Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert -- February 6 -- March 28, 2019


46] Maryland Food Bank Benefit through Mar. 28
47] Affordable Housing Crisis Feb. 6
48] Rethinking Reagan as Cold Warrior – Feb. 6
49] Night Envisioning Water Justice for All Marylanders – Feb. 6
50] West Wednesday: Protest Police Brutality – Feb. 6
51] Morning with the Baltimore Sun – Feb. 7
52] Climate Smart Landscapes Globally -- Feb. 7
53] MPD Performance Oversight Hearing – Feb. 7
54] Epiphany Power Hour with Mark Bergel -- Feb. 7
55] Russian Weaponization of Social Media – Feb. 7
56] Northeast Baltimore County Democratic Club meeting – Feb. 7
57] Baltimore Ceasefire Community Action Meeting – EAST -- Feb. 7
58] Poetry and Conversation -- Feb. 7
59] 6th District Town Hall – Feb. 7
60] Plastics Reduction Task Force Public Forum – Feb. 7
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46] – On Wed., Feb. 61 through Sun., Mar. 31, 2019, there is a Maryland Food Bank Benefit, hosted by The Admirals Cup - Fells Point, Baltimore, 1647 Thames St., Baltimore 21231. Do we give so we shall receive, or give because it feels good?  Giving has never felt better or made a more significant impact than this unique opportunity. The Maryland Food Bank and Harbor Magic Hotels presents “HOLIDAY GIVEBACK.”   Experience the adventures of the Fells Point at one of the two beautiful Harbor Magic Hotels: The Admiral Fell Inn or the Inn at Henderson’s Wharf.  Gracefully awaken to the aromas and tastes of a fabulous breakfast and set sail on your day in one of the most amazing places in America. Harbor Magic is donating 10% of dollars generated from this promotion to benefit the Maryland Food Bank. BOOK NOW at https://www.admiralfell.com/en-us/packages/maryland-food-bank-holiday-giveback-special?page_id=4266673. Call (410) 534-5555. See https://www.facebook.com/events/349755175583179/.

47] – On Wed., Feb. 6 from 6  to 8 PM, catch up The Affordable Housing Crisis with Ed Lazere, hosted by American Society for Public Administration - National Capital Area Chapter at the Partnership for Public Service, 1100 New York Ave. NW, Suite 200 E, WDC 20005.  What are the right priorities and solutions for addressing the homelessness and affordable housing needs of D.C. and other major cities?  Ed Lazere, Executive Director, DC Fiscal Policy Institute, is a longtime housing advocate and tax policy expert.  What works and what doesn’t work when trying to invest in economic development and grow jobs. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/321188255167119/.

48] – On Wed., Feb. 6 from 6:30  to 9:30 PM, see Rethinking Reagan as Cold Warrior, hosted by Profs and Pints at La Pop DC, 1847 Columbia Road NW, WDC 20009.  Tickets are at profspintsreaganwar.brownpapertickets.com. “Rethinking Reagan as Cold Warrior” is with Matthew Dallek, political historian and associate professor of political management at George Washington University and scholar of the Reagan presidency.  President Ronald Reagan’s admirers have long claimed that his foresight, wisdom and strength carried America to a decisive victory in the Cold War. Reagan, they argue, built up the U.S. military after a period of decline, boldly assailed the Soviet Union as an “evil empire,” and launched a struggle against communist regimes from Eastern Europe to Central America, with ultimate victory in the Cold War being a result. Historian John Patrick Diggins once wrote that it was a triumph that “delivered America from fear and loathing” and “remedied America of all self-doubt.”

Is Reagan actually responsible for our “winning” the Cold War? Come hear Professor Dallek tackle that question in ways that will make you rethink your assumptions about history. He’ll look at Reagan’s role in bringing this international conflict to a peaceful resolution, and the role that Reagan’s anti-communist broadsides had on the decades-long geopolitical struggle between Western capitalism and Soviet communism. How close did Reagan and the USSR come to nuclear war in 1983? Why did Reagan do a 180-degree turn on arms control in his second term? How much credit does Gorbachev deserve for ending the Cold War? What role did larger economic forces and “soft power” have in felling the Soviet Union? Those are all questions that also will be tackled by Professor Dallek, a frequent commentator for the national media who is teaching a course on the modern presidency.

