International Day at the Farmers Market

International Day at the Market

Join us for this International Day at Farmers Market on the Winchester Common on Saturday, September 16, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, for a fun-filled program of performances, activities, and crafts from many corners around the globe. The Winchester Farmers Market Community Hub and the Winchester Multicultural Network are delighted to once again bring this event to the Market for your family’s enjoyment, an introduction perhaps to new cultures, to get acquainted with our international neighbors and to learn about a larger world.

Here are some of the performances not to be missed:

Indian/Afro/Jazz. Hear Phil Scarff, master jazz saxophonist who leads the world-jazz ensemble, Natraj.

Irish Step Dance. O’Shea Chaplin Irish Dancers, one of the longest-running Irish dance companies in the United States (since 1960s), whose mission is “to pass on our love of Irish dancing, culture, traditions, and heritage to the next generation.”

Brazilian Capoeira. Sinha Capoeira Group performs a hybrid of martial arts and dance, acrobatic stunts accompanied with explosive drumming. Exciting!

(Many other performances to be announced. Please return to this site often for more current information.)

Stop by our vendors booths for unique, hand-crafted, native crafts as well as educational and humanitarian opportunities:

Artisan Goods from around the World. Karma Fine Crafts, one of whose trademarks is its connection to social justice and sustainability. Much of Karma’s wares are from women’s collectives overseas, as well as from independent artisans who create limited-edition pieces that tell a story and preserve their heritage. (Read Boston Globe’s article.)

Handcrafts from Women’s Fair Trade Co-ops in India. All profits from sales of handcrafts goes directly to Aruna Partnership (South India) to provide education for village children, support local businesses and provide shelter and healthcare for those in need.

Village development program management. Thiou Village Project (South Sudan) deliver water, schools, teacher and student support, economic opportunity, appropriate technology, and sanitation solutions to under-served communities in South Sudan.

Chinese Language Classes. Winchester School of Chinese Culture’s mission is to teach the language and traditional culture of China through classroom instructions, the arts, and cultural events and to promote and engage in cultural exchanges and civic activities to develop and sustain community-school partnerships.

Civic Gathering 4: Advancing the progress of building a caring and connected community

Civic Gathering 4

Civic Gathering #4 convenes on September 18 at the Sons of Italy Hall, 117 Swanton Street, at 7 to 9 p.m. The Winchester Multicultural Network, the Board of Selectpersons, and the School Committee join in welcoming all residents. This loose-knit alliance of individuals and groups is working to create and sustain an even more collaborative, caring, and inclusive community for our youngest to our oldest, from those newly arrived to those who have been here for generations. Whether you attended all, some, or none of the prior meetings, your viewpoint is critical.
Purpose

The previous three civic gatherings have drawn groups of over 100 each to the Library (November), the Jenks Center (February), and the Sanborn House (May)—an inclusive geographical distribution of venues. At the May Civic Gathering #3, the concept of a “Town Common” gained support, and over the summer a small task force has been working on next steps. On September 18, we will be presenting new ideas and initiatives, sharing progress and resources, and identifying our common needs.
Your voice is needed!

For success, every voice and perspective needs to be seated at this common table of civil discourse. Challenging and confirming interactions will build a healthy, resilient community and will embed our common values and ideals within our shared humanity. We hold each other respectfully accountable in building a Town Common that is caring and inclusive for all who live, work, and worship here.

We hope to see you on September 18, 7 pm,
Sons of Italy Hall, 117 Swanton Street, Winchester, MA
Sons of Italy Hall is fully accessible and offers ample parking.

Screening of Documentary Film “13TH”

Documentary Film 13th

On Friday, July 7, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the Symmes Room, Winchester Unitarian Society, 478 Main Street, Winchester, the Winchester Unitarian Society Racial Justice Team in partnership with the Winchester Multicultural Network will screen Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13TH”. The documentary explores the intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States and is titled after the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

A discussion will follow the screening.

In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African-American and the U.S. prison boom.
— Netflix

This piercing film has earned an Oscar nomination and won Best Documentary from BAFTA, NAACP Image Awards, Critics’ Choice, the Peabody, The Humanities Prize as well as Best Documentary Nomination from the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

for more information, see the WMCN Link

Civic Gathering No.3 – Building Momentum in Service of a Caring and Inclusive Community

WMCN Civic Gathering No.3

The Winchester Multicultural Network, the Board of Selectmen, and the School Committee invite you to the town’s third Civic Gathering, scheduled for Thursday, May 18, from 7 – 9 pm at the Sanborn House (15 High Street, Winchester).

This year has seen a very encouraging groundswell of civic dialogue and engagement to ensure equity and inclusion and bolster community development in Winchester as a whole.

Small groups of people who live and/or work in our town are addressing concerns about intolerance, inequity, and divisiveness through various initiatives, promoting: active bystander/upstander training; intergenerational dialogues; civic education; awareness of Winchester’s Human Rights Statement and core values; collaboration between town organizations; diversity among staff and multicultural professional development in our schools; a community culture that is welcoming; dialogues across political differences; and interfaith collaborations to support refugees.

On May 18th, come learn about these and other efforts where community members will share information about the activities and plans of the various working groups, with the goal of maximizing impact through increased awareness and collaboration.

All are welcome to join us for this important opportunity to become informed and connected to these efforts to strengthen our community.

Strengthening Winchester: A Civic Gathering

This event is being co-presented by the Winchester Multicultural Network, the Board of Selectmen, and the School Committee, and is intended to build on the positive energy and community spirit evidenced at the first civic gathering in November.  Their goal for this gathering is to hear from the diverse civic interests of the community, make collective decisions and launch into action. Your participation and leadership will be the driving force behind the success of this event!

Join us now as we identify and discuss attainable next steps to amplify the town’s human rights values and continue building a resilient and robust community by engaging with the following:

  • Schools Youth,
  • Families and Seniors
  • Winchester’s Human Rights Statement
  • Active Bystander & Leadership Training
  • Interfaith Organizing Community/
  • Civic Engagement and more

Thursday, February 2, 2017

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Jenks Center, Cummings Room
109 Skillings Road, Winchester