dancewater: Upcoming events for the week of January 29, 2017

This came from Facebook.

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER

01/30/17 PEOPLE’S TRANSIT WEEK

Join us for People's Transit Week, a week of activities dedicated to improving the Asheville bus system! Our campaign, The People's Voice on Transportation Equality, will be hosting a week's worth of activities and highlighting our 2017 campaign priorities. People’s Transit Week Schedule of Events for January 29-February 4, 2017. *a week of events sponsored by Just Economics’ People's’ Voice on Transportation Equality.

Monday, Jan. 30, 6 to 7 PM at Transit Town Hall Community Room, Arthur R. Edington Center. Hear and share stories about taking public transit by necessity to get to work, your children to school, to medical appointments and the grocery store. Learn more about the People’s Voice on Transportation Equality and our 19 Point People’s Agenda for Transit Reform. This transit campaign was started by people who have to ride the bus and is powered by necessity riders and their allies.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 4 to 5 p.m. Meet and Greet at the ART Station. We will be greeting bus riders, hearing stories, and sharing information about the People's' Transit Campaign.

Wednesday, Feb. 1 Listening sessions will be held with Transit Campaign members and City Council people focusing on stop reinstatement for vulnerable riders and extended evening service for workers.

Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:15 PM. Victory Year Rally & Press Conference, Transit Center. We will gather to talk about how we have made better buses together over these last 3 years and to call ourselves to collectively work to declare full victory for the 19 Point People’s Agenda on Transportation Reform in 2017!

Friday, Feb. 3 Driver Appreciation Day anytime, all day. Join us as we celebrate our hard working bus drivers! Volunteers from the People's’ Transit Campaign will make and share small gifts of appreciation to be shared with personal thank yous to the drivers at the bus station. We will encourage riders to show gratitude through thank yous, cards, and small tokens of appreciation.

Saturday, Feb. 4 Online Action Saturday anytime, all day. Advocate for better buses for those who have to ride the bus by writing City Council and signing on to be a Transit Campaign supporter. Look for an action alert from the campaign today. For more information about the Peoples’ Transit Week Events, please contact Amy at Just Economics by phone: 828-505-7466 or via email: amy@justeconomicswnc.org.

01/30/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE

In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis asks, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” Moving beyond scientific consensus on climate change, Pope Francis invites us to recognize “the rich contribution which the religions can make towards an integral ecology and the full development of humanity.” Despite disturbing ecological news, daunting challenges presented today by technology and excessive self-centeredness, as well as growing injustices visited upon the poor analyzed in this encyclical, Francis nevertheless threads a heartening message of hope through the entire document. Join the Creation Care Alliance’s Chas Jansen and Susan Presson as we read the Pope’s Encyclical Laudato Si’ — On Care for Our Common Home, one chapter at a time with discussion questions available in advance. Six Monday evening classes will focus on climate science, creation gospel, humanity’s role, “Integral Ecology,” policy directions, and changing within. The last class will be March 13th. There is no cost. For more information, contacts are Chas Jansen at Chas.Jansen@mtsu.edu and Susan Presson at 4pressons@gmail.com. Mondays starting January 30 for six Mondays from 7 to 8:30 PM. Location is Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Conference Room at 789 Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville.

01/30/17 EXHIBIT AT A SHEVILLE MUSEUM

“Loving Families: Conversations With LGBT Families” is the title of a next exhibit at A Sheville Museum at 35 Wall Street in Asheville. Loving Families was created from interviews of local gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in WNC and their family members. People interviewed shared the stories of how they met, came to be a family, and faced the joys and challenges that every family knows by heart. Some stories were of straight parents who raised children who were part of the LGBT community. Some stories were of gay men who created family from friendships over many decades. Some were lesbian women who learned the strength of an extended nuclear family as in-laws. Some were of gay and lesbian people who adopted or birthed children of their own. All of these stories include familiar themes, often sounding like all of our own family stories. And that’s the point. Admission is on a “pay as you choose” sliding scale from $5-15 per visitor. You can decide what the exhibit experience is worth to you, either upon entering the exhibit gallery or after your visit. Again, your choice! Museum admissions are free for children and youth 12 and under. Please contact the museum for more information at 828-785-5722 or info@ashevillemuseum.com.

