WOW! Lots of interesting events coming up!

[Lisa0825]

I wish I'd heard about some of these sooner, but I just got the email, and have neglected checking local calendars lately.

If you'd like to subscribe to this list, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hpjc-calendar

Excuse me for any parts that may need formatting. I don't have time to edit the whole thing, but wanted to provide the info. I randomly bolded some things I find particularly interesting, but I wish I could attend almost everything on the list!


HOUSTON PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER'S TWICE-MONTHLY PROGRESSIVE CALENDAR

Highlighted events:

February 20: Cindy Sheehan "gongs" Barbara Bush on Presidents' Day.
Demonstrators needed.

March 8-9: Fight-back against federal tax cuts to the wealthiest, bloated
war spending, and deep cuts to programs serving the needy.

Submit your event notices to [e-mail].

These bi-weekly calendar transmissions supplement HPJC's web site postings.
Organizational meetings are posted in the Calendar section of the HPJC
website (www.hpjc.org) and printed on the back page of the Houston Peace
News. Use this calendar to avoid scheduling conflicts. Transmit it to people
on your e-mail list(s) who would benefit from the information. Also,
publicize your events through this transmission, the HPJC website, KPFT's
on-line calendar, and Houston Peace News ([e-mail]; submission
deadline the 21st of each month).

Unless otherwise noted, all the listed events are free and open to the
public.

ELECTIONS 2006 (voting and party convention schedule provided at end of
events listing)

REGULAR VIGILS

Weekday sunrise vigil for peace. Live Oak Friends Meeting continues this
vigil beginning half hour before sunrise at its meeting house, 1318 W. 26th
St.

Monthly vigil opposing the death penalty. Amnesty International Group 23
holds this vigil on the first Wednesday of each month. 6-7:15 p.m. at the
Mecom Fountain (where Montrose and Main meet).

Second Saturday walking meditation for peace sponsored by the Department of
Peace Campaign-Houston Chapter. Participants will walk 20-30 minutes, and
then enjoy a simple tea ceremony. Location varies. For more information,
call Carondelet Dember, 713/522-7279.

Death watch vigils. These are held from 5:30-6:20 p.m. on the day of each
state execution. Remaining February dates: 15th (Clyde Smith), 23rd
(Steven Staley). March dates: 14th (Tony Ford), 15th (Tommie Hughes), 22nd
(Robert Salazar Jr.), 28th (Raymond Martinez), 29th (Kevin Kincy). Currently
the vigils are being held outside St. Anne Catholic Community at the corner
of Westheimer and Shepherd. Starting March they'll be by St. Joseph's Church
at the corner of Houston and Lubbock. Call before you come out to see if
there has been a stay. Contact Burnham Terrell, 713/921-0948,
[e-mail].

Execution observance. The Social Justice Committee of St. Bernadette Church
says a rosary at 7 p.m. at its grotto on the day of each state execution.
The church is located at 15500 El Camino Real.

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 15

Execution date for Clyde Smith. See under REGULAR VIGILS (above) for details
of the observance.

Wednesday, February 15

At the Globalization Forum, Guy Leflar will talk about Communities of the
Future. Leflar has worked professionally as a business consultant,
encouraging corporations to adopt socially responsible practices. 7:30 p.m.
in the Olive Branch Room of the Maryknoll House, 2360 Rice Blvd. just west
of Greenbriar. For more information, contact Joan Denkler 713/467-2996,
[e-mail].

Thursday, February 16

The Boniuk Center at Rice University presents "The Imperative to Act: Darfur
and Sudan." Two presentations about a response to this major humanitarian
crisis: At 4 p.m. it will be by Mark Bixler, Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
author of "The Lost Boys of Sudan." At 7 p.m. it will be Jerry Fowler,
Staff Director, Committee on Conscience, United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum. Discussions will follow both talks. Herring Hall 100 on the Rice
campus. For more information, contact Calvin N. Preece, Boniuk Center
coordinator, 713/348-4536, [e-mail].

Thursday, February 16

The monthly bicycle ride of Critical Mass, the movement dedicated to
promoting use of bicycles in urban areas, will be followed by two short
films that look at the emergence, repression and persistence of critical
mass bike rides. "Still We Ride" documents the arrest of Critical Mass
riders during the Republican National Convention in NYC in 2004 and the
subsequent court battles. "We Are Traffic!" chronicles the "Critical Mass"
bicycle movement, now active in over 200 cities in 14 different countries.
Houston Indy Media Center is sponsoring the films. Bike ride starts at 6:30
at the hill above Miller outdoor theater in Hermann Park. The films will
start at 8 p.m. in Rice Media Center (use entrance #8 at Univeristy Blvd.
and Stockton). For more information on the ride, email
[e-mail].

Friday February 17

A rare double-bill: poet and songwriter Chris Chandler plus activist
songwriter and singer David Rovics. Chandler has worked with folks like
Allen Ginsberg, Ani DiFranco, and Pete Seeger. Utah Phillips says he "is the
best performance poet I have ever seen." Chandler will be backed up by New
Orleans street music legend David Roe. Rovics is a Houston favorite. He's
been called the musical voice of the progressive movement in the US, and Amy
Goodman called him "the musical version of Democracy Now!" One night only. 7
p.m. at Dan Electro’s, 1031 E 24th St, Houston. For more information,
contact Nathalie Paravicini, 832/347-4787, [e-mail].

Saturday, February 18

Paul Loeb, author of underground bestsellers "Soul of a Citizen" and "The
Impossible Will Take a Little While," will speak on citizen activism and
sign copies of his books. Bill Moyers said of Loeb's writing, “This book can
even make one hopeful about the future despite so many signs to the
contrary." And David Duemler of the Oregon Peace Festival said, "Paul’s
presentation was a highlight of our . He received a standing
ovation from an audience of 500 people." $3-$5 suggested donation, but no
one turned away. Sponsored by Progressive Action Alliance. 7 p.m. at
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 West 11th St. (off T.C.
Jester). For more information, contact Bill Crosier, 713/641-4941,
[e-mail]. For more info on Loeb or to hear some of his
speeches, visit www.soulofacitizen.org.

Saturday, February 18

A concert by Anne Feeney, who performs music designed to “comfort the
afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Praised by Pete Seeger and Peter
Yarrow, Feeney has lived her life on the frontlines, performing at thousands
of demonstrations, rallies and picket lines over the years, including the
WTO uprising in Seattle, Solidarity Day in D.C., and the April 25, 2004
March for Women’s Lives. For her music, she draws on Irish, bluegrass,
traditional, labor, folk, and contemporary material. Sponsored by Thoreau
Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Suggested donation: $15 ($12 in
advance); students $7 ($5 in advance). Proceeds benefit the congregation's
social action work. Mail checks by February 8 to TUUC, 3945-D Greenbriar,
Stafford, TX 77477. Write “Anne Feeney Concert” and the number of seats
requested on the memo line of the check; your name will be on the will-call
list at the door. 7:30 p.m. doors open, 8 p.m. concert at Thoreau's Good for
Somethin’ Coffeehouse, 3945 Greenbriar in Stafford off US 59, just south of
Beltway 8. For more information, call Brenda, 281/277-8882 option 3.

Sunday, February 19

Cindy Sheehan and the Goldstar Families will "Speak Out for Peace." Event
sponsors also include the North Houston Peace Group, Potlucks for Peace, and
Concerned Citizens of Montgomery County. 7 p.m. in Montgomery College
Theatre, Building D, 3200 College Park Dr. in The Woodlands. Directions:
Take I-45 north to exit #79 (Needham Rd./Hwy. 242/College Park Dr.); turn
west and go approximately 1/4 mile; main college entrance is on the right.

Monday, February 20

To observe Presidents' Day, Cindy Sheehan and the Gold Star Families for
Peace, in conjunction with Veterans for Peace and Code Pink, will be taking
the protest of the Iraqi War to Barbara Bush, mother of the President. They
want to ask her, "Why did our sons die for your son's lies?" 4-7 p.m. in
front of St. Martin's Episcopal Church (the Bushes' church), 717 Sage Road
at Woodway just outside I-610 West Loop. For more information, contact Amy
Branham at [e-mail].

Tuesday, February 21

A screening of award-winning journalist John Pilger's film "The New Rulers
of the World." In this powerful investigative film, Pilger uncovers the
realities of elite globalization by taking a close look at Indonesia, a
country described by the World Bank as a model pupil until its globalized
economy collapsed in 1998. Sponsored by Houston Institute for Culture and
the University of St. Thomas Departments of Modern and Classical Languages
and International Studies. 7 p.m. in Anderson Hall at UST.

Thursday, February 23

Execution date for Steven Staley. See under REGULAR VIGILS (above) for
details of the observance.

Friday, February 24

Lecture by Jared Diamond, author of "Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail
or Succeed." Why did great civilizations collapse, and how likely is it that
ours will too? How do we maximize prosperity and avoid ecological ruin?
Recipient of the National Medal of Science for his breakthroughs in
evolutionary biology, Diamond will discuss these questions from his latest
book, the companion to his other bestseller, "Guns, Germs, and Steel," for
which he won the Pulitzer Prize. There'll be a book signing plus music by
Mood Indigo. Seats are $34 and $54. There are discounts for students,
seniors, and groups. Patron seats are $100 and include reception with
Diamond, preferred seat location, and an autographed book. 6:30 patron
reception, 7:30 program at the Hotel InterContinental, Legend Room, 2222
West Loop South. Buy tickets by calling 713/315-2525 or visiting The Hobby
Center box office at 800 Bagby.
NOTE: This is the first in the spring lecture series sponsored by The
Progressive Forum (www.progressiveforumhouston.org). The other offerings are
Seymour Hersh on March 23 and Molly Ivins on April 7. Series subscriptions
are available at a discount. Call 713/315-2525 by February 24.

Saturday, February 25 and Saturday, March 4

The Center for the Healing of Racism is offering another of its renowned
"Dialogue: Racism" workshops. "Dialogue: Racism" provides a safe, respectful
and loving atmosphere for individuals to get new information, share their
experiences, dispel their fears, and overcome their separation. Among the
nine topics and videos presented over the 2 days are:
-- Defining various types of racism: The film “The Way Home” offers healing
truths for the politics of oppression and race in the United States.
-- Stereotypes, and how they affect us: The film "Ethnic Notions” shows the
deep-rooted stereotypes and dehumanizing caricatures that have fueled
anti-Black prejudice.
-- Internalized racism: When the anger, hurt and frustration turn inward.
The film “The Way Home” explores the subtle, rarely acknowledged roots of
self-hatred and lack of understanding among even the most progressive
people.
-- Institutionalized racism: The systems that affect us daily: media and our
systems of justice, education, health care, and the economy. The film
"Race-the Power of an Illusion” answers the question, does skin color play a
role in America?
-- My next steps, finding allies: “An Unlikely Friendship” a film about a
surprising friendship that emerged between an embittered Ku Klux Klan leader
and an outspoken black woman activist.
Continuing education credits for social workers and addiction professionals.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church and School, 9900 Stella
Link. The workshop is free, but registration is required by calling the
Center’s office at 713/520-8226 and leaving the name(s) and phone number of
person(s) attending.

Sunday, February 26

March and caravan for dignity and respect and in opposition to
anti-immigration bill HR4437. Lead sponsor is Central American Resource
Center (CRECEN). 10 a.m. start from Post Oak and Westheimer (across from The
Galleria), ending at Brady Park (corner San Felipe and Yorktown). For more
information, contact Maria Jimenez, 713/271-9703, [e-mail].

Sunday, February 26

Screenings of the films "When the Mountains Tremble" and "Zapatista" as part
of the Houston Institute for Culture's film series exploring issues that
arise from cultural and economic domination and conflicting cultural values.
In the struggle for indigenous rights and cultural identity, "Zapatista"
picks up where "When the Mountains Tremble," the ground-breaking documentary
film about Mayan resistance in Guatemala, leaves off. The films are narrated
by Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchu and actor Edward James Olmos. 6
p.m. at the Institute's office, 5555 Morningside #204. For more information,
email [e-mail] or visit www.houstonculture.org/film.

