Join your fellow Coastside Democrats for Happy Hour, the third Wednesday of each month, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
All are welcome to join us at Vinoteca, the charming wine shop in downtown Half Moon Bay at 330 Main Street, #105.
22 April 2025, Liccardo Town Hall
There was a full house for the Town Hall, approximately 150 people, cosponsored by Brews & Views and HMB Mayor Robert Brownstone. Liccardo was engaging and serious. He answered numerous questions after his remarks. Here are a few excerpts from his speech:
This is a challenging time to lead local communities because we aren’t helping them much in Washington. In fact we are hurting them in a lot of ways, so I appreciate folks who are willing to stand up in local communities right now at a time when all the money seems to be getting pulled away. I do want to at least ground our self for a moment – this is the most beautiful location in which I have ever engaged in a town hall in my life. So we are all part of this.
I am focused on three things, legislating, litigating, and communicating. In the position I am in – which according to some is the lowest form of life – that is a first-term member of a minority party – I am working hard in those areas. There are some things we can do in those categories that can hopefully stave off the worst of what’s happening in Washington. We all need to work together.
5 April 2025, Cover the Coastside Protest
Coastside Dems organized individual protests at neighborhoods from north to south along Highway One. Sign making workshops were held first at several locations resulting in enormous creativity. The organizers for each area stood with neighbors at multiple intersections. It was a great way to be active and bring people together.
28 March 2025, American Civil Liberties Union
Robin Montoya & Barbara Taylor, volunteers from the North Peninsula Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, gave an excellent presentation to a crowd. They spoke about the history of the ACLU, founded in 1920 in response to government roundups of “radicals.” Today, the organization says “With immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom, and more at risk, we’re in courts and communities across the country to protect everyone’s rights.” Robin and Barbara addressed issues around immigration law which continued to be a concern for Club members.
8 March 2025, California Assemblyman Marc Berman
Marc Berman joined a large group of Coastside Democrats at the Ketch. He talked about his legislative achievements and answered questions from the group. In response to questions, he agreed that the schools need more funding. He supports modifying Prop 13 so that commercial properties pay their fair share of taxes. He believes that California needs more housing but he also believes that local communities should be part of the solution and that the Coastal Commission should take local issues into account.
8 March 2025, We the People Protest
Organized by Andries Verschelden, this was a peaceful protest rally to “express our disagreement with actions taken by the Trump administration.” There was a sign-making table and lots of enthusiasm from the 150 participants.
17 February 2025, Protest in Pacifica
Numerous Club members participated in a protest action in Pacifica. There were many great signs and lots of enthusiasm
26 January 2025, Immigration and the Law, with Monica Switzer, Immigration Attorney
Immigration Attorney Monica Switzer gave an excellent presentation and answered many questions from the attendees about immigration enforcement and the law. People were very concerned about their neighbors and friends in the area. Judith Guerrero from Coastside Hope talked about the vital role that her organization plays, as did Kique Basàn from ALAS. The meeting finished with a short presentation from Fixin’ San Mateo County about a civilian oversight board for the Sheriff’s office.
8 December 2024, Holiday Party with Lenny Mendonca
A nice group gathered at Roberta Gelt’s lovely home to celebrate the holidays. Lenny gave an inspiring talk about continuing to stay involved and work for the issues and causes we believe in.
8 September 2024, March for Democracy
A good crowd met on the Burnham strip to march for Democracy. It was a flag-waving great time for all involved.
2 August 2024, Evan Low, Candidate for U.S. Congress
Assemblyman Evan Low was the second Democrat running for Congressional District 16. He talked about his background as a fourth-generation Californian who was taught the importance of civic engagement and love for his community from a young age. He said “Our region needs a representative who will lead in maintaining our global competitiveness, combat hate, stand up for the vulnerable, protect reproductive freedom, reduce crime in our communities, and ensure the middle class can once again afford to buy a house and raise a family where they work.”
26 July 2024, Sam Liccardo, candidate for U.S. Congress
The club heard from one of the two Democratic candidates seeking to represent the 16th Congressional District. Sam Liccardo talked about his record as mayor of San Jose and answered many questions. He said “Our San Mateo County families are struggling. We need leaders in Congress who will stand up for us, defend our values, and get results. I will take on special interests by tackling the soaring costs of prescription drugs, utilities, insurance, and groceries. I’ll protect our reproductive rights and Social Security and Medicare.”
9 June 2024, Half Moon Bay Pride Parade
The Dye family marched with the banner, bringing visibility to the Club for parade attendees – a number of whom who clapped when they saw the banner.
8 June 2024, Betty Yee, Candidate for Governor in 2026
Betty Yee introduced herself and spoke about her family background and her goals for California. She said “We have the power to make California add up for all of us again—for our youth, our families, our communities, for our democracy, and our planet.”
21 May 2024
The Coastside Democratic Club held its annual meeting on May 19 at the Ketch restaurant in Pillar Point Harbor. It was very well attended by Club members from every corner of the coast. After a vote of the membership, Barbara Dye, President, welcomed new board member Maryann Moise and thanked departing board member Cid Young. Barbara spoke about how important the year ahead would be with a national election coming up.
The speaker was County Supervisor Ray Mueller, who spoke about his “Successes and Challenges of the Past Year.” He began by saying “One thing that I’ve learned during the past year is how lucky I am to be in this community and in San Mateo County and to work with the professionals I work with at the County. When I go through the projects that we are working on right now, and how many projects are specifically focused on the coast, the magnitude of each one of them and the professionalism that the County brings to that really is just incredible.”