Wow! The place to be. . .

Only one debate event in town featured the head of the Dem. Party in San Diego, Jess Durfee, Candidates Mike Lumpkin, Marty Block, and Ray Lutz, City Attorney Mike Aguirre, media luminaries such as Bree Walker, Scot Tempesta and Wade Douglas, news crews from Channels 8 and 10 who used our event to lead off their newscasts last night, virtually the entire San Diego Dem. Convention Delegation, over 300 fans, progressives, community activists and AM1700 listeners who took over the whole restaurant, and, of course, the broadcast crew,  Stacy, Jack, Jorge and staffers.  Trophys was THE place to be last evening.  A typical Wednesday night at Trophys would feature 50-100 diners.  We had 350 eaters, drinkers and debate watchers.  The listener party started slowly, but by 5 PM the place was packed!!  Even Barack Obama made a visit.  Many folks had their picture taken with him.

Patio seats were at a premium, but when they put the debate on in the entire restaurant, the Dodger game became an afterthought.  Debate watchers filled every seat at the bar, the whole central part of the restaurant  and all the tables surrounding Stacy’s broadcast “studio”.  Don’t know how the show sounded out in the community, but from where we sat, the broadcast sounded fabulous.  Many of the regulars were there, and most got on the air!  Great to see so many old friends from our SaveKLSD rallies and activities.  Little did Clear Channel know that by taking our progressive station off the air, they created a camaraderie among listeners that has reached every level of San Diego politics and social activism.

Many thanks to the members of the CPR committee who volunteered and made invaluable contributions to the success of the event.  The planning committee, Mike Thaller , Martha Sullivan, Cathy Law, John Falche, Joe Vecchio and Jeff Benesch spent innumerable hours coordinating all the details.  Many members of the CPR meeting group attended and staffed tables and doors, helped with signs and directions and were invaluable assets to our core crew.  Specials kudos to Chloe Ramus, who spent hours at the front table giving out bracelets and meal tix with help from Sandy Zahn.  Bob Wilborn and Ann Stiles, and the Carlins, Walter and Ann worked the patio doors.  Leigh Mahon designed our hand out, while Joan Little gave invaluable support.  Jennifer Douglas filmed and live blogged from the event, and Walter Davis was kind enough to Internet Broadcast the debate party all over the planet.  We’ll provide a link to Walter’s broadcast soon.  Restaurant manager Nicole Alex was a real hero, and basically turned her entire restaurant over to us.  She increased her staff, put up with our last minute demands, turned as many TVs on to the debate as we needed, help serve and bus tables as necessary, and arranged for a bit of a discount from Trophys’ Management.  Jack Taylor was a great source of comfort in coordinating the physical details of the remote broadcast, got Stacy to pump the event on air for two weeks, and really put a great face on the AM1700 effort.  Jorge did all the behind the scenes magic, and primed the pre-event promotion of the party and debate watching.  And Stacy was Stacy, the magnet who drew 350 people to Trophys when there were lots of other options.

Thanks to all the regular listeners who showed up and created the great atmosphere, and contributed to the KLSD reunion nature of the event.  Pictures to follow as soon as we get them up.

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