Friday, June 2: 12:30 pm Al Weed and Jim Webb press conference and "meet and greet" at Miller's on Charlottesville’s downtown Mall (109 W. Main Street).

Saturday, June 3: 8:30 am - 2:00 pm. Rivanna Trails celebrates National Trails Day by creating a network of new hiking trails within the forest of McIntire Park. There will be special places for escaping city noise, loops for exercise, connections to existing trail segments on Melbourne and Hydraulic Roads, and more! The trails will make accessible a true natural resource jewel -- wildflowers, birds, and high forest canopy -- right in the center of our city.

Park in CHS’s lot near the tennis courts. Free lunch and many prizes. Specifics on our website: www.rivannatrails.org.

Saturday, June 3: 4:00 pm Louisa County Democratic Rally featuring U.S. Senate hopefuls Harris Miller and Jim Webb. The Betty Queen Intergenerational Center, 522 Industrial Drive off Rte. 22 between Louisa and Mineral (Industrial Airpark, Louisa, VA 23093). For additional information please call Chris Lloyd, 540-967-2828

Tuesday, June 6: 7:00 pm Left of Center on the Environment, Baja Bean on the corner. We’ll discuss how environmental issues – global warming, habitat destruction and water quality – are being addressed in the Charlottesville/Albemarle community. Panelists include: Chad Freckmann, Blue Ridge Clean Fuels (a leader in the development of biofuels); John Cruickshank, Peidmont Group of the Sierra Club; Nick Hiza, Greenlight Energy (a national wind energy company); Jonathan Blank, McGuire Woods LLP.

This is a free event. Questions? Contact us at leftofcentercville@gmail.com or 466-9610. Or check our our website at www.leftofcentercville.org.

Friday, June 9: 6-8 p.m Second Fridays at Rapture on the downtown mall We'll have a discussion of the Webb-Miller race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. $6 (a bargain!) for food, cash bar. Everyone is welcome.

Friday, June 9: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Public Housing Association of Residents, Legal Aid Justice Center, Virginia Organizing Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition, Quality Community Council & Virginia Poverty Law Center Present “Save Our Housing, Save Our Homes” A Statewide Conference for Residents & Advocates of Low-Income Housing First Baptist Church, 735 Park Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 Free Registration, free lunch and free parking. Information and registration at www.phar.typepad.com or call (434) 984-3255. Printable pre registration form.

Saturday, June 10: 1:00 - 6:00 pm The Festival of Humanity Mint Springs Park, near Crozet a gathering to respect and celebrate diverse cultures and spiritual traditions with the intent of uplifting human consciousness. Activities include a sound healing circle, heart-centered meditations, a drum circle to celebrate "The Hearbeat of a New Enlightened World", and an opening ceremony featuring Ambassadors of Peace representing countries and cultures from around the world. Children are welcome and there will be entertainment and activities especially for them.

Events will occur from 1 - 4 pm, followed by a meal featuring ethnic cuisine. We welcome bringing your own ethnic dish to share. Please feel free to wear ethnic dress to represent a culture. Info Tim Grubbs (434) 249-0741, timgrubbs@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 13: Primary Elections in Virginia. Democrats will select a nominee to run against George Allen for the U.S. Senate.

Wednesday, June 14: Flag Day. Help Turn This

Into This

at the First Amendment Monument

The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression invites you to celebrate Flag Day at the First Amendment Monument on the downtown mall. In the morning, Tobey Wilbur and Sophie Keady, rising seniors at Charlottesville High School, will draw a chalk outline of the U.S. Flag on the entire side of the monument's 42 foot long chalkboard. Throughout the rest of the day, the public will be invited to fill the outline with the flag's colors until complete. Anybody may participate. Just come by the monument and pick up a piece of chalk. For more information, contact the Thomas Jefferson Center at 434-295-4784..[Event postponed to Friday, June 16, due to weather]

Wednesday, June 14: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm at the Senior Center in Pepsi Place, the Senior Statesmen of Virginia and The Senior Center will co-sponsor a program bringing James E. "Jim" Utterback, Jr., Charlottesville Resident Engineer of the Virginia Department of Transportation. His topic is "Road Projects in Charlottesville, Albemarle and Greene Counties."

Thursday, June 15: 7:00 pm Quarterly meeting of the Charlottesville Democratic Committee, Buford Middle School Cafeteria (Cherry Ave.)

The JFK Service Club will be collecting items for the International Rescue Committee The IRC is a non-profit agency whose mission is to help refugees around the world. Charlottesville is one of at least 15 cities in the U.S. with an active IRC organization. The IRC helps refugees in our community find housing, employment, & education for their children, as well as regain their dignity and self-reliance.

Please help the JFK Club and the IRC by bringing the following (new) items to Thursday's meeting:

Backpacks
School Supplies
Blankets
Winter scarves
Winter Gloves

Friday, June 16: 11:00 am. Miller Center Forum, Treating Sex Differences Seriously. Steven Rhoads discusses his new book. A book signing will follow. Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Saturday, June 17: 8:30 am walk on the beautiful Rivanna Trail! QCC WALKS! Riverview Park (2 miles) Celebrity Walker: Diana Foster, Rivanna Trails Foundation

Prizes for all walkers age 13 and under. More information—977-3045.

Saturday, June 17: 9:30 am. Regular monthly Charlottesville / Albemarle Democratic Breakfast. Report of the Ward / At Large Study Group for the election of future members of the Charlottesville School Board. And possibly, some discussion of the recent Primary Election and a look ahead at the Webb and Weed campaigns.

The event is free, a light breakfast is offered, and the public is warmly invited. At JABA, 674 Hillsdale Drive, (behind Fashion Square and next to the Marriott Courtyard). Info: (434) 971-8082 or george@loper.org

Saturday, June 17: 12:00 noon Rivanna River Regatta, Concert & Fish Fry to benefit the Rivanna Conservation Society. Darden Towe Park, Riverview Park and RiverBluff. (434) 434-971-1553 or Evite for schedule of events, etc.

Saturday, June 17: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Piedmont Virginia Community College will host the Fifth Annual Community Juneteenth Celebration in and around the V. Earl Dickinson Building. Dating back to 1865, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Throughout recent years, Juneteenth has continued to enjoy a growing and healthy interest from communities and organizations across The Nation. Juneteenth today celebrates African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. For more information contact Tamyra Turner at (434)961-5372.

Tuesday, June 20: 4: pm Julian Taliaferro & Dave Norris will be sworn in as City Councilors on the steps of Circuit Court on E. High St. All are welcome to witness & celebrate this historic event.

Friday, June 23: 11:00 am Miller Center Forum, Ron Suskind discusses his new (as yet untitled) book about the Conduct of the War on Terror. A book signing will follow. Information/Directions http://www.millercenter.org

Friday, June 23: 6:00 pm. Please join the Honorary Chair of "Women for Weed," former Congresswoman and Lt. Governor Candidate The Honorable Leslie Byrne at a reception for 5th District Democratic Congressional Candidate Al Weed, at the home of Laura and Hasty Horn, 1720 Chopin Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia (about 30 minutes southwest of town). Men and women are invited. Tickets: $150 Supporter $250 Friend Couple; $500 Sponsor Couple; $750 Patron Couple; $1000 Co-Host Couple. To RSVP and for directions, contact: Anna Scholl ascholl@alweedforcongress.com 434-220-2434.

Saturday, June 24: 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Fluvanna County Democratic Strawberry Social at Glen Burnie on Rte 15 near Palmyra. Senate Candidate Jim Webb, Congressional Candidate Al Weed; 58th District House Candidate Steve Koleszar. Fluvanna Democrats website for further information, driving directions (about 30 minutes from Free Bridge).

Saturday, June 24: 2:00 Lee Park, Charlottesville. Democratic Party Unity Rally. Senate candidate Jim Webb will be joined by Harris Miller, nine Congressional candidates, and party notables.