UPCOMING EVENTS
03/07/16 to 03/25/16 EXHIBIT ON THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT AT UNCA
The March exhibit is “The Tragedy of War: The Japanese American Internment” and will be on display until March 25, 2016 at Karpen Lobby at UNCA. During World War II 120,000 ethnic Japanese on the west coast, two-thirds of them American citizens, were forced into a series of camps to live under armed guard. Japanese-American confinement was authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and supported by Congress and the Supreme Court. Authorities feared that Japanese residents were disloyal and might aid in a Japanese invasion of the United States. Japanese Americans contested these charges throughout the war and later sought formal redress. “I was born here, and I had the Bill of Rights that should have backed me up. . . . How can they do that to an American citizen?”- Robert Kashigawa. Come see the exhibit and reflect on a shameful part of American history.
03/07/16 EARLY VOTING CONTINUES
03/07/16 CLASSES ON THRIVING IN DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
Join us for a 4 week class series offered by Roberta Wall, certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) trainer. This is based on the work of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg and Nonviolent (Compassionate) Communication. Theme is ‘Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Conversations with your family, your community, your workplace and your world. Dates are Mondays on March 7, 14, 21 and 28. Time is 6:30 - 8:30 PM and location is the Jewish Community Center at 236 Charlotte Street in Asheville. To register or for more information, contact Polly at (828) 775-6333 or polly.medlicott@gmail.com. Registration fee is $100 per person for all four classes. Please consider adding an extra amount for scholarships for those who have limited resources. Scholarships are available.
03/07/16 AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT DISCUSSION
“It's A Good Day to Die” The Native American Student Association will present a discussion of the American Indian Movement and its effect on American politics. Dr. Heather Hawn will moderate the discussion. Time is 5 to 6 PM and location is Belk Auditorium at Mars Hill University. Call Mars Hill University for further information.
03/07/16 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES
Please join us for dinner, dessert or a beverage at 5:30 PM at Green Sage in Westgate next to Earth Fare. Speakers run from 6 to 7 PM. We plan to have two speakers. One speaker will be Darlene Azumi who is an organizer with Democracy North Carolina, which is a nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase voter participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics and achieve a government that is truly of the people, by the people and for the people. Darlene will discuss poll monitors for the NC primary this spring and the election in November. She may also have some answers for us about our primary situation. The other speaker is Larry Dobson will speak about his run for county commissioner for District 2 in Buncombe County. Please contact Cheryl at ctorengo@gmail.com for more information and to RSVP.
03/07/16 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PANEL AT WWC
There will be an international women’s day panel discussion with Mayor Esther Manheimer, Reverend Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Mayor Christine Norman from Liberia. Free. This will be at 7:15 PM and will be at Canon Lounge at Warren Wilson College.
03/07/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE COMMON TABLE
The Common Table is a group of Transition AshevilLe members who meet twice a month to guide our organization in achieving our vision.We invite you to join in our ongoing conversation and soul searching at Common Table Meetings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 5:30 PM at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Contact ron.martinadkins@gmail.com for more information.
03/07/16 GREENWORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE MEETING
Projects Committee Meeting - Interested in a clean community? Consider joining our projects committee to discuss new systems to reduce littering and improve our environment. Time is 4 to 6 PM and location is 319 Riverside Drive in Asheville. Contact Greenworks for more information.
03/08/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Cuba” and the speaker is Stan Dotson, Founder of In Our Elements, a leadership and curriculum development resource for churches and community organizations. He has spent the better parts of the last two years teaching at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Matanzas, and will be just returning from the island to the US prior to his lecture. 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.
03/08/16 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.
03/08/16 FILM BENEFIT FOR HOMEWARD BOUND
Proceeds from this showing of the film “Time Out Of Mind” will benefit Homeward Bound of WNC. Cost is $10. Time is 5:30 PM and location is the Carolina Cinemas at 1640 Hendersonville Road. Call Carolina Cinemas or Homeward Bound for more information.
03/09/16 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.
03/09/16 CONVERSATIONS ON GOD AND GOVERNMENT
Sponsored by WNC Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Barry Lynn and Brent Walker will present “Conversations on God and Government” at 6 PM at Kaplan Auditorium at Hendersonville Public Library at 301 N. Washington Street in Hendersonville. Since 1992, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn has served as executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to the preservation of the Constitution’s religious liberty provisions. J. Brent Walker is the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., and both a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and an ordained minister. He leads the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty, defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. Email phillip@auwnc.org or call 828.696.4990 for more information.
03/09/16 MULTI-CANDIDATE EVENT IN ASHEVILLE
Get to know your representatives - join us and learn more about your local candidates and what they stand for. We will discuss contemporary hot button issues on a state level, and play some political trivia. Prizes will be distributed for winning teams. We will be meeting at 6:30 PM at 56 Ravenscroft Drive in downtown Asheville. We hope to see you there. This is organized by Just Us United. For more information, email Kelsey at kelsey.tavares@justusunited.org.
03/09/15 ASHEVILLE ISO MEETING AT UNCA
The Asheville branch of the International Socialist Organization will be meeting at 6:30 PM at Highsmith Student Union, room 235, at UNCA. For more information, including links to reading materials, please contact asheville.socialist@gmail.com.
03/10/16 FILM AT ST. EUGENE’S CHURCH IN ASHEVILLE.
“The Stones Cry Out” will be shown at St. Eugene’s RC Church. This is a recent documentary about Christian Palestinians’ experiences in Israel and the Occupied Territory. The film, which is 55 minutes long, will be followed by discussion, led by Fr. Doug May who has spent 20 years working in the Middle East. Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is St. Eugene’s Church in north Asheville. Contact St. Eugene’s for more information. Doors open at 6:30 PM. This will be in English and Spanish. Childcare is available.
03/10/16 EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION
The Earth Sabbath Celebration is an opportunity to gather in community to share our deep concerns as well as our joys and hopes as we face the realities of climate change, focusing on the eco-spirituality teachings of Thomas Berry, the Encyclical of Pope Francis, and the recent Paris Summit on Climate Change. Dr. Jill Crainshaw, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Blackburn Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, and Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn of Creation Care Alliance and the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ, will be leading an Earth Sabbath worship service, “Flint: Lamentation and Hope.” Please join us as we come together in community to share our grief over this tragedy, and that of "other Flints," and seek God's grace and hope as we move forward together in the work of ensuring that such environmental injustices will not be repeated. Time is 5:30 PM and location is First Congregational UCC in Asheville. Please email Rev. Karen Richardson Dunn if you would like to learn more or volunteer krichdunn@gmail.com.
03/10/16 GREEN DRINKS IN HENDERSONVILLE
“Stop Working So Hard – Let Chickens Do It” Author and film producer Justin Rhodes will speak about raising permaculture chickens. Rhodes has taught thousands of folks how to live more sustainable (freedom filled) lives. Time is 5:30 to 8 PM and location is Black Bear Coffee Co. at 318 N. Main Street in Hendersonville.
03/11/16 FREE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVIE NIGHT AT KAIROS WEST
Fridays at Kairos West there will be a four part film series and potluck. The potluck gathering will begin at 6:30 and last until 7:30. Bring something tasty to share if you can. We'll have some food and coffee/tea available also. On March 11th, we offer you our second feature “How to Change the World: the revolution will not be organised.” On March 25th, the third installment in the series is “No.” And on April 8th, the last film in the series will be “We Are Many” (tentative provided we receive a copy in time). Free and open to the public. Time is 6:30 PM for the potluck and 7:30 PM for the movie. Location is Kairos West Community Center at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Children are welcome at this event! We will use the front room of the community center as a kid friendly space during the movie. If you'd like to coordinate with us and other caregivers on supervised childcare options, please let us know in advance! This is a facebook event, so go there for more information.
03/11/16 READING AT MALAPROP’S
Atlanta author Jim Grimsley joins us to discuss “How I Shed My Skin: Unlearning the Racist Lessons of a Southern Childhood”. This deeply affecting memoir traces Jim’s early realizations that the beliefs passed down to him about racial difference were deeply wrong. It’s also an examination of how ideas of race have evolved since desegregation, and a searing look at just how far we have to go. “Layer by layer, young Grimsley sheds his deepest beliefs, prime among them that white skin bestows superiority . . . A must-read book” (The Charlotte Observer ). Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops in downtown Asheville.
03/11/16 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CONGREGATION IN ASHEVILLE
“Dream On” features political comedian John Fugelsang as he hits the road in search of the vanishing American Dream after decades of rising income inequality and declining economic mobility. Film last about 98 minutes. Environmental & Social Justice Film Night is on March 11th at 7 PM. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at One Edwin Place in north Asheville. There is no charge for viewing the film - donations are welcome. There is a possible 2 PM showing, please RSVP to mnpopi@charter.net (this RSVP is only for the 2 PM showing) and if there is enough interest, they will hold a 2 PM show. Contact Charlie at mnpopi@charter.net for more information.
