In the Community from ACEH April 7

 

April 8 ACEH Program Will

Focus on "Hearts in Harmony:

Finding Friendships

Across Imagined Barriers"

 

When you think about the friendships you have, are they almost entirely among people "just like you"?  Are your friends all about the same age, or only from your ethnic or racial background, or in a similar kind of family situation?  If you are a person of faith, are your friends all members of the same religious organization? 

 

On Friday, April 8, the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH) will look at the dynamics of friendships, the barriers we imagine would keep us from making new friends, and what we miss out on by not knowing people who are different in some way from ourselves.

The meeting, "Hearts in Harmony: Making Friends Across Imagined Barriers," is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. at Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 West 26^th Street (across the street from Holland Hospital), Holland. 

 

 

Rev. Angela Taylor Perry, pastor of reconciling ministries at the church and vice president of ACEH, will lead the meeting. She has developed Hearts in Harmony to pair people of differing backgrounds. Over a year's time, they meet at least monthly and work with guidelines and questions to get to know each other. 

 

"Hearts in Harmony partners learn so much from one another," Rev. Taylor Perry said.  "They create real friendships that benefit them, their families, and the wider community. They may find many similarities but they also begin to understand another person's culture, life situation, and experiences in a world that's different from their own."

 

ACEH president Marvin Younger said, "We hope many people from the community will come on April 8 to learn more about Hearts in Harmony and consider being a part of it in the future."

 

For more information, call 392-5086. ACEH was founded in Holland in 1999 to work for cross-cultural understanding, appreciation for diversity, justice, and equal opportunity. The website is www.harmonyalliance.org

 

NOTE: The Center for Women in Transition needs personal care items and household cleaning products for the May baskets it assembles and gives to clients.  Please bring something to the April 8 ACEH meeting and we'll take everything to CWIT. 

In the Community from ACEH April 4

 

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: April 4, 2011

 

"We can never get a re-creation of community and heal our society without giving our citizens a sense of belonging."  … Patch Adams, American physician and social activist, born 1945.

 

Herb and Ann

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

Asian Awareness Week at Hope College, April 4- 8, coordinated by Hope's Asian Perspective Association (HAPA) and several campus groups and offices, including the Office of Multicultural Education.  Celebrates and promotes awareness of Asian and Asian-American history, experiences, issues, and perspectives.  Events include:

·         TONIGHT, Apr 4, 6 pm: Sushi Night.  Make your own sushi rolls.  At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11^th St, Holland.

·         Tues, Apr 5, 6 pm: Documentary film: "Silence Broken: Korean Comfort Women," the story of Korean women forced into sexual servitude by the Japanese army during World War II, with discussion led by film's producer, Dr. Dai Sil Kim-Gibson.  At Fried-Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center, Columbia Ave at 10^th St, Holland.

·         Wed, Apr 6, 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm: Asian Food Festival offers a variety of Asian dishes.  $5 for community members.  At Phelps and Cook dining halls, 10^th St, Holland.

·         Fri, Apr 8, 8:30 pm: Performance by comedian Dan Nainan.  At DeWitt Center, Columbia Ave at 12^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Apr 8, 7 pm:  General meeting of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  "Hearts in Harmony: Finding Friendships Across Imagined Barriers."  Come find out more about this West Michigan program that pairs people of differing backgrounds to learn more about each other and develop relationships.  Public is invited.  392-8056 or www.harmonyalliance.org  NEW LOCATION THIS MONTH: At Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 West 26^th St, Holland (across from Holland Hospital).

 

 

Sat, Apr 9, 5 pm until 9 pm (doors open at 4 pm): Celebration of Easter and Cambodian New Year.  Traditional dance, folk dance, music, adult and youth group skits, food. Free; public is invited.  Hosted by Cambodian Fellowship of the Christian Reformed Church.  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8^th St, Holland.

 

Mon, Apr 11, 7 pm:  Six-week class, "Confronting White Privilege," investigates institutional racism in the U.S. and how it is manifested; includes a look at racial dynamics in the Greater Grand Rapids area and what is and is not being done to promote racial justice.  Facilitator Jeff Smith will use the Tim Wise book, "Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama."  Class is designed "for people who are liberal to progressive, to challenge their notions of White Privilege."  Smith is a resident of Grand Rapids, a social justice and human rights activist, and founder of the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID).  jsmith@griid.org  Tuition $20 (does not include the book).  At Steepletown Neighborhood Center, 671 Davis NW. Grand Rapids.

 

Wed, Apr 13, 7 pm: Public forum for West Ottawa Public School Board candidates Jennifer Cooper, Bill Kangas, Lynn Rutan, and Beth Schmidt who are running for one open seat on the board. Sponsored by League of Women Voters-Holland Area.  For more information, contact Marilyn Schmidt at mschmidt160@hotmail.com or Linda Chambers at lchambers3562@charter.net  At North High School Building, LGI Room, 3685 Butternut, Holland (use main entrance; room is off the main hallway).

