stories and events

Rochester Poets Free Speech Zone

2007-09-21T21:42:00.000-04:00

Thursday night readings, performances & rants
continued without interruption at The House of Hamez
(the former Daily Perks), 389 Gregory St. 281-7367.

The Pure Kona series moved to Mondays at Boulder
Coffee. The Free Speech Zone series is co-hosted by poet Frank Judge & musician Ed Downey. 8-11 pm. Free admission. Stop on by. To join the mailing list, email rochfreespeechzone@gmail.com

Free Speech Week is Oct. 15-21st this year
http://www.freespeechweek.org/

Women in Black

2007-09-21T21:33:00.000-04:00

WOMEN IN BLACK

We stand in solidarity with those
mourning loss of life on both sides
of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict.

Come join us the second and fourth Fridays at 12 Corners
in Brighton (Winton, Monroe, and Elmwood).
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Friday, September 28
Friday, October 12
Friday, October 26
Friday, November 9

Please bring signs, and bring concerned friends.We invite participants to wear black to show solidarity with those mourning their losses.

PEACE.

Hank Stone
(Elaine Johnson, Convenor of Women in Black, is out of town.)
http://www.womeninblack.net/

Golisano College Game Day Thursday

2007-09-19T20:39:00.000-04:00

Thursday, September 20, 2007
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Bldg. 70 Atrium

Help us celebrate the launch of our brand new BS degree in Game Design & Development!

Challenge your gaming skills with the best!
Tournaments with walk-in registration!
Demos of Golisano student built games!
Other great games to play!
Great prizes!
Lots of fun!

Friends Helping Friends 1st year anniversary

2007-09-18T22:09:00.000-04:00

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd
333 Child Street, Rochester

A year after purchasing and opening our thrift store & food cupboard facility... we're still here and celebrating our first year. We'll be barbecuing and having a great blow-out fund raising sale! Come down and pay us a visit.

”Hollywood Al & the Mix” will be performing live music & we'll also be featuring a debut performance from Andrew Stankevich as “Henry the Hobo clown” to be making balloon animals and painting faces.

If you haven't been down to check out the store... please do!

Contact:
Andrew Stankevich
Friends Helping Friends
fhf2004@hotmail.com
436-5605

Undocumented Immigrants - Saturday 9/15

2007-09-14T21:54:00.000-04:00

Saturday Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to noon
at NYSUT Hall, 30 North Union Street

"Undocumented Immigrants: Restrictions, Rights and Reprimands"
A community forum

These questions will be addressed: Should we restrict undocumented immigrant labor? What rights, if any, are due undocumented immigrant workers? What penalties, if any, ought we impose on employers of undocumented immigrant workers?

Presenters: Jim Schmidt, Farmworker Legal Services; Aaron Hilger, Builders’ Exchange; Jim Vandervoort, Laborers Local 435; Gary Pudup, ACLU.

Join us! This program will help you understand important issues which affect us all. These long time union officials and legal experts will also answer your questions.

Labyrinth Walk - International Day of Peace

2007-09-14T21:49:00.000-04:00

The International Day of Peace - September 21
Interfaith Outdoor Labyrinth Walk
At Christ Church in Rochester, New York
141 East Ave. (Corner of Broadway)

As part of a global movement to seek peace, a local group will be building a labyrinth and will engage in related activities until 4pm. (for more about the international movement, look at www.internationaldayofpeace.org )

10:30 a.m. -- Creation and blessing of a labyrinth
Open Labyrinth Walk until 4:00 p.m.
12:15 and 2:30 p.m. -- Group meditation for peace

Sponsored by Life Listening Resources and Project Empower (www.lifelistening.com and www.projectempower.org )
Please plan to attend all or part of this event. It is open to all people, all ages.
Questions/comments should be directed to: 256-3384

Friends Helping Friends

2007-09-14T21:42:00.000-04:00

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

This is an organization that includes a thrift shop, a food pantry and other kinds of assistance and activities for the poor. It's located on Child St. between the 490W exit and Lyell Ave. They also have a bike shop on Hudson -- teaching bike repair and refurbishing/giving away bicycles to residents.

Andrew Stankevich
Friends Helping Friends
(585) 436-5605

http://www.friends-helping-friends.org/
http://www.friends-helping-friends.org/contact.php

Diakonia Leadership Institute

2007-09-14T21:38:00.000-04:00

October 10-12, 2007
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
1100 S. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14620

Guest Speakers:
Myra Brown, Spiritus Christi Church
Rev. Michael Russell, Jubilee Faith Community Lutheran Church
Valora Starr, Women of the ELCA

Workshops focusing on Program Planning, Community Organizing, Volunteer Recruitment, Telling Your Story, Poverty & Wealth and Many More!

Registration Fee: $25 includes meals, the brand new guidebook to addressing poverty issues from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Lazarus At the Gates), as well as a grantwriting textbook by Andy Robinson. Scholarships are available if the $25 is a barrier.

Contact Loretta Horton, Director for Poverty Ministries Networking
Phone: 1800-638-3522 ext. 2404 or
loretta.horton@elca.org

Sept. 11 - Peace Advocates Vigils

2007-09-09T18:15:00.000-04:00

Peace Advocates Vigils - Stand for Peace in a time of War

Bring Them Home Now vigils on the first Thursday and third Wednesday in the morning, and the second Tuesday, in the evening, of each month.

Tuesday, September 11
First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road (4:30 - 6:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, September 19
First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road (7:30 - 9 a.m.);
Park & Culver (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
Irondequoit United Church of Christ, 644 Titus - across from the House of Guitars (7:30 - 9 a.m.)

Thursday, October 4
First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road (7:30 - 9 a.m.);
Park & Culver (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)

Tuesday, October 9
First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road (4:30 - 6:00 p.m.);
Downtown United Presbyterian Church and The Episcopal Church of St. Luke & St. Simone Cyrene, Fitzhugh & Broad (4:30 ˆ 6:00 p.m)

Wednesday, October 17
First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road (7:30 - 9 a.m.);
Park & Culver (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
Irondequoit United Church of Christ, 644 Titus ˆ across from the House of Guitars (7:30 - 9 a.m.)

Come and leave as it fits your schedule. The goal is to bring an awareness of the war into our daily lives, call for our troops to come home and witness for another approach to healing in Iraq.

We encourage the wider community to hold vigils in front of their places of worship, or work, or neighborhood, etc. - so that vigils will be all across the greater Rochester area at the same times each month. Let us know if you will work with us in this effort.

Others have already joined us in scheduling vigils. We welcome friends to stand with us at one of the (above) listed vigils; signs will be provided.

For more information email uupeaceadvocates@hotmail.com or call (585) 749-7121

UU PEACE ADVOCATES
www.rochesterunitarian.org/peaceadvocates.html
BringOurSoldiersHome.org (Billboard locations listed on this site)

Syracuse Anti-War Rally

2007-09-08T15:10:00.000-04:00

MASSIVE ANTI-WAR RALLY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th to Syracuse NY

"GET ON THE BUS !!! Join STUDENTS, SOLDIERS, VETERANS, and other ACTIVISTS in Syracuse, for an upstate rally:

BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!

Hosted by: Syracuse Peace Council and SEIU 1199
Organized by: Iraq Veterans Against the War ˆ Ft. Drum,
Campus Antiwar Network, and the Upstate NY Antiwar Network (a network of antiwar organizations from 12 Upstate NY cities)

ROCHESTER AGAINST WAR (rochesteragainstwar.org ) has buses. Seats cost $20 ($10 for low income or students) Reserve your seat with payment at the Antiwar Crisis Center Storefront, 658 Monroe Avenue, 585-271-2620 or email events@rochesterAgainstWar.org for more information.

Buddhist Peace Fellowship

2007-09-08T15:06:00.000-04:00

first Monday of each month
Silent Vigil (meditation) for peace

The next vigil will be Monday, September 10, from 12 Noon to 1 pm, in front of the Federal Building, 100 State St., Rochester, NY. Please bring your own blanket, cushion and/or chair (and groundcloth or piece of plastic if it is wet). If you can't come for the full hour, please join
us for as long as you can.

This is an opportunity for us to publicly express a non-violent, compassionate, thoughtful alternative to aggression and conflict.

contact: Jay Thompson
jayf_thompson@hotmail.com

Do you like nature photography??

2007-09-08T14:04:00.000-04:00

Sierra Club Fall Festival And Fun Raiser -
Saturday, September 29th, 5pm – 9pm -- at Tay House*

Nature Discoveries: Pictures of a Lifetime http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/discoveries.htm
Featuring outstanding nature photos from around the world and talk by Peter Debes, naturalist.

Also see an advanced film trailer on Hemlock Lake from an upcoming movie.
Wine & cheese, light supper, desert & coffee, nature show all for only $10.
Have you ever wanted to see the Galapagos, the blue-crowned motmot of Trinidad, Sicily in Spring?

On Saturday, September 29th, Sierra Club will hold our annual fall festival and fund raiser featuring nature photos and a talk by Peter Debes, an outstanding nature photographer, naturalist and lecturer. Peter will not only show his breathtaking pictures shot during his many “Nature Discovery” expeditions to various parts of the world but he will also include educational and environmental commentaries and stories. The annual fall festival on Saturday, September 29th starts with wine, cheese, light supper, desert, coffee and friendly sharing with fellow environmentalists.

At about 6:15pm we will be treated to the first showing of a trailer from a film now in production on Conesus and Hemlock Lakes being shot by Chris Williams, local film maker. Following this Peter Debes will show his photos and give an educational talk. All this is only $10 per ticket or $25 for larger families. Wine, cheese, soft drinks, light supper starting at 5pm. Desert, coffee and shows start about 6:15pm.

Ticket information: Checks can be made out to Sierra Club and sent to PO Box 39516, Rochester, N.Y. 14604 or payment can be made at the door, but RSVP if paying at the door by calling Sierra Club 234-1056 to reserve your supper. -

* Directions to Tay House Lodge at Cobbs Hill Park -From South Winton Road: turn west toward the city at Temple Beth El (corner S. Winton and Hillside Ave.) Continue three blocks to School #1 on Hillside Ave. Tay House is behind the School. Parking available near Tay House. From Culver Road: Take Cobbs Hill Park road (Norris Drive) through Cobbs Hill Park. At the Monroe County Water Authority branch right on to Hillside Ave. and look for School #1. Tay House is behind School #1.

Frank J. Regan - Communications Chairperson and webmaster for the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/

Also, the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club has a new phone voice mailbox. Call 585-234-1056 to leave a message. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Community Celebration

2007-09-08T13:56:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, September 19th - 5:30 pm
the Baptist Temple, 1101 Clover St. at Highland Ave.

"We are sharing the room with Ms. Rosa Wims, long-time friend and activist for health care. There isn't much more to say except that this is an opportunity to "listen to the heart" of a woman through her life-story. (She won't tell you her age, but we know from a good sources it's over 80 years.)

Listening and sharing our stories is a tradition and GRCC wants to begin offering these small moments of inspiration and grace."

Join us... cost is $10 and rsvp is requested by 9/14.

Marie Gibson
Greater Rochester Community of Churches
2 Riverside Street, Rochester, NY 14613
(585) 254-2570 Fax: 254-6551 www.grcc.org
Marie E. Gibson, Administrator

more on Take a Stand Days

2007-08-28T18:20:00.000-04:00

In addition to the demonstrations at Twelve Corners, there will be activities in September.

Stay tuned... I'll put information up as soon as I get it.

Stand up in September
Corner Ridge & Long Pond, Rochester at 7:00 PM

Village Gazebo, Hilton at 7:00 PM

Labor Day Parade

2007-08-28T18:06:00.000-04:00

Get ready for the Labor Day Parade in downtown Rochester!

10am Assembly begins near Sibley Place on East Avenue

This is traditionally a labor/worker and union parade, celebrating the workers who produce what we wear, eat, drive..... and the rights that all workers deserve.

Often, there are additional parade entries. This year, Rochester Against War will also form a contingent. They will hold a sign-making session at the next RAW weekly meeting at noon, Sat. Sept. 1st at the Antiwar Crisis Center Storefront at 658 Monroe Ave (near Oxford)

Interactive Day of Action

2007-08-25T16:41:00.000-04:00

Tuesday Aug. 28th
"all day" (no specific hours listed) with main event 6-8pm
12 Corners, Brighton

At the intersection of Monroe, Winton and Elmwood in Rochester:

On Tues. Aug. 28th MoveOn, in conjunction with AAEI-Americans Against Escalation in Iraq is holding events across the country to call attention to the upcoming Sept opportunity to change course in Iraq. This event hopes to send our representatives back to Washington with the clear message that the majority of their constituents want them to vote for that change.

So, our local event will be an all day Interactive Day of Action at 12 Corners, Brighton, building to a main event starting at 6 pm. From 6-8 pm we will having planned speakers and entertainment (perhaps street theater group and Grannies). This will also include a candle lit vigil, with people continually circling the gazebo to engage the public driving by.

All the Peace Groups in Rochester are invited and hopefully will be sponsoring
tables at the event.

Please join us
http://political.moveon.org/event/septembervigil/40206

Military Moms' Mothers' Day

2007-05-10T17:39:00.000-04:00

May 13, 1:00-4:00 PM: Picnic for those with loved ones away from home in the military.

To be hosted in Webster by Joanne Wells, mother of USAF SSGT Andrew Wells. Call Joanne at (585) 719-3507.

European-Haudenosaunee meetup in Ganondagan

2007-05-10T17:20:00.000-04:00

May 12th and 13th--Living History at Ganondagan State Historic Site, 1488 State Route 444, Victor, New York.

In 1669 the French explorer La Salle met with members of the Seneca nation at a site just south of today's Victor, New York. This Saturday and Sunday living historians from across the US and Canada will recreate this historic meeting at Ganondagan, New York’s only Native American State Historic Site. Visit with both Iroquois and Colonial people dressed in authentic 17th century clothing. There will be French, Jesuit priests, Seneca, and Dutch traders as well as master artisans of Native American and early Colonial arts who will demonstrate throughout the day. Watch as LaSalle and his party are received by the inhabitants of Ganondagan, try your hand at Seneca archery, a tomahawk throw, and listen to lectures on this most interesting time period. This event is geared towards education and hands on fun. Daily Admission: $5 to the public, $3 Friends of Ganondagan members, seniors, and students. Two day discounted tickets will also be available at the gate.

For more information: (585) 742-1690, (585) 924-5848, or the Ganondagan web site.

Protest Ringling's Circus

2007-05-08T13:35:00.000-04:00

"Protest Ringling's Circus of Screams ... with bullhooks, chains, and whips. Advocate for the enslaved, the chained, the stifled."

PROTESTORS: ARRIVE ONE HOUR+ BEFORE SHOWTIMES.

Allow yourself time to find parking (lots in the area, or on streets)and to walk over to BCA:

Ringling Brothers Circus
Wed, May 9th = 6:30pm (for 7:30pm show) *opening night
Thurs, May 10th = 6:30pm (for 7:30pm show)
Friday, May 11th = 6:30pm (for 7:30pm show)

Sat, May 12th = 10:30am (for 11:30am show)

" " = 2:30pm (for 3:30pm show)

" " = 6:30pm (for 7:30pm show)

Sun, May 13th = 12:00noon (for 1:00pm show) *Mother's Day!
" " = 4:00pm (for 5:00pm show)

LOCATION: Blue Cross Arena, 1 War Memorial Sq, 14614
*corner Broad St and Exchange Blvd, Rochester NY (www.googlemaps.com or http://bluecrossarena.com/events.htm

SUPPORT CIRCUSES WITHOUT ANIMALS:
http://www.api4animals.org/a1a_circus.php
http://circuses.com/pdfs/AnimalFreeCircuses.pdf
http://www.api4animals.org/facts?p=419&more=1cat=288

Using animals in circuses is an unnecessary and inhumane practice that's harmful to both the animals and the public. Unlike the human performers who choose to work in circuses, exotic animals are forced to take part in the show. They are involuntary actors in a degrading, unnatural spectacle.

While many people associate the circus with "safe, wholesome, family fun" — an association promoted aggressively by the circus PR machine — the truth is much darker. Government inspection reports reveal ongoing mistreatment of animals in circuses, as well as failures to provide the basic minimal standards of care required by law. Animals used in circuses have been injured and killed, and have injured and killed humans.

Circuses that exploit animals make lofty claims about their "educational" value and their contributions to "conservation." But the real message that these circuses send to children is that it's acceptable to abuse animals for amusement and profit.

And the conservation claims made by many circuses are merely veiled attempts to justify the exploitation of animals for commercial gain. Endangered animals born in circus "conservation" programs have never been released into the wild — they are doomed, instead, to life in captivity.

Animals are not ours to exploit in any way, for any reason.
www.ARAUNY.org

Immigrant Rights Rally - Rochester

2007-04-30T21:45:00.000-04:00

(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

2007-04-23T21:27:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-23T20:42:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-23T20:33:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-22T20:46:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-22T20:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-22T20:23:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-20T22:21:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-20T22:18:00.000-04:00

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!!

2007-04-20T22:15:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-20T22:12:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-18T22:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-18T22:11:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-18T22:08:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

“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

2007-04-16T21:44:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-16T21:34:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-16T21:11:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-13T20:48:00.000-04:00

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!

2007-04-12T22:06:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-12T21:57:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-12T21:43:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T21:41:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T21:21:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T21:07:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T20:59:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T13:52:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T12:41:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T12:33:00.000-04:00

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?

2007-04-11T12:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T12:21:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T12:12:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-11T11:36:00.000-04:00

“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

2007-04-09T21:52:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-09T21:43:00.000-04:00

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

2007-04-09T21:29:00.000-04:00

(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

2007-04-09T21:04:00.000-04:00

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.

This list is brought to you by Alliance for Democracy-Rochester
http://www.RochesterAlliance.org

Blue & Grey Debutante Ball

2007-03-22T21:36:00.000-04:00

Saturday, March 24, 2007, 6:00 pm-Midnight
The Ukrainian Club, 1040 Jackson Rd., Webster

The Sons of Union Veterans Lincoln Camp #6 & Daughters of Union Veterans Tent #56,
The Guy-Thurmon Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans
&
Louisa Mercedes Dragoon Chapter of The Order of the Confederate Rose
Cordially Invite You To the 6th Annual Blue & Grey Civil War Debutante Ball

Buffet Supper, Live Music and Dancing by City Fiddle,
Cash Bar, Door Prizes, Debutante and Essay Winner Presentations

For information call Shirley Boris at (315) 483-4728

Nineteenth-Century Style Sugaring-Off Party

2007-03-22T21:28:00.000-04:00

Saturday, March 24, 2007, 5:00-9:00 PM
Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford.

In the tradition of New England long ago. Family-style dinner featuring traditional 19th-century foods, live music, and dancing.

There's a steep admission charge, so call ahead at 585-538-6822.

Eat Drink Dance Paint Rock Declaim for Peace

2007-03-22T21:07:00.000-04:00

Saturday, March 24, 2007, from 11 am to 11 pm:

Music & Arts Concert for Peace at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality, 402 South Avenue

11:00 am to 3:00 pm: Graffiti painting workshop

3:00 pm to 11:00 pm: Concert with
-Draffin
-Subsoil
-Deborah Magone
-Spirit of Ontario
-Musicface
-Christopher Robin
-RAW Street Theatre

St. Joe's is also a homeless shelter and parking is somewhat limited. Call 585-436-1786 for more information.

Hotel Workers Seeking Better Wages, Work Conditions

2007-03-18T15:48:00.000-04:00

TURSDAY, MARCH 22nd, 2007 UNITE HERE HALL 750 EAST AVENUE
ROCHESTER, NY 14607
4:00 PM

Please join community members, labor organizations, advocates and members of clergy to learn more about the Crowne Plaza Rochester Organizing Campaign, how this campaign affects the community, and what our community can do to help workers in the Rochester area!

For more information, or to confirm attendance, call Vanessa Mangan at 585-469-4217.

Vanessa Lynn Mangan
Community Campaign Coordinator
UNITE HERE!
Rochester Regional Joint Board
750 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
OFFICE: (585) 242-7558
CELL: (585) 469-4217
FAX: (585)-242-7562
vmangan@uhrrjb.org

"Healthscaping" - Improving Our Lives by Fixing Our Everyday World

2007-03-17T20:55:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 7 pm
St. Monica's Church, 831 Genesee Street
Free and open to the Public

Tom Farley, MD, MPH, is the Chairman of the Department of Community Health at Tulane University in New Orleans. He is coauthor of Prescription for a Healthy Nation, in which he argues for changing everyday environments as the best way to prevent the leading causes of death in the 21st century.

At Tulane, he is currently the Director of a CDC-funded Prevention Research Center to study the impact of the physical and social environment on obesity. He teaches courses in public health practice and in policy-based approaches to health promotion. Since Hurricane Katrina struck, he has been working to rebuild New Orleans in ways that promote health.

The Journal of the American Medical Association hailed his "important message that should be shared with everyone" as "perhaps the best solution to this nation's health care woes."

Says Dr. Farley, "In America we spend nearly twice as much for health care as any other nation. So why are we among the sickest people in the industrialized world? Something is wrong about the way we are approaching health in the United States. We don't need another health care reform plan, we need a new way to think about health."

Dr. Farley will be coming to Rochester as part of a lecture series co-sponsored by the Medical Center at the University of Rochester, the Rochester Regional Community Design Center and Sector 4 Community Development Corporation.

Dr. Farley will be signing books and presenting a broader discussion of community health issues including childhood obesity on Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 pm at St. Monica's Church located at 831 Monica Street, at the corner of Monica Street.

