Sunday, July 06, 2014

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

UPCOMING EVENTS

07/06/14 EXHIBIT AT YMI CULTURAL CENTER
“Cash Crop” is an emotionally moving and historical glimpse of the bondage endured by more than 15 million slaves during the trans-Atlantic slave trade by sculptor Stephen Hayes. The exhibition, which features 15 life-size sculptures of human beings in shackles, invites viewers to enter an emotional, physical, and psychic space to confront the past, present, and future. Admission is $6 for adults, free for students through 12th grade. This will run until August 27, 2014. Location is Ray Auditorium at the YMI Cultural Center at 39 South Market Street in Asheville. For more information please contact Sharon at info@ymiculturalcenter.org. 

07/07/14 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES
For Those Who Want to Move Forward- Next Dinner With Progressives will be on Monday, July 7 2014 from 6 to 8 PM at the new Green Sage in Westgate Mall next to Earth Fare, in Asheville. Come and join us for dinner, dessert or a beverage from 6 to 7 and then a speaker(s) from 7 to 8pm. Tate McQueen will return to Dinner with Progressives with updates, new information and to answer your questions. Tom Hill will also join us on Monday.  He is running for the 11th Congressional District against Rep. Mark Meadows.  Tom is a Zirconia resident and retired physicist who worked in the aerospace industry.  

07/08/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. 

07/09/14 GREEN DRINKS
Join us Wednesday July 9th at 6 PM at the Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe in downtown Asheville for a presentation by Josh Dorfman. Josh Dorfman will be sharing stories from his career as “The Lazy Environmentalist.” Josh produced and hosted the award winning reality TV series, “The Lazy Environmentalist” on the Sundance Channel for several years, published two books that aim to enlighten people about better consumer decisions that can reduce our environmental impacts, and delivered a daily radio show on SiriusXM. Josh currently works as the Director of Entrepreneurship Development at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce.

07/10/14 SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVIE “URANIUM DRIVE-IN”
Who decides the future of rural America? The promise of jobs from a proposed uranium mill has an economically devastated mining community in Colorado hopeful for the first time in decades. When the environmentalists step in to stop the mill, the pro-mill advocates are enraged. A debate ensues, pitting jobs against health and the environment.  Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting opinions and visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue. The film is at 7 PM. Location is Unitarian Universalists in Asheville at Edwin and Charlotte Streets. No charge, donations accepted.


07/10/14 PLANNING BOARD MEETING IN JACKSON COUNTY
Planning Director Gerald Green has asked Cheryl Waters-Tormey, an associate professor of geology at Western Carolina University, to conduct a question-and-answer session on fracking for the planning board. This is scheduled for 6 PM in Room A-227 at the Justice Center in Jackson County. The meeting is public. In the past, if crowds turn out, Green has moved the meetings to commissioners' board room. This message came from the Coalition Against Fracking in WNC.


07/11/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The next meeting will be on Friday, July 11, 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville in the Media Room.

07/12/14 FRACKING INFORMATION SESSION
Fracking info session will be held in Andrews, NC (Cherokee County). This is hosted by Coalition Against Fracking in WNC. A public forum and educational presentation by a representative from Clean Water for North Carolina and local residents to discuss the risks and impacts of hydraulic fracking. Location is Andrews Ballroom 965 Main Street Andrews, NC. Time is 3 PM. Contact sally@cwfnc.org for more info.

07/12/14 ASHEVILLE NOW MEETING
Join members and supporters on Saturday, July 12, from 10 AM to 2 PM at 62 Orange Street (formerly FemCare) for the “Think Outside the Pill Box Phone Party”. RSVP is not required (drop in if you can).  Join us as we plan the actions and campaigns leading to the “Bitter Pill” Candlelight Vigil on Saturday, July 19, at Vance Memorial, the Asheville NOW response to the Supreme Court’s recent rulings limiting women’s rights. We’re also calling up our members and supporters to grow the Equal Rights movement, calling out our legislators, making YouTube protest videos, sharing refreshments and making crafty “Bitter Pill” themed pillbox protest hats. Email questions to ashevillenow@live.com.

07/12/14 POSSIBLE VIGIL FOR PALESTINE
Please contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net to see if this event is happening.

