Internationalist Books is closed
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| Internationalist Books when it was on West Franklin St.; the Carrboro location seemed larger. © |
This is old news, but I just found out that Internationalist Books only has an online presence now (www.internationalistbooks.org/). A current tenant said the Internationalist closed in August and there is an announcement about it from September 7th on their Facebook page (
www.facebook.com/internationalistbooks/). It was a good place to find and distribute leftist and Marxist literature and petitions. Many free newspapers were available, including local papers like Chatham County Line, Triangle Free Press, and The Blotter, leftist papers like the Catholic Worker and War Crimes Times, and harder left papers. Occasionally I found Workers World and Revolutionary Communist Party publications there, and I left Marxist-Leninist magazines (and people even left donations to defray printing costs), and there were papers such as Workers Vanguard, Socialist Viewpoint, Slingshot and sometimes publications from abroad. At one time its lending library included rare or at least unusual to come across English-language books from socialist Albania. The West Franklin Street location in Chapel Hill was an important meeting venue relatively close to UNC during the early years of the Iraq War and there were other meetings, such as the local Earth First! branch, LGBT groups, and occasionally the Triangle Socialist Forum. More recently the store moved to Lloyd Street in Carrboro. I didn't agree with the Internationalists' overall anarchist and Trotskyist atmosphere, but it was a unique and valuable center for the community. With the demise of The Know Bookstore (now I'm having trouble remembering the exact name of this bookstore/café near NCCU) and El Kilombo Intergaláctico in downtown Durham and now the Internationalist, there don't seem to be any left bookstores/community centers in central North Carolina, apparently part of a nationwide trend, probably part of the general decline of brick and mortar bookstores.
City of Durham Budget Priorities Survey
There is an online survey at durhamnc.gov/3020/Budget , open through March 31st, or residents can talk to the City Council at Coffee with Council meetings:
Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.–noon, Lyon Park Community Family Life and Recreation Center, 1309 Halley St. (PAC 3)
Monday, February 13, 6 p.m.–8 p.m., Durham Public Schools Resource Center, 2107 Hillandale Rd. (PAC 2)
Thursday, March 9, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m., City Hall Committee Room, 101 City Hall Plaza, Second Floor (PAC 5; Spanish translation available)
Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m.–noon, Campus Hill Recreation Center, 2000 S. Alston Ave. (PAC 4)
Saturday, March 18, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., Holton Career and Resource Center Child Care Center, 401 N. Driver St., Second Floor (PAC 1)
The Durham Bike+Walk Implementation Plan is also seeking input: www.durhambikewalkplan.com/ I'm not sure if this is the office involved, but there are planned trails that have been planned for years or decades and have yet to be started, though the land necessary to implement them may be filling up.
[The DOT is also seeking comments about what needs to be improved along NC 98 from Durham to Franklin County, and this might also include improvements to NC 50 and some other roads: nc98corridor.com/ ]
State of the City Address
Mayor Bell will give his annual State of the City Address February 28th, 11:30am-1pm, in American Tobacco Campus Bay 7 (318 Blackwell Street). This is his last year in office, so there will also be an interview with WRAL's Gerald Owens and a retrospective video with the thoughts of people he worked with over the years, and a speech by Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Geoff Durham. The video of the event will be available on social media and the Durham Television Network, but tickets are required to attend: durhammag.com/stateofthecity2017/
Comprehensive Transportation Plan comment period
Comments are requested on the draft comprehensive transportation plan for Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro through February 24th; see www.dchcmpo.org/programs/ctp/default.asp for details.
Climate Change Solutions for North Carolina
This conference will be Saturday, February 4th 10-5pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Shepherd Hall (121 Hillsborough Street, opposite the Old State Capital). For details, see: actionnetwork.org/events/climate-change-and-solutions-for-north-carolina?referrer=karen-bearden&source=direct_link
No Ban. No Wall. No Fear. A Day of Action: Raleigh
There will be a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Muslim, Latin@, refugee, and immigrant communities February 4th 12-3pm at Raleigh's Halifax Mall (16 West Jones Street). For more information see: www.facebook.com/events/723690511142379/
Labor Legislative Conference
The NC State AFL-CIO's annual Labor Legislative Conference, a planning and lobbying event, will be February 7-8 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel (421 South Salisbury Street). See aflcionc.org/ for details.
