There are 365 days in each year and undoubtedly, somewhere in the Phoenix metropolitan area people are learning, giving and participating in events and activities that raise the general consciousness of the community.

Thanks to one and all.

Over the next few weeks, the Consciousness Calendar reveals dedication to human rights including freedom and sustenance. But also there is a commitment to basic community tasks such as environmental cleanups and providing holiday cheer for those less fortunate.

Read more and thanks again, everybody!

This Week
Thursday, Nov. 28
Free Leonard Peltier Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk/Scramble will be held starting at 8 a.m. at the Paradise Valley Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive. Food will be served at the finish.

Friday, Nov. 29
Lake Pleasant is a jewel of the Phoenix metropolitan area and Keep Nature Wild is sponsoring its Third Annual Impact Friday Cleanup. There will be free Keep Nature Wild T-shirts for the first 500 volunteers. Lake Pleasant Recreation Area, Lake Pleasant Access Rd., from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 30
A ‘C’ Devil’s Chasm Dayhike will take place in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. The Sierra Club is sponsoring this 5-mile hike. A group leader will talk about the wilderness and its fire history during breaks and over lunch. For a fuller description and other details, go here. 

Monday, Dec. 2
When Rumain Brisbon died on Dec. 2, 2014, a hole was left in the community that was at least partially filled after 18 social justice organizations joined together through the People Demanding Justice Community Coalition. The PDJCC called for equity through “Ten Solutions to Build Trust in Our City,” a collaboration with the Phoenix Police Department, and through the proclamation for “A Day of Racial Healing” and 15 other citizen petitions to the mayor and city council. A fifth annual remembrance of Brisbon’s death will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the empty lot at 25th Ave. and Greenway Rd., Phoenix, where he died.

The winners of the Katherine Schneider Journalism Awards for Excellence in Reporting on Disability will discuss their award-winning work at 7 p.m. First Amendment Forum, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 555 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.

Tuesday, Dec. 3
The Arizona Justice Project presents “Giving Tuesday: Holiday Cards for the Wrongfully Imprisoned” from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Beus Center for Law & Society, 111 E. Taylor St., room 550, Phoenix. The event is an attempt to spread hope and cheer to those who are wrongfully imprisoned and missing the holidays with their families this year.

Pay It FORWARD to United Food Bank on #GivingTuesday, as United Food Bank, 358 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, is providing several ways to help their cause. Visit http://bit.ly/34vgeac on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and make a special contribution to https://unitedfoodbank.org/. Donations will be matched $1 for every $2 raised — up to $20,000. Two shifts will also organize donations of food, assemble emergency food boxes, and pack backpacks with food for children who do not have something to eat on weekends. Shifts are 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Donations of canned fruits and veggies, canned or dry beans, canned tuna or chicken, whole wheat pasta, healthy cereal and peanut butter are encouraged.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Shut Down ALEC
Empire of Borders - Todd Miller
Whole Foods Market 5% Community Giving Day Supporting ASU Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems

Thursday, Dec. 5
Wine Tasting Party for the ERA
Operation Santa Claus Jam-Hosted by Roger Clyne

Friday, Dec. 6
AZ Youth Climate Strike
St. Joseph the Worker’s Grand Opening of Stand-Alone Office

Saturday, Dec. 7
Ball To All FUNRaiser 
Mazatzal Wilderness Trail Maintenance
Give Burrowing Owls a new home!
Artist Talk: Indigenous Peoples

Wednesday, Dec. 11
Arizona Riparian Council Discussion Series