FLORIDA FOCUS: Blogs, Obama, Christine Jennings, Joe Garcia, Groups and Events

BLOGGING FLORIDA: FLA Politics covers the Florida Netroots and Florida politics.

The Florida Progressive Coalition coverse progressive politics in Florida.


Here are some Obama events in Florida:

Vote South Florida (Voter Registration Drive)

A sustained voter registration drive to register new voters in south Palm Beach, and North Broward county with a focus on the commnunities in between Federal Hwy and I95.

Time: Monday, June 23 at 8:00 AM
Location:
4699 N Federal Hwy (Pompano Beach, FL)
#204
Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Training for Voter Registration in Daytona 6PM (Voter Registration Drive)

How about some voter registration training? There is a session in Daytona on Monday the 23rd for some training for all you volunteers that wish to get more familiar with the process for upcoming voter registration drives. Here's the details: Monday June 23rd, at the Daytona Beach Community College in the U.C.F. Auditorium located in building 150, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. *Vote Builder workshop will be held at 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This workshop is open to all Democrats interested in volunteering in the 2008 election. Please sign up here New Smyrna Beach and surrounding areas and we'll get some car pooling going from NSB to the DBCC campus if necessary.

Time: Monday, June 23 at 6:00 PM
Location:
UCF Auditorium Bld 150 DBCC Campus (Daytona Beach, FL)
1200 W International Speedway
Daytona Beach, FL 32169


Next I want to continue to present information on some good candidates in Florida. Here is the latest video from Christine Jennings campaign for Congress (13th District):



Volunteer for Christine Jennings here. I met her back in 2006 and was GREATLY impressed. Both Joy and I compared her with Ann Richards of Texas.

And from Joe Garcia's campaign for Congress (25th District) comes this statement on health care for Veterans:

Miami, FL - While Mario Diaz-Balart has voted twice against benefits for veterans and troops, Joe Garcia understands the limited access to care that veterans have in South Florida, and has proposed a plan to expand veteran care treatment. This includes creating new clinics in Kendall, improved detection and treatment for PTSD and the creation of full-service commissaries in Homestead and Doral.

Joe Garcia issued the following statement:

"Today, I have set forth a plan that honors our nation's veterans by calling for them when they return home. By creating a much needed clinic in Kendall and full-service commissaries in Homestead and Doral, we can better serve South Florida's veterans with the benefits they have earned with their service to our country."

Aqui es un video que Joe Garcia habla sobre la guerra en Iraq (Lo siento, mi Espanol es muy mal!):



Here is another video of Joe Garcia discussing our Troops:



If you can help out, please visit Joe Garcia's website.


Here are some Florida groups, events and chances to help out some good candidates:

Miami-Dade Democratic Black Caucus Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Second Saturday of every month at 10 AM
Event Location: El-Portal City Hall 500 NE 87 Street, The Village of El-Portal.

We welcome new membership, please join us, free continental breakfast served! Honorable Joyce A. Davis, President 305-754-0934

Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Miami-Dade
Fourth Wednesday of every month, 7:00PM
Hoja Nueva Restaurant at the Westin Colonade
Please attend the monthly meeting for the Miami Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida. For more info: 305 632-0036

Miami Dade Cuban American Democratic Club
Miami Dade Cuban American Democratic Club Breakfast Meeting
Event Location: “Versailles” restaurant located at 3555 SW 8 ST Miami, FL 33135 Fourth Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m.

The Miami Dade Cuban American Democratic Club invites you to its next breakfast meeting at “Versailles” restaurant located at 3555 SW 8 St
Cost: $15 per person.

For more info contact: Hector Caraballo (President, Miami Dade Cuban American Democratic Club) at hector_at_miamicubandems.org

MIAMI-DADE YOUNG DEMS MONTHLY MEETING
Fourth Tuesday of every month, 7pm
Location:
Gordon Biersch
1201 Biscayne Ave. Miami, FL 33131
For info: 786-425-1130

Peace Vigil West New Haven 5:00PM - 6:30PM
First Wednesday of the month at the "Peace Corner" 1700 West New Haven (just west of the Melbourne Square Mall). Signs provided or bring your own. Please bring nonperishable food items for "Food Not Bombs". Food is distributed to local families in need.

