Etcetera

etcetera

AGENDA Is interested in receiving items from you for etcétera. Press clippings, press releases, summaries of local events and any other ideas or suggestions are welcome. Just mail them to: Etcetera Editor, AGENDA, 220 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

 Big Dave Blues Benefit at Success

   Big Dave & the Ultrasonics performed at a benefit concert for AGENDA at the Blind Pig, January 13. Over 200 people attended the stellar performance by Ann Arbor's on-the-way-to fame blues sextet. The benefit raised $900 to help keep AGENDA'o grassroots journalism coming your way.

   AGENDA owes a mighty big thanks to Big Dave & the Ultrasonics, the staff of the Blind Pig, and all of you who came out to the event!

Earthquake Assistance Information

   The American Friends Service Committee in Southern California is accepting funds to assist families made homeless by the recent earthquake. If you'd like to contribute, send a check earmarked "Earthquake Relief" to: American Friends Service Committee, 980 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103.

Ypsilanti Gerrymander Plot

   Ypsilanti's city charter commission, dominated by a GOP-backed slate, proposes to reduce the number of city wards from five to three. Slated for three-way dismemberment are ward three, which encompasses the Eastern Michigan University campus, and mid-town ward four. Not coincidentally, these wards tend to send progressives to city hall.

   Student representaron on the city council, which has existed since 1993, would almost certainly end under the proposed new political map. The mostly-Black ward one would take in large White areas, such that elections will likely be fought on racial lines and only those Black candidates with White support would be able to represent the African-American community.

   The proposal will be part of a newcity charter to be voted up or down - possibly at a summertime special election when students are out of town. Although opposition to the change is already organized on the EMU campus, a strong city-wide "vote no" campaign is expected.

Interfaith Sponsors Media Critic Talks

   Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice presents two talks by authorjournalist Martin A. Lee, co-founder of FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting). On Fri. Feb. 4 at 7 pm, Lee will speak on "Resurgent Racism & Neo-Fascism in Europe." The event, to be held at Memorial Christian Church (730 Tappan), will begin with a 6 pm potluck dinner (bring food to share).

  Lee will address "Media Bias in the PostCold War Era" on Sat. Feb. 5 at 7:30 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 306 N. Division. This event will be preceded by ICPJ's annual meeting and reception at 5 pm and a multi-ethnic potluck dinner at 6:30 pm. RSVP for the dinner, 663-1870.

Low-income? Want credit?

   The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 requires banks to make credit available to people of all income levels in the communities where they are located. The Ann Arbor Community Development Corp. will hold two workshops - on Thurs. Feb.24 and Thurs. March 3, both from 7-9 pm - to explain how individuals and communities can benefit from this law. The first workshop will be held at the Ann Arbor Community Center at 625 N. Main and the second will be held at the 14-A District Court at 415 W. Michigan, Ypsilanti. For more information call Jen Rubin or Dina Sanders at 677-1400.

"Denver 3" Arrested For AIDS Protest

  On August 13 (the day after Pope John Paul II arrived in Colorado) police arrested four ACTUP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) members on charges stemming from a January 14, 1993 action in Denver against the homophobia and AIDS-phobia of the Catholic Church.

   Taylor St. John, Madrid St. Angelo and Lorna Jane Wheeler were charged with covering 306 gravestones at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery with plastic bags painted with slogans including "Jesus Christ Died of AIDS" and "AIDS: The Church's Human Sacrifice."The yeach face two counts of criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief, and desecration of a venerated object. They could get 18 years in prison if convicted. For more information contact the Freedom Defense Fund, c/o ACTUP/Denver, P.O. Box 9752, Denver, CO 80209.

The Colored Museum Project

   What would you look like as an Asian woman? How about a Hispanic man or a Blackchild? The Morph program, a display at The Colored Museum Project, will let you find out. A video camera can put your image onto a computer screen. From there, you can manipulate the looks of your eyes, skin, and hair.

   The week-long project is designed in four parts: an interactive display on African-American history; a production of George C. Wolfe's award-winning play 'The Colored Museum"; a symposium featuring major American artists of color; and a series of play readings.

   'The Colored Museum" play will run on Feb. 10 & 12 - 16 at 8 pm, with a late show on Feb. 11 at 10:30 pm and a matinee on Feb. 1 3 at 4 pm. A special benefit preformance and reception will be held on Feb 11 at 7 pm.

   All performances are in the Trueblood Theatre, located in the Frieze Building on State Street in Ann Arbor. Tickets are $12 general, $6 students, and $25 for the special benefit. The exhibits will also be displayed in the Frieze Building and can be viewed before and after the production.

   For a complete schedule of readings and symposium activities call 763-9713. For ticket info., call the League Ticket Office at 764-0450.

Peace InSight Planning Meeting

   Peace InSight, an organization that produces programs on peace and justice topics for Ann Arbor Community Access Television, is holding a video planning meeting on Tues., Feb. 1 at 8 pm. Learn to create, videotape and edit TV shows. Call 761-7749 for the location.

Presentation on Haitian Refugees

On Mon. Feb. 10 at 7 pm a panel of U-M law students from the Haitian Refugee Project will present "Still Stranded: The Plight of Haiti's Refugees." Panelists will discuss their experiences working in Miami, where they assisted refugees applying for asylum. For the location, call Bryan Wharram at 971-8582.

SAFE House Expands Outreach

   The Domestic Violence ProjectSAFE House, which provides services to survivors of domestic violence, is increasing its outreach into the community. Volunteers are needed for all programs, including: crisis lines; childcare; counseling; support groups; and public speakers. To get involved, call 973-0242. People of color and formerly battered women are especially encouraged to volunteer.

Concert Benefits Locked-Out Workers

  A benefit dinnerconcert for the locked-out workers at the Staley Manufacturing Co. in Decatur, Illinois, is scheduled for Sat. Feb. 5 at 6 pm at the Unitarian-Universalist Church. For more information, call Paul Lefrak at 995-8958.