Dear Friends,

The Progressive Center of Texas will be three months old on June 2. We appreciate our friends who have worked to help us in this start-up stage and who have contributed so generously with time, money, and advice. Thanks. You're the best.

We especially acknowledge and salute the many activists in our county and city who have served the needs of our community for decades. They are our heroes and teachers and we are in their debt.Without them, The Progressive Center would not be possible.

At the top of our news: We are pleased to announce the newest members of our Board of Directors - U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, her District Director, Rod Givens, and powerhouse leader, Lisa Stroud Salmond. Each of these people has huge demands on their time and to include The Progressive Center in their busy lives is a distinct honor.We are most grateful for their support and friendship.

Our community classroom events have opened minds, inspired, and informed. At each event, we always ask:Now that we know, what can we do? How can we collaborate? How can organize? These are some of the topics we've covered:

• Should DISD be broken into small regional school districts?
• Public health alarm:HIV/AIDS on the rise in the African-American community
• City council elections and the importance of voting
• Environmental action and the Sierra Club
• Hungry children, overworked parents, homelessness, seniors with no options - poverty in Dallas and North Texas
• A look at drug policies and laws, the effect on our youth and the cost to our community

On Saturday, May 30 -

• From 10 am to noon, David Elliott hosts DART's Mr. Lawrence Meshack who will discuss Creating a Greener Dallas: Public Transportation and you. Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/DART20090530
• From 2pm to 3:30 pm, Elizabeth Walley hosts Jim Schermbeck from "Downwinders at Risk" who reports that air quality in North Texas has been deemed unfit for breathing by the Environmental Protection Agency.Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/PCTDownwind
  

Coming in June and beyond -

• Claudia Fowler's Saturday morning "Coffee & Conversation"  series includes a program for men on June 20 - fathers, mentors, and leaders
• Elizabeth Walley will host an event each month on issues affecting our air, water, animals, and energy
• A panel discussion on "not in my neighborhood" attitude about solar panels, wind turbines and alternative energy
  
  

We ask for your support to continue our work.
Please make your contribution at the
Donate section in our website located at
www.progressivecenteroftexas.org

In addition to your money, we ask for your time. Volunteers are needed to assist Elizabeth Walley in our initiative on ecology. She has developed program ideas for the coming year exploring clean air, clean water, conservation of resources, preserving and protecting wildlife and domestic animals, green energy, our city's plans for a green economy, and more. She can be contacted at ewalley1@gmail.com

My personal notes - to the volunteers who help us at The Progressive Center, you have a special place in my heart.You show up and pitch in to do whatever is needed.I feel proud to know you and humble that you choose to spend your time with us.

To my friends on the east and west coasts, "No, The Progressive Center of Texas is NOT an oxymoron."

Warmest wishes,

Molly Hanchey
Executive Director

________________________________________________________________________

Directions and Contact: