D.C. Rally and March
End the War on Iraq: Sep 24-26: Two major antiwar coalitions–United for Peace and Justice & the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition–have organized a joint rally followed by a joint march in Washington, D.C., on Sep 24. Both coalitions will organize under their own banners and with their own slogans and literature. The joint rally will begin at 11:30 am at the Ellipse in front of the White House. Activities continue through Sep 26. Details: www.unitedforpeace.org, www.ANSWERcoalition.org. Also, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s Call for Justice Weekend, including a mock trial of U.S. officials condoning torture: www.uusc.org/programs/STOP/trial.html.

Goin’ Local: Some local groups scheduling Sep 24 buses: www.ncpeacejustice.org, www.internationalistbooks.org, www.getTraction.org/sept24.htm.

Ridin’ the Peace Train: The Louisiana Activist Network has organized a Peace Train from New Orleans to D.C. The train will make six stops in N.C. on Sep 23: Gastonia, Charlotte, Salisbury, High Point, Winston-Salem and Greensboro. www.newdemocracyrising.com.

Southerners Most Affected By War: A new report by the nonprofit Institute for Southern Studies, entitled “Missiles and Magnolias: The South at War 2005,” shows that the U.S. South–more than any other region of the country–is the most tied to and impacted by the nation’s military and foreign wars. For a copy of the full report: chris@southernstudies.org (Chris Kromm). www.southernstudies.org.

Datebook
Triangle Empowerment Center: Wed, Aug 31, 3-6 pm: Open house for center supporting Durham county residents with a current or previous mental illness. 353 W. Main St., Durham. 358-1983 (Sharon Youse), www.dacinc.org.

Rep. Price Town Hall Meeting: Wed, Aug 31, 7-8:30 pm: Talk to David Price about the issues on your mind. Fuquay-Varina Town Hall, 401 Old Honeycutt Road. 859-5999.

Community Awareness Fair: Thu, Sep 1, 10 am-2 pm: For individuals needing assistance, agencies sharing information on resources and outreach services, or people seeking new ways to positively effect change in their community, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern N.C. sponsors this one-stop shop setting with agency reps from Wake, Johnston and Harnett counties. Green Road Community Center, 4101 Green Road, Raleigh. 875-0707, pfoust@foodbankcenc.org (Pamela Foust). www.foodbankcenc.org.

United Nations At 60: Past Accomplishments, Future Prospects: Registration deadline Sep 1 for Sat, Sep 10, 9 am-3 pm event: Conference includes concurrent workshops plus keynote address by Wenyan Yang of the UN. Exploris Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. Info: un60.una-wake.org, 523-0937. $25 (including box lunch), $10 students.

Gallery A/Garrett Briggs: Fri, Sep 2, 7-9 pm: Reception for People and Places: Reminiscences in Pastel, by Garrett Briggs. The artist is donating all proceeds to the Salvation Army in support of Raleigh’s homeless; the gallery is donating all proceeds to the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation. Exhibit continues through Oct 31. Gallery A, 1637 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 546-9011. Mon-Thu 10 am-4 pm and by appointment.

Weekly Death Penalty Protest: Mon, Sep 5, 5-6 pm: Maintaining a public witness against government-sanctioned killing, every Monday through Sep 19. Some signs and banners provided; other signs, creativity and props encouraged. Central Prison, 1300 Western Blvd., Raleigh. 833-4129, scott@langleycreations.com (Scott Langley).

The Politics of Race and Class–Past, Present and Future: Tue, Sep 6, 7 pm: Cynthia Brown, former Durham City Council member and current commissioner on the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Committee, discusses the importance of addressing historical injustices, the work of the GTRC, and current race and class relations in the Triangle and N.C. Stone Center room 210, 150 South Road, UNC-CH. 962-2084.

Moral Challenges Facing Nonprofits: Thu, Sep 8, 9-11:30 am: Seminar with keynote speaker Dr. David Hammack (president of ARNOVA) plus a panel of nonprofit, foundation and academic leaders; presented by the Institute for Nonprofits at NCSU. $25. Info: 513-7031. Register: www.continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/ seminars.html, 515-2261. McKimmon Center, corner of Western Blvd. and Gorman St., NCSU Campus.

Democracy in Islamic Worlds: Thu, Sep 8, 9:30 am: Speaker Charles Kurzman, Ph.D. Breakfast with an Expert series. Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Register: 918-7364. Free.

Roberts Supreme Court Nomination: Thu, Sep 8, 5 pm: Stakes could not be higher on issues of the environment, civil rights, workers rights, privacy and women’s health, and the public information on John Roberts raises serious concerns. Join the “Just Ask for Justice” campaign and encourage Sen. Dole to ask the Judiciary Committee to find out where Roberts stands. Sen. Dole’s office, 310 New Bern Ave., Raleigh. Info: lindsay.siler@pphsinc.org. www.raleighnow.org.

Serving the Masses: Thu, Sep 8, 5 pm: Annual Trading Path Association fundraiser, with music and cooking by chef Phil Campbell (CH’s Flying Burrito and Hillsborough’s Flying Fish). Weaver Street Market, 101 E. Weaver St., Carrboro. 929-0010. www.tradingpath.org. $7/dinner plate.

SmartCommute Challenge: Through Sep 30: Anyone working in Wake, Durham or Orange counties can enter to win roundtrip airfare to anywhere in the U.S. plus a week’s hotel stay (or other prizes) by pledging online to, at least once during the Challenge period, either carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, telecommute or ride the bus to work. www.smartcommute.org.

Strictly Voluntary
Hurricane Katrina Relief: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern N.C. is receiving donations to immediately assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The most needed items are paper goods, single serving snacks, cleaning supplies, peanut butter, high-protein canned meals, and other single serving meals that do not require refrigeration. Bring donations to 3808 Tarheel Drive, Raleigh, 875-0707, or 708 Gilbert St., Durham, 956-2513. www.foodbankcenc.org.

Durham Crisis Response Center: Domestic and sexual violence services seeks volunteers; greatest need is for crisis line advocates, especially Spanish-speaking volunteers. Also opportunities for childcare, community education, legal and thrift store volunteers. Next training begins Sat, Sep 17. Application: www.durhamresponse.org. Info: 403-9425 x230 (Amy).

Durham Board of County Commissioners: Application deadline Thu, Sep 8, 5 pm: Seeking applicants to fill positions on various citizen boards and commissions, including: Adult Care Home CAC, Criminal Justice Partnership Act Advisory Board, EMS Council, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Nursing Home CAC, Open Space and Trails Commission, Workforce Development Board. For applications and info: 560-0027 (Yvonne Gordon), www.co.durham.nc.us.

Pet Foster Network: Seeking volunteers to provide short-term, in-home care for friendly dogs, cats and other animals until they are adopted. The length of fostering varies from a few days to several months. All vet care is paid for. Pet Foster Network helps 19 local animal rescue groups and shelters in Durham, Orange, Chatham and Wake counties. 425-2330, www.petfoster.org.

Girl Scouts: From sports skill-building clinics to career mentoring, from world travel and cultural exchanges to local community service projects, from environmental stewardships to financial literacy, the Girl Scout program enables girls ages 5-17 to be who they want to be. Adults age 18 and older are also needed as volunteers. For info and to find a Troop in your area: 782-3021, www.pinesofcarolina.org. Membership dues are $10 annually.

Witness for Justice: Provide legal outreach to migrant camps through the Farmworker Unit of Legal Aid of N.C. Spanish helpful but not required. Commit two evenings per month, Mon-Thu, Jun-Oct. 856-2180 x17 (Callie Kozlak). www.legalaidnc.org/Programs/FWU.

Mental Health Association in N.C. : Volunteers needed for “Healthy Minds! Healthy Children!” program. No previous teaching experience needed; must be at least 18 years old. 981-0740 x239, jmahan@mha-nc.org (Jennifer Mahan).

Harbors Recyclery: A bicycle restoration program designed to benefit disadvantaged children and teenagers in Durham. To volunteer/mentor, call 475-4954. Donate a bike at the Scrap Exchange, 548 Foster St., Durham. Buy a reconditioned child’s or adult’s bike ($15-$60) at the Scrap Exchange on Wed, Fri and Sat. harborsrecyclery@yahoo.com.

Check It Out: www.truthout.org.