Tuesdays, February 28, March 7, and March 14

The Center for the Healing of Racism presents a video screening and
discussion of "Race - The Power of an Illusion". This film questions the
very idea of race as a biological reality. Episode 1, "The Difference
Between Us," examines the contemporary science - including genetics - that
challenges our common sense assumptions about racial groupings. This series
is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 60
registrants. 7-9 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin.
For more information and to reserve, call the Center at 713/520-8226 and
leave name and number.

Tuesday, February 28

Ilan Pappe, Department of History at Haifa University, will speak on "The
Peace Charade in Palestine and Israel." This is the second in a four-part
lecture series sponsored by The Arab American Educational Foundation in
conjunction with Rice University. 7 p.m. in Farnsworth Pavilion at Rice.


Saturday, March 4

The Houston Area Women's Center holds its 18th Annual Race Against Violence!
Proceeds support the Center's work to curb domestic violence and sexual
assault. 8 a.m. is the 5K run and walk. Kids' walk at 9 a.m. They start from
Sam Houston Park on Allen Parkway just west of the central business
district. Register online at www.hawc.org/5k. For more information, email
[e-mail].

Saturday, March 4

Dialogue Racism, Part II. See Saturday, February 25 for details.

Tuesday, March 7

"The Power of an Illusion" Episode 2. See Tuesday, February 28 for details.

Wednesday, March 8

A "speak out" to national, state, and local elected officials about the
devastation of current and proposed cuts to federal funding of human needs
programs. Nutrition, health, housing, student aid, environmental protection
programs are all being gutted while military spending and huge tax cuts for
the wealthiest 1% produce record budget deficits. Sponsored by the
Washington-based Coalition on Human Needs, The Office of Justice and Peace
of the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and the Houston Peace and
Justice Center. 7-9 p.m. at Ripley House, 4410 Navigation. posting.]

Thursday, March 9

A conference, "The U.S. Budget: A Failure of the Heart." The day will be
spent absorbing information about what is happening in Congress and planning
a grassroots campaign to resist current taxing and spending priorities.
Sponsored by the Washington-based Coalition on human Needs, the Office of
Justice and Peace of the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and the
Houston Peace and Justice Center. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Mark's United
Methodist Church, 600 Pecore (in the Heights near downtown).

NOTE: The sponsors welcome endorsements by concerned organizations and
institutions, as well as assistance building attendance at the events. To
endorse, send word to Herbert Rothschild Jr., 849 Harvard St. #C, Houston TX
77007-1644, or by email to [e-mail].

Tuesday, March 14 – Sunday, March 19

Veterans for Peace and Hurricane Survivors March from Mobile to New Orleans
to coincide with the third anniversary of the invasion. The march has been
organized by the Mobile Veterans for Peace chapter to highlight the links
between the Iraq War and the underfunding of domestic needs programs. The
slogan is "Every bomb dropped in Iraq explodes over New Orleans." The march
will be in short stages (one or two 7-8 mile segments per day) with bus
travel between starting points. The website has the complete itinerary as
well as other information about the event: www.vetgulfmarch.org. Some
additional sponsors are Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Military Families
Speak Out, and Gold Star Families for Peace.

Tuesday, March 14

"The Power of an Illusion" Episode 3. See Tuesday, February 28 for details.

Thursday, March 16

"Writing Black Women into our Nation's History" is the subject of the 2006
B. K. Smith Lecture at University of St. Thomas. Darlene Clark-Hine,
professor of history at Northwestern University, is the lecturer. 7:30 p.m.
in UST's Cullen Hall, 4000 Mt. Vernon. Parking available for $2 in the Moran
Center at Graustark and W. Alabama. For more information, contact Dr. Irving
Kelter, [e-mail].

Saturday, March 18

Third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. There will be a
witness/demonstration. Details will follow in future calendars.

Monday, March 20

Deadline for submissions of work to the juried show, "Justice for All?
Artists Reflect on the Death Penalty," sponsored by Texas Moratorium
Network. This is an international, all-media, art exhibition on view May
6-22 at Gallery Lombardi in Austin, Texas and online for at least one year
at www.deathpenaltyartshow.org. Jurors are Annette Carlozzi, Curator of
American and Contemporary Art at the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art at UT;
Lora Reynolds, owner of Lora Reynolds Gallery in Austin; and Malaquias
Montoya, an artist and professor of art at the University of California,
Davis. Work in all media is eligible but must address the issue of the death
penalty. Fees: $15 for up to 3 slides/JPGs/photographs/videos; additional
slides/JPGs/photographs/videos $5 each. For an online entry form visit
www.deathpenaltyartshow.org/prospectus.html or email
[e-mail].

Monday, March 20

As'ad AbuKhalil, Department of Politics and Public Administration at
California State University-Stanislaus, will speak on "The Bush Doctrine:
Assumptions and Realities in the Arab World." This is the second in a
four-part lecture series sponsored by The Arab American Educational
Foundation in conjunction with Rice University. 7 p.m. in Farnsworth
Pavilion at Rice.

Thursday, March 23

Seymour Hersh, author of "Chain of Command, The Road from 9/11 to Abu
Ghraib," will speak under the auspices of The Progressive Forum. He will
reveal his perspective on how we got from the morning of 9/11 to a divisive
war of choice in Iraq. One of the most acclaimed investigative reporters of
our time, Hersh won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking the story of the My Lai
massacre during the Vietnam War. A writer for The New Yorker, Mr. Hersh has
won over a dozen prizes for stories such as Nixon’s secret bombings in
Cambodia, Kissinger’s wiretapping of newsmen, and the growth of Pakistan’s
nuclear arsenal. Seats are $34 and $54. There are discounts for students,
seniors, and groups. Patron seats are $100 and include reception with Hersh,
preferred seat location, and an autographed book. 6:30 p.m. patron
reception, 7:30 program at Hotel InterContinental, Legend Room, 2222 West
Loop South. Buy tickets by calling 713/315-2525 or visiting The Hobby Center
box office at 800 Bagby.

Monday, April 17

Nationally syndicated political columnist Molly Ivins, author of "Molly
Ivins Can't Say That, Can She?" will speak under the auspices of The
Progressive Forum. Seats are $34 and $54. There are discounts for students,
seniors, and groups. Patron seats are $100 and include reception with Ivins,
preferred seat location, and an autographed book. 6:30 p.m. patron
reception, 7:30 program in the Cullen (small) Theater at the Wortham Center.
Buy tickets by calling 713/315-2525 or visiting The Hobby Center box office
at 800 Bagby.

Monday, April 24

George Sabra, The Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon will speak
on "Arab Christians and Christian Zionism." This is the last in a four-part
lecture series sponsored by The Arab American Educational Foundation in
conjunction with Rice University. 7 p.m. in Farnsworth Pavilion at Rice.

Tuesday, May 9

A screening of "Who’s Counting? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global
Economics." In this documentary, Waring emphasizes that Gross National
Product, the standard measure of a nation's wealth, never includes the
social and environmental costs of economic activity and completely discounts
the unpaid work of women. A discussion will follow. 7 p.m. in Anderson Hall,
Room 103 at University of St. Thomas. For more information, contact Dr.
Debra Andrist, 713/525-3122.


2006 Elections Schedule

PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR COUNTY, STATE, AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES

Last date to register to be eligible to vote in the primaries: Monday,
February 6

Early Voting: Tuesday, February 21 through Friday, March 3

Primary Election Day: Tuesday, March 7; precinct party caucuses follow close
of polls

State Senatorial Democratic & Republican district party conventions:
Saturday, March 25

RUNOFFS IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS

Early Voting: Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7

Primary Runoff Election Day: Tuesday, April 11

State Republican Party Convention in San Antonio: Friday, June 2 & Saturday,
June 3

State Democratic Party Convention in Ft. Worth: Friday, June 9 & Saturday,
June 10

GENERAL ELECTIONS FOR COUNTY, STATE, AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES

Early Voting: Monday, October 23 through Friday, November 3

General Election: Tuesday, November 7