Democratic Party of Contra Costa County http://contracostadems.org Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:39:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Assemblymember Susan Bonilla’s 2012 Re-Election Kickoff Celebration http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/assemblymember-susan-bonillas-2012-re-election-kickoff-celebration/ http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/assemblymember-susan-bonillas-2012-re-election-kickoff-celebration/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:31:26 +0000 Craig Cheslog http://contracostadems.org/?p=1179 Please join honorary hosts Rep. George Miller, Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. John Garamendi, and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier in celebrating Assemblymember Susan Bonilla's 2012 Re-Election Kickoff Celebration on Friday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. at the Contra Costa Country Club (801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill).

Tickets are $50 with sponsorships available.

To RSVP, please email luis@susanbonilla.com or call 925-360-8053. Click here for . . . → Read More: Assemblymember Susan Bonilla’s 2012 Re-Election Kickoff Celebration]]> Please join honorary hosts Rep. George Miller, Rep. Mike Thompson, Rep. John Garamendi, and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier in celebrating Assemblymember Susan Bonilla's 2012 Re-Election Kickoff Celebration on Friday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. at the Contra Costa Country Club (801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill).

Tickets are $50 with sponsorships available.

To RSVP, please email luis@susanbonilla.com or call 925-360-8053. Click here for more information.

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/assemblymember-susan-bonillas-2012-re-election-kickoff-celebration/feed/ 0 January 19 DPCCC Central Committee Meeting Agenda http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/january-19-dpccc-central-committee-meeting-agenda/ http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/january-19-dpccc-central-committee-meeting-agenda/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:38:46 +0000 DPCCC http://contracostadems.org/?p=1175 The agenda for the January 19, 2012, meeting of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Central Committee follows below. The DPCCC Central Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 302 Meeting Hall, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA.

Please contact DPCCC Chair Chuck Carpenter if you have any questions.

AGENDA January 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Central Committee

Flag Salute   Roll Call   Additions to Agenda   Introductions and visitor sign in   Minutes of November Meeting   Guest Speakers

a. Blueprint For Great Schools–Craig Cheslog, Principal Advisor to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson

b. Sean Dugar, EBYD African American Caucus   EBoard minutes—January eboard meeting   New alternates, go over roster vacancies   Treasurers Report–Budget presentation   Reports: Fundraising, Issues, UDC, Voter Reg., State Convention Feb.10-12, cadem.org, OFA, Occupy Wall Street, Young Dems   New Business : . . . → Read More: January 19 DPCCC Central Committee Meeting Agenda]]> The agenda for the January 19, 2012, meeting of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Central Committee follows below. The DPCCC Central Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 302 Meeting Hall, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA.

Please contact DPCCC Chair Chuck Carpenter if you have any questions.

AGENDA
January 19, 2012
7:30 p.m.
Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Central Committee

  1. Flag Salute
     
  2. Roll Call
     
  3. Additions to Agenda
     
  4. Introductions and visitor sign in
     
  5. Minutes of November Meeting
     
  6. Guest Speakers

    a. Blueprint For Great Schools–Craig Cheslog, Principal Advisor to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson

    b. Sean Dugar, EBYD African American Caucus
     

  7. EBoard minutes—January eboard meeting
     
  8. New alternates, go over roster vacancies
     
  9. Treasurers Report–Budget presentation
     
  10. Reports: Fundraising, Issues, UDC, Voter Reg., State Convention Feb.10-12, cadem.org, OFA, Occupy Wall Street, Young Dems
     
  11. New Business : Convention, proxy, AB 1148, Garamendi Crab Feed, Thompson Pasta Feed
     
  12. Old Business
     
  13. Good of the DPCCC

Adjourn until Feb. 16, 2012

EBoard Feb 12, 1:00 pm 1333 Pine St. Mtz.

 

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/january-19-dpccc-central-committee-meeting-agenda/feed/ 0 San Ramon Valley Democratic Club to Discuss “The Death Penalty Costs All of Us” with Former San Quentin Warden and CDCR Director Jeanne Woodford http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/san-ramon-valley-democratic-club-to-discuss-the-death-penalty-costs-all-of-us-with-former-san-quentin-warden-and-cdcr-director-jeanne-woodford/ http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/san-ramon-valley-democratic-club-to-discuss-the-death-penalty-costs-all-of-us-with-former-san-quentin-warden-and-cdcr-director-jeanne-woodford/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:25:35 +0000 events http://contracostadems.org/?p=1170 The San Ramon Valley Democratic Club will feature a discussion about "The Death Penalty Costs All of Us" with Former Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Jeanne Woodford at its Thursday, January 26, meeting.

The meeting will take place at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, in Danville. Social time at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m., with the program at 7:15 p.m. Members and invited guests can enjoy the dinner and program for $25, non-members $30, presentation only is $5 (requested donation).

Please RSVP to Jim Donnelly. Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526. For more information, visit the club's . . . → Read More: San Ramon Valley Democratic Club to Discuss “The Death Penalty Costs All of Us” with Former San Quentin Warden and CDCR Director Jeanne Woodford]]> The San Ramon Valley Democratic Club will feature a discussion about "The Death Penalty Costs All of Us" with Former Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Jeanne Woodford at its Thursday, January 26, meeting.

The meeting will take place at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, in Danville. Social time at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m., with the program at 7:15 p.m. Members and invited guests can enjoy the dinner and program for $25, non-members $30, presentation only is $5 (requested donation).

Please RSVP to Jim Donnelly. Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526. For more information, visit the club's web site.

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/san-ramon-valley-democratic-club-to-discuss-the-death-penalty-costs-all-of-us-with-former-san-quentin-warden-and-cdcr-director-jeanne-woodford/feed/ 0 Diablo Valley Democratic Club to Discuss The State of Our Cities (Walnut Creek, Martinez, Pleasant Hill) http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/diablo-valley-democratic-club-to-discuss-the-state-of-our-cities-walnut-creek-martinez-pleasant-hill/ http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/diablo-valley-democratic-club-to-discuss-the-state-of-our-cities-walnut-creek-martinez-pleasant-hill/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:19:38 +0000 events http://contracostadems.org/?p=1166 The Diablo Valley Democratic Club's Wednesday, January 25, meeting will feature a discussion about the State of Our Cities (Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill).

The meeting's panel discussion about the challenges facing these cities will feature Walnut Creek City Council Member Kristina Lawson, Martinez Vice Mayor Mark Ross and City Council Member Mike Menesini, and Pleasant Hill Mayor John Hanecak.

The DVDC meets from 7-9 p.m. at the Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. Please park on Deerpark Drive, the first right after the library, unless you have difficulty walking. For more information, call 925-946-0469 or visit the club's . . . → Read More: Diablo Valley Democratic Club to Discuss The State of Our Cities (Walnut Creek, Martinez, Pleasant Hill)]]> The Diablo Valley Democratic Club's Wednesday, January 25, meeting will feature a discussion about the State of Our Cities (Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill).

The meeting's panel discussion about the challenges facing these cities will feature Walnut Creek City Council Member Kristina Lawson, Martinez Vice Mayor Mark Ross and City Council Member Mike Menesini, and Pleasant Hill Mayor John Hanecak.

The DVDC meets from 7-9 p.m. at the Ygnacio Valley Library, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek. Please park on Deerpark Drive, the first right after the library, unless you have difficulty walking. For more information, call 925-946-0469 or visit the club's web site.

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/diablo-valley-democratic-club-to-discuss-the-state-of-our-cities-walnut-creek-martinez-pleasant-hill/feed/ 0 State Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s 6th Annual Crab Feed http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/state-senator-mark-desaulniers-6th-annual-crab-feed/ http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/state-senator-mark-desaulniers-6th-annual-crab-feed/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:30:36 +0000 events http://contracostadems.org/?p=1173 Please join Senator Mark DeSaulnier and his supporters for his 6th Annual Crab Feed on Friday, January 27, 2012! The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Centre Concord, located at 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information, please . . . → Read More: State Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s 6th Annual Crab Feed]]> Please join Senator Mark DeSaulnier and his supporters for his 6th Annual Crab Feed on Friday, January 27, 2012! The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Centre Concord, located at 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information, please click here.

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/state-senator-mark-desaulniers-6th-annual-crab-feed/feed/ 0 Overview of Education at Lamorinda Dems Meeting http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/overview-of-education-at-lamorinda-dems-meeting/ http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/overview-of-education-at-lamorinda-dems-meeting/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:50:44 +0000 Edi Birsan http://contracostadems.org/?p=1162  

The Thursday night meeting of the Lamorinda Democrats featured their President – Craig Cheslog speaking about California Education as well as his position within the Superintendent Torlakason's offices at Sacramento. There was a host of bullet points and issues covered from the basic office structure (the lobby receptionist also reports to him) these were some of the salient features that echoed in my concerns for our children's future.

  1. The number of new teachers learning to be teachers has dropped almost in half from 80,000 to 42,000.  This was also confirmed my Mike McGill a trustee in a local college group that has a teacher training focus. 2. The retention of teachers is down, the prospect of new teachers to . . . → Read More: Overview of Education at Lamorinda Dems Meeting]]>  

The Thursday night meeting of the Lamorinda Democrats featured their President – Craig Cheslog speaking about California Education as well as his position within the Superintendent Torlakason's offices at Sacramento. There was a host of bullet points and issues covered from the basic office structure (the lobby receptionist also reports to him) these were some of the salient features that echoed in my concerns for our children's future.

 
1. The number of new teachers learning to be teachers has dropped almost in half from 80,000 to 42,000.  This was also confirmed my Mike McGill a trustee in a local college group that has a teacher training focus.
2. The retention of teachers is down, the prospect of new teachers to replace those that are leaving is poor.
3. The society has turned up the heat on blaming the teachers and the number of pink slips and unreliable work has caused a massive loss of interest in being a teacher.  (to me this represents an interesting paradox, people look at tenure as a guaranteed job, yet clearly, it has not attracted enough people who want to bet their career on obtaining it.)
4. We are cutting back on the school days taught because of money while other countries have in school days substantially longer- India 7 weeks longer, Zimbawe has 4 weeks longer than us.  There is talk about cutting another two weeks off of the school year because of money.
5. There is a strong correlation to money spent per student and achievement, we are in the bottom of the money spent and the scores for reading and math.  NJ/Massachusetts are in the top five or six in funding and the 1st to 3rd in achievement.
6. There is also a direct correlation between poverty and successful rated schools.  In those schools within California where there is less than 5% of the students receiving Free Breakfast and Lunch (a measure of poverty) those schools rate amongst the top in the world.  Those of our schools with 90% or more on the Free Lunch food qualifications they are the worst achievers.
7. The future of budget cuts does not give a lot of hope for a turn around of the situation.  Possibly a revenue measure in the form of taxes or tied income from say oil licenses may give some hope.  The question remains whether the people will come to the aid of the schools.
8. Only 30% of Californian voters have kids in schools, making it harder to get support as above.
 

 
All of this does not bode well, and for those who think that elimination of the public school system is some sort of solution best take a look at what they are expecting people to do when there are not even half the number of qualified teachers even thinking about going into the field.  Then again maybe those same people will have a champion call to "outsource/globalize" education- just ship the kids to China to catchup with their future job market.  
]]> http://contracostadems.org/2012/01/overview-of-education-at-lamorinda-dems-meeting/feed/ 0 Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Holiday Party on December 15 http://contracostadems.org/2011/12/democratic-party-of-contra-costa-county-holiday-party-on-december-15/ http://contracostadems.org/2011/12/democratic-party-of-contra-costa-county-holiday-party-on-december-15/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:57:36 +0000 DPCCC http://contracostadems.org/?p=1137 Join your fellow Contra Costa County Democrats for a holiday party on Thursday, December 15, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the IBEW Local 302 Meeting Hall, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez.

Please bring a donation for the food bank and join us for this potluck dinner. Meet and greet begins at 6:30 with the food to follow when it is set up.

Local elected officials and party volunteers hope to see . . . → Read More: Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Holiday Party on December 15]]> Join your fellow Contra Costa County Democrats for a holiday party on Thursday, December 15, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the IBEW Local 302 Meeting Hall, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez.

Please bring a donation for the food bank and join us for this potluck dinner. Meet and greet begins at 6:30 with the food to follow when it is set up.

Local elected officials and party volunteers hope to see you there!

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2011/12/democratic-party-of-contra-costa-county-holiday-party-on-december-15/feed/ 0 November 17 DPCCC Central Committee Meeting Agenda http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/agenda-for-the-november-17-dpccc-central-committee-meeting/ http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/agenda-for-the-november-17-dpccc-central-committee-meeting/#comments Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:44:32 +0000 DPCCC http://contracostadems.org/?p=1104 The agenda for the November 17 meeting of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Central Committee follows below. The DPCCC Central Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 302 Meeting Hall, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA.

Please contact DPCCC Chair Chuck Carpenter if you have any questions.

AGENDA November 17, 2011 Democratic Central Committee

1. Flag Salute 2. Roll Call 3. Additions to Agenda 4. Introductions and visitor sign in 5. Sean Bagley discussion on Fundraising 6. EBoard minutes from Nov. 13 7. Meeting minutes from Oct. 20 8. Treasurers Report 9. Voter registration forms available from Rao Kaza 10. New Business: CDC membership, DPCCC transport 11. Action Reports: 12. Old Business: Membership drive, Delegates to February convention 13. 2012 primary election Endorsement timetable 14. Committee reports, Meeting times and dates: issues, by laws, . . . → Read More: November 17 DPCCC Central Committee Meeting Agenda]]> The agenda for the November 17 meeting of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Central Committee follows below. The DPCCC Central Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 302 Meeting Hall, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA.

Please contact DPCCC Chair Chuck Carpenter if you have any questions.

AGENDA
November 17, 2011
Democratic Central Committee

1. Flag Salute
2. Roll Call
3. Additions to Agenda
4. Introductions and visitor sign in
5. Sean Bagley discussion on Fundraising
6. EBoard minutes from Nov. 13
7. Meeting minutes from Oct. 20
8. Treasurers Report
9. Voter registration forms available from Rao Kaza
10. New Business: CDC membership, DPCCC transport
11. Action Reports:
12. Old Business: Membership drive, Delegates to February convention
13. 2012 primary election Endorsement timetable
14. Committee reports, Meeting times and dates: issues, by laws, Fund Raising, convention
15. Elected Reports or Alternates reporting
16. Club reports
17. Good of the DPCCC
18. Adjourn until Dec. 15, 2011, Holiday Party

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/agenda-for-the-november-17-dpccc-central-committee-meeting/feed/ 0 Contra Costa County Women’s Summit with Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla, and Nancy Skinner on Monday, Nov. 14 http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/contra-costa-county-womens-summit-with-assemblymembers-joan-buchanan-susan-bonilla-and-nancy-skinner-on-monday-nov-14/ http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/contra-costa-county-womens-summit-with-assemblymembers-joan-buchanan-susan-bonilla-and-nancy-skinner-on-monday-nov-14/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:54:49 +0000 events http://contracostadems.org/?p=1079 Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla, and Nancy Skinner are hosting a Contra Costa County Women's Summit on Monday, November 14, from 1-6 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek.

Join our elected officials for a conversation about the state budget's impact on the health, safety, and educational services for women and children.

For more information, view the event flyer, or to RSVP for the event, please visit your Assemblymember's web site:

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan Assemblymember Susan Bonilla Assemblymember . . . → Read More: Contra Costa County Women’s Summit with Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla, and Nancy Skinner on Monday, Nov. 14]]> Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Susan Bonilla, and Nancy Skinner are hosting a Contra Costa County Women's Summit on Monday, November 14, from 1-6 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek.

Join our elected officials for a conversation about the state budget's impact on the health, safety, and educational services for women and children.

For more information, view the event flyer, or to RSVP for the event, please visit your Assemblymember's web site:

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/contra-costa-county-womens-summit-with-assemblymembers-joan-buchanan-susan-bonilla-and-nancy-skinner-on-monday-nov-14/feed/ 0 Advancing the Progressive Democratic Agenda with Rep. George Miller on Saturday, Nov. 12 http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/advancing-the-progressive-democratic-agenda-with-rep-george-miller-on-saturday-nov-12/ http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/advancing-the-progressive-democratic-agenda-with-rep-george-miller-on-saturday-nov-12/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:43:07 +0000 events http://contracostadems.org/?p=1077 The Contra Costa Labor Club, Democrats of Rossmoor, Diablo Valley Democratic Club, Lamorinda Democratic Club, and San Ramon Valley Democratic Club are joining together for to kickoff the 2012 campaign on Saturday, November 12 with a fundraiser for the 2012 Democratic Campaign Office.

Rep. George Miller will be the principal speaker at the November 12 event, which will be hosted by the Democrats of Rossmoor from 3-5 p.m. at the Diablo Room, Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.

State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblymember Joan Buchanan will also attend.

General admission is $10 and sponsor admission is $25. You can download an event flyer by . . . → Read More: Advancing the Progressive Democratic Agenda with Rep. George Miller on Saturday, Nov. 12]]> The Contra Costa Labor Club, Democrats of Rossmoor, Diablo Valley Democratic Club, Lamorinda Democratic Club, and San Ramon Valley Democratic Club are joining together for to kickoff the 2012 campaign on Saturday, November 12 with a fundraiser for the 2012 Democratic Campaign Office.

Rep. George Miller will be the principal speaker at the November 12 event, which will be hosted by the Democrats of Rossmoor from 3-5 p.m. at the Diablo Room, Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.

State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblymember Joan Buchanan will also attend.

General admission is $10 and sponsor admission is $25. You can download an event flyer by clicking here.

]]> http://contracostadems.org/2011/11/advancing-the-progressive-democratic-agenda-with-rep-george-miller-on-saturday-nov-12/feed/ 0