Vol. 36, No. 10 www.arlingtondemocrats.org October 2011 How to help win big Campaign season is in full swing, and the gods there are always a dozen or so routes to do after the are with us to make for more comfortable outdoor first weekend. weather. Thanks to the 2011 Joint Campaign, vol- unteer opportunities abound for Arlington Dems. Median Signs To sign up for any of these activities or get Saturday, October 8th answers to any questions you may have, email It’s a dangerous job, but someone’s got to do [email protected] or call HQ it! (And it can actually be quite fun.) If you liked at 703-528-8588—and be prepared to leave a de- Double Dare back in the ‘80s and are ready for a Join the tailed message. challenge, then placing median signs may be just the ticket to get your daredevil juices flowing. We Messenger Weekend place a max of two signs per candidate in each seg- last Starting Oct. 1st til it’s done! ment of median strip. That’s the county ordinance. Do you yearn for the old days when the friendly If you don’t hanker running across traffic lanes, face of your local paper boy (or girl) delivered your become a driver for those who do hanker dodging minute newspaper to your doorstep? Well, we have the per- cars. fect remedy — help distribute the Arlington Demo- crats’ annual newspaper, the Democratic Messen- Election Day ger, to neighborhoods throughout the county. We Tuesday, November 8th push! have more than 400 routes to blanket the county After all the hard work leading up to Election and hit every door. Day, we need to do our part to make sure that vot- The Messenger provides information on the 14 ers actually “touch that screen” for our Democratic See how at candidates on this year’s general election ballot, candidates. To help ensure this happens, we need includes voting information, and hits at the core of you to volunteer for at least one of these activities: the right what’s at stake this election cycle. Every fall, pre- • Hand out sample ballots at your polling place/ cinct volunteers make this stoop-side paper toss. If Metro stop all day long. you missed the first weekend, check in at HQ as continued on page nine

Monthly meeting shifting date and site; see DNC chair instead Oct. 5 The October ACDC meeting is not only shift- Democratic hangout, the Silver Diner. ing to another location BUT ALSO TO ANOTHER Brian Moran, chairman of the Democratic Party DAY. Do NOT go to NRECA this Wednesday! But of Virginia (DPVA) is sponsoring this event so that do go to the Clarendon Ballroom instead. more Dems may meet the new national chairman. The date shift is because ACDC is encourag- It is a state fundraiser with an entry price of $50 for ing everyone to attend a state party event planned individuals and $35 for YDs. To attend, go to https:/ for Arlington that night. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, /www.vademocrats.org/contribute/DWSNOVA. the new chair of the Democratic National Commit- Now, the monthly ACDC meeting is being tee, will be appearing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednes- pushed forward one week to Wednesday, October day, October 5 (overlapping our normal meeting 12, at 7 p.m. at the Walter Reed Community Center time) at the Clarendon Ballroom. at 2909 South 16th Street. From South Walter Reed That is at 3185 Wilson Blvd. near the intersec- Drive, turn east on 16th Street and you can’t miss it. tion with 10th Street and Washington Blvd. It’s just There is parking on the grounds. down the street from the Clarendon Metro station This monthly meeting will be devoted entirely WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ and just across the intersection from that renowned to the upcoming elections. . . . DNC chair ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 2

Report from Chairman Mike Lieberman Two votes Two votes in the Virginia Senate. That’s who dare to show scientifically that global joy phone banking, door knocking, deliver- the only buffer left against full control in Rich- warming is occurring; and issuing an opinion ing the Messenger, Metro flyering, farmers mond by Republican Bob McDonnell, Ken that Virginia colleges and universities cannot market tabling, or just writing a check to sup- Cuccinelli, and their Tea Party friends. And prohibit discrimination against gay and les- port our team, we have opportunities for you this year, with three contested Senate contests bian students. This Republican agenda has – and we need your help here at home, those votes have to come from real impact on real people, and it should serve I urge all of you to go to our web calen- Arlington. as a stark reminder to all of us of what is at dar at www.arlingtondemocrats.org, find an We have seen what can happen when stake. activity, and lend a hand. Great field opera- Republicans are allowed to wield power un- The Democratic Senate in Richmond is tions can beat a money dump any day of the checked; indeed, their agenda – driven by all that stands in the way of this Republican week, and while we may be outspent this year, some of their most extreme elements – often agenda becoming law wholesale. And this I know we will not be outworked. flies directly in the face of the progressive year in Arlington, the burden of maintaining Two votes is all that stands between us values we hold dear. that buffer rests with us. With two open sen- and Tea Party control of Richmond. This year, Take, for example, Governor ate races (Ebbin and Favola) and one signifi- perhaps more than any other, we here in Ar- McDonnell’s TRAP regulations issued this cantly redistricted incumbent (Howell), our lington can and must be the difference. August, which will severely limit a woman’s three Arlington votes may very well decide right to reproductive choice. Look at the bud- control of the Senate for the whole state. get passed by the Republican House of Del- In the 31st Senate District, in particular, Bar- egates this year, which would have cut $50 bara Favola faces a self-funding millionaire $4Dems pulling million in critical education funding at a time Republican who is expected to mount a chal- when our Virginia schools need reinvestment. lenge in a newly redistricted seat that may And take a close look at Attorney General truly put us to the test. in big bucks Cuccinelli’s record – filing suit to overturn With five weeks left until Election Day, The Dollars for Democrats campaign has health reform, investigating UVA professors we need all hands on deck. Whether you en- been another runaway success this year. As of the end of September, funds were still pour- ing in and the total had already passed $9,000. The total cost of the project was a little over $2,500 for paper, postage and printing. Jerry Botland The low cost is because of all the volunteer effort. More than a dozen volunteers worked Computer Consulting at home in August hand-addressing 5,066 en- Troubleshoot and resolve computer and velopes. That saved big bucks. The hand- addressing also assures that recipients open computer related problems. the envelopes and not just drop them in the Perform upgrades, set-up wireless routers and print servers. round file with the junk mail. Transfer old files, address book and emails Then more than 60 volunteers—a from an old computer to a new one. record—showed up at the September ACDC meeting and put stamps and return address Phone: (703) 933-0558 — [email protected] labels on those 5,066 envelopes. That also saved a bundle. (Note: The stamps and la- bels are all self-adhesive—no licking re- quired.) The only machine operation was the stuffing of the solicitation letters and return envelopes into the mailer and the sealing of Published monthly by the the mailer. (Machine licking only.) Arlington County Democratic Committee By the time the $4Dems campaign ends 2009 North 14th Street, Suite #612, Arlington, VA 22201 this year, it is likely the Joint Campaign will Tel: (703) 528-8588 Fax: (703) 528-2321 net—not gross—$10,000. http://www.arlingtondemocrats.org But get ready for next year. In a presi- Chair: Mike Lieberman —(703) 408-3940 (h), [email protected] dential year, ACDC normally tries to post Editor-in-Chief: Warren L. Nelson —(703) 243-7867 (h), [email protected] 15,000 to 20,000 $4Dems solicitations. That’s Deputy Editor: Eric Wiener — (703) 524-6899 (h), [email protected] a lot—especially when you remember Arling- Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the ACDC ton has 90,000 households. It will take a lot unless expressly approved by an appropriate Committee Resolution more hands with good handwriting and a lot Copyright ©2011, ACDC, All Rights Reserved more stamp and label appliers. ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 3

Golden Gala: Next Monthly Meeting All Dems Invited Eat & talk; Special Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 7:00 p.m. location--just this month drink & talk; Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th Street South (located two blocks east of Glebe Road and NEW one block east of Walter Reed Drive) Just DATE!!! this talk & talk month The final ACDC social event of the cam- Almost everything is changed this month! First, we are mov- paign season is the Golden Gala, the annual ing from the first Wednesday to the SECOND Wednesday— high fashion cocktail party, though no tuxedos that is October 12. Next, we are moving from NRECA to the or evening gowns are required. Walter Reed Center. What isn’t changed is the focus on the There will be lots of wine, beer and elections that will be only 27 days away when we meet. We munchables that are now officially termed hope to have some campaign projects for folks to join in, like “heavy hors d’oeuvres.” the $4Dems mailing we worked on at the September meeting. On the other hand, the speeches will be light. This is the final kick-back-the-heels event before the two-week drive to Election Day. The food is courtesy of ACDC’s own of Nancy and Saul Pilchen at 1412 North Kitchen Crew, which has classified the menu Highland Street in Lyon Village. It is walk- Democratic Values in Action and won’t talk to The Voice about it. But the ing distance from the Clarendon Metro sta- Kitchen Crew always comes up a palate- tion. You cross Wilson Blvd and then walk pleasing selection of delicious delights and one long block up Highland. frequently adds a new and enticing dish at the The event will be held Saturday, Octo- Cereal collection Golden Gala. ber 22, 6:30-9:30 p.m. On the liquid side, the Joint Campaign The event is free to Gold Card holders. is really a boon has created a new cocktail of classified in- For others, general admission is $75 and YDs gredients to honor the evening’s special guest, are $45. retiring State Senator Mary Margaret The Golden Gala is the third Gold Card to many families Whipple. social event of each campaign year. The first Cereal may be part of your normal morn- Like Mary Margaret, the concoctors of event each year is the Chili Cookoff, held on ing routine, but for many citizens in Arling- this concoction say the drink will be “elegant, Labor Day. The second event varies each ton cereal is a major staple of their diet—not but very strong.” campaign year and this year was the Septem- only for breakfast, but for the other meals as The Golden Gala will be held at the home ber wine tasting. well. The Arlington Food Assistance Center feeds thousands of Arlingtonians. Boxed ce- real is the one item that is not normally do- nated in bulk, but is asked for over and over again by families. Since Arlington Democrats started col- Bumper Sticker lecting cereal for the Arlington Food Assis- tance Center (AFAC) in 2008, we have do- nated 536 boxes of cereal. So far this year, of the Month we have contributed 104 boxes of cereal. Charley Conrad, chairman of Demo- cratic Values in Action (DVA), the non-cam- paign charitable arm of ACDC, says, “It is thrilling to pull up to AFAC every month and hear the dock crew say: ‘Here come the Ar- lington Democrats.’” With such a contribution, you are dem- onstrating our Democratic Values in Action in a very concrete way. Thank you for your continued support of our cereal donation pro- gram. ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 4 Donkey Ears Listening to the doings of Arlington’s Dems K-K Dinner as overheard by Dan Steen and Mädi Green will feature The left touch: Some Dems have green thumbs to go with their blue proclivities. The garden developed by Kevin Ceckowski and Robert Christie was named Freedom Rider one of three best in the county last month by the Rock Spring Garden Club. Four The 18th annual Kennedy-King Dinner, dozen gardens were nominated and a panel of judges from the National Capital which will mark the half-century since the Area Garden Clubs checked them all out last spring before naming the best. The start of the Freedom Rides, is set for Thurs- Ceckowski-Christie garden at 2560 North Vermont Street “tames” two lots with day, October 13, at the Alexandria Hilton lots of roses, azaleas and peonies around a southern magnolia and a Norway Mark Center. maple complete with running water. You can check out the garden if you attend Honoring the legacies of the Reverend one of the Democratic fundraisers the two often host. Your next chance is Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert coming up fast—October 6 for Barbara Favola. Kennedy, the annual dinner brings together Passages: Soren Henriksen, husband of Pam Henriksen, who keeps all of Democrats from around the 8th Congressional ACDC’s contributions straight and staffs HQ two days a week, died peacefully District while raising funds for Democratic the morning of Labor Day. He had not been well for some time and was in the candidates. Capital Hospice at the time of his death. He was 95. Ever the loyalist, Pam The 8th District Democratic Committee, made a point of showing up at the Chili Cookoff just hours after Soren’s passing which sponsors the dinner, is chaired by to be with her Democratic family. Soren was born in New York City but reared Arlington’s Margo Horner and the dinner in Chicago. A member of the National Guard, he was called to active duty in the chairs this year are Charley Conrad and Dan summer of 1942, serving in the South Pacific until he was wounded in the Steen of Arlington. summer of 1945. He got his BA and MA in Illinois and then went to work as a This year’s dinner is special as it will cel- mathematician for the Army Map Service. That is where he met Pam. Soren ebrate the legacy of the 1961 Freedom Rid- retired after 35 years and went on in retirement to produce a dictionary of ers, who were key to desegregating interstate geodetic terms. buses in Virginia and the rest of the South. Class warfare: Elizabeth Warren, the consumer advocate running for the Demo- They also ignited a generation of student ac- cratic nomination to challenge Sen. Scott Brown for the US Senate seat in tivists to engage in the civil rights movement. Massachusetts next year, was queried recently about the GOP argument that In addition to remarks from the dinner’s raising taxes on the wealthy is just class warfare. Here’s how she responded: honorary chairman, Congressman Jim “There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a Moran, guests will also hear from Congress- factory out there? Good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to man Bob Fillner (D-CA), an original freedom market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid rider, who as a 19-year-old student at Cornell to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces left school to join the Freedom Rides and was that the rest of us paid for. You didn’t have to worry that marauding bands would imprisoned in Mississippi’s notorious Parch- come and seize everything at your factory—and hire someone to protect against ment Prison for his work on civil rights. this—because of the work the rest of us did. Now look, you built a factory and it Tickets begin at $100, with special pric- turned into something terrific, or a great idea. God bless. Keep a big hunk of it. ing for seniors and young Democrats. Ar- But part of the underlying social contract is: you take a hunk of that and pay lington Democratic Committee Deputy Chair forward for the next kid who comes along.” Maureen Markham is organizing Arlington Home for used goods: Patrick Hynes, spouse of County Board Member Mary tables and can be reached at Hynes, retired from the Senate Democratic staff long ago and now pursues his [email protected]. avocation full time—yard sales! Drive by their house on Highland Avenue in For more information, contact Charley Lyon Village and three times a year you will see stacks of goods eager to find a Conrad ([email protected]) or Dan new owner. Mary says the couple built a new home a few years ago partly to Steen ([email protected]). You can have the room for Patrick to accumulate everything between yard sales. also visit the 8th District Democratic Com- Passages: John Morgan Browder, who served many years as captain in Arlington mittee website to purchase tickets. precinct, passed away in September at the age of 84. He often came to headquar- The 8th District encompasses Arlington, ters to help out and was described as both a charming gentlemen and a very hard Alexandria, Falls Church and adjoining parts worker. A retired Army colonel, he was laid to rest in Arlington National of Fairfax County. Cemetery with full military honors. ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 5 Softball game gets soggied out ‘Wait’ll next year,’ say sluggers

We are checking our encyclopedia of no time available until November, they de- incongruous baseball statistics to try to find cided to cancel this year’s baseball classic. out if any postponed MLB game has ever been Coach Snow said an ice hockey game postponed a second time—because that’s just was contemplated as an alternative, but the what has happened to the long-awaited Ar- teams are looking toward a baseball rematch lington-Alexandria clash on the diamond. sometime in 2012 to get both teams warmed Back in July, the much-vaunted sports up for the presidential election. classic was blistered out by the horrors of glo- The cancelation of the 2011 game has bal warming that threatened to melt some of one benefit—it preserves Arlington’s perfect the best campaigners in the state while they record against Alexandria of one win and no pursued athletic greatness. been a very exciting event for kids who adore losses. It also gives both teams more time in So, the game was re-scheduled for the mud. More like a Moonsquish. which to try to come up with names for their more hospitable month of September. But this The Arlington and Alexandria coaches squads. time, the game was soggied out after days and put their minds together looking for another It also leaves the Nationals unchallenged days of Noah-like downpours left the field date, but the fall campaign took priority. With in the Washington metropolitan area. swamp-like and threatened to suck down ev- ery outfielder. A dismayed coach Gabe (Casey Stengel) Snow said, “I was confident that Why wait when you can vote weather would not be a problem the second time around. I guess when I hang up my cleats, I won’t have a job as a weatherman.” For the postponed game, cleats would right now for your choices? probably best have been replaced by fins. Be the first on your block to vote this year. That’s relatively easy when you live in Gabe was informed the morning of the Don’t wait for the November crush. what is by far the smallest county in the en- game by the Arlington Parks and Recreation Vote early—if not often. tire country. Department that the field was far too water- Yes, remember that in Virginia you do Planning to smell the roses in Falls logged to support any athletic event. not have to wait for Election Day to make your Church that day? You can vote early. Con- The downpours not only canceled the imprint on the ballot. The law only requires templating a shopping excursion to Seven softball game but also washed out the planned that you plan to be absent from the county for Corners? You’re eligible. family picnic accompanying the game, along any part of Election Day to make you eligible The registrar encourages early voting to with the Moonbounce that might actually have to vote early. reduce the pressure at polling places on Elec- tion Day. You vote on the Third Floor of the County Building at 2100 Clarendon Blvd. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through November 4. There is no voting on the Monday before Election Day. But there are some evening and Satur- day hours: Thursday, Oct. 27, to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can go now. Early voting began September 23. You only need to fill in a brief form and check a box for why you qualify—for ex- ample, absent for personal business or vaca- tion. Then you will cast your vote on the same machine used at the polls in November. ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 6 Meet your fellow Dems Yes, Susan Lechner’s blintzes could probably win a television quiz show Thesis I That Byrd Machine had also launched Long time ACDC member and volun- “Massive Resistance” as a way to thwart court teer Susan Lechner hates change. She has ordered school integration. lived in the same place, worked for the same Susan and her husband then embarked employer and worked as a volunteer for the on a two-pronged effort to gain voting rights same party organization for over 40 years. for the black community and to reform the Thesis II local Democratic Committee. The first mat- Susan Lechner is a change agent, and ter is not lip service. Arlington County, like played a direct role in one of the biggest and many southern communities, had its own in- most significant changes in our society. sidious form of voting test, in which a con- Can these two theses be reconciled? Let fusing form was required to be completed. us consider the evidence in support of each. White people would be assisted by the clerks, When we consider the first argument, there is and black people would not be assisted by the much evidence to support it. Susan has been clerks. If the form was not completed cor- living here in Arlington since she first moved rectly, that person could not vote. Thus was here in 1960 with her husband, a military of- the vote suppressed. ficer assigned to the Pentagon, and would not The Lechners worked for voting rights think of moving. She has been volunteering with others in the community and to insure and working at ACDC since 1961, and she that Arlington Schools would never be shut has been one of the producers of “It’s Aca- down. A big push on voter registration in demic!” the television quiz, show for 49 Arlington was undertaken in 1964. Susan cites years. major inspiration and contributions from Joe If you have been living in a cave, “It’s and Midge Wholey, Lucy Denney, Ed and Academic!” features a contest of local high Elizabeth Campbell and many others. Ed school teams competing in answering ques- and Elizabeth Campbell were major figures tions. The show is a local institution, getting in Arlington history and Elizabeth’s contribu- its start in DC 51 years ago and expanding to tion can be seen everyday in the form of Pub- Baltimore, Charlottesville, Pittsburgh, and, LECHNER lic Television station WETA. this year, Honolulu. Susan started out 49 years . . . It’s Academic At that time, you had to put your name ago as a question writer and has moved up on the primary ballot to be elected a precinct over the years to producer. Readers can learn government, and continued to win reelection captain and member of the County Democratic more about the show at until the one year that he cut back on spend- Committee. Susan ran more than once before www.ItsAcademicquizshow.com. ing so much that the snow did not get plowed. she was successful, and Kennedy Democrats Moreover, Lechner can’t seem to stay Her background is in progressive politics. did not oust the Byrd Machine remnants away from ACDC, volunteering for virtually After leaving the military, Susan’s hus- swiftly. This was the beginning of the ACDC every Democratic candidate that ran in the band, the late Ira Lechner (who many will re- we know today, and Susan was there right at ‘60‘s, ‘70’s, ‘80’s and beyond. She’s a fix- member as a delegate to the State Legislature the start and should rightly be acknowledged ture. Surely, when considered in this fash- for Arlington and parts of Alexandria) became as a pioneer. But, success at the local level ion, she does not fit the profile of a change an attorney in Arlington. She wanted to get did not immediately translate into success at agent. What evidence supports Thesis II? involved in the community, and specifically, the Congressional level. Joel Broyhill was the Consider what was going on in 1960. wanted to work for Kennedy in 1960. Republican congressman representing North- There were two big political issues in 1960. She contacted the local Democratic Party ern Virginia and Arlington until 1974. It took One was the Kennedy-Nixon election. The about volunteering, and waited and waited to Joe Fisher, whom Susan remembers as a great other was the civil rights movement. hear back. She waited in vain, because the candidate, as well as the post-Watergate dis- Susan grew up in Bridgeport, Connecti- local Democratic party was not endorsing gust with all things Republican—and better cut, in the World War II era. Bridgeport had Kennedy. It was comprised of Byrd Demo- organizing—to beat Broyhill. a Socialist mayor, Jasper McLevy, who had crats and firmly in the hands of the Byrd Ma- Lest we think she spent all of her time taken over from a very corrupt party machine chine, which would have nothing to do with on the barricades, Susan worked as a captain back in the Depression, cleaned up the city Kennedy. continued on page ten ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 7

November ballot gains and loses The rumor has started that somebody is out to get 22-18 majority. The lieutenant governor, who has the tie- Delegate Bob Brink since he is the sole candidate for an breaking vote in the Senate, is a Republican so the GOP Arlington House of Delegates seat to draw an opponent— will control that chamber by picking off two Democratic and he’s now drawn two of them! seats and producing a 20-20 breakdown in the Senate. Below is the ballot as it will appear for the Novem- The state GOP is expected to pour money into the ber 8 general election this year. It is revised from the race in the 31st District, which has been vastly redrawn ballot printed here last month. Candidates running against and now is only 57 percent in Arlington with the rest in School Board Member Abby Raphael and Delegate Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Patrick Hope have dropped out, leaving them unchal- In Arlington, third party candidates and an indepen- lenged for re-election. dent have filed to run in two of the 14 races in the county— But Brink drew another opponent just before the fil- with an Independent Green challenging Delegate Brink, ing deadline. Independent Kathy D. Gillette-Mallard will a Green Party candidate running for County Board and now be joining Independent Green Janet Murphy in try- an independent against Brink. (Note that the Indepen- ing to push Brink over the brink. The betting money still dent Green Party and the Green Party and two entirely stands with Brink, but he has a new district that wends different political entities.) itself far out into the wilds of Fairfax County forcing him This means that eight of our 14 candidates are al- to spend more gasoline money and shoe leather working ready home free—all four so-called constitutional offic- new neighborhoods. ers (sheriff, commissioner of revenue, treasurer and The Republican Party is only running candidates in commonwealth’s attorney), all delegate candidates sans the three Senate Districts—and none of those candidates Brink plus School Board candidate Raphael. is from Arlington. They are all from Fairfax County. The races with challengers are all three Senate seats, Democrats now control the State Senate with a bare Brink’s delegate seat and the two County Board posts.

Senate, 30th District Timothy T. C. McGhee (R) Adam P. Ebbin (D) Senate, 31st District Caren D. Merrick (R) Barbara A. Favola (D) Senate, 32nd District Patrick N. Forrest (R) Janet D. Howell (D), incumbent House, 45th District David L. Englin (D), incumbent House, 47th District Patrick A. Hope (D), incumbent House, 48th District Robert H. Brink (D), incumbent Janet Murphy (IG) Kathy D. Gillette-Mallard (I) House, 49th District Alfonso H. Lopez (D) Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo K. Stamos (D) Sheriff Elizabeth F. “Beth” Arthur (D), incumbent Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid H. Morroy (D), incumbent Treasurer Francis X. O’Leary (D), incumbent County Board (two seats) Mary H. Hynes (D), incumbent J. Walter Tejada (D), incumbent Audrey R. Clement (G) School Board Abigail J. Raphael, incumbent ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 8 The day was almost too much for the chili Much of the credit for the success of the individually and in harmony. The bass player It was hot. It was steamy. The sweat Cookoff—with a record number of chilis on adds oomph to the twin acoustic guitars and was pouring off the patrons’ faces. And that the table—goes to Sarah Eckman, who took additional harmony. They can cover songs was before anybody even had a bite of chili. charge of organizing the event this year. ranging from the Beatles and Bob Dylan to As it did all summer long, the weather Creating much of the party atmosphere “Down on the Corner” by CCR to “And Then bug bit again on Labor Day, the day of the was the Morroy sisters and their combo. He Kissed Me” by the Shirelles. Chili Cookoff. The classic Arlington in late Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy, A surprise and surprising guest vocalist summer combination of high humidity fol- her twin sister and their bass player often play was Caroline Raphael, the 12-year-old daugh- lowed by a monsoon created a sauna like at- ACDC events. The sisters have great voices, mosphere in the Lyon Park Community Cen- continued on next page ter. When canned heat and chili packing vari- ous degrees of hot punch were added to the mix, even the coolest county politician was schvitzing like Rodney Dangerfield. We now And the winners are . . . know what those promotional campaign hand Chili Chef Supreme The Picasso fans are for! Chili Para Todo Arlington: Chili for All of Ar- Progressive Turkey Chili One exception was former (and perhaps lington Adam Ebbin for Senate future) gubernatorial candidate Terry Re-Elect Walter Tejada for County Board Chef: Lori Swain McAuliffe, appearing cool and collected while Chefs: Melissa Bondi and Lee Niederman schmoozing with Delegate Patrick Hope. (This was actually 4 separate chilis; a spicy Most Gourmet Even standing next to open sterno flames, the and mild version of a vegetarian chili and a Mary’s Mild Mannered Chicken Chili man did not break a sweat, the sign of a born spicy and mild version of a turkey chili.) Re-Elect Mary Hynes for County Board candidate south of Mason-Dixon Line. When Chef: Mary Hynes encouraged by Arlington Dems to run in the Chili Chef Silver Award (1st Runner-Up) 2013 governor’s race, he replied, “…think- Abby’s Black Bean Chili Aged to Perfection ing about it, thinking about it.…” Non-com- Re-Elect Abby Raphael for Arlington School The Treasurer of the Sierra Madre mittal words, but body language signaling that Board Frank O’Leary for Treasurer truly serious consideration was being given. Chef: Abby Raphael Chef: Dave Gelman The weather forced the event to move (Award for a returning entry) indoors. That had the effect of forcing can- Wild Hot Award celation of the dunk tank, which wasn’t dis- Janet Howell’s Howlin’ Hot Virginia Chili Rookie of the Year appointing to many prospective dunkees but Sen. Janet Howell Mr T’s Afternoon Delight Chili brought sadness to many eager dunkers. One Chef: Donna Grossman Theo Stamos of those showing disappointment was softball coach Gabe (Casey Stengel) Snow, who had Mild Tempered Award Most Ecological planned to use the dunk tank to prospect for Bob Brink’s West Side Chicago Chili Hope for the Best some pitching talent. Bob Brink for Delegate Delegate Patrick Hope Despite the weather, the turnout for the Chef: James Schroll Chef: Patrick Hope Chili Cookoff was quite high, and nearly the full roster of office-holders and candidates Where’s The Beef? Award Jack of All Trades (Politician & Chef) made an appearance at some point. Soy Good Chili Mary Margaret Whipple In addition to McAuliffe, another out- Arlington Young Democrats Senate Majority Chili of-town guest was Sean Mitchell, who is run- Chefs: Jamie Lockhart and Brian Alexander Chefs: Mary Margaret Whipple and Arlene ning against Republican Dick Black, the Spinelli Snidely Whiplash of the legislature. Sean Go Meat! Award came as a guest of Senator Mary Margaret Team Englin Progressive Chili Most Valuable Sous-Chef Whipple and received a lot of attention and Delegate David Englin Chef: Jason Stanford encouragement in his quest from Arlington Chef: Jon Alex Golden For Alfonso Lopez’s Fightin’ 49er Chili Democrats. Candidates who had fought the good Veggie Lovers Award The Edison (Most Inventive) fight in the primaries came together at the Taxes Chili Mike Murtha Chili Cookoff, some doling chili out and oth- Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy Chef for Doc’s Famous Boss Chili and Kate’s ers judging it. Chef: Sue Gruskiewicz Incredible Shiska-Chili That primary, the upcoming elections, the heat and the chili itself provided plenty of Colorful Masterpiece What’s in a Name? Award (creative name) fodder for conversation. The event was not Favola’s Fabulous Chili Jail House Chili just a successful fundraiser, but a darn good Barbara Favola for Senate Sherriff Beth Arthur party party. Chef: Mike Murtha Chef: Beth Arthur ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 9 The day was almost too much for the chili continued from previous page chili. When we are reduced to the point of the end of the day. eating Soylent Green, I will try soy chili. Until “After a certain point, the taste buds are ter of School Board Member Abby Raphael, that time, it is the equivalent of green eggs stunned into submission and some chili no and, apparently, the reincarnation of Bessie and ham to me.” doubt got short shrift as a result. I hesitate to Smith. She sang “Rolling in the Deep,” by Then he put the screws on. “There was say whether I regret passing on the ‘Shishk- Adele, one of those neo-soul numbers. a general over reliance on green and red pep- a-Chili’ as much as I admire the name. The You will find all the award winners from pers to add spice and kick. It does add kick, best pun and the best graphics award goes to the chili competition on the preceding page, overwhelmingly so, so that the flavor of ev- Frank O’Leary for his awesome movie with awards handed out like candy from a erything else is lost. Heat and flavor should poster for the Bogie thriller, ‘ The Treasurer busted piñata. But, what of the chili itself? come from the spices, not from an overdose of Sierra Madre’.” This reporter is obliged to maintain some level of peppers. Peppers, like vegetables, are sec- “So what is your final verdict?” we of objectivity, and must rely upon The Voice’s ondary, not primary, ingredients. Buy enough asked. new food critic, a most demanding and can- meat or stay home!” He was steaming. “Utterly appalling!” he replied “and I did individual dubbed “The Chow Hound.” “So you hated it?” we asked. can’t wait to go again next year!” “Call me a traditionalist,” he said, “call “No. I ate until I couldn’t eat anymore. Now, some may say that the Chow me hidebound, call me, of all things, a con- Then I went back and got some more any- Hound is just another elitist prig. To balance servative, but chili should have meat in it. way. I really liked Adam Ebbin’s Terlingua his view, we have spoken with our “Man on That’s what chili is. Beef, brisket or ground. style chili, Patrick Hope’s well seasoned the Street,” longtime activist Sue Zojac, and Chicken, maybe. Beans if you insist upon it. ground beef with beans—and Fritos, a nice asked for her favorites in the chili competi- Everything else is a stew.” touch—and even the turkey with white beans tion. She said that she liked Mary Hynes’ Getting up to speed, he said, “I saw a lot put out by Adam Ebbin. The carrots in Beth chili because it was mild, and she liked Abby of turkey. Turkey is fit for Thanksgiving and Arthur’s chili also added a nice sweetness Raphael’s chili because it was vegetarian. nothing else. I saw vegetarian chili, which is and contrast to the hotter flavors in her chili. So, there you have the two competing a prime example of missing the point entirely. Theo Stamos forked out for beef brisket with views, but both agreed that they are looking I saw, greatest of all horrors to this purist, soy fine results, and her steam tray was empty at forward to next year’s competition. Here is how we win in November continued from page one banks and deployment sites for weekend and ing information, at the Metro during week- weekday afternoon canvassing. We need food day morning and evening rush hours, starting • Put up signs at the 52 polling places the to feed for these great volunteers!! Donations October 17th; and 2) if you are a resident of night before the election. of sustenance tremendously appreciated. an inaccessible apartment building, becom- • Be a circuit rider checking in by car at and, finally, ing a building captain/ambassador for the polling places on Election Day. • P r es e rving Great Data!! You know Arlington Democrats. • Drive voters to the polls. how important it is that we use all the valu- As a building ambassador, you could do able voter info being collected – and that any number of things that would help raise 31st State Senate Race means entering voter contact data. We need awareness about this year’s election with your So, you’ve heard about our competitive help!! If you are available on weekdays, the apartment neighbors, including: hosting a race in the 31st State Senate district and you Favola campaign—and the entire Arlington voter registration drive or informational event, want to help? Great! We definitely need you. Democratic community—will benefit. Quick posting literature on bulletin boards in com- We have many options for you to join your and accurate entry of canvassing and phone mon areas, and distributing literature. Democratic friends in “doing your part” to banking results allows future volunteers to be ensure current County Board Member Bar- armed with the most accurate list of voters Golden Gala bara Favola is elected to the State Senate. who still need to be identified, persuaded, or Saturday October 22nd Here are a few of the ways you can help: reminded to vote. Our final Gold Card event of the season • Knock! Call! Come join! The is our annual cocktail soiree, the Golden Gala. usual “knocking doors” and “calling voters” Reaching High-Rise Dwellers You don’t want to miss it. This year’s Gala is efforts that we all know and love. In 2007, our most recent comparable in near Clarendon, at the home of Nancy and • Drive! We need some fearless driv- election year, voter turnout in high rise pre- Saul Pilchen, 1412 N. Highland St., from 7- ers to transport our younger and environmen- cincts was very low. There are many high- 9 p.m. Entrance is free for Gold Card hold- tally-minded canvassers to non-Metro-able rise residential buildings in the 31st Senate ers, $75 for General Admission, $45 for Young neighborhoods. district, so boosting turnout in these high-rise Democrats (under 36). You can also be an • Cook! Enjoy preparing meals for precincts is especially critical. event sponsor for $150 large groups? The hotly-contested 31st State You can help boost high-rise turnout in You can easily buy your ticket online at Senate race means flocks of volunteers pack- two ways, by: 1) distributing the Joint Cam- www.arlingtondemocrats.org or just buy it at ing Arlington Dems’ HQ for mid-week phone paign grip card, and in-person absentee vot- the door. ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 10 Dems visiting with veterans The ACDC/AYD Joint Caucus on Vet- erans, Military & Foreign Affairs organized a team of volunteers to visit with World War II veterans at the DC Veterans’ Hospital July 17. It is now planning a similar visit, but with wounded Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans at the recently combined Walter Reed/ Bethesda National Medical Center. Plans are being made for a weekend visit in October or November. Please email Jonathan Morgenstein ([email protected]) if you’d like to give back to those who have given so much. Additionally, the Caucus is collecting en- tertainment items for the wounded veterans. Please bring DVDs, music CDs, magazines, books and/or packaged food (cookies, candy, etc. but ONLY packaged baked goods. They don’t accept home made baked goods.) to the October ACDC meeting to donate. NUMBER 52 — Arlington has yet another precinct in time for the November election. This is Precinct Number 52 bearing the name of 1st Sat. breakfast to Gunston. It is located in south Arlington to the east of Shirley Highway. Voters in the new precinct will cast their ballots at the Gunston be held first Saturday Community Center at 2700 South Lang Street. The November First Saturday Breakfast will be held on the First Saturday, just 70 hours before the polls open for Election Day on the first Tuesday after the first Monday. And the November guests can talk in Lechner first fought Byrd detail about the campaign as they are candi- continued from page six ton Free Clinic, taking appointments and re- dates Abby Raphael for School Board, ferrals. She lauds the Clinic for the great Ingrid Morroy for commissioner of revenue in the Woodlawn and Nottingham precincts. health care it provides to poor people and and Frank O’Leary for treasurer. She helped organize the first Jefferson-Jack- immigrants and is very proud to work there. A usual, the breakfast will be held at the son Day Dinner back in the 1960’s, as well as Susan recalls the Arlington that she Busboys and Poets in Shirlington from 8:30 the Annual County Board Auction, and she moved to as very different from today. It had to 10 a.m. in a room reserved exclusively for wrote skits and songs for Follies style shows a lot fewer people. It was primarily subur- hungry Dems. Please bring cash in order