In the Community from ACEH April 29

"Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained." ...

 Helen Keller

 

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.

Wed, Apr 30, 4 pm: Josephine Mandamin of the Mother Earth Water Walkers--a group of Native American and First Nations People from Canada—all women--will speak about the group's mission to follow the tracks of their ancestors and trek around all five Great Lakes, a quest they began in 2003 to call attention to the need to protect and preserve clean water resources.  The Lake Michigan Waterwalk 2008 began in Manistee on Apr 26 and will conclude in the Upper Peninsula in early May.  www.motherearthwaterwalk.com/index.html At Hope College Maas Conference Room, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

 

Fri, May 2, 7 pm: Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony members and friends will gather at the 43rd annual Fiesta sponsored by Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP). Music by Tomas Esparza and the Blues Experience; dances performed by All For One group.  At Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave between 8th and 9th Sts, Holland.

 

Sat, May 3, all day: LAUP Fiesta continues, with music and dance performances, information booths, Queen and King contest, awarding of scholarships, food booths, lowrider car show, carnival.  For schedule of events, go to www.laup.org and click on Fiesta. At Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave. between 8^th and 9^th Sts, Holland.

 

Sat, May 3 – Sat, May 10: Tulip Time Festival, with parades on May 7, May 8, and May 10, music, dance, shows, children's activities, historic Dutch trade fair, Dutch market, and other heritage events.  www.tuliptime.org  Downtown Holland, Windmill Island, and other local venues.

 

Tues, May 6, 11:30 am:  "Immigration--Separating Myth from Reality," presentation by LAUP executive director Bert Jara to the Business Connections Committee of the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce.  The BCC programs address the concerns of minority business owners and connect people of diverse backgrounds and those new to the area.  Cost of lunch is $10. Call (616) 392-1838 to make a reservation.  At LAUP's future office, 96 West 15th St (Pine Ave building between 15^th and 16^th, use 16^th St parking lot), Holland.

 

Tues, May 20, 8 am: Lakeshore Region Summit on Racism, including keynote speakers George Herrera and David Rusk; focus sessions on best business practices, space and race, immigration in West Michigan, diversity in education, and models for ministry; resource fair; lunch.  Cost is $20; you can register and pay online at www.ethnicdiversity.org  Sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, hosted by Hope College, and supported by local businesses, churches, and organizations, including ACEH. At Hope College Dimnent Chapel, College Ave at 12th St, Holland.

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES:

The Center for Women in Transition is collecting "May Baskets," which are laundry baskets filled with personal care and household cleaning items for its clients and their families.  Donations should be delivered to CWIT before Friday, May 23.  For more information, call (616) 610-7938 or (616) 446-1432 or check www.aplaceforwomen.org  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland, or 300 N. Ferry, Grand Haven, or 151 Brady St, Allegan (call for hours at Grand Haven or Allegan).

 

The African Community Center of Michigan is resuming free summer adult English as a Second Language classes and financial literacy classes, mornings and evenings beginning Monday, June 16.   (616) 248-3552.  Register for classes by email at Humanity.africa@sbcglobal.net or at the Center office, 1019 Wealthy St, SE, Room C, Grand Rapids.

 

Celebrate the Rings, a weekend to celebrate families touched by adoption, will take place in Holland Aug 8 – 10, 2008, with family activities, a parade of nations, international performances, meals, bonfires on the beach, etc.  Cost is $300 for a family of four. Sponsored by Families Through Adoption, 354 Norwood SE, Grand Rapids.  Information at (616) 242-9696; info@familiesthroughadoption.org; www.FamiliesThroughAdoption.org

 

In the Community from ACEH April 14

"Prejudice is a great time saver.  You can form an opinion without having to get the facts…E. B. White, American writer.

 

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.

Today, Mon, Apr 14, 6 pm: Opening reception for exhibit of self-portraits by children in the CASA (Children's After School Achievement) program at Hope College; CASA focuses on academic and cultural enrichment for at-risk second- through fifth-graders in Holland and West Ottawa schools.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Tues, Apr 15, 6:30 pm: Meeting for parents and others interested in the West Ottawa Public Schools Spanish Immersion Program for preschool and K-5 students.  At Lakeshore Elementary School, 3765 North 168^th Ave, Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 17, 4 pm: 20^th anniversary celebration of CASA (Children's After School Achievement) program housed at Hope College. Includes recognition of community partners, reflections by former CASA students, and presentation by artist and illustrator Joel Schoon Tanis, host of the children's TV program "Come On Over."  Master of ceremonies is Eva Aguirre Cooper, communications director of WOOD TV 8, WOTV 4 and WXSP.  CASA was established in 1987 by Marge Rivera Bermann (daughter of ACEH board member Becky Arenas) and Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP).  At Maas Center, Hope College, Columbia Ave and 11th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Apr 18, 9 am until noon: Gang Symposium, Take 2.  Hosted by the newly formed Gang Reduction Committee for agencies, businesses, organizations, churches, and others "who want to play a role in reducing gang activity and making a positive difference in the community."  Update on gang activity, presentation of strategic plan, breakout groups.  At Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland, 435 Van Raalte Ave, Holland.

 

Sat, Apr 19, 2 pm until 5 pm: Holland Heights Festival of neighborhood activities; includes performances by All For One Dance group led by Dominque Vargas (daughter of ACEH board member Norma Luna). At Heights Christian Reformed Church, 836 East 8th St at Hope Ave, Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 24, 3 pm until 7 pm: Annual Housing Fair sponsored by City of Holland Human Relations Commission.  Free information from lenders, Realtors, home inspectors, and agencies about home buying, credit, mortgages, grants, down payment programs, prevent foreclosures.  (616) 355-1328.  At Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave between 8th and 9th.

 

Sat, Apr 26, 8 am, and Sun, Apr 27, 2 pm: 28th annual CROP walk to raise funds for hunger relief programs; 60 churches are participating and have donation envelopes available.  For information, call Steve DeYoung, (616) 396-3445.  Saturday walk starts at Holland Christian High School, 950 Ottawa Ave; Sunday walk begins at Beechwood Church, 895 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland.

 

Wed, Apr 30, 8:45 am: 21^st annual Fair Housing Luncheon and Workshop Series to disseminate information and support the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan.  Speakers: Shanna Smith, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, and Ms. Cat Cloud, senior vice president.  Cost of luncheon and workshops: $45.  For reservations, call (616) 451-2980 or contact www.fhcwm.org.  At Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 5700 28^th St, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, May 2, 7 pm:  Meet ACEH members and friends at the Holland Civic Center to attend the first night of Fiesta (formerly Cinco de Mayo), sponsored by Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP).  Concert by Tomas Esparza, harmonica blues player, and the Blues Experience; dance performance by All For One group; delicious food for sale.  At Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave between 8^th and 9^th St.

 

REGISTER NOW FOR THE LAKESHORE REGION SUMMIT ON RACISM, Tuesday, May 20, at Hope College. Sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, assisted by area funders and local collaborators, including ACEH.  $20 includes lunch.  www.ethnicdiversity.org

 

In the Community from ACEH April 7

"With every true friendship, we build more firmly the foundations on which the peace of the whole world rests."  ... Ghandi

 

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.

Today, Mon Apr 7, 7 pm: Martial arts demonstration sponsored by Hope's Asian Perspective Association (HAPA) student organization; includes Tae Kwon Do and basic moves.  Free, open to the public.  At Hope College Schaap Science Center, College Ave and 12th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Apr 11, 7 pm: Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony general meeting: "Peace at All Costs—How to Love Your Enemy" about the religious civil war that affected Ireland for many years; by John Johnston, a native of Northern Ireland whose mother converted from Catholicism to Protestantism when she met Johnston's father.  Open to the public.  New ACEH board members will be elected at this meeting.  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

 

Sat, Apr 12, 10:30 am until noon: Filipino Fiesta, sponsored by Bayanihan Filipino-American Outreach.  Games, crafts, folk costumes, dancers from Grand Rapids, food.  Program is geared to children ages six and up, but everyone is welcome. (616) 846-5560.  At Loutit District Library, 1051 South Beacon Blvd, Grand Haven.

 

Sat, Apr 12, 8 pm: Play, "Steamship Quanza," about Jewish refugees from Germany, Hungary, and Poland fleeing persecution in 1940; bound for Mexico, they were refused entry there and in Venezuela, Guatemala, and the U. S.  $18 adults; $15 seniors; $5 students; box office (616) 234-3946.  Also on Apr 15 and 17, and at 3 p.m. Sun, Apr 13.  At Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.

 

Thurs, Apr 17 through Apr 27: Play, "The Piano Lesson," Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by August Wilson about "a sister and brother's feud over a hand-carved heirloom piano that details the family's remarkable rise from slavery."  (616) 222-6650; www.GRCT.org or for tickets 1-800-585-3737. At Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 North Division, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Apr 18, 9 am until noon: Gang Symposium, Take Two.  Hosted by the newly formed Gang Reduction Committee for agencies, businesses, organizations, churches and others "who want to play a role in reducing gang activity and making a positive difference in the community." Update on gang activity, presentation of strategic plan, breakout groups.  At Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland, 435 Van Raalte Ave, Holland.

 

Sat, Apr 19, 10 am until 5 pm: 3^rd annual Underground Railroad Show, exhibition of African American collectibles and art from regional collectors.  Free appraisals of art, books, African artifacts. (616) 456-5900 or contact Bayardgallery@aol.com.  At Bayard Gallery of Fine African American Art and Books, 1156 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Sat, Apr 19, 2 pm until 5 pm: Holland Heights Festival of neighborhood activities; includes performances by All For One Dance Group.  Call Tracey Forbes, 392-8559.  At Holland Heights Calvary Reformed Church, Hope Ave and 8th St, Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 24, 3 pm until 7 pm: Annual Housing Fair sponsored by City of Holland Human Relations Commission; free information from lenders, Realtors, home inspectors, and agencies about home buying, credit, mortgages, grants, down payment programs, and how to prevent a home foreclosure.  (616) 355-1328.  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8^th St, Holland.

 

LOOKING AHEAD:

Fri evening, May 2 and all day Sat, May 3: 43^rd annual Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) Fiesta (formerly Cinco de Mayo).  Music, dance, exhibits, food, Queen and King contest.  www.laup.org  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8th St, Holland.

 

Tues, May 20, 7:30 am to 4 pm: Lakeshore Region Summit on Racism.  "Our future depends on inclusion…and inclusion depends on all of us."  Keynote speakers, breakout sessions, lunch.  $20. Register online at  www.ethnicdiversity.org