"Who Is My Neighbor"

Neighborhood Safety Forum for District 3 Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Monday, January 23 at St. Paul's UMC

2012-01-23T14:58:00.003-06:00

We begin the fourth week of 2012 in Cedar Rapids this week.

Council Member Pat Shey is hosting the Neighborhood Safety Forum. Pat Shey represents District 3 on the City Council for Cedar Rapids.

The purpose of this forum is to provide information to help residents make their homes and neighborhoods safer. We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.

Pat Shey to Host Neighborhood Safety Forum on Jan. 23
City Council Member Pat Shey will host a Neighborhood Safety Forum on Monday, January 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, located at 1340 3rd Ave SE, especially for residents of District 3.

“The purpose of this forum is to provide the citizens of Cedar Rapids with information that will help them make their homes and neighborhoods safer,” said Shey. “We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.”

The forum will feature a panel discussion, moderated by Shey, which will include the following experts from the Cedar Rapids Police Department: Lt. Jerry Potter, Sgt. Matthew Welsh, Investigator Michael Bailey and Crime Analyst Dawn Stanford. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns during the forum.

Residents with personal experiences to share are encouraged to submit a written narrative or statement before the forum and send them to Pat.Shey@cedar-rapids.org. All statements will be compiled, scanned and share with all who are interested.

Celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T13:38:00.003-06:00

The public is welcome at the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. The 13Th annual Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor?” award will be presented at the service. Everyone is urged to come to this celebration of the ideals of peace, justice and relationships with our neighbors.

Earlier on Monday, the MLK holiday in Cedar Rapids, a joint meeting of the United Way of East Central Iowa and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids celebrated the MLK holiday with the 26Th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon.

Washington High School's 'Slice of Jazz' provided the musical program, while the Honorable Romonda D. Belcher, District Associate Judge and first African-American female judge in the State of Iowa provided the keynote address. Also, 22 local high school and ninth graders were honored with student awards and a leadership conference in the afternoon.

Other news in the Cedar Rapids community on this MLK Holiday. As reported: "At the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association, volunteers were also out using the day to serve others by caulking cracks in an effort to weatherize their building." - KGAN CBS2.

Monday, January 16Th Remembering Martin Luncheon, then the 13th annual "Who Is My Neighbor" Award at the MLK Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 PM

2012-01-12T17:05:00.006-06:00

This Monday, January 16Th, our Nation and community will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday.

In Cedar Rapids, there are two popular events that have become a tradition in our community. The 26Th Annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at the Hotel at Kirkwood at 11:30 a.m., as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday evening at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m.

The St. Paul's UMC event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend, though a free will offering is taken.

City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has new Dolphin Mascot

2011-03-28T17:51:00.008-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TEACHES KIDS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION USING DOLPHIN MASCOT

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will unveil its newest member, Donald the Anti-Discriminatory Dolphin, tomorrow night at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Donald, a dolphin mascot that teaches children about discrimination, will make a cameo appearance at the museum’s Pajama Storytime event at 7pm, before he begins conducting presentations in Cedar Rapids classrooms next month, as well as a special presentation for the Landlords of Linn County on Thursday, April 14.

The Donald the Anti-Discriminatory Dolphin Youth Education Project was funded by a grant through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Donald and Commission staff will present to pre-school through elementary age students and make appearances at Commission events. Donald teaches children about discrimination based on characteristics protected by the Cedar Rapids municipal code as well as the resources available to community members when they face discrimination.

The lessons are implemented by performing a skit starring the new mascot. Donald begins the skit as a discriminatory landlord who denies potential sea creature tenants based on assumptions he has about certain groups. A member of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission confronts Donald about his behavior and says if Donald were to be a victim of discrimination, he would feel like a fish out of water. Donald gets upset, because he is not a fish – he is a mammal. He tells the staff person it’s wrong to make assumptions based on appearance. After realizing he has been guilty of assumptions as well, he vows to stop discriminating.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is looking for future groups to view the presentation. If you or someone you know is interested in having Donald the Anti-Discriminatory Dolphin present to your group or classroom, contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission at (319)286-5036.

Contact:
Paul Nemeth
Community and Educational Outreach Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA Associate
Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
paul.nemeth@cedar-rapids.org
(319)286-5132
Karl Cassell Executive Director
Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
k.cassell@cedar-rapids.org
(319)286-5036

Who Is My Neighbor

Happy St. Valentine's Day to all on this February 14, 2011

2011-02-14T18:48:00.000-06:00

Who Is My Neighbor

Next Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service

2011-01-10T17:28:00.002-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JANUARY 10, 2011

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Hosts Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King through a Humanitarian Award and the Voices, Talents, and Dreams of Children

Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that we would live in a world where his children would “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” At the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service, we will Remember Dr. King’s words, Celebrate our dreams for the future, and Act to make these dreams a reality.

This year, a special message for children is included in this uplifting service as well as the formal recognition of members of the newly established “Civil Rights Youth Advisory Panel.”

Keynote Speaker, Karl Werner will share innovative approaches he uses in Cedar Rapids Schools to help students understand the importance of diversity in learning. His programs have garnered many accolades and awards around the country.

The Martin Luther King Planning Committing is proud to recognize this year’s Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor” award recipient. This award is “In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.”

Magnificent music has always been a component of this celebration service and this year is no different. Come enjoy the musical talents of The Chorale Midwest, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Choir, and the Gospel Choir from Johnson Elementary School of the Arts.

We invite you to Remember, Celebrate, and Act on the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact:
Jerry Matchett matchett.jerry@gmail.com
or Stefanie Robinson S.Robinson@cedar-rapids.org
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 Third Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-363-2058
http://stpaulsumc.org/

###

Happy New Year: New Ordinance Focus Groups 1/10 and 1/11 in Cedar Rapids

2011-01-06T23:55:00.004-06:00

We hope the New Year is off to a good start for you ...

Ordinance change would protect Section 8 housing applicants - The Gazette
Imagine you’re a low-income person with a low-paying job and the good fortune of having a federal housing voucher to help with rent. Now, that person in Cedar Rapids and most other cities has the task of finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher as partial payment of rent. Some landlords don’t want to ...

New Ordinance Focus Groups will be hosted by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission on Monday, January 10Th and Tuesday, January 11Th. Different subjects will be presented each session.

The city commission forum on Monday will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s location in Westdale Mall. Proposed ordinance changes related to marital status will be discussed first followed by those related to gender identity.
The Tuesday forum will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proposed ordinance changes related to lawful sources of income will be discussed first followed by changes related to construction and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Who is my Neighbor?

Today is Election Day: Tuesday, November 2, 2010

2010-11-02T08:17:00.003-05:00

In Iowa, the polls are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Voter Guide - The Gazette

If you need to find your polling place in the State of Iowa:

https://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx

Have a great day everyone and make sure your voice is heard today!

Who Is My Neighbor

Who Is My Neighbor? Take a Stand ... Lend a Hand and Stop Bullying Now!

2010-10-20T09:19:00.004-05:00

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/

Stop Bullying Now!
Welcome to the Stop Bullying Now! Campaign. You can learn all about bullying and what you can do to stop it. Take a look around and you’ll find games and cartoon Webisodes that help you Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!

How to intervene

What should young people do if they witness an act of bullying?

Ask yourself, “Is it my job to help?” Think about how you might feel if the bullying were happening to you.

Don’t just stand there. Say something.

If you feel safe, tell the person to stop the bullying behavior. Say you don’t like it, and it isn’t funny.

Don’t be a bystander. If other students laugh or join in, let them know they’re not helping.

If you don’t feel safe confronting the bully, say something kind to the child who was bullied. Be a friend.

Don’t bully back. It won’t help and could make things worse.

Tell an adult—a teacher, school counselor, school nurse or principal. Take a friend along if you need help. If you’re afraid of retaliation, ask the adult at school to help keep you safe after telling.

Talk to your parents about bullying that you see or know about.

Bullying American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Bullying is a common experience for many children and adolescents. Surveys indicate that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during ...

Child ends life because of bullying - UMC.org
Editor's Note: This is part one of a three part series about bullying. Read part two and part three. A UMC.org Feature By Susan Passi-Klaus ...

Churches should speak up about bullying - UMC.org
Robby Balbaugh, youth pastor at First United Methodist Church in ...

Today, Wednesday, October, 20, 2010, people are wearing purple to stand up the the fight against bullying. We encourage all to take a stand against bullying in our society. Take a Stand ... Lend a Hand!

Who Is My Neighbor

We welcome the Month of October with awareness, education and empowerment!

2010-10-01T11:01:00.003-05:00

We welcome in the month of October. This month is the 25Th year anniversary of celebrating awareness, education and empowerment of breast cancer.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Celebrating 25 Years of ...
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection.www.nbcam.org/

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 26 Years On, Where Do We Stand?‎ - CBS
Breast cancer continues to take a heavy toll on American women, 26 years after health advocates named October National Breast Awareness Month. ...

As we head into the fourth quarter of 2010, remember you can vote early or on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in the State of Iowa for the general election.

Need to Register to Vote in Iowa? pdf link
Obtain an Absentee Ballot in the State of Iowa

Who Is My Neighbor

It's the final weekend in August: Where did our Summer go?

2010-08-27T17:37:00.005-05:00

Most students are back to school or college. It's been a busy Summer for many. We have celebrated two years, since the Flood of 2008 in our community. Some neighbors are still on that road to recovery or simply still struggling.

Prep Football begins this weekend. Autumn will soon be upon us, as we celebrate Labor Day next weekend.

As we move towards the changing of another season, we will be one step closer to our 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration Event at St. Paul's UMC.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend everyone!

Who Is My Neighbor

St. Paul's UMC to host Panel Discussion on "Rebuilding for the Future" on Friday, June 25Th in Cedar Rapids ...

2010-06-15T17:02:00.005-05:00

Panel Discussion: Call to Action - Rebuilding for the Future

Friday, June 25, 2010

Reception: 4:30 - 5:30p.m.

Panel Discussion: 5:30 - 7:00p.m.

at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1340 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403

Features panelists from law enforcement, education, legal, city government, county government, labor, non-profit and more.

A Fair Housing Conference in Cedar Rapids will be held Thursday, June 24Th.

Who is my neighbor

Happy Flag Day America: Monday, June 14, 2010!

2010-06-14T11:11:00.001-05:00

We celebrate Flag Day today in the United States!

USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States ...
The History Of Flag Day. The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically ...

Who Is My Neighbor

Are you planning to Vote in the Primary Election in the State of Iowa today?

2010-06-08T11:22:00.004-05:00

We want to remind all State of Iowa residents, who are eligible to vote to get out and vote today in the primary election. Click the link below to find your polling location.

http://sos.state.ia.us/elections/VoterReg/PollingPlace/search.aspx

If you are a resident in the State of Iowa, but are not registered, you can still vote, by registering at your polling place. You will need proof of identity and proof of residence.

Who is my Neighbor

Congratulations to the Class of 2010 and Memorial Day weekend greetings to all!

2010-05-29T13:24:00.007-05:00

It's appears that the weather is going be outstanding this Memorial Day weekend here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA! We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

Congratulations to our area youth graduating from local high schools this weekend. Local high schools are conducting graduations. We want to wish everyone in the Class of 2010 congratulations and best wishes in the coming years ...

Cultural events going on around The Corridor today!

Again, we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies. ~ by Moina Michael in 1915

Who is my neighbor

Helping Neighbors Block by Block: a story of Flood Recovery in Cedar Rapids

2010-05-20T17:43:00.003-05:00

Recent news on local Block by Block effort in Cedar Rapids ...

CWS - Homes, hopes restored for more Cedar Rapids families‎ - Worldwide Faith News
Needs still abound in Cedar Rapids, despite the fact that the Cedar River's ... CWS partners in Iowa Block by Block and the Linn Area Long-Term Recovery ...

St. Paul's UMC Adopts a Block-by-Block House - St. Paul's UMC

Block by Block receives $750000 grant - The Gazette
May 20, 2010 ... The Hall-Perrine Foundation has awarded the Block by Block neighborhood-revitalization group a grant for $750000, Block by Block announced ...

Coming in June in Cedar Rapds: Fair Housing Conference ...

Cedar Rapids Iowa, Cedar Rapids City Guide, News, Travel, Cedar ...
Fair Housing Conference/ Education After the Flood June 25, 8-5pm. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 350 First Ave, SE Cedar Rapids, Iowa Registration fee: $25.00 (lunch ...

Who is My Neighbor

As we head into Mother's Day weekend May 7-9, 2010 ...

2010-05-07T16:52:00.007-05:00

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will be hosting its 2Nd Annual Fair Housing Conference; "Sustainability: Rebuilding After the Flood." The goal for the conference is to raise awareness of Fair Housing issues as well as issues related to flood recovery.

The keynote speaker, the Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, John Trasviña. "HUD continues to demonstrate their commitment to fair housing," and according to Karl Cassell, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, "we are grateful for the partnership."

The Civil Rights Commission is asking local organizations for sponsorships for the Fair Housing Conference that is coming to our community. Three levels of sponsorships are available: Gold, Silver and Bronze. For information, you can contact Commission at 319.286.5036.

As we enter the Mother's Day weekend, we want to wish mothers everywhere the very best.

Have a Healthy Mother's Day

We invite you to send an eCard

the following:

Text that will be added to your eCard:

May we work toward a healthy world for all mothers.

Support healthy families at:

http://www.umchealthyfamilies.org/

Who Is My Neighbor?

Earth Day 2010: Worship Spaces as Stewardship

2010-04-23T19:28:00.005-05:00

We celebrated Earth Day this past week on April 22, 2010. You can learn more about the United Methodist Church views on Church and Society at the following link.

Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as Stewardship (2010)
The blessings of God are evident all around us, including in the sacred spaces that
make up our houses of worship. These sacred spaces are where we come to be
spiritually nurtured, enriched, and recharged. These spaces become a gathering
place to meet in fellowship with our neighbors, and are the center of our
mission activities. Even as we are blessed as communities of faith with
gathering places for our worship and ministry, we have responsibilities to be
good stewards of these sacred spaces. ~ The United Methodist Church

Worship At St. Paul's UMC

We offer six regularly scheduled worship services each weekend, and special services throughout the year.

Come worship with us, and praise God! Childcare is provided for all regularly scheduled weekend worship services, and for Wednesday evenings at T.G.I.W.

5:30 pm Saturday - Celebration Worship in the Sanctuary

8:15 am Sunday - Communion Worship in the Chapel

9:00 am Sunday - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary assisted by acolytes

10:30 am Sunday - Traditional Worship in the Chapel

10:30 am Sunday - Celebration Worship in the Social Hall

11:30 am Sunday - Celebration Worship in the Social Hall

The 9:00 am Sunday worship may be viewed at

ImOn Cable Channel 5 at 10:00 am Thursdays

Mediacom Cable Channel 18 at 5:30 pm Fridays

Worship also involves Daily Devotions. Sermons from worship are available - the most recent are also available for listening.

Who is my neighbor

Happy 40Th anniversary of Earth Day

2010-04-22T16:37:00.001-05:00

A Brief History of Earth Day - Earth Day 2010 and a Look Back at ...‎ - Gather.com
Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin as an ...
The DIY Genius of the Original Earth Day‎ - Wired News
At 40, Earth Day Is Now Big Business‎ - New York Times

Who Is My Neighbor

This Day in history: April 5Th ...

2010-04-05T14:06:00.004-05:00

Today in 1856 - Booker Taliaferro Washington, American political leader, educator, orator and author educator, was born in Franklin County, Va. He was born a slave on the farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became founder and first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School.(April 5, 1856... ~ Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

Happy Easter and Holy Week from all of us at St. Paul's UMC

2010-04-02T00:01:00.002-05:00

Remaining Holy Week Schedule at St. Paul's UMC for

Good Friday through Easter:

Good Friday, April 2

12:15pm Good Friday Worship - Chapel

7:00pm Good Friday Worship - Sanctuary

Saturday, April 3

5:30pm Saturday Celebration Worship - Sanctuary

Easter Sunday, April 4

8:15am Communion Worship - Chapel

9:00am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

10:30am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

11:30am Youth-Led SonRise Worship - Social Hall

Who Is My Neighbor

Happy Census Day - April 1, 2010

2010-04-01T17:04:00.004-05:00

From the 2010 Census:

Cities Across America Celebrate Census Day and Remind Residents to Mail Back Census Forms

Release Information CB10-CN.38

Contact:
Public Information Office
301-763-3691
Census Day

Half of the Nation's Households Have Participated So Far

Communities nationwide are urging their residents to take 10 minutes on Thursday, April 1 — Census Day — to fill out and mail back their 2010 Census forms if they haven't already done so. As the official reference date for the once-a-decade civic ceremony, Census Day will serve as the point-in-time benchmark for the nation's population count for the next 10 years.

The U.S. Census Bureau mailed or hand-delivered about 134 million 2010 Census questionnaires to households in March. To date, just over half of those households have mailed back their census forms, an important milestone. South Dakota and North Dakota have achieved some of the highest rates of mail return so far (62 percent and 61 percent, respectively), followed by Nebraska (60 percent).

Residents still have time to fill out and mail back their 10-question census form, saving the government about $57 for each household that does not have to be visited by an enumerator. The U.S. Constitution requires an enumeration of every person living in the U.S. Every household that fails to send back its census form by mail must be visited by a census taker starting in May — at significant taxpayer cost. The easiest and best way to be counted in the census is to fill out and return your form by mail. If every household across the nation mailed back its completed form, taxpayers could reduce the cost of administering the census by about $1.5 billion.

“I'd like nothing more than to return money to the taxpayers following this census because they mailed back the census forms at a record rate,” said Census Bureau Director Robert Groves. “In the end, the American public's willingness to participate in the 2010 Census will determine its success and how much money we're able to save.”

Highlights of the Census Bureau's April 1 initiatives to raise awareness and encourage participation in the 2010 Census include:

In the morning, Groves will collect forms from D.C. residents at local eatery Ben's Chili Bowl. He'll then move to a celebration at Freedom Plaza, just steps away from the Old Post Office.

Strategically positioned outside the post office in Chicago's Federal Plaza, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour vehicle and local census staff will remind residents on their way to work to mail back their forms.

At state capitols in Montpelier, Vt. and Olympia, Wash.; census staff will partner with local officials and community leaders at rallies and celebrations to get the word out.

At the Yuma County Fair in Arizona, Atlanta's Robert Woodruff Park and the Jewish Children's Museum in New York City, local census staff will host events to celebrate National Census Day and remind residents it's not too late mail back their census forms.

A complete list of Census Day events can be found at http://2010.census.gov/news/pdf/National_Census_Day_Events.pdf. To track national and local participation rates, the Census Bureau's “Take 10” Rate Tracker widget is available for download at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map. Anyone with a Web site can copy and paste a widget that will display and automatically update their community's mail participation rates on a daily basis. A new interactive Google Earth application also shows mail participation rates for 2010 — updated daily — a user-friendly platform for broadcast news stations that want to zoom in on their area's rates. (See: http://maplify.com/blog/ and http://maplify.com/census/).

Census data is used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds annually. In 2000, the nation reversed a three-decade decline in mail rates, achieving a participation rate of 72 percent.

All census responses are confidential. Answers are protected by law and cannot be shared with anyone. The Census Bureau takes extreme measures to protect the identity of individuals and businesses. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' individually identifiable answers with anyone, including tribal housing authorities, other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.

*** *** ***

Upcoming Services at St. Paul's UMC during Holy Week ...

Thursday, April 1

12:15pm Holy Thursday Worship - Chapel
7:00pm Holy Thursday Worship- Sanctuary

Friday, April 2

12:15pm Good Friday Worship - Chapel
7:00pm Good Friday Worship - Sanctuary

Saturday, April 3

5:30pm Saturday Celebration Worship - Sanctuary

Easter Sunday, April 4

8:15am Communion Worship - Chapel
9:00am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
10:30am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary
11:30am Youth-Led SonRise Worship - Social Hall

Who Is My Neighbor

Community Spotlight: The Central Cedar Rapids Weed and Feed

2010-03-31T17:54:00.001-05:00

Central Cedar Rapids Weed and Feed

The Weed and Seed Strategy

Operation Weed and Seed is foremost a strategy--rather than a grant program-- which aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the country. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

A community-orientated policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies. Officers obtain helpful information from area residents for weeding efforts while they aid residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and seeding resources.

Key Elements in the Weed and Seed Strategy

Law Enforcement

Community Policing

Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment

Neighborhood Restoration

Who Is My Neighbor

It's been two months, since our 2010 Percy and Lileah Harris 'Who Is My Neighbor' award was presented to Leslee Sandberg

2010-03-22T14:45:00.007-05:00

Spring has arrived here in Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa ...

A couple of months back we celebrated the 2010 The Percy and Lileah Harris Who is My Neighbor award at our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event ...

Award winner a model for helping others - The Gazette
Jan 19, 2010 ... Breaking news and headlines for eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City including ... Leslee Sandberg, Who Is My Neighbor award winner ...

Who is my neighbor!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Cedar Rapids ...

2010-03-17T17:26:00.002-05:00

The 35Th annual SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in Downtown Cedar Rapids today.

This year's button is pictured. Learn more about this organization at http://www.sapadapaso.org/

PHOTOS: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade - The Gazette and KCRG-TV9
Replay the video and see photos from the 35Th annual SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Cedar Rapids.First half of parade Second ...

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2010!

As Dr. Max used to say on old WMT-Channel 2: Take it easy, play it safe and be careful" ...

Who Is My Neighbor

The Big Ten Conference celebrates Black History Month

2010-02-02T00:01:00.000-06:00

We are not aware how other athletic conferences are celebrating Black History Month in February, but we are aware of the Big Ten Conference per a press release dated February 1, 2010.

One of the distinguished group of athletes spotlighted will be Wisconsin's Robin Threatt-Elliott, who was a local product of Cedar Rapids.

The Black History Month website also features stories on the conference's first African-American student-athlete--Moses "Fleetwood" Walker--and arguably the most famous track and field athlete of all-time in Jesse Owens. The website also includes archived stories on student-athletes previously recognized on the Big Ten's Black History Month website. In addition, the site features information on the Big Ten's contributions through the Advisory Commission, the SCORE (Success Comes Out of Reading Everyday) program and the C.D. Henry internship.

Who Is My Neighbor

It's Febuary 2010, so we thought we would recommend a book to our followers of our Blog

2010-02-01T18:11:00.008-06:00

Social Networking can allow for various paths to cross. Recently an author asked to be my friend on Facebook. We had a mutual friend, so I went ahead and friend ed the person.

The person is author Katie McCabe, who has co-written a book with Dovey Johnson Roundtree.

Justice Older than the Law: the Life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree

by Katie McCabe and Dovey Johnson Roundtree
Winner, 2009 Letitia Woods Brown Memorial Book Prize,

Association of Black Women Historians.

Highlights of the book on The Life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree:

She led the charge for justice in the segregated courthouses of the Nation's Capital.
She shattered Jim Crow in interstate travel with a landmark bus desegregation case.
She changed the racial face of the Army during World War II.
She became the legal voice for Washington's black poor and a mentor to two generations of African American attorneys who followed her into the courtroom.

"It is on the shoulders of people like Dovey Johnson Roundtree that we stand
today," the First Lady said, "and it is with her commitment to our core ideals
that we will continue moving toward a better tomorrow." ~ First Lady
Michelle Obama

Who Is My Neighbor

Congratulations to our Award Winner, Leslee Sandberg and Thank You to all for our 2010 event at St. Paul's UMC

2010-01-19T18:09:00.007-06:00

In the Iowa Today section of The Gazette print edition, the headline said "Honoree a model for helping others."

Here's the link to the story online ...

Award winner a model for helping others - The Gazette
Someone like Leslee Sandberg is just who the Percy and Lileah Harris Who is My Neighbor Award was meant for.“It’s just about helping one another, and being there when there is a person at need,” said Jerry Matchett, a lay leader at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in southeast Cedar Rapids.Matchett presented the 10th Harris [...]

Leslee Sandberg

Congratulation to our 2010 Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris "Who Is My Neighbor" Award winner: Leslee Sandberg. It was an enjoyable program on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday this year. Thank you to all who participated in this year's program and we hope you will remember 2011 and our next Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Event.

Who Is My Neighbor

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event at St. Paul’s UMC at 7 p.m. with tonight's program

2010-01-18T17:01:00.005-06:00

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's' promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, the teachings of Jesus, Words of Dr. King and we will feature three local speakers from our local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor” Award. The 11Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on January 18, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Instead of one keynote speaker at this year’s event, we decided to highlight Who Is My Neighbor through the stories of Tom Darden of Bethel AME Church, Courtney Ball and Clint Twedt-Ball of Matthew 25 Ministries and Tom Moore of the African American Museum of Iowa. All these people and/or organizations have been impacted or involved in flood recovery from the historic Flood of 2008.

Plan to attend this year's celebration - to be inspired by this year’s message from our community; to hear the music of the Gospel Choir of Johnson School of the Arts and of Mt. Zion's Men's Choir and of St. Paul's Music Ministry; to celebrate the new honoree of the "Who is My Neighbor Award" - and all to be done as a reminder of the enduring contributions of Dr. King.

Who's My Neighbor Award

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:

Acts out of a religious faith base
Is caring and compassionate.
Is community oriented.
Is a good neighbor to all.
Lives within Linn County.

You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 18, 2010 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids,Iowa.

http://www.cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com/

One week away from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day ...

2010-01-11T10:43:00.005-06:00

Monday, January 11, 2010 ...

One week from today, two celebration events in our community:

The "Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon" is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids and the United Way of East Central Iowa. This event will honor 20 area students at the annual Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon. This event is at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m on Monday, January 18, 2010.

Our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Event will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Paul's UMC at 1340 Third Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. We invite everyone to attend this community event of music, our keynote speakers from our community, the teachings of Jesus and the words of Dr. King.

Who is my Neighbor?

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We want to invite all to this year's Celebration Event at St. Paul's UMC

2010-01-07T10:34:00.012-06:00

This year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event at St. Paul's UMC promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, an outstanding message from the local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award. The 11Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

If you would like to share this event with your Friends on Facebook. Connect to this link.

If you would like to follow this event on Twitter. Connect to this link.

For more information on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Link.

Who Is My Neighbor?

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Planning Meeting being held tonight for 2010 MLK Jr. Day Celebration Event

2010-01-06T18:34:00.003-06:00

Good evening Friends,

During half-time I’ll send a reminder about tomorrow night’s (Wednesday, January 6) meeting. Among other things the nomination forms will need to be reviewed. I didn’t check today, but as of Monday we had received 4 nominations – an amazing pool of nominees!

So, see you Wednesday, January 6 at 7 pm in my office.

Grace & Peace,
Carol

I had to post this because for some reason my e-mail server received this E-mail dated 4:52 p.m. on 1/6/2010. Congratulations to the Hawkeyes and Cyclones on their bowl victories this bowl season!

We hope to see you on Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Paul's UMC for this year's exciting event celebrating the Life and Message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Happy New Year and another Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is coming Monday, January 18Th at 7 p.m.

2010-01-02T11:35:00.005-06:00

As we welcome in the New Year and to some, the New Decade, we say some, because does the next decade begin in 2010 or 2011? It depends, who you talk to or what you are discussing.

We want to remind you, everyone, that this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010. We want to invite everyone to this year's celebration! This year's celebration event will be at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Who Is My Neighbor?

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It's January 1, 2010: Happy New Year and peace to all!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

The clocks in Eastern Iowa have hit 12 Midnight!

Happy New Year and peace to all!

Who Is My Neighbor

Happy New Year everyone!

2009-12-31T13:05:00.004-06:00

We wish you a safe New Year's Eve as we welcome in the New Year in Cedar Rapids and throughout the world we make home.

We encourage you to learn more about "Who Is My Neighbor" in 2010!

