Saturday 2/3/07: Pittsburgh-based agitator Anne Feeney performs music that she says is designed to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Not many women have chosen to walk the path of Woody Guthrie, but Feeney’s made a career of it for the past 35 years. Her bottomless songbag draws on Irish, bluegrass, traditional, labor, pop, folk and contemporary material. She has lived her life on the front lines – performing at thousands of rallies, picket lines and demonstrations over the years. 6:00 p.m., Tacoma UU Church, 1115 South 56th Street (about 8 blocks east of I-5). Buy $10 tickets online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/10186. No Host Bar. See also www.jwj.org.

Monday 2/5/07: U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada is the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq, because he believes the war and occupation are illegal. The U.S. Army is court martialing him, and is refusing to let him defend himself with testimony that the war and occupation are illegal. Watada’s supporters are rallying today (the first day of the court martial) outside the Fort Lewis gates. See www.ThankYouLt.org and www.WarTribunal.org.

Wednesday 2/7/07: Reconciliation is the theme of this year’s Winter Theological Symposium. This symposium can open up conversation and growth on this timely theme among congregations and other groups. 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma. $28 includes dinner. Info: PLU’s Office of Congregation Relations 253-535-7423 or crel@plu.edu.

Thursday 2/8/07: The United States incarcerates more of its citizens than any other county. Prisons promote a military mentality. The “War on Drugs” is a war on people here in the U.S. For peace and justice, stop the wars and stop escalating prison growth. Begin right here in Washington State. 6:30 p.m., Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle. (between I-5 and the Seattle Center, south of Mercer). Organized by Justice Works!, an affiliate of the FOR that works specifically on racism and the criminal justice system. Info: Mariah (206) 312-8299 mariaholewis@yahoo.com or www.justiceworks.info.

Saturday 2/10/07: This workshop prepares church folks for action to make a difference. Keynote speaker Dr. Brian Naasz, PLU professor and Earth Ministry board member, will address key sustainability issues and the theological call for environmental sustainability as a justice issue. He will review the strategies, actions and resources laid out in the ‘Greening Congregations Handbook’ that each attending church will receive. Northwest Earth Institute will present their thoughtful, engaging and provocative series of discussions courses available to groups and churches. The afternoon will focus on action plans for individuals, churches, our regional faith-based community, and our community at large. Sponsor: The Olympia Presbytery Peace and Justice Action Group. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Peace Community Center, 2106 S. Cushman Ave., Tacoma. The $20 cost includes lunch and materials. Scholarships available. Info and registration: 253-588-5204 or peaceandjustice@olypres.org.

Saturday 2/10/07: Native American Leonard Peltier leader was framed and has been unjustly imprisoned for 31 years since the 1970s. Gather at 12:00 noon at Portland Ave Park on Portland Ave between E. 35th and E. Fairbanks in Tacoma. (Take Portland Ave exit from I-5 and go east.) The Rally for Justice at the U.S. Federal Court House, 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, will begin at 1:00 p.m. Olympia’s carpool will leave Harrison & Division at 10:30 a.m. Info: 915-533-6655 www.leonardpeltier.net and bayou@blarg.net.

Sunday 2/11/07: Fire Mountain (Lewis County) FOR monthly meeting: 2:00 pm at Centralia Public Library. Give agenda items to facilitator Stephen, 736-8784. Bring snacks to share. Info: Stephen 360-736-8784 or Larry 360-291-3946.

Sunday 2/11/07: 3:00 pm business meeting, 4:00 pm program, and 5:00 pm potluck – all at the Friends (Quaker) Meeting House (formerly Hillside Church), 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma, near 38th, north of Tacoma Mall. Info: Vivi 253-572-4912 or ViviBartron@hotmail.com.

Monday 2/12/07: Our present world works for very, very few – and it doesn’t even work for those who think they control it. We must move beyond our present social, political and ecological traps. We must create a world that works for all beings. If humanity is to survive on this planet, we must find new ways of resolving our conflicts and healing the deep divisions within our society. We must create a global human society, one that is in line with the highest levels of our consciousness. Sharif Abdullah will use his award-winning book Creating a World That Works for All as a starting point for a presentation that explores a conceptual, practical and spiritual foundation for an inclusive global society. He will examine the current situation and explore steps toward a world that works for all. 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 SE 32nd (I-90 at Richards Road), Bellevue. Sponsors: IONS-NW, Network of Spiritual Progressives-Seattle, Tools for Change. Suggested donation: $10 - $15. Info: Susan Burns 425-881-9000 or sburns@ionsnw.org, www.ionsnw.org.

Tuesday 2/20/07: Tsunamis, earthquakes, civil and sectarian conflict, HIV/AIDS, absolute poverty: international non-profit organizations (NGOs) face dizzying challenges around the globe. This seminar will cover leading issues and trends in the international aid and development arena, review global management issues, and highlight career and volunteer opportunities in the field. Presenter: Peter Blomquist, VP of Constituency Development, Mercy Corps. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Seattle University Student Center Room 160, Seattle. Registration form: www.seattleu.edu/artsci/npl/Service.

Saturday 2/24/07: Professors David Domke & Crispin Thurlow of the University of Washington, Department of Communication, will lead a workshop to identify common values that unite progressives, create resonant communications to translate these values into powerful, engaging language, demonstrate how personalization and metaphors work in political debate, and examine why “message strategies” are essential in today’s media culture. We need skills to translate our core values and highest ideals into powerful, engaging language. Articulating a clear vision is especially important in joining diverse interest groups into a cohesive movement for change. The time has come to commit to creating the change we wish to see in the world. We must develop and then promote a compelling message of compassion and respect for one another and for the natural world — and do so together. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Suquamish United Church of Christ, 18732 Division Ave. NE, Suquamish (NE of Poulsbo in Kitsap County) Cost: $35/individual, $60/couple. Limited scholarships available for those with financial need. Register now: Tom 360-990-5649 or Joanna joannagarritano@yahoo.com or www.articulationinaction.eventbrite.com.

Monday 3/5/07: Every year the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (WCADP) holds a fundraising dinner with a special feature. This year it’s “The Executioner’s Last Song,” a multi-media presentation by Jon Langford and Friends. Best known as the front man for the Mekons, Jon Langford has created a mordantly beautiful performance work that is a compelling collection of tales and songs on the themes of murder, mob law, and cruel, cruel punishment. The performance combines live music, spoken word, his own visual art, and recordings of American roots music. Location: The Triple Door, 216 Union, downtown Seattle Tickets: $75 per person includes dinner. (cash bar) A limited number of standing-room-only spaces are available for $20 with no dinner. Info and reservations: 206-622-8952, email: info@abolishdeathpenalty.org or see www.abolishdeathpenalty.org/AbolitionDayDinner.htm.

Saturday 3/10/07: The late Phil Berrigan (former priest, life-long peace activist) said Michael Stern ranks with Pete Seeger & Charlie King as a troubadour of the new millennium. Songwriter Charlie King (See Feb 8 in Olympia) said Mike’s “Fight No More Forever” is the strongest song in a collection penned by the likes of Bob Dylan and Malvina Reynolds. The Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) recruits and places volunteers in work projects for social justice. 7:30 p.m. at the Lagerquist Concert Hall at PLU in southern Tacoma. Suggested donation: $10 ($5 for students & seniors). Info: 253-535-7464. Directions to the concert hall: www.plu.edu. Michael Stern’s info and music samples: www.mikesongs.net.

Sunday 3/11/07: Fire Mountain (Lewis County) FOR monthly meeting in the Centralia-Chehalis area. Info: Stephen 360-736-8784 or Larry 360-291-3946.

Sunday 3/11/07: 3:00 pm business meeting, 4:00 pm program, and 5:00 pm potluck – all at the Friends (Quaker) Meeting House (formerly Hillside Church), 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma (near 38th, north of Tacoma Mall). Info: Vivi 253-572-4912 or ViviBartron@hotmail.com.

Sunday 6/3/07 to Wednesday 6/6/07: The 10th annual conference of Christians who are determined to end poverty will bring a broad cross-section of people together to strengthen this movement. Sojourners / Call to Renewal is organizing this at National City Christian Church in Washington DC. In the church calendar Pentecost is when the spirit moves among people to build the movement. Info: www.sojo.net.

