Six chapters of Drinking Liberally exist in Arizona– in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Tempe and Tucson. Drop by the Tucson one, every Thursday at 7 p.m. at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (at 4th Avenue), to join in with this group which advertises itself as “promoting democracy one pint at a time.”

Drinking Liberally is (paraphrased from their websites):”An informal, inclusive progressive social group” of “like-minded, left-leaning individuals” who need a place to discuss political issues. They encourage all to “just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it’s not taboo to talk politics.” They also believe that “the idea of an American Republic was born in the taverns of the American colonies. The dreams that shape tomorrow’s America will also be born in our taverns, among everyday folks.” Hence, the locales, in taverns across America.

This week’s topic is focusing on your opinions on local, state and national issues. Sometimes they have guest speakers, mostly politicians or community leaders. Although the group does meet in a bar/restaurant, they do not encourage drunk driving by any means.

Drinking Liberally is a project of Living Liberally, “an organization which builds progressive communities through social networks and events. Living Liberally also runs Laughing Liberally, the political comedy project; Screening Liberally, a series of socially-conscious films; Eating Liberally, events with good gab and great grub; and Reading Liberally, book tours for progressive authors. (Living Liberally is a New York-based LLC, led by a team in NYC and fueled by the energy of hundreds of volunteers and partners around the country.)”

Whew, that’s a lot of liberals and progressives isn’t it? Check out the website for this community of liberal thinkers: www.livingliberally.org.

Whatever your political bias may be, consider a visit with these folks who do welcome all viewpoints. I’ve dropped by on occasion to drink my cranberry juice and talk politics, being as I used to be a legislative aide to a powerful U.S. Senator on Capitol Hill in my younger days. Remind me to tell you about the time in D.C.when I spoke with actor John Denver on the phone….
but not sure how liberal he was.

If you love free movies and you have kids, or are still a kid at heart, here’s a film festival for you, starting Saturday July 25.

Super cinematic summer excitement is back at The Loft with its the third annual TUCSON INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL,
presented by the Glassman Foundation, and hosted by the staff of Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s Toys, a very popular toy store at Crossroads Festival.

This exciting and “awe-inspiring silver screen extravaganza is a nine-day celebration of great children’s cinema, featuring classic kids films, foreign features, cartoons, sing-a-longs, fun interactive activities, free popcorn and prize giveaways!”

And best of all, every movie is FREE! Another freebie is that you can enter a daily raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s Toys!

The event runs Saturday through Sunday for 9 days to August 2, and movies are at 10 a.m. every morning. The festival kicks-off with the “Wizard of Oz”, one of my all time favorites, and finishes with the incomparable sing-a-long “Mary Poppins.”

Be there on July 29 as The PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY will be handing out FREE copies of the book “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl, before the movie (while supplies last.) There will also be a short discussion on turning the book into a film after the movie. I’ve read the book and it’s an exciting movie as well.

There are also some international films from Japan, France, and Hungary (but mostly dubbed in English).

I’m one of the dedicated Loft volunteers who enjoys movies and such community film festivals. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a supervising adult, so please don’t just drop off the little ones. See www.loftcinema.com for more details and a schedule of each day’s film.

Sounds like it’s going to be a “supercalifragilistic” screening festival. Plus it’s also a great summer way to beat the heat.

I am still surprised when I meet a gay or lesbian person in Southern Arizona,and he/she doesn’t know about Wingspan. This is a fantastic resource and advocacy center for the GLBT community, conveniently located  in  a two story building at 425 E. 7th Street, just east of 4th Avenue in Tucson.   As of Sunday the center will be closing temporarily till July 24 due to  consolidation with the EON Youth Lounge across the street, and will reopen on Monday July 27 at this new site.

A myriad of programs are being run by Wingspan, such as an anti-violence crisis hotline, a homeless teen program, another called Senior Pride for the elderly. Check out all this and more at their website, www.wingspan.org. There’s also a free lending library, community meeting rooms, even a cybercenter.

Recently Wingspan board President Cynthia Garcia sent out an email alert to the community about restructuring due to hard economic times, including the resignation of the Executive Director.  Jason Cianciotto will stay only through July 31, paid  at only $1, as Wingspan is returning to an all-volunteer agency.  Read the text of the July 17 alert here from their website:

http://www.wingspan.org/content/news_wingspan_details.php?story_id=670

As a straight ally, I have been to several events and receptions at Wingspan, along with my husband. Sign up for their weekly online newsletter which has lots of activities to participate in and support. The well attended Annual Dinner in September will also be reorganized into something different according to Board  President Garcia.

Please consider a donation (no matter how small) to help this worthy organization continue its programs.  Times are hard, and this group needs our support now.