07/13/14 BONFIRES FOR PEACE
Traveling Bonfires, Loved by the Buffalo Publications, and Touch Samadhi
with The Indie (Asheville NC and Athens GA) present DOWNTOWN GET DOWN
Bonfires for Peace at Pritchard Park, 12th year. FREE. The Traveling Bonfires roam the country, ushering arts and music events and bringing people together in celebration of peace and multicultural connectedness. INFO: Marta Osborne, 828 280-2309, or email marta.osborne124@gmail.com or pasckie@yahoo.com. Time is 4 to 9 PM and location is Pritchard Park in Asheville.

07/13/14 STOP FRACKED GAS EXPORTS IN DC
The first national rally to say “NO” to fracked gas exports. The natural gas industry has plans to create 15-20 export terminals around the country so that it can export fracked US gas to the rest of the world. Unfortunately for a host of reasons, once exported, this gas results in as much greenhouse gas pollution as burning coal would be. These export terminals are like the KXL pipeline, and must be stopped. CCAN(Chesapeake Climate Action Network) has been organizing to stop the Cove Point terminal on the Chesapeake Bay, which requires approval by FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). Up to now has been a rubber stamp for the energy industry. CCAN is organizing a large protest at FERC on July 13. The nonviolent direct action (which includes risking arrest) on the 14th will be the punctuation mark to that protest. Leaders of the 2013 Walk for our Grandchildren, with support from CCAN, are organizing these two events. For additional information, including how to register, call Steve at 828-777-7816 or email earthsun2@gmail.com or Greg at 828-206-5502 or gregorybyost@gmail.com.

07/14/14 ASHEVILLE RESTURANT WORKERS UNITE
For the first time, full-service and fast food restaurant workers will come together to share their stories, talk about best practices in the workplace, and learn how we can work with our employers to create better working conditions here in Asheville. Cookout, music, meet and greet with other restaurant workers in Asheville and make a difference. Location is Carrier Park on Amboy Road in Asheville, and time is 3 to 5 PM.

07/15/14 COALITION AGAINST FRACKING (SWAIN COUNTY) 
Swain County Coalition Against Fracking will be meeting at the Mariana Black Libary at 6:30 PM. No further information.

07/17/14 FRACKING UPDATES IN BURNSVILLE
Burnsville Library, 321 School Cir, in the upstairs media room. Presentation by Nicole DeCogliano. Time is 7 PM. Email delcoglianon@email.appstate.edu for more info. 

07/19/14 SIERRA CLUB PICNIC
On Saturday, July 19, the Sierra Club will enjoy its 5th Annual Summer Picnic from noon to 4 pm at the Blue Ridge Parkway sheltered picnic grounds located on Bull Mt. Rd. near the VA Hospital on Riceville Rd. Directions: Exit 7 on I-240; go east on Tunnel Rd for 2 miles; turn north on Riceville Rd; go 1.3 miles and turn west on Bull Mt. Rd. The fenced-in, sheltered picnic area is on the left about ½ mile up the road. Please bring a pot luck dish to share and your own settings. Drinks will be provided. Badminton, horseshoes and music will add to the festivities. We hope to see you there!  

07/19/14 NO FRACKING WNC SUMMIT IN JACKSON OR MACON COUNTY
Time is 9 to 12 PM and location TBA, but somewhere in Jackson or Macon County.  Hosted by the WNC Alliance.

07/22/14 FRACKING UPDATES IN SPRUCE PINE
Spruce Pine Library,142 Walnut Ave.  Presentation by Nicole DeCogliano. Time is 7 PM.  Email delcoglianon@email.appstate.edu for more info. 

07/24/14 TO 07/27/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE ANNUAL CONVENTION
This will be held at UNCA. The convention committee has secured the following speakers: 
Cynthia McKinney, American Politician and Activist; Fr. Roy Bourgeois, Founder of SOAW; Camilo E. Mejia, First Iraqi War Resister; Col Ann Wright, Former U.S. Army Colonel; Margaret Stevens, VFP Board Member; Mike Prysner, VFP Board Member, March Forward; Maggie Martin, IVAW Executive Director & Membership Coordinator; Ben Griffin, Founder of VFP UK Chapter; Brian Willson, Vietnam Veteran; Leah Bolger, Past VFP President; Patrick McCann, VFP Board President; and Michael McPhearson, VFP Interim Executive Director. Many local and national groups will be involved with tabling and holding presentations during this event. Some of those groups are WNC Physicians for Socal Responsibility, Move to Amend Buncombe County, Code Pink, Western Carolinians for Peace & Justice in the Middle East, Registration for the convention and information at this link: http://vfpnationalconvention.org/. 

