In the Community from ACEH April 22: Books Needed

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.

 

 

Got Books?  Bring Them!

 

Books, books, books for toddlers and children—do you have some that are gently used?  Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) will be distributing books to families at this year's Fiesta, May 2, which has the theme: "Educate Now for a Better Tomorrow."

 

The book distribution is a combined effort with the Great Start Collaborative of Ottawa County, Ready for School, and Intercare's Reach Out and Read program to promote literacy and its advantages from the earliest stages of a child's life.

 

Okay, you have some children's books that are in good condition, or maybe you're able to go out and buy a few new books for this great cause.  Here are the drop-off sites where you can leave books until Friday, April 24.

 

1. Western Theological Seminary, 101 East 13th Street
2. McDonald's Restaurant: 657 East 8^th Street
3. McDonald's Restaurant: 213 River Avenue
4. McDonald's Restaurant: 12645 Riley Street

 Thanks for your help.  Parents and kids will appreciate your contribution!

In the Community from ACEH April 17

"We fought injustice wherever we found it, no matter how large, or how small, and we fought injustice to preserve our own humanity."  … 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.

Now through Apr 26: Giving for Good Online Auction of goods and services, to support the Clearinghouse Program of Good Samaritan Ministries.  To sponsor or donate, call (616) 392-7159, ext 109. Visit www.goodsamministries.com to view the auction catalog.

 

Mon, Apr 21, 6:30 pm: Classes in Spanish for adults over age 50 who are coping with chronic disease; led by bilingual, bicultural facilitators Lupita Reyes, LMSW, and Poema Weller.  Free and open to adults and their caregivers; limited to 15 persons. Classes continue to May 26.  To register, call (616) 499-4872. Cosponsors: Evergreen Commons and Lakeshore Latino Outreach Center.  At St. Jane's Room, St. Francis de Sales Church, 13^th and Maple, Holland.

 

Tues, Apr 21, 7 pm: "Climate Change: A Faith Perspective," by Sister Sharon Zayac of Jubilee Farms, speaking on the Climate Project—international volunteers trained by Al Gore "to raise awareness about this crisis and inform people of potential solutions."  At Lady of the Lake Church, 152^nd and James St, Holland.

 

Wed, Apr 22, 11:30 am: Annual Minority Business Awards Luncheon of the Business Connections Committee, Holland Area Chamber of Commerce.  Celebrates diversity and presents awards to Minority Business of the Year and Outstanding Advocate for Minority-Owned Business. $30 person.  Register online at www.hollandchamber.org or call (616) 392-1838; email events@hollandchamber.org.  At Midtown Center, 96 West 15^th St, Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 23, 6 pm: 17^th annual "Reach for the Stars" dinner auction to benefit programs and services of the Center for Women in Transition; featured speaker is journalist and author Joan Anderson.  $100; reservations required; seating limited to 400.  Call (616) 494-1744 or visit www.aplaceforwomen.org for tickets. At Laketown Conference Center, 6069 Blue Star Memorial Highway, Saugatuck.

 

Mon, Apr 27, 7 pm: Forum, "Children at Risk," with a panel of child advocate experts concerned about the rising numbers of such children in Michigan.  Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Holland.  At Holland City Hall, River Ave at 12^th, Holland.

 

 

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH April 13

 

"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" … George Eliot, Middlemarch  (1871)

 

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.

Tues, Apr 14, 10 am until noon:  Third annual Gang Symposium.  Overview of community's response to gangs over the last year; ideas and next steps; breakout group discussions focusing on new initiatives and how to get involved.  Open to agencies, organizations, groups, churches, businesses, and community members  who want to play a role in reducing gang activity. At Boys & Girls Club, 435 Van Raalte (at 18^th St), Holland.

Thurs, Apr 16, 7 pm: "The Michigan Connection: The Art and Legacy of Diego Rivera," presented by Rebecca R. Hart, associate curator at the Detroit Institute of Arts, where the Mexican artist's famous 27-panel mural was installed in 1933.  She will discuss Rivera's "place in the modern art world and the impact he continues to have on Hispanic and non-Hispanic artists" and share insights into his conceptions about Michigan.  Part of Culture of Mexico Festival.  At Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St, Saugatuck.

Sat, Apr 18, 10 am until 5 pm: City Fair for Home Ownership.  Free.  Workshops: first-time homebuyers, purchasing a foreclosed home, how to green your home, fair housing regulations, and foreclosure prevention.  Awards for student posters on "promoting equal housing opportunity" presented at 2:30 pm. Sponsored by Holland Human Relations Commission. www.humanrelationscommission.cityofholland.com or (616) 355-1328.  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West Eighth.

