2016 was an incredible year — incredibly good and incredibly bad.
The Good:
• Our Westside Democratic Headquarters was the #1 election HQ for the Hillary campaign in CA
• We kept Nevada blue and put Catherine Cortez Masto in Harry Reid’s US Senate seat
• We helped California get even bluer by reelecting Rep. Ted Lieu and Assemblymember Richard Bloom and putting Kamala Harris into Barbara Boxer’s US Senate seat
• We backed a majority of the ballot measures that won
• We helped secure supermajorities in the CA legislature
The Bad:
• Although Hillary won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, Donald J. Trump was elected President. Whether it was because of Comey’s October surprise, Russian hacking and blatant interference in our election process, or missteps by the Hillary campaign, Trump’s win surprised and devastated all of us.
But now we have a job to do: To fight back against the Trump/Pence extremist agenda; to make sure our values and priorities are represented at every level of government; and to elect progressive Democrats to local, state, and national offices throughout the country!
California has to lead the way in this fight and the PPDC will be at the head of the line, serving as your local clearinghouse for actions you can take and/or support.
When you join or re-up your membership with the PPDC you’ll find out how to fight the incompetence, lies, corruption that Trump is peddling. You’ll be supporting an organization that for decades has opposed injustice, backed progressive causes and candidates, and gotten results at the ballot box.
Let’s channel the power that comes from mass participation into specific actions. Think of the impact of January’s Women’s March, which many of you heard about through PPDC e-blasts and the PPDC Facebook page.
Help us advance the progressive agenda and elect Democrats throughout the country. You can help by volunteering, attending informative events, signing petitions, joining in protest marches, making calls to Congress — or simply by paying membership dues, or donating generously to our efforts.
For 2017, for the midterm elections in 2018, for the Presidential election and redistricting in 2020, everything and every person can truly make a difference. Join us today.
Yours,
Melissa Grant
President, PPDC
of pushing back against the Republican agenda
and be in the loop about upcoming events
click the button below…
* * *
Save the date:
PPDC Annual End-of-Summer Garden Party
Your chance to meet and mingle one-on-one with your local,
state and federal politicians
Tentatively scheduled for
Sunday, September 17
2 to 4 PM
Watch this space or follow us on Facebook for more info!
* * *
Thanks, everyone, for volunteering and attending some of our most recent events, including
Sunday, June 25
A Call To Action: Part II
A Call to Healthcare
and Environmental Activism in California
An overflow crowd of almost 300 came to our first Call To Action in March to fight the Trump/Republican agenda and take back Congress, the Senate, state legislatures and governorships, and the Presidency. Our second featured
State Sen. Ben Allen
And a distinguished panel of experts:
• Dr. Paul Song, Co-Chair, Campaign for a Healthy California; Board Member,
Physicians for a National Health Program
• Mari Lopez, CA Nurses Association, Senate Bill 562 for a State Single Payer System
• David Pettit, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Counsel
• RL Miller, Chair, CA Dem Party Environmental Caucus; Founder, Climate Hawks Vote
If you didn’t see the Pali Post write-up,
click here for a report on the event
complete with action instructions — make an impact!
* * *
What to Do Now: How We Can Win with the Right Message
Prof. George Lakoff is a linguistics expert who has advised politicians and leaders around the world.
He urges progressives to go beyond laundry lists of facts/policies/programs,
helping present a clear moral vision. Join us for an illuminating evening!
George Lakoff is the author of “The ALL NEW Don’t Think of an Elephant!
Know Your Values and Frame the Debate”
and a Professor Emeritus of Linguistics at U.C. Berkeley.
Tickets $20.00 – Get tickets here now — it’ll probably be SRO
Sponsored by
-Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains
-West L.A. Democratic Club
-Our Revolution Progressive Los Angeles
-Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
Proceeds benefit Poverty Matters
* * *
Fight the Trump Administration’s
abysmal Executive Orders and other dangerous, cruel,
and misguided policies.
The Pali Dem Club is your clearinghouse for action.
Thank you to all who attended
A CALL TO ACTION
Sunday, March 26, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Palisades Woman’s Club, 901 Haverford Ave., PP
Almost 300 people showed up to learn how
to fight the Trump/Republican agenda
and take back Congress, the Senate,
state legislatures and governorships,
and the Presidency
•
Rep. Ted Lieu provided this resistance guide —
Click here to download
and share with friends!
Click here for Rep. Lieu’s PowerPoint presentation
(PDF format)
•
The event featured presentations from high-profile groups organizing against efforts
to dismantle Obama’s legacy and gut decades of progressive advances
Code Blue•Courage Campaign•The Democratic Party
Flippable•Indivisible•Sister District•Swing Left
With opening remarks by Rep. Ted Lieu
* * *
Meanwhile, here are ways to stay involved
and make your voice heard
Indivisible: A Practical Guide For Resisting The Trump Agenda,
created by former congressional staffers who reveal best practices for
making Congress listen
https://www.indivisibleguide.com/
Women’s March on Washington: 10 Actions for the First 100 Days
https://www.womensmarch.com/100
Countable: Contact your Reps, Influence Congress, Vote on Bills
This is great, an app for Apple/Android or to read online.
What’s going on this week in Congress,
updates on political votes, news and bills
https://www.countable.us/
* * *
And please visit facebook.com/PaliDems for more action items, updated daily!
* * *
DNC rep appearance:
Friday, 3/24, 7 – 9 PM
At The Wellesbourne, 10929 W. Pico Blvd.
Two weeks ago in Atlanta, the Democratic National Committee elected new officers. One of the new officers, the new DNC Secretary, is Jason Rae from Wisconsin.
Jason, former Secretary of the Democratic National Committee LGBT Caucus
and a Young Democrat (the only DNC officer who is), is the youngest person ever elected to the DNC. He’ll be in Los Angeles on Friday, March 24 and will participate in an informal meet-and-greet for Democratic activists that evening at a public event.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet an officer of the DNC!
This event is co-hosted by the Santa Monica Democratic Club along with Miracle Mile Democratic Club, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, and West L.A. Democratic Club
* * *
* * *
PPDC Annual Meeting 2017
Over 250 of you continued your activism in 2017,
hearing from local political VIPs: State Sen. Ben Allen, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, Councilmember Mike Bonin, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Rep. Ted Lieu** will speak about the year to come at the Pali Dem Club’s Annual Meeting.
**listed alphabetically
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC–ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2 (sharp) – 4:30 pm
Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club
901 Haverford Ave., Pacific Palisades
This event serves as the club’s official “Annual Meeting”
(though we hold many events throughout the year and our board meets monthly) at which the 2017 Executive Board Candidate Slate
and any bylaw modifications will be up for ratification by all club members in good standing who are present.
Admission free (suggested donation $20 to defray costs)
Light refreshments • free parking on-street and on-site
No RSVP needed, just come on down!
Also find us at
facebook.com/palidems • Twitter: @palidems
* * *
Congrats to the winners of January’s ADEM elections,
which empower local reps to influence the direction of the CA Dem Party!
Erika Feresten and Maryam Zar are familiar faces at PaliDems board meetings,
and Marcy Winograd’s a friend of PPDC, formerly on the board.
WOMEN:
Erika Feresten (Progressive Slate)
Sue Himmelrich (Progressive Slate)
Lindsey Horvath (Grassroots Slate)
Amanda Hyde (Grassroots Slate)
Marcy Winograd (Progressive Slate)
Jessica Yas (Grassroots Slate)
Maryam Zar (Grassroots Slate)
MEN:
Steve Bott (Grassroots Slate)
Christopher Bowen (Progressive Slate)
Kevin McKeown (Progressive Slate)
Rob Rader (Grassroots Slate)
Sion Roy (Progressive Slate)
Barry Snell (Grassroots Slate)
Charles Taylor (Grassroots Slate)
* * *
NEWS FROM 2016
Volunteer opportunity till
December 10, 2016:
Something big we can do right now to make things better…
Make phone calls to win
Louisana’s Dec. 10 U.S. Senate race
As you might know, Louisiana has the opportunity to elect one more Democrat to the U.S. Senate on December 10.
The reason this is so important it that with this additional Democrat, we’d need only two Republican Senators to vote with Dems to preserve President Obama’s gains and keep Medicare and Social Security safe.
If you’d like to make calls from home to help elect Foster Campbell, the Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, please click here to send Jane an email expressing interest. She will contact you and give you all the information you need so you can quickly get started.
Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue
to do! This is a difficult time but together we’ll not only
get through it, we’ll make things better.
— Jane and Nora
* * *
Potluck Thank-You Party
Saturday, Nov. 12, 6 PM
Westside Democratic HQ
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
* No RSVP needed *
To all our volunteers and supporters:
The staff and volunteers at the Westside Democratic HQ became a family. We spent hours together, putting our hearts and souls into the campaign. We can’t thank you all enough for the time, commitment, and dedication you gave.
Although we are all deeply saddened by the results of the Presidential election, we can be proud that together we became the number #1 GOTV staging location in California, and likely one of the top performing campaign offices in the country. Our efforts in Nevada definitely paid off, as Hillary decisively won that state and Catherine Cortez Masto was elected to the U.S. Senate — the first Latina Senator….
But we never had a chance to say goodbye to each other, to swap phone numbers, and to plan for the future. So we’ve decided to hold a Potluck Thank-You Party for our volunteers this Saturday, at HQ, starting at 6 pm. We invite all of you to come. Bring food, soft drinks, wine or beer.
As to the future, we have decided to stop agonizing and start organizing for the midterms and to shine a light on the most progressive Democratic platform in years. We will not slink into the background. We will do whatever it takes to protect our rights, our values, and our country.
Hope to see you all there.
Melissa Grant
President, Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
* * *
Westside Dem HQ
Election Action
• GOTV volunteering (make calls, send texts, or recruit volunteers by sitting at a table on Montana Ave.)
and HQ support (bring food, help with event setup and cleanup)
NOW THROUGH THE ELECTION!
• Election Day Results Watch Event —
come sweat it out with us as we watch on the big projection screen at the HQ
Starts after 5:30 PM, Nov. 8
* * *
A hilarious evening with comedian
Paula Poundstone
riffing on the 2016 presidential campaign
SUNDAY, OCT. 16
6 PM (doors open) / 7 PM (show)
At the Westside Democratic Headquarters
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
310-873-3451 • [email protected]
www.westsidedemhq.org
Suggested Donation $15
Opening Act: Harvard Yardbirds a cappella
No RSVP needed, come on down!
* * *
VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY
Tues., Oct. 4, 5:30 PM
At the Westside Democratic Headquarters
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
310-873-3451 • [email protected]
www.westsidedemhq.org
Don’t miss the VP debate at our watch party, with refreshments, projection TV, and like-minded Dems eager to cheer on our candidate!
No RSVP needed, come on down!
* * *
PHONE BANKING WITH TED LIEU!
Wed., Oct. 5, 5:30 PM
West L.A. & Palisades Dem Clubs Present
THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT 2016: A TWO-PART FORUM
17 Props! • County & City Measures!
Part 1: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Part 2: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
Walk-ins welcome, but
please RSVP here to Julie if you can,
to help us buy enough refreshments!
At the Westside Democratic Headquarters
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
310-873-3451 • [email protected]
www.westsidedemhq.org
6:30 – 7 PM Reception with light refreshments
7 – 9 PM Forum with Q&A
Oct. 7 – PART II: GUNS, DEATH, EDUCATION AND MORE… Covering Propositions 55 (Prop 30 tax extension), 57 (parole, juvenile sentencing),
62 (eliminate death penalty), 63 (firearms, ammo),
66 (death penalty procedures), L.A. city measures, and others
Moderated by DAVID DAYEN
Political journalist and prize-winning author of Chain of Title:
How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street’s Great Foreclosure Fraud
… with expert guest speakers!
After our forums, we’ll phone bank for some of the props we endorse
* * *
Join us for
A HILARIOUS POLITICAL COMEDY
From the acclaimed team that brought you
Aspirin & Elephants, 2 Across, and Almost Perfect
! ! ! New date ! ! ! SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9
2:30 PM Refreshments 3:00 PM Curtain
SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE
1211 4th Street, Santa Monica (off Wilshire)
Proceeds will fund the 2016 Westside Democratic HQ
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
… where after the play you can come down and watch
the second Presidential debate!
TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT!
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/howtolove
Questions? Call 310-230-2084, or email us at [email protected]
facebook.com/palidems • instagram.com/palidems • @palidems
* * *
1st PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WATCH PARTY
Monday, Sep. 26, 5:30 PM
At the Westside Democratic Headquarters
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
310-873-3451 • [email protected]
www.westsidedemhq.org
* * *
THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT 2016: A TWO-PART FORUM
Sep. 22 – PART I: SEX, DRUGS, MONEY AND MORE… Covering Propositions 56 (cigarette tax), 59 (overturn Citizens United), 60 (adult film condom use), 61 (state Rx drugs), 64 (marijuana), and others
ENDORSEMENTS TO COME!
* * *
Political Stand-Up Comedy with
Jimmy Tingle!
FRIDAY, SEP. 16, 7:30 PM
AT THE HQ
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
light refreshments served
* * *
Pictured left to right, after cutting the ribbon: CA Assembly candidate Al Muratsuchi, L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, West L.A. Dem Club Pres. Cara Robin, CA Democratic Party Vice Chair / L.A. Democratic Party Chair Eric Bauman, Palisades Dem Club Pres. Melissa Grant (photo credit: Justin Wolman)
GRAND OPENING OF WESTSIDE DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS
1627 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
(corner Montana & 17th)
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 7 — 5 to 10 PM
The big day went great! Over 250 of you showed up to eat, drink, enjoy live a cappella with the Harvard Yardbirds, shop the Westside’s largest collection of political swag (with special silent auction), hear from a stellar list of elected officials and other VIPs as they inspire us to win in November, and watch MSNBC’s Clinton/Trump Commander-in-Chief Forum!
Official program:
CA Democratic Party Vice Chair /
L.A. Democratic Party Chair Eric Bauman
L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin
CA State Treasurer John Chiang
CA Assemblymember Richard Bloom
CA Assemblymember Autumn Burke
L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin
Assembly candidate Al Muratsuchi
Commander, Jewish American War Vets
Vets from Vets & Military Families for Hillary
7:45 PM — A cappella group: Harvard Yardbirds
8 PM — Rebroadcast of Commander-in-Chief Forum
$10 suggested donation — no one turned away
Photo: CA Democratic Party Vice Chair / L.A. Democratic Party Chair Eric Bauman
(photo credit: Justin Wolman)
Celebrating the opening of the HQ
run in partnership with the West L.A. Dem Club
and Santa Monica Dem Club
More info here:
www.westsidedemhq.org
* * *
PPDC’s famous
Political Courage/Human Rights Awards
Monday, August 22
(Event photo credits: Chantelle Eastman)
A huge success thanks to you — 200 in attendance!
HONORING
Senator Barbara Boxer
For her years of service and leadership
Froehlich Award for Political Courage
Dr. Paul Song
For his work with the Courage Campaign
Berke Award for Human Rights
Mike Farrell
For his work with Death Penalty Focus
Berke Award for Human Rights
with
* Paula Poundstone, emcee *
Monday, August 22, 2016, 6 p.m.
Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund a 2016 Westside Democratic Headquarters
and to support Democratic candidates in upcoming elections
* * *
Thursday, July 28, 6 p.m.
Democratic Convention viewing party
VIEW HILLARY CLINTON’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
(and other speeches)
– Broadcast LIVE from the Democratic Convention –
AT A SPECIAL EVENT IN SANTA MONICA
with
light dinner/wine/big-screen TVs
in a
fantastic party spot
… the ultra-modern, spacious offices of Cross Campus
929 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica (enter corner 10th & Colorado)
Doors open at 6 p.m. — eat, drink, watch,
and discuss with like-minded Democratic friends
* * *
Sun., 5/15/16, 3 – 5:30 pm
Improv comedy Dem Club benefit show!
L.A.’s beloved Spolin Players
-SOLD OUT!-
@ Theatre Palisades/Pierson Playhouse
941 Temescal Canyon Rd.
One of L.A.’s finest improv troupes right here
in the Palisades — comedy, food, wine, and fun,
with proceeds to benefit the Dem Club in this
critical election year
3 – 4 pm wine & cheese reception
4 pm curtain
$35/person
Free parking!
* * *
Speaker Series w/Derek Cressman, author of
The High Price of “Free” Speech and the Selling of Democracy
Wed., 4/20/16
Palisades Public Library, 861 Alma Real Dr.
-Full house!-
The audience asked many thoughtful questions after the presentation….
The Palisadian Post’s reporter published a great write-up on the event in the 4/28/16 edition!
About the book:
Americans know that the corrupting influence of special interest money is destroying our democratic process. And now that the Citizens United decision has thrown out campaign spending limits as abridgments of free speech, they want to know what they can do about it. Derek Cressman gives us the tools, both intellectual and tactical, to fight back.
•
2016 Annual Meeting, Jan. 31!
150 of you showed up on a stormy day to hear
State Sen. Ben Allen, CA Assemblymember Richard Bloom,
L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin,
L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin, L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl,
US Rep. Ted Lieu
… and special guest Eric Bauman, Vice Chair, CA Dem Party; Chair, L.A. Dem Party
and hear firsthand about local, state, and national issues for 2016
facebook.com/palidems • instagram.com/palidems • @palidems
* * *
Check out video on the Support the Iran Deal protest at Rep. Lieu’s office.
Ed Asner there, adding star power…. Good crowd despite the heat!
Over 2,500 petition signatures delivered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xUpK-6nw9Y
The L.A. Times was there to cover the rally and posted an excellent story featuring Iranian Americans who support the deal.
www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-ln-iran-deal-rally-20150826-story.html
* * *
Our appreciation to everyone who came to our
Garden party with Robert Scheer
Sun., Aug. 23, 2 – 4:30 pm
Robert Scheer is editor in chief of Truthdig;
Left, Right and Center panelist on KCRW;
former L.A. Times contributing editor;
and author of the new book
THEY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU:
How Data-Collecting Corporations and Snooping Government Agencies Are Destroying Democracy
Thanks also to
Assemblymember Bloom & Councilmember Bonin
for attending!
* * *
RESOLUTION ON THE POTENTIAL
NUCLEAR ARMS DEAL WITH IRAN
The Palisades Dem Club board had a spirited and detailed discussion on the Iran nuclear deal at our August monthly meeting.
Our board members have been following the complex aspects of this important foreign policy decision in addition to the statements by experts on the pros and cons of the negotiations. Last evening we voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Iran nuclear deal after much discussion.
It is our general feeling that although there may be risks, the deterrents to Iran’s nuclear program laid out in the deal are very vigorous, global in nature, and critical to avoiding the alternative–more sanctions and possible military intervention. We feel this deal is in the best interest of both the U.S. and Israel in trying to prevent Iran from making a nuclear bomb.
OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dear-sen-schumer-dont-vote-against-the-iran-nuclear-deal/2015/08/13/7b806630-41f4-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html?postshare=8821439561865075
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/opinion/the-high-price-of-rejecting-the-iran-deal.html
TAKE ACTION
Call or write your representatives in support of the deal:
https://www.opencongress.org/people/zipcodelookup
* * *
Great crowd
at our Speakers Series event:
L.A. & CA: Fracking & Oil Drilling in Our Backyards
Featuring Food & Water Watch‘s Brenna Norton
Thanks to all who attended!
* * *
Come visit our table at the Palisades Farmers’ Market
Sundays, usually between 10 am and 1 pm
to talk with us in person,
sign petitions,
and hear what we’re doing to put and keep
progressive Democrats in office
* * *
Thanks for using PPDC’s voter guide
and getting to the polls for the March 3 elections!
For results visit
www.lavote.net
* * *
Secretary of State Alex Padilla Wants Your Ideas
He’s started a project to boost voter turnout.
To kick it off, he wants to hear from you.
Click here to follow the link, watch the short video, and leave your suggestion.
Here’s a chance to make your ideas heard.
* * *
Thanks to all who came to our
PPDC 2015 ANNUAL MEETING
(Open to all)
Meet and greet with elected officials
Live presentations with Q & A
Sunday, Jan. 25, 2 to 4 pm
In attendance (alphabetical order):
State Senator BEN ALLEN, Assemblymember RICHARD BLOOM, L.A. City Councilmember MIKE BONIN, L.A. City Controller RON GALPERIN (not pictured above),
L.A. County Supervisor SHEILA KUEHL,
and Congressman TED LIEU
Covered by the Palisadian-Post (1/29/15)
(subscription required to read full article)
* * *
We couldn’t do what we do without your generous support each year
* * *
Democrats Buck National Trend,
Win Huge Victories in California
We did it.
The November 2014 election featured big successes for Democrats in California, despite Republican wins across the country.
Congratulations and thank you to each and every volunteer for contributing to the
Democratic election sweep!
We’re proud to have worked with you!
– Click here for official 11/4/14 election results –
* * *
Here’s historical info about our successes in last year’s primary, and a look at some of what we were up to before 2015…
Red text in chart below = victory!
Update on Controller battle: The recount has been called off, and Betty Yee, PPDC’s endorsed candidate, will be the Democratic contender in the general election.
More info on the race for Controller here.
* * *
PREVIOUS EVENTS:
Weekend and from-home GOTV phone banking
Saturday, May 10
Sunday, May 18
Sunday, May 25
Sunday, June 1
Kudos to all who helped!
* * *
TUESDAY, April 29, 2014, 7 to 8:30 pm
at Pierson Playhouse / Theatre Palisades
941 Temescal Canyon Rd., Pacific Palisades
Doors open 6:30 pm
After the event, the PPDC board of directors
voted to endorse BEN ALLEN
The Pacific Palisades Democratic Club presents
Democratic candidates for state senate:
SM-Malibu Bd. of Ed. / educator / attorney
BEN ALLEN
Former CA State Assemblymember (AD 53)
BETSY BUTLER
Activist / attorney
SANDRA FLUKE
State Surgeon, CA Army Nat’l Guard / educator
VITO IMBASCIANI
Writer / attorney / former Writers Guild president
PATRIC VERRONE
No RSVP required — just come anytime after 6:30!
With Q&A. Admission free, donations welcome
Snacks • free parking
* * * * *
PPDC CANDIDATES FORUM
Sunday, April 13, 2 to 4 pm
For the 33rd Congressional District • To succeed
Henry Waxman
After the event, the PPDC board of directors
voted to endorse TED LIEU
Wendy Greuel • Ted Lieu • Matt Miller
Former L.A. City Councilmember WENDY GREUEL
State Senator (28th SD) TED LIEU
Author / policy analyst / radio host MATT MILLER
Much gratitude to all who helped, and all who came…
* * * * *
PPDC CANDIDATES FORUM
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISOR
Saturday, March 22, 2 to 4 pm
Click here to read coverage of our forum
in the L.A. Times
After the forum, the PPDC board of directors
voted to endorse SHEILA KUEHL
Thanks to everyone who came!
* * * * *
The Pacific Palisades Democratic Club held its
Annual Meeting, open to the public,
on Sunday, 1/26, featuring addresses by
Congressman Henry Waxman,
Assemblymember Richard Bloom,
and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti
with
Q&A
300 people attended!
More info on our Events Page
* * * * *
Of special interest in light of the mayor’s appearance on Sunday:
Mayor Garcetti is joining other mayors from around the country to call on Congress to extend unemployment insurance, which expired December 28, affecting 1.3 million Americans.
There is a petition on the mayor’s website inviting Angelenos to join the push to ask Congress to take action:
http://www.lamayor.org/letter_to_congress
Spread the word via email, Facebook, etc.!
* * * * *
Great news:
Our PPDC president, Melissa Grant,
was honored with an
LACDP Roosevelt Award for 2013
and
our executive board member Gary Bettman received DPSFV’s
2013 Truman Award
Congratulations, Melissa and Gary!
* * * * *
Thanks to all who attended our fantastic
2013 G a r d e n P a r t y
with special guests
L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin
L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer
L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin
CA State Senator Ted Lieu
and representatives of
CA Assemblymember Richard Bloom
and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti
The event was a big success, earning front-page coverage in the Palisadian-Post.
.
* * * * *
Click here for membership signup —
we need you onboard for 2013!
V o l u n t e e r S i g n -U p F o r m H e r e
* * * * *
Congratulations and thanks to all who joined us to phone bank for Ed Markey’s senate campaign.
