Tuesday, June 2: 7:00 p.m. left of center on Sustaining the Local Food Movement, at Rapture Restaurant on the Downtown Mall.

Is the local food movement a passing fad for the wealthy, or is it possible that it can permanently alter how we ALL eat, work, and live? How do we expand it beyond weekly sales in parking lots to something accessible to—and affordable by—everybody? Kate Collier, an owner of Feast! and Founding Director of the Local Food Hub, and Melissa Wiley, Director of the Piedmont Environmental Council's Buy Fresh Buy Local program, will speak about the direction that the movement needs to take in order to overcome these hurdles.

Drinks available and light fare provided. Left of Center wishes to note that although their stated purpose is to involve younger progressives, older folk of all stripes are very welcome at their events.

Wednesday, June 3: 1:00 p.m. Rutherford Institute Summer Speaker Series. Are Hate Crime Laws a Good Idea? John Beckett. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged, by telephone at (434) 978 3888. Further info www.rutherford.org

Monday, June 8: 9:00 a.m. Rutherford Institute Summer Speaker Series. How Do People Get the News, In This Day and Age? Cal Thomas. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged, by telephone at (434) 978 3888. Further info www.rutherford.org

Monday, June 8: 11:00 a.m. Miller Center Forum Better Safe than Sorry: The Ironies of Living With the Bomb Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Henry L. Stimpson Center. A book signing will follow the presentation. Further info www.millercenter.org

Tuesday, June 9: 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Democratic Primary Election. Selecting candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Wednesday, June 10: 9:00 a.m. Rutherford Institute Summer Speaker Series. Religious Freedom in Modern America Robert O'Neil. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged, by telephone at (434) 978 3888. Further info www.rutherford.org

Wednesday, June 10: 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Senior Statesmen Forum Health Insurance: The Problem, The Solution A panel discussion featuring David Shreve: former Professor of Economic History at UVA and The Miller Center of Public Affairs; Robert Graham: Director of Patient Billing, UVA Dept. of Ophthalmology; Donna Goings: Realtor and Consumer/Patient for Health Care Reform. At the Senior Center, Inc. 1180 Pepsi Place, Charlottesville. Free and Open to the Public. For more information call The Senior Center at 974-7756

Monday, June 15: 1:00 p.m. Rutherford Institute Summer Speaker Series. Life Before Life: What About Reincarnation? Dr. Jim Tucker. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged, by telephone at (434) 978 3888. Further info www.rutherford.org

Wednesday, June 17: 11:00 a.m. Miller Center Forum The Search for al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology and Future. Bruce Riedel, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. A book signing will follow the presentation. Further info www.millercenter.org

Thursday, June 18: 7:30 p.m. ASAP Open Meeting The Future of Albemarle Farmland. Carl Tinder, President of the Albemarle County Farm Bureau, Stephen Levine, on the ASAP Board of Directors. Ann Mallek, Albemarle County Supervisor, will serve as moderator. In the library of Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Rd. For more information, call 434-974-4582.

Friday, June 19: 5:30 p.m. Miller Center "BackStory" Radio program live taping. Looking for Work Through American History. Peter Onuf, Edward Ayers and Brian Balogh. Wine and cheese reception follows. Registration is required, at www.millercenter.org/forumreg or call Amber Lautiger (434) 982 7319.

Friday, June 19: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. History's Heroines: American Indian Women Yesterday and Today Sojourners United Church of Christ, 1017 Elliott Avenue, Charlottesville.

This discussion features Rozina George and Rose Ann Abrahamson (Lemhi Shoshone), relatives of Sacajawea, and Karenne Wood (Monacan), Director of the Virginia Indian Heritage Program, in a conversation about the ways American Indian women have been portrayed in our history. Focusing especially on Sacajawea and Pocahontas, the talk will illuminate misconceptions and offer fresh insights about these two pivotal figures. Free and open to the public. Further info Carolyn Cades or Karenne Wood (434) 924-3296.

Saturday, June 20: 9:30 a.m. Democratic Breakfast, JABA, 674 Hillsdale Drive. The featured speaker this month is Dave Shreve, County resident, PhD, Historical Economist, and an expert in the health care reform issues that are confronting Congress today. It should be a very interesting and informative discussion. A light breakfast is served and a voluntary donation will be requested.

Wednesday, June 24: 1:00 p.m. Rutherford Institute Summer Speaker Series. The Attack On Our Freedoms & What We Can Do About It. Nat Hentoff (via Telephone) Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged, by telephone at (434) 978 3888. Further info www.rutherford.org

Sunday, June 28: 3:00-6:00 p.m. Annual Charlottesville Democratic Party Picnic. In addition to our local nominees and candidates, we'll be joined by Del. Toscano, Rep. Tom Perriello and possibly a few other special guests! Booker T. Washington Park (under the pavilion by the pool)
Burgers, dogs, chicken, drinks provided - please bring a side dish if you are able.

Thursday, June 25 through Sunday, July 12: Much Ado About Nothing at the Hamner Theater (30 minutes west of Charlottesville), Thursday through Sunday each week with Saturday evening performances at Cardinal Point (June 27th, July 4th) and Mountain Cove Vineyard (July 11th). Further info http://www.hamnertheater.com/

Monday, June 29: 1:00 p.m. Rutherford Institute Summer Speaker Series. Congress, the News, and the Fate of the Republic: Perspectives from a Recovering Journalist. Jay Branegan. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged, by telephone at (434) 978 3888. Further info www.rutherford.org