UPCOMING EVENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PeaceWorks Presents A Wind Power Forum: Developing the Resource with a Concern for Habitat and Community
Start: Mar 18 2010 - 7:00pmThursday, March 18 7 pm Frontier Cafe, Fort Andross, Brunswick, ME
Brunswick with panelists Jonathan Carter, Peter Kent, Angus King, Joanne Moore, Lynne Williams, Peter Woodruff and moderator: Bruce Gagnon
Where is the Wind? What is the Impact on the Environment? Who benefits?
Jonathan Carter is the the director of the Forest Ecology Network, a grassroots citizen-based organization dedicated to protecting the Maine Woods. He is a founding board member of the Friends of the Highland Moutains which is working to stop the 128 megawatt grid-scale industrial wind proposal for the Highland Mountains.
Representative Peter Kent is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives from parts of Bath, Brunswick, Topsham, West Bath and Woolwich, and is a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. He recently led a tour of Brunswick, Morse, and Mt Ararat High Schools to encourage students to consider careers in the offshore wind power industry.
Angus King, former Maine governor, is a principal in Independence Wind, a Maine company formed to develop large-scale wind power projects in Maine and New England. Prior to becoming governor, King was the owner of Northeast Energy Management, Inc., a developer of major electrical energy conservation projects in south central Maine.
Writes Joanne Moore, “Now retired, I am a homemaker, mom, grandmother, writer, artist, gardener and woodworker. I believe in the spiritual value and serenity we humans find in wilderness and our need to protect our forests and oceans and all creatures who live within.”
Lynne Williams is an attorney from Bar Harbor. Much of her practice includes land use matters, and she currently represents a number of community groups involved in land use issues. Lynne is a member of the Bar Harbor Planning Commission and is a visiting professor at the College of the Atlantic. She is also a candidate for governor on the Maine Green Independent Party ticket.
Peter Woodruff is a mechanic/designer at Bath Iron Works and lives in Arrowsic. He is the co-author of the Gulf of Maine Wind Turbines Petition, a member of the Bath Economic Conversion Group, and co-host of TRUE, a radio show that airs on WBOR 91.1 FM in Brunswick.
Buddhist Peace Walkers to be Hosted at Meg Perry Center
Start: Mar 29 2010 - 5:00pmMembers of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist order and their supporters will be hosted at a potluck and discussion at the Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress Street, Portland, Maine on Monday evening, March 29, 2010.
The Buddhists and their supporters are taking part in a Peace Walk starting in Bath, Maine and eventually arriving in New York City for a session at the United Nations on the upcoming Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhists have been working for Nuclear Disarmament since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. They have walked all over the world with their message of non-violence and world peace. They built a Peace Pagoda in Leverett, Massachusetts in the 1980s.
The potluck will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by discussion. For more information, contact Wells Staley-Mays at 409-0778 or guide.freedomtrail1850 [at] yahoo [dot] com
March 18-19 Rally and Protest against Anthem in Portland
Start: Mar 18 2010 - 5:00pmIt’s ANTHEM vs. MAINE, and Maine needs your help.
The cost of health insurance keeps skyrocketing, and Anthem keeps profiting. Now, they are suing the State for the right to charge Mainers even more for the health insurance we ALREADY can’t afford. But Anthem and Maine will square off in court on March 19, and Maine needs your help!
For the last year, thousands of Mainers have been fighting Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s attempts to jack up their premiums as much as 35% on individuals. We have worked together to get the state to make Anthem keep the rate hikes down, but now Anthem is suing Maine for a guaranteed 3% profit. Dozens of organizations, faith leaders, and hundreds of activists are calling for a two-day mobilization in Portland right before the court hearing to show Anthem that Maine will NEVER back down in the fight for quality, affordable health care for all.
MARCH 18, 5pm - RALLY & PROTEST!
The night before the hearing, join hundreds of Mainers outside the Cumberland County Courthouse, 147 Federal St, Portland, to protest Anthem’s greed.
MARCH 19, 8am - PACK THE COURTHOUSE!
Help us fill the courtroom and the park outside to support Maine in its fight against the greed that hurts our families.
Here’s the skinny: Last year, Anthem asked for an 18% rate hike for certain policyholders. After holding hearings, Maine’s Superintendent of Insurance denied that request but did grant Anthem a 10.9% rate increase. That wasn’t enough for Anthem! They decided to file a lawsuit against the state of Maine to ensure a guaranteed profit at a time when many Mainers are struggling just to make ends meet. That case hasn’t even been heard yet, and Anthem has already requested an additional 23% rate increase on the same policyholders on top of what they are suing for. Wellpoint, Anthem’s parent company, made $2.7 billion dollars just in the 4th quarter of 2009, yet they are now asking Mainers to pay even more.
We have a unique opportunity. The March 18 rally will have a strong impact by reminding the public that, without reform, they are left to the whim of Anthem’s greed. Without passing health care reform, our elected officials will also be letting us down. Now is the time to take a stand, and every person can make a difference. It will be exciting, historic and memorable - but it takes all of us standing together.
BROWNBAGGER VIGIL--Bring Our War $$ Home
Start: Mar 17 2010 - 11:30pmEnd: Mar 17 2010 - 11:30pmWed., March. 17, 11:30 -1:00 pm
Rep. Chellie Pingree Office 57 Exchange Street, Portland
Join us as we participate in one of 74 [and growing] vigils at congressional offices across the country protesting the funding of the Afghanistan-Pakistan and Iraq Wars.
Join Maine and National organizations to support Rep. Chellie Pingree’s co-sponsorship of Rep. Dennis Kucinich’s Resolution H.Con.Res. 248 calling for an immediate debate to end the war in Afghanistan.
We also need to demand that Rep. Pingree not authorize the $33 billion supplemental funding bill for the troop buildup in Afghanistan expected to be voted on in late April.
For directions to Pingree office click below:
Organizations wishing to become sponsors please email: calljerry8 [at] gmail [dot] com
Sponsored By: Bring Our War $$ Home, The Progressive Agenda, Maine Healthcare Reform; Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
UPCOMING EVENTS:

Main Free Trade Campaign(MFTC) Board Meeting
Start: Mar 17 2010 - 9:30amEnd: Mar 17 2010 - 11:30pmDue 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
Augusta9:30 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
Office: 207- 777-6387 Cell: 207-356-7322
Afghan Woman to Keynote Teach-In
Start: Mar 20 2010 - 1:00pmEnd: Mar 20 2010 - 4:00pmContact: 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.
Film "TAPPED" to be Shown at ZERO STATION in Portland
Start: Mar 21 2010 - 3:00pmTAPPED 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
SAVE THE DATE!!! 5th ANNUAL LOCAL & SUSTAINABLE FOOD CONFERENCE: BUILDING URBAN AND RURAL ALLIANCES
Start: Apr 10 2010 - 8:30amEnd: Apr 10 2010 - 4:30pmApril 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!
POPULATION EDUCATION DAY
Start: Apr 10 2010 - 9:00amEnd: Apr 10 2010 - 4:00pmYou 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
History in Poetry and Music--"The Thinking Heart", to be performed at Colby College in Waterville
Start: Apr 11 2010 - 7:00pmMartin 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 in Turner Center, Maine
Start: Apr 17 2010 - 9:00amEnd: Apr 19 2010 - 9:00pmTenth 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 MaineAll 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.
Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop
Start: Apr 17 2010 - 9:00amEnd: Apr 17 2010 - 12:00pmMaine 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.
Annual HOPE Festival to be Held at University of Maine in Orono
Start: Apr 24 2010 - 11:00amEnd: Apr 24 2010 - 4:00pmYou 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.
GLOBAL NETWORK ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Start: May 9 2010 - 8:30amEnd: May 09 2010 - 4:00pmSUNDAY, 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)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ACHIEVING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND MISSILE DEFENSE FREE ASIA
Start: Oct 9 2010 - 11:00amEnd: Oct 12 2010 - 11:00amNAGPUR, 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 perspectivesOctober 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 DinnerOctober 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 seeingOctober 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/