Due to a scheduling conflict, the March MFTC board meeting will be WEDNESDAY MARCH 17th instead of this Wednesday the 10th.

We are changing the time and place also. We are trying to keep you on your toes.

MFTC Board Meeting

Wednesday, March 17

Plumbers and Pipefitters 716 Hall
21 Gabriel Drive
Augusta

9:30 am - 11:30 am

Pizza will be available for lunch for those folks who are staying for the AFL-CIO E-board meeting in the afternoon.

Directions to Plumbers and Pipefitters: http://www.ualocal716.org/?q=node/290

Take I-95 Exit 112B towards Belgrade. On Rt 11/27 go about 1 mile, until you go beyond the Elks Club. When you descend the hill you will see Gabriel Drive on your left. You must turn before the Restaurant/Pub, and you will see the Local Union #716 sign as you proceed down Gabriel Drive. It is the second building on your right.

Sarah Bigney Maine Fair Trade Campaign

www.mainefairtrade.org

Office: 207- 777-6387 Cell: 207-356-7322

Contact: Ilze Petersons 942-9343 Afghan Woman to Keynote Teach-In Saturday, March 20th 1:00 - 4:00 Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park Street, Bangor

Bangor — Mariam Atifa Raqib, who was a member of the Afghanistan Women’s Council in Afghanistan from 2006 - 2007 and who is now the President of the Afghanistan Samsortya, a non-profit Afghistan Reforestation Project based in Boston, Massachusetts will be the keynote speaker at an Active community Teach-In, “Bring the War Dollars Home”, sponsored by area peace and justice groups as part of a statewide campaign (www.BringOurWarDollarsHome.org). The teach in will be held March 20th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bangor.

Raqib, who also is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Law, Policy and Society at Northeastern University, says the reforestation project is urgently needed to empower the Afghan people to create peaceful alternatives in their communities. “What Afghanistan requires now is an investment in its most precious resource—its people— so that they are not lost to immigration, poverty, crime, or violence. Providing individuals with a viable alternative means of a livelihood means they will have the opportunity to choose a life other than becoming involved with the drug trade, joining a militia, or using criminal or political violence.”

According to teach-in organizer , Katrina Bisheimer, focusing resources on needs in local communities in Afghanistan and Maine is theme of the teach in which is being held in solidarity with a march on Washington, D. C. calling for an end to the funding of the war in Afghanistan. “Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would save $137 billion, and closing half of the 800 military bases outside of the U.S. would save another $51 billion. Imagine what we could have instead”.

The keynote will be followed by a panel with Maryalice Horrigan, a Gold Star Mother from Dedham who lost her son in Iraq; Peter Kellman from N. Berwick of US Labor Against the War; and Mary Beth Sullivan of Bath, a social worker representing the “Bring the War $$ Home” coalition.

Four workshops led by area activists will follow the panel. Participants will be able to choose from the following: Creating People to People Connections with Afghanistan; Connecting with Labor; Bringing our War $$ Home; and Alternatives to Military Service.

The teach-in is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is suggested and donations are welcome. To pre-register or for more information call 942-9343 or e-mail info@peacectr.org.

Co-sponsors include Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine; Veterans for Peace, Jim Harney, Chapter; Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bangor; Pax Christi, Maine; Peace & Justice of Northern Maine (Aroostook County); Work for Peace (Washington County), Peace & Justice Group of Waldo County; Waterville Area Bridges for Peace and Justice; Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space; Maine Peace & Justice in Israel/Palestine; The Progressive Agenda; Peninsula Peace & justice, Maine People’s Alliance and Food AND Medicine; Peace & Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Church Ellsworth.

TAPPED the documentary filmed primarily in Maine, featuring Maine’s Water justice activists will be screened in Portland, Maine on Sunday, March 21st at 3:00pm followed by a Panel Discussion at ZERO STATION, 22 Anderson Street.

FREE BABYSITTING

Sponsored by SAVE OUR WATER, FOOD & WATER WATCH & DEFENDING WATER IN MAINE contact Jamilla: jamillaelshafei [at] gmail [dot] com

April 10, 2010 St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, Lewiston 8:30am - 4:30pm

Food for Maine’s Future is pleased to announce that we are partnering with Lots to Gardens for our 5th Annual Local & Sustainable Food Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is Building Urban and Rural Alliances. We invite you to join us in starting a conversation about how Maine’s urban and rural communities can work together to build a just and sustainable food system in Maine.

The conference will be followed by our annual…

MUD SEASON DINNER

5:00pm
Great Maine food & keynote address followed by live music!

You are invited to come to a population education day to learn about the problems of overpopulation, especially in the United States (and the influence of US policies on population throughout the world).

It will take place on Saturday, April 10, 9 AM-4 PM at the Meeting and Facilitation Resources Building, 11 King St. (off State Street south of the Capitol Building—look for Pat’s Pizza at the corner of King St. and State St.), Augusta. Bring a bag lunch or food to share for a potluck—either is OK.

There is no cost for this day. We hope you will attend.

What can each of us do to stabilize our population and reduce it so our population does not endanger our environment and create justice and peace problems connected to population? What is already happening in Maine, and what groups and resources are available? How do issues like family planning, immigration, and the role of youth influence our policies? Who can change them?

Why this educational event? There is increasing awareness and concern about human impact on our fragile environment. As 350.org events and climate change debates have demonstrated, we are beginning to look for ways to reduce our ecological footprint. But even if we reduce our footprint, if there are more of us making those prints, the impact is still dangerous and unsustainable.

Building awareness about population needs to start NOW. It is a controversial subject. It needs to be a topic that we can bring up with environmental, social, and political organizations, and in a non-threatening way, with others in our local communities. Come to learn more about the issue, what you can do to create a more sustainable population in our country, and how the US can support sustainable populations throughout the world.

For more information about this day and directions to the Meeting and Facilitation Resources Building, 11 King St., Augusta, contact Larry Dansinger, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951, (207) 525-7776 or rosc [at] psouth [dot] net

Martin Steingesser

“The Thinking Heart”, an ensemble performance work in two voices, with cello, based on the writings of a Dutch woman, Etty Hillesum, who died in the Holocaust, will be presented at The Pugh Center at Cotter Union, Colby College, Waterville, on Sunday, April 11, at 7 pm. It will be followed by a question and discussion period, led by Colby Professor of Modern European History, Raffael Scheck. Admission is free and Open to the Public.

Martin Steingesser
Portland, Maine’s First Poet Laureate (2007-09)
www.martinsteingesser.com
www.MatchBook.org
PO Box 7575
Portland, Maine 04112-7575

Tenth annual Youth Activism Gathering

April 17-19, 2010

Turner Grange, Route 117, Turner Center, Maine

IF YOU ARE A YOUNG PERSON, WE HOPE YOU WILL COME. IF YOU ARE NOT BUT KNOW OTHERS WHO ARE, WE HOPE YOU WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME TOO.

A chance for youth (teens, 20’s) from all over the state to share ideas, explore issues, spread knowledge, and have a lot of fun. Meet and connect with youth from many different backgrounds and areas and form new connections.

A three day celebration of political action, fierce youth brilliance, and do-it-yourself fun. Come share ideas, skills, and experiences with other youth from around the state.

Call or email for directions (and they will be sent to those who register). The Turner Grange is on Route 117 in Turner Center, near Leavitt High School and across from Kids Camp, about one and a half miles east of Route 4

To register and for more information, see us online at http://MaineYAG.wordpress.com or email MaineYAG [at] gmail [dot] com or call Larry at 525-7776. You can also mail a registration and check (payable to ROSC) to ROSC, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951.

A note about money: In order to keep the YAG going each year, we ask for $5-10/day. But, if you can’t pay that much or anything at all, you’re still welcome to come. We want everyone to come who wants to.

You can also register when you arrive at the gathering, but if we know you are coming, it helps us to figure out how many are coming, how much food to get, who can ride-share with others, etc.

Come to workshops & discussions on lots of issues. Past workshop topics have included:

*Ice Breakers and Team Building
*Grass Roots Media Making
*Gender
*Reproductive Health/Safe Sex
*Consent
*Anti-Oppression: Addressing Homophobia and Racism
*Environmentalism
*Herbal First Aid
And many more……….

Everyone is encouraged to bring their own ideas for workshops or discussions.

ALSO:

Cook/Bake-off
DIY “open mic” music and entertainment
Cabaret Show probably on Sunday evening
Time to hang out and meet activist youth from around Maine

All meals and lodging will be provided.

What is the Youth Activism Gathering?

The YAG is an annual event in which youth from all over the state (and sometimes from other parts of the country as well) converge to share ideas, explore issues and methods to resolve them, and share knowledge and network with others. It’s also a lot of fun!! The YAG is a great way to meet and connect with youth from many different backgrounds and areas and form new connections.

Who Goes to the YAG?

People who come to The YAG come from very divese backgrounds. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had lots of experience in activism or you are completely new to it! Most people tend to be between their teens and early 30’s but both the young and young at heart are welcome.

SOME DETAILS:

Arrive anytime after 10 AM on Saturday, April 17. Circle up at noon. Gathering ends at 3 PM on Monday, April 19.

All meals are provided and are vegetarian/vegan with meat options.

What Should I Bring?

Sleeping bag or warm blankets, pillows, sleeping pad, a tent (if you want more sleeping privacy, tenting will be available next to the Grange, since we’ll be sleeping at the Grange)

Flashlight, friends, earplugs, towel, change of clothes, extra pair of socks and shoes, warm clothes

CONSIDER BRINGING:

Zines, instruments, books, games, poems, art stuff, flyers, stories, poems, items to barter or give away, things for the open mic, and anything else you want to share, and friends, of course!

Turner Grange is a drug- and alcohol-free space

When youth get together, there is ENERGY, there is CREATIVITY, there is INSPIRATION, and there is POWER.

Maine Solar Energy Association (American Solar Energy Society)

April 17th, Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Columbia, Maine

Biologist and solar hybrid user, Ellen Johnson will educate us in best practices of grafting fruit trees. Each participant will take two trees home.

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Place: 156 Sacarap Road, Columbia, ME Registration: $25. To register or for more information: call 207-733-1095 in the evenings.

You are invited to participate in the HOPE Festival that will be held on Saturday, April 24th from 11-4 at the University of Maine in Orono.

Organizational Table Applications: http://tinyurl.com/y8lh47f

Food Vendor Applications: http://tinyurl.com/yg7ktr5

Program Advertising Applications: http://tinyurl.com/ybtb74a

We look forward to hearing form you soon!

Each spring the HOPE Festival (Help Organize Peace Earthwide) renews the hope we all have for a peaceful and sustainable future. Helen Nearing was the featured speaker at the first HOPE Festival fifteen years ago. While Earth Day was organized to raise awareness about the need to take care of the earth and practice conservation, the HOPE Festival has expanded to raise awareness around Earth Day about the many organizations working to take care of the earth and each other in our communities. This year more than 70 organizations, working in their own ways for a better world, will share information, provide demonstrations, sell buttons, t-shirts, and other products, and encourage participant involvement.

We are excited to be returning to the light and airy University of Maine Student Recreation and Fitness Center this year. It is an award winning Green Building with lots of windows. Highlights of this year’s festival will be a keynote talk by Betty Burkes, former president of Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, a performance by renowned folk singers Emma’s Revolution, the amazing juggling of Zachary Field, songs from the Voices of HOPE Community Choir, and other lively entertainment, as well as fun and educational children’s activities and delicious food for sale from local producers.

Last year we strengthened the “Green Expo” component of the festival to highlight organizations working on environmental sustainability. This year we plan to have lots of interactive ways for people to learn how they can be active participants in saving the planet. We encourage groups working on issues of sustainability to bring information and plan demonstrations and activities to engage participants. Let us know if you have special projects we can promote ahead of time.

Rob Shetterly has designed a poster for us, which you may color and post in your community. Let us know if you can help promote HOPE in your neighborhood, and we will send you as many posters as you can use.

The festival is free because many volunteers, including the performers, donate their time, energy and talent to make this special day possible. Volunteers are needed, especially to set up on Saturday, April 24th from 7:00 - 10:00 a.m., throughout the day on Saturday, and to clean up. Email or call the Center if you can help before the Festival, or on the day itself.

SUNDAY, MAY 9

Church Center, 777 U.N. Plaza, 2nd Floor

New York City

Agenda

8:30 am – 11:30 am — Global Network Annual Membership Meeting

• Introductions
• Financial report
• Coordinator report
• Planning for Keep Space for Peace Week - October 2-9, 2010
• Review of plans for India space organizing conference October 9-12, 2010
• Board elections

12:00 – 1:00 pm — Lunch provided ($12 each)

1:15 – 1:30 pm — Welcome by GN Chair Dave Webb (CND-UK)

1:30 – 3:45 pm — Plenary Panel: Space Organizing Reports from Key International Activists

3:45 – 4:00 pm — Closing words

*** This GN annual meeting is being held in New York City in conjunction with other international events centered around the U.N.’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.

Registration form (Please clip and return to the address just below)

__ I can provide home hospitality in NYC for people coming from a distance. Contact me.

__ I will be at the annual meeting for lunch. Enclosed is my $12

Name: ____________________________Organization: _____________________

Address: _________________________ City/State: ________________________

Postal Code: _________________

Country:_____________________________ Phone: ______________________

Email: _________________________________

(One easy way to pay the lunch fee is by using the internet. Go to our web site at www.space4peace.org and look for the red Donate Now! button and contribute via your credit card. In the comment section say it is for annual meeting lunch. This is a secure process.)

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
globalnet [at] mindspring [dot] com
www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com/ (blog)

NAGPUR, INDIA

OCTOBER 9-12, 2010

October 9, 2010

11.00-12.00 Registration
12.00-13 00 Lunch
13.00-14.00 Welcome and Introduction
14.00-17.00 Plenary Session I: Can Humanity Survive?
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Climate Change and the role of Space Technologies
- Outcome of Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Committee
- StratCom, Space Domination and Global Control
- Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS)
- Climate Change,Violence and Political Control
17.00-18.00 Cultural Programme
18.00-20.00 Plenary Session II: Problems and Prospects of Nuclear Disarmament in Asia
- India, Pakistan and the NPT
- India Conflict with Pakistan (including Kashmir)
- India Conflict with China
- India-US Nuclear Deal
- South Korean and Japanese perspectives

October 10, 2010

09.00-11.00 Plenary Session III: The Danger of Missile Defense and Weaponization of Space in Asia
- Indian Space Program
- India and Missile Defense
- Drones in Pakistan
11.00-13.00 Plenary Session IV: Asia and Terrorism - The War In Afghanistan and the role of NATO
13.00 Lunch
15.00-17.00 Plenary Session V: Prospects of Asian Union
- Perspectives from around Asia
16.00-18.00 Adoption of Nagpur Declaration
20.00 Dinner

October 11, 2010 09.00-11.00 Global Network Annual Meeting and Strategy Discussion
11.00-12.00 Interaction with Youth Groups
12.00-14.00 Visits and presentations at Educational Institutions
14.00 Lunch
16.00-18.00 Sight seeing

October 12, 2010

Visit to Sewagram Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi spent time during the freedom struggle of India. The ashram served as the headquarters of Mahatma Gandhi for six years, from 1934 to 1940. Gandhi built the Sewagram Ashram himself, with the material that was available locally. He lived at the ashram, amidst lush green surroundings, without any facilities of electricity and telephone.

** If you have interest in attending this international space organizing conference please let us know as soon as possible so we can pre-arrange for housing, Visa’s, transportation and other important tasks. This will be an exceptional life changing experience for all of us.

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
globalnet [at] mindspring [dot] com
www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com/