Nearly every county Democratic organization in the nation predictably sponsors two annual events: a Labor Day barbecue and a Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

No disrespect to Thomas Jefferson or Andrew Jackson, but it was about time somebody updated the list of Democratic heroes worth celebrating with an annual dinner. That has now happened in Ventura County, following Saturday's inaugural Jack and Bobby Kennedy dinner.

One of the organizers, Sue Broidy of Ojai, reports that the event raised about $12,000, which will be used for a paid voter registration drive that Democrats hope will generate less than the 500-voter net gain that they need to pass Republicans and gain a plurality of registered voters in the county.

Ventura County still gets little respect from statewide Democrats. The only two of note who attended Saturday's event were Controller John Chiang and Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero.

Broidy says organizers hope to make the Kennedy dinner an annual event. Thomas and Andrew would probably be happy that some people from the 20th century are getting some tributes for a change.