THIS is hysterical!!!

What a wonderful world.....

On American stupidity

Quote: “Rick Shenkman, Editor-in-Chief of the History News Network, published a book entitled Just How Stupid Are We?  He demonstrates, among other things, that most Americans are: (1) ignorant about major international events, (2) know little about how their own government runs and who runs it, (3) are nonetheless willing to accept government positions and policies even though a moderate amount of critical thought suggests they are bad for the country, and (4) are readily swayed by stereotyping, simplistic solutions, irrational fears and public relations babble.”

I don’t think we are going to survive being this stupid.

Sent to Obama, Burr, Hagan, and McHenry

Quote: “Bishop Desmond Tutu, on the leadership that got America into a murderous war with Iraq, asks “If it is acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie, without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?”

YES, WHAT SHOULD WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN WHEN THEIR GOVERNMENT STARTED UP A WAR OF AGGRESSION BASED ON A PACK OF LIES (EASILY DISPROVABLE LIES AT THAT)?  THAT IT IS OKAY TO ACT THIS WAY, UNLESS YOUR NAME IS HITLER? IS THAT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO TEACH THEM?

Also sent:

Quote: “According to Paul Craig Roberts, “The US is the only country in the world that has attacked 8 countries in 12 years, murdering and dispossessing millions of Muslims all on the basis of lies.”

AND THIS IS MASSIVELY, MASSIVELY EVIL.

Also sent:

“Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians it is an act of terrorism.” – President Obama, 15th February 2013

AND THAT INCLUDES US DRONE BOMBINGS. THEY ARE TERRORISM TOO.

12 years of failed policy!

Quote: “Prior to the war in Afghanistan, between 1992 and 2000 al-Qaeda had conducted less than 10 moderate profile strikes, resulting in approximately 850 deaths.  In the years since, al-Qaeda has evolved, spawned numerous “franchises”, spread active cells to countries across the world, and in just Iraq and Syria over the past two years have been responsible for killing many thousands.  In both Iraq and Afghanistan combined, the U.S. military has thus far suffered a total of 58,330 casualties (6,765 deaths and 51,565 wounded); an additional 253,330 have suffered traumatic brain injury; the U.S. has spent trillions on the wars, paid for by amassing a staggering volume of debt. The cost to civilians in the defeated countries, however, is even more astonishing.”

Read the rest of this article here.

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

In honor of Pvt. Manning

UPCOMING EVENTS

EARLY VOTING GOING ON NOW

10/28/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

The Earth Sabbath Celebrations are 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 of and with the Creator and creation. Time is 7 PM and location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. Free.

10/28/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PROGRAM

Dynamic Governance Introductory Series (Part 1) will be from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Handmade in America gallery. Whether the results we want are profits for a business, solving a community problem, or more effective fundraising, when we work in groups we always use some system for steering the process toward results. Consensus often feels impossibly lengthy, and Roberts Rules leaves people feeling marginalized or unengaged. The Transition Asheville Common Table uses “Dynamic Governance” because it is an energizing and efficient method for making decisions in such a way that each participant is enabled to tale part as a unique individual on the basis of equality. The Dynamic Governance Institute founded by Tracy Kunkler and Michelle Smith has supported the Common Table in implementing this transformational means of innovating new social and organizational structures. This first session will teach you “paradigm shifting” decision-making tools and meeting formats for committees, boards, organizations, or networks of organizations to remain very organized and efficient, while inviting people from a breadth of perspectives and styles to participate effectively. The workshop will be fun and interactive; offering tools you can try right away. This information came from Facebook.

10/29/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH

On Tuesday, October 29th, there will be a screening the documentary, "The United States of ALEC", an important film about corporate political influence at the state and national level. This screening is on Tuesday rather than the customary Friday. The “United States of ALEC” reports on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us have never heard of – ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. The location is the Unitarian Universalist Church on Edwin Street in Asheville.  The film is at 7 PM. No charge, donations accepted.

10/29/13 ASHEVILLE HEARING ON EPA’S CARBON POLLUTION RULE

Join the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, WNC Alliance, Sierra Club and WNC Green Congregations, and Climate Parents at the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village for a Citizens’ Climate Hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 PM to give testimony to the EPA in support of carbon limits on new power plants. There will be food, educational opportunities and fun as well. Come one, come all. Kids are welcome.

10/29/13 PISGAH LEGAL BENEFIT

In support of Pisgah Legal's work to end domestic violence, clothing designer Julia Monet, or "J. Monet" and Magnolia Ray Restaurant are hosting a fashion show. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and J. Monet hopes raise awareness and "spread loving, healing, joyful energy." $15/person includes wine and hors d'oeuvres, all proceeds benefit Pisgah Legal Services. The event begins at 5:30 PM at Magnolia Ray restaurant just north of Asheville. To RSVP Call JMonet at 252-3100 or Magnolia Ray at 252-5228.

10/29/13 FORUM ON ‘AFTER TRAYVON MARTIN’

Representatives of a broad group of community organizations have come together to continue the community conversation about the law and law enforcement in our neighborhoods ... "After Trayvon Martin: Where Do We Go From Here?"  Our next forum is at 6:00 PM at the Shiloh Community Center. We need your participation in this important community conversation. The program will begin at 6pm and will include both small group roundtable conversation and large group interaction with Sheriff Van Duncan and Chief William Anderson. Our focus remains community safety. What is the role of community members and what is the role of law enforcement in creating safe communities? For more information email Carol at crhesq@gmail.com. Sponsored by A-B Community Relations Council, Asheville Branch NAACP, Asheville Police Department, Asheville Parks and Recreation, A-B Institute of Parity Achievement, Baptist Minister’s Union, and more.

10/30/13 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS

Join us Wednesday October 30th at 6PM at the Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe for a fascinating talk on “Population Issues” by President and CEO of Population Connection (formerly ZPG), John Seager. Learn what you can do by educating yourself on the root cause of this critical issue. Rapid population growth impacts all areas of human life and the environment. It intensifies water and food shortages and wreaks havoc on ecosystems through overfishing, deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Because of population growth the natural systems are necessary to our survival are being swiftly and severely disrupted.

10/30/13 DEATH-CARE FOR THE LIVING

An educational presentation on death-care, how it developed and how to improve it. Alternative death-care will be explained, including laws surrounding body disposal, and how green burial can be a cost effective, holistic solution. Firestorm Café and Books. Time is 7 PM.

11/01/13 LAST DAY FOR EARLY VOTING

11/01/13 MOVE TO AMEND EVENT - “GO, GRANNY D” PLAY

We want to let you know about an inspiring event that Move to Amend Buncombe County is sponsoring. Asheville actress Barbara Bates Smith will bring “Go, Granny D” her one-woman show about Doris “Granny D” Haddock, to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.  Smith’s performance, accompanied by musician Jeff Sebens, tells the inspiring story of 90-year-old Doris “Granny D” Haddock, who blazed a 3,200-mile trail across America in 2000 for campaign finance reform. The performance is open to the public; a suggested donation of $10 is requested, but all are welcome. To learn more about Move to Amend, contact Lew at 828-299-1242.

