Progressive Democrat Issue 153

Well, the primaries are in full swing. And the infighting that implies is also in full swing. In the past 2 weeks, I have been called a bigot because I endorsed Barack Obama, I have been called a DINO because I am eager to support either Obama or Clinton in the general election, I have been called hypocritical because I opposed a petty, probably illegal, definitely stupid action by my local Democratic Party leader, Vito Lopez, and I have been called, I quote, a "naive ignorant relativist" because I disagreed with people who claimed that Islam is inherantly a violent, unacceptable belief system.

Ah, the circular firing squad continues.

Well, as always when I am harshly criticized for what I write, I look back at what I write to see what kind of horrible mistake I have made. And, as is usually, though not always, the case, I find I stand by my words.

Meanwhile, in almost every state record voter turnout in the primaries for the Democrats is the norm, while the Republians are hurting. Even in states like Idaho, South Carolina and Kansas Democratic turnout is at record highs while Republican turnout is average or low. People are ENTHUSIASTIC about the Democratic Candidates and uninspired by the Repubs.

Which brings us to McCain. McCain is clearly going to be the Republican nominee. I predicted, in pretty certain language, that it was going to be Huckabee. Well, techincally it could still happen, but I am willing to admit I was wrong about that one! So it is McCain. And ironically, as I discuss below, McCain is offering America NOTHING but more of what Bush gave us. McCain is nothing more than a continuation of Bush's failed agenda. And America is sick and tired of that. McCain once was a right wing extremist who at least had some brains and an independent streak. Now he is a right wing extremist who has embraced the Bush agenda whole heartedly even as that very agenda is receiving record low approval ratings.

Obama and Clinton are both far, far better than the warmed over Bush agenda offered by McCain. It is time, even though the primary is not yet over, for us to come together to defeat the Bush agenda. I have an Act Blue site for donations to the Democratic Presidential candidate, whether it is Obama or Hillary. I have vowed to donate $10 for every 5 people who donate $5 or more to this site. For those who are dissatisfied with the Dems right about now, and want to support a more progressive agenda, I make the same offer for this Act Blue Site which covers a wide variety of progressive organizations across the country. Donate to either and I might match it.

I also should note that one candidate I was pushing heavily for, Mark Pera (IL-3), lost badly. When you are supporting a grassroots insurgent against an incumbent who is wallowing in corporate money, you know you might lose. But Pera only got 20%, which I think is much less than people expected. Daily Kos was pushing heavily for him. NOW and NARAL and Planned Parenthood were pushing for him. Yet he only got 20% of the vote. Often I can pinpoint what went wrong in a campaign. This time it isn't clear. Money still dominates...and corporations and corporate interests dominate the money game. Some use this to claim voting is useless and the entire system is broken so why bother. Of course, I reject that line of arguement for two reasons. First off, that is EXACTLY what the corporate interests want us to think. If we think we are defeated before we begin, they win. I don't give up that easily. Second, there is evidence that the grassroots are slowly growing in strength. On CurrentTV I heard an interesting statistic. They had a list of the top five corporate donors to the Presidential candidates. Numbers 5-2 were all financial institutions like Meryl Lynch and the like. But number one was ActBlue. That is the site through which most grassroots fundraising is done. That means, top of the list if corporate donors is in reality a whole bunch of small, grassroots donors like you and me adding up to number one. I find that very encouraging, even if it is still hard for us to win on our own. We are becoming a real force, and it shows. Howard Dean is the head of the DNC. ActBlue, which really means a horde of small donors, is number one in corporate donations to presidential candidates. Most of the freshmen Congressional Reps were elected largley because of the grassroots, and they have, on average, been far more progressive than most Congressional Reps. But we still have a long way to go.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE REAL McCAIN: Bush's Third Term

A BIOFUEL PROPOSAL: Making Alternatives Work

ALASKA MEETS NYC: Diane Benson (AK candidate for Congress) in NYC

FLORIDA FOCUS: Christine Jennings, Peace Rallies, Groups and Events

NY STATE FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

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

TEXAS FOCUS: Darwin Day, Rick Noriega, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Darwin Day, Blue Jersey Radio, Groups and Events

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Impeachment, Groups and Events

ARIZONA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

NORTH CAROLINA: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

IOWA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

WISCONSIN FOCUS: Bye Bye Bush Bash, Groups and Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

John McCain: Bush's Third Term

The Republican Party is offering America a Third Bush Term. As John McCain nearly swept Super Tuesday, the "vision" the Republican Party is offering America came into focus. John McCain is offering four more years of failed Bush policies. It is as simple as that.

I think this was best illustrated when we remember what Bush and McCain were doing while America watched in horror the destruction of New Orleans when the levees broke after Katrina:



People were stranded and DYING as McCain and Bush parited it up for McCain's birthday. To me this is the ultimate symbol of what both Bush and McCain are all about: eating their cake while Americans are abandoned, left to die, forgotten by the Republican Party.

John McCain may be something of a Faustian figure. Once the true independent, anti-Bush voice within the Republican Party, McCain decided to make a bargain with Bush, selling his soul to get the nomination. Now he is no longer that voice of independence, no longer a voice of reason. He is the voice through which Bush can continue to push policies that have already failed years ago.

McCain has vowed to continue the Iraq quagmire. In fact he wants it to go on forever, or at least for 1000 years, to use his own words. To an America already tired of this useless war, this is absurd. Why must we remain mired in the Iraq quagmire for decades to come when the real enemy, Osama bin Laden, has been let off the hook by Bush...and apparently now McCain. The voice of America has been loud and clear: Mr. Bush, END THIS WAR! McCain has not heard the voice of America. He has only heard Bush's voice. John McCain has vowed to continue the Iraq war and was the architect of the so-called surge that has failed to bring the quagmire to an end.

America wants a moderate policy on abortion, the one that Hillary Clinton has expressed as "safe, legal and rare." Overwhelmingly THAT is the policy Americans want. Bush has ignored that voice as he takes an extremist stance that would force the victim of rape or incest to carry the child of the criminal who raped her...and McCain has voiced the same extremist view when he vowed to appoint judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade. John McCain has vowed to force women to carry the child of their rapist.

John McCain offers no better economic policy than Bush's failed policy of screwing working class Americans while giving the very wealthy and the big oil companies massive tax breaks. This is the economic policy that has given us TWO recessions with hardly any recovery in between. John McCain has vowed to continue these failed economic policies. I ask you, are you better off than you were 8 years ago? Me neither. America cannot afford 4 more years of failed Bush economics under McCain.

Then let's look at his voting record:

John McCain is anti-Veteran: ironically, McCain is not well liked by veterans groups, receiving a D rating from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a zero rating from The Retired Enlisted Association and in 2005 and 2006 he received 25% or below from the Disabled American Veterans.

John McCain is an anti-choice extremist: John McCain has been one of the most anti-choice Senators, receiving zero ratings from Planned Parenthood and NARAL.

John McCain is anti-farmer: McCain received 25% or lower from the National Farmers Union.

John McCain is weak on civil liberties: McCain rates from 0 to 33% from the American Civil Liberties Union.

John McCain is anti-civil rights: John McCain consistently receives less than 25% from the NAACP and less than 20% from the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

John McCain is consistently anti-labor: He receives abyssmal to at best mediocre ratings from just about every union I could find.

About the only areas where McCain doesn't seem to be substantially in lock step with the corrupt and failed policies of the Bush administration are gun issues and the environment. He is merely mediocre on environmental issues rather than abyssmal, and somehow McCain manages to get low ratings from BOTH pro-gun groups like the NRA and from gun control groups like the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. I guess his stand on guns satisfies no one.

John McCain offers America nothing but four more years of failed Bush policies. And yet he is the best the Republicans have to offer? It is no wonder that voter turnout for the Republican primaries has been at a record low while turnout for the Democratic primaries has been at a record high. Americans do NOT want more Bush policies, but that is all the Republicans have to offer.

A Biofuel Proposal: making alternatives work

I have been thinking about biofuels recently. I think it has been on my mind thanks to a recent car rental experience Joy and I had in California, and thanks to a proposal my City Councilman is making that would over time require all heating oil in New York City to eventually be B20 biodiesel.

Biofuels are in one way the easiest alternative to oil-based fuels for transportation and heating purposes. This is because, depending on the biofuel, it requires the least change in our infrastructure and the manufacturing process of our cars and heating systems. For example, up to B20 biodiesel, any diesel car or boiler system can run on a biodiesel/traditional mix with no modification. The modifications to use B100 biodiesel are relatively minor and could be incorporated over time. My understanding is that ethanol based fuels also can be used in mixtures with traditional fuels with no modification, and only minor modifications are needed for pure biofuel. So, in terms of conversion to a new fuel, biofuels are the easiest compared with, for example, electric or hydrogen cars.

There is one major problem with biofuels. There are, depending on where the raw materials come from, limitations on just how much biofuel can be produced without competing with food production, thus driving up food prices and reducing availability, or leading to deforestation. So the challenge is to find sources of raw materials for biofuels that are plentiful AND don't compete with food production or preservation of forests.

There is no single source that will do this. But I think there are a variety of sources that, with some coordination that would require government involvement, could help supply abundant fuel. I am not saying biofuels are the ONLY solution. But combined with other alternatives it can be a part of the solution that helps wean us off foreign oil for our transportation and steam heating systems.

I think the best source for biodiesel is used cooking oil. This is a real win-win situation where a resource currently thrown away can be processed fairly cheaply and easily into a fuel that can run diesel engines or boilers. I think in a city like NYC conversion of used cooking oil into heating oil for the old boilers is an ideal solution. In NYC I find two companies that process used cooking oil and turn it into heating oil for homes and/or use in trucks, producing a B5 to B20 blend which can be used in any truck or boiler, I am told. One is Fred M. Schildwachter & Sons, and Tri-State Biodiesel. The main difficulty with coordinating the processing of used cooking oil into fuel for diesel engines or boilers is coordination of the market with production. That is why in NYC Councilman Yassky's proposal to require homes to use first B5, going up to B20 biodiesel mixes in home heating would help because it would gradually increase the demand. I would recommend coupling this proposal with one that provides incentives to companies that convert used cooking oil to the appropriate biodiesel blend so that we ensure that this best of raw materials is encouraged rather than more controversial alternatives.

This kind of system of requiring up to B20 for heating and/or diesel engine fuels coupled with incentives for that biodiesel to be made from used cooking oil could be applied to any major city where, let's face it, used cooking oil is quite abundant from our rather over fried diets. Getting above B20 would take further government incentives, I suspect, since it would require modifications to some engines and boilers, but that, too, could be done. I should note that even outside of major cities cooking oil to biodiesel can be done. Joy and I rented a 100% biodiesel last time we were in Los Angeles, and the company we rented the car (nicknamed the "Bio-Jetta" by my three year old who loved it) is based in Maui where they also rent cars. Their fleet of cars run on B100 biodiesel produced from used cooking oil. We recommend this company, bio-beetle, to anyone traveling to Hawaii. Their Los Angeles operation may be folding due to lack of customers. Woody Harrelson along with Joy and I may have been their last LA customers...but it is possible if you contact them they may still be open to customers in Los Angeles. And if enough demand turned up they might reactivate their LA branch. We liked the company, the car, the fueling stations, and we saved some money doing it!

I should note another advantage to proposals that encourage the conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel is that it creates LOCAL jobs in America rather than helping primarily the Saudi economy.

But used cooking oil will NOT supply all our fuel needs. Other sources of biofuels need to be approached carefully or there could be the unintended consequence of higher food prices. Here is where I have a proposal that might be appealing on several levels to the Federal government, whether run by Republicans or Democrats.

How about combining an anti-drug program with a biofuels program? One way the American government has tried combating illegal drugs is to give growers of crops like coca and opium incentives to convert to legal crops. The problem with these programs is that they have been sporadic and seldom have provided the farmers with an alternative that could actually sustain their families long term. Mostly, these farmers return to growing opium or coca because it remains their best way to support themselves. I propose an anti-drug program where the US provides incentives to communities in nations like Afghanistan and Pakistan, recently joined by none other than Iraq as top opium growing nations, and like Columbia, Peru and Bolivia, among the top coca growers, to produce crops usable for biofuels like biodiesel and ethanol. We would have to assure that the incentives were long term enough to last, and it would probably be best to help set up the processing plants within those same communities to produce the fuels near where the crops are grown, providing additional jobs. In this way we can create an alternative economy to drug production.

In general, farmers have been very willing to convert to legal crops. But only if, and this is key, the legal alternative provides them with enough income long term to support their family. Producing the fuels near where the farmers live helps to make the new, non-drug based economy sustainable.

It wouldn't take much to make it work because even producing the drugs that are sold to our kids, the farmers often are living only marginally. A Current TV segment I saw some months ago showed the farmers in Colombia who produce coca and process it into cocaine. They are exploited by the drug cartels, harassed by the anti-drug police, and still can barely support their families. The fact that the alternatives provided by the US in its sporadic anti-drug programs are WORSE suggests that we really haven't tried hard enough. A biofuels production economy could work, addressing both environmental and anti-drug needs. The biofeul produced could either be used locally within the nation of origin, or imported to America for our use, depending on demand and convenience. Or even, in the case of Afghan and Pakistani produced biofuels, go to feed the economies of India, Japan and China. Either way, it helps the environment, it reduces the hold the Saudis have on the world. AND it allows farmers a REAL choices between legitimate and illegal economic alternatives.

I should note that in my mind, another way biofuels can be produced in America without competing with food production, is incentives to convert tobacco growing into biofuel production. Somehow I think there will be far more resistance to this than my proposal above for a combined anti-drug/pro-environment program. Still...maybe at least some of those tobacco growers would like a viable alternative to slowly killing people off with their products.

A final proposal I have also might meet industry resistance, but actually was one of the very first ideas I had regarding production of biofuels, probably ethanol in this case.

Government incentives have made high fructose corn syrup almost ubiquitous in our food. The corn lobby loves this because it gives them something to do with their corn with government subsidy. The food industry loves it because, with the government incentives, it is slightly cheaper than using sugar. The problem is that there is a strong correlation between the increased use of high fructose corn syrup in foods consumed by Americans and the rise of obesity. No one knows if there is a causal relationship, but the correlation is quite striking. The bottom line is that there is evidence that high fructose corn syrup is at least partly responsible for health problems among Americans.

Seems to me a better use of that high fructose corn syrup, still providing a market for our corn farmers, would be conversion into biofuel. The switch would have to be coordinated so the incentive is in converting from high fructose corn syrup use in our foods to use for biofuels, rather than use of corn used for food directly into biofuels. So again, the proposal would have to be carried out carefully to avoid competition with regular food use. But if we can fight obesity (arguably) while also helping the environment seems worth doing. Still, I consider this proposal to be harder to sell and implement than the first two, and I consider it likely that industry resistance would be high.

We have to move from talking about alternatives to USING alternatives to oil. Biofuels are likely to be a necessary part of the solution. The above proposals would be important for implementing a conversion from foreign oil to foreign or domestic biofuels and would couple economic, environmental and, in some cases, health or anti-drug benefits.

ALASKA MEETS NYC: Diane Benson Meet and Greet

I don't get info on Alaska much. No contacts there. But one candidate in Alaska, Diane Benson running for Congress, has come to my attention a few times, and now New Yorkers have a chance to meet her! If I can, I will try to attend.

This year is one of the few years when Democrats have a real shot at winning the Alaska Congressional seat. Dissatisfaction with the Republicans and some Republican scandals are making Alaskans consider a Democrat for Congress. On Feb. 11th New Yorkers have a chance to meet the person who might just be that Democrat who wins the Alaska House seat.

This comes from Democracy for NYC:

We are now in a favorable position to elect more Progressive Democrats than ever before. In the long-prized effort to turn Congress a deeper blue, it is my privilege to introduce a singularly unique candidate, Diane Benson, running in 2008 for the only Congressional seat in the State of Alaska - a very big prize, indeed.

An exceptional person, Diane is a member of the Tlingit Native American People, a matrilineal culture. Diane's mother suffered from tuberculosis, and Diane was often homeless as a child and teenager, growing up in foster homes and logging camps with her Norwegian father. Despite this, she volunteered with senior citizens and in hospitals from the age of twelve. The hardships of life have influenced her thinking to this day.

Diane is the mother of one son who served in the Iraq war until he was severely wounded, losing both his legs from a roadside bomb. The time she spent watching her son’s recovery and visiting with other injured veterans played a large part in her decision to run for Congressional office, and has shaped many of her ideas surrounding the Iraq war, terrorism, homeland security, and Veterans' benefits.

A woman of many "firsts," Benson can turn this red state blue. Read more about Diane at her website here - http://bensonforcongress.com/about and on the wiki here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Benson.

Diane was among the first women truck drivers on the Alaska pipeline, and the youngest person on the Fairbanks Native Association Executive Board. The first to debate long-time incumbent Republican Congressman Don Young on live tv, Diane called for an end to the Iraq War, and criticized Young for his relationship with Jack Abramoff.

Diane has the enthusiastic endorsement of the National Women's Political Caucus, of former Senator Mike Gravel, and Governor Bill Richardson.

Please join me, Miriam, and host Lewis Cohen on Monday, Feb. 11th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, for a FREE Meet and Greet with Diane Benson here in New York. Our evening will take place at Red Sky Bar & Lounge, located at 47 E. 29th St., between Park and Madison Aves. Good food, drink specials and beverages are available in ample supply.

Please RSVP to me, Miriam, at mimmimac@aol.com, or to Ruth Benedict at Ruth_Benedict@comcast.net.

The evening is being sponsored by Democracy for NYC (the local coalition of Democracy for America) and Lewis Cohen.

FLORIDA FOCUS: Christine Jennings, Groups and Events

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

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.

House Party for Christine Jennings in Bradenton
Mar 13 2008 - 10:00am - Mar 13 2008 - 11:30am
Bradenton, FL
Call our Campaign HQ at 941/366-8121 for more information.

Rollins College Youth Forum
This will be an event based around educating our youth voters on the issues that will comprise this next election. They are hoping to have speakers/representatives from both the Democratic and Republican Parties (even more specifically on certain candidates) to showcase their party's stance on each issue. The forum will be taking place at the beginning of March.

Time: Saturday, March 15 at 6:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Host: Brittany Fornof
Location:
Rollins College (Winter Park, FL)
1000 Holt Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789


House Party for Christine Jennings in Venice
Mar 20 2008 - 5:00pm - Mar 20 2008 - 6:30pm
Venice, FL
United States

Call our Campaign HQ at 941/366-8121 for more information.


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

NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

An Evening with Diane Benson
Monday, February 11, 2008
6:30 - 8:30pm
Red Sky Bar and Lounge
47 East 29th Street (btwn. Park and Madison Ave.)

DFNYC and host Lewis Cohen cordially invite you to An Evening With Diane Benson, a free meet and greet event with a Democratic candidate running for Alaska's only Congressional Seat in 2008. Benson is a member of the Alaskan Native community, the mother of a severely injured Iraq war veteran, and a solid Progressive who can turn a help turn a Red state to Blue.

Mix, mingle and get to know Diane while enjoing the essence of Progressive political fusion with lively libations.

RSVP: Ruth_Benedict (at) comcast.net

On the Web: www.BensonForCongress.com


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 are some Darwin Day events in the New York: (note, not all events are on the 12th)

Oswego: World Premiere: "The Origin" by Richard Einhorn
Start Date and Time: 2008-03-14 19:30
Event Website: http://www.artswego.edu/arts

Activities:
First performance of a newly commissioned multi-media oratorio based on the writings of Charles Darwin. Features the women's ensemble, KITKA, soprano Jacqueline Horner, University choruses, and original video imagery by filmmaker, Bill Morrison. Directed by Julie Pretzat-Merchant. Second performance on March 15th.

Address:
Waterman Theater, State University of New York at Oswego
Oswego, NY UNITED STATES
Sponsor: ARTSwego
Contact: Mary Avrakotos, artswego@oswego.edu, (315) 312-4581

And now for the Groups and Events section:

Weekly protest against the Iraq Quagmire in Philipstown, NY: Sponsored by Philipstown for Democracy
Demonstration against the War in Iraq at the intersection of Route 9 and 9D every Saturday from 12-2. For information contact Connie Hogart at conart1@optonline.net

Riverkeeper Annual Benefit Dinner
Riverkeeper Honors Patty Smyth McEnroe and John McEnroe

This year Riverkeeper proudly honors Patty Smyth McEnroe and John McEnroe at our Annual Dinner on the Hudson at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers.

Tuesday, May 13th
Cocktails 6:30 PM
Dinner 7:30 PM

For more information, please contact Teresa Walsh at Riverkeeper
(914) 478-4501, ext. 243

DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS:
First Wednesday of every month

Upper West Side, The Parlour, 250 West 86th(btwn Broadway & West End), with host Merle McEldowney,7pm

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7thAve.) with hosts Abhishek Mistry and Judith Ren-Lay,7pm

Astoria, Queens, at Sanford Diner, 30-13 Broadway, with hosts Costa Constantinides and Jeremiah Frei-Pearson.Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

Sunnyside, Queens, at The Grind, 39-24 Queens Blvd. in the back room, with host Dan Jacoby. Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics, 7pm

Park Slope, Brooklyn, Ozzies, 249 Fifth Avenue with host Josh Skaller, 7pm

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff Bennett Homestead, 1669East 22nd Street, 7pm with host Annette Mont

No Linkup This Month - East Village/LES & Upper East Side


DRINKING LIBERALLY MEETINGS IN NY STATE:

Clifton Park, New York
* First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Old Dublin Inn, 130 Meyer Rd (Google maps is wrong, please contact me for directions.)
* Hosted by Chris Selkirk, cliftonpark (at) drinkingliberally.org

Ithaca, New York
* Every Wednesday, 6:30 pm onward
* Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 508 W State St
* Hosted by Joseph Cannon Murtagh, ithaca (at) drinkingliberally.org


New York City, New York:

The Original Drinking Liberally
* Every Thursday, 7:30 pm onward
* Rudy's, 627 9th Ave (between 44th and 45th)
* In the backyard, weather permitting
* Hosted by Justin Krebs, Matthew O'Neill and Katrina Baker, nyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Drinking Liberally Steps Out
* Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
* XES Lounge, 157 W 24th St (@ 7th Avenue)
* In conjunction with the Stonewall Democrats of New York City www.sdnyc.org.
* Hosted by Matthew Carlin and Greg Rae, outnyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Harlem
* Second Wednesday of each month), 6:30 pm onward
* Soundz Lounge, 3155 Broadway (between 123rd and 124th)
* Hosted by Yolanda (Shoshi) Shoshana, harlem (at) drinkingliberally.org

Park Slope
* Second Wednesday of each month, 7:30-10:00 pm
* Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street)
* Hosted by Anthony Accurso, Emilie Harkin and Emily Farris, parkslope (at) drinkingliberally.org

Queens
* Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102 (group of young liberals taking up one lane)
* Hosted by Donald Graff, queens (at) drinkingliberally.org

Upper East Side
* Last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Doc Watson's, 1490 2nd Ave (at 77th)
* Hosted by Matthew Bachiochi, ues (at) drinkingliberally.org

West Bronx
* First and third Friday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* An Beal Bocht, 445 W 238th St (between Waldo and Greystone)
* 1 to 238th, turn left, straight on 238th, just past the top of the stairs
* Hosted by Jamin Sewell and Scott Kennedy, westbronx (at) drinkingliberally.org

Rochester, New York
* Every Thursday, 8:00-10:00 pm
* Monty's Korner, 355 East Ave
* Hosted by Tom Tucker and Tracy Logan, rochester (at) drinkingliberally.org

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

TEXAS FOCUS: Darwin Day, Rick Noriega for Senate, 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 are some Darwin Day events in the Austin:

Center for Inquiry Austin: Darwin Day 2008, "Teaching Evolution"
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-10 13:00

Activities:
Program for Adults: 2 speakers and panel discussion with science educators, birthday cake!

Program for Kids: storytime, games, science based activities, info about Darwin, birthday cake and trilobite cookies!

Address:
Bookpeople, 6th and Lamar,
Austin, TX UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Center for Inquiry Austin
Contact: Jenni Acosta, austin@centerforinquiry.net, 512-919-4115


Here is a special Democratic Presidential Fundraiser in Dallas:

Presidential Fundraising Party for the Democratic presidential candidates
March 2nd, 2008, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
Adolphus Hotel
1321 Commerce Street, Dallas, Texas

Proceeds go to their campaigns.
Sign up and help us take over the White House in November!
For more info contact March-on.org


Now some events for Rick Noriega's run for Senate:

Meet Rick Noriega, candidate for Texas Senate:

Rick to attend Meet Up
Fort Sam Houston 01/27/08, 3pm
Location: 1804 E Walters St, Off IH35 and Walters St, near Fort Sam Houston

Corpus Christi: breakfast with state representatives
Corpus Christi 01/28/08, 7:30am
Where: Executive Surf Club, 309 Water St.

Robstown: coffee and doughnuts
Robstown 1/28/08, 9:30am
Where: Nueces County -- Oak Pavilion, 415 Mainor Rd.

McAllen: State of the Union Rally McAllen 01/28/08, 6pm
Location: Cine el Rey, 311 S 17th St.

Weslaco: meet with local veterans Weslaco 01/29/08, 10am
Location: Weslaco City Hall, 255 S Kansas Ave.

Edinburg: lunch meet w/local leaders Edinburg 01/29/08, 12pm
Location: The Social Club, 205 Conquest Blvd.

Zapata: rally with local citizens Zapata 01/29/08, 5:30pm
Location: Holiday Inn Express, 1675 S US Highway

Laredo: meet and greet and GOTV event Laredo 01/29/08, 7:30pm
Location: Phillip V Room, La Posada Hotel, 1000 Zaragosa St.

Eagle Pass: breakfast, meet with local citizens Eagle Pass 01/30/08, 8:30am
Location: Cactus Steak House, 1916 E Main St., Eagle Pass

Del Rio: meet with local citizens Del Rio 01/30/08, 10:30am
Location: Falcon International Bank, 504 S Main St.

Uvalde: meet with local citizens Uvalde 01/30/08, 12:30pm
Location: Uvalde County Courthouse

Hondo: meet with veterans and local citizens Hondo 01/30/08, 3:30pm
Location: Medina County courthouse steps

San Antonio: Bexar County headquarters grand opening San Antonio 01/30/08, 6pm
Location: Noriega Campaign Headquarters, 7121 New Highway 90, Ste. 214

Here are some alternative energy related events coming up in Texas:

AWEA Wind Power Project Siting Workshop
02/14/2008 thru 02/15/2008
Early Registration Deadline: 01/24/2008
Late Registration Deadline: 01/24/2008
Event Contact: conference@awea.org
The Hilton Austin
500 East 4th Street
Austin, TX 78701

This regionally-focused program will include presentations on emerging issues of project siting, such as bat interactions and wildlife research, wildlife survey techniques and radar concerns, and updates on siting processes. For more info go here.

Wind Energy Institute 2008
Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:30 AM - Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:00 PM
Presented by The University of Texas School of Law and The Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

Austin Convention Center

Standard Registration - $495 | $545 after Feb. 8, 2008
State Employees - $325 | $375 after Feb. 8, 2008

Exhibitor Space Available!
For more information call 512-475-6700.

Windpower 2008 Conference & Exhibition
WINDPOWER 2008 Conference & Exhibition will be held June 1 - 4, 2008 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

EXHIBITION
The Exhibiton at WINDPOWER 2008 will be an impressive display from close to 500 of the leading companies from all facets of the wind energy industry. Exhibitor reservations are currently being accepted - book now to ensure a prime location!

CONFERENCE PROGRAM
The WINDPOWER conference program includes 300 speakers and moderators, 150 poster presentations, and over 50 sessions on leading wind energy topics organized into tracks with policy, business, and technical focuses. There is no better place to learn the latest industry developments and new technology than WINDPOWER 2008. Attendees can also participate in several day-long pre-conference seminars for more in-depth education on various topics. The Call for Papers will be available in the summer of 2007 for anyone interested in becoming a speaker or poster presenter at WINDPOWER 2008. For more information, contact Sakura Emerine at semerine@awea.org or (202) 383-2540.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Whether you are an industry veteran, or a newcomer to this exciting field, interaction with over 7,000 wind energy professionals is key to advancing your business interests. With various receptions, a conference dinner, and numerous meal functions included in the conference schedule, you are sure to catch up with existing colleagues and make many new contacts.

Plano Democrats Fellowship Gathering
Friday, April 11, 18:30
Where: TBA - Plano TX 75074
For more info: office@collindems.us
Join area Democrats for an evening of conversation, food, and friendship

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

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Darwin Day, Blue Radio, Impeachment, 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 Piscataway, New Jersey:

Piscataway: Darwin Special Research Seminar
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-12 12:00
Event Website: http://lifesci.rutgers.edu/~genetics/seminars.asp

Activities:
Research Seminar, Dept Genetics Rutgers University. Speaker: Dr. Robert Gatenby. Title: Role of Glycolysis in the Evolution of Invasive Cancer

Address:
Human Genetics Inst, Busch Campus, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Rd.
Piscataway, NJ UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Dept Genetics, BIOMaPS Inst Quant Biol, Cancer Inst New Jersey
Contact: David Axelrod, axelrod@biology.rutgers.edu,

Every Saturday Morning: Blue Jersey Radio
Saturdays 10:30 - 11:00

Listen Live every Saturday morning from 10:30a-11:00a - or download the podcast anytime to listen to the latest hot topics, gossip and opinion on New Jersey politics with hosts Jeff Gardner and Jay Lassiter.

Click here to listen!

Weekly Impeachment Rally in Butler City:
Support your country 4:30-6:30 p.m. every Monday on Highway 23 North in Butler!
Bring your HONK 2 IMPEACH! signs and flags to the Butler footbridge that spans over Highway 23. We display our signs and flags from the footbridge and along the highway. Be sure to bring water and a sun hat! Directions are easy: click Intersection of Cascade Way & State Rte. 23 North, Butler, NJ 07405. When you approach driving northbound, there will be a traffic light with Cascade Way on the southbound side of the highway. Be in the right lane, go through the intersection and turn right immediately into a small parking area. There's a safe grassy place where we can stand along the highway, in addition to the footbridge where we hang our huge sign. We don't show when it rains. See YOU Monday afternoon! Contact Vigil Organizer


Here are a few upcoming events in New Jersey:

Central Jersey: DFA/PDA MOVIE NIGHT: 'The War Tapes' documentary
Friday FEB 16th at7:00 pm
RSVP here
Location: Conference Center at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), Route 28 & Lamington Road, North Branch NJ 08876

SOUTH JERSEY: MONTHLY ACTIVISM ORGANIZING MEETING
Tuesday FEB 27th at 7:30 pm. Joint Event/Meeting with Progressive Democrats of South Jersey and Democracy For America
Location: Hadden Twnshp Branch Library. 15 MacArthur Blvd, Westmonth, NJ 08108.

South Jersey: CITIZENS EMPOWERMENT TRAINING
Saturday March 10th from 10:30 - 12:30. FREE.
Learn how to run for a local committee seat to represent your neighborhood!
Please RSVP here or email : roses4joanne_at_snip.net


New Jersey for Democracy:
Here are the local Democracy for America groups in New Jersey:

North Jersey -

Bergen County
Ethical Culture Society
687 Larch Ave
Teaneck, NJ 07666
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/bergen

Essex County
Cryan's Beef & Ale House
24 First Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/essex

Hudson County
The Hard Grove Cafe
319 Grove St.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-451-1853
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/hudson
(First Wednesday of the Month, 7:30pm)

Morris County
Morris County Democratic Headquarters
11 Washington St
Morristown, NJ 07960
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/morris

Passaic County
Puzo's Restaurant (Upstairs)
4 Garfield Ave.
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/passaic
(First Thursday of the Month)

Union County
Rockin Joe Cafe
20 Prospect Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
908-232-1660
RSVP at Union Meetup

Warren County
MS Health Software Corp
605 Grand Ave.
Hackettstown, NJ
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/nwnj

Central Jersey -

Hunterdon County
Friendly Grounds Coffee
36 Mine St.
Flemington, NJ
908-788-8983
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/hunterdon

Mercer County
Carl A Fields Center
86 Olden Street
(Corner of Olden St and Prospect Ave on Princeton Univ campus)
Princeton, NJ
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/mercercounty
(please check DFA-Link for schedule)

Middlesex County
Panera Bread
1551 Route 1 South
Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 516-1611
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/middlesexNJ

Monmouth County
Racioppi's Kitchen
107 Oakland St. (at the train station at Bridge Ave.)
Red Bank, NJ
(917) 863-2408
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/monmouth

Somerset County
Somerset County Complex
40 North Bridge St. (off of High)
Somerville, NJ
RSVP at Somerset Meetup
(Second or Third Tuesday of the Month)

South Jersey -

Camden County
Haddon Township Library
15 MacArthur Blvd
Westmont, NJ 08108
856-854-2752
RSVP at Progressive Democracy South Jersey
4th Tues. of month

Gloucester County
RSVP at Democracy for Gloucester County
(Please check DFA-Link for date & location)

Ocean County
Joshua Huddy Brew Pub and Grill
1250 Hooper Ave.
Toms River
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/oceancounty
(First Tuesday of the Month)

Cape May County Federation of Democratic Women Meeting
Sam DiVico Senior Center
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Join the Cape May County Federation of Democratic Women to discuss important local, state and federal issues. All are encouraged to join!

