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Weekly Updates

The Week of November 14th, 2011Read/Post Comments

 Brought to you by Earthworks Urban Farm,
a program of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen

Self-Regulation & Feedback, Volunteer Opportunities, Weekly Recipe, Announcements, Jobs & Updates


Peace everyone,

The earth is an incredibly resilient entity that nurtures innumerable life forms and sub systems.  The earth's ability to self-regulate itself is critical to its ability to provide home and habitat for us and other forms of life. 

The meeting point between natural and human-made systems can create instability or harmony.  This critical state of balance is compromised when we go beyond the earth's ability to self-right it's self.  Applying self-regulation and accepting feedback is critical to the health of the earth and those that depend on it.

What does "applying self-regulation and accepting feedback" look like in your community?

Please send your thoughts to earthworks@cskdetroit.org.  We want to hear from you!


I. Volunteer Opportunities for the week o f 11/14//2011:
Wednesday and Saturday, 9am-12:30pm; Regular Volunteer Hours:  Please join us after working in the gardens for lunch in the soup kitchen on Wednesday.

Note: The last Saturday to volunteer is November 19th, 2011 from 9am-12:30pm.

All volunteers please meet at Capuchin Soup Kitchen at 1264 Meldrum, Detroit, MI unless noted differently. For individual volunteers, feel free to just come by.  No need to RSVP.  For groups, please contact us in advance to schedule a day. Please come dressed appropriately for the weather and work.  Long pants and closed toe shoes are required. 

For questions, please email sbernardo@cskdetroit.org or call (313) 579-2100 x 204.


II. Chef Alison's featured recipe of the week:
Chef Alison from the Capuchin Soup Kitchen highlights quick and easy recipes featuring produce grown in Earthworks gardens.  Recipes can be modified according to taste.

Butternut Squash Pie:

Crust: 1 ½ cups flour
            ½ tsp. Salt
            ¼  cup butter
            ¼  cup canola oil
            5 tbl. Water

Filling: 2/3 cup brown sugar
            ½ tsp salt
            1 tsp cinnamon
            ½ tsp ginger
           ½ tsp cloves
           2 cups mashed squash
           2 cracked eggs
           dash of vanilla extract
           ½ can condensed milk

Method: To prepare crust,  mix dry ingredients. Add  butter and quickly work in. Mix until it resembles coarse, ground nuts. Add oil, mix. Add cold water on top, mix in. Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness on floured surface, line pie tin and crimp edges.

Filling: Mix eggs and sugar. Stir in squash, salt, spices and vanilla. Mix in condensed milk. Pour the filling into the crust. Bake the pie at 450 F (preheated) for 5 min. or so, then reduce heat to 325 and bake for 35-45 min. until set or knife comes out clean.

 

III. Community Announcements:
1. American Indian  Communities: Building Culturally Resilient Services for Suicide Prevention & Treatment
American Indian Health & Family Services 4880 Lawndale St, Detroit, MI
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
8:30am-4:30pm, Registration at 8am

This is a great opportunity to gain more knowledge about the American Indian community while also gaining a greater understanding of historical trauma, suicide, substance abuse and solutions.  We welcome everyone to attend, but space is limited.  This training will provide 5 "related" MCBAP hours and also has continuing education hours for social workers.  There will be a continental breakfast and a traditional Native meal prepared by Kirk Schuyler.  The earlybird deadline is fast approaching! Please forward to anyone who may be interested.

To register, download and mail in the attached registration form or register online at: https://www.socialwork.msu.edu/ceu/catalog.php

2. Town Hall Meeting on Land Use Regulations
Sacred Heart Church Parish Hall 1000 Eliot Street Detroit, MI  48207
Wednesday November 16, 2011
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

The Detroit City Planning Commission, the City of Detroit Planning and Development Department, and Eastern Market Corporation (EMC) cordially invite you to discuss proposed revisions to the Eastern Market District's land use regulations. Two identical meetings have been scheduled to encourage broad participation. Please RSVP your attendance to the one that best fits your schedule by emailing jmartin@detroiteasternmarket.com by November 7, 2011.

Kimberly Hill
Vice President, Marketing & Community Relations
EASTERN MARKET CORPORATION
2934 Russell Street │Detroit MI 48207
313.833.9300 ext. 101 (Phone)
313.833.9309 (Fax)
khill@detroiteasternmarket.com
www.detroiteasternmarket.com

3. Advocacy for Community Justice
United Way for Southeastern Michigan 660 Woodward Ave., Detroit MI 48226
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
5:30-8 pm
$50 in advance; $60 at the door

A reception to benefit the Sugar Law Center and fight the Democracy Emergency

At this year's reception, we will present the Maurice Sugar Voice for Justice Award to the 28 dedicated citizens who brought the legal challenge to Michigan's unconstitutional "emergency manager" law.

We will also celebrate the successful conclusion of our Democracy Emergency campaign to fund this vital effort.  Live jazz, exquisite hors d'oeuvres.

Call 313-993-4505 for more information.

4. Thrive at the Commons
Cass Corridor Commons 4605 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48201
Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
7-9pm
FREE

Detroit Evolution & the Detroit Food Justice Task Force are pleased to move this month's Market Movie Night to the warmth of the new Cass Corridor Commons.

THRIVE is a film about the core patterns that engender and sustain life. It is a wake up call to the extent to which power has been consolidated and abused by an elite few, and it is an invitation to join in the brightest possibilities that can be liberated when we think critically and take a stand for liberty. In short, THRIVE is about real ways in which ordinary citizens can actively shift the power structures blocking the free flow of energy that enables all of life to thrive.

Watch the preview: http://thrivemovement.com/

Please carpool, use street parking, park in the mapped lots, or ride your bike. If you need assistance call 313.316.1411

5. Meldrum Fresh Market
Capuchin Soup Kitchen - Earthworks Urban Farm 1264 Meldrum Detroit, MI 48207
Thursday, November, 17th, 2011
11-1pm

Bring Cash or your Bridge Card to purchase fresh organic produce harvested right from our gardens!  We will also have freshly made grape, elderberry, gooseberry, currant, and black raspberry jams to sell!  FYI, this is Earthwork's last market of the year!

6. CITY, COUNTY & DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKERS PICKET & RALLY
City-County Bldg (Then March to the Wayne County Guardian Bldg)
Thursday, November, 17th, 2011
4:30 PM

This country is not broke. The top tiers of our nation continue to grow more obscenely wealthy as the gap between the rich, and the poor, working class and even middle-class grows wider each year. The banks and corporations are draining the people like a gang of vampires, intent on lowering our living standards and expectations for decent futures. The richest Americans are concentrating the nations' wealth and forcing austerity on the rest of us. Draw the line now!

Rally Sponsored by AFSCME Locals 101 (Wayne County Road Commission), 207 (DWSD), 345 (DPS Support Staff) & 1659 ( Wayne County ), Teamsters Local 214, Amalgamated Transit Union Division 26, Peoples Water Board. To sponsor or for information call 313-965-1601, 313-995-5691

7. Screening of the Documentary: The End of Poverty?
Main Art Theatre 118 N Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Thursday, November, 17th, 2011
6pm

"The End of Poverty?" Is a daring, thought-provoking and very timely documentary by award-winning filmmaker, Philippe Diaz revealing that poverty is not an accident. It began with military conquest, slavery, and colonization that resulted in seizure of land, minerals, and forced labor. Today, global poverty has reached new levels because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies.

The movie will be preceded by an Ethiopian dinner and followed by a discussion forum. The cost of the event is $8, with profits going to towards famine relief efforts in Somalia and Ethiopia. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.theberhanemission.com on the news and events page.

8. Community Advisory Meeting: Honor Our Elders
American Indian Health & Family Service 4880 Lawndale, Detroit, MI 48210
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
6-8pm

We would like to honor our elders by offering a special informational session about open enrollment in Medicare which will continue through December 7th. Did you know that there are a total of 60 plans available in the 48210 zip code?  Which one is best for you?  Are you a caregiver with someone on Medicare or Disability?  We will also offer on-site enrollment for children's insurance programs.

9. Public Hearing by Detroit Renewable Power
13th floor, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
10:15 am

Detroit Renewable Power (DRP), AKA the Detroit trash incinerator, has returned with a re-request for $4M in Brownfield tax credits.  If you agree that the City and the State have better uses for public dollars than the incinerator, please come to the hearing. 

If you cannot make the hearing, please state your opposition in a simple letter to the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and urge them to "reject Detroit Renewable Power's request for $4 M in Brownfield Redevelopment tax credits."  PLEASE create your letter, sign it and drop off at 15015 Piedmont by end of day Wednesday, November 16th, 2011.

10. Public Hearing by Whole Foods
WCCCD Eastern Campus, Detroit, MI
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
5:15pm

The City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the rezoning of land to allow for the Whole Foods on Mack Ave. and John R. There will also be a presentation on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (among other hearings and presentations). Please call (313) 224-6225 for more info!

11. Green Screen 2011 Youth Environmental Film Festival
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
Thursday, November 17, 2011
7:00pm - 9:00pm

Green Screen provides a forum where students from across southeast Michigan and beyond showcase short films with environmental themes. These films allow young filmmakers to express what they think is most crucial to their health and to the natural environment. Some films also focus on making the world, their school or neighborhood environmentally healthier.

Anyone interested entering a film for Green Screen 2011, sponsoring a film, volunteering or making a donation of support should call (313) 559-7498 or visit www.emeac.org

12. The Future of Food
Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
7pm

Mark Bittman, New York Times opinion columnist and Times magazine food columnist, shares his perspectives on what's wrong with the way we eat.

13. FREE Botvin Life Skills and Substance Abuse Prevention Training Program
Mack Alive Resource Center 3746 Fischer Avenue, Detroit, MI
Friday, November 18, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Youth Connection would like to invite you to attend a FREE Substance Abuse training program. The session will focus on building awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of alcohol, tobacco and drug use, abuse and addictions. If you are interested in participating, please email Shauntele Harvey SHarvey@theyouthconnection.org or call at 313-574-5224.

