Wes Clark and Jill Derby in Reno, NV August 15, 2006

First, I have to give major thanks to my buddy, Erik, who drove up to the Lake from Santa Cruz, else I would not have been able to attend the event in Reno last night. He also took most of the photos (except for the blurry ones that I'm not in), and I have to apologize in advance that my face appears in almost all of them... D'oh!

We arrived at the Reno Hilton around 6 pm, and the Nevada Room was deserted, except for big round tables with white tablecloths, and Jill Derby for Congress signs hung on the walls of the conference room.

We wandered through the massive, somewhat sparsely populated Hilton, stopping in a richly and comfortably furnished piano bar to await the opening of the Nevada Room where the reception was to be held.

A bit before 7 we made our way back down to the Reception room, where there was now a table set up outside the room. We were checked in, (had paid in advance, so our names were on the "list") and given name tags. Once inside the Reception room, the tables were now laden with Jill Derby For Congress bumperstickers, set up as circular centerpieces, and Jill Derby For Congress notepads. Each table also had a "Reserved for ______" with someone's last name at each one. Hmmmm. Did we have a "reserved" table because we had RSVP'd in advance? Searched the tables, but nope, no "Reserved for jen" table existed... At this point, most of the tables were empty, as most people were still filing in and milling about.

Erik and I were scanning the room looking for Clarkies -- I knew Stan was going to be there, as well as North Lake Tahoe Clarkie extrordinaire (and Douglas County Dem Chair), Cindy Triggs (Nashyra at DU) -- neither of whom I'd ever met in real life, but assumed I'd recognize by photos I'd seen, Clark buttons, etc.

At that point, a woman sitting at the nearest table overheard us wondering about the reserved tables, and said she knew her table wouldn't be filled and we were welcome to sit there. Nice. A place to call home, introduce people to General Clark, look for friends, and wait for the General and Jill Derby.

By now, the serving tables were full to the brim with delicious hors d'oeuvres -- so many I won't go into listing the multiple choices -- it really was quite impressive, and beautifully presented.

Oh, I had taken what I had left of Meow's beautiful Clark buttons, and one of the women at the table asked if she could take some extras for her brother, who is a huge Clark supporter in South Lake Tahoe! But of course! Thanks, Meow! :D

I still hadn't seen any Clarkies, but was telling Erik how Stan had come all the way from Colorado. Oh, he said, is he sort of short and thin? Because I saw a guy with many Colorado and Clark buttons over there -- would he have 4 stars on his jacket? LOL!! I knew he had seen Stan! So Erik disappeared, and came back moments later, leading our very own, soon to be Birthday boy (tomorrow!), Stan Davis up to the table!! I guess I don't have to tell you guys how when you meet a Clarkie in person for the first time it's like reuniting with an old friend. Stan is a great guy, and doncha know, had a bag full of beautiful Wes Clark dog tags that he was giving to anyone who wanted one! They are unbelievably popular and lovely!

Finally, around 8 pm, there was the sound of applause starting over at the entry doors, which could only mean one thing! We were straining to see over the now packed room (standing room only), which was now standing and applauding as General Clark and Jill Derby entered and approached the speaking platform.

Jill Derby thanked us all for coming and told a beautiful story of why she decided to run for congress.

She had been contemplating running, and had attended several conferences relating to that, when she heard a Commencement Address given by Theodore Sorensen called "A Time to Weep for America" that said, in part, "Not on my watch will the tide turn for the decline of America." She said at that point, she knew she had to run.

She then introduced General Clark - beautifully filling in everyone there who may not have known of his brilliant background.

General Clark was greated by enthusiastic applause and proceeded to fire up the crowd with various tales, including the supreme incompetence of the bush admin, as well as the story of receiving the "classified information" when he visited the Pentagon days after 9/11 (re: the invasion of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iran, Somalia, and Sudan). As always, he thanked and praised our veterans (asking them to raise their hands as we thanked them!) and troops and talked about how most veterans in congress are DEMS -- He said, we not only support our troops, we ARE the troops. Needless to say the crowd was going wild! :D

He then smoothly tied in all his talk of national issues to local and state issues, and how the only way we were going to change things, and stop the destruction of our country (my words, not his) was to elect people like Jill Derby. He went in to details about her background which I really didn't know much about. You could see there was much respect and admiration between them as they stood up there together.

This is a snip from Jill's website:

In 1988, Derby was elected Regent for the University and Community College System of Nevada, a role in which she has distinguished herself for the past 17 years, earning respect and praise from Nevadans of all political stripes. As a Regent, Derby has developed an independent, common-sense approach that has helped Nevada’s system of higher education achieve consistently higher standards of excellence, while increasing access to college for thousands of Nevadans.

General Clark talked about his travels all over the country in support of Congressional Dems. He said that no matter how wrong it is that elections are won based on who has the most money, that is the reality right now, and so that is what we have to address right now. We have to reach out to everyone we know and get as much money to the candidates as we can. He said, and so I'm here to tell you -- "Give Jill Derby money!!!" The crowd was laughing and applauding all throughout his speech, and you could tell he has much respect and admiration in Nevada!

Of course he said much more, and must of what he talked about has been covered by other, better detailed first hand accounts of his appearences around the country.

He finished up to a rousting standing ovation -- and I should add he looked absolutlely wonderful! Healthy, happy, tan pants, dark jacket, light blue shirt, yellow tie.

He and Jill stayed for at least 1/2 hour, and of course, as soon as General stepped in to the crowd, there formed a line of people to greet him, get his signature, have their photo taken with him -- including me!! I was too shy to approach him, but Erik immediately got in the line and kept motioning for me to comeon, comeon, get your camera ready! So I did! LOL!! And I'm so happy I did - (as you'll see in the photos, I'm a grinning fool...). I said Hi General Clark, I'm jen from your blog. He broke out in his brilliant smile, and said "OH, jen!! I know jen! I haven't been able to get over to the blog for about 5 days, so I don't know what's going on over there." I remarked that with his schedule it wasn't surprising. (He's in Vegas today, for Jack Carter, as is Stan, Kelly, Cindy!) I thanked him for all he's doing, and told him, you do know how much hope you give us all don't you? Then Erik snapped our photo and me being the dweeb I am didn't think to take the camera and take one of Erik with General. Luckily, Erik was much more together than I and asked the people behind him to take his photo with General. Erik's going to try to send me the photos from his camera once he gets home and gets them uploaded.

Well, sorry this is so long, I will wrap up by saying what a joy and pleasure the entire event was. I got to meet Kelly Flinn, (what a bright little light she is!), of course Stan!, another guy I was introduced to as one of the "first bloggers ever" but unfortunately I don't remember his name, and titled him in the photos "Famous Blogge," Cindy Trigg, and a couple more warm, open, brilliant Clarkies from NV!

For now the photos Erik took with my camera are at the webshots link below. Hopefully, once Erik gets safely home, he'll be able to put his photos on webshots and send me the link. He's unfortunately on dial-up, so we'll see if he can do it...

http://community.webshots.com/album/553195243UpyEmJ

Thank you, (((E!!))) If I've left out anything important please email me and I'll add it!

Thank you so very much.

Jesus said, "Show me the stone that the builders rejected: that is the keystone."

(from the Gospel of Thomas)

It was fantastic!

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

Jesus said, "Show me the stone that the builders rejected: that is the keystone."

(from the Gospel of Thomas)

I would like to thank Jen for taking me to the reception! It was a really fun time, as she has so skillfully captured in her synopsis of the evening. This was my first "Clark Experience", and I would like to comment on how receptive and open both General Clark, and Jill Derby were to us, and all of the guests! Many Thanks! Also, it was truly a priveledge to meet some of the people who are so dedicated to this cause. Jen has always spoken to me very highly of the camaraderie and kindness of the people on the blog. I can now see how true this is. Thanks to one and all who I had the honor of meeting last night! Your enthusiasm and involvment give me hope for this country.

Energized, Erik

I'm absolutely thrilled and flabbergasted you registered and posted!! Thank YOU and congratulations!! You're a true-blue Clarkie, officially!! :D

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

Why... I do believe I'm glowing just reading this, Jen! You are beyond one in a million!!!!!!

I am TOTALLY freaking out at the photos! I always suspected you were gorgeous! And you are! And Wes is gorgeous! I can't believe those megawatt megawatt megawatt smiles!!!!!!!!

I wish Jill Derby well- she sounds amazing- just exactly the sort of person we want to see engaged in politics...

and we in Ohio MISS HER!

That said...it's so great to get this great report, so we'll accept the fact that she has "taken us with her" to Nevada...and beyond if such should be the case.

So happy you got to see Wes again Jen.

And E...welcome aboard!

So glad you got to go to this. I remember meeting you in Columbus 2 years ago. You've written a great account. You look good, too.

Thank you Bluemoon, Ohio, Phyl! I hesitated putting the photos up 'cuz my mug was in almost all of them and I look sort of freakish! But then I figured, well, when you are freakish, it's hard to take a photo that looks otherwise! LOL!!

Oh, and I will never, ever forget our time seeing General Clark in Columbus! When I look at the photos from that day I get a warm, happy feeling! Susan in Cleveland, Richsez, Sean, Phyl, OhioKidds, Ruth, Spring, Kramer, oh, and I can't think of Maddy's daughter's name... gorgeous woman who was General's driver that day!

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

Maddy's daughter.

Dang Jen, the close up pic of you and Wes...you can actually make out his eye color on that one! That's so unusual.

Good job E!

Thanks for this wonderful account. Even though we could use you in Ohio this election year...I'm thrilled that your move worked out for you. It's hard to believe that Columbus event was 2 years ago? Do you remember the car caravan after the event getting split up...and somehow we found you Clarkies at the right restaurant? Talk about dumb luck!Oh...and welcome Erik and thanks for escorting Jen!
Impeach Cheney First!

OMG, how could I forget the car scene in Columbus? LOL!!! Too funny! And Richsez had us out there on the side of the 6 lane road waving our Clark signs trying to flag down the lost section of the caravan! LOL!! But, there you guys were already in the same parking lot out of how many thousands of shopping center parking lots along that stretch of road?!

And ya know what -- I will likely be voting absentee in OH unless I switch my truck reg., driver's license and auto insurance before Oct! I already have the application for an absentee, but will hold off until I'm sure I won't make the deadline for registering here. I think I'd have to have everything switched by Oct. 1 to be able to vote here. I had just renewed everything the month before leaving OH, so am hanging on to it as long as I can... Maybe I can vote in both places? (kidding, kidding.)

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

Isn't Maddy's daughter Hilary Frambes or something close?

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?

Condoms: a woman should never have to ask permission from her partner to save her own life - www.GatesFoundation.org

glad you had fun... hi to erik ...... thanks for the report.

Thank you for the compliment on my photography. Things were happening pretty quickly at this point, and I am really glad the pic came out. Chalk it up to luck. I have emailed Jen the photos taken from MY camera, and I think they are good, too.
Thanks to those that have welcomed me here, I appreciate it!

and pretty in pink too!

I am very impressed that you were able to get out full coherent sentences with General Clark-- I can never seem to get past the "Hi. How are ya" level before my tongue and brain do some odd dance that prohibits normal speech!

And I love that he knew you right away!! "Oh I know Jen!" That is so cool. I'm telling you he reads this blog all the time.... ;-)

Thanks so much for the great account of your eve with the Jeneral!

I felt I was there. :)

And Wes recognized your name :D

This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.....Molly Ivins

You have enough energy coming off you to light the room!

http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/

A big welcome aboard to E. The pictures are just great.

Jen your shirt matches the rose in your avatar. Pretty in Pink, indeed.

General Clark is one of the last portals of truth. These "sightings" mean so much if we are to make it through these dark times.

I was so afraid I'd missed your FHA. Thanks so much for making the day a little brighter. (I just watched "V for Vendetta" and need a pick me up.)

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley

that e emailed to me. Although the link in the original post should include them, I'm not sure how Webshots works, so I'll post the link again.

A couple are pretty close to dupes, as e was taking photos first with my camera then with his, but the one of e with General Clark is new! :D Oh, and e zoomed in on "famous blogger guy" and saw his name tag -- it's Alvaro!

Thanks a million AGAIN, e!! (Who btw, created an account, posted twice, then got booted off and couldn't return... and yes, he does use IE... Not good. :(

http://community.webshots.com/album/553195243UpyEmJ

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

I was hoping that you would post soon! Super post!! I can't help but see your big smile, as you typed every key for this post. ;) And Erik, great pics! It great to see that everyone really had great fun.

And it's also great what you told Clark, jen;

"I thanked him for all he's doing, and told him, you do know how much hope you give us all don't you?"

Yes, he does. You spoke for all of us!! :)

What a glowing account! Thank-you so much for both your words and your pictures.

I remember the wonderful story of your Ohio trip to see Wes and was so sorry we missed you in Little Rock last year. So it's a special treat to see your "West Side Story" now! :-))

carol4clark

General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas

I loved it. Oh what fun you all had. Thanks so much for sharing it with us....and a big welcome to your friend, Erik. Our General is still on the march..getting it done. Whoohoo!

Hey! I know that piano bar in the Reno Hilton very well. ;)

Jen, what a fabulous account. I love, LOVE, the pictures of you with Wes. I've never seen anyone look happier.

Thank you so much for sharing everything.

Kudos to E.

"Some of them put on their cowboy boots and put their feet up on the desk." -Wes Clark

Greetings from Las Vegas as I write this at 2:05 a.m. Pacific Time. Thursday is a chill-out day before I fly back to Denver in the late evening.

Thanks, Jen, for all your sweet comments. It was great meeting you. And thanks for the blog -- that's one event I don't have to write about when I blog it this weekend.

One neat thing among many: After Wes spoke, one lady asked for six dog tags.

The "famous blogger" could very well be Alvaro DeGives Mas, who had been in the Draft early on. A lovely couple, and so articulate and passionate.

Kelly, Cindy, Wes, and I all stayed in the Hilton where the evening event was held, and we all left the room together. I got the impression that Jill Derby, a truly grand lady, and Wes really hit it off. He was most impressed.

There's lots to say about these two days, and I hope I'll remember the highlights in a couple of days when I recover. It was a frenetic two days.

I'll give you a little preview: Jack Carter seems like a very down-to-earth fellow, so much like his Dad, and in this case also, I think that Jack and Wes really hit it off.

Another preview: The evening event in Las Vegas was for CD3 congressional candidate Tessa Hafen. She's about 30, and had worked for Harry Reid for years. Lood for good things from her. I was struck by the mature (64 or so) Jill Derby and the very young (for a congressional candidate) Tessa Hafen. They represent the best in the Democratic Party and its diversity.

Among the 40 or so people in a law firm conference room were a couple of other peopole of whom you may have heard: The CD1 Congresswoman Shelly Berkely, and a lady Rep. from Florida (name escapes me) who works in the Red to Blue project.

Jack Carter and Wes came in together, and each spoke.

Oh, yeah. One other person was there: Nancy Pelosi. That was really funny. When I committed to this trip, I didn't know I'd have to miss Pelosi in Denver for my CD7 candidate Ed Perlmutter. So I fly to Nevada, andn there she is the next day.

I hope to write more later.

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?

Thanks Jen - so glad you were able to attend - so you could tell us all about it, of course! And thanks Stan, for that postscript here to round out the story.

The pictures are Fab-Oooo! And Hello to Jen's buddy Erik, hope to see more of you round these parts.

So glad you got to meet Wes and he "knows" you from the blog. We're getting some new regular readers on the users online. Gotta hope the list grows and Wes is thrilled with what he sees when he does get "home" to the CCN. You're account was lovely. Now I'm going to look at your picture:)

WOOHOO!

What a fun journaling from you Jen! I'm so excited that you got to meet so many Clark supporters! Sounds like you had so much fun, and that Wes mesmerized everyone again!

I LOVE your photos. You are so vibrant in each one, too. Love the photo of you and Stan. :D

Well, dern, if my summer hadn't been so chock-full of things I would have come too. :(

I remember Cindy Trigg's scrapbook she shared with us in LR, and reading her name as a guest at this event made me think about that scrapbook, how beautiful it was, and how I should do one. LOL!

Well, thanks so much for sharing. ~:D

AND BEST OF LUCK TO JILL DERBY!!!!!

And Happy Birthday, Stan!!! Safe journey home, if you're not there already! Can't wait to hear more about the Carter event in Vegas! It was so great to meet you! And THANK YOU for the dog tags!! :D

Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia

Hi, everybody, and thanks for the comments. I'm still in Las Vegas, but won't leave the hotel 'til I go to the airport later.

Look for more pics Friday or Saturday after I get home, recover, and upload what's in my camera.

Meanwhile, I'm having a wonderful birthday. I slept 'til noon and have the afternoon off.

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?

Stan, a judge over turned bush's NSA wiretapping for your birthday. I'd say that's a nice gift.

You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley

But I have to say that the best present I got, after two frenetic days, which began with only 1 1/2 hours sleep before leaving, was a day with no agenda at all other than getting ready to fly home.

Thanks for thinking of me. Of course these guys would ignore a Court decision as readily as they ignore the law. When the Constitution is just a "g****ed piece of paper," why would they pay any more attention to the Court than to anything else?

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?