UPCOMING EVENTS
01/11/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE SOCIAL AND FILM
The movie ‘A Convenient Truth’ will be shown at this Transition Asheville social. This informative, inspirational documentary is aimed at sharing ideas to provoke environment friendly and cost effective changes in cities worldwide. The documentary focuses on innovations in transportation, recycling, social benefits including affordable housing, seasonal parks, and the processes that transformed Curitiba into one of the most livable cities in the world. This will be shown at St. Mary's Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Time is 6:30 to 8 PM. For more information, contact transitionasheville@gmail.com.
01/11/16 MEETING TO PLAN ACTIONS FOR NC PUBLIC UTILITIES MEETING
Please come on Monday, January 11, at 4:30 PM to Atlanta Bread Company at 633 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. This is a meeting to plan actions and testimony for the January 26, 2016 Public Hearing by the NC Public Utilities Commission (more information under the 01/26/16 post). The NC Public Utilities Commission has schedule a hearing about Duke's proposed 752 MW fracked gas power plant at Lake Julian, which is supposed to replace the 379 MW coal fired unit presently there. Since these hearings are designed more to regulate the public than to regulate utilities; since their purpose is to give us the illusion of democracy rather than any real power; since this and other gas power plants will wed us to 40 or 50 more years of fossil fuel infrastructure, which could prove deadly; and since there is considerable confusion among the public and government officials about whether gas is clean or not, we must do something to challenge Duke's proposal. Some of us are planning a picket outside with light signs prior to the hearing, and testimony/action inside. We have scheduled this organizing meeting to plan for actions and statements at the NC Public Utilities Meeting on 01/26/16. Please come. If you cannot attend, please let me know if you are interested in participating anyway. Please let others know about this hearing as well. Please call if you have questions: Steve, 828-777-7816.
01/12/16 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
On the second Tuesday of each month, Western North Carolina Veterans for Peace meets to coordinate group activities and programs.Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
01/12/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network of groups educating and organizing white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for racial justice. Asheville SURJ hosts a weekly discussion group on risk-taking, accountability, mutual interest and how to call more white people into racial justice work. Anyone with a passion for working with white people on racial justice is welcome! Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
01/12/16 CREATING SAFE SPACES FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
“Creating Safe Space: Working with LGBTQ Youth in Western NC” workshop for professionals who work with youth. Reservations are required at 785-3621. This will be held in the Administration Building at McDowell Hospital at 430 Rankin Drive in Marion. Time is 5:30 PM. Call 772-1912 for more information.
01/12/16 HENDERSONVILLE SISTER CITIES
“Incredible India” presentation and photographs about life in India. Free. Held at Henderson County Public LIbrary at 301 North Washington Street in Hendersonville. Time is 6 PM. For more information, call the library.
01/13/16 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. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
01/13/16 MONEY IN POLITICS AND THE FREE MARKET CONSTITUTION
Capitalism v. Democracy: Money in Politics and the Free Market Constitution. The 2016 presidential elections are on course to be the most expensive in history. Ordinary citizens are utterly excluded by this plutocratic system that attempts to pass itself off as democracy. Rather than government "of, by and for the people," we now live under an oppressive regime of government of, by and for the wealthy. Author Tim Kuhner will explain how the Supreme Court has constructed this system and prevented citizens from changing it. Kuhner's Capitalism v. Democracy is a radical exposé of legalized corruption in the United States. Thomas Piketty, author of Capital in the Twenty-First Century, wrote, “This book made me realize just how dangerous supreme courts can be for matters of inequality and democracy. Kuhner has presented his book throughout Europe and the United States and he is eager to connect with Ashevillians. In conclusion, he will present a revolutionary idea for reforming the system and making elections, candidates, and political parties accountable to the people. Time is 7:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
01/13/16 GREEN DRINKS
Have an idea for Asheville Green Drinks? Contact us at (828) 216-5769 Come early for community connections and green drink specials! Socializing is from 5:30 – 6 PM and presentation is from 6 – 7 PM. Location is the Twin Leaf Brewery at 144 Coxe Avenue in Asheville. They are on the corner of Coxe and Banks in the South Slope of downtown Asheville. Entrance is the big garage door on Banks Avenue.
01/13/16 WNC 4 PEACE MEETING
Meeting will start at 6 PM and will be held at the Block off Biltmore which is at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. (You can eat there too.) The agenda will be catching up on the last two months, treasurer’s report, discussion of minutes of last meeting, and new business. Contact Craig at herbzone@gmail.com for more information.
01/14/16 HENDERSONVILLE GREEN DRINKS
The Path Toward a Cleaner, Safer, and More Affordable Energy Future. Join Joan Walker, Mountain True’s Campaign Coordinator, to learn what comes next as Duke Energy applies to the NC Utilities Commission for approval of their revised Western Carolinas Modernization Plan. The discussion will involve what success will look like as our community works to reduce demand for electricity so a third gas-fired unit will not be needed in 2023. Green Drinks has a new time and a new location! The new venue is Black Bear Coffee at 318 N. Main Street. Come at 5:30 PM for networking, presentation and discussion at 6 PM. Free to attend. Black Bear Coffee offers beer, wine, coffee drinks and sodas. A limited food menu will be available.
01/15/16 ENVIRONMENTAL FILM AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN ASHEVILLE
On Friday, January 15th, we are screening the important documentary “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret”. If you consider yourself an environmentalist or want to make an impact on climate change, you should see this film! The film screening is at 7 PM. Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, is a groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary following an intrepid filmmaker as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world's leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it. As eye-opening as Blackfish and as inspiring as An Inconvenient Truth, this shocking yet humorous documentary reveals the absolutely devastating environmental impact large-scale factory farming has on our planet. At a time when whole regions are in drought, our oceans are dying, and severe weather is becoming the norm, Cowspiracy seeks to find the real reasons why and what we can do about it. Through intense conversations with the nation's leading environmental advocacy groups this film explores the blind spots that are leading us down a road we won't be able to drive our electric car out of. Greenhouse Emissions: Roughly 13% of all greenhouse emissions come from transportation. 18% come from cattle. Rainforests: Animal agriculture is responsible for up to 91% of Amazon destruction. One to two acres of rainforest are cleared every second. Up to137 plant, animal and insect species are lost every day due to rainforest destruction. Feed People: 82% of starving children live in countries where food is fed to animals, and the animals are eaten by western countries. Location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, One Edwin Place (corner of Charlotte Street) in Asheville. There is no charge for viewing the film-donations are welcome. Call Charlie at 612-860-6628 for more information.
01/15/16 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING
Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings held on the third Friday of each month. Bring a brown bag lunch around noon. This will be held at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Room E205, at 20 Oak Street (just off College St. in downtown Asheville). Time is noon to 2 PM. Meeting starts at 12:30. Parking is available behind the church. Enter the church or ring doorbell at the glass doors on Oak Street. For more information contact Dr. Terry Clark, Chair, 633-0892 or Dr. Lew Patrie, 299-1242.
01/16/16 MLK ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
MLK Association of Asheville & Buncombe County will hold their 5th Annual Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January 16 at 8:30 AM at the Crowne Plaza Resort in west Asheville (up the hill from Sam’s Club). During more than three decades of honoring Dr. King, we have brought the residents of Asheville, Buncombe County, and surrounding areas together physically and spiritually as we seek to fulfill the dream of equality and equal opportunity so eloquently articulated by Martin Luther King, Jr. With many thanks for your help and continued support of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association and our work to promote civil and social justice in the community, we invite you to share in this most important regional event once again this year. Keynote speaker is Rodney Johnson. To order tickets by telephone, or for more information, call 828-335-6896 or 828-281-1624.
01/16/16 HARD TO RECYCLE COLLECTION
Free to the public, recycling event, accepting items of all sorts. Now with two locations! Founded in 2011 by Rainbow Recycling, Hard 2 Recycle events are free to the public collections geared to bring awareness to other modes of recycling to our area. Four quarterly held collections to cover the four corners of the County and one central event in Downtown Asheville. Our goal is to educate, collect and divert items that would normally end up in the landfill: styrofoam, electronics, books, batteries, cooking oil and much more. Not accepting the following items: paints, stains, sealers, CFL or fluorescent or incandescent bulbs; chip & snack bags; petroleum products; hard plastics; vinyl / PVC / VHS / cassette tapes; plate glass, foam; wooden items or cement. Main collection from 10 AM to 2 PM at 1298 Patton Avenue in Asheville and satellite collection from 10 AM to 1 PM at 1461 Sand Hill Road in Candler.
01/16/16 GREEN GRANNIES SING FOR THE CLIMATE
Green Grannies Sing for the Climate at Pritchard Park at 4 PM. Google "Singfortheclimate" and come out and sing with us! This happens on the third Saturday of every month.
01/17/16 ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY MEETING
“The Hidden, Devious Opportunity in North Carolina’s K-12 Opportunity Scholarships” will be presented by Jan Blunt, MPA at the Sunday, January 17th meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. We will meet from 2:00-3:30 PM at The Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. Jan Blunt will discuss how North Carolina’s K-12 school vouchers, so-called “opportunity scholarships,” are, on the surface, about providing low-income parents with more school choices for their students. The details tell a different story. Learn how tax dollars intended for public schools are being sent to private religious schools without accountability or transparency for how the funds are spent, what their students are taught, or by whom. You may be surprised by the real reason state lawmakers want to give all students, not just low-income children, the same “opportunity.” Informal discussion and refreshments will follow the presentation. All are welcome. For more information call 828 687-7759.
01/18/16 PEACE MARCH AND RALLY
Peace March & Rally will be held on Monday, January 18th at 11:30 AM at St. James AME Church at 44 Hildebrand Street in Asheville. All are welcome, free. At noon, we will march to City-County Plaza. Call 828-281-1624 or 828-335-6896 for more information.
01/18/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE MEETING
This will be a Common Table Meeting and an open invitation to all who are interested in TA. This will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 20 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5:30 to 7 PM. For more information, contact transitionasheville@gmail.com.
01/18/16 CANDLELIGHT SERVICE FOR MLK HOLIDAY
2016 Peace March Program and Candlelight Service will be held on Monday, Jan. 18 at 6 PM. Location is Nazareth First Baptist Church, 146 Pine Street off Martin Luther King Blvd in Asheville. Keynote Speaker is Rev. Clark Olsen, subject of the film Murder in Selma; featured poet Jaki Shelton Green, member of the NC Literary Hall of Fame. No charge. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County invites the community to gather for the 2016 Candlelight Ceremony where we will celebrate our Community Service Award Honorees for their efforts to increase access to and equality in education embodying the legacy of Dr. King. Saint John Baptist Church Choir to perform.
01/18/16 SIXTH ANNUAL KENILWORTH CELEBRATION OF MLK, JR.
The program for the evening is “Seeking Common Ground: An interfaith conversation on discrimination, fear and healing.” Esteemed panelists for the evening include Imam Taha from the Islamic Center of Asheville, Rabbi Justin Goldstein from Congregation Beth Israel, James E. Lee III Associate Minister of St. John A Missionary Baptist Church, and Rev. Dr. Allen Smith of Kenilworth Presbyterian Church. The evening will be moderated by Dr. Dolly Jenkins-Mullen, Associate Professor in Political Science at UNCA. Marvin Chambers a founding member of A.S.C.O.R.E. (Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality) and an icon of the Civil Rights Movement in North Carolina will be hosting. Potluck from 5:30-6:30 PM in Kenilworth Center, 4 Chiles Avenue (directly behind Kenilworth Presbyterian Church at 123 Kenilworth) in Asheville. Program will begin at 6:30 PM in the church sanctuary. DJ Profe$$ah G. will be spinning great tunes, there will be craft projects for children and lots more! Join us as we celebrate religious and cultural diversity in our community and learn from the wisdom of our neighbors. This is a Facebook event, for questions please contact Kenilworth Presbyterian Church.
01/19/16 CLIMATE JUSTICE AND THE CALL TO HOPE EVENT AT UNCA
Wake Forest Divinity School Presents: Our Common Home: Reflections on the Pope's Encyclical, Climate Justice, and the Call to Hope. This panel event is sponsored by the Wake Forest University School of Divinity's Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative, and co-sponsored by the Office of Sustainability at the University of North Carolina Asheville and Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina. Panelists include: Jacqueline Patterson-Director, NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program; Dr. Gail. R. O'Day-Dean and Professor of New Testament and Preaching Wake Forest School of Divinity; Justin Catanoso-Program Director, Journalism- Wake Forest College; Dr. Laura Lengnick-Soil Scientist and Climate Change Consultant. This will be held at Alumni Hall at UNCA. Time is 7 to 8:30 PM. Register online at Wake Forest Divinity School.
01/19/16 STATE OF BLACK ASHEVILLE LECTURE
State of Black Asheville Lecture will be on Tuesday, January 19th at 6 PM at Highsmith Union, Rooms 221-222. It will be facilitated by Dr. Dwight Mullen, Professor of Political Science.
01/19/16 MLK WEEK LUNCH AND LEARN AT UNCA
Growing through service learning can be act of social justice within itself. Join Multicultural Student Programs as we explore the intersections of social justice, activism, and service learning. In this facilitated dialogue, you will learn ways in which serving your community can inspire social change. Time is noon to 1 PM, location is Intercultural Center, Room 114, at UNCA. This is sponsored by Multicultural Student Programs. For more information, contact dhylton@unca.edu. Open to the public.
01/19/16 WORKSHOP ON IMPLICIT BIAS AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY
Mark your calendars for Tuesday 19 January from 3 to 4:30 PM, in Peterson Conference Room at Mars Hill University, as we welcome Dr. Robert Livingston, Lecturer of Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, as he leads a workshop on implicit bias and micro-aggressions. Please be on time, as space is limited. Dr. Livingston’s research ranges from micro-level experimental investigations of the psychological and physiological processes that underlie implicit bias (e.g., stereotyping, prejudice) to more macro-level examinations of discrimination in society and the workplace. We will learn how implicit bias can affect our interactions with diverse student populations and what we can do to make Mars Hill University a more inclusive and bias-free environment for our students. This event is sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, the University Intercultural Council, and the Title IX Office. Please contact Mars Hill University for more information.
01/20/16 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at noon at Brooks-Howell Community Room on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Bring a bag lunch. This is for for sharing possible JPIP initiatives, sharing good reads, discussing issues. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
01/20/16 FILM SCREENING AT UNCA
The gap in opportunities for different races in America remains extreme. Nowhere is this more evident than our nation’s top public schools. In New York City, where blacks and Hispanics make up 70% of the city’s school-aged population, they represent less than 5% at the city’s most elite public high schools. Meanwhile Asian Americans make up as much as 73%. This documentary follows a dozen racially and socio-economically diverse 8th graders as they fight for a seat at one of these schools. Their only way in: to ace a single standardized test. “Tested” includes the voices of such education experts as Pedro Noguera and Diane Ravitch as it explores such issues as access to a high-quality public education, affirmative action, and the model-minority myth. Location is Alumni Hall at Highsmith Student Union at UNCA. Time is 6 PM. Presented by Multicultural Student Programs. For more information, contact dhylton@unca.edu. Open to the public.
01/21/16 MLK WEEK KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT UNCA
Asheville native Terry Bellamy was elected to the Asheville City Council in 1999 and, in 2005, became Asheville’s first African American mayor. During her eight-year tenure as mayor, she shared her vision for a unified community that worked together to address challenges and took advantage of opportunities for the future. While she was in office, Asheville received accolades and recognitions too numerous to mention. Bellamy currently serves as the Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator/Communication Specialist for the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville. Free and open to the public. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium.
01/22/16 FILM SHOWING AT UNCA
“Selma” will be shown at 8 PM at Highsmith Union, The Grotto, at UNCA. This is a chronicle of Martin Luther King's campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.
01/22/16 PRACTICING CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Friday, January 22, 6 PM at West Asheville Library at 942 Haywood Road in west Asheville. ”Practicing Connection," interactive communication skills with Cathy Holt. Learn to listen with empathy. More information please call 828-545-9681. Free.
01/23/16 HOW DO WE FIX OUR BROKEN WORLD?
We need hope, we need change, we need justice - and we have help. In this divided world Maitreya, the world teacher, is stepping forward. His mission has begun. Mastery and his group of enlightened teachers, are here to help us reverse the damage we have done to our planet and inspired us to create a new civilization based on sharing the world’s resources and justice - the way to lasting peace. Free presentations at 2 PM at Asheville Friends Meeting at 227 Edgewood Road in Asheville NC. Please call McNair at 828-398-0609 for more information. Sponsored by Share International Southeast.
01/23/16 OPERATION SAFE WINTER
Operation Safe Winter is a Global human rights campaign with high hopes of improving the health and living conditions of people living on the street. The Asheville NC based group has teamed up with members from surrounding areas to inspire others to provide resources for those who ultimately face cruel and often deadly .If you are thinking / interested in Joining this effort to help those in need; listed below are several ways to to save lives by giving the homeless and the critically poor the tools they need to survive at least one more season. This is a Facebook event, please go to listing to see needed items. Time is 1 to 5 PM and location is Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville.
01/25/16 BUILDING BRIDGES - FULL
Our next session start date is January 25, 2015 and runs through March 21, 2015. Time is 7 - 9 PM each night. Location is MAHEC, 123 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC. Cost is $35. Please go to their website and fill out the application and pay $35 either through the paypal link or send a check for $35 to Building Bridges, PO Box 63, Asheville, NC 28802. This seminar is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions. Past participants are welcome. Encourage and recommend individuals as well as organizations that you know to participate in Building Bridges. If you are an alumni of the Building Bridges Seminars, you may apply to become a Co-Facilitator. To apply for a Co-Facilitator position, send an email to info@buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org for more information about Co-Facilitator Trainings. A celebratory potluck supper will be held for all participants at the ninth meeting. Families are welcome to attend the potluck. You may call (828) 777-4585 for more information, including how to register. Spring session is now full, but you can call to be waitlisted for the fall session.
01/26/16 PUBLIC HEARING FOR DUKE GAS PLANT
Public Hearing for Duke Natural Gas Plant will be held on January 26 at 7 PM at the Buncombe County Courthouse in downtown Asheville. The North Carolina Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on Duke Energy's proposal to construct a 752-Megawatt Natural Gas-Fueled power plant in Buncombe County. MountainTrue and our partners question the size of the power plant as being larger than needed and want to see real commitments to cleaner, safer, more affordable solutions like energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The hearing is a chance for members of the public to make their voices heard about this important project. Contact Mountain True for more information at creationcare@mountaintrue.org.
01/28/16 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE MEETING
Creation Care Alliance General Meeting will be on January 28 from 5:30-7 PM. Location is the First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville.
01/29/16 COMMUNITY DEBATES
Asheville and area residents are invited to attend a community debate in which four prominent citizens will debate against, and in support of, the different resolutions. The three-part debate series will take place on Friday evenings at 5:30 PM in the Asheville High School auditorium, November 13, January 29, and April 8, 2016. Two-person teams will debate substantive issues including race relations, and the organic food/eat-local movements. (I believe this debate is on the organic food/eat local movement.)
01/29/16 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. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
01/29/16 JANUARY SOCIAL FOR WORKFORCE DIVERSITY: ASHEVILLE’S HISTORY & OUR CALL TO ACTION
Join us for appetizers, networking and dialogue about Workforce Diversity in Asheville with guest speakers Dr. Darin Waters and Sharon West. Time is 6 PM to 7:30 PM and location is YMI Cultural Center at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. This is sponsored by WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition. Tickets are required, please go to Facebook for the link to obtain tickets (no charge, as far as I could tell).
01/30/16 SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES
How would you like to make this planet a better place for future generations and the creatures and people here now? Spend a meaningful day learning how to help create an environmentally sustainable, socially just and fulfilling human presence on Mother Earth. The symposium is called Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream. It is also called Up to Us: Earth in the Balance. It is an interactive mixed media event, which explores where our planet is today, how it got this way, what is possible now and how we can be change agents for the future. No charge. Location is Rainbow Community School at 574 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Time is 10 AM to 2:30 PM. This is organized by Creation Care Alliance, Rainbow Community School and the Pacha Mama Alliance. Contact facilitators Charley or Pam Rogers at (828) 674-1959 or crogers216@gmail.com or Scott Hardin-Nieri at scott@creationcarealliance.org for more information, including how to register for this event.
01/29/16 JANUARY SOCIAL FOR WORKFORCE DIVERSITY: ASHEVILLE’S HISTORY & OUR CALL TO ACTION
Join us for appetizers, networking and dialogue about Workforce Diversity in Asheville with guest speakers Dr. Darin Waters and Sharon West. Time is 6 PM to 7:30 PM and location is YMI Cultural Center at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. This is sponsored by WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition. Tickets are required, please go to Facebook for the link to obtain tickets (no charge, as far as I could tell).
01/31/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT FIRESTORM CAFE & BOOKS
“The Product of Our Souls” with Author David Gilbert. Part book-reading, part open discussion, author David Gilbert interrogates the (sometimes hidden, sometimes plain-as-day) racial assumptions that inform modern U.S. popular culture. Framed as a discussion about the rise of early-twentieth century American culture industries such as Broadway Theater, Tin Pan Alley song publishing, the recording industry, and "social dance," Gilbert hopes to center African Americans' artistic innovations during a virulently racist era of American history. Working in New York City between 1896 and 1919, black performers intervened in New York music and culture markets, often reshaping them in their image. Yet working within the contours of a racist American society just as "Jim Crow" laws became the law of the land, black culture workers also came to mark racial difference as much as it symbolized the arrival of the politically-powerful New Negro. The ramifications of this history are immense, and this event will generate a conversation about ragtime, jazz, rock, soul, and hip hop music that explores both the opportunities and limitations that African Americans have negotiated ever since as they've created and re-created the sounds and meaning of pop culture in the U.S. and the world. Time is 5 to 7 PM. Location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
02/04/16 AMBASSADOR TRAINING FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES
We will be hosting our next Ambassador Training on Thursday, February 4th from noon to 1:30 PM to provide our board members, volunteers and supporters with an overview of key information about Pisgah Legal Services' programs, plans and fundraising. This is a great opportunity for new board members and volunteers, and anyone interested in learning more, to get an insiders "snapshot" of Pisgah Legal Services. You don't have to be new to attend though! Ambassador trainings are also a wonderful opportunity for Pisgah Legal staff to hear your insights on how we communicate our messages to the community. We appreciate your participation. Please RSVP to Lindsay at lindsay@pisgahlegal.org or 210.3405 to let us know if you plan to attend and if you would like lunch. Please let us know if you have a lunch preference or dietary restrictions (vegetarian, salad, etc). This will be held at Pisgah Legal Services office at 62 Charlotte Street in Asheville.
02/04/16 EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION
Please join Creation Care Alliance in welcoming Rev. Steve Halsted, our guest presenter, who will be sharing his wisdom and experience about Earth Sabbath celebrations and will be leading us in an Earth Sabbath service at the close of our meeting. CCA will be incorporating Earth Sabbath worship, led by a variety of local faith leaders, into our 2016 calendar as a wonderful new opportunity for us to come together as people of faith to celebrate and honor Creation. This will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Time is 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
02/06/16 SWANNANOA VALLEY MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST
Steven Crump will be speaker at the Swannanoa Valley Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children. Time not listed. For more information, including how to obtain tickets, contact Diane at 828-545-2583.
02/11/16 ASHEVILLE TOP FACILITATION COURSE
Register now for the February 11-12 Technology of Participation (ToP®) Facilitation training in Asheville. Master how to lead: focused conversations, consensus brainstorms, and cohesive action plans. Lead meetings using methods that find common ground, are productive and enjoyable for everyone. Registration fee is $655 after January 22, and $605 before that date.
Call (828-254-0212) or email kathleen@vitalclarity.com if you have questions.
02/11/16 DISCUSSION AT UNCA ON #BLACKLIVESMATTER
This is a discussion of Inclusion in Social Movements. The #BlackLivesMatter movement swept the internet after George Zimmerman’s acquittal during the Trayvon Martin case in 2013. Since then, a highly debated conversation began about whether it was more appropriate to say #AllLivesMatter. Join Multicultural Student Programs, Black Student Association, and the Key Center as we explore this debate and discuss inclusion in social movements. Location is Room 224 at Highsmith Union at UNCA. Time is 6 PM to 7:30 PM. This is sponsored by Multicultural Student Programs and is part of Black History Month. For more information, contact dhylton@unca.edu. Open to the public.
02/12/16 CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME PRESENTATION
Join us on Friday, February 12, from either 1 to 2:30 PM or 7 to 8:30 PM (same presentation given twice) in the Social Hall of St. Eugene for an overview of Pope Francis’ papal encyclical, “Laudato Si’ – On Care For Our Common Home”. Our speaker, Dr. Catherine Wright, will discuss why Pope Francis wrote this encyclical and the idea that faith and science need to be in dialog. The purpose is to give participants an overview of the letter, to discuss how this document is a part of Catholic Social Teaching, and that we are the who that the letter is inviting to ecological conversion. Come learn what all the fuss and excitement is about. There will be a question/answer period following the presentation. This is at St. Eugene Catholic Church at 72 Culvern Street in Asheville. For more information, please contact Cynthia Gibbs at 828-684-3555 or cynthia@gibbsco.com.
02/12/16 LOVE WHO YOU WANT: A BENEFIT FOR QORDS
Hey Y’all!!! It's that time of the year for the third annual Love Who You Want benefit for QORDS. We will have a family-friendly drag show with local drag stars; costume corner; photo booth; silent auction and dance party. Doors open at 7 PM and drag show starts at 8 PM. All ages are welcome. QORDS, or Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer, is a grassroots nonprofit based in NC that hosts a music based camp for LGBTQ youth and youth of LGBTQ families. Location of the dance party is Toy Boat Toy Boat Community Arts Space at 101 Fairview Road in Asheville. This is a Facebook event.
02/13/16 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Citizens Climate Lobby meets the second Saturday of each month at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. We are advocating for a Carbon Fee & Dividend, which would impose a fee on fossil fuels at point entry; this fee will be refunded to individuals and families. There is bipartisan support in Congress as this will create jobs and help grow the economy, boosting renewables. Time is 12:30 to 3 PM. For more information, contact asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org.
02/13/16 H.K. ON J. PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY AND MORAL MARCH ON RALEIGH
HISTORIC THOUSANDS ON JONES STREET (HKonJ) had its first organizing meeting during December of 2006. Under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, TEN years later, we are stronger than ever before! You are being invited to our annual mass mobilization where the second Saturday in February of each year since 2007, we mobilize by the thousands to bring attention to our moral agenda; to stand against the legislative attacks which threaten our rights and agenda; and become better educated on the issues by the experts; "fired up, ready to go" and rejuvenated by inspirational and visionary insight; utilize this opportunity to network and ensure we get out the vote like never before in our history!
02/15/16 ANNIVERSARY OF THE LARGEST ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION IN THE WORLD
On this date in 2003, people around the world gathered to say NO to war on Iraq. We were not listened to by the US/UK governments. And now we know that the protesters were (once again) correct in their assessment of the potential outcome of such a massive and evil crime. It gives us no pleasure to be proven correct yet again. WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER.
02/15/16 FILM AT UNCA
Join Multicultural Student Programs and Black Student Association as we screen the PBS Film Special, “America After Charleston”, which follows the stories and reactions to the death of nine African-Americans in the June 2015 shootings at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. After the screening, join in a discussion facilitated by Dr. Tiece Ruffin, Assistant Professor and Diversity Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Education. Time is 6 PM to 8 PM. Location is The Grotto in Highsmith Union at UNCA. This is part of Black History Month. For more information, contact dhylton@unca.edu. Open to the public.
02/20/16 HOW DO WE FIX OUR BROKEN WORLD?
We need hope, we need change, we need justice - and we have help. In this divided world Maitreya, the world teacher, is stepping forward. His mission has begun. Mastery and his group of enlightened teachers, are here to help us reverse the damage we have done to our planet and inspired us to create a new civilization based on sharing the world’s resources and justice - the way to lasting peace. Free presentations at 2 PM at Asheville Friends Meeting at 227 Edgewood Road in Asheville NC. Please call McNair at 828-398-0609 for more information. Sponsored by Share International Southeast.
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ONGOING EVENTS
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TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 4:30 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument
Standing up for Racial Justice at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 10 AM
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville
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. Call 884-3435 to confirm.
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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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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Tell Governor McCrory: We need a Clean Power Plan for North Carolina!
The Environmental Protection Agency’s recently proposed limits on carbon pollution, known as the Clean Power Plan, is a game-changer in the fight to reduce the carbon pollution that’s driving climate disruption and endangering public health. It represents the first meaningful action taken by our nation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, the single largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in the U.S.
Go to http://www.cleanpowerplan.org/take-action/ to sign the Sierra Club petition to the governor.
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The Fight for 15, along with other groups in South Carolina, are coordinating a mass mobilization at the Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, SC on January 17 and at the Republican presidential debate in Greenville, SC on February 13. Our message is clear:
$15 and union rights
No to racism and Islamophobia! Black Lives Matter!
Immigrants rights
There will be free buses coming from various cities from across NC -- reserve your seat on the bus by contacting Ben at bcarroll@raiseupfor15.org for more information. Exact details for the buses TBA, but all will leave from cities around roughly 12 noon and return later that night. No information on costs at this time.
If anyone is planning on car-pooling to either of these events from our area, please email me and let me know. Thanks, Susan (dancewater)
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