Orlean Kohle to address Lamorinda Republican Women’s luncheon, Feb 21
February 11, 2008
The Lamorinda Republican Women will hold a luncheon on February 21, at the Metro Restaurant, 3524 Mount Diablo Blvd., in Lafayette. Guest speaker will be Orlean Koehle, who has served as the State President of Eagle Forum of California since 2002.
Social hour begins at 11:30 with Lunch and program beginning at noon Tickets are $22. Call (925) 254-8617 for reservations; RSVP by 2/18.
Diablo Dems to discuss voting security, Feb 20
February 8, 2008
“Will your vote count?” is a critical question in this election year. Jim Soper, chair of the Voting Rights Task Force of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, will discuss voting security at the meeting of the Diablo Valley Democratic Club. Soper will talk about Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s efforts to ensure each vote is accurately counted; her decision to decertify touchscreen voting machines; and the importance of security procedures in all voting systems. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Social half-hour at 7 p.m.; meeting and program at 7:30. Bring a nonperishable food for the Monument Crisis Center. Information: 925-335-2647.
Contra Costa County Farm Bureau Dinner, Mar 28
February 5, 2008
The Contra Costa Farm Bureau will hold its annual Membership Meeting on Friday, March 28, at the Driftwood Yacht Club, at 6346 Bridgehead Road in Antioch. No Host Cocktails (6:30 p.m.) followed by Dinner (7:30 p.m.) The guest Speaker is Assemblyman Guy Houston. The raffle will benefit “Agriculture in the Classroom.” Tickets are $30 for steak or salmon. RSVP by 3/21. Send checks to 5554 Clayton Road, Concord, 94521. For questions, call 925-672-5115
Assemblyman Houston promotes tax relief for disabled veterans
January 30, 2008
California State Assemblyman Guy Houston, (D-15), announced before a packed house, this past that he would soon be introducing legislation that would provide a full property tax exemption for all disabled U.S. veteran home owners in California. The current exemption of $100,000 of home value was passed in 1930, so the spirit of the law was to really take care of disabled vets, but $100,000 in California now is a pittance. Disabled veteran and Brentwood resident Bill Klug, (2nd Lt. US Army) researched the old statute and presented his findings to Houston.
Guy Houston stated, Saturday night, at the Marine Corps League crab feed, held at the Brentwood Veterans Hall, that “our disabled veterans have already paid their taxes, in service to their nation, on battlefields around the world, and that it (introducing and working to see this legislation passed) was just the right thing to do.”
The announcement was met with a thunderous applause by veterans present from all branches, from WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the War Against Terrorism, as well as civilian supporters. Mr. Klug is active in the VFW, and is a veteran of Gulf War 1, and Operation Desert Storm.
Contra Costa Childcare Council to hold Summit, Jan 29
January 24, 2008
Contra Costa Childcare Council will hold its 2008 Children Summit, Tuesday, Jan 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Pleasant Hill Community Center on 320 Civic Drive.
The Keynote Speaker is David Kirp, Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy, UC-Berkeley and author of the recently-published book, The Sandbox Investment: The Preschool Movement and Kids-First Politics. Dr. Kirp will speak in conversation with local reporter Belva Davis about the larger economic forces at work in creating children’s policies.
Guest Speakers scheduled include: The Honorable Osby Davis, Mayor of Vallejo (Moderator); Ross Thompson, Professor of Psychology, UC-Davis. Neal Halfon, Director of the Center for Healthier Children, at UCLA; and Jean Ross, Executive Director, California Budget Project.
Assemblyman Guy Houston to address CoCo Taxpayer breakfast meeting, Jan 25
January 16, 2008
Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-San Ramon; D-15), will address the January 25 breakfast meeting of the Contra Costa County Taxpayers Asociation, to be held at the Black Bear Diner in Walnut Creek from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Assemblyman Houston will talk about the Governor’s recent State of the State message and budget proposals as California faces a $14-billion current year budget deficit, as well as the State’s structural deficit where spending increase built into legislation far outstrip the State’s ability to pay.
Executive Director, Kris Hunt, will also discuss the Governor’s Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Commission Report just released. Meanwhile Contra Costa County has a $3 billion retiree health care liability that has yet to be adequately addressed. It is hoped that the Commission will offer some solid recommendations for dealing with both pensions and health care at the State and County levels.
The meeting is sponsored in part by Board Member Bill Baker (financial advisor, tax fighter, and former Congressman) and the firm of Baker, Welch and Mitsutome.
$15.00 Includes full breakfast and speaker. RSVP: Please make reservations by Thursday, January 24 by phone, e-mail or at www.cocotax.org. If you have questions, please call Kris Hunt at 925-228-5610 or e-mail her. Prepayment is greatly appreciated. Checks should be mailed to: P.O. Box 27, Martinez, CA 94553
Wellness Community “Strides for Hope” Big Sur Marathon (Apr 27) to hold information meetings Jan 15 and 29
January 9, 2008
Get ready now for The Big Sur International Marathon that will be held April 27. Get fit, have fun, and fun raise for the Wellness Community that offers free programs, education, and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones.
Whether you walk or run, or go the distance at 5K or a full marathon, you can learn how you can get involved to get in shape to participate and help raise funds by downloading this flyer.
The Wellness Community will hold local informational meetings on January 15 and 29 at 6:00 p.m. For more information or to sign up, contact Amy Alanes, 925.933.0107 or e-mail aalanes@twc-bayarea.org.
Advancing religious freedom for non-profits
December 28, 2007
I know critical social issues are of no matter to Republicans who want to “Just Win Baby.” Which is how we got to Governor Schwarzenegger, by the way. Anyways here is an important update about how the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) can be used to protect faith-based social service agencies working with federal, state, and local governments, allowing them the right to hire employees that share their mission and values, just like secular social services and political activists can.
Lisa Vorderbrueggen to address Coco Taxpayers luncheon, Nov 30
November 19, 2007
Lisa Vorderbruggen will be the guest speaker for the upcoming luncheon of the Contra Costa County Taxpayers Association, to be held November 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Black Bear Diner, located on Treat near Bancroft. Vorderbrueggen is a political editor for the Contra Costa Times and popular moderator for political forums around the county. Lisa will share some insights as well as take questions from “grumpy old white men.” Cost is $20. Make reservations by 11/29 by phone (925) 228-5610, e-mail, or visit the website.
