Sunday, May 03, 2015

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

#BiltmoreBlooms

UPCOMING EVENTS

05/04/15 STAND UP FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH RALLY
Please join Planned Parenthood and The Mountain People’s Assembly for a rally against HB 465 at 5:30 PM in Pack Square. HB 465 would deny women access to the high-quality abortion care offered in our state and place arbitrary delays on women seeking abortion. This bill would ban abortions performed at UNC & ECU med schools with limited exceptions, restricting a woman's ability to receive the very best care possible, and prohibit two of the finest medical schools in the country from providing doctors with the training necessary to provide safe medical care for their patients. In addition, HB 465 would extend the waiting period before a woman can obtain an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours, placing completely arbitrary delays on a time sensitive procedure. We expect this bill to pass in the NC Senate, which is why we will be putting pressure on the Governor to veto the bill. The Governor had promised he would not pass any further abortion restrictions and we want to hold him to that campaign promise.

05/04/15 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES
Location is Green Sage Cafe in Westgate and time is 5:30 to 7 PM. We will eat dinner together from 5:30 to 6pm and then have a speaker and discussion. Please also come with your own announcements and/or petitions! Please RSVP at ctorengo@gmail.com, so we can give our friends at Green Sage an approximate head count for dinner. 

05/05/15 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB 
The Current Events Book Club will discuss the book “They Know Everything About You:  How Data-Collecting Corporations and Snooping Government Agencies Are Destroying Democracy.” Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops at 55 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville.

05/05/15 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
“Diplomacy and the Revenge of Globalization” by Ambassador Laurence Pope. April’s news of the proposed new Asian-Pacific trade agreement unearthing a rift between the White House that is negotiating it and Senate Democrats in the Senate who want a hand in drafting its particulars, only highlights the importance and timeliness of our May World Affairs Council Event. We are honored to welcome Ambassador Laurence Pope for our final event of the 2014-2015 season. UNCA students and WAC members admitted without charge. Others: single admission $10.00 Time is 7:30 to 9 PM. Location is the Manheimer Room at Reuter Center at UNCA.

05/06/15 GREEN DRINKS / SIERRA CLUB MEETING / MOUNTAIN TRUE MEETING
Asheville Green Drinks, Sierra Club and Mountain True (formerly WNC Alliance) will present Drew Jones of Climate Interactive leading a hands-on interactive session where participants will work together to create a global scenario for addressing climate change, which has been used by the US State Dept, the UN, and the Chinese government. Drew will also share his reflections on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, which are leading up to a summit meeting of 196 countries in Paris in December 2015.Come early for community connections and refreshments. Socializing: 7:00 PM. Presentation: 7:15 PM. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Charlotte and Edwin Streets in Asheville. Contact Judy for more information at judymattox@sbcglobal.net  or 828-683-2176.

05/06/15 WILD SOUTH/WILDERNESS SOCIETY EVENT ON PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST PLANNING
The Nantahala Pisgah National Forest is vital to the way of life for those that live in Western NC, recreationally, economically and spiritually. This forest system totals 1,044,393 acres in the 18 county region of WNC. Our National Forests, unlike National Parks, are managed by the Forest Service. This management can be anything from timber harvest for wood products, to wilderness designations where the land is left to undergo its natural processes without human interference. The Forest Service has a “forest plan” that outlines how they manage each forest. The management plan for each forest is unique, and takes into account citizen and agency input as well scientific and economic studies. The plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah is being revised, right now. This revision process started in March of 2013 and will continue through the fall of 2016. If you care about how the National Forests are used and managed in WNC, it is time to get involved! There are many vocal groups that are having their opinions heard, and the Forest Service wants to hear from them all. Come out to New Mountain Asheville SOL Bar at 38 N. French Broad in downtown Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM. Conservationists and Biologists from Wild South and The Wilderness Society will be there to give a brief presentation on the Forest Plan, the process, and how you can get involved. A discussion and open forum will be after the presentation.

05/07/15 YWCA’S BLACK & WHITE GALA
The Stand Against Racism campaign will culminate with the YWCA's annual Black & White Gala at the Crest Center & Pavilion, 22 Celebration Place in Asheville. More information about this gala at YWCA website. Time is 7 to 10:30 PM. 

05/08/15 LECTURE AT UNCA
“What has the Supreme Court Wrought?” by Carl Peterson. The outcome of opinions issued by the United States Supreme Court from the controversies presented to it has a tremendous impact on the lives of each and every person in this country. Judge Peterson will provide a synopsis, and the potential impact, of significant opinions that were published by the U.S. Supreme Court in the October 2013-2014 term and in the current term to date. The discussion will include the controversies that remain pending and will likely be resolved by the Court by the end of the session in June 2015. Carl Peterson is a retired trial judge with experience as a prosecutor, 20 years as a practicing lawyer, and 20 years on the trial bench. He has provided numerous classes and seminars on the U.S. Supreme Court and landmark cases decided by this Court. Time is 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM and location is Reuter Center, room 102A, at UNCA. Contact Leanna Preston at lpreston@unca.edu for more information.

05/08/15 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH
On Friday, May 8th, we are screening the important documentary, "Food Chains".  The film exposes the plight of migrant farm workers in the United States. The film will be attended by representatives from the Buncombe County Schools Migrant Education Program. Agriculture remains the backbone of America, generating billions of dollars of revenue for those atop the food chain. Those at the bottom, however, see very little of those profits. Farmworkers remain desperately poor, averaging about $12,000 per year in wages. The film is at 7 PM. Location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville. There is no charge for viewing the film - Donations are welcome. Due to construction at UU, there will be no film screenings in the months of June, July, and August.  We will resume monthly screenings in September. For more information, contact Charles at 612-860-6628 or mnpopi@charter.net.

05/11/15 EXHIBIT ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
“Access to Health Care for African-Americans of Buncombe County 1860-1960” For many years, Sharon Kelly West, delivered the message of the lingering and profound disparities around health care in the African American community in the local community and across the state. At every event she decried the data sets and shared “It is important to reflect on the limited health care access for African Americans of Buncombe County, N.C. in the 19th century and compare with our current status of access to medical expertise. Compelling data points to a protracted state of health and health care inequity in African Americans which further reinforces the sense of urgency to move forward with due diligence towards parity achievement.” At the same time, her talks lifted up all those individuals and community members who labored to give their patients the best care and at the same time fought for greater equity and full dignity. The goals of this exhibit are to remind us all of the legacy of those courageous individuals and their collective visions and to inspire us all to further their work of full access and equality for health and well- being. This exhibit is free and runs until 05/30/15. It is open during regular business hours at the YMI Cultural Center on South Market Street in Asheville.

05/11/15 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE MEETING
Imagine using wood gas, at only 25 cents per gallon, to power any modern gasoline or diesel engine and producing cleaner emissions at the same time. Hear a basic overview of how wood gasifiers can help mitigate climate change while building soil fertility for food production. No modern fuel does a better job of closing the loop of energy, nutrient, and carbon cycles more than wood gas when it is combined with biochar and coppice (pruning) systems. Come, learn, and sign up if you’d like to plug into hands-on wood gasification projects. Brian Winslett is a co-founder of Blue Ridge Biofuels, located in Asheville and serving the Western North Carolina region. Snacks and socializing will begin at 6:30. Location is Parish Hall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street in Asheville. For more information, contact transitionAsheville@gmail.com.

05/11/15 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Next meeting is a general meeting on May 11 at the North Asheville Library on Merrimon Avenue. No further information given. 

05/12/15 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. 

05/12/15 HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR’S JOURNEY
“Lessons from the Past, Guidance for the Future; A Holocaust Survivor's Journey” Join Holocaust survivor Dr. Walter Ziffer as he recounts his return to his hometown in Czechoslovakia for a meeting of reconciliation between Jews and Christians; remembering the Holocaust so that it may never happen again. Tuesday, May 12th at 7 PM at the Weaverville Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library. For more information, call the Library at 250-6482.

05/13/15 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 117 Montreat Road in Black Mountain.

05/14/15 INTERNATIONAL CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS DAY

05/15/15 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING
The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be in west Asheville. Meeting from 10:30 AM to noon. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

05/15/15 JURY NULLIFICATION AWARENESS RALLY
Jury nullification is the surest way to peacefully put government tyranny in check. If more people were informed as to the power of the jury, there would be less people in cages for victimless crimes. People need to understand the power they have to actually save lives as jurors. The State certainly doesn't want them to know this, and has gone to great lengths to keep them nescient and misinformed. Knowledge is power after all. Let's spread it around. This will be at Vance Monument at 2 PM. 

05/16/15 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE PROTEST
This will be at Pritchard Park from noon to 1:30 PM. Protest against US support for Israeli policies. 

05/16/15 GREEN GRANNIES SING FOR THE CLIMATE
Green Grannies Sing for the Climate at Pritchard Park at 5 PM. Google "Singfortheclimate" and come out and sing with us! This happens on the third Saturday of every month. 

05/21/15 JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
A teacher with 20 years of experience, Anne Gueguen is determined to give the best education she can to her underprivileged inner-city pupils. Overcoming their apathy, however, is proving to be more difficult than expected. Frustrated but undaunted, Anne tests her multicultural classroom with a unique assignment: a national competition on the theme of child victims of the Nazi concentration camps. The project is initially met with extreme resistance, until a face-to-face encounter with a Holocaust survivor changes the class’s attitude dramatically. Despite their long-shot odds of winning, these once-rebellious teens soon begin to see one another – and themselves – in a whole new light. A potent and moving antidote to the devaluation of education in an age of ignorance, “Once in a Lifetime” demonstrates the enduring impact of the Holocaust in transforming future generations. Time is 7 PM on May 21 and 1 PM on May 22. Location is Fine Arts Theater in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $8.50.

05/25/15 ALTERNATIVES TO FEAR-DRIVEN POLITICAL CLIMATE
“Guns, Violence, and Fear: A Theological Response to the Idolatry of Security” From school shootings to terrorist attacks to world-wide epidemics, the news cycle provides a shopping list of things to fear. But what does this constant diet of fear do to our moral sensibilities? How can we distinguish fear-mongering from true danger? In a time when fear can easily be manipulated for economic, religious, or political gain, individuals and communities too often turn security into an idol that leaves little room for risky ventures of goodness or love. In this talk, author Scott Bader-Saye will address the ways communities of faith can embody alternatives to the fear-driven, risk-averse moral and political climate of the day. Location is Lenoir-Rhyne University Asheville Campus 2nd Floor Board Room at 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. Time is 7 PM.  

05/28/15 HOOD TALK
If you have never been to a Hood Talk before...MAY 28 is the one you need to be at...what is..."The Cycle"...this one will have you talking...you might even cry...feel anger...or who knows...your emotions will run wild but after all the emotions...we will have the conversation...and put actions with word…plan ahead. be there...this dialogue will melt hearta special Hood Talk. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is YWCA in downtown Asheville.

05/29/15 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Meet in the media room. 

05/29/15 TOWNS THAT ARE REDUCING THEIR PESTICIDE FOOTPRINT
This free, four-part series will take place on the last Friday of March, April, May and June. This is the third part of the four-part series. The series runs as follows: April 24: Pesticides Kill More Than Pests: Keeping Bees and Other Wildlife Safe; May 29: Towns That Are Reducing Their Pesticide Footprint; June 26: It All Starts At Home: Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides. Sessions are being held at the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville - Lenoir-Rhyne University from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on the above dates. It is our intention to celebrate Asheville as a city in transition, a city willing to take a hard look at what it’s going to take to create the kind of resiliency necessary for a sustainable future.In addition to educating our citizenry – and no doubt learning from you all as well – we want to draw attention to the need for city governments to set an example and model best practices in pest management. Light refreshments will be served each evening. We are looking for volunteers and additional sponsors to cover refreshments. Tabling is free, so please do consider sharing your passion with like-minded folk. Time is 6 to 9 PM and location is Lenoir Rhyne University on Montford Avenue in Asheville. They will be using the second floor boardroom. This is a facebook event, and since it is multi-day, you probably want to sign up if you are interested in this topic.

05/30/15 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ANNUAL MEETING
2015 Annual Meeting and Luncheon. We are excited to welcome Jane Pinsky from the North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform. Jane will be speaking about efforts to support a transparent, impartial and fair process for redistricting. We will also discuss our successes from this year and our goals for 2015-16. Time is 11:30 AM to 2 PM and location is the Lenoir-Rhyne Board Room (2nd floor of the Chamber of Commerce). 

05/30/15 CLEAN UP THE FRENCH BROAD
The French Broad River is a local treasure, but lately it doesn’t look like one. Join us on Saturday, May 30 for a French Broad River Cleanup Day. Sierra Club will be joining other area groups in this effort which lasts from 10 AM until 2 PM. After our hard work is done ... and her beauty is restored, we will throw a party in her honor from 2-4 PM featuring food, fun, beer and other libations. If you would like to join the makeover effort, please call or email Mark Threlkeld at (828) 200-6280 or email focusmdt@gmail.com. Just let him know if you would like to join a crew on the river or on shore.

06/02/15 FILM SCREENING AT AB TECH
“Fracking Stories”, a film screening, is sponsored by Working Films, and co-hosted by the Mountain People’s Assembly, WNC Frack Free, and Clean Water for NC. Time is 7 PM and location is Ferguson Auditorium at AB Tech at 340 Victoria Road in Asheville.

06/03/15 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Britten Cleveland will talk on “The EPA’s Clean Power Plan and North Carolina”. Join Sierra Club on June 3 as Britten Cleveland, North Carolina’s Sierra Club organizer, discusses the Clean Power Plan and what you can do to help North Carolina reduce its carbon pollution. Under this plan North Carolina is required to develop a strategy to reduce its carbon emissions by 2030. Socializing begins at 7 PM and program begins at 7:15 PM. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Charlotte Street and Edwin Place in Asheville. Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, or 828-683-2176 for more information.

06/15/15 to 06/19/15 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WNC CONFERENCE
“Wake Forest Food & Faith Intensive in Asheville: A New Heaven, A New Earth: Food Justice, Ecology, and Revelation” will be held at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa. This transformative five-day course is designed for non-profit leaders, pastors, faith-based activists, gardeners and farmers, and anyone interested in the intersection of Christian spirituality, ecological restoration, and redemptive agriculture. Go to website for Creation Care Alliance of WNC for more information.

06/16/15 JUST ECONOMICS GENERAL MEETING
Just Economics hosts a general meeting on the second Tuesday of every other month where our members and supporters join us, share a meal, talk about some general updates about our work and our community, and then break out into committees to strategize and create plans to bring about a more just and sustainable local economy. This is a great time to get engaged with JE! Everyone is welcome. We will have food, however anyone able to bring a dish to share is encouraged to do so. For more information visit justeconomicswnc.org. Time is 6:30 PM and location is United Way building in Asheville.

07/13/15 DRONE QUILT PROJECT IN ASHEVILLE
The Drone Quilt Project has been approved by the Asheville Area Arts Council and will be exhibited at their Grove Arcade gallery from July 13 to July 25. Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 and Just Peace for Israel/Palestine will be co-sponsoring this event.

11/12/15 to 11/15/15 PEACE CONFERENCE
This will be November 12-15, 2015 at Lake Junaluska. Theme will be “Longing for Peace/Exploring the Heart of God”. Keynote speakers are Rabia Terri Harris, founder of the Muslim Peace Fellowship; Rabbi Or Rose, founding director of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College and Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Special music by Yuval Ron and Ensemble-- a world-renowned musician, composer, educator, peace activist, and record producer.  The Yuval Ron Ensemble has been actively involved in creating musical bridges between people of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths. They will perform Saturday eve. Registration is $120 before Sept. 1 and $145 afterward. Packages which include registration, lodging and meals are available. Register via Lake Junaluska website or call 828-454-6682 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 Pritchard Park 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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