TEXAS FOCUS: Blogs. Candidates, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

BLOGGING TEXAS: The Burnt Orange Report is a good blog source of news and politics in Texas.

Dos Centavos covers Chicano socio-political discourse in Texas.

Latinos For Texas is a progressive Latino blog in Texas.

North Texas Liberal covers the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Texas Liberal is a blog of politics and political history with something of a Houston focus.

Here are some stories of interest:

Hispanic voters supporting Obama (Not really surprising!!)

Texas Senators Champion Flip Floppers on Medicare

15 Cool Future Green Technologies


Here are some alternative energy events:

The Dallas Progressive Alternative Energy Meetup Group
Want to know when and where this meeting is? Sign up for this Meetup.

The foremost purpose of The Dallas Alternative Energy Meetup Group is to bring together individuals seeking better, cleaner, more economical energy methods and technical experts working in the field of solar, wind, water, geothermal and other renewable sources to gain knowlege and how to use that knowledge. Any individual that has family or friends who live and breath air, those who live in a home, apartment, condo or townhouse as well as those who own automobiles or any other energy powered machinery would be well served to visit our monthly meetups.

Sign up to find out when a meeting is scheduled

Texas Wind Energy Group (Austin)

This group is to discuss the role of wind power in Texas. Who should attend?

-citizens interested in learning about wind
-homeowners and landowners
-wind industry professionals
-wind industry job-seekers
-investors
-anyone who feels they can contribute to the group

Go here to find out more info, sign up, and find out when and where the next meeting is.

Alternative Energy Resources in Texas: a short summary of alternative energy resources for Texas. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.


TexasBlogs have endorsed Chris Turner for State Representative against a very vulnerable Republican incumbent. So I want to highlight Chris's campaign.

Until January of 2008, Chris held the position of District Director in the office of Congressman Chet Edwards, a senior member of Congress who represents the 17th District of Texas and is the influential chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. As District Director, Chris supervised three offices and a staff of ten and oversaw all district operations, including constituent services, outreach and special projects in the sprawling, 12-county district.

Chris has also managed Edwards’ last four highly competitive and successful re-election campaigns, during which he was recognized for his leadership ability and organizational skills in the midst of challenging circumstances. So he knows what he is doing.

You can volunteer for Chris's campaign here.

Diana Maldonado is another candidate running in Texas, for HD 52.

Diane worked full-time at the Texas Comptroller’s Office as a single mother, something that shows considerable determination and skill. She has won awards for her work with the Texas Comptroller’s Office, indicating further her skills and efficiency. She has been on the Forest Creek Elementary PTA, and served as President of the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees so is an excellent advocate for education. Her main issues are education and transportation. You can volunteer to help here.


Nick Lampson for TX-22: This is a district we have to defend against a fierce Republican attempt to retake it...and it is one we really want to hold onto for symbolic reasons. This WAS Tom DeLay's district. Nick Lampson won, in part, because in 2006 his opponent had to run a write-in campaign as a result of a court decision that did not allow DeLay to change his residence to Virginia and get off the ballot. This time Lampson will face a serious challenge in this heavily Republican district from Pete Olson, chief-of-staff for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). I do not agree with Lampson on all issues. He is conservative, but this is one of the most heavily Republican districts in the country with a Democratic congressman and is probably the GOP's best pickup opportunity for 2008. Let's defend it. Lampson is better than any Republican who would win the district and on some issues he is excellent (e.g. NASA funding, Veterans issues, education funding...).

If you live in the TX-22 district, volunteer for Nick Lampson's campaign. Let's keep Tom DeLay's old district blue.


RICK NORIEGA FOR SENATE:

Texas is a Senate battleground this year. Rick Noriega is the Democratic Nominee for Senate. The latest from Rick Noriega's campaign is extremely encouraging:

While U.S. Senate Candidate and Lt. Col. Rick Noriega (D-TX) was on Active Duty, With Supporters' Help Rick Soared to Top Online Recipient Nationwide

HOUSTON, TX – U.S. Senator Jim Webb, a distinguished Vietnam veteran and a Senator known for fighting to give today's war veterans the benefits they deserve, joining with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), a member of the Senate's Veterans Committee, and supporters to exceed fundraising goals and build momentum for Noriega's U.S. Senate bid while he was on active duty with the Texas Army National Guard June 1- 13.

While Rick was serving his country, supporters of his bid for Senate, including Senators Webb and Tester, his wife and prominent Texans (see full list here) launched the "Fill Rick's Boots Campaign" which was a resounding success. The "Fill Rick's Boots" program exceeded the campaign's original fundraising goal by more than $25,000. During the Fill Rick's Boots campaign, donors gave more than $75,000 to Rick's Senate campaign elevating him to the position of top recipient on ActBlue.com – the online clearinghouse for Democratic fundraising.

Rick Noriega has been endorsed by:

American Federation of Teachers

Democracy For America

International Longshoremen's Association

Mexican American Democrats

National Education Association

VoteVets.org

General Wesley Clark

Sen. John Kerry

Democracy for Texas

Tejano Democrats

Texas AFL-CIO

Texas Progressive Alliance

Texas State Association of Fire Fighters

Texas State Teachers Association

and many, many others.

Here's video of Rick Noriega speaking out on FISA:



And on energy issues:



y un video en español:



y un declaración en español esta aquí.

Read more about Rick Noriega here.

Democracy for America is fundraising for Rick. Help them out and help turn the Senate solid blue!

You can also help by volunteering for Rick Noriega's Senate campaign. Get busy and we really can win this year!


And here are some political meetings:

Monthly Colleyville, Grapevine, Southlake Democrats Meeting
The CGS Democrats meet the second Thursday of each month at different locations around our three cities. Arrive at 6:30pm to socialize and eat dinner or at 7:00pm to meet.

Central Market (Southlake, TX)
Hwy 1709
Southlake, TX 76092

Meet with other local Democrats, listen to special guests speakers, and learn how to participate in the poltical process. We have a lot of fun networking and learning how to activate our voters.

Meeting agendas are posted at the club Website one week in advance of the meeting date at
http://www.cgsdemocrats.com

Look for us in the community room of the Central Market store. It is a nice meeting room and works out nicely. Call if you need directions: (817)939-5671

Lake Area Democratic Club (Social)
A gathering of Democrats and anyone interested in the democratic process.
Location: Seven Points Dairy Queen (Seven Points, TX)
Directions: On hwy 85 just west of hwy 274

We meet at the Seven Points Dairy Queen at 6PM 3rd Tuesday of each month. Come join us and dine at the Queen and have fun while we work to get our county, state, and country back in shape.

Call 214-683-2811 for more information.


Here are the Texas Drinking Liberally groups for those who like to socialize with fellow Liberals:

Austin, Texas
* Every Tuesday, 6:30 pm onward
* The Dog and Duck Pub, 406 W 17th St (at Guadalupe)
* Hosted by Ben Andrews, austin (at) drinkingliberally.org

Corpus Christi, Texas
* Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Cassidy's Irish Pub, 601 N Water St
* Hosted by Teresa Klein and Jim Klein, corpuschristi (at) drinkingliberally.org


Dallas
* Second Friday of each month, 6:00 pm onward
* The Stoneleigh P, 2926 Maple Ave (at Wolf across from the historic Stoneleigh Hotel)
* Check out our blog for announcements of Eating Liberally, Screening Liberally, Drinking Coffee Liberally and other nonsmoker-friendly gatherings. Also, please "friend" us at MySpace.com/DallasDrinkingLiberally.
* Hosted by Melissa Morgan, dallas (at) drinkingliberally.org

Addison
* Third Thursday of each month, 6pm until 8pm
* The Quarter, 15201 Addison Rd (next to Sambuca)
* http://www.myspace.com/addisondl
* There is road construction! However, Addison Rd is now re-opened in both directions for the time being.
* Hosted by John McClelland and Erica Stockbridge, addison (at) drinkingliberally.org

Mid-Cities
* First and third Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward
* Esparza's Tequila Factory and Grill, 3314 Harwood Rd, Bedford
* Hosted by Kathleen Thompson and Todd Hill, midcities (at) drinkingliberally.org

El Paso, Texas
* Third Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm to 8:00pm
* Hemmingways, 214 Cincinnati Ave
* Hosted by Michael Apodaca and Lily Ruiz, elpaso (at) drinkingliberally.org

Houston, Texas
* First Thursday of each month, 7 PM onward
* Dog House Tavern, 2517 Bagby St
* TRYING SOMETHING NEW. GOING TO MEET 1ST THURS FOR A FEW MONTHS.
* Visit or post on the Houston forum: http://drinkingliberally.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=6
* Hosted by David Robertson, houston (at) drinkingliberally.org


New Braunfels, Texas
* Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The Black Whale, On the Plaza in Downtown New Braunfels
* Hosted by Steve Woolbert and Greg Woodall, newbraunfels (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Antonio, Texas
* Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm onward
* The Cove, 606 W Cypress St (The Cove is located just west of San Pedro, where Cypress runs into Fredericksburg.)
* Hosted by Bill Livermore, Livi Bogrand and Ned Allen, sanantonio (at) drinkingliberally.org

Waxahachie, Texas
* Every Thursday, 6:30 pm
* Library Lounge, downstairs in the Rogers Hotel, 100 E Main St (Take the elevator or stairs from lobby)
* Location changes from time to time. Be on the email for updates!
* Food available; no smoking. Conversation-friendly environment!
* Hosted by Nathalie Guyol, waxahachie (at) drinkingliberally.org