Reminder: No Charlottesville / Albemarle Democratic Breakfast in December.

Thursday, December 1: Eighth Annual American Democracy Conference at the Hotel Washington, 515 15th Street NW, Washington DC. The event is sponsored by the University of Virginia Center for Politics. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Contact Holly Hatcher, cfpevents@virginia.edu, (434) 243 3539.

Thursday, December 1: 4:00 pm Bill Fletcher, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer - TransAfrica Forum, will speak on "Class, Race, Politics, and the Future of the Labor Movement" in the Commonwealth Room Newcomb Hall, University of Virginia. Sponsored by The Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies, the Corcoran Department of History, the Department of Religious Studies and the Office of African American Affairs. Further information: Corey D. B. Walker, cdbwalker@virginia.edu.

Thursday, December 1: 5:30 pm Ron Bailey will discuss his controversial book, Liberation Biology: The Scientific and Moral Case for the Biotech Revolution on the mezzanine at the New Dominion Bookshop, 404 East Main Street on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville. Further information Dianne Gilliland (434) 295 2552, ndb@cstone.net

Friday, December 2: 10:30 am, (Special Time) Miller Center Forum Report from Iraq New Yorker magazine writer George Packer. Book signing follows. Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Friday, December 2: Noon. Rally to protest the firing by UVa of Dena Bowers. In front of Madison Hall, University of Virginia. Info Jan Cornell, SUUVA, 984 3362, SUUVACWA@aol.com.

Join the Staff Union at UVA, the Communications Workers of America, staff, students, faculty and local community leaders to show support for Dena Bowers. Dena?s termination from UVA is in violation of her constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression. Please join us to show support for Dena and for all of our rights to freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of expression. Let John Casteen know that the treatment of this employee will not be tolerated by the Charlottesville community.

Saturday, December 3: Dave Hogg of the Monticello Bird Club will look for winter residents on this early morning bird walk at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. Meet in the parking lot. Beginners welcome.

Saturday, December 3: Bern Ewert will announce his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives 5th District seat at 9 a.m. at Central Place on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Saturday, December 3: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Showing and Sale of Jewelry by Joan M. Gulotta. 100% of proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Justice Center. 1000 Preston Ave. Further information: Elizabeth Arledge 434-977-0553, ext. 101

Monday, December 5: Area legislators will be on hand to meet with constituents and discuss issues regarding aging at a legislative forum on Monday, Dec. 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Rotunda room at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.

As of Dec. 2, Dels. R. Steven Landes (25th District), and Frank M. Ruff, Jr., (15th District), along with Del.-elect David Toscano (57th District) had confirmed that they will attend. In addition, Fifth District U. S. Congressman Virgil Goode also plans to attend provided that the U.S. House of Representatives schedule permits.

Also invited are: Sens. R. Creigh Deeds, (25th District); Emmett W. Hangar, Jr., (24th District); R. Edward Houck, (17th District), as well as Dels. Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr., (59th District); Robert B. Bell, (58th District); and W. R. "Bill" Janis, (56th District.)

The forum is being jointly sponsored by the Jefferson Area Board for Aging, the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and the Community Partnership for Improved Long Term Care, and is open to the public.

Westminster Canterbury is located at 250 Pantops Mountain Road near Charlottesville. Parking will be limited and car pooling is encouraged.

Link to jlarc report: http://jlarc.state.va.us/Reports/Rpt324.pdf

Wednesday, December 7: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm LWVA Legislative Roundtable in Richmond Advance registration required, contact Laura Wimmer (804) 262 7905.

Thursday, December 8: 11:00 am Miller Center Forum Stephanie Coontz of the Council on Contemporary Families speaks on Marriage: A History Book signing follows.Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Friday, December 9: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m Democrats' "Second Fridays" at Rapture on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. $6 for delicious hor d'oevres and cash bar. A slight change; we will gather in the BACK ROOM instead of upstairs. Info: Cheryl Oliver, Democrats of Albemarle and Charlottesville (434) 296-1865.

Friday, December 9: 11:00 am Miller Center Forum Diplomatic Efforts to Stop the Proliferation of WMD and their Means of Delivery. Ambassador Robert Joseph, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and Inernational Security. Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Saturday, December 10: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm Public Policy Virginia is hosting an Educational Forum on Biofuels in Danville at Averett University (Bishop Conference Center, 304 Bishop Hall). Panelists include

• Tom Whipple, columnist for the Falls Church News Press on peak oil and energy issues.
• Chad Freckmann, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Clean Fuels and organizer of the quarterly VA Biofuels Forum who will discuss biodiesel.
• Dr. Don Wells, a scientist with a keen interest in energy issues who will discuss the technologies of converting biomass to bioenergy.
• Al Weed, Chairman of PPV who will discuss the potential economic impact to southern VA of biofuels production as well as touch on issues such as the environmental impact of biofuels and national security issues.
• Mitch King, President and GM of Old Mill Power Company, will focus on a value-added power plant in Southside that could produce energy from biomass, how to get one started, where to find funding, and state legislation related to alternative energies.
• Dr. David Bransby, a researcher at Auburn University, who will focus on switchgrass as a potential energy crop. How to grow it, potential yields, prices, etc.

Inormation / Directions: David Barish: (434) 220-0732 dbarish@ppvir.org

Saturday, December 10: 6:00 pm until midnight Arts for Peace Community Gala - at the Greek Orthodox Church, 100 Perry Drive in Charlottesville. All proceeds will go to benefit the work of the CCPJ. Planned events for the evening include:

* A live auction of goods and services including works by well known Charlottesville artists
* A silent auction
* Local arts and craft vendors selling a variety of non- corporate gifts
* Dancing to the fabulous music of Corey Harris with band members Darrell Rose, John Gilmore, and Huston Ross
* Available for purchase will be a gourmet Latin style dinner, homemade desserts, and beer and wine.

Admission charge is $10.00 Further information on the website http://www.charlottesvillepeace.org

Tuesday, December 13: 11:00 am Miller Center Forum Responding to the Threat of a Pandemic Influenzary. Frederick G. Hayden, MD. Prof. of Clinical Virology at the UVa School of Medecine. Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Thursday, December 15: 7:30 pm. ASAP (Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population) monthly meeting. The topic: Examining the Proposed Ruckersville Parkway. Westminster Presbyterian Church library (Rugby Road) Charlottesville.

Speakers: Mitch van Yahres (retiring Delegate for the 57th District of the VA House of Delegates), and Bern Ewert (President of his own firm consulting on in-fill development projects, and former city/county manager for several localities including Charlottesville [Deputy City Manager 1971-76])

Friday, December 16: 11:00 am Miller Center Forum Supreme Court Report. Jan Crawford Greeburg of the Chicago Tribune and the NewsHour With Jim Lehrer. Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Saturday, December 31: 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free expression will provide markers for people to write their resolutions on a reserved section of the First Amendment Monument located on the east end of the downtown mall.