December 21

Wednesday evening there is a drop-in group for caregivers. It provides a supportive environment for those experiencing a time of crisis or increased distress. They meet at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 East Cheryl Parkway in Fitchburg on every first and third Wednesday at 3:00. Call 276-4660 for details.

Wednesday afternoon Food Not Bombs! serves a free community meal with food for the entire family. This in Lisa Link Peace Park on State Street at 4:00. Those who want to help cook, can drop by Lothlorien Co-op, 244 West Lakelawn Place around 3:00. Call 646-567-0761 for details. This occurs weekly on Wednesdays.

Wednesday evening the Friends of Starkweather Creek and others hold the Starkweather Winter Solstice Bonfire. It begins at 5:30 in Olbrich Park. Call 244-0477 for details.

Wednesday evening there is a mee! ting of Madison Veterans for Peace, Chapter number twenty- five. It is at the Main Branch of the Madison Public Library, 201 West Mifflin Street, room 202 at 6:00. Call 767-4099 for details. They meet on the third Wednesday of each month.

Wednesday evening the group Progressive Dane holds a general membership meeting. This is in the downtown public library, 201 West Mifflin Street at 6:30. Call 257-4985 for details.

The National Electrical Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have built a colorful, holiday display of lights. Entitled "Fantasy in Lights" it is on exhibit twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week through January second at Olin- Turville Park. Call 239-7888 for details.

December 20

Tuesday evening there is a meeting of the Fair Trade Action Alliance (MadFTAA) It is at 7:30 in room 2221 of the Humanities Building. Call 347-4647 for details. These occur weekly on Tuesdays.

Wednesday at noon on WORT’s A Public Affair host Esty Dinur speaks with David Holthouse, writer for the "Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report" about white power and neo-Nazi hate groups such as "The Aryan Brotherhood and "Inland Empire Skinheads". Call 256-2001 for details.

Today through Thursday the 734 Gallery holds a display of new paintings and prints by Melissa Cooke entitled "ReStore: An Exploration of Global Warming". Call 279-3431 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-p! erishable 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 at 257-0006 with monetary donations.

Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program helps people pay for home energy costs including crisis assistance and weatherization. They are at 1225 South Park Street. They can be contacted via the web site heat.wi.gov or by phone at 267-3680.

December 19

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour Rose Ray hosts a show on the "real story of Halloween." That’s at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Monday evening there is a crotchet and knitting group which meets at Motherfools Coffeehoue, 1101 Williamson Street at 5:30. Call 259-1301 for details. This is a weekly meeting.

Monday evening there is a meeting of Madison Women for Peace. This is at 6:30 in the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street. Call 274-5922 for details. Meetings are on the first and third Monday each month.

Today through Thursday the 734 Gallery holds a display of new paintings and prints by Melissa Cooke entitled, "ReStore: An Exploration of Global Warming". Call 279-3431 for details.

The National Electri! cal Contractors Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have built a colorful, holiday display of lights. Entitled, "Fantasy in Lights", it is on exhibit twnty-four hours a day, seven days a week through January second at Olin- Turville Park. Call 239-7888 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.

December 16

Tomorrow, the Madison Area Peace Coalition hosts a peace vigil to Bring the Troops Home Now and End the War in Iraq. Participants are asked to bring signs and drums if possible. This is at the corner of Odana and Gammon Roads from 11 to noon. For more information, call Helena White at 249-2097 or check www.madpeace.org.

Tomorrow, the Madison Rafah (RA-fah) Sister City Project, The Madison Arcatao (ar-CAH-tow) Sister City Project and WORT Radio hold the first quarterly "People to People Seasonal Dinner Dances". The event features a Middle Eastern and Latin American Buffet Dinner from 6 to 8:30 and a dance hosted by DJ Laurie from 9 to close. This is a requested admission and is at the Casbah Restaurant, 119 East Main Street. Proceeds benefit both Sister City projects. For more information or to RSVP, call 251-9280.

The Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison seeks volunteers to help investigate discrimination in Dane County's housing markets. Volunteer work for the Fair Housing Center can be flexibly scheduled to accommodate availability. For more information or to volunteer, call 257-0853.

AnySoldier.com seeks to connect interested parties with soldiers serving abroad. Participants can send letters or packages to those serving in foreign countries. AnySoldier.com started to help those serving under harsh conditions who lack many basic amenities or just need someone to write. To help, check www.anysolder.com.

December 15

Today, there is a public information session and comment period on the preliminary recommendations of the Statewide Manure Management Taskforce. This is in Room 106 of 2811 Agriculture Drive from 11 to 2 and 4 to 7. For more information and to check on the recommendations, check www.manuretaskforce.wi.gov or call 224-4617.

Tomorrow afternoon, Berk Olzer, senior economist at the World Bank, speaks on the “World Development Report 2006: Equity and Development”. This is sponsored by the Center for International Business Education and Research. This is in Room 336 of Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive, at 1. For more information, call 265-9719.