Monday 6/18/07 to Wednesday 6/20/07: The year’s largest gathering of progressive leaders, thinkers, and activists: This broad-based event in Washington DC is sponsored by the Campaign for America’s Future, will work on a number of progressive issues, including making peace, ending poverty, providing economic justice, ensuring affordable health care, kicking our oil addiction, and much more. It will feature skills trainings, workshops – and strategy sessions. Info: Campaign for America’s Future.

Friday 6/29/07 to Monday 7/2/07: FOR’s 49th Annual Conference at Seabeck will bring together 200 peace folks of all ages from infants to people in their 90s for a long weekend of speakers, workshops, folk music, fun, networking, inspiration, recreation, and a whole lot more! Every year we gather at the Seabeck Conference Center in Kitsap County. Mark your calendars now. Look for information in our April-May newsletter, and look for a brochure to arrive by mail in April. Info: 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org in Olympia or 206-789-5565; wwfor@connectexpress.com in Seattle. In April the registration material will also be posted at the Western Washington FOR’s website.

Friday 2/2/07: 7:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Sponsors: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy and Olympia U-U Social Justice Committee. Info: Howard Rosenfeld, 360-790-4020 or hrstruggle@comcast.net.

Sunday 2/4/07: Enjoy and be moved by this annual celebration of the sacred through uplifting music and dance from around the world. 5:00 to 9:30 pm at The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts at a very convenient location at South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia. Info: 357-7224 www.sacredmusicoly.org or www.interfaith-works.org.

Wednesday 2/7/07: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Info: their highly informative website, www.sounddemocracy.org or Jacqui Brown Miller 236-9684 email jacquiAFD@comcast.net.

Thursday 2/8/07: Come over and watch the Olympia FOR’s February television program at Glen’s house: If you don’t have cable (or don’t have a TV), you can watch a video copy at this convenient location in Lacey at 7:00 p.m. tonight. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

Thursday 2/8/07: Charlie King is one of those writers whose songs you’ve been hearing— or singing— for decades. With an astute political analysis, a compassionate heart and a brilliant way with lyric and melody, Charlie’s songs are a mainstay of the political folk liturgy. The Northwest’s own Rebel Voices (Stecher and Susan Lewis) are joining Charlie’s 2007 tour. Rebel Voices will be their usual theatrical selves bringing you the best social commentary that can be set to music. Their provocative repertoire combines political punch and wry wit with intricate harmony and dramatic flair. 8:00 p.m. at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water. Tickets: $15 or $10 for students/low-income. Info: www.charlieking.org or www.rebelvoices.com.

Friday 2/9/07: Heartsparkle Players: Playback Theatre is a spontaneous collaboration between performers and the audience. People tell moments from their lives, then watch them re-created with movement, music and dialogue. Heartsparkle Players is an outstanding local troupe with a loyal following. 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water. A $5-$10 donation is suggested, but no one will be turned away. Info: Debe Edden 360-943-6772 debek@olywa.net.

Sunday 2/11/07: Come over and watch the Olympia FOR’s February television program at Glen’s house: If you don’t have cable (or don’t have a TV), you can watch a video copy at this convenient location in Lacey at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

Sunday 2/11/07: Bill Moyers talks with Pema Chodron, who has written extensively on Buddhist principles in the context of daily living. 57-minute video, followed by moderated discussion. 2:00 p.m. at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia. This is part 2 of the series. Enjoy parts 3 and 4 on March 11 and April 15. Sponsor: Interfaith Works 357-7224.

Wednesday 2/14/07: Join the state’s leading conservation groups and hundreds of citizen lobbyists to push for the passage of the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislative package. These priorities include legislation to save Puget Sound, eliminate toxic flame retardants, promote clean air and clean fuels, and invest in Washington’s parks and wildlife. Get informed and involved to be an advocate for Priorities for a Healthy Washington! Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at United Churches, 111 East 11th Ave, Olympia. Share a continental breakfast, hear legislators who support the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislation, receive training from top environmental lobbyists, and have a chance to meet face to face with your elected officials. In the evening there will be a reception with door prizes, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres hosted by Audubon Washington. Lobby Day is hosted by People for Puget Sound. Registration is $15. Register at www.pugetsound.org/index/lobbyday or contact Rein Attemann (206) 382-7007 rattemann@pugetsound.org. More info: www.environmentalpriorities.org. Check that website regularly during session to keep up to date on the progress of the environmental priorities and how you can help!

Wednesday, 2/14/07: The Earth Stewardship Committee of Interfaith Works, which was featured in the Olympia FOR’s December TCTV program, connects environmentally minded folks of all faith traditions. Monthly meeting 12 noon on the second Wednesday of each month at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 8th & Washington. Info: Leslie Romer or LeslieHR@aol.com.

Wednesday 2/14/07: OMJP meeting from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activities to work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Community Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is welcome. Info: Larry Mosqueda 360-867-6513.

Friday 2/16/07: A large performing troupe of older folks have recruited ten additional performing groups to perform at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington SE, downtown Olympia. Tickets are just $10 for orchestra seats or $8 for the two upper levels. Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, and others. Info: Box office 753-8586 or Jim Parker or jparker150@comcast.net.

Sunday 2/18/07: All veterans and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 2:00 pm at a location to be determined. Info: www.vfp109.org or Jim James 570-0885.

Monday 2/19/07: The Children’s Alliance is organizing a special day to focus on children’s social, economic and health needs. Organizations supporting universal health care are participating too. Gather at 9:00 a.m. at the United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE for various activities, including legislative visits, lasting until about 3:30 p.m. A box lunch is available by mailing a $10 check payable to “Children’s Alliance” to Gabriela Quintana, Children’s Alliance, 2017 E Spruce St, Seattle WA 98122. Info: 206-324-0340 www.childrensalliance.org. They also offer e-mail updates of news and legislative & activist opportunities.

Monday 2/19/07: Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition & National Organization for Women – Deal with poverty, education, living wages, etc.: 10:00 a.m.: Register at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St. SE. 12:00 noon: Lunch and meeting with legislators. Info and registration: WROC 352-9716 or toll-free (866)343-9716 or www.wroc.org. Lunch and childcare are provided. NOTE: A legislative training session will occur Mon. Feb. 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (with a potluck at 5:30) at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE (near Boundary St.).

Monday 2/19/07: Monthly meeting to organize support and collaboration with our sister community in Nicaragua. 7:00 pm. Call for location and info: 786-9505.

Tuesday 2/20/07: Town Hall Meeting in Olympia: Nationally recognized experts Elizabeth de la Vega (former federal prosecutor and author of U.S. versus George W. Bush), David Lindorff (legal scholar and co-author of The Case for Impeachment: The Legal Argument for Removing President George W. Bush from Office), and Ray McGovern (27-year CIA veteran, whistle-blower, and organizer of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity) provide solid factual information. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Town Hall Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington SE. Free. The Olympia FOR contributed $250 toward this event’s expenses. Info: George Hartwell 459-1079 or impeachbush@riseup.net.

Wednesday 2/21/07: Olympia FOR Steering Committee meeting meets to provide overall guidance and decision-making, 7:00 pm at Ramona Hinkle’s home in NE Olympia. Everyone is welcome to attend. Info: Dennis Mills 867-1487 or mills.dennis@comcast.net; or Ramona Hinkle 491-5483 or monieram@earthlink.net.

Thursday 2/22/07: Church Advocacy Day for social and economic justice at the Legislature: Learn from legislative briefings and schedule appointments with your legislators. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many good co-sponsors. Info: 206-223-1138 or ipjc@ipjc.org.

Saturday, 2/24/07: This workshop with Suska Davis, Ph.D., is based on Nonviolent Communication (NVC), but prior knowledge of NVC is not required. Anger is often intense and difficult to handle, both in ourselves and in others. Learn how to consciously express it and respond to in the moment so underlying needs are addressed. Please bring your own lunch. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $85/person. ($110 after Feb 17.) Info, registration and location: Fern Haven Center at 754-1600 www.fernhavencenter.org.

Saturday 2/24/07: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 2200 East End St NW (off 20th Ave NW, west of Division NW). Buy brownies, coffee, and used books while enjoying entertainment. For details or to donate books, visit www.olyuu.org or call Linda Crabtree 360-357-4080 or Carol Allen 360-866-0174.

Sunday, 2/25/07: SSBPF includes members of the local Buddhist community engaging in the Buddhist path of right action in regard to working for peace, justice and social change. 3:30-5 pm. Location and info: Robert Lovitt 357-2825 lovitthere@scattercreek.com.

Monday 2/26/07: Death penalty abolition committee of Olympia FOR meets at 7 pm in Tumwater. Everyone who opposes the death penalty is invited to help strengthen the movement to abolish this atrocity. Info and location: Chuck or Rozanne, 705-8520.

Wednesday, 2/28/07: OMJP meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activities to work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Community Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is welcome. Info: Larry Mosqueda 360-867-6513.

Thursday 3/1/07: Olympia FOR’s March TV program debuts today and runs every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 pm through March 29 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Thurston County. Info: Glen 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

Friday 3/2/07: While the world watched in horror as Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005, film director Spike Lee was shocked by the slow, inept and disorganized response of the emergency and recovery effort. Lee produced this documentary film. Each of the four acts deals with a different aspect of the events that preceded or followed the hurricane. 7:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Sponsors: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy and Olympia U-U Social Justice Committee. Info: Howard Rosenfeld, 360-790-4020 e-mail hrstruggle@comcast.net.

Tuesday 3/6/07: Would you like to fill your world with more respect, hope, and love, and reduce the criticism, misunderstanding, and violence? Nonviolent Communication offers specific, immediately usable tools for speaking honestly while being heard with compassion, and for listening compassionately to hear honesty. Liv Monroe offers this opportunity to learn the language of connecting with others, self and life. 6:45-9:00 pm in the lunchroom at Lincoln Elementary School, 21st & Washington SE, Olympia. No fee, but contributions are appreciated to support more workshops. Info: Liv 357-4503 e-mail liv@psncc.org. This will be repeated at the same time and place on Tuesdays April 17 and June 5.

Wednesday 3/7/07: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Info: their highly informative website or Jacqui Brown Miller 236-9684 e-mail jacquiAFD@comcast.net.

Thursday 3/8/07: Come over and watch the Olympia FOR’s February television program at Glen’s house: If you don’t have cable (or don’t have a TV), you can watch a video copy at this convenient location in Lacey at 7:00 p.m. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

Friday 3/9/07: A spontaneous collaboration between performers and the audience. People tell moments from their lives, then watch them re-created with movement, music and dialogue. Heartsparkle Players is an outstanding local troupe with a loyal following. 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water. A $5-$10 donation is suggested, but no one will be turned away. Info: Debe Edden 943-6772 debek@olywa.net.

Sunday 3/11/07: Bill Moyers talks with Pema Chodron, who has written extensively on Buddhist principles in the context of daily living. 57-minute video, followed by moderated discussion. 2:00 p.m. at Traditions Café, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia. This is part 3 of the series. Enjoy part 4 on April 15. Sponsor: Interfaith Works 357-7224 or www.Interfaith-Works.org.

Wednesday 3/14/07: The Earth Stewardship Committee of Interfaith Works, which was featured in the Olympia FOR’s December TCTV program, connects environmentally minded folks of all faith traditions. Monthly meeting 12 noon on the second Wednesday of each month at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 8th & Washington. Info: Leslie Romer LeslieHR@aol.com.

Wednesday 3/14/07: OMJP meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activities to work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Community Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is welcome. Info: Larry Mosqueda 867-6513 or www.omjp.org.

Sunday 3/18/07: Come over and watch the Olympia FOR’s February television program at Glen’s house: If you don’t have cable (or don’t have a TV), you can watch a video copy at this convenient location in Lacey at 2:00 p.m. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

Sunday 3/18/07: All veterans and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 2:00 pm at a location to be determined. Info: Jim James 570-0885 or www.vfp109.org.

Monday 3/19/07: Monthly meeting to organize support and collaboration with our sister community in Nicaragua. 7:00 pm. Call for location and info: 360-786-9505.

Sunday 3/25/07: The SSBPF includes members of the local Buddhist community engaging in the Buddhist path of right action in regard to working for peace, justice and social change. 3:30-5 pm. Location & more info: Robert Lovitt 357-2825 or lovitthere@scattercreek.com.

Sunday 3/18/07: Mail or e-mail articles, news, calendar items, etc., before this date if possible, or slightly past this date for late-breaking news. Contact Glen 360-491-9093 or email info@olyfor.org.

Wednesday 3/28/07: The OMJP meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activities to work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Community Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is welcome. Info: Larry Mosqueda 360-867-6513.

Saturday 4/14/07 to Sunday 4/22/07: Start organizing now for this week in April to watch a DVD and share local grassroots discussions about our nation’s priorities and future. See www.americasdialogue.org or the announcement on our News, Resources and Opportunities page.

Olympia Women’s Peace Choir will perform music that promotes peace, understanding and community for all people. Most performances will be a capella. The Olympia Women’s Peace Choir is auditioning confident singers who have choral experience and the ability to read music or learn parts quickly. If you would like to be in the choir but lack confidence, skill or experience, please ask about private lessons or inexpensive classes entitled “Singing for Those Who Think They Can’t Carry a Tune” and “Sightsinging: The Art of Reading Music,” offered by the Olympia Arts, Parks and Recreation Department. The Olympia Women’s Peace Choir also wants to meet women who play an instrument or enjoy dance or drama. Choir rehearsals will be held Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The choir is also looking for suitable rehearsal space. Info: Amelia Sahentara, Choir Director, 570-0206 sahentara@msn.com or www.olypeacechoir.org.

Recently the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project (ORSCP) applied to the City of Olympia for recognition of formal sister city status between Olympia and Rafah, Palestine. The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation Steering Committee and several other local groups have endorsed the proposal. ORSCP is seeking support from additional individuals and organizations to help the City Council make its decision in late February. ORSCP encourages you to: (1) Add your individual name to the list of ORSCP supporters by sending a note to John_Harvey@comcast.net; (2) Ask any appropriate civic, religious, and business organizations to which you belong to endorse ORSCP and notify John_Harvey@comcast.net when the endorsement is authorized; and (3) Write a short letter of support to the Olympia City Council at citycouncil@ci.olympia.wa.us, telling them how great ORSCP is and that you support an official sister city connection with Rafah. Your letter can be short and simple; even one paragraph or one sentence would be enough. Please send a copy of your letter to John_Harvey@comcast.net. (4) Visit your friends on the City Council on any Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 900 Plum Street, during Public Communications time. It only takes a few minutes to encourage the City Council to support Olympia-Rafah official status. This grassroots movement is a powerful way to promote peace and justice for Israel and Palestine. Info: John Harvey 754-1899 e-mail: John_Harvey@comcast.net or www.orscp.org.

Individual young people and groups of young people who live in Thurston County are may apply or be nominated for accomplishments or contributions that promote diversity in general or any aspect of a diverse perspective. The medium for the message is unlimited and could include essays, term papers, plays, skits, artwork, published letters to the editor, original songs, posters, displays, class undertakings and events. They should have been completed between March 1, 2006, and March 1, 2007. For complete information contact Ruth Elder at the Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights, 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia WA 98502-6045; phone 360-357-2849 or elderr@co.thurston.wa.us. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday March 23, 2007.

For several years the Carnegie Group, a group of thoughtful and active local citizens, has studied and reported on the extent, location, quality, and costs of growth to residents and the environment. Now they have a new website to help get their important message out to the larger community. The Carnegie Group believes that rapid growth is neither inevitable nor beneficial and that “growth at any price” is unwarranted. It wants to limit growth according to the carrying capacity of our land and water resources. It wants to determine the costs of growth accurately and in advance, and to make sure that taxpayers stop subsidizing the people who profit unfairly from excessive growth. Info: Walt Jorgensen 360-867-0138 or www.carnegiegroup.org.

“Doomsday Clock” hand moves closer to midnight to reflect worsening nuclear and climate threats to the world: On January 17 the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved the minute hand of the “Doomsday Clock” because of growing concerns about a “Second Nuclear Age” marked by grave threats, including: nuclear ambitions in Iran and North Korea, unsecured nuclear materials in Russia and elsewhere, the continuing “launch-ready” status of 2,000 of the 25,000 nuclear weapons held by the U.S. and Russia, escalating terrorism, and climate changes pressure for more nuclear power plants, which could increase risks of weapons proliferation. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project and were deeply concerned about the use of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. In 1947 the Bulletin introduced its clock to convey the perils posed by nuclear weapons. The “Doomsday Clock” evoked both the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero). Info: www.thebulletin.org and from Jacqueline Cabasso, Western States Legal Foundation, 510-839-5877 www.wslfweb.org and from www.disarmamentactivist.org.

This statewide affiliate of the Fellowship of Reconciliation works to end racism and the abuses of the criminal justice system. Justice Works! has identified five issue campaigns for 2007: (1) No new prisons; (2) Adequate funding for public defense; (3) Removal of second degree robbery (no weapons and no injuries) from the list of offenses under the Three Strikes law; (4) Automatic restoration of voting rights for previously incarcerated people; (5) Statewide implementation of standards of treatment for incarcerated people. Justice Works! wants to build new relationships with people in the greater Olympia area and other parts of the state. Would you be interested in attending— or helping to organize— an introductory event? Info: www.justiceworks.info and Mariah Lewis-Mitchell at 206-721-5446 (home), 206-312-8299 (message), and 206-499-3389 (cell).

Justice Works! has produced a powerful one-act drama about the prison system’s realities, titled “Set Up to Fail.”. The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation aired this on our TV program. Now you can watch it on your own computer! Watch online at: www.nonewprisons.org/movies/SetUpToFail.wmv. Info: www.justiceworks.info and Mariah Lewis-Mitchell at 206-721-5446 (home), 206-312-8299 (message), and 206-499-3389 (cell).

America’s Dialogue: Start now to plan an unprecedented week of national grassroots discussions from Sat. April 14 through Sun. April 22: During this week, people will be gathering in small groups all across the country to discuss the future of America. What kind of America, and what kind of world, do we want to see? What are our priorities as a nation and a people? These discussions will be centering around a new 42-minute video about Hiroshima, nuclear weapons, nuclear waste, and the human cost of militarism and war. The video will serve both as an educational experience for millions of Americans— young and old— and as the catalyst for our discussions about America. The video, “America’s Dialogue”, is available on DVD and can also currently be viewed online at Google Video for small groups watching it on a computer. Go to www.americasdialogue.org or Google Video.
You can order a DVD for possible showing at a meeting or special event. The organizers invite any ideas and suggestions for promoting the video, promoting the April 14-22 America’s Dialogue, and making participation meaningful and productive. Info: Jim Hilgendorf, America’s Dialogue, P.O. Box 12144, Eugene, OR 97440 Phone toll-free 800-898-9441 thetributeseries@comcast.net or www.americasdialogue.org.

A Marine Corps General said this about U.S. militarism:

America has become a militaristic and aggressive nation… We have an immense and expensive military establishment, fueled by a gigantic defense industry, and millions of proud, patriotic, and frequently bellicose and militaristic citizens… Militarism in America is in full bloom and promises a future of vigorous self-pollination… unless the blight of Vietnam reveals that militarism is more a poisonous weed than a glorious blossom.

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This program airs every Sunday in February at 10 p.m. on Thurston Community Television cable channel 22. Read the rest of this entry »

This program airs at 10 p.m. every Sunday in March on Thurston Community Television cable channel 22. Read the rest of this entry »

This program airs twice weekly in February– Mondays at 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:00 p.m.), on Thurston Community Television cable channel 22.

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This program airs twice weekly in March— Mondays at 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., on Thurston Community Television cable channel 22.

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Tom Rawson, a banjo-playing, crowd-delighting folksinger, performs on Saturday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Plenty! Restaurant at the corner of 4th and Columbia in downtown Olympia.

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As a general principle, anything based on lies is bound to produce bad results. The whole foundation of Bush’s war in Iraq is based on lies. Therefore, it is illogical and hypocritical for the people who have supported Bush’s war to shift the responsibility to peace advocates for generating workable solutions to that mess. War supporters blame peace supporters for being unable to solve the horrible problems that Bush created. Despite the rhetoric, there is no way to “win” a war that is fatally flawed. The sad truth is that “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men” could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.

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Learn about the death penalty in Washington State, how it works, and why we need the legislation described below. Find out how you can help. Come to an information session this coming TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Ave SE, downtown Olympia.

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Sun Feb 4: World Sacred Music Festival: Enjoy and be moved by this annual celebration of the sacred through uplifting music and dance from around the world. 5:00 to 9:30 pm at The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts at a very convenient location at South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia. Info: 357-7224 www.sacredmusicoly.org or www.interfaith-works.org.