What does nonviolence have to do with feminism? How does nonviolent self-defense work? Violence in our society is not only condoned, but actively taught, and is forced upon us daily. Alternatives to Violence is a 15-hour minicourse develped to expose people to some new ideas and skills and to provide a forum for individuals to discuss the acceptance or rejection of violence in their own lives. The "nonviolence" taught in the course is active and assertive, not passive as women have been taught for generations. "Violence" is defined broadly. We look at sources more than symptoms: institutional violence (racism, sexism or some school. discipline policies) as well as overt violence (war or rape). Participants who are not convinced of the efficacy of nonviolence are encouraged to attend. too..

Cleveland Woman Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) and GEAR are co-sponsoring a women-only Alternatives to Violence course beginning February B. We'll meet Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 at the GEAR Center, 2641 West 14th Street. Both group leaders are beginners in American Sign Language, so deaf or hearing impaired women are welcome if they can deal with our inadequacies.

Suggested donation for the course is $20 (more if you can, less if you can't) to cover the cost of audio-visuals and written materials distributed. but no one will be excluded on the basis of cost. Registration will be limited to 20. For information, please call GEAR at 621-3380, or Peace House (Kathy) at 231-4245. To register by February 5, write to ''Alternatives to Violence." 10916 Magnolia Drive. Cleveland, OH 44106. Please bring money the first day: do not send it in the mail.

Phyllis Schlafly is coming to town Friday. February 12, at the City Club, Ladies Against Women will be hostessing Mrs. Schlafly at 11:30 in front of the City Club. Planning meeting February 3 at 8:00 p.m For more details, call 321-6143 or 621-8224. Ladies Against Women is also endorsed by Another Mother for World Domination, Women Speak Out for War and Injustice, Christian Women Against Promiscuity, Future Fetuses of America, and others. For the ladies. white gloves and hats required.

Response to Repression Throughout the World. a program by Amnesty International, will be presented at the Women Speak Out for Peace & Justice meeting Friday. February 19, at 8:00 p.m. at the Heights Main Library, 2345 Lee Road. Speakers include Ms. Elisabeth Dreyfuss, group leader of local Amnesty International, and Allen Binstock. labor lawyer and member of Amnesty International since 1974. Free admission and refreshments.

Making Our Lives A Study: A Conference on Feminist Criticism and Creativity will be held in Athens. Ohio on March 4-6. Featured speakers will be Marge Piercy. Toni Cade Bambara and Carolyn Heilbrun. The conference. sponsored by Ohio University and the forth Central Women's Studies Association and organized by the Ohio University Women's Studies Program, will include readings, lectures, panels on such topics as feminist literary theory. minority women writers, and Appalachian women, as well as a symposium on the future of feminist studies and feminist art with Piercy. Bambara and Heilbrun. Up to two hours of Ohio University English/Women's Studies credit. either graduate or undergaduate, may be received in connection with the conference. A limited number of free rooms will be available for low income women. Childcare will be available. For further information, contact Marilyn Atlas. Women's Studies Director. (614) 594-6922.

The fourth University of Kentucky Women Writers Conference will be held in Lexington, Kentucky April 1-3. Among the writers and artists participating are Margaret Atwood. Olga Broumas, Annette Kolodny. Barbara Smith and Alice Walker. For more information, write c/o Women Writers Conference. Department of English. University of Kentucky. Lexington. KY 40506, or call (606) 258-8536 The conference is free..

On April 17-16 a Reproductive Rights Conference for students will take

place at Oberlin College, sponsored by Oberlin Pro-Choice and the Reproductive Rights National Network For more information, call 321-6143.

Opportunities

An B-week Women's Awareness Course has been funded by City CETA to expose women to apprenticeable trades. If you are CETA-eligible (unemployed or underemployed) and interested, call Amy Schuman at Women in Skilled Employment, 696-6967.

Singers and musical performers are now being sought by The Tenth Muse Collective to perform at the Kent coffeehouse. Interested women should call 1-678-6665 or 1-673-8074 for more information.

The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland is looking for physicians. nurse-practitioners, physician's assistants, or midwives to volunteer one evening (3 hours) per week to assist us in serving our temale patient population. Professionals are needed to provide physical exams for women wishing to obtain birth control methods. pregnancy testing, or testing and treatment of vaginal infections and sexually transmitted diseases. All patients are served in a confidential, relaxed. caring at mosphere. For details. contact Martha Tyler. RN. Head Nurse: at 721-4010.

The GEAR Foundation will be publishing a Literary Anthology sometime in the near future. All contributions (prose, poetry, music, cartoons, artwork, etc.) should be sent to the GEAR Foundation Literary Anthology. P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101, attention: Lavender Rich. All contributions should carry a name and address for contact by one of the editors and a name to be used for publication credits. All material used shall be released to the GEAR Foundation and shall remain the property of -the GEAR Foundation.

Do you ever have fantasies of acting, singing, dancing on the stage to the cheers of a friendly female population? Can you sew or help contruct props? What about that skit you always wanted to write? Once again. Oven Productions would like to invite women to participate in the Seventh Annual Variety Show. Every year since 1975 local women have performed in a variety show consisting of comedy, skits, music, poetry, dance, and assorted performing arts. No particular skills or talent are required except a desire to perform or volunteer and a willingness to cooperate with a group. We encourage performances that are not too serious in tone and that are appropriate for a feminist audience. Oven Productions supplies the hall and the technical expertise and support, and Cleveland women provide the show, which will be held February 20. 1982 We ask that women who are interested in performing, writing skits, volunteering. etc.. attend a series of open planning meetings to be held at 1651 Glenmont, Cleveland Heights, at 7:30 p.m. on January 3, 10 and 24. Please come and tell us your plans for your knock-out act. Groups who are planning ahead need only send a spokeswoman if they wish.

Materials are being collected to update the Childbearing section of Our Bodies. Ourselves which will be published in a revised edition in 1983 We invite you to tell us about your pregnancies and births The experiences need not be recent Phone (617) 547-2749 or (617) 969-8444 or write Boston Women's Health Book Collective. Inc Box 192 West, Sommerville, MA 02144

Spinsters. Ink will be reading manuscripts from February 1 to April 30 1982 for selection of two books to be published by the lattol 1982 We are interested in poetry and prose fiction or non-fiction, material which could be published either in pamphlet « book form We encourage women of all rates ages and backgrounds to submit then work Please include SASE and send to Spinsters Ink RD 1 Argyle NY 12809

A volunteer training program in counseling, advocacy, and community referral for women is being offered by the WomenSpace Helpline WomenSpace volunteers operate the Helpline weekdays (9:30 a.m lo 5:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). They provide emotional support. make referrals in a variety of areas-including divorce. discrimination. abuse and health care-and do follow-up with clients. Helpline volunteers have the opportunity to learn new skills. work in a supportive environment and provide a critical community service for women in the Cleveland area. For additional information. contact the WomenSpace Helpline at 696-3100.

Several women in the Cleveland area are currently discussing collective living from a feminist perspective. The purpose is to understand the political and personal aspects, identify our individual priorities in living situations, and determine whether we want to live together collectively. If you are a woman who is a feminist and would like to be a part of these discussions, call 229-9943 or 229-5354.

The Volunteer Projects component of Women Together, lac. is conducting an on-going volunteer recruitment campaign to better serve battered women. Women Together needs volunteers in the areas of childcare, crisis-line phone service, support group facilitation, direct service counseling, and public speaking. Requirements are that volunteers be sensitive to the needs of women, particularly battered women. Experience is helpful, but not mandatory. We offer training in each area of service. Interested volunteers may call Fay Grinage at Women Together, 431-6267. Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

HARMONY PRODUCTIONS INVITES YOU TO A VALENTINES DANCE ON

SAT. FEB. 13.1982 AT THE TEMPLE, MAYFIELD AT LEE 9 PM-2 AM. LIVE DANCE MUSIC, 10PM-12M & FREEDOM EXPRESS PLAYS DISCO FROM 12M-2AM TICKETS: $6 IN ADVANCE AT ARABICA/COVENTRY BOOKS $6.50 AT DOOR FOR WOMEN ONLY