Fresno Peace and Social Justice Calendar

THE PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CALENDAR

The Peace and Social Justice calendar is a free service to subscribers of the Community Alliance newspaper.  To receive the Peace and Social Justice calendar by email, please go to: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=32254t and follow the (brief) instructions. 

To subscribe to the Community Alliance newspaper send $35 (regular) or $10 (low income) to: P.O. Box 5077, Fresno, Ca 93755.  You can also subscribe online through Pay Pal by going to: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/magazine/magazine.htm  Web site: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/   Phone: (559) 978-4502 Fax: (559) 226-3962

Thursday, January 17
4 PM
Circle for Justice and Peace. Members of various peace & Justice organizations will meet to become acquainted with each other and with the goals and projects of their groups. Organizations are invited to send representatives. Meeting at the office of Dr. Ali Rezapour MD, 6769 N. Fresno St., #204, SW corner Fresno & Herndon. For Info: 353-3952.

Thursday, January 17
6 PM (Vegetarian Potluck and Social Hour
7 PM (Keynote)
Interfaith Alliance of Central Calif. Annual Meeting and Potluck. Keynote: Rev. Barry Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State - Protecting Religious Liberty: Putting the First Freedom First. This event will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 364 E. Barstow Avenue (NW corner of Fresno and Barstow) in Fresno.

Thursday, January 17
6:00 PM
The Fresno County Bicycle Coalition will hold it's January 2008 meeting. They will be at 1625 E Shaw Ave, Suite 146, which is on the south side of Shaw, along the frontage road at 9th St. There is plenty of parking in the front along the frontage road. The building is the one furthest to the west, along 9th St. Enter through a gate next to the street. If the gate is locked call Ed: 559-892-8996. There is a kitchen with microwave, fridge, bottled water, etc., so bring your dinner (or sometimes we order pizza).

Thursday, January 17
Open 6:30 Video 7:00 Discussion 8:30 PM
Progressive Thursday Presents "Oil, Smoke, and Mirrors" at Round Table Pizza 5763 N. First Street, Fresno, CA [SW corner of First and Bullard]. This event is hosted by the Fresno County Green Party and is free, wheelchair accessible and open to anyone interested in progressive topics. Contact: Larry Mullen 559 227-0293 www.fresnogreens.org

Thursday, January 17
7:30 PM
John McCutcheon, back by popular demand. Multi-instrumentalist - banjo, piano, guitar, fiddle, autoharp - singer of traditional and original material. No one is able to blend traditional music and original material with the ease, grace and power of John McCutcheon. This event will be held at the Unitarian Church at Alluvial & Chestnut. $20 advance; $25 day of Performance. Advance tickets available at UU church, Patrick’s Music, National Hardware or online: www.fresnofolkconcerts.com . This event is sponsored by the Fresno Folklore Society. For more information call Pat Wolk at 559 431-3653.

Friday, January 18
12 Noon - 1 PM
Opening Garlanding Ceremony at the Fresno County Courthouse Park (at MLK Bust) - 1100 Van Ness. Opening Ceremony for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King events. Please bring flowers. Keynote speaker: Dr. Larry Powell, Superintendent at Fresno County Office of Education

Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor (559) 435-2212 or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140. (Bring canned food donation). This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration - 2008 Living the Dream: Let Freedom Ring for a New Day and a New Way.

Friday, January 18,
5 - 6 PM
Vigil for Peace at the corner of Reed and Manning, under the Reedley College marquee

Friday, January 18
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: American Pastime (2007) at McLane 121 @ Fresno State. Free Admission.
American Pastime (2007)
Director: Desmond Nakano. Unrated. 106 min. English.

"American Pastime" uses the iconic sport of baseball (and to a lesser extent, jazz) to illustrate both the frustration and humiliation experienced by Japanese Americans during their internment in World War II, as well as an expression of their patriotism and heroism. Set at Topaz Relocation Center near Abraham, Utah, the film focuses on two families on opposite sides of the fence dealing with the sacrifices and prejudices triggered by the war effort.

-Kevin Crust, LA Times

Post-screening discussant: Kerry Yo Nakagawa (project director for the non-profit Nisei Baseball Research Project (NBRP), curator of the Diamonds in the Rough: Japanese Americans in Baseball exhibition which was displayed at the National Museum in the summer of 2000, and an independent producer/filmmaker, actor, researcher, and writer) Cineculture Club promotes cultural awareness through film and post-screening discussion.

President: Roxanne Villaluz rocksandv@yahoo.com
Advisor: Denise Blum dblum@csufresno.edu

Friday, January 18
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the movie: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Beginning just after the bloody Sioux victory over General Custer at Little Big Horn, this movie intertwines the perspectives of three characters: Charles Eastman a young, Dartmouth-educated, Sioux doctor held up as living proof of the alleged success of assimilation; Sitting Bull, the proud Lakota chief who refuses to submit to U.S. government policies designed to strip his people of their identity, their dignity and their sacred land - the gold-laden Black Hills of the Dakotas; and Senator Henry Dawes, who was one of the architects of the government policy on Indian affairs. Hope rises for the Indians in the form of the prophet Wovoka and the Ghost Dance - a messianic movement that promises an end of their suffering under the white man. This hope is obliterated after the assassination of Sitting Bull and the massacre of hundreds of Indian men, women and children by the 7th Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek on Dec. 29, 1890.

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 dfriesen0@gmail.com

Friday, January 18
6 - 7:30 PM
Award Reception 6:00-7:30PM (program begins at 6:30PM) Location: African American Museum - 1857 Fulton Ave. Informal meet & greet, along with entertainment. Contact: Julia Dudley (559) 352-1444. (Bring canned food donation). This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Friday, January 18
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the movie: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Beginning just after the bloody Sioux victory over General Custer at Little Big Horn, this movie intertwines the perspectives of three characters: Charles Eastman a young, Dartmouth-educated, Sioux doctor held up as living proof of the alleged success of assimilation; Sitting Bull, the proud Lakota chief who refuses to submit to U.S. government policies designed to strip his people of their identity, their dignity and their sacred land - the gold-laden Black Hills of the Dakotas; and Senator Henry Dawes, who was one of the architects of the government policy on Indian affairs. Hope rises for the Indians in the form of the prophet Wovoka and the Ghost Dance - a messianic movement that promises an end of their suffering under the white man. This hope is obliterated after the assassination of Sitting Bull and the massacre of hundreds of Indian men, women and children by the 7th Cavalry at Wounded Knee Creek on Dec. 29, 1890.

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 dfriesen0@gmail.com

Saturday, January 19
8:30 AM
Community Breakfast Breakfast at 8:30AM / Program at 9:30AM Location: Clovis Veteran's Memorial Building. Come enjoy food, speakers, & musical performances Independence Room - 453 Hughes Ave, Clovis. Tickets cost $5.00 each - along with your canned food donation

Contact: Caroline Carlson (559) 324-2416 at Clovis Police Department, Ed Bailey (559) 304-5772, or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140. (Bring canned food donation). This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Saturday, January 19
4 - 6 PM
All Faith Service 4:00-6:00PM Location: Cornerstone Conference Center - 1525 Fulton Ave.

Various beloved community speakers, spiritual leaders, & musical talent Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor (559) 435-2212 or Rev. Leonard Adams (559) 375 6749. (Bring canned food donation). This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Sunday, January 20
5 - 6 PM
Candlelight Vigil. Location: First Congregational Church - 2131 N. Van Ness. Variety of community speakers & musical performances. Contact: Dr. David Howard (559) 277-9552 or Janet Capella (559) 974-1824. (Bring canned food donation). This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Monday, January 21
9:30 AM
March and Food Drive will start at St. John Cathedral Church - 2814 Mariposa Ave. Marchers assemble at 9:30AM. March begins at 10:00AM, ending at the Saroyan Theatre. "Mountain of Food" will be collected at church. Contact: Enrique Reade (559) 940-2159 or James Lett III (559) 284-6420. (Bring canned food donation). This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Monday, January 21
11 AM - 12:30 PM
Commemoration Program. Location: Saroyan Theatre - 700 "M" St. Join Fresno MLK Unity Committee for inspirational program. Contact: Julia Dudley (559) 352-1444. This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Tuesday, January 22
The 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States.

Learn more about Roe v. Wade and its history and impacts by going to: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/courts-judiciary/roe-v-wade-6578.htm

As we look back at Roe v. Wade and the important legal precedent that it established, it is important to understand how recent rulings such as the Federal Abortion Ban ruling (read more about this below) have begun to directly challenge the precedent of requiring an exception to protect women's health in laws restricting or banning abortion.

Important Implications of Last Year's Monumental Court Ruling:

In late April, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a staggering blow to women's health when it upheld the federal abortion ban in the cases Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood and Gonzales v. Carhart.

These cases were challenging the Federal Abortion Ban, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2003. The Federal Abortion Ban criminalizes a specific procedure in the second trimester of pregnancy that doctors say is safe and can be the safest option to protect a woman's health.

These cases argued that any legislation that bans or regulates abortion must include an exception to protect a woman's health, because up until this ruling, the court had previously ruled that abortion restrictions could not compromise a woman's health.

Shockingly, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the ban, EVEN THOUGH in the medical opinion of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists the banned procedure can be the safest to protect a woman's health.

What was the Supreme Court's reasoning behind their 5-4 decision? In the ruling the Supreme Court discounts women as responsible decision makers, and creates a new precedent such that where there is a difference in medical opinion regarding a procedure or treatment, elected officials can determine what is best, even if it places a woman's health at risk.

In her dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg notes that with this decision the Supreme Court said women were too fragile to receive all relevant medical information, and that the decision "reflects ancient notions about women's place in the family and under the constitution."

Tuesday, January 22
5:30 - 7:30 PM
35 YEARS of ROE v WADE. Join us as we commemorate 35 years of women having the constitutional right to medical privacy in determining whether or not to continue a pregnancy.

Now more than ever we honor this Supreme Court decision that improved the lives of women & their families across the country. We will honor Roe v Wade through art, poetry and music as we unveil Voices from the Recovery Room. See the artwork of Bakersfield artist Michelle Piercy, inspired by stories of women after making the difficult decision to end their pregnancies. Here the stories of these women. Find out what you can do to protect Roe v Wade & make a difference in 2008. Where: C.A.F.E.

Collective for Arts, Freedom & Ecology
935 F Street
(off of Tulare Street in Chinatown – downtown Fresno)
Free, vegan food & beverages will be provided

For more information: Contact Patsy Montgomery at 559.488.4908 x 301 fresnopa@ppmarmonte.org or Monica Martin at 559.488.4908 x 325, monica_martin@ppmarmonte.org

Tuesday, January 22
5:30 PM
City administrators are working to craft the 2009 budget. In an effort to create a budget that reflects the needs of our community, Mayor Autry will be hosting community meetings in each district to hear first-hand about the priorities and needs in all areas of the city. All meetings will begin promptly at 5:30 pm in the following districts at the locations listed below:

Tuesday, January 22 at the Fresno Art Museum (District 7)
Wednesday, January 23 at the Mosqueda Center (District 5)
Tuesday, January 29 at Duncan Polytechnical High School (District 4)
Wednesday, January 30 at the Golden Palace Event Center (District 1)
Tuesday, February 5 at Saroyan Elementary School (District 2)
Wednesday, February 6 at the Woodward Park Library (District 6)
Tuesday, February 12 at the Hinton Center (District 3)

These meetings provide a great venue for you to share your concerns, ideas and wishes to help make our city an even better place to live.

For more information, contact the Mayor's Deputy Chief of Staff, Kyle Loreto at 621-8000.

Rhonda Jorn
Public Affairs Manager
City of Fresno
559.621.7777
rhonda.jorn@fresno.gov

Thursday, January 24
5:30 PM
The Greater Fresno Area Chapter of the ACLU-NC will hold a "Social Meeting" at The Landmark Restaurant, 644 Olive Ave. in Fresno's Tower District. ACLU members are invited to meet their Board Members and other ACLU members and share their concerns. Non-members are invited to come and learn about the work of the ACLU. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. If you are coming for sure, rsvp tosimonaclu@sbcglobal.net so we can let the restaurant know how many to expect. If you might come, just come if you can.

Thursday, January 24
7 PM
The Angry Crow Reading by Creative Writing M.F.A. students and professors from Fresno State will be held at the C.A.F.E. infoshop 935 F st in Fresno's Historic Chinatown. Suggested donation $5 at the door.

Friday, January 25
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: Citizen King (2004)
Directors: Orlando Bagwell and Noland Walker. 120 min. Not rated. English

A documentary that draws on input from a broad cross-section of people to examine to last five years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. It includes insight from King's closest colleagues along with commentary from journalists, historians, and scholars, as well as employees of the U.S. government.

This film will be shown in McLane 121. Parking is relaxed after 4:30PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/

Post-screening panel discussants: Francine Oputa (Director of Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute), Dr. Meta Schettler (Assoc. Professor, Africana Studies), Dr. Matthew Jendian (Assoc. Professor, Sociology)

Friday, January 25
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker: Tom Frantz is a member of Environmental Justice Advisory Committee for the California State Air Resource Board. Topic: "Climate Change and Bio-Fuels". He will speak about the problems associated with making ethanol from corn here in the San Joaquin Valley. He will also talk about California's current plans to reduce global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

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 dfriesen0@gmail.com

Friday, January 25
7 PM
The South Valley Peace Center, as a part of its monthly film and lecture series "The Talk of the Town", is sponsoring a talk by Hector Franco, Cultural Resources Specialist, Cultural History Preservation Department, Santa Rosa Rancheria, Tachi Tribe on "Native Americans of the Southern San Joaquin: A historial perspective and present problems," and will be followed by a question and answer period. The event will be held at the Visalia Friends Meetinghouse, 17206 Ave. 296, Visalia. The event will be preceded by a potluck at 6 P.M. All are invited, and admission is free. For more information call: 559-782-9265.

Saturday, January 26
(Initial Session -Total of 5 Sessions 4th Saturday of each month)
10 AM - 1 PM
The Uprooting Racism Project and The Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute Presents a book discussion on The Color of Wealth: The Story Behind the U.S. Racial Wealth Divide. This event will be held at California State University, Fresno University Student Union Room 308. To order the book or to learn more go to www.racialwealthdivide.org .

For RSVP or More Information Contact: Vickie Fouts at UprootingRacism@sti.net or (559) 658-8260 (RSVP required by January 15^th).

Sunday, January 27
1 PM
The South Valley Peace Center (SVPC) Meeting ( all welcome to attend!) will held at the Visalia Friends Meetinghouse, 17206 Ave.296, Visalia. ( East end of Mineral King dead-ends into the parking lot) For more info. Or to put items on the agenda, call 559-782-9265 or send to

warner1@sosinet.net. Don’t forget that the SVPC monthly vigil is held at the corner of Walnut and Mooney in Visalia takes place every first Sunday at 1 PM to 2:30 PM.. Please join us and show your support for peace. Please keep sign messages positive. Also, we ask that political signs be not used, as we are a non-partisan organization. Across the street, O.K….

Monday, January 28
6 - 8 PM
The Advocacy Coalition of Tulare County (ACT) for Women and Girls, and Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (PPMM) are convening the second meeting of progressive leaders from throughout the Central Valley. The Goal of this convening is to explore the formation of a Central Valley ALLIANCE for Social, Reproductive and Environmental Justice. The objective of the ALLIANCE is to establish a connectedness among like-minded activists and advocates working in the valley.

