WISCONSIN FOCUS

Blogging Wisconsin:

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

Blogging Blue covers progressive issues in Wisconsin.

Urban Milwaukee: seeks to provide a informative and open dialogue on the issues, events, and people affecting Milwaukee’s most urban neighborhoods, and to promote urbanism within the city of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Rising covers local issues in Milwaukee

Watchdog Milwaukee is another local Milwaukee blog of note

Uppity Wisconsin: Uppity Wisconsin is a project to promote a discussion of progressive/liberal politics in Wisconsin. This is a collaborative effort to allow people of a progressive viewpoint to write blogs and to comment on articles. We also aggregate in a number of news sources to the site so you may keep up with progressive news.


PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO MADISON, DANE COUNTY AREA:
The MIC 92.1 WXXM-FM

Weekdays on the MIC 92.1:
Bill Press 5a - 8a
Stephanie Miller 8a - 11a
Ed Schultz 11a - 2p
Thom Hartmann 2p - 5p
Randi Rhodes 5p - 8p
Mike Malloy 8p - 11p
Norman Goldman 11p - 2a

For more info check out their website: http://www.themic921.com/main.html


CURRENT TV:
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. And now CurrentTV has Keith Olbermann as well.

In most areas Current TV is available on:
DIRECTV Channel 358
DISH Network Channel 196
Comcast Digital: Channel 107
AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189

Check out their program schedule here.


NATIVE VOTE WISCONSIN:
The state of Wisconsin encompasses 11 American Indian tribes within its borders. The American Indian and Alaska Native population makes up 1.29% of the state, and 1.09% of eligible Wisconsin voters.

Native Vote, is a nation wide resource for encouraging voter turn out in Indian Country. Organized by the National Congress of American Indians, get out the vote efforts in Indian Country have been supported by NCAI since 1955.

For more information or to get involved contact:
Tana Aguirre
(920) 869-4239
taguirre@oneidanation.org


NAACP WISCONSIN:
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

Here are some local branches of the NAACP:

Racine NAACP:
1633 Racine Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53403

Phone: (262) 632-1151
Fax: (262) 632-8702
E-mail: info@naacpracine.org

NAACP in Milwaukee:
(414) 562-1000
2745 N Dr Martin Luther King Dr Ste 202
Milwaukee, WI 53212
naacp-milwaukee.org

NAACP Ozaukee County:
naacpozaukee.org
P.O. Box 301
Thiensville, WI 53092
Email Us: info@naacpozaukee.org


Here are some Wisconsin Democracy for America Groups:

Democracy for Wisconsin - Madison
Meets first Wed. of each month, 7 PM, Madison, WI

Join us in building a brighter and more progressive future for our country.

For more information (including where) email: russwallac_at_aol.com or go here.

DFA Northeast Wisconsin
DFA - Northeast Wisconsin (DFA-NEW) meets the first Wednesday of each month to discuss issues, promote progressive candidates and actively work to bring democracy to the political process locally, regionally and nationally. Sign up here to get information on their meetings.

Democracy for America-Greater Milwaukee
Sign up here for information on this group.

Democracy for SE Wisconsin
Join this Yahoo Group to get information on this group.

Democracy for Stevens Point:
A group of progressive, concerned citizens in the Stevens Point, WI area who are interested in political change as described in Democracy for America, and organization originally begun by Governor Howard Dean.

Join this Yahoo Group for more info on this group.

And for those who like to combine social events with politics, here are the Drinking Liberally Groups in Wisconsin:

*Eau Claire
o When? Every Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm
o Where? The Joynt, 322 Water Street
o Hosted by Aaron Brewster | Collin Hawkin | Armon Tabrizi
o Subscribe to the Eau Claire mailing list

*Milwaukee
o When? Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Where? Sugar Maple, 441 E Lincoln Avenue
o Hosted by Jason Haas
o Subscribe to the Milwaukee mailing list

*Stevens Point
o When? First and Third Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm
o Where? Kristin's Riverwalk, 1140 Clark St
o Hosted by Josh Bolotsky | Grant Dobbe
o Subscribe to the Stevens Point mailing list


SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL UNION:

Click here for the Wisconsin AFL-CIO website to get involved in protecting your rights in the workplace. Click here for the AFL-CIO Action Center to see what you can do now.

For more union info, contact:
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO
6333 W. Bluemound Road
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Phone: 414-771-0700
Email: solidarity@wisaflcio.org


ALTERNATIVE FUELS:

There are two kinds of alternate fuels that are readily available that lower your carbon foot print and use AMERICAN resources and create AMERICAN jobs rather than supporting big oil companies and oil nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.

ETHANOL: Cars labeled FlexFuel (now becoming common in some states) can use up to E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline). E85 burns cleaner than gasoline and is usually cheaper. I have used E85 in California and found it to be 10-40 cents cheaper than the cheapest gasoline at the same station. CLICK HERE TO FIND STATIONS IN ILLINOIS OFFERING E85. This can be a really good way to help the American economy, help the environment, AND save money.

BIODIESEL:Biodiesel in Wisconsin:

Biodiesel is an American produced fuel that is cleaner than traditional diesel. Biodiesel is usable in any diesel engine, car or truck. Here are some Biofuels co-ops...below that I list regular gas stations that carry biodiesel.

PrairieFire BioFuels: a member-owned cooperative creating access and building infrastructure to support vegetable oil-based fuels sources and usage.

1894 East Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704

Co-op and non-profit: (608) 441-5454

Shop: (608) 441-9566

Business Office and Diesel Repair Shop hours:
Monday - Friday 8am-5pm

The Wisconsin Biodiesel Association (WBA) is a membership trade organization that promotes the commercial development, production, marketing, distribution, and utilization of biodiesel and other renewable biofuels.

