UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER
10/10/16 to 10/13/16 DISGRACE: SEEKING GOD’S GRACE AMID THE DISGRACE OF RACISM CONFERENCE
The DISGRACE conference will be a faithful response to the embedded and structural racism in church and culture. Grounded in worship, truth-telling, confession, and collaboration, we move from disgrace toward solidarity. Together we tackle the hidden histories, unaddressed discomforts, divisions between people and communities, with a diverse community committed to journeying through these difficult but necessary and potentially life-giving conversations. When this conference ends, our true response to systemic racism begins. This will be at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC. Commuter rate is $178 per person, with a daily rate of $70 per person/per day. Registration is on the Montreat Conference CenterIf you have any questions about the registration process, please email the registrar at SusanA@montreat.org or call 828.419.9829.
10/10/16 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. NOTE: Rescheduled for 10/20/16.
10/10/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE SOCIAL
Presentation topic is “Peace and Environmental Justice” - an Evening with Robert Zachary. In 1965, when he was only fifteen, Robert Zachary met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during one of King's visits to Zachary's hometown in Alabama. According to Zack, “This monumental meeting set the tone for what would be my life’s work.” Today, he is a retired counselor and chaplain who runs the Healing Love Institute, where he offers lectures, consulting and chaplain services to bring people of different races together. Time is 6:30 to 8 PM and location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street in north Asheville. Contact Rebecca at palmtree747@gmail.com for more information.
10/10/16 MARCH IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS RESISTANCE
Support Indigenous Resistance, Stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. March in solidarity with the Standing Rock occupation. Meet at the Federal Building (corner of Otis St. and Patton Avenue) at 5 PM, march to Vance Monument at 5:30 PM. Celebrate Indigenous People's Day (which is October 10) by showing your support for the indigenous uprising against the Dakota Access Pipeline being built on stolen land. Celebrate the unbroken spirit of resistance to 500+ years of colonialism, genocide, white supremacy and resource extraction in North America. Support indigenous communities defending their land, water, and air! Including in North Carolina. For more information contact: Matt Wallace, bloodroot@riseup.net. #NODAPL
10/10/16 WATER IS LIFE FUNDRAISER
This is an action to unite the people of western NC as well as our surrounding areas, to support and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous led movement. #NODPAPL at Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota. We are collecting donations and supplies to help sustain the camps throughout the winter. Time is 4 to 10 PM and location is the Salvage Station at 468 Riverside Drive in Asheville. There will be music (Rising Appalachia, Nematic, Santos GlocalSoul, I,Star) and speakers and a silent auction and raffle. TIckets available at the door. $10 minimum donation. This is a facebook event. #NODAPL
10/11/16 NAACP MEETING
The Branch’s regular monthly meeting is the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at Hill Street Baptist Church at 135 Hill Street in Asheville. If you have questions, contact Carmen Ramos-Kennedy at (828) 423-6476, or 4ward2getherCall2Action@gmail.com.
10/11/16 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 the Center for Art and Spirit at Saint George, address is One School Road in west Asheville. For more information, contact Gerry at gwerhan@gmail.com.
10/11/16 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. Topic is racial justice and queer Asheville. 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.
10/11/6 WORKING IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND THE PEACE CORPS TALK
From Chengdu to Timbuktu: Experiencing Your Twenties in the Developing World. Jared Tirone, a graduate of USC, is giving a talk for students interested in working or studying in the developing world. He'll discuss his work in the Peace Corps in Mali and teaching English as a second language in China. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Nash 205 at Mars Hill University.
10/11/16 OCCUPY WNC GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SYLVA
Dinner from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Sneaky Squirrel at 1315 W Main Street in Sylva NC followed by the General Assembly meeting from 7 to 8:30 PM. Open to all.
10/12/16 JUST PEACE 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. - Canceled
10/12/16 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 12 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.
10/12/16 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.