The Madison Coalition of Older Adults seeks volunteers to help seniors with winter chores. 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.

December 9

Tomorrow, the Socialist Potluck meets to discuss “What Happened after the United Nations Left? East Timor Today and the Importance of Sister-City Relationships”. East Timor was nearly destroyed in 1999 by the departing Indonesian military and is still struggling to rebuild. It’s one of the poorest countries in the world, yet the UN and most international agencies have left; yet the World Bank and IMF remain. Also, Lourenco Da Costa Ico (lor-Ahn-co Da Co-sta EE-co) presents a slide show from this summer’s sister-city delegation to Ainaro. The Socialist Potluck is an opportunity for Socialists to come together and discuss issues. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, at 5:30. For more check www.aideasttimor.org or call 244-4563.

Sunday, Madison Hours holds its annual Holiday Trade Fair and Pancake Breakfast. The annual Madison Hours Holiday Trade Fair is free and open to the public. Vendors will be selling a wide array of locally produced goods including locally grown produce, pies, handmade soaps, candles, jewelry, and more. All vendors will accept Madison Hours as partial or full payment. The breakfast features organic pancakes, potatoes, orange juice and coffee. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, from 8:30 to 11. From more information, email jon@uvulittle.com or call 259-1030.

Sunday, the Madison Songwriters Group holds a Holiday CD sale promoting local acts. This is at the High Noon Saloon 701A East Washington Avenue, from 1 to 6. For more information, call 240-0320 or check madisonsongwriters.com.

December 8

Today, the Madison Urban Ministry holds an evening of jazz celebrating music and justice. Performers include vocalist Jan Wheaton and saxophonist Hanah Jon Taylor. There is a suggested donation that benefits the Ministry’s Mentoring Connection, which connects children with an incarcerated parent with an adult mentor. This is at the Inn on the Park on the Capitol Square, from 4 to 7. For more information, call the Ministry at 256-0906 or email mum@emum.org.

Tonight, the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative holds its Membership potluck followed by the annual General Membership Meeting. The meeting features a Board Election, and a consideration of a proposal to raise the co-op membership fee. This is at the Bookstore, 426 West Gilman Street, at 7. For more information, call 257-6050.

The Madison Coalition of Older Adults seeks volunteers to help seniors with winter chores. 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.

December 7

Wednesday at noon the University of Wisconsin African Studies Sandwich Seminar presents Mara Goldman, Geography PhD candidate speaking on "Post-Colonial Conservation Science, Alternate Knowledge of Wildlife in Northern Tanzania." It is in room 206 Ingraham Hall. Call 262-2380 for details.

Wednesday afternoon the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center holds a drop in group for caregivers. It provides a supportive environment for those experiencing a time of crisis or increased distress. This is at 3:00 at 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, in Fitchburg. Call 276-4660 for details. It is on the first and third Wednesday monthly.

Wednesday afternoon the group, "Food Not Bombs!" cooks free food for the
whole family. This is at 4:00 in Lisa Link Peace Park at the corner of G! ilman and State Streets. Call 646-567-0761 for details. Those who want to help cook, can drop by Lothlorien Co-op, 244 West Lakelawn Place around 3:00.

Wednesday afternoon the Havens Center presents "The Social Economy in Quebec: Constructing a New Paradigm." This is by Marguerite Mendell from the School of the Community and Public Affairs at Concordia University and Nancy Neamtan of the Chantier de L'économie Sociale in Montréal, Québec. It is at 4:00 in room 206 Ingraham Hall. Call 262-1420 for details.

Today through January second the National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers present a colorful, holiday display of lights. Entitled, "Fantasy in Lights", it is on exhibit twenty four hours a day, seven days a week at Olin- Turville Park. Call 239-7888 for details.

The University of Wisconsin Madison School of Ecology hosts an art exhibit entitled "Weavings of War: Fabrics of Memory". It details 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.

December 6

Tuesday afternoon the Havens Center presents a talk entitled "The Social Economy in Quebec: An Agenda for Economic Democracy." This is by Marguerite Mendell from the School of the Community and Public Affairs at Concordia University and Nancy Neamtan of the Chantier de L'économie Sociale in Montréal, Québec. It is at 4:00 in room 206 Ingraham Hall. Call 262-1420 for details.

Tuesday evening the Madison Fair Trade Action Alliance (MadFTAA) holds their weekly meeting. It is in room 2221 of the Humanities building at 7:30. Call 347-4647 for details.
Tuesday night there is a benefit to raise money for the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Alabama. Featured performers include Screamin’ Cyn-Cyn and the Pons, El Guante, Kenneth Burns, Blixie, Jon Henry and the Gil! bert Fifthers. That’s at 8:00 in the Café’ Montmartre, 127 East Mifflin Street. Call 255-5900 for details.

Tuesday night "WORT" presents "First Tuesday’s Reggae". This is a monthly benefit event featuring "Supa Ranks and His Rock-Stone High-Power; Tropical Riddims Sound System". It is also WORT’s thirtieth Anniversary Reggae Party. This is in the Cardinal Bar and Dancehall, 418 East Wilson Street at 8:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Wednesday at noon on WORT’s A Public Affair host Lea Zeldin speaks with Jeanne Finberg of the "National Senior Citizens Law Center" about issues related to Medicaid Part D. Finberg leads advocacy efforts in California and is a leading voice of low-income elderly nationwide. Call 256-2001 for details.

December 5

Monday at noon the Martin Luther King Junior Coalition presents memorial entitled "Get Off the Bus". It commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the life of Ms. Rosa Parks. It begins with a program of comments by current civil rights leaders and Madison’s Mayor. This will be followed by a reenactment of Ms. Parks’ stand. This is at the Madison Municipal Building. Call 239-7707 for details.

Monday evening the Friendly Supper Club has a monthly family dinner. This is in the Jade Garden Restaurant, 1109 South Park Street at 6:30. Call 249-5979 for details.

Monday evening Action in Sudan! and the UW African Studies Department present a lecture by Eric Reeves entitled, "A Long Day's Dyin! g: Genocide by Attrition in Darfur." Eric Reeves is a Sudan researcher and analyst. This is at 7:00 in room 3650 of the Humanities Building, 455 North Park Street. Please call 233-1341 for details.

Monday evening on WORT’s Access Hour Sean Lamb hosts a "show of humorous things by a humorous person". It includes "funny songs, funny noises and other funny stuff" This is at 7:00. Call 256-2001 for details.

Monday evening the Madison Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and others present the Radical Social Justice Film series. This segment is the film "The Real Thing, Coca, Democracy, and Rebellion in Bolivia." This is at 7:30 in the Memorial Union. Call 262-9036 for details. See Today in the Union for the room location and a complete calendar.

December 2

Tomorrow, Community Action on Latin America and MATC’s Global Horizons Program hold their ninth annual Fair Trade Holiday Fair. This features dozens of vendors, information booths, workshops, bake sale fundraiser, music, and more. This is at MATC’s downtown campus on Carrol Street from 10 to 4. For more details, call 286-0865 or check www.calamadison.org.

Tomorrow, Critical Mass holds a bike ride to demand a stop to global warming. This is in solidarity with other gatherings that are protesting the obstructionist role the U.S. government has been playing in efforts to mitigate future global warming. This begins at Library Mall at 11. For more information, email mtneuman@juno.com.

Tomorrow, the Rainbow Bookstore hosts Haitian author and activist Professor Patrick Bellegarde-Smith who will discuss his recently released book “Fragments of Bone: Neo-African Religions in a New World. He teaches courses on Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa in the Department of Africology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This is at the Bookstore, 426 West Gilman Street, at 2. For more information, call the Bookstore at 257-6050.

Sunday, the Peregrine Forum holds a discussion entitled “A Radical Eco-Village Model” about Ted Trainer's “The Conserver Society: Alternatives to Sustainability”. This event is part of the Forum’s continuing Eco-Radicalism series. This is at 616 Brearly Street from 3 to 5. For more information, call 442-8399 or email dvdwilliams51@yahoo.com.

The Dane County Timebank is a service exchange program that values and pools everyone's talents, no matter how large or small, and matches people who provide services for each other. When someone does an hour of work for someone else, they receive 1 Timebank credit, or Time Dollar, that they can then spend with anyone else in the network. The Timebank is in need of contributions to cover printing, training, materials, and staffing costs. If you are interested in participating or giving, call 443-8229 or check danecountytimebank.org.

December 1

This evening, the Madison Infoshop collective holds its regular meeting. The InfoShop, a volunteer-run collective dedicated to serving the Madison-area and University of Wisconsin communities, offers a range of resources including books, magazines, videos, and topic files, as well as community organizing space and activist tools. New volunteers are always welcome. This is at the Infoshop, 1019 Williamson Street, at 6. For more information, call 262-9036.

Tonight, the East Timor Action Network holds its regular meeting. This is at Mother Fools Coffeehouse, 1101 Williamson Street, at 7. For more information, call 244-4563 or check www.adieasttimor.org.

Tonight, Neil Whitehead from the UW Department of Anthropology, gives a talk entitled “In Darkness and Secrecy: The Anthropology of Assault Sorcery and Witchcraft in Amazonia”. This is in Room L160 of the Chazen Art Museum, 800 University Avenue, at 7. For more information, call 262-5590.

Tomorrow, John Peck holds a slideshow and discussion entitled “Sustainable Agriculture, Permaculture, and the Struggle for Food Security in East Timor”. He is a recent UW-Madison IES Land Resources PHD graduate and executive director of Family Farm Defenders who participated in the Madison-Ainaro August 2005 sister city delegation to East Timor. This event is hosted by the South East Asian Studies Center and is in Room 206 of Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive, at noon. For more information, call 263-1755.