Monday, January 25, 2010

In the Community from ACEH January 25

"Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every person, both young and old, shared a little of what he or she was good at doing."  … Quincy Jones, musician, composer, TV producer.

 

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, Jan 26, 5 pm: "Love, Hope, & Act on Racism," performance by Act on Racism (AOR), a Grand Valley State University student-oriented anti-racism theatre troupe.  At Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, GVSU campus, Allendale.

 

Wed, Jan 27, 9 am until noon:  Free workshop for teachers, parents, and students on alternatives to the military.  Sponsored by Institute for Global Education (IGE); led by peace and human rights activist Jasiu Milanowski.  Information from (616) 942-4713 or from Jasiu at 399-4642.  At IGE, 1118 Wealthy St, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Wed, Jan 27, 4 pm: Documentary, speaker, and discussion: "Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah" and Auschwitz survivor Tova Friedman.  Date is designated by the UN General Assembly as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  Reception at 5:30 pm.  At Maas Center, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

 

Sat, Jan 30, 9 am: Registration and start date of free dance classes for youth.  All For One dance program runs eight weeks and offers Mexican folklorico (9 am to 10 am) for children age 6 and older; zumba (9 am to 10 am) for age 12 and older; and hip-hop (10 am to 11 am) for age 12 and older.  Folklorico students will have to purchase certain clothing items.  Contact Norma Luna at moonchild1993@yahoo.com or (616) 298-8895.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8th St, Holland.

 

Mon, Feb 1, 7 pm: Keynote presentation of Belhar events on Hope College campus:

Prof. Chris Rice, co-director of the Center for Reconciliation of Duke Divinity School, will speak on "Becoming the Beloved Community in America's New Racial Time: Lessons from 30 Years in the Trenches."  He lived for 20 years in an intentionally interracial community in Jackson, Mississippi, and is author of "More than Equals,"  "Grace Matters," and "Reconciling All Things."  At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

          NOTE: Rice also will speak at the 10:30 a.m. chapel service at Dimnent Memorial Chapel (College Ave. and 12th St) and lead a discussion from 11 to noon with pastors and congregational leaders on ways churches can promote racial reconciliation (Room B12 in basement of Dimnent).  The Belhar Confession is a Christian creed, ecumenical in scope, that emerged from the opposition to South African apartheid in the 1980s and is being considered for adoption by a number of Reformed Church bodies.  For more information, contact Dr. Charles Green at green@hope.edu or 395-7725.

 

Fri, Feb 5, 7:15 pm: Opening program in 2010 Leonard F. Stoutemire Lecture Series in African American Religious History: Speaker is Rev. Eric Williams of Western Theological Seminary, on "Historicizing and Contextualizing African American Religious Thought."  Everyone is welcome.  (616) 392-2919 or www.imagine-fellowship.org  At Imagine Fellowship Church, 167 West 20th St, Holland

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

In the Community update from ACEH

ACEH received from the city of Holland the following update to Monday's "In the Community."  The meeting referred to takes place tonight at 7 pm at City Hall.
 
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.
 
Could you please email out the following updated information regarding the City Housing Taskforce Presentation:

 

The invitation sent to you for the City of Holland Housing Task Force Presentation on January 19th was intended to be extended to City committees related to housing and neighborhood policy for their first review of the City of Holland Neighborhood Improvement Strategy. If you are not a member of one of the following City committees related to housing and neighborhood policy listed in the invitation, you are welcome to attend the meeting for informational purposes but may not be able to participate in the roundtable discussion at this particular meeting. You will be advised of any future meetings for public input. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

Please feel free to review a draft copy of the strategy by visiting the following website: http://www.cityofholland.com/Brix?pageID=35 (Near bottom, click on link titled "DRAFT 2009 City of Holland Neighborhood Improvement Strategy").

 

City of Holland Committees Involved With Housing and Neighborhood Policy:

Planning Commission, Ourstreet Committee, Ourstreet Neighborhood Sub Committee, Human Relations Commission, Human Relations Commission Housing Sub Committee, Community Development Committee

 

 

 

Monday, January 18, 2010

In the Community from ACEH January 18

 

"We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race."  … Kofi Annan, Ghanaian diplomat, seventh secretary-general of the United Nations, and 2001 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

 

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.


 

HAITI:  Many of you who receive this email have personal ties to people in Haiti and to groups and religious organizations involved in programs there and have experienced the loss of friends and colleagues. We send our sympathy and urge everyone to support relief efforts in Haiti in every way possible.

 

                                       *                                            *                                        *                   

 

TONIGHT, Mon, Jan 18, 5:45 pm and 6:30 pm:  Community celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. begins with candlelight march at 5:45 pm from Rosa Parks Green (19th and College Ave, Holland) to Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th, Holland.  At 6:30 pm there will be a potluck (bring dish to pass) and service at Imagine Fellowship, with a talk by Prof. Eric Williams of Western Theological Seminary.  Everyone is welcome.  Call 392-2919 or email wayne465@yahoo.com

 

Tues, Jan 19, 6:30 pm: Sustainable Holland Community Forum, seeking public input on energy and water management issues.  At St. Francis de Sales Church, 171 West 13th (13th and Maple), Holland.

 

Tues, Jan 19, 7 pm: City of Holland Housing Task Force Presentation.  Public is invited to unveiling of the City of Holland Neighborhood Improvement Strategy, an update to the 1995 Housing Goals and Policy Statement.  Call Joel Dye at (616) 355-1365.  At Holland City Hall council chambers, 270 South River, Holland.

 

Wed, Jan 20, 7 pm: Presentation of City of Holland/Human Relations Commission Social Justice Awards.  At Holland City Hall council chambers, 270 South River, Holland.

 

Tues, Jan 26, 5 pm: "Love, Hope, & Act on Racism," performance by Act on Racism (AOR), a Grand Valley State University student-oriented anti-racism theatre troupe "anchored in the tradition of the theater of the oppressed" and working to effect positive social change.  At Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, GVSU campus, Allendale.

 

Wed, Jan 27, 9 am until noon:  Free workshop for teachers, parents, and students on alternatives to the military.  Sponsored by Institute for Global Education (IGE); led by peace and human rights activist Jasiu Milanowski.  Information from (616) 942-4713 or from Jasiu at 399-4642.  At IGE, 1118 Wealthy St, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Wed, Jan 27, 4 pm: Documentary, speaker, and discussion: "Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah" and Auschwitz survivor Tova Friedman.  The date was designated by the UN General Assembly as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  Reception follows at 5:30 pm.  At Maas Center, Hope College, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

 

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY

 

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2010: Free, interactive eight-week class to train adults in leadership skills, working with governing bodies, neighborhood issues, and making a difference in the community.  Applications are due Feb 18, 2010; classes begin on Thurs, March 4 and are limited to 15 participants.  Registration required. Classes are held at Midtown Center, 96 West 15th St, Holland.  Contact Janie Briones at the Ourstreet Office (616) 355-3127 or email her at  J.Briones@cityofholland.com; the office is located at 270 South River, Holland.

 

 

EXHIBIT IN EAST LANSING

 

An exhibition of letters from children around the world to former South Africa president Nelson Mandela and to the late civil rights activist Rosa Parks opened January 17 at the Michigan State University Museum in East Lansing. "Dear Mr. Mandela, Dear Mrs. Parks: Children's Letters, Global Lessons" will run throughout the year, until January 3, 2011.  The exhibit is free, with hours 9 am to 5 pm weekdays, 10 am-5 pm Saturdays, and 1 to 5 pm Sundays.  At MSU Museum, West Circle Drive on campus, East Lansing.

 

 

 

 

Monday, January 11, 2010

In the Community from ACEH January 11

"The time is always right to do what is right." …Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

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.


 

TONIGHT, Mon, Jan 11, 7:30 pm: Bilingual information meeting and registration for the Reciprocal Language Partnership, which pairs people who want to learn English with people who want to learn Spanish; facilitated by a teacher.  Classes are two hours on Thursday evenings, Jan. 21 - April 22.  Contact Melissa Roessing at (616) 392-9022, melissaroessing@hotmail.com or Roberto Venegas at (616) 633-8540, venegasbeto@gmail.com  At First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St, Holland.

