CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Charlie Brown, Groups and Events

February 12th is both Lincoln's birthday and Darwin's birthday. In fact these two great men were born on exactly the same day, Feb. 12th, 1809.

Here are some Darwin Day events for California this year (the dates aren't all right on Feb 12th)

Berkeley: Global climate change and its influence on evolution
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-09 8:30
Event Website: www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/about/shortcourses/shortcourse08.php

Activities:
Celebrate Darwin Day by attending the annual UCMP short course. There are growing concerns that we are experiencing global warming at a level that will have major consequences. But both global warming and global cooling have occurred in the past, so how is this different? Meet and chat with experts to learn about past global climate changes and how they have influenced evolution, even our own, and what the implications might be for the future.

Address:
2050 Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California
Berkeley, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: University of California Museum of Paleontology
Contact: Judy Scotchmoor, jscotch@berkeley.edu, 510.642.4877

San Diego: Darwin Birthday Concert at UCSD School of Medicine (I graduated from UCSD!)
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-09 19:00
Event Website: http://www.scientificgospel.com
Activities:
Concert by former Opossums of Truth band, now re-formed as The Galapagos Mountain Boys. Songs about evolution and heroes of science, biology, chemistry and physics to bluegrass/folk/scientific gospel tunes by Dr. Stephen Baird. The election year will also encourage Dr. Baird to sing songs of political satire.

Address:
UCSD School of Medicine - Liebow Auditorium, 2nd floor,
La Jolla, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Scientific Gospel Productions, LLC
Contact: Carol Baird, carol@scientificgospel.com, 858-481-0765

San Diego: "Unleashing Evolutionary Thought"
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-17 14:00:00
Event Website: http://www.HFSD.info

Activities:
To celebrate Darwin 199, the Humanist Fellowship of San Diego hosts George Riddle discussing the book "Unleashing Evoliionary Thought" by his uncle, Oscar Riddle, which shook America in 1952. A round table discussion. Free.

Address:
San Diego Central Library, 820 E St., downtown, The Wangenheim Room, third floor
San Diego, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: The Humanist Fellowship of San Diego
Contact: Susi Reed, Humanists@gmail.com, 619-670-4159

Merced: UC Merced Darwin Day Celebration (A UC school that opened after I moved to NY)
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-15 15:00

Activities:
Distinguished Seminar
Antonio Lazcano
Facultad de Ciencias
Universidad Autonoma Nacional de Mexico
"The Origin of Life on Earth: An Evolutionary Perspective"

Address:
University of California Merced,
Merced, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Vicechancellor of Research & CORE I
Contact: Monica Medina, mmedina@ucmerced.edu,

Redding: Darwin Day
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-10 14:00
Event Website: http://humanistpeacesociety.org

Address:
1100 Parkview Ave,
Redding, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Humanist Peace Society
Contact: Christine Bradford, christinesirhc@sbcglobal.net, 530 246 3539

San Bernardino: Lecture presentation - "Evolution: Progression, Not Progress"
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-10 14:00:00
Event Website: http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/museum/

Activities:
A lecture discussing Darwin's theory of evolution by means of natural selection will be presented by Curator of Paleontology Eric Scott. The talk, which will examine common misperceptions of evolution as "progress", is free with Museum admission.

Address:
San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Eric Scott, Curator of Paleontology
Contact: Eric Scott, Curator of Paleontology, escott@sbcm.sbcounty.gov, 9093072669 x241

Riverside: Darwin Day Celebration
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-06 19:00:00
Event Website: http://atheists.meetup.com/499/

Activities:
Free wide-screen projection presentation of
Charles Darwin Evolution's Voice

Address:
UU Church, downtown Riverside, Mission Inn and Lemon Streets
Riverside, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Inland Empire Atheists
Contact: Janice Goings, IEAtheists@aol.com, 951 353-1219

Sacramento's Darwin Day Educational Gala
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-10 14:30:00
Event Website: http://hagsa.org/darwinday/darwindayflyer2008.pdf

Activities:
Presentation, literature tables, exhibitors, camaraderie, cake (Happy Birthday, Charlie!) and light refreshments. This event is both educational and fun. The guest scientist will be informative, and the guest entertainment is "scientific!" -- Tickets $10 (students $5)

Address:
La Sierra Community Center (John Smith Hall), 5325 Engle Road
Sacramento, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Several community orgs. (educational, civic, & freethought)
Contact: Mynga Futrell, ckprofessional@aol.com, 916-447-3589

San Francisco: Evolutionpalooza! 2008
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-12 18:00:00
Event Website: http://www.sfatheists.com

Activities:
Come join us for the 6th Annual Evolutionpalooza! 2008 Party! Celebrate Darwin Day with your fellow primates and maybe learn something, too! Science, fun, drinks and refreshments, and more. Admission is free!

Address:
San Francisco Main Branch Public Library, 100 Larkin St (at Grove),Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room,
San Francisco, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: San Francisco Atheists
Contact: Dave Fitzgerald & Chuck Cannon, fitz@sfatheists.com, 925/672-7243

San Marcos: Exploring Darwin
Start Date and Time: 2008-10-31 08:00:00
Event Website: http://www.palomar.edu/anthropology

Activities:
Guest speaker. Faculty presentations in classrooms from Behavioral, Social, Earth, and Life Sciences

Address:
Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Road
San Marcos, CA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Behavioral Sciences Dept., Palomar College
Contact: Philip de Barros, pdebarros@palomar.edu, 760-744-1150 x2343

Now back to our regular Groups and Events section:

Mix It Up East Bay
Thursday Feb 14, 2008
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
A monthly happy hour bringing together young activists, organizers and leaders in the East Bay working on the issues you care about. The happy hour is held at Arsimona Bar and Lounge, 561 11th Street in Oakland (above Le Cheval). For questions, please call Emily at 510-435-8248.

Jack & Bobby Kennedy Inaugural Dinner
February 15th, 2008, 6:00pm in Camarillo will be the the inaugural Jack and Bobby Kennedy dinner for Ventura County. MC will be Art Torres, CDP chair, and speakers/guests include Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Controller John Chiang, State Senator Gloria Romero, Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, and talk show host Stephanie Miller. Tickets start at $75 per person; sponsor opportunities available. For more information, visit the Jack and Bobby Kennedy dinner website by clicking HERE.

And for those in the 4th Congressional District of California (Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Nevada and Placer Counties), here are some chances to meet Congressional Candidate Lt. Col. Charlie Brown:

Truckee House Party
Wednesday February 13, 2008 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Grass Valley House Party
Saturday February 16, 2008 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Nevada City House Party
Saturday February 23, 2008 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Auburn House Party
Sunday February 24, 2008 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Rocklin Fundraiser
Sunday March 16, 2008 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

To RSVP, or for more information abuot any of these events, call (916) 782-7696 or e-mail info@charliebrownforcongress.org

Camarillo Democratic Party Annual Pizza Night Fundraiser
6 p.m. March 7 (preceding our GENERAL MEETING at 7 p.m.)

$15 for pizza, salad, dessert & beverages
Join us, hang out with your fellow members & have some fun!

Info and reservations: Joan Rust, 484-6601, joan@rusts.net

MONTHLY DEMONSTRATION: Seniors Against War Seal Beach
Last Saturday of every month from 10 to Noon
Contact: email: to2runners @ verizon.net
Details: Senior Patriots Against the War in Seal Beach

End the war-Bring the troops back home-Take care of them when they do come home.

Senior Patriots Against the War is tightly focused on the above agenda only. We ask that other demonstrators joining us not bring signs regarding other causes which may dilute our message.

Protest at Seal Beach Blvd
At the entrance to Leisure World right next to Boeing plant and not too far from the Naval Weapons Stations, Seal Beach exit off the 405. Parking is at the Seal Beach Market. People need to bring their own signs.

For more info: Tom Pontac at: to2runners@verizon.net
or Jackie Bunnell at jackie.bunnell@verizon.net


WEEKLY PEACE VIGIL IN HUNTINGTON BEACH: Every Sunday, 7 PM

It's hard for most people to imagine a world at peace. We are a very small group of people who believe that this is indeed possible and that peace will happen once enough people believe that it can. So we stand at the pier every Sunday night with a sign that says: "Visualize World Peace. It's up to you". We also believe in non-violence both physically and in our thoughts. We will discuss peace and non-violence with anyone who is rational and smile quietly at those who aren't. We hold this vigil in a spirit of dignity and respect for all as we try to build bridges with those who don't share our philosophy.

Please bring a candle or just help us hold up our banner (no signs please; we have our banner!)

Contact: mtheriault@socal.rr.com


California for Democracy:
Here are some local Democracy for America groups (click on the link for more info)

DFA Marin

Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Democratic Club of Coarsegold

DFA - Central Coast

DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties

DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties

Democracy for Monterey County

DFA-Orange County

East Bay for Democracy

Sacramento for Democracy

San Diego for Democracy

(San Fernando) Valley Grassroots for Democracy

San Francisco for Democracy

San Mateo County Democracy for America

Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition

Sonoma County DFA


Democrats of North Orange County
Bill Daly, President
714-990-6767
Bruce Sandercock, Vice-President
714-871-5244
P. O. Box 6597
Fullerton, CA 92834
Monthly meeting: First Thursday, Sizzler Restaurant,
1401 N. Harbor, Fullerton; 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. meeting

Santa Clara County (San Jose) Democratic Party Meetup
We meet at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Dem Party Office, 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 114, San Jose, 95125. Feel free to bring snacks to share.

Brought to you by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party (http://www.sccdp.org).... Please join us to learn ways to help elect Democrats in Santa Clara County and beyond.

~~Together, America Can Do Better!~~

On Almaden ROAD (not Expwy), between Curtner and Canoas Garden. It's OK to park in the big lot, despite posted warnings.

Internet directions usually suggest taking Almaden Expressway, which is sometimes backed up. A lower stress route is to take Bird Avenue west from 280 and follow it all the way until it dead-ends at Malone. Left on Malone, Right on Almaden Road and 2102 is on the first corner on your left.

We meet in Suite 114, first door on your left as you enter the glass doors marked Main Entrance.


Drinking Liberally:

For those who like a more social, and beer focused, environment, there's Drinking Liberally. Here are the Drinking Liberally groups in California:

San Jose
* Second Thursday of each month, 6:30 and on
* Trials Pub in downtown San Jose, 265 N 1st St (main cross streets: W St James and W Julian)
* September is our first meeting with our new host! I'm looking for a co-host, so let me know if you are interested
* Hosted by Mia White, sanjose (at) drinkingliberally.org

Downtown Los Angeles
* Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm
* The Edison, 108 West 2nd St
* We'll be in the area past the bar, known as the "Generator Lounge" (the entrance to the bar is through the alley off of 2nd street)
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Cecilia Cabello, Becca Doten, Roxi Reeves and Jim Kennedy, downtownla (at) drinkingliberally.org

Hollywood
* Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 PM
* Molly Malone's Irish Pub, 575 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 90036 (near corner of 6th avenue)
* http://www.mollymalonesla.com/
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Jim Kennedy and Mary Jack, la (at) drinkingliberally.org

Pasadena
* Every Tuesday, 7:30-10:00 pm
* Madeleine's Wine Bistro, 1030 E Green St (between Wilson and Catalina)
* We'll start out in the wine bar, then move out to the front patio.
* Hosted by Asa Hopkins, pasadena (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Fernando Valley
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The White Harte Pub, 22456 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills (Two blocks west of Shoup Ave.)
* Hosted by Andy Beaton and Jon Hytowitz, sfv (at) drinkingliberally.org

