by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

The East Bay Young Dems are hosting Speed Candidating right now, and they are streaming it live. They have the candidates for AD14, AD15 and SD09.  Here's the video:

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The League of Conservation Voters will be hosting a presidential debate focused on "global warming and America's energy future." Senator Hillary Clinton and former Senator John Edwards have confirmed that they will atend. The League's press release is below:

"Washington, DC – For the first time in history, candidates for President have committed to appear at a forum focused on the issues of global warming and America's energy future.

On November 17, Senators Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are confirmed to attend the forum sponsored by Grist http://www.grist.org. The candidates will present their plans to address global warming and energy issues in a series of interviews with journalists and experts in the field. The Grist forum will be presented in partnership with the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, California League of Conservation Voters Education
Fund, Center for American Progress Action Fund, NRDC Action Fund, and the Presidential Forum on Renewable Energy. All candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties have been invited.

The forum will be held at the Wadsworth Theatre in West Los Angeles on Saturday, November 17. The estimated start time will be 1:30pm PST.

There's more...

by shayera [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

This is more of a quickie, but I thought I'd get this out there for anyone interested and in the neighborhood.
From the Democratic Party if the San Fernando Valley newsletter:

United States Senator Dianne Feinstein will visit Santa Clarita to give a "Washington Report" on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. The Senator will speak at 12:00 noon during a luncheon at the Hyatt Valencia.

The City of Santa Clarita, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Industrial Association of Santa Clarita are co-hosting the luncheon for Senator Feinstein. She will be discussing issues pertinent to Santa Clarita, as well as larger national issues. This is Senator Feinstein's first visit to Santa Clarita.

"It is an honor to this community that out of the 478 cities in California, Senator Feinstein is visiting Santa Clarita," said Mayor Marsha McLean. "We are excited to have her here and look forward to her Washington Report."

The luncheon cost is $40 per person and is open to the public. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Valencia which is located at 24500 Town Center Drive.

Seating is limited. To RSVP, call the City of Santa Clarita at (661) 255-4900.

So if you're in the area and have some free time on Tuesday, go give a listen.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Senator Hillary Clinton will be hosting a block party in Oakland this Sunday, September 30, beginning at 4:30. Not to be outdone, the Obama campaign (though not Obama himself) is celebrating the grand opening of its Oakland-based NorCal headquarters this Sunday at 1 with... a block party! The Clinton folks promise "an outdoor family event with live music and entertainment," while the Obama folks promise "music, special guests, and lots of fun!"

As a big fan of live music and lots of fun, I plan on attending both, though I was torn between two YouTube videos to accompany this post. I have erred toward Dueling Banjos from Deliverance, though Dead Prez on Dave Chapelle’s Block Party might also be appropriate.

by Lucas O'Connor [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Bill Clinton is in San Diego tonight hosting a fundraiser and I won't be there.  Can't afford it. $500 to get in the door.  Unless I suddenly don't need to pay rent next month, it ain't gonna happen.  Maybe you're like me, and you constantly wish that someone would hold a kickass fundraiser that you can afford?  Well now somebody is.  If you're in driving distance of San Diego, we expect to see you at the Calitics Quarterly Fundraiser.

We've got office seekers and holders at the federal, state and local level.  We've got the beloved local blogger Terry Williams (terryfaceplace) and notoriously non-prolific blogging gadfly Lucas O'Connor.  We've got the San Diego Drinking Liberally crew led by founder Jesse Rubin, so you know it'll be a party.  And most importantly, we have tireless, brilliant and criminally underappreciated activists from throughout the San Diego area.

We don't have Slick Willie, but we have a chance for you to pitch in and have a great night for $20, $40, or whatever it is you can afford.  We don't quibble over pennies.  What we're after is the passion.  See you Wednesday.

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Secretary of State Debra Bowen is looking forward to her hour long discussion with folks on Monday at 4 pm, judging by the note she left Bob on Facebook (yes, she is the coolest Facebook friend I have, especially since it really is her).  Courage Campaign is hosting a conference call with all folks interested in hearing from progressive hero Bowen.  She will give us an update on what she has been up to and her plans for the upcoming elections.

You can sign-up here and submit your questions in advance.

The email that just went out to the Courage list is below.  And here is the Facebook group: We Have a Crush on Debra Bowen that Brian created, for this call and obvious reasons.

by RepHildaSolis [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Tomorrow I'm hosting a forum on Global Warming at Cal State LA from 9am-3pm where I will bring together environmentalists, labor unions, small businesses, cities, schools and community residents to discuss the local challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.  Speakers will include Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and Mary Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board.

EDIT by Brian: See the extended for more details on what sounds like a really cool event.