Leith Open Space Events – Page 6

Shadowing a shadow in the Scottish Parliament

Take your seats? Creative Commons picture of the debating chamber by gnomonic

Monday 10.15 am at the Scottish Parliament – we clear security and head ‘backstage’ to the MSPs offices where Sarah Boyack is printing out her diary for the week. Since there is nothing confidential in there she lets us have a quick peek: lots of meetings both in and out of the parliament but the day starts with an inroduction to David Ng Hop. And that of course is why we are here.

Volunteers wanted at Africa Centre Scotland

Zawadi, African women’s choir at the Diversity event in West Lothian.

“It’s getting busy,” emails Agnes Holmes in her new year greeting from Africa Centre Scotland. As always the diary is full of events and activities which is why ACS is looking for volunteers to join the management committee. Specially welcome are people skilled in money matters, media and marketing. If you have time and experience to offer, please contact info@africacentrescotland.org.uk by 12^th February.

Haiti earthquake emergency appeal, how you can help

A quick update – Mercy Corps say they have had a fantastic response from Edinburgh, ” our Haiti appeal total currently stands at £100,000.” But much more is needed and you can help by donating online (click here) or by calling 0845 245 0686 between 8am and 8pm.

Bad bankers lose out (if only)

Don’t just get mad, join the Newsgroup.

Bankers narrowly lost out to Afghanistan in the first Newsgroup workshop when Gavin Crichton asked people what news stories were making them angry. What will be the burning issue for the second Newsgroup? Come and find out at 10 am on Saturday 30th January in Pilmeny Youth Club. Be sure to bring your cuttings with you!

Lights, action, mushrooms

The aim, inspired by the World Kitchen in Leith, is to celebrateÂ good home cooking from many cultures.

Here is fresh and spicy food to revive your appetite after Christmas and New Year. In our first World Kitchen film, Mridu Thanki welcomes us into her kitchen to show us how to cook mushrooms in cream with red peppers and fresh green coriander. It’s delicious, doesn’t cost much, takes only a few minutes to prepare and cook – and you can probably get all or most of the ingredients at the corner shop. (See below for the recipe).

Join the News Group and start to change the world

Don’t let it get you down – come and turn the news into community action

How do we deal with the words and images bombarding us every day? Leith Open Space is delighted to support ACTive Inquiry in a current affairs workshop with a difference. Here’s your chance to pull the news to pieces as we explore how to become active and influential participants instead of passive consumers of too much information. Make a note of the date: 28 November in the Old Drill Hall. Here’s the very ACTive Gavin Crichton to tell you why..

Black (and white) history month

We could call it just history month, but it’s more than that. It’s about forgotten heroes and stories that we never get told at school.

October is Black History Month in Britain and has been since 1987. This year’s celebrations by Africa Centre Scotland in Edinburgh are a reminder that when it comes to history there is no line between black and white.

The (green) space between

Enlightened city had let you be

till Mammon’s grasp said ‘damn the tree’;

Sometimes only poetry hits the spot. We can’t make it to the Greener Leith AGM tonight and unfortunately we also missed their great event on the Shore (a ‘car free day’ showing how streets can come to life when people have room to move) but here’s a poem by Gordon Peters which sums up beautifully why we must celebrate green space between buildings and what we risk losing by filling every gap. Click more for the poem.

Our Burma Book

“This picture makes me feel sad and angry. They are poor and have no food even though many countries send them food.”

Here’s a picture book with a difference. Our Burma Book is written by children separated by thousands of miles and living very different lives. Yet the Edinburgh children in schools with desks and homes with toys and food respond with a natural understanding of the injustice of being forced to live without much of anything at all.

Emmanuel Jal: ambassador of hope

Emmanuel Jal, author and hip hop artist, will be talking about his book War Child at Edinburgh Book Festival. It is likely to be an unforgettable experience.

Writing is never easy but it is hard to imagine other authors in this year’s programme have gone through so much to get words on paper.