Westside
* Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
* Cock and Bull Pub, 2947 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Mary Jack, Robert Coyner, Gisele Perez, Jeremy Bloom, Tami Reiss, Marc Saltzberg and Jim Kennedy, westsidela (at) drinkingliberally.org

Monterey, California
* First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward
* Ol' Factory Cafe, 1725 Contra Costa St (In Sand City, off of Del Monte Blvd)
* http://www.olfactorycafe.com/
* Please note that The Ol' Factory Cafe currently only takes cash and local checks.
* Hosted by Annie Ho, monterey (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Ana
* Every Thursday, 8:30 pm onward
* Memphis Bar, 201 N Broadway (Artists Village)
* Hosted by Mike Lawson, orangecounty (at) drinkingliberally.org

Rancho Santa Margarita
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Canyon Fireside Grille, 22312 El Paseo
* Hosted by Gary Kephart, rsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

Huntington Beach
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co. - Out Back On The Patio, 19461 Main St
* Next Meeting will be on Thursday November 15th
* Hosted by Scott McKown and Louise Stewardson, huntingtonbeach (at) drinkingliberally.org

Sacramento, California
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* BJs Restaurant and Brewery, 3531 N Freeway Blvd (Natomas)
* Come check out our new venue and meet some new people!
* Hosted by Leslie Simmons, sacramento (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Diego, California
* Every other Tuesday, 7:30 pm onward
* Nunu's Cocktail Lounge, 3537 5th Ave (Between Brookes and Ivy Ln)
* We will also be meeting periodically at Firehouse in Pacific Beach for special editions of Drinking Liberally. 722 Grand Avenue Pacific Beach, CA 92109
* Hosted by Jesse Rubin and Jason Miller, sandiego (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Francisco
* Every Monday, 7:00-9:00 pm
* Nickie's, 466 Haight Street (between Fillmore & Webster) (Look for our red, white and blue striped bottle!)
* Hosted by Susan Harrison, sf (at) drinkingliberally.org

Oakland
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
* Luka's Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway
* Join us for the Eating Liberally Oakland Brunch at Luka's
* Hosted by Cyril Allen and Philip Combs, oakland (at) drinkingliberally.org

Napa
* First and third Monday of each month, 5:00-6:30 pm
* Compadre's, 505 Lincoln Ave
* Hosted by Mick Winter and Lauren Coodley, napa (at) drinkingliberally.org


San Luis Obispo, California
* First and third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The Graduate, 990 Industrial Way
* Hosted by Lorrie Toles and Sergio Monge, slo (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Barbara, California
* Every Wednesday, 8 pm - 10 pm
* Elsie's Bar, 117 W de la Guerra St (behind Paseo Nuveo Mall)
* Elsie's is 21+ and cash only
* Hosted by Daryl Chrisman and Bart Woolery, santabarbara (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Clarita, California
* Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Mulligans, 25848 Tournament Rd (Near Cal Arts)
* Hosted by Michael Cruz, Bill Bailey and Minerva Williams, santaclarita (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Cruz, California
* First Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Cafe Pergolesi, 418 Cedar St (In the orange room to the right and back)
* Hosted by Brandon Smith and Natalie Rojas, santacruz (at) drinkingliberally.org

Stockton, California
* Third Friday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Stockton Grand Hotel, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd (Front of Bar)
* Grand Hotel tel. 209-957-9090
* Joel's Cell: 209-351-3397
* Hosted by Joel Carignan, stockton (at) drinkingliberally.org

Ventura, California
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm
* JJ Brewsky's, now and forever, 2344 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo (in the heart of Old Town Camarillo)
* Join us every second and fourth Wednesdays at 8:00 PM for a pint and some politics!
* Heather, Marie, Mark and Brian
* Hosted by Heather Schmidt, Marie Davis, Mark Eggertsen and Brian Mack, ventura (at) drinkingliberally.org