Wal-Mart Conversation
Imago Earth Center, a non-profit ecological organization that creates tangible ways to live in harmony with the earth, hosts a Conversation Series that provides an opportunity to discuss a topic of interest at 6 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. The Jan. 6 conversation begins with a video about Wal-Mart. Imago is at 700 Enright Ave. in Price Hill. A donation of $10 for the dinner buffet is welcome. Reservations aren't required. Call 513-921-5124 for more information or visit www.imagoearth.org/.
Housing Defines Neighborhoods
The Multi-Neighborhood Housing Task Force is a citywide group of residents and advocates that share insights and information about techniques for improving communities. They next meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 9. Meetings are the first Monday every other month at the offices of Price Hill Will, formerly the offices of Imago, 3208 Warsaw Ave. in East Price Hill.
State Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill), facilitates the meetings and guest speakers. For more information, call 513-251-3800.
Defending Economic Rights
Joseph Wronka, professor of social work at Springfield College and author of Human Rights in the 21st Century, will talk about basic economic rights: Are they necessary, do we need them and what is the way forward? Part of the Vision of Hope speaker series, the talk will include questions from the audience. Hosted by Xavier University's Peace and Justice Programs from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 11, the program will take place in the Schiff Family Conference Center at the Cintas Center. For more information, call Fr. Ben Urmston at 513-745-3320.
King's Work Examined
"A Day of Dialogue" is designed to examine the work and life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Large and small group sessions provide an opportunity to discuss class and poverty, community engagement and gender equity. Xavier University's Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts the event at the Gallagher Student Center from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 12. For more information, call Paul James at 513-745-3181 or visit www.xavier.edu/oma.
Truth Commission: Poverty Solutions
The Cincinnati Welfare Rights Coalition, in collaboration with the Let Justice Roll Campaign, Citizens for Economic Justice, Cincinnati ACORN and other concerned groups holds a Truth Commission about solutions to poverty. The meeting is at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at New Prospect Baptist Church, 1829 Elm St. Truth commissions are meeting across the nation as part of the national Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign. For more information, call Lynn Williams at 513-381-4242.
Ask the School Superintendent
Come ask questions of Cincinnati School Superintendent Rosa Blackwell. This is a unique way for parents and other concerned citizens to directly address the school superintendent with questions, concerns and suggestions. Forums run 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Pleasant Hill School in College Hill, Feb. 23 at Riverview East Academy in the East End and March 28 at Roll Hill School in North Fairmount.
Pre-Neighborhood Summit
For the first time, the Community Building Institute is sponsoring a Pre-Summit Kickoff Dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 3, the night before the fourth annual Neighborhood Summit. The guest speaker is Jim Diers, liaison to Seattle communities for the University of Washington Office of Partnerships and first director of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Participants will receive copies of Diers' book, Neighborhood Power: Building Community the Seattle Way. Reservations are required. The cost is $15 per person. Register at http://www.investinneighborhoods.com/register.html.
Neighborhood Summit
The fourth annual Neighborhood Summit focuses on neighborhoods sharing their success stories — from anti-drug efforts to community development to implementation of Clean & Safe projects. Sessions include court watch, environmental justice, securing grants and zoning. Members of city council and the city administration will present programs on the city's top priorities and issues, including abandoned buildings, arts and culture, crime and safety, education, finance and health. Mayor Mark Mallory will speak and be available throughout the day for informal assemblies. The summit meets 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Xavier University's Cintas Center. Register at http://www.investinneighborhoods.com/register.html.
City Council Works Nights, Sort of
Cincinnati City Council will meet at least three nights in 2006. Council has scheduled meetings at 6 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 25, May 10 and Sept. 20. Citizen forums begin at 5:30 p.m. Those wishing to address council must fill out a request card prior to the beginning of each Citizen Forum.
Drink to Better Politics
Drinking Liberally, an informal, inclusive Democratic drinking club, meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. You don't have to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club; just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics. After roaming the first Tuesday of every month, the group regularly settles back into The Comet in Northside. For more info, contact Chris Berger at [email protected].
Wear Black for Peace
Ever since the Bush regime launched its unprovoked invasion of Iraq more than two years ago, the Women in Black have maintained a vigil calling for peace. Participants — men and children are welcome, too — are encouraged to wear black or dark clothes. The weekly peace protest is from 5-6 p.m. Mondays on the grassy island at the corner of Vine Street and Central
