Events

Phil Angelides to speak at Valley Grassroots for Democracy Meeting

We are pleased to announce that California State Treasurer and Democratic candidate for Governor Phil Angelides will be appearing at Saturday's Valley Grassroots for Democracy meeting. He will be unveiling a portion of his education plan and we expect that local media will be present.

(No VGFD endorsement of his candidacy is implied.)

Also speaking at the meeting will be Susan Lerner of the California Clean Money Project and we will be providing people with an opportunity to contact their legislators to ask that they support clean campaigns.

Feel free to invite and bring your friends!
The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp so please be on time!

State Building Auditorium
6150 Van Nuys Blvd at Calvert St, Van Nuys
Map at http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6150+van+nuys+blvd,+91401&hl=en

Do NOT park in the parking lot on the corner of Calvert and Sylmar or you WILL be towed. You can park for free in the metered spots along Van Nuys and Calvert. You can also take the new Metro Orange Line bus, which stops about a block to the south of the State Building. The Metro Rapid bus 761 also stops in front of the building. The entrance to the auditorium is on Calvert just around the corner from the large state seal.

We had a very successful work day at the Habitat for Humanity site in Pacoima in November and will be providing a group of volunteers to help again on January 28 from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm (fewer hours is fine also).

Please remember that all workers must be at least 16 years old. There is no age maximum and experience is not required. Last time we hauled dirt, helped build a floor for a shed, and measured, cut and installed dry wall. Each work day is different depending on the stage of construction. Currently several of the duplexes are nearing completion

We committed to bringing at least 15 volunteers but we are limited to no more than 25, so please RSVP and address questions to Tauby at rosstauby@yahoo.com. First timers will receive a flyer with driving directions and additional information.

Please note that VGFD will not be providing lunch at our January work day. You should bring a lunch or buy lunch at fast food or ethnic restaurants nearby.

Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party and US Tour of Duty to Host Panel on Immediate Withdrawal from Iraq

WHAT? The Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party and US Tour of Duty will present a panel of distinguished speakers from the fields of politics, foreign policy, journalism, and defense, as well as citizen activists, to discuss the immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The Progressive Caucus hopes to fuel a dialogue within the Democratic Party regarding an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq. The audience participation format of the event is designed to equip attendees with information and action plans that will allow average citizens to facilitate an immediate end to the Iraq conflict.

WHEN? Saturday, January 28 at 7:00 PM at the end of the quarterly meeting of the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party

WHERE? Manhattan Beach Marriott, 1400 Parkview Avenue, Manhattan Beach.

WHO? Tentatively scheduled to appear on the panel are:

• Scott Ritter - former UN Weapons Inspector
• Robert Jensen - Professor of Media Law, Ethics, and Politics at the University of Texas and author of “Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle to Claim Our Humanity”
• Stephen Zunes - Professor of Politics and Chair of the Peace and Justice Studies program at the University of San Francisco and the Middle East editor of Foreign Policy in Focus, a think tank dedicated to peace, justice, and environmental protection
• Ann Wright - former State Department official, who resigned from her high-ranking post in 2003 in protest of the Iraq war
• Michael Schwartz - Professor of Sociology and Faculty Director of the Undergraduate College of Global Studies at Stony Brook University and whose books include Radical Politics and Social Structure, and Social Policy and the Conservative Agenda (edited, with Clarence Lo)
• David Swanson - AfterDowningStreet.org co-founder and Washington director of Democrats.com and ImpeachPAC.org

The discussion will be moderated by radio host and political commentator Steve Young. Panelists will address prepared questions as well as questions from the audience.

In addition to these speakers, the panel will also feature citizen activist Lisa Lubow, who will talk about ways in which ordinary citizens who oppose the war can make their voices heard. This event will be open to the public. For more information please contact Jo Olson, (818) 754-0802 or chocojo@sbcglobal.net

*$10 suggested donation accepted at the door to cover costs of the event. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds from event will benefit US Tour of Duty