Immigrant Rights Rally - Rochester

(click on map for larger view)

May 1st - National Day of Action for Immigrant Rights
5:00 pm at the Federal Building
100 State Street Rochester NY

*Stop the raids and deportations
Raids and arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are splitting up families and spreading fear throughout the immigrant community. We call for a moratorium on raids and deportations, and measures to keep families together instead of breaking them apart.

*Full legal rights for all immigrants
Undocumented workers are living under a state of siege, and are subject to the most blatant disregard of their civil and labor rights. Currently they are being detained and “disappeared” while at work, out shopping, or at home—and all for the “crime” of working hard and trying to provide for their families.

*Against the Bush Administration’s Immigration reform plan
President Bush’s plan stresses enforcement provisions--such as a fourfold increase in border fencing and a more than 50 percent increase in Border Patrol agents.

It would also establish a new “Z” visa, allowing undocumented immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits--renewable indefinitely, but at a cost of $3,500 each time. To get a permit and become legal permanent residents, undocumented immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter, and pay a $10,000 fine. The cost for work permits and the green card application would total more than $20,000--well out of reach for the vast majority of low-wage immigrant workers.

*Respect the rights of ALL workers.
May First is the traditional day throughout the world for recognizing workers’ rights—a tradition which began in the U.S. during the struggle for the eight-hour day. The workers’ movement cannot allow there to be a class of workers who lack rights, without threatening the conditions of all other workers as well. “An injury to one is an injury to all.”

A year after the historic marches for immigrant rights in 2006, Congress and the Bush Administration are still proposing legislation that centers on punitive measures against undocumented workers, militarization of the Mexican border, and establishing a class of low-wage workers without rights ("guest workers"). Immigrants and their allies must promote an agenda that corresponds to THEIR needs, not the needs of big business.

Rochester Alliance for Immigrant Rights
Further information: email -- RochesterImmigrantRights@yahoo.com or call 454-7932 (Roberto)

Karen's Walk - helping Rochester fight heart failure

Sunday, May 6, 2007
registration 8:30-9:45am
Start - RIT Grace Watson Field - 10am

Join Phi Sigma Pi for the 5th annual Karen's Walk and 5k run. All proceeds to benefit the Karen Decker Cardiomyopathy Fund.

There will be an awards ceremony immediately following the race (11:30am). Refreshments will be served after the awards ceremony as a thanks for your participation and as an opportunity to discuss heart failure with those truly affected. http://www.karenswalk.com

Sponsored by ResLife, Student Government, WITR

Willie Baptist - Kensington Welfare Rights Union

Shouldn't the richest nation in the world help everyone get a decent job, affordable housing, health care and education?

That's what Willie Baptist thinks.
Come hear him speak.

WILLIE BAPTIST http://www.universityofthepoor.org/about.html
Kensington Welfare Rights Union http://www.kwru.org
An organization of poor people fighting for the rights of the poor.

Wednesday May 2, 2007 @ 7:00
Baden Street Settlement, 13 Vienna St.

(585) 325-8125 badenstreet.org

Plus: A display of t-shirts that tell the stories of the effect of violence on local teens. Children Welcome! ∙ Refreshments provided

For more information contact, SWAA@swaarochester.org or (585) 395-5562
Co-Sponsored by: The SUNY Brockport Student Social Work Organization, Rochester NOW, House of Mercy, Rochester Poor People’s Coalition, Baden Street Settlement, Social Welfare Action Alliance, and Poor People United

Contemporary Gospel Concert

Rejoice!
Saturday, April 28th 7:00 to 9:00pm
First Presbyterian Church 35 State Street Brockport, NY 14420

Directions:
1. Take I-490 W toward BUFFALO.
2. Take the RT-531 exit- EXIT 8- toward SPENCERPORT/BROCKPORT.
3. Merge onto NY-531 W.
4. Turn RIGHT onto WASHINGTON ST/NY-36.
5. Turn LEFT onto BROCKPORT SPENCERPORT RD/NY-31.
6. Turn RIGHT onto LAKE RD S/NY-19. Continue to follow NY-19.
7. Turn RIGHT onto STATE ST.
8. End at First Presbyterian Church, 35 State St Brockport, NY 14420

Grace Gladney, a senior staff assistant at CIAS, is a member of Rejoice, and has indicated that photographing would be fine. (Loret's note: Please be polite and quiet, though... and respect those who came to worship)

Equal Pay Day Action

Equal Pay Day Action
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 5 - 6 pm
Gather outside the SPOT cafe, 200 East Ave.

April 24 is Equal Pay Day, the day on which women have worked the four extra months they need in order to match what men earned by the end of 2006. On average, women are paid 77 cents to every $1 men are paid. Women of color are paid less, 67 cents. Join Rochester NOW as we protest this inequity and demand that the NYS Assembly and Senate pass The Fair Pay Act (A-2712/S-3936).

Wear red (to show that women spend most of their financial life "in the red") and bring a sign for passing motorists to read. (Don't let the lack of red or a sign keep you from attending.)

Contact Barbara at bmoore@mooreresults.com with questions. Please feel free to forward this message.
--
Barbara Moore, Net Results LLC
www.NetResultsUSA.com
585-748-1850

Rally to protest Federal Abortion Ruling

Wed. April 25, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Corner of East and Goodman in Rochester

Planned Parenthood of the Rochester / Syracuse Region is holding a rally in Rochester to protest the recent Federal Abortion Ban ruling ot the U.S. Supreme Court.

When a woman's very health is at stake, whose role is it to decide about the health care she receives -- the woman and her physician, or politicians who know nothing about her condition and the circumstances of her situation? For the first time, the Supreme Court told women that, when their health is at risk during pregnancy, deciding what to do is no longer up to them and their doctors.

Immigration and you: Interfaith Reflection and Action

Wednesday, May 23, 5:30 PM
Washington Square Park (181 S. Clinton)

Speakers to include:
a grower,migrant workers, and community faith leaders.

Co-sponsors to date:
CITA
Commission on Christian Muslim Relations
Diocese of Rochester
Downtown Presbyterian Church Justice Ministry
Grupo Mujeres de Brockport
Rochester Committee on Latin America
Rural and Migrant Ministry
Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of St. Joseph
TIAR
Women of Reform Judaism, B'rith Kodesh

15th Annual Taste of RIT

Thursday, April 26
10am - 1:30 pm
SAU Davis Room -- SAU cafeteria

For $6.00, partake in the all-you-can-eat festivities and experience the numerous food and beverage stations featuring tasty and healthy foods to try! Also with admission, guests are entered into the raffle drawing for dozens of wonderful prizes donated by several RIT departments as well as many local businesses.

All proceeds benefit the RIT United Way Campaign, and the event is generously sponsored by RIT Food Service, Palmer Food Services and over a dozen other area food vendors.

NEW this year is the addition of two exciting raffles. Look for them in the SAU lobby during the Taste of RIT! Enter to win a lovely culinary basket of items contributed by the RIT United Way Steering Committee members.

WIN BIG! Over $1,000 in prizes from BED BATH & BEYOND! Don't miss your chance to outfit your home, apartment or dorm room! To see all the prizes that one lucky winner will receive, visit the "Raffles" page of the RIT United Way website at www.rit.edu/unitedway and click on BED BATH & BEYOND Raffle.

The Steering Committee members look forward to seeing you at this tremendous campaign finale event! With any questions, please contact Lynn Rowoth at 475-7408 or at lcrgrl@rit.edu

Thomas Jefferson Career Conference

Thursday, April 26
9am - 10:30am or 11:30am - 1pm
RIT Fireside Lounge and 1829 Room - SAU

This is an opportunity for students from Rochester's Thomas Jefferson High School to interact with role models who can share perspectives about their own careers and give insight about choices the students are interested in pursuing. Counselors will discuss the contents of the student’s career portfolio by asking questions and encouraging information from the high school student. At the end of the one-on-one, fifteen minute interview, the student will be given an evaluation form, “career conference reflection” to record what he/she thought about the interview session

more information - grcpro@rit.edu

Mud Volleyball at RIT!!

April 28 - all day
field behind Gracie's

Sponsored by the RIT chapter of National Press Photographers' Association, our pj student group - student teams compete in a sea of mud. Refreshments, referees and encouragement will be available....

For definite times and location information, contact Val Sauers, vms5935@rit.edu or 432-2893

Rally for Reproductive Rights

JOIN US FOR A RALLY ON THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH FOR WOMEN'S LIVES

Wednesday April 25, 2007
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Corner of East Avenue & Goodman Street
Rochester, NY

*** Bring your own signs or use one of ours ***
(limited quantity, first-come basis)

For more info on the Rally for Women’s Lives, go to www.pprsr.org or contact KaeLyn at 546-2771 x331 or krich@pprsr.org.

Media inquiries can be directed to Erin at 546-2771 x342 or egrant@pprsr.org.
For more information about FOCA, visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/foca-questions-12445.htm

LABOR-COMMUNITY COALITIONS

BUILDING BRIDGES: PROMISES AND CHALLENGES OF LABOR-COMMUNITY COALITIONS
Labor and community groups across the country have effectively partnered for progressive change. How can we achieve this in the Rochester region?"

LABOR LYCEUM
Saturday April 21st 10 to noon
NYSUT Hall, 30 North Union Street

PRESENTER: WILLIE LEGETTE, South Carolina State University, Department of Political Science and co-organizer of the South Carolina Labor Party

RESPONDENTS: Bill McCoy, Metro Justice
John Vasko, Rochester Labor Council

Sponsored by the Rochester and Vicinity Labor Council, AFL-CIO Education Committee, and by Cornell-ILR Labor and Employment Law Extension Program.

This program is free and open to the public.
Light refreshments will be available.

Go to : http://www.rochesterlabor.org for information about programs, history and more relating to labor in Rochester

The Storefront - Anti War Crisis Center

The Anti-War Storefront neighborhood "Crisis Center" 658 Monroe Ave. (near Oxford) is an expression of the collective passion and sense of outrage among the many peace and anti-war organizations in the Rochester metropolitan area who are deeply concerned about the continuing war in Iraq, and the potential for conflict with Iran.

The storefront is a ground-breaking collaborative effort which will host a number of peace actions, gallery exhibitions, information/education and arts events, with the goal of keeping the cause of peace and anti-war issues constantly before our government representatives, the media, and our community.

This unique initiative is completely staffed and funded by volunteers and free-will public contributions. The storefront's multi-use space, created to honor and uplift the principles of peace, runs for 2-1/2 months from April 15, 2007 to June 30, 2007.

The Storefront is sponsored by Peace Action & Education (a taskforce of Metro Justice), and is endorsed (to date) by Rochester Against War, Veterans for Peace, Rochester Declaration of Peace, Rochester Truth in Military Recruitment, ISO, 911 Truth Commission, PSPI, Rochester Student Anti-War Caucus, Colgate Divinity School Social Justice Committee, Rochester Poets, Poets Against War & Occupation, Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace, PeaceWorks, The World Can't Wait, Sisters of Mercy, Pax Christi, Poor People United, RAW Street Theater, Lake Affect Magazine, Street Level Media & ACLU

EVENTS in April
Friday, April 20th, 7pm-9pm Poetry Reading & Open Mic. Frank Judge, president of Rochester Poets, featured reader. Sponsored by Rochester Poets, Poets Against War & Occupation, Rochester Truth in Recruitment

Saturday, April 21st, 12-2pm RAW - Rochester Against War bi-monthly meeting. Break out groups: Rochester Student Anti-War Caucus, Truth in Recruitment, and RAW Street Theater Sponsored by RAW

Saturday, April 21st, 2-5pm War, Warming, and a Future that Works a drop-in discussion about the interlinking issues facing our country and the world, hosted by local activist Hank Stone, author of Joyful Activism.

Sunday, April 22nd, 7pm Iran first response discussion and ongoing discernment towards non-violent civil action. Sponsored by Rochester Declaration of Peace.

Wednesday, April 25thth, 3-8pm After School Coffee House. Sponsored by Rochester Against War, Rochester Student Anti-war Caucus, and Rochester Truth in Recruitment

Thursday, April 26th, 4-8pm
Cell Phone "Phone Bank." Sponsored by Peace Action& Education of Metro Justice

Friday, April 27th, 3-8pm
After School Coffee House. Sponsored by Rochester Against War, Rochester Student Anti-war Caucus, and Rochester Truth in Recruitment

Friday, April 27th, 7pm-10pm
Music by Christopher Robin & At Kyle's Feet. Sponsored by Rochester Against War, Rochester Student Anti-War Caucus, and Rochester Truth in Recruitment

Sunday, April 29th, 7pm
Iran first response discussion and ongoing discernment towards non-violent civil action. Sponsored by Rochester Declaration of Peace.

Coming in May

Photo Exhibition "The Raging Grannies"
Featuring the work of Todd Carlson, RIT BFA in Photo Journalism. Opening TBA

Thursday, May 31st, 12-2pm
Clergy Day Mini-Conference "Care of Congregations in Wartime." For clergy and religious leaders. Speakers include The Rev. Scott Tayler (how to live with divergent views on war and peace in your congregation), Pete Ziarnowski of the Rochester VA (caring for vets and their families in the church/synagogue/mosque), and Afghanistan Veteran Denique Conner (conscientious objection and the church). Nominal registration fee/informal lunch will be served. Register at wu2004@frontiernet.net

Commission on Christian Muslim Relations

April 19, 7PM
Presenters: Dr Chris Evans, Dr Etin Anwer
Issues in Religion and Politics in Christian and Muslim Traditions (Historical and Contemporary Perspectives)
Place: The Rochester Friends Meeting, 84 Scio St.,
Rochester

April 26 7PM
Presenters: Rev. Dr. Denise Yarbrough, Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed
Contemporary Issues in Christian/Muslim Dialogue
Place: Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St., Rochester

Any questions? email gdardess@yahoo.com or call
244-4685

Black Gold - coffee growing in Ethiopia

Black Gold: Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
7:30 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2007
Coffee Connection, 681 South Avenue near Gregory.

