The
Benicia Vigil for Peace - EVERY Thursday, 4-6pm
War protesters plan to gather on Thanksgiving Day
By Roger Straw
BENICIA, CA / November 13, 2007, 9:00 AM Last January 11th, the Benicia Vigil for Peace celebrated its 200th consecutive Thursday afternoon of protesting the war in Iraq. Every single Thursday since the bombing of Baghdad began in March, 2003, Benicia has had a quiet and dedicated reminder for the Bush administration, that there should be a better way to conduct international diplomacy than preemptive war. By now, vigilers have showed up, by my count -- another 43 Thursdays? 243 in a row!
Packed away inside that raw number, 243, is the astonishing commitment that has motivated the very loosely organized peace group to show up even when a holiday falls on a Thursday, including Thanksgiving.
While most of us are getting fat and watching football, a handful of Benicians and nearby friends are out there on the sidewalk at First and Military, 4-6pm as usual, with signs bearing reminders of conscience: Support the Troops - Bring Them Home, and No More War!
This year on Thanksgiving Day, long-time vigil attendees are expecting a Thanksgiving treat that has nothing to do with turkeys or pumpkins: fellow protester David Y., recently returned from active duty in Fallujah, Iraq, has promised to attend, giving thanks for his own safe return and giving voice to his shared concern for the return of all our service men and women and an end to our nation's warring ways. |
Christmas at the
Camel Barns, Nov. 25
Submitted by Bonnie Weidel
You are invited to share in this celebration of Benicia cultural heritage. This year the event, previously called Christmas at the Clocktower (where it was presented for 24 years!), moves to the Benicia Historical Museum!
The original idea was to have Benicia History, Performing Arts and Visual Arts come together in annual celebration of our shared cultural heritage. This year will bring together again opera and saxaphones, poetry and fortune telling, fine crafts for sale, llama and goat corral, Limber Jim Bartz Band from Bird's Landing, Early American contra dancing with caller, Can Can Girls and gold panning, weaving and spinning demonstrations----and much more to do, to watch, to munch on. Box Social on Sunday, November 25, features Lunch with the new Mayor of Benicia!
You cannot afford to miss this one! It's all on the postcard mailer attached!
Hope you can attend!
Unique Gift Faire Turns 10 Years Old
Submitted by Vince Mazzera
Vallejo, CA – November 19, 2007 – Churches in Vallejo, American
Canyon, and Benicia will celebrate “10 years of giving” at the
annual Global Holiday Faire, December 1st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Christian
Church. To mark the occasion, the community is once again invited to come do
its holiday shopping at this unique gift faire that benefits only nonprofit
organizations. Over its first nine years, organizers estimate that the faire
has raised $44,000 for nonprofit organizations with missions as varied as relieving
hunger and poverty, creating affordable housing, responding to natural disasters,
and providing local youth with after-school activities. The formula that has
led to this success – “fair trade” gift items from over 30
countries; art, crafts, gift baskets, and baked goods from our own community;
and lunch – will be in effect again this year, and organizers hope to
match last year’s high of $11,000 in funds raised.
But the faire is about more than just raising money; just as important is
the goal of educating the community about these nonprofits and the work that
they do. The faire also aims to encourage people to shop in a way that makes
a real difference in the lives of people in need – in our own community
and around the world. The faire’s slogan is “One stop shopping,
double your holiday giving” because if a person buys an item at the faire
to give as a gift, it really becomes two gifts: one for the recipient of the
actual gift, and one for the nonprofit that the person is supporting through
the purchase.
In the 2007 installment of the faire, organizers are excited to spotlight
new groups, including Bead for Life, which has been featured on NBC Nightly
News and highlighted in Oprah Winfrey’s “O” magazine. Meanwhile,
the faire will once again benefit local organizations Friends of Loma Vista
Farm, the DePaul Women’s Center, the Amador Street Hope Center, and Milestones
of Development, along with national and international returning favorites such
as Bridge for Africa, Heifer International, SERRV/A Greater Gift, and the Nairobi
Empowerment Center. In all, more than a dozen organizations are scheduled to
be assisted through this year’s Global Holiday Faire.
In addition to the many diverse gifts from around the world, the faire offers
tables of art, crafts, gift baskets, and baked goods, plus a “regifted
table” of new and like-new items. At the many tables in all, patrons
will find jewelry, art, clothing, and baskets, along with Christmas decorations,
ornaments and cards, plus other religious and secular treasures from around
the world. Lunch will be sold, and as people shop and eat, an array of choirs
will entertain them. In total, the faire provides a fun, festive atmosphere
where people come together to raise money for worthy causes. Admission is free.
The First Christian Church is located at 1035 Indiana Street, at the corner
of Indiana and Colusa Streets, one block north of Tennessee Street in Vallejo.
For information visit http://www.globalholidayfaire.org or
call: 707-552-2900
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