This event is free and open to the public.
His talk also kicks off a three-day conference, "Design Matters 4: Emergence of Forgotten Neighborhoods," on creative strategies for reclaiming vacant and abandoned properties.
For additional information on the lecture or conference, please contact RRCDC (585) 271-0520, astewart@rrcdc.org, www.rrcdc.org .

Forgotten Neighborhoods

2007-03-17T20:50:00.000-04:00

Design Matters 4: Emergence of Forgotten Neighborhoods

Join us this March 20-22 for a conference on community-based approaches to solving issues of abandoned and underutilized properties in city neighborhoods. The conference brings to town experts in revitalization from Baltimore and Providence to share strategies with our local community organizers, city officials, developers, and individuals working for change in their neighborhoods.

Conference Schedule:

Tuesday, March 20th

Kick-off Lecture

7 pm - Improving Our Health by Fixing Our Everyday World
Location: 831 Genesee Street

Wednesday, March 21

Neighborhood Tours - Explore challenges, tour vacant properties and learn about the creative solutions some neighborhoods are employing to build community capital while reusing abandoned properties. Led by Community Organizers and Design Professionals.

choose two:
9:00 - 11:30 a
Northeast Neighborhoods - Conkey and Hudson Avenue areas
OR
Southwest Neighborhoods - Plymouth/Genesee Street areas

1:00-3:30 p
Marketview Heights Neighborhood - Union Street area
OR
Northwest Neighborhoods - Dewey Avenue

Public Discussion

7 pm - Reclaiming Vacant Property in Baltimore and Providence
A talk at the Downtown Community Forum, featuring Mark Cameron of the Baltimore Neighborhood Design Center and Linda Weisinger, Deputy Director of Providence-based SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Properties).
Location: 15 St. Mary's Place

Thursday, March 22
Panel Workshops - Dialogues with local and national experts dealing with challenges of revitalizing vacant properties.

choose two:
9:00 - 10:15 a
Challenges to Preserving Neighborhoods
OR
Neighborhood Economies

10:30 - noon
Empowering Neighborhoods
OR
Neighoborhood Appearance

LUNCH

Mini-Charrette
1:00 - 3:00 p
Active Participation and Brainstorming - Developing strategies for challenged sites in the toured neighborhoods

Registration: $35, includes tours, panel discussions and lunch on Thursday.
Evening talks are FREE and open to the public.

For more information or to register, contact RRCDC:
(585) 271-0520, www.rrcdc.org , astewart@rrcdc.org

Witness for Peace - a one hour vigil

2007-03-17T20:48:00.000-04:00

Sunday, March 18th , 2007
Noon to 1pm
East Ave. & Goodman, Rochester, New York
(Extending east, on both sides of the street to Culver and beyond)

Please join the Witness for Peace Vigil in solemn observance of the 4th Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq.

Join the interfaith community and peace organizations across the Rochester area to show your support for ending the war and bringing our troops home.

Co-sponsored by Greater Rochester Community of Churches, The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Commission on Christian Muslim Relations, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Lake Avenue Baptist Church Mission Ministry, Pax Christi, Peace Action and Education, Rochester Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of St. Joseph, the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, Spiritus Christi Church, First Unitarian Church Peace Advocates, Rochester Against War, Downtown United Presbyterian Church Justice Ministry, Progressives in Action, Interfaith Impact of NYS, Declaration of Peace, Women of Reform Judaism, Military Families Speak Out. Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace, Geneseo Ecumenical Coalition for Peace

More information about this event can be found at www.grcc.org or by calling Gail Mott at 381-5606

Mini-Golf on campus!

2007-03-17T20:45:00.000-04:00

Monday 3/19/2007
RIT SAU
noon to 9pm

On Monday, walk-up registrations will be taken throughout the event; however, if you need to play at a certain time, try to register today.

Help kickoff the 2007 RIT United Way Campaign and sharpen your short game before the golf season gets underway!

Contact Lynn Rowoth with any questions at 475-7408 or at lcrgrl@rit.edu .

St. Patrick's Day Parade

2007-03-16T21:11:00.000-04:00

Saturday, March 17th East Ave. and Main St., downtown Rochester starts at 12:30pm

The parade begins at 12:30 on East Ave. near Alexander Street. It moves down East Ave. toward the city, turns west at Main St. and then will proceed down Main to Plymouth Ave.

For more info, call 234-5167 or
go to www.rochesterparade.com

Town Hall meeting - save Rochester schools

2007-03-16T14:27:00.000-04:00

Thursday, March 22nd
6:30pm
Roger Robach Community Center (the "Beach House")
200 Beech Street, Charlotte (up by the beach, across from Abbott's)

Town Hall Meeting to Get our Children What They Need to Succeed with Manny Rivera and Joseph Robach

For the past year Metro Justice has been working with the Alliance for Quality Education to take politics out of school funding in New York State and bring home much needed funding to needy school districts.

THIS IS IT!!!

For years Pataki and the state legislature obstructed a court order to create equitable funding for school districts (some districts on Long Island provide horseback riding lessons for their students while students in Franklin High School here in the city don't even have enough books). With Spitzer as Governor we have a shot at finally overhauling the system.

We need to turn out a massive crowd for this event. This is the culmination of years of organizing.

Governor Spitzer's plan includes the reforms that AQE has been working for:

smaller class sizes
expanding after-school programs
universal pre-K
holding school board, principals and teachers accountable for student achievement
statewide property tax relief

But Senate Majority Leader Bruno is presenting an education budget proposal that attempts to buy off needy districts with more money without addressing disparities in funding. For instance, Bruno's plan would provide high needs districts (like Rochester) a 7.7%-10.9% increase, but would also provide a whopping 15.6% to wealthy districts, thereby increasing advantages to students from wealthy neighborhoods. Nor does Bruno's proposal include any accountability, or extra funding for pre-K, or after-school programs.

Will Senator Joe Robach show independence from the Republican Majority Leaders and vote for equitable funding, or will he go along with Bruno's plan to increase wealthy districts' advantages?

Please come and put your body in the crowd!

New York State has the highest level of inequality of any state in the nation. Our school funding formula shouldn't make the problem worse.

See you there!

Rosemary Rivera, Alliance for Quality Education Organizer
for more info, go to MetroJustice.com

Step It Up rally

2007-03-16T14:24:00.000-04:00

April 14th, from 2 to 4 PM at Twelve Corners in Brighton
(intersection of Winton, Monroe and Elmwood)

MARCH TO CALL FOR BOLD ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
http://www.stepitup2007.org

Step it Up is a campaign to raise awareness and call on Congress to take action to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The technology exists today to make the necessary cuts in emissions, but legislation and funding are necessary to put this technology into practice.

Come join us to make the biggest possible statement to Rochester and our local leaders that addressing Climate Change should be a top priority.

For more information contact:

Keri A. Kaminsky
kakaminsky@frontiernet.net or kakaminsky@yahoo.com

Major March on Washington against the War

2007-01-15T23:09:00.000-05:00

You could see this as yet another major national march against war. Or you could see this as the beginning of the fourth year of public opposition against the war in Iraq. Or you could see this as a large number of citizens who, despite their previous and ongoing unanswered attempts to change public policy, believe so strongly that America should not be fighting an illegal "war" in the middle east that they will, again, travel to our nation's capitol to speak for everyone who is against war - whether they can march or not.

You can cover the march - or you can cover the sunday training sessions - or you could even follow citizens from your own home state or congressional district as they lobby their representatives on monday. Or you can do a story on all of these. Or you can find another frame for a story that looks at the events that have brought all of these Americans together.

25,000 BBC calculations of American casualties (dead and wounded; US govmt. will not release figures for wounded Americans)

3,000 US calculation of American deaths (does not include those who had been removed from Iraq to American hospital facilities, and later died)
400,000 Johns Hopkins University (MD) calculation of Iraqi dead since the US began bombing

(photograph from 9/29/05 day of civil disobedience - Veterans for Peace group depicted)
Saturday, January 27th
11am Assemble on the Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets
1pm March kicks off; rally on the National Mall at 3rd street, then march east on Constitution, south on 1st, west on Independence and return to Mall. UFPJ announced "Peace March expected to be among largest since war began."

Sunday, January 28
Organizing meetings, Issue briefings, Legislative update, State caucuses To make the most of this opportunity, when peace activists from around the country will be together in Washington, UFPJ has planned a full day of opportunities for networking, organizing meetings and advocacy training.

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Organizing meetings and strategy sessions on Palestine, defunding the war, G.I. resistance, student and youth organizing, Iran and more
12:30 - 2:30: Legislative update, advocacy training, update on Iraq
2:30 - 4:30: State and congressional district meetings (get together with activists from across your state to plan your lobby day meetings and to lay the groundwork for working together when you get back home)

Location: Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD. Convenient to the Bethesda Metro Station on the red line metro (please check www.wmata.com for public transportation options).

Monday, January 29th
Grassroots Lobby Day - Congressional Advocacy Visits: various times throughout the day

Organized by United for Peace and Justice, a national coalition of more than 1300 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to oppose the US war policy. The coalition was formed in October, 2002, and has coordinated , participated in and led most of the major anti-war actions in the last four years and more. One of the hallmarks of UFPJ is that it also incorporates teaching about the issues, civic participation, strategies for citizen involvement and outreach to encourage participation by a broad range of Americans (including veterans, clergy and laity, youth groups, teachers' organizations, workers).

For more information about UFPJ and the weekend events: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/modinput4.php?modin=121

Local transportation information from Rochester
Three buses will be leaving from MCC parking lot M1(behind MCC) 1000 East Henrietta Road.
Depart: 12:15 am Saturday, Jan.27
Return: approximately 3am, Sunday Jan. 28

Cost: $50 a seat. Partial scholarships will be available. Payment must be made to reserve a seat.
Call Ted Wilcox, 482-3785, or send check (made out to PA&E) with a note on riders' contact information in envelope marked "BUS" to: Ted Wilcox, 225 Croydon Road, Rochester, NY 14610

Making Downtown Livable - Citizens' Design Charrette

2007-01-14T19:35:00.000-05:00

Events

Friday, January 19, 2007
Public Input Session for the Making Downtown Livable 2007 Design Charrette

Midtown Plaza, first floor by the Clock 12 noon - 5:30 pm (stop by any time between those hours)

Friday, January 26, 2007
Downtown Charrette Results Public Presentation
Downtown Presbyterian Church
6:30-8 pm (stop by any time between those hours. Discussion/Presentation at 7 pm)

The 2007 Downtown Design Charrette, organized by the Rochester Regional Community Design Center and other downtown stakeholders, is a chance for community members to have input on plans for Downtown. Help revitalize the streets, buildings, public spaces and critical infrastructure that make up the heart of the Rochester region.

On Friday, January 19, from 12 noon to 5:30 pm, a public input session for Downtown will be held at Midtown Plaza, where over 100 professional architects, engineers, landscape architects and planners will join with experts in diverse fields ranging from government to community development, public art to retail and business for the first of a three-day design charrette for the Center City.

The public process kicks off the charrette, providing community-based guiding principles and creative brainpower that will be incorporated in the final design schemes.

On Friday, January 26 at the Downtown Presbyterian Church at 6:30 pm, drafts of the charrette results will be available for review at the Downtown Presbyterian Church.

Anyone with a stake in Rochester's future is invited to be a part of this exciting opportunity.

For more information, see www.rrcdc.org

If you are interested in photographing during the 3-day charrette, please contact Audrey at astewart@rrcdc.org. She can work with you to make sure you cover the most important aspects of the event and that you have access and your work can be featured in some way after the events are past. You do not have to photograph the entire three days.... more than one photographer can cover this event!

In addition to helping make this exciting event possible, volunteers will have opportunities to participate on design teams and interact with architects throughout the process. And volunteers will be fed breakfast and dinner! Contact Audrey for information. Contact: Rochester Regional Community Design Center, 271-0520, www.rrcdc.org , astewart@rrcdc.org.
To see a promotional video for the mall from the '60's, go to:
http://mallsofamerica.blogspot.com/2006/07/midtown-plaza-mall-clock-of-nations.html

Candlelight Vigil

2007-01-13T19:34:00.000-05:00

Sunday, January 21 4:30 pm begins at Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Avenue; ends at George Eastman House, 300 East Ave. (photograph by Ron Haviv)

followed by a free viewing of the exhibition, Darfur/Darfur (organized by the Interfaith Darfur Coalition) Includes photographs by Lynsey Addario, Mark Brecke, Helene Caus, Ron Haviv, Paolo Pellegrin, Ryan Spencer Reed, Michael Ronnen Safdie and Brian Steidle - along with several feature-length documentaries.

Wandering in the Midwest -- and now returned

2007-01-13T18:22:00.000-05:00

Winter break - 1600 miles, three states, many many friends and relatives. And some new acquaintances definitely worth remembering. (photo - leaving Indiana, about to enter Ohio on New Year's Eve)

Even though I took a good deal of work with me, there was still a lot left to do back here, so the blog and events have gotten way behind. I'll begin posting some new things to photograph as well as new contacts and story ideas for you as I slowly emerge from the sea of deadlines.

Hope your break was great!

MARCH FOR JUSTICE AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY - NYC

2006-12-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

United for Peace and Justice, CODEPINK and the Coalition for Police Reform will join in a march protesting the recent death of Sean Bell.

Saturday, December 16th
Assemble at 11:30 am at 59th Street and 5th Ave.
March down 5th Avenue

On the eve of his wedding, November 25th, Sean Bell was shot and killed in a hail of 50 gunshots by NYC Police officers. He and his friends were not armed and not charged with any crime.

The Sean Bell shooting shares troubling similarities to the death of unarmed African immigrant Amadou Diallo, who died on his doorstep in the Bronx after being fired at 41 times by undercover NYC Police officers in 1999. Despite a number of wrongful deaths and increased complaints to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, there has been no substantive reform in the practices ofthe NYPD. In light of these horrific and unresolved shootings, the Coalition for Police Reform is demanding an immediate review of the practices of the NYC Police Department by the NY City Council and the NY State Legislature.

On Saturday, December 16th, United for Peace and Justice and CODEPINK will march in this demonstration being organized by the Coalition for Police Reform. We encourage you to help get the word out and join us at this important march.

ACTION ALERT * UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
www.unitedforpeace.org | 212-868-5545
CODEPINK (Women for Peace) NYC www.codepinknyc.org

How I spent part of my break

2006-12-11T01:32:00.000-05:00

Final, late night negotiations and lobbying among divisions at AEJMC

7:30am the next morning, representatives from each division and interest group settle deals and finalize programming. It resembles, for the most part, the NFL draft -- many rounds, much last minute negotiating, a few tense moments hoping best laid plans work out after all.

Does anybody have their shoes shined now? Lobby of the Sheraton, Canal St., New Orleans......

Seth at Cafe du Monde, around midnight. "Born and raised here in New Orleans," Seth returned after Katrina to find "everything gone." I asked if I could make a picture of him so I wouldn't forget our conversation.

58th Annive4rsary - Declaration of Human Rights

2006-12-11T01:21:00.000-05:00

Monday, December 11, 2006
4:30 PM: Rally with the Crowne Plaza Hotel Workers at the Sister Cities Bridge.
5:30 PM: Potluck (please bring a dish to pass), Downtown Presbyterian Church (DUPC), 121 N. Fitzhugh St
6:30 PM: Program at DUPC

8th Annual Rochester International Human Rights Day Activities with the Rochester area community committing ourselves to the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as we call for their implementation here and elsewhere

Article 25(1) states that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including medical care"

Health Care for All: A Human Right in the US?
 The number of uninsured in our area is increasing daily (over 46 million in the US);
 The cost of care is nearly twice that of other industrialized countries per capita per year;
 Businesses, such as Toyota, are planning to relocate to Canada to avoid employer costs of health insurance

The Interfaith Health Care Coalition, a group focused on working with and for New Yorkers to press for universal health care in New York State, is determined to overturn these statistics.

Article 23(4) states that "Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests."

Workers at the Crowne Plaza Hotel deserve a fair and free process to form a union. These rights apply to all working people in the U.S., including the employees of the Crowne Plaza Hotel who are in the fight of their lives as they demand the right to form a union. They deserve a fair and free process to do that.

Human Rights Day Program 2006

4:30 PM Rally with the workers fighting to form a union at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Meet at the Sister Cities Bridge, in back of and between the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Federal Building on State Street.

5:30 PM Community Potluck in the dining room of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St.

6:30 PM Human Rights Day Program
 Reading of the Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
 Panel from the Interfaith Health Care Coalition;
 Panel of Crowne Plaza Workers

CONTACTS: Jesse Lenney, Union organizer 414-4274; Sr. Beth LeValley, Health care 721-4918; Mary Boite, general HR info 232-1463

Anti-War Rally

2006-12-11T01:15:00.000-05:00

Thursday, December 14th, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Federal Building - 100 State St. (north of Main)

"We, the Antiwar Movement, DEMAND the New Congress:

1. Bring All Troops Home from Iraq IMMEDIATELY

2. Repeal the Military Commissions Act of 2006

“Power concedes nothing without a demand.” - Frederick Douglass, speech in Canandaigua, NY August 3rd, 1857

The war in Iraq has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and thousands of American soldiers. The Military Commissions Act of 2006 has thrown out the most basic of legal protections, habeas corpus.

Join us for a demonstration, showing Rochester what we demand from the new Democrat-controlled Congress!

Bring Your Own Signs and Energy!

Called by Rochester Against War, sponsored by many groups, organizations and individuals.
march12rawc@yahoo.com www.RochesterAgainstWar.org

War is Over (if you want it)

2006-12-11T01:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday, December 16th 12:00 noon
At the corner of Culver and Norris at Cobb’s Hill

We will take to the streets to say in one joyful voice: “Bring the Troops Home for Christmas!”

"Our troops have been sent overseas to fight in an immoral war, for the sake of big corporations and a lying government.

If this is truly the season of giving, then let us give the troops the greatest gift of all: bring them home.

**********************************************
Please join us for this holiday march in celebration of peace, family and friendship.

Bring signs, bells, percussion instruments, and a holiday spirit!"

Brought to you by RAW, RAW Street Theatre, RAW Counter Recruitment, PA&E of Metro Justice, Wilson Anti-War Alliance, and the Parma Student Peace Initiative

Brooklyn

2006-12-11T00:58:00.000-05:00

On the way to the Brooklyn Museum (an amazing exhibition of Walton Ford paintings and an impressive show of Annie Liebovitz photographs), Micah and Michael are about to cross the Gowanus Canal by bus.

Thanksgiving Tayaki - Edgewater, NJ

2006-12-11T00:48:00.000-05:00

Did you know there is a Japanese shopping center on the Hudson River shore?

Canandaigua Treaty Day

2006-11-09T10:42:00.000-05:00

CANANDAIGUA TREATY DAY

Saturday, November 11th
Ontario County Courthouse
Main Street, Canandaigua

1:30-9:00 pm Commemoration of the 1794 treaty between the US government and the chiefs of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) after the Revolutionary War. Parade, followed by ceremony, pot-luck supper, speakers, and Native American dancing. Free.

The 1794 Canandaigua Treaty Belt

Main Street in Canandaigua is NY 332 South (Thruway Exit 44):

VETERANS' DAY PEACE ACTION AND CEREMONY

2006-11-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

Saturday, November 11th
Twelve Corners Triangle Park
Monroe Ave. and Winton Rd. Brighton

3:00 pm construction of a candle memorial cemetery for fallen U.S. soldiers in Iraq
5:00 pm program and ceremony with comments by vets from various past wars and conflicts

We invite people to attend and be a part of this poignant event focusing on honor, peace and healing.

Sponsors include: Rochester Against War [RAW], RAW Theater, the Keemer-Riordon Chapter of Veteran’s for Peace, and Military Families Speak Out.
For further information www.rochesteragainstwar.org or call [585] 271-4796

Bus Fare-ness Meeting

2006-11-07T20:37:00.000-05:00

Thursday, November 9, 12 noon
Center for Disability Rights
412 State Street
Corner of Jay and State

Agenda:

Outreach update- coalition partners, postcards- next steps for outreach
media strategy- event timeline
Coalition structure- Roles- who does what?

We are calling for the creation of a City of Rochester Community Review Board. Under the current regulatory system, the RGRTA board recommends changes to local municipalities. The municipalities can accept or reject the proposed changes. Each locality can wield veto power. We are calling for the Rochester City administration to convene a review board consisting of people with disabilities who use Lift Line, local service providers and people who ride the buses. We want this review board to be empowered to instruct the City administration on proposed RGRTA policy changes.
-Jon Greenbaum, Metro Justice Organizer, 325-2560

Just for 2's!!!

2006-11-02T19:50:00.000-05:00

10:15-10:45 and 11-11:30 on Thursdays THROUGH NOV. 16th Webster Public Library
Webster Plaza, 980 Ridge Road, Webster

Twenty minutes of songs, rhymes and stories with Jason. For 2 year olds accompanied by an adult.

Have you ever spent any time with even a small gaggle of two year olds??? This has got to be a really fast-paced and delightful event. And they do two groups in just a little more than an hour. wow.

(Okay, this little munchkin isn't two years old by at least a year.... but Julie Henderson Kobin, RIT alumna, sent some Halloween photographs of her two daughters and who could resist?)

info and to register your two year old: 872-7075

10th Annual Rochester Children's Book Festival

2006-11-02T17:35:00.000-05:00

10am-4pm Saturday, Nov. 4th
Thomas Flynn Campus Center, Monroe Community College
1000 East Henrietta Rd.

The Rochester Children's Book Festival is a dynamic daylong family festival that invites children – from tots to teens – to experience the magic of books and meet some of their creators. The Festival is dedicated to promoting literacy, benefiting Monroe County libraries, and forging connections between the community and regional children’s authors and illustrators. The festival is free and open to everyone, so come and...

BROWSE through more than 300 titles in all genres for all ages...
ENJOY... readings for All Those Young at Heart
storytelling by Members of the Blackstorytelling League of Rochester
Crafts, Word Games & Other Activities for Kids & Families
Just for Teens Afternoon Program Writing & Illustrating Presentations for All Ages All Day
MEET forty-two authors and illustrators from around New York & elsewhere, including Caldecott-winning illustrator Paul Zelinsky and author James Howe (The Misfits, Bunnicula series)
PARK for free in Lots M and P (rear of campus)
LUNCH at the onsite Food Court
READ about the 2006 Festival at KidsOutAndAbout.com

The Festival is presented by : RACWI (Rochester Area Children's Writers & Illustrators
info: 671-0441 or 292-2534
rochesterchildrensbookfestival.org

Showcase of Teenage Bands

2006-11-02T17:04:00.000-05:00

7-9:30pm, Sunday Nov. 5th
Webster Community Center
985 Ebner Dr., Webster

(free) Were you ever a member of a garage band? (or basement band, attic band... wherever you found a space to develop your voice and style and skills) The environment is sheer Americana... young and earnest musicians, the sometimes shy and sometimes tough audience, importance of getting real performance experience....

Somewhat related research assignment - rent and watch the film, "The Commitments"

info 872-7117

Country Music Jamboree

2006-11-02T17:01:00.000-05:00

2pm, Sunday Nov. 5th
Eagles Club
1200 Buffalo Rd., Gates

Hosted by the George Hogan Band, includes performances by the Frank Hill Band, Dave Donnelly, Dave Lawrence, Southbound and Miss Pauline. Food and drink available. admission is five bucks.

I want to see a picture of Miss Pauline....

info: 235-3180

Deaf Nation Expo

2006-11-02T16:56:00.000-05:00

9am - 6pm Saturday, Nov. 4th
Dome Center - Monroe County Fair & Expo Center
2695 East Henrietta Rd.

Very little information about this was received, but it's an event of considerable interest, given the large deaf community in Rochester and at RIT. The expo itself is likely to expand your thinking and understanding about deaf culture and you have an opportunity to meet new people and learn. There's a performance from 7:30-11pm. Call for more details.

info: 334-4000

American Legion benefit for refugees

2006-11-02T16:48:00.000-05:00

7-9pm, Saturday, Nov. 4th
American Legion Hall
818 Ridge Rd., Webster

When was the last time you were inside an American Legion hall, or talked to veterans who are members? This Webster chapter is holding a benefit dinner to help the Budu Liberian Refugees Children's programs.

Photograph the dinner! Talk with some Legionnaires! Find out more about the Budu Liberian Refugees Children's programs... and how the Legion members are involved. There could be a story here.

info: 585-241-9334

Suzuki Group Concert

2006-11-02T16:41:00.000-05:00

4pm Saturday, Nov. 4th
Hochstein Performance Hall
50 N. Plymouth Ave

Young and very young musicians performing with violin, viola and cello. A community event with children and parents alike.

The Hochstein School is an important and valued Rochester gem -- if you haven't been there, if you haven't seen the creative environment or photographed what they do, you should.

"Since 1920, Hochstein School of Music & Dance has served as Rochester's Community School of the Arts, welcoming and nurturing students of all ages, all levels of skill, and all backgrounds, regardless of financial means. Hochstein now annually enrolls more than 3,500 students who enjoy an exceptional faculty of more than 120 members, individualized programs, unique ensemble and performance opportunities, a renovated, climate-controlled facility, and a reasonable fee schedule with financial assistance options. "

http://www.hochstein.org/
585-454-4596

TNUA - Tuesday Night Urban Assault

2006-11-02T16:38:00.000-05:00

6pm every Tuesday
begins at Full Moon Vista bike shop 180 St. Paul St.

Organized by Scott Page, owner of Full Moon Vista bike shop and Saturn Rochester Twilight Criterium race organizer (an event gaining increased attention in bicycling circles), this weekly ride through the streets of Rochester is led by the organizer himself.

According to an article in this week's "Weekend," there are quite a few mountain bikers who attempt to ride all winter long, despite the snow. One rider describes how amazing winter night riding can be, "some nights you can full-moon ride with your lights off." The article (p. 12) includes additional commentary by riders that indicates this is one wild and determined group - read it for more information.

Looking for something to photograph in the evening because you have classes all day? Like to be outside even when it's cold and challenging? It would probably help if you ride a bike and could keep up with this group, but here's a story that deserves telling. Inquiring residents in Rochester would like to know just what these biking adventurers are up to!

Raging Grannies - a story not yet told!

2006-11-02T15:40:00.000-05:00

What's a Raging Granny, you say?

The Rochester Group describes itself "Promoting peace, justice and social and economic equality through song and humor."

Go to www.rochesterraginggrannies.org for more information, including how the first group of "grannies" began in British Columbia ten years ago. Rochester's group began in 2002 because of county funding cuts to libraries, parks and social services. Since then, they've grown in size and rage..... singing out on a wide variety of social and political issues.

"Membership in Rochester's Raging Grannies is open to any woman, 45 years of age and older, upon an annual contribution of $1- 25 (or barter). You don't have to be a grandmother, and you don't even have to sing well. We operate with a sense of outrage, a sense of humor, and a commitment to nonviolence. Decisions on our policies and actions are made by group consensus."

Information:
Rage Coordinator Granny at rage_coordinator@rochesterraginggrannies.org
Info Granny at info@rochesterraginggrannies.org

Decade to Overcome Violence - WCC comes to Rochester

2006-11-02T15:31:00.000-05:00

Overcoming Violence: Creating a Culture of Peace
Nov. 13-15

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 S. Goodman St., Baber AME Church, 550 Meigs Street and
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St.

Want to document stories of importance to a community? Want to show real community leaders and residents working to understand a serious social issue in order to develop real plans of action and initiatives that are community based?

Photograph these events, meet the people who have been involved and the people who come to seek answers. Some of Rochester's most important figures in the issues are listed in the events below.... find out who they are! Listen, learn, develop further ideas for how you might engage in some meaningful documentation... these events are only a good beginning.

Rochester’s Christian community will welcome an outstanding leader of the World Council of Churches at a series of events over two days, November 13 and 14. The Rev. Hansulrich Gerber, Coordinator of the WCC’s “Decade to Overcome Violence,” will describe and interpret the current ministries of the WCC, preach in a worship celebration, and lead a seminar and workshop focused on understanding violence and how faith communities can respond.

The Rev. Gerber is a Mennonite pastor from Geneva, Switzerland. Formerly he was a farmer and teacher. Before assuming his current position, he directed the International Mennonite Peace Committee and the European relief work of the Mennonite Central Committee. His assignment with the WCC is to coordinate its decade-long program responding to the growing threat of violence within families and communities, and among nations. His ministry entails networking churches and movements worldwide.