A very satistfying victory…
* * * * *
More info about recent PPDC activities:
First event on the 2013 calendar was January 27th’s L.A. Mayoral Candidates Forum. Here are the highlights:
300+ Standing-Room Crowd At Sunday’s
Mayoral Candidates Forum and Annual Meeting
• PPDC members vote to approve 2013 board of directors
• Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, Jan Perry, Emanuel Pleitez impress many with their candor, breadth of knowledge, and ideas for the city
• PPDC board votes on endorsing a mayoral candidate in the March 5 primary. Eric Garcetti reaches the 60% vote threshold and receives the club’s endorsement.
(Full list of March 5 endorsements here.)
Watch this space for links to press articles covering the event. The L.A. Times is first out of the box with
their story. Palisadian-Post story here.
Thanks to all who attended, donated, joined, re-upped their membership
(click here if you haven’t but would like to)
or volunteered, making our first event of the year a huge success.
Click here for full Jan. 27 forum press release, including candidates’ bios
Photo above: 2012 Waxman & props phone bank at our Third St. Promenade headquarters
NEWSFLASH —
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
Senior Democratic Strategist Valerie B. Jarrett made an unpublicized visited to our Westside Democratic Headquarters on the Third St. Promenade Friday as the final stop of a three-campaign-office tour around Los Angeles.
Jarrett walked around the bustling room, Secret Service agents strategically in tow, shaking hands with almost everyone and engaging in individual conversations with campaign volunteers. CA State Senator Alex Padilla then joined her on a makeshift stage, as did Pacific Palisades Democratic Club (PPDC) President Melissa Grant and Amy Boyle, Deputy Regional Field Director and head of the OFA – CA team at the HQ.
All four gave speeches to fire up the crowd, with Padilla highlighting the importance of the Latino vote and telling the crowd about the excitement he’d seen from delegates at the Democratic Convention the week before. “I saw it in Charlotte; I’ve seen it here today.”
Next, Jarrett told the crowd, “My purpose is simply to say thank you. We know that this campaign is going to turn on turnout, and that’s going to happen because of the work that you are doing. We are never going to be able to raise the kind of money the other side is doing … but if I had to bet on that versus you, I’d bet on you,” reminding volunteers of their ability to make up for monetary disadvantages with hard work and enthusiasm.
After a brief Q&A with Jarrett finished up, Jarrett and Padilla shook more hands on their way out the door, and the newly energized volunteers returned to phoning battleground states on behalf of President Obama, as well as calling Californians to talk about the propositions endorsed or opposed by PPDC.
[PICTURED from left: Senior Democratic Strategist Valerie Jarrett, PPDC HQ Manager Gary M. Bettman, PPDC President Melissa Grant, HQ Co-Manager Janet Turner. Photo credit: HQ Co-Manager Adam Wolman]
– GRAND OPENING –
PPDC Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
Westside Democratic Headquarters
On Santa Monica’s Third St. Promenade
September 6, 2012
In Partnership with Organizing for America – CA
And the West L.A. Democratic Club
OFA open house 12–5pm
Ribbon cutting & speech-watching party 4:30–8pm
•
1408 Third Street Promenade (ocean side), 3rd Floor
Just south of Santa Monica Blvd. and the Anthropologie store
Admission free—metered parking on street or in local lots
Join us at our new campaign HQ for the live telecast of President Obama’s acceptance speech
at the Democratic Convention Food and good conversation will abound
Dignitaries scheduled to appear include
Rep. Henry Waxman,
SM Mayor Richard Bloom
L.A. City Councilmember Eric Garcetti, L.A. City Controller Wendy Greuel
HQ will be open 7 DAYS A WEEK between now and Election Day
Phone banks*bus trips*GOTV (local/state/national)*debate-watching/MSNBC analysis
Big selection of Obama/Biden and other election merchandise
*******
Thanks to all who came out for our
Evening with California Attorney General
Kamala D. Harris
The AG was riveting, and the food, wine, and company were fantastic.
Read about it in the Palisadian Post
And the Malibu Times
*******
PPDC needs your help Sundays to table with us at the farmers’ market on Swarthmore. It’s easy and fun, but vitally important.
Click here for more info, and to volunteer!
*******
The Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
Needs Your Support
CORRECTION TO CA ID#:
CA ID #743962 (not 743963 as stated below–we’re working to make the change but don’t have an immediate fix)