UPCOMING EVENTS
NOTE: Veterans for Peace, an international
organization to promote peace and stop wars, is holding their national
conference in Asheville
this week! The conference will cover many topics of interest to progressives,
peace activists, and environmentalists. See July 24 for a link to the
conference website and check out the program schedule. It is possible to come
for just one session (cost is $10) or one day (cost is $20).
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.
07/22/14 GMOS: WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
This presentation is by Debi Athos of Organicfest. Time is 7
PM to 9 PM and location is Jubilee at 46 Wall Street in Asheville. Cost is $5.
07/23/14 GREEN DRINKS
Join us Wednesday July 23rd at 6 PM at the Green Sage
Coffeehouse and Cafe for a presentation on the 2014 North Carolina legislative wrap up. Come
learn about environmental issues addressed in the just-completed state
legislative session and what it all means for WNC. Presenters are Western North Carolina Alliance’s co-director,
Julie Mayfield, and Ken Brame, political chair of the WENOCA Sierra Club. Time is 6 PM to 7 PM and
location is Green Sage Cafe in downtown Asheville.
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 Social 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/.
More information on registration fees for locals below.
07/24/14 SWAIN COUNTY
COALITION AGAINST
FRACKING
The movie “Gasland 1” will be shown by the SCCAF – Swain
County Coalition Against Fracking. They are presenting a series of educational
movies on the dangers of hydraulic fracturing. The Coalition urges everyone to
come view this extraordinary documentary depicting what happens to our
environment and property values if fracking is forced on upon good
citizens like us. Community awareness and involvement is much needed. Free.
This will be held at the Swain
Center for the Performing
Arts at 7 PM.
07/24/14 WNC GREEN CONGREGATIONS MEETING
This is an important meeting – WNC Green Congregations has
some BIG NEWS and will be discussing their plans for the the remainder of 2014
and beyond! They hope to see you there! Email annajane@wnca.org for more info.
Time is 5:30 PM to 7 PM and loc ation is First
Baptist Church
on Oak Street
in downtown Asheville.
07/24/14 MORAL INJURY AMONG THE HIDDEN COSTS OF WAR
Lynn Newsom, co-director of the Quaker House in
Fayetteville, NC, will speak to the topic of “Moral Injury: Hidden Cost of
War,” at 7 PM at St. George’s Episcopal Church parish hall on School Road in West
Asheville. “Moral injury,” a relatively new diagnostic term employed by the
Veterans Administration, recognizes that among the effects of war on military
personnel is emotional trauma over serious transgressions of moral, spiritual,
or religious beliefs. The program is co-sponsored by Circle of Mercy
Congregation, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ and St. George’s Episcopal Church. Call Rev.
Sehested for more information at 828-252-2297. Childcare provided for younger
children.
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.
07/25/14 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE
EVENT
Learn about electricity and how we depend on it. Tour
off-grid renewable systems in practice (photovoltaic, microhydro, radiant-floor
heating, hot water diversions, wood-fired boiler). Learn issues surrounding
both grid-tie and off-grid renewable energy systems. Make biochar – use
charcoal as fertilizer, which liberates large amounts of energy in production.
Explore development of energy alternatives to the world’s impending energy
crisis. Registration required. Time is 9:30 AM to 5 PM, and location is
Earthaven Ecovillage. For more information or to get instructions on how to
register, contact NikiAnne at (828) 664-0268 or schoolofintegratedliving.org.
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.
07/26/14 BITTER PILL RALLY
Time is 7 PM and location is Vance
Monument in downtown Asheville. Join us to make a stand for
women’s rights. Learn how an Equal Rights Amendment stops legislative, legal
and economic discrimination on the basis of gender - and improves your life.
More info from ashevillenow@live.com.
07/29/14 SWAIN COUNTY
COALITION AGAINST
FRACKING
The Swain County Coalition against Fracking and the
Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River (WATR) are sponsoring a series of
videos on Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking). We invite everyone to view this
extraordinary documentary depicting what can happen to our environment and how
our property values will be affected if fracking is forced on us. Come stand
with us in the fight against fracking. “Triple Divide” will be shown at
Marianna Black Library in Bryson
City at 7 PM and it will
be shown at Mad Batter in Sylva at 6:30 PM. Both are free.
07/29/14 FUNDRAISER FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES
Enjoy delicious and locally sourced varieties of craft hard
apple cider. Sample 3 Urban Orchard Ciders paired with an offering of dips,
cheeses and meats from local purveyors. Gain a deeper understanding of the
delicate process of this historic beverage during a private tour of the Cidery
led by industry professionals. Time is 5 to 7 PM and location is Urban Orchard
Cider Company at 210 Haywood Road
in Asheville.
Suggested donation of $15 per person at the door. RSVP to Betsy by calling
828-210-3444 or emailing betsy@pisgahlegal.org.
07/30/14 DOCUMENTARY IN SYLVA
An investigation of impacts from fracking in Pennsylvania, “Triple
Divide” has been called “a bombshell that could reverberate across the state.”
It will tour across the country June thru November thanks to a grant from the
Investigative News Network with support from the Knight Foundation. The team
will cover over 10,000 miles in a Tesla Motors Model S, a long-range,
all-electric sedan, and use the company’s nationwide Supercharger system where
the electric cars can be quickly recharged for free. The directors aim to cross
the U.S.
using zero gasoline and emitting zero greenhouse gas pollution. It screens July
30 at 7 PM at Mad Batter in Sylva. Hosted by Clean Water for North
Carolina and Western North Carolina Alliance.
07/31/14 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE USA OVERVIEW
May 2014 saw the release of the third National Climate
Assessment, 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 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
($12). 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.
07/31/14 DOCUMENTARY AT FINE ARTS THEATER IN ASHEVILLE
Asheville Fine Arts Theatre will show “Triple Divide” screening
with Q&A with the filmmakers. Cosponsored by Clean Water for NC and WNC Alliance. Regular
admission charges apply. Time is 7 PM. See film description under 07/30/14.
08/02/14 POSTER CREATION PARTY FOR SNACK, DON’T FRACK
Time to motivate and create posters for the August fracking
events. If you’d like to join us and create, build or just provide support,
join us! Feel free to bring your beautiful mind, art supplies, your unicorn,
sign-making materials, a few favorite fracking protest sayings, a sense of
humor and your favorite libation! Time is 5 to 7 PM and location is Ty’s place.
This was posted on Facebook under “Protest Poster Creation Party”.
08/04/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY
FILM SERIES
CANCELLED - see below under 08/07/14.
08/04/14 MORAL MONDAYS IN THE MOUNTAINS
Join folks from across the region and state for another
energizing and inspiring Mountain Moral Monday - “Moral March to the Polls
Rally” on August 4, from 5-6:30 PM at Pack
Square Park
in downtown Asheville.
The Mountain People’s Assembly, a coalition of WNC organizations, and regional
WNC NAACP Branches, will host the return of Mountain Moral Monday, a
non-partisan program that will highlight the destructive policies enacted by
the N.C. statehouse over the past year while strongly focusing on the voter
empowerment campaign, “Moral March to the Polls.” The event will feature Rev.
Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the NC NAACP and other guest speakers,
as well as musical entertainment. In addition, there will be opportunities for
participants to get involved in voter registration, education and
Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts during the current mid-term election cycle.
‘Moral Freedom Summer’ Organizers and volunteers will be available to help
register voters. To sign on as a supporter or for more information, email
info@mountainmoralmonday.
08/06/14 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Sierra Club will present “Birds around the World” with Simon
Thompson, world renowned birding expert, on Wed, August 6 at 7 PM. Free, open
to the public. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in
Asheville.
Contact Judy at judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176 for more
information.
08/07/14 MOVE TO AMEND VIDEO 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”. 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 when
Congress could regulate money in politics. Sponsored by Move to Amend Buncombe County,
and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley
Social Action. Two videos: Citizens United vs. FEC and Citizens United in North Carolina. The
films 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.
This was posted on Facebook under “Move to Amend Video Series”.
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.
08/11/14 SWAIN COUNTY
COALITION AGAINST
FRACKING MOVIE
The movie “Gasland 2” will be shown by the SCCAF – Swain
County Coalition Against Fracking. They are presenting a series of educational
movies on the dangers of hydraulic fracturing. The Coalition urges everyone to
come view this extraordinary documentary depicting what happens to our
environment and property values if fracking is forced on upon good
citizens like us. Community awareness and involvement is much needed. Free.
This will be held at the Nantahala Brewery on Depot Street in Bryson City
at 7 PM.
*******************************************
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 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.
*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************
ABOUT THE VETERANS FOR PEACE CONFERENCE AT UNCA
Please help get the word to local folks that they can come
to any workshop, plenary, or film for $10, or any day for $20.
Registration in Lipinsky Lobby 8-5 PM
Veterans For Peace 29th Annual Convention
Peace or Perish, Abolish War on Planet & Poor
July 23–27 at UNC-Asheville Hosted by VFP Chapter 099 WNC
Register at Lipinsky Auditorium --- For info
828-258-1800
Keyote Speakers: Cynthia McKinney and Matthew Hoh
Featured Entertainer – Folksinger John McCutcheon at 8 PM on
Friday 25 July at Lipinsky Auditorium, get tickets for $20 at Malaprops
Banquet Saturday 6:30 PM at Morris Hellenic Cultural Center
You are invited to 4 days of Speakers, Workshops,
Entertainment, & Community with the focus of ending war and promoting PEACE
with social justice. Convention features 46 Workshops, Tabling, &
poetry. $10 per session/ or $20 Day.
******************
FROM LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB:
EPA Carbon Protection Hearing on Coal Ash in Atlanta July 29 -- Share
the Bus!
Link to the Eventbright page for bus sign up: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/bus-to-the-epa-carbon-protections-hearing-tickets-12239930963
On June 2nd President Obama and the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) released a historic plan to cut carbon pollution and stop the
worst effects of climate disruption. The Clean Power Plan is our nation's first
major action to cut dangerous carbon pollution from our largest polluters, 30%
by 2030, and will help spur a clean energy economy that can drive down
electricity bills and create hundreds of thousands of dependable jobs. This is
the beginning of what could be the biggest climate fight in US history. The
proposed plan is already under attack by fossil fuel industry, Georgia utilities, elected officials, and the
billionaire Koch Brothers who are mobilizing like never before to send their
lobbyists to Washington and fund astro-turf
groups like "Georgia Energy Freedom Alliance" and Americans for
Prosperity Georgia.
On July 29th, EPA will host the first of just four national hearings on the
proposed Clean Power Plan. Let's show the world that the southeast is ready for
serious action to stop climate disruption! Though all of the speaking slots are
filled for the 29th, we still need folks to pack the hearing and attend the Atlanta
Climate Rally taking place the same day. This is about showing the EPA how
strong the movement to curb climate emissions is. We need you there in person!
Asheville Bus Logistics: Depart
Asheville: 5:30 AM from Westgate
Shopping Center, Arrive ATL: 9:00 AM
Depart ATL: 8:00 PM Arrive Asheville: no later than 12 AM
Public comments will be taken at EPA from 9 AM to 8 PM; Press
Conference At Sam Nunn Federal Building at 10 AM; Rally for Clean Energy
Future @ 12 noon Woodruff Park; March for Climate Justice @ 1 PM Woodruff
Park to Sam Nunn Federal
Building
Have questions about Bus to the EPA Carbon Protections
Hearing!? Contact Emma at emma.greenbaum@sierraclub.org.
******************
ALSO FROM LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB:
Status of the Coal Ash Bill
Different versions of the coal ash bill - S 729 “Coal Ash
Management Act of 2014” have passed both the House and the Senate, but Senator
Apodaca (R - Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania), who is taking the lead on the
coal ash bill in the Senate, has said that the Senate will vote not to concur
on the bill because changes are needed. Specifically, he noted that he would
like changes to:
1) the variance procedure added by the House that would
allow the Secretary of DENR to grant an extension to deadlines in the bill;
and
2) the agency location and makeup of the Coal Ash Management
Commission.
Procedurally, after the Senate votes to not concur - the
coal ash bill will go to conference - which means that House and Senate leaders
will appoint legislator conferees who will meet in private to iron out
differences and come up with a final bill.
A major environmental concern remaining in regards to the
coal ash bill is the lack of clear standards to ensure that all closure methods
are protective of groundwater near coal ash sites. All 33 coal ash ponds at 14
coal plants in North Carolina
are leaking toxic heavy metals into the groundwater. Without clear
guidelines, this bill could allow coal ash at 10 of these plant sites to stay
in place, continuing to pollute our groundwater, lakes, and rivers.
Please contact your legislator asking them to add clear
standards to the coal ash bill to ensure that any closure method allowed is
protective of groundwater near coal ash sites.
Please contact State Legislators:
Buncombe
County:
Tim.Moffitt@ncleg.net -- 919-715-3012
Nathan.Ramsey@ncleg.net -- 919-733-5746
Haywood, Madison,
Yancey Counties:
Michelle.Presnell@ncleg.net -- 919-733-5732
Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon Counties:
Roger.West@ncleg.net -- 919-733-5859
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