03/11/16 to 3/14/16 COMPASSION EXPERIENCE
This is an interactive tour of life in the developing world. This will be held at Biltmore Baptist Church, Arden Campus, at 35 Clayton Road in Arden. Free and family friendly. March 11 and March 12 is from 11 AM to 6 PM. March 13 is from 11 AM to 5 PM. March 14 from 11 AM to 6 PM. What is The Compassion Experience? This free event features an interactive journey through the true stories of children living in developing countries like the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. In over 2,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space, visitors will step inside homes, markets and schools — without getting on a plane. Each child's story starts in poverty but ends in hope.
03/12/16 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.
03/12/16 TRAINING SESSION TO MONITOR STREAM HEALTH
MountainTrue relies on our volunteers to monitor stream health throughout Henderson County. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in biomonitoring twice per year, once in April and once in October. Stream Monitoring Information Exchange (SMIE) is a biomonitoring program in which we sample aquatic macro-invertebrates, or aquatic insects, as indicators of water quality. Participants will learn basic stream ecology, how to identify aquatic macro-invertebrates, why macro-invertebrates are terrific indicators of water quality, and the sampling protocol. Time is 9 AM to 4 PM and location (for the morning) is Blue Ridge Community College. Email wqa@mountaintrue.org or call 828-692-0385 for more information (including what to bring) and to register for this training.
03/13/16 CLEAN ENERGY ASHEVILLE
Clean Energy Asheville: A Report from Mayor Manheimer. Carolina Jews for Justice/West will sponsor a program that will update the community on the collaborative partnership between the City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Duke Energy on building a 21st century electric energy infrastructure in our community. As part of the WNC Modernization Plan, Duke Energy has committed to work with our community in reducing electricity demand by 25 megawatts/year in order to prevent the construction of a 192 megawatt natural gas peaking turbine. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Councilwoman Julie Mayfield, and Robert Sipes, General Manager of Duke Energy’s Western Region, will report on this collaboration. Questions and answer period to follow the presentation. Your insights and participation are welcome and needed for evolving programs to succeed. Time is 3 to 4:30 PM and location is Dave Hall at Congregation Beth HaTephila at 43 North Liberty Street in Asheville. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Richard Fireman, (828) 206-8877 of firepeople@main.nc.us or Marilynne Herbert (828) 551-7005 or mherbert1@aol.com.
03/13/16 IMMERSION IN COMMUNITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Join us for an afternoon with Paul Cienfuegos, a leader in the growing national movement to empower communities to assert their right to local self-governance. Listen, learn, and engage with cutting edge ideas and actions to take our rights back as a community. During this immersion we will dive into the history of community rights in the United States; learn how to use our rights as a bold response to unjust laws and engage in an exciting World Cafe session to see how this all applies to our home community of Asheville. Snacks will be provided. Suggested donation: $5-$25. We expect to fill, reserve your seat in advance. Time is 2 to 6:30 PM and location is New Mountain Asheville at 38 N. French Broad Avenue in Asheville. This is sponsored by Asheville Unconference and New Mountain Asheville. Please contact Nick at 978-226-2786 or email info@ashevilleunconference.com for more information, including how to register.
03/14/16 UNITED TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY MEETING
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. United to Restore Democracy (the local group formerly known as MABCO) will be hosting a must see guest speaker, Paul Cienfuegos, at our general meeting this month. Paul Cienfuegos is a national leader in the Community Rights Movement, a growing national movement to empower communities to assert their rights to local self-governance, and protect themselves from corporate rule. Our meeting will be on Monday, March 14th at the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Avenue, from 7:00-8:30 PM. (We are meeting on the 2nd Monday of this month, rather than the 3rd, in order to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to have a dynamic and engaging guest speaker) Please come Join us, to learn how you can get involved. As Paul Cienfuegos says "we are the people we have been waiting for". 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 local, state and national communities. As always if you have any question or comment please feel free to contact Diana Kruk, via email at dianakruk@gmaill.com, or 828-275-0680 (call or text).
03/14/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE MEETING
“EarthSmart Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance” is your one-stop source for complete or “a la carte” cleaning and grounds maintenance for your home! With more than 25 years of experience in the total home care business, owner and cleaning expert, Wes Heath, knows what it takes to exceed your highest expectations. He will be presenting at Transition Asheville meeting at 6:30 PM at the Parish Hall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street in Asheville. For more information, contact transitionasheville@gmail.com.
03/14/16 ART AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
“From Apartheid to Democracy” exhibit is from the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. This will be held in Hunter Library, 2nd floor gallery. This runs until May 20, 2016.
03/15/16 PRIMARY ELECTION IN NORTH CAROLINA
03/15/16 SOCIAL JUSTICE TALK AT UNCA
A talk by Social Justice Activist TJ Jourian will be on “Queer Middle Eastern Armenian Trans*man.” Time is noon to 1 PM and location is Karpen Hall 139 at UNCA. This social justice activist, learner and educator will give a talk and answer questions. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lori Horvitz at lhorvitz@unca.edu or 828.251.6590. This is present by UNCA Multicultural Program.
03/15/16 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENT AT UNCA
This will be a Lunch-N-Learn on Wage Disparities for Women. Nationally, women earn 74 cents for every dollar that men make. This wage disparity widens when you add other factors such as a race and ethnicity. Facilitated by Dr. Gwendolyn Whitfield, Assistant Chair & Associate Professor of Management, we will explore the wage disparity that exists for women, and how that impacts our society. Time is noon to 1 PM. Location is Highsmith Union, Intercultural Center, Room 114. This is present by UNCA Multicultural Program.
03/15/16 BRINGING IT HOME
This is a conference at the YMI Cultural Center in downtown Asheville. The Mountain Express said “conference encourages community business ownership” but I believe it is a lot more than that. The conference starts at 8:30 in the morning, with several sessions running at one time on financial literacy, cooperative business models, and community building. At 2:30 PM, the Hood Huggers International will hold tours of traditional African-American neighborhoods. There is a fee of $20 for these tours, and space is limited. Go to the Mountain Express or call the YMI Cultural Center for more information.
03/16/16 GREEN DRINKS
Networks is an inclusive business model that allows Interface to buy old fishing nets from impoverished communities in ecological hotspots and turn them into carpet yarn. This program provides a triple win by leveraging business demand for a damaging waste product, and creates a secondary income for the communities, allowing them to diversity away from subsistence fishing. Lastly, the net sale proceeds create a local micro banking institution that can fund community reinvestment and development. 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. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729. Green Drinks are now meeting bi-monthly, with the first Wednesday of the month being a joint meeting with the Sierra Club at UU Congregation in Asheville, and the other meeting is the third Wednesday of the month which will be at The Spot.
03/16/16 LETTER WRITING PARTY IN WAYNESVILLE
Letter writing party - Join us on Wednesday, March 16th at 6 PM for a letter writing party at the Pigeon Center in Waynesville. We will be writing letters to the editor to bring attention to the Central Elementary School closure across Western NC, and letters to Michelle Presnell letting her know this is an issue that is important to her constituents and we will be voting accordingly. We hope to see you there. This is organized by Just Us United. For more information, email Kelsey at kelsey.tavares@justusunited.org.
03/16/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT MALAPROPS
We are excited to host an event with Melissa Burch, whose memoir, “My Journey Through War and Peace”, tells the tremendous story of her experiences as a documentary filmmaker in Afghanistan and the former Soviet Union during times of extreme sociocultural shifts. The book details not only the story of these places, but also of Melissa’s own growth and self-discovery (she was only 20 when she went to Afghanistan to film the Mujahideen) as she began the path of a personal and spiritual revolution. Kirkus Reviews raves that she writes “with sensitivity and vivid clarity about her evolving self” in this “absorbing, well-written memoir by a brave adventurer who discovered her own life.” Melissa has worked as a filmmaker, writer, editor, producer, and journalist for the BBC, CNN, and other news networks. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprop’s in downtown Asheville.
03/17/16 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT UNCA
Women's History Month will present “I, Too, Am Feminism: Conversation on Intersectionality in Feminist Movements.” Past critiques of feminist movements have cited that the experiences of women of color are not always included in the conversation. In this student panel, we will discuss this critique and discuss the intersectionality that exists within feminism. We will explore the way women of color have defined their own feminism, and how feminist thinkers can be more inclusive in their fight for equality for all women. Time is 6 to 7:30 PM and location is Highsmith Union, Room 221 at UNCA. This is present by UNCA Multicultural Program.
03/18/16 to 03/20/16 LGBT IN THE SOUTH CONFERENCE
The annual LGBT in the South conference is a project of the Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE), based in Asheville, NC, and is planned in partnership with a conference Advisory Committee representative of the diverse Southern LGBT community. The fight for full LGBT equality in the South is far from over, but together we can get there. The registration fee ranges from $20 to $250 depending on whether you're a student, non-profit professional, organizer or an attorney. Through workshops, grassroots caucuses and other coordinated events, the annual LGBT in the South conference offers an opportunity for dialogue, analysis and strategy sharing about emerging LGBT issues in the South; as well as direct training, networking opportunities and support to LGBT Southern grassroots leaders and to practitioners across disciplines who serve the LGBT community, and Continuing Legal Education sessions for attorneys on topics of LGBT law. This conference will be held at AB Tech campus in Asheville. For more information, including how to register, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@southernequality.org or by phone at 828.242.1559.
03/18/16 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.
