Save the date ~ Saturday March 6 ~ Western Mass. Jobs with Justice Conference ~ Register <http://wmjwj.org/sites/wmjwj.org/files/Conf%20Regis%20Form.pdf> Now ~ Take <http://wmjwj.org/sites/wmjwj.org/files/Ad%20Book%20Form.pdf> an Ad ~ Join <http://wmjwj.org/sites/wmjwj.org/files/WMJwJ%20Membership%20Form.pdf> the Coalition ~ Make <http://wmjwj.org/sites/wmjwj.org/files/WMJwJ%20Membership%20Form.pdf> a Donation ~ Deadline February 19. Tuesday January 19 <http://www.massaflcio.org/node/125980> SPECIAL ELECTION FOR U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS Tuesday January 19 PIONEER VALLEY PROJECT'S CLERGY-LABOR LUNCH 12:30-2pm, Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Avenue, Springfield. A time for reflection about conditions in our communities and PVP campaigns to improve schools, reduce violence, and create job opportunities. RSVP: Fred Rose, 827-0781, fredrose.pvp2@verizon.net. Tuesday January 19 (Third Tuesday) FRANKLIN/HAMPSHIRE HEALTH CARE COALITION 7pm, Lathrop Village Community Room, Shallow Brook Drive, off Bridge Rd, Northampton. Organizing for the Massachusetts Health Care Trust Fund Bill - a universal health care system, providing universal access, a comprehensive range of physical and mental health benefits, choice of provider, quality, unified financing and cost controls, accountable governance, and stability. The Massachusetts Health Care Trust Fund will be a "single-payer" of all health care costs, statewide. Also organizing for the national alternative to state action: Medicare for All - HR 676. Info: info@fhhcc.org. Please visit www.masscare.org and www.healthcare-now.org. CANCELLED: Wednesday January 20 Next Meeting: Wednesday February 17 (Third Wednesday) MASS SENIOR ACTION COUNCIL - WESTERN MASS 1:30-3pm, 1124 Berkshire Avenue, near corner of Page Blvd, Springfield. Light refreshments, 50/50 raffle. MSAC was founded in 1981 to promote the rights, well being, and dignity of all people, particularly vulnerable senior citizens. Open to people of all ages. MSAC has a proud history of effective community organizing and legislative advocacy on health care, housing, transportation, and other issues. Info: 543-2334, http://www.masssenioraction.org. Wednesday January 20 E-MAIL FOR LABOR & COMMUNITY LEADERS & ORGANIZERS 3-5pm, Pioneer Valley Central Labor Council, 640 Page Blvd, Springfield. Steve Dondley, founder, Prometheus <http://prometheuslabor.com/> Labor Communications, and Recording Secretary, Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO, will present a two-part class: 3-4pm: Beginners: history of email how email works getting an email address using the basic features of email email etiquette picking an email "client" (software) web-based email clients vs. desktop email clients 4-5pm: Beyond the basics: email encryption and email headers choosing an email client appropriate for you pop3 vs. imap dealing with spam strategies for handling the email deluge using email to organize and mobilize managing email lists running effective email campaigns Come for either or both parts. RSVP by clicking here <mailto:mail@pvaflcio.org?subject=I'll%20Be%20There%20January%2020&body=Name :%0aAddress:%0aCity%20or%20Town:%0aHome%20and/or%20cell%20phone:%0a> . Info: Prometheus Labor Communications, http://prometheuslabor.com, 413-572-1300, 888-572-1301; Communicate or Die: American Labor Unions and the Internet - http://communicateordie.com. Wednesday January 20 (Third Wednesday) PIONEER VALLEY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL 5:30pm, AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Blvd, near corner of Osborne Ter, across the street from the old Westinghouse, Springfield. Community and labor activist guests are welcome, but RSVP to Jon at 732-7970, mail@pvaflcio.org, or Rick at 374-1492, rbrown@pvaflcio.org. Thursday January 21 (Third Thursday) IMMIGRANT & WORKERS RIGHTS COALITION 7-8:30pm, Conference Room, second floor, room 234 &/or 236, Potpourri Plaza, 243 King St, Northampton (opposite Stop & Shop, http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map <http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=243+King+St,+Northampton,+MA> &q=243+King+St,+Northampton,+MA). Organizing for comprehensive immigration reform and local issues, including know your rights training, reaching out to the victims of recent raids, Franklin County Jail detention center visitation project, restaurant workers project (collecting information, possible interviews), and a film series. Info: American Friends Service Committee, 584-8975, afsc@crocker.com. Friday January 22 HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE DIRECTOR SPEAKS TO COMMUNITY LEADERS 11:30am-1pm, Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St, Holyoke. Hosted by the Care Center, which will provide a box lunch for guests. Laura Vural, Education Director of The Harlem Children's Zone, will speak about how their programs are insuring educational success for children living in poverty. The HCZ project has offered education, social-service, and community-building programs to children and families since 1970. Currently, 90% of high school seniors in its programs go directly on to college. More at www.hcz.org <http://www.hcz.org/> . The Care Center is an alternative education program for pregnant and parenting teens in Holyoke. In addition to academic preparation for the GED, the Care Center offers a college preparatory curriculum of arts, humanities, poetry, and athletics. Other services include on-site day care, counselling, nutritious food, and door-to-door transportation, as well as help making the transition to employment or higher education. Each year, an average of 80% of Care Center graduates go on to college. More at www.carecenterholyoke.org <http://www.carecenterholyoke.org/> . Seating is limited and reservations are required - contact Carmen DeJesus at (413) 532-2900. Saturday January 23 ARISE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ANNUAL MEETING 10am-2pm, Christ Church Cathedral, Chestnut & State Sts, Springfield. Come and meet your friends from Arise and see what Arise's plans for the future are. If you would like to bring something to share for lunch, that would be great. If you would like to bring a friend, that would be wonderful. Info: (413) 734-4948, Ariseforsocialjustice@gmail.com. Saturday January 23 THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ROOTS OF SHAYS'S REBELLION 1:30-3pm, 1 <http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1+Armory+Sq,+Springfield,+MA+01105> Armory Square = Federal & State Sts = grounds of Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield. The 1783 Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War, did not quench the fires of revolution. There were insurgencies throughout the new Confederacy, culminating in Shays's Rebellion 1786-87. Their defeat effectively suppressed public expressions of Revolutionary War memory that otherwise challenged the narrative of the American ruling elite. They also motivated that elite to write a new Constitution of the United States. This Springfield Armory National <http://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm> Historic Site presentation is by historian Richard Colton. He will shed some light on the oppressive conditions suffered by Continental Army veterans after the American Revolution and connect their postwar experience to their role in the Rebellion. Colton will share current scholarship on the diversity of the rebellion, challenging the notion that it was simply a bunch of disgruntled farmers. Info: Joanne Gangi-Wellman, 734-8551 x236, e-mail <http://www.nps.gov/NER/sendmail.htm?o=%3B%3E%2B7ZB%3A%2BZH%3AB1J0%2E%5D%5F% 20%2EJN4%5E22%2A%5D2II%5F16%21%22X%0A&r=/spar/planyourvisit/events.htm> . The Springfield Armory site is where George Washington established the nation's first armory (1794-1968). The site includes historic grounds, buildings, the world's largest historic American military firearms collection, and the setting where Shays's Rebellion was repulsed in 1787. Tuesday January 26 (Fourth Tuesday) HAMPSHIRE/FRANKLIN CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL 5:30pm, Northampton Fire Station Community Room, 26 Carlon Drive at King St/Route 5, Northampton (587-1148). Community and labor activist guests are welcome, but RSVP to Pres. Fiore Grassetti, 877-725-0357, org7@comcast.net. Wednesday January 27 (Fourth Wednesday) GREENWORK: THE WESTERN MASS GREEN ECONOMY WORKING GROUP 12:30-2:30pm, Brown Bag Lunch at Noon, Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Hall, 640 Page Boulevard, Springfield (732-7970). GreenWork consists of advocates for a Green Economy which serves local communities; guarantees workers' rights to organize; and promotes community-owned sustainable projects. On the agenda: progress report by GreenWork Organizational Subcommittee on our Articles of Organization and By-Laws; review Clean Energy Connections, November 10. Subscribe to the GreenWork listserve at http://lists.gaiahost.coop/mailman/listinfo/greenwork or send an email to greenwork-subscribe@lists.gaiahost.coop. Info: Jon Weissman, 827-0301, wmjwj@wmjwj.org, or Eduardo Suárez, 335-6224, director@echosd.org. Friday January 29 BIRTHDAY OF THOMAS PAINE, 1737 Please visit http://thomaspainefriends.org/. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [Workers' Rights] posts opportunities for you to learn about and show solidarity with workplace and working class struggles. And these events are opportunities for JwJ members to fulfill their pledge: <http://www.jwj.org/pledge.html> "I'll be there for workers' rights at least five times a year!" This is the core mission of Jobs with Justice (www.jwj.org <http://www.jwj.org/> ), affirming that workers' rights are human rights. To subscribe, send an email to wmjwj@wmjwj.org with a Subject of "Subscribe Workers' Rights". Western Mass Jobs with Justice 640 Page Blvd #101 Springfield MA 01104 (413) 827-0301