points: download  Debunking Myths about Voter Fraud: download  Election Safeguards from MN Sec. of State: download

Other Good Events From the Public Issues Calendar

 

Stone Arch Preview: Elizabeth Frost of Physicians for a National Health Program

Saturday, March 10 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map) March madness at Stone Arch means Elizabeth Frost, co-chair of PHNP or Physicians for a National Health Program on, of course, health care.  She's a family practice doctor working at a community clinic which is part of Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). After a residency at the U of MN, she volunteered with Doctors for Global Health in Chiapas, Mexico before coming back to MN to work in the clinic that has a heavily Latino and uninsured population.   As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Protect Your Vote and Use It!

A DFL Education Foundation co-sponsored event

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Brookdale Library 
6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center 

Light Refreshments

Please RSVP on Facebook

Are you in danger of losing your right to vote?  An amendment to the MN Constitution currently under discussion by the MN legislature would place restrictions on voting in Minnesota that could disenfranchise many current voters.  Could you or someone you know be one of them? 

"Democracy for All:  The Barriers of Voter ID" 
Short Film produced by the League of Women Voters 

Debby McNeil 
Attorney and Advocate for LWV Issue Positions   

Debby McNeil will explain why the LWV opposes requiring voters to have a photo ID, how voting rights would be negatively affected, and the safeguards in Minnesota's election system.   

Stephen Cooper - Former Commissioner, MN Department of Human Rights   

Stephen Cooper will place the recent movement to restrict voting across the U.S. within the broader context of voter suppression and the history of our nation's struggle to expand the franchise.  Which organizations are behind the proposed voter restrictions?  How have votes been manipulated in recent elections?  Why is your vote important?  Join us and find out! 

Questions, Answers, and Discussion 
Come Out, Join your Neighbors, Hear the Issues, and Voice Your Opinions! 

Please RSVP on Facebook so we know for how many people to prepare: 
http://www.facebook.com/events/3117 

Sponsored by the DFL Education Foundation and the Affirmative Action Committees of DFL Senate Districts 32, 46, and 47.  For more information, contact Ruthie Dallas at ruthie.dallas@sd46dfl.org or 612-743-8895 or Liesl Roland at leftyspinner@gmail.com or 763-656-8602.