In the Community from ACEH November 25

The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

Weekly Listing of Events in Holland and West Michigan

November 25, 2013

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"As we express our gratitude, may we never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." – John F. Kennedy

 

Tues, Nov 26, 7 pm:  "Hope Before Hope," a reflective and informative presentation on the indigenous population in the area now known as Hope College.  Students in the college's American Ethnic Studies classes have prepared a program "recognizing Native American Heritage Month and the Native American contributions to the Holland Area."  Includes class-produced video, small group discussions, and a guest speaker from the Odawa Nation, Larry Plamondon.  At Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall, College Ave at 11^th St, Holland.

 

Tues, Nov. 26, 7 pm: "Our Fires Still Burn: The Native American Experience."  Documentary film featuring contemporary Native American role models living in the Midwest.  Q&A discussion follows. Free; suggested donation is $10.  Hosted by Partners for a Racism-Free Community.  At Bethlehem Church, 250 Commerce Ave, SW, Grand Rapids.

 

Sat, Dec 7, 5 pm to 8:30 pm: 13^th annual Holiday Potluck and Cultural Sharing Party of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  Please bring a dish to share from your cultural heritage and a nonperishable item for the Community Action House food bank.  Music, performances, children's activities, silent auction of goods and services from local individuals, organizations, and businesses (payment in cash or checks only; no credit cards).  For information, call (616) 401-3856 or 396-2201 or email aceh@harmonyalliance.org.  At First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 57 West 10^th St (use 9^th St entrance), Holland.

 

Wed, Dec 11, 11:30 am: "What Every Organization Needs to Know...from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights."  Interactive program on civil rights laws, discrimination/harassment complaints, contract review, meditation, and statewide initiatives.  $30 includes lunch catered by XO Cuisine.  Register and pay at www.prfc-gr.org/events  Hosted by Partners for a Racism-Free Community.  At Bethlehem Church, 250 Commerce Ave, SW, Grand Rapids.

 

Wed, Dec 11, 6 pm to 8 pm: Community course "Talking to Kids About Race" workshop. Interactive, research-based program for parents, childcare providers, educators of young children.  $15.  Participants also will receive a Talking to Kids About Race toolkit.  Sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, with financial assistance from Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland.  Register on the website www.ethnicdiversity.org   For additional information, contact Khayree Williams at youth@ethnicdiversity.org  At LEDA offices, Macatawa Resource Center, 665 136th Ave, Holland.

 

Mon, Dec 18, 7 pm: Regular meeting of the Board of Education of Holland Public Schools.  Open to the public.  At East School cafeteria, 373 East 24^th St, Holland.

 

HELPING HANDS

 

Help paying for prescriptions:   You can get a free prescription discount card that will provide savings at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide.  Available if you have no insurance or to lower the amount you pay.  Go to www.familywize.org   (Pague menos por recetas médicas. Si no tiene seguoro médico, o para pagar menos.  En todas partes, en más de 60.000 farmacias.  www.familywize.org)

 

Help finding peaceful solutions to conflicts:  At Mediation Services in Holland, trained and neutral mediators help people in Allegan and Ottawa Counties solve many kinds of conflicts on their own, outside of the courts.  These might include family and domestic relations, business issues, problems in the community, and legal disputes.  Mediation Services is "affordable and fair, neutral and confidential." (616) 399-1600.  At 68 West 8^th St, Suite 220, Holland.  (The service, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization, welcomes donations to help keep its fees affordable or, in some cases, to provide mediation to families in need without cost.)

 

Help locating employment or employees:  The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has a website—Pure Michigan/Talent Connect--for job-seekers and employers, with a variety of links covering Michigan Works! agencies, featured jobs, career explorer and skills assessment and development, tutorials on job searching, calendar of job and career fairs, internships, resources for veterans, career matchmaker and career transition programs, GED testing, and more.  Go to www.mitalent.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH November 18

The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

Weekly Listing of Events in Holland and West Michigan

November 18, 2013

TONIGHT, Mon, Nov 18, 7 pm:  General meeting of school board of Holland Public Schools.  Board meets the third Monday of each month. Open to the public. At  East K-7 school, 373 East 24th St, Holland.

TONIGHT, Mon, Nov 18, 7 pm:  "Understanding the Affordable Care Act," by Brett Williams of Michigan Consumers for Healthcare, an alliance of consumers and policymakers "to attain affordable, accessible, quality healthcare for everyone in Michigan through education, outreach, advocacy and stakeholder engagement."  Presented by the League of Women Voters/Holland and Herrick District Library.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

Tues, Nov 19, 8 to 11 am: Film, "Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity," by Shakti Butler.  Discussion led by Faye Richardson-Green.  $15 per person includes breakfast.  Register at prfc-gr.org or go to eventbrite.com. Presented by Partners for a Racism-Free Community.   At Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids.

Tues, Nov 19, 6 pm to 7:30 pm:  Justice for Some or Justice for All? Community Conversation on Race.  Speakers:  Dr. Aly Mageed, vice chair of Islamic Mosque & Religious Institute, Grand Rapids, and Jeff Padnos of Holland, who is a member of Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids; there will also be a presentation on Restorative Circles.  Potluck follows; please bring a dish to share. At Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th, Holland.

Tues, Nov 19, 7 pm to 8:30 pm:  Native American Lecture: "For Reasons of Blood and Survival." Historian Dr. Fred Johnson of Hope College speaks about the relationship between Native and African Americans.  Discussion follows.  Sponsored by Office of Multicultural Education.  At Maas Conference Center, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

Tues, Nov 19,  7 pm:  "Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City,"  lecture by prize-winning author Russell Shorto, based on his new book; he also wrote the best-selling book,  "The Island at the Center of the World: the Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony that Shaped the World."  He will discuss how Amsterdam "became a global exporter of some of the major tenets of Western liberalism and the Dutch impact on American values and culture.  Reception follows his talk.  At Hope College DeWitt Center main theater, Columbia Ave at 12th St, Holland.

Wed, Nov 20, 4:30 pm:  Journalist and political analyst Jack Lessenberry presents "Now More Than Ever: Civil Discourse in an Age of Ranting," the inaugural lecture of the Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professorship of Civil Discourse at GVSU.  At Loosemore Auditorium,  DeVos Center, GVSU, 401 West Fulton St, Grand Rapids.

Wed, Nov 20, 7 pm: 5th annual Storytelling Event: Students with a Disability.  Students discuss what it is like to be a person with a disability at Hope College.  Sponsored by on-campus groups and offices.  At 1000 Schaap Science Center, Hope College, College Ave at 11th St, Holland.  

Fri, Nov 22, 8 – 11:30 am: Diversity and Inclusion Forum, presented by Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, with panelists Jill May, Kaushik Nag, and Sonya Hughes.  $50 for Chamber members; $65 non-members.  To register, or for more information, go to www.grandrapids.org/diversity-and-inclusion-forum  or call (616) 771-0303.  At Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2500 South Division, Grand Rapids.

Fri, Nov 22, 8 am-3:30 pm:  Conference, "MI Response to Hate," presented by the Michigan Alliance against Hate Crimes and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.  Speakers, presentations on building Community Response Systems.  Free.  Register at miaahc.com/mi-response-to-hate-conference/    At MSU Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 South Harrison Rd,   East Lansing.

Fri, Nov 22, noon – 1:30 pm: Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (LAADSV) Noon Series: "Why do They Respond That Way"—Gender-based Violence and Trauma Impact.  Speaker is Tom Cottrell, vice president of counseling services for YWCA West Central Michigan; participants will learn steps to take in helping a victim manage the impact of trauma.  Open to all who work with victim/survivors of gender-based violence; community members are welcome.  Bring a lunch if you wish.  RSVP to www.gvsu.edu/women_cen  At Grand Valley State University Meijer Campus, Room 102, 515 South Waverly, Holland.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 7

ACEH will hold its annual Holiday Potluck and Cultural Sharing Party, 5 pm to 8:30 pm on Saturday, December 7, at First United Methodist Church, 57 West 10th, Holland.  Please bring a dish to share from your cultural background and a nonperishable item for the Community Action House food bank.  Music, special performances, silent auction of goods and services, children's art, balloon animals--fun, fellowship, and delicious food.  

In the Community from ACEH November 11

The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony
Weekly Listing of Events in Holland and West Michigan
November 11, 2013

Wed, Nov 13, 5:30 pm reception, 6:45 pm dinner and program: 2013
Dutch-American Heritage Day. Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Swierenga, on
the history of Holland. Tickets $15. (616) 726-8010 or
info@wmdutch-americanheritage.com At The Pinnacle Center, 3330
Highland Dr, Hudsonville.

Wed, Nov 13, 7 pm: 19th annual Diversity Lecture Series with John Elder
Robinson on "Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's." Sponsored
by Grand Rapids Community College and others. Free. (616) 234-3390.
At Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids.

Thurs, Nov 14, 7 pm: 5th annual Storytelling Event: Racial Minority
Students. Students discuss what it is like to be a minority at Hope
College. Sponsored by on-campus groups and offices. At 1000 Schaap
Science Center, Hope College, College Ave at 11th St, Holland.

Thurs, Nov 14, 7 pm: Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series presents poet
Patricia Smith "recognized as a force in poetry, playwriting, fiction,
performance, and creative collaboration." Author of six volumes of
poetry and four-time national individual champion of the popular Poetry
Slam; teacher at several colleges. At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 West
8th, Holland.

Fri, Nov 15, 2 pm: "Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in
America." 90-minute live-streamed forum moderated by Ray Suarez of
PBS; keynote by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. Produced
by The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Mississippi. Two panels:
"Racism in America Today: Why Does it Persist?" and "Racism in
America's Future: Where Is There Hope for Change?" with Myrlie
Evers-Williams; William Winter, former governor of Mississippi; Tim
Wise, and others. At St. Mark's Fellowship Hall, 134 North Division
Ave, Grand Rapids.

Fri, Nov 15, 7 pm (support group), 8 pm (program): PFLAG meeting.
Author Jeff Enro will read from his book, "Trust Me." He writes young
adult fiction and coming-out stories; best known are the "Dumb Jock"
series and "Bullied." At Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave,
Holland.

Sat, Nov 16, 9 am to 5 pm: 18th annual Kalamazoo Russian Festival.
Musical performances, educational programs, children's activities, and
Russian Art, vendors, and cuisine. Adults $10; students $6; age 12 and
under, $2; family, $20. www.russianfestival.org At Fetzer Center,
Western Michigan University, 2350 Business Court, Kalamazoo.

Sat, Nov 16, 4:45 to 6:15 pm: Hope College "IMAGES: A Reflection of
Cultures" dinner, a sampling of foods from around the world. By Hope
College Office of International Education. Students offer cuisine from
Algeria, English, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan,
Mexico, Russia, Vietnam. $5 payable at the door. At Phelps Hall, 154
East 10th St at Columbia Ave, Holland.

Sat, Nov 16, 7 pm: Hope College "IMAGES: A Reflection of Cultures"
showcase featuring skits, dance, song, and other clips of culture
through languages and fashion. More than 60 Hope College students will
take part. By Hope College Office of International Education. Free.
At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8th St, Holland.

Mon, Nov 18, 7 pm: General meeting of school board of Holland Public
Schools. Board meets the third Monday of each month. Open to the
public. At East K-7 school, 373 East 24th St, Holland.

Mon, Nov 18, 7 pm: "Understanding the Affordable Care Act," by Brett
Williams of Michigan Consumers for Healthcare, an alliance of consumers
and policymakers "to attain affordable, accessible, quality healthcare
for everyone in Michigan through education, outreach, advocacy and
stakeholder engagement." Presented by the League of Women
Voters/Holland and Herrick District Library. At Herrick District
Library, 300 South River, Holland.

Tues, Nov 19, 8 to 11 am: Film, "Cracking the Codes: The System of
Racial Inequity," by Shakti Butler. Discussion led by Faye
Richardson-Green. $15 per person includes breakfast. Register at
prfc-gr.org or go to eventbrite.com. Presented by Partners for a
Racism-Free Community. At Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton
St E, Grand Rapids.

Tues, Nov 19, 6 pm to 7:30 pm: Justice for Some or Justice for All?
Community Conversation on Race. Presentation by the Restorative Circles
group and speakers from Muslim and Jewish faiths. Discussion. At
Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th, Holland. (Rescheduled from Nov 12)

Tues, Nov 19, 7 pm to 8:30 pm: Native American Lecture: "For Reasons
of Blood and Survival." Historian Dr. Fred Johnson of Hope College
speaks about the relationship between Native and African Americans.
Discussion follows. Sponsored by Office of Multicultural Education.
At Maas Conference Center, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

Wed, Nov 20, 4:30 pm: Journalist and political analyst Jack
Lessenberry presents "Now More Than Ever: Civil Discourse in an Age of
Ranting," the inaugural lecture of the Padnos/Sarosik Endowned
Professorship of Civil Discourse at GVSU. At Loosemore Auditorium,
DeVos Center,
GVSU, 401 West Fulton St, Grand Rapids.

Wed, Nov 20, 7 pm: 5th annual Storytelling Event: Students with a
Disability. Students discuss what it is like to be a person with a
disability at Hope College. Sponsored by on-campus groups and offices.
At 1000 Schaap Science Center, Hope College, College Ave at 11th St,
Holland.

Fri, Nov 22, 8 am-3:30 pm: Conference, "MI Response to Hate,"
presented by the Michigan Alliance against Hate Crimes and the Michigan
Department of Civil Rights. Speakers, presentations on building
Community Response Systems. Free. Register at
miaahc.com/mi-response-to-hate-conference/ At MSU Kellogg Hotel &
Conference Center, 219 South Harrison Rd, East Lansing.

JOB OPENING
City of Holland: Part-time (28 flexible hours/wk) Multimedia
Production Specialist to maintain and operate the city's public
broadcasting equipment; record and broadcast city meetings and Holland
events; produce various videos; other duties as assigned. Bachelor's
or technical school degree; 2-4 years video production experience with
proficiency at Final cut Pro video editing software. $15-$28/hour;
benefits not applicable. Send resume and cover letter by Fri, Nov 22,
to City of Holland, Human Resources Department, 270 South River,
Holland. hr@cityofholland.com

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 7
ACEH will hold its annual Holiday Potluck and Cultural Sharing Party, 5
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at First United Methodist
Church, 57 West 10th, Holland. Please bring a dish to share and a
nonperishable item for Community Action House food bank. Music,
special performances, children's art, balloon animals--fun, fellowship,
and delicious food.

In the Community from ACEH November 4

Tues, Nov 5: 7 am to 8 pm: VOTE TODAY.

Tues, Nov 5, 5 pm: Day of the Dead Altered Book Workshop with Kelli
Perkins. Basic supplies provided but bring small photos of loved ones
and/or favorite ephemera and charms to include in your book. Limited
to 20 people; registration required. At Herrick District Library, 300
S. River, Holland.

Tues, Nov 5, 7 pm to 9 pm: 5th Annual Storytelling Event: LGBT
students discuss "what it's like at Hope College to be a minority."
Hosted by Student Development, GLBOE, BSU, LSO, HAPA, and Disability
Services. Thurs, Nov 14: Racial minority students; Wed, Nov 20:
Disabled students. At Schaap Science Center 1000, College Ave at 10th
St, Holland.

Wed, Nov 6, 6:45 pm: General meeting of Alliance for Cultural and
Ethnic Harmony (ACEH), showing new documentary film "Our Fires Still
Burn: The Native American Experience" featuring a businessman,
journalist, artist, and youth advocate. Discussion and refreshments
follow. Everyone is welcome. 392-5086. At Fried-Hemenway Auditorium,
Martha Miller Center, Hope College, 10th St. at Columbia Ave, Holland.
NOTE different time, day, and place from usual meetings.

Thurs, Nov 7, 4 pm to 6 pm: Documentary film, "Indian Schools: The
Survivors' Story," followed by panel with Fay Givens, executive
director of American Indian Services; Dr. Kay McGowen, anthropology
faculty at Eastern Michigan University; and Warren Petoskey, artist and
author of "Dancing My Dream." At Cook-DeWitt Center, Grand Valley
State University, Allendale.

Thurs, Nov 7, 4 pm to 7 pm: Community Open House for Mediation
Services. Guest speaker (5:45 pm) Doug Van Epps, director of Office of
Dispute Resolution, Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative
Office. Learn about mediation programs, meet staff, video
presentations, raffle, refreshments. (616) 399-1600. At Courthouse
Square, 68 West 8th St, Suite 220, Holland.

Thurs, Nov 7, 7:30 pm: Annual A. J. Muste Memorial Lecture with
speaker Dr. David Cortright, "The Power of Nonviolence: Why peaceful
methods are more effective than the use of force." He is director of
policy studies at the Kroc Institute for International peace studies at
the University of Notre Dame. The lecture series began in 1985 to
commemorate the life and work of A. J. Muste, a Hope alumnus who became
a tireless activist for peace and justice. Contact gruenler@hope.edu.
At Wichers Auditorium, Nykerk Hall of Music, Hope College mid-campus
east of College Ave, Holland.

Fri, Nov 8, 6:30 pm, silent auction, appetizers; 7:30 pm, dinner.
Annual Dinner of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP). $50 per
person. www.laup.org At Midtown Center, 2nd floor auditorium, 96 West
15th St, Holland.

Sun, Nov 10, 2 pm to 4 pm (comments at 3 pm): Photo exhibit open
house: "We Have Faith," featuring LGBT and allied clergy and people of
many faiths and denominations, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Sponsored by Hope Church's Reconciliation Ministry, the exhibit is
open to Nov 17. (616) 392-7947. www.hopechurchrca.org At Hope
Church, RCA, 77 West 11th St, Holland.

Wed, Nov 13, 5:30 pm reception, 6:45 pm dinner and program: 2013
Dutch-American Heritage Day. Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Swierenga, on
the history of Holland. Tickets $15. (616) 726-8010 or
info@wmdutch-americanheritage.com At The Pinnacle Center, 3330
Highland Dr, Hudsonville.

Sat, Nov 15, 9 am to 5 pm: 18th annual Kalamazoo Russian Festival.
Musical performances, educational programs, children's activities, and
Russian Art, vendors, and cuisine. Adults $10; students $6; age 12 and
under, $2; family, $20. www.russianfestival.org At Fetzer Center,
Western Michigan University, 2350 Business Court, Kalamazoo.

Tues, Nov 19, 6 pm to 7:30 pm: Justice for Some or Justice for All?
Community Conversation on Race. Presentation by the Restorative Circles
group; possible speakers from Muslim and Jewish faiths. At Imagine
Fellowship, 167 West 20th, Holland. (Rescheduled from Nov 12)

Tues, Nov 19, 7 pm to 8:30 pm: Native American Lecture: "For Reasons
of Blood and Survival." Historian Dr. Fred Johnson of Hope College
speaks his personal background and about the relationship between
Native and African Americans "as they formed relationships to protect
themselves from racial injustice." Discussion follows. Sponsored by
Office of Multicultural Education at Hope. At Maas Conference Center,
Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.

Community Opportunity: Food Distribution Friday, Nov 8
Surplus food commodities supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
will be distributed by Ottawa County Community Action Agency on Friday,
Nov 8 at four locations in the county. Boxes of food distributed to
income-qualified families* will contain apple juice, green beans,
carrots, cranberry juice concentrate, egg noodles, grapefruit juice,
shelf stable milk, rolled oats, peanut butter, pears, canned pork,
potato flakes, and cream of mushroom soup.

Proof of income is verbal only but proof of residence is required (such
as a driver's license, utility bill, lease agreement, tax bill, trash
collection bill, etc.) Families are allowed food from one location
only. Families who are in the Family Independence Program or SNAP
program are automatically eligible.

Sites and hours:
--Community Action House, 345 West 14th St, Holland. 1 pm to 3 pm.
--Love, Inc., of Southeast Ottawa County, 3300 Van Buren, Hudsonville.
1 pm to 3 pm.
--St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 920 Fulton, Grand Haven. 10 am to
noon.
--V.F.W. Post 5598, 511 North 68th Ave, Coopersville. 10 am to noon.

The food program coordinator is Mary Grillo, CAA, (616) 393-5619.

*Household of one, income of $22,980 or below; two-person household,
$31,020 or below; three-person, $39,060 or below; four-person, $47,100
or below. Income limits rise approximately $8,000 for each additional
household member.