2nd Thursday of every month.
7:00pm
Sam DiVico Senior Center
Romney Place
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

For more information, please contact:
Virginia Hesel
609-884-5848

Drinking Liberally:

For the more social and fun-oriented (and booze oriented), there's Drinking Liberally. Here are the New Jersey Drinking Liberally Chapters:

Hillsborough, New Jersey
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Petrock's Bar and Grill, 419 Amwell Rd (at Amwell and 206)
* Hosted by Matthew Dawson, hillsborough (at) drinkingliberally.org

Montclair, New Jersey
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Just Jake's, 30 Park Street (b/t Bloomfield & Claremont)
* We meet in the REAR DINING ROOM. Turn left after entering, go past the juke box, bar and W.C.
* Ample parking in municipal lot next to Just Jake's (free after 7 pm)
* ** Mtclair DL ON THE ROAD, TUES, NOV 13, from 8PM at PAUL'S BAR & BOWLING, 377 CROOKS AVE, PATERSON, NJ (973) 278-1982 http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=10780514 **THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL MEETING, WE STILL HAVE OUR USUAL 2nd THURSDAY
* Hosted by Kevin Kelly and Dan Evans Farkas, montclair (at) drinkingliberally.org

Morristown
* Third Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm onwards
* Hennessey's Tavern, 140 Morris St (Corner of Elm & Morris, next to the train station)
* There's plenty of public parking behind train station or on Elm Street.
* Come on by & raise a pint with other fun loving local progressive's! Hope to see you there...
* Hosted by Jim Long, Chip Robinson, David Cochran and Linda Humphries, morristown (at) drinkingliberally.org


Dover
* First Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The Hop, 14 N Morris St
* Hosted by Jim Long, Chip Robinson, Dave Cochran and Linda Humphries, dovernj (at) drinkingliberally.org

New Brunswick, New Jersey
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Doll's Place, 101 Paterson St (corner of Paterson & Joyce Kilmer)
* Hosted by Bob Scardapane and Chris Swasey, newbrunswick (at) drinkingliberally.org

Pennsauken, New Jersey
* First and third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Kings Row Sports Bar and Billiards, 6030 S Crescent Blvd (Route 130 N)
* Hosted by Art Williams and Denise Williams, pennsauken (at) drinkingliberally.org

Toms River, New Jersey
* First Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Joshua Huddy Brew Pub, 1250 Hooper Ave (across from Ocean County Mall)
* Hosted by Robin Kinlin and Ian Valentine, tomsriver (at) drinkingliberally.org

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Impeachment, 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 Vienna VA: (note, the event is not on the 12th)

"The Evolution of Creationism"
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-10 11:00
Event Website: http://esnv.org/web/evolution-creationism

Activities:
Each time creationism is defeated in its attempts to keep young students from learning about evolution, creationists figure out a new way of presenting or advocating for their position.

In honor of Darwin Day, Jone will take us on a quick tour of creationist thinking and how it has evolved. We tend to think of the disagreement as between a new theory (evolution) and the age-old, Biblically-grounded theory of special creation -- yet the later theory continues to grow and evolve, and its advocates adopt tactics in response to the successes of science.

Address:
Green Hedges School, 225 Nutley Street, NW
Vienna, VA UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Northern Virginia Ethical Society
Contact: C Martin Centner, ccentner@aol.com, 703-437-3161


Next, how about a weekly impeachment related events:

Honk to Impeach Bush and Cheney to End the War Every Friday at noon in front of Rep. Bobby Scott's office building at the corner of E. Clay Street and N. 2nd Street-
Address:
501 N. 2nd Street
Richmond, VA 23219-1321
Come by and HONK LOUDLY!!!
http://www.myspace.com/rva4peace


Now some other groups and events:

Fauquier Democrats Monthly Meeting
Third Tuesday of Each Month, 7:30 pm

Warren Green Building
10 Hotel Street
Old Town, Warrenton

Blue Mondays With the Stafford County Democrats
Every Monday evening at 5 PM
King Street Blues Restaurant
Casual get-together of like minded Democratic Activist
For more info contact: jac_at_j2power.com

Democracy for Virginia:
Here are the local Democracy for America chapters in Virginia. Click on the link for more info:

* Arlington for Democracy (may be dormant...you can go here to contact the organizers and get more up to date info)

* Roanoke DFA

* Tidewater for Democracy

* Virginia Grassroots Coalition (may be dormant...you can contact them here for more info: info@vagrassroots.org)

Drinking Liberally:
For the more social and fun-oriented (and booze oriented), there's Drinking Liberally. Here are the Virginia Drinking Liberally Chapters:

Alexandria/Springfield, Virginia
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
* King Street Blues, 5810 Kingstowne Center Drive, Alexandria (Corner of Kingstowne Blvd and Van Dorn Street)
* Hosted by Brian Murray and Mike Sizemore, alexandria (at) drinkingliberally.org

Arlington, Virginia
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
* Capitol City Brewing Company, 2700 S Quincy St
* We're usually in the back room at Cap City; check with the host station if you don't see us there!
* "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world" - Margaret Mead
* Hosted by David Swim, Quinn Jones, Michelle Elliott and Bev Wright, arlington (at) drinkingliberally.org

Charlottesville, Virginia
* Every Thursday, 6:00 pm onward
* South Street Brewery, 106 W South St
* Hosted by Chris Dumler and Clare Wuerker, charlottesville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Lorton, Virginia
* First and third Friday of each month, 6pm to 8 or 9
* Glory Days Grill, 9459 Lorton Market St
* First hour of the gathering is part of happy hour
* Hosted by Alan Salisbury and Chris Ambrose, lorton (at) drinkingliberally.org

Norfolk, Virginia
* Third Thursday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* The New Belmont, 2117 Colonial Ave (upstairs at the bar)
* Hosted by Tom Mitchell and Vivian Paige, norfolk (at) drinkingliberally.org

Richmond, Virginia
* Every other Wednesday, 7:00 pm onward
* Chiocca's Downstairs, 425 N Belmont Ave (Museum District - corner of Kensington & Belmont)
* Come join us for brews & news!
* Hosted by Morgan Bailey and John Manall, richmond (at) drinkingliberally.org

Virginia Beach, Virginia
* First Friday of each month, 7:00 PM
* Studio For The Healing Arts, 1611 Colley Ave # D, Norfolk, VA, Norfolk (One block from the Naro theater)
* Zeitgeist the Movie, DVD Door Prize
* http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Virginia9-11Truth/ http://vbdems.org
* One block from the Naro theater in Ghent
* Hosted by Chris Jaramillo and Eileen Levandoski, vabeach (at) drinkingliberally.org

ARIZONA 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 Scottsdale, AZ: (note, the event is not on the 12th)

Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix's Darwin Day Celebration
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-10 09:00
Event Website: http://www.HSGP.org

Activities:
We will celebrate "Darwin Day" with our good friend, Dr. John Lynch, who has spoken to us in the past about Darwin, as well as Intelligent Design vs. Evolution. We will have special treats, handouts, the traditional Darwin quiz, and a birthday cake for Charles, who turns 199 this year!