11/03/13 FIFTH ANNUAL EAT AT MIKE’S DINNER AND AUCTION  

WNC Health Advocates (WNCHA) is hosting its 5th Annual Eat at Mike's Dinner! WNCHA is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to offer comfort and support to people with illness and disability, to new mothers and families, and to advocate for access to quality healthcare for all. Join us for our 5th annual signature fundraiser! Ticket price of $25 includes dinner from some of your favorite local restaurants and farms. A silent auction will feature items from local crafters and artists. For more information call 828-243-6712. Time is 5:30 PM to 8 PM and location is First Congregational UCC Church in Asheville.

11/04/13 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING IN CHARLOTTE

Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting for comments. The location is Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte. There will be a bus from Asheville to Charlotte. This bus will leave Earthfare Parking Lot at 2:00 PM and return at midnight. Cost is $15, with some scholarships available. For reservations for the bus: Mary at 242-5621 or maryo@nirs.org; or contact Laura at 545-4443 or Lsredoak@gmail.com. Outside gathering and rally 5 PM, open house from 6 to 7 PM, meeting starts at 7 PM. The NRC requests that if you wish to speak, you register beforehand. Your choices are: online at WCRegistration@nrc.gov; by phone at 310-287-9392; or in person at the meeting.

11/05/13 ELECTION DAY

11/06/13 RESCHEDULED – DR. CORNEL WEST LECTURE

Cornel West has had to reschedule his public lecture at UNC Asheville due to a family emergency. The public lecture, originally scheduled for October 16 in Kimmel Arena, will now take place at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, November 6, in Kimmel Arena at UNC Asheville's Sherrill Center. For more information, visit the university's Cultural Events website or call 828.251.6674.

11/06/13 HOWARD ZINN READ-IN

Please join the Asheville branch of the International Socialist Organization on November 6th at 6:00 PM at the Pack Memorial Library (Ground Floor, Activity Room) to preserve the incredible histories of people fighting for their rights, their lives, and a better world. “A Peoples History of the United States” by Howard Zinn has been a definitive text for educators, activists, and revolutionaries on the Left for more than three decades. For more information, contact Asheville-socialism@googlegroups.com.

11/11/13 ARMISTICE DAY

11/12/13 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING

Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

11/16/13 TO 11/17/13 DRONE CONFERENCE IN DC.

Drones Around the Globe: Proliferation and Resistance, Washington DC

11/18/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library.

11/19/13 CONCERT AND RECEPTION TO HONOR LOCAL ACTIVISTS

Charlie King and Karen Brandow are musical storytellers and political satirists. They sing and write passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. This Perelandra Studio Concert will be held in east Asheville on November 19th.  6 PM reception with Charlie and Karen. 7 PM Concert. Both the reception and the concert will celebrate Asheville area participation in the Walk for our Grandchildren and Moral Mondays. Email hras@humanrightsaction.net or or call 314-374-7446 to arrange for tickets which are $20 (only advance tickets available).

11/19/13 HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TALKS AT UNCA

In this talk, “From Mozart to Murder: A Holocaust Survivor Muses About Radical Evil” Professor Walter Ziffer will  relate his personal encounters with such evil (genocide) to a  number of attempts by scholars to explain how such monstrosities come into being, considering our human genetic potentials for such, as well as situations that trigger these potentialities to transform into acted atrocities. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium at UNCA.

11/22/13 to 11/24/13 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH CONVERGENCE ON FORT BENNING

11/22/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH

The November 22nd film will be the award-winning film "Chasing Ice".  More information to follow.

*******************************************

ONGOING EVENTS

*******************************************

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

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

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

*******************************************

ACTIONS AND READINGS

*******************************************

Nuclear Regulatory Public Hearing on Waste: Monday, Nov 4 in Charlotte

Meeting 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Hilton Charlotte University Pl, 8629 J.M. Keynes Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262

A BUS from Asheville to the meeting will leave at 2pm. from Earthfare (Westgate Parking Lot), to be back around midnight-- $15 per seat.

We need your help to fill this bus!

WHY is this meeting / mobilization important?

The U.S. NRC has been told by a federal judge to do an environmental impact statement on storing the most highly radioactive waste (fuel rods after they have been removed from a reactor core). Strangely, this "look" has never been done before because NRC had always said "the Department of Energy is going to take this waste; it is only temporary here and it is safe, no impact."

The judge said "Not good enough" and directed NRC to look at short term including fuel pool fires, and to look at middle term (assuming a repository is built) and also to look at what if there is NEVER a repository.   This is the best chance that the public has ever had to speak out on radioactive waste policy / regulation / generation / end of generation (5 reactors closed this year, and 5 proposed reactors have been canceled).

Contact: Mary Olson, 828-242-5621, maryo@mirs.org  (Nuclear Information and Resource Service), http://www.nirs.org/.  Contact: Laura at 828-545-4443 or Lsredoak@gmailcom

Pre-register to speak at the hearing by calling 301-287-93-92 or emailing WCRegistration@nrc.gov no later than Nov 1. If you can't attend, fax:  Secretary, US NRC, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking & Adjudication Staff, Docket# 210-0246 or email: rulemaking.comments@nrc.com,  docket # 210-0246

Results of the war of aggression on Iraq

Another survey done of households in Iraq, once again showing the massive, massive evil the American people have visited on the Iraqi people.

Quote: “The study, conducted by four American and Canadian universities along with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, estimates that 461,000 Iraqi deaths can be attributed to the war, of which about two-thirds were direct violence; the other third is from indirect causes such as breakdowns of health-care systems that are attributable to the war. Those numbers are much higher than earlier estimated. Worse, they tick back up in the final years of the war – when things were supposedly getting better. The results, charted below, show the number of war-related Iraqi deaths over time. It's grim – and a direct challenge to our understanding of the war as having improved after 2007.”

The deaths from violence went down in 2008, but then the numbers went up again. And the numbers of deaths are still going up.

American people do not seem to notice or care what evil and suffering they have visited on Iraq (or other countries we visited violence on, like Vietnam). I wish there was some way to wake them up, but they seem to be determined to stay stupid and in denial. And you can bet we will do it all again one day. I hope I am not alive to see it.

May God Bless Iraq and Vietnam and every other country we inflicted our violence on.

More information on this survey at this link.

Birth defects skyrocket in Iraq

What the US did in Iraq is a massive war crime, and massively evil.

Equal means equal

Peace Activists Convicted, Await Sentencing

Friends Committee on National Legislation is working to influence the sentencing of three peace activists. Sister Megan Rice, 83, Greg Boertje-Obed, 57, and Michael Walli, 63, were found guilty last May of intentionally harming “the national defense of the United States,” as a result of their July 2012 security breach of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Now they could each face up to 30 years in prison – effectively a death sentence, given their age.

The prosecution sought to portray the three as terrorists and saboteurs; however, they never believed they could breach the security fence. It was only when they arrived and saw how lax security was that they decided to enter the grounds of the complex. They spray painted messages in protest of nuclear weapons and quotes from the Bible, as well as put yellow crime scene tape around a part of the facility. Those are not the actions of a terrorist or saboteur.

FCNL wrote a letter to the judge who will sentence them, U.S. District Judge Amul R. Thapar. We urged him to demonstrate compassion and to hand down a lenient sentence for these peaceful activists. We are not alone in our effort; concerned individuals and organizations from across the nation have written similar letters. The volume of letters Judge Thapar has received influenced him to move his sentencing from September 23, 2013 to January 28, 2014. This is working, and we urge you to help this effort by writing your own letter to Judge Thapar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is my letter:

Judge Amul R. Thapar
United States District Court
800 Market Street, Suite 130
Knoxville, TN 37902

Dear Judge Thapar:

I am writing today out of concern for Sister Megan Rice, Greg Boertje-Obed, and Michael Walli. They were found guilty last May of intentionally harming the “national defense of the United States” because they trespassed into the Y12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I do not feel they harmed anyone, and in fact they pointed out the lax security around the nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge. I believe their intention was to (eventually) stop the production of nuclear bombs, or at least bring some awareness to the hideous monsters these bombs are. The US can never use these bombs – we would be poisoning the earth for our own children and grandchildren. Further, having these bombs just takes money and resources away from more worthwhile pursuits, like protecting our environment.

I would ask you to consider leniency and compassion in this case. These three individuals were/are fighting non-violently for a better world, and I hope they are successful. They are not terrorists, and they did not hurt anyone, nor was it their intention to hurt anyone. They were trying to point out the massive evil there is in nuclear weapons. Thank you for reading this.

Snowden speaks on our rights being violated

Our Power

Picture came from Facebook.

“Somehow this madness must cease . . . we are at the moment when our lives must be placed on the line of our nation is to survive its own folly. Every man (and woman) of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.” 

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

Color along the Blue Ridge Parkway in October 2013.

UPCOMING EVENTS

EARLY VOTING GOING ON NOW!

10/21/13 MINI-WORKSHOP AT MALAPROPS    Monday, Oct. 21, 7pm at Malaprop's Bookstore, downtown: Introducing the handy minibook, "HeartSpeak: Listening & Speaking from the Heart" by Cathy Holt & Joy Smith, along with a mini-workshop. Contact Cathy at 828-545-9681 for more information.

10/21/13 COST OF POVERTY EXPERIENCE

A ‘cost of poverty’ experience will include a poverty simulation event to educate the public on low-income issues first-hand. Held at Biltmore Baptist Church at 35 Clayton Road in Arden. Free, and time is 6 to 9 PM. Info and registration at avl.mx/01q.

10/22/13 TRAPPED BY POVERTY, TRAPPED BY ABUSE

Pisgah Legal Services will hold their Third Annual Poverty Forum featuring Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. This forum will explore the link between domestic violence and poverty, and the importance of access to justice for victims. Cocktail reception is at 5:30 PM and forum starts at 7 PM. $50 for reception and forum and $15 for forum only. Location will be Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Contact Pisgah Legal Services for more information.

10/22/13 ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS

Under new business, the Asheville city council will vote on whether or not to support a resolution to start planning a transition off of the Asheville Coal Plant and supporting a clean energy economy. There will also be resolution concerning civil liberties, dealing with unwarranted oppressive behaviors on the part of police towards undocumented immigrants. Both issues need people to support them, so come to the City Council meeting and lend your support. Meeting starts at 5 PM and it is held at City Hall.

10/22/13 VEGAN FILM SCREENING AND FORUM

A panel forum and film screening will focus on vegan diets for personal and planetary health. Held at Jubilee Community at 46 Wall Street in Asheville. $5 suggested donation, time is 7 to 9 PM. Info at jubileecommunity.org.

10/23/13 HEARTSPEAK: LISTENING & SPEAKING FROM THE HEART  

HeartSpeak: Listening & Speaking from the Heart with Cathy Holt, first of 4 classes at the Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St. Move from conflict to connection, learn heart coherence, hear the need behind any "no" in this highly interactive, experiential class; $60 includes private, confidential coaching session. To preregister: cathyfholt@gmail.com or 828-545-9681. Time is 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

10/23/13 GIRL RISING MOVIE   

From Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins and the award-winning producers of The Documentary Group and Vulcan Productions, strategic partner, Intel Corporation, and distribution partners CNN Films and Gathr, comes “Girl Rising” - an innovative new feature film about the power of education to change a girl – and the world. These girls are each unique, but the obstacles they faced are ubiquitous. Like the 66 million girls around the world who dream of going to school, what Sokha, Suma, Ruksana and the rest want most is to be students: to learn. And now, by sharing their personal journeys, they have become teachers. Watch Girl Rising, and you will see: One girl with courage is a revolution. Beaucatcher Theater at 7:30 PM.

10/23/13 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS

Join us Wednesday October 23rd at 6PM at the Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe for a presentation on “Asheville Beyond Coal” by local Beyond Coal Organizer, Emma Greenbaum. 150 COAL PLANTS RETIRED! Asheville Beyond Coal is part of a national movement to retire coal fired power plants and move to clean, renewable energy. Let’s make Duke Energy’s Asheville coal plant #151! Presentation is at 6 PM.

10/24/13 CENTER FOR DIVERSITY EDUCATION LECTURE AT UNCA

I invite you to attend a lecture by Dr. Delpit at UNC Asheville with support from Center for Diversity Education and the UNC Asheville Education Department. She will be speaking, in part, about her most recent book “Multiplication is for White People” and how a teacher's unconscious bias limits the opportunities for students of color.  Time Is 7 PM and location is Mountain View Room, Sherrill Center UNC Asheville. For more information email Andrea at atamartine@unca.edu.    

10/24/13 WNC CHAPTER OF UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION EVENT

We hope you can attend our UN Day Event: “WATER IS LIFE!” This is a United Nations Day Benefit and Celebration. There will be music, poetry and stories of water, featuring Free Planet Radio, poet-author Laura Hope-Gill, and special guests. Location is White Horse, Black Mountain at 105 Montreat Road in Black Mountain. Time is 7 PM. Donation is $10.

10/24/13 REALLY SCARY MOVIE: GASLAND

Prepare for Halloween by seeing the FREE (and true) horror documentary about fracking.  All across America, rural landowners have received lucrative offers from energy companies wanting to lease their property. Reason? The companies hope to tap into a reservoir dubbed the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas.” Hidden beneath these offers lie massive dangers to soil, water supply, and humans. Josh Fox’s 2010 production has won multiple awards and national media attention. Location is First Congregational UCC Church and time is 7 PM.

10/24/13 MIND THE GAP TOUR

The Children First/CIS Mind the Gap tour will call attention to issues that hinder the success of families in poverty. Donations not requested. Info and registration at 259-9717. Time is 3:30 PM.

10/25/13 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 12:30 to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details. Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings!

10/26/13 FREEDOM FUND & AWARDS BANQUET

Asheville Branch NAACP Annual Freedom Fund & Awards Banquet will be a 7 PM at Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church at 100 Carroll Avenue in Asheville. This is a celebration of their 80th Anniversary. Cost is $45. Invited guest speaker is Rev. Dr. William Barber II, president of the NC NAACP. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 828-281-3066.

10/28/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

The Earth Sabbath Celebrations are 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 of and with the Creator and creation. Time is 7 PM and location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. Free.

10/28/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PROGRAM

Dynamic Governance Introductory Series (Part 1) will be from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Handmade in America gallery. Whether the results we want are profits for a business, solving a community problem, or more effective fundraising, when we work in groups we always use some system for steering the process toward results. Consensus often feels impossibly lengthy, and Roberts Rules leaves people feeling marginalized or unengaged. The Transition Asheville Common Table uses “Dynamic Governance” because it is an energizing and efficient method for making decisions in such a way that each participant is enabled to tale part as a unique individual on the basis of equality. The Dynamic Governance Institute founded by Tracy Kunkler and Michelle Smith has supported the Common Table in implementing this transformational means of innovating new social and organizational structures. This first session will teach you “paradigm shifting” decision-making tools and meeting formats for committees, boards, organizations, or networks of organizations to remain very organized and efficient, while inviting people from a breadth of perspectives and styles to participate effectively. The workshop will be fun and interactive; offering tools you can try right away. This information came from Facebook.

10/29/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH

On Tuesday, October 29th, there will be a screening the documentary, "The United States of ALEC", an important film about corporate political influence at the state and national level. This screening is on Tuesday rather than the customary Friday. The “United States of ALEC” reports on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us have never heard of – ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. The location is the Unitarian Universalist Church on Edwin Street in Asheville.  The film is at 7 PM. No charge, donations accepted.

10/29/13 ASHEVILLE HEARING ON EPA’S CARBON POLLUTION RULE

Join the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, WNC Alliance, Sierra Club and WNC Green Congregations, and Climate Parents at the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village for a Citizens’ Climate Hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 PM to give testimony to the EPA in support of carbon limits on new power plants. There will be food, educational opportunities and fun as well. Come one, come all. Kids are welcome.

10/29/13 PISGAH LEGAL BENEFIT

In support of Pisgah Legal's work to end domestic violence, clothing designer Julia Monet, or "J. Monet" and Magnolia Ray Restaurant are hosting a fashion show. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and J. Monet hopes raise awareness and "spread loving, healing, joyful energy." The event begins at 5:30 PM at Magnolia Ray restaurant just north of Asheville.

10/29/13 FORUM ON ‘AFTER TRAYVON MARTIN’

Representatives of a broad group of community organizations have come together to continue the community conversation about the law and law enforcement in our neighborhoods. "After Trayvon Martin: Where Do We Go From Here?"  Our next forum is at 6:00 PM at the Shiloh Community Center. We need your participation in this important community conversation. The program will begin at 6pm and will include both small group roundtable conversation and large group interaction with Sheriff Van Duncan and Chief William Anderson. Our focus remains community safety. What is the role of community members and what is the role of law enforcement in creating safe communities? For more information email Carol at crhesq@gmail.com. Sponsored by A-B Community Relations Council, Asheville Branch NAACP, Asheville Police Department, Asheville Parks and Recreation, A-B Institute of Parity Achievement, Baptist Minister’s Union, and more.

10/30/13 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS

Join us Wednesday October 30th at 6PM at the Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe for a fascinating talk on “Population Issues” by President & CEO of Population Connection (formerly ZPG), John Seager. Learn what you can do by educating yourself on the root cause of this critical issue. Rapid population growth impacts all areas of human life and the environment. It intensifies water and food shortages and wreaks havoc on ecosystems through overfishing, deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Because of population growth the natural systems are necessary to our survival are being swiftly and severely disrupted.

11/01/13 LAST DAY FOR EARLY VOTING

11/01/13 MOVE TO AMEND EVENT - “GO, GRANNY D” PLAY

We want to let you know about an inspiring event that Move to Amend Buncombe County is sponsoring. Asheville actress Barbara Bates Smith will bring “Go, Granny D” her one-woman show about Doris “Granny D” Haddock, to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.  Smith’s performance, accompanied by musician Jeff Sebens, tells the inspiring story of 90-year-old Doris “Granny D” Haddock, who blazed a 3,200-mile trail across America in 2000 for campaign finance reform. The performance is open to the public; a suggested donation of $10 is requested, but all are welcome.  Childcare will be provided, please call Nick Andrea at cyc@uuasheville.org by October 21.  To learn more about Move to Amend, contact Lew at 828-299-1242.

11/03/13 FIFTH ANNUAL EAT AT MIKE’S DINNER AND AUCTION  

WNC Health Advocates (WNCHA) is hosting its 5th Annual Eat at Mike's Dinner! WNCHA is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to offer comfort and support to people with illness and disability, to new mothers and families, and to advocate for access to quality healthcare for all. Join us for our 5th annual signature fundraiser! Ticket price of $25 includes dinner from some of your favorite local restaurants and farms. A silent auction will feature items from local crafters and artists. For more information call 828-243-6712. Time is 5:30 PM to 8 PM and location is First Congregational UCC Church in Asheville.

11/04/13 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING IN CHARLOTTE

Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting for comments. The location is Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte. There will be a bus from Asheville to Charlotte. This bus will leave Earthfare Parking Lot at 2:00 PM and return at midnight. Cost is $15, with some scholarships available. For reservations: Mary at 242-5621 or maryo@nirs.org; or contact Laura at 545-4443 or Lsredoak@gmail.com.  

11/05/13 ELECTION DAY

11/06/13 RESCHEDULED – DR. CORNEL WEST LECTURE

Cornel West has had to reschedule his public lecture at UNC Asheville due to a family emergency. The public lecture, originally scheduled for October 16 in Kimmel Arena, will now take place at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, November 6, in Kimmel Arena at UNC Asheville's Sherrill Center. For more information, visit the university's Cultural Events website or call 828.251.6674.

11/06/13 HOWARD ZINN READ-IN

Please join the Asheville branch of the International Socialist Organization on November 6th at 6:00 PM at the Pack Memorial Library (Ground Floor, Activity Room) to preserve the incredible histories of people fighting for their rights, their lives, and a better world.  “A Peoples History of the United States” by Howard Zinn has been a definitive text for educators, activists, and revolutionaries on the Left for more than three decades. For more information, contact Asheville-socialism@googlegroups.com.

11/11/13 ARMISTICE DAY

11/12/13 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING

Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. VFP Chapter 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

11/16/13 TO 11/17/13 DRONE CONFERENCE IN DC.

Drones Around the Globe: Proliferation and Resistance, Washington DC

11/18/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library.

11/19/13 CONCERT AND RECEPTION TO HONOR LOCAL ACTIVISTS

Charlie King and Karen Brandow are musical storytellers and political satirists. They sing and write passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. This Perelandra Studio Concert will be held in east Asheville on November 19th.  6 PM reception with Charlie and Karen. 7 PM Concert. Both the reception and the concert will celebrate Asheville area participation in the Walk for our Grandchildren and Moral Mondays. Email hras@humanrightsaction.net or or call 314-374-7446 to arrange for tickets which are $20 (only advance tickets available).

11/19/13 HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TALKS AT UNCA

In this talk, “From Mozart to Murder: A Holocaust Survivor Muses About Radical Evil” Professor Walter Ziffer will relate his personal encounters with such evil (genocide) to a number of attempts by scholars to explain how such monstrosities come into being, considering our human genetic potentials for such, as well as situations that trigger these potentialities to transform into acted atrocities. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium at UNCA.

11/22/13 to 11/24/13 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH CONVERGENCE ON FORT BENNING

11/22/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH

The November 22nd film will be the award-winning film "Chasing Ice".  More information to follow.

02/08/14 H K on J MARCH IN RALEIGH

All Roads Lead to Raleigh for Historic Thousands on Jones Street on February 8^th. In 2014, Raleigh will host the largest people's assembly yet.  Thousands of people from across North Carolina, and across the United States, will assemble on Jones Street, to protest the immoral, unconstitutional, mean spirit that has taken over the Peoples House. Organized by the NC NAACP.

07/24/14 TO 07/27/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE ANNUAL CONVENTION

This will be held at UNCA.

*******************************************

ONGOING EVENTS

*******************************************

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

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

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

*******************************************

ACTIONS AND READINGS

*******************************************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

14 October 2013

For More Information:      Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, President, 919-394-8137

                                       Atty. Irving Joyner, Legal Redress Chair, 919-682-4700

For Media Assistance:      Laurel Ashton, Field Secretary, 828-713-3864

Two days ago, on Saturday morning, to the largest civil rights gathering in Eastern North Carolina in decades, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II presented his annual "State of Civil Rights in North Carolina" report to the North Carolina NAACP. He heaped praise on the tens of thousands of North Carolinians who participated in the 13 Moral Mondays at the Peoples House on Jones Street in Raleigh to expose the tea party's extreme legislative policies.  He thanked the local peoples assemblies that brought the Forward Together Movement into every corner of the state, at simultaneous assemblies in the 13 U.S. Congressional Districts at the same hour, 50 years ago, that Dr. Martin Luther King urged the 1963 participants to take the March on Washington back home in the South, to accelerate the long, hard work of dismantling racism back home.  And he listed the dozen Moral Mondays that have been held around the state, and several that are planned in the near future--as well as Moral Monday groups becoming activated around the nation.  

Dr. Barber did not just report to the huge crowd of NAACP leaders, representatives from the 150 partners in the Historic Thousands on Jones Street, and other state leaders attending the NC NAACP's 70th State Convention.  As is his practice, he laid out a vision for the work of the organization and the Moral Monday/Forward Together Movement it leads over the next period.

The State of NC Civil Rights in 2013 ~ by William J. Barber, II

1. Calling for a Special Redemptive Legislative Session: As the seasons of Hanukkah and Advent begin, clergy and other people of conscience will peaceably petition Governor McCrory to call a Special Redemption Session during this Season of Redemption and use the power of his office to persuade the legislators to rescind their decision to strip medicaid from 500,000 North Carolina families and unemployment benefits from 170,000 North Carolina families. The Forward Together Movement will work through Thanksgiving and Hanukkah getting signatures for the petition.

2. Mass Moral Monday on December 23rd:  The Moral Monday-Forward Together Movement will gather in Raleigh on December 23rd to either celebrate Gov. McCrory's redemptive decision or to continue our protest as witnesses to the loss of Medicaid and Unemployment Benefits for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians.

3. Informational Pickets at Art Pope's Stores: At the Convention, NC NAACP passed a resolution to get approval from the National NAACP to set up an informational picket campaign at Maxway and Roses stores, owned by state employee Art Pope, Gov. McCrory's Budget Director. The public education pickets will connect McCrory's Budget Director's family fortune that he used to finance extremist campaigns by tea party politicians and the cuts Mr. Pope made in his state budget to harm the poor and help the rich.

4. Supporting Education Justice Lawsuits: The North Carolina Constitution guarantees all children the right to a sound basic education. The NC NAACP will join with other civil rights and education organizations to file lawsuits challenging the McCrory-Pope-Tillis-Berger cuts to public education as unconstitutional.  

5. Stepping up the Fight Against the Monster Voter Suppression Bill: The Moral Monday/Forward Together Movement will fight against the "worst voter suppression bill in the country" at our court houses, our polling  booths, and in the streets.  The goal is to make sure the Monster Voter Suppression Bill is found unconstitutional by the 2014 election.  

6. Voter Registration and Education: The Moral Monday/Forward Together Movement will do voter registration and education across the state, in rural towns and urban cities, in preparation for the November 2014 election.

7. All Roads Lead to Raleigh for HKonJ8 on February 8, 2014. In 2014, Raleigh will host the largest people's assembly yet.  Thousands of people from across North Carolina, and across the United States, will assemble on Jones Street, to protest the immoral, unconstitutional, mean spirit that has taken over the Peoples House.     

###

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. The NC Conference of NAACP Branches is 70 years old this year and is made up of over 100 Adult, Youth and College NAACP units across the state, convenes the more the 150 members of the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) Peoples Assembly Coalition, and is the architect of the Moral Monday & Forward Together Movement.  

******************

Nuclear Regulatory Public Hearing on Waste: Monday, Nov 4 in Charlotte

Meeting 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Hilton Charlotte University Pl, 8629 J.M. Keynes Dr., Charlotte, NC 28262

A BUS from Asheville to the meeting will leave at 2pm. from Earthfare (Westgate Parking Lot), to be back around midnight-- $15 per seat.

We need your help to fill this bus!

WHY is this meeting / mobilization important?

The U.S. NRC has been told by a federal judge to do an environmental impact statement on storing the most highly radioactive waste (fuel rods after they have been removed from a reactor core). Strangely, this "look" has never been done before because NRC had always said "the Department of Energy is going to take this waste; it is only temporary here and it is safe, no impact." The judge said "Not good enough" and directed NRC to look at short term including fuel pool fires, and to look at middle term (assuming a repository is built) and also to look at what if there is NEVER a repository.   This is the best chance that the public has ever had to speak out on radioactive waste policy / regulation / generation / end of generation (5 reactors closed this year, and 5 proposed reactors have been canceled).

