President Bush to visit Exhibit Hall today

By Amy Roberts

President Bush is visiting the San Joaquin Valley today, with stops in Dinuba and Fresno. He plans to discuss the economy and housing with employees and invited guests at Ruiz Foods before moving to the Convention Center’s South Exhibit Hall for a noon lunch and speech during a campaign fundraiser.

Activity surrounding a presidential visit is intense, from sprucing up downtown to Secret Service security clearances for anyone working the events. White House advance teams have been working on this event for a few weeks making sure Bush’s itinerary is seamless.

Ruiz Foods is a popular stop during campaign swings. It employs more than 1,250 people and manufactures 185 different authentic Mexican food items.

After visiting Dinuba, Bush will travel to Fresno to meet with about 600 donors, who paid either $1,000 or $2,000 per plate for this 2004 presidential fundraiser. The different donation levels are designated gold and silver with the gold donors seated in closer proximity to the president.

The same menu is planned for both groups. This summer’s Bush-Cheney fundraising meals consisted of hot dogs and hamburgers on a number of occasions.

Jim Pardini’s Catering is putting together a higher end lunch, serving a chilled plate of grilled chicken breast on wild rice, seasonal valley fruit and a marinated tortellini salad. Donors will also get a slice of chocolate cake.

The cold luncheon is necessary, according to Liz Boghosian, executive director for the catering company, to ensure the completion of service before the president starts speaking at noon.

Boghosian said she wasn’t sure how much each lunch costs, but they met the budget requirement set by the fundraising committee for between $15 and $30 per person.

A number of groups are planning protests outside the convention center ranging from the war in Iraq to feeding the homeless.