DIRECTOR’S REPORT – JULY 27, 2009

 

Hello Friends – this is the first of an ongoing series of Director’s Reports that will be posted on our website to keep you informed about the work and resources of Traprock Center for Peace and Justice.

 

Working on NUCLEAR FREE FUTURE MONTH (August 09) as part of a local coalition that includes AFSC, ARISE, CAN and the Peace Pagoda has been a focus of our work during July. Events planned include a Peace Walk across the Commonwealth initiated by the Peace Pagoda in Leverett, the reading of “Voices from Chernobyl” at various locations, the showing of films at Traprock and by the Committee to End War at MEF, and commemorations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th. (see http://nff.afscwm.org/)

 

WRITING SONGS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE – A workshop funded by the Open Meadows Foundation and led by very talented singer, songwriter Robin Lane continues on Tuesday evenings at Traprock. Robin is facilitating a wonderful collaboration of us songwriters, helping us unlock our creativity. We have songs in the works about, injustice by the “justice system”, an ode to Northampton, a powerful song called “Biomass Lullaby” and a gentle song about the interconnectedness of us all.  This process will culminate in a CD of our songs which will be available for purchase.

 

CUBA NEWS – Abbie Jenks - a Traprock Board member with her son Colin is currently in Cuba with the Pastors for Peace Caravan. The Caravan which goes to Cuba every summer with tons of donated humanitarian supplies openly challenges the immoral blockade and travel ban the US government has imposed on Cuba for almost 50 years.  Predictably, some of the donated computers were seized by US customs agents at the Texas/Mexico border. A decision was made to let the computers go to avoid jeopardizing the medical supplies that were with them and the Caravan with over 100 participants continued uneventfully on to Cuba.  We will plan for a report to our community by Abbie and Colin upon their return.

 

After hosting about 12 Upward Bound students from Northfield Mt.Herman at Traprock several weeks ago, I was invited to NMH to show “Who’s Afraid of the Little Yellow School Bus”, a video about the 1993 Caravan and the hunger strike that ensued for 23 days after the whole bus was seized by US Customs. It was a learning experience for me as well as the students who attended. My learning involves needing to find a way to start where the students are, not to make any assumption, to go slow and simple and to have enough time to do a good job.

 

RESOURCES – Traprock has a wonderful video library and we are encouraging folks to come in, browse and borrow films. See our list of films (soon to be posted on this website) We also gratefully accept video and print material donations.  We also welcome video and book reviews for this web site – let me know if you’re interested or just submit your review to Traprock at info@traprock.info.

 

WE WISH TO FIND: 

A compatible organization looking to share our beautiful storefront space at 24 Miles Street, right next to Energy Park. We are hoping to share the rent (currently $650) and electricity and phone costs. The heat is included in the rent. The environment here is very warm and friendly and comfortable. Direct inquiries should be made to 413-773-7427 or info@traprock.info

 

TRAPROCK STORE – please shop at Traprock and help us earn some much needed money.

Available:

*      “Chico Bags” w/ picture of the Cuban Five - $7 (You won’t want to shop without your Chico bag ever again)

*      Childrens Book “Whoever You Are” - $7 (If all children have this book read to them from infancy on I believe  there will be no more wars!) 

*      Cloth Peace Flag (‘PEACE” on rainbow background) $20

*      Laminated  flag – “Let Us Put An End to War” $5

 

Liz Kelner – July 27, 2009