dancewater: Upcoming events for the week of May 14, 2017

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER

05/15/17 STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE WEEK

City of Asheville reduced the cost of a bus ride to a quarter for this event. More information on events on the city's website and Facebook page.

05/15/17 DEMOCRACY ASHEVILLE COALITION MEETING

What is the Democracy Asheville Coalition? Our local coalition brings together organizational representatives and individuals who agree to work together to change and use the political system so it equips people to take action, promotes grassroots leadership, and serves “the good of the whole.” We want an elections process that is accessible, fair, and secure. And we want a government “of, by, and for the people,” that fosters equity, solidarity, and justice. Please join us for the next Democracy Asheville meeting at the Wesley Grant Center (285 Livingston Street in Asheville) on May 15, at 6 PM. Join us for our regular monthly coalition meeting for updates on events, trainings, campaigns, reports, legislation, and anything else you need to know. Please RSVP below to let us know you're coming. Contact Darlene Azarmi at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org with questions.

05/16/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

05/16/17 TEACHING KIDS ABOUT RACISM AND RACIAL JUSTICE

“What is Racism? Structure, Intersectionality & Experience” is part one of a four part series on teaching kids about racism and racial justice. This series is designed to start with basic concepts to deepen your understanding of racism in our culture then move into more complex needs and scenarios for helping children to learn in classrooms and at home. These sessions will help you feel more empowered as parents and educators to be in discussion and supportive with kids developing a healthy understanding of racial diversity and how to work toward racial justice. Each event will include both a presentation of ideas and a workshop to engage those ideas. Events are run by Justina Prenatt, LPCA of Clover Heart Concepts, and Megan McCarter Martell, Executive Director of Programs at Odyssey. April 4 is “What is Racism? Structure, Intersectionality & Experience.” April 18 is “How do we talk about Race? Communication, Presence & Developmental Awareness.” May 2 is “What can teachers and parents do? Representation, Discussion, & Justice.” May 16 is “What's your Culture? Diversity, Similarities & Celebration.” Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is Odyssey Community School at 90 Zillicoa Street in Asheville. This is a Facebook event. Attendance at all four events is encouraged but is not required. The cost of the events and the childcare are free. Donations for the childcare are welcomed. For more information, including instructions on how to register for the event and for childcare, contact learn@odysseycommunity.org or 828-259-3653.

05/16/17 STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE EVENT

ART transit rider appreciation day with breakfast snacks. Free to attend. Held at ART Transfer Station at 49 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville. Strive Not To Drive is from May 12 to May 19, with many events. Go to strivenottodrive.org for more information.

05/16/17 STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE EVENT

“Walk the Talk on Coxe Avenue” at 4:30 PM. Join elected officials, transportation planners and community leaders to walk and discuss the development of Coxe Avenue. Free. Meet at ART Transfer Station at 49 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville. Go to strivenottodrive.org for more information.

05/16/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT DO!SCUSSION

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.

05/16/17 LUNCH AND LEARN AT PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

We are hosting our first of our community event series as a Lunch'n Learn about Pisgah Legal Services and child poverty in WNC. This is presented by Buncombe County League of Women Voters. Learn how Pisgah Legal Services works to alleviate and prevent child poverty. Lunch will be catered. Time is 11:30 to 1 PM and location is 62 Charlotte Street in Asheville. RSVP to brent@pisgahlegal.org or call 828-210-3405.

05/16/17 MEETING ON THE SANCTUARY MOVEMENT

The Land of the Sky United Church of Christ will be holding a meeting on the Sanctuary Movement on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30 in its Fellowship Hall at 15 Overbrook Place in east Asheville. Contact Land of the Sky UCC at office@landoftheskychurch.org or call (828) 575-9050.

