News and Action

March 23, 2008

- Cliffside Boycott Continues Tonight

- Volunteers needed for Earth Day Events

- Participate in Cliffside poll

- Jim Hightower to visit Asheville, April 17

- Hybrid Ford Escape raffle cancelled

money to be refunded to ticket holders.

- Membership renewal reminder

Cliffside Boycott Continues Tonight

In solidarity with ratepayers across North Carolina who are opposing the construction of Duke Energy's new coal-burning power plant at Cliffside and all new coal and nuclear power plants, please turn off all house lights for 15 minutes, starting at 9 pm, every Sunday night.

This action is being promoted by a growing number of important community organizations including Appalachian Coalition for Just and Sustainable Communities, Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy, Canary Coalition, Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, Common Cause NC, Mom's Against Mercury, Mountain Voices Alliance, NC Interfaith Power & Light (a program of the NC Council of Churches), NC Waste Awareness and Reduction Network (NCWARN), Nuclear Information and Resource Service, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Rainforest Action Network, Social Action Network of the Asheville Unitarian Church, Southern Energy Network, Wenoca Sierra and Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA).

Volunteers needed for Earth Day Events

Please contact our office to volunteer to help staff information tables at the following events:

April 19: Cashiers and Asheville

April 22: WCU campus

April 26: Greening up the Mountains, in Sylva

Jim Hightower to visit Asheville, April 17

JIM HIGHTOWER
Coming to Asheville April 17th!

How do Progressives create a better democracy? Come hear Jim Hightower, a self-described modern-day Johnny Appleseed spreading the message of progressive populism across the American grassroots, provide the answer.

The New York Times best-selling author and NPR commentator visits Asheville, Thursday April 17th, for an evening of fun and inspiration. Hightower just released his latest book, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow. In his words, the book gives “the lowdown on how to put up-not shut up-in the fight for our future.”

North Carolina’s own reform community is highlighted in Hightower’s book as one of the success stories in fighting big money politics. Proceeds from the event will benefit Common Cause North Carolina, and help support continuing reforms here in our state.

ASHEVILLE- Thursday, April 17th

 7:00 pm

First Congregational United Church of Christ

Downtown Asheville

 *7pm public event with Hightower: $10 (students $5) OR

 *7pm public event & private reception/book signing immediately following: $50
Purchase your tickets TODAY at: www.commoncause.org/nc/hightowerinasheville

Hybrid Ford Escape raffle cancelled

money to be refunded to ticket holders.

Unfortunately, we have only been able sell about fifty of the twelve hundred tickets it would take to make this work.  We apologize if this has caused inconvenience and disappointment to those who have purchased tickets.

All money will be refunded.

This will not disrupt the operations of the Canary Coalition in any way.

Membership Renewal Reminder

If you have not already done so, please renew your annual membership with the Canary Coalition and help keep the database updated with your most recent contact information. There is no mandatory annual membership fee, although all donations are gratefully accepted (and very much needed). Average individual member donations are about $35. Businesses about $100. 

 All new and renewing members receive the interactive membership computer CD. The membership CD is a powerful tool that aids its owner in being a clean-air activist. It contains a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation about air quality issues and the Canary Coalition that can be shown to friends, groups, classrooms, etc. Also on the membership CD is a library of documents containing information about important air quality issues. There are also graphics for iron-on applications, printable membership forms and a link to the Canary Coalition website. 

We will also include a bumper sticker for any renewal or new membership that includes a donation.

Send updated contact information and donations to:

The Canary Coalition

PO Box 653

Sylva, NC 28779