June 6, 2008

Tony Melendez in Concert

America United Mano al Hermano is sponsoring Tony Melendez in concert. America United is an organization working toward advancing a more positive relationship between the Latino and Anglo communities of Dare County. This is a great opportunity for families and friends to experience a world-renowned entertainer, composer and musician while sharing his message of hope and inspiration. Read and listen to Tony at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=s8649ncab.0.0.wtedt8n6.0&ts=S0337&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tonymelendez.com%2F&id=preview
He will be appearing at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Kitty Hawk Road on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10.00 per person with children 10 years and under admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at La Fogata Restaurants in both Kitty Hawk (255-0934) and Nags Head (441-4179).

Pilgrimage and Walk of Remembrance 2008: "Making Strides toward Abolition and Reconciliation"
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty is grateful to be able to co-sponsor this 300-mile walk from Raleigh to Washington, DC organized by Nazareth House. It is a spiritual pilgrimage and walk of remembrance - remembering murder victims and their families, people on death row and their families, persons executed and their families and calling for abolition of the death penalty.
Begins in Raleigh on June 15th. Concludes in Washington, DC on June 29th. To learn how you can help and articipate click here

Fun Times at the Nags Head Woods Preserve
Learn some fun fish facts before making your own, one-of-akind t-shirt using rubber fish. All ages! Don't have a spare t-shirt? We have a limited supply of heavy weight, white ones you can purchase for $5 each. Dates: June 13th and June 25th Time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. What to bring: a cotton t-shirt, clothes that can get messy, a sense of fun Cost: $10 per person Explore the shallow waters of Roanoke Sound after a half mile hike through the forests of Nags Head Woods. We will use a variety of nets to catch and then observe underwater critters like crabs, shrimp, and fish. All ages! Led by local naturalist, Rhana Paris. Dates: June 12th, June 26th, and July 3rd Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon. What to bring: bathing suit, walking shoes as well as shoes that can get wet, dry clothes, towel, sunscreen, hat, bug repellant, a sense of adventure Cost: $10 per personCall 252-599-6498 for reservations and information. Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy's Nags Head Woods Preserve

The Fifth Annual Gathering of The People UnitedTaking Root: Building Community, Sustaining ResistanceJune 27th-29thShannon Farm Community, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia. This is a vitally important moment for us to gather and explore the ways we can connect our struggles to build a stronger movement for progressive social change in this region. There is plenty of space for camping, in-house lodging is available and a reasonably priced hotel is near by. For more information on this and other details, check the website over the coming weeks, or contact Jeff Winder - 434-906-0421.


Events at GEM
GEM Adult Day Services will be celebrating Flag Day on the 11th with the American Legion. Open to the Public. The party starts at 2PM and includes entertainment, refreshments and door prizes.( there is no charge)

On June 13th, join the fun at Harmony Café. It starts at 7PM and for $5.00 you get endless coffee from Southern Bean and delicious desserts from local restaurant. The funds raised help GEM's programs of Dementia education and respite care and the Nags Head Lions Club's support for people with visual problems.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION ALERTS
Talking Points about Access to Higher Education for Immigrant Students

Take Action about Access

H 1291, the Racial Justice Act


Hidden Prejudice
Recent scientific research has demonstrated that biases thought to be absent or extinguished remain as "mental residue" in most of us. Studies show people can be consciously committed to egalitarianism, and deliberately work to behave without prejudice, yet still possess hidden negative prejudices or stereotypes. So even though we believe we see and treat people as equals, hidden biases may still influence our perceptions and actions.
Psychologists at Harvard, the University of Virginia and the University of Washington created "Project Implicit" to develop Hidden Bias Tests - called Implicit Association Tests, or IATs, in the academic world - to measure unconscious bias.

Take a test at Project Implicit's website and see what may be lingering in your psyche. After taking a test, read Tolerance.org's tutorial to learn more about stereotypes and prejudice and the societal effects of bias.

