Jun 08

June Meeting: Santa Monica Downtown Community Plan: A Democratic Forum

Date:  Thursday, June 29, 2017
Time:  Doors @ 6:30pm, Program Starts @ 7:00pm
Place: Santa Monica Main Library MLK Auditorium
            601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica

After several meetings about national and statewide issues, it’s time for our club to get local!

Last month, the Santa Monica Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve the final draft of the city’s Downtown Community Plan, a 300-page blueprint of the future of Downtown Santa Monica. This document is the culmination of a six-year process, and it will head to the City Council for a final vote in July. 

Since its release, the plan has received lots of community feedback, both positive and negative. In an effort to facilitate an informed discussion about the plan and increase engagement in advance of the council vote, the Santa Monica Democratic Club will host a forum to discuss the pros and cons of this plan from a variety of political viewpoints.

– David Martin, Director of Planning & Community Development for the City of Santa Monica, will give a presentation on the Plan.

Then we will hear from a panel consisting of:
– Mary Marlowe, Chair of Santa Monica Transparency Group
– Scott Schonfeld, Principal at Linwood Ventures
– Michael Soloff, Chair of Santa Monica Housing Commission

PLUS! We will discuss our new club committees and hear from Scott Svonkin, who is running for Board of Equalization in 2018.

For first time and new members, the Executive Board of the club will be available from 6:30-7:00 for an informal meet and greet. The main program will start at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking available. Handicap accessible.

Apr 10

Climate Change: Where Do We Stand Now?

Santa Monica Democratic Club General Meeting

Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (informal meet & greet at 6:30pm)
Location: Santa Monica Public Library 2nd floor Community Room
601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401 We already knew before last fall’s election that our planet was under dire threat due to the use of fossil fuels causing dramatic changes to our climate. Now, thanks to President Trump and EPA Director Scott Pruitt, we are heading back in the wrong direction, with climate change denialism becoming the official policy of the federal government and regulations being loosened in order to maximize corporate profits.

Thus, on the week of the 48th annual celebration of Earth Day, the Santa Monica Democratic Club has convened a panel of environmental experts for a frank discussion on where we stand on the issues of environmentalism and climate change. Is there any hope for the future of our planet? What can we activists do to make meaningful change And what exactly is the status of California’s drought? Find out on April 26 at the Santa Monica Library’s MLK Auditorium.

Our panel includes:

  • David Pettit, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Jenny Binstock, Policy and Campaigns Specialist, TreePeople
  • RL Miller, Chair of California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus and Founder of Climate Hawks Vote
  • Hon. Scott Houston, Vice President of the Board of Directors, West Basin Municipal Water District

There will be a Q and A opportunity.

For first time and new members, the Executive Board of the club will be available from 6:30-7:00 for an informal meet and greet. The main program will start at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking available. Handicap accessible.

Apr 07

Rally for Transgender Resistance

On April 1, 2017, SMDC co-hosted a Rally for Transgender Resistance along with our friends at Stonewall Democratic Club. At the rally, several transgender activists along with cisgender elected and allies stood in solidarity to protest the rescindment of protections for transgender students and to support visibility for the entire transgender community. (Video courtesy of Santa Monica Mirror)

Mar 24

A RALLY FOR TRANSGENDER RIGHTS

Saturday, April 1, 2017  at noon – Santa Monica City Hall

In honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility, we are standing up to RESIST the Trump Administration’s discrimination against the Transgender Community, including the rescindment of protections for Transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities. 

On April 1, join the Santa Monica Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, Santa Monicans for Renter’s Rights, and The Church in Ocean Park’s Young People Creating Change (YPCC) in support of transgender rights on the steps of Santa Monica City Hall starting at noon. Speakers at the rally will include transgender leaders from our community like Rachael Rose Luckey (one of only eight transgender elected officials in the nation), Isley Reust, Karina Samala, Queen Victoria Ortega, Justine Gonzalez, Buck Angel, and Drew Arriola-Sands. Also speaking will be Sandra Fluke, SMDC co- President Dr. Sion Roy, and other progressive community leaders.

ALL are welcome to attend this free event!
Note: The Downtown Santa Monica stop on the Expo Line is just 0.2 miles from City Hall for all those wishing to take mass transit.

Mar 04

Hear experts discuss the future of our healthcare system

Date:  Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Time:  7:00 pm
Place: Santa Monica Main Library MLK Auditorium (first floor), 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica 90401

With the Affordable Care Act in danger of being repealed by Republicans, the Santa Monica Democratic Club is proud to host a panel of healthcare policy experts who will discuss the progressive way forward in healthcare reform both at the state and national level. The panel will be moderated by club co-President Dr. Sion Roy and will feature:

• Dr. Paul Song, Radiation Oncologist and candidate for State Insurance Commissioner
• Professor Gerald Kominski, Director of UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
• Gustavo Friederichsen, CEO of LA County Medical Association

For first time and new members, the Executive Board of the club will be available from 6:30-7:00 for an informal meet and greet. The main program will start at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a Q and A opportunity. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking available. Handicap accessible.

We are also pleased to announce the results of the Executive Board election at our February meeting:
•    Co-Presidents – Jon Katz and Sion Roy
•    Vice President of Political Action – Barbie Appelquist
•    Vice President of Membership – Tom Peters
•    Vice President of Programs – Peter Bradley
•    Vice President of Communication – Michael Soloff
•    Treasurer – Derek Devermont
•    Recording Secretary – Janine Bush

At large members (5 elected by membership):
•    Harriet Beck
•    Patricia Hoffman
•    Genise Schnitman
•    Rachel Sene
•    Dolores Sloan