Learn about the Peak Oil crisis and start planning how to reduce the dangers and cope with the consequences. What can individuals, nonprofit organizations, and state & local governments do to minimize our roles in causing the global oil crisis, and how can we plan ahead now to reduce its devastating impacts? Sponsor: Olympia FOR. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093 glen@olywa.net.

The new local chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Olympia Center. Info: Barry Christianson, (360) 379-4055 or phoenixresearch@cablespeed.com.

Watch the 1982 movie Gandhi tonight, and read and discuss two easy-to-read books on five more Tuesday evenings (alternating Tuesday evenings through November 27. Sponsor: Olympia FOR. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

This documentary film uses poetry by soldiers, civilians, journalists, medical providers and others with first-hand experience to interact with our emotions about war. Sometimes poetry can lead us to greater truths than mere facts can. 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, email hrstruggle@comcast.net, or www.sounddemocracy.org and www.olyuu.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 email jacquiAFD@comcast.net.

Olympia FOR’s September 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 Sept 27 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Thurston County. Info: Glen 491-9093 or glen@olywa.net.

This education project uses art, poetry, and education to heal the effects of violence and war. Interesting and thoughtful panel members will spark good discussions. Student admission is free. The $10 donations from the general public will benefit Voices in Wartime teacher workshops. Info: www.voicesinwartime.org. Local endorsers also include Veterans for Peace, Poets Against War, and SpokenwordLAB. Info: Molly Gibbs 412-1519 mollygibbs@comcast.net.

Watch and discuss this stunning documentary film about young American soldiers in Iraq. See exclusive footage of patriotic young Americans as they experience recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate. Upon returning home, some face even worse battles with personal demons, an uncomprehending public, and an indifferent government. 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.

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

Impeachment information table at the Olympia Farmers Market. Sponsor: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney, www.CitizensImpeach.org. Info: 360-491-9093.

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 867-6513 or www.omjp.org.

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 info@olyfor.org.

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

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 chuckschultz3@msn.com rozannerants@yahoo.com.

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.

Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicut of M*A*S*H), who is also a progressive political activist, will speak about activism at the local level. This outreach event welcomes the folks who are “mad as hell” but not yet doing much about it. Everyone is invited to SPSCC’s Minnaert Center to hear Farrell and take a step into grassroots action! Free. Info tables. Sponsors: BRICK (the SPSCC progressive political group) and Thurston County Progressive Network (TC Pro-Net). Info: shardon@comcast.net and www.tcpronet.org.

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.

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 www.omjp.org.

Mark your calendar for Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon in Lacey with FOR folks from throughout Western Washington. Info: Glen 360-491-9093 glen@olywa.net or Western Washington FOR 206-789-5565 wwfor@connectexpress.com

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

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.