CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Blogs, Darwin Day, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

DARWIN DAY 2009 EVENTS: Feb. 12, 2009 (not all events on the same day)

Darwin's 200th birthday, to be celebrated by the GLOBAL community as a toast to the common good of all humanity. We will all want to develop events to Celebrate Darwin, Science and Humanity and come together as one human family in appreciation of verifiable knowledge that has been acquired solely through human curiosity and ingenuity. Scientific knowledge has been of great value to all of us.

Colloquium "In the Light of Evolution: Two Centuries of Darwin"
Date and Time: 2009-01-16 08:00:00
Address:
Beckman Center
100 Academy Way (University Research Park)
Irvine/CA 92617, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.nasonline.org/Sackler_Darwin

Activities:
Sackler Colloquium is organized by John Avise and Francisco J. Ayala, University of California, Irvine. Two-day meeting of leading researchers, open to public, registration fee.

Address:
Beckman Center
100 Academy Way (University Research Park)
Irvine/CA 92617 UNITED STATES

Sponsor: National Academy of Sciences

Contact: Susan Marty
Email: smarty_at_nas.edu
Phone: 949-721-2213

150 Years of Evolution - Darwin's Impact on the Humanities
Date and Time: 2009-11-22 19:30:00
Address:
San Diego State University, Department of Philosophy
San Diego/California 92, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://cal.sdsu.edu/darwin/callpapers.htm

Activities: An academic symposium

Contact: Mark Wheeler
Email: mark.wheeler_at_sdsu.edu
Phone: (619) 594-6706

Celebrating science and Darwin bicentenary
Date and Time: 2009-02-15 14:00:00
Address:
San Diego Public Library (probably)
San Diego/California 92101, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.HFSD.info

Activities:
Education and entertainment will be harmonized in a D-200 event to be organized by the Humanist Fellowship of San Diego. We will seek the participation of local scientific departments and freethought organizations. Details will be posted here and on our website www.HFSD.info as they develop.

Sponsor: The Humanist Fellowship of San Diego

Contact: Susi Reed
Email: Humanists_at_gmail.com
Phone: 619-670-4159

Darwin Birthday Concert at UCSD School of Medicine
Date and Time: 2009-02-07 19:30:00
Address:
UCSD School of Medicine, Basic Science Bldg., Liebow Auditorium
Gilman Drive off La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla/CA 92067, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.scientificgospel.com

Activities:
Galapagos Mountain Boys in concert, performing evolutionary songs dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. Songs are from their newest CD.

Sponsor: UCSD Faculty Club and Scientific Gospel Productions, LLC.

Contact: Carol Baird
Email: carol_at_scientificgospel.com
Phone: 858-481-0765

Darwin's 200th Birthday Celebration at UCSD Faculty Club
Date and Time: 2009-02-12 19:30:00
Address:
UC San Diego Faculty Club
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla/CA 92093, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.scientificgospel.com

Activities:
Gourmet Darwin dinner with Evolution wine, primordial ooze soup, finch with Barbara McClintock's jumping gene corn stuffing, Mendel's peas and lava pie for dessert. Concert following dinner by The Galapagos Mountain Boys, performing evolutionary songs from their newest CD in tribute to this night:

Sponsor: UCSD Faculty Club and Dept. of Biology

Contact: Thomas Mignano
Email: tmignano_at_ucsd.edu
Phone: 858-534-5719

2009 Dean's Symposium: Evolutionary Biology: Molecules to Man
Date and Time: 2009-04-03 20:00:00
Address:
UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla/CA , UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://2009deansymposium.ucsd.edu

Activities:
April 2, 2009: undergraduate student competition on the expression of evolution through essay, dance, music, etc.
April 2, 2009: Dr. Michael Shermer on Darwin and Evolution: 7 pm.
April 3: Dean's Symposium on Evolutionary Biology

Sponsor: UC San Diego

Contact: Patricia Walsh
Email: pwalsh_at_ucsd.edu
Phone: 858-534-3112

Evolution, Science and Religion: Humanist Fellowship San Diego
Date and Time: 2009-02-15 14:00:00
Address:
820 E St
San Diego/CA 92101, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.hfsd.info

Activities:
Phillip De Barros will present "Evolution, Science and Religion" based on his television series by that name. Cornell Jaray will present a powerpoint show on the life and work of Charles Darwin.

Address:
820 E St
San Diego/CA 92101 UNITED STATES

Sponsor: The Humanist Fellowship of San Diego

Contact: Susi Reed
Email: Humanists_at_gmail.com
Phone: 619-670-4159


Darwin Comes to Santa Barbara
Date and Time: 2009-02-08 19:30:00
Address:
Santa Barbara Musem of Natural History
Santa Barbara/CA , UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.santabarbarahumanists.org/Calendar/Darwin09.htm

Activities:
Speeches, panels, impersonations, etc. See web site for more details.

Sponsor: Humanist Society of Santa Barbara and Museum of Natural History

Contact: Roger Schlueter
Email: President_at_SantaBarbaraHumanists.org
Phone: 805/962-6316

Evolve 2009 Launch at NightLife
Date and Time: 2009-02-12 18:00:00
Address:
55 Music Conourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco/CA 94118, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.calacademy.org

Activities:
Music, drinks and science in the spectacular new California Academy of Sciences with an informal talk @ 7 pm by Professor Emeritus Keith Thomson, "Who Was Charles Darwin?" TICKETED EVENT--$10

Sponsor: California Academy of Sciences

Contact: Jean Farrington
Email: jfarrington@calacademy.org

Evolutionpalooza! Darwin Day 2009
Date and Time: 2009-02-08 14:30:00
Address:
San Francisco Main Branch Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco/CA 94102-4733, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.sfatheists.com/darwinday2009.htm

Activities:
Free Admission! Speakers! The annual Darwin Scholarship ceremony!

Sponsor: San Francisco Atheists

Contact: Dave Fitzgerald
Email: fitz_at_sfatheists.com

Sacramento's 12th annual Darwin Day
Date and Time: 2009-02-08 14:30:00
Address:
John Smith Hall, La Sierra Community Center
5325 Engle Road
Carmichael/CA 95608, UNITED STATES

Activities:
A festive community celebration complete with birthday cake, featuring an educational program, entertainment, literature and merchandise tables. This year's major presentation is by MICHAEL SHERMER, author of numerous books, founder of the Skeptics Society and columnist for Scientific American. [ Please note: Doors open at 2 PM. Program itself begins at 2:30 PM ]

Sponsor: Cooperating Community Organizations including College Depts

Contact: Mynga Futrell
Email: ckprofessional_at_aol.com
Phone: 916-737-5158

Darwin's Birthday Party
Date and Time: 2009-02-12 10:00:00
Address:
Bell Memorial Union, CSU Chico
400 West 1st St.
Chico/CA 95929, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://myweb.csuchico.edu/~ctivey/dday.html

Activities:
K12 kids & families welcome. Games, educational displays, prizes, birthday cake, fossils, & information will be available.

Sponsor: Darwin Day group

Contact: Chris Ivey
Email: ctivey_at_csuchico.edu


BLOGGING CALIFORNIA: Here are some blogs covering California Politics

Calitics is an open source news organization for California.

The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

The Liberal OC covers politics in Orange County.

LeftyBlogs California is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across California.


Some articles of note:

Sempra solar energy project makes advances in costs

BART and the Need For Civilian Oversight...and on a related note: Senator Yee and Assemblyman Ammiano Announce Legislation to Provide Better Accountability and Oversight of BART Police

Find H8Ters In Your Neighborhood! Your tool to boycott Prop. 8 supporters

It's YOUR High Speed Rail Project

CA-32: Romero Drops Out and Endorses Cedillo

Biodiesel from Coffee Grounds!

CA-32: Romero and Chu Eye Solis' U.S. House Seat

From Daily Kos comes this rundown of 2010 races in California:

Senator Barbara Boxer is up for reelection, and she ought to win, unless she happens to face an exceptionally strong candidate like, say, term-limited Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I feel that Boxer would beat the Governator (who has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for a Cabinet position) in a head-to-head race, but it would be quite a lot of fun to watch.

Perhaps not as much fun, however, as the Democratic primary for Governor is expected to be.

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi is already running. Other possible or expected candidates include:

• Attorney General, former Governor, former Presidential candidate and former Mayor of Oakland Jerry Brown.
• U.S. Senator and former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein.
• San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
• Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
• U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez
• U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis

And those are just the Democrats. On the GOP side, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is expected to run, and we can only hope that Conservative Icon Tom McClintock might get into the race, whether or not he wins in the House.

Speaking of the House, there probably won't be too many top-tier races to begin with, but as we saw this year, there are a number of California districts where upsets are plausible. Among them:

CA-03, where Republican Dan "the Sacramento '49er" Lungren received under 50% of the vote in 2008.
CA-04, where we still don't know who the next Representative will be (though it's not looking good for Democrat Charlie Brown).
CA-26, where incumbent Republican David Drier pulled just 53% in 2008
CA-44, where Democrat Bill Hedrick nearly shocked the world by pulling off a stunning upset of Republican Ken Calvert, in a race no one saw coming.
CA-45, a moderately Republican district and home of Democrat Mary Bono Mack.
CA-46, where Republican Dana Rohrabacher got just 53% against Democrat Debbie Cook this year.

Meanwhile, it's likely Republicans will take another crack at Jerry McNerney in CA-11. It's likely neither party will gain any House seats in California in 2010, but you never know.

CA-Attorney General: Ted Lieu files for Attorney General

There's more than one crisis: Water situation grows ominous

The Prop. 8 Case: You Might Not Be Gay, But You Might Be Next: The ACLU takes on California's Hate Amendment


STONEWALL DEMOCRATS and related organizations in California:

Stonewall Democrats of Los Angeles

Central Valley Stonewall Democratic Club
Stockton, CA

Desert Stonewall Democrats
Cathedral City, CA

Eleanor Roosevelt Stonewall Democrats of Orange County
Santa Anna, CA

Fresno Stonewall Democrats
Fresno, CA

Sacramento Stonewall Democrats
Sacramento, CA

San Diego Democratic Club
San Diego, CA

Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Stonewall Democrats of Ventura County
Ventura, CA

Stonewall Alliance of Chico: The Stonewall Alliance Center offers a range of services to help connect people to their community. Volunteers staffing the Center provide information on activities and events and offer referrals for services. Our Education & Outreach give community members access to the Harlan Adams Memorial Library, Out Education classes, we deliver speaker’s panels to local colleges and presenters to area organizations and groups.


Alternative Energy in California:

Here are some Biodiesel Cooperatives in California. If you have a diesel truck or car, joining one of these co-ops can help you drive more green.

The Berkeley Biodiesel Collecctive
Berkeley, CA
email: berkeleybiodiesel_at_yahoo.com. Or check out their website.

The Biofuels Research Cooperative
Sebastopol, CA
email: veggieoilcoop_at_yahoo.com.

I also want to highlight Conserv Fuels in Los Angeles, which offers a selection of alternative fuels (biodiesel and ethanol included) as well as pretty cheap regular gasoline. Joy and I buy our fuel (whatever we need) when we are in Los Angeles.

And Propel Fuels have several stations around California that offer biodiesel (and, according to a reader, they also offer E85 ethanol blend): (I discovered them when I saw they did carbon offsets)

* Rocklin
6700 Five Star Blvd
Sacramento, California 95677

* Citrus Heights
7741 Auburn Blvd
Citrus Heights, California 95610

* Sacramento, Folsom Blvd.
8090 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, California 95826

* Sacramento, Norwood Ave.
4200 Norwood Ave
Sacramento, California 95838

* Sacramento, Florin Road
8062 Florin Road
Sacramento, California 95828

* Elk Grove
9190 E Stockton Blvd
Elk Grove, California 95624

* Roseville
999 Sunrise Ave
Roseville, California 95661

* Placerville
151 Main St
Placerville, California 95667


Here are other alternative energy resources for Califorina:

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

San Francisco Community Power pilots innovative programs that improve our neighborhoods' environmental and economic conditions. We help small businesses and low-income families lower their expenses and reduce their ecological footprint. Our work provides policy makers with demonstrative ways to solve complex resource allocation issues.


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


Here are some local political meetings in California:

San Fernando Valley Young Democrats: San Fernando Valley Young Democrats shall endeavor to stimulate in young people an active interest in governmental affairs, increase the efficiency of our government, maintain the viability of our free institutions, and contribute to the growth and influence of the ideals and philosophy of the Democratic Party. Check their calendar of events here.

Pasadena Young Democrats:
PYD welcomes students and young adults from throughout the region to join us. The mission of PYD is to encourage young people to participate in the political process, support progressive ideals and Democratic candidates and have a lot fun in the process!

If you are actively looking to find out about the local scene, get involved with a campaign, or even if you are just looking for some fun progressive people aged 14-35 to hang out with, we encourage you to join PYD and attend one of our meetings or events. Check out their calendar here.

Orange County Young Democrats: We are young workers, young families, college and high school students--ages 14-35--who are commited to the Democratic values that make America strong and provide opportunity for all. As the official voice for young people in the Democratic Party of Orange County, OCYD is a network of Young Democrat activists around the county that are helping to provide a Democratic presence around Orange County and around college and high school campuses. Check out their calendar here.

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)

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