Sunday, May 19, 2013

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

A photo of a recent Women in Black vigil. Sorry, but I don't know who took the photo.



UPCOMING EVENTS

05/20/13 FAITH LEADERS FOR A JUST SOCIETY SPEAK OUT IN ASHEVILLE
Faith Leaders for a Just Society speak out this Monday, May 20, at 12 noon. A group of faith leaders from Asheville will hold a press conference in front of the courthouse downtown to voice concerns about the passage of so many bills by our state legislature that are harmful to the poor and vulnerable of our community. They will lift up a common vision between all of our faith traditions of caring for the least of these. We anticipate between 20-30 faith leaders participating. In case of rain, the event will take place at First Congregational UCC at 20 Oak Street. Please join us.

05/22/13 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS
On Wednesday May 22nd, Thomas Clever Llewellyn will share a powerpoint presentation about the threat of genetically engineered trees and the work of the Campaign to Stop Genetically Engineered (GE) Trees to protect native ecosystems. This event is happening less than one week before the Tree Biotechnology 2013 Conference begins in Asheville, an international conference with a focus on furthering the industry of genetically engineered trees. There are proposals for millions of acres of GE trees to be installed throughout the South with the purpose of supplying wood to bioenergy plants to burn for electricity, as well as to the unsustainable paper and lumber industries. These trees would be engineered to produce their own pesticides, grow straighter and faster, tolerate manufactured pesticides, produce sterile seeds, and reduce lignin content (this is what makes the wood in a tree strong enough to stand up). If these traits escaped into native tree populations, the effects would be devastating and irreversible.

05/22/13 DUKE RATE HIKE HEARINGS IN WNC
Duke Rate Public Hearing in Marion, NC (about 30 minutes from Asheville) at 7:00 PM. Location is McDowell County Court House at 21 South Main Street, Marion, NC

05/23/13 SELF-PROTECTION FOR THE EMPOWERED WOMEN
An introduction to personal protection and woman’s self-defense, this two-hour workshop is open to all interested women who desire to increase their abilities in empowering themselves against violent, criminal assault.  This workshop will focus exclusively on verbal de-escalation, predatory/prey dynamics, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of a pending criminal attack. By the time a perpetrator decides to attack, he has a 95 % chance of success. He has already taken the time and steps needed to create a situation that insures his success—often right in front of the victim's eyes. That's why it's vital to learn how to recognize the signals of impending danger. By utilizing this knowledge you can prevent the perpetrator from getting into attack position—in effect stopping the attack before it starts. This two-hour workshop is an introduction to a four-part series on women’s empowerment and self-defense.  There is no cost for attendance (donations of 5 to 10 dollars will be accepted but not required); pre-registration is necessary, however, due to space constraints. To register, please e-mail Bryan at brdieterich@yahoo.com. Location is Firestorm CafĂ© & Books, and time is 7 PM.

05/25/13 MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO
On May 25, activists around the world will unite to March Against Monsanto. Why do we march? Research studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically-modified foods can lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumors, infertility and birth defects. Taking to the streets to show the world and Monsanto that we won't take these injustices quietly. Time is 2 PM and location is Pack Square Park in Asheville.

05/25/13 REALLY, REALLY FREE MARKET
From 10 AM to 5 PM in Aston Park in Asheville.

05/26/13 COMMUNITY HEALING: NO MORE BASHING FROM WITHIN
The LGBTQIA community is one of vast identities and sexualities. We are one large group who have some things in common but also feel tensions among us due to different political backgrounds, gender identities, patriarchy, degrees of involvement in the community, and personal insecurities that are sometimes inflicted upon us from society. How do we as a community lessen internal conflict so the community can grow closer, and we can move into interdependency? What is Interdependency? What is humility and how do you identify love? We want to install values that revolve around non-judgement and forgiveness as central ways to breakthrough old thought patterns. Just Us For All wants to discuss internal violence within the LGBTQIA community, what it looks like, and how to remedy it so we can move forward as a group and create a true social movement. Time is 5 PM. Location is Toy Boat Toy Boat Toy Boat Community Arts Space.

05/27/13 CAMPAIGN TO STOP GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TREES
NO GE TREES TEACH-IN: MAY 27
DAY OF MASS ACTION AND PROTEST: MAY 28 Action on Tues 28May at 4PM in Pritchard Park to keep genetically engineered trees out of US. USDA considers allowing Arborgen to plant millions of acres of plantations across the southern U.S. Texas to South Carolina, could destroy forest diversity, kill wildlife, exacerbate droughts, and feed fire storms. Last week of May, Asheville will be hosting the International 2013 Tree Biotechnology Conference. www.treebiotech2013.org

05/27/13 EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION
Asheville Earth Sabbath Celebrations are interfaith, contemplative and experiential services which utilize community building exercises, readings from many faith traditions, music, video, ritual, movement, chant, guided meditation and other modalities to reach deep into the grief and love we feel for our Earth and help both salve and energize our spirits so we can continue the work of restoration and repair on behalf of all creation. Asheville’s Earth Sabbath Celebration occurs on the 4th Monday of every month. This is held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street in Asheville. Time is 7 PM.

