Fresno Peace and Social Justice Calendar

Thursday, June 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the July, 2006 Community Alliance newspaper. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Thursday, June 15
6 - 8 PM
Fresno County Bicycle Coalition's monthly meeting will be held tonight at the Fresno Metro Ministry office from 6pm to 8pm. FMM is located at:1055 Van Ness Ave, Suite S, Fresno 93728 http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=1055+N+Van+Ness+Ave,+Fresno,+CA

The group will be wrapping up May Bike Month and planning for future efforts. They can use help from everyone interested in promoting cycling. Commuters, recreational, racing folks... everyone who likes bikes and can help spread the word. As the Coalition's motto says: "Changing Fresno County -- two wheels at a time." If you want to see Bike To Work Day coverage go to the Coalition's web site at: www.fresnobike.org .

Thursday, June 15
6:30 PM
Central California Criminal Justice Committee regular meeting at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence Southeast corner of McKinley and Van Ness. On the agenda:

Bao's report on meeting with Dages
Fund raising possibility
How do we reach the public?

Thursday June 15
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Inner Ear Poetry Jam
$3.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Friday, June 16
11:30 AM 1 PM
Peace Fresno members and their friends and supporters will assemble in a small commemorative ceremony denoting the deaths of 2500 American military personnel who were engaged in the hostile action of invasion and continuing military occupation of Iraq. The ceremony will be somber and respectful of the loss of life that has been caused by this illegal and immoral act of aggression by this current administration. They will assemble in front of the new Federal Courthouse building on Tulare Street in Fresno. 2500 is a number that will live in infamy as a blood stain that represents the senseless sacrifice of the lives of America's poorest and non-privileged youth in a massive fraud based foreign military escapade meant to enhance the fortunes of a cynical, over-privileged, non-sacrificing, few at the expense of the credulous middle-class many.

Peace Fresno agrees with Cindy Sheehan when she says that "This war is the criminal, I am not. Threaten me if you will, but I am not going to be an accomplice in your crimes against humanity." Sheehan goes on to say that "under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, our troops are forbidden from obeying unlawful orders and [the invasion of] Iraq was unlawful before it ever began."

Jay Hubbell, a Vice Chair and one of the founding members of Peace Fresno, has commented that "We are not supporting our troops when we force them to participate in an immoral and illegal occupation of another country. This is a war of aggression and occupation that was instigated on the basis of massive fraud and deceit to promote the hidden agenda of personal profit and an extreme right ideology. Let's support our troops by extricating them from the mess this administration has forced them into with its endless lies for an endless war." Contact information: Lisa Solomon, President of Peace Fresno. Home: (209) 723-7063 or thirdgennajjar@yahoo.com or the website: http://www.peacefresno.org/

Friday, June 16
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the movie: Soldiers in the Army of God. Introduced by outgoing Students for Peace president, Andrew Valencia Since abortion was legalized in 1973, seven people have been killed and more than 150 clinics bombed or set on fire by people who disagreed with Roe v. Wade. SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY OF GOD presents the tin soldiers who are behind more than 2,400 incidents of violence against doctors and abortion clinics in the past 28 years. This is a story about the people who are not exercising first amendment rights, they are not trying to "counsel" patients; they are not peaceful picketers. They are - intentionally, openly and usually without restraint - terrorizing people and encouraging others to do the same.

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, June 17
7:30 PM
An Intimate Evening with 2006 Grammy Award winners Randy Sharp and Jack Wesley Routh with Craig Caruthers and a very special guest. Rotary Theater in Visalia Mineral King Avenue one block west of Giddings. A Benefit for Community Radio KFCF 88.1 FM and the South Valley Peace Center. Information - 559.233.2221 - Tickets $25

Sunday, June 18
7:30am Gathering for March
8:00am March Begins at San Diego Park
9:00am Rally and Fiesta upon arrival at Lamont Park (Corner of Segrue and Myrtle)
JUST WAGES MARCH "Just Wages, Respect and Dignity, Economic Justice " You are invited to join the families of Lamont/Arvin Community in their efforts to achieve Economic Justice on Sunday June 8, 2006.

