Happy New Year!

Have a wonderful new year!

Happy Holidays

Have a wonderful holiday season!

YMCA Christmas Day

Saved by the Well is on Amazon!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

As many of you know, I am part of an organization called Dream Village. Dream Village uses picture books and the web to help children learn about and address the world's most pressing issues. The best part is we donate 50% of our profits to our featured nonprofits based on how our readers (kids), vote!

I am very excited to let you all know that we have just published our very first book entitled Saved By The Well (http://bit.ly/savedbythewell) in time for this holiday season. They make a fantastic holiday gift - not only does your purchase make a difference, but you help children learn how to make a difference, too.

*Buy a hardcover version of Saved by the Well
*Buy a softcover version of Saved by the Well

Please help us to kick off our first publication with a bang and purchase your copy during this holiday season!

Thank you!

P.S. 307 Ribbon Cutting

On Tuesday, December 15, P.S. 307 is inviting the community to attend their ribbon cutting of Threads, their weaving studio. The studio is amazing, and I encourage you to check it out. The ceremony is from 8:30-9:30.

Charter School Advocacy Day & More

FROM THE NYC CHARTER SCHOOL CENTER:

It's time for the charter community to stand up and be counted:

FIRST: Write Gov. Paterson today. The governor is currently preparing his budget proposal - tell him not to hurt charters again.

We have prepared a sample letter, for you to personalize by describing how funding cuts have hurt your school. Volume counts in Albany. If just 50 percent of charter parents write the governor, it will mean 25,000 letters on his desk! Don't forget that teachers, staff and supporters also can send letters.

SECOND: Sign up for Advocacy Day: February 2, 2010

Our goal is to get 2,400 charter advocates to Albany to rally and meet with lawmakers. We must all unite and force the lawmakers to listen. Logistics, food and transportation will all be funded and coordinated by the NYCSA and NYC Charter Center. Please click [here to] download the advocacy registration form.

THIRD: Sign our electronic petition.

We need 100,000 signatures on our online petition to "stop unfair charter funding cuts." Once we reach our goal we can use the petition results over and over again with lawmakers and the media. (Remember, volume counts!) Please take 3 minutes to sign it and pass it on.

YMCA Christmas Day

District 13 CEC Public Meeting

COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL DISTRICT 13

Business/Calendar MEETING

WHEN: Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

WHERE: PS 307 - 209 York St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

BETWEEN: Gold & Hudson Street

TIME: 6:00 pm-7:00pm (Working Session)

7:00pm - 8:30pm (Calendar Meeting & Awards Presentation)


Anyone wishing to speak during the Open Discussion period must sign the Speakers'

Sheet, prior to the start of the meeting. You will be allowed up to three (3) minutes.


Guest Speaker:

Dr. Townsley, Male Mentoring Program

*Student of the Month awards

*Presentation by PS 307 Students

And much more...


Refreshments will be served!

For more information, call CEC13 office @ (718) 636-3212 or

E-mail us at CEC13@schools.nyc.gov


Next CEC Meeting: Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

PS 9- 80 Underhill Ave, 11238

6:00pm - 8:30 pm

**SEASON GREETINGS FROM CEC13**

Charter School Advocacy Day

TO: Charter School Leaders

FROM: Jeff Maclin

DATE: December 7, 2009

RE: Charter School Advocacy Day in Albany

Charter schools lost $50 million in this year's state budget. Next year's budget is just around the corner and our funding will again be at risk.

This year, our annual Charter School Advocacy Day in Albany is February 2, 2010. It's not an option to sit out this annual trek to the State Capitol!! The stakes are too high. We need every NYC charter school represented to defend against another "freeze" in charter school funding.

This year's event will be held in the Convention Hall of the Empire State Plaza. This is the largest meeting space at the Capitol complex, and we intend to fill it with 2,400 cheering charter school supporters! As in years past, the Charter Center will cover the cost of buses and lunch for the day.

