In the Community from ACEH May 26

"For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people's love and concern for each other." … Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity

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.

Sat, May 30, 11 am until 4 pm: Celebration of Multicultural Connections, showcasing music, dance, children's activities, Doo Dah parade, clay art sculpture, duck pond, pickle toss and pickle painting, magic shows, martial arts, Circle Junkeez, All For One dance group, food and beverage selections.  Organized by South Shore Village businesses, Neighborhood Commercial Improvement Program, and Holland International Relations Commission.  Free, open to the public, everyone welcome. At 501 West 17^th Street, where it meets 16^th St, Holland.

 

Tues, June 9, 6:30 pm: Safe Neighborhoods, Safe Kids: STEPS for building a safe and strong community.  Topics: "Keeping your neighborhood and city safe," by Holland Police Department Sgt. Drew Torres; "Specific steps parents can take," by Glenda Miranda, treatment specialist, 20^th Judicial Circuit Court; "Why and How" of Neighborhood Watch; and "Ways to get involved"--community resource information. Sponsored by Community Members of the Holland Gang Reduction Committee.  At Holland High School Media Center, 600 Van Raalte Ave, Holland.

 

2009 CHINESE IMMERSION CAMP: June 10 registration deadline

Chinese Village LLC is offering a Chinese Language and Culture Summer Camp primarily for children ages 4 to 11 with little or no experience in Mandarin Chinese. Three different sessions, two hours each: Mon-Thurs, June 15-18; July 13-16, or July 27-30 (two sessions, including one for middle and high school students).  Activities include writing characters, singing, dancing, games taught by native Chinese speakers familiar with both Chinese and English language and culture.  Cost is $80 per session, with discounts for multiple children in a family and multi-session signups. Sign up by June 10, 2009, at www.chinesevillage.org or by mail, with check to Chinese Village, LLC, P.O. Box 542, Ada, MI 49301.  Camp is at Keystone Community Church, Ada, MI.

  

DRAWING CONTEST "Este es mi Mexico" for children ages 7 – 11: June 26 entry deadline

The Mexican government Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized a drawing contest for children between age 7 and 11 "who identify themselves with Mexico."  In 2010, Mexico will celebrate two important dates in its history and the contest is dedicated to commemorating them:  200 years of the initiation of Mexico's independence and 100 years of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.  Winning drawings will be part of a traveling exhibit around the world, or will be used to compose a 2010 calendar, and winners will be able to choose from several prizes.  Michigan students who want to take part should contact Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 North High St, Lansing; (517) 372-4700, ext. 132 or 133; www.cristo-rey.com for guidelines and a registration form.  Entries must be received at Cristo Rey by Friday, June 26, 2009, to be forwarded to the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit.

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH May 20

"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color." …Maya Angelou

 

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.

Sat, May 30, 11 am until 4 pm:  "A Celebration of Multicultural Connections," a new fiesta showcasing entertainment, artistic interpretations, and culinary flavors.  In other words, fun and food, children's activities, art, music, magic shows, a doo-dah parade, All for One dancers, Circle Junkees, Latin Dance Company, pickle painting and pickle toss, balloon animals, clay art, and more.  Sponsored by South Shore Village businesses, Holland International Relations Commission, and the Neighborhood Commercial Improvement Program.   Annie Olson, Norma Luna, and ACEH are among the participants.  Free, everyone is invited.  At West 17^th Street business area, where it joins 16^th St, Holland.

 

 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Ottawa County Offers County Residents a Free Discount Card

 for Prescriptions and Other Services

A new Ottawa County program, the Ottawa County Rx Card, may give you savings of up to 75 percent on prescription drugs, with an average saving of about 30 percent.  There are no restrictions for membership, no age limit, and no income restrictions. 

 

You can be uninsured, underinsured, or already have health insurance that doesn't include prescription drug benefits.  You're also eligible if you already have prescription coverage but need drugs not covered by your health plan, or if you are a Medicare Part D beneficiary who has entered the "donut hole" and need help paying for your prescriptions. 

 

In addition, the card provides certain point of sale discounts on dental, vision, and hearing services as well as on some vitamins and pet medications. 

 

If you are a resident of Ottawa County, you can join the program by downloading a card from the Ottawa County website (each family member must have his or her own card): www.miottawa.org/HealthComm/Health/drug.htm

 

Starting June 1, the Ottawa County Health Department will supply the cards to human service agencies to give their customers and clients.  There is no enrollment process, paperwork, or burden on the agencies that will distribute the cards.

 

The Health Department is holding four informational open houses (see below) about the program, and agencies are encouraged to drop in to one of these meetings to pick up a supply of cards.  For information about the cards or the meetings, call Lynne  Doyle at 393-5798.

 

--Mon, June 1, 10:30 am to noon: Ottawa Co. Health Dept., 12254 James, Holland.

--Tues, June 2, 1:30 pm to 3 pm: Ottawa Co. Health Dept., 16920 Ferris, Grand Haven.

--Thurs, June 4, 10:30 am to noon: Tallmadge Township Hall, O-1451 Leonard St, NW.

--Fri, June 5, 1:30 pm to 3 pm: Ottawa Co. Health Dept., 3100 Port Sheldon Rd, Hudsonville.

 

In the Community from ACEH May 4

 "Justice begins with the recognition of the necessity of sharing" …Elias Canetti, Bulgarian-born novelist and non-fiction writer in German, winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature, 1981.

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.

Thurs, May 14, 5:30 pm: 4^th annual Amazing Asian Awards dinner; includes cultural program of signature Asian dances and fashions.  Tickets $50.  (616) 301-3987 or centera@gvsu.edu  Sponsored by Asian Center of Grand Valley State University (1444 Michigan St NE), which also offers cultural competency training and conferences, various health programs, youth camps and sports events, translations, and other programs to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans in West Michigan.  At Applause, 2728 Birchcrest, Grand Rapids.

Sat, May 30, 11 am to 4 pm: Celebration of Multicultural Connections; includes Doo-Dah parade, music, art, dance, children's activities, food.  Sponsored by South Shore Village Businesses, Holland International Relations Commission, and the Neighborhood Commercial Improvement Program.  For information, contact Tina at (616) 355-1369 or t.perry@cityofholland.com  In west side area of 17^th Street, where 16^th and 17^th streets come together.

 

LOOKING AHEAD:

Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20: 9^th annual Community Celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  Holland event includes 3 on 3 basketball tournament, Miss Juneteenth Beauty Pageant, dinner, information booths, retail vendors, food vendors, games.  For information or to become a sponsor, contact Ruth Coleman at (616) 836-8559

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland has 5 full-time or part-time openings: Teen Center Director/Community Outreach; Health and Physical Education Director; Registrar/Receptionist (30 hours/week); Middle School Lead Program Assistant (30 hours/week); and Teen Program Assistant (30/hours week).  All include benefits; all except Registrar require at least an associates degree related to youth development programming and one or two years of experience.  All require the ability to work Monday through Friday between 3 pm and 8 pm during the school year and 10 am and 6 pm during the summer.  More information about the Boys and Girls Club is on the website www.bgch.org. More detail about these jobs is on the Holland Sentinel website www.hollandsentinel.com/jobs, then look at Top Jobs.  Apply with resume to Gene Beal, gbeal@bgch.org; fax (616) 392-7502; 435 Van Raalte Avenue, Holland.

 

 

 

 

in the community from ACEH May 1

"You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed."  … Rabindranoth Tagore

 

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, May 1, 6 to 9 pm: 44^th annual Fiesta! (formerly Cinco de Mayo) celebration begins.  Outdoor entertainment, featuring Grupo Kañon, Jose Ramon Garcia, Maribel Garza, Avivamiento, Rapper G.I.  At 8 pm, Evolucion Norteña performs.  Sponsored by Latin Americans United for Progress.  At 8^th Street Marketplace, in front of Holland Civic Center, Pine Ave at 8^th St, Holland.

                                                          AND

Sat, May 2, 9 am to 5 pm: Fiesta! continues.  Theme is "Educate Now for a Better Tomorrow (La Educación para el Futuro Comienza Hoy)!"  Books will be given free to families, collected by LAUP, Great Start of Ottawa County, Ready for School, and InterCare.  Fiesta includes food, carnival, exhibitors, low rider cars, and many music and dance performances throughout the day.  King and Queen contest runs from 9 am to 12:15 pm.  Prize drawings at 4:30 pm.  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8^th Street (at Pine Avenue), Holland.

 

Today through May 9: 80^th annual Tulip Time festival, with wide variety of events.  Go to www.tuliptime.com for schedule or call (616) 396-4221.

 

Tues, May 5, 6 pm: Beginning of summer migrant reading program sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, to engage children ages 0 to 5 in reading activities.  Program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 20.  Volunteers will meet at LEDA office (at Macatawa Resource Center, 665 136^th Ave, Holland) and travel to migrant camps on the north side.  For information, contact Sarah at (616) 846-9074 or program@ethnicdiversity.org

 

Wed, May 6, 11 am: The Ambassador of the Netherlands to the United States, Renée Jones-Bos, speaks at the annual Tulip Time Festival luncheon.  Tickets available through Friday, May 1.  Contact www.tuliptime.com or (616) 396-4221.

 

Sat, May 30, 11 am to 4 pm: Celebration of Multicultural Connections; includes Doo-Dah parade, music, art, dance, children's activities, food.  Sponsored by South Shore Village Businesses, Holland International Relations Commission, and the Neighborhood Commercial Improvement Program.  For information, contact Tina at (616) 355-1369 or t.perry@cityofholland.com  In west side area of 17^th Street, where 16^th and 17^th streets come together.

 

LOOKING AHEAD:

Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20: 9^th annual Community Celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  Holland event includes 3 on 3 basketball tournament, Miss Juneteenth Beauty Pageant, dinner, information booths, retail vendors, food vendors, games.  For information or to become a sponsor, contact Ruth Coleman at (616) 836-8559