dancewater: Upcoming events for the week of September 24, 2017

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER

09/25/17 EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER

Empty Bowls is a unique and memorable event that celebrates community, art, and collaboration while bringing awareness to the very real problem of hunger here in WNC. This year celebrates the 16th year of MANNA Food Bank’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.

09/25/17 CANDIDATES FORUM ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL

6:00 pm at The Wedge at Foundation at 5 Foundry Street in Asheville. Sponsor: Asheville on Bikes and Just Economics. This will focus on the city’s transportation system and policy. Call The Wedge or go to Asheville On Bikes facebook page for more information.

09/25/17 PEACE & JUSTICE COFFEEHOUSE AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY

Peace & Justice Coffeehouse. Mon, September 25, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Timberline at Mars Hill University. Contact mhuchaplains@gmail.com for more information. Join the Chaplains' Office and the Christian Student Movement as they co-sponsor the new P&J Coffeehouse. Coffee will be ready at 6:30pm. Bill Lowrey will speak about peace building. Come and be inspired by the powerful work he and his wife did while in South Sudan.

09/25/17 ASHEVILLE SURJ MEETING

Asheville SURJ now hosts a weekly Monday night meeting, 6:30-8:30pm at the UU congregation (downstairs main building, corner of Edwin Place & Charlotte Street). Mainly a do!scussion space for folks to remain accountable to anti-racism work and dismantling white supremacy. Sometimes will include a Calling In session or other educational component. All are welcome. For more info: avlsurj@gmail.com.

09/25/17 ENVIRONMENT TEAM MEETING

September 25 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. The future of our environment is uncertain and we all have a hand in pushing for it to be clean, sustainable, and protected. The Environment Team will be pushing our representatives on multiple front to secure a healthy future for us all. If you are interested in learning more or joining the team, you can reach us at environment@indivisibleavl.org.

09/26/17 CITIZENS UNITED TALK AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY

Citizens United and the Problems of Money in Politics. Tue, September 26, 7:00pm – 8:30pm. Belk Auditorium at Mars Hill University. Contact tebuckner4@gmail.com for more information. Speaker Avram Friedman: A series of US Supreme Court decisions, including the 2010 'Citizens United' decision, based on the premise that 'corporations are people' and 'money is speech,' have opened the floodgates for a huge influx of money into politics from powerful special interests and threatened the foundation of our one person-one-vote democratic system of government. The NC We the People Campaign addresses this central issue and what we can do as citizens to take back our democracy. The discussion will be led by Avram Friedman, Executive Director of The Canary Coalition, 1st Vice-President of the Jackson County Branch of the NAACP and co-founder the NC We the People Campaign. This event is open to the public and is sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, Mars Hill College Republicans, and Mars Hill College Democrats.

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.”

09/26/17 OCCUPY WNC MEETING

The non-partisan group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at the Sneak E Squirrel in Sylva. The next meeting is September 26th at 7:00PM in the restaurant’s Community Room. Supper beforehand at 6:00 PM. OccupyWNC has worked for economic and social justice in WNC since 2011. Newcomers and visitors are welcome. Contact Lucy Christopher at lucy.christopher42@gmail.com for more information.

09/26/17 WNC REGIONAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY MEETING

The Regional Air Quality Board of Directors will meet at 4 PM at Buncombe County Planning and Development boardroom at 30 Valley Street in Asheville.

09/26/17 CALL IN DAY TO GOVERNOR COOPER

Sept 26, Tues - Call-in to Governor Cooper to Stop Enviva Biomass Plants: 919-814-2000. Enviva Company is requesting to build a 4th biomass plant in Richmond County, NC to process roughly 50,000 acres of our Southeastern forests every year -- to make pellets to send to Europe for "sustainable" fuel. Ask Gov. Cooper to not issue this permit & to honor his promise to live up to the Paris climate accord.

09/27/17 PUBLIC LECTURE AT WCU ON WATER SCARCITY

WCU’s Global Spotlight Series: Panel discussion with professors focused on water scarcity. Free. Held at A.K. Hinds University Center on Memorial Drive in Cullowhee. Time is 4 PM. Go to bardoartscenter.edu for more information.

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.

09/27/17 DUKE RATE HIKE HEARINGS AND PROTEST

Duke Energy Rate Hike Hearings, all hearings start at 7:00 pm. September 27: Asheville, Buncombe County Courthouse, Courtroom 1A, 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. Contact Clean Water for NC for more information at ericka@cwfnc.org. Begins at 7:00pm; Arrive at 6:00pm to sign up to speak. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is taking public comment on Duke Energy / Progress's largest proposed increase to residential bills since the 1980s - a 16.7% increase, or about an extra $20 per month! Duke Energy Progress wants you to pay on your bills for: $195 million per year of coal ash cleanup costs, as a result of Duke’s own legacy of coal ash negligence and $416 million for the construction of new fracked gas plants, which have been used to justify expensive and unneeded pipelines, such as the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). Duke also wants to almost double the fixed charge we pay them before we even flip a switch! For information about participating in a rally prior to the hearing, contact xavier@cwfnc.org or 828-251-1291. Can't attend? Written comments may be sent by email through mid-November to statements@ncuc.net (include “Docket E-2 Sub 1142” in the subject line) or by mail to North Carolina Utilities Commission, 4325 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4300. More information at the end of this email.

09/27/17 STREET THEATER AND RALLY AGAINST DUKE RATE HIKE

Wednesday, September 27th at 5PM: Street Theater Rally Against Proposed Rate Hike. Vance Monument in Pack Place in downtown Asheville. This message came from Clean Water for NC.

9/27/17 ASHEVILLE SURJ ACCOUNTABILITY THRU ACTION MEETING AND POTLUCK

Monthly Accountability thru Action Meeting of Asheville SURJ, 6-9pm at Habitat Tavern & Commons, 174 Broadway Street in Asheville. Potluck, ASURJ/Racism 101, and presentation by accountability partner Nicole Townsend of Southerners on New Ground regarding the Bail Out project. For more info, contact avlsurj@gmail.com. Free to attend.

09/27/17 ASHEVILLE INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION EVENT AT UNCA

Wednesday September 27, 6-8 pm. So far we have confirmed a speaker from the International Socialist Organization (ISO) in Raleigh, a UNCA student and member of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and comrades from Carolina Mountain John Brown Gun Club and the International Workers of the World (IWW). All of the panelists marched in Charlottesville to confront the neo-fascists and will speak about their experiences as part of a broader discussion around how we stop the right from growing and from threatening our organizations and movements. Following the panelists, we will open it up to the audience for moderated discussion and questions. Location TBD. We have a room on UNCA campus reserved but we're trying to get a better one that we will announce very soon. Please invite your friends and share widely. Admission is free but please consider bringing a cash donation to be shared amongst panelists who have to travel from several hours away. Contact Asheville Socialists at asheville.socialist@gmail.com for more information.

09/27/17 WORKSHOP AT FIRESTORM IN ASHEVILLE

Sept 27- Community Trauma/ Community Resilience- learning biological based skills to rebalance yourself and others after trauma (led by Hillary ). Workshop runs from 5 to 7pm at Firestorm Coop at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

09/27/17 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ASHEVILLE - BUNCOMBE MEETING

Board Meeting, Public Comment Open at beginning of each meeting. Wed, September 27, 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Monthly on the fourth Wednesday. Location is The Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St, Asheville. Join us in the CE Room.

09/28/17 PINCHED POVERTY SIMULATION

Poverty simulations are events that MANNA coordinates with community partners to help people understand the daily struggles of those living in poverty. We utilize 20+ volunteers to play the role of service providers in a simulation where people are forced to make tough decisions about how to spend a monthly family budget. These events are aimed at raising hunger awareness and learning how hunger is aggravated by common issues of poverty. These are powerful experiences for participants and volunteers alike. On September 28th, we’ll be hosting a simulation North Carolina Public Health Association at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville. There will be two shifts, 1:30-3:30PM and 4-6PM. Contact Matt at mfarr@mannafoodbank.org for more information.

09/28/17 EVICTED: HOUSING CRISIS IN WNC

Tickets are already on sale for the Poverty Forum featuring Princeton sociologist and Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond. He is also the author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City.” Did you know that more than 1100 families are on the waitlist for government or subsidized housing just in Buncombe County? Join us on Sept. 28 at 7 pm at the Sherrill Center at UNC Asheville to learn more about the housing challenges facing our region, and what we can all do to help. Contact Pisgah Legal Service for more information and how to obtain tickets. To buy tickets or sponsor by phone, contact Brent McKnight at (828) 210-3405 or brent@pisgahlegal.org. 5:30pm Cocktail Reception ($50/person) and 7:00pm Forum ($15/person).

09/28/17 YOUTH OUTRIGHT BENEFIT

Proceeds from “Young Voices Vaudeville” event featuring multiple area performers, food and drink, a silent auction and photography benefit for Youth Outright. $20. Held at Highland Brewing at 12 Old Charlotte Highway. Time is 7 PM. Call 866-881-3721 for more information.

09/28/17 TRANZMISSION PRISON PROJECT

On fourth Thursdays at 6 PM at Firestorm Cafe & Coffee at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

09/28/17 HENDERSON COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

General meeting with presentation about the voting process by Beverly Cunningham, director for the Henderson County Board of Elections. Free. Held at Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce at 204 Kanuga Road in Hendersonville. Time is 4 PM.

09/28/17 HOMEWARD BOUND OF WNC TOUR

“Welcome Home Tour” is a tour of Asheville organizations that serve the homeless population. This will cover how Homeward Bound is working to end homelessness and how the public can help. Registration required at tours@homewardboundwnc.org, free to attend. Time is 11 AM. Call 258-1695 for more information.

09/28/17 SANCTUARY AND IMMIGRATION PRESENTATION AND DIALOGUE

Time is 6:30 PM. Location is Sandburg Hall at the UU Congregation of Asheville at Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in north Asheville. Please join us as we welcome JoAnn Weiss from El Refugio, a hospitality house and visitation program outside of Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, GA. We will meet in Sandburg Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at 6:30 pm. Bill Ramsey will speak in solidarity with the 3 people currently in sanctuary in North Carolina, JoAnn Weiss, president-elect of El Refugio in Lumpkin, GA, will speak on immigration, detention at the Stewart Detention Center, and deportation in the current climate. There will also be a discussion of the discernment process at UUCA, and a question and answer session with various folks with experience in these areas. We hope you will be able to attend and let others know of this unique offering. Contact information@uuasheville.org for more information.

09/29/17 AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT

Join developers, planners, investors, local government leaders, and policy advocates to discuss strategies to meet affordable housing needs in WNC. This free event on Friday, September 29th is presented by Pisgah Legal Services, City of Asheville, and Buncombe County. Matthew Desmond, author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” will make opening remarks. Time is 8:30 AM to 3 PM and location is the Sherrill Center/Kimmel Arena at UNCA. Join developers, planners, investors, local government leaders, and policy advocates to discuss strategies to meet affordable housing needs in the WNC region. Local and regional experts will present on practical and solutions-oriented topics in development, policy, finance, and emerging trends in the field. Pulitzer Prize winner Dr. Matthew Desmond, author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City”, will make opening remarks, followed by morning and afternoon sessions and a lunch plenary presentation on small-scale and incremental development strategies. For questions or more information, please contact Justin Edge at 828-210-4493 or justin@pisgahlegal.org. Fri, September 29, 2017. 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM EDT. Sherrill Center/Kimmel Arena. UNC Asheville.

09/29/17 CONVERSATION WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN ASHEVILLE

Friday Sept. 29, 5:30-7, A CONVERSATION WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST BREE NEWSOME, A-B Tech, Ferguson Auditorium, 340 Victoria Rd. Doors open at 5:00. Supported by regional local activist organizations. Donations benefit NAACP and Co-Thinkk.Contact Ellie for more information at elliebhope@gmail.com.

09/30/17 AMERICANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH EXHIBIT

Saturday, Sept. 30, 4:30-6:30, YMI, 39 S. Market, St. AMERICANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH exhibit opening and portrait unveiling of activist Bree Newsome’s portrait with with artist Robert Shetterly. Opening includes: Music by Daniel Barber, Spoken Word, Students from Francine Delany New School for Children Being the Hero of my Own Life presentation, Sumptuous appetizers from Homegrown. Tickets available at https://awtt2017.eventbee.com. Contact Ellie at elliebhope@gmail.com for more information. This exhibit runs until November 19, 2017. Hours are 11 AM to 4 PM on Tuesday to Saturday and 1 to 4 PM on Sunday. Come and be inspired! Meet special guest, civil rights activist Bree Newsome. Artist Robert Shetterly will unveil his portrait of Newsome. The afternoon will include music by Daniel Barber, spoken word, and appetizers from Homegrown. The exhibit features portraits of citizens who address issues of social, environmental, and economic fairness and will be on display through November 19, 2017. The opening reception takes place Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. in Asheville.

09/30/17 WRITE TO U.S. FOREST SERVICE ABOUT OUR FORESTS

Sept 30, Sat. -- Nantahala-Pisgah forests need your help/Please write the Forest Service. You are providing input on the development of the revised 1.1 million acres of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest plan. In general, the preliminary draft treats the vast majority of the forest as being the same, (which would technically allow for timber cutting), and it doesn't recognize many special places that are important for backcountry recreation, exceptional biodiversity, old growth, and connectivity. The following link gives forest areas, and talking points. https://www.sierraclub.org/ north-carolina/blog/2017/08/speak-protect-nantahala- pisgah-forests. Email: NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us - subject line “Spring 2017 material Plan Building Blocks.” Mail: Attn: Plan Revision, National Forests in North Carolina, 160A Zillicoa St. Asheville, NC 28801

09/30/17 BUDGET BRIEFING IN BURNSVILLE

Join us for a Budget Briefing & Community Conversation at Yancey County Public Library at 321 School Cir, Burnsville. Saturday, September 30, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Budget & Tax Center will present information on the missed opportunities in the final state budget and what you can do to help your community thrive. Contact NC Justice Center at chanae@ncjustice.org for more information, including how to register.

09/30/17 CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Sept 30, Sat. - Constructive Communication & Engagement on Climate Change workshop by Citizens' Climate Lobby, and the UNCA Student Environmental Center. 1-4 pm, UNCA Brown Hall, Rm 218. Learn how to communicate positively with those of different political views, the disinterested, the dismissive or the alarmists. It's not about right or wrong, but about starting a dialogue on solutions. Contact Judy Mattox at judymattox@sbcglobal.net for more information, including how to RSVP.

10/01/17 RECEPTION FOR NC JUSTICE CENTER IN WAYNESVILLE

Join us for a reception to benefit the important work of the NC Justice Center. Home of Jane Hipps. Sunday, October 1 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at 90 Walnut Street in Waynesville. Please RSVP by September 25th, 2017 to kim_marie@ncjustice.org. Featuring: Rick Glazier, Executive Director of the NC Justice Center and former State Representative, and Alexandra F. Sirota, Director, Budget & Tax Center. As you may know, there are many emerging threats to the well-being of our state and its communities, from the mountains to the coast. On the chopping block are federal investments that ensure people have food to put on the table and health care to live full lives. And the final budget that passed in Raleigh this summer severely limited the ability of North Carolina to step in to make sure families and communities can thrive. The Justice Center’s Budget & Tax Center will provide a briefing on the federal threats and likely harm that tax cuts at the state level will do to services, including an exclusive on the latest data on the state's economic well-being, especially the western part of the state. The challenges are great but we know what works to reduce poverty and build an economy for all.

10/01/17 POLITICAL PRISONER LETTER WRITING NIGHT

5:00pm – 7:30pm. Political Prisoner Letter Writing Night! Letters save lives! Join Blue Ridge ABC each month for an evening of solidarity with incarcerated comrades. Celebrate their birthdays by sending words of encouragement and support. Each month on 1st Sundays, join members of Blue Ridge Anarchist Black Cross for an evening of solidarity with long term political prisoners: people who have been incarcerated due to their activism and resistance to systems of domination and oppression. We come together each month to celebrate their birthdays by sending words of encouragement and support. We let them know that they--and their sacrifices for our movements--are never far from our minds and hearts. Continuously showing up for comrades who have had large chunks of their lifetimes stolen by the State is crucial solidarity work. If you have ever sat in a jail cell--for even one night--you know how important it is to show folks they are not alone on the inside. If you haven't seen the inside of a prison cell (and we hope you never do!), you can probably imagine how mentally and emotionally taxing it is to lose control over your physical self and surroundings. For those facing this reality, especially for years and even decades, any reminder of support and connection from the outside means more than most of us can imagine. We know because our comrades tell us again and again, it is no exaggeration: LETTERS SAVE LIVES! Firestorm.

10/02/17 SOLUTIONS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE TALK

“Science, creativity, and compassion: 5 solutions for climate change” Creation Care Alliance hosts Author Katharine Wilkinson on Monday, October 2 from 5:30-7pm at Lenoir-Rhyne University, 36 Montford Ave, Asheville. We will explore 5 solutions to address climate change from the book “Drawdown: the Most Comprehensive Plan ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming” and how faith communities can act on solutions in Western North Carolina. Katharine will be our guide for the evening. Katharine Wilkinson is the senior writer of the bestselling book, Drawdown, edited by Paul Hawken. She is also the author of Between God and Green. Her background melds research, strategy, and thought leadership on climate action. Katharine holds a D.Phil. in Geography & Environment from Oxford University and a B.A. in Religion from Sewanee. Many Thanks to Earth Equity Advisors for supporting this event and for their ongoing sustainability work for Western North Carolina and the planet. Contact Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina at (828) 258-8737 or creationcare@mountaintrue.org for more information.

10/02/17 COMMUNITY BILL OF RIGHTS FORUM

10/2, 6-8pm: Jubilee Community: Community bill of rights forum. Learn how a bill of rights can help us safeguard our land, water and air. Please enter at 101 Patton Ave. Contact Cathy at cathyfholt@gmail.com for more information.

10/02/17 HENDERSON COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EVENT

Monday, Oct. 2 at 6:00 PM. Henderson County Candidates Meet and Greet. Come meet the municipal candidates for Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Laurel Park and Mills River at Henderson County Library on Washington Street in Hendersonville.

10/03/17 SPEAKERS ON REVERSING GLOBAL WARMING

Reversing Global Warming: A Conversation with Katharine Wilkinson and John Sutter - You are invited to join us for a special evening with acclaimed author Katharine Wilkinson and CNN columnist John D. Sutter as we discuss climate change, challenging assumptions and taking action through established solutions and new ideas. This one-time event will include a panel talk by our guests, moderated by Earth Equity Advisors' CEO Peter Krull, and followed by a Q&A session. Earth Equity Advisors Speaker Series Featuring Katharine Wilkinson and John D. Sutter on October 3, at 6 pm at Collider, 1 Haywood Street, Asheville. Presented by Earth Equity Advisors 4th Annual Lecture Series. Free. Seating is limited, must RSVP. Katharine Wilkinson is the senior writer of the bestselling book, Drawdown, edited by Paul Hawken. She is also the author of Between God and Green. Her background melds research, strategy, and thought leadership on climate action. Katharine holds a D.Phil. in Geography & Environment from Oxford University and a B.A. in Religion from Sewanee. John D. Sutter is an award-winning columnist for CNN and creator of the networks “2 Degrees” project, which aims to involve readers in climate change coverage. Sponsored by Creation Care Alliance. Contact them at (828) 258-8737 or creationcare@mountaintrue.org for more information, including how to RSVP. Doors for The Collider event open at 5:30 pm, with light refreshments available, and the talk starts at 6:00 pm. RSVP strongly encouraged due to limited seating.

10/03/17 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB AT MALAPROPS

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. This month the club begins its discussion of “An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take it Back” by Elisabeth Rosenthal. Contact Malaprop’s for more information. Time is 7 PM.

10/03/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

10/03/17 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CONSTITUTIONAL STUDY COURSE

Join us for "We The People" a six-week study of the history and contemporary role of the Constitution of the United States. Sessions will examine relevant topics such as freedom of speech, the right to assemble, executive power, voting rights, and procedural due process. Organized by the League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County the series is being co-sponsored by additional nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations including AAUW - Asheville, NC, YWCA of Asheville, and ACLU of NC - Western NC Chapter. Sessions are FREE and open to the public. They will be held at the YWCA on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm on October 3, 10, 17, 24 and November 7, 14. Email we.people.us@gmail.com to reserve your seat.

10/04/17 CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

This meeting is organized by the City of Asheville. This meeting is free and open to the public. They meet in the first floor Conference Room at the Public Works Building at 161 South Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. Call 251-1122 for more information.

10/04/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Sierra Club Oct. 4: “Fossil Fuel Divestment and Responsible Investing” On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Wenoca Group Sierra Club presents Peter Krull, CEO and Director of Investments at Earth Equity Advisors (formerly Krull & Company). Krull will discuss fossil fuel divestment and responsible investing. You’ll learn how to judge different investment opportunities and pick those that are most closely aligned with your values. This event is free and open to the public. Date: Oct. 4, 2017. Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place (off of Charlotte). Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Krull will explain what performance might look like for responsible investments and will also look “under the hood” of your mutual fund. He’ll address portfolio screening, shareholder advocacy and community investing, and will share some real-life examples. After launching his career in the financial services industry with Merrill Lynch in 1998, Krull founded Krull & Company in 2004 out of his desire to help clients align their investments with their values. The company has since grown to well over $50 million in assets with clients in 22 states. Client investments are socially and environmentally responsible and fossil-fuel-free. In 2009, Krull was selected by the Savannah Business Report & Journal as one of its “40 under 40” business leaders. In 2015, he traveled to Washington, DC with Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) to advocate for environmentally responsible legislation. A recognized authority in his field, Krull has been quoted in the Washington Post, US News & World Report, and various local newspapers. For more information, contact Judy at judymattox@sbcglobal.net or (828) 683-2716.

10/04/17 LWV CANDIDATE FORUM IN ASHEVILLE

The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County is holding forums for all municipalities in Buncombe County this year. The League will hold a forum for Asheville City Council candidates in October after the primary, date and location TBD. Asheville City Mayor forum on October 4 from 6:00-7:00pm at South Buncombe Library. Go to their website for more information.

10/04/17 INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL

Indigenous Film Festival - Mortu Nega (Those Whom Death Refused). 10/04 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at Humanities Lecture Hall. This is the second of four films in UNC Asheville's 2017 Indigenous Film Festival. Through cinema, the series will present the experiences and perspectives of indigenous peoples around the world, not often reflected on American movie screens. The screenings are free and open to everyone and a short Q&A will follow the film. Mortu Nega (English: Those Whom Death Denied) is a 1987 film, the first directed by Flora Gomes of Guinea-Bissau, and the first produced in that nation post-independence. The movie blends contemporary history with African mythology. It got two honorable mentions at the Venice Film Festival in 1988 and also has screened at the Cannes and London film festivals and many others internationally. The Indigenous Film Festival is curated and will be hosted by UNC Asheville faculty members Trey Adcock, assistant professor of education and director of American Indian Outreach; Agya Boakye-Boaten, associate professor of Africana studies and director of Interdisciplinary, International and Africana Studies Programs; Juan G. Sánchez Martinez, assistant professor of Spanish; and Jeremias Zunguze, assistant professor of Africana and Lusophone studies. Contact for this event: Juan Sánchez at jsanche1@unca.edu or 828-251-6277.

10/04/17 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS VIGIL

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Helpmate and UNC Asheville are partnering together to hold a Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil on Wednesday, October 4 from 5:30-7:30 pm. This event is free and open to the general community. Two survivors of domestic violence will share their story and The Alex Krug Combo will perform live music. A Buncombe County Commissioner will read the Proclamation to End Domestic Violence. The names of domestic violence homicide victims will also be read in order to memorialize those that have lost their lives in North Carolina over the last year. Contact for this event is Keishea Boyd at kboyd3@unca.edu or 828.258.7872. Location is Sherrill Center - Mountain View Room 417.

10/05/17 AUTHOR EVENT IN ASHEVILLE

An Evening with Altered Genes, Twisted Truth Author Steve Druker: Discussion /Q & A, Thursday October 5, 7 pm, Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Rd. Book endorse by Jane Godall and internationally acclaimed for investigative journalism. Hosted by GMO Free NC - Asheville Chapter, GMO NC and Trusted Sharing.

10/05/17 DISCUSSION ON OPIOID ADDICTION IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Opioid Addiction in Buncombe County from the Medical, Law Enforcement and Social Services Point of View on October 5, 2017 from 6:40 pm - 8:10 pm at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. 6:40 pm Dessert & Coffee. 7:00 pm Program Begins. According to “Buncombe Beat” in the August 9-15, 2017 Mountain Xpress, the national problem of opioid overdoses and addiction is very much happening in Western North Carolina and Buncombe County. Governmental and other agencies are trying to understand the impact of addiction to and overdoses from pain pills. Join the League and three speakers working every day on this problem for education and discussion. Sheriff Van Duncan, Carriedelle Fusco, a Nurse Practitioner at MAHEC and Tammy Shook, Director of Buncombe County Division of Social work will each present differing aspects of this crisis and then, as a panel of experts, respond to questions. Please send an email by September 29th with Yes in the subject line to ruthodonnell6@gmail.com if you plan to attend so we can be sure to have plenty of desserts. For more information, contact alanapie@gmail.com. This was posted on League for Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County.

10/06/17 SIXTEEN YEARS OF A WAR OF AGGRESSION ON AFGHANISTAN

When will we ever learn? When we will care enough to stop all these mass murders?

10/07/17 TO 10/14/17 KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK

10/07/17 EARLY VOTING ENDS

On Saturday at 1:00 pm.

10/07/17 ART PUBLIC MEETING

In January 2018, ART will begin new service including 1 additional daily trip on Route 170, Sunday/Holiday Service on all routes, and 8 additional hours of evening service on select routes. City staff requests your feedback via surveys and public meetings. ART Public Meeting takes place Saturday, October 7, 2017 between 1-3pm at Edington Education Center, 133 Livingston Street in Asheville. Interpreter assistance needed? Contact: iride@ashevillenc.gov, (828) 259-5943.

10/8/17 AUTHOR EVENT AT MALAPROPS

Sunday, October 8 at 3 pm. Howard Covington presents “Lending Power: How Self-Help Credit Union Turned Small-Time Loans into Big-Time Change.” Throughout its history, Self-Help has never wavered from its mission to use Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of justice to extend economic opportunity to the nation's unbanked and underserved citizens. At a time when calls for economic justice are growing ever louder, Lending Power shows how hard-working and dedicated people can help improve their communities. Call Malaprop’s for more information.

10/10/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

10/10/17 AUTHOR EVENT AT MALAPROPS

Tuesday, October 10 at 6 pm. YA Author Amy Reed launches “The Nowhere Girls” - An Authors for Action Event. Told in alternating perspectives, this groundbreaking novel is an indictment of rape culture and explores with bold honesty the deepest questions about teen girls and sexuality. OurVoice will also be represented at the event. Call Malaprop’s for more information.

10/10/17 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY

Indigenous Peoples Day on Tue, October 10, 7pm – 8pm at Belk Auditorium at Mars Hill University. Dr. Heather Hawn (political science) and Amy West (President of the Native American Student Association) will present a discussion of the controversy surrounding Columbus Day and the national movement to rename this "Indigenous Peoples Day" and why students should support this movement mandy.proffitt83@gmail.com

10/10/17 VANDANA SHIVA RESIDENCY AT UNCA

Oct. 17-19 - Vandana Shiva Residency - The world-renowned activist and author described by Bill Moyer as a “rock star” of the anti-GMO movement, will visit UNC Asheville for a three-day residency, highlighted by a free public lecture at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18 in Lipinsky Auditorium.

10/10/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE FALL BOOK STUDY

Creation Care Alliance Fall Book Study--Limited Space. “Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming” Edited by Paul Hawken; with Katharine Wilkinson as Senior Writer. This book study will be on Tuesdays, October 10-November 7th at Jubilee! Community at 46 Wall Street in Asheville. Sign-up by emailing facilitator Chas Jansen at chas.jansen@mtsu.edu. Class size is limited! Creation Care Alliance is sponsoring a 5-part book discussion of Drawdown meeting from 6 to 7:15 on Tuesdays, 10/10 to 11/7/2017, at Jubilee! Community. If interested in joining this discussion, please sign up through the Creation Care website or email Chas Jansen who will send out a schedule of assignments & guide the discussion sessions (chas.jansen@mtsu.edu). This large, paperback book should be available at Malaprops Bookstore (828-254-6734) for $23.54. In the face of widespread fear and apathy, an international coalition of researchers, professionals, and scientists have come together to offer a set of realistic and bold solutions to climate change. One hundred techniques and practices are described here--some are well-known; some you may have never heard of. They range from clean energy to educating girls in lower-income countries to land use practices that pull carbon out of the air. We will kick off the discussions of Drawdown by attending a conversation with Senior Writer Katharine Wilkinson and CNN columnist John Sutter on “Reversing Global Warming” to be held at The Collider in downtown Asheville on Tuesday, 10/3.

10/10/17 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

There are 12 candidates; you can vote for 3. Also, you get to vote for Mayor. Must be registered to vote prior to primary election day. You must be registered in early September.

10/11/17 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE FORUM

The Community Roots team has been hard at work these past months, and we want to update everyone on what we've accomplished, and what's next. We've got an Asheville Community Bill of Rights Ordinance drafted! You can comment online, or come to one of our in-person public comment sessions. In those sessions, we'll be teaching about the ordinance and asking how you'd like to see the draft evolve. We'll also provide next steps if you want to be more involved. Come to one of the upcoming Public Comment Sessions: Sat., 9/23 5-7 PM at the BLOCK off Biltmore and Weds., 10/11 6-8 PM at Pack Memorial Library. For more information, contact ashevillecommunityrights@gmail.com. They can send you a link to the original bill. You can also contact Cathy Holt at cathyfholt@gmail.com for more information.

10/12/17 TEACH IN AT MALAPROPS

Thursday, October 12 at 6 pm. Teach-in with Rima Vesely-Flad presents “Racial Purity And Dangerous Bodies: Moral Pollution, Black Lives, and the Struggle for Justice.” At the center of contemporary struggles over aggressive policing practices is an assumed association in U.S. culture of blackness with criminality. Rima L. Vesely-Flad examines the religious and philosophical constructs of the black body in U.S. society, examining racialized ideas about purity and pollution as they have developed historically and as they are institutionalized today in racially disproportionate policing and mass incarceration. Call Malaprop’s for more information.

10/12/17 HENDERSON COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EVENT

Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:00 PM. Fletcher Municipal Candidates Meet and Greet. Come meet the municipal candidates for Fletcher at Fletcher Town Hall.

10/12/17 RAISE A GLASS FOR RAISE THE AGE IN ASHEVILLE

Since you have been involved for the last few years in advocating to Raise the Age of our juvenile offenders in NC, we are asking you to do one last action step-- Raise a Glass for Raise the Age! Beginning in 2019, 16 and 17-year-olds charged with misdemeanors or low-level felonies will be in the jurisdiction of our juvenile justice system. This protects their safety, provides developmentally appropriate interventions and consequences, engages their family, and offers resources for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Children First/Communities In Schools has been working with local and state advocates to pass this legislation for the past 10 years. Now, we can celebrate this important victory for our youth. So please join us on Thursday, October 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Wedge Foundation at 5 Foundy Street in the River Arts District to Raise a Glass for Raise the Age! Drop in for all or part of the celebration. We will have a very short presentation on the importance of this legislation and how we can continue to advocate for our youth, followed by a toast and conversation. Food and adult beverages available to purchase on site and at surrounding food trucks. Non-alcoholic beverages are available to purchase and we welcome youth under 18 to join the celebration. Thank you to the Wedge Foundation for providing the event space at no charge. Host Contact Info: Jodi Ford JodiF@childrenfirstbc.org or call 828-620-9091. Contact her for information on how to RSVP.

10/12/17 HOW WHITENESS SHAPES MULTIRACIAL SPACE TALK AT UNCA

Join Center for Diversity Education in welcoming Dr. Sarah Mayorga-Gallo to UNC Asheville as she presents her lecture "How Whiteness Shapes Multiracial Spaces: Lessons Behind the White Picket Fence" on October 12th from 5pm-6:30pm. This event will be held in the UNCA Humanities Lecture Hall. This event is free and open to the public. Please contact CDE at 828.232.5024 if additional accessibility or more information is needed.

10/13/17 LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

10/13/17 TO 10/15/17 ERA NC ALLIANCE WEEKEND RETREAT

You are warmly invited to the Alliance’s first fall retreat. Location is Kanuga Conference Center in NC. October 13, 6PM-9PM: Dinner and a movie for early arrivals, Equal Means Equal movie by Kamala Lopez. October 14, 9AM-5PM: General session, breakout groups, review of work done to date by the Alliance, generate new ideas for closing in on ERA ratification. Special luncheon speaker, Hon. Carla Cunningham, lead House sponsor of ERA bill. 6PM-9PM, Special dinner speaker, Melinda Lowrance, chair of Henderson County NAACP and ERA champion. Silent Auction throughout day to raise funds for ERA-NC (bring items, gift baskets, with lists and values, please). October 15, 9AM-11AM: ERA-NC Alliance Board Meeting, open to all. Room Rates: $125/night pp in shared room, meals included, $160/night single, meals included, $50.48 Saturday only (lunch & dinner included). Register early! Space is tight! $5 registration fee. Register online at https://registration.kanuga.org/4849.

10/14/17 WE ARE DEMOCRACY WORKSHOP

October 14 | We Are Democracy Workshop | Asheville. Join us at at this upcoming “We Are Democracy” workshop in Asheville on October 14. Location is Jubilee! at 01 Patton Avenue in Asheville. Time is 9:15 AM. Join us at at this upcoming We Are Democracy workshop in Asheville on October 14. Democracy North Carolina will equip you and your fellow activists from surrounding counties with the latest updates, tools, and training for building a multi-racial movement to mobilize for redistricting reform, fight back against voter suppression, and set the stage for our collective work in 2018. You’ll also learn some movement history, hear success stories from the field, and get timely training on core organizing skills. Please make a contribution of at least $10 to Democracy NC to help cover the costs of this workshop. Any contribution that you are able to make will help Democracy NC bring this workshop to more participants statewide. Saturday, October 14th, from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (sign-in begins at 9:15 AM) at Jubilee! (01 Patton Ave, Asheville). RSVP below to let us know you'll be there. Contact Darlene Azarmi at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org with any questions.

10/15/17 ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY

“Latin America: What the Left Got Right and What It Got Wrong” will be presented by Dada Maheshvarananda at the Sunday, October 15, 2017 meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:00-3:30 PM, at Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. All are welcome to attend. Join Dada Maheshvarananda for an examination of What the Left Got Right and What It Got Wrong in Latin America. Dada’s 21 years, having taught and organized for social justice in Brazil (1992-2003) and in Venezuela (2003-2016), provide a hands-on perspective. His first book, “After Capitalism: Prout's Vision for a New World” (preface by Noam Chomsky), was published in 2003 and has been translated into 10 languages. His second book, “After Capitalism: Economic Democracy in Action,” was published in 2012. His latest book, “Cooperative Games for a Cooperative World,” was just released in May 2017. He gives seminars and workshops about social activism and cooperatives and has spoken at the UN and with several world leaders about Economic Democracy. Informal discussion and refreshments will follow the presentation. For more information: call 828 687-7759 or email EHSAsheville@gmail.com.

10/16/17 TALK BY HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AT A. B. TECH

An Evening with Dr. Walter Ziffer, Holocaust Survivor. 6:00pm | Ferguson Auditorium. A-B Tech is proud to announce a special event with Holocaust survivor Dr. Walter Ziffer, adjunct faculty at UNC-Asheville and Mars Hill and author of his most recent book, “Confronting the Silence: A Holocaust Survivor’s Search for God.” Space will be limited to the first 400 people who arrive. Admission is free. Doors open at 5 p.m. Parking is available adjacent to the building.

10/17/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

10/17/17 LWV OF ASHEVILLE - BUNCOMBE CANDIDATE FORUM

Candidate Forum - Town of Weaverville on October 17, 2017 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Weaverville Library, 41 N Main St, Weaverville. Town of Weaverville Candidate Forum for Mayor and Town Council. Contact alexnuesse@gmail.com for more information.

10/18/17 LWV OF ASHEVILLE - BUNCOMBE CANDIDATE FORUM

Candidate Forum - Black Mountain and Montreat on October 18, 2017 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain. Candidate Forum for Town of Black Mountain Alderman and Town of Montreat Commissioner. Contact alexnuesse@gmail.com for more information.

10/18/17 LECTURE AT UNCA

Vandana Shiva is visiting UNCA. Lecture scheduled for Wednesday, October 18th 2017 at 7 pm. Location: Lipinsky Auditorium. Vandana Shiva, the world-renowned activist and author described by Bill Moyers as a ‘rock star’ of the anti-GMO movement, will visit UNC Asheville for a three-day residency Oct. 17-19 2017. After earning a bachelor's degree in physics, a master's in the philosophy of science, and Ph.D. in philosophy, Shiva came to focus on environmental and social issues, becoming a leading activist working to promote biodiversity, especially native seed, and promoting fair trade and organic farming. She is the founder of the Navdanya movement in India, which has established 60 seed banks and contributed to the conservation of more than 3000 rice varieties. She is on India's National Board of Organic Standards and chairs the Commission on the Future of Food in Tuscany, Italy. Shiva's advocacy and writing, including her books, Ecofeminism and Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Develoipment, tie in gender and environmental issues. She is a founding board member of the Women's Environment & Development Organization (WEDO), established by the late U.S. Congresswoman Bella Abzug. Shiva's most recent book is Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability and Peace.

10/18/17 GREEN DRINKS

Meet-up every 3rd Wednesday of every month at 6 PM at The BLOCK off biltmore at 39 South Market Street, Asheville. We encourage folks from all points of view and backgrounds to join us for informal networking focused on the science of sustainability. Bring a friend and enjoy an organic cocktail or local beer, make new friends and join forces to make Western North Carolina a model of sustainability. Vegan food is often available as well as live music.

10/19/17 BUNCOMBE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS PRESENTATION

Board of Elections presentation on voting integrity on Thu, October 19 from 6pm – 8pm. Time to be finalized and place TBD. This was on League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County website. Contact alanapie@gmail.com for more information.

10/19/17 EARLY VOTING FOR ASHEVILLE GENERAL ELECTION

The Board of Elections is open for voting from 8 to 6 PM, M-F, until November 3, 2017. Saturday, October 28, they are open 10 to 6 PM and Saturday, November 4, they are open from 8 to 1 PM. Board of Elections is at 77 McDowell Street in Asheville. There are five other early voting sites: First Congregational Church at 20 Oak Street in downtown, North Asheville Library, West Asheville Library, South Buncombe Library, and Murphy-Oakley Recreation Center. Same hours and dates as above. Last day to request absentee ballot is October 31, 2017.

10/20/17 AFRICAN AMERICANS IN WNC CONFERENCE

African Americans in WNC Conference 2017 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday, October 20, 2017. 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM - Sherrill Center 417 - Mission Health Mountain View Conference Room The African Americans in Western North Carolina Conference began in 2014. It offers scholars and the community an opportunity to meet and discuss issues related to the African American experience in western North Carolina. Original scholarship that sheds new light on the African Americans in Appalachia is preferred. Asheville has a long history as a regional center for African Americans in western North Carolina. Its vibrant culture and diverse communities serve as a model for this conference, which seeks to address scholarly and community issues of both past and current significance.The event is open to the public and no tickets are required.

10/20/17 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, 285-2599.

10/20/17 LECTURE AT UNCA

Fab Friday Lunch & Learn Lecture 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM. Friday, October 20, 2017 - 11:30

11:30 AM to 1:15 PM - Reuter Center 102 October 20, 2017 “Off the Beaten Path: Travels in North Korea,” by Jonathan C. Tetzlaff.. North Korea is one of the most secretive and remote locations on earth, visited by few Americans. In Jonathan Tetzlaff’s travels, he visited not only the capital, Pyongyang, but also remote locations in central and northern Korea (along the border with China). Jonathan is also one of the few Americans to view the famous Korean DMZ from the northern side. Other destinations included Chongjin, for decades a city closed to all visitors. Opened only a short time before his trip, the city - renowned as a key development site for North Korean missiles -- remains highly militarized. Jonathan will discuss travel (much by small airplane), food, beer, and his accommodations. Hotels varied from imposing structures with ornate marble lobbies to very basic accommodations in small rural hotels which had electricity only one hour per day and a “scoop” to move filthy water from a pre-filled bathtub into the toilet. With humor and a relaxed manner, Jonathan will illustrate his travel with photographs and real-world examples of laws and customs in North Korea.

10/20/17 BOYCOTT, DIVESTITURE AND SANCTIONS

Friday, Oct 20th @ 6:30pm. Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions: How Does it Really Work? BDS as it relates to the situation in Israel/Palestine is becoming an increasingly important issue as both state and federal legislation seeks to prohibit using these non-violent techniques to protest human rights violations in Occupied Palestine. Kathy Bergen, a veteran of decades of work on human rights issues in Israel and Palestine will explain what BDS is, how it works, and why Palestinian civil society started it. Location is Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

10/23/17 COMMUNITY BILL OF RIGHTS FORUM

Community Bill of Rights forums will be held in several venues throughout the city. Come learn about how we as citizens can take back our rights over our land, air, and water! Monday, 10/23, 6-8pm, Kenilworth Center, 4 Chiles Avenue, behind Kenilworth Presbyterian Church in Asheville. Contact Cathy Holt at cathyfholt@gmail.com for more information.

10/24/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

10/24/17 PLAY AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY

Tue, October 24, 7:00pm – 8:30pm at Broyhill Chapel, 338 Cascade St, Mars Hill. “GO, GRANNY D!” Currently touring nationwide, actress Barbara Bates Smith and musician Jeff Sebens will present "Go, Granny D!” “You're never too old to raise a little hell,” the 90-year-old Doris “Granny D” Haddock in 2000 blazed a 3200-mile trail across America for campaign finance reform, precipitating the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act. She continued her bipartisan reform efforts in countrywide voter registration drives, issuing her final challenge in 2010 at age 100: “Democracy is a running game. You huddle and you go back in. You keep going.” Contact mandy.proffitt83@gmail.com for more information.

10/25/17 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ASHEVILLE - BUNCOMBE MEETING

10/25/17 INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL AT UNCA

Oct. 25 – “Heritage Africa” – at 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at Humanities Lecture Hall. This drama tells the story of a Ghanaian who becomes a colonial officer, but re-examines his role and identity during his nation’s struggle for independence. This is the third of four films in UNC Asheville's 2017 Indigenous Film Festival. Heritage Africa, from 1989, was the second film directed by Kwaw Ansaw, who in 1998 was awarded the Acrag Prize, the Living Legend Award for Contribution to the Arts of Ghana. An excerpt from theTimeOut London description of Heritage Africa: “Set in 1955 in the violent run up to Ghanaian independence, this ambitious political drama follows the conversion of conscience of the first black District Commissioner, an anglicised Cambridge man so dedicated to his duties that he refuses to attend his mortally ill son. Ansah presents a diffuse political analysis - he is at pains to distinguish both between the 'enlightened self-interest' of the Governor and the cruder reactionary methods of sneering civil servant Snyper, and the rivalries in the 'Association of Freedom' led by Kwame Nkrumah.” Through cinema, the series will present the experiences and perspectives of indigenous peoples around the world, not often reflected on American movie screens. The screenings are free and open to everyone and a short Q&A will follow the film. The Indigenous Film Festival is curated and will be hosted by UNC Asheville faculty members Trey Adcock, assistant professor of education and director of American Indian Outreach; Agya Boakye-Boaten, associate professor of Africana studies and director of Interdisciplinary, International and Africana Studies Programs; Juan G. Sánchez Martinez, assistant professor of Spanish; and Jeremias Zunguze, assistant professor of Africana and Lusophone studies. For more information about the Indigenous Film Festival, contact Juan G. Sánchez Martinez at jsanche1@unca.edu or 828.251.6277.

10/25/17 WORKSHOP AT FIRESTORM IN ASHEVILLE

Oct 25- Building healthy relationships in an unhealthy world - cultivating healthy relationship dynamics in a world of violence. (led by Helpmate organizer Hannah). Workshop runs from 5 to 7pm at Firestorm Coop at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Free. For more information, contact: callistocollective@protonmail.com.

10/27/17 DOCUMENTARY AT FIRESTORM

Friday, Oct 27th @ 7:30pm. “Trouble” Screening. Every fourth Friday since September 2017.

sub.Media offers Trouble, a brand-new monthly show offering an in-depth anarchist analysis of current struggles, tactics, and movement dynamics. Trouble broadcasts first-hand accounts and perspectives from organizers on the ground, with the aim of cutting through the fog of misinformation that often clouds our understanding of the world, and provoking people into taking bold, collective action. This monthly, half-hour film on topics of interest to people fighting the settler colonial capitalism is hosted by Blue Ridge Anarchist Black Cross and will include a discussion of the film with questions provided by the film makers. Location is Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

10/28/17 NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP IN ASHEVILLE

Roberta Wall will guide us in applying the principles and consciousness of Nonviolent Communication in this day-long interactive workshop, “Connecting Across Divides.” Roberta Wall has been involved in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) for many years, and she gave a presentation about it to the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville in April. Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville and the Peace and Earth Committee of Asheville Friends are co-sponsoring this event. The suggested donation would be $80 for members of EHSA and Friends, and $100 for non-members. The workshop will be held on Saturday, October 28, from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Asheville Friends Meeting, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville. Please brown bag it for lunch. To register by mailing a check, please make your check payable to EHSA (and please add a notation that it is for NVC) and mailed to: Jim Tobin, EHSA Treasurer, 20 Stonebridge Drive, Asheville, NC 28805. Please mail it by September 29, 2017. For registration options and info, including about scholarships: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-across-divides-expressing-your-truth-and-creating-connection-tickets-37718247293?utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=order_confirmation_email&utm_term=eventname&ref=eemailordconf. Further details will be sent after you register.Roberta Wall is certified as a trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) by the Center for Nonviolent Communication. Roberta is trained as a lawyer, mediator, trainer, facilitator, parent, activist, mindfulness practitioner and coach.

10/28/17 THE NAKBA TOUR IN ASHEVILLE

The North America Nakba Tour and Asheville Committee for Palestinian Human Rights invite you to “The Exiled Palestinians: Stateless Palestinians from the Camps in Lebanon”. Khawla Hammad has been a stateless refugee in Lebanon for 69 years. At the age of sixteen, she was expelled from her village of Kabri, in Palestine. Now she is 84 years old and still a refugee in Lebanon, with no citizenship in any country at all. Israel expelled most of the population in 1948, and has prevented them from returning to their homes. Kabri and hundreds of other towns and villages were leveled to the ground, a crime that Palestinians call al-Nakba (the Catastrophe). But Israel did not stop there. It repeatedly attacked Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, killing three of Khawla’s children among many others. Before the Nakba, Khawla’s father died as a Palestinian freedom fighter. Khawla has a message that she wants to bring to North America. So does 23-year-old Palestinian refugee, journalist and translator Amena Elashkar, the great granddaughter of other Nakba survivors. She and her parents were born as stateless refugees in Lebanon and have never lived in their own country. Khawla and Amena want to meet you. They have a different message from other Palestinians. They do not live in Palestine, under Israeli occupation. Israel does not allow them to visit their homes, much less live there. Amena first met an Israeli during last year’s tour, and Khawla not since 1948. They have a different perspective from Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and the part of Palestine that became Israel. When: Saturday, Oct 28, 3-5 pm. Where: Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. This local event is supported by Asheville Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 and the Peace & Earth Committee of the Asheville Friends Meeting. The North America Nakba Tour is operated under the fiscal sponsorship of the Association for Investment in Popular Action Committees, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation. The project is administered by a committee of Al-Awda Right to Return Coalition, Free Palestine Movement, Black 4 Palestine and the International Solidarity Movement – Northern California. Contact Ken at jonesk@maine.edu for more information.

10/29/17 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 Helpmate. Act I is Rita Hayes Quartet and Act II is Jonathan Pearlman 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.

10/31/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

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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 6 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.

Indivisible Asheville does political letter writing at 5:30 every Wednesday at The Block Off Biltmore.

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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From the Sierra Club:

Sept 26, Tues - Call-in to Governor Cooper to Stop Enviva Biomass Plants: 919-814-2000

Enviva Company is requesting to build a 4th biomass plant in Richmond County, NC to process roughly 50,000 acres of our Southeastern forests every year -- to make pellets to send to Europe for "sustainable" fuel. Ask Gov. Cooper to not issue this permit and to honor his promise to live up to the Paris climate accord.

Sept 30, Sat. -- Nantahala-Pisgah forests need your help/ Please write the Forest Service

You are providing input on the development of the revised 1.1 million acres of the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest plan. In general, the preliminary draft treats the vast majority of the forest as being the same, (which would technically allow for timber cutting), and it doesn't recognize many special places that are important for backcountry recreation, exceptional biodiversity, old growth, and connectivity. The following link gives forest areas, and talking points.

https://www.sierraclub.org/ north-carolina/blog/2017/08/speak-protect-nantahala- pisgah-forests.

Email: NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us subject line "Spring 2017 material Plan Building Blocks"

Mail: Attn: Plan Revision, National Forests in North Carolina, 160A Zillicoa St. Asheville, NC 28801

Contact Judy Mattox for more information.

Public Hearing on Duke Energy Progress Rate Hikes

Wednesday, September 27th, Buncombe County Court House

Courtroom 1A, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville

Begins at 7:00pm; Arrive at 6:00pm to sign up to speak

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is taking public comments on Duke Energy Progress's largest proposed increase to residential bills since the 1980s - a 16.7% rate increase, or about an extra $17.60 @month for a typical customer.

A significant amount of the proposed rate hike would cover past and future costs relating to coal ash cleanup. Duke is requesting recovery from ratepayers of the $311 million it spent dealing with coal ash at its Asheville, Mayo, Roxboro, Cape Fear, Lee, Robinson, Sutton, and Weatherspoon facilities in 2015 and 2016.

Duke estimates that its coal ash cleanup costs at those plants will total more than $2.5 billion over the next 40 years.

Even Duke’s own insurance providers have refused to cover costs associated with Duke’s coal ash liabilities “because Duke failed to take reasonable measures to avoid and/or mitigate” the damages resulting from coal ash disposal.

North Carolina law allows for a utility’s costs to be paid by customers only if they are reasonable and prudently incurred. Rates must “be fair both to the public utilities and to the consumer.” There is nothing reasonable or prudent about disposing of millions of tons of toxic waste in an unlined pit beneath the water table.

· This rate increase will disproportionately impact those who can least afford it, like the 13% of N.C. families living at or below the poverty line. Last year, Duke Energy cleared $2.1 billion in profits...but says we should pay for its mistakes!1,2 Duke is so focused on maximizing their profits, they've forgotten they also need to protect our communities.

North Carolina has already paid enough for Duke's negligence: polluted rivers and drinking water and illnesses they suspect are caused by coal ash toxins

Talking Points:

Concern that there will be evictions for people who can’t afford the rate increase.

External costs for health and climate change have not been considered.

People who live near the coal ash & have drinking water wells have not been considered.

Equity and the democratic process have not been considered.

Written comments may be sent by email through mid-November Sierra Club: sc.org/dukeratehike statements@ncuc.net (include “Docket E-2 Sub 1142” in the subject line) or by mail to North Carolina Utilities Commission, 4325 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4300)

Letters to the Editor: letters@citizen-times.com; letters@mountainx.com

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From ART: Public Meeting Notice: January 2018 Service Expansion

In January 2018, ART will begin new service including: 1 additional daily trip on Route 170, Sunday/Holiday Service on all routes, and 8 additional hours of evening service on select routes. We want to hear from you, the riders, in choosing which routes should benefit from the additional evening hours of service. An online survey is available in English and Spanish; paper surveys will be available at the ART Station and on board buses. There will also be multiple outreach opportunities where the public can meet with City Staff to provide feedback and learn more about the upcoming service expansion. Please see the dates below:

• ART Station; September 28; 4:00-6:00PM

• Eddington Center, 133 Livingston Street; October 7; 1:00-3:00PM

• ART Station; October 17; 7:00-9:00AM

ART- Asheville Redefines Transit

iride@ashevillenc.gov

828-253-5691

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Actions recommended by Children First/Communities In Schools:

Action 1: Stop the latest ACA repeal (Graham-Cassidy bill). This is the third major attempt to repeal the ACA this year and includes elimination of coverage for millions, ends protections for persons with pre-existing conditions, and drastically alters Medicaid (over 50% of NC Children receive their health insurance via Medicaid and NC Health Choice). Projections say that North Carolina alone will lose more than $1 billion in federal funding for Medicaid by 2026.

Tell our NC Senators to "vote no on Graham-Cassidy!"

Senator Tillis: (202) 224-6342

Senator Burr: (202) 224-3154

If you want to dive deeper, check out Families USA's 12 Facts About the Graham-Cassidy Bill. Additional talking points:

Graham-Cassidy is a last-ditch effort to repeal the ACA. It would cause virtually all of the same devastating impacts as previous repeal bills already rejected by the Senate.

The country has moved on from repeal. They want and expect Republicans and Democrats to work together to stabilize the health insurance marketplaces and take steps to help people afford the coverage they need - including our children.

Action 2: Reauthorize funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before it expires on September 30. As noted above, Medicaid and CHIP (aka NC Health Choice in our state) insure over half of all NC children. If Congress stalls the reauthorization, 200,000 NC children's health insurance could be jeopardized. CHIP provides health insurance for children who don’t qualify for Medicaid, but who can't afford to purchase private insurance.

The good news is that Senators Hatch (R) and Wyden (D) announced a bipartisan agreement to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The deal would protect health insurance coverage for kids, provide peace of mind for families, and provide essential funding for states that have assumed federal CHIP funding in their FY 2018 budgets.

Tell our NC Senators to "support the Hatch-Wyden proposal to protect children's health insurance by funding CHIP!"

Senator Tillis: (202) 224-6342

Senator Burr: (202) 224-3154

Action 3: Reauthorize funding for Community Health Centers before the September 30th deadline. Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHC's) play an important role in serving low-income patients. In NC, they serve many uninsured adults (many that are parents) because NC has refused to close the coverage gap via the ACA. (You may be familiar with WNC Community Health Center, one of our local FQHCs.) FQHCs could lose 70% of their funding if action isn't taken by the end of the month.

Tell our NC Senators and Representatives to "fix the health center funding cliff before September 30th!"

Senator Tillis: (202) 224-6342 [Be sure to thank Sen. Tillis for signing the Community Health Center Support Letter, and ask him to continue to lead his colleagues on this issue before the deadline]

Senator Burr: (202) 224-3154

Representative Patrick McHenry (202) 225-2576 (10th District)

Representative Mark Meadows (202) 225-6401 (11th District)

Here's some quick talking points from the NC Community Health Center Association.

The projected loss of $84 million in federal funding to North Carolina Community Health Centers will mean:

More than 20% reduction in the number of patients we could serve – more than 115,0000 patients will lose access to care.

More than 1,500 jobs lost at community health centers in North Carolina

Potential loss of additional private funding because CHCs use federal funds to leverage funding from other sources.

Thanks for making your voice count for kids on this triple health threat!

Greg Borom, Children First/Communities In Schools

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dancewater

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Upcoming events for the week of September 24, 2017

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