Dear Progressives,

First off, we'd like to share a link passed on to us by Joy Strickland of Mothers Against Teen Violence ( www.matvinc.org ) : Click here and then click on the "Uniform Assistance Application" link to find out more about assistance in getting uniforms for DISD K-8 students this school year.

Please do check out the next two events we have lined up at the Progressive Center that focus on school issues. Before we get too wrapped up in the school year routine, it'd be good to find out more about the upcoming DISD Board of Trustees election in November and what the status of after-school programs is.

Be Well, and Be Progressive!

Tracy Clinton & Molly Hanchey 

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.

Please sign up at: http://tinyurl.com/DISDAug292009   

Ongoing Committee for Restoration of Democracy in Honduras Meeting
Tuesday, September 1st, check-in 6:30pm, 7:00 to 8:30pm meeting
The Progressive Center is hosting weekly meetings on Tuesdays in a partnership with the Dallas Peace Center (www.dallaspeacecenter.org) to discuss the details of the crisis in Honduras and what actions we may take to help end the coup and constitutional crisis there. Gene Lantz of North Texas Jobs For Justice (www.labordallas.org) is the moderator.

Other Progressive Events in the area:

Dallas ROCKS Austin for Healthcare! August 29th, 8:15am

We'll meet at the Forest Lane Dart Station Park & Ride at 8:15am and ride down to Austin as a caravan for Healthcare. Once in Austin, we'll park Downtown and join other MoveOn Councils coming in from all over Texas at the State Capitol grounds (which we have reserved) at 2pm. We will all walk together from the Capitol to First United Methodist Church, which is only 1.5 blocks away (Public Option Signs in tow:) in a public show of support for REAL Healthcare Reform including a Public Option. We will join hundreds of others inside the 1200 seat church to enjoy a Healthcare forum featuring keynote speaker Lloyd Doggett from 3-5pm. So wear your patriotic gear and bring your Public Option signs to the Forest Lane Dart Station on Sat Aug. 29th at 8:15am and join us for this Dallas Rocks Austin for Healthcare event! **NOTE: If you are not driving down to Austin please do NOT plan on leaving your car at the DART station. Please Ride the rail or get a ride to the Dart station and plan to arrive prior to 9am!**

Teaching Social Skills to Your Children
August 29th, 11:00am to 12:00 pm
Seminar with a free light lunch at the Center for Nonprofit Management.

INVITATION FOR UNITY AND PARTICIPATION
August 29th, 5pm
The Coalition for Immigration Reform of DFW & North Texas cordially invites you to join the State efforts of solidarity to help change our current broken United States legal immigration system. We have all struggled to achieve the change in history by electing President Obama. Today we have a government of hope and change; one in which we stand a greater chance of achieving comprehensive immigration reform.
For more information please contact Maria Robles at: 817-296-9656
(University of Texas at Arlington, University Center, Rio Grande Room B (2nd Floor), 301 W. First Street, Arlington, Texas 76019)

Health Care Forum
Sunday, August 30th, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Dr. Winfred Parnell, member of Doctors for America, 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) 

Public Option Now Vigil
Wednesday, September 2nd  7:00pm  
A peaceful vigil to send our members of Congress back to Washington, D.C. with a somber reminder of what's at stake right now. We'll be reading the names and telling the stories of people who have been denied needed treatments, faced bankruptcy because of a sudden illness, and even died because they lacked coverage.
(Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake Park, 8100 Doran Circle, Dallas, TX 75238) 

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: