Tuesday, May 1: 7:00 p.m. Left of Center on media and politics at the Starr Hill gallery space. Join University of Virginia Professor Paul Freedman for a discussion of the “state of the news media,” including questions of media ownership, media bias, campaign advertising, and the increasing lack of distinction between news and entertainment. This is not a lecture: come prepared to engage in a conversation about media and politics.

Wednesday, May 2: 6:09 a.m. The Full Flower Moon. Flowers are abundant everywhere. It is also known as the Full Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.

Friday, May 4: 5:30 pm Award-winning novelist and critic Ngugi wa Thiong'o reading "Globalization: Readings from Wizard of the Crow" Newcomb Hall Ballroom, free and the public is invited. Followed by a reception and book signing.

Kenyan teacher, novelist, essayist, and playwright, a journalist and political prisoner, Ngugi wa Thiong'o is the author of, among other works, Weep Not, Child (1964), Petals of Blood (1978) and Decolonizing the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature (1986).

Friday, May 4: 12:30 pm. Miller Center Colloquium: What's in a Region? Deciphering Red and Blue America. Nicole Mellow, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Williams College. Much attention has focused in recent years on the partisan fireworks of "red states" versus "blue states." While it's all well and good to focus on the play of regional politics on the national scene, what exactly is a region? More information at http://www.millercenter.org/

Sunday, May 6: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Fundraiser for Del. David Toscano at the home of Susan and L.F. Payne. Sponsored by the Women's Committee for Toscano, but men and women are welcome. Sponsorships available at all levels. Information / RSVP to Jenny Hogan, (434) 977-7977 or jmhogan@gmail.com.

Tuesday, May 8: 8:00 pm. Morality and National Power: A Conversation on Foreign Policy with Professor William F. May. New Albemarle County Office Building (5th Street Extended). The talk is open to the public and is being sponsored by our local Clergy and Laity United for Justice and Peace.

"Professor May will open the discussion with reflections on the nature of power and its use. Those in attendance will then discuss the major issues surrounding the subject, including when and how the nation should use its military and economic power against another state, what price we pay for using power, and how power might be morally used against us. We will make no attempt to limit the discussion beyond requiring normal civility and respect for all opinions and other speakers. See you there!"

Thursday, May 10: 11:00 am. Miller Center Forum American Theocracy: The Perils and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century. Noted Republican strategist and author Kevin Phillips. A book signing will follow the presentation. More information at http://www.millercenter.org/ These events are free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. Call (434) 924-7236 for information on how to support the Miller Center.

Thursday, May 10: 7:00 p.m.Conversations With the Candidates for Charlottesville City Council at Walker Upper Elementary School Media Center. Conversations to include: Quality of Life in Charlottesville: what do we want and how to manage the costs? Including living wages, cost of housing, cost of living, cost of government, health & safety. For more information on the candidates, visit our website at: www.cvilledems.org

Thursday, May 10: 7:30 p.m. Monticello Bird Club meeting in the Education Building, Ivy Creek Natural Area, Earlysville Road, Charlottesville. “Talent Night: Best Shots”: This is our annual event in which some of our expert birders--who are also excellent photographers—show their best photos and videos. Come for a great look at our local birds and also exciting species in far flung locales.

Also, students from Red Hill Elementary will report on their birding observations and knowledge gained from the Monticello Bird Club’s donation of feeders and seed to their school. And news about upcoming nearby spring bird walks—such as “Birding Before Work”-- and unusual local bird sightings, plus announcements about upcoming spring migration birding trips led by MBC experts.

Further information: Ellen Dudley: 244-2688, Pat Wilczek: 985-4444, Jenny Gaden: 293-6275.

Saturday, May 12: 10:00 - 11:30 am. Charlottesville School Board Candidate Interest Meeting, in the Quality Community Council Conference Room, 327 W. Main St. Suite 101 (Behind West Main Restaurant).

The purpose of this meeting is to encourage and support Charlottesville School Board candidates for the November 2007 election. The agenda will include:

" An Explanation of the Elected School Board process
" Strategies for Preparing and Running a Campaign
" Tips on Transitioning from Candidacy to Public Office

Speakers to include League members and current City School Board and City Council members. Please plan to attend and bring a friend!

Monday, May 14: Postal rate increase--the first ounce of first-class mail will now be $0.41, up from $0.39. You may purchase "forever" stamps for 41 cents, which will be appropriate for first class postage regardless of future rate increases.

Monday, May 14: 6:30 pm Registration, 7:00 pm Meeting. Albemarle County Caucus to select Democratic nominees for elected office in 2007. Old Albemarle County Office Building, McIntire Road.

Thursday, May 17: Norwegian Independence Day

Thursday, May 17: Golf Tournament at Spring Creek in Zion Crossroads to benefit the Special Olympics and the VADOC Employee Assistance Fund. Sponsored by the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. Further info, registration: Sgt. Sandy Horn (434) 984-3700.

Thursday, May 17: 7:30 pm. "Is A Steady State Economy in Our Community's Future?" will be the topic of the monthly meeting of Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population (ASAP) in the library of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Rd. Bob Fireovid, Ph.D., of the new D.C.-based group, "Citizens for a Steady State Economy," will address the connection between ASAP's commitment to a stationary population at an optimal sustainable level and the still-controversial notion of a steady state economy. What would be the likely economic effects of a stable population in Charlottesvile-Albemarle? What adaptations would be necessary to maintain a vigorous and healthy economy as population stabilized? Visit www.ASAPnow.org for details or contact 996-1545. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, May 19: 9:30 am. Regular monthly Charlottesville Albemarle Democratic Breakfast. This month features a forum for Democratic candidates in this region. Albemarle will have selected the Democrats to run for various offices, and will present these candidates. In Charlottesville, there are five candidates for the three seats up this year, and they will constitute a panel for a forum to be moderated by the Daily Progress Political Writer Bob Gibson.

At JABA, 674 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville (Behind Fashion Square and adjacent to the Marriott Suites Hotel) A light breakfast is offered, the event is free and the public is warmly invited.

Sunday, May 20: 3:00 pm Monthly UNA-USA Chapter meeting, Unitarian Universalist Church, Charlottesville. "America, China and the World" Guest Speaker: William Speidel, the first Director of the Peace Corps in China (1993-1999) and former Executive Director of the Hopkins-Nanjing Program at Johns Hopkins University, will talk about American interaction with China and the world. He will have just returned from a trip to China before his presentation.

Tuesday, May 22: 11:00 am. Miller Center Forum Something to Hide? The Uses and Abuses of Executive Privilege. Professor Mark J. Rozell. More information at http://www.millercenter.org/ These events are free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. Call (434) 924-7236 for information on how to support the Miller Center.

Tuesday, May 22: 5:00 pm et seq. League of Women Voters Annual Meeting. Member & Guest Social, 5:00 pm. Buffet Dinner 5:30. Guest Speaker 6:00. Annual Business Meeting 7:00. At the Social Hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville.

The speaker will be Jim Heilman: "Democracy Comes to Afghanistan." Jim has written and photographed for this website during his several sojourns in Afghanistan. Check the Index to Jim Heilman on the Loper Website for these pieces.

Dinner is $20/person. Email lwv@avenue.org or call 970 1707 by 3:30 pm May 17 to make reservations. Send your check to LWV at 1936 Arlington Blvd #116, 22903.

Tuesday, May 22: 7:00 p.m.Conversations With the Candidates for Charlottesville City Council at Buford Middle School Media Center. Conversations to include: Providing for the Next Generation: What do we want in our schools? What are the needs of our youth? What will Charlottesville look like in 5, 10, 15, 20 years? For more information on the candidates, visit our website at: www.cvilledems.org

Wednesday, May 23: 11:00 am. Miller Center Forum Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Presidency: What Does Iran Really Want? Prof Fariborz Mokhtari. More information at http://www.millercenter.org/ These events are free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. Call (434) 924-7236 for information on how to support the Miller Center.

Friday, May 25: 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Campaign fundraiser for Ann Huckle Mallek, Candidate for Supervisor in the White Hall District: Politics, Food , Music and the Virginia Reel. Meet Senator Creigh Deeds

At Starr Hill Brewery 5391 Three Notched Road in Crozet, featuring Big Jim's Famous Barbecue Dinner plus the music and dance calling of Ellen and Pete Vigour. Adult dinner $35 (2 - $60) Children under 12 , $8. Call 434 996 6159 to reserve your dinner or visit www.annmallekforsupervisor.com

Thursday, May 31: 5:00-7:00 pm Please join QCC for the groundbreaking of our Urban Farm in the Friendship Court field, thanks to a generous grant from the Blue Moon Fund! Our Special Guest Will Allen, of Growing Power in Milwaukee Wisconsin, is also facilitating a hands-on Workshop from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on May 31 in the Friendship Court Community Center for residents and those interested in helping to create the farm. Reservations are required (977-3045 or Shirley@cvilleqcc.com ) for the Workshop, and space is limited. All are welcome to the Groundbreaking Celebration, and no reservations are needed. Feel free to bring your favorite veggie dish to share!

Thursday, May 31: 7:00-8:30 pm Debate on Local Growth at the Senior Center (1180 Pepsi Place).

Answering questions from the moderator (Morey Sahr) and from the audience will be a diverse panel:

John ("Butch") Davies, retired Delegate to the Virginia Assembly, now member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board
Steven Blaine, attorney at the firm of LeClair Ryan representing (among others) local developers, and Board member of the C'ville Chamber of Commerce
Frank Cox, builder/developer and President of The Cox Company
Morgan Butler, environmental lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center
Jack Marshall, President of ASAP

Thursday, May 31: 9:04 p.m. The Blue Moon. The second full Moon occurring within a calendar month is usually bestowed this title. (It is likely that the earlier meaning, from which this was derived, was four full moons in a season--91 days) Although the name suggests that to have two Full Moons in a single month is a rather rare occurrence (happening “just once in a . . . “), it actually occurs about every three years on average.