Ciara Durkin's Family

Ciara Durkin's family has recently updated the website.

" The Durkin family has received the Army's final report into Ciara's death with their conclusion that she took her own life. We are very upset and saddened by their conclusion..."

http://www.ciaraweerabrat.com/index.html

They have added photos of Ciara and news of recent memorials in her name.

My heart is with Ciara's loved ones.

Tom Kalinowski Is Running for Office!

Here are some of his words:

Who am I? Thomas Kalinowski, 45 years old, married with no children. I've lived in Newport for eleven years, and I currently work at the front desk at a local hotel. If you see me walking down the street, I'll probably be accompanied by my two basenji dogs, Kleopatra and Louis. They're friendly dogs who like meeting new people, so don't be afraid to say hello and pet them. They'll also be happy to share any food you may be carrying (whether you want them to or not).

Why am I running? Well, in any political race, somebody has to run to the left of everyone else, and in this race that somebody will be me. If elected, I promise to raise your taxes, grant amnesty to the thousands of illegal immigrants living in Rhode Island, and legalize gay marriage. Or at least, I'll be advocating for those things, since it's unlikely that the other 74 Representatives, 38 Senators, and Governor will go along with any of them. But I'll be doing my best to push my radical agenda, and of course I'll also be representing the interests of my constituents (ie bringing home as much pork as possible).

He has launched a blog. http://kalinowski75.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Tom!

An Olive Oil Incident

The following is a true story from my dear friend Sandy:

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 14:49:08 -0400
Hi,
Today we bought a bottle of olive oil that was a product of Israel, from Job Lot. The temperature is pretty warm today; we brought it in and put it on the kitchen counter next to the stove. I started to cook some sausages for our lunches for the week. I was using the large burner on the opposite side from where we had put the olive oil. All of a sudden the bottle exploded spilling about 24 of the 25 oz that was in the bottle down the side of the stove, and on the stove top. I don't know why it exploded, but it did. I just wanted everyone to be aware that this could happen, it could have been worse if I were about to use it and gotten cut. Okay so the bottom line is it might be a good idea to put glass containers in the sink for a while until they get used to being in the warmer heat. It will be easier to clean up than the mess we just had.

PS, Since I have written this I have spoken to my daughter, who works as a chef, she has said that olive oil is a living organism, it would have helped to cool the temperature of the oil, if I had put it in the refrigerator. If you are afraid of having a mess to clean up there, pour the oil into a pan that you have planned to use with olive oil to help cool the contents, and then pouring it back into the bottle after a while. Having to wash a pan even if you didn’t use it would be better than having to clean up the mess I did, and I was lucky that I didn’t get cut with the glass.

Why Fire Anyone In The Middle Of The Night?

When the Mets first hired Willie Randolph as manager, I was a trifle unsettled, as he had been a Yankee during my formative baseball years ( 1974--1978 ). Of course, I knew that he had been passed over for Manager positions with many clubs, when many less qualified people were hired. Oddly, virtually all those other guys were white. I was also aware of the significant Met/Yankee crossovers. e.g. David Cone, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Joe Torre (this list is in random order and far from complete). Soon I became appreciative of what this man knows and offers to players and fans. Willie Randolph knows the game.

All managers get fired. I understand and have witnessed that since the summer of 1974.

I, myself, have been "terminated" on one or two occasions in my professional life. That's not suggesting my work life resembles that of anyone in the baseball world. ( I have dreams of playing baseball, not yet of managing).

If there is a physical safety issue or any kind of child abuse issue: it is appropriate to fire someone in the middle of the night or whenever the offense has come to awareness. If the work shift begins at 3 a.m. then that is an appropriate time to "dismiss".

Barring those kinds of circumstance, no one needs to be fired at 3 a.m. No one.

I was not one of those thinking the Mets' problems were primarily due to Willie Randolph's management.

Best wishes to Willie Randolph, a man of great wisdom and skills, a man who will be in position to fire people, and who will not fire anyone at 2 or 3 or 4 in the morning. I hope he comes to Rhode Island someday, so I have a chance to hear him speak or to meet him.

Rites And Reason Awards, 2008

Most Recent Recipients of Rites and Reason Awards:

Darnell J. Fine '08: Rhett S. Jones Legacy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institution Building

Gina Rodriguez '08: Alexis Prussack Legacy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institution Building

Julian Drix '08: McKinley Ragland Legacy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institution Buidling

Elizabeth C. Morgan '10 and Sevita Qarshi '10: Marsha Z. West Legacy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institution Building

Bradley Toney '10 and Janine Heath '10: Donna Edmonds Mitchell Torch Award for Outstanding Rising Junior

Tomas Landes '11, John Racioppo '11, Elizabeth Rothman '11 and Akinyi Shapiro '11: Annual Luis Pagan and Joanne Suh New Pioneer Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institution Building by a First-Year Student.

I hope that this time my effort to copy and paste has not resulted in chopping off people's names on the right margin (well, it's no secret, I lean to the left). This information is gleaned from the website of the Africana Studies Department of Brown U. I tried unsuccessfully to post a link, but have now deleted that line. The link below to Rites & Reason Theatre does work, thankfully!

On a personal note: Darnell J. Fine and Gina Rodriguez were my stage managers for The Candlemakers of Kletsk at Rites & Reason in October of 2005.

If you belief in prayer, or anything of that ilk, please (as the Quakers say) "hold in the light," Rhett Jones . Rhett is in RI Hospital as I write this. Rhett has been a mentor to me (and more) since I studied with him my sophomore year (1983-1984!)

Rev. Raymond Tetrault is Right.

"They should call for a cessation of deportations right now, until Congress passes immigration reform."

I trust that RI Future and Rhode Island's 12th and many other local blogs have the links , but the Feds. arrested immigrants from Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico in Newport and Middletown two days ago. 42 people.

June 24 -- Social Justice Night

Social Justice Night
6:00-10:00pm
Tuesday, June 24 2008
RISD CIT building, Room 103169 Weybosset StreetMap: http://tinyurl.com/47du9l


Tentative schedule:
6 presentations by folks working towards Social Justice in Providence.~40 minutes.
8 different facilitated small group discussions.~1hour.
Short reportbacks from discussions to the whole crowd.~20 minutes.
Announcements.~1 minute each.
Speakers and discussion topics are still being finalized. Feel free toget in touch with ideas. We are trying to talk with as many people as wecan to generate worthwhile and interesting topics.
Lots of free food, snacks, beverages, coffee, throughout the night.
The space fits 100 people in chairs, has a projector, and is airconditioned. We arranged the free use of the space through the RISDOffice of Community Involvement. The event is otherwise unaffiliatedwith RISD.
In having this series of events in a different location every month, wehope to challenge biases and foster connections between variedcommunities. To help do that we attempt to identify and create dialogabout existing discord between communities. This month we are refining adiscussion topic addressing the tensions between college students andother city residents.
Looking forward to an inspiring night of movement building,
SueEllen Kroll atlas_bower@hotmail.com
Mike Eng meng@recycleabike.org
Luke Kraffft luke@danky.com
http://socialjusticenight.blogspot.com/
_______________________________________________

June 12, 1982

June 12, 1982 became one of the most joyful and important days of my life. I hope to remember it always. Early in the morning I took a train from Long Island into Penn Station (Manhattan) and then met people at an assigned street. My friend Sharon was probably on that train with me.

I had attended a training about 2 weeks earlier to be a volunteer "peacekeeper" during a rally for an International Nuclear Freeze. The training included preparing for medical problems, pickpockets and people trying to incite violence. Not one of those things occurred on my watch.

I was given some fliers and assigned to meet the busloads of people arriving from Minnesota or North Dakota or ? Idaho?, some distant foreign part of the U.S. All told there were a million of us that day. Some people spent two days on buses. I did briefly encounter some of my relatives from Connecticut, including my grandmother (Bubbe)'s baby sister, Virginia, and two or three or maybe all four of her children. My cousin Michael was present, but I didn't see him until the following day.

I greeted the busloads of people and asked them to wait and face a certain direction. We waited for hours, sharing water and stories. This was in the days before cell phones. Before pagers, even. At one point I was given the word, that my block would begin marching within half an hour. Our meeting place was Central Park. I alerted the crowd. Bear in mind, that I was 18 and a week away from graduating high school. The vast majority of marchers were my parents' age and older. And even the college students were my senior. Shortly after I conveyed the message. I learned that we were, in fact, facing the wrong direction. It was embarrassing to ask the friendly assemblage to turn around 180 degrees. Everyone thought nothing of it. There was a sense of vulnerability and intimacy and warmth. I loved (and still love) every single person I met that day.

There were construction workers, police officers and others on duty. Many of them donned Nuclear Freeze buttons. Some wore the old peace sign (the one Britain's CND gave the world) or accepted flowers for their lapels. They accepted water and shared theirs as well.

During the day I saw several of my teachers including Tom Murphy and Dr. Maureen Joy. Sharon was the only classmate, I know for sure, participated. Probably Grace Paley was there. The Bread and Puppet Theatre was there. I don't know if Marsh Z. West was there or Harold Rogovin. Wouldn't surprise me one whit to learn they were.

I am one of thousands who made it to Central Park after the speeches and songs were over. No matter, we spent about three hours filling garbage bags with any remnants on the ground.

Then I walked with someone from Pennsylvania ( possibly named Tom or John or James?) all the way to Bubbe's apartment in Greenwich Village. Why I didn't take a bus or subway, I don't recall. I may have had a slight infatuation with James (or Tom or John) and we talked about life as we walked. New Yorkers all over had banners and flags hanging from their windows.

I love New York. I love the work that went into that day. I believe that we can (and must) live without nuclear weapons. This we owe to our children and grandparents. Peace is possible. Love is powerful.

Fortune Cookie Wisdom

Let hatred turn into friendship

because of your existence.

--Found in a fortune cookie, June 8, 2008, at The Grand Buffet, York, PA

William (Bill) Patrick Ford

FORD--William Patrick, (Bill) beloved husband of Mary Anne, devoted father of Miriam, Bill, Ruth, Elizabeth, Rebecca and John and adored grandfather of Samuel, Thomas and Carolina Marth, Billy, Maggie and Mary Ita Ford, Anna and Alex Esteverena, son of the late William Patrick Ford and Mildred O'Beirne Ford, brother of Irene Coriaty and of the late Ita Ford, Maryknoll missionary. He died June 1 in the arms of his family after a courageous 17 month battle with endstage esophageal cancer. Born on April 28, 1936, he was a graduate of Brooklyn Prep, Fordham University (B.A. 1960) and St. John's University (LLB 1966). Bill married Mary Anne Heyman on February 4, 1961, whose decision to marry him, he later said, made him "the luckiest man alive". He served in the US Army from 1957-1958, and again in 1961. He was a clerk to Federal Court Judge Richard Levet, a founder and senior partner of Ford Marrin Esposito Witmeyer and Gleser, recipient of honorary doctorates from Fordham University, St. John's University, the College of St. Elizabeth and Niagara University and claimed his greatest successes as the births of his six children and eight grandchildren. Bill served as an Essex County Democratic Committeeman. An active member of St. Casssian Church in Upper Montclair, NJ, he was a founding trustee of the North Jersey Inter-Religious Task Force on Central America and a member of the Commission on Justice and Peace for the Archdiocese of Newark. After the December 2, 1980 murder in El Salvador of his sister Ita and her companions, Bill tenaciously sought to bring those directly responsible for the deaths of his sister and her three religious companions to justice. For over 22 years, Bill worked unceasingly to hold those in command positions responsible for the death of his sister and so many Slavadoran victims. His efforts laid the groundwork for the eventual successful prosecution of two Salvadoran generals. His personal courage, integrity and undying love of family are the hallmarks of a life well lived. He will be forever remembered by the quiet kindnesses he did for so many. May his soul rest in peace. Visitation Tuesday, June 3 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Hugh Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park Street, Montclair, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 4 at 10:30am at St. Cassian Church, 187 Bellevue Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maryknoll Sisters, Box 39, Maryknoll, NY 10545 or Cristo Rey NY High School, 112 East 106 Street, NY, NY 10029. The death notice above appeared in the New York Times. The paragraph divisions and areas of bold and italicized type are my editorial emphases. There is an online guest book where people can express condolences... http://www.legacy.com/NYTimes/GB/GuestbookView.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=110844828