Mommy & Me

is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide playgroup opportunities, along with educational and social activities, for children ages birth through five. The non-profit group also offers peer support for moms, dads and other caregivers. For more information, call 252-305-0787. Mommy & Me is now involved in fundraising in an effort to assist families and organizations in need.
Over fifty children, moms and dads participated in the March of Dimes Wonder Walk hosted by Outer Banks Mommy & Me. Outer Banks Mommy & Me was founded in November 2001 by Thea Crane O'Neil and Cheri Peele. With the support of the Dare County Children & Youth Partnership and the Dare County Youth Center, Mommy & Me grew from just 10 members to 100 in the first year. Mommy & Me currently has over 100 members and has recently become incorporated.

Dare Community Care Clinic

is a family of partnerships that provide medical services to our neighbors in need. Staffed by volunteers, including physicians and nurses, the free clinic is available to those who live or work in Dare, have no health insurance and meet a certain set of financial criteria. It provides nonemergency care, prescription assistance, specialty care referrals and health education.
A Community Health Assessment conducted by the Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks found that 20 - 25% of our citizens have no or inadequate health insurance. The cyclic nature of our economy and the types of employment available create a significant population of working poor.
The clinic was featured in the Virgnia Pilot last November. For more information, contact the Clinic Director Linda Saturno or call 252-261-3041.

League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The Dare County League sponsors candidate forums prior to local elections for town, county, and state officials and publishes a voters' guide about candidates, their biographical information, and platforms. Monthly informational meetings on topics of local interest are held for the general public. An annual project is the printing and distribution of the Dare County Citizens Guide which contains information about government and county services. Copies are available online. Visit the League site for membership information.

The Currituck County League held voter registration drives in Moyock and Grandy. The League also held its inaugural voters forum on April 24. The meeting held in the historic Corolla Chapel hosted candidates who are running for county commissioner. The League sponsored the event in association with the Corolla Concerned Citizens and the Corolla Extension and Community Association. The Dare League assisted in the planning.

The Currituck Annual Meeting is scheduled for noon on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Sound Park. It will begin with a potluck picnic lunch and families are welcome to attend. The time of the annual meeting is 2 pm. For more information, email Currituck League of Women Voters

Food Pantry

Beach Food Pantry (BFP) is a 501(c)(3) IRS Tax exempt non-profit organization, managed and operated entirely by an All volunteer Board of Directors and volunteer staff, who are members of various Dare County Religious Organizations. The primary mission of the BFP, which operates under the By-Laws of the BFP, is "to serve" Dare County residents on a temporary basis that have been referred for nutritional and/or personal needs." In 2007, the BFP served 936 households which translates to 2,312 individuals.

The voluntary position of "Chairperson of the Beach Food Pantry" will become available / vacant this summer. Persons interested in volunteering for this position may contact the current Chairman, Gerry Lesko at 261-2586. Also, two other volunteer Beach Food Pantry Executive Board Positions will be available, i.e., Co-Chairperson and 1st Vice President.

Please distribute or announce the above vacancies to your congregation via bulletin, etc. or to anyone you may know who might be interested in serving those in need by volunteering for these positions that will be vacant soon.

Actions to take about Higher Education for Immigrant Students

N.C. community colleges are the first statewide system to bar illegal immigrants from seeking college degrees, according to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
The move has shaken up the academic world by going beyond the nationwide debate over whether undocumented students should pay lower in-state tuition."This has really caught the attention and caused a lot of alarm," said Dan Hurley, the association's director of State Relations and Policy Analysis. "Charging them out-of-state tuition is one thing, but barring them entirely is another."

For what you can do: Visit America United blogsite. May 19.

or Visit Adelantenc Education

Action on Health Insurance

Americans spend more on health care than people do elsewhere, but somehow we spend more for less. But it doesn't have to be this way. Costs can come down and quality can improve if we stop letting the insurance companies run the show and focus on prevention and managing chronic illness better.

Take the pledge and join our effort to make health care a top priority for our nation's leaders, no matter who wins the election »Most of us have no clue about the actual cost of our medical care until the bills arrive. And the cost of insurance goes up and up, with fewer services covered. It's time to demand accountability. Your family deserves the security of knowing that they will have affordable quality care when needed. It's time that our leaders examine all solutions that will ensure all Americans access to quality, affordable care, with input from real people like you.

Please take a moment to join us, and pledge to hold our leaders accountable.

SIGN PETITION NOW