UPCOMING EVENTS
01/25/16 UNITED TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY MEETING - CANCELED DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS
United to Restore Democracy (the local group formerly known as MABCO) will be hosting a planning meeting reviewing projects we have been working on, and things we hope to achieve this year, in addition to our regular business. Our meeting will be on Monday, January 25th at the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Avenue, from 7 - 8:30 PM. Due to the MLK holiday, we will NOT be meeting this month on our regularly scheduled 3rd Monday of the month, but rather the 4th Monday of the month. United to Restore Democracy (Asheville) is a local non-partisan citizens group that has organized to overturn the destructive Citizens United decision and reclaim the liberties and privileges guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution for real, living, breathing people. Our group is part of a larger State and National movement to educate, empower, and bring awareness to the issues related to corporate personhood, the corruptive influence of money in politics and the impacts that has on the local, state and national community. For more information, contact Diana at dianakruk@gmail.com.
01/25/16 WNC MORAL MONDAY TOWN HALL & NEWS CONFERENCE - CANCELED DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS
Join us on January 25th in Asheville, NC as people from across Western North Carolina come together for a Moral Monday Town Hall to remind us what is really at stake in 2016. We will hear from Rev. Barber and local people who have been impacted by the extreme policies passed over the last four years, including the denial of Medicaid Expansion, the defunding of public education, the attack on voting rights, and more. Doors will open at 5:30 PM and program starts at 6 PM. Location is the Hill St. Baptist Church at 135 Hill Street in Asheville. If you have any questions, contact Asheville Buncombe NAACP president, Carmen Ramos-Kennedy, at 4ward2gethercall2action@gmail.com.
01/25/16 PLANNING FOR DUKE ENERGY HEARING ON 01/26/16
Come learn all about Duke's Energy Plan and prepare for Tuesday's Public Hearing. This Monday, January 25th at 6 PM come to Brad's House at 3 Stegall Lane in Asheville. It is always best to be prepared when going into any meeting. Let's discuss what points to make and what ones to avoid so that we can be better prepared to make an impact at this upcoming public hearing. If we want our voices to be heard we need to be knowledgeable and clear with our expectations. Contact the Citizens Climate Lobby - Asheville Chapter at asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org for more information. Check with then about road conditions before heading out.
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. Also, see post below events for more information on this public hearing. Contact Mountain True for more information at creationcare@mountaintrue.org. Many groups are arriving at 6 PM to rally and protest this fracked gas plant. If you wish to speak, you must sign up by 6 PM. If you can't attend, you can write to:
Chief Clerk's Office,
4325 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699–4300
Please include docket number E-2 Sub 1089
01/26/16 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.
01/26/16 STATE OF THE CAMPAIGN ON TRANSPORTATION EQUALITY
Join us for a brief press conference and rally to highlight the 2015 campaign victories, identify the 2016 priorities of the People's Voice on Transportation Equality, and release results of a study done around the need for more evening service. Hosted by Just Economics of WNC. This will be held at ART Terminal in downtown Asheville. This is a facebook event under the title “State of the Campaign Address Press Conference and Rally”.
01/27/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is Asheville Beyond Coal by Mountain True. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
01/27/16 OTHER WORLDS ARE POSSIBLE BOOK GROUP AT FIRESTORM
This discussion group focuses on science fiction, speculative fiction and fantasy literature with a feminist, social justice and/or “radical: theme. We'll read a book each month and discuss both the vision presented by the author and how the book contributes to our understanding of our present moment. The book for January is “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood. Time is 7 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
01/28/16 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE MEETING
Creation Care Alliance General Meeting will be on January 28 from 5:30-7 PM. The Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina (CCAWNC, formerly WNC Green Congregations) is a network of people of faith and congregations who have united around a moral and spiritual call to preserve the integrity, beauty and health of God’s creation. We work to bring practical and hopeful solutions to our congregations and broader secular communities by engaging hearts and minds through education, service and advocacy. Our work is an expression of our love of God and God’s love for the earth and all life.With limited resources but lots of passion, CCAWNC has been able to accomplish some amazing things in the past two and a half years: three prayer vigils, a climate and faith forum, two clergy breakfasts, public educational events, and multiple advocacy initiatives, just to name a few. Now, we need to take our efforts to a new and even more effective level and are seeking partners and supporters to invest in this good work so that we can build even more creative and effective events and programs in the coming years.Location is the First Baptist Church of Asheville at 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville.
01/28/16 GUNS AND GUN POLICY IN NORTH CAROLINA
Please join us for a conversation about guns and gun policy in North Carolina at the next Carolina Public Press Newsmakers forum. 8:30 - 9:15 AM is registration and light breakfast, 9:25 - 10:30 AM is panel conversation and audience Q&A. Going beyond headlines and sound bites, the Newsmaker series brings together the state and region’s top journalists with those making and influencing the news - people such as business leaders, lawmakers, agency administrators, public policy influencers and others - for in-depth, nonpartisan conversations with the public. Newsmakers will break down barriers often felt between journalists and lawmakers, between community members and leaders - all toward building an engaged, informed community. Panelists are still being confirmed. Invitees include several North Carolina legislators, area sheriffs, and representatives from the N.C. Sheriffs' Association, the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police, the N.C. Department of Justice and SBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Details will be updated as they become available. The event will be moderated by journalists with Carolina Public Press. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the United Way parking lot. This will be held at the United Way Building (First floor conference Room) at 50 South French Broad Avenue in Asheville. Please note that the United Way Building has a no firearms policy. For more information, please contact Carolina Public Press at 828-774-5290 or at info@carolinapublicpress.org. They can give you information on how to register via Eventbrite.
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. I have not received any information on this event in awhile, so I am not sure if it is still happening.)
01/29/16 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 3:15 PM to 5 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 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 under “January Social” for the link to obtain tickets (no charge, as far as I could tell).
01/29/16 PINK OUT ROE DAY RALLY IN PACK SQUARE
Join us in solidarity as we celebrate the passing of Roe v. Wade in Pack Square. Please wear pink and please bring a friend. We will have our large “Care Happens Here” banner, we will be passing out condoms, we will be holding up signs, and probably doing some cheers and chants. Feel free to make your own signs. Anti-choice protesters may also be there, so I am going to ask that we follow Planned Parenthood protocol and choose to not engage with them. Contact Elisabeth at elisabeth.jones@ppsat.org. Time is 12:30 to 2:30 PM. This was rescheduled from 1/22/16 due to the snow.
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.
01/30/16 NONPARTISAN GOTV TRAINING AND CANVASS
It's Our Time, It's Our Vote Non-Partisan Get Out The Vote training and voter registration and canvass. Time is 10 to 11:30 AM. Asheville-Buncombe County NAACP in coalition with Democracy NC and Just Us United will have a special nonpartisan G.O.T.V. Training in the sanctuary of Hill Street Baptist Church at 135 Hill Street in Asheville. A Voter Registration/Canvass Drive will follow immediately after the training. Your help is needed to Get Out The Vote. All are encouraged to attend and then head out to register voters! Completed registration forms to be turned in at 39 S. Market St. starting at 1:45 PM (at the corner of Eagle & Market Streets in the YMI). Stay to share insights on the action, debrief and learn more about future actions including future opportunities engage voters. This is a critical election cycle and only massive numbers of us engaging in this work will get the future we want for NC and our country! Kindly reply that you will participate to Darlene Azarmi darlene@democracy-nc.org or 828-216-3430. Call 704-654-1174 for more information.
01/31/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT FIRESTORM
“The Product of Our Souls” with Author David Gilbert at 5 PM at Firestorm. 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. Time is 5 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
02/02/16 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB
Join host Bruce Roth for a lively discussion on topics of current interest including war and peace, the economy, the environment, and other hot political topics. The February pick is “Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State” by Ralph Nader. Location is Malaprop’s and time is 7 PM.
02/02/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Middle East Alliance” and the speaker is Samer Traboulsi of the UNCA History department who will be returning form an end-of-the-year visit to Beirut. He will discuss the complex issues of Middle East alliances. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/03/16 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT ENERGY NEEDS
Leadership Asheville and Leadership Asheville Forum, in conjunction with UNC Asheville Office of Sustainability present “A Community Conversation: WNC’s Future Energy Needs”. Panelists are Glen Snider; Director of Integrated Resource Planning and Analytics, Duke Energy; Jim Spencer; Director of Engineering, New Belgium Brewing Company; Joan Walker; Campaign Director, MountainTrue; and Michael Youth; Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs, NC Sustainable Energy Association. Moderator is Sonia Marcus Director of Sustainability, UNC Asheville and Chair of the City of Asheville’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. General Admission $20 / Faculty and staff $15 / Students $10 (ID checked at the door). Includes hot breakfast and panel discussion. Promoted by Mountain True. Time is 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Location is UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, Mountain View Room. This is a facebook event, and they request that you get tickets via eventbrite. Look under “WNC’s Future Energy Needs” on facebook.
02/03/16 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Learn how you can make responsible wood and paper buying choices that impact the world’s forests. Josh Martin, Director of the Environmental Paper Network (an international coalition of 145+ organizations transforming the pulp & paper industry) will share how our wood & paper buying choices impact the world’s forests. Time is 7 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place (Charlotte Street and Edwin Place) in Asheville. Contact judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176 for more information. Free and open to the public.
02/03/16 WOMEN’S LIBERATION: THEN AND NOW
More than forty years after the women's liberation movement of the 1960's women remain without equal rights. Across the US women are being oppressed in a number of ways: increased restrictions on access to abortions, higher healthcare premiums for future mothers, and rampant misogyny that breeds a dangerous rape culture. Join Sharon Smith, activist and author of Women & Socialism and Subterranean Fire: A History of Working-Class Radicalism in the United States and Asheville's branch of the International Socialist Organization as we discuss the history of women's struggle and the lessons we can learn from the movement for women's liberation. The liberation of the working class will not come without the liberation of women. This is presented by Asheville Socialists. Time is 6:30 PM and location is UNCA (no further information). No contact information, but this is a facebook event.
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.
02/04/16 DISCUSSION SERIES ON RACE AT UNCA
“Starting the Conversation” is an interdisciplinary discussion series on race at UNC Asheville intended to foster in-depth discussions about race between students and faculty. Free and open to the public. Contact Anne Jansen at ajansen@unca.edu or 828-251-6582 for more information. Time is 11:50 AM to 1:05 PM and location is Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum, at UNCA.
02/06/16 SWANNANOA VALLEY MEMORIAL MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST
Steven Crump will be speaker at the Swannanoa Valley Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. We invite you to join us in sharing the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we strive to bring knowledge and awareness of his work to our Swannanoa Valley community. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children. Time is 9 AM. Location is Camp Dorothy Walls on Cragmont Road in Black Mountain. For more information, including how to obtain tickets, contact Diane at 828-545-2583.
02/08/16 GO GRANNY GO PROGRAM
On February 8, Barbara Bates Smith will perform her program, ”Go Granny Go” at New Mountain Asheville at38 N. French Broad Avenue in Asheville. The program relives the efforts of Doris Haddock, a 90 widow who walked from California to Washington DC in the years 2000-2001, celebrating her 90th birthday along the way. She did this to protest the control of big money over our Democracy and promote passage of reform by Congress. This inspiring presentation will be sponsored by WNC for Bernie, but its call to citizen involvement is nonpartisan. Democracy is not a partisan issue. Admission is free. Doors open at 7 PM. Contact Tom at tomcoulson@aol.com for more information.
02/09/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “ISIS (Daesh)” and the speaker is Major General Rick Devereaux, Director Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy of the Air Force. He will address the military, diplomatic and strategic steps that are being taken to confront ISIS. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/09/16 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE NAACP MEETING
Join us at Hill Street Baptist Church, 135 Hill St.in Asheville for the regular monthly meeting of our local branch of NAACP. The February meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall downstairs. Enter from the rear parking lot through the glass doors. Doors open at 6 PM. Meeting starts at 6:30 PM. Interested in joining NAACP? Contact branch president Carmen Ramos-Kennedy at 4ward2getherCall2Action@gmail.com to get a membership form sent to you or call the branch office at 828-255-4453.
02/09/16 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.
02/10/16 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.
02/10/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is Alternatives to Pesticides Coalition-Building a movement. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
02/10/16 ASHEVILLE TIMEBANK INFORMATION SESSION.
Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 6 - 8 PM. All are invited to the Edington Center at 133 Livingston (corner Gaston Street) in Asheville for a community potluck. Learn about the Asheville TimeBank and meet some other members! Contact Cathy at cathyfholt@gmail.com for more information.
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
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 LECTURE AT UNCA
Topic is Asheville’s African American Experience in the Civil War Era. Gordon McKinney, former director of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College and College for Seniors instructor, is the author of several books on the American Civil War. In this lecture he will discuss the Civil War as a time of uncertainty for most African Americans in Asheville. As the war ended, former slaves embraced the new freedom of movement and demanded wages and new working conditions. Many sought to reconstitute their families and establish their own churches and schools. Learn more about this interesting chapter in the history of African Americans in Western North Carolina. This event is free and open to the public. Time is 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM and location is the Reuter Center, room 102A, at UNCA. This is part of the Fab Friday Lecture Series.
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 PROTEST THE REPUBLICAN DEBATE IN GREENVILLE, SC
Carpools leaving early afternoon -- contact Williams Parker (prkwilliams@gmail.com / 919-724-0961) or Garret Lagan (gklagan@gmail.com / 828.508.6731). Our message is clear: $15 and union rights; No to racism and Islamophobia; Black Lives Matter and Immigrants rights.
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!
02/13/16 LOCAL BUS TO MORAL MARCH ON RALEIGH
Get on the bus from Asheville to Raleigh for the 10th Annual Moral March on Raleigh! The march in Raleigh starts at 10 am. We will leave promptly from Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (50 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. off College St. in downtown Asheville) at 5 AM to arrive on time. Please pack food & beverage for the round trip. If you have a cell phone, please bring it, as well as your charger. Tickets are $40 per person. If you can afford to donate more, please do so that we can provide scholarships for others. Questions about tickets and how to get them, please contact Elaine Lite at info@mountainmoralmonday.org. On the morning of departure and during day of the event in Raleigh, contact Jake Quinn 828-713-1972 (Please be sure to enter this number in your phone before departure.)
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 BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT
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.
02/15/16 STREET PROTEST OF HEWLETT - PACKARD
Just Peace Israel/Palestine’s next street protest will focus on the HP Boycott again, February 15, Monday (Presidents’ Day), from noon to 1:30 PM at Best Buy parking lot (entrance on South Tunnel Road). HP provides the Israeli Ministry of Defense a biometric identification system installed at checkpoints in the West Bank which makes it possible to restrict Palestinian movement. This is illegal under international law. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
02/15/16 UNITED TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY MEETING
United to Restore Democracy (the local group formerly known as MABCO) will be hosting a planning meeting reviewing projects we have been working on, and things we hope to achieve this year, in addition to our regular business. Our meeting will be on Monday, January 25th at the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Avenue, from 7 - 8:30 PM. For more information, contact Diana at dianakruk@gmail.com.
02/16/16 WNC 4 PEACE MEETING
Meeting will start at 6 PM and will be held at location TBD. Contact Craig at herbzone@gmail.com for more information.
02/16 /16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Climate Change” and the speaker is Tom Peterson, a widely published climate scientist and current president of the Commission for Climatology Structure at the World Meteorological Organization and recent retired NOAA climatologist. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/17/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is From Kudzu to Urban Food Forest. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
02/18/16 DINE OUT FOR DEMOCRACY
Dine out and a percentage of your funds will be donated to promoting voter education and advocacy in Western North Carolina. More information to follow on what restaurants will host this event. This is organized by Just Us United.
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.
02/21/16 POETS RESPOND TO RACE
Al Black, a Columbia, SC, poet, organizer, and advocate, and Len Lawson, a poet and teacher, will join us for a Poets Respond to Race reading. Black is the author of the collection “I Only Left for Tea”, which is characterized by “quiet intimacy and vulnerability,” according to writer Ed Madden. Lawson’s poetry appears in several anthologies and journals including “pluck! A Journal of Affrilachian Arts”. In the wake of the Charleston tragedy, Black and Lawson began coproducing the Poets Respond to Race tour, which has included readings in three states and aims to bring unity and conversation through poetry. According to its mission statement, Poets Respond to Race “holds open forums on race and diversity to offer a gateway into tough conversations that can change communities in the south.” At Malaprop’s in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM, please call Malaprops for more information.
02/23/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Korean Choices” and the speaker is Marc Mulling of the MHU Philosophy and Religion Department. He has taught at Ewha Women’s University in South Korea, speaks and reads Korean, and blog about Korea. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/24/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is Green Gauge - Existing Home Program. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
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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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Please pass on to your networks - from Alliance for Energy Democracy:
WNC deserves a clean energy future and you can help!
What: NC Utilities Commission public hearing
When: Jan. 26th, 7 PM (6 PM to sign up to give testimony)
Where: Buncombe County Courthouse, downtown Asheville
Who: Clean energy supporters, family, friends, neighbors, and YOU
Duke Energy wants to build new natural gas infrastructure in WNC that will keep us reliant on fossil fuels for decades to come if approved by the NC Utilities Commission. You can read details about Duke Energy's plan here.
I believe this current plan is a missed opportunity for WNC to become fossil fuel free within the lifetimes of many of us. In December, 2015 195 nations signed the Global Climate Agreement that codifies a net reduction of carbon production from global fossil fuel use to zero by 2050. This means that fossil fuel use in the electricity sector must begin to ramp down immediately and dramatically. Duke Energy's "Modernization Plan" is diametrically in opposition to the science based goals of meeting the moral challenge of global warming. For Duke Energy, natural gas is not a "bridge" to the future, but the future itself - ensuring a hot, inhospitable world for all humanity.
We have this one shot to tell the North Carolina Utilities Commission at their public hearing on Jan. 26th that there is a mix of renewable energy (wind, solar, and hydropower from WNC), energy efficiency, and demand side management including energy storage available in our region to avoid building new natural gas infrastructure. This public hearing is the only opportunity we will have to engage directly with the Commission and to call for a shared vision of a non-fossil fuel based clean energy future for WNC.
If you have questions about the process and testifying or wish to let others know that you plan to speak, please feel free to contact Richard Fireman at firepeople@main.nc.us.
For Earth Peace,
Richard Fireman
(828) 645-0469 h (828) 206-8877 c
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