April Issue of Concordian

Title:  Edi Birsan’s Political Birthday Party Marks a New Begining            

The Political Birthday Party extravaganza of Ed Birsan (City Council Runner Up in the 2010 election) was held at the Kasper’s home in what was called by Chuck Carpenter: “the wonderful outdoor living room”.  Over 75 folks came out from all segments of Concord: neighborhood partnerships leaders from Sun Terrace to the Monument, past senior club presidents, youthful volunteers, Republicans, Democrats including a County Chairman, as well a host of friends and new supporters.  Called the political birthday party because it celebrated the first political event in 1965 that Ed Birsan had attended.  The party featured Jim Ocean on the Guitar with an array of his own special brand of songs. Along with the theme of supporting local business and jobs there were Concord made products from those that helped sponsor the party including wines from Concord’s own commercial winery: Sterling Albert, two local wine hobbyist, Alpine bakery with a display of extraordinary cookies in the shape and writing of campaign signs and their marvelous pastries, Bentelino’s Deli  platters as well as local made beer.

A short speech on the importance of the coming election emphasizing the importance of raising the community voice to put away the backroom politics of division and focus on our needs was enthusiastically received.

Aspects of the party including listening to suggestions for campaign slogans for his current run for Concord City Council, as well as trivia card questions on Concord and Birsan.  For example where is 4^th Street? And is it true that East Street is West of West Street? : There is no 4^th Street and yes East and West Street are ill named relative to each other.  We also learned that Birsan’s (an Ellis Island Special-made up name) mother was Greek Orthodox and married a Catholic, a Baptist and a Jew, and Ed was sent to an Episcopalian Church to get religion.  He also was born as Ersalesi (Italian origin) and changed his name legally at 18 to Birsan to honor his Step Dad.

At the end of the too few hours of the party, some 32 bottles of wine had been consumed along with half a keg of beer, 4 feet of Alpine pastries and 10 pounds of salmon and shrimp platters in a successful good time had by all… present.  Alas poor Mr. John Hemm and spouse arrived the next day at 2PM having missed the festivities by a day mix up, but not to worry, the success guarantees other opportunities will arrive with the summer campaign season.  For more info: go to www.EdBirsan.com or Edi Birsan on Facebook.

The party at the end of February was a great success measured by just all means.  The most important is that people had fun and told everyone else they knew that they had fun.  We raised a bunch of money, we talked about some issues, people learned some background on their city  (such as there is no 4th Street or that Black Bart the notorious Stagecoach robber taught elementary school here).  We also learned some things about me, such that my mother was a Greek Orthodox who married a Protestant a Catholic and a Jew and I was baptised in the Greek Orthodox Church but sent to an Episcopalian Church and confirmed there despite the pastor being a fanatic Mets fan and me rooting for the Yankees at the time.

I want to thank all the community leaders that showed up with their support from Sun Terrace to the borders of Clayton and from the Monument to the leadership of the Democratic Party in Contra Costa, as well as the whole range of people from all political spectrums that were united in supporting a campaign that puts the neighborhoods first and the residents as a priority over special interests and traditional influence peddling.

Thanks again folks and see you in the neighborhood.

Ed Birsan