We are happy to announce that our former venue, MEXICALI GRILL/Casa Ortega, has reopened with original owners and we will be holding our monthly meetings there in future.  Our meeting day was changed, by membership vote in October, to the 3rd Wednesday of each month to fit with Mexicali’s schedule of events.

DGR’s next monthly meeting will be WEDNESDAY, November 20th.  This is also our yearly election meeting, so it’s important that all members attend.  The Election Committee will submit its slate of candidates for officer and committee chair positions, followed by floor nominations and open voting by members.

Social hour remains 6 p.m. with the regular meeting beginning at 7 with a targeted end time of 8:30 p.m.

Prospective members are always welcome to attend!

After an arduous campaign, two of them!, Erin Edwards prevailed in her quest for a seat on Riverside’s City Council.  Handily defeating the incumbent, Edwards’ campaign demonstrates the value of persistence, grass-roots campaigning, dedicated  volunteers, walking and knocking, and having a positive platform. We look forward to the people-oriented, problem-solving style of Erin as she takes on her new role.

DGR’s other endorsed candidates,Gaby Plascencia  and Ronaldo Fierraro, will also bring more diversity to the city council, which will now have two Hispanic/Latinx and one LGBTQ member, all of who are also part of a younger demographic than current office-holders.  Andy Melendrez, of Mexican-American heritage who is presently a city councilman, is running for mayor.

According to the Press-Enterprise, “The Human Rights Campaign, which grades cities nationwide based on a standards for LGBTQ equality, gave Riverside 65% — a D — in 2018.

It lost points for not having transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits, LGBTQ liaisons or a public position on LGBTQ equality, among other areas, according to the scorecard.”

Hopefully, our new city council will improve that score.

We are happy to announce that our former “home”, Mexicali Restaurant, is back in business!  DGR will return to monthly meetings in our favorite spot on  WEDNESDAY, November 20th!  The restaurant is unavailable on Thursdays so, after a vote of the membership at the October meeting, DGR will now meet on the 3rd WEDNESDAY of the month. Postcard writing and social hour remains at 6  and the meeting will begin promptly at 7 p.m. in the private room.

The Election Committee will present its slate of candidates for officers and committee chairs.  Floor nominations will be accepted before the final vote.

Please join your fellow Dems back at Mexicali Bar and Grill at 1690 Spruce Street, Riverside, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20th. The restaurant is ADA compliant.

The monthly meeting of DGR’s Executive Board has been moved to Thursday, November 7, due to city elections. Officers and committee chairs will convene at 6:00 p.m. at Farfalla’s Cucina Italiana at 5250 Arlington Avenue, Riverside. This restaurant is ADA compliant.