Each of us understands the frustration of working in "silos", often struggling to get our voices and those of our constituents heard among the more organized and allied groups in both the northern and southern areas of the state.

We hope you will join us at 633 North Van Ness, Fresno CA 93728 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A light meal will be provided
Please RSVP by January 25th to:
Patsy Montgomery at 559-488-4908 x 301 or email her at patsy_montgomery@ppmarmonte.org

Tuesday, January 29
7 PM
Woodward Park Regional Library, 433-3135 Learn about Fresno in the early 20th century during the time of Leo Politi and William Saroyan. This event is in conjunction with the year-long Politi and Saroyan Centennial Celebrations.

Tuesday, January 29
7 - 9 PM
COS Social Work Club And American Friends Service Committee/Proyecto Campesino Presents "Making communities safer, Restorative Justice, and Rehabilitation Approach"

Ponderosa Building Room 350
COS Campus
915 South Mooney Blvd
Visalia, Ca

Guest Speakers: Craig Gilmore, Co-founder of the California Prison Moratorium Project, Editor of Prison Focus 1999-2002, Speaking on AB 900 Prison Expansion, reform and rehabilitation, the real cost of prison expansion. Jill Schellenberg MA, PHD Fresno Pacific College Director of the Criminology and Restorative Justice Studies Associate of the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies Speaking on Restorative Justice: healing the community builds community by providing a constructive framework to guide our responses to crime, conflict, offensive behavior, violations and injustices seeks to repair damages, (re) establish dignity, and (re) integrate all who were harmed and alienated. Art on Display-depicting the broken prison system

Brought to you by:

COS Social Work Club
Hector Uriarte- President
Melissa Lett- Secretary
Becky Clark- ICC Rep
Lisa Greer-Advisor
Gailerd Swisegood-Advisor

Wednesday, January 30
6 PM
Celebrate over a year of work by the Fresno Healthy Dairy Commission to prevent pollution from new mega dairies. The dinner will also honor Supervisors Susan Anderson and Henry Perea for their support of strong mega dairy standards to prevent air and ground water pollution.

Event details:
Dinner Celebration to Prevent Dairy Pollution
College Community Congregational Church
5560 N Fresno St., Fresno

Thursday, January 31
12 Noon - 1 PM
Women in Black will hold a silent vigil at the CSUF free speech area. Women in Black is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence. As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other's movements. Co-sponsored by: POWER, Campus Peace & WILPF. Please call Meta Schettler 278-4593 or email mschettl@csufresno.edu for more information or see www.womeninblack.org to learn more about Women in Black worldwide.

Thursday, January 31
6 PM
Dinner fundraiser at the C.A.F.E. infoshop to help support their programs Food Not Bombs, Community Grocery, The Womyn's Collective, and Radical Mental Health. C.A.F.E. has provided the community with lectures by former political prisoner, Rob Los Rios; former ALF activist and currant animal rights lecture, Gary Yourosky; world-renowned author and chronicler of the Zapatista movement, John Ross; and founder of the American Indian Movement, Dennis Banks and we look forwarded to hosting more with your help. The all vegan dinner will be $20 at the door and there will be live painting and live music by local artist for entertainment. Thank you for your support we hope to see you there! Jan. 31st 6pm at 935 F st in Fresno's Historic Chinatown.

Friday, February 1
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: Do the Right Thing (1989). Director: Spike Lee . USA. 120 min. English. Rated R.

An exposé of racial tensions in a New York City neighborhood one scorching summer day. "Do The Right Thing was a cause celebre, more breathlessly (and fearfully) awaited than any American film of its time. Director Spike Lee appeared on the cover of Newsweek, and Oprah and Nightline each devoted an entire show to the film. Behind all the stories was the concern that the film would ignite the very kind of violence it was made to deplore. As Ed Guerrero has noted, this fear has straight-jacketed films of social criticism since the turn of the last century."

Kevin Hagopian, Penn State University

In 1999, the film was deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

This film will be shown in McLane 121. Parking is relaxed after 4:30PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/

Post-screening panel discussants: Francine Oputa (Director of Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute), Dr. Meta Schettler (Assoc. Professor, Africana Studies), Dr. Matthew Jendian (Assoc. Professor, Sociology)

Saturday, February 2
9 AM
The Kennedy Club will meet at the Fresno Breakfast House (Bullard and West). The speaker will be a political analyst dealing with the initiatives on the February 5 election. For more information call (559) 439-8140. The Kennedy Club meets the first Saturday of each month for political discussions.

Sunday, February 3
5 PM
We don't BURN Heretics - We Welcome Them! Atheist, Secular Humanist, Rational Skeptic, Agnostic – would you like to be welcomed too? The Central Valley Alliance of Atheists and Skeptics meets every month to discover ways to promote a secular, rational viewpoint throughout the Central Valley. We invite like minded people and their supports to be a part of our new organization: Phone: (559) 892-0102 Website: www.cvaas.org

Thursday, February 7
7 PM
ANDREI KRYLOV. Russian Guitar––Classical/Flamenco. Andrei Krylov, guitarist and composer, studied guitar, arrangement and composition in the Music School and the Music College in St. Petersburg, Russia and now is living in Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada. Andrei has recorded and performed for Russian, US and Canadian Radio and TV channels. He has composed original music for films in Russia and USA. This house concert is sponsored by the Fresno Folklore Society. Where: John Alden Photo Studio 2003 N. Van Ness at Weldon Tickets: $15. Seating limited to 50 persons. Purchase tickets online www.fresnofolkconcerts.com  - or contact Pat Wolk 431-3653 Web Site: www.andreikrylov.com or hear and see him on youtube.

Friday, February 8
4 PM
Student Art, Essay, and Speech Exhibit Reception 4:00PM / Program 5:00-6:00PM Location: Fresno County Office of Education. Artwork created by students from Fresno & Clovis Unified, & other Fresno County (lobby area) - 1111 Van Ness Ave. School Districts displayed January 29-February 22 Contact: Thomas Russell (559) 327-9353, Shirley Hargis (559) 265-3060, or Sue Baloian (559) 265-3098. This event is a part of the 23rd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Friday, February 8
5:30 PM and 8 PM
Fresno Filmworks presents "The Price of Sugar" at the Tower Theatre. Bill Haney's award-winning documentary, narrated by Paul Newman, exposes the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrant workers in the Dominican sugar industry. As inspiring as it is disturbing, the film profiles Father Christopher Hartley, the charismatic priest who has devoted himself to organizing the cane-cutters. Tickets ($10; $8, for students and seniors) can be purchased at the Tower Theatre box office, 815 E. Olive Ave., JA Photography, 2003 N. Van Ness, and at the door. Tickets can also be purchased online through PayPal at www.fresnofilmworks.org . For more information call the FFW info line, 221-0755, or go to www.fresnofilmworks.org .

Friday, February 8
7 PM
David Borofka, professor of composition, literature, and creative writing at Reedley College and author of The Island and Hints of His Mortality, which won the Iowa Short Fiction Award will be reading excerpts of his latest works. Starbucks at Shaw & Armstrong (2195 E. Shaw Ave. - Clovis).

Saturday, February 9
2 - 5 PM
Come and hear Vincent Lavery at "The Studio" in North Fork (downtown North Fork, across from the Library) Vincent will speak on "Sleeping With An Elephant: One Man’s View of how the United States looks to other members of our Global Village. Also hear renowned Thespian Bob Navarro read some witty Irish prose, together with Irish songs by local musicians. FREE ADMISSION. (Voluntary donations will go to support Radio Station KFCF, 88.1 FM)

Saturday, February 9
3:30 - 5 PM
Fresno County Supervisor Susan Anderson will be the speaker at the Central Valley Progressive PAC meeting. Susan represents Supervisorial District 2, serves as Vice-Chair of the Board, and is up for re-election on June 3, 2008. Members and the public are welcome to hear and ask questions of Susan as she discusses major issues facing Fresno County. The meeting is at the Fresno Center for Non-Violence (1584 N. Van Ness Ave. (at McKinley), Fresno. For more information, visit www.cvppac.org or call 559-435-7350.

Sunday, February 10
6:30 PM
Join the Center for Nonviolence as they welcome Vincent Lavery with a reception at the Community Mennonite Church, 5015 East Olive Avenue, corner of Willow. Vincent will be joined by thespian Bob Navarro with Witty Irish Prose. Irish music by local group Pipe on the Hob. FREE ADMISSION. (Voluntary donations will go to support the Fresno Center for Nonviolence)

February 10th and 11^th
7 PM
The women 's studies student group at CSU-Fresno, POWER, is putting on the Vagina Monologues. Please join us for this captivating play two nights only February 10^th and/or 11^th at the Satellite Student Union. Doors will open at 6 pm and the play will begin at 7. Ticket prices for students are $5 and $10 for the general public.

Monday, February 11
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: The Story of a Displaced Child Producers: Invisible Children, Inc. 60 min. English. Not rated. Only 15 years old, there isn't a part of his life that hasn't been affected by the war in Uganda. But a life that has been marked by tragedy is defined by resilience, and despite reasons to lose hope, Sunday perseveres. This is the story of faith that overcomes suffering.

Post-screening discussants: representative from Invisible Children and Lance Omeje (from Uganda, teacher at Yokomi Elementary School)

This film will be shown in McLane 161. Parking is relaxed after 4:30 PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/

Monday, February 11
7 PM
Come and hear Vincent Lavery at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial (just West of Willow) "Sleeping with the Elephant: One Man’s View of the Role of the U. S. in Our Global Village. Being a neighbor of the United States – after all we are all neighbors in this Global Village – is like going to bed with an Elephant – all it has to do is sneeze, and it blows you out of bed. FREE ADMISSION.

Wednesday, February 13
12 Noon & 7 PM
Monthly Every Second Wednesday Video Presentation at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, 1584 N, Van Ness. "Children in the Crossfire," film about the groundbreaking organization that Vincent Lavery founded, Children’s Committee Ten. Vincent will be present to discuss the film. FREE. The evening showing will be preceded by a potluck at 6:30 PM.

Wednesday, February 13
3 PM
The Fresno Center for Nonviolence monthly second Wednesday radio program, "Stir it Up" on KFCF 88.1 FM. Host Brandon Hill will talk with Vincent Lavery about Lavery’s experiences since his return to Ireland. Vincent had been host of this show for many years.

Thursday, February 14
Valentine’s Day
Did you know that the original Saint Valentine was an anti-war priest engaged in Civil Disobedience? Read more here:

http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm
http://wilstar.com/holidays/valentn.htm

Friday, February 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the March, 2008 Community Alliance newspaper. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Friday, February 15
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: Wrapped in Pride: The Story of Kente in America

Director: Kindra Orr. USA. 30 min. English. Not Rated. "Once reserved for African royalty, kente cloth has become a familiar pattern in American culture. [This] half-hour documentary ... looks at how this tradition textile crossed the Atlantic from the West African Republic of Ghana and made its way into everyday American life."-Container. Post-screening discussant: Dr. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi (Professor, Africana Studies)

This film will be shown in McLane 161. Parking is relaxed after 4:30 PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/

Saturday February 16
7:30 PM
THE STAIRWELL SISTERS at Severance Studio. Wishon and Floradora in the Tower District. S.F.'s all gal urban old-time tear-down. They’re hot! San Francisco’s all-gal urban old-time teardown, THE STAIRWELL SISTERS, have amassed a rowdy repertoire of timeless tunes plus a solid standing of smart, original material that is winning praise on a national level. Old-time music lovers of every generation enjoy their energetic musicianship, tight vocal arrangements and red-hot buckdancing. Co sponsored by the Fresno Folklore Society and California Arts Academy. Advance $15; $20 at door. For information and tickets call--559-222-6539 or visit www.calartsacademy.com

Monday, February 18
Peace Fresno and other community groups will sponsor the "President for Peace and Justice" march. This event will take place on President's Day and call presidential candidates to work for peace and justice. Save the date! More details to follow.

Wednesday, February 20
The Homelessness Marathon will be broadcast from Nashville Tennessee. For more information, see: http://www.homelessnessmarathon.org/

Friday, February 22
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: Talk to Me (2007)

Director: Kasi Lemmons. USA. 118 min. English. Rated R for pervasive language and some sexual content. A film about Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist, and Dewey Hughes, his friend and manager. The movie spans the time period May 1966 to January 1984, ending with the late Greene's memorial service. Post-screening discussant: Dr. Malik Simba (Professor, History)

This film will be shown in McLane 161. Parking is relaxed after 4:30 PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/

Friday evening to Sunday afternoon- February 22-24
Create a Culture of Peace with the Alternatives to Violence Project in a hands-on, activity-based workshop where you'll connect deeply with others, laugh, share, listen while learning ways to reduce conflict in your world, your classroom, family or at work. Take no notes. For more information visit our website www.avpcalifornia.org or call Mary at (559)246-9833.

Thursday, February 28
9 AM - 5 PM
National Network In Action Presents: 2nd Annual Celebrating of the 40th Anniversary Civil of the Rights Movement. "Looking Back To Move Forward"  Touring Black History Pioneers, Fresno. Location: Free AME Baptist Church 806 Collins, Fresno, CA. (Bring canned food donation)

Thursday, February 28
12 Noon - 1 PM
Women in Black will hold a silent vigil at the CSUF free speech area. Women in Black is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence. As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other's movements. Co-sponsored by: POWER, Campus Peace & WILPF. Please call Meta Schettler 278-4593 or email mschettl@csufresno.edu for more information or see www.womeninblack.org to learn more about Women in Black worldwide.

February 28 - March 8
The Rogue Festival - Celebrating Independent and Performance Art. For more information see: http://roguefestival.org/

Thursday, February 29
9 AM - 5 PM
National Network In Action Presents: 2nd Annual Celebrating of the 40th Anniversary Civil of the Rights Movement. "Looking Back To Move Forward" Touring Black History Pioneers, Fresno. Location: Free AME Baptist Church 806 Collins, Fresno, CA. (Bring canned food donation).  Speaker Bishop Hartfield/Black History Movie Night - * 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Friday, February 29
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: Special engagement! International Experimental Film Festival from France: Eight videos of the Image Contre Nature 2007 selection - 91mn

http://surlaroute.p-silo.org/120raisonsdedisparaitreA.php

These are all experimental short films. Not rated.

For Sore Eyes de-by Anders Weberg
2mn17 couleur-color stéréo-stereo 2006 Su de-Sweden
For Sore Eyes is another exploration of the ambivalence of the male gaze and gendered (dis)order. It is a suggestive reflection of life in the pyrotechnic, in sanatarium of consumerism freedom. But what is really freedom ?

Sönemböör de-by Samuel Bester
14mn30 couleur-color stéréo-stereo 2006 France
Fifth volet of a work started in 1996 on the island Sylt (North Germany) to evoke by image and sound the fragility of the landscape and the feelings we can have regarding a place which disappearance is announced

Body of war II de-by Isabelle Schneider
4mn37 couleur-color stéréo-stereo 2007 France
War on all tv's. I keep you in mind.

Infinite Trajectory de-by Christin Bolewski
12mn23 couleur & n/b-color & b/w stéréo-stereo 2005 Allemagne-Germany
Infinite Trajectory is an audiovisual essay inspired by a text of the French Philosopher Jean Baudrillard dealing with topics of a post-modern society: Electronic mass media collapse space and time barriers in human communication, enabling us to interact and live on a global scale, where we are losing the identity of ourselves and the concept of space.

Un gars, une fille... et Dieu ! de-by Yves-Marie Mahe
5mn couleur-color mono 2005 France
Oh! my god (miché!)

Psycho(s) de-by Yuk-Yiu Ip & ST
12mn couleur & n/b-color & b/w stéréo-stereo 2005 Chine-China
Psycho(s) is a live remix of Alfred Hitchcok's Psycho and Gus Van Sant's remake in 1998. Running on custom software that edits the films in real-time, Psycho(s) juxtaposes and condenses the two films that were made almost 40 years apart into a hypnotic stream of mirror images. The images and sounds, drifting in and out of sync, create a perpetual state of cinematic déj vu that haunts and confuses both the original and its double. Psycho(s) recycles the original narratives, forming new poetic associations in an endless cycle of parallel edits.

Mini-series de-by Kara Hearn
11mn47 couleur-color stéréo-stereo 2007 USA
Mini-series is a chain of events drawn from stories, dreams, first-hand experiences, and fantasies. Each scene utilizes the techniques of cinema the simplest possible ways to create narratives that are stripped of everything but the pathos inherent in the medium. The artist worked alone, playing every role and using whatever props and costumes were on hand.

A year de-by Mark Street
26mn couleur-color stéréo-stereo 2006 USA
A tattered diary film. Middle age concerns swirl around me in Brooklyn and follow to North Carolina, and New Orleans (before the storm) and back home again. Video journal entries mix with 35mm abstract film images, sublime and inviting, suggesting and elegy for celluloid. As friends drift away I retreat into myself. Solipsism beckons, and I stave it off, barely. I contemplate my body falling apart, my kids growing up, changes and disappearances.

Post-screening discussant: Dan Nadaner (CSUF professor, Department of Art and Design)

This film will be shown in McLane 161. Parking is relaxed after 4:30 PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/ 

Saturday, March 1
10:30 AM
March for Justice: Marchers assemble at 9:30 am Rally 10:30 am Mary Ella Brown Community Center * 1350 E. Annandale Ave Fresno, CA 93706 (Bring canned food donation) March begins at 10:30 am End at the Free AME Church, 806 Collins Fresno, CA. Program begins 12:00 noon— Awards Ceremony. Donations Payable To: Fresno Center For Nonviolence, Vendor Tables available: $20.00. For more info. call Patricia Miller at (559) 803-0006 Patricia12miller@yahoo.com or visit www.nancal.org

Saturday, March 1
1 PM
Sprawlzilla vs. Main Street'
---where else would you be able to sing along to a catchy song called 'Operation Rezone'?

Local songwriter Blake Jones takes a two week break from his well-loved local pop band The Trike Shop (the same folks who went to Liverpool this past summer), and joins his daughter Chelsea and their friend Todd Severson in creating 'Sprawlzilla vs. Main Street' ----a musical production dealing with the troubles of sprawl, and the enduring dream of ‘Main Street’.

Will singing clever songs, dressing in funny clothes and writing haiku transform the Fulton Mall into a vibrant and ‘happening’ center of activity? Will it keep Kingsburg and other surrounding Valley towns from slipping into the well-worn pattern of faceless sprawl? Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes! Come see the show as it debuts at the Rogue Festival. All shows are at Veni Vidi Vici and cost $4. Show times are: Saturday, March 1st at 1pm; Sunday, March 2nd at 3:30pm; and Friday, March 7th at 7:00pm.

Friday, March 7
5:15 PM
Cineculture Club presents: Celebrating Women's Herstory Month. Charisse Shumate: Fighting for Our Lives (2005) Freedom Archives (Editor) and California Coalition for Women Prisoners (Contributor). 35 min. USA. Not rated.

The story of women prisoners -- many of them domestic violence survivors -- who stood up to the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to demand quality health care for imprisoned women. Charisse Shumate and dozens of other women filed a lawsuit against the state of California (Shumate v. Wilson) to fight this medical neglect and the systemic violence they endure on a daily basis. A panel discussion follows the film, featuring formerly incarcerated women -- including a plaintiff and attorney involved in the Shumate v. Wilson lawsuit -- and other activists who are challenging inhumane prison conditions and the prison industrial complex. Light snacks provided and extra credit possible for students.

Our Voices Within: Out of the Shadows The stories of domestic violence survivors incarcerated in state prison for crimes related to their experiences of being abused. The film features interviews with six domestic violence survivors released from prison and their connections to Free Battered Women, a grassroots coalition working for justice and freedom for abuse survivors who are incarcerated. Footage from Free Battered Women's community event celebrating these and other survivors' freedom links their remarkable journey to freedom with the larger movement to end domestic violence. Our Voices Within: Out of the Shadows explores hope in the face of injustice; resistance to state violence; struggles for freedom; and the power of solidarity.

Presented by Free Battered Women, the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, the California Prison Moratorium Project

Post-screening discussants: representatives from Free Battered Women and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners

This film will be shown in McLane 121. Parking is relaxed after 4:30PM on Fridays in area parking lots. Check the campus map to see which parking area is most convenient. http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/

Saturday, March 8
All Day
International Women’s Day. For more information see:

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womday97.htm
http://www.indybay.org/womyn/
http://www.womensaynotowar.org/

Saturday, March 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the April, 2008 Community Alliance newspaper. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Saturday, March 15
Peace Fresno will hold an anti-war event - Rally in the Valley.

Saturday March 15
7:30 PM
ALASDAIR FRASER in concert with NATALIE HAAS, cello. Fresno Art Museum's Bonner Auditorium "The musical chemistry between Scottish fiddle legend Alasdair Fraser and young cello ace Natalie Haas is a rare, felicitous thing." --Daniel Gewertz, Boston Herald www.alasdairfraser.com . $20 advance; $25 at door Advance tickets available at Patrick's Music, National Hardware, online www.fresnofolkconcerts.com or phone Pat at 431-3653 Sponsored by the Fresno Folklore Society.

Thursday, March 27
12 Noon - 1 PM
Women in Black will hold a silent vigil at the CSUF free speech area. Women in Black is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence. As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other's movements. Co-sponsored by: POWER, Campus Peace & WILPF. Please call Meta Schettler 278-4593 or email mschettl@csufresno.edu for more information or see www.womeninblack.org to learn more about Women in Black worldwide.

Monday, March 31
Cesar Chavez’s birthday. There are always events organized in Fresno to honor the work of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers union. When the details of those events are available, they will be posted. For more information about Cesar Chavez, see:

www.ufw.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Chavez

April 18 - 20
Fresno Filmworks Fourth Annual Fresno Film Festival.
Short Film Category

We welcome films of any genre, as long as they are 30 minutes or shorter in length. The deadline for submissions is January 23, 2008.

Mission and Objective

The Fourth Annual Fresno Film Festival is sponsored by Fresno Filmworks, a nonprofit group committed to brining independent, experimental, and foreign movies to Central California. Filmmakers and directors will be invited to present their films and interact with our audience. Our goal is to provide a film experience that is thought provoking and joyful for an audience that’s hungry for alternatives to the multiplex.

About the Festival

We invite filmmakers to join us in our celebration of cinema at the Fresno Film Festival, held at the historic, 700-seat art deco Tower Theatre, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located mid-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Fresno is the largest city in Central California and is home to several colleges and universities. Fresno is both the epicenter of the largest farm economy in the United States and the gateway to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Fresno is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in California. Our festival encourages films that will appeal to diverse audiences.

For more information, visit: www.fresnofilmworks.org

Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day
For information about the origin of Earth Day, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day

Thursday, April 24
12 Noon - 1 PM
Women in Black will hold a silent vigil at the CSUF free speech area. Women in Black is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence. As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other's movements. Co-sponsored by: POWER, Campus Peace & WILPF. Please call Meta Schettler 278-4593 or email mschettl@csufresno.edu for more information or see www.womeninblack.org  to learn more about Women in Black worldwide.

Thursday, May 1
International Workers Day
For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day

Sunday, May 11
Mother’s Day
This first "The Mother’s Day Proclamation for Peace," was written in 1870 by Julia Ward Howe, the mother of six.

Howe had recently walked the battlefields of the Civil War with her husband and with Abraham Lincoln. She had just written "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." But now, as the Franco Prussian War was beginning, she felt that she could not bear any more violence. She called for a congress of women to gather immediately to promote "PEACE: A Mother’s Day for Peace."

Here’s the full text of what she wrote:

Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts! Whether your
baptism be that of water or of tears!

Say firmly:

We will not have questions decided by irrelevant
agencies, Our husbands shall not come to us
reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all
that we have been able to teach them of charity,
mercy and patience.

We women of one country will be too tender of those
of another country to allow our sons to be trained to
injure theirs.

From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice
goes up with our own.

It says, ‘Disarm, Disarm!’

The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!
Blood does not wipe out dishonor nor violence
indicate possession.

As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at
the summons of war, let women now leave all that
may be left of home for a great and earnest day of
counsel.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and
commemorate the dead. Let them then solemnly
take counsel with each other as to the means
whereby the great human family can live in peace,
each bearing after their own time the sacred
impress, not of Caesar, but of God.

In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I
earnestly ask that a general congress of women
without limit of nationality may be appointed and held
at some place deemed most convenient and at the
earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote
the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable
settlement of international questions, the great and
general interests of peace.

Friday, July 4
9 AM - 1 PM
4^th of July Celebration of our Diversity. This is the 11^th annual celebration of our diversity brunch sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance of Central California. This event will be held at O’Neill Park, CSUF Campus (Barstow between Maple and Chestnut). Tickets for the event are $5 (13 years old - adult), $3/child (4 to 13 years old), and a maximum of $15 per family. For tickets and information call 224-4001.

ONGOING WEEKLY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

Every Sunday
3 - 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 3 PM (meet at the Tulare side of the park). For more information see: http://cafefresno.org/

Every Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Fresno River Zen group meets in Horsley Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church. 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 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 Lizaosb@aol.com ; 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 ckrehbiel@earthlink.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.  If you would like to help us prepare our meal, we meet every Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church (1343 E. Barstow) at 10am.   For more information see: http://myspace.com/fresnofnb

For more information on Food Not Bombs you can contact us at fresnofnb@hotmail.com  or visit the offical FNB website foodnotbombs.net 

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 Hughes and Olive Ave. 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