In order to provide each school with an equal chance to participate, and to maximize the number of charter schools that attend, we need to do the following:

1. Each school in New York City should bring up to 55 participants (one full bus load). Parents/voters are the best people to bring, but students, administrators, Board members and teachers are of course all welcome. For those schools that cannot fill a bus, we ask that you bring at least 25 participants (½ a bus load).

2. A draft flyer is attached to help you recruit parents, staff and board members.

3. Each school must submit their number of committed participants to me by December 21. If you think your school could bring more than 55 people, you should indicate that as well. A form, which can be faxed (212-227-2763) or emailed to me, is attached for this purpose.

4. The Center will reach out to schools that have responded in early January 2010 to confirm the number of participants attending Advocacy Day from their school.

Pre-Advocacy Day training sessions have been scheduled for attendees. We are also working with our partners (New York Charter Schools Association and Democrats for Education Reform) to secure the participation of key state leaders and underscore the urgency of protecting full funding for charter schools. The logistical planning involved in this event, from generating press and briefing materials to reserving buses and ordering food, requires your full cooperation. Please respond no later than Monday, December 21, if not sooner.

Thank you for helping us make the 2010 Advocacy Day a success, and please contact me via email or at 212-437-8310 if you have any questions.

12/9: Brooklyn District 13 Community Education Meeting

COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL DISTRICT 13

Business/Calendar MEETING

WHEN: Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

WHERE: PS 307 - 209 York St., Brooklyn, NY 11201

BETWEEN: Gold & Hudson Street

TIME: 6:00 pm-7:00pm (Working Session)

7:00pm - 8:30pm (Calendar Meeting & Awards Presentation)



Anyone wishing to speak during the Open Discussion period must sign the Speakers' Sheet, prior to the start of the meeting. You will be allowed up to three (3) minutes.

Guest Speaker:
Dr. Townsley, Male Mentoring Program

*Student of the Month awards

*Presentation by PS 307 Students

And much more...

Refreshments will be served!


For more information, call CEC13 office @ (718) 636-3212 or

E-mail us at CEC13@schools.nyc.gov








Next CEC Meeting: Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

PS 9- 80 Underhill Ave, 11238

6:00pm - 8:30 pm







**SEASON GREETINGS FROM CEC13**

Give Back on Social Vibe

Name your most unique holiday gift I ever got with Best Buy's holiday gift quiz. http://bit.ly/69UZE3

P.S. 307 Ribbon Cutting

On Tuesday, December 15, P.S. 307 is inviting the community to attend their ribbon cutting of Threads, their weaving studio. The studio is amazing, and I encourage you to check it out. The ceremony is from 8:30-9:30.

Video: Michael Jackson Medley

My son loves this Michael Jackson Medley sung a capella--all parts sung by the same man, Sam Tsui. It's amazing!

Empty LA

This is a really interesting photo series.

Empty LA
http://emptyla.com/

MADRE End of Year Report

Check out MADRE's End of Year Report.

World Toilet Day

Check out Water for People.

World Toilet Day is Thursday, November 19 and Water For People wants to get people talking about toilets—a topic not often discussed in everyday conversation. More than 6,000 people die every day, including 4,000 children, from diseases caused by poor sanitation and unsafe water. We’re making strides in improving water, but unsafe or a complete lack of toilets is still not capturing enough of the world’s attention to speed support to the communities that need help the most.

11/18: District 13 Community Board Meeting

District 13 Community Education Council Business and Public Meeting

WHEN: 11/18, Wednesday, 6-8:30 PM
WHERE: M.S. 113, 300 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205

For more information on the district CEC meeting please contact the District 13 CEC Office at (718) 636-3212.
For more information please contact the District 13 Office at (718) 636-3234

11/17: TECCS Tour

The Ethical Community Charter School has set up a schedule of school tours.

An information session followed by a short school tour will take place on the following days. Please call the office to let us know you are coming: 718-599-2176.

October 28, Wednesday, 9:00 January 14, Thursday, 10:00

November 4, Wednesday, 9:00 February 3, Wednesday, 9:00

November 17, Tuesday, 10:00 February 18, Thursday, 10:00

Application deadline: April 1, 2010 for 2010-2011 school year (Grades K, 1 and 2). They are still accepting applications for 2009-2010.


The Ethical Community Charter School, or TECCS www.teccs-ny.org opened this year for Kindergarten and 1st grade. The school's charter extends to 12th grade and each year 2 new Kindergarten classes of 20 children will be accepted by lottery. The school resides in District 14 so preference in the lottery will be given to students in that district as per city regulations, but there are students from other districts.

People Who Care

Melissa Corbett is a fan of

10,000,000 People Who Care!

Create your Fan Badge

Brooklyn Flea

Check out the Brooklyn Flea.

Info from Brooklyn Flea:

Brooklyn Flea takes place every weekend in two locations:
Every Saturday in Fort Greene (10am-5pm, through Nov. 21), and every Sunday under the Brooklyn Bridge on the waterfront in DUMBO (11am-6pm, through Nov. 22).

The Fort Greene Flea is outdoors at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, on Lafayette Ave. between Clermont and Vanderbilt Ave., and features 150+ vendors of vintage furniture, clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as new jewelry, art and crafts by local artisans, plus delicious food. It is open from 10am to 5pm—rain or shine—every Saturday.

Brooklyn Bridge Flea takes place directly under the world's most beautiful bridge with gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline and the bridge overhead. It features 100+ vendors with a similar mix to the Fort Greene Flea, including many of the same vendors. Brooklyn Bridge Flea is open from 11am to 6pm every Sunday.

The Flea's Gifted Holiday Market kicks off Friday, Nov. 27, and runs through Dec. 24, at 20 E. 4 St. (at Lafayette St.), with 50 vendors selling design objects, small antique items, cool clothes, pretty jewelry, yummy food, interesting art, handmade housewares, and more. The complete dates are as follows: Fri-Sun, Nov. 27-29; Wed-Sun, Dec. 2-6; 9-13; every day, Dec. 16-24. Hours will vary from day to day, in the noon to 7pm range.

Starting Dec. 5+6, the "regular" Flea moves indoors to 81 Front St. in DUMBO through March, 11am to 6pm. 81 Front will feature about 50 vendors all winter, with a similar mix of vendors as the outdoor markets.

Free Click to Donate

Click to donate. It's free!


From Care2.

11/11 Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

To read more, check out VA.gov.

The Ethical Community Charter School Tours!

The Ethical Community Charter School has set up a schedule of school tours.

An information session followed by a short school tour will take place on the following days. Please call the office to let us know you are coming: 718-599-2176.

October 28, Wednesday, 9:00 January 14, Thursday, 10:00

November 4, Wednesday, 9:00 February 3, Wednesday, 9:00

November 17, Tuesday, 10:00 February 18, Thursday, 10:00

Application deadline: April 1, 2010 for 2010-2011 school year (Grades K, 1 and 2). They are still accepting applications for 2009-2010.


The Ethical Community Charter School, or TECCS www.teccs-ny.org opened this year for Kindergarten and 1st grade. The school's charter extends to 12th grade and each year 2 new Kindergarten classes of 20 children will be accepted by lottery. The school resides in District 14 so preference in the lottery will be given to students in that district as per city regulations, but there are students from other districts.

America's Prisons

A friend of a friend posted this video, and I think it's worth sharing. The video is about a person named Sarah Kruzan. She was sentenced to life without parole for killing her 33 year old pimp. She was 16 years old, and she had been raped and a trafficking victim for 3 years.




More on Kruzan.
Sign a petition for Sarah Kruzan.

"The United States has the highest prison population rate in the world, 756 per 100,000 of the national population."
Read more about the world's prison populations from King's College, International Centre for Prison Studies.

Take Action at Care2

There are a lot of ways to take action online. Care2 has a great format, and they have lots of options for people to do something.

Check out Care2.org.

Health Care Bill Passes House

From the NYTimes:

Handing President Obama a hard-fought victory, the House narrowly approved a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system on Saturday night, advancing legislation that Democrats said could stand as their defining social policy achievement.

After a daylong clash with Republicans over what has been a Democratic goal for decades, lawmakers voted 220 to 215 to approve a plan that would cost $1.1 trillion over 10 years. Democrats said the legislation would provide overdue relief to Americans struggling to buy or hold on to health insurance.

Read the article at NYTimes.com.

How the House voted.

A Billion for a Billion

Visit THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM to learn more.

The New Face of the NYC City Council

From the New York Time:

A quarter of its members will be new. Four members will be openly gay, the most ever. The Republican minority, though still tiny, will grow to five from three. For the first time, a majority will be black, Hispanic or Asian. Also for the first time, an Asian-American will represent Chinatown.

The slim margin by which Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was re-elected was the biggest surprise on Tuesday night. But in curb-level races in far corners of the city, changes took place that amounted to a remaking of the New York City Council, an often-docile body that gained 13 new members — the most since 2001 — and is likely to take on a far more combative role in governing the city, and scrutinizing the Bloomberg administration.

Check out the New York Times article to read more.

NYC Election Results

To see the 2009 Election results, check out Vote.NYC.gov.

Also, check out the New York Times coverage.

A response from Mark Winston Griffith

The letter does respond to some of the discussion provoked by the New York Times article this weekend and earlier from Mark's endorsments by Charles Barron and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

As we head into the General Election, I want to take a moment to focus on what's important and to thank you for helping bring us to this point. It is both humbling and inspiring to know that - win, lose or draw tomorrow - we have already made history in Central Brooklyn. It will be a long time before anyone in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights forgets this election.

One of the reasons I stayed away from elected politics for so long in my life is because I know that in the heat of campaigns, communities often become divided as competition becomes more intense. Political camps often say and do what they feel is necessary to win, regardless of the truth. I will not fall prey to this impulse, no matter how much election gossip and media coverage seek to polarize us. This campaign has always been about bringing people together and celebrating what is powerful and brilliant about this community. I want to cross the finish line knowing that we were true to this ideal.

Along those lines, no matter what happens on Election Day, I want all those associated with my campaign to maintain respect for the incumbent Al Vann.

This does not mean we do not put forward a critique; I believe, perhaps more deeply than ever, that we owe it to ourselves as a community to hold our elected officials accountable and that we should build a pipeline to new leadership. And I reject the idea suggested by some elder political figures that I should "wait my turn." As a 46 year old man with 24 years of leadership experience - which has included grassroots organizing, institution-building, and policy advocacy - I am firm in my conviction that the time for my candidacy is now, regardless what timetable the political establishment has set.

Regardless, I wish Mr. Vann nothing but good fortune, health and happiness. He deserves that and more. And if it is within my power, I will make sure this community honors him in a way befitting a statesman. This is the energy and spirit that I wish to prevail over this election.

The message to take home on Election Day is that, despite the spectator sport of politics, this election is not about political personalities, but about the prospect of improving the condition of people's lives. And I am ready to start that work with you as a City Councilman.

Let's make it happen.
Peace,
Mark

To read the article on Mark Winston Griffith's run against long-time Brooklyn incumbent Albert Vann, check out the New York Times.

Vote November 3 in the General Election!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 is Election Day!

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

1-866-VOTE-NYC

For more information on the elections or find out where to vote, check out the NYC's Board of Elections site.

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico. It is a day to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have departed. The belief is that the spirits visit on October 31 and leave on November 2.

To find out more about Dia de los Muertos, check out Dia de los Muertos dot us.

To learn how to make sugar skulls, check out MexicanSugarSkulls.com.
Check out this article on Dia de los Muertos.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

End Discrimination in Health Care

Sign the petition at Care2.

"Through the process known as "gender rating," insurers can charge women higher premiums. This process is not only discriminatory, it is illegal in 10 states!

On top of pricing disparities, insurance companies have found other ways to make money at the expense of American women. For example, many insurers refuse to cover "elective" procedures... like giving birth! Others consider domestic violence and rape victims to have a "pre-existing condition" and deny them coverage. The list goes one, but the trend is crystal clear.

