This second annual peace event in Castlegar, British Columbia Canada (north of Spokane) will provide an opportunity for those who came to Canada as war resisters during the Vietnam War to be reunited with those who assisted them in Canada. It features keynote presentations, workshops, discussions, on-stage theatre performances, a film festival, and a major peace concert. It also publicly launches the War Resisters of Foreign Wars, an international war resisters organization, with speeches by former Israeli Air Force captain Yonantan Shapira, US military war resister Kyle Snyder, and Our Way Home event director Isaac Romano. Info: 250-352-1187 or www.ourwayhomereunion.com.

Undoing racism in the criminal justice system is the focus of Justice Works!, an affiliate of the FOR. Organizational meeting 6:30 pm organizational meeting at Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N (between downtown and the I-5 Mercer Street exit), Seattle. Info: 206-303-7559 or www.justiceworks.info.

Fire Mountain FOR monthly meeting at the Centralia library. Info: Karen 767-0161 kirkwoodweaver@hotmail.com, Newt 767-0161 e-mail newt@nbtsc.org, or Larry 360-291-3496 or peacepoet@gmail.com

All ages are welcome to this special event in Minnesota. See this article in the News-Resources-Opportunities section of our website.

Learn how to engage in constructive conversations that build relationships across deep differences. Learn the key elements of dialogues promoted by the Public Conversations Project (PCP) by designing, facilitating, and debriefing an extended dialogue simulation. All workshops have limited enrollments, sliding scale fees, and offer CE credits. In Seattle. Info: 888-727-8326 or 617-923-1216 x13 or www.publicconversations.org/pcp/page.php?id=73

Spend a weekend with highly skilled peace educators Colman McCarthy and Christa M. Tinari. Network with colleagues. Learn how to help students find their own power and gain the skills for peacemaking. Discover practical methods and techniques of nonviolent conflict resolution, and discuss how to teach peace and why. Friday 6:00 pm dinner through Sunday lunch. Program $150 + Room/Board $175 = $325. Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center in Bangor, Pennsylvania. Info about this or other peacemaking events at Kirkridge: Janet Chisholm 610-599-4606, e-mail janetc@kirkridge.org or www.kirkridge.org, 610-588-1793.

Area Committee meets 10 am to 3:30 pm in Seattle to provide overall decision-making and networking for the WWFOR, which links FOR members and chapters throughout Western Washington. Everyone welcome. Info: 206-789-5565 or wwfor@connectexpress.org in Seattle or 360-491-9093 e-mail glen@olywa.net in Olympia.

Celebrating diversity with people, music, dance, food, and info tables from 12 noon to 7 pm in Wright Park, between Division and South 6th Avenues and between G and I Streets, slightly north of downtown Tacoma. The Olympia FOR will have a death penalty info table again this year. Info: www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=724 Info about our death penalty info table: Chuck or Rozanne, 360-705-8520.

Hiroshima Day commemoration and Lantern Floating Ceremony at Green Lake, just south of Bathhouse Theatre, Seattle. Info: Wing Luke Museum, 206-623-5124.

Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County (northern California) is hosting a weekend-long intensive workshop on “Community Organizing for Deep Democracy.” Learn how to organize in your own communities to reclaim citizen sovereignty and local democracy. Learn the history, analysis, networks, and legal and educational strategies needed to take an active role in the radical democracy movement. The Deep Democracy Retreat is ideal for activists, educators, and community organizers engaged in issues of economic, environmental or social justice in their communities. Democracy Unlimited recently passed a revolutionary and strategic ballot initiative challenging corporate personhood and asserting community rights. The August 10-12 workshop will occur in Humboldt County, CA. Limited to 20 participants, so register early! Info: www.duhc.org or Hannah Clapsadle 707‑269‑0984.

Visit and support peace communities in Colombia’s areas of conflict as part of the national FOR’s courageous work there. Info: 415-495-6334 e-mail forcolombia@igc.org.

Pax Christi National Assembly features Jack Jezreel from JustFaith Ministries, Prisoner of Conscience Camilio Maya, national security/intelligence expert Ray McGovern, and Rev. Charles Morris. Topics include Cooking Intelligence, Faith Response to Global Warming and Sustainability, and more. Seattle University. $135. Info: www.paxchristiusa.org/news_Events_more.asp?id=1254

Encampment (and National March on Sat Sept 29) in Washington DC. The Troops Out Now Coalition has proposed this, and support is growing. Info: www.TroopsOutNow.org

Join with thousands of people of faith in Washington DC to launch a renewed movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. Come to develop skills for motivating others and mobilizing faith communities, strategize ways to best influence decision-makers, and visit your representative’s and senators’ offices to speak out for hungry people. Info: www.bread.org/gathering2007

2:00 pm at the Methodist Church at 506 S Washington Ave, Centralia. Bring snacks to share. Give agenda items to facilitator Karen, 767-0161 or kirkwoodweaver@hotmail.com.

5:00 finger-food potluck; 6:00 announcements; 6:30 speaker. Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th Street, Seattle (on Phinney Ridge NW of Woodland Park). Info: 206-789-5565 www.scn.org/wwfor.

This excellent one-day training is for 501(c)(3) managers, staff, and volunteers that plan to lobby, work on ballot initiatives, engage in election-related activities and/or team with 501(c)(4)’s and other non-501(c)(3) organizations. Learn from Alliance for Justice attorney-trainers about the federal and state rules that apply and how to make sure your organization stays in compliance. It is a fast-paced, informative event – valuable for both novices and the experienced alike. 8:30 am Registration, 9:00 am – 4:15 pm Workshop. University of Washington School of Social Work, Room 305, 4101 15th Ave NE, Seattle. Fee is $60 for training, materials, and lunch. Register by June 8 at www.afj.org/nonprofit/worryfree.html. Info and registration by phone: Kyle Murphy 866-675-6229 or kyle@afj.org. This event is open to all.

Celebrate people who have worked hard to take “big money” out of election campaigns. Hear David Donnelly, organizer and architect of Maine’s pioneering Clean Elections program. Enjoy entertainment. 6-7 pm social hour and no-host bar. 7-9 pm dinner and program. Jerry M. Brockey Center, South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle $35 per person. RSVP and indicate dinner choice: www.washclean.org. Register on-line or send a check payable to WPC to Washington Public Campaigns, PO Box 45088, Seattle WA 98145-0088 Info: 206-283-6297 dinner@washclean.org.

Join Tom for some humorous stories, user-friendly songs, and acoustic folk philosophy that are guaranteed to leave you smiling. Armed with long-necked banjo and other weapons of mass delight, Tom will have you singing along in no time. Tune up your vocal chords; you’ll need ‘em! 1:00 pm at the Tacoma Friends Meeting House (Hillside Community Church), 2508 South 39th St. (on hill behind Borders Bookstore on 38th near Tacoma Mall. On 38th go west past Steele, left on Fife, left on 39th. Donations of any amounts are welcome and will be divided between Hillside, the FOR, and Tom.

Polls keep showing that seven out of every ten Americans are “dissatisfied” with our country’s direction and feel we’re on the “wrong track.” The right wing has utterly failed. Now we have an unparalleled opportunity to map out a new progressive direction and build support for bold reforms that seemed out of reach mere months ago. The Campaign for America’s Future is sponsoring this broad-based event in Washington DC. It 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 speakers, workshops, skills training, and strategy sessions. Info: Campaign for America’s Future www.ourfuture.org and www.tba2007.confabb.com/conferences/tba2007/details

Earth Ministry, an organization that helps the religious community work with the environment, invites people to informal gatherings to share ways to “green” the activities of their respective congregations. From carpool Sundays to creation-oriented liturgy to involving children in pea patches, you’ll have an opportunity to report on the creation care activities of your home congregation and hear what is working in other churches. This is a time to share your sustainability ideas, get advice, and tell success stories. You can also inspire other congregations to take action! Everyone is welcome! 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at a Tacoma location to be confirmed soon. Please RSVP to Jill Clapp-Hansen at jill@earthministry.org or 206-632-2426. Join Earth Ministry at www.earthministry.org, or by calling 206-632-2426. Memberships begin at $35/year and include a subscription to its quarterly journal, Earth Letter.

Guadalupe Gala fundraising dinner and auction will feature sing-alongs, bluegrass music and more! 6:30 pm at Holy Cross Hall, 5510 North 44th St, Tacoma. Info: Peter 253-226-9605, Laura 253-640-5706 or tacomacatholicworker.googlepages.com.

Authors Dave Lindorff, Elizabeth de la Vega, Phil Burk, and other experts on impeachment will speak in Seattle this afternoon. Details available soon. Sponsors include Washington For Impeachment and Eastside FOR.

Elizabeth de la Vega worked 21 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting complex federal crimes. Her book is a hypothetical grand jury presentation that allows the reader to evaluate the Bush administration’s use of prewar intelligence in light of the applicable law from the perspective of an actual grand juror. Since 2004 she has written about political and legal issues for various publications, including the Nation, TomDispatch, Salon, Mother Jones and the L.A Times. On February 20 she spoke at Olympia’s giant impeachment event. 7:00 pm at King’s Books, 218 St. Helens Ave (north end of downtown), Tacoma. Sponsor: United for Peace of Pierce County.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is bringing together people from across the nation for a June 26th Day of Action in Washington DC to demand the restoration of our rights and a return to the values embodied in the Constitution. Call on members of Congress to restore habeas corpus and due process, stop extraordinary rendition; co-sponsor the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007; investigate wrongdoing and hold those who broke the law accountable; and restore American values and the rule of law. Info: 206-624-2184 in Seattle or www.aclu.org.

Are you thirsty for an opportunity to build community that is action-geared, intentional, intergenerational, creative and interfaith? Do you want to deepen your understanding of nonviolence as a way of life and tool for political change? Do you want to bridge education into action and make concrete changes in culture and policy? Stop wars at home and abroad? This event will bring together teams of artists, community leaders, activists and Cultural Creatives of all ages to be a part of local, winnable organizing campaigns to get violence out of our schools and communities. It’s the first step in becoming certified as a Grassroots Civilian Diplomat with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR). This weekend event (Friday July 20 through Sunday July 22) at Shalom Hill Farm in Windom, Minnesota, will include:

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The US Social Forum in Atlanta GA is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression. The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other’s experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world. Info: www.ussf2007.org.

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! Keynote speaker Kathy Kelly has vast experience doing courageous nonviolent work in and about Iraq and currently leads Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Mark C. Johnson, the national FOR’s new Executive Director, will also keynote, as will alejandra cecilia Tobar alatriz, organizer and nonviolence trainer with the national FOR’s Peacemaker Training Institute. A children’s program, talent show, 18 great workshops, and other activities are simply amazing! Every year we gather at the Seabeck Conference Center in Kitsap County. Please pre-register now! Download complete program and registration info from the Western Washington FOR’s website, wwfor@connectexpress.com Info: 360-491-9093 info@olyfor.org in Olympia or 206-789-5565 in Seattle.

“Why We Fight” film looks at the causes of war, at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation (OUUC), 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Everyone is welcome. Free, but $5-$25 sliding-scale donations are welcome. This is part of a monthly movie series sponsored by OUUC’s Social Justice Committee and the Alliance for Democracy’s South Puget Sound Chapter. Movies play on the first Friday of each month at the same location. Info: Howard Rosenfeld, 360-790-4020 hrstruggle@comcast.net, or www.sounddemocracy.org and www.olyuu.org

A video of Olympia’s February 20 Town Hall Meeting featuring David Lindorff, Ray McGovern and Elizabeth de la Vega will be shown at 8:30 pm on TCTV cable channel 22 in Thurston County. Info: www.CitizensImpeach.org Gail Johnson 786-1246 gail.johnson1@comcast.net or Jerry Smith 491-1540 smithginjer@turbotek.net.

The local Alliance for Democracy group presents a Special Screening of the Reclaiming Democracy TV show with four hard hitting 30-minute interviews with Antonia Juhasz, author of The Bush Agenda; John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man; Bruce Gagnon, author and activist re: war and the weaponization of space; and David Korten, author of The Great Turning. Discussion will follow. 7:00 pm at Traditions Fair Trade Café, 5th & Water SW, Olympia. Free admission, but any donations will go toward costs of traveling to the 2007 US Social Forum in Atlanta for taping additional episodes. The Reclaiming Democracy TV show airs every Monday at 6 am and every Friday at 6 pm on TCTV channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable subscribers. Info: www.sounddemocracy.org.

Sponsored by local Buddhist congregations and organizations. Free open house at Saint Martin’s Pavilion, 5300 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey. Enjoy guest speakers, booths, music (RagDharma– Classical Indian Music -somewhere around 4 pm!), snacks, fun, and good karma. Come celebrate and learn about local Buddhist groups and the Buddhist spiritual tradition. Info: Robert 360-357-2825.

Olympia FOR’s June 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 June 28 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Thurston County. See Olympia FOR’s monthly programming for further details. Info: Glen 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

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 jacquiAFD@comcast.net.

Climate Solutions works for creative win-win solutions to reduce energy use and climate disruption and help our region’s economy. It’s a well-respected organization that really achieves results. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres and a short program from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the Waterstreet Cafe’s Wine Cellar Room, 219 Legion Way SW, Suite 101. Please RSVP: teresa@climatesolutions.org or 360-352-1763 ext 106.

The week of June 5-10 marks the beginning of the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Olympians for Peace in the Middle East, the Rachel Corrie Foundation, and Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project will join today’s regularly scheduled vigil from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at the south end of Percival Landing, 4th & Water. Info about this Middle East aspect: Annamarie Murano 360-867-6724 or ammurano@gmail.com. Info about the regular vigil: Olympia FOR 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

Watch a video of the Olympia FOR’s June TV program with other people and free refreshments at Glen’s house at 2 pm. It’s a great opportunity if you don’t have cable or don’t have TV – or if you just want to watch the program with other good folks. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net. Find more information on OlyFOR’s Monthly TV page.

Video & discussion 6:30 pm at Olympia Timberland Library, 8th & Franklin. Sponsor: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney. Info: www.CitizensImpeach.org Gail Johnson 786-1246 gail.johnson1@comcast.net or Jerry Smith 491-1540 smithginjer@turbotek.net.

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 and meets monthly at 12 noon on the second Wednesday of each month at Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 8th & Washington. Info: Leslie Romer LeslieHR@aol.com

Dr. Mona El-Farra, Palestinian physician, human rights leader and educator from the Gaza Strip, will speak at Traditions Café, 300 5th Ave SW, on Sunday, June 17th, at 7 PM. As Director of Gaza Projects for the Middle East Children’s Alliance, a health development consultant for the Union of Health Work Committees in Gaza and Vice President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Dr. El-Farra is uniquely positioned to speak of the current situation in Israel-Palestine. In the U.S., she has provided commentary about Gaza for Democracy Now! and National Public Radio. She is currently co-writing a book with Noam Chomsky. A frequent speaker at European conferences, Dr. El-Farra is making her first trip to the US, where she will, also, speak at the US Social Forum in Atlanta and the “The World Says No to Israeli Occupation,” a mass mobilization in Washington DC to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Six Day War. In 2003, Dr. El-Farra founded the Rachel Corrie Children and Youth Cultural Center in Rafah to provide children with health care, a library, computers and opportunities to explore the arts. The Olympia event is sponsored by the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice, Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project, and Veterans for Peace Rachel Corrie Chapter 109. Donations will be accepted for Rafah projects that directly benefit women, children, and families. Info: 360-754-3998 or www.rachelcorriefoundation.org.

The Steering Committee meets at 5:30 pm to provide overall guidance and decision-making, followed by a potluck picnic starting at 6:30. See detailed article for more info. Everyone is welcome to attend both the meeting and the picnic. Info: 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org

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. Free, but contributions are appreciated to support more workshops. Info: Liv 357-4503 or liv@psncc.org.

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, or on the web: www.omjp.org.

Watch a video of the Olympia FOR’s June TV program with other people and free refreshments at Glen’s house at 7 pm. It’s a great opportunity if you don’t have cable or don’t have TV – or if you just want to watch the program with other good folks. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 491-9093 or glen@olywa.net. See our OlyFOR Monthly Programming page for more information.

Learn the basics of nonprofit financial management so you can stay on track. Keeping track of the money you are given for your work in the community is becoming more and more of a challenge with new regulations. The Thurston County Progressive Network (TC Pro-Net) offers this workshop through the Tacoma-based Nonprofit Center. 7:00-9:00 pm at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW, downtown Olympia. Pre-registration is required. $25 for TC Pro-Net members, or $45 for non-members, which includes a one year membership. (Tuition must be paid in full in advance.) Contact Sam Garst SamGarst@aol.com or mail your registration fee to TC Pro-Net Workshops, PO Box 2566, Olympia, WA 98507. Info: www.tcpronet.org.

Sat June 16: Super Saturday at The Evergreen State College: Visit the Olympia FOR’s death penalty abolition info table and info tables of other progressive organizations surrounding the round Lecture Hall building to your left as you enter Red Square. Info about the event: www.evergreen.edu/SuperSaturday Info about our death penalty info table: Chuck or Rozanne, 360-705-8520.

Support equal human rights for GLBTQ folks! Meet in front of the Capitol Bldg at 11:30 am for a welcome and performers. Drumming occurs at 12:00 noon. The parade to Sylvester Park begins at 12:30, and the celebration there continues until 5:00 pm. Visit the Olympia FOR’s death penalty abolition info table in the park. Info about the event: www.CapitalCityPride.net. Info about our death penalty info table: Chuck or Rozanne, 360-705-8520.

All veterans and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time. 2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Café, 5th & Water. Info: Jim James 360-570-0885.

Each month progressive folks gather from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Fish Bowl Brew Pub to meet new and old friends, enjoy the company of like-minded people, and share information and networking about progressive political issues. Sponsor [and info]: Thurston County Progressive Network (TC Pro-Net).

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, 360-705-8520.

Throughout the nation local folks will host potlucks and/or meetings in homes and community gathering spaces to talk about personal and national security – not about weapons or alarm systems, but about creating security through generosity, kindness, and concern for other people. Although our culture warns us to watch out for our own interests for fear of never having enough, participants will discuss how this prevailing ideology of scarcity has shaped a foreign policy of extreme national self-interest – and how a strategy of generosity can reshape our culture. Info: Zach Dorfman at 510-644-1200 zach@tikkun.org and www.reachandteachcom/rtsurvey/public/survey.php?name=houseparties_survey. Two relevant articles are at www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php?story=20070228183252814 and www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php?story=20070517100853738.

Using the national FOR’s curriculum Dave Bellefeuille-Rice from Olympia and Janet Brown from the Oregon FOR are facilitating nonviolence training in Olympia. Please register now! See also this article. Info: Dave 943-6264 or bellefeuille-rice@juno.com

Open meeting. 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. 3:30-5:00 pm. Location & more info: Robert Lovitt 360-357-2825 or lovitthere@scattercreek.com on the web: www.ssbpf.org.

A five-day silent retreat for anyone seeking renewal and holy leisure. This is a time to be present to self and to God. $425. Register with St. Placid Priory by Monday, June 18. Info: 438-2595 or www.stplacid.org.

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.

The 17th annual event will bring women together to examine issues related to work, family, health care, diversity, and more. Develop skills in thinking critically, communicating effectively, facilitating groups, and building consensus. Sponsor: TESC Labor Education and Research Center. Some scholarships are available. Info: Nina Triffleman 360-867-6055 trifflen@evergreen.edu.

Olympia FOR’s July 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 July 30 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Thurston County. See our OlyFOR monthly programming page for more details. Info: Glen 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

Planning is starting now for this progressive 4th of July event 7-10 pm in Sylvester Park. See also News-Resources-Opportunities page.

This feature-length documentary took 10 years to make during 9 different journeys throughout Tibet, India and Nepal. “Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion” brings audiences to the long-forbidden “rooftop of the world” with an unprecedented richness of imagery from rarely-seen rituals in remote monasteries, to horse races with Khamba warriors; from brothels and slums in the holy city of Lhasa, to magnificent Himalayan peaks still traveled by nomadic yak caravans. Join with others on the first Friday of each month to watch a different documentary film about corporate power, consumerism with a conscience, or peace. 7:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation (OUUC), 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. This monthly movie series is sponsored by OUUC’s Social Justice Committee and the Alliance for Democracy’s South Puget Sound Chapter. Everyone is welcome. Free, but $5-$25 sliding-scale donations are welcome. Info: Howard Rosenfeld, 360-790-4020 hrstruggle@comcast.net, www.sounddemocracy.org and www.olyuu.org.

Learn to pray with body movements, divine reading, looking and listening. 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the St. Placid Priory Spirituality Center. $50. Register by Fri. June 29. Info 360-438-2595 or www.stplacid.org.