 

Thurs, Apr 14, 4 pm:  Multi-media presentation, "More Than a Few Good Men," by author, filmmaker, and educator Jackson Katz, focusing on gender violence and men's leadership.  Free, open to the public.  Sponsored by Hope College, Center for Women in Transition, and the DELTA Project.  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Thurs, Apr 14, 6 pm: Dedication of César Chávez Mural by renown artist Paul Collins.  Speaker is activist Dolores Huerta, born April 10, 1930, who with Chávez co-founded the United Farmworkers Union in 1962. For more information, contact Paul Collins at (616) 361-1415, Francisco Vega at (616) 245-5924, or Levi Rickert at (616) 299-7542.  At Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe NW, in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Thurs, Apr 14, 7 pm: Public forum for Holland Public School Board candidates Steve Grose, Magdalena "Maggi" Rivera, and John Sibble, who are running for two open seats on the board. Sponsored by League of Women Voters-Holland Area.  For more information, contact Marilyn Schmidt at mschmidt160@hotmail.com or Linda Chambers at lchambers3562@charter.net. At East K-7 Building cafeteria, 373 East 24^th St, Holland.

 

Sat, Apr 16, 6:30 pm: Comedy fundraiser event for Cornerstone Youth Ministries, featuring dinner and Calvin Improv Comedy troupe.  Contributions may be sent to the organization, at 407 Central, Holland 49423. For information, contact Steve Turrell, executive director of Cornerstone, at gqstevieboy@hotmail.com  At 14^th Street Christian Reformed Church, 14 West 14^th St, Holland.

 

Tues, Apr 26, 11:30 am: Fundraiser to support Heights of Hope community programs.  Theme is "Inspiring Character—One Relationship at a Time," with keynote speaker Tony Castillo, owner/operator of Milagro Six, Inc/McDonald's restaurants.  Attendance is fee, but space is limited.  To reserve a place, call Amy at (616) 748-8072 or email her at jababinec@sbcglobal.net  To donate items or for corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact Rex Kickintveld at (616) 403-1316.  At Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, 836 East 8^th St, Holland (corner of 8^th St and Hope Ave), Holland.

 

EXHIBITS

NOW through Apr 25, M-F, 9 am-5 pm:  "330 Million Faces: Meeting Hindu's Deities," part of Culture of India Festival taking place in late March and in April.  Exhibit, on loan from Grand Valley State University, features 25 pieces of Indian art, including miniature court life paintings, sculptures of deities, and folk art from Indian villages.  Sponsored by Brooks Family Fund and Pat Sax.  For more information on the Festival, contact (269) 857-2399 or info@sc4a.org  At Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St, Saugatuck.

 

NOW through Apr 27: Exhibit, "The Art of Ornament: Wood Inlays and Decorative Painting," by Tom VanDyke and Cuban-born Roberto Cala.  Local artists and business owners, the two have "transformed furniture and accessories into works of art."  Reception for the artists is Wed, Apr 6, from 6 to 8 pm.  Free, open to the public.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Opening Apr 8, through Sept 25: "Dutch Arcadia: 19^th Century Romantic Landscapes," exhibition of paintings by Dutch artists; on loan from the Beekhuis  Foundation. www.hollandmuseum.org or (616) 392-9084.  At Holland Museum, 31 W. 10^th St, Holland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH March 28

 

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: March 28, 2011

 

"For as long as the power of America's diversity is diminished by acts of discrimination and violence against people just because they are black, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Muslim or gay, we still must overcome."  … Ron Kind, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 3^rd Congressional District, 1997-present.

Herb and Ann

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

 

Wed, Mar 30: Deadline for applying to be a performer or sponsor at the festival "Celebrating our Multicultural Connections," sponsored by Holland International Relations Commission at Kollen Park on Sat, May 21.  Free family event includes entertainment, children's activities, ethnic food, etc. Contact Erin Nyholt at 355-1321 or email e.nyholt@cityofholland.com

 

Thurs, Mar 31, 4 pm:  Annual César Chávez Lecture: "Children in the Fields—Sowing the Seeds of Change," by keynote speaker Norma Flores López, director of the Children in the Fields Campaign with the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP).  Sponsored by Hope College Dean for International and Multicultural Education, Office of Multicultural Education, Phelps Scholars Program, and La Raza Unida.  ome@hope.edu  At Hope College Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11^th St, Holland.

 

Thurs, Mar 31, 6 pm: "Raising Culturally Aware Youth," presented by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance; exploring "how unconscious assumptions can influence the way we interact with people and how that influences our youth."  Part of Parenting for a Lifetime Series, sponsored by the Stop Child Abuse and Neglect Council and partner agencies and collaboratives.  RSVP to jleeson@pathwaysmi.org  At Second Reformed Church of Zeeland, 225 East Central Ave, Zeeland.

 

Thurs, Mar 31, 6 pm: Community Action House Poverty Simulation, in partnership with Latin Americans United for Progress and 70 times 7 Life Recovery: "An interactive experience to help you understand the realities of poverty.  With a new identity and a limited funds, you will try to acquire basic necessities and maintain housing during the course of four 15-minute 'weeks.'" RSVP to Rachel Ahee by Mar 31 at (616) 738-1170 x 124 or rahee@communityactionhouse.org.  Limited to first 75 respondents.  Sponsored by Chemical Bank.  At Midtown Center, 2^nd floor auditorium, 96^th West 15^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Apr 1, 7:30 pm: Film, "The Birdcage," sponsored by Holland Is Ready.  At Park Theatre, River Ave between 10^th and 11^th Sts, Holland.

 

Asian Awareness Week at Hope College, April 4- 8, coordinated by Hope's Asian Perspective Association (HAPA) and several campus groups and offices, including the Office of Multicultural Education.  Celebrates and promotes awareness of Asian and Asian-American history, experiences, issues, and perspectives.  Events include:

 

 

 

·          Mon, Apr 4, 6 pm: Sushi Night.  Make your own sushi rolls.  At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11^th St, Holland.

 

·          Tues, Apr 5, 6 pm: Documentary film: "Silence Broken: Korean Comfort Women," the story of Korean women forced into sexual servitude by the Japanese army during World War II, with discussion led by film's producer, Dr. Dai Sil Kim-Gibson.  At Fried-Hemenway Auditorium, Martha Miller Center, Columbia Ave at 10^th St, Holland.

·          Wed, Apr 6, 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm: Asian Food Festival offers a variety of Asian dishes.  $5 for community members.  At Phelps and Cook dining halls, 10^th St, Holland.

·          Fri, Apr 8, 8:30 pm: Performance by comedian Dan Nainan.  At DeWitt Center, Columbia Ave at 12^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Apr 8, 7 pm:  General meeting of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  "Hearts in Harmony: Finding Friendships Across Imagined Barriers."  Come experience this West Michigan program that pairs people of differing backgrounds to learn more about each other and develop relationships.  Public is invited.  www.harmonyalliance.org  392-5086. At Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 West 26^th St, Holland (across from Holland Hospital).

 

Sat, Apr 9, 5 pm until 9 pm (doors open at 4 pm): Celebration of Easter and Cambodian New Year.  Traditional dance, folk dance, music, adult and youth group skits, food. Free; public is invited.  Hosted by Cambodian Fellowship of the Christian Reformed Church.  At Holland Civic Center, 150 West 8^th St, Holland.

 

Mon, Apr 11, 7 pm:  Six-week class, "Confronting White Privilege," investigates institutional racism in the U.S. and how it is manifested; includes a look at racial dynamics in the Greater Grand Rapids area and what is and is not being done to promote racial justice.  Facilitator Jeff Smith will use the Tim Wise book, "Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama."  Class is designed "for people who are liberal to progressive, to challenge their notions of White Privilege."  Smith is a resident of Grand Rapids, a social justice and human rights activist, and founder of the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID).  jsmith@griid.org  Tuition $20 (does not include the book).  At Steepletown Neighborhood Center, 671 Davis NW. Grand Rapids.

 

COMPUTER CLASSES

Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) will offer a new round of computer classes beginning the week of March 28.  Classes meet once a week for six weeks (2 ½ hours in length): Basic Computer Skills, Mondays 9 am to noon or 6 to 9 pm.  Advanced Class meets Wednesdays 9 am to noon.  LAUP's computer training in part of its overall employment training program, Steps to Success, which also includes GED preparation and English as a Second Language classes.  $10 donation requested but not required.  Must register at (616) 392-5058.  At LAUP Computer Lab, Midtown Center, 16^th St and Pine Ave, Holland.

 

EXHIBITS

NOW through Apr 25, M-F, 9 am-5 pm:  "330 Million Faces: Meeting Hindu's Deities," part of Culture of India Festival taking place in late March and in April.  Exhibit, on loan from Grand Valley State University, features 25 pieces of Indian art, including miniature court life paintings, sculptures of deities, and folk art from Indian villages.  Sponsored by Brooks Family Fund and Pat Sax.  For more information on the Festival, contact (269) 857-2399 or info@sc4a.org  At Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St, Saugatuck.

 

NOW through Apr 27: Exhibit, "The Art of Ornament: Wood Inlays and Decorative Painting," by Tom VanDyke and Cuban-born Roberto Cala.  Local artists and business owners, the two have "transformed furniture and accessories into works of art."  Reception for the artists is Wed, Apr 6, from 6 to 8 pm.  Free, open to the public.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Opening Apr 8, through Sept 25: "Dutch Arcadia: 19^th Century Romantic Landscapes," exhibition of paintings by Dutch artists; on loan from the Beekhuis  Foundation. www.hollandmuseum.org or (616) 392-9084.  At Holland Museum, 31 W. 10^th St, Holland.