Monday, September 17, 2012

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week


UPCOMING EVENTS

09/17/12 OCCUPY WALL STREET ANNIVERSARY
Occupy Asheville will commemorate the one year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street by meeting at Pritchard Park at 4:30 PM. There will be a short rally and a march to City County Plaza for the 99-second Soapbox. A General Assembly/Coordinating Council meeting will also be held in front of City Hall.  If raining, we will be under the City Hall overhang.  All are welcome. Please bring OCCUPY signs! 

09/18/12 YOUNG ADVOCATES MEETING
An organizational meeting to discuss upcoming Planned Parenthood events and volunteer opportunities as well as recent discriminatory legislation, obstacles in the community and funding challenges.  Firestorm CafĂ© & Books, time is 6:30 PM.

09/19/12 WNC TASK FORCE ON PRISON REFORM
Wednesday, September 19, at 3:00 PM --WNC Task Force on Prison Reform.  This will be a meeting to discuss strategy on Abolishing the Death Penalty in N.C.  This will be held at Western Carolinians for Criminal Justice offices at 218 Patton Avenue in Asheville.   Please call 254-5489 if you plan to attend or want more information.

09/23/12 NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS WESTERN CAROLINA
"The Greatest Show of Courage" Circus Carnival and Parade on Sunday, September 23 from Noon to 4 PM in Pack Square. Our daughter Janet lives with mental illness (bipolar rapid cycling, with generalized anxiety). To my wife Bonnie and me, Janet is an example of great courage, as she manages her life while recovering from the illness. The NAMI Circus, 6 months in the making, will be a celebration of the hope we hold in recovery and it will be "FUN-raising, fund-raising, and awareness-raising." For more details, take a look at the NAMI web-site www.namiwnc.org.  We are asking for volunteers to work at the circus and teams to raise money by marching in the parade, or just come and enjoy the fun and learn something more about mental illness.

09/20/12 CANDIDATE FORUM
A candidate forum for the US Congressional District 10 and 11 will be held at 36 Montford Avenue.  Candidates from NC Senate Districts 47 and 50 as well as NC House Districts 115, 116, and 118 will also be in attendance.  This is hosted by the NC Prosperity Project and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.  Time is 1 to 3 PM.  Space is limited, go to http://bit.ly/Ps6joP or email rbabcok@ncchamber.net.

09/21/12 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
International Day of Peace at Pack Square, downtown Asheville, Friday, September 21, 4 PM to 7 PM.  Sponsored by Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 and 16 other local groups that promote nonviolence.  Event is free and open to the public.  Features music, dance, speakers, bell ringing in celebration of one day of global ceasefire by the United Nations since 2002.    In case of rain, an abbreviated version of the event will be moved to the nearby First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak Street. (This is a change from a prior announcement.)  For more information call 828-505-9425.

09/21/12 RALLY FOR NO NUKES, NO WARS AT THE NRC
09/21/12 WNC PHYSICANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We usually hold our monthly steering committee meetings from noon till 2 PM on the 3rd Friday each month. We have recently been meeting at Steve and Beth Gilman's home at 18 Birchwood Lane in the Oteen area of East Asheville. We bring our own lunches, socializing and eating from noon till 12:30; beverages are provided. The business meeting lasts from 12:30 till about 2:00 PM.

09/22/12 GLOBAL FRACKDOWN!  ASHEVILLE FRACKDOWN!
Following regional/international meetings in Marseille (The Alternative World Water Forum - March 2012) and in Rio (Peoples' Summit - June 2012) as well as discussions with many groups, there is a growing consensus among the anti-fracking movements around the world that we need a global anti-fracking day to mobilize locally and to build solidarity among our movements.  The local, regional and national groups in the United States have chosen a day to do a massive national 'frackdown' in the United States - 22 September 2012.  Asheville NC Frackdown Event - Downtown Asheville NC 28804, September 22 at 11:00 AM, Organizations: Food & Water Watch, 350.org, Greenpeace.

09/24/12 CANDIDATE FORUM
Monday, Sept. 24 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Ferguson Auditorium, AB Tech, Asheville.  Meet & Greet for countywide offices and Forum for Chair, Buncombe County Commission.  This is coordinated by the League of Women Voters, and is open to all.  For more information about the League of Women Voters and its fall forums, visit the League website at ablwv.org or call 828-258-8223.

09/24/12 COORDINATING COUNCIL OF OCCUPY ASHEVILLE
Since the First Congregational Church is not available this evening, the Coordinating Council will meet at 6:30 at Pritchard Park.

09/25/12 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY FILM SHOWING
The special film that MABCO is showing is called:  “The United States of Alec”.  This is scheduled for 7 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 26 in our usual meeting space, Religious Education Commons, lower level in Asheville Unitarian Universalist Church on Charlotte Street. Come and learn about one of the most influential corporate-funded political organizations and what they are planning.

09/28/12 ASHEVILLE CHAPTER OF 350.ORG EVENT
What are the facts about how our climate is changing?  Do recent weather extremes here and around the world foreshadow changes to come? 350 Asheville, the Asheville chapter of 350.org, invites you to hear Jake Crouch of the National Climatic Data Center speak Friday, September 28 at 7 pm at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave. Jake will be happy to take your questions in the discussion period to follow.

