CALIFORNIA FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

I will begin with election results, move on to the fight to stop homophobia in California, and then cover blogging, groups and events.

First the race still up the air. We have one race in California that is still being counted and probably recounted:

Your a Good Man Charlie Brown! Charlie Brown for CA-4

Lt. Col. Charlie Brown is running for the CA-4 Congressional seat. Brown has a distinguished service record:

After graduating in 1972, he began a distinguished 26-year Air Force career during which he was involved in every U.S. military conflict from Vietnam to Desert Storm.

As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War, Charlie participated in the evacuations of Saigon, Phnom Penh, and the infamous Mayaguez Incident—for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In Vietnam, he saw the human cost of faulty equipment and bad intelligence up close. It’s a lesson he’s never forgotten.

After the war, Charlie transitioned to fixed wing aircraft and working with intelligence collection assets. He piloted reconnaissance missions in support of combat operations in Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, and Libya, and flew Cold War related missions around the world. After the first Gulf War, Charlie served two rotations in Saudi Arabia, where he coordinated surveillance flights over Iraq’s “No Fly Zones.”

Charlie Brown has been endorsed by:

Veterans Press, Veterans Vision, Chico Enterprise-Record/Oroville Mercury-Register, Chico News & Review, Esquire Magazine, Modoc Record, Sacramento Bee, Alliance for Retired Americans, International Association of Firefighters, Local 522, 4409 and 3809, National Farmers Union (NATFARM), Roseville Firefighters Union Local 1592, General Wesley Clark, VoteVets.org PAC, and many others.


Next, all the races I endorsed in California we won (NOTE: I wound up highlighting two candidates running for the same seat...one of them won). Here are the candidates I endorsed.

Here is a candidate endorsed by the Indigenous Democratic Network (INDN List):

Commissioner Todd Gloria
Candidate for San Diego City Council
Enrolled Member of Tlight-Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

Todd Gloria WON!


Here is a list of Progressive candidates running in California worth your support (all endorsed by Progressive Majority):

Marty Block
Candidate for State Assembly - District 78 (Open Seat)
San Diego County

Marty Block WON!

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Candidate for Los Angeles County Supervisor - District 2 (Challenger)

Ridley-Thomas WON!

Bob Blumenfield
Candidate for State Assembly - District 40 (Open Seat)
Los Angeles, Northridge, Van Nuys

Bob Bloomfield WON!

Richard Barrera
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict D (Challenger)

Richard Barrera WON!

Sherri Lightner
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 1 (Open Seat)

Sherri Lightner WON!

Stephen Whitburn
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 3 (Open Seat)

Whitburn lost, but I should note I wound up highlighting both Whitburn AND his opponent Todd Gloria (endorsed by INDN list). Gloria won.

John Lee Evans
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict A (Challenger)

John Lee Evans WON!


The bad news is in the propositions. Although we won the Yes on Prop 1A and the No on Prop 4 fights, we lost the No on Props. 8, 11 and 5 fights.

Proposition 8 is among the worst results in California. It is, basically, a homophobic Hate Amendment that lets government define whether the love between two people is legitimate. There is now a backlash against those who led in the movement to pass this hateful amendment. Among the leaders of this year's movement to discriminate against gays was the Mormon Church. Once again right wing religious fanatics want to force THEIR religion on American society. This is one more example of the American Taliban trying to marginalize anyone they see as different.

For those who doubt the extremist aspects of the Mormon Church (though of course not all Mormons), read Jon Krakauer's book, Under the Banner of Heaven.

There is a backlash. It is the kind of left wing backlash that seldom gets much momentum, but when it does, it can have a powerful effect. Over at Daily Kos there is a list of businesses that endorsed Proposition 8. These are businesses that should be targeted for economic pressure. On the left suggestions like this often cause consternation. Truth is, boycotts DO WORK when enough people get pissed off enough to actually do them. The California grape boycott was a long term effort that finally worked. The anti-Apartheid boycotts were often vague and irregularly carried out...but in the end they were part of what worked. Here is the list of targets for actual economic pressure:

ACMS
Ag West Distributing Co., Inc.
Ronald Allison, M.D.- Allison Geriatrics
Alpasina Insurance Services
Pastor Marcelo Alvarado, Iglesia Misionnera HispanoAmericana
American Build & Design, Inc.
Automated Environments
Best Tire and Automotive
Rich Bott-Bott Radio Network
Boy's Republic
Donovan S. Browning, DDS
Mary J. Buzzell, M.J.B. Floral Services
Catherine Callen - Lampstand Studios, Divide CO
Ron Carter- Carter Construction Company
CC Layne & Sons Inc.
Duncan Chamberlin-Duncan's Auto Sales
Richard and Marie Clayton- Maric Services
Community West Mortgage
Cornerstone Custom Construction
CRS, Inc.
Culp Diversified Properties
Curry Copy Center of Hemet
Eldon Cyrus- Cyrus Tree Service
Thomas B. Dafoe – Briden Wilson Farm, Arbuckle
John DeCesare, President - inetMatrix
Joyce Edge, Founder/President – Survivors of Assault Recovery
EL VOCERO MAGAZINE
Everything4Mom.com
Jason & Andrea Ewell – Jason’s Glass Tint, San Clemente
Fahillion Technology Consultants
Fernandez and Fernandez
First Experiences Preschool
John Gaines, D.D.S.
Mark E. Gething, Insurance - Amarillo TX
GFBB Benefits and Insurance
Peter Giannini, CPA
John J. Gobbell, Jr., Real Estate Appraiser
Richard A. & Susan J. Gregg, SueGreggCookbooks, Riverside
Guy Strohmeiers Auto Center
H M S Capital
Hartman Construction of Home Services
Dr. Jay W. Henderson, President - The Law Offices of Jay W. Henderson, Ltd.
Higham, Richards & Vranes
Inspired Stylus Writing and Copyediting
GLen Inverso- MJ Baxter Drilling Company
R. Christian Jesperson- Chiropractic Family Health Center
Justin A. March Associates, Inc.
Richard Kerr- Kerr Real Estate Advisors
George M. Knapp, Investment Advisor: Knapp Financial
James Knox, American Focus
Land Resource Investments
Lane Associates, Inc.
Law Offices of Kimber B. Goddard
Leon's Place Independent Living
Lewis Appliance Repair and Installation
Logos Tax Service
David W. & Alice G. Magnusson: Haws, Record & Magnusson, Attorneys at Law
Vlade Mamayev, CEO – Buildex Inc.
Mammoth Auto
Nora O. Marin - Little Angel's Daycare, Rancho Cordova
Wayne M. Martin – Wayne Martin Associates, Oxnard
Maximum Marketing Inc.
Joseph McFarland, DDS
Douglas McMullin, MD
Anchi Miller – ATM International, Kirkland WA
Ridley R. Molders – Molders Logistics, Santa Ana
Todd Mowrey-Fit-To-Be-Tyed
Fabricio Mundo- LinearB Enterprises
NordalAppraisal.com
Don Nordgren, Owner - Pacific Coast Auto Body, Paint & Frame, San Diego
Dr. Phillip Ortiz, President/Owner - Direct to You Mobile Dentistry, Murrieta
Michael A. Padgett – Law Office, Fontana
Bradley L. Quick - Bradley L. Quick Insurance Agency
Rick J. Radecki – Lion’s Roar Media, Victorville
RCS Door Service/ Rodney Press.
Peter M. Reimer - Peter Reimer Farms, Shafter
Reimer's Wholesale Nursery
Resources For Continuing Education, Inc.
RF Sweet & Associates Real Estate
Anthony Rios- First Security Home Loans
Rockingham Asset Management
Rod B. Johnson, CPA
Denise M. Roland – Reliable Referrals LLC, La Crosse WI
RPM Events, Inc.
Joel Sanders – Sanders Heavy Towing, Williams
Ross L. Sardo – RLS Inspections, Inc. Ventura
Janice Schindler, President - Schindler & Schindler Inc. Fountain Valley
Scott McDonald & Assoc.
SCVHHS
Sheppard & Associates Insurance Agency
David Smalley, M.D.
Patricia Smith – Classic Clean, Inc. Los Gatos
Splash! Designworks
Cynthia L. Stevens - Cynthia’s Cleaning Service
Robert D. Stevenson, DDS
Douglas Stevenson-Quietcool, inc.
Stubblefield Family Chiropractic
Scott Suchomel-Sibling Systems
Superior Notary, LLC
Teague Construction
The Fire & Cop Shop
The Law Office of H. Craig Miller
The Wellness Advantage
President Daniel y Susana Torres, Vision De Futuroag
Tri-Valley Propac, Inc.
Tropical Sands Vacations
William U. Valencia, Tax Consultant: Valencia Tax Service
Keith Walker, Writer-Publisher: Golden Door Press
Warren Photography, Victorville
Robert R. Weedon LCSW, Coherent Counseling Services
West Coast Commercial Mortgage, Inc.
White Diamond Jewelers
Zane Schaeffer Construction

Also over at Daily Kos there is a diary listing Mormon businesses. These are not necessarily endorsers of the homophobic propositions that have been enacted in several states. But they are members of the religious organization that led to fight to marginalize approximately 10% of Americans. These businesses are good targets for establishing a dialogue regarding this proposition and urging them to condemn theHate Amendment. Some may well be right wing nut cases, like Diebold. THEY should be boycotted. Others should not but rather should be part of an effort to talk to people about why marriage equality is fair and a good thing for American society. So here is a list of companies to look into and TALK to about marriage equality.

* Affiliated Computer Services
* AES Corp.
* Avista Corp.
* American Express
* Black & Decker
* Cadence Design
* Corvis
* Central Pacific Bank
* 1-800-Contacts
* Cygnus Inc.
* Diebold
* Dell Computer
* Dionex
* Downey Savings and Loan
* EarthShell
* Franklin Covey
* Hillenbrand Industries
* Headwaters, Inc.
* Hollywood Entertainment
* Host Marriott
* Iomega
* JP Realty
* Key Corp.
* Knight Transportation
* K-Swiss, Inc.
* La Quinta Properties, Inc.
* Marriott International
* Micrel Semiconductor
* Micro General
* Merit Medical Systems
* Monaco Coach
* Microsemi Corp.
* Myriad Genetics
* Novell
* NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
* NuSkin
* Oil States International
* Oakley
* priceline.com Inc.
* Phelps Dodge Corp.
* Ryder Systems
* SkyWest Airlines
* Swift Transportation
* Cornerstone REIT
* Tropical Sportswear
* Williams Companies, Inc.
* Zions Bancorp

If you boycott a company...TELL them you are boycotting. If you contact a company and receive a reply, even just a form letter, write back. Keep up the dialogue. Make a follow up phone call. TALK to people. It can make the difference, if not now, maybe 2, 5 or 10 years from now.

Undirected anger does nothing. Anger carefully directed can be a powerful tool in changing the world. If this list helps you focus your anger, then please make use of it.

And here is a list of STONEWALL DEMOCRATS and related organizations in California (probably NOT comprehensive):

Stonewall Democrats of Los Angeles

Central Valley Stonewall Democratic Club
Stockton, CA

Desert Stonewall Democrats
Cathedral City, CA

Eleanor Roosevelt Stonewall Democrats of Orange County
Santa Anna, CA

Fresno Stonewall Democrats
Fresno, CA

Sacramento Stonewall Democrats
Sacramento, CA

San Diego Democratic Club
San Diego, CA

Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Stonewall Alliance of Chico: The Stonewall Alliance Center offers a range of services to help connect people to their community. Volunteers staffing the Center provide information on activities and events and offer referrals for services. Our Education & Outreach give community members access to the Harlan Adams Memorial Library, Out Education classes, we deliver speaker’s panels to local colleges and presenters to area organizations and groups.


BLOGGING CALIFORNIA: Here are some blogs covering California Politics

Calitics is an open source news organization for California.

The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

The Liberal OC covers politics in Orange County.


Some articles of note:

In an election of hope and unity, California sadly passed its Hate Proposition which allows government to regulate love between two consenting adults. Even in the midst of amazing progress, there is some regression.

Green efforts boost economy. I've been saying this for YEARS. And boy our economy could use some boosting!

Global Warming Reducing California's Water Supply

California’s Senators and Members of Congress Lead Nation in Perfect Scores in 2008 Environmental Scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters. Yes, there really IS a difference between Democrats and Republicans!

California Already Spends More Than 4 Times More Per Prisoner Than Per Public School Student—Prop 9 Would Make That Worse


Alternative Energy in California:

Here are some Biodiesel Cooperatives in California. If you have a diesel truck or car, joining one of these co-ops can help you drive more green.

The Berkeley Biodiesel Collecctive
Berkeley, CA
email: berkeleybiodiesel_at_yahoo.com. Or check out their website.

The Biofuels Research Cooperative
Sebastopol, CA
email: veggieoilcoop_at_yahoo.com.

Here are other alternative energy resources for Califorina:

Alternative Energy Resources in California: a short summary of alternative energy resources for California. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.

San Francisco Community Power pilots innovative programs that improve our neighborhoods' environmental and economic conditions. We help small businesses and low-income families lower their expenses and reduce their ecological footprint. Our work provides policy makers with demonstrative ways to solve complex resource allocation issues.


California for Democracy:
Here are some local Democracy for America groups (click on the link for more info)

DFA Marin

Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

Democratic Club of Coarsegold

DFA - Central Coast

DFA-CFD of Fresno & Madera Counties

DFA-CFD of Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties

Democracy for Monterey County

DFA-Orange County

East Bay for Democracy

Sacramento for Democracy

San Diego for Democracy

(San Fernando) Valley Grassroots for Democracy

San Francisco for Democracy

San Mateo County Democracy for America

Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition

Sonoma County DFA


Here are some local political meetings in California:

Desert Stonewall Democrats Monthly Meeting
Palm Springs' Desert Stonewall Democrats Democratic Club Monthly Meeting
NATIONAL STONEWALL DEMOCRATS MISSION:
Pride in Our Country
- Pride in Our Family
- - Pride in Our Party

MONTHLY MEETINGS
The second SATURDAY of each month, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Desert Pride Center
611 South Palm Canyon
Palm Springs
760-327-2313

San Ramon Valley Democrats Meetings
We are a group of dedicated Democrats living in the San Ramon Valley who have come together to support and promote the progressive social and political principles that always have been fundamental to the Democratic Party. The San Ramon Valley is comprised of Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo, Danville, San Ramon, and southern Walnut Creek, and members of our club come from each of those communities. We meet once a month for an educational program at Mudd's Restaurant in San Ramon, alternating between lunch on the second Tuesday, and appetizers (no-host bar) on the evening of the fourth Thursday (6:30 PM). We register people to vote, walk precincts to arouse voters, raise money for candidates, and enjoy the opportunity to socialize with people of common interests. Go here for more info.

Our meetings are lively and our programs are focused on issues of concern to Democrats, locally, statewide, and nationally. Our speakers are chosen for their astute insight into the problems before us as citizens and as voters. We socialize before and after the formal meetings, and enter into animated discussions about the topic of the day. In the process we become fast friends.

Mudds Restaurant
$22 per person (meal included)

Democrats of North Orange County
Bill Daly, President
714-990-6767
Bruce Sandercock, Vice-President
714-871-5244
P. O. Box 6597
Fullerton, CA 92834
Monthly meeting: First Thursday, Sizzler Restaurant,
1401 N. Harbor, Fullerton; 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. meeting

Santa Clara County (San Jose) Democratic Party Meetup
We meet at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Dem Party Office, 2102 Almaden Road, Suite 114, San Jose, 95125. Feel free to bring snacks to share.

Brought to you by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party (http://www.sccdp.org).... Please join us to learn ways to help elect Democrats in Santa Clara County and beyond.

~~Together, America Can Do Better!~~

On Almaden ROAD (not Expwy), between Curtner and Canoas Garden. It's OK to park in the big lot, despite posted warnings.

Internet directions usually suggest taking Almaden Expressway, which is sometimes backed up. A lower stress route is to take Bird Avenue west from 280 and follow it all the way until it dead-ends at Malone. Left on Malone, Right on Almaden Road and 2102 is on the first corner on your left.

We meet in Suite 114, first door on your left as you enter the glass doors marked Main Entrance.


Drinking Liberally:

For those who like a more social, and beer focused, environment, there's Drinking Liberally. Here are the Drinking Liberally groups in California:

San Jose
* Second Thursday of each month, 6:30 and on
* Trials Pub in downtown San Jose, 265 N 1st St (main cross streets: W St James and W Julian)
* September is our first meeting with our new host! I'm looking for a co-host, so let me know if you are interested
* Hosted by Mia White, sanjose (at) drinkingliberally.org

Downtown Los Angeles
* Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm
* The Edison, 108 West 2nd St
* We'll be in the area past the bar, known as the "Generator Lounge" (the entrance to the bar is through the alley off of 2nd street)
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Cecilia Cabello, Becca Doten, Roxi Reeves and Jim Kennedy, downtownla (at) drinkingliberally.org

Hollywood
* Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 PM
* Molly Malone's Irish Pub, 575 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 90036 (near corner of 6th avenue)
* http://www.mollymalonesla.com/
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Jim Kennedy and Mary Jack, la (at) drinkingliberally.org

Pasadena
* Every Tuesday, 7:30-10:00 pm
* Madeleine's Wine Bistro, 1030 E Green St (between Wilson and Catalina)
* We'll start out in the wine bar, then move out to the front patio.
* Hosted by Asa Hopkins, pasadena (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Fernando Valley
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The White Harte Pub, 22456 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills (Two blocks west of Shoup Ave.)
* Hosted by Andy Beaton and Jon Hytowitz, sfv (at) drinkingliberally.org

Westside
* Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
* Cock and Bull Pub, 2947 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica
* Hosted by Vincent Jones, Mary Jack, Robert Coyner, Gisele Perez, Jeremy Bloom, Tami Reiss, Marc Saltzberg and Jim Kennedy, westsidela (at) drinkingliberally.org

Monterey, California
* First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 pm onward
* Ol' Factory Cafe, 1725 Contra Costa St (In Sand City, off of Del Monte Blvd)
* http://www.olfactorycafe.com/
* Please note that The Ol' Factory Cafe currently only takes cash and local checks.
* Hosted by Annie Ho, monterey (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Ana
* Every Thursday, 8:30 pm onward
* Memphis Bar, 201 N Broadway (Artists Village)
* Hosted by Mike Lawson, orangecounty (at) drinkingliberally.org

Rancho Santa Margarita
* Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
* Canyon Fireside Grille, 22312 El Paseo
* Hosted by Gary Kephart, rsm (at) drinkingliberally.org

Huntington Beach
* First and third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co. - Out Back On The Patio, 19461 Main St
* Next Meeting will be on Thursday November 15th
* Hosted by Scott McKown and Louise Stewardson, huntingtonbeach (at) drinkingliberally.org

Sacramento, California
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* BJs Restaurant and Brewery, 3531 N Freeway Blvd (Natomas)
* Come check out our new venue and meet some new people!
* Hosted by Leslie Simmons, sacramento (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Diego, California
* Every other Tuesday, 7:30 pm onward
* Nunu's Cocktail Lounge, 3537 5th Ave (Between Brookes and Ivy Ln)
* We will also be meeting periodically at Firehouse in Pacific Beach for special editions of Drinking Liberally. 722 Grand Avenue Pacific Beach, CA 92109
* Hosted by Jesse Rubin and Jason Miller, sandiego (at) drinkingliberally.org

San Francisco
* Every Monday, 7:00-9:00 pm
* Nickie's, 466 Haight Street (between Fillmore & Webster) (Look for our red, white and blue striped bottle!)
* Hosted by Susan Harrison, sf (at) drinkingliberally.org

Oakland
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
* Luka's Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway
* Join us for the Eating Liberally Oakland Brunch at Luka's
* Hosted by Cyril Allen and Philip Combs, oakland (at) drinkingliberally.org

Napa
* First and third Monday of each month, 5:00-6:30 pm
* Compadre's, 505 Lincoln Ave
* Hosted by Mick Winter and Lauren Coodley, napa (at) drinkingliberally.org


San Luis Obispo, California
* First and third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The Graduate, 990 Industrial Way
* Hosted by Lorrie Toles and Sergio Monge, slo (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Barbara, California
* Every Wednesday, 8 pm - 10 pm
* Elsie's Bar, 117 W de la Guerra St (behind Paseo Nuveo Mall)
* Elsie's is 21+ and cash only
* Hosted by Daryl Chrisman and Bart Woolery, santabarbara (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Clarita, California
* Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Mulligans, 25848 Tournament Rd (Near Cal Arts)
* Hosted by Michael Cruz, Bill Bailey and Minerva Williams, santaclarita (at) drinkingliberally.org

Santa Cruz, California
* First Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Cafe Pergolesi, 418 Cedar St (In the orange room to the right and back)
* Hosted by Brandon Smith and Natalie Rojas, santacruz (at) drinkingliberally.org

Stockton, California
* Third Friday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Stockton Grand Hotel, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd (Front of Bar)
* Grand Hotel tel. 209-957-9090
* Joel's Cell: 209-351-3397
* Hosted by Joel Carignan, stockton (at) drinkingliberally.org

Ventura, California
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm
* JJ Brewsky's, now and forever, 2344 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo (in the heart of Old Town Camarillo)
* Join us every second and fourth Wednesdays at 8:00 PM for a pint and some politics!
* Heather, Marie, Mark and Brian
* Hosted by Heather Schmidt, Marie Davis, Mark Eggertsen and Brian Mack, ventura (at) drinkingliberally.org