Bowzer's back for our December meeting!

Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, by Gage Skidmore

Our annual holiday celebration is in the spirit of hope and optimism Wednesday, Dec. 4, with the return of Jon "Bowzer" Bauman. Jon is best known for his decades-long association with the oldies group Sha Na Na, he's also politically active on elder issues, Social Security, Medicare and candidates and causes that protect the rights and welfare of our senior citizens. 

Jon is currently president of Social Security Works PAC, a national organization working to elect candidates who support protecting and expanding Social Security benefits.

He's also an entertaining storyteller and a singer-musician with a wide range -- pretty much the opposite of the musclebound meathead he portrayed in the 70s.

As is our annual tradition, we welcome all members and guests to enjoy our holiday feast, with turkey, ham, veggie entrees, and beverages supplied by the club. We encourage you to bring appetizers, side dishes, salads and deserts to share. Festivities start 6 pm Wednesday December 4, so get ready to share time with friends and family and enjoy our wonderful potluck dinner. We ask each member and guest to contribute a suggested donation of $10 to offset costs. 

We’ll meet at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive. Because of the overflow crowds for this annual event, we ask willing and able members to park by the Little League field and take the short walk up the stairs to the community center. Let’s leave the adjacent parking lot for those who need to be in close proximity to the meeting room.

As in past years, we also ask each member and guest to contribute to our annual holiday charities. Again this year, we are supporting the efforts of the Food Bank at Santa Sophia Church to feed needy families in the Casa de Oro area. Please bring canned and nonperishable foods that can help provide for the several hundred local families in need during the holiday season. The church also likes to give out "street-ready" foods such as high protein bars, fruit and nut snacks, and pop tarts. 

We also support the efforts of La Mesa United Methodist Church, which offers the city’s homeless citizens hot showers and other necessities. We ask that you bring some new, unused toiletries and/or gently used clothing for those who don’t take these items for granted. Shoes and new socks are particularly appreciated.

Lastly, we ask each member, and those who have not yet joined or renewed, to please pay our modest 2020 dues at our December meeting. It is only $35 for the whole year, and we still offer silver level memberships at $50, and gold level at $65 for those that can give a little more. Please bring cash or checks for our membership sign-ups and renewals.

Get out the vote: What are you doing the day after Thanksgiving? Help get the vote -- join us for voter registration drives at Parkway Plaza and Grossmont Shopping Center on Black Friday. Contact Merrill mynylacat@gmail.com

And in January: Our January meeting will be Jan. 8, 2020, because the New Year’s holiday falls on Wednesday. Our January program will feature a forum for those Democrats seeking to replace Congress member Susan Davis in the 53rd Congressional District.

You can make a difference!

Are you frustrated about the direction of our country under the current administration? Are you tired of yelling at the TV? Would you like to actually help make a difference? The La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club is seeking members to join our Board of Directors. Our club's goals for 2020 are to continue our outstanding monthly programs, register voters, remove religious extremists from local school boards, support candidates for local planning groups, water districts, and city councils. Each club member offers a new perspective and passion that will make our Board better. In addition to VP for Laws and Legislation, we are looking for members to assist with Public Relations, Social Media, Special Events, and Membership. Email Tina Rynberg, LMFDC President. lmfdemclub@gmail.com

#VoteBlueNoMatterWho!

Mitch Wagner Communications and Social Media La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club Board