Political Calendar: Week of December 27, 2015

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Political Calendar for the Week of December 27, 2015:

Sunday, December 27, 7:00 p.m.: Laughing Liberally Tucson returns to lampoon the national, state and local political scene. Come out and enjoy Tucson’s best and brightest comics as we try our best to save democracy…one laugh at a time. it’s FUN…it’s FREE…it’s Sky Bar Tucson. Last Sunday every month.

Monday, December 28, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson luncheon, Dragon’s View Restaurant (400 N. Bonita, South of St. Mary’s Road between the Freeway and Grande Avenue, turn South at Furr’s Cafeteria). New price: buffet lunch is $10.00 cash, $12 credit; just a drink is $3.50. No DGT: we will be taking the holidays off until January 4, when our speaker will be Rep. Victoria Steele, Democratic candidate for Congress in CD 2.

Monday, December 28, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 3 meeting, at the Joel Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue (parking under the library). For more information please contact Andrés Cano at andres@canoagroup.com or (520) 304-5778.

Tuesday, December 29, 11:30 a.m.: Blue Tuesday Luncheon Forum, at the Starfire Golf Club, 11500 N. Hayden (Scottsdale). If you want lunch, you must RSVP by the Thursday before so we can order for you! Email jctillotson@msn.com. $22 – cash only – at the door! (If you RSVP, and then find you can’t make it, PLEASE LET US KNOW, or we’ll have to pay for your uneaten lunch!) for more information please contact bluetuesdayluncheon@gmail.com.

New_Year2016

Friday. January 1: New Year’s Day.

Saturday, January 2, 10:00 a.m.: [Need to verify meeting date] Legislative District 2 meeting,at the DCSRA Headquarters, Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. For more information please contact Tom Prezelski at fusilero@aol.com.

Saturday, January 2, 11:00 a.m.: Greater Huachuca Area Democrats meeting, at the Golden Corral Restaurant, 798 S. Highway 92, Sierra Vista. For more information please contact ghadc1@yahoo.com.

Special Announcements:

DCSRA Discussion Group

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area hosts a Current Events Discussion Group at the DCSRA Headquarters, Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. Join us at the weekly meeting of the Democratic Headquarters Current Events Discussion Group. We’ll talk about some of the major events of the previous week, including but not limited to political topics, and try and go behind the news for a deeper understanding. For more information, please contact Jean Vickers jean.vickers@cox.net.

Tuesday, January 5, 5:30 p.m.: Greenlee County Democratic Party meeting, at the Clifton Train Station. Like us on Facebook. Greenlee County Democrats.

Thursday, January 7, 5:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, at the Prescott Adult Center, 1280 E. Rosser Street, Prescott, AZ. Featured speaker is Dr. Janie Hydrick, ADP Educational Coordinator, on the delegate selection process for the 2016 convention. Glenn Miller on strengthening our relationship with ADP. $10.00 donation, $5.00 if you bring a dish to share. Please RSVP to (928) 541-0413.

Saturday, January 9, 9:00 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting, at Risky Business, 8848 E. Tanque Verde Road. For more information please contact Lucy Messing at (520) 591-7615 or visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.

Saturday, January 9, 9:30 a.m.: Democratic Club of The Santa Rita Area hosts a morning Coffee with Victoria Steele at the home of Bill and Ruth Maki, followed by Lunch with the Quail Creek Democratic Club at 11:30 a.m. The regularly scheduled DCSRA meeting is at 3:00 p.m. at the DCSRA Headquarters, upstairs meeting room, Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. For more information please contact (520) 838-0590.

Saturday, January 9, 10:00 a.m.: Mule Mountain Democrats meeting, at the Community Y, 26 Howell Avenue, Old Bisbee. For more information please contact John Viverto at vivertos@aol.com or visit our web page
Mule Mountain Democrats.

Saturday, January 9, 9:30 a.m.: San Tan Valley Democrats meeting, at the SRP Service Center, 3735 E. Combs Road (San Tan Valley). For more information please contact Dwight Snyder at dsnider@cox.net or (480) 331-9386, or visit our web site santanvalleydems.org and Like Us on Facebook.

