Progressive Democrats of L.A.
December meeting
10 AM Saturday, December 19

New location (December 2009 only)
4170-1/2 MADISON AVENUE, Culver City 

(Just south of Venice Blvd., heart of Culver City)

PLEASE NOTE upcoming meeting dates:
January 16, Feb. 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19


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2009 WLADC Holiday Party and
Silent Auction
Sunday, December 20 from 6:30 to 10pm

SPARC Gallery
685 Venice Blvd
Venice, CA 90291


On Sunday, December 20, we're having our Annual Holiday Party/Silent Auction at our favorite venue, SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center) Gallery in Venice.

It's always a wonderful party!  We'll have great company, a variety of tasty food, no-host wine bar, the cool jazz of the Nick Scarmack Trio, carols to sing and our Silent Auction with a variety of goodies to bid on.

Additionally, this year we'll be having a 50/50 Raffle.
Whatever the pot, if you have the winning ticket we split the $$ with you!

We also ask that you bring a can or package of non-perishable food to feed the less-fortunate in our community. We will drop off the collected goods to the Westside Food Bank on Monday, December 21.
 
Suggested food (no glass please!): peanut butter, tuna, beans, soup (in cans and instant), mac n' cheese, pasta, cereals, etc. Click on their link for more ideas.

Thank you for your generosity!

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We have created a special Act Blue page to order tickets and *renew/join online. Or you may pay at the door.

To Order Tickets and/or Membership Online:
http://www.actblue.com/page/wladc2009_holidayparty

Questions? Email Ingrid: ingrid0034@aol.com

*Special bonus for all New and Renewing Memberships for
2009: $5.00 Coupon towards your winning bid on any Silent Auction Item


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Come to the Westwood - Westside Democratic Club's
60th Anniversary Holiday Party, Awards Ceremony & Fundraiser
Sunday, December 13, 2009　 2 – 4:30 PM

615 Westholme Avenue, Westwood (just east of UCLA, L.A. 90024)

Honoring WWDC Democrats of the Year:
Senator Barbara Boxer, Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Assembly Member Mike Feuer and Assembly Member (and Attorney General candidate) Ted Lieu, plus local activists and long-time members of the Westwood and Westside Democratic Clubs.

Special invited guests – Eric Bauman, Chair, L.A. County Democratic Party, office holders and candidates for our area.
Hors d'oevres, desserts, wine and other beverages will be served.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

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MoveOn.org is sponsoring a
Cost of Delay Vigil
Senator Feinstein's L.A. office: Santa Monica Blvd. at Sepulveda, 11111 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tuesday, December 8th, 5 - 6pm


WE must keep up the pressure on our representatives and show unanimous support for our legislators who are fighting for us.

Senator Dianne Feinstein has stepped up to the plate and called for reform based on a strong, national public option and removal of the health insurance industry's anti-trust exemption.

Let's thank her and urge her to stay strong!

Our candlelight vigil takes place Tuesday, December 8 from 5-6 pm, along with MoveOn vigils across the country.  Our vigil in September attracted a lot of attention with signs, encouragement and our presence of 200+ strong.

To RSVP:
http://pol.moveon.org/pac/event/events/event.html?event_id=99769


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WAR, MEDIA & THE PLIGHT OF
VETERANS

Featuring
SCOTT RITTER (Former UN weapons inspector)
ROBERT SCHEER (Journalist-Author)
PETER RICHARDSON (Author)

Saturday, December 5, 2009 -- 2 to 4 PM
Venice United Methodist Church Community Center
2210 Lincoln Blvd. (at Victoria Ave.), Venice 90291
$10 Suggested Donation

Free street and lot parking


All proceeds will benefit The Veterans Project, non-partisan, nonprofit campaign supporting organizations that help military veterans reintegrate into society when they come home. 

 For more info visit http://www.theveteransproject.org.


"The most important thing to know about Scott Ritter is that he was right." - Seymour Hersh



"This book satisfies on every level..." - The New York Times.


Event will include a panel discussion, Q&A and book signing
 


     
The same event will take place
Sunday, December 6, 2 to 4 PM

Women's Club of South Pasadena
1424 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena 91030


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WORLD MARCH & CONCERT FOR PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE   
 WILL BE IN LOS ANGELES

JOIN US!!

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Where: Peace March along Wilshire Blvd. from Mac Arthur Park at Alvarado to Berendo to Immanuel Presbyterian where the Peace Concert will take place
Walk starts: 6:00pm
Concert starts: 7:00pm
What to bring along: Yourself, friends, family, comfortable walking shoes, a candle, and a peaceful heart.
For more info: worldmarchla@gmail.com
Our USA site: www.worldmarchusa.net
For global info: www.theworldmarch.org


LOCAL ENDORSERS:
Office of the Americas, Ed Asner, Martin Sheen, Edward James Olmos, Ricardo Lemvo, Rep. Maxine Waters, Michael Nouri, Culture of Peace Initiative, Mindful Peacebuilding Institute,
 Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Palisadians for Peace, LA Green Party, Veterans for Peace, AGAPE, Iraq Veterans for Peace,
 Orange County Peace Coalition, URI (United Religions Initiative), etc. and Media Sponsor KPFK.

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MTA Bus Lines: 20,720, 920 - The MTA's website at www.mta.net has directions and current schedules.
Metro Red and Purple Lines at Wilshire/Vermont 
We suggest you use either street parking or the parking lot at UTLA Parking structure north of Wilshire off Berendo. For those who need it, we are calling for volunteers to carpool from the parking structure to the start of the march.


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PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF LOS ANGELES
Monthly meeting
Saturday, November 21, 10am
 Levantine Cultural Center, 5998 W. Pico Blvd.,LA
 2 blocks east of Crescent Heights (310-657-5511)
 
PLEASE NOTE next month's meeting date:
December 19
 
NEW BUSINESS
November e-board meeting reports
Passage of Afghanistan resolution (Marcy Winograd)
Stupak Amendment and our response
Left Turn Only new book from Brad Parker (see below)
Re-Chartering with LACDP
Proposed statewide candidate forums
Statewide candidate questionnaire/Website posting answers
Use of Yahoo group for response/blog to listserve items
 
OLD BUSINESS
CA Majority Rule Campaign (Tom Camarella)
Citizens' Commission on Redistricting (below)
PDLA bylaws (Brad Parker)
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
CAMS Art Show & Celebration, Sat 12/5,2-5 San Pedro
http://www.militaryfreeschools.org/ for address
 
TOPANGA FUNDRAISER FOR MARCY WINOGRAD, Dec 6 (Dorothy Reik has details)
 
CA Democratic Party, 2010 Campaign training in Santa Clarita,
 Jan 9-10, MUST REGISTER AT THEIR WEBSITE TO GO
 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Join the CA Majority Rule Campaign at their website:
www.camajorityrule.com
"All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by a majority vote."


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The "Dark Green" Movement: A Conversation with the Begleys  

Come out to the closing salon the 2009 BREATHE LA Green Salon Series!
 


DATE: Thursday, November 19, 2009 
TIME: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Main State Theater on the campus of Los Angeles Valley College @ 5800 Fulton Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
MODERATOR: Ray Gonzales, BREATHE LA Board Member & former KTLA Ch. 5 Host
 
SPEAKERS: Ed Begley, Jr. and Rachelle Begley.   Acclaimed actors and environmentalists, the Begleys are considered the Hollywood green elite, walking the walk of energy conservation and sustainability to near self-sufficiency.  The Begleys continue to advance green living through "Living with Ed" on HGTV, numerous books, green products and lifestyle promotions.
 
MORE: The BREATHE LA Green Salons are free and open public forums on clean air, the environment and healthy living to the public.  Each salon brings together some of the best and brightest minds on the subject and strives to include all community stakeholders on the subject.
 
FYI: Light refreshments will be available.  For more information, contact Edward Headington at Edward@HeadingtonMedia.com or 323.935.8050x233.  Space is limited so RSVP today!



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West L.A. Democratic Club
and Friends
Present
A
  FOOD FORUM

Eat, Drink, and Be Wary!


Who's growing our food?  What's in it?  Why it isn't safe!

  November 19, 2009   7 - 9pm
(Doors open 6:30 pm. Come early for best seating.)

   


RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcmkz

        Sponsored by the West LA Democratic Club;
Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains;
Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Westwood- Westside, New Frontiers, 4-Star and Culver City Democratic Clubs;
 Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles, and Westside Progressives.



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VALLEY DEMOCRATS UNITED
PROUDLY PRESENTS
Special Guest Speaker
 Assemblyman Hector de la Torre
                                                                     
Speaking on the future of health care in California

Hector De La Torre has spent his career standing up to powerful special interests to protect workers, consumers and taxpayers. He has taken on the tough fights -- from corrupt politicians to heartless insurance companies -- and won. 

As a member of our State Assembly who also chairs the Assembly Committee on Accountability, Hector has not only been working tirelessly, but also successfully in a broad range of health care issues that are of concern to the people of California.  He passed the law to stop insurers from canceling coverage when you get sick, passing legislation to provide funding for doctors to practice in under served rural and low income areas, protecting services for MediCal patients and currently pushing to require insurance policies to cover maternity services. 

After passing in both Houses, the Governor threatened to veto all bills.
                                                                
 
 Can we make health care veto proof?

Which bills passed and what will have to be reintroduced?

Is single payer health care going to happen in California?


Attend and get the answers.


When: Tuesday, NOVEMBER 17
Time: 7:00 PM

Where: State Building Auditorium
6150 Van Nuys Blvd
(corner of Calvert & Van Nuys Blvd)
Van Nuys, California 91401

Please be prompt.
As always, we look forward to seeing you there and your participation. In the meantime,
Remember this: You are the difference that makes a difference!

http://www.valleydemsunited.com




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WHEN: Monday, November 2, 2009 beginning at 9:00 AM

WHERE: Olvera Street Main Plaza
El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Park
845 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
It's time we stand up to BIG INSURANCE and call on our Members of Congress to do the right thing and pass real, meaningful health reform NOW, that includes:Choice of a STRONG, national public health insurance option

Makes health care affordable for all American families
Includes fair financing that does not tax the middle class
Employer responsibility for their employees' health benefits
Regulates the profit-driven activities of the private health insurance industry





For anyone interested in closing the School of the Americas/WHINSEC and finding out about the November 2009 Vigil to close it, please come to the send-off event for the Caravan on its way to Ft. Benning...

Sunday, November 1, 1:00-3:00PM
First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles (Corner of 8th St. & Westmoreland)
2936 West 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA

Speakers:
Carlos Mauricio  
Professor of Agricultural Sciences at the University of El Savador until his extra-judicial kidnapping by Salvadoran death squads in June 1983.

Carlos Mejia
El Frente de la Resistencia Hondurena
Current Human Rights Violations in Honduras
 
Panelists: 
Frankie Flores- torture survivor (El Salvador)
Mario Avila - torture survivor (Guatemala)
Sandra Sunshine Williams - activist

Screening:  School of the Assassins with narration by Susan Sarandon (15 minutes)

Music

For information:
jeffneffwwdwd@gmail.com
or 310-573-1901

Sponsored by:
The Social Justice Committee of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles
Casa El Salvador
SOAW-LA




Updating the critical situation in Honduras since the June 28, 2009 coup with
Dr. Luther Castillo, International Speaker from the Honduran Resistance

Sunday, November 1,   5-7PM
William C. Velasquez Institute
2914 North Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031

For more information:
(323) 376-3096 / (818) 383-2227




Tuesday, October 27, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., in front of Fox Television Center, 1999 S. Bundy Dr., WLA one block north of Olympic Blvd.  This is our weekly rally for which we would always love to have more participants.  mljacquard@gmail.com
 
Wednesday, October 28 @ 10 am
NATIONAL - SIT IN & RALLY IN GLENDALE @ CIGNA
The next Mobilize For Healthcare demonstration and sit in will be at the Cigna building, 400 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.  Join us to ask Cigna executives why they are denying care to sick Californians.  



($5 Donation requested to cover costs, no one turned away for lack of funds)
 
The Venice Greens meet on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at 658 Venice Blvd., Venice CA 90291, in the Community Room.

The Venice Greens can be contacted at (310) 804-9916 or: gardenbeekeeper@yahoo.com, Green Party of California: www.cagreens.org.



Who: MoveOn.org
Where: Senator Feinstein's Office, Santa Monica and Sepulveda Blvd (in Los Angeles)
When: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at 12:00 PM

What: The fate of the public option will be decided in the next few weeks—and Sen. Feinstein will need to fight like hell to win real health care reform. Let's show her we've got her back heading into these final, crucial weeks.
Can you make it to the rally?

Click here for more details and to RSVP:
 
I can come.
 
Sorry, I can't make it this time.

For more info and to find other rallies in your area, click here.


Do yourself a favor!  Join us at the Topanga Community House

1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga Canyon

Friday, October 16
Doors open at 6:30PM.  Program starts at 7PM.  Q&A after the presentations.

Speakers:
Jules Dervaes, Katherine Green, Nicole Johnson

Please bring healthy snacks to share (optional).  A donation of $5 is requested to defray cost.
No one will be tur ned away for lack of funds.

 
Dorothy Reik:  phone  818-226-6100  
Julie Levine:    phone  310-455-9389



It's a crime that every 12 minutes someone dies because they can't afford the escalating cost of health insurance.

That's why on Tuesday October 6th we're rallying in support for real national health reform and exposing those guilty of lining their pockets while the people of California suffer. You already know that 7 million of our fellow citizens across this state currently lack health insurance -- and millions upon millions more are plagued with inadequate health insurance.

In Los Angeles
11:00 AM at 801 S. Figueroa
Contact: Angela, awoods@health-access.org or 213-413-3587




 
Adam Schiff Health Care Townhall

Tuesday, August 11, 2009, 7pm

Alhambra Civic Center (Library Community Room)
101 S. First Street
Alhambra, CA
Accessibility: Accessible

Friends of Congressman Adam Schiff and Residents of the 29th
Congressional District are invited to discuss the state of health care
in America.

The Health Care Townhall will be moderated by Dr. Bruce Hensel, the
medical, health, and science reporter/editor for NBC4.

We are sure there will be a lively discussion of the proposed
National Heath Care proposals. We hope Democrats will attend and keep
the discussion on the discussion -- not on the expected "NO's" from
the party of "NO."
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WHAT:    John Dean speaking on Torture and the Abuses of Governmental Power
WHEN:    Thursday, August 6, 2009, 7 - 9pm (doors open 6:30pm)
WHERE:  Venice Center for Peace with Justice and The Arts
                  2210 Lincoln Blvd., corner Victoria Ave., Venice 90291
                  Street and Lot Parking

Suggested Donation: $5.00 (no one turned away for lack of funds.)

RSVP for reserved seating:  ingrid0034@aol.com.

Co-Sponsored by: Pacific Palisades Democratic Club, 4-Star, LAX-Area, Westwood-Westside, Westchester and Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles Democratic Clubs; Westside Progressives




BILL ROSENDAHL, L.A. CITY COUNCILMEMBER
TO DISCUSS STATE CONSTITUTION REFORM
AT TOWN HALL

Public Invited


Who:               Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
                        State Assemblymember Julia Brownley
                        Santa Monica Councilmember Michael Feinstein, former mayor
                        Santa Monica Councilmember Pam O’Connor
                        Nancy Greenstein, Santa Monica College Board of Trustees
                        Jim Wunderman, president of the Bay Area Council
                        Steve Hill, New America Foundation
                        Mark Paul, New America Foundation
                        Robert Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies
                        Dan Walters, columnist for the Sacramento Bee
 
When:             6:15 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
                        Friday, July 17, 2009
 
Where:            The Broad Stage at Santa Monica College
                        1310 11th Street
                        Santa Monica, CA 90401
 
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl will join community leaders for a discussion on California’s need for a constitutional convention and the impacts it would have on the state’s economy and its ability to function.
 
On July 1, the State of California entered a new fiscal year without having enacted a budget to fund state services.  As a result, the state has been forced to issue IOUs to contractors and municipalities, at a great cost, both financially and in terms of service, to California taxpayers.  To prevent similar budget crises in the future, Rosendahl will discuss the merit of a California Constitutional Convention to enact necessary reforms to the state constitution.
 
In 1978, the passage of Proposition 13 greatly redefined California’s budget process.  Along with its reduction in state revenue through property taxes, the proposition imposed a 2/3-majority in both Houses of the State Legislature in order to pass a budget.  As a result, the state has not had an on-time budget for the last several decades.  In 1990, term limits were imposed on legislators by voters, further complicating the budget process.
 
Discussion of these issues and many others, their impact on the budget process, and the potential and need for reform will be highlighted at the forum.  It will provide the public an opportuni ty to weigh in on the issues, and to address whether California should hold a constitutional convention in the near future to reform the process.
 

www.councilmanrosendahl.com

City Hall (213) 473-7011 West LA (310) 575-8461 Westchester (310) 568-8772
 

The Topanga Peace Alliance, The Progressive Democrats of
the Santa Monica Mountains, and Peace Action West

PRESENT:

Friday, July 17

WHY WE ARE THERE?
WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND?
HOW DO WE GET OUT?

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

TOM HAYDEN - LILA GARRETT - SONALI KOLHATKAR

• Lila Garrett on the permanent war economy--why we are there.
• Sonali Kolhatkar presents a slide show and discusses conditions in Afghanistan and the character of the people.
• Tom Hayden explains it all to us--the politics, the strategy, the way out.

Q & A after the presentation.

Don't miss this incredibly informative forum. Meet your favorite KPFK broadcasters and hear Tom Hayden's analysis. Tom's research and intelligence always add needed information and understanding of the subject at hand.

Friday, July 17 at the Topanga Community House
1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Doors open at 6:30PM. Program starts at 7PM.
Call Dorothy at 310-455-4050 or Julie and 310-455-9389 for further information.
Please bring a light snack , desert or drinks to share.
It promises to be a long and enlightening evening.
This will be in place of the July Meeting.
Please note the 7 PM Starting Time

More info

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2008 & 2007 Events
(includes Froehlich Awards Dinners and article on 2008 election HQ grand opening)