Wednesday, September 14 at 3-3:30 p.m. on KFCF 88.1 On the Center’s “Stir it Up” monthly radio show Richard Stone will talk with Maia Ballis about life at Sun Mountain after Elfie’s death a year ago, and reflect back to some of his wild and wonderful doings. Call-ins are welcome at 559-266-8888. For information call (559)237-3223.
Wednesday, September 14 at 12 noon and 7 p.m. (potluck at 6:30 p.m.), FCNV, 1584 N. Van Ness (SE Corner McKinley and Van Ness). The Fresno Center for Nonviolence will screen 2 short videos in commemoration of George “Elfie” Ballis’s passing a year ago and his long life as an activist filmmaker/photographer. The first one is his DVD “Ancient Roots”, Lance Canales & The Flood with images by George Elfie Ballis -40 min of music + 10 Min. stories. This special features section where Lance tells stories includes footage of his remarks at his “Endgame” gathering for the ailing Ballis, known to Lance as “Birdman. The spirit of singer/songwriter Lance Canales’ soul filled “Native Americana” collection on this music DVD is interwoven with still images of famous Central Valley photographer George Elfie Ballis. The earthy marriage of Elfie’s images of Sierra nature and Valley people with Lance’s musical blend of indigenous-roots-folk-blues offers a rich cultural experience of the Great Central Valley of California.
This will be followed by Elfie’s video of Fresno’s Raging Grannies, a 28 minute DVD with 19 interactive songs/events. Fresno Raging Grannies get off their fannies for Peace & Justice in 17 interactive songs and events. Maia Ballis, the other half of the Ballis team, will be present at the 7 p.m. showing to talk with us about their work and Elfie’s legacy. Free to the public and wheelchair accessible. For more information call the Center 11-3 Mon-Fri 559-237-3223.
Sunday, September 25, 2 to 4 p.m. “RENT EVENT”, (NEW LOCATION) Café Corazon, 1306 N. Wishon north of Olive. Richard Stone is hosting a monthly event to help meet the increased expenses of the Fresno Center for Nonviolence featuring readings from his 30-plus years of writing. His guest this month will be Native American musician Lance Canales. As a young man growing up in the Central Valley, Lance was infused with the music of blues musicians and rock artists like Jimi Hendrix. “I began playing in rock bands, but I wanted to create a fusion of that music with native sounds.” No admission is charged but donations will be solicited for the Center.
Some additional community events for your calendar
Thursday, Sepember 8 at 7 p.m. At United Universalist Church of Fresno, 1672 E. Alluvial (between Chestnut and Willow). Speaker: Doug Noll, author, teacher, and nationally recognized mediator and peacemaker.will speak on Elusive Peace: How Modern Diplomatic Strategies Could Better Resolve World Conflicts. How does one mediate peace in the face of evil? His book “Elusive Peace” penetrates the headlines and takes a critical look at peace negotiations through the eyes of a professional mediator and peacemaker. Book signing and discussion after the presentation. Admission is free.
Tuesday, September 13, 7-9 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow Avenue, Fresno. National Move to Amend spokesman David Cobb to appear in Fresno.
The recent U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate spending on elections. David Cobb, an attorney and organizer for the Move to Amend coalition, will speak at a forum hosted by Fresno’s Wesley United Methodist Church in September. The forum, entitled “Creating Democracy and Challenging Corporate Rule,” will help local residents understand the history behind the recent decision and how they can work to abolish “Corporate Personhood” and reestablish a government of, by, and for the people.
Corporate Personhood commonly refers to court-created precedent that gives corporations constitutional rights intended solely for human beings. Corporate Personhood is not an inconsequential legal technicality. The Supreme Court ruled that a corporation was a ‘legal person’ with 14th Amendment protections before they granted full personhood to African-Americans, immigrants, natives, or women,” states David Cobb. “We are inspired by historic social movements that recognized the necessity of altering fundamental power relationships,” said Cobb. “America has progressed through ordinary people joining together—from the Revolutionaries to Abolitionists, Suffragists, Trade Unionists, and Civil Rights activists through to today. Move to Amend is a long-term effort to make the U.S. Constitution more democratic.”
The forum—part history lesson and part heartfelt call to action—will focus on how Fresno can join the national movement against Corporate Personhood. Cobb will provide information about the issue and facilitate a discussion about local action in Fresno and in communities across the United States to win the amendment campaign through grassroots mobilization.
“We are a diverse coalition with deep roots in communities nationwide. We recognize that amending the Constitution to restore the power of the people over corporations will not be easy, but we know correcting the Supreme Court is imperative to the progress of our nation,” stated Cobb. To date, over 128,000 people have signed an online petition supporting a constitutional amendment at www.MoveToAmend.org .
This is a free event sponsored by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