Balance and Accuracy in Journalism
"7:30 PM WEDNESDAY FEB 8
at
THE COMMUNITY CHURCH, UU,
106 PUREFOY RD, C.H.
Balance & Accuracy in Journalism
presents
Josh Fox’s
HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD AND
LOVE ALL THE THINGS CLIMATE CAN’T CHANGE
Stunningly reckless choices and votes mount up in DC, even
as the earth’s temperature and climate destabilization increase.
What answer does the human spirit bring to such colossal threats?
Josh Fox, whose documentary Gasland spotlighted
the dangers of fracking, has produced a large and beautiful 2 hr film
he calls, 'How to Let Go of the World
and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change.'
See what you think he’s saying.
Chris Barsanti of Film Journal International wrote,
'Fox hits that sweet spot between realism and idealism
which few of his cinematic eco-activists have so far achieved.' "
From a Chapel Hill activist calendar:
"DEFIANCE: THE NIGHT OF THE FAILED COUP Documentary by Cüneyt Özdemir, who will introduce film and lead discussion, tells story of failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, 7 p.m., Thursday, February 2, Duke’s Richard White Auditorium, East Campus, near corner of Main Street and Buchanan Blvd. Sponsored by Duke University Middle East Studies Center (DUMESC), Screen/Society, Program in the Arts of the Moving Image (AMI), AMES Presents, and Duke University Libraries. mideast[at]duke[dot edu].
DEMOCRACY FOR SALE SCREENS IN TRIANGLE Documentary focuses on how North Carolina became a bellwether for how money of a few came to dominate our democracy and what can be done to help stop it. All screenings at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 2, Eno River UU Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd. Durham; Friday, February 3, Church of Reconciliation, 110 N. Elliott Rd., Chapel Hill; Tuesday, February 7, Community UCC, 814 Dixie Trail, Raleigh. Details: www.workingfilms.org/democracy -for-sale-screens-across-nc/, 919-908-7919.
THE DIVIDED STATES OF AMERICA Part I of a PBS FRONTLINE investigation of partisanship that gridlocked Washington in Obama era, and polarized America that Donald Trump inherits as president. Footage from dozens of interviews with top White House officials, members of Congress from both parties, experienced reporters and other key experts. 6:30 p.m., Friday. February 3, Recyclique, 2811 Hillsborough Road, Durham (park in rear or next door in grocery store lot). Suggested donation $5 www.communecos.org, yikes.contact[at]gmail[dot com].
A REPORTER’S PERSPECTIVE: ISLAMIC STATE, ASSAD, RUSSIA, AND THE FAILURE OF US POLICY Reese Erlich will discuss growth of Syrian extremist rebel groups, status of Assad regime, foreign intervention, and failure of US policy and provide analysis and what President Trump will likely face. 6 – 8 p. m., Thursday, February 9, UNC’s FedEx Global Center Nelson Mandela Auditorium, corner of Pittsboro and McCauley Streets (parking under Center). Sponsored by Department of Peace War and Defense. 919-962-3093.
ONGOING VIGILS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Raleigh: Stop the Arms Race and Build a Culture of Peace Vigil, 1st Wednesday of every month, Noon to 1 PM, Century Post Office on Fayetteville St (919-782-0667); Raleigh: End the death penalty (PFADP, AI-USA, NC-ACLU), 5 - 6 PM, Mondays, Central Prison, corner of Hunt Dr and Western Blvd (919-779-1912); Chapel Hill:4:30 - 5:30 PM EST [5-6 PM EDT], Fridays, corner of Elliott Rd and East Franklin St; bring your sign(s) to show your concern or take one from collection (919-942-2535)."
"RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF NC COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON TORTURE Urge Chapel Hill Town Council's passage of a resolution upholding NC, US, and international law and as a moral issue. In December Carrboro Aldermen and Orange County Commissioners passed such a resolution and Durham's Mayor Bell made a proclamation in support.. Town Council to address at regular meeting in February 13. Sponsored by Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee and Orange County Peace Coalition. 919-942-2535.
INDIVIISIBLE Ruth Backstrom leads discussion about movement of left and right sides joined with goal to build government that works to solve biggest problems. 6:30 p.m., Friday. February 17, Recyclique, 2811 Hillsborough Road, Durham (park in rear or next door in grocery store lot). Suggested donation $5 www.communecos.org, yikes[dot]contact[atgmaildotcom]."
ONGOING VIGILS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Raleigh: Stop the Arms Race and Build a Culture of Peace Vigil, 1st Wednesday of every month, Noon to 1 PM, Century Post Office on Fayetteville St (919-782-0667); Raleigh: End the death penalty (PFADP, AI-USA, NC-ACLU), 5 - 6 PM, Mondays, Central Prison, corner of Hunt Dr and Western Blvd (919-779-1912); Chapel Hill:4:30 - 5:30 PM EST [5-6 PM EDT], Fridays, corner of Elliott Rd and East Franklin St; bring your sign(s) to show your concern or take one from collection (919-942-2535)."
"RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF NC COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON TORTURE Urge Chapel Hill Town Council's passage of a resolution upholding NC, US, and international law and as a moral issue. In December Carrboro Aldermen and Orange County Commissioners passed such a resolution and Durham's Mayor Bell made a proclamation in support.. Town Council to address at regular meeting in February 13. Sponsored by Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee and Orange County Peace Coalition. 919-942-2535.
INDIVIISIBLE Ruth Backstrom leads discussion about movement of left and right sides joined with goal to build government that works to solve biggest problems. 6:30 p.m., Friday. February 17, Recyclique, 2811 Hillsborough Road, Durham (park in rear or next door in grocery store lot). Suggested donation $5 www.communecos.org, yikes[dot]contact[atgmaildotcom]."
HKonJ 2017
The Historic Thousands on Jones Street demonstration, organized by the NC NAACP and over 200 other organizations annually since 2006 will be in downtown Raleigh Saturday, February 11th ( hkonj.com/ ). There will be a mass meeting and worship service, open to all, Friday, February 10th at 7pm at Raleigh's Rush Metropolitan AME Zion Church (see www.facebook.com/events/401373123588152/ ).
Friends of the Durham Library book sale in February
The Friends of the Durham Library ( durhamcountylibrary.org/friends/ ) is having a book sale at the Main Library February 11-12, 10am-4pm Saturday and 1-4pm Sunday. If the weather is bad, the sale will be the weekend of the 18th. Both days are open to all with the same prices and there will not be a Sunday bag sale. There doesn't seem to have been very advanced notice about this sale, and it is unclear if it is the annual spring sale or if there will be three sales this year, and they are just trying to reduce the amount of inventory to move out of the Main Library during the renovations. There are mini satellite sales at other branches all year and the new location at Northgate Mall, beside Sears, will open March 1st, but books can be donated there starting February 14th.
The Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library will have book sales there April 7-9, September 8-10, and December 1-3 this year; see friendschpl.org/wp/book-sales/
Speaking of book sales, Chapel Hill Comics ( www.chapelhillcomics.com/content/ ), a long-running independent bookstore in downtown Chapel Hill, will close for good in late March and probably has sales going on now. It used to have a variety of comics/graphic novels and related books and merchandise. I found out about an old variety of Chinese comic, I think called lianhuanhua, that was used in political propagandizing, in a book about world comics styles I found there (see blogs.princeton.edu/cotsen/2015/06/chinese-illustrated-books/ for pictures).
Black Marxism: From Reparations to Du Bois to Black Lives Matter
The Workers World Party Durham Branch is organizing a discussion of WEB Du Bois' book Black Reconstruction in America, 1860-1880 on Sunday, February 12th 4-6pm in Durham. Workers World newspaper managing editor LeiLani Dowell will facilitate. For details, see: www.facebook.com/events/699516180209513/
Justice for Berta Caceres in Honduras
The Honduras Solidarity Network is having a webinar February 12 at 5pm EST on the status of the investigation into the murder of Lenca indigenous environmentalist Berta Caceres last March and the overall situation in Honduras; there will be protests around the world in solidarity (to register, see: anymeeting.com/PIID=EC59DC8480463C . Hillary Clinton helped cause the instability in Honduras by abetting a coup against a leftist leader, but few in the media brought up such problems with her record as secretary of state.
Duke Energy-Future Plans, Atlantic Coast Gas Pipeline, Gas Plant on Duke Campus?
The NC Sierra Club Capital Group's February 16th meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship - Founders Hall (3313 Wade Avenue will feature three speakers on these issues and is open to the public. The speakers are David Rogers, of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign; Claire Wang, Duke Student Climate Coalition president; and Deb Self, Southeast coordinator of the Sierra Club's Dirty Fuels campaign. The meeting will be 7-8:30pm, but there will be refreshments and the room will be open at 6:30. For more information, see their www.meetup.com group.
Russian Revolution exhibit at UNC
I can't vouch for the content, but there is an exhibit, "A World on Fire in Flames of Blood: Narratives of the Russian Revolution," marking the Revolution's 100th anniversary, at UNC's Wilson Library until May 14th. For more information, see: blogs.lib.unc.edu/news/index.php/2017/01/russian-revolution-exhibition/
International Polar Bear Day
Polar Bear Day, February 27th, is an annual event to increase awareness of polar bears and the threat posed to them and other species by climate change, such as the disappearance of Artic sea ice. It was started by Polar Bears International ( polarbearsinternational.org/get-involved/international-polar-bear-day/ ).
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
This annual campaign to highlight the harm caused by non-native, invasive species will be February 27-March 3 ( www.nisaw.org/ )
Durham Mardi Gras 2017
There will be a parade starting at 7pm from the bull sculpture in the plaza at 201 Corcoran Street downtown and other events February 28th. For details see: www.durhammardigras.com/event/mardi-gras-2017-in-durham/
Communist anniversaries March 5th
Karl Marx was born March 5, 1818 [actually it was May 5th] and JV Stalin died March 5, 1953, though there are doubts about whether that is the exact date, and if he was assassinated by pro-capitalist forces in the Soviet leadership. Whatever the cause, the USSR declined ideologically and then economically after the 50's, and the leadership gave up pretending to believe in communism, leading to today's capitalist Russia run for oligarchs, though Russian imperialism is still useful in preventing global domination by US and "Western" imperialism.
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Walk
This two-week event, similar to the annual Pilgrimage for Peace and Justice ( www.wfpse.org/pilgrimage/ [April 9-14th this year, see www.facebook.com/PilgrimageforJustice/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf ] ), will walk along the route of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline in eastern NC, starting March 4th and lasting two weeks. For details and registration, see: 2017acpwalk.org/
Durham Arbor Day Celebration 2017
Date and location TBA, but probably in early March; see keepdurhambeautiful.org/our-events/arbor-day/
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is every March 8th; it apparently began in the USA, but is more often celebrated in the ex-socialist bloc today. The UN's website for the holiday is www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-day while it is given a capitalist spin at www.internationalwomensday.com/
Balance and Accuracy in Journalism
From their announcement:
"7:30 PM WEDNESDAY MARCH 8
There is a clip online at: youtu.be/u9DYdm-Dw3o
Teaching horticulture in the DPRK and other JC Raulston Arboretum events
Durham Mardi Gras 2017
There will be a parade starting at 7pm from the bull sculpture in the plaza at 201 Corcoran Street downtown and other events February 28th. For details see: www.durhammardigras.com/event/mardi-gras-2017-in-durham/
Communist anniversaries March 5th
Karl Marx was born March 5, 1818 [actually it was May 5th] and JV Stalin died March 5, 1953, though there are doubts about whether that is the exact date, and if he was assassinated by pro-capitalist forces in the Soviet leadership. Whatever the cause, the USSR declined ideologically and then economically after the 50's, and the leadership gave up pretending to believe in communism, leading to today's capitalist Russia run for oligarchs, though Russian imperialism is still useful in preventing global domination by US and "Western" imperialism.
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Walk
This two-week event, similar to the annual Pilgrimage for Peace and Justice ( www.wfpse.org/pilgrimage/ [April 9-14th this year, see www.facebook.com/PilgrimageforJustice/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf ] ), will walk along the route of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline in eastern NC, starting March 4th and lasting two weeks. For details and registration, see: 2017acpwalk.org/
Durham Arbor Day Celebration 2017
Date and location TBA, but probably in early March; see keepdurhambeautiful.org/our-events/arbor-day/
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is every March 8th; it apparently began in the USA, but is more often celebrated in the ex-socialist bloc today. The UN's website for the holiday is www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-day while it is given a capitalist spin at www.internationalwomensday.com/
Balance and Accuracy in Journalism
From their announcement:
"7:30 PM WEDNESDAY MARCH 8
at
THE COMMUNITY CHURCH, UU,
106 PUREFOY RD, C.H.
Balance & Accuracy in Journalism
presents
A clear view of
abuse of power in NC today
DEMOCRACY FOR SALE"
There is a clip online at: youtu.be/u9DYdm-Dw3o
Teaching horticulture in the DPRK and other JC Raulston Arboretum events
From NCSU's JC Raulston Arboretum:
"Friends of the Arboretum Lecture
'Experiences Teaching at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in North Korea'
Ted Stephens, Nurseries Caroliniana
Thursday, March 9, 2017 - 7:30 PM-9:00 PM
Ted was asked by Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) to teach a course in ecology and horticulture in North Korea during the fall of 2016. He will review his experiences there and how he interacted with the students. All of the teaching is done in English. The top English speaking students in North Korea are given the opportunity to attend this university where professors are recruited from around the world. The native plant material will be examined as well as agricultural practices observed there. A visit to the DMZ will be shown from a unique perspective: from the north rather than the south. Pictures and videos will be shown that have probably never been seen in the outside world.
- Cost
- Free for Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum members, NC State University students (with ID), and Department of Horticultural Science faculty and staff, all others $5.00.
- Registration
- Advance registration is not available.
- Location
- Ruby C. McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Parking
- Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
- Questions
- Please call (919) 513-7005 for more information about this lecture."
Also of interest:
"North American Rock Garden Society (Piedmont Chapter) Lecture
Cohosted by the Piedmont Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society and the JC Raulston Arboretum
"Creating a New Ecosystem: the Development of a Piedmont Prairie"
Annabel Renwick, Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Saturday, March 18
10:00 AM (reception begins at 9:30 AM)"
"Gardening Adventures with Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Cohosted by the Extension Master Gardeners and the JC Raulston Arboretum
"Wildflower Havens of Wake County ... and How Geology Influences Them"
Hughen Nourse, Wake County Extension Master Gardener
Monday, March 27
10:00 AM"
"JC Raulston Arboretum Plant Sale Part of Raulston Blooms!
Friday, March 31
4:00 PM-7:00 PM (members-only preview sale)"
From the NC NAACP's Forward Together Moral Movement:
"Vigil to Stop the Deportation of Lilian Cardona-Perez
Saturday, March 11, 2017
4:30 p.m.
William Chapel A.M.E Zion Church
448 W. Church St. Angier, NCJoin us for a vigil to stop the immoral and unlawful deportation of Lilian Cardona-Perez, a mother of five who is scheduled to be deported on March 16th despite the fact that she has a work VISA that does not expire until October 25th."
Sandhills Clean Energy Summit 2017
This conference on sustainability and climate change will be March 10-11 at Fayetteville Technical Community College (2856 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville). For details, see: www.sustainablesandhills.org/sandhills-clean-energy-summit
International Days of Action Against War and Islamophobia
The Hands Off Syria Coalition is organizing events against warmongering policies, often directed at Muslim-majority countries, and vilification of Muslims March 11-19th. For more information, see: www.handsoffsyriacoalition.net/ The week ends on the anniversary of the 2003 Iraq War.
Sol Train free solar power assessments
There will be events on solar power installation and people can sign up for free home assessments across the state in March. The Sol Train will stop in Raleigh on March 14th, Durham March 16th, Cary March 23rd, and in Greensboro on March 30th. For details see: soltrain.us/#about
From a Chapel Hill activist calendar:
"EARLY TRUMPISM: FALLOUT AND PUSHBACK Speaker Nancy Milio, Professor Emeritus of Nursing and Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, leader in public health policy and education. 1:15 p.m., Monday, March 13, Carol Woods’ Assembly Hall, 750 Weaver Dairy Road. Sponsored by Elders for Peace. judybellin [ at gmail dot com].
ORANGE COUNTY TRANSIT PLAN AND FUTURE CHOICES Craig Benedict; Orange County Planning Director on County’s Plan; and Panel on new and projected population growth areas; comparison of light rail, bus rapid transit, and feeder bus service. Give input. Organized by Chapel Hill Alliance for a Livable Town and Orange County Voice. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Drive. info [at chalt dot com ].
ROLE OF HUMAN KINDNESS FOUNDATION Co-directors Catherine Dumas and Sita Lozoff discuss organization's purposes and working in prisons all over the world. HKF, founded by Bo and Sita Lozoff, is a non-profit NC organization that stresses a way of life based upon three common principles: simple living, dedication to service, and commitment to personal spiritual practice. 1:15 p.m., Monday, March 20, Carol Woods’ Assembly Hall, 750 Weaver Dairy Road. Sponsored by Elders for Peace. judybellin [at gmail ]
BOLIN CREEK UNPAVED: SAVING CARRBORO'S LAST FOREST Screening and discussion of local film exploring diversity and beauty of Carrboro’s riparian forest and controversy surrounding its conservation, a story about every town facing issue of development versus conservation, how wild places add to quality of life more than “more pavement.” https://www.facebook.com/events/260421224415096/. 5:45 - 7:15 p.m., Monday, March 20, UNC’s Carroll Hall, School of Media and Journalism, Park Library Room 111.. http://parklibrary.mj.unc.edu/about/maps/. Sponsored by UNC's Environmental Honors Fraternity. carmenatwater [at gmail dot com]
11TH ANNUAL PEOPLE'S LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY Join NAACP members and Forward Together Moral Movement supporters from across the state to take demands to People's House on Jones Street, Raleigh. Make your voice heard at NC General Assembly during a day of direct advocacy at offices of elected officials. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, 16 West Jones Street, Raleigh. RSVP:
https://www.facebook.com/events/257801758005381/.
ONGOING VIGILS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Raleigh: Stop the Arms Race and Build a Culture of Peace Vigil, 1st Wednesday of every month, Noon to 1 PM, Century Post Office on Fayetteville St (919-782-0667); Raleigh: End the death penalty (PFADP, AI-USA, NC-ACLU), 5 - 6 PM, Mondays, Central Prison, corner of Hunt Dr and Western Blvd (919-779-1912); Chapel Hill:4:30 - 5:30 PM EST [5-6 PM EDT], Fridays, corner of Elliott Rd and East Franklin St; bring your sign(s) to show your concern or take one from collection (919-942-2535)."
ONGOING VIGILS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Raleigh: Stop the Arms Race and Build a Culture of Peace Vigil, 1st Wednesday of every month, Noon to 1 PM, Century Post Office on Fayetteville St (919-782-0667); Raleigh: End the death penalty (PFADP, AI-USA, NC-ACLU), 5 - 6 PM, Mondays, Central Prison, corner of Hunt Dr and Western Blvd (919-779-1912); Chapel Hill:4:30 - 5:30 PM EST [5-6 PM EDT], Fridays, corner of Elliott Rd and East Franklin St; bring your sign(s) to show your concern or take one from collection (919-942-2535)."
Durham Creek Week 2017
Durham's annual Creek Week will be March 18-25, 2017; the schedule will be posted at keepdurhambeautiful.org as it gets closer to March.
Swift Creek Week
There will be events throughout the week of March 18-25 around Swift Creek in Wake County. Swift Creek is a source of drinking water and flows through several parks, including Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, where a relict population of Eastern hemlocks remains from the ice ages. Swift Creek is also home to endangered dwarf wedgemussels, possibly at risk from an expressway, which I plan to post more about later this year. For the schedule of events, see: riverguardfdn.org/swift-creek-week.html
Forsyth Creek Week
Forsyth County's Creek Week is March 25-April 2nd with many events each day in the Winston-Salem area. For details, see: www.forsythcreekweek.org
Anniversary of the Iraq War
The official date seems to be March 20, 2003, but according to Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq) air attacks to prepare for an invasion were already being launched on the 19th, and the US bombed Iraq for many years before 2003. Under Bill Clinton the US tried to provoke Iraq enough to justify war, but it was left to GW Bush to launch. Just as Obama and the Democrats left legal room for a renewal of torture policies under Trump, Trump may launch wars Obama helped set up.
World Water Day March 22nd
Begun by the UN in 1993, this is an annual event to increase awareness of the importance of freshwater and managing it sustainably (see: www.un.org/en/events/waterday/index.shtml ).
