TU B'SHVAT: A CELEBRATION FOR A GREENER DETROIT

We're excited to celebrate TU B'SHVAT with the Downtown Synagogue Community this Saturday. Over the past few years, Angela and I have been invited to collaborate and celebrate with many faith-based communities in Detroit. We consider this a great honor and one of the most humbling, meaningful aspects of our work. We're looking forward to the discussion on Corporate and Community-Based Agriculture in Detroit. ~G

TU B'SHVAT: A CELEBRATION FOR A GREENER DETROIT
When: Sat, Jan 30, 2010 7:30 PM - Sat, Jan 30, 2010 10:00 PM
Where: 1457 Griswold, Detroit, MI 48226

Come celebrate the festival of trees at the Downtown Synagogue, Saturday January 30th at 7:30 PM. We will be exploring current events related to Urban Agriculture in the city of Detroit (specifically, commercial farming in cities vs. community based farming), eating fruits and nuts traditional of this holiday which is the Birthday of Trees, and planting seeds to prepare for the coming Spring. And of course there will be birthday cake and ice cream - it is a birthday party afterall! Questions? Call (313) 962-4047 or email downtownsynagogue@gmail.com

People's Yoga - Thurs 6:30p - Spirit of Hope Church

These secrets of yoga are within the hearts of everyone.
~Yoga Rahasya III.29People's Yoga
Every Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30p - All Welcome, Donation Based
Location: Spirit of Hope Church
1519 Martin Luther King, Detroit 48208

Detroit Evolution Yoga returns thanks to Spirit of Hope Church and our dedicated students who have continued to support and encourage our efforts to share yoga in Detroit.

People's Yoga sessions are dedicated to the health, joy and liberation of all beings, with special emphasis and attention being placed on the importance of practicing in Detroit. Yoga can inspire and inform meaningful personal change and People's Yoga creates a safe, inclusive and non-judgmental space where all are welcome to explore empowerment through new modes of breathing, moving and simply being. Common ground in our diverse community is found through the breath and we practice from that foundation. Our session will benefit those new to yoga and seasoned veterans alike.

People's Yoga Suggestions:

• Please stay hydrated, but refrain from food or drink two hours prior to our session.
• Though yoga mats are available, we encourage you to bring your own if you have one.
• Dress in layers & bring blankets for the pranayama (breath & meditation) that concludes our session.

Park on MLK and ring the front doorbell to enter. We practice in the 2nd floor gym. Give yourself extra time if you are new to this location. Call 313.316.1411 if you need assistance.
Due to the nature of the space there is no entry after 6:30p.

Community Brunch Photos - Thank You All!

For more info on the Corktown Community Brunch please visit Detroit Evolution.

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Get your own

Corktown Community Brunch this Sunday

The Second Corktown Community Brunch is coming together nicely. We've connected with an incredible crew of neighbors and friends to create an awesome gathering for more neighbors and friends.

Here's the all local/organic and zero waste* menu:

Baked Polenta and Black Beans stuffed with roasted potatoes, winter squash, onions and spinach, drizzled with either vegan cheese or local, raw & organic dairy cheese.

A side of hoop house greens and sunshoots from Raw Detroit Community Farms tossed in our house dressing.

A selection of homemade Kimchi, Salsas and Brother Nature's Habanero Hot sauce.

Fresh baked winter squash bread to satisfy your sweet tooth.

We'll also offer a special house blend herbal tea, locally roasted coffee with all the fixin's and apple cider.

Tours of the Hoop Houses, discussion of local issues/events and conversation to inspire our collective genius will also be on tap.

This month we're stepping it up a bit and making food for 60. Please be aware that this is a first come, first served event.

This event is put together with an all volunteer staff and the cost for our high quality local/organic ingredients is around $5 a plate. The suggested donation is $5-15, and we encourage you to help others and tip the scales in favor of the events continued success by giving more if you are able.

You'll also help us a great deal by mindfully clearing and cleaning your place, composting any organic waste in the provided and marked containers, washing your dishes and kindly encouraging and assisting others who may not be aware of these aspects to do so as well. Active participation from community members and friends is vital to the continuation of this event and the creation of others like it.

* Zero Waste - I'm projecting that we'll end up with about a handful of actual non-recyclable and non-compostable WASTE while feeding 60+ people. I'll be sharing how and why we are able to do this on Sunday.

Details for the MLK Day Rally & March - Please come out!

2010 Detroit MLK Day Rally and March

for Jobs, Peace, and Economic Justice

Noon to 4:30 PM

Central United Methodist Church

Woodward and Adams, (near Comerica Park), Detroit

Volunteers: 313. 702 . 5558

Press: 313 .6 71 .3 715

In this email:

* Call for volunteers

* Donations of warm clothes

* Itinerary for Rally and March

* Event Description

* Parking

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Volunteers are still needed for various tasks, including:

Sat, Jan. 16, 11 am

* Set up at Central United Methodist Church

MLK DAY, Mon., Jan. 18:

Show up at the Central United Methodist Church at 10:30 AM for an assignment.

* Greeters and ushers

* Clothing donations coordinators

* March marshals

* Wobbly Kitchen assistants for preparation refreshments after march

* Post event cleanup

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In the spirit of Dr. King's call to service, please bring donations of warm winter wear items for the Homeless Outreach Program at Central United Methodist Church.

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Itinerary

Monday, Jan. 18

11: 50 AM - Bobbi Thompson (Central United Methodist Church & Director, Deep River Choir)
NOON Rally:
Invocation & Welcome: Reverend Edwin Rowe, Pastor – Central United Methodist Church
Welcome: Detroit City Councilwoman, JoAnn Watson
Special Guest Speaker: Reverend Edward Pinkney, President, NAACP Benton Harbor, Black Autonomy Network of Community Organizers (BANCO)
“Spirit of Detroit” Awards Presentation: Sandra Hines - Recipients: Avalon Bakery & Detroit Black Community Food Security Network
Detroit Ludington Middle School Choir (Director: Ms. Renee Holman)
Peace & Justice Offering: Sandra Hines
Special Guest Speaker: Reverend Thomas Smith, IFCO/Pastors for Peace, G-20 Tent City Organizer; Pittsburg, PA
ROC (Restaurant Opportunities Center) Contingent and Announcement
U.S. Social Forum (USSF) Announcement: Maureen Taylor, Michigan Welfare Rights
“I Still Have A Dream”: Original composition by Bill Meyers, accompanied by Al Chisholm & Audrey Northington with chorus performed by the Detroit Ludington Middle School Choir.
Freedom March Send-Off: Sandra Hines

1:30 DETROIT MLK DAY FREEDOM MARCH

2:30 – 4:30: Cultural Performances & refreshments (2nd Floor)
Black Ink Collective, poets
Invincible, Big A, Hip Hop artists
and more

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About the 2010 Annual MLK Day Rally & March in downtown Detroit

This year will mark the seventh annual MLK Day Rally & March in downtown Detroit. The event will honor the peace and social justice legacy of the martyred civil rights leader who would have been 81 years old. The theme for 2010 is: "Join the Struggle for Jobs, Peace and Economic Justice" and will enjoy the participation of many activists from throughout the metropolitan area.

With the unemployment rates in Detroit at depression-era levels of 29-45 percent, depending upon how it is calculated, the current crisis requires the initiation of a new mass movement to demand a real jobs program to employ the 30-34 million people in the United States who are either unemployed or underemployed.

At the same time, the escalation of the war in Afghanistan and the continuing occupation of Iraq is draining the national treasury of over $700 billion annually. These resources should be utilized to create millions of jobs, health care for all, universal quality education and housing for residents of the country.

Participants in this year's MLK Day will be honored with the presence of keynote speaker Rev. Edward Pinkney of the NAACP in Benton Harbor. Rev. Pinkney, a recently released political prisoner in Michigan, who challenged racism in Berrien County and won his release through a State Appeals' Court decision, continues to advocate on behalf of the
poor and working people of the southwest region of Michigan.

In addition, Rev. Tom Smith of Pittsburgh will also address the rally and march on the struggle for jobs and economic justice in the present period. Rev. Smith, the pastor of Monumental Baptist Church and a leader in Pastors for Peace, was a key organizer of the demonstrations surrounding the G20 Summit held in Pittsburgh in September.

City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, a longtime supporter of MLK Day in Detroit, will welcome the participants. A poster contest involving Detroit area students is encouraging youth initiative and leadership.

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Parking

Free parking is available in the parking lots north of the Central United Methodist Church, courtesy of the Church and Olympia Entertainment.

Thanks for your attention,

Detroit MLK Day Committee

The 31 Places to Go in 2010 in the NYT

I've considered myself at home in 3 places, Detroit, Black Rock City, and Mysore. These places have many things in common, but one thing in particular causes me to identify them as Home, the actual soil, the dirt. The smell of it, the taste of it, its texture, etc. These places have all caused me to react in such a way that, after postulation, I end up eating dirt in an attempt to figure out why I feel so at home.

This revelation was brought on by the NYT's 31 Places to Go in 2010.

It is hard to posit a Mysore even more inundated with westerners than the one I visited in 2006. Mysore offered revelations and awakenings that I am so very thankful for. Of course, I think these soulful motions happen any and everywhere, but I also know there's something in that Mysore dirt.

4. Mysore
You’ve completed 200 hours of teacher training, mastered flying crow pose and even spent a week at yoga surf camp. What’s next? Yogis seeking transcontinental bliss head these days to Mysore, the City of Palaces, in southern India.

The yogi pilgrimage was sparked by Ashtanga yoga, a rigorous sweat-producing, breath-synchronized regimen of poses popularized by the beloved Krishna Pattabhi Jois, who died at 94 in 2009. Mr. Jois’s grandson is now director of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (www.kpjayi.org). First month’s tuition is 27,530 rupees, or $600 at 46 rupees to the dollar. Classes generally require a one-month commitment.

Too much time or money? Mysore’s yoga boom now has shalas catering to every need. Off the mat, the yoga tribe hobnobs at Anu’s Bamboo Hut or the Regaalis Hotel pool, studies Sanskrit, gets an ayurveda treatment or tours the maharaja’s palace. — Mary Billard

Positing Social Networks & Inner Work

Wondering how these typically 3rd person status updates or tweets can be used as transformational tools. #evolve #detroit

Tzara, Burroughs & Gysin successfully "opened up" our ability to navigate in this construct with "cut-ups" #evolve #detroit

"When you cut into the present the future leaks out." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cut-up_technique #evolve #detroit

When gazed upon from an energetic perspective, these channels, streams and waves become a powerful living network. #evolve #detroit

I'm particularly interested in how knowledge of these networks can assist us to shift our own perception of time. #evolve #detroit #evolvedetroit