Fresno Peace and Social Justice Calendar

Thursday, March 23
7 -9 PM
THIRSTY FOR FRESH DRINKING WATER
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
4144 North Millbrook Avenue (East side South of Ashlan)
Despite the agricultural wealth of our Central Valley, many small, rural communities such as Ducor, Alpaugh, Tonyville, do not benefit from the vast water system feeding nearby farms. While these areas often rely on contaminated ground water as the sole source of drinking water in their homes, agribusinesses just down the road receive clear river water at highly subsidized rates. Meanwhile people in these small towns have had to resort to bottled water for home and school use while contaminated wells are shut down and an inadequate water delivery system brings muddy water to the taps. But some solutions are being found. Come hear Paola Ramos, Coordinator of Economic Justice Coalition for Water, based in Oakland, and Ruth Martinez of Comite Si Se Puede de Ducor. The water in Ducor was so polluted that residents had to use

bottled water even while they continued to pay their water bills. The water was muddy and smelled bad, with a high sulfur content. Come find out how this was changed and how it is changing in Alpaugh, Orosi, and throughout our valley. Tulare and Kern counties have the highest incidence of water pollution in our valley. How are we impacted by this situation, and what can we do about it?

This is the third in a series on WATER. Sponsored by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Unitarian Church of Fresno. Spanish translation will be available. There is no charge. Materials and resource information will be available. For more information call Lydia 435-7360, Ellie 229-9807, or Bette 439-1361.

Friday, March 24
Start at 8 AM from Chestnut and Butler
March For Peace
The March for Peace is mobilizing communities throughout California in opposition to the war in Iraq. The march will bring together Peace activists, workers, students, unionists, Raza, African-Americans and particularly, our youths who are being targeted by military recruiters. March organizers ask that each of you carefully consider this effort, and support us materially, spiritually and most importantly, with your life's energy.

The March will gather at the corner of Chestnut and Butler at 7:30 AM. After a brief rally, they will travel north to Kings Canyon west towards downtown. They will converge with members of the National Action Network as we near Martin Luther King.

The Martin Luther King Leg, 10:00 a.m.: The March will continue west on Ventura to California, past Edison High to Fresno St. and the Justice Corner at "C" Street. Marchers will have lunch at the National Action Network, 1131 F St. The March will then travel down Fresno St. to the offices of Representative Jim Costa and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

The Peace and Justice Leg, 12:00 noon: The March will head north on P St. to Abbey, then on Blackstone to Shaw and the Peace Corner. The march will then head west to 2350 W. Shaw Ave., the office of Representative Radanovich. The march will end here by 5:00 p.m

For more information about the Fresno march, contact Stan Santos, Ph. 559-908-6701 or go to: http://guerreroazteca.org/

Friday, March 24
1 PM
Habitat for Humanity Fresno County announced today that Hilb Rogal and Hobbs Insurance (HRH) has chosen the local affiliate as 1 of 7 home builds that will take place nation-wide in 2006. HRH Insurance is fully funding a new 3-bedroom, 1212 sq. ft home for the Manzo family of Fresno. This donation will be celebrated with an official groundbreaking ceremony at the Crossroads Development in southwest Fresno. Representatives from HRH of Central California Insurance Services, Habitat, the Manzo family and Councilmember Sterling will be present for this event and available for comments. For more information see: www.habitatfresno.org

Friday March 24
2 -8 PM
Central California Legal Services, Fresno County Economic Opportunity Commission and the Cesar Chavez Adult School invite you to spend an afternoon with California First Lady Maria Shriver at the Cesar Chavez Adult School 2500 Stanislaus Street, Fresno 93721.

To help eligible families apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). People who earn under $37,200 may be able to get their taxes done for free. We will also be helping with:

*Enrollments in Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids
*LIHEAP- Assistance with PG&E (48 hour notice)
*Applying for PG&E Care Program
*Applying for Telephone Universal Lifeline
*Learning about other local agencies and services for working families .

Call 1(800) 501-5317 to find out if you qualify.

For More Information about this event, contact Manuel Romero at (559) 570-1258 mromero@centralcallegal.org

Friday March 24 (2 - 9 PM) and Saturday, March 25 (9 AM - 2 PM)
Are schools about authentic literacy or multiple choice high stakes tests? The Chavez Conference on Critical Perspectives in Literacy Instructions and High Stakes Testing. CSU-Fresno, McLane 121. For more information go to: http://www.testingabuse.blogspot.com/

Friday, March 24
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the Movie: Hotel Rwanda. Ten years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness, one man made a promise to protect the family he loved--and ended up finding the courage to save over 1200 people. Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda, secretly used his position and intelligence to shelter over a thousand refugees during the genocide crisis. While the rest of the world closed its eyes, Paul opened his heart to prove that the human spirit can make us stronger than we¹d ever imagine.

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, March 24
7 PM
Guest Speaker - Scholarship presentation
Central California Alliance is inviting the community to hear Lambda Letter Project's Boyce Hinman at the Unitarian Church, 4144 N. Millbrook. In addition, CCA will present the first $1000 Kathryn Stephens Memorial Scholarship to some deserving student for the purpose of supporting their college expenses.

Mr. Hinman is the founder and chief Lobbyist for the Lambda Letters Project and has been with it since its founding in 1988. He has been in civil rights advocacy since the early 1970's and served briefly, on the Board for The Society For Individual Rights in San Francisco. In the 1970s, he served as an openly gay man on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Boyce will speak on bills and issues of importance to the following groups: GLBT, HIV/Aids, People of Color, Women and also focus on the anti Gay Marriage bills pending in the state and nationally.
1. key bills that were passed and signed in 2005
2. Key new bills of interest introduced in 2006
3. An update on the anti-same sex marriage initiatives
4. A review of Lambda Letters and its services.

Friday, March 24
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society presents three outstanding singer-songwriters at the Bonner stage. STEVE SESKIN, BRIAN JOSEPH, & KENNY EDWARDS. $15 advance; $20 at the door. We heard them perform solo at the 2005 Kate Wolf festival but hey agreed to come and share the Bonner stage. Seskin will have you wiping away a tear one minute and laughing out loud the next. His songs all have messages that touch the hearts of everyone: from the feelings of a little boy missing his father, to growing up and being true to yourself, to one of his most well know themes of being considerate to and respectful of one another as expressed in "Don't Laugh at Me. www.steveseskin.com Seskin will conduct a songwriting class the following day. $20 at the Fresno Art Museum. For more information about FFS Concerts: www.fresnofolklore.org 559-431-3653

Saturday, March 25 (This event has been cancelled)
6 PM Reception
7 PM Dinner
8 PM Keynote speaker
The Reverend Al Sharpton will be the keynote speaker at the first annual Scales of Justice Awards Banquet at the Radisson Hotel (Ventura & M in Fresno). Theme: Taking "Justice for All" to another level. Sponsored by the National Action Network and the West Fresno Democratic Club. For more information call (559) 264-0097. www.nancal.org

Friday, March 24
8 PM
Fresno Reel Pride Night OUT!
Fresno Reel Pride invites you to join them for the screening of the fiercely original psychological thriller The Dying Gaul, starring Peter Sarsgaard, Campbell Scott, and Patricia Clarkson. For more information see: http://www.reelpride.com/2005/q_gaul.php

Saturday, March 25
1 - 3 PM
A community showing of strength and unity, against an increasing amount of racist, fascist, anti-semetic, and intolerant acts of vandalism and intimidation!

Bring: Yourself, friends, neighbors, people from your place of worship, co-workers, lovers, signs, banners, your voice! Drown out hate and bigotry with community solidarity!

In February, three local churches were vandalized by unknown individuals, who left hateful, and racist graffiti. All three churches were located in Modesto, and include places of various faiths. This kind of racist, anti-Semitic, and fascistic hate cannot be tolerated in our community without some sort of response. Unfortunately, Modesto is not alone as in recent months, people in other local areas have been the victims of racist attacks. In Manteca homes were vandalized with Nazi graffiti, in Ceres lockers at a local high school had swastikas spray painted on them, and in Patterson a local church was vandalized with "KKK", and other hateful messages. It falls on us as a community to come together and show solidarity with everyone who has been, or could be, a victim to racism, intolerance, or bigotry.

On March 25th, we ask you to join us and others in the community to make a showing that unity, understanding, and diversity can overcome any racist divisions or hate!

Where: Modesto CA, Briggsmore and McHenry

Organized by Direct Action Anti-Authoritarians (DAAA) Collective
Web - http://www.modanarcho.tk
Email - modanarcho@yahoo.com
Call Us!: 1 866 457 4230

Saturday March 25
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Saturday Afternoon Blues Jam
Hosted by Russ Allen "Everyone welcome"
3:00-7:00pm $3.-cover
Bellydancing with "Cory Zamora"
8:00pm $5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Saturday, March 25
Evo and Eva and Kevin
Evo Bluestein: fiddle, banjo, guitar, autoharp
Eva Scow: fiddle, mandolin
Kevin Hill: upright bass
at Fagan's Irish Pub,
2039 Kern and Van Ness ph (559) 266-0225,
Oldtime, bluegrass, blues and more

Sunday, March 26
1 PM
The United Farm Workers Union (UFW) is organizing a march in Los Angeles to support immigrant rights. There will be buses leaving from several valley locations

Interested? Contact:

Madera, Fresno, Parlier y Orange Cove---------------Daniel Romero (661) 979-3851
Cutler, Orosi y Visalia-----------------------------------Gustavo Aguirre (661) 667-0136
Tulare, Porterville y Terra Bella------------------------Vianey Torres (559) 352-0842
Delano, Richgrove, McFarland y Earlimart---------- Gustavo Fernandez (661) 667-0152 o Erika Oropeza (661) 778-7049
Wasco, Shafter y Lost Hills-----------------------------Everardo Vidales (661) 979-5853
Bakersfield, Arvin y Lamont--------------------------- Ana Martinez (661) 709-0196

1 p.m.—Rally for immigration reform at the federal building, 300 No. Los Angeles St. (off East Temple St.). Speakers include farm workers, UFW President Rodriguez, UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, L.A. County AFL-CIO leader Maria Elena Durazo. 2:30 p.m.—Worker procession to Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 West Temple St. 3:30 p.m.—Special Mass honoring Cesar Chavez, Bishop Gabino Zavala presiding.

Sunday, March 26
5 PM
El Porvenir - Sustainable Development in Nicaragua

Elisabeth Merritt, the Director of US Operations will be speaking in the College Community Congregational Church Social Hall. She will be speaking about El Povenir's sustainable development work in Nicaragua. There will also be pictures and comments from Fresno work brigade volunteers.

Join us for refreshments and a chance to find out about this nonprofit organization that is making it possible for poor people in Nicaragua to improve their health, environment, and standard of living through sustainable self-help community development in potable water, sanitation, health education and reforestation.

If you have any questions or need any information please call (559) 229-2191.

Monday, March 27
5 - 9 PM
POWER & the Women’s Alliance at CSUF proudly present the Saga Women’s Festival. The festival will be held in the Fresno State peace garden and will include several live performances of music and dance, poetry readings, and numerous local artists, writers, craftspeople. For more information call 559 804-1660.

Monday, March 27
7 PM
Elizabeth Merritt, the Director of US Operations for El Porvenir will speak at the Unitarian Universalist Church.

El Porvenir supports self-help, community-initiated water, sanitation and reforestation projects.

El Porvenir means "the future". Clean water means a healthier future for Nicaraguan children.

El Porvenir sponsors "Responsible Tourism". Travel with us and contribute in a substantial and positive way to the development of Nicaragua.

For more information see http://www.elporvenir.org/ or contact Ingrid Carmean at 559 225-8491.

Tuesday, March 28
5 PM
Support Immigrant Rights!
Proyecto Campesino, Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales (FIOB) and Pan Valley Institute (PVI), will hold a march to raise awareness about pending immigration reform and other issues affecting immigrants such as HR 4437. The march will be held in Farmersville and start out at Veterans' Memorial Park, east of town, walk down the main thoroughfare (Farmersville Blvd.), up to the Visalia Road and to City Hall, where there will be a press conference. For more information call Oralia Maceda at FIOB, 499-1178 or Myrna Nateras Martinez at PVI in Fresno, 222-7678.

Wednesday, March 29
Lobby Day! - California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom
Place: Sacramento, CA
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2006

Join the Planned Parenthood Mar Monte delegation to be part of Lobby Day! Reproductive rights activists all across the state will gather in Sacramento to show their support for birth control and access to reproductive health care. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte will be sending a delegation of staff and activists - some scholarships are available, learn more below.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte will be sending groups of staff and activists from the Fresno area, San Jose area, Sacramento area, Salinas/Santa Cruz area, and the San Joaquin Valley. Contact the Public Affairs staff person in each region to learn more about group transportation and limited scholarships available in each region to cover registration costs.

For more information contact fresnopa@ppmarmonte.org or go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/mmnte/files/mmnte/getinvolved/lobbyday.xml

Wednesday, March 29
3 - 5 PM Panel Presentation
7 - 9 PM Speaking and Q & A
Humane Borders
Peters Auditorium at the CSUF University Business Center room 191

The Rev. Robin Hoover, Ph.D. is the founding president of Humane Borders, Inc., an Arizona social welfare organization committed to providing humanitarian assistance to migrants crossing the Mexico- US border. The advocacy work of Humane Borders has been repeatedly featured in every major media market in the United States and the world from Moscow to China to the Pacific Rim. Film crews from twenty nations have traveled to Tucson and the southern Arizona deserts to document the work of Humane Borders volunteers.

Thursday, March 30
9 AM - 12 Noon
Air America host Al Franken will be in Fresno and produce a live broadcast from Pardini’s. Tickets will be available soon. More details coming soon at www.790kfpt.com

Thursday, March 30
6 - 7 PM
Artist Dixie Salazar will be giving a poetry reading from her newest book, BLOOD MYSTERIES, and also from new work, along with a discussion of the current show at Arte Americas, "Entre Dos Aguas." The show which will continue through April, explores Salazar's dual heritage, Hispanic on her father's side, Anglo (from the deep South) on her mother's side. "Entre Dos Aguas" (Between Two Waters) contains oils, collages and painted collages (that utilize special techniques to achieve a deeply layered effect) and is in the Ruiz Gallery. Many of the poems in the reading mind the same territory of the paintings, with titles such as "Davy Crockett Meet Coronado" and "Cornbread y Caricoles in Cielo" (Cornbread and Mussels in Heaven). A new series of poems inspired by altars will be presented, "Alter with the Bickering Marys," as one example. The reading takes place at Arte Americas FREE. Contact 266-2623 for more information.

Thursday, March 30
6:30 - 8 PM
Health Care for All - Central California meetings are held at the SEIU office at 1279 N. Wishon. For more information see: http://www.healthcareforall.org/central_valley.html

Friday, March 31
5 PM
Cesar Chavez Celebration
The Co-Ce-Cha committee for Cesar Chavez is sponsoring a candlelight vigil at the CSUF Peace Garden. For more information call 559 498-6033 or email laguilar78@hotmail.com

Friday, March 31
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Andrew Valencia, president of Reedley High School’s Students for Peace and frequent contributor to the BackTalk section of the Fresno Bee. Topic: The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword: Themes of Peace, Justice, and Freedom Throughout Literature.

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, March 31
7 PM
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be appearing at Modesto JC East Campus Gym. The college is located at 436 College Ave., Modesto. Tickets are $10 general, $8 students and seniors, and $100 VIP seating (includes private reception). His appearance is in conjunction with Earth Day activities. Phone 209-575-6866 for VIP reservations.

Saturday, April 1
10 AM
Cesar Chavez Celebration
The Co-Ce-Cha committee for Cesar Chavez will hold a march starting at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Fresno. The march will end at Grant Streat and Thesta with the event celebration beginning at 12 Noon. For more information call 559 498-6033 or email laguilar78@hotmail.com

Saturday, April 1
2 PM
IN MEMORY OF HEINZ KUSEL

To honor the life and work of the artist, and much-appreciated teacher of artists, the College of Arts and Humanities of CSUF will host an afternoon event and reception from 2-5 p.m.

A DVD chronicling Kusel's career of creativity will be shown at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.. at the Art Bldg. Auditorium (Conley 101). There will also be an exhibit of his work at the President's Gallery in the Thomas Administration Bldg.

The event is co-sponsored by the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, whose mission was close to the heart of Heinz Kusel.

Sunday, April 2
2 - 4 PM
Equality California (EQCA) & the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) opens their new joint Fresno office. They would like to welcome you to the office warming of the new GSA & EQCA

Office located at: 928 N Van Ness. Join them for a FREE BBQ. Great opportunity to meet your local EQCA organizers and find out how you can get involved. Also, looking for any organizations that want to help form an organizational bond with EQCA. Please come out and have a great time! Questions? Call (559) 681-6682

Thursday, April 6
Jane Addams Peace Garden Statue Unveiling at CSUF.

Friday, April 7
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society presents Garnet Rogers. $15 advance; $20 at door at the Fresno Art Museum. For more information about FFS Concerts: www.fresnofolklore.org 559-431-3653.

Saturday, April 8
10 AM - 2 PM
Central Valley Progressive Pac to Hold Local Candidates Forum

The Central Valley Progressive Political Action Committee (CVPPAC) will be holding a candidates’ forum at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fresno located at 4144 N. Millbrook Ave, Fresno (1/2 block south of Ashlan). This is a great opportunity to personally see and question the candidates and have time to make a difference in the June 6, 2006 primary election. Some races will likely be decided without a run-off vote in the November general election.

Candidates for the following non-partisan races are being invited to participate:

Fresno City Council Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7

Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 1 and 4

Fresno County Assessor-Recorder, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer, County Clerk, District Attorney, Public Administrator/Coroner, Sheriff, and Superintendent of County Schools.

The forum is co-sponsored by the UUCF’s Social Justice Committee and is open to the general public free of charge. This Forum is presented as an educational opportunity to help voters learn more about the candidates and their positions on important issues. No endorsement vote will be taken at this Forum. The candidates will be allowed a short opening statement and participate in a question and answer period. Child care and light refreshments will be provided. While there will be no charge to attend the Forum, free will donations will be accepted to help defray expenses. Forum details will be posted later this month at www.cvppac.org. A current listing of declared candidates can be found at the Fresno County Clerk’s website at www.co.fresno.ca.us/2850/Post/P2006candidatelist.pdf

Saturday, April 8
7 PM
KFCF 88.1 FM presents Aaron Glantz as he returns to Fresno to benefit the KFCF Transmitter Fund. Aaron is on the book tour of the paperback edition of How America Lost Iraq. The event will take place at the Unitarian Church, 4144 N. Millbrook Avenue. Tickets are available at the Movies Video Shop, 1435 N. Van Ness/233-8346 in Fresno's Tower District. Tickets are sliding scale $5 to $7. Refreshments will be available.

