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Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

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Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

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  • Saturday, February 09, 2008

    PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

    Feb. 12 is the day we celebrate both Lincoln's and Darwin's birthday. These two great men were born on the same day: Feb. 12th, 1809.

    Here is a Darwin Day event in Philadelphia: (note, event is not on the 12th)

    Darwin Day and Evolution Teach In
    Event Website: http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/events/calitem.php?which=1457

    UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA MUSEUM OFFERS
    SECOND ANNUAL FREE DARWIN DAY AND EVOLUTION TEACH IN
    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.
    • • • •

    PHILADELPHIA, PA—Sunday, February 10, 2008, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology offers it’s second annual Darwin Day and Evolution Teach In, a free event held in honor of the 199th birthday of Charles Robert Darwin, the world-renowned author of On the Origin of Species—and the originator of the modern theory of evolution.

    The free day features short “teach in” talks in galleries by renowned experts, a “sneak” video preview of Penn Museum’s upcoming exhibition, “Surviving, The Body of Evidence,” and a physical anthropologist’s corner with plaster casts of hominid skulls and other bones. WHYY TV co-sponsors two showings of a recent NOVA documentary, and the Academy of Natural Sciences joins in with show and tell of memorabilia related to Darwin’s membership at that esteemed institution. An ongoing children’s workshop, a scavenger hunt, free birthday cake and the opportunity to play some badminton, reputedly a favorite game of Darwin’s, are also part of the afternoon. Darwin himself (or a reasonable likeness) promises to make an appearance to enjoy the festivities, delivering short, impromptu readings of excerpts from his many writings.

    “Darwin’s theory of evolution has dramatically changed the way people study and think about our world,” said Dr Richard Hodges, the Williams Director of Penn Museum. “Penn Museum is delighted, once again, to offer up this free, fun and educational event, joining in spirit with an international chorus of classroom teachers, museums, universities and other organizations celebrating the life and achievements of Charles Darwin, whose official birthday is February 12.”

    University of Pennsylvania faculty and alumni from several disciplines are participating in the teach-in, offering attendees a variety of perspectives on the study of evolution and human origins. Dr. Michael Weisberg, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Chair of Penn Museum’s Evolution Project, provides introductions to the speakers. The following experts offer short lectures:

    • Dr. Louise Krasniewicz, Senior Research Scientist, American Section, Penn Museum:
    “Whose Creation Is This? Origin Myths from Around the World” (1:15 p.m.)

    • Penn Professor to be announced:
    Topic: Darwin's Story (2:00 p.m.)

    • Penn Professor to be announced:
    Topic: Evolution and the Environment (2:45 p.m.)

    • Eric Rothschild and Steve Harvey, Partners, Pepper Hamilton LLP. Mr. Rothschild is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School:
    “Evolution in the Courts: The Story in 2008” (3:30 p.m.)

    Darwin Day visitors are invited to a “sneak preview” of Penn Museum’s upcoming exhibition, Surviving, the Body of Evidence, opening April 19, 2008. Developed with a major grant from the National Science Foundation, Surviving will take the visitor on a journey of discovery to find out how the process of evolution and its outcomes have had a profound impact on human life today. Dr. Janet Monge, Keeper of the Museum’s Physical Anthropology section and co-curator of the new exhibition, offers a presentation of some of the special video and interactive features employed to draw the visitor into the experience.

    The Museum is home to the world’s largest repository of high-quality casts of hominid fossils, which provide an important teaching tool for educators at Penn and around the world. The event features a special Physical Anthropology corner with hands-on examples of important fossil casts of hominids from three million years ago to 100,000 years ago. Visitors can handle the casts and learn about some of the ways that physical anthropologists study the evidence for evolutionary change over time.

    WHYY TV sponsors two showings of the recent NOVA documentary, Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial in the Museum’s Rainey Auditorium at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. Judgment Day details the events leading up to and concluding with the landmark case of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. Eric Rothschild, a partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, was co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the case, which was decided in the plaintiff’s favor in December 2005, and an actor portrays him in some courtroom reconstructions. The case has been referred to as a modern-day “Monkey Trial,” alluding to the famous State v. John Scopes trial of 1925, when a jury was asked to decide the fate of a high school biology teacher charged with illegally teaching the theory of evolution.

    The publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species or The Descent of Man revolutionized scientific thinking on evolution. Visitors have an opportunity to hear excerpts of these books and other Darwin writings, as read by Charles Darwin (or a reasonable likeness) himself. On the Origin of Species, and other books by and about Darwin and evolution will be on sale—(and 10% off)—in the Museum Shop for the day. Visitors who join the Museum at Darwin Day will receive a FREE copy of On the Origin of Species.

    Children and families can discover more about evolution with a hands-on, large-scale "Tree of Life" mural project. To provide a wider perspective on the many ways that we humans have understood our beginnings, visitors of all ages can follow a specially designed “Origins” scavenger hunt through several galleries featuring cultural materials from around the world.

    A supreme Naturalist, Darwin was especially intrigued by the unique life forms that developed in relative isolation on the Galapagos islands. Local artist Emmy Krick, visiting Galapagos with books about Darwin’s journey tucked in her pocket, became enamoured of the “little monsters” of the islands, the Galapagos Marine Iguanas, and she shares originals monoprints, and information, at the event. The Academy of Natural Sciences adds to a general appreciation of the life and work of its most famous member, with books, letters and other items that were part of Darwin’s daily routine.

