Get out, get active today - Monday, May 18th

For some reason, tonight's a big night for community action and activism in the Metroplex. I might end up at the ACT meeting; I have met a few ACT organizers and they are very cool and creative problem-solvers, and so I want to learn more about their work in Tarrant County. But right after I post this, I'm dragging my boombox out to the backyard, and I'm turning into a gardening fiend for the next few hours. Bean pole plants are looking good. My collard seeds have sprouted!

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TONIGHT!

ACT's (Allied Communities of Tarrant) general membership meets at 7 pm at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in the library tonight, Monday, May 18th.  The address is 3717 Stadium Dr. (west of Granbury Road, in the Westcliff neighborhood).
 
Tonight's agenda includes final planning for Tuesday's education action (see below), updates on the ACT May 28 GALA, and work on JPS's new community clinic initiative and the beginning of immigration workshops.  Nine ACT leaders met with legislators and participated in a press conference at the state capitol last week, and they will discuss progress on legislation around job training, TAKS testing, and children's health insurance.
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Tomorrow, TUESDAY, May 19th at 6:45 pm, parents, congregrations, pastors and principals will meet to determine the political will for challenging the status quo in schools.  This includes
 
• challenging how schools treat parents
• how teachers and parents can be more effective together,
• how to challenge the geography of failing schools.
 
Please arrive at 6:45 pm at Beth Eden Baptist Church,  3208 Wilbarger St, Fort Worth.  The leadership team and Education Coordinator Tara Perez have led listening sessions with hundreds of parents, and these stories will form the basis of a summer organizing strategy. 
 
More information on ACT (Allied Communities of Tarrant):

Jose Aguilar - 817-443-4152 (cell) - joseaguilar_58@hotmail.com

Allied Communities of Tarrant - 817-921-2228 (phone) - alliedcommunities.org

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COMMUNITY POLICING FORUM

The Fort Worth Police Department will hold a police public awareness forum TONIGHT:

MONDAY, MAY 18th, 2009
7PM to 8PM
SHAMBLEE BRANCH LIBRARY (about 2 blocks east of I-35, minutes from Magnolia/Fairmount 'hoods)
1062 EVANS AVENUE

This forum will be conducted to:

- Build a better verbal dialogue between the community and the police department.
- Maintain a continuous working relationship and address the various concerns of the community.

In this meeting, community groups and residents will have the opportunity to hear about the latest projects and programs, ask questions and give feedback to numerous police officials.

Chief of police Jeff Halstead and other police department representatives will attend the forum.

Because you care about what happens in your neighborhood, please attend. For more information, please contact Office Sharron Neal at 817.392.4215.

Please invite your neighbors, your neighborhood watch groups, and your copwatch allies.

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And, to close off the night, if you can get out to Denton---a benefit for the QUERENCIA COMMUNITY BIKE SHOP!

Doors open at 7pm

$7
$5 if you come by bike

8pm- Chris Flemons
9pm- The Slow Burners
10pm- Boxcar Bandits
11pm- Sara Jaffe

Bike sale, Bake Sale, Raffles, Bike Valet!!!

Help us buy some tools!

We are celebrating our recent approval of 501c3!!! We are officially a tax-exempt nonprofit organization!

http://qcbs.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/10x15qcbsbenefitwithtext.jpg



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GET OUTSIDE, GET ACTIVE, the weather's gorgeous so roll your car windows down & turn OFF the a/c !!!!