This film outlines the struggle of Tadesse Meskela of Ethiopia to save 74,000 struggling coffee farmers from bankruptcy caused by the artificially low prices paid for their crops brought on by the domination of the market by a handful of multinationals. Learn about the importance of Fair Trade in the purchase of your daily latte or cappuccino.

Reservations required as seating is limited. Call 585-442-2180. Donations accepted.

Coffee Connection is a non-profit organization making the connection between Latin American coffee farmers and artisans and women in transition in Rochester: making the world a better place one cup at a time.

Patricia Mannix
585-288/8644/469-8249

Mayor Duffy's Clean Sweep Weeks

“Rochester's Clean Sweep...
Showing Pride in Our City”

Rochester’s Clean Sweep will soon be coming to your neighborhood. City crews will be out in force sweeping streets, removing graffiti, cleaning up City properties, repairing unsafe sidewalks and filling potholes. We’ll also be picking up garbage and bulk items as usual.

During Clean Sweep, I encourage the community to be a part of the action and help to beautify our City. Citizens can do their part by raking and bagging debris from their own yards and sidewalks and placing bulk refuse on the curb during their Clean Sweep week (see schedule below).

If you desire, we’ll help you organize a street or block-wide sweep, planting or other beautification project! We’re also inviting city schools, churches and businesses to join in the action by organizing a cleanup effort on their own properties during their Clean Sweep week.

Most of all, we need everyone to come out for our Saturday Sweeps so we can join together to clean up our streets. Participants receive a Clean Sweep t-shirt, get assigned to a team and then go out to hit the streets. Tools will be provided, but you’re encouraged to bring your own, if possible. Then we’ll meet up after for a celebration picnic.

Last year, more than 5,000 volunteers from throughout the area took part and we collected over 1,500 tons of debris. What could not be measured though, was the enhancement of our city’s beauty, and the restoration of our city’s pride. Hopefully, with your participation, we can make an even greater impact this year. Working together, we can make Rochester truly shine!

This year’s Clean Sweep schedule for EACH EVENT -
8:30-9am kickoff
9am-noon clean our streets
12noon celebration picnic

Sweep Dates & Gathering Locations (all are on Saturdays)
April 28 Southwest City Genesee Valley Park, 131 Elmwood Ave.

May 5 Northeast City Norton NET Office, 500 Norton St.

May 12 Northwest City Edgerton Park, 41 Backus St.

May 19 Southeast City East High School, 1801 E. Main St.

To Sign up visit http://www.cityofrochester.gov/mayor/cleansweep/cleansweepform.cfm
or Call 428-5990 for more information!

Take our daughters & sons to work day

Thursday, April 26
RIT campus

It's puzzling to me how this day of activities has evolved, but it is what it is. Originally, "Take our daughters to work day" was established to help young women see that they had options in their lives and careers and to get an idea of what careers were like. While women still make 77cents for every dollar that a man makes in the workplace, somehow in the interest of being "balanced," boys are now included. (Even though boys have always been groomed for careers by tradition and culture) Oh well. It's still something to look at, to photograph and to understand....

8:30 – 10:00 am – REGISTRATION (Gordon Field House and Activity Center, bldg. 24 - Parent, Guardian or Mentor must present their RIT ID) Pick up an RIT Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day “Goodie Bag”.

9:00 – 11:00 am & 1:00 - 3:00 pm – BOOKMAKING & MORE! (Wallace Library, bldg. 5- these are 30 minute segments, so come in at any time!) Craft project creating books and crafts. Come to the Library to create crafts and make your own book to take home. No experience necessary…Just come in anytime & have fun!

9:00 – 10:00 am – INTRODUCTION TO TRACKING-OUTDOOR FUN! (Student Alumni Union, bldg. 4, meet in front of A450) Animals live everywhere – in the deep woods and in suburban backyards. Sometimes we will never see the raccoon or deer when we are outside, but they leave evidence behind called “tracks”. In this workshop students will learn about tracks and tracking animals. If you love nature and being outdoors, come join us and have some fun while experiencing RIT nature trails! (Weather permitting)

9:30 – 10:00 am & 2:30 - 3:00 pm SO YOU WANT TO BE AN AMBULANCE DRIVER This will be an informational, interactive session on what the RIT ambulance crew does, the services they provide and the careers associated with being an ambulance crewperson. Learn basic first-aid, see a demonstration on “back-boarding” and get first-hand experience in an ambulance.

9:30 – 10:00 am & 11:30 – 12:00 am – REPORTER MAGAZINE PRESS TOUR (August (CIMS, blg.78, Main Lobby-front entrance) Watch as the Reporter Magazine is assembled and run on the printing presses.

10:00 – 10:30 am & 2:00 – 2:30 pm - TOUR OF PRINTING APPLICATIONS LABORATORY (CIMS, bldg. 78, Lobby-use North side entrance) Walk through RIT’s PAL facility and see how images are created and produced as they are being run through the various printing presses in the printing lab!

9:00 am – 10:00 am & 10:00 am – 11:00 am – ITS INTERNET TREASURE HUNT This a fun-filled interactive computer session for everyone!

10:30 – 11:00 am & 2:00 – 2:30 pm – RIT RESIDENCE HALL TOURS (meet in Grace Watson Hall Lobby, bldg. 25, room 1400) RIT Ambassadors will be giving tours of the RIT residence halls, ‘The Tunnels’, SOL’s, The Corner Store and Post Office. Get a first-hand look into a college student’s residence hall. Check out all the cool stuff about campus life. Meet in Grace Watson Hall.

11:00 – 11:30 am, 11:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 – 1:30 pm, 1:30 – 2:00 pm - KIDS ON A GRID (bldg. 74, meet in Lobby) Ever wonder what it would be like to videoconference with kids/people from another school without leaving the classroom? Please join us as you interact with others through a video screen to various locations.

12:00 – 12:15 pm & 2:00 – 2:15 pm – TOUR OF WITR (Campus Radio Station, SAU, room A060) Come and visit 89.7 WITR for an interactive demonstration and tour of the facilities to experience how a radio station works!

1:00 – 2:00 pm – AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 MINUTES (Gordon Field House, bldg. 24, Reception Room 1540) Too often we have stereotypes and misconceptions about countries and the people from other countries. Participants will get a chance to travel from country to country and match the facts with the correct country. This activity is designed to be highly interactive for participants as they travel getting their passports stamped. Prizes and a raffle will be awarded. Don’t miss out on traveling the world in 60 minutes!

1:00 – 1:30 pm & 1:30 – 2:00 pm – PRODUCT PACKAGING (Student Life Center (SLC), bldg. 23, room 1320) Did you know that it takes creativity to come up ways to make your cereal, your candy bars, and your toys appealing to you? The way that your items are packaged determines if you will buy a product or not. In this fun, interactive session, learn how to make your own product boxes.

2:00 – 3:00 – MAKING CORDAGE (or, how I learned to make a natural rope) – (Student Life Center (SLC), bldg. 23, room 1320) Cordage (rope or string) can be made from many different fibers and cordage can be made in many different ways – in this workshop we will use the Milkweed plant to make a short length of two-ply cordage!

3:00 – 4:00 pm – CLOSING RECEPTION WITH STUDENT GOVERNMENT (Gordon Field House, bldg. 24, Reception Room 1540, Parent, Guardian or Mentor must present their RIT ID) After a long day of RIT fun, come participate in our closing reception. Come meet college students and faculty who are involved with Student Government. Don’t miss out on joining us for refreshments and enter our raffle to win one of our ultra-cool prizes.

4:00 – 5:00 – OPEN HOURS AT THE SWIMMING POOL (Gordon Field House and Activity Center, bldg. 24, Parent, Guardian or Mentor must present their RIT ID) You had so much fun participating in the day’s events and don’t want to go home yet? Come by the pool and have a swim, before going home. (Lifeguard will be available, but parent, guardian or mentor must stay with their guest at all times.)

Coordinated by the RIT Women’s Center
contact: Madeline Williams, Staff Assistant
ritwom@rit.edu

Heart Walk

April 21, 2007 - saturday Convention Center (Main St., downtown) 8AM-12PM
Come join the American Heart Association for a scenic stroll and raise awareness and funds to fight heart disease and stroke!

And it's so easy to join. Either come to the RIT Community Service Center office in SAU or visit our team page at: http://heartwalk.kintera.org/rochesterny/ritteamewalker

for more information:
Phyllis Walker
475-6056
ppwccl@rit.edu

Friends Helping Friends

This is an activist, grass-roots (and sometimes controversial) organization with a community center offering assistance to residents in NW Rochester. FHF distributes food, clothing, other goods and has had health and nutrition workshops. They have outreach for children and has given repaired bikes to kids in the community.

Currently, they're in a dispute about using welfare-to-work volunteers from the county and are seeking volunteers to help them during the week and on weekends. They need help with construction, clothes and food sorting and various other tasks.

Andrew Stankevich
andrewstan44@yahoo.com
730-6084
http://www.friends-helping-friends.org
.......................................................................

Friends Helping Friends
PO Box 39618
Rochester, NY 14604
fhf2004@hotmail.com
585-730-6084

Use www.mapquest.com to find directions to our facilities:

Thrift Store/Food Cupboard
333 Child St.
Rochester, NY 14611

Bike Shop
226-230 Hudson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14605
Bike Shop Coordinator, Dan Lill: dlill@rochester.rr.com

Global Warming Rally

Saturday, April 14th
2-4pm
the Gazebo at Twelve Corners
(intersection of Monroe, Elmwood and Winton in Brighton)



2:00-Ongoing Petition signing and information available
2:20 Opening Address
2:30 Raging Grannies
2:45 Radical Cheerleaders
3:00 Sandra Frankel, Brighton Town Supervisor
3:05 Joe Robach, New York State Senator
3:10 Radical Cheerleaders
3:30 Fiddlers & Irish Dancers

Rally to urge Congress to cut carbon dioxide emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The Step it Up 2007 campaign includes over 1300 other events in all fifty states, and is the largest day of citizen action focusing on global warming in our nation’s history. Step It Up was conceived by Bill McKibben, a Vermont professor and author, but it has taken on a life of its own as concerned citizens have clamored to get involved. The growth of our rally demonstrates the growing momentum of the global warming movement.

The Twelve Corners event calls for particularly strong legislation, specifically a cut in carbon dioxide emissions to 80% below 1990 levels. This is the minimum reduction that scientists say will provide a chance of avoiding the worst possible effects of global warming-- droughts, rising sea levels, and severe storms-- which will have the most devastating effects on the world’s poorest. Legislation proposing such cuts is pending in Congress among several other weaker bills. The stronger bills being supported by Step It Up are the Sanders-Boxer Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act, S. 309, and the Waxman Safe Climate Act, H.R. 1590. In addition, the Markey-Platts CAFE bill, which would mandate higher gas mileage standards for the automotive industry is also a crucial part of any plan to address global warming.

There will also be a polar bear and many signs and banners. Come out, have fun and learn about global warming solutions!

Keri A. Kaminsky, Organizer
(585) 865-0869
kakaminsky@frontiernet.net

Cajun Zydeco Dance Night!

Saturday, April 21st
Harmony House (6 mi. from Rochester)
58 E. Main St (Rte 404)
Rte 250 Exit off 104
Webster

New England's hottest Cajun band! "Survival" dance lesson with guest instructor, 7:15 pm

Sponsored by Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network. Historic grange hall venue, great dance floor, refreshments, cash bar.

Contact Information:
Bruce Handelman
586-0476
ebrill@frontiernet.net
http://RochesterZydeco.com
Fee: $12 at door

Swing Dance

One of only many dance events on the calendar!

8:00 PM Friday, April 13 2007 Duration: 3hrs Jon Seiger can sing and sound just like Louis Armstrong, but that's just the icing on the cake. This band of seasoned, multi-talented jazz musicians can really swing - 3 horns - and they all sing too! A great band to dance to...
Lesson with Richard & Esther, 7:15 pm

Location: Visual Studies Workshop
31 Prince St (corner University Ave)
diagonal from Memorial Art Gallery
Information:
Rochester Swing Dance Network - www.rochesterswingdance.com
RSDN INFOLINE: (585) 244-2815
Esther Brill ebrill@frontiernet.net
Richard Newman rsnewman@frontiernet.net

Rochester Salsa Weekend

April 27-29
Inikori Dance Studio
Jonah Inikori
8:30pm - doors open
9:00pm - show begins (after the show, dance will keep going until 3am!)

12 dance workshops over 2 days
2 nights of dance shows/parties
3 dj's
local, national and international dancers
more information (Jonah Inikori):
(585) 271-6840
(585) 415-9646
eMail: frontdesk@inikoridance.com

Address:
1100 University Ave
Rochester, NY 14607

Recent Travels to Speak and Work

Okay, so I can't stand it when there aren't any photographs to look at. The clip art just doesn't cut it (no pun intended?)....














Sang Ho restaurant, Dundas near Spadina, Toronto, Ontario

















The Government Accountability Office Building, which I walked past on my way back to the hotel from my talk at Georgetown Law Center. Over the door, the words "integrity," "accountability" and "reliability."

The topics being discussed at Georgetown that day included ethics and integrity, especially of anything used as evidence or to verify and document. Since I had been asked to speak about truth, authenticity and photography, please let this photograph serve as proof that our government honored these values when the building was dedicated in 1951.

Southeast Area Coalition - Baber Parade

May 5, 2-4pm Parade starts at Trinity Church, 1235 Clinton Ave. (across from Field St.) and proceeds north to Baber AME Church, 550 Meigs St. (at intersection w/Clinton).

Food and music follow in Baber AME Church parking lot. Celebrate the neighborhood, meet and chat with neighbors in the SEAC community.

more information - SEAC office at 244-7405

Equal Marriage Bus to Albany

Tuesday, May 1
Equality and Justice Lobby Day
Call 278-4190 or register online

Equality & Justice Day in Albany - Empire State Pride Agenda will bring several buses of people to the capitol to lobby on behalf of LBGT equal rights.

Metro Justice and Empire State Pride Agenda:
Have you sent in your registration yet to take part in the most critical day of 2007 for the Equal Marriage movement? Are you ready to press your elected officials to act on issues like Equal Marriage, safe schools for LGBT youth and non-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression?

If you have not registered yet, there’s still time – two more days – to be guaranteed meetings with your legislators. After Friday Empire State Pride Agenda will do their best to schedule a meeting but they can't promise anything.

Here’s an overview of Equality & Justice Day 2007 (E&J Day):

Scheduled legislative visits with your elected representatives to highlight the need to pass marriage equality legislation, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), the Dignity for All Students Act and other legislation important to our community;

Powerful keynote speeches at a lunchtime rally on the grounds of the State Capitol from leaders in the LGBT movement and straight allies;

Networking and resource-sharing opportunities with hundreds of LGBT community members and straight allies.

To learn more about the key legislative issues, the day’s schedule, bus transportation and travel, sponsors and other important information, go to the Empire State Pride Agenda's E&J Day Resources page on their website. For information on the parent child play/retreat room that Empire State Pride Agenda will have available that day, check back at the end of this week.

Finally, be on the lookout for the great new resource Empire State Pride Agenda is about to put online called “Lobbying Your Legislator.” It’s a 15 minute “how to” video that they’ve put together to help make your legislative visits on May 1 effective and powerful. It will also be on their website by the end of this week.

By being in Albany on May 1, you demonstrate to your state representatives the power of New York’s straight allies and LGBT community and the urgent message that you need them to act on issues that are important to us, our families and our communities. Call your friends to go with you and register now .

To register - https://www.prideagenda.org/programs/eandj/index.html

Marriage Equality for ALL Taxpayers

Tuesday, April 17th 5-6pm
Henrietta Main Post Office
1335 Jefferson Road

Because of the weekend, the due date for filing taxes is April 17th at midnight this year. Because of the movement to establish legal marriage equality for same sex partners, there will be a demonstration at the post office on the day that tax forms must be postmarked.

No contact info or phone number was included, but this item was featured on the Metro Justice calendar, so you might be able to get more information at the MJ office: 325-2560
(sponsored by Social Action for Marriage Equality)

Meet the Author

April 12th; 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Publishing & Scholarship Support Center (Wallace Library; Bldg. 5, 1st floor)

Christina Bryce Hui
RIT Alumna ’06
Christina's featured publication: College for Me: A College Guide for Students with Attention Deficit Disorder

Christina’s book was written during her fourth year at RIT and was one of the first books published through the OpenBook@RIT partnership between RIT Libraries and Lulu.com. She also received support from the RIT Provost’s Office and the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies in the College of Applied Science and Technology. With a portion of the book proceeds, Christina established the RIT Bryce Scholarship to assist RIT students who have ADD.
Join the author for an informal chat!

WEB: http://library.rit.edu/events/meettheauthors/
INTERPRETING: To request interpreting services, please visit: http://myAccess.rit.edu.
For more information, contact: Sue Roethel at 585.475.2028 or smrwml@rit.edu

Reality Tour

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007
Time: Board the bus at 11:45. Tour ends by 3:00 p.m.
Departing from behind Department of Human Services-DHS (810 St. Paul St).

The Reality Tour will take you on a bus tour of poor neighborhoods in Rochester, as well as locations that represent some of our community’s real priorities. Learn about the daily problems faced by the poor, and the true impact of welfare reform and County budget cuts on the poor as well as the entire community!! Join us to discuss ideas about what we really need to do to end poverty in this community.

Registration: $10 for students and low-income, $10-$20 sliding scale donation for all others.
Checks should be made out to House of Mercy.

PLEASE NOTE: I will pay the registration for any student who would like to participate. Let me know as soon as possible if you'd like to take the tour and I will make arrangements OR you can contact the tour people, make your own arrangements and let me know so I can reimburse you.

Mail check to: Pauline Allen, 9 Beach Street, Brockport, NY 14420.
* RSVP by April 14th - seats are confirmed when payment is received.
Call 395-5562 for more information or e-mail SWAA@swaarochester.org

Sponsored by:
SUNY Brockport Women’s Center
Rochester Poor People’s Coalition
House of Mercy
Social Welfare Action Alliance
Poor People United
Rochester Chapter, National Organization for Women,
EMPOWER Welfare Rights,
Federation of Social Workers and SUNY Brockport Social Work Dept.
National Association of Social Workers – Genesee Valley Division

God’s Earth, Our Hands – Faithfully Caring for Creation

Sunday, April 22
Reformation Lutheran Church
111 N. Chestnut St., Rochester

info at godsearthourhands@yahoo.com or call Judy at 381-4508

As part of an Earth Day Symposium for "All People of Faith," these hands-on workshops with children will introduce them to issues related to global warming and the importance of the environment in which we live.

2-5 pm Youth Workshop (grades 6 – 12) – presenters, Sasha Bilow and Carl Adair (3:15 – 5:00 pm) location - church gym

Sasha Bilow and Carl Adair are seniors at the University of Rochester. Both have been active members of Grassroots, the environmental action and awareness group on campus. Sasha has been a coordinator of the Graduation Pledge, a movement which urges students to take into account the environmental and social consequences of any employment they are considering. Carl has brought Recyclemania, a nationwide recycling competition, to the University of Rochester.

Their youth workshop will ask the following questions: Have you ever thought about the ways that your actions affect God's creation? What are our responsibilities as the stewards of God's creation? Using a combination of film, readings, discussion, and activities, we will explore how we affect the world around us. What is an environmental footprint, and how can we make ours smaller? How can we engage our friends, schools, and congregations as we ensure that our children are able to enjoy the same beautiful Earth?


2:20-5 pm Children’s Workshop (grades 1-5) – presenter, Annie O’Reilly and friends (2:20 – 5:00 pm) location - church library

Annie O'Reilly is certified to teach Project WILD, Project WET, and Flying WILD workshops. She enjoys teaching the next generation of environmentalists. Mike O'Reilly enjoys sharing activities with others and being a good steward of the earth. Trish Pielnik loves children and loves nature, and is happy to combine the two in this workshop. Dick Wainwright builds birdhouses and has a passion for sharing it with children.

The workshop will explore endangered species of birds with a fun game. Then participants will be able to help expand bird habitat by building a birdhouse from salvaged wood, which can then be taken home.

Why Does Mrs. Wisner* Care What I Read?

The Rochester Public Library Task Force Hearing
Thursday, April 12, 6-8 p.m.
Kate Gleason Auditorium, 115 South Avenue, Rochester

Mrs. Wisner believes she knows what's best, for both you and for me. She believes that she alone is the local decider.

That's why she has threatened to close the libraries if she doesn't like what you're reading. Tell Mrs. Wisner you don't need the government telling you what you can and can not read. Tell Mrs. Wisner you can think for yourself.

* a.k.a. Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Chief Executive

Pizza and Outsourcing

Thursday April 12
2-4pm
Golisano 1400
(pizza will be served)

Dr. Ron Hira, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, will be participating in an audio discussion with David Kramer's Senior Seminar. (Dr. Hira is on leave for the academic year 2006-07 while he works as a Research Associate with the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, DC).

Dr. Hira will be discussing his book Outsourcing America and his current research on the policy implications of the off shoring of R&D, including his involvement with the Senate Subcommittee on Science and Technology.

Outsourcing America, published by the American Management Association, was a finalist in the best business book category for the Benjamin Franklin Awards presented each year by the Publishers Marketing Association. In 2006 Dr. Hira received the IEEE-USA President's Special Citation Award "for furthering public understanding of an economic trend that has profound implications for the engineering profession through his book."

An opportunity to find good photographs that describe distance communication and learning. Now that speakers don't have to be standing in front of an audience, what is the audience participation? How does the speaker engage the audience and acknowledge that he is talking to real, life, people in real time even though he's someplace else? What would be a good overall shot? Some interesting closer photographs that show people engaged in the issues?

Wes Culwell and discrimination

Tuesday April 17th at 8:00pm Student Alumni Union – Davis Dining Room
In commemoration of the National Day of Silence on April 18, Wes Culwell visits RIT campus. (free to RIT faculty, staff and students w/college ID)

Culwell is an American reality television participant, motivational speaker, travel writer and blogger. He is best known for his appearance in the 2003 Bravo dating" series Boy Meets Boy.

Before he appeared on Boy Meets Boy, Culwell worked for a non-profit LGBT community center in San Diego, California. He pursued an acting career, landing a part in the 1999 film Clean and Narrow.

On the show Boy Meets Boy, Culwell was one of 15 "mates" from whom "leading man" James Getzlaff had to choose. Unbeknownst to Getzlaff and Culwell, several of the "mates" were actually straight. Midway through the series, James learned of this twist and also learned that if James were to select a gay "mate" the two would win a cash prize and a trip to New Zealand, while if he chose a straight "mate" James would win nothing and the "mate" would win the cash prize. Getzlaff selected Culwell and won the trip and the cash

Culwell became a travel writer for outlets including gay.com , The Advocate and Instinct . He also became a speaker with Rainbow Campus Tour, traveling to college campuses and corporations across the United States to speak about diversity and tolerance.

Ethnic Fest and Celebrations

“Connect the world/travel the globe without leaving campus.”

Saturday, April 14, 2007
11 am- 4 pm
Nazareth College Shults Center

Co-sponsored by:
United Nations Association of Rochester 473-7286 and
Nazareth College Center for International Education 389-2371

admission:
$ 5 family
$ 3 individual
students free with current ID

enjoy ethnic music, dance, food, crafts, storytelling, and global spirit.

Saturday April 14, 6:00 pm, in the Webb Auditorium
ANNUAL STAGE SHOW and DINNER
HISTORY - PASSION- CULTURE
(Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan)
Ticket Sale in the SAU lobby:
Wednesday 10:00am - 4:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
$8 in advance, $10 at the door.
BASANT OASIS: Organization of Alliance of Students from the Indian Subcontinent

St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center

St. Joe's Neighborhood Center provides health care for individuals and families who do not have health insurance, public assistance or any other means to pay for basic health needs. Staffed by many volunteers and professionals as well as regional medical students, the Center is a warm and welcoming refuge located at 417 South Avenue in the city. There are two events sponsored by St. Joe's coming up:

THIS SATURDAY, April 14th, the UR Well students who run our Tuesday night medical clinic are sponsoring a fund raiser for this program. Starting at 10 a.m. on April 14th, you could participate in a 5K run OR WALK or you could be with your children on the 1K Kids' Fun Run. Registration fees are $15 and $10, respectively ($20 race-day registration). Some of our staff will be walking in the 5K event. You can learn more about it and register on line at www.urwell.org Free T-shirts will be given to the first 300 registered participants.

SATURDAY, MAY 19th will be the City-sponsored Clean Sweep morning clean-up for Southeast Rochester. We would like to make it a "Clean Sweep at the Center" morning as well. 8:30 am, meet at East High School, get your free T-shirt and be assigned to come work on one of our projects (which will most likely be litter pick-up around the building and along South Avenue and landscaping/beautification projects on the Center property). We work from 9-Noon and at noon meet up again for a celebration picnic (or maybe we'll have our own right here in the back yard). For more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov or call 428-5990. Gloves will be provided by the city, but plan on bringing your own tools if you have them. This is the first of what we hope will be semi-annual All-Center clean-up days! Let me know if you have any question

Earth Month Recycling Initiatives

In each passing year, our society is becoming increasingly aware of environmental degradation. At RIT, we continually search for ways to conserve our resources and strive for tomorrow’s sustainability. What better time for you to make a difference than this month. FMS Recycling is embracing the Earth Month purpose and is promoting environmental awareness through several activities sponsored by FMS and other RIT groups:

Week 1 to 2: Spring Cleaning Week Paper Waste (including cardboard) accounts for more than 75% of RIT’s waste. This week focuses on paper recycling and cleaning out your “junk”.

Week 2: Reuse-a-Shoe Collection Drive Have old athletic shoes? Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe Collection Drive grinds the shoes to re-use for athletic surfaces. Look for collection drives around campus.

Week 2: Wetland Planting – Apr 14th, 10a-2:30p, Black Creek Park - Help build a wetland! Contact Rochelle Bell at 753-2034 for info.

Week 3: Waste Audit – Friday the 20th, 11a-2p, Infinity Quad - Volunteer to audit for 10 minutes and receive a $3 gift cert to Ben & Jerry’s!

Week 3: Campus Clean-Up – Sunday the 22nd, 11a-2p, RIT perimeter - Pick up trash around RIT with the S.E.A.L. Club as part of Earth Day. Watch for more details from S.E.A.L.

Week 4: Sustainability Forum, 10a-4p, CIMS bldg 78 (doesn't list date) - Join the discussion and other activities located in building 78.

Week 4: One-Ton Displays + Hybrid Car demo – 24th, 11a-1p, Infinity Quad - What’s a hybrid car like, and how does this technology affect the Earth? Find out here.

Week 4: TNCS: An Inconvenient Truth – 26th, 10p, Ingle Auditorium - Watch the movie that brought global warming to world-wide attention. Sponsored by CAB.

Starting this week, do think of your actions and their effect on the environment. Need a jump-start to environmental consciousness? Start with these resources:

FMS Recycling – http://facilities.rit.edu/recycling
S.E.A.L. Club - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seal-rit/
Dept of Environmental Management - http://www.rit.edu/~704www/
Engineers for Sustainable World - http://www.rit.edu/~633www/ESW/
Monroe County Dept of Environmental Services - www.monroecounty.gov/des-index.php

“Beneath the Orange and Brown we’re really GREEN”

May Day Celebration at Peacework Farm

(photograph for Peacework Farms by Thomas Ruggiero)

Please join our May Day celebration on Sunday, April 29 from 2 to 6 pm at Peacework Farm, Welcher Road (across from 2232 Welcher, but that is a private home so use our parking areas). At 2 pm, popular local fiddler Kit Fallon will accompany the dancing around the May Pole. No previous dance experience necessary! Next, we will have tours of the land, the old Humbert dairy farm, now owned by the Genesee Land Trust and leased to Peacework Farm. Then Leona Lauster will lead a wild flower walk in the woods, a nature preserve open to the public. At 4:30, we will have a potluck supper. Please bring a dish to pass, a place setting and folding chairs. The farm will provide drinks. All are welcome!

If you would like to join in Community Supported Agriculture and get a share of Peacework produce every week from mid-May through November, please come early to the local orientation meeting. The sign up meeting will be on Sunday, April 29 at 1 pm at the farm. The Peacework farmers grow over 200 varieties of 70 crops to supply weekly packets for close to 300 families in Wayne and Ontario Counties and the greater Rochester area. Joining the CSA is a good way to save money if you want to feed your family organic produce at a reasonable price.

New members are welcome to join Peacework’s Community Supported Agriculture cooperative. Every week of the 27-week season, members receive a packet of fresh produce: from 7 to 10 vegetables in a Full share, and 4 to 5 in a Partial share. Pick up is at the farm. The price for Full shares is $14 to $25 a week, on a sliding scale (the farm aims at providing at least a $17 a week value), and $11 a week for Partial shares. So that no one is excluded because of inability to pay, scholarships for as much as $8 a week are available. Members agree to share the risks and benefits of the season with the farmers and to work three 4-hour shifts during the season helping with the farm work. Peacework welcomes families with children and offers special Children’s Days when Roland Micklem, Wayne County’s own naturalist, leads the children on nature walks.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Henderson at 315-331-9029, or by email – ehendrsn@redsuspenders.com or go to the website at: www.gvocsa.org/gvocsafaq.html#Farm_Location

Rural and Migrant Ministry activities

Rural and Migrant Ministry acts to overcome the prejudices and poverty that degrades and debilitates all members of our society, by building community that celebrate diversity, achieve true mutuality and offer dignity and opportunity to all. We send out this information to support different Western NY strives to stand in solidarity with the rural and migrant communities for a just world.

If you have information you would like to share or questions please send it to ltorres@ruralmigrantministry.org.

You can get more information about Rural and Migrant Ministry at its website: www.ruralmigrantministry.org

PLEASE NOTE - I just received (4/13/07) a lengthy critique of the RMM/CITA organization, their management and their use of funds. Unfortunately, the sender did not include any contact information so that I could reply or ask questions or seek clarification of his/her claims. The writer suggests reading the following NY Times articles by Diana B. Henriques: As Exemptions Grow, Religion Outweighs Regulation (10/8/06); Where Faith Abides, Employees Have Few Rights (10/9/06); Religious Programs Expand, So Do Tax Breaks (10/10/06); Religion-Based Tax Breaks: Housing to Paychecks to Books (10/11/06)

As it is with any of the postings on this blog, inclusion of events or organizations is not an endorsement of those events or the organization's activities, but an invitation to photojournalism and documentary students to see, photograph and report on these events and activities. It is hoped that any documentation will be responsible, insightful and representative of the merits (or lack of merits) of any events or organizations.

We go out in the world to see, to think, to learn and to document with fairness and authenticity.

UPDATE 4/14/07 - The individual who sent comments on the organizations that comprise Rural and Migrant Ministries has kindly contacted me with further information, including his own contact information. Apparently, he had included his personal information in the first comment sent to the blog, but when it was forwarded to me for approval for the site, that information was deleted by the blog software.

I now have a number of newspaper articles, copies of some legal proceedings and a greater range of background information that raises questions any good journalist would at least give a fair hearing and review. (I will be spending some time going through the material myself, to get a picture of the issues and to see what the story is...) If you'd like to contact Christopher Pawelski to speak with him directly, I have his address and telephone number and his permission to forward the information to anyone interested in pursuing the story. His email address is evep@warwick.net If you'd like to review the materials Mr. Pawelski has shared with me, let me know and I'd be happy to copy them for you.

Involvement Opportunities:

June 1st to August 12: Sowing Seeds for Change Fellowship Program, Brockport, NY

June-August, Rural and Migrant Ministry's Summer Internships 2007, Brockport & Hudson Valley, NY

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, March 31 at 1:30 PM: LA COSECHA/THE HARVEST, Willard Straight Hall, Ithaca, NY

Wednesday, April 4, from 7 to 9 PM: ROCLA monthly meeting „Fear of the Other: Working Toward a Just Policy‰

Friday, April 6, from 7 to 9 PM: El Juicio de Judas by Hispanic Migrant Ministry of the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Rochester, Church of the Nativity, 152 Main St., Brockport, NY

Saturday, April 21, 9:00 AM˜1:30 PM: 6th Annual Public Policy Luncheon of the Episcopal Dioceses of Rochester: „Fear of the Other: Working Toward a Just Immigration Policy‰, St. Michael‚s, 23 Main Street, Geneseo, NY

Saturday, April 28: Just Us Jump Off Youth Conference by Rural and Migrant Ministry, Webb Horton Memorial Presbyterian Church, 50 East Main St., Middletown, NY

Sunday, June 18 Thursday, June 22: Strategic Corporate Research: Understanding and Researching Corporate Ownership Structure, Corporate Finance, and the Sources of Corporate Power, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Sunday, June 24, Bienvenida, Brockport, NY

Tuesday, April 10: Contact New York State Lawmakers and ask them to opt out of the federal mandate to make NY licenses federal identifications.
Governor Eliot Spitzer is close to making a decision about whether or not New York should follow a non-debated 2005 federal mandated to turn their Driver‚s Licenses into a national ID card.

New York Civil Liberty Union estimates the Real ID Act will cost New York $1.05 billion over ten years to implement, will send driver‚s license fees soaring, cause numerous bureaucratic hurdles, raise the risk and consequences of identity theft, invade New Yorkers‚ privacy. This effort will fail to do anything to keep New Yorkers safe.

Along with the risk of losing their licenses, many people would run the risk of losing their jobs due to a lack of transportation. The livelihood of thousands and thousands of rural families is at stake. The mandate would also increase the vulnerability and susceptibility to exploitation of undocumented workers by making them more dependent on those who may take advantage of them. Furthermore, as more people lose their licenses, we will have increased numbers of uninsured, unregistered drivers on the road. This is a danger to all New Yorkers and a situation that will lead to higher insurance rates statewide.

Please call Governor Spitzer‚s office at or contact your state lawmakers about this issue and tell them "I support efforts to have New York opt out of Real ID."

To contact Governor Spitzer call 518-474-8390

To find your state Assembly member: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

To find out your state Senator: www.senate.state.ny.us/sdlookup.nsf/Public_search?OpenForm

For more information or talking points, contact Ari Rosmarin, New York Civil Liberties Union at (212) 607-3358 or arosmarin@nyclu.org.

Involvement Opportunities:

June 1st to August 12: Sowing Seeds for Change Fellowship Program, Brockport, NY
Student Action with Farmworkers in collaboration with Rural and Migrant Ministry will host a college student in Brockport, NY to participate in the Sowing Seeds for Change (SSC) Fellowship Program. The SSC Fellowship is a ten-week summer leadership development program for college students to work with a community organization that serves farmworkers in their state. As a SSC Fellow you will participate in two intense trainings in North Carolina including farmworker issues, skills-building workshops, activism, anti-oppression training, and reflections. You will work full-time for a farmworker organization in your state, write journal entries and conduct a presentation to the larger community. You will be part of a group of 30 student fellows and interns working on improving conditions for farmworkers this summer. The program runs June 4-August 12, 2007, Fellows receive $3000 per diem & scholarship, and SAF pays for travel to trainings. For more information contact Laxmi Hay
nes, National Student Organizer at 919-660-3660 or farmworker_justice@yahoo.com. You can also visit WWW.SAF-UNITE.ORG. Apply by April 1, 2007

June-August, Rural and Migrant Ministry‚s Summer Internships 2007, Brockport & Hudson Valley, NY
Want to make a difference? Rural and Migrant Ministry offers summer internships for individuals who want to be involved in social justice. Rural and Migrant Ministry (RMM) is a non-profit organization serving rural and migrant people in New York through programs of empowerment and advocacy. Interns are invited to join our diverse staff for a summer (June-August) and work in a specific program area. It is essential to have a driver's license, as the position requires a lot of travel in rural areas. Internships are available both in the Hudson Valley and Brockport (housing provided). Stipends for the summer to cover expenses are $2,000. For more information, go to http://ruralmigrantministry.org/get/get_2.asp.

Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, April 4, from 7 to 9 PM: ROCLA monthly meeting "Fear of the Other: Working Toward a Just Policy"

Kathy Castania, MultiCultural specialist and consultant, and Luis R Torres, WNY director of Rural and Migrant Ministry. The presentation will cover: The impact of fear in communities, the impact of past and present legislation, what is just comprehensive reform, and a context for current movements for just policy.

For more information please call Bob Kaiser at 293-3194 or email mbkaiser@juno.com.

Friday, April 6, from 7 to 9 PM: El Juicio de Judas by Hispanic Migrant Ministry of the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Rochester, Church of the Nativity, 152 Main St., Brockport, NY

Hispanic Migrant Ministry invites you to El Juicio de Judas (in English Judas‚ Judgment) on Good Friday. This play will take place in Spanish. It is a way for communal learning and remembrance of Christian Teaching. For more information please contact Norma Lazcano at nlazcano@brockport.edu.

Saturday, April 21, 9:00 AM˜1:30 PM: 6th Annual Public Policy Luncheon of the Episcopal Dioceses of Rochester: "Fear of the Other: Working Toward a Just Immigration Policy", St. Michael‚s, 23 Main Street, Geneseo, NY

Presenters: Loretta Kruger, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of Wayne County and Luis Torres, WNY Director, Rural and Migrant Ministry. The program begins with Bible Study, led by the Rev. Philip Schaefer. Topics the workshop will cover include

• The roots of our fear of others
• The impact of this fear on immigrant communities (Latinos and Muslims)
• The impact of current harsh punitive legislation (past and present)
• What might be included in just comprehensive immigration reform
• What we can do to achieve immigration reform

Participants will begin learn how to talk about comprehensive immigration reform to parishes, communities, elected representatives, and the media. At the end of the session, resources will be available to help participants work through legislative channels on both local and national levels. There will be LUNCH free of cost served by the Public Policy Committee. For more information/registration, contact Marilyn Wienk at marirose@frontiernet.net or Scarlett Emerson SSEmerson@frontiernet.net

Saturday, April 28: Just Us - Jump Off Youth Conference by Rural and Migrant Ministry, Webb Horton Memorial Presbyterian Church, 50 East Main St., Middletown, NY
The Youth Arts Group (YAG) of the Rural and Migrant Ministry (RMM) is organizing the 4th Annual Just Us Jump Off ˆ All Day Conference. . It represents an opportunity for young people who are working to create change in their communities to come together, make connections with other visionaries, and learn leadership skills that will help them in their efforts to make social change happen. More details about the workshops and speakers will be available soon. For more information contact Andres Chamorro, Youth Arts Group Coordinator Office: (845) 485-8627, Cell: (845) 518-9210, chamorro@ptd.net.

Sunday, June 18 and Thursday, June 22: Strategic Corporate Research:
Understanding and Researching Corporate Ownership Structure, Corporate Finance, and the Sources of Corporate Power, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Despite enormous challenges in organizing and bargaining in a rapidly changing global economy, this is a time of great opportunity and innovation by American unions. Nowhere is this more evident than in recent union organizing and bargaining campaign victories such as CWA in wireless telecommunications and FLOC at Mt. Olive. Fundamental to all these campaigns was careful strategic research. This course will be designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the nature and structure of corporate ownership, finance, and power in today‚s economy. Contact Diana Denner at (607) 254-4749 or e-mail at scr-school@cornell.edu Or visit our website at http://www.sce.cornell.edu/ss/courses/on/special/scr.php

Sunday, June 24, Bienvenida, Brockport, NY
Come join in the festivities as our community welcomes back the workers whose efforts put food on our tables. Everyone is welcome at these free community events. Sponsored by Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee (BEOC). For more information please contact Grace Carson at (585) 964-3956.

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