Sat, Apr 18, 2 pm until 5 pm: 4^th annual Holland Heights Fest, "Growing Community." Performers, including Chan's Martial Arts; free ethnic cuisine, food samples, art displays, game and activities for kids.  Free, but please bring a canned food item to receive a raffle ticket for prizes.  Call Tracey at (616) 392-8559, ext. 18 or email heightsofhope@yahoo.com  At Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, 836 East Eighth St., Holland.

Sat, Apr 18, 8 pm: Ballet Folklorico—Quetzalli. Dance troupe from the state of Veracruz, Quetzalli was founded in 1985; their performance, with authentic stringed instruments, features many regional dances of old Mexico.  Tickets are $30 adults, $10 children under 18. Reserved seating. (269) 867-2399; info@sc4a.org  Part of Culture of Mexico Festival.  At Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St, Saugatuck.

Wed, Apr 22, 8:45 am to 11:45 am workshops; luncheon at noon: 22^nd annual Fair Housing Luncheon and Workshop Series. Workshops run concurrently: "Foreclosure in Our Neighborhoods: A Revitalizing Community Response"; "Hate Crimes in Our Neighborhoods: Enhancing Awareness and Prevention Strategies": and "Accessible Housing: Building New Opportunities."  Luncheon speaker is Dr. Nandinee K. Kutty, economist and policy consultant, on the cost of segregation to communities, the imperative for equality, and the value of integration. Cost: $30 for workshops, $30 for luncheon, or $45 for both. Preregistration required, at (616) 451-2980 or www.fhcwm.org.  Sponsored by Fair Housing Center of West Michigan. At Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5700 28^th St, SE, Grand Rapids.

Through Mon, April 27: "La Loteria: An Exploration of Mexico":  54 paintings by Teresa Villegas about the popular Mexican game, Loteria.  Part of Culture of Mexico Festival.  Goodwill offering.  (269) 857-2399 or info@sc4a.org At Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St, Saugatuck.

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH April 6

 

"Since when do you have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?" ...
- Lillian Hellman

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.

This is Asian Awareness Week at Hope College—check out the several events*** below, sponsored by Hope's Asian Perspective Association (HAPA).

 

***Tonight, Mon, Apr 6, 7 pm: Sushi Night with the Japan Club; come and create your own sushi.  At Phelps Multicultural Lounge, Phelps Hall, 154 E. 10^th (near 10^th and Columbia), Holland.

 

***Tues, Apr 7, 7 pm: "Invisible Asians" student panel. "Asians" are usually portrayed as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean; what about Asians "beyond the mainstream"?  This program is by Hope students from Cambodia, Laos, Palestine, and Sri Lanka.  Refreshments, snacks.  At Martha Miller Center, 257 Columbia (Columbia and 10^th), Holland.

 

Wed, Apr 8, 4 pm: Film, "Habana Blues" (2005); part of the Latin American film series.  At Martha Miller Center, Fried-Hemenway Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 10^th St, Holland

 

***Wed, Apr 8, 5 pm until 6:30 pm: Culture Stations: Explore Asian cultures and learn the basics in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese languages, plus two stations of fun Asian games.  At Phelps Multicultural Lounge, 154 E. 10^th, Holland.

 

***Thurs, Apr 9, 6 pm: Bollywood Movie Night, showing "Chak De India" (Go India!), a Bollywood sports film about the first women's field hockey team in India.  Indian food will be provided.  At Martha Miller Center multicultural lounge 111, 257 Columbia Ave (Columbia and 10^th), Holland.

Fri, Apr 10, 7 pm:  "Bridging the Gap: Hearts, Jelly Beans, and a Snapshot of Your Life."  Program of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH), with presentations by Hearts in Harmony partners and developer Rev. Angela Taylor Perry, and interactive exercises and discussion led by diversity trainer Eleanor Lopez.  Election of new board members.  Everyone is welcome. People attending are asked to bring a dessert to share, from their own ethnic background if possible.  392-5086. www.harmonyalliance.org  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

Tues, Apr 14, 10 am until noon:  Third annual Gang Symposium.  Overview of community's response to gangs over the last year; ideas and next steps; breakout group discussions focusing on new initiatives and how to get involved.  Open to agencies, organizations, groups, churches, businesses, and community members concerned about gang issues in the area and who wants to play a role in reducing gang activity.  At Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, 435 Van Raalte (at 18^th St), Holland.

Sat, Apr 18, 10 am until 5 pm: City Fair for Home Ownership.  Free.  Workshop topics: first-time homebuyers, purchasing a foreclosed home, how to green your home, fair housing regulations, and foreclosure prevention.  Awards for student posters on "promoting equal housing opportunity" will be presented at 2:30 pm.  Sponsored by City of Holland Human Relations Commission.  (616) 355-1328 or www.humanrelations.cityofholland.com  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8^th.