Professor Dallek will also explore why the United States and Russia failed to forge a lasting peace after the collapse of communism, and how lingering tensions between them led to Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. You’ll leave the talk with a much richer contextual understanding of today’s headlines. Advance tickets: $12. Doors: $15, save $2 with a student ID. Profs and Pints talks begin one half hour after listed event start times. See https://www.facebook.com/events/224871751742894/.

49] –  On Wed., Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 8 PM, get over to a Night Envisioning Water Justice For All Marylanders, hosted by Food & Water Watch – Maryland at Barnes Memorial Church, 3000 Hillen Rd., Baltimore 21218-3146. Believe in a future where families don’t have to choose between buying groceries or paying the water bill, where people don’t have to worry about an outstanding water bill costing them their home or church, where the quality of our water isn’t impacted by dangerous industries, and where private corporations cannot profit off our water. Spend an evening with Food & Water Watch staff, organizers, and community partners to celebrate our recent victories, and learn about the work that supporters like you make possible. It is hosted by Pastor Mark James at his church, which he almost lost at tax sale, in part due to a water bill.  At 7 PM, there will be remarks by Rianna Eckel with Food & Water Watch, as well as several community partners. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/619807928435775/.

50] – On Wed., Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, get over to West Wednesday: Protest Police Brutality, hosted by the Baltimore Movement of Rank and File Educators outside Baltimore City Police - Northeast District, 1900 Argonne Dr., Baltimore 21218.  Join the West Family in their weekly protest of police brutality that took the life of their beloved family member Tyrone West on July 18, 2013 during a traffic stop. Since that day, the family has been organizing weekly protests seeking justice for Tyrone West as well as all victims of police brutality.  See https://www.theodysseyonline.com/story-tyrone-west-sister-fighting-justice. The weekly protests occur on Wednesdays at different locations around the city and this week it will be at the Northeast District Police Station across from Morgan State's Murphy Fine Arts Center. You can park in Morgan's parking lot behind the Murphy Fine Arts Center. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1166441933555573/.

51] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 8 to 10 AM, enjoy Morning with the Baltimore Sun, hosted by PRSA Maryland at The Baltimore Sun, 300 E. Cromwell, Baltimore 21230.  Tickets are at prsamd.org.  The morning will include a panel discussion with key Baltimore Sun staff followed by an optional tour of the new office and printing space. Registration is still open, and tickets are $20 to $35. Strategic Factory will provide a lite breakfast. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/306668206620206/. 

52] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 8:30 to 11 AM, check out New Developments for Climate Smart Landscapes Globally, hosted by EcoAgriculture Partners at the FAO Liaison Office, 2121 K St., Suite 800B, WDC 20037.  Join to catch up on and share the most recent developments affecting the implementation and advancement of climate smart landscapes around the world.  Amidst mounting challenges posed by climate change, we are asked to do more in terms of mitigation and adaptation with fewer resources. Addressing these challenges is made more difficult by a dearth of public sector funding. While this poses significant risks and constraints to implementing climate smart interventions, it is also leading many to creatively pursue opportunities for collaboration, new forms of funding and investment, and novel mechanisms for partnerships across levels and sectors.

These new developments can be tough to keep track of, which is where this month’s FAO-EcoAgriculture Partners Landscape Roundtable comes in. Join for a discussion on the future of policy and finance for climate smart partnerships in the global sphere. At this roundtable explore recent insights and innovations in climate smart agriculture and understand what challenges and opportunities we have to invest in climate projects and programs. Invited speakers, Thomas Hammond, FAO, Genevieve Maricle, WWF and Rebecca Carter, World Resources Institute, will review some key topics to get the conversation started. The Roundtable is part of an on-going series of discussions focusing on climate change, agriculture, and landscapes. The series has been jointly organized by EcoAgriculture Partners and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations since 2009.