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Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to all

2009-12-23T12:34:00.004-06:00

We want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Merry Christmas and Holiday Season ...

Our event for 2010 will be Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. Paul's UMC beginning at 7 p.m. We invite the public to attend this special community event celebrating the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as present the 11Th annual Percy & Lileah Harris "Who Is My Neighbor" Award. Last year's award was presented to Washington High School administrator Rick Williams.

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We want to remind you to check your calendar for Monday evening, January 18, 2010

2009-12-07T10:17:00.003-06:00

We begin planning for the 2010 event today. Our first planning meeting for the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at St. Paul's UMC.

We want to remind you to save the evening of

Monday, January 18, 2010

for this year's

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA

If you have any questions or suggestion about this year's event, please don't hesitate to contact Carol Sundberg at St. Paul's UMC or Robin Tucker.

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St. Paul's UMC has an updated web site and We Encourage you to take a Cruise Online

2009-12-04T20:25:00.004-06:00

St. Paul's UMC's mission hasn't changed, but the web site that serves the Church has been updated. You can visit St. Paul's United Methodist Church at http://www.stpaulsumc.org/.

About Us: Welcome to St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Worship at St. Paul's
Ministries at St. Paul's UMC
Volunteer Opportunities at St. Paul's UMC
Calender
Learning: Christian Education and Spiritual Formation at St. Paul's UMC
Ministry of Music at St. Paul's
Serving: Ministry of Serving at St. Paul's UMC
Caring: Ministry of Caring at St. Paul's UMC

Two events that may interest you this weekend at St. Paul's UMC:

First Light at Celebration Worship Dec 5
Followed by potluck more
Special Music December 6
With guest orchestra in worship more

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Today is December 1: What is about this day in history?

2009-12-01T17:22:00.003-06:00

Can you believe it is already December? Where did the year go?

On this date in: 1824
The House of Representatives convened to decide the
presidential election because no candidate had received a majority in the
Electoral College. John Quincy Adams was eventually chosen the winner over
Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay.

On This Day - New York Times

http://www.brainyhistory.com/days/december_1.html - BrainyHistory

In January 2010, look for another "Who Is My Neighbor" event at St. Paul's UMC associated with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

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Celebrating the Fall of the Berlin Wall: September 9, 1989

2009-11-10T18:17:00.003-06:00

European leaders mark 20 years since fall of Berlin Wall‎ - The Sun Daily
Berlin (Nov 10, 2009) - With a walk through Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate, ... France and Italy marked on Monday the sudden opening of the Berlin Wall 20 ...

MTV Europe Awards to celebrate fall of Berlin Wall‎ - The Associated Press

Berlin Commemorates Fall of Berlin Wall, 20 Years Later - CafeSentido.com

The Berlin Wall separated East and West Berlin, ensuring that capitalist ad democratic West Berlin remained surrounded on all sides by the Communist German ...

Visit the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights on Facebook: Cedar Rapids Civil Rights

"Twenty years go today, on November 9, 1989, was The Fall of the Berlin Wall. The East German government announced that visits in West Germany and West Berlin will be permitted. Thousands of East Berliners passed into West Berlin as border guards stand by. People begin tearing down the wall." - Cedar Rapids Civil Rights on Facebook

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Election Day in Cedar Rapids and the State of Iowa is Tuesday, November 3rd

2009-11-02T17:31:00.005-06:00

Make sure that on Tuesday, November 3, you find time to cast your vote. Voting day information, including candidate profiles can be found on the Linn County Auditors web site.

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Happy All Saints' Day today for many throughout the World

2009-11-01T17:51:00.004-06:00

NOVEMBER 2009

A beautiful Autumn day today here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

Today, All Saints' Day

Other Interfaith dates for the month of November 2009.

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October 12, 2009 is Columbus Day, Thankgiving Day in Canada ...

2009-10-11T14:32:00.005-05:00

On October 12, 2009, many will celebrate:

Columbus Day in the USA
Thanksgiving Day in Canada
Day of the Race in Mexico

Spotlight on Church and Society in the United Methodist Church:

Economic and Environmental Justice The General Board of Church ... - UMC
United Methodist Church -- General Board of Church and Society ... the program helps United Methodists understand the positions of the church on the full ...

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A discussion of Social Justice in Cedar Rapids

2009-09-17T15:31:00.005-05:00

CLARENCE DARROW’S SEARCH FOR JUSTICE

Price: Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009
Time: 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Location: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Street: 1340 3rd Ave. SE

Gary Anderson, a nationally-renowned Darrow portrayer, will showcase “the most hated and celebrated lawyer in America.”“Darrow as a legal warrior, returning to engage our government and justice system in a presentation that trembles with inescapable timeliness.” He fought Creationism in public schools, racism, the death penalty, conspiracy laws, and attacks on civil liberties. “Anderson’s Darrow is in the same league as Holbrook’s Mark Twain.”At the end of the show, Civil Rights Commission Director Karl Cassell will present statistics on racial and economic issues in Cedar Rapids. Discussion to follow.

Sponsored by the:

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
The Peoples’ Church Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

This date in History: September 9

2009-09-09T15:50:00.003-05:00

from Facebook: Cedar Rapids Civil Rights

Today in 1957: President Eisenhower signed into law the first civil rights bill
to pass Congress since Reconstruction. (Historical period of 1865 -1877) "The
act established the Commission on Civil Rights, a 6-member bipartisan commission
with the power to "investigate allegations .. that certain citizens are being
deprived of their right to vote" as well as to study other denials of equal
protection of the laws."

Civil Rights Act of 1957

"In 1957, President Eisenhower sent Congress a proposal for civil rights legislation. The result was the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. The new act established the Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department and empowered federal prosecutors to obtain court injunctions against interference with the right to vote. It also established a federal Civil Rights Commission with authority to investigate discriminatory conditions and recommend corrective measures. The final act was weakened by Congress due to lack of support among the Democrats." - Eisenhower Library

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend 2009!

2009-09-04T22:55:00.002-05:00

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA or wherever you may be.

The 46Th anniversary of ML King Jr.'s 'The I Have a Dream' speech on Washington D.C.

2009-08-28T09:40:00.004-05:00

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. presented his "The I Have a Dream' speech on Washington D.C.

The I Have a Dream Speech - U.S. Constitution Online

U.S. Constitution Online reported ...

"Thrust into the national spotlight in Birmingham, where he was
arrested and jailed, King helped organize a massive march on Washington, DC, on
August 28, 1963. His partners in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
included other religious leaders, labor leaders, and black organizers. The
assembled masses marched down the Washington Mall from the Washington Monument
to the Lincoln Memorial, heard songs from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, and heard
speeches by actor Charlton Heston, NAACP president Roy Wilkins, and future U.S.
Representative from Georgia John Lewis."

Today in History - Aug. 28 -The Associated Press
... 200000 people participated in a peaceful civil rights rally in Washington, DC, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in ...

Diversity Focus: The Corridor's Diversity Climate

2009-07-17T11:32:00.004-05:00

Hazel Pegues, Director of Diversity Focus in Cedar Rapids, spoke on Monday, July 13, 2009 to the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on the The Corridor’s Diversity Climate.

We are highlighting Hazel Pegues' presentation from Ripples from the Rapids, the weekly newsletter of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids.

Hazel Pegues joined Diversity Focus as Director in June 2008. On
Monday, she reported to Rotary the results of a Survey on Diversity based on
information gathered from September 15 to October 6, 2008 by Vernon Research
Group. The phone and Internet survey was conducted in Linn and Johnson
County. The study consisted of 600 respondents, aged 18-85 and with an
over-sampling of non-Caucasian subgroups. The margin of sampling error was
plus or minus 3.27%. The purpose of the study was to establish a baseline
measure of the community’s perception of diversity and inclusion and to
highlight issues that Diversity Focus needs to partner with the community to
improve. The intention is to survey again in three years for comparison to
the 2008 baseline.

In many of the questions, respondents were asked to rank factors on
a scale of 1-5. A mean rating of 3.5 or higher is considered minimally
acceptable. Overall diversity ratings (rating your community in terms of
embracing diversity) resulted in 54% of respondents ranking their community
“good” or “very good” with a mean diversity ranking of 3.5. Rankings in
Johnson County (3.79) were slightly higher than in Linn County (3.36).
Ratings were highest for Caucasian respondents and lowest for African-American
respondents. Non-Caucasians cited a large difference between the
importance of certain attributes and the community’s performance on these
attributes. Caucasians considered the “GAP” to be much smaller.

For example African-Americans considered the premise that diverse
populations are welcome and accepted to be the most important attribute of
community performance (4.85) compared to Caucasians (3.79). But
performance measurement on this particular attribute, perceived by
African-Americans, was only 3.36 compared to 3.79 by Caucasians. The
African-American GAP was 1.49 compared to a GAP of only 0.74 for Caucasians, a rather substantial perception difference of 0.75.

On the basic question of “What does diversity mean to you,”
73.5% of respondents said race or ethnicity and 23% said religion.
Socio-economic class was cited by 12%, age (10%), gender (9%), sexual
orientation (9%) and disability (2%).The majority of respondents said they were
either “very comfortable” or “comfortable” with people of diverse
populations. However, respondents were least comfortable in social
situations with people with disabilities, people of a different socio-economic
class or people of different sexual orientations, all classes that did not
register highly in response to the question of what diversity means. In
fact disability is not often seen as a dimension of diversity.The percentage of
survey respondents who have themselves felt discriminated against based on
intolerance of diversity ranged from 19% (law enforcement and child related) to
21% (employment) to 22% (at a store). An especially alarming rate was
discrimination involving law enforcement which was 46% in Linn County and 69% in Johnson County for African Americans surveyed.People of diverse backgrounds are reluctant to move to the Corridor and are less likely to remain in the area
long-term. A welcoming and accepting climate is an economic
imperative. We must foster diversity to develop a 21st-century workforce
and compete effectively in the global marketplace.

For more information on Diversity Focus and The Corridor's Diversity Climate, you are invited to visit their web site and download a PDF on the Executive Summary. If your group or company is interested in having someone speak on this subject, please contact Diversity Focus.

Happy Birthday America!

2009-07-04T12:05:00.002-05:00

We wish you a Happy Independence Day and a safe and enjoyable holiday.

July 2009 is here!

2009-07-01T18:09:00.003-05:00

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable July 2009!

The July 2009 Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Newsletter is out. Highlights include:

Recap of June 25, 2009 Fair Housing Conference
New Commissioners: Dr. Ruth White and Anthony Arrington
RESULTS OF THE CORRIDOR’S DIVERSITY CLIMATE STUDY
The Persistence of Racial and Ethnic Profiling in the United States
Facts on: HATE CRIMES, PREJUDICE, AND STEREOTYPES ...
What Do You Know?
more facts and information on the Civil Rights Commission

JULY CIVIL RIGHTS EVENTS IN OUR HISTORY

July, 1839 -
Iowa was among the earliest states to enact prohibitions against race discrimination, especially in education. In the very first decision of the newly founded Iowa Supreme Court, In Re the Matter of Ralph, the Court rejected slavery in a decision that found that a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War.
July 26, 1948 -
President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is hereby declared to
be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." The order also creates the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services.
July 2, 1964 -
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The most sweeping civil Rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The law also provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation.

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Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission holding Fair Housing Conference on June 25, 2009

2009-06-23T22:08:00.005-05:00

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza
Street: 350 First Avenue NE
City/Town: in Cedar Rapids, IA

8:00 am Registration, breakfast

8:30 am Welcome, opening remarks

9:00 am Housing, Foreclosures, and Predatory Lending

11:00 am Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

12:00 pm Lunch/showing of “Brooklyn Matters” Documentary

1-5 pm Housing Laws: Realtor /Landlord Track

1 pm Voluntary Property Acquisition for Flood Impacted Properties

2 pm Student Loans: Stella Adams

OR Iowa Finance Authority Programs for Home Buyers

3 pm Accessibility, Americans with Disability Act

4 pm Home Buyer Education

Contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission for more information!

Phone: 319.286.5036

E-mail: civilrights@cedar-rapids.org

Registration fee: $25

Registration is open through day of conference.

PLEASE register in advance: we are required to give counts to the facility for food.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, Senate Apologize for Slavery

2009-06-22T10:00:00.004-05:00

A KCRG-TV news story comments on Senate Resolution 26 introduced July 18, 2009 ...

For the first time in history, the entire US Congress is apologizing for
slavery. On July 18, 2009, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution officially
acknowledging and apologizing for what it called the "fundamental injustice,
cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery."

Resolution 26 of the United States Senate is available on-line with a You Tube video and story from The Gazette's web site. This is a bi-partisan resolution lead by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and others.

The beginning of the story was reflected in a blog post dated February 28, 2008 titled Harkin: It’s time for U.S. to apologize for slavery – Looking in at Iowa Blog by Cedar Rapids Gazette Librarian John McGlothlen.

“We’ve seen states step forward on this,” Citing resolutions of Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama and New Jersey. “I’m really shocked, just
shocked” that the federal government hasn’t apologized. “It’s time to do
so.” - Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa

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The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is in Full Swing through July 4Th

2009-06-21T00:00:00.002-05:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY... June 21, 2009

You can join the tradition of getting a button in Cedar Rapids
The schedule of events for the 2009 Freedom Festival
Check out the latest news on the Freedom Festival
The 26Th annual Freedom Festival ... look at the event

The Freedom Festival kicked off on June 18, 2009 this year in Cedar Rapids. This community festival will run for 17 days through Independence Day - July 4, 2009!

Many events are free to the public. Specials often apply with purchase of an official Freedom Festival button. Other events do require an admission fee.

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Iowa and Cedar Rapids Juneteenth Observances ...

2009-06-19T00:00:00.005-05:00

2009 Theme:

Iowa Families: Guardians of Freedom, Liberty & Citizenship

From Iowa's official Juneteenth web site:

Nationally, there are 29 states (and the District of Columbia) that have
made Juneteenth an official holiday or observance. There is a national campaign
to make Juneteenth official in all 50 states.
Juneteenth is authentic
American history and the Iowa Juneteenth Observance is authentic Iowa history!
Appreciate your history and participate in Juneteenth activities across
Iowa! - Iowa Juneteenth site

In Cedar Rapids, Juneteenth events are planned June 19 and 20, 2009 for this year's observance. On June 19, 2009, a dinner and dance is scheduled at the Celebration Hall African American Museum of Iowa. On June 20, 2009, a free Celebration Day event is scheduled at Viola Gibson Park at 12Th Ave. and 10Th St. SE from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

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This date in History: June 18 ...

2009-06-18T17:58:00.004-05:00

On Facebook, the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission pointed out:

"On June 18, 1873 Suffragist Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to
vote in the 1872 presidential election."

A Famous Speech by Susan B. Anthony proceeded her Being Convicted Of Voting In The 1872 Presidential Election.

This date in history June 18, 1873

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Healing the Heartland Neighborhood BBQ tonight from 6 pm to 9 pm in Cedar Rapids

2009-06-12T17:25:00.001-05:00

Healing the Heartland Festival is a Three Day Event

Marking the Anniversary of the Great Flood of 2008

June 12, 13, 14, 2009

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- A message of faith and hope for the heartland -
Music • Food • Fun • Inspiration • Community Care
Today's Event from 6 pm to 9 pm - Free neighborhood BBQ

Serve The City is a coalition of over 40 area congregations and ministries hosting the Healing the Heartland Festival. Most of the events and entertainment are FREE to the community!

Neighborhood "Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009"

2009-05-17T11:13:00.006-05:00

The Mound View and Wellington Heights Neighborhood Associations and the
Cedar Rapids Police Department, along with First Avenue Uptown College
District merchants and area agencies and faith communities are planning a
neighborhood walk for Thursday, May 21st in Cedar Rapids. Everyone
is invited to participate! The walk is set to begin from the 2Nd
Avenue Parking Lot of St. Paul's UMC (map) and will be about
1.75 miles in length. A cookout will begin at 5:30 pm, with the walk to
start at 6:30 and finish back at St. Paul's by 8:00 pm Come and walk for the
"Heart of the City!"
Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009

"So who is our neighbor?"

2009-05-17T10:50:00.003-05:00

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"

He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.

"Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

"But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

"The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever you spend.'

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

He said, "The one who showed him mercy."

Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10: 25-37 NRSV

Part of today's message at the worship service at St. Paul's UMC

It was on the back of the handout for "Walk for the Community - May 21, 2009"

Happy cinco de mayo

2009-05-05T20:43:00.003-05:00

We wish all those of Mexican heritage a happy cingo de mayo this May 5, 2009. A little history on Mexican-Americans.

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May")

We hope everyone is enjoying this special day!

Community comes together for Town Meeting and Panel Discussion

2009-04-16T08:24:00.006-05:00

St. Paul's UMC hosted on Tuesday night a Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission sponsored event titled "Community Connections: Taking Ownership For Where We Live."

The Gazette article in the April 15, 2009 edition of the paper was titled About 250 gather to talk about race, police, violence. Link The Gazette story includes link to video replay of event.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission web site provided the following highlights:

Over 250 people gathered to discuss social issues on April 14 at St. Paul's
United Methodist Church. The discussion included concerns about parenting,
absent landlords, and issues concerning the police and the people they serve.
Every person in Cedar Rapids needs to be responsible and help work
together to be able to solve these problems. Panelist, Lloyd, Smith summed this
up by stating "the solution is out there," indicating the audience. "Not up
here. It has to be worked out there."

Panelists included:

Terry Bilsland, President of Wellington Heights, Neighborhood Association
Dedric Doolin, Iowa/Nebraska NAACP State Conference Secretary
Pastor Harlan Gillespie, Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Greg Graham, Cedar Rapids Police Chief
Dr. Dave Markward, Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent
Lloyd Smith, Retired Juvenile Officer
Dr. Ruth White, Executive Director of The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success

Event moderated by:

Beth Malicki, News anchor/reporter for KCRG TV Channel 9
Dean Borg, Senior Correspondent for Iowa Public Radio and public affairs anchor for Iowa Public Television

Cedar Rapids Crime Stoppers

Other articles related to this story - various sources, Alleged attack on police spurs Cedar Rapids forum on race from DesMoinesRegister.com and Assault on Cedar Rapids officer raises fears from KPTM-TV (AP).

4/14/2008 Community Connections: "Taking Ownership For Where We Live"

2009-04-09T16:52:00.005-05:00

Karl Cassell, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission spoke to a group at Noon today. He informed the group in attendance of the following upcoming event.

Upcoming Event: Community Connections: "Taking Ownership For Where We Live" Tue. April 14 at 6pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 1340 3rd Ave SE sponsored by CR Civil Rights Commission - in part this is a response to the violence that has directly impacted lives of a Cedar Rapids Police Officer, children, and adult neighbors in our city's core neighborhoods.

This event is open the general public. If time permits in your schedule next week, you are encouraged to attend.

What is the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award?

Tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids

2009-01-19T17:10:00.002-06:00

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's' promises to be another inspiring program filled with music, an outstanding speaker from the local community, and the presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor Award". The 10Th annual award will be presented during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC on January 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm.

Our speaker this year is Jerry Matchett, General Manager of Staples Office Supply Store, here in Cedar Rapids. He as served on many boards and has been involved with many community activities. Mr. Matchett was born Tuskegee, Alabama, but shortly moved to South Dakota. As a young teenager, he moved to Ames, Iowa. Mr. Matchett has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies-Management, Psychology and Commutation from the University of Northern Iowa.

Plan to attend this year's celebration - to be inspired by Mr. Matchett; to hear the music of the Gospel Choir of Johnson School of the Arts and of Mt. Zion's Men's Choir and of St. Paul's Music Ministry; to celebrate the new honoree of the "Who is My Neighbor Award" - and all to be done as a reminder of the enduring contributions of Dr. King.

Who's My Neighbor Award

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.” This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:
1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

If you have further questions on this year's event, please contact Robin Tucker, Publicity Chair at tuckerusa@aol.com. You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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January 19, 2009 - Our Event is tonight at 7 p.m.

2009-01-19T08:48:00.004-06:00

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday everyone! Please join us today!

We hope you will join us tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and be on for the presentation of the 10Th annual Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award.

You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A Local Employer's attitudes toward diversity

2009-01-08T06:00:00.001-06:00

Last year, our keynote speaker was Rod Dooley, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Learning & Organizational Development of Cedar Rapids based Rockwell Collins.

We noticed the following link on twitter from local employer, Rockwell Collins, and comments from Clay Jones, President and CEO, on the subject of diversity.

RockwellCollins Jones shares his thoughts on the importance of diversity and inclusion to Rockwell Collins in new video www.rockwellcollins.com/div...

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Event information on this year's keynote speaker and program. You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.

Press Release for this year's Martin Luther King Dr. Day Celebration

2009-01-07T16:46:00.005-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robin Tucker

Tel.: 319-366-7791 x 103
Email: tuckerusa@aol.com
Web: http://cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC

Who's My Neighbor Award

In the January, 2000, the first Percy and Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award was presented to Dr. and Mrs. Harris and all future awards will carry their name. The award plaque reads "In recognition of a lifelong faith commitment to living in harmony with others and to promoting equality and social justice in the community.” This year’s award will be the tenth award presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

"Who is My Neighbor" is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Dr. King also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968.

