Political Calendar: Week of April 5, 2015

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Political Calendar for the Week of April 5, 2015:

Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday. Happy Easter!

Sunday, April 5, 5:00 p.m.: ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs.

Monday, April 6, 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 Tim Steller, columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, on “The baked apple update.” Next Week: Michael Dues, UA professor, on “Framing arguments for political debate.”

Monday, April 6: Opening Day of 2015 Major League Baseball season. The 2014 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants at the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Monday, April 6: NCAA men’s basketball championship game from Indianapolis. Wisconsin Badgers v. Duke Blue Devils.

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

Wednesday, April 8 – Sunday, April 12: Maricopa County Fair, AZ Exposition & State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 p.m.: Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild’s re-election kickoff, at Connect Coworking, 33 S. 5th Avenue, Tucson. Live entertainment, great food and drinks. Please RSVP to RSVP@RothschildForMayor.com. For parking information please click HERE.

Wednesday, April 8, 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.

Wednesday, April 8, 7:00 p.m.: Arizona State Rep. Jennifer Benally will address the White Mountain Democrats, at the Pinetop-Lakeside Town Hall, 1360 N. Niels Hansen Lane, Lakeside, AZ.

Thursday, April 9: 150th anniversary of Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendering his Confederate Army of Virginia to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia, marking the unofficial end of the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Gen. William T. Sherman near Durham, North Carolina on April 18, 1865. Remaining Confederate forces surrender in May.

Thursday, April 9, 11:30 a.m.: I Stand With Planned Parenthood Luncheon in Phoenix at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. This year actress Selenis Leyva will serve as our Mistress of Ceremonies. She is one of the stars in Netflix breakout hit series Orange Is The New Black. Our Keynote Speaker will be Ashley Spillane, the President of Rock the Vote. Tables of 10 are $1,000, individual tickets are $100 each. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information please contact John McDonald-O’Lear at jmcdonald-olear@ppaz.org or (602) 263-4215. Find more information and purchase tickets here.

Thursday, April 9, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway Blvd. Featured speaker is Joel Feinman, Chair of Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Arizona. For more information please contact Ash Silverburg at (520) 326-3716.

Thursday, April 9, 5:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, at the Prescott Adult Center, 1280 E. Rosser Street, Prescott, AZ. Two programs: Teri Roz updates on Senior Peer Prevention Program (part of West Yavapai Guidance Clinic) a volunteer-delivered mental health program for older adults. And a student group from Prescott College updates on the Future of Latina Education in Arizona and their efforts to build educational opportunities for young Latina women. $5 if you bring a dish to the pot luck, $10 if you don’t. Please RSVP at yavdem@cableone.net or (928) 541-0413.

Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12: University of Arizona Spring Fling.

Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12: Tombstone Rose Festival | Facebook, Rose Parade on Saturday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m. on Allen Street.

Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.: I Stand With Planned Parenthood Luncheon in Tucson at the Tucson Convention Center. This year actress Selenis Leyva will serve as our Mistress of Ceremonies. She is one of the stars in Netflix breakout hit series Orange Is The New Black. Our Keynote Speaker will be Ashley Spillane, the President of Rock the Vote. Tables of 10 are $1,000, individual tickets are $100 each. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information lease contact Edna Meza Aguirre at edaguirre@ppaz.org or (520) 784-5810. Find more information and purchase tickets here.

Saturday, April 11, 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, April 11, 10:00 a.m.: [Note: Mule Mountain will participate in the Tombstone Rose Parade at 1:00 p.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, April 11, 3:00 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meeting, at the DCSRA Headquarters, Continental Shopping Plaza (second floor meeting room), 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. Featuring Reports and Action Alerts from: Cheryl Cage, Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party Senator Andrea Dalessandro. LD 2 Arizona State Senator Representative Rosanna Gabaldon, LD 2 Representative to the Arizona House of Representatives For more information, please contact Pam Duchaine at pamduchaine@gmail.com

Coconino County Democratic Party’s Annual Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner

Saturday, April 11, 5:30 p.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party’s annual Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner, at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, 1175 W. Route 66, Flagstaff. Raffle, Telethon and Silent Auction of terrific items. Eleanor Roosevelt Award to outstanding community Democrat. Guest speaker, Kyrsten Sinema, 9th District, US Congress. Tickets are $85 each. For more information please contact Emily Ross at emilyr@ccdem.org or (928) 214-0393. Purchase tickets secure online at www.ccdem.org.

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.

Drinking Liberally

Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally. Location TBA. An informal, inclusive progressive social group, and lively discussion. Contact: www.livingliberallytucson.org.

Sunday, April 12, 3:30 p.m.: Tucson Councilman Paul Cunningham Campaign Kick-off, at Vero Amore, 2920 N. Swan Road. Special Guests: Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Joseph Blair, Carol West, Rep. Bruce Wheeler, Daniel Hernandez Jr, Lamonte Hunley, Matt Muehlebach, Janet Marcotte, and Councilman Steve Kozachik.

Monday, April 13, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting, at the Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive (SE corner at La Cañada). Come celebrate our 10th anniversary with guest speakers ADP Vice Chairs Holly Lyon and Bill Roe. Join us for cake! 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, April 14: 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. The president dies from his fatal wounds the following morning.

Tuesday, April 14: National Equal Pay Day.

Tuesday, April 14, 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, April 15: Holocaust Remembrance Day (begins at sunset).

Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m.: Democracy for America – Maricopa County (DFA-MC) monthly meeting will be moving to the 3rd Wednesday of every month, and the new location will be 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, April 15, 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). Please bring your items for the St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser to the meeting. For more information lease contact Rob Selby at r_ybles@hotmail.com or (520) 790-3024.

Thursday, April 16 – Sunday, April 26: Pima County Fair, 11300 S. Houghton Road.

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.

Thursday, April 16, 8:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks Monthly Breakfast, at the Olde Sedona Family Restaurant Bar & Grill, 1405 W. Highway 89A (Sedona), Breakfast is $12, includes buffet and gratuity. Breakfast at 8:00 program at 8;30 a.m. For more information please contact info@democratsoftheredrocks.org or (928) 203-5858.

Bocce Party for VPA Arizona – ‘Stop Dark Money Now’

Thursday, April 16, 4:30 p.m.: Bocce Party, Southern Arizona Kick-off and Fundraiser for Voice of the People Association (VPA) of Arizona to “stop dark money now,” at 23335 E. Elm Street, Tucson (across from the Arizona Inn). Hosted by Dino and Elizabeth DeConcini. Musical guest is the Haymarket Squares performing “buy my vote.” VIP Reception at 4:30 p.m., Bocce Party at 5;00 p.m. Suggested donation: $500 VIP, $250 Co-host, $100 Friend, $25 Guest. RSVP requested but not required, to Hugo@VPAArizona.org or (602) 488-9829. Please follow this link to RSVP online.

LULAC Educators’ Banquet

Thursday, April 16, 5:30 p.m.: LULAC Educators’ Banquet, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson. No host cocktails. 6:30 p.m. dinner. Special recognition to be given to Dr. Vicki Balentine, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and Bishop Gerald Kicanas. Tickets $75 per person. Checks payable to Southern AZ Institute of Leadership Inc. Send to: LULAC Council 1057, P. O. Box 2443, Tucson 85702. Please RSVP by April 13 to tucsonlulac1057@gmail.com.

Immigration Forum

Friday, April 17, 5:30 p.m.: Immigration Forum, at Pima Community College Center for The Arts, Proscenium Theater, West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road, Tucson. Featuring Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Congressman Luis Guttié rez. Join two of the most prominent voices in the nation pushing for immigration reform and get the facts for you or someone you know to take part in the DACA or DAPA programs. Participating organizations include AILA, Catholic Social Services, Derechos Humanos, Consul de México, Promise AZ, and Mi Familia Vota. Please visit www.facebook.com/Rep.Grijalva or call (520) 622-6788 for more information.

Saturday, April 18: Cochise County Democratic Party Picnic – Save the date! Details TBA. For more information please contact cochisecodems@gmail.com or (520) 458-9467.

Saturday, April 18, 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.

Tucson Earth Day Festival

Saturday, April 18, 9:00 a.m.: 21st Annual Earth Day Festival, at Reid Park, East 22nd Street & South Country Club Road. The Earth Day Festival features various exhibits related to the environment including “hands-on” activities for children. Vendors/exhibitors, parade, alt-fuel vehicles, food for sale. Admission is free. Tucson Earth Day Festival.

Maricopa County Democratic Party’s Diamond Event

Saturday, April 18, 6:00 p.m.: Maricopa County Democratic Party presents the 2015 Diamond Event, at 16625 S. Desert Foothills Parkway, Phoenix. Join us as the Democratic All-Stars step up to the plate to raise money for the MCDP. Meet and mingle with Arizona officeholders as you enjoy a beautiful evening with good friends and good food. Special Guest: Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton; other TBA.Tickets are $150per person, $100 for Democratic Precinct Committee Members. RSVP and purchase tickets today by clicking here!

Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, April 19:  13th Annual Fiesta Grande, Barrio Hollywood, on Grande Avenue between Speedway Blvd. and St. Mary’s Road, Tucson. The biggest, best, yummiest, awesomest (yeah, that’s a real word), barrio block party on the entire planet. Bands, food, fun, games, rides – and YOU ARE ALL INVITED!!!! Fiesta Grande | Facebook.

Sunday, April 19, 10:00 a.m.: Cyclovia Tucson, downtown Tucsonans can celebrate a five-mile bike ride on carless streets from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Monday, April 2o: Patriot’s Day, commemorating the “shot heard round the world” at the battles of Lexington & Concord on April 19, 1775. The 119th running of the Boston Marathon.

Tuesday, April 21 – Friday, April 24: The civil contempt trial of Crazy Uncle Joe Arpaio in U.S. District Court, Melendres v. Arpaio.

Tucson’s 2nd Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast

Tuesday, April 21, 8:00 a.m.: 2nd Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson. tickets are $35 per person available at eventbrite.com. For more information email diversitybreakfast2015@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 21, 11:00 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at the Pueblo del Sol Country Club, on St. Andrews Drive in Sierra Vista. 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, April 21, 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, April 21, 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.

Wednesday, April 22: Earth Day 2015.

Wednesday, April 22, 10:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Prescott Area Luncheon, at the Centennial Center, 1989 Clubhouse Drive (Antelope Hills). Featured speaker is Carolyn Warner, former Superintendent of Public Instruction. RSVP is required: DWPrescottArea@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 23, 3:00 p.m.: Sunflower Democrats meeting, at 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 democratsofcasagrande@gmail.com or call (520)251-8247.

Thursday, April 23, 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, April 23, 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.

Saturday, April 25, 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.

Sunday, April 26, 2:00 p.m.: Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Wheeler, Taft, Abbett Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, Tucson (new location!) For more information please contact Jo Holt at legdist11dems@gmail.com. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.

Sunday, April 26, 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, April 27, 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, April 28: Workers Memorial Day.

Tuesday, April 28: Oral argument of the four same-sex marriage cases from the 6th Circuit in the U.S. Supreme Court. Decision in June.

Tuesday, April 28, 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!)

Wednesday, April 29 – Sunday, May 3: Verde Valley Fair, 800 E. Cherry Street, Cottonwood.

Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m.: 10th Annual West End Fair on Fry Blvd. from Garden Avenue to North Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ.

Saturday, May 2, 10:00 a.m.: Northern Cochise County Democrats meeting. Meetings rotate between Benson and Willcox. For more information e-mail Kathy Suagee at soprano.58@hotmail.com.

LD 11 and 5 Clubs Picnic

Saturday, May 2, 4:00 p.m.: LD 11 and 5 Clubs Picnic, at the Sun City Activity Center, 1495 W. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley, AZ. “Get Together…Work Together…LD11: All Together.” There will be food, popcorn and drinks as well as music by the Gray Amigos! Terry Goddard will also be speaking against dark money in politics and how we can help. Tickets are $20 per person in advance, or $25 at the door. (Buy from a club seller to provide the required donation information). All proceeds go to LD11 Democratic Committee.

Tuesday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo, and National Teacher Appreciation Day.

Friday, May 8: VE Day. 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe in WWII.

Arizona Democratic Party Spring State Committee Meeting

Saturday, May 9, 9:00 a.m.: Arizona Democratic Party Spring State Committee Meeting, at Sunnyside High School, 1725 E. Bilby Road, Tucson. Registration 8:00 a.m. Caucus meetings 9:00 a.m.- Noon. Call to order 1:00 p.m. Posted on the Arizona Democratic Party’s website at this link are the proposed resolutions, bylaw changes, minutes of the Jan. 26, 2015 meeting, caucus schedule and proxy form. RSVP Here.

4th Annual Morris and Stewart Udall Dinner

Saturday, May 9, 5:30 p.m.: The Pima County Democratic Party presents the 4th Annual Morris and Stewart Udall Dinner, at the Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Hiighway, Tucson, Keynote speaker is Drew Weston, nationally renowned author of “The Political Brain.” Spirit of Arizona Honorees: Alice and Bill Roe, and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Precinct Committee Persons $75, General Admission $85.  Table sponsorships range from $1000 to $5000. To Purchase Your Tickets Online Visit ActBlue. For more information please contact Shasta McManus at Shasta@PimaDems.org or Office Phone (520) 326-3716, Cell (520) 822-7343.

Sunday, May 10: Mother’s Day.

Saturday, May 16: Armed Forces Day.

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day.

Saturday, May 30: Cochise County Democratic Party general membership meeting at HQ, 1234 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista. For more information please contact cochisecodems@gmail.com or (520) 458-9467.

2nd Annual PALF Awards Dinner & Silent Auction

Thursday, June 4, 5:30 p.m.: 2nd Annual PALF Awards Dinner & Silent Auction, at the El Casino Ballroom 437 E 26th Street (Tucson). Sponsorships levels are now available. Individual tickets and raffle prize tickets are available at the PALF office. Raffle tickets are $10 each, or 3 for $25. Please RSVP to awards.palf@gmail.com or call (520) 388-4139 to purchase by credit card.

Saturday, June 13, 7:00 p.m.: LD 24 Democrats Sweet Synergy: Vegas Edition, at Club Palazzo, 710 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix. What happens in 24, Stays in 24! Watch for more details to follow including sponsorship opportunities!

Sunday, June 14: Flag Day.

Sunday, June 21: Father’s Day.

Saturday, July 4: Independence Day.

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Netroots Nation 2015

Thursday, July 16 – Sunday, July 19: Netroots Nation Convention at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix. This is the largest annual gathering of progressives in the Nation. For Netroots Nation 2015, we’re choosing to go to Phoenix and make immigration a central issue to the progressive agenda. We haven’t won on this legislation. We’re mindful that we are about to launch into the 2016 presidential cycle, and it’s time to step up as a movement on this issue. We want everyone aspiring for office in 2016 a from the President to Congress to local offices – to know that if you don’t support taking real action on immigration reform, you won’t win our community’s support. There’s a burgeoning progressive infrastructure in Arizona that could use more support, and there is a lot to discuss from a policy perspective. It’s time to start talking about how militarizing our police forces and borders is problematic, how trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA have created the economic conditions for the migration from Central America, and how this issue ultimately comes down to family. For more information please contact desiree@netrootsnation.org and visit Netrootsnation.org.

Thursday, August 6: 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for Southern blacks to register to vote. Literacy tests, poll taxes, and other such requirements that were used to restrict black voting are made illegal. In June 2013, the “Felonious Five” of the conservative activist U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, reasoning that it was no longer responsive to current conditions. The very same day, Southern states imposed new restrictions on voters, proving the court wrong.

Saturday, August 15: VJ Day. 70th Anniversary of Victory over Japan, ending WWII.

Wednesday, August 26: Women’s Equality Day.