Since I am not likely to be able to attend the next two exciting events for L.A. Kossacks, introducing locals to some of the candidates in the running to replace Congressperson Henry Waxman as the rep of the influential 33rd congressional district, I will bid farewell to our intrepid organizer of many moons, Dave in Northridge, here. (He isn't leaving the group, his schedule is too busy to allow for his previous extraordinary efforts on our behalf. The torch has been passed to our longtime member, susans.)
Dave has always gone above and beyond in the sorting of locations for meets, asking the group for suggestions for new locations or preferences for repeat visits to favorite spots. If the possibility is novel, he has managed an advance scout via public transportation, trying the food, getting advice for the Angelenos who must come by car and need a place to park, and so on. He has devoted generous amounts of time and effort to corralling us all, particularly in light of his already busy schedule.
He's arranged to meet folks at Metro line hubs if they are of a mind to do so and, in general, has devoted much enterprise to manage the needs of all. He has always embraced (even occasionally coddled) newcomers to help our local community grow. He's managed the rare feelings of personal slight by the sensitive (no names shall be mentioned) with remarkable patience and equanimity. He is a reliable and kind friend to all of us.
Surely it goes almost without saying that his contributions to the larger DK community are invaluable. He is a prolific contributor to the diary queue with well written thoughtful entries concerning everything from marriage equality , native American issues, getting big money out of politics, music, cooking, Top Comments, and much else.
I count him now among my own dears and so, I shall see him (hopefully often) in and outside of DK gatherings. But a salute for all that he has done for the Los Angeles crowd is well merited.
Wind to your sails, Dave. I thank you.
(Details for the next two L.A. Kossacks round-ups [a group that has grown under Dave's wings] on May 24th and 31st can be found in Shockwave's recent diary. On the 24th Alan Grayson joins Marianne Williamson. On the 31st, Sandra Fluke is at Casey's. I wish my work schedule would permit me to join the crowd.)