In the spirit of Thanksgiving, CALIFORNIALIST would like to thank our partners in our efforts to elect Democratic women in California and all those who are courageous enough to run for office!

In the past ten years, CALIFORNALIST has worked with different women’s organizations throughout California. Thank you to our partners: EMERGE California, NWPC, Democratic Women of Monterey County, NOW, African American Women’s PAC, Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee, Run Women Run, the Los Angeles Women’s Political Committee, HOPE, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood, Project 2012, and EMILY’s List. It is through our partnerships that we can reverse the current decline in the number of elected women here in California. Thank you!

CALIFORNIALIST also would like to thank the women whom we supported for serving California. The challenges facing California are enormous and we appreciate your legislative efforts. The accomplishments of our elected women are too numerous to list here, but a few recent examples of our endorsed candidates who have made a difference include: article continues...

SUSAN CLOKE
Mirror Columnist

Meetings in public parks, speaking from makeshift platforms, using the media to get the word out – sound familiar? In 2011 it’s “Occupy Wall Street.” In 1911 it was “Votes for Women.” Different goals define each historical issue. The one constant is that, to change the status quo, people have to speak out in a major voice.

Ms. Magazine wrote about the California suffragists, “No one could say that suffrage supporters hadn’t tried, or become overconfident and quit too soon. During the year they had overcome rain and mud, then heat and dust on the state’s primitive roads to stage debates or give speeches to even the smallest, most remote audiences. They held giant rallies – one in Los Angeles on Sept. 30, 1911 was so well-attended that hundreds were turned away after 5,000 jammed Temple Auditorium and overflowed into Choral Hall. The suffrage effort had garnered support from labor, prominent citizens, newspapers and even a few politicians, and it had matched anti-suffragists ad for ad in the newspapers. article continues...

 Political Commentary by Bettina Duval 
Dissent carries a negative connotation that many view as the unproductive workings of social malcontents.  Without a doubt some forms of rebellion breed strife, but some are simplistic strategies produced by those with limited resources in an effort to affect a degree of change.  Early Christians used art in the form of secret symbols to carry their message of spiritual unity and southern slaves created songs to preserve their heritage and offer hope.  These are examples of how people who are driven by a social conscious throughout history have used their talents to empower the disenfranchised of society.  This article “They Cooked Up Recipes for Charity” by Marilyn Gardner of the CSMonitor is an uplifting homage to women’s suffrage and empowerment.   I hope you are inspired by its spirit. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0707/p17s01-lign.html

Effective on July 1, 2008, California will begin a ban on all use of a hand-held cell phone while driving. Cell phones used while driving must be hands-free to be legal.

For drivers under 18, there will be a complete ban on talking on a cell phone, even if hands-free, except in emergency situations. This includes texting and laptops.

What about emergency situations?
The law allows calls to law enforcement, the fire department, a medical provider, or other emergency services agency.

What are the penalties?
The fine is $25 for the first offense, and $50 for subsequent convictions, but penalty assessments can more than triple the base fine.

Will there be a grace period?
No, so it’s essential that people know the law.

To learn more about the new law, go to www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/index.htm.