Progressive Democrat Issue 161

Today on Current TV I heard a headline that some of the virtual currencies in online games are now worth more than the dollar. That CAN'T be true. But apparently a study showed that some virtual currencies carry more weight than the US dollar. Well, I haven't been able to follow up that story, and I am sure it really is more a faux entertainment kind of story than a real one. But it is indicative of how far the dollar has fallen under Bush's "leadership." I work with many foreigners from around the world. They all tell me how weak the dollar is...they are all AMAZED at how weak the dollar is. From Spain, Israel, France, Peru, Russia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and many other nations they all tell me they are amazed at how weak the dollar is. It used to be that nations around the world tied their currency to the dollar as a way of stabilizing their currency. Now some of those nations have abandoned the dollar standard in favor of the Euro. Right now the Euro and the British pound reign supreme. The dollar is becoming a sad, backwards currency.

Back in the 1990's I bought some gold Krugeraands at under $300 per ounce. I don't have the exact price handy, though I do have it recorded. Recently gold was over $1000 an ounce.

People still are arguing whether we are in a recession or not...I can tell you we have been in one for awhile. America is losing jobs at a frightening rate, and this is after years of Bush's economy of no job growth. We haven't HAD any job growth under Bush, and now we are losing jobs. The economy has been bad during Bush's entire time in the White House...and it is right now reaching its worst. Poor job outlook. High prices for almost every necessary commodity from wheat to heating oil to milk. And through it all the deficit shoots up at a rate we have never, ever seen before.

The American economy is in the toilet and John McCain and the Republican Party are saying "stay the course." If we stay the course, we will be in major trouble.

On the international front, Iran-allied al-Sadr is clearly the most powerful man in Iraq. In Burma, a man who silently and calmly protested the government's oppression, committing no act of violence, was sentenced by the Burmese government to a life sentance for his silent protest. Burma is among the worst governments on earth right now...using child soldiers and oppressing their people brutally, killing even peaceful Buddhist monks who dare to stand up to the government. Meanwhile the oil company Chevron is one of the main financial supports of the brutal Burmese government. When you buy gas, keep that in mind, though really there is no "good" company to buy gas from. I think Citgo and BP are the "best," but they have problems as well. Cutting back on your gasoline use and avoiding Chevron, Shell and Exxon/Mobil really are critical things for progressives to be doing.

But Burma isn't the only nation condemning peaceful protesters. Indonesia has also sentenced a peaceful protester to a life term. By comparison China isn't so bad...China only sentenced a peaceful protester to three years in jail.

Speaking of civil liberties, America isn't doing so well...though hopefully getting better. Those who have followed the threat to my wife's privacy from Homeland Security might be interested to know that the Democratic Congress has taken up the issue and is holding hearings. For those of you who have been disappointed in the Democrats since they took over Congress, I understand your frustration, but also realize that Congress would NEVER have started to investigate the invasion of privacy that my wife may face as someone working in a government facility if the Democrats hadn't taken Congress. Sometimes change is slow. Maybe too slow. But we are seeing progress.

I want to continue to emphasise really great progressive candidates. In Wisconsin I was pushing a slate of progressive grassroots candidates endorsed by Progressive Majority. As you can read in the Wisconsin Focus section, 21 out of 41 of those candidates won. That is a good success rate for grassroots candidates! In Alaska one of my favorite candidates of this year is Diane Benson, running for the Alaska House seat, who many of you will have noticed me pushing in recent weeks. This week I also push once again for a friend running for Congress in New York (NY-13), Steve Harrison. And in my Virginia Focus section I am advocating for an excellent candidate for the VA-5 Congressional district, Tom Perriello. This guy has been involved in the reconcilliation process in places like Sierra Leone and Liberia, and has visited hot spots like Afghanistan and Darfur. This is a guy we really need in Congress! Add to these candidates my continuing push for Progressive Majority candidates in Pennsylvania, Arizona and California, and I'd say we have a great group of candidates this year.

So a lot going on. If you can give some help to people like Alaska's Diane Benson, New York's Steve Harrison, Virginia's Tom Perriello, or the Progressive Majority candidates I list in Arizona, California and Pennsylvania, it would help a lot. Your time or your money could do wonders for these great candidates.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

REPUBLICAN VALUES (IOWA): We Treat People Like Livestock!

McCAIN EMBRACES RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS

A RESPONSIBLE PLAN FOR ENDING THE IRAQ WAR

NUKING IRAN

NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Alternative Energy, Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

OREGON FOCUS: Neighborhood Leaders, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Blue Jersey Radio, Peace Rallies, Impeachment, Groups and Events

VIRGINIA FOCUS: Tom Perriello, Impeachment, Groups and Events

FLORIDA FOCUS: Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

MICHIGAN FOCUS: Groups and Events

ARIZONA FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Groups and Events

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Groups and Events

WISCONSIN FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Groups and Events

ALASKA FOCUS: Diane Benson, Groups and Events

TEXAS FOCUS: Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS: Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

IOWA FOCUS: Sustainable Agricultre, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

GEORGIA FOCUS: Groups and Events

ILLINOIS FOCUS: Peace Vigils, Sustainable Living, Groups and Events

Republican "Values": ...we do this with livestock all the time!

Iowa Rep. Steve King recently made news insulting blacks and Muslims in one little hate-filled speech.

But this isn't anything new. Steve King, a man who supports no-bid contracts for Halliburton but was one of only 11 Congressmen who voted AGAINST aid to Katrina victims, has a long record of intolerance and advocay of human rights abuse. Here's some footage of Steve King on the floor of Congress advocating...well, human rights abuses (thanks to Kingwatch.org):



According to King we should treat people like livestock. Just how far does he want to take that? How far does his confusion between humans and livestock go?

So these are Republican "values?" I say Feh!

McCain Embraces Right Wing Extremists

The media frenzy over a pastor at Obama's church seems to finally be dying down. But why hasn't there been a similar frenzy over the bigoted hate-mongers who are endorsing John McCain. McCain embraces the endorsement of far worse people than Obama's pastor, and it gets ignored by the media. Jews on First has this report:

Barrack Obama dealt frankly, openly and intellectually with the issue of his complex relationship to Jeremiah Wright. Contrast that with John McCain's embrace of Christian Right leaders Pastors John Hagee and Rod Parsley. This is big picture stuff...

...the media has not lingered on John Hagee's anti-Catholic bigotry, even though McCain stood smiling with Hagee to receive the televangelist's endorsement. When McCain subsequently distanced himself from Hagee's hateful statements, it was only for fear of losing Catholic votes...

Hagee has based his career, wealth, position and enormous power on hatred: hatred of Islam, of homosexuals, and of Israeli-Palestinian peace. Yet John McCain went out of his way to court him, in hopes that Hagee's endorsement would make the Christian Right forget his not-so-long ago disdain for them as "agents of intolerance." McCain courted Hagee knowing full well that, when it comes to Israel, Hagee is doing all he can to insure there is to be no land for peace deal. Ever.

Then there's McCain endorser Rod Parsley. A man who has said that Allah is a demon spirit...

On October 30, 2007 Parsley filled his World Harvest Church outside of Columbus, Ohio with faithful lay and clergy to hear former Senator Rick Santorum and religious right leader Gary Bauer state that Islam must be destroyed if we are to survive

Four short months later, Parsley jumped off McCain's Straight Talk Express to stand with the candidate. McCain proudly proclaimed his pride in having this man as his spiritual guide.

So while the GOP, or maybe even Hillary, tries to paint Obama into a spiritual corner, take a step back to look at the big picture. Why are the media--and the Democrats--giving McCain a pass on his supporters blatant anti-Catholic and anti-Muslim bigotry?

McCain can't have it both ways. He can't paint himself as more tolerant than the right wing fanatics that backed Bush while actively embracing right wing fanatics like these.

Steve Harrison: A Responsible Plan for Ending the War in Iraq

Michael Bouldin at Daily Gotham posted this a couple of weeks ago...just getting around to posting it now. I know Steve Harrison well and he would make a great Congressman. So I want to highlight his candidacy and this is a good way to do it during this period between the Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion and the Anniversary of "Mission Accomplished" (May 1st). So, from Daily Gotham:

Democratic Congressional candidates around the country - Darcy Burner, Eric Massa, Steve Harrison, Donna Edwards, and many more - are embracing the Responsible Plan, an effort to get American troops out of Iraq while preserving regional stability, United States interests and restoring American moral leadership. Every Progressive should read this document. If there is a way forward, this is it.

Here's Steve Harrison, running for Congress against Bush lap dog Vito Fossella in New York's Thirteenth District, speaking on why he was one of the ten original supporters of the Responsible Plan.



On the web: Steve Harrison for Congress
Donate: Through my NY State ActBlue Page

Nuking Iran

Some readers have been asking me about the rumors of an April nuke attack on Iran. This prompted me to look in some detail into the rumor and I can say I don't buy it.

I have no doubt that the Republicans want to attack Iran. They have been trying to build their fake case for months. But the chances of them actually invading are very slim. Bombing runs are quite possible, but invasion would be the stupidest thing they have done in their entire stupid administration. We are bogged down in both Afghanistan and Iraq with almost no allies left and with a military stretched to a breaking point. And Iran is far tougher than any opponent we have fought since WW II. They kicked Iraq's butt when Iraq invaded. We cannot fight across the whole area of Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

The latest rumor is that Dick Cheney told the Saudi king that we are going to nuke Iran, possibly in April, and Saudi Arabia is planning for nuclear fallout. This rumor has been making the rounds through the liberal blogsphere. While I believe Bush wants endless war, I do not believe this rumor at all.

If we planned on using nukes on Iran, Saudi Arabia would not be the first nation we would warn. Nor would we let the rumor out the way it has come out. Russia and China are very much opposed to our going to war with Iran...and they are unlikely to be complacent about us using nukes against Iran, or anywhere for that matter. If we used nukes against Iran, we would be universally condemned and it might be just the trigger for all those nations we now owe so much money to (thanks to Bush's massive deficits) to start using those debts against us. We would suddenly be the rogue nation that we claim Iran is. Nuking Iran would trigger a crisis on the level of the Cuban Missle Crisis.

Furthermore, there are far more people in the area who we would be warning about fallout. Israel, India, Jordan, Turkey...our own troops stationed far closer to Iran than Saudi Arabia is. These would all be warned before Saudi Arabia. And do you think they would quietly accept nuking Iran? I seriously doubt it.

Finally, there is one basic consideration that the people circulating this rumor are not taking into account: wind. I asked my wife, the climatologist, about the prevailing winds in that area. And this is what she found:



You can see very clearly that if we nuked Iran the fallout would be blown AWAY from Saudi Arabia and right over Afghanistan and Pakistan...and on into India and China. The winds not only blow the opposite direction from Saudi Arabia, but they blow very rapidly away and into regions where our troops are.

We have moved an unprecedented amount of naval hardware, including three carrier groups and a nuclear sub, into the Persian gulf. We have committed huge resources to the area, at the expense of fighting al-Qaeda whose strength is growing in Somalia, North Africa, Egypt, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but NOT in Iran. And only in Iraq once we invaded. So it is very clear that Bush is far more interested in picking fights in Iraq and Iran than he is in fighting the bastards who actually attacked America. But I can safely say that this particular rumor of the Saudi's publishing a warning about fallout from a nuke attack on Iran coming because Cheney warned them we are about to attack just doesn't make sense.

NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Steve Harrison, Jimmy Dahroug, Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

NEW YORK ACT BLUE SITE: Sweeping New York...our goal is in sight.

Here are events and groups in NY State:

Film Screening - Flow for the Love of Water
April 17, 2008

Screening of a new Sundance documentary
Flow for the Love of Water
The Linda at Quail and Central, Albany, NY
http://flowthefilm.com/

There will be panel discussion following the screening.

Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference
April 17th-18th

http://www.globalmarinerenewable.com

New York, New York
Millennium Broadway Hotel

The Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference will convene international and U.S.-based leaders and innovators to exchange the latest information on marine renewable energy. Speakers include experts from the IEA-OES, U.S. federal and state government leaders, and other recognized industry representatives on the cutting-edge of this growing business area.

Don't miss cutting-edge dialogue on:

- The performance results of marine renewable technology demonstrations
- Evolution of permitting (consent processes) and siting in various countries
- The most effective financing instruments and public subsidies
- Understanding and mitigating potential environmental risks and future studies

Explore and exchange knowledge on best practices from international experts, including our moderators and keynote speakers:

- Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director, U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Technology Laboratory
- Dr. Robert Thresher, Director, National Wind Technology Center, U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Robert LaBelle, Director, Department of Interior’s Mineral Management Service
- Roger Bedard, Ocean Energy Leader, Electric Power Research Institute
- Gouri Bhuyan, Chairman of the IEA-OES and Principle Advisor, Alternative Energy, Powertech Labs Inc.
- Ed Feo, Millbank and Tweed
- Michael O’Connell, Stoel Rivers, LLP
- Matt Simmons, Chairman, Simmons & Company International

Panelists on our Executive Overview panel include:

- George Hagerman, Virginia Tech
- Keith Martin, Chadbourne & Park
- Carolyn Elefant, OREC
- Bonnie Ram, Energetics Incorporated

Visit our website for more information: www.globalmarinerenewable.com
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact: CS@energetics.com

House Party (or is that CASTLE Party) for Jimmy Dahroug for State Senate
Wed., Apr. 23, 2008
Location: 47 Awixa Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706
When: 6:00 PM
Ends: 9:00 PM

We kindly request your presence at the Awixa Castle, the home of Joseph and Giuliana Weiss, to support the candidacy of Jimmy Dahroug. This is your chance to help win the New York State Senate.

Special Guest Speakers:
Hon. Jon Cooper, Majority Leader, Suffolk County Legislature
Hon. Ivan Young, Chair, Islip Town Democratic Party

SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTION:
$100 Friend ($150 Couple)
$250 Supporter
$500 Sponsor
$1000 Patron
$2500 Benefactor

Please RSVP by email, JimmyforSenate_at_gmail.com, or by phone: 631.434.5623
If you can't attend, you can still donate through my New York Act Blue Site

House Party for Steve Harrison for Congress
Tue., Apr. 29, 2008
Hosted by Philip Kirschner & Jason Coburn Suggested Donation: $20 for people with disabilities and $75 for all others
Location: 1420 Freeport Loop, Apt 2h
When: 7:30 PM
Ends: 9:30 PM

Help win the only NYC Congressional seat that is held by a Republican. Incumbent Vito Fossella is a Bush lap-dog, flip flopper on Social Security, and is part of the Republican culture of corruption. Steve Harrison came close to winning in 2006. This year he has an earlier start and already is well on his way to raising more money. And the DCCC has listed this as a targeted race, unlike 2006. With our help he can win this year.

Wednesday, May 14, 6pm. David vs. Goliath: Neighborhood Planning in the Face of Large-Scale Development.
The Urban Center, 457 Madison Ave. Many observers opine that community-driven plans—official and approved through a city process or unofficial but widely recognized—are no real hedge against unwanted development. But in the cases of West Harlem, Midtown East, and Atlantic Yards, would developers have had carte blanche without community plans? How do community planners believe alternative plans can be more effective? How can alternative plans guarantee that future development will fit consensus-based neighborhood visions? We’ll look at some recent cases—West Harlem, Midtown East, and Prospect Heights/Fort Greene—where developer-driven plans threaten to undermine community vision, and examine the place of community-based planning in these struggles.

Panelists: Anthony Borelli, Director of Land Use, Planning, and Development for Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer; Marshall Brown, Architect/planner for the UNITY Plan for Atlantic Yards; Candace Carponter, Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods; Jordi Reyes-Montblanc, Chairman, Manhattan Community Board 9; and Ed Rubin, Land Use Chair, Manhattan Community Board 6.

Moderator: Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush, Executive Director, El Diario/La Prensa.

Refreshments will be served. Funding for the Campaign has been provided by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation.

Manhattan Cocktail Reception for Jimmy Dahroug for State Senate
Wed., May. 14, 2008
Please join us at the home of Drs. Bonnie Maslin and Yehuda Nir.
Location: 1050 Park Avenue, at the corner of East 87th Street
When: 6:00 PM
Ends: 9:00 PM

Come meet Jimmy Dahroug, candidate for State Senate in Suffolk County. Jimmy came close to winning in 2006...and this year he has far more backing. So I am convinced we can win this one this year if we all pull together.

Mountaintop to Tap Exhibit Reception at the Queens Museum of Art
Friday, May 16
Mountaintop to Tap exhibit reception at the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing Meadows Park: http://www.queensmuseum.org/
The exhibit will be in the space with the Panorama.

Riverkeeper Honors Patty Smyth McEnroe and John McEnroe
Tuesday, May 13th
Cocktails 6:30 PM
Dinner 7:30 PM

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

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


Here is a list of weekly Peace Vigils around NY State:

Schenectady: Counter-recruitment leafleting of high school
"Truth in Recruitment"
On the second and forth Monday of every month 1:50pm to 2:20pm, counter-recruitment literature is handed-out to the students at Schenectady High School.

Location:
Schenectady High School
1445 The Plaza
Schenectady, NY 12308

Contact: Elizabeth at 518 374-2949 for confirmation or further directions.

Sponsored by: Schenectady Neighbors for Peace, a branch of Peace Action

Phillipstown for Democracy Demonstration against the War in Iraq
Every Saturday at the intersection of Route 9 and 9D from 12-2. For information contact Connie Hogart at conart1_at_optonline.netv

Cobleskill: Vigil for peace
Weekly vigil for peace, every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm.
Location:
Main and Union Streets
Cobleskill, NY 12043
Contact: 518-287-1771

Sponsored by: Peacemakers of Schoharie County

Marbletown: Peace vigil
A peace vigil held every Saturday from at least 11:00am to noon, held by an assortment of local people.
Location:
Southernmost intersection of Route 213 & Route 209 (the one with the stop light)
Marbletown/Stone Ridge, NY 12484

In the event that the community has another pre-arranged event scheduled for this intersection on a given Saturday, the vigil will move on that day to the front of the Stone Ridge Town Hall, south on route 209.

Contact: 845 687-9591

Saratoga Springs: Peace vigil
A peace vigil every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. in front of the Post Office.

From the organizer: "Please keep the crosswalks clear and be the peace you want in the world. Many among us will be making signs with positive messages reflecting our hopes or our concerns for the future. Our goal is to: Support the United Nations in promoting peace; Encourage people to consider effective alternatives to war; Empower people to express their views to their elected officials."
Location:
outside the Post Office
Broadway and Church Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Contact: Jim at 518-583-7501.

Sponsored by: Saratoga Peace Alliance (SPA)

Saugerties: Vigil for Peace
A weekly peace vigil every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. All are welcome.

From the organizers: "End the War. Bring the Troops Home Now. Fund Education, Healthcare, and Housing... Not War. Join us for an hour, or a few minutes. Bring a neighbor. Let our voices be heard."
Location:
Corner of Market and Main Streets
Saugerties, NY 12477
Contact: 845 246-3449.
Sponsored by: Saugerties Committee for Peace and Social Justice

Wappingers Falls: Weekly peace vigil
A long standing peace vigil happening every Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm. Pete Seeger attends when he can [cool!!], and the group usually ends singing a song.
Location:
On the grassy knoll
Intersection of Routes 9 & 9D
(near the South Hills Mall)
Wappingers Falls, NY 12601
Contact: 845 838-1277.

New Paltz: Women in Black peace vigil
A peace vigil occurring every Saturday 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
From the organizers:
"Women in Black has been standing for an end to war and violence in all its forms for over 5 years. We wear black in resistance and mourning for all the senseless killing. We are silent because words cannot express the tragedy of war. Please join us. Men are welcome."
Location:
In front of the Elting Library
Corner of Main St and North Front Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
Sponsored by: Women in Black of New Paltz

Woodstock: Women in Black peace vigil
A silent vigil for peace every Sunday 1:00pm to 2:00pm, throughout the year.
The group seeks "non-violent solutions to world problems, and stands for peace and social justice.

It is suggest that participants wear black clothing if possible. Signs are available.

Men are welcome, as well.

Location:
Woodstock Village Green
Rt. 212 / Tinker St / Mill Hill Rd
Woodstock, NY 12498

Contact: Jane at 845 679-7502.

Sponsored by: Woodstock Women in Black

Delmar: Weekly peace vigil
Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace hold these weekly vigils every Monday 5:00pm to 6:00pm.

From the organizers:: "Please join us in taking a stand against the war! Even if you can only stop by for a few minutes, your presence helps make a difference. Those of us who regularly attend the vigil enjoy sharing news and community with each other, and the encouraging honks and support from many drivers. Among other purposes, this weekly vigil serves as a regular reminder to hundreds of people in our community (those driving or walking by) of our viewpoints, issues and information - something they rarely see in the media. Bring a sign or borrow one of our extras. Join us!"

Location:
Four Corners
Delaware Ave at Kenwood Ave
Delmar, NY 12054

Sponsored by: Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace.

Troy: Peace vigil
A vigil for peace, held on the first Monday of the month 5:00pm to 6:00pm.

Located on Hoosick St, one of the busiest corridors in the Capital District.

Location:
110 Hoosick St (at 10th St)
Troy, NY 12180

Contact: 518 272-1318.

Sponsored by: Troy Neighbors for Peace

Guilderland: Weekly peace vigil
A weekly Monday vigil 5:00pm to 6:00pm, with participants holding signs and making a peaceful presence known.

Attendees are asked to bring their own signs.

From the organizers: "A dedicated group of people have been meeting every Monday during rush hour at the corners of Route 20 (Western Avenue) and Route 155. The positive response from commuters has been tremendous! Several new members have joined as a result of passing by our vigil."

Location:
Routes 155 and 20, northeast corner
(New Karner Rd and Western Ave)
Guilderland, NY 12084

Contact: 518 464-6788.

Sponsored by: Guilderland Neighbors For Peace


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 host Abhishek Mistry,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


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

And then we have: Shooting Liberally
Tuesday, Feb 19
From your friends at Drinking Liberally comes the debut of SHOOTING LIBERALLY...

For the First Amendment enthusiast ready to move on to the Second. A social evening at the gun range including training & weapon rental.

For more info and to reserve your spot, contact: Stanley Sherman - maskarts (at) worldnet.att.net

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Progressive Candidates, Charlie Brown, Alternative Energy, Peace Events and Groups and Events

Here is a list of Progressive candidates running in California worth your support (all endorsed by Progressive Majority):

Marty Block
Candidate for State Assembly - District 78 (Open Seat)
San Diego County



Marty Block is a candidate for the 78th Assembly District. He is currently elected to the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees, and previously served on the San Diego Board of Education. The 78th is currently held by a conservative, but she is term-limited out of office. This district has grown more Democratic over the years and is one of the best opportunities for a progressive victory this year. Marty would provide a strong platform for progressive issues in San Diego.

Click here to support and learn more about Marty.

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Candidate for Los Angeles County Supervisor - District 2 (Challenger)



California Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District, in the highest priority race for progressives in Los Angeles County. Mark is running against a formidable candidate, former chief of police and current Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks. Although elected by a majority African American district, Parks has a conservative voting record when it comes to investing in communities. If Parks wins, Los Angeles County will be controlled by a conservative majority at a time when county hospitals and emergency services in communities of color are facing closure. Mark has been a staunch supporter of progressive issues such as the establishment of school health centers, consumer protection, community reinvestment, jobs and workforce development.

Click here to support and learn more about Mark.

Greg Pettis
Candidate for State Assembly - District 80 (Open Seat)
Riverside and Imperial Counties



Greg Pettis is a Cathedral City Councilman running for the open 80th Assembly District. Progressive Majority recruited Greg, who is openly gay, to run for this seat. The 80th is one of the two most important legislative targets in California this year, because the conservative incumbent is term-limited out of office. Demographically, the seat has been trending more and more Democratic and is ready for a progressive victory. In addition, all of the openly gay Assembly-members will be termed out in January 2009. If elected, Greg will keep a strong, openly gay voice in the lower chamber.

Click here to support and learn more about Greg.

Bob Blumenfield
Candidate for State Assembly - District 40 (Open Seat)
Los Angeles, Northridge, Van Nuys



Bob is running for the California Assembly, 40th District. For the past seven years Bob has been the District Director to Congressman Howard Berman. Bob is Chair of the Valley Anti-Defamation League, Vice Chair of the California Trust for Public Schools and a former board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. Bob is a strong proponent of progressive issues in such key areas as education, healthcare, the environment and economic justice. Bob has two formidable primary opponents who are conservative Democrats: Stuart Waldman is the former Chief of Staff to the current Assembly member, and Laurette Healey is a former Deputy State Controller. Bob has received the endorsement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressmembers Howard Berman and Henry Waxman, California State Speaker Fabian Nunez, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Click here to support and learn more about Bob.

Richard Barrera
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict D (Challenger)



Richard Barrera is a candidate for the San Diego School District in Nominating Subdistrict D. Richard is Latino and a union organizer with SEIU Local 399. Richard faces a difficult race in the general election against conservative incumbent Luis Acle, a former Reagan administration official who has openly expressed interest in higher office. A Barrera victory would create both a working progressive majority and a Democratic supermajority.

Click here to support and learn more about Richard.

Sherri Lightner
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 1 (Open Seat)



Sherri Lightner is running for the 1st City Council District in San Diego. A community volunteer and leader, Sherri has served as president of both the La Jolla Town Council and the La Jolla Shores Association. An engineer by training, she is a recognized expert on land development law. Because of term limits, the 1st will be an open seat. Sherri represents an opportunity to elect a progressive woman to a historically moderate to conservative seat, allowing for a potential progressive majority.

Click here to support and learn more about Sherri.

Stephen Whitburn
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 3 (Open Seat)



Stephen Whitburn is an openly gay candidate running for the open 3rd City Council District in San Diego. This seat is safely Democratic, but Stephen's election could mean the difference between a Democratic majority and a true progressive majority. In particular, he will fight for progressive values on housing issues, especially for renter's rights and against development that is forcing longtime residents (many elderly and people of color) out of what had been affordable housing. As a community activist, he has worked very closely with labor, walking picket lines and working to pass a living wage ordinance. Stephen is also a former union member with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Click here to support and learn more about Stephen.

John Lee Evans
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict A (Challenger)



John Lee Evans is a clinical psychologist and long-time progressive activist on education and social justice issues. He is running against an incumbent Republican, Mitz Lee. If elected, John will provide a strong progressive voice on the school board for local control and improved opportunity for children in low-income and immigrant communities. A win would create a progressive majority and a Democratic super majority.

Click here to support and learn more about John.


Here are some alternative energy events around California:

The Alameda 'Green' Economic Trends Meetup Group
April Focus on Solar Markets
Every Tuesday in April, 6:30 PM
Crosstown Cafe
1303 High St
Alameda, CA 94501
510-864-8600

We will present and discuss the current state of the green economy with a specific emphasis on Solar. Every Tuesday in April, we will have a meetup at the same place, same time... each with a different sector of the eco-friendly economy. We hope you can attend and tell a friend, this is the grassroots research and collaborative effort that enlightens!

Los Angeles Green Living Expo
Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM, FREE admission
LA Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles , CA 90015
213-741-1151

The Green Living Expo is dedicated to preserving the environment through education, communication and networking. The Expo includes classes, exhibits and live entertainment. "You can find a wide range of services at every Green Living Expo. The Green Living Expo also supports education by providing free curriculum to teachers. Our recycling curriculum has been designed to meet the standards of California, Hawaii and Nevada. The Green Living Expo is a memorable experience. You come to enjoy and have a good time, but leave passionate and intrigued to introduce green into your everyday life," says Evan Albright, Host of The Green Living Minute on FOX KOHN News in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Green Kid's zone will offer tons of entertainment and fun, while learning all about the importance of being green.

You can even bring your old electronics - there will be e-recycling bins at the event.

For more info, go here.

May 15-16, 2008 - California Climate Action Registry Sixth Annual Conference
San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina
San Diego, California

The California Climate Action Registry and Point Carbon invite you to join us in May for the 6th annual conference, Navigating the Carbon World. This two day event provides innovative insight into navigating climate programs across the globe. Participants will gain new perspectives to help chart their company's carbon-friendly course into the future.

This year for the first time, we are partnering with Point Carbon, a leading provider of independent news, analysis and consulting services for the global carbon market. Together we provide conference attendees with a unique perspective into understanding today’s carbon world.

This conference will sell out again, so REGISTER ONLINE TODAY to take advantage of these rates, available for a limited time.

For more information and registration, please go to:
www.climateregistry.org/EVENTS/Conference/

Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA
2008 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
"Scaling Up: Building Tomorrow's Solutions"

August 17–22, 2008 • Asilomar Conference Center • Pacific Grove, California

Conference Co-Chairs:

Michael Baechler, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Rich Brown, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The 2008 ACEEE Summer Study is the 14th biennial ACEEE conference on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and will be held August 17–22, 2008. A diverse group of energy efficiency professionals from around the world will gather at this pre-eminent meeting to discuss the technological basis for, and practical implementation of, reducing energy use in buildings. Presentations and discussions will relate to the theme, "Scaling Up: Building Tomorrow's Solutions." What started out at the Summer Study nearly three decades ago as a fringe activity is now mainstream: energy efficiency in buildings. Energy efficiency now represents our best hope to avoid the worst consequences of global warming and energy resource depletion. But to achieve this potential, the energy efficiency "engine" has to be greatly expanded. New programs, technologies, and financing sources need to be developed. A new generation of energy efficiency practitioners, researchers, and policymakers needs to be trained and deployed to solve the problems we face. Do you have ideas about how to make this happen? Come share your ideas and engage in dialogue about these issues at the 2008 Summer Study. Exchange ideas with some of the leading thinkers, visionaries, and luminaries in the field while experiencing the magnificent natural setting that is Asilomar.

The Early Bird Registration Fee for the full conference is $720; the Regular Registration Fee is $820 (both fees include a set of conference proceedings). The one-day fee is $350. All speakers must pay the registration fee.

The conference will be conducted in a casual atmosphere conducive to developing working relationships. Dress is also casual; jeans and shorts are appropriate attire.

For more information, go here.


Here are some progressive groups and events in California:

HOUSE PARTIES FOR CHARLIE BROWN FOR CONGRESS:
Lt. Col. Charlie Brown was a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His service record continued up to coordinating surveillance flights over Iraq’s “No Fly Zones.” Since retiring from the Air Force, he has been Vice President of the Roseville Police Association, and has been a tireless advocate for veterans rights, seniors, middle class families, and the environment. Brown nearly won this seat in 2008. Now he's back for a second shot and has a very good chance of winning. You can help by attending one of these house parties, meeting Charlie Brown, and finding out more about how you can help.

Sunday 04/06/2008
4:00pm - 6:00pm Auburn House Party

Wednesday 04/09/2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm Roseville House Party

Wednesday 04/16/2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm Rocklin House Party

Friday 04/25/2008
4:30pm - 6:30pm Nevada City Fundraising Event

Wednesday 04/30/2008
6:00pm - 8:00pm Colfax House Party

Thursday 05/08/2008
5:30pm - 7:30pm Grass Valley House Party

Wednesday 05/14/2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm El Dorado Hills House Party

Friday 05/16/2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm El Dorado Hills House Party

Saturday 05/17/2008
5:00pm - 7:00pm Georgetown House Party

San Ramon Valley Democrats Meetings
We are a group of dedicated Democrats living in the San Ramon Valley who have come together to support and promote the progressive social and political principles that always have been fundamental to the Democratic Party. The San Ramon Valley is comprised of Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo, Danville, San Ramon, and southern Walnut Creek, and members of our club come from each of those communities. We meet once a month for an educational program at Mudd's Restaurant in San Ramon, alternating between lunch on the second Tuesday, and appetizers (no-host bar) on the evening of the fourth Thursday (6:30 PM). We register people to vote, walk precincts to arouse voters, raise money for candidates, and enjoy the opportunity to socialize with people of common interests. Go here for more info.

Our meetings are lively and our programs are focused on issues of concern to Democrats, locally, statewide, and nationally. Our speakers are chosen for their astute insight into the problems before us as citizens and as voters. We socialize before and after the formal meetings, and enter into animated discussions about the topic of the day. In the process we become fast friends.

Mudds Restaurant
$22 per person (meal included)

Peace Vigils in Tri-Valley Area:
(Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton)

Grandparents for Peace Weekly Vigil - Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 in front of Rite-Aid Corner of Tice Valley Blvd and Rossmoor Parkway on the way to Rossmoor.

Weekly Vigil at Oakland Federal Building Tuesdays at Noon, 1301 Clay Street (2 blocks west of 12th St. BART station). This vigil began in the Spring of 1998, when Madeline Albright tried to gain support for a war against Iraq. The focus has changed over time, and is now calling for an end to the Iraq War and the occupation.

Martinez Peace Vigil - Sundays from 5:00 to 5:30 PM in front of Martinez City Hall. For iinfo: Barbara (925) 372-4152

Fight Hunger in San Francisco - Volunteer at the San Francisco Food Bank
Saturday, April 12th 2008, at 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
San Francisco Food Bank
900 Pennsylvania Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94107

San Francisco Young Democrats and Democrats Work
Contact:info_at_democratswork.org

Join Democrats Work and the San Francisco Young Democrats at the San Francisco Food Bank on Saturday, April 12th from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Our work will mean that thousands of pounds of food will be distributed at meal and pantry programs throughout the city.

Be sure to wear your Democrats Work t-shirts!

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

OREGON FOCUS: Neighborhood Leaders, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

Oregon will be a major battleground this year. Not only is is a swing state for the Presidential race, but it also will be critical in our fight to regain the Senate. You can help win both the Presidency and the Senate by donating through my Oregon Act Blue Site.

Even more importantly, you can become a Neighborhood Leader for the Oregon Democratic Party and be a major part of Victory 2008.

Here are progressive events and groups in Oregon: (events first, groups at the end)

Northwest Solar Expo
April 16-20, 2008
Oregon Convention Center, Portland
Wednesday, April 16: Professionals only, 8am-5pm
Thursday, April 17: Professionals only, 8am-5pm
Friday, April 18: Professionals only, 8am-5pm
Saturday, April 19: Open to public - $12, 10am-6pm
Sunday, April 20: Open to public - $12, 10am-4pm

No matter what your budget is there is a clean energy solution available today. From utility portfolio options, to energy efficiency, to generating your own clean energy, a solution within your budget exists today to respond to the energy concerns we are all facing.

Join us at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland and check out the latest clean energy options for your home or business.

The expo will offer workshops, Exhibitors, and seminars to homeowners and business owners interested in clean energy solutions for their homes and buildings.

Register here.

2008 Oregon Black Political Convention
Start: Apr 18 2008 - 1:00pm
End: Apr 20 2008 - 1:59pm

"Recognizing and using Black political action to make political change." For further info, contact oaba@peak.org. What is done at this convention to help Black Oregonians benefits all Oregonians. This non-partisan group is meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel Portland, to discuss issues and conditions of the Oregon black community and to support candidates running for political office who are responsive to them. Actions and endorsements of this convention are not those of the OABA, Oregon Assembly for Black Affairs.

Voter Registration @ Earth Day Events
Start: Apr 19 2008 - 10:00am
End: Apr 19 2008 - 4:00pm

The tight race between the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, means that Oregon's May 20th primary could be very decisive. Since only registered Democrats can vote in the contest, many voters are looking to change their registration. You can help the Democratic Party of Oregon re-register voters for the primary at your local Earth Day event. Write to field@dpo.org for more information, to sign-up, and to let us know about an event in your area you think we should be at.

Voter Registration Canvass
Start: Apr 26 and 27, 2-5 pm

The tight race between the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, means that Oregon's May 20th primary could be very decisive. Since only registered Democrats can vote in the contest, many voters are looking to change their registration. Wherever you are in the state, you can help the Democratic Party of Oregon re-register voters for the primary. Write to field@dpo.org for more information and to sign-up!

Ecovillage and Permaculture Certificate Program
June 16, 2008 - August 8, 2008
At Lost Valley
Learn practical tools for self-reliant living and sustainable human habitats in this affordable 8-week program. Built around the permaculture design curriculum, this dynamic educational experience includes a full permaculture design course and provides a holistic introduction to ecovillages.
Location: Dexter, Oregon
Scope: International
Website: http://www.lostvalley.org/epcp

SolWest 2008 Conference
July 25, 26 and 27
Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For more info, go here.

Ecovillage and Permaculture Certificate Program - At Lost Valley
June 16, 2008 - August 8, 2008
Learn practical tools for self-reliant living and sustainable human habitats in this affordable 8-week program. Built around the permaculture design curriculum, this dynamic educational experience includes a full permaculture design course and provides a holistic introduction to ecovillages, int...
Location: Dexter, Oregon
Scope: International
Website: http://www.lostvalley.org/epcp

Harney County "Alternative Energy Club"
Third Thursdays, 7pm; Harney County Library, Burns OR. Contact Claire Larson 541-573-6680.

Wasco County Dems' Monthly Meeting
Second Tuesday of every month at The Dalles-Wasco County Library. Questions? Call 541.298.4700.

Deschutes County Dems Monthly Meetings:
Second Thursday of every month
7 to 9 p.m. (6:30 social) at Bend's Community Center, 1036 NE 5th Street

Umatilla County Democratic Women These Dems meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm, generally alternating between Pendleton and Hermiston. The Chair is ElRae Wells Ph. 276-7943 (call for more info).

Umatilla County Dems now meet at 6pm on 2nd Thursdays at Pendleton's BMCC Sci-Tech Bldg in Rm 204

Every Thursday Vancouver For Peace Street Vigil
Bring your own signs or use one of ours. We stand of the corner of the Vancouver main library and express our desire to end the illegal occupation of Iraq (and other issues). This is a Vancouver for Peace event.
Event Date: Every Thursday
Event Time: 4:30 PM
Venue Name: Ft Vancouver Library
Address: 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd
City: Vancouver


Here is a Democracy for America Group in Oregon:

Tigard DFA
1st Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM
Silver Palace
Tigard, OR
We are a motivated band of progressive activists who meet occasionally for political discussions and activism.
Phone Number: 503-620-3536


And for those who like to combine socializing and politics, here are Drinking Liberally groups in Oregon:

Corvallis, Oregon
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm
* Squirrels, 100 SW 2nd St (non-smoking, good food)

Portland, Oregon
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:00 - 10:00 pm
* Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St (Upstairs)
* Hosted by Nicole Vanderhoof, James Riddle and Bill Nothstine, portland (at) drinkingliberally.org

St. Helens, Oregon
* Second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
* Red Line Sports Bar & Grill, 2098 Old Portland Rd (Back Room)
* Just drop in - all welcome
* Hosted by Julane Grant, sthelens (at) drinkingliberally.org

NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Blue Radio, Peace Rallies, Impeachment, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY ACT BLUE SITE: Turning New Jersey BLUER!

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 JERSEY CITY ANTI-WAR RALLY
Sundays 12noon-1pm
Jersey City Peace Movement is calling for an ANTI-WAR Vigil and Flyering from
12 noon till 1pm
at Journal Square's Fountain.

(Take PATH train from NYC to Journal Square)

Bring PEACE posters, buttons and a friend!
Bring flyers from YOUR peace and justice organization!

Spread the Word!

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


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: Impeachment, Groups and Events

VIRGINIA ACT BLUE SITE: Help turn Virginia even more blue. Since 2005 Virginia has been trending blue, and we can continue that trend. Virginia is important in winning back the Senate, and I believe it might even be a swing state in the Presidential race. There are THREE key House races in Virginia this year. The DCCC is targeting VA-11, where the incumbent Repub is one of nearly 30 Republicans to retire, making it an open seat, VA-02, where the Repub incumbent won by LESS THAN 5%, and VA-10. Looking pretty good!

Let's start with 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


Next I want to introduce you to Tom Perriello who is running for Congress in the VA-5 district. Tom has work withed child soldiers, amputees, and local pro-democracy groups in Sierra Leone played a significant role in the peace and reconciliation process that ended twelve years of violence in that country. He then became Special Advisor and spokesperson for the International Prosecutor during the showdown that forced Liberian dictator Charles Taylor from power without firing a shot. After this success, Tom served as a national security analyst for the Century Foundation. He has worked inside Darfur and twice in Afghanistan. This is the kind of leadership we need in Congress! He is raising record amounts of money to defeat the incumbent Republican.

Franklin County Perriello for Congress Office Grand Opening
When: Mon Apr 7 17:00 – Mon Apr 7 20:00
Where: 130 Scruggs Rd, Suite 215, Moneta, VA 24121

Join us for the grand opening of the Perriello campaign office in Franklin County!

Featuring Tom and special guest speakers TBA.

For more information about this event, contact Drew Lumpkin, Regional Director, at (434) 882-0554

Meet, Greet, and Eat at Mildred’s Meals (Kenbridge-Lunenburg County)
When: Tue Apr 15 07:30 – Tue Apr 15 08:30
Where: 109 E 5th Ave., Kenbridge, VA 23944

Tom Perriello will be meeting the voters of the 5th District at Mildred's Meals in Kenbridge the morning of April 15th in Lunenburg County. All are welcome to come out to meet Tom!


Now some other groups and events:

Arlington Democrats Meetup Group
Meet other local Dems! Sponsored by the Arlington Democratic Committee, about 60 attendees meet to discuss local/national politics, listen to guest speakers and receive news on getting involved. Email jamesemcb_at_yahoo.com to join the ACDC listserv or sign up at www.arlingtonyoungdems.org.

Monthly Charlottesville Democratic Breakfast
This gathering takes place on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30a.m. and is usually held at the JABA building on Hillsdale Drive. Pay what you can.

Virginia Beach Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
Held the First Wednesday of every month, 7 PM, at the Virginia Beach Central Library.

Monthly Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering
Final Thursday of evern month, 7:15pm

Location: Sojourners UCC Church, 1017 Elliott Ave, Charlottesville
Sponser: Interfaith Cooperation Circle of Central Virginia-URI; Gesher Center; Unity Church

Description:
On the final Thursday of every month, the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gathering welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs to an inspired and inspiring flow of prayers, meditations and songs for peace.

Contact Name: Heena Reiter
Contact email: gesher_at_mindspring.com
Contact Phone: 434-970-7836

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

FLORIDA FOCUS: Peace Vigils, Groups and Events

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

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

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

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

Call Ed Murphy 382-0876 for more info

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

Call Beverly at 400-4174 for more info

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MICHIGAN FOCUS: Groups and Events

Here are some events and groups in Michigan:

The Huron County Democratic Party is hosting their annual "Spaghetti Feed" Fundraiser Sunday, 4-13-08, at the Pasta House, 337 Main Street, Kindle, MI. One of the Special Guests include: State Rep. Terry Brown, who will be addressing the group sometime between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a great buffet with us at one of the few Democrat-owned and operated restaurants in the Upper Thumb! - take-outs available too! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity - Upper Thumb Chapter. Please make checks payable to : Huron County Democratic Party and mail to : HCDP, P.O. Box 41, Bad Axe MI 48413 to be received by April 10, 2008 - donations also accepted at the door.
TIME: 1:00p.m.- 5:00p.m.
DONATION: $10.00 per person
CONTACT: David McDonald, "Spaghetti Feed" Chair, at (989)-269-7674 or davidamcd_at_sbcglobal.net

2008 Health Care Leader Forum: The Value Chain Approach—Maximizing Value
On April 14–15, 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Detroit Regional Chamber will sponsor a forum examining the "value chain" perspective of health care delivery in the U.S. The program will discuss how the value chain approach would lead to improvement in health care quality, reduction in costs, and increased user accessibility.

Our speaker at the evening reception on April 14, 2008, will be Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers, UAW. In light of the new collective agreement of 2007, the UAW membership will become a recipient as well as a major provider and payer of health care services. We look forward to a most interesting and thought-provoking evening, as Gettelfinger discusses the prospective issues that need to be addressed and the challenges that this new arrangement has created.