It is the vision of WBA that Wisconsin biodiesel producers, marketers and distributors will provide, through a network of readily accessible retail outlets, biodiesel fuel that consistently meets recognized quality standards so that all Wisconsin citizens benefit from the economic returns, improved air quality and energy independence achieved through use of renewable biodiesel fuels.

Membership info here.

For a list of biodiesel stations around Wisconsin, go here (PDF). Remember, ANY diesel engine can use up to B20 biodiesel, so most of these stations can fuel any diesel truck or car. Here is a partial list:

Meffert Oil: 300 S Division St, Waunakee, WI 53597, 608-849-8010. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

PrairieFire Biofuels: 2231 S Stoughton Rd, Madison, WI 53704, 608-441-5454. Offers B100 (good in newer engines, not good for some older engines). Open 8-5 M-F (see also above)

Cenex: 203 W. Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527, 608-839-8222. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

Smart Station: 1637 4th Avenue, West Monroe, WI 53566, 608-329-3900. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

Lyndon Station BP: 470 N Wisconsin St, Lyndon Station, WI 53944, 608-666-3771. Offers B10 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

Cenex Supply Company: 401 Elm Street, Boscobel, WI 53805, 608-375-4801. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

New Horizons Supply Cooperative: 770 Lincoln Ave. Fennimore, WI 53809, 608-822-3217. Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

E.H. Wolf and Sons, Inc.: 414 Kettle Moraine Drive, S. Slinger, WI 53086, 262-644-5030. Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

New Horizons COOP: 728 State Highway 131, Gays Mills, WI 54631, 608-735-4308. Offers B2 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

Zzip Stop: 217 W Main St, La Farge, WI 54639, 608-625-2203. Offers B20 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

New Horizons COOP: 12143 State Highway 35, Patch Grove, WI 53817, 608-994-2756. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.

Camp Douglas BP Travel Center: 215 US Highway 12, Camp Douglas, WI 54618, 608-427-3365. Offers B5 (good for any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.


Alternative Energy in Wisconsin:

Some stats from Repower America:

* The Glacier Hills Wind Park, a 207-megawatt wind farm with the potential to power 45,000 homes, is in the approval stages. The proposed wind park would be located 45 miles northeast of Madison.

* Governor Doyle's recent directive to purchase 92,000-megawatts of clean power from solar, wind, and landfill gas systems for government buildings will take the state halfway to meeting his goal of powering the state government with 20% renewable energy sources by 2011.

* Wisconsin's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power over 40,000 homes for a whole year, save more than $36.1 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 52,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.

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 Wisconsin, 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.

RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, promotes clean energy strategies for powering the state's economy in an environmentally responsible manner.

Madison Peak Oil Group meets on the first Thursday of every month for a brown bag lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the lower level conference room at 222 S. Hamilton Street.

Renewable Energy Milwaukee: A renewable energy blog for greater Milwaukee, moderated by RENEW Wisconsin

THE MadiSUN PROGRAM: The City of Madison was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Solar America Cities Program. MadiSUN’s goal is to double to number of solar electric and hot water solar installations in the city. The City of Madison, along with Madison Gas and Electric, Focus on Energy and UW Extension will be working on this project for the next two years. A major component of the grant is to provide the community with a consultant who can help interested residents and businesses install a solar system. The consultant is on board to provide technical expertise and to answer questions regarding design, permitting and rebate programs. Contact (608) 243-0586 or solar_at_cityofmadison.com

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


Here are some other Wisconsin Groups and Events:

Progressive Majority Wisconsin: Over the years, Wisconsin has proved to be the ultimate swing state. It is a battleground state that must be protected as a progressive stronghold because of its history as a "laboratory of reform," which has historically tested new public policies and set examples for the nation.

Wisconsin is a state with progressive urban areas and politically diverse rural areas. Progressive Majority's state-based approach to candidate recruitment and development is well-suited to adapting to unique political environments such as this.

Progressive Majority Wisconsin believes values-centered campaigns are winning campaigns. That's how Progressive Majority succeeded in flipping control of the state senate in 2006. Kathleen Vinehout won because she thinks everyone deserves affordable health care. Jim Sullivan took a suburban Milwaukee district on the strength of his commitment to good public schools. John Lehman wants a government that cares about people instead of corporations - Racine agrees. Pat Kreitlow knows that people want and deserve a healthy environment. And Kim Hixson squeaked out a win, by focusing on the hopes of local voters. We will continue nurturing local candidates to build a deeply-rooted progressive coalition in the state. In addition, Wisconsin staff will focus on incumbent protection efforts for progressive candidates that will face tough re-election bids in 2008.

Click here to visit the Progressive Majority Wisconsin website for more information

Ozaukee First Friday Forum
First Friday Forums - public affairs breakfast forums co-sponsored by MATC-Mequon, UW-Extension and the Ozaukee County Board.

Held on the first Friday of every other month from 730am to 900 am at MATC-Mequon. $5 registration fee per session.
Additional information: Sandra Webster 262-238-2205/ websters@matc.edu

Milwaukee County Democratic Club:
We meet on the fourth Monday of most months, 7 PM in the Hall of Fame Room of the Pettit National Ice Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park. We look forward to seeing you there!

Petitt National Ice Center
500 S. 84th St
Milwaukee, WI, 53214

For the bicycilists in Madison, here's Critical Mass Madison:

Critical Mass is a movement (not an organization) that advocates for better transportation alternatives. Meets 5:30 PM, the last Friday of Every Month, no matter the weather. Gather where West Washington meets Capitol Square. Where the ride goes after that is decided by whoever shows up.


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