dancewater

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Debate

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

UPCOMING EVENTS

MORAL MONDAYS IN RALEIGH: Across from the legislative building (16 W Jones St) in Raleigh. Organized by the NAACP. Contact: info@naacpnc.org. The Seventh Moral Monday, on June 17, 2013, will focus on the deadly attacks against the environment and health care system. "A group of people committed to an ideologically extreme and immoral agenda have turned our legislature into a house of disdain for the poor and vulnerable of North Carolina," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of the NC NAACP. "They have rammed through a slash and burn program that virtually all scientists believe will lead to the disastrous consequences for the health of our planet and our people."

06/18/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE POTLUCKS WITH A PURPOSE

At this potluck, Cathy Holt will present on the principle "Produce No Waste". Waste is a verb, not a noun, and is a human artifact. Nature does not create waste, and pollution is just an unused or misused resource. Cathy Holt studied and lived permaculture at Earthaven Ecovillage from 2002-2004. She has also studied water harvesting with Brad Lancaster, taught portions of the Permaculture Design Course with Patricia Allison, and is active in Transition Asheville. She spent several months in Peru organizing a small Listening Project, followed by teaching basic organic agriculture in an Urubamba High School to 100 students. She currently does hoophouse gardening with neighbors in West Asheville, and teaches "HeartSpeak" (nonviolent communication)--an important aspect of "social permaculture." Join us at 5:30 at Community Action Opportunities (25 Gaston Street) for food, fun, and good company. Bring a dish to share, and don't forget your plate/bowl, cup, utensils, and serving utensil for your dish!

06/18/13 SNACKING AND FRACKING GATHERING - CANCELLED

Time will be 6 PM and the location is Asheville Botanical Gardens. More details to come. For information contact Katie at katie@cwfnc.org.

06/18/13 SCREENING OF “GENETIC DILEMMA: THE GAMBLE OF OUR LIVES”

A screening of “Genetic Dilemma” will focus on GMOs and herbicides. Organic popcorn will be served. Held at Jubilee! at 46 Wall Street in Asheville. $10 donation. Info at genetricroulette-movie.com. Time is 7 PM.

06/19/13 ASHEVILLE RISING MEETING

Meeting will start at 6 PM, and will be held at the YWCA. More information on Facebook under “Asheville Rising”.

06/19/13 BENEFIT FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

A Summer Wine Tasting & Benefit for Pisgah Legal Services will be held from 5 to 7 PM at Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville. Join us and taste wines that pair with summer events, parties and elegant dinners. $10.00 at the door to benefit Pisgah Legal Services. Please RSVP to Betsy (828) 210-3444 or betsy@pisgahlegal.org

06/19/13 SCREENING OF “A PLACE AT THE TABLE”

Land of the Sky UCC will host a screening of “A Place at the Table” a documentary about the child hunger crisis in America. Child care provided, optional talk-back to follow. Held at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall, 123 Kenilworth Road. Info at landoftheskychurch.org. Time is 6:30 PM.

06/19/13 ASHEVILLE SOCIALIST DISCUSSION

Our exciting and informative discussion of "the Two Souls of Socialism" continues. What do activist have to do to achieve the change we want? What is our model of a new society? Who can we reach out to and unite with in this struggle? Good discussion, good coffee, maybe even some old or new friend, Join us, join the conversation. Time is 6 PM and location is Wall Street Café.

06/19/13 WLOS TOWN HALL DISCUSSION ON GAY MARRIAGE

Doors open at 6 PM and the event starts at 7:30 PM. Location is the WNC AG Center. Register here: http://www.wlos.com/news/features/town-hall/

06/20/13 ACLU OF NC FORUM ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

Chris Brook and Holning Lau from the ACLU of North Carolina will discuss the ACLU’s work on advancing transgender rights. They will provide an overview of gender identity- focused ACLU initiatives around the country as well as projects specific to North Carolina. Legal issues that will be discussed include access to proper identification documents, access to health care, transgender voting rights, and antidiscrimination protections. This forum will be at 7:30 PM. Location is the Haywood Street Congregation, located at 297 Haywood Street in Asheville. For more information, contact cbrook@acluofnc.org.

06/20/13 GATHERING FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

McGuire, Wood & Bissette, PA, Attorneys at Law, invite you to an evening at the Historic Drhumor Building in a gathering for Pisgah Legal Services. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 PM, and address is 48 Patton Avenue in Asheville. Join them for wine, hors d’oeuvres and conversation. RSVP to Betsy at 828-210-3444.

06/22/13 WESTERN CAROLINANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST - CANCELLED

Western Carolinians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East - boycott settlement product Soda Stream - will be standing at Vance Monument on June 1 from noon to 1 PM. For more information, contact Susan at suchi1025@bellsouth.net.

06/22/13 FRACK FREE NC FORUM

CWFNC and the Waterkeepers' Alliance are cosponsoring a Frack-Free NC Forum in Bynum, NC. Presentations will cover the dangers of fracking to our waters, land and people, including first hand accounts from Pennsylvania farmers. Hear updates on legislative, and property rights issues and ask questions of those on the front lines of fighting fracking in NC. Cost is $10 and you must register by June 17, 2013. Contact Grant at 828-251-1291 if you are interested joining a carpool from the mountains and for information on how to register.

06/24/13 CIVIL LIBERTIES RESOLUTION IN ASHEVILLE

Come out and support the Civil Liberties Resolution on Monday, June 24 at 3:30 in the downtown fire station meeting room. From Cecil Bothwell: Starting in 2010 I convened meetings with an interdenominational group of religious leaders, with social activist organizations, with the Coalición de Organizations Latino-Americanas, with representatives of the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department, to fashion a Civil Liberties Resolution. I sought input from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, the Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council, participants in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, the YWCA and local attorneys. It has taken a surprisingly long time to write, edit and gather support for a document that basically makes it clear that Asheville unequivocally endorses the Bill of Rights. But it will finally be up for approval from the Public Safety Committee, which I chair, on June 24. From there it will go to the full Council.

06/24/13 EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

Asheville Earth Sabbath Celebrations are interfaith, contemplative and experiential services which utilize community building exercises, readings from many faith traditions, music, video, ritual, movement, chant, guided meditation and other modalities to reach deep into the grief and love we feel for our Earth and help both salve and energize our spirits so we can continue the work of restoration and repair on behalf of all creation. Asheville’s Earth Sabbath Celebration occurs on the 4th Monday of every month. This is held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street in Asheville. Time is 7 PM.

06/28/13 “MOVE UNITY BACK INTO COMMUNITY” DANCE PARTY

The Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council (ABCRC) will be throwing a fundraiser dance party, to raise money for the work that ABCRC does to promote diversity, inclusion and equity in our community. The "Move Unity Back into Community" Dance Party will be held on June 28, 2013 from 8:00pm to 12:00 am, at the ARTery, 346 Depot St., in Asheville. Admission is $10, which includes one drink ticket. Admission can be paid either at the door on the night of the event, or can be purchased in advance at the ABCRC office. For more info, contact Lucia: (828) 252-4713 or lucia@abcrc.org

06/29/13 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION IN HENDERSONVILLE

The working group from Occupy in Hendersonville has reconstituted itself as Henderson County Advocates for Fair Elections. They are holding a ‘Community Conversation’ on Saturday, June 29th, at the SE corner lot of Main St at Barnwell St in Hendersonville. The MagicLoveBus which was the focal point of the recent mass rally against Monsanto and GMO-tree-creators in Asheville, will participate. About 15 local nonprofits and community-minded businesses, with a wide variety of interests, are expected to participate. The day will feature interesting speakers on expanding healthcare opportunities, reducing civic tensions through dialog, and other subjects. Child care will be offered, and tabling is encouraged. Times: 10 AM - 4 PM. Veterans for Peace will be there to table.

07/01/13 LEE CAMP – LIVE AT THE ALTAMONT THEATER

The location for this event is 18 Church Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 Phone (828) 348-5327. Lee Camp is a stand-up comedian, writer and activist. Lee's various comedy writings and interviews have been picked up by: The Huffington Post, The Guardian, Politico, The Dan Abrams Show (MSNBC), The Stephanie Miller Show, The Thom Hartmann Show, The Ed Shultz Show, Comedy Central’s Indecision ’08 online, & dozens of local radio stations. Come join us for an evening that promises to be hilarious!! $10 advance/$12 day of the show. Time is 8 PM.

07/04/13 MOMS ACROSS AMERICA MARCH TO LABEL GMOS

Basically, a march against Monsanto. This will be all over the place.

07/08/13 MOVE TO AMEND MEETING

The next meeting will be Monday, July 8, from 7 to 9 PM at the N. Asheville library on Merrimon Avenue.

07/09/13 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING

Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

07/12/13 LOCAL SHOWING OF THE FILM “DIRTY WARS”

There was talk in the van (during the recent trip to Maryland for the Bradley Manning rally) about this great new book and film, “Dirty Wars” by Jeremy Scahill. Great news to find out that the documentary will play on July 12th at the Carolina Cinema at 1640 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville. The time has not been determined, so call the theater the day before at 274-9500. Some folks will meet afterwards for discussion, location TBD. http://dirtywars.org/ More information on the film below from IVAW.

07/13/13 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT

Time is 10 AM to 2 PM and location is ACE Hardware, 2319 Highway 70 in Swannanoa. Some items they will accept are rigid plastics, books, cardboard, electronics, batteries, styrofoam, metals, wire, and small appliances. Questions – call 254-1776.

07/16/13 MOVE TO AMEND PUBLIC PROGRAM

David Cobb, National Spokesperson for Move to Amend, will speak on “A Call to Action against Corporate Rule” at Lord Auditorium at Pack Library, Haywood Street, Asheville. Doors open at 5 PM, speaker at 5:30 PM and Q&A session at 6:30 PM. Learn about the nationwide campaign to amend the Constitution to return corporations to their earlier state when they were not given the rights of citizens, when money wasn’t speech and Congress could regulate money in politics. Find out what YOU can do to help make this happen. Light Refreshments will be served. For more information call: (828) 232-2883 or (828) 674-3046

07/19/13 to 07/29/13 SUMMER HEAT AND WALK FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN

http://www.2013walkforourgrandchildren.org/ Contact Steve at earthsun2@gmail.com or Richard at firepeople@main.nc.us for more information. Schedule listed below.

07/19/13 MICHAEL DANFORTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD LUNCHEON

Time is 1 PM to 2:30 PM and location is Kenilworth Presbyterian Church at 123 Kenilworth Road in Asheville. WNC Health Advocates honors Laurey Masterton with its Second Annual Michael T. Danforth Community Service Award. Laurey is a three-time cancer survivor with an indomitable spirit. She is a living-wage-certified employer and her company serves healthy, nutritious and delicious food. She has given selflessly to her community and works to educate the public about healthy food and about cancer. The cost of this event is $22, and you can get tickets here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6870952203/

07/19/13 to 07/21/13 REGIONAL GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY CONVERGENCE

This is organized by the Move to Amend movement, and will be held in Charlotte, NC. More information at http://movetoamend.nationbuilder.com/charlotte_2013_convergence

07/19/13 PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings! Bring a brown bag lunch around noon. The meeting will officially start at 12:30 and end about 2:00 PM. DIRECTIONS: (Location is in vicinity of Veterans Hospital) Proceed east on Tunnel Rd./US 70 (away from downtown Asheville) to one short block prior to the Blue Ridge Pky. overpass. Turn right (south) on Pleasant Ridge Dr., then turn right on the second street, Wagon Rd., then immediate left on Birchwood Lane to #18. For more information contact Dr. Terry Clark, Chair, 633-0892 or Dr. Lew Patrie, 299-1242.

07/19/13 WALK FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN

This event is locally organized and is a walk from Camp David to Harper’s Ferry to the White House, where they will join in the Summer Heat protest. See 2013walkforourgrandchildren.org for more information. And all through walkers from Camp David to White House or Harpers Ferry to White House should register asap. Do this through email walkforgrandchildren@gmail.com. Please do this ASAP.

07/27/13 SUMMER HEAT AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Protest by 350.org on this date, and this is when the Walk for Our Grandchildren arrives in DC.

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ONGOING EVENTS

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TUESDAY

Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY

Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe

Police Brutality Council (discussion) at 11 AM at Firestorm Cafe

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville

SATURDAY

Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard

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ACTIONS AND READINGS

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From IVAW:

Last week marked the start of the historic trial of whistleblower Bradley Manning, who exposed the extent of Iraqi civilian casualties as well as problematic US diplomatic relationships worldwide. Within days, the reality of corporate and government surveillance of US citizens was exposed by former CIA employee and NSA contractor Edward Snowden. There could not have been a better day than Friday to release the film Dirty Wars, and we recommend that you see it.

Why DIRTY WARS is so important:

September 11, 2001 changed more than just air travel. Within days of those powerful events, congress essentially wrote the President a blank check by passing the Authorization for Use of Military Force. The language contained within this resolution set the stage for the so-called "War on Terror." We now know that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that many of us were manipulated into fighting an unjust, pre-emptive war of aggression. What Manning, Snowden, and Scahill confirm is that manipulation, lies, and covert operations are much more pervasive than we may have understood previously. All of these operations have something in common: They're being performed in your name, and you are paying for them.

US wars and occupations are not limited to Afghanistan as some might believe. With the increased use of drone technology, our military is capable of conducting warfare without ever having boots on the ground or pilots in the sky. The civilian casualties are high and US citizens have been targeted. In DIRTY WARS, Scahill exposes the realities of US military intervention in Yemen, Somalia, and beyond for what it really is - a covert war conducted outside the range of the press without effective congressional oversight or public debate. And, based on unprecedented access, Scahill tells the chilling story of an American citizen marked for assassination by his own government. The film, directed by Rick Rowley, has won the Cinematography Award for U.S. Documentary at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the Boston Independent Film Festival. Variety calls it “jaw-dropping ... [with] the power to pry open government lockboxes.” The Sundance jury said it is “one of the most stunning looking documentaries [we've] ever seen.” Find out why Manning and Snowden's revelations are so important. See what's really going on in our name and with our tax dollars.

(This will be playing in Asheville on July 12, 2013. See above calendar for more details.)

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SCHEDULE OF DC EVENTS FOR SUMMER HEAT AND 2013 WALK

July 19 (Friday): A group of hikers will leave Camp David and walk on the Appalachian Trail to Harpers Ferry.

July 21 (Sunday): Registration and orientation for through walkers in Harpers Ferry starting early afternoon.

July 22 (Monday): Walk leaves Harpers Ferry.

July 26 (Friday): Walkers arrive at St Stephens Church in DC.

Evening of July 26: Nonviolence CD training.

JULY 27 10 am: Walkers and others gather at St Stephens Church

11 am: March leaves for Lafayette Park

12 noon: Beginning of family friendly rally in Lafayette Park

2 pm: Beginning of CD actions at White House and elsewhere

WEBSITE: 2013walkforourgrandchildren.org.

REGISTRATION: All through walkers from Camp David to White House or Harpers Ferry to White House should register asap. Do this through email address on our website (walkforgrandchildren@gmail.com). Please do this ASAP.

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Registration Closing Monday: Third Annual Clean Energy in the Mountains

Preparations for the third annual Clean Energy in the Mountains event are in full swing! Registration will be closing on Monday, June 17, so act now. This year’s event, hosted by the NC Sustainable Energy Association and the Evolve Energy Partnership (EEp), promises to be a great time as well as a wonderful opportunity to network with those who are bringing clean energy and energy efficiency to Western North Carolina. There is no charge to the event which will be catered by the Venue with some tasty hors d’ oeuvres, a cash bar and some lively music. Please make your plans now to join us and many of your colleagues in Asheville, NC on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 to learn about some of the great innovation, business opportunities, job growth and economic development that clean energy is contributing to the region.

When:    June 19, 2013, 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Where: The Venue
21 North Market Street
Asheville, NC 28801
http://ashevillevenue.com

Presenters
6:00      City of Asheville Sustainability: Maggie Ullman
6:15      Evolve Energy Partnership: Matt Raker
6:30      FLS Energy: Dale Freudenberger
6:45      Appalachian State University: Solar Decathalon Europe Finalists
7:00      Sundance Power: Dave Hollister
7:15      The Biltmore Estate: Vanessa King
7:30       What is Next for Clean Energy:   Ivan Urlaub

Western North Carolina understands that more affordable clean energy technologies contribute to our economy and energy security. Learn more about Western North Carolina’s innovation and entrepreneurship as well as the efforts and plans to fuel the continued growth in job creation, economic development and business opportunities. From solar to wind, geothermal, biomass, high-performance building, electric vehicles and smart grid, Western North Carolina has it all!

This event is generously co-hosted by the Evolve Energy Partnership, a joint-initiative between western NC’s leading public and private sector clean energy stakeholders.

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e7l0w10y30cca155&oseq=&c=&ch=

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Eat it, haters!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Glenn Greenwald on CNN

From Peace Action

*Help End Wasteful Pentagon Spending to Fund Jobs & Community Services*

Today and tomorrow the House of Representatives will decide to write a $600+ billion check to the Pentagon, while sequester cuts to community
programs go on every week in our communities. Seventy-five thousand public workers have been laid off so far this year alone.

While our communities lack money for vital services, should growing Pentagon waste really be our nation’s $600+ billion priority? The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (NDAA) is being voted on NOW. It will set policy and authorize funds for over $600 billion in Pentagon and war spending. The good news is, we still have time to act on Thursday and Friday this week - there are a number of sensible amendments on the table to reduce this unaffordable giveaway.

Call your Congressional Representatives with this toll free number: 877-429-0678

Ask that they support amendments that cut wasteful weapons systems so we can move that money to fund community programs. Ask for support for Amendment number 32 - Top line Cut submitted by Congressperson Nolan (MN) that would reduce funds authorized in the NDAA by $60 billion. This is a step in the right direction!

Let’s stop this swindle and invest in people - not Pentagon waste!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

About that explosion in West, Texas

What is the sound of onetown dying?

Imagine what the coverage would have been like if Islamic terrorists had bombed the little town of West, Texas. Amy Goodman captured the scene of that tragedy powerfully:

“A mushroom cloud climbed high into the sky. The explosion registered 2.1 on the Richter scale, the same as a small earthquake.”

But terrorists didn’t blow that town up. The negligent and greedy pursuit of profits did. Read the next sentence in Goodman’s description and picture the nation’s reaction if terrorists had been behind it.

“911 calls flooded in, with people reporting a bomb, many injured and others engulfed in a toxic cloud. Sixty to 80 houses were leveled.”

Imagine the coverage. That’s the coverage we didn’t get from a business-created, rather than terrorist-created, horror show.

The above was part of an article written by Richard Eskow. The people behind the lack of regulation of this plant, and the corporations behind the lack of safety in this plant, should have been arrested by now for murder. They should be facing a trial and a jail cell. It appears that nothing will be done in West, Texas or any other part of the USA.
Richard Eskow also made this comment: “When one life is cheapened, every life is cheapened.”

And this is true.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

"Let's you and him fight!"

An example of “Let’s you and him fight” - and American politicians have been pushing this idea for as long as I can remember. This is basically what they are doing currently in Syria – getting fighters to take on Assad’s military and destroy that country – and what they did in Iraq – getting Sunnis to fight with Shias. It is a policy that is totally and vastly evil.

Zionists and Gulf Monarchs Ponder Pushing Al Qaeda to Take onHezbollah

“This is one damn fine idea, what took us so long to see a simple solution that was right in front of our eyes for Christ’s sake”, Senator John McCain of “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” and “no-fly zones for Syria” notoriety, reportedly demanded to know from Dennis Ross during a recent Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) brain storming session in Washington DC.

The [New York] Times adopts the views of Islamophobe, Daniel Pipes, who recommends that the US try to keep the two sides in Syria fighting as long as possible until they destroy each other. Pipes, now serving as an advisor to John McClain, wrote in the Washington Times of 4/11/13 “ Evil forces pose less danger to us when they make war on each other. This keeps them focused locally, and it prevents either one from emerging victorious and thereby posing a greater danger. Western powers should guide enemies to a stalemate by helping whichever side is losing, so as to prolong their debilitating conflict.”

And, less than two months later – the al Qaeda rebels in Syria (which the US is supporting) are attacking Hezbollah by going after Shia sacred places and by targeting Shias in Syria who live near the border with Lebanon. And it is working – Hezbollah has shown a model of supporting Hamas (Sunnis) and a model for Shia-Sunni political and military cooperation, but that is quickly fading away.

Meanwhile, McCain went to Syria and visited the rebels. His picture was taken with a guy identified as a member of al Qaeda who had kidnapped an innocent person in Lebanon. McCain and all like him are wickedly evil people.

Update 6-12-13: And now Obama is going to send weapons to the "rebels" who are al Qaeda. Totally disgusting.

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

UPCOMING EVENTS

NAACP MORAL MONDAYS Across from the legislative building (16 W Jones St) in Raleigh. Contact: info@naacpnc.org.

06/10/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Our next MABCO meeting will not be at our previous location. We will meet at 7 PM, Monday, June 10., in the community room to the rear of the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. Join us as we grow Move To Amend in Western North Carolina and create a statewide network of Move To Amend affiliates, so we may amend the Constitution so that only human being are recognized as persons and corporations will no longer be empowered to spend and lobby without regard for the welfare of the people. For more information, contact Lew at patrie.wncpsr@main.nc.us.

06/10/13 KATUAH EARTH FIRST GREEN SCREEN

Every second Monday of the month, Katuah Earth First! shows videos on relevant environmental struggles. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Café and Books in Asheville.

06/10/13 CIVIL RIGHTS TRIVIA NIGHT

This is an evening of fun, political discussion and an exploration of ways to build Civil Rights campaigns. Do you know your rights? From Fusion Centers to the Patriot Act – try out your knowledge for fun and prizes! Time is 7 PM and location is Firestorm Café and Books in Asheville.

06/10/13 OUR ENERGY FUTURE

Our Energy Future - Understanding the utility system and obstacles to clean energy solutions. Questions we will explore include: What is an electric utility?How does the publicly regulated utility system in NC function?How are utilities adapting to recognition of harm caused by CO2 and other fossil fuel emissions?How do current utility policies and practices restrain or advance clean energy?How can barriers to a clean energy future be overcome?With presentations from:Jason Walls, District Manager - Asheville Region, Duke Energy Progress, Michael Youth, Counsel and Policy Director, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, Anne Marie Daugherty - Former Pacific Gas & Electric Engineer and engaged citizen. Time is 4 PM to 5:30 PM and location is Lenoir-Rhyne Asheville Boardroom in the Asheville Chamber of Commerce Building at 36 Montford Ave, Asheville.

06/11/13 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING

Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

06/14/13 KHALED HOSSEINI AT THE DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE

The bestselling author of The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini, will discuss his humanitarian work and will read from his new novel “And the Mountains Echoed”. The book follows its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe - from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos. Mr. Hosseini is a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations and founder of the Khaled Hosseini Foundation which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Tickets are $15, and come with a coupon for $10 off the book “And the Mountains Echoed”. Tickets may be purchased at Malaprop's Bookstore, 828-254-6734. Time is 7 PM.

06/14/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM NIGHT AT UU CHURCH

On June 14th, at 7 PM, there will be a screening of the documentary “The Witness” at UU church for social justice film night. How does a construction contractor from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood become an impassioned animal advocate? In this award-winning documentary, Eddie Lama explains how he feared and avoided animals most of his life, until the love of a kitten opened his heart, inspiring him to rescue abandoned animals and bring his message of compassion to the streets of New York. With humor and sincerity, Eddie tells the story of his remarkable change in consciousness. Eddie personifies a UU principle, “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”. Donations accepted. For more information, contact Norman at mnpopi@charter.net.

06/15/13 OCCUPY ASHEVILLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

This general assembly will be under the big tree in Pritchard Park. Time is 2 PM. All are welcome.

06/15/13 PRESENTATION ON THE FAIR TRADE MOVEMENT

Expedition to the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park will be presented by Cindy Mowry, Food Service Manager for Equal Exchange. She is a self-proclaimed coffee geek, and she will share first hand stories from the front lines of the Fair Trade movement. Cindy recently returned from Peru's Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, where she and other Equal Exchange delegates met with members of the Organization of Agrarian Coffee Cooperatives of the Sandia Valleys (CECOVASA) co-operative -- the growers of our "Expedition" drip coffee roast. Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world. Time is 6 PM.

06/15/13 FILM SCREENING AT FIRESTORM

There will be a film screening on Monsanto at 7:30 PM at Firestorm Café & Books. Contact Firestorm for more information.

06/16/13 ETHICAL SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE

“The UN and Ethical Culture - Their Relationship and the Evolution of Global Cooperation” will be presented by Jim Barton, Technical Writer and Community Activist, at the Sunday, June 16th meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville 2:00-3:30 PM, at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road in North Asheville (off Merrimon Avenue near UNCA). Barton will cover the evolution of global cooperation, how the Ethical Culture movement has been a part of this since 1924 including the creation of the UN in 1944-45 and how the United Nations relates to our current global situation. There will be a discussion period following the presentation. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation. All are welcome! For more information contact asheville@aeu.org.

06/18/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE POTLUCKS WITH A PURPOSE

06/18/13 SNACKING AND FRACKING GATHERING

Time will be 6 PM and the location is Asheville Botanical Gardens. More details to come. For information contact Katie at katie@cwfnc.org.

06/19/13 ASHEVILLE RISING MEETING

Meeting will start at 6 PM, and will be held at the YWCA. More information on Facebook under “Asheville Rising”.

06/19/13 BENEFIT FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

06/20/13 ACLU OF NC FORUM ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

Chris Brook and Holning Lau from the ACLU of North Carolina will discuss the ACLU’s work on advancing transgender rights. They will provide an overview of gender identity- focused ACLU initiatives around the country as well as projects specific to North Carolina. Legal issues that will be discussed include access to proper identification documents, access to health care, transgender voting rights, and anti-discrimination protections. This forum will be at 7:30 PM. Location is the Haywood Street Congregation, located at 297 Haywood Street in Asheville. For more information, contact cbrook@acluofnc.org.

06/22/13 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

06/22/13 FRACK FREE NC FORUM

CWFNC and the Waterkeepers' Alliance are cosponsoring a Frack-Free NC Forum in Bynum, NC. Presentations will cover the dangers of fracking to our waters, land and people, including first hand accounts from Pennsylvania farmers. Hear updates on legislative, and property rights issues and ask questions of those on the front lines of fighting fracking in NC. Cost is $10 and you must register by June 17, 2013. Contact Grant at 828-251-1291if you are interested joining a carpool from the mountains and for information on how to register.

07/01/13 LEE CAMP – LIVE AT THE ALTAMONT THEATER

07/04/13 MOMS ACROSS AMERICA MARCH TO LABEL GMOS

Basically, a march against Monsanto. This will be all over the place.

07/13/13 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT

07/16/13 MOVE TO AMEND EVENT

The Buncombe County Move to Amend group will present David Cobb, an organizer for Move to Amend, who will speak on “Creating Democracy & Challenging Corporate Rule” at the Lord Auditorium at Pack Library. This event will be from 5 to 8 PM. David is a fiery speaker . His presentation will be part history and part heart-felt call-to-action.

07/19/13 to 07/29/13 SUMMER HEAT AND WALK FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN

http://www.2013walkforourgrandchildren.org/ Contact Steve at earthsun2@gmail.com or Richard at firepeople@main.nc.us for more information.

07/19/13 MICHAEL DANFORTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD LUNCHEON

07/19/13 to 07/21/13 REGIONAL GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY CONVERGENCE

This is organized by the Move to Amend movement, and will be held in Charlotte, NC. More information at http://movetoamend.nationbuilder.com/charlotte_2013_convergence

07/19/13 PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

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ONGOING EVENTS

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TUESDAY

Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY

Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe

Police Brutality Council (discussion) at 11 AM at Firestorm Cafe

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville

SATURDAY

Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard

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ACTIONS AND READINGS

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Just Foreign Policy Director Robert Naiman is heading to Yemen on a delegation of US peace advocates, where they will be meeting Gerald Feierstein, the U.S. Ambassador to Yemen. The delegation will urge Ambassador Feierstein to use his influence to end U.S. drone strikes in Yemen—especially "signature strikes" in which the U.S. doesn't even know who it is targeting—and to ensure that Yemeni prisoners at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has cleared for release are sent home without delay.

Add your voice! Sign this petition and Just Foreign Policy will hand-deliver it—with your signature—to Ambassador Feierstein.

http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/yemen

Thanks!

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SCHEDULE OF DC EVENTS FOR SUMMER HEAT AND 2013 WALK

July 19 (Friday): A group of hikers will leave Camp David and walk on the Appalachian Trail to Harpers Ferry.

July 21 (Sunday): Registration and orientation for through walkers in Harpers Ferry starting early afternoon.

July 22 (Monday): Walk leaves Harpers Ferry.

July 26 (Friday): Walkers arrive at St Stephens Church in DC.

Evening of July 26: Nonviolence CD training.

JULY 27 10 am: Walkers and others gather at St Stephens Church

11 am: March leaves for Lafayette Park

12 noon: Beginning of family friendly rally in Lafayette Park

2 pm: Beginning of CD actions at White House and elsewhere

WEBSITE: 2013walkforourgrandchildren.org.

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MY COMMENTARY ON THE “SECURITY” STATE

US Bill of Rights says : “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Greenwald: “we have this massive, ubiquitous Surveillance State, operating in total secrecy.”

In reference to Verizon: “Under the terms of the order, the numbers of both parties on a call are handed over, as is location data and the time and duration of all calls.”

If you are a Verizon customer, the NSA knows where your cell phone is every minute of every day when it is turned on. Usually, your cell phone is with you, so they know where you are all the time. They know who your doctor is, who your dentist is, who you use for a pharmacy if you have prescriptions, who your psychiatrist or therapist is, who your physical therapist is, who your lawyer, your accountant, and who your professors (if you are in school) are. They know where you work and where you go to school or to dance classes or to the gym. They know if you go to the drum circle, and who you might call before or after. They know where you go to church, or if you don’t. They know when you go to an event, anywhere and anytime. Don’t accidentally get too close to an event or organization that you do not want to be affiliated with…. like walking through an Occupy protest or Tea Party gun rally.

They know if you have kids and who your kid’s coach is, along with doctor, dentist, etc. They know if your kid is seeing a specialist like a speech therapist or psychologist. They likely know who your kid’s teacher is, and if your kid goes to a gym or music lesson. Or if your kid goes pretty much anywhere else.

They know who your friends are, and are especially interested if your friends happen to live in, or came from, another country. They know if you have a lover, or several lovers, and if you are married or not. They know about the marriage counselor. They know if you are calling someone about billing issues with your cable or credit cards, and they know if you are calling a credit counselor. They know if you are calling, or getting calls, from someone who is a drug dealer – even if it is a wrong number. They know if you were some place where a crime occurred, and may have you in for questioning even if you are totally innocent. (Well, it may be more than questioning.) And if you happen to have a neighbor who is involved in something, then the police or SWAT team may end up at your place. You see, they sometimes get the address wrong. It is definitely a good idea to put your house or apartment number in large letters on the front of the place to help prevent things like that. I am thinking that putting your full name up might be a good idea also. The NSA already knows where you live anyway….. unless they make a mistake.

Oh, and yes, they can misinterpret things and make mistakes - happens all the time. So you could get in trouble even when you are totally innocent. And they can use this data in any way they like – including blackmail, especially if you are a politician or someone with some power, or just someone they don’t like. They could blackmail you with that information about your lover, your prescription drug use, your visits to the psychologist, or a number of other things that you may be doing that are legal, but you don’t want all your neighbors to know about.

Remember that nerdy guy in high school that you would not date? If he works for the NSA, he can get his revenge. Same thing if it was a nerdy gal.

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BREAKING:ANOTHER AMERICAN HERO!

The individual responsible for one of the most significant leaks in US political history is Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old former technical assistant for the CIA and current employee of the defence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton. Snowden has been working at the National Security Agency for the last four years as an employee of various outside contractors, including Booz Allen and Dell.

The Guardian, after several days of interviews, is revealing his identity at his request. From the moment he decided to disclose numerous top-secret documents to the public, he was determined not to opt for the protection of anonymity. "I have no intention of hiding who I am because I know I have done nothing wrong," he said.

Snowden will go down in history as one of America's most consequential whistleblowers, alongside Daniel Ellsberg and Bradley Manning. He is responsible for handing over material from one of the world's most secretive organisations – the NSA.

In a note accompanying the first set of documents he provided, he wrote: "I understand that I will be made to suffer for my actions," but "I will be satisfied if the federation of secret law, unequal pardon and irresistible executive powers that rule the world that I love are revealed even for an instant."

Despite his determination to be publicly unveiled, he repeatedly insisted that he wants to avoid the media spotlight. "I don't want public attention because I don't want the story to be about me. I want it to be about what the US government is doing."