Ever wonder what it’s like to walk in Willie Brown’s shoes? Sept 6 is your chance to find out! This Labor Day at Freedom Park in Camarillo these items and more will be auctioned off. The theme is “Back to Basics – phone calls and shoe leather,” including political legend Willie Brown’s signed shoes and California Democratic Party Chair John Burton’s phone.  Plus, they’ll be lots of other silent auction and raffle items to pique your interest.
 
The Tri-Counties Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, representing approximately 45,000 working men and women and their families in Ventura County, along with the Working Blue Democratic Club and the Ventura County Democratic Party, will present the annual Labor Day Picnic 2010 on Monday, September 6, this year at Freedom Park in Camarillo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
This year’s picnic promises to be one of the best yet with a Classic California BBQ lunch, banana splits, face painting, Jolly Jump, kids’ games and more. Scheduled to attend are Ventura County’s top Democratic leaders including Congresswoman Lois Capps, Assemblymembers Pedro Nava and Julia Brownley, State Senator Fran Pavley, and more.
 
Monday Sept 6
Freedom Park, Camarillo
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$20 for adults – includes lunch and free raffle tickets!
Kids eat free!!
 
Buy your tickets online at: 
http://www.actblue.com/page/labordaypicnic
For more information call Jason Hodge at 805-444-5223 or email Sec4WorkingBlue@aol.com

Join Barbara Boxer fans at the first-ever Barbara Boxer Bad Hair Day Contest and US Senate Debate Watching Party and Fundraiser. Grab the hair gel, get moussed or wear your worst wig – prize for the worst hair.

It’s official: The first prime-time, televised debate in the California U.S. Senate race is on between Democratic U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and her Republican challenger. It is set set for Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

Enjoy wine and light hors d’oeurves in your ring-side seat as you watch the live stream with fellow Democrats at the Ventura County Democratic Party headquarters located at 1760 Ventura Blvd. in Old Town Camarillo. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The purpose of this event is to raise money for Senator Boxer’s campaign and the newly-formed Democratic Campaign Council of Ventura County. We are asking for a $15 donation per person.

The hour-long debate will start at 7 p.m. and be broadcast commercial-free before a live audience on KTVU Channel 2. Locally, the debate will be aired by KABC-TV7. A conference call with Senator Boxer’s campaign staff will follow the debate. Following the debate and discussion we will judge our Bad Hair Day Contest.

Why the Bad Hair Day Contest? At a recent Democratic fund-raiser in Santa Barbara, the Senator made several joking references to an open-microphone remark made last month by her Republican opponent, that her [Boxer's] hair was “sooo yesterday.” “If everyone in California who has had a bad hair day voted for me, we will win by a landslide,” Senator Boxer said, as the supporters cheered. “I’m going for the bad hair vote!”

This event is sponsored by the Democratic Campaign Council of Ventura County, the newest chartered organization of the Ventura County Democratic Party. The purpose of the Campaign Council is to organize volunteers, register Democratic voters and strengthen grassroots ties with candidates and ballot initiatives within the county. Membership is only $5 and your commitment to work.

Visit the VCDCC’s new office, watch the debate and sign up to come back and help our outstanding Democratic candidates get elected in November.

To sign-up and pay online, visit actblue.com/page/boxerfiorinadebate01 and click on the link for for the event. Contact Brian Leshon, bleshon@venturacountydemocrats.com, President of the Democratic Campaign Council, at 805-641-2400 for more information.

Please join us Sunday, September 26, 2010, 5 PM to 8 PM in the garden at the Kapitz family home in Oak Park.

Speakers include Supervisor Steve Bennett, State Party Vice-Chair Eric Bauman, State Senator Fran Pavley among others.  We are also featuring our candidates for Congress – Tim Allison, Assembly – Ferial Masry, County Board of Education – Tom Mullens and Thousand Oak City Council – Brandon Millan.

Enjoy live music & fabulous silent auction items. Cost includes catered dinner, dessert and beverages including wine and beer.  Special pricing for payment before September 15:   Individuals: $35; Seniors: $30; Students: $20.  Special rates available for special needs or limited means.  Call for info.

Golden Oak Sponsor – $250
Silver Oak Sponsor – $100
Sponsorships include dinner and notices in future invitations and announcements.
Current sponsors:  Julia Brownley – Silver Oak.

We will be using the proceeds from this event to finance our precinct operations, newsletters & website which will benefit all Democratic candidates and issues.

Pay by mail at:  DCCV, Box 4421, Thousand Oaks, CA  91359.  Pay by credit card - http://www.actblue.com/page/garden2010

RSVP:    info@conejodemocrats.com or 818-889-1039.  Please RSVP even if you mailed your check or sign up by credit card link.

A new organization was chartered this week by the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee entitled the Democratic Campaign Council of Ventura County (aka Campaign Council.)

“The Campaign Council is designed to help locate, motivate and activate Progressive Democratic Activists throughout Ventura County to work on the various efforts to elect Democrats to public office and support issues of importance, ” stated Campaign Council Chairman Brian Leshon. “Our efforts will support the work of the Ventura County Democratic Party by providing volunteers and infrastructure. Currently we’re working on the setup of the party’s new office, phone bank and campaign efforts. The Campaign Council is planning programs on volunteer and leadership training. Service clubs and organizations of this nature are common in county parties in Southern California. We needed one of our own to help marshal the large number of volunteers wishing to participate in countywide Democratic efforts.”

The Campaign Council will normally meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee office located at 1760 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010 (near the Carmen Drive offramp of the 101.) The meetings start at 7 pm. In the two months prior to elections the Campaign Council will meet on Friday nights so that it doesn’t interfere with call banking efforts in the office.

The membership of the council is already comprised of some of the most active Democratic Activists in the county, as well as many people who are entirely new to party volunteerism.

Membership dues are only $5 per year. For more information contact the Brian Leshon, Chairman of the Campaign Council at 805-641-2400.

The Democratic Club office Conejo Valley is very proud to announce the opening of its Thousand Oaks campaign office this Sunday, August 29, 12 – 2 PM at 702 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

The office is also the location for the Ferial Masry for Assembly campaign.

We have volunteer workstations set up for our state party and club endorsed candidates including Jerry Brown for Governor, Barbara Boxer for US Senate, Tim Allison for Congress, Tom Mullens for Ventura County Board of Education and Brandon Millan for Thousand Oaks City Council.  Phone calling on behalf of candidates and assembly of walking packets are some of the volunteer tasks available.

Please attend our opening or contact Jay Kapitz at 818-889-1039 or j_kapitz@yahoo.com to get more info on volunteering.

Office hours are noon to 8 PM most days.  Please let Jay know if you can help manage the office.

This week’s meeting will be be jam packed with club business and speakers. As always, we will meet in the Topping Room of Foster Library located at 651 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001. The doors will open at 6:00 pm for socializing and the meeting will start at 6:30 pm.

At this meeting we will talk about the new Ventura County Democratic Party office in Camarillo, and the volunteer opportunities that are available there. (THANK YOU to all of you who donated items and money to make that office happen!)

We will discuss and approve new club bylaw, which are attached for your review. They are in compliance with the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee’s bylaws and have been reviewed by that organization’s bylaws committee. Please email skinsler@venturacountydemocrats.com to bet a copy of the bylaws so you can read them in advance and jot down any questions you may have, or changes you would like to see.

Our speaker for the evening will be Mr. Chris Lanier. Chris works for the Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) and he will present on the CAUSE Civic Engagement Project, and the California Alliance. CAUSE is part of a multi-year, statewide effort to build a base of half a million voters in support of Budget Reform for California, and reform of Proposition 13. Chris will present on, and answer questions about, the overall statewide efforts, CAUSE, and our region’s role in that campaign.

Chris will also present on and discuss four Propositions related to the California Budget which are on the ballot in November which CAUSE and the California Alliance will be taking a position on:
- No on Proposition 23 (the “Dirty Energy Initiative”),
- Yes on Proposition 24 (repeal of Corporate Tax Breaks),
- Yes on Proposition 25 (Legislative Majority Rule on the CA Budget),
- No on Proposition 26 (a 2/3 Requirement for New or Increased Fees.)

We’ll also talk about how individual activists can get involved.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AT 6:15PM – MEETING AT 6:45PM

“Organizing for the Fall Campaign”

The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee held their regular reorganization meeting Tuesday night in the new party campaign headquarters in Camarillo.  The first order of business was the swearing in of new members elected in the June primary.  The swearing in ceremony was conducted by 3rd District Supervisor Kathy Long.

Outgoing Chair, Brian Leshon of Ventura, spoke about the need for party unity and the importance of having a centralized party headquarters in the county.  He recounted the party’s accomplishments during his tenure, citing the adoption of new bylaws and standing rules, improved member communication, record-setting fund raising and candidate support, and the creation of a centralized party campaign headquarters.

Richard Carter, a quality manager and long-term care ombudsman from Simi Valley, was elected Chair of the party.  The Chair presides at meetings, is the party spokesperson, and oversees the the duties of the officers and committees.  Emerging technologies and political research consultant David Atkins of Ventura, was chosen for the 1st Vice Chair post.  The First Vice Chair oversees the Communications, Field Operations, and Endorsements subcommittees. 

Sandy Emberland, a software trainer from Thousand Oaks, was elected 2nd Vice Chair.  This position oversees financial review, fund raising and events.  Ventura community volunteer and public relations consultant Marie Lakin was elected Secretary and the new Treasurer is Pete Brinkman, a mortgage banker from Simi Valley.

The new leadership team, beginning a two-year term, is charged with being the voice of the Democratic Party in Ventura County, electing Democrats, and upholding democratic principles.  New chair Carter’s personal goals are to lend more support to the various Democratic clubs in Ventura County, encourage more diversity in the party, and unify the various interests.

The party will kick off the November general election campaign this Saturday night from 6-8pm at the new headquarters in Camarillo.

The Ventura County Democratic Party is opening an 1,800 square foot office on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1760 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010. We will hold a party and fundraiser that evening with a no-host bar and appetizers, and there will be a chance drawing (raffle) for a great prize. The party is free-of-charge, though the public is encourage to make donations at Act Blue or VenturaCountyDemocrats.com.

John Chiang, Controller of the State of California, will be our honored guest along with candidates for the November election and other elected officials from around the county.

The new office will be used to support democratic candidates and causes of interest to Democrats. Phone banking will be done weekly in the location and canvassing efforts will be coordinated from the office. The party will hold meetings, seminars, and activist and leadership training programs in the office and county-wide clubs will also meet in the space including Stonewall and Young Democrats. Major voter registration efforts will be organized there as well. New clubs will be formed in the county and run from the office including Latino-Chicano, African American, Business Owners and Singles.

Come join the Ventura County Democratic Party celebrating the opening of our new office.

Members of the Ventura County Democratic Party protested near the Thousand Oaks office of Congressman Elton Gallegly Thursday.  They denounced his position against extending benefits for unemployed people.  Their position is that unemployment checks will stimulate the economy more than the tax cuts for the wealthy, which Gallegly supports.  Photo by David Yamamoto of the Ventura County Star.