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Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Name:
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

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  • Thursday, December 02, 2010

    Brooklyn, NY Focus

    KEEP WAL-MART OUT OF NYC:

    Bloomerg and the right wing New York Post want to help Wal-Mart open up in NYC even though Wal-Mart has been shown to deliberately destroy small businesses, use illegal immigrant labor paying them slave wages, and treating their workers badly.

    I don't mind big chain stores. I like IKEA and CostCo and Trader Joe's in particular. But Wal-Mart has been shown to be bad for communities they open up in.

    Wal-Mart has a gender discrimination suit against them still active: Meet the Woman Behind the Walmart Gender Discrimination Suit

    Learn about Wal-Mart’s Dismal Record on Worker and Customer Safety (PDF)

    Wal-Mart's Wage and Hour Violations (PDF)

    HELP STOP WAL-MART AND BLOOMBERG FROM RUINING NYC

    Go here to find out more. Bloomberg is a lost cause, but write NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Comptroller John Liu and tell them to stop Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart and Bloomberg are anti-union, anti-small business and anti-community. Let's get our Public Advocate and Comptroller fighting for us!


    CENTRAL BROOKLYN EATING LIBERALLY:
    A monthly get together of reform-minded progressives in Brooklyn drawing from Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Prospect Heights and nearby neighborhoods. We meet in a different restaurant (ALWAYS good!) each month both to exercise our taste buds and support local businesses.

    We discuss how to elect progressives, how to fight the corrupt Brooklyn Machine, voting machine issues, as well as a slew of issues from local to international that our members participate in.

    The next meeting is Tuesday, December 14th, 7 PM
    Zaytoons Middle Eastern restaurant
    594 Vanderbilt Ave
    (between Bergen St & Dean St)

    If possible let me know (mole333@gmail.com) if you are coming, though please feel free to show up and bring friends even if you don't let me know in advance.


    CURRENT TV NYC:

    Current TV, founded by Al Gore, includes some of the best journalism in America today. In particular their Vanguard series is amazing and should not be missed by ANYONE who wants to know in depth coverage of some of the major stories in the world.

    In NYC Current TV is available on:
    Time Warner Digital: Channel 103
    DIRECTV: Channel 358
    DISH Network: Channel 196
    Comcast Digital: Channel 107
    AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189

    Check out their program schedule here.


    PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO:
    WWRL AM 1060
    http://wwrl1600.com/default.asp

    Check out the daily programming schedule here.

    click here for their schedule of local events

    WWRL Book Club
    Become a member of the WWRL Morning Show, become a Morning Maniac.
    Here’s your chance to be the recipient of a morning show “MUST READ” book.
    Every Friday Mark Riley randomly selects a registrant, one per hour (6-9 am) and awards a “Must Read” that keeps up with world events

    Click Here to Join!


    BROOKLYN BLOGS:

    Pardon Me for Asking

    NO LAND GRAB

    Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn

    Bed-Stuy Blog

    Duffield St. Underground

    Brooklyn Streets, Carroll Gardens

    Sustainable Flatbush brings neighbors together to mobilize, educate, and advocate for sustainable living in our Brooklyn neighborhood and beyond.

    The Windsor Terrace Alliance is made up of residents, community groups and businesses of Windsor Terrace interested in advocating for our neighborhood.


    CLEAN UP NEW YORK POLITICS:
    GRASSROOTS NYC: This is an organization founded by fellow Daily Gotham blogger and DFNYC activist Dan Jacoby.

    GrassrootsNYC was created to provide a new method for generating real government reform in New York City. Instead of the old-fashioned method of fighting for reform (and usually not getting much done), GrassrootsNYC aims to leverage the power of tens of thousands of reform-minded New Yorkers to force our government to work for us - the way our Founding Fathers intended government to work.


    This is a real chance for you to get involved in reforming our political system from the bottom up. To find out more, visit GrassrootsNYC's website and sign up for updates. This could be one of the most important groups you can get involved with if you want to see NYC politics cleaned up.


    BROOKLYN NAACP:
    Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP continue to fight for social justice for all Americans.

