SALINA, Kan. - For those who don't know, the "rogue" Republican, Sarah Palin, has been invited to be the keynote speaker at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet on February 5.
A local coalition of people opposed to Palinism have organized a Reality Not Celebrity dinner as a counter-event to the Palin's visit to Salina. The event will take place at the Salina Country Club.
Keynote speaker for the event is George Pyle, editorial writer at The Buffalo News, Wichita State graduate and former local liberal and excellent editorial writer of the Salina Journal. Pyle is flying in from Buffalo for the event.
In addition, Reality not Celebrity has arranged for entertainment that includes some neat Palin spoofs, including a mock Oprah interview with Salina's own Sarah Palin, as well as music and fun.
The event begins at 6:00 PM at the Salina Country Club, corner of East Iron Avenue and Marymount Road. Reservations are required.
The event organizers sold out reservations in 12 hours at the original venue, Martinelli's in downtown Salina. The country club venue has excellent space and acoustics and can accommodate a much larger crowd.
Tickets for the event are $25 and reservations can be made through Friday 29 January by emailing realitynotcelebrity@yahoo.com. Include your personal with contact information (address, telephone, e-mail) and number of tickets requested. Reservation must be paid in advanced. Mail checks to: 608 East Republic, Salina, KS, 67401-5333. Made checks out to: "Reality Not Celebrity."
The organizers are within striking distance of packing the country club and have representatives coming from over a dozen Kansas communities. This is a great opportunity to make a statement about there being many alternatives to Sarah Palin-thought, and have a great time at the same time.
So glad to see you promoting this event for these fine people, Christopher. They have worked very hard and I am told that the Palin jokes will be plentiful. What better way to spend an evening?