Sunday, May 12, 2013

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

Recent photo of Women in Black in Asheville. This is the first time they held a vigil in a few months.



UPCOMING EVENTS

05/12/13 to 05/18/13 STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE WEEK
Strive Not to Drive (SNTD) began 22 years ago as Bike to Work Day with the goal of encouraging bicycle commuting in Buncombe County. Over the years as concerns about air quality, physical inactivity and related health concerns, and traffic congestion have grown; the event has broadened to encourage any form of transportation other than driving alone in your car. We hope you will join us in this year's event as we increase awareness about how transportation choices affect our health, air quality and quality of life in Buncombe County.

05/13/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY
Time is 7 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at Charlotte and Edwin Streets in the lower level meeting room. It shall be the mission of Move to Amend Buncombe County to create public demand for passage by the US Congress and ratification by the North Carolina Legislature, and those of other states, of a Constitutional Amendment reserving access to First Amendment protections to natural human beings and the press, defining speech as actual communication and authorizing Congress to regulate the raising and spending of political funds. Contact Lew at patrie.wncpsr@main.nc.us for more information.

05/13/13 FILM AT FIRESTORM CAFÉ AND BOOKS
We’ll be showing “A Silent Forest”, narrated by renowned activist and scientist David Suzuki. A Silent Forest is an excellent documentary exploring the dangers that GE trees pose to humans and the environment. Come on out, it’s free! Time is 6 PM. FMI, contact katuahearthfirst@riseup.net. Call Firestorm to confirm.

05/15/13 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS
Asheville Beyond Coal “Get Active” Happy Hour at The Bywater (796 Riverside Drive, Asheville). A special edition Asheville Green Drink Wednesday May 15th at 6 PM (come early to enjoy the river, green drinks, and community networking!)

05/16/13 MAHA COMES TO THE MOUNTAINS
Please join Medical Advocates for Healthy Air & the Western North Carolina Alliance for a happy hour discussion and update on our state’s air quality. This is for MAHA staff and members, medical and health professionals and others interested in the connections between air quality and human health. Location is MG Road, 19 Wall Street, Asheville. RSVP: Let Rebecca know at rebecca@cleanaircarolina.org if you will attend by May 14th.

05/16/13 FILM AT FIRESTORM CAFÉ AND BOOKS
“Carbon Nation” will be shown by Transition Asheville, the UNCA Student Environmental Group and the Earth Team of First Congregational United Church of Christ show really scary movies, because they are real! Time is 7 PM. Call Firestorm to confirm.

05/16/13 FUNDRAISER FOR 2013 WALK FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN
Please join us for a fundraiser for 2013 Walk for Our Grandchildren. We are part of a local group that is planning a walk from Harper’s Ferry to the White House during Summer Heat, July 19 – 29th. We started planning the WALK about a month ago, and during this time have been in consultation with 350.org, Sierra Club, Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), and Rainforest Action Network. What we originally thought was going to be an isolated event has now become part of a nationwide series of actions in 5-10 locations across the United States protesting our dependence on fossil fuels. Time is 7 PM.  Join us at Jubilee (Wall Street, downtown Asheville) for: Screening 20 minute segment of “Do the Math” film, an Indigenous Women speaking about Keystone XL at Forward on Climate, music by Daniel Barber, the Green Grannies and Geri Littlejohn, readings by concerned children, and refreshments generously donated by Rosetta’s Kitchen. Contact Steve at earthsun2@gmail.com or Richard at firepeople@main.nc.us for more information.

05/17/13 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING
The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be at a private home near the VA Hospital. Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12:30 to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

05/17/13 WNC PEACE & JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST MEETING
Meeting will be on May 17, Friday, from 3:15 to 5 pm at Brooks-Howell House, 266 Merrimon, across from Claxton School. Esther, who lives in this retirement community, will meet us at the main door. Park in spaces to your right, facing Emergency Entrance, or if those are filled, park on left side of the road entering from Merrimon Avenue. We are experimenting with meeting at Brooks-Howell where we can watch and discuss DVDs. We will begin by looking at a segment from the Chicago Hearings on the Occupation that can inform our sharing with others how U.S. military spending supports the Occupation.  Esther will provide the DVD and set-up the equipment. Beth will bring recent material on this topic circulated by If Americans Only Knew.  For more information, contact Ed at esacco189@gmail.com.

05/18/13 GREEN GRANNIES ‘SING FOR THE CLIMATE’
Join the Green Grannies to "SING FOR THE CLIMATE". This is every third Saturday at 5 PM, Vance Monument.  See the video, singfortheclimate.com.