05/30/13 BOOK RELEASE FOR CHILDREN FIRST/COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
Bill Jamieson, Board Member and Past President of Children First/ Communities In Schools, has written a book -- The Idea of America: Are the Principles Eroding or Enduring? Please join us for a book release event to celebrate this achievement. The book will be available for a suggested donation, the proceeds of which will benefit Children First/CIS. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Servanthood House at 156 E. Chestnut Street, Asheville, NC 28801. For more information please contact Adrienne at adriennea@childrenfirstbc.org or 828-259-9717.

06/01/13 RALLY FOR BRADLEY MANNING AT FORT MEADE
There are some folks from Asheville going to this. http://www.bradleymanning.org/support_events/rally-for-bradley-at-fort-meade

06/03/13 GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is open to the public. It is held on the first Monday of the month. Time is 6 PM and location is the Fortune Building (upstairs), at 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Parking in back and on the street. Contact Ronald @ 828-LUCK-180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.

06/05/13 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Our Mountain Treasures: Planning for the Future of our national forests” - a presentation by Jill Gottesman. Time is 7 PM (program starts at 7:15) at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville (corner of Charlotte & Edwin). Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, or 828-683-2176 for more information.

06/06/13 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is to be determined. Date may change also. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/.

06/06/13 FREE CLASS IN HEARTSPEAK
Thursday, June 6, from 7-9 PM at Jubilee (101 Patton entrance): FREE class in HeartSpeak: Listening and Speaking from the Heart, with Cathy Holt. Want more connection, less conflict? Learn to communicate empathically from a heart-centered space. First in a series. Space is limited, please pre-register: 828-545-9681 or cathyfholt@gmail.com. More information: www.heartspeakpeace.com.

06/10/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
Time and place to be determined.

06/14/13 KHALED HOSSEINI AT THE DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE
The bestselling author of The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini, will discuss his humanitarian work and will read from his new novel “And the Mountains Echoed”. The book follows its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe - from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos. Mr. Hosseini is a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations and founder of the Khaled Hosseini Foundation which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Tickets are $15, and come with a coupon for $10 off And the Mountains Echoed. Tickets may be purchased at Malaprop's Bookstore, 828-254-6734. Time is 7 PM.

06/15/13 OCCUPY ASHEVILLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
This general assembly will be under the big tree in Pritchard Park. Time is 2 PM. All are welcome.

06/20/13 ACLU OF NC FORUM ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS
Chris Brook and Holning Lau from the ACLU of North Carolina will discuss the ACLU’s work on advancing transgender rights. They will provide an overview of gender identity- focused ACLU initiatives around the country as well as projects specific to North Carolina. Legal issues that will be discussed include access to proper identification documents, access to health care, transgender voting rights, and antidiscrimination protections. This forum will be at 7:30 PM. Location is the Haywood Street Congregation, located at 297 Haywood Street in Asheville. For more information, contact cbrook@acluofnc.org.

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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 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.
Police Brutality Council (discussion) at 11 AM at Firestorm Cafe.

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.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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Thanks for speaking out about the Justice Department’s attack on press freedom. We need to raise the alarm and demand that this administration protect journalists' fundamental rights. Members of the press shouldn't have to worry about operating under government surveillance.

Please share this action with your friends and family today: http://act.freepress.net/sign/Journ_DoJ_AP_press_freedom/?source=conf

Thanks, Josh Stearns
Free Press
Free Press is a nonpartisan organization building a nationwide movement for media that serve the public interest. Learn more at www.freepress.net.

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Hello friends of Appalachia,

Mountain Justice Summer Is almost here! Come for a week or come for a day! Special programming for Memorial Day weekend. We're down to the last two weeks before the 9th annual Mountain Justice Summer Camp, and we've got some fresh details about the schedule.

*Register Today <http://mountainjustice.org> *

Camp starts Sunday, May 19th, with a panel of Appalachian women discussing their perspectives on the struggle for a better tomorrow in the mountains. Monday through Friday will feature a full set of workshops designed to stock your activist toolbox through participatory trainings, sharing across generations of experience, and planning to put those skills to use. We're also excited to include a full Training 4 Trainers track this year, including Non-Violent Direct Action, Popular Education and Know Your Rights! Each evening will include panel discussions on local, regional and national issues ranging from the real impacts of mountaintop removal and the long history of Appalachian grassroots resistance to the current status of nukes in Southern Appalachia and the state of the Fracking movement in Northern Appalachia. Throughout the week we'll be working with local community groups to build trails, plant gardens and put elbow grease into local initiatives.

Come for Memorial Day Weekend!

For those who can't make a full week, this year will include a stand alone weekend of workshops, discussions, trainings and speakers, with a mini music festival on Saturday. Come for the trainings and discussions, stay to hear great regional bands
on Saturday at the first Mountain Justice Summer Mini-Fest.

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