A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Good morning Kogs and Kossacks in Dailykosland!
Merry Monday and welcome to the working week...
As I write this, it is 54 degrees in Boston—very mild. Yesterday it was in the 50s also, but it did not feel warm. I went out wearing my winter coat and a heavy sweater and was glad of it, because the strong wind made it feel as though it was barely above freezing.
Tonight the temperature will be in the 20s.
The vernal equinox was a few days ago. Now the days in the northern hemisphere are officially longer than the nights, and they are getting a few minutes longer every day. But it sure does not feel like spring yet in many parts of New England.
Has Spring sprung yet where you are?
As I look out my living room window, there are no buds on the trees. The evergreen shrubs are not showing new growth yet. All the grass is brown, and the sky is grey... not California dreamin' exactly, but it definitely looks more like winter than spring.
When I was growing up in Washington, D.C., late March was definitely Spring. The trees were in full leaf and even when it was windy you could still go out wearing a jacket, not a heavy wool coat. Late March was a time to go see the cherry blossoms and the Tidal Basin bedecked in shades of pink and green like afternoon tea at a prep school. This year the blossoms are a bit behind schedule because of the hard winter.
Another childhood sign of spring was my grandfather helping me make and fly a kite. I am terrible at flying kites, but it was a way to get outside and enjoy the strong warm breezes.
As others have said, "in the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of baseball." For the last few decades baseball has been the most welcome harbinger of spring for me, and I have watched a couple of spring training games the last few weeks. The official baseball season theoretically started at 3:00 this morning when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks began a two-game series in Australia (!!?!!), but the baseball season does not begin in the continental U.S. for another week. The appearance of the first baseball cards used to be a sign that spring was coming soon, as well as the first appearance of Easter candy, but there was Easter candy in the stores right after Valentine's Day, and does anyone still collect baseball cards anymore?
When I was doing office work, I used to enjoy participating in "Daffodil Days" at this time of year. American Cancer Society volunteers collected donations and in return they gave you a small bunch of tightly budded daffodils, thin as pencils from one end to the other. Put them on your desk in some water, and by the next day they would start to slowly peel themselves open. The whole office would be bright with daffodils in makeshift vases like pencil holders, coffee mugs and drinking glasses. Sadly, after 40 years, Daffodil Days were recently discontinued: 2013 was the last year for the fundraiser.
I did see some sparrows on Friday while I was sitting in Copley Square waiting for a bus. They usually congregate by the fountain where uptown workers sit and eat their lunch when the weather is good. The fountain is not on yet, but some people were sitting in the sun anyway. I sat in the cold and ate my sandwich and one lonely sparrow hopped by hoping for crumbs. After I got on the bus it rode between the Public Garden and Boston Common. To my left I could see workers preparing for the return of the swan boats. To my right there was a large sign that said "Parking for Frog Pond Skating". They don't mean roller skating. The last day of ice skating on the Frog Pond was supposed to be Sunday March 23, but they closed down early because of several days of above freezing weather. As recently as last week the Charles River was still frozen over in spots, but now the ice is finally gone.
I will know it is spring when I awaken to the sound of many sparrows in the trees outside my windows, and when those trees have buds on the end of their branches. I will know it is spring when I can wear a sweater to work and leave my wool coat at home. I will know it is spring when swan boats float and flowers bloom in the Public Garden. I will know it is spring when there is baseball on the radio.
Do you live in a place where colorful flowers are already in bloom? Are people walking around in light jackets and sweaters (or less!) or still bundling up with coats? Is a special spring festival of any kind celebrated where you live? Are there signs of spring you remember fondly from childhood that you miss now? What signs of spring do you anticipate most eagerly?
Are you seeing signs of spring in your area?
Start up soundtrack
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by sidnora ♥ for New York City
Thank you, sidnora, for the great photo diary recap. So many terrific photos of our NYC Kossacks and all their food pr0n. It looks like everyone had a really good time. There's still time to rec her diary.
Here's only two photos of the many that belinda ridgewood, joanbrooker and Denise Oliver Velez provided:
L-R: the camera-shy Yasuragi (yes, she weally showed up!), belinda ridgewood, kathny, malloy, Miscweant, No Exit, Son of Broccoli, jfdunphy, mightymouse, plf515, sidnora, Mets102
L-R: Ian Reifowitz, plf515, sidnora, Denise Oliver Velez, Mets102
Please visit sidnora's diary for many MORE photos! Plus massive food pr0n. Enjoy! You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to sidnora.
Four Kossack regional groups descend on the California State Capitol
to demand that Governor Jerry Brown ban
the oil and gas production process known as fracking
by navajo ♥ for Connect! Unite! Act!
Representing Northern California, the SFKossacks, Central Valley Kossacks, Paradise & Chico Kossacks and the Silicon Valley Kossacks gathered on the mall of our state capitol in Sacramento on Saturday, March 15th to protest fracking. Governor Brown has the ability to ban the environmentally destructive, water-intensive oil extraction practice known as hydraulic fracturing in California. The state is in a severe drought and the last place our water should go is into fracking. It is estimated the protesters numbered around 4000. We endured the hot sun which sent the temperatures into the 80s as we gathered midday to make a lot of noise and get the attention of the Governor.
Please note red arrow pointing to our Daily Kos banner to gather all us Kossacks together!
Please visit paradise50's diary for his terrific photos!
You can join SFKossacks by sending a Kosmail to navajo.
You can join Central Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tgypsy.
You can join Paradise & Chico Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to smileycreek.
You can join Silicon Valley Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Glen The Plumber.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Monday, March 24th
NYC Kossacks Welcome Chaucounne!
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Donburiya
137 East 47th Street (Lex-3rd) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send sidnora a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. Chaucounne
3. thankgodforairamerica
4.
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Maybees:
Avilyn
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Latest diary: NEW EVENT: NYC Meetup 3/24– Dinner with Chacounne!
Saturday, March 29th
Houston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fadi's Mediterranean Grill
4738 Beechnut Street • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. htowngenie
3. Libby Shaw
4. MarciaJ720
5. Bree Davis
6. krwheaton
7. Mary (Honorary Kossack)
8. Alan (Honorary Kossack) |
Maybees:
Mr. Libby Shaw
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, March 29 (plus a note on future meet-ups)
Saturday, April 5th
Baja Arizona Kossacks 4th Annual Picnic
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Home of Mr. & Mrs. sneakers563
Address by Kosmail to RSVPers • Tucson
ORGANIZER: Send Azazello a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Azazello
2. sneakers563
3. rasbobbo
4. DaNang65
5. ItsaMathJoke
6. Itzadryheat
7. pwoodford
8. ramara
9. Desert Rose
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Maybees:
cosmic debris
LandruBek
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Latest diary: Baja Arizona Kossacks Open Thread
Saturday, April 5th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send EagleOfFreedom a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. EagleOfFreedom
2. Reetz
3. John Crapper
4. John Crapper's S.O.
5. WisePiper
6. bleeding blue
7. mlharges
8.
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Maybees:
Ojibwa
otto
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Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks April Meeting
TBD, April TBD]
Potential Boston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • [City]
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. Hawk Wife
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Boston Kossacks - Up & At 'em!
Saturday, May 3rd
DKos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. GulfGal 98
8. Otteray Scribe
9. flwrightman
10. people power granny
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Maybees:
Audri
Mr Audri
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Tuesday, May 13th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for LeftOfYou & Expat Okie
TIME: 11:00 AM, Early lunch!
LOCATION: Yank Sing
Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. LeftOfYou
3. Expat Okie
4. side pocket
5. Justice Putnam
6. dharmasyd
7. Lorikeet
8. jpmassar
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Maybees:
annieli
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navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.