The Truth Must Be Told
Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Commission’s First Public Hearings: July 14-16: The intent of the commission is to determine the truth surrounding the events of Nov 3, 1979 (see www.gtcrp.org/context.asp) and to foster genuine reconciliation and understanding throughout the community. Highlights: Thu, July 14, 6-9 pm: Community celebration followed by service with the Rev. Bongani Finca of the South African Truth Commission, at New Light Baptist Church, 1105 Willow Road. Fri, July 15, 2-9 pm and Sat, July 16, 9 am-4 pm: First public hearing at Weaver Education Center, 300 S. Spring St. (The second and third public hearings will be in Aug and Sept, followed by a Nov 3 public lecture by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa at the Greensboro Coliseum.) For event info, contact Beloved Community Center at 336-230-0001 or www.belovedcommunitycenter.org. GTCRC: 336-275-6462, www.gtcrp.org.
Datebook
Todd Dills & THE2NDHAND: Wed, July 13, 7 pm: Editor/writer Todd Dills and Susannah Felts perform work from THE2NDHAND, with Eric Amling, editor of Raleigh’s Optical Oak, and Rafael Aviles, Chapel Hill artist and writer. “All Hands On” features the best of five years of writing in THE2NDHAND, Chicago’s broadsheet and online magazine for new writing. Internationalist Books, 405 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 942-1740.
NC Powerdown: Wed, July 13, 8 pm: Monthly meeting in Carrboro. NC Powerdown hopes to raise awareness about the imminent peak in worldwide oil production, influence policy decisions that concern fossil energy use, and be a resource to members as they convert to lower energy lifestyles. Location info: oilawareness.meetup.com/216 or themudranch@yahoo.com (Stephen Hren).
Smithfield Workers: Thu, July 14, 6 pm food, 7 pm public hearing: Workers from the Smithfield packing plant in Tar Heel, N.C., will testify before the N.C. Workers’ Rights Board. The company has physically assaulted, falsely arrested, threatened, intimidated and illegally fired workers for engaging in legally protected activities to improve working conditions and organize a union. Also, Lance Compa and the Human Rights Watch report documenting workplace abuse at Smithfield. Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh.
10 Days in Sri Lanka: Fri, July 15, 6-10 pm: Experimental photography installation created by local artists Rebekah Meek and Laura Williams from their trip to Sri Lanka; a portion of the proceeds will help build a house for a Sri Lankan family who lost their home, possessions and, tragically, their father in the tsunami. The Transom, 305 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham. 599-7904.
Annual Internationalist Books Member Party: Fri, July 15, 7 pm: All past and present volunteers, members and their guests are invited. Have a PBR, dance, play some games and renew your membership. Also honoring the 2005 Bob Sheldon Award nominees and winner Liz Brown, a member of the school board and an activist for the school merger issue. Skylight/Nightlight, 405 1/2 W. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill. 942-1740.
Traction presents Art Therapy: Fri, July 15, 7 pm: News these days got you down? Join Traction at Durham’s Culture Crawl. They’ll provide cardboard, paint and solidarity. Let 25,000 of your closest friends know just how you feel about this war and the bastards who dragged us into it. To be followed up by photo exhibit of political guerrilla art at the next Crawl. The grass next to Joe & Jo’s, 427 W. Main St. arttherapy@getTraction.org.
3rd Annual Pet Project: Sat, July 16, 9 am-noon: Meet adoptable animals; enjoy interactive games and giveaways for kids; watch K-9, fyball and agility demos; enter your dog in contests. Benefits AnimalKind (www.animalkind.org). Lake Crabtree County Park, 1/2 mile off I-40 at Aviation Parkway, Morrisville. 870-8410, petproject@news14.com. Free.
Fight Big Media Meeting: Sun, July 17, 7 pm: Currently working on distributing media surveys, a handout listing local alternative news media outlets, and a progressive independent documentary series at Kings. Register at www.fightbigmedia.meetup.com/93 to receive location info and group updates.
Homeownership Workshop: Mon-Wed, July 18-20, 6-8:30 pm: You may be able to own a home for what you pay in rent. City of Durham First Time Homebuyer program, sponsored by Durham Affordable Housing Coalition. Pre-registration required: 683-1185 x41. Free.
Sierra Club Members’ Social and Potluck: Tue, July 19, 6-9 pm: Take a hike, play games, and get to know your local Sierra Club. Drinks and appetizers provided; bring a dish to share, a picture of a place you feel is worth protecting, and a beverage cup (to reduce trash). Rigsbee Shelter in Duke Forest, Durham. Directions: northcarolina.sierraclub.org/headwaters.
Women’s Coffeehouse of the Spirit: Fri, July 22, 7 pm: Reader’s theater play compiled by the late Sister Evelyn Mattern. Using the words of N.C. women, the play traces the evolution of women’s roles in N.C. churches and synagogues, and raises questions about spirituality and gender equality in congregations. Share your insights after the performance. Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh.
Coming Out–Coming In: Faith, Identity and Belonging: Fri, July 22, 7 & 9 pm: Two screenings of 32-minute documentary. The interview subjects are gay and lesbian N.C. Christians of all ages and walks of life who are reconciling faith with sexual orientation, and who take us beyond the debate to reveal the everyday lives of faithful people who are also gay and lesbian. The Rev. Laurie Hays Coffman will lead a discussion after both showings. PSI Theatre, Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St. 560-ARTS. www.coming-out-coming-in.net. $10 cash/check; advance RSVP at 286-7295.
Durham Bill of Rights of Defense Committee: Sat, July 23, 2 pm: Screening of Hap Kindem’s Beyond the Wall, which explores the UNC speaker ban of the mid-’60s and draws analogies to attacks on the First Amendment by the PATRIOT Act. Discussion led by the filmmaker follows. Auditorium of the Roxboro Street Durham Library. 402-0092 (Bill Gural).
NCLYN Youth Retreat: Fri-Sat, July 29-30: N.C. Lambda Youth Network hosts this free overnight youth retreat open to all LGBT, questioning and straight-allied youth ages 14-19, with workshops, art projects and opportunities to connect with each other. Center for LGBT Life, Duke Campus. Info and registration: 683-3037, lrboutwell@nclyn.org (Laura Boutwell). www.nclyn.org.
Domestic Violence Support Group: The Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County is offering an evening support group for women who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse in a relationship. The group is free (as is childcare for attendees) and confidential, and meets on a drop-in basis. Call 929-7122 or toll-free 866-929-7122 for info.
Strictly Voluntary
Volunteers for Youth: Wed, July 13, 6-9 pm: Mentor training at this local nonprofit United Way agency emphasizing the prevention of juvenile delinquency. There are 85 young people waiting to be matched. 205 Lloyd St., Suite 103, Carrboro. 967-4511, sad@volunteersforyouth.org (Scott Dreyer).
Durham Literacy Center: Sat-Sun, July 23-24: The DLC is remaking three of their tutoring rooms so that their volunteer tutors and students can have workspaces that are clean, comfortable and full of great resources. Can you help clean, scrub and paint? Two shifts: 9 am-12:30 pm and 12:30-4 pm. Food provided. RSVP to dominique@durhamliteracy.org. 1410 W. Chapel Hill St. 489-8383, www.durhamliteracy.org.
NAMI Newsletter: The National Alliance of the Mentally Ill in Durham seeks original contributions on physical, mental and emotional health and fitness, or recovery, struggles and triumphs, for its monthly newsletter. financial-advocate@juno.com (Phil G.).
