Dear Progressives,

Wow. It was a great showing of support for health care reform at Cityplace on Monday morning. Thanks to everyone that participated in this last minute demonstration. We had about 150 people in our peaceful demonstration of support, which was double the number of the opposition. We kept our cool even when the particularly repulsive LaRouche people set up shop around 8am. Well done! Molly and I would like to thank the like-minded clubs and organizations like OFA and MoveOn who who were part of this unique collaborative effort. We hope to have more partnerships and action like this in the future.

We have more to do regarding local issues and we have a selection of education and awareness events coming up. Please check them out. Come on down to South Side to join in.

Be Well, and Be Progressive!

Tracy Clinton & Molly Hanchey

Claudia Fowler's Coffee & Conversation - Road Map to Closing the Achievement Gap
Saturday August 22nd, 9:30am check-in, 10:00am to Noon event.

Learn about Project Manhood, an initiative of Project Still I Rise. Project Manhood is an innovative, community-based approach to addressing education disparities through voluntary Saturday school programming for young black men in grades 4 through 8. Project Manhood exposes young men to complex, holistic materials that expand upon their in-school curricula and make the linkages between disciplines so important in developing the critical thought processes instrumental to successful leadership. Kevin Mondy, Executive Director of Project Still I Rise, is the featured speaker.He will lead sample exercises and provide materials on this innovative program. (www.psir.org)

Ongoing Honduras Crisis Meeting
Tuesday, August 24th, check-in 6:30pm, 7:00 to 8:30pm meeting
The Progressive Center is hosting weekly meetings on Tuesdays to discuss the details of the crisis in Honduras and what actions we may take to help influence and end to the coup and constitutional crisis there. Gene Lantz of North Texas Jobs For Justice (www.labordallas.org) is the moderator.

Forum on the Upcoming DISD Board Elections
Saturday, August 29th, 9:30am check-in, 10:00am to 11:30am event
To become a world-class city, Dallas needs a world-class education system. Unfortunately, this past year, the Dallas Independent School District has been beset by problems. For example, there was the funding issue and the resultant RIF (reduction in force), the magnet schools debacle, and the Board of Trustees' vote to postpone their elections - thankfully overturned by the State Attorney General.

Come to this forum to learn more about the upcoming DISD Board of Trustees election in November and what you can do to ensure that Dallas has the school system it needs in the 21st century.

Other Progressive Events in the area:

Health Care Rally events this week:
Wednesday, August 19th, 6:30-9 PM:Rally for Health Care outside Outside Ranchview High School - Look for pro-health care signs!
(8401 Valley Ranch Parkway. Contact Hobie Hukill 214-543-4698 )

Thursday, Aug 20th, noon: Rally in front of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building
(901 S Central Expwy in Richardson)

Health Care Forum
Sunday, August 30th, 2:00 to 4:00pm
Dr. Winfred Parnell, member of Doctors for America and was an advisor to the Obama Campaign on health care issues. Dr. Jeff Kreisberg, retired professor from SW Medical School, now works with AARP on health care issues. They will explain what is REALLY in the bills currently in Congress. There will be time for questions. RSVP by email to marsha4obama AT yahoo.com.
(Farmers Branch Library, 13613 Webb Chapel, Farmers Branch)

Rational Radio Progress Forum
Saturday, September 19th, starting at 2pm
Don't miss the Rational Radio Progress Forum with nationally syndicated radio host Thom Hartmann, bio-fuel pioneer Jes Prouse, activist Cindy Sheehan, and more. Admission $10 / $5 with student ID.
For Tickets Please Call: (214)631-2787 or go to Ticketmaster
(Lakewood Theatre, 1825 Ambrams Pkwy, Dallas, TX)
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Directions and Contact: