Jackson County Democrats

Join In As Jumping January Continues!

Secretary of State Kate Wows the Crowd
Thanks to all our friends and PCPs who turned out for Secretary of State Kate Brown. We learned what the Secretary of State does as well as being our chief elections officer and what she hopes to accomplish in her next term. It was an uplifting presentation.

In a brief reunion, Kate Brown is pictured with and former State Representative Judy Uherbelau. They worked together when both served in the State House of Representatives.

JCD Democrats Education Series Open to the Entire Community
"Watching the Supremes: The Importance of the Court and Its Impact on All of Us"
Thursday, January 26, 6:30 p.m.
Oregon Education Association building, 2495 S Pacific Hwy, Medford

Wolf Hoppe, as our special guest speaker, 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.

Your New Year's Resolution: Support the Democrats
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!

Register to Vote or Make Corrections On Line
If you're not registered, do it now. If you've moved, you need to re-register to vote and update your mailing address. Do it now 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!

JACKSON COUNTY & OREGON NEWS

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations: Events for Inspiration and Information

Today, Sunday, January 15

Kids Unlimited MLK Event
2 - 5 p.m., 821 N. Riverside Ave., Medford
Speakers, performances, a volunteer fair and this year's "I Have a Dream" awards. For more information call 541-774-3900 ext. 102. Sponsored by the Multicultural Association and the Medford MLK Task Force.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 16

MLK celebration
Noon to 2 p.m. at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St., Ashland
Open microphone. Bring signs and enthusiasm. A march to the Plaza follows for a reading of the "I Have a Dream" speech.

SOU Rogue River Room
5:00 pm
A film, "Education Under Fire" and panel discussion. Sponsored by Occupy Ashland and SOU. See flyer for all the details.

A Day at the Legislature Workshop
February 7, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Oregon State Capitol, Salem, Hearing Room 50
Guest speaker: Governor Kitzhaber. Learn how the legislature works and visit hearings. Sponsored by: League of Women Voters, AAUW and the Oregon Commission on Women. Register by January 31. Click here for more information, and to register. Click here for parking information.

A Great Week for Suzanne Bonamici, Our Candidate for Oregon's Next Congresswoman
The Oregonian told voters to "Elect Suzanne Bonamici for a new era". Then it was the Daily Astorian, saying "What Oregon and the nation need are members of Congress who are pragmatic and seek consensus. Suzanne Bonamici's legislative record tells us that's who she is." And this morning, Willamette Week made their own strong case for Suzanne, praising her "diligence and attention to detail" and pointing out that her Republican opponent's "résumé simply cannot match the accomplishments of Bonamici."

Will you chip in to help fund the final two weeks of our volunteer efforts?

Ellen Rosenblum: "Why I'm Running for Attorney General"
"Everyday we see fellow Oregonians who are hurting. People out of work because Wall Street crashed the economy. Families in foreclosure with a bank that won't refinance their mortgage. And scammers, identity thieves and criminals are trying to take advantage of those in need. Today I'm standing up to do something about it." Read more about Ellen and her campaign here.

Democratic Party In The News
Check out news articles from around the state about our elected officials. Some highlights are listed below. For the entire list of recent releases, click here.

Help Save Rural Post Offices! Support ROP's Kitchen Table Activity project
Revel in their accomplishments - get involved! Read about this project and sign the Rural Organizing Project's petition here.

Basic Rights Oregon fights back against the new anti-marriage equality political pac
The Oregon Family Council PAC is gathering funds to stop the momentum for marriage equality.

You can help Basic Rights Oregon fight back. Read the information and request here.

NATIONAL ISSUES

Ask President Obama and Congress to "Stand Up For You" in the State of the Union Address
President Obama will soon stand before Congress and deliver the last State of the Union address before the election. Pundits are already talking about the speech as a kickoff for the election and a referendum on what's already happened. Click here to add your choice of topics.

Has America's Stolen Election Process Finally Hit Prime Time?
Voter suppression tactics used since 2000 are at last surfacing and registering. Read about the three major shifts that have brought the problem to light. Click here.

Five Women You Need To Know
Harry Reid, along with ActBlue, asks support for 5 important candidates for the US Senate. They are:

Shelley Berkley, Nevada - A tenacious advocate for the middle class.
Heidi Heitkamp, North Dakota - Who has turned this race into a toss-up.
Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts -"You know she'd make a great addition to the Senate."
Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin - "A trailblazing hero."
Mazie Hirono, Hawaii - A record of expanding access to education and health care.

To support any or all of them, click here.

WIDER COMMUNITY

Occupy the Courts - A Symbolic, Peaceful Demonstration
Friday, January 20, 12 noon at Vogel Plaza
Join in this nation-wide action locally organized by Medford, Ashland, and Grants Pass Occupy, and other groups to focus on the Move to Amend resolution that states that Corporations Are Not People! There will be a march to the Jackson County Courthouse where there will be speakers at 1PM. See the David Cobb video.

"Occuparty" a Great Success
Thanks to all of you who attended our "Occuparty" at Roscoe's BBQ January 5^th. The place was packed with people and the music by Pete Herzog & Patrick Tovatt, followed by the Rogue Suspects, was incredible. Read more here.

Occupy Medford General Assembly
Saturday, January 21, Noon - 3:00 p.m.
Medford Library

"Climate Change and the Rogue Valley" - presented by Alan Journet PH.D
February 9 and 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Ashland Center for Creative Change, 320 E. Main

Alan will address a series of questions dealing with the evidence regarding climate change and its causes, the consequences of climate change globally, nationally and regionally, and what we can do to counter the trends. No registration is necessary. Note that the complete program extends over the two evenings.

Citizens for Peace and Justice Film Night and Meeting
Tuesday, January 17
Lidgate Hall, Medford Congregational United Church of Christ
1801 E. Jackson St., Medford

5:30 p.m. - Brown bag business meeting for CPJ regulars

7:00 p.m. - CPJ Film Night. The film, Blood in the Mobile, is about how the mining of a rare mineral used in cell phones and the money it generates impacts ongoing civil war in the Congo.

FAMJAM Benefit for Good Grief America
Friday, January 27, 8:30 at Rosso's
See the great flyer here.

Oregon Action Health Care Forum: Watch for more details
Tuesday, January 31, 6 p.m.
Woolworth Building - 2nd floor
33 N. Central Ave, Medford

Chances to join in are coming to "Immense Possibilities"
Welcome to the 2012 Season - Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Watch for chances coming soon to be part of the studio audience for our very own local production. See what's coming at http://www.immensepossibilities.org.

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

For more information, go to http://rvuuf.org/bodacious-rainbow-ball