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Friday, Sept. 20th the UN will ring bells of peace at 9AM to kick off the International Day of Peace Student Observance. The Church of St. Peter will ring bells of peace simultaneously. Bells of peace will also be rung on Saturday, Sept 21st to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace. They may be heard hourly except for 12pm when a moment of silence for peace will be held around the world.    Visit https://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/ to learn more about what youth and adults are doing this year to promote peace through climate action.

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Friday, Sept. 20, 7:00 PM- “1954” Guatemala and Migration Today, Davis Auditorium, Skidmore College. “1954” is a humorous examination of the question: “Are we living in a post-truth era?”  Ben Tumin explores coverage of the 1954 U.S.-led coup in Guatemala and its impact on migration today, most notably the current refugee, migrant crisis on the U.S. southern border.   Terry Diggory of the Saratoga Immigration Coalition will moderate a post-performance conversation and audience Q&A. Co-sponsored by Skidmore MDOCS program and Saratoga Immigration Coalition.  POSTER

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Saturday, Sept 21st, 10am-11am, Morning Mindful Yoga, at the Peace Pole on High Rock Ave. (Near Farmers Market) Join Jael Polnac for an outside class, weather permitting. Jael has practiced yoga for over 20 years. In addition to her RYT 200-hour certification, she is certified in Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga (Levels I and II). She has also studied Ayurveda, Yoga Philosophy, and Mindfulness Meditation. Jael teaches Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation, and Gentle Yoga at two local studios—Yoga Mandali in Saratoga Springs and Saha Yoga in Ballston Spa.

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Saturday, Sept. 21, 7:00 PM- “Monsters to Destroy” and Syrian Refugees, Davis Auditorium, Skidmore College. “Monsters to Destroy” is a humorous “talkumentary” based on the live multimedia talk that comedian Ben Tumin toured around the U.S. in 2018.  The film weaves the testimony of five Syrian refugees living in Berlin together with Ben's personal investigation into his family’s German-Jewish history, highlighting the tension between the American ideal of freedom and the fact that, historically, Americans have been resistant to resettling refugees.  This program will include a screening of a brief documentary by Skidmore student Hadia Bakkar exploring the lives of Syrian immigrants (some of them refugees) in the Capital Region.   Haddia herself is from Damascus.  Co-sponsored by Skidmore MDOCS program and Saratoga Immigration Coalition. POSTER

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Sunday, Sept 22, noon-4pm. SARATOGA PEACE FAIR, Presbyterian New England Congregational Church - FREE live music, FREE food, FREE family fun!!  The fair is the cornerstone of Saratoga Peace Week. It offers everything from exhibits on how environmental action builds peace to non-profits promoting social justice to fair-trade items for sale. New this year is participation from the Citizens Advisory Board promoting a safe and peaceful community. Meet Apollo the police horse, and Ricky from the canine patrol. Checkout the firetruck and police car. There will be a bouncy house and photo booth! Also new this year is a collaboration with the Native American Festival. We will have a Native American led closing ceremony at 3:30 pm followed by a Peace Walk to Congress Park to the Native American Festival. We will also be dedicating a new Peace Pole! Remember, lunch is on us from 1-2pm. (Donations accepted.) Also, if you can please bring a non-perishable food item for the Veterans’ Homes. 

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Monday, Sept. 23, 7:00 PM  “Human Migration and Climate Change”,  Davis Auditorium, Skidmore College. Climate Reality Project leaders and a panel of experts from regional colleges explore the intersection of two of the major challenges to world peace in the 21st century.  Co-sponsored by Skidmore College Environmental Studies and Sciences, Saratoga Immigration Coalition, Saratoga Unites, Sustainable Saratoga and the Environmental Action Team at the Presbyterian—New England Congregational Church and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs.

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Tuesday, Sept 24, 12:30-2pm, Peace Week Senior Luncheon, Saratoga Senior Center. Enjoy a free meal (Courtesy of Druthers) and armchair travel to Uganda. View a few pictures of this small African country, its landscape, wildlife and residents. Hear about a US program that helps Ugandan widows and children fulfill their potential through education, training and healthcare. AOET (AIDS Orphans' Education Trust) is a Ugandan grassroots effort that gained the attention of Saratoga Residents. Hundreds of local volunteers have visited Uganda over the past 15 years bringing much needed supplies, medication and hope with them. Also available for sale will be jewelry and crafts from Uganda. Seating is limited so please make your reservations early by calling the Senior Center at (518) 584-1621.

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Tuesday, Sept 24, 7pm-8:30pm, Better Angels: Reuniting America, Saratoga Springs High School. This documentary shows 8 Democratic-leaning voters and 7 Republican-leaning voters moving through a Better Angels signature Red/Blue workshop, from initial skepticism to more profound understanding and empathy. You’ll get an inside look at how a Democratic voter went from threatening to cut off relationships with Trump voters to becoming dear friends with one—and how a Republican voter moved from disdaining progressives to taking co-leadership with one in a movement that now spans the country. Come learn how to respect each other's views as we work toward re-uniting this UNITED States of America. It was directed by four-time Emmy award-winner Jim Brown, and produced by musician Peter Yarrow. Led by progressive leaning, Kathy Johnson and conservative leaning, Michele Fernandez.  Seating is limited and reservations are not required but suggested. Contact Kathy Johnson at 518-885-2007 for more information.

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Thursday, Sept 26, 7pm-9pm, Forum: Ending Homelessness in Saratoga, Zankel Auditorium, Skidmore College. Erin Healy, a Saratoga native and national expert on collaborative problem-solving and homeless systems, will hold a Public Forum on the mindset, practice, and investment shifts needed in order to end homelessness in Saratoga. Thirteen communities have reached functional zero on veteran or chronic homelessness. Working together as a team, across multiple sectors, we know Saratoga can join this impressive cohort. The Forum will include a presentation and plenty of time for Q & A. Whether you are a true believer, skeptic, or cautious optimist, please join the conversation — all are welcome! Sponsored by Shelters of Saratoga and PNECC.

Please note seating is limited. Register for free ticket

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This year’s Community Youth Project is “People for Peace”. Children are invited to create a paper doll that represents them to be displayed at the annual Saratoga Peace Fair!  Children are welcome to write on the back of their person, one way in which they can help create peace in their family, their classroom, the community, etc. The UN’s theme this year is “Environmental Action for Peace”, so another option is to write one way that they can help save the environment. Paper dolls will be available to decorate in the Children’s Room in the Saratoga Springs Public Library from Sept 14-Sept 21.

If your organization would like a packet of paper dolls please contact Kristin at kristin.oakes27@gmail.com