Portraits of Peace on Peace & Justice, Wednesday, February 15, at 9am.
Written by Tom Walker on Tuesday, February 14, 2023
This Wednesday our guest will be John Noltner, creator of A Peace of My MInd, a multimedia arts project that uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. “Through exhibits, workshops, lectures, on-site studios, and distance learning, A Peace of My Mind leads transformative experiences that help a polarized world rediscover the common humanity that connects us.” He has also published Portraits of Peace: Searching for Hope in a Divided America. And his discussion guide for that book helps readers practice listening deeply to one another.
And, since it’s the third Wednesday of the month, we’ll devote the second half of our show to Justice Matters, brought to you by the Legal Aid of Manasota.
They’ll be talking to Wayne Applebee, Economic Development Manager at the City of Sarasota. In his role, Applebee also serves as the City’s project lead for the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), working to improve economic prosperity, diverse housing options and a positive brand centered on celebration of the Newtown’s history and cultural arts.
This week’s topics include the No Place Like Home Project, a partnership between the Newtown CRA and Legal Aid of Manasota, which helps low-income homeowners clear titles to their homes through probate, quiet title actions, preparation and filing of corrective documents or administrative process involving mobile home titles.
We’ll also discuss other projects the Newtown CRA is undertaking—including making Newtown more pedestrian-friendly; homefront beautification; the expansion of the Legacy Trail; the down payment assistance program; small business grants; park improvements; cultural events; and the role of the Newtown CRA advisory board, its priorities and how projects are funded.