01/30/17 EXHIBIT AT A SHEVILLE MUSEUM

“PeaceQuilts of Haiti” is the title of a next exhibit at A Sheville Museum at 35 Wall Street in downtown Asheville. Experience art quilts by the women of Haiti, their stories, and learn more about the historical and cultural setting in which they mastered their craft. PeaceQuilts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization relieving poverty in Haiti by establishing and supporting independent, member-owned women’s sewing cooperatives. Currently they work with nearly 100 women in 6 cooperatives in Lilavois, Port-au-Prince, Damassin, Saut d’Eau and Cité Soleil. PeaceQuilts provides equipment, training, supplies, marketing assistance and educational opportunities. Admission is on a “pay as you choose” sliding scale from $5-15 per visitor. You can decide what the exhibit experience is worth to you, either upon entering the exhibit gallery or after your visit. Again, your choice! Museum admissions are free for children and youth 12 and under. Please contact the museum for more information at 828-785-5722 or info@ashevillemuseum.com.

01/30/17 VOTER ENGAGEMENT COALITION MEETING

The Voter Engagement Coalition is made up of local nonprofits and non-partisan advocacy groups working for greater democratic participation. VEC meetings are to coordinate services to reduce service duplication and work together for greater community impact. Meetings are held at the United Way building at 50 S French Broad Avenue in downtown Asheville. Time is 3 to 4:30 PM. No contact information.

01/30/17 100 DAYS COALITION

The 100 Days Coalition is having a meeting this Monday, January 30th. This is a time of listening and strategizing how we can best mobilize and support efforts and needs of those directly impacted by these policies under the current administration. Location is First Congregational United Church of Christ at 20 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 to 8 PM. This is the first of three assemblies planned to bring people together to analyze the threats before us and create and share strategies, while holding and standing by each other. Future assemblies will be held in February and March. If your organization would like to join CIMA and CPC in co-sponsoring these assemblies please contact ada@cpcwnc.org. We are asking sponsor organizations to commit to sending at least one participant to all three assemblies and to donate between $25-$100 to cover interpretation, snacks, and childcare.

01/31/17 COMMUNITY MEETING FOR WALTON POOL

This meeting is not actually being hosted by ASURJ, but we are sharing as a Facebook event in order to help get the word out. The event is one that the city is holding in order to hear from residents about reports and potential changes to the plan for the Walton Street pool. The Walton Street pool is at risk of losing the funding it was promised by the citizens and city of Asheville. This community meeting is being held from 6 to 7:30 PM. Light refreshments served at 5:30 PM. It will be held at the Arthur R. Edington Center; 133 Livingston Street. We are asking people to help get the word out about the meeting and to show up and listen and help hold the city accountable to its commitments to the community. For more information, please contact parks@ashevillenc.gov. This is a Facebook event.

01/31/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT

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.

01/31/17 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF PARTY ROCK FIRE

This will be a panel presentation by environmental experts on the environmental effects of the Party Rock Fire. Free. Heal at Community Hall in the Lake Lure Municipal Building at 2950 Memorial Highway in Lake Lure. Time is 6 PM. Call 685-8798 for more information.

01/31/17 SOUTHSIDE TOWN HALL MEETING

In a citizen-led process, community members are invited to a Southside Town Hall Meeting to discuss recreational opportunities for the Southside neighborhood. Facilitated by Tyrone Greenlee, Director of Christians for a United Community, the meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7 PM in gym at the Arthur R. Edington Center, 133 Livingston Street in Asheville. Topics to be discussed include the location of a new pool for the Southside community; a more attractive Walton Street Park; and the next phase for the Grant Southside Center. Child care and transportation to the meeting will be available. Refreshments will be served at the beginning of the meeting. This is a Facebook event.

01/31/17 WATER PROTECTORS: THE STAND AT STANDING ROCK

Odyssey Community School invites Asheville families with children 10 years and older to attend an informational presentation on Tuesday, January 31st, from 6 to 8 PM at 90 Zillicoa Street in west Asheville. Erin Hardy, an Asheville local who has travelled to Standing Rock several times in the last few months, will be presenting to adults and young adults (15+) about the historical, environmental and cultural context behind what is happening at Standing Rock, and why the Water is Life movement is so critical to our continued survival. Jenna Ventrella, UNCA student and member of ASHE (Active Students for a Healthy Environment) will be presenting to the children, aged 10-14, separately. A discussion of how to get involved and a question and answer period will follow both.

Please mark it on your calendar and join us. Our work is far from over! Water is Life! This is a Facebook event.

01/31/17 MOVIE NIGHT AT THE COLLIDER

The Collider and Oskar Blues Brewery launch a new monthly climate and environmental film series at The Collider, open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 PM, the film starts at 7. The first four evenings will feature episodes from the award-winning series, “Years of Living Dangerously.” In May, we will screen the award-winning documentary, “The Memory of Fish.” With the exception of the May screening, all events are free with a suggested donation at the door (the May event will have an admission fee). Oskar Blues will provide beer and, of course, we’ll also have popcorn. On this evening, we will show “A Race Against Time”, featuring “Into The Light” with David Letterman and “Blocking the Sun” with Cecily Strong and “Gathering Storm”, featuring “Saving Miami” with Jack Black and “Storms of the Future” with Ian Somerhalder. This is a Facebook event.

02/01/17 STEM LECTURE AT UNCA

The STEM series of lectures is an interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Each lecture provides the lecturer with the opportunity to share his/her work, present new ideas for feedback, learn new ideas that participants can use, and introduce students to exciting areas to explore. The lectures are all scheduled in the Reuter Center, room 102A, from 4:30 to 6 PM, and are free and open to the public. The lecture is “The National Centers for Environmental Information and Climate Change”, by David Easterling, NCEI.

02/01/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Sierra Club presents Drew Jones of Climate Interactive on February 4 at 7:00 PM. Recently returned from the UN Climate Summit in Marrakech, Drew will use simulations to focus on how various regional actions are combining for success. This talk is called “Grounded Hope for the Climate.” This event is free and open to the public. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at 1 Edwin Place in north Asheville (Charlotte Street and Edwin Place). For more information, contact Judy Mattox, 828-683-2176, judymattox@sbcglobal.net.

02/01/17 CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

The meeting is in the first floor conference room at the Public Works Building at 161 South Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. Free. Call 251-1122 for more information.

02/01/17 UNCA INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION MEETING

Come meet the UNCA socialists (International Socialist Organization) at our campus kick off meeting Wednesday February 1st at 6 PM in HIG 235. All those curious about or interested in socialist politics and organizing bring your questions and ideas for a moderated discussion led by our two speakers. Dean Imholz, UNCA student organizer, will provide an introduction to the politics of the ISO. Kristen R. will outline the efforts to fight back against the current administration and the rise of the right. During the meeting we'll be making announcements about upcoming meetings and actions. Please help us out by bringing cash donations for the branch. We are all full time workers or students and our activities are self funded (if you know any rich folks that want to sponsor some socialists let us know!). We use any donations to cover costs of traveling to solidarity actions (such as the Women's March in DC or the People's Climate March coming up in April), printing handouts and signs for actions, and to help both members and non-members get to the annual Socialism conference in Chicago. This is a Facebook event.

02/02/17 HOMEWARD BOUND TOUR

“Welcome Home Tours” of Asheville organizations that serve the homeless population. Registration required. Free to attend. Time is 11 AM, meet at 218 Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville. Call 258-1695 for more information or to register.

02/05/17 HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ALLY - IN BLACK MOUNTAIN

The Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley (UUCSV) at 500 Montreat Road in Black Mountain invites the congregation and the community to an hour-long conversation and exploration of ‘How To Be An Effective Ally’, Sunday, February 5, from 12:30 to 1:30 PM in the church's sanctuary. With the recent spike of harassment and hate-activity experienced here and around the country, the need is great for folks to stand by those targeted so no one feels alone in the face of a bigoted remark, workplace discrimination, or outright violence. Our conversation will be led by Monroe Gilmour who has worked with targets and victims of hate activity for nearly thirty years. Monroe will draw on his own work experiences and the Southern Poverty Law Center's Ten Ways to Fight Hate. We hope you will join us for this important, action-oriented conversation. For more information, please call 669-6677.

02/05/17 ASHEVILLE KIDS PROTEST FOR OUR FUTURE

My kids had the idea to hold a kids protest here in Asheville to express their opposition to the current administration and their support for many things, like good education, a clean environment, racial equality, welcoming refugees and immigrants, girls and woman’s equal rights, healthcare, care for disabled folks (or differently abled if that's what they prefer!), and rights for LGBTQ folks. We would like to invite y'all to join our family in standing up for our beliefs, and making a statement to the world that we do not agree with what is happening in our government. This will be a peaceful gathering, hopefully with lots of joy. Hope to see you there. Time is 1 to 3 PM and location is Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. This is a Facebook event.

02/06/17 CITY OF ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Committee consists of nine members, all appointed by City Council, with representation from specific community sectors. Members shall be residents of the City or the City’s extra- territorial zoning jurisdiction, and shall reflect the socio-economic diversity of Asheville. The term of office is three years. The Committee was established to advise the City Council on neighborhoods within the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning jurisdiction. The Committee shall have the following powers and duties: (1) Develop rules and by-laws for the conduct of its business, including but not limited to meeting schedules, officers, voting, sub-committees; (2) Develop a plan to strengthen neighborhood identity and resilience, and to facilitate communication and cooperation between Asheville’s neighborhoods and City offices; (3) Develop benchmarks and standards by which progress towards implementing the plan can be measured; and (4) Work on special projects that are consistent with the goals of the committee, as assigned or directed by Council. The Committee meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in Room A109 of the Public Works Building, located at 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville. The normal length of the meeting is 2 hours.

02/06/17 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES

Please join us for dinner, dessert or a beverage at 5:30 PM at Green Sage cafe (Westgate) with fellow progressives. More than ever we need to be together, learn together and work together. I will do my best to have the best speakers possible to keep us informed and allow a transfer of information that will allow attendees to move forward and create change. We ask that attendees purchase either dinner, a beverage and/or dessert and RSVP so we can give our friends at Green Sage a headcount. Thank you. As always you are invited to give an announcement or ask for signatures on a petition. Please give us a quick email to let us know how much time you need. We have two speakers for February 6th. One is Jake Quinn. He is on the board of directors of Mountain Voices Alliance and the Grove Park-Sunset Mountain Neighborhood Association, and volunteers with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, the Asheville-Buncombe County NAACP, the North Asheville Little League, and WNCW FM 88.7. Jake will discuss our current Asheville, WNC and NC political climate and what we can do to create change in 2017. Our other speaker isDarlene Azarmi, who is an organizer for Democracy NC. Darlene currently lives in Asheville and will discuss the new initiative of Democracy NC. Democracy North Carolina is the state's most respected source of impartial data on the role of money in politics, voter participation and good government. For information and/or to RSVP, contact Cheryl Orengo at 828-258-3327 or ctorengo@gmail.com.

02/07/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT

02/07/17 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURE AT UNCA REUTER CENTER

Come to the Reuter Center for these fascinating lectures and discussions that aim to advance international awareness and foster Western North Carolina's global ties. OLLI members receive a discount on WAC annual membership fee. The World Affairs Council meetings offer a lively line up of topics and compelling presenters.The Great Decision Lecture series is scheduled for the winter and spring terms on Tuesdays at 7:30 PM. All lectures are scheduled in the Reuter Center's Manheimer Room, free to WAC members and students, all others $10 at the door. Today’s lecture will be by Maria Moreno on Latin America.

02/08/17 STEM LECTURE AT UNCA

The STEM series of lectures is an interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Each lecture provides the lecturer with the opportunity to share his/her work, present new ideas for feedback, learn new ideas that participants can use, and introduce students to exciting areas to explore. The lectures are all scheduled in the Reuter Center, room 102A, from 4:30 to 6 PM, and are free and open to the public. The lecture is “Climate Resilience in Asheville, NC - Moving from 'Did you know?' to 'What can we do about it?” by James Fox, NEMAC.

02/09/17 LECTURE ON NATIVE AMERICAN DISPOSSESSION AT UNCA

“The Literary and Legal Genealogy of Native American Dispossession: From the Marshall Trilogy to Standing Rock” is the title of a talk at UNCA. Time is noon to 1 PM. Location is Karpen Hall, Room 139. This work offers a unique interpretation of how literary and public discourses influenced three U.S. Supreme Court Rulings written by Chief Justice John Marshall with respect to Native Americans. These cases, Johnson v. M’Intosh (1823), Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) and Worcester v. Georgia (1832), collectively known as the Marshall Trilogy, have formed the legal basis for the dispossession of indigenous populations throughout the Commonwealth. Exploring the literary genesis of Marshall’s judgments, George Pappas draws on the work of Michel Foucault, Edward Said and Homi Bhabha, to analyze how these formative U.S. Supreme Court rulings blurred the distinction between literature and law.

02/10/17 LECTURE SERIES AT UNCA

“Ditch Your Lawn and Dine on Your Yard” is the title of a lecture by Sheila Dunn. Imagine a lush, fascinating ecosystem, overflowing with fruits, nuts and perennial veggies. Rather than listening to lawnmowers, meander through curvy paths, pausing to admire birds and butterflies and snacking on the bounty – in your own yard! From blueberry hedges to kiwi vine covered decks, to herbs growing between the cracks of stepping stones, learn about the easiest and tastiest varieties of edible ground covers, shrubs, trees and vines. We’ll also showcase some choice edibles for shady areas, including mushrooms. Extensive handouts will be provided, so you can sit back and inspire your creativity while enjoying a colorful and informative show. Inspired by the “eat local” movement, Sheila Dunn has spent 20 years landscaping her rocky, steep Weaverville yard with edibles. Her gardens have been featured in several regional magazines, as well as the Wall Street Journal. Entertaining and irreverent, she’s passionate about taking the Eat Local movement to the next step, yet understands that not all of us want rows of tomatoes in our front yards. A Master Gardener from 2008-2015, she envisions edible yards in communities across the region, where their natural beauty contributes to our overall well-being, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Time is 11:30 AM to 1 PM and location is Reuter Center, room 102.

02/11/17 11TH ANNUAL MORAL MARCH ON RALEIGH

This annual mass mobilization of the HKonJ Coalition brings together justice loving people from across the state and nation to stand against the legislative attacks on the people of North Carolina and to continue to fight for our moral agenda. Join the Asheville-Buncombe NAACP, Mountain People's Assembly, NAACP Branches statewide, and thousands of people from across NC to stand together against the repeal of healthcare and the roll back of civil rights protections! Get on the Bus to the 11th Annual Moral March on Raleigh & HKonJ People's Assembly. The bus departs Saturday, February 11th at 4 AM.. Meet at 50 Martin Luther King Jr Dr (in front of MLK Park). Please plan to arrive by 3.45 AM. We will depart promptly at 4 AM. Bring food & beverages for the trip and your charged cell phone. Park your car on MLK Jr. Dr. To reserve your seat you can: contact info@mvalliance.net or visit The Mountain People's Assembly website at http://mountainmoralmonday.org/to purchase tickets - click the donate link to get your ticket through PayPal. Tickets are $40.00 roundtrip. A limited number of subsidized tickets are available. You can also purchase tickets by check. Make check payable to Mountain Voices Alliance and mail to PO Box 8052 Asheville 28814 - deadline for checks to be received is February 9, 2017. Be sure to list the names of riders and cell phone numbers whether your purchase tickets online or by check. Questions call 828.273.1781

02/11/17 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING

Citizens Climate Lobby meets the second Saturday of each month at Kairos West Community Center, 610 Haywood Road (enter in back) 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.

02/14/17 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 the Center for Art and Spirit at Saint George, address is One School Road in west Asheville. For more information, contact Gerry at gwerhan@gmail.com.

02/14/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT

02/14/17 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURE AT UNCA REUTER CENTER

02/15/17 AUTHOR EVENT AT MALAPROPS

In 1955, a fourteen-year-old African American boy from Chicago named Emmett Till, while visiting relatives in the Mississippi Delta, violated racial taboos in a harmless exchange with a young white storekeeper, Carolyn Bryant. Three nights later, several of her kinsmen and family friends tortured the boy to death and threw his battered body in the river. Part detective story, part political history, “The Blood of Emmett Till” is an explosive reconstruction of the lynching, the trial, and their crucial impact on our history. Award winning author Timothy Tyson uses a range of sources—including the only interview ever given by Carolyn Bryant, along with her unpublished memoir—to tell the definitive story, in which black power and a mother's courage confronted the atrocities inherent in America's enduring racial caste system. Till’s mother’s insistence on an open casket, as well as African American self-assertion in Chicago, spurred nationwide protests that turned this local atrocity into a global symbol of American injustice; it transformed civil rights from a Southern issue into a national movement. Timothy Tyson is Senior Research Scholar at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Visiting Professor of American Christianity and Southern Culture at Duke Divinity School, and adjunct professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina. He is also the author of “Blood Done Sign My Name”, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, winner of the Southern Book Award for Nonfiction and the Grawemeyer Award in Religion, among others; and Radio Free Dixie: Robert F. Williams and the Roots of Black Power, winner of the James Rawley Prize for best book on race and the Frederick Jackson Turner Prize for best first book in U.S. History from the Organization of American Historians. He serves on the executive board of the North Carolina NAACP. Time is 6 PM and location is Malaprops at 55 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. This is a Facebook event.

02/15/17 ‘NEW JIM CROW’ DISCUSSION GROUP

This is the last in a series of discussions of Michelle Alexander's book the "The New Jim Crow." Anyone is welcome to jump in anytime. Led by Eryka Lynn Peskin. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Books & Coffee at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

02/16/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE GENERAL MEETING

Join the Creation Care Alliance of WNC for a general meeting as we inspire one another to good work and discuss our work empowering care for creation. We will connect with one another and explore ways to care for creation. Everyone is welcome. The meeting will be held in the First Baptist Church of Asheville in Room MB306, which is upstairs. Address is 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5:30 to 7 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Hardin-Nieri at scott@creationcarealliance.org.

02/18/17 GREENWORKS CLEAN UP

Pond Road in West Asheville is super trashed due to all of the waste haulers that use this road to access the Transfer Station. The #1 source of roadside litter is generated from improperly secured loads of garbage. Time is 9 AM to noon and meeting spot is Riverbend Malt House at 99 Pond Road in Asheville. Please email volunteer@ashevillegreenworks.org if you're interested in helping out or for more information.

02/21/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT

02/21/17 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURE AT UNCA REUTER CENTER

02/25/17 27th ANNUAL SWANNANOA VALLEY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL 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. The 2017 speaker will be announced soon! Stay tuned. Breakfast is a 9 AM. You can purchase tickets online, or pay by check with a ticket order form. http://svmlk.org/mlk-prayer-breakfast.html. Please note that donations made above the cost of the ticket are tax deductible, however the tickets themselves are not. Location is Camp Dorothy Walls at 495 Fragment Road in Black Mountain, NC.

02/28/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT

02/28/17 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURE AT UNCA REUTER CENTER

03/01/17 STEM LECTURE AT UNCA

The STEM series of lectures is an interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Each lecture provides the lecturer with the opportunity to share his/her work, present new ideas for feedback, learn new ideas that participants can use, and introduce students to exciting areas to explore. The lectures are all scheduled in the Reuter Center, room 102A, from 4:30 to 6 PM, and are free and open to the public. The lecture is “Accelerating Climate Innovation” by James McMahon, The Collider.

03/01/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Sierra Club presents Scott Varn of Preserving a Picturesque America will present a program on how his group has been seeking the locations of the adventure artists of the 1800s and then finding ways to preserve those natural and historic places. Scott Varn, founder of Preserving a Picturesque America (PAPA), will show how his organization is using history, art and adventure to help preserve our country’s beautiful natural treasures. He will also suggest ways that the public can join in the adventure. Varn, who holds a degree in Fine Arts and Media Arts from the University of North Carolina, will show how his group is seeking out the locations of the adventure artists of the 1800s and then finding ways to preserve these natural and historic places. Early artistic representations and tales of natural wonders were key in creating the concept of conservation in 1800s America. PAPA believes that stories and art can be used again as tools for preservation. This event is free and open to the public. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at 1 Edwin Place in north Asheville (Charlotte Street and Edwin Place). For more information, contact Judy Mattox, 828-683-2176, judymattox@sbcglobal.net.

03/04/17 WALK TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLES AND PLACES WE LIVE

Walk to Protect our Peoples and the Places We Live. Join us for the walk to stop the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The walk will last about 2 weeks, and will pass through Northampton, Halifax, Wilson, Nash, Johnston, Sampson, Cumberland and Robeson Counties. (Possibly also: Scotland and Richmond Counties). More info to come. This came from Frack-free NC. For more information, for weekly updates, to register, and to donate to the Walk, please visit our website at 2017acpwalk.org or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2017acpwalk/. You can also call of email Steven Norris, earthsun2@gmail.com All potential participants are encouraged to register early.

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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 during most of the year, but after DST kicks in, they meet at 4:30 PM.

Showing Up for Racial Justice at Firestorm Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 10 AM. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice. Free.

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org.

Green Grannies Book Club meets at noon at Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

“What’s Up With Whiteness” discussion group at 6 PM at Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

Green Drinks meets at 7 PM at The Block Off Biltmore on the third Wednesday of the month.

Sierra Club meets at 7 PM at Unitarian Universalist in Asheville on the first Wednesday of the month.

THURSDAY

Political Prisoners Letter Writing at Firestorm Coffee & Books at 6 PM on fourth Thursday of the month. Materials provided.

Political documentary film and discussion at Firestorm Coffee & Books 6:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month. Sponsored by Asheville Citizens Accountability Project.

Welcome Home Tour by Homeward Bound on the third Thursday of the month at 11 AM. Call 258-1695 for more information.

Asheville Prison Books Program is held at Downtown Books & News from 4 to 7 PM.

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville.

SATURDAY

French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org.

Mountain True holds urban forest workdays on the second Saturday of the month at Richmond Hill Park from 9 AM to 1 PM. Call 258-8737 for more information.

Citizen’s Climate Lobby meeting at 12:30 PM at Kairos West Community Center on second Saturday of the month.

Food Not Bombs serves free vegan/vegetarian food every Saturday at noon at Pritchard Park.

SUNDAY

Asheville National Organization for Women meeting at 2:30 PM at YWCA of Asheville on second Sunday of the month.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS

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N.C. Walk to Protect Our Peoples and the Places We Live: March 4-19, 2017

The North Carolina Alliance to Protect Our Peoples and the Places We Live (APPPL) is organizing a Walk along the 205 mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline route in NC, beginning on Saturday March 4 at the Virginia-North Carolina border in Northhampton County, and ending two weeks later in Pembroke and then in Hamlet.

Indigenous people in North Carolina call the Atlantic Coast Pipeline the DAPL of the southeast. It's a linchpin of Dominion's plans to control energy supplies in Virginia (and to export gas to Asia from Cove Point, Maryland), and of Duke Energy's plans to build 12,000 MW of gas fired electricity in NC. This $5.5 billion project will cross many rivers, tear up mountains and national forests, go under several public water supplies, impact much farmland and miles of wetlands. It will bring toxic, dangerous gas from the fracked sacrifice zones of West Virginia through many cities and towns. and into historically Afro-American and indigenous communities of eastern North Carolina. It will exacerbate global warming which just this year has contributed to one of the worst hurricanes and floods in eastern North Carolina history, and to one of the worst droughts and wildfires ever to ravage the Smokey Mountains in the west (70,000 acres burned). It will enable Duke to increase its monopoly over energy supplies in NC, skyrocketing shareholder profits, further impoverishing North Carolina ratepayers, and lead to even greater Duke control of environmental and energy policy in North Carolina, where fossil fuels are promoted and renewables discouraged. It will endanger water, homes and families, farms, schools and churches close to the pipeline route.

During the Walk, which will pass through several cities as well as through farmland and small communities, we are organizing as many educational activities as possible in schools, churches, community centers, city planning and public official's offices. At the Virginia border on March 4 we will have an orientation and training session, and then a rally, celebration and prayer ceremony to send our Walkers off. This will be led by Afro Americans, indigenous people,. church folks and activists. We plan to participate in a Clean Energy Summit in Fayetteville (Sponsored by Sustainable Sandhills) on March 11. On March 17-19 we will to join the Lumbee in Robeson County in their traditional celebration of the Spring Equinox.

How to contribute: There are various ways people can participate in and contribute to the Walk. We hope to recruit about 50 through-walkers, who will walk the entire route. Others may walk for an hour, a day, a weekend, or through their own county or town. A few participants may choose to ride a bicycle (bike riders also can help hold the Walk together when it spreads out). We also need a bus driver, and others to drive cars to shuttle short-term walkers back to their vehicles. We are identifying places to spend the nights along the way. Healthy inexpensive meals will be provided Seeds of Peace, a great group of activist cooks with a mobile kitchen

We'll raise money for this in various ways. We want participants to raise money from their friends, families, neighbors and others to support the Walk. We suggest that donors give 50 cents a mile walked. No one will be turned away however for inability to raise money.

Much other support is needed. We're looking for cultural workers and musicians; banner makers; street medics; people with counseling skills; vans and a bus; a truck that can carry a portajohn, water tank and photovoltaic array (to charge cell phones at night). Social media gurus will be essential. Photographers, videographers, storytellers too.

For more information, for weekly updates, to register, and to donate to the Walk, please visit our website at 2017acpwalk.org or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2017acpwalk/.You can also call of email Steven Norris, earthsun2@gmail.com All potential participants are encouraged to register early.

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Hood Tour Tickets

An interactive tour focusing on Asheville’s African American resilient history and future in the arts, environmentalism and entrepreneurship. The tour visits neighborhoods with existing and active green spaces, art, and grassroots initiatives. Tours run most Thursdays at 1 PM and Saturdays at 3 PM, and by appointment for groups by emailing info@hoodhuggers.com. Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. Cost is $25 per person. Tours begin at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Avenue.

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 is the founder/CEO of Hood Huggers. A sculptor and poet, Barton has been involved in community improvement and youth development for over 20 years. He serves on the African American Heritage Commission, CoThinkk, and the City of Asheville Neighborhood Advisory Board.

Please call (828) 275-5305 or email blove@hoodhuggers.com for more information including how to register for these tours.

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03/17/17 & 03/18/17 RACIAL EQUITY WORKSHOP

Racial Equity Workshop Asheville, NC

Phase I: Foundational Training in Historical and Institutional Racism

When? March 17th-18th, 2017 (8:30 AM - 5:15 PM each day)

Attendance required for entire workshop.

Where? Location - To Be Determined (Asheville, NC)

Why? To educate individuals, communities, and institutions. To provide a historical analysis of race and racism in the United States. To develop common definitions and language for communities to continue to engage in anti-racism and racial equity work.

What? The Racial Equity Phase I Workshop moves beyond individual bias and bigotry by presenting a cultural, historical, and structural analysis of racism. This workshop helps participants become clear on how race and racism have been constructed in the US and how ideas about racism live in our unconscious minds and social structures even 50 years after the successes of the Civil Rights movement.

Who? This workshop is appropriate for people who want to increase their understanding of how to eliminate racism in our systems and institutions. The trainers are active anti-racism and social justice advocates and educators with years of experience and varying backgrounds.

Community members, institutional players, educators, ecumenical leaders, business owners, non-profits, and all interested individuals are encouraged to attend and/or reach out to learn more about the workshop.

Cost? Cost of training is $200 per participant (includes meals and materials for both days). A limited number of sliding scale scholarships are available based on need and ability to pay.

How to register - Fill out the registration form and turn in to Isabel Carson or Katie Latino. Follow payment instructions on the registration form. Payment and registration is due by FEBRUARY 17, 2017. Contact individuals below for registration forms and with any questions.

Isabel Carson–– carson.isabel@gmail.com

Bettie Council – lionessdear@yahoo.com

Katie Latino – katie.latino@ywcaofasheville.org

OTHER WORKSHOP DATES IN 2017: May 19-20; September 29-30; November 15-16

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2017 Peace Essay Contest

The West Suburban (Chicago) Faith-Based Peace Coalition is sponsoring a Peace Essay Contest with a $1,000.00 award to the winner, $300 for the runner-up, and $100 for third place. Essays have to be directed to a person who can help promote knowledge of the Kellogg-Briand Pact (KBP) and, from whom a response is expected. Essays will be judged not only on the quality of the essay but on the impact of the response. Everyone is eligible to participate; there are no restrictions regarding age or country of residence. Participants are required to take the following 3 steps:

1. To enter the contest send a Peace Essay

Request email to coordinator Frank Goetz at frankgoetz@comcast.net. Provide your Name, Mailing Address, Email Address, Phone Number, and, if under 19, Age. Also, provide the Name and Position of the person or persons to whom the Essay will be directed. Your application acceptance as a contest participant will be acknowledged in an email containing your assigned 4-digit Essay Number. [If information is missing or confusing you will be contacted by email or phone.]

2. In 800 words or less write your essay on: How Can We Obey the Law Against War? As soon as possible but at least by April 15, 2017 send the essay to the person named in your application and a copy to frankgoetz@comcast.net with your Essay Number in the Subject line.

3. By May 15, 2017 send Essay Response documentation to frankgoetz@comcast.net with your Essay Number in the Subject line.

Some examples of impact:

The President agrees to explain the limitations placed on the government by KBP.

A member of Congress supports a resolution to make August 27 a Day of Reflection.

The ACT or SAT administration agrees to include questions regarding KBP.

A newspaper includes a KBP story.

A school board revises its curriculum to expand KBP studies.

A religious leader calls for nonviolent actions.

We will announce the winners at a festive event honoring the 89th Anniversary of the Kellogg-Briand Pact on August 27, 2017.

Help support DavidSwanson.org, WarIsACrime.org, and TalkNationRadio.org by clicking here: http://davidswanson.org/donate.

If you were forwarded this email please sign up at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/activism-alerts-from-david-swanson.

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Creative Peacemakers After School Program (K-3)

The Creative Peacemakers after school program for at risk children in West Asheville provides a safe and nourishing environment, healthy snacks, and creative activities. Our mission is to bring peace to our communities by helping our children practice peacemaking through cooperative play and creative expression. Our program currently meets during the school year on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 3:30-5:30pm. We particularly need volunteers to serve as mentors and activity leaders (twice a week or once a month). Please contact Noel Schwartz, creativepeacemakers@gmail.com or 901-274-3106. www.creativepeacemakers.com or Facebook: Creative Peacemakers

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dancewater

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Upcoming events for the week of January 29, 2017

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