Etcetera
etcetera
AGENDA is interested in receiving items from you for etcetera. 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.
Embargo Busters If you've had enough of aggressive U.S. policy toward Cuba and want to do something about it, there are three upcoming activities you should know about.
First, Pastors for Peace is now organizing the fourth Friendshipment humanitarian aid caravan to Cuba. Volunteers are needed to participate in the caravan, to sponsor vehicles and/or drivers, to host the caravan as it travels through Michigan, and to organize educational events and fundraisers. The caravan begins Nov. 2 and arrives in Cuba Nov. 19. To learn more, call 612-378-0062.
Second, the November 12 Cuba Coalition is sponsoring a national march on Washington on November 12 (of course). The organizers are demanding that the U.S. end the blockade of Cuba, stop using hunger as a weapon, stop threatening the Cuban people, and start direct talks to normalize relations with Cuba. For more information call 212-620-0072.
Third, the "Freedom to Travel Challenge" takes place Dec. 27 through Jan. 4. This is ecotourism, revolutionary-style. In addition to Cuba's lush natural landscape, participants will visit an organic agriculture cooperative, alternative energy institue, daycare center, and more. The trip cost is $950 (including travel from Mexico). For more information cali 415-558-9490.
Help for Minority/Women-Owned Biz
The Ann Arbor Community Development Corporation (AACDC) announces the creation of a new loan program to serve small businesses in Washtenaw County.
AACDC operates three loan programs extending credit to entrepreneurs - especially women and minorities - who demonstrate the ability to operate successfully but do not have access to traditional financing and need alternative sources of money.
In order to qualify, applicants must have a verifiable track record of six months and have a recent bank business loan denial letter. To find out more about how you can qualify for one of three different loans, from $500 to $25,000, contact the at AACDC at 677-1400.
Recycle Your Phone Books in November This month only, Ann Arbor residents may place their outdated phone books in their home "Newspaper" recycling bins or may take them to the Recycling and Education Station on 2050 S. Industrial.
The collected phone books are shipped to a processor and are used to make cellulose insulation, hydroseed mulch, or animal bedding. Last November, residents recycled 68,800 phone books for 67% of the total Ann Arbor-distributed books.
A second phone book collectbn period will be held for one month in April, 1995, in connection with the distribution of the Universal phone book. For more information, call Recycle Ann Arbor at 971 -7400.
Be An Informed Voter!
Ann Arbor Community Access Television (AACAT) is providing election information on Cable Channel 10, now through November 8.
A tape of Ann Arbor mayoral candidates comments will be played Wed., Nov. 2 at 7:30 pm; Thurs., Nov. 3 at 2:15 pm and 9:30 pm; and Sat, Nov. 5 at 9 am. Comments by Ann Arbor city council candidates will be aired on Wed., Nov. 2 at 7:45 pm; Thurs., Nov. 3 at 1 :30 pm and 9:45 pm; and Sat., Nov. 5 at 9:11 am.
AACAT also joins with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area to present a live candidates forum on Thurs., Nov. 3 at 7:30 pm on Channel 10, featuring city council and mayoral candidates.
After you vote, watch Channel 10's live election coverage from city hall, beginning at 8:30 pm on Nov. 8.
A2 Gains More Low-lncome Housing
Avalon Housing, Inc., a local nonprofit housing development and management organization, announces the completion of 16 low-income housing units. The buildings, - at 518, 520 and 522 S. Division - have been undergoing rehabilitation for the last year.
"We started with the units that were vacant when we bought the property back in the summer of 1993," said Michael Appel, Avalon's Development Specialist. "We then went on to rehab the other apartments as previously existing leases ended, in preparation for occupancy by Avalon tenants. It's a good feeling to be able to fix up a unit, and then lower the rent!"
The three buildings contain a total of 16 single-room occupancy, efficiency and two bedroom apartments, providing housing for up to 20 people. This project was the first which brought in the Washtenaw County government as a partner in the development financing, as well as the City of Ann Arbor and others. The County also funds the provision of on-site support services for any of Avalon's tenants that are mental health consumers (on a voluntary participation basis) throughout all their buildings.
Avalon, which has been in existence since the fall of 1992, currently owns and manages seven properties in the near downtown Ann Arbor area, with a total of 48 units. Their target tenant group includes people living on limited fixed incomes and in minimum wage jobs, with priority on those who are homeless.
For more information about Avalon and its properties, call 663-5858.
Good News!
There will be no anti-gay proposal on the 1994 ballot in Michigan! The Michigan Family Values Committee, which nitiated the constitutional amendment that would have denied equal protection of the law to lesbian, gay and bisexual people, did not turn in the required signatures.
The underlying issues, however, have not disappeared. To join the fight against the homophobic right, call the American Friends Service Committee at 761-8283.