Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

The Mountain State Fair in September 2014. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

09/15/14 SIERRA CLUB PAC FUNDRAISER

Sierra Club PAC fundraising event from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Grove Arcade, 5th floor, in Asheville.  It will be an opportunity to meet all of our endorsed candidates in Western NC and to help us raise the money we need to help them get elected.  You can make your check payable to "NC Sierra Club PAC" and mail it to: 15 Morning Star Drive, Leicester, NC 28748. 

09/15/14 JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Jackson County Commissioners Meeting will  discuss consideration of Resolution against fracking.  Location is Justice & Administration Building, 401 Grindstaff Cove Road, Room A201, Sylva, NC. Contact jccaf@gmx.com for more information. Time is 6 PM.

09/16/14 VOICES FROM FREEDOM SUMMER

Christians for a United Community will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer with a conversation about our history and the current civil rights movement. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 16th, 7 PM, at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Road in Asheville. Freedom Summer veterans Carol Hallstrom and Isaac Coleman will lead the discussion.

09/16/14 AUDUBON SOCIETY MEETING

This will be held at the Reuter Center at UNCA. Time is 7 PM to 9 PM. 

09/16/12 WNC ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS MEETING 

The WNC Alliance for Retired Americans has changed to quarterly meetings.  So the next meeting will be the third Tuesday in September which will be the 16th, at 10 AM in the Kenilworth Presbyterian Church Parlor at 123 Kenilworth Road in Asheville. 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@dickandnorma.com.

09/17/14 DOCUMENTARY AT UNCA

“Who Killed the Electric Car?” will be shown from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM at Rhoades/Robinson Hall 125 - SMART Lecture Hall. This is part of  National Drive Electric Week, September 15-21, 2014, which is a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. FREE and open to the public.

09/17/14 GREEN DRINKS

Reviewing Environmental Initiatives at BorgWarner With a manufacturing facility in Arden, BorgWarner is a global product leader in powertrain solutions, focusing on developing leading powertrain technologies that improve fuel economy, emissions and performance. The company has been repeatedly recognized by EPA for both its products and its operations. Come hear Joe Hungerford, Director of CV Product Development, discuss how BorgWarner’s products help increase fuel efficiency and decrease harmful emissions from engines in the light and heavy engine/vehicle markets. Socializing begins at 5:30 PM; Programming at 6 PM. Location is the Green Sage on Broadway in downtown Asheville. 

09/18/14 DOCUMENTARY AT UNCA

“Revenge of the Electric Car” will be shown from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM at Rhoades/Robinson Hall 125 - SMART Lecture Hall. This is part of National Drive Electric Week, September 15-21, 2014, which is a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. FREE and open to the public. 

09/19/14 LECTURE AT UNCA

Dr. Judson, Associate Professor, Department of History and Africana Studies, will present “The Contagion of Freedom: Anti-Slavery, Women’s Rights and Economic Justice” at 11:25 AM at Lipinsky Hall at UNCA.  This lecture looks at the three case studies to explore the ways that people in the United States caught a vision of freedom that would allow them to participate in a just and safe way in democracy. These different, but connected historical case studies include the struggle for the abolition of slavery and women's rights, the Wilmington massacre where democracy was betrayed, and the fight for economic and gender justice captured by the Shirtwaist Strike of 1909. Free and open to the public.

09/19/14 LECTURE AT UNCA

Lecture Presented By: Dr. Mullen, Professor, Department of Political Science - “Poverty & Plenty” is a lecture that examines the sources, manifestations and challenges resulting from extreme wealth and deprivation in the US. A key question considered is “What does it mean to simultaneously be a democratic republic and home to economic megaforces?’ Time is 11:25 and location is Carmichael Humanities Lecture Hall. Free and open to the public. 

09/19/14 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings! The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be at a private home near the VA Hospital. Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12 noon to 2 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

09/19/14 MOVIE AT COURTYARD GALLERY

“Where the Green Ants Dream”by Werner Herzog  (West Germany/Australia 1984) will start at 8 PM. A desolate stretch of earth somewhere in the heart of Australia. A group of tribal Aborigines struggles to defend a 40,000 year old sacred site, the place where the Green Ants dream, against the bulldozers of a mining company. it is quickly apparent that tribal laws and customs and beliefs are very different than Western laws — and how the issue will be resolved is sticky indeed.This is at Courtyard Gallery in the Phil Mechanic Building in the River Arts District in Asheville. 

09/19/14 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM AT UU CONGREGATION

On Friday, September 19th, we are screening the documentary, "Puzzles, When Hate Came to Town” at Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville. The film is at 7 PM. As civil rights for LGBT and other minority groups are won, violent backlashes have been known to increase. Today LGBT people are far more likely than any other minority group in the United States to be victimized by violent hate crimes. PUZZLES tells the story of a hate crime in a gay bar called Puzzles Lounge in New Bedford, MA when a teenager entered and brutally attacked its patrons. As a result two different worlds collide, a homophobic hate crime offender and his victims. Puzzles explores the correlation between American economic desperation and homophobia, intolerance, and, ultimately, violence. Free, donations accepted.

09/20/14 GREEN GRANNIES SING FOR THE CLIMATE

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

09/21/14 MASSIVE PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MARCH IN NYC

Yes, there is a bus going to the People's Climate March from Asheville. (And it is full.) It will leave Saturday, September 20th around 7 AM, get to NYC in early evening, where we'll camp out in a church or school, do the march on Sunday and head home on the bus Sunday evening, arriving Asheville early Monday morning.  

09/21/14 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

09/21/14 SIERRA CLUB EVENT-DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK

This is one of the 115+ events nationwide designed to showcase the speed, convenience, clean-air benefits and fuel savings of electric vehicles through ride-and-drives and other great activities. National Drive Electric Week celebration in Asheville will be at Asheville Public Works Parking Lot, 161 South Charlotte Street in Asheville. Time is 1 to 4 PM. Each celebration event will be led by local EV drivers and advocates and will include some combination of EV parades, test rides, press conferences, award ceremonies, informational booths, and more. At some events, people can even learn about options to charge plug-in cars with solar power. 

09/21/14 PEACE DAY AT UNCA

This will include speeches, tabling, games on the quad, massage and reflexology, garden walk, children’s chorus, children’s activities (1 to 4 PM) open mic, poetry and live music, mandala creation. Free. Many groups involved. Open to the public. Time is 12 Noon until 10 PM. For more information, contact Michelle at mleipold@unca.edu.

09/21/14 NYC CLIMATE MARCH SOLIDARITY RALLY

Join local citizens concerned about climate change in a rally supporting the hundreds of North Carolinians who are traveling to NYC this weekend for the People’s Climate March. World leaders will be coming to New York City for a UN summit to discuss climate change. Thousands of people world wide are coming together to show that our communities are resilient, powerful and united in our demand that leaders take bold, political action to address the climate crisis. Organizers are calling the NYC action the largest climate march in history. Here in Western North Carolina, we want to show solidarity with those in our communities who are taking time out of their lives and traveling at their own expense to NYC to demand action now for the good of us all. Bring signs, musical instruments and speak out if you like. Voter Registration will be available. No less than our children’s future is at stake. Time is 1 PM to 3 PM and location is Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Contact Leah at leahsong@frontier.com for more information.

09/21/14 PEACE DAY FILM 

Peacemakers film will be shown at 5:30 PM, but event starts at 5 PM.  Jeremy Gilley and Prem Rawat approach the subject of peace from different perspectives. Jeremy’s efforts are aimed at global ceasefire, an end to violence and awareness of International Peace Day, Prem focuses on the individual’s need for personal peace. The schedules of these two tireless Peacemakers coincided for a few hours in Barcelona last year. The remarkable conversation that ensued was broadcast to 25 million people globally on International Peace Day 2013. Now is your chance to see it for yourself. There will be live music and refreshments. All welcome. Free entry. Donations welcome. Location is HandMade in America at 125 S Lexington Ave Suite 101, Asheville. For more info, contact Craig at (828) 259-3030  or email peaceispossiblenc@gmail.com.

09/22/14 PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE

The Peace and Justice ministry of the Parish of St. Eugene is sponsoring a Peace Vigil to commemorate World Peace Day. The entire Asheville community is welcome. World Peace Day Prayer Vigil is at 7 PM at St. Eugene Church at 72 Culvern Street in Asheville. Music, Readings and Blessings for peace in our hurting world.

09/22/14 CLIMATE WEEK

By providing an international platform for government, business and civil society to work together on low carbon solutions, Climate Week NYC will show the world there are clear opportunities and many benefits in joining the global 'clean revolution'.

09/23/14 BUILDING BRIDGES 

The Mission of Building Bridges is to enable our community to confront and overcome racism through a continuing process of changing attitudes and hearts through education, conscious-ness raising, nurturing, and ongoing support. Our goal is to be intentional in respecting diversity within our community. For more information, go to this link: http://www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/#!

09/25/14 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CANDIDATE FORUM

Time is 6-8 PM and location is Asheville Chamber of Commerce at 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. Buncombe County Candidates Forum. Join the League and the Chamber of Commerce as we host a forum for Buncombe County candidates. Forum panelists invited include candidates for the following offices: Buncombe County Board Commissioners (Districts 2 and 3), Buncombe County School Board (Enka, Erwin and Reynolds Districts), District Court Judge (District 28), District Attorney and Buncombe County Sheriff. Doors open at 5:30 PM. 

09/26/14 UNCA HUMANITIES LECTURE

Sarah Judson will address “Black Protest Thought” at 11:25 AM at Humanities Lecture Hall. Judson is an associate professor of history and Africana Studies. Admission is free and open to the public.

09/26/14 WESTERN CAROLINIANS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

This meeting will be at 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home in the video room. 

09/27/14 CAROLINAS HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZING CONFERENCE IN GREENVILLE

Organizations working on the front lines of poverty, violence, deportations, mass incarceration, ecological justice, labor and education are coming together to build up our numbers and coordinate our strategies. Action teams will train together to create action plans and community assemblies will converge to discuss the realities we are facing and commit to action. This is at the Enoree River Baptist Association Center at 421 Dallas Rd in Greenville, SC. Time is 9 AM to 6:30 PM. Cost: (Lunch included) is $35 for registration after 09/13/2014 (cheaper before), $15 for students. For more info call 864.735.5520 or email miaskari56@gmail.com.

10/05/14 RALLY TO EXPAND MEDICAID

WNC Health Advocates presents a Rally to Expand Medicaid at 3 PM in Pritchard Park. Learn why access to health care is important and why it saves money, how much money North Carolina is losing because of its refusal to accept Medicaid expansion, and what the price of non-expansion is in human terms. Voter registration will be held, so come on out and bring your friends. Contact Leslie at leslie@wnchealthadvocates.org for more information. 

10/6/14 PISGAH LEGAL POVERTY FORUM

4th Annual Poverty Forum will be held at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Don't miss social justice advocate, attorney and author Sister Simone Campbell, SSS when she and NETWORK's other “Nuns on the Bus” roll into Asheville. 5:30 PM for cocktail reception; 7:00 PM for Forum. Tickets: $50/person Cocktail Reception and Forum; $15/person Forum Only. Reception Catered by Chestnut/Corner Kitchen Catering. For more details and to purchase tickets or contact Betsy Fedder at 210-3444.

10/6/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library. Call Ruth at 232-2883 or email ruthachristie@gmail.com for more information.

10/07/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE BOOK CLUB AT MALAPROPS

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

10/14/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING

10/16/14 LECTURE AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY

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

10/21/14 MOVE TO AMEND EVENT

David Cobb, leader of Move to Amend Nationally, will speak in Asheville from 7 to 9 PM at Jubilee! at 46 Wall Street in Asheville. He will talk and answer questions about where we are and where we are headed. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Contact Ruth at 828-232-2883 for more information. Free and open to the public.

11/04/14 VETERANS FOR PEACE BOOK CLUB AT MALAPROPS

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

11/10/14 MOVE TO AMEND BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING

Time is 7 PM and location is North Asheville Library. Call Ruth at 232-2883 or email ruthachristie@gmail.com for more information.

11/13/14 PANEL PRESENTATION AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY

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

1/15/14 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT

This will be in the south Buncombe area (Arden) from 10 AM to 2 PM. If you have questions, call GreenWorks at 828-254-1776.

11/21/14 to 11/23/14 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH

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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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BUILDING BRIDGES SESSION COMING UP

Our next session start date:

September 23 through Nov 18, 2014.

Time 7 pm - 9 pm

Location: AB-Tech, Ferguson Auditorium

http://www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/#!

Our Mission

The Mission of Building Bridges is to enable our community to confront and overcome racism through a continuing process of changing attitudes and hearts through education, conscious-ness raising, nurturing, and ongoing support. Our goal is to be intentional in respecting diversity within our community.