Vol. 34, No.4 www.arlingtondemocrats.org April 2009 YD date auction sizzles big time, sells a jersey for $700 Many of the members of the Arlington Young ton Capitals jersey that prompted a bidding war be- Democrats are too young to remember the Beatles— tween two buyers authorizing bids via cellphone. which could explain why so many showed up to The winning bid for the jersey (see photo below) buy a chance at love at the 8th Annual Benefit Date topped out at a cool $700, the highest price for any J-J Auction. item ever auctioned at the event. Twenty-five brave auctionees wearing “lucky” Auctioneers Elisa Ortiz and Anne Marie Purdy shamrock nametags stepped up to the auction block kept the crowd entertained with their witty banter Dinner before a sizeable crowd throughout the evening and encouraged the crowd to loosen their wallets as March 12 at the Clarendon Grill. the night wore on. ACDC Program Chair Karl Johnson took Each year the proceeds from the event are split home the top dollar bid for the gentlemen ($350 – a between the Arlington Young Democrats and a char- Friday, record for a male auctionee!), while Saara Abawi ity beneficiary. The 2009 auction raised well over set the high bid for the ladies ($475). The event $3,000 for the Arlington Food Assistance Center, even featured dates with cheerleaders from the Wiz- an Arlington 501(c)(3) organization that provides May 15 ards and the Ravens – proof that young Democrats supplemental groceries to Arlington residents who come in all forms. cannot afford to purchase sufficient food to meet Details on A number of local businesses donated prizes their basic needs. for raffle and auction, from yoga sessions to gift A variety of Arlington and statewide Demo- page 2 certificates to gelato and wine tastings. But the most cratic candidates and elected officials served as sought after prize of the night that turned the dance sponsors or donated items for the auction, ensuring floor of the Clarendon Grill into Arlington’s own another successful event benefiting a local charity version of Christie’s was an autographed Washing- and the Arlington Young Democrats. DID I REALLY HEAR 700? — The Young Dems auction hit warp speed at this point when the jersey held by Jen Amore went for $700 as dual auctioneers Anne Marie Purdy (left) and Elisa Ortiz (right) worked the crowd. ACDC Voice, April 2009, Page 2 Report from Chairman Peter Rousselot Obama budget—Resources for change In 2008, Barack Obama was elected luxury of just focusing on Wall Street,” Presi- Over the next several weeks, all Arling- President in no small part because he prom- dent Obama said. “They don’t have the luxury ton Democrats should be looking for as many ised that, unlike his hapless Republican pre- of choosing to pay their mortgage or their opportunities as possible to engage our fel- decessor, he would be able to “walk and chew medical bills. They don’t get to pick between low volunteers and voters in conversations gum at the same time.” President Obama’s paying their kids’ college tuition or saving about President Obama’s budget goals, and first federal budget delivers on his winning enough money for retirement.… They have the reasons why he is pursuing them. The campaign promise. to do all these things,” our President con- Arlington County Democratic Committee will President Obama’s budget keeps our fo- cluded. be developing and publicizing plans and op- cus on the forest—not the trees. President Obama has challenged law- portunities to help us engage in this way. “To kick these problems down the road makers who oppose his budget plan to offer for another four years or another eight years constructive alternatives. He said he wel- would be to continue the same irresponsibil- comed ideas from both parties, but would not ity that led us to this point,” President Obama accept another period of political tactics. said in an appearance with the heads of the “‘Just say no’ is the right advice to give J-J coming congressional budget committees. “That’s not your teenagers about drugs,” President Obama why I ran for this office. I didn’t come here to said. “It is not an acceptable response to what- pass on our problems to the next president or ever economic policy is proposed by the other early this year, the next generation.” party. The American people sent us here to President Obama has strongly disputed get things done.” the idea, advanced by some congressional President Obama’s focus on the big pic- Fri., May 15 leaders (including some Democrats), that he ture is sure to appeal to the many volunteers It’s early this year! The Jefferson- should focus first on fixing the banking sys- and voters here in Arlington who worked so Jackson Dinner will be held Friday, May 15, tem. He noted that his administration is work- tirelessly to elect him to the presidency. These rather than in June. ing aggressively to loosen bank credit and get are the words, the philosophy, and the breadth The event, which has sold out the last people working again, but that real economic of vision that drove his electoral margins in few years, is ACDC’s most important recovery requires many actions at once. Arlington, and Arlington all by itself provided fundraising vehicle, not to mention the most “The American people don’t have the 21% of Obama’s margin of victory in Virginia. heavily attended event. With this year’s hotly contested prima- ries for governor, lieutenant governor, and the 47th District of the House of Delegates to be held just 25 days later, it’s even hotter than Jerry Botland usual. Once again, the dinner will be held at Computer Consulting the Arlington Westin Hotel, 801 N. Glebe Road, in Ballston—the site of the past three Troubleshoot and resolve computer and J-J’s. That makes it easy since you already computer related problems. know where to park. Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. Ticket prices remain the same as last Transfer old files, address book and emails year: $125 per person, with discounts for from an old computer to a new one. Roosevelt Society members ($115) and Young Democrats ($100). VIP tickets will be $250 Ph# (703) 933-0558 — [email protected] and will entitle purchasers to attend a special reception prior to the dinner. As of The Voice’s deadline, the keynote speaker remains a surprise, but you can be Published monthly by the sure it will be someone of great appeal. Re- Arlington County Democratic Committee cent keynoters have included Governor Tim 2009 North 14th Street, Suite #612, Arlington, VA 22201 Kaine and DNC Chair Howard Dean. Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 Invitations will be in the mail soon. If http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org you can’t wait, you may buy your ticket online Chair: Peter Rousselot —703-276-1584 (o), [email protected] after the first week in April by going to the Editor-in-Chief: Barbara van Voorst —703-522-6294 (h), [email protected] ACDC website, www.arlingtondemocrats.org Deputy Editor: Warren L. Nelson —703-243-7867 (h), [email protected] and clicking on “Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.” Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC Co-chairs of this year’s dinner are Bree unless expressly approved by an appropriate Committee Resolution Rahm and Gabe Snow, who also co-chaired Copyright ©2009, ACDC, All Rights Reserved last year’s event. ACDC Voice, April 2009, Page 3 Next Monthly Meeting— Bumper Sticker All Dems (Volunteers Especially) Invited of the Month Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 7 p.m. We can fix NRECA Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd Corner of North Taylor and Wilson, just east of Glebe & Wilson America, just Free parking under building, enter from Taylor Street don’t Rush it Dan Chenok, who headed technology for the Obama Transition Team, will speak about the technology the new Administration is adopting to involve citizens in the policy process, to ensure that government is transparent and accessible, and to main- tain a line of communication between people and president. Fisette running again; Lander is unopposed Arlington County Board Vice Chair Jay Fisette declared his candidacy for re-election at the March ACDC meeting. Fisette, who is currently serving his third term on the Board, said his campaign will be based on the theme of sustainability—both fiscal and environmental. He called environ- mental sustainability “the challenge of our generation.” He also said he is committed to preserv- ing diversity in our community. As of The Voice’s deadline, it does not appear that Fisette will have any Democratic primary opposition, although the deadline for filing is not until April 10. The deadline for filing for those seeking ACDC’s endorsement in the School Board contest passed March 9 and James Lander PC HELP was the only candidate who filed. This means that Lander will garner the coveted endorse- Want help with setting up, networking, upgrading, ment and there will be no need to hold a fixing, or just using your new or old PC? “firehouse primary” this year. The deadline for Republicans, Greens and independents to file for the November Affordable, personalized assistance. ballot is June 9, so Jay and James must wait Evenings and weekends. Your home or office. to see if they will have fall opposition. Ron Hicks DBA Systems That Work Email: [email protected] Website: www.systems-that-work.org H/O: 703-528-1009 Cell: 571-217-9949 Arlington Chamber of Commerce FISETTE LANDER ACDC Voice, April 2009, Page 4 From the rostrum to the kitchen, Charlene Bickford has done it all Former ACDC Chair and current one and three.