Previous LWDC events
Other Events of interest to OC Democrats

Fascinating talk by John Dean, Nixon's counsel, then Watergate truth-teller, now a top national media voice for restoring Constitutional government, and author of newly-released "Blind Ambition: The End of the Story

 The deadline for making reservations for our Club's Annual Luncheon is fast approaching.  June 25 is the last day to make your reservations for the July 5 event.

Don't miss this exciting annual fundraiser, featuring a nice lunch by Jolanda and a great talk from John Dean, author and lecturer.  Dean always draws a huge crowd here in the Village, so don't wait until the last minute to make your reservations.

We hope you'll use the website listed in the flyer, which is attached in PDF form so you can download and print it out.  We are using http://www.actblue.com/page/demclubluncheon for online reservations with a credit card (completely secure site) or you can print the flyer, complete, and mail the coupon at the bottom.  For more info, call Special Events Chair Sylvia Clark at 206-1921.

Either way, don't delay.  Make your reservations today!  If you have done so, thanks a bunch and see you at the lunch!

Kind regards, Linda Nearing
Newsletter and Publicity Chair
On Saturday, June 6, from 1-2 p.m., there is a "Health Care Organizing Kickoff" in Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 2.  This hour-long event is one of many in Orange County planned by President Barack Obama's "Organizing for America" group to keep information and volunteer effort flowing between the grassroots (we, the people) and the White House.  This is a chance for Club members and Village residents to have a conversation with OFA's local activists and organizers to help President Obama create the best possible health care plan for all Americans.  For more information, call Sue Dearing at 855-6965.

Then on Wednesday, June 10, the Club has its regular meeting featuring two of Laguna Woods' own economists Ed Perkins and Jim Davis addressing the intricacies of the current economic downturn and helping to explain how it happened. For more information on this meeting, call Betty Brodsky at 458-1075.

June is shaping up as a particularly busy one for the Democratic Club, with another food drive for South County Outreach planned for Saturday, June 20, at the local Stater Brothers grocery store on El Toro Road .  Call Sue Dearing at 855-6965 to volunteer.  The Club's efforts have already generated over one ton of food for this fine organization.
Finally, Thursday, June 25 is the reservations deadline for the Club's Annual Luncheon on Sunday, July 5.  Special guest is author and speaker John Dean whose latest book,  "Blind Ambition -  UPDATED EDITION:  THE END OF THE STORY," will be featured.  Mr. Dean will be available after his talk to autograph that book and some of his previous works.  Cost is $22 for members and $25 for guests.   Luncheon by Jolanda features an entree choice of cold poached salmon or chicken in basil cream sauce with a vegetarian dish available also.  Go to http://www.actblue.com/page/demclubluncheon, to make reservations online.  This is a secure website managed by ActBlue, which will help the Club keep track of reservations, do all the paperwork necessary, and e-mail a confirmation of each reservation.  Call Sylvia Clark at 206-1921 for details.  The Luncheon will also feature a Silent Auction.  This is the Democratic Club's principal fund-raising event of the year and all Village residents are invited to attend.

Wednesday, May 13, meeting of the Laguna Woods Democratic Club features Gus Ayer, former council member and mayor of Fountain Valley who served as Debbie Cook's campaign manager in 2008.  Gus will speak on how to win as a Democratic candidate in a predominantly Republican county.  Question-and-answer session follows.  Members free; guests $2.  Refreshments served.  Club business, legislative action and volunteer opportunities are also on the schedule.  The meeting is at Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 1,  in Laguna Woods Village.  For further information, call Betty Brodsky at 949 458-1075
Legislative Committee Ballot advice

Laguna Woods Democratic Club welcomes John A. Smith on Wednesday, April 15, Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 1, 7:00 p.m.  Legislative Action and Club business are also on the agenda.

John A. Smith, Region 16 Director of the California Democratic Party, tackles the difficult problem of partisan wrangling, explains that it wasn't always this way, and gives us hints on how "We, the People" can help fix the problem.

For information, call Betty Brodsky at 458-1075.
Raffle and refreshments.  Members free; guests $2.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Meeting

Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 1, 7:00 p.m.

