Portland

Big things are ahead for Portland's Drinking Liberally!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be phasing out as the DL City Organizer for Portland, and James Roe will be taking over the reins. James brings a lot to the table, including . . . but why take my word for it? Here's James in his own words:

I'm a web developer from Greenville SC who after years of planning has made his escape to the Pacific northwest. Escape may be too strong of a word, but to put it mildly I'm enjoying living in a city that is by and large liberal. Also egads the food here is great.

Drinking Liberally is just a small portion of this new progressive infrastructure, but it's got to be one of the most enjoyable ones. I look forward to getting to know all of you and would like to thank Bill for aiding me in this transitional period as I take over chief cat herding duties. Please feel free to drop me a line at James@subpixelinc.com if you ever need anything or have any questions.

Welcome to James! I know you'll all give him the support and camaraderie you've show me over the last couple of years. And Nicole, James R., and I will still be around, lending him the benefit of our years and years of experience, whenever he needs it. (That's one of the many reasons it's better to be a former DL City Organizer than a former President of the United States: Former POTUSes usually only get to go to the funerals of foreign heads of state, while former DL city organizers still get to show up and have a beer every week with the group, same as always.)

And as for me, I'm starting a new DL-related project which should be fun for me and a good thing for Portland's chapter: I'm going to be one of five new Field Organizers for the national Drinking Liberally organization--a liaison between the chapters in our region and the national Living Liberally HQ in New York. (Four years ago, there were about 200 DL chapters and six Field Organizers; now there are over 500 chapters, so five new FO's have been added. ) My job will be to coordinate between the national office and DL chapters in our part of the country, helping the chapters and allowing them to benefit from the wisdom accumulated in my years (both of them) as a DL organizer.

Other than not hearing that same lame joke I always insisted on using when I gave a new attendee their Drinking Liberally button, I hope the biggest change you'll notice from me switching roles is that the national DL HQ will loom a bit larger on our radar screens back here in Portland. The national office is working on several ideas to bring new services and opportunities to all of us DL members, and part of my job will be to help make that happen. It'll feel more like you belong to a national organization--which has always been true--not just a Portland organization. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, join the Portland DL chapter for drinks and political conversation at Madison's Grill, at SE 11th and Madison (map), Thursday (tomorrow) night at 7pm. (DL meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month.)

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention in all the excitement: We've got only 61 days until Bush and his cronies leave office. Say it with me: Woo-hoo!

(And remember: DL encourages everyone to drink, and vote, responsibly.)

Bill Nothstine, City Organizer
Drinking Liberally/Portland

Thanks to everyone--old friends and new--who made it to the Election Night party at the Greek Cusina last night. We had a fabulous turnout. (To those of you who had to party downstairs because the upstairs had hit the fire-marshal limits: Well, I did advise you to get there early . . . !)

And thanks again to our excellent host Tom Dwyer and all his cool people from Tom Dwyer Automotive Service for inviting us to join them. (I'm already working on Tom about what a great idea an Inauguration Night party would be!) If your car needs service, throw some love Tom's way--he's got a lot of calamari and chicken oregano to pay for from last night.

As some of you know, I went into Election Day fearing the worst--I expected every swing state to be rife with voting site "problems" and the results tied up in the courts for weeks. Boy was I wrong. As CNN counted down the seconds to 8pm, when west coast polls closed, the crowd at the Greek Cusina began chanting along like it was New Year's Eve: "Ten! . . . Nine! . . . Eight! . . . " And when the countdown hit "zero" CNN put up the "Obama projected winner" screen and the crowd just went nuts. CNN had called it by 8:01pm, McCain had given his (surprisingly gracious, even statesmanlike) concession speech by 8:20pm, and by 9:00pm Obama was giving his victory speech in Grant Park. It was astonishing. After two long years, to have it resolve itself so quickly and cleanly . . .

But of course, it isn't really over until The Finest Minds Of Our Generation [TM] (that's us) have talked over every which way tomorrow night at our regular DL meeting.

So join the Portland DL chapter for our regular meeting at Madison's Grill, at SE 11th and Madison (map), Thursday (tomorrow) night at 7pm. (DL meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month.)

The countdown to the election has run out. But Bush (and the rest) will still be in office for 75 more days.

Join the Drinking Liberally gang for drinks and political conversation. (And remember: DL encourages everyone to drink, and vote, responsibly.)

Bill Nothstine, City Organizer
Drinking Liberally/Portland

p.s. If you have any election night pictures, please send them on to me and I'll post them on the Portland DL Facebook site. Thanks.

Greetings, DLers!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Election Night bash tomorrow night. It's at the Greek Cusina, SW 4th and Washington [look for the giant purple octopus]. [map] There'll be food and a cash bar.

The event starts at 5pm--and the earlier you get there the better, since a several large battleground states will stop voting shortly thereafter.

The ultimate Election Night Guide, courtesy of NCEC, is available at my blog. I'll bring a few copies, but you might find it easier to print off your own.

And if you know where your Drinking Liberally button is, bring it and wear it proudly--but if you haven't got one, don't worry. It's not required for admission!

This should be a lot of fun--I've heard from several DLers who haven't been in attendance for a while but are planning to show up, as well as some folks who've been on the mailing list but haven't attended a meeting yet.

Reminder: We're the guests of the great folks at Tom Dwyer Automotive Services, so when you see any of them tomorrow night, tell 'em thanks!

One last item: Our regularly scheduled meeting at Madison's Grill will be Thursday night at 7pm, same as always. [DL meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays.] I plan on sending out the regular reminder for that, but Wednesday could be a little crazy, so mark your calendar now just in case. By Thursday night there should be plenty of material for our election post-mortem [or, if you're feeling optimistic, our post-natal].

See you tomorrow night! And remember: DL encourages everyone to drink, and vote, responsibly.

Bill Nothstine, City Organizer
Drinking Liberally, Portland OR