Posted 12.07.2011 | Black Voices
Private citizen Gingrich was out of the news for the decade after his House tenure ended. But that didn’t mean he had toned down, let alone, altered his thinking, about minorities and how society should deal with them.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending Macy’s Heart of Haiti event. The event was to introduce some of the newest pieces of the Heart of Haiti collection, a collection of handmade products by Haitian artisans that provides them with much-needed sustainable income particularly in the aftermath of last year’s earthquake. Although the rest of the world has seemingly moved on from the devastating effects of last January’s natural disaster, the Haitian people continue to struggle with rebuilding their country.
The event began with a welcome from the initiative’s founders Willa Shalit of Fair Winds Trading and Laura Graham of The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund as well as the Ambassador of Haiti, however the highlight of the evening was the presence of artisan Pascale. To meet one of these artisans in person and hear about how this initiative has personally impacted her was truly humbling and inspiring. The nature of this “Trade, Not Aid” initiative has been successful in giving the people of Haiti a way to improve not only th eir lives but also their communities.
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Cover of Adila Barnes' autobiography
Adilah Barnes performance in the one woman show I Am That I Am: Woman, Black at Whitworth University on October 26 was an evening of inspiring theater. The choice of women portrayed (from Sojourner Truth forward to Angela Davis and May Angelou), the interesting and meaningful selection of their words woven together with song in a dark theater was moving. As the excellent questions from students, faculty and community members revealed something of Ms. Barnes life and spirit and because some of her life path seemed to parallel my own I decided to buy her book so I could find out more. We talked a little as she signed the book and indeed we had both been college students in the San Francisco Bay area in the late 60’s and early 70’s – that great time of change. . . . . .
But as I opened her book and read about her origins I realized we had even more in common – we are both from Oroville, California. . . . . (more)
Thanks to Adilah Barnes for sharing her life journey so unreservedly. It was heart warming to read the story of someone who set goals and didn’t let anything stop her from reaching them. More information about her, including where you can buy her book, may be found at her website.
http://www.adilahbarnes.com/
IMDB (The Internet Movie Database) pulls up some full episodes of TV series she was in if you search her name:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0055481/videogallery
News Release Nov 28, 2011
Media Contact: Kim Papich
kpapich@spokanecounty.org
(509) 324-1539, c (509) 994-8968
Commemorating World AIDS Day in Spokane
Local event to raise awareness for prevention and treatment, fight prejudice
SPOKANE, Wash. – Dec. 1, 2011 once again marks the arrival of World AIDS Day, an annual event to raise awareness about the global epidemic of HIV and AIDS. Spokane Regional Health District staff encourage the community to join them in commemorating the day by attending Spokane’s annual recognition event on Dec. 1 at Unitarian Universalist Church, near Spokane Falls Community College, from 6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
The program will lend visibility to prevention and treatment progress and help fight prejudice. It includes a candlelight vigil to pay homage to those who have passed away. The key takeaway from the event is that HIV testing and associated care can save lives and local agencies like Spokane Regional Health District are working to build on those successes to allow more people to live longer and healthier lives.
During 2010, there were 30 newly-diagnosed HIV infections in Spokane County. It is estimated that Spokane County has 450 people living with the HIV virus. Both Spokane and Washington state continue to see the total number of people living with HIV disease increase. Worldwide, over 7,000 people contract HIV each day. In 2008, over 2 million people died from AIDS.
Spokane Regional Health District’s HIV/AIDS program works to stop the spread of HIV and to provide education and support to those who are HIV positive and those living with AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HIV testing as a routine part of health care. Testing can be done through most health care provider offices and clinics. Testing is also available at the Spokane Regional Health District by appointment at (509) 324-1600. SRHD supports CDC recommendations that:
The health district joins several agencies in supporting the Dec. 1 program including the Spokane AIDS Network, Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, Brighton Court, and Spokane’s HIV/AIDS Speakers’ Bureau. For more information about the event contact Ann Bruce, World AIDS Day event co-chairperson, (509) 324-3606. For more information about World AIDS Day visit worldaidsday.org.
More information can also be found at www.srhd.org. The site offers comprehensive, updated information about Spokane Regional Health District and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community.
Author and political analyst
Sooner or later, presumptive GOP presidential nominee frontrunner Mitt Romney will have to publicly answer which Romney will show up on the issue of race and diversity if he indeed gets the GOP nomination and snatches the White House in 2012. Will it be the Romney that claimed in an interview on Meet the Press in 2007 that he got teary eyed when he heard that his Mormon church’s ruling elders publicly declared that blacks would no longer be barred from the Mormon priesthood? Romney didn’t directly say it but he strongly hinted that the moment stirred strong emotions in him because he never went along with his church’s decade’s old racial bar.
“I was anxious to see a change in my church…. My faith has always told me that and I had no question that African Americans and blacks generally would have every right and every benefit in the hereafter that anyone else had and that God is no respecter of persons.”
