Fresno Peace and Social Justice Calendar

"The mission of the Rogue is to showcase new talent in the performing arts," continued Nunis. "When you come to the Rogue Festival, you'll see performances that are new, fresh, and might even make you a little uncomfortable. You go to the Rogue to see things you've never seen before — and quite possibly, you'll be one of the first to see the show everyone will be talking about in a few years."

With the 2006 festival, the Rogue continues to bring the best new talent from the Central Valley and the world to Fresno. The 2006 Rogue Performance Festival will feature 55 art companies offering theater, music, dance, comedy, spoken word, performance art and gallery art.

The 2006 Rogue Performance Festival will take place at multiple locations in the Tower District and downtown Fresno.

Friday, March 3
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents Speaker: Janet Nichols Lynch, author of Peace is a Four Letter Word.

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Friday, March 3
7 PM
Join Bryan and Edie Jessup for an evening journey sharing their experiences walking for a month on the historic pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela across northern Spain.

First Friday at the Unitarian Universalist Church 4144 N. Millbrook, Fresno (between Ashlan and Dakota).

Saturday, March 4
3 PM
FOOD FOR THE *BODY * MIND * SPIRIT*

A panel of four sisters who practice Raja Yoga meditation will discuss the impact

Place: 7319 N. Fourth St. Fresno
Phone: 559 - 435-2212

Saturday, March 4
7 PM
Women's Herstory Month - A Single Woman. A play based on the life, speeches, letters and interviews of Jeanette Rankin, lifelong pacifist and the first woman elected to the US Congress (even before Women's Suffrage)

"You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake"
Jeanette Rankin June 11, 1880 - May 18, 1973

CSUF's Alice Peters Auditorium - Craig School of Business

Tickets available at The Movies - 1435 N Van Ness Ave

In honor of Women's Herstory Month please join Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and CSUF's Women's Studies Department in seeing the performance of this play.

Sunday, March 5
3 PM
Fresno Stonewall Democrats will meet at Democrats in Action 255 North Fulton, Suite #104. The speaker will be David Wiekel, M.S.W. who will be speaking about the establishment of a mental health association in the central Valley. The association will advocate for the interests of mental health consumers and the local community. This association will be affiliated with the National Mental Health Association. He will be presenting opportunities for community involvement as well as seeking input from us through an informal dialogue regarding barriers and biases in the provision of mental health services to the GLBT community.

They will also be discussing upcoming election activities for the June 2006 primary and the November 2006 general election. There will be updates on many ongoing community activities and events. Fresno Stonewall Democrats represents the interests of the GLBT community through the Democratic Party. For more information email ckrugman@sbcglobal.net or call 559-226-3717.

Sunday, March 5
3 - 5 PM
"Working Together in a World at Risk"

The newly-formed Interfaith Social Justice Collaborative will sponsor a Social Justice Fair at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 4144 N. Millbrook. The theme will be "Working Together in a World at Risk". Six panelists representing different local houses of worship will discuss ways in which their congregations have addressed social justice issues such as religious tolerance, economic justice, family and children's needs, open and affirming outreach, and the Iraq war. The panelists include Kamal Abu-Shamsieh - Islamic Cultural Center, Anidelle Flint - Unitarian Universalist Church, Alan Gilmore - Wesley Methodist Church, Steve Ratzlaff - Mennonite Community Church, Tanvir Singh - Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Fresno, and Mike Smith - College Community Congregational Church. Representatives from numerous other

houses of worship and interfaith organizations will be available to provide information about their social justice work. Join the interfaith community, be inspired by others who are putting their faith into action, and find new ways to work together in a world at risk! Contact Connie Young - 559-225-2547.

March 6 - 8
Campus Peace and Civil Liberties is brining the PETA "Animal Liberation Project" to CSUF, March 6th, 7th, and 8th from 11 am to 2 pm in the free speech area. An open debate on animal liberation with PETA spokesperson Sangeeta Kumar will occur at 7:45 pm on Tuesday, March 7th in USU 312-314. All events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, March 8
All Day
International Women’s Day. For more information see:

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womday97.htm
http://www.indybay.org/womyn/
http://www.womensaynotowar.org/

Wednesday, March 8
Noon – 1:30 pm Forum
1:30 – 4 pm Training
Building Healthy Environments. A Healthy Lunch will be served! Forum Focus: Building Healthy Environments. The role of the public health professional in city & county land use decisions for better nutrition, food access, & physical activity w/ Lisa Feldstein of the Public Health Law Program - Nutrition & Land Use Education Project.

Trinity Lutheran Church 3973 N. Cedar, Fresno
(between Ashlan and Dakota-West Side of Cedar)

The Land Use and Nutrition Education Program seeks to engage public health leadership

Wednesday, March 8
12 Noon & 7:30 PM
"Children in the Crossfire"
Second Wednesday of each month Video Program at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at1584 N. Van Ness in Fresno (Across from Fresno City College * SE Corner Van Ness & McKinley * Entrance on Van Ness).

Thursday, March 9
5 - 6 PM
The West Fresno Democratic Club is sponsoring an on-going Voter Registration Volunteer

Training on the second Thursday on each month, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. The sessions will be given by Fresno Co. Elections Office staffers. Please call for location information; contact number (559) 264-0097 or (559) 225-6827. The duration of this Voter Registration Drive: Feb. 2006 to July 2006. The "Get Out The Vote" Drive will be mid-July 2006 to mid-November 2006.

Thursday, March 9
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society presents Perfect Strangers-- 5 of the best playing bluegrass: banjo, bass, fiddle, guitar, & mandolin $20 at the Fresno Art Museum. For more information about FFS Concerts: www.fresnofolklore.org 559-431-3653

Friday, March 10
5 PM and 8 PM
Fresno Filmworks, in conjunction with the Rogue Performance Festival, presents "Ballets Russes" at the Tower Theatre. Unearthing a treasure trove of archival footage, filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine have fashioned a dazzlingly entrancing ode to the revolutionary twentieth-century dance troupes known as the Ballets Russes. Tickets can be purchased at the Tower Theatre Box Office, 815 E. Olive Ave., The Movies, 1435 N. Van Ness Ave., the Fig Garden Bookstore in Fig Garden Village, and at the door, for $10; $8, for students and seniors. For more information call the FFW info line, 221-0755, or go to www.fresnofilmworks.org

Friday, March 10
6:30-8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents Speaker: Bryan Jessup, minister at Universalist Unitarian Church of Fresno. Topic: Liberation Theology

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Saturday, March 11
8 AM - Noon
Plant A Row for the Hungry's 6th annual Citrus Saturdays conclude with a donation day at the Garden of the Sun, 1944 North Winery (just south of the Discovery Center). Donated oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and lemons will be distributed through the Community Food Bank's network of area food pantries.

Saturday, March 11
3:30 - 5 PM
Central Valley Progressive PAC finalizes the logistics of the Candidates Forum which will be held at UU Church on Saturday, April 8th. Letters have been sent out to candidates. The CVPPAC will discuss strategies for the upcoming elections as well. Articles about issues which are important to the Central Valley and which are to be placed on the www.CVPPAC.org website have been promised. Bring a friend. Meetings are held at the Center of NonViolence, 1584 N. Van Ness at McKinley.

Saturday, March 11
6 PM - Midnight
Mardi Gras Style Fundraiser to help the victims of the Tragic Hurricanes of 2005 at the ARMY

Saturday, March 11
7 PM
Club Latinoamericano del Valle Central is launching the new season of their International Cine Forum with the great Mexican film: The Crime of Father Amaro. The Fresno Art Museum continues to be a partner in the project and the films and discussions will be presented in the
Bonner Auditorium. For more information, see: http://www.clublatinoamericano.org/

Saturday March 11
4 - 7 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Happy Hour with "Salo & Barb"
no cover
"Los Hooligans"
8:00pm $5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Wednesday, March 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the April, 2006 Community Alliance newspaper. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Thursday, March 16
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Progressive Thursday presents Invisible Ballots. This documentary presents an in-depth expose of all-electronic computerized voting. Underneath the radar of public scrutiny, election officials and voting machine manufacturers are putting into service tens of thousands of touch screen voting machines that cannot be relied upon for accuracy or security from tampering. Elections already using these machines are often plagued by "glitches" and "technical problems" that only technicians working for the manufacturers can solve. Voting is swiftly coming under the control of private corporations using secret software with little or no independent oversight. These companies and the people who run them are rife with corruption and insider alliances. Mysterious election upsets are increasing, and verified recounts are impossible. If voting becomes privatized there may be no way to get it back. The video will be presented at Round Table Pizza, 5763 N. First St., Fresno. Buy your favorite entree and join us for dinner; doors open at 6:30 PM, video begins at 7:00 PM. A discussion will follow after the film. Progressive Thursday is hosted by the GROW working group of the Fresno County Green Party and is a free, wheelchair accessible event open to anyone interested in discussing topics of interest to the progressive community. For more information go to <

Thursday March 16
8 -11 PM
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
"Inner Ear Poetry Jam"
$3.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Saturday, March 18
11 AM
March 18 is the three-year anniversary of U.S. "Shock and Awe," beginning the war in Iraq. Lisa Solomon, President of Peace Fresno, says, "We will mark this sad day with a huge anti-war event. Everyone who is against the war needs to come out on Saturday, March 18, to say SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! BRING THEM HOME NOW!"

We will begin at 11 AM with a 45-minute street demonstration at CSU Fresno, corner of Cedar and Shaw Ave. The organizers will provide signs. The demonstrators will march down Shaw to Maple Ave. and then north to the Free Speech area.

The main speaker will be the nationally known peace activist Nadia McCaffrey. Nadia McCaffrey lost her son, Patrick, in June of 2004, in an ambush near the American military base at Balad, Iraq. Nadia is known as the mother who defied President Bush by allowing the media to view her son's flag draped coffin. She will show filmmaker Mark Manning's Journey to Peace, which documents her trip to the Middle East and meetings with Iraqi mothers. Nadia will talk of her loss and work opposing war.

Sureya Sayadi, MD, will share her personal story. Sureya was born in Kirkuk, Kurdistan, Iraq. At age of 12 she fled from Kirkuk due to Saddam's policies toward the Kurds and went to a refugee camp in Iran. At 16 she was sponsored by an American family in North Dakota. She now lives in the U.S. She is Vice President of "NMCI", an international non-profit organization for women and children in Middle East. Sureya has family members all over Iraq and Middle East.

Nadia and Sureya will show Caught in the Cross Fire, a short new film focusing on the American attack on Falluja, Mark Manning was the only un-embedded western journalist to enter Falluja after the U.S. bombardment. He spent three weeks filming inside the ravaged ancient city. "His footage provides a rare glimpse of the innocent victims' plight and dispels the myths of war and the nature of the ‘enemy'." A question and answer period will follow the presentations.

"Rally in the Valley" will be held in the Free Speech area, it begins at 12 noon and ends at 4 PM. Videos will be presented in rooms 312-314 in the Student Union. There will be other speakers and live music. It will be an opportunity to meet with peace, social justice, and environmental activists and organizers from valley and mountain communities. About 600 people attended last year's "Rally in the Valley" at Fresno County Courthouse Park, despite the wind and rain. Ken Hudson, Peace Fresno Board Member, says, "The excitement at last year's event was incredible. As the war grinds on, we need more people to break their silence and take action. "Rally in the Valley" is the place to take a stand and to get involved. Stop the war! Bring the troops home now."

This year Peace Fresno, www.peacfresno.org, and the Campus Peace and Civil Liberties Coalition at CSU Fresno, www.csufresno.edu/campuspeace , join to organize the annual event. All peace, social justice, and environmental justice organizations and progressive political groups are asked to co-sponsor or endorse the event and to table at the Rally to inform the public about their issues. Group leaders should use the accompanying form to register as a sponsor, endorser, and/or participant.

Parking permits are not required on Saturdays, except for special events. Please call 278-2950 or go to www.csufresno.edu/parking for additional parking information. For more information about "Rally in the Valley," call Peace Fresno's voice mail at (559)-487-2515 or e-mail president@peacefresno.org . Details about speakers and performers will appear at www.peacefresno.org as they are confirmed.

Saturday, March 18
11 AM
Mass March & Rally to Stop The War on Iraq Civic Center, at Grove and Larkin Sts. San Francisco (near Civic Center BART). For more information see http://www.actionsf.org/

Sunday, March 19
The Fresno Folklore Society presents Hans York at a house concert, 6661 N Forkner, $10. For more information about FFS Concerts: www.fresnofolklore.org 559-431-3653.

Monday, March 20
6 PM
California Prison Moratorium Project will meet at the Fresno Center for Non Violence, 1584 N Van Ness. Everyone is invited to attend this meeting. The discussion "Uncaging the Valley" mobilizing a valley wide coalition an exclusive valley focused project.

Potluck is encouraged but not required. Upcoming events include movies - the group is booking the documentary "After Innocence" and bringing the producer and writer to Fresno, speakers from the anti prison movement are being scheduled.

Call Deb Reyes at 559-916-4370 for more info.

Tuesday, March 21
12:30 - 2:30 PM
MEDICARE PART D ADVOCACY TRAINING & "SHOUT OUT"

Help organize people in your community to help fight back against this Medicare Part D disaster. Join with senior and disability groups in urging Congress and the State Legislature to Reconsider and Replace Medicare Part D with a Real Prescription Drug Benefit Abolish the late enrollment penalty. Eliminate the donut hole of non-coverage. Reduce co-payments and deductibles. Increase consumer counseling and support for appeals. Protect consumers against drug plan marketing abuses.

Learn what you can do to protect yourself and others from harm by fighting for legislation and funding that protects Medicare beneficiaries.

Fresno and Central Valley Workshop
Senior Resource Center
2025 East Dakota St., Fresno

Workshop is free, but advance registration is required. Each registered participant will receive a Medicare Part D Advocate Toolkit. To register, or for more information, contact Gene Roza at 559-905-3521 or C21generoza@aol.com

Workshop sponsored by the California Alliance of Retired Americans (CARA).Co-sponsors include Senior Action Network, Gray Panthers, Older Women's League, Congress of California Seniors, and Health Access California.

Thursday, March 23
7 PM
FresCAMP (Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) meets in Madera. E-mail frescamp@sbcglobal.net or call (559) 277-6134 for location or car pool information. We welcome new members.

Thursday, March 23
7 -9 PM
THIRSTY FOR FRESH DRINKING WATER

Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
4144 North Millbrook Avenue (East side South of Ashlan)

Despite the agricultural wealth of our Central Valley, many small, rural communities such as Ducor, Alpaugh, Tonyville, do not benefit from the vast water system feeding nearby farms. While these areas often rely on contaminated ground water as the sole source of drinking water in their homes, agribusinesses just down the road receive clear river water at highly subsidized rates. Meanwhile people in these small towns have had to resort to bottled water for home and school use while contaminated wells are shut down and an inadequate water delivery system brings muddy water to the taps. But some solutions are being found. Come hear Paola Ramos, Coordinator of Economic Justice Coalition for Water, based in Oakland, and Ruth Martinez of Comite Si Se Puede de Ducor. The water in Ducor was so polluted that residents had to use

bottled water even while they continued to pay their water bills. The water was muddy and smelled bad, with a high sulfur content. Come find out how this was changed and how it is changing in Alpaugh, Orosi, and throughout our valley. Tulare and Kern counties have the highest incidence of water pollution in our valley. How are we impacted by this situation, and what can we do about it?

This is the third in a series on WATER. Sponsored by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Unitarian Church of Fresno. Spanish translation will be available. There is no charge. Materials and resource information will be available. For more information call Lydia 435-7360, Ellie 229-9807, or Bette 439-1361.

Friday, March 24
The March for Peace will be in Fresno. Details of Fresno event will be available soon.

Objective: A 241 mile march that aims at ensuring that the Latino voice of opposition to the War is heard loud and clear across the Americas.

WHAT/ WHEN: Fernando Suarez del Solar, Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia and Aidan Delgado will lead a coalition of the willing across this 241 mile quest for peace starting in Tijuana, Mexico, going through Marine Corps Depot Camp Pendleton to the Cesar Chavez burial site in La Paz, CA, culminating in The Mission district of San Francisco with a memorial ceremony and blood drive.

The March will begin on 12 March 2006. The coalition of the willing will arrive at La Paz, CA on 22 March 2006 and culminate in San Francisco from 26 March 2006 to 27 March 2006.

WHY: Latinos represent nearly 15% of the US population and 11% of the US military, with many serving in combat or hazardous duty occupations. In addition, an estimated 20% of the fallen service members in the early months of the invasion were Latino. With the continued growth of the Latino population and its vital importance to the future of this country, it is time for the Latino community to become an active and vocal part of the 60%+ of US citizens that oppose this War. It is also time to show the Latino community that they have a voice and a right to fight for peace and stability. Fernando Suarez Del Solar is committed to self-sacrifice. At 50 years of age he cares more about ending this war than even his own health. We make this call not only to the Latino population but to all those who agree with our message "No more bloodshed in Iraq".

Friday March 24 (2 - 9 PM) and Saturday, March 25 (9 AM - 2 PM)
Are schools about authentic literacy or multiple choice high stakes tests? The Chavez Conference on Critical Perspectives in Literacy Instructions and High Stakes Testing. CSU-Fresno, McLane 121. For more information go to: http://www.testingabuse.blogspot.com/

Friday, March 24
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Reedley Peace Center presents the Movie: Hotel Rwanda. Ten years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness, one man made a promise to protect the family he loved--and ended up finding the courage to save over 1200 people. Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda, secretly used his position and intelligence to shelter over a thousand refugees during the genocide crisis. While the rest of the world closed its eyes, Paul opened his heart to prove that the human spirit can make us stronger than we¹d ever imagine.

Light potluck at 6:30. Program begins at 7 pm. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Admission is free. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Friday, March 24
7 PM
Guest Speaker - Scholarship presentation
Central California Alliance is inviting the community to hear Lambda Letter Project's Boyce Hinman at the Unitarian Church, 4144 N. Millbrook. In addition, CCA will present the first $1000 Kathryn Stephens Memorial Scholarship to some deserving student for the purpose of supporting their college expenses.

Mr. Hinman is the founder and chief Lobbyist for the Lambda Letters Project and has been with it since its founding in 1988. He has been in civil rights advocacy since the early 1970's and served briefly, on the Board for The Society For Individual Rights in San Francisco. In the 1970s, he served as an openly gay man on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Boyce will speak on bills and issues of importance to the following groups: GLBT, HIV/Aids, People of Color, Women and also focus on the anti Gay Marriage bills pending in the state and nationally.
1. key bills that were passed and signed in 2005
2. Key new bills of interest introduced in 2006
3. An update on the anti-same sex marriage initiatives
4. A review of Lambda Letters and its services.

Friday, March 24
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society presents three outstanding singer-songwriters at the Bonner stage. STEVE SESKIN, BRIAN JOSEPH, & KENNY EDWARDS. $15 advance; $20 at the door. We heard them perform solo at the 2005 Kate Wolf festival but hey agreed to come and share the Bonner stage. Seskin will have you wiping away a tear one minute and laughing out loud the next. His songs all have messages that touch the hearts of everyone: from the feelings of a little boy missing his father, to growing up and being true to yourself, to one of his most well know themes of being considerate to and respectful of one another as expressed in "Don't Laugh at Me. www.steveseskin.com Seskin will conduct a songwriting class the following day. $20 at the Fresno Art Museum. For more information about FFS Concerts: www.fresnofolklore.org 559-431-3653

Saturday, March 25
6 PM Reception
7 PM Dinner
8 PM Keynote speaker
The Reverend Al Sharpton will be the keynote speaker at the first annual Scales of Justice Awards Banquet at the Radisson Hotel (Ventura & M in Fresno). Theme: Taking "Justice for All" to another level. Sponsored by the National Action Network and the West Fresno Democratic Club. For more information call (559) 264-0097.

Saturday March 25
Full Circle Brewing Co. Presents
Saturday Afternnon Blues Jam
Hosted by Russ Allen "Everyone welcome"
3:00-7:00pm $3.-cover
Bellydancing with "Cory Zamora"
8:00pm $5.-cover
620 F St.
Downtown Fresno
559-264-6323
www.fullcirclebrewing.com

Sunday, March 26
5 PM
El Porvenir - Sustainable Development in Nicaragua

Elisabeth Merritt, the Director of US Operations will be speaking in the College Community Congregational Church Social Hall. She will be speaking about El Povenir's sustainable development work in Nicaragua. There will also be pictures and comments from Fresno work brigade volunteers.

Join us for refreshments and a chance to find out about this nonprofit organization that is making it possible for poor people in Nicaragua to improve their health, environment, and standard of living through sustainable self-help community development in potable water, sanitation, health education and reforestation.

If you have any questions or need any information please call (559) 229-2191

Monday, March 27
7 PM
Elizabeth Merritt, the Director of US Operations for El Porvenir will speak at the Unitarian Universalist Church.

El Porvenir supports self-help, community-initiated water, sanitation and reforestation projects.

El Porvenir means "the future". Clean water means a healthier future for Nicaraguan children.

El Porvenir sponsors "Responsible Tourism". Travel with us and contribute in a substantial and positive way to the development of Nicaragua.

For more information see http://www.elporvenir.org/ or contact Ingrid Carmean at 559 225-8491.

Wednesday, March 29
Lobby Day! - California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom

Place: Sacramento, CA

Registration Deadline: March 13, 2006

Join the Planned Parenthood Mar Monte delegation to be part of Lobby Day! Reproductive rights activists all across the state will gather in Sacramento to show their support for birth control and access to reproductive health care. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte will be sending a delegation of staff and activists - some scholarships are available, learn more below.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte will be sending groups of staff and activists from the Fresno area, San Jose area, Sacramento area, Salinas/Santa Cruz area, and the San Joaquin Valley. Contact the Public Affairs staff person in each region to learn more about group transportation and limited scholarships available in each region to cover registration costs.

For more information contact fresnopa@ppmarmonte.org or go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/mmnte/files/mmnte/getinvolved/lobbyday.xml

Thursday, March 30
Air America host Al Franken will be in Fresno. Details to be announced soon.

Friday, March 31
7 PM
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be appearing at Modesto JC East Campus Gym. The college is located at 436 College Ave., Modesto. Tickets are $10 general, $8 students and seniors, and $100 VIP seating (includes private reception). His appearance is in conjunction with Earth Day activities. Phone 209-575-6866 for VIP reservations.

Saturday, April 1
2 PM
IN MEMORY OF HEINZ KUSEL

To honor the life and work of the artist, and much-appreciated teacher of artists, the College of Arts and Humanities of CSUF will host an afternoon event and reception from 2-5 p.m.

A DVD chronicling Kusel's career of creativity will be shown at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.. at the Art Bldg. Auditorium (Conley 101). There will also be an exhibit of his work at the President's Gallery in the Thomas Administration Bldg.

The event is co-sponsored by the Fresno Center for Nonviolence, whose mission was close to the heart of Heinz Kusel.

Thursday, April 6
Jane Addams Peace Garden Statue Unveiling at CSUF.

Friday, April 7
7:30 PM
The Fresno Folklore Society presents Garnet Rogers. $15 advance; $20 at door at the Fresno Art Museum. For more information about FFS Concerts: www.fresnofolklore.org 559-431-3653.

Saturday, April 8
10 AM - 2 PM
Central Valley Progressive Pac to Hold Local Candidates Forum

The Central Valley Progressive Political Action Committee (CVPPAC) will be holding a candidates’ forum at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fresno located at 4144 N. Millbrook Ave, Fresno (1/2 block south of Ashlan). This is a great opportunity to personally see and question the candidates and have time to make a difference in the June 6, 2006 primary election. Some races will likely be decided without a run-off vote in the November general election.

Candidates for the following non-partisan races are being invited to participate:

Fresno City Council Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7

Fresno County Board of Supervisors District 1 and 4

Fresno County Assessor-Recorder, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer, County Clerk, District Attorney, Public Administrator/Coroner, Sheriff, and Superintendent of County Schools.

The forum is co-sponsored by the UUCF’s Social Justice Committee and is open to the general public free of charge. This Forum is presented as an educational opportunity to help voters learn more about the candidates and their positions on important issues. No endorsement vote will be taken at this Forum. The candidates will be allowed a short opening statement and participate in a question and answer period. Child care and light refreshments will be provided. While there will be no charge to attend the Forum, free will donations will be accepted to help defray expenses. Forum details will be posted later this month at www.cvppac.org. A current listing of declared candidates can be found at the Fresno County Clerk’s website at www.co.fresno.ca.us/2850/Post/P2006candidatelist.pdf.

Wednesday, April 12 - Wednesday, April 19
California Central Valley Journey for Justice

The Journey for Justice, planned for April 2006, will go through cities and towns of the California Central Valley from Bakersfield to Sacramento. The journey will consist of forming a chain of communities and exchanging information and demands with one another in order to share strength and support to understand and find solutions together. The intent of the journey is to bring together a united people in a movement for economic, social, and political justice, highlighting the need for a more fair and humanitarian criminal justice system and healthcare as it pertains to everyone's right to life. In California, as across the nation, the health care system is under crisis, and those most affected are the lower and working class, therefore we must band

together to support one another in the struggle and road to a better standard of living. The Central Valley ranks as one of the highest across the U.S. in terms of poverty, unemployment, and poor healthcare, which emphasizes that the social conditions in the area need to be addressed. We intend to bring together public employees, healthcare workers, farm workers, religious leaders, labor and the urban and rural poor in a unified movement for justice and economic human rights for all in California. The Journey for Justice will consist of a link through various communities in the Central Valley, with activities taking place at the following cities and dates: (Tentatively, the Journey for Justice will take place as follows, as dates or cities may be subject to change)

Bakersfield/Delano Wednesday April 12
Visalia/Tulare Thursday April 13
Reedley Friday April 14
Fresno Saturday April 15
Madera Sunday April 16
Merced Monday April 17
Stockton Tuesday April 18
Sacramento Wednesday April 19

Originally inspired by the commemoration of the 1965 United Farm Workers march on Sacramento, the Journey for Justice has evolved and will demonstrate the different faces of poverty. Growing numbers of workers are falling into poverty for the first time and our intent is to give support and help find solutions.

Today's crisis calls for unity across the artificial lines of geography, industry, occupation, color, nationality, and religious belief. This Journey for Justice will be a model for the society we are striving to create. We believe in a world with health care for all, education for all, sustenance for the poor, human rights for all, and freedom from police abuse.

The co-sponsoring organizations for this event are:

Merced Labor Party- (209) 631-6461
California National Action Network- (559) 318-4557
Community Homeless Alliance Ministry- (408) 294-5563
California Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign/WEAP- (510)
451-7379

For more information call (209) 631-6461

Friday, April 21
6 - 9 AM
Air America host Stephanie Miller will produce her show live in Fresno at the CSUF Satellite Union.

Saturday, April 29
2 - 4 PM
The League of Women Voters, Preschool California and Fresno Pacific Univ. are co-sponsoring a dual forum. The two candidates for Fresno County Supt. of Schools will speak, and an official from Preschool California will be here to present a non-partisan analysis of Prop 82, the Preschool for All initiative. This event will be held at Ashley Hall which is in McDonald Hall (main bldg) at Fresno Pacific. No charge.

Monday, May 1
7 PM
International Workers Day. The Community Alliance newspaper will show the movie THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED at the Full Circle Brewery, 620 F St. in Downtown Fresno. For more information call 559 978-4502.

Friday, May 5
There will be a CHIAPAS MEDIA PRESENTATION in Reedley for the benefit and information of the general community. The presentation will be at the First Mennonite Bretheren Fellowship Hall where we have weekly Peace Center Meetings on Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, 2006, a Friday.

May 5, 6, & 7
Fresno Filmworks 2^nd annual film festival. 3 days of film. Opening night party, discussion every day at Fresno’s historic Tower Theatre.

Wednesday, May 10
11:30 AM - 1 PM
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center will hold its first “Celebrate You – Live Well and Thrive Luncheon” at TorNino’s Banquets in Fresno. The event will feature culinary delights from a team of Fresno’s top-rated chefs, followed by a motivational address and book signing by Marci Shimoff, co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul.”

Shimoff delivers an uplifting message for women, addressing self-esteem and empowerment. She is co-author of five New York Times best-selling books, “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul I and II,” “Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul I and II,” and “Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul,” as well as the recently released “Chicken Soup for Every Mom’s Soul.”

Tickets are $15 per person and will be available for purchase in February. For more information, contact Peter DeYoung, Alliance Advertising and Public Relations at (559) 994-9292.

Sunday, October 22
5:30 PM
PROTEST BY FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND SUPPORTERS WORKING TOGETHER TO STOP POLICE BRUTALITY. Where: Corner of "N" street and Mariposa in Fresno
Across the main library entrance. Who: The National Oct 22 Coalition against Police Brutality

Why should you act on October 22nd?
"Silence is the voice of complicity." The nationwide epidemic of police brutality and repression is hidden from many people who would be outraged if they knew what was happening. Many people have become apprehensive about reprisals for protesting in today's political climate. We must resist in many different ways to drag this truth out into the light of day. October 22, 2004, the 9th annual National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation is the day for thousands across the country to speak out and act. Our resistance will give others courage.

In over 20 years despite countless police killings there has not been one officer discipline for taking someone's life in the valley. We want to send a message that killer cops will not be tolerated in our valley any longer. We DEMAND to live in a society where law enforcement professionals are willing to risk their lives to ensure peoples' safety not murder innocent people and then claim their lives were at risk. A society where youth aren't treated like criminals because of the color of their skin. Where immigrants aren't rounded up and detained because of what part of the world they're from. A society where more and more of the people are being involved in grappling with how to do away with all the misery and degradation characteristic of this system.

FOR FRESNO INFORMATION CALL: GLORIA 559-268-2261, COMITE NO NOS VAMOS: 498-6033, 497-0206, NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK: 288-0828

WEAR BLACK, BRING VICTIMS PICTURES, MEMORIES, RIBBONS, CANDLES, MUSIC, SONG, POETRY, ETC. < http://www.october22.org/  >

ONGOING WEEKLY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

Every Sunday
4 PM
Sunday Food Not Bombs serves free food at Courthouse Park to anyone who is hungry. They start cooking at 1 PM and serve the food at 4 PM (meet at the Tulare side of the park). If anyone would like to donate or help cook, they should contact Becky Asami at 304-3409, or email her at Littlejap@csufresno.edu

Every Tuesday
6:30 - 8:30 PM
The Fresno River Zen group meets in Horsley Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N. MIllbrook, Fresno.  This group welcomes all who wish to seek  clarity, compassion, and harmony with oneself and the world through mindful meditation. Emphasis is on bringing peaceful actions from personal experience in meditation to healing the world. Teaching and practice in the spirit of the Suzuki Roshi Lineage is led by Grace Schireson, an ordained Zen priest.  For more information, call Grace at (559) 877-2400 or email her at grace@emptynestzendo.org . 

Every Tuesday and Thursday
7–9 PM
The St. Benedict Catholic Worker serves a meal to the homeless, working poor, and visitors and released inmates in front of Fresno County Jail (corner of Fresno and M streets).  Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the meals. For more information contact Liza Apper at (559) 229–6410 or liza.apper@sbcw.org ; or visit their Web site: < www.sbcw.org >.

Every Tuesday
7 PM
Peace Fresno meets at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at 1584 N Van Ness, south of McKinley. If you want to help stop Bush's endless war against the world, come to this meeting! For an up-to-the-minute listing of all peace actions in the Fresno area, call the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at (559) 23PEACE (237–3223). For more information about Peace Fresno, call 487–2515 or visit their Web site at www.peacefresno.org.

Every Friday
7 PM
Reedley Peace Center holds it weekly peace meeting at the Fellowship Hall at Reedley's First Mennonite Church, 1208 L Street, Reedley. Programs vary, but the focus is always on peace issues: local, state, national, international. The contact is Carol Krehbiel: (559) 637–9098 or krehbiel@cvip.net. The meeting is free, open to the public, and accessible to the handicapped.

Every Saturday
1–2 PM
Food Not Bombs feeds the hungry near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park. The location for cooking on Saturday is at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E Barstow, between First and Cedar, starting at 9 AM. They are always in need of servers at the park. For more information call Dallas: 452–0277, or e-mail fresnofnb@yahoo.com. Visit the Food Not Bombs Web site at www.fresnoalliance.com/FNB/ 

Every Saturday
1 PM until the last patient is served
Medical clinic for the homeless, actively injecting drug users, and prostitutes. You can find them near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park. Staffed by Dr. Marc Lasher and volunteers. Accepting financial donations. Contact: 266–0444.

Every Saturday
1–3 PM
Fresno Free Bicycle Repair Clinic. Most Saturdays. Donations of bicycle parts, inner tubes, and blinky lights welcome. Volunteers needed to help with minor repairs. The bicycle clinic is near the Olive Ave entrance to Roeding Park, beside Food Not Bombs. For more info and to arrange donations, e-mail  fresnofreebikeclinic@yahoo.com.

ONGOING MONTHLY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

1st Sunday of every month
1 - 3 PM
The South Valley Peace Center <http://www.svpc.info/ > has peace demonstrations at the northwest corner of Mooney and Walnut in Visalia. Come out and demonstrate for peace. Bring a sign with your favorite peace message.

1st Sunday of every month 
3 - 5 PM
Fresno Stonewall Democrats meeting  is open to the public. Stonewall Democrats’ focus is on social and political issues of interest to progressives in general and progressive and liberal Democrats in particular. For meeting location and other information contact Jay Hubbell at (559) 292–4905, e–mail <fresnostonewall@mangen.com >, or visit the Web site<www.mangen.com/stonewall/ >.

2nd and 4th Sunday of every month
1 PM
South Valley Peace Center meets at the Visalia Friends Meeting House, 17208 Ave. 296, Visalia. Contact: info@svpc.info    http://www.svpc.info

3rd Sunday of every month
10 AM–12 Noon
World Meditation Day is observed to promote peace within oneself and harmony in the world. Held at 7319 N Fourth St, Fresno. Program includes guided meditation followed by discussion and light refreshments. Call Veena Kapoor, (559) 435–2212, for more information.

3rd Sunday of every month
1 PM
Humanists of the San Joaquin Valley meet in Room 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 4144 N Millbrook. For info call June: 645–1719, or visit their Web site at www.fresno.humanists.net

2nd Monday of every month
5:30 PM
The Living Wage Committee will meet at the SEIU 250 office, 1279 N Wishon. Community Alliance for a Fair Economy (CAFE) is taking the lead in this effort. We are in the research and planning stages of development. Further information contact Frances Sivak: (559) 222–5240 or fsivak@msn.com.

4th Monday of every month
7 PM
FresCAMP (Fresno Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) meets at the Barn at Margaret Hudson's house, 4230 N Arthur. For more information e-mail ilsasso2003@yahoo.com, call (559) 227–6134, or visit the Californians for Pesticide Reform Web site at www.1000friendsoffresno.org/pesticides.html 

1st Tuesday of every month
6 PM
The San Joaquin Valley Coalition for Immigrant Rights meeting at 328 N Fresno Street. For more information call (559) 498–6033.

3rd Tuesday of every month
12:30 - 2 PM
The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) a progressive coalition of community, church and labor organizations have their monthly meeting at the Fresno Senior Resource Center located at 2085 E. Dakota in Fresno.  It is an open meeting to all with concerns on local, state & federal issues that matter to seniors, voters, taxpayers.  For more informaiton call Gene Roza at 559-905-3521or visit the CARA website at:  www.californiaalliance.org

3rd Tuesday of every month
7 PM
The Fresno Free College Foundation (owner and operator of KFCF 88.1 FM) Board of Directors meet at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N Millbrook, Fresno. The public is invited. For more information call (559) 233–2221, e-mail kfcf@kfcf.org , or visit www.kfcf.org.

1st Wednesday of every month
12 Noon–1 PM
Women in Black– Silent Vigil at the Fresno County Courthouse entrance. Show your support for PEACE and for negotiated settlements of US current military actions! Meet downtown at the Fresno courthouse, and stand silently, advocating for PEACE. For more info, call 278–7140 or 225–2850.

1st Wednesday of every month
7 PM
The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee meetings are held in the State Building Assembly Room. The address is 2550 Mariposa Ave. Call Steve Haze, Chair – 855-8844 stevehaze@psnw.com or Jay Hubbell, Secretary - 292-4905 / jayhubbell@comcast.net for more information.

1st Wednesday of every month
7:30 PM
Conservation Committee of the Sierra Club Tehipite Chapter at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4144 N Millbrook, Fresno.

1st Thursday of every month
As Terry Allen, former Fresno artist and musician, says in a song, "The Art Mob's Out Tonight" and that night would be the first Thursday of every month downtown at the newest Fresno arts hot spot and at various other locations around Fresno