THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22

2PM and subsequent Thursdays. Apprenticeship in non-traditional employment for women and men orientation. King Country provides training for careers in building and construction trades, apprenticeships, and developing employment skills. Orientation provides information about the program and training options. Must be 18 yearsor older, King County resident, GED/ high school diploma recommended. Duwamish Industrial Training Center, Building N, 670 E Marginal Way S, Seattle.

5-6PM and subsequent Thurs. Join Seattle Women in Black Peace vigil to protest US Policy in Afghanistan, Palestine/Israel, and Iraq with silent/visible presence, leaflets, and info table. A peace group in the tradition of the women who vigil weekly in Israel/Palestine, Seattle Women in Black have been standing every Thursday for nearly three years. Women wear black, men welcome to stand by the sidelines and leaflet. Westlake Park near 4th and Pine, Seattle. Info: seattlewomeninblack@speakeasy.net, 206-208-9715, or scn.org/womeninblack.

5-8. PM. The Soul Cinema Cafe presents Wonder Hour. Appetizers, drinks, live music, and provocative international and domestic films by independent black filmmakers. The Soul Cinema Cafe strives to showcase films that offer a fresh, creative perspectives that go beyond stereotypical portrayals of African Americans - it is an alternative to the typical movie going experience. Wonder Bar, 1723 N 45th St, Seattle. Info: 206-633-4500 or principal@mindsetevents.com.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Noon-1PM and subsequent last Thurs. Washington State Bar Association World Peace Through Law Section presents a forum on Law and Peace. Offices of Washington Sate Bar Association, 2101 4th Ave, Ste 400, Seattle. Free. RSVP appreciated to rewinn2003@yahoo.com. Info: wsba.org/lawyers/groups/worldpeace, 206-727-8200, or Robin Lindley at 206-523-3399.

Noon-2PM and subsequent 4th Tues. Monthly meeting of Lesbian and Gay Child Care Task Force. The task force, in conjunction with Child Care Resources ofKing County, offers referrals to GLBT-welcoming childcare centers and provides training, support and curriculum materials to childcare providers. Info: 206-461-3207 or Jean at 206-721-6732.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

7:15PM and subsequent 4th Wed. The Green Party of Seattle general membership meeting. The public is welcome. University Heights Center, NE 50th St and University Way NE, Room 201, Seattle. Info: 206-524-3377 or info@seattlegreens.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29

7-8:30PM. Holy C.O.W! Conscientious Objector Workshop sponsored by University District Interfaith Alliance Sanctuary Task Force. Are you conscientiously opposed to war? Are you concerned that if the draft were reactivated you would have only ten days to prepare your case? Come to a Conscientious Objector Workshop to explore these issues and to learn how to build a C.O. file. Youth and persons of draft age, both men and women, are welcome, as are parents, guardians, and friends. University Lutheran Church, 1604 NE 50th St, Seattle. Free. RSVP to 206-525-7074 or pastoranne@ulcseattle.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

5:30PM. Critical Mass, an organized coincidence of bicyclists who ride around the streets of Seattle in masse. It happens when a lot of cyclists happen to be in the same place at the same time and decide to cycle in the same way together for awhile - come join in the fun! Westlake Park, downtown, 4ht and Pine, Seattle. Info: students.washington.edu/Spiegel/cmass.html or catalyst.washington.edu/webtools/epost/register.cgi?owner=sah5&id=8002 (a discussion board with topics such as dealing with traffic lights and police).

MONDAY, JANUARY 2

Thru Jan 6 and from Jan 9-13. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is holding phone banks to oppose anti-choice Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Info or sign up for a 2-hour shift: SashaCousineau@ProChoiceWashington.Org.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3

7PM. Meeting of Citizens for Overt Action, educating the public about the threat to democracy here and abroad posed by covert action. Citizens told us about the CIA - crack connection before the San Jose Mercury report came out. Grand Illusion Theatre, 1405 NE 50th St, Seattle. Info and to confirm meeting dates: 206-547-7735.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

5:30-8PM and Thurs, Jan 5, 5:30-8PM. Volunteer with Statewide Poverty Action Network to prepare for Jan 16th Martin Luther King Day Action Summit. Make reminder phone calls to our members and help with registration. The Statewide Poverty Action Network works to ensure that everyone in Washington State is able to meet basic needs and has the opportunity to prosper. We unite thousands of people across the state to influence decisions made in the state capitol and in D.C. Info: povertyaction.org, 206-694-6794, or 1-866-789-7726.

5-8PM. Join the International Solidarity Movement to end the Occupation and Palestince Solidarity Committee for an informal discussion with returned ISMers about what nonviolent resistance to the occupation work is like (getting over the Israel and Palestine, logistics, organization, etc.). B&O Espresso on Capital Hill at Belmont and Olive, Seattle. Info: 206-633-1086 or palestinejustice@aol.com.

7PM. Meeting of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (PFLAG). PFLAG aims to provide a comfortable atmosphere where parents can share experiences with others to learn how to support their gay and bisexual sons and daughters. All interested people are welcome to join. Luke Episcopal Church, 99 Wells Ave, Renton. Info: 425-226-8783, 206-325-7724, or seapflag@drizzle.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5

9AM and subsequent first Thurs. Meeting of the Social Security Coalition. Composed of many different local organizations, this group meets on a monthly basis to discuss the current situation of the attack on Social Security, plans for action, and information dissemination. Washington Association of Churches, 419 Occidental Ave S at corner of S King St, Seattle.

5:30-8PM and subsequent 1st and 3rd Thurs. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Volunteer-N-Drink-A-Beer. This is a fun, laid back way to help us complete some of the day-to-day office tasks that help keep our organization flowing efficiently. Volunteers can drink a beer (or some other non-alcoholic beverage), eat snacks, and help out with important office related needs, such as bulk mailing and data entry. Info or sign up: Sasha at 206-624-1990 or sashacousineau@wanaral.org.

7-8:30PM. Planning meeting of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee, preparing for the2006 MLK Day march and rally. CAMP, 722 18th Ave near Columbia St, Central Area of Seattle. Info: Nick Allen at Nick.Allen@metrokc.gov or 206-286-0321.

7:30-9:30PM and subsequent 1st Thurs. League of Women Voters Forum. Seattle First Baptist Church, Harvard and Seneca, Seattle. Free, but $2 parking lot fee. Info: 206-329-4848, info@seattlewv.org, or seattle.wa.lwv.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6

6:30PM and subsequent 1st Fri. Justice Works! general meeting. An organization whose mission is undoing racism in the criminal justice system as experienced by African Americans. Cascade People's Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle. Info: justice_works@yahoo.com, 206-303-7559, or justiceworks.info.

7-9:30PM. Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies presents "Fuse" by Pjer Zalica. Set in post-war Bosnia, "Fuse" recounts a small town's frantic attempts to paper the cracks in its ethnic divisions ahead of a visit by President Clinton. Two years after the civil war has officially ended, Serbs and Muslims are trying to live and work together. Facilitated discussion to follow with presentation by Peter Lippman who has traveled extensively in Bosnia. Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Pl, W of I-5, just N of 50th, Metro Bus routes 16, 82, 26 and 44, Seattle. Info: wnfp@bridgings.org or snowcoalition.org/event.php?h_id=31.

MONDAY, JANUARY 9

First Day of the Washington State Legislative Session. This is a short, 60-day session to supplement and adjust the biennial budget based on caseload pressures and revenue realities. The most recent revenue forecast shows a reserve of $1.12 billion. Make sure your state legislators know where you stand. Legislative hotline: 1-800-562-6000.

For an excellent and much, much longer compilation of upcoming and ongoing progressive events in Seattle, check out Jean Buskin's Peace Calendar: http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar/ or e-mail her at bb369@scn.org. Also, check out http://www.seattleactivism.org.

Eat the Airwaves

Hear Eat the State! political commentary on Mind Over Matters every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 on KEXP 90.3 FM. If we can get up that early, the least you can do is turn on your radio and listen! If you can't - you can listen to archived programs on the web.