Category: Events

Workers of the World Uniting for Respect, Dignity & Peace

by Joelle Fishman, CT People’s World

The People’s World in Connecticut is hosting its annual celebration of International Workers’ Day on Sunday, May 3 at 4:00 pm at the King-Davis Labor Center, 77 Huyshope Ave, Hartford.

A panel discussion, “Workers of the World Uniting for Respect, Dignity & Peace,” will highlight growing unity and resistance to global corporate attacks on the civil rights, human rights and lives of workers, youth and families. Alberto Bernardez (SEIU 32 BJ) will tell of attempts to destroy the teachers’ union in Honduras. Marie Lausch (UE) will speak on the peace campaign by the union federation Zenroren in Japan. John Harrity (IAM) will address the threat to jobs, environment and democracy posed by fast track for TPP. A representative of the “Fight for $15 and a union” will tell the demands of fast food and other low wage workers for living wages and a voice on the job. Juan and Becky Brito will perform Chilean songs.

A home made buffet and a raffle will round out the afternoon. Tickets are $5 or what you can afford. No one will be turned away. The event is a fund raiser toward the annual $10,000 People’s World Connecticut fund drive goal. Donations large and small will be welcomed and appreciated.

A carpool will leave from the New Haven Peoples Center at 2:30 pm. Call in advance to arrange for a space or to offer to drive. (203) 624-8664.

Zero Energy House Tour May 2

by Judi Friedman, People’s Action for Clean Energy

A Killingly, Connecticut zero energy house will be open to the public on Saturday, May 2. Tours and seminars will be held at noon and 2:30 p.m. The 2,600-square-foot Net Zero Energy Challenge winner has 12-inch thick walls; solar panels; air source heating and cooling pumps; a heat pump water heater; an ICF foundation; triple glazed windows; ceiling and sub slab insulation; and constant fresh air ventilation.

Other energy-saving features in this ideal retirement home include lighting from LED and compact fluorescent bulbs and energy-efficient appliances (Energy Star). The house has French drains (no gutters, no ice dams) and a permeable driveway. Electric cars will be on display. The tour/seminar is sponsored by People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE), the only all-volunteer nonprofit public health organization in Connecticut devoted solely to clean energy education.

Additional information will be available on ethanol fireplaces; combination solar hot water for a radiant floor and a solar heated pool; surplus energy for electric cars; affordable retirement homes and minisplit  heat pumps.

Reservations will be accepted in order of receipt for the May 2 tour, which will be held rain or shine. The non-refundable tickets are $15.00 per person. To order tickets, go online to www.pace-cleanenergy.org and click on Events, indicating the choice of time for the tours and seminar.

Tickets may also be ordered by sending $15.00 per person to PACE c/o Donna Grant, 128 Melrose Road, Broad Brook, CT 06016. Include the ticketholder’s name, phone number, address, email address and choice of time. For ticket information, call (860) 623-5487. For tour information, call (860) 693-4813.

Film screening and discussion “Pay 2 Play: Democracy’s High Stakes”

New Haven Free Public Library

pay2playThursday, April 30, 5:30-8 p.m., the NH Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., will show Pay2Play, a documentary film that explores America’s pay to play political system and some of the history that has brought us to where we are today. The film weaves together the stories of a dramatic election in Ohio; the secret history of the game Monopoly; and people taking action to fix the system.

Professor Steve Tomsczak, Social Work Department at SCSU, will lead a discussion following the film.

For more info about the film and to view the trailer go to: http://www.pay2play.tv/.

This program cosponsored with Common Cause CT.

Please join us for some great civic engagement!

Institute Library Reading Series May 13

by Bennett Lovett-Graff, Publisher, New Haven Review

institute_library-new_haven-201312The Young Men’s Institute Library is proud to host the Listen Here Short Story reading series. Join us for a night of classic short stories selected by the staff of the New Haven Review and read by cast members of the New Haven Theater Company. Reading starts at 7:00 p.m., with a talk back at 8:00 p.m. that explores the background, meaning, and dramatic interpretation of that night’s stories. Also, freshly baked cookies–a different batch at each reading–and tea are available. $5 suggested admission, but no obligations! Next reading’s theme: “A Little Out of Place.”

Our stories: “Fat” by Raymond Carver; “Araby” by James Joyce; and “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams. Join us Wednesday, May 13, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at Young Men’s Institute Library, 847 Chapel St. (Please note that the Institute Library is one flight up and, most unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible.) For more information, visit us at www.institutelibrary.org.

Green Party of Connecticut 2015 Annual Meeting 11-5 April 25

by Barbara Barry, Green Party of CT

The Green Party of Connecticut’s annual meeting will take place Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Portland Waverly Center (former Portland Senior Center), 7 Waverly Ave. in Portland.

