The San Fernando Valley Americans United Chapter is sponsoring a talk by Mr. Nick Matzke entitled, "The Evolutionary Origin of Intelligent Design." Matzke is a Public Information Project Director at National Center for Science Education. During the landmark “intelligent design” case of Kitzmiller V. Dover, Mr. Matzke spent a year working for the plaintiff’s legal team, providing scientific advice and researching the creationist origins of the "Intelligent Design" (ID) movement. His work led to the discovery of the creationist drafts of the 1989 ID textbook “Of Pandas and People”.

The Upper Connecticut River Valley Chapter of Americans United and the Interfaith Alliance Foundation are hosting a discussion and short film about separation of church and state. This is part of the First Freedom First discussion series and will focus on the theme "No Religious Discrimination." This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 802-649-1496 or email americansunitedvt-nh@hotmail.com

Maybe you'll be the next media darling or sweetheart of the Senate. Either way, the Delaware Valley Chapter of Americans United would love to give you media and lobbying training this Valentine's weekend. Come learn activist tool-tips for informing the media about church-state issues and lobbying your elected officials. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact the chapter at: President@dvau.org Rittenhouse Square is located between 18th and 20th Streets and Walnut and Pine Streets. The Philadelphia Ethical Society building, located on the extreme South Western corner of Rittenhouse Square.

The North Shore Americans United Chapter is hosting a lecture on "Evolution, Creationism, and the First Amendment" by Matt Lowry. Lowry is a physics and astronomy teacher at Lake Forest High School and College of Lake County. He is also the moderator and organizer for Darwin's Bulldogs, a local citizen action group dedicated to promoting the teaching of evolution while battling the teaching of creationism as science in public schools. Ever since Charles Darwin published his "Origin of Species" in 1859, there has been a backlash against the teaching of evolutionary science. In recent years there has been a concerted and organized effort to undermine the teaching of evolution while promoting a new variant of creationism, called "intelligent design", in public school science classes. From the infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial" in 1925 to last year's ruling in Dover vs. Kitzmiller, there has been a battle in the courts concerning the teaching of creationism vs. evolution.

The Winston-Salem Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet on Tuesday February 20 at 6:00 p.m at the Hanes Mall Golden Corral. The speaker will be Jennifer Rudinger, Executive Director of ACLU-North Carolina. Her topic will be "Public Prayer and Government Meetings: Justice for Everyone." As you may know, the ACLU has sent a letter to the County Commissioners outlining why sectarian (usually Christian) opening prayers are unconstitutional. Last week the national office of Americans United sent them a similar letter. The current situation will be discussed.

The Sarasota-Manatee Americans United Chapter is co-sponsoring a talk by AU Executive Director Rev. Barry Lynn. Lynn will discuss, "2007: What Now for the Church-State Wall?" Lynn received his theology degree from Boston University in 1973 and his law degree from Georgetown University in 1978. He is the author of the newly published book, "Piety and Politics: The Right-Wing Assault on Religious Freedom." Copies of the book will be available for purchasing and signing. There is no charge for this program. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact the chapter at: info@au-fl.org