Monday, December 2: There will be a living wage protest at the Courtyard Marriott on Monday, December 2nd at 4:30 p.m. (after Thanksgiving). This will be Andrew Holden's last day in prison.

You are asked to come and bring signs to let people know it's not okay to exploit people and it's not okay to jail someone for standing up to abuse.

Thursday, December 5: ASAP's series of open monthly meetings (each on the first Thursday, except in January and July) will continue on December 5, at 7:00 PM in room 235 of the County Office Building. These monthly meetings are not just for ASAP members; anyone interested in local growth issues is welcome.

The topic will be "The Fiscal Impact of Growth in Albemarle County."

After a little ASAP business, the evening will start with a presentation by Steven A. Allshouse, the Fiscal Impact Planner for Albemarle County's Department of Planning and Community Development. Steve has a master's degree in urban planning from UVA, where he will teach a course this spring on "Fiscal Impact of Development." His course -- and his remarks at our ASAP meeting -- will address such questions as "How much does growth cost Albemarle County?," and "Can localities balance their budgets by directing the density and/or mix of development in their communities?".

The discussion of Steve's presentation will open with comments from Gib Akin, Professor of Management at UVA's McIntire School of Commerce and a former Planning Commissioner for Charlottesville, and Jeff Werner, PEC's Land Use Field Officer who also has a UVA master's degree in urban planning and sits on Albemarle County's Fiscal Impact Advisory Committee.

Keep in mind that fiscal costs are merely one of many impacts of growth. The net fiscal impact of population growth in our area -- reflected in higher taxes and fees, and/or in reduced public services -- is important, but should be seen in the larger context of other quality-of-life impacts and of environmental effects.

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On your new 2003 year planner be sure to indicate the next few ASAP open monthly meetings: February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5; note that there is NO meeting in January.

Topics for the meetings will include:

"Accommodating to Growth: Albemarle County's Failing Strategy"
"Is Economic Growth Dependent on Population Growth?"
"The Ethics of Growing Endlessly -- and of Not Growing"
"UVA's Role in Central Virginia's Population Growth"
"The Impacts of Population Growth on Local Housing Affordability"

Saturday, December 7: The Charlottesville Democratic Party will hold its Biennial Meeting.

This meeting, for the purpose of reorganization, will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2002 at 2 pm, at Buford Middle School Auditorium on Cherry Avenue.

At this time, we will elect the Charlottesville Democratic Party Committee, which will make decisions to guide the Party for the next two years. The meeting is open to all people who support the principles of the Democratic Party and who are registered to vote in the City of Charlottesville. Doors will open at 1:30 pm, and the meeting will start promptly at 2 pm.

Please come early, so that we can check you in. We expect that the meeting will last until about 3:30 pm. Please come and bring your friends.

Sunday, December 8: Please join the Host Committee

Dr. George Beller, The Honorable Lindsay & Jane Dorrier, Annabelle and George Loper, Judy & Bruce Rasmussen, Kathy & Troost Parker, The Honorable Blake Caravati, The Honorable Charles Martin, The Honorable Dave Chapman, The Honorable Meredith Richards, The Honorable Paul Garrett, J. Lloyd Snook, The Honorable L.F. & Susan Payne

for a Reception honoring State Senator John S. Edwards from 3 until 5 pm on Sunday, December 8, 2002 at The Flower Market (313 Second Street, S.E.) in Downtown Historic Charlottesville.

Donor $50, Friend $250, Sponsor $500, Patron $1000.

For more information, call 804 - 286 - 2528 or 540 - 989 - 6127. You may also just show up and pay at the door.

Friday, December 13: Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge invites you to attend our inaugural cooperative forum with the Miller Center of Public Affairs at 11 a.m. at the Miller Center on 2201 Old Ivy Road.

Sara Seims, President of the Alan Guttmacher Institute, will be speaking on "Why Improving Reproductive Health Is Key to Human Progress."

And Susan Cohen, Director of Governmental Affairs in the Washington office of the Alan Guttmacher Institute, will be talking about "Reproductive Health And Rights Policies And Politics: Prospects in the 108th Congress."

You all come now.

Friday, December 13: Center for Politics Launches 2003 Session of National Youth Congress - Town Hall Meeting to Open Session for Local Students -

CHARLOTTESVILLE---Students at Western Albemarle High School and Henley Middle School participating with students across the nation in the 2003 National Youth e-Congress will begin their legislative session by hosting a town hall meeting from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2002 at Western Albemarle High School. Several federal, state and local elected officials are scheduled to join the students, including: Congressman Virgil Goode; State Senator Creigh Deeds; Delegates Mitch Van Yahres and Steve Landes; Albemarle County School Board members Diantha McKeel and Gary Grant; and Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sally Thomas.

The National Youth e-Congress was developed by the Youth Leadership Initiative at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. The two-month exercise places students in the role of a U.S. Representative and their job is to create and pass legislation their community.

Participating students from across the United States will research contemporary issues, draft original legislation, hold debates during committee sessions with students in other schools, and work to win a majority vote of their peers on the House Floor. Schools may elect to host a town hall meeting as a component of their research.

Students use innovative technology throughout the simulation to interact with their elected officials and to connect directly with other participating student legislators across the country.

During the 2002 session, more than 33,000 votes were cast on the House Floor, on 850 pieces of legislation. At the conclusion of the 2002 e-Congress only 11 bills received the support of a majority of student legislators. The 2003 National Youth e-Congress will adjourn March 15, 2003.

Saturday, December 14: Hear Rita Mae Brown read from her new book, Hotspur, at the New Dominon Book Shop at 2:30 p.m.