Jackson County Democrats

January Kicks Off the 2012 Election Season - Get Involved!

Happy Holidays!
The Jackson County Democrat's headquarters will be closed December 21 through January 5.

Secretary of State Kate Brown Joins Us to Answers Your Questions
Thursday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.
Oregon Education Association building, 2495 S Pacific Hwy, Medford
Let's fill the room for this truly dynamic speaker. SOS Brown is running for re-election. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions! See item re voter registration below.

2012 Campaign School- Candidates and Managers Take Note! Open to everyone!
Saturday, January 14, 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This fast-paced, full-day session is designed for registered Democrats who are seriously considering running for public office in Jackson County - and for campaign managers who may assist them. Registration is required and limited to 25 people.

Where: JCD Headquarters, 40 South Central, Medford
Who: Cathy Allen, founder and president The Connections Group, Seattle
Cost: $30 per person, includes morning coffee and lunch
Register: Contact Jackson County Democrats (541) 858-1050

For the complete agenda and information about Cathy Allen: Click here

JCD Democrats Education Series
Thursday, January 26, 6:30 p.m.
Oregon Education Association building, 2495 S Pacific Hwy, Medford
"Watching the Supremes: The Importance of the Court and Its Impact on All of Us" with Wolf Hoppe as out special guest speaker. Wolf will focus on the makeup of the Supreme Court, its ideological schism, and how cases get there; and will illustrate by discussing a recent case. He is a retired trial lawyer, adjunct professor of law and U.S Foreign Service Officer. Wolf has been teaching courses at OLLI at SOU (formerly SOLIR) on the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court and related topics since retiring in Ashland in 1999. After the presentation, we will have the Central Committee meeting. We'll be rolling out new campaign strategy and volunteer opportunities.

Writing Your Year-end Donation Checks? Keep the Jackson County Democrats in mind!
Help us Elect Democrats in 2012! Please keep the Democrat's Presence in Jackson County Strong!
Your one-time and monthly donations, no matter what the amount, will keep the JCD office as the hub of the Democratic Party in Jackson County and help elect Democrats to important local positions. Please become a "Grassroots" sustaining supporter. Even $10 a month commitment will ensure our office remains open to provide a headquarters for local progressive political education and discussions, committee meetings, seminars and trainings. AND, it is the base for 2012 campaign.

Help us keep a progressive voice in Jackson County. Contribute via credit card by going to the www.jcdemocrats.org website, or by sending a check (and your Grassroots Commitment) to the JCD HQ, PO Box 4474, Medford, OR 97501. Thank you!

Are You Sure You're Registered to Vote? Have you moved since the last election?
If yes, then you need to re-register to vote and update your mailing address. And now, you can do it on-line! Simply click here, have your Oregon Driver's License handy, and 5 minutes from now, you cross this "to do" off your list! By the way, this new on-line voter registration was made possible under Secretary of State Kate Brown - she's running for re-election, and we need to keep this type of progressive-thinking public official in office.

JCD Facebook Page
If you want up-to-the-minute news about JCD activities, please "like" us on the Jackson County Democrats Facebook page!

Representative Peter Buckley announces opportunities for small businesses
Business Oregon to Start Disbursing $16.5 Million in Federal Small Business Assistance Funds
The funding, from the U.S. Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), is expected to generate lending up to 10 times the amount received--or an estimated $165 million over the next four years through existing Business Oregon financing programs. Oregon small businesses interested in applying for funds can find more information at Business Oregon's Web site.

State Senator Alan Bates Shares His Year-end Message

"As you make your holiday plans, I hope you'll consider helping those less fortunate in whatever way you can. I encourage you to find and donate to charities you care about, whether they are statewide organizations or small charities working on an issue close to your heart. To find charities in your community and ensure that your donation is used as intended, visit the Attorney General's guide to charitable donations and the Nonprofit Association of Oregon."

U.S.Senator Jeff Merkley wraps up 2011
Merkley's list of accomplishments is long. Take a look here.

Senator Jeff Merkley wants to keep you informed! If you would like to receive regular updates from Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, sign up here.

Rural Organizing Project Mobilizes to Save Local Post Offices
All across rural Oregon protesters staged demonstrations to save their post offices and jobs. Watch the slideshow here, with photos from the tiny town of Deadwood (population less than 200!) with its own Pony Express, to collecting signatures of half of the population in Fort Klamath. Read more about the Rural Organizing Project's activities at www.ROP.net

A Warning from Attorney General Kroger
There is another type of scam circulating
The Oregon Department of Justice has received a recent onslaught of complaints from Oregonians reporting repeated calls from telemarketers that use the name "Card Services" or "Account Services." These calls come from marketing firms that pass you off to a company promising to lower your interest rates for a fee. Many of them originate out of the country but appear to come from an Oregon area code, because they are using phone technology to spoof the caller ID.

Click here for more information. And you can click here to join the Oregon Scam Alert Network.

Good wishes to our President, his family and all Americans this holiday season

Occupy Medford General Assemblies
Saturdays, Noon at the Medford Library

Citizens for Peace Benefit Concert Starring folksinger/blues artist Pete Herzog and friends
Thursday, January 5, 6:30 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit the defense fund through Peace House for the "Medford Six," the six who were arrested on Monday, Dec. 5th, for refusing to leave the Medford office of Rep. Greg Walden. The Medford Six face fines and other costs associated with their arrests and citations for the crime of "Trespass of Premises." They hope to have T-shirts to sell that will also benefit the Medford Six Defense Fund.

Save this date for the 3^rd Annual Bodacious Rainbow Ball, Community-wide Dance in Celebration of Diversity
Friday, February 10, 7 - 10 p.m.
Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 Fourth Street, Ashland
General Admission: $15 • Students: $5 • Children Under 12 Free
Proceeds Benefit Lotus Rising Project (Youth Led Social Justice Org.)
Tickets Available at the Door • Tobacco, Alcohol & Drug Free • Childcare Available
Co-Sponsors: Lotus Rising Project; PFLAG Grants Pass; Rogue Valley Lavender Womyn; SOPride; SOU Queer Resource Center; United Church of Christ, Ashland
For more information, go to http://rvuuf.org/bodacious-rainbow-ball