Monday, October 13, 2014

Indigenous People’s Day

Indigenous Peoples Day is a holiday replacing Columbus Day. Celebrate this new annual holiday with us in honor of all of our ancestors, the people continuing the struggle today and future generations.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

Some color on the Blue Ridge Parkway last Thursday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

10/13/14 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE’S FIFTH BIRTHDAY
Transition Asheville invites you to a celebration, one that draws on people's imaginations and that fans the flames of optimism! We'll be asking people to think about and share their individual and most positive and hopeful vision of  “Asheville 2044”, our community 30 years from now. The story includes how we got there, and what milestones happened along the way. This is a technique that Transition groups elsewhere have used to inspire hope, articulate steps forward, develop plans, and see what other people dream about! It is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, bathing in your vision of future good times for Asheville, thirty years from now! We will be holding this event: "Harnessing the Power of a Positive Vision: Your Picture of Asheville 30 Years from Now" on Monday, October 13th at St. Mary's Church parish hall, on Charlotte Street. Snacks and drinks will be provided, just bring your imagination and hopes! Please extend this invitation to others in your organization who might find this fun! Hope to see you there.” Time is 6:30 PM. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by sending an email to TransitionAsheville@gmail.com.  

10/13/14 ALLY WEEK
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, GLSEN, is sponsoring a media campaign, ALLY Week, October 13-17. Take the pledge - become an ALLY for LGBT. 

10/13/14 DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK AND FILM SHOWING AT UNCA
“Fixed: the Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement” will be shown in the Alumni Hall at UNCA at 7PM. Free and open to the public. An award-winning documentary, Fixed explores the social impacts of human augmentation. Through a dynamic mix of verité, dance, archival and interview footage, Fixed challenges notions of normal, the body and what it means fundamentally to be human in the 21st century. The film will be followed by a discussion and Q&A with special guest, the film's producer and director, Regan Brashear . The viewing will include Captioning and Audio Descriptions.

10/14/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. 

10/14/14 HISTORY OF LYNCHING IN THE USA
Christians for a United Community is sponsoring an evening with Jack Shuler, author of The Thirteenth Turn: A History of the Noose, at First Congregation Church (20 Oak St in downtown Asheville), Tuesday, October 14th, 7 PM. Shuler will focus attention on the history of lynching in U.S. history. This event is free and open to the public.

10/15/14 GREEN DRINKS
Join us Wednesday October 15th at 5:45 PM at the Green Sage for a screening of a current, globally impactful, film on climate change: Disruption. This week we will start socialization at 5:30 p.m. as normal, but note that we will begin the program early at 5:45 p.m. to ensure the completion of the film. Location is the Green Sage in downtown Asheville.

10/16/14 LECTURE AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY
Lecture by Oralene Simmons, former Rosenwald School student, Great-great-granddaughter of the slave named Joseph Anderson, and the first African American admitted to Mars Hill College, and Susi Anderson, resident of Hawaii and Great-great-granddaughter of the slave-master of Joseph Anderson. Time TBA. This is part of the Rural Heritage Museum exhibition: “Our Story–This Place, The History of African American Education in Madison County, North Carolina: The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School”. Location is Montague Hall on the campus of Mars Hill University. Admission is free, and the exhibit will run until February 2015. For more information please call (828) 689-1400.

10/16/14 CANDIDATES FORUM AT UNCA
This will be held at the Sherrill Center at UNCA at noon. The candidates are running for the NC Senate for districts 48 and 49. Rick Wood and Tom Apodaca are running in district 48. Terry Van Duyn and Clarence Young are running in district 49. 

10/17/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST This meeting will be at 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home in the media room. 

10/17/14 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING
The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be at a private home near the VA Hospital. Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12 noon to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

10/18/14 WE ARE THE VILLAGE PARENTING EXPO
Parenting is complicated. Our hope is to have happy, healthy, successful children – but how do we get there? Whose help do we need? Where do we start? It takes a village to raise a child. Join us for a day when we learn how we are and how we can be that village. We are the Village: A conference and expo that includes: • Sessions for parents and families that range from addressing challenging behavior to dealing with picky eaters, from supporting children in sports to The Sex Talk – and everything in between. • Community Expo with local resources for families. • Free child care and activities for children ages birth through fifth grade. • Opportunities to connect with affinity groups - folks facing similar challenges, joys, and experiences. For more information, please contact Megan at wearethevillageavl@gmail.com. Time is 9:30 AM to 2 PM, and location is the First Baptist Church of Asheville. Please contact Megan to find out how to register so they have the correct number of free lunches.

10/18/14 GREEN GRANNIES SING
Green Grannies Sing for the Climate at Vance Monument at 5 PM. Google "Singfortheclimate" and come out and sing with us! This happens on the third Saturday of every month.

10/19/14 ASHEVILLE LIVING TREASURE RECOGNITION CEREMONY
Time is 1 to 4 PM and location is Reuter Center 102 at UNCA. No further information at this time.

10/20/14 LECTURE AT UNCA
“Conflict & Coexistence” will be presented at 11:25 AM to 12:35 PM at Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall at UNCA.  Part of Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall Humanities Lecture Series. Free & Open to the Public. Lecture Presented By: Prof. Dunn, Lecturer, Humanities Program and Prof. Lundblad, Lecture, Humanities Program.

10/21/14 AUDUBON SOCIETY MEETING
Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is the Reuter Center, Room 102A, at UNCA.

10/21/14 ACTIVIST DAVID COBB TO SPEAK IN ASHEVILLE
Move to Amend of Buncombe County is bringing activist David Cobb (national leader of Move to Amend) to speak at Jubilee! at 46 Wall Street in Asheville, NC from 7 to 9 PM on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Move To Amend is a coalition of hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals who believe that constitutional rights belong only to human beings, not to corporations, and that money is not a form of free speech and can be regulated during elections. David Cobb is National Projects Director of Democracy Unlimited. He is a lawyer and political activist. David has sued corporate polluters, lobbied elected officials,  run for political office himself, and has been arrested for non-violent civil disobedience.  He truly believes we must use ALL the tools in the toolbox to effect the systemic social change we so desperately need. For questions and information, contact Diana at 828-275-0680 or email dianakrukmta@gmail.com. Free and open to the public.

10/21/14 NAACP EVENTS IN HENDERSONVILLE
This is two special events for all WNC NAACP members and supporters. The Henderson County NAACP Chapter is hosting two events at the Henderson County Public Library at 301 N. Washington Street in Hendersonville. At 2 PM and 6 PM, there will be a performance of the one-hour play "Granny D: You Are Never Too Old To Raise A Little Hell". Off-Broadway actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens are the performers in this play. Free admission. There will also be a commemorative-documentary art exhibit revealed. It is called "Forward Together Moral Monday" which will cover 96 feet of wall space with photographs, paintings and commentary. Also free admission to see this exhibit.

10/21/14 EMPATHY GROUP
HeartSpeak/Empathy Practice Circle, 7:30- 9 PM. Could you use some compassionate empathy for a challenge? Want to experience heart connection through recognizing one another's feelings and needs? Drop-in group, every 3rd Tuesday, 386 Kenilworth Rd./Digges. Love offering. Info: 828-545-9681.  

10/22/14 GREEN DRINKS
Join us to hear a presentation in celebration of United Nations Day, which is on October 24th– two days after this Green Drinks program. A big UN focus is food (Global Food Day is October 16th, for instance). Peter Marks, executive director of Seeds Programs International, will talk about his organization’s efforts to fight hunger via sowing seeds. This is presented by the Western NC chapter of the United Nations Association.  Socializing begins at 5:30 PM; Programming at 6:00 PM. Location is the Green Sage on Broadway in downtown Asheville.

10/22/14 CLEAN ENERGY FOR WNC INFO SESSION
Join us for a free workshop designed to give property owners a chance to learn more about solar, energy efficiency, financing options. discounted pricing, tax credits, rebates and meet the companies we are working with! Clean Energy for Western North Carolina (CE4WNC) is a local campaign that makes it easy and affordable for homeowners, businesses, and tax-exempt entities to go solar and invest in energy efficiency. The first round of our Western North Carolina campaign will focus on South Asheville, Hendersonville, and Flat Rock. We vet contractors and organize discounted solar pricing and free energy audits for every qualified participant. Homeowners, business owners, and tax-exempt entities located in South Asheville, Hendersonville, and Flat Rock may enroll in the CE4WNC program. We will assess each participant and pass on those who meet the criteria of a qualified solar or energy efficiency lead. Light refreshments will be served. Time is 6:30 to 8 PM at the UU Fellowship of Hendersonville at 2021 Kanuga Road in Hendersonville.Contact/Questions: Ashley Edwards-Outreach Coordinator, at 919-637-2970 or email ashley@cleanenergyfor.us.

10/23/14 EARLY VOTING STARTS
And local elections DO MATTER, so read this and then go vote: http://www.popularresistance.org/activism-victory-steep-drop-in-stop-and-frisk/

10/23/14 MORAL MARCH TO THE POLLS
Join the Mountain People's Assembly, the Asheville-Buncombe NAACP and coalition partner Campaign for Southern Equality for an Early Voting 'Moral March to the Polls' to celebrate the first day of Early Voting on October 23. Meet at Vance Monument/Pack Square in downtown Asheville as we gather to march to cast our votes at the Board of Elections Office on Woodfin St. with the Hillcrest High-Steppin' Majorettes & Drum Corps leading the way. Since the office closes at 5 pm, we encourage those who can, to vote earlier in the day at the location of your choice. Then, wearing your 'I Voted' sticker, post a selfie to this page - along with a challenge to friends and family to VOTE! Meet at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville at 3:30 PM.

10/23/14 BOOK READING AT MALAPROPS
SNCC Veteran Charles Cobb will discuss and read from his book “That Nonviolent Stuff Will Get You Killed” and discuss the forgotten lessons from the civil rights movement. Time is 7 PM. 

10/25/14 - 10/26/14 CHANGE THE COURSE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Change the Course is an invitation to the climate movement to dig deep and think hard about what it would actually take to stabilized the climate and turn our collective ship around. Please join us at the upcoming Climate Leadership Summits to kick this project off. These two day events will bring communities together for an innovative visioning, strategic development and skills summit. This is sponsored by the Rainforest Action Network. Time is 1 to 6 PM both days and location is Lenoir-Rhyne University at 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. For more information and to register, go to ran.org/changethecourse. Free, but you must register. You can also call for more information at 828-545-9681. One of 14 Climate Leadership Summits being held nationwide.  

10/28/14 ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Duke Energy representatives will present an update to Asheville City Council on the future of the Asheville coal-fired power plant. This information came from WNC Alliance.

11/01/14 BEYOND EXTREME ENERGY WEEK
Actions will take place in Washington, DC. From local activist Steve Norris: To my friends: I am working with a coalition of activists and organizations from around the country preparing for a week of nonviolent direct actions in Washington DC in early November. We are calling our campaign Beyond Extreme Energy. Please consider joining us. We will also be asking for donations to support this work. Feel free to call or email me with questions. Steve Norris, 828-777-7816, or earthsun2@gmail.com.  

11/04/14 ELECTION DAY

11/04/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE BOOK CLUB AT MALAPROPS
We will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at Malaprops, for a 1 1/2 hour discussion on a book related to a current political topic. The chosen book for November is ‘The Battle for Justice in Palestine’ by Ali Abunimah. You may purchase the book at Malaprops (10% off list for all book clubs), or order on line as you wish, or check it out from the public library. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bruce at bruceroth@charter.net.

11/05/14 09/10/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

11/06/14 FORUM ON FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
Families experience homelessness for the same kinds of reasons that anyone else does - losing a job, going through a divorce, an illness or having hours cut back. Families living in poverty are always at the edge of a crisis. In 2014, the annual Point In Time Count - a one day event where organizations attempt to count the number of people who are homeless at shelters and camps - found 20 families in Buncombe County and 12 in Henderson County who are homeless. Homeward Bound is looking carefully at this problem because we know that getting people out of homelessness and into housing as rapidly as possible, is critical, especially for families with children. Join us at our first ever Forum on Family Homelessness on November 6th.  Your $20 ticket includes a meal, keynote speaker Kelly King Horne from Homeward Virginia, and an insightful panel discussion of experts facilitated by our Executive Director, Brian Alexander. This event is sponsored by attorneys Chitwood and Fairbairn. Email Beth at beth@homewardboundwnc.org for more information on how to purchase tickets.

11/10/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library. Call Ruth at 232-2883 or email ruthachristie@gmail.com for more information.

11/10/14 CONVERSATION ON THE MIDDLE EAST
A conversation with PCUSA Moderator Heath Rada and his wife Peggy  on their October 2014 trip to the Middle East. Time is 3 to 4 PM and location is the 3rd floor of Freeland Hall at 318 Georgia Terrance in Montreat. A reception will follow at the Presbyterian Heritage Center Library where the PHC exhibit on Missions to the Middle East is on display until November 14. Cosponsored by the Presbyterian Heritage Center and the Presbytery of WNC.

11/11/14 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Time is 7:30 to 9:30 PM and location is the Reuter Center, Room 102A, at UNCA.

11/13/14 PANEL PRESENTATION AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY
Panel Presentation: Personal Recollections of the Rosenwald School. This is part of the exhibition “Our Story–This Place, The History of African American Education in Madison County, North Carolina: The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School” at the Rural Heritage Museum at Mars Hill University that runs until February 2015.This exhibition traces the history of African American education in Western North Carolina, with a particular emphasis on Madison County, from Reconstruction through the period of Civil Rights legislation and the integration in the 1960s. The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School played a large role in African American heritage and history in Madison County and Western North Carolina for a good part of the 20th century. Moderated by Kevin Barnette (Assist. football coach at MHU) to include Anderson Rosenwald school alumni Oralene Simmons, Charity Ray, Dorothy Coone, Omar   Lewis McClain, Fatimah Rashida Shabazz, Gene Jones.Time TBA. Admission is free, and the exhibit will run until February 2015. For more information please call (828) 689-1400.

11/16/14 BENEFIT FOR GAZA
Featuring violinist Michael  Dabroski performing music by JS Bach, an original Suite for Gaza, Palestinian melodies, and sharing notes from a concert trip to Gaza City in December
2013. Time is 3:30 PM at the Rainbow Community School in west Asheville. All proceeds Middle East Children's Alliance, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine and American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem for its Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Sponsored  by Western Carolinians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East. More information to follow.

11/21/14 PROTEST THE SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS IN GEORGIA

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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

WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 1 PM at A-Hope on North Ann Street in Asheville.  
Youth Outright Poetry Night at United Church of Christ in Asheville at 5 PM

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
Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Vance Monument at 5 PM.

SUNDAY
Youth OUTright meeting from 4 to 6 PM at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Ages 14 - 23 only.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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Have your say about the future of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests!

By WNC Alliance

The Forest Service will hold the next round of public meetings this October and November to share information about the proposed Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Plan, including potential management areas and desired conditions. The plan will guide management of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests for the next 15-20 years. The meeting will open with a presentation on significant issues, management areas, and the development of plan components. The Forest Service planning team will share some proposed desired condition statements and information about watersheds and recreation settings during an open poster session. Each of the scheduled meetings will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m., will follow the same agenda and present the same information and opportunity for review and comment.

