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

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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Diversity Focus: The Corridor's Diversity Climate

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.

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

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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Community comes together for Town Meeting and Panel Discussion

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).

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

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.

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.

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

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

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, 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

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."

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.

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

Merry Christmas Everyone

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

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

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