 

Tues, Jan 12, 7 pm: Rally for immigration reform.  Everyone is welcome. Sponsored by West Michigan Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Michigan Organizing Project, and Reform Immigration for America.  Contact Jordan.bruxvoort@gmail.com or (616) 454-8122 or 425-1559. At La Nueva Esperanza Iglesia Metodista Unida, 107 Burton, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Jan 15-Sat, Jan 23: Civil Rights Celebration week at Hope College, "dedicated to all persons and groups who have worked toward the advancement of civil rights and social justice."  Details from Office of Multicultural Education, www.ome@hope.edu or call (616) 395-7867.  See below:

 

          Jan 18: From the Mouth of a King, sponsored by Black Student Union, presenting throughout the campus selected speeches of Dr. King and slide shows of major events of his life.

          Jan 19, 7 pm: Film and discussion, "Who Killed Vincent Chin?"; sponsored by Hope's Asian Perspective Association.  At Fried Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center, Columbia Ave at 10th St, Holland.

          Jan 20, 11 am: Civil Rights Commemorative March, co-sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta), beginning at Graves Hall and ending at Martha Miller Center.

Jan 21, 7 pm: Open Mic Night, sponsored by La Raza Unida.  At Fried Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center.

          Jan 22, 23, 8 pm and 10:30 pm: Film, "The Stoning of Soraya M."; sponsored by Social Activities Committee; based on the true story of a woman falsely accused in Iran.

 

Sun, Jan 17, 6 pm: Prayer Service for Reconciliation and Action.  Ecumenical service for reconciliation in Grand Rapids, focusing on "struggles of the immigrant community and the role people of faith must play as we stand together for a more just world."  Service includes Sudanese choir, African American male chorus, Hispanic praise band, and a multiethnic praise team. (616) 454-8122. Sponsored by West Michigan Immigration Reform Coalition, Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice, and Michigan Organizing Project. At Madison Square Christian Reformed Church, 1441 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Mon, Jan 18, 5:45 pm: Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service.  Event begins with candlelight march from Rosa Parks Green (19th and College) to Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th St, Holland.  Celebration and potluck is at the Fellowship starting at 6:30 pm; please bring a dish to pass. Keynote speaker is Professor Eric Williams of Western Theological Seminary.  Everyone is welcome.

 

Wed, Jan 20, 7 pm:  Presentation of Social Justice Awards by Holland Human Relations Commission and City Council.  ACEH board member Lucia Rios of the Disability Network/Lakeshore will receive the Housing award.  Others are: ACEH member Tony Castillo, in the Employment category; Jonathan and Jeannette Brownson, Government and Community Relations; Jim and Max Kwon, Youth; and Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, Migrant Mentoring Program.  At City Hall, 270 South River, Holland.

 

  

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES:

 

1) TUTORS ARE NEEDED to help English-speaking adults improve their reading and writing skills.  Tutors meet with a student at a time and public place of their choosing for 90 minutes, once a week.  Testing and materials are provided by the READ program at Christ Memorial Church.  No charge; this is an all-volunteer program.  Contact Carol McGeehan at cmcgeeha@davenport.edu

 

2) LATIN AMERICANS UNITED FOR PROGRESS offers a new computer classes beginning this week.  Three-hour classes (basic or advanced) meet once a week for six weeks. A donation of $10 is requested at registration, but is not required to enroll. Registration is necessary. Call (616) 392-5058. At LAUP Computer Lab, Midtown Center, 16th Street and Pine, Holland.

