Ad Eternum & Some Brief Bits

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Just a couple bits of info to mention -

1) Mensch71 is hosting her annual East Lansing Art Festival Scavenger Hunt again this year, and rest assured, everyone's going to have a blast. No, you don't have to buy anything, but you need to bring your digital camera, as it's a photo scavenger hunt. Some of the things you get points for -

• Kid on a leash. Bonus points for one parent/guardian with two or more kids on leashes.
• Metal sculpture of something that can be riden (i.e. bicycle, Harley, large dog).
• Wind chimes made out of silverware.
• Best picture of a female based on the theme, "You should COVER that"
• Best picture of a male based on the theme, "You should COVER that"
• Person wearing either a tuxedo t-shirt or a tiara. Bonus points if two people so adorned are together; extra bonus if one person is wearing both.

Oh yeah, it's definitely going to be a good one. If you're in the area and looking for a good time, head over to People Are Strange for the full scoop.

2) Drinking Liberally is having our monthly meeting Thursday at 7pm at Reno's East. Hope you'll drop by for a fun time, good spirits, and great people! Visit the Lansing Drinking Liberally Blog for more info.

3) I was sad to hear about one of my more-recent discoveries of favorite local eateries went up in smoke today. Lazeez was a fantastic Middle Eastern-Indian restaurant right over on Grand River just west of Frandor. I had just picked up dinner from there on Monday night. Their Chicken Tikka Masala was awesome, I've still got the leftovers in the fridge to prove it.

4) Bob Barker's stepping down. :-( Okay, yes, the man couldn't have possibly gone on another 35 years on The Price is Right, but gosh, who among us didn't grow up on that show at some point? Both my grandmothers loved that show, and I always thought I could play Plinko and really win a car. Here's to Bob, and always making sure your pets are spayed and neutered.

(Photo - ad eternum Originally uploaded by postpurchase)

Cruise Director Report: (Finally!) Back on the Tubes

Oy vey, what a week!

I'm pleased to announce that I'm typing from the new HQ of LucyLand, located in the heart of beautiful downtown Lansing. The move went well, albeit hot, humid, and lots of sore muscles later. Many thanks to all of the friends and Sister Dearest for their help.

Before the move, I spent several days down in Cereal City working on a very important Kellogg Community College Board of Trustee's race. I can say without doubt that the most exciting local race I've ever worked on, and just continued to prove what a real impact local races really have on a community. A hearty congrats to the new trustees, Reba Harrington and Jon Byrd, and returning trustee Brian Hice. A special congrats to the man behind the campaign, Dan Fingas. If anyone ever asks me for the name of a solid campaign manager, Dan's name will be the first I'll give out.

While you're surfing the Tubes this weekend, be sure to check out Around the Keg and Lansing's Drinking Liberally blog, and yes, both have to do with alcohol, but are not strictly about alcohol. Be sure to check out Bob's post about the Lunacy of Life Sciences (read: stem cell research) here in Michigan. ATK is billed as "Zen and the Art of Consumption" - check it out.

Before I hop off for the day, I just thought I'd leave you with this interesting factoid of the day.

Ant traps smell like peanut butter.

Ah, the joys of moving! :-)

May's Lansing Drinking Liberally Meeting (5/17)

Join us Thursday, May 17th at 7pm at our new home of Reno's East.

The evening take a more informal tone, spent raising a pint or two in the name of democracy and discussing whatever comes to mind. There will also be information about the various music and arts festivals around the Mid-Michigan area this summer.

Stop by, meet some new friends, sample a glass of Michigan spirits (Bell's, New Holland, Arcadia, etc) and have a great evening out!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

(Cross-posted on the new Lansing Drinking Liberally blog!)

Lansing Drinking Liberally Event - Thurs. April 19th

Lansing's Drinking Liberally has one very exciting event coming up, next Thursday - April 19th at 7pm.

Michigan author and national blogger, Marcy Wheeler (emptywheel on the blogs) will be joining us to talk about her new book

Anatomy of Deceit: How the Bush Administration Used the Media to Sell the Iraq War and Out a Spy

For more information about the book, check out my post that went up shortly before its release this past February.

Marcy will talk about her experience as the premier live-blogger during the U.S. Government's recent perjury case against Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, Scooter Libby in regards to the outing of CIA spy Valerie Plame. Marcy's book was instrumental in putting the pieces together for the Libby case.

Marcy will also be selling and signing copies of her book, thanks to local progressive book store, Everybody Reads. The book will be available for only $14.95.

Join us this Thursday, April 19th at 7pm
at our new home - Reno's East
1310 Abbott Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823

For more information, you can email Julielyn, Lansing's Drinking Liberally host, or you can join the Lansing's Drinking Liberally list-serv.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cruise Director Report: This Week in Lansing

Happy Thursday to you!

If you're in town tonight looking for good cheer and good conversation, consider stopping by the Nuthouse for Drinking Liberally Lansing's second meeting starting at 7pm. Last meeting we had about 30 folks show up, and we now have almost over 100 on our list-serv.

Tomorrow night, join the Lansing community for Silent No More, a community-wide worship service commemorating the start of the war in Iraq tomorrow (Friday, March 16th) at 7pm at Central United Methodist Church, 215 North Capitol Avenue, Lansing.

In honor of those who have died - from the United States, Iraq, and other nations - we call upon all people whose convictions cry for peace to join us in rededicating ourselves to that effort.

Silent No More is sponsored by the Shalom Center for Justice and Peace and is held in conjunction with the Sojourners' Christian Peace Witness for Iraq at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. For more info, visit the website or call 517-487-3013.

If you find yourself awake and near a radio, tune into 1320 AM WILS between 8:30 and 9 Saturday morning. I've been asked back by host Jack Ebling to provide a little commentary and debate from the left side of the field. If you're so inspired, call in and add your two cents!

Cruise Director Report: This Week in Lansing

Last Week's Report

Last week's Drinking Liberally was a huge success. Thanks to the 30 or so people who showed up. Two new bloggers showed up, and their blogs are now on the blogroll to the right. A howdy to Rich from Honest Errors and Shez from Multi Media Netroots. Of course, there's a blog in town that we should all be checking out that isn't so much new, as important to read. The Lansing State Journal has their Capitol Journal blog that's updated daily. Go over and read all about it.
The March event will be held on 15th at 7pm. Feel free to sign up for the list-serv to receive updates and other progressive Lansing news.

This Wednesday

Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer is hosting a Meet Up just for bloggers and Net Roots activists from 7pm - 8:30pm this Wednesday. If you're a blogger or online activist, and interested in going, you must RSVP to me. Many thanks to Sen. Schauer for hosting us.

This Saturday

Check out Bloggers Caucus 2.0 at the Michigan Democratic Party State Convention at Cobo Arena. While I'm still left scratching my head as to why we're meeting in Detroit for the 2nd time in a row (what's wrong with our beautiful Lansing center?), I hope to see lots of new and familiar faces there. You don't have to be a blogger to attend. It's open to anyone who wants to learn more about political blogging general. I'm even throwing together a beginning document about blogging and how to get started that will be available at the Caucus.

It's going to be a good week indeed. Stay tuned for some important cycling updates. :-)

This is Liberal Lucy, wishing you good morning and good luck!

Cruise Director Report: This Week in Lansing

Sooner or later I knew that I was going to have to start something like this, so here goes.

Tonight!!!

Meet up with Lansing-area Legislators
Join Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, Rep. Barb Byrum, Rep. Mark Meadows, and Rep. Joan Bauer as they meet with members of the net-roots community, which includes YOU!
We'll be at the Lake Lansing Beaners in East Lansing (corner of Lk. Lansing and Abbott) from 6:30 to 8:30. Bring yourself, a couple bucks for a yummy hot beverage, a laptop (if you wish, not necessary though) and a smile. See you there!

Next Thursday (2/15)

Join us at the Nuthouse Sports Grill (corner of Michigan and Cedar in downtown Lansing) for the revival of Lansing's Drinking Liberally. Starting at 7pm, we'll be raising a pint in the name of democracy. Come join us for some interesting talk and grass-roots activism.

• You can sign up for the Lansing Drinking Liberally list-serv and be notified of events as they happen
• or email the Chapter's Host with any questions or ideas for topics and/or possible speakers.

See you there!

Strengthening Michigan's Progressive/Liberal Community

All the meet-ups that are going on throughout the state both this month and last are a good sign of our growth and development. It gives this liberal hope that our elected officials understand how important it is for our entire community to connect with each other.

All the responsibility for this state-wide connectivity does not and should not rest solely on our leaders shoulders. After all, one could argue that they are only doing what we, the constituents ask of them.

Cordelia Lear always reminds us of Alice Paul's famous saying - Democracy begins at home. It's so easy for us to shrug off the responsibility of our civic duty and pass that proverbial buck, but that wouldn't constitute what we all like to believe that we are, good citizens.

With the Information Age well upon us, and the Internet quickly becoming the place where we literally do almost everything, it does seem fitting that we get back to basics. Start with where you live and who and what you know.

I recently started up the Lansing chapter of Drinking Liberally. Our chapter here brings the state-wide count to three, joining Ann Arbor and Oakland County.

But what about the rest of the state?

Drinking Liberally is a great organization, a great way to meet other local liberals/progressives, and an organization with a very simple mantra

Bars are democratic spaces - you talk to strangers, you share booths, you feel the bond of common ground. Bring democratic discourse to your local democratic space - build democracy one drink at a time.

A group like Drinking Liberally could easily make it's way into any city/town/village here in Michigan. From Muskegon to Clare to Homer to Trenton and Bessemer, there's no such place as a bad spot for a group like Drinking Liberally. There's no membership requirement, fee, or application process. Just a couple like-minded people getting together together to talk about politics.

Some of the best ideas have been scribbled down on cocktail napkins, and formulated on a bar stool. Sharing ideas and promoting democracy doesn't have to be done just in the voting booth.

While we start lay the ground work for '08, what can you do? Drinking Liberally may not be for everyone, but it certainly is a different and interesting way of connecting with liberals and progressives in your area that might not normally be reached. Consider starting a chapter in your area, or joining another local progressive group.

Democracy starts at home, and whether its the kitchen table or the booth at the local pub, it's up to you. Promoting and sharing democracy is a civic responsibility that we all must lay claim too. After all, it's our state, we need to make it work for us.

It's Official - Drinking Liberally is Coming to Lansing!

After much wait and anticipation, it's finally here!

The Lansing Chapter of Drinking Liberally will have it's very first meeting -

Thursday, February 15th
7:00 p.m.
The Nuthouse Sports Grill
420 E. Michigan Ave.
Lansing MI., 48933 Map It!

While we get started, the plan is to meet every Third Thursday of the month. Depending on the crowd and the desire, it may happen more frequently.

Have questions? You can email the Chapter founder for more details.

So what exactly is Drinking Liberally?

An informal, inclusive progressive social group. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.

Bars are democratic spaces - you talk to strangers, you share booths, you feel the bond of common ground. Bring democratic discourse to your local democratic space - build democracy one drink at a time.

While drinking liberally, always remember to drink responsibly, and make liberal use of designated drivers. Drinking and driving is reckless and irresponsible, like a neocon war or corporatist tax cut. Liberals, don't do it.

Come join us for a pint, good conversation, and great friends!

Drinking Liberally - Coming to Lansing!

So the election's over, and all of us are asking "Now what?"
In the spirit of all that's great here in Lansing, a couple folks in our fine town are going to be starting back up our very own Drinking Liberally Chapter.
Wondering if all the super-blogging before last week left me a little loose in the noggin? Not quite, but since you're wondering exactly what Drinking Liberally is, I'll let the fine folks at DL break it down for you...

What is Drinking Liberally?

An informal, inclusive progressive social group. Raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.

Bars are democratic spaces - you talk to strangers, you share booths, you feel the bond of common ground. Bring democratic discourse to your local democratic space - build democracy one drink at a time.

While drinking liberally, always remember to drink responsibly, and make liberal use of designated drivers. Drinking and driving is reckless and irresponsible, like a neocon war or corporatist tax cut. Liberals, don't do it.

Got your interest piqued? Excellent!

These fine Lansing Liberals who are attempting to organize a monthly group to meet need your input. Here's what they'd like to know...

• What night of the week works best for you to meet?
• Which bar/restaurant in the Lansing area would you like to meet?
• What time would you like to meet?

We can meet anytime of the day, but since most of us work, anytime after 6pm would probably be best.

The best thing about DL is that it's open to anyone, it's free, they aren't attached to any candidate, cause, party or campaign, and it's a great place to meet new friends, all the while investing in our community!

Alright, so let's hear what you have to say so we can start our chapter up!