•The Democratic Club of Conejo Valley will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 9 at the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road.

Frank Barajas, PhD, associate professor of history at Cal State Channel Islands, will discuss California and Ventura County history.

The public is invited at no charge.

•The club will host the seventh annual Garden Party on Sun., Sept. 13 at the Sunset Hills Country Club, 4155 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks.

Welcoming will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a silent auction and a no-host bar. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker will be California State Controller John Chiang.

Chiang was elected in November 2006 to serve as California’s chief fiscal officer. He is the chair of the Franchise Tax Board and serves on 76 boards and commissions.

Chiang will speak on the problems facing California and the state’s future.

Other special guests will include former and current candidates for state and national office.

The Garden Party is the club’s largest fundraiser, and monies will go to support candidates and propositions both locally and nationally.

Reservations must be received by Sept. 9 to receive discounted prices.

For more information, driving directions and reservations, call (805) 675-8785 or go to www.conejodemocrats.com.