VIRGINIA FOCUS: Darwin Day, Blogs, Energy and Agriculture, Groups and Events

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

Join us Friday Night at 8:00 at the Richmond Convention Center for a Reception with the Candidates for 2009 Statewide Office. $25

YD Tickets for the JJ Dinner are only $75. Get your's exclusively through the Virginia Young Democrats! (Under 36 only, please)


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.

Darwin: Evidence and Evolution
Date and Time: 2009-02-07 21:00:00
Address:
Virginia Museum of Natural History
21 Starling Ave.
Martinsville/Virginia, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://www.vmnh.net

Activities:
This exhibition examines the scientific contributions of Charles Darwin, including his landmark publication The Origin of Species. The exhibition's showing in 2009 commemorates the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species.

Sponsor: Virginia Museum of Natural History

Contact: Ryan Barber, Director of Marketing and External Affairs
Email: ryan.barber_at_vmnh.virginia.gov
Phone: 276-634-4163


BLOGGING VIRGINIA:

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

The Virginia Public Access Project is a non profit group that demonstrates how technology can improve public understanding of money's role in Virginia politics. This is one of the best resources to use to find out who takes money from whom in Virginia politics.

The Virginia Organizing Project is a statewide, multi-issue citizens' organization committed to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives.

Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) is a not-for-profit organization concentrating in the areas of law that affect low-income families.

The Richmond Democrat

The Virginia Young Democrats blog has links to local Young Democrat groups and college clubs, and has information of interest to young voters in Virginia. This is Virginia's political future!

Virginia Coalition for Open Government: formed to promote expanded access to government records, meetings and other proceedings at the state and local level. Our efforts are focused solely on local/state information access. While we do some lobbying (within limits imposed by IRS rules), our primary work is educational. The Coalition was formed in 1996, after a year-long organizing effort. Our 23-member board of directors represents the state's access activists and friends of open government, including Virginia's librarians, genealogists, broadcasters, newspapers and the public at large. Also check out their blog for recent news.

Ox Road South: Chap Peterson's website


Some stories of interest:

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran vowed Thursday to fight a proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in southern Virginia

Why Torture Doesn't Work: Thing is, this isn't new! People have known for some time that torture isn't really very effective...as well as being illegal and immoral. And on a related issue: Closing Gitmo

Stay Informed during 2009 General Assembly Session

Company seeks to build energy plant fueled by landfill's fumes

Safety board digs into coal-mining issues


Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture in Virginia:

Algae Key to Greenhouse Gases Solution? This is a topic I have been skeptical of, but have recently read up more on the topic and feel it is well worth looking into. This article comes from the Roanoke Democracy for America website.

Living Green DC/MD/VA:
LIVING GREEN DC/MD/VA works to send a message to the community and influence small changes in everyday actions that can have a big impact on our world. As a group we look for ways to make small changes in the way we live, enjoying the support and friendship of other like-minded people. This meetup can only grow if lots of members become Assistant Organizers and provide fun and creative ways to socialize, learn, spread the word, volunteer, network, do fun things. Suggestions are seeing films with environmental themes, dining where organic and locally purchased produce is promoted, visiting farmers markets and socializing afterwards, volunteering for Earth Day activities, meeting in cafes to discuss books and articles, etc.. Whether it's a movie screening or eating a meal with freinds at an environmentally friendly restaurant, you are sure to make an impact, so join the group and volunteer. Go here for more information.

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

Virginia Sustainable Agriculture Organizations and Publications: Whether you're a beginning farmer, or an experienced agricultural producer interested in transitioning to more sustainable practices, you may want to start by learning more about the principles of sustainable agriculture and some of the "systems" approaches associated with it.

Northern Virginia Environment Meetup: Promoting alternative energy: Freedom's Renewable Energy Everyday/where/one. Sign up here to find out when and where they meet.


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

Equality Loudoun has been working since 2003 to make Loudoun County, Virginia a welcoming place for all its residents - gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight.

Vienna Hispanic Democrats:
Meet with local Hispanic Democrats. To learn more, join here.

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

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, Virginia Chapter: Keeping America Free, Secular and Jeffersonian. Church-state separation stands as one of the foundations of our nation. Because of it, Americans enjoy unparalleled religious liberty and nurture one of the most vital religious communities in the world. Separation guarantees the freedom to worship or not to worship as you choose. Northern Virginia Chapter and Southern Virginia Chapter.

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