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.

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.

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

We are presenting awards to and mingling with our excellent local and statewide elected officials including  Supervisor Steve Bennett and many others.  We are also featuring our candidates for Congress, statewide and local offices.

Enjoy live music & fabulous silent auction items. Cost includes catered dinner, dessert and beverages including wine and beer.  Lower cost is for payment before September 1.   Individuals: $35/$40; Seniors: $30/$35; Students: $20/$25.

Golden Oak Sponsor – $250
Silver Oak Sponsor – $100

Sponsorships include dinner and notices in future invitiations and announcements.

Special rates available for special needs or limited means.  Call for info.

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.

Democratic candidate for Ventura County Board of Education, Rachel Ulrich, will speak about the race at the upcoming club meeting this week. We will discuss the extension of unemployment benefits, the VCDCC office in Camarillo, upcoming volunteer opportunities and general club business.

Democratic Club of Ventura meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month in the Topping Room of Foster Library at 651 Main Street in downtown Ventura. Doors open at 6:00 pm for snacks and socializing and the meetings start at 6:30 pm. Meetings are free. Guests are welcome.

To contact the club call 805-641-2400 or email SKinsler@VenturaCountyDemocrats.com.

Important Hearing in Ventura – This Friday
By Rachel Morris

We have an opportunity to weigh in on California Air Resource Board’s implementation requirements of SB-375 this Friday. This is all about designing walkable/bikeable/bus-friendly cities. There were two other hearings in SoCal, and this third one in Ventura is the last. This discussion will be setting the pace and standards for decades from a local perspective.

Senate Bill 375 Target-Setting
Public Workshops

Friday, July 23
9am to Noon
Ventura County Govt. Ctr.
Board Chambers
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009

If we want to be ahead of the curve, or better yet help form the curve on: New Urbanism, infill, people-centered-design as opposed to car-centered-design, compact development, and alternative transit – then I strongly suggest as many of us attend as possible. One note – you don’t need to be a climatologist to attend this. What they’re looking for is people sharing from their own local community experience.

Please encourage and invite friends who can speak from a personal perspective on issues such as jobs, economy, social justice, safe routs to school, in a way positive toward sustainable communities.

You can also get information at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/sb375/meetings/meetings.htm

I’m thinking of holding a little potluck this Thursday, July 22, at 7pm, if people want to get together to prepare for the workshop Friday Morning. Please let me know if you’re interested.

Please let me know if you plan to go. Feel free to call any time.

Rachel Morris
VCCool Executive Director
www.vccool.org
office (805)648-1267
cell (805)258-9369
VCCool is a Ventura County gl

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING OF THE DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF THE CONEJO  VALLEY
THOUSAND OAKS LIBRARY, 1401 E. JANSS ROAD

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

Program – Local Economic Outlook – Guest Speaker Gary Wartik, Thousand Oaks Economic Development Manager. We will discuss club business and welcome new members.

Angela Sanbrano will speak on the implications of the Arizona Anti-Immigrant law, S.B.1070.  She is a Chicana, born in Juarez, Mexico, and grew up in El Paso, Texas. Currently she is serving a second term as board President of NALACC (National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities). In 1985 she became national Executive Director of CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador) and a year later was recognized as one of the strongest Mexican American advocates for Central American peace as co-director of Peace Action, the largest peace advocacy organization in the U.S.  In 1995, she joined CARECEN Los Angeles and in 1997 was became its Executive Director serving the immigrant community until 2007.  In 2005 she was elected member of the National Board for the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and as trustee of the Hazen Foundation.  She graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont and received a Law Degree from People’s College of Law in Los Angeles. She lives in La Verne with her husband, Jim Sanbrano.

The Greater Oxnard Organization of Democrats meets July 14 at 7 p.m. at the Cafe on A, 438 South A Street in Oxnard.  Free refreshments.

Working Blue July 3rd FUNdraiser With Honored Guests
Congresswoman Lois Capps
Senator Fran Pavley
Assemblymember Pedro Nava
Assemblymember Julia Bownley
Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Fiona Ma
Ventura Mayor Bill Fulton 

Please Join the Working Blue Democratic Club for our Independence Day Weekend kick-off party on Silverstrand Beach. Last year this event helped train over 70 Local activists, start door to door voter registration, and send volunteers to work on local and regional campaigns. This years proceeds will help open field offices throughout Ventura County and fund field ID and GOTV programs for the general election.

Dinner and Live music will be provided. Requested attire will be “snappy casual” which perfectly suits the fun-loving, family atmosphere for which Silverstrand is known. 

Please consider one of the following contribution levels:

Surfer (Master of the Waves & Guest Host): $500 
Lifeguard (Sea and Sand):$250 
Beachcomber (Enjoy the Beach): $50 

RSVP at http://www.actblue.com/page/3july2010/recipient/869337  

Where:  Hodge Family Household 
              140 Bardsdale Ave 
              Oxnard, Ca 93035 

When : July 3rd, 5-8 pm 
Attire : Snappy Casual 
RSVP : Invite only, Please RSVP to Jason Hodge – Chair, Working Blue 
             Democratic Club 805-444-5223 Or jhodge@vcpfa.org
              http://www.actblue.com/page/3july2010/recipient/869337  

Authentic Persian food, desserts, gourmet wines and a full bar — all for only $25 per person!

Add to that good friends, great music and lots of political banter and you’ve got a recipe for one great party.   The date is Saturday afternoon, June 19.  Cocktails & appetizers begin at 4:00pm.  Dinner starts at 5:30pm.  Hosted at the spectacular home of Melissa DeMarco, 5396 Calarosa Ranch Road, Camarillo, CA 93012.  RSVP to 805-377-2988 ASAP.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING
AT THOUSAND OAKS LIBRARY, 1401 E. JANSS ROAD

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

Post Election Review and Recap with Political Science Expert – Dr. Jose Marichal of CLU.  

Please join us for Dr. Marichal’s always excellent analysis.