News from Grass Roots Press

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Without a struggle, there can be no progress." Frederick Douglass
circa 1818-1895

NEWS and some other stuff

1/2010 - Welcome to the New Year! 2010

A new start. Time to rekindle hope after a year of misery for many and gloom for most. 2009 started out on a high with a new president, and hopes for a new reign of reason. Most of the country had rejected the politics of fear and exclusion but soon we saw more of the same from the right wing...a solid party of NO!, wackiness from Wasilla and teabagger tirades, birther lunatics, death threats against pro-health reform politicians, Democrats squabbling into inaction and a President forgetting campaign promises.
So the work of pushing a progressive agenda for equality and peace continues despite the bellowing of the right wing-nuts. Keep the faith and keep warm.

12/09 - Grass Roots unveils new web site

In a moment of insanity, I decided I wanted to learn how to write HTML code and immerse myself in the minutia of web design. As if my brain weren't full of enough trivia. Well, you are looking at the product of three months of sometimes bewildering night school at NCSU's Computer Training Unit. Any mistakes or ugliness that you see is wholly my responsibility. I promise that this site and any future ones will only get better. The goal is to provide you with something of value that is easy to negotiate and provide information, not necessarily wow you with amazing effects. (if I could even figure out how to do them!)

12/09 - Collaboration results in new 2010 calendar

Our friend, Russell Herman, organizational coach & activist, mentioned an idea to help state wide community activists better coordinate activities thruout the coming year. The result is our new 2010 North Carolina Organizers Calendar. It is a wall calendar designed so that two consecutive quarters can be hung together for advance planning. The calendar contains important election dates, major events and majory holidays.
If you'd like one of these free calendars, just ask!

12/09 - Coming Soon!
Paper crafts, journals, note cards, pads & more

We have teamed up with local nature artist Anne Runyon (www.annerunyon.com) to produce her incredible paper sculptures --hand puppets, masks and flying racers --of native animals. All you need is a pair of scissors. While primarily designed for children, these paper crafts should be enjoyed by everyone.
We will also be producing note cards, journals and note pads, some of Anne's design and many of our own. And of course we will only be using recycled paper and vegetable oil based inks. Since we are still in the startup stage, please check back here for updates.

War is good. Healthcare is bad.
Why is there always enough money for war and occupation but not enough for healthcare?
What are the true values of America? Let your values be heard. Call your Congress person and agitate now!

JIM HIGHTOWER America's #1 Populist

Poor Wall Street bankers. They can't find a friendly port in the unrelenting storm of public outrage at their ongoing narcissism. President Obama has publicly decried their "obscene bonuses," and Congress is moving to impose new regulations and taxes to restrict their incurable greediness. It's sad – but who in the world would want to hug a banker?

Wait – here comes a bank hugger! He's John Boehner, the Republican leader of the U.S. House. And there's Texas senator John Cornyn, the Republican's chief senatorial fundraiser, offering his soft shoulder for the Wall Street crowd to cry on. Yes, the entire Republican leadership of Congress is clucking and cooing at the Wall Streeters who crashed America's economy, offering unconditional love to them. read more

→ SPOTLIGHT ←

NC PEACE ACTION ORGANIZES CITIZENS' MOVEMENT

As an organization, we will seek to articulate a long-range vision of a radically different, peaceful world system while at the same time pursuing practical programs which can lead on a step-by-step basis towards this goal. read more

PINECONE CELEBRATES 26 YEARS OF GREAT MUSIC IN 2010

PineCone was formed in 1984 and is considered the largest and most active traditional music organization in the state, with a reputation for presenting the very best in all the varied forms that make up traditional music. Each year PineCone presents 125-150 events, with approximately 100 that are free to the public. read more

BOUNTIFUL BACKYARDS TURNS 3,
INSTALLS OVER 3,500 PLANTS

Their all-pro team includes designers, landscapers, artisans, philosophers and educators. Together we create beautiful, diverse and sustainable edible landscapes for schools, communities, congregations and homeowners. read more

IF YOU KNOW WHO ZIPPY,
MR. NATURAL AND
R. CRUMB ARE, YOU'LL LOVE "MINESHAFT"

Mineshaft is an independently published comics and literary magazine bringing you exciting art from some of the world's greatests artists like R. Crumb, Kim Deitch, Mary Fleener, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Jay Lynch, Billy Childish, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Simon, & many more!
read more

Grass Roots Press, Inc. • 401½ West Peace St. • Raleigh, NC 27603
919-828-2364 • fax 919-828-2621 • info@grassrootspress.net