Europeans Through African Eyes at Detroit Institute of Arts

One of our State's cultural points of light is the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). From now until early August, the gallery is featuring a unique exhibit called: Through African Eyes. It is an exploration in art from the vantage point of Africans as what they have thought or currently think of Europeans, Westerners. Something that we were probably never taught in American history books.

A brief commercial on YouTube explains the exhibit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ30H2tEWVM

More information on the DIA and the current exhibit can be found at:

www.dia.org/calendar/exhibition.aspx?id=1866&iid=

Advocates for Mental Health Rally in Lansing

Advocates for mental health recently rallied in Lansing. A cool pictorial article:

www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=A3&Dato=20100511&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=5110802&Ref=PH

"As Michigan struggles economically, the state is cutting back on funding for mental health services, even as the need increases - more people are suffering from depression and anxiety because of economic woes, (Michael) Vizena (Executive Director of Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards) said.

"With Michigan's economy, there's a number of families and individuals struggling. It's really important that we continue to get this support," he said.

For fiscal year 2010-11, the state Senate has proposed cutting $58 million from the $287 million currently allocated to mental health services, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency. The legislation is pending in the House.

In fiscal year 2008-09, funding was at $327 million. Cuts since then would amount to a 30 percent reduction in funding if the Senate proposal is approved, Vicena said."

www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100512/NEWS01/5120326/Lansing-rally-calls-for-mental-health-funding

State Budget Cuts Loom as Federal Stimulus Dollars Dry Up

"Think states have made deep spending cuts?

You ain't seen nothing yet.States have been struggling with huge budget gaps since 2008, but this year could be worse as federal stimulus funds wind down.

Until now, stimulus money spared governors and state lawmakers from making some of the most brutal budget cuts. But with this lifeline running out, officials are looking at making significant cutbacks to public services, particularly schools and health programs."

money.cnn.com/2010/05/05/news/economy/state_budget_cuts/index.htm

Michigan's Tax Burden Has Fallen Significantly: Senate Fiscal Agency

"It's no secret that the past decade has been a train wreck for Michigan.

But amid all the bad economic news of lost jobs, falling home values and rising costs for college tuition, at least one item isn't weighing as heavily on the family checkbook. Michigan residents are seeing a smaller percentage of their personal income go to state taxes, according to the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA).

The SFA recently reported that "tax burdens have fallen significantly" in the state between 1999 and 2009."

www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/05/michigan_residents_tax_burden.html

Kalamazoo teens volunteer to help new adopt-a-bus-shelter program

It is not uncommon to find graffiti or destruction at a bus stop in any given area. For those who rely on the bus system as their primary mode of transportation, I imagine that can feel simply degrading. Damage to bush shelters make them more vulnerable to the elements and less of a safe haven for soon-to-be passengers.

To fix this problem, Kalamazoo Teens are adopting and beautifying the bus stop shelters all over Kalamazoo. From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

A few weeks ago, somebody shattered the glass at a bus shelter in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood.

It was repaired, and on Wednesday, a group of five Kalamazoo teenagers were vigorously scrubbing the shelter from the benches to the grime-covered roof.

“It’s just good knowing we’re helping somebody out,” said Rickey Pritchett, 16, who swept garbage off the ground with a broom.

The teens were volunteering through a new county adopt-a-bus-shelter program, similar to how others volunteer to pick up trash along highways.

For a few hours a week, volunteers can plant flowers next to bus shelters or shovel snow on sidewalks leading to them in the winter. And there’s plenty of garbage picking and window washing to do.

On Wednesday, the five teens from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo teens worked fast, spraying Windex all over the shelter at Mills and Lake streets as 5 o’clock traffic went past.

“As soon as they get out there, they get into it,” said James Varnesdeel, the teen services director at the Boys and Girls Club.

So far, 10 groups, from teens at the Maple Street YMCA to employees with Comstock Township government and the Family Health Center, are tending to 14 shelters in Kalamazoo County.

“It’s not a huge time commitment, but it’s something people can take pride in,” said Michele McGowen, who helps coordinate the program as a partnership between Friends of Transit for Kalamazoo County, Metro Transit and the Kalamazoo County Transit Authority.

The year-round program, just in its first year, will hopefully grow and get more volunteers, McGowen said.

For more information on how to get involved, call McGowen at 269-345-1516, Ext. 116.

Contact Gabrielle Russon at grusson@kalamazoogazette.com or 269-388-8412.

Read the full article: http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/05/volunteers_help_keep_bus_shelt.html

Stereotypes: We All Have Them

Stereotypes. We all have them. One definition of a stereotype is a short cut. A more sociological definition of why there are stereotypes was proposed by professors at Stanford University: "Stereotypes simplify an overly complex environment and create prejudices that function mainly to release frustration and make people feel superior to others."...

... Too often, negative stereotypes are associated with poor people. Words such as lazy or uneducated are used. But I have learned that the only stereotype that can be associated with poor people is that they don't have much money.

heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/05/05/opinion/editorials/1397263.txt

By chosing Kalamazoo Central, Obama sends a strong message towards reform

Yes, as many of you have already heard, President Barack Obama has chosen to speak at Kalamazoo Central's commencement ceremony. This is a time to celebrate the spotlight that his arrival will bring to the positive work in our community.

His choice is significant not only because it highlights a local school in our community, but because of the message it sends of education reform across America. 57 percent of its students are from low-income families and 61 percent are minorities. It was struggling to send its students on to higher education.

Enter the Kalamazoo Promise in 2005: Since then, over 91% of its students have attended college. The Promise is a public-private partnership that took advantages of the resources available in the community to offer disadvantaged children an opportunity to succeed. By doing this, Kalamazoo Central represents a model other struggling urban districts to turn themselves around.

Julie Mack of the Kalamazoo Gazette said it best:

Specialty schools such as Clark and Denver School for Science and Technology “are good for some families,” but won’t solve the problems of American education, Miron said.

That’s what makes K-Central “such a viable model” for the White House competition, he added. “It’s a model for reform that can serve all kids.”

Read the full article: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/05/winner_of_president_barack_oba.html

Battle Creek Homeless Man Attacked with Paintball May Lose an Eye

"A Battle Creek man may lose his eye after Battle Creek police said he was shot with paintballs about 1:48 a.m. today.

Steven Soderborg, 54, who police said is homeless, was under the M-66 bridge over Dickman Road when he heard several shots and was hit several times in the face."

www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100503/NEWS01/305030003/-1/rss13

www.wwmt.com/articles/margin-1375969-bottom-creek.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Kalamazoo Central: A National model for turning around struggling school districts

The city home to the Kalamazoo Promise has had the opportunity to demonstrate its worth with the Race To The Top High School Commencement Challenge, where the top prize is a commencement speech from President Obama. Last weekend, Western Michigan University just graduated its first Kalamazoo Promise class.

Picking a winner, which the president is expected to do by Tuesday, is likely to boil down to what kind of message Obama wants to send about education reform. From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

Does the White House want to highlight a small, specialty school that produces outstanding results for a self-selecting groups of students?

Or does Obama opt for Kalamazoo Central High School — a traditional school that represents a model for turning around a struggling urban district?

This is going to be an important choice,” said Joseph Kretovics, an education professor at Western Michigan University who has long been involved in school reform. “These are three very different schools with three very different populations.”

White House officials have said they are looking for a school that serves as a national model for preparing students for college.

Here is a breakdown of the competition:

• Kalamazoo Central, which is the only traditional high school in the mix. K-Central’s entry focused on The Kalamazoo Promise, the college scholarship program for Kalamazoo graduates, and the districtwide reform efforts that The Promise has inspired. Since creation of The Promise in 2005, 91 percent of Central graduates have gone on to college.

• Denver School of Science and Technology, a charter school that boasts that 100 percent of its first three graduating classes have been accepted to four-year colleges. The school does not have entrance requirements, but students must take pre-calculus and five science classes over four years, plus complete an internship and a senior project to graduate.

• Clark Montessori Junior and Senior High School, a magnet program in Cincinnati Public Schools. The school says 100 percent of the Class of 2010 has been accepted to college. Like the Denver program, Clark has open enrollment but parents and students must sign a contract promising the student will work hard, behave respectfully and perform 200 hours of community service during the four years of high school. Students also are required to take honors courses in core subjects, and undertake a senior project that involves a 30- to 40-page paper.

Whatever happens, we can be proud of the Promise and its affect on reducing poverty in the City of Kalamazoo. More on K Central:

Kalamazoo Central High School

Type of school: One of two traditional high schools in Kalamazoo Public Schools. Enrollment: About 1,700.
Claims to fame: K-Central graduates receive The Kalamazoo Promise, which pays for four years of college tuition.
Entrance requirements: None. By the numbers: The final number in the Class of 2010 has not been determined. Since creation of The Promise in 2005, 91 percent of Central graduates have gone on to college. Demographics: 57 percent are from low-income families; 61 percent are minorities.

Read the Full Article: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/05/obama_contest_keys_on_school_r.html

SW Michigan Paper Asks: Are the Poor in America Better Off Today Than Yesterday?

"Are the poor in America better off today than 75 or 100 years ago?

Statistics on the amount of government assistance available to those in need indicate that the social safety net is stronger than ever.

And that need for help may be closer to home than most people think. Figures show that 58 percent of Americans will fall below the poverty line at some time in their lives. Double-digit unemployment rates have brought that reality home to many and have created a need for widespread aid in unemployment benefits and other programs.

But an ambivalence about helping the poor persists in American society. A recent New York Times-CBS poll showed that 38 percent of Americans believe that providing government help to the poor encourages them to stay poor."


- Benton Harbor/St. Joseph Herald Palladium

www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/05/02/local_news/1307877.txt