Regina went on vacation without me last week as there were too many exciting events in the area to miss. I toured a diamond mine in Sarasota, courtesy of Gemesis. This is a company that grows diamonds in a warehouse as opposed to extracting them from the ground. I made it to North Port by 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning to address the early bird Kiwanis meeting at the Family Table restaurant. The Sarasota area Realtors kicked off their "surge of support" for veterans with a nice program about Haley Hospital and the Haley House for families located in Tampa. And the Venice area Chamber of Commerce hosted an excellent networking event at the Ashton Gardens Senior living center.
The best parts of my week were spent in Manatee County. We had a joint candidate appearance in front of the Bar Association where I was well received. The newly formed Lakewood Ranch Democratic Club hosted a picnic on Saturday in Adventure Park. Approximately two hundred people showed up to enthusiastically kick off the campaign. A club like this is very important to a candidate, particularly in a community like Lakewood Ranch that does not allow door to door campaigning or even yard signs. There were also a half dozen or more house parties held in the area to support Senator Obama's campaign. I went to Cortez where 25-30 people gathered to share snacks and stories about what attracted them to the Obama candidacy. To be honest, I have never before seen such excitement and enthusiasm connected with the political process. I am hopeful that the momentum will carry us all into November as citizens unite to retake and reform government.
The 4th of July is a big day for campaigning. Regina and I will begin the day in the Arcadia Rodeo parade, then make our way to Dallas White Park in North Port, head up to Bradenton for a party on the Manatee River, and close the evening with fireworks in Sarasota. Come say hello if you see us out and about.
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