NEWSLETTER - September 29, 2004

The Four Star Democratic Club was inspired by great Democrats such as Presidents Woodrow Wilson and John Kennedy and presidential candidates John Kerry and General Wesley Clark.

Many of the club members got involved in the grassroots movement to draft General Wesley Clark to run for president. We learned that getting involved makes a difference. September 17th marked the one-year anniversary of General Clark entering the presidential race. His efforts helped to change the political landscape at the request of the American people. Clark is one of many Democratic leaders who continues to reach out to U.S. veterans, encourage volunteer service, and promote the ideals and philosophy of the Democratic Party.

Wesley Clark has worked tirelessly to support Democratic leaders like John Kerry who embrace a sophisticated worldview and endorse a sensible foreign policy based on international cooperation.

General Clark is planning a visit to Southern California in late October. The date and location to be determined and will be announced as soon as the information is available.


DEBATE WATCHING

South Bay Debate Party w/Phil Angelides & Valerie Harper
Join your fellow Kerry/Edwards supporters in the South Bay for a debate-watching party on October 8th, at Mr. Pockets, 516 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, 5:00 p.m. Special guests will be State Treasurer Phil Angelides, California Kerry Campaign Debate Response Co-Chair, and actress Valerie Harper. Come join the party!

Hollywood Debate Watch Party w/Steve Westly
The LA County Young Democrats present Kerry v. Bush II, The Rematch, with special guest State Controller Steve Westly. Join hundreds of other Democrats for this event, Friday, October 8th, 5:30 p.m. at Cinespace 6356 Hollywood Blvd., (between Cahuenga & Vine), 21 & Over, No Host Bar, Free Admission, valet parking $8, self park lots $5, ample street parking.

Westside Debate Watching Party
There will be a great Westside debate watching party in Brenwtood at Casa Antigua Cantina, 12217 Wilshire Blvd, Brentwood, CA 90025, Cross Street: Bundy Drive, Phone: (310) 820-2540. No Cover Charge, Huge Projection Screen TV, Great Food and Grog. RSVP to Robert Arbour at arbouretum@earthlink.net.

San Fernando Valley Debate Watching
The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DP-SFV) is hosting debate-watching parties for the 2 remaining debates. Please join them at 18425 Nordhoff Street in Northridge, California.

Additional Debates
The current debate schedule is:
Presidential Debates
Friday, October 8th – “Town hall” meeting with undecided voters
Wednesday, October 13th – Focus on domestic and economic policy

All debates begin at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time and will run 90 minutes.


SUPPORT LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Please remember to support and vote for local Democratic candidates such as Barbara Boxer for U.S. Senator, Jane Harman for 36th Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives and Mike Gordon for the 53rd Assembly District.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Soldier Ride/Wounded Warrior Project
Four Star Club member Jessica Landry has brought two very worthy projects to our attention.

The Wounded Warrior Project is dedicated to serving the needs of a new generation of veterans and ensuring that the United States government and the American public live by our motto, "Putting Veterans first in America." The Project seeks to assist those men and women of our armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world.

To carry out this vital mission, the project will:
* Provide free assistance to veterans attempting to obtain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies.
* Represent veterans on state and federal legislative issues.
* Work with business and government leaders to ensure veterans are given equal opportunity in hiring.
* Provide outreach to modern veterans through programs and services that address their unique needs.

The Soldier Ride is a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. Cyclist Chris Carney volunteered to cycle across the United States to help raise money for – and consciousness about – these brave soldiers.

We urge all of our members to support the organizations listed below:
http://woundedwarriorproject.org
http://www.soldierride.com

Trips to Swing States
Road trips to Las Vegas and Arizona have been a remarkable success. These trips will continue throughout the month of October. These trips, via deluxe motor coach, cost about $35-$50 per person. This cost covers the bus, some food and incidental expenses. Some free housing can be arranged with volunteers depending on the destination city.

To sign up for a trip to Arizona, please contact swingstate4kerry@verizon.net.

To sign up to go to Nevada, please contact lasvegas4kerry@aol.com.

The following is the schedule and lists of cities:
October 15 -17, Kingman, AZ
October 22 - 24, Phoenix, AZ
October 23 - 24, Las Vegas, NV
October 29 - November 1, Las Vegas, NV
October 29 - November 3, Phoenix, AZ
October 30 - October 31, Las Vegas, NV


Swing States Phone Bank Parties
Volunteers are welcome to make short and simple scripted calls to Ohio to get Democrats out to vote for John Kerry on Election Day. This is an easy way to make a huge difference in key swing states.

Join the fun every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Imhoff & Associates Law Offices, 2530 Wilshire Blvd., 1st floor in Santa Monica until Election Day at air-conditioned offices with individual desks, lots of parking and free landline phones. Contact Carole Myers at Carole@ArtistVu.com or (310) 440-0046 for more information.

Phone from “The Office”
For phone banking and other volunteer work at your local Democratic party office, please call:

Burbank-Glendale UDC Jon Eifer 1100 E. Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale 818-247-8403
Claremont-Pomona UDC Dwaine Kaiser 879 E. Arrow Hwy, Pomona 909-621-4636
Downtown 888 S. Figueroa, #400, L.A. 213-239-8730
Eagle Rock-Mt.Washington Mike Lee 4777 Eagle Rock Blvd., L.A. 323-257-3366
East LA - CDP/EVC 4512 E. Cesar Chavez Ave.,L.A. 323-307-0678
Inglewood - CDP/EVC 3535 W. Imperial Hwy Ste G 310-419-8187
Lancaster-Palmdale UDC Mark Walters 837 E. Ave. Q-9, Palmdale 661-267-1967
Long Beach UDC April Black 1032 Redondo Ave #A 562-986-9977
Los Feliz-Silver Lake UDC Jon Eifer 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., L.A. 323-913-3033
Mid-Wilshire/Koreatown 2420 W. 7th St.,L.A. 213-383-0331
Pasadena UDC Megan Jones 140 N. Fair Oaks Ave. 626-583-8717
San Fernando Valley UDC Agi Kessler 18425-A Nordhoff St., Northridge 818-995-3367
Santa Clarita Valley UDC Larry Kanner 23942 Lyons Ave #104, Newhall 661-259-8463
Santa Monica-West LA Marcy Winograd 900 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 310-451-1094
South East LA-South Gate 9918 S. Atlanic Ave., South Gate 323-569-0394
South LA/Crenshaw 3775 Santa Rosalia Dr.,L:.A. 323-294-6069
W. Hollywood?Beverly Hills 8465 Holloway Dr., W. Hollywood 323-650-8190
West San Gabriel Valley Rosemary Ready 19 S. Garfield, 2nd Floor, Alhambra 626-459-9011
Westwood UDC Helen Stein 10651 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. 310-441-9974
Whittier UDC Lillian Gonzales 6553 S. Comstock Ave., Whittier 562-693-7241


Election Protection
Studies by Caltech and MIT say 4-6 million voters were disenfranchised in the 2000 Presidential election. The non-partisan Election Protection (EP) coalition is trying to fix the problem by mobilizing pro bono lawyers, law students, and non-lawyers in thirty states, most of which have large minority populations and a history of voting “irregularities.” EP’s methodology focuses on resolving problems proactively and maintaining a toll-free Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) through November 2nd, offering immediate legal assistance to voters with voting problems or questions.

EP Needs volunteers (especially lawyers/law students, clergy, and Spanish speakers) and funding. Please do what you can to help! For further information, please contact kunger@adelphia.net or 818/989-5089.

Poll Workers Needed!
Volunteer as a Poll worker at neighborhood polling places in the upcoming election. Poll workers check in voters, provide voting materials and answers questions.

Being a poll worker is a great way to meet your neighbors, serve your community and help make sure California’s elections run smoothly. Poll workers are eligible to earn a monetary stipend for their service. Bilingual citizens are especially urged to volunteer as pool workers so that everyone can vote.

Minimum requirements are:
· Be at least 18 years of age
· Be a registered voter
· Read and write English fluently
· Be able to work on Election Day
· Attend a training class
· Have transportation to and from the polling place

For more information contact www.myvotecounts.org and click on “County Election Officials”.

Voter Registration
All eligible California voters who are not already registered to vote must register by Monday,
October 18th, in order to vote in the November 2nd election. If you need to register, you can easily
do so before the deadline at www.myvotecounts.org.

You can also vote by mail, but absentee ballot applications must be turned in between October 4
through October 26. Requesting an absentee ballot and voting by mail may be more convenient
than going to the polls on Election Day. To obtain an application you can also apply at
www.myvotecounts.org.

Voter registration hotline numbers are:
English – 800-345-VOTE
Spanish – 800-232-VOTA


SUPPORT FOR LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Please remember to support and vote for local Democratic Candidates such as Barbara Boxer for U.S. Senator, Jane Harman for U.S. House of Representative and Mike Gordan for the State Assembly.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Links

Other web sites to visit to learn more about Democratic candidates and the platform are:
John Kerry’s - www.johnkerry.com
John Kerry’s local grassroots organization - kerryca.com.
General Wesley Clark - www.WesPAC2004.com
California Democratic Party - www.cadem.org.

For additional voter information visit:
My Votes Counts – www.myvotecounts.org
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk – www.lavote.net

Club Information
To join the club or learn more, please contact Roz Teller at tellerassociates@att.net. Dues are $25 annually for standard membership, $15 for students or seniors, and waived for veterans.