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Donations and membership fees help fund the Lamorinda Democratic Club's activities. These include our donations to local Democratic candidates, meeting expenses, production of our newsletter, voter registration, and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Jan
22
Assemblymember Joan Buchanan To Speak at Club’s February 9 Meeting
By Lamorinda Democratic Club | Leave a Comment
The Lamorinda Democratic Club's monthly meeting on Thursday, February 9, will feature Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, who after redistricting will be running to become Lamorinda's new Assemblymember in 2012. Buchanan's talk will include a welcome to her new district and provide an update from Sacramento.
The club's meeting will be held at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, in Lafayette. The club's social hour will begin at 7:00 p.m., with a business meeting at 7:15 p.m., and Buchanan's presentation to begin at 8 p.m. There is a $5 charge at the door to help the club cover meeting expenses.
Buchanan was elected in November 2008 and re-elected in November 2010 to represent the 15th Assembly District, which includes portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. In the new districts created by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, Buchanan will be running to represent the new 16th Assembly District, which includes Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley in one of the state's new competitive districts (Democrats have a 6-point registration advantage in the district, and Governor Jerry Brown defeated Meg Whitman by about 5 points in the 2010 election).
A member of the Assembly Budget Committee, Buchanan chairs the budget subcommittee on State Administration and Information Technology. She serves on a number of additional policy committees including the Education, Transportation, Utilities and Commerce, and Accountability and Administrative Review committees. In 2009, she was appointed by the Speaker to the Special Education Commission and in 2010 the Speaker appointed her to the Standing Committee to the Judicial Council on Court Technology and to the State Allocation Board. She also chairs the Select Committee on Government Efficiency, Technology, and Innovation.
Before being elected to the State Assembly, Buchanan served on the San Ramon Valley School Board for nearly 20 years. Under her leadership, the district took a new direction, both expanding and renovating facilities and improving core academic programs. Over 94% of the district’s graduating seniors attend college or university. Despite being severely underfunded, San Ramon Valley School District has received state and national recognition for student achievement, ranking among the top 5% of all school districts in California.
Joan honed her financial and analytical skills at Delta Dental, becoming one of the fastest rising women in the company and Director of Commercial Operations before the age of 30. She left the private sector to raise her five children and in the process became one of the San Ramon Valley’s most effective community activists.
Dec
15
A Blueprint for Great Schools Focus of Club’s January 12 Monthly Meeting
By Lamorinda Democratic Club | Comments Off
The Lamorinda Democratic Club's monthly meeting on Thursday, January 12, will feature Craig Cheslog, Principal Advisor to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, discussing "A Blueprint for Great Schools."
The club's meeting will be held at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, in Lafayette. The club's social hour will begin at a new time of 7:00 p.m., with a business meeting at 7:15 p.m., and Cheslog's presentation to begin at 8 p.m. There is a $5 charge at the door to help the club cover meeting expenses.
Recognizing that California must plan for the future, State Superintendent Tom Torlakson following his election in November 2010 brought together 59 leaders from across California—teachers, parents, community, labor and business leaders—to share their thinking about education in the state. The resulting report, A Blueprint for Great Schools (www.cde.ca.gov/blueprint), provides vision and direction for our education system: including a focus on 21st Century learning, meeting the needs of the whole child, and rebuilding the ranks of California’s teachers with resources and respect.
Cheslog's responsibilities as Principal Advisor include providing strategic policy advice to Superintendent Torlakson, directing the Superintendent's special projects and initiatives; serving as the Superintendent's liaison to other high-level individuals and organizations; managing the Superintendent’s Initiatives Office, Executive Office Support Unit, Awards Unit, and Superintendent's Correspondence Unit; and representing the Superintendent at speeches, meetings, and other events.
Prior to joining the California Department of Education in January 2011, Cheslog served as the District Director for Assemblymember Tom Torlakson, after previously serving in the same capacity for then-State Senator Torlakson. He also served as the Political Director for Torlakson's successful campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2010. Cheslog has served as the Lamorinda Democratic Club's president since June 2008.
Cheslog graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, with a bachelor's degree in government and legal studies with a minor in education. He lives in Lafayette with his wife Kari Dahlen, and their two children who attend a local public school.
Nov
12
Lamorinda Democratic Club Endorses AB 1148, the California DISCLOSE Act
By Craig Cheslog | Comments Off
After hearing a presentation during the November 10 Lamorinda Democratic Club business meeting about AB 1148, the California DISCLOSE Act, club members in attendance voted unanimously for the club to endorse the measure. This was consistent with the club's long-time support for Clean Money elections and campaign finance reform.
As the California Clean Money campaign explains,
AB 1148, the California DISCLOSE Act, would fight back against unlimited hidden spending on campaigns by letting voters know who REALLY is paying for political ads — on the ads themselves. Authored by Assemblymember Julia Brownley and sponsored by the California Clean Money Campaign, AB 1148 would amend the Political Reform Act of 1974, and so can either be put into effect by a 2/3 vote of the legislature or a majority vote placing a measure on the ballot for the voters to decide.
The California DISCLOSE Act would require all political television ads, print ads, and websites to list their Top Five funders in a clear and unambiguous fashion. The Top Two funders will be required to be listed on radio ads.
Requires the largest funder of television and radio ads to "stand by their ad". For example, instead of saying, in small print, “Paid for by Stop Hidden Taxes – No on 25/Yes on 26, a coalition of taxpayers and employers…”, Yes on 26 ads would have said: "I'm John Watson, CEO of Chevron, located in California. Chevron helped pay for this message and approves it."
The California Clean Money Campaign and other supporters of the California DISCLOSE Act will be hosting a Legislative Campaign Kick-off event on January 7, 2012, from 10 a.m.-12 noon at Oakland City Hall. We will post more information about that event as the event date draws near. You can also preregister at www.YesFairElections.org.
Nov
8
Contra Costa County Women’s Summit with Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla, and Nancy Skinner on Monday, Nov. 14
By Events | Comments Off
Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla, and Nancy Skinner are hosting a Contra Costa County Women's Summit on Monday, November 14, from 1-6 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek.
Join our elected officials for a conversation about the state budget's impact on the health, safety, and educational services for women and children.
For more information, view the event flyer, or to RSVP for the event, please visit your Assemblymember's web site:
Nov
7
Advancing the Progressive Democratic Agenda with Rep. George Miller on Saturday, Nov. 12
By Events | Comments Off
The Lamorinda Democratic Club, Contra Costa Labor Club, Democrats of Rossmoor, Diablo Valley Democratic Club, and San Ramon Valley Democratic Club are joining together for to kickoff the 2012 campaign on Saturday, November 12 with a fundraiser for the 2012 Democratic Campaign Office.
Rep. George Miller will be the principal speaker at the November 12 event, which will be hosted by the Democrats of Rossmoor from 3-5 p.m. at the Diablo Room, Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.
State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblymember Joan Buchanan will also attend.
General admission is $10 and sponsor admission is $25. You can download an event flyer by clicking here.
Nov
7
Diablo Valley Democratic Club Discusses the State of Our County on Nov. 16
By Events | Comments Off
The Diablo Valley Democratic Club's Wednesday, November 16, meeting will feature a discussion about the State of Our County with County Administrator David Twa.
Twa will discuss how the county is faring amid difficult budgetary times. Learn how budget cuts will affect law enforcement, the judicial system, health care, and other county needs.
The DVDC meets from 7-9 p.m. at the Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. Please park on Deerpark Drive, the first right after the library, unless you have difficulty walking. For more information, call 925-946-0469 or visit the club's web site.
Oct
26
Silent Auction to Support the California Young Democrats: Condo at Northstar-At-Tahoe
By Craig Cheslog | Comments Off
An anonymous donor has created a silent auction item to support the Red, White, and Blue Donkey Garage Sale to help the California Young Democrats recover from the loss of embezzled funds.
The Red, White, and Blue Donkey Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, October 29, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Acalanes High School Parking Lot, 1200 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette.
The new silent auction item is a 2-bedroom, 1-bath Condo at Northstar-At-Tahoe resort for two weekend or three weekday nights. The condo sleeps 4-8 and is fully furnished and equipped, including a gas fireplace with electric lighter and free laundry and wi-fi. Condo is available between May 1-September 30, 2012. See the attached flyer for more details.
Click here for the CYA 10-29-11 Silent Auction Certificate (pdf).
Oct
25
Support California Young Democrats Oct. 29 with the Red, White, and Blue Donkey Garage Sale
By Events | Comments Off
Help the California Young Democrats recover from the loss of embezzled funds with a Red, White, and Blue Donkey Garage Sale on Saturday, October 29, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Acalanes High School Parking Lot, 1200 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette.
All profits will be donated to the California Young Democrats to help this important organization recover from having their funds taken by their former treasurer.
Please contact Carolyn Phinney, if you would like to donate items to be sold or volunteer to help with the event. Donkey-Kick the excess out of your house for a good cause! You can reach Carolyn at carolynphinney@comcast.net or 925-788-7374.
The event is sponsored by the the Lamorinda Democratic Club (www.LDClub.org), Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, Michelle Obama Fan Club (see us on Facebook), The Diablo Valley Democratic Club (www.DVDems.org), Congressman George Miller, Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, State Senator Loni Hancock, Alameda County Democratic Party Central CommitteeContra Costa County Democratic Party Central Committee, Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County.
Oct
17
November 10th Meeting Features “Confessions of an Environmental Lobbyist: Making Progress while Holding the Line”
By John Hall | Comments Off
The Lamorinda Democratic Club's monthly meeting on Thursday, November 10, will feature Ann Notthoff speaking on "Confessions of an Environmental Lobbyist: Making Progress while Holding the Line".
The meeting will be held at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, in Lafayette. The club's social hour will begin at a new time of 7:00 p.m., with a business meeting at 7:15 p.m., and Notthoff's presentation to begin at 8 p.m. There is a $5 charge at the door to help the club cover meeting expenses.
California’s landmark environmental and public health laws are moving ahead here, but in our nation’s capitol bedrock laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act are under attack in the House of Representatives. What’s going on and since when did clean energy become a dirty word? Tales from the trenches.
Ann is the California Advocacy Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in San Francisco where she has worked since 1981 with NRDC. She directs a broad range of initiatives to promote public health and environmental protection. In 2010 she was a leader of the successful bipartisan campaign to defeat Prop 23 and defend California’s landmark climate law, AB 32. She has led NRDC’s efforts to get many of California’s nationally significant environmental laws enacted including: the Marine Life Protection Act (AB 993 in 1999), the Clean Car bill (AB 1493 in 2002), Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32 in 2006), climate and land use (SB 375 in 2008) and a package of water policy reforms in 2009.
Before assuming the director position, Ms. Notthoff’s work at NRDC focused on coastal and marine management issues. She is currently a board member of the State Coastal Conservancy and is the northern vice president of the California League of Conservation Voters. She has held appointed positions on the California State Oil Spill Technical Advisory Committee, the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee and the CALFED Bay Delta Advisory Council. Ms. Notthoff received her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and a Masters of City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. She and her husband Dwight Holing have two adult children.
Oct
8
Occupy Wall Street meets Main Street in Walnut Creek on October 12 and 19
By Events | Comments Off
The Occupy Wall Street Movement meets Main Street in Walnut Creek on October 12 and 19.
Come join others concerned about these issues from 4 p.m. until dark at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd and North Main Street. Some signs will be provided, but also feel free to bring your own.
Please invite your family and friends!
Government Is Good