14. Detroit Public Schools Bond Oversight Committee Hearings
Martin Luther King High School, 3200 E. Lafayette (at McDougall)
Monday, November 21, 2011
10 am

The topic will cover the issues of the $500.5 million bond (Proposal S) from the Granholm/Bobb era being spent at Detroit Public Schools and the compliance with the commitments made when voters approved the bond.

15. STANDING UP FOR FAMILIES & KIDS IN CRISIS:
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit 4605 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI
Sunday November 20, 2011
12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Explore How Faith Groups Can Respond To Families Cut Off Food & Public Assistance

KEYNOTE: Gilda Jacobs, President/CEO Michigan League for Human Services

HIGHLIGHTS:
* KEYNOTE: Update & Action on Cuts in Assistance for Michigan Families
* Dynamic Panelists: Models for Responding to Poverty
  - Marian Kramer, Central United Methodist Church and Co-Chair, National Welfare Rights Union
  - Charity Hicks, Leader, Detroit Food Justice Task Force
  - Janet Peplin, Leader, Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church
* Discussion:  Advocacy & Service Strategies
* MUUSJN Update: Randy Block, Director
* Light lunch and networking opportunities
* $10 Requested Donation 
           
REGISTER ON-LINE: 
November 10th deadline. www.uujustice.org/conferenceregistration.html
(walk-in's still welcome)

PayPal online on above site or donate by check made out to:
Heartland District UUA with MUUSJN in memo

Mail to:
Randy Block - Director
Michigan UU Social Justice Network
4220 Arlington Dr., Royal Oak, MI 48073
(248) 549-5170
www.uujustice.org

 

IV. Jobs in the Community

1. Assistant Farm Manager
Earthworks Urban Farm

2. Education Assistant
Earthworks Urban Farm

3. URDFS Coordinator
Undoing Racism in the Detroit Food System

4. Extension Educator - Marquette
Greening Michigan Institute

5. Extension Educator - Sault St. Marie
Greening Michigan Institute

6. Site Manager - Highland Park Community High School Garden
Distributed Power

7. Executive Director
Child's Hope of Wayne County


V. Update from Patrick

Patrick is taking the scenic route back from Oakland, California.  Check back in for his update next week!


VI. Outreach Update from Shane

    Lately, I've been thinking and exploring a lot about how our personal experiences help shape our values and worldview.  As outreach coordinator, the work of creating a just and beautiful food system has been greatly informed by my own life.  Within this frame, I often find myself reflecting on how our individual and collective experiences impact the work of building local and global food movements.  Deeper yet, I also recognize how integral this work is often tied to my own individual growth and how the well-being of the community also teeters on my own. 
      Last week at the Race2Equity Conference, I had the fortunate opportunity of speaking about these connections with others from Detroit working in the food movement.  I was invited to speak not necessarily as a representative of Earthworks but more so as someone that has an extensive history of working in the food system and comes from an immigrant family whose ethnic group is not reflected in dominant culture.
     From this perspective, I asked, "Food security for whom?"  In a manner of speaking, this question presents how crucial it is for the ideal of cultural relevance and sovereignty to be raised and reinforced in the conversation of food security.  That within how food security is often narrowly defined, we can still oppress the right of under-represented ethnic, immigrant and indigenous peoples to express their stories, traditions and rituals associated with growing, cultivating, harvesting, preparing, eating, sharing and celebrating food.
     My family also owned and operated a relatively small ethnic grocery store on the west side of Detroit for 13 years.  We catered to several cultures that shared common spices and staples of food like cassava, yucca, plantain, coconut, chayote, arrow root, breadfruit, jackfruit, yams, tamarind, mangos, melons, rice, etc.  Through sharing our food, recipes and culture with others, I quickly learned how powerful food is in building meaningful lasting relationships and a sense of community.
    During that time, I also learned how essential food is in preserving the language, history and culture of people.  Alternatively, when we were eventually forced to close the store, I then learned how oppressive it is to not have the same ability of others do in expressing culture so freely and easily.  In other words, your level of humanity and dignity is dependent on your own sense of autonomy and agency in expressing your culture.  Without examining these critical components of a truly inclusive food movement, it's extremely difficult to disregard the history and culture of my family and others underserved by the limited ideals of food security.  Food security is not just the right of the many or the privileged...but for everyone.
     The next time you're at a store, restaurant, farmer's market, farm, community garden, food pantry or soup kitchen, pay attention to whose culture and ultimately, whose ideals and values are widely represented in the kinds of food being offered.  Then ask yourself how and why those foods reflect or don't reflect your culture.
     Again, I want to write more but it'll have to wait.  Check in next week for an update on a popular education workshop I participated with ROC-Michigan.  See you soon!

Readers' Comments The Week of November 14th, 2011




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Editor: Shane Bernardo    website by jeffdunn.com