Meeting dates and locations:
• Pisgah Ranger District: Oct. 21 at the Forge Valley Event Center in Mills River;
• Nantahala Ranger District: Oct. 28 at the Tartan Hall in Franklin;
• Appalachian Ranger District: Nov. 3 at Mars Hill College, Broyhill Chapel in Mars Hill;
• Tusquitee Ranger District: Nov. 4 at Tri-County Comm Coll, Enloe Building in Murphy;
• Cheoah Ranger District: Nov. 6 at the Graham Co Community Center in Robbinsville;
• Grandfather Ranger District: Nov. 13 at McDowell Tech Comm Coll, Rm 113 in Marion.

The Western North Carolina Alliance will be informing citizens and facilitating their participation in the plan revision process, which will occur over a three-to-four year period. It begins with the Assessment Phase, which will take about a year to complete. During this phase, the Forest Service will collect and compile data and other information on the current state of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The Planning Phase, which follows the Assessment Phase, will take two to three years to complete. After the plan is completed, the Monitoring Phase will begin and continue until the next plan revision.

In the coming months, the Forest Service will provide details on meetings and other information that foster public participation in the plan revision process. Information about the plan revision process is available online here.

Originally published in 1987, the plan received a significant amendment in 1994. Each national forest and grassland is governed by a management plan in accordance with the National Forest Management Act. These plans set management, protection and use goals and guidelines. The 2012 Planning Rule guides the planning process. The rule includes stronger protections for forests, water and wildlife, while supporting the economic vitality of rural communities. It requires the use of the best available scientific information to inform decisions. The 2012 rule strengthens the role of public involvement and dialogue throughout the planning process.

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Poem by Alice Walker

Gather
By Alice Walker

It is still hard to believe
that millions of us saw Eric Garner die.
He died with what looked like a half dozen
heavily clad
policemen
standing on his body, twisting and crushing
him
especially his head
and neck.
He was a big man, too. They must have felt
like clumsy midgets
as they dragged him down.

Watching the video,
I was reminded of the first lynching
I, quite unintentionally, learned about:
it happened in my tiny lumber mill
town before the cows were brought in
and young white girls
on ornate floats
became dairy queens.
A big man too,
whom my parents knew,
he was attacked also by a mob
of white men (in white robes and hoods)
and battered to death
by their two by fours.

I must have been a toddler
overhearing my parents talk
and mystified by pieces of something
called “two by fours.”

Later, building a house,
i would encounter the weight,
the heaviness, of this varying length
of wood, and begin to understand.

What is the hatred
of the big black man
or the small black man
or the medium sized
black man
the brown man
or the red man
in all his sizes
that drives the white lynch mob
mentality?

I always thought it was envy:
of the sheer courage to survive
and ceaselessly resist conformity
enough to sing and dance
or orate, or say in so many outlandish
ways:
You’re not the boss
of me!
Think how many black men
said that: “Cracker,* you’re not the boss
of me;”
even enslaved. Think of how
the legal lynch mob
so long ago
tore Nat Turner’s body
in quarters
skinned him
and made “money purses”
from his “hide.”

Who are these beings?

Now we are beginning to ask
the crucial question.

If it is natural to be black
and red or brown
and if it is beautiful to resist
oppression
and if it is gorgeous to be of color
and walking around free,
then where does the problem
lie?

Who are these people
that kill our children in the night?
Murder our brothers in broad daylight?
Refuse to see themselves in us
as we have strained, over centuries,
to see ourselves in them?
Perhaps we are more different
than we thought.
And does this scare us?
And what of, for instance,
those among us
who collude?

Gather.
Come see what stillness
lies now
in the people’s broken
hearts.

It is the quiet force of comprehension,
of realization
of the meaning
of our ancient
and perfect
contrariness;
of what must now be understood
and done to honor
and cherish
ourselves:
no matter who
today’s “bosses”
may be.

Our passion
and love for ourselves
that must at last
unite
and free us. As we put our sacrificed
beloveds
to rest in our profound
and ample caring:
broad,
ever moving,
and holy,
as the sea.


*Cracker: from the crack of the whip wielded by slave drivers.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

TODAY MARKS 13 YEARS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

"We are a generation of war...accustomed to the misguided paradigm that sees military-first responses as appropriate and, perhaps, essential. We have forgotten that war is supposed to be the very last resort and should only come after robust national and congressional debates..."

Monday, October 06, 2014

Day of Unity Against Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. We call on members to use this month and day to educate about the issues of violence in military families, especially those impacted by PTSD and other service related injuries.

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

UPCOMING EVENTS

10/6/14 PISGAH LEGAL POVERTY FORUM
4th Annual Poverty Forum will be held at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Don't miss social justice advocate, attorney and author Sister Simone Campbell, SSS when she and NETWORK's other “Nuns on the Bus” roll into Asheville. Sold out.

10/6/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library. This will be a planning meeting for the David Cobb event. Call Ruth at 232-2883 or email ruthachristie@gmail.com for more information.

10/06/14 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES
Dinner with Progressives is a social outlet for thoughtful people in Asheville NC. The gathering includes time to eat together and then enjoy presentations which focus on solutions for a brighter future. This happens on the first Monday of the month. Dinner is at 6 PM and the speaker/program  is at 7 PM. Board of Elections staff will meet with us to discuss the NC voting changes and what they mean to voters. We will also discuss the upcoming elections. Contact Cheryl at ctorengo@gmail.com for more information.

10/06/14 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WNC POTLUCK
Please RSVP to join the Creation Care Alliance of WNC for a "Local Food, Faith, and Creation Care" potluck dinner and celebration! Time is 6 PM and location is the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church's beautiful community garden, 789 Merrimon Avenue, in Asheville. We'll share a homegrown meal together, reflect on the connection between food, faith, and creation care, and discuss ideas for CCAWNC's Fall 2014 + Spring 2015 programming and next steps. A yummy, local dish to share is welcome but all that is required is a smile and interest in caring for this beautiful planet! For questions or more information please email Anna Jane at creationcare@wnca.org.

10/06/14 GET OUT THE VOTE WITH NUNS ON THE BUS
This is a presentation/press conference by Sister Simone on regional get-out-the-vote efforts. Time is 10 AM and location is the YWCA in Asheville on South French Broad.

10/07/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE BOOK CLUB AT MALAPROPS
We will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at Malaprops, for a 1 1/2 hour discussion on a book related to a current political topic. The chosen book for October is ‘On Western Terrorism: From Hiroshima to Drone Warfare’ by Noam Chomsky and Andre Vitchek. You may purchase the book at Malaprops (10% off list for all book clubs), or order on line as you wish, or check it out from the public library. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bruce at bruceroth@charter.net.

10/07/14 ASHEVILLE TRANSIT COMMITTEE MEETING
 The October 7, 2014 meeting will be from 3:30-5 PM in the First Floor Conference Room at City Hall.  

10/07/14 TODAY MARKS 13 YEARS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
And what have we accomplished?

10/07/14 LANDOWNERS AND CONSERVATION PRESENTATION
“Landowners and Conservation: A Love Story at the Fairview Library” is a multi-media presentation on land conservation. Time is 7 PM. Free.

10/08/14 CAPITALISM IS KILLING THE PLANET: ECOSOCIALISM 101
From wildfires, droughts, floods, and superstorms, the climate is changing. The 1%, in their pursuit for profits, are developing ever more creative ways to extract fossil fuels and dump waste at the expense of the rest of us. It will take us, the 99%, organizing in our workplaces, schools, and communities fighting to stall their plans now and to build organization and movement that can smash capitalism and build EcoSocialism in its place. Time is 6 PM and location is Highsmith Student Union, Room 222. Hosted by Asheville Socialists.

10/08/14 WNC CLIMATE LISTENING PROJECT - GREEN DRINKS
Dayna Reggero will present the “WNC Climate Listening Project” on Wed, October 8, 2014 at 6 pm. This is a visual and social storytelling project connecting conversations about climate science, disruption, adaptation and resilience in Asheville and Western North Carolina. Time is 6 PM and location is Green Sage Cafe in downtown Asheville. This is hosted by Green Drinks.

10/8/14 09/10/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

10/09/14 NC STATE CANDIDATE FORUM
A public information forum to which candidates for NC State Senate (Districts 48 and 49), NC House of Representatives (Districts 115 and 116), NC Supreme Court Chief Justice, NC Supreme Court Associate Justice, and State Court of Appeals are invited. This moderated forum is co-sponsored with the Asheville YWCA, Asheville American Association of University Women (AAUW), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Children First/Communities in Schools.
Doors open at 5:30 PM, event starts at 6 PM. Location is the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center at 285 Livingston Street in Asheville.

10/09/14 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FILM SHOWING
Western N C Physicians for Social Responsibility will present the film, “PAX AMERICANA and the Weaponization of Space”, in commemoration of 2014 Keep Space for Peace Week. This  will be at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, at 6:30 PM, Thursday, October 9. This film deals with the issue of space weapons and their politics, including interviews with several key United States military personnel and other prominent persons. It is vital that we citizens be alerted to dangers facing our survival and action needed in light of a growing arms race speeding the proliferation of these weapons.This event is already being supported by Veterans for Peace, Move to Amend of Buncombe County and The Earth and Social Justice Ministry of the Unitarian Universal Congregation of Asheville. We are seeking other cosponsors to help publicize this event and be listed as such on our program. Contact Lew at 299-1242 for more information or to be a sponsor. 

10/09/14 PEACE IS POSSIBLE FILM PRESENTATION
In July 2014, Prem Rawat spoke at an event in Toronto, Canada, presenting the analogy that each person is a sovereign ruler of his or her own internal realm. He explained that the citizens of this realm are the moments of life that come, and emphasized the importance of ensuring that each citizen be cared for so that each one can exist in contentment. Title of the film is “The Presence in the Present” and the time is 7 PM. Location is South Buncombe Library at 260 Overlook Rd, Asheville, NC 28803  Contact Craig at herbzone@gmail.com for more information.

10/09/14 LECTURE AT UNCA
A talk with Agnes Wilcox of Prison Performing Arts at Karpen Hall 139 (Laurel Forum) at UNCA. Time is 6 PM. Agnes Wilcox will be speaking on her experience as artistic director with Prison Performing Arts, based in St Louis, MO. Prison Performing Arts is a 22-year-old, multi-discipline, literacy and performing arts program that serves adults and children at various prisons in Missouri. It aims to involve incarcerated youth and adults in the performing arts to inspire intellectual curiosity and personal development with a view to enabling their successful re-entry into society. Agnes Wilcox holds an M.F.A. in Directing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Free and open to the public. Contact Dr. Sophie Mills at smills@unca.edu or 828-251-6296 for more information.

