Wildcatting the Sun: Expanding Solar in Texas
Wednesday, January 27th at 7:00pm
Right now, Texas is only ninth in the country for solar energy, tied with Wisconsin.  But with the right incentives and a renewable energy standard, like those that have boosted wind energy in the state, Texas can be a leader. Texas has the most solar potential in the country - we have enough sunshine to power the entire state hundreds of times over - and by using existing technologies to tap into just a fraction of our solar potential, we can protect our environment and move towards a cleaner energy future.
To do that, the Go Solar Texas Coalition is bringing together citizens, businesses, elected officials, and community leaders to voice their support in telling Governor Perry and the Public Utilities Commission that it's time for Texas to Go Solar.
Join us as we screen a short video presentation, answer questions, and discuss more about how you can get involved in the effort! Click here for more info.
For questions, to get involved, or to host a screening house party contact Sriram Madhusoodanan: sriram@greencorps.org or (352) 216-6751.

Important Friend of Progressive Center Event:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:
Community Meeting
Thursday, January 21, 7:00pm. - 8:30pm
We urge you and all your friends concerned about clean air to show that concern by attending this meeting. Industry and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) want you to believe that nobody in or around Midlothian (just south of D/FW) cares about being exposed to the poisons released by the thousands of tons annually from the town's three cement plants.  A good turnout on Thursday night will give lie to that spin.
Although only an "informational meeting," Thursday's meeting is a chance to vote for doing more than nothing just by showing-up and sitting down for an hour and a half. Your presence, or absence, will be noted by the Powers-that-Be. Not that the Agency has earned our trust yet. On their first try at investigating Midlothian health problems, the feds handed the job over to the state with disastrous results that ended badly in front of a Congressional Committee last year.
Thanks to Midlothian resident Sal Miers, that wasn't the end of things. Sal's worked tirelessly to get an honest evaluation of community health for years. It's his effort that brought the feds back to town for what everyone hopes will be a more professional and thorough job. Show-up on Thursday to shake Sal's hand and thank him for his dedication to getting at the truth of what cement plant pollution is doing to local public health.
For more official information, visit the ATSDR webpage at:
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/midlothian
(Midlothian Conference Center, Bluebonnet Room 1, 1 Community Circle Drive, Midlothian, TX 76065)

Other Progressive Events in the Area:

ROCK YOUR BODY POLITIC - Freedom of Choice Forever!
Thursday, January 21st - doors open at 7:00pm
A Roe v. Wade anniversary concert featuring:
Girl in a Coma - The Happy Bullets - Young and Brave - The Giggle Party
with DJ Miss Flowerette, and a dance performance by Something Fabulous!
Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 day of show. Buy online here!
Receive a coupon valid at the Absinthe Lounge with each online ticket purchase!
(The Loft, 1135 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX)

iConscious: The Spoken Word X-Perience
Saturday, January 23rd, 6:30pm - doors open, 7:00pm - open mic
Come Enjoy Great Poetry & Great Food
Featured Poets: Soule, L.Jaye, Rob D, Rage Almighty, IamWhoIam, Dezyne
Please bring power protein bars for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. We will be sending them through Yele Haiti
(Caribbean Foods, South Side on Lamar, 1409 S Lamar St, Dallas)

Underground: Dallas' Hidden Talents
January 21st - 30th
Live Showcase: Saturday, January 30th, 8:00 pm - 12:00 am
LIVE art, LIVE performances, LIVE creativity. Headlining artists are rappers Playdough, Sivion and Freddie B of Deepspace 5, photographer Hal Samples, Melody Memory, spoken word artist Will Richey, metal sculpture artist George Fowler, painter Jason Ice, DJ Rob Viktum of 1200 Hobos, and more. This is a show for friends, family, and all generations. Bring cash and find unique art.
Admission: $5 pre-sale tickets at artlovemagic.com or $10 at the door.
(Janette Kennedy Gallery, South Side On Lamar, 1409 S. Lamar, Dallas)

"Rebuttal to the Rogue" Book-signing Event
Tuesday, January 26th, 7:00pm
A lively presentation by Malia Litman, author of Rebuttal to the Rogue, as Malia introduces her piercing look at all things Palin. In 160 pages, Malia cites sources and statistics, rather than opinion about the differences between what Ex-Governor Palin says, and what she does. Mrs. Litman will be available to answer questions and autograph books. Proceeds from the sale of "Rebuttal to the Rogue" will be donated to Planned Parenthood.
Take a "bite out of Palin": Cake will be served. Together we can make a difference.
(Legacy Books, The Shops at Legacy North, 7300 Dallas Parkway, Plano)

"An Evening with Rev. James Lawson"
Monday, February 1st, 5:30pm - Reception, 7:00pm - Keynote
A 50th Anniversary event, dedicated to remembering the birth of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement when young people of color in Greensboro, NC, decided to sit down and have lunch at an all-white Woolworth's counter. The evening will feature a keynote speech by Rev. James Lawson, chair of the National Advisory of the American Civil Liberties Union. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. called Rev. Lawson "the leading non-violence theorist in the world."
The event includes performances by the students of St. Phillips Academy, and highlight music and dramatic readings of words and authentic voices from the 60's by local artists.
Underwriters, patrons and sponsors of Rev. Lawson's trip to Dallas are the Dallas Peace Center, North Texas Conference United Methodist Church, the African American Museum, Northern Texas/Northern Louisiana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church.
Admission: single ticket in advance -- $10; single ticket at the door -- $15; and groups of 10 or more in advance -- $7.50 each. Single tickets can be reserved through PayPal at www.dallaspeacecenter.org/greensboro.
Groups can make reservations by calling Zara at 214-823-7793.
(The Black Academy of Arts & Letters, 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, at the corner of Akard & Canton Streets)

Black History Month Exhibit
February 2nd- 27th
Artist Reception: Saturday, February 20th, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
In celebration of Black History Month, VisitBlackDallas will host an art exhibition. Each photographer will submit images portraying African American Life in Dallas. A portion of the art sales will be donated to the South Dallas Cultural Center.
(Janette Kennedy Gallery, South Side on Lamar, 1409 S Lamar St, Dallas)

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