Baltimore Activist Alert - June 1 - Aug. 10, 2014

51] “Do You Haiku? – June 1
52] Peace and Pancakes – June 1
53] Learn how to effectively canvass, testify, use social media strategy, and other tangible skills – June 1
54] Hiroshima-Nagasaki meting – June 1
55] Chicana novelist Ana Castillo at Red Emma’s -- June 1
56] “Do You Haiku? – June 1
57] Pentagon Vigil – June 2
58] See the film EVEN THE RAIN – June 6
59] Save the date! - Aug. 10
60] Support a Peace Camp
61] Max is seeking a place to live
62] Ronda Cooperstein on social media
63] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
64] Join Fund Our Communities
65] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
66] Do you need any book shelves or file cabinets?
67] Join Global Zero campaign
68] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale
69] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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51] - 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 AM to noon. On Sun., June 1, the platform address is “Do You Haiku?” with Karen Elliott. Many people know that haiku is a Japanese poetic form. Quite a few know that is has a set number of syllables (17: five plus seven plus five) and lines (three). A fair number know that it usually references nature and implies a season. Come and learn a few more things about the haiku form and its history, listen to some traditional and not-so-traditional examples of it, and spend a little time writing one or two yourself with Elliott, whose poetic goal for 2014 is to write a haiku for each day. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

52] - 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.

53] – On Sun., June 1 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM at Shepherd Park Library, 7420 Georgia Ave. NW, participate in Hard Skills Training: Learn how to effectively canvass, testify, use social media strategy, and other tangible skills you'll need to organize successfully. After a busy year winning two campaigns in D.C. and Maryland, Jews United for Justice is holding in May and June a series of trainings in activism skills. Folks are asked to commit to coming to at least two of the three sessions (though all three are recommended), since the trainings build on each other. The suggested donation is $18. Feel free to pay what you can. Visit
http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5483/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=8642.

54] – There is an important meeting on Sun., June 1 from 4 to 6 PM at 9612 Wire Ave., Silver Spring. Help finalize the schedule for the guests from Japan, and make a final decision on the youth delegate to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There will also be a discussion on volunteer schedules, and new volunteers are welcome. All are encouraged to attend, especially if you can volunteer to drive the Hibakusha or to serve as interpreters. Call John Steinbach at 703-822-3485.

55] – Chicana novelist Ana Castillo will present her new book "Give it To Me"! on Sun., June 1 at 4PM @ Red Emma's, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201. Recently divorced, Palma, a forty-three-year-old Latina, takes stock of her life when she reconnects with her gangster younger cousin recently released from prison. Her sexual obsession with him flares as she checks out her other options, but their family secrets bring them together in unexpected ways. In this wildly entertaining and sexy novel, Castillo creates a memorable character with a flair for fashion, a longing for family, and a penchant for adventure. She is a celebrated poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist, editor, playwright, translator and independent scholar. Call 410-230-0450. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

56] – On Sun., June 1 celebrate the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month with SPARKLE at Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Sts., from 8 to 10 PM. This is an open mic poetry evening, queer-friendly and featuring an array of LGBT-dedicated poets. Hosted by Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou, SPARKLE is held on the 1st Sunday of every month at Busboys and Poets. Tickets are $5. See http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/sparkle-queer-open-mic540.

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., May 26, 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.

58] -- The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility are concluding the latest FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES. The DVDs are shown at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, on the First Friday. After the peace vigil, there will be a potluck dinner. At 7:15 PM on June 6, see a DVD of EVEN THE RAIN, followed by a discussion. There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.

The series theme is THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED! EVEN THE RAIN [Spain, 2010] is a brilliant movie. At a time when the poor of the world seem to be rising up, I found myself deeply moved and completely enthralled by this film. I encourage everyone in search of a great movie to go see EVEN THE RAIN." —Michael Moore

Directed by Iciar Bollain ("Take My Eyes") and written by long-time Ken Loach collaborator Paul Laverty ("The Wind That Shakes the Barley"), the story finds a Spanish film crew helmed by idealistic director Sebastian (Gael García Bernal) and his cynical producer Costa (Luis Tosar) in Bolivia to make a revisionist epic about the conquest of Latin America - on the cheap. Carlos Aduviri is dynamic as “Daniel,” a local cast as a 16th century native in the film within a film. When the make-up and loin cloth come off, Daniel sails into action protesting his community’s deprivation of water at the hands of multi-national corporations. When riots break out in Cochabamba, protesting excessive fees for water, production is interrupted and the convictions of the crew members are challenged. Sebastian and Costa are forced to make an unexpected emotional journey in opposite directions. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.
59] – SAVE THE DATE!!!!! Get over to "Family Fun" night to raise funds for Dr. Mutulu Skakur and the development of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to free our Political Prisoners/Prisoners of War. It will take place at Skateland North Point, 1113 Old North Point Rd., Baltimore 21222, on Sun., Aug. 10 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Admission is $10 which includes skate rental. Contact Abdul-Jabbar at 610.621.0699 (Maryland State Jericho). Go to http://mutulushakur.com/site/.

60] – Can you help out the Nawal G. Rajeh Peace Camp? Nonviolence and positive conflict resolution is taught to children while providing them a summer camp, fun experience. This year's camp is for four weeks at the 29th Street Community Center in the Harwood neighborhood and three weeks at the Drs. Camille and Bill Cosby Community Center at St. Frances Academy in Johnston Square, both East Baltimore neighborhoods.

There will be morning classes to help the young persons, ranging in age from 5 to 12 years old, retain their school based skills writing about "peace heroes" and reading books that encourage positive communication. The afternoons will be filled with activities such as swimming, art, music and free time in the gyms. Some 70 children will attend the camp. Can you make a contribution to support the Nawal G. Rajeh Peace Camp of 2014 and reach out to your network of friends? Funds will be used toward instruction in yoga, drumming, dance and art.

Greater Homewood Community Corporation will serve as the fiscal agent for Peace Camp. Checks should be made out to By Peaceful Means and mailed to GHCC, 3503 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218. Help keep children out of the extreme heat of the summer sun and from the dangerous bullets flying freely in our inner-city neighborhoods. Help make peacemakers, while keeping them safe.

61] -- 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.

62] -- Ronda Cooperstein has taken to social media, and is recording her opinion pieces on You Tube. Check out her latest essay - THE WASHINGTON POST WITH TOAST: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffj-Scno-5Q.

63] -- The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

64] -- 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.

65] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

66] -- Can you use any book shelves? Can you use any file cabinets? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

67] -- 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.

68] -- 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.

69] – A 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