URBAN ACTION: 6/22-6/29

via City Newspaper

By Tim Louis Macaluso on June 21, 2011

This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)

Give input on education issues

The Coalition for Justice in Education will sponsor, with support from the Community Education Task Force, Metro Justice, Rochester Teachers Association, and the Green Party, a “Community Forum with Dr. Milton Cofield, vice chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents,” from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22. Raise questions and offer public input about issues such as teacher evaluations, student testing, and charter schools. The event will be held at SWW at 480 Broadway.

Religious diversity training

Nazareth College’s Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue will hold “Train the Trainers in Understanding World Religions and Interfaith Relations.” The one week course is designed for business professionals, social workers, religious leaders, and anyone else who wants to be knowledgeable about religious diversity. The course will be held in the afternoons and evenings from Monday, July 11, to Friday, July 15, at the Golisano Center. Admission: $139, which includes meals. Registration: 389-2963.

Fall in love with Obama again

Rochester for Obama 2012 will hold an organizing meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, at Unkl Moe’s BBQ, 493 West Avenue. Coordination of specific action groups such as seniors, students, Latino, women, and educators will be discussed.

Perspectives on the ADA

The Center for Disability Rights, in celebration of the 21st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, will hold “What the ADA Means to Me Perspectives Project.” Anyone [with or without disabilities] is encouraged to write, photograph, draw, sculpt, or compose a personal expression based on the theme. Enter submissions online: www.cdrnys.org or by mail to CDR 497, State Street, Rochester, 14608, attention: Jenny Phillips. Submissions are needed by 5 p.m., Friday, July 1, and written submissions should be kept to 250 words. Chosen work will be featured at CDR’s annual ADA Gala at 6 p.m. to midnight on July 15 at the Harro East Ballroom. Information: www.cdrnys.org.

Racial injustice on film

Metro Justice will show the film “Brick by Brick…A Civil Rights Story” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. The film follows three families in Yonkers involved in a confrontation concerning racial discrimination, housing, and public schools when a neighborhood is overwhelmed with 7,000 units of public housing. The film will be shown at 167 Flanders Street, and there will be a discussion afterward.

Books for city students

The Rochester Education Foundation will hold an “End of School Year Book Bash” to help support city students, at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29. The event costs $20 per person, but if participants bring a new children’s book there will be a $5 reduction. The event will be held at Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar, 1290 University Avenue. Information: 271-5790.