Baltimore Activist Alert - Feb. 9-10, 2014

47] Diversity and Ethics – Feb. 9 48] Peace and Pancakes – Feb. 9 49] Celebrate Pete Seeger – Feb. 9 50] See WAR HORSE – Feb. 9 51] Stop the pipeline – Feb. 9 52] "Greening Our Sacred Grounds” – Feb. 9 53] Meet the legislators -- Feb. 9 54] Celebrate Pete Seeger – Feb. 9 55] "Al Helm (The Dream): Martin Luther King in Palestine" – Feb. 9 56] Race and Empathy – Feb. 9 57] Pentagon Vigil – Feb. 10 58] Max is seeking a place to live 59] Ronda Cooperstein on social media 60] Sign up with Washington Peace Center 61] Join Fund Our Communities 62] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records 63] Do you need any book shelves or file cabinets? 64] Join Global Zero campaign 65] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale 66] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil ----- 47] – Get over to Red Emma's, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore for Sunday Brunch at 10 AM, a three course Sunday morning vegan/vegetarian brunch! 48] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 to noon. On Sun., Feb. 9, the platform address is “How Diversity Leads to a More Ethical Society“ by Ayanna Watson, founder of the Black Atheists of America. The organization’s mission is to bridge the gap between atheism and the black community. It seeks to achieve its mission by improving education among the youth in disenfranchised communities. The organization also serves to increase diversity among the atheist community at large, and to bring together atheists of color. BAAm envisions a world where atheists, particularly atheists of color, may embrace their lack of religion without the threat of being ostracized by their friends, family and the community. Learn more at www.blackatheistsofamerica.org. Go to http://bmorethical.org/ or Twitter: @bmorethical or Facebook: http://fb.com/bmorethical/or email ask@bmorethical.org. Call 410-581-2322. 49] – Join the Kadampa Meditation Center for Peace and Pancakes on Sundays at 10:30 AM at KMC Maryland, 2937 North Charles St. All are invited to participate in guided meditation and chant praying for world peace. There will be a talk based on Buddhist thought followed by brunch. Call 410- 243-3837. Brunch is $5. 50] – “War Horse” is a beautiful story about young Albert and his beloved horse Joey during WWI. They are separated and Albert tries again to find him. This beautiful play, with gorgeous music and scenery, will certainly jerk the tears on Sun., Feb. 9 at 1 PM and 6:30 PM at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. Call 410-837-7400 or go to http://www.france-merrickpac.com. The ticket price ranges from $43.55 to $107.65. The play was made into a 2011 movie by Steven Spielberg. 51] – Fighting back on the Keystone XL Pipeline will take place on Sun., Feb. 9 from 2 to 4 PM at West End Children's Library, 1101 24th St. NW. An environmental impact statement released by the State Department could set the stage for the Obama administration to green-light the Keystone XL pipeline. But ecology and social justice activists are determined to oppose this environmentally destructive project and the threat it poses to our communities. The mainstream media were nearly unanimous in reporting that the State Department was paving the way for Obama to give his approval for the project--though some environmental activists say the statement acknowledges the pipeline could have some potentially severe consequences, including making climate change worse. The question now is whether the Obama administration, at the urging of big business, will defy the chorus of opposition demanding that the tar sands pipeline project be stopped. Join D.C. System Change Not Climate Change in discussing fighting back on the Keystone XL Pipeline. See https://www.facebook.com/events/215017772022415/. 52] – Network with Green Sheep at the "Greening Our Sacred Grounds" Interfaith Workshop! It takes place on Sun., Feb. 9 from 2 to 5 PM at the International Cultural Center, 19650 Club House Road, Suite 205, Montgomery Village, MD 20886. This is the third annual forum which brings congregations together to learn, share and discuss projects that will help heal Creation in the local environment. Learn how to turn your congregation's lawn into a wildlife habitat, minimize its impact on our region's watershed by reducing stormwater runoff, or sustain your green team for the long haul. Please bring your own reusable coffee mug. Participants are also welcome to attend an Open House at the Dayspring Retreat Center from 12:30 to 1:30 PM and tour this silent retreat center that serves as a model of sustainability on 210 acres of rolling forest. Dayspring is located at 11301 Neelsville Church Road in Germantown, MD. To RSVP, email Elizabeth at program@gwipl.org. 53] – There is a Public meeting with MD state senators & delegates in Silver Spring on Sun., Feb. 9 from 2:45 to 4:45 PM—a great opportunity to speak against anti-BDS bill. Add your voice to the campaign to stop the MD anti-BDS bill. Jean Athey alerts us to the "Legislative Forum" where four MD state senators and three delegates will appear and take questions. The event is at the Silver Spring Civic Bldg. at Ellsworth Dr. and Fenton St. Park free Sunday in the public garage at Wayne Ave. and Fenton St., or in the 2-hour free public parking lot off at the Whole Foods, off of Wayne. The Civic Bldg. is about a 10-minute walk from Silver Spring Metro, up Wayne Ave. about three blocks and then left on Fenton St. one block. Here's the line-up: Sen. Karen Montgomery, District 14, Sen. Richard Madaleno, District 18, Sen. Roger Manno, District 19, Sen. Jamie Raskin, District 20, Delegate Eric Luedtke, District 14, Delegate Sheila Hixson, District 20, and Delegate Shane Robinson, District 39.Contact Jean at . Find out what is and isn’t happening in Annapolis this session--minimum wage, fracking, GMO’s and more. Bring your questions and concerns. A special guest is Delman Coates, candidate for Lt. Governor, running with candidate for Governor, Heather Mizeur. Enjoy GMO-free snacks, some locally grown. Email pn4change@gmail.com [Progressive Neighbors] or call 301-587-5559. Visit www.progressiveneighborsmd.org. 54] – On Sun., Feb. 9 at 4:30 PM, participate in the Brandywine Peace Community Monthly Potluck Supper/Program at the University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut Street, Phila., PA (37th & Chestnut Streets). Bring main dish, salad, or dessert to share. At 5:30 PM, enjoy Presente Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 - January 27, 2014), a Celebration of Pete with music (be prepared to sing! with singer-songwriter, Tom Mullian and Melissa Elliott)) personal remembrances by long-time friend of Pete's and co-worker, and showing of the Acclaimed 2007 PBS American Masters film, "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song." Seeger was a Singer-Songwriter, Activist/Organizer for Peace, Justice, Labor, Earth, and future generations, someone who has touched so many millions, across the world and over generations, cannot die. He can only pass along knowing that WE SHALL OVERCOME! as he strums his banjo that reads: This Machine Surrounds Hate And Forces It To Surrender. Call 610-544-1818 or go to http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events/. 55] – Jewish Voice for Peace - DC Metro Chapter invites you to a screening and discussion of the new film by the award-winning filmmaker Connie Fields--"Al Helm (The Dream): Martin Luther King in Palestine"—on Sun., Feb. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Arlington County Central Library, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201. An African-American gospel choir travels to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to sing in a play about Martin Luther King Jr. During their visit, the director of the Jenin Freedom Theatre is assassinated on the anniversary of MLK’s death, sending shock-waves throughout Palestine and Israel. The choir’s members are transformed as they witness life under occupation and a nonviolent movement for social justice. Call 240-425-7581 or email jvpdcmetro@gmail.com. 56] – Race and Empathy: What are the limits of our good intentions? This discussion is happening on Sun., Feb. 9 from 7 PM at Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Sts. NW. "We are Proud to Present..." is a stage play opening Feb. 10 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. The play requires us to take a hard look at how events with racial content are presented and the nuances required of those that present the material. Be at Busboys & Poets for the discussion and the opportunity to win tickets. Enjoy full table service at Busboys and Poets, volunteer to read scenes from We Are Proud to Present..., directed by a member of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's Artistic Staff, and take part in a post-read discussion about the themes and characters in the play, and how they relate to race and racism in the here and now. The discussion will feature Jackie Sibblies Drury. Visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/we-are-proud-to-present. 57] – There is a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop. The next vigil is Mon., Feb. 3, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649. The vigil will be outside the Pentagon's south Metro entrance and in the designated "protest zone" behind bicycle fences across from the entrance to the Metro. By Metro, take Yellow Line and get out at the "Pentagon" stop. Do not go to the Pentagon City stop! Go up south escalators and turn left and walk across to protest area. By car from D.C. area, take 395 South and get off at Exit 8A-Pentagon South Parking. Take slight right onto S. Rotary Rd. at end of ramp and right on S. Fern St. Then take left onto Army Navy Dr. You can "pay to park" on Army Navy Dr., and there is meter parking one block on right on Eads St. Payment for both of these spots begin at 8 AM. No cameras are allowed on Pentagon grounds. Restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com. 58] – Max is seeking a place to live. Let him know of any possibilities. He can be reached at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.dot net. 59] – Ronda Cooperstein has taken to social media, and is recording her opinion pieces on You Tube. A recent posting was her book talk on Alan Weisman's remarkable new book, COUNTDOWN. She focuses on only two chapters (Israel/Palestine, Iran). She indicates it is one of the best books she has read this past year. Check out her review at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvyambnfIVo. 60] – The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org. 61] – Fund Our Communities campaign is a grass roots movement to get support from local organizations and communities to work together with their local and state elected officials to pressure Congresspersons and senators to join with Congresspersons Barney Frank and Ron Paul, who have endorsed a 25% cut to the federal military budget. Bring home the savings to state and county governments to meet the local needs which are under tremendous budget pressures. Go to www.OurFunds.org. 62] – If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net. 63] – Can you use any book shelves? Can you use any file cabinets? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net. 64] – Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: http://www.globalzero.org/sign-declaration. A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees. This is an historic window of opportunity. With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many. 65] – WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER signs from Friends Committee on National Legislation are again for sale at $5. To purchase a sign, call Max at 410-366-1637. 66] – Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282. Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/. "One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan