FIERCE LIGHT: WHEN SPIRIT MEETS ACTION~ SAT. 9/26:

Hey You.
Have you seen this?

OtherCinema: experimental cinema in San Francisco. We show films every Saturday at ATA Gallery, 992 Valencia (@ 21st). Showtime 8:30pm, admission* $6

SAT. 9/26: FIERCE LIGHT: WHEN SPIRIT MEETS ACTION +

Coming all the way from Toronto, Velcrow Ripper (Scared Sacred, Bones of the Forest) unveils the new wave in spiritual activism—the people using their hearts and bodies to make a political difference. His feature doc includes interviews with Bishop Desmond Tutu, environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, author Alice Walker, actress Daryl Hannah, Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and dozens of others around the world. Leaders of the alternative spiritual movement bring their voices to the cause, acknowledging that making a better world may begin within one’s self, but it shouldn’t stop there. Opening the program are two of Velcrow’s short works: the US premiere of Revolution of the Spirit, featuring Aung San Suu Kyi (currently on trial in Burma), and Burn—Noam Chomsky meets Burning Man.

If you see it, let me know how you liked it. I'll be on the mural project 'til sundown.
Cheers, andy

***HELP!! Mural Volunteers Needed ASAP!!!***

Looking for something exciting to do this Summer?
Would you like to help beautify the neighborhood of Hayward?
Would you like to leave your "mark" on the City of Hayward for future generations?
Would you like to be part of the history of a city?
Would you like to help create something that you'll be proud of for the rest of life?
Would you like your name to be honored on a permanently on a plaque commemorating your work
for the City of Hayward?
Would you like your work to be seen by hundreds of people everyday?
Would you like to put your painting/creative skills to good use?
Would you like to learn how to execute a mural? Learn spray painting/airbrush skills?
Would you like to help build up your creative resume?
Don't have creative or painting skills but would like to help anyway?
Do you like being part of a team? Enjoy a challenge? Have a sense of humor?

If you said "yes" to any or all of these questions please contact
Andrew Kong Knight, please send him an email @ andykongknight@yahoo.com

The City of Hayward has asked Artist Andrew Kong Knight to create a monumental mural on Foothill Blvd. in Downtown Hayward.
Knight is seeking volunteers for the this exciting project. (Creative or painting skills a plus but not required.)



Andrew Kong Knight official web site: www.andrewkongknight.com/


THANKS! Look forward to hearing from you.

Rally for the Rainy Day Fund to Prevent School Layoffs!!! Thurs. March 12th 5PM Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco CA

Hey You,

Help Get SF Schools the Full $23 Million Rainy Day Fund!

We Won't Back Down from Layoffs and Budget Ripoffs!!!


Attend our March 12th Rally @ Civic Center Plaza at 5PM

Featuring the Angry Tired Teachers Live On Stage!
(a rock band made up of Bay Area Educators)

Check out the Angry Tired Teachers latest music video, "I Won't Back Down" ~

www.youtube.com/watch



The San Francisco Unified School District faces layoffs of up to 505 teachers and administrators and dozens of paraprofessionals. Our schools desperately need the full $23 million Rainy Day Fund. Anything less will result in substantial layoffs and deep cuts to vital programs and services.

On February 24, 2009 City Hall announced that the city of San Francisco would provide only $11 million from the Rainy Day Fund to help offset the SFUSD's dire budget shortfall. This is the wrong interpretation of the law, and will deeply hurt our schools.


For More Info: www.uesf.org/news/save_t...ay_fund.html


Peace and much love to you, ~andy

***HELP!! We're LOSING ART & MUSIC in Hayward Schools!!!!***Protest Weds. Feb. 11th 5-6PM City Hall Hayward***

Hey there,

Hope you can help us to keep music and art in Hayward Schools.
Please feel free to pass the info. on ASAP. THANKS!


What?

Save the Block/Art/Music Protest Wednesday
February 11th 5-6:30PM City Hall Hayward

Hayward School District Board of Directors Meeting
6:30PM


"Cuts Hurt" Video:

www.youtube.com/watch


Why?

Elimination of the High School Block System with give students the choice of only
six classes per year instead of eight classes. Limiting the classes will eliminate many
of the elective classes students enjoy such as music and art. Many students attend
Hayward high schools because of the strong art and music programs.

Elimination of Elementary Instrumental Music program will deny students the
opportunity to experience music which has been proven to help students learn in
other subjects. The early development programs are essential to strong music
programs in middle and high school.

"Our Angry Tired Teachers band will perform at the protest and we produced a video
to spread awareness about the Hayward Unified School District's continued failure to
make budget cuts on an administrative level. Every time they're in a budget squeeze
they never consider cutting the questionable high salary district positions. Instead, they
hurt students and teachers by eliminating music and art classes."

~Andrew Kong Knight, Hayward High Art Instructor


When?

Weds. February 11, 2009

Save the Block/Art/Music Protest: 5-6:30 PM

Board of Trustees Meeting: 6:30-9:00 PM
(The board will make a final decision on these cuts to our schools.)


Where?


Hayward City Hall
777 B. Street

The video is available for viewing now. (Click the above link.)


What can we do?

A. Attend the Protest
B. Attend the Board Meeting after the Protest
C. PLEASE CONTACT a board member tell them you'd like to keep Art and
Music in Hayward:

Dr. Sarah Gonzales President sgonz50@comcast.net 510-755-2174
Mr. Paul Frumkin III Vice President 510-755-2216
Ms. Sheila Sims Clerk Sheila@sheilaforhusd.com
Ms. Maribel Heredia Member mheredia@husd.k12.ca.us
Mr. Luis Reynoso Member lreynoso@husd.k12.ca.us 510-677-8610



Again, THANKS A BUNCH!!!
Peace and solidarity, ~andy


More Information~

Andrew Kong Knight~ Hayward High Art Educator:
925-413-1975 www.andrewkongknight.com/att/mp.html

Bryan Holbrook~ Hayward High Band Director:
510-293-8586 x61292 barisaxpoa@yahoo.com

Kathleen Crummey~ Hayward Education Association President:
(510) 538-1051 www.heaonline.org

***HELP!! We're LOSING ART & MUSIC in Hayward Schools!!!!***

Hey Art & Music Lovers!

How's it hanging? Hope you'll check out my music video about the lastest plight/fight for the kids and teachers in Hayward, California.


What?

I recorded a song and produced a video called "Cuts Hurt" protesting HUSD's proposal to eliminate the High School Block System and the Elementary Instrumental Music Program in Hayward.

Check out the "Cuts Hurt" Video:

www.youtube.com/watch


Why?

Elimination of the High School Block System with give students the choice of only six classes per year instead of eight classes. Limiting the classes will eliminate many of the elective classes students enjoy such as music and art. Many students attend Hayward high schools because of the strong art and music programs.

Elimination of Elementary Instrumental Music program will deny students the opportunity to experience music which has been proven to help students learn in other subjects. The early development programs are essential to strong music programs in middle and high school.

"I produced the video to spread awareness about the Hayward Unified School District's continued failure to make budget cuts on an administrative level. Every time they're in a budget squeeze they never cut the questionable high salary district positions. Instead, they hurt students and teachers by eliminating music and art classes."

~Andrew Kong Knight, Hayward High Art Instructor


What we can do?

Attend the board meeting TOMORROW!! (the board will vote on these cuts to our schools tomorrow Weds.:

January 28, 2009 Board of Trustees Meeting
Hayward City Hall
777 B. Street
6:30 p.m. - Council Chambers


Or Please contact a board member to help save art and music in Hayward:

Dr. Sarah Gonzales President sgonz50@comcast.net (510) 755-2174
Mr. Paul Frumkin III Vice President 510-755-2216
Ms. Sheila Sims Clerk Sheila@sheilaforhusd.com
Ms. Maribel Heredia Member mheredia@husd.k12.ca.us
Mr. Luis Reynoso Member lreynoso@husd.k12.ca.us (510) 677-8610


THANKS A BUNCH!!! Love to know whatcha think of the song/music video.

Peace, light and much love to you. ~andy

*****

5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting

5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting

Mad props to Davey and Jabari for putting us on to this and getting the conversation started:

1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it (Thanks, Jabari For this link):
digg.com/world_news/Oa...Handcuffed_Man

or

digg.com/world_news/Oa...Handcuffed_Man

2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and 3) BART establish an independent residents' review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov

3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers' conduct and demand immediate action:

Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029, dchlebo@bart.gov
Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov

Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.

THANKS everybody! Peace and love to you, ~andy

No Gift to Bring ~ other than my song for you...

Hi.

Like the little drummer boy, I don't have a gift to bring you..... other than my song.

I hope you'll enjoy it. I know it's a sad one, but I think it's real.

www.youtube.com/watch

Love to know what you think.
Much peace, love and light to you always, ~andy

A Gift for you "Golden Parachute for Christmas"

Hey You,

I hope you'll enjoy my new song. I have close friends and relatives who have lost their homes recently and are going through extremely hard financial times. Teachers at our school are worried about losing their jobs because of the budget cuts.

I wrote the song for them and for everyone who is currently suffering because of our greedy, corrupt economy.

Click here to see "Golden Parachute for Christmas" video:

www.youtube.com/watch


Would love to know what you think. Please comment on youtube.

Peace, love and light to you, always, andy

Anything is Possible!!!! Have You Read This? Pinch Me ...a message from Michael Moore

Have you seen this? A few friends passed it on to me today.

Pinch Me ...a message from Michael Moore


Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Friends,

Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.

In a nation that was founded on genocide and then built on the backs of slaves, it was an unexpected moment, shocking in its simplicity: Barack Obama, a good man, a black man, said he would bring change to Washington , and the majority of the country liked that idea. The racists were present throughout the campaign and in the voting booth. But they are no longer the majority, and we will see their flame of hate fizzle out in our lifetime.

There was another important "first" last night. Never before in our history has an avowed anti-war candidate been elected president during a time of war. I hope President-elect Obama remembers that as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan . The faith we now have will be lost if he forgets the main issue on which he beat his fellow Dems in the primaries and then a great war hero in the general election: The people of America are tired of war. Sick and tired. And their voice was loud and clear yesterday.

It's been an inexcusable 44 years since a Democrat running for president has received even just 51% of the vote. That's because most Americans haven't really liked the Democrats. They see them as rarely having the guts to get the job done or stand up for the working people they say they support. Well, here's their chance. It has been handed to them, via the voting public, in the form of a man who is not a party hack, not a set-for-life Beltway bureaucrat. Will he now become one of them, or will he force them to be more like him? We pray for the latter.

But today we celebrate this triumph of decency over personal attack, of peace over war, of intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago. What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting our country's greatest minds as they seek to cure illness, discover new forms of energy, and work to save the planet. I know, pinch me.

We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?" Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We've entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible.

An African American has been elected President of the United States ! Anything is possible! We can wrestle our economy out of the hands of the reckless rich and return it to the people. Anything is possible! Every citizen can be guaranteed health care. Anything is possible! We can stop melting the polar ice caps. Anything is possible! Those who have committed war crimes will be brought to justice. Anything is possible.

We really don't have much time. There is big work to do. But this is the week for all of us to revel in this great moment. Be humble about it. Do not treat the Republicans in your life the way they have treated you the past eight years. Show them the grace and goodness that Barack Obama exuded throughout the campaign. Though called every name in the book, he refused to lower himself to the gutter and sling the mud back. Can we follow his example? I know, it will be hard.

I want to thank everyone who gave of their time and resources to make this victory happen. It's been a long road, and huge damage has been done to this great country, not to mention to many of you who have lost your jobs, gone bankrupt from medical bills, or suffered through a loved one being shipped off to Iraq . We will now work to repair this damage, and it won't be easy.


But what a way to start! Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States . Wow. Seriously, wow.

Yours,
Michael Moore

WE DID IT!!!!! YES WE DID!!!!!!

Dear Friends,

I will never forget the excitement and unity I felt from everyone last night. I had so much love for everyone and they seemed to love us too! We played our song for Obama, "Get Up, Stand Up for Barack" at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley and then at Rasselas Jazz Club in SF.

Everyone danced and screamed the chorus, "Get up stand up, stand up for a change, get up, stand up we're gonna beat McCain!"
www.youtube.com/watch
And then, a roar from people and cars from the streets when the news came, "We did it!" "Yes we did!"

It seemed like a dream.

Tears came this morning when it really started to sink in for me that it actually happened!

It was such a beautiful day today. I am so hopeful.


All the best wishes, light and much love to you, always, andy