Be the Change Community Update March 4, 2022 |
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What's In This Issue:
Sustainability news and events:
> First Friday March 4 with David Celebrezze of Columbus GreenSpot and Aryeh Alex of Keep Columbus Beautiful. Register here
> Read Part 4 of Path to Ecological Culture here and register for the class on Weds March 2 @ 7 pm. You can watch previous discussions here.
> April 1-30 is Earth Month and Simply Living invites you to join our EcoChallenge Team
> March Simply Share will be Sunday March 27 at 2 pm
> Solar United Neighbors will host a webinar on Community Solar
> Grassroot Ohio's Carolyn Harding talks with Bill Lyons and Susie Beiersdorfer, Ohio community rights activists and co-writers of the new book Death by Democracy
> Yes! magazine explores Personal Journeys
> Jane Fonda's Fire Drill Friday is back with exciting climate activists
> Columbus Garden School offers a class on Growing Ginger and Turmeric
> Videos from the No Child Left Inside Summit are now available
> Catch the Castros at Java Central Saturday before their cross country tour
> Feeling the need to go camping? Cbus Navigator has a guide for central Ohio
> Frank Tennyson's 79th birthday party is Sunday
> Lily Kunning is offering her 18 month course on Foundations of Western Herbalism
> Green Energy Ohio is hosting a webinar on Transportation and Electrification
> Scroll to the end and see the cosmic photos from NASA's James Webb Telescope
> Lots more on our Calendar so browse or search community events here
Thanks for subscribing and please share and invite friends to sign up for this free service here. Your support makes this work possible. If you are not already a member, please consider joining Simply Living here or donating here. Be sure to click on our business member graphics to visit their websites. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, simply scroll down to the bottom and click Unsubscribe. |
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First Fridays
Columbus GreenSpot & Keep Columbus Beautiful
Fri March 4 @ 12-1 pm
Simply Living's First Fridays series highlights sustainability initiatives in the city of Columbus and surrounding region that you may want to know more about. Each month our speakers will discuss the initiatives they are working on to make Columbus more sustainable and equitable.
Join us in March as we speak with the leaders of two Columbus initiatives: GreenSpot and Keep Columbus Beautiful. In this online event, we will hear from:
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David Celebrezze, coordinator of GreenSpot, a coalition of over 23,000 homes, businesses, and neighborhoods in Central Ohio that have pledged to take actions to support sustainability. GreenSpot has a special program for local businesses - find out more about what they have to offer on Friday!
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Aryeh Alex, manager of Keep Columbus Beautiful, a city agency that focuses on public education and volunteer service on environmental issues including litter, recycling and beautification. Aryeh is leading the Climate Action Plan's Waste Reduction group, with ambitious goals to cut waste going to the landfill!
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Discussion Course:
Part 4: A New Era for Humanity: Technozoic or Ecozoic?
The Path to a New Ecological Culture
Weds Mar 9 @ 7-8:15 pm
This is a 4 week discussion course based on the 4-part article “The Path to an Ecological Future for Humanity.” The article links here. It is not necessary to read the article but it will be helpful. You can attend any of the sessions or watch the recordings here.
Week 1: (2/16)The Cultural Creatives – a Third Force in the Radical Middle (Recording)
Week 2: (2/23) Literacy, Traditional Science, and the Problem of Dualistic Thinking
Week 3: (3/2) The Relational Shift to Ecological Sciences
Week 4: (3/9) A New Era for Humanity: Technozoic Age or an Ecozoic Age?
Instructor: Chuck Lynd will begin with a short slide presentation and then facilitate the discussion of each topic.
The goal of the course is to deepen our understanding of what it means to co-evolve a new culture rooted in ecological values and understand the role of Simply Living in building sustainability in central Ohio. You may attend any or all classes. Register to receive a recording)
Graphic credit: Yes! Magazine Issue on What Does An Ecological Civilization look Like?
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Simply Living Annual Membership Meeting
Sunday, March 20 @ 3-5 pm
Hilltop Library, 511 S Hague Ave, Columbus 43204
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Each year, Simply Living holds a meeting of its membership to discuss our plans for the year, provide information about memberships, and elect our slate of board members.
This year the Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilltop Branch, 511 S. Hague Ave.
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Meet, greet, share and learn at our monthly Simply Share Salon. We'll be hearing updates about Solar in March, including the campaign by Solar United Neighbors for Community Solar and the new legislation to make it happen across Ohio. What's on your mind? Simply Share wants to hear from you! Invite a friend. Register here. |
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Join the Simply Living team for Earth Month EcoChallenge
Through this monthlong event, Simply Living team members will participate in a nationwide challenge to put the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into action. The SDGs are a commitment to achieving sustainable development across three dimensions — environmental, social and economic — in an inclusive and integrated way.
This year's Earth Month EcoChallenge transforms the 17 SDGs into 5 categories of daily and one-time actions an individual can make. Categories include:
- Basic needs and security
- Health and equity
- Education and livelihood
- Economy and communities
- Climate and ecosystems
Under each category you can sign up to do any of a dozen actions, or you can come up with your own action commitment. Each action has real and measurable impacts on sustainability and equity. The more actions our team members do, the more points we earn in a friendly competition with other teams around the country.
Register to join the Simply Living Earth Month EcoChallenge team here. We will send you an invitation to sign up on the EcoChallenge website, join our team, and start committing to action with a real impact on sustainability and equity.
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New Events Coming in SPRING!
Santiago Rising! We are co-sponsoring films that empower communities. Learn about the Chilean uprising against their failed economic system, and the election of a progressive president. Stay tuned for the date and time for a discussion with the director!
Urban Farms and Gardens! Find out what is happening from Mike Hogan, an expert in Sustainable Agriculture and Urban Food System Development at the OSU Extension service. Likely date around May 10.
Tarot Cards, Symbols, and Intuitive Readings will be featured this spring with Simply Living member Jenny Sieck.
Green Burial Options... it's never too soon to plan for the final recycling of our physical body! We're talking to Simply Living member Cathy Elkins, who serves on the board of the Funeral Consumer Alliance of Central Ohio.
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Earth Month Events +
Simply Living volunteers will be exhibiting at the Green Bexley Fair and the Green Columbus Earth Day celebrations on Saturday, April 23. We will be at the White Castle Earth Day Fair on Wednesday, April 27 at their new headquarters. And we'll be at the Green on the Green event in Worthington on Saturday, May 7. These events will be lots of fun and a chance to see you in person! Volunteers are welcome! Drop us an email to hello@simplyliving.org. |
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Every Friday 5 pm on 94.1 FM and streaming @ WGRN.org, Repeats on Sundays at 2 pm on 92.7/98.3 FM and streams @ WCRSFM.org.
Conversations with everyday people, working on important issues here in Columbus and all around Ohio. Justice: environmental, social, racial, economic, with folks on the front lines.
Details on Facebook here. Listen to Podcast archives here.
More background on this interview here.
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Carolyn Harding talks with Bill Lyons and Susie Beiersdorfer, Ohio community rights activists and co-writers of the new book Death by Democracy.
Bill Lyons is a co-organizer of Columbus Community Bill of Rights, a group that is working to protect the water of the Columbus metro area from toxic and radioactive fracking waste. Bill is also the president of the Ohio Community Rights Network (OHCRN).
Susie Beiersdorfer is a teacher, geologist, community activist and tree planter who has lived in Youngstown, Ohio for 28 years. She co-founded Frackfree Mahoning Valley and the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Committee, qualifying 10 citizen initiatives for the ballot between 2013-2018. She is secretary for the Ohio Community Rights Network and president of the National Community Rights Network.
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Jane Fonda FIRE DRILL FRIDAYS: with guests Piper Perabo and Ariel Hayes
Fri Mar 4 @ 2-3 pm
Our guests this week are two incredible women and climate activists. I’m honored to be speaking with Golden Globe-nominated actor, Piper Perabo, and former National Political Director of the Sierra Club Ariel Hayes. Together, we’ll discuss how people-powered political organizations can serve as a direct counterforce to the fossil fuel industry and rid our government of representatives who fail to take a stand on climate at a scale and ambition aligned with what the science demands.
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Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn't filled with hope,
someone will fill it with fear. ~ Naomi Klein
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Towards a Culture of Love and Wisdom
with David Lorimer
Fri Mar 4 @ 2-3:15 pm
Many visionary philosophers and mystics have indicated that our evolutionary trajectory toward global spiritual awakening is represented by a culture of love and wisdom. David’s sense is that this is happening at the same time as divisions are increasing and that the situation requires us to be anchored in our deep center of stillness within, while also engaging in spiritual activism to support the realization of our ideals.
His talk will draw on the work of historian Arnold Toynbee, sociologist Pitirim Sorokin, and Bulgarian sage Beinsa Douno (Peter Deunov) in articulating a compass direction for our turbulent times focused around Douno’s five principles of Love, Wisdom, Truth, Justice, and Goodness while affirming the spiritual depth of the human. Info and registration here.
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Celebration! Frank Tennyson 79TH Birthday!
Sunday March 6 from 2-5 pm More info here.
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Growing Ginger & Turmeric in the Midwest - Online
Monday March 7 @ 7 - 8 pm
Cost: $15
Learn how to grow beautiful, young ginger and turmeric right in your garden -- or in pots on your patio. We will also talk about why you’d even want to grow them beside just wanting to be the coolest cat in your gardening club. Hint: Both these plants are a tasty addition not only to your kitchen, but to your medicine cabinet as well.
INSTRUCTOR: Bernadett Szabo lives in Pataskala, OH on a small herb, flower and vegetable farm. More info and link to registration here.
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Green Energy Ohio Presents: The Road to Transportation Electrification
Tuesday March 8
12-1 pm
GEO's fourth in a series of conversations on issues that are impacted by climate change. Transportation is a subject that affects us all everyday -- how we get to work or school, run errands, and travel for business or pleasure. In Ohio alone, there are 4.2 million registered automobiles and 5.8 million registered private and commercial trucks. Ohio has 65 public transit systems, nine airports offering commercial flights, ten waterway ports, and over 5,000 miles of active rail. Nationally, the transportation sector accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions at almost 30 percent, with 63 percent of that coming from light duty vehicles. We all have a role to play in reducing that impact.
Leading our discussion will be Michael Peters, CEO and co-founder of Cleveland-based Sway Mobility, an electric vehicle carshare platform. Our panelists are both experts in the world of EVs: Marie McConnell, Campaigns Organizer for the Electrification Coalition and Sara Daugherty, Director of Partnerships at Brite Energy Innovators. You can read more about them on the event webpage.
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LWVMC Book Club Democracy in One Book or Less by David Litt
Tuesday March 8 @ 7 pm
The democracy you live in today is different — completely different — from the democracy you were born into. You probably don't realize just how radically your republic has been altered during your lifetime. Yet more than any policy issue, political trend, or even Donald Trump himself, our redesigned system of government is responsible for the peril America faces today.
What explains the gap between what We, the People want and what our elected leaders do? How can we fix our politics before it's too late? And how can we truly understand the state of our democracy without wanting to crawl under a rock? That's what former Obama speechwriter David Litt set out to answer.
Poking into forgotten corners of history, translating political science into plain English, and traveling the country to meet experts and activists, Litt explains how the world’s greatest experiment in democracy went awry. Zoom event sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus. Registration here.
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Back to the Earth:
Why Green Burials Matter
Weds March 9 @ 1 pm
Explore the environmental and health benefits of a green burial during a virtual discussion with Shedd Farley, director of the Linda and Gene Farley Center for Peace, Justice & Sustainability and Tajai Turner, a CEO, Licensed Funeral Director, and a member of the Green Burial Council Speakers Bureau.
This event is hosted as a Center for Culture, History, and Environment (CHE) Colloquium in partnership with the Nelson Institute. Register here
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Population Connection: Introduction to Demography
Weds March 9 @ 3pm
The first session of a brand-new educational demography series, this hour-long talk will outline some major demography themes, including age and sex compositions, world population projections, urbanization, fertility, and migration. The session will also look at the history and future trajectory of global population growth and how it relates to globalization, economic transitions, and environmental degradation. Register here.
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Citizens Climate Lobby - Columbus Chapter
March Social: Ales and Climate Tales
Weds March 9, 6-8pm @ Mikey's Late Nite Slice, 457 N High St
We're excited to have Allison Chartrand, Ph.D. candidate at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, for this month's installment of Ales and Climate Tales. She'll discuss her work on ice shelves at Mikey's Late Night Slice upstairs event space (457 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215). Don't miss this one!
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Foundation of Western Herbalism
Lily Kunning, Community Herbalist
18 Month Course (2nd Weds @ 6:30)
Learn anatomy and physiology, medicine making and all about the materia medica: plant ID, cultivation, constituents and their actions, and harvesting/processing. You will also be learning from a practicing herbalist: Lily is not only a formulator for Haven Herbs (and before that, Boline Apothecary), but she also has a clinical practice.
The class includes lecture, activities, field trips, hands-on learning, and has about 20 hours a month of independent work to do outside each monthly class. Payment plans are available to make it affordable to most. Lily also has limited work/study or barter plans.
Class dates: (Second Wednesdays of the month, 6:30 pm)
2022: Mar 9, Apr 13, May 11, Jun 8, Jul 13, Aug 10, Sep 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 14
2023: Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10, Jun 14, Jul 12, Aug 9
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Webinar: Community Solar – What’s it all about?
Weds March 9 @ 7:30 pm
Do you want to install solar on your home, but can’t? Do you want more people in your community to reap solar’s benefits?
Community solar is a great option for people who don’t have the ability to put solar on their own rooftop. Experts from Solar United Neighbors will explain the practical ins and outs of community solar. Whether you’re a current solar owner who wants to expand access to community solar for others, or are someone who could directly benefit from community solar we hope you’ll join us to learn more! RSVP here
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Yes! Magazine Webinar: Personal Journeys:
Finding Our Paths to Make Change
Thursday March 10 @ 4 pm
As we work collectively to build a better world, each of us is on a unique path. But we can find inspiration and insight from the stories of others. Join us to hear from three contributors to our new “Personal Journeys” issue about their journeys — and to consider your own. Free. More info on presenters and registration on SL Calendar here.
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Join us Thursday March 10 at 7 pm for a briefing of Beyond Plastic's report The New Coal: Plastics and Climate Change and learn from BJ McManama from the Indigenous Environmental Network about what is happening on the ground where petrochemical infrastructure is being built in West Virginia. Additionally, Paulita Bennette-Martin from Oceana will provide an update on federal legislation Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Register here
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Clintonville CRC Solar Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Friday March 11 @ 10 am
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You're Invited to the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, 3222 N High St (in the parking lot) to celebrate Going Solar!
Thanks to long time CRC supporter, Marlin Languis, and Ecohouse Solar, both CRC’s Administrative office and Choice Food Pantry buildings have newly installed solar panels. More info and an installation video on the SL calendar here.
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The Best Places to Go Camping
Around Central Ohio
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Going far away from home may not always be an option, especially if you’ve only got a couple of days off from the real world. Luckily, there are tons of beautiful places close to Columbus to pitch a tent and unwind. With this gorgeous weather we’ve been having, it’s a great time to plan your next adventure.
As reported last week, some doctors are now prescribing Nature! Is yours?
See the feature article in Columbus Navigator here.
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Emily Kridel LNCI Summit Video: Changing a Child’s Life with Nature
The Leave No Child Inside Collaborative Summit is sharing videos. Emily Kridel from Stratford Ecological Center is pictured. Click here to discover a video by Christa Hein titled "Changing a Child's Live in Nature" and more! |
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Highlights include the March Concert Series is returning to an In-Person Event.
See Perennial Rye, a New Grass band (pictured above) that will perform on Saturday March 27. The newsletter also updates plans for the Folk Festival May 7 & 8. Get the details in the newsletter here.
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Ukraine, Fossil Fuels, Inflation, and Climate Action
by Richard Heinberg
Somehow, we need to build a consensus of willingness to face hard trade-offs even as our leaders delay or outright refuse to take responsible action. Read it here.
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How Coconut Oil Can Benefit Our Health
Dr. Mercola writes: “Despite the fact that more than 2,000 studies have been performed on coconut oil, demonstrating a wide range of benefits, it continues to be wrongfully vilified to this day, mainly because 90% of its fat content is saturated fat. However, saturated fats, and most particularly coconut oil, are an important part of the human diet." Read the article here.
Read OCA's full newsletter, Organic Bytes, here
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The Case for Regeneration: It Has Never Been More Urgent
We have reached a point in time where more and more people are feeling the effects of climate change in their everyday lives. The loss of biodiversity is becoming more evident, we are witnessing more floods and droughts, the world is becoming hotter and fires are more frequent and devastating.
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Common Greens
Inside the Market: March 5
I don't know about you, but I've been craving connection lately. With the world unsettled, I try to find some solidity in soil, repetition, routine - seed starting season feels more therapeutic than usual. Many of our farmers are sharing their processes for growing the food you'll see stacked high on market tables this spring on their social media pages, and I encourage you to follow along if you're not already. The care and passion that goes into their work is evident, and inspiring. Check out Brian and the team at Paige's Produce Farm pruning the orchard here, or see the many hands (including owner Lynn's 93 1/2 year old mother!) at Miller Thyme Farm planting stacks upon stacks of seed trays here.
In Other News...
~As always, eat well, be well.
Read the full Newsletter here and see the full Feb 26 producer lineup and more.
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Also known as socially responsible investing, ESG investing considers factors like racial justice, gender equality, environmental performance, and animal rights in addition to financial performance. Here are three ways to start investing your money where your values are. more...
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PennyLoafer: A Simple Way to Donate to Causes You Care About
PennyLoafer is a platform that helps you simplify your charitable giving around causes you care about. Founder Andi Thieman explains how the service makes it easier to give. more...
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Guide to Plant-Based Milk Alternatives |
Trying to cut back on dairy products for health or ethical reasons? Our guide to plant-based milk alternatives will get you started with healthy options.
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Repurposing Used Wind Turbine Blades |
The hard-to-recycle blades of a wind turbine pose a big disposal problem when they wear out. But some innovative companies are exploring the reuse of used blades in a variety of construction projects, from bridges to playgrounds to roofs.
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Did you learn something new today?
Please support Earth911 database updates
so we can help others recycle
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The Arnold, Gallery Hop, Plants, Highlight the Weekend
It's the weekend, and it's time to have fun. Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels..
Here’s a rundown of things to do this weekend. Do you like arts, sports, and nice weather? It might be your perfect weekend. Don’t forget to get your order in for the Brew Box from the Columbus Coffee Festival – it’s over half sold out and you won’t want to miss out. Enjoy your weekend!
Fun Night Out
Try a new sour at Echo Spirits. Chill to some of Marvin Gaye’s tunes.
Enjoy Exploring Art
Get inspired at a special poetry event at Gramercy Books. Reverie opens at Blockfort.
See new exhibit Windows at 934 Gallery.
Sean Christopher Gallery celebrates 20 years. Sarah Gormley Gallery presents intriguing work by Nick Stull.
It’s the final weekend to enjoy CATCO’s Luchadora!
Tune in to a virtual event with Dolly Parton and James Patterson (via Gramercy Books!)
What Else Can You Do This Weekend?
Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend!
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Connie Hammond's Newsletter
Peace and Social Justice Events
To subscribe to weekly events newsletter or to have progressive events for peace and justice added to this list, please contact cmhammond11@att.net.
Friday, March 4, 2022, 12:00 - 12:45 PM. First Friday Lunch and Learn. Presented by Honesty for Ohio Education. Honesty for Ohio Education presents engaging, online "Lunch & Learns" on the first Friday of each month - building our capacity to know better and do better for Ohio! Join us to connect across Ohio; learn from practitioners, advocates and experts; and get updates and actions to oppose House Bills 322 and 327. The March program will feature the YWCA's 2022 Stand Against Racism Challenge. For more information, click here. Register here for any session.
Friday, March 4, 2022, 11:00 AM. Go Live For Equity Virtual Keynote: Jane Elliott. At YWCA Greater Cleveland, we recognize that structural and institutional racism is at the root of much of the social disparity in today’s world. With that in mind, we are delighted to present a virtual conversation with teacher and diversity trainer Jane Elliott, adapter of the “Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes” discrimination experiment, which began immediately after Dr. King’s assassination. We are excited to announce this year’s Go LIVE for Equity virtual keynote discussion with diversity trainer and educator Jane Elliott. General admission: $25; Students and Seniors $15. More information and registration here.
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 12:00 PM. Queer Teens: Speak Out! This Speak Out is an open mic rally outside the Ohio Statehouse! It is being organized by the Queer Teen Activist Collective 614. This rally comes as a response to heightened anti-trans youth sentiment and political action in Ohio and across the US, including the movement of HB454 into committee in the Ohio Statehouse. Too often are queer youth spoken over or unheard, so we are providing a space for those voices to be heard loud and clear by all. Facebook event page.
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 6:00 - 8:30 PM. Columbus Family Dabka Event 2022. Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) Columbus is excited to be collaborating with PCRF-OSU to host this year's Family Dabka Night! This fun event gives our Columbus and Ohio State communities a chance to enjoy an evening with our PCRF youth dabka participants and their families. The students hope to showcase what they have been learning for the past two months. They have been learning traditional Palestinian Folklore dance and facts about the Middle East, all while raising funds to help sick and injured children in the Middle East. Proceeds from this event will benefit PCRF's efforts to provide comprehensive services to children with disabilities at the Nour Shams Charitable Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled at the Nour Shams Camp in Tulkarem. The association provides specialized services for children with disabilities, serving 50 children classified under different disabilities, including autism, speech, learning difficulties, mental retardation, and Down syndrome. PCRF will provide maintenance work, supplies & furniture, and the necessary equipment to facilitate access to better quality services in an integrated manner in their place of residence, and ensure better results for their future. Location: Hitchcock Hall, Room #131 (2070 Neil Ave) at the Ohio State University. Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 students. More information here. Facebook Event.
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 2:00 PM. Art Under Siege: Artists in Gaza. Jewish Voice For Peace, Los Angeles is honored to present the online premiere of documentary filmmaker Maurice Jacobsen's chronicle "Art Under Siege". We will watch the video shot over the past six years inside the siege and then meet the project's producer/directors along with Gaza artists in an online live conversation. To view a two-minute preview of the film go here: www.vimeo.com/681097069. Register here.
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 1:00 PM. The Depth of Change - Book Talk and Discussion. Join Greg Coleridge for talk/discussion of his new book, The Depth of Change. Selected Writing and Remarks on Social Change. Selected articles, columns, editorials, letters, sermons, poems, talks and testimonies over four decades on economic, environmental and social justice; democracy; foreign policy/peace/nonviolence and systemic change/movements. Their analysis and calls to action are as timely today as ever. Greg Coleridge is the Outreach Director of the national Move to Amend coalition, which works to enact a Constitutional Amendment to abolish corporate constitutional rights (“corporate personhood” for short) and political money defined as First Amendment-protected “free speech.” He previously worked for more than three decades for the Midwest Region of the American Friends Service Committee in Ohio where he educated, advocated and organized with diverse individuals and organizations at the local, state and national levels employing a range of strategies and tactics on issues of peace/anti-war, nonviolence, international trade, economic conversion, local and federal budget priorities, monetary reform, housing, privatization/corporatization of public services, hunger, jobs, poverty, local currencies, alternative media, toxic/radioactive pollution, campaign finance reform and corporate power/rule/rights.
Sunday, March 6, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Redbird Books to Prisoners. We collect, pack, and send books to Ohio prisoners every 1st and 3rd Sunday. Location: Thirdhand Bike Coop, 979 East 5th Ave, Columbus. Please wear a mask, and please don't park in front of the building.
Monday, March 7, 2022, 7:00 PM. Honduras: Water and Land Defenders and U.S. Policy. For over four years, members of local communities in Honduras, organized by the Broad Movement for Dignity and Justice (MADJ), have peacefully maintained an encampment defending the Jilamito river against the construction of a hydroelectric project. The project threatens the water sovereignty of surrounding communities and has been rejected in two municipal referendums held in 2015 and 2019 respectively. Violence and threats against the defenders have been repeatedly denounced by MADJ as has the serious allegations of corruption associated with the project. Massachusetts Peace Action is organizing in solidarity to expose the connection between Massachusetts and the Jilamito Project. The Honduran company pursuing the project is partly owned by Simonds International, a Massachusetts toolmaker. We'll be joined by representatives of MADJ to tell us about their struggle to combat corruption, uphold human rights, and defend the environment. Register here.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 12:00 PM. Dialogue: Critical Race Theory – What Is It, and Why Is It Under Attack? Social justice protests have caused many to rethink what they know about the history of race in America. From the role slavery played in building the American economy, to a lack of knowledge about the Tulsa race massacre, many question the lessons they learned—or didn’t learn—in school. This awareness has brought new attention to the nearly 50-year-old academic framework of Critical Race Theory which argues racism is embedded in the American legal and economic systems. Not everyone agrees, and they argue supporters of CRT are trying to divide America and re-write history. Featuring Hasan Kwame Jeffries, associate professor of history at The Ohio State University, and Vince Ellison, author and member of Project 21 Black Leadership Network, this Dialogue discussion will explore Critical Race Theory and discuss why it has come under fire. The program will be moderated by Mike Thompson, WOSU News Chief Content Director. Register here.
Wednesday, March 9, 2021, 1:00 PM. The U.S. Military and Environmental Justice. The United States military is one of the world’s biggest polluters. As an institution, it leads the world in oil consumption and emits enormous amounts of greenhouse gases. To grasp the environmental impact of the U.S. military, however, requires us to go beyond statistics and numbers. One must listen to those from the communities directly affected. This webinar will provide an overview of environmental justice concerns pertaining to the U.S. military while also centering the voices of those engaged in the struggle to stop the pollution of the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on the island of Oahu. Faith communities will not only learn about the issues, but also how they can take action for justice. Featured panelists will include: Wayne Tanaka, Executive Director of the Sierra Club in Hawaiʻi, Danny Tengan, Disaster Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Conference of the United Church of Christ, and Lorah Steichen, Outreach Coordinator for the National Priorities Project. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People's Justice Council. Register here.
Thursday, March 10, 2022, 8:00 PM. Converting the War Economy (a War Industry Resisters Network webinar). Ever since WWII, our US economy has been increasingly reliant on the war industry to provide jobs. It was, in fact, World War II that converted our existing economy into one dependent on government spending on the Pentagon and its associated agencies and industries. We know we can also convert the economy back the other way, from one so centered on the war industry to one that addresses the existential threats of the climate emergency, pandemics, and ecological devastation. And that many more jobs can be generated in a green economy than by the war economy. A better world is possible. Now is the time to beat our swords into plowshares if there ever was one. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and all the rest of the war corporations must be re-engineered to produce wind turbines, solar systems, fast speed rail, and many other alternatives to our addictive use of fossil fuels. This webinar will explore some of those alternatives and how we can transition to a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world. Register here.
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“The way to heal the soul of the nation is to pass policies that heal the body of the nation. It’s the just thing to do. That’s how we as a nation can together move forward.” ~ Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II |
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12 Spectacular Images by NASA ESA James Webb Space Telescope |
If you made it this far, enjoy the NASA images probing the deep space of our stellar origins with the James Webb telescope here. |
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