These are not isolated incidents but policies put in place by the insurance companies to maximize profits. When it comes to health care, women in America deserve to be protected from these outrageous policies!

Sign the petition to Congress urging them pass a health insurance reform bill that forbids insurance companies from discriminating against women."

Check Out Care2.

Barron and Sharpton back Griffith

The Reverend Al Sharpton and Councilmember Charles Barron have announced their support for Mark Winston Griffith. Griffith narrowly lost to Vann in the Democratic primary.

Sharpton and Barron went against the Democratic tradition of backing incumbents to endorse insurgent candidate Mark Winston Griffith, who lost the Democratic primary by 735 votes for a City Council seat in central Brooklyn and is continuing his candidacy on the Working Families Party line. Vann won the Democratic ticket with 30.7 percent of the vote.

To read the article, check out the Gotham Gazette.

Health Care Reform Video Challenge Finalists

Check out the top 20 finalists in the Health Reform Video Challenge

http://my.barackobama.com/VideoChallenge

Vote for your favorite video.

Trick or treat with SocialVibe

America's Giving Challenge

America's Giving Challenge

Visit the following sites for more information:
The Case Foundation
Causes
Parade

America’s Giving Challenge, presented by the Case Foundation, Causes and PARADE Publications is a 30-day national online competition that enables passionate individuals and nonprofit organizations to easily leverage their online and offline personal networks to increase awareness, attract new donors, and encourage people to get and stay involved with causes they care about.

From October 7th to November 6th, participants in the Challenge will compete for daily and overall awards funded by the Case Foundation. The prize money, totaling $170,000*, will be awarded to the causes that receive the highest number of unique daily donations**, not dollars raised:

Overall Awards (7 total):

$50,000 to the cause with the highest number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge
$25,000 to the cause with the second highest number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge
$10,000 to the next five causes with the highest number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge
Daily Awards (2 per day, 3PM ET to 3PM ET):

$1,000 each day to the cause with the most unique donations that day
$500 each day to the next cause with the most unique donations that day; *these awards made possible through funding by the Aspen Institute's Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation.

By encouraging people to give what they can - no matter how big or small - America’s Giving Challenge seeks to demonstrate that philanthropy is about real people coming together to make an impact! Learn more about the Challenge or get started NOW!

Social Vibe

mcorbett invites you to SocialVibe.com    

Tours at The Ethical Community Charter School

The Ethical Community Charter School has set up a schedule of school tours.

An information session followed by a short school tour will take place on the following days. Please call the office to let us know you are coming: 718-599-2176.

October 28, Wednesday, 9:00 January 14, Thursday, 10:00

November 4, Wednesday, 9:00 February 3, Wednesday, 9:00

November 17, Tuesday, 10:00 February 18, Thursday, 10:00

Application deadline: April 1, 2010 for 2010-2011 school year (Grades K, 1 and 2). They are still accepting applications for 2009-2010.


The Ethical Community Charter School, or TECCS www.teccs-ny.org opened this year for Kindergarten and 1st grade. The school's charter extends to 12th grade and each year 2 new Kindergarten classes of 20 children will be accepted by lottery. The school resides in District 14 so preference in the lottery will be given to students in that district as per city regulations, but there are students from other districts.

Eat a Meal with Mindfulness

From Care2

To eat mindfully is to live in the present. It calls for paying attention to every act, every sensation and perception, for its own sake, in the moment. From the start to the finish of your meal, your intention is to link the moments together into a continuous stream of sensory awareness.

Visit Care2 for suggestions on how to eat a meal with mindfulness.

Do Something

America's Giving Challenge

America's Giving Challenge

Visit the following sites for more information:
The Case Foundation
Causes
Parade

America’s Giving Challenge, presented by the Case Foundation, Causes and PARADE Publications is a 30-day national online competition that enables passionate individuals and nonprofit organizations to easily leverage their online and offline personal networks to increase awareness, attract new donors, and encourage people to get and stay involved with causes they care about.

From October 7th to November 6th, participants in the Challenge will compete for daily and overall awards funded by the Case Foundation. The prize money, totaling $170,000*, will be awarded to the causes that receive the highest number of unique daily donations**, not dollars raised:

Overall Awards (7 total):

$50,000 to the cause with the highest number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge
$25,000 to the cause with the second highest number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge
$10,000 to the next five causes with the highest number of unique daily donations over the 30 days of the Challenge
Daily Awards (2 per day, 3PM ET to 3PM ET):

$1,000 each day to the cause with the most unique donations that day
$500 each day to the next cause with the most unique donations that day; *these awards made possible through funding by the Aspen Institute's Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation.

By encouraging people to give what they can - no matter how big or small - America’s Giving Challenge seeks to demonstrate that philanthropy is about real people coming together to make an impact! Learn more about the Challenge or get started NOW!

Take Action!

October 16 | Donate to World Food Day

Free (RED) Badges

I just asked to get a free badge (aka pin) from (RED) - the brand that helps eliminate AIDS in Africa - and thought you may want one too. Check out the badges. They’re free!

Limited supplies. Currently only available in the US and UK.

October 16 | World Food Day

October 16, 2009 is World Food Day.

"Over 1 billion people in the world are chronically hungry. In fact today, more people die from hunger related causes than from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined."

"Word of mouth is a powerful tool in the fight against hunger!"

Visit the UN's World Food Day site.

Give back for free!

Peace Events in NYC

Fort Greene Peace Announcement Listings

1. Join an AFGHANISTAN WAR PROTEST VIGIL & RALLY on the 8th Anniversary of the US Invasion of Afghanistan

Organized by Brooklyn For Peace and cosponsored by Fort Greene Peace and many others.
Thursday, Oct. 15, 4:30 to 6 pm Brooklyn Boro Hall on Joralemon Street (between Court & Boerum)

2. A RALLY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
Healthcare-NOW!, a national coalition of groups is organizing a rally supporting to demand affordable health care for all.

Thursday, October 15, 10am at One Penn Plaza in Manhattan
( 34th Street between 7 & 8th Aves.)—the offices of United Health Group.

You can also join the National Call in Campaign for Single Payer Health Insurance
Tell your Congressional rep (for most of us it is Ed Towns) to vote "yes" on the Weiner, Kucinich, and Sanders amendments for single-payer. For more information and to make a free call go to:
http://tools.advomatic.com/35/hc-n/

3. Join FORT GREENE PEACE at the Fort Greene Farmer's Market on Saturday, October 17
(The corner of DeKalb and Washington Park )
We will have our table set up. We will be have our anti-war postcard to Congressman Towns, and lots more.

They need volunteers to help out at the table. If you can help out, email fortgreenepeace@gmail.com with
Please include your name, the times you are available and a phone number where you can be reached just in case we need to make a change at the last minute.

4. Help Counter High School Military Recruitment
Fort Greene Peace will be joining Brooklyn For Peace and other groups around the city at Brooklyn Tech H.S and maybe other high schools in our area on “Open School Evening” October 29 from 5 to 6:30 pm
“Open School Day” October 30 from 12:30 to 1:30.

We will be handing out literature informing students and their parents that they can “opt out” of the military recruitment requirements of the “No Child left Behind” act which requires schools to send the military the contact information of each student unless that student’s parents request that this not happen. This is a major way the US military recruits students right out of high school.

If you can join us and help out please RSVP at fortgreenepeace@gmail.com

5. The Domestic Violence Prevention Summit (endorsed by Fort Greene Peace)
Theme: “Everybody Knows Somebody: Stop Domestic Violence NOW!”
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009, 12noon-6pm at the Arnold and Marie Schwartz Center,
1 University Plaza, on the campus of Long Island University — Brooklyn campus
(Corner of Flatbush and DeKalb, right across from the famous Junior’s Restaurant)

This day-long Summit is FREE and open to everyone. Females and males of all ages are welcome. The LGBT community is welcome too.
The Summit will feature:
•Adult panel discussion
•Teen panel discussion
•Short film clips
•Dozens of social agencies and community organizations with helpful
literature and resources
•Free counseling services at the Summit for females, males, and
children
•Live entertainment
•Special keynote address

For more information, please email contact@kevinpowell.net

6. Join FORT GREENE PEACE to plan our next COMMUNITY FORUM ON THE US
WAR ON AFGHANISTAN.
The forum is tentatively planned for mid November. The planning has not yet begun. To learn when and where the committee will be meeting contact Rob at: rob@notfortourists.com

aVidaNova Update

From Denise and Curtis with aVidaNova:

Greetings from ConQuista. We hope and pray all is well with you. We had a very fun day at the vila yesterday as it was Childrens Day here and the church we are involved with threw a huge party for the children in the neighborhood of the vila. There were around 80 children that showed up and at one time were all in a 10 by 15ft room. The needs are great in this community. And we hope to be able to not only help the rescued girls in the vila but also help this community. Please continue to pray for all the needs here in Brazil. Our latest blog is up at aVidaNova.

Check out aVidaNova to read more updates.

About aVidaNova: aVidaNova was set up to help rescue extremely at-risk Brazilian girls from the dire life conditions of abuse, homelessness, sexual exploitation, and abandonment.

October 11-12 | National Equality March

This weekend is the National Equality March on D.C. Check out the National Equality March page for event information and more about the march.

About the March

On October 10-11, we will march on Washington with one single demand: equal protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. This march is a first step to build a grassroots network in all 435 Congressional Districts to make this demand a reality.

For the latest updates, check out the blog for the National Equality March

Brooklyn Skillshare

The First Annual Brooklyn Skillshare

When: Saturday, October 10, 2009

When: Gowanus Studio Space

What: The day consists of 5 blocks of 90-minute classes, with 3 classes taking place per block. Participants could attend as many or as few classes as they like, but were encouraged to make a day of learning.

Mission Statement: Education is a right, not a commodity. We are all students and teachers, and we believe that everyone has something to teach and to learn from each other. The Brooklyn Skillshare is a communal, hands-on, learning experience that aims to serve as a jumping-off point in the construction of an autonomous, nonexclusive, reciprocal learning community

2nd Annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival

This weekend is the Food Network's New York City Wine & Food Festival. This event is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength.

When: October 8-11, 2009

Where: New York, New York
What: "The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is the only festival in New York to bring together both legendary culinary icons from around the globe and America's most beloved television chefs. Mirroring the charitable component of its sister event, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine magazine, the New York City festival is hosted by and benefits the hunger relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength. 100 percent of the net proceeds from the festival directly benefit these community based initiatives."

About the Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 26 years as the city's major provider of food to New Yorkers in need. The organization works to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers through a range of programs and services that focus on food sourcing and distribution, education and nutrition, financial empowerment, disaster relief, policy and research.

About Share Our Strength®

Share Our Strength® is the leading national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger and ensure they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. We work with the culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation®, the nation's premier culinary benefit; Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale®, a national grassroots effort; Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit®, a touring dinner series; Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out ®, a week-long program involving thousands of restaurants nationwide; and Share Our Strength's Operation Frontline®, a cooking-based nutrition education program.

Check out the Food Network's New York City Wine & Food Festival this weekend.

Do Good

Check out the Do Good Movement, daily simple acts of kindness.

• Do Good Movement

• Follow Do Good on Twitter.

• Check out what Do Good actions people are taking.

In Memoriam: Mercedes Sosa

From MADRE:

Mercedes Sosa died on October 4, 2009 and with her passing the world lost a great lady. She wrapped her soul, her heart, her humanity, her uncompromising commitment to justice around songs which she shared with all of us. Her spirit will nourish many generations as we continue to fight for the world we deserve. Gracias Mercedes. Gracias por darnos tanto. Mercedes Sosa. Presente!

About Mercedes Sosa

Haydée Mercedes Sosa, known as La Negra was an Argentine singer who was and remains immensely popular throughout Latin America and internationally. With her roots in Argentine folk music, Sosa became one of the preeminent exponents of nueva canción. She gave voice to songs written by both Brazilians and Cubans. She was best known as the "voice of the voiceless ones".

Performing her song Gracias a la vida:

Notable Organization: The Girl Effect

About The Girl Effect

The Girl Effect is the powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate.

Because there’s poverty, and war, and hunger, and AIDS, and because when adolescent girls in the developing world have a chance, they can be the most powerful force of change for themselves, their families, communities, countries, and even the planet.

But while those 600 million adolescent girls are the most likely agents of change, they are often invisible to their societies and the world.

So what can you do about that? Help make girls visible. Stand up and be counted by becoming a fan of The Girl Effect, and getting your friends to do the same. Tell the world that you think the 600 million girls in the developing world deserve better – for themselves, and for the end of poverty.

Check out Girl Effect for more information.

Donate on Global Giving

There are 600 million adolescent girls living in poverty in the developing world. By giving one of these girls a chance, you start the girl effect. When girls have safe places to meet, education, legal protection, health care, and access to training and job skills, they can thrive. And if they thrive, everyone around them thrives, too.

The Girl Effect's Facebook Page. Become a fan.

Blog4Change

Blog for change with Blog4Change:

The premise of Blog4Change.org is to provide everyone who wants one a free blogging platform for sharing ideas or experiences that give concrete instruction on how to make positive changes in the lives of others.

If you have ideas, or have had experiences that exemplify how to create a better world, than your posts are welcome here.

Our hypothesis is that if you help others, if you spread goodness in the world, than you will be happier and live a more fulfilling life. The more you post and comment the better you will feel about yourself and the world you live.

We are looking for ideas on how to 'Go Green', how to 'Spread Kindness', how to 'Overcome Personal Obstacles', how to 'Be Charitable', and how to 'Do Good Daily'.

Every post on Blog4Change.org must inspire others to actually do something that will help their neighbor, a stranger, a pet, the enviornment, for the better. Positive posts that meet these standards will be published for the world to view.

Check out Blog4Change.

Project 10¹⁰⁰

Project 10 to the 100

www.project10tothe100.com

"Project 10 to the 100 is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible."

Vote for your favorite idea.

I voted for Quality Education for African students.

This project:

"Support efforts to increase young Africans' access to quality education. This idea's many user-submitted inspirations include an initiative to provide quality education and facilities to children who lack access; giving leadership training to outstanding young people who will comprise tomorrow's African leaders; and providing an online networking space for knowledge sharing and collaboration among teachers in Africa."

Check out Project 10 to the 100.

The 140th Anniversary of the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

140 years ago today, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born.

But though Gandhi lived, suffered and died in India for Indians, it is not in relation to India's destiny alone that his life has significance. Future generations will not only remember him as a patriot, politician and nation-builder but much more. He was essentially a moral force, whose appeal is to the conscience of man and therefore universal. He was the servant and friend of man as man and not as belonging to this or that nation, religion or race. If he worked for Indians only, it was because he was born among them and because their humiliation and suffering supplied the necessary incentives to his moral sensibility. The lesson of his life therefore is for all to read. He founded no church and though he lived by faith he left behind no dogma for the faithful to quarrel over. He gave no attributes to God save Truth and prescribed no path for attaining it save honest and relentless search through means that injure no living thing.

Check out Gandhi's site to learn more.

To read Time's profile on Gandhi, visit Time.

The Gandhi Virtual Ashram

The GhandiServe Foundation can be found here.

October 2 | International Day of Non-Violence

Today, October 2, is the International Day of Non-Violence:

The United Nations General Assembly [in 2007] decided to observe the International Day of Non-Violence each year on 2 October – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

The late leader’s “novel mode of mass mobilization and non-violent action” brought down colonialism, strengthened the roots of popular sovereignty, of civil, political and economic rights, and greatly influenced many a freedom struggle and inspired leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., Mr. Sharma stated.

The Assembly, “desiring to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence,” invited States, UN bodies, regional and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals to commemorate the Day, including through education and public awareness.

From the UN.

The International Day of Non-Violence Facebook Group

The Wiki page