Wednesday, April 12 - Wednesday, April 19
California Central Valley Journey for Justice
The Journey for Justice, planned for April 2006, will go through cities and towns of the California Central Valley from Bakersfield to Sacramento. The journey will consist of forming a chain of communities and exchanging information and demands with one another in order to share strength and support to understand and find solutions together. The intent of the journey is to bring together a united people in a movement for economic, social, and political justice, highlighting the need for a more fair and humanitarian criminal justice system and healthcare as it pertains to everyone's right to life. In California, as across the nation, the health care system is under crisis, and those most affected are the lower and working class, therefore we must band together to support one another in the struggle and road to a better standard of living. The Central Valley ranks as one of the highest across the U.S. in terms of poverty, unemployment, and poor healthcare, which emphasizes that the social conditions in the area need to be addressed. We intend to bring together public employees, healthcare workers, farm workers, religious leaders, labor and the urban and rural poor in a unified movement for justice and economic human rights for all in California. The Journey for Justice will consist of a link through various communities in the Central Valley, with activities taking place at the following cities and dates: (Tentatively, the Journey for Justice will take place as follows, as dates or cities may be subject to change)

Bakersfield/Delano Wednesday April 12
Visalia/Tulare Thursday April 13
Reedley Friday April 14
Fresno Saturday April 15
Madera Sunday April 16
Merced Monday April 17
Stockton Tuesday April 18
Sacramento Wednesday April 19

Originally inspired by the commemoration of the 1965 United Farm Workers march on Sacramento, the Journey for Justice has evolved and will demonstrate the different faces of poverty. Growing numbers of workers are falling into poverty for the first time and our intent is to give support and help find solutions.

Today's crisis calls for unity across the artificial lines of geography, industry, occupation, color, nationality, and religious belief. This Journey for Justice will be a model for the society we are striving to create. We believe in a world with health care for all, education for all, sustenance for the poor, human rights for all, and freedom from police abuse.

The co-sponsoring organizations for this event are:

Merced Labor Party- (209) 631-6461
California National Action Network- (559) 318-4557
Community Homeless Alliance Ministry- (408) 294-5563
California Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign/WEAP- (510) 451-7379

For more information call (209) 631-6461

Wednesday, April 12
12 Noon & 7:30 PM
Second Wednesday of each month free Video Program

"The Fourth World War." From the frontlines of conflicts in Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Korea, "The North" from Seattle to Genova, and the "War on Terror" in New York, Afghanistan, and Iraq, it is the story of men and women around the world who resist being annihilated in this war.

Free event. 75 minutes.

12 Noon showing at the Center, 1584 N. Van Ness (SE corner Van Ness and McKinley)

7:30 PM showing, Islamic Cultural Center, 2111 E. Nees (Nees and Maple) A discussion will follow this showing only.

Wednesday, April 12
3 - 3:30 PM
Radio Show, "Stir It Up" -- Second Wednesday of each month, 3 to 3:30 PM,

Station KFCF, 88.1 on the FM Dial. Camille Russell and Dan Yaseen will speak on their recent trip to Pakistan where they attended the World Social Forum and reaffirmed their belief that "another world IS possible."

Wednesday, April 12
5 - 7:30
The Reedley Peace Center presents Speakers: Jerry and Sis Levin. Jerry is a full time Christian Peacemaker Team member in Hebron, West Bank and Sis is founding director of Bethlehem based The Children of Abraham Interfaith Education for Peace Project. Topic: The Piece Process Continues!! The Struggle Against Myths, Propaganda and Annexation in Palestine and Israel.

Friday, April 14
5 PM and 8 PM
Fresno Filmworks presents "Caché (Hidden)" at the Tower Theatre. An unsettling thriller with a powerful political subtext, the film stars Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche. In French, with English subtitles. 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

Saturday, April 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the May, 2006 Community Alliance newspaper. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Thursday April 20
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
"Inner Ear Poetry Jam"
$3.-cover
620 F St
Historic Chinatown
Fresno California
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Friday, April 21
6 - 9 AM
Air America host Stephanie Miller will produce her show live in Fresno at the CSUF Satellite Union. More details coming soon at www.790kfpt.com

Friday, April 21
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Ron Schmidt, Professor of Political Science, CSULong Beach. Topic: Immigrant Settlement: Lessons from Canada. Canada’s proactive approach in assisting immigrants to establish themselves economically, socially, culturally, and politically, compared to the US approach.

