Drinking Liberally meets EVERY Thursday, 7:00 PM, at Timberlakes (back room) at 1726 Connecticut Ave NW, north of Dupont Circle.  This week, the DL guest speaker will be Philadelphia's Chris Bowers, blogger for www.openleft.com, formerly of www.mydd.com, and one of the most creative voices in Democratic politics.   I've been reading Chris for about 2 years.  He is consistantly able to think outside the beltway box and is known for innovative appeals such as the "Use It or Lose It" campaign to get Democrats in safe districts to open up their financial war-chests and use their campaign cash in swing districts where it really matters.  There are a lot of good bloggers.  Bowers is a great one and I look forward to hearing him & talking with him at Timberlakes on Thursday.  

Drinking Liberally...is about meeting and talking with progressives in your area, no fees, you don't have to drink anything!   DL is in Virginia too.  In Arlington, join Drinking Liberally at the Cap City Brewing Co./Shirlington, 2700 S. Quincy St., right across from the WETA Building on Thursdays at 7:00 - 9:00 PM, ask the hostess to find the Drinking Liberally group (usually in the back).    In Lorton join Drinking Liberally on the first & third Fridays of every month at Glory Days Grill, 9459 Lorton Market St., 6:00 - 8:00 (lorton@drinkingliberally.org)  In Alexandria/Springfield join Drinking Liberally on the second Thursday of every month at Bungalow Billiards, 7003C Manchester Blvd.  For more info on DL locations go to: http://drinkingliberally.org/locations.h tml#va.  Check the website for last minute changes in times or locations.  Check the blog for posts about other events and political blathering: http://dcdl.org

2. Eastern Market Reopens Saturday

The new East Hall of Eastern Market, with all of the same food merchants as before the big fire, is scheduled to open on Saturday, August 25.  The main building, in operation since 1873, is being rehabbed and will open sometime in 2008 or 2009.   Come out, support the vendors and enjoy a delicious DC tradition on the fun side of Capitol Hill.

3. DC for Obama -- DC Schools Beautification Day, Saturday, 8/25

This coming Saturday, August 25, will be the third annual DC Public Schools Beautification Day. DC for Obama is asking Obama supporters to join with their community members in working to improve our DC public schools.   The annual DCPS Beautification Day, established in 2005 as the official day for a citywide "spruce up" of all DC public school buildings and front grounds in preparation for school opening, will be held this year on Saturday, August 25, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This activity, in past years, has been a joint venture of DCPS, parent leaders and community organizations.
Beautification efforts will include landscaping, trash pick-up, light painting, planting flowers, and other external beautification efforts. Volunteers are needed at all sites. Please visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/det ail/4vcdl and RSVP to indicate your interest in participating with DC for Obama OR just contact Ian Martinez at 202-257-5945.

4. Saturday Night! Generation Obama National Kickoff Night:

DC/VA-Metro Area Launch Party! (Hosted by GO-DC and GO-VA)  7:00-10:00pm Saturday, August 25th
(Barack Call @ 8pm, DJ/dancing @ 10pm), Clarendon Grill, 1101 N Highland Street, Arlington, VA (off Wash Blvd/Clarendon Blvd, one block from metro)

To RSVP and get Generation Obama--DC/VA updates: Jim McBride, 703-867-5070, genobamadc@gmail.com.  This is a FREE event (and no cover before 8pm, $5 afterward).....so bring your friends!

Generation Obama is a nationwide program with chapters in the DC metro area and across the country designed to get young people involved in Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign, which is inspired by a Movement for Change toward a "New Kind Of Politics" based on HOPE  for a better America.

Web Site: my.barackobama.com/page/group/Generation Obama-WashingtonDC

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45 52427959

5. DC for Democracy Meetup, Sept. 5

DC for Democracy is DC's largest progressive political group and works on both local and national issues, especially DC voting rights & stopping the war.  DCFD meets the first Wednesday of every month at the historic & delicious Ben's Chili Bowl, 1210 U St., NW, at 7:00 PM.  Come grab a bite and meet the active group with DC for Democracy on Sept. 5.  DC for Democracy is the local chapter of Democracy for America, founded by Howard Dean.

6. Ted Kennedy on Multiple Choice Mitt

"He was pro-choice, he's anti-choice, he's multiple choice."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/politic s/primarysource/2007/01/kennedy_calls_r. html

7. DC for Obama Meetup, Sept. 12

DC for Obama meets on the SECOND Wednesday of every month in the upstairs room at the Hawk & Dove on Capitol Hill, 329 Pennsylvania Ave., SE.  Join us!

8. Travel to NH & SC to Support Barack Obama, Weekend of Sept. 28 & Oct. 5

a.) There is isterest in a carpool to travel to New Hampshire the weekend of September 7.  If you are interested, especially if you have access to a car, please contact Howard Park, 202-544-6262, hpark4@aol.com.

b.) We are organizing groups to travel, probably to South Carolina the weekend of Sept. 28 and probably to New Hampshire the weekend of October 5.  Save the dates.  More details later.  Spend a weekend to canvass and work for Obama for America where is counts the most, have fun and meet other Obamaniacs.  Interested?  Contact Howard Park hpark4@aol.com, 202-544-6262.  Not interested?  Pass this on to somebody who might be!  Busy on the 28th or the 5th?  Come to New Hampshire, South Carolina or Iowa ANYTIME to work for Obama.

9. Site of the Month: Beijing Wide Open

This month marks the one-year countdown to the Beijing Olympics. With flashy celebrations, the Chinese government is using this moment to further promote China's image as a free and open society, ready to host the world in August 2008. On this day, Tibetans and their supporters will also take to the streets as part of the International Olympics Countdown Day of Action. One question will be at the forefront of many people's minds: how open and free will China really be?  http://beijingwideopen.org/

Students for a Free Tibet Executive Director Lhadon Tethong is on the ground in Beijing, she'll be prying Beijing Wide Open and exposing the reality behind China's Olympic propaganda. In a country where ideas, words, and thoughts are heavily censored, speaking out in this way brings obvious risks. The International Olympic Committee should also consider itself duly warned as Lhadon will be testing its claim that these Games are improving human rights inside China.

10. September 14 - Party with a Purpose with the New Riders, Grateful Dead Vocalist Donna Godchaux

September 14 - benefit for the Rex Foundation at the State Theatre in Fall's Church, save the date & check out: http://www.rexfoundation.org/NRPS9_07.ht ml

List Housekeeping

11. Want us to publish your notice? Please send me (Howard Park hpark4@aol.com) the information as far ahead of time as possible. It is much better to send simple "cut & pasteable" copy NOT attachments. This newsletter is a volunteer enterprise and is published on an irregular basis. We are not able to publicize events on short notice.