Latest Entry
Jul 13, 2010 Uncategorized
Our club has just become a co-sponsor of an exciting event coming up this Saturday, and I hope you can join us. Together with the Peninsula Democratic Coalition and the San Mateo County Democrats, we’re co-hosting a luncheon for Rich Gordon, our 21st Assembly District candidate. With the June primary behind us, this will be a chance to unite as Democrats to ensure Rich Gordon and other Democrats win this November. Full information is below. We hope to see you there!
LUNCHEON FOR RICH GORDON
Where: Michael’s at Shoreline Restaurant, 2960 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View
When: Saturday, July 17th, 12 noon
Cost: $20 event cost payable at the door – includes buffet lunch.
Recent Entries
Jul 4, 2010 Uncategorized
1. Opening on Democratic Central Committee: There is an open seat for the 4th District (which includes parts of Redwood City, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto) on the Democratic Central Committee, which acts like a Board of Supervisors for the Democratic party in the San Mateo County. If you’re interested, please contact Chris Balme at chris@rcwdemocrats.com. Here’s a map of District 4 to determine if you are within the district. Act soon – this may be decided as early as July 9th. It’s a great opportunity to help lead the Democratic Party’s local work.
2. Jail Debate: As you’ve likely heard, there is a lot of controversy around the potential construction of a large jail in downtown Redwood City. Many citizens are organizing to oppose the idea; while the Club has not taken a formal stance on this, we will pass along what we’ve received. Those in opposition to putting the jail downtown are organizing with this website, which includes an online petition: http://www.nodowntownjail.org.
3. CAUSE Meeting (California Advocates United to Save Education). Two local organizers, Mark Cardenas and Maria Stockton, will be hosting a meeting on Saturday, July 10th, 1-2pm, in Redwood City. CAUSE’s goal is to restore California’s education system. For more information please contact Maria at stargazer3773@rocketmail.com.
4. Openings for Board Members
As the Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club grows, and as we move toward election season, we need additional Board members to help lead the Club. If you’re interested, please email Chris Balme at chris@rcwdemocrats.com.
5. San Mateo County needs you! California needs you!
November’s not so far away, and it’s critical that we get every Democrat registered to vote and off to the polls if we are to take California back and help Barbara Boxer retain her seat in the US Senate. Many other important local and statewide races and propositions will be on the ballot as well, and with the much publicized energized Republican base at work, we need to be sure we’re all doing our part to help the party that puts people’s interests first. It’s fun and easy to do – and we’ll train you, too! Volunteer to help with Voter Registration by contacting Diana Reddy, diana.94062@yahoo.com.
6. SMCDFA Election Kick-Off: Wednesday July 7th
Join our fellow club San Mateo County Democracy for America for a kick-off to the campaign season. Learn what is at stake this November, how to understand the upcoming propositions, and what we can do to support Demcoratic causes.
Who: Panel featuring:
• Rich Gordon, Democratic candidate for the 21st Assembly District
• Sally Lieber, former State Assemblymember and Speaker pro Tempore
• Richard Holober, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of California
When: Wednesday, July 7th, 7pm
Where: Carpenters Hall – 1153 Chess Drive, Foster City
May 31, 2010 Uncategorized
Election season is here, and a number of events and opportunities to participate are coming up. Several are listed below, not as official club-sponsored events but for general interest. Our next club event is an opportunity to hear from our Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, on June 27th; details below.
Party for State Assemblyman Ira Ruskin
Who: Hosted by the Peninsula Democratic Coalition, Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club, Dean Club of Silicon Valley, and San Mateo County Democracy for America.
When: Sunday, June 27th, 3:00-5:00PM
Where: Home of Gregory Loew, Atherton, 255 Polhemus Avenue. For more information contact Greg at gregory.loew@gmail.com.
What: Join fellow Democrats to support our 21st District state Assemblyman, Ira Ruskin, and hear his update from Sacramento.
Join the Children’s Movement
Building on our Save Our Schools forum earlier this month, we’re sharing an opportunity to join a new initiative of Children Now, a Bay Area nonprofit that advocates on behalf of children’s interests, particularly around education reform. See more information at: http://www.childrennow.org/
April Vargas for Supervisor
We received a request from the April Vargas campaign to share volunteer opportunities for their campaign. The club has not made an endorsement in this race, but will pass along opportunities Democratic campaigns as they come. For information on April Vargas, visit www.aprilvargas.com.
Yes on Prop 15
Several of our club members are organizing to support Proposition 15, and welcome your involvement, particularly in the crucial last week before the election. Visit http://www.YesOnProp15.org for more information.
May 20, 2010 Uncategorized
It was inspiring to see so many people and such active discussion at last night’s Save Our Schools meeting in Redwood City. We had an all-star panel, featuring Jo-Ann Sockolov, Bret Baird, Alisa MacAvoy, Tyler Haskell, Kay Louie, and Sarah Stern. The discussion was positive and active, and many ideas were discussed to help our schools, from raising funds for the Redwood City Education Foundation, to considering a new parcel tax campaign, working for statewide initiatives and pending legislation, and more.
To continue the discussion, we’ve created a Google Group called “SaveRWCschools.” You can join here: http://groups.google.com/group/saverwcschools. We invite everyone to participate in these discussions and keep the momentum moving. For those who brought up ideas and action steps yesterday, please post them on this group for all to see.
Thank you, and here’s to further discussion and action to save our schools!
Chris Balme
President, Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club
May 4, 2010 Uncategorized
Save Our Schools Action Meeting: May 19th
Where: Red Morton Community Center
1120 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City
Please RSVP at http://saveourschools.eventbrite.com
When: 6:30 – 8:00pm, Wednesday, May 19th
Who: Engaged community members like you, and a panel of leaders:
* Hema Sareen Mohan, District Director for State Senator Joe Simitian
* Alisa MacAvoy, Board Trustee, Redwood City School District
* Shelly Masur, Board Trustee, Redwood City School District
* Jo-Ann Sockolov, President, Redwood City Education Foundation
* Kay Louie, Redwood City Parent Leader
* Jared Boigon, Partner at TBWB Strategies
Why: Because our schools are facing heart-breaking budget cuts, and we as informed citizens have the power to improve the situation.
Please RSVP at http://saveourschools.eventbrite.com
Apr 17, 2010 Uncategorized
Redwood City’s schools are facing heart-breaking budget choices. As involved citizens, we have an opportunity to participate both in the immediate discussions around budget choices, and in the creation of longer-term solutions. In May, Redwood City’s School Board will face the challenging decision of what to cut, and in June and November this year, our votes for propositions and candidates will have enormous long-term impact on California’s, and Redwood City’s, public schools. The next event of the Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club will focus exclusively on what we can do to save our schools. Date and details to be announced soon, for mid/late May. We hope to see you there!
Mar 9, 2010 Uncategorized
The Redwood City-Woodside Democratic Club’s kick-off event, a debate for the 21st Assembly District candidates, was a terrific success. Over 170 community members attended and many asked questions and spoke one-on-one with the candidates, while the debate itself was a thoughtful discussion about the key issues facing our community. Candidates Yoriko Kishimoto, Rich Gordon, and Josh Becker shared their ideas and revealed some areas of contrast, in topics from high-speed rail to how best to lead the state out of budgetary disaster. Click here for the articles in the San Mateo Daily Journal and Mercury News.
Another debate is coming up for these three candidates, in what is becoming one of the most interesting and contested races in our area. The second debate, to be held on March 15th, 2010, is co-sponsored by the Redwood City-Woodside Democratic Club and led by the Peninsula Democratic Coalition. It is free and will be from 7:00-8:30pm, at the Hillview Community Center at 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos. Details here.
Jan 17, 2010 Uncategorized
It’s official — all three Democratic candidates are in, and we have a date set for what promises to be a fascinating Candidate’s Forum for California’s 21st Assembly District seat. Join us and meet the candidates, have an opportunity to ask about what matters most to you, and make sure your voice is heard as we help choose our next Assemblymember.
Reserve your free ticket here: http://assemblyforum.eventbrite.com/
Feb 24th, 2010: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Veterans Memorial Center, 1455 Madison Ave, Redwood City
For questions, to volunteer or get involved, contact Chris Balme at chris@rcwdemocrats.com.
Jan 13, 2010 Uncategorized
The Redwood City Woodside Democratic Club is delighted to announce its first event, a Candidate’s Forum for all three Democratic candidates for the 21st Assembly District. Candidates Yoriko Kishimoto, Josh Becker and Rich Gordon have agreed to join. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 24th, from 6:30-8:00pm in Redwood City. Stay tuned for event details, an opportunity to submit questions in advance, and an online RSVP link to be launched soon.
Jan 3, 2010 Uncategorized
Happy New Year, Members & Visitors!
A New Year’s bit of good news — the three active candidates in the 21st Assembly District race, Rich Gordon, Josh Becker, and Yoriko Kishimoto, have all agreed to participate in our Candidate’s Forum. We’re looking for volunteers to help arrange and manage the event – please email chris@rcwdemocrats.com if you have time to help.
