Election 2012: Democrats open headquarters

The Laguna Beach Democratic Club will officially open its 2012 Election Headquarters at 7 p.m. Saturday at 1401 S. Coast Hwy.

Club members will host the opening, which will include mingling with candidates, live entertainment and a special appearance by Nick I, the lead singer for Common Sense.

“It will be a party,” said club spokeswoman Marion Pack.

The goal is to introduce the community to the headquarters where club members and volunteers will work to get President Obama reelected, according to a press release. However, the club is dedicated to supporting the election of Democratic candidates on all levels: local, state and national.

Volunteer staff will register voters, provide campaign literature, verify candidates’ activities and check information for accuracy. Volunteer opportunities and a calendar of events will be available.

Dr. Bill Hongiman will show “The Healthcare Movie,” narrated by actor Kiefer Sutherland at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the headquarters.

For more information, visit https://www.lagunabeachdemocraticclub.com or call (949) 715-8684.

Meanwhile, seven candidates’ forums have been scheduled in the next month and a half.

The Laguna Beach Arts Alliance will host a City Council candidates forum at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road. Greg Vail will moderate. Questions will be posed by alliance members and in writing from the audience.

The Laguna Beach Republicans and Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn. also will host a City Council candidates forum — with the unopposed city clerk and treasurer invited to attend — at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave. Moderator to be announced. The event will be televised.

The Chamber of Commerce and Laguna Board of Realtors has its City Council candidates forum at 6 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Council Chambers. Joan Gladstone will moderate; questions from the audience will be collected and the event will be televised.

The League of Women Voters, Laguna Beach Woman’s Club and American Assn. of University Women will have a forum for the Laguna Beach Unified school board candidates at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Top of the World Elementary School, 21601 Treetop Lane. Moderator to be announced.

The three groups, in conjunction with the Susi Q Senior Center, will also host a City Council candidates forum at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Council Chambers. Grace Winchell will moderate and the event will be televised.

The three groups — minus the Susi Q — will host another forum for the 48th Congressional District candidates at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Council Chambers. Joan Hake will moderate the discussion and it will be televised.

Lastly, the Top of the World Assn. and Temple Hills Civic Assn. host their own forum for council candidates at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Council Chambers. The moderator is to be announced.

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