Tues, Aug 24, 4 to 5:30 pm: Open house and retirement coffee for Janie Briones. Janie worked for the City of Holland for 27 years, including 15 as Neighborhood Liaison office director. She also served on the ACEH board. At New Community Fourth Reformed Church, 238 West 15th St, Holland.
Fri, Aug 27 (3 – 10 pm) and Sat, Aug 28 (11 am – 10 pm): Yassou ("welcome"), the first-ever Greek Cultural Festival in Grand Rapids. Event celebrates the culture and traditions of Greek Orthodox people: live music with Detroit band The Levendes; youth dancers; tours of the church; authentic Greek food for purchase. (616) 454-6563 or htgoc330@sbcglobal.net At Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr NE (between Fulton and Michigan, across from Romence Gardens), Grand Rapids.
Fri, Aug 27; Sat, Aug 28; Sun, Aug 29: Dozynki Festival of the Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids. Polish food, music, dancing, beer tent. www.polishheritagesociety.com At Rosa Parks Circle, Monroe Center St, NW (west of Ottawa, east of Monroe, south of Pearl) in downtown Grand Rapids.
Sun, Aug 29, 5 pm: Closing of Holland Museum's exhibit, "Smile," featuring photos and stories of diverse residents of the community. From 2 to 4 pm, there will be a reception, string quintet, and preparation of a time capsule of exhibit materials. (People who want to submit photos for the time capsule should contact the museum before Aug. 29 at (616) 394-1362.) At Holland Museum, 31 West 10th St, Holland.
Sat, Sept 4, 6 to 9 pm: Closing ceremony for Caribbean Art Festival. Artist awards, urban music from the Caribbean. (616) 459-2224. At St. Cecilia Music Society Center, 24 Ransom Ave, NE, Grand Rapids.
Sat, Sept 11, 5 pm: 8th annual Le Style de Vie, including wine tasting, fashion show, and charity silent auction. Tickets $50, available from Butch's restaurant, Globe Vision and Design, Studio K, and www.aplaceforwomen.org All proceeds benefit the Center for Women in Transition. At Butch's, 44 East 8th St, Holland.
Thurs, Sept 16, 8 am until 4 pm: "MI Response to Hate," a conference presented by the Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Registration now open; conference is free to registered participants. Five workshops: community response system development, hate crime investigation strategies, responding to victims of hate who have a disability, responding to LBGT victims of hate, and hues of hatred: the anti-immigrant ripple effect. Closing speaker will be Frank Meeink, author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead." Contact www.MIAAHC.com At Ramada Lansing Hotel and Conference Center, Lansing.
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COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY: LAUP'S "Steps to Success" Classes:
Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) is offering four types of classes for the Fall 2010 semester:
-- English as a Second Language starts Mon, Sept 13, and meets Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
-- Computers, starts mid-September for Basic Computing and Advanced Computing.
-- Spanish GED is an ongoing class that meets Thursday and Friday nights.
-- Financial Literacy, scheduled on demand; expected to start in mid-September.
Please call (616) 392-5058 to register for any class ($10 donation requested). Classes meet at Midtown Center, 96 West 15th St, Holland.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY: The ALL FOR ONE Dance Program needs a volunteer hip-top or modern dance student to teach teens of diverse cultures two Saturday mornings a month, for one hour, at the Holland Arts Council. Two years' experience required. Call Norma at (616) 298-8895 or email moonchild1993@yahoo.com