This year's featured speaker will be Professor Elizabeth Teisberg who will describe how focusing on creation of value to the patient will create greater competition and efficiency in the health care delivery system. In addition, there will be a series of speakers and panels that would examine the value chain issue more closely from the prospective of the consumer, provider, regulator and, of course, the medical professional.

Register and more info here.

The Shiawassee County Party is hosting their "14th Annual Pasta & Politics" Fundraiser Friday, 4-18-08, at GiGi's House of Catering, 3144 E. M-21, Corunna, MI 48817. Speaker to be announced.
TIME: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
DONATION: $20.00 per person (2 for $35.00) / $15.00 Seniors & Students (2 for $25.00) $10.00 Children 10 and under
CONTACT: Carol Spaniola, 989/743-3293, 517 W. Corunna Ave., Corunna, MI 48817 or e-mail: cburger7_at_verizon.net

The Muskegon County Democratic Party is hosting their "Annual Ball" Fundraiser Saturday, 4-19-08, at the Oakridge Country Club, 513 Pontaluna Road, Muskegon, MI. This is a 'Black Tie Optional' event! A great opportunity to meet and greet some great Democrats.
TIME: 5:30 p.m., Reception / 7:00 p.m.(approximately), Dinner and Entertainment
DONATION: $40.00 per person
CONTACT: Gary Conrad, 231/722-2254 or 231/893-0191 for additional information

The Allegan and Ottawa County Democratic Parties are hosting a "Cinco de Mayo Fiesta" Fundraiser Saturday, 5-3-08, at Tres Lobos Grill & Bar, 381 Douglas Avenue, Holland, MI. A Silent Auction will be held to benefit both counties. Guest Speaker to be announced.
TIME: 6:00 p.m., Happy Hour with Cash Bar / 7:00 p.m., Dinner
DONATION: $30.00 per person / $15.00 per Student
CONTACT: Linda Reynolds, 269/694-6523, for tickets or additional information

The Gladwin County Democratic Party is hosting their "4th Annual Pig Roast" Fundraiser Saturday, 7-19-08, at the Ross Lake Park, Beaverton, MI—on M-18 just north of the bridge in Beaverton, MI. Our major fundraiser of the year featuring: Pulled Pork (barbequed on-site) – Live Music – Plenty of Great Company – Lots of Recreational Opportunities for families of all ages! We want to get out the message that only Democratic elected officials can change the political landscape in any positive and meaningful way.
DONATION: $10.00 Adults / $25.00 Family (1 or 2 Adults and all Minor Children)
$50.00 Gold Ticket. Same as the Family ticket except it is intended for people who want to make a bigger difference. As the ticket explains: I want to make an extra contribution to the Party.
As a Democrat, I know that my extra contribution brings extra satisfaction, not extra privileges.
CONTACT: Bob Frei, 989/435-3598

Democracy For America Training Academy in Lansing, MI
Saturday June 7th through Sunday June 8th
9am-6pm each day.

You have the power, now learn the skills! The Democracy for America Training Academy is coming to Lansing, MI for two days of exciting campaign training.

How many votes will it take to win in November? How do you find the perfect message and get it out to voters in your district? How will you raise enough money to pay for it all?

The DFA Training Academy will help you answer these questions and more.

At the DFA Training Academy, top campaign consultants with decades of experience give you the skills to run a winning campaign. Topics include: field planning, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and more.

Attendees will also get to hear directly from some of the most exciting 2008 candidates in their area and get a copy of the DFA Training Manual packed with over 180 pages of winning campaign info.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and a social event will be organized Saturday evening so you can mingle and network with other activists in your area.

The training will run from 9am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you plan on attending this training and have specific questions, call our Training Department hotline at DFA at 802-651-3200 Ext. 191.

If you are a candidate running for office and plan on attending, please email us at training(at)democracyforamerica.com and let us know.

For more info on the DFA Training Academy visit: www.democracyforamerica.com/training

Monthly Flint, MI Progressive Caucus Meeting
2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:30:00 PM
Asbury United Methodist Church, Flint

Mid-Michigan DFA Monthly Meeting
First Wed of each month, 7:00 PM
SEIU Local
1026 E. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone Number: 517-482-1737

Farmington Hills Club Meeting
Farmington / Farmington Hills Democratic Club
Third Wednesday of Every Month
Starting at 7:30pm
Web: http://www.ffhdc.org
Phone: 248-615-9119
Location: Varies...call or check out website for more info.

Pontiac Democratic Club
Third Saturday of Every Month
Starting at 10:00am
Pontiac City Hall
47450 Woodward Ave., Pontiac
Phone: 248-338-7765
Location: Pontiac City Hall, 47450 Woodward Ave., Pontiac


And for those who want to combine socializing with politics, here are some Michigan Drinking Liberally groups:

Ann Arbor, Michigan
* Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 7pm
* Leopold Bros., 523 S Main St (between Packard and Madison by RR tracks)
* Hosted by Jenay Karlson, Leah Hanzlicek and Jeffrey Schultz, annarbor (at) drinkingliberally.org

Grand Rapids, Michigan
* Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Graydon's Crossing, 1223 Plainfield Ave NE (just north of Leonard)
* This month, we're meeting on Tuesday, 4 March at 7:00 for a Primary Results Watch Party
* Hosted by Brent Geers and Phil Skaggs, grandrapids (at) drinkingliberally.org

Houghton, Michigan
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Keweenaw Brewing Company, 408 Shelden Ave (Downtown Houghton)
* http://drinkingliberally.wikispaces.com
* Hosted by Jeremy Sandrik and Jon Maxwell, houghton (at) drinkingliberally.org

Lansing, Michigan
* Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Reno's East, 1310 Abbott Rd, East Lansing (Corner of Abbott and Saginaw)
* Hosted by Julielyn Gibbons, lansing (at) drinkingliberally.org

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
* Second Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Mountain Town Brewing Company, 506 W Broadway St
* Hosted by Abhik Roy, Will Tomlinson, Scott Dunn and Brandon Mayer, mtpleasant (at) drinkingliberally.org

Oakland County, Michigan
* Third Thursday of each month, 6:00 pm onward
* Rochester Mills Beer Company, 410 Water St, Rochester (Downtown Rochester)
* Great food and some great brews, bring a hunger and a thirst for Democracy!
* Hosted by Ron Wasczenski, oaklandcounty (at) drinkingliberally.org