diff --git a/api/tests.py b/api/tests.py
index 2920acc9..7d04ee89 100755
--- a/api/tests.py
+++ b/api/tests.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import json
-import datetime
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
 from decimal import Decimal
 
 from django.test import TestCase
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class ApiTests(TestCase):
             name=edition.work.title,
             work=edition.work, 
             description='Test Campaign',
-            deadline=datetime.datetime.now(),
+            deadline=now(),
             target=Decimal('1000.00'),
         )
         self.user = User.objects.create_user('test', 'test@example.com', 'testpass')
diff --git a/core/bookloader.py b/core/bookloader.py
index 898d592d..49595223 100755
--- a/core/bookloader.py
+++ b/core/bookloader.py
@@ -1,21 +1,26 @@
 import json
 import logging
-import datetime
 
 import requests
 from xml.etree import ElementTree
 from itertools import izip, islice
 
+from datetime import timedelta
+
 from django.db.models import Q
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.db import IntegrityError
 from django.contrib.comments.models import Comment
 
+
 import regluit
 from regluit.core import models
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
 import regluit.core.isbn
 
 
+
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -444,9 +449,9 @@ def merge_works(w1, w2, user=None):
 def add_openlibrary(work):
     if work.openlibrary_lookup is not None:
         # don't hit OL if we've visited in the past month or so
-        if datetime.datetime.now()- work.openlibrary_lookup < datetime.timedelta(days=30):
+        if now()- work.openlibrary_lookup < timedelta(days=30):
              return
-    work.openlibrary_lookup = datetime.datetime.now()
+    work.openlibrary_lookup = now()
     work.save()
 
     # find the first ISBN match in OpenLibrary
diff --git a/core/management/commands/random_campaigns.py b/core/management/commands/random_campaigns.py
index 01271142..c8ff26f2 100644
--- a/core/management/commands/random_campaigns.py
+++ b/core/management/commands/random_campaigns.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from decimal import Decimal
 from random import randint, randrange
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import timedelta
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
 from decimal import Decimal as D
 
 from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             campaign.paypal_receiver = settings.PAYPAL_TEST_RH_EMAIL
 
             # random deadline between 5 days from now and 180 days from now
-            now = datetime.now()
+            now = now()
             campaign.deadline = random_date(now + timedelta(days=5),
                                             now + timedelta(days=180))
 
diff --git a/core/models.py b/core/models.py
index 91c8f0e9..92bce81c 100755
--- a/core/models.py
+++ b/core/models.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import re
 import random
-import datetime
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now, date_today
+from datetime import timedelta
 from decimal import Decimal
 
 from django.db import models
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ class UnglueitError(RuntimeError):
     pass
 
 class CeleryTask(models.Model):
-    created = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True, default=datetime.datetime.now())
+    created = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True, default=now())
     task_id = models.CharField(max_length=255)
     user =  models.ForeignKey(User, related_name="tasks", null=True) 
     description = models.CharField(max_length=2048, null=True)  # a description of what the task is 
@@ -114,10 +115,10 @@ class Campaign(models.Model):
         if self.target < Decimal(settings.UNGLUEIT_MINIMUM_TARGET):
             self.problems.append(_('A campaign may not be launched with a target less than $%s' % settings.UNGLUEIT_MINIMUM_TARGET))
             may_launch = False
-        if self.deadline.date()-datetime.date.today() > datetime.timedelta(days=int(settings.UNGLUEIT_LONGEST_DEADLINE)):
+        if self.deadline.date()- date_today() > timedelta(days=int(settings.UNGLUEIT_LONGEST_DEADLINE)):
             self.problems.append(_('The chosen closing date is more than %s days from now' % settings.UNGLUEIT_LONGEST_DEADLINE))
             may_launch = False  
-        elif self.deadline.date()-datetime.date.today() < datetime.timedelta(days=int(settings.UNGLUEIT_SHORTEST_DEADLINE)):         
+        elif self.deadline.date()- date_today() < timedelta(days=int(settings.UNGLUEIT_SHORTEST_DEADLINE)):         
             self.problems.append(_('The chosen closing date is less than %s days from now' % settings.UNGLUEIT_SHORTEST_DEADLINE))
             may_launch = False  
         return may_launch
@@ -126,10 +127,9 @@ class Campaign(models.Model):
     def update_success(self):
         """  updates the campaign's status. returns true if updated
         """
-        now = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
         if not self.status=='ACTIVE':
             return False
-        elif self.deadline < now:
+        elif self.deadline < now():
             if self.current_total >= self.target:
                 self.status = 'SUCCESSFUL'
                 action = CampaignAction(campaign=self, type='succeeded', comment = self.current_total) 
diff --git a/frontend/tests.py b/frontend/tests.py
index ac86ff1b..2a5692e5 100755
--- a/frontend/tests.py
+++ b/frontend/tests.py
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ from django.core.urlresolvers import reverse
 from regluit.core.models import Work, Campaign
 
 from decimal import Decimal as D
-import datetime
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
+from datetime import timedelta
 
 class WishlistTests(TestCase):
 
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ class CampaignUiTests(TestCase):
         # load a Work and a Campaign to create a Pledge page
         self.work = Work(title="test Work")
         self.work.save()
-        self.campaign = Campaign(target=D('1000.00'), deadline=datetime.datetime.utcnow() + datetime.timedelta(days=180),
+        self.campaign = Campaign(target=D('1000.00'), deadline=now() + timedelta(days=180),
                                  work=self.work)
         self.campaign.save()
         self.campaign.activate()
diff --git a/frontend/views.py b/frontend/views.py
index 00bd7912..899d290f 100755
--- a/frontend/views.py
+++ b/frontend/views.py
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ import re
 import sys
 import json
 import logging
-import datetime 
+from datetime import timedelta
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now, date_today
+
 from random import randint
 from re import sub
 from itertools import islice
@@ -359,7 +361,7 @@ class PledgeView(FormView):
             
             # the recipients of this authorization is not specified here but rather by the PaymentManager.
             # set the expiry date based on the campaign deadline
-            expiry = campaign.deadline + datetime.timedelta( days=settings.PREAPPROVAL_PERIOD_AFTER_CAMPAIGN )
+            expiry = campaign.deadline + timedelta( days=settings.PREAPPROVAL_PERIOD_AFTER_CAMPAIGN )
             t, url = p.authorize('USD', TARGET_TYPE_CAMPAIGN, preapproval_amount, expiry=expiry, campaign=campaign, list=None, user=user,
                             return_url=return_url, cancel_url=cancel_url, anonymous=anonymous)    
         else:  # embedded view -- which we're not actively using right now.
@@ -595,7 +597,7 @@ def rh_tools(request):
                 claim.campaign_form = OpenCampaignForm(request.POST)
                 if claim.campaign_form.is_valid():                    
                     new_campaign = claim.campaign_form.save(commit=False)
-                    new_campaign.deadline = datetime.date.today() + datetime.timedelta(days=int(settings.UNGLUEIT_LONGEST_DEADLINE))
+                    new_campaign.deadline = date_today() + timedelta(days=int(settings.UNGLUEIT_LONGEST_DEADLINE))
                     new_campaign.target = D(settings.UNGLUEIT_MINIMUM_TARGET)
                     new_campaign.save()
                     claim.campaign_form.save_m2m()
@@ -962,7 +964,7 @@ class CampaignFormView(FormView):
         work_id = campaign.work.id
         
         # set the expiry date based on the campaign deadline
-        expiry = campaign.deadline + datetime.timedelta( days=settings.PREAPPROVAL_PERIOD_AFTER_CAMPAIGN )
+        expiry = campaign.deadline + timedelta( days=settings.PREAPPROVAL_PERIOD_AFTER_CAMPAIGN )
         
         if not self.embedded:
             
@@ -998,15 +1000,15 @@ class InfoPageView(TemplateView):
             
     def get_context_data(self, **kwargs):
         users = User.objects
-        users.today = users.filter(date_joined__range = (datetime.date.today(), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        users.days7 = users.filter(date_joined__range = (datetime.date.today()-datetime.timedelta(days=7), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        users.year = users.filter(date_joined__year = datetime.date.today().year)
-        users.month = users.year.filter(date_joined__month = datetime.date.today().month)
+        users.today = users.filter(date_joined__range = (date_today(), now()))
+        users.days7 = users.filter(date_joined__range = (date_today()-timedelta(days=7), now()))
+        users.year = users.filter(date_joined__year = date_today().year)
+        users.month = users.year.filter(date_joined__month = date_today().month)
         works = models.Work.objects
-        works.today = works.filter(created__range = (datetime.date.today(), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        works.days7 = works.filter(created__range = (datetime.date.today()-datetime.timedelta(days=7), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        works.year = works.filter(created__year = datetime.date.today().year)
-        works.month = works.year.filter(created__month = datetime.date.today().month)
+        works.today = works.filter(created__range = (date_today(), now()))
+        works.days7 = works.filter(created__range = (date_today()-timedelta(days=7), now()))
+        works.year = works.filter(created__year = date_today().year)
+        works.month = works.year.filter(created__month = date_today().month)
         works.wishedby2 = works.filter(num_wishes__gte = 2)
         works.wishedby20 = works.filter(num_wishes__gte = 20)
         works.wishedby5 = works.filter(num_wishes__gte = 5)
@@ -1014,15 +1016,15 @@ class InfoPageView(TemplateView):
         works.wishedby10 = works.filter(num_wishes__gte = 10)
         works.wishedby100 = works.filter(num_wishes__gte = 100)
         ebooks = models.Ebook.objects
-        ebooks.today = ebooks.filter(created__range = (datetime.date.today(), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        ebooks.days7 = ebooks.filter(created__range = (datetime.date.today()-datetime.timedelta(days=7), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        ebooks.year = ebooks.filter(created__year = datetime.date.today().year)
-        ebooks.month = ebooks.year.filter(created__month = datetime.date.today().month)
+        ebooks.today = ebooks.filter(created__range = (date_today(), now()))
+        ebooks.days7 = ebooks.filter(created__range = (date_today()-timedelta(days=7), now()))
+        ebooks.year = ebooks.filter(created__year = date_today().year)
+        ebooks.month = ebooks.year.filter(created__month = date_today().month)
         wishlists= models.Wishlist.objects.exclude(wishes__isnull=True)
-        wishlists.today = wishlists.filter(created__range = (datetime.date.today(), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        wishlists.days7 = wishlists.filter(created__range = (datetime.date.today()-datetime.timedelta(days=7), datetime.datetime.now()))
-        wishlists.year = wishlists.filter(created__year = datetime.date.today().year)
-        wishlists.month = wishlists.year.filter(created__month = datetime.date.today().month)
+        wishlists.today = wishlists.filter(created__range = (date_today(), now()))
+        wishlists.days7 = wishlists.filter(created__range = (date_today()-timedelta(days=7), now()))
+        wishlists.year = wishlists.filter(created__year = date_today().year)
+        wishlists.month = wishlists.year.filter(created__month = date_today().month)
         return {
             'users': users, 
             'works': works,
diff --git a/payment/manager.py b/payment/manager.py
index d1cb0313..f8e2c373 100644
--- a/payment/manager.py
+++ b/payment/manager.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from regluit.payment.paypal import Preapproval, IPN_PAY_STATUS_COMPLETED, Cancel
 from regluit.payment.paypal import RefundPayment
 import uuid
 import traceback
-from datetime import datetime
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
 from dateutil.relativedelta import relativedelta
 import logging
 from decimal import Decimal as D
@@ -154,10 +154,10 @@ class PaymentManager( object ):
                 past_days = DEFAULT_DAYS_TO_CHECK
         
             try:
-                ref_date = datetime.utcnow() - relativedelta(days=int(past_days))
+                ref_date = now() - relativedelta(days=int(past_days))
                 payment_transactions = Transaction.objects.filter(date_payment__gte=ref_date)
             except:
-                ref_date = datetime.utcnow()
+                ref_date = now()
                 payment_transactions = Transaction.objects.filter(date_payment__isnull=False)
                 
             logger.info(payment_transactions)
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ class PaymentManager( object ):
             return False
         
