Sunday, October 16, 2016

Upcoming events for the week of October 16, 2016


UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER

10/17/16 DEMOCRACY NC POLL MONITORING TRAINING IN HENDERSONVILLE
Democracy North Carolina has launched the largest, nonpartisan poll monitoring operation in North Carolina's history. Western North Carolina now has four more chances to become Vote Protectors and help our region vote this fall. Contact Darlene at darlene@democracy-nc.org for time and location and for instructions on how to register.

10/17/16 JUST ECONOMICS 
Nick Haskel of Catholic Charities and Vicki Meath of Just Economics will speak on forming consciences for faithful citizenship and how we can better apply our beliefs as to the issues that face us in this election including living wage jobs, transportation and affordable housing in the Asheville community. Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is Parish of St. Eugene at 72 Culvern Street in Asheville. Contact Tricia at hynes.tricia@yahoo.com for more information.

10/17/16 EVERY 28 HOURS PLAY
Please join us for an inspirational evening of theater. “Every 28 Hours” is a national partnership focused on the widely shared and contested statistic that every 28 hours a black person is killed by vigilante, security guard, or the police in the United States. The “Every 28 Hours” play consist of 72 one-minute plays inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, with participation from artists across the nation. Join us for a reading of this powerful collection as we lift these important voices, connecting Asheville to the nation. $5 Suggested Donation. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM. Contact The Block at 828-254-9277 for more information.

10/18/16 TRANSIT COMMITTEE MEETING IN ASHEVILLE
This will happen at 3:30 PM and location is the 4th floor Training Room at the Municipal Building at 100 Court Plaza in Asheville. Call the City of Asheville for more information.

10/18/16 DOCUMENTARY AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY
For film night “God Grew Tired of Us” will be shown. In 1987, Sudan’s Muslim government pronounced death to all males in the Christian south: 27,000 boys fled to Ethiopia on foot. In 1991, they were forced to flee to Kenya; 12,000 survived to live in a U.N. camp in Kakuma. Archival footage documents the 1,000 mile flight; we see life in the camp. We follow three young men who repatriate to the U.S. John Bul Dau goes to Syracuse, and by the film's end, becomes a spokesperson for the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan; Daniel Abol Pach and Panther Bior go to Pittsburgh. All work several jobs, send money back to the camp, search for relatives lost in the civil war, acclimatize to the U.S., seek an education, and miss their homeland. There will be a discussion following the film. Time is 7 PM and location is Belk Auditorium at Mars Hill University.

10/18/16 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BUNCOMBE COUNTY BOARD MEETING
Time is 6 to 7:30 PM and location is Cathedral of All Souls. Open to the public, call the League of Women Voters for more information.

10/18/16 ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH ACTION GROUP
This is on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Kairos West Community Center in West Asheville. In this monthly meeting hosted by Asheville SURJ, the gathered community is given the opportunity to learn about a people of color led effort in Asheville, including how they can support it. The October meeting will welcome the Economic Justice Coalition which is led by three local black led groups: United Community Development of N.C., Inc., Asheville Black Lives Matter, Inc. and the Southside Organization. 6:30 PM potluck, 7 PM program begins. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.

10/18/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
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.

10/18/16 PUBLIC LECTURE AT WARREN WILSON
“Remembering, Reflecting, Reckoning: German Women and the Long Shadow of National Socialism” lecture by Christine Nugent, director of the College’s Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library. Free. Held in the third floor lecture hall of Jensen Humanities and Social Science Center. Time is 7 PM. Call 800-934-3536 for more information.

10/18/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
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. This is a monthly meeting on every third Tuesday. Time is 7 to 9 PM. Location is Kairos West at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact David at
davidgreenson@gmail.com or (718) 809-2132 for more information.

10/18/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
In our monthly Accountability Through Action: Economic Justice Coalition  meeting, we learn about a people of color led effort in Asheville, ways to support that work and take up a collection to help fund it. In October we welcome the Economic Justice Coalition which is led by three local black led groups: United Community Development of N.C., Inc., Asheville Black Lives Matter, Inc. and the Southside Organization. The presenters will be Ray Mapp, VP of United Community Development, DeLores Venable or her designee' of Asheville BLM, and Robert Hardy, President of Southside. These three groups will co-locate at 42 Water St. in the heart of the black community of Asheville. The office is currently under renovation with an Open House slated for Wed. Oct. 26 from 12 PM to 8 PM.  The members of the Economic Workgroup/Summit include: the City of Asheville Economic Development Dept., Code for Asheville, Just Economics, Quaker Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, Ban the Box -WNC, and other individuals and social activists. The group is collecting economic data on the black community with a separate profile on folks who live in public housing. This database will be maintained and sustained by United Community Development and used by these groups to lead and affect policy directives for the black community i Asheville. There will be a Summit to reveal the results of the data and to plot a course for solutions in Winter 2016. Please join us at 6:30 PM for a potluck and we'll get the program rolling at 7:00 PM.  Location is Kairos West at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. No contact information.

10/18/16 POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY FILM AND DISCUSSION
Open to the public. This series will take place on the third Tuesdays of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Firestorm Cafe-Bookstore at 610 Haywood Street in west Asheville. The October 18 program will be “Election Fraud, Wikileaks and the Presidential Election - The Untold Story." Featuring selected news clips and commentaries by Greg Palast, Lee Camp on Redacted Tonight, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and the report of Election Justice USA on fraud in the Democratic Party primary, giving Hillary Clinton the nomination, when the rightful winner was Bernie Sanders. Sponsored by the Asheville Citizens Accountability Project (CAP). For information call Barbara at (828) 686-8301.

10/19/16 REBUILDING AFFRILACHIA - PEARSON PLAN WORKSHOP
DeWayne Barton will be offering a Pearson Plan Workshop on October 19 and November 16 from 5 to 6 pm at the Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton Street, in Asheville. Learn more about this plan for Rebuilding Affrilachia and how you can be a part of it. There is no charge for the workshop, though contributions to support the Pearson Plan will be accepted. If you'd like to be part of this, please join him; there is no pre-registration necessary. Questions? Email info@hoodhuggers.com.

10/19/16 GREEN DRINKS
Sustainability and social justice meet-up group will meet at 5:30 PM for socializing and 6 PM for the program or presentation. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. Contact The Block Off Biltmore at 828-254-9277 for more information.

10/19/16 ORIGINS OF WHITE SUPREMACY EVENT
Title Track: An opportunity to explore the political and social origins of "whiteness" and white supremacy in America. Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Firestorm Book Cafe at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

10/19/16 GREEN GRANNIES BOOK CLUB
Founded in 2012, the Green Grannies are a group of women who are willing to make a ruckus about the need for action on climate change. This is their reading group and it is open to all! Time is noon and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

10/19/16 WHAT’S UP WITH WHITENESS WEDNESDAYS DISCUSSION GROUP
What's Up with Whiteness Wednesdays is an ongoing ASURJ series endeavoring to dismantle white supremacy. The “Title Track” part of the WUWW series will generally repeat on the first Wednesday of the month. But in October it's on the third Wednesday. What's Up with Whiteness functions to explore what “white” means, and how it was created as a racial group to implement a white supremacy culture in the United States. This group is for anyone who is willing and able to explore their whiteness or whiteness as a race with a racial justice lens. We aim to dismantle white supremacy power by exploring it from the inside. We will educate ourselves and each other about the political and social origins of “whiteness”; educate ourselves and each other on white supremacy culture functions; hold our personal experiences and benefits from whiteness accountable and responsible for change; build skills to address internalized dominance and make change; and build relationships with others to further imbue these lessons and build accountability. 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.

10/20/16 EARLY VOTING BEGINS
There are over a dozen sites in Buncombe County for voting and they are open 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. There are some sites open on Saturday and Sunday too, contact Buncombe County Board of Elections for more information. This is one-stop voting, so you can also register and vote during early voting. If you have problems voting, call 888-OUR-VOTE for assistance. Photo ID is not required. From City council member Cecil Bothwell, some of his recommendations on state elections:  
Supreme Court: Mike Morgan
Court of Appeals: Vince Rozier
Court of Appeals: Abe Jones
Court of Appeals: Linda Stephens
Court of Appeals: Rickye McKoy-Mitchell
For state and local partisan elections, vote Democrat.

10/20/16 KNOW YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS PART ONE
Join the legal professionals from Pisgah Legal Services for an in-depth look at your rights under the law. This workshop will focus on the following: understanding the law and eviction process under NC law, affordable and subsidized housing programs, security deposit laws, stalking and cyberstalking laws, and domestic violence protections available under NC Law. Time is 11 AM and location is Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech. This is from A-B Tech website, no information on how to register. 

10/20/16 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS - HENDERSON COUNTY
This is a general meeting that will focus on money in politics. Location is Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 204 Kanuga Road in Hendersonville. Time is 3 PM. 

10/20/16 DOCUMENTARY AT ST. MATTHIAS
“Stones Cry Out” will be shown at St. Matthias Episcopal Church. Time is 6 PM and location is 1 Dundee Street in downtown Asheville. No further information at this time. Call the church at 828-285-0033 for more information.

10/20/16 EQUAL MEANS EQUAL - FILM ABOUT THE ERA
A new film, Equal Means Equal, will be shown on Thursday, Oct. 20 as a consciousness-raiser about the need for the Equal Rights Amendment and as a fundraiser for the ERA-NC Alliance. An unflinching look at how women are treated in the U.S. today. By following both real life stories and precedent-setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez discovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace matters to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, to the foster care system, the healthcare system, and the legal system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws in place that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. The film will be shown on Oct. 20 at 7:15 p.m. at the Grail Moviehouse at 45 South French Broad Avenue in Asheville. After the screening, Rep. Susan Fisher (D-114) and Melinda Lowrance, president of the Henderson County NAACP, will participate in a discussion. Tickets are available at $15 each from representatives of RATIFY ERA-NC, the National Organization for Women, the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and the local Association of Women Attorneys. For information, contact robertamadden@yahoo.com.

10/20/16 HOMEWARD BOUND OF WNC TOUR
“Welcome Home Tour” is a tour of Asheville organizations that serve the homeless population. Registration is required, but it is free to attend. Time is 11 AM. Call 258-1695 to register or get more information. 

10/20/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP
“What’s our Stake? How White People can Take Action for Racial Justice” - A workshop led by Dara Silverman in downstairs fellowship hall of First Congregational UCC. It’s time to significantly expand the base of white people who can work in powerful, accountable and respectful partnerships with people of color to build a broad-based multi-racial progressive movement for racial, social, environmental and economic justice. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore how to actively organize a base of white people to engage in fights for racial justice. Grounded in real life examples, the workshop will share tools and allow participants to identify what their stake is in making change. Engage together and practice concrete ways to bring more white people into the work. Dara Silverman is founding director of Showing Up for Racial Justice, a national network of white people taking action for racial justice. Based in Hudson Valley, NY, Dara has been working to expose the racism and bigotry in this election season for the past year in her role at SURJ. A long-time organizer, writer, and trainer, Dara has been building movements for economic, racial, gender and social justice for over 20 years. Time is 6PM and location is First Congregational UCC at 20 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. This is a facebook event, no contact information.

10/21/16 RIVERLINK ART GALA SHOW AND FUNDRAISER
There will be music, drinks, and food, and various artworks to view and purchase from 20 local artists. Music by renowned cellist, Ron Clearfield. Also there will be historic art and artifacts of the French Broad River. Time is 6 – 9 PM and location is Zealandia, at 1 Vance Gap Road (on Beaucatcher Mountain) in Asheville. This fundraiser is to benefit RiverLink, and you can obtain tickets through their website.

