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Central District Newsletter - June 22, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
July 22, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Good things are happening here in the district. We are 2 for 2 at City Commissions this week. On Tuesday July 15, 2008 the Entertainment Commission turned down an entertainment permit for the first time in my three year tenure here. Reason cited were lack of management experience, past incidents at the location on the 400 block of Broadway and a lack of a good security plan.
On July 16, 2008 the Board of Permit Appeals upheld a notice of violation and cease and desist order on a business operating as an illegal encounter studio, also on the 400 block of Broadway. The place in question was investigated twice for acts of prostitution and in one case, robbery of a tourist from Israel. Women employees were arrested related to all three accusations. The location also operated after 2 AM, also in violation of the Planning Code, and enlisted barkers and scantily clad women approaching men on the street.
We are encouraged by these actions and hope to see them as the beginning of follow up support for the Central Station Night Watch officers who have sustained efforts on Broadway over the past three years.
The Economics of Crime
Crime often rises and falls with the economy. We have seen a steady rise in crimes of theft and opportunity throughout the district. Petty thefts, shoplift, and ‘dine and dash’ type crimes seem to be on the rise.
Two glaring examples of this occurred last week. On the 500 block of Jefferson, suspects disconnected and stole several dozen feet of active copper plumbing to crab pots at one location. Copper pipe thefts along with recyclable items have been targets of theft throughout the Bay Area. On 7/16/08 at 5 PM, a woman riding aboard MUNI was robbed of a bag of groceries at Stockton and Broadway.
Laptop Grants for At Risk Youth
This program provides free refurbished laptops to selected college bound foster care youth and other youth under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court system. This program is a partnership between City Youth Now www.cityyouthnow.org, Redemtech www.redemtech.com, TechConnect Digital Inclusion Initiative www.sfgov.org/digital_inclusion and Independent Living Skills Program www.sfhsa.org . This program is made possible through a generous grant from the John Burton Foundation and contributions from Microsoft Corporation.
City Youth Now is currently accepting grant applications through mid-August and will make approximately 50 grants. Applications must be submitted on behalf of the youth by a social Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley July 22, 2008 Captain’s Comments ... more -
Central District Newsletter - July 15, 2008
Captain’s Comments
On Wednesday July 9 at 11 AM, I was at the Cable Car turn around at Bay and Taylor Streets when I saw an elderly woman with a cane across the intersection attempting to step up onto the curb when she obviously began to lose her balance. Just as she went backwards, arms and legs akimbo, Sanford Cipinko, “Attorney at Law” swept in. Mr. Cipinko reached out with his right arm and cradled the falling woman, meanwhile balancing a cup of coffee in his free hand. The woman was propped up onto the curb and was helped to regain her balance and composure. I asked the woman if she was ok and congratulated Mr. Cipinko for the catch and no-spill feat. He gave me his card and said, “we prevent injuries as well.” There can’t be any money in that.
After seeing this act, I thought about the past two newsletters and our themes about ‘being our brother’s (and sister’s) keepers, and also about pedestrian safety. On the same day I received our 6 months stats from the Traffic Bureau on traffic collisions and injuries and fatalities. To date, we have had 127 accidents involving injury. Thankfully we have had no, (knock wood), repeat, no traffic related fatalities. Keep up the good work and remember to look both ways.
Broadway Corridor
Friday July 11, 2008: Saturday July 12, 2008:
Felony arrests made 0 Felony arrests 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 0 Misdemeanor arrests made 4
Drunk related arrests made 0 Drunk related arrests made 1
Moving citations 30 Moving citations 20
Parking citations issued 23 Parking citations issued 16
Towed vehicles 9 Towed vehicles 6
7/12/08- 1 AM, fight reported at a bar on the 400 block of Broadway, patron struck in head with bottle.
7/12/08- 1:40 AM, Sgt. Ed Anzore observed two Hispanic males shouting at each other and challenging each to a fight on the 400 block of Broadway. The men began fighting and hurled themselves into a window twice before the Sergeant and Officers could seperate them. Both were detained and cited for fighting in public. One of the two suffered a laceration above his eye. The men were from Suisun and Castro Valley, Ca.
Prostitution
7/8/08 at 10 PM- Geary and Hyde Streets- A white female from SF was arrested by Officer Milan Kangrga and Rene Nielsen for groping an officer and soliciting acts of prostitution.
Captain’s Comments ... more -
Central District Newsletter - July 8, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
July 8, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Safety Tips from SAFE:
Pedestrian Safety
The days are longer and lighter, and many outdoor activities are taking place throughout the City. Please be aware of pedestrians while you are driving; or if you are the pedestrian, be aware of automobiles, buses and bicyclists. Here are some safety tips:
Limit cell phone use while driving or walking - Cell phones distract you from paying attention to your surroundings.
