Dear NCW Democrats and Friends, 

Remember that THIS IS NOT NORMAL – stay alert to the news and the shell-game going on behind the scene, take breaks, keep making phone calls.  All of it works!  And the ground game, getting people to vote and turn in their ballots, is ongoing.  We need your help—come to our general meetings or call to say how you’d like to engage. 

A busy week past, a full weekend ahead. 

“Coffee Break” at Pybus Market.  About 20 Democrats turned out Tuesday morning to meet CD8 Democratic candidate Jason Rittereiser, shake his hand and learn about his life and (if elected) what he hopes to achieve as our representative.  Jason answered all questions and shared viewpoints that seem knowledgeable, thoughtful, and inclusive.  He also met with constituents in Leavenworth that afternoon.  We look forward to his frequent return.  

Naturalization Ceremony at Rocky Reach Dam:  On Thursday night, we helped welcome 51 new citizens from 7 nations (and about 350 of their family and neighbors!) as they completed their long journeys to become US citizens.  Working with CAFÉ, we helped register almost 30 new voters!  Thank you, Norma Gallegos and volunteers for helping prepare our neighbors for this goal and for making celebrations memorable.  Thank you, Alma, Pam, Adriana, and Walter and Caitilin for helping register NEW voters! 

Fundraiser for Maria Cantwell:  About 60 people gathered Friday night at a private residence in E Wenatchee to meet with Senator Cantwell, to hear her thoughts on current and future work, and to offer a soft kick off for her 2018 election campaign.  She was especially buoyed by the town hall of several weeks ago, and promised that she’ll be back to meet many more of us.  We’ll do our best to make that happen! 

THIS WEEKEND 

Saturday, 9/23, 9a—3p, Voter Registration, Pybus Market: A few volunteers still needed to help register voters at the market http://signup.com/go/BVCDAiw .  Not too late to help!  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, 1p and 2p: 2018 CD8 Democratic candidates Tola Marts and Toby Whitney are in town Saturday for a meet-n-greet.  Come meet Tola at 1pm and Toby at 2pm.  Location: CAFÉ Office, 766 S Mission St, Wenatchee (CAFÉ has moved from the “orange house” to the green house across Lewis Street.  Plenty of parking.  Come meet 2 of the 5 Democratic candidates who have filed to be on the ballot in 2018.  Don’t miss this great opportunity to get acquainted with these candidates! 

 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!  Spread the word—let’s pack the convention center that night!

 ​UPCOMING

·         I-940 De-Escalate WA: We have lots of petitions available, 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 on 9/25 and 10/9, 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.  Keep showing up!  We know 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 (1424 signatures, so far / NOTE:this email goes to nearly 3000 Dem email addresses in our 2 counties): https://www.change.org/p/eastmont-school-board-change-the-name-of-robert-e-lee-elementary

·         Petition to keep name the same (3022 signatures, so far): https://www.change.org/p/eastmont-school-board-don-t-change-the-name-of-robert-e-lee-elementary-east-wenatchee-wa

Looking forward to the next time we meet. 

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)