Our meeting is open to the public. Only members may vote for the candidates for internal elections or provide input regarding the future focus of the GPCT over the next twelve months.

Agenda:

  • 11a.m.: Statements from the candidates for the GPCT Executive Committee (three co-chairpersons, a treasurer and a secretary) and three representatives from the GPCT to the Green Party of U.S. (GPUS). Followed by Q & A.
  • 12 p.m.: Potluck lunch break; merchandise is available for GPCT fundraising. Goals of fundraising: money to help petition to acquire 7500 valid signatures to acquire a CT ballot line for the GPUS 2016 presidential candidate; GPCT ability to sponsor or co-sponsor events; administrative costs.
  • 12:30 p.m.: Linda Thompson, GPCT co-chairperson, to discuss her recent trip to Cuba with Code Pink.
  • 1 p.m.: Deadline for submission of ballots to the Elections Committee.
  • 1 p.m.: Tim McKee, as the GPCT liaison to GASP, the Green (Party) Alliances to Stop the (Algonquin) Pipeline, will discuss status.
  • 1:30 p.m.: Updates about our 2015 proposals to the CT Legislature.
  • 2 p.m.: Session A workshops (choose one): CT Public Banking with Ed Heflin, co-founder of CT Public Banking Institute; Conflict Resolution (facilitator tbd); Mental Health and Public Health Reform with Rolf Maurer and Sheila Matthews from AbleChild.org; Renewable Energy (facilitator tbd); Common Core Reform with Jonathan Pelto.
  • 2:45 p.m.: Session B workshops (choose one): Urban/suburban/rural Farming, i.e. farm to table marketing by Paul Gobell and Barbara Barry; Decriminalization of Cannabis and the Use of Hemp Economy with Rolf Maurer and a spokesperson from HempCT.info; Ballot Access and Voting with S. Michael DeRosa and Doug Lary. Demilitarization and Racism (facilitator tbd).
  • 3:30 p.m.: All attendees to give feedback regarding the focus of the GPCT for the next twelve months.
  • 4 p.m.: Results of the Internal Elections. Selection of date, place and time of the next State Central Committee (SCC) meeting.

The GPCT National Committee representatives will be selected at the next SCC meeting. Date/place and time of the SCC meeting after the 4-25-15 GPCT Annual Meeting, will be determined by the EC elected on 4-25-15. Please let us know if you would like to volunteer for any National Committee(s). For more information about GPUS National Committees, please see www.gp.org/members/committees.

April Events for the 64 Days of Nonviolence

by Melanie Lozada, Graduate Ass’t, Women’s Studies Program SCSU

The 64 Days officially begins each year on Jan. 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, and ends on April 4, the day we commemorate Dr. King. In our twelfth annual observation of the 64 Days at SCSU, we continue to celeb-rate the peace and justice heritage in many of our cultures and heritages, including our observation of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian/Pacific Heritage Month. Please join the Women’s Studies Program at SCSU for the following events. All events are at SCSU, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, except that of April 24

April

    • 2: “Everyone Matters” Day (TBA)
    • 9: Courageous Conversation on White Privilege (5-7:30
      p.m. Engleman Hall A 120)
    • 15 and 16: A reading of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues, with Iota Iota Iota, the SCSU Chapter of the National Women’s Studies National Honor Society (7-9 p.m., Engleman Hall C 112; and 7-9 p.m., Engleman Hall A 120)
    • 16: “Very Young Girls” Film screening and discussion (6-8 p.m. Adanti Student Center Theater)
    • 17: Conference “Literature across Disciplines—Gabriel García Márquez: Translation and Criticism,” with Jean Franco and Edith Grossman (10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Adanti Student Center Theater)
    • 22: “Take Back the Night,” an annual event to stop violence against women and shatter the silence (7-9 p.m., Adanti Student Center Ballroom)
    • 24: Coalition of Women’s Studies in CT & RI (9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saint Joseph University)
    • 30: OWL (Opportunity for Women’s Leadership) Empowerment Symposium with Ebony Revived, the SCSU Women’s Studies 11th leadership conference, with James Hillhouse HS, Metropolitan Business Academy, Wilbur Cross HS, and West Haven HS young women (8 a.m.-3 p.m., Engleman Hall B 121 A&B).

All events can be viewed at http://www.southernct.edu/academics/schools/arts/departments/womensstudies/64daysofnonviolence/index.html. Women’s Studies Office: (203) 392-6133

New Haven Bike Month Coming in May 2015!

by Caroline Smith, New Haven Bike Month

New Haven Bike Month is a month-long celebration of bicycles and bike culture events hosted by Elm City Cycling, the New Haven Department of Transportation, the Devil’s Gear Bike Shop, and many other community members.

Our mission is, through bike education, maintenance clinics, advocacy, and celebration, to motivate more folks from all New Haven neighborhoods to feel comfortable, safe, and excited to integrate riding their bikes into their everyday lives.

We hope to achieve this mission in two ways: 1. by promoting and aggregating the tremendous amount of biking-oriented initiatives already happening in this city in May; and 2. by expanding on these current initiatives by including more New Haven communities in the conversation through neighborhood canvassing and outreach to community groups.

Throughout the month we hope to promote over 40 large group rides for varying levels of folks on bikes, five Open Streets events (where a portion of a street is closed off to programming, pedestrians, and cyclists), numerous bike maintenance clinics, and discounts for helmeted cyclists at local businesses.
We’re a small team, but we want to be sure that we’re talking to as many folks as possible who are interested in being involved. In what ways can New Haven Bike Month in May 2015 serve your community? Want to host an event or a ride? Want to volunteer at an event? Reach out to us, we’d be thrilled to have you involved!

To learn more and keep updated, head over to our website: www.newhavenbikemonth.com. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newhavenbikemonth. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bikemonthnhv. Email us: nhvbikemonth@gmail.com. Call us: (859) 536-4791.
To contribute to our fundraising campaign, go to: http://www.gofundme.com/newhavenbikemonth.

May Day 2015 Celebration Saturday, May 2

by Jeff Spalter, May Day Celebration Committee

poster-jpg-small

Our first meeting was well-attended and lively. We decided May Day will be Saturday May 2 from 12-5 p.m. on the New Haven Green with a rain date for the following day. We decided that the best part of last year’s event was the emphasis on kid-friendly entertainment. We also talked about how May Day was different because anyone is welcome to talk from the stage or set up any art project.

Download the registration form here (pdf) or,

download it here in Word format, fill it out on your computer and email it to jeffreyspalter@netzero.net.

Download the poster here to put up where people might see it and become interested in this event.

Please tell all your creative friends to contact me and participate in our festival. Please write me with ideas for entertainment and organizations or businesses that might help us out financially. We talked about how May Day this year will proclaim that while labor is under attack across this country we know that labor unions are a worker’s only friend and best hope.

Our next meeting to plan May Day 2015 will be Saturday, March 28 at noon at Books and Co., 1235 Whitney Ave, Hamden.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please email or call me because there are lots of ways to participate without attending meetings. We need help fundraising, ideas for performers, help contacting area activists and groups, help to publicize May Day and volunteers on the day to set up, run and clean up.

Thank you.

Jeff Spalter (203) 843-3069 www.maydaynewhaven.org.

May Day mission statement: to organize a multi-cultural festival that honors and celebrates our labor history and the labor, peace, social service and social justice groups that today continue the struggle for peace and human rights.

Institute Library Reading Series April 9

by Bennett Lovett-Graff, Publisher, New Haven Review

The Young Men’s Institute Library is proud to host the Listen Here Short Story reading series, a night of classic short stories selected by the staff of the New Haven Review and read by cast members of the New Haven Theater Company. Reading starts at 7 p.m., with a talk back at 8 p.m. that explores the background, meaning, and dramatic interpretation of the stories. Also, freshly baked cookies and tea are available. $5 suggested admission, but no obligations! Next reading’s theme: “Love at Second Sight.” Our stories: “Before the War with the Eskimoes” by J.D. Salinger; “Miss Temptation” by Kurt Vonnegut. Join us Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m. at Young Men’s Institute Library, 847 Chapel St. Save the date May 13 for future readings, same place, same time, different stories, different actors reading. (Please note that the Institute Library is one flight up and, most unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible.) For more information, visit us at www.institutelibrary.org.

Ride Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride, Saturday, April 25!

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven León Sister City Project

1500 cyclists will travel between West Rock and East Rock, with celebrations on both sides of the city. Along the way, they will eat tasty food, hear great music, take on environmental challenges and service projects, and explore the city’s parks. They will travel along the Farmington Canal Trail and official city bike lanes, pass through many of the city’s beautiful neighborhoods, and make stops in Edgewood and Beaver Pond Parks on their way between the Rocks. In 2015 there will be five rides: the 8-mile family-friendly ride; a 12 mile adult ride; the 20-mile ride; the 40-mile ride; and a metric century (60+ miles), all traveling through scenic and park filled routes in the New Haven region. Music at various stops and at the end at East Rock will be provided by CT Folk and with include performances by local musicians.

When you collect pledges, you choose to support any one of 20+ great organizations, all working to create a greener and healthier community. Check out all the 2015 Rock to Rock partners at www.rocktorock.org. For more information, call (203) 389-4333, ext. 1214.

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