CONTENTS:
PHILLY ACTION:

PEACE PRESENCE NEAR SEN. SPECTER'S HOME ON DR. KING'S BIRTHDAY, JANUARY 15
Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 16th.
50th anniversary of Dilworth's mayoral inauguration
Asian Arts Initiative & Artist Exchange
TOWN MEETING: NO MORE YOUNG PEOPLE DYING ON CITY STREETS!
Pizza & Politics! Taxing Business: Should Philadelphia Reduce the Business Privilege Tax?
How America Thinks About Raising Children in the 21st Century
JANUARY 26 RECYCLE SALE TO BENEFIT WV MINERS' FAMILIES
U.S. MILITARISM AND AFRICA
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION:
Jailed Haitian Priest Diagnosed with Leukemia: Your Support Urgently Needed
Watch Garth take on Wal-Mart-Liz Cattaneo, American Rights at Work
Respond to the Citizens Health Working Group's four questions on health care
Protest Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Continuous Funding of the War in Iraq  (San Francisco IMC)
Stop Tax Breaks for Drive-Through Killing
Senator, Push for strong, detailed arms export control standards at the UN
Through a Rapist's Eyes
Healthy Aging Tip: Protecting Your Memory Through Diet- Dr Weil
Blood Donor Month
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Employment & Summer Employment and Training Programs
CEO of YMCA of Greater Philadelphia
Summer Employment and Training Programs Request for Proposals. 
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PHILLY NEWS:

PEACE PRESENCE NEAR SEN. SPECTER'S HOME ON DR. KING'S BIRTHDAY, JANUARY 15


         Sunday, January 15, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.
         Schoolhouse Lane  (between Henry Avenue and Gypsy Lane) in East Falls.
We  will continue to return monthly until Specter responds positively to the growing  anti-war sentiment sweeping across our state and nation    .. We are asking him to stop funding  the war..
        Meanwhile, pressure continues to be placed on Specter's  downtown office by the Philadelphia Affinity Group to get him to sponsor legislation in the Senate that Pentagon funds in Iraq be allowed only "for the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. troops." Similar legislation ["The End the  War in Iraq Act of 2005" (H.R. 4232)] has been introduced in the
House of Representatives by Rep. James McGovern.
        For more Information: Philadelphia Regional Anti-War Network (PRAWN) 215-307-7980
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Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
       
        Monday, January 16, 2006, Germantown Meeting ( 47 W Coulter St. Phia. PA 19144)
and Germantown Friends School students, staff, and parents will join thousands of Delaware Valley volunteers in the 11th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service and Celebration. Signed into law by President Clinton on August 24, 1994, the King Holiday and Service Act was co-authored by Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis. What has resulted is a growing national movement that brings diverse groups of Americans together on the King Holiday to actively celebrate Dr. King's life of promoting social justice and helping others. The GFS Community Involvement department and the Multicultural Parents Alliance have planned projects and a lasagna luncheon at GFS.

Please join us! : SCHEDULE OF THE DAY:
8:15 AM         Registration, refreshments in the Sharpless Building   
8:45 AM         2006 James & Dorothy Bristol Peace and Social Justice Speaker:
                        Gary Bell, GFS '75, Executive Director of BEBASHI, a 20-yr.-old AIDS
                        service organization  (see www.bebashi.org).  Yarnall Auditorium
9:30 AM         Projects: both on-campus and off-campus (see reverse for choices) and
                         a documentary on Rosa Parks, titled, "Mighty Times" will be shown all
                        morning in the Yarnall Auditorium
12:00 PM                Lasagna luncheon in the cafeteria of the Main Building

Please Join the Multicultural Parents Alliance for Luncheon on January 16, 2005, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
in the cafeteria at Germantown Friends School,
SIGN UP BELOW for any or all of the day:
Name(s)___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
Phone #______________________  email:______________________
_____I/We will attend the morning activities (see reverse for choices)
_____I/We will attend the luncheon
I will help with setup________              cleanup______
I will bring to the cafeteria:
____meat (non-pork) lasagna                     ____fruit salad
____vegetarian lasagna                  ____green salad
____bread                                       ____dessert
____cider or other juice                       

Please contact Sara Lomax-Reese: 215-233-5114 or Stephanie Tryce: 215-438-7933
for details and more information about the luncheon.

2006 Martin Luther King Day of Service and Celebration Projects
Please join in our projects! We have great new sites as well as many old favorites. Here's how to register: Please provide your name(s) above then list your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices of project
below. We have two time slots for on-campus projects this year!
OFF CAMPUS (we will provide transportation):
______1.  Play games such as scrabble, chess, trivia games with residents of Inglis
                     House, a wheel chair community.  (all ages welcome)
______2. Pick up litter at Market Square and other sidewalks in Germantown with Chris Nicholson. Maybe powerwash
                    graffiti on various utility poles and signs. Dress for  the cold! (all ages welcome)
______3. Sing songs from the civil rights movement with Caroline Davidson in the parlor at Stapeley. (all ages welcome)
______4. 11:00-1:00 serve brunch to seniors at Lonnie Young Recreation Center at their  intergenerational
                  celebration (all ages welcome) ** (the bus leaves at 10:40)**        
______5.  *****NEW PROJECT! WE NEED LOTS OF PAINTERS FOR THIS ONE:PAINT TWO LARGE WALLS AND 20 LARGE POLES AT THE BOOK BANK. We will also sort books for public schools, charter schools, after school programs,
and church libraries at the Greater Philadelphia Book Bank.
______6. YMCA (cancelled....they needed a real holiday!)
______7. Work at Tesserae ceramic studio on the Lovett Library wall mosaic.  (ages 13+)
______8. Tutor elementary sch. students & play games at the Wister Townhouses (ages 15 +)
______9. Make pies at Peachtree & Ward Caterers (ages 12+) Note: this is from 10:00-2:30 PM
_____10. Work on a house renovation project on Haines Street  with the builders at Inn-Dwelling (ages 13+)

ON CAMPUS PROJECTS: Note we will have two time slots for each project:
9:30-10:30              10:30-11:30
________                _________       11. make cards & collages on the theme of civil rights and peace for retirement community
                                                residents  (all ages)
________                _________   12. sew fleece hats, scarves, and blankets for residents of         both Germantown and Biloxi,
                                                Mississippi with Carla Childs (all ages)
________                _________   13. make cupcakes &  cornbread muffins for the Whosoever Gospel Mission (all ages)
________                _________   14. Make potpies for the Whosoever Gospel Mission with Peter Samuel (all ages)
________                _________   15. Set up for the luncheon in the cafeteria (all ages)
________                _________       16. Story hour: listen to Byron Davis reading children's stories about Civil Rights & Martin                                                            Luther King
________                _________       17. Make flower arrangements for homebound neighbors with Nicole Juday
________                _________       18. Make sandwiches for Holsey Temple's feeding ministry with Michelle Mactavish.
                               
Are you inspired to LEAD one of these projects on or off campus?  Questions?
Contact Kathy Paulmier at 215-951-2325 or kathyp@gfsnet.org. Walk-ins are welcome if you wake up inspired Monday!

Please return this form to kathyp@gfsnet.org by Friday, January 13. Your  project assignments will be posted on the GFS website: www.germantownfriends.org by Friday night, January 13th, and also in the lobby of the Sharpless building Monday morning.  Come prepared / dressed for any of your choices on Monday! Thank you! We are looking forward to seeing you!                                                                                                                                          -Kathy
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50th anniversary of Dilworth's mayoral inauguration

The Committee of Seventy, along with the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation, Society Hill Civic Association and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia invite you to a special one-hour celebration to honor one of Philadelphia's more revered leaders, former Mayor Richardson Dilworth on Wed., Jan. 18, in City Hall's Conversation Hall, Room 201 from noon until 1 p.m.
         The program's featured speaker will be William T. Coleman, Jr., Esquire, the first minority attorney to be hired at a large law firm in Philadelphia.  Mr. Coleman was hired personally by Dilworth, who also was at the forefront of hiring other minorities and women, including significant hires into the District Attorney's office.  Mr. Coleman went on to a career of many accomplishments, including being a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995. No RSVP is necessary and light refreshments will be served.  Please contact Fatima Nelson, 215-557-3600,ext. 101 if you have questions.
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Asian Arts Initiative & Artist Exchange

        (1315 Cherry St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107)
        $8 admission; $6 for members FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2006 - 8pm
The 2006 Artist Exchange will focus on the impact of gentrification and the displacement of artists and their communities.  Artists will  participate in a weekend retreat to explore and gain topical knowledge as the basis for creating new work.
(215)557-0455 | info@asianartsinitiative.org  <
http://asianartsinitiative.org>
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TOWN MEETING: NO MORE YOUNG PEOPLE DYING ON CITY STREETS!

        Saturday, January 21, 2 - 4 PM at
        First United Methodist Church of Germantown 6023 Germantown Avenue (at Harvey and High Sts.

Hattie Staton, Germantown High School Home & School Association >Dorothy Johnson-Speight, Mothers in Charge>Malik Aziz, Men United for A Better Philadelphia >Diane Edbril, CeaseFire PA >Seth Williams, former candidate for District Attorney
Town Meeting is sponsored by Neighborhood Networks and the African American Coalition.
        For more info: Tracey Gordon at 267-235-0091 or Sherrie Cohen at 215-620-3396 or email sherriecohen@comcast.net.
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Pizza & Politics! Taxing Business: Should Philadelphia Reduce the Business Privilege Tax?

        Monday Jan. 23, 7:30-9:00 PM    (But get there at 7:00 - before the pizza's gone!)
        Chestnut Hill Free Library Community Room, 8711 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA, 19118, 215 248-0977
Brett Mandel of Philadelphia Forward and Sharon Ward of One Philadelphia will present two very different views on the bill recently passed by City Council. What will help Philadelphia the most? Do we need to preserve taxes that help pay for essential city services? Or is too high taxation driving away jobs and businesses? More info? Call 215 205-8157
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PCCY is pleased to present the next forum in our "Forging the Future" Forum Series.
Does It Take A Village. Or Take A Family? How America Thinks About Raising Children in the 21st Century


        Featuring: Celinda Lake: Co-author of "What Women Really Want: How American Women are Quietly Erasing
        Political, Racial, Class and Religious Lines to Change the Way We Live"
Wednesday, January 25, 2006, Refreshments:  5:30pm to 6:30pm, Forum:  6:30pm to 8:30pm , Book signing: 8:30pm
Moore College of Art & Design, 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
        There is NO CHARGE for this event & seating is limited. RSVP & Register by January 23, 2006 - Call 215-563-5848 x 11 or         register online at www.pccy.org - click on "FORGING THE FUTURE"
Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, 215-563-5848 x 11 / 215-563-9442, stevenfynes@pccy.org / www.pccy.org
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JANUARY 26 RECYCLE SALE TO BENEFIT WV MINERS' FAMILIES

Schedule: leave items for sale- outside the Rufus Jones room from 9:00 at Friends Ctr. 15th & Cherry, Phila.
                doors open - 12:00 noon
                bag sale - 1:30 ($5 each/as many as you want to buy)
SPECIAL NOTE:  AFSC staff Rick Wilson in West Virginia has put out a call for support of the families whose relatives recently died in the Sago coal mine.  The proceeds of this sale will go to that fund.  If you'd just like to make a contribution, you may bring cash/checks to M'Annette Ruddell  on the first floor--last door on the left.  THANKS!
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PBU Africa and Peacebuilding and Demilitarization Programs Present, U.S. MILITARISM AND AFRICA

        Bal and Ann-Louise Pinguel will share additional details and analy­sis on these and related questions.
        Date: February 9, 2006 12:00-1:30  - Location: Friends Center-
        Bring your lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided.
Many scholars and Africanists conclude that the primary focus of U.S. policy toward Africa is prioritizing access to oil and natural gas.  As such, minimizing instability and civil unrest in African countries has become a key focal point of activity, mainly through the build up of African military resources.   Contact Lwatson@afsc.org Phone:215-241-7168
For additional information on U.S. Militarism in Africa see: www.africaaction.org  · www.africafocus.org

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION:

Jailed Haitian Priest Diagnosed with Leukemia: Your SupportUrgently Needed


Click Here to Take Action 
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/JeanJusteII/iguw5d5r9jn5kde?

Six months ago, Father Gerard Jean-Juste, a Haitian priest, human rights advocate, and political activist, was imprisoned
on politically motivated grounds. He remains jailed to this day even though he has not been convicted of any crime.
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Watch Garth take on Wal-Mart-Liz Cattaneo, American Rights at Work [
mailto:action@americanrightsatwork.org]

Did you happen to catch country star Garth Brooks in one of those Wal-Mart holiday commercials? According to Garth, "it's
great to work for Wal-Mart." But American Rights at Work wondered -- what would happen if Garth found out what it's really like to work for the retail giant? What would he have to say about Wal-Mart's ruthless campaign against workers' rights?
Find out by watching our new video -- "Friends with Low Wages" at
http://walmartworkersrights.org/
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Respond to the Citizens Health Working Group's four questions on health care  From:  phillyhealth@yahoogroups.com

  RESPOND to the web survey TODAY! 
> 1. What concerns you most about health care in America today?
> 2. Our current way of paying for health care includes payments by individuals, employers, and government.  Are there any      changes you think should be made  to this system?
> 3. What trade-offs do you think the American public is willing to make in either benefits or financing to ensure access to    affordable, high quality  health care?
> 4. What is your single most important recommendation to make to improve health care for all Americans?
  Join the fight for quality, affordable health care by submitting answers today!  Is the Working Group coming to your town? Community meetings are being held throughout the country in 2006, and your involvement is critical! For a list of dates and locations, and the chance to register, please visit  www.citizenshealthcare.gov/register.
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Protest Against Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Continuous Funding of the War in Iraq  (San Francisco IMC)

        Saturday January 14, 2006 9:30am / Marina Middle School Auditorium 3500 Fillmore Street
        (between Bay and Chestnut) San Francisco, CA
Nancy Pelosi will hold a Town Hall meeting Saturday morning January 14th to discuss National Security, meanwhile we'll be outside protesting her continuous support for a military war chest. While she has personally supported Rep. John Murtha's call for withdrawal from the ground war, she explicitly refuses to use her power as house minority leader to move the Democratic Party Caucus towards supporting even Murtha's resolution; she will not support HR 4232, the bill introduced by  Representative James McGovern, to prohibit the use of funds to deploy United  States Armed Forces to Iraq. Nancy Pelosi consistently votes to spend billions of dollars per year on the war in Iraq while vital public services are being cut at home!
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Stop Tax Breaks for Drive-Through Killing

Urge your U.S. senators and representative to close the loophole - rich trophy hunters shouldn't get tax cuts for shooting animals in fenced enclosures.
        As reported in a front-page exposé in The Washington Post, wealthy hunters have been killing a few "extra" animals, donating the trophies to pseudo-museums, inflating the value of these trophies and then taking a huge tax deduction for their "charitable" contribution. These so-called museums have sometimes been in someone's basement or even abandoned railroad cars. Click here to stop this scandal:
http://go.care2.com/e/iPj/Fk/LQpK
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Ask your Senators to sign onto Senator Diane Feinstein's Dear Colleague letter urging Secretary of State Rice to  in January                 and July 2006.

Call your Senators by dialing the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
TALKING POINTS
- I'm calling to ask you to sign a Dear Colleague letter regarding arms transfer and export criteria.
- The letter is being circulated [by Senator Diane Feinstein] in advance of the UN Preparatory Meeting on Small Arms, which     opens in ago New York next week.
- Although the US has strong export criteria, we have thus far not called for incorporation of strong criteria in the UN        Programme of Action.alerts@takeaction.amnestyusa.org
- I hope the Senator will sign this letter as a matter of urgency.
- To sign on, call Rick Harper in Feinstein's office,(202)224-1226 Amnesty International<alerts@takeaction.amnestyusa.org>
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Through a Rapist's Eyes 

A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed . They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.

2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who's clothing is easy to remove quickly . Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.

3) They also look for women on their cell phone , searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.

4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5: 00a.m. and 8:30a.m.

5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages. Number three is public restrooms.

6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.

7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.

8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. - Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.

10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk: "I can't believe it is so cold out here", "we're in for a bad winter." Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.

11) If someone is coming toward you , hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK ! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.

12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

13) If someone grabs you , you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERY VERY HARD . One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches.
        (Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it hurts. )

14) After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN . I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble, and he's out of there.

15) When the guy puts his hands up to you , grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible . The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.

16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!!
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Healthy Aging Tip: Protecting Your Memory Through Diet- Dr Weil

By focusing on natural sources of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, an anti-inflammatory diet can help to lessen the impact of oxidative stress and prevent health issues related to chronic inflammation - including Alzheimer's disease. It is not difficult to incorporate dietary awareness and a few simple changes into your lifestyle - and it's well worth the effort. You can begin by replacing fast foods and processed foods with less refined, less processed products. Incorporate plenty of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, eaten daily. Add in oily cold-water fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon, a few times per week, some freshly ground flaxseed, walnuts or omega-3 fortified eggs on alternate days, and drink plenty of water (six to eight glasses) throughout the day.

Blood Donor Month

According to the Red Cross, blood is traditionally in short supply during winter months. Holidays, bad weather, vacation travel and illness often prevent people from donating blood during this season. A shortage of blood can mean - literally - lives lost, as thousands of units of blood are needed every day of the year in hospitals nationwide. Or, learn how to set up a blood drive in your neighborhood or workplace. Celebrate life, and consider giving blood. If you are interested in donating blood this month, visit www.redcross.org for more information on donor requirements.

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- Employment & Summer Employment and Training Programs


CEO of YMCA of Greater Philadelphia 
Apply by visiting <
http://ceo.ymca.net/ > .. You   will be prompted to create a log on sequence and you
can then paste in your resume/cover documents. For questions, contact Bryan Johanson, Executive Vice President, The Adler Group a: Bryan@adlerconcepts.com  or 720 851-9412.  Include with your résumé a one-paragraph description of your most significant related accomplishment.
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- The Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board's Youth Council has announced the release of the 2006 Summer Employment and Training Programs Request for Proposals.     
        The RFP is now available to download at
http://www.pyninc.org.
To request a copy to be mailed or for additional information regarding the proposal process, please call (267) 502-3800. Proposals are due back no later than 4:30 pm February 3, 2006.