On November 2, a group of Lives of Commitment students visited Lake Street for the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday, is when family members pause to remember dead loved ones and celebrate the continuity of life. Traditionally ofrendas, or shrines, are created, featuring photographs and mementos of the decreased.

Lives of Commitment (LOC) is a program sponsored by the Lilly Project for first-year students. Its focus is exploration of meaningful vocation through weekly community service and discussion. This year's theme is immigrant and refugee issues. Students volunteer at English Learning Center, Hmong American Partnership, Grace Trinity and Neighborhood House. Each site group is made up of a few students, a sophomore student leader and a faculty advisor.

Our day on Lake Street began with a flat tire. What might have been a bad omen was just a slight delay. We arrived at Resource Center of the Americas ready to learn about what this distinctive center offers. We were given an introduction by the director and then were free to wander the library, bookstore and café. The Resource Center is committed to "learning and teaching about the peoples and countries of the Americas—their history, culture and politics, with a special focus on the global economy."

After enjoying coffee, we went to Mercado Central. This two-story building is a member-owned cooperative of Latino businesses. Sold there is everything from pasteles to books to cowboy boots.

As it was getting late, we skipped ahead to El Colegio Charter High School where the students had created three ofrendas, including one for Senator Paul Wellstone. Wellstone had been a supporter of the school, started recently for Latino students who'd had problems in conventional schools and who had an inclination to the arts. From the multitudes of orange flowers and an intricate sand mosaic, it was obvious that this holiday held special meaning for the students. We hurried on to speak with the local photographer, Wing Young Huie, at his gallery. Huie spoke to us about his extensive photography of both Lake Street and Frogtown. Huie believes it is important to make his art accessible to all, including his photographs. He displays the photographs in the neighborhoods he took them in, including a 6-mile long exhibition along Lake Street. We all enjoyed hearing him speak, especially the photographers of the group. The gallery opening celebration is Saturday, Nov. 23. More information can be obtained from his website www.wingyounghuie.com.

Then we walked from the gallery to dinner at the Blue Nile Restaurant. Here, some more LOC members joined us and we sat down for a traditional Ethiopian meal. Blue Nile is said to be "grand daddy" of African restaurants in the Twin Cities. Highlights of the meal included the tradition of eating from shared platters with our hands and the injera, a "spongy flatbread made from fermenting batter." We finished our meal with fresh mango juice and spiced coffee.

Here the group parted ways. Some returned to campus for the Afrika dance, while others continued their night on the town by heading to Hot Dish. Hot Dish is a twice yearly benefit for Open Arms of Minnesota, a non-profit that cooks and delivers hot meals for people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2001 they served 64,000 meals. Our group of about ten volunteered, selling raffle and drink tickets, serving desserts and coffee and handing out prizes. The happening shindig featured a man in chicken costume, a great live band, a silent auction and gourmet food. After helping out and sampling the desserts, the volunteers hit the dance floor, with a special appearance by our own Paul Shadewald. For more information or to volunteer check out www.openarmsmn.org.

The consensus was that it was a great day. We got to see another part of the city and talk to community members in vocations they love that serve as vehicles for social change. We thank Paul Shadewald and the student-working group for organizing everything.