hard deadlines

Guests enjoying last year's event.

The annual Portsmouth Democratic Clamboil is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, and everyone is welcome at what promises to be an awesome afternoon of traditional food, amazing auction bargains, and election-year opportunities to chat with local, state, and national political leaders and candidates.

The Clamboil is hosted at the Portuguese American (PA) Citizens Club at 35 Power Street, just off East Main Road. Tickets for the event are just $30/adult, $7/kids under 12, and include all-you-can-eat chowder and clam cakes at 1 pm, with the traditional New England clamboil — fresh clams, chourico, sausage, hot dogs, onion, potato and corn on the cob — served at 3 pm.

But it's not just about the food — each year, dozens of local businesses and supporters provide items for raffles and an auction (featuring incomparable auctioneer DJ Dennis Canario!). This year, there are more than 50 great items up for bid — just take a look at the list below. And new this year, there will be a 50/50 raffle, with tickets $1/each or 6 for $5. You could go home with a full stomach AND wallet.

And of course, in addition to the food and bargains, there's plenty of time for meeting and talking with the elected officials and candidates who drop by to connect with the voters. You can be sure all the local and state folks will be there, and this year, the Clamboil is just two days before a heated primary race in the first Congressional district, so you never know who might stop by...

Tickets are available at the PA Club, Allen's Wine and Spirits, Ferreira's Package Store or by calling Chuck Levesque at 847-2510. Proceeds from the event go to the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee. This is the Town Committee's major fundraiser going into the Fall election, so it's a great opportunity to have some fun, bid on some neat items, and support local Democrats.

Preliminary list of auction items:
$25 gift certificate, 15 Point Road restaurant
Bird Feeder, Agway
$25 Dinner for Two, Becky's BBQ
Two kitchen design books, Beyond The Woods
$50 gift card, Blue Plate Diner
$500 in legal services, Atty. Bob Silva
$15 gift certificate, Carmella's of Portsmouth
Plant, Carlone's Florist
Gift certificate for 1-hr session, Center for Therapeutic Massage
$20 gift certificate, Ching Tao Restaurant, Middletown
2 gift certificates for breakfast for two, Cindy's Country Cafe
Round of golf for 2 plus breakfast or entree, Clubhouse Restaurant and Golf Course, Bristol
Gift Basket, Coastal Roasters, Tiverton
Chimney cleaning, Colonial Chimney Sweep
Two bottles of wine, County Liquors of Middletown
Gift basket, Custom House Coffee
$25 gift card, Foodworks
Free will, Atty. David Fox
2 $5 gift certificates and t-shirts, Frosty Freeze
2 bottles of wine, Gleeson's Package Store
Foursome with carts, Green Valley Country Club
Case of Skipping Stones wine, Greenvale Vineyards
One-month membership, Kettlbells Gym
Assorted shrubs, Hoogendorn's nursery
Two $50 gift certificates (Irving, Geo's, BossMan), Irving Gas Station
$10 gift certificate, Irving's Shoes
Plant, Island Garden shop
Gift certificate, Green Grocer
Autographed Congressional Cookbook, Sen. Jack Reed
Three yards of screened loam, JAM Materials
Framed picture, other prints, Joe Matose, artist
5 $10 gift cards, Leo's Ristorante, Bristol
$25 gift certificate, Maplewood Farms
Two 12-packs of Ale and beer, Moriarty's Liquors
Quartz candleholder, Natures, Inc.
Tool box, NAPA Auto Parts of Middletown
Dinner and show for 2, Newport Playouse and Cabaret Theater
Gift certificates: Oil change, car wash, Newport Toyota
Tour and Tasting for 4 and 10, Newport Vineyards
1 pizza, North End Pizza
Gift certificate for 1-month membership, Peak Fitness
2 $10 gift cards, Pizza Wave, Bristol
2 gift certificates for hair cuts, Quic Kutz
Car Wash Kit, R & S Speed Shop
RI State Flag, Sec. of State Ralph Mollis
Cheese Trays, RI Credit Union
Two plants of your choice, RI Nurseries
Gift certificate for oil change, Sacucci Honda
$40 gift card, Scampi Restaurant
$25 gift card, Stop and Shop Middletown
Free month of dance and dance bag, Stage Door Dance Studio
$15 gift certificate, Steve's Famous Pizza
Free septic pump out, free service call Travers Plumbing
1 pizza, West Main Pizza
...and more to come!

Full disclosure: I am a member of the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee as well as an endorsed candidate for School Committee, so obviously, a portion of the proceeds from the event would benefit my campaign.