10/09/14 LIVE STREAM OF TEDGlobal at UNCA
A streaming of the highlights of the live TEDGlobal event in Rio, Brazil to be followed by engaging discussion and performances by spoken word poets. Open to the public and free, though t-shirts may be purchased. Time is 9 AM to 6 PM and location is Highsmith University Union 143 at UNCA. 

10/10/14 LECTURE AT UNCA
Lecture Presented By: Dr. Walters, Professor, Department of Drama and title is “Incarceration Nation”. This lecture will examine the reasons that the past 30 years have seen the number of inmates in federal custody grow by 800 percent, the majority for drug-related crimes, and more than 60 percent are racial and ethnic minorities. Free and open to the public. Time is 11:25 AM and location is Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall at UNCA.


10/10/14 LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NC
There is no ‘one-stop’ voting or registration at the polls in our state anymore (last I heard - that may have changed). New voters may register until Friday, Oct. 10th, at the Board of Elections, 35 Woodfin Street, in downtown Asheville across from the YMCA. Phone: (828) 250-4200

10/10/14 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CONGREGATION
On Friday, October 10th, we are screening the very timely documentary, "Disruption", about climate change activism. ‘When it comes to climate change, why do we do so little when we know so much?’     Through a relentless investigation to find the answer, Disruption takes an unflinching look at the devastating consequences of our inaction. The film is at 7 PM. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville One Edwin Place, Asheville. Call Charles at 612-860-6628 for more information. There is no charge for viewing the film - Donations are welcome.

10/10/14 LECTURE AT UNCA
“Imperialism: Japan and the United States of America” will be at 11:25 AM at Lipinsky Hall. Free and open to the public. Lecture Presented By: Dr. McClain, Lecturer, Humanities Program and HUM 324 Coordinator - The pursuit of empire in the Pacific by the United States of America helps create, simultaneously, a modern and imperial adversary, Japan.

10/10/14 PUBLIC LECTURE AT UNCA
Time is 11:25 AM to 12:35 PM, and location is Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall at UNCA. Free & Open to the Public. Lecture presented by Dr. Walters, Professor, Department of Drama. This lecture will examine the reasons that the past 30 years have seen the number of inmates in federal custody grow by 800 percent, the majority for drug-related crimes, and more than 60 percent are racial and ethnic minorities. Title is “Incarceration Nation”.

10/11/14 VOTER DEFENDER TRAINING
Have you been looking for a way to get involved in protecting voting rights in NC? This is your chance! Democracy NC and Ignite NC’s Vote Defender Project are looking for Vote Protectors for the upcoming election. Democracy NC is partnering with the AAUW and the YWCA to hold a training for volunteers who want to be poll monitors in precincts with voters most likely to be impacted by the new election law changes. Vote Protectors stand outside the polling place wearing our yellow “Vote Protector” t-shirts and help voters who experience a problem or have a complaint. They also conduct Exit Surveys to help evaluate how the new voting law is affecting people. Reserve your spot at: http://demnc.co/4u. Be a Vote Protector - sign up today! Time is 11 AM to 1:30 PM and location is YWCA of Asheville. Must register.

10/13/14 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE’S FIFTH BIRTHDAY
Transition Asheville invites you to a celebration, one that draws on people's imaginations and that fans the flames of optimism! We'll be asking people to think about and share their individual and most positive and hopeful vision of  “Asheville 2044”, our community 30 years from now. The story includes how we got there, and what milestones happened along the way. This is a technique that Transition groups elsewhere have used to inspire hope, articulate steps forward, develop plans, and see what other people dream about! It is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, bathing in your vision of future good times for Asheville, thirty years from now! We will be holding this event: "Harnessing the Power of a Positive Vision: Your Picture of Asheville 30 Years from Now" on Monday, October 13th at St. Mary's Church parish hall, on Charlotte Street. Snacks and drinks will be provided, just bring your imagination and hopes! Please extend this invitation to others in your organization who might find this fun! Hope to see you there.” Time is 6:30 PM. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by sending an email to TransitionAsheville@gmail.com.  

10/13/14 ALLY WEEK
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, GLSEN, is sponsoring a media campaign, ALLY Week, October 13-17. Take the pledge - become an ALLY for LGBT. 

10/14/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. 

10/14/14 CHRISTIANS FOR A UNITED COMMUNITY EVENT
Christians for a United Community is sponsoring an evening with Jack Shuler, author of The Thirteenth Turn: A History of the Noose, at First Congregation Church (20 Oak St in downtown Asheville), Tuesday, October 14th, 7 PM. Jack Shuler will focus attention on the history of lynching in U.S. history. This event is free and open to the public. Please contact Tyrone at 254-4884 for more information. 

10/15/14 GREEN DRINKS
Join us Wednesday October 15th at 5:45 PM at the Green Sage for a screening of a current, globally impactful, film on climate change: Disruption. This week we will start socialization at 5:30 p.m. as normal, but note that we will begin the program early at 5:45 p.m. to ensure the completion of the film. Location is the Green Sage in downtown Asheville.

10/16/14 LECTURE AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY
Lecture by Oralene Simmons, former Rosenwald School student, Great-great-granddaughter of the slave named Joseph Anderson, and the first African American admitted to Mars Hill College, and Susi Anderson, resident of Hawaii and Great-great-granddaughter of the slave-master of Joseph Anderson. Time TBA. This is part of the Rural Heritage Museum exhibition: “Our Story–This Place, The History of African American Education in Madison County, North Carolina: The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School”. Location is Montague Hall on the campus of Mars Hill University. Admission is free, and the exhibit will run until February 2015. For more information please call (828) 689-1400.

10/17/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST This meeting will be at 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home in the media room. 

10/18/14 WE ARE THE VILLAGE PARENTING EXPO
Parenting is complicated. Our hope is to have happy, healthy, successful children – but how do we get there? Whose help do we need? Where do we start? It takes a village to raise a child. Join us for a day when we learn how we are and how we can be that village. 
We are the Village: A conference and expo that includes: • Sessions for parents and families that range from addressing challenging behavior to dealing with picky eaters, from supporting children in sports to The Sex Talk – and everything in between. • Community Expo with local resources for families. • Free child care and activities for children ages birth through fifth grade. • Opportunities to connect with affinity groups - folks facing similar challenges, joys, and experiences. For more information, please contact Megan at wearethevillageavl@gmail.com.   Time is 9:30 AM to 2 PM, and location is the First Baptist Church of Asheville. Please contact Megan to find out how to register so they have the correct number of free lunches.

10/19/14 ASHEVILLE LIVING TREASURE RECOGNITION CEREMONY
Time is 5 to 8 PM and location is Reuter Center 102 at UNCA. No further information at this time.

10/21/14 AUDUBON SOCIETY MEETING
Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is Reuter Center 102A at UNCA.

10/21/14 ACTIVIST DAVID COBB TO SPEAK IN ASHEVILLE
Move to Amend of Buncombe County is bringing activist David Cobb (national leader of Move to Amend) to speak at Jubilee! at 46 Wall Street in Asheville, NC from 7 to 9 PM on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Move To Amend is a coalition of hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals who believe that constitutional rights belong only to human beings, not to corporations, and that money is not a form of free speech and can be regulated during elections. David Cobb is National Projects Director of Democracy Unlimited. He is a lawyer and political activist. David has sued corporate polluters, lobbied elected officials,  run for political office himself, and has been arrested for non-violent civil disobedience.  He truly believes we must use ALL the tools in the toolbox to effect the systemic social change we so desperately need. For questions and information, contact Diana at 828-275-0680 or email dianakrukmta@gmail.com. Free and open to the public.

10/21/14 NAACP EVENTS IN HENDERSONVILLE
This is two special events for all WNC NAACP members and supporters. The Henderson County NAACP Chapter is hosting two events at the Henderson County Public Library at 301 N. Washington Street in Hendersonville. At 2 PM and 6 PM, there will be a performance of the one-hour play "Granny D: You Are Never Too Old To Raise A Little Hell". Off-Broadway actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens are the performers in this play. Free admission. There will also be a commemorative-documentary art exhibit revealed. It is called "Forward Together Moral Monday" which will cover 96 feet of wall space with photographs, paintings and commentary. Also free admission to see this exhibit.

10/21/14 EMPATHY GROUP
HeartSpeak/Empathy Practice Circle, 7:30- 9 PM. Could you use some compassionate empathy for a challenge? Want to experience heart connection through recognizing one another's feelings and needs? Drop-in group, every 3rd Tuesday, 386 Kenilworth Rd./Digges. Love offering. Info: 828-545-9681.  

10/23/14 EARLY VOTING STARTS
And local elections DO MATTER, so read this and then go vote: http://www.popularresistance.org/activism-victory-steep-drop-in-stop-and-frisk/

10/23/14 MORAL MARCH TO THE POLLS
Join the Mountain People's Assembly, the Asheville-Buncombe NAACP and coalition partner Campaign for Southern Equality for an Early Voting 'Moral March to the Polls' to celebrate the first day of Early Voting on October 23. Meet at Vance Monument/Pack Square in downtown Asheville as we gather to march to cast our votes at the Board of Elections Office on Woodfin St. with the Hillcrest High-Steppin' Majorettes & Drum Corps leading the way. Since the office closes at 5 pm, we encourage those who can, to vote earlier in the day at the location of your choice. Then, wearing your 'I Voted' sticker, post a selfie to this page - along with a challenge to friends and family to VOTE! Meet at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville at 3:30 PM.

10/23/14 BOOK READING AT MALAPROPS
SNCC Veteran Charles Cobb will discuss and read from his book “That Nonviolent Stuff Will Get You Killed” and discuss the forgotten lessons from the civil rights movement. Time is 7 PM. 

10/25/14 - 10/26/14 CHANGE THE COURSE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Change the Course is an invitation to the climate movement to dig deep and think hard about what it would actually take to stabilized the climate and turn our collective ship around. Please join us at the upcoming Climate Leadership Summits to kick this project off. These two day events will bring communities together for an innovative visioning, strategic development and skills summit. This is sponsored by the Rainforest Action Network. Time is 1 to 6 PM both days and location is Lenoir-Rhyne University at 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. For more information and to register, go to ran.org/changethecourse. Free, but you must register. You can also call for more information at 828-545-9681. One of 14 Climate Leadership Summits being held nationwide.  

11/01/14 BEYOND EXTREME ENERGY WEEK
Actions will take place in Washington, DC. From local activist Steve Norris: To my friends: I am working with a coalition of activists and organizations from around the country preparing for a week of nonviolent direct actions in Washington DC in early November. We are calling our campaign Beyond Extreme Energy. Please consider joining us. We will also be asking for donations to support this work. Feel free to call or email me with questions. Steve Norris, 828-777-7816, or earthsun2@gmail.com.  

11/04/14 ELECTION DAY

11/04/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE BOOK CLUB AT MALAPROPS
We will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM at Malaprops, for a 1 1/2 hour discussion on a book related to a current political topic. The chosen book for November is ‘The Battle for Justice in Palestine’ by Ali Abunimah. You may purchase the book at Malaprops (10% off list for all book clubs), or order on line as you wish, or check it out from the public library. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bruce at bruceroth@charter.net.

11/05/14 09/10/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

11/06/14 FORUM ON FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
Families experience homelessness for the same kinds of reasons that anyone else does - losing a job, going through a divorce, an illness or having hours cut back. Families living in poverty are always at the edge of a crisis. In 2014, the annual Point In Time Count - a one day event where organizations attempt to count the number of people who are homeless at shelters and camps - found 20 families in Buncombe County and 12 in Henderson County who are homeless. Homeward Bound is looking carefully at this problem because we know that getting people out of homelessness and into housing as rapidly as possible, is critical, especially for families with children. Join us at our first ever Forum on Family Homelessness on November 6th.  Your $20 ticket includes a meal, keynote speaker Kelly King Horne from Homeward Virginia, and an insightful panel discussion of experts facilitated by our Executive Director, Brian Alexander. This event is sponsored by attorneys Chitwood and Fairbairn. Email Beth at beth@homewardboundwnc.org for more information on how to purchase tickets.

11/10/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library. Call Ruth at 232-2883 or email ruthachristie@gmail.com for more information.

11/13/14 PANEL PRESENTATION AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY
Panel Presentation: Personal Recollections of the Rosenwald School. This is part of the exhibition “Our Story–This Place, The History of African American Education in Madison County, North Carolina: The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School” at the Rural Heritage Museum at Mars Hill University that runs until February 2015.This exhibition traces the history of African American education in Western North Carolina, with a particular emphasis on Madison County, from Reconstruction through the period of Civil Rights legislation and the integration in the 1960s. The Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School played a large role in African American heritage and history in Madison County and Western North Carolina for a good part of the 20th century. Moderated by Kevin Barnette (Assist. football coach at MHU) to include Anderson Rosenwald school alumni Oralene Simmons, Charity Ray, Dorothy Coone, Omar   Lewis McClain, Fatimah Rashida Shabazz, Gene Jones.Time TBA. Admission is free, and the exhibit will run until February 2015. For more information please call (828) 689-1400.

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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

WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 1 PM at A-Hope on North Ann Street in Asheville.  
Youth Outright Poetry Night at United Church of Christ in Asheville at 5 PM

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
Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Vance Monument at 5 PM.

SUNDAY
Youth OUTright meeting from 4 to 6 PM at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 20 Oak Street in Asheville. Ages 14 - 23 only.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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Have your say about the future of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests!
By WNC Alliance
The Forest Service will hold the next round of public meetings this October and November to share information about the proposed Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Plan, including potential management areas and desired conditions. The plan will guide management of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests for the next 15-20 years. The meeting will open with a presentation on significant issues, management areas, and the development of plan components. The Forest Service planning team will share some proposed desired condition statements and information about watersheds and recreation settings during an open poster session. Each of the scheduled meetings will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m., will follow the same agenda and present the same information and opportunity for review and comment.
Meeting dates and locations:
• Pisgah Ranger District: Oct. 21 at the Forge Valley Event Center in Mills River;
• Nantahala Ranger District: Oct. 28 at the Tartan Hall in Franklin;
• Appalachian Ranger District: Nov. 3 at Mars Hill College, Broyhill Chapel in Mars Hill;
• Tusquitee Ranger District: Nov. 4 at Tri-County Comm Coll, Enloe Building in Murphy;
• Cheoah Ranger District: Nov. 6 at the Graham Co Community Center in Robbinsville;
• Grandfather Ranger District: Nov. 13 at McDowell Tech Comm Coll, Rm 113 in Marion.

The Western North Carolina Alliance will be informing citizens and facilitating their participation in the plan revision process, which will occur over a three-to-four year period. It begins with the Assessment Phase, which will take about a year to complete. During this phase, the Forest Service will collect and compile data and other information on the current state of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The Planning Phase, which follows the Assessment Phase, will take two to three years to complete. After the plan is completed, the Monitoring Phase will begin and continue until the next plan revision.

In the coming months, the Forest Service will provide details on meetings and other information that foster public participation in the plan revision process. Information about the plan revision process is available online here.

Originally published in 1987, the plan received a significant amendment in 1994. Each national forest and grassland is governed by a management plan in accordance with the National Forest Management Act. These plans set management, protection and use goals and guidelines. The 2012 Planning Rule guides the planning process. The rule includes stronger protections for forests, water and wildlife, while supporting the economic vitality of rural communities. It requires the use of the best available scientific information to inform decisions. The 2012 rule strengthens the role of public involvement and dialogue throughout the planning process.