Baltimore Activist Alert December 24 - 31, 2017

Baltimore Activist Alert December 24 - 31, 2017

"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 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net.

1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists  

4] Two friends are looking to buy a house in Baltimore

5] “Colloquium: The Season’s Introspection in the Now” – Dec. 24

6] Christmas Eve Day Food & Clothing Distribution Service -- Dec. 24

7] Peace Party – Dec. 24

8] Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – Dec. 24

9] Protest at the Pentagon – Dec. 25

10] Donate toys for cats and dogs – through Dec. 31

11] Gift of Life to an Animal – through Dec. 31

12] Peace vigil – Dec. 26

13] Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" – Dec. 26

-------

1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available.  “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers are in stock. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

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 6address to mobuszewski at Verizon.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 ncnrnotices-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You will get a confirmation message once subscribed.  If you have problems, please write to the list manager at ncnrnotices-admin@lists.riseup.net.

4] – Janice and Max are looking to buy a house in Baltimore.  Let Max know if you have any leads—410-323-1607 or mobuszewski 2001 at comcast dot net. 

5] – 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., Dec. 24, the Sunday Platform is “Colloquium: The Season’s Introspection in the Now.” This event is meant to be an expression of free flow of the inner experience a member brings or develops as a result of listening to others.  It reflects the themes of the season – generosity, peaceful coexistence, compassion, humanity…  One might speak impromptu, read a poem, or a quotation. 

In reflecting these brief thoughts it is hopeful that the collective consciousness of the members will ripple into the wider ethical and unethical communities in Baltimore, in the counties and in the state.  The reflection is expected to be spontaneous, but measured between moments of silence so that the members can acknowledge the reflection of others.  One might be moved to stand behind or at the side of a member whose reflection they will built upon. The program will end with a collective cheer.  Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

6] – Help out with a Christmas Eve Day Food & Clothing Distribution Service in FRANKLIN Park, 14th & K Sts., WDC on Sun., Dec. 24 from 11 AM until 1:30 PM.  Our homeless sisters and brothers are part of the family. Every Sunday, volunteers come together to prepare a Hot, Healthy, Vegetarian Meal for about 150 homeless people. Toiletries, inspiring literature, and alternative healthcare when available such as reiki and homeopathy, are also provided, all free of charge. Once a year, in addition, there is a distribution of thermal underwear, gloves, hats, socks and blankets. RSVP at victor@theessenechurchofpeace.org or 240 483 9458.

7] – On Sun., Dec. 24 from 6 PM to 2 AM, come to the Peace Party (a Holiday Warehouse Party), hosted by Mind Field Music and Arts Festival at Creative Labs, 1786b Union Ave., Baltimore 21211.  For many the holidays are filled with joy, laughter and family. However, many of us don't have a family to go to for a variety of reasons. Maybe they live abroad, maybe they don't celebrate a holiday, and maybe you just don't like them. Whatever the reason it's all good, we got you. At the Peace Party, the theme is Ugly Leggings.  Obviously, ugly sweaters are more than encouraged too!  Enjoy the music. The potluck starts at 6 PM, while yoga starts at 7 PM.

This party is donation based. It is indeed expensive to put on (sound, DJs, production etc.). Please pay what you can. Your donations will directly be benefitting, in order, the performing artists, Creative Labs (who is doing the absolute best job giving artists a place to be artists) and future Mind Space Parties as well as Mind Field Music and Arts Festival. 

8] – On Sun., Dec. 24 from 8 to 9 PM, hosted by First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, 10 W Franklin St., Baltimore 21201, come to What Shall I Give You? This is a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service.  The Magi in the Jesus story and on our Hallmark cards appear with great devotion and rare and precious gifts. But we give more simply, in our time, to the people who mean the most to us. That which is precious and pure, that which delights and smells nice, that which calms and preserves. In the darkness split by candlelight, we remember the good in our lives and in our memories. This is our Christmas hope.

9] – 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 Dec. 25, 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.

10] – Throughout December, the Maryland SPCA is collecting toys for the cats and dogs in its adoption center. The goal is to collect enough toys in one month to entertain the homeless animals in the shelter throughout the coming year by filling its sleigh! You can help by bringing new cat and dog toys and treats to the Maryland SPCA's adoption center, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore 21211 or Project Adopt in White Marsh Mall, 8200 Perry Hall Blvd, Baltimore 21236. Some of the toys which are needed are kongs, hard rubber chew toys, soft treats, toy mice (without catnip) and small cat balls w/ bells. Providing toys for the animals is more than a nice touch. Having toys and treats in the shelter environment helps socialize animals, reduces stress and improves health. See http://www.mdspca.org/updates/detail/presents-for-pets.

11] –  Continuing through Dec. 31, you can have the Gift of Life Adoption Special, hosted by BARCS Animal Shelter, 301 Stockholm St., Baltimore 21230.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/174440716485060/?event_time_id=174440769818388.

Give the animals the gift of "home," the Gift of Life! This holiday season, BARCS' adoption fees are $0 thanks to many generous friends who are sponsoring adoption fees right this very minute through online and mailed-in donations. This holiday season, BARCS has hundreds of homeless animals in the shelter who need families. These precious animals are spending the holiday season at the shelter through no fault of their own. Help us given them a second chance by choosing adoption. Please consider sponsoring an adoption fee of an animal in the shelter by making a donation this holiday season!

12] –  Each Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th St. & JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine.  The next vigil is Dec. 26.  Call 215-426-0364.

13] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Dec. 26 from 5:30  to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.   

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.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