Sunday, June 03, 2012

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week


UPCOMING EVENTS

06/04/12 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL MEETING
The Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council will convene a Meeting of the Whole on Monday, June 4, 2012 at UNC-Asheville’s Wilma Sherrill Center from 4-6pm. It’s been an amazingly productive few months, and we’ve seen incredible participation and results. We will convene to report on progress, prioritize goals, and assess our processes. As usual, this will be a highly interactive meeting with room at the table for everyone who cares about creating a food secure community.  See the latest newsletter for more information about what’s happening!

06/05/12 LOBBY DAY IN RALEIGH FOR CLEAN WATER IN NC
Clean Water for North Carolina and other groups are organizing a Lobby Day in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 5. Some WNC residents will carpool to participate. Plans are to meet at the Ingles near Biltmore Square Mall on Brevard Rd. at 5:30 AM; travel to Raleigh; receive a briefing on the 'Fracking' bill (S. 820) which would authorize fracking within two years, whether or not appropriate restrictions are in place; and then constituents will meet with their representatives, 11 AM - 2 PM. More info is at www.cwfnc.org or call Katie Hicks at 828-251-1291.

06/06/12 SIERRA CLUB MEEING
Sierra Club will present a program Wednesday, June 6, 7 pm. on Tree Protection.  Our trees have been under attack from both state & local levels.  A panel from the Tree Commission: vice-chair Mike Kenton, ecologist Bob Gale, arborist Mark Foster, Asheville Greenworks Director Susan Roderick, and Shannon Tuch of Asheville’s Planning and Development Dept. will discuss protection in terms of the Treasured Tree program, open tree mapping, alternatives to tree topping, and possible tree ordinances, along with the state law allowing clearcutting around billboards.  Time is 7 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Church at Edwin & Charlotte, Asheville.  For more information, contact judymattox@sbcglobal.net or call 828-683-2176.

06/07/12 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/

06/07/12 MINDFUL OCCUPATION
Rising up, without burning out.  This will be held at 6:30 Pm at Firestorm Café and Books at 48 Commerce Street, downtown Asheville.  Come meet-up, check in, say hi, share ideas.  Mindful Occupation Gathering/Discussion on the topic of Sustainable Activism, i.e. how we can use self-care, principles of conscientious perspective and mutual aid to support one another in our collective endeavors.  For more information: www.mindfuloccupation.org. Email faithrhyne@gmail.com or text 545-8321.

06/08/12 AWARD LUNCHEAN HONORING JOE EBLEN
Live o’Mike presents its first Michael T. Danforth Community Service Award to Joe Edlen.  Time is 1 to 2:30 PM at Friendship Hall at First Congregational Church at 14 Oak Street, Asheville.  Cost is $25 per person.

06/08/12 UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION ASHEVILLE
On June 8, our UUCA Social Justice film will be “How to Start a Revolution,” which is the “story of Nobel Peace prize nominee Gene Sharp, the world’s leading expert on nonviolent revolution.” One year beyond “the Arab Spring” but in a world still enmeshed in challenges international and domestic, director Ruaridh Arrow “reveals how Sharp’s work has given a new generation of pro-democracy leaders the nonviolent ‘weapons’ they need to overthrow dictators.” The film runs 52 minutes and a discussion will follow. For background, you may wish to read Sharp’s From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation, 4th ed. (93 pages), which is available free from the Albert Einstein Institution at: http://www.aeinstein.org/organizations/org/FDTD.pdf.  Time is 7 PM and location is UU Church on Charlotte Street, Asheville.  For more information, contact Bruce Larson at 683-5548.

06/08/12 BOOK READING AT MALAPROP’S
Osama Wazan, a Syrian cleric, the author of The Last Moderate Muslim and a grassroots catalyst for peace will talk about “The Arab Spring: New democracies, or cycles of provocations and retributions?”  at 7 PM on June 8th.  Syrians, once models for interfaith harmony, are migrating into denominational clusters.  Learn how Osama Wazan transformed his fifteen harrowing years in a combat zone into a body of knowledge, a novel: The Last Moderate Muslim. Understand approaches that can end religious violence. You will be equipped to see through the rhetoric, and begin to see civility through.

06/09/12 HARD TO RECYCLE DAY
Time is 10 AM to 2 PM and the location is Aaron’s (Park Terrace Center) at 1298 Patton Avenue in Asheville.  Go to http://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/hard-2-recycle-events/ to see list of items they will accept.  No early or late drop offs.

06/13/12 THE FOOD NETWORK MEETING
The Food Network provides support, publicity, and cross-pollination of ideas between the Asheville Food Policy Council and regional organizations/efforts for the creation of a healthy and resilient food supply in Asheville and Western North Carolina.  Upcoming plans include a film series, as well as free gardening and food-related classes.  Next Meeting: Tuesday, 6/13 at 7:00pm in West Asheville (contact Mary Lou for directions: marylou.kemph@yahoo.com).  For more information about the food group email Dylan: livingvision@yahoo.com

06/14/12 to 06/17/12 OCCUPY HENDERSONVILLE CAMP
This camp will run from 6-14-12 to 6-17-12.  Current Schedule for June camp-in/teach-in….. Thursday night after dark, screening the film "Why We Fight".  Friday 3PM Bill Fisk, discussion about nuclear energy and green alternatives.  Friday 5PM Harold Helickson, discussion about income inequality.  Friday night after dark, screening the film "Inside Job".  Saturday 11AM Chris Berg, discussion about corporate personhood.  Saturday Noon-2PM Picket.  Saturday 3PM Thomas Beckett, discussion about a sharing economy.  Saturday night after dark, screening the film "Pray the Devil Back to Hell".  Sunday, breakfast and break camp!

06/22/12 CULTURE OF RESISTANCE ROADSHOW
Deep Green Resistance, an environmental and social justice group, will be coming through Asheville on their Culture of Resistance Roadshow. This workshop/presentation is on Friday, June 22nd at The Firestorm Books and Café at 5 pm. The Roadshow workshop will cover the shortsightedness of many mainstream efforts to truly address the fundamental contradictions of our modern struggles, and present concrete steps to an equitable, thriving future. For more information, go to http://deepgreenresistance.org/action/resistanceroadshow/

06/23/12 to 06/24/12 CLIMATE ORGANIZING WORKSHOP
The Climate Organizing Workshop is organized by 350.org and they are offering these workshops around the world to grow a stronger climate movement and build the organizing skills of local leaders.  This will be on Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd and 24th (optional welcome event the evening of Friday, June 22nd) from 9 AM to 5 PM.  Location is First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville (Room 101-E).  Please RSVP by Tuesday, June 19th. Space is limited. If you wish to attend, go to this link to register:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZFYXQzWWxIaFl5Z1RwYTQtbUVHTlE6MQ

06/28/12 - 06/30/12 KNOW NUKES Y’ALL SUMMIT
This event will be held in Chattanooga, TN on the campus of UTC.  Summit talks will include the ongoing Fukushima Disaster in Japan, the US Nuclear Complex, and a Positive Energy Future!  This event will be a combination of SUMMIT for those who come for the whole event, and also an opportunity for those who want to attend the educational workshops on a one day basis.  Pre-Registration runs thru JUNE 7 at $40 for the SUMMIT – with a one-day rate of $20.  Summit Registration includes program + breakfast + lunch + reception Thursday evening; does not include lodging or dinners.  Registration is open now:  http://knownukesyallsummit.org/

08/08/12 - 08/12/12 VFP NATIONAL CONVENTION IN MIAMI FL

09/02/12 MARCH ON WALL STREET SOUTH – CHARLOTTE

09/03/12 DNC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHARLOTTE
This event goes until 09/08/12.   Already, organizations and Occupy movements across the country are making plans to mobilize to be in the streets of Charlotte during the DNC. For more information on the Coalition to Protest at the DNC and to find out how your organization can join, please visit http://protestdnc.org.

11/08/12 - 11/11/12 LAKE JUNALUSKA PEACE CONFERENCE
The fifth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, "Love in Action: the Transformative Power of Nonviolence," will draw upon the lessons of nonviolent campaigns and their leaders who discovered a force that can change the world. Participants will explore the principles and learn the applications of nonviolence as taught by Gandhi, King, and many spiritual leaders who offered this alternative paradigm for resolving conflict, achieving justice, and building peace.  For more information visit us at www.lakejunaluska.com/peace.

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ONGOING EVENTS
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SUNDAY
Episcopal Peace Fellowship holds a weekly vigil from 5:30 to 6 PM at All Soul's Cathedral on the first and third Sundays.
Spirituality working group of Occupy Asheville will be at Pritchrd Park from 1-3 PM on Sundays for meditation training, and individual spiritual counseling for anyone who feels in the need. And on the 4th Sunday of every month at Pritchard Park, an event to promote the health of the planet.

TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument
Occupy Asheville Meet Talk Act Nonviolent Affinity Group meets at 4:30 PM at the Chocolate Lounge (second floor) at 10 South Lexington in Asheville. Contact earthsun2@gmail.com for more info.

WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood Country Courthouse in Waynesville.
Asheville Cop Watch meeting at 5 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square (Asheville) on the first Friday of the month.
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.

OCCUPY WALL STREET ASHEVILLE
Go to www.occupyasheville.org for more information, or call 888-378-0788. Information on Occupy Asheville late breaking events: http://www.occupyasheville.org/events/

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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Consider signing petition for Obama to consider. It is to start a "Do Not Kill" list.

"The New York Times reports that President Obama has created an official “kill list” that he uses to personally order the assassination of American citizens. Considering that the government already has a “Do Not Call” list and a “No Fly” list, we hereby request that the White House create a “Do Not Kill” list in which American citizens can sign up to avoid being put on the president’s “kill list” and therefore avoid being executed without indictment, judge, jury, trial or due process of law."

Climate Organizing Workshop in Asheville, June 23-24

As a climate and clean energy activist, you're invited to a free two-day Climate Organizing Workshop for select environmental leaders. 350.org is offering these workshops around the world to grow a stronger climate movement and build the organizing skills of local leaders.

DATES: Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd and 24th (optional welcome event the evening of Friday, June 22nd)
TIMES: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM on Saturday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM on Sunday
LOCATION: Asheville, NC, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Room 101-E (map)

Please RSVP by Tuesday, June 19th. Space is limited. If you wish to attend, please fill out this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible to confirm.
The workshop will focus on campaign planning and storytelling, including practical information on traditional and social media, engaging allies, and other critical organizing tools. We'll share lessons learned from our experience organizing local events and international campaigns, and you will come away with skills that can both bolster your local work and empower you to more effectively contribute to the broader climate movement.

The training is free, and all food and materials will be provided. Please consult with us about travel expenses and lodging if you will be travelling from out of town.

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ON “MOVE TO AMEND”

Reps. Keever, Fisher and Rapp support 'Move To Amend' in Raleigh

Legislators Susan Fisher, Patsy Keever, and Ray Rapp have lent their support to the nationwide move to amend, a call to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the case of CItizen's United. A main result of that decision has declared that corporations are people under U.S. law. Activists claim this has tilted the political landscape much more towards corporate control of elections. As Rep. Ray Rapp of Madison County pointed out, "This should be a bi-partisan issue, as this takes the rights of candidates to decide how to run their campaigns."

The resolution is a call from the states to the U.S. Congress to set aside a U.S. Supreme Court decision in the only manner possible — a constitutional amendment which has happened successfully four times, the most recent of which was the Twenty-sixth Amendment (allowing 18-year olds to vote). Others were the 11th, 14th, and 16th amendments.

According to the Canary Coalition, which provided the video, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Vermont have already passed similar calls for the constitutional amendment. Wisconsin, Washington, Minnesota and Alaska, along with North Carolina, are actively considering it in their legislatures. (See below for the Coalition press release.)

The call on the U.S. Congress faces an uncertain future in the North Carolina General Assembly. In order to be voted on, it has to get out of the rules committee, that process should start in the next few weeks.

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