05/16/17 BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES

Join the Asheville Board of Realtors, Roger McGuire Fund, Urban3 and the Asheville Downtown Association will host a free presentation and discussion with Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns. Chuck founded Strong Towns with a mission to support a model of development that allows America's cities, towns and neighborhoods to grow financially strong and resilient. He’s the author of “Thoughts on Building Strong Towns” and “A World Class Transportation System,” as well as the host of the “Strong Towns Podcast.” Join us for a presentation and discussion about the financial health of our places. For decades we have avoided a difficult truth: Our pattern of development—the very way we build our towns and neighborhoods—costs more to maintain than it generates in return. Our cities and states now face a financial crisis of tremendous proportions. We can cut spending and we can raise taxes, but we will not be on a path to sustained prosperity unless we are willing to reform our approach to growth. Chuck will answer questions like why are cities so short of resources despite decades of growth and why do we struggle at the local level to maintain basic infrastructure and what do we do now that the economy has changed so dramatically? The answers lie in the way we have developed; the financial productivity of our places. This presentation is a game-changer for communities looking to grow more resilient and obtain true prosperity during changing times. Time is 6:30 to 8 PM and location is The Collider at 1 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Free. This is sponsored by the Asheville Downtown Association, and registration by Eventbrite is required. Contact the Asheville Downtown Association for more information. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-stronger-communities-with-chuck-marohn-tickets-34252074878

05/17/17 MAY SOCIALIST WORKER DISCUSSION

Join the Asheville socialists (ISO) at Greenlife grocery cafe for casual discussion of articles from May's print issue of Socialist Worker. Bring $1 for a paper, all the articles are available free online. Articles are: The Russian revolution confronts the question of land ownership and the rights of nations to self-determination, Fighting the far right in the streets of Berkeley, and Killer cop assaults again. Time is 6:30 to 8 PM. This is a Facebook event, but you can email asheville.socialist@gmail.com for more information.

05/17/17 GREEN DRINKS

This is a Sustainability and Social Justice Meet-up. Come early for community connections and green drink specials. This happens on the third Wednesday of each month. Socializing from 5:30 – 6PM and presentation from 6 – 7PM. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street at Asheville. Call 828-254-9277 for more information. [Mountain Express says they are meeting at Lenoir Rhyne Center for Graduate Studies at 36 Montford Avenue in downtown Asheville.]

05/17/17 GREEN GRANNIES BOOK CLUB

Founded in 2012, the Green Grannies are a group of women who are willing to make a ruckus about the need for action on climate change. This is their reading group and in February they are reading Dr. Barber's The Third Reconstruction. Time is noon and location is Firestorm Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

05/17/17 ELDERS FIERCE FOR JUSTICE FORUM

This will be from noon to 1:30 PM. No lunch provided. Bag lunch encouraged. Location is Edington Center at 133 Livingston Street in Asheville. The forum presenter will be Gene Bell, speaking on Asheville racial justice challenges. Contact eldersffj@gmail.com for more information.

05/18/17 FILM FESTIVAL ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Stories of Struggle, Conscience and Spirit: A Film Festival on Israel/Palestine. There will be a total of six evenings of films and discussions between March 2 and May 18, 2017. PAJET (Palestinian and Jewish Egalitarian Team) and JPIP (Just Peace for Israel/Palestine) are collaborating on this film series because of the importance of bringing these little-known narratives to Asheville. Both groups are committed to human rights for all people, focusing on the struggle for a just, and therefore sustainable, peace in Israel and Palestine. Our participants live in the questions surrounding that commitment. JPIP takes specific stands on issues related to Israeli and U.S. policies enabling the Occupation. PAJET formed as a dialogue group between Jewish and Palestinian residents of Asheville, and explores how to advocate together for peace and justice. Both groups invite the public to view these films and join the dialogue. The film festival is free, donations are welcome. “The Occupation of the American Mind” is the title of tonight’s film. Directors Loretta Alper and Jeremy Earp’s documentary examines how public relations efforts in the U.S. have shaped media coverage and public attitudes about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This film examines how public relations efforts shape U.S. media coverage and perception about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The movie is especially powerful and relevant because of the recent cascade of “false news” and manipulation currently affecting our mass media. Discussion after the film will open with panelists commenting briefly from their different perspectives and then be followed by observations and questions from the audience. A co-sponsor is UNC Asheville Political Science Department. Time is 7 PM and location is Reuter Center, Room 102, at UNCA.

05/18/17 MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA

General meeting at 4 PM at Catawba Brewing South Slope, suite 105, at 32 Banks Avenue in Asheville. Free to attend.

05/19/17 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings held on the third Friday of each month. Bring a brown bag lunch around noon. This will be held at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Room E205, at 20 Oak Street (just off College St. in downtown Asheville). Time is noon to 2 PM. Meeting starts at 12:30. Parking is available behind the church. Enter the church or ring doorbell at the glass doors on Oak Street. For more information contact Dr. Terry Clark, Chair, 633-0892 or Dr. Lew Patrie, 299-1242.

05/19/17 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP AT UNITARIAN CONGREGATION

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.

05/20/17 TRANSFORMATION HAS BEGUN

The transformation has begun. Maitreya, the world teacher, is in the world. Rise of people power. Economic, social, environmental justice. Signs/miracles. Free presentation. Time is 2 PM and location is Asheville Friends Meeting House at 227 Edgewood Road in Asheville. Call 398-0609 for more information.

05/20/17 FRENCH BROAD RIVER CLEANUP

On water in canoes provided by Greenworks, and on land, if enough sign ups. Party and free beer after at Highland Brewing. Contact Mark Threlkeld at focusmdt@gmail.com to RSVP and for more information. Time is 10 AM.

05/20/17 DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE

This is from 7:30 to 9:30 PM and held at 1 School Road in west Asheville. No experience necessary, and admission by donation. Call 258-0211 for more information. This is held on the third Saturday of the month.

05/21/17 ABOUT ASHEVILLE’S GOVERNMENT PART TWO

Local government is incredibly important, shaping everything from housing to equity to safety. Asheville’s government is no exception and in a changing time like this, it's more key than ever. But it's often hard for locals to know where to start or understand how to get involved in “Avlgov.” The Blade, our city's reader-backed news source, has you covered. By popular request, we're providing a presentation (and Q & A) titled ‘About Asheville's Government’ on this very topic, at 2 PM on Saturday, May 13 at the Block off Biltmore (South Market Street in downtown Asheville) and at 2 PM on Sunday, May 21 at Firestorm Books (610 Haywood Avenue in west Asheville). In this handy session editor David Forbes, who's covered City Hall for over a decade, will present a rundown of how local government works, what some major current issues are, answer questions and lay out some of the most effective ways for locals to get involved. These events are free and open to the public, though donations to support the Blade's work are always welcome. This information came from The Blade website.

05/21/17 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM ON POLICING

Policing continues to be a crisis for many people in Asheville. As community members, we are deeply concerned about how our neighborhoods are being policed. This evening will bring together current and potential Asheville City Council members, whom of which will be answering questions drafted by community members in reference to policing and community related issues. There will also be time for live Q&A. Time is 5 to 7 PM and location is Arthur Edington Education and Career Center at 133 Livingston Street in Asheville. Interpretation and childcare are available. RSVP at 828-242-826.

05/21/17 ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY PRESENTATION

Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville will present a discussion of issues from Pisgah Legal Services. This will be presented from 2-3:30 PM at Asheville Friends Meeting House at 227 Edgewood Road. All are welcome to attend. Call (828) 687-7759 or email EHSAsheville@gmail.com for more information.

05/22/17 DIPLOMACY & MEDIA IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Colton, Diplomat-in-Residence at Lenoir-Rhyne University-Asheville, will present four lectures focused on Diplomacy, Politics and News. Dr. Colton is an Emmy-award winning journalist who has worked for ABC News, NBC News, Newsweek, and NPR. The Asheville native also had a distinguished career as a U.S. Foreign Service diplomat in seven Middle Eastern countries. The Monday night series includes: May 22 - Global Diplomacy and Asheville in the world. All lectures will take place at Lenoir-Rhyne’s Asheville Center, which is located at 36 Montford Avenue in downtown Asheville. Doors will open each night at 5 PM, and lectures will begin at 5:30 PM. RSVP is required, so please call 828-407-4263.

05/23/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

05/23/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT DO!SCUSSION

05/23/17 FIGHT FOR SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE

Come hear one of the most prominent Universal Healthcare advocates of our generation, Dr. Margaret Flowers, and local area speakers discuss the necessity for building a movement for Universal Single-Payer Healthcare now, and why it cannot wait. Dr. Margaret Flowers is one of the most prominent Universal Healthcare advocates of our generation, as well as a long-time social & economic justice and anti-war activist. Let's discuss the necessity for building a national movement for Universal Single-Payer Healthcare Now, and why it cannot wait. Most of the stops will be sponsored by the PNHP affiliates Healthcare for All and Healthcare Justice. This is sponsored by the NC Green Party. Contact Tony Ndege at cochair@ncgreenparty.org for more information, including how to register. Location is the Pack Memorial Library at 67 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 6 PM, with program starting at 6:30 PM.

05/24/17 AUTHOR EVENT IN ASHEVILLE

The Mediation Center will be presenting Chuck Collins, author of “On Coming Home: A Pathway to Reducing Inequalities.” Chuck Collins, a storyteller, researcher, agitator and campaigner who grew up in the wealthiest 1 percent, has spent the last 30 years working on issues of racial and economic justice and shifting the stuck national debate about wealth inequality, racial wealth divisions, and taxation. His newest book is “Born on Third Base: A One Percenter Makes the Case for Tackling Inequality, Bringing Wealth Home, and Committing to the Common Good.” The PBS Newshour called this book “one of the five new books that makes you think about what it means to be human.” Join the conversation about finding common ground to create stronger communities for everyone. Location is Asheville Masonic Temple at 80 Broadway Street in Asheville. Tickets are $12, event only/$42, with pre-event reception. Time is 5:30 PM for reception with Mr. Collins, and 6:30 - 8 PM for the talk by Chuck Collins. Contact Laura Jeffords at laurahj@mediatewnc.org with questions or for sponsorship opportunities.

05/25/17 PISGAH LEGAL AMBASSADOR TRAINING

Please join us for Ambassador Training. Ambassador training provides board members, volunteers, and supporters with an overview of key information about Pisgah Legal Services' programs, plans, and fundraising. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more to get an "insider's" snapshot of PLS. It is also an opportunity to share your insights on how we communicate our messages in the community. Time is noon, and location is Pisgah Legal Services at 62A Charlotte Street in Asheville. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Brent McKnight at brent@pisgahlegal.org or 828-210-3405 if you plan to attend.

05/25/17 ENKA CANDLER COMMUNITY FORUM

Thursday May 25, 6-8 PM. Enka-Candler Community Forum with the Commissioners at Bent Creek Community Park (food truck at 5:30pm) This information came from Citizens Climate Lobby - Asheville Chapter. Contact them at asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org for more information.

05/26/17 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP AT UNITARIAN CONGREGATION

05/27/17 CONCERT BENEFIT FOR MLK YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

“One Moment in Time” concert benefits MLK Youth Scholarship Fund. Acclaimed Asheville singer Darryl Rhymes will bring his flawless voice and real passion to this gala benefit concert for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association’s Youth Scholarship Fund. This benefit concert will be held Saturday, May 27, 6-8 PM at the Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Drive, Asheville. Cost is only $20/ticket (all proceeds go to MLK Scholarship Fund); to order, contact DarrylRhymesSingsForYou@gmail.com. All proceeds from this concert will go to the MLK Scholarship Fund. If you cannot attend but would like to support the scholarship fund, your generosity will be greatly appreciated. To order tickets or for information about donating, email DarrylRhymesSingsForYou@gmail.com. After placing your order, you will be contacted by email or phone to pick up your tickets during the first week of May. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

05/28/17 SILENT VIGIL FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN HENDERSONVILLE

This will be at the Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Hendersonville (between 1st and 2nd Streets) from 5 to 6 PM. There will be signs available for people to hold, or you can bring your own. This is a coalition of churches and nonprofits. This came from the Progressive Organized Women of Henderson County. Happens monthly. Contact POWHvilleNC@gmail.com for more information.

05/28/17 WNC SOLIDARITY CONCERT SERIES

The final Sunday of each month in 2017, two groups of WNC-based musicians and their ensembles will each perform a benefit concert to raise funding for WNC nonprofits. The music performed each week will fluctuate between jazz, rhythm & blues, soul, jazz funk, jazz fusion, and swing. Each event will host two groups, playing, consecutively between 3 and 5 PM with a brief intermission. All of proceeds go to the nonprofit organization. The nonprofit for today is Cherokee Seed Corn. Act I is Bill Berg Trio and Act II is the Daniel Barber Quartet. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at Eagle and South Market Streets in downtown Asheville. Suggested donation is $10, and are available the day of the event. Please call The Block Off Biltmore for more information.

05/29/17 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY BY VETERANS FOR PEACE

This ceremony will start at 11 AM at the Pack Square War Memorial. There will be music, poetry, prayer and readings from Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence’ speech. The Veterans for Peace will also lay a memorial wreath. Free and open to the public.

06/01/17 SEEKING TRUTH & TRANSPARENCY: NORTH CAROLINA’S ROLE IN US TORTURE

Mr. Frank Goldsmith and Ms. Christina Cowger will speak June 1st in Asheville on the recently formed NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture (NCCIT) and on North Carolina’s history in extraordinary rendition and torture by the US government. Mr. Goldsmith is Co-Chair of the Commission, and an area civil rights attorney who has represented Guantanamo prisoners. He will speak on the founding, purpose, and significance of the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture. Ms. Cowger, active in anti-torture efforts since 2005 through NC Stop Torture Now, will speak on North Carolina’s connection to torture and how communities can support the NCCIT’s inquiry. This event will be held at the Land of the Sky UCC at 15 Overbrook Place in Asheville. This will be from 6 to 8 PM on June 1, 2017. Childcare will be available. The public is invited, and donations will be accepted. Donations should be directed to NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture. For more information, please contact Susan at dancewater2@gmail.com.

05/30/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

05/30/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT DO!SCUSSION

06/06/17 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB

Join host Bruce Roth for a lively discussion on topics of current interest including war and peace, the economy, the environment, and other hot political topics. They are reading “Demand the Impossible! A Radical Manifesto” by Bill Ayers. Time is 7 PM. Contact Malaprops for more information.

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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 standard time kicks in, they meet at 4:30 PM.

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

Rally at historic Courthouse in Hendersonville at 5 PM on the first Tuesday of the month. Organized by the Progressive Organized Women.

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.

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.

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.

Standing Up For Racial Justice event is held at 10 AM at 23 Edwin Street, next to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice.

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.

Dances of Universal Peace on the third Saturdays at 7:30 at 1 School Road in Asheville.

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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Dear friend,

A free and open internet is vital for our democracy and for our daily lives. But the Federal Communications Commission is considering a proposal that threatens net neutrality – and the internet as we know it.

This plan opens the way to pay-to-play “fast lanes” for those who can afford it – and slower connections for everyone else’s websites. This could give mega-corporations control over the information we consume every day.

I’m acting to keep the internet free, open, and democratic for all. Will you join me?

Go to this link: https://action.aclu.org/secure/keep-internet-free?redirect=netneutralityTAF&ms=web_170513_privacyandtechnology_netneutrality_taf

Thanks.

dancewater

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Upcoming events for the week of May 14, 2017

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