         # mark this transaction as executed
-        transaction.date_executed = datetime.utcnow()
+        transaction.date_executed = now()
         transaction.save()
         
         p = Execute(transaction)            
@@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ class PaymentManager( object ):
         transaction.create_receivers(receiver_list)
         
         # Mark as payment attempted so we will poll this periodically for status changes
-        transaction.date_payment = datetime.utcnow()
+        transaction.date_payment = now()
         transaction.save()
         
         p = Pay(transaction)
@@ -833,7 +833,7 @@ class PaymentManager( object ):
                                        campaign=campaign,
                                        list=list,
                                        user=user,
-                                       date_payment=datetime.utcnow(),
+                                       date_payment=now(),
                                        anonymous=anonymous
                                        )
     
diff --git a/payment/tests.py b/payment/tests.py
index 6ea46fd5..f1ea3785 100644
--- a/payment/tests.py
+++ b/payment/tests.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
 import logging
 import os
 from decimal import Decimal as D
-import datetime
+from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
 
 def setup_selenium():
     # Set the display window for our xvfb
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class TransactionTest(TestCase):
         
         w = Work()
         w.save()
-        c = Campaign(target=D('1000.00'),deadline=datetime.datetime.utcnow() + datetime.timedelta(days=180),work=w)
+        c = Campaign(target=D('1000.00'),deadline=now() + datetime.timedelta(days=180),work=w)
         c.save()
         
         t = Transaction()
diff --git a/requirements.pip b/requirements.pip
index 91d2b115..c27e282f 100644
--- a/requirements.pip
+++ b/requirements.pip
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-django
+Django==1.3.1
+MySQL-python==1.2.3
 south
 django-extensions
 https://github.com/toastdriven/django-tastypie/tarball/master
diff --git a/settings/common.py b/settings/common.py
index 6309ba57..137553b3 100644
--- a/settings/common.py
+++ b/settings/common.py
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ INSTALLED_APPS = (
     'regluit.api',
     'regluit.core',
     'regluit.payment',
+    'regluit.utils',
     'registration',
     'social_auth',
     'tastypie',
diff --git a/utils/__init__.py b/utils/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aa53091f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+import localdatetime
diff --git a/utils/localdatetime.py b/utils/localdatetime.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c6a7e045
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/localdatetime.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+"""
+Utility to return datetime.datetime.utcnow() by default but allows for a custom utcnow() (e.g., for testing)
+
+>>> import regluit
+>>> from regluit.utils.localdatetime import now
+>>> now()
+datetime.datetime(2012, 3, 8, 14, 0, 35, 409270)
+>>> now()
+datetime.datetime(2012, 3, 8, 14, 0, 36, 985271)
+>>> n = now()
+>>> n
+datetime.datetime(2012, 3, 8, 14, 1, 54, 650679)
+>>> regluit.utils.localdatetime._now = lambda: n
+>>> now()
+datetime.datetime(2012, 3, 8, 14, 1, 54, 650679)
+>>> now()
+datetime.datetime(2012, 3, 8, 14, 1, 54, 650679)
+>>> now()
+
+
+"""
+
+import datetime
+import django
+
+# for Django 1.3.x, return a timestamp naive now()
+# for Django 1.4 should switch to django.utils.timezone.now()
+# see https://code.djangoproject.com/browser/django/trunk/django/utils/timezone.py?rev=17642#L232
+
+try:
+    _now = django.utils.timezone.now
+except AttributeError, e:
+    _now = datetime.datetime.now
+    
+now = lambda: _now()
+
+# provide a replacement for datetime.date.today()
+# this will be timezone naive -- is that what we really want?
+
+date_today = lambda: _now().date()
+
+