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Democratic Club meeting at the IHOP on April 15---Tax Day. The Red Cross representative spoke about disaster preparedness, especially earthquake preparedness. With all the tectonic activity in the Pacific lately, this crucial topic is timely.

Our guest speaker at the April meeting of the DCSMV was Becca Formaner from theAmeriCorps National Preparedness and Response Corps (NPRC) of the American Red Cross Santa Barbara County Chapter.
Are you prepared for a disaster? Learn what you can do before, during and after a disaster including:
• What steps you and your family can take to get prepared
• What to put in your Disaster Supply Kit
• How to create a Preparedness Plan
• How to keep informed during a disaster
• You'll learn how to respond safely in case of a wildfire, flood, or earthquake

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The Democratic Club met together at the IHOP on March 18.  Marie Panec, candidate for 24th Congressional District, was our guest speaker.  Marie is a Democrat running for the U.S. House of Representatives from the California 24th Congressional District.  This is the seat presently held by Republican Elton Gallegly.  There are other Democrats running for this seat so there promises to be an interesting and exciting primary election this year.

The following is a brief bio takenfrom Marie’s web site http://www.panec4congress.com/home.php.
• Resident of Oak Park, Ventura County for over 20 years
• Married for 21 years with two college-age daughters
• Degrees in chemistry, biology, biochemistry and higher education
• Served two years in U.S. Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa
• Taught in community college system for 20 years
• Currently, Professor of Biology at Moorpark College
• Currently, Member, Board of Community Action of Ventura County
• Currently, Member, Board of Education in Oak Park Unified School District

Our club meeting is Thursday, March 18. We meet at IHOP, located at 202 S. Nicholson Ave., in Santa Maria. Travel east on Main St.  Just after the 101 overpass is the intersection of Main St. and Nicholson Ave. Turn right and IHOP is on the left. The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:00 p.m., and the program begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.  Call HQ at 805-349-2708 for dinner reservations by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17. Dinner cancellations can be made right up to 5:00 p.m., the day of the meeting. No reservations are required for the meeting.

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More than sixty concerned citizens from over a dozen progressive organizations gathered at the Minami Center on Sunday, March 7 before fanning out on a massive one-day voter registration drive throughout Santa Maria. After receiving training and forming into teams, they went door to door and tabled at several grocery stores to register voters. Later in the day, thehungry and exhausted teams returned the Minami Center.

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