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Political Calendar for the Week of December 11, 2016:
Sunday, December 11, 5:00 p.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Area Annual Meeting and Potluck, Election of 2017 Board, at the East Center. 7 S. Abrego Drive, Green Valley. Potluck: Desserts – A thru Da, Sides – De thru K, Main Dishes – L thru Z (Dishes should serve 10). For more information, please contact Jean Vickers jean.vickers@cox.net.
Monday, December 12, 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 Betty Stauffer, Director of Literacy Connects.Next Week: Chris Magnus, Tucson Police Chief.
Monday, December 12, 5:00 p.m.: Democrats of Oro Valley Holiday Party, at El Charro Cafe, 725 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley. Happy Hour drinks until 6 p.m. Cost: $20 to be collected at the door. Plated meal choice of: Grilled Chicken Tacos on Flour Tortillas, El Charro brisket enchiladas, Handmade fresh corn tamales. All plates served with chips, salsa, Sonoran rice, beans, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Vegetarian options available – please specify in your RSVP. Fun raffle! Delicious cake for dessert! Please RSVP by December 9 to elathram@demsov.org.
Tuesday, December 13, 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, December 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, December 13, 4:00 p.m.: Democrats for Picture Rocks meeting, at Horseshoe BBQ Restaurant, 6575 N. Sandario Road, Tucson. For more information please contact Catalina Hall at dems4prandav@gmail.com.
Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at jcksconniejean@aol.com.
Thursday, December 15, 8:00 a.m.: Democrats of the Red Rocks breakfast, at Old Sedona Family Restaurant Bar & Grill, 1405 W. Hwy. 89A, Sedona. Featured speaker is Alessandra Soler, executive director of the ACLU of Arizona will talk to us about issues from the last Arizona legislative session and give us an update on litigation against SB 1070, former Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Maricopa County Jail, police that seize property, and other pending legal issues which affect our civil liberties. Learn about ACLU successes and challenges in Arizona and how you can protect your rights. Meet the third Thursday of each month. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Admission is $12 and includes a lavish buffet and gratuity. All are welcome. Pay at the door. Please RSVP to (928) 274-6541.
Friday, December 16, 6:00 p.m.: LD 10 Holiday Party (potluck), at Pima County Democratic Party HQ, 4639 E. 1st Street, Tucson. Meet other Dems, brainstorm, share food and drink and exchange ideas for the next election! Don’t mourn, organize! For more information please contact Cecilia Aros Hunter at hunter.cecilia@yahoo.com.
Saturday, December 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 cydelarge@att.net or (520) 241-8408.
Saturday, December 17, 11:00 a.m.: Somerton Tamale Festival, Along Main Street in Somerton, about 11 miles southwest of Yuma. The Somerton Tamale Festival is the Woodstock of tamale events, with more than 30,000 people descending on the little border town southwest of Yuma. A few arts and crafts vendors are on hand and there will be live music throughout the day. Visitors can sample dozens of varieties ranging from traditional beef and chicken to pork, turkey, corn and spinach tamales. There are even sweet tamales filled with pineapple, peach and strawberry. This is the 10th year for the festival, with all proceeds helping to provide Arizona State University scholarships to local students.
Maricopa County Democratic Party Reorganization
Saturday, December 17, 1:00 p.m.: Maricopa County Democratic Party Reorganization meeting, at Church of the Beatitudes UCC, 555 W. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix. Registration begins at 1:00pm. Meeting begins at 1:30pm. PCs elected on August 30, 2016 are eligible to run and vote for the MCDP Executive Board members who will serve through December 2018. PCs please RSVP at: http://tinyurl.com/reorg2016.
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
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, December 19, 4:30 p.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Education Caucus meeting, at the TEA office, 4625 E. 2nd Street. For more information please contact Luci Messing at lucibmessing@cox.net.
Tuesday, December 20, 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, December 21, 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, December 21, 6:30 p.m.: [No meeting in lieu of holiday party] Legislative District 10 meeting at Pima County Democratic Party HQ, 4639 E. 1st Street (one block South of Speedway and West of Swan). Meet the third Wednesday of each month.
Wednesday, December 21, 6:30 p.m.: Democracy for America – Maricopa County (DFA-MC) monthly meeting is the third Wednesday of every month, and the new location is Macayo’s on Central Avenue, South of Indian School. For more information contact sthornton51@gmail.com.
Pinal County Democratic Party Reorganization
Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 p.m.: Pinal County Democratic Party Reorganization Meeting, at the Florence Library, 778 N. Main Street, Florence. To run for an office or state committeeperson, you must be an elected Precinct Committeeperson. To vote you must be an elected Precinct Committeeperson. In addition, you must attend this December 21st meeting to be elected as an officer or as a state committeeperson. If you desire to enter your name in nomination to be an officer or state committeeperson, please send your name to David Coward at pinaldemocrat@gmail.com. For more information please call 480-678-1756.
Thursday, December 22, 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, December 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 Dick Reddy at (520) 579-9460 Richard.Reddy@fredonia.edu.
Saturday, December 24: Hanukkah begins at sundown (for eight days).
Saturday, December 24, 10:00 a.m.: [Rescheduled] 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, December 24, 2:00 p.m.: [Rescheduled] 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, December 25: Christmas Day.
Sunday, December 25, 3:00 p.m.: [Rescheduled] 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.
Monday, December 26, 6:00 p.m.: Legislative District 3 meeting, at the Joel Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Avenue (parking under the library). Meet the fourth Monday of each month.
Tuesday, December 27, 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, December 27, 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.
2017
Sunday, January 1: New Year’s Day.
Wednesday, January 4, 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, January 4, 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.
Saturday, January 7, 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, January 7, 10:00 a.m.: [Meeting preempted by PCDP Reorganization] 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.
Pima County Democratic Party Reorganization
Saturday, January 7, 10:00 a.m.: Pima County Democratic Party Reorganization meeting, location TBA. PCs elected on August 30, 2016 are eligible to run and vote for the PCDP Executive Board members who will serve through December 2018. Further details TBA.
Monday, January 9: Opening Day of the 53rd Arizona Legislature (First Regular Session). “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” – Mark Twain.
Monday, January 9, 6:00 p.m.: College Football Playoff National Championship game, from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Winner of the Fiesta Bowl game (Alabama v. Washington) v. winner of the Peach Bowl game (Clemson v. Ohio State) on December 31, 2016.
Monday, January 9, 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, January 10, 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, January 10, 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, January 10, 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.
Wednesday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.: Copa City Democrats meeting, location varies. For more information please contact Constance Jackson at jcksconniejean@aol.com.
Thursday, January 12, 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, January 12, 5:30 p.m.: Yavapai County Democratic Party meeting, at the Prescott Adult Center, 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, January 12, 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, January 14, 9:30 a.m.: Tanque Verde Valley Democrats meeting, at Risky Business, 8848 E. Tanque Verde Road. Usually meet the second Saturday of each month. For more information visit our web site. Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club.
Saturday, January 14, 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 14, 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, January 14, 3:00p.m.: Democratic Club of the Santa Rita Rita Area meeting, at the DCSRA Headquarters (upstairs meeting room), Continental Shopping Plaza, 240 W. Continental Road (exit 63), Green Valley. Program will be a panel discussion featuring three local journalists. Sarah Garret Gassen, Star editor, has accepted invitation; two other invitations have been issued. Subject will be journalist coverage during the election and what changes should be made as part of a lessons learned evaluation. For more information, please contact Jean Vickers jean.vickers@cox.net.
Sunday, January 15, 2:00 p.m.: (Special Time) Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Wheeler, Taft, Abbett Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive, Tucson. Guest speakers are Sierra Yamanaka, Regional Field Director for AZ Democratic Party – Topic: the Democratic vote in Tucson & voter registration & GOTV; and
Holly Lyon – State Party update. Meet the fourth Saturday of each month. For more information please contact Maureen Salz at legdist11dems@gmail.com. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.
Monday, January 16: Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday (observed).
Tuesday, January 17, 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, January 18, 6:00 p.m.: Pinal County Democratic Party meeting, at Pinal County Democratic Party HQ, 121 W. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande. For more information lease contact pinaldemocrat@gmail.com or call (480) 678-1756.
Wednesday, January 18, 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, January 18, 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, January 18, 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.
Thursday, January 19, 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.
Friday, January 20: Inauguration Day.
Women’s March on Washington
Saturday, January 21, 10:00 a.m.: Women’s March on Washington, see Facebook Page. “In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us. We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all.” Solidarity March in Tucson at Armory Park. Facebook Page. Followed by a Solidarity Rally in Tucson at Noon, at 101 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson. Facebook Page.
Saturday, January 21, 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.
Sunday, January 22: NFC Championsip game 1:00 p.m. AFC Championship game 4:40 p.m.
Monday, January 23, 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, January 24, 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.
Wednesday, January 25, 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). 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, January 26, 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.
Thursday, January 26, 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.
Friday, January 27 – Sunday, January 29: 79th Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo & Fair at the Eugene P. Tashquinth Sr. Livestock Complex located three (3) miles west of Sells, Arizona along State Route 86. Join us as we celebrate our biggest and most attractive event of the year. Bring the entire family and join us in sharing our culture by participating in our social round dancing, a variety of music entertainment will hit the main stage daily including the ever so popular Waila Bands, traditional food sampling along the food court vendors alley, arts & crafts, and exhibit booths for the leisure visitor. And of course the All Indian Rodeo Competition.
Saturday, January 28: Chinese New Year – year of the rooster.
Saturday, January 28, 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.
Arizona Democratic Party Reorganization
Saturday, January 28, 9:00 a.m.: The meeting will be in Maricopa County (location TBA). The newly elected state committee persons will elect a state Chair, First Vice Chair, Senior Vice Chair, Vice Chairmen (3), Vice Chair women (3), Treasurer, Secretary, Education Coordinator, and Affirmative Action Moderator. The bylaws spell out specific requirements for some of these positions regarding gender and county of residence as described in the bylaws. Registration and caucus meetings 9:00 – Noon. Lunch at Noon. Plenary session at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 29, 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, January 30, 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… New Location: The Flycatcher, 340 E 6th Street (at 4th Avenue), Tucson. Usually the last Sunday every month.
Tuesday, January 31, 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.
Sunday, February 5, 4:30 p.m.: Super Bowl LI, from NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. AFC Champion v. NFC Champion.