Political Calendar: Week of August 21, 2022

Send notices of your events to blogforarizona@gmail.com. Editor’s Note: Due to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and CDC recommendations for social distancing, many events are still being held virtually online. We are doing our best to update the calendar, but you should check with event organizers prior to attending any event to confirm the status. 

Political Calendar for the Week of August 21, 2022:

Monday, August 22: Official Canvass of Arizona Primary Election Due from Secretary of State.

Monday, August 22, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson ONLINE MEETING August 15:  Featured speaker is Pima County Supervisor for District 1, Rex Scott. Register in advance. Meanwhile, you can also watch more than 130 Videos of Candidates and Speakers at  of Greater Tucson.

Monday, August 22, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 20 meeting. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please contact Anakarina Rodriguez, Chair at akrod520@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 23, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Saddlebrook Ranch meeting, at 59680 E. Robson Circle, Oracle. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pease contact Matt Nelson at SBRDems@gmail.com, or (651) 414-1334.

Tuesday, August 23, 5:30 p.m.: Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Matthew Boyd, Chair at mboyd4347@gmail.com.

Tuesday, August 23, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 18 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Susan Bickel, Chair at susanbickel7@gmail.com.

Wednesday, August 24, 11:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Prescott Area meeting, New Time and Place! The Resort at Prescott. Details TBA. Funds raised through this event support Democratic Women of the Prescott Area. Cost of Luncheon $25.  Cancellations for reservations must be received 24 hours in advance! Attendees will be billed if they cancel on the day of the event. Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. Visit our web page.

Thursday, August 25, 6:30 p.m.:  Casa Grande Democrats meeting. Meet via Zoom, so please call this number or send an email to this contact information to receive a registration link: (520) 251-8247 or demsofcasagrande@gmail.com. Meet the fourth Thursday of each month. Please visit our web page.

Friday, August 26: Women’s Equality Day – only for the right to vote. Vote like your life depends upon it, because it does if you ever want to achieve true equality.

Saturday, August 27, 10:00 a.m.:  Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting at the Raphael-in-the-Valley Episcopal-Lutheran Church, 730 S. Hwy 80, Benson AZ.Meet the Fourth Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Kathy Suagee at soprano_58@hotmail.com. Visit our web page Northern Cochise County Democrats.

Arizona Democtatic Party Unity Rally

Saturday, August 27, 4:00 p.m.: Please join the Arizona Democratic Party and our candidates for a high-energy Unity Rally, at the Carpenter’s Union Hall, 4547 W McDowell Road, Phoenix. This venue can hold hundreds of people, so let’s make sure we fill it! Please bring items for donation as we will be collecting items to donate to St. Mary’s food bank. Their current highest needs are: peanut butter, canned fruits + vegetables, canned soup, cereal, pasta, and canned protein. Sign up HERE.

Special Announcements:

Green Valley Democrats Current Events Discussion Group

Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.:  Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meets on Zoom at 10:00 – 11:30. To join the Discussion Group please send your name to  santaritadems@gmail.com. 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 at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street, Tucson. 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. As a reminder, The Shanty does not serve food (yes, there is popcorn), so please feel free to bring your own or order in, all allowed at The Shanty. There is no obligation to order anything–but as a thank you to our host, I hope everyone will order at least one drink(alcoholic or otherwise).

Friday, September 2 – Monday, September 5: Coconino County Fair, at Fort Tuthill County Park, located at 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff.

Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast

Friday, September 2, 8:00 a.m.: Arizona AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast. After a two year hiatus it is my honor to invite you to join the Arizona AFL-CIO as we celebrate Labor Day with a breakfast. For more information, please email LaborDay@azaflcio.org. Sponsorships are available for your local to take part; checks can be made out to the Arizona AFL-CIO, or we can take payments via paypal at the link below.

Saturday, September 3 – Today, September 5: Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo, at the Sonoita Fairgrounds, 3142 AZ Hwy. 83, Sonoita.

Saturday, September 3, 11:00 a.m.: Greater Huachuca Area Democrats meeting virtual on Zoom (soon at a designated restaurant in Serra Vista). Meet the first Saturday of each month. For more information, please email newghadc@yahoo.com, or phone (520) 329-2253.

