In the Community from ACEH April 17

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." …  Nelson Mandela

 

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please contact hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com.  Events List is also posted on the ACEH website, www.harmonyalliance.org.

Our deep sympathy to the families, friends, and people of Virginia Tech this morning.

 

Today, Apr 17, 9 am:  Holland Public Schools district forum on millage renewals and the special education proposal that will be on the May 8 ballot. At Washington School Administration Building, 156 West 11^th St.

 

Today, Apr 17, 7 to 9 pm:  "It's All About Me," conference on self-determination for people with disabilities and their families and caregivers.  Free.  Call 494-9972 or 396-8226.  At First United Methodist Church, 57 West 10^th St., Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 19, Day of Dialogue. 11 am, speaker Sean Kosoksy, director of policy for the Triangle Foundation.  At Cook Auditorium, Depree Art Center, Columbia at 11^th St., Holland.  4 pm: Hope students share their stories.  At Martha Miller Auditorium, Columbia at 10^th St., Holland.  7:30 pm:  "Rent" sing-a-long.  Fundraiser for Triangle Foundation. $2.  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St., Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 19, 6 pm: Annual fundraising dinner of Core City CDC, with speaker Gene Fisher, educational consultant and founder of the high-achieving Watts Learning Center Charter Public School in California: "Plant a Seed: Grow a Life."  Tickets $45; call 355-0071.  At West Ottawa High School South, 3600 North 152^nd Ave., Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm: "Plan Now for the Future" informational meeting on transition topics for students and parents of 8^th through 12^th grade students receiving special education services in Holland, Zeeland, and West Ottawa schools.  Mini-sessions on school and community services, job and employer expectations, college advice, self-advocacy.  Free.  At West Ottawa High School North, 3685 Butternut Dr., Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 19, 7 pm: League of Women Voters forum for Saugatuck School Board candidates Steve Hutchins, Joan Lamb, and Vicki Rosenberg. At Saugatuck High School media center, Saugatuck.

 

Fri, Apr 20, 5:30 to 8:30 pm: Food Fiesta sponsored by Latin Americans United for Progress to raise funds for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered by LAUP.  Includes foods of Mexico, Central and South America, Japan, and Russia made by ESL students.  5 food tickets are $1 each; additional tickets 50 cents.  Dance performances also. Call (616) 392-5058 or laup@sbcglobal.net  At Maas Auditorium, Hope College, Columbia and 11^th St., Holland.

 

Sat, Apr 21, 2 pm: Japanese drumming group, Icho Daiko, founded by Roy and Aiko Ebihara of Oberlin, Ohio, parents of Jeff Ebihara of Park Township. Includes 20 members who build their own drums, including shime, chudaiko, and okedo drums.  Mission is to strengthen Asian American communities by instilling pride and cultural awareness and to build bridges between Asian Americans and other groups "through the dynamic cultural expression of taiko."  Sponsored through Hope College.  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St., Holland.

 

Mon, Apr 23, 10:30 am:  Rally to protest closing of Bimaadiziwin High School in Grand Rapids, hosted by Dennis Banks, co-founder of American Indian Movement.  Call Levi Rickert, (616) 299-7542 or Deb Muller, (616) 490-2256. At Martin Luther King Park, followed by rally at Grand Rapids Public Schools Administration Building, 1331 Franklin St., SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Tues, Apr 24, 7 pm: League of Women Voters forum  for West Ottawa Public Schools school board candidates Jill Cooper, Bill Kangas, and Mike Lacy.  At West Ottawa High School North, 3685 Butternut, Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 26, 8:45 am to 1:30 pm: 20^th annual Fair Housing Luncheon and Workshop Series, "Fair Housing—Learning, Working, Thriving, Going Places Together."  Luncheon and workshops, $45; luncheon or workshop only, $30 (see below); discounted rate for students, retirees, unemployed persons, nonprofits.  Call Fair Housing  Center of West Michigan (616) 451-2980 to register; www.fhcwm.org  At Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5700 28^th St SE, Grand Rapids.

 

The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is offering 25 scholarships to 25 leaders of nonprofits in the Lakeshore area to attend the event described above. Contact  Jorge Gonzalez, (616) 361-5295; jgonzalez@macatawabank.com