The date of the screening of “Race to Nowhere,” on the state of the nation’s Educational Reform has been changed to Feb. 16. The film addresses the high-pressure atmosphere that is the norm in many schools today, leading to stress related problems, even suicide. Unitarian Church, 700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden. Free tickets but register at: rtncoldspringschool.eventbrite.com. Info: www.racetonowhere.com ¤
Archive for category General
— Caroline Bridgman-Rees, WILPF
From 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St., the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) will honor Anna Aschenbach, New Haven activist, with the Dr. Alice Hamilton Peace and Justice Award. Dr. Hamilton, 1869-1970, a leading pioneer in occupational health and toxicology, was also deeply involved in supporting peace from World War I until her death.
Anna has dedicated her life to peace and justice. Born in Nanking, China, of American teaching missionaries, she early became aware of the suffering and inequity around her in China and later in the US. She studied class and racial issues at college, joined a pacifist group during World War II, and was determined to follow the philosophy of simple living. For two years she lived in an intentional community. In the late 60s she was employed as a writer in the multiracial Model Cities Participation Unit in New Haven. She has been a long-time member of War Tax Resistance and has joined local, national, and international anti-war and justice rallies. Recently, she was a leader in organizing three important events: the Bus Stop Removal Project, the expose of the rapes, murders, and destruction of many thousands of women’s bodies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the SPEAK OUT on the denial of human rights in the U.S. to immigrant women. Anna has never stopped being a fearless, passionate activist and an opponent of American militarism and imperialism.
As part of the celebration on Jan. 22, Anna will give a talk on “Simple Living” as she herself has experienced it. As Sally Joughin, one of New Haven’s wise and wonderful peace leaders for many years, often quoted: “Live simply so that others may simply live.”
— Merryl Eaton, CCA
Christian Community Action’s Advocacy & Education Project is once again pleased to present Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). PLTI is a free eighteen week class that enables parents and other adults to develop the leadership skills to make real change- in schools, communities and state and local government.
You will explore your passions, strengths, beliefs and ideas. Then, you work to develop interpersonal and public communications skills, as well as your understanding of government, media and civic relations. Your children ages 5-12 are invited to attend our Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI).
The group starts with a retreat on Saturday, January 22nd and will meet on Tuesday nights at St. Raphael’s Hospital beginning on January 25. A family dinner will be served.
For more information or to arrange for an interview, please contact Merryl at (203) 777-6072 or via e-mail at meaton@ccahelping.org.
The program is made possible by funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and with the assistance of the Connecticut Commission on Children.
Equality Versus Privilege
Dec 29
— Joseph L. Schofield, Executive Director, CTV
In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” the animals that have risen to positions of power in what was a revolution to establish equality soon declare that “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Not unlike today’s Tea Party, a sense of entitlement seems to descend upon those who may have long enjoyed a position of benefit or privilege over their fellow citizens. And although that benefit or privilege was assigned them for reasons that had nothing to do with any merit or attribute of theirs, but was granted because it benefited the purposes of the granting body, the receiver feels that they are now forever entitled to that benefit or privilege.
Each producer of a program at Citizens Television (CTV) is entitled to one hour of “air” time each week. That is because CTV does not have the capacity to give every producer more than that. CTV cannot, by law, look at the content of a program to determine how much air-time it gets. It is called equality.
From time to time, CTV gives a second hour of air-time to a program. This is not based on the program’s content, but done because CTV staff is the production crew and the production values are high. CTV uses that program as a training tool for its production students, and the second hour of air-time allows greater opportunity for students to view the program.
CTV staff, in fairness, moves on to crew other productions and use them for training students. However, sometimes the producer of the previous program believes that it should retain that second hour of air-time. We wish we could make that accommodation. But we cannot, by law,
do so based on the content of the programs. The production crew for that program may usually do a good job, but those programs will not likely meet the standard we require to have our production students observe and learn from them.
Equality versus privilege? CTV chooses equality. Every time.
By N’Zinga Shäni, Producer
OneWorld Progressive Institute is a 501c3 charitable organization, as designated by the IRS. We produce educational programs, community forums and civic engagement activities for the benefit of the broader community. We design and present student programs such as essay and oratory competitions and critical-thinking forums as part of our mission to improve educational outcomes. We work with leading educators, the NH public school system, medical experts and state leaders to fulfill our mission to contribute positively to our com-munity. Our “21st Century Conversations” programs have been on Citizens TV twice weekly since June 9, 1996.
In 2007 for reasons unknown to us at OneWorld, our program was reduced to airing once weekly. On July 19, 2010, “21st Century Conversations” was taken off the air completely by the management at CTV. On Nov. 4, the DPUC directed CTV to return “21st Century” to airing twice weekly. The program can now be seen Sundays at
7 p.m. & Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Comcast, Channel 26. Please visit www.nhtv.com/Uverse.html to find us on AT&T U-Verse, Channel 99. We are also on Comcast, Channel 18, Shoreline towns.
We are pleased to inform you that our “21st Century” program titled “Access to Affordable Health Care – A Human Right” which was produced at North Haven TV
in February was awarded second prize in the Northeast Media Alliance Competition for its Community Impact. We are grateful to all who made that program possible. Starting Dec. 5, 2010, OneWorld will present a series of programs informing the community about the NHPS Education Reform Plan. We encourage people to watch each broadcast. Here is a link to an article, Eminem: Role Model? by Melinda Tuhus from Nov 10, 2010, about one of our recent critical-thinking forums for teens:
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/teens_critique_electronic_culture
Our next oratory competition starts January 2011. We invite everyone to tune in weekly.
N’Zinga Shäni, Producer, OneWorld Progressive Institute (OneWorld), Inc.
PO Box 8662, New Haven, CT 06531
Phone: (203) 407-0250
Email: oneworldpi@yahoo.com
www.oneworldpi.org
By Chris Schweitzer, New Haven/León Sister City Project
Shop for a cause! Fair-trade overseas crafts, local goods, and new products. On Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., New Haven/León Sister City Project will hold its annual Holiday Fiesta and Gift Bazaar at 608 Whitney Avenue. PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE! This is the site of the NH/LSCP offices. For more info call: (203) 562-1607.
Some of our new selections:
- Haitian star ornaments & hand-painted metal art made by artisan co-ops
- Dean’s Beans Organic Hot Cocoa & Coffees from Chiapas & Indonesia
- Eco Teas: Yerba Mate, South African Rooibos & Organic Tulsi from India
- Tahini made from Nicaraguan sesame seeds
- Mola ornaments from Panama
Our all-time favorites:
- Colorful woven products and organic coffee from Nicaragua
- Hand-painted crafts from El Salvador
- Olive Oil from Palestine
- Peace calendars designed and printed in the U.S.
- African print cloth-bound photo albums, journals
- Pacifica soaps & lotions made in the U.S.
Including the return of:
- Brushdance calendars & engagement books
- Siena hand-made scented candles
One World House
The NH/LSCP One World House exhibit features a full size model of a house typical in rural communities in Nicaragua (and around the world) and nine banners that describe the impact of climate change on vulnerable rural communities, the science of climate change, and what we can do to mitigate the impacts.
The House can be set up at schools, churches and parks and is a great way to get people thinking about climate change and what it means for vulnerable rural communities around the world. For more info, contact Chris at (203) 562-1607 or atnh@newhavenleon.org or check out www.newhavenleon.org/earthathon.
NHLSCP also works with the New Haven Environmental Justice Network. The monthly meetings, open to all, take place the second Wednesday of each month, at 6 p.m. at High School in the Community, 175 Water Street, 2nd Floor Media Center/Library.
Please submit copy to PAR’s e-mail address: parnewhaven@hotmail.com. .
No e-mail? Call Paula at (203) 562-2798 to find out how to submit your article. There is a 350 word limit.
Next Planning Meeting date is Tuesday, December 7 at 7:30 pm…all welcome…call (203) 562-2798 for location.
To subscribe: $13 for 10 issues, check payable to PAR, P.O. Box 995, New Haven, CT 06504.
Dear PAR Contributors — The deadline for the December issue of the Progressive Action Roundtable Newsletter is Friday, November 19. Please send articles about your group’s recent and current activities and upcoming actions and events to parnewhaven@hotmail.com. Readers want to know what other groups are doing!
We are asking everyone to limit her/his article to 350 words, and to include only the issue- information that relates to what your group is currently *doing*. Be sure to indicate your name and organization as they should appear in your byline.
If you haven’t written recent articles for PAR, please include information about your group’s purpose. Do not use different fonts or sizes in your article. List either a phone, e-mail address or website so that readers will have a way to get further information.
About calendar items:
If you mention an event in an article, please also send a SEPARATE calendar announcement. Please give street addresses for all events and meetings. VERY IMPORTANT: Please indicate whether your event location is wheelchair accessible. You can also send us SAVE THE DATE items about future events, even if you do not yet have all the details in place.
The Newsletter will come out approximately November 30; please consider this when submitting calendar items.
Here are other suggestions about submitting copy to the PAR Newsletter:
- If you ask or encourage new groups to submit articles or calendar items to PAR, please give them a copy of these tips.
- Submit copy by e-mail, either as regular e-mail text or as an MS Word attachment (.doc).
- If you are a first-time author in the PAR Newsletter, thank you! We hope you will also subscribe and encourage others in your organization to do so.
- If someone else from your organization who doesn’t have e-mail is going to write an article, we can arrange to receive a disk or a paper copy. Send an e-mail to us and include the name and phone number of the person who needs help.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INSERTS:
We prefer to carry articles & calendar listings rather than inserts. But if you have an insert to include in the Newsletter, we ask you to send the information contained in the flyer to this e-mail address as well so that it can be easily added to the PAR Calendar.
Your organization must make and pay for the copies of the insert, and you must call Mary Johnson 203-387-7858 in advance to see if there is room for it. There is a fee of $7 for an insert, which we hope will offset the extra postage.
We will be able to handle only those inserts that are a full (8.5×11) or half (5.5×8.5) sheet of paper (not postcard).
We always welcome more helpers and new ideas!
If you would consider attending the monthly planning meeting or helping with the Newsletter mailing, please e-mail parnewhaven@hotmail.com.
Many thanks! We’re looking forward to your articles!
Thank you for your help in creating this community newsletter.
– PAR Planning Committee
Thank you for your help in creating this community newsletter.
– PAR Planning Committee
By PAR Planning Committee
For years, Don’t Waste Connecticut (DWC) kept PAR readers up-to-date on the dangers of nuclear power plants, radiation and depleted uranium, as well as reporting on other environmental issues. Mitzi Bowman, the coordinator of DWC, moved to Vermont two years ago and has become very active working with groups there. PAR subscribers also need to know about Connecticut anti-nuclear organizations. Articles (maximum length is 350 words) should be e-mailed to parnewhaven@hotmail.com before Nov. 19 to be included in the December newsletter.
Media and Activism
Oct 24
by Paula Panzarella, No Access Media Project
Are you interested in making a documentary about various aspects of social justice activism, and in particular, the role of media? Want to meet with others and offer suggestions of what should be included?
The initial idea is to meet with all sorts of activist groups on a host of issues and chat about their struggles and if they have been able to get access to mainstream media. We could compare their issues to what bombards us every day in the press, television and radio. A possible title for the project is No Access. The aim would be to show how important it is to have real content in the media we consume on a daily basis.
If you want to help develop this, please e-mail paulapanzarella@yahoo.com or call (203) 562-2798.
Dear PAR Contributors, The deadline for the November issue of the Progressive Action Roundtable Newsletter is Thursday, October 14. Please send in to parnewhaven@hotmail.com — articles about your group’s recent and current activities and upcoming actions and events. Readers want to know what other groups are doing!
We are asking everyone to limit her/his article to 350 words, and to include only the issue- information that relates to what your group is currently *doing*. Be sure to indicate your name and organization as they should appear in your byline.
If you haven’t written recent articles for PAR, please include information about your group’s purpose. Do not use different fonts or sizes in your article. List either a phone, e-mail address or website so that readers will have a way to get further information.
May Day On The Green
Jun 1
by Paula Panzarella
Dozens of organizations came together for the 24th annual May Day celebration on the New Haven Green. It was the perfect day for labor, peace and environmental groups to reach out to the New Haven community and to network with each other for International Workers’ Day.
One of the most engaging activities was the billboard painting project from We Refuse to be Enemies and IWagePeace.org. The billboard will soon be overlooking I-95. It’s wonderful that the celebration on this international day of labor solidarity could have a part in the creation of the billboard.
The One World House, built by volunteers from New Haven/León Sister City Project, depicted the housing conditions for people in many underdeveloped countries, including Nicaragua. There was a “Free Swap” area from the Elm City Infoshop and information tables and exhibits from New Haven Green Party, Socialist Party CT, WILPF, UNA/UNIFEM, ISO, Food Not Bombs, Greater New Haven Labor History Association, New Haven Bioregional Group/ Transition, ANSWER CT, Chainbreakers, and CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty. Joe Taylor had a display of his May Day books and historical information, and there was a DonnellyColt tent with bumperstickers, pins and t-shirts.
Activities for kids included a surprise visit from magician Amazing Andy, and someone brought many hula hoops for a spontaneous “contest.”
In addition to the various organizations’ participation, there were speakers and performers throughout the day on the stage. The website will soon be updated with photos and video: http://www.maydaynewhaven.org.
Some May Day t-shirts are still available for a donation. Please call (203) 562-2798 to get a shirt.
This year’s event was organized by many people who joined the May Day Celebration Committee a few months ago. We hope people follow their lead and that more people jump in to pull together something spectacular, as next year is the 25th year of the May Day on the Green.
To stay in touch with the May Day Celebration Committee to network throughout the year and share ideas, please call Jeff Spalter at (203) 843-3069.
