Peace and Justice Network of the Triad

Dec. 30 Gaza protest

Event: Stand for Gaza!
"We Are All Palestinians"

Sponsor: Islamic Center of the Triad (ICT) Tomorrow, December 30 11:30am-1:00pm Where: Federal Building, downtown Greensboro CONTACT:ICT Youth Committee Sarah Zamamiri, (336) 314-4398, szam27@gmail.com Samia Zitawi, (336) 749-7721, rszitawi@yahoo.com Badi Ali, (336) 988-0818, badi323@aol.com

On December 27th, 2008, the Israeli Army launched a series of sixty air strike in Gaza, killing over 200 innocent men, women, and children. This atrocity will not continue without action. The following events are only to make people aware of the act of violence around the world.

Starting January 1st, 2009, we claim this month Gaza Awareness Month to display the mass massacres of Gaza.

On Tuesday, December 30th, 2008, a demonstration will be held during lunch time in front of the Federal Building from 11:30 to 1:00. Further action will be taken in the afternoon on Wednesday December 31st, 2008 in front of the High Point Public Library from 12:00 to 1:30. To kick off Gaza Awareness Month, there will be a vigil on the corner of Friendly Avenue and Guilford College Road on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 from 6:30 to 7:30.

We will not stand further actions oppressing Gaza citizens. We are obligated to inform the world of this act against humanity.

Announcement: Help Gather Signatures to Raise the Wage

WHO: Greensboro Minimum Wage Campaign

WHAT: Monthly signature-gathering Saturday

WHEN: Saturday, December 20, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

WHERE: Meet at the HIVE, 1214 Grove St., Greensboro

DETAILS: Help us hit the pavement to collect signatures on the
petition to raise Greensboro's minimum wage to $9.82 per hour and
reach our goal of 10,000 signatures. We will be present at the
Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market, the Food Lion on E. Market St, and
other high-traffic locations. If you can't make it this month, we'll
do it again on the third Saturday in January and every month until we
reach our goal.

CONTACT: info@greensborominimum.com

Announcement: Raise the Wage Meeting

WHO: Greensboro Minimum Wage Campaign

WHAT: Monthly "Raise the Wage" planning and organizing meeting

WHEN: 5:00 to 6:30 PM Wednesday, December 17

WHERE: The HIVE, 1214 Grove St.

DETAILS: The meeting will hear about Tuesday's meeting with Mayor
Johnson and check in with petition holders in order to have all
current signatures in by the end of the month. Visit http://www.greensborominimum.com/
for more information.

CONTACT: info@greensborominimum.com

People Power for Economic Justice - Meeting at Glenwood Community Center

What Greensboro folks are creating a petition for “People Power for Economic Justice” to send to the Obama Administration. Let’s work together to push for a national plan for economic justice for our neighbors, not corporations.

When Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 pm Where Glenwood Community Center (not library) 2010 Coliseum Blvd. Contact Info
For questions or more information, call Richard or Sandra Koritz at 272-2758 or Alex Jones at 919-597-1080.
Join us this Thursday to add your voice to demand economic justice for working people.

Buildiing a Local Food Economy - Regional Meeting

What: Regional Meeting on Buidling a Local Food Economy

Where: Winston-Salem: December 10, 2008. 5:30-8:30 PM. SciWorks. 400 W Hanes Mill Rd, Winston Salem, (336) 767-6734. directions: http://www.sciworks.org/SciInfoDirections.html.

Please RSVP to amber_polk@ncsu.edu if you are attending a regional meeting as these meetings have been filling up, and check the initiative website (www.cefsfarmtofork.com) for updates.

Event Description:

The purpose of the regional meetings is to bring together those engaged in all aspects of the food system, to collect information and ideas that will be the building blocks of discussion at the summit and eventually the core components of the State Action Plan. We want to identify specific regional and local sustainable food systems models that are working and also regional challenges that can be addressed through policies, programs, and funding. We seek to engage the broad group of those involved with the food system including farmers, suppliers, processors, economic development organizations, distributors, farm and food industry workers, extension and other educators, marketers, financial institutions, Universities and community colleges, elected officials, government agencies, county and city planners, farm organizations, anti-poverty organizers, social justice workers, consumers and consumer groups, granting agencies, health and wellness organizations, environmental groups, food banks, and more. These regional meetings will be facilitated listening sessions and provide important input into this process, so we are encouraging broad participation.

The end product–the State Action Plan–will articulate a shared vision and set of common goals for building a local, sustainable food system and economy in North Carolina. It will:

1) Describe key elements of our current food system and define key terms; 2) Identify the diversity of people, businesses, and organizations involved in and impacted by North Carolina’s food system; 3) Highlight specific efforts and partnerships underway across our state and within different sectors of the food system to achieve greater “localness” in our food system; and 4) Identify opportunities for action, and propose priorities, both in the short and long term, that will enable us to make progress toward shared goals.

NCCJ Open House - December 10

NCCJ cordially invites you to an Open House & Information Session

When: December 10, 2008
9:00 -10:00 am

Where: NCCJ Office - Temple Emanuel Social Hall
713 N. Greene Street, Greensboro

Come learn about NCCJ's mission, history, programs in the Piedmont Triad and the important work of building an inclusive and respectful community for all of us, not just some of us.

Please join us!
RSVP by calling (336) 272-0359.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Guilford Solar December Program

A presentation on effective and efficient cooling, by Michiel VanderSommen. Specifics are as follows:

What: Guilford Solar's December program

When: Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Barn Kitchen Meeting Room of the Guilford
County Agricultural Center, 3309 Burlington
Road, Greensboro, NC 27405

Cost: Free

Description:

For our December program, Michiel VanderSommen will offer a presentation on "Cooling Effectively and Efficiently." Cooling is a particular challenge here in the Piedmont Triad, as we lack useful wind and are saddled with high humidity. Michiel will concentrate on "passive" cooling but will also discuss the more conventional AC (and the maintenance thereof). He will consider the purpose of shrubbery, discuss such concepts as albedo and heat island, and cover the importance of shading, among other things. Because the topic of insulation (which is clearly relevant to cooling) was covered in our November Guilford Solar meeting, it will not be emphasized here.

For more information, call 336-375-5876.

Regularly Scheduled Events - December 2008 - January 2009

The Peace and Justice Network Planning Group will meet on Monday, December 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the NCCJ office, 713 N. Greene (in the former offices of Temple Emanuel).

MONDAY

Vigil at Central Prison – Sponsor: People of Faith Against the Death Penalty. Contact: (919) 833-4129 or e-mail scott@langleycreations.com.

4:00-5:00 p.m. – Vigil For Peace – (Every Monday until further notice) Corner of Eugene and Friendly Streets, back side of Preyer Federal Building (parking available at Commerce St. one block east on Friendly). For more information contact Richard A. Koritz, rkoritz@openhand.com, phone: (336) 292-8585.

Food Not Bombs – Cook at the HIVE, 1214 Grove Street, starting at 4:30 pm; serving at the Greensboro Central Library, 219 N. Church Street, 6:00 pm

TUESDAY

7:30-9:00 a.m. – Community Dialogue On Education – Faith Community Church, 417 Arlington St., Greensboro. For further information, call the Beloved Community Center at 230-0001.

THURSDAY

Food Not Bombs – Cook and serve at the HIVE, 1214 Grove Street. Cooking begins at 4:30, serving at 6:00.

7:00 p.m. – Equality Coalition weekly meetings – Open to anyone interested in joining or participating in our group. These meetings will determine the direction we go in as an organization, as well as be a place to discuss the relevant issues in our communities. The meetings will be held at the Faith Action International House, 705 N Greene St., Greensboro, North Carolina (near the old location of Temple Emmanuel in Downtown).

7:00-9:00 p.m. – Drinking Liberally – Social/networking group for progressives. Sponsor: Drinking Liberally, Greensboro Chapter. The Green Bean (341 South Elm Street, Greensboro). Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. Cory Rayborn or Rebecca Mann, 883-1842, greensboro@drinkingliberally.org, www.drinkingliberally.org

FRIDAY

Food Not Bombs – Free food pantry, produce and bread, at the HIVE, 1214 Grove Street, 4:00-6:00.

2ND MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

7:00 p.m. – Guilford County Progressive Democrats – Guilford County Democratic party offices, 6600 West Market St., Greensboro. Contact: Mike Sprague, spagoobie@triad.rr.com.

2ND TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9

7:00 p.m. for refreshments, 7:30-9:00 for speaker – Piedmont Plateau Sierra Club Group Meeting – Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library at 1420 Price Park Drive. (MapQuest has it) Library phone number is 336-373-2923. Contact if questions: Kim Yarbray at kyarbray@yahoo.com.

2ND WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10

5:00-7:00 p.m. – The Undoing Racism White Folks Group – The group meets at the NCCJ office, 713 N. Greene (in the former offices of Temple Emanuel). We come together to share information, support one another in our various efforts to end racism, deepen our friendships, and enjoy some of the best potlucks in town! For further information, Mary K. Wakeman at 294-2899.

3RD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16

PFLAG Meeting – An affiliate of the national organization Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, PFLAG meets the third Tuesday of each month and welcomes anyone, gay or straight who cares whether justice is really for all. For further information contact Retta Gray at 852-8489.

1ST SUNDAY, JANUARY 4

3:30-5:30 p.m. – Conversation Café. The conversation cafes is sponsored by Peace by Peace, an organization dedicated to creating and supporting communities of mutuality, trust, peace and respect. For more information, contact Kathe Latham at kblatham@aol.com

1ST WENSDAY, JANUARY 7

7-9 p.m. – Undoing Racism Reading Group – Contact Mary K. Wakeman, 294-2899.

1ST THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

7:00 p.m. – Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro meeting at Peeler Auditorium, 1300 Sykes at Phillips Ave. Contact Goldie Wells, 375-4123.