From the open publishing newswire: The Iraq Memorial to Life began its national tour in Olympia, WA yesterday. Representing the desire for peace and reconciliation, the Memorial presents markers for the civilians whose deaths have been documented to be a result of the U.S.-led invasion that began March 19, 2003.

From the open publishing newswire: In the first (for real this time) installment of our Wellness Training Series the Rosehip Medic Collective will present home remedies for common maladies. We will teach herbal options and other DIY techniques for dealing with problems ranging from headaches to yeast infections. Along with this we will clearly explain red flags associated with common illnesses and problems to help you decide when to seek professional or even emergency services.

When: March 28th from 3-6pm
Where: Black Rose Info Shop 4038 N. Mississippi Ave.
What to bring: Yourself, your friends, water, some snack food to share, something to write with and something to write on

From the open publishing newswire: On the first day of Spring, local members of the Portland In Defense of Animals organization provided a free feast for anyone who happened to be at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. The lunch was provided by Sweet Pea Baking Company, a local vegan bakery.

The group also placed a television screen which showed video of the meat industry inhuman treatment of pigs, chickens and beef. Many passers by gathered and watched the video, surprised and appalled by what one young man referred to as a holocaust."

From the open publishing newswire: Time is of the essence to urge and press Portland City Council to vigorously seek legislative relief from the onerous and misdirected requirements of the EPA's Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). Otherwise, the result will be the costly loss of our open reservoirs and costly filtration of our pristine Bull Run water. There is a critical public hearing on March 25, 2009 at 2:30, at City Hall downtown. There, the Water Bureau will be asking City Council to accept and include in the budget plans to eliminate all 5 open reservoirs & build a filtration plant.

From the open publishing newswire: The PDX Peace Coalition presents Change ? War, a public performance and education forum to take place on Saturday, April 4th, 2009. We will gather to demand an immediate end to the war in Iraq, and join with brothers and sisters worldwide to call for the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan. The event will also commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Beyond Vietnam" speech, which linked unjust social conditions with aggressive U.S. military policy.

From the open publishing newswire: For a free vinyl sticker made in the US by patriotic citizens who love this country, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Change Sticker Offer 19754 McKillop Rd. N.E. Scotts Mills, Oregon 97375 Donations are appreciated and will go back into more stickers.

From the open publishing newswire: There are two minor things that bother me to the point of insanity, one is the wearing of the American Flag on your clothes to show--whatever. The second is a phrase used by politicians that goes like this, "The fact of the matter is... ."

From the open publishing newswire: People who walked past 13th and Kincaid around 12:30 today were greeted by the sight of a group of young boys and girls dressed in traditional garb holding large cardboard signs bearing slogans such as "UO Gives PhD in Akha Genocide!" and "Richard Haugland Loves Baby Akha girls for Their DNA!"

According to the Akha Foundation, missionaries are converting Akha kids and taking them away from their families. They link to a video called "Prisoners of a White God" that apparently explains their views further. I'm at work and haven't watched it. Their blog, which starts here, also alleges that Haugland is involved with an organized program to deprive Akha kids of their culture... and maybe something more sinister!

From the open publishing newswire: In Defense of Animals (IDA) will be at Pioneer Courthouse Square for a lunchtime outreach to share vegan food samples and let people taste just how yummy compassion can be. Activists will hand out free Lightlife "Smart Dogs" veggie dogs and cupcakes from Sweet Pea Baking Company, a local vegan bakery, during this upbeat event aimed at helping people kick the meat habit. [ Read More | Meatout.org | In Defense of Animals ]

What: Great American Meatout
Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square, corner of SW Yamhill and Broadway
When: Friday, March 20, 2009 - 11:00am to 1:00pm

From the open publishing newswire: Your Choice (you can't go to both but you gotta go to one!!)
"Creative Direct Action"
6pm, Thursday March 19th, 2009
City Repair Head Quarters, 3125 E Burnside
http:/www.cityrepair.org

--or--

"Becoming the Media: A Critical History of Clamor Magazine"
Thursday, March 19, 2009, 7 p.m.
Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak, Portland
 http://www.readingfrenzy.com

The City Repair Project is hosting a series of ten workshops to assist organizers in working more cohesively, effectively and inclusively. For information on the complete workshop series check out  http://www.cityrepair.org/wiki.php/wow

 http://cascadia.risingtidenorthamerica.org

From the open publishing newswire: Cascadia Rising Tide (CRT) has been busy recently getting ready for the Spring and Summer "festivities" and decided to kick off the season down in Eugene at the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC aka ELAW). ELAW is the largest environmental law conference in the country, is totally free and tends to signify the beginning of the summer environmental activist season here in Cascadia. Due to these factors CRT decided to come out and spread the word about Climate Justice perspectives and make the event a little more fun and action oriented.

Four Portland Rising Tiders (PRT), who organized the Northwest Black Mesa Solidarity Caravan last November, showed up early to give a presentation on Black Mesa and their experiences helping on the land. They talked a bit about the history of Black Mesa, the injustices caused by the US government and the fossil fuel industries. They used a slideshow to help folks visualize the region and the stories they told about the many projects they helped with. The story of Black Mesa is a clear example of the connections between climate criminals and social injustices. This connection has become known as the fight for Climate Justice...

For more info on how to help Black Mesa folks:
 http://WWW.BLACKMESAIS.ORG
 http://WWW.BLACKMESAWATERCOALITION.ORG

 http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org

From the open publishing newswire: This bill is sitting in committee and I am not sure when it is going to hit the floor. One thing I do know is that very few of the Representatives have read it. As usual they will vote on this based on what someone else is saying. Urge your members to read the legislation and ask for opposition to this devastating legislation. Devastating for everyday folks but great for factory farming ops like Monsanto, ADM, Sodexo and Tyson to name a few.

HR 875  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c111:1:./temp/~c1112RD9bb:e11439:


 http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12671

From the open publishing newswire: Oregon Representatives and Senators are making an end run attack and back door prohibition attempt on Oregon Medical Marijuana patients.
Oregon State Representatives Maurer, Tomei, Thompson, Harker, Barker, Bentz, Berger, Bruun, Garrett, Gilliam, Gillman, Greenlick, Hanna, Jenson, Kotek, Krieger, Olson, Richardson, Schaufler, G Smith, Sprengger, Weidner, and Senators Burdick, Kruse, and Metsger have filed House Bill 3274 that would make the State of Oregon take responsibility for building and operating a facility to grow medical marijuana and provide it to patients through licensed pharmacies. It will charge a tax of $98.00 per ounce to patients obtaining it. It will disallow private grow operations.


Please, please, please - Yes, I'm begging you - contact your Representatives and Senators to oppose this sneaky, slimey attack on a program that only serves to offer some relief to persons suffering from debilitating illnesses and medical conditions.