In the Community from ACEH September 26

 

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: September 26, 2011

 

 "If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people." … Chinese proverb

 

Herb and Ann Weller

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony; Events list is also posted on the website www.harmonyalliance.org  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please notify hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com  NOTE: To learn more about ACEH, see our Facebook group: ACEH- Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony or website or call 392-5086.

TONIGHT, Mon, Sept 26, 7 pm: Nicholas Kristof, author of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women," outlines "an agenda for the world's women and three major abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality." GRCC Diversity Lecture Series.  At Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St, NE, Grand Rapids.

Wed, Sept 28, 4 pm: Destination Education workshop: The 4 Steps to College 101.  For 7^th to 12^th graders and parents, mentors, youth-serving organization staff.  Learn 4 easy steps to go to college and other college resources.  Email destinationeducationhz@yahoo.com or call (616) 594-7140.  An initiative of  the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

Wed, Sept 28, 4 pm:  Lecture, "From Dictatorship to Democracy: The Future of Islam and U.S.-Muslim Relations," by  Dr. John Esposito of Georgetown University, author of "The Future of Islam."  Sponsored by Hope College Religion Department.  Open to the public.  At Winant Auditorium, Graves Hall, College Ave at 11^th St, Holland.  (See www.hope.edu/cis for other events of Hope's Critical Issues Symposium Oct. 4 and 5.) 

Wed, Sept 28, 4:30 to 6:30 pm: Latino Food Festival: foods from Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Peru; music and dance performances.  $5 for non-students.  At Hope College Phelps and Cook dining halls, 10^th St between College and Columbia, Holland.

Thurs, Sept 29, 6 pm to 8:30 pm:  Citizenship classes, part of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)'s Steps to Success program.   Bilingual classes meet once a week for 8 weeks.  Contact Juan Alfaro, (616) 594-7109 or juan.alfaro@laup.org.  At Midtown Center, Room 306, 96 West 15^th St, Holland.

Thurs, Sept 29, 6:30 to 8 pm: 2011 Student Leadership Expo, for 9^th to 12^th graders and parents to find out about volunteer and leadership opportunities for students in the greater Holland community; building leadership skills; more.  Representatives from a dozen local organizations, including ACEH, will be there.  At Holland City Hall, 270 South River, Holland.

Sun, Oct 2, noon until 5 pm:  Kids' ArtFest 2011: A World of Creativity.  Free; includes 15 "art pods" where kids can create a variety of art (includes Flags of the World, hosted by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH); three stages for music, art, and performances; cultural ethnic dress parade (2 pm) led by ACEH president Marvin Younger; dance party, artists in the park, more. 

 For information, go to www.GRCM.com or Facebook event page: Kid's ArtFest: A World of Creativity. Sponsored by Grand Rapids Children's Museum in partnership with Square Peg Events.  At Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Sheldon Ave, downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Tues, Oct 4, and Wed, Oct 5: "Exploring Islam," Hope College Critical Issues Symposium "delving into the multi-layered diversity of Islam's core beliefs and practices."  Tues keynote at 7 pm: Author Reza Aslan, author of "No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam"; at Dimnent MemorialChapel, College Ave at 12^th St, Holland.  Wed keynote at 9:30 am: Asma Barlas, author of "Believing Women" in "Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an"; Dimnent Chapel.  See www.hope.edu/cis  for schedule of focus and department-sponsored sessions.  All events are open to the public.

Sat, Oct 8, 10 am to 2 pm: Free workshop at which volunteer attorneys and law students will  help legal permanent residents, 18 or older, complete citizenship applications (other eligibility requirements apply also).  Call (269) 492-7196 for information on what papers to bring to workshop.  Sponsored by Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  At Cooley Law School, 111 Commerce SW, Room 529, Grand Rapids.

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LOOKING AHEAD

Thurs, Oct 13, 11:30 am: Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) hosts Margaret Regan, author of "The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands."  Public is invited.  At Herrick District Library auditorium, 300 South River, Holland.

Fri, Oct 14, 7 pm:  "Bullying."  General meeting of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH) with award-winning video and local panelists.  Public is invited. Co-sponsored by Holland Human Relations Commission.  392-5086. At Holland City Hall Council Chambers, 270 South River, Holland.

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Help Students Look at Race in the Media, Recognize Stereotypes

 

Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance needs volunteers for youth conferences that will be held  from 9 am to 11 am on Oct 10 (middle schoolers) and Oct 11 (high schoolers) at Hope College.  Volunteers facilitate a dialogue on race issues with a small group of students, using materials that look at race in the media; the discussion will help students recognize stereotypes and develop skills to analyze representations of race in media.  Experience in dialogue facilitation is helpful but not necessary. To volunteer, you must attend a training session to learn the materials and be matched with a co-facilitator.  Training times are 4 pm to 5:30 pm, Oct 3, in Holland and 3:30 pm to 5 pm Oct 5 in Grand Haven.  For information or to sign up, contact Sarah at (616) 846-9074 or at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH September 19

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: September 19, 2011

 

"Not the faults of others, nor what others have done or left undone, but one's own deeds, done and left undone, should one consider." …Buddha

 

 

Herb and Ann Weller

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony; Events list is also posted on www.harmonyalliance.org  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please notify hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com  NOTE: To learn more about ACEH, see our Facebook group: ACEH- Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony or website or call 392-5086.

TONIGHT, Mon, Sept 19, 5:30 pm: Women of Sister Circle Roundtable and potluck supper, a part of Hearts in Harmony program, open to all women interested in racial reconciliation; facilitated by Rev. Angela Taylor Perry.  Please bring a dish to share.  At Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 West 26^th St, Holland.

Tues, Sept 20, 11:30 am: "Attracting and Retaining Persons of Color to Your Organization," with guest speaker Faye Richardson Green.  Sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community.  $25, includes lunch; send check to PRFC, 250 Commerce Ave, SW, Grand Rapids 49503.  At Dominican Center, 2025 East Fulton, Grand Rapids.

Tues, Sept 20, 7 pm: League of Women Voters-Holland Area forum "The New Election Maps: Will They Change the Impact of Your Vote?"  Free, open to public.  Speakers: Prof. David Ryden, Hope College Department of Political Science; State Rep. Amanda Price (R), and Liddy Olszewski, chair, Ottawa County Democrats.  At Graves Hall, Hope College, College Ave at 11^th St,, Holland.

Mon, Sept 26, 7 pm: Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist, author of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women," outlines "an agenda for the world's women and three major abuses: sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality." Grand Rapids Community College Diversity Lecture Series.  Free, open to public.  At Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St, NE, Grand Rapids.

Wed, Sept 28, 4:30 to 6:30 pm: Latino Food Festival.  $5 for community members.  At Hope College Phelps and Cook dining halls, 10^th St between College and Columbia, Holland.

Thurs, Sept 29, 6:30 to 8 pm: 2011 Student Leadership Expo, for parents and 9^th to 12^th grade students, to find out about volunteer and leadership opportunities for students in the greater Holland community; building leadership skills; more.  Representatives from a dozen local organizations, including ACEH, will be there.  At Holland City Hall, 270 South River, Holland.

 

Update: Schedule Changes for

INSTITUTES FOR HEALING RACISM

Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance has announced changes in the dates for fall Institutes for Healing Racism:

--An eight-week Institute will now be 3 to 5 pm on Tuesdays beginning Oct. 4 through Nov. 16, and Nov. 29.  Cost is $100.

--A two-day Institute, "Continuing the Conversation," for previous participants in an Institute, will now be Wed, Nov 16, and Thurs, Nov 17, from 8 am to 5 pm. Cost is $125.

 

Both Institutes will be held at GVSU Meijer Campus, Room 104, 515 South Waverly, Holland. Financial hardship scholarships are available to anyone who cannot afford the Institute fees. Contact  www.ethnicdiversity.org for more information and registration.

 

 

Art Prize 2011

Holland resident Sandra Hansen is among the artists taking part in Art Prize this year.  Her triptych (three-panel work; altarpiece) painting of the story of Emmet Till, his mother, and other icons of civil rights is on exhibit at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.

 

 

ACEH In the Community September 14, 2011

 

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: September 14, 2011

 

"Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences but by those who, with open minds and hearts, seek out connections."

 

Herb and Ann Weller

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony; Events list is also posted on the website www.harmonyalliance.org  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please notify hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com  NOTE: To learn more about ACEH, see our Facebook group: ACEH- Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony or website or call 392-5086.

Thurs, Sept 15, 8 am-11:30 am: "Let's Talk Health," community conversation.  Seeks input from African American community on key health issues and concerns.  Includes faith-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, individuals, and health care providers.  Panel, breakout sessions.  At Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center, 2500 South Division Ave SW, Grand Rapids.

Fri, Sept 16: Deadline to register for 2011 Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit, organized by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, which will be held in Lansing Fri, Sept 23, 8:30 am to 4 pm, at Lansing Community College.  No charge.  Information and registration at www.michiganimmigrant.org

Fri, Sept 16-Sun, Sept 18, noon to 9 pm: Fiesta Mexicana 2011.  Information at www.Mexican-heritage.org  At Calder Plaza, downtown Grand Rapids.

Sept 17-18, Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival in Holland:  Centennial Park, Holland Museum, Knickerbocker Theatre, and Holland Armory for celebrations of music, films, art, dance, children's activities, giant piñata, worship service, food for purchase, more.  Salsa Night is Sept 17, 9 pm to midnight, with Concepto Latino.  See the Tulipanes website for schedule and events: www.tulipanes.org

Mon, Sept 19, 5:30 pm: Women of Sister Circle Roundtable and potluck supper, a part of Hearts in Harmony program, open to all women interested in racial reconciliation; facilitated by Rev. Angela Taylor Perry.  Please bring a dish to pass.  At Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 West 26^th St, Holland.

Tues, Sept 20, 11:30 am: "Attracting and Retaining Persons of Color to Your Organization," with guest speaker Faye Richardson Green.  Sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community.  $25, includes lunch; send check to PRFC, 250 Commerce Ave, SW, Grand Rapids 49503.  At Dominican Center, 2025 East Fulton, Grand Rapids.

Tues, Sept 20, 7 pm: League of Women Voters-Holland Area forum "The New Election Maps: Will They Change the Impact of Your Vote?"  Free, open to public.  Speakers: Prof. David Ryden, Hope College Department of Political Science; State Rep. Amanda Price (R), and Liddy Olszewski, chair, Ottawa County Democrats.  At Graves Hall, Hope College, College Ave at 11^th St,, Holland.

Thurs, Sept 22, 7 pm: "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Harvard professor Michael Sandel, author of  best-selling book by the same name that relates "questions of political philosophy to vexing issues: bank bailouts, equality and inequality, same sex marriage, taxes, immigration, affirmative action, role of markets, national service, the place of religion in politics, ethical questions of everyday life."  Free, open to  public; free parking in Fulton St lot.  Part of GVSU Fall Arts Celebration.  At Eberhard Center 2^nd floor, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, downtown Grand Rapids.

ESL CLASSES

(1) Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are being offered by Sparta/Zeeland Adult Education:  Three levels of instruction; classes on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30-11:30 am. Advanced afternoon class is available to study for GED and National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Call 494-8803 for information, registration. At Engedi Church in the former K-Mart Plaza, Waverly Road and Chicago Drive, Holland.

(2) Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) ESL classes begin the week of Sept. 12 and will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Martha Miller Center, Hope College, Columbia Ave and 10^th St, Holland.  People interested in classes must attend an orientation to discuss the class, gather information, and take a placement test .  Call (616) 392-5058.  At LAUP office, Midtown Center, 16^th St between River and Pine, Holland.

(3) Holland Public Schools ESL classes:  Classes begin Mon, Sept 12, with 12 hours per week (4 days), flexible schedule (mornings and evenings), four levels of English.  $20.  Must be 18 years of age or older; picture ID required at registration; registration/testing takes 1 ½ hours.  Registration date: Thurs, Sept 8, 9 am–4 pm.  Call 494-2618.  Registration and classes held at Van Raalte Tech School, 461 Van Raalte Ave, Holland.  (Para información en español, por favor llame al 494-2639.)

GED and COMPUTER CLASSES

The Steps to Success Program of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) is offering these free classes, taught in a bilingual setting; both meet at the LAUP Computer Lab, Midtown Center, 16^th between River and Pine, Holland.  Call (616) 594-7109 for information. 

·          GED classes: Wednesday (5 – 8 pm) and Thursday (5 – 6:30 pm), starting the week of Sept. 5.

·          Computer classes: Once a week for six weeks, starting Sept. 19: Mondays, 9 am – noon and 6 – 8:30 pm. 

INSTITUTES FOR HEALING RACISM

Two eight-week Institutes begin Tues, Sept 20, through Nov. 8: (1) Introductory course, 3 to 5 pm; (2) Multi-racial families, 6 to 8 pm (childcare available). A two-day Institute, "Continuing the Conversation" for previous participants in an Institute, will be Sept 21 and 22, from 8 am to 5 pm. Contact Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance at www.ethnicdiversity.org for locations, registration, cost and financial hardship scholarships.

 

In the Community from ACEH September 7

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: September 7, 2011

 

"Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral."  …Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, author of "Pedagogy of the Oppressed."

 

 

Herb and Ann Weller

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony; Events list is also posted on the website www.harmonyalliance.org  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please notify hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com  NOTE: To learn more about ACEH, see our Facebook group: ACEH- Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony or website or call 392-5086.

 

Fri, Sept 9, 7 pm:  General meeting of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH): "Islam and Society: Freedom within the Bounds of Islam," by Dustin Byrd, a convert to Islam who is fluent in Arabic.  Everyone is welcome.  392-5086, www.harmonyalliance.org or Facebook group ACEH – Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony.  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

 

 

 

 

Fri, Sept 9 and Sat, Sept 10, noon to 9 pm: Hispanic Festival 2011.  Info at www.hispanic-center.org or (616) 742-0200.  At Calder Plaza, downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Sat, Sept 10, 9 am until noon: Free health fair, sponsored by Michigan Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, The Asian Center, Spectrum Health.  Open to all; bring current medical records and list of prescriptions.  For information on preparing for medical tests, call (616) 302-3987 or email the.ac@asian-center.org  At St. Mary Magdalene Church, 1213 52^nd St, SE, Kentwood.

 

Sat, Sept 10, 10 am – noon.  Registration for ALL FOR ONE dance classes.   $1 for each class.  Classes are Sept. 17 - Nov. 19. Zumba for age 12 and older; kiddy hip-hop, ages 6 to 11; salsa, age 12 and older; modern/jazz, all ages. (616) 298-8895.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th, Holland.

 

Sat, Sept 10, 5 pm – 9 pm: Le Style de Vie fundraiser for Center for Women in Transition: wine tasting, fashion show, auction, hors d'oeuvres, music.  Hosted by Butch's Dry Dock, Globe Design and Vision, Studio K Clothing Co.  Tickets $50, from merchants listed here or CWIT: www.aplaceforwomen.org; (616) 494-1744.  Free trunk show (10 am–4 pm) and reception (4 pm) at Globe (49 East 8th St).  At Butch's, 44 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Sun, Sept 11, 4 pm:  9/11 Community Interfaith Service of Remembrance, Reflection, and Peacemaking.  Remarks by spiritual leaders of Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Baha'i faiths; readings; music, to commemorate the events of Sept 11, 2001.   Freewill offering.  People wishing to walk together to the service will meet at the Centennial Park gazebo on 10^th St at 3:30 pm.  Sponsored by 10 local religious congregations and four organizations, including ACEH.  At Maas Auditorium, Hope College, Columbia Ave at 11^th St, Holland.

 

Wed, Sept 14, 8:30 am: Lakeshore Friends of Fair Housing breakfast. Speaker: Fair housing attorney Michael Allen of Relman, Dane & Colfax, with an overview of fair housing and a legal update.  Call Liz Keegan (616) 451-2980 or 1-866-389-FAIR to sign up.  At Baker Lofts Building, 24^th St and Lincoln Ave, Holland.

Fri, Sept 16: Deadline to register for 2011 Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit, organized by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, which will be held in Lansing Fri, Sept 23, 8:30 am to 4 pm, at Lansing Community College.  No charge.  Information and registration at www.michiganimmigrant.org

Fri, Sept 16-Sun, Sept 18, noon to 9 pm: Fiesta Mexicana 2011.  Information at www.Mexican-heritage.org  At Calder Plaza, downtown Grand Rapids.

Sept 17-18, Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival in Holland:  Centennial Park, Holland Museum, Knickerbocker Theatre, and Holland Armory for music, films, art, dance, children's activities, worship service, food for purchase, more.  Salsa Night is Sept 17, 9 pm to midnight, with Concepto Latino.  See the Tulipanes website for schedule and events: www.tulipanes.org

 

 

Mon, Sept 19, 5:30 pm: Women of SisterCircle Roundtable and potluck supper, a part of Hearts in Harmony program, open to all women interested in racial reconciliation; facilitated by Rev. Angela Taylor Perry.  Please bring a dish to pass.  At Faith Christian Reformed Church 85 West 26^th St, Holland.

ESL CLASSES

(1) Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are being offered by Sparta/Zeeland Adult Education:  Three levels of instruction; classes on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30-11:30 am. Advanced afternoon class is available to study for GED and National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Call 494-8803 for information, registration. At Engedi Church in the former K-Mart Plaza, Waverly Road and Chicago Drive, Holland.

(2) Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) ESL classes begin the week of Sept. 12 and will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Martha Miller Center, Hope College, Columbia Ave and 10^th St, Holland.  People interested in classes must attend an orientation to discuss the class, gather information, and take a placement test .  Call (616) 392-5058.  At LAUP office, Midtown Center, 16^th St between River and Pine, Holland.

(3) Holland Public Schools ESL classes:  Classes begin Mon, Sept 12, with 12 hours per week (4 days), flexible schedule (mornings and evenings), four levels of English.  $20.  Must be 18 years of age or older; picture ID required at registration; registration/testing takes 1 ½ hours.  Registration date: Thurs, Sept 8, 9 am–4 pm.  Call 494-2618.  Registration and classes held at Van Raalte Tech School, 461 Van Raalte Ave, Holland.  (Para información en español, por favor llame al 494-2639.)

GED and COMPUTER CLASSES

The Steps to Success Program of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) is offering these free classes, taught in a bilingual setting; both meet at the LAUP Computer Lab, Midtown Center, 16^th between River and Pine, Holland.  Call (616) 594-7109 for information. 

·          GED classes: Wednesday (5 – 8 pm) and Thursday (5 – 6:30 pm), starting the week of Sept. 5.

·          Computer classes: Once a week for six weeks, starting Sept. 19: Mondays, 9 am – noon and 6 – 8:30 pm.