    Here are some local Brooklyn branches:

    Ny City Dept. Of Social Services NAACP
    Brooklyn, NY 11202
    888-802-2536

    Brooklyn NAACP
    26 COURT STREET SUITE 2205
    Brooklyn, NY 11242
    718-243-2040


    National Jewish Democratic Council:

    The National Jewish Democratic Council is the trusted voice and resource for Democratic office holders, candidates and party organizations to better understand and engage with the Jewish community. NJDC mobilizes the Jewish community and convenes opinion leadership to support the Democratic promise for all Americans. We look to our Jewish tradition to guide us on the issues of social and economic justice, religious pluralism and the peace and security of the State of Israel that will be the hallmark of our work.

    NJDC believes that through our work in Democratic Party politics, we can ensure a better world for our children and grandchildren.

    For more information, or to become a member of the New York chapter, contact msudco2@aol.com.


    BROOKLYN REFORM DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS:

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

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

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

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

    NKD meets the first Wed of each month, 7pm – 9pm at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 334 S. 5th St. (btwn Keap & Rodney St.), Brooklyn, NY


    Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform:

    A new group of eager reformers just getting started. For more info join them on face book or contact them:
    email: phdr718@gmail.com
    Phone: 646-820-1389


    BROOKLYN CULTURE: Proteus Gowanus
    543 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215
    Gallery Hours
    THURS & FRIDAYS, 3-6 pm
    SAT & SUNDAYS, 12-6 pm

    I wrote about this once before, but I really think it deserves more exposure. It is a great art space in an under-utilized, under visited area. From their website:

    Proteus Gowanus is an interdisciplinary gallery and reading room housed in a former 1900 box factory located centrally among several vibrant Brooklyn communities. Proteus Gowanus is named after both the Greek sea god who could change form and the neighboring Gowanus Canal, a changing post-industrial waterfront area with a thriving artistic community and a history dating back to the Revolutionary War and earlier.

    Proteus Gowanus exhibitions, programs and publications are developed by a core collaborative of artists, writers and workers in other disciplines, with help from an extended community of PG correspondents. Proteus Gowanus also works reciprocally with a group of non-profit partner organizations that utilize the Proteus space and receive proceeds from sales. Proteus Gowanus incorporates the rich, interdisciplinary resources of its non-profit partners into exhibits and programs.


    Some regular events at Proetus Gowanus:

    Writers, readers and others are invited to join Study Hall and work in our gallery and library spaces from Mondays-Fridays, 10 am - 5 pm.

    Every Thursday from 5-8 pm, the Fixers Collective meets at Proteus Gowanus. See Fixers Collective page for details and be sure to fill out the Fix Sheet. $5 donation.

    Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 pm, the Writhing Society meets at Proteus to practice and discuss writing with constraints. $5 fee.
    To join our mailing list, send email to info@proteusgowanus.com


    Drinking Liberally Downtown Brooklyn:

    An informal, inclusive progressive social group. Raise your spirits
    while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher.
    Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place
    to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a
    book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent
    frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk
    politics.

    # When? First and Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
    # Where? 4th Avenue Pub, 76 4th Avenue


    Friends & Residents of Greater Gowanus (FROGG)

    We are a community based grass-roots organization advocating for environmentally sound community planning for the Gowanus Canal neighborhoods.

    The Gowanus Canal is a very unique resource for our community and all of New York. It has long historal significant as a pre-industrial and industrial transportation waterway in addition to playing a significant roll in the Battle of Brooklyn. This natural tidal estuary connects our urban world to the waters that surround us and opens our city to the natural habitat it was built upon. Even today, it provides an open sky, early industrial/estuary landscape that can not be matched anywhere in our city.

    With extensive urban Brownfields and an Aquatic Brownfield standing, we work to see this water way brought back to life with water quality standards that sincerely meet state standards for fishable and contact use; not only for the community but also for local wildlife.

