Spring starts on March 20, and the season is appropriate for earth awareness and also for seeing some big names sprout in the Phoenix metro. 

Those wanting a more eco-friendly perspective have a few opportunities, starting with Local to Global: 2020 Forum and Festival is an annual event that seeks to connect local diversity, sustainability, social justice and human rights issues to larger global struggles. It starts Feb. 28. This free event on the ASU campus will feature workshops, free speakers and entertainment.

Culture, Carbon, and Climate Change: A Social Class Analysis will be held at noon March 3 at Wrigley Hall, Room 481, on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe. Jean Léon Boucher, an ASU environmental sociologist, will present his study of the relationship among household income, personal carbon footprints, and climate-change belief.

Or, catch Janet Napolitano at a fundraiser/tribute (ticket prices are $175). And Diane Rehm is also coming — as is Jill Wine-Banks. Big names all. Check below for exact dates and details.
 
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Reconciliation in the Balkans will begin at noon in Cronkite 444, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, located at 555 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. Humphrey Fellows Nera Valentic, a broadcast journalist in Croatia, and Radovan Bogojevic, a journalist in Montenegro, look at how 30 years after the civil war in former Yugoslavia, a region “can leave the past behind and look to the future.”

Social Design and Sustainability will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 26) in Wrigley Hall, Room 481 on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe.  Cheryl Heller, an ASU innovation design professor, will provide an overview of social design, how it works and how it can support solutions to complex challenges.

Thursday, Feb. 27
Rally for HR8 will take place starting at 5 p.m. at the state Capitol. HR8, the Universal Background Checks Act, passed the U.S. House one year ago and hasn’t been moved in the Senate. March For Our Lives Arizona is the sponsor. 

Friday, Feb. 28
Freedom From Violence Walk & Block Party 2020 is happening today, starting at Hermosa Park, on 20th St. in Phoenix.  This year, the goal is to take one million steps toward ending violence in the South Mountain Community. After the walk there will be free live music, entertainment and vendors. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There is a tax-deductible, registration fee of $25. 

It’s time to samba: A Celebration of Brazilian Music is happening at 8 p.m. at the Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Ave. in Phoenix. This celebration of the Brazilian carnaval will feature numerous performers. Admission is $15.

Feb. 28 to March 1
Local to Global: 2020 Forum and Festival is an annual event that seeks to connect local diversity, sustainability, social justice and human rights issues to larger global struggles. It starts Feb. 28. This free event on the ASU campus will feature workshops, free speakers and entertainment.

Saturday, Feb. 29
PFLAG Two Spirit Pow Wow will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at South Mountain Community College (Performing Arts Center Amphitheater), 7050 S. 24th St. in Phoenix. Along with the dancing, there will be a contest, vendors and more. This free event is open to the public. 

The Carpenters Union 1912 is holding a Solidarity Rally at 9 a.m. at 4547 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix. The union is teaming up with other workers’ groups. 

Sunday, March 1
Displaced: Art and Yard Sale for the Homeless will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at 839 S. Farmer Ave. in Tempe. There will be performances by poets and hip-hop artists. 

She’s a noted author and renowned radio host. Diane Rehm: When My Time Comes is happening at 2 p.m. at The Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St. in Phoenix. Rehm’s book focuses on terminally ill patients and with physicians, ethicists, spouses, relatives, and representatives of those who vigorously oppose the movement, giving voice “to a broad range of people who are personally linked to the realities of medical aid in dying.” The $33.18 ticket package includes her book.  

Monday, March 2
Drugs, Devices and Deception: Reporting on America's Health System will begin at 7 p.m. at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 555 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. Christina Jewett, senior correspondent for Kaiser Health News, will discuss her award-winning work that the FDA was striking deals with medical device makers to keep millions of malfunctions and injury reports out of a public database.

Tuesday, March 3
You may have seen her on MSNBC: Jill Wine-Banks: The Watergate Girl focuses on her time as Watergate prosecutor. She’ll speak at 7 p.m. at Changing Hands Bookstore, 300 W. Camelback Road in Phoenix.  Her book is ``at once a cautionary tale and an inspiration for those who believe in the power of justice and the rule of law, The Watergate Girl is a revelation about our country, our politics, and who we are as a society.”

Science, Secularization, and American Democracy is happening at noon at West Hall, Room 135, on the ASU Tempe campus. Noah Efron (of Bar-Ilan University in Israel) draws upon the example of early 20th century American Jews to explore how a “scientific” America invites religious inclusion and bolsters American democracy.

Culture, Carbon, and Climate Change: A Social Class Analysis will be held at noon at Wrigley Hall, Room 481, on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe. Jean Léon Boucher, an ASU environmental sociologist, will present his study of the relationship among household income, personal carbon footprints, and climate-change belief. 

March 3 & 4
Disability Days will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the state Capitol in Phoenix. This two-day event focuses on  increased accessibility, more focused training and easier transitions. Click for more information. 

Wednesday, March 4
A Cultural Safety Workshop is set for 1 p.m. at the South Mountain Community Center. In partnership with Phoenix-based advocacy and social justice organizations, InSite has co-developed a series of cultural safety workshops to address safety on light rail and strategies for anti-gentrification during neighborhood revitalization development. 

Friday, March 6
Janet Napolitano — Experience Matters Luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive. The former Secretary of Homeland Security and Arizona will be the Experience Matters Change Maker Award recipient and keynote speaker. Tickets start at $175.

Saturday, March 7
Third Annual Miss Gay Melrose will be held starting at 6 p.m. at at Rock Phoenix, 4129 N. 7th Ave.  Tickets start at $15. 

Arizona List 2020 Annual Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. at Antigua Garden, 2645 N. 16th St. in Phoenix. Tickets start at $75. 

Hike For the Homeless 2020 begins at 8 a.m. at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hill. It’s hosted by St. Joseph the Worker. Contact Brittany Bell with any questions at (602) 223-3467 or at bbell@sjwjobs.org. 

A Trump Town Hall will be held at 8:30 a.m. at 13001 N. La Montana Drive in Fountain Hills. Contact political.media@azgop.org for more information. 

UPCOMING
Monday, March 9
AFL-CIO Day of Action

Wednesday, March 11
2020 Arizona Women in Leadership Symposium

Monday, March 16
The Undefeated: A Conversation with William C. Rhoden

Tuesday, March 17
David Plouffe: A Citizen’s Guide to Beating Donald Trump

Thursday, March 19
"Toxic" Parenting Behaviors

Friday, March 20
Arizona Women in Leadership Symposium

March 21
Oak Street Mural Festival

Monday, March 23
Crisis Communications in the Digital Age

Thursday, March 26
"What is True(?)," featuring Serene Jones

April 2
Melissa Rogers and E.J. Dionne