    To make the celebration complete, there will be a birthday cake for Darwin, with free pieces for everyone—including Charles Darwin himself—while they last. Darwin enjoyed taking a break from his work on occasion, and badminton was a game of choice. Visitors can take a lecture-break at the badminton set up in the Children’s Lunchroom.

    The Museum Café serves up a (non-alcoholic) “Darwin Punch” and offers a Galapagos 2008 lunch menu for the afternoon.

    Penn Museum’s Darwin Day and Evolution Teach In is coordinated by Dr. Michael Weisberg, chair of the Museum’s Evolution Project.

    A growing list of other Darwin Day events held at other museums and educational institutions nationally is available online at http://www.darwinday.org

    The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity. Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. With an active exhibition schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind’s collective heritage.

    Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street (across from Franklin Field), Philadelphia, PA 19104. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, holidays, and summer Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission donation is $8 for adults; $5 for senior citizens and students with ID; free to members, PENNcard holders, and children 6 and under; free Sunday afternoons through May 21, 2006. The Museum can be found on the web at www.museum.upenn.edu. For general information call 215/898-4000.

    # # #

    Address:
    3260 South Street,
    Philadelphia, PA UNITED STATES
    Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
    Contact: Lauren Hansen-Flaschen, laurenha@sas.upen.edu, 215-898-4045


    Here are some important progressive events in Pennsylvania:

    Critical Mass
    Monthly at 5:30 PM on the fourth Friday
    Where: Dinosaur, Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
    Description: Critical Mass is a celebration of bicycling as a pollution-free mode of transportation. Critical Mass is not an organization nor it is affiliated with any organization, it's an unorganized coincidence. It's a movement ... of bicycles, in the streets.

    Pittsburgh Green Drinks
    3rd Friday of every month
    Check the website for locations & guest speakers:
    http://www.biothinking.com/greendrinks/index.php?country=USA&city=Pittsburgh

    Steel-City Stonewall Democrats Happy Hour
    Monthly at 17:15 on the fourth Tuesday
    Where: Images 965 Liberty Avenue downtown

    Peace Vigil Every Saturday, 10:30 AM
    Intersection of Lincoln Hgwy & Oxford Valley Roads
    Business Route 1 & Oxford Valley Road at the Closed Transmission Station
    Langhorne, PA
    Organized by Lower Bucks for Democracy

    Next, here are some Drinking Liberally chapters in Pennsylvania:

    Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
    * Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
    * The Orchards Restaurant, 1580 Orchard Dr
    * Ask for the Drinking Liberally group and you'll find us.
    * Hosted by Alice Elia, chambersburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
    * Second Thursday of each month (next meeting December 13), 6:00 pm onward
    * O'Rorke's Eatery & Spirits, 44 Steinwehr Avenue (second floor)
    * New Location
    * additional parking in National Park Service Visitor Center lot behind restaurant
    * Hosted by Eileen H. Potemra, gettysburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Lancaster, Pennsylvania
    * Every Tuesday, 7:30 pm onward
    * Lancaster Brewing Company, 302 N Plum St (corner of Walnut and Plum)
    * Hosted by Jeff Fulmer, Monz Wenner and Cher Rineer, lancaster (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Center City
    * Every Tuesday, 6:00-9:00 pm
    * Tangier, 1801 Lombard St (at 18th St)
    * Hosted by Brendan Skwire, philadelphia (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Mount Airy
    * Every Thursday, 6:30-9:00 pm
    * Mermaid Inn, 7673 Germantown Ave
    * Hosted by Adam Zion, mtairy (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Reading, Pennsylvania
    * Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 6pm onward
    * Canal Street Restaurant & Pub, 535 Canal St (a few blocks past RACC along the riverfront)
    * NEW LOCATION!!! Great local beer from Legacy Brewing Co. & a large selection of wines by the glass.
    * NO Thanksgiving meeting, obviously. Enjoy your holiday and all those awkward political conversations with ornery family members!
    * Hosted by Kim Stahler and Dan Sauder, reading (at) drinkingliberally.org

    State College, Pennsylvania
    * First and third Tuesday of each month, 5:30 pm onward
    * Hi-Way Pizza, 428 Westerly Pky
    * Hosted by Nancy Crane, statecollege (at) drinkingliberally.org

    West Chester, Pennsylvania
    * First Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
    * Ryan's Pub, 124 W Gay St (On Gay St. between Church & Darlington)
    * We are still on the once a month format and we have changed the venue to Ryan's. We'll be meeting up on the 2nd floor near the bar.
    * Remember, no need to feed the meters in town after 5pm- save that cash for drinks!
    * Hosted by Jonathan Long, Daniel Tyman and Jamie Manos, westchester (at) drinkingliberally.org

    York, Pennsylvania
    * Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
    * The First Capital Dispensing Company, 57 N Pershing Ave (We usually secure a large table or two in the back room.)
    * Hosted by Phyllis Wise, Roland Rode and Craig Thomas, york (at) drinkingliberally.org

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