DL co-host Kevin here, writing to remind everyone that this coming Thursday is our monthly meeting, taking place at Just Jake's from 7:30 onward. We're looking forward to hearing about everyone's plans for inauguration day, espec. anyone who's going to DC. For those interested in celebrating back home, give us your ideas via email, on the DL blog, or on Thursday at the meeting. One suggestion is that we gather at Paul's Bar and Bowling, in Paterson (just off the Parkway exit 156). Beer, greasy food, and bowling--a perfect combination, and a great way to say arriverderci to the Bush crime family.

Happy New Year everyone!

Holiday Cheers Season is upon us, and all the more reason to toast! First, Montclair DL co-co-chair (or unofficial vice-chairman) Walter Amos made headlines in the Star Ledger, which had an article on the region's DL chapters: http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-12/12275037312... ... Also, as I learned at the official DL blog, December 5th was the 75th Anniversary of the Appeal of Prohibition http://livingliberally.org/drinking/blog/75th-Anniversary-Repeal-Prohibi... ... So much to toast to... those and that progressive cabinet Obama's put together.

In this spirit, please JOIN US at Montclair Drinking Liberally, THIS THURSDAY, December 11th, 2008, in the back room at Just Jake's, 30 Park Street b/t Bloomfield & Claremont, Montclair, NJ, 973-655-8987. I hope you can join us!

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Upcoming:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9th, NYC
UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
Call for Action: National Day of Action for Victims of Extraordinary Rendition
UFPJ calls a national day of action, calling on the U.S. government to hold high officials accountable for the torture and extraordinary rendition of Canadian citizen, Maher Arar. Join us outside the Federal Court in Foley Square, New York City, December 9 at 12:30 PM, to rally in support of Arar and his attorneys at the Center for Constitutional Rights. http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

SUNDAY, JAUNARY 18th, 2009, NYC
The Living Liberally Inaugural Ball.
Rush - 6th Avenue @ 16th Street
Three floor dance party; special guests; drink specials all night and the first drink on us; the Inaugural energy right here in New York. More info: http://livingliberally.org/inauguralball

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
BlueWaveNJ & CeaseFireNJ's Blue Caribbean Ball
At Women's Club of Upper Montclair, 7-10:30PM
Join us for cocktails, dinner, dancing and special guests.
http://www.bluewavenj.org/09CBW-ball/savethedate.htm

And while this is not an endorsement (we're not allowed to), I'm doing holiday shopping at Terra Tea Salon & Fair Trade Eco Market (http://www.localharvest.org/restaurants/M15119), as well as the Code Pink Store (https://codepink.rdsecure.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=15), because you can never have too much pink, and Global Exchange's Fair Trade Online Store (http://www.globalexchangestore.org/).

Finally, The Liberal Card: http://www.theliberalcard.org/ National and local (NYC) discounts, including first pint free at Rudy's Bar!

Cheers!

One sunny day in 2009 an old man approached the White House. He walked up to the Marine standing guard and said, "I'd like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man said "Okay" and walked away.

The following day the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine "I'd like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanked him and walked away.

The third day, the old man approached the same Marine and said "I'd like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row that you've been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you every time that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and that he no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"

The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it." The Marine snapped to attention, saluted the old man, and said, "See you tomorrow, sir."

Well, quite a month, eh? Great to see some of y'all at Eric's house party on election eve, and talk to a few others at another party. I find it still hard to believe it's happened, that Obama winning the election thing, given the 8 year nightmare we've been through. Now onward to closing Guantanamo, bringing the troops home, closing the black sites, making torture illegal, etc., etc.

Join us in celebrating a new era beginning this THURSDAY, November 13th, from 7:30pm at Just Jake's, 30 Park Street (b/t Bloomfield & Claremont), in Montclair, NJ. We'll be in the back room. I hope you can make it!

A couple other things happening this week:

WEDNESDAY, November 12th,
Jeff Tittle, Director of the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club is giving a talk at the next meeting of the Nutley Community Preservation Partnership.
Wed Nov 12, 7:30pm at Nutley
Parks & Rec Building 44 Park Ave
Talk is free. Jeff is the expert that news sources seek out when they have environmental questions.
http://www.preservenutley.org/

SATURDAY, November 15th
New Jersey Peace Action’s 51st Annual Soup Luncheon
Columbia High School (17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey)
From 11:45AM to 4:00PM
Guest speaker: Antonia Juhasz - The Tyranny of Oil: The World's Most Powerful Industry And What We Must Do To Stop It.
http://www.njpeaceaction.org/

As discussed at the last meeting, Eric Blumrich is hosting an election night Victory Party! Details, including RSVP info are as below, and thanks Eric! We hope to see a bunch of y'all there.

The details from Eric:

1: BYOB, but considering a six-pack of the finest IPA is cheaper than two coors lights at Just Jake's, that shouldn't be a problem. I shall endeavor to pick up a bundle of finger foods (chips, veggies & dip, etc.) If anyone wants to add to the potluck, they are more than welcome to do so.

2: I can host around ten folks comfortably, so RSVP to painter1984@hotmail.com for info on where to show up. I can handle a few more, but they'll have to be content with sitting in the dining room, or standing about.

3: We have wireless internet, so you can bring your laptops.

4: Smoking is permitted on the balcony, but not within the apartment

5: People allergic to cats should stay away- I have two, and one of them is quite social

6: The gathering starts at 8:30, and lasts until we finish gloating over the dessicated remains of the republican party.

7: Parking is easy- I live within a block of The Crescent lot (two blocks away from Just Jakes.) There very well might be free street spaces available, as well.