The AARP, which will be doing about five dozen similar events around the country this fall, has selected Ventura County's 26th District as one of two California districts in which it will sponsor a candidates' forum focusing on issues of concern to seniors.

The 26th District event will be a tele-town hall on the evening of Oct. 9, beginning at 7. Both candidates, Democrat Julia Brownley and Republican Tony Strickland have confirmed their participation. I will be the moderator.

The AARP will autodial all its members within the district -- an estimated 16,500 households -- and invite them to listen in. In addition, there will likely be a system established that will allow others to register so that they can also be on the call. Christina Clem with the California AARP tells me that past experience has shown a substantial majority of people who answer the phone stay on the line for at least 20 minutes. The entire discussion will last an hour.

Callers will be given an opportunity to ask live questions.

Clem said it has long been the goal of the AARP to put the issues of Medicare, Social Security and financial security for retirement high on the agenda in campaigns for federal offices. That mission has already been accomplished.

TIDBITS ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Although it's not generally advisable to mix alcohol with firearms, it's OK if the firearms are metaphorical. So, the Central Coast's two "Young Guns" will be holding a joint fund-raiser tomorrow that will feature phone banking and a wine-tasting lunch with Abel Maldonado in Santa Barbara from 9:30 to noon, followed by phone banking and precinct walking for Strickland in Ventura from 2 to 5, followed by cocktails on the beach. Both Republican candidates have received the "Young Gun" designation bestowed by the National Republican Congressional Committee on what it considers to be promising new candidates....

Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, Assistant House Democratic Leader Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina will be in Oxnard from 9 to 10:30 for a reception for Democratic congressional candidate Brownley. The event is hosted by Hank and Leah Lacayo and Armando and Luly Lopez...

Outgoing Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who many in Ventura County know as the wife of Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Jason Hodge, sent an email to supporters today kicking off her 2014 campaign for the Board of Equalization. She's having quite an event in San Francisco on Oct. 11 to celebrate 10 years in public service. Among the guests: former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, current Assembly Speaker John Perez and state Democratic Party Chairman John Burton....

Ventura County Democrats can't get the word out fast enough on social media today to tout a complimentary write-up about them on the state Democratic Party blog.