The Democrats of Moreno Valley are set to party this weekend at their new headquarters as part of a fundraiser and campaign kickoff for Barack Obama and other Democratic candidates in the Inland area.

They say doors will open at 6 p.m. and they'll dance in the parking lot until they just can't dance anymore. The office is at 24443 Sunnymead Blvd., Moreno Valley, in the southwest corner of the Sundance Center.

They say there will be DJs, food, a no-host bar and repeated plays of Pink's "Let's get this party started."

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Entertainment (Music): Al Williams
Entertainment (Monologue): James McEachin
Call to Order, Introduction of Colors: Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
Presentation of Colors: Fort Snelling Joint Services Color Guards
Pledge of Allegiance: Olympians Ryan Berube, Mitch Gaylord, Brittany Hayes, Barbra Higgins, Larsen Jensen, Elle Logan, Marcus McElhenney and John Naber
Singing of the National Anthem: Trace Adkins
Invocation: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Speaker: Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma
Speaker: Erik Paulsen
Speaker: Jay Love
Speaker: Charlie Summers
Speaker: Aaron Schock
Speaker: David Cappiello
Speaker: U.S. Sen. John Ensign (Nev.)
Video: "Country First: Peace," with narration by Robert Duvall
Speaker: Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman
Statement of Rule Regarding Vice Presidential Nomination; Recognition of Delegates Making Motions; and Adoption and Announcement of Nominee: U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Speaker: Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention
Speaker: Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee
Speaker: Rosario Marin, secretary of the California State and Consumer Services Agency

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Speaker: Joe Watkins
Speaker: Sen. Mel Martinez of California
Speaker: Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota
Speaker with Video: Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee
Speaker: retired Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter, USMC
Speaker: Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas
Speaker: Rep. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma
Video: "World Stood Still"
Speaker: Joe Gibbs
Speaker: Brian Clay

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Speaker: Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
Video: "Vice Presidential Nominee Governor Sarah Palin"
Speaker: Former Gov. Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania
Video: "America's Place in the World"
Speaker: Cindy McCain

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Video: "Senator John McCain"
Speaker: Presidential Nominee John McCain

8 p.m. to Conclusion
Floor Demonstration, Balloon Drop, McCain and Palin Families on Stage
Introduction of Presiding Officer: House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio
Benediction: Pastor Dan Yeary
Introduction of Delegate for Motion, Adoption and Adjournment: House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Call to Order, Introduction of Colors: Sen. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Presentation of Colors: Law Enforcement Memorial Association of Minnesota
Pledge of Allegiance: Sharon Clahchischilliage and Mary Leavitt
Singing of "America the Beautiful": John Shillington and Ruby Brown
Invocation: Father Edward Reese
Speaker: Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Video: "Country First: Prosperity," with narration by Robert Duvall
Speaker: Anne Beiler
Speaker: Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota
Speaker: Renee Amoore
Speaker: State Sen. Abel Maldonado of California
Speaker: Carolyn Dunn

5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Elena Rios
Speaker: Ruth Novodor
Speaker: Christy Swanson
Speaker: Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Michael Williams
Speaker: Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuno
Speaker: Meg Whitman, former President and CEO of EBay
Video: Sen. McCain's Economic Reform Package
Speaker: Carly Fiorina, former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard
Prayer: Bishop Thomas Wenski

6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Speaker: GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele
Speaker: Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts
Speaker: Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas
Musical Performance: John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, and Cowboy Troy

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Speaker: Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York
Speaker: Gov. Linda Lingle of Hawaii
Video: Sarah Palin
Speaker: Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin

8 p.m. to Conclusion
Procedural Activities Required for Nomination of the Presidential Candidate: House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio
Roll Call
Benediction: Rev. Eva Rodriguez
Adjournment: House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

President Bush, via satellite
First Lady Laura Bush
Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticutt
Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee
House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio
Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota
Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota
Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee
Jo Ann Davidson, co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond&PE.com

Don Williamson, the former San Bernardino County assessor and former Republican, drew jeers from the crowd Thursday night at the Barack Obama watching party held at Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino.

Williamson took the stage to pitch his candidacy against Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia.

Williamson lamented the high cost of gasoline and talked about his desire to return the price to $2 per gallon. He even complained about the cost of gassing up his RV, which prompted some to yell at him to sell it. Still others said he shouldn't be talking about oil at all but should be talking about solar and wind energy.

One woman jumped atop a metal bleacher and exhorted the crowd to "stand up" in protest of Williamson's remarks. Some complained that he should get off the stage entirely so they could watch the giant TV screen behind him with images of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Some onlookers eventually just walked out.

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

The sparse, but enthusiastic crowd leaned back on metal bleachers as Obama delivered his acceptance speech. They cheered as he chided John McCain, laughed when he poked fun at President Bush and booed when he recalled the "nation of whiners" line once uttered by a member of McCain's campaign.

"Viva Obama" some listeners bellowed as he took the stage. "U-S-A" others chanted as he lamented the loss of jobs for American auto workers. They clapped loudly and shouted words of support when he laid out his plan for reviving the economy.

The unique event at Perris Hill Park was the brainchild of San Bernardino County Democrats who have been working aggressively this year to close the gap in voter registration and turn the county blue once again. They proudly told the crowd gathered there that they're close to topping the Republican Party's dominance in San Bernardino County.

Vendors gathered in the park outside the Roosevelt Bowl, a well-worn amphitheater, selling gourmet kettle corn, T-shirts, peanuts and tacos. Prayer books, local candidate literature and Obama baseball caps sat atop folding tables as people hawked their wares.

Inside the amphitheater, children crawled over the bleachers and parents spooned food into the mouths of their babies. As the sun slowly set, the image on the white screen grew more vivid.

Nancy Glenn, 55, and her daughter and her 1-year-old granddaughter joined the crowd to show support for his education policies and be a part of history.

Erin Glenn, 27, of Redlands spent part of the evening chasing her active daughter around the park, but was glad to be there.

Sophia Moran was dressed in a pink onesie with the words "It's my future. Please vote Obama" written on the front. She squealed as her mother and grandmother, both schoolteachers, talked about their desire to see Bush's No Child Left Behind Act undone.

"We want to make sure we're part of something, to show her she can be politically active," Erin Glenn said. "We were here when he made history."

The event was co-sponsored by the Blue County political action committee, the Foothill
Regional Alliance Democratic Club; Mark Westwood, who's running against Assemblyman Bill Emerson, R-Redlands; and Tim Prince, who's running against Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands.

Organizers asked attendees to make contributions of $5 per adult or $20 per family to help the candidates in November.

Other candidates showed up to address the crowd, but received lukewarm receptions. Don Williamson, the former county assessor who is challenging Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, drew taunts from the crowd when he talked about the cost of gassing up his RV and lamented the high price of oil. Listeners bellowed that he should get rid of the RV and talk about alternative energies.

Ameneeah Fuller, who is challenging state Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, struggled to read a speech as a microphone system faltered.

Some onlookers walked out when they tired of the speakers, crying out that they wanted to watch the convention proceedings instead of listening to local candidates. Eventually the speakers put down the microphones and turned up the TV sound, letting the crowd watch a biographical video shown at the convention.

Elsewhere in the Inland area, Democrats gathered at the Moreno Valley Democratic headquarters and the Viceroy Hotel in Palm Springs to hold their own convention-watching parties. Smaller house parties took place throughout the area.

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

The festivities get under way at 5:30 p.m. at the Viceroy Hotel and Spa. Organizers expect it to be a full house, but if you still want to attend they ask you contact them at DesertObama@gmail.com.

Other Democratic candidates are expected to make appearances, including Julie Bornstein, who's challenging Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs. Manuel Perez, who faces Republican Gary Jeandron in the 80th Assembly District race, also is expected to attend.

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

Ronald Wall, a delegate from Ontario, was excited to be interviewed by KNBC-TV from Los Angeles on Monday night. When asked about Michelle Obama's speech, he replied: "It Ba-rocked!"

Linne Frank Bailey, a writer from Corona and Barack Obama delegate, has been blogging about her experience in Denver this week. She asked friends this morning if they had seen her on CNN, one of the cable networks covering the event.

Stay tuned for more local celebrities on your TV.

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

Democrats are holding convention-watching parties all week at the headquarters in Moreno Valley. The Democrats are opening the office at 2 p.m. today through Thursday and will keep the place open until the last person leaves, they say.

The office is at 24443 Sunnymead Blvd., Moreno Valley, 92553 on the southwest corner of the Sundance Center.

People are encouraged to come dressed comfortably, and pajamas are fine. No joke. Political junkies are encouraged to bring snacks or sign up for a potluck, and water and coffee will be provided.

Call 951-924-4040 or visit the Web site for the Democratic Club of Moreno Valley.

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com

You can catch a live video stream at the convention Web site. Several cable networks are running gavel-to-gavel coverage, including C-SPAN and MSNBC with additional feeds on their Web sites. And the networks will cover the primetime speeches this evening, with most tuning in at 7 p.m. local time to catch Michelle Obama's national TV debut.

Here's a look at some of the highlights in today's schedule, in Pacific Daylight Time:
2 p.m to 6 p.m.:
Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco
Rep. Doris Matsui of Sacramento
Rep. Joe Baca of Rialto
Rep. Grace Napolitano of Norwalk

Musical Performance
John Legend and accompanied by:
Agape Choir - International Spiritual Center, Culver City,
Trans-denominational Spiritual Community founded by Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith

Video/Remarks
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco

Remarks
Maya Soetoro-Ng, half-sister of Barack Obama

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois
Senator Edward M. Kennedy Tribute
Craig Robinson, older brother of Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama, wife of Barack Obama

—Michelle DeArmond
mdearmond@PE.com