Progressive Democrat Issue 197

For me this was a good week. I got to attend the induction ceremony for a friend who was elected judge in 2008. It was a hard fought and difficult race, but we won and it felt great to see one of the good guys officially become a judge.

We can win even tough fights if we work hard enough at it. Of course we never can win all the fights, but we can win when it really matters.

And this week Barack Obama will be sworn in as President. I never expect to agree with anyone 100%, and Obama is no different. But I have been talking to people from all over the country and even all over the world and almost every one of them is excited about Obama. Partly it is the fact that this is history in the making. Partly it is that Obama is a truely inspiring person. And partly it is that people are desperate to see the end of the disastrous Bush era.

This week I discuss these themes: remembering the dismal failures of Bush and the Republican Party, considering the fact that the Democrats are almost always the party that first accepts progress and advances history, and celebrating the beginning of a new era. I also am somewhat expanding some of my local coverage.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

CELEBRATE 1/20/2009

Making History with the Democratic Party

A Review of Republican Failure

NYC FOCUS: Energy Scams vs. Green Energy

NY STATE FOCUS

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA FOCUS

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA FOCUS

CALIFORNIA FOCUS

NEW JERSEY FOCUS

GEORGIA FOCUS

TEXAS FOCUS

VIRGINIA FOCUS

FLORIDA FOCUS

BLACK MESA, ARIZONA FOCUS

ARIZONA FOCUS

COLORADO FOCUS

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS

WASHINGTON FOCUS

ILLINOIS FOCUS

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS

IOWA FOCUS

WISCONSIN FOCUS

NEVADA FOCUS

Celebrate 1/20/09

Change is in the air! On January 20th, 2008, one of the worst eras in American history will close, and a new, almost certainly MUCH better era will begin. It is time to celebrate. How will you celebrate the end of the Bush regime and the beginning of the Obama Presidency? With the passing of one very depressing era, and the start of a new very hopeful era on 1/20/08, I am considering several ways to commemorate the event.

Perhaps it is time to show my pride as a liberal American. Be PROUD to be a liberal American. Our nation was founded on liberal principles and we should remind everyone around us that it is PATRIOTIC to be liberal.



Perhaps it is time to invest in renewable energy produced here in America on American farms and Native American lands. We need to rebuild America, rebuild our economy in a new, greener image. Native Energy is one of the best programs to focus on to do this.



Perhaps it is time to restore our Constitution. The ACLU has been at the forefront of fighting the Bush regime's attacks on American values. We will need them still to deal with the long term fallout from those attacks.



Perhaps it is time to focus on the future of the Progressive Movement. Our big wins in 2006 and 2008 are only the beginning.



Perhaps it is time to further build the grassroots to offset the role of big money in politics. United we are a force to be reakoned with. Divided we are losers.



Maybe it is time to invest in the Democratic Party through Howard Dean's Democracy Bonds, a way to support the DNC through small contributions from individual donors. This has been key in reducing the influence of big money on our party.



How are you going to celebrate? How are you going to savor history in the making?

Making History With the Democratic Party

This week Obama will be sworn in as our first black President. We were told it wouldn't happen in our lifetimes. We were told Americans in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina would NEVER vote for a black President. We were told the first black President would HAVE to be a Republican.

None of this proved true. America IS ready for a black President and the Democrats did it first. Which should come as no surprise.

America wasn't going to accept a Catholic President...until the Democrats made history and nominated John F. Kennedy, and he was elected our first Catholic President.

The Democratic Party also made history as the first major party to nominate a woman for Vice President, with Geraldine Ferraro in 1984. And when Democrats nominated a woman for VP we nominated a QUALIFIED woman, not one whose biggest story was how much campaign money she wasted on clothes and how little she actually knew about government. (To be fair, the first woman elected to Congress was a Republican, Jeannette Rankin of Montana...but the first woman Senator (appointed) was Democrat Rebecca Felton, of Georgia (1922) and the first woman to be ELECTED to the Senate was Democrat Hattie Caraway of Arkansas in 1932.)

The Democratic Party was also the first major party to nominate a Jewish VP candidate, with Joe Lieberman in 2000. Whatever I may think of Joe now, I was pleased with him as a VP nominee and it WAS a historic choice. (The first Jew elected to Congress was ALSO a Democrat: Florida Democrat David Levy Yulee first elected to the US Senate in 1845.)

And now the Democratic Party was the first major party to nominate and then ELECT a black President with Barack Hussein Obama.

Of course, again to be fair, the first black elected to Congress was a Reconstructionist Republican, Hiram Revels of Mississippi in 1870. Interestingly he was almost blocked from serving by racists who refused to accept him as a citizen of the United States (sound familiar???):

Masking their racist views, they argued that Revels had not been a U.S. citizen for the nine years required of all senators. In their distorted interpretation, black Americans had only become citizens with the passage of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, just four years earlier. Revels' supporters dismissed that statement, pointing out that he had been a voter many years earlier in Ohio and was therefore certainly a citizen.

Fortunately racism lost and reason prevailed and Revels became America's first black Senator. No one would deny that the Republican Party of Lincoln and Grant led the way back then, but the Republican Party of Lincoln and Grant was far different than the Republican Party of Jesse Helms and George W. Bush.

So remember, Democrats gave us the first Catholic President, the first black President, the first woman VP nominee and the first Jewish VP nominee. And I fully believe that the first woman President and first Jewish President are likely to also be Democrats because the Democrats are today the party of Progress. Republicans started as the party of Progress under Lincoln, but they lost their way somewhere in the 1920's and are now the party of fear and intolerance.

Republican Failure: Let's Review

This coming week is the end of a true nightmare era for America. The Bush era will be remembered as one of America's worst. From the stolen 2000 election on it was one disaster after another. Bush has left America weaker, poorer, and more demoralized than at any other time in my lifetime.

But it wasn't just Bush. What ruined America wasn't just Bush's complete lack of intelligence or compassion. It was the unrestrained Republican extremist ideology that ruined America. And I think it is best to review just WHY the extremist Republican ideology is bad for America.

First off, let us remember that the extremist Republicans believe in a "Drown America in a Bathtub" approach to government. This approach DELIBERATELY mismanages and neglects government, leaving our levees unable to deal with hurricanes in New Orleans or floods in the Midwest, and leaving our roads and bridges decaying. The Katrina disaster, the Midwest floods and bridge collapses, and many other crises in America were not only predictable, but were PREDICTED, and yet those warnings were ignored by Bush and the extremist Republicans. The result was Americans died needlessly. Let me emphsize this: Deliberate Republican mismanagement led directly to Americans dying.

And let us also remember another warning ignored by Bush and the Republicans: al-Qaeda. Remember we KNEW al-Qaeda's plans which they carried out almost exactly on 9/11. Clinton and his administration knew and tried to stop bin Laden. The Republicans refused to back Clinton's attempts to stop al-Qaeda and accused him of trying to distract American from the Monica Lewinsky "scandal." If only America HAD been distracted, maybe we could have prevented 9/11. Then Clinton and his administration warned Bush that he needed to face al-Qaeda. Bush ignored the warning. Bush was warned by intelligence reports tha al-Qaeda was determined to attack. Bush ignored the warning. So, because Bush and the Republicans refused to listen to Clinton and intelligence reports, America was attacked and Americans died.

Then there were the deliberate, cynical Republican lies that got us into the Iraq Quagmire. Plus they bungled the invasion! Our troops were ill equipped, poorly treated by the Republican administration, and there was, and still isn't, any exit strategy. (You can read just a tiny sampling of examples of this bungling here). Let's face facts. The Democrats were weak and too easily collaborated with the invasion. But let's never forget that it was Bush, Cheney, Colin Powell (and, THEN Democrat Joe Lieberman, though we finally kicked him out of the party) who concocted and told the actual lies that got us into the quagmire. Democrats, just like the American people, may have been foold, but it was engineered by the Republicans. And in engineering this invasion based on lies, Bush and the Republicans made a conscious decision to virtually abandon the war against al-Qaeda, allowing bin Laden to continue to operate 7 years after the attacks. Seven years after Pearl Harbor we had won WW II, become the dominant force in the world and helped Europe and Asia rebuild.

But perhaps worse than the bungling of Iraq is the gross war profiteering that Republicans have indulged in, including deliberate neglect of problems that have led to soldiers needlessly dying. AND they lied to cover it up. A lot of this is only coming out because since the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives, investigations by Democratic Congressmen have been initiated and allowed to go forward. A little late for some soldiers, but better than the cover ups, lies and war profiteering of the Republicans.

Then, let us remember that the the Republican faith that the business model is the be all and end all of ideology may work for some things, but is a complete failure when it comes to healthcare and education. A model that is based on a certain level of failure so that others succeed is NOT appropriate for healthcare (where failure means death and morbidity) or education (where failure means children left behind, increased drug use, poverty and crime). This is why healthcare and education are in such dire straits after so much extremist mismanagement.

Then there is a level of corruption that this nation may never have seen before...at least not since the Harding Administration. Yes, there is occasional Democratic corruption (like a certain Illinois Governor and a certain Louisiana Conrgessman, both of whom have now been rejected by the Democratic Party), but a simple breakdown of indictments, convictions and investigations shows clearly that Republican corruption is far, far, far greater, more damaging, and more widespread. And while many Democrats fight corruption within their own party, Republicans have consistently circled the wagons and stood by even their most corrupt members, leaving it to voters to oust them. In fact, John McCain actually CHOSE Sarah Palin for VP even though she is part of the extremely corrupt Alaska Republican Party and is herself actively under investigation. I will give some credit, though. SOME prominent Republicans have switched parties because of Republican corruption. This includes people like Pete McCloskey and Clint Curtis.

Worse perhaps than the run of the mill Republican corruption is a highly disturbing trend where far right wing Republican extremists who always go on and on about other people's morality turn out to be pedophiles themselves. There also is even some blatent Republican treason out there.

And then there is the deliberate election fraud perpetrated by Republicans in several states since even BEFORE the 2000 election. We now have even Republican whistleblowers talking about this fraud. We know it has happened and we know the Republican Party, including Karl Rove, were involved.

Americans have died because of Republican corruption and incompentence. America's enemies have thrived because of Republican corruption and incompentence. American freedoms have been lost because of Republican corruption and incompentence.

All of that ends this week. America is ready for a change and I have no doubt that Obama represents the change we need.

NYC FOCUS: Home Energy Scam and Real Green Energy Option

Repeated from a couple of months ago to remind people:

Apparently (and not surprisingly) some of those sales pitches you get about switching your energy provider are actually scams. I want to pass along a warning on the scams and pass along my own view of a legit energy choice.

From Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights (a group I was not previously aware of, and thanks to Park Slope Neighbors for pointing them out) comes this info on a scam hitting New Yorkers (PDF):

As a result of the deregulation of our local power companies, you can choose your third-party energy supplier through Con Edison or National Grid. Don’t allow a stranger to Force you to choose through deceptive, coercive or even illegal sales techniques. There has been an epidemic of local residents being intimidated into changing their provider due to misrepresentations by third-party sales staff of regional energy service companies (escos) going door-to-door claiming to “save you money on your electric or gas bill.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Here’s how not to get scammed and “escos slammed” if you are visited or called by a sales RepResentative claiming to woRk FoR a utility company.

1. Know the scam: “ESCOS slamming” begins when a representative of an ESCOS such as IDT Energy either misrepresents him/herself (“Hi, I work for Con Ed/National Grid”) OR misrepresents his/her intent (“Show me your Con Ed/National Grid bill—I want to save you money.”)

2. Know the “slam”: “ESCOS slamming” happens when a third party provider’s sales reps (usually door-to-door salespeople) entice you into signing up for their “service” (e.g., IDT Energy misrepresents itself as being a direct provider to energy companies and thus if you “buy direct” from them, you will see a 7% reduction on your energy bill) OR sign you up for their service without your permission, by obtaining your personal information (name, address, Con Ed account number) or even by forging your signature. In many cases, instead of a reduction, you will see an increase in your monthly bill by $100 or more.

3. Know your rights: It is your choice to use a third-party energy supplier and only your choice (for more info, visit www.poweryourway.com for a list of ESCOS and options [EDITOR'S NOTE: I recommend, as I will say below, choosing the Green Energy option]. If you get pressured into switching to a third-party provider, Just say no. If you were pressured to sign up with a different provider, feel you were mislead and signed up or were switched to a different energy company without your permission (“slammed”) call the number on your con edison or national grid bill immediately. You can refuse the service over the phone. You may still need to call the ESCOS to confirm the change has been made. Do it immediately!

4. Take action: Even if you have not been scammed or “slammed,” you can take immediate control of your energy accounts by asking for an “escos freeze” on your accounts, requiring any changes to your account to come from you, not from a third-party ESCOS. If you have been scammed or “slammed,” request the “ESCOS freeze” immediately once you have restored Con Ed or National Grid as your energy provider.

5. File a complaint: If you have been scammed or “slammed,” you can file a complaint and make a difference. Complaints can be filed with:

Better Business Bureau http://welcome.bbb.org/

NYS Public Service Commission http://www.dps.state.ny.us or 1-800-342-3377

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

you can always contact your local elected officials and community board for assistance.

Now there ARE good energy options, and don't let these scams scare you away from choosing your own energy option. Joy and I chose to go green through ConEd Solutions three years ago. Our energy comes 100% from wind power through our normal ConEd bill, and we pay only a little more a month (I think 2.5 cents per kWh or something like that). There is also a mixture of 35% wind power and 65% small, run-of-the-river hydropower option which I think they added after we signed up. In some cases this is offset by incentives. We didn't really notice a difference when we switched and we know we are no longer adding to the major pollution problem that local power stations generate here in Brooklyn.

So beware the scam and join us in buying Green Energy.

NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Blogs, 2009 Candidates, 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.

150 Years Since Darwin: What Next?
Date and Time: 2009-11-05 15:00:00
Address:
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook/NY 11776, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/

Activities:
One day of outreach at the American Museum of Natural History, three days of technical talks and discussion at Stony Brook University.

Sponsor: Department of Ecology & Evolution, SBU

Contact: Massimo Pigliucci
Email: massimo.pigliucci_at_gmail.com
Phone: 631-632-1097

Darwin Day at Stony Brook University

Date and Time: 2009-02-13 10:00:00
Address:
Students Activities Center
Stony Brook University West Campus
Stony Brook/NY 11794, UNITED STATES

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

Activities:
Exhibits, videos, discussions and a keynote address by Yale University's Steve Stearns.

Sponsor: Department of Ecology & Evolution

Contact: Massimo Pigliucci
Email: massimo.pigliucci@stonybrook.edu
Phone: 631-632-1097

Darwin's Reach: Celebrating Darwin's Legacy Across Disciplines
Date and Time: 2009-03-12 20:30:00
Address:
Hofstra University
Hempstead/NY , UNITED STATES

Activities:
Interdisciplinary conference on the life and legacy of Chas. Darwin. Topics to include: Darwin as a Scientist; Reception of Darwinian Evolution in the 19th Century; Darwinian Evolution in the 21st Century; Evolution in the Courts; Evolution and Religion; Evolution and Morality; Evolution and Sex/Gender; Evolution and Medicine; Evolution and Language; Evolution and Global Climate Change
Also special sessions on evolution education (for K-12 teachers), cultural events (music, theater), keynote speakers.

Sponsor: Hofstra University

Contact: Daniel Rubey
Email: Daniel.R.Rubey_at_hofstra.edu

Darwin Day Family Festival NY Metro Area Ethical Culture Societies
Date and Time: 2009-02-07 14:00:00
Address:
New York Metro Area Ethical Culture Societies
2 West 64th Street

Event Website: http://aeu.org

Activities:
speakers, intergenerational activities and FOOD!!

Sponsor: New York Metro Area Ethical Culture Societies

Contact: Sharon Stanley
Email: lihumanist_at_gmail.com
New York/NY, UNITED STATES

Darwin's Birthday Celebration
Date and Time: 2009-01-25 11:00:00
Address:
38 Old Country Road
Garden City/NY 11530, UNITED STATES

Activities:
The Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island is hosting an intergenerational event in honor of Darwin's 200th birthday. There will be refreshments and activities for adults and children of all ages.

Sponsor: The Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island

Contact: Sharon Stanley
Email: lihumanist_at_gmail.com
Phone: 516-741-7304

A Day for Darwin
Date and Time: 2009-02-13 09:00:00
Address:
Lefrak Concert Hall
65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing /NY 11367, UNITED STATES

Event Website: http://dennehylab.bio.qc.cuny.edu/dd.html

Activities:
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Origin of Species and the 200th Birthday of the Man with a Dangerous Idea

Symposium and Panel Discussion
at the Lefrak Concert Hall
Queens College

Confirmed Speakers
Susan Foster (Clark University)
Jeffrey Schwartz (University of Pittsburgh)
Paul Turner (Yale University)
Patricia Wittkopp (University of Michigan)

Dedication of Colgate's "Darwin Thinking Path"
Date and Time: 2009-02-12 16:00:00
Address:
Colgate University
13 Oak Drive
Hamilton/NY 13346, UNITED STATES

Activities:
Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, will be dedicating one of its cross-country running & ski trails as a "Darwin Thinking Path" - similar to the sand-walk Darwin strolled daily - so that students, faculty, and the general public can contemplate many exciting or imponderable problems.

Sponsor: Department of Geology

Contact: Dr. Constance M. Soja
Email: csoja_at_mail.colgate.edu
Phone: 315.228.7200

State University of New York at New Paltz Darwin Week
Date and Time: 2009-02-09 17:30:00
Address:
State University of New York at New Paltz
CSB Auditorium

Event Website: http://www.newpaltz.edu/evos

Activities:
Public lecture by Gordon Gallup (University of Albany)

"The Science of Sex Appeal: An Evolutionary Perspective"

Sponsor: Evolutionary Studies Program

Contact: Glenn Geher
Email: geherg_at_newpaltz.edu
New Paltz/NY 12561, UNITED STATES


Here are some articles worth reading:

The Miracle On The Hudson Was Brought To You By America's Unions

Brennan Center Memo to Senate Dems

Another reason to pass "Clean Elections" in NYC

Bloggers Get to be Treated Like Journalists

Hiram Monserrate's Domestic Violence Rampage

Supreme Court to Hear Testimony for Padavan-Gennaro Election

Congressman Maffei Appointed To House Judiciary Committee

Christine Quinn: Pettiness Personified

Thoughts on NYC City Council Races for 2009

"45 x 2015" - NY State's Renewables Push

Brennan Center to Senate: This is Your First Test

The Latest Poll Results On The Term Limits Extension Issue Is Now Available

Educators Running for City Council and NYC City Council Candidates from Law Enforcement

City Island fire prompts protest of planned FDNY ladder closing: Why does Bloomberg hate New York firefighters?...and on a related issue: Norm Siegel Opposes Closing of Firehouses at Staten Island Rally

Lying About Obama's Healthcare Plan: The Latest Insurance Company Robocall Scam?

From True News from ChangeNYC: Preview of Three Special Elections:

Borough Voters SI - District 49 (McMahon elected to the U. S. Congress) North Shore City Council Race Special Update

City Hall News - District 21 (Monserrate elected to the State Senate) Two Young Latino Activists Already Trading Barbs

Queens Chronicle - 32 District (Addabbo elected to the State Senate) Three Local Leaders Prepare for Coming Special Election

Surprise! The Empire Zone Is A Scam We Can No Longer Afford


NEW YORK BLOGGING:

The Albany Project gives excellent coverage of New York State politics.

The Daily Gotham covers both New York City (with a slight emphasis on Brooklyn) and New York State politics.

Reform NY is the blog of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law

No Land Grab: News from the point of view of Brooklyn opposition to overdevelopment

On NY Turf is run by someone I know. Long overdue that I add his blog here. Contains political info, good map resources for NYC and discussions of development issues.

True News from ChangeNYC.Org: ChangeNYC.Org is an organization unifying our City’s Democratic Party by welcoming all New Yorkers back into the political process. We are a coalition of real, everyday New Yorkers – young voters, progressives, neighborhood leaders, community bloggers, good government groups, and even conservatives – who believe that in cooperation we can bring the change to our City that together we have begun to bring to our nation.


Let me highlight some excellent candidates running in New York in 2009:

Norm Siegel for Public Advocate
For those of you who live in NYC, let me introduce you to Norman Siegel, one of America's top Civil Rights Lawyers, is running for New York Public Advocate.

Here's a link to Norm Siegel on NY1.

And here is Youtube footage of Norm Siegel and the NYC Coalition To Preserve Term Limits Press Conference:




Josh Skaller for City Council. Josh is a good friend of ours, a solid progressive, and about as honest as you can get. Here is Josh's statement on his campaign website:

I love Brooklyn—our neighborhoods and our people, the incredible warmth I feel walking around our vibrant and diverse communities. Like you, I know that Brooklyn is a terrific place to live and raise our families. But everywhere we look these days, the things that make our borough great are under assault. Developers and out of touch politicians seem determined to transform our community into an endless series of high-rise condos and strip malls. I believe that unchecked development threatens the beauty and integrity of our neighborhoods, overtaxes public services, and places an incalculable burden on our fragile ecology. I’m willing to stand up to the developers, and I hope you’ll stand with me.

As President of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) for the past two years, and as an executive member of Democracy for New York City, I've had the honor and pleasure of working with fellow concerned citizens to help change Brooklyn for the better: Local government that doesn't fear its constituents, but embraces them. A political ecosystem that nourishes and amplifies our core values rather than suppresses them. Transparency, honesty, community empowerment, and more than just lip service for the progressive values our neighborhoods share. I will continue to work on behalf of schools and teachers for our children, an environmental policy brave enough to protect the planet for future generations, and I will stand strong and defend our neighborhoods from the out of control, out of context development that seems to be everywhere, and advocate for smart growth and community based planning.

I look forward to bringing the enthusiasm I've shared with so many of you to city council.

Marquez Claxton for City Council: A former NYC Police Officer and co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, Marq Claxton is running for the City Council District 31 seat in Queens. He is currently the chair of the Public Safety Committee for Community Board 13. He has been endorsed by Eric Adams (who I know and respect) and is being considered by the Working Families Party as a candidate. Here is Eric Adam's endorsement statement:



Here is Marq Claxton opposing Bloomberg's term limits coup:




Daniel Dromm for City Council: a public school teacher running for the City Council District 25 seat in Queens. He was a founder of the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens and chapter leader of United Federation of Teachers, PS 199Q. He has been endorsed by the United Federation of Teachers, Mark Green, and others. WFP seem to be considering him as well. Dromm received the "Community Service Impact Award" from the Times Ledger Newspapers (2006), the "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" PS 199Q Principal's Award (2006), and the "Citation of Honor" from the Queens Borough President (1995). Seems like exactly the experience we need on the City Council.


More Races: Here is a Facebook Site highlighting some good primary challenges against those City Council members who voted themselves a pay raise then voted themselves a third term in the council over the vote and objections of the voters. In the future I will be highlighting some of these challengers, though for now electing Norm Siegel and Josh Skaller are my main efforts. I am particularly watching the following people to see if they are running for City Council. If they run, I am likely to support them:

David Galarza, Council District 38 (I hear he IS indeed running!)

Rocky Chin, Council District 1
Rodrick Daley, Council District 45


Here are a handful of Organizations worth checking out:

The Environmental Business Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the growth of the environmental industry in New York State. Specifically, we help to promote and serve serving the industry sectors of Climate Change, Greening Communities, Energy and WALCE (Water-Agriculture-Land Use-Conservation-Environmental). News here. Events list here (not recently updated).

NY Citizens for Clean Elections: We are committed to passage of Clean Money Clean Election legislation in NYS that provides a non-partisan approach for full public funding of campaigns for all qualified candidates who refuse private money and abide by spending limits. We want to ensure that all Americans, regardless of wealth, have an equal voice in the political system and that qualified candidates are not discouraged from running because they do not have access to the money needed for a competitive campaign.

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats is a community-based Democratic club. CBID has fought for reform and progressive causes since 1968. As a Brooklyn-based Club, we have been instrumental in the election of many candidates for public office. Much of this success was a result of our question-and-answer forums with prospective candidates as well as our extensive on-the-street contact with our constituents.

Staunchly opposed to political corruption, we are proud of our independence and our commitment to progressive reform in city, state and national politics. We are a vehicle for citizen empowerment and making government more accountable to our neighborhoods.

We meet monthly, usually the fourth Thursday evening of the month in the basement of the Park Slope United Methodist Church, on the corner of 6th ave and 8th street, at 7:30pm. All are welcome.

New Kings Democrats (”NKD”) is a new, grassroots organization in Kings County (Brooklyn), New York whose primary mission is to recruit and prepare individuals to run for Kings County Democratic Committee. NKD hopes to achieve the goal of an inclusionary and participatory democracy by making it easy for individuals to run for local, elected office. NKD will serve as a training ground for individuals seeking higher office, and hopes to build and nurture a new group of Brooklyn Democratic leaders.

Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is the GLBT Democratic voice in WNY. Our mission is to advocate for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community within the Democratic Party and to encourage GLBT participation within the Democratic Party. Our membership includes representatives from State, County, and City government, and several Democratic committee members amongst the various County Committees in WNY.

Drop the Rock: Enacted in 1973, the Rockefeller Drug Laws require lengthy prison terms for the possession or sale of a relatively small amount of drugs. There are over 13,000 people in New York’s prisons incarcerated under the drug laws, most of them minor offenders with no history of violent behavior. It costs New York $500 million a year to imprison drug offenders. 90% of the people locked up in New York for drug offenses are African American or Latino, despite research showing that the majority of people who use and sell drugs are white. Research shows that drug treatment is less expensive than imprisonment and more successful in reducing drug-related crime. Repealing the Rockefeller Drug Laws would save the fiscally strapped state over $220 million per year. Get involved here.


DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA MEETINGS IN NY STATE:

Capital District of NY/GenDFA

Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region

Democracy for the Hudson Valley

Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance

dfaROCHESTER

Democracy For Westchester

Democracy for Long Island

Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area

North Country Democracy for America

Central New York DFA

Eastern Long Island Democracy for America

Democracy For Saratoga Springs

Kingston Democracy for America

Democracy For The Southern Adirondack/Tricounty Area

Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties

Philipstown for Democracy

DFA: Greene County

Livingston County for Democracy


DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS:
First Wednesday of every month

Staten Island, Muddy Cup, 388 Van Duzer Street with hosts Al Dykes and Tracey Denton at 7pm

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

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

Orange County, CA Progressive Events

I found this amazing round up of events in Orange County, California, thanks to Orange County Democracy for America:

Jan 18 Sunday 10:30am-12:30pm/1pm-3pm, Irvine: Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Irvine Multicultural Associaton Building Bridges
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, 46 Maxwell St, Irvine
10:30am-12:30pm Church Service and tribute to Dr Martin Luther King Jr. A reflection on the life and legacy of Dr King, a tireless advocate for Human Rights for all of God's Children.
Lunch and Learn program about the life and legacy of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, a tireless advocate for Human Rights for all of God's Children. No charge for lunch

Jan 18 Sunday 11am-2pm, Lake Forest: Protest at Anti-Gay Pastor Rick Warren's Church Corner of Saddleback Parkway and Portola Parkway in front of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest
Evangelical Pastor Rick Warren has been invited by President-Elect Obama to deliver the invocation at the Presidential Inauguration. Rick Warren is one of the most unabashed anti-gay religious leaders in the country. He has compared same-sex couples that wanted to get married to child molesters and polygamists, and he has a congregation of over 20,000 people who listen to his message.
We are going to hold a peaceful protest outside his church the Sunday before he delivers the invocation in D.C. to let him know that we are not some radical, crazy fringe group that is merely looking to be appeased! It is time for us to go stand outside his homophobic bubble and show him the harm that he is causing. Show him that he cannot use religion and the Bible as a weapon. Show him that we are not child molesters or polygamists and that we are not looking to marry our pets. Show him that we are also kind, decent humans who deserve the same treatment in the eyes of the law as every member of his congregation!
Just to be clear, this is not a protest against all Evangelicals at all. This is a protest in front of one man's congregation to let him know that his views and his pulpit are causing great harm to his fellow humans.
P.S. We will talk more about transportation as things move closer to the date. info@allornotatall.org See also Sunday of Solidarity

Jan 18 Sunday 11:30, Santa Ana: United Nations Association Orange County Chapter Annual Brunchat the Hacienda Restaurant, 1725 College Ave., Santa Ana In addition to a compelling speaker, there will be a brief meeting to review revisions to our bylaws and confirm our chapter officers for 2009. A silent auction will be held to raise funds for chapter activities in the year ahead. To reserve seats for this enjoyable yearly event, send a check along with a completed reservation form This Year we are honored to have as our Speaker Dr. Fred Bush Professor Emeritus of Ancient Near Eastern Studies Fuller Theological Seminary "Palestinians and Israelis Up Against The Wall"

Jan 18 Sunday noon-4pm, Huntington Beach: Festival of H.O.P.E Humans Organizing for Peace on Earth Huntington Beach Pier Events: • People's peace parade, bike ride and hope walk along the HB pier and PCH • Resource fair • Speakers • Music • Food Be the change you want to see. We are the ones we have been waiting for. If you want to help bring about Peace and Social Justice come meet the people who have the answers. Peace, Security and Justice...Yes We Can! Sponsored by the Orange County Peace Coalition. ocpeace.org

Jan 18 Sunday 2pm, Irvine: Women For: Orange County Members and Friends Afternoon featuring Lynda Roth Educator, Musician and Creative Director of The Muse Project: Putting Historical Documents to Music * Irvine Ranch Water District's Duck Club 5 Riparian View, Irvine (at the San Joaquin Preserve) * * * The Duck Club is located at the end of Riparian View. Riparian View intersects Michelson Dr. between Culver Dr. & Jamboree Rd. Turn onto Riparian View toward the open space. Follow the signs for one mile to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Free and open to the public ~ Men are cordially invited Refreshments at 2:00 p.m. For recorded information: 714.590.7804 womenforoc.org womenforoc@aol.com

Jan 18 Sunday 2-5pm, Santa Ana: Tonantzin Colectivo invites The Mexica Movement to do a presentation of the Anahuac Nation. Speakers include founder Olin Tezcatlipoca and muralist Nrllyollotl Toltecatl
Centro Cultral de Mexico, 310W. 5th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
For more information e-mail nauiocelotyl@yahoo.com or visit mexica-movement.org

Jan 18 Sunday 4-7pm, Irvine: Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Irvine Multicultural Associaton Building Program University Synagogue, 3400 Michelson, Irvine
4-5pm Reception prior to concert. Free drinks and cookies.
5-7pm MLK Concert featuring choirs from the Synagogue and Church. No charge for admission.

Jan 18 Sunday 4pm, Costa Mesa: Human Rights Campaign: L Word Season 6 Premiere Party Shark Club, 841 Baker St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Doors Open: 4:00 p.m. Premiere Begins: 6:00 p.m. Must be 21+ Suggested Donation: $10 VIP Admission - Leading Lady: $50 Includes VIP seating, two drink tickets and 2009 HRC membership Executive Producer: $125 Co-sponsor level - includes exclusive 'green room' seating, appetizer buffet, two drink tickets, name recognition and 2009 HRC membership. hrc.org

Jan 18 Sunday 5:30pm, Irvine: Irvine Area Democratic Party Meetup Tia Juana's, 14988 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA 92618 meetup.com/IrvineDems/calendar/9285216/This is our 2009 Kick-off meeting, and we are excited about our plans for the year. All our meetups will be combining with the meetings of the 70th AD Democratic Action Club, and the Democrats of Greater Irvine. We expect great attendance, and after our very successful campaign headquarters near UCI, where we registered over 1500 people, made thousands of phone calls, and provided information and campaign materials to hundreds of drop-ins, we are already looking ahead to our headquarters for 2010. We will be updating this notice with our special presentation for the evening. Social hour and "Build Your Own Taco Buffet" begin at 5:30. The program begins at 6:30. Club members pay only $15.00 for the Taco Buffet, which includes coffee, tea, sodas, and water, tax and tip. Wine, beer and liquor are extra. Non-members pay $20.00. For those who don't want the buffet, but want to attend the social hour, appetizers, meals, desserts and beverages are available for individual purchase from the menu. All those who want the buffet MUST rsvp by January 10th. To rsvp for the taco bar, email Sharon Toji at htoji@cox.net/ The meeting is free to all! To find Tia Juana's, drive on Sand Canyon Avenue close to the 5 Freeway. Turn onto Burt Road, and drive past the hotel. The parking lot for Tia Juana's is at the end of the road on the right. To join the club, please go to our Act Blue website at actblue.com/page/2009membership

Jan 20 Tuesday 7:30-10am, Irvine: Inaugural Breakfast for Progressive Women University Club - 801 East Peltason Drive in Irvine Please call 714.633.6373 for more details nowoc.org/e107_plugins/calendar_menu/event.php?1232431200.event.17 Breakfast: 7:30 a.m., followed by the inaugural address broadcast on the big screen Ticket Price: $22 Sponsorships CHANGE WE NEED $100, one reserved seat YES WE DID $250, two reserved seats PRO-CHOICE POWER $500, four reserved seats CHOICE CHAMPION $1,000, reserved table for eight For more information or to purchase a ticket, please contact Community Affairs at 714.633.6373 or e-mail inauguralevent09@pposbc.org

Jan 20 Tuesday 8am-noon, Laguna Woods: Inauguration Watch Clubhouse 6 Call Special Events Chair Sylvia Clark for details, 206-1921.

Jan 20 Tuesday 6-9pm Santa Ana: Join the DPOC for an Inaugural Bash! Original Mike's 100 S. Main Street Santa Ana, CA
What: Join activists for hors d'oeuvres and drinks. We'll watch the inaugural speech on a very big screen. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Cash bar. Cost: Suggested $15 contribution to cover the cost of venue and food. RSVP: Lindsay Hopkins at 714-835-5158 or Lindsay@ocdemocrats.org

Jan 20 Tuesday 6-10pm Laguna Beach: Inaugural Gala [seven-degrees] 891 Laguna Canyon Road
Individual Ticket prices $125/person through Jan 6 $150/person from jan 7 - Jan 19 $175/person t the door Presented By: Elections Committee of the County of Orange (ECCO) Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Laguna Beach Democratic Club and [seven-degrees] To visit the venue site, please visit: http://www.seven-degrees.com/

Jan 20 Tuesday 7:30pm, Irvine Cousins Club of Orange County P.O. BOX 5891, ORANGE CA 92863-5891, cousinscluboc.org
Jeff Warner will give an up-to-date briefing on the situation in Gaza, its background, and lead us in a discussion. We will discuss actions that we may want to take, possibly in conjunction with other peace groups. Jeff is the action coordinator for L.A. Jews for Peace and is on the executive committee for Peace Now.
We meet at the Irvine Ranch Water District Offices 15600 on Sand Canyon Ave between the 5 freeway and the 405. Get off the 5 freeway at Sand Canyon and go south to Waterworks Drive. Or exit the 405 freeway at Sand Canyon and go north to Waterworks Dr

Jan 22 Thursday 6:30, Orange: Annual Roe v Wade March!This will be the 26th anniversary of the Roe v Wade march here in Orange County and will be sponsored by Orange County NOW. Location: Parking lot on Olive Street between Chapman and Almond What to Bring: Friends and family, pro-choice signs, and flashlights We will gather at the parking lot on Olive Street at 6:30 pm and then begin the march at 7:00 pm. We will then gather again in the parking lot after the march for speeches and testimonials.

Jan 22 Thursday 6pm, Laguna Niguel: JFK Good Works Democratic Club We will hold elections. Please, if you want to continue with JFK, we need new officers. Here at my house, 5 Sierra Vista. I'll send out food assignments closer to the meeting. Thanks for your support. Lindy Garber

Jan 23 (4th Friday) 7pm, Garden Grove: A Traveling Conscientious Projector: "Taxi to the Dark Side"From the producer of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Who Killed the Electric Car? comes a documentary that takes a critical look at the Bush administration's policy on torture by investigating the death of an Afghan taxi driver who, after being taken into the custody of American soldiers at Bagram Air Force Base, suffered fatal injuries at the hands of U.S. soldiers.
St.Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church 13091 Galway St. Garden Grove, 92844
Fourth Friday Film Festival 6:30 Gathering 7:00 Film Showing 8:15 Discussion Issues of Social Justice: To Educate, Communicate & Reflect in Community.
For more information, contact Erin Weller at eweller@pcu-la.org or (714) 721-6554.

Jan 24 Saturday 6-11pm, Laguna Beach: UNIFEM/USA National Board Tivoli Terrace, 650 Laguna Canyon Road unifem-usnc.com

Jan 25 Sunday 1-3pm, Irvine: Newport Bay Area Democratic ClubMeeting in Irvine at Duck Club near Irvine Water District main water processing plant near Michelson and Jamboree Blvd. Main Topics: 1) What we learned to help ourselves and other volunteers in finding races to work upon and support with time and money during 2008. 2) Election of Officers
Directions: From the I-405 and I-55- Go South on I-405 to Jamboree Blvd. Turn right onto Jamboree and go into the left lane. In one block from the I-405 turn left, onto Michelson Drive and to the 5th traffic light. Then turn right onto Riparian View and go to within 50 feet of the paved road. Turn right and go down an incline into the parking lot you will see on your left. You will also see from 3 buildings. The Duck Club is the building closest to Newport Beach and away from your car as it enters the parking lot. There is a Duck on the roof of the building on the right side of the building. If you have questions contact Paul Gilbert at poorpaul@hotmail.com

Jan 29 Thursday 3:30pm, Irvine: Race and Equality in America Troy Duster, professor of sociology at New York University and former president of the American Sociological Association. University Club, UC Irvine chancellor.uci.edu/cdfs.shtml

Jan 29 Thursday 3:30-5pm, Irvine: The International Studies Public Forum (ISPF) presents Primed to Hate? Local Political Milieux & Jewish Persecution in Occupied Poland with Jeffrey Kopstein, University of Toronto Social Science Plaza A, Room 1100 www.socsci.uci.edu/newsevents/event.php?eid=1055

Jan 29 (last Thursday) 7:30pm, Irvine: Amnesty International Group 178/Living Ubuntu host a combined meeting featuring Daily Pilot photographer, Photographer Kent Treptow He recently visited Mongolia and photographed Mongolian street children who take cover down under manholes to survive the extreme cold. Come join us as Kent tells us the stories of these children, both haunting and inspiring at the same time. livingubuntu.org/events/2009/city-of-lost-children.php dailypilot.com/special_reports/mongolia
Irvine United Congregational Church (Plumer Hall) , 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92604 map here aiusaoc.org/irvine/group_info/meeting.html

Jan 28 Wednesday 6:30pm, Fountain Valley: Democratic Cub of West Orange County presents Dr. Andy Winnick, President of The American Institute for Progressive Democracy. Dr. Winnick will be discussing how to secure universal health coverage for all Californians. Fountain Valley Senior Center?2nd Floor, 17967 Bushard. For additional information: dcwoc.org

Jan 31 Saturday 9:30am-noon, Orange: "Teach-In" on the Housing Crisis in Orange County Gathering and Refreshments: 9:30 a.m. Program: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Learn about the issues Receive resource information Get tips about refinancing Learn how renters can avoid displacement Find out the extent of the crisis in Orange County Get insights on the outlook for the future
Diocese of Orange Marywood Center, Dining Hall, 3811 East Villa Real Drive, Orange, CA 92867,
For more information, contact Roxanna Payton at 714-282-3105 rpayton@rcbo.org

Jan 31 Saturday 6;30-9:30pm, Orange: THANKS Vet Dinner 1.8 Million American Veterans? No Health Insurance! Orange County Healthcare for All! And Catholic Worker Present: UNTIL WE ARE ONE... Our first annual THANKS Vet! Dinner, Banquet, and Ceremony with Special Guests of Honor and Keynote Invocation
Orange County Central Labor Council Hall, 2020 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92868

San Diego, CA Progressive Events

And here is a great calendar of events for San Deigo, California, thanks to the San Diego County Democrats:

21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. All People’s Breakfast. Monday, January 19th, Doors open at 6:45 am, breakfast starts at 7:30 am. Special Guests include Andrea Guerreo, Immigration Rights Consorium; Gregory Knoll, Legal Aid Society; and Heidi Beirich, Ph.D., Southern Poverty Law Ctr., and The Gospel Singing Choir. At Golden Hall Downtown San Diego. Tickets are $35. Your check payable to SDCDP and mail it to SDCDP, 8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Ste. 108, San Diego, 92111. Checks must be received by January 15th. Info about the breakfast is at http://allpeoplesbreakfast.org/

Hungry for Change Inauguration Breakfast (SOLD OUT). Tuesday, January 20th, 7:30 to 10:30 am. Watch the inauguration live from Washington on 6 TVs. $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Seating limited to 80 people. At Marie Callender's, 5980 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad. RSVP/Info: 760-637-7275.

Presidential Inauguration. Tuesday, January 20th, 9:00 am PST. The Presidential Inauguration schedule is at http://www.pic2009.org/pages/schedule/

Eastlake – Bonita Democratic Club Inauguration Celebration. January 20th, 5:00 to 9:00 pm. At Oggi’s Pizza, 2130 Birch Rd., Chula Vista. OGGI’s is on the Southeast corner of the intersection of Eastlake Parkway and Birch Rd. Half price appetizers available, along with multiple TV screens and good Democratic camaraderie. Info: President@EBDemocrats.org

Coronado Democratic Club's Inauguration Party. Tuesday January 20th, 7:00 to 9:30 pm. In the Jamaica Village Clubhouse at the Coronado Cays. Live music, dancing and light refreshments including an Obamacake. $5 per person. Info: www.coronadodemocrats.com or Judy Bambace at 619/437-7169

Inaugural Ball: West Coast Style. Tuesday, January 20th, 7:00 pm - 12:00 am. Tickets include live entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes, a complimentary cocktail, red carpet runway and video from the Inauguration. Attendees are invited to bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit the San Diego Food Bank. $125 per person. At the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, One Park Blvd., San Diego 92101. Tickets/info: Nicole Matthews at nicole@thehenleycompany.com. This event is produced by The Henley Company, an event management and concierge firm based in San Diego. For the formal invitation click HERE.

San Diego County Young Democrats Farewell to W at the W - An Obama Inauguration Bash! Tuesday, January 20th, 7:30 pm - 1:30 am. President Barack Obama's inauguration speech will be replayed at 9:00 pm. No cover or event fee, cash bar - enjoy happy hour drink specials and inauguration themed cocktails all night. At the W Hotel, 421 West B Street, Downtown San Diego. RSVP at http://www.sdcyoungdemocrats.com/.

"Misfortunes of Wealth" with author James O. Goldsborough. Thursday, January 22nd, 7:00 pm. Goldsborough will discuss his new book and the Presidency of Barack Obama, with specific reference to the effects of the recession on women and global community. Nancy Jamison, Executive Director of San Diego Grantmakers will discuss how women can play a vital role in supporting the efforts of philanthropic foundations during a recession. Presented by Voices of Women and the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice. At the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Peace & Justice Theatre, 5998 Alcalá Park, on the USD campus. Free. RSVP: rsvp@voicesofwomen.org. Info: www.voicesofwomen.org.Celebrate Roe v Wade. Thursday, January 22nd. Guest speaker: Dr. Edelin who was prosecuted for "manslaughter" in 1974 after performing a late term abortion. At the Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North. The price is $60 in advance/ $70 if postmarked after January 17th. Mail your check payable to CRC to Coalition for Reproductive Choice, 3955 Falcon St. San Diego, 92103.

Democratic Club of Carlsbad-Oceanside Meeting. Saturday, January 24th, 10:00 am - noon. Political Science Professor John Phillips' topic will be: "The Obama Administration: Possibilities and Probabilities." At the Carlsbad Woman's Club, 3320 Monroe St., Carlsbad, 4 blocks east of Hwy 5, Carlsbad Village Dr. exit. Info: Robin Friedheim, 760-804-2754, rfriedheim@roadrunner.com.

Progressive Grandmothers for Political Action meeting. Saturday, January 24th, 1:00 pm. Drew Reiff, Producer of the "Save KLSD /Media Consolidation" movie will discuss the movie and national pattern it represents. At the Remington Club, 16916 Hierba, Rancho Bernardo. All are welcome regardless of age or gender. Info: Vi Mooberry 760 233-7833

Activist San Diego's Inauguration Weekend People's Ball! Celebrate the End of an Error! Saturday, January 24th, 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Fabulous Dance Music by Agua Dulce! Food, Entertainment, Culture. In the Balboa Park Club Ballroom. For tickets, info. and/or to volunteer: helpdesk@ActivistSanDiego.org 619-528-8383 www.ActivistSanDiego.org

Progressive Grandmothers for Political Action meeting. Tuesday, January 27th, 1:00 pm. Dr. Phillip Gay, retired chairman of the sociology department at San Diego State University will discuss "How President elect Obama's election has affected race relations". At the Remington Club, 16916 Hierba, Rancho Bernardo. All are welcome regardless of age or gender. Info: Vi Mooberry 760 233-7833

Register newly naturalized citizens In the Plaza near the Civic Theatre (at the corner of 3rd and B Streets). Wednesday, January 28th from 10:00 am to noon. It is recommended that you take the trolley, or park at Horton Plaza (2 Blocks away). RSVP to Greg Bolan at sdvoter@yahoo.com. Note: To receive the San Diego Democratic Party's Voter Registration Team emails go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sdvoter/ and click on "Join This Group."

Coronado Democratic Club meeting. Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm. Assemblywoman Mary Salas will bring club members up to date on happenings in Sacramento. In addition, Mary’s husband, Sal Salas, who has been a mortgage banker for 30 years, will discuss the mortgage crisis, why it occurred and what we can do about it. Refreshments will be served. In the Winn Room of the Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Avenue. Info: Jean Seager 619 435-8130.

North County Forum's Letters to the Editor Awards Night plus a celebration of the Inauguration of a new president, and the end of an error. Saturday, January 31st. In Vista. RSVP required. Info: http://www.northcountyforum.org/

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Blogs, 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:

Equality Summit is NEXT WEEKEND!

LG John Garamendi's take on State of the State

California Young Democrats ask: What happened to the Master Plan?

Finally, BART police oversight...and on a related note: Oscar Grant's Killer Arrested in Nevada; Vigil Tonight!

When Lies Spiral Out of Control, the Bill Postmus Story

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!

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


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