Yes, Clear Lake is in the City of Houston and in Harris County. And, contrary to "urban legends" (take that Mike Griffin), it's not the center of the red universe that it once was. The Clear Lake area has turned purple and candidates and grassroots activists have figured that out - and made that happen. Political consultants have been slower to catch on, but they are surprising themselves when they put pencil to paper and crunch the numbers.

So, why not experience some of that Clear Lake goodness for yourself tonight and attend the Bay Area New Democrats fun-raiser for a meet the candidates opportunity. It's at Franca's Italian Restaurant, 1101 NASA Rd One, 6 pm until around 8:30 pm. A $25 donation gets you free pizza, cash bar and the opportunity to hear from Nick Lampson, Joe Jaworski, Sherrie Matula, Susan Criss and Melissa Noriega. Plus, many other area candidates will be in attendance. A large crowd is expected.

Also, Nick Lampson is hosting a town hall meeting tonight in Clear Lake, starting at 6:30 at Ward Elementary, on missing and exploited children. Congressman Lampson will speak, as well as Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega, Nancy McBride of the National National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Bob Smithers of the Laura Recovery Center, Beth Alberts, President and CEO of the Texas Center for the Missing and Officer Richard Rodriguez from the the Houston Police Department "Child Lures" Program. There will be a question and answer period.