Author: californiacrone

OFFERRED FOR SALE:  SILENT AUCTION

OUTSTANDING PRESIDENT OBAMA COMMEMORATIVE PIECES:  PART 2

PARTY IN THE PARK MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6–6-9:00 PM

Piece # 5:  Inaugural tickets color coated and congressional invitation, original letter. Only 240,000 went to the general public.  Mounted in beautiful black frame.

Minimum Bid=$125.00

Piece # 6:  A large Obama poster in black lacquer frame. Only sold through state Democratic Clubs. Minimum Bid=$125.00

Piece # 7:  Small collection of Obama Memorabilia, certifications of Authenticity on back. Black Box frame. Minimum Bid=$95.00

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONE OF THESE SPECIAL PIECES PLEASE EMAIL LINDA ARMACOST, PRESIDENT larmacost@cox.net

OFFERRED FOR SALE:  SILENT AUCTION

OUTSTANDING PRESIDENT OBAMA MEMORIAL PIECES:  Part 1

PARTY IN THE PARK:  WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 FROM 6-9:00 PM

Piece # 1:  5 Marvel comics in a beautiful black lacquer frame; Presidential Material & Female Force. Minimum Bid=$100.00

Piece # 2:  Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man (first printing) and all 4 replicas with a different cover. Minimum Bid=$225.00

Piece#3:  5 Complimenting comics in black lacquer frame. Marvels Comics #583 Amazing Spider-Man Special Tribute to Dating Issue, Presidential Material President Obama Inauguration Photo Cover (2009), Mad Magazine #498 Obama-The first 100 minutes (2009), Obama Inaugural Edition # 1 by Chris Allen. Minimum Bid=$150.00

Piece # 4:  (2)President Obama 2009 Inaugural Posters by Shepard Faire. 36×26 Black Lacquer Frame.

Minimum Bid=$150.00 (unframed $90.00)

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE ITEMS, PLEASE EMAIL PRESIDENR LINDA ARMACOST:  larmacost@cox.net

LA MESA-FOOTHILLS DEMOCRATIC CLUB JULY 2016

America Salutes President Obama

The LMFDC Celebrates the Independence Day Holiday at the

3rd Annual Party in the Park, highlighted by a Special Auction of Obama Memorabilia

On Wednesday, July 6th from 6:00 – 9:00 PM, the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club will salute the many accomplishments of and bid a fond farewell to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle as they wrap up their nearly 8 years in the White House. We’ll have several notable guests joining us to help commemorate this special occasion, with tributes, remembrances, sharing of pictures, and auctioning of collectibles.

Jess Durfee, past chairperson of the San Diego County Democratic Party and current National Committee member and convention delegate, will describe his experiences with the Obama administration and the work being done in DC for national issues of import for Democratic progressives here in San Diego and across the country. He’ll undoubtedly share some observations of the upcoming presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and the presumptive

Republican nominee. Jess, who is also a noted baker, will be a featured taster and judge of our now famous pie baking contest. All attendees are encouraged to bring a delectable pie or other dessert to share with the 130+ members and guests, and to enter the contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 dessert entries.

We’ve also invited a “who’s who” of San Diego County Democratic Party stars, including Party Chair Francine Busby, and 2 service veterans, to remind us of why we are able to celebrate our freedom and independence every July. Relating how their service experience helped shape their politics and world view will be vets Nathan Fletcher, former assemblyman and future office holder, and Doug Applegate, who just might upend our infamous nemesis Darrell Issa in their November Congressional contest.

Another highlight of the evening will be a fabulous chat with naturalist Linda Hassakis, who thrilled us last year with samples and stories of flora and fauna we can expect to find throughout the park. We are sure we will experience the unexpected with this very knowledgeable and engaging speaker.

The feature of the evening will undoubtedly be our Obama Memorabilia Silent Auction, featuring a variety of valuable collectibles donated by our own JoDee Rich.

A detailed pictorial and full description of the items can be found at our website, http://www.lamesafoothillsdemocraticclub.com. Items up for auction include framed 2008 Obama and other candidates limited edition comic books, Inauguration posters, pictures, prints, tickets and invitations, framed Marvel comics “The Amazing Spiderman”, limited edition “President’s Day Specials”, and much more. Bring your checkbooks and credit cards! Before the party, you can inspect and bid on items at our website.

The Party in the Park comes in the middle of our Independence Week Celebration, and we will again be hosted by Jay Wilson and the terrific staff of the Mission Trails Regional Park and Visitors Center. Our dinner event will feature sub sandwiches, salads, desserts, conversation and camaraderie on the beautiful patio overlooking the Park and the San Diego River canyon. It’s particularly convenient for our many members living in San Carlos, Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, La Mesa, Santee and the College Area. The dinner costs only $5.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members.

We look forward to signing up several new members at the door!

 

 

La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club
2016 Primary Election
Endorsed Democratic Candidates

U.S. Congress
Susan Davis, District #53
Scott Peters, District #52

State Offices
Dr. Shirley Weber, Assembly District #79
Todd Gloria, Assembly District #78
Toni Atkins, State Senate #39

County Board of Supervisors
Dave Roberts, District #3

Superior Court
Kari Katz, Office 38
James Mangione, Office 25

City of San Diego
Ed Harris, Mayor
Rafael Castellanos, City Attorney:
Barbara Bry, District #1
Chris Ward, District #3
Jose Caballero, District #7

Helix Water Board
Mark Grayck, District #3

El Cajon City Council
Stephanie Harper

President’s Message
Linda K. Armacost, Ed.D
2016 Presidential Election Issues: Gun Control

So far, the Democrats and Republicans have had 20+Primary Election debates. Debates are supposed to educate voters about important issues and the candidates’ stand on those issues. I believe gun control is a very important issue for our nation. Gun proliferation, in my opinion, is the number one public health issue affecting our nation. This column looks at the problem of gun violence and where the candidates stand on gun control.

The day after a shooting spree in Oregon last year, President Obama said people who support gun control would “just have to, for a while, be a single-issue voter” if gun laws in America were ever going to change.

Obama said he’ll follow that philosophy himself.

“Even as I continue to take every action possible as president, I will also take every action I can as a citizen,” he said in an op-ed for The New York Times. “I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support common-sense gun reform. And if the 90% of Americans who do support common-sense gun reforms join me, we will elect the leadership we deserve.”

Here are some staggering statistics: Gun violence in the United States results in thousands of deaths and injuries annually. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013 firearms were used in 84,258 nonfatal injuries (26.65 per 100,000 U.S. citizens) and were used in 11,208 deaths by homicide (3.5 per 100,000), 21,175 by suicide with a firearm, and 505 deaths due to accidental discharge of a firearm, and 281 deaths due to firearms-use with ‘undetermined intent” for a total of 33,169 deaths related to firearms.

In 2010, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 67% of all homicides in the U.S. were conducted using a firearm. In 2010, gun violence cost U.S. taxpayers approximately $516 million in direct hospital costs.Last year at least 278 children unintentionally fired a gun and injured or killed someone. U.S. gun violence kills significantly more people than terrorism — even factoring in 9/11. Since 2001, the harm from terrorists to Americans both here and abroad accounts for 0.8% of all American deaths by firearms in the United States in the same time period.

In the U.S., guns are used in homicides more often than in many other countries
Obama has delivered statements on gun violence 15 times during his presidency. After the latest shooting, he said the nation had become numb to the carnage.

“We know that other countries, in response to one mass shooting, have been able to craft laws that almost eliminate mass shootings,” he said. “Friends of ours, allies of ours — Great Britain, Australia, countries like ours. So we know there are ways to prevent it.”

A Mother Jones story in October 2015, reports a majority of Americans now support tougher laws controlling gun sales, according to a Gallup poll. In a year marked by a series of deadly mass shootings, 55 percent of Americans favor stricter gun control legislation—an increase of 8 percentage points from last year.

While the American people have voiced their desire for stricter gun control, state Republican officials seem oblivious: for the second year in a row, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin pulled the emergency brake on legislation that seemed almost tailor-made to bring harm upon law enforcement. The bill in question sought to give persons over the age of 21 the right to carry concealed handguns without a permit. Later that day, flanked by police at a press conference, Tomblin, a Democrat, provided an explanation for his veto. “When you’re [an officer] and you walk into a dangerous situation, you almost have to expect that everyone’s carrying a gun,” he said, suggesting that the likelihood of a shootout would increase if this bill became law. But the legislature would not be deterred. On Friday, the House of Delegates voted to override the veto, and on Saturday the Senate followed suit “I can hear freedom knocking at the doors in West Virginia,” said Senator Craig Blair, a Republican who supported the bill. “That’s exactly what this does.”

Where do the Presidential candidates stand on gun control?

Clinton has publicly said she will fight for “common sense” gun reforms. In 2013, she backed bipartisan legislation requiring universal background checks on gun purchases.
“I know that gun ownership is part of the fabric of a lot of law abiding communities,” Clinton told the U.S. Conference of Mayors in San Francisco following the Charleston shooting. “I also know that we can have common sense gun reforms that keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and the violently unstable while respecting responsible gun owners.”

Sanders has an uncertain track record when it comes to guns. As Politico reported, Sanders’ campaign manager says he is “very moderate” when it comes to gun control. However in the past, Sanders has voted against the Brady Bill (law that requires a waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks on those who wish to purchase handguns), voted for a ban on assault weapons, voted to allow firearms on Amtrak trains, and voted for universal background checks.

Ted Cruz has an “A+” rating from the NRA and has firmly expressed support for Second Amendment rights.
“The Second Amendment to the Constitution isn’t for just protecting hunting rights, and it’s not only to safeguard your right to target practice,” Cruz has said, per the New York Times. “It is a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny — for the protection of liberty.”
Like many other Republican colleagues, Cruz voted against moving forward on the 2013 Senate legislation to expand background checks.

During a 2013 interview with FOX News, Trump described himself as “a very strong person on the Second Amendment.” But in his 2000 book “The America We Deserve,” Trump said he supports a ban on assault weapons and longer waiting periods on gun purchases.
“I believe in the 2nd Amendment. Everybody has the right to keep and bear arms to either protect your family, protect yourselves, to be a hunter (like his son who’s Facebook photo showed the aftermath an elephant he killed while it was grazing). The 2nd amendment is part of that Constitution. It’s something I believe in”.

John Kasich noted that the two students who killed 13 people and themselves in Littleton, Colo., violated 19 existing gun laws. “There were already a bunch of laws,” Kasich said. “The kids didn’t pay attention to the laws. I don’t think new laws will solve all the problems.”
More parenting better than more gun laws “In most homes, both parents work and nobody has the time to spend with their children anymore,” he said.
Opposes restrictions on the right to bear arms.
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1.

I agree with President Obama and do not support any candidate who isn’t serious about gun control.

The La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club congratulates the 2016 club of the Year, AAPI.  A young club with lots of energy and future leaders. While LMFDC was not chosen, we are very proud of our accomplishments in 2015. We are sharing our Club of the Year submission for our great team and wonderful members, thanks for making our Club awesome!

2015 Club of the Year Submission

 

 

The La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club has been working to bring progressive values to the East Area of San Diego County since 1984. Against all odds, the LMFDC has turned the very red city of La Mesa BLUE! As one of the largest and most active Clubs, we are proud to be a model for Chartered Democratic Clubs in the East Area and throughout the county.

 

Great Meetings and Exceptional Programs

 

Our continuing success is based on the simple idea that great meetings with exceptional programming and a warm social atmosphere attracts people from the community. Our dedication to educating members, encouraging participation in the political process, and advocating on behalf of important issues has helped us garner new members, and exceptional renewal rate of the membership. We added 55 New Members in 2015!

The LMFDC hosts 12 meetings a year. We meet the first Wednesday of each month at the La Mesa Community Center. In 2015, our Average Meeting Attendance was 98, and we averaged 41 guests per meeting. Great meetings have exceptional programs and speakers. Our VP for Programming, Jeff Benesch, has the reputation for securing wonderful speakers and we are now in the enviable position of having potential speakers contacting us for a speaking slot.

LMFDC 2015 meeting programs included many Elected Officials and Democratic Candidates:

Marti Emerald                                      Marty Block                 

Todd Gloria                                          Jose Caballero

Toni Atkins                                          San Diego District 9 Candidates

Scott Peters                                         San Diego District 3 Candidates

Susan Davis                                         Justin DeCasare          

Shirley Weber                                      La Mesa Mayor, Mark Arapostathis

Raphael Castellanos                             La Mesa City Council Member, Guy McWhirter

Mara Elliott                                          Joe LaCava

Gil Cabrera                                          

Climate Change was in the spotlight in 2015. Our programs included:

• Davin Widgerow and Brian Elliott: San Diego Sierra Club

• Nicole Capretz:   Climate Action Plan

• Rear Admiral, Len Hering: Center for Sustainability

• Kath Rogers: Climate Action Plan

• Jim Stone & Colin Parent: Circulate San Diego

• Debbie Hecht: Sierra Club

 

We had 5 meetings in 2015 with audiences of 100+ attendees.

Our Annual Party in the Park at the beautiful Mission Trails Interpretive Center brought 115 (despite a surprise July rain shower) to watch the LMFDC honor Council Woman Marti Emerald for her years of service to the community. Elected officials, Todd Gloria, Scott Peters, and many Democratic Candidates also joined us.

112 members and guests were with us for the August meeting featuring Speaker Toni Atkins. Our meeting with Author Stephen Druker, packed our meeting room with 158 people.

Our biggest meeting attendance, 162, was the October Candidates Forum featuring 25 Democratic Candidates. Other important programs included; Christopher Yanov of Reality Changers, Author of Soul of a Nation, Peggi Chute, and a social media training program with John Loughlin.

 Marti Emerald was honored for her years of service. 115 people enjoyed the beauty of Mission Trails Park in July!    

            

 

Our 2015 Holiday Meeting included a full buffet shared by 111 members!

 

Political Satirist and Musician Roy Zimmerman returned to Rock the house!

 Communication and Community Outreach=More Members

In many communities, the existence of a Democratic Club is a well-kept secret. As people in the communities we serve learn about our club and the wonderful programs we present, guest attendance soars and new members join.

The LMFDC publishes 12 Newsletters every year. The Progressive Voice reaches over 200 members, meeting guests receive the newsletter free for 3 months, and it is sent free to Democratic Elected officials.

 

 

 

                

The La Mesa-Foothills Club has a monthly column in the La Mesa and Mission Times Courier paper. The papers are distributed to thousands of residents in La Mesa, and eastern San Diego communities. Members and meeting guests also receive weekly informative emails from the LMFDC.

Dear LMFDC Members,

The last GOP debate of 2015 is tonight on CNN at 6 and 8:30 pm. We know Trump’s poll numbers are surging as supporters welcome his hate-filled rhetoric, latest polling shows Trump at 41%. If that is not scary enough, Trump has made Ted Cruz look positively reasonable, Cruz has taken the lead in most Iowa polls!

The GOP is freaking out over Trump’s sustained lead and the prospect of him being the GOP Presidential Nominee. The GOP has stacked their primary contest–the lion’s share of delegates will be chosen by Super Tuesday in March, which could lead to a ‘brokered’ convention in July.

 

 

The LMFDC has been a perennial participant in the La Mesa Flag Day Parade. We love receiving thunderous applause while parade watchers take photos of our President Obama standee. The parade is a fun way to show off our club!

                     

Our Annual Yard sale has become a must for La Mesa bargain shoppers. Held each year in April, the sale attracts hundreds of neighbors and helps the club with a financial boost.

Our booth at the La Mesa Oktoberfest

 

We support the SDCDP’s GO-Team and East Area Caucus

LMFDC members work hard to support local, state, and national Democratic Candidates. Go-Team members were out in full force during the 2014 Mid-Term Elections, working their precincts and phone-banking for candidates. In 2015, we were Hosts for the East Area Caucus Committee fundraisers and helped raise funds for an East Area 2016 Campaign Office.

              

A Taste of the Blue Life 2                                   

 

 

 

 

 

  A Jazzy Blue Night of Elegance

 

The LMFDC is well-represented on the SDCDP Central Committee; including Tina Rynberg, Steve Jesionka, Judith Walters, Miriam Plotkin, Chris Pearson, Josan Feathers, Eric Hereford, and Janet Gastil.

We support our local Democratic candidates through our 50/50 Drawing held at each meeting. Tickets are $1.00 a piece or 7 for $5.00. The winning ticket receives half the money collected, and the other half goes to our Candidates Fund. Local candidates are invited to join us at every meeting and to have a table for their campaign.

 

Voter Registration Participation

We are very proud that our members have participated each month in the Naturalization Ceremony and Registration! We also registered voters at our Club Booth during the La Mesa Oktoberfest.

 

 

Naturalization Ceremony

 

Community Service & Team Work

The LMFDC supports our communities in many ways. Our community service outreach recently included a holiday toy drive for the Western Service Workers, a food drive for Saint Sophia’s neighborhood food bank, ongoing support for Fair Trade La Mesa, and a program devoted to CARR, Consumer Advocates for Residential Care Facilities Reform.”

A successful Club depends on Team Work and we are fortunate have talented Officers and Board members who devote their time, energy, and ideas. Each one deserves recognition for their efforts.

OFFICERS:                                                                 BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE

President: Linda Armacost                                          Garry Armacost, Josan Feathers                 

Vice President for Membership: Jane Inglese               Steve Jesionka, Colin Parent,

Vice President for Political Action: Jennifer Spencer     Tina Rynberg, Dave Zierman

Vice President for Programming: Jeff Benesch

Secretary: Anita Reith

Treasurer: Ann Stiles

Past-President: Fernando Garcia

Editor: Bonnie Baranoff

Founder: Beverly Cassirer

 

Council of Clubs

The LMFDC has been and is a huge supporter of the Council of Clubs. Sharing with other club representatives has enriched our club in so many ways. Our Annual Yard Sale was a fundraising idea from a Council Meeting.

Our Past-President, Larry Howe, was Council Chair. Our Immediate Past-President, Fernando Garcia, is not only our Council Representative, Fernando is also the LMFDC Ambassador to County Democratic events.

During our 32 year history, The La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club members, such as Senator Marty Block and County School Board Past-President Sharon Jones and others have become elected Democratic officials. We are also proud of our members who have been recognized for their volunteerism and leadership. Club members have been awarded Volunteer of the Year twice, and 5 members have been awarded the prestigious Chair Award. We were voted Club of the Year in 2008.

The La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club has met or exceeded the Council of Clubs objective criteria for new members gained, members renewed, meeting attendance, candidates appearing, sensational programming, and high GO-Team representation. We have accomplished so much this year because we have a terrific team of Officers, Board Members, and active, educated members. We thank The Council of Clubs for the opportunity to be considered as Club of the Year!

 

 

 

 

 Never a woman to waste any time, I found Beverly eating her breakfast (fruit in oatmeal), reading the LA Times and/or NY Times, and watching MSNBC. At 96 I hope I am able to do the same!

The la Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club was founded 32 years ago by a progressive couple, Beverly and Claude Cassirer, who lived in very red and conservative La Mesa. Against all odds, the club they started not only survived, but thrived and has grown to become one of the biggest and most active Democratic Club in San Diego County. Sadly, we lost Claude some years ago; however, Beverly is still going strong and is 96 years old today!

 Beverly’s words of wisdom:

“All members of the La Mesa Democratic Club should get out and vote and make sure that at least one other Democrat goes to vote”. Use the “ripple effect” she says.