Dessert Potluck and Silent Auction to benefit South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship - 3 to 6pm. Bring two of the same desserts - one for sampling and one to auction. Your donation of services (ex: an evening of baby sitting, a massage, weeding, sailboat ride, etc.) and/or valuable item donations for our silent auction would be deeply appreciated! Music, Munching and Good Karma at the Bodhi House, 4846 Johnson Point Rd NE, Olympia. Event and donation info: Willis 459-1967 or SSBPF@comcast.net

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 and meets monthly at 12 noon on the second Wednesday of each month, this month at First Christian Church, 7th & Franklin. Info: Leslie Romer at LeslieHR@aol.com.

The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy meets 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.

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

Thurs July 12: Watch a video of the Olympia FOR’s July TV program with other people and free refreshments at Glen’s house at 7 pm. It’s a great opportunity if you don’t have cable or don’t have TV – or if you just want to watch the program with other good folks. Free popcorn & other refreshments. Space is limited, so please reserve your space at 360‑491‑9093 or glen@olywa.net.

All veterans and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time. 2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Café, 5th & Water. Info: Jim James 570-0885.

Meeting 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, 360-705-8520.

Mail or e-mail articles, news, calendar items, etc., before July 19 if possible, or slightly past this date for late-breaking news. Contact Glen 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship hosts an open meeting. 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. 3:30-5:00 pm. Location & more info: Robert Lovitt 360-357-2825 e-mail SSBPF@comcast.net or www.ssbpf.org.

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.

This documentary film examines the fast food industry’s health risks and environmental and social consequences. Join with others on the first Friday of each month to watch a different documentary film about corporate power, consumerism with a conscience, or peace. 7:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation (OUUC), 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. This monthly movie series is sponsored by OUUC’s Social Justice Committee and the Alliance for Democracy’s, South Puget Sound Chapter. Everyone is welcome. Free, but $5-$25 sliding-scale donations are welcome. Info: Howard Rosenfeld, 360-790-4020, e-mail hrstruggle@comcast.net, www.sounddemocracy.org and www.olyuu.org.

Spend whatever time you can in silence during a 24-hour block of time from 12 noon Saturday to 12 noon Sunday at the Tivoli Fountain at the Capitol Campus (near 12th & Capitol Way). Please, no personal conversations, signs or posters. Flashlights allowed during the night. Sponsor: Interfaith Works of Thurston County. Info: 360-357-7224 or www.interfaith-works.org.

The Steering Committee meets at 5:30 pm to provide overall guidance and decision-making, followed by a potluck picnic starting at 6:30. Similar to the June events. Everyone is welcome to attend both the meeting and the picnic. Info: 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

Every year the traditional Japanese midsummer festival Bon Odori ends with a beautiful and well attended ceremony of floating lanterns on a body of water. After the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan during this part of the year, the ceremony has taken on an additional symbolism to remember all who have died in war and to seek peace. The Olympia FOR organizes and conducts this part of each year’s Bon Odori event during the evening. Info: Kristen Dahle 360-357-3553 kjdahle@comcast.net.

In the modern world’s hectic, inhumane pace of life, reclaim one day to rediscover and assert your humanity. How might people do this? See www.TimeDay.org.

Planning is starting now for another special time Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon in Lacey with FOR folks from throughout Western Washington. Info: Glen 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

In May 2006 and in March and May of 2007, the ports in Olympia, Tacoma and Aberdeen, respectively, allowed ships to load military equipment and weapons for Iraq.
We all know that the war and years-long military occupation in Iraq violate U.S. law and international law in many ways. It violates the United Nations Charter, which prohibits starting aggressive wars.

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American society – even a community as sweet and caring as Thurston County – has sharply mixed feelings about homelessness.

On the one hand: It’s considered nice to express compassion for people who are down on their luck. Many people contribute to charities to relieve the suffering of severe poverty.

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“PeaceTrees Vietnam: Reversing the Legacy of War” – 10th Anniversary Edition: Local producers Carol Burns and Chris Stegman created this documentary with the PeaceTrees Vietnam organization. It tells the story of a project carried out in Quang Tri Province. Former enemies worked together, cleared landmines, planted trees, and created “Friendship Forest Park” on one of the fieriest battlegrounds of the Vietnam War.

A lot of misinformation about sexuality is spread by some entities with their own agendas. As an antidote to that malady, this month’s film comes from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice’s National Black Religious Summit. It promotes better information and understanding about sex and sexuality in faith communities.