More info 321-720-3520 or vimpoco@cfl.rr.com
Organization: Patriots For Peace

Weekly Peace Vigil in Homosassa
Every Tuesday, 4:00 PM
Meet at Hardee's at Route 19 & Hall's River Road - Homosassa

Call Ed Murphy 382-0876 for more info

Weekly Peace Vigil in Inverness
Every Thursday, 5:00 PM
Old Citrus Courthouse

Call Beverly at 400-4174 for more info

Planned Parenthood Mixer
Join us at On Tapp Lounge for our monthly mixer with Planned Parenthood. On Tapp is located on New Haven Haven just before you go over the Melbourne Causeway on the left side.

We meet at 5:30 pm the 4th Tuesday of every month. Brevard NOW and Planned Parenthood will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Roe v Wade and discuss the 2008 plans for both our organization. For more info, please call Michele Paccione/President at 480-9295 or e-mail at shellymk1@aol.com
Organization: Brevard NOW
Event link: www.myspace.com/brevardnow

Sumter County Democratic Club
P.O. Box 1066 Wildwood, FL 34785
General Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of every month Sumterville Community Center

Tri-County Women's Democratic Club
General Meeting at 9:30 a.m. on the 1st Monday of every month at the Sumter County Sheriff's Annex on Highway 466 @ Morse Boulevard.

Charlotte County Democrats meeting
The Charlotte County Democratic Club meets on the second Saturday of every month. Please join us at 9:30 AM for coffee and snacks. The meeting starts at 10 AM. Location is the upstairs meeting room at the Public Library on Aaron Street in Port Charlotte. Call 743-5560 for directions or more info.

Denim & Diamonds Gala Event (Fundraiser)
Seminole County Democrats will host a fundraising Gala event. We will be having country/western music, line dance lessons,poker & black jack tables, BBQ dinner,bar,silent auction and so much more.

Time: Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 PM
Duration: 5 hours
Host: Seminole County Democrats
Location: Lake Mary Event Center (Lake Mary, FL)

2008 Black Caucus Convention
The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida will host its 23rd Annual Convention May 15-17, 2008. Invited Guests: Presidential Candidates, National and State Elected Officials.

Time: Thursday, May 15 at 9:00 AM
Duration: 3 days
Host: Democratic Black Caucus of Florida
Contact Phone: 941-773-9177
Location:
Hyatt Hotel & Resorts (Sarasota, FL)
1000 BLVD of the ARTS
Sarasota, FL 34236


And for those interested in a more fun way to be liberal, here are Florida's Drinking Liberal groups:

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Island Jack's Patio Bar and Grille, 5425 W Atlantic Blvd, Margate (just East of 441)
* Hosted by Jacqueline Hope Derby and Dave Pfeffer, ftlauderdale (at) drinkingliberally.org

Orlando, Florida
* Every Wednesday, 6:00 pm onward
* Johnny's Fillin' Station, 2706 S Ferncreek Ave (NE corner of Michigan and Fern Creek)
* Hosted by Dan Hill, orlando (at) drinkingliberally.or

Pensacola, Florida
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Intermission, 214 S Palafox St
* Hosted by Terry Welch, pensacola (at) drinkingliberally.org

Tallahassee, Florida
* Third Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm onward
* Gill's Tavern, 2545 North Monroe Street
* Hosted by Sharon Collins, tallahassee (at) drinkingliberally.org

South Tampa
* First Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* MacDintons Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave, Tampa (map)
* Hosted by Shadia Alame and Kirk Sander, southtampa (at) drinkingliberally.org

St. Petersburg
* Last Thursday of each month, 8:30 pm onward
* Limey's Pub, 1492 4th St N
* Hosted by Connor Davis and Dave Lee, stpetersburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

Brandon
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Old Chicago, 2042 Badlands Dr (Outside patio)
* Hosted by Joe Litton and Shirley Litton, brandon (at) drinkingliberally.org

Land O Lakes
* Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
* Rapscallions, 4422 Land O Lakes Blvd (US-41)
* Hosted by Brian Reach and Michael Greenman, landolakes (at) drinkingliberally.org