National Farmworker Awareness Week
Farmworker Awareness Week, March 24-31, is a week of action on farmworkers issues that has been marked for almost 20 years. For moore information and materials, see: saf-unite.org/content/national-farmworker-awareness-week
Talk on Islam's history in Durham
The author of a book on the Muslim history of Durham will speak and sign books Sunday, March 26th 3-5pm at the Hayti Heritage Center (804 Old Fayetteville Street).
Support Palestine in DC! Protest AIPAC
The ANSWER Coalition and other groups are organizing a demonstration March 26th 12-5pm in Washington, DC to protest the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual convention. There will be a march from the White House to the Convention Center. For more information, see: www.answercoalition.org/support_palestine_in_d_c_protest_aipac
Boot the Braids from UNC-Chapel Hill!
There will be a march from UNC's Polk Place to the Wendy's in the Graham Union building (209 South Road), March 27th at 12pm, to protest Wendy's lack of participation in Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Program that has improved conditions from tomato pickers in Florida. Its major competitors (Burger King, McDonald's, Subway, and Yum! Brands) participate, but Wendy's sources its tomatoes from Mexico, which CIW says means the farmworkers are at risk of slavery, child labor, sexual harassment, etc. while Wendy's can undercut its competitors using this degraded labor. This is part of CIW's Human Rights Tour, March 16-29th across the country, but this is the only event listed in NC (see www.boycott-wendys.org/tour-schedule/). For more information, contact Yaissy Solis at 239 692 1482 or yaissy at sfalliance [dot org]. #boycottwendys
2017 NC Breathe Conference
This is a public policy conference on the economics and health impacts of air pollution, to be held Tuesday, March 28th at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh. For details, see ncbreatheconference.org/
Evelyn McNeill Sims Native Plant Lecture at the NC Botanical Garden
From ncbg.unc.edu/annual-lectures/ :
Designing with Native Plants: A Naturalistic Approach
Lisa Wagner, Plant Ecologist
Sunday, April 2; 2:30 p.m.
Using nature as inspiration for creating naturalistic gardens is key to creating sustainable and enjoyable gardens with native plants. Naturalistic landscapes are both pleasing, as conventional gardens become more reflective of natural gardens, but also ecologically balanced, providing sustenance for you, and for fellow inhabitants of your site.
Lisa Wagner served as Director of Education at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, Clemson University for over 2 decades. She does frequent presentations and classes on topics including gardening for nature, creating a native woodland garden, and native plants for pollinators. A plant ecologist by background (Ph.D. in Botany, UC Berkeley), she’s involved with neighborhood greening efforts, sustainable gardening, and naturalistic garden design. Her blog, Natural Gardening, reflects her observations about gardening and the natural world. Free. Preregistration Required.
Annual SCALA book sale at UNC
Every spring the UNC Student Chapter of the American Library Association (scalaunc.weebly.com/) has a book sale, and I think it will be April 4-8 in front of UNC's Davis Library this year, to benefit the UNC School of Information and Library Science. Last time I went to a sale there were not a lot of political books, but that may not be the case every year.
Friends of the Chatham County Library Spring Book Sale
The spring sale will be April 6-8th at the Chatham Community Library (on the CCCC campus, at 197 NC 87 North in Pittsboro). Thursday and Friday the sale will be from 9am to 7pm and Saturday it will be from 9am-2pm, and the prices vary. For details, see: friendsccl.org/
Annual Pilgrimage for Peace and Justice
This is organized by Witness for Peace Southeast and will be April 9-14th this year. See : www.facebook.com/PilgrimageforJustice/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
Kim Il Sung birth anniversary
Fighter for Korean liberation from Japanese imperialism and founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung was born April 15, 1912. Many diplomatic and other contemporary documents related to Kim Il Sung are online at digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/collection/138/conversations-with-kim-il-sung and at least some of his collected works are available in English at UNC's Davis Library.
US Tax Day
Income taxes are due April 18th (www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc301.html), though some tax resisters refuse to pay or pay less than the government expects, to oppose US militarism or for some less progressive reason.
Earth Day
Traditionally April 22nd (also Lenin's birthday in 1870, 100 years before the first Earth Day), which is a Saturday this year. Information about the Durham Earth Day Festival will be posted at: keepdurhambeautiful.org/our-events/durham-earth-day/
The Kathleen Clay Library in Greensboro (1420 Price Park Road) is having its annual event April 1st, 1-5pm and is seeking tablers with hands on activities related to nature, the environment, and alternative energy; the deadline to register is February 17th (contact Melanie[dot]Buckingham[at]Greensboro-nc[dot gov]. This festival usually brings out about 2500 people.
Friends of the Durham Library Grand Opening Sale
After the sale in February at the old location, the Main Library's Garage, there will be a spring book sale in the new location, near Sears at Northgate Mall, Friday, April 28th 3-8pm and April 29th 10am-4. It sounds like the Friday sale will be open to non-FODL members. There are small sales all year at each library and the Durham Co-op Market. I think I was once told that books retired by the libraries are only sold at the big sales, but I've been wondering if that has changed.
March for Jobs, Justice, and the Climate
There will be a demonstration for economic and environmental justice in Washington, DC Saturday, April 29th, the culmination of activism during the Trump Administration's first 100 days, organized by the People's Climate Movement. See: peoplesclimate.org/?source=350
May Day/International Workers' Day is Monday, May 1st and surely there will be local and national events and protests. It is the equivalent of US Labor Day in Mexico and many other countries, though it began in the USA.
Wake County's Annual Book Sale & Festival of Reading
Date TBA, but it will be sometime in May [May 4-7th] ; see: www.wakegov.com/libraries/events/Pages/booksale.aspx
Victory Day
May 9th commemorates the defeat of Germany in 1945, mainly in ex-Soviet and eastern European countries.
US Mother's Day
This holiday on Sunday, May 14th has some peace and justice roots, though it is rarely noted now. May 14th is also UNC's Spring Commencement and I've heard that the Eno River's mountain laurels usually bloom around then, so it is a good time to visit (though many spring wildflowers bloom in March).
World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day, May 23rd, is an annual event to increase awareness of turtles and tortoises, and was created by American Tortoise Rescue ( www.worldturtleday.org/ ). Many turtles are unnecessarily killed on roads around here (and even turtles that look too injured to survive can recover if at least removed from the road, and if necessary taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, in part because they are cold-blooded and rugged animals), and it is possible that box turtles are in decline because of sprawl. It might not be causing problems, but red-eared sliders, colorful aquatic turtles that used to be traded as pets, live in the Triangle and elsewhere in NC, but aren't native, while closely related yellow-bellied sliders are native. On the coast there are issues with endangered species of sea turtle.
World Oceans Day
This annual day for increasing awareness about the oceans and keeping them healthy will be June 8th (see: www.worldoceansday.org/ ).
50th anniversary of Israel's attack on the USS Liberty
The Israeli air force and navy attacked the USS Liberty in international waters off Egypt, killing 34 and injuring 171, during the 1967 war, on June 8th.
Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad!
The United National Antiwar Coalition ( www.unacpeace.org/home.html ) will have a national conference, Stop the Wars at Home & Abroad: Building a Movement Against War, Injustice & Repression!, June 16-18 and the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia (403 North 3rd Street). There will be a webpage [www.unacconference2017.org/p/registration-form.html], but for now details are posted at: www.facebook.com/events/1208020632638814/?notif_t=plan_user_joined¬if_id=1485905602475965
Northstar Compass' final print edition content deadline
The Northstar Compass Signature Edition is coming out in October for the 100th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, and that will be the final paper edition, but the magazine, which covers communist organizing and news in the ex-Soviet states and other left news, mainly in Eastern Europe, including many photos, along with some articles on theory and Slavic culture, will continue online at: sovietcompass.today/ and will post news from the International Council for Friendship and Solidarity with the Soviet People (USFSP is the US branch). Content for the final issue is due by June 30th, but preferably before then, and can be sent to sovietcompass at [gmail dot com] (also copy to bwz [at] [bell dot net]) or by mail to:
Northstar Compass
280 Queen Street West 2nd floor [I'm not sure that "2nd floor" is unnecessary]
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5V 2A1
They are specifically looking for short inspirational personal anecdotes about the many achievements of Soviet socialism and greetings to the Friendship House in Canada or the new online effort. They are also looking for articles for the October issue and ideas for the website.
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