PALF 24th Annual Labor Day Picnic

Monday, September 5, 10:00 a.m.: Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF) Annual Labor Day Picnic returns after a 2 year Pandemic hiatus – New Location! Our much-anticipated annual event returns! Join the Pima Area Labor Federation from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Kennedy Park Fiesta Area, 3357 S. La Cholla Blvd. (take W. Ajo Way (AZ 86) From I-19) for the 24th Annual Labor Day Picnic! We’ll have free food, live music, and fun as we come together in celebration of working people across Southern Arizona. Hear the latest from our local unions, about worker victories, and about the fights ahead. Learn about union apprenticeship programs, and who our local unions represent across sectors and industries. Come join in the solidarity and fun!

Wednesday, September 7 – Saturday, September 10: Apache County Fair, at the Apache Coiunty Fairgrounds 825 West 4th, North Saint Johns.

Thursday, September 8- Sunday, September 11: Northern Gila County Fair, at the Explore Payson Event Center, 1400 S. Beeline Hwy, Payson.

Thursday, September 8- Sunday, September 11: Yavapai County Fair, at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, 840 Rodeo Drive, Prescott.

Thursday, September 8: The Yuma County Democrats meet the second Thursday of every month, currently on Zoom due to the Pandemic. Meetings are open to the public. For information on how to attend sign up for our newsletter or email info@yumademocrats.com.

Thursday, September 8, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Nucleus Club meeting, at the DoubleTree – Reid Park Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Meet the second Thursday of each month. Non-members will be asked to make a contribution of $20 at the door or in advance. For more information, contact Nucleus Club at Pima County Democratic Headquarters (520) 326-3716.

Thursday, September 8, 5:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Disability Caucus meeting, at Direct Center, 1001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. Monthly meeting of the Disability Caucus. Open to the public. For more information please contact Contact Carol Brown (520) 325-9874.

Saturday, September 10, 9:30 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting.  Usually meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.

Saturday, September 10, 10:00 a.m.: Mule Mountain Democrats meeting, at the Community Y, 26 Howell Avenue, Old Bisbee. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information e-mail Sandy Hummingbird at sandyhummingbird@cs.com, or visit our web page Mule Mountain Democrats.

Saturday, September 10, 10:00 a.m.: Coconino County Democratic Party meeting, at the Murdoch Community Center, 203 E. Brannen Avenue, Flagstaff. Also on Zoom. Meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (928) 214-0393 or email info@ccdem.org, or viit our web page coconinodemocrats.org.

Saturday, September 10, 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.

Saturday, September 10, 3:00 p.m.: Green Valley Democrats fka Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area meeting.  For more information please see our Facebook page or greenvalleydemocrats.org.

Sunday, September 11: Patriot Day.

Sunday, September 11: Start of 2022 NFL regular season.

Sunday, September 11, 5:00 pm.: Yavapai County Democratic Party “Second Sunday” meeting, details TBA.

Monday, September 12, 5:30 p.m.:  Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information please contact Chair Matthew Boyd at mboyd4347@gmail.com.

Monday, September 12, 6:30 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley meeting. Meet the second Monday of each month. For more information see our Facebook page or demsov.org.

Monday, September 12, 7:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Highlands at Dove Mountain meeting, in the Dove Mountain Clubhouse Catalina Room II, 4949 W. Heritage Club Blvd., Marana. For more information see our Facebook page.

Tuesday, September 13, Noon: Democrats 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 email us at info@democratsofrimcountry.com.

Tuesday, September 13, 3:30 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Democrats meeting, at SaddleBrooke Activities Center, 64518 E. Galveston Lane (Saddlebrooke). 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, September 13, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of the Picture Rocks meeting, via zoom. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. Contact us by email at dems4prandav@gmail.com for more information.

Tuesday, September 13, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 23 meeting. Meet the second Tuesday of each month. To access the Zoom link for these virtual meetings, please join our email list. Join us for our monthy happy hour on the last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Email contact form.

Wednesday, September 14 – Saturday, September 17: Navajo County Fair, at the Navajo County Fairgrounds, 404 East Hopi Drive, Holbrook.

Wednesday, September 14, 6:30 p.m.: Marana Dems & Friends meeting. To request the Zoom meeting invitation send an email to: marana.demsandfriends@gmail.com. Meet the second Wednesday of each month. Visit our Facebook Page.

Wednesday, September 14, 7:00 pm.: Legislative District 21 meeting. Meet the second Wednesday of  each month. For more information, please contact Jacqui Bauer, Chair at azld21democrats@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 15 – Saturday, September 17: Greenlee County Fair, at 1248 Fairgrounds Road, Duncan.

