The Flying Squirrel Community Space is the multi-use community center being renovated at 285 Clarissa St., formerly the location of the historic Flower City Elks Lodge. Most of these renovations are being completed by volunteers, supported by donations from Rochester activists and community organizers. We expect a formal opening in late October.

Together, we want to provide a welcoming space that will cultivate and sustain long lasting relationships between artists, activists, and community members in Rochester so that we may work together to create positive social change. We are excited about the location because of its historic significance as a community center, its potential as a multi-use building, its central location as a gathering space for Rochester area groups, and the rich cultural history of the Clarissa St. neighborhood.

The Flying Squirrel will operate as a grassroots meeting space that will host: gallery space exhibiting regional art; community workshops and community classrooms; 'open-mic' and local poetry readings; practice spaces for musicians; live entertainment in the form of local musical performance, locally produced dance, and film screenings of locally produced work; community craft production and craft exhibits; small academic conference space and public lecture space; and a community kitchen — all this provided reliably and consistently at no cost or for a small donation.

Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm and on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 6pm.

Email us! FlyingSquirrel (at) rocus.org
Join the mailing list at: lists.riseup.net/www/info/Rochester-Community-Space
Look us up on FaceBook: FlyingSquirrel CommunitySpace

Audio: Voices From the Flying Squirrel Community Space

Activists Against Racism Movement (AARM) is hosting our first annual Mingling with the Media picnic this Saturday 12pm-4pm at Brown Square Park.

The main goal is to bring the community together with media representatives in a casual, fun setting. We hope that this will give people an opportunity to build relationships with reporters, editors and administrators in the media and to give feedback on the way stories get covered in Rochester.

The secondary goal is to have fun, eat food and celebrate summer. There will be music provided, hula-hoops, volleyball and lots more. We hope to see you there!

This Saturday is going to be a busy day. However, the Flying Squirrel Benefit goes until 2am in the morning, so making both events is easy.

What: Clarissa's hosts a benefit for the Flying Squirrel Community Space!
When: Saturday, August 22nd, 1pm to 2am
Where: Clarissa's at 293 Clarissa St.
How much: $5 suggested donation, 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
Contact: Dawn at 585-415-7808 or FlyingSquirrel@Rocus.org

Come out for music, open mic, and food!

Clarissa's, at 293 Clarissa St.—formerly the Clarissa Room, have been incredible neighbors and have opened up their jazz/blues club for a benefit for the Flying Squirrel.

**Come hear the sweet sounds of Amanda Fromm, Cinnamon, Mitch Jones, a Jazz Ensemble, Amy Coppola, Ian Downey Is Famous, Ryan Clover, Deb Magone, Ben Lawler, Attic Abasement, Gordy Peterson, and more!**

Because of the current financial crisis many observers see no point in discussing an expansion of health care coverage this year – either federal or state. Indeed, it is true that the current crisis is adding greatly to our public debt. And it is true that total health costs in the US are already twice as high per person per year as those of any other nation and rising faster. If we were to start paying to insure our 50 million uninsured – plus an estimated 40 million Americans who are under insured – costs would escalate hugely. This would be true with any of the recent proposals for insuring the population – except one.

Believe it or not, there is one proposal, which could cover all Americans for all needed services and save money. And it is now – with funds getting shorter every day – that we must explore that proposal. In truth, we cannot afford not to. Careful studies have shown that national savings would amount to $350 billion per year.

At the national level, this proposal is called Medicare for All, and it is embodied in Congress as Bill HR676. In New York State it is called Single Payer New York and it is one of the options now being studied by the Governor in Albany.

Additional Information: Indy TV #28: Dr. Ted Brown on the Struggle for Universal Health Care in the US | Panelists Discuss Health Care | Rochester Rallies for Single Payer Health Care | "Medicare for ALL!" Single Payer Health Care Speak-Out Reportback

Buffalo, NY— Local residents took to the streets on Wednesday calling Sheriff Timothy Howard and County Executive Chris Collins to account for abuses endured by Erie County prisoners. Outraged upon reading a US Justice Department report detailing improper treatment received by inmates at the Erie County Holding Center, they called for both elected officials to cooperate with full inspections of all of their facilities by the US Justice Department, and to promptly address grievances of those reported to have suffered abuse.

“It could be my friend or neighbor in the holding cell for a minor infraction,” says Buffalo resident Shira Atkinson. “I would just hate it if they were taken on a secret ‘elevator ride’ and beaten as mentioned in the report.”