    For more information: FROGGcommunity@earthlink.net


    PLASTIC RECYCLING IN BROOKLYN:

    Recycling of plastics not accepted in the city recycling can be done at the Park Slope Food Co-op at 782 Union Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

    Bring clean, dry plastic to the Coop's sidewalk during monthly recycling hours. We close up promptly. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the collection end time to allow for inspection and sorting of your plastic:

    2nd Sat., 10 AM-2 PM
    3rd Thur., 7 PM-9 PM
    Last Sun., 10 AM-2 PM.

    As of 2/16/09 and until further notice, we collect....

    * #1 and #6 transparent plastics (Labels OK. Mouth is wide or wider than the body, meaning NOT bottles.)
    * #5 plastic tubs, cups & specifically marked lids and caps. Must be especially clean and dry. (Discard any with paper labels, or cut the labels off.)
    * Plastic film and bubble wrap. 100% transparent only -- must be able to see through the plastic. No colored or opaque. No paper labels. Minimal writing OK.

    All the above must be brought to the Coop CLEAN AND DRY.

    These changes result from a significant decline in the worldwide market for recyclable materials that has affected recycling programs everywhere. Please be patient and cooperate with us as we adjust to these changes, as well as to any further changes that may be necessary.

    We are currently updating our literature and will make new fliers available as soon as possible. Or, contact us at plasticrecycling@foodcoop.com.

    And on a related note, you can help increase the demand for recycled plastic products by shopping through these companies that specialize in recycled plastic products (including lumber!!).


    FOOD CO-OPS IN BROOKLYN:

    New Food Co-op Coming to Brooklyn: The Greene Hill Food Coop

    They now have bylaws and are recruiting new members.

    Join the Greene Hill Food Co-op online today with PayPal!

    We are starting a new 100% working, member-owned food coop to provide affordable, quality, responsibly-grown food within our neighborhoods of Clinton Hill/Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York.

    Our goals are also based on the guiding principles of diversity and community. All are welcome! We have monthly General Meetings, as well as meetings of our committees. If you want updates, sign up here and we'd be happy to send you our newsletter.

    Click the link above to join via PayPal or print the Greene Hill Food Co-op Membership Application (PDF), include your check, and mail to:

    Greene Hill Food Co-op
    PO Box 528
    115 South Oxford Street
    Brooklyn NY 11217



    Bay Ridge Food Co-op

    They are not active yet, but their website is: http://www.foodcoopbayridge.com

    For more info, and if you want to get in at the start, you can email ( fcbrmembership@gmail.com ), call ( 347-247-8172 ) or follow them on Twitter (twitter.com/thefoodcoop) or on Facebook.

    You can also attend New Member meetings to find out more:

    Bay Ridge Library
    (73rd St & Ridge)
    1st Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm
    3rd Saturday of each month, 10:30am


    Park Slope Food Co-op
    782 Union Street
    Brooklyn, New York 11215
    Phone: (718) 622-0560
    FAX: (718) 622-5685
    linda_wheeler@psfc.coop
    http://www.foodcoop.com/

    This is the largest Food Co-op in America. Joy and I are members. Low prices and high quality even if it can be a bit inconvenient at times.

    Flatbush Food Cooperative
    1318 Cortelyou Road
    Brooklyn, New York 11226
    Phone: (718) 284-9717
    FAX: (718) 284-9719
    info@flatbushfoodcoop.com
    http://www.flatbushfoodcoop.com/

    Established in 1976, and located on Cortelyou Road in the heart of Victorian Flatbush since 1985, Flatbush Food Coop is a community-owned, full-service natural foods store specializing in organic products. We are committed to serving the diverse community in which we are situated, and beyond, by providing goods and services that promote personal and environmental well-being. Like the 300 food coops across the nation with which we are affiliated, we are open to all—it is not necessary to be a member to shop. By joining the Coop, however, you become a joint owner of our business and are able to take additional savings on your purchases. There are opportunities for varying degrees of involvement in the coop, and our member-owners are able to influence the direction of our organization. We are particularly proud that the dozens of ethnic groups in Brooklyn’s most diverse neighborhood are reflected in our staff, our close to 3,000 members, and countless shoppers.


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