November 25

This evening, Critical Mass meets for its monthly bike ride. Critical Mass is a gathering of cyclists committed to alternative modes of transportation. This Critical Mass coincides with Buy Nothing Day and could be the largest ride of the year. This meets at the West Washington steps of the Capitol at 5:30.

Tomorrow, the Madison Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority holds this year’s Kwanzaa Holiday Fair. The fair features gifts from vendors and an opportunity to learn about African American culture, past and present. There are door prizes and no entry fee. This is at the Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin Street, from 10 to 5. For more information, check www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org.

The Homeshare Program at Independent Living Incorporated matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for Homeshare for details.

November 24

This evening, the Alliance holds its third annual Vegan Thanksgiving Community Dinner. Include fair includes seitan turkeys, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. The dinner is open to the public, especially those in need of a hot meal. There is no charge, but a donation is requested. This is at the Wilmar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street, from 5:30 to 8. For more information, call 257-6333 or check www.allanimals.org.

Madison Department of Health and Madison Free Health Services offer immunization clinics, well child exams, children’s dental health and support services for pregnant and postpartum women. Call 246-4516 for details.

The Women and Infant Children (WIC) Nutrition program offers a wide variety of services for women and small children with nutritional needs. For details call 267-1111.

November 22

This evening there is a meeting of Dyke Discourse, a social and discussion drop-in group for self-identified lesbians who fit anywhere on the spectrum. This is at Outreach, 600 Williamson Street on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:00. Call 255-8582 for details. An RSVP is needed.

The Affordable Housing Action Alliance and others are in need of donations for the homeless people of the Madison Area. Donations of non-perishable food, diapers, phone cards, infant food, toiletries and bus tickets are appreciated. Contact 358-7090 for details or drop items in the box at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street. Call the Tenant Resource Center 257-0006 with monetary donations.

The Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin is helping to address the hunger in Madison with their "Thanksgiving Basket Program". Each basket will contain enough food for a Thanksgiving meal for households needing assistance. For details about donating call 246-4730. To get help call 246-4357 (or 246-HELP).

The Homeshare Program at Independent Living Incorporated matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for Homeshare for details.

Madison Department of Health and Madison Free Health Services offer immunization clinics, well child exams, children’s dental health and support services for pregnant and postpartum women. Call 246-4516 for details.

The Women and Infant Children (WIC) Nutrition program offers a wide variety of services for women and small children with nutritional needs. For details call 267-1111.

November 24

This afternoon there is a computer lab. It is at the Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld Street on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00. Call 255-1287 for details. This is followed by a free community meal at 4:00.

This afternoon there are open art classes for kids ages four and up. This is at 3:00 in the Williamson Street Art Center, 1020 Williamson Street. Call 256-8878 for details. These occur regularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Tonight there is a meeting of the Ten Percent Society whose goal is to enhance the quality of life for LGBT students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the promotion of: social environments, activities, events, education, and activism. This is at 8:00 in the Memorial Union. Call 262-7365 for details. See Today in the Union for the room location.

The Blue Bus Clinic offers free Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. It is at 1552 University Avenue. Potential Attendees should call for an appointment and to find out eligibility requirements. Call 262-7330 for details.

The Homeshare Program at Independent Living Incorporated matches older adults with working people or students who are in need of low cost housing and are able to provide some assistance around the house. Call 274-6900 and ask for Homeshare for details.

The Madison Metropolitan School District provides free screenings for any child between the ages of three and five who lives in the district. The in-home evaluation can determine if a child has a different ability and their eligablity for helpful programs. For details call 266-6168.

November 18

Tomorrow, the Madison Area Peace Coalition hosts a Bring the Troops Home Now Peace Vigil next to Culvers at East Towne. This is the first Vigil and it will be held monthly near busy Madison shopping areas. This is at Culvers, 4301 East Towne Boulevard, from 11 to 12:30. For more information, call Helena White at 249-2097 or check www.madpeace.org.

Tomorrow, there is a Benefit Dinner & Cultural Event for the victims of the hurricane and flooding in Guatemala. The event features a traditional Guatemalan Dinner, music, and a report about the situation in Guatemala after the hurricane. There is a suggested donation that benefits organizations that are working to help indigenous Mayan Communities. This is at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1123 Vilas Avenue from 5:30 - 8:00. To help or purchase tickets in advance, contact Mario at 575­-9811, Andrea at 236-2201 or Lynn at 849-8720.

Tomorrow evening, the Alliance for Animals and Dane County Friends of Ferrals hold a wine tasting benefit. The event features vegan appetizers in addition to the wines. There is a ticket charge that benefits these groups' activities. This is at Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Avenue, from 6 to 8. For more information or for advanced tickets, call 245-0281.

Sunday, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ holds its annual Fair-Trade Christmas Sale. The sale features hand-crafted items from developing regions of the world. All proceeds go to non-profit organizations that promote social and economic progress. Shoppers can also buy items to benefit other local activist groups. This is at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Road from 8:30 to 3. Call to the Church at 271-7212 for more information.

Sunday afternoon, the National Lawyers Guild holds Legal Observer Training. The workshop is open to anyone that is interested in observing and recording incidents and the activities of law enforcement in relation to demonstrators. Information gathered by Legal Observers has contributed to a track record in defending and advancing the rights of demonstrators. This is in Room 2211 of the UW Law School, 975 Bascom Mall, from 4 to 6. For more information or to RSVP, email vjcarroll@wisc.edu.

November 17

This evening, a variety of local groups host the UW screening of the Amoxtli San Ce Tojuan Documentary “We Are One”. The film is the story of the origins, migrations and ancient connections of all the indigenous peoples of the continent. It also carries a collective copyright in the name of all those who are part of the documentary in recognition that the knowledge is collective and thousands of years old. The event starts with an indigenous food reception at 6 with the screening at 7:15. This is free and open to the public and is at the Memorial Student Union Theater, 800 Langdon Street. For more information, call 238-3161 or email rgrodriguez@wisc.edu.

Tomorrow, Code Pink Women for Peace, Progressive Democrats of America, Iraq Pledge of Resistance and other groups are sponsoring an action of non-violent civil disobedience to voice opposition to the war in Iraq. They will risk arrest by shutting down a Madison recruiting station. This action will take place in conjunction with similar actions around the country. To participate in this action, contact Janet Parker at 257-2748 or Joy First at 222-7581.

Tomorrow evening, there is a Vigil of Remembrance for Victims of Latin American Repression in support of the School of the Americas Watch. The primary purpose of the vigil is to remember those killed by the military and paramilitary groups in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of them trained at the U.S. military’s School of the Americas, now named the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. It is also an expression of solidarity with persons participating in the SOA Watch Vigil at the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, from November 18 to 20. This begins at Martin Luther King Drive and Main Street on the Capitol Square at 6. For more information, call Dennis Collier at 221-8025.

The Madison Coalition of Older Adults seeks volunteers to help seniors with this fall’s leaf raking. Volunteers assisting with these winter tasks help seniors to stay independent in their own homes. To volunteer, call Nicole at 243-5252 or check www.nescoinc.org for more information.

November 16

Wednesday afternoon the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center hosts a caregiver drop-in group. They provide a supportive environment for those experiencing a time of crisis or increased distress, change, loss or life transitions. This is at 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, in Fitchburg at 3:00. Call 276-4660 for details. It occurs on every first and third Wednesday monthly.

Wednesday vening the Four Lakes Sierra Club Chapter sponsors a talk with Lynn Olson of Willy Street Cooperative entitled "Organic Standards and Local Food". This is at 7:00 in the Vandewalle and Associates building, 120 East Lakeside Street on the third floor. Call 274-7870 for details.

Wednesday evening the Family Farm Defenders and the Center for Media and Democracy host a benefit. Guest local food activist and author, Francis Moore Lappe' will speak on "Democracy's Edge: From the Dinner Table to the Front Page". This is at the Pres House, 731 State Street at 7:30. Call 260-9713 for details.

Wednesday evening on WORT's "New Disk at Nine", the hosts of "Guilty Pleasures" play Bob Dylan's "No Direction Home Part 2". It is at 8:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Thursday at noon on WORT's A Public Affair host Cheri Dubiel speaks with Barbara Ehrenreich. They will discuss her new book, "Bait and Switch." Call 256-2001 for details.

November 15

Tuesday afternoon the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin Madison and Korea Economic Institute present a lecture with Scott Snyder of the Asia Foundation. It is entitled "Understanding (and Misunderstanding) North Korea." It is in room 2120 of Grainger Hall, 975 University Avenue. Call 262-3643 for details.

Tuesday evening "Capitol Times" columnist and author Doug Moe discusses his book entitled "Surrounded by Reality: The Best of Doug Moe in Madison". This is at Barnes and Noble, 7413 Mineral Point Road at 7:00. Call 827-0809 for details.

Tuesday evening Wal-Mart Watch and Wisconsin Citizen Action hold a free showing of the film "Wal-Mart the High Cost of Low Price". It is directed by Robert Greenwald, director of "Outfoxed". This is at 7:30 in the Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Avenue.
Call 544-5047 extension 309 for details.

Wednesday morning "Wal-Mart Watch" and others sponsor a Legislative Listening Session hosted by Representative Mark Pocan and others. Participants will discuss "Can Wal-Mart afford to be a better neighbor, employer and corporate citizen". It is at the State Capitol at 10:00.
Call 544-5047 extension 309 for details

Wednesday at noon on WORT's A Public Affair host Esty Dinur talks about "Democracy's Edge" with writer Frances Moore Lappe'. Call 256-2001 for details.

The University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Ecology hosts an art exhibit entitled "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory". It is about how for years textile artists around the world have broken with tradition to depict their personal experiences of modern warfare. This is at 1300 Linden Drive through December eleventh. Call 262-8815 for details.

November 14

Monday evening Wal-Mart Watch and Wisconsin Citizen Action hold a free showing of the film "Wal-Mart the High Cost of Low Price". It is directed by Robert Greenwald, director of "Outfoxed". This is at Stoughton High School, 600 Lincoln Avenue. Call 544-5047 extension 309 for details.

Monday evening the Madison Women for Peace, CODEPINK sponsors a "Madison Women's Autonomous Movement" meeting. It is a forum for Madison-area women's groups to meet each other, share information and support each other's work. It is at 6:00 in A Room of One's Own Bookstore, 307 West Johnson Street. Call 280-8776 for details.

Monday evening on WORT's Access Hour host Trudy Barash, former proprietor of Madison's Independent Bookstore, Canterbury, hosts an hour of live and recorded storytelling. This is at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Tuesday at noon on WORT's A Public Affair host Dan Jaffee speaks with Doctor John Abramson who is the author of "Overdosed America." It concerns the pharmaceutical industry's skewing of quote "independent" drug safety trials and medical journals. Call 256-2001 for details.

The Affordable Housing Action Alliance and others are in need of donations for the homeless people of the Madison Area. Donations of non-perishable food, diapers, phone cards, infant food, toiletries and bus tickets are appreciated. Contact 358-7090 for details or drop items in the box at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street. Call the Tenant Resource Center 257-0006 with monetary donations.

The Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin is helping to address the hunger in Madison with their "Thanksgiving Basket Program". Each basket will contain enough food for a Thanksgiving meal for households needing assistance. For details about donating call 246-4730. To get help call 246-4357 (or 246-HELP).

November 11

This afternoon, the Center for East Asian Studies hosts Qinglian He, Princeton University economist and Lili Feng, Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine-Nephrology, Houston, Texas. They will speak on . Social, Economic and Environmental Challenges to China's Development”. This is in Room 8147 of the Social Sciences Building, 1180 Observatory Drive, from 3:30 to 5:30. For more information, call 265-8039.

The American Friends Service Committee’s Eyes Wide Open Exhibit stops in Madison this weekend. It is traveling the country, graphically illustrating the human cost of the war. The Wisconsin leg of the tour will include a pair of army boots to honor each Wisconsin service member killed in the Iraq war, and civilian shoes representing the many Iraqis killed. This is on the State Street Side of the Capitol today and on the Library Mall tomrrow. For more information, check www.AFSC.org.

Tomorrow, the Worker Rights Center holds a review of basic local, state, and federal labor law and a discussion of the Worker Rights Center’s model of assisting workers in resolving their problems. Lunch is provided. This is at the Center, 2300 South Park Street #6 from 10 to 2. For more information or to RSVP call 255-0376 or email worker@workerjustice.org.

Tomorrow evening, the Socialist Potluck holds a panel discussion on “Political Theater” featuring members of local performance groups. Participants are asked to bring a dish or drink to share. The Socialist Potlucks is a forum for Socialist to come together and share ideas. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, at 5:30. For more information, call 241-2829.

Tomorrow evening, the Madison Branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom celebrates its 90th Birthday as the oldest continuing functioning women's peace organization in the world. The event includes a dinner and dance with live music by Honky Tonk Lagoon. This is at the Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin Street, from 5:30 to 9. For more information, call 238-5740.

Sunday, a group of volunteers will canvas Monona for signatures to place a referendum to bring the troops home from Iraq. To volunteer, call Christy at 223 9137 or Amy at 221-3164.

Sunday, the Peregrine Forum’s Eco-Radicalism Discussion Series continues with “Eco-Socialism – a Green Alternative to Corporate Capitalism”. This is an "eco-socialist" critique of capitalism, as well as comparisons with anarchist and "deep ecology" points of view. This is 616 South Brearly Street, from 2 to 4. For more information, call 442-8399 or email dvdwilliams51@yahoo.com.

November 10

It’s Today’s Action Calendar! Thursday, November 10

This evening, Progressive Dane is holding a public meeting to discuss the Task Force’s list of proposed initiatives to support local small businesses. It is seeking input from all interested Madison residents, workers and small business owners about a list of small business initiatives. This is at the Villager Mall, 2300 South Park Street, at 6. For more information, call 257-4985 or check www.prodane.org.

Tonight, the Madison General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World holds its montly meeting. This is at the Madison Teachers Building, 821 Williamson Street, at 6:30. For more information, call 255-1800.

Tonight, Edgewood College hosts a screening of film "Hidden in Plain Sight" as part of the “Finding Hope in Unexpected Places” series. The film looks at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin America including such subjects as militarism, globalization, national security, and international terrorism. There will be a follow up discussion. This is in Anderson Auditorium at Edgewood College at 7. For more information, call 663-3233.

The Personal Care Items Drive continues through November 13. It is a grassroots, community-based effort to collect essential household items to be distributed at pantries in Madison, Middleton, and Monona. Donation locations include all Monona, Middleton, and Madison Public Libraries, all Madison area Michael's Frozen Custard and Glass Nickel Pizza, UWís Morgridge Center in the Red Gym, Williamson Bicycle, First Unitarian Society, Middleton Community Bank, and the Madison Concourse Hotel. For more information or to volunteer, call Eileen Newman at 608-826-0883.

November 4

Today and tomorrow, Mad City Church, New College Madison, Wisconsin Union Directorate Contemporary Issues Program and WE International hold the Justice Forum event "A Conference on the Exploitation of Children". The forum will educate participants about how children are bought, sold, abused, used for sex, and more. This is at Tripp Commons at the Memorial Union and other locations today from 1 to 6 and tomorrow from 9 to 5:30. Check www.newcollegemadison.org for more information.

Tomorrow, the Warner Park Community Center hosts a “Neighborhood Roundtable”. Mayor Dave Cieslewicz will lead a discussion about neighborhoods and their roles in the changes facing Madison's economy, housing, safety, and livability. This is at the Warner Park Community Center from 8:30 to noon. For more information, call 267-8725 x308 or email mjackson@cityofmadison.com.

Sunday, the Madison Area Nation Magazine Discussion Group holds a meeting. They will discuss the question "Can the Democrats Stop Fascism?". Recommended optional readings include recent articles from The Nation. Donations will be accepted. This is at 6161 South Brearly Street from 3 to 5. For more information call 442-8399 or email dvdwilliams51@yahoo.com.

The Madison Coalition of Older Adults seeks volunteers to help seniors with this fall’s leaf raking. Volunteers assisting with these tasks help seniors to stay independent in their own homes. To volunteer, call Nicole at 243-5252 or check www.nescoinc.org for more information.

November 3

This evening, Baldemar Velasquez, President and Founder of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, will talk about organizing in the current political climate. Under his leadership, FLOC used innovative bargaining tactics, marches, alliances with religious organizations and national boycotts to win groundbreaking gains for Midwest farm workers. This event is sponsored by a variety of local groups and is at the Pres House on the Library Mall from 4:30 to 6.

Tonight, the Ibdaa Children's Dance Troupe”, a troupe or 10 girls and 10 boys from the West Bank, will perform a concert. The troupe combines traditional "debke" dance with a modern narrative about their experiences as Palestinian refugees growing up and living in Dheisheh camp near Bethlehem. This is at the UW Memorial Theater at 7:30. For more information, check www.madisonrafah.org.

The Personal Care Items Drive continues through November 13. It is a grassroots, community-based effort to collect essential household items to be distributed at pantries in Madison, Middleton, and Monona. Donation locations include all Monona, Middleton, and Madison Public Libraries, all Madison area Michael’s Frozen Custard and Glass Nickel Pizza, UW's Morgridge Center in the Red Gym, Williamson Bicycle, First Unitarian Society, Middleton Community Bank, and the Madison Concourse Hotel. For more information or to volunteer, call Eileen Newman at 608-826-0883.

November 2

Wednesday on the anniversary of Bush’s re-election Youth Against War and Racism and others hold a walk out of classes in protest of the military presence in educational institutions. This is nationwide including in Madison. People will meet at noon on Bascom Hill. A rally with the band Natty Nation at 12:30 on the Library Mall and a march up State Street at 1:00 will also occur. At 7:00 in the Union a teach-in and debate concerning military recruitment on campus are also planned. Call 237-1337 for details.

Thursday at noon on this pledge drive edition of A Public Affair host Cheri Dubiel speaks with Brian Standing from Prolefeed Studios. Fresh DVDs of his documentaries will be available as pledge premiums. Call 256-2001 for details or to pledge.

The Affordable Housing Action Alliance and others are in need of donations for the homeless people of the Madison Area. Donations of non-perishable food, diapers, phone cards, Infant food, toiletries and bus tickets are appreciated. Contact 358-7090 for details or drop items in the box at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street. Call the Tenant Resource Center, 257-0006 with monetary donations.

Today through December eleventh there is an art exhibit entitled "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory" on display at the School of Human Ecology building. It shows how during the past thirty five years textile artists have shown their personal experiences of modern warfare. This is at 1300 Linden Drive. Call 262-8815 for details.

The Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin is helping to address the hunger in Madison with their "Thanksgiving Basket Program". Each basket will contain enough food for a Thanksgiving meal for households needing assistance. For details about donating call 246-4730. To get help call 246-4357 (or 246-HELP).

November 1

Tuesday evening the Family Farm Defenders sponsor a "report back from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast". On a recent trip to help survivors they found that "As people return home to rebuild, they face illegal evictions, curfews and police occupation". The night includes discussion, stories of peoples’ experiences and future efforts to help. There is a potluck at 6:00 and a dialogue at 7:00 in the Wil-mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street. Call 260-0900 for details.

Tuesday night is the monthly reggae benefit for WORT at the Cardinal Bar and Dancehall. It features Supa Ranks and His Rock-Stone High-Power Tropical Riddims Sound System. It is 418 East Wilson Street at 8:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Wednesday at noon John Peck speaks. He is a recent IES Land Resources graduate who participated in the Madison-Ainaro August 2005 sister city delegation to East Timor. The talk is entitled "Sustainable Agriculture, Permaculture, and the Struggle for Food Security in East Timor". This is at the University of Wisconsin Madison Soil Science building. Call 265-9930 for details.

Wednesday at noon on a pledge drive addition of A Public Affair host Esty Dinur speaks with musician Michael Franti who wrote the APA theme music. They will speak about his new film on traveling to Iraq and Palestine, the politics of hope and change and the role of music in all of this. Call 256-2001 for details or to pledge.

The University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Ecology hosts an art exhibit entitled "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory". It is about how for years textile artists around the world have broken with tradition to depict their personal experiences of modern warfare. This is at 1300 Linden Drive through December eleventh. Call 262-8815 for details.\