Dr. Lynch teaches for Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University (where he is also affiliated with the Center for Biology & Society, and the History and Philosophy of Science Program). He received his initial training as an evolutionary biologist and, while he continues biological research, he now largely teaches and researches within the history of biology. Specializing in theological and cultural responses to evolutionary ideas, his ongoing primary research is an examination of Catholic responses to evolutionary thought. He has been studying American anti-evolutionism since 1996, and was involved (with other ASU faculty) with the fight to maintain strong evolutionary principles in the AZ K12 standards following challenges in 1998 and 2004. He has presented on anti-evolutionism and Intelligent Design Creationism at legal, educational, scientific, and public gatherings country-wide.

Address:
HomeTown Buffet, 1312 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix
Contact: Susan Sackett, Susan@HSGP.org, 602-426-1313


Here are some Groups and Events in Arizona:

Monthly Meeting - District 17 Democrats - Pyle Center
When: second Tuesday of every month, 6:30 PM
Where: 655 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ

Northeast Phoenix Women in Blue
Monthly at 6:30 PM on the second Monday of each month at The Market Place, 777 Thunderbird, Phoenix

District 20 Democrats Meeting
Monthly at 7:00 PM on the second Monday of each month at the Ahwatukee Fire House

For more info go here: http://ld20.maricopademocrats.org/

Distroct 10 Democrats Meeting
Monthly at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month at the Denny's at I17 & Dunlap


And for those who are interested in combining social events and politics, here are the Drinking Liberaly events in Arizona:

Flagstaff, Arizona
* Second Thursday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm
* Bigfoot Bar-B-Q, 120 N Leroux St (basement of Old Town Shops)
* Hosted by Andy Stevenson and George Castleberry, flagstaff (at) drinkingliberally.org

Phoenix
* Every other Thursday, 5:30-9:00 pm
* Rosie McCaffrey's Irish Pub, 906 E Camelback Rd (9th St & Cameback on the North Side)
* http://www.rosiemccaffreys.com/index.htm
* Hosted by Stuart Dollar, phoenix (at) drinkingliberally.org

Scottsdale
* First Saturday of each month, 5:30 to 8:30
* Epicurean Wine Bar, 7101 E Thunderbird Rd (Southwest corner of Scottsdale Rd & T'bird)
* On T'bird at the west end of the retail area. It's tucked away and not hugely visible from the road.
* Starting in February, we will be meeting the first Saturday of each month.
* Please join us for a quick drink or the entire evening as we unite in promoting democracy one pint at a time! Cheers!!!
* Hosted by Vicki Billing, Susan Fletcher and Maureen Young, scottsdale (at) drinkingliberally.org

Tucson, Arizona
* Every Thursday, 6:00 pm onward
* The Shanty, 401 E 9th St (Fourth Ave. at the underpass)
* Please visit our chapter's web site for schedules, book club info, and more: http://arizona.typepad.com/drinkingliberally
* Hosted by Michael Bryan, Tasha Nelson and Shasta McManus, tucson (at) drinkingliberally.org

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups and Events

Feb. 12th, 1809 was the day both Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were born. Here are some Darwin Day Events in North Carolina (note: not all are on Feb. 12th)

Chapel Hill: Darwin/Lincoln Birthday Walk
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-12 13:00
Event Website: http://www.ncbg.unc.edu

Activities:
This walk will explore the wonders of natural selection at the Mason Farm Biological Reserve and celebrate the life of Abraham Lincoln and his attention to civil rights and opposition to slavery.

Address:
North Carolina Botanical Garden, CB 3375, UNC-Chapel Hill,
Chapel Hill, NC UNITED STATES
Sponsor: North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of NC at Chapel Hill
Contact: Johnny Randall, jrandall@unc.edu, 919-962-0522

Chapel Hill: Charles Darwin Birthday Tour, North Carolina Botanical Garden
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-12 13:00
Event Website: http://ncbg.unc.edu/pages/69/

Activities:
Both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on February 12, 1809! Johnny Randall, the Botanical Garden's assistant director for Conservation, will mark the day by hosting a tour of the garden grounds and trails during which he will elaborate on the bounteous products of natural selection that fill our environment and sustain our lives. We’ll consider the fascinating array of plant adaptations found in North Carolina’s natural habitats—plant adaptations to periodic fire (for example, serotinous cones), nutrient-poor soils (carnivorous plants), drought, and more. Free.

Address:
Old Mason Farm Road off of the US 15-501/NC 54 Bypass,
Chapel Hill, NC UNITED STATES
Sponsor: North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of N. Carolina
Contact: Laura Cotterman, ncbg@unc.edu, 919-962-0522

Chapel Hill: Darwin the Botanist--A Presentation
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-12 19:00
Event Website: http://ncbg.unc.edu/pages/28/

Activities:
Most people do not think of Charles Darwin as a botanist. He is famously connected to the animals of the Galápagos Islands, and to the subjects of animal and human evolution and behavior. But Darwin’s famous curiosity did extend to plants. In fact, among his numerous publications are a book on carnivorous plants and one on orchid pollination titled, “On the Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilised by Insects.” Dr. William Kimler, associate professor of History at NC State University, will discuss the influence of botany and some famous botanists on Darwin’s training and on his work as a naturalist. A look at his lifelong interest in the biology of plants reveals some surprising insights into his scientific work on evolution. Fee: $10; NCBG members, $8.

Address:
North Carolina Botanical Garden, Old Mason Farm Rd off of US 15-501/NC 54 Bypass
Chapel HIll, NC UNITED STATES
Sponsor: North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of N. Carolina
Contact: Laura Cotterman, publications and publicity, ncbg@unc.edu, 919-962-0522


Now to our regular Groups and Events section:

Marshall Adame For Congress Fundraiser
WhenFri, Feb 29, 18:00 – 20:30
WhereDemocratic Party HQ, 220 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh NC

Young Democrats of North Carolina State Convention:

The YDNC state convention is a time for young Democrats and supporters to join together and celebrate our successes from the past year and prepare for the coming year. This year will also mark the 80th anniversary of YDNC.

Date and Time: Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 9:00am
Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center
4700 Emperor Blvd
Durham, North Carolina 27703

Contact:
Zack Hawkins, president@ydnc.org

The YDNC Executive Board is pleased to announce that the annual YDNC State Convention will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Durham (http://www.sheratonrtp.com/). This year, 2008, marks YDNC’s 80th year, and our annual convention will celebrate this amazing anniversary and the coming election year.

We are also extremely excited to announce that the keynote speaker at this year’s convention will be the controversial and inspirational CNN commentator and Democratic political strategist James Carville.

