This play was great. I think that those who have relationships with senior loved ones, senior lovers, parents, grandparents or who know or care for someone who is terminally ill should see Harnietiaux’s latest play. David Casteal (Bobby) and Adell Whitehead (Lee) portray this couple working through a difficult time with empathy, humor and authenticity.
Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2017
OK, we had our celebration with speeches and the march.
Now Let’s Commit Ourselves
Since 2008 news and social media have done nothing but complain about what politicians did and did not do. If they have not accomplished goals and objectives it is no one’s fault but your own. If you are not satisfied with the 2016 election I suggest that you step up and do something about it.
From the list below, choose the issue you feel needs action, list the issue and the name of an organization that works on that issue in the comment box below and fill in your contact information. If you do not know of an organization, volunteer to start such an organization. I will pass your contact information on to the appropriated organization. Also I will collate the information everyone contributes and post the results at this site 4comculture.com. To stay aware of current posts at this site in the right hand side bar SUBSCRIBE to receive an email notifying you of new posts (a couple per week).
What Will You Commit To
Protest (Civic Disobedience, Non-violent direct action, Go to jail), Government service, Social justice, Political action, Political parties (Democratic, Republican, Independent, Progressive), Employment (Jobs and training), Housing, Healthy food production, Education (K12, College), Environment (Climate change etc.) Community organizing, Social justice, Community service, Social services, Health and safety, Drug abuse prevention, Community security, Reproductive rights, Hunger, Homelessness, Race relations, Human relations, Art and culture, International affairs, Belief systems (Humanism etc.).
Eighteen Ugandans showed up on my doorstep needing a place to stay. Vince Lemus and his daughter said they would take half. Vince was there helping me to build the community we wanted to live in. He was building that community at the Fairchild Air Force Base, the Spokane Human Rights Commission, Workforce Diversity, Spokane School District and the GLTB community.
Now I am asking you to help build the community we all want to live in. Take a few minutes to read this letter and to respond as you feel appropriate.
Hi Bob! As you may know, our granddaughter, Marleigh Elise (5 years old), is struggling and heartbreakingly, losing her 14 month long, fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). She is currently under Hospice care. My wife and I sat with Becca and Marleigh yesterday. Marleigh proudly showed us her “pain pump.” It delivers pain meds, intravenously, every three hours. As we sat there, we saw the deep seeded pain and anguish in our sweet daughter’s eyes and voice as the cancer slowly continues to consume her baby’s fragile body.
It’s always a horrendous challenge when a family member, especially a child, is sick; however, the emotional challenge is made tougher in the holiday season, knowing it is probably your last, together. Yes, a FB message is quick, convenient and appreciated. As random as it may seem, I am asking, if you have the time and inclination to do so, please mail a short letter, a card, postcard with a few words or something of that nature, to Becca, her husband Matt, and Marleigh. Please send some written words that reflect compassion, encouragement and or empathy in this difficult time. Your act of kindness definitely won’t make the pain go away; however, it will let them know their burden is lighter with your alms of prayer, chants, warm thoughts and understanding. Please let the time you take and words you write, be your gift to this family in this season.
Feel free to send this to friends and family members, even though they may not know Marleigh or her plight. We would like an outpouring of love and support for this family, this season. Until then, let the blessings be.
Sincerely,
Vince and Teri Lemus
Address: Matt and Rebecca Erdahl 2518 W. Broad St. Spokane WA 99205
Spokane also has its share of those who are part of the African Diaspora, including Ugandans, Kenyans and South Africans. Quoting the article below “… many of her nationals went overseas to earn an education or seek greener pastures. Today, all these Ugandan sons and daughters are mockingly referred to as “Nkuba Kyeeyo”or Kyeyoists” crudely translated as “menial workers cleaning foreign streets for a living after leaving Uganda.” The author makes the point that this is not true. Some may have begun at such menial levels but many have taken advantage of every opportunity and become pharmacists, bankers, politicians, ambassadors, health administrators and media producers. They certainly are not “Nkuba Kyeeyo”!
INEMA Arts Center SHOWS In Spokane
Viewers came to see the art of Emmanuel Nkuranga and to meet the artist. Visitors who came found a story about Emmanuel, his mission and the children of Rwanda who are changing their lives with art. (click on text below to enlarge)
IS THIS THE SPOKANE YOU WANT?
Join the Discussion at East Central Community Center
We’ve all heard that Spokane is a great place to raise a family. But, Spokane Regional Health District’s recent health equity report paints a different picture of Spokane County. Health inequities affect us all, and it’s time to do something about it. Numerous local agencies are banding together to host Health Equity in Spokane: Deepening theDialogue. Join us for this free event and help be a part of the solutions.
October 10, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
East Central Community Center 500 S Stone St, Spokane, WA 99202
Light refreshments served.
Always good to plan ahead, but for those who do forget to thaw something out, can’t decide what to cook, get home late, or are bushed they can stop by Spokane’s Phat Truck coming soon to Spokane Washington. That’s not FAT it’s PHAT which stands for Pretty Hot and Tasty. Our menu will provide a balanced dinner, lunch or midnight snack.
But if you are not in an area served by Phat Truck you might want to plan ahead. See cousin Jameelah Carter’s article COOK, THERE IS ALWAYS TIME in DC Cooking Examiner.
Delali Dogbe
For some today is Mothers Day. For some today is graduation. For Delali Dogbe it is Mothers Day. For her son Kelvin Garner it is his graduation from Whitworth College. They celebrated this day together at the North Central Care Center.
Do you remember the Whitworth freshman from Ghana whose story appeared in the March 1, 2011 issue of the Whitworthian? Since June 6, 2009 Kelvin has been semi-comatose. His mother, who left Ghana immediately when she heard of his accident, has been by his side for nearly three years.
We will be continuing Kelvin’s story later this week. Watch for future posts.
Receiving Honorary Alumnus Certificate
Jay, a friend and photographer, asked if we could walk together some time. In early March my Euro-American friend and I walked the Manito Park – Cannon Hill Park Loop. It was a mild between seasons sort of day. The duck pond at Manito Park was still frozen but very little snow. The Cannon Hill pond was not frozen but no new greenery was yet to be seen. The Japanese Garden was still closed for the winter. We saw many joggers, dog walkers, family groups, and bicyclists enjoying the day. Everyone was smiling and welcoming, but Bob was the only African American to be seen.
See more in the series An African American Walks.
Do African Americans in Spokane walk? If so, where? I would like to take your walk and post the photographs here.
Such [kidney] transplants ultimately save money as well as lives. The federal Medicare program, which pays most treatment costs for chronic kidney disease, saves an estimated $500,000 to $1 million each time a patient is removed from dialysis through a live donor transplant (the operations typically cost $100,000 to $200,000). Coverage for kidney disease costs the government more than $30 billion a year, about 6 percent of the Medicare budget.
Everybody is looking to Obama to save the world and to save health care. Here is a contribution that you could make to national health care!
Email from a friend:
Subject: Fwd: NYTimes.com: 60 Lives, 30 Kidneys, All Linked
March is National Kidney Month and it is a good time to remind everyone of the importance of organ donation. I am not asking you to mail me a kidney, but I am asking that you forward this email to as many people as you can. All it takes to be part of a transplant chain is a willing donor. For someone who needs a kidney, that person does not have to be a match. Someone else in the transplant chain can be matched up to the person in need.
Thanks for sharing!
My Response
Thanks for this email. It was personal for us. My mother lived with us the last 5 years of her life after her kidneys failed. I have forwarded it to my extended family.
Bob