Public Agenda - Help fight genocide in Darfur

Student-run Paperclips for Peace to host event at Emory

Paperclips for Peace, a student-run campaign to help offset the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, is holding an Action Week Mon.-Fri., April 17-21, in the Emory campus. Action Week aims to raise community-wide awareness of the genocide in Darfur. Emory students will make paper clips with a short string of beads attached and sell them for a minimum donation of $1. Why paper clips? During World War II, Norwegians wore paper clips on their clothing to signify their opposition to forced identification tags for Jews. The Emory students’ campaign similarly protests the Sudanese government as it exterminates its own people or forces them into refugee camps. All proceeds will go to international human-rights group CARE. Paper clips will be for sale April 18-22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Emory’s Dobbs University Center common area.

The Dobbs University Center is located at 605 Asbury Circle. For more info, e-mail paperclipsforpeace@gmail.com or visit www.geocities.com/paperclipsforpeace.

· EAST COBB DEMS The East Cobb Democratic Alliance continues its efforts to get progressive Democrats elected. The group meets monthly to hear speakers and discuss strategy for campaigning. Free. Fri., April 14. Second Friday of every month, 7 p.m. East Cobb Government Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. 770-499-4444. www.eastcobbdems.com.

· BELTLINE PARKS The Atlanta Development Authority has launched its Beltline Community website to promote Atlantans’ input into the Beltline project. Park Pride is urging residents to go to the site and fill out the “General Community Input” and “Parks and Trails” surveys. To participate in the survey, go to www.beltlinecommunity.com/communityinput.asp.

· HOW AMERICA LOST IRAQ Georgia for Democracy (along with A Cappella Books) hosts Aaron Glantz, whose book How America Lost Iraq offers a look at Iraqis’ views on American liberation and occupation. Mon., April 17, 7 p.m. First Existentialist Church, 470 Candler Park Drive. 404-538-4034. www.georgiafordemocracy.org.

· NPU-K This neighborhood planning unit, which advises the mayor and Atlanta City Council, includes neighborhoods of Ashby-Simpson, Washington Park, Hunter Hills, Ashview Heights and Howell Station-Knight Park. All residents are encouraged to attend and add their voices to issues of preservation and improvement of community life. Tues., April 18. Third Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m., C.A. Scott Recreation Center, 1565 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 404-523-3416.

· EAST POINT WORKSHOPS The city of East Point invites residents, business owners and organizations to attend the East Point public workshops, where participants will give input on the 2000-2026 East Point Comprehensive Plan. Tues., April 18, 6 p.m. at the Bowden Center, 2885 Church St.; or Tues., April 25, 6 p.m., at Oak Knoll Elementary School, 2626 Hogan Road. 404-684-7031. www.thecollaborativefirm.com.

· DRUID HILLS CIVIC ASSOCIATION This month’s DHCA meeting will be on Tues., April 18. Meetings are open to the public. Locations subject to change. 7 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-523-DHCA. www.druidhills.org.

· GWINNETT SIERRA CLUB Hear the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Atlanta at the club’s next meeting Thurs., April 20, 7 p.m. Willowrun Condominium Clubhouse, 1015 Country Court, Lawrenceville. 770-846-1143. georgia.sierraclub.org/gwinnett.

· BROOKHAVEN ALLIANCE Vernon Jones, CEO of DeKalb County, is guest speaker for the Thurs., April 20, meeting of the Brookhaven Homeowners and Neighborhood Business Alliance. 7-9 p.m., DeKalb County Service Center, 2660 Osborne Road. 678-754-4594.

· DRINKING LIBERALLY The local chapter of this national group, whose motto is “Promoting democracy one pint at a time,” encourages progressive people to get together to discuss politics and whatever else comes up after a few pints. Thursdays, 8 p.m. (Note the new, later time). Thinking Man Tavern, 537 W. Howard Ave., Decatur. 404-370-1717. www.drinkingliberally.org.

· LAKE CLAIRE NEIGHBORS Lake Claire Neighbors organizes cleanups, provides a community voice to city reps, plans events such as the home tour, and raises funds for neighborhood refurbishments. Thurs., April 20. Third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Frazer Center, 1815 Ponce de Leon Ave. www.lakeclaire.org.

· EVENING CIRCLE OF SCRIBES Join Women’s Action for New Directions for a discussion Thurs., April 20. Atlanta WAND’s current focus is environmental monitoring of the Savannah River site and various nuclear nonproliferation issues. 7 p.m. Eagle’s Nest, Manuel’s Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave. 404-524-5999. www.atlantawand.org.

· CARTER CENTER CONVERSATIONS “Global Equity-Global Security” is the topic of this season’s final event. Free. Thurs., April 27, 7 p.m. Carter Center, Ivan Allen Pavilion, 435 Freedom Pkwy. 404-420-5124. www.cartercenter.org.

· “AIR LOAF” ON 1690 AM

· Join CL Editor Ken Edelstein as he interviews the challengers for some of Georgia’s Congressional seats on “Air Loaf,” CL’s call-in talk-radio show. Steve Sinton, Democratic challenger in the 6th District; Allan Burns, Democratic challenger in the 7th; and Patrick Pillion, Democratic challenger in the 3rd, will speak about their campaigns for fall elections. “Air Loaf” is broadcast Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon on 1690 AM Air Atlanta. Listen in and join the discussion by calling 404-633-1690.

· POLITICAL PARTY

· Join CL Editor Ken Edelstein and a panel of local politicos and players at the next Political Party Wed., May 10. The event, which is open to the public and encourages discussion of issues facing metro Atlanta, is held the second Wednesday of every month. May’s Political Party will focus on the hot-button topic of gentrification. 7:30 p.m. Dad’s Garage Theater, 280 Elizabeth St. atlanta.creativeloafing.com/politicalparty.

· Want to publicize a political or civic event? E-mail publicagenda@creativeloafing.com.