Lefties, mark your calendars for several upcoming events

A scene from the 2010 Tucson Peace Fair. (Photo Credit: Pamela Powers)

Righties would like to believe that Lefties are at home, moping and depressed at the state of our state and our country– following the 2010 “shellacking”– and sipping Chardonnay as we read progressive blogs and long for a political miracle.

While there may be some truth to that scenario, Southern Arizona Lefties have a myriad of socializing, organizing, and energizing opportunities in the coming weeks to cheer us up and sharpen our resolve.

Corazon de Justicia Awards Dinner, Friday, February 18, 2011– Sponsored by Derechos Humanos, this dinner recognizes the work of “community organizers for their commitment to justice and social change.” Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event will be held at the Apollo Middle School. The cost is $35 per person. Follow the link for more information about the program and the keynote speaker David Bacon, a writer for TruthOut, The Nation, and other publications. (Here’s a link to a story on last year’s event.)

Organizing Meeting for Progressive Democrats of America Tucson Chapter, Monday, February 21, 2011– Jeff Latas (former Congressional candidate), Phil Lopes (former Arizona Legislator), and other progressives are firing up local lefties and trying to get us organized. This first meeting will feature Congressman Jim Hightower and our own Congressman Raul Grijalva (Chair, Congressional Progressive Caucus). The meeting will be held at the Tucson YWCA, 525 N. Bonita (just south of St. Mary’s Road ½ mile west of I-10). The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., with registration starting at 6:30. Suggested donation is $5 at door. For more information contact Phil Lopes: lopesphil@gmail.com.

“Join me in this new chapter to help energize the much needed change we desperately need in our country and in Arizona. We can no longer count on someone else doing the changing and we definitely shouldn’t count on the status quo of our current party structures. It is up to us to make this much needed political change and we must act now. Hope to see you and many of your friends at the YWCA on 21 February,” says Latas.

29th Annual Tucson Peace Fair and Music Festival, Saturday, February 26, 2011– Billed as “Arizona’s largest gathering of peace, social justice and environmental groups,” the Tucson Peace Fair is a free, family-friendly event featuring live music and dozens of booths representing activist organizations and political movements. The event is 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Reid Park Bandshell. (Here’s a link to a story on last year’s event.)

1st Annual Consuelo Aguilar Awards Luncheon, Saturday, February 26, 2011– The Southern Arizona Unity Coalition will honor the 11 ethnic studies teachers with presentation of the first Consuela Aguilar Award. The goal of the group is to honor Aguilar’s memory by recognizing community leaders “who embody her commitment to education and community empowerment.” Tickets are $25 each, and the event will be 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the University Marriott.

Democratic Party LD28 St. Patrick’s Day Party, Saturday, March 13, 2011– This is an annual fundraiser for local Democrats. The potluck event is held at the home of life-long Tucson Democrats George and Margie Cunningham, parents of City Councilman Paul Cunningham. The event is from 2 to 5 p.m. at 630 N. Alamo. Tickets will go on sale after Feb. 15. They are $20 if purchased prior to March 10 and $25 after the March 10 or at the door.

March for Peace and Jobs, Saturday March 19, 2011 — March 19 is the 8th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. This event is still being organized by the End the Wars Coalition. The March will begin at 10 a.m. at Armory Park and end with a rally at noon at DeAnza Park. Watch for more details. From the Tucson Peace Center website: March and Rally to Protest the Wars and Demand funding for social programs. Puppets, floats (that will fit on the sidewalk) and other forms of creative protest are invited. If you focus on Border issues, join us. If you focus on Health Care, join us. If your focus is Education or Job Creation, join us. (You get the idea–) Environmentalists, ethnic studies students, anti-SB1070’ers–join us with your banners and your priorities. We are all scrambling for the crumbs of funding left over after our government is finished paying for multiple wars–demand change now!

Solar oven-- one of the many environmentally friendly products featured at Solar Rock 2010. (Photo Credit: Pamela Powers)

Solar Rock Tucson, Sunday, March 27, 2011— Solar Rock is an outdoor,  solar-powered music concert and vendor fair. The rock concert demonstrates the power of the sun loud and clear. Last year, there were several vendors with information on solar panels, solar hot water systems, rainwater harvesting, bicycle commuting, and all things environmentally friendly. This year’s event is from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Armory Park.

22nd Annual LULAC Educator’s Banquet, Thursday, March 31, 2011– The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) will host its annual awards banquet in the Copper Room of the Tucson Convention Center. Tickets are $75 per person. No host bar begins at 5:30 p.m., with the dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars, fellow comrades! Come out and meet other like-minded people at one or more of these worthwhile events.