The Rockridge Institute, a Berekely based progressive think-tank formed to combat its better funded conservative counterparts, is closing its doors due to lack of money.

The institute was founded by UC Berkeley linguist professor and author George Lakoff, who gained fame after Democrats tapped into his “framing” concept in the book, “Don’t Think of An Elephant.” Framing is the study of how individual worldview affects thought.

Here’s what the institute sent out this morning in an e-mail announcement:
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Journalist Marc Sandalow, author of “Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi’s Life, Times and Rise to Power,” will hold a book-signing on April 17 at Saint Mary’s College Bookstore.

Sandalow, the former Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the San Francisco Chronicle, has written about how Pelosi rose in political influence to become the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The book-signing will be held from 4-5:30 p.m., at Saint Mary’s Bookstore, 1928 St. Mary’s Road in Moraga.

You just can’t make this stuff up.

A press release showed up in my email this morning from the publisher of the New York Times bestseller series, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

The publisher is looking for heart-warming stories about politics for use in its upcoming “Chicken Soup” for the souls of Democrats and Republicans. It will come out in July just before the two party’s national political conventions in late summer.

Heart-warming political stories? But I’m not the warm and fuzzy type so don’t rely on my opinion.

On the other hand, the publisher will pay $200 for a winning submission. Money warms the heart, doesn’t it?

Here are the details from the press release in case you are just dying to share your political story with the world:

Do you have an insightful, funny or powerfully moving story that puts a personal face on the political process? HCI Books, the publisher of the New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series, are currently seeking stories to include in two new books being released just in time for the National Conventions: Republican’s Soul/Democrat’s Soul.

As our country embarks on the most exciting and important presidential election of the last hundred years, we are inviting you to share your experiences, the lessons you’ve learned, and the personal growth you’ve achieved through the political process.

We will be featuring political history peppered with interesting facts and entertaining foibles. Contributions will include funny, nostalgic, and thought-provoking stories about the ins and outs of being politically-active citizens.

If you have a great true story that reveals the incredible experiences and feelings you’ve enjoyed while being part of our democratic process and would like to be included, please send your stories to directly to us no later than March 15, 2008.

Please visit whichever web site you are interested in www.republicansoul.com or www.democratsoul.com for story themes, and guidelines (including compensation, rights and maximum word count).

Stories may also be or e-mailed to story@democratsoul.com or story@republicansoul.com or mailed to Political Soul, Attn: A. Gold, 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442