Contact: Mary Olson, 828-242-5621, maryo@mirs.org  (Nuclear Information and Resource Service), http://www.nirs.org/

Contact: Laura Sorensen, 828-545-4443, Lsredoak@gmailcom

Pre-register to speak at the hearing by calling 301-287-93-92 or emailing WCRegistration@nrc.gov no later than Nov 1.

If you can't attend, fax:  Secretary, US NRC, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking & Adjudication Staff, Docket# 210-0246

or email: rulemaking.comments@nrc.com,  docket # 210-0246

******************

Our border agents

I just finished listening to this podcast from On the Media program on NPR.

I would like to urge everyone to listen to it, even though it is 20 minutes long. It is chilling. It tells the story of what Americans are going through to get back into our country after traveling to a foreign country. If you think "I have done nothing wrong, therefore I have nothing to worry about from the US government, LISTEN TO THIS. And remember the old saying 'first they came for the communists, but I did not object, since I was not a communist"......... because today they are going after Muslims, while tomorrow it will be you and me.

Power Shift

Jackson Browne - The Drums of War

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

Art by Shepard Fairey 

UPCOMING EVENTS

10/14/13 KATUAH EARTH FIRST GREEN SCREEN

KEF Green Screen - Every second Monday of the month, Katuah Earth First shows videos on relevant environmental struggles. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Café & Books.

10/14/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING & FILM SHOWING

The DVD “The United States of ALEC” will be shown on Monday, October 14th, at 7 PM at the North Asheville Library. This film is about the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the most influential corporate-funded political force of which most of us have never heard.  ALEC is a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action groups aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. Donations accepted. Contact Tom at 828-674-3046 for more information.

10/14/13 ASHEVILLE CANDIDATE FORUM

The Asheville Downtown Association will be hosting a City Council and Mayoral Candidate Forum on October 14 from 5:30-7:30pm in The Century Room at Pack’s Tavern in Asheville. Candidates will be asked a series of questions regarding issues in Downtown Asheville. The Asheville Downtown Association’s Issues Committee will formulate questions based on what stakeholders feel is important to Downtown Asheville and come from answers to a two-question survey. The survey will be open until Wednesday, September 25.

10/15/13 LECTURE ON NEW NC VOTING REGULATIONS

This will be with Dr. Chris Cooper and Sarah Zambon. Location is West Asheville Library at 7 PM. Sarah Zambon is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the League of Women Voters Asheville-Buncombe County.

10/15/13 ASHEVILLE CANDIDATE FORUM

The Asheville Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host a forum for Asheville mayoral and City Council candidates. Meet and greet is from 6 PM to 6:25 PM and the forum from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM. The format will be question and answer with each candidate giving a short opening and closing statement.

10/15/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE POTLUCK

Join us for our monthly gathering over a meal of nourishing food that we share, and brain candy for desert! This month, Jeanie Martin will discuss the permaculture principle "Use and Value Diversity". When we diversify the elements in our permaculture system (and diversify the connections between the elements), we create many more opportunities for a diversity of yields, of genetic information, as well as creating multiple avenues for meeting our most critical needs. Don't forget your covered dish (and serving utensil)! Location is Community Action Opportunities at 25 Gaston Street, and time is 5:30 PM to 7 PM.

10/16/13 CORNEL WEST AT UNCA

Dr. Cornel West, author of Race Matters and Democracy Matters, reflects on the role of race, gender and class in American society. Professor at Union Theological Seminary and professor emeritus at Princeton University, West regularly appears on CNN and the Colbert Report and is co-host of the progressive radio show “Smiley & West”. Time is 7:30 PM and location is the Sherrill Center, Kimmel Arena. This is free and open to the public.

10/16/13 GREEN DRINKS EVENT

Join us Wednesday October 16th at 6 PM at the Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe for a celebration of the upcoming United Nations Day with speakers Jim Barton and Lynn Failing representing the United Nations Association Western North Carolina Chapter. Location is the Green Sage Café in downtown Asheville, and the time of the presentation is 6 PM, with socializing to follow. Open to all.

10/17/13 EARLY VOTING STARTS

10/17/13 FIGHTING BACK AGAINST VOTING SUPPRESSION

The Western Chapter of the ACLU-NC and the UNCA Chapter of the ACLU-NC is hosting a "Fighting Back against Voting Suppression" event on Thursday, October 17, from 7:30 PM to 9 PM at UNCA Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall. Panelists are Christopher Brook, Legal Director of ACLU-NC, Sarah Zambon, Education and Outreach Coordinator, LWV-Asheville-Buncombe County and Tyrone Greenlee, voting rights activist and Director of Christians for a United Community. For more information contact Christopher at cbroook@acluofnc.org.

10/17/13 BENEFIT FOR LGBT ELDER ADVOCATES

The film “Before You Know It” will be shown at the Fine Arts Theater as a benefit for the LGBT Elder Advocates of WNC. Time is 7 PM on 10/17/13 and 1 PM on 10/18/13. Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $7 at the matinee. There are an estimated 2.4 million lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans over the age of 55 in the United States. These older adults may face exacerbated challenges including heightened levels of discrimination, neglect and exclusion. A wine and cheese reception will be held before the film on Thursday, October 17th at 6 PM at the Blue Spiral 1. Tickets for the reception and film will be $20. For more information, email Rebecca at rebecca@landofsky.org or call 828-251-7438.

10/17/13 NUCLEAR INFORMATION RESOURCE SERVICES EVENT

Mary Olson, Southeast Director for Nuclear Information Resource Services (NIRS) will give a presentation on “Nuclear Waste, Are You In It's Path?” A new Environmental Impact Statement on our nation's nuclear waste stored at nuclear power plants has been drafted by the NRC.  It evaluates the environmental impacts of temporary waste dumps across America until a federal repository can be built, but unfortunately omits critical information. This is a transportation nightmare that would run over WNC!  But that's just one of problems we face: 10 nuclear reactors ring Asheville, close enough to be harmed in the event of a high-level waste fire. Come hear the facts from a veteran advocate and learn how you can speak out by mail or at a  NRC public hearing in Charlotte this November 4th.  (PSR, NIRS and SAFE Carolinas are sponsoring a bus to Charlotte at a cost of $15) Contact Laura for more info Lsredoak@gmail.com. Time is 6:30 PM and location is North Asheville Library.

10/17/13 FILM AT UNCA AS PART OF NO BULLYING MONTH

As part of No Bullying Month, join the Student National Education Association in viewing the film “Bullied” followed by a discussion on best practices. Attendees will also learn about the many free resources from Teaching Tolerance. Time is 6:30 PM, and location is the Intercultural Center at 114 Highsmith Student Union, UNCA.

10/17/13 WNC ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS MEETING

The Western North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Kenilworth Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, 123 Kenilworth Rd. Time is 10 AM. The ARA is a statewide organization of retired union members and their friends and families.  We are non-partisan and open to everyone who is concerned about the need for jobs which pay a living wage, as well as those issues which affect all of us. FMI contact Dick at dick@dickandnorma.com.

10/17/13 IRANIAN POSTERS ART EXHIBITION AT UNCA

There will be a poster exhibition and a film screening at UNC Asheville at Ramsey Library. From 6 PM to 7:30 PM, there will be a reception for Dr. Hamid Dabashi (Columbia University) at the Ramsey Library Glasshouse. At 7:30 PM, there will be a poster lecture by Dr. Dabashi. At 8:30 PM, there will be a screening of “This is Not A Film” at the Whitman Room. This film documents a day in the life of prisoner Jafar Panahi, banned for 20 years from film making in Iran. The film was smuggled out of Iran in a USB stick hidden in a cake. Posters will be on exhibit at Ramsey Library from October 1 through November 8, 2013.

10/18/13 IRANIAN POSTER ART EXHIBITION AND FILMS

A groundbreaking exhibition examines three discrete but interrelated aspects of Iranian art of the 1960s through 1980. Organized by the Flood Gallery, Courtyard Gallery and UNCA, “In Search of Lost Causes” presents over 125 never before exhibited works— revolutionary posters, film screenings and black-and-white photographs—and is on view at UNCA Library and the Courtyard and Flood Galleries at 109 Roberts Street in Asheville from Oct 17th through November 29th, 2013. “In Search of Lost Causes: Images of the Iranian Revolution: Paradox, Propaganda, and Persuasion” introduces American audiences to modern Iranian art while shedding light on the many ways visual culture both reflected and affected the 1960s and 1970s, two decades that saw dramatic changes, including the politicization of Islam and the 1979 Iranian Revolution.  Opening will be from 6 to 11 PM at Phil Mechanic Studios. Hamid Dabashi, PhD will be giving a lecture in the gallery on Oct. 18th around 7:30 PM. Oct 18th film at the Courtyard Gallery is “Chicken and Plums” which starts at 8:30 PM.

10/19/13 GREEN GRANNIES SING FOR THE CLIMATE

Green Grannies Sing for the Climate at Vance Monument at 5 PM. Google "Sing for the climate" and come out and sing with us! This happens on the third Saturday of every month.

10/19/13 IRANIAN POSTERS ART EXHIBITION AND PRESENTATION

There will be a poster exhibition and a presentation and a book signing by Dr. Hamid Dabashi at 7 PM at Firestorm Café & Books at 48 Commerce St, Asheville. Posters will be on exhibit at Firestorm Cafe & Books through October 2013.

10/20/13 ETHICAL SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE MEETING

“Living Green, No Longer Homeless! - A Sustainable Approach to Addressing Homelessness” will be presented by Timothy Sadler, a local social justice and environmental activist and entrepreneur at the Sunday, October 20th meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville, 2:00-3:30 PM at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road in Asheville. Sadler will give an overview of Eagle Acres, a project that he is involved with that is a sustainable community for homeless veterans of the U.S. military. There will be a discussion period following the presentation. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation. All are welcome! For more information contact: asheville@aeu.org or call 828 687-7759.

10/21/13 MINI-WORKSHOP AT MALAPROPS    

This is at 7 PM at Malaprop's Bookstore, downtown: Introducing the handy minibook, "HeartSpeak: Listening & Speaking from the Heart" by Cathy Holt & Joy Smith, along with a mini-workshop. Contact Cathy at 828-545-9681 for more information.

10/22/13 TRAPPED BY POVERTY, TRAPPED BY ABUSE

Pisgah Legal Services will hold their Third Annual Poverty Forum featuring Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. This forum will explore the link between domestic violence and poverty, and the importance of access to justice for victims. Cocktail reception is at 5:30 PM and forum starts at 7 PM. $50 for reception and forum and $15 for forum only. Location will be Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Contact Pisgah Legal Services for more information.

10/23/13 HEARTSPEAK: LISTENING & SPEAKING FROM THE HEART  

HeartSpeak: Listening & Speaking from the Heart with Cathy Holt, first of 4 classes at the Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St. Move from conflict to connection, learn heart coherence, hear the need behind any "no" in this highly interactive, experiential class; $60 includes private, confidential coaching session. To preregister: cathyfholt@gmail.com or 828-545-9681. Time is 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

10/23/13 GIRL RISING MOVIE   

From Academy Award-nominated director Richard E. Robbins and the award-winning producers of The Documentary Group and Vulcan Productions, strategic partner, Intel Corporation, and distribution partners CNN Films and Gathr, comes “Girl Rising” - an innovative new feature film about the power of education to change a girl – and the world. These girls are each unique, but the obstacles they faced are ubiquitous. Like the 66 million girls around the world who dream of going to school, what Sokha, Suma, Ruksana and the rest want most is to be students: to learn. And now, by sharing their personal journeys, they have become teachers. Watch Girl Rising, and you will see: One girl with courage is a revolution. Beaucatcher Theater at 7:30 PM.

10/24/13 CENTER FOR DIVERSITY EDUCATION LECTURE AT UNCA

I invite you to attend a lecture by Dr. Delpit at UNC Asheville with support from Center for Diversity Education and the UNC Asheville Education Department. She will be speaking, in part, about her most recent book “Multiplication is for White People” and how a teacher's unconscious bias limits the opportunities for students of color.  Time Is 7 PM and location is Mountain View Room, Sherrill Center UNC Asheville. For more information email Andrea Martinez  atamartine@unca.edu.

10/25/13 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 12:30 to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details. Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings!

10/26/13 FREEDOM FUND & AWARDS BANQUET

Asheville Branch NAACP Annual Freedom Fund & Awards Banquet will be a 7 PM at Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church at 100 Carroll Avenue in Asheville. This is a celebration of their 80th Anniversary. Early reservations through October 18 are $35 per person and $45 thereafter. Invited guest speaker is Rev. Dr. William Barber II, president of the NC NAACP. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 828-281-3066.

10/28/13 ASHEVILLE EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION

The Earth Sabbath Celebrations are 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 of and with the Creator and creation. Time is 7 PM and location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Asheville. Free.

10/28/13 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PROGRAM

Dynamic Governance Introductory Series (Part 1) will be from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Handmade in America gallery. Whether the results we want are profits for a business, solving a community problem, or more effective fundraising, when we work in groups we always use some system for steering the process toward results. Consensus often feels impossibly lengthy, and Roberts Rules leaves people feeling marginalized or unengaged. The Transition Asheville Common Table uses “Dynamic Governance” because it is an energizing and efficient method for making decisions in such a way that each participant is enabled to tale part as a unique individual on the basis of equality. The Dynamic Governance Institute founded by Tracy Kunkler and Michelle Smith has supported the Common Table in implementing this transformational means of innovating new social and organizational structures. This first session will teach you “paradigm shifting” decision-making tools and meeting formats for committees, boards, organizations, or networks of organizations to remain very organized and efficient, while inviting people from a breadth of perspectives and styles to participate effectively. The workshop will be fun and interactive; offering tools you can try right away. This information came from Facebook.

10/29/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH

On Tuesday, October 29th, there will be a screening the documentary, "The United States of ALEC", an important film about corporate political influence at the state and national level. This screening is on Tuesday rather than the customary Friday. The “United States of ALEC” reports on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of us have never heard of – ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. The location is the Unitarian Universalist Church on Edwin Street in Asheville.  The film is at 7 PM. No charge, donations accepted.

10/29/13 ASHEVILLE HEARING ON EPA’S CARBON POLLUTION RULE

Join the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, WNC Alliance, Sierra Club and WNC Green Congregations, and Climate Parents at the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village for a Citizens’ Climate Hearing from 5:30 to 7:30 PM to give testimony to the EPA in support of carbon limits on new power plants. There will be food, educational opportunities and fun as well. Come one, come all. Kids are welcome.

10/29/13 PISGAH LEGAL BENEFIT

In support of Pisgah Legal's work to end domestic violence, clothing designer Julia Monet, or "J. Monet" and Magnolia Ray Restaurant are hosting a fashion show. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and J. Monet hopes raise awareness and "spread loving, healing, joyful energy." The event begins at 5:30 PM at Magnolia Ray restaurant just north of Asheville.

10/30/13 GREEN DRINKS   

Join us Wednesday October 30th at 6 PM at the Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe for a talk on “Population Issues” by, President & CEO of Population Connection, John Seager. Population Connection’s mission statement relates, “Overpopulation threatens the quality of life for people everywhere. Population Connection is the national grassroots population organization that educates young people and advocates progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources.”

11/01/13 LAST DAY FOR EARLY VOTING

11/01/13 MOVE TO AMEND EVENT - GO, GRANNY D PLAY

We want to let you know about an inspiring event that Move to Amend Buncombe County is sponsoring. Asheville actress Barbara Bates Smith will bring “Go, Granny D”, her one-woman show about Doris “Granny D” Haddock, to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.  Smith’s performance, accompanied by musician Jeff Sebens, tells the inspiring story of 90-year-old Doris “Granny D” Haddock, who blazed a 3,200-mile trail across America in 2000 for campaign finance reform. The performance is open to the public; a suggested donation of $10 is requested, but all are welcome.  Childcare will be provided, please call Nick Andrea at cyc@uuasheville.org by October 21.  To learn more about Move to Amend, contact Lew at 828-299-1242.

11/03/13 FIFTH ANNUAL EAT AT MIKE’S DINNER AND AUCTION 

WNC Health Advocates (WNCHA) is hosting its 5th Annual Eat at Mike's Dinner! WNCHA is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to offer comfort and support to people with illness and disability, to new mothers and families, and to advocate for access to quality health care for all. Join us for our 5th annual signature fundraiser! Ticket price of $25 includes dinner from some of your favorite local restaurants and farms. A silent auction will feature items from local crafters and artists. For more information call 828-243-6712. Time is 5:30 PM to 8 PM and location is First Congregational UCC Church in Asheville.

11/04/13 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING IN CHARLOTTE

Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting for comments. The location is Hilton Charlotte University Place in Charlotte. There will be a bus from Asheville to Charlotte. This bus will leave Earthfare Parking Lot at 2:00 PM and return at midnight. Cost is $15, with some scholarships available. For reservations: Mary Olson at 242-5621 or maryo@nirs.org; or contact Laura at 545-4443 or Lsredoak@gmail.com.  

11/05/13 ELECTION DAY

11/10/13 FIRST ANNUAL CIDERFEST BY WNC GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

The WNC Green Building Council is hosting the 1st Annual CiderFest NC.  Four of Western North Carolina Cidermakers will participate in the festival held at the Echoview Fiber Mill at 76 Jupiter Road, Weaverville on Sunday November 10th, 2013 from 1 PM to 5 PM. WNCGBC Members $10 and Non-members $15. Kids are FREE. Day of the event ticket cost: Members $15 and Non-member $20. For more information about WNC Green Building Council, CiderFest NC, or to learn how to be a cash sponsor of the event, please contact Nina at 828.254.1995.

11/11/13 ARMISTICE DAY

11/16/13 TO 11/17/13 DRONE CONFERENCE IN DC.

Drones Around the Globe: Proliferation and Resistance, Washington DC

11/18/13 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library.

11/19/13 CONCERT AND RECEPTION TO HONOR LOCAL ACTIVISTS

Charlie King and Karen Brandow are musical storytellers and political satirists. They sing and write passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. This Perelandra Studio Concert will be held in east Asheville on November 19th.  6 PM reception with Charlie and Karen. 7 PM Concert. Both the reception and the concert will celebrate Asheville area participation in the Walk for our Grandchildren and Moral Mondays. Email hras@humanrightsaction.net or or call 314-374-7446 to arrange for tickets which are $20 (only advance tickets available).

11/19/13 HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TO TALK AT UNCA

In this talk, “From Mozart to Murder: A Holocaust Survivor Muses About Radical Evil” Professor Walter Ziffer will relate his personal encounters with such evil (genocide) to a number of attempts by scholars to explain how such monstrosities come into being, considering our human genetic potentials for such, as well as situations that trigger these potentialities to transform into acted atrocities. Time is 7 PM and location is Lipinsky Auditorium at UNCA.

11/22/13 to 11/24/13 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH CONVERGENCE ON FORT BENNING

11/22/13 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CHURCH

The November 22nd film will be the award-winning film "Chasing Ice".  More information to follow.

07/24/14 TO 07/27/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE ANNUAL CONVENTION

This will be held at UNCA.

*******************************************

ONGOING EVENTS

*******************************************

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

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

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

*******************************************

ACTIONS AND READINGS

*******************************************

Greenpeace is hiring two Field Organizers in North Carolina to work on our campaign for clean energy and just, affordable rates.  Are you a tenacious strategist, primed to organize against the biggest utility company in the country? Are you ready to join a growing movement to protect North Carolinians from powerful corporate interests? Do you want to build power working alongside communities in the increasingly pivotal American South? Are you ready to start NOW?  

Greenpeace, alongside many other organizations, is a leader in the fight for clean energy and just, affordable rates in North Carolina.

Even as electricity demand is flat for residential customers and small businesses, Duke Energy is promoting additional dirty power plants so they can increase their profits. Evidence shows that cleaner and cheaper options exist for North Carolina. Instead of continuing needless investments into outdated technology, Duke Energy could save North Carolinians around 57% on their energy bills in the next two decades by switching to energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy resources. Join our team and help make this a reality.

The positions are located in Raleigh and Charlotte.  For more information, and to apply, please visit:

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/about/jobs/

******************

US SENATE AND US HOUSE ON RECESS

OCTOBER 14 -- OCTOBER 21

SCHEDULE YOUR LOBBY VISIT NOW

WHILE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES ARE HOME

NC PEACE ACTION ED. FUND

Contact Bill Towe at billtowepa@juno.com for further information or to let him know of your plans to visit US Senators or Representatives.

******************