In the spirit of community service encouraged by President Obama, DA Rome members helped to support Ryder Italia, a community service provider, at the "Julius Caesar at the Bramante Cloister" event on Wednesday.  Ryder Italia provides Rome's only in-house hospice care, and without cost to the patient.  Two of our members had family members who used this important service last year.  Old and new members, never before seen at any event, were attracted to the cultural/political focus of the afternoon visit to the Bramante Cloister.  It was an interesting, lively refreshment hour as we got to know each other.

And what a show it is.  The original top to the obilsique now in St. Peter's square, said to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar, and Michelangelo's drawing of Cleopatra were were among the treasures assembled from all over the world.  Complimenti to the curator.  If you get a chance to see it before it leaves May 4, you should. 

Volunteer thanks go to new member Leona Markiewic and my husband, Tom Finerty, for the time spent helping make this and other DA events so effective, and to Gretchen Bloom for taking the reservations. 

Election News

The deadline for self-nominations for the DA Italy board and Rome Chapter Chair positions is Saturday, Feb. 28.  I am including  the links which no longer requires a login!

We will have a meeting for anyone considering becoming a candidate the week of Feb. 23, with our best estimates of time and money required.  Anthony and I are hoping that many more of you will become active in the Chapter, and anyone who would like to come to this meeting, please let me know by Feb. 20 so I can arrange a room.  

The links for the Election on the website, again, are: 

Elections Information, Link #1:      http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/7961

State of the Rome Chapter, Link #2:  http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/7962

Proceedures for Self-Nomination, Link #3:   http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/7963


In other Rome community news

The Eyes Wide Open Film Series begins the Winter/Spring 2009 program with a group discussion following the screening of rivetting documentary produced and narrated by Leonardo Di Caprio, "The Eleventh Hour".  As with each film in the series, it will be followed by a group discussion.  Refreshments and light dinner available at discounted price to all who attend.  For more information on the whole series, and how you can help, talk to Ilona, Gene, David, Kathy, or Andy at the event.

An excerpt of the review, describes "The Eleventh Hour" as a ...  

...spirited discussion of solutions, offered by a crack team of
scientists, designers, and thinkers. Stirring visions of alternate energy sources, diversified transportation, enlightened governmental agendas, sustainable homes and cities, and, most importantly, more conscious consumer choices leave viewers with the palpable feeling that change is both necessary and possible. If the "eleventh hour" for
our planet is drawing near, this admirable film points confidently towards a new dawn. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/11th_hour/#

Thursday, Feb. 19
Doors open at 7:30, film starts promptly at 8 PM.
Arcobaleno
Via Pullino, 1
Garbatello Metro Stop B.
(Exit towards via Pullino, turn right and continue (200mt) across Piazza Albini to Arcobaleno)
By bus: Buses 673 from the Colosseum area and 716/715 from Piazza Venezia.

Arcobaleno requires a 5 Euro/year membership card, which is good for many other services.  

Hope to see you soon, in or around Rome,

Lisa Finerty  
Chair Democrats Abroad Rome