Start:
Wed, 02/08/2006 - 12:00pm

Rally for Darfur, Wed. Feb.8th, at US Mission to UN

AFRICA ACTION is sponsoring a rally in New
York on Wednesday, February 8th at 12 noon, opposite
the temporary offices of the U.S. Mission to the UN on
45th Street, between 3rd and Lexington Avenues.

It is imperative that we in the New York area make our
voices heard to stop the genocide taking place in
Darfur. In fact, all news reports indicate that the
violence is increasing. The United States must act and
it must do so now while it holds the presidency of the
United Nations Security Council during the month of
February.

The focus of the rally is to bring pressure to bear on
the U.S. government to present a resolution to the
Security Council authorizing a substantial UN
peacekeeping force in Darfur. This is the only
measure that can protect the desperate people of
Darfur at the present time. The New York Times
reported on January 28 that, "Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice expressed support for the idea this
month." Let us send the message that the Bush
Administration must make this a reality.

New York Contact: 212-628-4005; 917-559-4623

AFRICA ACTION in Washington: Phone 202-546-7961
Fax: 202-546-1545

For other action suggesions:
www.africaaction.org

e-mail: mobilize-at-africaaction (replace -at- with @).

Start:
Thu, 02/09/2006 - 10:33am

This is a two day conference that explores the interplay between Science and Public Policy. The increasing politicization of science can lead to policy decisions that run counter to accepted scientific consensus and risk endangering our health and well-being. Scientists and policy-makers from across the political spectrum will assess the current tension between politics and science and discuss how to increase the likelihood that the best science becomes the basis for future public policy.

Ticket prices:
Full Conference $50 Single; Session $12
Full-time Students (with valid ID) and New School Alumni

A discussion on Electronic Voting with Douglas Kellner, a noted elections lawyer and critic of potentially fraudulent voting equipment. He has been one of the ten commissioners on the NY City Board of Elections for over a decade and has recently been appointed co-chair of the NY State Board of Elections.

6 PM, 275 7th Ave. between 25th and 26th Streets, use real elevator to access the 23rd floor.

Refreshments will be served.

Start Date and Time: 2006-02-10 20:00:00

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

Activities:
NYC ATHEISTS ARE PROUD TO PRESENT:
RICHARD MILNER, ANTHROPOLOGIST-SONGWRITER - PERFORMING HIS WITTY ONE-MAN MUSICAL CHARLES DARWIN: LIVE & IN CONCERT, IN NEW YORK CITY ON FEBRUARY 10, 11, 12, 2006.

COST: $20

TO RESERVE SEATS: EMAIL - RMILNER@NYC.RR.COM
AND FOLLOW UP WITH CHECK.

Address:
PRODUCERS CLUB - ROYAL THEATRE, 358 WEST 44TH STREET
NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES

Start:
Sat, 02/11/2006 - 11:30am

“Meet the Congressional Candidates

Start:
Sat, 02/11/2006 - 10:00am

The 3rd Annual Grassroots Media Conference

Manhattan Neighborhood Network, MNN’s Youth Channel, and community organizations will be presenting at a number of workshops.

Where:New School University, 65 Fifth Ave (@ 13th St)

When: Saturday, February 11, 10am-6pm

$20 Adult, $5 Youth (21 and under)/ $30 day of

REGISTER EARLY! at www.nycgrassrootsmedia.org

Since 2004 the Grassroots Media Conferences have convened thousands for a weekend of workshops, skills-sharing, dialogue, debate and strategizing sessions about media making, media policy and how to use media to forward social justice campaigns.

Start:
Sat, 02/11/2006 - 11:00am

"Have a Heart: Buy Fair Trade Chocolate for Valentine's Day"

Union Square Greenmarket
Saturday, Feb. 11th
11 AM - 4 PM.

We'll be handing out a list of where to purchase Fair Trade chocolate in NYC and encouraging passers-by to write a valentine to Mayor Bloomberg encouraging him the implement the Fair Trade Resolution.

For more information, check out www.fairtradenyc.org or call 917-701-6403.

African-American Heritage Month
Ebony Stages: Black Theater—Past, Present, and Future

* February 11, 2006
* 12:00 noon–5:00 p.m.
* Kaufmann and Linder Theaters, first floor
* Free with Museum admission

Explore the past, present, and future of black theater in the United States. From the African Grove Company, the nation’s first professional black theater (1821–1823), to the black presence on Broadway with a tribute to Pulitzer Prize—winning playwright August Wilson, to narratives from new black immigrant communities and hip-hop visionaries, Ebony Stages will celebrate 185 years of black people moving their stories from the page to the stage with performances, panels, and workshops for the entire family.
For details, click here or call 212-769-5315.