03/19/16 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.
03/19/16 BENEFIT FOR OUR VOICE
The Asheville Harry Potter Alliance, a chapter of a nonprofit organization that turns fans into heroes, is hosting a Charity Ball in the Sol Bar at New Mountain at 38 North French Broad Avenue in Asheville. Time is 7 to 9 PM. Doors will open at 6:45 and the show starts at 7:00. We will have three wizard rock bands performing for us - Jarrod Perkins from Gred and Forge, Grace Kendall from Snidget, and Hawthorn and Holly. Tickets are $10 per person, and all proceeds will go to Our VOICE, a local non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency which serves victims of sexual violence. This is a facebook event, please contact New Mountain Asheville for more information.
03/19/16 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.
03/20/16 ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE
“Sustainability through Mindfulness" will be presented by Sonia Marcus at the Sunday, March 20th meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:00-3:30 PM, at Asheville Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. All are welcome to attend. Join Sonia Marcus for an interactive session exploring sustainability concepts through mindfulness. Many faculty, staff and students are using mindfulness-based approaches both inside and outside the classroom to further strengthen the campus's sustainability culture and practice. Sonia will discuss UNCA's efforts and successes improving the ecological sustainability of the institution and how contemplative practice plays a part. Informal discussion and refreshments will follow the presentation. For more information: call 828 687-7759, email EHSAsheville@gmail.com.
03/20/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT FIRESTORM
“The Thirteenth Juror” illustrates the pitfalls of the grand jury system by inviting readers to take a seat with the 12 people selected as grand jurors in the Michael Brown case, and to share the evidence and process they went through. Details that were not openly or adequately questioned are highlighted, and the impact of the posture and attitude of the prosecuting attorneys is explored. Disparities are uncovered in the narrative of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, who was responsible for Brown’s death, and the process of informing – or misinforming – jury members regarding the law(s) governing their deliberations is given critical attention. Ultimately, throughout the 24 days of testimony, the deeply human side of this tragedy is shared. And measured against the history of the grand jury process itself, this is a case study illustrating the need for examination and reform. Nelda Holder has been a journalism and communications professional since the 1970s, beginning as a feature writer and columnist for The Tampa Times in Florida. She then worked in public access television in Middlebury, Vermont, and taught communications at Antioch New England in Keene, New Hampshire. After returning to her native state of North Carolina, she became associate editor (now retired) of the Mountain Xpress in Asheville. She has specialized in investigative and government writing, and currently produces a legislative column for Asheville’s multicultural monthly, The Urban News. She manages the nonpartisan website, Politically Purple NC, reporting on North Carolina government, history, and culture. 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.
03/21/16 INTRODUCTION TO FORMAL CONSENSUS WORKSHOP
How can democratic organizations ensure that their meetings and work spaces are places of empowerment? What circumstances promote the greatest engagement and creative input of participants, including individuals with divergent or dissenting views? These are questions that we will explore through a participatory workshop on formal consensus process. Libertie Valance and Julie Schneyer will draw from their years of experience as grassroots activists and worker-owners in a cooperative, consensus-driven workplace to help participants build their capacity for collaboration. According to the UK-based Rhizome Collective, “Consensus is a decision-making process that, when used with a co-operative state of mind, allows groups to come together and take inspired and creative decisions. It supports individuals to pool their power and work together as equals to produce results far better than they could produce alone. It's a process that can deepen the connection of a group. It can help a group to challenge and transform oppressive behaviour. It values those on the margins of a group as much as (or even more than at times) those in the mainstream of the group.” Sliding scale cost: $5-20. Includes coffee, tea and light refreshments. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
03/21/16 UNITED TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY MEETING
Location is the North Asheville Library at 1030 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Time is 7 PM. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Diana at dianakruk@gmail.com or 828-275-0680.
03/21/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE COMMON TABLE
The Common Table is a group of Transition AshevilLe members who meet twice a month to guide our organization in achieving our vision.We invite you to join in our ongoing conversation and soul searching at Common Table meetings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 5:30 PM at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Contact ron.martinadkins@gmail.com for more information.
03/22/16 BENEFIT FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES
Please join us for our annual celebration. There will be a cocktail reception, live music, and awards honoring Anne Kimmel, Roy W. Davis, Jr., George Ward Hendon. Time is 5:30 PM. Contact betsy@pisgahlegal.org for more information, including how to get tickets.
03/22/16 WNC 4 PEACE MEETING
Next meeting is the fourth Tuesday of March (22nd) , at Atlanta Bread Company on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Time is 6 PM. Contact Craig at herbzone@gmail.com for more information.
