UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER
01/23/17 DOCUMENTARY SCREENING OF ‘DEMOCRACY FOR SALE’
North Carolina — perhaps more than any other state in the Union — has been transformed by the new and growing tidal wave of political spending. America Divided travels with Zach Galifianakis, the comic star of the Hangover movies, back to his home state to investigate how North Carolina has become a bellwether for how the money of a few has come to dominate our democracy. Galifianakis investigates allegations that the current state government was put in power by moneyed interests and has thus carried out a program that only benefits its backers: cuts to education, healthcare spending and environmental protection; lowering of taxes for the wealthy and corporations; and the passage of laws designed to roll back access to the ballot. Join us for a free screening of this important film. This film investigates why NC has had so many cuts to education, healthcare and environmental protections. Free. Time is 7 PM and location is the A K Hinds University Center at WCU in Cullowhee. Contact Amy at amy@appvoices.org for more information.
01/23/17 GATHERING FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
North Carolina Day of Action for Climate Justice Event. Folks in Asheville will be holding a “Gathering for Climate Justice: Cultivating Resiliency” The event will be at the The Block off Biltmore at 39 S. Market Street in Asheville. Starts at 6 PM. There will be discussion, music, poetry, art and much more. Climate justice is a community organizing framework that bridges both the physical reality of our planet's irreversibly changing climate and the issues that the planet's most vulnerable and marginalized populations face, with a commitment to restore justice to these populations first. Following a weekend witnessing the United States be triumphed by powerful people that do not further environmental or social justice, let us gather to restore hope and work on the transformation that lies ahead. For more info contact Eliza at elizabethmlaubach@gmail.com.
01/23/17 BUILDING BRIDGES
This winter 2017 session of Building Bridges will take place on Monday nights beginning January 23rd at MAHEC’s campus at 121 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. This series is offered to people on the waiting list from previous session. To add your name to the waiting list, go to their website. Contact info@buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org for more information.
01/24/17 ASHEVILLE STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE MASS MEETING
This will be an open meeting where we will be introducing working groups and planning for the coming year. SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. In recent years, the leadership of and action by the Movement for Black Lives, Latinx communities, Indigenous communities, and other movement groups led by people of color have politicized millions of people around race. Many of those who are white have found Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) as a home from which to act. As a result, there has been much interest and energy around Asheville’s local chapter of Showing up for Racial Justice (ASURJ). Time is 6 to 9 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in north Asheville. This is a Facebook event.
01/24/17 OCCUPY WNC GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Occupy WNC General Assembly will be held at 7 PM at The Sneak E Squirrel Community Room at 1315 W Main Street in Sylva. For more information, contact Lucy at (828)743-9747 or lucy.christopher42@gmail.com.
01/24/17 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.
01/24/17 LUNCH AND LEARN WITH NAACP CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Ian Mance, Criminal Justice Attorney, Southern Coalition for Social Justice Durham, NC will disseminate Asheville Traffic Stop Data compiled by the N.C. Dept. of Justice, on January 24 from 12 Noon to 2:30 PM at the Edington Center, 133 Livingston Street in Asheville. To register call (828) 275-6217. For questions and NAACP membership information, call (828) 255-4453, or send an email to 4ward2getherCall2Action@gmail.com.
01/25/17 DOCUMENTARY SCREENING OF ‘DEMOCRACY FOR SALE’
North Carolina — perhaps more than any other state in the Union — has been transformed by the new and growing tidal wave of political spending. America Divided travels with Zach Galifianakis, the comic star of the Hangover movies, back to his home state to investigate how North Carolina has become a bellwether for how the money of a few has come to dominate our democracy. Galifianakis investigates allegations that the current state government was put in power by moneyed interests and has thus carried out a program that only benefits its backers: cuts to education, healthcare spending and environmental protection; lowering of taxes for the wealthy and corporations; and the passage of laws designed to roll back access to the ballot. Join us for a free screening of this important film. This film investigates why NC has had so many cuts to education, healthcare and environmental protections. Free. Time is 7 PM and location is the Grail Moviehouse at 45 South French Broad Avenue in downtown Asheville. Call 828-239-9392 or email grailmoviehouse@gmail.com for more information. Questions? Please contact me at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org.
01/25/17 CITIZENS LOBBYING WORKSHOP IN ASHEVILLE
The Canary Coalition will conduct this valuable workshop, useful for any grassroots advocates interested in introducing and/or promoting legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly. Learn about legislative procedures, the importance and functionality of committees, the role of legislative leadership, the significance of deadlines. Learn the best methods of approach to legislators and how to build support to help influence their decisions. This workshop will use two bills being proposed in this legislative session (2017) as examples of how to approach legislators: (1)The Efficient and Affordable Energy Rates Bill (will create a progressive utility rate structure and an Energy Efficient Bank in North Carolina) and (2) The We The People Act (will create a ballot measure allowing voters to tell Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment declaring that money is not speech and corporations are not people). This workshop is FREE to the public (a service of The Canary Coalition, a 501c3 non-profit, grassroots organization). Time is 1 to 3 PM and location is 56 Ravenscroft Drive in Asheville. Please RSVP to info@canarycoalition.org or call 828-631-3447.
01/26/17 DOCUMENTARY SCREENING OF ‘DEMOCRACY FOR SALE’
North Carolina — perhaps more than any other state in the Union — has been transformed by the new and growing tidal wave of political spending. America Divided travels with Zach Galifianakis, the comic star of the Hangover movies, back to his home state to investigate how North Carolina has become a bellwether for how the money of a few has come to dominate our democracy. Galifianakis investigates allegations that the current state government was put in power by moneyed interests and has thus carried out a program that only benefits its backers: cuts to education, healthcare spending and environmental protection; lowering of taxes for the wealthy and corporations; and the passage of laws designed to roll back access to the ballot. Join us for a free screening of this important film. This film investigates why NC has had so many cuts to education, healthcare and environmental protections. Join Buncombe County NAACP, Clean Water for North Carolina, Democracy NC, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Southern Environmental Law Center, and Working Films for a free screening of "Democracy for Sale" to learn more about how money in politics is influencing North Carolina and what you can do to help stop it. No tickets, first come, first served. Time is 7 PM and location is Ferguson Auditorium at AB Tech at 340 Victoria Road in Asheville. Questions? Please contact me at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org.
01/26/17 FILM SHOWING AND DISCUSSION IN BLACK MOUNTAIN
The Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Swannanoa Valley is sponsoring a film showing and discussion of “Equal Means Equal” in anticipation of the ERA being introduced in the NC Legislature this session. “Equal Means Equal” offers an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today. Examining both real-life stories and precedent-setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez uncovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace harassment to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to the foster care system, and the healthcare conglomerate to the judicial system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Roberta Madden will lead the discussion. Time is 7 PM and location is 500 Montreat Road in Black Mountain, NC. For more information, please call 581-0564.
01/26/17 FORUM ON THE WELFARE OF WNC’S CHILDREN
Join us for a free and public conversation about the welfare of Western North Carolina’s children during the next Carolina Public Press Newsmakers forum, which will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26, from 8:30-10:30 AM at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. This will be your chance to hear from and talk with some of the state and region’s leading experts who both serve children and analyze their needs — from the courts to health care to public policy development — as we explore what issues are most impacting the well-being of children across Western North Carolina. Panelists will be Jennifer Nehlsen, the district administrator at Guardian ad Litem for the 28th District, Glenda Weinert, chair of the N.C. Child Care Commission, Dr. Susan Mims, vice president for Children’s Services at Mission Hospital and executive medical director for Mission Children’s Hospital, and Natasha Adwaters, director of community supports at Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County. Journalists with Carolina Public Press will moderate the event, which includes networking, a panel discussion and audience Q&A. The event is sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Seating is limited and RSVPs are required. Carolina Public Press will live-stream the forum for those who are unable to attend in person, so RSVP for details on how to connect remotely. For more information, please call Carolina Public Press at 828-774-5290 or email us at tgeorge@carolinapublicpress.org.
01/27/17 JUST PEACE FOR ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING
This meeting will be at 3:15 PM at Brooks-Howell Home on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. Meet in the media room. Contact Suchi at suchi1025@bellsouth.net for more information.
01/27/17 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
A weekly group focused on Standing Up For Racial Justice core values for people beginning to wake up to the impact of white supremacy on our culture and seeking a safe place to begin to talk about it. Time is 10 AM and location is 23 Edwin Place, next to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.
01/28/17 MOUNTAINTRUE - SAVE OUR ASHES
Save Our Ashes - Preserve Our Ash Tree Populations for Future Generations. The Emerald Ash Borer is spreading rapidly across our region, destroying ash trees in their wake! To meet the challenge, MountainTrue is launching a “Save Our Ashes” program, and is currently training teams of volunteers to survey and collect data that will help prioritize the preservation of ecologically and culturally significant sites for ash in our area. If you're interested in participating in this valuable survey and helping us with a very important project, be sure you attend the date you sign up for to be properly trained! There you will be taught about the project, how to identify ash trees, and how to use a GPS unit. Trainees will then have the opportunity to survey some of the greatest trails in the region with a team. This day will cover the Bertram Trail in the Nantahala Gorge. Time is 11 AM to 4 PM. Please email forestkeeper@mountaintrue.org with any questions and to register.
01/28/17 COTHINKK ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE EVENT
CoThinkk is proud to announce its Annual Membership Drive Kickoff Event to our friends and neighbors! Please join us for a meet and greet to continue to introduce CoThinkk, a giving circle dedicated to collectively investing time, talent, and treasure to address some of the most critical social and community issues affecting African-American and Latinx communities in Asheville and Western North Carolina. This event marks an important milestone as we gear up for the new year and provides a unique opportunity to hear more about CoThinkk, what’s ahead for our collective work, learn more about how to become a member, and meet CoThinkk members that have been involved over the past two years! Please RSVP by January 19th and please like us on FB (CoThinkk) and Twitter@mscothinkk. Thank You,Tracey Greene-Washington & The CoThinkk Team. Time is 3 to 5 PM and location is The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design at 67 Broadway in downtown Asheville. Go to this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cothinkk-annual-membership-drive-kickoff-event-tickets-30522375246?aff=efbnreg
01/28/17 SANCTUARY MEETING
“Sanctuary: a Partnership Between Immigrant Communities and Faith Communities” English/Spanish translation provided. Childcare provided. Join us for discussion of sanctuary’s: role in the larger immigrant rights movement, its history and its objectives and goals. Help us explore crucial questions: Who is seeking sanctuary? Who leads sanctuary? How do faith communities declare sanctuary? What are the logistics of sanctuary? What are the legal risks of sanctuary and who is taking them? Co-conveners: BeLoved Asheville, CIMA- Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción, Circle of Mercy Congregation, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ, Nuestro Centro, Saint Eugene Catholic Church and The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. Time is 2 to 4 PM and location is Grace Episcopal Church at 871 Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville. For more information and to RSVP call or email Bill Ramsey at 828-319-7652 or billramsey3@gmail.com.
01/28/17 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. Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 Faith Transit Weekend (check with us for a listing of places of worship and service times). Events scheduled at local faith communities including Adult Education, prayers during worship, & tabling after service of worship. To get your faith community involved, contact Just Economics.
Monday, Jan. 30, 6-7 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, 4-5 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 p.m. 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.
01/29/17 COMEDY FOR A CAUSE
A Benefit for Read To Succeed Asheville. Join Read To Succeed Asheville (R2S) on January 29th at 2 PM for an afternoon of laughs and entertainment with local stand-up comic, Randy Robins. Randy is a native New Yorker who teaches comedy writing and performing classes, as well as film classes that feature some of the comedians that have influenced him (including Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Woody Allen and Billy Crystal). Randy regularly performs for companies, schools and camps throughout Western North Carolina and New York and is donating his time and talents to Read To Succeed. This event will be held at the Reuter Center (OLLI) on the UNCA Campus in room 102. Read To Succeed is a local non-profit committed to tackling the serious issue of Asheville’s Achievement Gap. R2S provides trained volunteer tutors to at-risk children in our public elementary schools who struggle to read. Read To Succeed’s proven results offers these students hope for a productive future through one-on-one intervention and phonics- and multisensory-based instruction. Admission is free, but donations at the door are welcome and encouraged.
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.
01/31/17 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.
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.
02/04/17 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.
02/05/17 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.
02/06/17 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.
02/08/17 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.
02/11/17 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.
02/15/17 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.
02/25/17 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.
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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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