SVMDC July 2009 Meeting
Our Next Meeting is Wed. July 15 at 7PM
“Food Security”

The SVMDC general meeting is always the 3rd Wednesday of every month and meets in the Community room of the Simi Valley Public Library. Meet and greet starts at 7PM and call to business begins promptly at 7:30 PM. All of our meetings are open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there!

A Big "THANK YOU"

Thanks to all that attended the Simi S.O.A.R. meeting held on June 7th. Special thanks to Diane Bentz and the SOAR Board for putting this event together. Thank you to Steve Bennett, Karen Schmidt, Linda Parks and Brian Brennan for the information that you shared. For those that were not able to attend, please continue to support our local community leaders and open space advocates that are fighting to protect the Open Space around Simi Valley. S.O.A.R.

Message From The President
Brian Levy - President SVMDC

Hi Everyone,

My message this month is about recognizing the many volunteers who have contributed to the recent financial success of the Simi Valley / Moorpark Democratic Club.

I want to send a huge thank you to Lynn Maxson for being SVMDC's Adopt-a-Poll official poll inspector on Election day. Lynn volunteered for and put in some long hours to help benefit the SVMDC family financially. I would also like to thank Steven Brown for relieving Lynn mid-day (so Lynn could get some needed rest) as well as the rest of our volunteers including Roseann Markert, Evelyn Ibarra, Coach Alain Missoul, Michael Jones, Lindy Benninghoven, Pat Lomax & John Strubbe. The club will be receiving a paycheck for $375 for everyone's efforts.

The club has also earned money for recent voter registration efforts. We were informed that we are to expect a bounty check for $297. So thank you to the many volunteers too numerous to mention that helped contribute to our successful registration efforts.

I want to recognize SVMDC member Mr. Arleigh Kidd for his recent $100 personal contribution to the group. We promise to put it to good use registering voters, planning exciting events and engaging our community!!

SVMDC would also like to encourage YOU to become a monthly contributor. By using our ActBlue page and your credit card, you can donate recurring monthly amounts that fit your budget (no amount is too small!). Just click on the "Donate Today" button at the top of the page and fill in the blanks. And thanks in advance for your support!!

See you soon!
Brian Levy
SVMDC

Words of Wisdom

"A man generally has two reasons for doing a thing. One that sounds good, and a real one": Pierpoint Morgan

"When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do." : William Blake

THIS & THAT

Do You Take a Healthy Food Supply for Granted?
If you are not sure what the issues are surrounding the inorganic, corporate food supply system; we can suggest some places to start...

Click on this link - Natural Solutions Foundation - to view three 8 minute videos on genetically-modified foods and how companies like Monsanto make false claims about their business model.

You can also go to this link - Health Freedom USA - where you can read and click on the urgent action item link in the article explaining why current bills before Congress are going to undermine even local, healthy food choices. This is serious and real and requires our collective attention immediately!!

Budget Committee Chair Exposes Budget Myths
This is a must-see video on the history and workings of the state budget and why we are in the deep soup we are in...Budget Committee Chair Exposes Budget Myths

The Governator wants to Close our State Parks!!
If you have concerns about this proposal, we recommend you check out the following link. We were not aware that State Parks are self-funding and actually contribute money to the general fund!! Once you consider the extended economy around our state parks (hotels, restaurants, tourism, etc.), why would closing them seem like a good idea economically?
Imminent State Park Closings!

Membership Drive

Students/Seniors - $5
Individuals - $10 ($5 when applying through our on-line membership form or ActBlue)
Couples - $15 (or $10 on-line per above)

Your personal and financial support is important and very appreciated!

Community Supported Agriculture Project

CSA stands for community supported agriculture and there is a CSA opportunity in Moorpark. The concept is to sell a box or basket weekly that contains a specified dollar value of seasonal production from the farm. The mix of product in the weekly deliveries varies depending on the season. The subscriber is agreeing to accept only what is grown on the farm and does not expect to receive out of season produce from other parts of the world or country. CSA's create a closer relationship between consumer and producer and, in some cases, a real partnership.

Underwood Family Farms is offering their CSA as a way of bringing customers closer to the farm and offering the best seasonal produce to a location that is convenient to your residence or place of work.

Each box will be filled with at least $20.00 of fresh, seasonal produce from the farm. Several store checks have shown the supermarket value of the identical items to total between $30.00 and $35.00. The produce you will be receiving will be picked just before it arrives to you unlike the produce in stores which may have traveled many miles - often times from another country as well.

The Moorpark pickup location will be on Tuesdays from 1pm - 6pm at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark. The address is 3370 Sunset Valley Road Moorpark 93021.

For more information visit the website: Moorpark CSA: Underwood Family Farms

For those further west of the Simi Valley / Moorpark area, there is an additional CSA located at the McGrath Family Farm located at 1012 W.Ventura Blvd Camarillo, CA 93010

For more information visit the website: McGrath Family Farm