‘Miscellany’ Archives
The SABO Center for Democracy and Citizenship: Bridging the Citizen-Government
By Harry C Boyte Martin Olav Sabo, who served as a Democratic Congressman from Minneapolis for 28 years and became chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee and died on March 16 from respiratory ailments, is well known as a masterful legislative leader and craftsman. But it was his wider vision, as bridging the gap between government and citizens, which led to the merger of his center at Augsburg with our Center for Democracy and Citizenship, for many years at the University of Minnesota. I first met Martin Sabo when I was beginning the Reinventing Citizenship initiative in 1993 with the White House Domestic Policy Council, just after Bill Clinton had become president. Barb Rohde, Washington liaison from the University of Minnesota”'s Humphrey Institute where I directed civic engagement efforts, took me around to meet the Minnesota Congressional delegation. I was excited about the meeting. The Reinventing Citizenship effort built on Bill Clinton”'s campaign [...]
Armenian and Balkan Dance: Tapestry Folkdance Center
Fri. evenings dancers celebrate cultures past and present dancing to global music. In April, Tapestry folkdance instructors Jan Morse (April 1) Gina Bonsignore (April 8), Nairy Digris (April 15 & 22) and Terry McGibbon (April 29) will bring dances of Armenia and the Balkan countries. Lessons 7:30 to 9 pm and a dance follows; cost is $8 , $6 Tapestry members, $5 students. On April 8, Gina Bonsignore, will teach Armenian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern folkdance at the Tula Yoga & Wellness Center at 99 Snelling Ave. N. in St. Paul. (Go to www.tulayogawellness.com for time and cost of this special dance program.) Dance Beginners Welcome You do not need to be of Armenian or Balkan ancestry to learn and enjoy these dances. Teachers start the instruction with basic dances. Even if you don”'t master them all, you”'ll have fun. (more…)
LOOK! Just Half of the BACKYARD INITIATIVE Activities in March!!!
A partial sampling of the activities hosted by the leaders and members of the BYI Community Health Action Teams (CHATs). Watch for the activities from the other CHATs to be featured on the BYI Back Page in the May issue! There is so much happening, there was not room to list all of the exciting happenings! Anchor Families MIDTOWN EXCHANGE 1. Roundtable Connection: Helping elders and mothers to come together to talk (Every Tuesday) 2. Learn How to Learn: understanding how to learn and why for many of us it”'s hard to learn. (Once a week) 3. Homework Help: Helping kids and adults with their homework. (Every Wednesday) 4. Parenting for Success; How to parent in a new country and at same time to keep what we come with ”“ our culture and language. (Every Saturday) (more…)
