Political Calendar: Week of April 30, 2017

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Political Calendar for the Week of April 30, 2017:

Sunday, April 30: Last day! Pima County Fair, 11300 S. Houghton Road.

Monday, May 1: International Worker’s Day.

Monday, May 1, 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. Featured speaker is Sam Almy on “2016 by the numbers, what went right and what went wrong.”Next Week:  Katie Ruhl, Jesse Evans Schroeder, and Doralinda Luna on immigration law in Arizona.

“The Majority” Mass Mobilization – Beyond the Moment March

Monday, May 1: Activist groups are uniting under a broader coalition they’ve dubbed “The Majority,” more than 50 partners representing black, Latino, the indigenous, LGBTQ, refugees, immigrants, laborers and the poor will collaborate from April 4 through May 1, International Worker’s Day, when they’ll launch massive protests across the country. The idea for Beyond the Moment was derived from the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Beyond Vietnam” speech, in which he spoke out against racism, materialism and militarism — all broader and more-inclusive themes than his earlier anti-Jim Crow campaigns. The coalition said it chose April 4 as the kickoff for political education because that is date that King delivered the speech in 1967 and the date on which he was assassinated a year later. The action will “go beyond moments of outrage, beyond narrow concepts of sanctuary, and beyond barriers between communities that have much at stake and so much in common,” The Majority states on its BeyondtheMoment.org website. The “Beyond the Moment” initiative kicks off April 4 with “serious political education with our bases,” according to the website. In the weeks leading up to the mass mobilizations on May 1, they will hold public teach-ins and workshops nationwide. The desired outcome is a “broad intersectional, cross-sectoral” and influential unity on the left, activists said. We will strike, rally and resist,” said the coalition. For more information see Protest groups to unite as “The Majority” for massive actions across the country on May 1.

Rise Up! National Day of Action

Monday, May 1: The Rise Up! National Day of Action. On May 1 in cities, towns, and communities across the country, hundreds of thousands of people will rise up in resistance to demonstrate the power, resilience, and strength of immigrant communities and progressives in America. This May 1st join over 42 organizations across the country that make up Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) and join the fight to protect working and immigrant families across the country. Find a May Day event near you at www.riseupmay1.org.

Monday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting.

Tuesday, May 2: National Teacher’s Day.

Wednesday, May 3-Sunday, May 7: Verde Valley Fair at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds – Cottonwood, AZ.

Wednesday, May 3, 5:15 p.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party meeting, at Coconino County Democratic Party HQ, 201 E. Birch Avenue, Suite #6, Flagstaff. Meet the first Wednesday of each month. For more information please call (928) 214-0393 or email Kevin Ordean at Kordean@ccdem.org.

Wednesday, May 3, 5:30 p.m.: Graham County Democratic Party meeting, at Graham County Chamber of Commerce, 820 W. Main Street, Safford. Meet the first Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Becky Fox at beckyfox@cableone.net.

Wednesday, May 3, 7:30 p.m.: Democrats for Comedy, at the Tempe Improv, 930 E University Drive, Tempe. For more information please contact alisonporter26@gmail.com.

Friday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo.

DCSRA Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Friday, May 5, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Rita Area Cinco de Mayo celebration, at the American Legion Hall on Duval Mine Rd. (west of LaCanada) in Green Valley. Enjoy a fun evening of Mariachi music by the very talented Pueblo Magnet High School Mariachi Band and some good food! Cash bar at 4:30 p.m., Mexican buffet at 5:00 p.m., band performs at 6:00 p.m. Standard price $25, Sponsor price $35. Purchase your tickets secure online at Act Blue. For more information please call Kathy Davisson at (248) 762-1216, or stop in at DCSRA Headquarters – located in the Continental Mall (open M-F from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.).

Saturday, May 6, 10:00 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.

Saturday, May 6, 10:00 a.m.: Legislative District 2 meeting, at the DCSRA Headquarters, Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley (need to verify location). For more information please contact Tom Prezelski at fusilero@aol.com.

Saturday, May 6, 11:00 a.m.: 12th Annual Sierra Vista West End Fair on Fry Blvd. from Garden Avenue to North Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ.

LD 11 Spring Picnic & Fundraiser

Saturday, May 6, 4:00 p.m.: LD 11 Spring Picnic & Fundraiser, at the Sun City Activity Center, 1495 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Doors open at 3:30 PM; Program from 4 to 6 PM. Keynote speaker: Arizona Daily Star’s David Fitzsimmons. Grilled Hamburgers, Brats and Veggie Burgers with all the fixin’s. Delicious salads, side dishes. Scrumptious desserts, drinks, and popcorn provided by all the LD11 Clubs. $30.00 per person, in advance or at the door. Buy tickets online at Act Blue. For more information please contact legdist11dems@gmail.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. (As of May 1st, we will be moving across the mall parking lot to a new unit between the Barber Shop and the restaurant Carne Y Vino.) 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.

Drinking Liberally

Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally returns to Tucson, at Casa Vicente (375 S. Stone Avenue, Tucson, casavicente.com) whose gracious and helpful wait staff sets the table(s) for us. We need to know by the morning of each meeting approximately how many folks will attend. Please RSVP to tucson@drinkingliberally.org. Informal but thoughtful conversation, good wine and beer, and good food. There is no obligation to order anything–but as a thank you to Casa Vicente for the use of their patio, I hope everyone will order at least one drink (alcoholic or otherwise). And the Tapas are wonderful! The patio is almost completely covered, so weather isn’t much of
a problem, and there’s plenty of free parking.

Monday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, at the Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive (SE corner at La Cañada). Meet the second Monday of each month. 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 9, Noon: Democratic Women of Rim Country meeting, at Tiny’s Family Restaurant, 600 Arizona Hwy. 260, Payson, AZ. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact paysondems@gmail.com or call (928) 468-9669.

Tuesday, May 9, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). Ice cream social (and sodas & wine) with state Sen. Steve Farley. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Steve Groth at (520) 385-6686 or check our web site. SaddleBrookeDemocrats.org.

Tuesday, May 9, 4:00 p.m.: Democrats for Picture Rocks meeting, at Horseshoe BBQ Restaurant, 6575 N. Sandario Road, Tucson. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Catalina Hall at dems4prandav@gmail.com.

Thursday, May 11, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway Blvd. Meet the second Thursday of each month. For more information please contact Ash Silverburg at (520) 326-3716.

Thursday, May 11, 5:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, at the Prescott Adult Center (Meals on Wheels Room), 1280 E. Rosser Road, Prescott. $10.00 donation, $5.00 if you bring a dish to share. Meet the second Thursday of each month. Please RSVP to (928)541-0413 or email us at info@yavdem.org.

Thursday, May 11, 7:00 p.m.: Yuma County Democratic Party meeting, at the new Yuma Democratic Party HQ at 290 S. 1st Avenue, Ste. 1, Yuma. Parking is available in back. Meet the second Thursday of each month. For more information please contact us at yumademocrats@gmail.com.

Saturday, May 13: 25th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive: The National Association of Letter Carriers food drive is held the second Saturday each May and is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. This year’s will be on Saturday, May 13. Letter carriers will collect non-perishable food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes. This year marks the 25th anniversary. Nearly 49 million Americans—1 in 6—are unsure where their next meal is coming from. This includes 13 million children as well as about 5 million seniors over age 60—many of whom live on fixed incomes and often are too embarrassed to ask for help. Since 1993, when the national food drive began, letter carriers in every part of the country have worked with family members, friends, other postal co-workers and allies to use the second Saturday in May as a day to give something back to the communities that know and trust us. Last year, the food drive collected a record 80 million pounds of nonperishable food, raising the total amount of donations picked up over the quarter-century history of the drive to more than 1.5 billion pounds.

Saturday, May 13, 9:30 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting, at Risky Business, 8848 E. Tanque Verde Road. Featured speaker is state Senator Steve Farley. Usually meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.

Saturday, May 13, 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, May 13, 1:00 p.m.: Sun City Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, in the Navajo Room of the Activity Center, 1495 Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Sun City. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information lease contact Maureen Salz mosalz@outlook.com.

Sunday, May 14: Mother’s Day.

Tuesday, May 16: Tucson Special Election for “Proposition 101 – A proposal to amend the Tucson City Charter referred by Mayor and Council, authorizing a temporary half-cent (0.5%) sales tax to fund street and public safety improvements.”

Tuesday, May 16, 11:00 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at the Pueblo del Sol Country Club, on St. Andrews Drive in Sierra Vista. Meet the third Tuesday of each month. 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.

Wednesday, May 17, 6:00 p.m.: Democratic Club of Northern Gila County meeting, at the Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Road, Payson. Meet the third Wednesday of the month. For more information please contact paysondems@gmail.com or call (928) 468-9669.

Wednesday, May 17, 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. For more information contact DFAofMC@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 17, 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). There is a social time for all members and guests, beginning at 6 p.m. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Cecilia Aros Hunter at hunter.cecilia@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, May 17, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at jcksconniejean@aol.com.

Thursday, May 18, 8:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks breakfast, at Old Sedona Family Restaurant Bar & Grill, 1405 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Admission is $12, includes buffet breakfast and gratuity. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Please RSVP to (928) 274-6541.

Saturday, May 20: Armed Forces Day.

Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party African-American Caucus meeting, at Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1020 E. 31st Street, Tucson. Meet the third Saturday of each month. The caucus is not exclusively for African-Americans, all are welcome to join. For more information please contact Connie DeLarge at cdelarge@dmyl.com or (520) 241-8408.

Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m.: Legislative District 10 Town Hall, at the Eckstrom-Columbus Library, 4350 E. 22nd Street, Tucson. Join Senator David Bradley and Representative Kirsten Engel for a meet and greet and legislative update.

Saturday, May 20, 3:00 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Rita Area meeting, at the DCSRA Headquarters (upstairs meeting room 203), Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. For more
information, please contact Jean Vickers jean.vickers@cox.net.

6th Annual Morris & Stewart Udall Dinner and Spirit of Arizona Awards

Saturday, May 20, 5:30 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party’s 6th Annual Morris & Stewart Udall Dinner and Spirit of Arizona Awards,at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Hwy., Tucson. Keynote speaker is the Hon. Gabrielle Giffords, Americans for Responsible Solutions. Registration at 5:30 p.m., Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Seating is limited. General admission ticket $125, Precinct Committee Persons $100. Table sponsorship levels available. Purchase tickets secure online at Act Blue.

Sunday, May 21, 1:00 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party PC101 workshop, at Pima County Democratic Party HQ, 4639 E. 1st Street, Tucson. If you plan to attend, please add your name here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JGD182xielsZNlj8FaBE9uxjjNfRrpONt7R0mYdS6z4/edit?usp=sharing.

Monday, May 22, 6:00 p.m.: Maricopa County Democratic Party Executive Committee meeting, at HQ, 2910 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. Meet and greet (and dinner) begins at 5:30. Meeting begins promptly at 6:00 pm.

Monday, May 22, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 3 meeting, at the Pima County Housing Center, 801 W. Congress Street. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please contact Andrés Cano at andres@canoagroup.com or (520) 304-5778.

Tuesday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.: Blue Tuesday Luncheon Forum, at the Starfire Golf Club, 11500 N. Hayden (Scottsdale). Generally meets the last Tuesday of the month. 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, May 23, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 9 meeting, at Northwest Medical Center, La Paloma Urgent Care Community Classroom, 4001 E. Sunrise Drive. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Brian Clymer at brianclymer@yahoo.com or (520) 297-3539.

Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.: Northern Pinal County Democrats meeting, at the Pizza Hut, 240 S. Phelps Drive, Apache Junction. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Kathy Guillen at (480) 620-7840 or gataguillen@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, May 24, 11:00 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Prescott Area luncheon, at the Centennial Center, 1989 Clubhouse Drive, Prescott (on the Antelope Hills golf course). Featured speaker is Jean Wilcox, Prescott City Council member. Luncheon reservations are required. A buffet luncheon will be provided. Cost is $15 for members and $17 for nonmembers. RSVP by email: DWPrescottArea@gmail.com or call (928) 848-2753. Contact us ASAP if you make reservations and are unable to attend. The public is welcome, but reservations are required. To join, email the form and pay at the luncheon, or mail with a check to Sandy Baggenstos, DWPA Treasurer, 530 N. Fitzmaurice Drive, Prescott, AZ 86303.

Thursday, May 25, 6:00 p.m.: Casa Grande Democrats meeting, at Bedillon’s Restaurant (Adobe Room), 800 N. Park Avenue, Casa Grande. Meet the fourth Thursday of each month. For more information please contact Jack Guthrie at democratsofcasagrande@gmail.com and Like Us on Facebook.

Saturday, May 27, 10:00 a.m.: 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.

Saturday, May 27, 2:00 p.m.: Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Wheeler, Taft, Abbett Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, Tucson. Meet the fourth Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Maureen Salz at legdist11dems@gmail.com. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.

Sunday, May 27, 3:00 p.m.: Marana Democrats meeting, at the Continental Reserve Plaza, 8333 N. Silverbell Road, Tucson. For more information please contact Buddy Gill at maranadems@gmail.com or (408) 806-2036.

Sunday, May 28, 8:00 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… The Flycatcher, 340 E 6th Street (at 4th Avenue), Tucson. Usually the last Sunday every month.

Monday, May 29: Memorial Day.

Wednesday, June 14: Flag Day.

Sunday, June 18: Father’s Day.

Monday, June 19: Juneteenth.

Tuesday, July 4: Independence Day.