The WCC Visitation is sponsored by GRCC, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and the Rochester Friends of the WCC. The public is invited to all activities. Details follow:

Monday, Nov. 13, 12 Noon Lunch, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
“Transformed by Grace: Ninth Assembly Priorities for the World Council of Churches”
Co-presenters: The Rev. Hansuli Gerber and Ms. Caroline Hennessey, Fund Developer, Officer for WCC/USA. A multimedia journey to the February, 2006 WCC Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil , and, an update on emerging WCC program priorities. A buffet luncheon will be served at a cost of $12.00. For luncheon reservations, please use the tear-off Registration Form in this newsletter, or call (585)254-2570 by November 8.

Monday, Nov. 13, 7:00 PM, Baber AME Church, 550 Meigs Street
An Ecumenical Worship Celebration
Rochester area Christians are invited to “taste” something of the wonderful Spirit that filled the WCC’s Ninth Assembly in Brazil. The liturgy will include prayers, litanies, and readings from the Assembly. Special music will reflect the Church in its great diversity. The sermon, entitled “Unity in Spirit in the Bond of Peace: The Changing face of the
Global Church” will be brought by Pastor Gerber.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 8:30 - 11:45 AM, CRCDS, 1100 South Goodman Street
“Seeking Spiritual Dimensions Underlying the Crisis in Violence”
A seminar probing for root causes and deeper understanding. Rev. Gerber will share insights from the “Decade to Overcome Violence” and a panel of diverse, local faith community leaders will respond. Panelists will include: Muhammad Shafiq (Muslim), V.V. Raman (Hindu), Frank Howard (Buddhist), Gail Ferraioli (Judaism), and Peter Peters (Christian).

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1:45 - 4:00 PM, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
”What Can We Do in Rochester to respond to Violence in Its Many Faces?”
A workshop, led by Rev. Gerber, sharing information about how communities respond to violence in Rochester and around the world. Participants: Audrey Smith, Victor Saunders, John Klofas, Marian Walker, Bill Coffey, Kathy Muzana, Bridget Hurley, Jeff Rideout, Ed Lemon, Elaine Johnson, Isobel Goldman and others. Public is invited.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 10 AM-Noon, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St.
“Raise Up the Foundations of Many Generations: Churches Respond to Violence”
Christian leaders will gather to Listen, Learn, and Launch new initiatives. The Rev. Karyn Carter, formerly Executive Director of Families and Friends of Murdered Children & Victims of Violence, Inc., will share her experience of losing a sister to violence. A panel of church leaders will respond, and a series of forums will be launched to rediscover the spiritual/moral foundations of community. Panelists will include: Reverend Dr. John Walker, Ms. Donna Ecker, Reverend Alan Newton, Judge Roy King, Minister Franklin Florence and Father Larry Tracy. (Free to all – no RSVP necessary) Sponsored by Faith Community Alliance and GRCC.

more information : grcc1@frontiernet.net

Now WEEKLY antiwar prayer vigil

2006-10-30T17:20:00.000-05:00

noon to 1pm every Sunday
corner of East Avenue and Goodman St.
rain or shine or snow or.....

"As the killing in Iraq increases, so does the opposition to this immoral war and occupation. And, so, too, will our vigils." - PA&E
****************************************************************
Peace Action & Education (PA&E) is a Task Force of Metro Justice
Call 585-442-3383 for further information.

loret's note - This is a difficult, yet recurring event to photograph. Many things we photograph are a real challenge, so this is also an opportunity to work with a situation and discover what the pictures are that can be seen and made there.
I'll award a prize to the best image made of this peace group before December 15th, when you can submit your photographs. The prize? A copy of Anthony Suau's book, "Fear This." of course!

Anthony Suau reviews student work

2006-10-30T17:04:00.000-05:00

Prayer Service for Hotel Workers - outside hotel

2006-10-30T14:29:00.000-05:00

Prayer Service for Crowne Plaza Workers
November 2nd, 2006, 4:30 PM - 5PM
In Front of the Crowne Plaza: 70 State St., Rochester, NY 14614

Come join Crowne Plaza Workers and UNITE HERE for a prayer service sponsored by The Isaiah Project, Rochester Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (C.L.U.E.), as we pray and unite in solidarity with these hotel workers. The service will be held directly in front of the Crowne Plaza on State Street. Parking is available in the Municipal Parking Garage and street meters. For more information please call Vanessa Mangan @ 469-4217.

Director of Immigration Project to speak

2006-10-30T14:10:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, October 31, noon-1pm
Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, Gleason Auditorium

WHAT: A talk on immigration with a review of the book Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazzario as the starting point. This is a gripping, visceral work of non-fiction about a teenage Honduran boy who journeys alone north to the U.S. to try to reunite with his mother. It is almost an epic adventure. If he overcomes the risks, what awaits him as an illegal immigrant in the U.S.? Is his story unique? Our reviewer shares his perspective on the book gained from twenty-five years practicing immigration law.

Free, Open to the public. You are welcome to bring your lunch or purchase one at the library.

WHO: Reviewer is Walter Ruehle, Director of the Immigration Project of the Legal Aid Society

Program is sponsored by The Friends of the Rochester Public Library. For more information, please call 428-8350 before 10:00 am Tuesday.

Seating limited to first 180 attendees.

Thruway, October 19

2006-10-26T00:10:00.000-04:00

Interactive Tour - Rochester Non-Profit Organizations

2006-10-25T23:23:00.000-04:00

Nov. 4th - (Sat.) 9am - 12:30pm
Browncroft Community Church
2530 Browncroft Blvd. (Atlantic Ave. turns into Browncroft & there is exit off 590 - it is about 1 mi. east of expressway)

Beginning w/breakfast at the church, then a tour of some facilities listed below. This is an excellent opportunity to find out what many organizations are doing in Rochester, to learn about social and community issues in the city and to make contacts for the future -- to photograph and/or to volunteer!

Project URGE, Inc. - Make a Difference Presentation & Tour:
Register by e-mailing: ProUrge@aol.com or phoning 223-8340 w/ name & phone # (please try to register by Monday the 10/30th)

Included in the tour are Foodlink, Nevaeh, Salvation Army, Rochester Family Mission, Recovery House of Rochester, Outreach Temple, Friends Helping Friends, Adopt-a-class School #17, Miracle Deliverance Faith Center, Grace Community Village, Mercy Residential,
Sanctuary House, Francis Center, Community Lutheran Ministry, Teen Challenge, Touching & Agreeing Faith Ministries & FHF Bike Repair

Others presenting, not in tour: Mom's in Touch, Crosswinds Downtown, Children Awaiting Parents & Comfort In Crisis

Contact:
Andrew Stankevich

Celebration of Life Breakfasts

2006-10-25T23:19:00.000-04:00

2nd Tuesday of each month
(next one will be Nov. 14th) 9am
Community Transformation Center
507 Jay St.

Bishop David Singleton puts on a "Celebration of Life" breakfast the second Tuesday of every month at 9am. The Celebration of Life breakfast is a great free breakfast where faith & community leaders, business people, nonprofit representatives and others get together to eat breakfast and network.

The breakfasts are free (and tasty) and take place at the Community Transformation Center
just East of the Jay/Child intersection. Free will donations accepted.

Contact: Bishop David Singleton
262-6420
262-2216
arkofjesusmin@aol.com

Peace Vigil

2006-10-25T23:13:00.000-04:00

Friday, Oct. 27th 7:30-8:30
Park Ave. and Culver Rd.

A peace group will be gathering in the parking lot at Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave., to distribute signs and to organize the event. The vigil itself takes place at the intersection. An announcement has been posted to several email lists.

All are welcomed.