Workers in the Lamont area and in Kern County have not seen an increase in wages for many years. Yet, the cost of living continues to escalate making it difficult for families to survive.  Although improvements have been made, workers still encounter the harsh working conditions depicted in the famous film Grapes of Wrath. (Lamont is near Weedpatch where the famous movie Grapes of Wrath was filmed at the Sunset Labor Camp.)

The goal of the march is to call attention to the low wages and demand a wage increase that is long over due. Your participation in this March is a visible form of support for the workers and their families who toil daily in the hot sun to put the food on our tables. Please invite your colleagues and their families to join them in this call for justice.

The march will begin early at 8:00 a. m. to beat the heat; gathering will begin at 7:30 a.m. The March will begin at San Diego Park and will end at the Lamont Park (Segrue & Myrtle Streets) with a rally and fiesta at the park.

For more information contact Pablo Rodríguez prodriguez@doloreshuerta.org (661) 322-3045

Monday, June 19
If you are interested in helping to organize a Women's Equality Day march and rally
in Fresno on August 26, contact Patsy Montgomery 559.488.4908 x 301, 559.488.4940 fax, 559.360.4309 cell. She is setting up a phone conference call for Monday, June 19. Contact her if you are interested in participating. Here is Patsy’s message:

I want to do one ( a Women's Equality Day march) in Fresno rather than have people from the central valley travel to Sac. If we go to Sacramento for the march then the valley gets lost in the crowd. If we do one in Fresno on the same day then we create an opportunity for more rural women & young women to participate & motivate them to wake-up to how powerful women can be if we vote. My vision is that we have representatives from Modesto in the North to Bakersfield/Kern County in the south,from the central coast areas & our Sierra mountains/foothills, & everywhere in between participate. The valley is "battleground" for women's equality in the state. When we look at poverty rates, single- woman-head of households, education, health care access, living wage, discrimination,....the central valley faces it all.

I am going to arrange a conference call for next Monday, June 29th for individuals & organizations who are interested in helping to organize the event.

I would love to have the Doleres Huerta Foundation, League of Women Voters, NWPC, UFW, Move-On, DFA, Democrat Clubs, MECHA, CSUF POWER, Imagine Change Coalition, ACLU, GSA, Marriage Equality, Central California Alliance, Republicans for Choice, ACT for Women & Girls, etc.... be a part of this.

Please email me back < Patsy_Montgomery@ppmarmonte.org > if you/your organization is interested and the time you would prefer for the call. For those living in Fresno you are welcome to come in-person to participate in the call if that is more convenient.

For those receiving this who are men - you are an equal partner in this event. Without the vote of men, women would not have won the right to vote. We need all the supportive men we can get.

When women vote - women & families win.

Wednesday, June 21
6 PM
South Fresno Cohousing meeting. The meeting will be at Margaret Hudson's barn. It's a building in the common areas of a small community in the Fig Garden area. To get there, take Ashlan Ave. west from freeway 41, past Fruit to Thorne Ave. Turn north on Thorne Ave and park on

Thorne Ave. outside 4247 N. Thorne Ave.

Again, please note the following:

1. If you are unfamiliar with the property, you might want to wait for an escort at the parking area (RSVP to be sure of an escort).
2. Be quiet and courteous of residents.
3. Please do not walk through the food garden on Mike's property.
4. Please do not park on Arthur.

Thursday, June 22
8 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Rogue Review hosted by Marcel Nunis
$5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Friday, June 23
9 AM - 2 PM
Sustaining Our Future: Advancing Water Policy for a Healthy San Joaquin Valley. Join Latino Issues Forum, Clean Water Fund and leaders from across the San Joaquin Valley to share ideas and develop solutions to ensure a sustainable water future for the region. Sustaining Our Future will include presentations from experts representing local and state government agencies, non-profit organizations and community leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in focused discussions on Groundwater, Infrastructure, Land Use and Planning, and Consumer Protections. A continental breakfast and full lunch will be served. For more information or to RSVP contact Stephanie Camoroda at (559) 241-6561 or via email at stephanie@lif.org

Friday, June 23
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents Speaker: Susan Lusk, high school English teacher and mother of Captain Joe Lusk,III who was killed on a training mission in Kuwait, shares about Joe and about the struggle to cope with his loss.

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 June 24
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Saturday Afternoon Blues Jam
3:00-7:00pm $3.-cover
Everyone Welcome
Rosebud Blues
8:00pm $5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Sunday, June 25
6:00 PM Potluck; 6:30 PM Music; 7:00 to 8:30 PM - Program
The Pastors for Peace 17th Friendshipment Caravan: Destination - Cuba! Cuban music by Patricia Wells. Program with Alicia Jrapko as our speaker (see a bio below) If you can help with housing of the caravanistas and/or the Cuban potluck (we'll provide recipes if you wish), call Angela at 435-6383.

Hundreds of volunteers from the U.S. and from other nations will challenge the U.S. blockade and travel restrictions against Cuba at the U.S.-Mexico border. They expect to collect 200 tons of

humanitarian aid during a two-week caravan which will converge in McAllen, Texas before going on to Cuba. They will try to deliver school buses, computers, medicines, and medical supplies gathered in communities throughout the U.S.

Please join us. Learn about Cuba and what the U.S. government doesn't want you to know, connect with the activists who will be coming through Fresno, challenging the immoral US foreign policies against Cuba. Our speaker, Alicia Jrapko, was born and raised in Cordoba, Argentina. In 1976, during the repressive military dictatorship, she was forced to leave her homeland and relocate in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alicia first traveled to Cuba in 1994 with IFCO/Pastors for Peace.

Following her return, she became active in the San Francisco Bay Area Frienshipment Committee, a nonprofit organization which supports IFCO/Pastors for Peace projects in Cuba, Chiapas, Mexico and Central America. She has traveled to Latin America including Mexico, Cuba, Brazil and Argentina and participated in several International Events. She is an active member of numerous solidarity organizations and peace and justice causes including: the anti-war A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, the International Action Center, political prison campaigns, lifting the US blockade of Iraq, and the struggle to stop the bombing in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at 1584 N. Van Ness, Fresno, CA 93728, Across from Fresno City College * SE Corner Van Ness & McKinley * Entrance on Van Ness. For more information call Angela (559) 435-6383

Tuesday, June 27
5:30 - 8 PM
The Second Annual Ida B. Wells /Frederick Douglas Reception will be held at the African American Museum and Cultural Center at 1857 Fulton, enclosed parking available. Sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus of Fresno, the reception honorees are Dr. Jacqueline Hodge, long time Fresno activist; Dr. Paula Cottrell, Program Coordinator for Migrant Education; and Les Kimber, Publisher of the California Advocate newspaper. Carol Bequette is Chair of the event.

A remembrance and celebration of the lives of Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King will also be a part of the program. Last year's honorees were Juanita Stevenson, Channel 30, and Jack Noldon, Channel 24. The public is invited to attend and the donation is $25 in advance with reservation and $35 at the door. Students $10. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Reservations may be paid by check or credit card. Call Mary Stanley at 268-5756 and/or mail check payable to NWPC at 1361 N. Del Mar Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728.

Wednesday, June 28
8 AM - 3 PM
Join leaders from throughout the Valley for an event about regional connections, challenges and opportunities and how people can become engaged in this effort to share ideas about the future of the region.

Location:

Fresno Convention Center, Exhibit Hall II
General Registration
Cost: $30 in advance
(No refunds will be available)

To register, please download the registration form and fax or mail back to Valley Blueprint c/o Great Valley Center, 201 Needham Street, Modesto, CA 95354. Fax (209) 522-5116.

What is the Valley Blueprint?

The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process is a chance to plan for the future of transportation and land use in the San Joaquin Valley.  By engaging citizens and policymakers at the local and county level, the Valley will be able to create a regional vision to ensure that California's fastest growing region will thrive into 21st century.

What will the Blueprint Planning Process do?

The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process will coordinate infrastructure plans in the San Joaquin Valley with local community goals. It will provide a comprehensive and integrated decision-making tool by assembling currently separate and distinct data sets into a single one that allows for scenario planning, more efficient use of resources, and an understanding of regional impacts and solutions. It will allow each county in the San Joaquin Valley to maximize resources by utilizing the same data and expertise base to make planning decisions.

The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process will be unprecedented example of local jurisdictions in the San Joaquin Valley demonstrating increased regional identity and a unified purpose in addressing the region's challenges. The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process will interface with the work of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and help support state data collection and integration needs for the region.

Friday, June 30
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents Speaker: Steve Penner, pastor of First Mennonite Church returns from serving as an election monitor in the first free and democratic election in the Congo since 1960. Topic: Striving for Peace and Democratic Reform in the Congo

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, June 30
8 PM
Silvia Parra, and Alfonso Maya share the stage at Arte Américas,1630 Van Ness in downtown Fresno. Silvia Parra's, aka MamaCoatl, articulates Latin American protest song with a fearless feminine voice that tells stories from both North and South of the border. Parra uses Spanglish and traditional Latino musical compositions to create her sassy avant guard sound. Alfonso Maya is one of the most outstanding young singer-songwriters in Mexico today. His music reflects both folkloric and contemporary influences, and incorporates rhythms of the world. Nuevo Canto is the style of music for the evening.

Tuesday, July 4
9 AM - 1 PM
The public is invited to The 9th Annual 4th of July Celebration of our Diversity Brunch at O'Neill Park, CSUF Campus (Barstow between Maple and Chestnut streets). Sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance of California. Honoring the racial and religious pluralism that makes America Great!

This grand event representing the pluralism of Fresno that makes America great, features flags and entertainment from the variety of faith and cultural groups in the Fresno area. This year's brunch will be a Laotian Brunch. Join the Celebration of the Diversity of our Country on the 4th of July with the Interfaith Alliance of Central California. For further information call 225-1438.

The public is invited to join Interfaith Groups for a Brunch, and celebrate with music, dance and entertainment from the variety of faith and cultural groups represented here in the Fresno Area. The grand celebration includes an opening Flag Ceremony, and entertainment representing the pluralism of Fresno that makes America great.

Suggested donation: $5 for adults, $2 for children under 12, with a maximum of $15 per family. For tickets or further information, please call Edie or Bryan Jessup at 255-1438. Tickets will be available at the brunch, also.

Last year over 600 people enjoyed entertainment, Brunch, and friendship celebrating America's Pluralism. Entertainment this year will include: Tocanto Brazilian ensemble; Classical Dance of India; Fresno Gumyo Taiko drummers; Gubdhi Sidhu Sikh dancers; the Vang Sisters/Traditional Hmong dancing; Heartland Harvest; Terry Lewis; Jamelle Todd, Soul Vocalist; Larry Bassman and Stolen Thunder; Lebanese Traditional Dabke Dancers; and more!

The Interfaith Alliance of Central California is an inclusive, progressive group in the Central San Joaquin Valley committed to: Affirming religious pluralism and celebrating differences; Protecting minority rights; Separation of Church and State; and Civility in political debate.

4th of July Diversity Celebration Committee: Fr. Perry Kavookjian; Bryan and Edie Jessup, , Babs and Saul Eskin, Ashraf Ibrahim, Rev.Floyd Harris, Anne Jenny, Rachel Carpenter, Dr. Mohinder Singh Poonia; J.P. Sethi, Ghassane Habib, Ray Ensher, Al Evans, Su Kapoor.

Rev. Bryan Jessup, Co-Chair, Interfaith Alliance of Central California 225-1438, w. 227-6146

Thursday, July 6
5 - 8 PM
The Fresno Arts Council (FAC) sponsors ArtHop, which was founded more than 10 years ago by local artists. On the first Thursday of each month, artists and art galleries open their exhibition studios to the public to view art.. To be added to the ArtHop mailing and e-mail list, please e-mail mfranco@fresnoarts.org or call (559) 237–9734.

Friday, July 7
Santero will be at Arte Américas,1630 Van Ness in downtown Fresno. San Francisco
Bay Area based SANTERO incorporates classic African and Latin styles to deliver a powerful dose of Reggae, Hip Hop and Latin rhythms. SANTERO is known for its thick dubby bass assault and clean memorable melodies, the fusion creates an innovative blend of unconventional and contemporary musical sensibilities certain to get any crowd rocking.

Friday, July 7
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the movie: Movie: The Snow Walker. A pilot who delivers supplies to tribes in the backwoods of the Canadian north is implored to escort a sick young Inuit woman to a hospital. On the flight back, the plane's engine fail and they crash in the wastelands. Rescuers are unable to locate them and the two are left to struggle for their survival. The ailing woman thus teaches the hot-headed pilot the way to live in these regions.

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, July 8
3:30 PM
The Central Valley Progressive PAC will have a General Meeting at the Center for Non-Violence 1584 North Van Ness at McKinley. Discussion will center around prioritizing issues and concerns in the Central Valley. What is new around Fresno? After working to GOTV, what is most important? Public welcome. Information: Lydia Flores at 435-7360

Saturday, July 8
7 - 9 PM
Contra Dance at Severance Dance Studio--1401 N. Wishon at Floradora . All dances taught, come alone or bring a friend! Questions: call Evo 297-8966 or email evo@evobluestein.com 

Don't worry if you don't know how! If you are new, please try to come at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, July 12
potluck at 6:30 p.m., film at 7 PM, and a discussion following the film.
The FREE 2nd Wednesday Video series film this month is "Crash" to be shown at the Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness. A 36-hour period in the diverse metropolis of post-Sept. 11 Los Angeles is the theme of this unflinching drama that challenges audiences to confront their prejudices. Lives combust when a Brentwood housewife and her district attorney husband, a Persian shopkeeper, two cops, a pair of carjackers and a Korean couple all converge. For information call the Center at 237-3223 (Mon-Fri 11-3). FREE

Friday, July 14
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents a Music Night featuring A Far Cry. A Far Cry is Jill England and David Nigel Lloyd, an acoustic duo with qa fresh non-traditional approach to traditional Celtic music. Their repertoire is unique. Their style is eclectic in the best sense of the word. Their incisive and irreverent wit is disarming audiences wherever they perform.

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, July 14
5PM and 8PM
Fresno Filmworks presents "Iron Island" at the Tower Theatre. Set on an abandoned oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, this whimsical fable from Iran creates visual poetry from the everyday struggles of the families who inhabit the floating refuge. 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 .

Sunday, July 16
4 - 6 PM
The Fresno Center for Nonviolence 14th Anniversary Celebration will be held in Margarent Hudson's Barn, 4247 N. Thorne. The Center's 2006 Way of Peace Award winners will be honored, along with those that became part of our Dozen Roses for Peace program. There will be a Fine Art Raffle, refreshments and entertainment. Raffle tickets will be available June 26. For more information call the Center at 435-6383 (Mon-Fri 11-3) or Angela at 435-6383.

Thursday, July 20
6:30 to 9:30 PM
Progressive Thursday presents "Hemp and the Rule of Law." This movie is a clear and concise synopsis of the history, benefits and future of industrial hemp. Taken out of the hands of the DEA, industrial hemp is the crop to replace cotton and save the valley’s agriculture. The video will be presented at Round Table Pizza, 5763 N. First St., Fresno. Buy your favorite entree and join us for dinner; doors open at 6:30 PM, video begins at 7:00 PM. A discussion will follow after the film. Progressive Thursday is hosted by the GROW working group of the Fresno County Green Party and is a free, wheelchair accessible event open to anyone interested in discussing topics of interest to the progressive community. For more information contact Larry Mullen at (559) 227-0293.

Friday, July 21
Chicano Music Festival with Agustín Lira, Patricia Wells-Solórzano, Ravi Knypstra, Eugene Ramirez, Migel Govea, Merlinda Espinoza, and many more! Arte Américas,1630 Van Ness in downtown Fresno.

These artists bring to life the Chicano/Latino experience through their musical offering. Each singer will perform his/her compositions, as well as songs by other composers from throughout Latin America. This festival opens Cheech Marin's "The Chicano Art Collection/La Colección Chicana" exhibition in the RUIZ GALLERY. The collection, which is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., depicts images of urban life and the Chicano experience during 1969 through 2001 and includes work by Carlos Almaraz, Frank Romero, Patssi Valdez, Gilbert "Magu" Lujan, Leo Limón, Margaret García, and Wayne Alaniz Healy.

Sunday, August 6
Health Care for All event.

Wednesday, August 9
7 PM
Second Wednesday - Free Video Presentation - 7 PM at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N. Van Ness, Fresno, CA 93728, Across from Fresno City College * SE Corner Van Ness & McKinley * Entrance on Van Ness

Movie, Pot-Luck and Discussion
Dr. Strangelove: How to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Thursday, August 24
The Central Valley Progressive PAC will hold a forum - To Dam or Not to Dam. The
forum will be held at the Unitarian Church.

Saturday, September 23
The Community Alliance ten year anniversary event.

Saturday, October 7
Fresno Center for Nonviolence ANNUAL BOOK SALE - Time and Location TBA
For Info: Vincent 455-0821 or Angela 435-6383

ONGOING WEEKLY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

Now through July 1
"Photographing the Tap Roots of “Sí Se Puede” at the Fresno City College Student Center. 10 4’ foot banners + 40 smaller prints of farm worker conditions and UFW organizing by 50+ year movement photographer-film maker George Elfie Ballis. Open to public — Monday-Thursday 8am-6 pm, Friday 8 am-3pm. For free guided group-class tours with Elfie 855.3710.

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.  For more information, call Grace at (559) 877-2400 or email her at grace@emptynestzendo.org

Every Monday and Tuesday
7–9:30 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 at Java Wava,1940 North Echo across from Fresno High 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 more 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.

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.

3rd Monday of every Month
6 PM
California Prison Moratorium Project will meet at the Fresno Center for Non Violence, 1584 N Van Ness. Everyone is invited to attend this meeting. The discussion "Uncaging the Valley" mobilizing a valley wide coalition an exclusive valley focused project.

Potluck is encouraged but not required. Upcoming events include movies - the group is booking the documentary "After Innocence" and bringing the producer and writer to Fresno, speakers from the anti prison movement are being scheduled.

Call Deb Reyes at 559-916-4370 for more info. For a map and directions to the FCNV, see: http://www.communitywalk.com/map/2935

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 frescamp@sbcglobal.net, 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
Art Hop.  For more information contact Maria Franco at mfranco@fresnoarts.org Or (559) 237- 9734.

1st Thursday of every Month
6 PM
California Prison Moratorium Project will meet at the Fresno Center for Non Violence, 1584 N Van Ness. Everyone is invited to attend this meeting. The discussion "Uncaging the Valley" mobilizing a valley wide coalition an exclusive valley focused project.

Potluck is encouraged but not required. Upcoming events include movies - the group is booking the documentary "After Innocence" and bringing the producer and writer to Fresno, speakers from the anti prison movement are being scheduled.

Call Deb Reyes at 559-916-4370 for more info. For a map and directions to the FCNV, see: http://www.communitywalk.com/map/2935

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.  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.

3rd Friday of every month
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
"Justice Corner" In West Fresno

The local chapter of the National Action Network with support from Peace Fresno is establishing a "Justice Corner" at the intersection of 'C' and Fresno Streets. "This will be the bookend to the "Peace Corner" at Blackstone and Shaw Avenues" says Aline Reed, a member of the local NAN group. The "Peace Corner" project has been a monthly presence by Peace Fresno members since the advent of war in 2001.

Supporters of peace and social justice issues are invited to join with NAN and Peace Fresno members on third Friday of every month from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

For more information contact Rev. Floyd Harris Jr, California State President of the National Action Network, (559) 264 - 0097 www.nancal.org  Xyfloyd@aol.com

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 www.centerfornonviolence.org  or call 559–23PEACE (237–3223).

2nd Saturday of every month 
10 AM
The Black Political Council meets at King of Kings on Martin Luther King Blvd.

4th Saturday of Every Month
8 -10 AM
Tower Beautification Cleanup. Meet at the Olive/Wishon corner of the Chicken Pie Shop. Bring hat, gloves, broom or rakes and weed hoes, water. We supply orange vests, pick up bags, grabbers and extra tools. Why do we do this? To beautify our community and build empowerment through responsibility for our quality of life.

Questions:? Call Coordinator, Gay Amend, at 237-6716
Sponsored by the Tower Trust, Council Districts 1 and 3 and
the City of Fresno Sanitation Department which provides supplies and insurance.