09/30/12 TRUE STORIES ABOUT HEALTH CARE
Come and get answers to questions about health care.  Time is 3 to 5 PM and location is the chapel of the First Baptist Church at 5 Oak Street in Asheville.  Free, and open to the public.  This is organized by WNC Health Advocates.  FMI http://www.wnchealthadvocates.org/

09/30/12 EPIC TEMPAH REUBEN CHALLENGE BENEFIT
Local food company and chefs come together to support local efforts to end hunger on Sunday, September 30, from 2 to 6 PM at Asheville Music Hall.  Tickets are $12 in advance, and $15 at the door. The event will bring together local chefs to create their versions of the sandwich with the only constant ingredient being Smiling Hara Tempeh.  But there is more to the CHALLENGE than establishing bragging rights. This event will also work against food insecurity by raising food and funds for MANNA FoodBank. Tickets:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/269400 More info:  http://mannafoodbank.org/most-epic-tempeh-reuben-challenge

10/1/12 CANDIDATE FORUM
Monday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Pack Library, 67 Haywood St, Asheville.  Buncombe County Commission Dist. 1, NC House District 114.  This is coordinated by the League of Women Voters, and is open to all.  For more information about the League of Women Voters and its fall forums, visit the League website at ablwv.org or call 828-258-8223.

10/01/12 FAITH COMMUNITY AND ELECTION PROCESS
What is the role of faith community in the election process?  What can clergy do to encourage their congregations to participate in the political process?  Please encourage broad participation in the event at the Grant Southside Community Center (Depot and Livingston Streets in Asheville) on October 1, 2012 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM.   FMI, contact James at 828-777-3777 or Carol at 828-505-0528.

10/03/12 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Travis Hargett & Ken Brame will discuss Fracking:  Dirty, Dangerous, and Run Amok.  NC Legislative updates included.  Time of meeting is 7:15 and location is Unitarian Church at the corner of Charlotte Street & Edwin Place.  For more information, contact Judy at judymattox@sbcglobal.net.

10/4/12 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. FMI:  http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

10/6/12 BUNCOMBE COUNTY GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is open to the public. It will be held from 10 AM to noon, upstairs in the Fortune Building, 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Contact Ronald @ 828-LUCK-180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.

10/06/12 KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK

10/07/12 PROTEST THE WAR ON AFGHANISTAN
Protest the Afghanistan War in NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, LA.  This war has been going on for 11 years.  http://october7actions.net/

10/8/12 CANDIDATE FORUM
Monday, Oct. 8 from 6:30-8:30p.m. at Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty Street, Black Mountain.  Buncombe County Commission Dist. 2, NC House District 115.  This is coordinated by the League of Women Voters, and is open to all.  For more information about the League of Women Voters and its fall forums, visit the League website at ablwv.org or call 828-258-8223.

10/15/12 CANDIDATE FORUM
Monday, Oct. 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Skyland Volunteer Fire Dept., 9 Miller Road, Arden.  Buncombe County Commission Dist. 3, NC House District 116.  This is coordinated by the League of Women Voters, and is open to all.  For more information about the League of Women Voters and its fall forums, visit the League website at ablwv.org or call 828-258-8223.

10/21/12 ETHICAL CULTURAL SOCIETY
Joe Haun’s book, “Unbelievable! Faith, Reason, & the Search for Truth” is the topic for our October platform meeting, October 21st.  Time is 2 PM and the location is Asheville Friends Meeting.

10/24/12 PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES FORUM
“Why it’s so hard to end poverty in America” will be presented by anti-poverty advocate Peter Edelman.  Cocktail Reception is at 5:30 PM and Forum starts at 7 PM.  $15 for the forum and $50 for forum and reception.  Purchase tickets at www.pisgahlegal.org. Contact Betsy at betsy@pisgahlegal.org for more information.

11/08/12 THE GENERAL’S SON: JOURNEY OF AN ISRAELI IN PALESTINE
In 1997, a tragedy struck the family of Israeli-American Miko Peled: His beloved niece Smadar was killed by a suicide bomber in Jerusalem. That tragedy propelled Peled onto a journey of discovery. It pushed him to re-examine many of the beliefs he had grown up with, as the son and grandson of leading figures in Israel's political-military elite, and transformed him into a courageous and visionary activist in the struggle for human rights and a hopeful, lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  Miko Peled will discuss his book at the Friends Meeting House in Black Mountain at 5 PM.  This is sponsored by Western Carolinians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East.  Open to the public.

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:  www.lakejunaluska.com/peace.

11/16/12 PROTEST THE SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS AT FORT BENNING

*******************************************
ONGOING EVENTS
*******************************************
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 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.
Anti-racism Group Discussion at 5:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month 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 Asheville General Assembly on the first Saturday of the month.  4 PM at Pritchard Park.

*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************

VETERANS FOR PEACE INFORMATION

VFP CHAPTER 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

NEW PUBLICATION OF WAR CRIMES TIMES:http://www.WarCrimesTimes.org/
A publication of Veterans For Peace -- exposing the true costs of war.

Visit VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street (the corner of Haywood and Roberts), Asheville, 28801. (828-258-1800). Hours: Tue-Sat 11 to 3 PM

No comments: