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Veterans' Day Parade November 11 in North Adams

North Adams, MA - On Wednesday November 11 a Veterans Day march will be held. Parade begins at the American Legion Home, moves east on Main and north on Eagle Street to the Veterans Memorial where a ceremony will take place. Call the American Legion at 413.664.9004.

Paul Rusesabagina Speaks at MCLA November 5

NORTH ADAMS, MA—Paul Rusesabagina, subject of the film Hotel Rwanda and author of An Ordinary Man, speaks at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center gymnasium. His visit is part of the College’s Public Policy Lecture Series, which is made possible through the generosity of the Ruth Proud Charitable Trust. The lecture, “Hotel Rwanda: A Lesson Yet to Be Learned,” is free and open to the public.

Ten years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness, one man made a promise to protect the family he loved and ended up finding the courage to save over 1,200 people. Over the course of 100 days, almost one million people were killed in Rwanda.

Hotel Rwanda, which was nominated for three Academy Awards, tells the inspiring story of real-life hero Paul Rusesabagina, who is portrayed in the film by Don Cheadle, a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his courage to shelter over 1,000 refugees from certain death. His autobiography, An Ordinary Man, was published on the 12th anniversary of the genocide in 2006. A moving story, it delves into Rusesabagina’s personal journey while explaining the history behind Rwanda’s Hutu and Tutsis tribes within the historical context of the conflict.

An Ordinary Man was read by incoming freshmen this semester as part of the First Year Experience at MCLA.  Rusesabagina has traveled the world with his message of hope, peace, and
“never again.” He founded the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation (HRRF), which provides support, care, and assistance to children orphaned by, and women abused during, the genocide in Rwanda. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, and the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award.

“I’ve become a humanitarian and I never thought I would become one,” Rusesabagina has said. “And, as a humanitarian, I wanted to take this message on a wider scale, to raise awareness of what happened in my country so that the international community can help others who suffer
now.”

Rusesabagina was born June 15, 1954, at Murama-Gitarama in the Central-South of Rwanda. His parents were farmers.  In 1962, he entered the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) College of Gitwe, a
missionary school, and was there for seven years of primary school and six years of secondary studies. From 1975 to 1978, Rusesabagina attended the Faculty of Theology in Cameroon and, in January 1979, was employed by Sabena as a front office manager in their newly opened Hotel Akagera in the Akagera National Park.

It was at this time he learned about the tourism, hotel, and culinary industry. Through The Suisse Tourist Consult, Rusesabagina's application was accepted for entrance into the Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi in the hotel management program, which he started in early 1980 and finished in
September 1984 in Switzerland.

Back from Switzerland, Rusesabagina joined Sabena Hotels again and was employed as assistant general manager in the Mille Collines Hotel from October 1984 until November 1992, at which time he was promoted to general manager of the Diplomate Hotel (also in Kigali).  For the 100 days of the genocide, Rusesabagina had to move back to the Mille Collines Hotel. His colleague Bik, manager of that unit, left Kigali on April 11, 1994, despite the number of refugees still left on their own. It was the next morning, when the interim government left Kigali for Gitarama. Rusesabagina was there for almost the entire span of the genocide.

When the massacre slightly calmed down, in July 1994, Bik came back and joined his unit, and Rusesabagina went back to the Diplomate Hotel, where he stayed until September 1996, after which he went to Belgium as a refugee. From that time to date, Rusesabagina has worked as a businessman and owns a transport company.  For more information visit  www.apbspeakers.com.

In addition to the Public Policy Lecture and the community reading of An Ordinary Man, MCLA sponsors an exhibit at 77 Main Street in North Adams called 800,000 Acknowledge. Remember. Renew. The exhibit consists of thousands of hand-bound books assembled by Will Snyder as an artistic response to the genocide in Rwanda. The exhibit is curated by MCLA Assistant Professor Melanie Mowinski.

The 800,000 installation is made up of 800,000 pages in 2,500 books displayed in 100 crates: one page for each victim, one crate for each day of the war.  The project asks the viewer to acknowledge the war, remember the victims, and help the country by donating $5 to the Kayinamura Foundation, which Snyder founded to provide grants and fellowships for
people working to renew Rwanda. Viewers can then place their handprint on
one page of a book.  800,000 Acknowledge. Remember. Renew. will be open to the public Thursday, November 5, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.mcla.edu.

Diverse Participants Sought for “Faith & American Politics” Course

Williamstown, MA - The First Congregational Church of Williamstown is offering a facilitated discussion series, “Faith & American Politics,” starting October 7 and running for seven consecutive Wednesdays, ending on November 18. The meetings will run from 7 – 9 p.m. in the church’s library.

Faith & American Politics is a structured course whose goals are three-fold: to support civil discussion about controversial topics; to explore the values contained in foundational political documents (the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, for example) and in religious documents (the Old and New Testaments); and to spark the impulse to be politically active. The course depends on diversity; that is, people of all beliefs (including those who reject religion) and political persuasions are welcome.

The fee for the course is $20 ($10 for students), which helps pay for the course materials. Scholarships are available upon request. Registration for the course is required by Monday, October 5. Space is limited, and we will be accepting participants on a first-come-first-served basis. To register, please contact the Church office at 413-458-4273 and give your name and e-mail address. Registration is not complete until your payment has been received.

The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is located at 906 Main Street (Route 2) in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in the middle of the Williams College campus.  The building is fully handicap accessible and ample parking is available behind the church.  Everyone is welcome.  The First Congregational Church is a Just Peace Church and an Open & Affirming Congregation. For more information call or e-mail the church office 413-458-4273 or office@firstchurchwilliamstown.org, or visit the church Web site www.firstchurchwilliamstown.org.

Learn About the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence July 4

North Adams, MA - On July 4 at 2 pm at Western Gateway Heritage State Park Visitors Museum, the public is invited to a special program detailing the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. To find out more about this free program, call 663.6312.

Dramatic Reading of Dr. Seuss May 23

North Adams, MA - A special Memorial weekend program takes place at the Western Gateway Heritage Park Visitors Museum on Saturday, May 23 at 2 pm. Serious Seuss-The Butter Battle Book is an illustrated free lecture on the history of war and includes a dramatic reading of the book. Takes place in building 4, 115 State Street. Call 413.663.6312.

Clarksburg Elementary Hosts Holocaust Exhibit, Speaker May 21

Clarksburg, MA - The Clarksburg Elementary School presents “The World Must Know” Holocaust exhibit featuring 250 artifacts, historical documents and photos from the holocaust and World War II.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 21 from 6-9 pm at Clarksburg Elementary School, 777 West Cross Road. The featured guest speaker is Auschwitz survivor Benny Grunfeld, speaking at 7:15 pm. Call 413.663-8735.

Military Uniforms Exhibit May 18-25 at Heritage Park

North Adams, MA - In honor of Memorial Day, there will be a Military Uniforms Display exhibit on display at the Visitors Museum at Western Gateway Heritage State Park May 18 through May 25; Free and open to the public. Located at building 4, 115 State Street.  Call 413.663.6312.

Community Meeting to Support Transgender Rights Legislation March 20

Pittsfield, MA - The Western Mass Chapter of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) invites everyone to a Community Meeting for Trans Rights Legislation at Dottie's Coffee at 444 North Street in Pittsfield, on Friday March 20 at 6:30 p.m.

MTPC is delighted that there is now a majority of legislators in both the State House and Senate supporting the bill: An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes which was proposed by Representatives Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing on the House side, with Berkshire-based Senator Ben Downing in the lead in the Senate.  This bill adds the category of “gender identity or expression” to the State hate crime laws as well as to the employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and public education non-discrimination laws.

At the March 20th meeting the Chapter will present an update on the status of this legislation, outline a strategy to help get it passed in 2009, and solicit feedback, suggestions, and support for moving forward.

Please join MTPC members to learn about our work, the reconvening of the Western Mass Chapter, and how we plan to collaborate with other activists and organizations. There will be light refreshments and ample time for networking and socializing.

All are welcome. Please RSVP to info@masstpc.org or call 617-778-0519.
For more information visit http://www.masstpc.org

NAPL Invites Community to View Inauguration on Big Screen January 20

North Adams, MA - The North Adams Public Library invites all to watch Barak Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on the big screen in the library’s front parlor on Tuesday, January 20 beginning at 10:00 am with the preliminary festivities. Oath of Office will be administered at 12:00 pm; the swearing-in will be followed by the president’s inaugural address. The public should feel free to come and go in the warm, cozy environment of the library as events unfold. Call 413.662.3133.

Pittsfield charity plans lunchtime celebration of Obama on Monday

A Pittsfield-based charity which focuses on raising funds and giving out mini-grants for the educational needs of women of color is inviting the public to a one-hour "celebration, thanksgiving and prayer for President -elect Obama and familiy."  The group, the Women of Color Giving Circle, is holding the event at noon on Monday, Nov. 24, at the First Baptist Church, 88 South St., in Pittsfield, according to Shirley Edgerton, of Pittsfield, founder of the charity.  For more information contact Edgerton at 413-841-8770 or 413-442-4053.  The giving circle is affiliated wiith the Womens Fund of Western Massachusetts, Edgerton said. See: http://www.newshare.com/pdf/circle.pdf