Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Dear NCW Democrats and Friends:

For those who’ve lived through tough times in the past—depressions, hunger, wars, economic crashes, personal loss—these times may feel reminiscent.  The strength of our people and the integrity of our country brought us through dark times before.  The same will be true going forward.  Take a couple of actions each day to stay healthy, care for loved ones, and move our democratic causes forward.  Be encouraged that many friends are doing the same.  Gather with others for support, then let’s get crackin’!

Our last e-newsletter was sent about two weeks ago.  Since then:

·        200+ people attended forum on immigration. 

·        50+ Democratic Party leaders received grassroots trainings,

·        Local “gang of 8” met with Congressman Reichert, re immigration, the ACA, and accountability,

·        dozens of Democrats and friends gathered for “Coffee Breaks” at Pybus,

·        many attended an open-house for Planned Parenthood,

·        many Dems are attending CAFÉ meetings—some spent a day helping make tamales to raise funds for scholarships,

·        Mission Indivisible and UNITE Wenatchee Valley leaders are meeting every weekend to plan upcoming actions,

·        150+ people attended public education forum with local legislators which was organized by the WenEA and Uniserv Council

·        hundreds have attended NCW United meetings and benefited by the work the Upper Valley group is doing,

·        thousands of phone calls and emails were made to Reichert and Newhouse, to Cantwell and Murray, to AG Ferguson and Gov Inslee, and to the WH,

·        FB groups, Twitter-feeds, and YouTube posts have been ablaze with activities.  Let’s pace ourselves, but keep up the excellent work.

From the standpoint of the local Democratic Party organizations, we are committed to help connect people and their energies with projects that will improve our lives and futures.  With that in mind, we offer the following opportunities to you.  Some are specifically political and partisan.  All will help build a stronger community of progressive voices.  We welcome you and invite you to join in whatever way you desire.

NEXT UP:

·        Wednesday 3/15 5p—USCIS Naturalization Ceremony (Hand In Hand Immigration Svcs), Pybus, 63 graduates—63 new citizens! Come celebrate together.

·        Friday 3/17 5:30p—St Patrick’s Day Democratic In-Gathering at Badger Mt Brewery--informal no-host gathering of Dems/friends for pizza and brew, then walk in the parade at 6:30 or watch the parade go by the brewery (See “Wenatchee Progressives” event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1867170960162647/  Here’s the invitation to join in the parade with the “Wenatchee Progressives” group:

“A group of us are going to be marching in the St Patrick’s Day parade.  I have a red banner on order that states: OUR LAND OF DIVERSITY WELCOMES IMMIGRANTS 

This is a pure, positive focus on what we have in common. Very important to note and share is that this is not a demonstration so NO Anti signs about Trump or Republicans.  

Let's celebrate our commonality as humans living in America. We are meeting at the staging area on Mission right before Orondo at 6:30 on Friday, St Patrick's Day.   

Please invite people to bring small flags or costumes from their own genealogy or any nation they like and meet us down on Mission near Orondo at the staging are at 6:30pm. 

Folks can go to Wenatchee Progressives on Facebook and look at the post--if planning to attend, please check the box so we are more well prepared.  Love this egalitarian parade.   Hope to see you there.  Thanks!”

·        INVITATION: NEW GROUP—UNITE Wenatchee Valley, Monday March 20, 5:30—7:30p, Wenatchee Community Center, 504 S Chelan, Wenatchee : Please plan to attend this KICK-OFF event. See the flyer below (and attached).

​ 

We’re working to gather together people and resources from labor, WA-Democrats, education, Indivisible, and other sources, and will share them with you when we meet.  Hope to see you soon!

Karen Keleman, Chair, Douglas County Democrats

Bill Miller, Chair, Democrats of Chelan County

Dan Maher, Chair, 12^th LD Democrats

PS  Please find legislators’ contact info, additional calendar dates, and other helpful info below.

THERE IS PLENTY OF REASON TO CONTACT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.  Here’s  their contact info. 

US CAPITAL SWITCHBOARD (for Senate and House): 202-224-3121 or 202-225-3121

TRACK US Senate/House BILLS/VOTES: www.govtrack.us;

US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WA CD8 REP DAVE REICHERT: Wenatchee office (509) 885-6615 / 5 S Wenatchee Ave Ste 315 (new location); DC office (202) 225-7761.

WA CD4 REP DAN NEWHOUSE: Yakima office (509) 452-3243; Tri-Cities (509) 713-7374; DC office (202) 225-5816

SPEAKER PAUL RYAN: http://www.speaker.gov/contact; (202) 225-0600

US SENATE:

WA SENATOR PATTY MURRAY: DC office (866) 481-9186; Seattle (206) 553-5545; Yakima (509) 453-7462; Spokane (509) 624-9515;www.murray.senate.gov

WA SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL: DC office (202) 224-3441; Seattle (206) 220-6400; Richland (509) 946-8106;www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email/form,

US SENATE MAJ LDR MITCH McCONNELL: www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform, (202) 224-2541,

WA STATE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE: (for WA Senate and/or House) 800-562-6000

TRACK WA State BILLS/VOTES: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

GOV JAY INSLEE: Olympia (360) 902-4111, governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message

WA STATE SENATE:

WA 12TH LD SENATOR BRAD HAWKINS: Olympia (360) 786-7622; brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov; Committees: Ag-Water-Trade-EconDev Supercmte V-ch; NaturalRes & Parks V-ch; Transportation; Senate Asst Floor Ldr.

WA STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WA 12th LD REP CARY CONDOTTA: Olympia (360) 786-7954 ; E Wenatchee (509) 664-1274, cary.condotta@leg.wa.gov (Committees: Commerce&Gaming/RankingMemb, Appropriations, Finance)

WA 12th LD REP MIKE STEELE: Olympia (360) 786-7832, mike.steele@leg.wa.gov (Committees: Capital Budget, Education, Tech & Econ Dev)

OTHER INFO SOURCES:

FiveThirtyEight Track Congress: goo.gl/ccpeoR

Ballotopedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page

Sunlight Foundation: https://sunlightfoundation.com/

LegiScan: https://legiscan.com/

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/office-congressional-ethics-vote-checklist

UPCOMING DATES (recurrent):

UNITE Wenatchee Valley monthly mtg, 3^rd Mon ea mo, 5:30-7:45p, potluck/mtg Wenatchee Community Ctr, 504 S Chelan Ave, Wenatchee: 3/20 (inaugural event), 4/17, 5/15, 6/19, other dates tbd

 “Coffee Breaks” 1^st & 3^rd Tue ea mo, 10-11a @ Pybus,: 3/21 (new noon meet time, too), 4/4, 4/18, 5/2, 5/16,

Community for the Advancement of Family Education (CAFÉ) monthly meeting, last Wed ea mo, 6:30-8p, 802 S Mission, Wenatchee:  3/29, 4/26, 5/31, 6/28, other dates tbd

 “Taste ‘O Politics” Last Thurs ea mon, 5-7p @ Jones Tasting Rm, Pybus (or location tbd): 3/30, 4/27, 5/25, 6/29, 7/27, 8/31, 9/28, 10/26, 11/30, 12/28

NCW Democratic E-bd & CenCmte Mtg, 1^st Wed ea mo, location/time may vary: 4/5 (6:30p DCFD#2MtgRm, 377 Eastmont), 5/3, 6/7, 7/5, 8/2, 9/6, 10/4, 11/1, 12/6

Climate Conversations NCW monthly work group meeting 1^st Mon ea mo, 6:30-8p, ChelanDouglasLandTrust: 4/3, 5/8,

NCW United: Upper Valley monthly meeting, 2^nd Mon ea mo, 6-8p: 4/17, location tbd, 5/15, 6/

Washington State Democratic Party Qtrly Mtgs:

4/21-22 WA-Dem Spring Mtg, Walla Walla

9/15-16 WA-Dem Fall Mtg, Seattle

ELECTION CYCLE ACTIVITIES:

4/25 Special Election (ballots mailed 4/7)

5/15-19 CANDIDATE FILING WEEK

8/1 Primary Election (ballots mailed 7/14)

11/7 GENERAL ELECTION (voter pamphlets mailed 10/7-14, ballots mailed 10/20)

UPCOMING DATES (non-recurrent) (edits or additions in yellow)

3/15 5p USCIS Naturalization Ceremony (Hand In Hand Immigration Svcs), Pybus, 63 graduates—63 new citizens! (voter registration, volunteers needed)

3/16 8-9a Peaceful ACA protest on sidewalk outside Congressman Reichert’s office

3/17 St Patrick’s Day Democratic In-Gathering at Badger Mt Brewery--informal no-host gathering of Dems/friends for pizza and brew, then walk in the parade at 6:30 or watch the parade go by the brewery (See “Wenatchee Progressives” eventhttps://www.facebook.com/events/1867170960162647/  Here’s the invitation to join with the “Wenatchee Progressives” group:

3/18 7-8:30 Candlelight Vigil to Protect the ACA, PAC Grotto (fountain area) hosted by FUSE Washington and SEIU 775.  All are welcome to attend this peaceful gathering.

3/20 5:30-7:30 UNITE Wenatchee Valley—first monthly meeting to bring Democrats, progressives, and friends together and work toward common purposes

4/15 Nat’l Tax Day March – (http://taxmarch.org/ possible local march)

4/22 @ 11 March for Science Sister March Wenatchee (Wenatchee Indivisible/Kitty Parker https://www.marchforscience.com/ )more details coming soon!

4/23  7p Sunday, Bishop William Skylstad, the Green Bishop and author of books on Columbia River,  St Jo’s Catholic Church, hosted by St Joseph’s and CCNCW will host

4/26- STAND AGAINST RACISM, YWCA Event @ 9am WVC Van Tassell, (also 4/27 Omak campus)

4/27-5/7 Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival (possible voter registration activity)

4/29  @___ Earth Day People’s Climate March (no local march planned yet) https://peoplesclimate.org/#sign-up

5/5 @ ___ Cinco de Mayo (5/6 Nat’l Immigrants March/no local march yet)

5/26-29 DCDems NasonCr Rest Stop, party-building fundraiser (volunteers and cookies needed)

5/29  Memorial Day

7/7-9 ChelanDems NasonCr Rest Stop, party-building fundraiser (volunteers and cookies needed)

7/16 4-8p ANNUAL DEMOCRATIC SUMMER PICNIC AND CANDIDATE MEET-N-GREET, Kirby Billingsley Hydro Park (reserved)

Primary Election Cycle:

·        6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1 9a-3p, Voter Registration (location tbd, volunteers needed)

·        7/3 Deadline for ONLINE voter registration, address change and other updates

·        7/14 BALLOTS MAILED (expect no later than 7/19)

·        7/24 Deadline for IN-PERSON new Washington State voter registration

·        8/1 PRIMARY ELECTION

8/13 5-9p NCWDems Summer (Ice Cream?) Social/Family Event, Walla Walla Park Shelter 1 (reserved)

8/23-27 NCW District Fair-Democratic Booth, Waterville (volunteers needed)

9/4 Labor Day

9/6-10 Chelan County Fair-Democratic Booth, Cashmere Fairgrounds (volunteers needed)

9/8-10 Fiestas Mexicanas (help CAFÉ staff voter registration booth)

Late Sept/Mid-Oct CHELAN-DOUGLAS DEMOCRATIC DINNER (date tbd)

General Election Cycle:

·        9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 9a-3p, Voter Registration (location tbd, volunteers needed)

·        10/9 Deadline for ONLINE voter registration, address change and other updates

·        10/20 BALLOTS MAILED (expect no later than 10/25)

·        10/30 Deadline for IN-PERSON new Washington State voter registration

·        11/7 GENERAL ELECTION, Election Night Party?

12/tbd NCWDems Winter Gathering

 2018 We’ll gear up for the mid-term elections!