January 20

This evening, Partners for SustainAbility host a screening of "Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop”. The 80-minute documentary follows filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes as they travel through 32 states in search of "Independent America," uncovering a growing discontent with corporate America and a growing movement toward "local" in communities across the country. There is a suggested donation. This is at Capitol Brewery, 7734 Terrace Avenue, from 6 to 9. For more information or to RSVP, call 221-0588.

Tonight, activists are holding an informational meeting about the organizing movement against American Transmission Company. They are protesting ATC’s proposed high-voltage power line that will run through the greater Madison area. They argue that the power lines cause environmental destruction of natural lands and agriculture and health problems for people living near transmission lines. Activist Tom Kreager is the featured speaker. This is at the Verona Senior Center, 108 Paoli Street, at 6:30. For more information, call 845-6026.

Tomorrow morning, the Madison Institute holds a Progressive Round Table entitled “Voter Fraud!” There will be a screening of a DVD on the topic recommended by NYU Professor Mark Crispin Miller, author of Fooled Again, followed by a discussion of what needs to be done to protect the integrity of our electoral system. This is at Meriters’ Main Gate Grand Hall, 333 West Main Street, from 9 to noon. For more details, check www.themadisoninstitute.org.

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 next to Culver’s at East Town from 11 to noon. For more information, call Helena White at 249-2097 or check www.madpeace.org.

Tomorrow afternoon, Hands off Venezuela’s local chapter holds its inaugural meeting. The international group seeks to raise awareness and grassroots support for the Bolivarian (bowl-ah-varian) Revolution. This is at 150 Jenifer Street at 4. For more information, check www.ushov.org or www.handsoffvenezula.org.

Sunday, the Wisconsin Youth Company hosts the 2006 Celebrating Youth Day with the theme of “Circus of Dreams”. 30+ groups will perform dance, theater, vocal and instrumental music, and cultural acts. Circus World Museum will have many of their historical memorabilia on hand. The annual event is held to show what is right with youth and the positive things they do for their community. This is free, open to the public, and held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center from 11 to 5. For more information, call 276-9782 ext. 23 to visit www.celebratingyouth.org.

Sunday, Two Degrees Coffeehouse in Room of One’s Own Bookstore hosts Eric Glatz, Wobbly finger guitarist from the shores of Lake Michigan. He will play a mixture of blues, Latin, classical, blues, and indigenous music. This is at the Coffeehouse, 307 West Johnson Street, at 2. For more details, call the Coffeehouse at 257-7888.

Sunday evening, the Alliance for Animals hosts a Thanksgiving in January Community Vegan Dinner. They will serve traditional vegan fare including seitan (see-tan) turkeys, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. This event is free and open to the public. Volunteers are also needed from 4:00 – 9:00 to help with cooking, serving, greeting people, and cleaning up. This is at the Wilmar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, from 6:30 to 8. For more information or to volunteer, email inquiz@yahoo.com or call 441-2457.

Sunday afternoon, there is a fundraiser for the Inter Faith Coalition’s Worker’s Right’s Center. The Worker’s Rights Center, located at 2300 South Park Street, is a volunteer-run, multilingual resource center that provides workers with information, assistance, and advocacy for workplace problems. This features music by Aniv del la Rev. There is a suggested donation and is at the Harmony Bar, 2201 Atwood Avenue, from 3 to 5. For more information, call 255-0376.