10/21/16 TO 10/23/16 CHRONIC CONFERENCE IN ARDEN
This is the Carolina Human Rights OrgaNizing Conference (CHRONIC). The conference is about understanding human rights. The conference focus is to bring together activists and organizers from a diverse range of movements to provide a holistic understanding of human rights issues in the Carolinas. Civil rights/political rights/economic rights/social rights/cultural rights/environmental rights/developmental rights/sexual rights. Ubuntu Institute for Community Development & New South Network of War Resisters are the organizers of CHRONIC 2016 - Carolina Human Rights OrgaNIzing Conference. Ubuntu Institute provides information and forums on social and economic development in the Spartanburg - Greenville SC area. New South Network of War Resisters are committed to action, collaboration & training in organized nonviolence. Our theme this year is “Recognition, Justice and Development.” We stand shoulder to shoulder with activists in the United States and throughout the world to make a lasting human rights impact. We strive to embrace and reflect all identities that make up humanity in order to foster a world where justice, freedom, and dignity are recognized as central to the inalienable rights of all human beings. As we evolve with understanding of distinctions between Civil and Human Rights, an ongoing series of events can be designed to inform, connect, and support the peoples of the Carolinas as we organize to preserve, protect, and expand both Civil and Human Rights. This will happen at the Lutheridge Camp & Conference Center at 2511 Hendersonville Road in Arden. Tickets are between $105 and $255. Registration closes on 10/17/16. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chronic-2016-carolina-human-rights-organizing-conference-tickets-25577436802

10/21/16 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.

10/22/16 STOP POLICE BRUTALITY PROTEST
In the USA, October 22nd is a day when people have mobilized every year since 1996 for a National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation. It is crucial that we bring forward a powerful National Day of Protest in cities and towns across the USA to challenge the ongoing violence against the people. This October 22nd, stand with thousands across the country to express our collective outrage, creativity, and resistance in response to the crimes of this system. (I have not heard about a local event, but I bet there is something on facebook later this week. - dancewater)

10/22/16 PROTEST BY JUST PEACE ISRAEL/PALESTINE
This protest will be to support a boycott of HP products. It will be from noon to 1:30 PM, around the Staples store on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville.

10/22/16 ORCHARD PLANTING BY GREEN WORKS
Sponsors sought to help us establish our 5th community orchard in the southside community. We're planting 30 fruit trees to establish a beautiful and productive space in this wonderful neighborhood. This is a Greenworks event. Contact Eric Bradford at eric@ashevillegreenworks.org if you would like to be involved.

10/22/16 INDEPENDENTS, UNITE! 
Isn’t it time for an umbrella organization that immediately and automatically embraces the goals of the mass movements – End the Endless Wars, Occupy Wall Street, Equality NC, and Black Lives Matter – that have arisen in the 21st century? Featured speaker: Cecil Bothwell. Entertainment: Brody Hunt And The Handfuls. This Saturday, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at The Block off Biltmore at 39 South Market St. in downtown Asheville. Cover: $5. Contact Linda at lindabrown7777@gmail.com for more information.

10/23/16 PEACE VIGIL RETURNS TO ALL SOULS
The Vigil Returns - Beginning Sunday, August 21, at 5 PM, the Vigil for Peace on the All Souls Cathedral grounds in Biltmore Village, will resume and continue weekly until the Nov 8 election. Sponsored by the Episcopal Peace Fellowship of WNC, it is a way of asking people to make special intercessions in their prayer and life for peace and justice in our American culture.  The tone of the current political campaign makes it obvious that we are neglecting our Baptismal vows to respect the dignity of every human being. This is a call to pray with actions as well as words.  We invite you to join us each Sunday for our thirty minute Vigil.

10/24/16 THIRD MOUNTAIN MORAL MONDAY IN ASHEVILLE
Keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. William Barber, President NC-NAACP. If you would like to volunteer for this inspiring event, contact Melissa Murphy at mcoxmurphy@gmail.com. Location is Pack Square Park, Roger McGuire Green. Time is 4 to 6 PM. In coalition with the Mountain People’s Assembly, the local Branch of NAACP and other regional branches of NAACP, will host Asheville’s third Mountain Moral Monday at 4 PM on Monday, Oct 24 in Pack Square. Rev. Dr. William Barber will be the keynote speaker. They ask that you do not wear or bring political signs.  If you have questions, contact Carmen Ramos-Kennedy at (828) 423-6476, or 4ward2getherCall2Action@gmail.com. Democracy NC is also helping to organize this event.

10/25/16 VIGIL FOR PEACE AND REDUCTION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
At 5 PM, Tuesday, October 25th, PSR will join with Asheville’s Veterans for Peace, Chapter 099 at their Pack Square vigil, to increase awareness that striving for peaceful solutions to our conflicts with Russia and China and reducing nuclear weapons dangers is an urgent task for the very survival of us all. Please attend the vigil and lobby for an end to wars of mass self destruction.

10/25/16 OCCUPY WNC GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SYLVA
Occupy WNC General Assembly will be at 7 PM at The Sneak E Squirrel Community Room at 1315 W Main Street in Sylva. The Sneak E Squirrel is on left side of Main Street past Sylva's Mark Watson Park. All are welcome. Contact Lucy at (828)743-9747 for more information.

10/25/16 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.

10/25/16 BENEFIT FOR STANDING ROCK
Concert and party to benefit the Standing Rock Reservation. Time is 6 to 10 PM and location is The Regenerations Station at 26 Glendale Avenue in Asheville. 

10/25/16 LECTURE AT UNCA
The STEM series of lectures is an interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Each lecture provides the lecturer with the opportunity to share his/her work, present new ideas for feedback, learn new ideas that participants can use, and introduce students to exciting areas to explore. The lectures are all scheduled in the Reuter Center, room 102 at UNCA. Time is from 4:30 - 6 PM and this lecture is  free and open to the public. October 25, ‘Forest Roads: The Ecological Imprint from their Presence and Use' by Hermann Gucinski is the topic.

10/26/16 FILM SCREENING AT UNCA
The Student Environmental Center will be doing a series of environmental film screenings promoting awareness of environmental issues on the last Wednesday of every month. This will be our first event of the series. Time is 8 PM and location is Karpen Hall 100, Karpen Lobby, at UNCA.

10/26/16 MOUNTAIN TRUE FALL GATHERING
Each year MountainTrue invites all our members to gather for our annual meeting where we celebrate our work over the past year, recognize our organizational champions and celebrate success. We encourage all our members to attend and participate in a brief business meeting where you will vote to elect new board members. If you are not a current MountainTrue member, now is a great time to join us. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is New Belgium Brewery’s Brewhouse. Music from the Midnight Plowboys. Contact Susan with any questions: susan@mountaintrue.org.

10/26/16 ASHEVILLE SOCIALISTS MEETING AT UNCA
"What's next for the left?" Panel discussion on the prospects for building the left after the election. UNCA branch of the International Socialist Organization will meet WED OCT 26 at 6:30 in HIG 102. Free visitor parking is available near Highsmith Student Union. Contact Asheville Socialists at asheville.socialist@gmail.com for more information.

10/26/16 THE NEW JIM CROW BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
This is a monthly discussion group of Michelle Alexander's book “The New Jim Crow.” This is on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Firestorm Bookstore & Cafe at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. This monthly discussion group of Michelle Alexander's book the "The New Jim Crow" will discuss a chapter a month. In September we will cover Chapter One. This group will meet September 28, October 26, November 23, December 28, and January 25, 2017 and maybe one more in February. Anyone is welcome to jump in anytime. Led by Eryka Lynn Peskin. Contact Firestorm for more information.

10/27/16 WORKS IN TRANSLATION BOOK DISCUSSION
Works in translations book club will discuss “Voices From Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster” By Svetlana Alexievich and Keith Gessen. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops in downtown Asheville. Contact Malaprop’s for more information.

10/27/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT FIRESTORM
“Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection” was written by author and activist Meda Benjamin. She returns to Firestorm on tour with her new book, “Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection”, in which she fearlessly tackles a subject most political commentators studiously avoid. In “Kingdom of the Unjust” Benjamin argues that it’s way past time to call into question the toxic US-Saudi relationship and build a movement that demands an end to US weapons sales to this repressive regime and supports the courageous Saudi dissidents who are trying to transform their nation. With extremism spreading across the globe, a reduced U.S. need for Saudi oil, and a thawing of U.S. relations with Iran, the time is right for such a movement. 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.

10/27/16 HOOD TALK
Starting from step 1 again (communities). Location is Burton Street Center. Time is 6 to 8 PM. Hope to see everyone there. No further information.

10/27/16 LECTURE AT UNCA
“Refugees in Crisis: From Texas to Turkey” is the topic of this lecture. Marty Rosenbluth is NC-based immigrant rights defense attorney who recently spent a month on the Texas-Mexico border working with refugees from Latin America and five weeks in Greece working with refugees from Syria and elsewhere. He will be speaking about the current global refugee crisis. Rosenbluth is currently the Legal Advisor/Training Coordinator of Advocates Abroad. Time is 4 PM and location is Karpen Hall 139, Laurel Forum, at UNCA.

10/27/16 TRANZMISSION PRISON PROJECT PACKING PARTY
Help the Tranzmission Prison Project distribute free literature to incarcerated members of the LGBTQ community. Every fourth Thursday of the month volunteers meet from 6 to 9 PM, preparing packages of books and zines for mailing to prisons across the United States. Books have already been selected for each inmate, you just need to help get them wrapped and addressed. 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.

10/28/16 AUTHOR EVENT AT MALAPROPS
Activist author Medea Benjamin joins us once more to celebrate her new book, “Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection.” Medea’s book tackles the issue of foreign policy and the controversial relationship between the United State and Saudi Arabia. Medea is the cofounder of the peace group CODEPINK and Global Exchange, an international human rights organization. She has published articles on The Huffington Post, AlterNet, and more. In 2014, she was the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprop’s at 55 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. For more informatin, contact Melanie at (828) 254-6734 or melanie@malaprops.com.

10/28/16 JUST PEACE ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Meet in the media room. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.

10/28/16 AFRICAN AMERICANS IN WNC CONFERENCE
African Americans in Western North Carolina Conference/ State of Black North Carolina will be all day at Sherrill Center 417, Mission Health Mountain View conference room. This starts at 8 AM. There will be 2 panels and paper presentations throughout the day. No contact information.

10/30/16 UNSUNG HEROES CELEBRATION
“Unsung Heroes: A Grand Celebration of Latinx and Black Resilience” will be held on Sunday, October 30 at 3 PM at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. This celebration is free and open to the public. We are inviting the entire community to join us in celebrating not only these identified heroes but also to come together, to connect and align our efforts as we move toward a more resilient community. We have so much to be thankful for in our community and we know that there is great potential when we work together, recognizing what each of us has to offer. Unsung Heroes will highlight points of light in the community through storytelling, music, and dancing. “We will celebrate the heroes’ stories of resiliency and how they have committed their life’s work to shouldering movements by lifting up ideals, giving wisdom and guidance to their communities,” says event producer Sheneika Smith. “By uncovering and celebrating the work of individuals and groups who demonstrate resilience, we will provide an opportunity for attendees to connect to this community’s resource grid.” The Unsung Heroes that will be celebrated are: Educational Enrichment - Keyla Estrada; Ally - David Forbes; Arts & Entertainment - Oskar Santana; Health & Wellness - Kathey Avery; Environmental Stewardship - Eric Howell; Entrepreneurship - Dulce Lomita Mobile Home Cooperative; Historic Preservation - Priscilla Nydiye; Spirituality - Rosalia del Carmen Islas; Community Legacy - John R. Hayes and Community Legacy - Lucia Hinojosa Hernandez. Sponsored by Buncombe County, UNC Asheville and Date My City, Unsung Heroes will be the culminating event of UNC Asheville’s African Americans in WNC Conference.

11/08/16 ELECTION DAY
Last chance to vote in this election. Please go to your precinct to vote.

11/10/16 INTERFAITH PEACE CONFERENCE AT LAKE JUNALUSKA
Affirming the community of Abrahamic faiths, the Peace Conference seeks to work in partnership with Christians, Jews, Muslims, and members of other religious traditions to advance the work of reconciliation and peace. The theme for this year's conference is “The Climate Crisis and Peace” and Dr. Norman Wirzba, Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Agrarian Studies at Duke Divinity School will be among the speakers. This runs from November 10 to November 13, 2016. For program questions contact Tammy McDowell at 828.454.6681 or tmcdowell@lakejunaluska.com. For registration contact 800.222.4930 or reservations@lakejunaluska.com.

11/12/16 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Citizens Climate Lobby meets the second Saturday of each month at Kairos West Community Center (behind Firestorm) at 610 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.

11/16/16 REBUILDING AFFRILACHIA - PEARSON PLAN WORKSHOP
DeWayne Barton will be offering a Pearson Plan Workshop on November 16 from 5 to 6 pm at the Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton Street, in Asheville. Learn more about this plan for Rebuilding Affrilachia and how you can be a part of it. There is no charge for the workshop, though contributions to support the Pearson Plan will be accepted. If you'd like to be part of this, please join him; there is no pre-registration necessary. Questions? Email info@hoodhuggers.com.

11/19/16 HARD TO RECYCLE COLLECTION IN ARDEN
This will be from 10 AM to 2 PM at 2310 Hendersonville Road in Arden. And a word from Greenworks: never put hard-to-recycle items or any kind of plastic bag or plastic film in with your curbside recyclables (other than blue recycling bags). The blue bags are emptied and removed early in the sorting process at the recycling facility as plastic bags and film clog recycling equipment forcing operations to shut down for workers to cut that material off by hand with boxcutters! Note: Be sure to pull out the plastic liner bags out of your cereal boxes before you throw them into your recycling bin. Check that no chip and snack bags or regular and resealable (zipper) bags, snuck into your bin, too!

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ONGOING EVENTS
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TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument during most of the year, but after DST kicks in, they meet at 4:30 PM. 
Showing Up for Racial Justice at Firestorm Cafe and Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 10 AM. 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. 
Green Grannies Book Club meets at noon at Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 
“What’s Up With Whiteness” discussion group at 6 PM at Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

THURSDAY
Political Prisoners Letter Writing at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 6 PM on fourth Thursday of the month. Materials provided.

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville.

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. 
French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org. 

SUNDAY
Peace Vigil at All Souls Cathedral in Biltmore Village. This is from 5 to 5:30 PM. This vigil will last until election day 2016.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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City of Asheville to hold series of Bond Expos

The City of Asheville will hold a series of informational Bond Expos in October, with presentations led by Mayor Esther Manheimer.

A question-and-answer session will follow the mayor’s presentation. Hand-out material with information about the three bond referendums that go before Asheville voters in the Nov. 8 general election will be provided. 

Here is the Bond Expos schedule:
· West Asheville – 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Hall Fletcher Elementary School, 60 Ridgelawn Ave.
· South Asheville – 7 p.m. October 19 at the Skyland Volunteer Fire Department, 9 Miller Road.

In August, Asheville City Council approved a general obligation bond referendum that would generate $74 million for public improvements financed by the bonds. The public improvements are divided into three categories:
· Housing Affordability, $25 million
· Parks & Recreation, $17 million
· Streets, Sidewalks and Bike Lanes, $32 million
Voters will vote separately on each category.
For those unable to attend the Bond Expos, the City has educational material online. The City launched a bond referendum information webpage that provides detailed information how bonds work, what the impact could be on taxes and other information. The webpage features an interactive Proposed 2016 Bond Referendum Story Map guides voters through some examples of projects included in the proposed bond package.

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From Asheville Buncombe County NAACP on Voting:

UPDATE: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - The decision by the US Supreme Court not to stay the ruling from the US Court of Appeals means five elements of the 2013 Voter Law have been overturned. Here is the result:
1.Voters will NOT need a photo ID to vote in this upcoming election. They simply need to register by October 14th. 
2. Early Voting will return to 17 days, and will start on October 20th. There will be one Sunday to Early Vote, on October 30th, in Buncombe County.
3. Same day registration is back. While the registration deadline is October 14th, you can register to vote and vote during Early Voting. (Important: People cannot register to vote on Election Day, November 8th.) 
4.Out-of-precinct voting now requires the Board of Elections in each county to count the provisional ballot of an Election Day voter who appears at the wrong precinct, but in the correct county. However, their votes will only count for those candidates or issues that are on their ballot. 
5.Preregistration is permitted for 16- and 17-year-old's, when obtaining driver’s licenses or attending high school registration drives, to identify themselves and indicate their intent to vote when they turn 18.

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