Lubbock Left

I saw Sarah Vowell speak at Texas Tech last night (she was fabulous!), and hot off the heels of that event comes another that I would like to attend:

Living Locally and Reducing Fossil Fuel While Still Living Like an American

On Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. the International Cultural Center (601 Indiana) will host a lecture and book-signing by Doug Fine, author of Farewell, My Subaru.

Fine, an N.P.R. contributor who has appeared on CNN and The Tonight Show, addresses mainstream Americans who want to do their part to protect the environment but find themselves strapped for time and puzzled about where to begin. Fine uses humor, not guilt, to let his audience realize that reducing one’s carbon footprint can be done one step at a time. The talk will be followed by an award ceremony during which the first G.r.e.e.n. (Grass Roots Efforts to Ecologize Neighborhoods) Award will be presented to Debbie Zak for her recycling efforts at North Ridge elementary school.

(emphasis mine)

Doug Fine’s website is worth a visit as well, especially his short film about the Farewell, My Subaru concept.

Is it possible for every American to live off-grid as Doug does? Probably not. Is it possible for every American to live locally and reduce our carbon footprint — without sacrificing most of our amenities?

Absolutely yes.

Just a reminder to all my readers that there’s a public meeting to discuss building a new animal shelter coming up on Thursday night:

What: Meeting on the proposed animal shelter.

When and Where: Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 at the Groves Library, 5520
19th Street.

Speakers: Tom Adams, Deputy City Manager in charge of Animal Services
Todd Klein, City Councilman
Cile Redus, Humane Society representative to the Animal Services
Advisory Board

All are welcome. The more people that show up, the more the City Council and others will see that many, many voters care about the lack of progress on a new shelter.

Don’t forget that this Tuesday and Wednesday the Ogallala Commons conference about sustainable, regional food planning is taking place:

20th Annual Southern Plains Conference & Soiree
“Eat, Drink, and Be Merry…Re-Building Local Food Systems”

Tuesday - Wednesday, February 24 & 25, 2009
International Cultural Center
at Texas Tech University
4th & Indiana Lubbock, Texas

I hope to attend at least the opening lecture on Tuesday night.

Also, on Wednesday Feb 25 at 7pm, Lubbock Democracy for America will screen “The Power of Song,” a film about the life of folk hero and political activist Pete Seeger. Here are the details:

Type: Social Event
Event Date: Feb 25, 2009
Event Time: 7:00 PM CST (8:00 PM EST)
Venue Name: Lubbock County Democratic Party HQ
Address: 2809A 74th St
City: Lubbock
State: TX
Zip Code: 79414
Phone: 806-749-8683
Website: lubbockdemocrats.org
Hosted by: Lubbock Democracy for America

Lastly, check out this well-made video explanation of the credit crisis that a friend recommended to me:

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

This stick figure presentation still remains my favorite explanation of our current economic mess, but the above video is pretty good too.

It’s time for round 2 of “Coffee for Progressives.”

If you want to hang out, talk progressive politics, and maybe meet some of your fellow blog commentators, then swing by Sugar Brown’s Coffee (4818 50th Street) this Tuesday, February 10th at 5:30pm. We will kick back from the workday and enjoy some great coffee and company.

See you there!

Just wanted to report back about the two events I attended this week. Last night’s speech by Carl Coon, former US Ambassador to Nepal, was a pleasant reflection on the promise of US diplomacy hinted at in Obama’s inauguration speech. The question-and-answer section was lively, and he had some great stories of his time serving our country overseas.

Wednesday night’s screening of “Car of the Future” was excellent as well. This episode of Nova is the most concise explanation of where we stand now with car+fuel technology and where we could go in the next few years. The NPR Car Talk guys cover it all: hybrids, ethanol, fuel cells, plug-ins, engine efficiency, ultralights, and plenty of wisecracking humor to wash it all down.

The best part is that you can watch the whole thing online for free. Give it a look and I guarantee that you will find some aspect of green automotive technology to get excited about.

Two neat things going on this week for the politically-minded:

Lubbock DFA is screening “Car of the Future: Engineering for the Environment”
Wednesday night at 7pm at Mahon Library (downtown)

This episode of Nova features the brothers who host NPR’s “Car Talk” as they search for a new dream car among the latest green/hybrid technology offerings.

America in the World: Which Way?
Thursday night at 8pm at the TTU International Cultural Center

Carl Coon, former U.S diplomat and ambassador to Nepal, will speak on how foreign policy should proceed in the post-George Bush Era. Coon is the author of “One Planet, One People: Beyond Us vs. Them.”

This is the third annual Dorothy McLarty Arts & Lecture Series. The previous two were amazing events, so I expect that this one will be well worth your time also.

Inauguration Day is finally here! Eight nightmare years of Bush are ending and we have a chance to turn our country in a positive direction.

It’s time to cut loose!

So, how will you celebrate? There’s a great email going around about ringing a bell on Inauguration Day. I think I will do that while I am at the Lubbock Juneteenth Committee’s Inaugural Ball tonight:

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Civic Center Ballroom
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Cash Bar - beginning at 6:00 PM
Attire - Formal/After Five
Tickets Available at Democratic Headquarters:
2809 74th Street from 1:00-5:00 PM, M-F
$25/person - $40/couple

edit: Democratic HQ may be closed today for renovations. Tickets are also available at Caviels Pharmacy, Kings Cash and First Class Tuxedos. (Thanks, apopheniac!)

Other than that I will try to catch the actual swearing-in ceremony on TV or online.

What about you?

Want to hang out with a bunch of Lubbock progressives to unwind and talk politics? Lubbock Democracy for America is starting a monthly casual coffee get-together called Coffee for Progressives. They will take place every second Tuesday. The kick-off coffee is tomorrow (Tuesday) at Sugar Brown’s Coffee:

Type: Social Event
Event Date: Jan 13, 2009
Event Time: 5:30 PM
Venue Name: Sugar Brown’s Coffee
Address: 4818 50th
City: Lubbock
State: TX
Zip Code: 79414
Phone: (806) 687-4951‎
Website: myspace.com/sugarbrownscoffee
Hosted by: Lubbock Democracy for America

See you there!

The Lubbock Juneteenth Committee is putting together an amazing event for Barack Obama’s Inauguration:

Inaugural Ball
January 20, 7-11 pm.
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Tickets are $25, or $40 for couples. People can call Lubbock County Democratic Party HQ at 749-8683 (749-VOTE) throughout this week and from January 5th onward to reserve tickets.

A detail-rich flyer for the event (pdf) is available.

Spread the word! Let’s make this a memorable evening.