Saturday, January 9, 1:00 p.m.: Sun City Vistoso Democratic Club meeting, at the Sun City Mountain Vista Social Hall, 1495 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. For more information please contact Maureen Salz at mosalz@outlook.com, or visit our web site.

Sunday, January 10, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks annual meeting, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 100 Arroyo Pinon Drive, Sedona, AZ. Legislative Update. Election of Officers and Directors. Pot Luck Supper. Get Ready for Elections 2016! For details and to volunteer to help with pot luck items go to our Membership Meetings page.

Monday, January 11: Opening Day of the 52nd Arizona Legislature (Second Regular Session). “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” – Mark Twain.

Monday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.: BCS NCAA Football National Championship Game at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ.

Monday, January 11, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, at the Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive (SE corner at La Cañada). For more information please contact Mike Dayton at teachers12@msn.com or (520) 742-3774, or visit our web site http://www.demsov.org/.

Tuesday, January 12, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). For more information please contact Hollace Lyon at Email Us or visit our web site. SaddleBrookeDemocrats.org.

Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.: (Special Date) Pima County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting.

Tuesday, January 12, 7:00 p.m.: State of The Union Address.

Wednesday, January 13, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at jcksconniejean@aol.com.

Thursday, January 14, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway Blvd. For more information please contact Ash Silverburg at (520) 326-3716.

Saturday, January 16: Greater Huachuca Area Democrats clean-up of Cochise County Democratic Party HQ. Details TBA.

Sunday, January 17 (Time TBA): NBC Democratic Presidential Primary Debate, from Charleston, SC. Details TBA.

Monday, January 18: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (observed).

2016 Voting Summit

Monday, January 18, 8:00 a.m.:  2016 Voting Summit, sponsored by Arizona’s New American Majority, Arizona Advocacy Network and One AZ on MLK Day, at Carl Hayden High School, 3333 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ. Youth, diverse communities and working voters come together to prepare for election success in 2016. Free and open to the public. Transportation can be arranged; RSVP is necessary for space and meal accommodations. RSVP today! Please contact Viva Ramirez · viva@azadvocacy.org · 602-297-2500.

mlk-dayMonday, January 18, 11:00 a.m.: Tucson Jazz Festival free concert, at the MLK apartments and courtyard, 55 N. 5th Avenue (between Congress Street and Toole Avenue), Tucson. Tucson Jazz Festival hosts concerts on two stages and several indoor clubs downtown featuring more than a dozen local bands from Dixieland. There will be 6 bands on each stage, including jazz ensembles, R&B, blues and soul.  The Community Food Bank will have a donation tent.  There will be food trucks and beer and wine.

Tuesday, January 19, 11:00 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at the Pueblo del Sol Country Club, on St. Andrews Drive in Sierra Vista. Speaker is Katie Howard on changes to court voting in 2016. The cost of the luncheon is $15.00. For reservations, please contact Kathy Marvin, President of the DWSEA through email at kathleencrafts@gmail.com or by telephone at (520) 803-6697. Visit our web page.Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona.

Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 9 meeting, at Northwest Medical Center, La Paloma Urgent Care Community Classroom, 4001 E. Sunrise Drive. For more information please contact Brian Clymer at brianclymer@yahoo.com or (520) 297-3539.

Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 p.m.: Oracle Democrats meeting, at the Oracle Fire Department, 1475 W. American Avenue (Oracle). For more information please contact Jim Walsh at (520) 896-2079.

Wednesday, January 20, 4:00 p.m.: Tucson’s Metropolitan Education Commission meeting, at the Tucson Pima Public Library, Lower Level Meeting Room, 101 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ. Discussion of Prop. 123 (May Special Election) featuring Arizona Treasurer Jeff Dewit. Dewit has been vocal about his opposition to Prop 123. The full agenda of the meeting can be found at the MEC office at 930 E. Broadway, or call 670-0055. MEC can also be contacted by e-mail at metcom@theriver.com.

Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 p.m.: Democracy for America – Maricopa County (DFA-MC) monthly meeting is the 3rd Wednesday of every month, and the new location is Macayo’s on Central Avenue, South of Indian School. DFA-MC is on the web, Facebook and Twitter. For more information contact DFAofMC@gmail.com.

Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 10 meeting at Pima County Democratic Party HQ, 4639 E. 1st Street (one block South of Speedway and West of Swan). For more information lease contact Rob Selby at r_ybles@hotmail.com or (520) 790-3024.

Thursday, January 21, 8:00 a.m.: [Pending] Democrats of the Red Rocks breakfast, at Old Sedona Family Restaurant Bar & Grill, 1405 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona. Admission is $12, includes buffet breakfast and gratuity. Doors open at 8;00 a.m. Please RSVP to (928) 274-6541.

Arizona Democratic Party Winter State Committee Meeting

Saturday, January 23, 9:00 a.m.: Arizona Democratic Party Winter State Committee Meeting, at La Senita Elementary School, 3175 Gordon Drive, Kingman, AZ. Registration begins at 8;45 a.m. Lunch at Noon. Plenary session at 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 23, 2:00 p.m.: Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Wheeler, Taft, Abbett Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, Tucson. For more information please contact Jo Holt at legdist11dems@gmail.com. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.

Monday, January 25, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 3 meeting, at the Joel Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue (parking under the library). For more information please contact Andrés Cano at andres@canoagroup.com or (520) 304-5778.

Tuesday, January 26, 11:30 a.m.: Blue Tuesday Luncheon Forum, at the Starfire Golf Club, 11500 N. Hayden (Scottsdale). If you want lunch, you must RSVP by the Thursday before so we can order for you! Email jctillotson@msn.com. $22 – cash only – at the door! (If you RSVP, and then find you can’t make it, PLEASE LET US KNOW, or we’ll have to pay for your uneaten lunch!) for more information please contact bluetuesdayluncheon@gmail.com.

Tuesday, January 26, Noon: Critical Issues Forum, at the Cochise County Democratic Party HQ, 1234 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista. For more information please contact cochisecodems@gmail.com or (520) 458-9467.

Wednesday, January 27, 10:30 a.m.: [Pending] Democratic Women of the Prescott Area Luncheon, at the Centennial Center, 1989 Clubhouse Drive (Antelope Hills). Luncheon reservations are required. Cost is $15 for members and $17 for nonmembers. Email requests to DWPrescottArea@gmail.com or call (928) 458-5689 or (928) 848-2753.

Thursday, January 28, 5:30 p.m.: Maricopa County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting. Meet and greet (and dinner) begins at 5:30. Meeting begins promptly at 6:00 pm.

Thursday, January 28, 6:00 p.m.: Casa Grande Democrats meeting, at Bedillon’s Restaurant (Adobe Room), 800 N. Park Avenue, Casa Grande. For more information please contact Jack Guthrie at democratsofcasagrande@gmail.com and Like Us on Facebook.

Thursday, January 28, 7:00 p.m.: Heritage Highlands/Dove Mountain Democrats meeting, at the Heritage Highlands Clubhouse, 4949 West Heritage Club Boulevard (Marana). For more information please contact Dick Reddy at (520) 579-9460 Richard.Reddy@fredonia.edu.

Thursday, January 28, 5:30 p.m.: Maricopa County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting, at Maricopa County Democratic Party HQ , 2914 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. Meet and greet (and dinner) begins at 5:30. Meeting begins promptly at 6:00 pm.

Thursday, January 28 (Time TBA): FOX News Republican Presidential Primary Debate, from Iowa. Moderated by Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace. Details TBA.

Friday, January 29 – Sunday, January 31: 78th Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo & Fair at the Silas Hendricks memorial Arfena, Sells, AZ (Highway 86 at milepost 110).

Saturday, January 30, 10:00 a.m.: (Special Date) Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting. Meeting locations rotate between Benson and Wilcox. For more information please contact Kathy Suagee at soprano_58@hotmail.com. Visit our web page Northern Cochise County Democrats.

Sunday, January 31, 1:00 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party PC Workshop. Details TBA.

Saddlebrooke Democratic Club 2016 Donkey Kickoff

Sunday, January 31, 5:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democratic Club 2016 Donkey Kickoff, at the Mountainview Ballroom, 38759 S. Mountain View Blvd., Saddelbrooke, AZ. The Saddlebrooke Democratic Club annual dinner will feature Michael Dues, Professor of Communications at U of A, Guest will include Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, Tom O’Halleran, Candidate for CD1, candidates for the State House, Senate and other Arizona dignitaries. Social hour and cash bar starts at 5:30pm with welcome and dinner starting at 6pm. Dinner choices are Herb roasted Pork Loin, chicken Marsala or a Vegetarian entrée. Tickets: $40 for members, $45 for non-members. Discounts available for tables of 10. For more information please contact Steve Groth at steve.groth42@gmail.com

Sunday, January 31, 7:00 p.m.: Laughing Liberally Tucson returns to lampoon the national, state and local political scene. Come out and enjoy Tucson’s best and brightest comics as we try our best to save democracy…one laugh at a time. it’s FUN…it’s FREE…it’s Sky Bar Tucson. Last Sunday every month.

Monday, February 1: Iowa Caucus.

Saturday, February 6 (Time TBA): ABC Republican Presidential Primary Debate, from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Details TBA.

Sunday, February 7: Super Bowl 50, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA (CBS).

Monday, February 8: Chinese New Year – Year of The Monkey.

Tuesday, February 9: Mardis Gras – Fat Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 9: New Hampshire Primary.

Thursday, February 11 (Time TBA): PBS Democratic Primary Debate, from Wisconsin. Details TBA.

Friday, February 12: Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

Saturday, February 13, 9:30 a.m.: Democratic Club of The Santa Rita Area hosts a morning Coffee with Dr. Matt Heinz at the home of Maral Daugherty, followed by Lunch with the Quail Creek Democratic Club at 11:30 a.m. The regularly scheduled DCSRA meeting is at 3:00 p.m. at the DCSRA Headquarters, upstairs meeting room, Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. For more information please contact (520) 838-0590.

Saturday, February 13 (Time TBA): CBS Republican Presidential Primary Debate, from The Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Moderated by John Dickerson, Details TBA.

Sunday, February 14: Valentine’s Day, Arizona Statehood Day.

Monday, February 15: President’s Day (observed).

Monday, February 15 (Time TBD): Cochise County Democratic Party Annual High Desert Dinner at Cafe Roca. Details TBA.

Wednesday, February 17 – Friday, February 19: “Pitchers and catchers report” to MLB Spring Training.

Saturday, February 20: Nevada Caucus (Democrats), South Carolina Primary (Republicans)

Saturday, February 20 – Sunday, February 28: Tucson Rodeo – 91st Annual La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros (schedule), Tucson Rodeo Parade is Thursday, February 25.

Vail Pride Day

Saturday, February 20, 9:00 a.m.: 16th Annual Vail Pride Day, at the Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road (from I-10).  A huge community-wide event that involves almost every student in the 10,000-student district as well as teachers, staff, businesses and community organizations. Free, food and drink will be available for purchase from food vendors outside as well as from the many clubs and school groups.

Monday, February 22: George Washington’s birthday.

Monday, February 22, Midnight: Voter Registration Deadline for Presidential Preference (Primary) Election. Participation in Arizona’s delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. Democratic voters are determined as all those registered on the voter checklist as Democrats or those registered on the voter checklist as Democrats with the Arizona Secretary of State by midnight on Monday, February 22, 2016. (Independent or No Party Preference registered voters cannot participate in the Democratic Presidential Preference (Primary) Election).

Tuesday, February 23: Nevada Caucus (Republican)

Thursday, February 25, 9:00 a.m.: Tucson Rodeo Parade. Parade route begins at Park Ave. and Ajo Way, proceeding south on Park to Irvington Rd. Tickets for Grandstand seating at Irvington and South 6th Ave, $10 adults, $5 kids under 13. Call (520) 294-1280 for grandstand tickets.

Friday, February 26 (Time TBA): NBC/Telemundo (removed by RNC) Republican Presidential Primary Debate, from the University of Houston, in Houston, TX. Details TBA

Saturday, February 27: South Carolina Primary (Democrats)

Tucson Peace Fair & Music Festival

Saturday, February 27, 11:00 a.m.: 2016 Tucson Peace Fair and Music Festival, Reid Park Bandshell, 1100 S. Randolph Way. this FREE event is Arizona’s largest gathering of Peace, Justice and Environment groups who will be tabling for their organizations. Live music, entertainment, food, children’s activities, Climate Cabaret Ramada. For more information please call (520) 445-4110 or go to Tucson Peace Center.

Tuesday, March 1: Cactus League Spring Training games begin.

Tuesday, March 1: “Super Tuesday”: Alabama, Alaska (GOP), Arkansas, Colorado (Caucuses), Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota (Caucuses), North Carolina, North Dakota (Republican), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming (GOP Caucus).

Saturday, March 5: Kansas Caucus, Kentucky (GOP Caucus), Louisiana Primary, Maine (GOP Caucus), Nebraska (Democratic Caucus).

Arizona List 12th Annual Celebration with David Brock – Save the Date!

Saturday, March 5, 11:00 a.m.: Arizona List’s 12th Annual Luncheon • Tucson, Sunset Reception in Phoenix. Details and ticket purchase TBA.

Sunday, March 6: Maine (Democratic Caucus).

Tuesday, March 8: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2016 Theme: Make It Happen.

Tuesday, March 8: Hawaii (GOP Caucus), Idaho Primary (GOP), Mississippi Primary, Michigan Primary.

Wednesday, March 9 (Time TBA): Univision Democratic Primary Debate, from Miami Dade College in Miami, FL. Details TBA.

Saturday, March 12 – Sunday, March 13: Tucson Festival of Books.

Sunday, March 13: Puerto Rico (GOP Primary).

Tuesday, March 15: Florida Primary, Illinois Primary, Missouri Primary, North Carolina Primary, Ohio Primary.

Thursday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day.

Friday, March 18: District-level Delegate filing deadline. An individual can qualify as a candidate for district-level delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention by filing a statement of candidacy designating his or her singular presidential (or uncommitted) preference and a signed pledge of support for the presidential candidate (including uncommitted status) with the Arizona Democratic Party at 2910 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012 by March 18, 2016 by 5:00 p.m. A delegate candidate may modify his or her singular presidential preference by submitting an updated pledge of support no later than the filing deadline.

Tuesday, March 22: Arizona Presidential Preference (Primary) Election; Utah Primary.

Saturday, March 26: Alaska (Democratic Caucus), Hawaii (Democratic Caucus), Washington (Democratic Caucus).

Sunday, March 27: Easter Sunday.

Friday, April 1: Each presidential candidate, or that candidate’s authorized representative(s), must file with the Arizona Democratic Party Chair by April 1, 2016 by 5:00 p.m., a list of all such candidates he or she has approved.

Tuesday, April 5: Wisconsin Primary.

Saturday, April 9: Wyoming (Democratic Caucus).

Tuesday, April 19: New York Primary.

Friday, April 22: Earth Day.

Saturday, April 23, 8:00 a.m.: Arizona Democratic Party Caucus for delegate selection to the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Arizona is allocated 43 district-level delegates. Arizona has chosen to allocate all of its alternatives at the at-large level. District-level delegates shall be elected at a congressional district level caucus on April 16, 2016, following the Presidential Preference Election. Only elected and appointed precinct committeepersons in your congressional district who support your presidential preference (candidate) will be allowed to vote. All precinct committeepersons that wish to participate and district delegate candidates who filed their nomination form must register their attendance during the registration period of 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. A roster of precinct committee persons shall be available for inspection during the entire caucusing period. Candidates for delegates do not have to be present to be elected. For more information, see the Delegate Selection Plan (.pdf).

Saturday, April 23: Passover begins (sunset).

Tuesday, April 26: Connecticut Primary, Delaware Primary, Maryland Primary, Pennsylvania Primary, Rhode Island Primary.

Tuesday, May 3: Indiana Primary.

Tuesday, May 10: Nebraska (GOP Primary), West Virginia Primary.

Tuesday, May 17: Special Election for school funding inflation adjustment settlement and changes to Arizona Constitution.

Tuesday, May 17: Kentucky (Democratic Primary), Oregon Primary.

Sunday, June 5: Puerto Rico (Democratic Primary).

Tuesday, June 7: California Primary, Montana Primary, New Jersey Primary, New Mexico Primary, North Dakota (Democratic), South Dakota Primary.

Tuesday, June 14: Washington, D.C. Primary.

Monday, July 25 – Thursday, July 28: Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.