Sabiduria Oxlajuj Noj: Out of Hardship Came Strength and Hope

I belong to the Massachusetts Immigrant And Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition. This post includes an excerpt from email they sent me (2 days ago). If the link, doesn't work in this post, I will add it below or to another post soon. Sabiduria Oxlajúj Noj: Out of Hardship Came Strength and Hope On March 6, 2007, the largest immigration raid in Massachusetts' history sent chaos and confusion throughout the halls of a New Bedford textile factory. The raid resulted in the detention of over 350 workers, many of Guatemalan decent, in Texas, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The last of these workers was finally released from detention in March 2008. As the ensuing months of fear and uncertainty gripped the New Bedford Guatemalan community - and the immigrant population as a whole - a group of five courageous women pulled together to form a sewing collective called Sabiduria Oxlajúj Noj, which translates to the artistic connotation of the thirteenth day of the Mayan calendar. Since its formation, Sabiduria Oxlajúj Noj has produced beautiful and intricately detailed children's clothing and women's handbags. Please visit http://sabiduriaoxlajujnoj.googlepages.com to view products and get in touch with Sabiduria Oxlajúj Noj. Comments, collaborators, and business/marketing suggestions are warmly welcomed. Tomorrow is the AIDS Walk in Rhode Island, sponsored by AIDS Project Rhode Island, an organization which I have enormous respect for. Years ago, I never failed to walk or volunteer (often, for some reason, standing on a street corner)...but there is so much happening that pulls me in different directions... This blogs readers are mostly, I believe, not in Rhode Island, but no matter where you are, you can find an AIDS Service Organization to support. On my list of "missing links" below, there is APRI's link. It has wonderful information within. Featured Article Donate to the New American Fund Save the Date! Give Liberty a Hand 2008 11 June 2008 Quick Links... Welcoming Massachusetts MIRA Homepage Become a MIRA Member! Donate to MIRA Truth About Immigrants in Massachusetts Job Listings List of MIRA Members Recent Press Detention and Deportation Resources

Thank You,Luke & Everyone at Social Justice Night

I received this wonderful email from Luke. There were links of all the participating groups, but I fear botching this post, so I will add them to my list below. For the same reason, I am including the paragraph of my own words which he thoughtfully included.

It is so glorious to be at a gathering of activists and NOT know everyone present. i.e. finding new energy, building stronger coalitions...

Anyone remember the Dorrwar Bookstore?


Report back from Social Justice Night

About a week ago, Wednesday May 28th, was the third and largest event in
a recent effort to have a monthly gathering for Providence activists,
organizers, and interested people. The evening had a great positive
energy, and a lot of information was exchanged and connections made.

We're still finalizing a date and location for the June gathering. Sign
up to the announcement list to be sure to hear about it:
http://lists.danky.com/listinfo.cgi/ppp-danky.com

A couple pictures from the night:
http://socialjusticenight.blogspot.com/

-

A little news:

PIPS
June 11th, Wednesday night special that will involve a bonfire on the
shoreline somewhere.
email joan.m.wyand@gmail.com for more info.

Armory Park Farmer's Market, on Parade Street.
Red Planet joins forces with Cityfarm and Big Train to form the Little
City Growers Coop.
Every Thursday afternoon 3-7pm, June 12 - November.

Check out the RI Green Party web calendar:
http://www.greens.org/ri/events.html

AS220
Saturday, June 7
1:30pm - 3pm, Ralph Nader Book Signing.
Suggested $10/$5 student/low-income, no one turned away.

Apeiron Sustainable Living Festival
This weekend, 7 & 8th
http://www.apeiron.org/slf_fest_2008/slf_web_08_home.html


And many comments:

Thanks for putting together a great event. So many cool people in one
room; I'm surprised (a) there wasn't an explosion and (b) there wasn't a
National Security raid. :-)
'Til next time, and I'll definitely be there next time,"
-Eric Siegel, Co-Chair, Green Party of Rhode Island

There are a few groups that weren't there that I'd like to see there
that weren't, especially PrYSM. I'd also like to see a bit more time
for dialog, coming up with shared events and projects, etc. Maybe in the
future 1/3 of groups could present each time or something. I think
having everyone present was good this time though.
-Michael C

I've been meaning to write and say what a great event Social Justice
night was. Super organized - particularly for such a large unwieldy
crowd with so many things to say, and excellent all-around vibe. Good
food too!
I'm the kind of lady who wells up with tears during any sort of
demonstration or rally or march - not out of sadness for the given
topic, but for the overwhelming sense of empowerment displayed through a
group of people coming together to seek justice. Thankfully I've never
noticed other rally weepers as that would really fuck up the movement.
But I was nervous that the assembling of so many radical wonders on
Social Justice night would elicit my usual moment of verklemptness. It
didn't. Instead, the evening was a solid planning meeting for the
future. Like you said, no complaining or ranting, just action and
getting shit done. Thanks for letting me be a part.
-Deb D

Well... let's see. My own thoughts are that in general the event this
past Thursday re-confirmed for me how much I love AS220. I've been out
of the loop for a long time, but I can see that the idea of intellectual
freedom still shines.
On the topic of Social Justice Night I was struck by the general good
nature of the audience. Also the fact of having all those groups
presenting information at one time was nice, condensing and intensifying
while simplifying the process of information gathering.
-Paul P

One thing that stood out was how relatable and compelling the
presentations were by people directly affected by what they spoke on.
Really inspiring. I guess the perspective epiphany that it encouraged
in me was realizing if you strive for equality then everyones issues and
concerns affect everyone else and should be taken seriously and weighed
the same. I guess the movement towards solidarity and awareness of
community issues were what struck me the deepest, the respect was so
palpable, I cannot recall attending any such event elsewhere before.
-Muffy B

What did i get out of this recent gathering? apart from getting those
"inspiration chills" every third speaker or so, i learned a tremendous
amount. i found the library reform lecture particularly useful. seeing
my friends (Jenine, Chris, Luke, Muffy, others) in this environment was
strengthening. i can't think of a better word. i feel more aware and
hopefully more plugged in.
-Justin K

It really did feel positive and collaborative in a way that I haven't
experienced in a long time. I was really glad to be there.
One suggestion of folks to include next time - The Wiley Center. They
are based in Pawtucket but do work for poor people all over RI. Right
now they are working on actions re: utilities shut offs. Fighting the
good fight every day, and their good work should definitely be a part of
this coalitions of folks.
Thanks again. I'll be at the next one for sure.
-Sara A

I was really excited about the night- everything was really nice. the
atmosphere of excitment and mutual support was really encouraging.
I was personally really struck by Jean and Juan (my NUA family) sides
of them that I hadn't really seen before came out (jean shy and juan
preacher man) so to see a transformation happening just by this event
alone was really wonderful.
I was also excited by the food and to see people eating together food
that was collected and made by everyone there. Though I have to admit
I was a little bummed that people were not recycling things so much
and there wasn't a compost... maybe i can help with that sort of thing
next time.
-Jeff H

It's Jose` just wanted to reply and say it was pretty awesome I met new
people, Learned new things I didn't know about the Community, and Got
Involved with some people to help ^.^
-Jose` M

It was great to see and reconnect so many folks that have been
organizing in Providence for a long time, and great to see new faces. I
also was excited to learn about what people I have seen around are
doing. I am definitely pysched to see this grow into a strong network in
providence..
thanks for organizing!
-mary blue, Farmacy Herbs

I asked to present early because I usually am in bed by 10. But come
10:15, I was still glued to my seat! I loved the diversity of causes and
personalities, from punks to librarians. Two people approached me at
break and asked if they could volunteer for our organization. Thank you
for organizing Social Justice Night. I was very impressed by your
thorough and thoughtful planning. I hope I can participate next month.
Some kind of more structured discussion sounds interesting.
-Rachel, RI HUD Tenant Project

a major thing i got out of the event was meeting Alicia from english for
action. Alicia agreed to connect me with a spanish speaking member of
the providence community trying to learn english, so that both of us can
work on our second languages.
I also liked that there was a lot of informational literature
circulating the event- the presentations were a lot to take in, and it
was good to be able to go back and read about these organizations later.
I think that anything that can be done to bridge the gap between the
spanish speaking and english speaking communities of providence would
make future events that much more successful. Perhaps having some
translators on board for publicity, informational literature, and
translation of the actual event is the best way to do this.
-Mary B

We were very happy to participate and would like to be part of future
gatherings.
Thank you for the hard work! Be in touch with us...
Laughter,
-Alicia EFA

The social justice night at AS220 was amazing. I had to leave when it
was barely half over, but was able to sign a few petitions, see many
unfamiliar faces, see dear Alex Svoboda, and several Library Reformers,
long-haired men, short-haired women, people with only facial hair or
with none! Hearing about different groups working in parallel ways for
justice and health care and civil rights...was inspiring. Some folks
don't use the internet. Imagine!
Thank you, friends, for that evening and all the labor that went into
it...La Lucha Continua.
-Nomi H
http://neverdied.blogspot.com/

I just wanted to say thanks for a great event. It was really good to
hear what all these organizations are doing and meet the respective
people involved.
-Mike Eng, RAB

Friends of Rochambeau sponsor Writing Contest for Kids, ages 10 to 17

It's the METAMORPHOSIS Writing Contest based on Franz Kafka's story of that name. Here is the link.:

http://www.provlib.org/happening/news/pressreleases/pr060208.html

"All entries will be judged by author Ryder Windham".

I'm encouraging my son and his schoolmates to participate, and as far as I can tell there's no residency requirements. If informed otherwise, I'll certainly clarify that.

There may be a website for the Friends of Rochambeau. Rochambeau is one of the larger branches of the PPL. It is less endangered than many as it experienced a costly renovation not many years ago. They hold some major book sales and other wonderful events. Please visit the link below for the Library Reform Group.

HAVE A GOO DAY WITH THE LORD

A photo taken by Alan Cordle, posted on his blog and for which he is holding a caption contest.

read more | digg story

This is one FUN name: BOOF BONSER

Full Name: Boof Bonser Born: 10/14/1981 Birthplace: St. Petersburg, FL Height: 6'4" Weight: 245 Bats: Right Throws: Right College: N/A MLB Debut: 05/21/2006

This information is gleaned from the http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425818

Libraries that will lend fishing gear |

Three public libraries in Rhode Island will lend fishing equipment to patrons. This is especially good news for young anglers. I imagine that through the Cooperating Libraries Automated Network(CLAN) which the PPL (Prov. Public Library) is part of, folks here could borrow some of the items.

read more | digg story

PROVERBS by Grace Paley in Fidelity (2008)

PROVERBS

A person's anger should be respected
even when it isn't shared

a person's happiness should be shared
even if isn't understood

a person should be understood ,,, though
he has brought both his brows together
in anger and also suddenly begun to laugh

a person should be in love most of
the time ,, this is the last proverb
and may be learned by all the organs
capable of bodily response