10/12/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
This is Showing Up for Racial Justice's What’s Up With Whiteness Wednesday series. Calling in: Roleplaying difficult conversations about race and the election. We all encounter racism all the time, whether it's in the form of jokes or comments or attempts to belittle the importance of Black Lives (i.e. Don't All Lives Matter?"). For most of us, it's very challenging to respond to racist speech or action in ways that feel constructive. Many of us either stay silent, or get into arguments, neither of which will begin the essential process of educating and "calling in" white people to become part of multi-racial coalitions for racial justice. So, in this workshop, we'll role play having these conversations, so we can all feel better prepared to engage in them when opportunities arise. Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6:30-9 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville (main building, downstairs space) on Charlotte Street in north Asheville. Hosted by Asheville Showing Up for Racial Justice. Meets every month. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.
10/12/16 CANDIDATE FORUM AT WCU
Political debate between opponents for the NC House of Representatives District 199. Incumbent Joe Sam Queen will debate Mike Clampitt. Free. Held in room 204 of the Heatlth and Human Sciences Building at WCU. Time is 7 PM. Call 227-7397 for more information.
10/13/16 CANDIDATE FORUMS: VOICE YOUR VIEW
Are there questions that you would like our local and state candidates to answer? Now is your chance to voice your view. Go to www.bit.ly/2cOmbGa for the online question survey and then come out to a candidate forum. Candidate forums are free and open to public. This is moderated by Carolina Public Press, and presented by Children First, League of Women Voters, and Democracy NC. Cosponsors includes the American Association of University Women, YWCA of Asheville, Warren Wilson College, Carolina Jews for Justice, Spirit In Action, Western NC Community Health Centers, and The Council on Aging of Buncombe County. Time is 6 PM and location is TC Roberson High School (tentative location). This forum will cover Commissioner District (2 seats), State House District 116 and State Senate District 48. I got a report that this (or the candidate forum in Hendersonville) was canceled - call YWCA to confirm.
10/13/16 CANDIDATE FORUM FOR SCHOOL BOARD - HENDERSON COUNTY
This is a League of Women Voters event. The Henderson County School Board Candidates will hold a forum at City Operations building at 305 Williams Street in Hendersonville. Time is 6 PM. I got a report that this (or the candidate forum in Asheville) was canceled - call LWV to confirm.
10/13/16 SOLIDARITY WITH STANDING ROCK FUNDRAISER
Solidarity With Standing Rock and Say No to Dakota Access Pipeline! Music from Ahleuchatistas, Desperate Pilot, Nervous Dupre, House and Land, MANAS, Meg Mulhearn & Elisa Faires and our friend Minori will be MCing. We stand in solidarity with native peoples of Standing Rock Reservation and the thousands of people of the Dakotas defending against the construction of DAPL built by Dallas based Energy Transfer Partners Corporation. All proceeds from the show will go to the legal defense funds for the Sacred Stone Spirit Camp and Standing Rock Sioux Nation legal fund. $5-10 suggested donations. Time is 7 PM to 2 AM. This will be at The Mothlight at 701 Haywood Road in Asheville.
10/13/16 DEMOCRACY NC POLL MONITORING TRAINING AT UNCA
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. Time is 6 to 8 PM. Location is Highsmith Union, room 104 at UNCA. Contact Darlene at darlene@democracy-nc.org for time and location and for instructions on how to register.
10/14/18 VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR 2016 GENERAL ELECTION
10/14/16 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
On Friday, October 14th, we are screening the documentary “Audrie and Daisy”, a film that takes a hard look at America's teenagers who are coming of age in this new world of social media bullying, spun wildly out of control. “Audrie and Daisy” is an urgent real-life drama that examines the ripple effects on families, friends, schools and communities when two underage young women find that sexual assault crimes against them have been caught on camera. The film screening is 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. Contact Charlie at mnpopi@charter.net for more information.
10/15/16 to 10/16/16 COMMUNICATION SKILLS
‘Be peace: empathy and insight for healing relationships’ with HearthMath coach Cathy Hold. This will be at Unity of the Blue Ridge. Call 828-545-9681 for more information and to register.
10/15/16 DEMOCRACY NC POLL MONITORING TRAINING IN ASHEVILLE
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.
10/15/16 DEMOCRACY NC POLL MONITORING TRAINING IN CULLOWHEE
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.
10/15/16 CENTER FOR PARTICIPATORY CHANGE ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Come celebrate 16 years of CPC! The event will be at the YMI Cultural Center at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. RSVP by September 30th. Time is 6 to 9 PM. Please allow enough time to find parking. Our goal is to have some cultural sharing from the different communities that help shape our work. So please bring a dish to share! Contact the YMI Cultural Center for more information. This is a facebook event.
10/16/16 WORLD FOOD DAY CELEBRATION
A mini-fair and food justice gathering at The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. “If you don’t love Monsanto, come join us for Sunday brunch!” On October 14-16, Monsanto will be put on trial at the International Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity, including ecocide. Time is 1 to 5 PM. For more information, contact The Block Off Biltmore.
10/16/16 ETHICAL HUMANIST PRESENTATION
Join Dr. Brian E. Butler for a presentation and discussion on "Nobel Prize Winner Jane Addams on the Tools and Travails of Democratic Practice.” Dr. Butler’s presentation will be the Sunday, October 16th meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2 - 3:30 PM, at Asheville Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. All are welcome to attend. Jane Addams practiced democratic habits in every level of her life. Hull House, her Chicago Settlement project, served as a living experiment in democratic education. In her writings, Addams communicated a very nuanced conception of democracy brilliantly. Democracy, for her, was much more than a political system; it was a way of social life. In this talk, Dr. Butler will attempt to outline her very demanding conception of democracy through the use of examples from Hull House and her various writings. He will show how her conception of democracy offers important tools for the construction of a more democratic society that are as relevant today as they were in her time. Questions and discussion will be welcome. Refreshments will follow the presentation. For more information call 828 687-7759 or email EHSAsheville@gmail.com.
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.
10/18/16 VIGIL FOR PEACE AND REDUCTION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
At 5 PM, Tuesday, October 18th, 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.
10/18/16 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, 7pm program begins. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.
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 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.
10/20/16 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, 45 South French Broad Ave. 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.
10/21/16 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. This will happen at the Lutheridge Camp & Conference Center at 2511 Hendersonville Road in Arden. Tickets are between $105 and $255. No further information at this time.
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.
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.
10/23/16 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. 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.
10/26/16 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.
10/28/16 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.
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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 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.
THURSDAY
Political Prisoners Letter Writing at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 6 PM on first 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:
· North Asheville – 6:30 p.m. Oct 10 in Jones Elementary School Auditorium, 544 Kimberly Ave.
· Central Asheville – 7 p.m. Oct 12 at the City of Asheville Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St.
· 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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Forest Service to Hold Open Houses at District Offices
The U.S. Forest Service will hold open houses at district offices on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in September and October to provide the public with opportunities to talk with forest staff about local issues, district projects, and forest plan revision. The open houses will have a flexible format allowing the public to come at any time during the specified hours and talk directly with Forest staff one-on-one. District rangers and members of the forest plan revision team will be present from 3 to 6 pm on each of the following days and locations:
• October 12, Pisgah Ranger District Office, 1600 Pisgah Hwy, Brevard
• October 13, Appalachian Ranger District Office, 632 Manor Rd, Mars Hill
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests have been revising their forest plan, a required document that provides a general framework to guide management of the forest. As part of the process, 24 public meetings have been held in communities throughout western North Carolina.
"A successful forest plan depends on the engagement of local residents, organizations, and local governments," explains James Melonas, Deputy Forest Supervisor for National Forests in North Carolina. "We will continue to engage the public in a transparent and thoughtful manner."
Throughout the spring and summer, the Forest Service has been releasing draft plan materials on the National Forests in North Carolina website, www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision. Additional materials will be available this fall and posted to the Plan Revision Under Construction page as they become available.
"Like all parts of our forest plan, we are accepting public feedback on these initial building blocks and we expect to make changes before we complete the draft plan," said Michelle Aldridge, planning team lead. "Feedback will also help us shape our analysis. Specific feedback about desired changes, as well as information gaps is very useful at this stage.”
By fall 2016, the public will have had an opportunity for early review and input on nearly all aspects of the developing plan, and will again have an opportunity to review the plan during the formal comment period once a complete draft plan and alternative analysis are released. While there is no formal NEPA or legal comment period at this time, the Forest Service is accepting input on the building blocks at NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us with the subject line "Summer building blocks" or by mail at this address: Attn: Plan Revision Team Leader; National Forests in North Carolina; 160 Zillicoa St. Suite A; Asheville, NC 28801.
