Thursday, January 7: 6:00 p.m. Rally in Richmond for the restoration of voting rights to encourage Governor Kaine to issue a blanket restoration by executive order before the end of his administration. Click here for more information To RSVP http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=229167370847

Virginia Constitution: Article V Section 12. Executive clemency.

The Governor shall have power to remit fines and penalties under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by law; to grant reprieves and pardons after conviction except when the prosecution has been carried on by the House of Delegates; to remove political disabilities consequent upon conviction for offenses committed prior or subsequent to the adoption of this Constitution; and to commute capital punishment.

He shall communicate to the General Assembly, at each regular session, particulars of every case of fine or penalty remitted, of reprieve or pardon granted, and of punishment commuted, with his reasons for remitting, granting, or commuting the same.

Friday, January 8: 5:00 p.m. Fundraiser for Laurence Verga, candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress in the Fifth District featuring Joseph 'Joe the Plumber' Wurzelbacher. At Arch's Frozen Yogurt on Emmett Street just north of Barracks Road, Charlottesville. Suggested contribution $25 (signed photo with Wurzelbacher $50).

Saturday, January 9: Noon. An assembled caucus (mass meeting) will be held in the Fluvanna County Library, for the purpose of electing members of the Fluvanna Democratic Committee. Doors to the caucus will open at 11:00 a.m. for check-in. Any person wishing to participate in the caucus shall sign a declaration form stating that he or she is a Democrat, believes in the principles of the Democratic Party, does not intend to support any candidate who is opposed to a Democratic nominee in the ensuing general election, and is a registered voter in Fluvanna County. Declaration forms must be filled out at the caucus prior to 11:45 a.m. No one may complete a declaration form or participate in the caucus after that time with the exception of persons already in line. For further information, contact the Party Co-Chairs Dick Koepsell (434) 296 9333 or Dave Sagarin (434) 842 3287or visit the website: www.fluvannademocrats.org. Election of officers for the coming two years will follow immediately after.

Monday, January 11: 6:30 p.m. Del. Toscano Town Hall at the Charlottesville Central Library McIntire Room, 201 E. Market Street. Light refreshments will be provided.

David will answer your questions about the budget and other legislative issues in the upcoming session and asks for input about your priorities and concerns.

If you cannot attend the town hall you can take a constituent survey by going to the website, www.davidtoscano.com and clicking on the "Your Opinion Counts" link in the News and Events section, or by clicking here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y7M6CHH.

Monday, January 11: Deadline for nominations for the Reed Environmental Writing Award from the Southern Environmental Law Center. See http://www.southernenvironment.org/newsroom/philreed/ The award will be presented at a luncheon during the Festival of the Book in March.

Tuesday, January 12: 7:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m. Left of Center and cvillenews.com sponsor a presentation and discussion, Is Charlottesville Media Doomed? At: Rapture restaurant, Downtown Mall, Charlottesville.

Will the Daily Progress be downsized further? Can we support four TV stations? Two weeklies? Will blogs replace all of them? What about the partnership between the non-profit Charlottesville Tomorrow and the Daily Progress, being watched nationally as a possible future model for local news?

University of Virginia media studies professor Bruce Williams will give a historical overview of how changing "media regimes" in the U.S. have impacted political communication and civil society, and how the recent 'broadcast era' may have been an anomaly in the larger sweep of American history.

Then a panel with Charlottesville Tomorrow’s Sean Tubbs, Daily Progress assistant city editor Josh Barney, and Hook editor Hawes Spencer, in a discussion moderated by local blogger Waldo Jaquith. .

Left of Center is age-centered but not age-exclusive. We gather monthly to discuss and get involved with local issues and politics. Find us on Facebook or at www.leftofcentercville.org.

Contact: Brevy Cannon brevy@yahoo.com or 256-599-1449 (mobile)

Thursday, January 14: 7:00 p.m. (permanent change from previous 7:30 meeting time). Regular monthly meeting of the Monticello Bird Club. “An Appreciation of Bird Song”: All those tweets and twitters--what are birds saying to each other? Expert Wil Hershberger reveals some of our local birds’ communication secrets when he presents a seasonal journey through the cycle of bird song in our area. An opportunity to not only see beautiful bird photos but to hear their calls and songs as well. Education Building, Ivy Creek Natural Area, Earlysville Road, Charlottesville. Always free. Beginners always welcome.

Further information Patricia Wilczek: 985-4444; Stauffer Miller: 296-5505; Ellen Dudley: 244-2688 or www.monticellobirdclub.org

Friday, January 15: 11:00 a.m. Miller Center Forum: The Guardians of the Revolution: Iran's Approach to the World. Ray Takeyh, Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations. A book signing will follow the presentation. Further info, schedule of other events, directions on the website http://www.millercenter.org

Saturday, January 16: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Regular monthly Albemarle/Charlottesville Democratic Breakfast. Matt Oberhoffner of the Truman National Security Project http://www.trumanproject.org/ on how climate change threatens security, and how progressives can take back the national security debate.

At JABA. 674 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville (behind Fashion Square and adjacent to the Marriott Suites. The event is free, a light breakfast is provided, and the general public is warmly invited. A hat will be passed, to offset the modest costs of the room and food.

Friday, January 22: 5:30 p.m. Miller Center Forum: The Change Manifesto: Join the Block-by-Block Movement to Remake America. John W. Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute. A book signing will follow the presentation. Further info, schedule of other events, directions on the website http://www.millercenter.org

Friday, January 22: 7:00 p.m. Fifth District Republican Candidates' Debate sponsored by the Jefferson TEA Party. At Lane Auditorium.

Monday, January 25: 11:00 a.m. Miller Center Forum: Interesting Times: Writings from a Turbulent Decade. George Packer. A book signing will follow the presentation. Further info, schedule of other events, directions on the website http://www.millercenter.org

Thursday, January 28 - Saturday, January 30: 50 Years after the Sit-Ins: Reflecting on the role of protests in social movements and law reform. Center for the Study of Race and Law, UVa Law School. Details, schedule, registration.

Thursday, January 28: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Doug Campbell will sing and strum some of your favorite rock and folk songs from the '60s and '70s, at C’ville Coffee (just south of the Rte 250 Bypass off McIntire Rd).. No cover charge.

Friday, January 29: 11:00 a.m. Miller Center Forum: Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security from World War II to the War on Terrorism. Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton. A book signing will follow the presentation. Further info, schedule of other events, directions on the website http://www.millercenter.org

Saturday, January 30: TInsley dinner rescheduled -- see Friday, February 19th.