Olympia FOR’s monthly program (listed below) is broadcast every Monday at 1:30 p.m. and every Thursday at 9:00 p.m., on TCTV cable channel 22. See below for more details.

“The Big Picture” series (listed below) is broadcast Sundays at 10:00 p.m. and every Wednesday & Friday at 3:30 a.m., on TCTV cable channel 22 in Thurston County. See below for program details.

A presentation by Mel Duncan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), which trains and places people to practice active nonviolence in conflict situations in several parts of the world. NP developed a new model of providing security and protection using strictly nonviolent means. Get a progress report and a look into the future. Mel Duncan recently won this year’s Pfeffer Peace Prize, which is administered through the national FOR. Everyone is welcome. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Assistive listening devices will be available for people who are hard of hearing. 7:00 pm at the University Friends Meeting House, 4001 9th Avenue NE (near University District) Seattle. Sponsor: Western Washington Nonviolent Peaceforce.

Justice Works! hosts this party monthly to help people reconnect with the community after release from prison. 7:30-9:30 pm, Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. If possible, bring food and family and friends to share this potluck. Info: Jody 206-309-2087 or justice_works@yahoo.com

Celebrate in the downstairs auditorium at the Washington State Historical Museum on Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. Free program at 7:00 pm features speaker, music, and audience participation in the traditional public reading of the Bill of Rights.

On November 1 Ruah Swennerfelt and Louis Cox began a 1,400-mile “Peace for Earth Walk” from Vancouver BC to San Diego, California. During these six months, they are talking with Quaker groups (Friends meetings and churches) about how in the 1700s Quaker John Woolman’s call to live in right relationship with all of Creation is as relevant in the 21st century as it was 250 years ago. Like Woolman, they are traveling on foot and, as much as possible, staying with Friends along the way. They will speak at 9:30 am at Olympic View Friends Church, 201 Browns Point Blvd NE, Tacoma. Info: www.peaceforearth.org.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the 3:00 business meeting of Tacoma FOR, 4:00 program, and 5:00 potluck at the Tacoma Friends Meeting-House (Hillside Community Church), 2508 S 39th St., Tacoma. Info: David Lambert 253-759-2280 or Vivi Bartron 253-572-4912.

The Priorities for a Healthy Washington coalition is sponsoring this at Seattle Pacific University to inform ourselves to work on each of the four top priority environmental issues before the 2008 Washington State Legislature (See the listing in News-Resources-Opportunities) Hear elected officials, and enjoy workshops to improve your lobbying skills. Info: www.environmentalpriorities.org.

Gather in Shelton to learn from Aimee Allison and David Solnit, counter-recruitment activists with the “Army of None Project” and authors of the powerful and practical new book, Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment. This presentation will help local and immigrant students and will feature interactive, engaging activities, youth-oriented music, food and drinks. Co-sponsors: Know All You Can Know (KAYCK) and the Center for Community Based Learning and Action. Info: Anne and Kurt 206-719-7098 or rosie1352@comcast.net.

This is an Intensive Introductory Training facilitated by Andrea Cohen and Susan Partnow. The Compassionate Listening Project teaches powerful skills for peacemaking in families, communities, on the job, and in social change work locally and globally. It emphasizes speaking and listening from the heart, even in the heat of conflict. Their Compassionate Listening curriculum grew out of our many years of reconciliation work on the ground in Israel and Palestine. In 1999 CL’s leaders adapted their trainings and began to teach in the U.S. Now trainings and workshops occur worldwide for everyday peace-building. 9:30 am to 6:00 pm at 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Suite 140, in Seattle’s Wallingford area. Parking is free. The sliding-scale cost ranges from $150 to $300, as appropriate for you. Advanced registration required. Info: Andrea Cohen 206-523-6018 cohencomm@comcast.net or www.compassionatelistening.org.

Fire Mountain (Lewis County) FOR monthly meeting at 2:00 pm. Info: Karen 360-767-0161.

Tacoma FOR enjoys a 3:00 pm business meeting, 4:00 pm program, and 5:00 pm potluck. Tacoma Friends Meeting House (Hillside Community Church), 2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma, just west of Borders Bookstore on 38th St. near the Tacoma Mall. Info: David Lambert 253-759-2280 or Vivi Bartron 253-572-4912.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak in Seattle sometime between April 12 and 15 at the Seeds of Compassion Gathering. Tickets and info will become available in January.

Olympia FOR’s December 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 Dec 31 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Thurston County. See also our OlyFOR monthly programming article. Info: Glen 491-9093 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 or jacquiAFD@comcast.net.

At more than $80 billion a year, coffee is the most valuable trading commodity in the world after oil. Multinational coffee companies dominate this industry. Sadly, the price paid to coffee farmers remains terribly low. The movie “Black Gold” (www.blackgoldmovie.com) examines the issues. Watch it at 7:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation (OUUC), 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Stay for a discussion with buyers from two of Olympia’s prominent coffee companies. 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 Jacqui Brown Miller at 360-236-9684.

Gather with other local folks to plan further activities. 7:00-9:00 pm at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW, downtown. Sponsor: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney, 360-491-9093 or 491-1540 www.CitizensImpeach.org.

The new local chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at a location to be scheduled soon (most likely at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW). Info: Barry Christianson, 360-379-4055 or e-mail phoenixresearch@cablespeed.com.

Would you like to fill your world with more respect, hope and love – and reduce the criticism, misunderstanding and violence? Liv Monroe offers her popular introduction to Nonviolent Communication, providing specific, immediately usable tools to promote honesty and compassion. Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Marshall Rosenberg’s radical process, helps resolve conflicts and reduce criticism, defensiveness, blame, shame, misunderstandings and violence between and within individuals. Join us to see if this fits for you as a way to increase the world’s supply of respect, integrity, trust, cooperation, and love. 6:45-9:00 pm at Lincoln School Cafeteria, 21st & Washington SW, Olympia. Info: Liv Monroe 360-357-4503 or www.psncc.org.

Olympia FOR Steering Committee meets to provide overall guidance and decision-making. 7:00 pm at Dennis Mills’ home in NW Olympia. Everyone is welcome to attend. Info: 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.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.

A presentation by TESC professor Peter Bohmer, 12 noon to 1 pm at Spangler Hall Lounge, St. Martin’s University. Sponsor: Olympia Economics Club. Info: Lizbeth 360-786-5123.

The 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. This month’s performance is in collaboration with Camp Quixote, an independent free-form tent city in Olympia, formed by the Poor People’s Union, who believe shelter, dignity and mental and physical health are basic human entitlements. 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.

All veterans and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time, 2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water. Info: Jody Tiller 705-3384 or hungryforpeace@gmail.com.

Wed Dec 19: 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.

The Iraq Moratorium will be an escalating monthly series of actions demanding an end to the war. Devote a significant part of today to build the peace movement and show the U.S. government that our troops must be brought home, now! Take this pledge: “On the third Friday of every month, I will break my daily routine and take some action, by myself or with others, to end the War in Iraq.” Info: www.iraqmoratorium.org.

The OMJP meets from 7 to 9 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays to plan a variety of activities to work for justice and peace everywhere. Call Larry at 360-280-6198 to verify whether tonight’s meeting will be rescheduled.

On this traditional Feast of Holy Innocents day, please gather from 7:00 to 8:00 am for a sunrise peace vigil to remember Afghan, Iraqi and other children who are victims of war. The children victims of our weapons and policies and dismissed as “collateral damage.” We will challenge this dismissal and challenge the continued war policies that create more child victims. Gather from 7:00 to 8:00 am on the south side of Fourth Avenue west of Water Street, across from the Oyster House Restaurant in downtown Olympia. Info: Bob Zeigler 360-570-0848 or zeiglerbob@msn.com.

Who ever thought impeaching Bush & Cheney would be this much fun? 5:00-9:00 pm at The Woman’s Club, 1002 Washington SE, Olympia. More info is available in this article. Sponsor: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney. Info: 360-491-9093 or 491-1540.

Olympia FOR’s January 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 Jan 31 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Thurston County. See this article for more details. Info: Glen 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.

Watch and discuss this film about the growing discontent with big corporate America. The film documents two people who hit the road and travel 13,000 miles through 32 states in search of Independent America with two simple rules: (1) Use only secondary highways and country roads instead of interstates, and (2) Do business only with “Mom & Pop” businesses, no chains. The filmmakers capture pockets of resistance across the country, which adds up to a nationwide opposition. This film encourages people to think hard about where they spend their money. And it offers a rare, and comprehensive view of a country at loggerheads with the free market economy it has mastered. Watch “Independent America” and discuss it at 7:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation (OUUC), 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. 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 Jacqui Brown Miller at 360-236-9684 or jacquiAFD@comcast.net.

(Tentative date) The new local chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at a location to be scheduled soon. Info: Barry Christianson, 360-379-4055 phoenixresearch@cablespeed.com.

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.

A presentation by TESC professor Larry Mosqueda, 12 noon to 1 pm at Spangler Hall Lounge, St. Martin’s University. Sponsor: Olympia Economics Club. Info: Lizbeth 360-786-5123.

Aimee Allison and David Solnit, counter-recruitment activists with the “Army of None Project” and authors of the powerful and practical new book, Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment, will present information, sign books, and answer individual questions. Bands will be featured before and after. Food and drinks will be provided. 7:00 pm to midnight at the Eagles Club, at the corner of Plum & 4th Ave, Olympia. Sponsor: Know All You Can Know (KAYCK) Info: Molly 360-412-1519 or Anne and Kurt 206-719-7098 rosie1352@comcast.net.

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 943-6772 debek@olywa.net.

Holly Gwinn Graham performs music and stories highlighting 35 years of activism at 8:00 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water. Info: www.traditionsfairtrade.com.

Would you like to fill your world with more respect, hope and love – and reduce the criticism, misunderstanding and violence? Liv Monroe offers her popular introduction to Nonviolent Communication, providing specific, immediately usable tools to promote honesty and compassion. Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Marshall Rosenberg’s radical process, helps resolve conflicts and reduce criticism, defensiveness, blame, shame, misunderstandings and violence between and within individuals. Join us to see if this fits for you as a way to increase the world’s supply of respect, integrity, trust, cooperation, and love. 6:45-9:00 pm at Lincoln School Cafeteria, 21st & Washington SW, Olympia. Info: Liv Monroe 360-357-4503 or www.psncc.org.

Sponsored by Students Educating Students About the Middle East (SESAME). Watch films from and about the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa and the Arab World, and hear a variety of speakers. Enjoy the Opening Night Hip Hop Show on Friday January 18. Wrap up the series with a discussion of ending the war and military occupation in Iraq. Info: Anna Murano ammurano@gmail.com.

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 email: info@olyfor.org.

All veterans and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time; 2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water. Info: Jody Tiller 705-3384 hungryforpeace@gmail.com.

Look for publicity about a variety of activities, including the afternoon celebration at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Info: Ruth Elder, Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights, 360-786-5135 elderr@co.thurston.wa.us.

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.

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.

A coalition of 20+ environmental groups chose four “Priorities for a Healthy Washington” to focus their energies during the 2008 Washington State Legislative Session. Find more information in the News, Resources & Opportunities section of this website or www.environmentalpriorities.org or www.earthministry.org.

Last summer’s U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta GA led to a “People’s Movement Assembly” (PMA) to continue carrying out the movement building process. The PMA calls for a Global Day of Action on Sat. Jan. 26, when various progressive movements, networks, alliances, etc., can work on any of the US Social Forum’s thematic areas, such as war, militarism, the prison industrial complex, immigrants and migration, workers in a globalized economy, women, indigenous sovereignty, environment, energy, climate, Katrina/Rita survivors and the right to return to the Gulf Coast. Info: pma@ussf2007.org and www.wsf2008.net.

Open meeting: 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.

Faith Advocacy Day supports social & economic justice and the environment at the State Legislature: Faith-based activists gather from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at and near the State Capitol for information, movement-building, lobbying, etc. on behalf of a variety of issues (social and economic justice, environment, etc.) Participants include Washington Association of Churches, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Friends Committee on Washington Public Policies, Religious Coalition for the Common Good, Earth Ministry, and others. Info: David Coombs, Lutheran Public Policy Office, 206-464-4133 or advocacyday@gmail.com.

The Children’s Alliance does terrifically smart and effective advocacy all year around. Join them today at the state Capitol for this largest gathering of child advocates during the legislative session. More than 500 advocates for children from all over the state will gather to learn, lobby, and organize. At 10 a.m. Governor Christine Gregoire will speak at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE. Learn about issues in the morning, then meet with legislators during the day. Info: The Children’s Alliance 206-324-0340 www.childrensalliance.org.

This year’s location is changed to Traditions Café. Look for information in our Feb-March newsletter. Info: 360-491-9093.

Environmentalists collaborate to press 2008 State Legislature for “Priorities for a Healthy Washington.” A coalition of more than 20 environmental groups chose four “Priorities for a Healthy Washington” to focus their energies during the 2008 Washington State Legislative Session. (Two faith-based groups in this coalition are Earth Ministry and the Lutheran Public Policy Office.) Last year the Healthy Washington Coalition succeeded in all four bills: Clean Air/Clean Fuels, Save our Sound, $100 Million for Wildlife and Recreation Program, and Eliminating Toxic Flame Retardants. The 2008 Priorities for a Healthy Washington are: Washington Climate Action (making real, practical progress toward climate-protecting goals), Local Solutions to Global Warming (helping local governments make responsible plans to reduce climate disruptions), Evergreen Cities (protecting the trees and forests in our cities), Local Farms - Healthy Kids (protecting kids’ health and small local farms by getting more locally grown produce into our schools and food banks). More information will be available at www.environmentalpriorities.org as these bills are developed further. More info from Earth Ministry 206-632-2426 www.earthministry.org. Also see the Local Calendar listing for more details.

A large and vibrant 18th annual vigil in mid-November made more progress toward closing this place where the U.S. army trains Latin American military forces who go back home and commit horrible human rights abuses. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Rabbi Michael Lerner, and Sister Mary Waskowiak addressed the crowd with messages of hope. While thousands commemorated the martyrs in a solemn funeral procession, 11 activists were arrested in related nonviolent civil disobedience actions. Sponsor: SOA Watch.

Instant runoff voting (IRV) lets voters rank their choices of candidates. If no first-choice candidate exceeds 50% of the votes, the lowest-ranked candidate drops off, the votes of persons who had chosen that candidate are redistributed to their second-choice candidate, and the process repeats with the next lowest-ranked candidate dropping off until one candidate emerges with more than 50% of the votes. IRV allows each voter to vote for whom they want, rather than “the lesser of two evils,” and it eliminates the cumbersome primary election by letting IRV sort out the voters’ preferences during the general election. In November 2007 a whopping 77% of voters in Aspen CO and 78% in Sarasota FL chose to begin using IRV. In Pierce County WA 65% of voters chose a county charter amendment to keep IRV on track for the hotly contested 2008 county executive race. Clallam County WA’s voters narrowly rejected establishing IRV as an option in their county charter. Several cities successfully held ranked voting elections. San Francisco CA held its fourth IRV election overall, and its first for mayor, with first-round winners in three citywide races. Takoma Park MD smoothly held its first IRV election for mayor, without any spoiled ballots. The city of Hendersonville NC, following in the footsteps of Cary NC in using IRV this fall, had a strong first IRV election for two city council seats. Info: www.FairVote.org.

On September 25 when Italy’s premier Romano Prodi addressed the United Nations General Assembly he called for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty with a view to its complete abolition, a move he said would guarantee better justice around the globe and an end to cultures of vengeance. Prodi told the General Assembly a “growing trend” worldwide against capital punishment boded well for his efforts, and support for the moratorium was growing “day by day” in Europe and in every region of the world. He called for “a society that has at last freed itself from the spiral of revenge.” A moratorium was expected to face opposition from the major users of the death penalty, including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the U.S., but about 90 countries had expressed support for Italy’s push for a moratorium. The resolution would need two-thirds of the votes in the 192-member U.N. General Assembly to pass. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reportedly supports Prodi’s moratorium proposal. Rome’s Coliseum, once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions, has become a symbol of the country’s stance. Since 1999, it is lit up every time a death sentence is commuted somewhere in the world or a country abolishes capital punishment.

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has put together a non-partisan report reviewing each presidential candidate’s position on the death penalty. You can find the report in Adobe PDF format at www.abolishdeathpenalty.org/Resources.htm.

Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) wants to stop selling elections and politicians to the highest bidder. WPC wants state and local governments to offer public financing of election campaigns as an alternative to the current system in which “special interests” provide most funding. During December— before the Washington State Legislature convenes in January— you might ask your state legislators to support “voter-owned elections” (public financing of political campaigns) with a special focus on the “local option,” state legislation that would allow local governments to allow public financing if they choose to. WPC’s website, www.washclean.org shows which legislators support public financing. In the 22nd Leg. Dist., State Sen. Karen Fraser and State Rep. Sam Hunt support the local option, and Sam Hunt is listed as also supporting public funding for judicial races. State Rep. Brendan Williams is not listed as supporting any of these bills.

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has a Project on Government Secrecy and publishes Steven Aftergood’s “Secrecy News,” which has a great reputation for accuracy and jaw-dropping revelations. See www.fas.org/blog/secrecy.

A new poll by Zogby International has found that 51% of Americans want Congress to probe the actions of President Bush and Vice President Cheney before, during and after the 9/11 attacks. The poll also found that 67% of respondents feel the 9/11 Commission should have investigated the collapse of the 47-story World Trade Center Building Seven. The poll was sponsored by the www.911truth.org.

The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) reports a growing number of people signing up for its 2008 War Tax Boycott. NWTRCC invites people to promise to resist some of their war taxes at www.WarTaxBoycott.org/regform.php. A number of groups support this action, including Voices for Creative Nonviolence, the War Resisters League, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Veterans for Peace, and the Nonviolent Direct Action Working Group of United for Peace and Justice. NWTRCC says, “The more signers we have the more impact this campaign will have.” NWTRCC invites people to get information and consider legal and financial risks before making a decision. Info: NWTRCC, PO Box 150553, Brooklyn NY 11215, (718) 768-3420 or toll-free (800) 269-7464. Fax: (718) 768-4388; also www.nwtrcc.org or www.wartaxboycott.org.

The Vietnam Friendship Village Project is a residence for children and elderly people suffering from the impact of Agent Orange. Built on a former rice paddy near Hanoi, the Friendship Village is a living symbol of peace and reconciliation, an amazing example of former enemies working together for a common compassionate cause. Currently, six countries are involved in this international project. The Olympia FOR has contributed financial support. Dan Ryan, a member of the US Committee, is available to present informative documentaries and discussion on this project. He can be reached at 360-352-3293 or peaceguy02@yahoo.com.

Help make the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday happen here in January. You can help in any of several different ways. Info: Ruth Elder, Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights, 360-786-5135 or elderr@co.thurston.wa.us.

A growing movement (more than 7,600 individuals and organizations) supports nominating 88-year-old Pete Seeger for a Nobel Peace Prize. On November 10, 2007, the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation formally joined this effort. Since the 1930s, when Pete Seeger began singing folk songs and working for peace, labor rights, the environment, civil rights, and social justice, he has inspired countless millions of people, helped shape our sense of human responsibility, and helped to build progressive movements. Info: www.nobelprize4pete.org.

PeaceJam is an international education program built around leading Nobel Peace Prize Laureates who work personally with youth to pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody. The goal of PeaceJam is to inspire a new generation of peacemakers who will transform their local communities, themselves, and the world. Different activities are organized for different age groups in various places around the world, including the Pacific Northwest. Info: www.peacejam.org.

The Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia (NACC), a Seattle-based affiliate of the War Resisters League, invites applications for its 2008 grants cycle; grants are available to help grassroots groups organize activists and educate on issues of peace, social justice and community empowerment. The funding limit is $2,000 per recipient group. Apply by January 15, 2008. Grants will be awarded March 1, 2008. See www.seanacc.org/grants.htm or contact NACC, 4554 12th Ave. NE, Seattle WA 98105 (206) 547-0952.

The Direct Action & Research Training (DART) Center will accept applications and resumes until December 31 from persons wanting to learn and work for social and economic justice in the DART Organizers Institute’s paid, four-month community organizing training program, which will run from June 16 through October 5, 2008. DART’s organizers will live in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and work on issues such as schools, job training, drugs, violence, affordable housing, criminal recidivism, and neighborhood revitalization. The DART Organizers Institute combines a 7-day classroom experience with 15-week field training work. DART’s program is designed to prepare people for relevant careers. Info: Ben MacConnel 785-841-2680, email ben@thedartcenter.org or www.thedartcenter.org.

The Nevada Desert Experience (NDE), which organizes protests for faith-based persons and others near Nevada’s nuclear test site near Las Vegas, seeks an Executive Coordinator (full-time or two people at half-time each). Speak to groups, facilitate youth workshops, reach out to diverse religious groups for Sacred Week Peace Walk, and help coordinate spring events at the desert site. Negotiable salary, health stipend, housing. Contact 702-646-4814 info@NevadaDesertExperience.org, or snailmail NDE, 1420 W Bartlett Ave, Las Vegas NV, 89106 (or phone Olympia FOR at 360-491-9093) as soon as possible to get more info, and apply by Feb. 29. Starting date preferably between March and May.

Every year the War Resisters League (WRL), a terrific pacifist organization founded in 1923, publishes an informative and practical calendar that focuses on a particular theme. The theme for 2008 is entitled “Salaam, Shalom, Solh: Nonviolence and Resistance in the Middle East & Beyond”. It’s spiral-bound and suitable for desk, bookshelf or purse, and has 128 pages in 5½” x 8½” format. Each page features a week with space to write appointments, and the opposite page features interesting information on that year’s theme. WRL’s 2008 calendar features an introduction by Kathy Kelly and an afterword by Stephen Zunes. It features contemporary and historical profiles and stories about Middle Eastern peace organizers, conscientious objectors, people working together across differences, nonviolent resistance, women’s peace activities, and constructive programs to build a better world. The cost is $13.95 each or four for $50.00, plus shipping & handling. ISBN: 0-940862-20-4 Info: www.warresisters.org. Order form: https://secure.serve.com/resist/cal2008-ordering.htm) or call (877) 234-8811. WRL’s Statement of Purpose says: “The War Resisters League affirms that all war is a crime against humanity and are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war.” WRL promotes nonviolent education and action.

Very clearly Bush and Cheney have committed impeachable offenses. The Olympia-based Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney and the nationwide After Downing Street have plenty of information. The impeachment movement continues to grow, but some people worry about impeaching Bush and being stuck with Cheney. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) produced a remedy, H.Res. 333, which focuses on impeaching Cheney. Recently H.Res. 333 became H.Res. 799.

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“Who ever thought impeaching Bush & Cheney could be this much fun?”

Yes, it really is possible to impeach Bush and Cheney! Yes, there really is time to do it!

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“Tough Guise” is an educational video geared toward college and high school students. It examines the relationship between pop-cultural imagery and the social construction of masculine identities in the U.S. Jackson Katz argues that widespread violence in American society, including tragic school shootings, needs to be understood as part of an ongoing crisis in masculinity.

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At a time when oil restrictions are looming over the horizon and when tensions between China and the U.S. over U.S. military positioning in Central Asia are surfacing, “The Oil Factor” looks at today’s dwindling oil reserves and sky-rocketing consumption. It then questions the “coincidence” of focusing the so-called U.S. “War on Terror” in the Middle East and Central Asia, where almost three-quarters of the world’s remaining oil and natural gas are located.

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After September 11, 2001, Bush launched what he called a “War on Terror.” The Olympia FOR’s December TCTV program powerfully challenges the bi-partisan assumption that Bush’s so-called “War on Terror” is the right way to deal with the world’s problems. Indeed, the program clearly explains why the bipartisan “War on Terror” has actually made problems worse and threatened world security.

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A lot has happened since the Olympia FOR’s December 2005 TCTV program on Venezuela. We’re happy to provide fresh information now, which is especially needed to counter the distorted propaganda flowing from the U.S. government and mainstream news media.

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Growing number of reports suggest that world oil production likely reached its peak in 2006, and that less oil will be extracted this year and in each year henceforth. Meanwhile, global demand for oil keeps growing every year. The law of supply and demand dictates that oil prices will rise ever-higher.

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Olympia peace activists made local, national and international news again in mid-November for their courageous nonviolent resistance to the Port of Olympia’s complicity in the illegal U.S. war and military occupation of Iraq.

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The American people are intensely frustrated with the way things are going. Public opinion polls show ever-larger majorities saying our country is headed in the wrong direction. It’s the war, the economy, political corruption, campaigns sold to the highest bidder, dangerous products sold to consumers, loss of privacy, inadequate health care – the list goes on and on.

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Mark your calendars now and start publicizing! Gather with more than a hundred other folks for one hour (12 noon to 1 p.m.) on Percival Landing (4th & Water) to literally “stand up for peace.” Enjoy social time and refreshments afterward at a nearby location. Plenty of signs available, or you may bring your own. Sponsor: Olympia FOR. Info: 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org.