Baltimore Activist Alert October 26 -27, 2014

Baltimore Activist Alert October 26 – October 27, 2014

"I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Friends, this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center. Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com. If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Max Obuszewski can be reached at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

Tune into the Maryland Progressive Blog at http://mdprogblog.org.

1] Books, buttons & stickers
2] Web site for info on federal legislation
3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists
4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLa
5] The Visionary Experience: Saint Francis to Finster – Oct. 30
6] Food drive – through Nov. 8
7] Can you donate a kidney?
8] Open Windows Festival II – Oct. 26
9] The Lady Engineer – Oct. 26
10] Peace and Pancakes – Oct. 26
11] Baltimore Green Forum – Oct. 26
12] Soul Kitchen – Oct. 26
13] Heschel Vision Awards – Oct. 26
14] National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms fundraiser – Oct. 26
15] Immigration Film Festival – Oct. 26
16] SOA Watch fundraiser -- Oct. 26
17] Pentagon Vigil – Oct. 27
18] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Oct. 27 – 31
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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available. “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers are in stock. Donate your books to Max. Call him at 410-366-1637.

2] – To obtain information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congressional toll-free numbers are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073. The White House Comment Email is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

3] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR]. It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed. It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to the war in Iraq. To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski at Verizon dot net. Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.

THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe. It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing. To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

4] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale. For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/2010/02/hocofola-cafe-quetzal-order-form-2010.html. The coffee comes in one-pound bags.

Fill out the form and mail it with a check made out to HOCOFOLA on or before the second week of the month. Be sure you indicate ground or beans for each type of coffee ordered. Send it to Francine Sheppard at 5639B, Harpers Farm Rd., Columbia 21044. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up. Contact Francine at 410-992-7679 or FrancineMSW@aol.com.

5] - The Visionary Experience: Saint Francis to Finster, featuring artist Rev. Howard Finster, will be exhibited from Sat., Oct. 4 through Oct. 30. The Visionary Experience offers a perspective on some of the most important moments in history, invention, science, politics, and religion at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Call 410-244-1900. Visit http://avam.org.

6] – The Men and Families Center, 2222 Jefferson St., Baltimore, continues its food drive through Sat., Nov. 8. The organization is collecting canned and unperishable goods so that food pantries in the center are stocked for the holidays! Call Quandra or Rodney at 410-614-5353 or email menandfamiliescenter.org.

7] - A relative – or sort of relative – of the Berrigans by the name of Michael Moore has an ex-wife suffering from renal failure and is on dialysis four times each day. Her only hope is to receive a kidney from a donor. Her name is Mary Ann Nowak, and she can be reached at 760-632-5462 or by email at bunnykimhm@hotmail.com. Anyone willing to be tested or who has already been tested and is able to donate a kidney would give new life to this woman. Many thanks for any and all consideration you can give. Thanks for reading, for caring, for considering--Liz McAlister.

8] - On Sun., Oct. 26. OPEN WINDOWS FESTIVAL II !!—CELEBRATION OF VATICAN II, sponsored by the Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours, is happening at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore 21239. Registration starts at 8:45 AM, program begins promptly at 9:30 AM, and it concludes at 4:30 PM. Registration is $30 per person. Lunch is an extra $10 per person, and if you want lunch (several sandwich options) advance registration is required.

Go to www.openwindowsfestival.com. Participants will join in the regular 11 AM Mass at St. Matthew’s celebrated by Rev. Joe Muth.

The theme for the day is “Liturgy and Laity.” Massimo Faggioli will speak on “Beyond the ‘Two Kinds of Christians’- Active Participation and Laity at Vatican II.” Faggioli earned his PhD from the University of Turin in Religious History in 2002. He is a renowned speaker, author and author in the world of theology and specifically the Second Vatican Council. Since 2009, he has been an Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Rita Ferrone will speak on “The Dignity of Baptism, the Call to Participation.” Ms. Ferrone is a recognized leader for her pioneering efforts in the area of adult Christian initiation during a time when the reforms of the Second Vatican Council have opened new avenues of ministry for lay people and women. She has played a vital role in liturgical reform and the challenges of training clergy, parish staff and thousands of non-professional parish ministers.
On Sun., Oct. 26 at 3 PM, there will be a Jewish Voice for Peace discussion regarding the chapter’s strategic planning process, following up on a recent meeting with MD Congresswoman, Donna Edwards, and upcoming activities for fall - early winter. If you are interested in attending, RSVP to jvpdcmetro@gmail.com and get directions.

9] - 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., Oct. 26 “Meet Olive Wetzel Dennis, The Lady Engineer.” Sharon Beischer Harwood will explain who was Olive Dennis and remember her railroad legacy through the inventions, creative designs, work ethic, and the talent that made her ‘The Lady Engineer’ of the B&O Railroad. She was the first woman civil engineer on the B&O Railroad and in American railroading. Her contributions to the improvement of passenger service won her the unofficial title of “the woman who took the pain out of the train.” At a time and in an industry that could barely conceive of a woman doing a man’s work, this remarkable woman prevailed and left an indelible mark. Harwood is a graduate of Goucher College and a retired principal/administrator from the Montgomery County Public School System. The daughter and grand-daughter of railroaders, Mrs. Harwood lectures locally on topics related to the B&ORR – with special consideration of the lesser-known contributions of women to railroading. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

10] - 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.

11] – The BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM, a monthly environmental education and discussion forum, will occur on Sun., Oct. 26. NEW KOINONIA
A New Concept for Intentional Communities will b presented by Paul E. Schoen and Robert Thomason. Intentional communities have been in existence for hundreds of years, but many have failed for various reasons. New Koinonia plans to include older proven concepts and evolving technology to provide a healthy alternative to the unsustainable lifestyles to which most people aspire, and may set an example for those who wish to live in harmony with nature and yet not totally abandon the comforts and frills to which we have become accustomed. This is a new concept which is still evolving. Paul is a long-time member of the Baltimore Green Forum, the Sierra Club, and other environmental organizations, and lived and worked at the original Koinonia that inspired his dream. Robert supports the concept and is cultivating a nature preserve.

The Forum seeks to educate and stimulate dialogue about what humans can do to make modern civilization more sustainable, including adjusting to finite resource limits and preserving biodiversity and a healthy environment. This is done through 8 monthly meetings a year. The topics are far ranging. They vary from local to planetary and from philosophical to scientific to very practical. The Meeting Format: There is a speaker and Q&A from 4-5:15 pm. Then there are brief announcements by representatives of other organizations that also seek sustainability and environmental protection. We thereby promote collaboration among these organizations. Next, there is an optional roundtable discussion until 6:30 PM. Finally, there is often a small gathering at a nearby restaurant.

BGF is open to the public and is free of charge, but donations to Maryland Presbyterian Church are collected during the meeting to thank the church for their generous gift of the space to us. Call Sam Hopkins at 410 554 0006 or email baltimoregreenforum@gmail.com. Visit http://www.baltimoregreen forum.org.

12] – Gimmie Shelter Productions in conjunction with the Govans Presbyterian Church invites you to the Soul Kitchen Dinner Program at 5 PM on the fourth Sunday of every month. There is a catered dinner for the homeless and those in need in the Govans area. Musicians and singers are needed to provide entertainment, and helping hands are needed to set up, serve, clean up, and perhaps give other volunteers a ride home. The program is at the Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road. Call 410-435-9188.

13] – On Sun., Oct. 26 at 6:30 PM at Temple Sinai, 3100 Military Rd. NW, WDC, JUFJ’s Heschel Vision Awards honor local leaders who fuse activism and deep moral commitments. These leaders inspire and empower people from all walks of life. Go to http://jufj.org/heschel2014.

14] – Join the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms for a dinner fundraiser featuring Imam Siraj Wahaj. The dinner will be at the Dar Al-Hijrah, 3159 Row St., Falls Church, VA, on Sun., Oct. 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM and will focus on drawing attention to the current state of civil liberties in the United States and highlighting the programs and initiatives that NCPCF works to address in Muslim American's diminishing rights.

NCPCF is an organization that was founded to address many of the recurrent and ongoing civil rights and civil liberties abuses that have become pervasive after 9/11. It fills a specific niche however in this regard, empowering families who have suffered firsthand from having their members imprisoned. Further, the NCPCF operates with the specific goal of addressing issues that have greatly affected the American Muslim community such as entrapment, the use of informants and preemptive prosecutions. Contact Dr. Maha Hilal at 608.239.3369 or civilfreedoms@gmail.com.

15] – At 9601 Cedar Lane in Bethesda on Sun., Oct. 26 at 7 PM, enjoy Greater Washington's first festival celebrating movies that put a face on immigration. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/584098541716075/?ref=6&ref_notif_type=plan_user_invited.

16] – On Sun., Oct. 26 at 8:30 PM, join SOA Watch for a party in the lead-up to the 25th November Vigil. They are celebrating the fact that grassroots people power prevailed against the attempts by Fort Benning officials and the Columbus Police Department to shut down the November Vigil. SOA Watch, and others, regained their right to protest in front of the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia!

This November marks the 25th anniversary of the University of Central America massacre as well as the anniversary of the birth of the movement. Join SOA Watch's 25th Vigil at the gates of Fort Benning and stand in solidarity with those who continue to be impacted by the SOA and by militarization at home and abroad. Continue to call out the names of the martyrs killed by SOA graduates, recognize the connections to struggles at the Mexico-US border with the current refugee crisis, the locally opposed Escobal mine in Guatemala, and communities like Ferguson, Missouri, and others all across the Americas facing militarized police forces. Join the fundraising party at Acre 21, 1400 Irving St., Columbia Heights, WDC. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/335068670007428/?ref=6&ref_notif_type=plan_user_invited.

17] -- 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., Oct. 27, 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.

18] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Friday from 10 AM to noon on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at www.weaa.org. The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at www.steinershow.org.

To be continued.

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/.

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs