March 10 (Wed.) - The Rise and Fall of the American Empire (SCDP Seminar)
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm. Speaker: James McCartney, former politics and national security columnist for the Knight-Ridder Newspapers. Summary: This seminar will focus on how it is the Pentagon, not the State Department, that has dominated American Foreign policy sinceWorldWar II. In addition toVietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, the US has been involved in more than 20 military operations in this period, many of which appear questionable in historical perspective. The most authentic history of the Vietnam War was not called “The Foggy Bottom Papers” but the “Pentagon Papers”. There will also be discussion on the Military-Industrial Complex. Location: SCDP Headquarters, 7358 S Tamiami Trail, Coral Cove Mall, Sarasota, FL. Cost/Donation: $10 suggested donation, RSVP via phone or email below. Info-Phone: 330 9400. Info-Email: headquarters@sarasotadems.org. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotadems.org/docs/SCDP-seminars-mar10.pdf.

March 10 (Wed.) - Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) –- Monthly Meeting
This month’s meeting is at the Waldemere Fire Station (2070 Waldemere St. Sarasota, FL) from 7pm to 8:30pm. Come at 6:30 to socialize. All democrats are welcome. For information: phone 330-9400, email info@sarasotadems.org, or visit http://www.sarasotadems.org

March 14 (Sun.) - ANNE FEENEY LIVE! -- Benefit for the National Organization for Women (NOW)
Feminists from Manatee and Sarasota Counties will come together to celebrate and reflect on the status of women, as we celebrate Women’s History Month with feminist folk singer Anne Feeney. The woman that Utah Phillips called the “best labor singer in North America” has inspired and energized audiences at the United Nations, the March for Women’s Lives, and the WTO. Anne has lived on the frontlines, and her stories and songs are guaranteed to inspire all who work for peace, social justice and equality. Anne Feeney will perform in a benefit concert for the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW) on Sunday, March 14th at 7:30pm at the Lake Osprey Village Cabaret. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. They are available from NOW members, Fogt's Music, Sarasota Emporium, Rocketman and the Lake Osprey Village Cabaret or by calling 894-6469. Lake Osprey Village Caberet is located at 6265 Lake Osprey Drive in Lake Osprey Village, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota.

March 14 (Sun.) - SCDP - Kennedy King Dinner
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Featured Speaker: Steve Schale, former Florida State Director for the Obama Campaign. Candidate Speaker: Loranne Ausley, Chief Financial Officer for Florida, Democratic Candidate. More Details: Make your reservation by March 8, 2010 via Info-URL, Info-Phone, or Info-Email email below. Location: The Bentley Resort Hotel (formerly Osprey Inn), 1660 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey FL. Cost/Donation: $75 donation per person. Info-Phone: 330-9400. Info-Email: headquarters@sarasotadems.org. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotadems.org/KK2010.

March 15 (Mon.) - North Port Democratic Club –- Monthly Meeting
Meets on the 3rd Monday of every month at the George Mullen Activity Center, 4956 City Center Blvd (off Sumter Blvd, Exit 182) at 7 pm to 8:45 pm. Info-Phone: 941-587-6244, Info-Email: norske60@verizon.net, Info-URL: http://www.northportdemocrats.com

March 16 (Tue.) - Longboat Key Democratic Club – Luncheon Meeting
The LBK Democratic Club will be having luncheons: OCT 20, NOV 17, DEC 15, JAN 19, FEB 9, MAR 16, APR 13. The speaker will be James McCartney, former politics and national security columnist for Knight-Ridder newspapers. His topic will be "The Rise And Fall Of The American Empire". The Longboat Key Democratic Club's monthly luncheon are held at The Chart House located on south tip of Longboat Key. 11:30 Social, 12 noon lunch. The menu is excellent with three choices for entrees. Please send a check for $23 per person attending to: Longboat key Democratic Club, March Luncheon Reservation, P.O. Box 8025, Longboat Key. FL 34228. Checks must be received by Thursday March 11th. Please be certain to print names of guests and number attending, telephone number and e-mail address on the check. The cost of the luncheon will be $25 per person without a reservation. For additional information, please call Jane Albaum or 387-4362.

March 16 (Tue.) - Special Referendum Election
Time: All Day. Summary: Vote on Continuation of the 1-mill Tax to Support School Funding. Location: Sarasota County District Polling Locations.

March 17 (Wed.) - Afghanistan and Terrorism (SCDP Seminar)
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm. Speaker: Colonel Michael Pheneger, Board Member, ACLU and retired Director of Intelligence, US Special Operations Command. Summary: Colonel Pheneger will provide an assessment of US policy in Afghanistan, with special emphasis on CIA and Special Forces activities to combat terrorism. He will also deal with the legal and ethical issues arising from operations to combat terrorism. He will present his views on terrorist trials, and the resolution of the issues arising from the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison. Location: SCDP Headquarters, 7358 S Tamiami Trail, Coral Cove Mall, Sarasota, FL. Cost/Donation: $10 suggested donation, RSVP via phone or email below. Info-Phone: 330 9400. Info-Email: headquarters@sarasotadems.org. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotadems.org/docs/SCDP-seminars-mar10.pdf.

March 17 (Wed.) - A Conversation with Ed Asner - Definitely Not a Tea Party!
Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm. Summary: In response to Ann Coulter and Karl Rove's upcoming Sarasota fundraising events, renowned actor and activist Ed Asner has offered to join us in a dialogue on democratic issues. Join us for this dialog on progressive issues. More Details: Light refreshments will be served. The event is limited to 40 attendees so we can engage in a lively discussion. You must RSVP to secure your participation with Murray Bluegrass, President of the Longboat Key Democratic Club at Info-Email or Info-Phone below. Location: The home of Randy & Jo Ann Bono 420 Golden Gate Point, Unit 700, Sarasota, FL. Cost/Donation: Suggested contribution is $100.00 per person. Info-Phone: 941-400-6694. Info-Email: napablue@comcast.net. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotadems.org/docs/Ed-Asner-17mar10.pdf.

March 18 (Thu.) - Sarasota/Manatee Young Democrats –- Monthly Meeting
The Sarasota/Manatee Young Democrats hold membership meetings on the third Thursday of every month. For times, locations and topics visit SMYD on the web at http://www.srqyoungdems.com or http://www.myspace.com/srqyoungdems. Info-Email: srqyoungdems@gmail.com.

March 18 (Thu.) - Sarasota/Manatee Young Democrats –- Monthly Meeting
The Sarasota/Manatee Young Democrats hold membership meetings on the third Thursday of every month. For times, locations and topics visit SMYD on the web at http://www.srqyoungdems.com or http://www.myspace.com/srqyoungdems. Info-Email: srqyoungdems@gmail.com

March 19 (Fri.) - SEMCDC---Southern Poverty Law Center
On Friday, March 19th, at 11:30am,The Southeast Manatee County Democratic Club will host The Southern Poverty Law Center at its monthly luncheon. For those who are not familiar with this organization, they are the leading fighters of domestic terrorists in the Country. They expose organizations such as branches of The Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, Skinheads, border vigilanties, as well as far right religious organizations that believe that blacks are “pre-Adam and made from dust” and “Jews are descended from the Devil”. The man who blew up the government building in Oklahoma City learned how from an organization called The Aryan Nation. In a number of cases the SPLC has sued these organizations when their activities have caused physical injury. Awards go to the victim. Another program sends guidelines, “Teaching Tolerance” to schools. Their offices in Alabama, have been bombed. Because of this unusual opportunity we are inviting non-club members as well as club members. However space is limited, so if you wish to join us, get your reservation in. SPLC will only be here one day. Please join us for lunch at The Peridia Country Club. To make a reservation call Paul Dain at 941-756-4050 or email pdain@tampabay.rr.com.Your choice for lunch includes either Chicken Pamegsan over Pasta with Vegetables or Spinach Salad, also dessert and coffee or tea. Price is $15. Paul can give you directions if needed

March 20 (Sat.) - Democratic Women's Club – Luncheon - Celebrating Women's History Fundraiser
Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Summary: Panel Discussion - We have come a long way baby. Location: Pelican Cover Club House, Pelican Cove At US 41 & Beneva Rd./Vamo Rd intersection take Vamo Rd. west. Pelican Cove is 1/3 block on right. Tell Guard you're visiting Connie Goldstein, TR117. At the 4-way stop sign, turn right. Follow Boathouse Circle around to HARBOR HOUSE. Cost/Donation: $20 for lunch. Info-Phone: 941-423-7387. Info-Email: jcohen114@verizon.net.

March 22 (Mon.) - Sarasota/Manatee Democratic Black Caucus –- Montly Meeting
Meets on the 4th Monday of every month at the North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd (corner of MLK) at 5 pm. Info: 755-5167 or lharrisjr@tampabay.rr.com.

March 23 (Tue.) - Democratic Women's Club of Sarasota County – Monthly Meeting
Meetings are held at the Democratic Headquarters (7358 S Tamiami Tr, Sarasota) on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Meetings are open to all Democratic women. For information call (941) 379-9916 or email: DWCSarasotaCounty@gmail.com. Info-URL: http://www.dwcsc.org.

March 24 (Wed.) - The Financial Challenge of US Balance of Payments Deficits (SCDP Seminar)
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm. Speaker: Dr. Ayse Somersan, Emeritus Professor and Dean, University of Wisconsin. Summary: This interactive seminar will look at the foreign trade of the United States and the decades old deficits in the US Balance of Payments. There will be discussion on the net international debtor position of the US and it’s implications for the future standard of living of Americans. Another area of focus will be the value of the Dollar and its role in the International Monetary System. We will answer the question: Is a strong Dollar good for America? Location: SCDP Headquarters, 7358 S Tamiami Trail, Coral Cove Mall, Sarasota, FL. Cost/Donation: $10 suggested donation, RSVP via phone or email below. Info-Phone: 330 9400. Info-Email: headquarters@sarasotadems.org. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotadems.org/docs/SCDP-seminars-mar10.pdf.

March 25 (Thu.) - Drinking Liberally –- Monthly Meeting
On the Last Thursday of every month the Sarasota Chapter of Drinking Liberally meets at the Cock and Bull Pub (957 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota). Enjoy Delicious Drink and Progressive Political Conversation from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Info-Email: ryanhstanley@gmail.com. Info-URL: http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/FL/sarasota

March 25 (Thu.) - Suncoast Stonewall Democrats – Monthly Meeting
The Suncoast Stonewall Democrats meet on the last Thursday of each month at the Fruitville Public Library (100 Coburn Road, Sarasota) from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Info-Email: SuncoastStonewallDemocrats@yahoo.com. Info-URL: http://www.suncoaststonewalldemocrats.org/.

March 27 (Sat.) - Venice Area Democratic Club - Annual Luncheon
Time: 12:15pm - 2:30pm. Speaker: 12th Circuit Judge Donna Berlin. Summary: Catered by Gold Rush Bar-B-Q. Location: Naar Hall, 620 Shamrock Blvd, Venice. Cost/Donation: $15 per person. Info-Phone: 492-7113 or 493-5087. Info-Email: ohpiffle@yahoo.com.

March 28 (Sun.) - Sarasota County Fair ENDS - Stop by the SCDP booth in Robarts Arena
Time: 12:00pm - 10:00pm. Summary: Volunteers needed for the SCDP booth - sign up by contacting SCDP Headquarters (phone below). Location: Robarts Arena (3000 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL). Info-Phone: 330 9400. Info-Email: headquarters@sarasotadems.org. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotafair.com.