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DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF SARASOTA
www.sarasotadems.com
news • membership • president’s message • calendar of events
APRIL 2015
President’s Message
April Luncheon
Dear Members & Friends,
The biggest annual Democratic Party event in Sarasota County took place
at the beginning of Mach at the Hyatt Regency. It was a great night to be a
Democrat! The attendance set a new record with 635 people. There was
incredible energy as our new chair, Christine Jennings, addressed the
crowd. The highlight of the night was hearing from former Congressman
Barney Frank who summed up the problems in Washington by saying, “The
fundamental cause of gridlock today in Washington is that the Republican
Party has been taken over by a group of very extreme conservatives who
have repudiated that consensus and who do not understand the importance
of a public sector and a private sector working together.” The evening was a
wonderful time of celebrating what it means to be a Democrat. I know it
inspired me and hopefully all of you to be “all in” for what lies ahead in the
2016 election cycle.
Terri K. Wonder, PhD, will speak about “The Role of Women in
Counterinsurgency” at our next luncheon on April 11. In 2008, the
Department of Defense hired Dr. Wonder into a mission-essential “Surge”
program in order to assist military operations in Iraq. The job required her
to travel “outside the wire” with combat personnel so that she could conduct
applied social science research and help our armed forces better understand
the needs and aspirations of local populations affected by five years of heavy
fighting in the US-Iraq War, much longer durations of United Nations
sanctions, and several decades of life under the roof of a repressive military
dictatorship. Gender was a major reason for hiring her, given that half the
population of Iraq is female. In 2010, on her second deployment, the high
command of US Forces in Iraq presented Dr. Wonder with a Superior Civilian
Service award for her high-visibility research. Today, Dr. Wonder lives in
Manatee County. Using the Army’s Counterinsurgency Field Manual to guide
her strategy, she campaigned for the Manatee County Commission in 2014,
winning 46 percent of the vote despite being outspent 5 to 1.
The other political highlight in March was the Sarasota city elections on
Tuesday, March 10. Democratic candidates ran in District 2 and 3 and two
of them made it into the run off that will take place May 12. In District 3
Shelli Freeland Eddie will run against Stan Zimmerman and in District 2 Liz
Alpert goes up against Eileen Normile. These are races that Democrats can
win but they need our help. Please consider volunteering for the candidates,
voting for them if you live in the right district, and contributing to their
campaigs. Let’s make five Democrats on the Sarasota City Commission a
reality!
March Wine, Cheese & Politics
On Monday, March 30th, we welcome Elder Law Attorney, Babette Bach, to
speak on the topic of adult guardianship that is coming up before the state
legislature this session. The goal of the reform legislation that will be
considered is to make it harder for guardians and attorneys to disregard the
best interests of the wards they’re supposed to protect. This will be an
educational evening presented by a respected elder law expert.
See Events Listing for more details.
New Club Members and Friends in February
We hope to see you at upcoming events soon!
Helen Stafsholt and Michael Shlasko.
Democratically yours, Mary Clupper - President
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP - 487
Saturday April 11th Luncheon Meeting Details – Back at the Francis!
Luncheon Information
Terri K. Wonder, PhD on “The Role of Women in Counterinsurgency”
Saturday, April 11, 2015
11:30 – Social Hour – 12:00 Lunch and Program
(check-in opens at 11 a.m. Please do not arrive before 11 a.m.)
*** Price ***
Members: $26 Guests: $28
(Please make out check in advance payable to the DCS.
Cash, Mastercard and Visa accepted)
The Francis
1289 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota FL
941-552-9650
For more details on the program content, visit our
website at www.sarasotadems.com
Reservations:
Call 379-9233
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail reservations only will receive confirmation
If no reply, please resend.
Menu Choices:
No substitutions
• Warm Kale Salad – Grilled Chicken, Portobello Mushrooms,
French Fried Crispy Onions, Warm Sweet & Savory Dressing
OR
• Poached Salmon – Caper Dill Sauce, Herb Roasted Potato,
Seasonable Baby Vegetables
OR
• Vegetarian Option: Baked Acorn Squash – Wild Rice, Nuts, Seed,
Dried Fruits, Lemon Grass Vinaigrette
• Dessert: Key Lime Tart
Menu choice NOT guaranteed past noon.
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS AND CANCELLATIONS:
Thursday evening, April 9
LATE FEE:
Late cancellations and no-shows will be billed.
941.379.9233 • sar asotadems.com • P.O. box 51076 sar asota, fl
cr ti Club of Sarasota Luncheon
n hly Meeting
Please join us on as we set sail on the 4th Annual Marina Jack II
Fundraiser Cruise on beautiful Sarasota Bay. Reservations required.
See other side for details.
Other Events
1 Oct (Wed): Candidate Event
Special Reception with Ken Marsh
Meet Ken Marsh, Candidate for the School Board from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the
residence of John & Livya Hament (4142 Escondito Circle in Prestancia, Sarasota
, FL). Suggested Contribution: $50, $100, $250. Info-Phone: 941-400-9800.
Email: [email protected]. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotadems.org/
docs/2014-10-01-Ken-Marsh.pdf.
4 Oct (Sat): Civic Event - Better Government Assoc.
Luncheon and Forum
The title of the forum is “Weakening Fiscal Neutrality in the 2050 Growth
Management Plan” and will be held at Marina Jacks on Sarasota's Bayfront, 2nd
Floor from 11:30am - 1pm. Forum speakers include Alan Anderson, Cathy Antunes
and Allen Parsons. The cost is $23 for Members and $25 Non-members. Info-Phone:
941-343-0423. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotabga.org/index.php?id=luncheonforum.
08 Oct (Wed): Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP)
Monthly Meeting
This month's meeting will be at the Waldemere Fire Station (2070 Waldemere St.
Sarasota, FL). Come at 6:30pm to socialize. Meeting at 7:00–8:30 pm.
All Democrats are welcome. Info: 941-330-9400, [email protected],
www.sarasotadems.org.
Suzanne Atwell
Alice & Murray Blueglass
Carol Buchanan
Mary Dailey & John Clay
Mary Clupper
Tom & Kathy Cook
Pat Coville
JoAnne DeVries
Brian Hunter
Kelly Franklin & Ron Kashden
Marcella & Art Levin
Thomas Meriweather
Dan Robinson
Aileen & Bernard Schuman
Roy Truby
17-19 Oct (Fri-Sun): Venice Area Democratic Club
Venice Sun Fiesta 2014
The Venice Sun Fiesta will be held at Centennial Park (200 W. Venice Ave., Venice
FL) from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday and 9:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday and
Sunday. Come by the VADC booth. Info-Phone: 941-492-5965. Info-Email:
[email protected]. VADC members and friends will also be participating in
the Fiesta Parade on Saturday the 18th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. For information
on the parade: call 941-492-5965 or email ohpiffl[email protected].
29 Oct (Wed): Civic Event - Last day to request Vote-By-Mail
Ballot
Vote-By-Mail ballot requests must be returned to the Sarasota SOE no later than
5PM TODAY. Submit your request via web form (see Info-URL), email, FAX, or in
person a the OE office near you. Sarasota SOE offices: http://www.sarasotavotes
.com/content.as x?id=11&s=8. Info-Phone: Sarasota SOE 941-861-8600,
Info-URL: htt www.s ra otavotes.com/genericform.aspx
Our Sustaining Members:
06 Oct (Mon): Civic Event - Last day to register to vote in the
General Election
Not registered to vote for the General Election? Register at any of the three
Sarasota SOE office locations up to 5pm TODAY. Locations: Sarasota SOE Offices
(http://www.sarasotavotes.com/content.aspx?id=11&s=8) Info-Phone: 941861-8600. Info-URL: http://www.sarasotavotes.com/content.aspx?id=16.
OTHER EVENTS
www.sarasotadems.com
DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF SARASOTA
08 Apr (Wed): Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP)
Monthly Meeting
This month’s meeting will be at the Morgan Family Community Center
(6207 West Price Boulevard, North Port, FL). Come at 6:30pm to socialize.
Meeting at 7:00 to 8:30pm. All Democrats are welcome.
Info: 941-330-9400, [email protected].
OTHER EVENTS
11 Apr (Sat): Democratic Club of Sarasota Luncheon
Monthly Meeting
Join us for our April Luncheon at the Francis. Reservations required.
See other side for details.
30 Mar (Mon): Wine, Cheese, & Politics – Elder Guardianship
Elder Law Attorney, Babette Bach, will speak on the topic of elderly
guardianship that is coming up before the state legislature this session.
The event will be at the Bayfront Community Center (803 North
Tamiami Trail) from 6:30 to 8:00pm. The cost is $20 per person. You
may pay at the door by cash, credit card, or with a check made
payable to the DCS.
12 May (Tue): City of Sarasota COMMISSIONER ELECTION RUN-OFF
Liz Alpert is running for District 2. Shelli Eddie is running for District 3.
Info: SCDP 941-330-9400, http://www.sarasotadems.org.
19 Apr (Sun): Venice Area Democratic Club – Earth Day
VADC will have a booth at Oscar Scherer Park (Tamiami Trail, Osprey FL)
from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Info: 941-223-6324, [email protected].
14 Apr (Tue): LongBoat Key Democratic Club – Monthly Luncheon
The luncheon will be held at the Portofino Restaurant (2600 Harbourside
Drive Longboat Key, FL). Social Hour will be at 11:30am and Lunch will
be at 12:00pm. David Bullock, Longboat Key town manager and
members of the town commission will discuss “LongBoat Key-Today and
Tomorrow”. The luncheon cost is $25 per person. Reservations are
required. Paid reservations must be received by April 13th. Please mail
reservations and checks to LBK Democratic Club, PO Box 8025,LongBoat
Key, FL, 34228. For additional information please call Lois Barson at
941-383-9893.
DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF SARASOTA EVENTS