UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER
KEEP TEXAS IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. THIS CRISIS IS HORRIFIC. ALSO, CONSERVE GAS AND STAY HOME IF POSSIBLE. THE UPCOMING GAS CRISIS WILL BE BAD.
08/29/17 ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE KELLOGG-BRIAND PACT IN 1928
The Kellogg–Briand Pact (or Pact of Paris, officially General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy) is a 1928 international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve "disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them". Parties failing to abide by this promise "should be denied of the benefits furnished by this treaty". It was signed by Germany, France, and the United States on 27 August 1928, and by most other nations soon after. Sponsored by France and the U.S., the Pact renounces the use of war and calls for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Similar provisions were incorporated into the Charter of the United Nations and other treaties and it became a stepping-stone to a more activist American policy.[3] It is named after its authors, United States Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand.
08/28/17 EQUAL MEANS EQUAL SCREENING
In honor of Women's Equality Week, ERA-NC is hosting a screening of the documentary “Equal Means Equal” August 28th. Join us at Asheville Pizza and Brewing on Merrimon Ave. at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10, and there will be a panel discussion following the film. This event will only happen if enough tickets are purchased in advance, so go here to purchase tickets: https://www.tugg.com/events/equal-means-equal-gl9c
08/28/17 DEMOCRACY ASHEVILLE COALITION MEETING
Please join us for the next Democracy Asheville Coalition Meeting at the Wesley Grant Center on August 21st, at 6 p.m. Join us for our regular monthly coalition meeting for updates on the latest voting rights news and plan our next steps for the fall. Where: Wesley Grant Center at 285 Livingston St, Asheville. Please RSVP to let us know you're coming. Contact Darlene Azarmi at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org with questions and information on how to register. 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.
08/28/17 MOVIE AT GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE
“Whose Streets?”- An account of the Ferguson uprising as told by the people who lived it. The filmmakers look at how the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement. Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis know this story because they are the story. “Whose Streets?” is a powerful battle cry from a generation fighting, not for their civil rights, but for the right to live. Tue, 8/29 at 1PM, 5:15, 7:25, 9:35 and Wed 8/30 & Thu 8/31 at 1PM, 5:15, 7:25. Building Bridges of Asheville will host a facilitated discussion following screenings of “Whose Streets?” on Wed 8/30 & Thu 8/31 at 7:25 PM. The mission of Building Bridges is to dismantle racism by fostering relationships that respect diversity, seek understanding and encourage action. They provide educational programming paired with a safe place to learn, reflect and discuss. This documentary will be showing at the Grail Moviehouse in downtown Asheville. Contact them for more information. Representatives from Building Bridges will lead a facilitated discussion after the film for the following screenings: Wednesday, Augsut 30 at 7:25 pm (Building Bridges representatives Zakiya Bell-Rogers & Rebecca Bernstein) and Thursday, August 31 at 7:25 pm (Building Bridges representatives Danae Aicher & Michael Beech).
08/28/17 MOVIE AT GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE
“Letters from Baghdad” Voiced and executive produced by Academy award winning actor Tilda Swinton, the documentary tells the dramatic story of Gertrude Bell, the most powerful woman in the British Empire in her day. Bell shaped the destiny of Iraq after World War I in ways that still reverberate today. British spy, explorer and political powerhouse, more influential than her friend and colleague T.E. Lawrence (a.k.a. Lawrence of Arabia), why has she been written out of the history? The story is told entirely in the words of the players of the day, excerpted verbatim from intimate letters, private diaries and secret communiqués. It is a unique look at both a remarkable woman and the tangled history of Iraq. Daily at 3:10 until August 31.
08/29/17 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. From Veterans for Peace newsletter: “The president’s speech at its core is more of the same disastrous policies that we have seen for sixteen years, except this administration wants to completely abandon pursuit of a political solution and shroud the war in a cloak of secrecy. Veterans For Peace, once again, calls for a different direction other than war. We call for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan and a robust pursuit of a political solution to end the war.”
08/30/17 FILM SCREENING AT FIRESTORM
Wed, Aug 30 @ 6:00pm. “Pilgrimage Across America to Preserve Sacred Sites.” A fundraiser film screening to support American's embarking on a pilgrimage with members of the Kogi tribe. Firestorm Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Street in west Asheville. Contact them for more information and to confirm.
08/30/17 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ASHEVILLE -BUNCOMBE COUNTY MEETING
General Membership Meeting on Wed-30 August 2017 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Location is West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd, Asheville. Featuring Community Development Director for the City of Asheville, Heather Dillashaw, who will speak on, “Housing in Asheville : Creating Space for Everyone.” For more information, call 1-828-333-0893 or email info@lwvab.org.
08/30/17 MOVIE AT GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE
“Whose Streets?”- An account of the Ferguson uprising as told by the people who lived it. The filmmakers look at how the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement. Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis know this story because they are the story. “Whose Streets?” is a powerful battle cry from a generation fighting, not for their civil rights, but for the right to live. Tue, 8/29 at 1PM, 5:15, 7:25, 9:35 and Wed 8/30 & Thu 8/31 at 1PM, 5:15, 7:25. Building Bridges of Asheville will host a facilitated discussion following screenings of “Whose Streets?” on Wed 8/30 & Thu 8/31 at 7:25 PM. The mission of Building Bridges is to dismantle racism by fostering relationships that respect diversity, seek understanding and encourage action. They provide educational programming paired with a safe place to learn, reflect and discuss. This documentary will be showing at the Grail Moviehouse in downtown Asheville. Contact them for more information. Representatives from Building Bridges will lead a facilitated discussion after the film for the following screenings: Wednesday, Augsut 30 at 7:25 pm (Building Bridges representatives Zakiya Bell-Rogers & Rebecca Bernstein) and Thursday, August 31 at 7:25 pm (Building Bridges representatives Danae Aicher & Michael Beech).
08/31/17 MOVIE AT GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE
“Whose Streets?”- An account of the Ferguson uprising as told by the people who lived it. The filmmakers look at how the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement. Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis know this story because they are the story. “Whose Streets?” is a powerful battle cry from a generation fighting, not for their civil rights, but for the right to live. Tue, 8/29 at 1PM, 5:15, 7:25, 9:35 and Wed 8/30 & Thu 8/31 at 1PM, 5:15, 7:25. Building Bridges of Asheville will host a facilitated discussion following screenings of “Whose Streets?” on Wed 8/30 & Thu 8/31 at 7:25 PM. The mission of Building Bridges is to dismantle racism by fostering relationships that respect diversity, seek understanding and encourage action. They provide educational programming paired with a safe place to learn, reflect and discuss. This documentary will be showing at the Grail Moviehouse in downtown Asheville. Contact them for more information. Representatives from Building Bridges will lead a facilitated discussion after the film for the following screenings: Wednesday, Augsut 30 at 7:25 pm (Building Bridges representatives Zakiya Bell-Rogers & Rebecca Bernstein) and Thursday, August 31 at 7:25 pm (Building Bridges representatives Danae Aicher & Michael Beech).
09/04/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE IN LABOR DAY PARADE IN CANTON
Veterans for Peace, Chapter 099 (Asheville) along with WNC 4 Peace will have a part in the Labor Day Parade in Canton for the first time ever. We will be bringing the message of peace and anti-militarism to the Canton Labor Day Parade. Please plan on participating with our chapter members, associate members and allies in sowing the seeds of thinking of peace as being patriotic, and possible, in a culture of militarism. We need as many people in our contingent as possible. Please respond regarding your commitment to be there. Details regarding when and where to meet up in Canton for the parade will be available as soon as they are available from the parade organizers. Contact Gerry at gwerhan@gmail.com for time and meeting place.
09/05/17 08/29/17 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. From Veterans for Peace newsletter: “The president’s speech at its core is more of the same disastrous policies that we have seen for sixteen years, except this administration wants to completely abandon pursuit of a political solution and shroud the war in a cloak of secrecy. Veterans For Peace, once again, calls for a different direction other than war. We call for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan and a robust pursuit of a political solution to end the war.”
09/06/17 CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
This meeting is organized by the City of Asheville. This meeting is free and open to the public. This meeting is at the Montford Complex at 34 Pearson Drive in Asheville. Time is 5 PM. Call 251-1122 for more information.
09/06/17 FACES OF POVERTY EVENT
Carolina Jews for Justice/West and Just Economics Present Programs on the “Faces of Poverty” September 6th and 17th. As part of a statewide ‘Call for Action for Raising Wages’ starting with Labor Day, Carolina Jews for Justice/West will be collaborating with Just Economics, to present two programs addressing the economic challenges of living in poverty in Buncombe County. On September 6th a short film “Faces of Poverty” produced by Just Economics will be screened followed by a Q&A. The meeting will take place at Congregation Beth HaTephila, 43 Liberty Street in Asheville from 7:00 PM-9:00 PM. There is no charge to attend. All are welcome. To RSVP for this event, email CJJWest@CarolinaJewsforJustice.org. Contact Marilynne Herbert at (828) 551-7005 or mherbert1@aol.com for more information.
09/06/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Please join Wenoca Group Sierra Club for our monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 6, when Pana Columbus and Dave Erb will present an optimistic, achievable vision of first steps toward transforming transportation in western North Carolina and beyond. This event is free and open to the public. “Electric Vehicles: Local Movement, Global Impact.” Wednesday, September 6, 7 pm. Many of the world’s most challenging problems are strongly rooted in the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels, especially oil. For several years, though, solutions to the petroleum problem have been widely available, at reasonable prices. The primary hurdles now are societal inertia and disinformation. Please join Wenoca Group Sierra Club for our monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 6, when Pana Columbus and Dave Erb will present an optimistic, achievable vision of first steps toward transforming transportation in western North Carolina and beyond. Location is Unitarian Congregation at 1 Edwin Place, Asheville (corner of Charlotte St. & Edwin Pl.) in Asheville. Social: 7 pm / Program: 7:15 pm. Free and open to the public. For more information, call Judy Mattox at 828-683-2176 or email judymattox@sbcglobal.net.
09/07/17 WORKERS CELEBRATORY RALLY AND MARCH
Love Letters to Workers Celebratory Rally and March. Thursday September 7 5:30 PM. Dairy Queen, 26 Tunnel Rd. Sponsored by Just Economics of WNC.
09/09/17 NC BIG SWEEP RIVER CLEANUP
The NC Big Sweep is a statewide effort to get volunteers in the water for a massive river cleanup. We take on all of the area's rivers, covering 25+ miles of just the French Broad in one day. We will provide dozens of boats, be we encourage participants that own their gear to bring it along. We will be working on the Swannanoa, Mills, Hominy and French Broad Rivers this year. Volunteer and help us keep our rivers healthy and safe. Contact Kate at kate@ashevillegreenworks.org for more information and to sign up.
09/10/17 DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK
Asheville’s celebration of National Drive Electric Week will be at the Asheville Outlets mall, 12:00 noon-4:00 pm on Sunday, 10 September 2017. More information available at https://driveelectricweek.org/event.php?eventid=939.
09/12/17 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. From Veterans for Peace newsletter: “The president’s speech at its core is more of the same disastrous policies that we have seen for sixteen years, except this administration wants to completely abandon pursuit of a political solution and shroud the war in a cloak of secrecy. Veterans For Peace, once again, calls for a different direction other than war. We call for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan and a robust pursuit of a political solution to end the war.”
09/12/17 BUILDING BRIDGES FALL 2017 REGISTRATION
Registration for the Building Bridges Fall 2017 session is now open. Sessions can fill quickly, so please register today if you would like to attend. If registration is full, you will have the option to be placed on a waiting list. Visit our registration page to read about, and register for the upcoming Building Bridges Fall 2017 session (on their website). This will run from September 12 to November 14 on Tuesdays. Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is Rainbow Community School at 574 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Thanks and we hope to have you in the program! If you have any questions in the meantime or need help with registration, please contact us at buildingbridgesofasheville@gmail.com or call (828) 412-0915.
09/16/17 HARD TO RECYCLE EVENT
H2R Collection rotates next to the East Buncombe area on September 16, 10am - 2pm. Madden ACE Hardware lot in Swannanoa. Organized by Asheville GreenWorks, 254-1776.
09/16/17 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION
International Day of Peace will be celebrated in Asheville on Saturday, September 16, 10 AM to 4 PM. WNC 4 Peace is working with the Center for Art and Spirit at St. George Episcopal Church, 1 School Rd, Asheville. Organizations who want to be sponsors of the September 16 event should contact Rachael Bliss (828) 378-0125 before September 8. Peacemakers of the Year for WNC will be presented also on that day at 10 am following the reading of the Peace Day Proclamation. We will also commemorate a recent peace martyr Heather Heyer, victim of a domestic terrorism act on August 12, 2017. The event is free to the public. All ages are invited to attend. Also there will be a white dove release involved in this event. Proclamations will be read on the following schedule: CAS's Peace Path Dedication 10 am September 16 for the City of Asheville, Buncombe County Commission meeting 5 pm Tuesday September 19, and at a small meditation observation, at the Peace Pole behind Pack's Tavern on behalf of our NC State Delegation at 11:30 am Thursday, September 21. Peacemakers of the Year from WNC (Anne Craig and AmyCantrell) will be honored, along with Heather Heyer, victim of domestic terrorism in Charlottesville, September 16 at the 10 am event at the CAS. Location for the September 21 meditative event is yet to be announced. All events are free to the public. All ages are invited to attend. For more information, contact Rachael at rachael_bliss@yahoo.com.
09/17/17 POVERTY SIMULATION EVENT
Carolina Jews for Justice/West and Just Economics Present Programs on the “Faces of Poverty” September 6th and 17th. As part of a state-wide ‘Call for Action for Raising Wages’ starting with Labor Day, Carolina Jews for Justice/West will be collaborating with Just Economics, to present two programs addressing the economic challenges of living in poverty in Buncombe County. On Sunday afternoon, September 17th from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM we will continue our focus on hunger and poverty with a “Poverty Simulation” led by Just Economics. The meeting will be held at Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Street in Asheville. This thought-provoking and illuminating simulation makes real what it is like to live as a poor person in Asheville today. The cost is $10 and participation will be limited to the first 45 registrants. To secure your place, mail check payable to Carolina Jews for Justice by September 13 to Carol Falender at 52 Griffing Circle, Asheville 28804. To RSVP for this event, email CJJWest@CarolinaJewsforJustice.org. Contact Marilynne Herbert at (828) 551-7005 or mherbert1@aol.com for more information.
09/17/17 VIEWING OF KEN BURNS DOCUMENTARY ON VIETNAM
On 9/17 there will be a viewing party of the opening segment of Ken Burn's "The Vietnam War." The viewing party will watch this historic documentary’s opening segment on Sunday, Sept, 17 at 8 p.m. The viewing party will be held at The Block Off Biltmore, a coffee house/bar, located in downtown Asheville. This viewing party is sponsored by Veterans For Peace 099 (Asheville). We are especially encouraging veterans to attend this gathering, but it is open to all. From Veterans for Peace newsletter: “In September 2017, PBS will air a documentary about the Vietnam War, directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The goal of this 10-episode, 18-hour project is, according to the directors, to “create a film everyone could embrace” and to provide the viewer with information and insights that are “new and revelatory.” Just as importantly, they intend the film to provide the impetus and parameters for a much needed national conversation about this controversial and divisive period in American history. The film will be accompanied by an unprecedented outreach and public engagement program, providing opportunities for communities to participate in a national conversation about what happened during the Vietnam War, what went wrong and what lessons are to be learned. In addition, there will be a robust interactive website and an educational initiative designed to engage teachers and students in multiple platforms.The release of this documentary is an opportunity to seize the moment about telling the full story of the U.S war on Viet Nam.”
09/19/17 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. From Veterans for Peace newsletter: “The president’s speech at its core is more of the same disastrous policies that we have seen for sixteen years, except this administration wants to completely abandon pursuit of a political solution and shroud the war in a cloak of secrecy. Veterans For Peace, once again, calls for a different direction other than war. We call for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan and a robust pursuit of a political solution to end the war.”
09/20/17 LUNCH AND LEARN ON CHILDHOOD HUNGER PANEL
Sept 20, 12 PM: Lunch and Learn: Childhood Hunger Panel. Roughly 25% of WNC’s children experience food insecurity. No child deserves to go without food, so please make plans to join us for this very special panel discussion on the status of childhood hunger in WNC and how MANNA is working to increase the amount of healthy food we distribute to children across our community. Space is limited for this presentation, so please RSVP to Matt by emailing mfarr@mannafoodbank.org. Also contact him for location.
09/21/17 ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM
Step Right Up - A Primary Asheville City Council Candidate Forum. Thursday, Sept 21, 6 PM Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy Street in Asheville. Hosted by Asheville on Bikes and Just Economics with main emphasis on city's transportation system and related policy.
09/21/17 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
International Day of Peace may be a quiet one this year. But some of us will be gathering at the Peace Pole, Thursday, Sept. 21, 11:30 AM to meditate and pray for peace. This will be the time set aside around the world to honor the hopes and prayers for peace. Interested in joining us? The Peace Pole is between City Hall and Pack Tavern. Please contact Rachael if you have any questions or suggestions for this event at rachael at rachael_bliss@yahoo.com.
09/21/17 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Next Meeting: Thursday, September 21st 6:30pm - Newcomers, 7-8:30pm - Members. Location: Kairos West Community Center (behind Firestorm Books & Cafe). Address: 610 Haywood Rd, West Asheville, NC. For more information, contact asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org.
09/24/17 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 Planned Parenthood. Act I is Tyler Kittle Quartet and Act II is Paula Hanke Quintet. 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.
09/25/17 EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER
Empty Bowls is a unique and memorable event that celebrates community, art, and collaboration while brining awareness to the very real problem of hunger here in WNC. This year celebrates the 16th year of MANNA FoodBank’s Empty Bowls fundraisers. Attendees choose a bowl hand-made by local artisans and enjoy a meal of soup, bread, and dessert. The bowl they take home reminds them of all the empty bowls in the world. Everything for the event is donated: the soup, the event space, the desserts, and over 1,000 hand-made ceramic bowls. This allows for all the profits to go directly toward feeding our neighbors facing hunger in Western North Carolina. In addition to the bowls that each ticket holder can select and take home, there is the Collector’s Corner at Empty Bowls, where special works of high-end craft and art are available for purchase. Collector’s Corner items are selected by the artists, and are gallery-quality pieces. All proceeds collected from the sale of Collector’s Corner items support MANNA’s mission to provide food to families struggling with an empty bowl throughout MANNA’s 16-county service area. Tickets are available for either lunch 11AM-1PM or dinner 5-7:30PM. Contact Matt at mfarr@mannafoodbank.org for more information including how to get tickets.
09/26/17 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. From Veterans for Peace newsletter: “The president’s speech at its core is more of the same disastrous policies that we have seen for sixteen years, except this administration wants to completely abandon pursuit of a political solution and shroud the war in a cloak of secrecy. Veterans For Peace, once again, calls for a different direction other than war. We call for U.S. troops to leave Afghanistan and a robust pursuit of a political solution to end the war.”
09/27/17 LUNCH & LEARN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY SERIES
Buncombe County Lunch & Learn - African American History Series. Don’t miss this African American History in Buncombe County lunch and learn series featuring three great local speakers. This free lecture series will feature: July 25 - Dr. Darin Waters presenting the history of African American education in Asheville and WNC; August 23 - County Commissioner Al Whitesides presenting the wage gap and historical wealth disparities in the African American Community; September 27 - Dr. Sharon West presenting the access and availability of health care for African Americans in Buncombe County. Come learn more about the history of the African American community in Buncombe County-- the challenges, the triumphs and the future of our community. The lecture series will be held from Noon till 1:30 p.m. on each of the dates listed above at the Stephen's Lee Community Center (30 George Washington Carver Avenue in Asheville) free of charge with everyone welcome.
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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-11:30 AM. Followed by Do!sessions from 11:30-1:30 PM.
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 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 first 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.
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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Peace Week Returns to West Asheville in September
The Center for Art and Spirit at St. George will again mark the International Day of Peace with a week of activities. At 10:00 AM Saturday, September 16, we will celebrate the opening of our new community Peace Path with an interfaith gathering led by The Rt. Rev. Jose McLaughlin, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. Winding from the sidewalk at School Road to the Peace Pole at the entrance to St. George’s and the Center, the Peace Path provides space for people of all spiritual walks to find quiet refreshment and the strength to carry on the work of peace. The Peace Path is a collaborative effort led by members of the St. George community and the Center for Art and Spirit, along with Veterans for Peace Chapter 99, the Church of the Advocate in downtown Asheville, and the Soul and Soil Project. As part of the celebration on September 16, WNC4Peace will present their Peacemaker of the Year award. On Sundays at 10:30 AM, September 17 and 24, St. George’s will have special services focusing on peace. Throughout the week, the World Peace Village will be on display in the sanctuary. The World Peace Village offers visitors the opportunity to experience the presence and spirit of peace from the perspectives of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Native American spirituality. A small labyrinth for walking will also be available.
Everyone is invited to participate in all programs and activities:
• Interfaith Peace Path Opening Celebration 10:00 am, Saturday, September 16
• Dances of Universal Peace, monthly third Saturday dance, September 16 at 7:30 pm
• Heart Wisdom, Dances of Universal Peace & Applied Sufi Practice, Friday, September 22 from 7:30-9:30 pm (also a retreat Saturday & Sunday, September 23-24 registration required)
• Brief noon-day prayers at the Peace Pole M-F, September 18-22, with leadership shared by members of various faith communities
• World Peace Village open for self-guided tours with materials provided. Saturday, September 16, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Tuesday, September 19, noon-3:00 pm. Thursday, September 21, 9:30-11:30 am. Friday, September 22, 12:30-3:30 pm
• Creative Peacemakers (K-3 after school program) Peace Walk, 4:00-5:30 pm, Tuesday, September 19 - Themes: Peace for Me, Peace for Us, Peace for Everyone, and Peace for the Planet.
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BLACK AUGUST BAIL OUT ACTION
Black August has long been a month of resistance for Black folks. Black August originated in San Quentin, a prison in California, to honor fallen Freedom Fighters Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain and Khatari Gaulden. Black August is a time to embrace the principles of unity, self-sacrifice, political education, physical training, and resistance. In recent years, it has also been a celebration of Black cultural production and Black community.
Across the Southeast, we see bail outs as an ongoing tactic to build a base, to expose the crisis of cash bail and the beast that is the criminal-legal system, to change hearts and minds, to make real and material impacts on the lives of our people, and to build power. Following on the power and tremendous momentum from the Black Mamas Day Bail Out Action, we knew our work wasn’t done. Black political prisoners have brought attention to the targeting of Black people and inhumane treatment and conditions of prisoners. More than often, people are sitting in cages because they cannot afford to pay bail. At its very essence, Black August emphasizes honoring and upholding Black community. We can think of no better way to commemorate the history of Black August than to bail out as many Black women, broadly defined, and Black trans people across the South as we can. Groups will also be holding events to share the devastating impact of money bail and incarceration on our communities.
As we center Black leadership and communities, we ask you to donate to SONG to help us connect Black families and loved ones, highlight the human costs of inhumane and destructive bail practices, and support local base building on the frontlines of mass incarceration.
Contributions will be used to bail out Black women, and to support continuing on-the-ground organizing of participating grassroots organizations. All resources we get that are not used for the action will be saved for future bail outs or to advance long-term liberation work in our communities!
Southerners On New Ground is a 501c3, not for profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Google “Southerners on New Ground” to learn more about them.