The recipient of the award needs to meet these criteria:
1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

If you have further questions, please contact Robin Tucker, Publicity Chair at tuckerusa@aol.com. You are cordially invited to attend the public celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 pm. This year’s program promises to continue our great tradition, the music and a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is located at 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

www.cedarrapidswhoismyneighbor.blogspot.com .

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United Way Event: 1/19/09 Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon

2009-01-07T12:43:00.006-06:00

Received the following from the United Way of East Central Iowa today...

Remembering Martin Luther King Luncheon

United Way of East Central Iowa and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, will honor 19 area students at the annual Remembering Martin Luncheon on Monday, January 19, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel, 350 First Avenue NE, in Cedar Rapids. The keynote speaker for the event is Akwi Nji-Dawson, Language Arts Instructor and Director of The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success.The luncheon is open to the community. Cost is $9 per person and reservations must be made by Wednesday, January 14. If you would like to attend, please RSVP at 398-5372, ext. 36 or jsweeney@uweci.org.

The luncheon commemorates the life and vision of Dr. King by recognizing student leaders who demonstrate his honorable characteristics through their volunteer work, school attendance and positive behavior. One student from each middle school and high school in the Cedar Rapids area is selected for this award by their school administration. Click here to view the MLK Luncheon poster.

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Don't forget the two events on Monday, January 19, 2009, the United Way luncheon and our evening event at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. We cordially invite you to attend the:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul’s UMC

The presentation of the Percy and Lileah Harris 10Th annual "Who is My Neighbor Award."

1. Acts out of a religious faith base
2. Is caring and compassionate.
3. Is community oriented.
4. Is a good neighbor to all.
5. Lives within Linn County.

The St. Paul's UMC event is not a Luncheon and no reservations are requested.

Celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday and day of service.

Robin Tucker

What is the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award

2009-01-02T11:53:00.005-06:00

The "Who Is My Neighbor" Award is based on the following criteria:

“Who is My Neighbor” is based on the story of the Good Samaritan Jesus told in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. also used the story of the Good Samaritan in his final speech in Memphis just before he was assassinated in 1968. The recipient of the 10Th annual award needs to meet these criteria:

Acts out of a religious faith base.
Is caring and compassionate.
Is community oriented.
Is a good neighbor to all.
Lives within Linn County.

We are meeting today to look at this year's nominees. We encourage you to attend this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration held on January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC. All are welcome.

peace

January, 1, 2009: Happy New Year

2009-01-01T15:49:00.004-06:00

We hope you will consider attending our up coming event on January 19, 2009 at St. Paul's UMC. This year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be at 7 p.m. Please consider making it part of your New Year's Resolutions for 2009.

All are welcome. Please join us, as we present the 10Th anniversary of the "Who Is My Neighbor" award.

peace

The Flood of 2008: Impact on one local church

2008-12-30T15:45:00.004-06:00

KCRG-TV aired a recent story on Dec 28, 2008 titled "Flood-damaged Church Boasts Best Year Ever" on Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Join us on January 19, 2009 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, where the Mt. Zion Men's Chorus will be performing again.

The Flood of 2008 has been hard on our community, but there are many wonderful stories despite the hardships of the Flood, like the good news at Mt. Zion.

We look forward to our brothers and sisters from Mt. Zion participating and attending this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Event. We welcome all within our community to attend this year's event.

peace

Merry Christmas Everyone

2008-12-24T00:00:00.002-06:00

St. Paul's UMC will be hosting Christmas activities today and a Community Dinner on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve Worship
11:00am Worship in the Chapel

4:00pm Children's Christmas Recital

4:30pm Family Candle light & Carols

7:00pm Celebration Candlelight led by youth

9:00pm Candlelight & Carols

11:00pm Candlelight, Carols & Communion

Free Christmas Dinner

1:00-3:00pm December 25, 2008

Call 211 for reservations

peace

Less than Four Weeks until this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

2008-12-23T17:13:00.003-06:00

Please join us for the presentation of the 10TH annual "Who Is My Neighbor" Award during this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Keynote Speaker

Various Presentations

Music

Community Fellowship

& More

Five Weeks until 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC

2008-12-15T19:00:00.000-06:00

Today, Monday, December 15, 2008, is five weeks from the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday and the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC. We hope you will make plans to attend our celebration on the 19Th of January at 7 p.m here in Cedar Rapids.

Thank you!

http://twitter.com/whoisyourneighbor

African American museum to reopen next month

2008-12-15T15:12:00.000-06:00

Per The Gazette online story dated December 15, 2008 titled "African American museum to open next month, with events January 16 and 17, 2009.

Great news for the African American Museum of Iowa, which has been closed, due to the Flood of 2008.

Proceeds from the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be split with the African American Museum of Iowa this year. Our event will be Monday, January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

We hope you will find it in your way to help support the Museum.

The article indicated that the new permanent exhibit will hopefully be completed by December 2009. The original permanent exhibit was destroyed by the Flood of 2008.

http://twitter.com/whoismyneighbor

January 19, 2009: the Gospel choir of Johnson Elementary School of the Arts will perform at MLK Jr. Day Celebration

2008-12-14T12:44:00.000-06:00

We are pleased to report that one of the music programs for this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be the performers from the Johnson Elementary School of the Arts. The gospel choir is directed by Ms. Cox and again will be one of the many threats of this year's event.

We have enjoyed previous performances from one of the school's choirs and look forward to seeing the young performers again this year.

Reminder, this year's event will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2009 at St. Paul's UMC.

http://twitter.com/whoismyneighbor

Plan to attend the 2009 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC

2008-12-11T22:37:00.000-06:00

St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Cedar Rapids, Iowa will host it's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration event at 7:00 p.m. on January 19, 2009. We hope you will mark your calendar and make this year's event a part of your life.

The event will include the presentation of the Percy & Lileah Harris "Who is My Neighbor" Award. In addition to this year's award presentation, you will enjoy music, a variety of presentations and an outstanding keynote speaker.

Our blog is beginning now. It will provide information about the upcoming event on January 19, 2009, which will mark the 10Th anniversary of the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award. In addition, we will reflect on past Martin Luther King Day Celebrations held at St. Paul's UMC.

This year's offering will be shared with the African American Historical Museum & Cultural Center of Iowa.

On June 13, 2008 the
Museum took a tremendous hit from the flooding on the Cedar River in
downtown Cedar Rapids.

Past Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrations have included outstanding recipients of the "Who Is My Neighbor" Award, keynote speakers from various places, outstanding music from guest soloists, the gospel choir of the Johnson Elementary School of the Arts, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Men's Chorus and various music from St. Paul's UMC.

We are beginning to organize this year's event. We invite you to stop by to learn more about the event and the event's history.

Again, we invite you to join us on January 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul's UMC, 1340 Third Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403. The church's phone number is 319-363-2058.

peace