Dear NCW Democrats and Friends, 

We could write to express our concerns.  Little of it would be news to you—we know you do everything you can to stay informed and engaged.  Concerns for our community, the country, and our world are on most of our minds most of the time.  Do what you can, take a break, then pitch forward again.  We’re working most hours of every day to organize and set the stage for bigger successes in our future.  Join us in making this happen! 

THIS WEEK 

Today, Tuesday, 9/19, 10a: “Coffee Break” at Pybus Market.  Join with friends for our regular informal gathering, find out what events are coming up, share your ideas.  We’re excited to have 2018 CD8 Democratic candidate Jason Rittereiser join us from 10-11a at Pybus.  Come to meet him and learn more about his campaign.  Bring a friend!  Jason will also be at Mela Coffee House in Wenatchee at 11:15a and in Leavenworth at Icicle Brewing Company from 1—2p.  

Thursday, 9/21, 5:30p:  Naturalization Ceremony at Rocky Reach Dam:  Help celebrate and welcome more than 50 of our family and neighbors as they fulfil their long journey to citizenship.  Get in touch if you’d like to help CAFÉ (with our help) register new voters!  Hosted by Hand-In-Hand Immigration Svcs and USCIS. 

Saturday, 9/23, 9a—3p, Voter Registration, Pybus Market: Sign up to help register voters at the market http://signup.com/go/BVCDAiw .  Onsite training will be provided.  This is weekend 2 of 4 where we’ll provide this community service, prior to 11/7 General Election registration deadline.  Hosted by CAFÉ and NCWDems. 

Saturday, 9/23, 9a—3p, Citizenship Day, Van Tassel Hall, WVCollege: Volunteer to help at this event where individuals applying for citizenship meet with immigration attorneys to review and complete documentation.  Volunteer positions range from providing legal support (if qualified) to clerical and/or hospitality.  Hosted by WANewAmericans, AILA, and numerous local organizations. 

Saturday, 9/23, tba: 2018 CD8 Democratic candidates Tola Marts and Toby Whitney in town for meet-n-greet this Saturday early afternoon, 9/23, watch for an email with time and location.  Hosted by NCWDems. 

FUTURE EVENTS—PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 

Wednesday, November 8, 5:30p, Annual Chelan-Douglas Democratic Dinner, Wenatchee Convention Center, ATTORNEY GENERAL BOB FERGUSON will be our guest and keynote speaker!  Tickets available now.  $55 adult / $30 student.  See attached for more info.  Call 509-393-2377 or email ncwdems@gmail.com to reserve your tickets or a table! 

UPCOMING—Some urgency 

Over the past couple of weeks, Democrats have been involved throughout our area and state.

·         I-940 De-Escalate WA presentation: At our September general meeting, we learned important information about I-940 from local advocate, Jenn Roark, and WA state initiative coordinator, Riall Johnson.  We have lots of petitions, if you want to sign OR help gather signatures. 

·         E’mont SD, Robert E Lee Elementary School: In the aftermath of the occurrence of too-many violent and racist incidents in our nation, a controversy has arisen about whether to rename East Wenatchee Robert E Lee Elementary School (facility built in 1955, and named for Confederate Army General Lee).  The renaming issue has been placed on the 10/23 school board meeting agenda, where board members will discuss and determine the process by which the issue will be addressed.  Public comment can be submitted by personal statement during public comment period at upcoming board meetings (schedule here), by letter (Eastmont School Board, 800 Eastmont Ave, E Wenatchee 98802) or email (Superintendent Garn Christensen christenseng@eastmont206.org, Eastmont School Board members schoolboard@eastmont206.org).  Note that Supt Christensen indicated that the 10/23 meeting may need to be moved to the Eastmont Junior High School Auditorium to accommodate an anticipated larger than usual number in attendance.  Showing up at interim meetings, sharing your thoughts and ideas on the issue, and volunteering to become involved in forming a solution are all ways in which this can be resolved.  The children and families, teachers and staff, and school leaders are not the problem.  They are all good people working to educate our kids.  Naming decisions were made decades ago, during a different time in history.  Most of our community and nation feels differently now, and we realize that words and actions matter.  Take a moment to visit the petition site below and consider expressing your vote, pro or con.

·         Petition to change the  name (1407 signatures, so far):

https://www.change.org/p/eastmont-school-board-change-the-name-of-robert-e-lee-elementary

·         Petition to keep name the same (3017 signatures, so far):

https://www.change.org/p/eastmont-school-board-don-t-change-the-name-of-robert-e-lee-elementary-east-wenatchee-wa 

Look forward to seeing you soon. 

Karen Keleman, Chair, Douglas County Democrats (509-630-3055)

Bill Miller, Chair, Democrats of Chelan County (425-444-9598)

Dan Maher, Chair, 12^th LD Democrats (509-433-7336)