Senate Committee Wants North Florida's Input on Adoption and Foster Care!

from the ACLU:

On Monday, November 5, the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs will hold a public hearing in Tallahassee to discuss foster care and adoption issues. This is the committee headed by former Hillsborough Commissioner Ronda Storms.

The forum will allow community members to discuss all issues related to foster care or adoption. It is vital that our community have a strong presence at this hearing to share our stories and demand the committee take action.

This will be the first, and possibly only opportunity that the North Florida community will have to speak directly to the committee that has the power to end Florida’s ban on gay and lesbian adoption.

We need families of ALL shapes and sizes to come and share their stories about how this ban hurts our families and prevents children from finding permanent, loving homes.

WHEN: Monday, November 5, 2007
6:30- 9:00pm (Arrive at 5:30 to sign up to speak)

WHERE: Pat Thomas Committee Room
412 Knott Building
Tallahassee

WHAT you can do:

Come to the hearing. Tell legislators how this ban has affected your family. Even if you do not want to speak, it is important we show many people care about this issue. If you are not able to come to the Tallahassee hearing, there will be a hearing in Miami in December.

Join the Faces of Florida's Families Campaign. Go to:
http://www.fairadoption.org/real/index.php to write your story and upload a picture of your family. The stories will be compiled and sent to legislators who have the power to end the ban.

Success!!

Thanks to all who joined us last Saturday for breakfast in Orlando.

We sold over 200 tickets!!! It was an awesome event and hopefully we will be able to have more forums like this in the future.

A special thanks to our FYD President, Alan Brock, for pulling this great event together!

Join us for Breakfast THIS Saturday!!

This year, the FYDs are hosting the official breakfast of the 2007 Florida Democratic Party Convention. All ages are invited (and encouraged)!

Join us Saturday morning, Oct. 27 for a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, oven-roasted potatoes, pastries, coffee and Florida orange juice at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club. Click on the title above to buy your tickets today!!

The funds raised by the breakfast will go toward turning out 18-35 year-old voters in 2008. As you may know, Florida has one of the lowest young-voter participation rates in the nation. We are going to change that, with your help.

We'll be kicking off the excitement Saturday before the General Session with our keynote speaker, the amazing Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who was elected to the state house at age 26 and now fights for Florida in the U.S. Congress. We'll also be introducing our new Florida Young Democrats Executive Director.

Show your Democratic pride and support for the future of our party. Join us for the Florida Young Democrats Breakfast!

Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Join us at the Comedy Zone--This Tuesday!

The Leon County Young Democrats are hosting a social at the Comedy Zone this Tuesday, October 16th from 6:00pm-7:30pm.

There is no cover charge to get in, we have great drink specials and we have a Texas Hold Em' tournament going on that night too!

So grab a friend or come alone, but make sure to be at the Comedy Zone Tuesday night at 6pm!

BTW-
If you don't already know- Comedy Zone is on the corner of Tennessee St. & Gadsden St. (directly across from Leon High School). Feel free to e-mail me or call 575-4242 for directions.

See you Tuesday and please re-post this to help spread the word:)

Nat'l Conversation on Climate Action this Thursday

Message from Commissioner Thaell:

Dear Neighbors & Friends:

Please join me this week, Thursday, October 4th, for a national
conversation on how you and I can reduce greenhouse gasses that cause
global warming. The National Conversation on Climate Action is a
coast-to-coast initiative to promote conversation about what we can
do in our homes and in our hometown. In the absence of national
leadership to address this worldwide crisis, the solution, at least
for now, is up to us.

Leon County is a member of the International Council on Environmental
Initiatives (ICLEI) – Local Governments for Sustainability. ICLEI-
member cities and counties across the nation are hosting similar
conversations this Thursday. At our conversation, we'll talk about
the science of global warming, and look at what we can do, now, to
affect positive change. Your county government is not waiting for the
state or the feds to act, and is developing methods, now, for a more
sustainable future.

The National Conversation is designed to highlight and catalyze local
efforts to address global warming, build local awareness and
facilitate community engagement. Participants at the event will hear
from scientists, public officials, climate authorities, County staff,
and can participate in an interactive conversation about climate
conditions and what and can be done right here in Leon County.

So please join me this Thursday, October 4, at the Leon County Public
Library at 6:30 PM. Let's fight this global problem together! For
more information on the National Conversation on Climate Action,
please contact Leon County Public Information Officer Jenn Meale at
(850) 606-5314. For more information on ICLEI – Local Governments for
Sustainability, visit their website at www.iclei.org.

Pass it along!

Thanks,
Cliff