Social Concerns Updates for Week Ending December 4th, 2004

ST. MICHAEL'S PARISHIONERS - YOU'RE NEEDED!

Please help spread holiday cheer by signing up for and / or
helping with one or more of the following.

Bazaar - Sat. Dec. 4th

*Refreshments - bring goodies by 4:45 PM, help serve.
*Setup - help muscle tables around Sat. morning.
*Tables - help sell our stuff - Guatemala, Haiti, candies, etc.
*Cleanup - straighten for Sunday's big day.

Bazaar - Sun. Dec. 5th

*Sit "our" sales tables in 2-hour increments.
*Be a "floater" to help visitors and vendors.
*Cleanup - beginning 3 PM

School Las Posadas lunch, Dec. 17th

Help serve for this festive occasion.
Arrive around 11 AM; be done in less than 2 hours.
The school contracts with our friend Maria Garcia for the meal,
so her projects with indigenous in Mexico benefit.

Cookies for BorderLinks' Christmas party

Bake cookies for children in Nogales, Sonora -
Deliver to St. Michael's by 3 PM on Dec. 17th.
Party is Dec.18th. You're welcome to attend.
Last year almost 1000 children attended.
For details, BorderLinks' Pat Brandenburg, 792-3312.

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* Gifts * Food * Music

Purchase from more than 20 of Tucson's socially-committed non-profit groups.

Fair-trade items from Azure Skies Global Gifts.

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Sat. Dec. 4th, 5 PM to 8 PM:

Opening Reception & Sale

Mzekala - Balkan Traditional Songs, 6:30 PM

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Sun. Dec. 5th, 9 AM to 3 PM

African art, calendars, children's books, regional authors,
Haitian crafts, Mayan weavings, jewelry,
fair-trade handicrafts from more than 30 cultures,
Just Coffee, Just Cashews, holiday goods and goodies,
boxed gift candies, and more.

* Holiday tamales & foods - Maria Garcia, La Indita

* Informal Music

St. Michael & All Angels

602 N. Wilmot (at 5th Street), Parish Center

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH A CONSCIENCE!

Information: 886-7292 (church), 623-3063 (coordinator)

LOOK FOR YOUR FAVORITE GROUP!

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COMMUNITY WORK THIS WEEK

Greet Burmese refugee when he arrives Dec. 1.

If possible, also help with hot meals for his first full day in the U.S. Refugee Program staff will be at the airport. Your task would be just to make him feel welcome as he begins a new life. He is 43 years old, Christian, and will arrive from Thailand. To help, call Janell Mousseau, new director of the Refugee Program, 721-4444.

ANDEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT [AFTA] TALKS IN TUCSON

this week, with more than 1500 delegates from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and the U.S.. NAFTA has proven problematic environmentally and for the poor of southern Mexico, increasing both suffering and undocumented migration to the U.S. Unfortunately, when trading "partners" are unequal, a seemingly good idea results in exploitation, reduction of public services, cultural and environmental degradations, and increasing gaps between the rich and poor. Major public protest events:

Tuesday, November 30th:

* Press Conference, 10 AM, Southside Presbyterian Church, 817 W. 23rd Street.
* Community Rally, 11 AM - 1 PM, Tucson Convention Center.
* AFTA teach-in, UA College of Law, Room 146, 7 PM - 9 PM.

Friday, December 3rd:

* Anti-AFTA March, Old Main (UA) to Marriott Hotel Park. Assemble 3 p.m.

Information, details - rboren@igc.org, www.noafta.org, 520-312-2988.