“I count myself as a spiritual sister
to those the US government has murdered,
and I am angry at my powerlessness.”
- Karen Kwiatkowski
UPCOMING EVENTS
02/01/16 ART AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
“From Apartheid to Democracy” exhibit is from the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. This will be held in Hunter Library, 2nd floor gallery. This runs until May 20, 2016.
02/01/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE PLANNING TEAM MEETING
Friends of Transition Asheville: Our planning team (Common Table) is looking for volunteers. We invite any who might have interest in helping plan our activities to attend one of our meetings. The next one comes on Feb. 1, 5:30 to 7 PM, in room 205 of First Congregational UCC, downtown at 20 Oak St. Come learn more about our workings and give input to that work.
We are also looking for project ideas (short term or long term) that help contribute to community resilience. If you’d like to attend a meeting or volunteer in other ways, please contact: ron.martinadkins@gmail.com
02/01/16 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES
This will be at the Green Sage Cafe at Westgate next to Earth Fare. Please join us for dinner, dessert or a beverage together at 5:30 PM next Monday, Feb. 1 at Green Sage cafe with fellow progressives. We ask that all attendees RSVP so we can give our friends at Green Sage a headcount for dinner, beverage and/or dessert. Thank you. As always you are invited to give an announcement or ask for signatures on a petition. Please give myself or Sam a heads up with a quick email to let us know how much time you need. We have two speakers for Monday. First, Isaac Coleman - A 1960s Mississippi civil rights worker who became a Democratic insider and helped found a popular local living wage program is making his first bid for elected office. Isaac did organizing work from the 1964 “Freedom Summer” until 1969. He became part of the Mississippi Freedom Party, a populist party that challenged the then white-only Mississippi Democratic Party. In 1971, Coleman came to Asheville at the age of 28 where he became a city housing inspector, a job he held for 27 years. After retiring in 2000, he worked for five years as a subsidized housing manager for the Asheville Housing Authority. Isaac would be the first African American to serve on the Board of Commissioners. Isaac was selected as one of "Asheville Living Treasures" by the non-profit of the same name and says that affordable housing, higher wages for workers and education would be his priorities as a commissioner. He said that the county should do more to help boost wages. Coleman is a co-founder of Just Economics of Western North Carolina, a group that advocates for a “living wage,” calculated to allow workers to meet basic needs without relying on public assistance. That’s currently $11.85 or $10.35 with employer-provided health insurance. The group’s voluntary certification program has 400 employers, the largest living-wage certification program in the country! Our other speaker is: Kelsey Tavares, Director of Operations with a new progressive, non-profit focused on voter education and engagement in Western North Carolina. They are based out of Asheville, NC and are committed to promoting access to affordable health care, high quality public education, just spending and tax priorities, safe energy alternatives, and the restoration of competitive democracy in NC. Please RSVP to Cheryl at ctorengo@gmail.com.
02/02/16 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB
Join host Bruce Roth for a lively discussion on topics of current interest including war and peace, the economy, the environment, and other hot political topics. The February pick is “Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State” by Ralph Nader. Location is Malaprop’s and time is 7 PM.
02/02/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Middle East Alliance” and the speaker is Samer Traboulsi of the UNCA History department who will be returning from an end-of-the-year visit to Beirut. He will discuss the complex issues of Middle East alliances. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/02/16 ASHEVILLE TRANSIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Time is 3:30 to 5 PM and location is the 1st Floor Conference Room at City Hall.
02/02/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network of groups educating and organizing white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for racial justice. Asheville SURJ hosts a weekly discussion group on risk-taking, accountability, mutual interest and how to call more white people into racial justice work. Anyone with a passion for working with white people on racial justice is welcome! Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
02/02/16 JAZZ-N-JUSTICE BENEFIT FOR FOOD CONNECTION
This will happen at The Block Off Biltmore, which is next to the YMI building at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. This Tuesday, we are partnering with Food Connection. Food Connection collects surplus food from restaurants and caterers in Asheville and delivers the food to those who will enjoy it in order to reduce food waste and ease the pain of immediate hunger. Please join us from 7:30 – 10:30 PM to hear fabulous jazz music, celebrate Food Connection, and enjoy a unique selection of vegan beer, wine and cocktails. Call 828-254-9277 for more information.
02/03/16 DIALOGUE CAFE AT FIRESTORM
Interviews and dialog with persons in all walks of life; a forum especially for activists in the field of social justice, women's rights, nutrition and health, and the healing arts. The Dialogue Cafe is a circular form of conversation; packed with subjects and themes which are both simple and complex. Through dialogue, it guides the most complex and political issues, connecting and reapplying them to everyday life, our communities and the global picture. It becomes an invitation to take a look at solutions in a different way then we have been taught. Each panel or workshop will be introduced with a poem relating to the theme or a short storytelling. Time is 2 PM. Location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
02/03/16 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT ENERGY NEEDS
Leadership Asheville and Leadership Asheville Forum, in conjunction with UNC Asheville Office of Sustainability present “A Community Conversation: WNC’s Future Energy Needs”. Panelists are Glen Snider; Director of Integrated Resource Planning and Analytics, Duke Energy; Jim Spencer; Director of Engineering, New Belgium Brewing Company; Joan Walker; Campaign Director, MountainTrue; and Michael Youth; Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs, NC Sustainable Energy Association. Moderator is Sonia Marcus Director of Sustainability, UNC Asheville and Chair of the City of Asheville’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. General Admission $20 / Faculty and staff $15 / Students $10 (ID checked at the door). Includes hot breakfast and panel discussion. Promoted by Mountain True. Time is 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Location is UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, Mountain View Room. This is a facebook event, and they request that you get tickets via eventbrite. Look under “WNC’s Future Energy Needs” on facebook.
02/03/16 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Learn how you can make responsible wood and paper buying choices that impact the world’s forests. Josh Martin, Director of the Environmental Paper Network (an international coalition of 145+ organizations transforming the pulp & paper industry) will share how our wood & paper buying choices impact the world’s forests. Time is 7 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place (Charlotte Street and Edwin Place) in Asheville. Contact judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176 for more information. Free and open to the public.
02/03/16 WOMEN’S LIBERATION: THEN AND NOW
More than forty years after the women's liberation movement of the 1960's women remain without equal rights. Across the US women are being oppressed in a number of ways: increased restrictions on access to abortions, higher healthcare premiums for future mothers, and rampant misogyny that breeds a dangerous rape culture. Join Sharon Smith, activist and author of Women & Socialism and Subterranean Fire: A History of Working-Class Radicalism in the United States and Asheville's branch of the International Socialist Organization as we discuss the history of women's struggle and the lessons we can learn from the movement for women's liberation. The liberation of the working class will not come without the liberation of women. This is presented by Asheville Socialists. Time is 6:30 PM and location is The Grotto at Highsmith Union at UNCA.
02/04/16 AMBASSADOR TRAINING FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES
We will be hosting our next Ambassador Training on Thursday, February 4th from noon to 1:30 PM to provide our board members, volunteers and supporters with an overview of key information about Pisgah Legal Services' programs, plans and fundraising. This is a great opportunity for new board members and volunteers, and anyone interested in learning more, to get an insiders "snapshot" of Pisgah Legal Services. You don't have to be new to attend though! Ambassador trainings are also a wonderful opportunity for Pisgah Legal staff to hear your insights on how we communicate our messages to the community. We appreciate your participation. Please RSVP to Lindsay at lindsay@pisgahlegal.org or 210.3405 to let us know if you plan to attend and if you would like lunch. Please let us know if you have a lunch preference or dietary restrictions (vegetarian, salad, etc). This will be held at Pisgah Legal Services office at 62 Charlotte Street in Asheville.
02/04/16 EARTH SABBATH CELEBRATION
Please join Creation Care Alliance in welcoming Rev. Steve Halsted, our guest presenter, who will be sharing his wisdom and experience about Earth Sabbath celebrations and will be leading us in an Earth Sabbath service at the close of our meeting. CCA will be incorporating Earth Sabbath worship, led by a variety of local faith leaders, into our 2016 calendar as a wonderful new opportunity for us to come together as people of faith to celebrate and honor Creation. This will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Time is 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
02/04/16 DISCUSSION SERIES ON RACE AT UNCA
“Starting the Conversation” is an interdisciplinary discussion series on race at UNC Asheville intended to foster in-depth discussions about race between students and faculty. Free and open to the public. Contact Anne Jansen at ajansen@unca.edu or 828-251-6582 for more information. Time is 11:50 AM to 1:05 PM and location is Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum, at UNCA.
