Progressive Democrat Issue 226

Of course the big news of the week is the death of Edward Kennedy. He was a flawed yet still great man and in this hour of fighting for healthcare reform he will be very much missed. I include Obama's eulogy to Kennedy in this newsletter as a fitting tribute. But I also urge you to honor Kennedy's memory by fighting harder than ever for healthcare reform, his last great fight. Go to Organizing for America, enter your zip code and find a healthcare reform event near you. Also, write a letter to the editor supporting healthcare reform with a strong public option. We HAVE to take the initiative. And for my readers in NY, NJ and PA, I have a roundup of events in your area supporting healthcare reform with a strong public option. Please do what you can.

Some important reminders: for our Iowa and California readers: don't forget there are special elections THIS Tuesday, Sept. 1st in both these states. See HERE FOR IOWA'S 90th HOUSE DISTRICT, and SEE HERE FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Presdent Obama's Eulogy to Teddy Kennedy

Get Your Rabbi Involved!

Finishing the Job with the Glenn Beck Boycott

From A Year Ago: Majora Carter: The Prison Industrial Complex

Iowa's 90th House District Special Election September 1st

IOWA FOCUS

NYC Focus: A Reminder About David Yassky's Corrupt Connections

The NYC Working Families Party Scam


Brooklyn, NY Focus

Queens, NY Focus

Bronx, NY Focus

Rochester, NY Focus

NEW YORK STATE FOCUS

Silicon Valley Area, CA Focus

Orange County, CA Focus

San Diego, CA Focus

CALIFORNIA FOCUS

GEORGIA DEMOCRATS WORK: Helping Build and Support Community in Atlanta, GA

Georgia Action for Health Care

Coweta County, GA Focus

GEORGIA FOCUS

Dallas County, TX Focus

Austin/Travis County, TX Focus

Houston/Harris County, TX Focus

TEXAS FOCUS

Sussex County, NJ Focus

Warren County, NJ Focus

Passaic County, NJ Focus

NEW JERSEY FOCUS

VIRGINIA FOCUS

WASHINGTON FOCUS

Maricopa County, AZ Focus: Corrupt Sheriff Joe Arpaio

ARIZONA FOCUS

Florida Focus: Columbian Drug Cartel for Charlie Crist?

FLORIDA FOCUS

PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS

MICHIGAN FOCUS

Colorado Senator Bennet On Healthcare Reform

COLORADO FOCUS

Illinois Focus: Melissa Bean and Bill Foster, Give Us Our Healthcare

ILLINOIS FOCUS

Wisconsin Focus: Get the Facts on Health Care Reform

WISCONSIN FOCUS

North Carolina Justice Center: Myths About Health Reform

NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS

NEVADA FOCUS

MINNESOTA FOCUS

Presdent Obama's Eulogy to Teddy Kennedy

From A Year Ago: Majora Carter: The Prison Industrial Complex

Came across this from a year ago...STILL very important:

Majora Carter is a rising star in NYC and nationally, focusing on environmental racism, urban planning and economic fairness. Have had the pleasure and honor of meeting her twice to date. Awesome woman who is doing great things for some of America's most ignored citizens. Here is a YouTube video from the Sundance Channel.

Finishing the Job with the Glenn Beck Boycott

The Glenn Beck boycott has been amazingly successful, and we continue to pressure advertisers who sponsor Glenn Beck's hate speech. UPS has even taken it a step further and pulled ALL Fox News advertising. You can email them and thank them for doing the right thing: customer.service@ups.com

We are trying to make the Glenn Beck boycott really matter. This comes from Color of Change:

Glenn Beck is finally paying for his race-baiting and fear-mongering, and we've got Fox News on the ropes.

It's all because of you and more than 165,000 other ColorOfChange members who connected the dots for Glenn Beck's advertisers and called on them to stop supporting his show. Thirty-six companies--many of them major household names--have now pulled their ads and otherwise made sure that their ads won't run on Beck's show.

The New York Times called the campaign "unusually successful," given the history of such efforts in the past.1 And stories about the campaign have run on MSNBC2, The Colbert Report3, National Public Radio (NPR)4, and major newspapers/sites5,6 and blogs7,8, including a piece over the weekend by the Associated Press (AP)9--all of which puts more pressure on advertisers.

First, we want to say thank you and let you know about what's been happening (read more below). We could also use your help. We brought on additional staff for the campaign in order to drive as many advertisers away as possible. We need to keep them in order to maximize the number of advertisers that drop Beck and to make sure none come back -- and it will cost $20,000 over the coming months to do so.

Anything you can provide will help us get there--whether $10, $20, $50, or more. Just click on the link below to make a contribution and help move the campaign forward:

https://secure.colorofchange.org/beck/support/?id=2371-151630

"Unusually successful"

There hasn't been an exodus of advertisers in response to an organized effort like this in decades. Here are the companies that have stopped their ads from running on Beck: AT&T, Airware Inc. (maker of Brez anti-snoring aids), Allergan (maker of Restasis), Ally Bank (unit of GMAC Financial Services), Ancestry.com, Best Buy, Blaine Labs Inc. (maker of Dr. Blaine's brand skin treatment products), Broadview Security (Brink's Home Security), CVS, Campbell Soup Company, Clorox, ConAgra (maker of Healthy Choice brand foods), Ditech, The Elations Company (maker of Elations nutritional supplement), Experian (FreeCreditReport.com), Farmers Insurance Group, GEICO, Johnson & Johnson, Lawyers.com, Lowe's, Men's Wearhouse, NutriSystem, Procter & Gamble, Progressive Insurance, RadioShack, Re-Bath, Roche (make of Boniva), SC Johnson (makers of Ziploc, Off!, Pledge, and other products), Sanofi-Aventis (maker of Ambien), Sargento Cheese, Sprint, State Farm Insurance, Travelocity, The UPS Store, Verizon Wireless, and Wal-Mart.

Demanding accountability

After we emailed you a few weeks back, our staff began contacting advertisers to convey your concerns and to ask them to stop supporting Beck. Most advertisers decided to do the right thing after hearing about what Beck is doing, and that so many people are concerned about it. Some needed evidence of the level of outrage, so we flooded them with your comments. Others needed a picture of what it would look like for their company's name and brand to be publicly associated with Beck's rhetoric, so we showed them that too.

Then there were those that refused to answer our calls or respond to our emails. Red Lobster, Vonage, Clorox, Lowe's, and Experian fell into that category, and we asked some of our members to give them a call.

By the end of last week, ColorOfChange members made more than 2,800 calls to those five companies, and in just two days, three out of the five--Experian, Clorox, and Lowe's--pulled their ads. We're still waiting to hear if Red Lobster or Vonage have changed their minds, and we'll follow up with them this week.

Building on our success

This campaign has already been far more successful than many people expected--but we won't stop here. Our staff is going to continue reaching out to Beck's remaining advertisers to make sure they understand the growing number of people asking that their ad dollars stop supporting hate.

And it's not just about stopping Glenn Beck's divisive rhetoric--it's about drawing a line in the sand with FOX and anyone else that thinks it's fine to peddle hateful propaganda under the banner of "news."

Moving forward

We are dedicated to moving this effort forward, and we'll be calling on you to help--whether it's making focused calls to other advertisers, signing another petition, or taking some other action that will help expose what Beck represents and marginalize his voice.

Today, though, financial support is what we need most. A contribution from you--whether $5, $10, $20, or more--will help us maintain the staff we've brought on to help with this effort. We know that for some folks it's a hard time to give, but if there's any possibility you can make a donation, please do so. This is a time we can really use your support, and it will help us keep the pressure on. Click here to donate:

https://secure.colorofchange.org/beck/support/?id=2371-151630

Again, thanks for what you've done so far. Your effort is what's made this possible. And it's definitely making a difference.

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 25th, 2009

References

1. "Host Loses Some Sponsors After an Obama Remark," The New York Times, 08-13-09
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/business/media/14adco.html?_r=1

2. "Geico pulls ads from Glenn Beck show," Countdown with Keith Olbermann, 08-12-09
http://tinyurl.com/n5dg37

3. "Glenn-Harried Glenn-Lost," The Colbert Report, 08-13-09
http://tinyurl.com/mwp8nl

4. "Color Me Offended," National Public Radio, 08-21-09
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2009/08/21/03

5. "Advertisers deserting Fox News' Glenn Beck," MarketWatch, 08-14-09
http://tinyurl.com/loro3x

6. "Is Glenn Beck too right wing even for Fox News?" The Independent (UK), 08-19-09
http://tinyurl.com/ktvp8z

7. "Walmart, CVS, Best Buy, GMAC Among 8 Major Companies To Pull Ads From Glenn Beck Show," Huffington Post, 08-17-09
http://tinyurl.com/p3ways

8. "Wal-Mart, CVS, Best Buy ditch Glenn Beck (plus 5 more companies)," James Rucker for Jack and Jill Politics, 08-17-09
http://tinyurl.com/o4zoxt

9. "Attack on Obama riles Beck's advertisers," Associated Press, 08-23-09
http://tinyurl.com/oxxn5v

Additional resources:

"Schott's Vocab: Beckxodus," New York Times, 8-20-09
http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/beckxodus/

"More Advertisers Pull Ads From Glenn Beck's Fox News Show," Broadcasting & Cable, 08-13-09
http://tinyurl.com/pykpuu

"Fox Runs House Ads to Fill Empty Slots in Glenn Beck Boycott," BNET Today, 08-18-09
http://tinyurl.com/n8sl9q

"P&G Didn't Buy Time in Glenn Beck's Show, So How Did Its Ads End Up There?" Advertising Age, 08-13-09
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=138461

American Morning, 07-31-09
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907310008

Morning Joe, 08-14-09
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200908140005

I also urge you to keep up the pressure on companies. Right now I think it is time to THANK companies that have done the right thing. See the list above for a full list of advertisers who have pulled their ads, but I list a few below. Click on them for contact info.

Clorox

Campbell's Soup

Vonage: or call them: 1-866-243-4357

GEICO: or call them: 1-800-861-8380

Men's Wearhouse: or call them: 1-877-986-9669

Progressive Insurance: or call them: 1-800-776-4737

Procter & Gamble

Johnson & Johnson

Contact any of them you do business with and thank them for doing the right thing by pulling their ads from Glenn Beck.

NYC Focus: A Reminder About David Yassky's Corrupt Connections

Watching Kieth Olbermann last week I noticed there are many ads by local politicians running for office. But the ad that got my wife yelling at the TV was David Yassky's weasely ad.

Yassky is claiming he will close loopholes and watch every dollar the government spends, yet those of us who are actually in his district knows he has NEVER watched where dollars went unless they bought him endorsements. I think, in honor of Yassky's latest ad, I should remind people of a couple of sleazy moves Yassky has done that shows he either can't keep track of dollars at all or knows very well where dollars go and uses them to buy political favors. Let me repost what I wrote about Yassky's ties to scandals back in March:

The Beatles song goes "Money can't buy me love," but that is a concept unfamiliar to Brooklyn politics. Around here it's all about money, endorsements and favors.

Former Councilman Steve DiBrienza is crashing and burning because when he left office he managed to get his City Council colleagues to use city money, filtered through a fake non-profit that no one but DiBrienza seems to know about, to pay for DiBrienza to not only keep his old district office but also pay DiBrienza and his cronies salaries for doing nothing as far as anyone can tell. I have taken Gifford Miller and Christine Quinn to task for this misuse of taxpayer money because it happened on their watches. But I also have made reference to rumors that David Yassky also participated in this scam to the tune of $40,000.

The Brooklyn Paper has picked up on this Yassky-DiBrienza connection, though they discuss Yassky giving $15,000, probably a more accurate figure. But they also pinpoint the reason for Yassky's pandering to DiBrienza with taxpayer money: payback for an endorsement. From the Brooklyn Paper:

Councilman David Yassky (D–Brooklyn Heights), for example, requested $15,000 for DiBrienza’s group right after DiBrienza endorsed him for Congress in 2006.

Yassky told The Brooklyn Paper that this out-of-district donation to DiBrienza’s group was not a kickback or a quid-pro-quo, but voters will certainly raise their eyebrows.

Now Yassky funneled city money to DiBrienza right after DiBrienza endorsed him for his failed bid for Congress in 2006. Yet it isn't payback, according to Yassky. Problem is, this isn't the only time something like this happened. I wrote back in 2006 about another case of Yassky proposing city money right after getting an endorsement. Quoting the Brooklyn Paper again:

Yassky bill would push $3M to Ratner crony
By Ariella Cohen
The Brooklyn Papers

City Councilman David Yassky is under fire for asking city taxpayers to underwrite a promise that Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner made to a handful of community organizations.

Under the provisions of a "community benefits agreement" negotiated by Ratner and the groups, the developer and his supporters pledged to create a job-training program.

Thus far, Ratner has given $285,000 towards that worker-training program, which is being administered by Brooklyn United for Innovative Local Development (BUILD).

Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights) now proposes a city contribution of $3 million--more than 10 times what Ratner's given...

Experts on CBAs thought the Yassky bill was misguided.

"[Public funding] usually doesn't happen after the CBA is signed," said Roxanna Tynan, a spokeswoman for the LA Alliance for a New Economy, which was involved in a landmark CBA in that city...

Critics were quick to point out that Yassky submitted the budget request after BUILD President James Caldwell and other CBA signatories endorsed his bid to succeed retiring Rep. Major Owens (D-Crown Heights)...

So, BUILD President James Caldwell endorses Yassky and immediately afterwards Yassky proposes an unorthodox public funding (to the tune of $3 million of our taxpayer money) of BUILD. At about the same time, Steve DiBrienza endorses Yassky and right afterwards Yassky arranges $15,000 for DiBrienza's fake non-profit (which did nothing but paid salaries to DiBrienza and his cronies) even though it was out of Yassky's district. And Yassky wants to be the guy to keep an eye on the City's money???

And I always wondered why Yassky endorsed John Sampson's run for Brooklyn DA when Sampson's main campaign promise was to get indicted Party Boss Clarence Norman off the hook. I can only imagine that money or other favors exchanged hands for so-called "reformer" Yassky to endorse someone so central to the Clarence Norman machine. Let me remind people that Sampson lost and Clarence Norman is now in jail. Yet Yassky favored Sampson, which suggests he approved of trying to get Norman off the hook.

To me this suggests three corrupt bargains Yassky has clearly been a part of. How many more such corrupt bargains are out there that Yassky was part of that we don't yet know about. Keep these scandals in mind as you watch Yassky's latest commercial. Also keep in mind Yassky is running a distant third in the race for Comptroller, so it seems like no one really is buying his bullshit.

The NYC Working Families Party Scam

So I am expanding/updating a previous diary I wrote on the subject as new info is coming out. Needless to say, the WFP is attacking those who are exposing the "irregularities" rather than cleaning up their act. Corrupton is disgusting no matter what political party is responsible.

By now this has mainly be covered in City Hall News with some earlier coverage by an anonymous blogger on Room 8. But it is worth giving it larger exposure.

An article in City Hall News covers this developing scandal in considerable detail. Here is the breakdown they give of the scandal:

A complicated web of coordinated activities, shared resources and staff, and quiet money transfers between the Working Families Party, a secretive private company called Data and Field Services and at least six current Council campaigns, as well as Bill de Blasio’s campaign for public advocate, appears to have found several ways around the strict city campaign finance laws. Upwards of a million dollars, and possibly more, are involved, with over $1.7 million in matching funds comprised of taxpayer dollars already disbursed and more are potentially at stake.

There have long been assumptions and rumors of the collaboration between the Working Families Party (WFP) and its favored candidates, but never before has the scope of or intricate processes behind its joint activity been exposed to the degree made possible by an extensive review of public documents and close to 50 interviews with a range of key players conducted by City Hall over the last few days.

The article goes on in great detail and is well worth reading.

Another City Hall News article basically has the lawyer who helped set up the whole scheme admitting that WFP is indeed sidestepping transparency and quite possibly the actual rules by not adequately separating the political party (WFP) from its for-profit spinoff (DFS). It is kind of amazing that WFP thinks this is okay, whether or not it winds up being strictly legal. Strikes me as precisely the kind of BS reform Democrats are trying to stop. But then again, I have come to realize WFP is NOT about reform, which is why they can buddy up with corrupt Brooklyn Party boss Vito Lopez and his aide Steve Levin.

Yet another City Hall News article takes the scandal further, showing that Working Families Party may well be violating further election finance laws but either not properly reporting or not properly paying rent on some of their offices:

A review of the Party’s expenditures in public documents filed with the state Board of Elections over the last decade which were reported as rent shows an erratic pattern of payments made to several different landlords, and none marked as going directly to Flatbush Fulton Realty Associates, the owner of its current space at 2 Nevins Street in Brooklyn. Some years, the WFP appears to have paid no rent at all, based on the data filed with the Board of Elections.

Political parties are required to pay rent, in order to ensure that no party is getting an unfair monetary advantage over others, and the parties are required to report all money paid out for expenditures.

“The committee needs to account for any expenditures they have, and if they receive any in-kind contributions, then the value of those as well,” said Bob Brehm, a spokesman for the state Board of Elections.