The Landscapes Roundtable series uses Chatham House Rules to allow for open discussion from all participants, including senior government and business leaders. Media, please note that direct quotation of participants, including panelists, during the event is not possible without explicit permission from the speaker. For this reason also, we do not livestream, broadcast or record these events. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1846268072169013/.

53] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 9:30 AM to 5 PM, Pack the MPD Performance Oversight Hearing, hosted by Black Lives Matter D.C. at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC 20004.  You can buy a t-shirt that was designed specifically for the hearing here -> http://bit.ly/stopmpdorder.  People are needed to testify about the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) at the public performance oversight hearing of MPD held by the D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. Testimonies are only 3 minutes long (about a page and a half).  If you have questions about writing and presenting compelling testimony, email blacklivesmatterdmv@gmail.com.  If you’re interested in providing testimony, reading testimony or helping to fill the room, email blacklivesmatterdmv@gmail.com. If you’re not on the mailing list, sign-up ASAP at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/join-the-movement-3/. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/1118724114973656/.

54] –  On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 12:10 to 1 PM, get involved with the Epiphany Power Hour with Mark Bergel, hosted by The Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW, WDC 20005. The Epiphany Power Hour, hosted by the Reverend Glenna Huber, is a free, nonpartisan, multi-faith series that will feature local and national leaders with actionable ideas for shifting the balance of power in our community, while creating a brave space to discuss issues that impact us and our neighbors.  Join a chat with Dr. Mark Bergel, CEO of A Wider Circle, to learn about his organizations' efforts to end poverty for good.  Bergel is the Founder, President & CEO of A Wider Circle, a nonprofit organization founded in 2001. The mission of A Wider Circle is to end poverty by inspiring, fostering, and measuring individual and community level change. Dr. Bergel’s efforts to end poverty have led to his selection as a CNN Hero, Washingtonian of the Year, and as one of PEOPLE Magazine’s “All-Stars Among Us,” recognizing individuals who have made incredible contributions in their communities, among other honors.

The Epiphany Power Hour will take place every Thursday, with lunch served at noon and programming beginning at 12:10 PM. The Power Hour is free, but goodwill donations are welcome (suggested donation $10).  Visit http://epiphanydc.org/the-epiphany-power-hour/.  Reach A Wider Circle at http://awidercircle.org/.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/2438147046257443/.

55] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 4 to 5 PM, catch the Russian Weaponization of Social Media, hosted by The Institute of World Politics, 1521 16th St. NW, WDC 20036.  This event is sponsored by IWP’s Cyber Intelligence Initiative.  Ethan Burger will examine the relevance of the Russian concepts ‘Hybrid War’ and ‘Cyberwarfare’ as applied to Russian intervention in the 2016 Brexit Referendum and U.S. Presidential Election. This lecture will focus on the similarity of Russia’s social media campaigns which used false information, fake news, and other content aimed at exploiting the fears and passions of the UK and U.S. electorates. The Kremlin did not rely on the use of social media alone to obtain favorable electoral outcomes. In both cases, Russian ties to supporters of Brexit and the Trump campaign remained largely unnoticed until after voting. Finally, Mr. Burger will explore some steps that might be taken to reduce the vulnerability of countries’ citizens to foreign manipulation.

 Burger, is a Washington-based international legal consultant and educator, and he is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics. After working as an attorney on Russian commercial, investment, and risk issues, he segued into academic, research, and advisory roles. Mr. Burger has been a full-time faculty member at American University (School of International Law) and the University of Wollongong (Faculty of Law), and he has also been an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University Law Center, University of Baltimore, and Washington College of Law. See https://www.facebook.com/events/367201430762724/.

56] – The Northeast Baltimore County Democratic Club will gather in the Rosedale Federal Meeting Room, 9616 Belair Road, Nottingham 21236 on Thurs., Feb. 7 at 6 PM.  Go to http://act.pfaw.org/event/declaration-american-democracy-district-visits/18/signup/?akid=&source=.  Build on the national movement to undo the harm of decisions like Citizens United and get Big Money out of politics. The first order of business for the incoming DEMOCRATIC-controlled U.S. House will be a vote on HR 1 — a comprehensive package of democracy reforms that includes restoring the Voting Rights Act, implementing automatic voter registration, supporting the overturn of Citizens United, ending partisan gerrymandering, and much more. To help pass HR 1 and all the reforms it promises, on Thursday, December 20, Daily Kos and a broad coalition are asking members to drop by in-district offices of incoming members of Congress. Urge them to prioritize democracy reform when they get back to DC in January.

57] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 PM, come to a Baltimore Ceasefire Community Action Meeting – EAST, hosted by Baltimore Ceasefire 365 at 3545 Belair Rd., Baltimore 21213-1230. Join the Baltimore Ceasefire movement to discuss community action strategies to help alleviate ongoing issues in Baltimore City. See https://www.facebook.com/events/812508372418009/.

58] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 6:30 to 8 PM, turn out for Poetry & Conversation, hosted by Enoch Pratt Free Library and Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped, 415 Park Ave., Baltimore 21201.  The poets are Paulette Beete, Kathleen Hellen & Stephen Zerance.  Beete's poems, short stories, and personal essays have appeared in Crab Orchard Review, Always Crashing, and Beltway Poetry Quarterly, among other journals. She also blogs (occasionally) at thehomebeete.com and her manuscript "Falling Still" is currently in circulation. Find her on Twitter as @mouthflowers.

Kathleen Hellen is the author of The Only Country Was the Color of My Skin (2018), the award-winning collection Umberto's Night, and two chapbooks, The Girl Who Loved Mothra and Pentimento. Nominated for the Pushcart and Best of the Net, and featured on Poetry Daily, her poems have been awarded the Thomas Merton poetry prize and prizes from the H.O.W. Journal and Washington Square Review. For more on Kathleen, visit https://www.kathleenhellen.com.

Stephen Zerance is the author of Safe Danger (Indolent Books, 2018), which was nominated for Best Literature of the Year by POZ Magazine. His poems have appeared in West Branch, Prairie Schooner, Quarterly West, and Poet Lore, among other journals. Zerance received his MFA from American University, where he received the Myra Sklarew Award.  Find him on Twitter @stephnz & Instagram: stephenzerance. See https://www.facebook.com/events/375719359896157/.

59] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 at 6:30 PM, attend the 6th District Town Hall, hosted by the White Marsh-Cowenton Community Association at the McCormick Elementary School, 5101 Hazelwood Ave., Towson 21206.  Over the coming weeks, County Executive Johnny Olszewski will be hosting a series of Town Hall meetings across the county to discuss the budget and offer residents the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas and priorities. The event is also hosted by County Councilwoman Bevins. Make your voice heard.  Future dates and locations are available at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/executive/townhallmeetings.html. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/629243174159885/.

60] – On Thurs., Feb. 7 from 7 to 9 PM, join the Plastics Reduction Task Force Public Forum, hosted by Weavers Way Co-op, 6757 Greene St., Philadelphia 19119-3508.  The Weavers Way Plastics Reduction Task Force welcomes you to attend an important, open community meeting concerning the proliferation of disposable plastic and its negative impact on our lives.  Growing inundations of plastic are seriously harming vast natural areas. Incineration of plastic has become a major source of air, soil and water pollution. And, the recycling process is too often grossly inefficient, burdening communities globally. WWPRTF seeks to address this issue as it pertains to its Co-op, and to encourage internal practices in alignment with a high standard of environmental responsibility. Our goal is to identify and promote viable alternatives to single-use materials and to mobilize community support for more sustainable systems.

Come out to hear and be heard on the serious issue of pervasive plastic. Learn more about the Task Force and its objectives. Provide feedback on its initiatives. Bring new ideas for inspiring positive change in the name of the Co-op and surrounding neighborhoods. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weavers-way-plastic-reduction-task-force-community-meeting-tickets-52418024723. Light refreshments will be provided in keeping with the Zero Waste policy! Please bring your own food and beverage service ware. OR, rent a set for $1. All proceeds will support the efforts of WWPRTF. Contact PRTF@weaversway.coop.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/342697386315470/.

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

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