Winter Film Series - Community, Connection and Sustainability
Concerned about the environment and climate change?
Looking for ways to make a positive, sustainable change for people and the planet?
Join us for a Friday evening film series that focuses on hopeful and positive solutions to problems affecting our world.
No charge for this event. For directions, click here.
more >>>
What's in the News?
For Students At Risk, Early College Provides A Draw
Until recently, most programs like this were aimed at affluent, overachieving students — a way to keep them challenged and give them a head start on college work. But the goal is quite different at SandHoke, which enrolls only students whose parents do not have college degrees. Read more here...
New York Times
Take a stand against the Supreme Court ruling on corporate campaign spending
Last week, the Supreme Court delivered a highly charged ruling around the issue of campaign finance, voting 5-4 that the ban on corporate spending for political campaigns be lifted. Coverage of this issue can be found at the New York Times here and here. President Obama has been outspoken on the issue, calling it “a huge victory to the special interests and their lobbyists.”
Let your representatives know you oppose the idea of allowing special interests to pour money into elections by signing this petition, which urges members of Congress to take a stand against corporate special interests.
Help for Haiti
The President has been receiving updates on the urgent situation in Haiti late into last night and throughout the day, and top members of his team have been convening to formulate the government response.
You can help immediately by donating to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online to the Red Cross, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999." Find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information.
Families of Americans living in Haiti are encouraged to contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.
Excerpt from President Obama's press conference about Haiti:
"Finally, let me just say that this is a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share. With just a few hundred miles of ocean between us and a long history that binds us together, Haitians are neighbors of the Americas and here at home. So we have to be there for them in their hour of need.
Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I would encourage those Americans who want to support the urgent humanitarian efforts to go to whitehouse.gov where you can learn how to contribute. We must be prepared for difficult hours and days ahead as we learn about the scope of the tragedy. We will keep the victims and their families in our prayers. We will be resolute in our response, and I pledge to the people of Haiti that you will have a friend and partner in the United States of America today and going forward."
Click here for President Obama's Press Conference on Haiti.
Prop 15, Fair Elections Kick-off
Passion-Raiser for Prop 15
FAIR ELECTIONS
...for elections that money can't buy!
Assembly Members Jerry Hill (AD19), Ira Ruskin (AD 21)
Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (ret.)
San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon
Trent Lange Chair, Californians for Fair Elections
Senator Leland Yee (SD 8)
Saturday, February 6 4:00 to 6:00pm
St. Bartholomew Church Auditorium
600 Columbia Drive, San Mateo
(near Alameda de las Pulgas and Crystal Springs Rd.)
Enjoy wine, cheese, and fair-trade chocolate
Get informed and passionate about how Fair Elections can take politicians out of the fundraising game to focus on our priorities
Join the coalition to campaign for the California Fair Elections Act on the June 2010 ballot, Proposition 15!
Sponsors: California Clean Money Campaign, California Common Cause, California Nurses Association, League of Women Voters of South San Mateo Co., League of Women Voters of North and Central San Mateo Co., San Mateo Co. Democracy for America, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Coastside Democrats, Mid-Pen Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Pacifica Democrats, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City Social Action Committee, San Mateo Co. Peace Action, Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo Social Justice Council, Board of Directors of the Humanist Community of Silicon Valley, Green Party of San Mateo Co., North Peninsula ACLU, Mid-Pen insula and Santa Clara Co. Chapters of Health Care for All
Learn more or donate: www.YesFairElections.org
Californians for Fair Elections, a coalition of nurses and government reform advocates.
3916 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 109 • Culver City, CA 90230 • 800.566.3780 • Fax: 888.633.8898 (Printed in-house)
RSVP: www.YesFairElections.org/events or 650.367.9183
A renewed call to action
Obama's First Year: It Ain't No Crystal Staircase
Obama will increasingly have to choose - whether to hold to his vision and raise the stakes, or compromise his vision to cut the deal. And those of us whom he has inspired also have to choose. Whether to sit back and hope he does the right thing against the odds, growing cynical when he fails our expectations, or to stand up, mobilize, challenge the Congress and the President to get on with the change we need. The first year is but the opening scene. We should still have the audacity to hope, and the commitment to act. Read the article here.
Request for tech help - Drupal
We have a critical need for people with experience in building and maintaining web sites. Our site is built using PHP and the Drupal content management system. We're looking for people who are familiar with these systems, as well as those who are willing to learn. Please contact Dan Carnese (dcarnese@svanetwork.org) for more information or to volunteer. Thanks!
"Silicon Valley For Obama" changed to "Silicon Valley Action Network"
We've changed the name of our site to reflect the name of our new organization. So "Silicon Valley For Obama" is now "Silicon Valley Action Network". more >>>
Understanding the financial crisis
Need help understanding the financial crisis? Lisa Altieri has researched and written an excellent explanation of the crisis, available for download below.
The document offers a detailed explanation of the behaviors and circumstances that led to our current economic situation, with a goal of making an understanding of the crisis accessible to as many people as possible. As new information about the crisis is continually emerging, any feedback or input is welcome.
Click here to get the file.
Welcome!
We are on the move! Please join us as we follow President Obama's lead and collectively examine issues, clarify options, advocate positions and engage in our community.
There is much to see and learn on this web site, and many opportunities for you to become a part of the interchange and outreach!
