UPCOMING EVENTS
05/29/14 ADVOCATING WITH CHILDREN
Hosted by Just Economics WNC. Supporting Kids and Their Families in being part of the movement for change, advocating for affordable childcare, & sharing free and low cost local kid friendly activities. Dinner, New Friends, & Action. Location is United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County at 50 S. French Broad Avenue in Asheville. No time or contact information given on this event, which I found on Facebook.
05/29/14 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EVENT
Nuclear Abolition at Ground Zero, - an effort to abort the U. S. plan to stockpile of H-bombs for 100 years. Learn about the proposal to build a $19 Billion Uranium Processing Facility at the at Oak Ridge. 7 PM, Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St., Asheville. Our speaker, Ralph Hutchison, Coordinator, Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, has been engaged in a 25 year history of peaceful protest against the use of and dependence on nuclear weapons. There is no charge - There will be refreshments. For more information, contact Terry at 633-0892 or Lew at 298-1242.
05/29/14 FILM SCREENING IN BRYSON CITY
“Gasland II” will be screened at Mountain Perks in downtown Bryson City. Hosted by the Canary Coalition, Occupy WNC, and Move to Amend. Contact info@canarycoalition.org for more information. Time is 5:30 PM.
05/29/14 MORAL MOVIE SERIES
The NC NAACP in partnership with Working Films and The Mountain People's Assembly presents: The Moral Movies Film Series. From April through July, film screenings will occur once a month in at least 8 cities across the state including Asheville. The series will help build the energy and maintain the momentum of the Moral Monday/Forward Together movement. On Thursday, May 29th, we are screening the documentary, “American Winter” - the second of the four films in the series. Please join us and representatives of the NC AFL-CIO for the screening and discussion. “American Winter” is a documentary feature film that follows the personal stories of families struggling in the aftermath of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Years after the recession began, millions of families are struggling to meet their basic needs and many formerly middle class families are finding themselves in financial crisis, and needing assistance for the first time in their lives. Meanwhile, the social safety net that was created to help people in difficult times has been weakened by massive budget cuts, creating a perfect storm of greater need and fewer resources to help vulnerable families. The film is at 7 PM. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at Edwin Place and Charlotte Street.
05/29/14 AUTHOR READING AT MALAPROPS
Author Corbin Addison reads and talks about his newest book THE GARDEN OF BURNING SAND at Malaprops Bookstore 5/29 at 7 PM. His novel depicts the struggle for social justice against power.
05/30/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST MEETING
Time is 3:15 PM and location is Brooks Howell House on Merrimon in Asheville. Contact Beth at elizakeiser@aol.com for more information.
05/30/14 CELEBRATING THE CHAMPIONS OF WILDERNESS
Come spend an evening celebrating the champions of Wilderness with The Wilderness Society and friends! Honor leaders past and present who have worked to preserve America's wild lands. Mingle with representatives from organizations working for Wilderness. We'll be in the Century Room at Pack’s Tavern (20 South Spruce Street, Asheville NC) from 4 – 8 PM. This event is free and open to the public - anyone who enjoys and supports wild landscapes is encouraged to join us. You're welcome to come with an appetite: delightful hors d'oeuvres will be provided and food may be purchased at the restaurant downstairs. Of course there is a cash bar close at hand for those who work up a thirst.
Keynote address will be by Doug Scott, historian and longtime champion of Wilderness, and Meryl Harrell, who is with the Natural Resources and Environment Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For further information please call Bill at (865) 617-4804 or email Brenna at
brenna_irrer@tws.org.
05/30/14 FUNDRAISING FOR SUNDANCE
Location is Dobra Tea on Lexington Avenue in Asheville. On behalf of the collective effort of our community there will be a fundraising drive to raise money for Sundance ceremonies in South Dakota this coming June! This collective effort is organized as the Native Arts and Culture Cooperative, (NACC). Guided to preserve the cultural integrity and traditions of the Lakota people of Pine Ridge in South Dakota., and all around the world. The fundraising effort, at this time, includes a raffle drawing of 4 different items that are of at least of $200 value, some more. They include a handmade flute by Geri Littlejohn, a Pendleton blanket, and 2 gift baskets of herbal medicine preparations from local herbalists and each with gift certificates for massage and acupuncture. The raffle drawing will be held at Dobra Teahouse the night of May 30 with a performance by Geri Littlejohn, Marc Garnier, and Linda Go. Please come show your support! Cultural preservation is the vision of the Native Arts and Culture Collective. Through this we can remember what is important in our lives. Time not given.
05/31/14 ASHEVILLE SHARE FEST
Please join us for a day filled with stuff swaps, skill shares, entertainment, workshops, repair cafe, Seed Exchange, Collaborative Art Projects, Pay it Forward Healers and much more. REAL Cooperative and Share Asheville are teaming up with local organizations and projects with support from Sharable and Center for a New American Dream to host Asheville's first ShareFest to celebrate and support local sharing initiatives, collaborative consumption and the preservation of the commons! This event will be completely sourced from the community and we welcome you to participate in shaping it from start to finish. We are looking for: Partners, coordinators, volunteers, workshop presenters, activity facilitators, and more! Got questions? Contact tom@realcooperative.org. Time is 11 AM to 5 PM and location is 76 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville.
06/01/14 ASHEVILLE NOW MEETING
Join the Asheville National Organization for Women chapter meeting at 2 PM at Havana's across from Grove Arcade (downtown Asheville). Learn how we're going to change the conversation about women's rights, issues and ERA, share exciting plans to tip the November legislative agenda in favor of women, and join us at the upcoming March on Washington.
06/02/14 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES
For Those Who Want to Move Forward. Next Dinner With Progressives is Monday, June 2 2014, from 6 PM to 8 PM, Location TBA. All are welcome who want to learn how to make life better for everyone! This is a big year for elections vital to NC.
06/04/2014 FILM SCREENING “DOCUMENTED”
Please join us at the Erwin High School AP World History class will be hosting a screening of “Documented” – a film by an undocumented American. This will be shown in the high school auditorium. This film tells Jose Antonio Vargas’ personal story of outing himself as an undocumented immigrant, and chronicles his journey to America from the Philippines as a child; as an immigration reform activist; and his reconnection with his mother in the Philippines. We plan to show this movie to raise awareness about issues faced by undocumented students, and to raise money to donate to the NC DREAM Team to assist students with realizing their educational goals. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5. The event will also feature food and beverages, a raffle, and plenty of information from community organizations focused on servicing our undocumented population. After the screening a panel of students and NC DREAM Team representatives will be present to speak and answer questions about their experiences navigating the American school system as undocumented youth. Time is 5 PM to 9 PM.
06/04/14 SIERRA CLUB MEETING AND GREEN DRINKS
Join Asheville Green Drinks and the Sierra Club Wednesday June 4th at 7 PM for a presentation on “River Canoeing Adventure.” Sierra Club invites you to join us for Richard Kark’s River Canoeing Adventure, this time in Utah. This will be an account of a journey down the Dirty Devil, a stream in Utah. Attendees will see beautiful photos but will also get “into the heads’ of two veteran adventurers who make it up as they go along. It should be interesting to understand the complicated logistics of a trip like this and how the two adventurers arrived at all their decisions. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1 Edwin Pl. on Charlotte in Asheville. Contact Judy at 828-683-2176 for more information.
06/05/14 LUNCH GATHERING FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES
Sample select menu items and enjoy old-world style beers in Wicked Weed Brewing's private tasting room at 91 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. Time is noon to 2 PM. Suggested donation of the $15 per person at the door. Contact Betsy Fedder to RSVP at 828-210-3444.
06/08/14 FUNDRAISER FOR CARE PARTNERS
CarePartners is proud to present "The Happy
Movie," from the Academy Award nominated filmmakers of "Genghis
Blues" and the director of "Bruce Almighty" and "I
am." Enjoy discovering the science of happiness by watching "The
Happy Movie" together. Your $10 ticket includes admission, popcorn, and
tickets for door prizes. For tickets call (828) 251-0126 - space is limited.
Proceeds benefit CarePartners Bereavement. Come enjoy! Time is 2 to 4 PM and
location is The Millroom at 66
Asheland Avenue in Asheville.
06/10/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street in Asheville.
06/11/14 ISRAEL/PALESTINE PRESENTATION
This will be at 2:30 PM at the Presbyterian Heritage Center at 318 Georgia Terrace in Montreat (best to park across the street). James Aydelotte will speak on the topic “General Assembly [of the Presbyterian Church USA] Preview: Israel/Palestine”. Proposed divestment of the church’s holdings for Caterpillar and two other companies profiting from the occupation will be one of the major topics at this meeting. For more information call 828-669-6556.
06/12/14 13TH AMENDMENT TOUR
Tour of Fragile 13th Amendment Document Ending Slavery
Many African Americans consider Juneteenth (June 19) the date in 1865 when the last slaves learned that the 13th Amendment had been passed—and they were free. As part of the observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, North Carolina’s copy of the 13th Amendment is traveling to six historic sites between June 5 and 21, 2014, under the auspices of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR). The U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment on Jan. 31, 1865, and ratified it on Dec. 6, 1865. Southern states had to ratify the amendment to be readmitted to the union, and it took the NC legislature exactly ten years to do so, on Dec. 6, 1875. The state’s copy of the document is stored in a climate-controlled vault of the State Archives of North Carolina. It was on exhibit last summer at the N.C. Museum of History, but this will be the first time the document has traveled outside of Raleigh. “As we approach the 150th anniversary of the creation of this important, nation-changing document, [the Department] feels it is only appropriate to carry it from Raleigh to exhibit in very symbolic locations,” explained NCDCR Secretary Susan Kluttz. “I think it is especially important that we are showcasing this freedom document in slave cabins at three of the state historic sites.” Local showing will be at Vance Birthplace in Weaverville from 11 AM to 7 PM. For more information (including information on other sites that will exhibit this), call (919) 807-7389.
06/14/14 TRIP TO THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM IN GREENSBORO
This trip departs from the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville Central Office, 165 South French Broad Avenue, rear parking lot. Boarding the bus will happen at 6:30 AM, leaving at 7 AM. We will returning to Asheville at 6PM. There will be one stop for breakfast on the road and lunch at Williams Cafeteria on A&T’s campus for the afternoon meal. $60 Per Person – transportation and admission only, meals at your expense. May 30, 2014 is the full payment deadline. This is sponsored by The A&T University Alumni Association of Asheville. Send Check or Money Order to: A&T Asheville Alumni Chapter, PO Box 2272, Asheville, NC 28802. For more information contact: William Edward Young, Jr., Chapter President at 828.251.2964.
06/14/14 to 06/22/14 MOUNTAIN JUSTICE SUMMER CAMP IN KENTUCKY
The 10th Annual Mountain Justice Summer Camp is scheduled for June 14 to 22 on top of beautiful Pine Mountain in eastern Kentucky near Whitesburg. Registration for the summer camp is now live and everyone concerned about the future of Appalachia’s forests, water systems and mountains is invited! Registration at mountainjustice.org is low cost and includes all meals, tent camping and workshops and activities for the week. The camp will be followed immediately by a cool festival called Supermoon Music and Arts Festival. The Mountain Justice Summer campsite will be at Wiley’s Last Resort. Mountain Justice Summer camp will offer a wide variety of speakers and workshops related to mountaintop removal and building a new economy in the mountains. Evening panel discussions include Mountain Women, a History of Resistance in Appalachia, Appalachian Youth and Appalachian Culture. Evening entertainment includes live music, dancing and documentary films about Appalachian history, music and culture.
06/15/14 ETHICAL SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE MEETING
At this time of eroding rights in our state "Fifty Years Later: Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement" will be presented by Carol Rogoff Hallstrom, public interest attorney and community activist, at the Sunday June 15th meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville, 2:00-3:30 PM at The Friends Meeting House located at 227 Edgewood Road (near UNCA). Hallstrom will share her thoughts regarding the unique perspective of SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and the role of organizing and crises in creating social change. There will be a discussion period following the presentation. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation. All are welcome!
06/16/14 FORUM ON CLIMATE AND FAITH
To Stand Against the Storm, We Must Stand Somewhere: A Forum on Climate and Faith. Time is 1 to 8 PM. Given the realities of climate change, what unique role can faith communities play in North Carolina? In this 1/2 day workshop on June 16th, join us as we learn from local and national leaders on a wide array of topics related to faith and climate. This solutions-oriented gathering will explore not only what challenges we face with climate change, but also the unique role faith communities have to play in finding creative solutions. Tired of another guilt-tripping environmental workshop that bums you out and leaves you feeling overwhelmed? This one is different. Join us as we focus on theological reflection, ecological resilience, and that much-neglected biblical virtue of hope. Our evening keynote will be given by biblical scholar and activist Ched Myers. This forum is free; however, you must register in advance. Sponsored by the Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at Wake Forest U. School of Divinity, WNC Green Congregations, Western NC Alliance, NC Interfaith Power & Light, and host congregation Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church. Go to the link in the “Sabbath Economics” (below) to register.
06/17/14 TO 06/20/14 SABBATH ECONOMICS AND WATERSHED DISCIPLESHIP
“Sabbath Economics and Watershed Discipleship: A Theology and a Practice for a New Day” will be held at Warren Wilson College from 8 AM to 5 PM each day. This is sponsored by the Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative with support from Kalleiopeia Foundation. The interlocking crises of deepening climate change, resource exhaustion, and social disparity are stalking our history. To truly face these crises is to commit ourselves, as Christians and citizens, to radical and urgent changes that are both profoundly political and personal. The course will combine classroom learning, worship, eating together, and hands-on learning. Morning sessions will be led by renowned biblical scholar and activist Ched Myers, who will focus on “watershed discipleship” as a guiding metaphor and theological frame of reference. Afternoons will feature outdoor experiential education in local food gardens. Who this course is for pastors, non-profit leaders, faith-based activists, gardeners and farmers, and anyone interested in the intersection of Christian spirituality, ecological restoration, and redemptive agriculture. To register, go to http://divinity.wfu.edu/watershed/registration/.
06/26/14 MORAL MOVIES SERIES
You’ve heard about Moral Mondays, but what about Moral Movies? The NC Justice Center is proud to be a collaborator, along with the NC NAACP and Working Films, on the Moral Movies film series, which is bringing award-winning documentaries to cities across North Carolina to jumpstart community dialogue and action on social, economic, and environmental issues. Moral Movies will take place the last week of each month from April through July in Wilmington, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville and Durham. The Asheville screenings are hosted by the Mountain People's Assembly. Tonight’s film will be “Freedom Summer” presented by Democracy NC. Time is 7 PM and location is Jubilee at 46 Wall Street in Asheville.
07/24/14 TO 07/27/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE ANNUAL CONVENTION
This will be held at UNCA. Registration for the convention and information at this link:
07/25/14 MORAL MOVIES SERIES
You’ve heard about Moral Mondays, but what about Moral Movies? The NC Justice Center is proud to be a collaborator, along with the NC NAACP and Working Films, on the Moral Movies film series, which is bringing award-winning documentaries to cities across North Carolina to jumpstart community dialogue and action on social, economic, and environmental issues. Moral Movies will take place the last week of each month from April through July in Wilmington, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville and Durham. The Asheville screenings are hosted by the Mountain People's Assembly. Tonight’s film will be “Inequality for All” presented by NC Justice Center. Time is 7 PM and location is Ferguson Auditorium at AB Tech, 340 Victoria Road in Asheville.
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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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'BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD'
Greetings fellow Veterans For Peace and all who seek peace in our world. That quote above, attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, isn't the theme of the 2014 Veterans for Peace convention in Asheville this July but I'm using it as an invitation to action in support of the convention. The actual theme of the convention is “PEACE OR PERISH – ABOLISH WAR ON PLANET AND POOR”.
No doubt the week of July 23 - 27 will be yet another tragic week of worldwide institutional and militaristic mayhem causing death, destruction, impoverishment and oppression, all in the pursuit of preparing for war, waging war and profiting from war. That same week in Asheville, however, will be the one place on earth where so many peace-seeking people will be gathered in community for learning, discussion, contemplation and action in direct opposition of that mayhem.
Will you be the change that you wish to see in our world? Opportunities to act in support of this event are varied and numerous.
Could you/would you make available some space in your Asheville area home to house one or more kindred souls wishing to attend the convention, who cannot afford any other form of available housing? Let me know if you would and I'll contact you to gather some information and let you know how that would work. (Contact Gerry at gwerhan@gmail.com.)
Could you/would you serve as a volunteer in one or more of the following roles? Please note: There will be a need to fill multiple shifts and multiples of each role and there will be orientation provided to ensure you are knowledgeable and comfortable in filling the roles you volunteer for. The more volunteers we have, the more time each will have to attend the convention program events. There will also be a limited number of opportunities to volunteer for a full day and attend selected program events at a reduced rate. Please mention that if interested.
*Pedestrian Traffic Guide on campus, helping attendees get to the right places at the right times to get the most out their time among us.
*Merchandise Table Assistant, keeping items organized and secure. National VFP Representative would handle the money.
*Registration Table Assistant, warmly greeting attendees, distributing registration packets, providing information. National VFP Representative would handle money and related registration details.
*"Go-fer"
*Workshop Assistant, helping presenters with some clerical tasks to free them up to do their work as effectively as possible.
*Driver - We'll have two 15 passenger vans in use during the convention to help meet the various transportation needs of our attendees as best we can and when other transportation options won't do.
Could you/would you serve on our Person-to-Person Contact Team? As we receive registrations (already happening) we'd like to have Chapter 99 members, and others in the local progressive community, send an email as soon as possible to each registrant in the spirit of welcome, assistance and fellowship that we'd hope would build community leading up to the convention, during the convention and beyond. Please note: I will provide you with the basic content of the email, to which you can add your personal touch. All of these opportunities offer the potential for personal demonstration of a commitment to peace in our world in meaningful and practical ways. It's my hope that I'll be overwhelmed with responses and have the opportunity to work with you to help you show that commitment, especially as representatives of the Asheville area, progressive and VFP community. Please email me to let me know how you want to help. For those reading this that have already volunteered, please let me know if you have a preference for any of the roles described above. Also, please forward this email to your like-minded friends, family and organizational contacts to ensure that they, too, have this singular opportunity to “Be the Change That They Wish to see in the World”.
Thanks,
Semper Fidelis et Pacificus
Gerry Werhan
gwerhan@gmail.com
Volunteer Coordinator
704.957.2924
Registration for the convention and information at this link:
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