Community

Community dialogue explores cultural identity and spirituality

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:44

A discussion about family and cultural identity and spirituality takes place 5:30-7pm Wednesday, May 5, at University Outreach Research/Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave. N, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Psychologist Ted Thompson will talk about “Weaving the Fabric of Family Culture and Spirituality.”

His talk examines:
•the many definitions and behaviors associated with "FAMILY"
•the cultural underpinnings of family, with spirituality at their core,
•the strengths which have enabled survival in the face of social persecution.

Refreshments will be served.
To RSVP please email Ady - ady@headwatersfoundation.org
For more information call Betty Emarita, 612-823-5193

Elevating the community's voice in health disparities research

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:42

The University of Minnesota's Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series on Health Disparities Research will feature Barbara Israel, DrPH, Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, and Angela Reyes, MPH, Executive Director of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, in a forum Tuesday, May 11 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in room 2-530 Moos Tower on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

The Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series on Health Disparities Research is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Medical School's Program in Health Disparities Research, and Center for Health Equity, and the School of Public Health's Health Disparities Work Group.

For further information: TEL: (612) 626-9192 or online at www.healthdisparities.umn.edu

Projects aiding the poor strengthen mentoring ties

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:37

Participants in the Big Brothers Big Sisters “Beyond School Walls” program will donate 18 hand-made blankets to homeless families and their children at People Serving People in Minneapolis. As part of a service learning project, mentors (Bigs) from Comcast and mentees (Littles) gathered at the KIPP: Stand Academy to create tie quilts from fleece donated by Comcast’s St. Paul headquarters.

After working together to create the blankets, Bigs and Littles participated in a scavenger hunt for which they researched local homeless shelters to learn about the services they provide, who they serve, and what their mission is. Using the information they learned, the group voted on which shelter would receive their donation.

Library examines Asian cultures through food traditions

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:24

Asian Americans make up approximately six percent of Hennepin County residents. The largest groups are Hmong, Vietnamese, Asian Indian and Chinese. Asian celebrations are centered around food and Asian cuisine is known the world over for its rich flavors and spices.

This May, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Hennepin County Library's Spice and Slice of Asia 2010 series explores the role food plays in Hmong, Indian, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. Local culinary professionals and community figures will share the history and traditions of food and festivities within their respective communities.

Minnesota celebrates Mexican independence and culture

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 14:19

Minnesota will celebrate the Bicentennial of the Independence of México and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution in festivities that include the famed Marimba Nandayapa, performing as part of the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference.

Marimba Nandayapa, a musical group whose origin starts from its founder and director, Maestro Zeferino Nandayapa, native of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, México. performs in different venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Marimba Nandayapa performances are:

8pm Wednesday, April 28, at Ted Mann Concert Hall, the opening concert for the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference
11am Thursday, April 29, performance by Javier Nandayapa at Weisman Art Museum
8am-5pm Friday, April 30, Marimba 2010 Festival
8pm Friday April 30, VocalEssence Concert at St. Paul Cathedral for a world premiere of “Aquí ha Nacido el Tiempo” by Mexican composer Jórge Córdoba
8am Saturday, May 1, Lecture/demonstration at Ted Mann Concert Hall

For additional information about the festival please visit www.marimba2010.org

MayDay Fundraiser MayDay

Friday, 23 April 2010 12:42

The Haiti Rebuild Fund presents a Mayday Fundraiser featuring Chicago Blues Singer Barbara LeShoure, Wain McFarlane and Stu Blue & Company on Sunday, May 2, 2010, 8:00 PM @ The Red Sea, 320 Cedar Avenue South in Minneapolis (Cedar Avenue & Riverside Avenue — Minneapolis West Bank.). Donations accepted at the door and donations can be made on line at www.communityfirstusa.net. Please mail donations to Haiti Rebuild Fund, PO Box 580367 Minneapolis MN 55458

Please Support our Efforts! Look for us in the May Day Parade on May 2nd (starting at 25th & Bloomington Ave at 11 a.m.) along the Bloomington Avenue route in Minneapolis and ending at Powderhorn Park with the Sun Celebration.

For further information contact us at . 612-239-4336 or info@communityfirstusa.net

We must teach our children about gun violence

Friday, 23 April 2010 12:15 Deseria Galloway

As parents we teach our children not to speak to strangers, to look both ways before crossing the street, not to use drugs and other common sense practices. But we don’t teach them how to avoid being injured or killed by gun violence.

Homicide is the leading cause of death for African American males 15 to 24 years of age. Ninety percent of these young boys/men are killed with firearms. And gun violence is popping up all across the Twin Cities. Recently, a 14-year-old boy from Hastings Middle School who brought a .22 caliber loaded handgun to school; a 16-year-old Red Lake Senior High boy killed his family and proceeded to the high school to open fire and killed and injured 21 persons before turning the gun on himself. Two 17-year-old Somali boys shot three persons in a botched robbery. Minneapolis is not immune to this national epidemic of gun violence. Our youth are risking their lives, endangering others and facing years of incarceration, paralyzing injuries and violent death.