Hi everyone, hope you’re getting to enjoy the nice weather. I don’t have time to add much commentary to this week’s events, but it looks like the Missouri version of DailyKos, blog.showmeprogress.com/ , is getting pretty active lately, so if you’re in the mood for discussing some Missouri politics, you should definitely check it out .
This week’s events:
Monday, Oct 13. The Literacy for Social Justice Teacher Research Group is hosting a discussion of “high stakes testing” in our schools, and some of the detrimental effects of these tests. The event is from 5 to 7 PM at Fitzgerald Hall on the SLU campus, at 3500 Lindell Blvd. You can get more info at the IOW calendar.
Tuesday, Oct. 14. The St. Louis Urban Corps and Metropolis St. Louis are hosting a forum on “The Future of St. Louis Public Transportation.” St. Louis is going to be making some important decisions about the Metro in the near future, and this event looks like a great way to get educated on the relevant issues. It’s from 6: to 8:30 pm at Cummel’s Cafe on 1627 Washington Ave, and you can RSVP here.
Wednesday, Oct. 15. Anyone interested in learning more about Black Liberation Theology might want to check out theologian James Cone’s presentation “The Cross and the Lynching Tree: An event celebrating the scholarship and ministry of Enoch Oglesby” at 9 AM in the S.D. Press Education Center at Eden Theological Seminary. You can get the details at this link.
Also Wednesday, according to all the polls, Obama and Biden have smoked Palin/McCain in each of the debates so far. Find out if Obama can make it 4 for 4 at a fundraiser for a St. Louis Young Democrat running for State Treasurer, Clint Zweifel. The event is at the Halo Bar at 6161 Delmar from 5 to 10, and you can RSVP at this link.
Also Wednesday, there will be a video expose called “The Easiest Targets” in which 5 women- including Hedy Epstein, a well known Holocaust survivor- tell their personal experiences of harassment. The video is about the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the continuation of a blockade of Gaza, attacks by settlers and Israeli military. It will be showing at the St. Louis Public Library Schlafley branch 325 N. Euclid @ 7pm. For more info call (314) 795-2762
Thursday, Oct. 16. The ACLU is hosting a discussion on “Immigrants and the Constitution: Today’s Challenges an History’s Lessons” at their office on 454 Whittier Street. The speaker will be Lucas Guttentag, the National Director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project and the talk starts at 6:30. You can find out more and RSVP here.
Thursday and Friday: For all the urbanites among you, there’s a very cool conference at UMSL called “What is a City: Sustainable Urban Environments” lasting from Thursday morning to Friday afternoon. There are a lot of interesting talks so click here to get the full schedule.
Friday, Oct. 17. Justice and Peace shares is a local collaboration that funds several groups around St. Louis fighting for peace and social justice. They’re holding a fundraiser this Friday with folk singer John McCutcheon. The event is at the St. Louis Ethical Society (9001 Clayton Road) and goes from 8 to 10 PM; you can RSVP and find out more at this link.
Saturday, Oct 18. Carl Kabat House is holding a “Catholic Worker Open House” starting at 3 PM at 1450 Monroe Street. You can get the full schedule at the IOW calendar.
Also Saturday, anyone looking for a good reason to exercise should check out the Run for Congo Women at Queeny Park in Ballwin, MO. You can RSVP and find out more here
Also Saturday, Amnesty International at UMSL are putting on a great concert for an important cause: “Reggae for Darfur.” There will be several performances and a presentation by Nhial Tutlam of Sudan giving an update on the conflict. All of the money will be donated to the “St. Louis Save Darfur Coalition.” The event is at the Pilot House on the first floor of the Millennium Center at UMSL (8100 Natural Bridge Road), and goes from 7:30 to 11 PM. You can RSVP here.
Sunday, Oct. 19 3:30 – 5:30 PM, from the JwJ weekly email:
‘Metropolitan Congregations United Public Meeting – “A Single Garment of Destiny.” Jobs with Justice is collaborating with Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) on a public meeting with candidates for local and statewide office. Both gubernatorial candidates are invited, as are candidates for State Representative and State Senator and other elected officials. This forum will challenge candidates to work with community organizations on economic justice issues and to combat the fear and division, poverty and discrimination in our communities. Part of MCU’s Faith and Democracy Campaign, this public meeting continues a movement to create a common future together for people of faith and justice in our community. For more information contact MCU at 4501 Westminster Place, 63108, 314-367-3484’
Have a fun and meaningful week,
Adam