At this point, the only area bus that may have space is a potential third bus from Hartford.

Please call Diane Lentakis at 203-783-0686 if there is still an interest. The bus departs Hartford 2/17 4:00 AM. It will make several CT stops and onwards to DC. It will depart DC on 2/17 at 6:30-7:00 PM and return 2/18 around 2:00 AM. For more information, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5355458320#.

The bus from Greenfield via Northampton, MA is on its way. The bus left from Greenfield (Staples parking lot, OK to overnight park) Saturday 16th at 8:30AM, and stops at Grandstands Bowling Alley at 525 Pleasant St, Northampton at 9AM (also OK to overnight park). The bus arrives in DC at a church around 5:30. The bus will leave after the rally and arrive in the Pioneer Valley a little after midnight. Tickets are $75, $5 to stay overnight in a church - bring sleeping pads/bags. Simple, healthy dinner and breakfast provided at the church for $5 each. Checks to Andrew Kurowski, PO BOX 36,Heath, 01346. "We're holding a spot for folks as soon as they tell us their check is in the mail." Contact andrew.kurowski@gmail.com, or call 413-337-5340.

The evening buses from Northampton to Washington DC are full. Buses leave Sat., February 16 at 10:30 pm from the Peter Pan Bus Terminal, with a stop at the Park & Ride lot at Sheldon Field, Northampton (Rte. 9, Bridge St & Old Ferry Rd - where the NPD recommends people park). The bus arrives in Washington at 7:00 AM. "Please arrive at 10:00 to load the bus. There is metered parking at the terminal. The Northampton Police Department suggested parking in the Park and Ride lot at Sheldon Field near the intersection of Highway 9 and Interstate 91. Please let me know if you will be parking there, so the bus can stop to pick you up." For more details, visit www.eventbrite.com/event/5498696750#. Subsidies available.

All three Brattleboro, VT buses are full. For details, visit http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/2013/signup_page/dcbusfeb13.

All seven Boston, MA buses are full, leaving from Jamaica Plain, Alewife and Harvard Square on the morning of 2/16/2013. Learn more and donate here.

Amtrack (one-way from Springfield):

Amtrack (return to Springfield):

Peter Pan Buslines (one-way from Northampton - $64.80 from Springfield)

Peter Pan Buslines (return to Northampton - $64.80 to Springfield)

The following links may be useful for people seeking to carpool:
Add your name to this EDITABLE Google Spreadsheet of interested riders
Craigslist Ride Shares (Western MA, searching for "DC")
Ridebuzz (50 mile radius of Northampton to Washington DC)
Ridebuzz (Forward on Climate Rally Group - no current Western MA posts)
E-Classifieds (Sometimes copies from Craigslist, scrambling info. No independent offers/requests for Washington, DC)

(courtesy of action.sierraclub.org)
CouchSurfing.org (Forward on Climate Rally)
Washington Peace Cener (large groups)
Washington Peace Center (individuals and small groups)

A Presidential Decision That Could Change the World: The Strategic Importance of Keystone XL by Michael Klare, Tom Dispatch, 2/10/2013
“...the only pipeline now under development that would significantly expand Albertan tar-sands exports is Keystone XL. It is vitally important to the tar-sands producers because it offers the sole short-term -- or possibly even long-term -- option for the export and sale of the crude output now coming on line at dozens of projects being developed across northern Alberta. Without it, these projects will languish and Albertan production will have to be sold at a deep discount -- at, that is, a per-barrel price that could fall below production costs, making further investment in tar sands unattractive. In January, Canadian tar-sands oil was already selling for $30-$40 less than West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the standard U.S. blend.”

Video: House Energy and Commerce's Terry (R) discusses possible action on pipeline (transcript here), OnPoint, 2/7/2013
“...I am surprised to some extent the power of the environmental lobby to be able to in essence delay it this long. There's no doubt that but for them, the President would have, he probably would have approved a year and a half ago.”

I hope you are all ready for a lively February rally in D.C.  Sierra Club and 350.org and the Hip Hop Caucus have been very busy preparing the rally and march to make sure we are hard to ignore.

Here are some resources you might want to print out before the bus leaves:
Northampton, MA Bus to Forward on Climate Rally: Passenger Check-List
Keystone XL Chants
Blank Rally Poster

Dress warmly!!! It will be cold and you will be on the windy Mall with no windbreaks (except thousands of bodies). Bring warm hats, gloves, socks, maybe hand and foot warmers

Bring pillows and sleeping bags and ear plugs so you can sleep on the bus. 

Don't forget any medicines that you will need.

If you are driving, it is probably best to leave your car in the Park and Ride lot at Sheldon Field in Northampton, so it won't get towed in case there is a snow parking ban.  Unfortunately, there is a threat of snow Saturday-Sunday.  Please let me know if you plan to park at the Park and Ride so we won't look for you or your passengers at the bus terminal.  We will pick you up after we finish loading at the bus terminal, at about 10:15. 

Bring food and water.

Bring a cell phone if you have it. Make sure it is charged.

If anyone is coming down from Greenfield, we have someone who needs a ride on Saturday evening.

If you are interested:
GATHERING BEFORE THE RALLY:

Massachusetts will be gathering before the rally on Sunday so we can march as a group.

We are meeting at the Lincoln memorial between 10:30 and 11AM, then heading over to the general rally at 11AM.

Spread the word! All of our friends from Better Future Project are welcome and encouraged to join us for this meet-up and march to the rally!

FROM 350.org

First, weather: It's going to be cold, but likely dry. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low-30s, and a slight chance of a cold rain. That means lots of layers will be important. But by far the best way to keep warm is to keep our energy up, so also come prepared with chants, songs, dances -- anything that you and your friends need to get pumped up.

Second, the plan: The action starts at Noon at the Washington Monument. We'll hear from speakers, and then hit the streets. First we will assemble on Constitution Ave., then head North on 17th St. At Pennsylvania Ave. we'll hang a right, and then come back towards the Monument on 15th St. Once we're all on 15th street, we'll assemble ourselves into a giant human pipeline, which we'll then turn into a symbol of renewable energy. After that we'll re-assemble at the monument with some music and to wrap up.

Last, speakers: The rally will be MC'd by Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, and will feature Bill McKibben from 350, Michael Brune from the Sierra Club, along with Chief Jacqueline Thomas and Crystal Lameman, two indigenous leaders from Canada, Van Jones, and US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.

On Wednesday, 48 of our friends and allies made international news by risking arrest at the White House gates protesting the Keystone XL pipeline. The next day, two Senators introduced a bold new climate bill that charts a path forward on climate. And that's just the beginning: we have over 130 buses coming from 28 states, and tens of thousands of people signed up for Sunday's rally, meaning we're on our way to making history.

• Rally Schedule:
• 12:00: Program begins
• 12:00-1:00: Speeches:
  
• 1:00-3:45: March around the White House
• 4:00: Closing concert
  

http://forwardonclimate.org/
forwardonclimate.org - FAQ page
forwardonclimate.org - rally details page
http://act.350.org/signup/presidentsday

weather.com
wunderground.com
accuweather.com

http://climatememes.tumblr.com/
http://sign.350.org/

Bill Newman Show, WHMP - 2/12/2013 (mp3 link) (visit home page)
Hampshire Gazette, 2/13/13 - Local residents aim to join DC climate rally

Dear New England friends--

I'm writing just to ask if you can join me in Washington DC on February 17.

It's looking to be big -- we're hoping against hope that we can turn out 20,000 people (including you), which would be the biggest climate rally ever. If that excites you at all, click here to join me there: act.350.org/signup/presidentsday

We've got to demonstrate to DC how much real people actually care about this climate thing that our politicians keep ignoring -- I keep telling them that in 50 years no one will remember the fiscal cliff and everyone will know the Arctic melted, but the message gets across better if they can see that I'm not alone.

Plenty of people are coming from across America -- I just talked with a big group in the Twin Cities who have hired a whole train car to make the journey -- but it's those of us who live a day's travel from Washington that will have to make up the bulk of the crowd.

Since I've lived much of my life in the northern mountains, I know February can be a hard time to travel -- I know I try to stay home in winter. But the timeline for the Keystone pipeline is getting tight. We've got to take our shot while we've got a real chance.

And I know you've all been doing great things close to home. I was amazed to watch the outpouring of people in Portland, Maine the weekend before last to fight the proposed tarsands pipeline through New England.

We've got these guys on the run, which means that even when we we may be tired, we need to push harder. I wish I didn't have to ask, but I know you understand.

Here's where to go to sign up, and get information about buses and all that. I really hope you'll join me: act.350.org/signup/presidentsday

When you make it to DC, come find me on the Mall -- I'll be the tall guy wandering around with a grin, so happy to see one of the most important gatherings on the planet.

Bill