Identification Day

* February 12, 2006
* 1:00–4:00 p.m.
* Birds of the World, second floor
* Free with Museum admission

Celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday by asking Museum scientists and experts to identify your natural history mysteries. Bring in your favorite backyard finds, basement curios, and flea market discoveries for the Museum’s annual Identification Day.

Start:
Mon, 02/13/2006 - 5:00pm

Franchise agreements are crucial to maintaining public access programming such as Democracy Now with Amy Goodman. But the FCC is considering regulations to eliminate francise agreements. The Manhattan Neighborhod Network ("MNN") has set up a web page where you can quickly and easily file your comments with the FCC: http://mnn.org/saveaccess/nprmhowto.html. The deadline for comments is Feb. 13!

Here is the text of the email from MNN:

SAVE ACCESS TV CAMPAIGN ACTION ALERT!

TELL THE FCC: SAVE PUBLIC ACCESS TV! BY FEB. 13TH

Come to Drinking Liberally New York's

Valentine's Day Party
------------------------

Tuesday, February 14th

7.30p - 11.30p

------------------------
Drinking Liberally is your neighborhood's informal, inclusive drinking club of left-leaners and Bush-bashers. Come join us on Valentine's day to drink beer, hang-out, meet cute neighbors, exchange Mr. T and My Little Pony Valentine Cards*, and talk about the Abramoff scandal.

*(Valentine Cards not necessary)
-----------------------
***The Levee***
212 Berry Street @ North 3rd Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

**Directions***
Take L train to Bedford Ave.
Walk 4 blocks south on Bedford
Make a right on N. 3rd Street

*or*

Take B61 to North 3rd Street
The Levee is on the corner of Berry & N. 3rd Street
----------------

A printable flyer for the event is available here.

Start:
Wed, 02/15/2006 - 6:30pm

75 and still CONNECTing- Ronnie Eldridge's 75th Birthday Party
A very special celebration of Ronnie Eldridge's 75th birthday. The party will raise money for CONNECT, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and elimination of family and gender violence.

It will be held at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center from 6:30pm-8:30pm . Web site to view the invitation and buy tickets: http://www.connectnyc.or/en/news_and_events/Ronnies_75th.htm

Start:
Thu, 02/16/2006 - 7:00pm

The last canidates forum will be held at Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (at 89th street). The forum is sponsored by DL21C, New Democratic Majority, the West Side Spirit, and Goddard Riverside Community Center. The winner of this election will be the incumbent and therefore will have a strong advantage for the September 2006 primary. All three democratic candidates will be present.

The candidates:

Emily Csendes - Republican
Mike Lupinacci - New Leadership Party & Independence Party
Linda Rosenthal - Democrat
Charles Simon - Westside Progressive Party

Start:
Tue, 02/21/2006 - 6:00pm

Film and Panel Discussion
Join the ACLU, Right to Vote, the Brennan Center for Justice and Demos, for a screening and panel discussion concerning Democracy's Ghosts: How 5 Million Americans Have Lost the Right to Vote.

Produced by the ACLU and Off Ramp Films, Democracy's Ghosts takes you on a journey into the lives of disfranchised Americans, showing how the loss of this fundamental democratic right has a devastating impact on these citizens, the communities they live in and, ultimately, society itself. After seeing the film, you will never again question whether you're too busy to go to the polling booth. And you'll want to act to make sure everyone can vote. From the cradle of the civil rights movement in Selma, Alabama to the hallowed halls of an Ivy League college, "Democracy's Ghosts" spends time with people who are living their lives as legal ghosts because of felony convictions. Their stories are complemented and enriched by interviews with experts and well-known personalities, among them evangelist Chuck Colson, actor Charles Dutton, civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis and Harvard Professor Lani Guinier.

Start:
Tue, 02/21/2006 - 7:00pm

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Where: TBD

Mix and mingle with DFNYC and many '06 candidates.

Click here to RSVP

Admission: $5 per person (with RSVP), $7 without

Admission price benefits Democracy for NYC. It's a good cause, so bring a friend.

For Brooklyn's progressive Democrats, there is no political race this year more important than in the 11th District to succeed Congressman Major Owens.

We have an opportunity to elect someone who is courageous, bright, compassionate, articulate, a good listener, and a very good friend to us all – Chris Owens. Chris is right on the issues that we care about, and he is the ONLY one of the five declared candidates who has shown the foresight and the guts to oppose Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards development scheme. Anybody who saw him debate his four opponents at the Lambda Independent Democrats meeting last month can tell you that no candidate is more outstanding than Chris Owens.

But Chris cannot get to Congress without our help. That’s why I’m inviting you to join Chris and his staff for a short get-together at Magnetic Field on Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 pm. Chris will give a short speech and then answer any questions you may have for him. Please come out to see what you can do to help elect Chris, and please bring your checkbooks.

Magnetic Field (that's where we used to host the Howard Dean meetups) is located at 97 Atlantic Avenue (between Henry & Hicks Streets).

Directions: Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Borough Hall, or the R or M to Court Street, and then walk down Court to Atlantic Avenue (4-6 blocks) and turn right and walk 2-3 blocks. Or take the F or G to Bergen Street, walk up Smith Street and turn left onto Atlantic and walk 3-4 blocks. And if you're coming from Williamsburg or Greenpoint, take the B61 Bus to Atlantic and get off near Magnetic Field.

Please RSVP. I hope to see you there. Bring all of your friends. If you can't attend, please make a contribution.

Start:
Wed, 02/22/2006 - 8:00pm

Progressive Politics in Northeast Queens

DEMOCRATS FOR NEW POLITICS

Meeting Notice

February 22, 2006 8 P.M.
At

The Chabad Center of Northeast Queens
26-06 213th Street
Bayside, New York
(at the corner of 26th Avenue and 213th Street – across from the Bay Terrace Shopping Center)

The president is breaking the law. Momentum is already mounting in Congress for a real, independent investigation into the president's illegal wiretapping program. But unless Congress knows that citizens are concerned, they'll shrink from their responsibility to act as a check on the president's power.

To turn up the pressure on Congress, we�re organizing nationwide “Constitution Vigils

Start:
Thu, 02/23/2006 - 6:00pm

Art for Change presents,
"Stories from Home: The Littlest Witnesses"
Drawings from the Children of Darfur

Carlitos Café y Galeria, 1701 Lexington Ave., bet. 106-107st
February 19 – March 18, 2006
Opening reception: Thursday February 23rd 6-9pm

Art for Change and Carlitos Café y Galeria are pleased to present the opening of "Stories from Home: The Littlest Witnesses," Drawings from the children of Darfur. Since 2003 the occupants of the Darfur region of Sudan have been subjected to unspeakable atrocities at the hand of their government's army and a group of merciless militants known as the Janjaweed.

Start:
Thu, 02/23/2006 - 7:00pm

[inline:1]

Where: Cosi, downstairs
2160 Broadway at 76th St.

Click to Join

Join us for an exciting new initiative the DFNYC Research & Advocacy group and work on your issue. New participants are always welcome.

The Research & Advocacy group or R&A provides you with an opportunity to on the issue or project you are most passionate about and develop an advocacy plan for other DFNYC members.

Some possible issues and project are: How City Government Works; Potential Reforms to the NY State Legislature; or National Health Insurance. Advocacy plans for these issues could include: a forum or panel discussion; flyering in a representative’s district; writing to our representatives; or joining another organization’s advocacy plan.

Each R&A member will focus on a specific issue and gather the information necessary to form an advocacy plan. All members will help eachother revise their ideas and hone in on an advocacy plan. The R&A group will work to empower the DFNYC membership and make us more informed and effective advocates.

Click to RSVP

Some readers will know of my efforts on behalf of Africa. Mostly my efforts have succeeded in drawing investors who are willing to loan small amounts of money, through the microloan organization KIVA, to small businesses in Africa. But along with KIVA, I have been trying to also publicize other ways to help Africa environmentally, economically and through education.

In the spirit of these efforts I bring you an event at New York University:

GET DOWN TO HELP AFRICAN SCHOOLS:

Thursday, February 23rd, 7 PM, Palladium Multi-Purpose Room; $5

Afro-Funk Massive: an 11 piece Afrobeat Band and Ghanian Food

ALL PROCEEDS go to the Africa School Advancement Program

For questions or more info email: pjp239@nyu.edu

Start:
Sat, 02/25/2006 - 2:00am

The Dutchess County Young Democrats will hold their first meeting in over a year on Saturday, February 25, 2006. The meeting will take place at the Dutchess County Democratic Committee Headquarters located at 41 Page Park Drive in Poughkeepsie at 2:00pm.
The Dutchess County Young Democrats is an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for young democrats to become actively involved in the issues that affect their lives and enabling them to connect with other young democrats in the county. Any registered democrat between the ages of 18 and 35 is eligible to become a member of the Dutchess County Young Democrats.

Start:
Sun, 02/26/2006 - 8:00pm

Come join us at Cinema Classics (332 E. 11th St, btwn 1st & 2nd ave.) on Sunday, February 26 at 8pm for a screening of Harriette Draper's Documentary Take it Back. There's an optional donation to DFA of 10 bucks at the door if you can swing it.

In January 2004 the eyes of the country were focused on Iowa as many of the nine Democratic presidential candidates gathered for the famous Iowa Caucuses. To everyone’s surprise the front runner was Howard Dean, a name that nine months earlier was virtually unknown. Suddenly, this doctor and six term governor from the rural state of Vermont was poised to lead the challenge against George W. Bush. Many forces, threatened by his populist support, joined together to defeat him.

Start:
Mon, 02/27/2006 - 10:00am

Support our speakers for PBOS (Paper Ballots, Optical Scanners)
and against electronic voting!

Monday, Feb 27, 2006
10 AM to 1 PM

City Hall
Council Chambers, 2nd floor

Committee on Governmental Operations
Chairperson Simcha Felder
Hearing on Compliance with HAVA (the Help America Vote Act)

Teresa Hommel is coordinating for PBOS, and will be on the right hand side (as you come in the door) in the front.

Let's fill the balcony one more time! Please attend!

N or R train to City Hall
4 or 5 or 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge
1-2-3 to Park Place

Members of the Gov Ops Committee:

This one comes from Democrats.com

Monday Feb. 27, 2006, 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Progressive Democrats of America
New York Metro Meeting

At our first PDA organizing meeting last month in Manhattan, we decided to form a New York Metro Group to focus on important New York issues such as the upcoming Senate primary, election machine reform, and garnering support for various congressional bills to bring the Iraq war to a swift close and to impeach George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Come Meet Progressive candidates:
Chris Owens, running for Congress in CD 11
Jessica Flagg, who is running for Congress in CD 17
Jonathan Tasini, New York Candidate for Senator

Learn How We Can Challenge Hillary Clinton's Support for the War!

SEIU Local 1199, 310 West 43 St., Auditorium, A Floor

Start:
Tue, 02/28/2006 - 9:00pm

On Tuesday, February 28, 2006, New York State will hold a special election to fill vacant seats in the state legislature.

In New York City, these vacant seats include:

- the 59th Assembly District in Southeast Brooklyn, Bergen Beach area (previously held by Frank Seddio)
- the 67th Assembly District in Manhattan, Upper West Side (previously held by Scott Stringer).
- the 74th Assembly District on the east side of Manhattan, below midtown, above the Lower East Side (previously held by Steve Sanders)

Click more to the full press release below for details and other vacant seats around the state.

Start:
Tue, 02/28/2006 - 9:00pm

On Tuesday, February 28, 2006, New York State will hold a special election to fill vacant seats in the state legislature.

In New York City, these vacant seats include:

- the 59th Assembly District in Southeast Brooklyn, Bergen Beach area (previously held by Frank Seddio)
- the 67th Assembly District in Manhattan, Upper West Side (previously held by Scott Stringer).
- the 74th Assembly District on the east side of Manhattan, below midtown, above the Lower East Side (previously held by Steve Sanders)

Click more to the full press release below for details and other vacant seats around the state.

Of course, there are two glaring omissions on this line-up given LatinoPundit and I live here in the city.

Never ceases to amaze me...

-----------------------------

Thurs, March 2, 2006 | 6:00-8:00pm

The Republic of Blogs: New Media and Democracy

Join Demos, Center for Social Media, Center for Media, Culture and History, People for the American Way and Air America for an event on blogging, media and democracy.

Panelists:

Lakshmi Chaudhry Senior Editor, In These Times Co-Author, Start Making Sense: Turning the Lessons of Election 2004 into Winning Progressive Politics

Rebecca MacKinnon Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Harvard Law School Co-Founder, Global Voices Online

Drazen Pantic Founder, OpenNet Co-Director, Location One

Christopher Rabb Founder and Chief Evangelist, Afro-Netizen

Moderator: Rich Benjamin Senior Fellow, Demos

Andrew Heiskell Center for Democracy
149 5th Avenue, 7th Floor

Register online
http://www.demos.org/page179.cfm
or call (212) 633-1405 x533

Start:
Fri, 03/03/2006 - 10:00am

Come to the City Council Chambers this Friday to support the renewal of rent stabilization and rent control and to rescind the Urstadt law which had taken away NYC's home rule with regard to housing issues.

Important Public Hearing at City Council

Friday, March 3, 2006
10:00 am - ?? (late afternoon)
City Council Chambers
City Hall, 2d Floor

This is a joint hearing of the Housing and
Buildings Committee and the State and
Federal Legislation Committee. Three
measures will be considered:

Resolution 79, renewing the city rent control
law for three years, to March 31, 2009 - this is
sponsored by Council Member Rosie Mendez
and others.

Intro 118, renewing the city rent stabilization
law for three years, to April 1, 2009

Efforts to rescind the Urstadt law