In the Community August 6, 2012

In the Community August 6, 2012

A Weekly Calendar of Diversity Events

from The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

 

"Every election is determined by the people who show up." …Political analyst and author Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
 

ACEH was founded in Holland in 1999 and is committed to justice, equal opportunity, cross-cultural understanding, and appreciation for diversity.  Members and friends work together through programs, advocacy, and social events to make West Michigan a place where all people are welcomed and respected. "In the Community" is also on the ACEH website: www.harmonyalliance.org/Events

 

 Please help support ACEH.  Dues are $20 a year ($35/two years) for an individual; $30 a year ($50/two years) for a family; $40 for nonprofits; $75 for businesses. You can pay at the website www.harmonyalliance.org/Join with PayPal, or send a check to ACEH, c/o Treasurer Bin Lim, Box 3007, Holland 49422-3007, or sign up at any ACEH meeting or social event. THANKS! ¡GRACIAS!

 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7:  DON'T FORGET TO VOTE: PRIMARY ELECTIONS TODAY!

 

Tues, Aug 7, 5 pm: National Night Out.  Safety-focused family event with activities for children; information from law enforcement agencies, community and nonprofit groups.  Free.

At Kollen Park, Van Raalte at 10^th St, Holland (by Lake Macatawa).

 

Wed, Aug 8, 7 pm: Informational meeting on the new deferred action plan for immigrant youth, a program with some similarities to the DREAM Act.  Presented by Ryan Bates, director of the Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform of Michigan.  Information in both English and Spanish. Co-hosted by St. Francis de Sales Church.  NOTE: Volunteers are needed to hand out information, set up power point, or provide other assistance; call Ryan at (248) 787-6767 if you can help.  At St. Francis de Sales Church, Maple Ave at 13^th St, Holland.

 

Sun, Aug 12, 1 pm: 14^th annual Potluck in the Park of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH): Fun, food, and festivities!  Please bring a dish to share from your cultural background, and lawn chairs or a blanket for extra seating.  Beverages and table service provided by ACEH.  Music, games, balloon animals, face painting, drawing for several school backpacks contributed by LEDA.  Everyone is welcome! Invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, new people in town.  At Ransom Park, Ransom Ave between 160^th and 168^th on Holland's north side (north of Quincy and south of New Holland St.)

 

Thurs, Aug 16, 10 am volunteer orientation/breakfast; event takes place from 11 am to 3 pm: Project Homeless Connect offers individuals and families who are homeless or in housing crisis a central resource for services and information from local providers.  Volunteers are needed to be greeters and guides at varying times during the day.  Sponsored by Ottawa Area Housing Coalition. To sign up as a volunteer, contact Lyn Raymond at (616) 738-1170, ext. 133 or oahccoord@gmail.com  At Midtown Center, 96 West 15^th St, Holland.

 

Sat, Aug 18, 11 am (registration deadline for competitors is Tues, Aug 14): Salsa Showdown.  Competition by individuals, teams, and professional chefs to create salsa with ingredients from the Holland Farmers Market.  Varying fees for competitors; $3 for public to taste salsas and vote for their favorites.  Event includes Jalapeno Eating Contest.  Email info@salsashowdown.org or call (616) 796-1210.

 

Sat, Aug 18, 6 pm:  "Growing Change in Holland: A Grassroots Garden Party" fundraiser for Holland Is Ready.  Hosted by Jonker's Gardens.  Hors d'oeuvres, garden-inspired games and activities.  $15 general admission; $65 for "Growing Change Package" that includes swag bag with custom party favor.  If unable to attend, you can make a gift in honor of LGBT equality champions in your life, which will be recognized at the event.  For information, contact CristiEllen Zarvas at cristiellenz@gmail.com or (616) 848-9546.  To become a sponsor, contact Karis Granberg-Michaelson at development@hollandisready.org or (616) 446-8057.  At Jonker's Gardens, 897 Lincoln Ave, Holland.

 

Sun, Aug 19, noon to 4:30 pm: Retreat "Creating Awareness for Peace," through mindfulness; facilitated by Paulette Grotrian.  Sponsored by Lakeshore Women for Peace.  Limited to 20 participants.  Suggested donation $40 (sliding scale available); includes light lunch.  Reserve at grotrian@wccnet.edu or (734) 276-7707. At Hemlock Crossing Nature Education Center, 8115 West Olive Rd, West Olive.

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY

Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) has received a grant from the Michigan Nonprofit Association to promote voter registration in the Holland/Lakeshore area.  LAUP will make phone calls and do some canvassing of potential and registered voters and help them with any questions or concerns they may have about voting.  After the elections, a post-election survey and evaluation will take place.  A LAUP intern will be taking the lead in the project but can use volunteers to help with phone calls and data entry.  If you can volunteer, contact Juan Alfaro at jaun.alfaro@laup.org or call him at (616) 594-7109 or 312-5162.