"Dialogue is the means by which we maintain our focus on the humanity of others, even when, or perhaps especially when, we strongly disagree with their ideas. Finding commonalities amidst radical difference is a proven strategy for peaceful coexistence among people who largely disagree." … Author Jill Carroll, in "A Dialogue of Civilization," about the contemporary Turkish Islamic teacher, preacher, and scholar Fethullah Gülen.
Herb and Ann
Thurs, Apr 26, 9 am to 2 pm (registration 8:15 am): 3rd annual "Youth Leading Change" middle school and high school leadership conference, with student-led workshops, Miss Michigan, peer-to-peer networking, networking, live entertainment, food, and fun. $30 per person for contributing chapters; $45 per person for non-contributing chapters. (248) 706-0757. At Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, 13565 Port Sheldon Rd., Holland.
Sat, Apr 28, 8 am: 27th annual Holland-Zeeland CROP Walk to raise money for hunger relief efforts nationally and for several area agencies. Food will be collected for local food banks. Call 396-3445 to register or www.churchworldservice.org and click on CROP Walk link. Starts at Holland Christian High School, 950 Ottawa Ave., Holland.
Sat, Apr 28, 10 am to 5 pm: Public opening of New Dutch Galleries at the Holland Museum, including 55 17th- to 19th-century paintings and more than 150 other cultural objects—furniture, Delftware, silver, original Dutch costumes—that show the history of the Netherlands and the Dutch immigrants to this area. Free; refreshments served. At Holland Museum, 31 West 10th St, across from Centennial Park, Holland.
Sun, Apr 29, 2 pm: 27th annual Holland-Zeeland CROP Walk. See registration information from Saturday entry above. Starts at Beechwood Reformed Church, 895 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland.
Thurs, May 3, 7 pm: League of Women Voters forum for Holland school board candidates Susan DeJong, Al Friend, Steve Grose, and Mary Yedinak. At the school administration building (Washington School), Maple Ave at 11th St., Holland.
Fri, May 4, 7 pm: Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony members and friends meet in front of the Holland Civic Center to attend the opening night of Fiesta, sponsored by Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP). Music by the bands Latino Cuatro from 6 to 8 pm and Cabildo, from 8 to 10 pm; food, too! At Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave between 8th and 9th Sts., Holland.
Sat, May 5, 9 am to 5 pm: LAUP Fiesta (Un Pueblo, Un Futuro; One People, One Future) continues. 9 am to noon: 2007 Queen and King contest and coronation; noon to 5 pm: varied Latino entertainment, including salsa, tango, mariachi, Caribbean, Tex-Mex, cumbia, and more; ethnic food vendors; lowrider car show; carnival. At Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave between 8th and 9th Sts., Holland.
Sat, May 5 through Sat, May 12: Tulip Time Festival, with three parades, concerts, performances, food booths, children's activities, Klompen dancing, Dutch market, art and craft fair, trolley tours, fireworks, and more. Check the schedule and locations on the website www.tuliptime.com or in the Holland Sentinel. 1-800-822-2770 or (616) 396-4221.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Thurs, May 31, 7:30 pm: The Akapoma Group, featuring traditional music and dance from Ghana, West Africa. Ensemble led by Kwabena Osei Appiagyei, former master musician and Ghana Dance Ensemble, University of Ghana-Legon. Sponsored by Grand Rapids Sister Cities International. Tickets $20 (nonrefundable); (616) 245-3815; credit card purchases at (616) 459-2787. At St. Cecilia Music Society, 25 Ransom NE, downtown Grand Rapids.