This photograph is something I felt you’d like to see. At Rogers High School in Spokane, we recently launched our School Pantry pilot. It’s an inspiring attempt to feed more hungry kids without breaking the bank. If all goes well, Second Harvest will be able to reach more hungry kids in the coming year.
The response from one young lady at that first distribution in October makes me hopeful. She picked up a box of donated groceries after school on a Friday afternoon. “My mom is going to be so excited,” she said. “We haven’t had spaghetti in a long time. I’m going to make dinner tonight.” Spaghetti is one of those things that earn a spot on many scribbled grocery lists. Who would have expected so much enthusiasm for something so common?
I’m always very grateful when simple ideas bring good results. We made a difference for that Rogers High student and 250 of her school mates in need. We’re continuing to sort out ways to do as much good as possible with our limited means. I suppose our grocery list isn’t always as long as we’d like it to be either.
We need to raise $400,000 by Dec. 31 to provide more than 60 truckloads of food to area food banks, meal sites and even our fledgling School Pantry this winter. We hope you will send your gift by clicking here to donate securely online. Your donation is always appreciated. Thank you.
Take care,
Jason L. Clark
President and CEO
Cousins James Ransom and Cherie Johnson recall their fearsome Sunday school teacher, Miss Lizzie Devine, the only woman who had more power than their grandmother. Set in the small Florida town of the cousins’ memories, this animation resounds with the joy of sharing stories with family.
Directed by: The Rauch Brothers
Backgrounds: Bill Wray
Producers: Mike Rauch & Isaac Kestenbaum
Animation: Tim Rauch
Audio Produced by: Katie Simon
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Essay Contest!
Download the poster.
Download the guidelines.
Download the press release.
Download the cover sheet.
This information is provided as a community service. Spokane County United Way does not manage or administer these programs or services. We have attempted to provide as accurate information as possible as it was received from the community agencies. Anyone having questions about any of the information listed below should contact the agency directly, at the phone number provided with the agency listing.
This list may also be viewed on our web site at www.unitedwayspokane.org.
The City Gate, 170 S. Madison, 455-9670. Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Wednesday, November 23rd, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Gonzaga University, Sodexo Food Services and St. Aloysius Parish, 429 E. Boone Ave. A free community Thanksgiving Dinner will be served on Thanksgiving Day, November 24. The event is scheduled from 12:00 Noon until 1:30 p.m. at Cataldo Hall, on the Gonzaga Campus. For more information call 313-7001 or 313-7004.
Mid City Concerns, 1222 W. Second, 456-6597. Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, at 11:30 a.m. for seniors; and 12:30 p.m. for the general public. All are welcome.
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, at Tum Tum Community Center, 6424 Highway 291, Tum Tum, WA, 509-276-5566. Dinner will be served on Saturday, November 19, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Salvation Army, 222 E. Indiana, 325-6821. Thanksgiving Turkey Baskets (frozen turkey & fixings) will be distributed on Tuesday, November 22nd, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (two days before Thanksgiving). Everyone is welcome. Proof of income, ID and residency are required.
Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank, 10814 E. Broadway, 928-7769, 927-1153. Food baskets will be provided to those Valley residents who sign up for them. Sign-ups will be accepted on 11/9, 11/10, 11/16, 11/17 (Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursdays by appointment 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Please call for appointment. Food distribution will be Nov 21 & 22 by appointment for those who have signed up. Recipients must be a Spokane Valley resident, have identification, proof of household residents, i.e. utility bill, mail with name/address on it, school record, or Medicaid card.
The Union Gospel Mission, at Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Bl., 535-8510. Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Wednesday, November 23rd from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center. Enter the doors in the breezeway between the INB Performing Arts Center and Convention Center) ~ Doors open at 3:40 pm. ~ TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. Tickets are available through SNAP, Spokane Mental Health and House of Charity. Everyone is welcome.
VFW Post #1435, 212 S. David St, Spokane Valley (near Thurman/Appleway), 535-9315.
A Thanksgiving community dinner will be served on Saturday, November 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Women’s & Children’s Free Restaurant – at Rogers High School, 1622 E. Wellesley, 324-1995 ext 300. Thanksgiving dinner will be served on Saturday, November 19, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, no reservations required.
From a land-line or cell — just dial 2-1-1. That will connect you.
2-1-1 operates Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours, or on weekends please call “First Call For Help” at (509) 838-4428.
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IS YOUR AGENCY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS? Please utilize our Volunteer Solutions Database online. It is a great way to secure volunteers for the holidays or anytime. Just go to www.unitedwayspokane.org and click on the link for “Volunteer Now”. You have to register first. Then, it’s easy to input your request for those special volunteers anytime you need them!
DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER? If you want to volunteer your time during the holidays or other times during the year, just go to www.unitedwayspokane.org and click on the link for “Volunteer Now”. There are many volunteer opportunities listed throughout the year
Revised 11/2/11