Please visit www.ydnc.org for more information and updates.


And for those who want to combine social events with politics, here are the Drinking Liberally Groups in North Carolina:

Asheville, North Carolina
* Every Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm
* Asheville Brewing Company, 77 Coxe Ave (Downtown, 1/2 block north of Hilliard Ave.)
* Hosted by Aric Vance and Susan Lee, asheville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Charlotte, North Carolina
* First Monday and Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* First Monday of the month Location: Brixx Uptown, 225 E 6th St (we usually gather at the bar, on the LEFT side)
* Be sure to bring in your parking pass for validation, and to tell the parking attendant you are going to Brixx so they don't charge you $5!
* Third Wednesday of the month Location: Dolce Vita, 3205 N Davidson St 1/2 priced wines by the glass on Wednesday
* Hosted by Marcus Williams, Andy Graves and Mark Campbell, charlotte (at) drinkingliberally.org

Charlotte Eating Liberally
* Second Saturday of each month, 10:00 am
* Matthews Community Farmers' Market, 105 N Trade St, Matthews (We meet at the tables just outside of the Community House Coffee Shop)
* Come by after collecting your week's bounty & join us for a cup of coffee from the community house and a freshly baked pastery from one of the vendors!
* Bring your favorite organic/local/sustainable related books or recipes.
* Hosted by Laura Paynter and Heather Taylor, charlotte (at) eatingliberally.org

Concord, North Carolina
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Sweet Pea Cafe, 16 Union St S (1/2 block south of Cabarrus & Union)
* Hosted by Mark Ortiz, concordnc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Greensboro, North Carolina
* Every Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm
* The Green Bean, 341 S Elm St
* Hosted by Richard Rozzelle, greensboro (at) drinkingliberally.org

Raleigh, North Carolina
* Every Tuesday, 6:00-9:00 pm
* Players Retreat, 105 Oberlin Rd (right near Hillsborough Street)
* Look for us in the room across from the bar, thru the doorway.
* Hosted by Wallace Pankow and Dave Carden, raleigh (at) drinkingliberally.org

Wilmington, North Carolina
* First and third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Orton's, 131 N Front St
* Hosted by Tom Schutte and Jimmy Cartrette, wilmingtonnc (at) drinkingliberally.org

IOWA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Groups, Events and Alternative Energy

Here are some Darwin Day events for Iowa:

Iowa City Darwin Day Celebration
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-16 13:00
Event Website: http://www.icdarwinday.org

Activities:
Book reading on Feb. 14, two departmental seminars on Feb. 15 and dinner on Feb. 15. Three public lectures and reception on Feb 16.
See website: www.icdarwinday.org for details.

Address:
Macbride Auditorium,
Iowa City, Iowa UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Iowa City Darwin Day, Inc.
Contact: John Stamler, Admin@icdarwinday.org,

Darwin Day Celebration
Start Date and Time: 2008-02-12 12:00

Activities:
Fossils in the Sand
Transitional Feast
Evolutionary games

Address:
Wilcox Library, 200 Trueblood Ave
Oskaloosa, Iowa UNITED STATES
Sponsor: Department of Health and Life Sciences; William Penn University
Contact: Jim North, northj@wmpenn.edu, 6416731065

Here are some Alternative Energy Events:

ACEEE's 2nd National Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture
Feb 20, 2008
Embassy Suites Hotel in Des Moines
"Food and Energy from the Ground Up: Efficiency's Role in Sustainable Agriculture." For information: http;//www.aceee.org/conf/08ag

And for those who are focused on combining fun and politics, here are the local Drinking Liberally groups in Iowa:

Ames, Iowa
* Every Friday, 5:00 pm onward
* Legends American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave, 7th Floor (in Campustown)
* The group will meet in the large accessible party room left of the elevators unless it is booked by a larger group. We will then be in the Sky Box. Ask a waiter for our location.
* Hosted by Jan Bauer and Brent Wynja, ames (at) drinkingliberally.org

Des Moines
* Every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. onward
* The Lift, 222 4th St (between Court Ave and Walnut)
* Hosted by Amanda Mittlestadt, Tricia Kell, Cassie Samspon and Matt Jesson, desmoines (at) drinkingliberally.org

West Des Moines
* Third Friday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* Tonic, 5535 George M Mills Civic Pky (within West Glen Towncenter)
* Hosted by Cassie Sampson, Mikael Brown and Jenny Irlmeier, wdsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

Eating Liberally
* Second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:30 pm
* Continental Wine Bar, 428 E Locust St
* Hosted by Marcus Walsh and Tricia Kell, desmoines (at) eatingliberally.org

Iowa City, Iowa
* Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
* The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington StIowa is one of my personal top states to focus on. My father was born there, so I feel an affinity to the towns my father and his relatives lived, from Eagle Grove and Fort Dodge, to Davenport. My family came from Iowa and I take that seriously.

Here are some Alternative Energy Events:

ACCEE's 2nd National Forum on Energy Efficiency in Agriculture
Feb 20-22, 2008
Embassy Suites in Des Moines
"Food and Energy from the Ground Up : Efficiency's Role in Sustainable Agriculture" For more info: http://www.aceee.org/conf/08ag

SEED Mid year conference
Apr 26, 2008
Davenport North High School
SEED ( sustainable ecological economic development ) will hold their mid year conference. To register or for more information contact: richlands@earthlink.net


Here are Democracy for America meetups I can find:

Cedar Rapids Democracy for America MeetUp
Event Date: Monday, January 14, 2008
Event Time: 7:00 PM
Venue Name: Java Creek Cafe
Address: 588 Boyson Rd. NE
City: Cedar Rapids
State: IA
Zip Code: 52402


And for those who are focused on combining fun and politics, here are the local Drinking Liberally groups in Iowa:

Ames, Iowa
* Every Friday, 5:00 pm onward
* Legends American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave, 7th Floor (in Campustown)
* The group will meet in the large accessible party room left of the elevators unless it is booked by a larger group. We will then be in the Sky Box. Ask a waiter for our location.
* Hosted by Jan Bauer and Brent Wynja, ames (at) drinkingliberally.org

Des Moines
* Every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. onward
* The Lift, 222 4th St (between Court Ave and Walnut)
* Hosted by Amanda Mittlestadt, Tricia Kell, Cassie Samspon and Matt Jesson, desmoines (at) drinkingliberally.org

West Des Moines
* Third Friday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* Tonic, 5535 George M Mills Civic Pky (within West Glen Towncenter)
* Hosted by Cassie Sampson, Mikael Brown and Jenny Irlmeier, wdsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

Eating Liberally
* Second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:30 pm
* Continental Wine Bar, 428 E Locust St
* Hosted by Marcus Walsh and Tricia Kell, desmoines (at) eatingliberally.org

Iowa City, Iowa
* Every Thursday, 8:00 pm onward
* The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington St