Fresno Peace and Social Justice Calendar

THE PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CALENDAR

The Peace and Social Justice calendar is a free service of:
The Community Alliance newspaper
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this listserv and receive an updated calendar by email every week, send a message to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net
Web site: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/
Phone: (559) 226-0477 Fax: (559) 226-3962
To subscribe to the Community Alliance newspaper send $35 (regular) or $10 (low income) to: P.O. Box 5077, Fresno, Ca 93755.

Thursday, August 4
2 - 4 PM
CHAANGE/San JoaquinValley invites you to attend our monthly meeting. This will be a discussion of the strategy to legalize needle exchange programs in Fresno County. All are welcome to come and share their knowledge, opinions, and experiences.

Location: Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness Avenue (SE Corner of McKinley and Van Ness). For more information call (559) 268-1969.

Thursday, August 4
5-8 PM
Art Hop
As Terry Allen, former Fresno artist and musician, says in a song, "The Art Mob's Out Tonight" and that night would be the first Thursday of every month downtown at the newest Fresno arts hot spot and at various other locations around Fresno. You can see a variety of styles, perspectives and medias: contemporary expressionist, abstract expressionist, conceptual, painting, collage, assemblage, sculpture, photography and more, all coming from talented local artists. Some of those are Robert Ogata, Dal Henderson, Jane Whitehurst at the Bus Barn Studios; Steve Dzerigian, Sally Stallings and others at Corridor 2122 Mono; Richard Silva, Dixie Salazar at Silva/Salazar Studios (654 Van Ness) and a number of featured artists for July at Gallery 25 at 660 Van Ness, James Hawks and Carol Takijian; Manual Vesare, Glenn Delpitt, Brianna Johnson, and Silva at Fig Tree Gallery at 644 Van Ness. 

Come out and join the art mob on First Thursdays; enjoy some wine, a cracker or two, and a "Truckload of Art" (Terry Allen again). There are many other studios also taking part in Art Hop in Fresno. For more information contact Maria Franco at mfranco@fresnoarts.org Or (559) 237- 9734.

Thursday August 4
5 PM - 11 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Art Hop Reception for
Christine DeLaHofer
Plus the music of Jim Rust
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Thursday, August 4
7 PM
Democracy for America - California for Democracy of Fresno & Madera Counties monthly Meetup held at Denny's 1110 E. Shaw, Fresno, CA 93710 For information, log on to: www.democracyforamerica.com

Friday, August 5
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents: Every Light is a Broken Heart (from Oberg’s song Abby Street): Singer/songwriter Travis Oberg will present a concert of his acoustic/folk music on themes of peace / justice / service.

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Friday August 5
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Mercury Blues Band
$5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Saturday, August 6
Peace Fresno is co-sponsoring the Rally and March to the Livermore Nuclear Weapons Lab., on the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing. Participants will be car pooling to Livermore, leaving about 1:30 PM and returning to Fresno about 11:00 PM. For reservation and more info: email Dan Yaseen at danyaseen@sbcglobal.net or call 432-3445.

RALLY AND MARCH TO THE LIVERMORE NUCLEAR WEAPONS LAB
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, "Seeds of Change: No Nukes! No Wars!"
WHEN: Saturday, August 6, rally at 5 PM, march at 7 PM
WHERE: William Payne Park, 5800 Patterson Pass Rd., Livermore, CA.

On the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima...

ACT to abolish nuclear weapons and war
PROTEST new, earth-penetrating nuclear weapons at Livermore Lab 
CELEBRATE your vision of a just and nuclear-free world Livermore Lab is one of the primary sites for the development of nuclear weapons in the world. Join with us on August 6, to demand an end to nuclear weapons and war. The "Seeds of Change" rally will include speakers, music by David Lippman, Utah Phillips and more! There will be children's activities, so bring friends and family, a picnic blanket and food to share. *Also, you can send sunflowers to the Livermore nuclear weapons lab.* We invite you to create a paper sunflowers to be "planted" at the gates of Livermore Lab. For full instructions and mailing directions: www.wagingpeace.org/sunflower

Saturday, August 6
10 AM
The first meeting of Compassionate Correspondence (a pen pal program) will take place at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 4144 Millbrook. A large number of inmates at Central California Women's Facility, Chowchilla, are in need of a friend - someone to correspond with, and possibly visit. These women are not violent. Many have children they haven't seen for years, and may never see again. They have been abandoned by family and friends.

Maria Telesco and Nancy Hatcher will conduct a brief workshop about communicating with prisoners at the meeting.

Saturday, August 6
3 - 5 PM
Eight levels of Self Mastery - from Hatha Yoga to Meditation. Sister Mary Friedland from San Francisco Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center will speak at the monthly meeting of "Women of Spirit." The group meets at 7319 No. Fourth St. Fresno. Sister Mary is a certified yoga instructor from the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco, and is also a meditation teacher and facilitator. For details call: (559) 435-2212

Saturday August 6
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Drumagic- ancient rythms in a new world
$5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Monday, August 8
5:30 P.M.
The West Fresno Democratic Club will meet at Salaam Seafood Restaurant, 841 F Street At Kern in Fresno's Chinatown. The group is continuing to discuss club development and outreach. For more information call 213-8850 or 226-3717 or email ckrugman@sbcglobal.net

Wednesday, August 10
7:30 PM
FREE -- Monthly Video Series - Second Wednesday of Every Month - At the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness Avenue (SE Corner of McKinley and Van Ness). The documentary "Witness" will be shown. Growing up in Brooklyn, there was a lot of blood and guts, a lot of machismo.. Kids grew up to learn violence." With humor and sincerity, Eddie Lama tells the story of his remarkable change in consciousness, sharing realities of the meat and fur industries. In this award-winning documentary, Eddie explains how he feared and avoided animals for most of his life, until the love of a kitten opened his heart, inspiring him to rescue abandoned animals, become a vegetarian, and ultimately, to bring his message of compassion to the streets of New York. 43 min. Discussion to follow. Free admission but donations most welcome. For more information call the Center at 237-3223 or Angela at 435-6383. *NOTE: There will be one showing only, at 7:30 PM. There will be NO Noontime Showing during summer months.

Thursday, August 11
6 PM
Dr. Jeri Echeverria, CSUF Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, will read from her book, "Home Away from Home: A History of Basque Boarding Houses." Boarding houses welcomed newly arrived immigrants, sheltered wintering herders and served as a community for
Basques far from their homeland.

6:00pm - Picnic dinner on the green - bring your own
Music by Riverview Consort - woodwind quartet
7:00pm - Reading
8:00pm - Dessert, beverages and book signing.

WHERE: The River Center located at 11605 Old Friant Road - Fresno
FEE: Free
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 248-8480, ext 110

Friday, August 12
5PM and 8PM
Fresno Filmworks presents the French comedy-drama "Look at Me" at the Tower Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the Tower Theatre Box Office, 815 E. Olive Ave., The Movies, 1435 N. Van Ness Ave., the Fig Garden Bookstore in Fig Garden Village, and at the door, for $10; $8, for students and seniors. For more information call the FFW info line, 221-0755, or go to www.fresnofilmworks.org

Friday, August 12
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker: Richard Molinar, Fresno County Small
Farms Advisor, will talk about his work fighting for the small farmer, especially Hmong, black, and Mexican small farmers. His job description includes advising on crops and marketing, but in reality he helps in the fight for survival in a world where corporate farming and government regulations all work against the small farmer.

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Sunday, August 14
5 - 10 PM
The 8th Annual Jamaica My Weekend will take place on the St. Therese Church Lawn. The head liner is Prezident Brown from Jamaica, Elijah Emmanuel and the Revelations from Southern Cal King Sugar, Reggae, Rock Steady, Ska band from Fresno, also MC Red I from Santiago, Chile. Tickets are $12 advance and $15 at the gate with children 9 and under free with paid adult admission. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Tickets should be on sale at local nightspots and restaurants by the end of July. You can also get your tickets at The Movies.

Monday, August 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the September, 2005 Community Alliance newspaper. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Tuesday, August 16
6:30PM - 8 PM
The Democratic Party Office Fresno monthly Meetup will be held at 650 North Fulton Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728 For information, log on to: www.fresnodemocrats.com or call 559.486.5422

Thursday, August 18
5:30 - 7:30 PM
The National Women's Political Caucus of Fresno County will host an annual fundraising dinner at Pardini's in Fresno. State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the keynote speaker, will honor four members of law enforcement for excellence and innovation. Tickets cost $75 and are available at the Fig Garden Bookstore in Fig Garden Village, Fresno. [Or mail a check payable to NWPC to 5200 N. Palm Ave., Suite 202, Fresno, CA 93704.] The event dovetails with the 85th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Call 225-3116 for more information.

Thursday, August 18
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
The Inner Ear Poetry Jam
$3.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Friday, August 19
5 - 11 PM
A live outdoor rock-n-roll event @Melody Park 5935 East Shields Ave in Fresno. Tickets $5.00 until the 18^th $6.00 at the door

Snack Bar Open
!!Drugs, Alcohol and, Weapons Prohibited!!
No Gang Activity

Your Band is Welcome, Contact Organizers
Gustavo Contreres, Mike, Brad 294-7103

For More Information 621-6606

Friday, August 19
Sunset
Lyquid Amber & Tocanto (Brazilian group) Noches in the Plaza will perform at Arte Americas, la casa de la cultura, 1630 Van Ness, Fresno, CA $10 tickets, call (559) 266-2623 for credit card purchases. Food and beverages available.

Friday, August 19
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
"Zambra"
$5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Saturday, August 20
10 AM
Fresno County Democratic Chicano Latino Caucus meeting. The speaker is Mike Dages, Council member of Fresno City. Please come early to order at Casa Valadez, 4857 E. Butler at Chestnut. More information call Lydia Flores 435-7360

Friday, August 26
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the documentary: The Corporation (Part 1) This award winning documentary argues that "today's dominant institution" is not government or the church but the corporation. Our laws have declared a corporation to be a legal "person" when it comes to rights, but not a person when it comes to limits, except for limiting its liability for harm that it inflicts. It is not subject to the most universal and permanent limitation that applies to humans because unlike a person, a corporation lives forever. It maximizes its profits by "externalizing" all of its costs.

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Saturday, August 27
12 Noon - 5 PM
Copwatch - Help stop the cops from being the judge, jury, and executioners!

Do you want to:

* Stop Police Abuse?
* Help Prevent Police Violence Against Our Children, Brothers, Sisters, and Elderly People?

Do you want to learn to:

* Become A Lawful Witness
* Document Police Brutality and Abuse
* Know Your Rights When Doing This
* Help Victims of Police Abuse

Come to the Fresno Copwatch Meeting which will be held at the Hinton Center, 2385 S Fairview (located at Fairview and Church Ave in West Fresno).

For More Information call or email:

NAN (The National Action Network, California Chapter ) Rev. Floyd Harris, Jr. (559) 288-0828 email: xyfloyd@aol.com
San Joaquin Coalition for Immigrant Rights Gloria Hernandez (559) 489-6033 email:
 iwapgh@aol.com
Mai Vue (559) 227-4571 sunrisevue@earthlink.net

Saturday, August 27
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Belly Dancing with Cory Zamora
Featuring Cheryl Fuller Hughes
$5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Sunday, August 28
5 PM
Fresno Food Not Bombs volunteers and supporters from all corners of the community will hold a special event full of musical surprises for friends and family members. In the relaxing environment of the Full Circle Brewery all ages will find themselves amused, astonished and inevitably gratified by an interesting opportunity to watch Fresno artists, musicians, activists and the community collide with truly exciting results.

Full Circle Brewery is located at 620 F St. In Downtown Fresno

Monday, August 29
7 PM
The Fresno County Library is sponsoring discussion about the book: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Greg Koster will moderate this discussion of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins, a look at a world of economic intrigue where highly paid professionals funnel trillions of economic development dollars into the accounts of corporations and wealthy families. To obtain a copy of this book donated by the I & F Foundation for checkout at your local library, call 488-3856.

This event will be held at the Central Library, 2420 Mariposa Street, Fresno. For more information call (559) 488-3856.

Friday, September 2
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the documentary: The Corporation (Part 2) This award winning documentary argues that "today's dominant institution" is not government or the church but the corporation. Our laws have declared a corporation to be a legal "person" when it comes to rights, but not a person when it comes to limits, except for limiting its liability for harm that it inflicts. It is not subject to the most universal and permanent limitation that applies to humans because unlike a person, a corporation lives forever. It maximizes its profits by "externalizing" all of its costs.

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Sunday, September 4
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society is bringing BRIAN JOSEPH, a lovable modern troubadour with a theatrical flair. SUMMER GARDEN CONCERTS: 6661 N. Forkner, Fresno $10 donation. FFS Concert information: www.fresnofolklore.org

Saturday, September 10
11 AM
Peace Fresno is sponsoring an Opt-Out march called "Military Recruiters, Leave My Child Alone!" (borrowing a slogan from Mainstreet Moms). Details: Saturday, September 10, 2005; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00. March in downtown Fresno from the Fresno Unified School District Office, Tulare Street & "M" to the Military Recruiter office at 2020 Tulare (less than a mile). Marching from the school district office to a military recruiter office symbolizes the schools’ role in filling the ranks of the military. Suggested signs are: "Opt-Out Now!", "Protect Your Privacy from Recruiters!", "Books Not Bombs!", and, of course, "Military Recruiters, Leave My Child Alone!" As students are the focus of NCLB we are hoping they will be a focus of the march. So students, get your school involved, make your signs, plan your street theater, bring your drums, and get in front, because we don’t want to "leave any child behind." For more information contact www.peacefresno.org

Sunday, September 11
Music 3:30 PM and show at 4 PM
The San Francisco Mime Troupe comes to Roeding Park and performs their show Doing Good.

Doing Good was inspired by Perkins book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. Dan Chumley, actor and principal director with the collective from 1968-2000, provided a scenario based on the book's descriptions of Perkins' work in foreign countries. Perkins' job was to persuade countries that are strategically important to the US to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development and then contract these lucrative projects out to U.S. corporations. With that as the backdrop, The Mime Troupe writing team set off on its script creation. The writing team is led by collective members Keiko Shimosato and Ellen Callas, with Erin Blackwell and Jeffrey Morris. Collective members Bruce Barthol and Amos Glick are the lyricists. Designers are Callie Floor, Amber Miller and I Made Moja. Victor Toman directs actors Christian Cagigal, Michael Carreiro, Lisa Hori-Garcia, Keiko Shimosato, Michael Sullivan, Noah James Butler and Brian Rivera. "The collective worked hard to find the kind of story we felt was relevant to who we are as Americans in the world today," said the Mime Troupe's General Manager, Peggy Rose. "We wanted to tell a larger story of how America has earned the reputation it now has. It wasn't enough for us to focus on Washington and the White House. That was too easy."

For more information see: www.sfmt.org

Wednesday, September 14
Noon and 7:30 PM
FREE -- Monthly Video Series - Second Wednesday of Every Month - At the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness Avenue (SE Corner of McKinley and Van Ness). Howard Zinn’s "You can’t stay neutral on a moving train" documents the life and times of the historian, activist and author of the best-selling classic A People’s History of the United States. Featuring rare archival materials, interviews with Zinn as well as colleagues and friends including Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Tom Hayden and Alice Walker, captures the essence of this activist and thinker who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. 78 min. Discussion to follow. Free admission but donations most welcome. For more information call the Center at 237-3223 or Angela at 435-6383.

Thursday, September 15
5:30 – 8:30 PM Social Hour 5:30 – 6:30p.m. Program and Dinner 6:30 – 8:30
Habitat for Humanity, Fresno 20^th Anniversary Celebration at the Cornerstone Conference Center, 1525 N. Fulton Street (Downtown Fresno). Celebration of 20 years of building decent affordable housing for low income families in Fresno County. All dollars raised go directly into the housing fund. Cost: $35.00 per ticket or $60.00 per couple. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Cary Catalano at 320.1120 or e-mail at cary@cfanda.com

Friday, September 23
Tentative
Fundraiser for the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at the Big Red Church.

Saturday, September 24
Planned Parenthood event (details to be announced). www.ppmarmonte.org

Saturday, September 24
All Day
Major anti war demonstration in San Francisco. For more information see http://www.internationalanswer.org/

Wednesday, September 28
7 PM
The Great Oxford Debate, at CSUF. Details TBA.

Thursday, September 29
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society presents million mile troubadour, singer-songwriter, and guitarist Bill Staines at the College Congregational church, 5550 N Fresno Street. For more information call (559) 435-2690. Also see www.billstaines.com

Saturday, October 1
Solar Homes Tour Experience the Solar Solution! Learn directly from the innovators who have adopted solar technology how it works, what it costs, and why its time has come. In association with the American Solar Energy Society and local coordinating groups, NorCal Solar offers its 9 th annual Solar Homes Tour. On October 1 st , nine communities in the Bay Area and Central Valley will provide more than sixty-five sites for (usually) self-guided tours of solar and green buildings. Owners, designers, and/or contractors will be available at most sites to answer questions and discuss design, construction and technology. The tour sites showcase energy efficiency, active and passive solar technologies, and a wide variety of sustainable living solutions.

Presented by: NorCal Solar, Celebrating 30 years of solar education and advocacy 1975-2005
Tour Contact: Liz Merry, 530-852-0354, info@norcalsolar.org, www.norcalsolar.org
Tour Fee*: $10 per couple for pre-registration; $15 for on-site registration. Check each local
tour for exact details.

How to Take this Tour*: One Tour Guide is admission ticket for up to two adults (participants 17 years old and under are free with paying adults.) Pre-registration is encouraged and available online at www.norcalsolar.org. Some Tours may include a mini-bus or other guided-tour option; some offer discounts for taking the tour by bicycle. Ridesharing is highly encouraged and organized through the SpaceShare service on the tour website.  

*Some tour prices and formats may vary. Check individual tour options at www.norcalsolar.org/tour/ 

Saturday, October 1
8 AM - 3 PM
The Fresno Center for Nonviolence book sale in the Tower District.

Tuesday, October 11
Culture and Community Building conference at CSUF.

Call for Presenters

Topics can include but are not limited to:

* Issues in Criminal Justice
* Diversity in the Workplace
* Understanding Religious Differences
* Disability Issues
* Transformational Pedagogy
* Working with New Americans (Immigrant Issues)
* University and Community Diversity Resources
* Competency for Local and International Business Affairs

For more information contact Francine L. Oputa, Conference Coordinator at francine@csufresno.edu or visit their web site at www.csufresno.edu/tapestry

Saturday, October 22
5:30 PM
PROTEST BY FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND SUPPORTERS WORKING TOGETHER TO STOP POLICE BRUTALITY. Where: Corner of "N" street and Mariposa in Fresno
Across the main library entrance. Who: The National Oct 22 Coalition against Police Brutality

Why should you act on October 22nd?
"Silence is the voice of complicity." The nationwide epidemic of police brutality and repression is hidden from many people who would be outraged if they knew what was happening. Many people have become apprehensive about reprisals for protesting in today's political climate. We must resist in many different ways to drag this truth out into the light of day. October 22, 2004, the 9th annual National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation is the day for thousands across the country to speak out and act. Our resistance will give others courage.

In over 20 years despite countless police killings there has not been one officer discipline for taking someone's life in the valley. We want to send a message that killer cops will not be tolerated in our valley any longer. We DEMAND to live in a society where law enforcement professionals are willing to risk their lives to ensure peoples' safety not murder innocent people and then claim their lives were at risk. A society where youth aren't treated like criminals because of the color of their skin. Where immigrants aren't rounded up and detained because of what part of the world they're from. A society where more and more of the people are being involved in grappling with how to do away with all the misery and degradation characteristic of this system.

FOR FRESNO INFORMATION CALL: GLORIA 559-268-2261, COMITE NO NOS VAMOS: 498-6033, 497-0206, NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK: 288-0828

WEAR BLACK, BRING VICTIMS PICTURES, MEMORIES, RIBBONS, CANDLES, MUSIC, SONG, POETRY, ETC. http://www.october22.org/

Friday, October 28
The Fresno Free College Foundation annual banquet will feature Christian Parenti. Information about the time and place will be available soon.