Furthermore, it seems no one can get a straight answer from WFP regarding the rent scandal:

In an email sent Tuesday night, Levitan offered an explanation for why rent had spiked in recent months, arguing that the money paid so far in 2009 went to “rent and overhead to pay for our main office, office space in Buffalo and Albany, and spillover offices in Brooklyn. The increase in rent reflects the higher price of our new office space on 2 Nevins Street.”

No payments show up as going to Buffalo, and except for those which went to the Association of Black, Puerto Rican and Asian Legislators PO box in 2007, none show up as having gone to Albany either.

You'd think they'd check if their excuses even made sense before they gave them publicly. You can't explain sudden spikes in rent payments using numbers that are, effectively, zero. Of course why they are zero is another part of the mystery. This is all at best sloppy record keeping of numbers that are critical for campaign finance regulations to work. At worst it is further evidence of outright corruption within Working Families Party.

So WFP may be bending or breaking laws regarding how they help out endorsed candidates and regarding how they pay (or don't pay) their rent. All of which makes a mockery of attempts to make campaign finance both more transparent and fair.

The candidates who are potentially caught up in this scandal are Bill de Blasio (running for, ironically, Public Advocate), and several city council candidates: Brad Lander, Debi Rose, Daniel Dromm, Lynn Schulman, Jumaane Williams, S.J. Jung, Jimmy Van Bramer. The first City Hall News article I link to above outlines in huge detail how each of these candidates are using WFP personnel and/or resources in a way that may well either violate or at least dodge existing campaign finance laws. NOT something that makes them look like reform-minded candidates.

I should note that I have endorsed one of the candidates caught up in this scandal, Daniel Dromm. I don't know if I consider involvement in this scandal a deal breaker, but Dromm definitely is on thin ice with his WFP connections and involvement in this scandal is one strike for a candidate in my book. I like everything else about Dromm, but his ties to WFP do raise an eyebrow in light of this scandal. Interestingly, another candidate that WFP and I agree on, John Liu (running for Comptroller) has conspicuoulsy NOT been mentioned in this WFP scandal, so perhaps he followed the rules in his connections with the WFP. I find this encouraging about Liu. The imnpression I get was that he knew how to do things right and has played by the rules in ways that these other WFP candidats have not.

In other cases I should note I have endorsed candidates opposing the WFP candidates involved in this scandal. Brad Lander is running against my friend Josh Skaller (whose personal endorsement by Howard Dean I wrote about on DK). Lynn Schulman is running against my endorsed candidate Mel Gagarin. And I also have endorsed Brent O'Leary over Jamie Van Bramer.

It is unclear whether any of these WFP-endorsed candidates themselves have violated the law (intent or letter) or were merely unwittingly caught up in a WFP scandal. Either way, it makes WFP look pretty bad and makes their endorsement seem about equivalent to that of corrupt Party Boss Vito Lopez, who happens this year to be a political ally of WFP. Corruption seems to be gathering together in NYC this year in a way I haven't seen before.

My friend, Josh Skaller, running to replace Bill de Blasio in the City Council, has this to say about his opponent Brad Lander's role in the scandal:

"Once again, we are disappointed to learn that a candidate has engaged in slush fund politics at the public's expense -- this time it's Brad Lander. Lander has allowed his Council campaign to be propped up by unethical and possibly illegal under-the-table funds, and the public might be awarding him taxpayer-generated matching funds regardless of this scandal.

"Recent media reports confirm the intent of New York City's Campaign Finance Law has been violated through the creation of a for-profit company named Data and Field Services (DFS). DFS was created by the Working Families Party and an unknown amount of money has flowed through the Working Families Party and DFS to certain campaigns, including Brad Lander's.

"My entire campaign I've been talking about real reform. I am proud to say that Democrats -- and all New Yorkers -- can track each of our contributions and expenditures to the penny through our filings with the Campaign Finance Board. But you can't do that with Lander's funds because his real expenditures -- and the real level of contributions from the Working Families Party -- are laundered through DFS. Lander has abused the public's trust and the evidence of an unholy relationship with the Working Families Party is quite plentiful.

"Brad Lander talks about his reform credentials. Yet he has failed a critical test of leadership when it comes to his Council campaign. We cannot stop typical Democratic Party politics in Brooklyn if we have elected officials without the judgment and the guts to do the right thing. We cannot stop slush fund politics in the City Council if we have candidates like Lander who utilize slushy money to fuel their campaigns. If it's good enough during the campaign, we will see more dirty money when the new Council takes office.

"It was my call to end slush funds that helped to put the City Council and a disgraced former elected official on the spot and stop the outrage. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Presumably a reference to the DiBrienza scandal that brought down one city council candidate (in fact also the former City Councilman for the district) and is linked to neighboring City Councilman David Yassky (running for Comptroller against John Liu) and happened right next door to Bill de Blasio's own office)] No other Council candidate in the 39th District joined me in making that call -- I stood alone. Then, it was my refusal to accept any contributions from developers that led other candidates to make the same pledge -- I was again the leader on this critical issue. Brad Lander got around to returning developer money he had already accepted.

"Now, I am calling for the New York City Campaign Finance Board to rescind any funds provided to the Lander campaign until and unless a full accounting of the Lander finances has been provided both to the Board and to the public. New Yorkers deserve to know the truth. If violations are determined to have taken place, then appropriate action must be taken.

"We don't need four more years of corruption in the City Council. We need independent Democrats who understand what democracy is supposed to look like. On September 15, Brooklynites can choose more of the same, or they can choose reform. A vote for me is a vote for real change."

Of course I want to give credit where credit is due. This story was first mentioned in the NYC blog Room 8 where another blogger (whose identity or identities have been much discussed) has already written about supposed corrupt behavior by WFP, targeting Brad Lander in particular. And one particular accusation, made in May, is of note because it presages the current scandal. From Hildy Johnson's article:

These transactions are hidden behind a wall of corporate secrecy.

Yes, corporate: To run its canvassing operations, the WFP has created an in-house, for-profit corporation called Data & Field Services. The party publicly discloses only the five-figure lump sums it occasionally "pays" the company. (Some individual candidates also disclose payments to DFS.)

This practice apparently violates state campaign-finance regulations. Board of Elections officials insist that party committees are required to itemize exactly who gets the money they dispense, even if it's paid through an "outside" vendor. While the public can sometimes see where the WFP's money comes from, it knows very little about where it goes. In the Working Families Party, ACORN has created a conglomerate that is one part campaign machine, one part commercial enterprise and one part lobbying-clearinghouse for special-interest money and muscle -- a conglomerate that is shored up by its privileges as a state-registered political party and shielded from scrutiny by a corporate subsidiary.

Of course this is precisely the scandal that is now hitting the papers, brought up months before by a Room 8 blogger. Perhaps this lends credibility to some of the other accusations made in that article...

But one thing I want to emphasize is that Brad Lander is not the only candidate involved, even though the Room 8 blogger and (not surprisingly) Skaller both focus on Lander's involvement. I think Bill de Blasio deserves even more scrutiny than Lander. And even some people I have considered good candidates seem involved. I think this shows how widespread scandal is in our local government, whether it is the slush fund scandals that involve as much as 3/4 of the current City Council (including, I should add, Bill de Blasio near the top of the list of dubious slush fund transactions), or the WFP scandals described here, these scandals cross party lines and really call for massive reform in NYC. When I blog about national issues it is usually Republican corruption I target. In NYC it seeems to be Democratic corruption and now WFP corruption. And to think I naively believed WFP could be an effective counter to the corruption of Vito Lopez's machine.

Brad Lander, Bill de Blasio and the other candidates named in the WFP scandal (even Daniel Dromm who I endorsed) should be carefully investigated. It also might be nice if they would show some backbone and condemn corruption even in groups that endorsed them. A condemnation of WFP's dubious practices might go a long way to reassuring voters that candidates like Lander, de Blasio and Dromm aren't part of this corruption.

I believe most of the candidates I endorse (perhaps with some exceptions who I may have to reconsider) are the ones MOST dedicated to reform of this corrupt system. And I think in particular this shows how the likes of Bill de Blasio (involved in both slush fund and WFP scandals) should NOT be Public Advocate. The two frontrunners in the Public Advocate race are Norman Siegel and Mark Green. I think without a doubt Norman Siegel is the most honest candidate in NYC and his integrity is unquestioned. I really think we need a man like Norman Siegel as our advocate these days. But we certainly do NOT need someone like Bill de Blasio.

Bronx, NY Focus: Green Collar Jobs, Food Co-ops, City Council Candidate

Casa Promesa HIV/AIDS Public Advocate Candidate Forum
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Casa Promesa
1776 Clay Avenue
Bronx, NY
United States

Casa Promesa will be holding a candidate forum on Wednesday, September 2nd dealing with the issue of HIV/AIDS, moderated by Socrates Caba of the Bronx HIV Care Network. This is the second candidate forum held in the Bronx, although Norman Siegel was the only candidate to show up at the last one so it effectively became a town hall meeting. Regardless of whether the other candidates join Norman this time, we hope you will join us to hear Norm Siegel's thoughts and ideas about combatting HIV/AIDS in New York City, the epicenter of the epidemic in America.


BRONX CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE:

Jerome Rice: 12th City Council District (The Bronx)


Watch Jerome Rice in News  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Here is a statement from Jerome:

Hello, My name is Jerome Rice, I am running to be your next City Councilman for District 12. I am a family man and resident, that attends church in the Bronx, where I serve as both Trustee and Co-chair to Public Safety. I have a Master Degree in Business Administration from Monroe College. I have served 22 years in the New York Army National Guard, before retiring with the rank of First Sergeant. I have a total of 21 years in the NYC Department of Correction, holding the rank of Captain. I have spent the last 13 years in a Civil Rights organization known as 100 Blacks In Law Enforcement Who Care, where I serve as its Director.

I fought against: Wrongful Police Shooting & Policies such as Stop & Frisk, Operation Lucky Bag, Disparate Treatment against Blacks & Hispanic being arrested for lower crime, Privatizing and Re-Zoing of Harlem. Both your Civil Rights and the Bronx are not for sale.

I have been fighting and will continue to fight for those who can't.

Here are some of the concerns, I will address:
Affordable Homes: Why are we allowing homes to be built in our community, that we can't afford? Homes ranging from $350,000-$400,000 and the average income is only $40,000 - $60,000 a year. Lets make homes affordable. Also I will increase inspections and penalties on Landlord that refuse to provide you a comfortable living envirnoment.

Education: I have both created and facilitated informative survival workshops on issues affecting our community such as:
What to do, when stopped by the police
What to do, when you go to court "Because its Just-Us"
Gangs "Our community domestic terrorist'
Disaster awareness "Are you ready" and
Hunting Season "No where to run, No where to hide"

Our Youth should learn in a comfortable learning envirnoment, by ensuring that each school has enough School Safety Officers to patrol our school ground. I will also ensure that each school has Up-To-Date programs to prepare our youth for the REAL WORLD.

Economic Development: Bring in New Business and support existing business. Open more centers for both our senior citizens and youth.

Public Safety- I will call for increase in Police Patrol, in areas that are seriously impacted with crime. I will introduce new programs to educate our youth and senior citizens on issues regarding crime and health.

Here is State Senator Eric Adams' endorsement of Jerome Rice:


Watch Senator Eric Adams Endorses Jerome Rice in Activism & Non-Profit  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


Some Reminders about Traitor Espada: Espada is among the sleaziest people in Albany...and that is saying A LOT. Some examples:

Key Senate Coup Player Pedro Espada: Corrupt or Crazy or Both

Bronx DA and Andrew Cuomo Investigating State Senator Espada

Espada Never Seen in Bronx Residence...really lives in Westchester

Healthcare Funds Go to Espada Campaign, Not to Healthcare...and again

Espada's "nonprofits" rife with "administrative deficiencies and apparent misuse of funds"

And the REAL reason for Espada's coup may be that Democrats refused to play his game with the very groups Espada is under investigation for: Before Defecting, Espada Sought $2 Million for Bronx Groups


GREEN JOBS, NOT JAILS

This comes from Sustainable South Bronx.

The City of New York is still moving forward with their plans for a jail in the South Bronx. We’ve been hearing these rumors and plans for a while, but have recently been alerted that the approval proceedings are moving forward. This has to stop. At a time when folks are losing their jobs and prisons are shutting down, why would we still invest over half a billion dollars on a jail that stands to only result in the continuation of limited opportunity. To these ends, we have launched our Green Jobs Not Jails campaign on Facebook. Already we’ve collected over 600 signatures against the proposal. Please join the cause today and sign our online petition. Help us tell the City of New York that communities deserve green jobs, real alternatives to incarceration, not developments that limit our community’s future opportunities. Stay tuned for additional events for our Green Jobs Not Jails campaign.

As we continue to face the challenges affecting our communities, we should all give thought to the types of sustainable communities we can create. Communities filled with green jobs, clean tech businesses, green roofs, solar panels, healthy children, healthy food, clean air, healthy homes and trees. As our new president inspires us to face some of our country's greatest challenges, SSBx will continue to serve the South Bronx Community and share our work across the globe. We ask that you help us, work with us, support us, and join us.


La Familia Verde Community Garden:

La Familia Verde is a coalition of community gardens in the Crotona, East Tremont, and West Farms neighborhoods in the Bronx. Formed in 1998, our mission is to sustain the environment and culture of our neighborhood through education, community service, and horticulture.

La Familia Verde is part of a community gardening tradition in New York City that dates back over 25 years, when city residents first began taking control of abandoned lots left by the economic and social devastation of the inner cities. Since that time, community gardens have played an important role in helping revitalize some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. The gardens are not only pleasing to look at; they serve as educational, cultural, and social resource centers in traditionally underserved communities.

Today, La Familia Verde is comprised of more than ten community-operated gardens and various community based organizations. The gardens and community organizations help foster community pride, partnership, and activism.

You can read about their projects here.

La Familia Verde
2158 Mapes Avenue
Bronx, NY 10460
http://www.lafamiliaverde.org/


South Bronx Greenway Project

South Bronx residents have far less open space and waterfront access than other parts of NYC.

The South Bronx Greenway Project (SBG) is a community led plan for a bicycle/pedestrian greenway along the South Bronx waterfront, which will provide much needed open space, waterfront access and opportunities for mixed used economic development.

Majora Carter wrote a $1.25 M federal transportation planning grant to conduct a feasibility study for the Greenway to include the NYC Economic Development Corporation as the government sponsor, SSBx and The Point, CDC as the community partners, and landscape architects Mathews Nielsen. The study provided a unique opportunity for our community to impact design and policy. To date, nearly $30 million is secured for greenway related projects.

The South Bronx Greenway will create bike & pedestrian paths around the Hunts Point and Port Morris waterfront, as well as on-street connections including Hunts Point Riverside Park, the Bazzini Piers, Tiffany St. Pier, and Barretto Point Park, and a connection to Randall's Island Sports Complex.

One reason people struggle with obesity in the South Bronx is the lack of opportunity to exercise safely outdoors. SSBx is developing the South Bronx Greenway to provide safe public space, and create better transportation policy. Integrating traffic calming measures and truck routes that keep trucks away from the residential areas will help integrate physical activity into daily life.

Until the Greenway is built, we are getting people active now!

The South Bronx Active Living Campaign is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Active Living by Design Program. "Active Living" is a public health term which means incorporating physical activity into your daily life. SSBx is developing walking clubs for local residents, including one geared towards parents at PS 48 and one open to any resident who wants to explore Hunts Point history. We are working with local doctors and nurses to create Action Action Plans, similar to Asthma Action Plans that will include advice and information that our local doctors can share with residents about physical activity resources in the neighborhood.

Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects have collected background information on land ownership and site conditions, and conducted surveys and interviews with property and business owners. The City has approved over $10 million to be designated for the Greenway as part of the work of the Hunts Point Task Force, bringing the total of funding for greenway-related projects in the South Bronx to $28.5M over the next few years. SSBx looks forward to moving into the construction phases of the project. First phase projects will include intensive streetscape and bicycle path improvements on Hunts Point Avenue and Lafayette Avenue, two major thoroughfares in Hunts Point; a bridge connecting Randall’s Island and Port Morris under the Hell Gate span; and a new waterfront park adjacent to the new Fulton Fish Market in Hunts Point.

Office: 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 4th Floor • The Bronx, NY 10474
Mailing: 890 Garrison Avenue, 4th Floor • The Bronx, NY 10474
Phone: 646•400•5430 • Fax: 718•617•5228


SOUTH BRONX FOOD CO-OP:

The South Bronx Food Cooperative (SBxFC) is a green shopping alternative to the profit-oriented commercial food markets found in the Bronx. Founded and operated by committed residents, the SBxFC is dedicated to making a difference in the community by working together to provide healthy and affordable food to all who want it.

The South Bronx Food cooperative carries a wide variety of products, including local, organic and conventionally grown produce; pasture-raised, grass-fed and free-range meats and poultry; bulk grains, sugars, spices and pastas; fair-trade coffees and chocolate; environmentally safe cleaning supplies, and much more. All of this plus a selection of standard supermarket items makes the SBxFC a one-stop shopping destination. Sales are brisk at the SBxFC and inventory is replenished often ensuring that the products we sell are as fresh as possible..

As a member of the SBxFC you share ownership of the coop with fellow members. Members have a voice in the decision-making process and participate in directing the organization's future. Equally important, as a shopper you will know where your food choices come from. By becoming a member you and your family not only have access to fresh foods at reasonable prices, you will learn about our local farmers, organizations and vendors.

In addition to providing green/local products and democratic operations (common at most cooperatives), the SBxFC provides various health and nutrition services including workshops, cooking classes and education seminars. Our community education programs are designed and administered by local medical professionals and nutrition specialist. The goal of the SBxFC is to correct the various health disparities faced by Bronxites including diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.

They seem to even have an online shopping option (members only).

Hours:
11:00 am – 8pm, Thursday – Monday
CLOSED Tuesday & Wednesday
(Additional hours and days of operation will be added in the very near future)

Website: http://www.sbxfc.org/

Location:
3103 Third Avenue
Bronx NY 10451
(The corner of 158th St)

Silicon Valley Area, CA Focus

I want to cover some Biodiesel stations, events, Democratic Clubs, and Co-ops in the greater Silicon Valley area.

Biodiesel: Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Up to B20 (a 20% blend of biodiesel and traditional diesel) any diesel engine, car or truck, can run on it. Above B20, some older engines may have problems but newer diesel engines should be ok. Here are some gas stations in the Silicon Valley area that offer biodiesel:

Rotten Robbie: 310 N Whisman Rd, Mountain View, CA 94043, 650-965-2609. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 6AM-10PM

Rotten Robbie: 1304 Piedmont Rd, San Jose, CA 95132, 408-259-5535. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 6AM-11PM.

Bay Area Biofuel: email biodieselperformance@gmail.com for info and an appt

Western States Oil Company: 1790 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-292-1041. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 7AM-5PM M-F.

The Green Station: 136 Gilman Ave, Campbell, CA 95008, 831-425-9100. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open TUES, THURS, FRI 4-7.

Autopia Biofuels: 1025 S Railroad Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402, 650-571-1863. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open M-F 8AM-7PM (CLOSED WEDS/SUNS) SA 1PM-4PM.

Mountain Feed and Farm Supply: 9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005, 831-336-8876. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open M-S 9AM-6PM SUN 10-2

SF Oakland Truck Stop: 8255 San Leandro Street, Oakland, CA 94621, 510-569-1624. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open M-F, 4AM-11PM; SAT. 6AM-10PM; SUN. 7AM-10PM

The Green Station: 433 Ocean Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 831-425-9100. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel engines, may not be good in some older engines). Open 10-6 DAILY

USA Grown Fuels: 2680 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062, 831-476-3653. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HOURS A DAY / 7 DAYS A WEEK; MUST BE MEMBER


MARRIAGE EQUALITY SILICON VALLEY is a grassroots effort, organized by volunteers in the Silicon Valley/San Jose/South Bay area, to educate, unite and mobilize all communities for equality.

Each month, on a Sunday, which might vary depending on other events, the Outreach to Religious and Youth Communities Group holds a potluck evening. We meet at 6 pm in someone's home for a shared meal. At 6:30 pm, we view an inspiring film which focuses on LGBT issues. After the movie, we discuss current and future actions to promote education and support for marriage equality. Open to everyone. For more information, contact Ray Hixson at (650) 346-7557 or Joanne Loomba at (408) 921-0041.

Also coming up: October 3, 2009 – 1st Annual Gay Family Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. 11 am–7 pm.


Here are some events (from the Silicon Valley Democracy for America calendar and the Santa Clara County Democrats calendar):

DFA first-Wednesday get-together
Event Date: Sep 2, 2009
Event Time: 7:00 PM PDT (10:00 PM EDT)
City: Palo Alto or Los Altos, usually
State: CA
Phone: 650-380-4112

Sign up here for more info.

Dean Democratic Club Working Meeting
Monday, 14 September, 2009
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Please come join us at our club's monthly business meeting. All are welcome, only members can vote, memberships are $15 per year, $10 for students and seniors.
IHOP Restaurant
5403 Stevens Creek Blvd
Santa Clara , CA 95051-7202 United States

Event Contact Info: Ralph Wheeler
Email: rwheeler@inreach.com
Phone: 650 493-2652

October 3, 2009 – 1st Annual Gay Family Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. 11 am–7 pm.

Democracy for America Link Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, 07 October, 2009
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Hosted by the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Probable topic: election reform? fair tax policy?

Alice Smith's house
4284 Los Palos Cir
Palo Alto, CA 94306 United States

Event Contact Info: Ralph Wheeler
Email: rwheeler@inreach.com
Phone: 650 493-2652

Dean Democratic Club Working Meeting
Monday, 19 October, 2009
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Please come join us at our club's monthly business meeting. All are welcome, only members can vote, memberships are $15 per year, $10 for students and seniors.

IHOP Restaurant
5403 Stevens Creek Blvd
Santa Clara , CA 95051-7202 United States

Event Contact Info: Ralph Wheeler
Email: rwheeler@inreach.com
Phone: 650 493-2652

Nov 4, 2009 DFA first-Wednesday get-together 7:00 PM PST (10:00 PM EST)
City: Palo Alto or Los Altos, usually
Phone: For more info call: 650-380-4112
Probably a discussion of the November 3 election


SILICON VALLEY DEMOCRATIC CLUBS: This list comes from the Santa Clara County Democratic Club website:

Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley. The Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley is an alliance in Silicon Valley, California dedicated to the issues brought forth by Gov. Howard Dean, M.D., his cause and his message of progressive, positive change. dfasv.org, www.dfalink.com/siliconvalley, Co-Chairs; Spandan Chakrabarti, Alice Smith. Contact deanclub_at_sccdp.org

Obama Democratic Club of Silicon Valley. A club of volunteers from the 2008 Barack Obama campaign and local arm of Organizing for America. Members of this club will continue to promote Obama's policies and priorities. Peter Allen, President, obama_at_sccdp.org. sites.google.com/site/obamadcsv/

Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club. SVAPADC was founded in 1996 to foster member participation at all levels of the Democratic Party. Our goals are to unify and empower the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities; ensure fair representation of the APA's interests; and educate and promote political participation. Contact Buu Thai at apa_at_sccdp.org. The club's homepage is svapadc.org.

Silicon Valley Democratic Club. Formerly known as the Moorpark Democratic, the Silicon Valley Democratic club prides itself in developing a growing and diverse community with an organized and unifying voice in the political arena. The Club provides a forum for its members to focus, discuss, prioritize positions and promote important issues to our diverse community. Working together, our members help to elect Democratic candidates in local, state, and national elections. Clarence Madrilejos, moorpark_at_sccdp.org. www.moorparkdems.org

Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum. A venue for local Latinos to become active in the Democratic Party. Javier Gonzalez, svldf_at_sccdp.org.

Silicon Valley LGBT Democratic Club. Dedicated to providing a grassroots channel for the political participation of like-minded lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Democrats. President: David Parker, lgbt_at_sccdp.org. Visit the club on the web at http://www.lgbtdems.org.

Silicon Valley Young Democrats. SVYD serves Democrats under 36 years old from throughout the Silicon Valley. We provide networking, social, and personal growth opportunities for young people dedicated to progressive ideals. President: Julie Lind, svyd_at_sccdp.org. Visit the club's website at svyd.org.


SILICON VALLEY AREA FOOD CO-OPS: These are the only ones I could find near Silicon Valley, though they are all somewhat peripheral

Kresge Food Co-op
600 Kresge CT, Kresge College UCSC
Santa Cruz, California 95064
Phone: (831) 426-1506
coop@dv8.org
http://k9.dv8.org/~coop/

The Kresge Food Coop is a student-run cooperative health food store located at Kresge College on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. We currently consist of twelve Core Collective Members who own the coop and are responsible for its daily operations and for any number of working members. This page has been created in order to better serve our community. Through this page you can email the coop, learn about our Core Collective Members, sign up to be a working member, make suggestions, check sales, read and reread our newsletter, and browse our links to other coops and health food stores.

The Cooperative Grocery (The CoG)
1450 67th Street
Emeryville, California 95616
Phone: (510) 868-2883
FAX: (510) 868-2893
info@thecog.org
http://www.thecog.org/

The Cooperative Grocery—The CoG—is a non-profit, working members cooperative that offers high-quality groceries at an affordable price to individuals and families in our community.

Members of The CoG work 2 1/2 hours every 4 weeks, performing jobs like stocking shelves, building orders and providing member services. By providing much of the labor for the store, our members keep our operating costs to a minimum. We then pass the savings onto our members in the form of lower prices. Our model is based on the successful Park Slope Food Co-Op in Brooklyn, NY, which serves 13,000 members.

To further control costs and grow our co-op in a responsible manner, we launched the CoG as an online store that is served from a warehouse located in Emeryville, with easy access to communities in Berkeley and Oakland. Our long term plan is to build a retail business as finances allow.

Bolinas Peoples Store
P. O. Box 808
Bolinas, California 94924
Phone: (415) 868-1433
FAX: (415) 868-1219

Rainbow Grocery Co-op
1745 Folsom
San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (415) 863-0620
FAX: (415) 863-8955
comments@rainbowgrocery.coop
http://www.rainbow.coop/

We have been in San Francisco's Mission District since 1975. We strive to offer resources, education and a forum for informational exchange for many local communities and organizations.

Rainbow Grocery is open every day from 9AM to 9PM

We are located in San Francisco's Mission District at 1745 Folsom Street. Our cross street is 13th Street (also known as Duboce), which runs directly under the central freeway. Use the map below for directions by car. Click here for Public Transit directions. Click here for bicycling directions.

Other Avenues Community Food Store
3930 Judah Street
San Francisco, California 94122
Phone: (415) 661-7475
FAX: (415) 661-0835
info@otheravenues.org
http://www.otheravenues.org/

Orange County, CA Focus

HEALTHCARE REFORM ACTIONS IN ORANGE COUNTY:

Health Insurance Rally Aug 31 - Orange County

Supporters of health insurance reform plan a Rally on Monday, August 31 in Newport Beach, California to show support for the public option. This event is dedicated to the memory of Sen. Edward Kennedy. Go here for more info.

Sep 1 Tuesday, 5:30-7pm and Saturday September 5, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach chapter of Organizing for America is planning pro-health care, public option rallys at the Huntington Beach Pier on Tuesday September 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturday September 5, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Please pass the word.

Sep 2 Wednesday 7pm, Irvine: Public Option NOW! Vigil Alton/Culver - Northeast side
We cannot afford to wait! Let's make a difference on 2 September. Up and down California and across the nation, MoveOn members will make sure that representatives go back to D.C. with a clear message--we want affordable, decent health care coverage for ALL of us! Join us on the corner of Alton and Culver for a vigil. We will have candles (bring some if you can to share) and signs to underscore our message on health care. pol.moveon.org/event/publicoptionnow/97005

Sep 26 Saturday 9:30am-noon, Orange: Health care in California and on the national level. Sisters of St Joseph conference center library, 480 Batavia Street.
Joe Dunn, CEO of the California Medical Association and former state Senator, will speak on health care in California and on the national level. The cost is $10.00 in advance, or $12.00 at the door. Please call Christine Moore at 714-508-2563 for reservations, or mail your check to: COCA League of Women Voters, P.O. Box 704, Orange, CA 92856.


Loretta Sanchez comes out for Public Option. Here's the video:




Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County: The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County are dedicated to the mission of electing LGBT and Pro-Equality Democrats in California and throughout the country.

The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County typically meet on the last Sunday of the month:

Local 50 Union Hall
527 S Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805

Click here to join.


Orange County Biodiesel Cooperative: Working together to increase availability of biodiesel in the Orange County region. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. Go to their website to sign up for more info.

And here are some other biodiesel stations in/near Orange County, CA:

Extreme Biodiesel: 1560 N Maple St, Corona, CA 92880, 888-998-7223. Offers B99.9 (nearly 100% biodiesel, good for newer diesel engines, some old engines not ok). MEMBERSHIP REQD

Nickey Petroleum: 925 S Lakeview Ave, Placentia,, CA 92870, 714-547-4123. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine), B99 (ok for newer diesel engines). CALL AHEAD

Socal Biofuel: 1006 E South St, Anaheim, CA 92805, 888-888-4121. Offers B99 (good for newer diesel enginns, some old engines not ok). Open 8-4:30 M-F


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

Sep 1 Tuesday, 1pm, Laguna Woods Village: Erwin Chemerinsky: Obama, Sotomayor, and the Impact of the Supreme Court Erwin Chemerinsky returns! When he spoke to us last August, a large crowd enthusiastically received his presentation! Dean Chemerinsky is a constitutional scholar, lawyer, writer, teacher and civic leader. He was named by Legal Affairs as one of "the top 20 legal thinkers in America." Prior to coming to UCI to head its new law school in 2008, he was a professor of law and political science at Duke University. He has authored and co-authored numerous books and over 100 law review articles, and he frequently argues appellate cases, including in the United States Supreme Court and the United States Courts of Appeals.

Sep 2 (1st Wednesday) 7pm, Costa Mesa: Democracy for America - Orange County September General Meeting Karl Strauss Brewery, 901 S Coast Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
We will NOT meet in August. We will resume monthly meetings on September 2 and we hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Kopicki at sckopicki@yahoo.com

Sep 5 Saturday and ongoing, Irvine: Join the Voter Registration Drive to turn Orange County Blue. The first target is the City of Irvine with only 4,404 registrations needed to turn it "Blue". What a gem to win from the Republicans! The campaign kicks off Labor Day Weekend with numerous tabling locations to be staffed. This project is being organized and supported by Steve Young, Director of Region 18 of the CA Democratic Party and several OC Democratic Clubs. If you can't help Labor Day weekend, call and schedule for the following weekend. This will be ongoing with a goal of 5,000 registrations before the June 2010 Primary.
YES WE CAN TURN OC BLUE! Call Marion Pack at 949-640-4400 to volunteer to staff a location.

Sep 5 Saturday 8-10am, Bolsa Chica: Cogstone Caravan Bolsa Chica Wetlands Tour Warner Ave & Bolsa Chica St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 naturalist-for-you.org

Sep 5 (1st Saturday) 10am-1pm, Huntington Beach: Help support Native American land rights at the corner of Bolsa Chica Street and Warner Ave. in the city of Huntington Beach, CA. We will be protesting the destruction of the cogged stone site CA-ORA 83.

Sep 5 Saturday 10am-3pm, Santa Ana: Orange County Labor Day Celebration Santa Ana Zoo Amphitheatre Park Area, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Come and join the Orange County Labor Federation as we celebrate Labor Day! Bring your friends and family! There will be many games and activities for your enjoyment. Food and beverages will also be available! Hope to see you on September 5th! FUN AND GAMES: 10AM-3PM LUNCH AND SPECIAL GUESTS: 12 PM-1:30 PM Free Admission to the Santa Ana Zoo from 10 AM- 4:00PM courtesy of the Labor Federation. Pick up your free admission at the picnic area. Go to link below for flyer oclabor.org/images/docs/LABOR_DAY.pdf

Sep 10 Saturday 7:30-11:30pm, Huntington Beach: Bollywood Night at Metro Q for National Equality March Metro Q Bar & Grill, 19092 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Join us for an amazing night Bollywood style at the fabulous Metro Q in Huntington Beach. There will be fun, fundraising, and prizes...so be sure to dress the part. Metro Q is an inclusive establishment open to all ages. To purchase a ticket, go to: bollywoodnight.eventbrite.com Bring your ticket with you for a chance to win door prizes. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. Proceeds from this event will be used for the Orange County efforts with Equality Across America and the National Equality March. Equality Across America is a network of decentralized organizers in every one of the 435 Congressional districts. These organizers form Congressional District Action Teams (CDATs) that will do the work on the ground in their own communities to achieve full equality.

Sep 11 Friday 7pm, Irvine: The DPOC Environmental Committee will be showing a newly released documentary "The Great Squeeze", which was selected at 11 film festivals around the world and won an award for best documentary After the film, we'll have some time for people to talk about the film, and to talk to those in the Environmental Committee for the DPOC. You're all invited, so we hope to see you there, and bring your friends.
Duck Club, 5 Riparian View, Irvine.

Sep 12 Saturday 4pm, San Juan Capistrano: Green Feast at The Ecology Center 32701 Alipaz St. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Please join us for a communal celebration of local food. Upon arriving at The Ecology Center gardens, you'll be given a glass of wine and tempted with appetizers prepared in our alfresco kitchen. Tours of the gardens and farm will be begin at 4:15 and will last approximately thirty minutes. Following the garden and farm tours, Chef Richard Mead of Orange County's renowned Sage Restaurants will curate our meal, consisting of local seafood, free-range meats, organic produce, artisan cheeses, and wines. Guests will enjoy family-style dining in the intimate, outdoor setting. For each course, the local producer or artisan will share the story of how each item journeyed to the table. Reflecting the Center's green philosophy, guests are asked to bring their own plates.
You can purchase tickets via our website at theecologycenter.org/greenfeast or by phone by calling (949)443-4223. Seating is limited, and we ask that all reservations be made by August 31. Learn more here: meetup.com/goinggreenorangecounty/calendar/11097282

Sep 13 Sunday 5pm, Newport Beach: Orange County Interfaith Committee to Aid Farm Worker Fundraiser-Dinner at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Newport Beach. our speaker will be the Rev. Noelle Damico of the Presbyterian Hunger Program To make a reservation, please make your checks out to the National Farm Worker Ministry and mail them to Suzanne Darweesh, 2104 Hilltop Ct, Fullerton, CA 92831. For more information please contact her at 714-738-1785 or sdarweesh@aol.com. Donations are requested at $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Sep 19 Saturday 2pm, Irvine: Americans United for Separation of Church and State - The future of LGBT rights in a "post Prop 8 California" including Marriage Equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell with Katherine Darmer, Chapman University Law Professor and Chair of the Legal Committee of the Orange County Equality Coalition. Professor Darmer is deeply committed to separation of church and state. Her grandfather, Joseph Dawson, was an early proponent of church/state separation and a member of the original group that became "Americans United." Professor Darmer will be speaking about the future of LGBT rights in a "post Prop 8 California," including Marriage Equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Irvine Ranch Water District (Multipurpose Room) 15600 Sand Canyon Ave. (at Waterworks) Irvine, CA 92618 Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For information contact: Steph Campbell, (714) 299-4551, or e-mail orangecountyau@yahoo.com

Sep 23 Wednesday 6:30pm, Fountain Valley: Democratic Club Of West Orange County - presents Sandra Robbie, Emmy award winning film maker. Meeting includes a screening of the documentary "Mendez vs. Westminster School District". Sandra has spoken across the country about the Mendez case including at the Smithsonian Institute, Harvard School of Law, Stanford University and PS 114 in the Bronx, NY. In 2004, Sandra saw one of her dreams come true when she was with the Mendez family at the White House when they were honored by the President for their contribution to American civil rights. Sandra is now working with Chapman University to create a permanent home for the study and celebration of Mendez v. Westminster with the goal of bring students and scholars from across the country to learn about the amazing civil rights history that happened here that helped to change our nation.
Meeting is at Green Valley Community Center, 17250 Los Jardines West, Fountain Valley. For more information see dcwoc.org or call Jo Anne at (714) 846-5201 or email jennin1944@yahoo.com

Sep 26 Saturday 10am-4pm, Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach Green Expo Sponsored by the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and ?the City of Huntington Beach Economic Development Department. This was an excellent green expo in 2008 with a respectable amount of vendor booths and speakers throughout the day. Interested in being a vendor at this expo? Visit hbchamber.org for more information. HB Central Library 7111 Talbert Ave Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Sep 26 Saturday 6-9:30pm, Costa Mesa: Orange County Labor Federation 9th Annual Solidarity Leadership Awards Dinner -Honoring- Lifetime Achievement Award AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney César Chávez Leadership Award Ron Herrera Teamsters Local 396 Organizing Union Award UniteHERE Local 11 Delegate of the Year Doug Mangione IBEW 441 Phillip Burton Award Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez Model Corporate Partner Award Anderson and Howard Electric -Business/Dinner Attire- Go to link below for Sponsorships, Tickets, and Ad Rates. oclabor.org/images/docs/RESERVATION.psf.pdf
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 priscilla@oclabor.org

Sep 26/27 Saturday/Sunday, San Diego: California Democratic Council Grassroots Convention Convention at San Diego's Historic Naval Training Center Promenade Leadership Dinner at the Hilton Harbor Island Hotel Join Democratic activists, volunteers, club members, Party leaders, and friends for the first-ever joint Convention of the San Diego County Democratic Party and the California Democratic Council. * Build knowledge and skills in your choice of workshops and forums * Hear from Democrats running for statewide office in 2010 * Meet new friends, form alliances, and get inspired by our Party's grassroots strength! actblue.com/page/convention09

Oct 10 (2nd Saturday) 6:30-8:30pm, Irvine: ReclaimDemocracy.org Orange County: Screening of "Flow: For the Love of Water" (The film that will change the way you think about water.) ReclaimDemocracyOC.org Irvine Ranch Water District Headquarter, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA

Oct 13 Tuesday 6:30pm, Newport Beach: Movie - Dwindling Drops in the Sand 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach. a documentary filmed by Sama Wareh - one of our very own Nature Camp teachers! Travel with Sama on a journey to investigate Syria's water crisis - and gain insight into global water issues that are affecting us right here in California. The documentary begins with an intro to Syria, its history, why Sama is there, and the dangers involved in filming the documentary. Learn about the causes of the water crisis, why it is so significant, and what positive steps folks are taking to remedy the problem. Bring friends and family to enjoy awesome cinematography, adventure, and Sama's famous humor and wit! The documentary is intended for all audiences. For more information, visit www.warehart.com. Organic popcorn will be served! Bring your own re-useable bowl and beverage container. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited.

Oct 13 Tuesday 6:30pm, Newport Beach: Environmental Nature Center Green Building Tour 1601 16th Street Newport Beach, CA 92663 Join us for a tour of the ENC's new "Green Building" - the first Platinum LEED Building in Orange County! The tour will begin with a short presentation describing the green building techniques that went into development of the ENC's new building and the reasons behind the incorporation of each green feature. Participants will learn about ways to make their homes and businesses more environmentally friendly and how they can incorporate renewable energy. Enjoy a "behind the scenes" tour of the ENC's new green building - inside and out - to see the sustainable features and materials. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited. meetup.com/goinggreenorangecounty/calendar/10988302

Oct 21 Tuesday 6:30pm, Newport Beach: Movie - Dwindling Drops in the Sand 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach. a documentary filmed by Sama Wareh - one of our very own Nature Camp teachers! Travel with Sama on a journey to investigate Syria's water crisis - and gain insight into global water issues that are affecting us right here in California. The documentary begins with an intro to Syria, its history, why Sama is there, and the dangers involved in filming the documentary. Learn about the causes of the water crisis, why it is so significant, and what positive steps folks are taking to remedy the problem. Bring friends and family to enjoy awesome cinematography, adventure, and Sama's famous humor and wit! The documentary is intended for all audiences. For more information, visit www.warehart.com. Organic popcorn will be served! Bring your own re-useable bowl and beverage container. Call 949-645-8489 to RSVP. Suggested donation: $5. Space is limited.

Oct 24 Saturday 9am-3:30pm, Orange: United Nations Day/International Day of Climate Action Run, Walk, Bike, or Carpool (in your alternative fuel vehicle) to the Outdoor Education Center (located adjacent to Irvine Regional Park) 2 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA For more information, to download the printable registration form, or to register on-line, please visit the registration website at WWW.OCICE.ORG Enter the 5K Walk, hosted by the UNA-USA, Orange County Chapter. Join in the hike, beginning at Irvine Regional Park, hosted by the Sierra Club Join an OC bike club on a ride (from various locations throughout OC) to the Outdoor Education Center Participate in the tree planting at the Outdoor Education Center Participate in the aerial photo of the number - 350 that will be uploaded to the 350.org website Houses of Worship - Ring your bells 350 times! Play on the Zip Line Guest Speakers include: OC Clergy who have signed the Creation Protection Agreement Local Politicians that are working to reduce their cities CO2 emissions Keynote address: Chris Prelitz, sustainable architecture, author, and activist Eco-Friendly exhibits-
This rally is a coordinated effort by the following organizations: www.350.org www.earthresource.org www.ocice.org http://www.una-oc.org/ www.outdooreducationcenter.org www.sierraclub.com

San Diego, CA Focus

Biodiesel is one of the alternatives I have been pushing for some time. It can be used in any diesel engine, is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel.

Here are some gas stations that offer biodiesel in the San Diego area:

Carr's Car Center: 3940 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92054, 760-433-2166. Offers B5 (5% biodiesel, good for any diesel engine). Open M-SAT 6AM-6PM.

Soco Group: 145 Vernon Way, El Cajon, CA 92020, 858-627-0440. Offers B20 (20% biodiesel, good for any diesel engine). Open 7 AM - 5PM M-F.

Pearson Ford/RTC Fuels: 4067 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92105, 619-243-0456. Offers B99 (99% biodiesel, good for new engines, some old engines not ok). Open 7AM-10PM.


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

San Diego Democracy For America Meetup (SD DFA) meeting. Wednesday, September 2nd, 7:00 - 8:45 pm (social at 6:00 pm). Councilmember Donna Frye will discuss issues before the SD City Council. At Giovanni's Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, SD 92123 (Corner of Clairemont Mesa Blvd and Ruffin Rd. across from Registrar of Voters). Info: Carol (858) 459-7044. or cchangus@san.rr.com.

Candidate Recruitfest
Date: September 13, 2009, 1:30:00 PM

Learn about elective office opportunities at this event, hosted by the Democratic Party.

At the Rancho San Diego Library, 11155 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, 92019.
Contact: (619) 447-3246
Email: www.ecdcweb.org

San Diego County Democratic Central Committee meeting. Tuesday, September 15th, at 7:00 pm. In the Basement Conference Room of the State of California Building, 1350 Front St. (Corner of Ash and Front Streets). Note: Use Union Street entrance. MAP. Our meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to attend! Info.: 858.277.3367 or info@sddemocrats.org.

Council of Clubs meeting. Saturday, September 19th, 10:00 am. Monthly meeting of Democratic Club leadership at SDCDP Headquarters, 8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. 108. Info: clubs@sddemocrats.org

Naturalization Ceremony Voter Registration. Wednesday, September 23rd, from 10:10 am to noon. Volunteers are needed to help register newly naturalized citizens on Join the other volunteers at Golden Hall, Corner of 3rd and B Street. Parking at Horton Plaza. RSVP to Greg Bolan at sdvoter@gmail.com. Note: The San Diego Voter Registration team uses Google Groups to send out volunteer emails. To receive these emails click HERE, and then click on "Join This Group."

San Diego County Democratic Convention. Saturday, September 26th. In what promises to be San Diego's largest Democratic campaign event of the year, the daylong County Convention will feature workshops, policy forums, networking opportunities, and appearances by candidates for statewide and local office. For the first time, the San Diego County Democratic Party will be holding our convention jointly with the California Democratic Council, the statewide association of Democratic clubs and county committees. At the historic Naval Training Center Promenade in Point Loma. Online registration for the Convention will open in July. For more information contact the County Democratic Party at (858) 277-3367 or info@sddemocrats.org.

San Diego Democracy for America Meetup
Date: October 7, 2009, 7:00:00 PM - 8:45:00 PM

At Giovanni's Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, SD 92123 (Corner of Clairemont Mesa Blvd and Ruffin Rd. across from Registrar of Voters).
Contact: Carol at (858) 459-7044
Email: cchangus@san.rr.com


SAN DIEGO FOOD CO-OPS:

Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Co-op
4765 Voltaire St.
San Diego, California 92107
Phone: (619) 224-1387
FAX: (619) 224-5089
editor@oceanbeachpeoples.com
http://www.obpeoplesfood.coop

Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market is a member-owned vegetarian consumer co-op that has been serving the community since 1971. Originally a worker's collective, the cooperative has grown to include 6000 feet of retail space and more than 8000 member/owners. The Co-op offers an extensive selection of organic produce, grocery, dairy, and bulk foods and herbs, as well as vitamins and homeopathics, cruelty-free bodycare, and aromatherapy products. Enjoy a full service sit-down deli featuring a delicious selection of home-style vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, sandwiches, freshly prepared baked goods, desserts, and more! At People's, San Diego's only community owned grocery store, we specialize in products that are organic, wholesome, minimally processed, cruelty-free, and environmentally safe.

They also have a good community events calendar.

The UCSD Food Coop
0323F Student Cooperative Center,
San Diego, California 92093
Phone: (619) 546-8339
foodcoop@burn.ucsd.edu

I used to shop at this one way, way back when I went to UCSD. It was great then!

Since its introduction to the campus in 1978, the Food Co-op has committed itself to providing the UCSD community with a natural food alternative, as well as a resource for environmentally conscious products and information.

The Food Co-op carries a variety of food and non-food products ranging from baked goods, juices, sandwiches, fresh organic produce, macro-biotic and ethnic foods to cruelty-free cosmetics and environmentally safe cleaning agents. Many foods are stocked in bulk to reduce the price to the customer and the waste of packaging (please bring bags when buying!). Special orders can be made at discount prices (good for items not necessarily carried in the store, as well!).

Come in to shop, get informed, and/or volunteer as a general member of our store. For more information, call (858) 546-8339.

I will also point out some other UCSD co-ops that I liked when I was a student there.

The Ché Café

The Ché Café Collective is dedicated to providing cheap, healthy vegetarian food, all-ages entertainment, and alternative education. We have All-We-Can-Eat dinners every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Entertainment at the Ché ranges from poetry readings and plays to forums, or shows of local bands.

The Ché Café is surrounded by a grove of old eucalyptus trees and is next to the beautiful garden of the Farm Co-op. Tables and chairs inside and outside of the Ché and its close proximity to the Farm Co-op make it an inviting place to eat, study, or just hang out.

The Ché Café is open to having people come by and help out. The Café provides a great opportunity for people to get involved in the process of cooking, running a restaurant and/or putting on events at any level they feel comfortable at. Stop by or call us at (858) 534-2311.

(The Ché Café is located on the Revelle campus behind the Undergraduate library and down the hill from Stonehenge. We're the building with all the murals on it.) Read more about the Che Cafe Collective at its very own website: http://checafe.ucsd.edu/.

General Store

The General Store Co-op is a student-run store which was founded in 1980 to offer students a less expensive alternative to the high Price Center. [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is not quite right...the Price Center didn't even exist when the General Store was founded and greatly appreciated by students like myself.] As a student cooperative, we try to provide the University community with the best quality merchandise at the lowest prices. And we succeed! The General Store Co-op carries items such as selected essential school and office supplies, household and personal items, stationery and gift wrap, clothing (including UCSD logos), craft-center jewelry, and some food and snack items -- all of which range from 5-25% less than anywhere else on campus.

Students are generally most interested in the fact that we sell textbooks, which are guaranteed to cost less than at the UCSD bookstore. We also try to carry as many used texts as possible. Also, we buy back current editions year round. Stop by to check which classes' books we're carrying.

We encourage everyone to visit the General Store Co-op for our low prices and friendly service. Additionally, anyone is invited to come in and volunteer anytime as volunteers are the backbone of our organization. For further information or friendly help please feel free to call us at (858) 534-3932.

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Blogs, Stonewall Democrats, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

News from the blogs:

Tuesday Is The Special Election To Replace Tauscher In Northern California

Health Insurance Rally Aug 31 - Orange County

The Setting Of A High Renewable Energy Standard

The Latest Republican Corruption in California: David Dreier (R-CA) Caught Up In Ethics Scandal...more here.

Has the Federal Stimulus Helped YOU? Congressman Pete Stark (CA-13) has put together a tagged Google map indicating each appropriation to the district approved through the federal stimulus package.


BLOGGING CALIFORNIA: Here are some blogs covering California Politics

Calitics is an open source news organization for California.

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.

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


STONEWALL DEMOCRATS and related organizations in California:

Stonewall Democrats of Los Angeles. Look for upcoming events here.

Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County: The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County are dedicated to the mission of electing LGBT and Pro-Equality Democrats in California and throughout the country.

The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County typically meet on the last Sunday of the month:

Local 50 Union Hall
527 S Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805

Click here to join.

Central Valley Stonewall Democratic Club
Stockton, CA

Fresno Stonewall Democrats
Fresno, CA

Stonewall Democrats of Ventura County
Meetings: First Thursday of the Month, 7:15 PM
Ventura County Rainbow Alliance (VCRA)
4567 Telephone Rd., Suite 100
Ventura, CA 93003

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.

Beginning July 15th, Connecting Circles of Care (CCOC) will be collaborating with Stonewall Alliance Youth (SAY) to offer a weekly drop-in group for Gay, Lesbian, Two-Spirit, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning Youth age 14-18. The group will focus on education and providing an environment where youth are valued and respected. Drop-in times are 3:30-5:00pm at the Stonewall Alliance Center, 2289 Cohasset Rd Suite 5 Chico. CCOC will be providing pizza at the first meeting on July 15 and some type of snack at each group thereafter.


Alternative Energy in California:

Some statistics from Repower America:

# California is ranked 3rd in the nation for its 2,517-megwatts of installed wind capacity. The state’s 60 wind farms are in 5 major wind resource areas and 4 new projects are underway.

# Southern California Edison and Florida Power & Light are operating the largest single source of solar energy in the world at 310-megawatts in the Mojave Desert.

# Solel and Pacific Gas & Electric will begin operating a 553-megawatt solar plant in 2011. When completed, the 6,000-acre solar field will bring power to 400,000 PG&E homes in northern California.

Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in California, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.

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:

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
* Trip Bar in Santa Monica, 2101 Lincoln Blvd
* Contact: 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