A little round up of random items you might be interested in . . .
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY BOOK SWAP
SAVE THE DATE!
Doing some Spring Cleaning? Have books you don’t read anymore? Bring them to the Little Free Library book swap!
When: Sunday, April 14 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Neighborhood House Gym, 29 S. Mills St.
Please e-mail Lydia Roussos, Little Free Library Book Acquisitions Director at roussos@wisc.edu with any questions.
SUSPENDED COFFEE
A.S.O. is proud to announce our latest and newest endeavor: Suspended Coffee!
We now have one business that agreed and is excited to do this. The Bakers Window at 122 State Street.Here is how it works:
Go in to The Baker’s Window and get yourself a very tasty treat or great coffee and buy an extra “suspended item” for our homeless friends. For each suspended item you buy, a marble will be dropped into a clear bowl. Our friends can then just look and see if there is a “suspension” there for them. Suspended items are available to our homeless friends at no cost to them.This will help on so many levels that I’m not going to list them; I will say that it will help a new business that really does care. It is a wonderful way to give and get a tasty treat for yourself-because lets face it, you just helped someone and you deserve a treat for it too!
They are doing this in other countries and cities, but this is a first for Madison. Lets show them how Wisconsin does it!
RAINBOW BOOKSTORE EVENTS
This month, join us for our SCIENCE FICTION and FANTASY sale! 20 PERCENT OFF all science fiction and fantasy books, for the whole month! You read that right: 20 percent! For the whole month!
The Fight to Save Juárez
Friday, April 5, 5:30 pm
Join author Ricardo Ainslie for a discussion of his important new book, The Fight to Save Juárez: Life in the Heart of Mexico’s Drug War.The city of Juárez is ground zero for the drug war that is raging across Mexico and has claimed close to 60,000 lives since 2007. Almost a quarter of the federal forces that former President Felipe Calderón deployed in the war were sent to Juárez, and nearly 20 percent of the country’s drug-related executions have taken place in the city, a city that can be as unforgiving as the hardest places on earth. It is here that the Mexican government came to turn the tide. Whatever happens in Juárez will have lasting repercussions for both Mexico and the United States.
Ricardo Ainslie went to Juárez to try to understand what was taking place behind the headlines of cartel executions and other acts of horrific brutality. In The Fight to Save Juárez, he takes us into the heart of Mexico’s bloodiest city through the lives of four people who experienced the drug war from very different perspectives-Mayor José Reyes Ferriz, a mid-level cartel player’s mistress, a human rights activist, and a photojournalist. Ainslie also interviewed top Mexican government strategists, including members of Calderón’s security cabinet, as well as individuals within U.S. law enforcement. The dual perspective of life on the ground in the drug war and the “big picture” views of officials who are responsible for the war’s strategy, creates a powerful, intimate portrait of an embattled city, its people, and the efforts to rescue Juárez from the abyss.
Truth and Revolution
Saturday, April 6, 2 pm
Join Mike Staudenmaier for a discussion of his book Truth and Revolution: A History of the Sojourner Truth Organization, 1969-1986.Founded in Chicago in 1969 from the rubble of the recently crumbled SDS, the Sojourner Truth Organization (STO) brought working-class consciousness to the forefront of New Left discourse, sending radicals back into the factories and thinking through the integration of radical politics into everyday realities. Through the influence of founding members like Noel Ignatiev and Don Hamerquist, STO took a Marxist approach to the question of race and revolution, exploring the notion of “white skin privilege,” and helping to lay the groundwork for the discipline of critical race studies.
H. Samy Alim Discussion: Ar.tic.u.late While Black
Monday, April 8, 7 pm
At Grainger Hall, University of Wisconsin School of Business
Book Discussion: A History of Pan-African Revolt
Monday, April 8, 7 pm
Originally published in England in 1938 (the same year as his magnum opus The Black Jacobins) and expanded in 1969, this work remains the classic account of global black resistance. Robin D.G. Kelley’s substantial introduction contextualizes the work in the history and ferment of the times, and explores its ongoing relevance today.A History of Pan-African Revolt is one of those rare books that continues to strike a chord of urgency, even half a century after it was first published. Time and time again, its lessons have proven to be valuable and relevant for understanding liberation movements in Africa and the diaspora. Each generation who has had the opportunity to read this small book finds new insights, new lessons, new visions for their own age . . . . No piece of literature can substitute for a crystal ball, and only religious fundamentalists believe that a book can provide comprehensive answers to all questions. But if nothing else, A History of Pan-African Revolt leaves us with two incontrovertible facts. First, as long as black people are denied freedom, humanity and a decent standard of living, they will continue to revolt. Second, unless these revolts involve the ordinary masses and take place on their own terms, they have no hope of succeeding.” -Robin D.G. Kelley, from the Introduction
“I wish my readers to understand the history of Pan-African Revolt. They fought, they suffered-they are still fighting. Once we understand that, we can tackle our problems with the necessary mental equilibrium.” -C.L.R. James”
Maroon the Implacable
Friday, April 12, 6 pm
Discuss a new edition of the collected writings of Russell Maroon Shoatz with Quincy Saul (co-editor) and Theresa Shoatz (daughter of Russell Maroon Shoatz).Russell Maroon Shoatz is a political prisoner who has been held unjustly for over thirty years, including two decades in solitary confinement. He was active as a leader in the Black Liberation Movement in Philadelphia, both above and underground. His successful escapes from maximum-security prisons earned him the title “Maroon.” This is the first published collection of his accumulated written works, and also includes new essays written expressly for this volume.
Despite the torture and deprivation that has been everyday life for Maroon over the last several decades, he has remained at the cutting edge of history through his writings. His work is innovative and revolutionary on multiple levels. His self-critical and fresh retelling of the Black liberation struggle in the U.S. includes many practical and theoretical insights. His analysis of the prison system, particularly in relation to capitalism, imperialism, and the drug war, takes us far beyond the recently-popular analysis of the prison-industrial complex, contained in books such as The New Jim Crow. His historical research and writings on Maroon communities throughout the Americas, drawing many insights from these societies in the fields of political and military revolutionary strategy are unprecedented. Finally, his sharp and profound understanding of the current historical moment, with clear proposals for how to move forward embracing new political concepts and practices (including but not limited to eco-socialism, matriarchy and eco-feminism, food security, prefiguration and the Occupy Wall Street movement) provide cutting-edge challenges for today’s movements for social change.
What Then Must We Do? A Discussion with Gar Alperovitz
Wednesday, April 17, 7 pm
Join world-renowned author Gar Alperovitz for a discussion of his latest book, What Then Must We Do?: Straight Talk about the Next American Revolution.Never before have so many Americans been more frustrated with our economic system, more fearful that it is failing, or more open to fresh ideas about a new one. The seeds of a new movement demanding change are forming.
But just what is this thing called a new economy, and how might it take shape in America? In What Then Must We Do?, Gar Alperovitz speaks directly to the reader about where we find ourselves in history, why the time is right for a new-economy movement to coalesce, what it means to build a new system to replace the crumbling one, and how we might begin. He also suggests what the next system might look like–and where we can see its outlines, like an image slowly emerging in the developing trays of a photographer’s darkroom, already taking shape.
He proposes a possible next system that is not corporate capitalism, not state socialism, but something else entirely–and something entirely American.
Alperovitz calls for an evolution, not a revolution, out of the old system and into the new. That new system would democratize the ownership of wealth, strengthen communities in diverse ways, and be governed by policies and institutions sophisticated enough to manage a large-scale, powerful economy.
For the growing group of Americans pacing at the edge of confidence in the old system, or already among its detractors, What Then Must We Do? offers an elegant solution for moving from anger to strategy.
FRIENDS OF YAHARA RIVER PARKWAY
Our first restoration day will be this Saturday to prune the oaks we’ve planted over the last ten years.
That’s at least 75 oaks if you’ve been counting… Nice jobs Friends!
The pruning will be fairly light so it should go pretty quick.
If you want to help we’ll meet at the Lake Monona end of the parkway on the west bank starting at 9am.
We need to prune before April 15 to minimize the chance of oak wilt infection.If you’re looking for Earth Day activities we will be leading community groups on both April 20 and April 27.
We’ll be posting our restoration schedule for 2013 real soon.
If you have any questions give me a call. 335-8847.
Enjoy spring!
Ed Jepsen
10,000 SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF PALERMO’S WORKERS FOR CHANCELLOR WARD
On March 20th at the UW showcase, the Boycott Palermo’s Coalition confronted Chancellor Ward about cutting ties with the union busting company, Palermo’s Pizza. Ward responded saying he would not support “These workers, not today.” In response to his lack of concern for worker’s rights so closely connected to the University, a petition was drafted and 10,000 students and supporters across the nation signed it.
Student Labor Action Coalition will be delivering this petition with 10,000 signatures to Chancellor Ward this Friday, April 5th, at 10:30 AM at Bascom Hall.
Please join us in showing your support for Palermo’s workers and holding Chancellor Ward accountable!
FREE SHREDDING
Ever wonder what to do with all your confidential paperwork and unsolicited mail?
ARMA-Madison in conjunction with Kard Recycling & Shredding and Access Information Management are offering for two days only:FREE Confidential Shredding
For the general public and small businesses
Up to 100 lbs of Shredding for Free
Donations for larger amounts are requested.
All donations and proceeds will go to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin (Cash or Check only)Friday – April 19 – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday – April 20 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pmTwo Available Locations:
Kard Recycling and Shredding
4702 Helgesen Drive (East of Farm & Fleet)
Madison, WI
608.274.5273Access Information Management
3700 Commerce Drive (Across from Menards-West)
Madison, WI
Phone: 608.829.3888Come watch us… Shredding your Past to Protect your Future!
GET ON THE BUS! IMMIGRATION REFORM MARCH IN D.C. APRIL 10th
Our government has stalled on immigration reform for too long. Now, we have new momentum–but they will never give dignity back to so many families, workers, and students unless we push them. Please join us and march in Washington DC on April 10! We are working as part of the Wisconsin Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (WNIRR) to demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform Now!
We are chartering a bus to depart Madison on Tuesday, April 9 from the Capitol Square after a rally for immigration reform. Reservations for a seat on the bus are $40. We will return to Madison on Thursday, April 11 at 7am. If you have questions, want to make a reservation or make a donation to help someone else participate contact the WRC at 608-255-0376 or email worker1@sbcglobal.net.
DROP THE I-WORD!
Huge news for immigrant rights: after decades of work and years of intense pressure from our community, including our friends at the Applied Research Center and Define American, The Associated Press has finally changed its hardline stance on using the term “illegal immigrants.”1 Wow.
This a major win for how our nation thinks about immigrants and our communities. Words matter. This helps lay the foundation for a more just society.
But here’s the thing: right now, The New York Times is still dragging its feet on adopting new guidelines.2 If we push hard now, we can get this newspaper of record to stop calling people “illegal.”
Tell the NYT to stop calling people “illegal”
They said we couldn’t get immigrant-basher Lou Dobbs off the air, but together, we did it. They said Dreamers would never gain protected status, but together, we made it happen. They said it wasn’t possible to get the AP to “drop the I-word,” but today, they have. Now, we must act again.
Tell the NYT to stop calling people “illegal”.
Let’s take this victory, charge forward, and make calling people “illegal” a thing of the past.
Thanks and ¡adelante!,
Arturo, Gabriela, Ana, Erick, Jesus, and the rest of the Presente TeamP.S. Can you donate $5 to support our work? We rely on money from people like you to see campaigns like this through.
UNIVERSITY AVE TRANSPORTATION SURVEY
If you use the University Avenue/Campus Drive corridor between Segoe Road and Breese Terrace, your input is needed!
The City of Madison, Village of Shorewood Hills, and University of Wisconsin-Madison are working together to identify issues and evaluate short-term and long-term modifications to the transportation systems in the area. Your responses will help shape the future operation of the corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers.
Please pass this information on to your friends and neighbors, mailing lists, co-workers, etc. Thank you.
800 E WASHINGTON AVE
The next meeting of the 800 North Block East Washington Ave Committee is set for:
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Madison Senior Center (330 West Mifflin St, second floor meeting room)The agenda for the meeting is located atThere is a public comment period at the beginning. Then, the committee will likely go into closed session to consider financial aspects of the proposals, before reconvening in open session.
If the committee opts not to make a decision on April 4, it will meet again on Tues, April 9.
JUVENILE IN JUSTICE
On Thursday, May 2, 2013, The School of Education invites you to experience the powerful work of Professor Richard Ross.
Ross to discuss acclaimed photo exhibition ‘Juvenile in Justice’ on May 2UW-Madison is hosting Professor Richard Ross, who will discuss his internationally acclaimed photo exhibition, “Juvenile in Justice,” on May 2.According to the “Juvenile in Justice” website, the exhibition documents the “placement and treatment of American juveniles housed by law in facilities that treat, confine, punish, assist and, occasionally, harm them.” It contains images of over 1,000 juveniles and administrators at more than 200 facilities across the United States. The hope is that by making such images available, the public will get a better understanding of some of the conditions that exist.
Ross’ talk will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Education Building Art Gallery. A reception will immediately follow the presentation in the Education Building’s Wisconsin Idea Room.
Although this will be the official grand opening of Ross’ exhibition, it will be housed in the Education Building Art Gallery April 22 through the end of May.
Richard Ross is a photographer, researcher and professor of art based in Santa Barbara, Calif.
The School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction is the lead organizer for the event, which also is receiving generous co-sponsorship from the Multicultural Student Center, the Office of the Vice Provost Chief Diversity Officer, Office of the Secretary of Faculty Lectures Committee, and a local organization entitled Race to Equity.
PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS FOR REYNOLD PARK
Thursday, April 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
Lapham Elementary School in the gym/cafeteria
1045 E. Dayton StreetThe city of Madison Parks Division will have a public input meeting to discuss the proposed playground improvements at Reynolds Park. At this meeting City staff will discuss the project and seek input on the playground design. This meeting will also include identifying neighborhood representatives to form a “playground committee” to work with the City to assist in the design process.
You are invited to attend this meeting to provide comments or input on the proposed project. If you have questions or comments but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Sarah Lerner at 608-261-4281 or at slerner@cityofmadison.com.
