Political Calendar: Week of April 20, 2014

The Political Calendar is posted on Sundays. Please send us notice of your political events prior to the Sunday before your event (7 days would be most helpful). See the calendar icon in the right-hand column of the blog page for easy access to the calendar.

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Political Calendar for the Week of April 20, 2014:

Sunday, April 20: Easter Sunday. Happy Easter to you and your family.

Continuing to Sunday, April 27: Pima County Fair. Voter registration booth: there are 3 volunteer spots per shift and volunteer shifts are as follows:
Mondays – Fridays: 1pm – 4pm
4pm – 7pm
7pm – 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 1pm
1pm – 4pm
4pm – 7pm
7pm – 10pm

We need volunteers scheduled as soon as possible. If you need more information or any questions, please call Jim & Chris Jaster at (520) 747-8398 or email at jrjaster@aol.com; or contact Emily Verdugo at (520) 326-3716.

Monday, April 21: Patriot’s Day, commemorating the “shot heard round the world” at the battles of Lexington & Concord on April 19, 1775. The 118th running of the Boston Marathon.

Monday, April 14, 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), buffet lunch costs $8.50. Featured speaker is Congressman Ron Barber. Next Week:  (Updated) DJ Quinlan, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party, on “How Changing Demographics Can Push Arizona into being Blue”.

Tuesday, April 22: Earth Day.

Wednesday, April 23, 4:00 p.m.: Meet & Greet with LD 14 House candidate Jim Burton, at the Cochise County Democratic Party HQ, 1234 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista. Stop by and chat and share your thoughts and concerns. Sign his petitions and $5 clean elections contributions. For more information please contact Pat Fleming cochisecodems@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 23, 5;30 p.m.: A reception for Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (at 4th Avenue). Donor levels: $25 Ticket ~ $50 Friend ~ $100 Supporter ~ $250 Sponsor. Please RSVP by email or call 928.224.8523.

Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m.: (Note the later time) Drinking Liberally, at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (at 4th Avenue). Featured Speaker is Jim Holway, candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission. An informal, inclusive progressive social group, and lively discussion. Contact: www.livingliberallytucson.org.

Thursday, April 24, 2:00 p.m.: Meet & Greet with David Garcia, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction , at the Cochise County Democratic Party HQ, 1234 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista. Stop by and chat and share your thoughts and concerns. Sign his petitions. For more information please contact Pat Fleming cochisecodems@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 24, 3:00 p.m.: Sunflower Democrats meeting, at (New Location) the Continental Reserve Urgent Care meeting room, 8333 N. Silverbell Road (on the southwest corner of Silverbell Road and Continental Reserve Loop). For more information please contact Buddy Gill at buddygill@comcast.net.

Thursday, April 24, 4:00 p.m.: Meet & Greet with David Garcia, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction , at  Café Roka in Bisbee, AZ.  This fundraising event is co-hosted by Etta Kralovec and Bisbee Mayor Adrianna Badal. Appetizers provided.  Please RSVP to Hugo Polanco at Hugo@dg4az.com or 602.488.9829.

Thursday, April 24, 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 Sandra Tiffany at stiffany60@mac.com.

Yuma County Democratic Party’s Spring Salute

Friday, April 25, 6:00 p.m.: Yuma County Democratic Party hosts its Spring Salute, at the Gowan Co., 370 Main Street, Patio in rear (entrance at alley). Tickets are $25.00. Tickets on sale at Party Headquarters, 1314 S. Fifth Avenue, Ste. C, Yuma, or call Gail Beeler 928 210-9707. For more information please call HQ at (928) 783-4673.

Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m.: Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting, at the Benson City Council Chambers, 120 West 6th Street (Benson). For more information please contact Kathy or Mark Suagee at (520) 586-9153.

Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m.: Bowie Chamber of Commerce BBQ, at  the Bowie Fire Department, 118 W. Kinchilla St., located on the northeast corner of Kinchilla St. & Jefferson Ave., 1 block north of B-10 behind the US Post Office and across the street from Ft. Bowie Vineyards Winery. The Cochise County Democratic Party will set up an information booth where we can meet local folks from Bowie and San Simon, register voters, and have information available.  The Chamber of Commerce is providing a free BBQ. Volunteers are needed to staff a booth or table, and have voter registration and candidate information available for visitors. If you can help, please contact Ken Davis at 520-834-2784.

Saturday, April 26, 3:00 p.m.: Graham and Greenlee County Democratic Parties meeting, at Brick’s Restaurant, 4367 S. US HWY 191, Safford, AZ. Featured speaker is LD14 House candidate, Jim Burton. For more information contact Susan Breen at suebreen53@hotmail.com

Saturday, April 26, 3:00 p.m.:  Congressman Ron Barber grand opening of campaign office in Tucson, 5920 E. Pima St. (Between Craycroft and Wilmot), Suite 200. Please RSVP at http://action.ronbarberforcongress.com/page/s/opening.

Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner (and Telethon)

Saturday, April 26, 5:30 p.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party’s Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner (and Telethon), at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel (Formerly Radisson Woodlands Hotel), 1175 West Route 66, Flagstaff. Keynote Speaker is Congresswoman Anne Kirkpatrick. 5:30 p.m. Cash Bar, 7;00 p.m. Dinner. Telethon and raffle. Tickets are $85 per person, § $100 at the door. $680 for table of 8. For tickets – please call Chelsea Byers at (928) 214-0393.

For additional political calendar items see the Arizona Democratic Party: Calendar.

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 Pam Duchaine at pamduchaine@gmail.com.

Drinking Liberally
Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally, at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (at 4th Avenue). An informal, inclusive progressive social group, and lively discussion. Contact: www.livingliberallytucson.org.

Sunday, April 27, 1:00 p.m.: PC Workshop, at Pima County Democratic Party Headquarters, 4639 E. First Street (Tucson). 1 PM Messaging with Michael Dues; 2:30 PM PC Development with Susan Bickel; 4 PM VAN Training with Barbara Tellman. Attend 1, 2 or all 3 sessions. All attendees will receive a copy of the new PC Handbook. It is chock full of information, ideas, resources and forms designed to help you be a successful PC. No matter what your interest, you will find something in this workshop to interest you! Please RSVP by 5 PM on Friday, April 25, to receive a personalized pin, and neighborhood lists and/or LD maps. Please indicate whether you want maps or neighborhood lists and indicate how you want your name to appear on your pin. RSVP to Susan Bickel at susanbickel@hotmail.com or (520) 559-3904.

A Twisted Funraiser – LD 9

Sunday, April 27, 4:00 p.m.: LD 9 fundraiser featuring the gourmet Indian cuisine of the The Twisted Tandoor Food Truck, at the home of Mohur Sidhwa, 1926 E. Kleindale Road. Tickets are $20 per person. Purchase online thru ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/twist. For more information, please contact Jeremy Lasher at jaylasher82@gmail.com or (520) 609-7641.

Sunday, April 27, 2:00 p.m.: (New Day) Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Church, 3601 W. Cromwell Drive (Tucson). For more information please contact Tom Cuevas at (520) 440-5458. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.

Monday, April 28: Workers Memorial Day.

Monday, April 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 Luis Gonzales at (520) 594-5500.

Tuesday, April 29, 11:30 a.m.: Blue Tuesday Luncheon Forum, at the Starfire Golf Club, 11500 N. Hayden (Scottsdale). Featured speaker is Sandy Bahr, Director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter. Your chance to hear from Sandy about the AZ Legislature’s refusal to address climate chaos. She will field your questions about what is and is not going on in AZ. If you want lunch, you must RSVP so we can order for you! Email jctillotson@msn.com. $20 – 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!)

Wednesday, April 30 – Sunday, May 4: Verde Valley Fair.

PALF Awards Dinner & Silent Auction

Thursday, May 1, 5:30 p.m.: PALF Awards Dinner & Silent Auction, at Pima Community College, Amethyst Room, 1255 N. Stone Avenue (Tucson). Individual tickets are $35, Couples $60. Sponsorships levels are available. Please RSVP to Laura Hogan at (520) 388-4139.

Saturday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.: Legislative District 2 meeting, at the Sam Lena Library, 1607 S. 6th Avenue (S. Tucson). For more information please contact Marla Daugherty at (520) 594-5265.

Saturday, May 3, 1o:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: West End Fair on Fry Blvd. from Garden Avenue to North Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ. Cochise County Democratic Party will be staffing a booth. Candidates are encouraged to join us to meet local voters and businesses. Contact Ken Davis at (520) 34-2784 if interested.

LD 11 Five Clubs Picnic and Fundraiser

Saturday, May 3, 1:00 p.m.: LD 11 and the five Northwest Side Democratic Clubs host their annual picnic, at the Sun City Mountain Vista Social Hall, 1495 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Sponsors are : District 11 Democratic Committee, Sun City Democrats, Democrats of Oro Valley, Sunflower Dems & Friends, Highland/Dove Mountain Democratic Club, and Saddlebrooke Democrats. There will be food, drinks, music, speakers, and FUN. For more information please contact Susan Bickel at (520) 559-3904 (coordinator).

Monday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo.

Monday, May 5, 6:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party executive Committee meeting.

Tuesday, May 6: National Teachers Day.

Thursday, May 8, 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 Martin Bacal at (520) 326-3716.

Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m.: Mule Mountain Democratic Club meeting, at the Community Y, 26 Howell Avenue (Bisbee). For more information please contact Jon Viverto at (520) 432-32236.

Saturday, May 10, 3:00 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meeting, at the DCSRA Headquarters, Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley.Legislative update from our LD 2 representatives with Q & A to follow.

Pima County Democratic Party’s Annual Udall Dinner

Saturday, May 10, 5:00 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party hosts its Annual Udall Dinner, at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Highway (Tucson) Keynote speakers are Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly, introducing The Spirit of Arizona Awards winners. Special Guests Reps. Raúl Grijalva, Ron Barber and Ann Kirkpatrick. Honorees are Nan Stockholm Walden, and Wingspan. VIP Reception 5:00 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. tickets: PCs $75, general admission $85. Table sponsorships available: RSVP to Shasta McManus at Shasta@PimaDems.org or (520) 326- 3716. Purchase tickets secure online at https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/udall2014.

Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day.

Monday, May 12, 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, May 13, 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.

Wednesday,May 14, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, at Ak-Chin Ultra Star Multi-tainment Center, 16000 Maricopa Road (Maricopa), in the Ten Pins Rock’n Roll Room. For more information please contact jjjudd@live.com or like us on Copa City Dems | Facebook.

Thursday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.: Casa Grande Democrats meeting, (location varies). For more information please contact Jack Guthrie at democratsofcasagrande@gmail.com and Like Us on Facebook.

Democrats of Rim Country Payson Picnic

Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.: Democrats of Rim Country Payson Picnic, at Ramada 4 in Rumsey Park (behind the library) in Payson. All statewide candidates and CD1 and LD6 candidates are invited to join us for a really good time. There will be an opportunity for candidates to speak as well as mingle with our guests. Hot dogs and hamburgers and many sides will be available. For more information please contact Chris Tilley at (928) 468-9669.

Tuesday, May 20, 11:00 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at the Pueblo Del Sol Country Club, 2770 E. St. Andrews Drive, (Sierra Vista). The lunch is $15.00. Please reserve your seat with Patricia Hickey at 520-459-1054 or 520-456-5596 or email jopath54@live.com.

Tuesday, May 20, 6:00 p.m.: Cochise County Democratic Party general membership meeting, at the Holiday HOA Clubhouse, 3400 Resort Drive, Sierra Vista. For more information please call (520) 458-9467.

Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m.: Oracle Democrats meeting, at the Oracle Fire Department, 1475 W. American Avenue (Oracle). For more information please contact Renee Barbaree at reba520@q.com or (520) 896-9054.

Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 9 meeting, at the Northwest Medical Center (in the 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.

Wednesday, May 21, Noon: Northside Democrats meeting at Mimi’s Cafe, 4420 N. Oracle Road (Tucson). Please note this is a new location for the Northside Dems meetings, in a separate building in the Tucson Mall property, SW corner. We will be in the Winery Room, please arrive early to order from menu, admission free. For more information please contact (520) 297-0095 or visit our web site at www.northsidedems.org.

Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 p.m.: Pinal County Democratic Party meeting, at Pinal County Democratic Party HQ, 350 N. Main Street (Florence). For more information please contact Henry Wade at hsefndr@aol.com or (602) 619-4440.

Wednesday, May 21, 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 please contact Paul Olson at ld10dems@gmail.com or (520) 791-2965.

Thursday, May 22, 3:00 p.m.: Sunflower Democrats meeting, at (New Location) the Continental Reserve Urgent Care meeting room, 8333 N. Silverbell Road (on the southwest corner of Silverbell Road and Continental Reserve Loop). For more information please contact Buddy Gill at buddygill@comcast.net.

Thursday, May 22, 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 Sandra Tiffany at stiffany60@mac.com.

Rita Ranch Family Fun Day

Saturday, May 24, 9:00 a.m.: Rita Ranch Family Fun Day, at Purple Heart Park, 10050 E. Rita Road, Tucson. A fun, free day for the whole family
with face painting, jumping castles, food, and more! Volunteers will meet & greet, and register/educate new voters. Contact either Vice Chair, LD14 for Pima County, Jean Vickers at jean.vickers@cox.net or 520-300-4322, or Jan Kalthoff at clemjan@attglobal.net or 520-885-9005.

Saturday, May 24, 10:00 a.m.: Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting, at the Benson City Council Chambers, 120 West 6th Street (Benson). For more information please contact Kathy or Mark Suagee at (520) 586-9153.

Sunday, May 25, 2:00 p.m.: (New Day) Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Church, 3601 W. Cromwell Drive (Tucson). For more information please contact Tom Cuevas at (520) 440-5458. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.

Monday, May 26: Memorial Day.

Monday, May 26, 6:00 p.m.: [No meeting in observance of Memorial Day] Legislative District 3 meeting, at the Joel Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue (parking under the library). For more information please contact Luis Gonzales at (520) 594-5500.

Tuesday, May 27, 11:30 a.m.: Blue Tuesday Luncheon Forum, at the Starfire Golf Club, 11500 N. Hayden (Scottsdale). If you want lunch, you must RSVP so we can order for you! Email jctillotson@msn.com. $20 – 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!)

Saturday, June 14: Flag Day.

Sunday, June 15: Father’s Day.

Wednesday, July 2: 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – The most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The law also provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation. Earlier in 1964, the 24th Amendment abolishes the poll tax, originally instituted in 11 southern states to make it difficult for blacks to vote.

Friday, July 4: Independence Day.