Upcoming events of interest

Questions for City Councilmembers? Email your questions now for Councilmembers Jan Drago, Bruce Harrell and Tom Rasmussen on this month’s edition of City Inside/Out: Council Edition. The show premieres Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m., Cable 21, http://www.seattlechannel.org SEATTLE — Do you have questions for Seattle City Councilmembers? What is the Council planning to do about the City’s $43 million budget deficit? How are the City’s new recycling rules working for you? What’s the latest on replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct? The April episode of City Inside/Out: Council Edition features Seattle City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Jan Drago and Bruce Harrell answering your questions. Host C.R. Douglas will also raise the key issues facing Seattle. Send in your questions now by simply responding to this email or visit the City Inside/Out: Council Edition web site at http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition any time the inspiration strikes you. Don't pass up this opportunity to dialogue with your elected leaders! Then tune in Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. on SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21, to get answers.

**MON APRIL 20, 10:30 a.m., at Council Chambers, City
Hall, 600 4th Avenue, downtown Seattle; Seattle City
Council BUDGET COMMITTEE. Presentations on Proposed
changes to the 2009 General Fund Operating Budget, and time
for public comment. info and confirmation 206-684-8888 or
http://www.seattle.gov/council/agendasc/budget.pdf

Washington Educators for Social Justice (WE4SJ) Advocacy - Activism – Action On the Road to Educational Justice 2nd Annual Conference April 25, 2009 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific Lutheran University http://www.plu.edu Tacoma, WA The second annual Advocacy, Activism and Action conference is on the way! The 2009 conference will provide attendees with a range of opportunities to find their path to educational justice. There will be six interactive workshops this year, facilitated by leading scholars and social justice activists in the Pacific Northwest. The workshops will focus on: advocacy, social justice, critical issues, activism, frameworks, and new visions for the education system. The 2009 conference will also feature two plenary sessions by some of the most transformative leaders for social justice in the Pacific Northwest. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend a film screening of a documentary on social justice. In addition, the 2009 conference will include poster presentations that represent diverse perspectives on educational justice and it will showcase an interactive timeline that highlights milestones or key events in the struggle for human rights. At the close of the conference, attendees will have an opportunity to synthesize the activities of the day and chart their course for educational justice. The goal for the 2009 conference is to build community and empower ourselves to embark on the long road to educational justice. This conference is open to all members of the learning community. NOTE: Clock hours will be available from Tacoma Public Schools. For more information and to register visit: http://www.we4sj.org <http://www.we4sj.org/> or contact: Washington Educators for Social Justice: we4social.justice@gmail.com <mailto:HYPERLINK "mailto:we4social.justice@gmail.com"we4social.justice@gmail.com>

Ending the Drug War Where: CAMP; 722 - 18th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 What: Invitation to Workshop When: Thursday, April 30, 2009 / 6:00pm to 8:30pm Who: Racial Disparity Project, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Village of Hope, Peoples’ Institute Northwest Why: To develop an anti-racist collective of community partners to combat the War on Drugs You are invited to participate in a workshop on Saturday, November 22 from 10am to 4:30pm with other community members concerned about the disproportionate impact of the Drug War on Communities of Color. If you want to impact policies that affect our community and families, this workshop can help! This workshop is being conducted to develop an anti-racist strategy that community members and activists can use to End The War on Drugs. It is time to move from a criminal justice response to a public health model. Drug abuse and addiction is an illness that for too long has gone unaddressed and untreated. This workshop will include: w An anti racist analysis of the Drug War w Opportunities to share how the war on drugs has affected all of us and our work w Effective multicultural organizing strategies to shift the focus of the “war on drugs” to a public health approach Seating is limited. Respond immediately.. Members of the organizing committee will contact you regarding availability of seats. This workshop is free, but a suggested donation of $25 will be accepted. To register for the workshop, contact: John Page 206-250-7737 jpage@afsc.org

Scholarship for school during the recession

Gov. Gregoire attends announcement of new scholarship program for laid-off workersCity University now offering $10 million to help unemployed and community college students OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today joined City University President Lee Gorsuch as he announced the university’s $10 million “Scholarships for Tomorrow’s Careers” program to help 1,000 laid-off workers as well as community and technical college students who may be unable to transfer to a public four-year university. “These scholarships represent not just an opportunity for Washingtonians to earn undergraduate or graduate degrees, they also provide Washington employers with more men and women prepared for the 21st century economy once this recession ends,” Gregoire said. “Hundreds of these scholarships will be awarded to recently laid-off workers, giving them hope and purpose to improve their lives and the lives of their families.” “The best long-term strategy in the midst of this global economic recession is to make yourself more competitive by getting your education,” Gorsuch said. “City University of Seattle is in a unique position, as a private, not-for-profit university, to be able to help our neighbors by funding 1,000 scholarships for laid-off workers and community and technical college students who may otherwise be unable to go to school. As the economic crisis continues to unfold, it becomes more important than ever for all of us to identify where we can extend a hand to our community and make a difference.” To help community and technical students now struggling to afford or find a slot at a public four-year university, City University is offering 600 tuition scholarships worth $10,800 each. The university is working with community and technical college leaders to identify potentially eligible students who will graduate with an associate’s degree this academic year. In addition, the university is offering 400 scholarships worth $10,800 each to Washingtonians who recently lost their job and want to complete their bachelor or graduate degree. “The more education and training people have, the more likely they are to get a job and keep a job, and they will typically earn more money,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “A college education truly enriches people’s lives.” Through the “Scholarships for Tomorrow’s Careers” program, students can afford tuition through a combination of the tuition scholarships, available student financial aid, federal Pell grants, and tax credits. The scholarships are discounts on tuition for two years. The program may be renewed next year following a financial and student need assessment next fall. For more information on City University, visit: http://www.cityu.edu/.

City Council Process Demystified

City Council Process Demystified

*WEDS APRIL 29, 6:30 - 8 pm,
Environmental Outreach and Stewardship Alliance
650 S. Orcas St., Suite 220, Seattle

Be The Change! Workshop: Seattle CITY COUNCIL PROCESS DEMYSTIFIED. Learn how to effect change within the City of Seattle. City Council President Richard Conlin will present an overview of the City Council process and how to provide input on city ordinances and resolutions. The workshop will discuss the formal and informal rules of taking part in the City Council process. Free! info and to register visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/299192894