For those of you not steeped in arcana of partisan politics, the Elephant looks like it's going to be the local GOP's stand-in for Oscar.
Who's Dean Henderson? Local guy. He loves the fray. Partisan Republican. Opposes Democrats. He even gets steamed when we put Democrats in the paper.
"You put them on the front page, with pictures," says Dean.
Yeah, well, they had their Democrat of the Year festivities. They got L.A. mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa up here. They made news. News is supposed to be non-partisan. Otherwise, you get Pravda.
Henderson, a local mortgage loan specialist, loves the fray. He does campaigns. Backs campaigns. He's on the Planning Commission.
Henderson considers Valley businessman Frank Visco - the former California GOP chairman - to be his mentor. Visco considers Henderson to be his protégé.
What's the affinity? For a generation, Frank Visco has made it his business to fill rooms and raise funds for the causes he espouses, most notably, the GOP.
Henderson doesn't take things lying down. He takes them standing up. Incensed that the Democrat numbers were swelling in Palmdale, that the Democrats are organizing. Hustling is the verb. Henderson concocted his own "Meet the Press" strategy. Full-court press. Serious. Fun, but serious fun.
"I thought, let's get all the Republican organizations in the valley together, and pick the Republican of the Year."
"That's a great idea," Visco replied, Henderson recalled. "You do it, Dean."
So Dean did it. Took about six weeks. The task? Get the organizations together. Make the rules on picking the nominees. Get a committee together to vote on the nominees. Most important? Sell the tickets and fill the room.
The Conference Center at the Essex House was filled on Thursday night.
Democrats do better free dancing. Always have. Republicans have better neckties. red, white and blue. Elephants. Constitution prints on neckties.
The Elephant went to June Spencer, Republican of the Year. Spencer is many things, including president of the Antelope Valley Republican Assembly and Lancaster Councilman Andy Visokey's mom.
Mary Miller got a standing ovation - in the packed room - as Master GOP Party Enthusiast. Enthusiast awards also went to Joe Donahue, a third grade teacher who canvasses the neighborhoods, and Melea Bork, a future attorney in the office of R. rex Parris who volunteers for everything.
Lifetime achievement honors went to Pat Sileo. Role model honors to Dixie Eliopulos. Voter registration honor to Linda Isaac. Precinct walker honors went to John Evans, and phone banker honors to Linda Gray.
"These people are the grassroots," Henderson said.
Also, Henderson wrangled an appearance by state party chairman Shawn Steel, a firebrand who vows to take California's Legislature back from the Dems.
Unsung heroes ought to go to Rita Burleson and Donna Termeer, two Runner staff aides, along with Henderson's spouse, Oanh, who flew from table to table, got things started and nailed things down. That's grassroots.
Republican organizations are watching the census and redistricting. So are Democrats. The Valley has been a GOP stronghold, and even many Democrats often vote for candidate who are Republicans. But the Valley is changing and diversifying. It reflects the map of California.
There's a battle for hearts, minds and votes going on. The United States in macro, the Valley in micro, represent a vibrant marketplace of ideas.
Henderson looks to be one of those making an aggressive sales pitch for his idea of the American dream. The Elephant goes to Henderson.