NORTH CAROLINA FOCUS: Blogs, Biodiesel, Alternative Energy, NAACP, Veterans for Peace, Groups and Events

NORTH CAROLINA BLOGGING:

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

BlueNC is a community-driven website that promotes progressive values and policies in North Carolina.

Equality North Carolina Blog: The latest on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues and state politics in North Carolina.

N.C. Justice and Community Development Center
The Justice Center is dedicated to helping low income and working poor North Carolinians escape poverty and achieve economic security. It includes several well-known projects within its umbrella and is professionally staffed by a team of lawyers, community educators and policy analysts.

The Progressive Pulse: this was suggested by a reader in NC. Last I tried it it wasn't loading though.

Raleigh Eco News: Reporting environmental news and views from North Carolina's capital city.

Scrutiny Hooligans

Indyweek.com: Progressive News, Culture & Commentary For Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill


For those who want to combine social events with politics, here are the Living Liberally Groups in North Carolina:

Asheville, North Carolina
* Every Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm
* Asheville Brewing Company, 77 Coxe Ave (Downtown, 1/2 block north of Hilliard Ave.)
* Hosted by Aric Vance and Susan Lee, asheville (at) drinkingliberally.org

Charlotte, North Carolina
* First Monday and Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* First Monday of the month Location: Brixx Uptown, 225 E 6th St (we usually gather at the bar, on the LEFT side)
* Be sure to bring in your parking pass for validation, and to tell the parking attendant you are going to Brixx so they don't charge you $5!
* Third Wednesday of the month Location: Dolce Vita, 3205 N Davidson St 1/2 priced wines by the glass on Wednesday
* Hosted by Marcus Williams, Andy Graves and Mark Campbell, charlotte (at) drinkingliberally.org

Charlotte Eating Liberally
* Second Saturday of each month, 10:00 am
* Matthews Community Farmers' Market, 105 N Trade St, Matthews (We meet at the tables just outside of the Community House Coffee Shop)
* Come by after collecting your week's bounty & join us for a cup of coffee from the community house and a freshly baked pastery from one of the vendors!
* Bring your favorite organic/local/sustainable related books or recipes.
* Hosted by Laura Paynter and Heather Taylor, charlotte (at) eatingliberally.org

Concord, North Carolina
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Sweet Pea Cafe, 16 Union St S (1/2 block south of Cabarrus & Union)
* Hosted by Mark Ortiz, concordnc (at) drinkingliberally.org

Greensboro, North Carolina
* Every Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm
* The Green Bean, 341 S Elm St
* Hosted by Richard Rozzelle, greensboro (at) drinkingliberally.org

Raleigh, North Carolina
* Every Tuesday, 6:00-9:00 pm
* Players Retreat, 105 Oberlin Rd (right near Hillsborough Street)
* Look for us in the room across from the bar, thru the doorway.
* Hosted by Wallace Pankow and Dave Carden, raleigh (at) drinkingliberally.org

Wilmington, North Carolina
* First and third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Orton's, 131 N Front St
* Hosted by Tom Schutte and Jimmy Cartrette, wilmingtonnc (at) drinkingliberally.org


NORTH CAROLINA NAACP: Here is a list of local branches of the NAACP in North Carolina

Branch ANSON COUNTY Unit # 5362
Mail P.O Box 335 Wadesboro, NC 28170
Email donniekendall at yahoo.com

Branch ASHEVILLE / BUNCOMBE COUNTY Unit #5363
Mail P.O. Box 2881 Asheville, NC 28802
Email abnaacp at bellsouth.net

Branch BEAUFORT COUNTY Unit # 51B3
Mail P.O. Box 2153 Washington, NC 27889
Email topharrow at msn.com

Branch BERTIE COUNTY Unit # 5365
Mail 1901 Cooper Hill Rd. Windsor, NC 27983
Email Charllee1901 at aol.com

Branch BLADEN COUNTY (C.Creek) Unit # 5371
Mail P.O. Box 94 Council, NC 28434

Branch BLADEN COUNTY (W) Unit # 5468
Mail 3295 Peanut Plant Road Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Email Abullock001 at ec.rr.com

Branch BRUNSWICK COUNTY Unit #5452
Mail P.O. Box 364 Supply, NC 28462
Email bernest_naacp at yahoo.com

Branch BURLINGTON BRANCH Unit # 5368
Mail P.O. Box 2011 Burlington, NC 27216
Email Office71 at bellsouth.net

Branch BURKE COUNTY Unit #5367
Mail P.O. Box 3863 Morganton, NC 28680
Email Barbarameyers at bellsouth.net

Branch CABARRUS COUNTY Unit #5369
Mail 1413 Cooper Avenue Kannapolis, NC 28081
Email kmccl at ctc.net

Branch CALDWELL COUNTY Unit #5410
Mail 129 Northwood Drive Lenoir, NC 28645
email dulatownor at netzero.com

Branch CAMDEN COUNTY Unit # 5370
Mail 121 Long Pine Road South Mills, NC 27976
Email EOTO1971 at yahoo.com

Branch CARTERET COUNTY Unit #5478
Mail P.O. Box 915 Beaufort, NC 28516
Email ghharrison at embarqmail.com

Branch CASWELL COUNTY Unit #5372
Mail P.O. Box 1032 Yanceyville, NC 27379
Email Taylorb57ync at wmconnect.com

Branch CATAWBA COUNTY Unit #5373
Mail P.O. Box 1444 Newton, NC 28658
Email cataconaacp at charter.net

Branch CHAPEL HILL / CARRBORO (Orange County) Unit #5689
Mail 1105 Brenda Court Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Email flbattle at earthlink.net Website: http://www.chapelhill-carrboro-naacp.org/

Branch CHARLOTTE / MECKLENBURG COUNTY Unit #5376
Mail P.O. Box 480540 Charlotte, NC 28269
Email Kdwhite1 at bellsouth.net

Branch CHATHAM COUNTY Unit #5377
Mail P.O. Box 5217 Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Email LDJMTZ at aol.com

Branch CHATHAM COUNTY (West) Unit #5378
Mail P.O. Box 652 Siler City, NC 27344
Email Ibrooks at mcmutuall.fe.com

Branch CHOWAN COUNTY Unit #5572
Mail P.O. Box 981 Edenton, NC 27932

Branch CLEVELAND COUNTY Unit #5379
Mail P.O. Box 2331 Shelby, NC 28151
Email Bjulatoo at aol.com; s2degree at aol.com

Branch COLUMBUS COUNTY Unit #5380
Mail P.O. Box 882 Whiteville, NC 28472
Email amon at weblink.net

Branch CRAVEN COUNTY Unit #5423
Mail P.O. Box 984 New Bern, NC 28563
Email ccnaacp at suddenlink.net

Branch CURRITUCK COUNTY Unit #5382
Mail P.O. Box 534 Moyock, NC 27958
Email wcetheridge at yahoo.com

Branch DARE COUNTY Unit #5386
Mail P.O. Box 1485 Manteo, NC 27954

Branch DAVIDSON COUNTY (Lexington) Unit #5383
Email rrtrry at netscape.net

Branch DAVIE COUNTY Unit #5475
Mail P.O Box 922 Mocksville, NC 27028
Email Ali7BRO at aol.com

Branch DUPLIN COUNTY Unit #5385
Mail P.O. Box 144 Clinton, NC 28329
Email colleenelizabeth at earthlink.net

Branch DURHAM COUNTY Unit #5387
Mail 315 E. Chapel Hill Street, #206 Durham, NC 27701
Email Ffosterjr at msn.com Website: http://www.durhamnaacp.org/

Branch Eden (ROCKINGHAM COUNTY) Unit #5389
Mail 7428 NC Hwy 770 Eden, NC 27288

Branch EDGECOMBE COUNTY (Tarboro) Unit # 5390
Mail P.O Box 1236 Tarboro, NC 27886
Email yolandathigpen at yahoo.com

Branch FAYETTEVILLE / CUMBERLAND COUNTY Unit #5392
Mail P.O. Box 364 Fayetteville, NC 28302
Email Jebux32347 at aol.com

Branch FRANKLIN COUNTY Unit #5393
Pres Zollie O. Gill (919) 496-5289 h (919) 496-5289 o
Mail 1440 East River Road Louisburg, NC 27549
Email zwog at aol.com

Branch GASTON COUNTY Unit #5394
Mail P.O Box 92 Gastonia, NC 28053
Email clydewalker1939 at msn.com

Branch GATES COUNTY Unit #5396
Mail 174 Carters Road Gatesville, NC 27938
Email dcsmith at inteliport.com

Branch GOLDSBORO / WAYNE COUNTY Unit #5390
Mail P.O. Box 1205 Goldsboro, NC 27533-1205
Email Sbarnes18 at nc.rr.com; greenleafdoc at bellsouth.net

Branch GRANVILLE COUNTY Unit #5398
Mail P.O. Box 8 Oxford, NC 27565
Other Treas. Roy T. Cash (919) 693-7081 h

Branch GREENE COUNTY Unit #5399
Mail 3002 Mewburn Church Road Snow Hill, NC 28580
Email albertbarron57 at yahoo.com

Branch GREENSBORO Unit #5400
Mail P.O. Box 20765 Greensboro, NC 27420
Email Rv4kings at aol.com

Branch HALIFAX COUNTY Unit #5401
Mail P.O. Box 408 Weldon, NC 27890
Email debrob3 at embarqmail.com

Branch HARNETT COUNTY Unit #5473
Mail P.O. Box 2347 Lillington, NC 27546
Email Cpm8 at earthlink.net

Branch HENDERSON COUNTY (inactive) Unit #5477
(828) 692-7180 h (828) 692-7180 o
Mail 837 Oak Street Hendersonville, NC 28791

Branch HERTFORD COUNTY Unit #5403
Mail P.O. Box 61 Ahoskie, NC 27910
FAX (252) 345-0318

Branch HICKORY Unit # 5404
Mail P.O. Box 2593 Hickory, NC 28603
Email emersay at aol.com

Branch HIGH POINT Unit # 5405
Office Phone: (336) 887-2470. Fax: (336) 454-5633.
Pres Oveter McLean (336) 887 2590 h
Mail P.O. Box 62 High Point, NC 27261
Email hpnaacp at hotmail.com

Branch HOKE COUNTY Unit #5406
Mail P.O. Box 157 Raeford, NC 28376
Email Jnov211959 at aol.com hokenaacp at msn.com

Branch HYDE COUNTY Unit #5482
Mail P.O. Box 216 Engelhard, NC 27824
Email Destinty3 at beachlink.com

Branch JOHNSTON COUNTY Unit #5408
Mail P.O. Box 714 Clayton, NC 27528
Email hodgeswillis at embarqmail.com

Branch JONES COUNTY Unit #5409
Mail P.O. Box 68 Trenton, NC 28585

Branch LAGRANGE (Lenoir County) Unit #5649
Mail 104 Dawson Street LaGrange, NC 28551

Branch LEE COUNTY Unit #5447
(919) 775-7593
Mail 1509 Pinehurst Street Sanford, NC 27330

Branch LENOIR COUNTY (KINSTON) Unit #5412
Mail P.O. Box 805 Kinston, NC 28501
Email klonaacp at suddenlink.net

Branch LINCOLN COUNTY Unit #5411
Mail P.O. Box 1754 Lincolnton, NC 28092
Email rsham at bellsouth.net

Branch MARTIN COUNTY Unit #5417
Mail P.O. Box 1123 Williamston, NC 27892
Email Lond792 at hotmail.com

Branch MONTGOMERY COUNTY Unit #5420
Mail P.O. Box 428 Candor, NC 27229
Email Acopeland45 at embarqmail.com

Branch MOORE COUNTY Unit #5421
Mail P.O. Box 1351 Southern Pines, NC 28388
Email odw3220 at embarqmail.com Website: http://moorenaacp.com/

Branch NASH COUNTY Unit #5422
Mail P.O. Box 220 Spring Hope, NC 27882

Branch NEW HANOVER COUNTY Unit #5424
Mail P.O. Box 2199 Wilmington, NC 28402
Email Hbeatty1 at bellsouth.net

Branch NORTHAMPTON COUNTY Unit #5426
Mail P.O. Box 2 Seaboard, NC 27876

Branch NORTHERN ORANGE Unit #5427
Mail P.O. Box 302 Hillsborough, NC 27278

Branch ONSLOW COUNTY Unit #5428
Mail P.O. Box 1152 Jacksonville, NC 28541
Email Onslow-naacp at yahoo.com

Branch PAMLICO COUNTY Unit #5429
Mail 321 Lovick Lee Road Oriental, NC 28571

Branch PASQUOTANK COUNTY Unit #5430
Mail P.O. Box 211 Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Email pasquotanknaacp at yahoo.com

Branch PENDER COUNTY Unit #5431
Mail P.O. Box 162 Hampstead, NC 28443

Branch PERQUIMANS COUNTY Unit #5432
Mail P.O. Box 42 Winfall, NC 27985
Email fred at inteliport.com

Branch PERSON COUNTY Unit #5433
Mail P.O. Box 1363 Roxboro, NC 27573
Email lutcffollowup at aol.com

Branch PITT COUNTY Unit #5463
Mail P.O. Box 8626 Greenville, NC 27834
Email Hccbeab1 at wmconnect.com

Branch PLYMOUTH (Washington County) Unit #5434
Mail P.O. Box 299 Plymouth, NC 27962
Email General1_74734 at yahoo.com

Branch RALEIGH/APEX (Wake County) Unit #5436
Mail P.O. Box 26502 Raleigh, NC 27611
Email Theprofessor06 at yahoo.com

Branch RANDOLPH COUNTY (Asheboro) Unit #5438
Mail P.O. Bo x 4875 Asheboro, NC 27204
Email amccormick at triad.rr.com

Branch REIDSVILLE (ROCKINGHAM COUNTY) Unit #5439
Mail 1302 Hwy 29 Business Reidsville, NC 27320
Email seniorclass at msn.com

Branch RICHMOND COUNTY Unit #5402
Mail P.O. Box 388 Hamlet, NC 28345
Email queen at carolina.net

Branch ROCKY MOUNT Unit #5441
Mail P.O. Box 6961 Rocky Mount, NC 27802
Email aknight at rmnaacp.com

Branch ROPER (Washington County) Unit #5442

Branch ROWAN COUNTY (SALISBURY) Unit #5456
Mail P.O. Box 291 Salisbury, NC 28145
Email Bnj_crown at hotmail.com

Branch RUTHERFORD COUNTY Unit #5444
Mail 2811 Heather Glen Lane Charlotte, NC 28202

Branch SAMPSON COUNTY Unit #5446
Mail P.O. Box 305 Clinton, NC 28329

Branch SCOTLAND COUNTY Unit #5448
Mail P.O. Box 545, 128 McGirt’s Bldg Laurinburg, NC 28353
Email garlandp at ncleg.net

Branch SHEFFIELD (MOORE COUNTY) Unit #5
Mail P O Box 508 Robbins, NC 27325

Branch SOUTH CENTRAL WAKE Unit #5457
Mail 7749 Kingsberry Court Raleigh, NC 27615
Email jrwite at aol.com

Branch SOUTH IREDELL COUNTY Unit #5476
Mail P.O Box 5671 Mooresville, NC 28117
Email Easystreet4 at msn.com

Branch STANLY COUNTY Unit #5453
Email bsmaske at yahoo.com

Branch STATESVILLE BRANCH Unit #5454
Mail P.O. Box 1746 Statesville, NC 28687
Email retsarge at bellsouth.net

Branch STOKES COUNTY Unit #5455
Mail P.O. Box 313 Walnut Cove, NC 27052

Branch SURRY COUNTY Unit #5459
Mail P.O. Box 1925 Mount Airy, NC 27030
Email pemarch at embarqmail.com

Branch THOMASVILLE / DAVIDSON COUNTY Unit #5483
Mail P.O. Box 2501 Thomasville, NC 27360
Email stonetruth at northstate.net

Branch TOISONOT (Wilson County) Unit #5460
Mail P.O. Box 215 Elm City, NC 27822
Email

Branch UNIFIED ROBESON COUNTY Unit #51B1
Mail P.O. Box 3419 Lumberton, NC 28359
Email JLStephens at bellsouth.net

Branch UNION COUNTY Unit #5416
Mail P.O. Box 872 Monroe, NC 28111
Email jguillen at aol.com

Branch VANCE COUNTY Unit #5464
Mail P.O. Box 2575 Henderson, NC 27536
Email garrison at ncol.net

Branch WARREN COUNTY Unit #5465
Mail 318 W. Franklin Street Warrenton, NC 27589-1938

Branch WAYNE COUNTY (Military Affairs) Unit #56A9
Mail 310 Jeannie Drive Goldsboro, NC 27534

Branch WENDELL-WAKE COUNTY Unit #5467
Mail P.O. Box 845 Cary, NC 27512
Email Chigh42 at yahoo.com

Branch WILSON COUNTY Unit #5470
Pres Rev. Alonzo Braggs (910)991-5105 c 252-238-2886 h
Mail P O Box 375, Burlington, NC
Email thezoman at hotmail.com

Branch WINSTON-SALEM / FORSYTH COUNTY Unit #5471
Mail P.O. Box 4176 Winston-Salem NC 27115
Email wsnaacp at triadbiz.rr.com

Branch YADKIN COUNTY Unit #5472
Mail P.O. Box 159 (P O Box 148) East Bend, NC 27018


Alternative Energy and Sustainable Agriculture in North Carolina:

Some statistics from Repower America:

* The coast region from Massachusetts to North Carolina contains up to 330,000-megawatts of offshore wind energy potential. This power is larger than the entire mid-Atlantic coast's total energy demand for electricity, heating, gasoline, diesel, and natural gas.

* The state has nearly 500 companies providing services related to efficiency, renewables and sustainability, with expectations for its green sector to grow by 24 percent this year.

* North Carolina has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires investor owned utilities to generate 12.5% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2021, with electric cooperatives generating 10% by 2018. The state also wants to improve its energy efficiency 5% by 2021.

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 North Carolina, 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 a couple of biodiesel cooperatives in North Carolina. If you drive a diesel car or truck, please check them out.

Piedmont Biofuels
The most successful biodiesel cooperative in America
Pittsboro, NC

Here is a list of services offered.

Three locations: Production site, co-op and educational site.

Check out their website

Burlington Biodiesel Coop
Burlington, NC
Check out their website


Here are some other alternative energy groups in North Carolina:

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association is a 501c3 non-profit membership organization of individuals and businesses interested in sustainable energy. Located in Raleigh but active throughout the state, NCSEA works to ensure a sustainable future by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in North Carolina through education, public policy and economic development. Go here to get involved. To find upcoming events, go here.

Greensboro Sustainable Living Meetup Group:
Meet others in your town interested in various Environmental issues on global and/or a local level.

This is a forum for people to get together and discuss issues and share ideas on sustainable living. Let's share ideas about organic and locally grown food, reducing toxins in our environment, reducing our use of resources, the carbon issue, raising healthy children, etc.

People who should join include those with expertise to share, those wanting to learn more, and anyone interested in building community through environmental initiatives. For more info, go here.

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

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


VETERANS FOR PEACE, NORTH CAROLINA:

We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace and justice. Americans will be secure at home only when there is peace and justice abroad. To this end, we will work, with others: toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war, to restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations, to end the arms race and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons, and to abolish war as an instrument of international policy. To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is democratic.

Veterans for Peace, Inc. (VFP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization dedicated to the abolishment of war and was founded in 1985 by ex-service members.

Listen to Veterans Voices
WPVM-93.5 FM
The Progressive Voice of the Mountains
Tune in at 5 pm every Wednesday
Interviews, News, Conversations, by and about Veterans

Stream/Podcast Here

Asheville Chapter:

Weekly Veterans for Peace Vigil in Asheville
Every Tuesday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
At the Vance Memorial
Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801

Find more events in Asheville here.

Help the Asheville chapter help orphans in Afghanistan


Triangle Chapter:

Go here to find their upcoming events


Here are more organizations and groups in North Carolina:

Weekly Women in Black Anti-War Vigil in Asheville
Every Friday 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Vance Monument - Pack Square
Asheville, NC

The Women In Black stand in silence against war, each Friday from 5 to 6 PM. All others are welcome to stand with them.

Democratic Women of Union County hold their monthly meeting the second Monday of every month at the Hilltop Restaurant Hwy 74 and 601 South. Seating for "Dutch Dinner" at 5:30PM, Program & Business at 6:00PM

Cabarrus County Senior Democrats have their monthly meeting the second Tuesday of every month at Troutman's BBQ restaurant, 1388 US-601-BYP S, Concord, NC. They start at 6.30 pm and for $7 you can enjoy a delicious BBQ buffet.

Mecklenburg County Democratic Women meet on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at a local library. Meet and greet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00. Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Joan Belk, 704-578-4227

Mecklenburg County Senior Democrats
meet on the second Friday of each month at Walls AME Zion Church, 2722 Bancroft St. Bring a bag lunch if desired. Meeting time is Noon.
Contact Sam Brown, 704-553-9061 or sambev_at_bellsouth.net

The Young Democrats of Mecklenburg County meet on the second Sunday of each month at 7:00 pm. Locations will vary and will be announced in advance of each meeting. Contact Becky Gomer, 704-200-8801 or president_at_meckyoungdems.org

"Third Thursday Group", a North Carolina Democratic "think tank", meets every third Thursday at Restaurant Costello's from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. 970 Branchview Dr NE, Concord, NC. Join us again to express your views and help to shape the party's agenda as we move into the future!

African-American Caucus of Mecklenburg County
Takes place the third Thursday of each Month, at 7:00 pm, at the Texas Land & Cattle Co., 517 University Center Blvd. Contact Michael Lawson 704-458-8150 or mamlawson_at_carolina.rr.com

Cabarrus County Democratic Women will have their monthly meeting the fourth Thursday of every month at the Stowe A-Way fish restaurant, starting at 6.30 pm. 455 Corban Ave Se, Concord, NC. All Democrats are encouraged to attend.