 

3) HOLLAND FIRST is accepting applications for its 2010 class, which begins February 23 and runs through April 20. This free program "promotes cultural awareness and community leadership through exploration of local programs and resources that enhance the quality of life here.  Goal is to understand these community assets and how they work within a diverse population."  Facilitated by Dante Villarreal of the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center.  Classes meet once a week for eight weeks and cover community history, economic development, community resources, law enforcement, government, education, art/culture.  Sponsored by Chemical bank and Blue Cross/Blue Shield/Blue Care Network of Michigan.  For more information or to register, call the Holland Chamber of Commerce, (616) 392-2389

 

 

 

 

Monday, January 04, 2010

In the Community from ACEH January 4

"The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day; a movement is only people moving."  author and activist Gloria Steinem

 

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.


 

Through Tues, Jan 5:  Exhibit, "Women of Michoacán."  Paintings, photographs, and sculpture by women (and one man) from the Mexican state of Michoacán.  Free. At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8th St, Holland.

 

Thurs, Jan 7, 7:30 pm or Mon, Jan 11, 7:30 pm: Bilingual information meetings (interested students MUST attend one of the meetings) and registration for the Reciprocal Language Partnership, which pairs people who want to learn English with people who want to learn Spanish; facilitated by a teacher.  Classes are two hours on Thursday evenings, Jan. 21 - April 22.  Contact Melissa Roessing at (616) 392-9022, melissaroessing@hotmail.com or Roberto Venegas at (616) 633-8540, venegasbeto@gmail.com  At First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St, Holland.

 

Fri, Jan 8, 7 pm: General meeting of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH): "Faith, Inner Faith, and Interfaith," by Bill Freeman of The Journey Church/Interfaith Congregation, whose ministry focuses on justice and peace and who seeks "to find unity, not uniformity, in diversity, believing that what unites us is greater than what divides us."  Everyone is welcome.  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

Fri, Jan 15-Sat, Jan 23: Civil Rights Celebration week at Hope College, "dedicated to all persons and groups who have worked toward the advancement of civil rights and social justice."  Details from Office of Multicultural Education, www.ome@hope.edu or call (616) 395-7867.  See below:

 

          Jan 18: From the Mouth of a King, sponsored by Black Student Union, presenting throughout the campus selected speeches of Dr. King and slide shows of major events of his life.

          Jan 19, 7 pm: Film and discussion, "Who Killed Vincent Chin?"; sponsored by Hope's Asian Perspective Association.  At Fried Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center, Columbia Ave at 10th St, Holland.

          Jan 20, 11 am: Civil Rights Commemorative March, co-sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta), beginning at Graves Hall and ending at Martha Miller Center.

          Jan 21, 7 pm: Open Mic Night, sponsored by La Raza Unida.  At Fried Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center.

          Jan 22, 23: Film, "The Stoning of Soraya M."; sponsored by Social Activities Committee; based on a true story of a woman falsely accused in Iran.

 

Mon, Jan 18, 5:45 pm: Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service.  Event begins with candlelight march from Rosa Parks Green (19th and College) to Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th St, Holland.  Celebration and potluck is at the Fellowship starting at 6:30 pm; bring a dish to pass.  Everyone is welcome.

 

 

                                                                                         COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES:

 

1) TUTORS ARE NEEDED to help English-speaking adults improve their reading and writing skills.  Tutors meet with a student at a time and public place of their choosing for 90 minutes, once a week.  Testing and materials are provided by the READ program at Christ Memorial Church.  No charge; this is an all-volunteer program.  Contact Carol McGeehan at cmcgeeha@davenport.edu

 

2) LATIN AMERICANS UNITED FOR PROGRESS offers a new round of computer classes beginning the week of January 11.  Three-house classes meet once a week for six weeks. Students may take Basic Computer Skills, offered Monday mornings (9 AM – 12 PM) or Monday evenings (6 – 9 PM). Two modules of Advanced Classes are available: Tuesday mornings (9 AM – 12 PM) or Tuesday evenings (6 -9 PM). In Basic Computer classes students learn to turn the computer on and off, how to navigate windows, and how to browse the Internet and use email. Advanced classes cover basics of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. A donation of $10 is requested at registration, but is not required to enroll. Registration for classes is necessary. Call (616) 392-5058 to register or for more information.  Classes are held in the LAUP Computer Lab at the Midtown Center, 16th Street and Pine, Holland.