| |||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
SPECIAL COVERAGE
regionstopic pagesgenresactionsall action pages >> resourcesglobal imc
|
Community Building
We are all working in one way or another to create the world we want to live in and pass it on to the generations to come. One of the best ways to accomplish all that we strive for is to build strong community bonds that will support us through the struggles ahead. Building community comes in all manner of actions and intentions such as neighborhood projects, small local business, free skools, crime and cop watch, alternative economics like barter and community currencies, sharing histories, Food Not Bombs, community gardens, reading groups, arts collectives, community forums, mutual aid, free trainings and skillshares; all of which can be reported, shared and read about here.
my basic vision involves a website and/or hotline that families browse/call, submit a request, and get free childcare. families can view profiles for each of the many many sitters, with info on their experience, certification, childcare style/philosophy, and other info. they choose the sitter they want, and email them directly. probably 72 hours in advance is cool. the hotline thing is trickier, but not impossible. i have a few ideas, but we can talk about logistics later. if anyone is interested in maybe helping get this started, in whatever capacity, email me! i'd like to form a formal collective ASAP, get the program going by autumn, and maybe even turn it into a formal 501(c)3 nonprofit if we feel like that's important.
Saturday, May 3rd, 7-10pm. Monkeywrench Cafe Come out as we keep the tradition of oral history alive! All meals are vegan, delicious and low-cost, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. This month we have more old-school Earth First!ers coming into town to regale us with tales of adventure!
THURSDAY MAY 1ST, 6 - 10 pm at the First Unitarian Church at 1011 SW 12th Ave (Just after and just a few blocks up from the main Mayday rally and march!) WE ARE MANY HANDS AND ONE SINGLE HEART IN THE STRUGGLE http://www.myspace.com/sinfronteras_olin
Food, games, music, free literature, workshops, speakers, art, and so much more - anything and everything is possible. Do what you want! Anything and everything you can imagine! May Day Picnic Starts at Noon til 4pm on May Day North Park Blocks(NW 8th and Flanders)
May Day celebration at the Red and Black Cafe (Thursday 5/1/08 -- international worker's day) We'll be closed during the day in respect for Mayday. But we'll be in from 7pm to late. It's a benefit for VOZ (spanish for voice), an immigrant workers organization based in Portland it's by donation, no one turned away for lack of funds food and beverage will be sold as normal however the cafe will be breaking it's 'edge' by serving frosty bottles of something delicious for the 1st time in our new space live music by Brenna Sahatjian of Riot Folk, Noah Andrews and more TBA come after the march to 400 SE 12th Ave., Portland OR 503-231-3899 Please come out and have some fun with us! -- the folks at the Red and Black
From the open publishing newswire:
2 more days until Mayday! Mayday!
A great opportunity to see what is happening with the radical community here in Portland! Listen to music, eat good food, watch presentations by some of Portland's amazing radical and revolutionary organizations! We will be starting promptly at 7:30pm! Please join us Sunday April 27th at 7:30pm at Liberty Hall (311 N. Ivy) for an evening of food, music, speakers and tables. We aim to promote community building, communication and solidarity within the Portland radical community. Come and enjoy tables and presentations by some of Portland's amazing radical and revolutionary organizations. Come and show support for these groups, ask questions, get involved or network. All are invited and encouraged to attend! Help us to prepare for our favorite holiday and to celebrate Portland's radical past, present and future! We will see you there! May 1st OLIN Event at 1st Unitarian Church: MAYDAY 2008 GUELAGUETZA! | Noon on Mayday -radical anarchist picnic @ north park blocks
From the open publishing newswire:
While I didn't make it to the shows, or talks, I had a wonderful time at the olympia anarchist bookfair this past weekend. The atmosphere was the most laid-back and anti-capitalist I've yet witnessed at an anarchist bookfair; while many tables were selling things, there was a 'pay-what-you-can' book distro, plenty of donation-only tables, and several tables dedicated solely to free materials. Most of the workshops seemed well-attended, and there was an excellent turn-out on Saturday despite the small and un-adorned venue. (In fact, my biggest critique is simply that there was no external markings to indicate that one had found the right place.) Despite the late-april heavy snowfall on the drive up, and the hail and cold, it seems as though everyone had a pretty good time. I wish, of course, that the weather had been a bit more accommodating and a bit less apocalyptic, but that can hardly be blamed on the organizers (despite those famed Washington State anarchist witches and wizards.)
I picked up some interesting books and zines, met plenty of interesting people, and sure hope there is a sequel next year. It's wonderful for anarchists to get together for something other than a protest... building our own culture is every bit as important as facilitating the fall of the mainstream culture.
We'll be rendezvousing in the Ancient Redwoods here in Humboldt. More details will be out shortly. Stay tuned at our blog http://humboldtforestdefense.blogspot.com/ Join us May 2nd through May 9th to share and acquire skills for non-violent direct action focused on defending our forests!
From the open publishing newswire:
Your favorite radical, non-profit, all-volunteer collective bookstore needs your help!
Blackrose is an important part of the radical and anarchist communities in Portland. We're an infoshop, book and record store, radical meeting space, a resource for free clothes, and tons more. We're frequently the first place that travelers come for information. Our freecycle is a priceless resource to the low income people of North Portland, and we're an active opponent of gentrification on Mississippi Avenue. Blackrose is in a bit of a financial crisis right now. We paid March rent a month late, and are currently unable to pay April rent. By the time we raise enough money to pay April, May will be right around the corner... We strive to be a vibrant community resource, but the vibrant community resource business isn't too profitable. With no paid staff, all of the money we make goes to paying bills and improving our programs. Help us get back on solid ground! The turbulence we're facing is not insurmountable, and we could really use the community's help to get us back on our feet!
From the open publishing newswire:
Food Not Bombs to begin at Kenton Park on April 23rd.
North Portland is filled with Poor, Hungry and Homeless People (like much of Portland). Myself and a small group of people are starting a food not bombs to alleviate some of the hunger in North Portland. We are going to start out serving two times a month (depending on how well we are received we may prepare meals once a week). We invite everybody to come to Kenton Park at 5:3o PM on April 23rd. Our first meal will be Goulash, green beans and some kind of bread. If you would like to help us out you are welcome to donate food, cash, or pots and pans. This is a community effort so feel free to get involved.
Local organizers arranged the opening date of the gathering to coincide with the monthly Critical Mass bike ride and even built dozens of bicycles for those who couldn't bring their own. Visitors and locals, including Nashville Rat Patrol, made their way from the West side of Nashville to the East side in the rain, going right down Broadway through the heart of the city... Bike rides in the rain, a dance party, communal meals, late nights, teaching each other, challenging each other and marching together provided bonding experiences for activists from all over the country who believe that food is a right, not a privilege. I think I can safely say that many of the people in Nashville this past weekend; from veterans of the movement, involved for years or even decades, to those that just prepared their first food sharing the week prior to the gathering--felt that they were part of something larger than themselves, finding inspiration to continue building a better world.
|
|