07/25/14 MORAL MOVIES SERIES
You’ve heard about Moral Mondays, but what about Moral Movies? The NC Justice Center is proud to be a collaborator, along with the NC NAACP and Working Films, on the Moral Movies film series, which is bringing award-winning documentaries to cities across North Carolina to jumpstart community dialogue and action on social, economic, and environmental issues. Moral Movies will take place the last week of each month from April through July in Wilmington, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville and Durham. The Asheville screenings are hosted by the Mountain People's Assembly. Tonight’s film will be “Inequality for All” presented by NC Justice Center. Time is 7 PM and location is Ferguson Auditorium at AB Tech, 340 Victoria Road in Asheville.  

07/25/14 BENEFIT FOR VETERANS FOR PEACE
Local Veterans For Peace Chapter 099 is proud to host singer, songwriter, story teller, author and activist John McCutcheon to Asheville for a special benefit to support work of VFP. “John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.” — Pete Seeger. It’s open to the public: 8 PM on Friday July 25, 2014 at UNCA Lipinsky Auditorium, part of Veterans For Peace 2014 National Convention. Tickets are $20 available at Malaprops in Asheville, and are available online. Reception with John McCutcheon & Preferred seating tickets are $35. Contact Tom for more info on ordering online at 828-335-3627 or tpeacenik@gmail.com.

07/25/14 ALI ABUNIMAH IN ASHEVILLE 
A reception, talk, dialogue and supper will be hosted by Western Carolinians for Peace & Justice in the Middle East on Friday, July 25 from 5 - 7:30 PM at Asheville Friends Meeting, 227 Edgewood Road. Supper is free, with donations accepted, but you must RSVP by calling Suchi at 828-707-4271 or emailing her at suchi1025@bellsouth.net. ALI ABUNIMAH is the author of “One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli Palestinian Impasse” and co- founder and director of the widely acclaimed online publication “The Electronic Intifada”. Based in the United States, he has written hundreds of articles and been an active part of the movement for justice in Palestine for 20 years.

07/26/14 MALAPROPS BOOK READING & SIGNING
Ali Abunimah, the author of “One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli Palestinian Impasse” and co-founder and director of The Electronic Intifada, shares his new book, “The Battle for Justice in Palestine”. Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, says, “This is the book to read to understand the present bizarre and ongoing complexity of the Palestine/Israel tragedy.” Abunimah is the recipient of a 2013 Lannan Cultural Freedom Fellowship and was recently featured on Democracy Now with Amy Goodman and Juan González. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops in downtown Asheville.

07/31/14 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE USA OVERVIEW AT ARBORETUM
May 2014 saw the release of the third National Climate Assessment (nca2014.globalchange.gov), the most authoritative and comprehensive report to date on climate change and its impacts in the United States. On Thursday, July 31, the Arboretum will host Laura Stevens, a research scientist with the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites, North Carolina, based at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville. She will address the National Climate Assessment, including how the it came about, its goals and outcomes, and the process involved in creating the report. Her presentation will include a look at past trends in U.S. temperature and precipitation, as well as future climate projections, with a focus on the Southeastern United States. The presentation is free and open to the public, however normal parking fees apply. Location is NC Arboretum at Education Center Auditorium.  Members always park free. Time is 6 PM. For more information please call Beth Ross Johnson at (828) 665-2492.

07/31/14 WATER FORUM IN ASHEVILLE
The Water Sustainability Initiative and Lenoir-Rhyne University are planning a water forum for the general public to address local water concerns. We are planning to address the heavy rains this year and last year, the Asheville water system, the CTS site, the Hominy Creek spill, and the coal ash ponds. It is planned to be a positive, answer-oriented event with demonstrations and solutions from the Water Sustainability Initiative. The Water Sustainability Initiative promotes the use of plants, earthworks, tanks, and community engagement to address water issues with improved rain water management and a whole-system approach. Time is 6 PM to 9 PM and location is Lenoir-Rhyne Board Room at 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. 

08/04/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY FILM SERIES
MABCO and the Unitarian Universalist Church Swannanoa Valley are co-sponsoring a free documentary series and the final showing will be of “The Story of Citizens United v. FEC”. The film will be shown at the church, located at 500 Montreat Road in Black Mountain.  Doors open at 6:30 PM and the showing starts at 7 PM. Free of charge.