02/04/16 HOMEWARD BOUND TOUR
“Welcome Home Tour” is a tour of Asheville organizations that serve the homeless population. Registration required. Free to attend. Time is 11 AM. Contact Homeward Bound of WNC at 828-258-1695.
02/04/16 POLITICAL PRISONERS LETTER WRITING NIGHT
The massive incarceration rates in the US - overwhelmingly aimed at people of color, and criminalizing youth - makes this country by far the greatest purveyor of punishment in the world. Among 2.4 million incarcerated are a number of political prisoners, imprisoned for their words and actions in the fight for justice. Come to our first night of political prisoners letter writing! The first Thursday of every month, we will be hosting a night of support and solidarity for those incarcerated. Materials will be provided. This event is open to anyone and everyone. Stop by to learn more about the prison-industrial complex and it's relationship to white supremacy and capitalism, and send your love to those who are standing up against oppression and injustice. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information. (Contact them to confirm the time.)
02/05/16 HOOD HUGGERS PARTY
A Hood Hugger is anyone who restores themselves while helping to transform their communities for the good of all. Join us for a party in support of the Hood Huggers initiative with DJ Supaman and Cooking With Comedy Catering! Hood Huggers International, LLC offers sustainable strategies for building support pillars for resilient historically African American neighborhoods, providing a framework for community capacity building while increasing the effectiveness of existing service programs. These strategies incorporate the arts, environmental education and social enterprise. DeWayne Barton (B-Love), Founder & CEO of Hood Huggers International, is a sculptor and poet who combines his creative practice with community activism. A native of Asheville, NC, Barton grew up in Washington, D.C. and is a Gulf War Veteran. He attended Norfolk State University from 1996-1999, majoring in Social Work. He is the author of two books of poetry, and has been involved in community improvement and youth development for over 20 years. As a visual and performing artist, Barton is involved in justice issues — both through his art and his community involvement. His mixed-media, found-art installations have been featured at Duke University, Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of African American History and Culture, Upstairs Gallery, and August Wilson Museum as part of Affrilachian Artist Project. Barton is co-founder of the Burton Street Community Peace Gardens and serves on the African American Heritage Commission, CoThinkk, and the City of Asheville Neighborhood Advisory Board. He is the co-founder of Green Opportunities, a job training program designed to prepare Asheville area youth and adults for “green-collar” careers. Time is 7 PM to 11 PM and location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. This is a facebook event, please go to “Hood Huggers Party” to find out how to obtain tickets.
02/06/16 SWANNANOA VALLEY MEMORIAL MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST
Steven Crump will be speaker at the Swannanoa Valley Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. We invite you to join us in sharing the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we strive to bring knowledge and awareness of his work to our Swannanoa Valley community. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children. Time is 9 AM. Location is Camp Dorothy Walls on Cragmont Road in Black Mountain. For more information, including how to obtain tickets, contact Diane at 828-545-2583.
02/06/16 PISGAH PEACE GARDEN WORK DAY
Moving a HUGE amount mulch around at the garden to help prevent weeds for this year's growing season. Great cardio! Time is 10 AM to 2 PM. Location is1 Granda Street in Asheville. RSVP if you're interested in helping at volunteer@ashevillegreenworks.org.
02/06/16 RALLY FOR COMMONWEALTH EDIBLES
Rally and Work Party for anyone who cares about foods in our parks and commons. Gather with us to show your support for edibles in the commons and blow some wind in the sails of our city's Food Action Plan. This is a rally, a work party, an orchard tour, and more! We're sending an apparently much-needed, clear message to our public officials and city managers that we honor work done by civic volunteers over the last 15+ years and we want edibles planted in our commons. In a rare appearance, Professor T. Bud Barkslip will be giving a pruning demo, a tour of the park, and overview of Commonwealth edibles. We will have figs and elderberries grown at the park to give away to good homes. We will give gifts of mulch and amendments to the trees. We will grill and share good foods. We will share public comments and hopefully hear from city officials who are invited to join us. We'll have a mass synchronized emailing to city council to tell them we support (bring yer emailing device). Do you have anything to contribute that we could jam into our jam packed jam jar? We'll need help. Please contact: tom.celona@gmail.com. Also contact Tom if more information is needed. This is from noon to 3 PM at Montford Recreation Center at 34 Pearson Street in Asheville.
02/06/16 COTHINKK MEETING
CoThinkk is a “giving circle” that uses our collective time, talent, and treasure towards investment strategies that address education, economic mobility/opportunity, and leadership development towards impacting some of the most critical social issues facing African-American & Latino communities in Asheville and Western NC. This meeting will continue to build upon our momentum and provide an opportunity for us to invite more voices into the room, to continue to refine our giving through defining our time, talent, and treasure, and to prepare for our April 2016 "Signature Invitation Event.” Please RSVP by February 1st to reserve your seat at the table and to receive additional information that will be needed to inform the meeting conversation. We continue to look forward to having diverse voices and communities in the room to help shape this agenda. If you have any questions or concerns please free to send me an e-mail at Cothinkk@gmail.com. Time is 1:30 to 4:30 PM and location is Asheville ar Museum in downtown Asheville.
02/08/16 GO GRANNY GO PROGRAM
On February 8, Barbara Bates Smith will perform her program, ”Go Granny Go” at New Mountain Asheville at38 N. French Broad Avenue in Asheville. The program relives the efforts of Doris Haddock, a 90 widow who walked from California to Washington DC in the years 2000-2001, celebrating her 90th birthday along the way. She did this to protest the control of big money over our Democracy and promote passage of reform by Congress. This inspiring presentation will be sponsored by WNC for Bernie, but its call to citizen involvement is nonpartisan. Democracy is not a partisan issue. Admission is free. Doors open at 7 PM. Contact Tom at tomcoulson@aol.com for more information.
02/08/16 TRANSITION ASHEVILLE MEETING
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Keith McDade, the Program Director and Associate Professor in Sustainability Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University. He is also the Co-Director of its Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources, and a lead organizer for the annual Asheville Bioneers Conference that provides innovative solutions for restoring people and planet. Time is 6:30 to 8 PM and location is the Parish Hall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Charlotte Street in Asheville. For more information, contact transitionasheville@gmail.com.
02/09/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “ISIS (Daesh)” and the speaker is Major General Rick Devereaux, Director Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy of the Air Force. He will address the military, diplomatic and strategic steps that are being taken to confront ISIS. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/09/16 ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE NAACP MEETING
Join us at Hill Street Baptist Church, 135 Hill St.in Asheville for the regular monthly meeting of our local branch of NAACP. The February meeting will be held in the Fellowship Hall downstairs. Enter from the rear parking lot through the glass doors. Doors open at 6 PM. Meeting starts at 6:30 PM. Interested in joining NAACP? Contact branch president Carmen Ramos-Kennedy at 4ward2getherCall2Action@gmail.com to get a membership form sent to you or call the branch office at 828-255-4453.
02/09/16 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
On the second Tuesday of each month, Western North Carolina Veterans for Peace meets to coordinate group activities and programs.Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.
02/09/16 PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES TALK
Pisgah Legal Services: Pursuing Justice, Fighting Poverty is a talk by Katie Russell Miller. It will be given at the Weaverville Library on Tuesday, February 9th at 7 PM. Learn more about this invaluable community resource and their mission to pursue justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western North Carolina meet their basic needs and improve their lives. Sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library. For more information call the Library at 250-6482.
02/10/16 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 117 Montreat Road in Black Mountain. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
02/10/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is Alternatives to Pesticides Coalition-Building a movement. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
02/10/16 ASHEVILLE TIMEBANK INFORMATION SESSION.
Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 6 - 8 PM. All are invited to the Edington Center at 133 Livingston (corner Gaston Street) in Asheville for a community potluck. Learn about the Asheville TimeBank and meet some other members! Contact Cathy at cathyfholt@gmail.com for more information.
02/11/16 ASHEVILLE TOP FACILITATION COURSE
Register now for the February 11-12 Technology of Participation (ToP®) Facilitation training in Asheville. Master how to lead: focused conversations, consensus brainstorms, and cohesive action plans. Lead meetings using methods that find common ground, are productive and enjoyable for everyone. Registration fee is $655 after January 22, and $605 before that date.
Call (828-254-0212) or email kathleen@vitalclarity.com if you have questions.
02/11/16 DISCUSSION AT UNCA ON #BLACKLIVESMATTER
The #BlackLivesMatter movement swept the internet after George Zimmerman’s acquittal during the Trayvon Martin case in 2013. Since then, a highly debated conversation began about whether it was more appropriate to say #AllLivesMatter. Join Multicultural Student Programs, Black Student Association, and the Key Center as we explore this debate and discuss inclusion in social movements. Location is Room 224 at Highsmith Union at UNCA. Time is 6 PM to 7:30 PM. This is sponsored by Multicultural Student Programs and is part of Black History Month. For more information, contact dhylton@unca.edu. Open to the public.
02/12/16 CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME PRESENTATION
Join us on Friday, February 12, from either 1 to 2:30 PM or 7 to 8:30 PM (same presentation given twice) in the Social Hall of St. Eugene for an overview of Pope Francis’ papal encyclical, “Laudato Si’ – On Care For Our Common Home”. Our speaker, Dr. Catherine Wright, will discuss why Pope Francis wrote this encyclical and the idea that faith and science need to be in dialog. The purpose is to give participants an overview of the letter, to discuss how this document is a part of Catholic Social Teaching, and that we are the who that the letter is inviting to ecological conversion. Come learn what all the fuss and excitement is about. There will be a question/answer period following the presentation. This is at St. Eugene Catholic Church at 72 Culvern Street in Asheville. For more information, please contact Cynthia Gibbs at 828-684-3555 or cynthia@gibbsco.com.
02/12/16 LECTURE AT UNCA
Topic is Asheville’s African American Experience in the Civil War Era. Gordon McKinney, former director of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College and College for Seniors instructor, is the author of several books on the American Civil War. In this lecture he will discuss the Civil War as a time of uncertainty for most African Americans in Asheville. As the war ended, former slaves embraced the new freedom of movement and demanded wages and new working conditions. Many sought to reconstitute their families and establish their own churches and schools. Learn more about this interesting chapter in the history of African Americans in Western North Carolina. This event is free and open to the public. Time is 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM and location is the Reuter Center, room 102A, at UNCA. This is part of the Fab Friday Lecture Series.
02/12/16 LOVE WHO YOU WANT: BENEFIT FOR QORDS!
It's that time of the year for the third annual Love Who You Want benefit for QORDS! We will have a family-friendly drag show with local drag stars, costume corner, photo booth, silent auction and dance party with DJ Deven Balsam. Doors open at 7 PM and drag show starts at 8 PM. All ages welcome. QORDS, or Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer, is a grassroots nonprofit based in NC that hosts a music based camp for LGBTQ youth and youth of LGBTQ families. Location is Toy Boat Toy Boat Toy Boat Community Arts Space at 101 Fairview Road in Asheville. This is a facebook event, please go there for more information. Cost is $5 to $15.
02/13/16 PROTEST THE REPUBLICAN DEBATE IN GREENVILLE, SC
Carpools leaving early afternoon -- contact Williams Parker (prkwilliams@gmail.com / 919-724-0961) or Garret Lagan (gklagan@gmail.com / 828.508.6731). Our message is clear: $15 and union rights; No to racism and Islamophobia; Black Lives Matter and Immigrants rights. The Republican debate protest starts at 7 PM.
02/13/16 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Citizens Climate Lobby meets the second Saturday of each month at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. We are advocating for a Carbon Fee & Dividend, which would impose a fee on fossil fuels at point entry; this fee will be refunded to individuals and families. There is bipartisan support in Congress as this will create jobs and help grow the economy, boosting renewables. Time is 12:30 to 3 PM. For more information, contact asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org.
02/13/16 H.K. ON J. PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY AND MORAL MARCH ON RALEIGH
HISTORIC THOUSANDS ON JONES STREET (HKonJ) had its first organizing meeting during December of 2006. Under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, TEN years later, we are stronger than ever before! You are being invited to our annual mass mobilization where the second Saturday in February of each year since 2007, we mobilize by the thousands to bring attention to our moral agenda; to stand against the legislative attacks which threaten our rights and agenda; and become better educated on the issues by the experts; "fired up, ready to go" and rejuvenated by inspirational and visionary insight; utilize this opportunity to network and ensure we get out the vote like never before in our history!
02/13/16 LOCAL BUS TO MORAL MARCH ON RALEIGH
Get on the bus from Asheville to Raleigh for the 10th Annual Moral March on Raleigh! The march in Raleigh starts at 10 am. We will leave promptly from Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (50 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. off College St. in downtown Asheville) at 5 AM to arrive on time. Please pack food & beverage for the round trip. If you have a cell phone, please bring it, as well as your charger. Tickets are $40 per person. If you can afford to donate more, please do so that we can provide scholarships for others. Questions about tickets and how to get them, please contact Elaine Lite at info@mountainmoralmonday.org. On the morning of departure and during day of the event in Raleigh, contact Jake Quinn 828-713-1972 (Please be sure to enter this number in your phone before departure.)
02/13/16 FIGHT FOR $15 GOES TO GOP DEBATE IN GREENVILLE, SC
Following a successful rally and mobilization at the Democratic debate in Charleston on January 17, the Fight for $15 along with other groups across the South are coordinating another mass mobilization -- this time at the GOP debate in Greenville, SC on Saturday, February 13th. Our message is clear. We demand: $15 and union rights for all workers; an end to to racism, police brutality and mass incarceration; Black Lives Matter; No to Islamophobia; justice for immigrants now; and quality, affordable childcare and long-term care. Carpools are leaving early afternoon in our area -- contact Williams Parker (prkwilliams@gmail.com / 9197240961) or Garret Lagan (gklagan@gmail.com / 828.508.6731). The time for this rally is 7 PM, and location is Falls Park in downtown Greenville, SC.
02/15/16 ANNIVERSARY OF THE LARGEST ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION IN THE WORLD
On this date in 2003, people around the world gathered to say NO to war on Iraq. We were not listened to by the US/UK governments. And now we know that the protesters were (once again) correct in their assessment of the potential outcome of such a massive and evil crime. It gives us no pleasure to be proven correct yet again. WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER.
02/15/16 BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT
Join Multicultural Student Programs and Black Student Association as we screen the PBS Film Special, “America After Charleston”, which follows the stories and reactions to the death of nine African-Americans in the June 2015 shootings at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. After the screening, join in a discussion facilitated by Dr. Tiece Ruffin, Assistant Professor and Diversity Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Education. Time is 6 PM to 8 PM. Location is The Grotto in Highsmith Union at UNCA. This is part of Black History Month. For more information, contact dhylton@unca.edu. Open to the public.
02/15/16 STREET PROTEST OF HEWLETT - PACKARD
Just Peace Israel/Palestine’s next street protest will focus on the HP Boycott again, February 15, Monday (Presidents’ Day), from noon to 1:30 PM at Best Buy parking lot (entrance on South Tunnel Road). HP provides the Israeli Ministry of Defense a biometric identification system installed at checkpoints in the West Bank which makes it possible to restrict Palestinian movement. This is illegal under international law. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
02/15/16 UNITED TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY MEETING
United to Restore Democracy (the local group formerly known as MABCO) will be hosting a planning meeting reviewing projects we have been working on, and things we hope to achieve this year, in addition to our regular business. Our meeting will be on Monday, February 15th at the North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Avenue, from 7 - 8:30 PM. United to Restore Democracy (Asheville) is a local non-partisan citizens group that has organized to overturn the destructive Citizens United decision and reclaim the liberties and privileges guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution for real, living, breathing people. Our group is part of a larger State and National movement to educate, empower, and bring awareness to the issues related to corporate personhood, the corruptive influence of money in politics and the impacts that has on the local, state and national community. For more information, contact Diana at dianakruk@gmail.com.
02/16/16 CULTIVATING CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Join Laura Lengnick, author of Resilient Agriculture, for a discussion (6 to 7:30 PM) about
climate change in your community. What do you need to be thinking about? What are steps you can take to create resilience in your home, on your land, and in your neighborhood? Registration is by donation ($10 suggested). This will be held at Living Web Farms at 176 Kimzey Road in Mills River. Please contact Meredith for more information and instructions on how to register at meredith@livingwebfarms.com or call 828.891.4497.
02/16/16 WNC 4 PEACE MEETING
Meeting will start at 6 PM and will be held at location TBD. Contact Craig at herbzone@gmail.com for more information.
02/16 /16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Climate Change” and the speaker is Tom Peterson, a widely published climate scientist and current president of the Commission for Climatology Structure at the World Meteorological Organization and recent retired NOAA climatologist. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/16/16 BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT UNCA
This will be a Lunch-N-Learn on “What’s in a Name? Conversation on Vance Hall”. Facilitator is Dr. Darin Waters, Assistant Professor in Department of History. This will be held at the Highsmith Union, Intercultural Center from noon to 1 PM.
02/17/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is From Kudzu to Urban Food Forest. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
02/18/16 DINE OUT FOR DEMOCRACY
Dine out and a percentage of your funds will be donated to promoting voter education and advocacy in Western North Carolina. More information to follow on what restaurants will host this event. This is organized by Just Us United.
02/20/16 HOW DO WE FIX OUR BROKEN WORLD?
We need hope, we need change, we need justice - and we have help. In this divided world Maitreya, the world teacher, is stepping forward. His mission has begun. Mastery and his group of enlightened teachers, are here to help us reverse the damage we have done to our planet and inspired us to create a new civilization based on sharing the world’s resources and justice - the way to lasting peace. Free presentations at 2 PM at Asheville Friends Meeting at 227 Edgewood Road in Asheville NC. Please call McNair at 828-398-0609 for more information. Sponsored by Share International Southeast.
02/21/16 POETS RESPOND TO RACE
Al Black, a Columbia, SC, poet, organizer, and advocate, and Len Lawson, a poet and teacher, will join us for a Poets Respond to Race reading. Black is the author of the collection “I Only Left for Tea”, which is characterized by “quiet intimacy and vulnerability,” according to writer Ed Madden. Lawson’s poetry appears in several anthologies and journals including “pluck! A Journal of Affrilachian Arts”. In the wake of the Charleston tragedy, Black and Lawson began coproducing the Poets Respond to Race tour, which has included readings in three states and aims to bring unity and conversation through poetry. According to its mission statement, Poets Respond to Race “holds open forums on race and diversity to offer a gateway into tough conversations that can change communities in the south.” At Malaprop’s in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM, please call Malaprops for more information.
02/21/16 ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY MEETING
The Art of Resilience will be presented by DeWayne Barton at the Sunday, February 21st meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2 - 3:30 PM, at The Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. Learn about the Community Accountability Plan (CAP), a road map for repairing black communities and addressing disparities in marginalized neighborhoods. It fosters a culture of resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability that is economically just and builds upon the goals of neighborhood community plans. Informal discussion and refreshments will follow the presentation. All are welcome. DeWayne Barton (B-Love) is a sculptor, poet and author who has combined his creative practice with community activism/improvement, youth development and justice issues for over 20 years. His art installations have been featured in the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of African American History and Culture as well as other places. Barton is co-founder of the Burton Street Community Peace Gardens and Green Opportunities, and he serves on the African American Heritage Commission, CoThinkk, and the City of Asheville Neighborhood Advisory Board. He is founder and CEO of Hood Huggers International (hoodhuggers.com), which offers sustainable strategies for marginalized neighborhoods. For more information call 828 687-7759 or email EHSAsheville@gmail.com.
02/23/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Korean Choices” and the speaker is Marc Mulling of the MHU Philosophy and Religion Department. He has taught at Ewha Women’s University in South Korea, speaks and reads Korean, and blog about Korea. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
02/24/16 GREEN DRINKS
Subject is Green Gauge - Existing Home Program. Time is 5:30 PM to gather and eat. Program begins at 6:30 PM. Location is The Spot at 76 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Green Drinks is now under MeetUp. Call The Spot for more information at 828-575-2729.
03/01/16 GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAM
The topic is “Global Migration” and the speaker is Natalie Teague, a multi-lingual attorney who has been specializing in immigration law and litigating in state and federal courts. She has a practice in Asheville for the past several years. The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy. Individual lectures are $10 each, full time students admitted free of charge. Each presentation is given at four separate locations. Tuesday, 7:30pm, Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center); Wednesday, 10:00am, Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium); Wednesday, 3:00pm, Brevard (Brevard College, McLarty Lecture Hall); Thursday, 2:00pm, Columbus (Isothermal Community College). Contact Maureen at maureen.White@uncc.edu or 704-687-6778 for more information.
03/01/16 ASHEVILLE TRANSIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Time is 3:30 to 5 PM and location is the 1st Floor Conference Room at City Hall.
03/02/16 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Tim Pharis and Frosty Levy will talk about “Wildflowers and Rocky Fork State Park”. Time is 7 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place (Charlotte Street and Edwin Place) in Asheville. Contact judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176 for more information. Free and open to the public.
03/03/16 EARLY VOTING STARTS
This continues until 03/12/16.
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ONGOING EVENTS
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TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 4:30 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument
Standing up for Racial Justice at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 10 AM
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville
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. Call 884-3435 to confirm.
Third Saturdays – Asheville’s Green Grannies invites the public to “sing for the climate” at Pritchard Park 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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