Be watchful at all times - Expect the unexpected. Pedestrians can suddenly appear from between parked cars, especially children and the elderly.
Remember that a red light or arrow prohibits moving forward or turning - while walking, driving or riding a bike.
Yield to pedestrians - Be especially aware when at a stop or when turning at an intersection; pedestrians may be in the crosswalk.
Not all crosswalks are designated with painted lines - A pedestrian is considered in a crosswalk at all corners whether or not lines are painted on the street.
Safety Tips for Visitors and Tourists
Do you have friends coming in to the City for the July 4th Holiday? Even in times of celebration and festivities, ensure your guests practice proper safety techniques:
Do not leave valuables or anything visible inside your vehicle; always keep doors and trunk locked.
Walk in well-lit and well-populated areas, preferably with another person; do not take short-cuts through dark alleyways.
Limit your valuables (ID and money) by carrying only what you need for the day.
If taking public transportation, have your money or Fast Pass ready. Do not fumble with your wallet; you might draw attention to a pickpocket.
Keep your cell phone charged; and in case of an emergency dial 9-1-1.
Are you going on Vacation? - Here are some reminders to help prevent your home from being burglarized:
Keep all doors and windows locked.
Let a trusted neighbor know you will be out of town.
Stop mail and newspaper deliveries.
Keep a light on.
Enable your alarm if you have one.
Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley July 8, 2008 Captain’s Comments Safety Tips from SAFE: Pedestrian Safety ... more -
Bar-Kays - Soul Finger
It's a Get up and dance type of thing.
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Lakotah Nation: Black Hills sovereignty
The United States is now occupying Lakota country illegally, in violation of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which granted the Lakota control of the Black Hills in western South Dakota. The treaty was repealed by Congress in 1877, and the Lakota have struggled ever since. "We are the poorest people in America," said Russell Means, "and we have the shortest life span in America, too. The life expectancy for Lakota women is 47; for a man, it's 44. After 155 years of genocide, our way of life is on the brink of extinction. We have finally decided to withdraw from the United States and save our people and our lands. The United States is now occupying Lakota country illegally, in violation of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, which granted the Lakota... more
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Central District Newsletter - July 01, 2008
Captain’s Comments
As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things:
∑ Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. Every year the SFFD responds to fires caused by illegal fireworks. Bottle rockets and fireworks that propel an object into the air cause fires to rooftops or flammable things likes like fields or other structures. Even seemingly innocuous items like sparklers can cause severe burns to small hands. Of course, the emergency rooms are frequented by those who didn’t quite throw the fireworks fast enough, or by those unfortunate to be near the ‘landing zone.’
∑ Every year we also hear gunshots along with the fireworks. Needless to say, shooting a firearm in San Francisco is also illegal. The old adage, “What goes up must come down” certainly applies to bullets. Some geniuses think shooting a gun into the air, but over the years, we have responded to calls of those injured by the bullets that cannot escape gravity.
∑ Along with this years public fireworks display in the Bay, it also happens to be a Friday night in San Francisco. Activities span from Aquatic Park to Pier 39 and beyond, into the Southern District. Entertainment will begin at 2 PM and fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM at the end of Muni Pier and from a barge at the end of Piers 39 and 45. There will surely be traffic jams along the bay so please take public transportation or walk to any events in the area. Have a Safe and Sane 4th!
(Editor’s note- On Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM, Sgt. Ed Garcia was on foot patrol walking through Portsmouth Square when he spied three juveniles sitting on a bench in the park. At one end of the bench sat a canvas bag full of illegal fireworks, including 16 Roman Candles, 600 missiles, forty four “M-80’s” and 2 “m-100’s”. These are pretty serious illegal fireworks that fall into the high explosives territory. Due to the nature and volume of the collection, the SFPD Bomb Disposal Unit was summoned to take charge of the property for destruction).
Last week, Sgt. Mark Hernandez broke up a fireworks sales ring under the Bush Street arch at Grant. On 6/28/08 at 8 PM Officer Jonathan Tong cited a 19 year old for discharging and selling fireworks on the 900 block of Grant Ave. On 6/29/08 at 6:45 PM, Officer Tong made another arrest for sales on Waverly Alley. That amount too, called for disposal by our Bomb Squad.
Captain’s Comments As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things: ... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 24, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 24, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Summer is officially here.
No one wants to be “their brother’s keeper” but it certainly helps when it comes to crime. I am not advocating everyone to be nosey when it comes to their neighbor, but let’s employ the “buddy system” this summer. Historically, it is a time when burglary and general theft goes up on the crime charts. School is out, the weather tends to warm up a bit and people leave their doors and windows open. Let’s make the district one big Neighborhood Watch Group. That means we get to know our neighbors, we look out for each other, we pick up any piled up mail or newspapers with their permission. We call the police when something looks suspicious. If it involves a suspect, call 911 and let the dispatcher sort it out.
Nine years ago, I was the Captain of the Juvenile and Family Services Division. It was there that I learned that juvenile related crime and child abuse cases goes way down. At first I thought how great it was to have a summer break from all of those awful cases. It didn’t take long to realize that schools were the place where things were reported to police. The number of incidents of child abuse and juvenile crime didn’t actually go down; those crimes just weren’t being reported by the people who saw our kids everyday. Schools are mandatory reporters, as mandated by law. Let’s all become our own mandatory reporter as well. If we see a kid that is abused or neglected or a victim of crime, let’s call it in. We will all be better for it.
As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things. Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. There will surely be traffic jams along the bay so please take public transportation or walk to any events in the area. Have a Safe and Sane 4th!
Broadway Corridor
Friday June 20, 2008: Saturday June 21, 2008:
Felony arrests made 0 Felony arrests 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 1 Misdemeanor arrests made 1
Drunk related arrests made 1 Drunk related arrests made 1
Moving citations 6 Moving citations 31
Parking citations issued 18 Parking citations issued 18
Towed vehicles 5 Towed vehicles 13
Traffic Company Enforcement: Five Traffic motorcycle Officers assisted. The SF Sheriff’s Department assisted in crowd control on both evenings. On Saturday night the CHP was in the district to conduct an Operation Impact enforcement program. They always provide great support and tend to calm traffic and the crowds by their presence.
Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 24, 2008 Captain’s Comments Summer is officially here. ... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 17, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 17, 2008
Captain’s Comments
The North Beach Festival weekend was a good one. On Saturday, the weather and crowds were both good. Sunday was more subdued with cooler weather.
Central Station Officers often receive awards. Recently Sgt. Arlin Vanderbilt and his crew of Officers who work on Prostitution Abatement along our western border of Larkin and Polk received recognition from the Mid-Polk Neighbors. Supervisor Aaron Peskin also awarded certificates to Sgt. Vanderbilt and Officers Rene Nielsen, Matt Sullivan, Jeff Smetherst, Chris Anderson, Martin Garay, Chris Olson, Milan Kangrga and Monica Macdonald.
A week ago, Officer Kevin Richins was awarded the SFPD Bronze Medal of Valor for outstanding efforts last year in disarming a knife wielding suspect. The suspect was confronting a police Inspector who had drawn his hand gun on the suspect, with little deterrence. Officer Richins saw that a large crowd was gathering and that he had a momentary surprise advantage. With little regard for his own safety, Officer Richins took a run at the suspect and tackled him in the street, dislodging him from his knife.
On June 10, 2008 I attended the SFPD Softball League annual awards banquet. I was proud to see three of our Central Station members receive awards. Recent retiree Mike Norman and current Day Watch Sergeant Edmund Garcia received the “Most Inspirational Player” awards. Despite a large field of very talented players, it was our own player/coach Kevin Worrell of our Night Watch who walked away with the League MVP Award. I salute them all.
The Budget Hearings
You’ve read about it in the papers, you’ve seen it on tv and heard it on the radio. See the Board of Supervisors discuss the budget live and in person on Thursday June 19, 2008 at Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 17, 2008 Captain’s Comments ... more -
Turtle Island Project Director: Some rich think Indigenous Peoples are "expendable...
(Marquette, Michigan) - Many of the rich around the world view Indigenous Peoples, women and children as “expendable commodities,” said Turtle Island Project Director Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard during Northern Michigan University 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit.
Hubbard added he fears for the future of mankind and the planet because “we have lost any sense of the sacred.”
The summit was held on Earth Day 2008 on the NMU campus in Marquette, Michigan near the shores of Lake Superior.
The two-day summit - the first of its kind at NMU - was April 22-23.
Read more by clicking on link. (Marquette, Michigan) - Many of the rich around the world view Indigenous Peoples, women and children as “expendable commodities,” sai... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 10, 2008
Central District Newsletter;
Captain James I. Dudley;
June 10, 2008;
Captain’s Comments
The Broken Windows Theory, (revisited). By now, as an avid reader of this newsletter, you are aware of the James Q. Wilson and George Kelling paper on addressing crime at its lowest level to have impact on larger, more serious crime and disorder. The theory is simple, this is my liberal interpretation:
They looked at a large abandoned building in an industrial section of a city and shortly after it was evacuated, it was still intact. Soon, passing kids knocked out a window or two and the allure was too much for others. In a short time, after testing the waters and seeing that no one objected, all the windows were broken out. The area soon became a dumping ground. The authors surmised that if you keep an area well kept and showed that there was care and concern for it, others would respect that and were reticent to disrespect it.
Recently, one of our best beat officers was threatened with a complaint by a citizen and a government official. The man was told by the beat officer not to rummage around in a City trash can. The man protested that he was collecting cans and bottles for recycling. Area residents and merchants long complained that such “dumpster diving” was creating a mess in the area. Some had gone extra lengths by bringing in cans early and by putting locks and cables on private trash cans. We did a little research and found that the beat officer was 100% correct in his enforcement. The City has a contract with local recyclers at homes, businesses and even City sidewalk trash receptacles. They alone have authority to collect the materials. It may seem like a small thing, but we have had streets, corners and alleys become a nightmare of trash and garbage from just such activity.
Example two in the Broken Windows Theory is our long fight against crime and bad behavior in the Broadway area. I would estimate 90% or better of the businesses in the area operate on a good neighbor system of keeping their establishments clean, well lit and under good management. One of the biggest complaints from businesses under our scrutiny is: “It’s not our fault, it’s these roaming bands of guys who hang out on our streets and in front of our clubs that cause all the trouble.” When we looked at the overall picture of the problems in the area, we used the SARA model of Problem Solving. We Scanned the problems, Analyzed the data, Responded with enforcement operations and strategies and we continue to Assess the situation. We know for certain that despite continued police enforcement, the problem will not clear up unless it is followed up with a consequence of some kind. For that, we need help from the District Attorney, ABC and Entertainment Commission.
Central District Newsletter; Captain James I. Dudley; June 10, 2008; Captain’s Comments ... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 3, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 3, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Beware the Scam!
There are several ways to skin a cat. There are also several ways to become a victim of a theft by scam or fraud. Recently, a business in the district was the victim of a laptop theft by means of a suspect acting as an electrician. The suspect even went so far as to dime some lights in the office that he was stealing from so that if he was caught, he’d have a credible alibi.
We have seen various variations of this. Usually an individual is a thief of opportunity. In a commercial business they will walk unheeded looking for small electronics from cell phones to Ipods to laptops. They will generally leave when confronted but will take the path of least resistance, avoiding contact with others.
Some other popular scams:
“The Bump and Lift.” It can happen almost in any crowded place, but we have received reports of the occurrence aboard MUNI. The victim will be standing aboard a crowded bus or trolley car when someone bumps into them from the front. As they react, by catching the person or shielding themselves, the second suspect will lift their wallet or purse from behind.
The “Utility Worker Burglars.” A year ago we had several incidents of this type of crime but we have been free of this for several months. I have heard of several incidents occurring in the Richmond and Taraval Districts and south of our City. Two or more men dressed in work clothes or overalls come knocking at your door saying they want to check your utility, (water, gas, phone, electricity). One suspect goes and flushes a toilet with you or switches appliances on and off while his confederates ransack closets and drawers for jewelry and cash. Some of the imposters go as far as wearing hard hats, reflective vests and drive a van or truck. Legitimate utility workers carry identification and will present it when requested.
“3 Card Monty” This well organized scam usually targets tourists. It is an old con game where the suspect does a card trick or uses three bottle tops to slide around on a board or table with a small red ball beneath one of them. They will let you win cash from them but insist you play until you start to place higher wagers. The game is impossible to win. The suspect hides the ball with his palm and thumbs and lifts the foam ball from all three tops. They usually work with a “shill” or “plant” in the audience who will walk away
Part One Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 3, 2008 Captain’s Comments Beware the Scam! ... more -
Green Bay considers ordinance to clamp down on loud mufflers
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt wants to send a message to people who ride motorcycles with loud, illegal mufflers. He hopes to give regular citizens a chance to help with enforcement. We only see motorcycles about six months out of the year, but to Mayor Jim Schmitt the noise resonates year-round.
"They're so loud and just obnoxious," he said of loud mufflers.
He's sick and tired of souped-up motorcycles with mufflers that aren't street legal disrupting city streets. "It's annoying. It's disrespectful," the mayor said. "It's disrespectful to your neighbor and something that we need to enforce more."
Updated: June 3, 2008 09:28 PM
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=8415133
By Chris Duffy Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt wants to send a message to people who ride motorcycles with loud, illegal mufflers. He hopes to give regul... more -
Native Americans, Interfaith groups lead by example in EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth ...
(Marquette, Michigan) - The Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge is in its biggest week with help from interfaith groups and American Indians in reaching the goal of one million pounds of electronics and one million pills.
The EPA issued the challenge to Great Lakes basin residents participating in over 100 projects that are collecting pharmaceuticals, electronics and household poisons. The EPA awarded grants to some of the projects.
Interfaith groups are involved in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. An EPA grant helped start the non-profit Earth Healing Initiative (EHI).
Trust between religions and interfaith environment projects are vital to protect the future of the earth, said a Lutheran bishop, who has participated in numerous Earth Day recycling projects.
"We are in an environmental crisis in many ways," said Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "The Great Lakes watershed is really a kind of a mother to all of us here in the upper Midwest."
The EHI involves American Indian tribes and "a coalition and partnership of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together and sharing their projects and resources to heal, protect and defend the environment," said founder Rev. Jon Magnuson of Marquette, Michigan.
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (MITW) is holding a curbside pickup of electronics for members during Earth Week, April 21-24. Over 1,000 pounds of electronics have been turned in at the MITW transfer station since April 1. The College of Menominee Nation hosts pharmaceutical/electronics collections on April 22.
On Friday, April 25, students at the tribal K-8 school are picking up litter and cleaning up the a reservation community. Students recently created "Garbage Monsters" out of bottles other items found in their trash, said Diana Wolf, MITW Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator. Students gave presentations on other uses for the garbage.
"This interfaith earth healing effort is really a great gift that has been given to all of us," Skrenes said. “The church is called to bring people together to be part of the healing."
Examples of established interfaith organizations that are assisting the EHI include the University of Minnesota Lutheran Campus Ministry, the Duluth Arrowhead Interfaith Council, Marquette University Ministry in Milwaukee, several Catholic interfaith groups and the ELCA office of Ecumenical Formation.
The interfaith EHI is one of numerous environment and Native American projects founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, Michigan including the Earth Keepers who removed more than 370 tons of e-waste, pharmaceuticals and household hazardous waste during three Earth Day clean sweeps.
The northern Michigan Earth Keepers belong to ten faith traditions with 150 churches and temples including Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Bahá'í, Jewish, Zen Buddhist and the Quakers. The EHI is working with the same faith traditions.
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EPA:
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/earthday2008
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/earthday2008/events.html
EPA Press Release:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/dc57b08b5acd42...
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Earth Healing Initiative:
http://www.EarthHealingInitiative.org
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Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bah'i Community)
Interfaith Resources - Special Ideas website:
http://www.interfaithresources.com
1-800-326-1197
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Duluth
University of Minnesota LCM:
http://www.d.umn.edu/lcm/index.html
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Arrowhead Interfaith Council:
http://www.arrowheadinterfaith.org/home.html
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Milwaukee
Marquette University LCM:
http://www.mulutherans.com
http://www.marquette.edu/um
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Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin:
http://www.menominee-nsn.gov
College of Menominee Nation
http://www.menominee.edu (Marquette, Michigan) - The Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge is in its biggest week with help from interfaith groups and American ... more -
Lutheran Bishop inspires interfaith groups to join EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day ...
(Chicago, Illinois) - Faith leaders across eight Great Lakes states are urging their members to participate in an Earth Day 2008 challenge to collect one million pounds of electronics and more than one million pills because trust is needed between all people to stop “an environmental crisis.”
The U.S. EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge is in high gear with more than 100 projects involving hundreds of communities collecting pharmaceuticals, electronics and household poisons.
An EPA grant to the non-profit interfaith Earth Healing Initiative (EHI) is mobilizing religious communities in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.
A Lutheran Bishop who has participated in numerous interfaith Earth Day recycling projects hopes people of all faiths will help protect the environment.
“We are in an environmental crisis in many ways,” said Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). “The Great Lakes watershed is really kind of a mother to all of us" in the Midwest.
Interfaith environment projects like the challenge will help ensure a better future for all humans, Skrenes said, adding “sometimes it's trusting each other that really counts in environmental work.”
“The culture, the society and the environment are now connecting in some fantastic new ways to build relationships between people,” Skrenes said. “We are building trust along and across denominational lines.”
The EHI is a coalition of American Indian tribes and a "partnership of churches, synagogues and other faith traditions joining together and sharing their projects and resources to heal, protect and defend the environment,” said founder Rev. Jon Magnuson of Marquette, Michigan.
Saying “it’s not your grandfather’s environment movement anymore,” Skrenes said that environmental work is now more mainstream and no longer “an obscure thing for a certain group of people” unlike 40 years ago when he was in high school “and I dare say some of my relatives said it was kind of a hippie movement.”
“The church is called to bring people together to be part of the healing,” Skrenes said. “This interfaith earth healing effort is really a great gift that has been given to all of us."
Interfaith organizations assisting the EHI include the University of Minnesota Lutheran Campus Ministry, the Arrowhead Interfaith Council in Duluth, the Marquette University Ministry outlets in Milwaukee, several Catholic interfaith groups and the ELCA office of Ecumenical Formation and Inter-Religious Relations.
The interfaith EHI is one of numerous environment and Native American projects founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, Michigan including the Earth Keepers, who removed more than 370 tons of e-Waste, pharmaceuticals and household poisons during three Earth Day clean sweeps.
The northern Michigan Earth Keeper project involves the congregations of over 150 churches and temples representing ten faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Bahá'í, Jewish, Zen Buddhist and the Religious Society of Friends commonly known as the Quakers.
The EHI is coordinating the same interfaith relationships. For more info call 906-401-0109 (Chicago, Illinois) - Faith leaders across eight Great Lakes states are urging their members to participate in an Earth Day 2008 chall... more -
Earth Healing Initiative: Menominee Indian Tribe of WI in Great Lakes 2008 Earth D...
Youth and adults at the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin plan three events as part of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge
(Keshena, Wisconsin) - As the students of all ages plan a major hands-on clean up of a tribal community and the recycling of electronics and proper disposal of unwanted medications to honor Earth Day 2008, adult members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena, WI have already turned in several thousand pounds of electronic waste as part of a national Earth Day Project.
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is collecting e-Waste all month including during the tribe's regular curbside bulk items Spring Cleaning collection on April 21-24 (Monday thru Thursday).
"We are getting lots of electronics right now," said Diana Wolf, the MITW Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator.
The projects are part of the eight-state Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge sponsored by the USEPA. The events are being promoted by the interfaith Earth Healing Initiative that teams numerous faith communities and American Indian tribes with local challenge organizers to be volunteers and participants in the projects spread across the Great Lakes basin.
During the first week of April, the tribe’s drop-off sites collected several thousand pounds of electronics including 919 pounds of "low-grade circuit boards" removed from TV sets, stereos, high quality computers, cassette players and other electronics.
Wolf estimated that about two tons (4,000 pounds) of electronics will be turned in by the end of the month.
“We will do whatever it takes to do cradle to grave recycling,” Wolf said. "We are not making a profit off of it but it is the right thing to do."
On April 25 students at the Menominee Tribal School (k-8) will be cleaning the area around the school of litter and recyclables and other downtown areas of Neopit. The tribe's 234,000-acre reservation includes the communities of Keshena, Zoar and South Branch.
"The students will be picking up litter and recyclables - and anything that's on the roads or sidewalks or the yards," Wolf said, adding the students will be planting 50 saplings.
"We are inviting the parents to bring a potluck and there will likely be wild rice and other Native American dishes," Wolf said.
The lunch will include a drama performance and include Native Music involving the "Wind Eagle Drum" or the "high school drum" consisting of students who are learning the music of the Menominee tribe's history.
"Our school is very much a cultural-motivated school," Wolf said. "The school teaches about the Menominee culture and language. The students learn about our Menominee history and our language amongst the non-native teaching."
"My children speak fluent Menominee because they have been in the school for three years," Wolf said.
Menominee tribal college students are doing their part to protect the planet with e-Waste and pharmaceutical collections.
The College of Menominee Nation (State Hwy. 47/55) in Keshena, is accepting e-waste and unwanted medicines on April 22 from 9 a.m. to noon and accepting e-Waste from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the commons building.
The college’s Implementing Sustainable Development class is hosting the collection with help from the tribe's solid waste coordinator.
The e-Waste collection will accept electronics including old/broken computers, cell phones and batteries.
The pharmaceutical collection is accepting old and unwanted medications that must be in their original bottle or container.
http://www.earthhealinginitiative.org/keshena.html
http://www.earthhealinginitiative.org
http://www.menominee-nsn.gov
http://www.menominee.edu
http://www.menominee-nsn.gov/earthWeekFlyer.pdf Youth and adults at the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin plan three events as part of the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge ... more -
2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit at Northern Michigan University: Proposal deadlin...
Call for Proposals: NMU 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit
EXTENDED DEADLINE!
Northern Michigan University is seeking presentation proposals for the 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit to be held at NMU April 22-23.
This summit is made possible by the Center for Native American Studies, the Environmental Science Program and the Office of International Programs.
This summit will function as a call to action on Indigenous environmental issues in the Great Lakes area, on Turtle Island and around the world.
An Aboriginal Australian delegation from the Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways project will be featured as keynote presenters and will provide musical entertainment.
http://www.tkrp.com.au
Presentations should ultimately include ideas on how to address Indigenous environmental concerns. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following.
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge (T.E.K.)
- Education and Indigenous environmental concerns
- History of industrialism, industrial threats, Indigenous peoples and the Earth
- Economic globalization and Indigenous peoples
- Indigenous languages and the Earth
- Solutions in Indigenous cultures to environmental problems
- Indigenous subsistence rights and protection of sacred land
- Global poisoning and the impact on Indigenous peoples
- Climate change and its impact on Indigenous peoples
A variety of presentations are encouraged (music, art, films as well as papers and panels).
Activists, Native elders and Native community members are strongly encouraged to submit proposals.
Proposals should be 150-300 words in length. Deadline for submissions has been extended to Monday, March 17, 2008.
Send to:
cnas@nmu.edu
(attachments should only be in Microsoft Word or as a PDF)
Subject line: Indigenous Earth Day Summit Proposal
-or-
Center for Native American Studies
Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, MI 49855
For more information call 906-227-1397
http://www.nmu.edu/nativeamericans
Call for Proposals: NMU 2008 Indigenous Earth Day Summit EXTENDED DEADLINE! ... more -
Brink of Spiritual Destruction: Losing Indigenous Heritage, Culture, Storytellers
Racism, spiritual terrorism and the loss of Indigenous culture are among numerous social issues targeted by the Turtle Island Project, founded in northern Michigan in August 2007.
Two Midwest pastors started the Turtle Island Project because the world is sitting on the brink of important cultural, economic and religious issues that will either allow humans to prosper in harmony with the Earth or become the only species to cause its own extinction.
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard and Rev. Dr. George Cairns say some if not many Christians belittle the knowledge and heritage of Indigenous cultures like Native Americans, Celts and other centuries-old religions/beliefs aligned with nature and the environment.
They believe we can all learn a lot about nature and the environment by listening to Earth-based cultures.
Rev. Hubbard is a Lutheran pastor. Rev. Cairns is an ordained United Church of Christ minister.
Both have extensive backgrounds in interfaith and multi-cultural work.
The Turtle Island Project in Michigan's Upper Peninsula promotes respect for the environment and Native Americans.
Turtle Island Project volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson reports
On Sept. 25, 2007 Rev. Hubbard spoke to college students, tribal educators and others at the annual United Conference at Northern Michigan University.
Topics included diversity and issues like the abuse and sexual mutilation of girls and women in Africa and racism against Native Americans
Rev. Hubbard said some Christians are too quick to dismiss Native American teachings.
Hubbard said whites can learn a lot from NA storytellers, myths and other Earth-based teachings.
Rev. Hubbard says Native Americans know that not everything can be described in words alone.
On August 11, 2007 - Dr. Hubbard spoke to religious scholars and authors in Ann Arbor - during the kick off of the Read the Spirit project.
Hubbard warned that some Christians think their beliefs are perfect to the exclusion of all others.
On August 28, 2007, Rev. Hubbard was invited to join a national Native American radio talk show conversation on racism by whites who live in towns bordering reservations - the same issue that Nimrod Nation highlighted as Watermeet, Michigan is on the edge of a reservation.
During Native America Calling, Rev. Hubbard told host Harlan McKosato that racism in northern Michigan is insidious.
Turtle Island Project main website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
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Lakota words for God, Creator, Grandfather: Tunkasila Wakantanka Gitchi Manitou
Lakota: Mitakyasi: "all my relatives"
http://www.dlncoalition.org/home.htm
Heraclitus "The essence of things"
http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/heraclitus.html
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/books/philosophy-book-her...
Bishop Rt Rev. Steven Charleston
President and Dean of Episcopal Divinity School, Professor of Theology
Cambridge, Mass.
http://www.eds.edu/indexDyn.asp
http://www.wfn.org/1999/05/msg00107.html
http://www.nah.uiuc.edu/faculty/treaty/NCcharleston.htm...
http://www.anglican.ca/news/news.php?newsItem=2001-07-0...
http://www.bluecloud.org/shiningthrough.html
http://www.thewitness.org/agw/charleston042204.html
http://edoc.vox.com/library/posts/tags/steven+charlesto...
http://www.interfaithcreationfest.org/program.html#keyn...
Jamestown summit remembers Native saints, prepares for future generations:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78695_91767_ENG_HTM.htm
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/hires-image/elo_jamestow...
Photo by Carlyle Gravely
© 2007 Episcopal Life Online
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February 2008 United Nations Report on Racism and Human Rights violations and racial discrimination reported by Indigenous Peoples.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/I_P_I/message/18971
http://www.treatycouncil.org Racism, spiritual terrorism and the loss of Indigenous culture are among numerous social issues targeted by the Turtle Island Project,... more -
Turtle Island Project: Respect for Environment, Native Americans and all Indigenou...
The Turtle Island Project in northern Michigan was founded in August 2007 by two Midwest pastors who believe the future of mankind and world is at a crossroads.
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard and Rev. Dr. George Cairns believe that Christians could learn a lot about nature and the environment by listening to Earth-based cultures like Native Americans, Celts, and other Indigenous peoples.
Rev. Hubbard is a Lutheran pastor, and Rev. Cairns is an ordained United Church of Christ minister.
Both have extensive backgrounds in interfaith and multicultural work.
The Turtle Island Project (TIP), based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, promotes respect for the environment and Native Americans.
Two Midwest pastors created the TIP to foster a national discussion and debate on a wide variety of issues involving the future of the planet and mankind including encouraging Christians to learn how to appreciate nature like Earth-based religions such as American Indians, Celts and other Indigenous peoples.
Turtle Island Project volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has more on the founders and their goals.
Time: 9:50
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White Buffalo Calf Woman Society:
http://www.wbcws.org
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Turtle Island Project related websites:
Turtle Island Project main website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net ... more -
Next Smithsonian exhibit may be portraits of museum executives doing "perp" walk f...
Washingtonians - and others with big egos - have a portrait fetish that is obscene especially when it involves taxpayers money.
Even half that nealry 50 grand could have been significant funding for the non-profit Native American and environment projects I volunteer for in northern Michigan.
More comment after a few sentences of the article and a look at this portrait:
Portrait Cost Indian Museum $48,500: Senators, Trustees Question Spending By Former Director
By James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writer
W. Richard West Jr., the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, spent $48,500 in museum funds to commission a portrait of himself.
The portrait of West by New York artist Burton Silverman hangs in the patrons' lounge on the fourth floor of the flagship museum, which is dedicated to the arts and culture of American Indians.
Silverman said West picked him after he saw a portrait Silverman had done of former Smithsonian secretary Robert McCormick Adams.
The Adams portrait, completed about a decade earlier, was smaller and cost about half as much.
Rest of the Washington Post story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
Portrait:
http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2...
[IMG http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/YOOPERNEWSMAN/...[/IMG]
Native American on Native American crime - much like black on black crime - is especially insidious because so much good could have been done for First Nations peoples heritage with this wasted and misappropriated money.
It's also a crime against taxpayers and common decency.
Spending $48,500 on a self portrait is among the disgraceful financial crimes of W. Richard West Jr., the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.
For this crime to occur in the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian shows again thievery knows no class boundaries - and should be treated just as severely as the poor man who sticks a gun into the face of a 7-11 clerk.
The Smithsonian needs to be thoroughly audited from top to bottom as this is at least the second huge scandal to tarnish its once respected reputation.
No doubt it's only the tip of the fiduciary iceberg that's tearing through the Smithsonian's highbrow richly-protected hull.
I do volunteer work for several Native American related non-profits whose budgets are much smaller than even the cost of that disgraceful portrait.
And the suggestion that it could not have been painted by an American Indian artist is as laughable as it is sickening with a hint of racism against one's own culture.
Even the portrait stance is borrowed and unoriginal, as a buttoned-down Mr. West gazes thoughtfully off to the east, his coat hanging on a crooked forefinger and tossed over suspenders with his soft thumb and the remaining fingers forming the "OK" sign.
The Washington ego commands that a portrait much be painted to prove one's importance.
No doubt many law offices, banking institutions and the halls of officialdom are plastered with the self-aggrandizing crafty art.
Prior to the Polaroid, a self-portrait may have been necessary to preserve one's historic legacy but in today's world it's merely a measure of one's self-importance that is more often scoffed at than admired by those it's meant to impress. Perhaps, a modern definition of irony.
Maybe the next exhibit at the Smithsonian will be portraits of former executives doing the proverbial "perp walk" - cuffed and stuffed for perp-etuity. Washingtonians - and others with big egos - have a portrait fetish that is obscene especially when it involves taxpayers money. ... more -
The Manoomin Project: Michigan teens, American Indians restore wild rice
(Marquette, Michigan) - The Manoomin Project is restoring wild rice to northern Michigan after the grain disappeared a century ago due to logging, pesticides and other manmade impact.
Over 100 at-risk teens are learning to respect themselves, nature and American Indian culture by planting more than one ton of wild rice during the past four summers. The teens also learn about social issues like racism against Native Americans.
The 2007 planting was delayed six weeks until November due to low water levels.
The teens first participate as part of juvenile court probation for minor crimes but many enjoy the project so much they return the next year.
Guides from several tribes volunteer to teach the teens how to take water samples, and about the historical and cultural importance of the grain that is used in many American Indian ceremonies.
The project was founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).
Guides belong to KBIC, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa (Ottawa) Indians based in downstate Harbor Springs, Michigan, and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa located close to International Falls, Minnesota near the Canadian border.
Rev. Jon Magnuson, project founder, praised the tribes for working with the teens, most of whom are white. The project includes classroom time, stress reduction exercises, and learning about social issues like prejudice against Native Americans.
In July 2007, the teens heard from Ojibwa elder and Vietnam War veteran Glen Bressette who explained he was the target of racism while their age and overcame problems familiar to the youth like substance abuse and scrapes with the law that included being shot at by police while stealing gas.
The teens witnessed Bressette have a dramatic flashback when a helicopter flew low and close to their meeting site along Lake Superior. He had been a gunner aboard a chopper in Vietnam.
American Indian guide Don Chosa said the teens carry hundreds of pounds of wild rice seeds for miles through thick forests and over mountains to get to seven secret remote planting sites along rivers and lakes. During the hikes, the teens have come upon bears, eagles and other wildlife.
An annual "Blessing of the Wild Rice" ceremony is held that includes American Indian food, songs, language, and prayers. If they want, the teens have the opportunity to learn about God and the environment but they are not forced to be be involved in any religious activities.
Manoomin Project volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson looks at the 2007 planting and four years of success. (Marquette, Michigan) - The Manoomin Project is restoring wild rice to northern Michigan after the grain disappeared a century ago due... more
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