08/09/14 BONFIRES FOR PEACE IN ASHEVILLE
The Traveling Bonfires presents Bonfire for Peace at Prichard Park in Asheville. This is a free concert event for the family and the community, featuring Peace Jones, Pipapelli, Lyric, and Riyen Roots. Time is 4 PM to 9 PM. The Traveling Bonfires roam the country, ushering arts and music events and bringing people together in celebration of peace and multicultural connectedness. For more info, call Marta at 828-280-2309 or email pasckie@yahoo.com.

08/11/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library. Call Ruth at 232-2883 or email ruthachristie@gmail.com 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 1 PM at A-Hope on North Ann Street in Asheville.  
Youth Outright Poetry Night at United Church of Christ in Asheville at 5 PM

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville
Women in Black have a monthly vigil at 5 PM at Vance Monument in Asheville (first Friday only)

SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard
Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Vance Monument at 5 PM.

SUNDAY
Youth OUTright meeting from 4 to 6 PM at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Ages 14 - 23 only.


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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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SHOUTOUT TO NC REPRESENTATIVE ROGER WEST FOR CLAY, CHEROKEE, GRAHAM AND MACON COUNTIES
Apparently Rep. West is of the opinion that “no one has expressed any opposition to him about fracking”.  He hasn't heard any opposition – well, it's high time he heard it then. Email him and let him know exactly how you feel about fracturing in the mountains of WNC. His email is Roger.West@ncleg.net.  He needs to hear our voices LOUD AND CLEAR!!

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'BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD'
Greetings fellow Veterans For Peace and all who seek peace in our world.  That quote above, attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, isn't the theme of the 2014 Veterans for Peace convention in Asheville this July but I'm using it as an invitation to action in support of the convention. The actual theme of the convention is “PEACE OR PERISH – ABOLISH WAR ON PLANET AND POOR”.

No doubt the week of July 23 - 27 will be yet another tragic week of worldwide institutional and militaristic mayhem causing death, destruction, impoverishment and oppression, all in the pursuit of preparing for war, waging war and profiting from war. That same week in Asheville, however, will be the one place on earth where so many peace-seeking people will be gathered in community for learning, discussion, contemplation and action in direct opposition of that mayhem.

Will you be the change that you wish to see in our world?  Opportunities to act in support of this event are varied and numerous.
Could you/would you make available some space in your Asheville area home to house one or more kindred souls wishing to attend the convention, who cannot afford any other form of available housing? Let me know if you would and I'll contact you to gather some information and let you know how that would work. (Contact Gerry at gwerhan@gmail.com.)

Could you/would you serve as a volunteer in one or more of the following roles? Please note: There will be a need to fill multiple shifts and multiples of each role and there will be orientation provided to ensure you are knowledgeable and comfortable in filling the roles you volunteer for. The more volunteers we have, the more time each will have to attend the convention program events. There will also be a limited number of opportunities to volunteer for a full day and attend selected program events at a reduced rate. Please mention that if interested.
*Pedestrian Traffic Guide on campus, helping attendees get to the right places at the right times to get the most out their time among us.
*Merchandise Table Assistant, keeping items organized and secure. National VFP Representative would handle the money.
*Registration Table Assistant, warmly greeting attendees, distributing registration packets, providing information. National VFP Representative would handle money and related registration details.
*"Go-fer"
*Workshop Assistant, helping presenters with some clerical tasks to free them up to do their work as effectively as possible.
*Driver - We'll have two 15 passenger vans in use during the convention to help meet the various transportation needs of our attendees as best we can and when other transportation options won't do.

Could you/would you serve on our Person-to-Person Contact Team? As we receive registrations (already happening) we'd like to have Chapter 99 members, and others in the local progressive community, send an email as soon as possible to each registrant in the spirit of welcome, assistance and fellowship that we'd hope would build community leading up to the convention, during the convention and beyond. Please note: I will provide you with the basic content of the email, to which you can add your personal touch. All of these opportunities offer the potential for personal demonstration of a commitment to peace in our world in meaningful and practical ways. It's my hope that I'll be overwhelmed with responses and have the opportunity to work with you to help you show that commitment, especially as representatives of the Asheville area, progressive and VFP community. Please email me to let me know how you want to help. For those reading this that have already volunteered, please let me know if you have a preference for any of the roles described above. Also, please forward this email to your like-minded friends, family and organizational contacts to ensure that they, too, have this singular opportunity to “Be the Change That They Wish to see in the World”.

Thanks,
Semper Fidelis et Pacificus
Gerry Werhan
Volunteer Coordinator
704.957.2924

Registration for the convention and information at this link:

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