(1)  Tomorrow! (Wed) Democracy for NYC's Annual Benefit w/Mark Green & Jim Dean          
          ~ View invite & RSVP at http://www.dfnyc.org/

Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23rd for our annual DFNYC Benefit "Unity '08." Mark Green, former NYC Public Advocate and currently president of Air America Radio, and Jim Dean, chair of Democracy for America, will be our special guests!

When:  Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 6:30-9pm

Where:  M1-5 Lounge, 52 Walker Street, between Broadway & Church in Manhattan, just south of Canal.

Subway:  N/Q/R/W, 4/6, A/C, or J/M to Canal Street

Host Committee:  Lewis Cohen (Event Chair), Don Barber, Steve Behar, Michael J. Brady,
Paul Brown, Theresa Canter, Hilda B. Classon, Costa Constantinides, Miriam Danar, Jim Dean, Tracey Denton, Bernadette Evangelist, Luke Henry, Dan Jacoby, David Kogelman, Bruce Markens, Bonnie Maslin, Hon. Trudy L. Mason, Merle McEldowney, Abhishek Mistry, Yehuda Nir, Dana Northcraft, Chris Owens, Tim Paulson, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, Bruce Rosen, Carolyn Schultz, Norman Siegel, Josh Silverstein, Josh Skaller, Sally Swisher, Heather Woodfield, Josh Zeitz

RSVP & View Invite at: http://www.dfnyc.org/


(2)  Another Bad Environmental Bill Passes the NY Legislature – Natural Gas Drilling
         ~ Ask Gov. Paterson to veto A10526:  518-474-8390

We have learned that another potentially damaging environmental bill has passed both houses of our State legislature and has been sent to Governor Paterson.  The bill is called “Environmental Conservation Law A10526” (S8169 in the Senate), but it appears that it would essentially allow for expanded natural gas drilling in upstate New York.  Environmental groups are concerned about the impact on air and water, especially reservoirs that supply drinking water to New York City and other areas of the state.   The League of Conservation Voters opposes the bill:

http://www.nylcv.org/node/3931/print

Call Gov. Paterson:  The bill has been sent to the Governor and he may sign it as early as tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23rd.  You can ask Gov. Paterson to veto A10526, natural gas drilling in NY, by calling 518-474-8390.  Let us know what happens – This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

We are still learning about this bill.  It appears that there was very little public discussion of its impact and it passed quickly.  Essentially, due to new technology and rising energy prices, energy companies are seeking to drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation, which is located in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and parts of western New York.  The bill would clarify a current law about drilling by establishing spacing requirements for the “horizontal” drilling associated with natural gas.  However, critics have argued that while clarification is needed, this particular bill passed too quickly without communities and farmers understanding the effect it will have on the landscape.  Please visit our website for additional links and information at this page:

http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2301/52/

We will update the page as we receive new information.  If you are familiar with this legislation, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .


(3)  Online Video:  DFNYCers Go Out to Petition for Jimmy Dahroug

On Saturday, July 5, DFNYC volunteers joined Jimmy Dahroug's campaign for State Senate to go petitioning door-to-door in Long Island.  To find out why volunteers and voters alike are supporting Jimmy, watch this video on Youtube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=shgytM4YrHA

For more about progressive Democrat Jimmy Dahroug and his race for the State Senate, visit his website:

http://www.jimmyforsenate.com
 
 
(4)  Volunteer for Kevin Powell:  Door Knocking Weeknights, Listening Tour Weekends
 
There are many opportunities to volunteer for DFNYC-endorsed candidate Kevin Powell, running for Congress in Brooklyn.  On weekends, you can join Kevin and the media for his listening tours through his Brooklyn Congressional district.  On weeknights, you can go door-knocking with the campaign - a key outreach activity for winning a Democratic primary.
 
Kevin Powell Listening Tour
Saturday - Sunday, 10am-6pm
Join Kevin, the media and friends as our candidate walks the district!
Call Naomi: 347-307-4857
Call Jeff: 646-335-3971

Door Knocking
Monday - Friday, 5pm-8pm
Call Naomi: 347-307-4857
Call Jeff: 646-335-3971
 
For more events, visit http://www.kevinpowellforcongress.org/events/
 

(5) Volunteer Phone Banks for Steve Harrison, Democrat for Congress

Steve Harrison is a progressive Democrat running for Congress in NY's 13th Congressional District, formerly held by Republican Vito Fossella.  (Fossella resigned after a drunk driving arrest which lead to the discovery of an extra-marital affair and child with another woman.)

Democracy for NYC has endorsed Steve Harrison and DFNYCer David Hernandez is working with Harrison's campaign.  The following volunteer phone banks have beens et up in Staten Island and Brooklyn:

Staten Island Phone Bank
1738 Victory Blvd./ Manor Road
12-9pm Mon- Sat.
Contact Al Dykes or David Hernandez, 718 720 8683

Brooklyn Phone Bank
544 Bay Ridge Pkwy/ Bet. 5&6 Avenue
Contact Greg Collett to rsvp and for specific hours, 718 745 2539

To learn more about Steve, visit his campaign website:
http://www.steveharrisonforcongress.com/
 
 
(6)  Tonight!  Luke Henry Campaign Meetup - Discuss Environmental Issues, Tues. 6-8pm
        ~ DFNYC-endorsed candidate challenging Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
 
The campaign of DFNYC-endorsed candidate Luke Henry, the progressive Democrat challenging Sheldon Silver in a primary, is hosting a Meetup tonight at Veselka to discuss important issues of environmental protection and clean air in Manhattan. 

When: Tonight, Tuesday, July 22, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: 75 First Street (NW corner of First Avenue and Houston Street).

What: Join Luke to discuss the district's environmental concerns

RSVP: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


(7) Two Obama Events Thursday: Yes We Can Party & Jewish Young Professionals
 
Obama supporters in NYC are throwing (at least) 2 events this Thursday.  Here's the details:
 
Jewish Professionals for Obama, NYC Kickoff
Thursday, July 24th, 7-10pm
Ultra Lounge, 37 West 26, between 6th & Broadway
All are welcome. Suggested Donation: $36
RSVP & Prepay at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44mhf
Organizing Committee:
Simon Brandler. Alexander Chester. Jake Honigman. Ariel Peikes. Jordan Salberg. Jeremy Taub.

Yes We Can Party!
Featuring an open bar, mingling, dancing, and a 6'2 cardboard cutout of Obama
Contribution: $100
Thursday, July 24th, 7pm
Atrium Cafe, 31 Little West 12th Street (Use hopstop.com for subway directions)
Host Committee features several DFNYCers:
Paul Curtis, Michael Freedman-Schnapp, Eliyanna Kaiser, Michael Meade, John Raskin, & Jocelyn Smith