DEMOCRATS, FAMILIES PARTY AT PICNIC.Byline: Stacy Brown / Daily News Staff Writer Democrats from Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. and the Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by celebrated Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. at their annual picnic honoring the working families of Ventura County. Sponsored by the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee, the umbrella organization
An umbrella organization is an association of (often related, industry-specific) institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or of the political party's local club, the picnic kicked off with a speech from keynote speaker Jeff Herrera, a 37th Assembly District candidate. Herrera was joined by central committee Vice Chairwoman Sharon Hillbrandt, who told the more than 200 people in attendance that one of the picnic's purposes was to salute the working families of Ventura County, a theme of this year's event. ``This is for the people who support us and the people we try to support, which are the working class,'' Hillbrandt said. She added that this year's picnic marked the first time that the Democrats are sponsoring the event by themselves. Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez joined former Mayor Jane Tolmach in welcoming residents and fellow Democrats. Hillbrandt said a pastry booth was set up by Camarillo Democrats, while ice cream and watermelon watermelon, plant (Citrullus vulgaris) of the family Curcurbitaceae (gourd family) native to Africa and introduced to America by Africans transported as slaves. Watermelons are now extensively cultivated in the United States and are popular also in S Russia. booths were established by Oxnard and Simi boosters. ``This is what it's all about. This is for Democrats to get together and have fun,'' Hillbrandt said. A live band headed by local residents Mike Haden and Jim Cerone entertained the crowd during the day. ``Our people need to know that being a Democrat is not just working the polls or campaigns but having fun, too,'' Hillbrandt said. The Democrats said the next major area of concern for the party is getting Vice President Al Gore Noun 1. Al Gore - Vice President of the United States under Bill Clinton (born in 1948) Albert Gore Jr., Gore elected in the next general voting. Hillbrandt and the others realize they will need the support of all Democrats to keep the party in the White House after President Clinton's final term. ``There will be other events. Next spring we will have our biggest event, a dinner honoring a local Democrat and then we will start selling our buttons and pens, getting ready to get Gore elected,'' Hillbrandt said. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--color) Ventura council candidate Sandy Smith, left, Cliff Rodrigues, school board hopeful, and Yolanda Benitez chat at the Labor Day picnic. (2--color) Hank Lacayo, with Rita Mills, hands a hot dog to Charlie Weis Charles Joseph (Charlie) Weis (born March 30, 1956 in Trenton, New Jersey) is the current head coach of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. Early career After graduating from Middlesex (N.J. , 8. Tina Gerson / Daily News |
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