F.y.i.
AGENDA is interested in receiving items from you for F.Y.I. Press clippings, press releases, summaries of local events and any other ideas or suggestions are welcome. Just mail them to: F.Y.I. Editor, AGENDA, 220 S. Main St, Ann Arbor, Ml 48104.
AGENDA Survey: Still Time! The good news is that, at press time, AGENDA has already received about 200 responses to our first-ever official Reader Survey. A big thanks to all of you who took the time to tell us what you think! The winners from this first batch of returned surveys - those postmarked by Jan. 31 and drawn at random - will be notified by telephone in the first week of February. A special thanks to the following folks for providing the goodies: Ann Arbor Theater, The Ark, Body works, EMU's Sponberg Theatre, Oasis Hot Tubs, and Prism.
The even better news - for you procrastinators - is that we have extended the deadline for our Reader Survey until Feb. 28. So, Find that copy of the January issue (or call AGENDA at 996-8018 and we'll send you one), fill out page two and send it to us pronto. Your efforts will not go unrewarded as you will become eligible for winning one of a great bunch of prizes: tickets to the Ann Arbor Theater or EMU's Sponberg Theater; gift certificates to Tower Records, Main Street News, or Elmo's. And, you will be part of an effort to make AGENDA a better publication. We need to know what you think!
We also need to know how old you are! For extra points in the karma department, please include your age somewhere on the survey. Somehow we managed to leave out that VERY IMPORTANT question. (Oops!) For those of you who have already sent us your surveys, please inform AGENDA of your age by telephone (996-8018) or by mail (see display advertisement, page 2).
That Time of Year Congresswoman Lynn Rivers is making federal income tax forms available to constituents again this tax season. District residents can have most tax forms mailed to them by simply calling Rivers' district offices in Ann Arbor (313-741-4210) or Wayne (313-722- 1411). Due to the rules of the U.S. House of Reps., this service is available only to residents of the 13th District (eastern Washtenaw and western Wayne counties.)
The 1040 forms are also available on a walk-in basis at several local post offices and libraries. Tax assistance questions should be directed to the IRS toll-free hotline (1800-829-1040). The best time to call this number is between 3-4 pm. If you're really ambitious, walk-in service is available at the IRS office in Detroit, located in the McNamara Bldg., 477 Michigan Avenue.
Call for Mental Health Consumers The Corporation for Supported Housing (CSH), created in 1991 by the Pew Charitable Trust and the Robert Wood Johnson and Ford Foundations, has funded a local initiative for the purpose of developing up to 100 units of supported housing for vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities. CSH is organizing consumer focus groups on housing and support services. Participation in these groups is important, and is being actively sought. Compensation will be paid at $10 per hour. Call Donna Sabourin at 994-1600 for more information. (From the Jan.,1997 issue of "Connections," the Newsletter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Washtenaw County, 1100 N. Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.)
Hawaii Ends Gay Marriage Ban A Circuit Court judge in Honolulu ruled in December that lawyers for the state had failed to show any compelling reason for the existing ban on gay and lesbian unions. Calling the ban unconstitutional, the judge ordered the state to stop denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The Dec. 4 ruling by Judge Kevin S.C. Chang cited substantial expert testimony that gay and lesbian couples can be good parents. In doing so he rejected the state's argument that it was in the best interest of children to bar same-sex marriages.
The decision edged Hawaii one step closer to becoming the first state to recognize gay marriage. But don't book that flight to Waikiki just yet warns Lambda Legal officials. The ruling has been put on hold pending an appeal to Hawaii's State Supreme Court, a process likely to take the rest of this year. (From the Jan. 1997 newsletter of PFLAG Ann Arbor. P.O. Box 7471, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, Holline: 313-741-0659.)
Quilt Volunteers Needed The Ann Arbor AIDS Memorial Quilt Display, scheduled for Feb. 6-9 at U-M's Track and Tennis Building, needs volunteers to sign up for two-hour shifts as Quilt Monitors, Merchandise Salespersons, Greeters, Readers, Set-Up Workers, and more. The display, hosted by U-M's Athletic Dept. and the Ann Arbor Jaycees Foundation, will contain over 1,800 panels, sewn in 12' X 12' sections of eight panels each. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ypsilanti-based HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC). You may request a volunteer registration form by calling Lynda Heilman at HARC (572-9355), the Jaycees (913-9629), or email JCQuilt97@aol.com.
"Caravan for the Children of Cuba" From the people who brought you Friendshipment Caravan VI, a successful delivery of computers to hospitals in Cuba (see "Pastors For Peace Completes Cuba Quest, AGENDA, Dec. 1996), comes Friendshipment VII, aimed at directly improving the lives of the children on that embattled island.
The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO) Pastors for Peace Caravan will travel in May hoping to deliver to Cuba some or all of the following: school supplies, microscopes, maps, computers, books, toys, soap, toothbrushes, musical instruments, sports equipment, shoes, shirts and blouses, pediatric medications for asthma, cancer, and childhood diseases, special equipment for blind, deaf, and disabled children, ambulances for pediatric hospitals, and other essentials.
For more information on how you can participate in this project, or to make a tax-deductible donation for the Caravan for the Children of Cuba (make checks payable to IFCO), contact: IFCO Pastors for Peace, 402 W. 145th St., New York, NY 10031, 212-926-5757.
Friendship Kits Needed The American Friends Service Committee needs help building up their supply of school, hygiene, sewing, and art kits. A reserve of kits enable AFSC to respond quickly to requests for material assistance. They are especially important and useful for AFSC's work in supplying humanitarian assistance to refugees. AFSC has already sent school kits to Haiti and Nicaragua, and hygiene kits to Bosnia. A shipment of school and art kits to Russia is planned for early this year. For more information about this project, please contact Torn Moore at 215-241 -7041 , or the local AFSC office at 761-8283.
Mich. Mainstream Provides Job Help Michigan Mainstream is a vocational program for mental health consumers with an associate or higher degree who are seeking work. MM assists people in developing a career plan, and teaches effective tools for job seeking and retention, assertiveness, and time management. A support group offers support and information related to all aspects of employment and there are mentors from the business community to provide information, support, and advice about their chosen field. Mentors may also be helpful in finding job opportunities. To enroll or obtain further info., cali Kathy Wyszacki at Washtenaw Interventions, 662-7920. (From Jan., 1997 issue of "Connections," the Newsletter of the Alliance for the Mentally 111 of Washtenaw County, 1100 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.)