This week, a lot of local progressive organizations are actively discussing how they can help shape the public discourse during these times of heightened political activity.   It’s a great time to connect to a new group and to take an active role in shaping our country’s future.  A couple weeks ago I mentioned that Oct. 8 is the deadline for voter registration in Missouri.  Related to that,  I just found out that you can confirm your existing registration, apply to vote absentee, and find your polling place at this handy-dandy website .

This is also my last week to plug the Student Activist Training Day next weekend, so please let me know soon if you are interested and haven’t yet contacted me.

This weeks events:

Monday, Sept. 15: Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, is in town to discuss hate crimes and the continuing fight to increase diversity and compassion in our society.  She’ll be speaking at 7 PM at the Loretto Hilton Center at 130 Edgar Road.  Details are at this link.

Tuesday, Sept. 16:  A group of local activists is meeting to discuss the possibility of holding an event in conjunction with the VP Debates at WashU on Oct. 2.  Right now a lot of ideas are on the table, but an anti-war message is pretty sure to be included.  If you’d like to participate in shaping the event, be at the World Community Center at 438 N. Skinker at 5:30 PM.  Details are  here.

Also Tuesday, Webster continues it’s film series on Human Rights with “The Constant Gardener.”  It’s at 7 PM in the Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood).  More info at this site

Wednesday, Sept. 17:  Support local LGBTQ Youth by grabbing an ice cream at Emack & Bolio’s.  20% of purchases from 7 to 10 PM will be donated to Growing American Youth.  And while you’re in the area, you should check out the awesome Mokabe’s Coffeehouse.  Details are here.

Thursday, Sept. 18:  Join the kickoff for 1Sky, a group dedicated to making global warming an issue in the upcoming presidential elections.  Their community kickoff meeting will be at 6 PM at the Carpenter Library, 3309 South Grand Blvd.    More details are at the IOW calendar.

Also Thursday, Left Bank Books will be hosting Miriam Raskin, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany who writes poetry and prose expressing her perspective on the Holocaust.  The event is at 7 PM and details are at the LBB homepage.

Friday, Sept. 19 is time for the monthly Peace Economy Project BBQ (with veggie options).  This month PEP builds off the recent labor day with local union workers speaking about the labor movement and the war economy.  It’s at 5 PM at 438 N. Skinker, and you can get the details and RSVP at the facebook event page.

Also Friday, if you have the time and the cash, you should check out Second City’s “DeFace the Nation” at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at 8 PM.  They’re actually at the Touhill from Wednesday through Saturday, and I’ve never been disappointed with the quality of their political satire the couple times I’ve seen them.  At the very least I can say that its waaaaaay better than SNL.   Details are here.  

Saturday, Sept 20. From 10 AM to 6 PM, we’re holding an “Activist Training Day” that will provide student groups with a framework for how to organize effectively on campus.  The main part of the training will be led by organizers from Jobs With Justice, and there will be breakout sessions in the afternoon.  If you’re part of a student group and interested in attending, check out the event page .

Also Saturday, for the non-students amongst ye, Sept. 20 is the day for the national campaign “A Million Doors for Peace” where folks across the country are canvassing to get people to sign a petition telling their Congressional Reps to bring the troops home.  You can sign up through a lot of different groups (MoveOn, True Majority, CREDO, etc), but since all organizing is local, I would recommend going with the St. Louis Instead of War Coalition (but you should still get on those other groups’ mailing lists if you’re not already!).

Have a fun and meaningful week,

Adam