Thursday, September 15 – Sunday, September 18: Mohave County Fair, at the Mohave County Fairgrounds, 2600 Fairgrounds Blvd., Kingman.

Thursday, September 15, 10:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks Breakfast on Zoom. Free.  Register in Advance. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Visit our web page.

Thursday, September 15, 6:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party “Third Thursday” Zoom meeting, details TBA.

Friday September 16 – Sunday, September 18: Santa Cruz County Fair, at the Sonoita Fairgrounds, 3142 AZ Hwy. 83, Sonoita.

Friday, September 16, 6:00 p.m.: Gila County Democratic Party general meeting, at the Gila Dems Office, 110 E. Bonita Street, Payson, AZ. Meet the third Friday of each month. For more information please visit our web page, or Facebook Page, email us at info@gilacountyazdems.org, or call our office 928-363-1808.

Saturday, September 17: Constitution Day/Citizenship Day.

Saturday, September 17- Sunday September 18: Oktoberfest on Mount Lemmon, 10300 Ski Run Road, Mt. Lemmon (Tucson). Our annual fabulous and fun Oktoberfest celebration is the last two weekends in September and the first two weekends in October. (Sept. 17-18, Sept. 24-25, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 8-9).

Saturday, September 17, 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, September 17, 1:00 p.m.: San Tan Valley Democrats meeting, meet virtually. Meet the third Saturday of each month. Please email group for details: chair@stvdems.com, or phone: 480-630-9092.

Saturday, September 17, 1:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting. Meetings are every third Saturday of the month. Receive the link through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2963579027298825, or email Tony at comedyschools@hotmail.com.

Tenth Annual Udall Dinner & Spirit of Arizona Awards

Saturday, September 17, 6:00 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party’s Tenth Annual Udall Dinner & Spirit of Arizona Awards, at the Desert Diamond Hotel & Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Hwy., Tucson.  Purchase tickets in advance, sponspriship levels available.

Sunday, September 18 – Saturday, September 24: National Banned Books Week. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracks attempts to ban or restrict access to books across the United States and to inform the public about censorship efforts in our libraries and schools. Attempts to remove library materials continued during the pandemic, despite many libraries and schools closing or moving their activities and services online. In 2021, the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services, affecting 1,597 books.The office also noted a focus on demands to remove books that addressed racism and racial justice or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. A list of banned and challenged titles can be found on the ALA website. Banned Books Week (September 18 – 24, 2022) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Tuesday, September 20: National Voter Registration Day.

Tuesday, September 20, 10:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona meeting, at Rothery Education Center on Fry Boulevard, Northern most building closest to Veterans Park, Sierra Vista. Meet the third Tuesday of each month. For more information email us at dwseaaz@gmail.com​ Visit our web page. Democratic Women of Southeastern Arizona.

Wednesday, September 21, 6:00 p.m.: Graham County Democratic Party meeting. Meet the third Wednesday of each month. Meet via Zoom. For more information. please visit our web page, or visit our Facebook Page.

Wednesday, September 21, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 17 meeting Meet the third Wednesday of each month. For more information please contact Larry Waggoner, Chair at lwaggonernew@comcast.net.

Wednesday, September 21, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at jcksconniejean@aol.com.

Thursday, September 22 – Sunday, September 25: Cochise County Fair, at the Cochise County Fairgrounds, 3677 N. Leslie Canyon Road, Douglas.

Thursday, September 22 – Sunday, September 25: Gila County Fair, at the Gila County Fairgrounds, 900 Fairgrounds Road, Globe.

Thursday, September 22, 6:30 p.m.:  Casa Grande Democrats meeting. Meet via Zoom, so please call this number or send an email to this contact information to receive a registration link: (520) 251-8247 or demsofcasagrande@gmail.com. Meet the fourth Thursday of each month. Please visit our web page.

Friday, September 23 – Saturday, September 24: Sierra Vista Oktoberfest, at Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Blvd. Sierra Vista.

Friday, September 23 – Saturday, September 24: Oktoberfest at The Fountain, at Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills.

Friday, September 23, 5:00 p.m.: Save Our Schools has until the end of the day on Sept. 23 to gather at least 118,823 valid signature on referendum petitions to keep Gov. Doug Ducey’s expanded school vouchers law from taking effect until the next general election in 2024, when the referendum will appear on the ballot and the voters will decide.

Saturday, September 24, 10:00 a.m.:  Northern Cochise County Democratic Club meeting at the Raphael-in-the-Valley Episcopal-Lutheran Church, 730 S. Hwy 80, Benson AZ.Meet the Fourth Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Kathy Suagee at soprano_58@hotmail.com. Visit our web page Northern Cochise County Democrats.

Sunday, September 25: Rosh Hashana begins.

Monday, September 26, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 20 meeting. Meet the fourth Monday of each month. For more information please contact Anakarina Rodriguez, Chair at akrod520@gmail.com.

Tuesday, September 27, 4:30 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Saddlebrook Ranch meeting, at 59680 E. Robson Circle, Oracle. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Pease contact Matt Nelson at SBRDems@gmail.com, or (651) 414-1334.

Tuesday, September 27, 5:30 p.m.: Legislative District 19 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Matthew Boyd, Chair at mboyd4347@gmail.com.

Tuesday, September 27, 6:30 p.m.: Legislative District 18 meeting. Meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information please contact Susan Bickel, Chair at susanbickel7@gmail.com.

Wednesday, September 28, 11:30 a.m.: Democratic Women of the Prescott Area meeting, New Time and Place! The Resort at Prescott. Details TBA. Funds raised through this event support Democratic Women of the Prescott Area. Cost of Luncheon $25.  Cancellations for reservations must be received 24 hours in advance! Attendees will be billed if they cancel on the day of the event. Meet the fourth Wednesday of each month. Visit our web page.

Saturday, October 1 – Sunday, October 30: Arizona State Fair, at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix.

Saturday, October 1, 11:00 a.m.: Flagstaff Oktoberfest, at Wheeler Park. Flagstaff Oktoberfest is on the corner of Humphreys and Aspen Avenue.

Tucson Pride In The Desert

Saturday, October 1, Noon: Tucson Pride In The Desert, at Reid Park – Demeester Outdoor Performance Center, 900 S. Randolph Way, Tucson.

Saturday, October 1, 3:00 p.m.: San Tan Brewing Oktoberfest, at AJ Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler.

Saturday October 1, 3:30 p.m.: Rex Allen Days. The Town of Willcox celebrates the music and life of hometown hero, the actor/singing cowboy Rex Allen, with a rodeo, parade, dances, and cowboy poetry readings.

Tuesday, October 4: Yom Kippur begins.

Thursday, October 6 – Sunday, October 9 : Graham County Fair, at the Graham Conty Fairgrounds, 527 E. Armory Road, Safford.

Tucson Meet Yourself

Friday, October 7 –  Sunday, October 9: Tucson Meet Yourself, an annual celebration of the living traditional arts of Southern Arizona’s and Northern Mexico’s diverse ethnic and folk communities. The free, three-day event features hundreds of artisans, home cooks, dancers, musicians and special exhibits that celebrate and honor beauty in all its diverse, informal, and everyday forms. Tucson Meet Yourself happens annually in Downtown Tucson during the second weekend in October.

Sunday, October 9, 1:30 p.m.: Benson Butterfield Rodeo (kids rodeo on Saturday and Sunday), at 248 N. Prickly Pear Ave, Benson.

Friday, October 7 – Sunday, October 9: Four Peaks Brewing Oktoberfest at Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe.

Monday, October 10: Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples’ Day observed.

Tuesday, October 11: Last day to register to vote for general election.

Wednesday, October 12: Early voting in general election begins, mail-in ballots mailed. In Person early  voting Wednesday, October 12 to Friday, November 4.

Phoenix Pride Festival

Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16: 41st Annual Phoenix Pride Festival, at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.

Saturday, October 15, 3:00 p.m.: Red Rocks Oktoberfest, at the Upper Ball Field at Posse Grounds Park, 550 Posse Grounds Road, Sedona.

Friday, October 21 – Sunday, October 23: Helldorado Days in Tombstone.

Friday, October 28: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot for primary election.

Sunday, October 30, 9:00 a.m.: Cyclovia Tucson on a brand new route! Four miles of car-free city streets will be open to people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, roll, skate, and enjoy neighborhoods, participate in free activities, support local businesses, and connect with one another.

Monday, October 31: Halloween.

Tuesday, November 1: Recommended last day to mail your mail-in ballot.

Friday, November 4 – Sunday, November 6: 33rd Annual All Souls Procession weekend in Tucson. The All Souls Weekend hosts a myriad of events preceding the main event at 4:00 p.m on Sunday November 6, 2022.

Tuesday, November 8: Election Day.

Friday, November 11: Veterans Days.