Friday, December 9, 2011

Tonight at 5:00 pm Rainbow Bookstore, 426 W. Gilman, is hosting a book event 'Hank Adams Reader: An Exemplary Native Activist and the Unleashing of Indigenous' – with editor, David Wilkens, McKnight Presidential Professorship in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. According to Vine Deloria Jr., Hank Adams is the most important Native American of the past sixty years. From his mediation of disputes between the US government and AIM in the 1970s to his key role in the Trail of Broken Treaties, Adams shaped modern Native activism. For the first time Adams' writings are collected, providing a well-rounded portrait of this important figure and a firsthand history of Indian country in the late twentieth century. For information, call 257-6050.



Today from noon – ‘til, bah humbug! at the Governor’s Mansion (99 Cambridge Rd. in Maple Bluff) celebrate 'Screwge Xmas!' Come mark the 2011 holiday season in true Dickens style with other wastrels, street urchins, ragamuffins, chimney sweeps, and ne'er-do-wells as they greet those winding their merry way to the gubernatorial residence for the start of the holiday festivities. On display will be a giant 1% holiday cookie (sorry – not for the unwashed masses!), along with guest appearances by the ghosts of Xmas past, present, and future. There will be holiday caroling to help ease the burdens of the rich, as well as a speak out for Tiny Tim and others in need who (yet) dare to ask for crumbs from the masters’ table. Donations of canned goods and toiletries will be humbly accepted for food pantries and homeless shelters (which are already being overwhelmed thanks to current Ebenezer policies). Lumps of coal and cold gruel may also be available, though rumors of figgy pudding remain unconfirmed… for information call 262-9036.

This is a friendly reminder about the English Conversation Time held every Friday at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall at Christ Presbyterian Church (944 East Gorham Street). This informal and cross-cultural gathering gives the unique opportunity to have meaningful interactions with international students studying in Madison. Come out for a wonderful time with international students.

Monona Grove High School is showing its Comedic One-Act plays under the Theatre Direction of Paul Kelley, this Saturday, at 6:45pm. Monona Grove High School is at 4400 Monona Drive and the show is in the E.F. Schwan Auditorium with a small cost for tickets at the door. For more information, call 221-7666 Ext. 2219.


Now 95 years old, Madison’s oldest community center, Neighborhood House Community Center, located at 29 South Mills Street, will hold their 30th annual holiday auction on Saturday. This grassroots event starts at 12 noon with a homemade spaghetti lunch donated by RP’s Pasta and The Curve made with love by volunteers. Opportunity to have professional photos with Santa, followed by a short performance of the Choraliers Choir from Madison Youth Choirs, topped off with the auction starting at 2 p.m.! The public is invited and encouraged to attend to support this worthy community institution. Entry is free and the event is donation only. Contact Dan at 255-5337.

Handmade Madison: A Local Arts and Crafts Bazaar is an affordable, unique and handmade art and craft bazaar, highlighting the works of local craftsmen from the community. This event will take place in the Hall of Fame Room, located just one floor below the Indoor Dane County Farmer’s Market at the Monona Terrace on Saturday from 7:30 am - 2 pm. Take this opportunity to get your farm fresh foods and holiday shopping done in the iconic setting of the Monona Terrace. Shop locally this holiday season at Handmade Madison. For more information, contact Rachel at 414-331-6140.

The Madison Waldorf School, 6510 Schroeder Road, will hold its annual Waldorf Winter Festival on Saturday, from 11am - 4 pm, with wholesome food, games, crafts, live music, storytelling and activities that incorporate the warmth and artistic quality of the winter holidays. One highlight of the festival is the Winter Magic Room, where assistants help children shop for their parents. For information, call 270-9005.

"WHAT Can Replace the Rule of the 1%: A Democratic Form of Market Socialism" presented by Prof. David Schweickart of Loyola University in Chicago, Saturday night at 6:30pm at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Williamson St. Potluck dinner begins at at 5:30pm, please bring a dish to share (carry-out food is welcome too). Sponsored by the Madison Socialist Potluck, an independent left institution since the early 1990s. For more info call 279-1607.

This Sunday at 1:00 pm, the Rainbow Bookstore, 426 W. Gilman,is having a book event with author, David Schweickart 'After Capitalism'. This updated second edition of a book first published in 2002 offers a coherent vision of a viable and desirable alternative to capitalism. David Schweickart calls this system Economic Democracy, a successor-system to capitalism which preserves the efficiency strengths of a market economy while extending democracy to the workplace and to the structures of investment finance. In the second edition, Schweickart recognizes that increased globalization of companies has created greater than ever interdependent economies and the debate about the desirability of entrepreneurship is escalating. For information, call 257-6050