05/18/13 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT
Time is 9 AM to 4 PM. Black Mountain Garden Show & Sale at Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State Street, Black Mountain. Also Rainbow Recycling’s Plastic Flower Pot (& Tray) Collection - Drop off unwanted pots, pick up ones you can use! Asheville GreenWorks has a webpage for H2R information. Questions – call 254-1776 or email info@ashevillegreenworks.org.

05/18/13 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ANNUAL LUNCHEON
The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County will hold an annual luncheon, which will feature ACLU-NC Legal Director Christopher Brook as the speaker. He will discuss the status of voting rights in North Carolina. The luncheon will be held at Magnolia's Raw Bar and Grille at 26 E. Walnut Street downtown. The buffet opens at 11:45 AM and program begins at noon. Cost is $18 for LWV members, $20 for non-members. Reservations are due no later than May 10 and should be made by email to treasurer@ablwv.org, or by phone at 275-7052. Seating will be available on a first-come basis for guests who wish to hear the speaker without having lunch. For more information, contact Karen Oelschlaeger, President at 828-989-8517 or president@ablwv.org.

05/19/13 WNC GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL
WNC Green Building Council invites you to a Green Open House at 60 Pinkerton Corner in Fairview, NC. Time is 1 to 4 PM and this is free and open to the public. FMI, go to www.wncgbc.org or call 828-254-1995.

05/19/13 ACLU ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - WESTERN CHAPTER
Program includes honoring Jim Cavener and state Representative Susan Fisher on panel discussing civil liberties impact of Republicans taking over state government. Free and all are welcome. Time is 3 PM and location is Battery Park Apartments at 1 Battle Square in Asheville. For more information contact Curry at 450-1118.

05/19/13 MARCH AGAINST LGBTQIA BULLYING AND VIOLENCE
We're Not Bashful, the march that started Just Us For All's formation, is the organization's annual march to combat and raise awareness around violence in the community. Started several years ago in response to a frightening trend of gay bashings in the downtown and Monford area, We're Not Bashful is a family friendly event where anyone can come to speak out against gay bashings, hate crimes, bullying, or other abuses and violence in the local area. Time is 1 PM and march starts at Tod’s Tasties and goes to Vance Monument. For more information go to Facebook and look under “Just Us For All”.

05/22/13 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS
On Wednesday May 22nd, Thomas Clever Llewellyn will share a powerpoint presentation about the threat of genetically engineered trees and the work of the Campaign to Stop Genetically Engineered (GE) Trees to protect native ecosystems. This event is happening less than one week before the Tree Biotechnology 2013 Conference begins in Asheville, an international conference with a focus on furthering the industry of genetically engineered trees. There are proposals for millions of acres of GE trees to be installed throughout the South with the purpose of supplying wood to bioenergy plants to burn for electricity, as well as to the unsustainable paper and lumber industries. These trees would be engineered to produce their own pesticides, grow straighter and faster, tolerate manufactured pesticides, produce sterile seeds, and reduce lignin content (this is what makes the wood in a tree strong enough to stand up). If these traits escaped into native tree populations, the effects would be devastating and irreversible.

05/25/13 MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO
On May 25, activists around the world will unite to March Against Monsanto. Why do we march? Research studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically-modified foods can lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumors, infertility and birth defects. Taking to the streets to show the world and Monsanto that we won't take these injustices quietly. Time is 2 PM and location is Pack Square Park in Asheville.

05/25/13 REALLY, REALLY FREE MARKET
From 10 AM to 5 PM in Aston Park in Asheville.

05/27/13 CAMPAIGN TO STOP GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TREES
NO GE TREES TEACH-IN: MAY 27
DAY OF MASS ACTION AND PROTEST: MAY 28

05/30/13 BOOK RELEASE FOR CHILDREN FIRST/COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
Bill Jamieson, Board Member and Past President of Children First/ Communities In Schools, has written a book -- The Idea of America: Are the Principles Eroding or Enduring? Please join us for a book release event to celebrate this achievement. The book will be available for a suggested donation, the proceeds of which will benefit Children First/CIS. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Servanthood House at 156 E. Chestnut Street, Asheville, NC 28801. For more information please contact Adrienne at adriennea@childrenfirstbc.org or 828-259-9717.

06/01/13 RALLY FOR BRADLEY MANNING AT FORT MEADE

06/05/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Our Mountain Treasures: Planning for the Future of our national forests” - a presentation by Jill Gottesman. Time is 7 PM (program starts at 7:15)at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville (corner of Charlotte & Edwin). Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, or 828-683-2176 for more information.

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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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VETERANS FOR PEACE INFORMATION


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


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