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, April 21
6:30 PM
The San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club (SJVDC) is working in conjunction with KFPT-AM 790, to host talk show personality Stephanie Miller in Fresno. Stephanie will be broadcasting live from Fresno the morning of Friday, April 21st (6 am – 9 am time slot) and will be speaking at an event that evening sponsored by the SJVDC. The event will be at La Ryan Event Center, 4277 N. West Ave (West and Ashland) beginning at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6). There will be a no host bar and heavy Hors D'oeuvres. Cost of the evening is $30, which includes membership in the SJVDC. Tickets are available by contacting Gary Alford, at 559/ 224-8430 or gary@fresnoteachers.org

Saturday April 22
12 noon - 1PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
"Gypsy Encampment"
10 hours of continous entertainment, dance & music featuring
"Jem Bluestein & the Lunatics"
"Nate Butler"
"Patrick Contreas Band"
"Mo-Fo Party Band"
$8.00 advace purchase includes free childs admission
$10.00 at gate $5.00 for children day of event
620 F St
Historic Chinatown
Fresno California
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Saturday, April 22
3:30 - 5 PM
Central Valley Progressive PAC meeting will be held at the Center for Non-violence, 1584 N. Van Ness at McKinley. An agenda will be sent out prior to the meeting. Information: www.cvppac.org or 559-435-7360

Saturday, April 29
PeaceFire 2006 - A Celebration for Peace
The South Valley Peace Center and American Friends Service Committee - Proyecto Campesino are pleased to announce the second annual PEACEFIRE - A Celebration for Peace. The event, which will be held in Visalia will feature speakers, music, tabling, and vendors at a Visalia location to be announced soon. This was a not-to-be missed event last year. For more information see: http://www.svpc.info/

Saturday, April 29
2 - 4 PM
The League of Women Voters, Preschool California and Fresno Pacific Univ. are co-sponsoring a dual forum. The two candidates for Fresno County Supt. of Schools will speak, and an official from Preschool California will be here to present a non-partisan analysis of Prop 82, the Preschool for All initiative. This event will be held at Ashley Hall which is in McDonald Hall (main bldg) at Fresno Pacific. No charge.

Saturday April 29
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Saturday Afternoon Blues Jam
Hosted by Russ Allen come join the Jam!
3:00-7:00 pm $3.-cover
"Mercury Blues Band"
8:00pm $5.-cover
620 F St
Historic Chinatown
Fresno California
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Monday, May 1
7 PM
International Workers Day. The Community Alliance newspaper will show the movie THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED at the Full Circle Brewery, 620 F St. in Downtown Fresno. For more information about this event call 559 978-4502. For more information about the movie, see: http://www.chavezthefilm.com/index_ex.htm

Friday, May 5
6 PM
Reedley Social Services, Inc., established in 1987 by farm workers of the San Joaquin Valley to assist the Native Americans that migrate from Mexico into what is now the United States, proudly invites the general public, students, workers and professionals to a Chiapas Media Project(CHP)-Promedios teach-in presentation. Alexandra Halkin of the CHP-Promedios will be presenting several short films created and edited by the Zapatistas themselves reflecting their everyday struggle for dignity and survival of their native peoples and for the world as a whole. The presentation will be followed by what is expected to be a lively Q/A session. CHP-Promedios presentation will take place on Cinco de Mayo, at the Fellowship Hall of the First Mennonite Church, where the Peace Center Meetings are held every Friday evening. The Hall is located at 1208 "L" Streeet, between 11th and 13 Streets, in the city of Reedley, California.

Join the staff of Reedley Social Services, the Reedley Peace Center activists, farm workers, students and the general community to celebrate the heroic Battle of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo, which, incidentally, was led by native, indigenous Mexican army generals, in 1860.

For more information, call the staff of Reedley Social Services at 638-4479. Food and refreshments will be on hand for those invited to attend this epic presentation.

May 5, 6, & 7
Fresno Filmworks 2^nd annual film festival. 3 days of film. Opening night party, discussion every day at Fresno’s historic Tower Theatre.

Wednesday, May 10
11:30 AM - 1 PM
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center will hold its first "Celebrate You – Live Well and Thrive Luncheon" at TorNino’s Banquets in Fresno. The event will feature culinary delights from a team of Fresno’s top-rated chefs, followed by a motivational address and book signing by Marci Shimoff, co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul."

Shimoff delivers an uplifting message for women, addressing self-esteem and empowerment. She is co-author of five New York Times best-selling books, "Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul I and II," "Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul I and II," and "Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul," as well as the recently released "Chicken Soup for Every Mom’s Soul."

Tickets are $15 per person and will be available for purchase in February. For more information, contact Peter DeYoung, Alliance Advertising and Public Relations at (559) 994-9292.

May 15 - 19
The Bike Coalition will again sponsor events for Bike Week.

Saturday, May 20
8 AM - 4 PM
The Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN) Conference will be held at the Big Red Church in Fresno.

Sunday, May 21
1 PM
Dan Yaseen will report back from the World Social Forum in Pakistan. This report back will be held at the Humanists of the San Joaquin Valley regular meeting which is held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N Millbrook Ave.

Saturday, May 27
KFCF 88.1 FM special event
Join us in North Fork to hear Pratap Chaterjee, producer of KPFA's environmental program Terra Verde and president of CorpWatch, an organization that investigates multinational corporations that profit from war, fraud, environmental and human rights abuse. This annual event is held in the North Fork Town Hall and features live music, dinner and beverages along with our featured speaker. Details soon. For information call 559-233-2221.

Sunday, 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/

ONGOING WEEKLY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

Every Sunday
4 PM
Sunday Food Not Bombs serves free food at Courthouse Park to anyone who is hungry. They start cooking at 1 PM and serve the food at 4 PM (meet at the Tulare side of the park). If anyone would like to donate or help cook, they should contact Becky Asami at 304-3409, or email her at Littlejap@csufresno.edu

Every Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Fresno River Zen group meets in Horsley Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N. MIllbrook, Fresno. This group welcomes all who wish to seek clarity, compassion, and harmony with oneself and the world through mindful meditation. Emphasis is on bringing peaceful actions from personal experience in meditation to healing the world. Teaching and practice in the spirit of the Suzuki Roshi Lineage is led by Grace Schireson, an ordained Zen priest. For more information, call Grace at (559) 877-2400 or email her at grace@emptynestzendo.org .

Every Tuesday and Thursday
7–9 PM
The St. Benedict Catholic Worker serves a meal to the homeless, working poor, and visitors and released inmates in front of Fresno County Jail (corner of Fresno and M streets). Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the meals. For more information contact Liza Apper at (559) 229–6410 or liza.apper@sbcw.org ; or visit their Web site: < www.sbcw.org >.

Every Tuesday
7 PM
Peace Fresno meets at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at 1584 N Van Ness, south of McKinley. If you want to help stop Bush's endless war against the world, come to this meeting! For an up-to-the-minute listing of all peace actions in the Fresno area, call the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at (559) 23PEACE (237–3223). For more information about Peace Fresno, call 487–2515 or visit their Web site at www.peacefresno.org.

Every Friday
7 PM
Reedley Peace Center holds it weekly peace meeting at the Fellowship Hall at Reedley's First Mennonite Church, 1208 L Street, Reedley. Programs vary, but the focus is always on peace issues: local, state, national, international. The contact is Carol Krehbiel: (559) 637–9098 or krehbiel@cvip.net . The meeting is free, open to the public, and accessible to the handicapped.

Every Saturday
1–2 PM
Food Not Bombs feeds the hungry near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park. The location for cooking on Saturday is at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E Barstow, between First and Cedar, starting at 9 AM. They are always in need of servers at the park. For more information call Dallas: 452–0277, or e-mail fresnofnb@yahoo.com. Visit the Food Not Bombs Web site at www.fresnoalliance.com/FNB/

Every Saturday
1 PM until the last patient is served
Medical clinic for the homeless, actively injecting drug users, and prostitutes. You can find them near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park. Staffed by Dr. Marc Lasher and volunteers. Accepting financial donations. Contact: 266–0444.

Every Saturday
1–3 PM
Fresno Free Bicycle Repair Clinic. Most Saturdays. Donations of bicycle parts, inner tubes, and blinky lights welcome. Volunteers needed to help with minor repairs. The bicycle clinic is near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park, beside Food Not Bombs. For more info and to arrange donations, e-mail fresnofreebikeclinic@yahoo.com.

ONGOING MONTHLY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

1st Sunday of every month
1 - 3 PM
The South Valley Peace Center <http://www.svpc.info/ > has peace demonstrations at the northwest corner of Mooney and Walnut in Visalia. Come out and demonstrate for peace. Bring a sign with your favorite peace message.

1st Sunday of every month
3 - 5 PM
Fresno Stonewall Democrats meeting is open to the public. Stonewall Democrats’ focus is on social and political issues of interest to progressives in general and progressive and liberal Democrats in particular. For meeting location and other information contact Jay Hubbell at (559) 292–4905, e–mail <fresnostonewall@mangen.com >, or visit the Web site<www.mangen.com/stonewall/ >.

2nd and 4th Sunday of every month
1 PM
South Valley Peace Center meets at the Visalia Friends Meeting House, 17208 Ave. 296, Visalia. Contact: info@svpc.info http://www.svpc.info

3rd Sunday of every month
10 AM–12 Noon
World Meditation Day is observed to promote peace within oneself and harmony in the world. Held at 7319 N Fourth St, Fresno. Program includes guided meditation followed by discussion and light refreshments. Call Veena Kapoor, (559) 435–2212, for more information.

3rd Sunday of every month
1 PM
Humanists of the San Joaquin Valley meet in Room 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 4144 N Millbrook. For info call June: 645–1719, or visit their Web site at www.fresno.humanists.net

2nd Monday of every month
5:30 PM
The Living Wage Committee will meet at the SEIU 250 office, 1279 N Wishon. Community Alliance for a Fair Economy (CAFE) is taking the lead in this effort. We are in the research and planning stages of development. Further information contact Frances Sivak: (559) 222–5240 or fsivak@msn.com.

4th Monday of every month
7 PM
FresCAMP (Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) meets at the Barn at Margaret Hudson's house, 4230 N Arthur. For more information e-mail ilsasso2003@yahoo.com, call (559) 227–6134, or visit the Californians for Pesticide Reform Web site at www.1000friendsoffresno.org/pesticides.html

1st Tuesday of every month
6 PM
The San Joaquin Valley Coalition for Immigrant Rights meeting at 328 N Fresno Street. For more information call (559) 498–6033.

3rd Tuesday of every month
12:30 - 2 PM
The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) a progressive coalition of community, church and labor organizations have their monthly meeting at the Fresno Senior Resource Center located at 2085 E. Dakota in Fresno. It is an open meeting to all with concerns on local, state & federal issues that matter to seniors, voters, taxpayers. For more informaiton call Gene Roza at 559-905-3521or visit the CARA website at: www.californiaalliance.org

3rd Tuesday of every month
7 PM
The Fresno Free College Foundation (owner and operator of KFCF 88.1 FM) Board of Directors meet at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N Millbrook, Fresno. The public is invited. For more information call (559) 233–2221, e-mail kfcf@kfcf.org , or visit www.kfcf.org.

1st Wednesday of every month
12 Noon–1 PM
Women in Black– Silent Vigil at the Fresno County Courthouse entrance. Show your support for PEACE and for negotiated settlements of US current military actions! Meet downtown at the Fresno courthouse, and stand silently, advocating for PEACE. For more info, call 278–7140 or 225–2850.

1st Wednesday of every month
7 PM
The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee meetings are held in the State Building Assembly Room. The address is 2550 Mariposa Ave. Call Steve Haze, Chair – 855-8844 stevehaze@psnw.com or Jay Hubbell, Secretary - 292-4905 / jayhubbell@comcast.net for more information.

1st Wednesday of every month
7:30 PM
Conservation Committee of the Sierra Club Tehipite Chapter at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N Millbrook, Fresno.

1st Thursday of every month
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.

2nd Thursday of every month
5 PM
The Human Relations Commission meetings are open to the public. Regular meetings are usually scheduled on the second Thursday of each month in Meeting Room 2165N of City Hall. Any person who wants to place an issue before the Commission should first contact the HRC staff at 621–7770.

2nd Thursday of every month
7 PM
Fresno LGBTQ Social Group (http://www.gayfresno.com/social/ )
Carrow's Fresno
1484 E. Shaw Ave
(one block south of Fashion Fair)
Get together and hang out

2nd Thursday of every month
7 PM
Monthly meeting of the Fresno County Green Party, County Council, at the California State Building in downtown Fresno. The address is 2550 Mariposa Ave., and is located between O and P streets and Fresno and Tulare. Enter through the main door along the pedestrian mall just off P Street. Call (559) 265–3647 or go to www.cagreens.org/fresno for more information.

2nd Thursday of every month
7 PM
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom meeting, 1584 N Van Ness, south of McKinley. For more information e-mail socialjustice@sti.net.

3rd Thursday of every month
6–8 PM
Fresno County Bicycle Coalition, monthly meetings to provide a forum for bicyclists to organize, discuss common concerns, and influence public policy. If you are interested in helping Fresno County become more bike-friendly, you are invited to join this group. We meet at the Revue Café, 620 E Olive (at Lucerne) in the Tower District. Please call (559) 444–2065 for more information.

3rd Thursday of every month
6:30 PM
Central California Criminal Justice Committee is meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1564 North Van Ness ( Southeast corner of McKinley and Van Ness).

1st Friday of every month
4:30–6:30 PM
Peace Fresno is at Shaw and Blackstone Avenues to protest the occupation of Iraq and other harmful domestic and foreign policies of the Bush administration. Peace Fresno advocates alternatives to war and social and environmental justice. For more information go to <www.peacefresno.org>.

1st Friday of every month
7–9 PM
Dances of Universal Peace. Sacred Circle Dances from Around the World at the First Congregational Church, Van Ness and Yale.

1st Saturday of every month
9:30 AM
Kennedy Club of the San Joaquin Valley meets at Denny's Restaurant at Abby and Divisidero. Call 439–8140 for more information.

1st Saturday of every month
3–5 PM
Women of Spirit—a gathering of women rediscovering their own spirituality and enabling others to do the same. You are invited to join the circle of women the first Saturday of each month, at 7319 N Fourth St, Fresno. Beginning and closing meditation, discussion and activity, light refreshments after closing. The event is free. Both men and women are welcome. Contact: Veena Kapoor, (559) 435–2212.

2nd Saturday of every month
9:30 AM
Fresno Center for Nonviolence monthly meeting at 1584 N. Van Ness, south of McKinley.
For more information about the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, see their Web site or call 559–23PEACE (237–3223).