We had hoped to have Tom and Mike attend last month, but both had prior commitments, although Tom’s wife graciously stopped by and shared dinner with some of our members.  So our thanks go out to Laura Robertson, the northern Virginia field coordinator of the Commonwealth Coalition, the nonpartisan organization spearheading the opposition to the so-called marriage amendment, who came on short notice to fill us in on what the Coalition is doing.  Laura gave us a rundown on all the volunteer opportunities available to us, from phone banking to handing out literature at public events to doing the essential work of door-to-door voter I.D.  For example, this past weekend, the Coalition had a table at the Alexandria Birthday Celebration on the Alexandria waterfront, a 6-hour event complete with food, music, and good old politicking.  In conjunction with the Commonwealth Coalition, Log Cabin volunteers Rebecca Maestri, David Lampo, and Chris Gregerson handed out hundreds of anti-amendment flyers and talked to numerous voters about this mean-spirited measure, and it was generally a very supportive crowd.  When folks actually read the language of the proposed amendment, they realize what an ill-advised, confusing measure it is.  That is the kind of voter-to-voter contact that will defeat this measure, so we all need to get involved right now.  Every week the Coalition sends out an email to its list of events and festivals for which it needs volunteers, so sign up today and start helping out.   

And keep in mind that the Coalition has Republicans available to speak to Republican and business organizations and committees about this amendment, so if you are a member of such an organization, please contact the Coalition’s speaker’s bureau and they will provide someone.

Anyone interested in working on this bi-partisan, statewide effort can contact the Coalition at its northern Virginia headquarters, located at

1651 Old Meadow Rd., Suite B300, McLean, VA 22102

Their phone is 703 442-9590 and you can email Laura Robertson at laura@votenova.org. General information on the Coalition’s objectives and the means of getting there is available at www.voteNOva.org.  When you contact the Commonwealth Coalition, please be sure to tell them that you’re a Log Cabin supporter and you want your Republican voice to be heard.

Summer Picnic – Mark Your Calendar for August 13 

This year’s annual summer picnic, held on Sunday, August 13, in lieu of the regular monthly meeting, will be hosted by Daniel Gri and James Abbott.  Daniel and James have graciously offered their beautiful home to the Club, and will be hosting the picnic and pool party!  Parking, food, drink, and escape from the elements, if necessary, will all be available for a suggested contribution of $15.00.  Their home is at 10329 Hickory Forest Dr. in Oakton, and the time will be from 1 until 5 pm.  We urge all members to invite their family and friends to this great annual event as part of our statewide effort to put a human face on the proposed marriage amendment and the lives such discrimination would affect.  For more details, visit our website at www.VirginiaLogCabin.org.