Music, Food, Beer, Poetry, Progressives

University of DC Justice Cafe' January 8th 6 to 10 p.m.
(It's OK to come after work, dinner will be served!)

University of DC Firebird Inn
Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line)
See: http://www.udc.edu/campus_map.htm

Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids.
No one turned away for lack of donation.
All ages event. Child activities powered by kids!

Cosponsored by Progressive Democrats of America!
Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering!
Poetry, Beer, Wine, Tabling, Progressive Networking!

SPECIAL BOOK TALK by Michael Shuman and Ian Fisk
Michael Shuman, http://small-mart.org/staff#shuman, author of The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition and Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age.

Ian Fisk, Executive Director of the William James Foundation williamjamesfoundation.org, which is currently working with more than 150 teams of socially and environmentally sustainable entrepreneurs from all over the world, as well as more than 200 reading judges.

Performers, Showcase your talents! Organizations, Get Free Tabling!

Live performers:
* Poetry by Split This Rock Poetry Festival: http://www.splitthisrock.org/
* LaPret premieres two all-new singles, "Play My Mind" and "Everything I Want" plus other songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of ATTRACTION" Official Site: http://www.LaPret2010.com
* Wynne Paris (of Wynne Paris and Groovananda), "Wynne’s artistic sound is derived from 20 years of musical adventures and spiritual experiences." Official Site: http://www.wynneparis.com/
* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music and perform favorites for voice and guitar. Official Site: http://mdbmusic.com/
* More performers expected.

Current list of tablers: Witness Against Torture* Pax Christi DC-Baltimore * Free Massage by Lisa Bregman (tips appreciated) * Free CranioSacral therapy sessions by Randy Goldberg http://www.healingdc.com (tips appreciated) * David A. Clarke School of Law * Progressive Democrats of America * Gray Panthers of Washington, DC * Author Wilfredo Bohorquez * The Wendt Center * Split This Rock Poetry Festival * Democratic Socialists of America * More!

Organizations: Reserve your free table! Contact: mikehersh2007@gmail.com
Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School of Law
Upcoming Cafes: Feb 5th, March 5th, April 2nd--plan to be there!

Progress in Maryland and nationally in 2010!

From Progressive Democrats of America/Maryland: http://pdamerica.org/
Join us working for progress in Maryland and nationally in 2010!

1. PDA Montgomery County Meeting Wednesday, January 6, 2010 7:30 PM
2. UDC Justice Cafe' Friday, January 8, 2010 6-10 PM
3. Keep the National Guard at Home--help pass a bill this year!
4. Support PDA in 2010! More info: http://pdamerica.org/

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

1. PDA Montgomery County, MD Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 7:30 PM

Agenda: Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions
Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902

We're focusing efforts on making progress in our county and state on
Healthcare, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy
and other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on
the state and national level, planning special events, forming a
steering committee, and working on meetings with elected officials, and
other organizations.

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

2. University of DC Justice Cafe' January 8th 6 to 10 p.m.
(It's OK to come after work, dinner will be served!)
Cosponsored by Progressive Democrats of America!

Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering! Poetry, Beer, Wine,
Tabling, Progressive Networking, Fun! All ages event. Child activities
powered by kids!

Univ. of DC Firebird Inn Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line) See:
http://www.udc.edu/campus_map.htm

Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids. No one turned away for
lack of donation.

Please bring a veggie dish to share and your own cup(s), utensils,
plates, etc.

Live performers:
* Poetry by Split This Rock Poetry Festival: http://www.splitthisrock.org/
* LaPret premieres two all-new singles, "Play My Mind" and "Everything I
Want" plus other songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of
ATTRACTION" in stores everywhere April 13, 2010. Official Site:
http://www.LaPret2010.com
* Wynne Paris (of Wynne Paris and Groovananda), "a world beat
artist/producer and musician who has spent the last decade devoted to an
emerging genre of spiritual music: Yoga music and Kirtan. Wynne's
artistic sound is derived from 20 years of musical adventures and
spiritual experiences." Official Site: http://www.wynneparis.com/
* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music
and perform favorites for voice and guitar. Official Site:
http://mdbmusic.com/
* More performers expected. Want to perform? Contact:
mikehersh2007@gmail.com

Current list of tablers: Witness Against Torture * Pax Christi
DC-Baltimore * Free Massage by Lisa Bregman * Free CranioSacral therapy
sessions by Randy Goldberg http://www.healingdc.com * David A. Clarke
School of Law * Progressive Democrats of America * Gray Panthers of
Washington, DC * Author Wilfredo Bohorquez * The Wendt Center * Split
This Rock Poetry Festival * Democratic Socialists of America * More to
come! Reserve your free table! Contact: mikehersh2007@gmail.com

Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School
of Law

Upcoming Cafes: Feb 5th, March 5th, April 2nd--plan to be there!Upcoming
Cafes: Feb 5th, March 5th, April 2nd

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

3. PDA supports the Keep the Guard Home Effort

In 2010, PDA will continue waging our strategic 'inside-outside' fight
for progressive change--end both wars, single-payer health care for all,
immigration reform, fair elections, serious climate change legislation.
We're also joining the ongoing effort to Keep the Guard Home.

Our country's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost our brave soldiers
dearly. Many of those soldiers are not Regular Army troops but members
of the National Guard, who signed up primarily to defend Maryland from
local threats. Since ours is a government of laws, not of men, there
must be not only a moral reason but a legal reason for sending them to
fight for us in a foreign country. That legal reason is either a
Congressional declaration of war or Authorization for the Use of
Military Force (AUMF).

Maryland Senator Richard Madaleno (18th District) will introduce a bill
in the upcoming Maryland Senate session to require that the Maryland
Guard be released to Federal control only under a legal AUMF. A
companion bill will be introduced in the House of Delegates. The same
bill was killed in the House Health and Government Affairs committee in
the '09 session. Therefore the Maryland Campaign to Keep the Guard Home
needs your help in asking the members of the House Health and Government
Affairs committee to report Rich's bill out in the 2010 session. Go to
http://mdguardhome.org to learn more about our campaign.

If you are willing to help by lobbying in Annapolis one night, or by
making phone calls or writing emails, please send an email to Steve Lane
at atticlane@yahoo.com. Tell Steve what district you are in, so that he
can match you with your legislator. If you don't know your district, go
to http://mdelect.net to find your Delegates and your Senator.
--------------------

4. Support PDA in 2010! More info: http://pdamerica.org/

Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both
inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and
justice. Our goal: work with and increase the progressive majority in
Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes into 2010 and
beyond. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and
activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim
Hightower, and Lila Garrett. We continue working to end the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan, push single-payer health care for everyone, champion
immigration reform, work for fair and accurate elections, and struggle
for effective climate change/energy policies.

Yours in Progress and Unity,

Mike Hersh for PDA

WEDNESDAY! Combined MeetUp/Meeting for MCPA, DFMC, PDA, and more.

Combined MeetUp/Meeting for MCPA, DFMC, PDA, and more.

Agenda: Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions

Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902

Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)
Google Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902

We're focusing efforts on making progress in our county and state on
Healthcare, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy
and other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on
the state and national level, planning special events, forming a
steering committee, and working on meetings with legislators, and other
organizations.

Please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance google group:
http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance

If you're on Facebook, please join the MCPA group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts

University of DC Justice Cafe' January 8th 6 to 10 p.m.

University of DC Justice Cafe' January 8th 6 to 10 p.m.
(It's OK to come after work, dinner will be served!)

Cosponsored by Progressive Democrats of America!
Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering!
Poetry, Beer, Wine, Tabling, Progressive Networking!

Univ. of DC Firebird Inn
Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line)
See: http://www.udc.edu/campus_map.htm

Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids.
No one turned away for lack of donation.
All ages event. Child activities powered by kids!

Performers, Showcase your talents!
Organizations, Get Free Tabling!
Contact mikehersh2007@gmail.com

Live performers:
* Poetry by Split This Rock Poetry Festival: http://www.splitthisrock.org/
* LaPret premieres two all-new singles, "Play My Mind" and "Everything I
Want" plus other songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of
ATTRACTION" in stores everywhere April 13, 2010. Official Site:
http://www.LaPret2010.com
* Wynne Paris (of Wynne Paris and Groovananda), "a world beat
artist/producer and musician who has spent the last decade devoted to an
emerging genre of spiritual music: Yoga music and Kirtan. Wynne's
artistic sound is derived from 20 years of musical adventures and
spiritual experiences." Official Site: http://www.wynneparis.com/
* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music
and perform favorites for voice and guitar. Official Site:
http://mdbmusic.com/
* More performers expected.
Want to perform? Contact: mikehersh2007@gmail.com

Current list of tablers:
* Witness Against Torture
* Pax Christi DC-Baltimore
* Free Massage by Lisa Bregman
* David A. Clarke School of Law
* Progressive Democrats of America
* Gray Panthers of Washington, DC
* Author Wilfredo Bohorquez
* The Wendt Center
* Split This Rock Poetry Festival
* Democratic Socialists of America
* More to come!

Organizations: Reserve your free table! Contact: mikehersh2007@gmail.com
Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School
of Law
Upcoming Cafes: Feb 5th, March 5th, April 2nd--plan to be there!

Please share this notice with your DC-area friends!

Please share this notice with your DC-area friends!

The next UDC Justice Cafe' is less than 2 weeks away!
Cosponsored by Progressive Democrats of America!
Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering!
Poetry, Beer, Wine, Tabling, Progressive Networking!
Friday, January 8th 6-10 pm

University of DC Firebird Inn
Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line)
See: http://www.udc.edu/campus_map.htm

Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids.
No one turned away for lack of donation.
All ages event. Child activities powered by kids!

Live performers:

* LaPret premieres two all-new singles, "Play My Mind" and "Everything I Want" plus other songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of ATTRACTION" in stores everywhere April 13, 2010. Official Site: http://www.LaPret2010.com Join LaPret's official FB group: http://www.facebook.com/LaPret

* Wynne Paris (of Wynne Paris and Groovananda), "Wynne’s artistic sound is derived from 20 years of musical adventures and spiritual experiences."  Available for purchase from CD Baby.com, Amazon.com, Itunes and other fine online retailers. Official Site: http://www.wynneparis.com/

* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music and perform favorites for voice and guitar.  Official Site: http://mdbmusic.com/

* More Performers Wanted! Contact mikehersh@mikehersh.com

Current list of tablers:
* David A. Clarke School of Law
* Progressive Democrats of America
* Free Massage by Lisa Bregman (tips appreciated)
* Gray Panthers of Washington, DC

Organizations: Reserve A Free Table!
Contact mikehersh@mikehersh.com to sign up!

Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School of Law

Upcoming Cafes: Feb 5th, March 5th, April 2nd

Happy holidays from Progressive Democrats of America/Maryland!

Happy holidays from Progressive Democrats of America/Maryland!
We've got three great events coming up and a serious agenda for 2010

1. New Years' Party at Busboys and Poets December 31, 2009 10 PM
2. PDA Montgomery County Meeting Wednesday, January 6, 2010 7:30 PM
3. UDC Justice Cafe' Friday, January 8, 2010 6-10 PM
4. PDA resolves to advance our Progressive Agenda in 2010

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

1. New Years' Party at Busboys and Poets!

Busboys and Poets is ringing in the New Year by hosting two parties for
the price of one. Come and party with a purpose, among friends and
like-minded progressives! PDA is a co-sponsoring organization. Make sure
you indicate your support for PDA when you order your ticket(s) here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/91774

For just $65 (plus tax and tip=Total Price $76.70) enjoy an open bar all
night, party favors, 2 of the DMV's hottest DJs (DJ Underdog and DJ Oso
Fresh), lavish hors doeuvres, dancing all night, a midnight champagne
toast to usher in 2010 and a free party bus for transportation between
our two DC locations--2 parties for the price of one! AND...$10 of your
admission will go to a co-sponsoring nonprofit organization of your choice.

December 31, 2009 10 PM to January 1, 2010 2 AM
Busboys and Poets 2021 14th Street NW and 1025 5th St NW Washington, DC
20009
More info: 202-332-6432 http://www.busboysandpoets.com
events@busboysandpoets.com

PDA is a co-sponsoring organization. Make sure you indicate your support
for PDA when you order your ticket(s) here:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/91774

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

2. PDA Montgomery County, MD Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 7:30 PM

Agenda: Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions
Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902

We're focusing efforts on making progress in our county and state on
Healthcare, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy
and other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on
the state and national level, planning special events, forming a
steering committee, and working on meetings with elected officials, and
other organizations.

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

3. UDC Justice Cafe' Friday, January 8th 6-10 PM
(It's OK to come after work, dinner will be served!)

Cosponsored by Progressive Democrats of America!
Music by local performers! Food by Kit's Catering!
Poetry, Beer, Wine, Tabling, Progressive Networking!

Univ. of DC Firebird Inn
Building 39, B-Level - 4200 Conn. Ave NW
Just above the Van Ness/UDC Metro (red line)
See: http://www.udc.edu/campus_map.htm

Suggested donation $15 / $10 students / $5 kids.
No one turned away for lack of donation.
All ages event. Child activities powered by kids!

Live performers:

* LaPret premieres two all-new singles, "Play My Mind" and "Everything I
Want" plus other songs from his upcoming solo Debut EP "2010: FASHION of
ATTRACTION" in stores everywhere April 13, 2010. Official Site:
http://www.LaPret2010.com

* Wynne Paris (of Wynne Paris and Groovananda), "a world beat
artist/producer and musician who has spent the last decade devoted to an
emerging genre of spiritual music: Yoga music and Kirtan. Wynne's
artistic sound is derived from 20 years of musical adventures and
spiritual experiences." Official Site: http://www.wynneparis.com/

* Mike Bowers, Singer/Songwriter and UDC law student will mix the music
and perform favorites for voice and guitar. Official Site:
http://mdbmusic.com/

More performers expected. Want to perform? Contact: mikehersh@mikehersh.com

Current list of tablers:
* David A. Clarke School of Law
* Progressive Democrats of America
* Gray Panthers of Washington, DC

More to come! Organizations: Reserve your free table! Contact:
mikehersh@mikehersh.com

Hosted by the University of the District of Columbia David Clarke School
of Law

Upcoming Cafes: Feb 5th, March 5th, April 2nd

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

4. PDA resolves to advance our Progressive Agenda in 2010

In 2010, PDA will continue waging our strategic 'inside-outside' fight
for progressive change--end both wars, single-payer health care for all,
immigration reform, fair elections, serious climate change legislation.

We resolve to press state and national Democratic Parties to end the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, push single-payer health care for
everyone, champion immigration reform, work for fair and accurate
elections, and struggle against climate change. This is still a
potential progressive change moment, and PDA wants to make the most of it.

Wishing you and yours a healthy, progressive new year!

Mike Hersh for PDA

TUNE IN! Thursday Night's Show on WPFW

Garland Nixon wrote:

Thursday December 24, 2009

WPFW 89.3 FM Washington DC

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Guests: Andy Shallal, Joel Segal

Host: Garland Nixon

Subject: In the spirit of the season of giving, we will talk about issues facing the needy in our society (Homelessness, Hunger, Poverty) Many people contribute and/or volunteer to help the homeless, poor and hungry during the holiday season then turn a blind eye to the problems for the rest of the year. It is quite possible that our seasonal philanthropic attitude is fueled by simple adherence to tradition and the need to feel good about ourselves for doing a good deed. These are year round issues for those suffering with them and they affect us all in one way or another.

SOME HELPFUL RELATED DATA:

POVERTY - In 2007, 12.5% of the U.S. population, or 37,300,00 million people, lived in poverty. The official poverty rate in 2007 was not statistically different than 2006 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2007). Children are overrepresented, composing 35.7% of people in poverty while only being 24.8% of the total population.  Two factors help account for increasing poverty: eroding employment opportunities for large segments of the workforce and the declining value and availability of public assistance. 

Lack of Affordable Health Care: For families and individuals struggling to pay the rent, a serious illness or disability can start a downward spiral into homelessness, beginning with a lost job, depletion of savings to pay for care, and eventual eviction.

Mental Illness: Approximately 16% of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005). Despite the disproportionate number of severely mentally ill people among the homeless population, increases in homelessness are not attributable to the release of severely mentally ill people from institutions. Most patients were released from mental hospitals in the 1950s and 1960s, yet vast increases in homelessness did not occur until the 1980s, when incomes and housing options for those living on the margins began to diminish rapidly. According to the 2003 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report, most homeless persons with mental illness do not need to be institutionalized, but can live in the community with the appropriate supportive housing options (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). However, many mentally ill homeless people are unable to obtain access to supportive housing and/or other treatment services. The mental health support services most needed include case management, housing, and treatment.

HOUSING:   Federal support for low-income housing has fallen 49% from 1980 to 2003 (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2005). About 200,000 rental housing units are destroyed annually. Renting is one of the most viable options for low income people (Joint Center for Housing Studies). n 2003, the federal government spent almost twice as much in housing-related tax expenditures and direct housing assistance for households in the top income quintile than on housing subsidies for the lowest-income households (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2005).  Thus, federal housing policy has not responded to the needs of low-income households, while disproportionately benefiting the wealthiest Americans. 

WORKING HOMELESS: The connection between impoverished workers and homelessness can be seen in homeless shelters, many of which house significant numbers of full-time wage earners. In 2007, a survey performed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that 17.4% of homeless adults in families were employed while 13% of homeless single adults or unaccompanied youth were employed. In the 2008 report, eleven out of nineteen cities reported an increased in employed homeless people.

Domestic Violence: Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between abusive relationships and homelessness.  In addition, 50% of the cities surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005).Approximately 63% of homeless women have experienced domestic violence in their adult lives (Network to End Domestic Violence).

Homeless Numbers (estimates): In a recent approximation USA Today estimated 1.6 million people unduplicated persons used transitional housing or emergency shelters.  Of these people, approximately 1/3 are members of households with children, a nine percent increase since 2007.  Another approximation is from a study done by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty which states that approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2007).

Food Insecurity and Very Low Food Security   ii

• In 2008, 49.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 32.4 million adults and 16.7 million children.
• In 2008, 14.6% percent of households (17.1 million households) were food insecure, an increase from 11.1 percent (13.0 million households) in 2007.
• In 2008, 5.7 percent of households (6.7 million households) experienced very low food security, an increase from 4.1 percent in 2007.
• In 2008, households with children reported food insecurity at almost double the rate for those without children, 21.0 percent compared to 11.3 percent.
• In 2008, households that were more likely to experience food insecurity were households with children (21.0 percent), households with children headed by single women (37.2 percent) or single men (27.6 percent), households with incomes below the poverty line (42.2 percent), Black non-Hispanic households (25.7 percent) and Hispanic households (26.9 percent).
• In 2008, 8.1 percent of households with seniors (2.3 million households) were food insecure

• Ten states exhibited statistically significant higher household food insecurity rates than the national average (12.2%): (MOSTLY RED STATES)

  1.        Mississippi              17.4%

  2.        Texas                      16.3%

  3.        Arkansas                 15.9%

  4.        Georgia                   14.2%

  5.        New Mexico           14.1%

  6.        Missouri                  14.0%

  7.        Oklahoma               14.0%

  8.        Kansas                    13.8%

  9.        Maine                     13.7%

  10.     North Carolina        13.7%