03/23/16 EARTH LIBERATION NOT MASS INCARCERATION TALK
Panagiotis Tsolkas will talk about his work with Campaign to Fight Toxic Prisons, challenging a proposed federal prison on top of a former mountaintop removal coal mine in Eastern Kentucky. His presentation uses several short films and a slideshow to give an overview of the “Prison Ecology” in the context of the rural prison-building boom that occurred over the past two decades, highlighting several toxic prison facilities and the efforts to challenge them. The talk is also aimed at building momentum for the upcoming Convergence in Support of Eco-prisoners and Against Toxic Prisons in Washington, DC June 11-13. The convergence will bring together the eco-defense movement and the prison abolition to strategize and take direct action against the prison industrial complex in the spirit of the June 11 movement. Time is 8 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
03/24/16 VOICE OF THE TUNISIAN REVOLUTION AT UNCA
Firebrand Tunisian singer, songwriter, and composer Emel Mathlouthi stands with the great divas of the Arab World. She gained attention when her song “Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free)” was adopted by the Arab Spring revolutionaries and soon became an anthem throughout the region. Her gorgeous, intricate sound moves between rock, trip-hop, and electronica, with a strong Arabic and north African connections. Tickets are $6 - $20. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium.
03/24/16 PALESTINIAN SPEAKER AT WARREN WILSON COLLEGE
Iyad Burnat will be speaking at Warren Wilson College, in the Canon Lounge of Gladfelter Hall, from 6 to 7:30 PM. His visit is co-sponsored by Just Peace for Israel/Palestine, and the Department of Religious Studies and Peace & Justice Studies at WWC. Iyad Burnat is the coordinator for the popular committee in Bil’in, Palestine, a small farming village 7 miles west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, a village known as the setting for the award winning film 5 Broken Cameras. For eleven years Iyad and the Popular Committee have organized the people to Bil’in to participate in weekly non-violent demonstrations against the confiscation of their land, destruction of their olive trees, and Israel’s illegal Separation Wall and settlements. In the summer of 2014, Iyad's then 15-year-old teenage son, Majd was shot in the leg by the Israeli military while attending a nonviolent protest in Bi'in during Israel's 2014 assault on Gaza. The gunshot severed a nerve in Majd's leg, causing him to permanently loose all feeling in his foot. Recently Iyad released a book describing his village’s ongoing struggle for justice and freedom, and what inspires them to continue non-violent resistance. For more information, contact Ken at jonesk@maine.edu.
03/24/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT FIRESTORM
Iyad Burnat, Palestinian activist and author, will be hosting a discussion at 3 PM at Firestorm Café and Books in West Asheville. This is free and open to the public. Burnat is the coordinator for the Popular Committee in Bil’in, Palestine, a small farming village seven miles west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. For eleven years he and the Popular Committee have organized the people in Bil’in to participate in weekly non-violent demonstrations protesting the confiscation of their land, destruction of their olive trees and Israel’s illegal Separation Wall and settlements. The story of this resistance is the subject of the award-winning film 5 Broken Cameras. Mr. Burnat was the 2015 recipient of the prestigious James Lawson Award for Achievement in the Practice of Nonviolent Conflict given by Tufts University. He recently released the book Bil’in and the Nonviolent Resistance describing his village’s ongoing struggle for justice and freedom and what inspires them to continue non-violent resistance.His visit is sponsored by Just Peace for Israel/Palestine.Time is 3 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. For more information, contact Ken at jonesk@maine.edu.
03/24/16 WAR IS A RACKET PLAY
This one-person performance is based on the book “War is a Racket” by Gneral Butler, a highly decorated Marine who retired and then spent the last years of his life opposed to the USA’s entry into WW II. This is presented by Namaya, throughs stories, dramatization and multimedia. Donations appreciated. Presented in cooperation with Veterans for Peace. Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is Asheville Friends Meeting at 227 Edgewood Road in Asheville. For more information, contact info@b4peace.net.
03/25/16 JUST PEACE ISRAEL/PALESTINE DISCUSSION GROUP
On March 25, Wednesday, JPIP again will meet for discussion from noon to 2 PM. Bring your own bag lunch to the Community Building at Brooks Howell in north Asheville. The focus on March 25 may be legislative issues --what are they and how best to communicate our concerns with legislators and their staff. We may do also want to do some training for effective conversation with people on the sidewalk at protests. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
03/25/16 AUTHOR TALK ON “WAR IS A LIE” BOOK
RootsAction campaign coordinator David Swanson will speak about the latest developments in the telling and the debunking of lies about wars. He'll answer questions and sign copies of his new book, “War Is A Lie: Second Edition”. This will be held at Battery Park Apartments at 1 Battle Square in downtown Asheville. Time is noon to 2 PM. David Swanson is an author and activist who has dedicated himself to challenging the repetitive falsehoods generated by those in power to justify armed conflict. War Is A Lie is a handbook of sorts, an engaging, always informative manual that can be used to debunk future lies before new wars have any chance to begin. For this edition of the book, the original 2010 version has been updated and expanded with material on lessons from the United States' most recent wars, more pointers on what can be done to end warmaking, and an epilogue that analyzes new trends in war lying and in resistance to it. No one to whom you give this book can claim they haven't been warned!
03/25/16 FREE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVIE NIGHTS
Fridays at Kairos West there will be a four part film series and potluck. The potluck gathering will begin at 6:30 and last until 7:30. Bring something tasty to share if you can. We'll have some food and coffee/tea available also. On March 25th, the third installment in the series is “No.” And on April 8th, the last film in the series will be “We Are Many” (tentative provided we receive a copy in time). Free and open to the public. Time is 6:30 PM for the potluck and 7:30 PM for the movie. Location is Kairos West Community Center at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Children are welcome at this event! We will use the front room of the community center as a kid friendly space during the movie. If you'd like to coordinate with us and other caregivers on supervised childcare options, please let us know in advance! This is a facebook event, so go there for more information.
03/25/16 SYNTHETIC FOREST PRESENTATION
People across the so-called US are hosting screenings of Synthetic Forests the week of March 20th as part of a 'raising awareness' campaign that hopes to stop the spread of genetically engineered trees before they are grown in the open. “Synthetic Forests features interviews with leading scientists and activists who share their insights and experience on the negative effects genetically engineered trees can have to communities, ecosystems and indigenous peoples.
Corporations in the US and Brazil have requested government authorization to release hundreds of millions of genetically engineered eucalyptus trees for fuel and pulp. We have recently learned that the GE Loblolly Pine and Arctic Apple have been approved by the USDA, so the time to act is now!” 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.
03/30/16 NC WARN PRESENTATION
NC WARN will be making a presentation about working for clean energy solutions. Co-sponsored by FCUCC Earth Team, Transition Asheville, Sierra Club, Mountain True. Location is the First Congregational UCC Social Hall at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM. No contact information.
03/31/16 HOOD TALK MEETING
Next session will be on Thursday, March 31st, from 6 - 8 PM at the YWCA on South French Broad Street in Asheville. No further information at this time.
04/05/16 TEACHING THE HOLOCAUST
This will be held at the Hinds University center Ballroom at Western Carolina University from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Through the N. C. Council on the Holocaust and the UNC Asheville Center for Diversity Education, a professional development day-long workshop for 5th - 12th grade teachers (with a special focus on history and literature) will be offered in the spring in WNC. The workshop will include a lecture by Dr. Eric Roubinek in the morning and a witness testimony by Dr. Walter Ziffer in the afternoon along with excellent resources from experienced Holocaust educators. The Center for Diversity Education has additional free resources for teaching about the Holocaust as does the N. C. Council on the Holocaust. For more information, contact dmiles@unca.edu and register here
04/05/16 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE HOSTS CLIMATE SCIENTIST
This keynote address by Climate Scientist Katharine Hayhoe is open to the public. Named to Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list for 2014, Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist who studies climate change, one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today. But Katharine may be best-known to many people because of how she’s bridging the broad, deep gap between scientists and Christians - work she does in part because she’s a Christian herself. Together with her husband Andrew Farley, a professor of applied linguistics, pastor of Church without Religion, and best-selling author, Katharine wrote A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions, a book that untangles the complex science and tackles many long-held misconceptions about global warming. Her work as a climate change evangelist has been featured on the Emmy award-winning documentary series “Years of Living Dangerously” and “The Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers”. Time is 7 PM and location is First Baptist Church at 5 Oak Street. All are welcome. Free. Email Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina at creationcare@mountaintrue.org for more information and instructions on how to register.
04/05/16 COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITIES RECEPTION
Collaborative Communities Reception with Climate Scientist Katharine Hayhoe (see above for more information on her) will be hosted by Creation Care Alliance of WNC. Time is 5 to 6:30 PM and location is Lenoir Rhyne Graduate Studies Center at 36 Montford Avenue (Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce). Space is limited. All are welcome. Free. Email Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina at creationcare@mountaintrue.org for more information and instructions on how to register.
04/06/16 SIERRA CLUB MEETING AND GREEN DRINKS
Jason Walls and Amy Musser will talk about Duke’s Power Plant and Home Energy Efficiency. 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.
04/08/16 FREE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVIE NIGHTS
Fridays at Kairos West there will be a four part film series and potluck. The potluck gathering will begin at 6:30 and last until 7:30. Bring something tasty to share if you can. We'll have some food and coffee/tea available also. And on April 8th, the last film in the series will be “We Are Many” (tentative provided we receive a copy in time). Free and open to the public. Time is 6:30 PM for the potluck and 7:30 PM for the movie. Location is Kairos West Community Center at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Children are welcome at this event! We will use the front room of the community center as a kid friendly space during the movie. If you'd like to coordinate with us and other caregivers on supervised childcare options, please let us know in advance! This is a facebook event, so go there for more information.
04/08/16 TINY HOME AND LIVING TOUR FROM MOUNTAIN TRUE
Sign up for MountainTrue’s Tiny Home and Living Tour. Join us for a tour and presentation with Wishbone Tiny Homes, located in West Asheville. Featured on Tiny House Nation (FYI Network), Wishbone Tiny Homes is a family owned and operated NC General Contracting company and RV manufacturer focused on meeting the diverse needs of the next generation tiny home buyer. Our tour and presentation will take a look at green building, sustainability, and we will get to take a look at a model tiny home. Time is 1:30 to 3:30 PM. Location is Wishbone Tiny Homes at 355 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 6th at 5:00 PM. Call Ella at 258-8737, ext 216 or email her at ella@mountaintrue.org for more information including how to register.
04/09/16 RICHMOND HILL INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL WORK DAY
Richmond Hill Park invasive plant removal work day will run from 9 AM to 1 PM. Free. Join us and help restore native plant communities by controlling non-native invasive plants at Richmond Hill Park in Asheville. This is the City of Asheville’s only forested park and is home to many special native plant and animal species. We’ll provide all gloves, equipment and instruction needed. Please bring snacks, water, rain jacket and wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes (no open shoes or sandals allowed for safety). This event will be held during the second Saturday of every month. (Rain Date: Second Sunday) Email Amanda at amanda@mountaintrue.org for more information.
04/11/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE SOCIAL
Topic will be “Gardening Tips” with Samantha Beharrysingh. Location is St. Mary's Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in north Asheville. Time is 6 to 8 PM. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or want to know how to get involved in cultivating a more resilient Asheville, please let us know by sending an email to TransitionAsheville@gmail.com.
04/12/16 LUNCH N LEARN AT UNCA
Unpacking “Whitesplain” - Becoming Better Allies for People of Color. Facilitator will be Preston Keith, Assistant Director of the Intercultural Center and Multicultural Student Programs. Time is noon to 1 PM and location is Intercultural Center at Highsmith Union 114 at UNCA.
04/14/16 HENDERSONVILLE GREEN DRINKS
Hendersonville Green Drinks will focus on the work of the Southern Environmental Law Center. Patrick Hunter, staff attorney in the Asheville office of the Southern Environmental Law Center will speak on SELC’s work, including his focus projects of protecting our southern forests and the local coal ash clean-up. Come to Green Drinks to learn more about current environmental issues, have relevant discussions, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks, just come and listen. Time is 5:30 to 8 PM and location is Black Bear Coffee Company at 318 North Main Street in Hendersonville. For more information, contact Black Bear at 828-MY-COFFEE.
04/15/16 GLOBAL DAY AGAINST MILITARY SPENDING
04/16/16 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
Showing Up for Racial Justice is from noon to 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe and Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice. Free.
Orientation session for Asheville Timebank. 4 PM at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Email help@ashevilletimebank.org for information and to register.
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville
French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org.
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.
French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org.
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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Alert: Clean up Cliffside Coal Ash
Please write public comments or attend meetings on March 14
Email: rogerscomments@ncdenr.gov
Mail: Debra Watts, N.C. Division of Water Resources, Groundwater Protection Section, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality,
Attn: Debra Watts, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1611.
Date: comments received by April 18, 2016 will be considered in determining final impoundment classifications.
Two Hearings:
*Rutherford County hearing is at Isothermal Community College Auditorium at 286 ICC Loop Road in Spindale.
*Cleveland County hearing is at Boiling Springs Town Hall at 114 East College Avenue in Boiling Springs.
North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has finally released the long-awaited draft priority classifications for state’s 14 coal ash dumpsites. Sadly, DEQ has not recommended the coal ash dumps at Cliffside in Rutherford and Cleveland Counties for complete cleanup, leaving the surrounding communities and all those downstream at risk from toxic pollution.
Despite the fact that Cliffside’s coal ash has been polluting groundwater and the Broad River with unsafe amounts of toxic heavy metals for years, DEQ recommends two of the three for low priority classification--meaning they could be left in place on the banks of the Broad River to pollute our waters in perpetuity.
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