to that used to be put on. ban. There was no Crystal City. Rosslyn was avoid fumbling with a stack of credit cards Regarding the County Board Auction, a series of one-story pawn shops. A Clarendon when it’s time to pay the bill. Susan had a vital role in that event as head of high rise had three stories—and there weren’t the “Blintz Committee.” Susan perfected the many of them. The Hispanic and Asian com- “cocktail” blintz, a finger friendly form of the munities were almost non-existent. The ves- Westover plans rally delicious but messy Jewish soul food, and tiges of Prohibition were still strong, and res- Westover Precinct co-captains Bob their presence is still required at this function taurants had to fight to get the right to serve Orttung and Karl Nelson are inviting any each year upon threat of civil disturbance. liquor by the drink. And, of course, each and and all to a late campaign Get Out The Vote When asked for the secret recipe, Susan re- every public facility was segregated. rally in Westover with all the candidates on sponds with a firm, “No Dice.” Is Susan the stick in the mud of Thesis I, the ballot in the precinct this year. Susan and her late husband have a son or the mover and shaker of Thesis II? Her It’s designed as a meet-and-greet with in Manhattan and a daughter in San Francisco, long tenures at her home, job and volunteer no political speeches. It’s scheduled to take and a granddaughter who also works in the positions would strongly support Thesis I, but place just ahead of the annual Westover Hal- television and movie industry. the end result of her efforts, the integrated and loween parade. She greatly enjoys her work with “It’s prosperous Arlington that we live in today, The rally will be Saturday, October 29, Academic,” but does not limit herself to that. provides all the proof we need the Thesis II is from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Westover Market She has worked for 20 years for the Arling- correct. Beer Garden, 5863 Washington Blvd. ACDC Voice, October 2011, Page 11 What this year’s Senate races really mean by Mary Margaret Whipple in population in Northern Virginia, districts only too clear. State Senator had to change significantly so that even in- And a Republican takeover of the Vir- Democrats control the Senate by a mar- cumbents have to introduce themselves to ginia Senate could be interpreted as a harbin- gin of 22-18. Should the Republicans gain many new voters. ger of things to come in 2012. So before we even two seats, they would take control since The stakes could hardly be higher. get to the presidential and congressional elec- a deciding vote on a 20-20 tie would be cast One-party rule in Virginia will have re- tions, let’s pay attention to our own election by Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill percussions for the Commonwealth that are in Virginia this year! Bolling. The governor is a Republican. The House of Delegates has a large Republican majority. Only the Democratic Senate provides a balance to Virginia state government. Only the Democratic Senate articulates a different vision for the Commonwealth. Some examples: The Republican House voted for a tax credit scheme that would reimburse corpora- tions for scholarship contributions to private and parochial schools. By combining state and federal credits, the corporation’s contri- bution would be fully reimbursed with tax- payer funds. This version of vouchers was rejected by the Democrats on the Senate Edu- cation and Health Committee. Multiple mean-spirited anti-immigrant bills were passed by the House of Delegates. In the Senate, a special subcommittee con- sidered the bills and Democrats rejected them. In these cases, had there been a Republican senate, you can assume that these misguided House bills would have passed since the Re- publicans on the committees voted for them. A clear indication of Democratic priori- NEW LINES — In the newly redrawn 31st Senate district, 57 percent of ties came during the budget process. The Sen- the population lives in Arlington, but about three-quarters of the land ate budget contained $100 million more than area falls in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. the House budget for K-12 public education. It had more for higher education at our col- leges and universities. It had $114 million more for health and human services and in- Calling out all Barbara cluded more for public safety. Thanks to the skill and fortitude of our conferees, the Sen- ate position prevailed. So what is happening in this year’s elec- Favola precinct volunteers tion contests? All precinct captains and volunteers in North Nelson St. in Arlington. The house is Well, while the Democratic senators and the precincts covered by the new 31st Senate three blocks north of the Virginia Square our caucus have raised more money than our District (map above) are being invited to a Metro station. Republican counterparts, the governor has a special reception with candidate Barbara Precinct captains are asked to pass word war chest of major proportions, about $3 mil- Favola Friday, October 7. of the reception on to the volunteers in their lion. That money is already being thrown into This gathering will give folks a chance precincts. Senate races around the Commonwealth to to meet fellow preicnct captains and volun- This is not a fundraiser. But for those benefit the Republican candidates. The gov- teers from all over the new district that looking for a Favola fundraiser, a wine and ernor has made no secret of the fact that he stretches far out to Loudoun County. It also cheese reception with donations at the door and the Republican Party are targeting Demo- gives Barbara a chance to get to know the will be held two days later from 5-7 p.m., cratic senators. many people working the precicnts for her. Sunday, October 9, at 3648 North Monroe Then this was the redistricting year. Due The reception is being held from 6:30 to Street in Arlington. RSVP to Abby Raphael to population changes, especially the increase 8:30 p.m. at the home of Paul Ashin, 1302 at [email protected].