Friday, January 29, 2010

Registration is now open for the first annual Madison Youth Grow Local Conference. Join youth gardening experts from around the city, as well as Community GroundWorks, Community Action Coalition and the Goodman Community Center. The conference will be Saturday, February 20th, but registration materials are available now at notlong.com/youthgrowlocal. More info at 240-0409, or email elizabeth@troygardens.org

St. Vincent de Paul’s 18th Annual Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive starts today! Recycle the Warmth is a local effort to gather new and gently used blankets and other bedding to be given away to Dane County neighbors in need. Volunteers will staff collection points at all four Madison-area Shopko stores. Bedding will also be collected at Dane County’s three Maytag Store locations and five St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. For more info, call 442-7200, extension 402 or visit svdpmadison.org

On Saturday, the Madison Institute hosts a progressive roundtable presentation and discussion on the pending legislation to reform U.S. health care. This takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sequoya Public Library, 4340 Tokay Boulevard. More info at themadisoninstitute.org.

Saturday, The Left and Obama: What Happened to Change? takes place at 7 pm. Speakers include Jennifer Loewenstein, John Nichols, Matt Rothschild, Lance Selfa and Will Williams. This is at UW-Madison, Room 2650 Humanities. More info at 245-9390.

Sunday at 2 pm, in UW Madison Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, another planning session is scheduled for the Madison World Naked Bike Ride of June, 2010. This meeting will be in the north end of the Rathskeller For more info, email madisonnakedbikeride@yahoo.com.

Also, Sunday at 2 pm, the Kathie Rasmussen Women's Theatre hosts a mystery fundraiser. This will be at the co-housing community room, 1137 Erin Street in Madison. Join this fun interactive theatrical event to solve the "Case of the Pilfered Prop." Wine and hors d'oeurves will be provided. For more info, email krassfundraiser@gmail.com or call 235-9106. RSVP if you can. Otherwise, just show up!

Sunday at 7pm, there will be a Madison Infoshop anniversary commemorative screening of "Bloody Sunday" - a movie about the January 1972 British army massacre of civil rights protesters in Northern Ireland. This will be at 1019 Williamson Street. The event is free - bring snacks or non-alcoholic beverages to share. More info 262-9036.