Our July meeting was a field trip. We gathered in Dolores Park on July 4th with the patriotic purpose of protecting democracy itself. How? By registering voters; by campaigning for the California DISCLOSE Act: Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections; and by supporting the SF Mime Troupe in their 52nd year of smart, satirical musical theater. We had the old ironing board as our base of operations, moved among the crowd with our petitions and voter registration materials, and then 8 of us stayed to enjoy the SF Mime Troupe show “2012 – The Musical!” and a fabulous potluck picnic. Activism should be fun! Photo by Scott Cole.

WHEN: Monday, July 4th, 12:30pm meet & register voters, 2pm picnic & show
WHERE: Dolores Park, Dolores in from 19th St

…and ultimately may lead to people growing their own. We got the whole picture from Food & Water Watch‘s Adam Scow‘s presentation, “Sowing the Seeds of a Fair Farm Bill” in Congress: regulation of the multinational corporations; supporting family farmers; increasing access to healthy food in urban communities. Then we bought it home with comments from various neighbors who source food locally and sell it, grow it themselves to eat or give away, or provide other resources for healthy eating and would-be urban farmers.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 7th, 6:45pm sign in & socialize, 7:00pm start
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St

At this month’s jam-packed meeting, Sandra Schwartz (below, left), Peace Education Coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee, introduced the Campaign for New Priorities, which involves ending pointless wars, cutting the defense budget and re-directing the funds to actual human needs. The Club will vote whether to endorse its principles at the May 3rd meeting.

Next, we were treated to an inspiring and dynamic presentation from Alysabeth Alexander (below, center), Political Action Chair of SEIU Local 1021, on the Fight for a Fair Economy for working families and the whole endangered middle class, in Wisconsin and closer to home.

Bill Barnes was quickly elected to fill the position of 1st VP/Membership Chair, vacated when Isaac Bowers moved to DC.

Supervisor Malia Cohen (below, right) then joined us to discuss the latest at City Hall. Moreover, she has graciously agreed to show up quarterly to fill us in. All speakers’ presentations included typically lively Q&A.

Rebecca Shearin photos.

Part of the Governor’s proposed budget completely eliminates community Redevelopment Agencies. Have these entities been essential for job creation and community revitalization, or are they, as Governor Brown calls them, “futile”? How have they worked – or not – in the past? Is there an alternate plan if the Governor’s budget passes and these agencies disappear? A lively discussion with Arc Ecology Executive Director Saul Bloom, housing activist Calvin Welch, SF Redevelopment Agency Deputy Executive Director Olson Lee, and California Professional Firefighters Communications Director Carroll Wills, was quite informative, ultimately resulting in more questions than answers. Moderator was SF Chronicle political reporter Marisa Lagos. For coverage of the event, see Sarah Phelan’s article in the Bay Guardian.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 1st, 6:45PM sign in and socialize, 7:15PM event start
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro @ Southern Hts