July 20 and 21 in Progressive Nashville

Today would have been my dad’s 72nd birthday! Miss him every day, but today I’m celebrating that he was here and that he (along with the rest of my activist fam, especially Grandpa and Father Ed) pushed me down the progressive road. Thanks, Dad, love you, love you, love you! In his honor, here are today and Tuesday’s progressive happenings in and around town. As always, double check with organizers to ensure the event is on before heading out.

Monday, July 20

• Your help is needed today to help prepare for the 2015 Nashville Fair Food event at the Tomato Art Fest. First things first: NFF works to bring attention to the plight of the Immokalee farm workers’ Campaign for Fair Food, which educates on the issue of farm labor exploitation and forges alliances between farm workers and consumers in an effort to enlist the market power of major corporate buyers to help end that exploitation.  On Aug. 8, NFF will host a party and parade at Tomato Art Fest to bring attention to their cause and to raise awareness. And today, the group is holding a volunteer party to get ready for the event and  recruit volunteers. Go, and bring your do-gooding friends! Tonight’s volunteer party starts at 6:30 pm at 619 N. 5th Ave., Nashville, 32707. For more info, check the Facebook events page.

Tuesday, July 21

• Learn what it’s like to be really, really poor. Buena Vista Elementary School will host a Poverty Simulation workshop, a three-hour training that teaches how being poor affects individuals and families. You must attend the entire three hours, and spaces are limited, so you must RSVP to ensure a spot is available and only if you are sure you can attend. Buena Vista School can be found at 1531 9th Ave. The simulation starts Tuesday at 9 am. Admission is free.
• We can create economically and socially viable communities based on restorative justice.  That’s the belief of Gideon’s Army, a Nashville community action group with a mission to act collectively, boldly, and strategically as a unified force for all children. It works to eliminate the root causes of the prison pipeline, to save kids from death and incarceration, and to guide youth toward a secure path to success. The group will hold an organizing and action meeting Tuesday, July 21, from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm at Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, 1035 14th Ave N. Do you believe? If so, you won’t want to miss it. Details at its Facebook events page.