La Mesa mayor also to address membership
By Linda Armacost
La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club, serving all of Grantville, San Carlos, Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, College Area, La Mesa, Mt. Helix, Santee and close-in East County, will extend their current streak of outstanding speakers with a talk by Internet expert John Loughlin on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
John specializes in teaching the uninitiated about organizing their lives, worldview and communication skills through the use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media.
With nearly 50 percent of adults over 50 regularly using Facebook and other online blogs and publications, it’s time we all learn how to maximize our Internet skills to keep abreast of all the latest developments, arguments and facts that corporations would rather we didn’t know about. Electing not to use digital tools reduces our ability to engage, educate and persuade citizens with our ideas and values. Luckily, there are a lot of folks already online to help us learn the new tools, find alternative news sites and share ideas on building a more just and sustainable future.
Our meeting place, the very roomy La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, just off University Avenue) now has free Wi-Fi and will allow John, with just a short overview, to show us the shortcuts to posting pictures and opinion to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and how we can expand the reach of our club to Democrats and progressives everywhere. Please bring your laptop, smartphone, iPad or tablet, and participate in this unique opportunity. Our social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome.
Loughlin graduated in physics from Imperial College, London after exploding unconfined vapor clouds for British Gas. He moved to California in 1993 as head of product R&D at Counterpoint Electronic Systems in Carlsbad. He founded his own consultancy business in San Diego in 1996, managing the development of software, hardware and services for global communication, media and consumer electronics companies.
He professes to know something about technology prognostication, information services and progressive politics. He is a card-carrying member of the ACLU and longtime supporter of Amnesty International. For the Grassroots Organizing Team, he is a Precinct Leader and data coordinator for the Point Loma, Ocean Beach and Midway areas. John chairs the communications committee of the Pt. Loma Democratic Club, and works with other clubs throughout the county to improve their websites and social media channels. John is currently working with the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club to upgrade our website. You can reach him at [email protected].
We’ll also have the pleasure of hearing the newly elected mayor of La Mesa, Mark Arapostathis, address the membership. He’s willing to discuss any and all issues facing the community, so please come prepared to ask the mayor whatever is on your mind.
Mark Arapostathis has lived in La Mesa his entire life. He attended Lemon Avenue Elementary School, La Mesa Middle School, and graduated from Helix High School. Since 1992, he has taught in the La Mesa–Spring Valley School District at Murdock Elementary, Lemon Avenue Elementary and Rolando Elementary. He is currently the Director of Theatre Arts at La Mesa Arts Academy. “Dr. A,” as he is known, was honored as one of San Diego County’s Teachers of the Year.
Dr. Arapostathis served for eight years as a City Councilmember. Before joining the City Council, Dr. A served on the La Mesa Community Services Commission. He was the president of the La Mesa Arts Alliance as well as a founding member of the “Sundays at Six” concert series, held each summer at Harry Griffen Park Amphitheater.
Folks are still buzzing about our February Speaker, Chris Yanov of Reality Changers. All Chris has done the last few years is provide nearly $40 million of scholarships to local first generation college students, all from disadvantaged backgrounds. From a small midtown office and classroom complex, Mr. Yanov has tapped into the enormous synergy of connecting at-risk young teens with academic support, corporate sponsorship, financial assistance and most of all, their own realization of their leadership and scholastic potential. They will all become not just college graduates, but teachers, scientists and true contributors and examples to their peers. Check out realitychangers.org. Chris is on his way to Washington to meet with President Barack Obama and be honored for his work in San Diego.
Please check our calendar for future exciting speakers and events at lamesafoothillsdemocraticclub.com and like us on Facebook.
?Linda Armacost is president of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club.
