ABOUT TOWN: Former Congressman Coming to Stoughton; Blues Fest Bringing Top-Notch Music

Colonel Allen West was the first black Republican from Florida to serve in the United House Representatives since Reconstruction. He will be coming to Stoughton on August 15, 2013. 

A VIP briefing with Col. West, also a Fox News and PJ Media contributor, will be from 6:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and includes dinner and a short talk from Col. West. General Admission will be from 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Admission costs: $250 for the VIP dinner and $35 for general admission ($45 at the door).

As the demographics of the U.S. population shift, it becomes ever more critical to increase representation by not only black, but Hispanic and Asian American leaders as well. 

The leadership PAC Colonel West established during the 2012 election cycle with the same mission helped seven military veteran candidates win their seats in the House of Representatives.

Allen West first took an oath to support and defend our Constitution as a young Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. During his 22 years of service, he was distinguished by numerous commendations and honors for valor, achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel. 

In 2010, Colonel West once again reaffirmed that oath when he became the first black Republican from Florida to serve in the United House Representatives since Reconstruction. 

After winning a seat in the 2010 election, he was sworn-in in January of 2011 and served until January 2013, narrowly losing a bid for reelection. 

Colonel West was one of only four black Republicans to serve in the United States House of Representatives in nearly a century. In the Senate, there have been only two. 

Allen's current mission is to ensure conservative leaders are elected who will stand as guardians of our constitutional republic, to restore our nation's fiscal responsibility and strong national defense, limit the growth of government, unleash the free market and preserve the liberty and sovereignty of its citizens.

The Allen West Guardian Fund was created by Colonel Allen West as a Leadership PAC to support conservative military veterans and minorities running for office.  

The goal is to raise enough funds to help 14 critical races around the country in 2014; thus fulfilling Colonel West's commitment to help elect the next generation of conservative leaders. 

This event is part of The Hausman Memorial Free Speech Speakers' Series, which informally began in December of 1998. 

For event information, and sponsoring opportunities, contact Rabbi Jonathan Hausman at 781-344-8733 or email HMSpeakersSeries@gmail.com.  

The Ahavath Torah Congregation is located at 1179 Central Street in Stoughton.

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FIRST ANNUAL SOUTH SHORE BLUES FEST: Fans of the blues are already marking their calendars for Sunday, July 21 at 5 p.m., when Ahavath Torah Congregation will be hosting the 1st Annual South Shore Blues Fest. 

The evening will feature Boston Baked Blues with the Temple Horns, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Toni Lynn Washington, Rick Russell and the Cadillac Horns, and Satch Romano. 

Beer, wine and snacks will be available for purchase. Tickets for this events are just $30 in advance and $35 at the door. 

Advance tickets are available until July 15 by sending a check made payable to Ahavath Torah Congregation, 1st Annual South Shore Blues Fest, 1179 Central Street, Stoughton, MA, 02072 (or call 781-344-8733).

The lineup is a who's who powerhouse of legendary Boston blues talent. Boston Baked Blues, fronted by Vinny Serino (pictured in our Gallery), is one of Boston's best blues bands, and a mainstay of the blues scene for nearly 25 years. The band is a nominee many times over of the Boston Music Awards. 

Legendary Matt "Guitar" Murphy, who played in the Blues Brothers films with Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Water, Otis Rush and a host of other blues luminaries, will also be a part of this stellar lineup. 

Grammy Award nominee Toni Lynn Washington is considered Boston's " Queen of the Blues,'' where she has a long and storied history on the club scene. 

One of New England’s preeminent blues masters, Rick “King” Russell has been described as “The Kingpin of the Blues” by the Boston Globe. 

Local favorite harmonica player Satch Romano, always surrounded by some of the area's finest blues players, will blow the audience away, as usual.   

This is sure to be a sellout, as past shows with Boston Baked Blues alone, were. 

For more information, or ticket information, contact the synagogue office at 781-344-8733, via email at office@atorah.org, or visit the website at www.atorah.org .

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