<       Come meet Joe Dunn, CEO of the California Medical Association.  Eight years a California State Senator, Mr. Dunn has earned a reputation as a riveting speaker and one of the good guys working on behalf of seniors and emergency services, among other efforts.  Joe Dunn was nicknamed "The Man Who Cracked Enron," by California Lawyer Magazine, for his efforts to unearth the infamous Enron memo describing the plundering of State funds.  During his time in the State Senate, he was named "Legislator of the Year" by military vets, peace officers, firefighters, doctors, attorneys, homebuilders, affordable housing advocates, conservationists and mobile home owners.

       Before his election to the Legislature, he played a major role in litigation to stop tobacco companies from targeting youth in advertising campaigns.  He also fought industrial polluters who exposed neighborhoods to toxic chemicals and worked to give patients better access to quality health care.

        Mr. Dunn will address our Club on the health care crisis and the possibilities for reform on a state and national level.  He comes to us with great experience from without and within the health care structure, first as a crusading politician representing the people of the 34th State Senate District and now as Chief Executive Officer of the California Medical Association.  Come hear his unique views on health care reform.  Question-and-answer session follows.

       Refreshments served; free raffle for door prizes.  Please bring nonperishable food items for donation to South County Outreach Food Bank.  For further information, call Program Chair Betty Brodsky at 949 458-1075.

Legislative Action March ’09:  Weigh in for ‘Medicare-for-all’ (single-payer) Healthcare

Since “Write Makes Might,� ADDRESS It WRITE and PHONE It RIGHT

On February 11, the Club welcomes Democratic Party of Orange County's young Political Director Lindsay Hopkins, at the usual second Wednesday meeting.  She will outline the goals of the DPOC and provide ways in which members can help turn Orange County blue in 2009.  In addition, the SoCal Organizer for CARA, Sandy Goldfarb, will give a brief talk on universal health care.  Also at the meeting, members and residents who had their pictures taken with the President Obama life-sized replica may collect their photos.  The Feb. 11 meeting is at Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 1, at 7 p.m.; members free; guests $2 at the door.  Refreshments served.  There will also be a drawing for a free ticket to the Club's Annual Luncheon later in the year.  Please call Program Chair Betty Brodsky at 458-1075 for more details.

 

As featured in the Laguna Woods Globe on January 22, the Club's Inauguration Breakfast event was a big success.  Mimosas were sold for $5 and the proceeds, combined with a generous donation from member Alice Swan, yielded $250 which was donated to Military Families Speak Out, an organization opposing the War in Iraq and whose members have family or loved ones in the military.  MFSO has chapters in 30 US States and also overseas and represents 3,400 military families.  It was founded in November 2002 by the families of two service people stationed in Iraq.  Visit their website at www.mfso.org for more information
Laguna Woods Democratic Club will host an Inauguration Day Breakfast in the community's Clubhouse Six at 8 a.m.  On Tuesday, January 20, join Club members and their guests to watch the ceremony and festivities on the big screen.  Admission of $4 at the door includes a  breakfast of fresh fruit, bagels, cream cheese and fixings, coffee cake, tea and coffee.  Reservations are required, so call Special Events Chair Sylvia Clark at 206-1921.  This event also features the installation of 2009 Club Officers and Directors, legislative action issues, and an auction for 2008 Obama Campaign memorabilia, and another chance to have a picture taken with "Obama!"
More than one hundred Club members and their guests attended the December 10, 2008, Holiday Party.  Many of those present had their picture taken with a Barack Obama replica.  Left is incoming 2009 President Susan Dearing.  Next Club function is an  Inauguration Breakfast on January 20, 2009, Clubhouse Six, at 8 a.m.  Call Special Events Chair Sylvia Clark for details, 206-1921.
Come celebrate this fantastic election year and attend our Holiday Party (free for Club members and their guests) on Wednesday, December 10, Clubhouse 3, Dining Room 1, from 7 to 9 p.m.  Enjoy holiday snacks and drinks.  Listen to good holiday music and learn a dance or two!  Have your picture taken with President-Elect Barack Obama (sorry...it's a likeness, not the real deal).  Honor your outgoing directors and meet nominees for 2009 officers/directors, sign up for committees,   and share your ideas on Club programs and issues.  Bid in the silent auction for commemorative framed election items.  There's also a free raffle for some great prizes.  For information, call Special Events Chair Susan Dearing at 855-6965.